Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
My sheet looks good.
I think you did a good job with the social conflict. Those can be hard to manage and always feel like there's not quite enough time to complete.
The last encounter drug on, but that was because of a decision we had made and not anything you did. I wonder if we would have been as generous in trying to bypass that guardian if we hadn't had essentially unlimited healing.
I suspect we would have gone a lot more violent a lot earlier if one of us had been knocked unconscious.
I like the "What do you do?" that you end with. It should be written into the post (and it was) but a call to action is always good and ending that way puts the question into the players' minds.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"Lumketul Simset is a real.." Bielsi switches to his native language and dialect. What he says essentially translates to "a person who deserves neither an afterlife nor a proper burial" but it's far more insulting than translation can convey.
"When you send someone to get him, I want to go," he continues, the tomb raider's desecration of the peaceful rest of the dead infuriating him all the more now that he's actually seen it than it did when he first heard of it.
He glowers as though he can see the man but takes a few breaths to calm himself enough to report.
"We convinced the Quah to let us try to fix things, though that was a close thing. When we got there we found..."
It's clear he's overcome by anger again and he has to pause. "Well...we fixed what we could. It was the worst of the damage in any case. We can hope that the Quah sees our effort beneficially, if not the final results."
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"I don't know why I didn't think of this before," Bielsi says.
He casts a spell then steps close to the creature, reaching out a sickly glowing hand. In fact, his hand glows first and he becomes visible, rippling into the light from that point on until he is fully visible again.
If it hits - An undead creature you touch takes no damage of either sort, but it must make a successful DC16 Will saving throw or flee as if panicked for 1d4 rounds + 1 round per caster level.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"We're leaving!" Bielsi shouts, his voice seemingly coming from nowhere.
"Zarisha's trying to get it out of the way so we can get out of here, but she's not great at wrestling. If anyone can help her, I can get her out, after," he explains.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Can I cut through that corner between the guardian and the wall to get outside or would that require an Acrobatics check? If I can get out without a check, that's what I'll do. Otherwise...
Still feeling weak and unsteady due to Zarisha's ravenous drain on his spirit, Bielsi can do no more than direct his spiritual scimitar to go after the yellow wolf shape.
Whatever else Bielsi is going to do gets interrupted as the link he shares with Zarisha suddenly becomes much more intense and pulls his lifeforce through it, leaving him weak and staggering. Still invisible, he weaves his way toward the exit, hoping the undead guardian cannot see him.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"Of course, you're right, Nicodemus. But I'm not too keen on seeing you dead again...or anyone else who walked into this place alive today. We'll do all we can to get out but if it comes to that, this place may have to do with one fewer guardians," Bielsi calls back.
He steps out of reach of the wolf, concentrates and then disappears.
Casting Invisibility.
The floating, fiery scimitar follows the wolf, slashing again.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"Argh!" Bielsi's smile of contentment as they do what is likely their final bit of good work in the tomb finishes fades and turns into a look of surprised pain as the tomb delivers what is, hopefully it's final bit of bad work on them.
It does not escape his notice that they are back in the room where one of their number died less than a day ago.
"Focus on the wolves, first! Attacking the big one will only empower them!" he warns.
Taking a careful step back, he summons up the wrath of Sarenrae in the form of a floating, flaming scimitar that lashes out at the wolf that attacked him.
Casting Spiritual Weapon. I placed a small triangular marker where it is.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi goes ahead and uses his own wand on both himself and Zarisha while the others study how to repair the chamber without having it fall in on their heads.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi reviews the notes they have. "I think that's it," he says. "Other than repairing Hearth Keeper's stone and trying to figure out what to do with the pillars in that second room. Maybe there's a safe way to approach it from this direction."
He looks questioningly at his companions, knowing at least one of them has been keeping a list of tasks to go back to complete.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi's efforts:
Bielsi drags himself out of the icy water, actually relieved. At least it wasn't deeper. He could easily have drowned if there had been any real depth to the water. Growing up in the desert didn't exactly give one a lot of chances to practice swimming.
Of course, he's shivering and battered. He uses his wand to heal himself before attempting what he is relatively sure will be a no more successful climb.
CLW wand:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Climb minus ACP:1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 - 2 = 6
Zarisha's Efforts:
Zarisha feels her ectoplasmic body being battered and growing ever more tenuous as she is dragged through the river bed by the water. Why is she even bound to this world in this way? Why can she not float above it?
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi:
"Ow!" Bielsi shouts as he hits wall, then floor. Painfully, he hauls himself up off the ground.
"I normally have a great deal of sympathy for lost spirits, friend, but this is just annoying!" he calls out to whatever is causing this.
It just takes one look for him to know that the log isn't going to stay in place properly.
He strokes his bare chin thoughtfully. "The one thing I haven't studied is how to build things. But maybe if I push..."
Strength Check:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
He's pretty sure that isn't right but doesn't have much other choice but to try especially as he is suddenly feeling sick and weak, his cheeks and eyes sinking, his breathing coming laboriously, his muscles feeling rubbery because...
Zarisha:
It is fortunate that Bielsi cannot hear Zarisha as she falls. She is cursing him rather roundly and thoroughly. [b]"Why did that fool manifest my ectoplasmic form? If I was ethereal this would be so much easier!"
Of course, how he was supposed to know that would be more useful in this situation...not to mention the fact that her ectoplasmic form was much more useful in the ogre battle makes no difference to her.
Still, in her irritation, when she sees the log and realizes that she's going to need to wrestle it in place, she feels no compunction about drawing lifeforce through their link together, growing bigger and stronger.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi's Efforts:
Given his chosen vocation, it is hard to be absolutely sure if what he's experiencing is all in his head or if he's been transported somewhere.
He assumes the latter, given the circumstances, though. That doesn't change much but at least he doesn't have to worry about getting back to where he was once he overcomes this problem.
He has little hope of getting across the chasm, but there isn't much other choice.
"We have to get the wolf statue back where it goes!" he shouts, not sure if he's the only one who's been engulfed in darkness and exile. For all he knows, he's laying on the floor with his companions standing around him trying to help.
Zarisha's Efforts:
"Figures," Zarisha says, looking around at the nothingness around her. It might be reassuring if it were not for the fact that it was a little too much like the gaping void she accidentally volunteered for that lead to her physical death. Oblivion is welcome, existing in nothingness is not.
Despite herself, and her usual stoicism, she finds herself breathing heavily, even though she doesn't breath. Her eyes dart around, trying to spot the source of the noises. The only thing she can sense is the chasm and as that is something she can do, she tries to leap across.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi is relieved when he finds a set of statues that have not been subjected to Lumketul's attentions.
"He probably realized he couldn't move them and thus couldn't steal them so he didn't bother with them," Zarisha points out, cynically.
Bielsi glares at her because he's sure she's right, now that she's said it.
When they get to the room full of shards, he kneels, carefully picking a few up. He has no clue how this tragic jigsaw puzzle goes back together though. Were it parchment, he might be able to help. As it is, he can do little more than rise and back away, looking hopefully at his fellow agents.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
How dare you take away my personal agency in the interest of progressing the stor...*reads the rest of the post*...oh...that's what I would have done anyway...carry on. ;-)
Bielsi stands in the middle of the properly rearranged sarcophogi and says a little prayer of thanksgiving to Sarenrae. He throws one toward Pharasma, too, knowing the Radiant Lady won't mind him acknowledging the suzerainty of the Lady of Graves in this particular circumstance.
He sighs heavily as they find yet another disturbed sarcophagus in their travels, this one with the body within similarly damaged. He doesn't even bother complaining. What else could you expect at this point out of this marauder in explorer's clothing?
He goes down to begin the repairs unless someone else has a better idea.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi stands and stares at the lids, lips pursed and arms crossed over his chest as he contemplates. He jumps at the sound of Nicodemus smacking his head, the tension giving him a jolt.
"I can't read the dates, but that sounds exactly right. We know those statues were in order and the symbols there match up to these so they should be in the same order."
He moves to help put the lids on in the order suggested.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"The statues sound good to me. If this guy's notes are at all trustworthy...which they probably aren't, there's nothing interesting about them except that they're too heavy to easily steal," Bielsi says.
"After that...oh, curse him to the Abyss!" he exclaims as he reads the next line. "Does he have no sense of sanctity? He broke coffins! I'd be surprised if we don't find some rightfully angry corporeal undead in there."
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"Sarenrae grant me wisdom!" Bielsi says as the simple and obvious answer that he missed originally proves effective. He watches the Shoanti warriors gain and celebrate their victory with an approving nod.
He pats his arms, legs and torso then looks to Azra. "I hope you don't always have to babysit your fellow Pathfinders as much as you have us."
He offers her a wand with a familiar white cross in a red background, one of the standard designs of a cure light wounds wand in the society.
"It seems like you can put this to better use than me."
Feel free to use my CLW wand when it comes time to dip into expendables, Azra. Your healing abilities have clearly been the MVP of the trip so far.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi isn't feeling great. He's used to dealing with spirits (and one surly one in particular) but these entities are downright vicious. He's not sure how many more rounds of these Chelish assaults he can take.
He quickly places the wooden bolas on the stele, hoping to lay them at peace, both to provide them rest and to avoid that final rest for himself.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Knowledge Religion:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
Bielsi doesn't have to know much to realize what is happening. People are greedy after death and there is little surer way of angering restless spirits than by taking something they prize.
As the sounds build, he quickly grabs the wooden bow out of the bag they've been carrying and respectfully settling it on the stele at the Northwest corner of the pool.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi continues a subvocal cursing of the man who caused all these problems, muttering a litany of unpleasant things that should happen to the man in the afterlife.
"Let's at least get this room stable before we move on. I'd hate for the place to collapse on us or behind us while we're exploring," he says.
He starts looking around for the places that need the most repairing, though taking a back seat to the more perceptive members of the party.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"No doubt this is the 'maze' where our disgraceful predecessor 'blasted' the 'lightning dogs' with a fireball," Bielsi says. He shakes his head at the number of things he's just said that were either untrue or potentially untrue that came from the Pathfinder who came before them.
He pauses. "Do you think Hearth Keeper was the so-called 'towering monstrosity of glowing bone and decaying flesh'? If I ever meet this guy, I'm going to punch him in the gut. He gives explorers a bad name."
He nods as Felicitas begins repairing the pillars, but goes to look for any remains from the "lightning dogs."
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"We will return and ensure that your stone is properly repaired, honored spirit. First, we must see what other improprieties have been enacted on this tomb," Bielsi says, bowing to Hearth Keeper before turning his attention to the door Nicodemus is examining.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Azra Gambit wrote:
Everybody who still has more than 5 hit points of damage, Azra still steals 5 damage from you. So, heal in multiples of 5 and let me know how much total damage Azra takes (it's not all at once so she isn't going to die from it, don't worry.
I've got a character named "Azara" so your name keeps throwing me off a bit. Zarisha was down 3 HP after I hit her with my healing wand a few times, so you can add that to your running total.
Bielsi moves around the bones and looks at the plate, but after a minute or two stops and examines his work. "That doesn't look right," he mutters.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
The others are doing a much finer job of interacting with the 3rd person to come back from the dead in the room than he would so Bielsi begins inspecting the chamber and seeing what he can put right.
Clearly, the bones laying around on the floor are not right and he does what he can to put them back in place.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi is obviously saddened by Nicodemus' passage but also knows how to show respect to the dead. He begins the Osirian death rights, commending this ratfolk ally to the Lady of Graves as a noble soul and beseeching the higher powers to overlook all his many failings (as all mortals have) and accept his humble spirit into their embrace.
"When we get back, I can properly embalm him and remove his organs," he says apologetically to his remaining living allies.
It turns out it is fortunate that he did not have the proper tools as the scrolls arrive and bring Nicodemus back to life.
He greets the ratfolk. "Welcome back...assuming you wanted to come back. Sometimes the path continues even if we only want to get off it," he says.
He then turns his attention to his phantom companion and pulls out a wand.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Because it's probably going to happen - if Zarisha takes enough damage to reduce her below zero, Bielsi can sacrifice an HP per point of damage to mitigate that damage to her. And will so that she doesn't get sent back to the Ethereal Plane. He'll do that down to the point where he has only 1 HP, if necessary.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi's eyes widen as one of the ogres lands a vicious blow on Melea's feline companion.
He actually gasps in shock as the other ogre kills Nicodemus outright then slashes Zarisha, his blade cutting right through her otherworldly substance.
Yet, he does nothing but prepare for what is coming.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi summons up the terror and despair that he has sensed through his connection with Zarisha, the hopelessness that comes from a fear of true death and pointless existence.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
As they come to their destination, Bielsi looks around for a few moments then finds a quiet, clear spot in the grass and takes a seat, actually sitting on his heels. He closes his eyes, concentrating and muttering to himself.
Nothing changes for a time, then the air shimmers around him. Then, it slowly seems to thicken, taking on a distinctly bluish hue, seemingly flowing from his temples and forehead. As more and more of the blue thickness forms, a shape can fleetingly be seen within it. A hand, a foot, a hip, a hint of a face.
Bielsi holds his hands wide then slowly brings them together in front of him, drawing the blue haze in the air around him before him.
It coalesces further and takes shape, vibrating indistinctly for a moment then, with a pop, taking the shape of a woman. She does not have the body of someone who died slowly of starvation but the haunted eyes and sunken cheeks of someone who died of hunger.
Bielsi rises, only a minute after he knelt in the first place. He starts handing items to the woman, which she then dons, bracer, amulet, ring.
"This is Zarisha," he tells his fellow Pathfinders, then moves up to aid Nicodemus in examining the structure.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi scowls at Kemchet as he turns Memory Tender against them. He wasn't too pleased with the way the man dismissed him, in the first place. He largely assumes he is a lost cause but it's beginning to feel like they have to make up ground fast or they are going to lose their chance to make right what has gone wrong.
He hurries to Memory Tender's side before Kemchet's words can fester.
"One of the hardest truths of life is that message of our story is not determined until it is too late for us to hear it," he says, as he approaches.
"Only the most unfortunate, such as the woman who lives within my mind with me lingers on after they have had their chance," he says.
"Do you think that the stories told of the great leaders of your past are always the stories that they would have wanted to be told while they were living? We can each only feel our way along the path with a goal in mind but imperfect information on how to get there."
"What do you want the message to be when your descendants tell your story when you join your ancestors? Is it that you let someone who has no interest in dealing with the the world around you make your decision for you or that you had the courage to let outsiders right the wrongs they did?"
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Nicodemus of NIMH wrote:
Forgive the inner control freak popping up, but we best get a little more organized, so here's a suggested plan:
Bielsi, can you get a Sense Motive on Payah or Kemchet?
We do know Diplo can work on Payah. Felicitas, you want to give it a go?
Grandblade, it looks like best match is Kn-Religion for Lake at Dawn.
Melea it looks like a Survival check on Togimal would be your best.
Azra Diplomacy on either Payah or Lake at Dawn.
Tofang Appropriate knowledge on Togimaal, Lake at Dawn or Memory Tender.
Nicodemus will do Kn-History on Memory Tender
Does that make sense? Sound good?
GM: Do we know if the Aid bonus counts if you use a different skill? e.g. Kn-Religion and Diplomacy working together on Lake at Dawn?
Any plan is better than no plan! And this seems like a good plan!
While Kraak approaches Payah, Bielsi looks around to size up the rest of the councilors. Though, according to the Venture Captain, they don't have much chance with Kemchet, they need to try everything that they can and get support anywhere it might come from.
"I bid you greetings, Kemchet. Though I know you have little trust for we Pathfinders, I understand that you care greatly for your people and your independence. There is much we can offer without impinging on that independence. We ask only to be given the chance to do so," he says.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
After conferring with his fellow Pathfinders and sharing information, Bielsi turns his attention toward Lake at Dawn, finding a kindred spirit in one who reveres religion and paying respect to one's deceased ancestors.
He approaches her politely, bowing his head in acknowledgement before speaking.
"I come from a far away land, Distant Osirion across the Inner Sea. This land is far different from that of my birth. There, it is sun and sand and stone. What animals exist are hard and unappetizing, not the plentiful, if sometimes dangerous beasts, here," Bielsi begins.
"Long ago, my ancestors, the Pahmet Dwarves, swore an oath to watch over the dead of the mighty pharaohs of that once great empire. I was raised under that tradition but a single spirit in need called to me and I journeyed way from my home to aid her."
"My respect for the dead and their peaceful rest has not left me, however. Whether in the stone sarcophagi from my homeland or the sepulchers of your people, everyone deserves to have their material plane remains lie undisturbed when their souls pass on."
"That is why I hope you will give us the chance to redeem the Pathfinder Society from this single rogue agents' actions. What he has done is an affront not only to you and the Pathfinder Society but an offense to me, personally," he says, his eyes glowing faintly but deeply blue as Zarisha aids him.
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi respectfully approaches Memory Tender. "I have been told that you are a master of the stories that tell the history of your people. I am an eager student of history and defender of the sanctity of the dead," he gives a significant look at the skeletal animals tattooed on her arm.
"It is my hope that when stories are told of this time, they are tales that tell of the Pathfinders making a mistake but of their relationship with the Shoanti strengthening afterward because of our shared work in correcting that mistake."
"Please, tell me what we can do to earn the right, in your eyes, to fix what has been broken."
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
I should have put on my courtly clothes, Bielsi thinks as he finds himself rapidly pushed along to the actual council chamber and surrounded by those who are going to judge him and the Society, in general.
"I bid you greetings. I am Bielsi, Knight of Taldor and Pathfinder Agent. Though one of our agents has done wrong and that cannot be denied, we petition for the right to right that wrong as best we can. Whether that improves our relations with the Quahs or not is of less import than undoing as much damage as we can in dishonoring the dead," he says.
"We know what has happened cannot be fully repaired but many of us have had experience in tombs, in fact, I was raised by tomb guardians and we only ask the chance to try. We have brought back the artifacts that we have recovered to be returned to you, if not the tomb, itself," he continues.
He turns his attention to Payah Against the Wind, finally. "Do not underestimate us. Others have to their regret. We have faced monsters, demons, undead, even creatures who portrayed themselves as gods and we remain why they do not."
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
Bielsi tilts his head to the side, frowning. "Excuse me, Venture Captain but asking questions, isn't nonsense. It's important for mission success. That being said...I have no further questions."
Male Oread M Oread Spiritualist [HP 38/38, AC 16 /ff 14 /t 12, Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +9, Init +2, Per +5, Spd 20'
"...because everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves. We are mortals so we make mistakes but one mistake shouldn't doom a person," the dwarf says, to no one in particular as he enters the room.
He listens briefly to that same no one for a few seconds. "We'll pick this up later. We need to listen to Venture-Captain Valsin, now."
A pause.
"I'm not. I'm not. No, we both know we're not going to get to the bottom of this right now and we can't put everything on hold while we talk it out."
Another pause.
"No I don't. Sometimes things come up while I'm making a point or when I'm not finished talking and we have to deal with it."
A pause.
"Thank you."
Finally, the dwarf turns his full attention to those in the room, nodding politely to those gathered. But...it takes only a few moments to realize he's not a dwarf after all. Though he has the stocky build and blocky features, his skin is a smooth gray that looks like he is a living statue. And, of course, no male dwarf would walk around without a beard like this man does. In fact, he has no hair at all, the top of his head as bald as his chin and even his eyebrows just rocky ridges.
Despite his craggy appearance, he is wearing a bright mantle marked with the symbol and colors of Sarenrae. There is the glint of chainmail under his sturdy explorer's clothing.
He listens intently to the briefing then looks over the notes, literally cringing at the disrespect.
"It is fortunately Lumketul is not here. After reading his cavalier attitude toward the final rest of the dead, I might attack him on sight. My ancestors have made it their life's work to honor the dead."
He listens to that voice no one else can hear again, the smiles wryly. "Touche. You're right. He should be given a chance at redemption, just like everyone else."
