DM Alaion's page

Glad to hear your feeling better and didn't get robbed. Sadly things on my end have not been stable either and I am scaling back on a lot of things in response to that. DMing is part of that so I think for now this game is going to be on hold and I don't know when I will come back to it.

We were just getting to the interesting stuff but since when does life care you know. Still, I hope things get better for you and you keep on with pbp. ;)

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Did you miss the last post?

Oh but being evil is not about raising a tool but rather using a tool. You send a newbie to spy on the pro while sending a second pro to watch the newbie. When the newbie gets taken to the slaughter then the pro takes their chance or gets to be the second tail while they let their guard down after the kill. You see if you win they win if you lose they win, and if they lose twice then next time they just murder them and information be damned. Being good means you have to be better because you restrict yourself out of morality. If you did not then you would not be good.

Not really, more like they pick up on subtle things because it's their job. They put more effort into training and getting people into a level they can manage. You don't send a newbie spy to follow a pro spy killer with a few decades in the game for example. If this was a more neutral or evil nation, they would just throw you into the meat grinder. Only the strong survive and the weak perish. Since they are a good nation they tend to care more about your life than their goals. At least to a degree.

Woot we hit the big 300 in gameplay.

You notice Jack jerk his head to one side as he seemed to suddenly find the ceiling very interesting. While as you spoke Mr. Cobalt was shaking his head. The elf gave nothing away as he simply stared and listened to you. As you finished Mr. Cobalt speaks.

"As I predicted."

Elred slowly raised a hand to keep him from going on.

"To be fair it was as Jack predicted as well, if not in so many words."

That seemed to keep Mr. Cobalt silent. You get the sense that there was a battle going on between the two concerning your fate. Yet not something so simple as being for or against. The elf continues.

"I have heard from both my colleges here as well as the reports. To be honest you have not done as well as hoped. Yet your shortcomings are not so pronounced as to be considered a lost cause. Sadly we do not have the luxury of half measures and we would be irresponsible to send you on a fool's mission to die or worse. So I will propose a final task. You will be given no support or aid of any kind. As this task is a vital trait for your future with us. Without it, you are useless for the intended role."

You get the sense he is studying you very carefully now.

"You are to recruit individuals from within the city. They can have no ties to any organization of any kind. Churches are exceptions of course, should you seek out a priest."

He opens a drawer and produces a steel rod with runes on it. Placing it before you on the desk.

"If you accept this task. Swear to serve Andoran with this rod in hand, then get those you recruit to do the same before returning here with it and them. Do you understand?"

The next day Zatsa wakes and goes about her morning ritual before setting out for the fortress. The trip takes a while as the city slowly comes alive and more people fill the streets as the sun rises. None the less she makes it before the appointed hour.

The great Fort Constance stands before you. Heavy solid stone walls with a single open gate meet you. The guards are clear to see in not only on the ground before entering but patrolling the wall as well. When you get to the gate guard and give your name, you are escorted inside. Soon enough you are lead through hallways and corridors to a well lit office.

Inside you find a large oak desk. A minibar with food and drink to one side. With a number of chairs before the desk and against the wall. Another door behind the desk leads to what you presume is a private chamber of the office's resident. Which you hear voices coming from as it seems at least a pair of people are speaking to each other on the other side. The guard bids you take a seat and wait while he knocks on the door, letting himself in shortly after. Supposedly to let them know you have arrived. After which the guard excuses himself and leaves.

You don't have to wait long before the door opens and your old friend Mr. Cobalt walks in. Followed by Jack and another man you have never seen before. The newcomer is a tan skinned lean elf in blue robes with black trim. His pupil less eyes are solid gold, his long black hair is pulled back and tied into a tight single braid that stops just under his shoulders.

"Sit."

Says Mr. Cobalt as he points to one of the chairs before the desk. Jack leans on a nearby wall with an expressionless mask. Mr. Cobalt stands opposite Jack on the other side of the lone chair behind the desk which the elf sits in.

"I am Elred, one of the commanders of this fort. As well as overseer of this region for the Andoran Navy."

Elred gave off a calming aura, unlike the stern Cobalt or whimsical Jack. Elred had a sense of gentle control about him.

"I have heard from both my colleges here about you. Now I would like to hear from you Miss Seastar. What is your view on yourself, your actions, and what we should do with you?"

For once your shopping goes as planned and you get a fair deal. You find the items you are looking for as well without much trouble. Port cities being more reliable than most for such a task.

You can move on to the next day or wait for me to post moving things on.

You get 2155 gp and 5 sp from loot. What you want cost 2335 gp. So with the money you had on hand from before you have 111 gp 10 sp left after all is said and done.

Giving you a chance to shop and such before the verdict falls on your poor fate.

"Of course not, I'm much more important than a mere Captain."

He says with a chuckle and a smile before going off to give orders.

The next few days pass in a blur as things are mostly calm and routine. Jack chases Godun for guzzling an entire barrel of ale one night but otherwise little of note beside hard work and sunny days. The crew was in a much better mood having crushed and chained some pirates. The previous defeat seemed forgotten if not those that had fallen.

Finally you make it to port in Augustana with your prize in tow. The Talon is docked while your prize is sent to the shipyards. Everyone is given shore leave while Jack stops you as you are leaving.

"Make your way to the fortress on Admiralty Hill tomorrow before noon. Don't be late, your final judgment will be brought down there. Good luck."

He leaves you with that.

Well, those three are pretty useful in general so you wouldn't go wrong with them but considering your a bard with knowledge bonuses I can see why you would not want to max them.

I would remind you that you should recruit people you may find useful. It's a solo game but fighting by yourself is not the best course of action you know.

I won't tell you what kinds of monsters you're going to encounter but I will say that as a pirate game you can expect most things that live on, near, or under the sea.

I will have a post moving forward to land at long last later or tomorrow.

You can level up.

Feel free to post something if you want to do something while being worked to the bone on the ship. Once your done updating I'll post, nothing between here and port. Let me know when you're done.

After a while Jack comes around looking like a daisy, apparently, these pirates didn't match the gnolls.

"We are splitting the crews. The Talon will take all the prisoners and lead the way. This ship will follow while being crewed with sailors on loan from the Talon. I'll be taking command so my people will be on this ship. That includes you of course. No more lazying around, once the exchange is complete your going to work."

He slaps you on the shoulder with a smirk.

I'll move things along tomorrow.

The halfling gives her an annoyed look as he takes the dagger.

"Do I complain about your dancing. Looks like someone needs another lesson of don't poke the halfling."

He shuffles off with that, speaking over his shoulder as he goes.

"Jack will answer that when he makes his rounds. I'm going below deck, stay up here."

The pirates are already mostly stripped of their possessions and being transferred over to the Talon.

He was a bard, devilish, aren't I.

Giving you the loot list a little early. So many tabs open at the moment.

As for no one hitting you with glitterdust before. Silly rookies.

By pure luck or design, the strike hits true and the half elf feels as well as hears a loud crack. Which knocks him out cold just as Zatsa delivers her taunt. Apparently seeming to speak to no one.

During the back to back battles, the tide had been ridden by the whole crew. The pirates were surrendering as true to Jack's words, the crew was not in a merciful mood while they cut down stubborn pirates. The ship was lost and it was clear to those wise enough to settle for shackles over the grave.

Godun after some hard rubbing came up beside Zatsa. Giving the half elf at her feet a good kick as he spoke.

"Tricky scum that one. Looks like we got ourselves a new ship. Not a bad prize, if she has some good drink in her belly than she'll be a better one in my eyes."

Mingle or bemoan.

For anyone that underestimates glitterdust, you know nothing. ;P

The half elf backs up with a deadly grin. He cast a spell with his free hand, he was not just skilled but a veteran pirate. An explosion of dust spreads out from its source covering everything and everyone in the area. Hitting Zatsa and Godun full force, exposing the formerly hidden Zatsa. While stinging both of your eyes, only Godun gets the worst of it.

"Dirty bastard, I bet your mother was a pig in a wig that drugged your dainty father in an outhouse."

The now blinded halfling curses.

Your not blinded but your not invisible. Your up.

Yet again the half elf pirate slaps away the strike with his thin blade. But as before he misses a strike in turn, due to his continued snickering. That was until he suddenly found a dagger sprouting out of his leg.

"I'm going to cut you down to my size."

The halflings flying blade had arrived before him. He would be upon the half elf soon. Who was no longer snickering.

Your up

The half elf slaps your sword away while striking with his own only to miss. He seems to be snickering, he was laughing at you which may have been why he missed.

You up.

It seems that Zatsa's strike lands hard but the pirate stays standing until he falls over with a blank look. Your victory is short lived as in a flash a slender blade comes out of nowhere. It lands squarely in your chest. A second pirate, this one a half elf with a rapier is the newest threat. Clearly a cut above the one you just laid low, his mocking smirk saying as much.

You take 3 damage.

The tide turns in Zatsa's favor as she lands her first strike against the pirate and it is a heavy one. The pirate appears torn between making a run for it and standing his ground before he swings out hard with his blade. But his indecision was no bluff and he misses badly.

Your up

The pirate presses the attack as he brings his blade to bare only to miss. Zatsa seems to have regained her footing and dances out of the way. You hear a commotion behind you as it is approaching. The all too familiar howling of a certain halfling. While your long legs had given you a head start, you suspect Godun would be joining the brawl soon enough.

Your up

The pirate easily dodges the strike only to spin back with his short sword coming from a strange angle. The unexpected attack lands, leaving its mark like the last. While it seemed these pirates were not as wild as the slavers, they were no less deadly.

Your up and currently have taken 16 dmg. Sorry, I forgot it in the last post.

Been a little busy myself. Should be on track now.

Zatsa barely clears the railing and makes an unsteady landing on the enemy ship. The fighting is already in full swing. Unlike the last ship you encountered there are no gnolls on this one, in fact, it does not seem to be a slave ship. You appear to be dealing with much simpler pirates interested in material plunder rather than the kind made of flesh and despair.

A human pirate suddenly appears out of one of the groups nearby taking a swing at you with a short sword. Your awkward landing or sudden surprise dull your reflexes enough for the blade to find your flesh. It leaves a bright angry line of blood on your arm as it connects.

Your up.

It almost seems like a different ship. Most of the crew is moving like a wave with you. Ready to lay waste to the enemies before them rather than simply subduing a pirate ship. Many beat you to the railing, vaulting over or in the case of Jack jumping clear over on to the opposing ship.

I need an acrobatics check.

Again the Talon shows it's might as it suddenly turns with unexpected power. The incoming ship finds itself staring down the metal plated figurehead of the great ship. If the two ships collide the sheer bulk and superior craftsmanship of the Talon would break the smaller vessel apart. The enemy pilot had some skill as they quickly adjust to avoid hitting it head on, instead seeking to cut along the side of the behemoth.

Both the Talon and her crew would have none of that. A rain of grappling lines launches from the larger ship just as a volley at near point-blank range is fired from the ship. In a matter of moments, the enemy ship was shredded and firmly tied down.

Jack and Godun appear beside Zatsa.

"No half measures this time. The Captain wants that ship and everyone on it. Dead or alive, as long as their pirates it does not matter."

Without more Jack takes off at his usual all to fast speed. Godun takes a swig of something.

"After you."

Says the halfling.

I am going to say no. Bucklers may be strapped on but when you use two hands you lose your shield bonus with the buckler so by the same token defending with it takes up any use that using that hand would. At least that's my reasoning.

The hits just keep coming. Let me know if you have any questions.

The ship remains anchored just off the coast as repairs are made, the wounded are tended to, and the dead are prepared for a burial at sea. Even the battle tested and veteran sailors seem subdued. While they had survived, none felt like they had won, there was a tense edge that lingered about the vessel.

As promised a day later the man o war was moving once more on the waves. Once in deeper water, the dead were chained and tossed overboard as was custom, sent off with offerings ranging from words to a good drink. Even with wounded still recovering the ship was back at it's best. Her well trained crew not letting her down. Time would heal what little wounds were left on her when she docked, even if her scarred hull gave off a very different impression.

Or so was the thought before no less then a day later another ship was sighted. The bell rang out as the swift brigantine came barreling towards the greater ship. It was clear the braggart of a ship thought them wounded and broken by mere sight alone. The edge that had lingered was sharpened by the insult. Where the sailors before had been determined and professional, now they were hungry and grim. They scrambled as before, only now with deadly intent. These pirates picked the wrong ship on the wrong day.

Anything you want to do before moving on?

Jack shakes his head.

"No orders. We will be held up for a day or two doing repairs."

May I make a suggestion about how to do what Akorian said?

Jack stands uncomfortably nearby. Jax had not been the only fallen today and he was not one to play favorites as he had not known the man personally very much. Godun pours some of his precious drink upon the deck for the fallen before taking a pull himself. He too gives Zatsa her space.

So what's your plan for the fleshfair exactly?

It's funny that you think this is me being cold. It's funny too that you think it's a revenge arc as if I am that simple. >:)

Anything else you want to do before I move on?

Jax is dead without a doubt. The spearman had left three large holes in his body with his spear. One at the throat, the heart, and the stomach. Judging by the wound he had not simple impaled him but twisted the spear as the strikes had been made to cause maximum damage.

You quoted it. Do not deduct the nonlethal damage from your current hit points. It is not "real" damage. Basically, if your nonlethal damage does not overshadow your hp it has no effect on anything you do. Nonlethal damage heals naturally every hour as it is not true damage while without a good rest you will never heal lethal damage naturally because it is lasting damage that requires care.

I don't see anything that states nonlethal damage stacks with lethal damage for a total. Now you could argue he should have been unconscious one round earlier but that would effect nothing and be because I forgot about it. So you would be right if you argued that but you didn't. xP

First off nonlethal damage does not get added on to damage. So when you switched you basically started from 0 which is why you don't switch. As to the gnolls stats, not telling. But I will say that he had 1 hp before your last attack so really the dice just got you. The same way they got me in which every time you broke off he could not hit you, it was just plain silly.

I will have a loot list for you later.

Well, that was intense if I do say so myself. Who knows what will happen next.

Whatever or whoever the spearman is, you do not know. The gnoll finally falls below your blade. You get a small break before something rolls past your feet and springs up. It's Godun looking worse for wear but alive and intact for the most part.

"Damned meat grinder."

He shakes his head before focusing on you.

"Girly if Jack needs help then we would both be dead before we could spit on them."

Suddenly there are whistles from above and a cry of men from the side of where you stand. Bubbling up like a wave from below deck come fresh marines and the Captain. Raising his sword he speaks a word you can't hear. You feel not only energized but refreshed as something washes over you. While at the same time the invaders seem to shudder beneath it. But the greatest effect is shown on the spearman. As if some great invisible hand grabbed him by the collar, he seems yanked off the ship. That expressionless mask finally cracked with deadly annoyance as he spun himself midair to land skillfully back on the galley.

The spearman's exit triggers a series of barks and yaps from the gnolls, they flat out retreated back to their ship. The marines following their training returned to their own ship from the enemies to reform their lines. Yet the gnolls seemed to have been ahead of them as the ropes and boards had been severed between both vessels as they left. Within moments the yellow sail is making its way back to open water. A fog bank covering it's run. The captain gives out orders, only the gnolls had been doing more than just fighting. They crippled the rudder during the battle, by the time they fixed it the enemy ship would be gone. Even sluggish the Talon could be deadly so instead, they had planned to run from the start.

Jack makes his way over, emptying a bottle. He looked pretty torn up but his wounds were healing over now.

"Bastard nearly killed me. Good thing he was arrogant. Worked for me, others weren't so lucky."

A marine came by to report the wounded would be taken care of on the deck. Once the rudder was repaired they would make for the coast to drop anchor.

You can get to them but you may want to consider why they have been left alone by both sides. ;)

While you can't see the halfling with all the madness of combat going on around you. You can hear his voice cut clear the sounds of battle.

"Get off my back woman I'm fighting. Shriek at the enemy, not me!"

The gnoll just keeps coming and yet again his spear tip fails to find you as he chases you.

Your turn

Zatsa lands a hard strike that cuts deep but somehow the gnoll is still standing while finding the strength to lash out in turn. Be it death throes or determined not to die alone he manages to land another hard hit.

The spearman bleeds but looks far from hurt while Jack seems to be rushing to meet his maker. None the less the rake shows no fear or weakness as he keeps up his relentless exchange.

You take 12 damage

Well, it's not like the wand gives you an extra attack or AC after all. But you may want to consider what having a wand in hand entails. As with anything that is held it will be subject to combat maneuvers and such.