Chimwemwe's page

Chimwemwe shakes the ringing out of his ears as Curling-Wisps-of-Smoke's magic soothes away his pain. The disc on his brow begins to wane. He steps forward and grabs for the remaining core. He slams his shield at the weakening shell around the lithic creature before raising his shield.

◆ Step
◆ Dislodge vs. DC 35: Crafting (M), Greater Crafter’s Eyepiece: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 23 + 2 = 30
Q◆ Strike vs Lithic Devourer: +2 Striking, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (17) + 26 = 43
Magic, Bludgeoning, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch, Weapon Specialization: 3d6 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 5, 3) + 4 + 3 = 16 + Fire (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 4
◆ Raise a Shield

Waning Moon: +1 status bonus to AC and saving throws
AC 41

↺ Flash of Grandeur: Blinding Flash, no ally currently in range.
↺ Shield Block 15, unless it's a Crit (except to remain conscious)

Chimwemwe moves into a position designed to at least slightly inconvenience the lithic devourer should it pursue Alrinkiri as the light on his brow becomes a full silver disc. He strikes at the base of another automaton core, trying to free the soul.

He bashes his shield toward the construct and then raises his shield in defense.

Q◆ Stride
◆ Dislodge vs. DC 35: Crafting (M), Greater Crafter’s Eyepiece: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 23 + 2 = 35
◆ Strike vs Lithic: +2 Striking, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M), Full Moon: 1d20 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 26 + 1 = 38
Magic, Bludgeoning, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch, Weapon Specialization, Full Moon: 3d6 + 4 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4, 5, 6) + 4 + 3 + 4 = 26 + Fire (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 4
◆ Raise a Shield

Full Moon
AC 41

↺ Flash of Grandeur: Blinding Flash, Wisps in range.
↺ Shield Block 15, unless it's a Crit (except to remain conscious)

Chimwemwe feels crushed and claustrophobic by the press of ancient stones and unfathomable ages. His heart races as his muscles strain. He cannot hear Curling-Wisps-of-Smoke over the roar in his ears. Just when he fears defeat, his body is freed!

The moon symbol on his brow waxes.

"These souls and their paths were not yours to interupt," he condemns the spirit possessing the living zeitgeist. He slams his shield toward the structure and then attempts to pry free one of the capture automaton souls. He slams his shield again and then raises it defensively.

◆ Strike vs Lithic Devourer: +2 Striking, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M), Waxing Moon: 1d20 + 26 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 26 + 1 = 35
Magic, Bludgeoning, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch, Weapon Specialization, Waxing Moon: 3d6 + 4 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 2) + 4 + 3 + 4 = 18 + Fire (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 1
◆ Pry Free: Crafting (M), Greater Crafter’s Eyepiece vs. DC 35: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 23 + 2 = 26
Q◆ Strike vs Lithic Devourer: +2 Striking, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M), Waxing Moon: 1d20 + 26 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 26 + 1 - 5 = 42 *Natural 20*
(Critical Hit: 2d10 persistent fire (ignores resistance))
Magic, Bludgeoning, Greater Flaming, Ghost Touch, Weapon Specialization, Waxing Moon: 3d6 + 4 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) + 4 + 3 + 4 = 18 + Fire (ignores resistance): 1d6 ⇒ 6
◆ Raise a Shield

Waxing Moon: +1 status to attack rolls, +4 status to damage
AC 40

↺ Flash of Grandeur: Blinding Flash, but no allies are in range.
↺ Shield Block 15, unless it's a Crit (except to remain conscious)

Will (M) S>CS: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25 *blink blink*
Hero Point: Will (M) S>CS: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35 (Success becomes Critical Success)

Chimwemwe braces his mind against the evil whispers. He raises his hand and touches his brow with one finger. He glows with silver light, and a glimmering silver circle manifests in front of his helmet.

Raising his shield, he charges toward the possessed construct.

◆ Cast (manipulate) Touch of the Moon @ Self
Cycle: New - no benefit, Waxing - +1 status attack/+4 damage, Full - +1 status attack, AC, saves/+4 damage, Waning - +1 status AC and saves
◆ Raise a Shield: AC 40
◆ Stride

AC 40
Moon: New

Two Reactions Available: one is Flash of Grandeur

↺ Shield Block 15
↺ Flash of Grandeur: Blinding Flash (15 ft aura)

Crafting (M), Greater Crafter’s Eyepiece: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 23 + 2 = 45 (natural 20)

Chimwemwe considers all he knows, all he has learned while in the hidden city, and possibly things he learned on the other side of life.

"Mm. It was Teacher Janatimo who sent us, mm, well, not here specifically," Chimwemwe says. "He sent us to Mzali, which led us here after a fashion. Old Mage Jatembe has been gone for a long time." He pauses for a few moments. "What is the nemesis?"

We'll go with the clockwork organ then.

"Forewarned is forearmed," Chimwemwe says as he examines the observation chapels. "I should be able to get these working again."

Down in the canyon, Chimwemwe chuckles to himself as he surveys the clockwork mechanism. "And my father would never let me live it down if I could not do something useful here."

I'll roll my Crafting, but I'll let Kiri direct Chim to which one.

Astrology: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Crafting (M), Astrology: 1d20 + 26 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 26 + 2 = 47
OK. That was overkill.

Arcana (M), Hat of the Magi, Pocket Library: 1d20 + 23 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 23 + 1 + 2 = 31

Chimwemwe spends the days pouring over his own charts as well as removing ever increasingly ancient texts from thin air in order to try to decipher the Jistkan scrolls. It proves quite difficult for the resurrected arcanist.

"Then we should secure the scrolls," Chimwemwe says with a cautious nod.

I'll be traveling with kids tomorrow.

"Potent magic, indeed," Chimwemwe says in agreement. "It provides a schematic for a way to nonviolently protect this place. However, at the same time, I am uneasy to consider such a thing. How wide is the distinction between manipulating memory and control of another person?"

Astrology: 1d4 ⇒ 3 (need to remember to use this more often)
Crafting (M), Greater Crafter’s Eyepiece, Astrology: 1d20 + 23 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 23 + 2 + 3 = 39

Blue light flickers across the stone as Chimwemwe inspects the unfinished carving.

Perception (E): 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

"The magic is exceptional," Chimwemwe comments, "Even if the history is deplorable."

Chimwemwe's Will (M): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (17) + 22 = 39 S>CS

"Patronizing, perhaps," Chimwemwe offers his assistance to characterizing the Jiktsan relationship.

"To stifle so much potential, to leave so much unrealized for the illusion of control," Chimwemwe sighs disdainfully.

"This place is fascinating. There is so much to study and learn," Chimwemwe says. "For the first time, I think I may regret the limitations of my human lifespan."

Crafting (M), Greater Crafter’s Eyepiece: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 23 + 2 = 34

"Many places on Garund are haunted like Jaha," Chimwemwe muses, mostly to himself. He looks to Alrinkiri, "I could help shore up the eroding architecture, but I worry that without a reliable way to communicate with the people here, I may run, mm, more amiss."

Chimwemwe nods in abstract understanding. "I wonder if a, mm, regenerative rebirth could be engineered, mm, like the samsaran experience naturally. Or the leshy." He starts tracing runes and equations in the air that only he sees as he starts thinking about a solution nobody asked for.

"Inperantike? My knowledge of the Jistka Imperium is limited," Chimwemwe asks for clarification.

Noting the natural erosion of the city, he asks, "Time seems to, mm, be undoing your engineering. Have you lost the hands to maintain the city?"

At least I have Unmistakable Lore, so worse thing is I think he's a treant.

"Did you know Jatembe, great one?" he asks follows, working to keep his balance as the ground shakes.

Chimwemwe nods as Curling-Wisps-of-Smoke speaks.

"I wish to help Alrinkiri become what they wish to become, and I would defend you from the danger seeking you so that you may continue becoming what you wish to become," he adds his reassurance. "But Wisps speaks true. I would not force my help upon you."

Recognizing that Zadiki's sabbatical may be longer than Koride's lifespan, he adds to Alrinkiri's explanation. "Teacher Koride and this Lore-Master Ok arranged to interfere with the invitations and trade, mmm, matriculating students for the Shadow Magaambya's purpose in exchange for help with an artifact shaped lije a scaled egg. Soomdevi was meant for the Shadow Magaambya but ended up enrolling with us. He has a good heart. Mm. Troubled past, but a good heart."

Zadiki might notice that the tiny gems embedded in Chimwemwe's armor and the brands along his bare arms make constellations--iruxi constellations by their faint linking lines, but the stars are the stars--along with etched astrological and astronomical symbols in the bronze.

"The three of us, yourself, and two fetchlings converged at this point in this vast jungle? Mmm." He ponders, staring off toward the sky. A puzzle box has materialized in his hand as if by legerdemain, which he works absently in one hand. "What does Fate have planned for this moment?"

Chimwemwe checks the latches on his pouches to see if any of his gear might have been scattered across the forest. "My name is Chimwemwe," he says to the Ekujae stranger. "Who are you that Fate has placed in our path?"

"Clear your mind of feeling," Chimwemwe says as he pieces the Kilia Mwibos tactics together. "Place your mind in the state it is in after Mafika made us run laps around Nantambu all day."

For his part, he starts listing the titles in the Archorn Library alphabetically while trying to fall into a measured running rhythm.

Lore (academia) (M): 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (20) + 24 = 44

"We should be able to, mmm, outrun foliage even as he prepares for battle," Chimwemwe says to Curling-Wisps-of-Smoke even as he prepares to engage. "In theory."

As the crashing nears, Chimwemwe raises his colorful shield. He begins to relax and lower his shield as the Ekujae man emerges from the behind the green. When the stranger cries out, he tenses again and braces his feet. "Get behind us, stranger. What pursues you?"

”Of course, my friend,” Chimwemwe says, eyes still tracing the lines of the engravings. ”This has been a goal of yours since we first met at the feet of Teacher Ot.”

Interlude

"I died, but it was not so bad," Chimwemwe awkwardly tries to make light of his experience in the temple. He winces at the earned punch in the arm. "In a way, I am serious. Harder to explain than celestial geometry."

He steps back and stares at the palms of his hands.

"It will sound insane, but my death was more like an invitation," he says as he raises his gaze to meet Esi's eyes. "My body was not torn apart by claws or pierced by arrows." His fingers unconsciously brush the years-old scar on his temple. "I was alive, here in Mzali. Then suddenly, I was somewhere else. A guest in someone's home. And that someone talked to me for a long time. Days. Curling-Wisps-of-Smoke tells me that it was only a matter of minutes."

He shakes his head and smiles ruefully as he steps closer to Esi. He rests his hands upon her shoulders. "It could take me days to try to describe what I still remember. Even as I speak about it, the memory seems to become even more ephemeral." He squeezes her shoulders gently. "What is important is that I am alive, you are alive, and we are together. I do intend to keep it that way for many, many decades."

"That is a good idea. We could make rubbings," Chimwemwe suggests. "I have paper and charcoal."

Of course, the greater striking rune is on a unique weapon... well, there will probably be plenty of money.

I could make use of the greater flaming rune from the pick.

Chimwemwe had been looking forward to a good night’s rest. Not being dead proved physically more taxing than being dead—likely due to a spiritual existence being exempt from material suffering. ”Thank you, Binji,” says as he surrenders any hope of more rest and rises to wash. He chooses to be sincere. The little gremlin is on his own path of self-discovery after all.

In the library, Chimwemwe frequently pauses in his search for the tablets and becomes lost in one of the other ancient scrolls. Once they have located and assembled the four stone tablets, he says, ”We should return these to Walkena as our newly ascended sun god instructed. Let the tyrant learn his future fate and try his best to escape destiny. It will do him no good without a sincere change of heart. We can relay what we have learned to the Bright Lions.”

No objection. I think that's a great idea.

Chimwemwe staggers under the anandi's ferocious hug. "Ow! I am!" he cannot help but chuckle despite the solemnity of the moment. "And I am glad all of you are, too!" He squeezes Curling-Wisps-of-Smoke in return, pats her on the shoulders, and gently disengages himself so that he can look over Akoril and Alrinkiri. His eyes are different. The brown deepened to nearly black and limned by a thin rim of amber that almost seems to glow in contrast. The tattoos, once invisible except when manifesting his experimental energy, are clearly visible as darkened brands along his skin.

"It was very strange. Being, mmm, dead," he confesses, his fingers reaching for his puzzle box--a sure sign this is the man you knew. "I did not feel dead. I was very busy. Mm, I think. I remember there was so much, but it is fading very quickly. Like smoke on the wind."

Chimwemwe hefts his shield. "I remember this!" He traces the brands on his forearm and, instead of the shield glowing with energy, it projects a star field around all of you. If you were an astronomer, you would recognize it is a replica of the celestial bodies in the heavens above you. For the moment the projection lasts, you feel safe and watched over. "If only I could remember it all."

There is a flicker of light--relatively bright in the darkness--from the entrance to the ritual chamber. It flickers again, and, with your attention drawn, you see the tattoos on Chimwemwe's body flicker erratically with white or blue light. Perhaps his experimental magics activated in some unexpected synchronicity with the power released in the ritual. It only lasts a moment, and then there is darkness.

A tense breath later, the light returns. Chimwemwe now stands in the doorway to the ritual chamber, illuminated by a warm amber light, like the late afternoon sun of autumn, that shines from his tattoos and his eyes. A darkness eclipses the light in his eyes, and the light along his markings shrinks and dims to orange, then red, then nothing.

Chimwemwe groans in the darkness.

Fortitude (E): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (9) + 22 = 31
Hero Point: Fortitude (E): 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

The light in Chimwemwe's eyes is eclipsed, and he falls limply to the ground. Perhaps if he had not accepted Walkena's blessing, the Old Sun Gods would not have judged him so harshly.

Reflex (E): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29 (+3 vs. damage)
Fail: 85 - (51-8) = 42

Chimwemwe is not fast enough to get out of the way. The runes on his armor glow as it tries to absorb as much of the heat as it is able. The four Chimwemwe take a defensive stance as they approach the graveknight. They strike down at the cursed champion from multiple angles.

◆ Raise a Shield
◆ Stride
True Target: ◆ +2 Striking, Merciful, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 25 + 1 = 38
True Target: ◆ +2 Striking, Merciful, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 25 + 1 = 44
Magic, Bludgeoning, Merciful, Ghost Touch, Weapon Specialization: 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 4 + 2 = 13 +1 ineffectual fire

↺ Shield Block 13

AC 38
Images: 3
HP 42

"Kiri!" the three Chimwemwe shout. They trace an inverse pattern of tattoos on their arms. Channels within their armor glow, and their skin steams as the currents sear the wound in their sides closed.

After recovering from that process, they traces the voltaic equation in the air. An arc of electricity jumps from each of their hands toward the deathknight.

◆ Searing Restoration: 7d10 ⇒ (3, 6, 8, 5, 3, 1, 7) = 33
Unstable (DC 17): 1d20 ⇒ 14
◆◆ Electric Arc (Basic Reflex DC 31), electricity, evocation, arcane: 7d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 4, 2, 3, 1) + 4 = 20

HP: 118/164
AC: 36
Images: 3

Wouldn't destroy it, but it would break it.

Chimwemwe hisses through his teeth as the pick tears through the scales on his breastplate. The deep gouge pours far too much blood. He quickly grabs a vial of herbs and crystal dust from his belt and applies it to the wound.

Then the arcanist speaks the eldritch arithmetic that weakens the visual barrier between then and now, if and when. Three more Chimwemwes appear and mimic his movements if each a slightly different variation and position.

◆ Battle Medicine (manipulate) vs. DC 20: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (3) + 19 = 22
Healing: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (3, 7) + 10 = 20
◆◆ Cast: mirror image

AC 36
HP 80/164
Mirrors: 3

Chimwemwe grunts in pain as the death knight's weapon punches through his shield. He wrenches it free and raises it to defend himself before tracing the invisible tattoos along his forearm. His armor and shield begin to spark fitfully.

With a grim expression, he slams his shield toward the ancient guardian.

◆ Raise a Shield
◆ Overdrive (manipulate) vs. DC 31: 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (5) + 25 = 30
◆ +2 Striking, Merciful, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (19) + 25 = 44
Magic, Bludgeoning, Merciful, Ghost Touch, Weapon Specialization: 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 + 2 = 14 +Fire, Overdrive Fail: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Chimwemwe looks to the others. "It appears that our fates have intersected with one from the distant past."

"Walkena bent them to his will. Their successors serve his whims," Chimwemwe adds. He considers for several quiet moments. "Neither future circumstance--that the Bright Lions will be able to defeat this knight's challenge nor that we will be free to return with the Bright Lions--are likely." He sighs. "What is your name, if we are to fight you?"

"We do not need to disturb this soul," Chimwemwe observes. He unconsciously traces equations in the air with his finger as he watches the undead knight. "I wonder if what this knight guards is what Walkena truly sought by sending us here. We might inadvertently grant him access to something better kept away from him."

He calls out to the knight, "You were here when the Council attacked."

"Mmm. We can release you. We have dispatched many of the beasts and spirits of this place, and still we stand, so leading you to the surface will not be a challenge for us," Chimwemwe says. "We are in deep in the jungle. It will be a natural habitat for you. We expect that you will not hunt down villages further away. This should be acceptable to you."

Intimidation (U**): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

"That appears to be a simple enough request," Chimwemwe says cautiously.

Recall knowledge: biloko identification/society?

Reflex (E), Bulwark: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 19 + 2 = 33
Success: 26 Fire - 10 resist = 16 damage

Chimwemwe slows down as the shining child rips away Akoril's magic and then flames wash over him. He weaves between the tables to interpose himself between the seriously wounded shining child (#1; #3 if Akoril already took out #1) and Curling-Wisps-of-Smoke.

Chimwemwe swings his shield with the goal of knocking the creature unconscious.

◆ Stride
◆ +2 Striking, Merciful, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 25 + 1 = 27
Non-lethal, Magic, Bludgeoning, Merciful, Ghost Touch, Overdrive, Weapon Specialization: 2d6 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 14
◆ +2 Striking, Merciful, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 25 - 5 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 25 - 5 + 1 = 22
Non-lethal, Magic, Bludgeoning, Merciful, Ghost Touch, Overdrive, Weapon Specialization: 2d6 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 21

Chimwemwe thinks rapidly on his options as the wall of force. He considers the equation that he has been working on to fold space, but it is incomplete and difficult to control. He remembers a device he prepared this morning. With a prayer, he hopes that he prepared the correct sort.

The Lirgeni arcanist removes a wire wrapped crystal from a belt pouch. He touches his thumb and little finger to two specific runes carved upon the stone and then releases it. The stone emits a wave of etheric energy and then clatters to the ground.

◆ Retrieve an Item
◆◆ Activate: Etheric Essence Disruptor (greater)

Q◆ Stride: Dashed line if Success, Solid line if Fail.

Counteract (divine/occult only), Level 6 vs. Wall of Force: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (15) + 18 = 33

Reflex (E), Bulwark: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 2 = 37
S: 19 - 10 = 9
Reflex (E), Bulwark: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 19 + 2 = 34
S: 21 - 10 = 11

Chimwemwe raises his arms reflexively. He armor pulses and seethes as he pushes its limits on raw thermal absorption.

He chases after the bruised shining being and tries to subdue it.

◆ Stride
◆ +2 Striking, Merciful, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 25 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 25 + 1 = 34
Non-lethal, Magic, Bludgeoning, Merciful, Ghost Touch, Overdrive, Weapon Specialization: 2d6 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2, 6) + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 19
◆ +2 Striking, Merciful, Ghost Touch Shield Boss (M): 1d20 + 25 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (14) + 25 + 1 - 5 = 35
Non-lethal, Magic, Bludgeoning, Merciful, Ghost Touch, Overdrive, Weapon Specialization: 2d6 + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 4 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 16