Astra Vale's page

Okay, I'm home now and I can write out some more.

As I said, I'd rather start over than try and wrangle something out of where we are now. I know that is a pain for some people but I think every deserves it's own beginning. I'm also with Lady Ladile on not being a fan of Sandboxes, or at least in PBP. They tend to fizzle. I don't think there needs to be all that much structure though. As long as there's some inkling of what paths we can take or some idea of where a plot is heading, I think that'll be fine. As I say, it need not be all that much. Just give us the hook and a nudge when we get stuck and we'll probably take it from there.

Like Nate, I'm not short on character ideas, and I've got a few ideas already depending on the setting. I can adapt Astra to a few other settings/scenarios, but if Lady Ladile's pulling out or if she wants to play something different, I would rather shelve Astra and try something else.

That said, I've always wanted to play something with some intrigue. Recently, I've become a fan of the Heroic Legend of Arslan and I think a party that acts as advisors to a prince/princess trying to reclaim their kingdom from invaders could be fun. Throw in some corrupt nobles trying to gain power in the chaos, political turmoil on the other side, and some greedy kings and princes on the borders and you have all sorts of opportunities. It even has a goal that the PCs can choose how to go abotu achieving.

No worries. Thanks for running it while you could. :)

Would you mind marking this as inactive, please?

Yup, still here. And welcome back, Auric. We need someone to keep Astra out of trouble. :)

Hello!

Checking in!

Man that was... I don't know what that was.

I am a little bit. The nausea gone at least.

So, you live on a lake?

Yup.

Well, except for the fact that my lunch decided to go all kung-fu on my stomach.

Astra pauses for a moment gives Auric a sheepish smile as she hears him sigh.

"Sorry. I keep forgetting," she apologizes as she waits for him to catch up.

Astra guides Aravashnial and helps Venia along while staying close to Luna. The longer they were down here, the less she liked it. It felt unnatural to not have a sky overhead.

"Eep!"

Astra jumps as the monster swoops down and tries to swallow Ten.

Astra delays. She doesn't have anything that could help bring it down.

Heya! Glad to see you back in one piece. :)

Hope that you are feeling better and I'm looking forward to continuing. :)

Hey GM? You still busy?

Astra commands her lights to move higher, hoping to scare the things further away.

Same here. Honestly, with how work is right now, it's a bit of a relief that some of the games I'm in have slowed a little.

"Maybe, but we'd better hurry," Astra answers, "then again, I don't know if they'll follow us afterwards."

GM, can we get Venia and Aravashnial through without them getting into AoO range of the darkmantles?

"It's an illusion. I thought we could use the breathing room," Astra admits sheepishly.

Astra recognizes the monsters attacking them and begins casting a spell in the hopes of delaying the aberrations long enough for them to regroup and find a strategy. A wall of ice seems to sprout from the stone floor and goes all the way to the ceiling between Luna and Auric and the vicious predators.

"Darkmantles, she explains quickly. They lay in ambush to grab prey with their clawed tentacles and then crush their victims to death. They'll probably snuff the lights if they think it'll help them."

Astra gives a cry of surprise as the "rock" moves, then cries out in pain. Almost on reflex, she casts a spell and four motes of light appear in the stalactites above.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

"Luuunaa! Stop trying to scare me," Astra whines as her eyes dart about. The truth is, Astra is desperately hoping that Luna is just trying to scare her.

Astra pauses a moment and prays for those still fighting above.

"Alright, if you think that best," Astra says. She does her best to help Venia and Aravashnial, but it's clear that she's not exactly the best suited for the task, and it isn't too long before Astra feels her muscles quivering in overexertion.

Desna, please let the way ahead be clear. I've only a little magic in me, and I don't know how much it will help the others.

Astra flinches at Gwerm's anger, though she is relieved to see him unharmed.

"Luna has the right of it, Mister Gwerm. Please, don't be upset with us. We had no idea that was going to happen."

Glad you had fun. :)

Re: Characters not having Knowledge skills -
There seems to be a certain kind of player that will not invest in any skill that isn't "optimal" for their build/role/whatever. I'd think this would explain some of it. On the other hand, they could be like me and not really think about it.

Astra moves to the doors and tries to open them.

Tries.

Just a heads up, I've got a lot on my plate at work this week, so I'm going to be a bit spotty this week with posting. Hopefully, I'll get on top of things and I won't have to put in 10-11 hour days next week.

Astra reaches out for Auric, muttering another prayer to Desna for protection. After a moment, he too is glowing faintly with starlight. Feeling more and more drained, she steps back and to Aravashnial's other side.

"You wouldn't happen to have a spell that can put a huecuva to sleep, would you." she asks before seeing Venia trying to enter the fray.

"Venia, are you sure you're well enough to do that?"

Astra stares in wide-eyed horror as she claps both of her hands over her mouth to keep a scream from coming out. A moment later, she breaths a single word.

"Huecuva!"

Thinking frantically, she tries to formulate some plan, something to help, but her mind just races while going nowhere. At a loss, she utters a prayer to Desna for guidance and protection, holding her holy symbol while she strides up to Luna and Auric. Believing Auric will hold back, she places a hand on her sister.

"Stars guide and protect you," she calls out as faint starlight glows around Luna.

"Aravashnial! Can you enchant weapons, even for a moment?"

Astra, as best she can, starts quietly describing the temple to Aravashnial. She keeps an eye on Venia, hoping that all of the walking hadn't made her leg worse.

Astra can't help but laugh at Luna's question. It was a break in the tension that she didn't know she needed.

"I don't think anyone could devise a better punishment for us than preventing us from eating. That or feeding us some tasteless gruel. Bleh!"

The young Desnan priestess leads the others into the room, guiding Aravashnial by the hand and providing as much support to Venia as she's able.

"I wonder what he was like in life," Astra asks absently as she sees the dwarf sitting alone. "I wonder why he stayed."

"If there's nothing else, we could go in there and rest. It'd certainly be roomier than out here."

Astra stays close to Luna. She didn't feel right leaving the others behind, but they couldn't justify having them come in with them either without know it was safe.

Astra lets out a giggle at the last, more because of nerves than humor. After getting a firm handle on her tittering, she looks to Auric.

"Should we bring Venia, Aravashnial, and Mr. Gwerm with us? I don't think it's a good idea to leave them alone if something's lurking about," she quietly asks Luna and Auric. "Ten has a point. I've never heard of dwarves abandoning something they built without cause."

Just as unconsciously, Astra huddles behind Luna and peeks over her shoulder.

"Why build this place, then abandon it? It looks as if someone went to a lot of effort here."

Astra, not wanting to be away from Luna, uses her request for help to get next to her. She pulls as hard as she can on the door's handle as her face turns beet-red with the effort.

As the scene becomes clear, Astra huddles closer to Aravashnial, Venia, and Auric. Her lips drawing into a thin line. Something about this place and what she knew of Kenebres' history told that this place had been abandoned.

"Starsong guide our steps. This place feels like a tomb."

"Auric," Astra says in a teasingly threatening tone as his curiosity gets the better of him, "you should know better to than to rush a lady, much less two!"

"I dunno, but maybe they'll help us. At the least we should be able to rest and relax for a bit, maybe even get some more supplies and a path up to the surface."

Astra's hanging back. She's not particularly stealthy and she's very, very squishy. She'll provide light where it's needed though.

"I may be able to see well, but I was the one that always got us caught whenever Luna and I tried sneaking out. Auric can't stand to be parted from me, and I don't think Venia, Aravashnial, or Mr. Worm can move as well as you can. We can make sure the way's lit, though, so you won't be blind at least."

"Careful, Ten. Someone might accuse you of being a master thief. With charm like that, I'd be surprised if you hadn't stolen more than a few hearts," Astra chuckles as she helps the Aravashnial and Venia keep up.

"Luna, it's okay. I don't think anyone's going to hold it against you. Besides, I'm sure I'll say something that'll make what you said in the heat of the moment sound like some philosopher's speech."

When Auric hands her the scale, and mentions how she should use to escape if need be, a pained look shadows her eyes.

"Why do you keep assuming I'm more important than you are, or that my life is more valuable than yours?"

"Aravashnial, will you be alright for a moment if I go talk to my sister?" Astra's question is soft and low as she sees Luna go off towards the edge.

Astra weaves another spell as she moves closer to the fighting. Once she sees the demon, she completes the soft chant and fans her fingers wide. All around the Schir are dozens of shimmering, distracting motes.

Astra is trying to distract the schir with a Silent Image. Not sure what to roll, or if it's just the normal DC 15 Will to ignore illusions.

Astra stays back, unsure if she should move forward or not.

Isn't it always? :P

Astra opens her mouth to protest Aravashnial's suggestion, but seeing that the others are already moving, she changes her mind.

"I'll try to warn you of anything that might trip you," she says before following the others.

"I don't think we should split up. I'd rather Venia and Gwerm were with us, if for no other reason than to keep us from losing each other."

As they travel, Astra keeps up the small lights that help the others see.

Before Luna moves ahead to scout, Astra give her a hug.

Astra says nothing, but the look she gives Gwerm's back is hard and cold.

A man who cares only for money and his own possessions. I'll not waste my breath on trying to change your mind, but woe be unto you if you suggest abandoning anyone again.

"Gah! I'm so sorry! I should have taken care of that sooner," Astra apologies as she moves to where she can cast a spell of healing on Venia. After a moment the deed's done Astra's straightening back up.

"I hope that helped some."

Sadly, I seem to have overlooked Spellcraft. Oops.

"I think they're healing potions, but I'm not certain."

"I can try. We'll learn something at the very least!" Astra's tone is much closer to normal now, though whether that's because she accepted what happened or she's shutting it out is anyone's guess.

Knowledge(Arcana) Potion 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Knowledge(Arcana) Potion 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Knowledge(Arcana) Potion 3: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12