With the fight going well Caraid flashes an approving smile at Aily and stays out of the way.
Search Posts
Caraid calls fire to burn the tomb giants where they stand.
I gave up on gear with Caraid a long time ago, but thank you for putting in all the hard work to sort this out! :D
"Information." Caraid says coolly, strolling along the alley now that the (very brief) shouting and fighting has died down. "Tell us everything you know about the organisation you are working for. We wish to know where the shadow ash comes from, where it is being taken and for what purpose. We want to know why your employers are stockpiling positive energy items. In short, we want to know everything." His manner is calm, but underneath it lies more than a hint of steel. Conveniently there is also enchanted steel available, courtesy of his favourite maid. Just in case reinforcement is needed.
"Simple and direct." Caraid agrees. "Telvir, you should cover the exit. With your summoning you will be able to prevent any escape. I will reinforce our combatants."
Pathfinder 2 is so weird. One of the Oracle level 18 feats (so, you know, almost the end of the game) comes with a 5% chance of outright death. Why in the name of the gods would you pick that?!?!
Caraid nods sharply and then turns on his heel, unwilling to waste any more time on this issue, or on Ghiasi.
Caraid places a hand on Aily's shoulder, infusing her with more healing energy but doesn't say anything. This is something for her to deal with, besides he's feeling a little less vital than usual - too much of himself is leaking outwards from the rents in his body. So after his brief magic he steps backwards, letting Telvir and Aily conduct their own 'negotiations'.
Caraid shakes off the fog that clouded his senses and infuses Aily with as much energy as he can.
Pre-Healing:
Malignant Sustenance on Aily provides 150HP. Same for Humerus.
Caraid stops, confused. Someone just hit Aily, but he didn't see who. So he fires off his usual attack spell.
Caraid laughs derisively. "No my dear, you are the one in the presence of greatness!" His voice booms with unnatural power, rending the spirit of their foes.
When Aily looks around Caraid makes a wide encompassing gesture and then beckons her towards him. Bring the others. "She went through here I believe." He says once Aily has brought his companions. "And left the portal open too, which I am reasonably certain is an invitation. Shall we?" Unless strong objections are made he steps cheerfully through the portal with his usual debonair swagger.
Caraid raises an eyebrow at that piece of absolute h&~~#~&@~ and leaves before the woman's stupidity becomes infectious. Besides Aily is doing a wonderful job on the acting and he doesn't want to miss the finale. Sadly Ghiasi has lost any claim on his respect, but she likely won't care and he doesn't much either. "Complete idiocy." He says softly to Telvir.
Caraid sidles backstage once more and goes to stand next to Ghiasi. "You're missing your cue." He says quietly. "Unless you just intend to land the final blow. Or this is a truly inept assassination plan. Either way I wouldn't wait too long, my servants are extremely adept in combat." If it is an assassination he probably shouldn't be standing so close - but life is full of little risks. Things would be very dull otherwise.
Caraid retraces his steps and gestures to Aily, explaining in a swift whisper when his loyal maid approaches. "The spirit thinks you are doing too well. It is focused on Ghiasi's fame. Let her lead the fight." He then moves as quickly as possible towards Telvir to relay the same message.
"Well done." Caraid replies, taking the glasses that are handed to him. There's no need for further comment, his maid is more than competent enough to deal with what needs doing so Caraid makes his careful way through the crowd, heading for the edge of the back-stage area.
"Agreed." Caraid replies. "This dirge must soon be over." He hums a low note and a palpable wave of power rushes over the reaper.
"Absolutely not." Caraid says, his voice absolutely frigid.
Caraid frowns and then lays a precise tendril of magic on Aily.
Caraid lets the others choose their targets and then move in to speak with Iaxi, hid fellow Blood Lord. He blithely ignores the undead size and supernatural presence as only someone with an ulterior motive can, and is soon discussing merchants and personal connections with ease and fluency.
Caraid shakes his head in disapproval and tries to look less vibrantly alive.
Caraid shakes his head slightly and leaves the others to 'negotiate'.
Caraid stays quietly in the middle of the group. Since Telvir has taken the lead he sees no need to step in. Even if the wizard is somewhat lacking in the charm department.
Seeing no reason not to use a successful tactic, Caraid plays defense again.
Uncertain of what the foe will do, Caraid gathers his own magic and attempts to suppress the woman's staff.
With some time to work Caraid sets to work using rather more mundane methods to deal with the numerous and considerable injuries that Ceceka has suffered. Thankfully his own innate gifts make him much better at that than most people. "Those aeon stones seem useful." He comments through his work. "Give me a few more minutes to work and we can push on."
With Ceceka finally not being killed Caraid hurries in and applies some more mundane medicine.
One day Ceceka will actually dodge a blow, but until then Caraid keeps pumping him full of highly illegal magic.
Caraid has invested far too much in Ceceka to let the man fall now!
Since these creatures aren't going to be permitted to live Caraid keeps Ceceka in the fight with blatant magic.
Caraid stands behind Telvir, crosses his arms and shakes his head disapprovingly at the graveknights.
"Something is definitely going on there." Caraid agrees once the group has pooled their intelligence. "He seems to be hoarding resources and people. You attending might be useful Telvir, see what can be seen and perhaps speak to the High Priest on a personal level? If we meet this Warmaster Council first perhaps you could express your personal annoyance with them and try to open him up that way." He pauses and looks into the middle distance. "We should try and find some aeon stones too - just in case. It might help. Aily, can you set your maids to scouring the markets? I'll talk to my people in the capital, see if they can arrange anything."
Caraid takes Cecka with him and also goes rumor hunting.
"Lord Zthni, a pleasure." Caraid replies with his practiced warm smile. "I am always happy to offer support to my friends. If you were able to assist me in turn, particularly since I am on mission for Lord Geb himself, then it would be a powerful proof of your loyalty and commitment to our great nation. What can you tell me about local events recently? I hear that there's a lot more going on than last year."
"I will pay a call on Lord Zthni and invite him to dine with us." Caraid agrees. "Telvir, will you call on Vonth? Best we deliver the invitation and little else, for now at least. Aily, I trust you can arrange something of suitable splendor." It isn't a question, he truly doesn't doubt that his maid will be able to do so and more. I must get around to making her position official. He muses idly.
"Well doesn't that sound like fun." Caraid says sardonically. "And here I was hoping to focus on foreign policy for a while. Thank you for your assistance Seldeg, we'll stop by on the way back once everything is done." ------------------------------
"Seldeg's strategy seems to be sound. We should speak to Pesabnet fairly early, among other major leaders. As part of a series of audiences. We are still new Blood Lords, naturally we'd bow and scrape to the established powers. I think we start there. Telvir, you and I will lead on that. Aily, you and Humerus should investigate the lower levels of hierarchy - they'll know a lot more and I'm certain you'll find what we need." His smile for Aily is much warmer than the one for Humerus - it's not exactly a secret within this carriage though.
Have we tracked loot at all in the last book? I think there were a couple of bits that went to Ceceka and Aily and we all got the level 15 item at the end but that's all I can remember.
Caraid calls in favours, bribes, woos, charms and (thanks to a certain lovely maid) blackmails, threatens and even in one particularly stubborn case assassinates. He works for months, relentlessly, until at last he has done everything he can do and there is nothing left to do but see if Geb responds.
Caraid also bows, while privately vowing to never visit the ghoul city if he can possibly avoid it!
"Open the coffin!" Caraid commands, reaching into his extra-dimensional bag and producing a simple wooden stake as Smoke bounds over to grab the slab of juicy meat which also falls out of his bag. "Time to end this."
Caraid shrugs off the spell without comment and unleashes another gout of holy fire!
Caraid lets out a feral sounding growl and stops holding back.
The beam of light that leaps from his hands washes over Hyrune like the fury of a god.
Caraid is taken off guard and fires off a short beam of light.
He misses and then looks around, hoping no-one noticed just what a terrible shot he seems to be.
Caraid frowns and then turns his attention to the undead minions. Remembering the notes from the previous chamber he summons magic that would have him executed if Hyrune lives to tell about it. Fortunately he won't.
Caraid extends a hand and fires a beam of unpleasantly bright light across the room at Hyrune.
Caraid waits in the middle of the group, tapping his foot quietly. He has been setting himself up as Hyrune's antagonist. So staying quiet while he talks to the others makes good sense. He waits, spells at the ready.
"Idiots rarely appreciate themselves." Caraid replies, looking up briefly from where he is slipping the various documents into his dimensionally implausible bag. "There, that should do. Give me a few minutes and we can get going." He's less hurried than usual because Aily is absolutely unharmed and Ceceka enjoys the pain so there's no rush!
"Die." Caraid says firmly, invoking the creatures end.
Caraid remains in the background, getting smothered in love by Smoke.
Caraid takes the dog! And descends smoothly down the shaft, landing at the bottom with poise. Which is promptly ruined when Smoke recovers from the nervous trip and licks his face enthusiastically!
|