paizo.com Recent Posts by Arthur Gpaizo.com Recent Posts by Arthur G2017-06-12T21:50:43Z2017-06-12T21:50:43ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=13#6182017-03-17T22:18:30Z2017-03-17T22:18:30Z<p>Kade looked from the deputy to his dwarf companion. Grargath was looking just a bit bleary-eyed this morning. As if he had a case of the liquid flu. Like he was suffering the wrath of the hops. Experiencing the high cost of low living. Feeling a bit fur-tounged. Hmm. 'Fur-tounged' probably wasn't a term in dwarven society, Kade reflected. What with the beards and all. </p>
<p>He nursed no hangover himself. No, Kade felt perfectly fresh this hazy morning, due in no small part to hitting the hay early. Cira's proffered drink had been somewhat wasted on him, as Kade had exchanged her offer of "whatever everyone wants" to a glass of water. Truth was that Kade avoided alcohol. Always had. But he did have a damn difficult time explaining why this was, and not just because of his lingual limitations. It had nothing to do with any supposed immorality in consuming the stuff; he had no issues with anyone drinking. Going dry was one of the many rules he applied to himself and no one else. He supposed it had something to do with the thought of a substance altering one's mindset. The idea didn't appeal to him. Kade largely defined himself by his discipline. Lowering one's inhibitions through drink was then of course not desirable to so rigid a mind as his.</p>
<p>Was his reluctance offensive to the Drunken God, he wondered, thinking of Marcus. Kade hoped not.</p>Kade looked from the deputy to his dwarf companion. Grargath was looking just a bit bleary-eyed this morning. As if he had a case of the liquid flu. Like he was suffering the wrath of the hops. Experiencing the high cost of low living. Feeling a bit fur-tounged. Hmm. 'Fur-tounged' probably wasn't a term in dwarven society, Kade reflected. What with the beards and all.
He nursed no hangover himself. No, Kade felt perfectly fresh this hazy morning, due in no small part to hitting the hay...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-17T22:18:30ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=13#6072017-03-10T11:40:33Z2017-03-10T11:40:33Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Right you are, Grargath. Thanks for the correction.</span></p>
<p><b>•rittsch•</b></p>
<p>The soft scrape of the straight razor snaked its way through the room. Part of the water that Francis had boiled to mend the bard's poison-ravaged leg had gone up to Kade's room to be used very differently. The steaming bowl was quickly filling up with soap as Kade dipped the razor into the water after every swipe, ridding his face of stubble. His practiced hand worked slowly and methodically. This was daily routine for Kade. He hadn't missed a day in years. In fact, the whole dungeon expedition and its aftermath had been the closest he'd gotten to a full day without his grooming since taking up the ritual.</p>
<p>Ritual. That was the word. The preparation of the skin, the mixing of the lather, the shaving of the hairs - it was all done with such slow deliberation as to mimic reverence. Kade had taken up the daily procedure long ago to compensate for his restrained nature. If he couldn't speak well then he could at least look good. Shaving, combing, oral hygiene... He took it all quite seriously. Initially, maintaining appearances was all there was to the daily grooming. But somewhere along the way something changed. Kade now felt a bit off if he missed one of his sessions. The scent of soap, the way he had to stare at his own face in the small mirror throughout, the slow movements and in particular the way he had become so practiced at these that he didn't need to <i>think</i> about any of this, it all led to a strangely calming experience. He felt invigorated after a session; centered, even.</p>
<p>In truth, Kade's state of mind during his grooming could best be likened to a monk's meditation. Kade was abnormal among his kind. Where most people who fought like he fought earned that ability trough rigorous training, Kade had never received any instruction. He stumbled onto his abilities, like the physician who realized that his job had given him the fine motor skills necessary for playing the guitar. His stern upbringing substituted the monk's discipline. His prison brawls substituted the martial artist's training. And slowly, his introspection and self-imposed moral guidelines were substituting the ancient martial philosophies that typically guided his kind, allowing him to tap into that essential life force, ki.</p>
<p>In his meditative state, Kade's hand slowly swiped at his cheek. As the cleric used boiling water to sterilize his tool, so to was the straight razor a tool of purification. His mind languished in meditative calm while his hand moved autonomously and automatically, just like...</p>
<p>Just like in...</p>
<p>Kade's mind snapped to. <i>Just like in the fights</i> his mind finished. His hand stopped mid swipe. The calm was gone. His calm state was very much gone. How could he not have recognized it? This sensation of switching off into a trance-like state and letting the body run on auto-pilot - it felt the same as when he let himself go in a fight. What was he doing? This couldn't be right. Kade did not like the idea of surrendering to instincts in a life or death situation. His disciplined mind didn't like the idea of giving up authority whatsoever.
<br />
He looked at his distraught face in the mirror, and as he did so he swore he could feel a... force roll back within him. What the heck was going on? </p>
<p>Huh. He'd nicked himself. Kade cleaned himself up quickly and went to the common room.</p>Right you are, Grargath. Thanks for the correction.
*rittsch*
The soft scrape of the straight razor snaked its way through the room. Part of the water that Francis had boiled to mend the bard's poison-ravaged leg had gone up to Kade's room to be used very differently. The steaming bowl was quickly filling up with soap as Kade dipped the razor into the water after every swipe, ridding his face of stubble. His practiced hand worked slowly and methodically. This was daily routine for Kade. He...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-10T11:40:33ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=13#6022017-03-09T11:00:52Z2017-03-09T11:00:52Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Missed the edit deadline by a minute... To clarify, that's another 798 gp for the party, or 159.6 for each when divided. This assumes that the bank charges us no fee, of course (and that my math is legit). Kade drops off his share at the bank. Seems more hassle free, and alleviates fears of robbery and what not. If any of you wish to do the same, but don't want to (or can't for whatever reason) open your own accounts then Kade of course has no problem with sharing his. Gotta say though... a PC with a bank account? What is the tabletop world coming to?</span></p>Missed the edit deadline by a minute... To clarify, that's another 798 gp for the party, or 159.6 for each when divided. This assumes that the bank charges us no fee, of course (and that my math is legit). Kade drops off his share at the bank. Seems more hassle free, and alleviates fears of robbery and what not. If any of you wish to do the same, but don't want to (or can't for whatever reason) open your own accounts then Kade of course has no problem with sharing his. Gotta say though... a...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-09T11:00:52ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=13#6012017-03-09T09:52:25Z2017-03-09T09:52:25Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Mister Killough, would you like to make a deposit in your parents' account?"</b> she asks without looking up. <b>"It's fallen into disuse since their passing, Abadar bless them."</b> </blockquote><p>Kade did not reply immediately, leaving the priestess with a pause just long enough to be uncomfortable. He hadn't been shocked silent by the revelation that she knew exactly who he was. Neither had the mention of his parents rendered him mute via a guilty conscience. No, he simply hadn't registered that the holy woman's query had been directed at him.
<p><i>Who?</i> </p>
<p>'Mister Killough'? Had he ever been addressed thusly in his life? No such instance sprang to mind, but he supposed that the handle was appropriate enough. He was now the elder, or rather only, Killough. Wow, that felt weird. He couldn't not associate that title with his father.
<br />
Kade pulled himself out of his stupor. The woman was waiting for an answer.</p>
<p><b>"Ah... Y-yes, ma'am. That'd be the simplest solution. Thanks. And thank you... for keeping the account open all this time."</b> </p>
<p>He'd never even considered that his parent's bank account was still active, but it certainly offered the party easy means to convert all those copper pieces into something more manageable. Keeping an account active after the owner's passing - Kade had to wonder if that was normal. The banking business wasn't exactly familiar to him, so he couldn't say. The way Mother Eupaphenia spoke of his parents... She clearly knew who he was. Had she kept the account open out of sympathy for the elder Killoughs? The couple had never been true believers of the Master of the First Vault, but they had certainly been sympathetic to the faith, what with their discipline and principles. </p>
<p>Or it could just be standard procedure. Eupaphenia certainly came off as the professional type. Kade reflected on the fact that she still hadn't looked directly at him. Was that professional distancing or just disdain? Either way, Kade admired her for it. Self-professed murderers should be scorned.</p>GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:"Mister Killough, would you like to make a deposit in your parents' account?" she asks without looking up. "It's fallen into disuse since their passing, Abadar bless them."
Kade did not reply immediately, leaving the priestess with a pause just long enough to be uncomfortable. He hadn't been shocked silent by the revelation that she knew exactly who he was. Neither had the mention of his parents rendered him mute via a guilty conscience. No, he simply hadn't registered...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-09T09:52:25ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5962017-03-08T14:55:18Z2017-03-08T14:55:18Z<p>The money changer in town, Grellen and Sons, didn't often see customers such as these. The tall man and the stout dwarf made a minor scene simply in trying to get through the door, impeded as they were by their heavy cargo. They were carrying a chest between them, the content of which was obviously hefty; the pair wasn't having an easy time maneuvering the thing. And no small wonder; the difference in height between the two men made their labor look, frankly, just a bit laughable. The tall man was forced to stoop whilst the dwarf had to raise his arms, both with obvious discomfort. </p>
<p>Neither complained, however, as the staff guided them to a table where they could relieve themselves. The old chest jingled as it was set down, and the reason why was then made clear. Copper pieces. Thousands upon thousands of copper pieces. Some silver too. The duo made clear their wish to have the whole collection exchanged into gold. The staff sighed internally. Counting all this coin would take some time. Oh well. Could be worse.</p>
<p><b>"May want to get started soon,"</b> the tall, dark haired man added. <b>"We've got a few more like these coming."</b></p>
<p>The duo both rubbed their shoulders in anticipation of carrying more chests to Grellen's, and the staff shrunk at the thought of spending the next work hours counting out thousands upon thousands of coins.</p>The money changer in town, Grellen and Sons, didn't often see customers such as these. The tall man and the stout dwarf made a minor scene simply in trying to get through the door, impeded as they were by their heavy cargo. They were carrying a chest between them, the content of which was obviously hefty; the pair wasn't having an easy time maneuvering the thing. And no small wonder; the difference in height between the two men made their labor look, frankly, just a bit laughable. The tall...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-08T14:55:18ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion&page=2#972017-03-08T15:12:29Z2017-03-08T14:00:04Z<p>That's an idea. There's a money changer in town. Let's say we pocket the gold and platinum and dump the rest over there to exchange it all to gold? That's 585 gp we're missing out on otherwise, minus whatever such a service costs us. </p>
<p>EDIT: Made a post where we do just that. Sorry. Ignore or undo if this doesn't fit somehow or you disagree, seriously. It's just that the whole money business was taking far too long.</p>That's an idea. There's a money changer in town. Let's say we pocket the gold and platinum and dump the rest over there to exchange it all to gold? That's 585 gp we're missing out on otherwise, minus whatever such a service costs us.
EDIT: Made a post where we do just that. Sorry. Ignore or undo if this doesn't fit somehow or you disagree, seriously. It's just that the whole money business was taking far too long.Arthur G2017-03-08T14:00:04ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5902017-03-04T13:29:18Z2017-03-04T13:29:18Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote><b>“I didn’t really belong, even if they <i>had</i> wanted me there. Iadara is incredibly isolated. I’d like to travel the world and experience as much as I can. Leaving was for the best.”</b> </blockquote><p><b>"Hm."</b>
<p>Kade's eyes narrowed in dissaproval. He'd heard that elven society could be somewhat exclusionary, but he'd always figured that this was just a natural part of such advanced cultures. Heck, to a certain extent he even approved of it. Being something of a yokel himself, with the self-awareness of his uncultured crudeness and ignorance, he understood perfectly well that elves might not readily accept someone like him. Kade didn't think highly of himself. Why then would someone as sophisticated as an elf approve of him? </p>
<p>But to exclude someone born and raised among them? That was just plain wrong, especially when that someone was Cira. Kade had never known her to be anything but bright and caring. He pondered upon the half-elven condition, and not for the first time since meeting Cira. Perhaps estrangement and alienation really was the birthright of the half-elven race, caught between two worlds as they were.
<br />
This bothered Kade far more than he had expected. Perhaps it was because, despite everything, he'd never felt as if he didn't belong in Belhaim. Perhaps it was because, despite everything, the group, including Cira, had accepted him freely. </p>
<p>Focusing on more material matters, the trio found that the low tunnel stretched far into the darkness, maybe even to the kobold tribe itself or at least near it. Nothing to do here for now then. No way were they exploring further without the backup of Francis and Marcus.
<br />
Instead, Kade turned back and wrested one merrily jingling chest onto his shoulder. It was fairly heavy. Sigh. They were going to have to make multiple trips.</p>Cira Illivar wrote:“I didn’t really belong, even if they had wanted me there. Iadara is incredibly isolated. I’d like to travel the world and experience as much as I can. Leaving was for the best.”
"Hm." Kade's eyes narrowed in dissaproval. He'd heard that elven society could be somewhat exclusionary, but he'd always figured that this was just a natural part of such advanced cultures. Heck, to a certain extent he even approved of it. Being something of a yokel himself, with the...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-04T13:29:18ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5862017-03-03T10:51:52Z2017-03-03T10:51:52Z<p>The dungeon felt no more welcoming in this second visit, despite the trio now feeling a fair bit safer in the knowledge that its traps and guardians were no more. As far as they knew, of course. But the long shadows cast off from Cira's magical light merely let them see the dreariness of the place that much clearer. Case in point: Hunclay's broken body. Kade made a point of not looking at the thing as they passed it. It was a sad thing, dying without anyone to care for your corpse. No one except maybe another one of those giant centipedes.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote><div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Th' World's Edge Mountains, jus' east o' th' Verudan Forest… Wha' about you, lass? Where's home for you?”</b></blockquote><b>"I think I know where that is. It sounds familiar, at least. It’s… not <i>too</i> far from Kyonin, right? I’m from Iadara,”</b> she says in answer to the dwarf as they make their way back through the dungeons. <b>"Though I’m not sure I would really call it home.”</b></blockquote><p>Right, Kade thought. He had a fair idea of the World' Edge mountain range, but Iadara rang some bells for him. As it should. The origins of Cira Illivar had been the first thing he'd asked her about, just yesterday, in fact. Had it been the <i>only</i> thing he'd ever asked about her? Hmm. That didn't seem right.
<p>What also didn't seem right was the manner in which the half-elf spoke of her home. Cira didn't seem too fond of speaking about her hometown. He was sure of this now because she'd reacted similarly yesterday, when he had asked a similar question.
<br />
And he had to admit that he was curious why. Kade had always thought of elves as magical, larger-than-life, infallible entities. While he recognized now that this was probably a childish way to think of any mortal being, no matter how long-lived, he still thought of elves as something far grander than humanity. What could so bother Cira about her elven hometown? </p>
<p>The radical notion of simply asking her didn't enter Kade's mind, what with Kade being Kade. But perhaps the group was having an subtle influence on him, because he dared to launch a probing, indirect, query at the sorceress. </p>
<p><b>"Something wrong with Iadara? Too..."</b> </p>
<p>What had been the word she's used to describe the elves yesterday? Pompous? Lofty? Ah, he remembered.</p>
<p><b>"... poncy?"</b> he finished.</p>The dungeon felt no more welcoming in this second visit, despite the trio now feeling a fair bit safer in the knowledge that its traps and guardians were no more. As far as they knew, of course. But the long shadows cast off from Cira's magical light merely let them see the dreariness of the place that much clearer. Case in point: Hunclay's broken body. Kade made a point of not looking at the thing as they passed it. It was a sad thing, dying without anyone to care for your corpse. No one...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-03T10:51:52ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5802017-03-01T12:41:06Z2017-03-01T12:41:06Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Aye, I'm sure we can look fer yer friends."</b></blockquote><p>Look? Look where? Dragonfen was not exactly slight in size. Trying to find two people in an enormous marsh would be like finding a needle in a ha... No, that analogy really wasn't appropriate. If anything, the swamp was the more intimidating prospect. A haystack? Kade would much rather wrestle with a haystack over some dank quagmire hiding inhabitants dangerous enough to trouble an experienced druid.
</p>
The more he thought about it, the less he liked the idea. "Like finding a druid in Dragonfen..." The whole affair was messy enough to replace the old adage of the needle and the haystack. </p>
<p>But Kade Killough hadn't gotten to where he was today by being reasonable. No, he'd gotten locked up, ostracized and bankrupted by trying to do what was right. And that's how he liked it.
<br />
So when Grargath and Cira voiced their willingness to go look for the Kells, Kade told reason to go stuff itself, crossed his arms and nodded his assent.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Don't know if people were waiting for me or not. If so, I apologize.</span></p>Grargath Forgebane wrote:"Aye, I'm sure we can look fer yer friends."
Look? Look where? Dragonfen was not exactly slight in size. Trying to find two people in an enormous marsh would be like finding a needle in a ha... No, that analogy really wasn't appropriate. If anything, the swamp was the more intimidating prospect. A haystack? Kade would much rather wrestle with a haystack over some dank quagmire hiding inhabitants dangerous enough to trouble an experienced druid.
The more he thought...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-03-01T12:41:06ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion&page=2#912017-02-23T16:42:23Z2017-02-23T16:42:23Z<p>Yeah, we are pretty beefy overall, aren't we? And I hadn't even realized that you were using an archetype. Using Bladethirst to get a keen rapier is a neat combo. </p>
<p>Kinda forgot the mithral daggers. You're right; with some cold iron we'd have good coverage as a group.</p>Yeah, we are pretty beefy overall, aren't we? And I hadn't even realized that you were using an archetype. Using Bladethirst to get a keen rapier is a neat combo.
Kinda forgot the mithral daggers. You're right; with some cold iron we'd have good coverage as a group.Arthur G2017-02-23T16:42:23ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion&page=2#892017-02-23T11:57:45Z2017-02-23T11:57:45Z<p>So why cold iron, Marcus? Any particular reason? And why a rapier, for that matter? I'd love to hear where people are going with their characters.</p>
<p>Also, Saving Finale was a good choice for your second level spell. Played with a bard once that saved our collective butt many, many times with that.</p>So why cold iron, Marcus? Any particular reason? And why a rapier, for that matter? I'd love to hear where people are going with their characters.
Also, Saving Finale was a good choice for your second level spell. Played with a bard once that saved our collective butt many, many times with that.Arthur G2017-02-23T11:57:45ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5712017-02-23T11:03:01Z2017-02-23T11:03:01Z<p><b>"Pleasure,"</b> the taciturn man replied at the two women's introduction, once again treating his words as if they were a finite resource. It was, however, a conscious decision on Kade's part not to introduce himself in turn. He had no idea if the two already knew who he was, or if they would recognize his name if offered, but everything would go a lot smoother if he played the stranger unless asked. </p>
<p>He'd known about Dragonfen, of course. Going out to find the Kells was a less than appetizing prospect, though. If they were as capable as the priestess said, then there was probably little their group could do. Wild marshes were seldom welcoming places. Still... it was difficult for Kade to ignore people in need. </p>
<p>His eye was suddenly drawn to Bassy's greying hair. Gnomes - Kade had heard stories of their curious aging process. But it seemed that even their kind was not immortal.</p>"Pleasure," the taciturn man replied at the two women's introduction, once again treating his words as if they were a finite resource. It was, however, a conscious decision on Kade's part not to introduce himself in turn. He had no idea if the two already knew who he was, or if they would recognize his name if offered, but everything would go a lot smoother if he played the stranger unless asked.
He'd known about Dragonfen, of course. Going out to find the Kells was a less than appetizing...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-23T11:03:01ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5642017-02-21T22:56:33Z2017-02-21T22:56:33Z<p>Not one to stick his nose in others' business, Kade had to admit that the only reason he stopped when passing the two women was because of Grargath. He was glad he had though. </p>
<p><i>Two people missing?</i></p>
<p>This sounded somewhat serious. Certainly more so than the overly abstract discussion over modernity vs traditionalism the two were having. No way was Kade touching that one, not even if he hadn't been about as useful in a debate as a deaf duck.</p>Not one to stick his nose in others' business, Kade had to admit that the only reason he stopped when passing the two women was because of Grargath. He was glad he had though.
Two people missing?
This sounded somewhat serious. Certainly more so than the overly abstract discussion over modernity vs traditionalism the two were having. No way was Kade touching that one, not even if he hadn't been about as useful in a debate as a deaf duck.Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-21T22:56:33ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5592017-02-20T21:38:05Z2017-02-20T21:18:34Z<p>He remembered it being so big. Just impossibly immense. But then of course he had; they had all been so small. Kade looked at the ruin that used to be the fearsome Witch Tower, and recalled his earliest memory with the monolith. </p>
<p>Whispered shouting. That's what he remembered. They had been less than kids, children, and the Witch Tower had been more than a building. In their minds, expansive and enormous as only the minds of children can be, the Witch Tower was dread manifested in masonry. They'd all heard the stories. The ghosts. The monsters. The witch. Every scary bed time story, every urban legend, every cautionary boogeyman they had heard in their short lives, it all lead back to this place. This tower. This impossible tower where every brick was a fresh fear. Little Menas, tall for his age, swore that the mortar was made with the ground-up teeth of bad children. And they could all swear that the tower reached up for miles. The embodiment of everything evil, that's what the tower had been.
<br />
Gods, they had been so little.</p>
<p>Whispered shouting. None of them dared to speak, lest the tower woke, but shout they must because something had to be done. Kade couldn't recall how many they were. More than a few, all standing there under the great shadow of the obelisk, all of them pink and tiny and so very, very young. Little Susán was tiniest of all and it was for her that they were there. Because little Susán was missing a sock.
<br />
From what they could gather in between her great big sobs, an older boy had run off with her stocking. He had run off towards the Witch Tower, put a rock in the sock, and then lobbed it at the accursed fortress. The little thing was inconsolable and soon enough she had attracted the sympathetic ears that now surrounded her. Her tiny foot was still uncovered, however, because even though the stocking was perfectly visible from where they stood, retrieving it meant going near the tower. And going near the tower was quite impossible. You might as well ask a child to enter a nightmare. If <i>it</i> didn't swallow them, their parents would; they weren't supposed to be even this near the tower. Every child in Belhaim knew this. If the feelings the structure inspired in every fearful heart string wasn't enough, then the knowledge of their guardian's ire was; no child would go near the Witch Tower.</p>
<p>And yet their visceral little child minds wouldn't let them leave. The sock remained. Proof of their transgression was right there for all to see. It had to be retrieved. And so the scrawny little Killough boy stepped from the group to do just that. The whispered shouting stopped, but the group did not let a collective gasp replace it; they dared not. The lanky child was invoking every calamity, every curse in the whole wide world upon him by walking so near the manifested nightmare-scape that was the tower. Little Menas thought him brave for it. The rest thought him mad and neither was the truth. Kade Killough had been afraid. As afraid as anyone suspecting to be snatched away into infinite blackness at a moment's notice should be. In truth he was mightily glad that he had relieved himself not too long ago; had he not they would all be able to see his fear on his trousers. But he did it any way. He did it any way, because even at that age Kade Killough did what was right, damn it. It was madness, perhaps. He was too young to understand what drove him to slowly walk up to the tower, kneel, pick up the sock, and turn back. It would be many years before he was able to formulate the need to do right; that to give up on one's morals was to betray the self. </p>
<p>Little Susán didn't want the sock. She just didn't want it near the tower. The effort might have been thought pointless for ever-silent Kade, if it wasn't for the fact that when the group dispersed he wasn't alone. Menas was still there, and Kade had made his first friend. The friend he would later sacrifice 10 years of his life for. The friend whose secret he still carried. The secret he could never tell anyone. </p>
<p>Kade looked at the utterly harmless ruin and ran a hand over his stubbly chin. This wasn't right. This couldn't be right. Him being faithful to his oldest friends couldn't also be what prevented him from forming new friendships. It was too ironically cruel.</p>He remembered it being so big. Just impossibly immense. But then of course he had; they had all been so small. Kade looked at the ruin that used to be the fearsome Witch Tower, and recalled his earliest memory with the monolith.
Whispered shouting. That's what he remembered. They had been less than kids, children, and the Witch Tower had been more than a building. In their minds, expansive and enormous as only the minds of children can be, the Witch Tower was dread manifested in masonry....Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-20T21:18:34ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=12#5532017-02-18T17:31:51Z2017-02-18T17:31:51Z<p>So reserved was Kade, that he had to fight the instinct to withdraw at Grargath's friendly gesture. Kade cursed the impulse as he welcomed the dwarf's friendship. He wondered too. Where did that instinct come from? Initially he had thought that his aversion to physical touch was purely mental, but he was starting to question this. After all, he'd already gotten comfortable with the others. Well, largely so. If his distaste of contact stemmed from his introverted mind, then why was he still reacting like this? </p>
<p>He was progressively becoming convinced that the problem lay not in the mind but in the body. Perhaps it was a result of being in a near constant state of fight-or-flight for a decade, but Kade was becoming increasingly aware of his bulk reacting to stimuli long before his mind had time to direct. He had caught himself in doing so now and that feeling of his body acting without thought... It felt exactly the same as when he killed that centipede in the dungeon. What the heck was that axe kick he'd done? Kade knew that no one should be able to pull off something like that without training. It was disconcerting, like he wasn't quite in control of himself.</p>
<p>Ah, they could see the Witch Tower now. Kade brushed off the whole speculation for now. If a few weird instinct-kicks would keep them safe from murderous kobolds, then so be it. It was a small price to pay.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>If anyone cares to know, this is just me playing up the role of ki as a force within the character.</span> </p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote>She rolls her eyes at him with a smile and a laugh. <b>"Twenty-nine,"</b> she says, looking up at him. <b>"You're going to have to start asking things out loud, Kade, I can’t read minds,"</b> she teases.</blockquote><p><i>Could've fooled me,</i> Kade thought as he offered the half-elf a wry smile in reply. No way was he admitting to thinking any such thought. Cira was older than he had expected though. Must be the elven blood.
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote><b>”We all might as well get to know one another, if we’re all going to be spending more time together, right?”</b> </blockquote><p>Right. Get to know one another. Kade's expression turned just a bit darker. In the furor he'd forgotten that connecting with others was a two-way street. You couldn't expect to learn about someone else without opening up yourself for scrutiny. And Kade had something he'd sworn himself never, ever to speak of to anyone.
</p>
Perhaps he shouldn't be asking questions, lest the others started inquiring into him. </p>
<p>The heck should they call the Witch Tower now? Witch Ruin didn't have much of a ring to it.</p>So reserved was Kade, that he had to fight the instinct to withdraw at Grargath's friendly gesture. Kade cursed the impulse as he welcomed the dwarf's friendship. He wondered too. Where did that instinct come from? Initially he had thought that his aversion to physical touch was purely mental, but he was starting to question this. After all, he'd already gotten comfortable with the others. Well, largely so. If his distaste of contact stemmed from his introverted mind, then why was he still...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-18T17:31:51ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=11#5472017-02-17T21:25:43Z2017-02-17T21:25:43Z<p>Kade gave a smirk at hearing of the older Forgebane's prowess and raised his heavy brow in recognition of Grargath's surprisingly advanced years. Did this mean that dwarfs really did reach ages of 200? And yes, he certainly was older than Kade. </p>
<p><b>"Heh. I pray you'll live to be old enough to beat up your own children."</b></p>
<p>It was peculiar. Kade noted another difference in the race relations here, as he knew that he would treat a 55 year old human differently than he treated Grargath. Age was no guarantee of integrity, but those above a certain age were certainly wiser and more knowledgeable than most, and as such Kade typically paid deference to the aged. He'd been raised to respect the elderly.
<br />
And yet this obviously didn't apply to Grargath. Did the different races experience time differently? No matter how many winters the dwarf said he'd seen there was something in his demeanor, his speech, his mannerisms which didn't match up to that numerical value in Kade's head. A 55 year old dwarf simply wasn't the same as a 55 year old human. Huh. Perhaps everything was relative. Perhaps the only reason he thought any of this odd was due to his own feeble human biology. </p>
<p>Kade glanced over at the half-elf. How old was Cira, he wondered? No, no, he wasn't about to ask a lady about her age. He'd been raised better than that.</p>Kade gave a smirk at hearing of the older Forgebane's prowess and raised his heavy brow in recognition of Grargath's surprisingly advanced years. Did this mean that dwarfs really did reach ages of 200? And yes, he certainly was older than Kade.
"Heh. I pray you'll live to be old enough to beat up your own children."
It was peculiar. Kade noted another difference in the race relations here, as he knew that he would treat a 55 year old human differently than he treated Grargath. Age was no...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-17T21:25:43ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=11#5452017-02-17T17:41:30Z2017-02-17T17:41:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote>Grargath walks over to Kade. <b>"Can yah help me check out the kobold's tunnel, lad?"</b> He glances around and adds quietly, <b>"An' it'll be a good chance to get more o' th' treasure out o' there."</b></blockquote><p>Kade gave the dwarf one of the solemn nods he was wont to use in place of words. Of course he wouldn't let Grargath walk into a suspected kobold den alone. Or carry seven chests worth of coin on his own, for that matter. That had been a sly bit of rhetoric by Francis, justifying them returning to the dungeon. The young cleric was resourceful. For his own part, Kade had to admit that he was just a bit weary of underground tunnels, mentally if not physically, but he'd never been the type to rest when there was work to be done.
<p>No sooner had the pair set out from the group, however, before the ex-con saw a problem. They had just waved off Marcus and with him his scintillating stick. Grargath had his dwarven eyes but Kade would be walking blind. He would have to pick up some supp...</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illavar wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Are you going back to the tunnels today? There are still kobolds down there... I could help,"</b> she says hopefully.</blockquote><p>Ah. Well, that took care of that. A scintillating staff would do just as well. Besides, the more the merrier.
<p><i>Did I just think that?</i></p>
<p>Yeah, he supposed he just had. Introverted though he may be, Kade would not deny that he enjoyed the others' company. How could he not, really? It was nice being among people that one knew, demonstrably and through experience, would look out for you. That had to be a universal sentiment shared by all humans, Kade thought. </p>
<p><b>"Mh. 'Course. C'mon."</b></p>
<p>Shared by humans - he looked to the dwarf walking by one side of him and to the half-elf by the other. Of course, neither were human, he reminded himself. Kade was well aware that his thinking could be considered just a bit stunted by his upbringing. Growing up he had been surrounded near exclusively by humans and had never had much opportunity to interact with the other races. As a result he was not quite sure how to relate to them, even more so than with anyone else. Which was a problem because for the first time in years Kade had found people he actually wanted to reach out to. He found both Grargath and Cira in particular fascinating.</p>
<p>It was just that he couldn't discern whether that fascination stemmed from their personality or their biology. Both, surely. Anything else would be a disservice to them. But, he wondered, Cira's optimism, open-mindedness and easy manner of turning thought to speech - was this a trait of the half-elven race or was that just... her? At what point did the species end and the person begin? Kade didn't have the faintest idea and worried that it would inhibit him in connecting with her. How did he know what was the blood and what was the person?
<br />
And what about Grargath? Were his mannerism, such as his speech, unique to him or was this just how all dwarfs behaved? His habit of referring to everyone as "lad", for example...</p>
<p>Wait, that was actually a good point to start; how old was Grargath? Kade knew that both dwarfs and half-elves had longer lifespans than anything he could hope for, but had no definite knowledge on this. Heck, he'd heard that dwarfs grew inside rocks and returned to stone upon death. He didn't look especially old, but Kade didn't trust himself to gauge age. Grargath might be 200 for all he knew. Oh gods, did dwarfs grow to be 200? Oh, to heck with this. Speculating wasn't helping him connect and it certainly wasn't making him smarter.</p>
<p><b>"Grargath. How old are you?"</b></p>
<p>He was well aware that the question might come off as sudden and awkward, but Kade didn't particularly care.</p>Grargath Forgebane wrote:Grargath walks over to Kade. "Can yah help me check out the kobold's tunnel, lad?" He glances around and adds quietly, "An' it'll be a good chance to get more o' th' treasure out o' there."
Kade gave the dwarf one of the solemn nods he was wont to use in place of words. Of course he wouldn't let Grargath walk into a suspected kobold den alone. Or carry seven chests worth of coin on his own, for that matter. That had been a sly bit of rhetoric by Francis, justifying...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-17T17:41:30ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=11#5322017-02-16T21:16:21Z2017-02-16T21:16:21Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Is there anything else?"</b></blockquote><p>Lady Devy's proposal left Kade hesitant. Displace an entire tribe of kobolds? Putting the ethics of that aside, was she hoping to hire exterminators or diplomats? Either case made him uncomfortable. These weren't monsters she wanted removed. These were thinking, feeling, sapient creatures. Mean little buggers, yes, but still.
<p>Perhaps something to contemplate later; the others had readily agreed to the proposition. And yeah, there was something else he wanted to bring up. Kade softly cleared his throat before speaking.</p>
<p><b>"Hunclay - did he have any loved ones?"</b></p>
<p><b>"For burial purposes,"</b> he added, fearing that his reason for asking wasn't clear enough.</p>GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:"Is there anything else?"
Lady Devy's proposal left Kade hesitant. Displace an entire tribe of kobolds? Putting the ethics of that aside, was she hoping to hire exterminators or diplomats? Either case made him uncomfortable. These weren't monsters she wanted removed. These were thinking, feeling, sapient creatures. Mean little buggers, yes, but still. Perhaps something to contemplate later; the others had readily agreed to the proposition. And yeah, there was something...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-16T21:16:21ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion&page=2#832017-02-15T12:41:39Z2017-02-15T12:41:39Z<p>Woo! Level up! R0bogeisha, do you have any preference for how we gain HP? I can't recall if this was specified at any point, but would you prefer for us to roll hit dice or just to calculate average HP?</p>
<p>And yeah, the second option seems the most manageable.</p>Woo! Level up! R0bogeisha, do you have any preference for how we gain HP? I can't recall if this was specified at any point, but would you prefer for us to roll hit dice or just to calculate average HP?
And yeah, the second option seems the most manageable.Arthur G2017-02-15T12:41:39ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=11#5222017-02-15T12:37:55Z2017-02-15T12:37:55Z<p>While the Killough boy could be said to have the stern face of a lord, he felt decidedly out of place in the manor. Not that this was immediately obvious, mind you. Next to the fidgeting Grargath, Kade's austere mannerisms almost looked at home. He occupied his cushioned chair without actually leaning into it, keeping his back perfectly rigid, and coupled with his severe expression one might almost suspect the man of having received the strict upbringing of an aristocrat.</p>
<p>In truth, Kade felt outright displaced, like he had stepped into some parallel universe meant for another Kade Killough. This didn't feel like his life at all. He had returned to Belhaim for what was supposed to have been a quiet, meager and no doubt isolated life. Instead here he was in the manor he had admired as a child meeting with the honorable baroness to receive a sack of gold for... for... <i>investigative adventurer stuff</i>. And most bizarre of all was this: he wasn't doing this alone. The mismatched people sitting next to him were companions.
<br />
Kade's life as he had foreseen it had gone completely off the rails and most disconcerting of all was that he rather liked it. </p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Hunclay wanted the tower removed, he made that clear several times. But to ally himself with kobolds? And to put himself in harm's way, close enough so that he might be caught under the collapse? Something doesn't add up."</b> She glances back at the party, frowning.</blockquote><p>Kade frowned right back at the Lady Devy, deep in thought and relieved to hear the baroness echo his earlier suspicion. <i>I know, right? The heck was he doing down there? You don't hire an outside party to do your dirty work only to get involved yourself.</i>
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"I believe this belongs to you: five hundred imperial crowns for a job well done. If you are interested, I have an opportunity for you to earn quite a bit more."</b></blockquote><p>Surprisingly, it was not the sack of coin that drew Kade's attention. Neither was it the promise of yet more gold if the group accepted the baroness's second job. Ever since leaving the ruins a melancholic little thought had been eating away at him: namely that the resolution of their mission also meant the end of their group. Kade was very comfortable with solitude; it came naturally to him. But the little adventure with the others had made him realize that he had missed having companions far more than he cared to admit. Simply the prospect of keeping the quasi-friendship going was an alluring one. Gods, he had issues.
<p>He leaned forward in his chair. He would hear the baroness's proposition.</p>While the Killough boy could be said to have the stern face of a lord, he felt decidedly out of place in the manor. Not that this was immediately obvious, mind you. Next to the fidgeting Grargath, Kade's austere mannerisms almost looked at home. He occupied his cushioned chair without actually leaning into it, keeping his back perfectly rigid, and coupled with his severe expression one might almost suspect the man of having received the strict upbringing of an aristocrat.
In truth, Kade felt...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-15T12:37:55ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=11#5102017-02-14T18:01:21Z2017-02-14T18:01:21Z<p>Being underground for extended periods did funny things to a person. Kade couldn't recall sunlight ever stinging his eyes quite so bad, for one. Still, it could be worse. A lot worse apparently, he thought as he glanced over to one of the kobolds hanging over his shoulder. The scaly simians had been very cooperative so far, but as soon as the group had left the ruins they had started to struggle and whimper whilst screwing their eyes shut tight. The cave dwellers didn't seem overly enthused at the great outdoors. Kade almost felt sorry for them.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"I had a feelin' you would be back. And it got me an extra days pay."</b></blockquote><p><i>Hm. Well, at least they're betting actual money on your life rather than a wad of soggy tobacco. That's progress, Kade. That's progress.</i>
<p>It wasn't the first time there had been a wager on his life; Kade knew that there had been a betting pool on these matters in the prison. Heck, he was pretty sure a few guards were in on it too. Had to admit that he never expected to be the subject of such a bet ever again though.
<br />
Hmm. Who were these two anyway? Did he know them? Were they Belhaim natives? Kade had never been any good at remembering names. Vasyl and Letka? Yeah, that sounded about right. He'd definitely heard their names yesterday. Kade choose to remain silent and let the others talk. Either he should know them and would make an awkward mess of himself by speaking, or they knew of him and didn't want anything to do with him. In either case silence was golden.</p>
<p>Kade looked down at himself. Aw man, he needed to replace his shirt. The sunlight revealed the extent of the damage that gangly thing had done to his clothes.</p>Being underground for extended periods did funny things to a person. Kade couldn't recall sunlight ever stinging his eyes quite so bad, for one. Still, it could be worse. A lot worse apparently, he thought as he glanced over to one of the kobolds hanging over his shoulder. The scaly simians had been very cooperative so far, but as soon as the group had left the ruins they had started to struggle and whimper whilst screwing their eyes shut tight. The cave dwellers didn't seem overly enthused...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-14T18:01:21ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=11#5032017-02-13T11:35:05Z2017-02-13T11:35:05Z<p>Kade offered an ambiguous nod at the others' unanimous response. That settled it; they would not tell the baroness about the gold. He had no objections to this. Really, he was probably being silly with his concerns about 'rightful owners'. The treasure had been sitting here gathering dust for 200 years. Nobody was missing it. Probably.
<br />
Irrelevant. The others deserved it, as far as he was concerned. And he couldn't deny that a cash infusion would be very helpful for himself. </p>
<p>He let a sigh pass through his nose. Why did he let these things bother him? </p>
<p>Kade briefly stopped to look at the crushed corpse that had been Hunclay as they passed. Had the wizard had any family in town? Any loved ones? Perhaps they should dig him out and bring him up to when they returned. The pile of rubble hardly constituted a proper burial.</p>Kade offered an ambiguous nod at the others' unanimous response. That settled it; they would not tell the baroness about the gold. He had no objections to this. Really, he was probably being silly with his concerns about 'rightful owners'. The treasure had been sitting here gathering dust for 200 years. Nobody was missing it. Probably.
Irrelevant. The others deserved it, as far as he was concerned. And he couldn't deny that a cash infusion would be very helpful for himself.
He let a sigh...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-13T11:35:05ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=10#4972017-02-12T20:36:29Z2017-02-12T20:36:29Z<p>Kade looked at the deep red potion before dutifully stuffing it into a pocket. This liquid was Francis in a bottle? Crazy stuff. He grunted his thanks to Marcus while hoping that he would never need the thing.</p>
<p>Dropping an eye towards the bard's leg, Kade picked up another kobold and slung it over his other shoulder. The group had enough strong arms between them that transporting the reptilians shouldn't be a problem. Francis, Grargath, Marcus and himself could easily carry one each, but no way was he making the bard haul one of these up and out of the ruins in his state. And he wasn't about to let Cira do it because... Well, Kade was raised better than that.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Maybe we should check out th' rest o' this tunnel first, before it opens up t' th' kobold lair, jus' t' be safe. Don' want t' miss anythin'."</b> </blockquote><p><b>"Be best to unload these first,"</b> he replied, giving one half of his living cargo a light jostle. <b>"We'll be back."</b>
<p>The group would have to return down here soon regardless. The Canteclures' treasury was too tempting to do anything else and there were no shoulders wide enough to carry the kobolds and the seven chests.
<br />
Which sent Kade's thoughts hurtling towards a subject he had been hesitant to approach ever since finding the treasure. Who was the rightful owner of the gold now? Because however much he'd like to believe so, he wasn't sure that it was theirs by law. Were there any Canteclures left today to declare ownership? If not, did the gold pass onto the next ruler of Belhaim, the baroness, or at least to the county itself? Kade had no idea, but there was a question there that needed a mutually agreed answer before they saw Lady Devy again.</p>
<p><b>"Guys,"</b> he started, turning towards the group. <b>"Do we tell the Lady about the gold?"</b></p>
<p>No matter what the others answered he would comply by it. In his mind they were all fantastic in their own rights and absolutely deserved the money. Kade had no moral qualms about these people getting some extra capital with which to continue their journeys. It was really for his own sake that he asked. <i>Him</i> taking what might by law belong to someone else bothered him. Huh. Was he being selfish again?</p>Kade looked at the deep red potion before dutifully stuffing it into a pocket. This liquid was Francis in a bottle? Crazy stuff. He grunted his thanks to Marcus while hoping that he would never need the thing.
Dropping an eye towards the bard's leg, Kade picked up another kobold and slung it over his other shoulder. The group had enough strong arms between them that transporting the reptilians shouldn't be a problem. Francis, Grargath, Marcus and himself could easily carry one each, but no...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-12T20:36:29ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=10#4882017-02-12T16:54:27Z2017-02-12T16:54:27Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Kinda forgot Sense Motive is a thing in these situations.</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Sense Motive:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10</span></p>
<p>Well, Kade thought, it seemed that the party had completed their mission. The tunneling reptiles had been behind the tower's collapse. They had something to report to the baroness. Something to hand over too, what with the capture of the perpetrators. </p>
<p>Ready to sling one tied kobold over his shoulder he asked the group:</p>
<p><b>"We going back up?"</b></p>Kinda forgot Sense Motive is a thing in these situations.
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20 + 6[/dice]
Well, Kade thought, it seemed that the party had completed their mission. The tunneling reptiles had been behind the tower's collapse. They had something to report to the baroness. Something to hand over too, what with the capture of the perpetrators.
Ready to sling one tied kobold over his shoulder he asked the group:
"We going back up?"Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-12T16:54:27ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=10#4842017-02-11T20:35:34Z2017-02-11T20:35:34Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote> <b>"Wizard-man make deal with Blood Vow tribe. We drop man-building for shiny-shiny."</b> Eepo explains, still on his knees. <b>"Wizard-man get in the way and man-building fall on him."</b> </blockquote><p><i>He got in the way? Got in the way how?</i>
<p>Kade was standing over the three sleeping kobolds, ready to give them a nasty surprise should any one of them prove disagreeable upon waking. While Francis had tied up the snoring scalies, he had disarmed them as an extra precaution; Kade didn't mind leaving the questioning to the others. He couldn't image he'd be much good at it. Carrying a conversation was plenty difficult enough for him. </p>
<p>Still, he couldn't quite follow what the kobold was telling them. That Hunclay had promised the kobold tribe gold (<i>shiny-shiny?</i>) in exchange for felling the tower from below made some sense. According to the baroness the wizard had petitioned for the witch tower's destruction for some time. Kade couldn't even guess at the man's motivation, but what really mystified him was how he'd ended up dead under a pile of rubble. If he had contracted the kobolds, if he knew exactly what was going on down here, then why had he 'gotten in the way'? Was Hunclay meeting his end in the very collapse he himself had ordered just a highly ironic accident?
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"We should take 'em back up t' th' surface with us. Let 'em face th' Baroness' justice. An' she can hear wha' happened 'ere first hand."</b></blockquote><p>Kade nodded his assent. That seemed to be the best way to go about it.GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:"Wizard-man make deal with Blood Vow tribe. We drop man-building for shiny-shiny." Eepo explains, still on his knees. "Wizard-man get in the way and man-building fall on him."
He got in the way? Got in the way how? Kade was standing over the three sleeping kobolds, ready to give them a nasty surprise should any one of them prove disagreeable upon waking. While Francis had tied up the snoring scalies, he had disarmed them as an extra precaution; Kade didn't mind leaving...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-11T20:35:34ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion&page=2#662017-02-10T18:31:02Z2017-02-10T18:31:02Z<p>Kade also sees no problem with killing an outright evil enemy caught in this situation, but would be reluctant here. We don't know the character of these kobolds yet. </p>
<p>Beating the absolute snot out of them before sending them packing, however, is very much an option.</p>Kade also sees no problem with killing an outright evil enemy caught in this situation, but would be reluctant here. We don't know the character of these kobolds yet.
Beating the absolute snot out of them before sending them packing, however, is very much an option.Arthur G2017-02-10T18:31:02ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=10#4672017-02-10T09:34:25Z2017-02-10T09:34:25Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Wake me up with 16 new posts, why don't you... Also, nice one, Cira.</span></p>
<p>Kade shook his head his head at his companions' questions. No, he didn't recognize the dead body. It was his understanding that Hunclay the Wizard had established himself in Belhaim some three years ago. Kade had only been back in town for a matter of days and as such had never seen the guy; he couldn't dispel Marcus's speculation that what they had found was that very wizard. Or what was left of him.</p>
<p>Kade's brows furrowed as he recalled his earlier suspicion. Like so many other thoughts of his he hadn't voiced it, but ever since hearing the baroness saying that Hunclay wished the tower gone he had wondered if the wizard wasn't somehow responsible for the collapse. His mysterious absence amplified that suspicion. But was this the perpetrator they had found then, squashed underneath the tower? Kade looked at the wizened, white-haired figure and imagine him with a pick axe, chipping away at the foundation of the tower he wished to see gone, only to have the whole thing scramble down on him. It was dumb. It was a cartoonishly stupid thought, akin to the fool sawing away the tree branch he's sitting on. Weren't wizards supposed to be smart?
<br />
No, there was something off here. Primarily it was this: how did the kobolds fit into any of this?</p>
<p>The battle shriek told him that he would have to hold off on speculations about the scaly runts. Some very live ones apparently wanted them dead! He gritted his teeth in frustration. The environment was very much to the kobolds' advantage. The rubble was difficult to maneuver around and the low ceiling was a constant annoyance. Kade hated compromising his ever-perfect posture.
<br />
That frustration turned to fright, however, when Cira charged into the fray confidently. Kade's thoughts immediately went to the evisceration he had received only hours ago.</p>
<p><i>Cira! What do you think you're do... oh. Well then.</i></p>
<p>The half-elf handily neutralized half of the enemy, including what seemed to be the group's leader, with a flick of her hand. The kobolds went from threatening to comical as half of them fell asleep, and Kade had to smile. He chided himself.</p>
<p><i>Right. Don't forget yourself now. She's the magician with fantastic arcane power. You're the guy who punches good.</i></p>
<p>That said, he was also the guy who could take a punch or two. Certainly more so than Cira, he thought. The half-elf had done well, but she was now the first point of attack for the remaining kobolds. Kade darted through the rubble and past the sorcerer. He didn't mind punching bag duty.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>That's just two move actions. Hope I'm not blocking anyone with where I've moved.</span></p>Wake me up with 16 new posts, why don't you... Also, nice one, Cira.
Kade shook his head his head at his companions' questions. No, he didn't recognize the dead body. It was his understanding that Hunclay the Wizard had established himself in Belhaim some three years ago. Kade had only been back in town for a matter of days and as such had never seen the guy; he couldn't dispel Marcus's speculation that what they had found was that very wizard. Or what was left of him.
Kade's brows furrowed...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-10T09:34:25ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=9#4422017-02-09T23:59:08Z2017-02-09T11:37:42Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Finishing her own mouthful, she presses some of the food to Kade’s chest as she walks past him, moving with the group as they begin to make their way back towards the tunnel.
</p>
<b>”Here, eat this. You need it,”</b> she says, walking away before he can argue.</blockquote><p><i>Yes ma'am.</i>
<p>There was no use in arguing. Cira seemed to have gotten a handle on working him, Kade noted with some concern. Selfless to a fault, he would refuse any pittance. He absolutely would not be a burden onto others; the idea horrified him. But shove a meal into his hands and suddenly the ball was in his court! Now exercising his selflessness required him chasing after the half-elf, bothering her to take back her charity. Thusly he would be negating that very selflessness in acting upon it! Truly a genius maneuver.
<br />
Kade smirked, both at Cira's thoughtfulness and his own absurdity. He opened his mouth to swallow some dried fruits and meat whole. The least he could do was finish the generous meal quickly. Cira really was... The heck was he eating? Some sort of honey sweetened pineapple-berry? Was this an elvish thing? It was pretty good.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Assuming that Francis warns the rest:</span></p>
<p>Kade held out the scintillating stick and, with the cleric's directions, managed to see the trip wire suspended across the first barricade. Was this a trap? If so it seemed downright quaint compared to the convoluted contraptions they had come across in the dungeon otherwise. This had to have been erected recently, by whoever carved out this tunnel. Kobolds?</p>
<p>Kade looked to the others and mimed throwing his torch at the thin thread. Should they release the trap and assume that some distance would protect them from whatever mechanism it released, or just try to bypass it altogether by stepping over the wire?</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Don't know if any check is required for avoiding the trap now, but here's an Acrobatics check for the sake of expediency (and because wasting crits is a capital offense).</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Acrobatics:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22</span></p>Cira Illivar wrote:Finishing her own mouthful, she presses some of the food to Kade’s chest as she walks past him, moving with the group as they begin to make their way back towards the tunnel.
”Here, eat this. You need it,” she says, walking away before he can argue.
Yes ma'am. There was no use in arguing. Cira seemed to have gotten a handle on working him, Kade noted with some concern. Selfless to a fault, he would refuse any pittance. He absolutely would not be a burden onto others; the...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-09T11:37:42ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=9#4352017-02-08T21:56:30Z2017-02-08T21:56:30Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"G’morning.”</b></blockquote><p>Was it morning? Kade didn't have the faintest idea. Difficult to tell time in an underground dungeon. All he had to go on was his own biological clock and that might have lost a few screws in the impromptu disembowelment earlier. Kade felt a bit off. Everything felt a bit off, really. He hadn't slept much; a solitary nature didn't lend itself well to communal sleeping arrangements. He just couldn't feel at ease and, honestly, that disappointed him. Even after everything they'd gone through he still couldn't relax around these people? People who had quite literally saved his life? He supposed he really was hopeless. Ah well.
<p>Lying awake for much of the night (<i>If it was 'night',</i>) hadn't done him many favors either. Back in prison, frequent fights had earned Kade many a night, sometimes days, in isolation cells. These were cold, lightless holds, sized only for one, designed to... Kade still wasn't sure. To punish the incarcerated? For behavioral reform? Torture? An inmate had introduced him to the idea that their purpose was to protect other prisoners from dangerous convicts, an idea that had shocked him upon first hearing it. Kade didn't like to think of himself as a danger to others. Regardless, sitting here in the dark with his back to the chilly dungeon wall reminded him of one of those cells, albeit a super-sized one. He'd never felt guilt in one of them, not once.
<br />
So why did he feel shame now? He closed his hands and looked at his fists. They were bruised and scratched from numerous, recent impacts. Behind bars he had never picked his own fights. He had always acted out of self-defense, protected himself from the bizarre hierarchical pecking order of the inmates. He'd gotten good at it too. But that was exactly it; the fights had been out of his control. Prison had allowed him to relinquish responsibility for every broken nose, every shattered bone his hands had inflicted. Now, he thought looking into the darkness, he didn't have that luxury. No one had forced him down into this insane dungeon. He was a free man once more. And what had he done with that freedom?</p>
<p><i>Ah damn it...</i></p>
<p>Tried to earn a living through the brutal skill set prison had imparted upon him, he supposed. And that had been his choice. And he felt ashamed of that. His incarceration had been willing; that had been his choice and he had no regrets on that account. But allowing the jail to define his life going forward was repugnant. He was supposed to be better than that. His parents had taught him better than that. Was chasing a profit through violence going to be the rest of his life? Was brutality all he was good for now? </p>
<p>He was starting to think that he thought too much.</p>
<p>Kade welcomed the others rising. The illumination spells of Cira, Marcus and Francis did much to dispel his own darker thoughts, and the prayer of the cleric was oddly soothing. A part of him regretted taking on the caravan job for lack of any other opportunities, but he was glad that he had met the group. He happily accepted Francis's water and stoically ignored his needy stomach. No one else had complained about food yet and he certainly wasn't about to be the first. Besides, he'd gotten used to hunger pangs long ago. Once everyone was ready he opened the iron door that would lead them back to the tunnel and, hopefully, to some cause for the collapse.</p>
<p>Kade ran a hand over his chin. He needed a shave.</p>Cira Illivar wrote:"G’morning.”
Was it morning? Kade didn't have the faintest idea. Difficult to tell time in an underground dungeon. All he had to go on was his own biological clock and that might have lost a few screws in the impromptu disembowelment earlier. Kade felt a bit off. Everything felt a bit off, really. He hadn't slept much; a solitary nature didn't lend itself well to communal sleeping arrangements. He just couldn't feel at ease and, honestly, that disappointed him. Even after...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-08T21:56:30ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=9#4222017-02-07T15:19:08Z2017-02-07T15:19:08Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I got the impression that the baroness isn't actually related to the Canteclures. They were referred to as the previous rulers in that they were overthrown or their line died out or something, right? But yes, I just noticed that I left out Kade's consideration that the treasure belongs to the county. That's partly why he doesn't initially consider taking any of it. Sometimes I go through posts too fast.</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Also, didn't Marcus take 5 points of Dex damage? Regardless, if your initial Dex was 14 and you took an uneven number of damage to it (5 or 7), then a single night's rest will brink you back to an even number and give you an extra modifier back.</span></p>I got the impression that the baroness isn't actually related to the Canteclures. They were referred to as the previous rulers in that they were overthrown or their line died out or something, right? But yes, I just noticed that I left out Kade's consideration that the treasure belongs to the county. That's partly why he doesn't initially consider taking any of it. Sometimes I go through posts too fast.
Also, didn't Marcus take 5 points of Dex damage? Regardless, if your initial Dex was 14...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-07T15:19:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=9#4202017-02-07T12:14:43Z2017-02-07T12:14:43Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Was hoping to hear about that one kobold. If that isn't the same kobold Kade saw, then we know with certainty that there's at least one of the things still lurking around. Might affect our decision.</span>
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote>He nudges Kade and winks. <b>"It's about time we found some good fortune down 'ere, eh?"</b></blockquote><p><b>"Wha... whoa."</b>
<p>Kade wore an expression of mild surprise at the sight of the open chests. Of course, 'mild surprise' on him was the equivalent of astonishment on most everyone else. Fortune was indeed the word; he was fairly sure that there was more coinage collected in front of them here, than he had collectively seen before in his life. The secret doors, the obstacles, the fiend, the machine man, the traps - they made some sense now. Of course the Canteclures would try to safeguard their coffers.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Marcus Eld wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"We'll, this certainly is turning into a profitable day, let's survive this task and the first round is on me when we hit town."</b></blockquote><p>It took Kade a second to understand what the bard meant. Profitable how? They still hadn't reached the cause of the collapse and, by extension, their pay. It was only then he realized that the others considered the horde theirs. No, correction - he was part of the group. It was also <i>his</i>. The thought hadn't even occurred to Kade.
<p><i>Huh.
<br />
...
<br />
Maybe I can buy my parents' house back?</i></p>
<p>Kade was utterly destitute and accepted that. Upon returning to Belhaim, prior to meeting the others, he had of course tried to improve upon his station through finding work - this was how he'd met with the group, in fact - but he saw his poverty as a natural, albeit unfortunate, consequence of the decision that led him to prison. As such he accepted it. He had no regrets regarding that choice and if financial woes resulted from it, then that was a burden he would bear.
<br />
That said, he was no glutton for punishment. If this money could buy him a more comfortable life in Belhaim then he welcomed it. Besides, he really would like to get his childhood home back. The place had stood empty for far too long and was in need of repair. He couldn't help but think that leaving the place be would be doing a disservice to his parents' memory. They had died with their only son jailed for murder. He owed them that much.</p>
<p>Kade left his ambitions in his mindspace and offered to take watch as well. With Francis rested he could afford a few sleepless hours.</p>Was hoping to hear about that one kobold. If that isn't the same kobold Kade saw, then we know with certainty that there's at least one of the things still lurking around. Might affect our decision.
Grargath Forgebane wrote:He nudges Kade and winks. "It's about time we found some good fortune down 'ere, eh?"
"Wha... whoa." Kade wore an expression of mild surprise at the sight of the open chests. Of course, 'mild surprise' on him was the equivalent of astonishment on most everyone else....Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-07T12:14:43ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=9#4112017-02-06T10:45:52Z2017-02-06T10:45:52Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote><p><b>"How're yah feelin', lad? Can't be easy recoverin' from a wound like that, even with th' help o' th' gods."</b></p>
<p><span class=tiny>-Posted with <a href="http://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.arcanosoft.wayfinder" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wayfinder</a></span> </blockquote><p>How did he feel? Kade looked up from the partially eaten kobold he'd been examining, the one the ghoul had dragged into the room. How did he feel? It was a question he had always had difficulty answering. He felt rattled; he felt uneasy; he felt every emotion that was natural after a near-death encounter. He just wasn't expressing them. He refused to, in fact. Kade Killough had largely stopped expressing how he felt when he realized that every inclination was a potential burden on another, as a child.
<p>His parents hadn't been young when he'd been introduced to the world, and having a child certainly didn't make anyone younger. Perhaps that was why Kade had learned to hate being a burden already at a young age, an inclination he had carried with him into adulthood. Wants, needs, desires - these were all inherently selfish things. His parents had been good people; they had worked hard to keep their son clothed, fed and happy. But where was the point in breaking your back for someone you loved when that same person was crushed by guilt from seeing you do so? Kade hated seeing others struggle for his sake. Always had, probably always would. Coupled with his self-sacrificing temperament, this made him a massive hypocrite but this was who he was. Kade had stopped expressing himself in an effort to support others. Heck, he saw the suppression of his needs as a virtue. </p>
<p>So when Grargath, his partner in life and death combat, asked him how he was feeling what could he answer but... Hang on, was the dwarf just asking about his physical, rather than mental, well-being? 'Cause Kade found that a whole lot easier to lie about. </p>
<p><b>"Fine. How're you?"</b></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Bluff:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1</span></p>
<p>He returned to looking over the mangled kobold. Was this the live kobold he's seen fleeing into the tunnel? It was difficult to recognize someone based only on a glimpse of their legs. Especially when those legs were partially eaten...</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Will every innocuous question lead to a self-reflective soliloquy from Kade? YES.</span></p>Grargath Forgebane wrote:"How're yah feelin', lad? Can't be easy recoverin' from a wound like that, even with th' help o' th' gods."
-Posted with Wayfinder
How did he feel? Kade looked up from the partially eaten kobold he'd been examining, the one the ghoul had dragged into the room. How did he feel? It was a question he had always had difficulty answering. He felt rattled; he felt uneasy; he felt every emotion that was natural after a near-death encounter. He just wasn't expressing them....Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-06T10:45:52ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=9#4012017-02-05T22:35:29Z2017-02-05T22:35:29Z<p>Kade let out a gasp. Francis's healing wave was a shock to the system. Not because the positive energy was in any way unpleasant, but because it washed away the pain clogging up Kade's body immediately. It was like breaking the water surface for air; the body went from a state of need to content in a second. Well, almost so. He still hurt something fierce, but his mind was free from the previous all-encompassing pain addling it; the ache he felt now was practically welcome in comparison.</p>
<p>Francis followed one burst of mending with another, bolstering Kade further. He looked down, seeing clearly now, and was thankful that the cleric's magic was already enough to spare him the sight of the mess that was there previously; the gaping wound was already gone. He only just managed to catch skin sealing itself shut.</p>
<p><i>Damn, Firestar. Send my regard to the Dawnflower 'cause that is some serious ministration.</i></p>
<p>He gratefully accepted the hands of both Marcus and Cira to pull himself from the floor, any thoughts about personal space utterly forgotten, but couldn't quite bring himself to look at them. Seeing them worried just made him feel ashamed. Truth be told, he was also somewhat shaken. Kade was used to scuffles, fist fights. This? This was far and away the nearest he'd ever gotten to death.</p>
<p><b>"Sorry. I'm fine. Thanks... for saving me."</b> </p>
<p>He looked to Grargath with relief (<i>Heh. 'course he's fine. He's made of sterner stuff than that clockwork thing</i>) before focusing on Francis's last spell. When that one finished washing over Kade he felt fine. His stomach was whole, albeit one massive bruise, but beyond that he was perfectly healthy. It was only when he saw Francis catch himself in a stumble that he considered what a strain all this magic must be on the cleric. Having no experience with spells, he had never realized that casting could be physically taxing.
<br />
What exactly would have happened to him without Francis here, he suddenly wondered? He had been in constant danger of bleeding out, and there was small chance of the others carrying him through the slime trough without harm. He looked at the young man and then said, with perfect sincerity: </p>
<p><b>"Thank you, Firestar. I think I owe you my life."</b> </p>
<p>Before throwing his lot into the debate over whether to leave the dungeon for now or to continue forward, Kade decided to look over the mangled corpse of the kobold the emaciated thing had been dragging. Perhaps there was something to be learned from it.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Thank Christ neither of us caught ghoul fever, Grargath.</span></p>Kade let out a gasp. Francis's healing wave was a shock to the system. Not because the positive energy was in any way unpleasant, but because it washed away the pain clogging up Kade's body immediately. It was like breaking the water surface for air; the body went from a state of need to content in a second. Well, almost so. He still hurt something fierce, but his mind was free from the previous all-encompassing pain addling it; the ache he felt now was practically welcome in comparison.
...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-05T22:35:29ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=8#3962017-02-05T18:56:20Z2017-02-05T18:56:20Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Do note that hitting 0 HP doesn't render one unconscious. Kade is both cognizant and stable. That said, holy s%+~.</span></p>
<p>The arrow whizzed past Kade's ear and into the fanged creature's neck. He wasn't sure where it'd come from - had to be either Francis or Cira - but it was a real nice shot. He didn't know what drove this monstrosity, whether hate, envy or hunger, but he saw it leaving the creature as it went limp and released his arm from its teeth. Hearing the monster's death rattle didn't give him any pleasure, only relief that the thing was gone from this world. Spindly legs giving out, it fell into a heap at Kade's feet, dislodged its clawed hand from his perforated stomach in the process. There was a bloody hole where abdomen used to be. And that's when the pain started. </p>
<p>This wasn't the sharp pain of the centipede mandibles earlier. That pain called for action, for retaliation. This was a dulling pain. This was a pain that ran through his body like molten iron, incapacitating every limb. The stuff was pouring from his core as pulses of agony. He felt heavy. Was someone calling his name? He couldn't tell; the same sluggishness that affected his body had reached his mind. He managed to lift his uninjured arm up to his stomach, this seemed important. What he found was soft. Was the molten iron real or just something his pain-addled mind imagined? He could swear that he smelled iron. As his head drooped forward he found the probable cause. That was quite a lot of blood.</p>
<p>Kade decided to sit. He felt that sitting was imperative, especially in light of the fact his legs didn't feel like they would hold him. It did worry him, however, that he felt something trying to come <i>out</i> of his stomach wound in doing so. Who was this now? Someone was coming up next to him. Marcus, judging from the build. Why was his vision going blurry now? Didn't matter. Despite everything Kade did know that much; he still knew what was really important. He turned his head toward what was probably Marcus. </p>
<p><b>"Is Grargath... alright?"</b></p>Do note that hitting 0 HP doesn't render one unconscious. Kade is both cognizant and stable. That said, holy s@#@.
The arrow whizzed past Kade's ear and into the fanged creature's neck. He wasn't sure where it'd come from - had to be either Francis or Cira - but it was a real nice shot. He didn't know what drove this monstrosity, whether hate, envy or hunger, but he saw it leaving the creature as it went limp and released his arm from its teeth. Hearing the monster's death rattle didn't give...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-05T18:56:20ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=8#3882017-02-04T17:45:44Z2017-02-04T17:45:44Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Alliteration, yo. It's a beautiful thing.</span></p>
<p><i>That's not the kobold I... No, wait, there it is. Oh.</i></p>
<p>Out of the tunnel came a creature that looked like something that should have stayed in its dirt pit. The kobold had met an end more unfortunate than anything the party had planned for it. The emaciated <i>thing</i> repulsed Kade. It set off instincts he didn't even know he had; instincts that told him this creature was all wrong.</p>
<p>Said instincts were also largely redundant as the monster proved its wickedness by immediately jumping for Grargath. Kade leapt into action too late. He was no dragon slayer out of Marcus's song, but he wasn't about to let his companion get savaged just like that.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Attack roll:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 = 11</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10</span></p>
<p>One fist flew forward, aiming straight for the creature's shrunken stomach.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Not sure if that rubble on the map prevents Kade from reaching it. I assumed not, but if that is the case just ignore the attack; he instead took two move action to get next to the creature. That might at least take some heath off of Grargath.</span></p>Alliteration, yo. It's a beautiful thing.
That's not the kobold I... No, wait, there it is. Oh.
Out of the tunnel came a creature that looked like something that should have stayed in its dirt pit. The kobold had met an end more unfortunate than anything the party had planned for it. The emaciated thing repulsed Kade. It set off instincts he didn't even know he had; instincts that told him this creature was all wrong.
Said instincts were also largely redundant as the monster proved its...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-04T17:45:44ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=8#3832017-02-04T01:09:33Z2017-02-04T01:09:33Z<p><b>"Legs. Scaly legs. Can't see them now. They retreated into the tunnel."</b></p>
<p>Try as he might, Kade couldn't make out the shape he had seen earlier in the dark. But then, perhaps there was something to be done about that darkness. He looked to the torch Marcus had given him, still radiating merry beams of light.</p>
<p>Now that the others were warned, Kade felt just a bit more daring. Raising his hand slowly back he suddenly threw the scintillating stick towards the mouth of the tunnel. Either the kobold was still there watching or it had retreated further in. Hopefully they were about to find out. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Assuming the 10 minute duration of the Light spell hasn't quite fizzled out yet.</span></p>"Legs. Scaly legs. Can't see them now. They retreated into the tunnel."
Try as he might, Kade couldn't make out the shape he had seen earlier in the dark. But then, perhaps there was something to be done about that darkness. He looked to the torch Marcus had given him, still radiating merry beams of light.
Now that the others were warned, Kade felt just a bit more daring. Raising his hand slowly back he suddenly threw the scintillating stick towards the mouth of the tunnel. Either the...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-04T01:09:33ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=8#3812017-02-04T00:02:35Z2017-02-04T00:02:35Z<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21</span></p>
<p>A treasure chest was an inherently intriguing thing, no doubt about that. Seven of them even more so. But Kade's attention was drawn elsewhere. The kobold corpses meant that the party were nearing their goal. The tunnel, no doubt the work of the tunneling species, showed them exactly where to go next. But the owner of the <i>scaly legs moving in the dark</i> could spell the end of their search, in more ways than one.</p>
<p>Every muscle in Kade's body tensed. He knew what he had seen. Did it know? Had the kobold noticed that he had detected it? His eyes were merely human and no good in the dark; he had seen it retreat further into the passage, but couldn't be sure if it wasn't still watching. Would it attack the second he gave any acknowledgement of its existence? What if there were actually multiple of them, there in that dark chasm? The others hadn't noticed. For one long moment Kade stood still and rigid as a rock, locked in a stare-down with the increasingly intimidating black maw. His imagination ran wild with images of a full on assault as soon as he stirred. </p>
<p>His body moved before his mind could reach a decision. No, there was no use in deliberating. If they were watching then the element of surprise was entirely on their side. The best thing Kade could do was to negate that advantage.</p>
<p>Without taking his eyes off the tunnel even once he moved over to where the others were pondering over the chests.</p>
<p><b>"Guys,"</b> he started, speaking very quietly and very intently. <b>"We're not alone."</b></p>
<p>When met with questioning looks Kade raised one hand and pointed to the hole in the wall. </p>
<p><b>"Kobold."</b></p>[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6[/dice]
A treasure chest was an inherently intriguing thing, no doubt about that. Seven of them even more so. But Kade's attention was drawn elsewhere. The kobold corpses meant that the party were nearing their goal. The tunnel, no doubt the work of the tunneling species, showed them exactly where to go next. But the owner of the scaly legs moving in the dark could spell the end of their search, in more ways than one.
Every muscle in Kade's body tensed. He knew what...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-04T00:02:35ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=8#3632017-02-03T15:57:13Z2017-02-03T15:57:13Z<p>Kade didn't move away from the clockwork creature upon the latter's defeat. Instead he watched as Cira began probing its innards, revealing dozens, no, hundreds of gears and parts within. The metal man was really purely mechanical then? Kade was honestly amazed, although on his face this merely translated to a slight lift of the eyebrows. He had never even considered it possible to create something so complex as an entire being without magic. </p>
<p>The powers of technology was perhaps something to consider at another time. Right now Kade was content that everyone had come away from the machine unharmed (especially so thanks to that flash of energy from Francis), and shifted focus to the room they found themselves in. The lever and floating key (<i>Well, that's certainly not tech,</i>) were the two items of interest.
<br />
He briefly considered offering to grab the conspicuous key, but decided against it. His recent caper with the cipher was still too new for the party to let him get away with that. And besides, with no guarantee that the key was trapped or that said hypothetical trap only affected whoever grabbed it, there was no point.</p>
<p>Instead Kade settled for readying himself for the first sign of trouble should the lever Grargath was eyeing unleash something disagreeable.</p>Kade didn't move away from the clockwork creature upon the latter's defeat. Instead he watched as Cira began probing its innards, revealing dozens, no, hundreds of gears and parts within. The metal man was really purely mechanical then? Kade was honestly amazed, although on his face this merely translated to a slight lift of the eyebrows. He had never even considered it possible to create something so complex as an entire being without magic.
The powers of technology was perhaps something to...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-03T15:57:13ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=7#3502017-02-02T21:11:38Z2017-02-02T21:11:38Z<p>Sparks flew and metal crunched as Francis's morningstar tore apart the clockwork servant. Kade was impressed. The young man was as adept at dealing damage as he was at undoing it. He hadn't had much luck himself. As expected, the metal man was as durable as his components made him out to be. Pain was apparently a foreign concept to the thing as well, Kade noted, as he observed it starting to reattach the limb Francis had severed with some shock.</p>
<p>But then that just meant that he could go at it without any reservation. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Attack roll:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 19</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Attack roll:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 + 2 = 13</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10</span></p>
<p>Bolstered by Marcus's marching song somehow still reverberating within his body even while the bard went on the offensive himself, Kade grabbed onto the metal man's head for leverage as he launched some rather brutal knee thrusts into the creature's body.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>That'd be a Flurry.</span></p>Sparks flew and metal crunched as Francis's morningstar tore apart the clockwork servant. Kade was impressed. The young man was as adept at dealing damage as he was at undoing it. He hadn't had much luck himself. As expected, the metal man was as durable as his components made him out to be. Pain was apparently a foreign concept to the thing as well, Kade noted, as he observed it starting to reattach the limb Francis had severed with some shock.
But then that just meant that he could go at...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-02T21:11:38ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=7#3462017-02-02T17:48:42Z2017-02-02T17:48:42Z<p>In an ironic twist it turned out that Kade was simply not getting out of kicking in some metal today, door cipher chicanery be damned. Darting up to the metal man (who he hoped and presumed, from Cira's explanation, wasn't actually sapient despite possessing speech) he launched his foot forward. Punching metal could hardly be comfortable and he wanted to spare his new fancy torch too.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Attack roll:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 5 + 1 = 14</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8</span></p>In an ironic twist it turned out that Kade was simply not getting out of kicking in some metal today, door cipher chicanery be damned. Darting up to the metal man (who he hoped and presumed, from Cira's explanation, wasn't actually sapient despite possessing speech) he launched his foot forward. Punching metal could hardly be comfortable and he wanted to spare his new fancy torch too.
[dice=Attack roll]1d20 + 5 + 1[/dice]
[dice=Damage]1d6 + 4 + 1[/dice]Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-02T17:48:42ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=7#3342017-02-01T22:11:44Z2017-02-01T22:11:44Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Hah! Please oh please tell me that Kade would have been toast if not for Cira stepping in with the correction. I cannot believe I read that so wrong. I went back to check and everything. Also, fair point, Marcus, but didn't the outer door have a window in it?</span></p>
<p>Kade let out a deep breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.</p>
<p><i>Bless your beautiful blonde beard, Grargath, that was the one. Marcus was right. And so was...</i></p>
<p>Cira and Francis were back. And they didn't look pleased. That Francis would be annoyed with him was a matter of course; the cleric was a good man and willful endangerment did not sit right with him. That much Kade had expected. He was ready and willing to take his admonishments; he deserved it. But the look of betrayal in the half-elf's eyes - that stung far more than he had anticipated.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote><b>”Well…,”</b> she says, offering a smile. <b>”Good job! The door is still intact, which means whatever code you used worked. What was the phrase?”</b></blockquote><p><b>"It uh... Marcus's suggestion. And you were right. It was 'Sarvo'. Thanks."</b>
<p>He said this whilst keeping his head tilted towards the dark of the newly opened door. It wasn't that he had found anything interesting. No, his eyes couldn't see a thing in the darkness. He just couldn't bear to look at Cira. </p>
<p>He only looked up when Marcus expelled said darkness by holding a beaming torch out to him. Kade accepted the torch with gratitude and just a bit of awe. Magic was not a subject he was well versed in, which partly explained why he held the torch very carefully. Accepting Marcus's implicit sugesstion regarding their marching order, Kade stood ready to enter the next room. He held the torch high, treating the simple cantrip with more reverence, and even fear, than it perhaps deserved.</p>Hah! Please oh please tell me that Kade would have been toast if not for Cira stepping in with the correction. I cannot believe I read that so wrong. I went back to check and everything. Also, fair point, Marcus, but didn't the outer door have a window in it?
Kade let out a deep breath he hadn't known he'd been holding.
Bless your beautiful blonde beard, Grargath, that was the one. Marcus was right. And so was...
Cira and Francis were back. And they didn't look pleased. That Francis would...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-01T22:11:44ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=7#3282017-02-01T18:34:42Z2017-02-01T18:34:42Z<p>Kade didn't know whether to give an appriciative nod at Grargath's offer, or to humbly shake his head to Marcus's kind words. He settled for an awkward smile and promptly turned towards the door. Whether driven by bravery or selfishness, he stepped into the small room and closed the door.</p>
<p><i>Alright, let's try this...</i> he thought, heart pounding. <i>'Salvo' it is, Grargath, and it'll be my own damn fault if something tries to skewer me...</i></p>
<p>He had already opened his mouth before he remembered Cira's correction. SaRvo, not SaLvo. Right. He trusted her memory over his own.</p>
<p><b>"Good Baron Sarvo wills it."</b></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Cira to the rescue. Kinda wish the mistake persisted just for laughs.</span></p>Kade didn't know whether to give an appriciative nod at Grargath's offer, or to humbly shake his head to Marcus's kind words. He settled for an awkward smile and promptly turned towards the door. Whether driven by bravery or selfishness, he stepped into the small room and closed the door.
Alright, let's try this... he thought, heart pounding. 'Salvo' it is, Grargath, and it'll be my own damn fault if something tries to skewer me...
He had already opened his mouth before he remembered Cira's...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-01T18:34:42ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=7#3242017-02-01T13:53:13Z2017-02-01T13:53:13Z<p><b>"'Good Baron... Salvo wills it'?"</b> Kade hesitantly offered.</p>
<p>Was that right? He thought that was right. Thinking back to the ghost prisoner, he recalled specifically those words. He'd been asked if he knew about a Baron Salvo which was why the phrase stuck in his head, despite him never having heard of the aristocrat.
<br />
However, a contemplative look offered all Kade had to say on the likelihood of this being the passphrase. In his mind it and Grargath's suggestion were equally valid. It could be anything, really, but these two were fair guesses. </p>
<p>In fact, they should try one of them. No, <i>he</i> should try one of them. Kade had been thinking, and he was fairly sure that going back to the torture room would not uncover any password. They had all searched that room, and thoroughly at that. What would be their next step after coming up empty handed? After finding nothing to make one of the two phrases more likely than the other, they would follow Francis and Marcus's suggestion of forcing the door. Which was perfectly reasonable; it was all about risk aversion. Following the talking door's instructions and uttering the wrong phrase would result in some inevitable trap being sprung. Forcing the door, on the other hand, carried merely a chance of said trap being sprung. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, Kade had an even more risk-averse solution: risk no one but himself. A decade behind bars did funny things to a person. For one, being deprived of an active environment, seeing nothing but the same inmates, guards and walls for years, led to a feeling of stasis; of being stuck in time. Nothing changed, nothing developed and that included oneself. Monotony was not a conducive state for the human mind. Even prison fights could become routine after ten years. Ultimately, with prison what you went in with was what you came out with. A prison could not change a person because ennui could never add to a man. A jail could only have one of two effects on its inmates: it either dulled them or it sharpened them. Depending on the individual's disposition, the relentless listlessness could either drown you or lead to one intensifying their character in an act of preservation. A prisoner's time behind bars always led to one of these two inevitabilities: let the apathetic grind wear you down, or amplify everything you are in the effort to hold out.
<br />
Kade had held out. He had gone behind bars willingly and for a purpose: sacrifice your own freedom for that of your friends'. Defining himself by this sacrifice and reminding himself daily why he was there was that allowed him to hold out. However, this had in time built itself into a full-on martyr complex. Kade, once a self-sacrificing young man, now largely defined his self-worth by enduring hardships for others. And so, entering the trapped little room by himself to test the party's two possible passphrases seemed perfectly reasonable. All they needed to risk was himself.</p>
<p><b>"Watch yourselves,"</b> he said quietly to Cira and Francis. The two should be perfectly safe, especially with the cleric's healing, and they weren't going so far that Grargath, Marcus and himself couldn't hear it should they be ambushed by a dozen kobolds. Besides, it was good that it was Francis and Cira leaving. Somehow he thought that they would object to his idea vehemently.</p>
<p>Once the two had left, he stepped up to the small room.</p>
<p><b>"I'll be going in to test the phrases,"</b> he stated, very factually. </p>
<p>Phew. Of all the ludicrous labors he'd gone through today, it was speaking that was tiring him out. Of all his muscles those that comprised his speech were the least trained. But he knew he had to argue his case. After all, both Grargath and Marcus were more than strong enough to hold him back should they object, the latter even with a lame leg.</p>
<p><b>"I'm not doing it if you object. But, guys, it's the only right thing to do. We're all thinking that the room is trapped, right? Forcing the door is going to take several of us, and I can't imagine that whoever made this place didn't consider some poor fools trying to bypass the whole code word mechanism. I mean... It's magical and everything. Had a mouth for a sec... You both have fair ideas as to what the passphrase could be. Let's risk one instead of many. Heck, if either of you is right then it's a 50/50 chance. Might not even be trapped for that matter... Ah, I'm no good at this..."</b></p>
<p>He decided to summarize.</p>
<p><b>"Point is, we're walking right into a trap regardless. Our only choice is how many of us we send into it."</b></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Apologies for the read. Trying to speed up us bypassing this door, ironically enough. If you let Kade go, Grargath and Marcus, someone should roll a 1d2. '1' being "Good Baron Salvo wills it" and '2' being "Confession cleanses the soul. Pain clarifies the mind". Whatever you roll is what Kade will try first.</span></p>"'Good Baron... Salvo wills it'?" Kade hesitantly offered.
Was that right? He thought that was right. Thinking back to the ghost prisoner, he recalled specifically those words. He'd been asked if he knew about a Baron Salvo which was why the phrase stuck in his head, despite him never having heard of the aristocrat.
However, a contemplative look offered all Kade had to say on the likelihood of this being the passphrase. In his mind it and Grargath's suggestion were equally valid. It could be...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-02-01T13:53:13ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=7#3132017-01-31T16:09:01Z2017-01-31T16:09:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Please close the door before proceeding with the pass phrase."</b></blockquote><p><b>"<i>Don't</i> close that door."</b>
<p>Talking doors? That's where they were at now? Perhaps that was a simple measure for the magically inclined - Kade certainly wouldn't know - but regardless, the door should be kept open. He shook his head at Marcus's query and as long as they weren't sure what this pass phrase was they should thread carefully. The iron door's instruction to bar oneself into the small room before proceeding was not one Kade appreciated. Although they hadn't found any sign pointing to it, a trap seemed very likely ahead. This room had to be some sort of security measure.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Grargath Forgebane wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"There was tha' sign the imp liked to sit on while he was a raven. Wha' did it say? 'Confession cleanses the soul. Pain clarifies the mind'? We could try that?"</b></blockquote><p>Kade considered it. It was as good a guess as anything else they'd come across and Cira voiced her agreement. There was something else they could try first though.
<p><b>"Mh. We could try that. But..."</b> he said eying the iron egress denying their progression.</p>
<p><b>"Maybe try the key again, Grargath? It worked for one..."</b></p>
<p>Maybe it worked for the other? Perhaps the solution was simpler than it appeared. In either case, they'd feel awfully silly if it turned out the door was easily opened without all these clandestine ciphers.</p>GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:"Please close the door before proceeding with the pass phrase."
"Don't close that door." Talking doors? That's where they were at now? Perhaps that was a simple measure for the magically inclined - Kade certainly wouldn't know - but regardless, the door should be kept open. He shook his head at Marcus's query and as long as they weren't sure what this pass phrase was they should thread carefully. The iron door's instruction to bar oneself into the small room before...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-31T16:09:01ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=7#3032017-01-30T23:01:37Z2017-01-30T23:01:37Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote> <b>"If it comes down to it, I'm sure Kade can just kick the door in,"</b> she says, smiling at him.</blockquote><p><b>"Hmph. If you could sacrifice a few toes softening it up first, I'd be grateful,"</b> he responded, his face feigning the serious frown he usually wore naturally.
<p>Was this... banter? Kade was surprised at himself. He recalled a time well into his prison sentence where, due to sheer lack of social interaction, he had quite literally forgotten the sound of his own voice. And now here he was, engaging in banter with a person he had acquainted just days ago. Things changed fast. But no, he didn't think he had actually changed. It was merely the circumstances. The group was easy to talk to. It was pretty hard not to get comfortable with each other after facing fiends, ghosts and giant insects together. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16</span> </p>
<p>Like the others, Kade looked into the room no one seemed particularly comfortable entering. He considered Grargath's words. Yeah, the room certainly seemed like some sort of stopover, a gap between one side of the dungeon and whatever lay beyond. Still, he couldn't see anything off about the room, so there was little to do but venture forth.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Kade offers to go first if no one else steps up.</span></p>Cira Illivar wrote:"If it comes down to it, I'm sure Kade can just kick the door in," she says, smiling at him.
"Hmph. If you could sacrifice a few toes softening it up first, I'd be grateful," he responded, his face feigning the serious frown he usually wore naturally. Was this... banter? Kade was surprised at himself. He recalled a time well into his prison sentence where, due to sheer lack of social interaction, he had quite literally forgotten the sound of his own voice. And now here he...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-30T23:01:37ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=6#2982017-01-30T20:18:01Z2017-01-30T20:18:01Z<p>Kade had to wonder again at the sheer utility of magic. There was a <i>laundering</i> spell? Seriously, why wasn't everyone studying spells? Was he still young enough to pick up some new skills?</p>
<p>Questions for another time. For now, he joined Cira in examining the door and what was visible of the suspiciously featureless small room on the other side.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>It's maybe safe? If there's nothing there, then I think you can go ahead and try the key, Grargath.</span></p>Kade had to wonder again at the sheer utility of magic. There was a laundering spell? Seriously, why wasn't everyone studying spells? Was he still young enough to pick up some new skills?
Questions for another time. For now, he joined Cira in examining the door and what was visible of the suspiciously featureless small room on the other side.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6[/dice]
It's maybe safe? If there's nothing there, then I think you can go ahead and try the key, Grargath.Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-30T20:18:01ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=6#2902017-01-30T01:36:19Z2017-01-30T01:36:19Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Grah! You were two minutes before me, Cira! Dang it! Ignore the post. I'm off to bed. Feel free dump me in the trough, R0BOGEISHA, if you feel the rolls apply.</span></p>Grah! You were two minutes before me, Cira! Dang it! Ignore the post. I'm off to bed. Feel free dump me in the trough, R0BOGEISHA, if you feel the rolls apply.Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-30T01:36:19ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=6#2892017-01-30T01:31:50Z2017-01-30T01:31:50Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Whelp. Don't worry, Grargath. You won't die alone.</span></p>
<p>Satisfied that the opposite side of the ledge held no immediate danger Kade doubled back, hoping to assist his companions across. To be frank, he had the dwarf and Marcus in mind. Grargath was as capable a man as he'd ever known, but Kade suspected that his wide frame and heavy equipment left him less than agile. And with Marcus's leg being what it currently was, this was probably going to be a challenge for him as well.</p>
<p><b>"Going back for the others,"</b> he answered Cira's questioning gaze upon seeing him turn back.</p>
<p>Upon rounding the corner he saw that the bard was already nearly there. Impressive, really, given the handicap. No sooner had the thought emerged before Kade saw Marcus's foot slip on a particularly slimy section of the ledge. Kade reacted instincively, sweeping his hand forward to catch the other man on the chest and pinning him back to the wall. He let out a deep breath of relief through his nose. That was close.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Aid another (acrobatics):</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22</span></p>
<p><b>"Sorry. You OK?"</b> </p>
<p>Once assured that Marcus was fine the pair both headed for the opposite ledge and Cira.</p>
<p>And Kade slipped immediately. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Acrobatics:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3</span></p>
<p>As he fell Kade had just enough time to wonder if this qualified as irony. He could never remember when the term applied.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Them rolls...</span></p>Whelp. Don't worry, Grargath. You won't die alone.
Satisfied that the opposite side of the ledge held no immediate danger Kade doubled back, hoping to assist his companions across. To be frank, he had the dwarf and Marcus in mind. Grargath was as capable a man as he'd ever known, but Kade suspected that his wide frame and heavy equipment left him less than agile. And with Marcus's leg being what it currently was, this was probably going to be a challenge for him as well.
"Going back for the...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-30T01:31:50ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=6#2792017-01-29T20:07:28Z2017-01-29T20:07:28Z<p>Kade didn't consider himself particularly nimble but offered to go first nevertheless, primarily because he had more regard for the rest of the group than he did for himself. The drop wasn't deep, but with everything they had seen in the dungeon so far, he couldn't help but eye the sludge suspiciously. The through seemed to be an intentional obstacle blocker; the goo was most likely not intended to simply demean anyone falling into it. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Acrobatics:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17</span></p>
<p>The stench wafting from the sludge was really something, as Kade noticed standing straight above it on the narrow ledge. He wrinkled his nose.</p>Kade didn't consider himself particularly nimble but offered to go first nevertheless, primarily because he had more regard for the rest of the group than he did for himself. The drop wasn't deep, but with everything they had seen in the dungeon so far, he couldn't help but eye the sludge suspiciously. The through seemed to be an intentional obstacle blocker; the goo was most likely not intended to simply demean anyone falling into it.
[dice=Acrobatics]1d20 + 2[/dice]
The stench wafting...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-29T20:07:28ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=6#2762017-01-28T22:33:04Z2017-01-28T22:33:04Z<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>Kade had to wonder as Grargath plunged the dagger. The knife sank into the fiend like... well, like any knife should in piercing flesh. Even Marcus's mighty overhead swing hadn't fully pierced the creature's hide. Was the dagger different somehow? Kade wasn't about to ask for fear of looking stupid. The others seemed to accept this readily enough. Instead he opted for some well deserved kudos.</p>
<p><b>"Nicely done, both of you."</b></p>
<p>While Grargath's maneuver was laudable, it had only been possible through Cira's spell. He'd only ever heard stories about the magically inclined being able to send others to sleep, but in the middle of combat like that? Why did people bother learning how to ply weapons? Surely the half-elf's methods held far more appeal. Kade briefly imagined a battlefield with two opposing armies trying to see who could make the opposite side doze off first. </p>
<p>He shook of the silly, albeit attractive thought, and joined the others in searching the room. He was determined to prove the imp wrong. Nobody needed the help of creatures like that.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Enjoy yourself, Marcus. We promise not to use you as a trap tester too often over the weekend.</span></p>[Spoiler omitted]
Kade had to wonder as Grargath plunged the dagger. The knife sank into the fiend like... well, like any knife should in piercing flesh. Even Marcus's mighty overhead swing hadn't fully pierced the creature's hide. Was the dagger different somehow? Kade wasn't about to ask for fear of looking stupid. The others seemed to accept this readily enough. Instead he opted for some well deserved kudos.
"Nicely done, both of you."
While Grargath's maneuver was laudable, it had only...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-28T22:33:04ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=6#2652017-01-28T06:27:33Z2017-01-28T06:27:33Z<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p><i>What just happened?</i></p>
<p>After his first punch went wide, Kade immediately stepped back to launch another only to see the fiend literally disappear into thin air. Wait, was that it? Was it over? Did it flee? No, he couldn't believe that just yet. The creature was too mean spirited for that, especially considering what they had just seen of it in combat. It was incredibly resilient! Although Kade hadn't struck it himself, he had been plenty close enough to see Grargath's strike almost bounce back in hitting the fiend. If the dwarf's axe couldn't cut into it what chance did his fist have? And had its wounds started to heal themselves, or was he seeing things?</p>
<p>The situation wasn't all bad though. Marcus's and Cira's magic did seem to do some damage, and Kade could feel the bard's music bolstering him once again. It really was difficult feeling too discouraged when listening to his tune. </p>
<p><i>That man has some serious range. Wouldn't expect him to be able to hit a high note like that scream earlier...</i></p>
<p>Right! If he couldn't do any serious damage, perhaps there was something else Kade could do. In prison he had improvised a strike that had decided most fights in one blow and without casualty, something that had very much been in his interest behinds bars. He honestly didn't know how it worked; all he knew was that if he struck with just enough force at just the right point the opponent's body went into a state of shock, leaving them defenseless. It required a lot of concentration, however, and he had to wonder if it would apply to something so otherworldly as a fiend.
<br />
But he had no better idea. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Attack roll:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 1 = 18</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10</span></p>
<p>Kade looked about the room with a slow methodical gaze. As soon as the creature appeared he hoped to rush it and incapacitate it. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Readying a charge with a stunning fist. DC should be 13.</span></p>[Spoiler omitted]
What just happened?
After his first punch went wide, Kade immediately stepped back to launch another only to see the fiend literally disappear into thin air. Wait, was that it? Was it over? Did it flee? No, he couldn't believe that just yet. The creature was too mean spirited for that, especially considering what they had just seen of it in combat. It was incredibly resilient! Although Kade hadn't struck it himself, he had been plenty close enough to see Grargath's strike...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-28T06:27:33ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=6#2572017-01-27T18:23:14Z2017-01-27T18:23:14Z<p>A smirk worked its way into Kade's surly features. How could it not, after hearing the group unanimously (and outright disdainfully, at that) dismiss the creature's proposal immediately? </p>
<p>Group appreciation would have to wait, however. The not-bird apparently did not appreciate their answer and shifted into what was, presumably, its true form. Kade's smirk vanished, partly in the face of combat but also in surprise. Was this a fiend? An out-and-out incarnation of evil? He had to wonder at the direction his life had taken, as he darted right up to the immortal corrupter of souls, ready to punch it out of this world.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Attack roll:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10</span></p>
<p>One large fist came speeding towards the tiny monster. Kade couldn't help but bemoan that the fact that every enemy they had encountered in the dungeon was less than... well, <i>punchable</i>. Its airborne nature would hamper him. He hoped to smash it into that plaque it seemed to like so much for maximum impact. Maybe right into the part that read "pain".</p>
<p>A thought occurred to him.</p>
<p><i>Wait, did it just mention the baroness? How the heck does it know about the baroness?</i></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Just assuming that this thing isn't currently flying out of reach, of course.</span></p>A smirk worked its way into Kade's surly features. How could it not, after hearing the group unanimously (and outright disdainfully, at that) dismiss the creature's proposal immediately?
Group appreciation would have to wait, however. The not-bird apparently did not appreciate their answer and shifted into what was, presumably, its true form. Kade's smirk vanished, partly in the face of combat but also in surprise. Was this a fiend? An out-and-out incarnation of evil? He had to wonder at the...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-27T18:23:14ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=5#2492017-01-27T12:47:26Z2017-01-27T12:47:26Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote> <b>"A trade,"</b> the bird announces. <b>"My freedom for your in..."</b></blockquote><p><b>"No."</b>
<p>The single terse syllable was uttered before the not-bird had even finished. It had sounded almost nonchalant, unfeeling, coming out of Kade's mouth, and it was true; he had just about lost interest in the creature. His great fear since entering the room had been that the party had unwittingly released something evil, a fear amplified by the suggestion of the power and perhaps even immortality of the creature. There was no way he could let such a thing be. But as others in the group had realized, and what the not-bird's request seemed to confirm, was that it couldn't actually leave them room. Certainly evil, perhaps powerful, but trapped as it was it ceased to be Kade's problem. It couldn't hurt anyone here. Simply leaving it to waste away, especially underneath a now collapsed tower with no obvious entry, was acceptable. What Kade's principles could not abide was the creature going free, no matter what it offered them.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Cira Illivar wrote:</div><blockquote>She shakes her head and looks from the raven to her allies, her resolve strengthening. <b>"I'm sorry, but we cannot allow that. Nothing is worth releasing this thing into the world to do whatever it wants."</b></blockquote><p>The only response she got from Kade was a single forceful nod, but it expressed everything he had to say on the subject. Nothing was indeed worth that. Did this mean that they would never find out what caused the tower collapse? It was far too early to concede defeat on that matter; they hadn't even explored the entirety of the dungeon. Heck, they hadn't even fully explored the very room they stood in. And should they fail, so what? They lost out on earning some gold? Kade would rather keep his principles, thank you very much.GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:"A trade," the bird announces. "My freedom for your in..."
"No." The single terse syllable was uttered before the not-bird had even finished. It had sounded almost nonchalant, unfeeling, coming out of Kade's mouth, and it was true; he had just about lost interest in the creature. His great fear since entering the room had been that the party had unwittingly released something evil, a fear amplified by the suggestion of the power and perhaps even immortality of the...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-27T12:47:26ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=5#2342017-01-24T21:49:00Z2017-01-24T21:49:00Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Ah you killjoy, you. Yeah, thought they might be.</span></p>
<p>Kade righted himself with a slight sigh. Poetic justice via flying bladed furniture was apparently not an option. Shame. Although determined to dismiss anything the not-bird was saying as lies and manipulation, he was roused when its flight drew attention to yet another skeletal corpse. Kade was growing increasingly unhappy with the old lords of Belhaim, the Canteclures. Nothing they had seen down here painted a sympathetic picture of the family. </p>
<p>But had the not-bird just said that it could not leave the room? That was good to know. Unless it was lying, of course. Still, what was it implying? That it was 200 years old?</p>Ah you killjoy, you. Yeah, thought they might be.
Kade righted himself with a slight sigh. Poetic justice via flying bladed furniture was apparently not an option. Shame. Although determined to dismiss anything the not-bird was saying as lies and manipulation, he was roused when its flight drew attention to yet another skeletal corpse. Kade was growing increasingly unhappy with the old lords of Belhaim, the Canteclures. Nothing they had seen down here painted a sympathetic picture of the...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-24T21:49:00ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's DemandKade Killough (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/gameplay&page=5#2292017-01-25T17:30:01Z2017-01-24T19:55:21Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Apologies for being absent the last two days. Busy period at work.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12</span></p>
<p><i>Is it... laughing?</i></p>
<p>Kade didn't know what the raven was, but he knew it was no bird. Birds didn't speak. Birds didn't live underground. Birds weren't magical, as Marcus had noted. And birds certainly didn't take enjoyment in the pain of others. It was this last detail that altered Kade Killough's ever-present resting frown into an antagonistic scowl. Insects were one thing; they operated by instinct. Ghosts were little better, with their warped minds. But a sentient being that enjoyed hurting others? That he did not take kindly to.</p>
<p><b>"You okay?"</b> he asked the half-elf.</p>
<p>He wasn't sure if the question applied to her physical or mental condition. While he hadn't caught on fast enough to prevent Cira from sitting in the iron torture device, it was the slight strain of panic in her voice that really drew out a sharp twinge of sympathy. The mental invasion was apparently more distressing than the bodily harm. Seeing the chipper half-elf like this was less than pleasant.</p>
<p>Which was bad for the raven. Kade had decided that it was due something unpleasant in turn. It was a poor idea to target the ally of a man willing to endure 10 years behind bars for his friends, and Cira was more than an acquaintance to Kade. He walked past the half-elf and the dwarf and crouched at the bladed chair. He was checking to see whether it was bolted to the floor. Kade hoped that Francis and Marcus got their answers quick, because he intended to chuck the torture device at the raven's evil beaked face.
<br />
This was not anger. This was a deterrent against further aggression. It was an eye for an eye. It was poetic justice. And it was some extra reach for the unarmed guy about to start a fight with a winged enemy. How was it that one phrase went? Two birds with one stone? </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Feel free to stop him or to just assume that him picking up the device takes as long as your questioning last. Not trying to be disruptive; I'll follow your lead. But if this turns into combat Kade's gonna smash a chair at this thing. Don't know what the weapon dice for it would be, Robogeisha, (d6? d8? there's a section on improvised weaponry) or if he takes damage from grabbing the thing but Kade grabs it regardless.</span></p>Apologies for being absent the last two days. Busy period at work.
[dice=Perception]1d20 + 6[/dice]
Is it... laughing?
Kade didn't know what the raven was, but he knew it was no bird. Birds didn't speak. Birds didn't live underground. Birds weren't magical, as Marcus had noted. And birds certainly didn't take enjoyment in the pain of others. It was this last detail that altered Kade Killough's ever-present resting frown into an antagonistic scowl. Insects were one thing; they operated by...Kade Killough (alias of Arthur G)2017-01-24T19:55:21ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion&page=2#552017-01-14T19:02:04Z2017-01-14T19:02:04Z<p>It's not a composite bow, is it? 'Cause if not, it doesn't have any damage modifier, Dex or Str. You just roll your weapon die for damage. </p>
<p>Hope I'm not misunderstanding the question. Melee weapons add Str to both attack and damage, while ranged weapons use Dex for damage but have no damage modifier. There are exceptions, such as for thrown weapons or the aforementioned composite bows. A few classes also get features that let them add Dex to ranged damage.</p>
<p>So your current messed up Dex does indeed leave you with a -3 to your normal ranged attack. With your base attack and normal Dex modifier that should leave you at -1, yeah.</p>It's not a composite bow, is it? 'Cause if not, it doesn't have any damage modifier, Dex or Str. You just roll your weapon die for damage.
Hope I'm not misunderstanding the question. Melee weapons add Str to both attack and damage, while ranged weapons use Dex for damage but have no damage modifier. There are exceptions, such as for thrown weapons or the aforementioned composite bows. A few classes also get features that let them add Dex to ranged damage.
So your current messed up Dex does...Arthur G2017-01-14T19:02:04ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion#302017-01-12T17:04:54Z2017-01-12T17:04:54Z<p>Oh I'm sure he does. The whole "I'm just a dude in his pajamas" remark was supposed to reflect how Kade sees himself. He hasn't caught onto the fact that he's anything special. Within the party he sees himself as the NPC sidekick to a quartet of PCs. Was not at all meant as a jibe against Marcus.</p>
<p>And I really don't know the monk very well myself. First time I'm playing one, so I guess we'll find out what role they're best suited for together.</p>Oh I'm sure he does. The whole "I'm just a dude in his pajamas" remark was supposed to reflect how Kade sees himself. He hasn't caught onto the fact that he's anything special. Within the party he sees himself as the NPC sidekick to a quartet of PCs. Was not at all meant as a jibe against Marcus.
And I really don't know the monk very well myself. First time I'm playing one, so I guess we'll find out what role they're best suited for together.Arthur G2017-01-12T17:04:54ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion#282017-01-12T09:20:29Z2017-01-12T09:20:29Z<p>You may be giving Kade more than his fair due. While he can do some damage his AC is less than impressive. Still, it's absolutely in his personality to go right into the fray, so I'm all for that marching order.</p>You may be giving Kade more than his fair due. While he can do some damage his AC is less than impressive. Still, it's absolutely in his personality to go right into the fray, so I'm all for that marching order.Arthur G2017-01-12T09:20:29ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion#222017-01-11T18:04:51Z2017-01-11T17:10:39Z<p>NO SUCH THING.</p>NO SUCH THING.Arthur G2017-01-11T17:10:39ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion#202017-01-11T16:48:28Z2017-01-11T16:48:28Z<p>There's no such thing as too many Perception rolls.</p>There's no such thing as too many Perception rolls.Arthur G2017-01-11T16:48:28ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion#142017-01-10T18:42:07Z2017-01-10T18:42:07Z<p>Neat! Thanks, man. Don't overexert yourself though. I wrote the guy with a decade long gap in his life and as a willful social outcast for this reason. I'd hate to make too much extra work for you. You can assume that Kade is fairly ignorant about the goings-on of the place, even 10 years back. All the same, I'm sure everyone appreciates the background knowledge.</p>
<p>Oh, and good posts from everyone involved so far. Liking the crew.</p>Neat! Thanks, man. Don't overexert yourself though. I wrote the guy with a decade long gap in his life and as a willful social outcast for this reason. I'd hate to make too much extra work for you. You can assume that Kade is fairly ignorant about the goings-on of the place, even 10 years back. All the same, I'm sure everyone appreciates the background knowledge.
Oh, and good posts from everyone involved so far. Liking the crew.Arthur G2017-01-10T18:42:07ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion#112017-01-06T17:36:45Z2017-01-06T17:36:45Z<p>@GM ROBOGEISHA: in the interest of expediency, could we say that Kade was another guard sent from Belhaim to meet the caravan at the halfway point? Makes some sense as a precautionary measure against whatever could lie ahead on the road. That would also mean that all the characters are already familiar with each other. Would that work?</p>@GM ROBOGEISHA: in the interest of expediency, could we say that Kade was another guard sent from Belhaim to meet the caravan at the halfway point? Makes some sense as a precautionary measure against whatever could lie ahead on the road. That would also mean that all the characters are already familiar with each other. Would that work?Arthur G2017-01-06T17:36:45ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM R0B0GEISHA Presents: The Dragon's Demand DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/discussion#42017-01-03T23:39:22Z2017-01-03T23:39:22Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote> Welcome all and congratulations on making it!</blockquote><p>Thanks for having me, man. Appreciated.
</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote>1. I noticed that a few of you have Belhaim in your background. I failed to mention this in character creation, but a significant portion of the adventure involves getting acquainted to the area and its population, so it would be best if your past with the town is <b>changed or left out entirely.</b></blockquote><p>Oh boy. Am I about to be difficult. Considering that I tailored the character to Belhaim and made sure to have a connection with the place, I'm struggling to see why I was accepted. I'm hoping that you can elaborate, because if you are asking me to rewrite character motivations and whatnot I'm afraid that I'm out. Best to lay that bare immediately.
<p>Is this an issue of not having the PCs knowing anything about the town, or that the setup requires all PCs to be caravan guards arriving at Belhaim? Because if it is the former I also wrote in the whole "decade since he's been in town" thing to justify that my character doesn't have the lay of the place anymore. If it's the latter then I wish you all a good game and apologize for wasting your time.</p>GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:Welcome all and congratulations on making it!
Thanks for having me, man. Appreciated.
GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:1. I noticed that a few of you have Belhaim in your background. I failed to mention this in character creation, but a significant portion of the adventure involves getting acquainted to the area and its population, so it would be best if your past with the town is changed or left out entirely.
Oh boy. Am I about to be difficult. Considering that I tailored the...Arthur G2017-01-03T23:39:22ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Interest Check for Newbie PBP GameArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/recruiting#352016-12-31T03:56:26Z2016-12-31T03:56:26Z<p>Fashionably late, as I am wont to be. Hope that you enjoy looking over <a href="http://paizo.com/people/KadeKillough" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kade</a>, but I understand if you dismiss him at the sight of that wall of text.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Starting gold::</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 1</span> x 10 = 10 gp</p>
<p>Aaaand I'm officially the poorest bastard the rules will possibly allow me to be. That fits the character actually...</p>Fashionably late, as I am wont to be. Hope that you enjoy looking over Kade, but I understand if you dismiss him at the sight of that wall of text.
[dice=Starting gold:]1d6[/dice] x 10 = 10 gp
Aaaand I'm officially the poorest bastard the rules will possibly allow me to be. That fits the character actually...Arthur G2016-12-31T03:56:26ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Interest Check for Newbie PBP GameArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/recruiting#232016-12-20T15:11:02Z2016-12-20T15:11:02Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:</div><blockquote>If you have any questions, please ask! </blockquote><p>Since I don't see it mentioned anywhere else, what post rate are you aiming for?GM R0B0GEISHA wrote:If you have any questions, please ask!
Since I don't see it mentioned anywhere else, what post rate are you aiming for?Arthur G2016-12-20T15:11:02ZRe: Forums: Recruitment: Interest Check for Newbie PBP GameArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/GMR0B0GEISHAPresentsTheDragonsDemand/recruiting#112016-12-14T21:19:44Z2016-12-14T21:19:44Z<p>Not sure I qualify as a newbie, but if no one else more deserving wants in I'd love to join. Never heard anything but praise for Dragon's Demand.</p>Not sure I qualify as a newbie, but if no one else more deserving wants in I'd love to join. Never heard anything but praise for Dragon's Demand.Arthur G2016-12-14T21:19:44ZRe: Forums: Hell's Rebels: Turn of the Torrent (GM Reference)Arthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ssll&page=3?Turn-of-the-Torrent#1232020-09-14T13:59:39Z2016-12-13T22:24:51Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">TheNoslen wrote:</div><blockquote><p> I've got a situation I'm not entirely sure how to play out, would be good to get some advice.</p>
<p>Essentially, just finished rescuing Marquel, ended the session <b>before delivering him to the captain.</b> [...]
<br />
Anyone have any tips on how to react to this? What would Cassius do? </blockquote><p>That part in bold could be what saves you. Like Shaun and Raynulf I too have played with this type before, and it can be tiresome. The only reasonable, adult thing to do is let the poor sap go through with their ill conceived plan against the NPC with several levels over him, and then get rightfully smacked upside their thin-skinned head. Actions should have consequences. However, I'm going to advice against this. The adult reaction is not appropriate here as the problem never would have arisen if the player could behave like an adult. The player will just get increasingly prissy when his frustrations find not an outlet, but yet another imagined insult when the Captain successfully defends himself. A moody player at the table will just ruin the session for everyone.
<p>Instead, consider playing up the reunion between Marquel and the Captain the next time your play. Emphasize the Captain's worry about his lover and that he might have been in an agitated state when he tossed this mission on the PCs' shoulders. Try to elicit sympathy and maybe this player will find it in his sensitive little heart to forgive him. As GM the best thing you can do in this situation is to try and defuse the situation, not to meet force with force.</p>TheNoslen wrote:I've got a situation I'm not entirely sure how to play out, would be good to get some advice.
Essentially, just finished rescuing Marquel, ended the session before delivering him to the captain. [...]
Anyone have any tips on how to react to this? What would Cassius do?
That part in bold could be what saves you. Like Shaun and Raynulf I too have played with this type before, and it can be tiresome. The only reasonable, adult thing to do is let the poor sap go through with...Arthur G2016-12-13T22:24:51ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1412016-05-12T15:35:01Z2016-05-12T15:35:01Z<p>Right. So. Posted part 1 of Zheng's master plan and I don't know if I went too far. The idea is to give us something fun to do in town, but if people aren't feeling it, then no sweat. I left it as is, so that you guys have a chance to get involved if you want to. If not, then I'll just post a probably equally big part 2, Mowque will have to post some reaction from Chyou and that's that. Game is right back on track, hopefully without any disruption from my end.</p>
<p>Mowque, we talked about this privately, but if there's something in my post that you object to then just say the word. I'll delete the whole thing within the hour.</p>Right. So. Posted part 1 of Zheng's master plan and I don't know if I went too far. The idea is to give us something fun to do in town, but if people aren't feeling it, then no sweat. I left it as is, so that you guys have a chance to get involved if you want to. If not, then I'll just post a probably equally big part 2, Mowque will have to post some reaction from Chyou and that's that. Game is right back on track, hopefully without any disruption from my end.
Mowque, we talked about this...Arthur G2016-05-12T15:35:01ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=3#1302016-05-12T15:29:41Z2016-05-12T15:29:41Z<p>In the busy streets of Kingi few took any note of Xiaoyu the ninja but he was there never the less, prowling about for his chosen target. In his mundane working class clothes, with his head held low and his bearing suggesting someone too occupied for anyone else, people’s gazes rolled off him like water off a duck’s back. This was his preferred method of stealth. There were several schools of thought when it came to the art of stealth, surprising many not familiar with the discipline. There was the idea of simply sticking to cover and going unseen, a method favored by many of his kind. There was the method employed by more charismatic swindlers, of insinuating and charming themselves into any environment, allowing them to walk openly without the observer knowing their true identity or intent. And then there was the practice employed by Zheng at the moment: blend into the background. Appear so painfully ordinary that no-one questions you being there. He liked operating in this manner; it let him avoid interacting with anyone and gave him plenty of time to observe. And observation was his intent on this fine spring morning slowly slipping into noon. The ninja had been roaming around the town looking for something and he thought that he had found it now: the finest tattoo parlor in a hundred mile radius.</p>
<p>Granted, this promotion didn’t actually mean much. Firstly, the party’s travels had by now taken them far enough from the greater cities that the rainwater-filled pothole Zheng just stepped over probably qualified as the best bathhouse in a hundred mile radius. And secondly, the dingy building housed the <i>only</i> tattoo parlor in Kingi. Zheng knew; he had checked. It was his impression that its proprietor was not the only tattooist in town, but he was the only one eking a living solely from his art. This made the proprietor the most prolific tattooist around and, Zheng hoped, the most skilled. </p>
<p><i>Now if only he is the most magnanimous one too,</i> he thought, the request he was about to ask the establishment’s owner in mind, as he stepped into what the faded sign over the door proclaimed to be The Kirin’s Needle. </p>
<p>The proprietor was a man by the name of Irezuma, and he turned out to be very indicative of his parlor. The building’s interior was just as old and shabby as its exterior, descriptors that could as easily be applied to its owner; the man was no spring chicken. He was slight of build, fitting nicely into the small parlor, with wiry limbs exposed from under a simple sleeveless tunic. Said limbs… Zheng didn’t know what to make of them initially. They were a mess. Physically, there was nothing wrong with them; Irezuma seemed as healthy as a man his age could hope to be, but his skin was marred to say the least. He was deeply tanned, to the point that he was more leather than skin. The surface of this leather was lined with age, displaying a spider web of crisscrossing groves, and on top of this were the tattoos. Oh gods, the tattoos. As a tattooist Zheng felt practically offended. While their canvas was poor the tattoos themselves were miserable in their mediocrity. Irezuma had upward of a hundred of them, all small and clearly done by different artists over many years. They competed for space on the old man, some even overlapping. There was no cohesion to them, no artistic vision. The chaos was a travesty in the ninja’s eyes, doubly so in the dusky light of the parlor.</p>
<p>"Can I help you?" </p>
<p>Zheng looked up. Perhaps he had let his distaste show, because the man was scowling at the young stranger.</p>
<p>"I’m hoping so, yes. Good day. You are Irezuma?"</p>
<p>"Who wants to know? It is customary to introduce oneself first, you know." </p>
<p>"Apologies. I am Xiaoyu," he replied, choosing to withhold his family name.</p>
<p>"Hmmph. Well? What do you want?"</p>
<p>Zheng realized that the tattooist wasn't actually scowling. Well, not exactly. This seemed to simply be his default expression. <i>The old man isn’t the type to let me butter him up first… Better to just jump straight to it, I suppose.</i></p>
<p>"I have a proposition for you. I..."</p>
<p>"Piss off."</p>
<p>"... Excuse me?"</p>
<p>"I ain’t buyin’ whatever you’re selling. Come in here with a ‘proposition’? No, you’re wrong. You’re all wrong. Get out. I don’t need you or your business. Out."</p>
<p>Zheng did not go out. In fact, he did the opposite. He approached the older man whilst reaching into his bag, a gesture that Irezuma took for a threat. He was almost off his stool and about to grab a tattooing needle, either to stab the intruder or simply to threaten him. Zheng would never know which, because the second the ninja dropped his cargo onto the nearest desk the old man froze. Zheng had retrieved his own tattooing tools, a set that the trained eye immediately recognized as a superior example. These were not the tools of an amateur. What’s more was that although it was well maintained, it was undeniably also well used. With these instruments he also laid out multiple thin pieces of carved wood of varying sizes; they were woodblock stencils. Woodblock stencils were used for copying tattoo designs, although typically not entire tattoos. The individual artist added his own touches and imagery, but the small collection in front of Irezuma depicted roiling clouds, crashing waves, dancing onis, coiling dragons and more. Really, they only had one thing in common: they were all absolutely gorgeous. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>For those curious, the average roll for Zheng’s Crafto (tattoo) is a 25.</span></p>
<p>This got Irezuma's attention. The old man froze in place at the sight and let his eyes, and after a minute his fingers, wander over the art pieces. Zheng had his doubt about the man's own skill, but he was clearly able to recognize the aptitude of others when he saw it.</p>
<p>"These... These are...?"</p>
<p>"My proposition," said the ninja, somewhat curtly. "I would like to give these to you, for you to use in your own designs. Additionally, I would be willing to create more woodcuts at your behest, whatever imagery you wish, as long as I am in town."</p>
<p>Irezuma's astonished scowl broke into a more distrustful scowl. It was hardly customary for tattooists to share their woodcuts among strangers, and these would undoubtedly do much to improve his own art. </p>
<p>"... And for this I give you what?"</p>
<p><i>Well, here goes. No turning back now. Let's see if this is the dumbest idea I've ever had, or merely the second-dumbest.</i></p>
<p>"I want you to help me arrange an art exhibit."</p>
<p>This was Zheng's design. Pained by Lady Chyou's recent melancholy he was determined to cheer her up somehow. And seeing that their opposed stations of mistress and servant made it impossible for him to simply talk to her, his only resource was his previous knowledge of the Zeng clan. He recalled that Chyou greatly enjoyed paintings, both admiring and dabbling in the art, but had originally dismissed the thought. It had seemed a useless piece of information initially. After all, Kingi was not exactly the great cultural center of Tian Xia. The town was as likely to house an art gallery as an ant hill was to feature a Caydenite temple. No, this train of thought was at first dismissed as useless.
<br />
Except then he realized. There was a visual art form that flourished among the common man. Something that he could reasonably expect to find in a market town like Kingi. Tattoos. Surely there was a tattoo parlor in the town. This artistic subculture was one very familiar to Xiaoyu due to his own vocation, but was by many considered lowbrow, even taboo. An idea now formed in his mind. A treacherous, fiendishly audacious idea: would Lady Chyou perhaps enjoy <i>his</i> art? Zheng wrestled with the question. Surely she was too refined to acknowledge tattooing as an art form. But on the other hand he himself truly believed it to be wholly valid, and he believed in her; he wouldn't be serving her if he didn't. Perhaps she would be discerning enough to recognize the quality in excellent examples? What potential negative repercussions could there be? That she would dismiss the idea and think ill of him? Zheng didn't particularly care what she thought of him. Pride was meaningless in the service of his clan. As long as he could continue to serve Lady Chyou she was free to hate him if she so pleased. He cared for her; her reciprocation was a privilege, not a given. </p>
<p>"HA HA HA HA HA HA," came Irezuma's barking laughter.</p>
<p>"You want to what," the older man continued once he had recovered. "You want to use my humble little studio as an exhibition hall? For what? Why?"</p>
<p>Somehow the man's laughter stung Zheng. He had expected to be dismissed, not laughed at. At least the man's scowl had finally dissipated.</p>
<p>"I want you to help me arrange an exhibit. Help me make full scale paper stencils for display, showcase whatever of your own work you consider worthy, and use your contacts among the town's tattoo enthusiasts to round up some live models if possible. Anyone with notable work to display." </p>
<p>"Heh. He he heh. I dunno. Sounds like a pain."</p>
<p>"I don't intend for you to close up shop for this. A matter of two hours or so, preferably later in the day. Tomorrow, if possible. The exhibit will last no longer. Furthermore, there will be only a single spectator, an acquaintance of mine." </p>
<p>Irezuma scratched his leathery chin. For a second he seemed to find the conditions for the proposal more intriguing than the proposal itself. It was certainly curious. And not without reward for himself. Would give him something to do too. After all, it wasn't like the business was booming.</p>
<p>"Alright, Xiaoyu. You've got yerself a deal."</p>
<p>The ninja breathed a sight born of equal relief and horror. They were really going through with this. Gods help them.</p>
<p>"Only... These models; when you say 'notable' work, what do you mean exactly? Because I've got a buddy who's genitals are painted to look like an elephant, and I'd say that's pretty notable."</p>
<p>"... I'm going to have to veto some of these models."</p>In the busy streets of Kingi few took any note of Xiaoyu the ninja but he was there never the less, prowling about for his chosen target. In his mundane working class clothes, with his head held low and his bearing suggesting someone too occupied for anyone else, people’s gazes rolled off him like water off a duck’s back. This was his preferred method of stealth. There were several schools of thought when it came to the art of stealth, surprising many not familiar with the discipline. There...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-05-12T15:29:41ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=3#1292016-05-12T15:26:22Z2016-05-12T15:26:22Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ayuka wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"It may be difficult to make sure the whole of Kingi is safe before us entering. It would probably be best if we stuck together. Maybe we can find a proper inn for Lady Chyou-san to gain proper rest."</b> </blockquote><p>"Mmhm," murmured Xiaoyu, seemingly lost in thought whilst looking over the city.
<p>"Yes. We should stick together. Far safer that way. Yes. Lady Chyou does seem in need of a night's rest in a bed that can't be rolled up and slung over one shoulder. Let's see if we can find an appropriate inn."</p>
<p>With his sentiments conveyed, it was then rather suspicious when immediately after finding said inn the ninja told the party that he had to step out for a bit, alone. </p>
<p>"Sorry, I won't be long. There's something I need to find. A matter of... provision." </p>
<p>And out he went, into the streets of Kingi.</p>Ayuka wrote:"It may be difficult to make sure the whole of Kingi is safe before us entering. It would probably be best if we stuck together. Maybe we can find a proper inn for Lady Chyou-san to gain proper rest."
"Mmhm," murmured Xiaoyu, seemingly lost in thought whilst looking over the city. "Yes. We should stick together. Far safer that way. Yes. Lady Chyou does seem in need of a night's rest in a bed that can't be rolled up and slung over one shoulder. Let's see if we can find an...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-05-12T15:26:22ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1362016-05-10T10:46:42Z2016-05-10T10:46:42Z<p>I feel vaguely responsible as I fell of the face of the net for a week, but I don't especially mind the pace as is. May be in the minority in this sentiment, but I vastly prefer slower games with quality posts over faster games with so-so posts.</p>I feel vaguely responsible as I fell of the face of the net for a week, but I don't especially mind the pace as is. May be in the minority in this sentiment, but I vastly prefer slower games with quality posts over faster games with so-so posts.Arthur G2016-05-10T10:46:42ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=3#1232016-05-09T13:38:00Z2016-05-09T13:38:00Z<p>Zheng felt like sh•t. Not just any old sh•t either, but some particularly unpleasant variant of the stuff. Otyugh feces perhaps. He felt like this because his mistress was evidently not feeling much better. The ninja considered himself more than a hired bodyguard. His entire clan revolved around dedicating oneself to these rare noble spirits, to help them rise to whatever lofty station that was rightfully theirs. Zheng was not content with transporting the party's cargo from point A to point B. He wanted to <i>realize</i> this woman. He wanted to be one small helpful stepping stone on her path to destiny. And that was why seeing her like this, so listless, destroyed him. One didn't typically fulfill one's destiny whilst sleepwalking; Lady Chyou recent behavior invalidated Zheng Xiaoyu.</p>
<p>The reasonable approach to solving this would of course be to speak to the woman. Which is why the idea could only be employed as an end-of-days like final solution. Etiquette was in many ways more important to the ninja than mere reason; it was not his place to instruct the young Lady how to conduct herself and so he wasn't going to do so. Clearly the whole affair with Bai had had some impact on her, so Zheng longed for some distraction to divert her thoughts and lift her spirits. The sight of Kingi was then a welcome one indeed for him. His own bleakness had not been immediately noticeable, being a fairly quiet and stoic person, but his eyes practically lit up at the sight.</p>
<p>A market town. Perhaps he could find some diversion for the Lady there. Was there perhaps some trinket she was fond of? Some refreshment? Music?
<br />
Xiaoyu though back to what he knew of the Zeng family. What had Lady Chyou amused herself with growing up in Goka...?</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Not sure if this is going to go anywhere but Zheng's take 10 in Knowledge (Nobility) is 18. Just don't ask him to take her go-karting. Zheng hates go-karts.</span></p>Zheng felt like sh*t. Not just any old sh*t either, but some particularly unpleasant variant of the stuff. Otyugh feces perhaps. He felt like this because his mistress was evidently not feeling much better. The ninja considered himself more than a hired bodyguard. His entire clan revolved around dedicating oneself to these rare noble spirits, to help them rise to whatever lofty station that was rightfully theirs. Zheng was not content with transporting the party's cargo from point A to point...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-05-09T13:38:00ZRe: Forums: Rise of the Runelords: Good Side Modules to Litter Among RotRL?Arthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tn8z?Good-Side-Modules-to-Litter-Among-RotRL#82016-05-09T08:12:51Z2016-05-09T08:12:51Z<p>Definitely heed Haladir and Latrecis's advice; you do not want to overemphasize Magnimar, cool as the place may be. And while we're at it, be doubly careful with Dawn of the Scarlet Sun. I considered using it for my own RotR game, but decided against it as the plot of the module is too similar to events already taking place with the Skinsaw cult in the city. Perhaps consider melding the two somehow? </p>
<p>As for a module recommendation I'll throw in The Harrowing. It's a really fun, very colorful and uniquely Varisian adventure. I personally used it to spice up one of the long treks across the country the party inevitably have to make. It's excellent stuff. Do note, however, that the module almost requires one to own a physical harrow deck, but boy did my players enjoy having some tangible prop to play around with.</p>Definitely heed Haladir and Latrecis's advice; you do not want to overemphasize Magnimar, cool as the place may be. And while we're at it, be doubly careful with Dawn of the Scarlet Sun. I considered using it for my own RotR game, but decided against it as the plot of the module is too similar to events already taking place with the Skinsaw cult in the city. Perhaps consider melding the two somehow?
As for a module recommendation I'll throw in The Harrowing. It's a really fun, very colorful...Arthur G2016-05-09T08:12:51ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=3#1202016-05-05T16:19:05Z2016-05-05T16:19:05Z<p>The ninja's sharp eyes didn't even blink at the news of Bai's escape. Although he had never experienced it himself (<i>egads!</i>), he had heard the bards sing of it often enough: love. Love always finds a way. Apparently that way had manifested itself in a wayang companion wielding... hmm. A fair question. How had the wayang opened the cell door? Zheng found himself more preoccupied with a professional curiosity for the pair's escape act.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM Mowque wrote:</div><blockquote><b>'We have to repair the door and tend to the two wounded men. It is a burden on our little village. A gift of say, twenty gold coins would ease this heavy weight."</b> </blockquote><p>Xiaoyu lazily stepped into the conversation.
<p>"A gift for the service of incarceration? How I feel for the simple man here. Having to pay to keep the man jailed who steals my wages? I should count myself fortunate that my house is not on fire. If so, I would have to negotiate my neighbors' rewards for helping me, while the flames ate my roof. Truly, yours is a heavy vocation, elder Chow-Fun." </p>
<p>Despite his words the ninja had brought out his money pouch.</p>
<p>"Tell me, the aforementioned unfortunate cell door; how was it ruined? By force? Magic?"</p>The ninja's sharp eyes didn't even blink at the news of Bai's escape. Although he had never experienced it himself (egads!), he had heard the bards sing of it often enough: love. Love always finds a way. Apparently that way had manifested itself in a wayang companion wielding... hmm. A fair question. How had the wayang opened the cell door? Zheng found himself more preoccupied with a professional curiosity for the pair's escape act.
GM Mowque wrote:'We have to repair the door and tend to the...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-05-05T16:19:05ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1322016-04-30T00:05:10Z2016-04-30T00:05:10Z<p>Dang ol' nefarious page shifts.</p>
<p>Swift post, man.</p>Dang ol' nefarious page shifts.
Swift post, man.Arthur G2016-04-30T00:05:10ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1302016-04-29T22:31:11Z2016-04-29T22:31:11Z<p>Someone going to pick up that ball?</p>Someone going to pick up that ball?Arthur G2016-04-29T22:31:11ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#962016-04-24T20:26:08Z2016-04-24T20:26:08Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>As said above, Zheng's up for Ayuka's approach.</span></p>As said above, Zheng's up for Ayuka's approach.Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-24T20:26:08ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#932016-04-24T15:06:49Z2016-04-24T15:06:49Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Otrov the Green wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"What if we just took him with us into the next town or what have you, and let it slip that we were headed to some other location in a different direction. He might be able to follow us for a bit, but then when we headed towards that Wangrot place or was it Hwangit? Anyways, we would lose him when the paths diverted, right?"</b> Otrov wasn't necessarily the best strategist, but when he came up with an idea he made sure to get it out as fast as he could without people interrupting him.</blockquote><p>The ninja mulled this over.
<p>"That line of thought assumes that the man doesn't already know where we are headed. He seems well informed about the affairs of House Zeng and could already be aware of the location of the wedding. Which is 'Hwanggot," he added. "Furthermore, while we may be able to deceive Bai we shouldn't forget the wayang. His kind tend to be cunning and we saw that he wielded spells. In all likelihood he has a better head on his shoulders than his... simple friend here, cowardice aside."</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Ayuka wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"I find no honor in knocking out a bound person and leaving him vulnerable. If that is what is to be done then that job will fall on your shoulders. Personally I think that knocking Bai out and leaving him will cause Lady Chyou distress and undo worry about his well-being. At least she knows he is safe if we turn him over to the authorities. I can go by myself to hand him over to the authorities and that way they won't know about the rest of you and our purpose isn't revealed."</b></blockquote><p>"I would not burden others with committing such a shameful act; of course I would take that responsibility upon myself. But very well. I concede to your proposal. If you can manage to get the man to play along with his own arrest, then do so. That would be the ideal outcome."Otrov the Green wrote:"What if we just took him with us into the next town or what have you, and let it slip that we were headed to some other location in a different direction. He might be able to follow us for a bit, but then when we headed towards that Wangrot place or was it Hwangit? Anyways, we would lose him when the paths diverted, right?" Otrov wasn't necessarily the best strategist, but when he came up with an idea he made sure to get it out as fast as he could without people...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-24T15:06:49ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#902016-04-23T22:43:21Z2016-04-23T22:43:21Z<p>Xiaoyu let himself be roped into the huddle, despite being against the notion of hiding any discussion from their mistress. He listened to the argumentation of the two women, Otrov remaining silent, until he felt he had to break in.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Yukarii wrote:</div><blockquote>Yukarii gave Ayuka an innocent look and said, <b>"Who said about keeping him chained up? If we proposed this as a chance for him to convince her to change her mind he might well behave himself."</b> Her expression turned a bit cranky as she finished, <b>"As for causing Lady Chyuo unnecessary hardship, well, I find myself not empathizing much with her just now."</b></blockquote><p>"You are not paid for 'empathizing', Yukarii," he said, a somewhat cold edge bleeding into his voice. Zheng's admiration for the noblewoman was such that he couldn't suppress it.
<p>"You are paid to bring her safely to Hwanggot, not to meddle with her... 'love life'. Ayuka is correct. Bringing Bai along would cause our Lady undue stress, something we should be trying to avoid as her guardians. The man cannot be a part of our journey. But..."</p>
<p>The ninja sighed.</p>
<p>"But turning him in as a criminal is also not an option. What would we tell the authorities? I see no way to divulge Bai's crime without also revealing our own group's purpose, something we are to avoid at all cost."</p>
<p>"I say we knock him out and leave him here. He will need time to recuperate and won't be in any immediate danger as his wayang companion will be back for him, sooner or later. By that time we will be long gone, as the two are without horses. Of course, they will be back. The man is love-struck and young. He will not give up. But he won't find us again anytime soon, and when it happens we do our jobs. We stop him again." </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Apologies for the poor post. Hopefully I'm getting my thoughts across. I'm sleepy as all hell and about to collapse onto my bed, but I wanted to get a word in before a decision is reached. Good stuff all around, guys.</span></p>Xiaoyu let himself be roped into the huddle, despite being against the notion of hiding any discussion from their mistress. He listened to the argumentation of the two women, Otrov remaining silent, until he felt he had to break in.
Yukarii wrote:Yukarii gave Ayuka an innocent look and said, "Who said about keeping him chained up? If we proposed this as a chance for him to convince her to change her mind he might well behave himself." Her expression turned a bit cranky as she finished, "As...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-23T22:43:21ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#772016-04-22T21:05:14Z2016-04-22T21:05:14Z<p>The ninja's gaze deferred to the party's precious cargo, as Lady Chyou stepped in when Bai refused to answer his question.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM Mowque wrote:</div><blockquote>Lady Chyou speaks up, saying, <b>'Eclis is a long time personal friend. he <i>usually</i> stops Bai from making a fool of himself. He has obviously failed this time."</b> She turns to Bai then and says in a low voice, <b>'I am sorry my love, but it can never be. You must give this up."</b></blockquote><p><i>I see. Good. In that case, the matter isWAIT WHAT?!</i>
<p>Zheng went from human to troglodyte in a second as his eyes bulged. So much for the Hei-Lóng principle of masking one's emotions. Lady Chyou loved this man? This... changed everything. He had been ready to smack the young man unconscious and let the wayang deal with him as the party rode off on their horses, but now he questioned if he shouldn't be cutting Bai free and beg his forgiveness. Is that what Lady Chyou would want of him? Did what she wanted even matter anymore? The Lady herself seemed set on reaching Hwanggot and her arranged marriage, despite loving another.
<br />
Xiaoyu's features calmed even while his mind raced. The ninja was conflicted, to say the least. Who did he serve, Lady Chyou or House Zeng? Ultimately, he served the principle of Sangpotshi, the betterment of oneself through noble actions. Certainly, there could be fewer deeds more selfless than sacrificing one's own happiness for the sake of your family and yet... This didn't sit right with the still young ninja.</p>
<p>Deeply unhappy at this newest development and his inability to sort this out, Zheng went for correcting that which he could: the aasimar's impertinence. </p>
<p>"Yukarii. Enough. Our mistress owes us no answers," he said despite being desperately curious for answers himself.</p>The ninja's gaze deferred to the party's precious cargo, as Lady Chyou stepped in when Bai refused to answer his question.
GM Mowque wrote:Lady Chyou speaks up, saying, 'Eclis is a long time personal friend. he usually stops Bai from making a fool of himself. He has obviously failed this time." She turns to Bai then and says in a low voice, 'I am sorry my love, but it can never be. You must give this up."
I see. Good. In that case, the matter isWAIT WHAT?! Zheng went from human to troglodyte...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-22T21:05:14ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#722016-04-22T15:59:32Z2016-04-22T15:59:32Z<p>"Hmm..."</p>
<p>Zheng loomed over the bound Bai. He was trying to answer Ayuka's query but was honestly too miffed at the young warrior's earlier comment to focus. How dare he? How <i>dare</i> he? Lady Chyou 'corrupted'? And House Zeng ignorant of their daughter's needs? How dare this commoner, this <i>plebeian</i>, question their noble house? By what right? Zheng was well aware that his own philosophy on nobility was not shared by everyone, but the young paladin's disrespect bordered on impudence.</p>
<p><i>Hmph. "Miss-guided" indeed, Lady Chyou. But your will be done. Of course he shall not be harmed. And on that matter...</i></p>
<p>The ninja peered behind him. The wayang was still nowhere to be seen, but then again, he had the power of invisibility. Zheng knew all too well the convenience of such an ability; the little man could be standing among them right now. Which they could exploit.</p>
<p>"Tell me," he said, addressing Bai. "Your wayang companion, is he loyal to you?"</p>"Hmm..."
Zheng loomed over the bound Bai. He was trying to answer Ayuka's query but was honestly too miffed at the young warrior's earlier comment to focus. How dare he? How dare he? Lady Chyou 'corrupted'? And House Zeng ignorant of their daughter's needs? How dare this commoner, this plebeian, question their noble house? By what right? Zheng was well aware that his own philosophy on nobility was not shared by everyone, but the young paladin's disrespect bordered on impudence.
Hmph....Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-22T15:59:32ZRe: Forums: Off-Topic Discussions: The Saucy SorceressArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tlrn?The-Saucy-Sorceress#32016-04-18T18:24:40Z2016-04-17T18:47:09Z<p>I'm offended. </p>
<p>Your metre is all over the place and the rhythm shoddy. Come back when you can pull of an iambic tetrametre.</p>I'm offended.
Your metre is all over the place and the rhythm shoddy. Come back when you can pull of an iambic tetrametre.Arthur G2016-04-17T18:47:09ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#662016-04-16T23:52:36Z2016-04-16T23:52:36Z<p>The two opponents flanking Bai were an odd pair to be sure. On one side he had a bizarre snake-like being, very possibly otherworldly, and on the other a seemingly mundane commoner. Said "commoner" was trying his darnedest to keep his face as impassive as possible, ultimately failing. Zheng felt enormous relief when the young man's sword only just narrowly missed him due to Bai's understandably unsteady footwork. The two men were still stuck in Otrov's spell. The ninja didn't like having to rely on luck in combat; he had to break free of the overeager plant matter.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Escape Artist check:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 - 4 = 14</span></p>
<p>Concentrating on the creeping foliage, Zheng noticed that when it tried to grow further up his leg the plants' grip slackened ever so slightly. Waiting for just the right moment the ninja suddenly made a short jump, lifting both feet from the ground and slipping out of the greenery's grip.</p>
<p><i>Yes! Take that, you chlorophyll fueled creepers!</i></p>
<p>Of course, the second his feet touched the ground again those creepers set to work entrapping him again, so Zheng was very eager to finish this fight as quickly as possible.</p>
<p><i>Let's see if Yukarii's snake creature can get me the distraction I need... Visssh, was it?</i></p>
<p>The serpent bobbed back and forth, evidently trying to entangle Bai not just in plant matter but in its own ophidian form too. It wasn't having too much success, unfortunately. However, if he just waited for the riiight moment... then Zheng could use that diversion to Bai's attention... to... <i>Now!</i> </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Non-lethal attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Non-lethal damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d3 + 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (1, 6, 4) + 1 = 15</span></p>
<p>The young warrior abruptly felt the ninja's knee striking into his rib cage, hard. He felt that one, of this Zheng was certain. He made sure to not let any gratification slip into his expression, again striving to keep on a stoic mask in combat. This was a practice his instructors at the Hei-Lóng had tried to drill into him. Derived from their impassive interpretation of sangpotshi, the idea was in part an intimidation tactic. An opponent emotionally detached even from a life and death battle could certainly be unnerving. But mostly, it acted as a morale booster for the Hei-Lóng ninja themselves. Their utterly stoic manners in combat were a reminder that death was nothing to fear. Sangpotshi would ensure that they would rise again.
<br />
Zheng was young though, and very glad that this fight was not to the death. Still, he tried to maintain a detached face and glared at Bai with eyes as empty as he could manage.</p>The two opponents flanking Bai were an odd pair to be sure. On one side he had a bizarre snake-like being, very possibly otherworldly, and on the other a seemingly mundane commoner. Said "commoner" was trying his darnedest to keep his face as impassive as possible, ultimately failing. Zheng felt enormous relief when the young man's sword only just narrowly missed him due to Bai's understandably unsteady footwork. The two men were still stuck in Otrov's spell. The ninja didn't like having to...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-16T23:52:36ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#592016-04-16T12:06:54Z2016-04-16T12:06:54Z<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Reflex save against Entangle:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13</span></p>
<p>Zheng had only just managed to maneuver himself behind Bai when he found himself stuck to the ground. Plant matter was growing rapidly out of the earth, entangling him. The ninja felt a slight moment of panic. His all-important agility was severely hampered with one foot anchored. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Escape Artist check:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 12 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 12 - 4 = 11</span></p>
<p>He grunted in frustration. The vines holding his invisible feet would not budge. Now what? Attack the younger man whilst badly hamstrung and thus revealing his vulnerable position, or just concentrate on getting free first?
<br />
Xiaoyu considered himself a proactive man.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Non-lethal attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 4 = 25</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Confirm critical:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 7 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 4 = 15</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Non-lethal damage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d3 + 3d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + (2, 1, 1) + 1 = 8</span> </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Being a critical, I think that this should be 12 points of damage, right?</span></p>
<p>Suddenly the ninja was visible again but Bai felt him before he saw him. Specifically, he felt Zheng's fist deliver a rather nasty kidney punch. The ninja was no master at unarmed combat but his training had taught him how to make his strikes hurt.
<br />
Sighing, Zheng had to wonder if he was about to have that pain repaid. He was now fully visible and his agility could not protect him, stuck as he was. He was a sitting duck.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Man. Them rolls. Them rolls...</span></p>[dice=Reflex save against Entangle]1d20 + 9[/dice]
Zheng had only just managed to maneuver himself behind Bai when he found himself stuck to the ground. Plant matter was growing rapidly out of the earth, entangling him. The ninja felt a slight moment of panic. His all-important agility was severely hampered with one foot anchored.
[dice=Escape Artist check]1d20 + 12 - 4[/dice]
He grunted in frustration. The vines holding his invisible feet would not budge. Now what? Attack the younger man...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-16T12:06:54ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay&page=2#542016-04-15T21:14:23Z2016-04-15T21:14:23Z<p><i>Well. This is less than great.</i></p>
<p>Zheng didn't know who this strange pair were, but he knew <i>what</i> they were: an obstacle. They had to be removed.
<br />
Or perhaps simply surmounted. The wayang didn't seem particularly interested in a fight and even the boisterous Bai was clearly holding back, apparently very much aware of his own strength and the damage his large frame could deal. The boy was not entirely dumb. It was too late to prevent a fight, but the party should at least repay his courtesy by not killing him. After all, it wouldn't do to harm an acquaintance of Lady Chyou's, no matter how distant. A shame that a fight couldn't have been avoided. Zheng had been very impressed by Yukarii's diplomatic display. The aasimar's tongue was every bit as beguiling as the rest of her. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ride check to dismount as a free action:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5</span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>Which failed pretty spectacularly...</span></p>
<p>The ninja dismounted from his horse but his feet never touched the ground. None of him did; he simply vanished in mid air. </p>
<p>"Please remain seated, my lady. We will subdue him as quickly as we can."</p>
<p>Of course, Zheng was still very much present. He was just not visible to the naked eye. Thusly invisible, Zheng moved past Yukarii, Ayuka and even Bai, positioning himself behind the larger man. At no point did he draw a weapon. No, he intended to deliver as devastating a bare-handed blow as he could manage so as to subdue Bai as quickly as possible. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>If it wasn't clear, that was two move actions and a swift action. Do we have an order as far as initiative goes? Should we?</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Initiative:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15</span></p>Well. This is less than great.
Zheng didn't know who this strange pair were, but he knew what they were: an obstacle. They had to be removed.
Or perhaps simply surmounted. The wayang didn't seem particularly interested in a fight and even the boisterous Bai was clearly holding back, apparently very much aware of his own strength and the damage his large frame could deal. The boy was not entirely dumb. It was too late to prevent a fight, but the party should at least repay his courtesy by not...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-15T21:14:23ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay#482016-04-14T10:27:54Z2016-04-14T10:27:54Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Sorry for the slight post but I want to check; does Zheng know of this Bai?</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Knowledge (nobility):</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26</span></p>Sorry for the slight post but I want to check; does Zheng know of this Bai?
[dice=Knowledge (nobility)]1d20 + 8[/dice]Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-14T10:27:54ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: What's in a name?: Paizo naming disastersArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tl64&page=4?Whats-in-a-name-Paizo-naming-disasters#1612016-04-13T14:33:10Z2016-04-13T14:24:14Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tacticslion wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">Deadmanwalking wrote:</div><blockquote><p> Iomedae has always been pronounced in my head something like this:</p>
<p>EYE-ohm-eh-day</p>
<p>Which doesn't sound that uncomfortable to me. I've always liked the way that one flowed, personally. </blockquote>For me, it was always Eye-OHM-eh-day. :D </blockquote><p>Putting the stress on the second syllable actually doesn't sound too bad, yeah. I suspect that this is more of a personal problem since we don't speak English at our table and the name just doesn't mesh with our spoken language, but still. Four syllables of which the first three all sound vowel-like? Yeesh.Tacticslion wrote:Deadmanwalking wrote:Iomedae has always been pronounced in my head something like this:
EYE-ohm-eh-day
Which doesn't sound that uncomfortable to me. I've always liked the way that one flowed, personally.
For me, it was always Eye-OHM-eh-day. :D Putting the stress on the second syllable actually doesn't sound too bad, yeah. I suspect that this is more of a personal problem since we don't speak English at our table and the name just doesn't mesh with our spoken language,...Arthur G2016-04-13T14:24:14ZRe: Forums/Lost Omens Campaign Setting: General Discussion: What's in a name?: Paizo naming disastersArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tl64&page=4?Whats-in-a-name-Paizo-naming-disasters#1552016-04-13T12:38:26Z2016-04-13T12:38:26Z<p>I don't suppose anyone could find me a recording of 'Iomedae'? Because no matter how I try that name is sits <i>fantastically</i> uncomfortable on the tongue.</p>
<p>Actually, this entire thread should be full of Vocaroo links. Go on, people. Share your melodious voices.</p>I don't suppose anyone could find me a recording of 'Iomedae'? Because no matter how I try that name is sits fantastically uncomfortable on the tongue.
Actually, this entire thread should be full of Vocaroo links. Go on, people. Share your melodious voices.Arthur G2016-04-13T12:38:26ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1262016-04-13T11:54:18Z2016-04-13T11:54:18Z<p>Yeah, I thought we were waiting on something. Still very much aboard.</p>Yeah, I thought we were waiting on something. Still very much aboard.Arthur G2016-04-13T11:54:18ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay#412016-04-13T11:46:18Z2016-04-13T11:46:18Z<p>Zheng turned to face the armored woman at her approach. He had been looking over what was to be his horse for the foreseeable future when she had decided that introductions were in order. The ninja was somewhat relieved to finally see this subject broached. After all, he was quite curious to know who his travel companions and fellow guardians were, a curiosity that was both personal and professional. However, he hadn't wanted to do this here. The perfectionist in him found it somehow wrong to exchange pleasantries in front of a master and employer.</p>
<p>The ninja observed Ayuka as she gave the two men of the party a light bow.</p>
<p><i>Hmm. A bit... vertically challenged for her kind. A samurai?</i></p>
<p>Zheng hesitated to use the term 'samurai'. It was a word laden with so much meaning and nuance that it was difficult to know when it truly applied. But the woman certainly looked the part, with her armor and weaponry, short stature be damned. Whether or not these reflected her true character was something he suspected would become evident during their journey. And the ninja was experienced enough to know that height did not make a warrior.</p>
<p>"Hello, Yamanouchi Ayuka," he replied, somewhat mechanically. "My name is Zheng Xiaoyu. I hope for a fruitful partnership going forth."</p>
<p>Zheng didn't think much of giving these people his true name, rather than one of his many aliases. He used it so seldom that it was practically unknown as is, and even should it be compromised and hinder his future service to his clan he wouldn't hesitate to abandon it. And besides, if the Zengs trusted these people then it was only courteous for him to extend that same trust.
<br />
Still, it would be advisable to keep a professional distance.</p>
<p>When the ninja craned his head back to look up to Otrov, as the elf introduced himself, he momentarily wondered if the woman had simply appeared so short because she was standing near this brown-haired tower. </p>
<p><i>I really hope I won't ever have to disguise you, buddy... You stand out like an orc in Kyonin.</i></p>
<p>Which was not entirely too far from reality. The man was so obviously foreign that Zheng cringed internally. He had nothing against foreigners. Zheng wasn't much of a xenophobe. But due to his vocation and conditioning the ninja reveled in anonymity. He suspected that that was partly why he was here now. This journey would be much simpler if the party could travel incognito. Otrov would not make that easy.</p>
<p><i>Not at all easy...</i> he thought as he eyed the elf's plant familiar, currently shirking away from one of the more curious horses.</p>
<p>Then again, judging from his dress and manner Zheng guessed that Otrov was some sort of nature priest and probably wielded magic. That was always appreciated. So the ninja gave a nod of the head as acknowledgement to both Otrov and Zubi.</p>Zheng turned to face the armored woman at her approach. He had been looking over what was to be his horse for the foreseeable future when she had decided that introductions were in order. The ninja was somewhat relieved to finally see this subject broached. After all, he was quite curious to know who his travel companions and fellow guardians were, a curiosity that was both personal and professional. However, he hadn't wanted to do this here. The perfectionist in him found it somehow wrong to...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-13T11:46:18ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay#352016-04-09T19:07:56Z2016-04-09T19:07:56Z<p>Xiaoyu had arrived at the stable early. The two hour span had been more than enough to get the ninja's affairs in order; everything he owned he carried in a small magical pouch fastened to his waist. As such he had simply opted for scouting their meeting spot for anything suspicious while awaiting the appointed hour. This was an almost certainly fruitless endeavor, what with the Rooster Gate being such a busy area, but he didn't mind. Xiaoyu was very happy to have found a mission and a means to serve his clan and betters. He was eager to step into service as quickly as possible, and so he watched the trafficked gate patiently, looking no different from the earlier meeting with the exception of the dark grey travel cloak slung over his shoulders.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Zheng's take 10 on Perception is 19. Not expecting anything but you can never have enough Perception checks.</span></p>
<p>When all the relevant parties had arrived he filtered into the stable and greeted the Zengs with all proper deference. </p>
<p>"This servant has not seen any foul play yet, sir."</p>
<p>The ninja paused for a second before continuing. He wasn't quite sure who to address his next question to, but quickly settled for the father over the daughter.</p>
<p>"Sir, if I may... Given the secrecy of our journey I must ask, has a suitable cover for Lady Chyou been decided or shall such questions be tackled when encountered?"</p>
<p>This was something Xiaoyu had been mulling over for the past hour while observing the crowd. Certainly the lady Chyou must travel under some alias, a practice far from foreign to him. But he hoped to sort out any such details at the outset of their journey, rather than having to hastily prepare some halting cover when questioned by any opponent. Most of all he feared any situation that would force HIM to invent a new identity for the maiden. Heavens above! That would be wholly inappropriate for someone of his station.</p>Xiaoyu had arrived at the stable early. The two hour span had been more than enough to get the ninja's affairs in order; everything he owned he carried in a small magical pouch fastened to his waist. As such he had simply opted for scouting their meeting spot for anything suspicious while awaiting the appointed hour. This was an almost certainly fruitless endeavor, what with the Rooster Gate being such a busy area, but he didn't mind. Xiaoyu was very happy to have found a mission and a means...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-09T19:07:56ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1142016-04-05T19:52:02Z2016-04-05T19:52:02Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM Mowque wrote:</div><blockquote><p> All right, so what do you decide? I know an IC debate can go on forever.</p>
<p>Everyone want to vote or something? Not rushing, just making sure everyone feels engaged. </p>
<p>Edit: Excellent maps Aruthr G.! </blockquote><p>I say we enter Hwanggot through Po Li. I don't feel that the other route can be justified, though I could still be convinced.
</p>
That being said, let's just take it step by step, yeah? We can plot as much as we want, but we all know that that dastardly GM is going to throw some dragon ninja/oni deity/undead samurai lord at us and all our best laid plans will go awry. So for now could we just say that we head for the nearest city, Khitai, and see what our situation is at that point?</p>
<p>All this aside, I would <i>really</i> like to see a decent knowledge (geography) check from Otrov first. Would be nice to know if us uneducated plebs are missing something.</p>GM Mowque wrote:All right, so what do you decide? I know an IC debate can go on forever.
Everyone want to vote or something? Not rushing, just making sure everyone feels engaged.
Edit: Excellent maps Aruthr G.!
I say we enter Hwanggot through Po Li. I don't feel that the other route can be justified, though I could still be convinced.
That being said, let's just take it step by step, yeah? We can plot as much as we want, but we all know that that dastardly GM is going to throw some dragon...Arthur G2016-04-05T19:52:02ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1102016-04-05T18:26:30Z2016-04-05T18:26:30Z<p>This map here might be more helpful than the one above.</p>
<p><a href="http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/Anayna/media/Tian%20Xia%20map%203_zpsfnbzlcdy.jpg.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">'nother map</a></p>This map here might be more helpful than the one above.
'nother mapArthur G2016-04-05T18:26:30ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay#172016-04-05T18:22:37Z2016-04-05T18:22:37Z<p>"..."</p>
<p>Xiaoyu listened in as the two women and the honorable Zeng Dong discussed the matter. The ninja was not a particularly experienced traveler; this was hardly his area of expertise but he was something of a problem solver. He had grown accustomed to viewing any objective as a series of obstacles. Surmounting those obstacles was what he was trained for.</p>
<p><i>So</i>, he though to himself. <i>What are our obstacles here?</i></p>
<p>Well, sailing across the Sea of Eels to Amanandar meant going into Koaling, the hobgoblin empire, an idea that seemed about as appealing as, fittingly enough, your average hobgoblin. Better to travel through Shokuro to Amanandar. But more to the point, trying to approach Hwanggot from the north necessitated close contact with Bachuan. From what Zeng Dong had told them this idea was right out. This journey would be plenty difficult as is. There was not reason to court disaster by going anywhere near Bachuan.
<br />
No, the more direct approach through Lingshen, Quain and Po Li was the more sensible choice. All three were perfectly civilized lands; populous, yes, but that just made it all the easier to disappear among the masses. But there was still a problem. Xiaoyu eyes narrowed as he glared at said problem on the map. The Chang Liao jungle. He didn't know much concrete about the place, but he'd heard stories about beasts, men, beast-men and more. Traversing it would not be easy. </p>
<p>Xiaoyu eyes shifted from the piece of paper over to the elf towering over him, the man who was apparently to be his traveling partner for the foreseeable future. Was that vine braided into his hair alive? He certainly looked the nature type, more so than anyone else in the room. The ninja was curious to know what he had to say.</p>"..."
Xiaoyu listened in as the two women and the honorable Zeng Dong discussed the matter. The ninja was not a particularly experienced traveler; this was hardly his area of expertise but he was something of a problem solver. He had grown accustomed to viewing any objective as a series of obstacles. Surmounting those obstacles was what he was trained for.
So, he though to himself. What are our obstacles here?
Well, sailing across the Sea of Eels to Amanandar meant going into Koaling, the...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-05T18:22:37ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1062016-04-04T19:13:09Z2016-04-04T19:13:09Z<p>So about that route; should we discuss this here? Because it seems like a big decision that going to shape the game going forward. I haven't got the faintest idea what route makes the most sense, so I'm not sure how to respond in game. Traveling by land means going through Lingshen, Po Li and maybe Quain, right? Or am I reading the map wrong? From what little I can read about those places they all seem perfectly civilized.
<br />
A journey by boat, though. Oh boy. What does that even mean? Going by those rivers all the way to Hwanggot or sailing the sea south of the entire continent and then back up to the eastern side of Hwanggot? Boy, does that latter option seem like a trek, but I'm rather liking the idea of traveling by water.</p>So about that route; should we discuss this here? Because it seems like a big decision that going to shape the game going forward. I haven't got the faintest idea what route makes the most sense, so I'm not sure how to respond in game. Traveling by land means going through Lingshen, Po Li and maybe Quain, right? Or am I reading the map wrong? From what little I can read about those places they all seem perfectly civilized.
A journey by boat, though. Oh boy. What does that even mean? Going by...Arthur G2016-04-04T19:13:09ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1042016-04-03T22:36:53Z2016-04-03T22:36:53Z<p>How big do you want it, boss? <a href="http://s1371.photobucket.com/user/Anayna/media/Tian%20Xia%20map_zpsxn4ygbw0.jpg.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Use photobucket's own 'View image' feature. Don't just right-click. It's pretty big.</a></p>
<p>And BoB? I think it's time for that Knowledge (geography) of yours to shine.</p>How big do you want it, boss? Use photobucket's own 'View image' feature. Don't just right-click. It's pretty big.
And BoB? I think it's time for that Knowledge (geography) of yours to shine.Arthur G2016-04-03T22:36:53ZRe: Forums: Product Discussion: Wishlist for ArchetypesArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tk5x&page=2?Wishlist-for-Archetypes#732016-04-03T22:07:45Z2016-04-03T22:07:45Z<p>I still can't quite believe that there still isn't a rogue archetype geared around throwing daggers. Or is there? My system mastery is less than perfect so correct me if I'm wrong, but acrobatic rogues throwing multiple daggers as if they are projectiles is such a classic fantasy staple of the character type that it's baffling it isn't better supported. There's even plenty of official Paizo art depicting just such a rogue, and yet to my knowledge this idea can't be realized without some rule bending or expensive equipment and even then it's not particulary effective.</p>I still can't quite believe that there still isn't a rogue archetype geared around throwing daggers. Or is there? My system mastery is less than perfect so correct me if I'm wrong, but acrobatic rogues throwing multiple daggers as if they are projectiles is such a classic fantasy staple of the character type that it's baffling it isn't better supported. There's even plenty of official Paizo art depicting just such a rogue, and yet to my knowledge this idea can't be realized without some rule...Arthur G2016-04-03T22:07:45ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=3#1022016-04-03T09:51:14Z2016-04-03T09:51:14Z<p>Don't you worry your pretty little head, dude. I can guarantee that there will be times I'll take longer to post. It's happened before. You write well, btw.</p>Don't you worry your pretty little head, dude. I can guarantee that there will be times I'll take longer to post. It's happened before. You write well, btw.Arthur G2016-04-03T09:51:14ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay#92016-04-03T09:47:59Z2016-04-03T09:47:59Z<p>The ninja had risen to his feet again after demonstrating his willingness to serve through his supplication, but felt the need to kneel again once Zeng Chyou entered the room. Instead he lowered his eyes. Yes, this confirmed it all. The girl's beauty hammered home Xiaoyu's conviction that she was meant for greatness. She was not beautiful as other women were; this was not an erotic attraction, such as that displayed by the scantily clad horned woman who was apparently to be his ally. No, this was a noble beauty, a beauty that could only be earned through the reincarnation of sangpotshi. It marked her as a soul who had done many great deeds in a great many previous lives and was destined for further greatness. It was the difference between <i>eros</i> and <i>agape</i>, and Xiaoyu adored her for it. </p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM Mowque wrote:</div><blockquote>She stands by her father, demurely bowing to him before saying, in a clear, pitch perfect voice laden with respect. <b>"[/i]This[/i] is the best you could come up with, Trade Master of Goka?"</b> Her eyes dart among the assembled group with obvious scorn.</blockquote><p>After a moment's hesitation the ninja spoke up, seeing none of the others answering. He had to; he was too eager for her approval to do anything else.
<p>"Your disdain is only natural, your ladyship. Your grace renders all others humble. From the mountaintop all men appear as ants."</p>The ninja had risen to his feet again after demonstrating his willingness to serve through his supplication, but felt the need to kneel again once Zeng Chyou entered the room. Instead he lowered his eyes. Yes, this confirmed it all. The girl's beauty hammered home Xiaoyu's conviction that she was meant for greatness. She was not beautiful as other women were; this was not an erotic attraction, such as that displayed by the scantily clad horned woman who was apparently to be his ally. No, this...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-03T09:47:59ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post: Gameplay ThreadZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/gameplay#32016-04-02T19:42:51Z2016-04-02T19:42:51Z<p>Xiaoyu kept quiet when he was let into the grand building. He kept quiet when he first met the three strangers (and plant), a motley crew to be sure, and was filtered into the festhall with them. And he remained quiet as the noble Zeng Dong tentatively relayed his commission. It was not his place to speak here. Not yet.</p>
<p>Zheng Xiaoyu appeared in every respect to be nothing more than a humble craftsman. Simple trousers and a simple shirt covered his frame which was currently drawn up to its full height, the man's back straight as a ruler. He hadn't dressed up for the occasion; in calling for his aid House Zeng must already know what he was and ninjas do not turn up to meetings in full pajama uniforms. That would be gauche. Still, he had at least made sure that his appearance was meticulously clean. These were nobles, after all. They deserved his respect simply by being. This was what his entire clan revolved around: serving those in power because they had power; enriching the rich because they were rich. He was certain that House Zeng could rise to great prominence in years to come, and to granted the privilege of aiding their ascent, in however small a manner, was an honour. </p>
<p>Xiaoyu didn't have the faintest idea what mission Zeng Dong had in store for the rag-tag group, but he didn't hesitate. When given the chance to walk away he remained silent still, went down to one knee and bowed, and lowered his head in supplication.</p>Xiaoyu kept quiet when he was let into the grand building. He kept quiet when he first met the three strangers (and plant), a motley crew to be sure, and was filtered into the festhall with them. And he remained quiet as the noble Zeng Dong tentatively relayed his commission. It was not his place to speak here. Not yet.
Zheng Xiaoyu appeared in every respect to be nothing more than a humble craftsman. Simple trousers and a simple shirt covered his frame which was currently drawn up to its...Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-04-02T19:42:51ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=2#962016-04-01T20:32:51Z2016-04-01T20:32:51Z<p>Ready as I'll ever be, he said still convinced that <i>he shouldn't be here.</i></p>Ready as I'll ever be, he said still convinced that he shouldn't be here.Arthur G2016-04-01T20:32:51ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=2#852016-03-30T19:46:37Z2016-03-30T19:46:37Z<p>Aaand that should just about do it. Shout at me if you need anything more.</p>Aaand that should just about do it. Shout at me if you need anything more.Arthur G2016-03-30T19:46:37ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=2#832016-03-30T10:52:43Z2016-03-30T10:52:43Z<p>I'm writing this from work so I can't add anything more to Zheng right here and now, but yeah. Done. His character sheet is finished, although I haven't added it to his profile yet. Will do as soon as possible. Not sure whether to allocate these last two skill points into Sense Motive or Use Magic Device.</p>I'm writing this from work so I can't add anything more to Zheng right here and now, but yeah. Done. His character sheet is finished, although I haven't added it to his profile yet. Will do as soon as possible. Not sure whether to allocate these last two skill points into Sense Motive or Use Magic Device.Arthur G2016-03-30T10:52:43ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=2#692016-03-29T00:05:54Z2016-03-29T00:05:54Z<p>Oh Jesus. Just finished writing up this guy's bio and only now do I realize that I've give him the same last name as the precious princessy cargo our group is supposed to transport. How the heck did I miss that...?</p>Oh Jesus. Just finished writing up this guy's bio and only now do I realize that I've give him the same last name as the precious princessy cargo our group is supposed to transport. How the heck did I miss that...?Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-03-29T00:05:54ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=2#672016-03-28T22:15:01Z2016-03-28T22:15:01Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM Mowque wrote:</div><blockquote>Are you guys ok with a fourth, unknown player? If so, I can work with it. </blockquote><p>Everyone involved here is practically an unknown as far as I'm concerned, so I defer to you on this. I have no problem with BoB joining in.GM Mowque wrote:Are you guys ok with a fourth, unknown player? If so, I can work with it.
Everyone involved here is practically an unknown as far as I'm concerned, so I defer to you on this. I have no problem with BoB joining in.Arthur G2016-03-28T22:15:01ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionZheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion&page=2#612016-03-27T22:51:09Z2016-03-27T22:51:09Z<p>Right. Arthur here. So Zheng Xiaoyu is slowly taking form. For those curious, so far he is coalescing into a pretty rigid ninja tattooist (yeah, I'm liking those background skills). But on that subject; Shari? We're been requested to make at least one travel happy PC for the game. Does your own character fit the bill, or should I work something of the sort into my own background? Thought I might ask before I go too much further with the guy.</p>Right. Arthur here. So Zheng Xiaoyu is slowly taking form. For those curious, so far he is coalescing into a pretty rigid ninja tattooist (yeah, I'm liking those background skills). But on that subject; Shari? We're been requested to make at least one travel happy PC for the game. Does your own character fit the bill, or should I work something of the sort into my own background? Thought I might ask before I go too much further with the guy.Zheng Xiaoyu (alias of Arthur G)2016-03-27T22:51:09ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion#472016-03-26T22:33:38Z2016-03-26T22:33:38Z<p>Sorry to see you go, Fabian. Have fun with your other games, yeah? And have a nice Easter too, man. That goes for the rest of you lot as well. </p>
<p>I also like game outline as provided. Shari, I'm usually the type to pick whatever sort of character I think can round out the party, so any character I propose here is subject to change. But that being said, I'll be damned before I play a game in Tian Xia without a ninja. Gotta have a ninja. Anything else would be obscene.
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So you may assume that on my part for now. But seriously, if anyone else really wants to play the sneaky, roguish type I'm more than happy to find something else to play. Just say the word.</p>Sorry to see you go, Fabian. Have fun with your other games, yeah? And have a nice Easter too, man. That goes for the rest of you lot as well.
I also like game outline as provided. Shari, I'm usually the type to pick whatever sort of character I think can round out the party, so any character I propose here is subject to change. But that being said, I'll be damned before I play a game in Tian Xia without a ninja. Gotta have a ninja. Anything else would be obscene.
So you may assume that on...Arthur G2016-03-26T22:33:38ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion#322016-03-25T23:49:18Z2016-03-25T23:49:18Z<p>Yup. I like having some direction too.</p>Yup. I like having some direction too.Arthur G2016-03-25T23:49:18ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion#192016-03-25T20:55:53Z2016-03-25T20:55:53Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">GM Mowque wrote:</div><blockquote>But there are some ways around it. For one thing 'pages' of exposition can be handled in PbP very well, if you ask me. It can flow from the character's actions and own investigations...</blockquote><p>All very fair points. But how about that Tian Xia, eh? I'm cool with the setting (and with the idea of blending a bit of Kyonin in there too), especially if the GM favors that suggestion. A more engaged GM leads to a better game, 9 out of 10 dentists agree.
<p>And yeah, I am far more comfortable with posting every other day. I'll admit right here and now that I will not be able to keep up with a daily schedule of posts, much as I'd like to. I regret not being able to do so in Mummy's Mask.</p>GM Mowque wrote:But there are some ways around it. For one thing 'pages' of exposition can be handled in PbP very well, if you ask me. It can flow from the character's actions and own investigations...
All very fair points. But how about that Tian Xia, eh? I'm cool with the setting (and with the idea of blending a bit of Kyonin in there too), especially if the GM favors that suggestion. A more engaged GM leads to a better game, 9 out of 10 dentists agree. And yeah, I am far more comfortable...Arthur G2016-03-25T20:55:53ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Game DiscussionArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/campaigns/TheHonorGuardAGroupTianXiaGame/discussion#42016-03-25T16:59:53Z2016-03-25T16:59:53Z<p>'I really shouldn't be here' is what I'm telling myself. I've got enough on my plate as is, but it's very hard to say no to a GM offering to run a custom game for you. So here's my take on the generous offers at hand:</p>
<p><b>Osirion</b> - I'm leery about the idea of reusing characters or plot, but from playing that small sampling of Mummy's Mask I found that I actually like the setting. Didn't expect the Egyptian theme to appeal to me, but for whatever reason it really does.</p>
<p><b>Cheliax</b> - Hot dang, do I love Cheliax. The decadence, the tyranny, the pride, the undercurrent of desperation; I love it all. Would absolutely be up for both a goodly or nefarious game there.</p>
<p><b>Kyonin</b> - Never been much for elves, but plane-hopping games? Adooore it. Yes please.</p>
<p><b>Tian Xia</b> - I'm with Drogeney. Tian Xia is so underutilized and has huge potential. Like the east-asian flavor of it too. </p>
<p><b>Arcadia</b> - and here's the one game I'm downright not interested in... The reason behind this is twofold: for one, selfishly, it just does not mesh with how I like to write characters. I prefer working within some constraints, using the setting and lore to write something that seems workable as per the established parameters. There are several reasons for this, but the problem with Arcadia is that there are so few of said parameters. We know so little about the place that we're free to do whatever we want. Which is lovely and all, but when you tell me to write whatever I want, I find myself incapable of writing anything at all.
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Now, this problem could be mitigated almost entirely by saying that all the PCs are newcomers to the continent themselves and thusly are as ignorant about the place as the players themselves. But this leads right into the second reason I'm not for this setting: this would require the GM to explain every single facet and detail of the locale at every turn. The players could never rely on their own knowledge of the setting. I can't see how the game wouldn't just devolve into pages and pages of exposition. </p>
<p><b>Dwarven</b> - Yeah, sure. Dwarves are fackin' cool.</p>
<p>So taking a cue from Drogeney and ranking these I guess my preference would look something like this?</p>
<p>1: Cheliax
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2: Osirion, Kyonin, Tian Xia, Dwarves (no, seriously, I'm game for all of these)
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3: Arcadia</p>
<p>Hope this helps and, of course, feel free to tell me how I'm wrong about Arcadia. I'm seriously up for just about anything with a dedicated GM; thanks for having me.</p>'I really shouldn't be here' is what I'm telling myself. I've got enough on my plate as is, but it's very hard to say no to a GM offering to run a custom game for you. So here's my take on the generous offers at hand:
Osirion - I'm leery about the idea of reusing characters or plot, but from playing that small sampling of Mummy's Mask I found that I actually like the setting. Didn't expect the Egyptian theme to appeal to me, but for whatever reason it really does.
Cheliax - Hot dang, do I...Arthur G2016-03-25T16:59:53ZRe: Forums: Hell's Rebels: Urban Hunter Advice, PleaseArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tjsv?Urban-Hunter-Advice-Please#52016-03-23T23:45:25Z2016-03-23T23:45:25Z<p>Your first link there leads to the wizard school Evocation, Nohwear. I don't really have much to contribute otherwise, as I have no familiarity with the hunter, but will echo Shaun in saying that the Urban Ranger is a fantastic choice for HR. Despite the 5 year gap in publication the archetype feels like it was designed for the path.</p>
<p>Do return in some months time to tell us how your hunter and ram handled the Ruby Masquerade though. I want to hear what expensive custom designed mask you bought for your sheep. I suggest dressing it in wolf's clothing.</p>Your first link there leads to the wizard school Evocation, Nohwear. I don't really have much to contribute otherwise, as I have no familiarity with the hunter, but will echo Shaun in saying that the Urban Ranger is a fantastic choice for HR. Despite the 5 year gap in publication the archetype feels like it was designed for the path.
Do return in some months time to tell us how your hunter and ram handled the Ruby Masquerade though. I want to hear what expensive custom designed mask you...Arthur G2016-03-23T23:45:25ZRe: Forums: Hell's Rebels: Dance of the Damned (GM Reference)Arthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ssln&page=2?Dance-of-the-Damned#802016-03-23T16:05:54Z2016-03-23T16:05:54Z<p>Someone does indeed see your point, but I don't think you have too much to worry about. As written, Barzillai fully expects the Ravens to smell his figurative cooking because the Ruby Masquerade stinks to high heavens. That's his design. He wants them to suspect foul play and to be there when whatever's-going-down goes down. The Ravens are expected to be there because of sheer suspicion and because this is what they do: take every opportunity to get close to Barzillai and wreck his schemes.
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I also imagine that it's a rare group of players who wouldn't want to check this stuff out. Even if you somehow can't justify the PCs knowing that the masquerade is a trap, just about any player is going to know something's up the second they hear about the event.</p>
<p>But if you still intend to have the masquerade take place in Vyre, Dryder, there are more than a few questions you have to answer; more, I think, than if you simply let it play out as written. Why does Barzillai intend to kill citizens of Vyre? Does he know that the Ravens are there? Why would he organize a massacre in the house of such a powerful witch (more powerful than himself, in fact...) if he's trying to garner her support? How are his devil allies even going to get around Manticce's security and how are her own guards going to impact the event?
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I'm sure that your idea can be executed, but I think you're going to have to jump some logic hurdles to do so.</p>Someone does indeed see your point, but I don't think you have too much to worry about. As written, Barzillai fully expects the Ravens to smell his figurative cooking because the Ruby Masquerade stinks to high heavens. That's his design. He wants them to suspect foul play and to be there when whatever's-going-down goes down. The Ravens are expected to be there because of sheer suspicion and because this is what they do: take every opportunity to get close to Barzillai and wreck his schemes.
I...Arthur G2016-03-23T16:05:54ZRe: Forums: Hell's Rebels: Glorious Reclamation in Hell's Rebels.Arthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tigq?Glorious-Reclamation-in-Hells-Rebels#222020-04-23T19:26:21Z2016-03-19T17:29:29Z<p>You know what? Yeah. I'm totally incorporating this into my own game. One of the few problems I have with HR (and I wish to preface this with saying that it really is a great path) is that it doesn't spend enough pages on the Lawful vs Chaotic dichotomy. Much has been said about how this is Paizo's quintessential CG path, but I see no reason why the Lawful types should feel uncomfortable here. Barzillai is working within the law only in the sense that he's rewriting it as he's breaking it. His regime is a perversion of rules that even the LN crowd should be utterly disgusted by. Never mind having a party of Han Solos; I could easily see myself GMing a group of Judge Dredds here. </p>
<p>Introducing a lone member of the Glorious Reclamation early on would be a good way to emphasize the difference in philosophy between the GR and... well, Kintargo as a whole. It's mentioned more than once throughout the path that even worshipers of Iomedae in the city are not on board with the GR, but no specific reason is ever given. Having a just, disciplined and just a bit too headstrong NPC trying to steer the revolution in a certain direction could be an alright way to emphasize the character of Kintargo; heck, probably the characters of the PCs too (because let's face it: in a path centered around a revolution the PCs are more than likely going to be even more chaotically inclined than the two-legged escapism vehicles we usually make are).</p>
<p>Mr Lone Glorious Reclamation shouldn't be played as being wholly negative; his purpose should just be to give a different perspective. He would probably work best as an ally, maybe even a leader of one of the rebellion teams. This would all come to a head during the final negotiations for Ravounel, because Gorbacz observation earlier seems spot on. In making peace with Cheliax, you are (in part) dooming the GR. Put the party in a difficult position. Be the principled paladin type and let the whole ship sink, or make the figurative deal with the devil, save your own people and let honor be damned.
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Hell, with the right group this could practically play out like the ending of Watchmen, with Mr Lone GR taking the role of Rorschach. </p>
<p>And yeah, replacing the kukri-wielding assassin with a VERY misguided member of the GR, desperate to save his own flagging rebellion could be a real nice twist. I realize that this runs the risk of painting the entire GR as being the very worst Lawful Stupid has to offer, and may give the players a wrong impression of them, but honestly? Nothing I've read about the GR has given me reason to think otherwise of the guys.
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Now, obviously, changes such as these are wholly inappropriate if your group isn't interested in some moral quandaries and the ethics of rebelling. There's nothing wrong with simply wanting to play the plucky young rebels out to kick the despot of his throne. </p>
<p>Thanks for the inspiration, Axial. I'll be incorporating something along these lines in my own game.</p>You know what? Yeah. I'm totally incorporating this into my own game. One of the few problems I have with HR (and I wish to preface this with saying that it really is a great path) is that it doesn't spend enough pages on the Lawful vs Chaotic dichotomy. Much has been said about how this is Paizo's quintessential CG path, but I see no reason why the Lawful types should feel uncomfortable here. Barzillai is working within the law only in the sense that he's rewriting it as he's breaking it....Arthur G2016-03-19T17:29:29ZRe: Forums: Hell's Rebels: Breaking the Bones of Hell (GM Reference)Arthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sslq?Breaking-the-Bones-of-Hell#452016-05-15T12:21:05Z2016-03-17T22:00:18Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">James Jacobs wrote:</div><blockquote>There were not "big editorial shears" involved in the adventure's development, and in fact, as with all of the adventures (and particularly with Hell's Rebels overall, which I put a VERY heavy development hand into in order to tie the adventures together more than I've ever done before), I added quite a lot of additional material... </blockquote><p>Huh. Yeah, I can see that. Funnily enough, the Bastion is actually my favorite location within the Bone Tower. The idea of power hungry Barzillai hating his own lack of power as a child makes perfect sense, as does the punishment of infantilizing the petitioners there.
<p>Thanks for the swift reply and for the little view into the editorial process, and while I have you here, thanks for the whole path, man. Looking forward to GMing it for my group. Will drop a review sooner rather than later.
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Do apologize if my original post somehow painted the editorial staff as Asmodean redactors. Was certainly not intended. I know enough about the editorial process to see that this is not the case.</p>James Jacobs wrote:There were not "big editorial shears" involved in the adventure's development, and in fact, as with all of the adventures (and particularly with Hell's Rebels overall, which I put a VERY heavy development hand into in order to tie the adventures together more than I've ever done before), I added quite a lot of additional material...
Huh. Yeah, I can see that. Funnily enough, the Bastion is actually my favorite location within the Bone Tower. The idea of power hungry...Arthur G2016-03-17T22:00:18ZRe: Forums: Hell's Rebels: Breaking the Bones of Hell (GM Reference)Arthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sslq?Breaking-the-Bones-of-Hell#432016-03-17T20:41:50Z2016-03-17T20:40:56Z<p>Wow. I just finished reading Hell's Rebels all the way through (finally), and am writing just to express how impressed I am by this final installment. Credit needs to be given where credit is due and BtBoH just might be the best final installment of a Paizo AP I've read yet. Granted, I haven't read all of them, but I still feel the need to voice just how good this part is, especially so since I'm not seeing a whole lot of buzz around this final part. Although it has some odd leaps in logic here and there, everything presented here, from the engaging social encounter of negotiating for your country's rights to delving almost literally into the main antagonist's psyche is just top-notch stuff.
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Ms Scott, if you ever read this, kudos to you because BtBoH is fantastic.</p>
<p>That said, one of the primary reasons I love this part is its finale and that it doesn't shy away from depicting the horrors of both hell itself and the minds of the sort of people that end up there. Those glimpses into Barzillai's mindscape are so tantalizing and evocative. In my own mind, they solidify Barzillai as the best developed antagonist Paizo has featured yet, a sentiment I know others share.
<br />
That's why it kills me that the introduction hints that some details might have been removed for the same reason a content warning was added. I'm not sure if this is somehow a sensitive subject, but Ms Scott? Mr Jacobs? Is there any chance that you could reveal a few sordid details about what was? Or simply lay my fears about great big editorial shears to rest?</p>
<p>Don't worry, I'm a big boy who's been wearing his big-boy pants for a while now, and my table is no different. We can take it.</p>Wow. I just finished reading Hell's Rebels all the way through (finally), and am writing just to express how impressed I am by this final installment. Credit needs to be given where credit is due and BtBoH just might be the best final installment of a Paizo AP I've read yet. Granted, I haven't read all of them, but I still feel the need to voice just how good this part is, especially so since I'm not seeing a whole lot of buzz around this final part. Although it has some odd leaps in logic...Arthur G2016-03-17T20:40:56ZRe: Forums: Strange Aeons: Let's guess what will be in Strange Aeons.Arthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ti62?Lets-guess-what-will-be-in-Strange-Aeons#422016-05-28T02:05:02Z2016-03-09T20:39:59Z<p>It would be neat to see the Anaphexia or Asmodean redactors used as the "good guys" at some point in the game. Knowledge so dire that it tears people's sanity apart is a cornerstone of Lovecraft, so having the normally antagonistic organizations usually maligned for hoarding knowledge and keeping the masses ignorant take on the role of guarding man's fragile psyche would be interesting.</p>It would be neat to see the Anaphexia or Asmodean redactors used as the "good guys" at some point in the game. Knowledge so dire that it tears people's sanity apart is a cornerstone of Lovecraft, so having the normally antagonistic organizations usually maligned for hoarding knowledge and keeping the masses ignorant take on the role of guarding man's fragile psyche would be interesting.Arthur G2016-03-09T20:39:59ZRe: Forums: Hell's Rebels: Flavor RevisionsArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tba8?Flavor-Revisions#182016-04-22T02:43:22Z2016-02-18T21:08:18Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Shaun wrote:</div><blockquote> <div class="messageboard-quotee">CorvusMask wrote:</div><blockquote>Eh never called it a good thing, I don't know for sure what kind of group CCG is, but if they are conservative patriots, old fashioned in inapporiate ways is kinda fitting. Or maybe I just have had bad experiences regarding patriotism and nationalism... </blockquote><p>The argument is that unlike Earth, Golarion never had an issue with sexism in its past, therefore presenting exclusionary language as "old-fashioned" is inaccurate. Golarionites don't apparently have a history of sexism to harken back to.
<p>It doesn't change my position on this topic; "Queenspersons" or any of the other suggested alternatives don't get at what I'm looking for. But, that's the argument against this as I understand it. </blockquote><p>It is also worth mentioning that linguistically there is nothing sexist or exclusionary about the word. "Man" does in fact refer to humanity as a whole and comes from a wholly different source separate from "woman", however unlikely that may seem today. Their etymologies are not the same. "Man" is not a root word from which "woman" was derived. Heck, if one were so inclined the argument could easily be made that it is one of the most inclusive word in the English language, doing double duty referring not just to those with a Y chromosome but to all people.
<p>And more on topic, I like your contributions to the path so far, Shaun, both in this thread and elsewhere. I'm going to be changing Vyre slightly, even though it really is neat; the place doesn't quite seem sustainable as presented, and I play with a major sociology nerd whose outcries would be too disruptive to gameplay if I let the place be. Chief among the changes is going to be a tighter border control. The 'no name' policy will stay intact, but not just anyone is going to get in. Once you are in it's still all debauchery, but the "government" is wary of elements that could disrupt the status quo. </p>
<p>And the skum are out, replaced by sahuagin. For no other reason than that I don't like skum and do like sahuagin.</p>Shaun wrote:CorvusMask wrote:Eh never called it a good thing, I don't know for sure what kind of group CCG is, but if they are conservative patriots, old fashioned in inapporiate ways is kinda fitting. Or maybe I just have had bad experiences regarding patriotism and nationalism...
The argument is that unlike Earth, Golarion never had an issue with sexism in its past, therefore presenting exclusionary language as "old-fashioned" is inaccurate. Golarionites don't apparently have a history of...Arthur G2016-02-18T21:08:18ZRe: Forums: Rise of the Runelords: Sihedron CircleArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2sv9h?Sihedron-Circle#112015-10-31T00:01:45Z2015-10-31T00:01:45Z<p>Open gob or not, these look absolutely fantastic. I'm especially impressed by the seemingly effortless transition from 2d artwork to 3d print. The models are easily recognizable as individual runelords and I can only imagine that a fair few hours of scrutinizing official portraits went into that. Great stuff.</p>
<p>And to answer the actual question: I always imagined the heads as being more stylized, yeah. Almost caricatures, with the exaggerated features that we know from political cartoons, except that the effect here was not to amuse but rather to frighten.</p>Open gob or not, these look absolutely fantastic. I'm especially impressed by the seemingly effortless transition from 2d artwork to 3d print. The models are easily recognizable as individual runelords and I can only imagine that a fair few hours of scrutinizing official portraits went into that. Great stuff.
And to answer the actual question: I always imagined the heads as being more stylized, yeah. Almost caricatures, with the exaggerated features that we know from political cartoons,...Arthur G2015-10-31T00:01:45ZRe: Forums: Rise of the Runelords: RotRL PC backstory helpArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syel?RotRL-PC-backstory-help#52015-09-23T17:40:36Z2015-09-23T17:40:36Z<p>I'll share some thoughts.</p>
<p>Dakkon and his sword:
<br />
It's not much but maybe try introducing the alara'hai, or the seven swords of sin, early on. He could find vague clues on them in one of the many ruins your party will be exploring. Set the swords up as fantastically powerful cursed blades, analogue to his own. They all have really neat backstories in Artifacts & Legends that you could sprinkle through your game as your party researches Thassilon, culminating with the discovery that there is another 'cursed blade' wielder walking around. Let them hear about Viorian Dekanti and how she apparently went crazy a few years ago, killing her own mercenary group with an odd golden sword, only to then go missing.
<br />
At best your player will gain an end goal in finding and defeating this worthy opponent. At worst he will hopefully take an interest in Thassilon.</p>
<p>Kira and her lost memory:
<br />
She's a rogue who grew up in a big city. <i>Of course</i> she's gotten into some sort of trouble. Maybe try reading up on the different gangs of Magnimar; there are quite a few of them. Maybe she was once involved with one such Sczarni gang and saw something she wasn't supposed to. Maybe she's been mind wiped; there are plenty of spells capable of that. Maybe her being in Sandpoint is a sort of forced retirement, and the local Sczarni gang, headed by Vhiski, are supposed to look out for her and make sure she stays put, discreetly. Maybe the reason she got her memory erased rather than simply being killed is because there's someone influential in the Sczarni who cares about her. Maybe she get's approached by strangers saying things like "You weren't supposed to return" and "How dare you show your face here" the minute she sets foot in Magnimar again. </p>
<p>Jolrael and her hunt:
<br />
I'm not sure, but you might have misunderstood something about the Mwangi. Not all Mwangi have to be kill-happy, devil worshiping maniacs. Heck, I don't think they even have to be tribal. They can be as varied as people from any other region. Regardles, I think setting the player up with a hunt for the Sandpoint Devil is a great idea. Gives her something to strive for. The easy way to do something more with this would be to simply escalate the challenge. Go auroch hunting with the Shoanti, go mastadon hunting with the stone giants. Varisia is a big place with plenty of game to kill. Maybe introduce the legend of Black Magga early on. Now there's a trophy. Hell, let's go dragon hunting; Freezemaw's head would look good over a mantelpiece.</p>
<p>Marlowe and the horses I can't think up anything for:
<br />
I got nothing long term here, but maybe try getting her invested in the plight of Tsuto and Nualia? All three are members of long lived races who have grown up among races with significantly shorter lifespans. Does Marlowe have happy memories of her parents? Because Tsuto and Nualia sure don't. Maybe Marlowe can learn to understand why the two antagonists are the way they are. If your players are into investigation game-play you can easily spend a session questioning the reluctant citizens of Sandpoint about the two's past. Maybe redeeming the two even becomes a long term goal for Marlowe.</p>
<p>Deckard and his goblin buddy:
<br />
Got nothin' to add here. Your thoughts on Gapbelch (fantastic name) are great.</p>I'll share some thoughts.
Dakkon and his sword:
It's not much but maybe try introducing the alara'hai, or the seven swords of sin, early on. He could find vague clues on them in one of the many ruins your party will be exploring. Set the swords up as fantastically powerful cursed blades, analogue to his own. They all have really neat backstories in Artifacts & Legends that you could sprinkle through your game as your party researches Thassilon, culminating with the discovery that there is...Arthur G2015-09-23T17:40:36ZRe: Forums: Rise of the Runelords: Where to go from here - succubi, souls, a very dead 'slinger and moreArthur Ghttps://paizo.com/threads/rzs2syaj?Where-to-go-from-here-succubi-souls-a-very#102015-09-23T19:33:24Z2015-09-22T22:16:29Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Tacticslion wrote:</div><blockquote> Tacticslion's wall of awesome </blockquote><p>Dang, Tacticslion. You put some thought and time into that. Appreciate it, man.
<p>I'm especially grateful for the insight on how to balance the player's potential buffs and nerfs, although the suggestions for other penalties to apply are great. I think I'm going to create a little table of select deformities, curses and the like, and then have the player roll maybe two of them himself. This guy <i>loves</i> random tables, so much so that I expect simply having the chance to roll for random effects is going to soften the blow for him. </p>
<p>Right, so for those curious this is what I'm thinking so far storywise: the 'slinger is damned to the Abyss and rightfully so. However, once there a demon lord intercedes on his behalf. Nocticula, being the ruler of succubi, knows about the affairs of Delvahine and has learned of the impending world-shattering threat of Mhar. How? I dunno, she's a demon lord; she has people.
<br />
Being a patron of assassins and a fan of subtlety she sees an opportunity here to send a mortal to unknowingly do her bidding: make sure that this one foolish adventurer reaches his destination, the Spires of Xin-Shalast, and once there stops the Leng Device. Delvahine is given a soul gem containing the unfortunate 'slinger and sets to work resurrecting the guy with the help of the wrath wing, all the while implanting some hefty charms in his head.
<br />
Some days later the 'slinger wakes up at the frozen gates of Xin-Shalast, not quite himself and with no memory of what brought him here. Except he feels a burning need to reach Karzoug's crib and do... something. Kill the bastard? Yeah, that's probably it. But no, there's something more... some purpose he has to fulfill. If only he could remember...
<br />
And for reasons he can't quite fathom he now speaks Abyssal. </p>
<p>Something along those lines.</p>
<p>Thanks for the back and forth, guys. Seriously, this has helped.</p>Tacticslion wrote:Tacticslion's wall of awesome
Dang, Tacticslion. You put some thought and time into that. Appreciate it, man. I'm especially grateful for the insight on how to balance the player's potential buffs and nerfs, although the suggestions for other penalties to apply are great. I think I'm going to create a little table of select deformities, curses and the like, and then have the player roll maybe two of them himself. This guy loves random tables, so much so that I expect simply...Arthur G2015-09-22T22:16:29ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=16#7992015-05-24T22:34:51Z2015-05-24T22:34:51Z<p>This was it. Even as blind panic filled his mind the cleric still had just enough sense left to recognize that this was certainly the end for him. The mob had caught up to him, jumped over and crashed onto him like a tidal wave; he was pinned to the dusty ground underneath them. Their screams were all he could hear. Indeed, it was the last thing he would ever hear.
<br />
It was odd then to hear the crowd speak with a singular deep voice.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Amenon Rehment wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Pull yourself together, there is no real danger here. Master yourself! Never leave anyone behind, remember?"</b>.</blockquote><p>Rubani slowly realized that there was only a single man holding onto him, although, to be fair, the man in question was broad enough to account for three. The tanned face of the bloodrager gradually came into focus for the half-elf; he then immediately lost all focus as Amenon shook the significantly scrawnier man strongly.
<p>"A-Amen... Mr Rehment? W-what is... Where are they?"</p>
<p>The cleric blinked and looked around him. The group was agitated to say the least, but there was no violent horde, no screaming ancient Osirians. He couldn't understand what just happened. He was about to ask the others for an explanation when Azghaad spoke. </p>
<p><i>A haunt?</i> The cleric turned towards the house. <i>No... It holds restless spirits? After all this time? Was it a past event we saw then?</i> </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I don't suppose Rubani knows anything more about this haunt or haunts in general?</span></p>This was it. Even as blind panic filled his mind the cleric still had just enough sense left to recognize that this was certainly the end for him. The mob had caught up to him, jumped over and crashed onto him like a tidal wave; he was pinned to the dusty ground underneath them. Their screams were all he could hear. Indeed, it was the last thing he would ever hear.
It was odd then to hear the crowd speak with a singular deep voice.
Amenon Rehment wrote:"Pull yourself together, there is no...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-05-24T22:34:51ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=16#7912015-05-22T10:58:00Z2015-05-22T10:58:00Z<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Will save:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12</span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>Oh, are you kidding me...?</span></p>
<p>Rubani's lean frame stiffened and his eyes opened wide in fear. As the woman's voice cut through the courtyard the half-elf recognized her speech as that of the Osirion that was, although he could not understand her message. Except somehow he could. He knew that it was a warning. He could not say how he knew this, but somehow he knew that something unspeakably horrible was about to happen. That something revealed itself as a hysterical mob, so agitated they were ready to flatten the entire house in their search. And the cleric's stomach constricted in fear as he realized that he was what they were searching for.</p>
<p>With a scream caught somewhere in his throat Rubani bolted.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Brave, brave Sir Robin...:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d4 ⇒ 3</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>So who you gonna wrestle to the ground, Amenon? The nubile young hottie or Shalina?</span></p>[dice=Will save]1d20 + 6[/dice]
Oh, are you kidding me...?
Rubani's lean frame stiffened and his eyes opened wide in fear. As the woman's voice cut through the courtyard the half-elf recognized her speech as that of the Osirion that was, although he could not understand her message. Except somehow he could. He knew that it was a warning. He could not say how he knew this, but somehow he knew that something unspeakably horrible was about to happen. That something revealed itself as a...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-05-22T10:58:00ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=16#7792015-05-19T23:35:10Z2015-05-19T23:35:10Z<p>Rubani felt a great sense of relief. A vial of alchemist's fire set off the dust explosion; it couldn't have been Azghaad then. He had no need for the stuff. The cleric had seen the man in action; one could easily be fooled into thinking the wizard had the oil running through his veins. </p>
<p>"That's a great deal of 'ifs' and 'coulds', Mr Glyphstele... People far greater than the two of us have wondered at the infinite possibilities of life; about what could have been. All have been left dumbfounded. We cannot prepare for every eventuality. 'Could have waited, could have worked it out, could have been warned, could have take precautions'... Down that road lies madness, my friend. The man who fears the outcome of his every action will never take another step forward. You did everything you could then, as I am sure you do now. The difference being that you are smarter now. Have faith in yourself. We do."</p>
<p>The half-elf finished his spiel hoping that the wizard's remorse wasn't too serious. Rubani was not ready to diagnose him with survivor's guilt just yet. </p>
<p>"But this new rule of yours... No," he said flatly.</p>
<p>"Disregarding the fact that I don't believe either of us can control what Miss Sekh-at chooses to employ in battle, this is exactly the sort of fear-driven, controlling behavior that I spoke of. The vials are just a tool, Mr Glyphstele. A dangerous tool, to be sure. But one that I trust my companions to handle. I trust Miss Sekh-at's aim and good sense, and should that fail then I trust your experience to tell us where such vials should and should not be thrown, and should <i>that</i> fail then I trust my Lady's gifts to douse the flames and heal the burns."</p>
<p>"Trust yourself, Mr Glyphstele. Your experiences at the mill; they would break some. The death of companions can do that. But that experience can also be another asset to your already considerable intellect. Taking away one of our tools does not sound like that."</p>Rubani felt a great sense of relief. A vial of alchemist's fire set off the dust explosion; it couldn't have been Azghaad then. He had no need for the stuff. The cleric had seen the man in action; one could easily be fooled into thinking the wizard had the oil running through his veins.
"That's a great deal of 'ifs' and 'coulds', Mr Glyphstele... People far greater than the two of us have wondered at the infinite possibilities of life; about what could have been. All have been left...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-05-19T23:35:10ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=16#7772015-05-18T16:46:38Z2015-05-18T16:46:38Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Not too sure about the order of events here now. Rubani would normally wait for the A-ok from Shalina and Amenon in seeing their efforts, but it's up to Fabian to sequence these. In the meantime...</span>
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azghaad Glyphstele wrote:</div><blockquote>As soon as he noticed Rubani had slipped through the gate he followed. <b>"Careful! Remember, better to investigate first than..."</b> Azghaad trailed off. <i>Rubani is just as keen as I am to go in, but he didn't blunder at</i> <b>"The mill."</b> he added weakly, and to himself.</blockquote><p>Rubani looked back to reassure the wizard at his heels.
<p>"I have handled exactly 26 newborns to date, Mr Glyphstele," he smirked. "My hands have had protectiveness and apprehensiveness carved into them. This house shall see no further..."</p>
<p>The cleric stopped, pointed ears perked, as he just barely caught Azghaad's last hushed utterance: 'the mill'. <i>The what now?</i></p>
<p>The half-elf turned, fully this time, to face his companion. Unease marred his features, both at his thoughts and whether or not he should even broach the subject; did Azghaad blame himself for what happened at the mill? The notion worried the cleric. He had seen more than enough funerals to know what self-condemnation did to a person. More often than not he or she followed the deceased into the grave, if not in body then in spirit. His own teacher had referred to them as the mock-undead, husks unable to live their own lives because their every thought was weighed down by another's death. Nothing sucked the enjoyment out of life like knowing that someone close would never enjoy anything again.</p>
<p>"Mr Glyphstele," Rubani started hesitatingly. "Forgive me for prying, but the incident at the mill... You don't feel responsible, do you? Because carrying your companions' deaths on your shoulder serves no one; not you; certainly not them."</p>
<p>An unbidden thought came to the cleric as he spoke. <i>Oh gods, what if he was responsible? We gathered that it was a flour explosion resulting from an open flame, but we never learned whose flame,</i> he wondered as he eyed the professed fire wizard. <i>OH GODS, is that why he was drinking so heavily last night? Oh no. Oh, I should never have said anything.</i> </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>If this isn't a roleplaying avenue you want to go down, Azghaad, feel free to sandbag Rubani, but it's there if you want it.</span></p>Not too sure about the order of events here now. Rubani would normally wait for the A-ok from Shalina and Amenon in seeing their efforts, but it's up to Fabian to sequence these. In the meantime...
Azghaad Glyphstele wrote:As soon as he noticed Rubani had slipped through the gate he followed. "Careful! Remember, better to investigate first than..." Azghaad trailed off. Rubani is just as keen as I am to go in, but he didn't blunder at "The mill." he added weakly, and to himself.
Rubani looked...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-05-18T16:46:38ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=16#7622015-05-14T12:55:07Z2015-05-14T12:55:07Z<p>Rubani looked over the House of Pentheru. <i>So not an underground crypt, but a private estate this time?</i> This didn't make the impending looting any more palatable to the cleric. Taking from old crypts was bad enough. But this was a private home that doubled as someone's grave. This just added an extra notion of burglary to the priest's tomb robbing. He sighed and let his shoulders slump. Best to just get this over with.</p>
<p>The cleric ran his fingers along the faded hieroglyphics, wishing that he could read them. Fortunately Azghaad and Shalina offered translations of the ancient language into its modern counterpart. </p>
<p>"Pentheru the Elder and Younger? Father and son then? This was a family home."</p>
<p>This information intrigued the half-elf. He was interested in knowing how the ancient osirians lived their daily lives. This site offered none of the artifice and pomp of an actual crypt; there was only so much one could learn from such places. This, on the other hand, was just a domestic home, one preserved for a thousand years. It was a perfect window into the everyday and ordinary of Ancient Osirion.</p>
<p>Rubani tentatively slipped through the ancient bronze gates without disturbing them further. Judging by them the Grave Guard was not the first group to explore this site. He didn't want to tamper with the place anymore than necessary, and as such moved carefully once within the enclosure.
<br />
He decided to check the premises before entering the house proper. One could never be too careful, as they had learned, and perhaps there was some alternate entrance into the building, whether by design, dilapidation or through the effort of some hypothetical previous tomb raiders. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani's take 10 in perception is 15. Feel free to join in, guys. And could someone provide a link to these additional rule-sets? Again, I have no idea how wound thresholds or scalable items work.</span></p>Rubani looked over the House of Pentheru. So not an underground crypt, but a private estate this time? This didn't make the impending looting any more palatable to the cleric. Taking from old crypts was bad enough. But this was a private home that doubled as someone's grave. This just added an extra notion of burglary to the priest's tomb robbing. He sighed and let his shoulders slump. Best to just get this over with.
The cleric ran his fingers along the faded hieroglyphics, wishing that he...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-05-14T12:55:07ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=16#7592015-05-12T23:00:28Z2015-05-12T23:00:28Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Okay, for real this time; I'm tired of constantly apologizing for my slow posting. My schedule has slowed down properly now. Expect more frequent posts from me in the future. •'hurrah' said all the good boys and girls who enjoy reading my overly long dissertations•
<br />
Oh yeah, and welcome to, Rurdem.</span>
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Amenon Rehment wrote:</div><blockquote>Amenon bows to Rubani as well, obviously taking his words to heart. <b>”I promise to follow orders and if required retreat. I have done my share of running. There is no shame in that. Also, I must thank you for being here, if what you say is true. That you have come here to protect the sanctity of the dead. Perhaps you do not follow the old Gods, but you do their will, weather you know it or not.”</b></blockquote><p>The cleric's dusky cheeks reddened.
<p>"I-I didn't mean it like that... Don't expect anyone in this group to give you orders. Suggestions, warnings and admonishments, yes. Some may even be so bold as to use their stentorian voice... But never orders. No one member holds power over any other in this group. That's not how we do things."</p>
<p>Rubani didn't say this for Amenon's sake alone, but also for himself. He wanted to be fair, but he also needed to remind himself that he was not responsible for these people. At least not in any personal capacity. It was bad enough that he felt guilt through religious association for every single fresh death caused and ancient death disturbed in the lottery. </p>
<p>"And thank you. I'm sorry to say that I am not overly familiar with the old gods, although I have long admired the Ancient Osirion they helped create." </p>
<p>He added with a smirk: "And I suspect that my Lady of Graves is not entirely dissatisfied with your own work. I pray that we continue to serve each others deities for years to come." </p>
<p>THE NEXT DAY</p>
<p>The day started very poorly indeed as Akhmose Stoneguard declared that he needed to depart the group on sudden and urgent clan business. Rubani had grown fond of the paladin and wished him all the best, even as he silently cursed the circumstances that took the dwarf away from them. After making sure that Naomi was comfortable he set out with the rest of the party for their next site: the house of Pentheru. They didn't make it far, however, before they were distracted by the raucous discussion between a dwarf and some guards. </p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azghaad Glyphstele wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"Of course you should join us - Rubani can tell you our company's rules, if you're interested."</b></blockquote><p>Rubani blinked. This was all happening a bit too fast for him.
<p>"O-of course," he said, then cleared his throat and offered Rurdem his hand. "Rubani Madu, cleric, Pharasmin." He would have offered him sympathy for the lost team members too, but the dwarf didn't appear particularly bothered by their deaths.</p>
<p>"Our group is named the Grave Guard and our rules are... well, paradoxical it may seem, but we strive to be ethical tomb robbers. We try to be as non-intrusive as possible in our looting. Both the interred and their crypts are given proper deference, in accordance with the lottery rules as stated. We do this out of either respect for the history of our nation or reverence for the dead; both, at the best of times."</p>
<p>"That being said we know when the kid gloves have to come off. The safety of the party always comes first. If the corpse we are trying to steer clear off comes to us looking for a light snack we put it down. ...That's really what you need to know. If you can practice some consideration for your team members and some respect for your surroundings, Mr Wyrmborn, then I am not opposed to you joining." </p>
<p>Rubani remembered Azghaad's comment from last night. <i>Stray cats indeed.</i></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Fabian, I think I'll keep my spells as is. That is to say that they will remain Obscuring Mist, Protection from Evil, Shield of Faith and Magic Stone. As for the Unchained rules, I haven't even seen them yet nor am I sure where to find them.
<br />
I have a question for the party though: with Akhmose gone would anyone mind if I took the scarab shield for now?</span></p>Okay, for real this time; I'm tired of constantly apologizing for my slow posting. My schedule has slowed down properly now. Expect more frequent posts from me in the future. *'hurrah' said all the good boys and girls who enjoy reading my overly long dissertations*
Oh yeah, and welcome to, Rurdem.
Amenon Rehment wrote:Amenon bows to Rubani as well, obviously taking his words to heart. ”I promise to follow orders and if required retreat. I have done my share of running. There is no shame in...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-05-12T23:00:28ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=15#7242015-05-01T14:40:56Z2015-05-01T14:40:56Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I may have misunderstood Diagnose Disease. I read it as being able to tell whether someone was infected regardless of whether the symptoms had set in or not. Should have asked in advance.
<br />
And sorry for being so late in replying. Been a busy few weeks.</span></p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Amenon Rehment wrote:</div><blockquote><b> “Your group has a good reputation and I have sought you out, hoping to join you. I have many talents, not just a strong back. But also a knowing eye and a mind trained in the business. I offer this and all else to join your company."</b> </blockquote><p>"Good reputation? We have a reputation?"
<p>Rubani was conflicted to say the least. The group had to be doing something right, because Amenon wasn't the first seeking out the Grave Guard for membership. What worried Rubani was that he might not the the last either. The expeditions were dangerous enough the make the party something of a revolving door of comrades. On the one hand he hesitated to put another soul in harm's way. On the other, there was strength in numbers. And the man seemed acutely aware of the danger. </p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Akhmose Stoneguard wrote:</div><blockquote> Akhmose addressed his companions. <b>"I am the newest, so it's not my place to invite him, but we are short of able-bodied people. Perhaps he could join our next expedition on a provisional basis, with an equal share? Afterwards we can discuss making it permanent."</b> </blockquote><p>The half-elf looked over the group, expecting someone to reply to the paladin. He then realized, with much dismay, that with Naomi bedridden he was the most senior member of the Grave Guard. He was not simply a Pharasmin grave robber; now he was a Pharasmin chief grave robber. The cleric groaned pitifully, but with Namrut vouching for the integrity of the Rehment line Rubani quickly nodded his assent.
<p>"Y-yes, yes. Mr Rehment can join us for our next dig. You can then decide whether this is the... career path for you. And I would agree to an equal share. Wouldn't have it any other way."</p>
<p>It was at this point that the still clearly hungover wizard decided to call out the bloodrager. <i>Sir, what have you been drinking and how have you enchanted your liver to survive it?</i> Rubani couldn't fathom what his companion was thinking. The two men were not exactly equal in stature, and that was no slight against Azghaad. The average water buffalo compared poorly to Amenon.
<br />
The cleric only managed to raise a single finger in meek dissent before the bloodrager had smashed his giant fist straight through the wizard's Mage Armor and into his abdomen. </p>
<p>"Um... Mr Glyphstele?" he enquired as Azghaad doubled over. "Do you need my...?"</p>
<p>The cleric was relieved as the wizard coughed. <i>Ah. Good. His lungs haven't collapsed then. He'll be fine.</i> </p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azghaad Glypstele wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"I am a Funereal thief... I steal from the dead... I am at peace with that... Not worried you would run... worried you wouldn't when you should."</b></blockquote><p>This was, however, a sentiment that Rubani agreed with wholeheartedly. Perhaps Amenon had knocked the hangover out of the wizard. Or perhaps his faculties had never allowed themselves to be impaired by something as trivial as alcohol in the first place.
<p>"Mr Rehment, I'm going to echo Mr Glyphstele's position. You are clearly a capable man; Mr Namrut even pegs you an honorable man. But judging by your reaction to Mr Glyphstele's light prodding you can also be a... spirited man. The expeditions require a level head..."</p>
<p><i>For example,</i> the cleric thought, <i>don't wander into a ghoul lair in the middle of the night because of a hyperactive sense of conscience.</i> </p>
<p>"As Mr Glyphstele expressed, sometimes the only pertinent option is to flee. When this happens we need to know that you won't be far behind. We value the lives of our comrades. Um... Other than that we don't have much of a code. We try to treat the interred with as much respect as possible. As a Pharasmin my own role in the lotteries is... convoluted, but suffice it to say that we have agreed to leave the dead to Miss Zeitoun or myself. I originally joined the lottery to preserve the sanctity of the entombed." </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Actions 2</span></p>
<p>"A pack?"</p>
<p>Rubani was much heartened to see Sheerakh stronger and Naomi as strong as ever, but couldn't help but be annoyed at the rogue's query.</p>
<p>"Did Black Kiss have your mortal form packed away there? Your soul, perhaps? No? Well, you came very close to losing both last night. In fact, you still might; you're not cured yet. So don't decry the loss of any material goods. Now lay back and drink this." </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani continues with them Heal checks on Naomi and Sheerakh. His take ten is 18.
<br />
As far as loot goes we could always allocate those potions. And I still say that Akhmose can take that magic scale mail for now, if he wants it.</span></p>I may have misunderstood Diagnose Disease. I read it as being able to tell whether someone was infected regardless of whether the symptoms had set in or not. Should have asked in advance.
And sorry for being so late in replying. Been a busy few weeks.
Amenon Rehment wrote: “Your group has a good reputation and I have sought you out, hoping to join you. I have many talents, not just a strong back. But also a knowing eye and a mind trained in the business. I offer this and all else to join...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-05-01T14:40:56ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=14#7002015-04-26T22:31:11Z2015-04-26T22:31:11Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I have deducted 150 gp from Rubani for 3 vials of antiplague.</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Action 1</span>
<br />
Rubani's lips had been going a mile a minute for almost a full hour, soundlessly wording prayers, but he was slowly winding down now. The cleric was kneeling on the floor and had just finished his morning devotion. Upon opening his eyes he was surprised to see that he wasn't alone in the room. Such was his concentration that he hadn't noticed Akhmose entering; the paladin, being familiar with these morning rituals, had chosen not to interrupt and had simply waited for the half-elf to finish up for the past minute. Rubani apologized for making him wait, but the dwarf just stated that they they were needed in the courtyard. Their delivery had arrived and they had been given a little something extra.</p>
<p>Having made his way out Rubani was just a bit taken aback by the man standing there. It was a testament to the man's physique that it was enough to distract the cleric from the hungover Azghaad. After a quick introduction the half-elf responded in kind.</p>
<p>"I am Rubani Madu, menial servant to Pharasma," he said with a small bow and a smile. "Thank you so much for your delivery. You don't know how much it means."</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Welcome to, Amenon. Really like your posts.
<br />
Will be going back to this conversation as responses come in, but until then...</span> </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Action 2</span>
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azghaad Glyphstele wrote:</div><blockquote><b>"No! Not after all we went through! What do we do, Rubani!?"</b> </blockquote><p>"First of all, I need you to take his other shoulder. He shouldn't be up and walking. We need to get him back to his bed."
<p>The wizard and cleric helped Sheerakh back into the house. Rubani turned the rogue's face towards him, examining the young man's eyes as they walked, worry written over his own face. He was no expert when it came to ghoul fever but this was all but a confirmation; Sheerakh was afflicted. They didn't get far, however, as Shalina spoke up.
<br />
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Shalina Sekh-at wrote:</div><blockquote><b>”If he cannot be healed then he cannot be allowed to complete the transformation.”</b></blockquote><p>Rubani stopped in his track. He turned and gave her a queer look. He hesitated, as if mulling something over, and then gave her an incredibly insincere smile. It was a smile born of resignation and surrender. The party had seen something similar in the cleric's self-deprecating moments.
<p>"Ah, but see that is this particular affliction's one great mercy. Ghoul fever is not easily healed, but there are few diseases simpler to 'correct'. Only those killed by the actual ailment rise to propagate and spread the taint. Should one have the great fortune to expire before the fever takes you then that's that. No transformation. No wallowing in soul-searing undeath for eternity. No danger to anyone else. Heh. You see the irony, of course? An unholy affliction that spreads undeath; that state of being powered by necrotic energy, an energy utterly antithetical to our very plane of existence, our plane of life... and the simplest cure is death? That's brilliant." </p>
<p>Rubani's smile faltered. It needed to be said. Everyone needed the reassurance.</p>
<p>"Miss Sekh-at, know that if I have to choose between saving the young man's body or his soul I shall not hesitate. I shall do it myself. Likewise, should we find that <i>I</i> am infected then I shall leave you, thank you for our time together, go out into the desert and neither you nor anyone else will ever see me again."</p>
<p>He gulped.</p>
<p>"But this is not what we should be concerned with right now. 'Where there is life, there is no death. And where there is death, there is no life.' Right now this young man is very much alive. And we're going to try to keep him that way."</p>
<p>"So where are those vials? Akhmose? Mr Rehment?"</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Fabian, I'm assuming that we're not going out adventuring today, so Rubani prepared three casts of Diagnose Disease. One of them just became redundant, I guess.</span></p>I have deducted 150 gp from Rubani for 3 vials of antiplague.
Action 1
Rubani's lips had been going a mile a minute for almost a full hour, soundlessly wording prayers, but he was slowly winding down now. The cleric was kneeling on the floor and had just finished his morning devotion. Upon opening his eyes he was surprised to see that he wasn't alone in the room. Such was his concentration that he hadn't noticed Akhmose entering; the paladin, being familiar with these morning rituals, had...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-26T22:31:11ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=14#6792015-04-22T21:17:50Z2015-04-22T21:17:50Z<p>Rubani was looking at fingernails, Naomi's specifically. Now back at Namrut's he had instructed her and the still shaken Sheerakh to lie back and stay still. Physical activity agitates diseases, he said. Helps them spread. He was looking over the two for any signs of early-stage necrosis, a typical indication of the unholy ailments. Sheerakh was cooperative, but the warpriest was fidgety and contrary. The cleric wasn't sure if she was putting on a brave face or just uncomfortable with receiving care. Possibly both. He found no blackened fingernails, typically one of the first areas to be affected. This didn't surprise him. Even if she really was infected it was a bit too early to find these signs. Really, he was doing for his own sake as well as theirs. He didn't know what else to do with himself right now. </p>
<p><b>"You and Naomi should get some antiplague salve as soon as possible. The spells you mention, are they effective before the disease takes hold?"</b></p>
<p>"Oh yes. As well they should be with their typical price points. That being said, they have a small chance of failure... Certain diseases are strong enough to withstand the efforts of less experienced spell casters; casters such as myself. Heh."</p>
<p>Rubani let go of Naomi's hands and looked at Akhmose.</p>
<p>"But I think you're right. Antiplague is our best bet. Especially with such naturally gifted individuals as Miss Zeitoun. With some assistance her giant-like constitution should be able to fight off the disease. <i>If</i> indeed she even is infected."</p>
<p>He cast a humorous sideways glance towards the warpriest, hoping to lighten the mood in the room. It was bad enough that they had brought ghoul fever into Namrut's home. No need to bring down the atmosphere too.</p>
<p>"You mentioned that you had a contact that could sell us some vials, Akhmose? Could you bring me along to meet this person? I'd like to make some purchases off her. Oh! And if you're going to the tavern..."</p>
<p>The half-elf fished five gold pieces out of a pocket and handed them to the paladin. He explained that their mutual 'friend' Falto, who was looking over their metal serpent, was expecting them. Rubani would go himself but felt compelled to look over Naomi and Sheerahk. With most of the party at the tavern he continued his examination of his two patients, now looking for any especially black bruises that wouldn't fade. Eventually he had to move onto the Sand Scorpion, though he did not do so with enthusiasm.
<br />
He had conflicting feelings about the man. On one hand the Grave Guard wouldn't be in this mess if it wasn't for this group of tomb robbers; this group of tomb robbers that he had already warned against fighting ghouls. On the other hand it was Rubani's sworn duty to heal those he could, and he felt an utterly misplaced and yet persistent sense of guilt at people putting themselves in harm's way in a lottery arranged by his own church. And finally, one the freaky grafted third hand of certain alchemist discoveries, the guy had just seen all his friend horrifically murdered and devoured, and came extremely close to joining the undead himself, so Rubani was inclined to cut him some slack.</p>
<p>"Sooo... Sheerakh, was it? My name is Rubani. Would you be willing to tell us about your expedition? Can you confirm that you are the only survivor?"</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani takes ten on his Heal, which would then be 18.
<br />
Also, before we forget it, with Naomi's departure Akhmose is free to use that magic scale mail, right?</span></p>Rubani was looking at fingernails, Naomi's specifically. Now back at Namrut's he had instructed her and the still shaken Sheerakh to lie back and stay still. Physical activity agitates diseases, he said. Helps them spread. He was looking over the two for any signs of early-stage necrosis, a typical indication of the unholy ailments. Sheerakh was cooperative, but the warpriest was fidgety and contrary. The cleric wasn't sure if she was putting on a brave face or just uncomfortable with...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-22T21:17:50ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=14#6672015-04-19T13:16:24Z2015-04-19T13:16:24Z<p>OOC: Alrighty, so here's the list of what our options actually are.</p>
<p>A potion of Remove Disease would cost us 750 gp.</p>
<p>A scroll of Remove Disease would cost us 375 gp. </p>
<p>Renting a caster to cast Remove Disease would cost us 150 gp.
<br />
(And he or she could probably only do so twice a day at most.)</p>
<p>A vial of antiplague would cost us 50 gp.</p>
<p>These are the options I know of. Please speak up if there's something I've missed. In the interest of protecting the party Rubani would concede to waiting for now, but he utterly refuses to do nothing. He will go out to find some vials of <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment—-final/goods-and-services/herbs-oils-other-substances#TOC-Antiplague" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">antiplague</a> at the very least. He'll pay for these out of his own pocket, <i>and there's not a gat dang thing you can do to stop me.</i> Seriously, Rubani feels really guilty about his party getting hurt on this little expedition, and I myself feel guilty about side-tracking everything like this. Rubani has almost 700 gp burning a hole in his pocket (I didn't buy much in the way of equipment), and I don't particularly care about wealth progression. </p>
<p>So yeah. Potions and scrolls are a wee bit too expensive for us, and I would think that freelance lv.5 casters aren't too common, although we could try to find one. Any thoughts?</p>OOC: Alrighty, so here's the list of what our options actually are.
A potion of Remove Disease would cost us 750 gp.
A scroll of Remove Disease would cost us 375 gp.
Renting a caster to cast Remove Disease would cost us 150 gp.
(And he or she could probably only do so twice a day at most.)
A vial of antiplague would cost us 50 gp.
These are the options I know of. Please speak up if there's something I've missed. In the interest of protecting the party Rubani would concede to waiting for...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-19T13:16:24ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=14#6612015-04-18T21:11:15Z2015-04-18T21:11:15Z<p>OOC: Rubani absolutely intends to go to the Great Cathedral, unless of course there are some serious repercussions for Naomi. With her being a member of the Voices I imagine there might be, but then again killing skellingtons and ghoulies in the Necropolis is also literally part of her job description.</p>
<p>In the interest of keeping the rest of the party out of hot water Rubani is also more than willing to go with Naomi and Sheerakh alone. Unless I'm mistaken only they three have been bitten. As for how to deal with the Pharasmins I think Rubani is either going to pay or shame them into helping. Possibly both.</p>
<p>Man, this half-elf is going to end up branded as a heretic by his own church the way things are going.</p>OOC: Rubani absolutely intends to go to the Great Cathedral, unless of course there are some serious repercussions for Naomi. With her being a member of the Voices I imagine there might be, but then again killing skellingtons and ghoulies in the Necropolis is also literally part of her job description.
In the interest of keeping the rest of the party out of hot water Rubani is also more than willing to go with Naomi and Sheerakh alone. Unless I'm mistaken only they three have been bitten. As...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-18T21:11:15ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=14#6572015-04-18T16:47:17Z2015-04-18T16:47:17Z<p>With the paladin healing the warpriest Rubani stopped to look at his hand. It was dyed red with the blood slowly trickling from the bite wound in his arm. Said wound was severe. Possibly infected with an unholy disease too. And yet the cleric felt an indescribable sense of relief at this, even as pain shot through the appendage. Because now, having been bitten himself, it at least couldn't be said that he had just lead others to their death in a foolish rescue attempt. Should any of his compatriots have been seriously injured or, Pharasma forbid, killed here he wouldn't be able to live with himself. But now here he was, bleeding his own blood for his own dumb idea. If Naomi really was in any danger then so was he, surely. If this was indeed a big mistake then he would at least be paying for it. And that was a comforting thought.</p>
<p><i>It's also the single most selfish thought you've ever had, Madu. Martyrs don't die to alleviate their guilt.</i> </p>
<p>The half-elf's dusky cheeks reddened with shame, and he looked away from his arm. A Pharasmin priest feeling relief at the prospect of dying to rise as an undead? He truly was ridiculous. He went over to the prone Sheerakh, aiming to getting them all out of here as soon as possible.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Shalina Sekh-at wrote:</div><blockquote><b>”You need to help with your rescue!”</b> she yelled near his ear.</blockquote><p>The room burst with light once again from the cleric's holy symbol. It was stronger than before, more radiant as he emptied his reserves. Bruises faded and cuts knitted themselves together under its rays.
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel energy x 2:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">2d6 ⇒ (5, 3) = 8</span></p>
<p>"Try him now."</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I don't suppose a cursory glance among the ghoul bodies reveals a key?</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19</span></p>With the paladin healing the warpriest Rubani stopped to look at his hand. It was dyed red with the blood slowly trickling from the bite wound in his arm. Said wound was severe. Possibly infected with an unholy disease too. And yet the cleric felt an indescribable sense of relief at this, even as pain shot through the appendage. Because now, having been bitten himself, it at least couldn't be said that he had just lead others to their death in a foolish rescue attempt. Should any of his...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-18T16:47:17ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=13#6462015-04-15T21:41:04Z2015-04-15T21:41:04Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Oh wow, no, you are completely correct. I've managed to somehow forget how channeling works. Sorry. I'll revise my post.
<br />
Feel free to ridicule the cleric newbie, people. He deserves it.</span></p>Oh wow, no, you are completely correct. I've managed to somehow forget how channeling works. Sorry. I'll revise my post.
Feel free to ridicule the cleric newbie, people. He deserves it.Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-15T21:41:04ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=13#6442015-04-15T21:11:27Z2015-04-15T21:11:27Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azghaad wrote:</div><blockquote><p>"Naomi. Could you decapitate all the bodies, please?"</p>
<p>In a lower tone to Rubani, Azghaad continued "We could negotiate for the living."</blockquote><p>Under different circumstances the cleric might have objected to the desecration of the corpses surrounding the party, but not now. The situation called for desperate measures. Walking straight into a ghoul lair and obvious trap qualified as one such measure, to be sure, and yet that was what they intended to do. For the paladin and cleric in particular there was no other option.
<p>"Negotiate for the living? How can we when the living is what they want? No, the very idea of parleying with the undead is a fallacy. Do not think their desires are tempered by any logic, restraint or honor. The dark energy that animates them addles their minds. They can no more control their urges than an infant can resist its mother's breast. For them there is only the need to maim, hurt, hack, break, crush, gash, kill. And then devour. And so we too have only one option."</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Fort save:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19</span></p>
<p>The Light spell placed on the half-elf's holy symbol provided the small basement with ample illumination, although with the scenery being what it was pitch darkness was almost preferable. Rubani's eyes watered at the offensive stink, but he managed to keep his stomach calm. He had once helped in preparing the body of a morbidly obese man for his funeral. The man had been confined to his bed due to his sheer weight, and had apparently started to rot long before his actual death. This stench was only slightly worse. </p>
<p>The cleric immediately put a hand onto the wooden disk that served as his holy symbol, and the cold white light that poured from it took on a brilliant sheen. A golden flash, now familiar to the party, enveloped the room, and as soon as it abated it flared up again. Rubani intended to end this as quickly as possible, searing every abomination in sight.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani channels for both rounds, unless something really drastic happens. You can move him however you see fit, Fabian, but I think that he can hit all the ghouls standing where he is.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel Energy, round 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 5</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel Energy, round 2:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 6</span></p>Azghaad wrote:"Naomi. Could you decapitate all the bodies, please?"
In a lower tone to Rubani, Azghaad continued "We could negotiate for the living."
Under different circumstances the cleric might have objected to the desecration of the corpses surrounding the party, but not now. The situation called for desperate measures. Walking straight into a ghoul lair and obvious trap qualified as one such measure, to be sure, and yet that was what they intended to do. For the paladin and cleric in...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-15T21:11:27ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=13#6352015-04-12T23:15:03Z2015-04-12T23:15:03Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Real sorry to see you go, Naomi; you've been great here. I'm hoping to see you return if things quiet down. Wish you all the best, man.</span></p>
<p>Rubani's immense relief over the ghouls' swift dispatch was shattered upon realizing that Naomi had been bitten. She was quickly crowded upon by both the paladin and cleric, each trying to ascertain the state of her wound. The actual physical damage was a distant second to the crucial question: was she infected? Rubani himself looked feverish; he was sweating bullets in the chill air as he wracked his brain for any relevant tidbit on the ghoul transformation. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Not sure how much Rubani knows about ghoul fever beyond how it's carried. I leave that to you, Fabian, and any roll you might make.</span></p>
<p>It wasn't disease that plagued him, however. Instead it was guilt. This was exactly why he had considered going to the Necropolis alone. The undead were just too dangerous. Should anything happen to the companions who went along with his ill conceived rescue attempt, some of whom he realized only did so to protect him, he would never forgive himself. To risk their lives was bad enough, but to put their eternal souls in harm's way? Should something really happen to the warpriest then Rubani wasn't sure if he could live with himself. Nor did he know how he could ever face his deity, for that matter.</p>
<p><b>"A ghoul bite, what does that mean?"</b></p>
<p>The half-elf gulped and chose not to expand upon Shalina's explanation. He wanted to get out of here so that he could give her a proper checkup.</p>
<p>"Yes, you're right, of course. Miss Zeitoun will be fine."</p>
<p>He almost sounded convincing.</p>
<p>"But it would be best if we left. Immediately. We have done what we set out to do. We can only hope that the Lady received their souls well, for the Scorpions are clearly all..."</p>
<p>It was then that they all heard the voice. Rubani was perplexed, but was appreciative when Shalina stopped Akhmose from running downstairs, true to his paladin vows. He listened as the bard, rightfully so, questioned the voice and was dumfounded at the reply.</p>
<p><i>Are... are these ghouls baiting us? They have the mental capacity to exploit mortal empathy? Lady help us, the beasts are far more insidious than I gave them credit for.</i></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Does the party recognize the name 'Sheerakh' as belonging to one of the Scorpions? I tried looking through a few gameplay docs, but couldn't find it. Also, if/when we go down there (which Rubani is absolutely up for) I smack Protection from Evil on Akhmose.</span></p>Real sorry to see you go, Naomi; you've been great here. I'm hoping to see you return if things quiet down. Wish you all the best, man.
Rubani's immense relief over the ghouls' swift dispatch was shattered upon realizing that Naomi had been bitten. She was quickly crowded upon by both the paladin and cleric, each trying to ascertain the state of her wound. The actual physical damage was a distant second to the crucial question: was she infected? Rubani himself looked feverish; he was...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-12T23:15:03ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=13#6232015-04-09T01:09:12Z2015-04-09T01:09:12Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I've been assuming that Rubani has a fair knowledge of ghouls, but I guess I should have actually made a roll at some point.</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Kn. Religion:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21</span></p>
<p>The cleric was halfway across the room, wanting to examine the dead Scorpion, when the ghouls emerged with a shriek. Rubani's career as a Pharasmin priest had only steered him up against the undead once before, despite the religion's strong feelings about these abominations. The most resistance he was used to from the dead came from forcing stiff limbs into funeral garb. That's what happened when you were a healer first, mortician second, midwife third, priest fourth, and adventurer thirtieth or so. </p>
<p><b>"Burn!"</b></p>
<p>And yet Rubani found himself in total agreement with Azghaad. These <i>things</i> should be destroyed.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Round 1
<br />
So remember how I wrote that Rubani handed over two stones from Magic Stone, but the spell actually creates three such stones? That's 'cause he kept one of them, which he'll be throwing now assuming he won't be throwing into melee.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Throw rock:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5</span><span class="messageboard-dice">2d6 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7</span> </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Aaand he whiffed completely.</span></p>
<p>The cleric threw one of the enchanted stones, but in his eagerness it caught on his sleeve and fell harmlessly to the floor.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Round 2</span></p>
<p>Rubani moved however near the two ghouls necessary to envelop them in the flash that radiated from his holy symbol, piercing the night's darkness.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel Energy:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 5</span></p>I've been assuming that Rubani has a fair knowledge of ghouls, but I guess I should have actually made a roll at some point.
[dice=Kn. Religion]1d20 + 8[/dice]
The cleric was halfway across the room, wanting to examine the dead Scorpion, when the ghouls emerged with a shriek. Rubani's career as a Pharasmin priest had only steered him up against the undead once before, despite the religion's strong feelings about these abominations. The most resistance he was used to from the dead came from...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-09T01:09:12ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=13#6142015-04-06T01:03:58Z2015-04-06T01:03:58Z<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Stealth:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2</span>
<br />
<span class=messageboard-ooc>I am here assuming that Rubani left his backpack behind and is thus not encumbered.</span></p>
<p>Rubani recoiled at the waft coming from the open sewer hole, but recovered quickly. You got used to certain odors working as a healer and especially as a mortician. This was no worse than the sickly stink of necrotic flesh. </p>
<p>Having located the perfumery the cleric was eager to find any sign that the Sand Scorpions had entered the site, and especially whether they had ever left.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Shalina Sekh-at wrote:</div><blockquote>Shalina stepped behind both Rubani and Akhmose. Giving them each a little push forward she quietly said, <b>"This is your dance, we are your back up. Lead on you two."</b></blockquote><p>"Ah... Right. Yes."
<p>Leading others did not come naturally to Rubani, but he acknowledged that the situation required it of him. Before entering the building, however, he stopped in his tracks so abruptly that the bard behind him might suspect him of losing his nerve. Instead a few muttered words could be heard followed by a little flash, and then the cleric turned to Shalina and offered her his outstretched hand. In his palm were two small smooth stones. They appeared perfectly ordinary, apart from the odd sheen that periodically passed over them. It almost looked like they had just been plucked out of a river and that the light from the not-at-all-present sun was reflecting off them. </p>
<p>"You should take these. Your aim is better than my own, Miss Sekh-at. If we encounter any unquiet dead, throw these at them. They should prove effective."</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani uses Magic Stone.</span></p>
<p>"Right. Akhmose? We know what we're doing here, right? We're not here to wipe out any ghoul nest. We're not even mounting a rescue. This is a mere <i>theoretical</i> rescue mission. We are determining if there is anyone here to save. If the Scorpions are already lost then there is nothing here for us, and we leave. Right?"</p>
<p>His question had an air of desperation, but the half-elf tried to appear determined as he entered the perfumery, his holy symbol shining white light like a torch.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12</span></p>[dice=Stealth]1d20 + 0[/dice]
I am here assuming that Rubani left his backpack behind and is thus not encumbered.
Rubani recoiled at the waft coming from the open sewer hole, but recovered quickly. You got used to certain odors working as a healer and especially as a mortician. This was no worse than the sickly stink of necrotic flesh.
Having located the perfumery the cleric was eager to find any sign that the Sand Scorpions had entered the site, and especially whether they had ever left.
...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-06T01:03:58ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=13#6072015-04-03T11:08:24Z2015-04-03T11:08:24Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Are we at all depleted? We've only fought the serpents today. As far as I can tell from Turn 39 we're all at max HP and Azghaad and Rubani are the only ones who have used any daily resources.</span></p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Shalina wrote:</div><blockquote>Shalina shrugged in indifference, ”So...we are doing this. It should be interesting and a challenge to say the least. What do we do with our caged friend? I suppose we can just leave it with the tavern owner and collect it later. I do not think there is time to take it anywhere else.”</blockquote><p>Still in an awful hurry to get going Rubani tried to compose himself, recognizing that the ancient construct needed to be dealt with first. Perhaps it was the adrenalin in his system contributing, but he actually thought he had an inkling as to how.
<p>"Miss Sekh-at, you've already spoken to the barkeep, yes? If so then what we need is someone to watch over the serpent, or, alternatively, someone to sell it for us... I think we may have both here."</p>
<p>The cleric looked over the patrons of the Tooth & Hookah, specifically at the Dog Soldiers and the Cryptfinders. 'Use what you have,' had been a favorite idiom of his father's, usually employed comfortingly in relation to his son's less than stellar physique. Rubani walked back into the tavern crowd and intended to do just that: utilize what was there. He first stopped by the haflings' table yet again, who at this point had realized that all was not right. The half-elf's anxious expression, frequent visits, and the overall commotion among the Grave Guard told them that much. Rubani spoke quickly; he had a simple request. He asked the Dog Soldiers to please watch over the caged construct that they had brought over this evening. </p>
<p>"You needn't do much," he explained, "Just keep one eye on it to make sure no one damages it or runs off with it. We'll be back before you know it." </p>
<p>Although Rubani wasn't in the habit of keeping debts he was fully aware that the halflings could do little but accept. They owed Akhmose and himself. Granted, what he asked of them was not at all demanding, but the cleric still felt awkward cashing in this favor. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Hoping that they accept.</span></p>
<p>Next up were the Cryptfinders and Rubani headed straight for their table after thanking the Dog Soldiers. More specifically, he walked up to their loquacious leader, Falto. The cleric had only one experience with the man: catching him in spouting fanciful and fantastical lies about the group's less than exciting expedition. He never confronted the man and that was for the best; he intended to utilize him now. It was time to put the bravo's lively imagination to good use. </p>
<p>"Excuse me, Mr Falto? Hello, hi, Rubani Madu, cleric, Grave Guard," he started very hurriedly.</p>
<p>"I don't have much time, but I have a preposition for you. Nothing much, very simple. You have no doubt noticed the metal serpent in the cage over there...? Yes? Very good. My party and myself are forced to step out for a little while, and I was wondering if you would act as a... promoter for it in our absence."</p>
<p>The look Falto responded with was quizzical to say the least. </p>
<p>"We don't require much of your time. It's just that our group weren't assigned any one... shall we say 'people person'. We're a terrible uncharismatic lot."</p>
<p>Rubani desperately avoided Shalina's eyes.</p>
<p>"You on the other hand, Mr Falto! I heard your tales yesterday and I was much impressed. You have real way with words. We simply want you to spin such a yarn about this ancient metal serpent. Perhaps answer a few questions, should anyone be curious. It shouldn't be too difficult. A thousand year old artifact such as this lends itself well to wondrous anecdotes. Of course, you wouldn't go uncompensated."</p>
<p>The cleric fished out his purse and discreetly slipped five gold pieces into the bravo's palm.</p>
<p>"I offer another five pieces if you manage to attract a good crowd around the cage by the time we return. What do you say, Mr Falto? Will you help some fellow adventurers in need?" </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Diplomacy:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21</span></p>Are we at all depleted? We've only fought the serpents today. As far as I can tell from Turn 39 we're all at max HP and Azghaad and Rubani are the only ones who have used any daily resources.
Shalina wrote:Shalina shrugged in indifference, ”So...we are doing this. It should be interesting and a challenge to say the least. What do we do with our caged friend? I suppose we can just leave it with the tavern owner and collect it later. I do not think there is time to take it anywhere else.”
...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-03T11:08:24ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=13#6012015-04-02T14:05:07Z2015-04-02T14:05:07Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Welp. Guess we're going this route. Ghoul paralysis and coup de grace for all, hurrah!
<br />
And sorry if people were waiting for me. The magic of time zones sent me to bed.</span></p>
<p>The din of the tavern was all but lost to Rubani. He was too occupied with a dilemma of conflicting responsibilities to even notice bumping into the party's table as he found his seat. Responsibilities and guilt; irrational guilt at that. The Sand Scorpions had asked for Naomi's and his own help just yesterday and he had turned them down. </p>
<p><i>Oh, don't you dare blame yourself, you stupid man. You were well within your right to do so! They were exceedingly rude and selfish! They weren't just trying to bolster their own group; they also deprived another in the process.</i></p>
<p>This was true. He couldn't possibly abandon his own compatriots to help others. The Scorpions' request had been unfair. And yet he couldn't help but feel guilty. A Pharasmin cleric dedicated to the common man failing to help strangers against an undead menace? Protecting the Scorpions from this precise situation was practically in his job description. If he had just done something...</p>
<p><i>But you tried! You told them, begged them even, to not go on their expedition today. You offered to help them at another time, when your own party didn't need you. You did what you could!</i></p>
<p>This was also true. Rubani also found that what kept him from running out the door to find the Scorpions right now was the same thing that had kept him from helping them yesterday: his companions. His responsibility to the party conflicted with his responsibility to the common man. He hadn't anticipated this when he first joined the lottery.</p>
<p><i>Don't do it, you fool. When you took up the mantle you did so to help the people, living and dead, however a Pharasmin can. Risking life and limb in the slim chance that the Scorpions are still alive is not something you can do.</i></p>
<p>This was not true. Risking the lives of others in the service of his conscience was what he couldn't do. Throwing away his own was well within his right. The cleric nodded to himself. He would go alone.
<br />
He went back to the Dog Soldier's table, pulled out his party's map of the necropolis and promptly asked them to point out the Sand Scorpion's site. He already knew that it was some kind of perfumery and incense shop, and the halflings said that they had witnessed them enter the place. With the location pinned he quickly thanked the group and planned to be out the door within the same minute. Instead he nearly collided into Shalina who had stepped up to him.</p>
<p><b>”I know that look. What are you contemplating and why does it have you so perplexed?”</b></p>
<p>"U-uhm..."</p>
<p>For one awful second Rubani considered lying to the bard. Blissfully, this moment passed without him having to own up to it because much like how he himself had listened in on Akhmose's conversation with the Cryptfinders yesterday, the dwarf had caught something of the cleric's talk today. What's more, the paladin rose to go out and mount a rescue immediately. Rubani, so determined just a minute ago, was utterly thrown off his track by his companions. </p>
<p>"NO! Akhmose, you can't. Ghouls, they... I mean... It's too dangerous. I will... Aw, hells."</p>
<p>The half-elf laid back his head in exasperation. How could he stop Akhmose from doing what he himself had just planned to do? <i>Is this what hypocrisy feels like?</i>, Rubani wondered. Akhmose was even ready to help without a hint of the doubt or hesitation that he had felt. </p>
<p><i>Bless your brave, selfless, foolish soul, Akhmose. And Pharasma keep it from the taint of undeath tonight.</i></p>
<p>With the whole party now seeing that something was terribly wrong the cleric told them exactly what the Dog Soldiers had told him and explained his fears in hurried tones. </p>
<p>"Now," he finished, "I'm not suggesting that we invade some ghoul nest. In fact, I am most certainly not suggesting that! If we are to go it is strictly to... check up on them. The Scorpion's site shouldn't be too large. If they're dead, they're dead and we've done all we can do for them... for now."</p>
<p>At Azghaad's hesitation his voice turned softer and more sympathetic.</p>
<p>"Mr Gly... Azghaad. If you're not feeling up to this then nobody is going to force you. But I fear it's now or never. The night proper hasn't set in. The nocturnal dead are only just rising from their aberrant rest. If the Scorpions are still alive and merely trapped as you suggest, then I fear they will not survive the night. I will think no less of you if you choose not to go. You owe these people nothing, and you have already proven yourself a man of character. Were you to strike a camel I would not hesitate to join you, because any fight Azghaad Glyphstele starts has to be a justified one. You're a good man. But I'm afraid I have to go." </p>
<p>Tag: every-blitherin'-one.</p>Welp. Guess we're going this route. Ghoul paralysis and coup de grace for all, hurrah!
And sorry if people were waiting for me. The magic of time zones sent me to bed.
The din of the tavern was all but lost to Rubani. He was too occupied with a dilemma of conflicting responsibilities to even notice bumping into the party's table as he found his seat. Responsibilities and guilt; irrational guilt at that. The Sand Scorpions had asked for Naomi's and his own help just yesterday and he had...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-02T14:05:07ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=12#5912015-04-01T21:59:38Z2015-04-01T21:59:38Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Hoo boy. I have a vague recollection of the Necropolis being closed off at nights. Is this the case? I hope it is because if not I think Rubani might actually run along to check on the Scorpions, and I generally don't like sidetracking games. Especially when the stage has already been set for our second site.</span></p>Hoo boy. I have a vague recollection of the Necropolis being closed off at nights. Is this the case? I hope it is because if not I think Rubani might actually run along to check on the Scorpions, and I generally don't like sidetracking games. Especially when the stage has already been set for our second site.Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-04-01T21:59:38ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=12#5882015-03-31T15:37:44Z2015-03-31T15:37:44Z<p>When Rubani entered the Tooth & Hookah together with the party he immediately realized that something was off about the establishment. It took him a moment to see what this something was: the Sand Scorpions were nowhere to be found. His mind quickly seized with worry. The group had stated that they were set to explore some ghoul infested ruin just yesterday. Had something happened to them?
<br />
Rather than assume the worst the cleric tried to ask the other tavern patrons about the gang who had featured heavily in his prayers just this morning. He approached the Dog Soldiers and after an exchange of social pleasantries, which included Rubani asking about the well-being of their riding animals, he asked the halflings what was really on his mind.</p>
<p>"The Sand Scorpions - the group that was in here yesterday; are any of you familiar with them? Have you heard anything about their Necropolis expedition today?"</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I'll add more onto this once we learn of SS's fate. As for my spells, Fabian, I think we'll keep them as is. Akhentepi's armor... I imagine that a scale mail will do the most good on either Akhmose or Naomi. I leave it to them to figure that one out.</span></p>When Rubani entered the Tooth & Hookah together with the party he immediately realized that something was off about the establishment. It took him a moment to see what this something was: the Sand Scorpions were nowhere to be found. His mind quickly seized with worry. The group had stated that they were set to explore some ghoul infested ruin just yesterday. Had something happened to them?
Rather than assume the worst the cleric tried to ask the other tavern patrons about the gang who had...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-31T15:37:44ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=12#5722015-03-28T23:00:46Z2015-03-28T23:00:46Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I will unfortunately be completely out of commission tomorrow, so don't expect a post from me. But Rubani could easily be that second man in your post, Shalina. (or third man, or however many we end up being) He's curious to know where Namrut's interest comes from. You're free to include him if you wish.</span></p>I will unfortunately be completely out of commission tomorrow, so don't expect a post from me. But Rubani could easily be that second man in your post, Shalina. (or third man, or however many we end up being) He's curious to know where Namrut's interest comes from. You're free to include him if you wish.Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-28T23:00:46ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=12#5592015-03-26T17:27:47Z2015-03-26T17:27:47Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azghaad Glyphstele wrote:</div><blockquote><p><b>"The way I see it"</b> explained Azghaad <b>"It's going to take skilled laborers or prodigious magic to get the chariot and the mirror out without permanent damage."</b> he looked around the dry, deserted city <b>"I think hiring anyone to come out here is going to be interesting, or expensive, or both. That means magic. Magic means money. Lots of money."</b>
</p>
<b>"I guess the question is, 'is the money we spend getting them out and back to Namrut's going to be worth it'. For the chariot that's easy: what can we sell it for."</b>
<br />
<b>"For the mirror it is more complex. I doubt we're going to sell a magical trap, that obviously failed to work, on the open market. Possibly a collector might be interested - it's a fascinating piece. But I doubt we're going to make a profit on it. I'm interested, but I won't have a chance to <i>really</i> examine it until I return home."</b>
<br />
<b>"I'm inclined to say that if Namrut thinks we'll see a 300gp profit on the chariot, we bring it up. Any less than that probably isn't worth the effort."</b>
<br />
<b>"As for the mirror: I say we leave it here. I'll give you 50gp for the title, and if I can convince mo... my superiors to teleport out here and get it, then it's mine. Sound fair?"</b></blockquote><p>"Hmm..." The half-elf put a hand to his smooth chin in thought.
<p>"I have to admit that my interest in these artifacts corresponds to that of potential grave robbers. Heh. Irony... You say that it's going to take significant effort to salvage the mirror and chariot, and I agree. Too much effort, in fact, for the two to be of any interest to the average grave robber. As such I don't think they pose any future threat for the sanctity of the tomb, and that we could simply leave them in good conscience. The cumbersome nature of these items and the knowledge that Akhentepi's tomb has already served as an exploration site should keep it safe."</p>
<p>"That being said," he continued, addressing the whole party, "I'm not opposed to unearthing either relic, if any of you are adamant about their retrieval, and will help however I can."</p>
<p>Akhmose's offer to pay for the right to the mirror was waved away by the cleric. He could not sell what he felt he had no ownership in. Back at Namrut's the matter of the irate metal serpent became an urgent one. The merchant's concern was perfectly reasonable, but it seemed that the party would have to find a buyer themselves, sooner rather than later. Rubani couldn't imagine that this would be too hard. Surely there was a market for a thousand year old Ancient Osirian live construct. The serpent had value both historical and monetary. The cleric was largely ignorant of the arcane ways, but even he knew that constructs did not come cheap. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Shalina, I don't suppose you could whip up a Knowledge Local or Diplomacy check to find ourselves a buyer? It's gonna take us a few hours, but we do need to unload the thing somehow.</span></p>
<p>Having arrived in front of the Grand Mausoleum Rubani did not enter. This was his third day in Wati and he was yet to set foot inside the place, even though he had traveled to the city precisely because of its Pharasmin monuments. Now he just stared up at the magnificent structure and wondered if he could even enter in good faith. The last few days had given him such a distaste for the organized church that it left him wondering about his own position within the religion. And seeing as he had built his entire life around his religion the cleric was understandably left a bit perturbed. He sighed. The church's accountability in graves dessicated and explorers killed was a matter for another time. It shouldn't stop him from entering a Pharasmin temple. This magnificent building was dedicated to the deity, not the church. Rubani signed the spiral in front of himself and entered.</p>
<p>When prompted for evidence by the senior cleric the half-elf couldn't help himself.</p>
<p>"Will the word of a Pharasmin tomb robber suffice?" Rubani asked mockingly, holy symbol prominently displayed.</p>
<p>He immediately regretted the outburst. Vindictiveness was unbecoming and not in his nature. It was also unfair. For all he knew the man sitting opposite the party was as opposed to the lottery as he was. And yet. So this priest was made uncomfortable for a few minutes. So what? The church should feel uncomfortable. They should feel a fraction of his distress and moral anguish over Pharasmin sanctioned grave looting. They should know the awkward position they forced the faithful into, Rubani thought, looking over at Naomi. They deserved this much at least.</p>
<p>"We also brought this," he added in a much calmer voice, as he gingerly unwrapped Akhentepi's funerary mask and showed it to the priest.</p>
<p>"From the sarcophagi of Akhentepi itself. We seized it as respectfully as we could, given the circumstances."</p>Azghaad Glyphstele wrote:"The way I see it" explained Azghaad "It's going to take skilled laborers or prodigious magic to get the chariot and the mirror out without permanent damage." he looked around the dry, deserted city "I think hiring anyone to come out here is going to be interesting, or expensive, or both. That means magic. Magic means money. Lots of money."
"I guess the question is, 'is the money we spend getting them out and back to Namrut's going to be worth it'. For the chariot...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-26T17:27:47ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=12#5542015-03-25T18:29:15Z2015-03-25T18:29:15Z<p>OOC: Yeah, I'm with Shalina on taking an extra little tour through the place before we leave. Fabian may assume take 10s on Appraise checks throughout too, just in case there's something we've missed and to determine if hauling up the chariot is worth it. I'm gonna assume that taking the thing apart and rebuilding it requires some check although I have no idea which one. Knowledge Engineering? I defer to Akhmose on that one.</p>
<p>As for Namrut, I'm not sure how the church feels about us giving guided tours through the tomb so I think we should do that as soon as possible. Clear out the place, bring our stuff over to Namrut's, then bring him back to the tomb. Of course, he won't be left to wander around alone. Rubani ain't comfortable with that. Not least so because he wants to keep the man safe. Maybe we could get some RPing out of that. Rubani is interested in knowing what Namrut's interest is.
<br />
Of course, if Naomi really doesn't like the idea of this then that's that. The only reason Rubani is willing to show Namrut around is because he's <i>really</i> disillusioned with his own church at this point. </p>
<p>Tooth & Hookah? Pfft, not while I have Cures to cast. Let's go see about that second site. Azghaad and Akhmose's notes and the funerary mask should suffice as evidence that we've finished our first. The funerary mask in particular should prove that we've been to the bottom of that particular well.</p>
<p>And because Naomi is wondering about splitting the loot: I have a vague recollection of some system being in place. An even six way split, with the sixth part being a general party resource. There was also something about individual party members buying single pices of loot from the party for a marked down price if they want to keep it for themselves, but I can't find the source for this. Correct me if I'm wrong, Fabian.
<br />
Either way, I'm not too bothered. Rubani has no interest in the monetary rewards from this show. If this scale mail can keep any of his companions safe then he will dress you himself.</p>OOC: Yeah, I'm with Shalina on taking an extra little tour through the place before we leave. Fabian may assume take 10s on Appraise checks throughout too, just in case there's something we've missed and to determine if hauling up the chariot is worth it. I'm gonna assume that taking the thing apart and rebuilding it requires some check although I have no idea which one. Knowledge Engineering? I defer to Akhmose on that one.
As for Namrut, I'm not sure how the church feels about us giving...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-25T18:29:15ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=11#5482015-03-23T15:41:39Z2015-03-23T15:41:39Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Some pretty lucky rolls overall. Did not like that one Fort saving throw...</span></p>
<p>"Ha ha! Nicely done, both of you! That was fantastic. You know, if this whole 'tomb robbing' thing doesn't work out you should consider careers as professional snake charmers."</p>
<p>The natural euphoria of coming out of a fight alive and whole coupled with the unconventional conclusion to said fight put the cleric in a good mood. Seeing Azghaad sitting on top of the furiously shaking box also had a certain, cartoonish, comedic value. </p>
<p><b>"And, uh, I'm a little worried it's going to get me through the lid... Can anyone see a way to keep it in here if I get off?"</b></p>
<p>"Hm? Oh! Yes, sorry! Um... hang on, I might have something here."</p>
<p>Rubani set to digging through his large backpack and resurfaced with a rope. An oddly musky rope, that upon close inspection had the skins of several serpents woven into the fibers, but a rope nonetheless. After a few minutes work the case was wrapped up like an oddly spartan and foul tempered gift box. It looked like it would hold. But with the wizard joining the rest of the party on the cold hard floor of the catacomb, the cleric's attention was drawn back to their position. This was it; the tomb of Akhentepi, with the man himself laying before them.</p>
<p><b>"So this is brave Akhentepi. The final discovery of our first site. Rubani? It troubles me to take his mask, but I am not sure we have a choice. Some other group will inevitably disturb it. What do you think of us leaving a symbol of the lady with him instead? I have one I would be willing to leave behind."</b></p>
<p>"What do I think? I think that wound of yours needs some attention. The great Akhentepi has lain here for thousands of years. He can wait a minute."</p>
<p>The half-elf could not quite hide the sour tone in his voice as he ignored the warrior's mummified remains and tended to Naomi's considerably more coetaneous flesh.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Burning Obscuring Mist to cast Cure Light Wounds.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>CLW:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5</span></p>
<p>It felt odd being disappointed in someone who had already been dead for thousands of years, and yet that was the case. Rubani had always greatly admired the long gone Ancient Osirions and their way of life. Or what he had thought was their way of life. He had expected to find barbarism and crudity among the tomb robbers, not among the tomb occupants. Death traps to protect valuables? Killing the builders of the tomb to protect said traps? The cleric found that he was not exactly an admirer of this man whose grave and memory he had come here to protect. He scowled at Akhentepi's gold funerary mask. </p>
<p>And then his features softened. After all, it didn't matter what he thought about Akhentepi the man, he reminded himself. How he felt about anyone at all was irrelevant to his vocation as a Pharasmin priest. Pharasma, the Lady of Graves, was famed for her neutrality. It was a neutrality born of necessity. She served every soul in the multiverse, completely without bias or favoritism. So too should her servants treat all with fairness. Her neutrality was to be emulated. Akhentepi was long gone. His soul reached his rightful reward thousands of years ago. To scorn his miserable mortal remains was ludicrous.</p>
<p>"Yes. Yes, Miss Zeitoun, you are right. We will have to take the mask, however distasteful that may be. The church is expecting us to do so, and should we return without such a predictable relic others will delve down here to find it. And they may not have our gentle touch. No, with the lottery being what it is the only way to ensure the sanctity of this tomb is to strip it of valuables."</p>
<p>"And yes, I think leaving an inexpensive holy symbol behind would be a very nice gesture," the cleric smiled to her.</p>
<p>The two Pharasmins spent the next minutes carefully maneuvering Akhentepi's corpse as they removed his mask. They aimed to disturb the remains as little as possible, and the whole process was accompanied throughout by a low chanting prayer from Rubani.</p>Some pretty lucky rolls overall. Did not like that one Fort saving throw...
"Ha ha! Nicely done, both of you! That was fantastic. You know, if this whole 'tomb robbing' thing doesn't work out you should consider careers as professional snake charmers."
The natural euphoria of coming out of a fight alive and whole coupled with the unconventional conclusion to said fight put the cleric in a good mood. Seeing Azghaad sitting on top of the furiously shaking box also had a certain, cartoonish,...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-23T15:41:39ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=11#5392015-03-20T13:18:16Z2015-03-20T13:18:16Z<p>Rubani looked over his shoulders as Azghaad sped past him down the hallway. </p>
<p><i>Restrain one of them? Well, whatever works to incapacitate them as quickly as possible. These things are going to bite someone's toe off!</i></p>
<p>The cleric eyed the two icicles he had summoned into his hands. Seeing the wizard's silvery Magic Missile simply fizz out before reaching the serpent didn't fill him with confidence. But right now this was all he could do to stop them. He raised both hands, palms open. Vicious shards of ice hovered in front of them before the cleric commanded the projectiles to fly, one after the other.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack, round 3:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 3 - 4 = 18</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack, round 4:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 4 = 1</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4</span></p>
<p>Hit: This time the icicle hit the metal serpent dead on, the sheer cold of the missile causing the plating to crinkle and fold.</p>
<p>Miss: Rubani's icicle flew over the heads of the combatants and never even saw the snakes. It shattered harmlessly on the grave chamber's wall.</p>Rubani looked over his shoulders as Azghaad sped past him down the hallway.
Restrain one of them? Well, whatever works to incapacitate them as quickly as possible. These things are going to bite someone's toe off!
The cleric eyed the two icicles he had summoned into his hands. Seeing the wizard's silvery Magic Missile simply fizz out before reaching the serpent didn't fill him with confidence. But right now this was all he could do to stop them. He raised both hands, palms open. Vicious...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-20T13:18:16ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=11#5342015-03-18T22:40:30Z2015-03-18T22:40:30Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Thanks for the suggestions, man. Advice is welcomed from those who have played cleric before. Cause Fear is especially interesting because I originally had this vague idea of turning my PC into a 'white necromancer'. Not sure if I'll go for that, but CF might make that route viable earlier than I thought.
<br />
Does anyone else have any grand plans for their PCs? I'm interested to know. I know that you, Akhmose, are considering the Living Monolith prestige class which is a really neat option. Very flavorful considering the setting of the game.</span></p>Thanks for the suggestions, man. Advice is welcomed from those who have played cleric before. Cause Fear is especially interesting because I originally had this vague idea of turning my PC into a 'white necromancer'. Not sure if I'll go for that, but CF might make that route viable earlier than I thought.
Does anyone else have any grand plans for their PCs? I'm interested to know. I know that you, Akhmose, are considering the Living Monolith prestige class which is a really neat option. Very...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-18T22:40:30ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=11#5322015-03-18T20:46:38Z2015-03-18T20:46:38Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani is fine with Namrut seeing the tomb, if a bit surly. These tombs aren't for sightseeing, dang it. It's the least we can do for him though, all things considered, although it would be best if he waited until we cleared things out first.</span></p>
<p>Rubani stared at the rising sun until the glare became too strong. Then he shut his eyes tight and didn't open them again as he started his hour-long morning prayer. Years ago, when he first started out as an apprentice cleric, the half-elf had chosen dawn as his stipulated time of prayer and magic renewal. He liked its symbolic connection with birth and new life. But as he muttered his way through his appeal, all the while slowly tracing his faith's spiral over his chest, it wasn't expectant mothers and newborns he was praying for. He prayed for the Sand Scorpions. He didn't pray for his goddess to protect the tomb robbers from any potential ghouls. That wasn't the Pharasmin way. Every soul had its appointed time, its own fate. There was no stopping fate. One could only alter the circumstances around one's fate. Rubani merely prayed for the safe passage of the Sand Scorpions' souls, if nothing else. Should any of them fall today then he wished for their spirits to remain intact and free of undeath.
<br />
He halted his worship for a second as an ache in his sore back suddenly flared. The cleric really hoped he wouldn't have any more bodies to bury in the nearest future. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>So, spell selection. This is actually the first time I'm playing a cleric so I'm still not too familiar with their spell list. But I did come across <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/m/magic-stone" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Magic Stone</a> which is a beauty of a low-level spell. Fits with the anti-undead theme too. I'm dumping one of my Protection from Evils to prepare one casting of MS. And if Azghaad wants Detect Poison then by golly shall he have it. I'm tossing out Virtue to fit it in. Virtue is practically useless beyond lv.2 anyway.
<br />
Now to the actual fighty stuff...</span></p>
<p>Rubani had only a moment to marvel at the chamber the party found themselves in. No decoy, but the actual grave of Akhentepi. And to think that they had left the tomb yesterday so close to finding it. But the two metal snakes were a more immediate concern. Not that they weren't marvels in their own right, but their obvious desire to sink their fangs into the party overrode any feelings of admiration from the cleric.</p>
<p>The half-elf stepped up behind Akhmose, the most likely of his allies to fight the snakes head-on. He laid his hand on the dwarf's armored back and uttered a short prayer. A faint glow entered Akhmose.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Moving up to Akhmose, square O4 if he hasn't moved by my turn, and using Shield of Faith for round 1. Akhmose has a +2 deflection bonus to AC.</span></p>
<p>Aiming to give his companions more room to maneuver in the small room Rubani moved back as an icicle formed in his hand. Would his meager ice projectiles even have an effect against the snakes' metal hides, he wondered? He flung the missile across the room and then asked the more knowledgeable members of the party:</p>
<p>"Mr Glyphstele, Miss Sekh-at, does either of you have any idea what these things are?" </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (9) + 3 - 4 = 8</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4</span></p>
<p>Hit: Metal was surely stronger than ice, but the magically blessed icicle manged to dent and damage the snake's metal plating.</p>
<p>Miss: The serpent snatched Rubani's icicle out of the air and crushed it into a thousand pieces between its powerful jaws, much to the cleric's chagrin. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Hit or miss, Rubani tries to move back to P2, or even P1 if available. He shoots for whatever snake seems to be most injured.</span></p>Rubani is fine with Namrut seeing the tomb, if a bit surly. These tombs aren't for sightseeing, dang it. It's the least we can do for him though, all things considered, although it would be best if he waited until we cleared things out first.
Rubani stared at the rising sun until the glare became too strong. Then he shut his eyes tight and didn't open them again as he started his hour-long morning prayer. Years ago, when he first started out as an apprentice cleric, the half-elf had chosen...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-18T20:46:38ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=11#5262015-03-16T12:18:27Z2015-03-16T12:18:27Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Sorry, guys, but I'm kinda swamped right now and will continue to be so for the next few days. Especially regretful because Azghaad deserves some response from Rubani. You may assume that he is saddened about the Sand Scorpions' decision, grateful that Azghaad would stand up for him like that, and is feeling a tad discombobulated overall.
<br />
Will be back as soon as possible.</span></p>Sorry, guys, but I'm kinda swamped right now and will continue to be so for the next few days. Especially regretful because Azghaad deserves some response from Rubani. You may assume that he is saddened about the Sand Scorpions' decision, grateful that Azghaad would stand up for him like that, and is feeling a tad discombobulated overall.
Will be back as soon as possible.Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-16T12:18:27ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=11#5122015-03-12T18:03:20Z2015-03-12T18:03:20Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Actions 1</span></p>
<p>Rubani listened with amusement to the bard's retelling of their trip into the tomb of Akhentepi. He had no idea that their expedition could make for such an engaging tale. Then again, he reminded himself, in this case it probably had more to do with the storyteller than the actual story. That said, the mental image of Azghaad wielding Naomi's warhammer did bring a smile to his face. Somehow the oversized weapon had looked more out of place with the wizard than with the vertically challenged woman. </p>
<p>"Heh. You know, Mr Glyphstele, I never commended you for your work with that hammer earlier. It was truly a sight to behold. Mr Blackwolf couldn't have done it better himself."</p>
<p>The cleric's mood turned somber, however, when the halflings spoke of the dogs they had lost today. When they mentioned that one of their remaining dogs seemed ill and that they were in need of a healer Rubani simply rose up and said:</p>
<p>"Show me."</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani follows the halflings to wherever this dog is, if they're willing to let him see it. Not sure what he can actually do for it, but I'm thinking that for now he can at least do a take 10 Heal check to see if he recognizes any disease or the like ailing it.</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani has an 18 in Heal if he's allowed to take 10, but if you prefer a roll for whatever reason...</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Heal:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27</span> </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Actions 2</span></p>
<p><i>A turf war between roving gangs of ghouls? What?!</i></p>
<p>Rubani stared at the leader of the Sand Scorpions as she explained the team's predicament. He had heard rumors of the undead in the Necropolis but had no idea things were <i>this</i> bad. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Another Sense Motive check, 'cause I'm a paranoid bastard.</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Sense Motive:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25</span></p>
<p>The cleric's shock turned into unease as the woman then tried to recruit himself and his fellow Pharasmin as ghoul-slayers. Put on the spot like this, he felt a momentary dilemma as he wrestled with his responsibility as a Pharasmin cleric vs. his duty to his own party. But only for a moment.</p>
<p>"Uhm... Thank you for your interest. But I'm afraid I have a prior engagement," he replied, looking at the Grave Guard. "I couldn't possibly abandon them for tomorrow's expedition in good conscience, and..." He hesitated. "And if I'm frank I resent the idea that you would deprive, and thusly endanger, one team of any member so as to benefit your own."</p>
<p>"Please. Please don't go to the Necropolis tomorrow. You are right to be hesitant. Facing the undead is not worth it, not worth any potential wealth you might uncover, not even if the lost treasure vault of An-Hepsu lies under this incense shop of yours. You are not simply endangering your lives. The undead are not so merciful. You endanger your immortal souls. If you must go then I implore you to at least wait until I, or indeed all of the Grave Guard if willing, can join you. Ghouls are a serious threat, one I wish to see eradicated, but if we do this it needs to be done right."</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>May as well use it now that I've got it...</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Diplomacy:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani also tries to sneak a peek at the Scorpions themselves to see if he can recognize any signs of ghoul fever in them. Don't need an outbreak of that right now.</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Heal:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25</span> </p>
<p>Beneath his genuine worry the cleric once again cursed the pharaoh that came up with this exploration lottery and the church that sanctioned it.</p>Actions 1
Rubani listened with amusement to the bard's retelling of their trip into the tomb of Akhentepi. He had no idea that their expedition could make for such an engaging tale. Then again, he reminded himself, in this case it probably had more to do with the storyteller than the actual story. That said, the mental image of Azghaad wielding Naomi's warhammer did bring a smile to his face. Somehow the oversized weapon had looked more out of place with the wizard than with the vertically...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-12T18:03:20ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=11#5042015-03-08T22:34:29Z2015-03-08T22:34:29Z<p>The cleric dabbed at his chin with a napkin as he listened to Shalina confirm that the man with the newly dislocated jaw was indeed her brother. Sadly, he could only give a lame response. </p>
<p>"I... see. Sorry to hear it."</p>
<p>He wasn't quite sure what he was sorry about. That Shanun had no respect for the sanctity of the grave? That was a matter of course. That a friend's brother had hurt her in some way? Certainly. That a family could be so divided as to warrant violence? Yes. Rubani, like so many other half-elves, didn't have much in the way of family. It saddened him to see such animosity between siblings. Still, he had no doubt that the bard's virulence was well founded. The cleric cast a momentary stern glance to the bad apple of the Sekh-at family before conjuring his now empty glass full of icy water.</p>
<p>With Shalina now occupied in some matter of apparent significance with Azghaad, the half-elf found himself distracted by the tall tales of the Cryptfinders. For, as he listened, Rubani became increasingly convinced that their grand tales of adventure were pure fabrication. When the party leader pulled out the burnt bandages of the supposed mummy he had to intervene. Not because he felt any sort of moral outrage over someone trying to score some free drinks and attention in a tavern; that he had seen all too often before. What bothered him was that one of those lied to was his friend and ally.
<br />
Rubani leaned in close to the paladin and whispered. </p>
<p>"Akhmose, I can't tell you why but Mr Falto is lying." </p>
<p>In response to the dwarf's questioning look he could only answer:</p>
<p>"Trust me on this. When you've seen as many funerals as I have you learn to recognize sincerity. Mr Falto has defeated no more mummies than I have dragons."</p>The cleric dabbed at his chin with a napkin as he listened to Shalina confirm that the man with the newly dislocated jaw was indeed her brother. Sadly, he could only give a lame response.
"I... see. Sorry to hear it."
He wasn't quite sure what he was sorry about. That Shanun had no respect for the sanctity of the grave? That was a matter of course. That a friend's brother had hurt her in some way? Certainly. That a family could be so divided as to warrant violence? Yes. Rubani, like so many...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-08T22:34:29ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=10#4982015-03-07T21:41:29Z2015-03-07T21:41:29Z<p>Rubani arrived at the Tooth & Hookah fashionably late and very tired. It had been a long time since he had pushed himself as hard as on this first day of excavation. When the body is in mortal peril it tends to go on auto-pilot, burning through resources to protect itself. What with the group having been in near constant danger throughout the tomb of Akhentepi, it was thusly only now that the cleric felt the impact of today's struggles. And the cumulative weight of it all hit him hard. Shoveling over 100 cubic feet of dirt afterwards also hadn't done any favors for the scrawny half-elf.
<br />
He managed to send Akhmose a tired if honest smile as the paladin waved him over to the party's table, and promptly found himself a seat to get comfortable. And immediately found that he was anything but. Rubani relished the opportunity to relax, but was only now realizing the nature of his company for the evening. No, he wasn't objecting to the table manners of any of his comrades; if anything their virtues were only amplified to him here in this tavern. The other tables, however, were overwhelmingly occupied by... well, grave robbers. State sanctioned grave robbers admittedly, but that didn't help matters. </p>
<p><i>Sigh. Get over it, Rubani. You've been over this. The lives endangered takes precedence over the deaths defiled. You're here so that whatever poor fool that would otherwise take your place in this lottery doesn't find his death in those crypts.</i></p>
<p>His gaze went from the other parties to his own. <i>And hopefully I can help protect these glorious numpties too,</i> he added. </p>
<p>Trying to settle in, Rubani ordered himself a hot glass of karkadé. The red tea quickly calmed him, and soon he was sitting back in his chair, sipping on his drink and listening to Akhmose's conversation with a neighboring group. </p>
<p><b>"Tell me, what was the mummy like? If we meet the restless dead, I'd like to be prepared."</b></p>
<p><i>A mummy? Does the Necropolis truly hold such fierce guardians?</i></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Sense Motive:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26</span> </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I don't wanna see my man Akhmose being lied to, so Rubani listens in on the conversation.</span></p>
<p>The cleric was momentarily distracted by the tavern door opening again, admitting none other than the party's bard. He nearly called her over to the table, when he noticed that the usually so animated young woman was looking unusually grim. Had she been in some sort of altercation with her uncle, he wondered? Rubani watched as Shalina made her way over to another lottery team, and strained his elven ears to hear what this was all about.</p>
<p><b>“Sister, how great to se-“</b></p>
<p><i>Sister? Hang on, she mentioned something about a brother...!</i> </p>
<p>Then the punch fell, and Rubani chocked on half his tea and spilled the other half. </p>
<p>This was a side of Shalina the cleric had never been introduced to, and he looked at her wide-eyed as she took her seat next to him, red karkadé still dripping from his chin.</p>
<p>"Um... Forgive me if I'm prying, Miss Sekh-at, but... Would I be correct in assuming that this is the... 'bug brother' that you mentioned?"</p>Rubani arrived at the Tooth & Hookah fashionably late and very tired. It had been a long time since he had pushed himself as hard as on this first day of excavation. When the body is in mortal peril it tends to go on auto-pilot, burning through resources to protect itself. What with the group having been in near constant danger throughout the tomb of Akhentepi, it was thusly only now that the cleric felt the impact of today's struggles. And the cumulative weight of it all hit him hard....Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-07T21:41:29ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=10#4902015-03-05T15:59:14Z2015-03-05T15:59:14Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>The following post takes place at some point after the party has brought their haul up. It's also long and dull and doesn't involve anyone but Rubani, so feel free to skip.</span></p>
<p>"Augh... my back is <i>killing</i> me."</p>
<p>The cleric stood up and arched his back. An audible 'pop' could be heard. He was standing in a shallow grave, one dug right next to the tomb of Akhentepi. His chain shirt was discarded as was most of his regular clothing, leaving his torso bare. His thin frame did, however, have a healthy coating of dirt. With the sun setting Rubani had no need for the usual protection that his desert garb provided. The cold of the desert night hadn't set in either. Really, it was the perfect time for a little manual labor. Too bad that the half-elf was so ill suited for it.</p>
<p>He leaned back in the grave, head and shoulders the only parts of him visible above ground. </p>
<p>"•Groan• This is why I was never much use back at the mine. I've seen Caydenite pamphlets with stronger backs than me."</p>
<p>At this height his eyes were level with the bundle laying next to the hole. It was his clerical vestments and swaddled inside them was the corpse the party had come upon when they first entered the tomb. The deceased's dried head was poking out from the fabric. The empty eye sockets were staring at the cleric. He stared back and gave it a little smile. He had positioned the head like this purposefully when he first started digging. He found it motivating. Working with someone staring over one's shoulder was rarely pleasant, but it did put some drive into you.</p>
<p>"You know, the twilight hour is upon us. It's a time of some significance for many faiths, not least for my own. It represents the end of one life, with the promised sunrise representing birth and the beginning of another. To be buried at such a fated hour... I'm glad to be able to give you such a burial."</p>
<p>Rubani turned around and, with some effort, climbed out of the grave. It was deep enough now. He discarded his spade and gingerly lifted the bundle up into his arms.</p>
<p>"Of course, sunset symbolizes something entirely different for other, more... necrotic faiths. There, twilight is an intersection of light and dark, life and death. And especially life in death. I've heard rumors that such concepts are not foreign to this necropolis..."</p>
<p>The cleric looked around him. The ancient cemetery city was silent as the proverbial, and very literal, grave.</p>
<p>"I hope I'm not leaving you in bad company."</p>
<p>Having made it back into the hole he unwrapped the corpse and spent a few minutes arranging it as respectfully as possible. What with the presumed tomb robber's shattered legs this proved difficult. Eventually, however, the half-elf was satisfied and could bask in the sight of an hour-long job adequately well done: a stray cadaver in a respectable grave. All that was left was filling the hole. Although there was one other thing.</p>
<p>"Oh, right! I almost forgot. This burial wouldn't be complete if I left this out. Now I know what you're thinking. 'What is this silly cenobite going on about now? Can't you just dump some dirt onto me, say some pretty and empty words over my landfill and be done with it? Why do you have to stall a dead man's rest?' But no, it's something I think you might like. You see, I've got a present for you. Ta-da." </p>
<p>Rubani held up an item for non-existent eyes to see. It was a large tribal shield, big enough to cover most of the half-elf, to say nothing of the deceased.</p>
<p>"It's a Mwangi shield. We found it inside the tomb, not too far from where your journey ended. Not sure how it wound up in the possession of old Akhentepi. Probably through some battle against the jungle natives. Quite nice, isn't it? Not worth much, I'm afraid. At least not monetarily. It has some history behind it though. Who knows? Maybe this was the chosen shield of some great Mwangi tribal chief utterly unknown to us today. Maybe some surviving tribe still bemoans the loss of this shield even now. Heh. Probably not. But maybe. See, that's the funny thing about history. It's relative. It shifts and changes depending on what is and is not recorded. And especially depending on who's doing the recording. With a few letters written, a few scrolls preserved, a name not forgotten... and this shield would be worth thousands. But instead? It's not even worth the energy required to drag it out of the tomb. I had to smuggle it among the rest of the stuff we carried out of the place, hoping that none of my companions saw it and started asking questions."</p>
<p>The cleric gave the corpse a tired smile.</p>
<p>"See, this is kinda why I'm doing this. Why I do what I do. Because all of this applies to people too. They get forgotten too. They get... devalued. Heh. Anyway, hope you like it. I have no idea what you were hoping to find when you broke into that tomb, but hopefully this fits the bill somewhat. Think of it as a burial gift, in the vein of the Ancient Osirian tradition. And don't worry. I don't think Akhentepi will miss it."</p>
<p>With that, Rubani placed the shield over the corpse, climbed out of the grave, and started shoveling dirt into the hole. He was using the same shovel that he had smacked into a giant scorpion only yesterday. He could see the resultant dent on it. How time flies. With the grave filled he took a few minutes to catch his breath. He needed that. Then he washed himself clean of all soil with the ice cold conjured water that his deity blessed him with. His clerical vestments were fortunately not too dirtied from being used as a corpse shroud. Just a bit wrinkled and dusty, but they had survived far worse. So he slipped them on and finally recited a standardized Pharasmin prayer for the unknown dead. </p>
<p>A few minutes later the half-elf was back in his ratty traveling robe and walking through the Necropolis. He was going to meet up with his party, now that he had fulfilled his duty. Although, strictly speaking, he had gone a fair bit above the call of duty. Rubani came to a halt on the winding cemetery road, and without warning laid his head forward into his palms.</p>
<p><i>Sweet mother of souls, I've just spent over an hour talking to a carcass. I need some social activity. Where's that tavern?</i></p>The following post takes place at some point after the party has brought their haul up. It's also long and dull and doesn't involve anyone but Rubani, so feel free to skip.
"Augh... my back is killing me."
The cleric stood up and arched his back. An audible 'pop' could be heard. He was standing in a shallow grave, one dug right next to the tomb of Akhentepi. His chain shirt was discarded as was most of his regular clothing, leaving his torso bare. His thin frame did, however, have a healthy...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-05T15:59:14ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=10#4852015-03-04T23:52:40Z2015-03-04T23:52:40Z<p>OOC: So about that coffin with a taste for pint-sized holy warriors. I couldn't find the right moment to mention it in-game, but wasn't it inlaid with gold? Should we go over the broken pieces of that thing before we head out?</p>
<p>And yeah, I'm up for Naomi's suggestions. As for what we hand over to the Pharasmins, it's been my understanding that we just have to prove that we have fully explored our allocated site. Which should be doable with the notes and sketches of the place Azghaad and Akhmose have made throughout. Speaking of, should we even be talking to the church right now? Shouldn't we wait to do so until we have finished with this site and need to ask for another?
<br />
Please correct me if there's something I've misunderstood, Fabian.</p>
<p>Rubani needs to make one stop though before going to the tavern. He needs to bury that poor sod we found dead in the shaft. Do you have any suggestion as to the most appropriate place to do so, Fabian? 'Cause I was thinking that Rubani is of the opinion that what with this guy dying inside the tomb he should be buried as close as possible. That will be a part of my next post.</p>OOC: So about that coffin with a taste for pint-sized holy warriors. I couldn't find the right moment to mention it in-game, but wasn't it inlaid with gold? Should we go over the broken pieces of that thing before we head out?
And yeah, I'm up for Naomi's suggestions. As for what we hand over to the Pharasmins, it's been my understanding that we just have to prove that we have fully explored our allocated site. Which should be doable with the notes and sketches of the place Azghaad and...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-04T23:52:40ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=10#4742015-03-02T18:26:49Z2015-03-02T18:26:49Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Hah! Akhmose's new avatar is brilliant considering recent events and needs to be called out as such. Good show, man.</span></p>
<p>Insect bodies crunched under Rubani's feet as he hurried over to Akhmose and Naomi. His holy symbol was already glowing and a flash from the Plane of Positive Energy soon followed. He anxiously looked over the two holy warriors' injuries.</p>
<p>"Well. This could certainly have gone better." </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel Energy:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 1</span></p>
<p>Blisters shrank and bites closed upon contact with the light (<i>Sorry Akhmose, but it will take stronger magic than this to restore your hair.</i>), but the cleric could see that his companions were still in rough shape.</p>
<p><b>"I'm not sure I can continue without rest of healing. I am sorely wounded and if we face more trouble ahead, I shouldn't endanger the rest of you without going forward whole."</b></p>
<p>"Heh. Then we are in agreement," the half-elf said as he put a hand on her shoulder and let his magic flow. "I too think that the moment the mighty Naomi Zeitoun falls we are all doomed. After all, when giants such as yourself ask for respite we peons must be due a break."</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Cure Light Wounds:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7</span></p>
<p>"But seriously," he continued with a wistful smile, "that was my last spell for the day. The Plane of Positive Energy is also closed off for me now. I have nothing more to offer in the way of healing. And considering that that's all I've been good for down here," he added bashfully, "I'm not opposed to halting our little expedition here for now." </p>
<p>Looking over the group to gauge the party's willingness to continue, the cleric had to ask something of the wizard and bard. Concerned as he was about Akhmose's and Naomi's wounds he was equally concerned about the panicked state of Shalina and Azghaad during the fight.</p>
<p>"Mr Glyphstele, Miss Sekh-at... are you two... alright?"</p>
<p>Unfamiliar as he was with them that was all he could ask for fear of offending someone.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Sorry about the late post. The weekend was busy for me. And Rubani is indeed out of both spells and channels, despite the 'gameplay' document saying otherwise. I understand that Akhmose has one LoH left and Shalina has a Cure Light Wound in reserve, so we could probably survive another fight, but I don't know if we want to just be cautious and leave the tomb for now. Either way, I'm game.</span></p>Hah! Akhmose's new avatar is brilliant considering recent events and needs to be called out as such. Good show, man.
Insect bodies crunched under Rubani's feet as he hurried over to Akhmose and Naomi. His holy symbol was already glowing and a flash from the Plane of Positive Energy soon followed. He anxiously looked over the two holy warriors' injuries.
"Well. This could certainly have gone better."
[dice=Channel Energy]1d6[/dice]
Blisters shrank and bites closed upon contact with the...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-03-02T18:26:49ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=10#4562015-02-25T00:05:56Z2015-02-25T00:05:56Z<p>Confronted with the insect swarm Rubani was at a loss as to what he should, or indeed could, do. He had squashed more than a few bugs in his time, but had never faced anything like this. Seeing Akhmose and Naomi attack with fervor he decided that he could at least assist them.</p>
<p>Round 1:
<br />
Rubani stepped up to his paladin ally (square E3) and without warning blessed him in the name of Pharasma. Even without any connection to the death goddess the dwarf felt somehow hardier.</p>
<p>Round 2:
<br />
Making his way over to his fellow Pharasmin (C3) Rubani did much the same to her as he did to the paladin previously, giving Naomi a small blessing from their shared deity.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani uses Virtue on both turns, giving Naomi and Akhmose 1 temporary hit point each.</span></p>Confronted with the insect swarm Rubani was at a loss as to what he should, or indeed could, do. He had squashed more than a few bugs in his time, but had never faced anything like this. Seeing Akhmose and Naomi attack with fervor he decided that he could at least assist them.
Round 1:
Rubani stepped up to his paladin ally (square E3) and without warning blessed him in the name of Pharasma. Even without any connection to the death goddess the dwarf felt somehow hardier.
Round 2:
Making his...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-25T00:05:56ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=10#4552015-02-24T23:28:05Z2015-02-24T23:28:05Z<div class="messageboard-quotee">Azghaad wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Obviously uncomfortable with being yelled at, Azghaad started to react with anger of his own, then stopped and considered. A few moments pass before he continues, attempting to justify himself.
</p>
"I saw these moving, saw you over there channelling the power of Pharasma down on them and assumed hostility. I have been in too many situations in the last two days where lives depended on quick action."</p>
<p>"Honor the Departed. I had understood that to apply only to the interred dead, not those moving. I understand that this is your area of speciality." these words seemed to hold special meaning for Azghaad "I am not disputing your mastery of your subject matter. I am disputing the lengths to which you seem to carry your veneration for the dead."</p>
<p>"Life is more important than death. The life of a Channeler of Dinve Power more than some itinerant architect. YOUR life, Mr Madu, is worth more to me than the life of some prose I don't even know - at least to me! It is CERTAINLY worth more than the preservation of that same prosaic's corpse! I recognise your god demands that one should put aside friendship when following rules. MINE DOES NOT."</p>
<p>"Should the situation arise again, I will try to restrain myself. I want a commitment from you that you will not endanger the lives of anyone in our party for a classification activity!"</blockquote><p>Rubani looked vaguely confused as Azghaad gave his retort. He hadn't expected any reply beyond a meek apology, so clear was the wizard's offense to him. And yet as he listened his features grew increasingly somber as he realized that his outburst had been aggressive enough to warrant a retaliatory response. It had not been his intent to provoke his ally. Hearing the unfailingly friendly wizard address him as "Mr Madu" for the first time was uncomfortable. Somehow that hurt.
<p><i>Pharasma, deliver me from irony.</i></p>
<p>"Mr Glyphstele... Azghaad. You are an intelligent man. I recall you speak six languages. Do you know what 'Madu' means? It means 'of the people'. It is not my given name. When we first met I introduced myself as a traveling cleric. That's what I do. I serve the people. They are my flock. I am their servant."</p>
<p>"But I am a Pharasmin priest. And my services do not end when the people meet theirs. I appreciate that you were only trying to protect the party, myself included. Really, I do. And I apologize for raising my voice at you. But the dead are every bit as important to my faith as their living counterparts."</p>
<p>The cleric started wading back out to the mummies.</p>
<p>"I refute the idea that life is more important than death. Neither holds any inherent greater value than the other, and I follow my vocation as both mortician and midwife with equal enthusiasm. Both make up only a small part of the soul's total journey; only two beads on the great string that makes up our existence. Yet they carry forward, our lives and deaths, into the great eternity. A toppled gravestone... a legacy tainted... a tomb robbed... and the living are beset by ghosts, wraiths, banshees, ghouls, shadows and more. A thousand names for a thousand all too mortal furies that obstruct the soul's passing. Furies that could be avoided if we just practiced some consideration for our deceased. A person's passing does not make him lesser, Mr Glyphstele. The influence of those who come before us shape our lives. We owe them much. And when we forget that... they may return to remind us. I honor the remains of the dead not just to commemorate the deceased, but to protect the living."</p>
<p>Having reached the mummies, Rubani started to gently nudge them along the water into their burial niche along with Naomi. Might as well utilize it while it still filled the room.</p>
<p>"The corpse in the tomb deserves as much care as the babe in the womb. One is sacred for the life lived, the other for a life not yet fulfilled. So I'm afraid I can't give you that commitment, Mr Glyphstele. But I can promise you that I will not let anyone be harmed in the service of a faith that is not their own. I merely ask that you let me die for mine, should the situation require it. Now, I'm going to put these unfortunate souls back into their resting place. These people's only reward for their lifework was death. They deserve this much."</p>
<p>After a few seconds work the cleric turned back towards the wizard, suddenly looking a lot less austere. There was one last thing he had to address.</p>
<p>"Oh, and um... My god has no opinion on matters beyond life and death. At least, I don't think she does. Certainly not on friendship. She's a very private person according to the textbooks. Doesn't see many people. Well, she sees billions of souls from every world every day, but that's not what I mean. Not very social, is what I mean. So uh... I think I'm free to make f-friends with whomever I choose. Wouldn't follow her if I wasn't." </p>
<p>A blush had entered the half-elf's cheeks. Azghaad's comment about "setting aside friendship" had hit Rubani hard. He didn't have many friends despite seeing many people as a traveling cleric. He would usually chalk this up to him being a member of the hybrid race, but it couldn't be denied that he had some trouble making social bonds. The wizard admitting some affection for him, even in anger, meant something to him. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>This post is of course completely retroactive. I'll make another one for the fighty stuff. This one is long enough as is.</span></p>Azghaad wrote:Obviously uncomfortable with being yelled at, Azghaad started to react with anger of his own, then stopped and considered. A few moments pass before he continues, attempting to justify himself.
"I saw these moving, saw you over there channelling the power of Pharasma down on them and assumed hostility. I have been in too many situations in the last two days where lives depended on quick action.""Honor the Departed. I had understood that to apply only to the interred dead, not...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-24T23:28:05ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=9#4382015-02-22T18:33:13Z2015-02-22T18:33:13Z<p>Rubani waded through the waist high water over to the others. He kept casting glances back to the northern doors, a quizzical look on his face. In the battle between relief and surprise over seeing their watery deaths halted, bewilderment somehow won out. Was this it? <i>This much water couldn't even drown Naomi</i>, he thought. <i>And she's tiny!</i> Was there something yet to come or had the thousand-year old trap just succumbed to its age and malfunctioned?
<br />
The latter seemed increasingly likely as the minutes passed and nothing happened. Well, not exactly nothing. As the bizarre floating procession of mummies appeared, bobbing up and down in the water, the cleric was left agape. He listened with horror as the paladin explained their presence: these were the builders of the tomb, slaves slain to protect the secrets of the monument, such as the trap designed to kill the party, to ensure that Akhentepi could rest soundly. Rubani didn't know Akhmose's thoughts but his own mirrored that of the dwarf right now. He too had long admired the powerful Osirion of old. To know that they practiced such brutal burial traditions was distressing to say the least. </p>
<p><i>Multiple violent deaths to ensure the serenity of one corpse... Madness! And where is the venerable Akhentepi anyway?</i></p>
<p>The supposed sarcophagus, now broken, had clearly never housed the man's remains. Was this whole room just a decoy?</p>
<p><i>You know, Akhentepi, I defended you when Azghaad questioned the extravagant burial customs of your age. I originally joined this expedition circus specifically because I wanted to protect tombs such as yours. I have repeatedly insisted that you and yours should be treated with as much respect as possible. Now, I admit that the previous few death traps have left me a bit miffed at you, but this? This I cannot abide. I take it all back. You're a bit of a cock.</i></p>
<p>The cleric had to turn away from the mummies, such was his agitation. Luckily he immediately found something productive to occupy himself with: Naomi's and Shalina's wounds. </p>
<p>"Forgive me, I should have done this right away. Miss Zeitoun, Miss Sekh-at, could you please scoot closer...? Thank you."</p>
<p>A golden light radiated from the half-elf's holy symbol as positive energy washed over the two women.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel Energy:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 6</span></p>
<p>When the light faded it had done almost as much good to the caster himself as to the actual recipients. Positive energy is good for the soul and Rubani felt much calmer. He turned around and started wading out to the corpses, intending to inspect them and determine if there was anything he could do for them. Which was when he heard a call from Naomi and noticed that Azghaad was chanting. The resulting jet of flame sprang from his hands straight for the bodies.
<br />
The cleric's hands were up and weaving their way through a conjuration spell before he really registered what was happening. The mummies could no be harmed. As the wizard's spray of fire traveled through the room a big mass of water suddenly materialized in its path. The two collided in a great sizzling sputter that sent steam flying before both vaporized.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani uses Create Water.</span> </p>
<p>"MR. GLYPHSTELE!"</p>
<p>The half-elf's voice was laced with as much shock as actual anger. </p>
<p>"Do I have to remind you of the agreement under which this party was formed? 'Honor the departed'! That is what my church asked of you, and more importantly, that is what we agreed upon together! Miss Zeitoun or myself would handle the deceased, that is what was promised! Unless undeath is found we let the deceased rest! Now, I don't know if these mummies aren't exceptionally patient ghouls waiting for the opportune moment to strike. That may well be the case. But! Until they have gnawed my ruddy arm off and I have determined with absolute certainty that they are in fact hostile, you are not to damage a single maggot in their rotten bellies! Only then will I count on you to avenge my tragic, if noble, death. Do we understand each other?"</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Aw shiet, inter-party conflicts. Do we like those? I don't know if we like those.
<br />
Mind you, I don't know if I've gone too far here. Maybe Naomi already stopped Azghaad with her warning. Maybe Rubani is too slow to stop the fire jet. Don't know if Create Water could even stop the fire under the circumstances.</span></p>Rubani waded through the waist high water over to the others. He kept casting glances back to the northern doors, a quizzical look on his face. In the battle between relief and surprise over seeing their watery deaths halted, bewilderment somehow won out. Was this it? This much water couldn't even drown Naomi, he thought. And she's tiny! Was there something yet to come or had the thousand-year old trap just succumbed to its age and malfunctioned?
The latter seemed increasingly likely as the...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-22T18:33:13ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=9#4282015-02-20T23:29:59Z2015-02-20T23:29:59Z<p>Following his own strike Rubani was hugely relieved to see the sarcophagus finally crack open under the joint attack of Akhmose and Azghaad. And speaking of, look at that wizard go! Rubani found the sight of Azghaad wielding a giant warhammer with the same hands that normally spat fire hugely impressive; the dissonance between the man and the action spoke volumes to the cleric. Here was a scholar who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty and step outside his comfort zone when necessary. He had to smile at the sight. A smile that only widened when he saw Naomi get to her feet with the aid of the paladin. </p>
<p><i>Yes! She's alright! Now we can... um...</i></p>
<p>'Drown together' seemed the most likely option. The half-elf's smile faltered as he eyed the rising water. They were no closer to actually getting out of this death trap. </p>
<p><b>"Rubani! Wait! Can you freeze the water over here?"</b></p>
<p>Rubani's eyes fell to his right hand for a moment; his 'icicle' hand. It was shaking. "Sorry, friend. I'm all out. I..."
<br />
The blue light from Naomi's dagger distracted him. It took him a moment to puzzle it out, but it should have been obvious to him. The warpriest and cleric served the same deity. It only made sense that their granted powers were similar, although they applied them very differently.</p>
<p>"Azghaad! Perhaps Miss Zeitoun's knife would do the job?" </p>
<p>Breaking down the door would certainly solve their current predicament, but Rubani honestly wasn't sure if it could be done, although Naomi and Azghaad seemed intent to give it a try. What he was certain of was that he and his piddly dagger, his only weapon, couldn't help in this respect. With no other clear option he decided to resume what he had done earlier: the cleric resumed circling the room, wading through the water and looking for something, anything, that could help them. There had to be some escape from this trap. There had to. </p>
<p>Round 4:
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7</span></p>
<p>Round 5:
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Well, not with those rolls there isn't. Sheesh.</span></p>Following his own strike Rubani was hugely relieved to see the sarcophagus finally crack open under the joint attack of Akhmose and Azghaad. And speaking of, look at that wizard go! Rubani found the sight of Azghaad wielding a giant warhammer with the same hands that normally spat fire hugely impressive; the dissonance between the man and the action spoke volumes to the cleric. Here was a scholar who wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty and step outside his comfort zone when necessary. He had...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-20T23:29:59ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=9#4212015-02-18T22:58:59Z2015-02-18T22:58:59Z<p>Rubani swore under his breath as his projectile flew wide and missed the sarcophagus. </p>
<p><i>Aw hells... I should have practiced more with these... Oh, but who am I kidding? Don't flatter yourself, cleric. These pitiful ice shards would most likely just shatter upon impact regardless.</i></p>
<p>Just then Shalina could be heard over the still pouring water.</p>
<p><b>"Cold! It's vulnerable to cold!"</b></p>
<p><i>... Should have practiced more. Sh•t.</i> </p>
<p>Still annoyed at himself, the bard surprised Rubani by wading over to him and locking her arms around his torso. </p>
<p><b>"Your icicle may be the only thing we have that will do significant damage to the sarcophagus. I will help steady your aim by keeping you balanced against the water, if that is okay with you."</b> </p>
<p>"... So no pressure, then? Heh. Alright. Thank you for the assist, Miss Sekh-at. Let's see if we can't do together what I fail at alone."</p>
<p>The cleric pointed two outstretched fingers at the floating coffin. A thin layer of frost started coating them as he tried to take aim. He noticed an immediate difference. This really was easier with Shalina supporting him against the flood. It was a bit awkward but his hand was certainly steadier. What didn't make this easier was the characteristic searing numbness of frostbite in his hand. Rubani could tell that this was his last icicle for the day; he couldn't handle any more of them. </p>
<p><i>Dying frostbitten and drowned in the desert... What a ludicrous fate you saved for me, my Lady. ... Pharasma, please let this one strike true.</i></p>
<p>The cleric closed his eyes as the fully formed icicle left his hand. He couldn't stand the sight of wasting such a crucial blow. Except judging by the loud crack that immediately followed it had certainly hit something. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7</span></p>
<p>The ice shard was lodged inside the sarcophagus. What's more, it seemed to have partly liquefied upon finding its target. Icy water was running through the cracks left by Akhmose and Naomi, spiraling out from the icicle. It then immediately froze over again, expanding in the process, and cracking the surface of the ancient coffin.</p>
<p>"Well. Ha ha! That went about as well as could be expected. I should never have doubted you. Well shot, Miss Sekh-at." </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Didn't write a hit or miss part for this one, but I allowed myself to assume that a 20 will hit this thing's touch AC, even if I forgot to factor in the -4 from shooting into melee and Shalina's aid.
<br />
Also, that is a lot of ellipses.</span></p>Rubani swore under his breath as his projectile flew wide and missed the sarcophagus.
Aw hells... I should have practiced more with these... Oh, but who am I kidding? Don't flatter yourself, cleric. These pitiful ice shards would most likely just shatter upon impact regardless.
Just then Shalina could be heard over the still pouring water.
"Cold! It's vulnerable to cold!"
... Should have practiced more. Sh*t.
Still annoyed at himself, the bard surprised Rubani by wading over to him and...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-18T22:58:59ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=9#4062015-02-15T23:09:12Z2015-02-15T23:09:12Z<p>At the sound of the coffin slamming itself shut Rubani looked up from his fruitless search effort. And was then immediately mystified as his fellow Pharasmin had apparently vanished. Only Akhmose and the sarcophagus stood on the dais. That was when the muffled shout from the Warpriest could be heard and the cleric realized, with horror, that the ancient relic had swallowed her whole.
<br />
There was something vaguely poetic in a coffin trying to end a follower of the Lady of Graves, but Rubani had no time to contemplate this; not while a comrade was being chewed on by a big animated casket. </p>
<p>The icicle left his outstretched hand immediately. To heck with the rising water and never mind that he was trying to destroy a significant historical artifact; the sarcophagus needed to be opened right now. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 3 - 4 = 4</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7</span></p>
<p>Hit: The ice shard found its target: one of the cracks left by Akhmose and Naomi. It wedged itself deeply into the coffin, sending more pieces pieces crumbling to the floor. </p>
<p>Miss: The coffin was simply too well made for the icicle to penetrate and it shattered upon impact.</p>At the sound of the coffin slamming itself shut Rubani looked up from his fruitless search effort. And was then immediately mystified as his fellow Pharasmin had apparently vanished. Only Akhmose and the sarcophagus stood on the dais. That was when the muffled shout from the Warpriest could be heard and the cleric realized, with horror, that the ancient relic had swallowed her whole.
There was something vaguely poetic in a coffin trying to end a follower of the Lady of Graves, but Rubani had...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-15T23:09:12ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=8#3962015-02-14T22:54:47Z2015-02-14T22:54:47Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I have no idea what constitutes an afternoon in whatever time zone you're in, but I hope this isn't too late.</span></p>
<p>Rubani's poor Pharasmin mind nearly snapped the moment the sarcophagus lurched forward. </p>
<p><i>I said 'treat it with the respect', Shalina! By the Spire, what did you just do?! Kick it up? How did you even... oh.</i></p>
<p>When the sarcophagus started attacking the cleric caught on. The lightning and rapidly rising water certainly helped too. They'd walked into a trap.
<br />
The animated coffin was the immediate concern, but one that seemed fairly well covered. From what he had seen of the Warpriest and Paladin so far, they could handle it. Which left the soon to be watery grave. Their own, unless they could get out before the water reached them. Rubani looked around him. There had to be some sort of safety switch, some precautionary installation that they had missed. Surely the architect would have designed a trap such as this with a fail-safe in mind. <i>Right?</i>, the cleric hoped. </p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Rubani moves about the room, counter-clockwise, on both turns trying to find something to get them out if this mess. Sorry for the late post. I was playing PF, if anyone will believe it.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception, round 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Perception, round 2:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11</span></p>I have no idea what constitutes an afternoon in whatever time zone you're in, but I hope this isn't too late.
Rubani's poor Pharasmin mind nearly snapped the moment the sarcophagus lurched forward.
I said 'treat it with the respect', Shalina! By the Spire, what did you just do?! Kick it up? How did you even... oh.
When the sarcophagus started attacking the cleric caught on. The lightning and rapidly rising water certainly helped too. They'd walked into a trap.
The animated coffin was the...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-14T22:54:47ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=8#3782015-02-10T01:25:43Z2015-02-10T01:25:43Z<p>So then. Here they were. The tomb of Akhentepi proper. Even Rubani, who really never wanted to be here, had to admit it was a sight worth seeing. The gold trimmed sarcophagus and its austere guardians, fashioned in the image of Anubis by the cleric's estimate, spoke of the wealth and splendor of Ancient Osirion. Would his country ever experience a golden age capable of erecting such monuments to individual citizens again?</p>
<p><b>”As to our previous conversation, I would suggest that no one touch the sarcophagus until I have a chance to look it over.”</b></p>
<p>"Ah, considering our earlier encounters with the obstacles left by the architect I think that wise." </p>
<p>Rubani deferred to Shalina, choosing to wait for her to give the all-clear before approaching the coffin. But it seemed that the woman had something she needed cleared up before the party proceeded any further.</p>
<p><b>”What is the plan for the sarcophagus? Do we open it and not disturb the remains or ignore it and continue through the next doors?”</b></p>
<p>The cleric had to smile. He had no idea if Shalina was hesitating out of consideration for his and Naomi's faith, or because of her own respect for the sanctity of the grave. Either way he appreciated the sentiment. </p>
<p>"Let's see... how did he phrase it," he started, looking up to the ceiling as he searched his memory. "'Honor the Departed: The dead should be treated with dignity and respect. If the interred needs to be disturbed to recover an antiquity or relic, they should be returned to their resting place carefully. It is understood that the ancient dead are often brittle, but there is no need for the contents of a sarcophagus to be summarily dumped on the ground.' Yes, something wishy-washy like that. That's what the preacher said."</p>
<p>Although he had not received the three rules well Rubani had memorized them. <i>The three rules of grave robbing. Pah.</i> </p>
<p>"You were not in attendance that day, Miss Sekh-at, but that was all the church had to say regarding our interaction with the interred as they blew the starting whistle on this whole affair. Apparently, not 'dumping the remains on the ground' is all they require of tomb robbers these days. Heh. So don't worry your magnificent little head with the ethics of prying Akhentepi's funeral garb of his withered corpse. The bare minimum for decency has been lowered just for the occasion." </p>
<p>Rubani lips still bore a smile but it was noticeably more strained. He realized that the local church was not happy about this whole affair either and that the government had essentially forced their hand, but right now he didn't care. The church should have opposed the government, heck, divorced itself from the state if necessary. They should have caused a stir, should have made it clear where this whole idea came from. They shouldn't have had to sacrifice their integrity so that they could simply have a say in this ridiculous lottery. Rubani shouldn't have to be here. Ever since his rise to power the cleric had admired the Ruby Prince, but right now a part of him wished hell upon his sovereign. </p>
<p>He let out a deep breath. Not the time. Not the place.</p>
<p>"If the group wishes to open the sarcophagus then I have no objections. This is what we're here for. This is the natural conclusion. I only ask that Akhentepi's remains be treated with respect, and if anything is to be removed from the coffin that Miss Zeitoun or myself be the ones to handle the deceased."</p>
<p>The cleric was once again appreciative that he had been paired up with such decent people. To hand over whatever lies in that sarcophagi to wanton bandits and treasure seekers might have been too much to bear. But for the likes of Akhmose, Azghaad and Shalina to get some good out of an old tomb set to be plundered regardless? That he could live with.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Let's say that Rubani is over at I6, waiting for Shalina to give him the all-clear before the climbs the platform.</span></p>So then. Here they were. The tomb of Akhentepi proper. Even Rubani, who really never wanted to be here, had to admit it was a sight worth seeing. The gold trimmed sarcophagus and its austere guardians, fashioned in the image of Anubis by the cleric's estimate, spoke of the wealth and splendor of Ancient Osirion. Would his country ever experience a golden age capable of erecting such monuments to individual citizens again?
”As to our previous conversation, I would suggest that no one touch...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-10T01:25:43ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=8#3612015-02-06T01:53:48Z2015-02-06T01:53:48Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Congratulations, Protection from Evil! You have been chosen! Chosen to disappear into the ether, so that you may power another Cure Light Wounds. We hope to see you again.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Cure Light Wounds:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6</span> </p>
<p>Naomi's broken ribs snapped into place with a discomforting scrunch, just as the silvery light left the cleric's hands. It wasn't perfect but the spell certainly left the warpriest looking healthier. And correspondingly more intact. Open puncture wounds weren't particularly flattering. </p>
<p>"Better?" he inquired. "I must say though, injuries aside, you handled yourself very well, Miss Zeitoun. You are a credit to the Voices, I'm sure."</p>
<p>He meant it too. The diminutive woman was proving herself an asset in battle. With some direction from Azghaad she had been able to capitalize on the sand snake's one weakness with just the right tool for the job. She certainly was well prepared. The woman was carrying a minor arsenal. How did she do it? Rubani's back ached just with his mere backpack.
<br />
But speaking of blunt weaponry...</p>
<p>"Akhmose, my friend, how is your head? I've never seen anyone fight quite like that before. Well, I once met one amusing fellow who insisted on cracking open his pecans in a manner not dissimilar, but still. That looked uncomfortable."</p>
<p>Having entered the next room the cleric's eyes were immediately drawn to the tapestry adorning the south wall. And then to the spiral inlaid into the floor. And then to that same symbol on the doors. This chamber was peppered with icons dedicated to Pharasma. What was this supposed to signify? That Akhentepi's resting place was near? Were they literally at death's door? And if so, why were there two doors leading forward? </p>
<p><b>"Rubani, Naomi: do you have any ability to sense whether the unquiet dead might lurk behind one of these doors?"</b></p>
<p>The wizard's voice brought Rubani out of his reverie.</p>
<p>"My lady offers her faithful the power to do so... but regrettably I did not prepare it during my morning prayers. Sorry." </p>
<p>Right. The cleric decided that instead of contemplating the room as a whole he might have more luck if he considered its individual components. He stepped in front of the tapestry. He recognized the scene. It was the river of souls, flowing up rather than down Pharasma's infinite spire. The creatures guiding the souls were not immediately clear to him, however. </p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>K.Religion:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I'm hoping to learn a bit about the room's function, judging by its ornaments, in addition to anything I can glean from the tapestry, if applicable.</span></p>Congratulations, Protection from Evil! You have been chosen! Chosen to disappear into the ether, so that you may power another Cure Light Wounds. We hope to see you again.
[dice=Cure Light Wounds]1d8 + 2[/dice]
Naomi's broken ribs snapped into place with a discomforting scrunch, just as the silvery light left the cleric's hands. It wasn't perfect but the spell certainly left the warpriest looking healthier. And correspondingly more intact. Open puncture wounds weren't particularly
...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-06T01:53:48ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=8#3522015-02-02T22:57:49Z2015-02-02T22:57:49Z<p>Rubani was just staring, aghast, at the bizarre creature whose onyx teeth had just left Naomi's flesh. He had never seen anything like it. </p>
<p><i>What in the world are you?</i> he wondered.</p>
<p><b>"A Sand elemental, I think! Looks like a class II semi-sentient para-living spontaneous elemental embodiment in Warlockswalk's taxonomy! We need to disrupt the Aetheric pattern!"</b></p>
<p><i>... It's a what?</i></p>
<p><b>"It can feel what happens on the ground and can move through the sand quickly. No vital organs, you just need to knock enough sand out of it. Use large, blunt weapons - like a hammer!"</b></p>
<p><i>You may have to run this by me again, friend...</i></p>
<p>The cleric's thoughts were interrupted by the trashing of the serpentine creature. (<i>Aw phooey. It's a snake made of sand. I'mma call it a sand snake.</i>) The sand snake was severe threat, evidenced by the grievous wounds left on the warpriest's side by its bite, and it was clearly not backing down. Rubani wanted to get over to Naomi; at this rate she would be needing a dose of positive energy soon, but the sand snake was just too large to get through. Only one thing to do then. Put it down as fast as possible.</p>
<p>Rubani couldn't remember the last time he had used so many of his god granted icicles in a single day. His fingers turned blue as a shard of ice grew inside one closed fist, even while another fully formed icicle shot out from his other outstretched hand. </p>
<p>Round 1:
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4</span> </p>
<p>Miss: The sand snake dodged the projectile with ease, weaving its serpentine from to and fro.</p>
<p>Round 2:
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3</span> </p>
<p>Hit: The ice shard sank deeply into the elemental where it seemingly melted, turning the creature's precious sand into mud that slipped off its form.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Bleh. That didn't go too well. You know what cheers me up though? Akhmose's boulder helmet. God, I love those silly things.</span></p>Rubani was just staring, aghast, at the bizarre creature whose onyx teeth had just left Naomi's flesh. He had never seen anything like it.
What in the world are you? he wondered.
"A Sand elemental, I think! Looks like a class II semi-sentient para-living spontaneous elemental embodiment in Warlockswalk's taxonomy! We need to disrupt the Aetheric pattern!"
... It's a what?
"It can feel what happens on the ground and can move through the sand quickly. No vital organs, you just need to knock...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-02-02T22:57:49ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=7#3342015-01-30T14:08:53Z2015-01-30T14:08:53Z<p><b>"Faugh! That smell! I'm out of water, can anyone stop these cursed things taking vengeance on us from beyond the grave?"</b></p>
<p>•splash•</p>
<p>The sound of water striking stone was heard as the cleric went from one smoldering insect corpse to another, conjuring orbs of water over them that then fell onto the carcasses, extinguishing them like oversized raindrops. </p>
<p>"I'll do my level best," Rubani answered, stopping to cough. "Cremation is a respectable enough method to part with our dearly beloved, but there's a reason it is typically performed in enclosed furnaces. I remember one particularly eventful funeral I attended... Gods, the smell. If any of you ever find yourselves arranging an open-air cremation be mindful of what direction the wind is blowing. Heh." </p>
<p>The party spent some time going over the room, finding some ancient embalming tools in the process. The cleric, having some experience as a mortician, was immediately taken with them. </p>
<p><b>“How did they get in? And how do they survive? There is no food source down here and they cannot climb up the shaft that we descended. It is puzzling indeed. Maybe there is another way out of this tomb where the vermin are getting in.”</b></p>
<p>"That... is an excellent question," answered Rubani, eyes still on a sharp instrument whose purpose he couldn't determine. "Observant as ever, Miss Sekh-at. I suspect you are right. Perhaps they tunneled upon the tomb by accident. Their entrance could be further ahead. Did the tracks you found earlier come from the western doors?"</p>
<p><b>“These may be items that we can take to give to the Pharasmin to show we have explored the tomb. That along with the embalming tools that Naomi found would be acceptable – unless one of you had designs on them.”</b></p>
<p>The cleric gave up the tools willingly, having no intent on mummifying anyone for the time being. As for whether or not the party should continue further into the tomb he agreed with Naomi and Azghaad. They should keep exploring for as long as they had the resources to do so. While Rubani wanted to keep his party members safe, he also wanted all of this done with as soon as possible.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Speaking of resources, Rubani is going to burn another Channel Energy, seeing as everyone but Shalina is wounded. That leaves us with two more Channels, Akhmose's Lay on Hands, and some three Cure Light Wounds. I'm thinking that we can take another fight no problem.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel Positive Energy:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 4</span></p>"Faugh! That smell! I'm out of water, can anyone stop these cursed things taking vengeance on us from beyond the grave?"
*splash*
The sound of water striking stone was heard as the cleric went from one smoldering insect corpse to another, conjuring orbs of water over them that then fell onto the carcasses, extinguishing them like oversized raindrops.
"I'll do my level best," Rubani answered, stopping to cough. "Cremation is a respectable enough method to part with our dearly beloved, but...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-01-30T14:08:53ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=7#3242015-01-28T19:32:53Z2015-01-28T19:32:53Z<p>That is indeed what I was aiming for, although now that I look back on my post the formatting makes it a tad too ambiguous. I'll try to correct that in the future.</p>That is indeed what I was aiming for, although now that I look back on my post the formatting makes it a tad too ambiguous. I'll try to correct that in the future.Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-01-28T19:32:53ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=7#3062015-01-27T00:18:03Z2015-01-27T00:18:03Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>I like the different points of view taken by Azghaad and Rubani (and Naomi) in the burial discussion. They kinda reflect the characters' primary stats, Intelligence and Wisdom respectively.</span></p>
<p>The tomb that had presumably stood quiet for some 2000 years continued to act host for the party's lively discussion. They were now moving onto Osirion's politics, how much the country was spending, and, yes, funerary rites. Azghaad brought up some fair, and very practical, points that Rubani was about to engage when the wizard suddenly spoke up in an urgent voice. </p>
<p><b>"Don't look at the mirror! Look away!"</b></p>
<p>Recognizing the seriousness of his tone Rubani immediately decided to take an interest in the room's ceiling. Seconds later he felt the same hot sensation in his forehead as the rest of the party, but it quickly faded. With the danger passed the cleric listened to Azghaad's deductions about the trapped mirror. </p>
<p>"Sigh. And here I thought that the only thing the mirror could hurt was one's conscience. Nicely done, Mr Glyphstele."</p>
<p>Having blocked the western doors and gone through the eastern, the party found themselves in a room most likely intended for the mummification process. Fully expecting some sort of vermin they were not disappointed.</p>
<p><i>Ten legs? You are the most inept spiders I've ever seen.</i></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Not sure if this is provokes an opportunity attack, but I'll take the chance. I'm moving up to D3 for round 1.</span></p>
<p>The cleric felt that he was a little too close to the action and moved over to Naomi. He might not be a front-line fighter, but that didn't mean he couldn't help those that were.</p>
<p>"If you'll pardon me, Miss Zeitoun," he said as he yet again put a hand on the warpriest's shoulder and started chanting a blessing from their shared goddess.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Hope you don't have a deflection bonus already, Naomi, 'cuz ya got one now. Rubani uses <a href="http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/shield-of-faith" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Shield of Faith</a>.</span></p>
<p>The cleric pulled further back from the room and conjured up his familiar icicle while doing so. Having found a target, he let the projectile fly.</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Ranged touch attack:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14</span><span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3</span></p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p>[Spoiler omitted]</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>In round 2 Rubani moves over to D2 if available and aims for any scorpispider not engaged in melee. If they're all trying to munch on Akhmose and Naomi, he just goes for the one that appears the most wounded.</span></p>I like the different points of view taken by Azghaad and Rubani (and Naomi) in the burial discussion. They kinda reflect the characters' primary stats, Intelligence and Wisdom respectively.
The tomb that had presumably stood quiet for some 2000 years continued to act host for the party's lively discussion. They were now moving onto Osirion's politics, how much the country was spending, and, yes, funerary rites. Azghaad brought up some fair, and very practical, points that Rubani was about to...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-01-27T00:18:03ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=6#2912015-01-25T00:09:17Z2015-01-25T00:09:17Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Okay, I may have misunderstood the church of Pharasma, the role of Akhentepi, Osirion itself and more in writing this, but here goes.</span></p>
<p>It seemed that the party was largely in agreement about selling off the antiquities found, but all recognized that there were some ethical hang-ups in doing so.</p>
<p><b>"My particular temple has always been careful about the dead staying on their side of the veil. We're a bit unusual in that way. These artefacts belong in a museum, not mouldering away in some basement. Depriving the world of these is selfish, in my opinion. 'Look at me Pharasma! I deserve special treatment because I have so much stuff!'"</b></p>
<p>"Now now, Mr Glyphstele. You surprise me. You're a smart man, you know our country's traditions, and you know that our ancient funerary rites exist not just for the deceased but for the living. The carriage, the weapons, the battlefield diorama; this tomb is a monument to Akhentepi the man. The tribute left them is a measure of our respect for the departed," said the cleric. </p>
<p>"We shouldn't pass judgement on Akhentepi based on his luxurious burial. For all we know the artifacts found indicate not selfishness, but how loved he was in life."</p>
<p>"Besides," he added. "these traditions are very effective at keeping the dead 'on their side of the veil', as you put it. Abjuration magic certainly does the trick, but when it comes to keeping the deceased placated sending them off with some respect has a very good track record. That being said I still don't appreciate the murder dolls."</p>
<p>Shalina joined in the discussion with her own, very practical, perspective. </p>
<p><b>"I think we also need to consider that the Pharasmin will expect a certain amount of what we find as proof that we have indeed explored the tomb. However, there are also certain items that will not be appreciated by the Pharasmin and if handed over will most likely be hidden somewhere never to see the light of day or will be disregarded as having importance."</b> </p>
<p>"Forgive me, Miss Sekh-at, but I think you misjudge them. Most of my faith aim to be as objective in all matters as our Lady is in her role as judge of souls. We protect the dead's remains, not their reputation. Unless Akhentepi has known living descendents here in Wati, which I very much doubt, I cannot see the church objecting to any new information we bring to light about the man. But then, I clearly don't know my church as well as I thought, so take this for what you will," he ended lamely. </p>
<p><b>"I think we will need to sit down as a group and decide what we present and what we do not before we ascend to the surface. Whatever we do not hand over may be kept to be used for good or a new home where it would be appreciated may be found where the profit can fund further work, as Azghaad has pointed out. Does this sound agreeable to everyone?”</b></p>
<p>"Absolutely. I have made peace with myself, more or less, that most of the items we retrieve will be sold for coin. Although Mr Glyphstele and I are in complete agreement that these things belong in a museum, I have no objections to raising money for his research, Akhmose's mission, nor any other goal any of you deem worthy. I trust you. All of you," he smiled.</p>
<p>"I would request, however," he added. "that we honor our arrangement with your good uncle, Miss Sekh-at. One should strive to keep their promises. Besides, I'm certain that you and he are perfectly suited for finding 'appreciative homes', as you say, for our items." </p>
<p>Having entered the south room the cleric stopped abruptly in front of the mirror.</p>
<p>"Huh. Do I always look so grumpy?"</p>
<p><i>Not as grumpy as Akhentepi himself there in the back. Hello, sir. Sorry about all of this. I'm hoping to meet you soon. Was this effect set up to install a sense of guilt in would-be tomb robbers? Well, it's working, sir. Much better than the pernicious puppets. Very nice.</i></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>More backtracking. Sorry. Our own fault really. But I'm with Akhmose; doesn't really make any sense to start hauling loot around before we're actually leaving. Let's look around a bit more before we pack up.
<br />
And I see that Naomi and Akhmose are still a bit under the weather. Let's see if we can fix that.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Channel Energy:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 ⇒ 6</span></p>Okay, I may have misunderstood the church of Pharasma, the role of Akhentepi, Osirion itself and more in writing this, but here goes.
It seemed that the party was largely in agreement about selling off the antiquities found, but all recognized that there were some ethical hang-ups in doing so.
"My particular temple has always been careful about the dead staying on their side of the veil. We're a bit unusual in that way. These artefacts belong in a museum, not mouldering away in some...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-01-25T00:09:17ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: Mummy's Mask ala Fabian DiscussionRubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)https://paizo.com/campaigns/MummysMaskAlaFabian/discussion&page=6#2752015-01-23T14:07:10Z2015-01-23T14:07:10Z<p>Rubani's musings were interrupted by the paladin voicing his apprehension concerning their situation. </p>
<p><b>"This scarab shield is certainly of fine quality, I wonder if it is enchanted."</b> He then lapsed into a moment of quiet, his brow furrowing in rumination. <b>"Were you given instructions concerning the tomb contents? My ancestors served the Pharaohs as guardians. I don't believe I should take these items. But if we leave them, they may be taken by others."</b></p>
<p>The cleric turned towards him, a look of absolute astonishment on his face that soon melted away into delight.</p>
<p>"My dear dear friend," he smiled. "Within the last 24 hours I have found myself in open opposition with my own church for the first time, my sect has sponsored the looting of these hallowed halls for every cutthroat from Absalom to Zelshabbar, and worst of all, I find myself in on it."</p>
<p>"It would be a grotesque effort to try to rank the infinity-old teachings our Lady has passed onto us, but if one were to try, then 'honor the dead' would be quite near the top. Do you know what edict would be just above that one? 'Don't be a grave robber, you tosser.' And yet here I am, Pharasmin priest turned grave robber, because I find that there is no other route available to me. I am a cleric of the people; I will not see the innocent harmed in these graves," he continued, glancing over at Azghaad.</p>
<p>"I am also a Pharasmin; I will not allow the same innocents desecrate said graves. And as a Pharasmin cleric in particular... well, as such I feel very strongly about this. And so here I am, contemplating what I can and cannot allow my partners in crime to loot without me losing the favor of my divine patron, at best, or damning my eternal soul, at worst." </p>
<p>Rubani let out a bemused little laugh, and looked back at Akhmose with clear admiration.</p>
<p>"My world has turned madder than a goblin's knickers and the only thing keeping me grounded is the ulcer I feel steadily growing in my stomach out of sheer worry. Worry over how far I can let this circus go and to what degree I can deny my compatriots the fruits of their labor. What relics can I in good conscience allow to be looted, and more importantly, what right have I to decide this?" </p>
<p>"All of this adds up to me wondering how I'm even going to face my Lady when comes my turn on the Spire, and then... ha ha... and then you tell me want <i>nothing</i>?"</p>
<p>At this point the cleric could not continue and had to stop as he erupted into laughter. He laughed so hard he had to wipe his eyes. </p>
<p>"Ha ha! Pharasma bless your luxurious beard, you giant, you! She must have sent you here herself to lighten my burden. You are a credit to all paladins, my friend, and I know that shouldn't be said lightly. Pheeew!"</p>
<p>He took a few seconds to compose himself before adding: </p>
<p>"What I'm saying is this: yes, please take the shield. If I can live with it, you can live with it. Miss Sekh-at is quite right. Better us than anyone else. Hell, better you than anyone else."</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>A party that doesn't want to rob priceless historical artifacts. We are the worst adventurers ever.</span></p>Rubani's musings were interrupted by the paladin voicing his apprehension concerning their situation.
"This scarab shield is certainly of fine quality, I wonder if it is enchanted." He then lapsed into a moment of quiet, his brow furrowing in rumination. "Were you given instructions concerning the tomb contents? My ancestors served the Pharaohs as guardians. I don't believe I should take these items. But if we leave them, they may be taken by others."
The cleric turned towards him, a look...Rubani Madu (alias of Arthur G)2015-01-23T14:07:10Z