Aww! I'm sorry to see the game won't continue, but it was fun while it lasted. I think everyone here did a fantastic job of conveying their characters, and I really enjoyed how you ran the game, Kaavek. Hopefully we'll have another chance to play together sometime. Good luck with your thesis!
I'm up for continuing with the game. I'll be talking with Kaavek on what to do next. ;) Will almost certainly be a new character, as I don't think there's much chance of Cecilia getting resurrected.
Ever since she was a little girl, Cecilia Hawthorne had loved stories. Stories of courageous dragonslayers, stories of powerful wizards holding back the forces of darkness. Brave heroes, champions of justice, loyal servants of the people. The Diamond League had been her idols, a shining example of what all humans should aspire to be. And when she found out her own father had fought in the war against the Red Hand, Cecilia could only ask herself one question. If my father can be a great hero, why can't I? For years she had trained, expanding her knowledge, combat skills, and magic. Not once did Cecilia consider the possibility of failure. She knew she was destined for greatness. She knew that her life would be a grand adventure. The bards would surely be telling tales of her heroics for centuries to come! And then Brindol had been attacked. Houses were burnt to the ground, innocent people were slaughtered, a horde of monsters descending upon the town. Despite all her skill with a whip Cecilia could not fight them alone. Reality was so very different to the songs and stories. On that day the bard's belief in that grand destiny of hers had wavered. Despite her doubts Cecilia had fought on. After all, she had a team of trustworthy companions to lead, an evil foe to strike down, and a daring rescue to undertake. And as she battled her way through goblins and undead, the bard's conviction was slowly but surely renewed. Evil had struck a frightful blow, but the forces of good would still prevail. This could still be her story! But as the desecrated remains of Lord Rivenroar seized her by the throat, Cecilia had a sudden realisation. Sometimes heroes don't save the day. CRACK Sometimes they don't even survive. SNAP Sometimes you're just a woman holding a rapier, playing a part you were never meant to play. THUD ..... .... ... .. Cecilia was dead before she even hit the ground.
Cecilia doesn't hesitate for a moment. As soon as she sees the undead seated upon the throne, she charges. Rapier in hand, she stabs at the monster.
Imbuing her blade with magic, the bard drives her rapier into the corpse's chest. Ripping free the weapon, she locks eyes with her enemy. "We come on behalf of Thurann. To avenge his father, Kartenix, and all the others that you have slain." Cecilia dramatically declares, her words echoing throughout the hall. "I am Cecilia of the Crimson Lash. And you shall fear my blade!"
Cecilia briefly entertained the idea of bringing the child along with them, but then shook her head. If he was a little older then maybe she could have justified it. But as things currently stood, it would just be endangering another life. "Thurann, I commend you for your spirit. But we can't bring you with us." The bard tried to explain. "There could be any number of dangers waiting for us up ahead, and if you got hurt it would be entirely our fault." Realising that the boy might need more convincing, it was then that Cecilia Hawthorne suddenly had an idea. Some might consider it overly dramatic, but that had never stopped the bard before. "But perhaps there is something we can do for you." Cecilia said, kneeling down next to Thurann. "What if we were to act in your stead? Consider ourselves your humble servants on this day. If you command it, we shall swiftly seek out the people who did harm to your father, and make them pay for what they have done. We shall strike these villains down in your name. And as they die, we shall tell these cowards that it was Thurann who brought justice down upon them! That it was Thurann who commanded us to bring about their deaths! That it was your will that this deed be done! Only slightly out of breath after such a fierce declaration, the bard looked the boy in the eyes. Awaiting his response. Had that all sounded too forced? Had she pushed the story too far?
Cecilia allows Zalindra to assist the boy, preferring not to expose herself to the grime covering his small body. The bard chooses to instead focus her attention on what she realises she must now tell the child. "You've been very brave, Thurann." The bard said, her words soft and gentle. "Once you have had a few moments to rest, we will escort you out of this terrible place. There are a squad of soldiers waiting for you, they'll keep you safe on your way back to Brindol." Cecilia paused there for a moment, taking a deep breath before she continued. She was not looking forward to this next part. Still, someone had to deliver the news. "But there is something else you must know. We found your father, Kartenix. I am sorry to say that he... he has fallen. We retrieved his sword, and will make sure that he receives a proper burial. But that is all that can be done for him." "I am sorry, Thurann."
Cecilia cracks her crimson whip as she strides into the room. But all the skeletons fall to the arrows and hammers of her companions, collapsing to the floor before she can launch a single attack. Devoid of any challenge, the bard settled for clapping her hands encouragingly. "Well done everyone!" She calls out, kicking aside a half-broken ribcage. "The servants of Vecna would do well to fear us after such an impressive display of skill, I think." Walking towards the small boy that Zalindra had been protecting, Cecilia kneeled down next to the former captive.
It's okay, you're safe now." The bard said, speaking in a soothing tone of voice. "My friends and I are here to rescue you. Can you tell us your name? Are you hurt at all?" Cecilia remained close to the boy, but did not attempt to touch him. She also checked to see if his hands or feet were bound.
The suddenness of Zalindra's attack caught Cecilia by surprise just like their enemies. Still, it only took the bard a moment to follow up, brandishing her crimson whip as she began to slowly advance on the goblins. "Followers of Sinruth, this is your one and only warning. Surrender to us now or face our combined might!" Yes. Cecilia thought, a satisfied smile upon her face as she approached That line had contained just the right amount of heroic intensity.
"I hope these things don't stain." The bard says as her whip dances in her hands. "I'd hate to be known as Cecilia of the Crimson Lash with Centipede Entrails on it."
Unfortunately Cecilia wasn't paying nearly as much attention to her attack as she should have been. Writhing on the floor, the centipede twisted out of the way of her whip, completely untouched.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Good luck with your presentation, Kaavek. ;)
Us dwarves all look tha same do we? You said it. Not me. :P
Cecilia was mildly disappointed by the contents of the caskets. She had been hoping for an undead monster, or perhaps a written confession detailing the family's secret worship of Vecna. Compared to all that these trinkets had relatively little value to her. Still, if the Rivenroars really had conducted unholy rituals for the god of the undead, then the bard had no problem relieving the family of their belongings. "If we have to choose between this door and that hole in the ground, then I suggest we try the door first." Cecilia said. "The remaining prisoners are still our priority, and we can always come back to finish off the goblins down there later." However, as the bard moves away from the dimly corridor, a thought suddenly occurs to her. "Would anyone object if I pulled these ropes up? That might stop any creatures from climbing back up here and surprising us."
Feeling a little embarrassed, Cecilia took a few steps back. Jathal and Dayana were absolutely right. Opening this sarcophagus could have waited until they had finished rescuing the remaining prisoners. The lives of the townsfolk were more important than whatever secrets or treasures were buried within this crypt. Still, at least a few other members of the party seemed to think opening the sarcophagus was worth the time and effort. And if Cecilia was truly being honest with herself, she was more than a little curious about the contents too.
Moving forward, the bard assists Zalindra in opening the casket, though she walks over to the opposite side of the sarcophagus to do so. This should only take a moment. She says, driving her rapier back between the lid and base. "Then we shall continue."
Since everyone is rolling so poorly, perhaps Ingra or Javos will notice something about the alters and hole that the others might have missed.
The warpriest and cavalier were completely in sync. Searching the room together, the two of them moved as a single unit, almost like they were being controlled by the same guiding force.
I think we're close to the end of the waiting period for the first wave. Better express your interest to Steve while there's still time! :)
Cecilia wasn't as knowledgeable about the history of Rhest as she was about the history of Brindol. But Zalindra seemed to have a good understanding of the subject, so the bard deferred to her companion's expertise. "So these men were all part of a royal order of knights?" Cecilia asked, moving over to examine the nearest sarcophagus. Casting a Dancing Lights spell to give herself some extra illumination, she ran her hand along the dusty stone surface. It seemed somewhat sad to her. These men had probably won many glorious victories for their lord, but now they were here, rotting away in some hole, far from the eyes of the world. The bard spent a few moments checking the crypt, searching for any titles, crests, or other inscriptions. Committing everything she saw to memory, Cecilia decided she would try to investigate the deeds of these knights once they were back in the city. If there was a tale to be told of such men, then she would be the one to tell it. "Sorry. Now isn't really the time to be dawdling is it?" The bard asked, having almost forgotten the urgency of their mission. Bringing the glowing orbs of light forward, Cecilia moved over to the doorway leading north. Standing at what she considered a safe distance, she began casting a spell of Open/Close on the door, her rapier ready for whatever might emerge.
I hope that you don't mind me moving Cecilia forwards a little bit. I'm not sure if the party wanted to wait for everyone to be ready, or whether we should just advance.
Seeing Zalindra light a torch, Cecilia immediately knew her ally's intentions. Sidestepping her foe, she attempted to strike down the nearest one of these... things, and clear a path.
Unfortunately the bard made the mistake of looking into the twisted face of her enemy as she attacked. The horrible oozing monstrosity seemed to stare into her very soul. Still somewhat rattled by the screaming just a few moments before, Cecilia failed to hit her foe.
I hope we hear from Kra'el and Ingra soon. Wishing the two of you (and the cat) all the best ;)
"Ghosts or spirits, something like that..." Cecilia says in response to Zalindra's question. She then shrugs. "How bad could it be?" Turning towards the western doors, with a few words, a gesture, and some components from her pouch, Cecilia rather unnecessarily casts a spell of Open/Close on the gateway. As the door slowly creaks open, she draws her rapier. "Let's go."
Cecilia glances back and forth between Ingra and Kra'el, looking unsettled She taps the goblin's blade against her thigh, most of her previous enthusiasm now gone. "Killing an unarmed prisoner doesn't seem like a very heroic thing to do." The bard says, looking down at the squirming creature. "As citizens and patrons of Brindol I think there is a question we should all ask ourselves. 'What would the Diamond League do in this situation?'" She lets that question hold still in the night air. But while her words are full of conviction, her body language is not as confident as it could be. She is not really sure what they could do with goblin, except maybe just set him free.
The Hunt for Sertanian (Cecilia): Cecilia couldn't help but stare at her allies, a look of shock on her face. One by one, they offered up excuses and apologies, most of them seemingly giving up at the very first obstacle. The bard had largely remained passive since their argument at the tavern, but she could remain silent no longer. Cecilia was certain that the Diamond League would never have allowed such a small setback to stop them, and she was even more certain that it would not stop her.
"You all speak as though this rescue mission was already over." Cecilia said, clenching her fists. "You say that you will wait for dawn, or stay and reason on where these goblins might have gone? Sertanian does not have such time." Shaking her head, she began to walk, her boots heavy against the wooden planks of the pier. "I intend to investigate the bridge, search the other side of the lake, interrogate every citizen and guard we encounter, and more if it is required of us. Miss Freston would expect nothing less..." The bard moved away at a fast walk, seemingly uncaring on whether the other members of the group followed her.
For a long moment Cecilia actually considered staying behind. As much as she hated to admit it, the dwarf had a point. But the temptation to be a part of heroic rescue was just too enticing. And besides, how could the bard write this epic if she wasn't there for all the good parts? With her mind made up, Cecilia began to follow the dragonborn, elf, and dwarf. She would rescue her friend, deliver justice to their enemies, and reunite Zalindra and Sertanian before the night was over. Cecilia of the Crimson Lash was back on the hunt! |
