Calph not wanting to upset the group and wanting no part of whatever is looking for them being on his own does decide to travel with them. Albeit in silence. Taking in the sights, nervous about about his new companions suddenly having "unsavory types looking for them".
He makes himself aloof, blending into the crowd a bit but always within line of sight of his companions. If something in the crowd moves he moves with it to ensure they are not jumped. After some time he calms a bit as it doesn't seem that day light kidnapping is on the mind of whomever is looking for them.
after a bit of this and seeing axel seems to take to questioning about inquiries he slinks up to axel.
Sir Axel..ifin ya please sir. I dunah know any of these names you speak of. seems ta me that we be wanderin in circles. if'n we cannah figure out who wants us and why. perhaps we reverse rolls? we do our business then find somewhere known to set up and then be ready, then question them if we can take one alive?
seems it will be that way till after christmas....
I will do my best to keep up.
also the exp and skill changes that we want to do. does that take place now or during a declared down time? I want to make sure of which it is before i change anything
Nodding to Zarine "T'will do m'lady. I am not sure when you would like for me to appraise the goods but if your not in a hurry I can attend the boy first."
Calph does have evaluate. its not high or anything but calph can do it.
He trails off as the runner comes bounding down the docks. "eh? Whats a 'Carved Crown'?" Looking the man over and gauging if this is some kind of a trap or distraction. Calph keeps a good eye on both the man and the goods on the dock.
@Zarine OH! Thank you for catching that! I missed where he said pick one. (even though it was mentioned 2x).
As for reading the spoilers. I had only read the ones I passed. So That's what I had responded to.
Well, At the time of rolling I would not have trusted my dice rolls. I would have defaulted for the NO CHECK.
so @netherpongo. Let's Drop the bit about the actress.
I do have evaluate as a skill. I could have Calph stay and do merchant/dock things also. (this may save us on needing to pay for dockhands. I have strong back so Calph can do this all day)
However I would like to find some lock picks and perhaps do some research on our friend. Sure he thinks he is the son of some pirate... there have to be some sort of civil records.
If nothing else. I would like to take Konrad about the town and see what sort of work catches his eye. Seeing if he wants to apprentice or if he prefers to go to a school. Having him travel with us with all the danger is probably not a great option. So, finding family. Short of that see if he is interested in picking up a trade or going to school.
@all, So, IF im reading this correctly
I need 5 advancements in each of the characteristics associated with my 1st level of my career.
I ALSO need 5 advances in the 8 listed skills for the first level of my career.
I need one Talent from my career level.
(the things i had advanced and purchased during char gen counts towards this amount)
Then I can rank up in the SAME career for 100xp.?
if this is the case. I would like to spend 100 xp to promote to the next career level.
then IMMEDIATELY spend 100 xp to purchase the Talent Seasoned Traveler to put a local lore in career for me. (I would like the local lore of where we are currently. However since im from pathfinder and they do "knowlege local" a bit different.. this seems like i pick a region?)
that leaves me with 95xp..
I will buy 2 ranks in each of
athletics
dodge
endurance
for 60
I will buy 1 rank in
Melee basic
for 10
I will then have 25 xp left
I will spend 20 xp to pay double to put another +1 advancement into my pick lock.
I had purchased at char gen 3 advances in evaluate. It made sense to do so for his background and having seen many a merchant deal go down.
Let me know what I need to roll. I will be popping off and on this week as it seems that while the hours havent changed the work load seems like there is something going on "upstairs"... so still long hours but long hours of doing nothing
I have not decided yet where im going to skill up but im just going to dump the points into my current carreer. possibly that silly perception i keep failing lol
as for the boy Calph will keep him busy for at least the boat trip. However the tale im spinning is Id like to see where he wants to be.
putting him in an orphanage or finishing school is the same as putting him in a prison if he doesn't want to go to any of those places. Cabin boys start about his age. So lets see what the RP brings in.
[occ]Calph would love a dagger, perhaps a shortsword or something. He isn't a fan of the large dueling swords and sabers that burleier men would wield upon a tight ship. Just boggles his mind as to how they fight in the narrows and rigging with those things. leather jack yes please. AS you will have noticed I would like to use fellowship. I can play the horn, Tattoo, and carve. I would like to endear these sailors to our cause. A boat that goes that far north and as far south as they say they are from could be useful in the future. (Since the flatbottom is no longer an option.). I am looking for their runner flag, or the like so that they know to look for our signal and stop should we need them to or if they have business. (with a farm we will have more than enough to feed us if it supported 10x as many pirates)[/ooc]
To Zarine Calph explains that he is capable of reading. He just doesn't like to. "Important people read, not boatmen. Though me ma would say otherwise."
Other than that he busies himself about the ship. Helping out where he can so the rotations on the rest of the sailors isn't as rough as it would be otherwise. Entertaining, Crafting, or plain ordinary work.
just let me know if i need another roll here but i don't think anyone should ask for anything that would be too hard
"Important people read, not boatmen. Though me ma would say otherwise."
well they aren't the worst rolls...
Calph enjoys his time about the boat. Loving his regained freedom and sets himself into the rotations along side axel with a kind word, a smile, and bawdy tales of his midling years aboard his fathers barge. With those thoughts, he catches the tune that Margarite was humming and knows it well. Breaking the ice and chatting her up offering her a drink when it was 'more appropriate to do so for place and company.' he would say to her with a wink.
fellowship (40) :1d100 ⇒ 22
i assume its going to have a difficulty one way or the other but i caught on so clearly its like i had been singing the same song when we bumped into each other in the halls as we passed each other lol.
the somber affair with the boy.
Calph hands the young boy two small pieces of rope and kneels down. "Ima gunna teach ya how to make knots like a sailor. Keeps the hands busy when the mind wont sit still." Pointing over to Zarine during one of her study groups with Axel. "though truth of it be. You could git yerself a pretty good education from a woman like that, reckon? Whatcha think boy? you gunna be a werkin man or a Thinkin man?"
He keeps the boy busy, plenty of odd jobs about ship and busy work to keep him occupied and asking questions about how and where as opposed to why and what. It wont work forever but it will buy us some time. Keep him talking about his future, what he wants. Where he plans to go. What his dreams of becoming are. He also keeps hinting that Zarines little school wouldn't be a bad choice either at least for the time being.
Calph very much wants to go with you all. He feels a measure of indebtedness at being rescued. He doesn't just want to assume you all will take him on as a part of your party though.
Calph looks about at the carnage.
Aye, we could set up shop here. Goats, housing, a dock, a temple of Moor. Good bones says he, Small serfdom says I. Eh Zarine? I can stay behind for this trip, and you can come back for me. Ill clean up a bit. Burn the bodies, pray to the gods, maybe even get that barracks repaired using some of the other buildings in the area so that we have a right proper lodge to start with. That is of course assuming you will have me along with yas for the long term? What say ye?
he says with a good natured smile.
As fer the treasure... He taps Axel and hands him back his knife. Thank ye fer this. Ill see if I can find any serviceable daggers from the pirates gear. Ifn Yall doonah mind Id like to take a leather jack as well. Some armor might be useful iffn we continue to see combat. Zarine, that rapier we found in the closet is of good quality. Might be an upgrade to your foil? He looks over the dock area.
Tis ashame they got away with the ship. Perhaps oneday we might own our own. He sighs as he looks over the horizon.
if no one minds, Id like to get a couple of serviceable daggers, a leather armor (i assume thats what a leather jack is), some reasonably intact clothing and the carpenters tools if I can? I also suggest turning the spoiled grain into compost. There are goats so there must be fertile soil. We could grow food to help ease our costs of rations. Potatoes, carrots and other root veg dont take much babysitting.
For Calph, yes hanging with elves. Now while Calph and Zarine are from very separate backgrounds I do eventually want to work up to ship captain. So moving upward in social circles isn't a bad thing.
For now i'm not changing his career. There are a bunch of skills I want to level up. From what I remember of our conversations. As long as I train something, once I leave that career I can continue to put advances in it. However, if I do not train something and then leave the career I lose access to it. Or did I misunderstand?
So as far as trappings and stuff goes. According to the book. Mop and such. He is a simple man with simple needs.
Calph being a riverfolk is no stranger to physical labor. Setting up shop here would not be the worst thing. As for his goals. He would love to chase down the pirates and finish what the ghosts started. They caused him much trauma. (again sorry to zarine for all that). He wants a ship eventually.
I worry about land ownership though. Sure this island was 'gone' from existence for a while but some barron somewhere owns it. What exactly do Land taxes look like in this game? Or would Zarine be able to lay claim as "conquered/Liberated"?
Now, for the out of character nonsense. I work for Amazon, we are coming into the holidays. I will make the greatest effort to post on fridays. That being said, I have been assigned mandatory overtime from now till feb 15th. What this in reality means is five 12 hour days. sunday through thurs. I will put a reminder in my google calendar to make sure I remember to post and not get lost in mundania.
Calph would have regarded the ghosts with curiosity since there was dialogue almost immediately. That, and while uncommon, you do see all sorts of weirdness along the river, spirts, strange lights, the occasional undead. This is where ghost stories come from after all. while afraid and tentatively holding his own. This Zarine and her companions is quite extraordinary and he would wait to see if conflict ensued.
Calph follows behind the others muttering prayers to the gods while keeping his eyes down. The ghostly lady boring her eyes into his skull unnerves him and he wants to not anger them (further).
Hearing the crying also he nods to Zarine as he follows behind. As he looks up and hears the rallying cry he grits his teeth angry.
Not on me watch matey.. not today you dont.
He mutters under his breath then stands and points to the rallying cry as he moves away from the others slightly letting them deal with the child while he glares at the pirate commander. keeping an eye on them so that they aren't lost to him in the chaos.
Pointing and seething with anger not having more than a dagger at this range, but fully willing to let the undead and their fury be his own in this moment.
Spirits! THERE! THERE IS YOUR HATED RIVAL!! after directing the undead to the rallying cries of the captain he will return to Zarines side. Patiently waiting for the child to be taken care of before speaking to her and explain his actions.
"sorry m'lady, I need closure on this chapter. I am better now and willing to serve." he bows low. I am but a sailer upon these waters, my name is Calph, my surname is na important but i will serve alongside you as promised.
Seeing the child and the trepidation in his eyes he tears a bit of his shirt and using the boot laces he had from earlier he will make a poppet and hand it to axel.
obviously distracted by all the commotion of the screaming and concentrating on the others. watching in terror as poor Magda manages to barely scrape away..
ok. so lets hope this works. also, since we are doing this "before calph heads off" i assume i wont be getting my stealth till after i escape if at all.
Athletics 45 + 10 movement:1d100 ⇒ 89
oof..
Athletics 45 + 10 movement:1d100 ⇒ 38
Athletics 45 + 10 movement:1d100 ⇒ 31
Athletics 45 + 10 movement:1d100 ⇒ 87
Athletics 45 + 10 movement:1d100 ⇒ 99
Athletics 45 + 10 movement:1d100 ⇒ 77
(side note.. i either need to sacrifice to the dice daemon for this web page or i need to up my skills asap)
Heading along with Zarine he stops short and turns a slight bit to look over his shoulder.
"S*&~e. M'lady, ima go round quickly and get the rest of the prisoners. We should leave this cursed place. Stick to the plan. Perhaps if'in we can git that thing away from the island we be better off. Ill meet ya's at the boat. lets get outta here while we can"
Looking off into the woods where they were left hoping that they have yet to be discovered he sprints off in that direction.
its not a pretty way to do it but the intention here is NOT to knock the bag away from Zarines hands so much as communicate with it.
His thought process is, a quick slap to the face. usually stopping short of knocking someone silly. just enough to make their face sting and get the brain to register that they have been struck. forcing their mind to focus on the thing that had struck them and begin a new line of thought. Such as 'who hit me?', 'Why?', 'do i need to fight?'. Then logic will sometimes kick back in and the person will reset.
DISCLAIMER:
Of course I know that is NOT how things are done in modern times. That this is NOT a method that is recommended for todays world. We know that it is literally hit and miss as to its success and does not always snap the person back to a rational mindset if they were already on the verge of violence. This action against a hysterical person could actually make them worse! Please understand friends that this is a medieval fantasy setting and thus I am playing to that effect.
DO NOT ACTUALLY DO THIS TO A PERSON IN HYSTERICS.
Call for help. use the phone for a trained professional. Help the person so that they are not a danger to themselves and others while letting them calm down. Talk to them as a rational being in a soft voice to help them calm on their own. All of these are good options.
wrought with fear and surprise Calph looks at the skulls remains and as it continues to wail he shakes his fist as he becomes just angry and frustrated at it.
Thas it.. I dun had it with you!
not knowing what else to do he rushes up to Zarine's position. then backhands the bag as if snapping someone out of hysterics. As sharp quick slap 'across the face' of the pouch.
while he does this he is not intending to knock the pouch from Zarines death grip. Just hard enough grab some attention as if snapping a living being back from an episode. I assume this can be done since Axel was just clubbing it with a stick.
"Be quiet! I dunna know who ye are but canna you see theres goodly people here? By the mercies of Shaylla, Ladrielle, and the elven circle SHUT THE *#&^%! UP! People are sleepin! Hell yellin like that might wake the dead from that moor! Have ye some respect!"
now, Calph is not a cleric. nor trained in channeling. He IS however religious and understands that calling upon the gods is not something you do in jest. However, at this moment like a frustrated parent telling their petulant child that 'Jesus should take you!'. He has no other recourse but to rely on the unseen.
I will certainly spend that resolve (twice) to remove my conditions. I would vote that we try the lock another time. Aside from the alarm being raised we just dont have the tools. While calph is trained. Its not very high and a critical failure would surely happen at the penalties we are looking at. lets come back to it
Following after the others closing his eyes and willing his body forward. Gritting his teeth he focuses with all his might and feels better. This feeling of almost being freed reassures him and gives him strength.
"this lock seems beyond just tweezers and hairpins im afraid. We should see to that thin and be rid of it as quick as we can. The door isnt going anywhere."
He blinks as they head off. his mouth twisted as if deep in thought. His mental gymnastics given shape as he asks his next question.
"m'lady, Ima not schooled in such thin's. Whatif'n it dun work? Ive always been tole that magic stuffs was pretty hard ta break."
@nether pongo. sorry I didnt see that you had rolled my stealth already. we can go with yours or mine. doesnt really matter much since they both failed.
I will need to start posting from home and not work. The internet from the facility is Stupid bad. It never sent even though I wrote that on my break friday morning at 3 am.
Will adjust. sorry about my workplace being stupid and stuck in the dark ages.
Calph has Pick locks at two advances. Figured it might be something a shipsman would know. keys and locks dont really like salt water. Sometimes you need to improvise. *smile*
I dunnah M'lady, I have the skill but we seem to be short on the possibility of having something like lockpicks handy. Though if the lock is old or not as good as it appears on the inside. Doing it is still doable but Ill need somethin to do it with. hairpin, needle, anything long and thin would work if its sturdy enough.
Backing away from the door slowly. Looking to the others he closes his eyes and wills himself to be better than this. Wanting to be helpful and be free of his chains. Sure, while not physically tied down, his need to travel is significantly quelled here. The realization of the truth is setting in. Escape is real..
I would like to spend a resolve at this moment to remove one level of my exhaustion.
(id like both if you rule that wanting to escape and be free lends towards his motivations of traveling abroad and seeing new things.)
that -20 is really hampering and Calph desperately wants to be more helpful and now is the time to ante up and kick in.
Stealth/agi 40:1d100 + 20 ⇒ (19) + 20 = 39
Calph is untrained in stealth, however his agility is pretty decent. then -10 for one level exhaustion or -0 if i can clear both
those dice are weird. what did i do wrong? OH! Nvm.. The parenthetical is the actual dice roll. neat..still failed but neat none the less. lol
im all for ambushing him. however i am not sure how resolve works as far as recovering it. i know i can spend it to clear my condition. which will hamper for sure my combat ability. however when does it come back? unlike other games since this is a pbp its not like we have "sessions"
calph looks over at the three.
"sorry miss for being trouble. Ill try to keep me shorts on. It does comfort me that we have a person skilled in the healing arts aboard. Ill hold to that if'n I aint got nuthin else.
As fer the patrol, im all fer gettin sum pay backs m'lady. But ive been here fer a bit and well. I need a large dinner and an even larger beer."
he tries to add levity to the situation but is visibly rattled remembering the beatings from his prior failed attempts.
"i jis wanten you to be in the know. IF they catch us. they isnt friendly or gentle 'bout it"
Gripping the loaned dagger he tries to steady and steel himself. not having seen much combat he looks at the single drunken pirate. then inspiration
m'lady, i am Asur, and you are Asrai. perhaps a bow?
Visibly disturbed by all of this. Not liking or trusting things he cant see
Observing Zarine touch the foul things and trying to make sense of Axel's commentary. He visibly shudders but steels himself as he continues to peer out into the revelry.
A thought m'lady. If they are celebrating, that could be very bad for us. We should hurry.
not sure what Calph should focus on, I guess he would be most concerned with being discovered so he will be vigilant for patrols. I am not sure if it factors in here but he also has sixth sense.
perception, night vision 44:1d100 ⇒ 63
welp, bad day for dice I guess
crap, I also forgot his exhaustion thats another -20 to all that if it applies.. bad day for Calph
Axel.. if'in I may sir... im not doing well..
glancing at Magda, Perhaps you have something in that healers bag that could steady me nerves?
he says hopeful but not really expecting a positive answer.
the man looks visibly disturbed and not holding well under the pressure of the current events. He stares blearily out across the court yard wavering a bit and biting his lip. Gripping the dagger harder than he probably should.
GM? Do I know of any superstitions locally that would coincide with the carving? Not that Calph is a very religious man and regarded as a heretic by some.
Going with the party, staying low and keeping mostly to the shadows as best he can knowing full well his health will impede them at the worst of times. As the others go about messing with the church. He stands watch near the door. Just inside so as not to draw attention. Keeping an eye and ear out
I have sixth sense. Seems that Calph would be best to watch the door while everyone else more learned than himself attends the altar
<whispering>"M'lady? would it not be wise to just set the whole morr on fire and let the temple itself collapse? T'will bringem runnin. However, would also buy us time to search the huts fer others. Also, this place gives my willies the creeps."
Hoping everyone had a good holiday. Sorry about my absences as of late. Roofers and working for my corporate overlords for the holiday have kept me from sleeping when I need to and health is bad to begin with. (work for amazon and we have 4th of july AND prime day at the same time so lots of mandatory over time)
Nodding to the halfling and speaking a common tongue with a smile
do i need a role here? Calph is proficient with mootspeak
<moot> "I thank you my lady, your concern for our wellbeing is much appreciated."
then back into Reikspiel> "I stand ready. By your leave madam and good sir. Where should we put the others? As a suggestion. We could put them closer to the shadows on the outskirts where there are no patrols. Hunkered down so that we can make a quicker break for the boat should that route become necessary?"
Still fresh out of ideas and combatting the need to do anything but sit and fear being captured. He closes his eyes and takes a deep slow breath, keeping his calm but looking for guidance.
as a side note. I could not for the life of me figure out why 'combatting' did not flag the spell check. However, neither did 'combating'. Funny enough both are correct as one is Queens English and the other is American English
He takes the knife carefully. Making no sudden movements. Not wanting to be misunderstood and back where they were just moments ago. Studying the edge and testing the point gently with his thumb. Putting the small dot of crimson to his mouth with a nod as he winces slightly.
"Thank ye. Aye, Its all just a little surreal but I will try to keep my outbursts under control. Ill help as best I can to quietly run back and forth guiding groups we find to wherever it is we garrison the lot of em."
Looking to the other prisoners with a soft smile.
"We's gonna be ok now. J'st keep yer heads down and think happy thoughts. We will back by the fire with warm bread 'fore ye be knowing it."
Looking up into her eyes. Seeing that she is indeed real, serious, and not about to run off. He sobs softly into his hands. Speaking quietly he brushes the tears from his eyes.
"sorry, I didn't mean to cause a mess. Its just been so hard ya know? Almost even started doubting if I were eating real food or if I were imagining that also."
He takes a ragged breath and nods his head in the affirmative.
I do'nah know where they are being kept, or if they are still alive. I know that I wasn't with all me mates. Just a bunch of them. Others would rotate in then out again. I assume that there are more huts like mine. Ima not sure what they be doin down there but tisnt good I can assure you o'that much. Iffin yer worried for safety sake trailing us all behind. If ya put us back into the hut there and as we free more of us. I can guide them back to the hut I was in so that we can be closer to the outter edge of town for when we make a break for it. As I said. I wont be much help in a real fight right now. But I am willing to do me part"
PS. sorry for all the editing. I wanted to make it as clear as possible and as easy to read as possible. Since we have a dialogue open, I want to make sure that I clean up my characters confusion as best I can.
I know he is being unhelpful right this instant but that will pass I assure you.
Thank you for your patience. I know I'm being frustrating, I have sadly seen PTSD in refugees. I forget that this is not something that everyone is capable or trained to deal with.
OOC, In all honesty, I'm not sure how they can help in a fight if thjy have no equipment. his trappings currently consist of his rags. same as the others. If you want to put them back in the box or at the boat till you go about doing other things. He would be open to that (providing she promises to come back for them). They would definitely be a liability going further inland. They are in shock and not going to be much more than targets should a fight break out. I am not sure about the others but Calph certainly wont be much help in a fight. He isn't really skilled in hand to hand and is exhausted x2. He has tried to explain that there is an altar toward the center of town. Though I admit that was all the set up I have been given from the GM.
A little background so that you might understand his mind set a little better.
Sadly yes he is kind of out of his head right now and thus not communicating well. I will correct this. I guess I had expected a little more compassion towards someone who was tortured and a more nurturing approach. "Don't worry". "we got you". "Its ok we are here now". "your safe".
I will adjust and try to get him to be more logical going forward from here. However as I attempt to make this correction, I would please beg you to be patient with him. (at this moment flipping the switch to calm and genial doesn't seem appropriate.)
Going to the boat and leaving the island are two different things. having them sit in the boat while we look for other prisoners and take care of the raiders/cultists is indeed NOT leaving the island. I'm not sure why "going to the boat" and "leaving the island" are the same to Zarine but his intention is to put them at a safe location then continue on without them. I'm sorry for the confusion on that front.
As for paranoia and freaking out. he doesn't feel that she is listening. they need an elf. as far as he knows 1 elf. which is why they haven't killed him yet. now with you here there are two, this terrifies him for several reasons. (some real, some imagined). He is in shock and disbelief. This isn't real yet.
he has no idea who you guys are, what your intentions are. at this moment he feels like he has just walked into a trap. More mind games, more torture. I mean think about it. he has clearly stated that the whole thing that you just happened to be here and have a row boat that can fit more than 6-8 people seems a little off. He has no idea about the undead, river folk or even how you found the island much less them.
I am currently having him try to calm down and be more civil. right now ptsd and shock along with a healthy dose of fear are driving him. that and it seems that Zarine is clearly worried about her mission but not outwardly seeming to care about the people. They are targets as best he can see.
You are correct, He has not done much to earn her trust however, how can he? She hasn't stated anything about what her mission is. How he might help. He, feels that he and the other prisoners were an after thought. She mentioned that she had a mission and so now he is calming down. Mission means plan. Plan means organization and a more defined directive than "lets get the hell out of here".
he wants to help. he would very much be quiet and come along with you stealthily. however, as a newly freed prisoner who is terrified. the party has yet to do anything that would put his mind at ease. (again, he has been adding to the confusion and for that I am sorry. I will attempt to have him be more clear and less of a basket case going forward.)
in reality, Zarine is educated and a natural leader. Just show some compassion, confidence and guide him. He will follow. The thing about him is that he wants to help but isn't much of a planner. He is comming to grips with the grim realization about his escape. He has honestly not thought about anything past getting out of the box. Now that he has... he has no idea what to do and is terrified.
As for abandoning the undead. ooc i was just worried that if you leave the island the undead will be displeased. Sorry if I jumped the gun there I'm not sure what your plan actually is. I will attempt to follow along a little better in the future.
Zarine saying that Calph was going to ruin the mission kinda worries me.
Here is why.
Calph will at this point go along with the party if they tell him he is being superstitious. Since he really just wants rescue and has a complete misunderstanding due to his upbringing about anything that is magical or spiritual. Boogey men and the like.
However, I as a player would like to ensure I have the sum of it. The party was asked for help by the undead to free them. The undead were asked how they could be helped and the party was introduced to some river folk. Who agreed that they were missing an island and that raiders were capturing their people. The undead that very same night proceeded to bring the party to the island explaining that their bones were bound.
Now that all being said. I am happy to go with you all no matter what comes next. However, I want to be very very sure, that you guys have not missed that the raider problem and the ghost problem are one and the same.
from what I have read up to this point it seems that the following is true.
Mission A help ghosts, secondary objective: rescue river folk.
Again, Ill go with you wherever. I just want to make sure that if we are going to abandon the undead we are doing it INTENTIONALLY.
He closes his eyes and sighs deeply. concentrating ln his breath.
"ok.. so let me try again to get through to you. first ignoring me and disregarding my words will get us all killed. do NOT try to leave the island. i repeat. there is an evil here that MUST be destroyed. they dont care if you escape the huts. the fog swallows you up and you end up right back here. Hespeth succeeded and was beaten and thrown back in with us. told us he even got to the waters edge. then the fog ate him up and spat him back out near a guard. they killed him next day. so im stuck here on an island that nobody can leave. no one seems to be able to find. you found us just fine in that rowboat of yours. perhaps you have a wizard or priest with you on your magic rowboat? he looks at you all seriously
"you mentioned raids. they bring 2-4 new people here every week. strip us down and 'issue' us these rags. Notice they are all the same? white? tattered? torn? i assume these are important to the sacrifice in some way. i heard some talk of saving the best for last. i assume they need elven blood to finish whatever they are doing here."
he stares deep into Zarines eyes.
"now. insanity? yeah maybe a bit. being left to rot for a few months while they kill and feed your friends to you will do that. dont believe me? notice ive been here for months but there are still goats? beaten every time j try to escape and reminded that its because im pretty that they keep me. then you show up to an island that nobody else can seem go find. in a row boat while looking for survivors of the local raids. which i assume is the raids you were referring to. seven of us right now. yesterday it would have been 12. day before it would have been 20. then your going to tell me we are just going to sneak off? seems a little easy doesnt it? now its your turn. tell me i have no reason to think this all suspicious?
while i completely agree. he sadly has no context to what is going on.. insane or not its been along few months for our 'clearly insane' elf :)
eyeing the weapon. he quiets a bit and stands his ground. obviously it doesnt take much to have someone declare a person insane and actually worth killing. he sighs and holds out his hands wrists together
"fine.. ye win. i cannah fight you even if i wanted to. but i ask you this? who is insane enough to have four people in a rowboat to save goddess knows how many prisoners?"
he points to magda. "were ye going to have the lass sit on someones lap like a wee child?"
he drops to his knees allowing them to bind him."might i also point out. as for sanity... who is holding the weapons against an unarmed prisoner? yer story makes no sense. so, either your a liar.. or a fool. i guess though, my life is yers either way."
Looking at the group then to the prisoners with a sad heart.
"Other prisoners? Sure." He trails off as he looks toward the village center not wanting to say what he knows to be the most likely scenario.
"M' mates, several others I didnah recognize." He shudders "Men, Women, Children. From the surrounding area I assume. We were a cargo ship. Not meant for war. They took us by surprise. Pretending to be passengers they over took us in the night." He looks imploringly.
"Not to be ungrateful but we cannah sit here much longer. They do not have regular rotations. Its very random so we never could figure out when they were gonna shows up. Please, please get these people to safety and Ill tell you everything"
He trails off then looks at Axel suddenly alarmed.
"Raid? What raid? You do nah intend to send these people from one dangerous situation to another do ye?"His pain addled mind jumps to the worst possible conclusion and his eyes narrow.
Using the what seems immense effort for him he stands up to his full height and looks down upon the (human?)man. Then back to Zarine
"Ifin this is some sort of trick I swear I've seen enough death of these innocent people. Imma nah sure what ye people want with me, but leave them outta this. Whatever sort of ritual you folk have going on down there. THIS, is a new low..pretendin to be rescue tah get information...low, dirty, dispickable" He balls his fists gritting his teeth
"I dun tol ye once. I dunno where the captain was going. I am just a SAILOR.. git it through yer damn skulls. When you burnt the ship the capt'ns log went with it. We were a MERCHANT CARGO ship. We didna have any art facts, books, or priests on board.!" He speaks loudly assuming this to be a ruse with the assumption that these 'rescuers' are just part of another act like when he was taken prisoner in the first place
He readies his fists for a fight and glares at the party "I may get 'nother beatin. But, this time Ill make ye kill me. Ima dun watchin and hearin these good people die"
He looks up through bruised blackened eyes, his intense citrine eyes watching for treachery and giving no hint that he hasn't much fight left at this point to take a well armed party. His split, puffy, cracked lips starting to reopen wounds, Crimson teasing at the surface as he speaks. Looking her up and down, wondering what a woman of such bearing is doing on a backwater island. He resists the urge to ask too many questions at this moment. dragging conversation too much further is dangerous. Since the cultists rotations to check on them are sporadic so as not to give a hint as to time tables or routine. He bets on rescue being true and relaxes a little.
"Zarine is it? Names Calph. If'in yull help me get some payback, and save these good people. I'd be much abliged to you. Ill even hire on to yer ship if ye want."
Assuming she is some sort of officer or someone important. He straightens a bit and attempts to clean up his language to be more proper. Sweeping his red blonde unkempt locks back over his shoulders as he tries to appear as upstanding as he can in this situation. His river dialect is a strange mish mash of upbringing and education in conflict with each other.
Once they are in the shadows of the lea side of the building. He gesticulates again toward the town center as he speaks with effort.
He stops often, taking short breaths between bouts of words. Cracked ribs, bruised muscles. Whoever these jerks are, they really worked him over time and again.
"Cultists of some kind. Murdered m'mates. They took me and m'crew about a month ago I think. These two just arrived. Dunno who they are"
As if noticing for the first time the others with her. He blinks against the new light of the island. A sharp contrast from the pitch vacuum that they were held in previously.
"Can someone take these folk to yer ship? Ill try to take the rest of ya's to the altar so we can get off this forsaken place. This whole island feels cursed. Like it leaches the life from yer bones."
Calph looks to the other prisoner and begins to speak when the door opens. "we are prison...ers?.." in hushed tones he motions for Zarine and nods. "Help these people to your ship first. they Are still in shock. I am pretty beat up but I can keep an eye open for the cultists. he spits on the ground "murdering bastards have some sort of altar" Calph points lethargically toward the torch light further up the village path. He slides down the wall a little. hair matted and greasy. bruised and battered it looks like he has attempted escape several times only to fail with terrible results.
"Im Calph, these two have not given me their names though they seem to have had a terrible ordeal just getting here"
the exhaustion overtakes him. slumping against the wall. his hair matted and a mess. he blinks absently in the dark. the sweat and grime in his hand the sickly smell of unwashed boatman.
"all this sludge, sweat an grimes. i cant make a fire to save m'life."
calph looks in the direction he hears the others.
"hey friend. your new. your clothes are dry. would you mind helping me so that we can test our luck outside these walls?"
going to roll fellowship. not taking -20 as im not sure exhaustion would influence a roll like this. besides if they can see me i probably look pathetic
Shallya is an old god. (she even has a HUGE temple in Altdorf) Venerated by many who would live along the river and require a goddess of healing, mercy, and protection. While the book does indeed say that she is petitioned primarily by humans it is not unreasonable to pay homage to a goddess of mercy at a time like this. However, that being said. He does venerate Ladrielle as well. Matron of travelers and mists would have been his parents lean. Living among men for so long he has gained the ideal.
"since most of the gods/goddesses wont turn him away or look upon him as unfavored just because he is an elf. Why should he not be allowed to choose who he venerates?"
Thus he has adopted those that would show him the most favor upon the rivers. He isnt an extremely learned man. However his parents showed him much wisdom in learning the things that are closest at hand and not tossing something away just because it is different or "not elven".
"Pa used to say. If we didn't look past our noses just because we were elves. We wouldn't have any passengers but elves. Which, boy, if you cant tell, are not s'common outta this way."
In practice, this just means he lumps her in with the rest of the Cadai and moves on with his life. He may be considered heretical by more learned and 'upstanding' elves. However, since the gods don't grant magic so much as guide fate (according to even the most devout elves). He would argue with any religious scholar about him doing it wrong.
Cadai:
Asuryan The Creator
Isha The Mother
Kurnous The Hunter
Hoeth The Lord of Wisdom
Vaul The Maker
Loec The Shadow Dancer
Lileath The Maiden
Ladrielle The Lady of Mists
sorry if it seemed like i am jumping the gun with that post. just a little set up so that i could learn the chat commands for the forum. ive never actually pbp here before. please dont take it as me stepping out of turn. getting killed by goats is indeed not funny. <3
.Calph will not bother the others yet. let them come to terms with where they are and what is happening. Their clothes and such are still in good repair so if he fails he may need to borrow theirs at a later time and for that he will need trust. Taking things from them or harassing them now would only complicate that.
int 35-20=15:1d100 ⇒ 46
Calph will continue regardless of his failure. Sweat from his brow and the blood from the blisters on his hands. Obviously the exhaustion is wearing him down, that and not being able to see in this blackness. The mindless focus and determination of desperation and frustration is his only solace.
Come on.. come on!.. faster!, more!, harder!.. keep pulling!. Shallya, show me mercy, give me the strength... <desperate breathy whisper> please....
The mantra of his words keeping him from tearing out his hair and doing something he might regret later.
for those that don't do a lot of camping. Fire friction cords are a simplified type of bow drill. place kindling onto flat surface. sit with heel of foot against kindling. place rope along bottom of heel and pull with a sawing motion to create friction. if wood is small and dry enough it will begin to smoke. blow.. pull in saw motion.. blow.. repeat till poof small flame has appeared. then add other fuel or more wood slowly till you get a good fire going. Dry wood that has pitch or other sappy substance works best for this kind of fire.
..i assume that the door swings outward as well? Log cabin, I assume that the floors are also wood? or are they dirt floors and the logs are a framework style country house?
Calph will continue to try the same thing he has done every night thus far. Picking and scratching at the wood with his nails to try and gather up some splinters. Along with using his teeth to make fabric shreds from his shirt sleeve to create kindling. Then unlacing his boots and using the laces along the leather bottoms to create enough friction to set the kindling on fire. with the hopes to create a method of getting out of here. Probably futile, but what else are you going to do when you have nothing better to do than try to escape.
Calph will have kindling in a corner and use the kindling to hopefully catch the pitch or whatever makes the walls waterproof along with the wood itself on fire. Worst case.. create smoke. Anything to grab attention and get someone to open the door in a confused and rushed state in the hopes that they aren't careful and make a mistake allowing him to make a break for it. Praying to Shallya for mercy (does not have praying trained...but any mercy will be appreciated at this moment. or so Da used to say.)
I do not have outdoor survival trained but do have a 35 int
Am I inside a building? Held outside so I can see the goings on?
assuming held outside or where I can see
Would I have noticed the party?
I did not see any stealth rolls, I am not sure if the party is carrying any sort of lights. However the camp does seem to be pretty well lit. I assume that is the over confidence in their magic that keeps the island hidden from normal view. (night vision?)
Having been drooling on myself watching day in and day out the herd of goats that would make a quite tasty dinner indeed. Would I notice their sudden change of posture from passive to wary? (sixth sense?)
for those that don't have it can they not see at all like in games such as Pathfinder or is it that they have a severely limited range due to things like starlight and moonlight as is similar to 2nd edition d&d low light vision?
I am wondering if the party is carrying things like torches or other sources of light depending on who can see what.
in reference to my question about inside or outside.
Spoiler:
In my minds eye it makes sense that I may be held outside to intimidate me
