Callah, Water's Voice's page

My chronicle looks good and LOL @ your signature, GM.

And no need to apologize for humble-bragging or anything else. In this day and age of (apparent) mass discontent with anything and everything it's refreshing to see someone genuinely happy with their job and their life as whole.

many people say they've never met anyone who lives the kind of life I do

That's exactly how I knew it was you that Matt & Amber were talking about when they were at PaizoCon!

(They gave us frequent updates and comments in our lodge chat during their trip about the games they played and the people they met, kinda like a mini version of Painlord's yearly bloggery thread.)

Enjoy your month (!) off work and I especially hope you have a grand time visiting with your son :)

"Forrest is right, we all have our part to play whether it's out in the field or keeping things running back 'home'," Callah smiles. "Take care, Stuinvolk, and enjoy your night out," she calls, waving as he and Aeliah set off for a hopefully pleasant and vomit-free evening. "You've earned it!"

Yes, thank you very much for the game! I had a grand time and I'd be happy to sit at any tables you run in the future :)

Ditto Forrest about the group, too! The party chatter, no matter how serious or inane, is often one of my favorite parts of a game.

At this point Callah has to quickly turn away from the others, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter. But she finally gets her amusement under control and even manages a straight face as she nods. "The Foreigner and Faust are right, we've got what we came down here for and there'll be plenty of time for trading barbs and jokes when we're out of this hole. Let's get going!"

@Faust - I think the sheer level of customization that a couple of the Occult classes have (Occultist and Medium come to mind) has been what's discouraged me from trying to play them. Believe me, I DO like flexibility and versatility - the Oracle is probably my favorite Pathfinder class and you can build all sorts of different character concepts with them. That said, my tolerance for having to micromanage a bunch of different things and moving parts only goes so far. This is why I vastly prefer spontaneous casters because I'd rather pick a spell list and be done with it over having to dither around with picking spells every singly day.

(The Witch and the Shaman get a pass because they have other fun abilities that balance out being prepared casters.)

If I weren't trying to avoid making any more PF1 characters (well, unless I get hold of a Catfolk boon) I'd be tempted to try making one after reading what you've had to say about them :)

@Aeliah - Ah hah! I thought you were the person who'd mentioned elsewhere that they'd 'Pathfinder'd' some of my slide setups but I couldn't remember for certain. Absolutely feel free to Pathfinder any of my GM stuff. Heck, I'm pretty sure I Pathfinder'd my 'sign in' slide from either GM Poblano Pepper or the Foreigner - maybe both.

Though she's pretty certain that Aeliah probably wouldn't be Faust's type either - assuming he even has one - Callah can't help but glance over at Forrest and the Foreigner and mouth, "Ouch" in response to the outspoken woman's words.
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I keep meaning to ask; I can't quite tell if those spoilers are meant to just be for whoever Aeliah is addressing or if they're meant to represent a pause or the beat before a punchline or what. If they're meant for just whoever Aeliah is addressing then at least I'll know for the future >.>

Nice! It's neat to watch Occultists in action, especially as it's a class that I've not done a lot of reading up on.

@Aeliah - I signed my U. Summoner Palomia up for your Gameday table; hopefully you'll enjoy the antics of her and her eidolon and/or her misery because she's a grump and complains a lot :3

Callah also seems reluctant to touch the lump of amber, eyeing it warily. "Faust, I believe these sorts of magic are more up your alley than mine or Aeliah's. What do you think? Is it safe to carry it?"

"That went well," Callah remarks brightly with what might just be the understatement of the year. "I feel like I'm missing some context, though. She kept talking about 'The Time Before' and Jatembe - anyone care to enlighten me?"

Gameday runs from August 26th through November 3rd :)

Currently I'm GMing #3-15 The Haunting of Hinojai. Since I want to get into PFS2 and also get more Starfinder into my life I'm playing at GM Numbat's #1-1 The Absalom Initiation and GM Bigrin's #1-2 Fugitive on the Red Plantet.

I do want to pick up a PFS1 game too, just undecided on what.

Decided not to volunteer to GM Hao Jin Cataclysm since I've realized I don't really enjoy GMing specials as much as standard scenarios (and also because I'll be away at a con for several days in October). I'm also not playing it because I already played it live at Save vs. Hunger back in April!

"It's a work in progress," Callah calls back to Faust as she circles around the Green Ant and attempts to strike it with her mace.

Attack vs. Green (Silver Light Mace; Bless): 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

*WOOP WOOP*

General signups for PbP Gameday VIII are now open!

*shudders*

Ugh...I hate hate hate insects. Frogs and lizards and snakes don't bother me (though I still don't want to be startled by a snake) but most insects give me the willies and I will actively flee from anything that looks like a hornet/wasp/bee.

Don't stand in a pile of fire ants.

I hope you're not giving that advice based on personal experience!

Elderly ants just gum their prey.

This is what blenders are for.

A bit alarmed to see Forrest suddenly race ahead of everyone else to engage She Who Devours Callah advances as well, keeping near the eastern wall as she does so. Then she stops and calls on a blessing from her ancestors to aid them in battle.
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Callah moves to her current position and casts Bless~

Callah frowns and takes a step forward as well, reaching out to lightly touch Faust's arm. She utters a familiar incantation and he feels his skin begin to strengthen and harden like the bark of a tree.

"No blasting from me, I'm afraid. But I'm stronger than I look," she remarks, her expression grim. "I can help Forrest keep the smaller ones busy if need be!"
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Callah takes a 5 foot step and casts Barkskin on Faust (sorry Forrest)~

It's absolutely a learning process! Based on personal experience and observation of other new GMs the first few games will be a little rough around the edges as you hammer out how you want to handle certain mechanics and present the game to your players. I think you've been doing fine and I have no complaints :)

"The other, smaller ones are reanimated exoskeletons," Callah whispers. "They are like other undead things in many ways. Using blunt weapons to smash them will work better than using a blade."

She draws her silver light mace and then casts a spell on the Foreigner, granting his skin the toughness of tree bark.
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Callah readies her mace and will cast Barkskin on the Foreigner for the prep round~

For anyone that might be GMing for the upcoming PbP Gameday VIII don't forget that GM Courtesty Signups will be opening soon, depending on your time zone! This means that GMs will be allowed to sign up, as a player, for 1 game early before player signups open to the general public. So if there's a table that you're really eyeballing, that'll be your chance to grab a spot :)
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I'll catch up on Gameplay later, almost time to go play some Starfinderrrrr~

"None right now," Callah replies as she observes Aeliah's little ritual. "Home operates under the 'Avistani Way'..." she chuckles, "...but there's still so many places I'd like to visit first. And sometimes, on occasion, being a Pathfinder is dangerous work."

She pauses and gestures to the dark maze that they all find themselves in, for emphasis, smiling wryly.

"So I'm not in any hurry either."

Kn. Nature (DC 20): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Callah peers into the darkness as the Foreigner sets off and then nods. "I think he's right. See how the patterns in the walls flow? You can tell which direction they were dug from if you know what to look for. So that way should lead us further in."

I think.

As she follows, she can't help but shake her head and chuckle softly as she listens to the conversations of her companions. "Children and bones, birth and death. What a grand place for such a conversation, isn't it?"

"Do you have any children, Aeliah?" Callah asks, genuinely curious. "If it's not being too rude, I mean."

Callah nervously peers down into the shaft. "Ooh...I don't know, this doesn't look very stable," she remarks to the group, gesturing towards the loose, sandy terrain. "Maybe we should just take it slow and steady instead of trying to rig anything up?"

Escape Artist (DC 18): 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11
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Not sure if we all have to make the same check or not but Escape Artist is the better of the two for Callah. If we go with Climb, subtract 1 from the above result~

Happy 4th of July to my fellow Americans and Happy Thursday/Friday to the rest of the world! :)

"I still have the same magics prepared as yesterday so if anyone wants their weapon enchanted or to be a bit tougher in body, just let me know," Callah advises. "Neither one will last very long though, so it'd probably be best to wait until we've gotten a ways inside."

She looks around and shrugs, hefting her longspear. "Otherwise, I'm ready to go."

I usually prefer diplomacy as a player, too. But occasionally it's nice to crack some skulls as well ;)

Honestly, I think most of my favorite scenarios have a little bit of something for everyone.

"We've come too far to just turn around and go home now. Besides, it sounds like this problem is going to keep getting worse and worse if those artifacts aren't taken away from this place. I'll help as well," Callah agrees.

"And I'll also take one of the termites. A chance to speak with the ants of these lands? That's an opportunity that doesn't come along every day!"

And maybe this'll give Faust and Forrest a chance to satisfy their bloodlust.

Sorry Forrest & Faust, I'm sure there'll probably be another chance for battle before it's all said and done with!

Callah wasn't sure what she had been expecting from the nuno but this rather indignant display certainly wasn't it. Still, she knew it could always be worse.

At least right now he's just yelling at us instead of *actually* cursing us. I think.

She studies the creature for a moment, trying to get a better sense of his mood and temperament before speaking.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Everyone and everything in this place is so hard to get the measure of! Maybe it's a survival mechanism.

"W-wait, please, before you bring down your mighty curses on us all," she calls out, deciding to take her best guess as to how to approach the nuno. "Yes, we brought our companion back to this place but not to desecrate! No, we wish to seek a way to remove to curse you placed on him."

Expecting an outburst, Callah is quick to add, "Peaceably. We aren't here to fight. And if you remember, Stuinvolk was in dire straits when you came across him. If he had had any choice in the matter he would not have come to your hills in the first place. Does intent, or lack of, not count?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"Wow..."

The change in Stuinvolk from just a few days ago was remarkable to see and in his moment of triumph Callah can glimpse the man he must have been all those years ago, before the tragedy that befell him and his friends.

I bet they were a sight to behold when they fought together.

"Yes, we did good," she nods in agreement before turning to their charge. "How do you feel?"

Though Callah feels a stirring in her blood as Stuinvolk's voice rings out clear and strong in the night it also brings with it an underlying danger, a loss of control that would interfere with utilizing her magics. She closes her eyes and instead focuses on the cries and shouts of her other companions, hearing the Foreigner call for her aid.

"I'm on it!"

She utters a brief incantation and reaches out to touch his weapon, granting it a magical enchantment for a short time.
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Callah casts Magic Weapon on the Foreigner's weapon. She won't accept the Inspired Rage at this time since it'll prevent her from casting~

"Yes, I'll try to keep within arm's reach of everyone as best as I can or at least only a few paces away," Callah agrees.

When it comes time to rise after their day-time rest Callah finds herself more particular than usual during her meditations, calling to mind specific magics for the battle ahead.

"Being up close isn't where my strengths lie," she remarks when she's done. "Once the mngwa draws close, I'll do what I can to aid the rest of you against it."

Callah will wait until we get some inkling of the mngwa's presence before casting her spells in this order (if possible): Barkskin (Stuinvolk & the Foreigner), Magic Weapon (The Foreigner & Forrest).

While Aeliah quizzes Stuinvolk on his combat skills, Callah thinks back to the few bits they know about the mngwa.

"I can't conjure any bright light on my own just yet but I know a few tricks that might be able to hamper the mngwa, slow it down," she offers. "Faust said it was resistant to most forms of weaponry unless they're enchanted, right? I can do that, for a short time."
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Callah's not powerful enough to cast Daylight yet but she's got things like Entangle, Barkskin, and Magic Weapon for anyone not already packing a magic weapon~

"That's the spirit," Callah grins. "For what it's worth, I think we should try to make a little more forward progress before we tangle with the mngwa again but if everyone thinks it'd be wiser to stay here and prepare then I won't argue."

"Now things make a lot more sense..." Callah sighs quietly as the remainder of the puzzle pieces surrounding the mngwa fall into place and a fresh wave of sorrow bubbles up within her.

So the mngwa is guilt made manifest by Stuinvolk himself. What a terrible, heavy burden to carry alone.

"Would you have us stay camped here until tomorrow night then or should we pack up and do what we can to travel by night?" she inquires of the Foreigner. "It's a sound enough plan, I think, but..." she glances over her shoulder at Stuinvolk, "...it all hinges on him being able to stand and fight with us."

She gives Stuinvolk a few moments more to calm down and collect himself somewhat before carefully kneeling down in front of him. "Stuinvolk? The Foreigner is right. You've carried this guilt with you, alone, for much too long. If you ever want to find peace again you must face it."

"But you will not face it alone," Callah continues, her pale gray eyes locking with his. "We're here with you. Next time the mngwa comes, watch us. Hear our voices and not theirs."

Even with the threat seemingly past, Callah maintains a tight grip on her longspear as her her ghostly trident fades from view.

"That was quick thinking, Aeliah. Did you see how it reacted? It certainly doesn't like the light."

She too turns her attention towards Stuinvolk and moves to take up an almost sentry-like position near his bedroll. "Whatever its interest, it can be hurt, we know that much," Callah murmurs. "Stuinvolk, are you alright? We've driven the thing away, at least for now."

Realizing that the mngwa means business this time, Callah quickly reaches for her spear and scrambles to her feet as Aeliah lights up the night. Upon seeing that the Foreigner has already engaged the creature directly she begins to cast a spell, summoning forth a ghostly trident that materializes next to the beast and strikes!

Spiritual Weapon (Trident): 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 3 = 14
Damage (Force): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
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Callah stands up from prone and casts Spiritual Weapon. She's currently at AC 11 due to not wearing her armor~

"Good people in your life leave footprints on your heart, which help inspire you be best person you can."

"Footprints...I like that," Callah agrees, nodding. "That's a good way of putting it. I'll have to remember that one."

"Thank you all for helping me."

"Friends help each other," Callah replies, gladdened by the gradual changes in the Ulfen man's demeanor.

Good deal. This'll hopefully make the rest of the trip and actually dealing with the nuno easier for him.

Stay safe and have a fantabulous time! :D

Sense Motive (Discovery): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13

As Faust and the Foreigner quietly begin helping Stuinvolk to repair the cairn, Callah tries to keep one eye on their charge and one on the horizon but finds it rather difficult to split her attention in such a manner.

"Everything we do matters," Callah finally says as the trio works. "Sometimes, when a person dies badly, their spirit doesn't rest easy. What happened to Jenisera was horrible. But you and the rest of your team took the time to bury her and to honor her and to mourn her. You cared. And that can make all the difference in the world."

"Everything we do matters," she repeats, her voice firm with conviction. "Sometimes more than any of us will ever know."

Daily Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

Earlier, At Breakfast

Callah blinks. "Well, I..."
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GM, did Callah have Stuinvolk in her sight during this latest mngwa occurrence?

Discovery
+3 Sense Motive

Influence
+5 Knowledge (Religion) *Special Case
+3 (Untrained) Heal
+2 (Untrained) Perform (Comedy)
+2 (Untrained) Perform (Oratory)
+1 (Untrained) Knowledge (Geography)
+1 (Untrained) Knowledge (Engineering) *Special Case

Daily Diplomacy
+8 Diplomacy

Looks like Faust has the best Kn. Religion at a whopping +12 :)

"Respect in form of friends' private joke, yes?"

"Hah! Like an inside joke, right? Yes, I get it, I get it," Callah laughs as the tension bleeds away at last. "Thank you, Aeliah, but that was just as much your doing and Forrest's and Faust's and Krieger's as mine."

And when Krieger suggests that they get going again, she's in no mood to disagree.

"Yes, we shouldn't linger here any longer than we have to."

If only Stuinvolk's first group had come across Mzali like these, maybe things would've been different...

The glare of the sun and Forrest's hand on her shoulder bring Callah back to the here-and-now. Realizing that the rest of her companions seemed to be waiting for her to speak again, she coughs and nods in agreement with her halfling friend's words.

"Yes, we have a compass to help keep us on course...well, more or less. Keeping track of direction is one thing but I think all of us now know that keeping track of precisely where a border lies can be...tricky, even for the most skilled of woodsmen," Callah chuckles softly.

"But you have nothing to fear. Our ultimate destination lies outside of your borders - and now that we know that this stretch may or may not belong to your people then we'll be sure to give it a wide berth on our return."

Bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

She thinks for a moment then adds, "If I remember right, the God-King forbids your people to trade with outsiders. But what of a peace offering, freely given? I can conjure clean, cold water for you, if you wish it. It'll only last a day but it would preserve what you already have a little bit longer."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Kn. Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Kn. History: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

Gods she's hard to read! Are all of the Mzali this way?

"You and your people are known far and wide, as dangerous as the lands you call your home. And as straightforward about it, too. You do your God-King proud."

As she speaks, she glances back at Stuinvolk and with a sinking feeling realizes that he still appears to be on the edge of panic despite Forrest and the Foreigner's best efforts. She slowly drops back a pace until she stands next to him and then leans over to whisper, "Stay the course. We're here with you, so you don't have to face your fears alone."

Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

While I like to travel I'm not sure that doing so as cargo is a good idea :3
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In other news, Happy Father's Day to all you dads, grandpas, step-dads, godfathers, and father-figures out there! Hope you have a fantabulous day today!

If you (general you) have reason to find today sad rather than joyful, I hope you're able to have a good day today just the same. Hang in there, okay?

For everyone else, Happy Sunday :)

This and this and this pretty well sum up my night at work tonight.

You got any extra space on that cruise, Faust? I don't eat much and you'll never even know I'm there. Just leave me at the pool and I'm good!

Assuming that Faust translates for us...

Callah is careful to keep her hands at her sides, visible, and away from her weapons. She gazes at the Mzali woman and slowly shakes her head in the negative.

"No. We are travelers through these lands," she explains, trying to choose her words very carefully. "We've attempted to avoid your territory as best as we can in our journey, for we have no desire to tangle with the mighty Mzali...or anyone else that calls this place home."

"It seems our best efforts were unsuccessful, however," Callah continues. She smiles slightly, much like the woman had done, but it's a smile that doesn't reach her eyes at all. "And here we are. All of us, we've heard tales of the punishments meted out by the proud Mzali against trespassers, but as we stand here now I will ask - is there any way that we can prove the truth of our intent to you or make up for our trespass here without bloodshed?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Ehhhh....given the circumstances I'd rather be safe than sorry on this one...

Diplomacy (T-Shirt Reroll + GM Stars): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 8 + 2 = 29

That's more like it! (Proof of T-Shirt ownership available upon request).

@Forrest & Faust: For shame!

:3

Seriously though, hope both of you have a grand time on your respective trips!

"We're getting quite the education here, aren't we?" Callah whispers to Forrest as she straightens her now-shiny shoes, jerking her head slightly towards Aeliah and Stuinvolk.

This is exactly why I left home. To see how others live, laugh, and love.

She smiles to herself as she turns her gaze away from the camp, feeling cheered in spite of the darkness and the danger that was certainly still lurking.