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I apologize for my complete lack of communication. These last few weeks I have been struggling creatively. I haven't been "hearing" my character's voice. I keep thinking "tomorrow" will be different, and so I talk myself out of posting even a comment in discussion. I intend to get back into the mix and be regular. Sorry for the delay...
Reporting in naturally. The Snide & Sly is ready!
I don't accept. Damien and his snark are just too much fun. This crew can RP as long as needed for you to get back on your feet. If I can just demand one last post from you getting the team out of the sewers and back into civilization where we can RP social dinners, trips to the opera, and scheme while in our smoking jackets over cigars and brandy, we can keep it alive!
"I'm certain the rats and things would love to have a clean start at refilthying up the place. Go right ahead and get started, Slidell," Damien says without opening his eyes. Then he slowly sits up fully from the partially seated position he had been placed in order to imbibe the potion which rejuvenated him. Making a grand show of yawning and stretching, the bard looks around blearily at the others. "No one's dead?" he asks in genuine surprise. "But the goblin bride...?" His voice trails off and he places a hand on his forehead and begins rubbing his temples with his thumb and middle finger. "Nevermind that. I have a ranging headache, and I am going to attribute any strange things I may have seen to the rather tender spot on the back of my head." He touches said spot and winces slightly. The potion had certainly helped close any wounds, but some of the pain still lingered. Standing, he brushes off some of the more loose grime from his clothes and peers at the now inanimate piles of bones littering the walkway and poking out of the sludge. "Well, Bernie, that's twice you tried, and both times you failed. What utter coincidence that neither time was I the cause of your death, undeath, nor redeath." Damien kicks a stray femur near him back into the muck. "Please continue to enjoy your stay," he says with a cruel smile. Turning to his companions, he motions a hand indicating to move forward. "Normally, I might ask how everyone is feeling and if they are ready to move because it's the polite thing to do, and no one will ever claim I am anything but polite company. But currently, I feel that exiting this rather unfortunate environ is a much higher priority then whether anyone's exit strategy is a little more painful than they are wont to experience."
Damien remains unconscious and oblivious to the imminent demise of his comrades. In his dreams a giant goblin bride looms over a scene of death and cackles mercilessly as the Once and Future Cabal of which Damien had just now become a member is picked of one by one in a sewer. In his detached dream state, the bard doesn't remember that this is in fact not a dream and is his reality. How strange that the man does not even recognize his own face in the shadows of the grimy light, and instead the spectral form that hovers over it all is really his own spirit, just this close to leaving his body forever but somehow still tethered to the physical form. Damien looks up at the grinning monster leering down at the scene. He smiles back. "Well? What new death do you have for these poor souls? The anticipation is killing me," Damien says with his usual evil chuckle. The irony is staggering to any outsider or demi-god that has any reason to watch these proceedings.
Ohdran is saved from the mockery that would have been sure to follow the realization the warrior had been pulling his punches on their bony foes all this time. Mostly due to the fact the one who would mock him is currently dreaming of electric sheep. Sadly, he is human, and thus cannot provide an answer to the much debated question.
Continuing his mind-blowing and gasp-inducing contribution to the battle so far, Damien gurgles and coughs as his body shudders from the involuntary muscle shakes his body creates trying to regain heat at the loss of blood he has already sustained. Is it shock? He would say shock and awe if he was awake. Sadly, he remains on the filthy sewer floor as useless as the muck staining his clothes.
Hurry up and kill us, Treppa! :-P
The cabal is going down...and Damien never got the chance to be truly wicked. Ah, well. Maybe the thing from down the way will eat him. Better that than become another Mary Sewer! I kid, maybe you guys can still pull it off...somehow! I'd say run and leave the people dying to the skeletons, but I think you guys are kind of fenced in by the bony preview of our fate. Hmmm...what should I roll up if Damien doesn't make it? Maybe I'll play his sister...
A splurt of blood proves Damien is still alive...but for how much longer?
The bleeding seems to have subsided. Looking closely, any survivors of the attack will be able to see that the way Damien fell caused the strap of his spell component pouch, which the bard has strapped to his thigh, to tighten helping to staunch the blood loss. Now he just lied there dreaming of success, ironically envisioning himself and his sister at the top of the Westcrown society while his body is lying in its lowest depths.
Don't make us wait! If you think that's what our now NPC paladin would do...do it! :-D
Can a Small humanoid effectively do anything but wade in that level of murk? It just seems he would choose a different action if that wouldn't allow him to attack with efficiency.
We're waiting on Araxus' action correct?
The easiest way is to always use the same url. That way you don't ever have to change it here. Just save to the same file wherever your maps are currently being stored.
In case you like this idea, GM Treppa, in one of my other games the GM puts the map link in the campaign info. That way it appears at the top under the campaign name on any page, so no matter how many posts happen between the combat and the next time I pull up the thread, I can always easily locate the map for my choices.
Damien jerks back from the pain in his leg. Sadly, he slips on the sewer "grease" and hits his head. He falls bonelessly to the floor and quietly begins to bleed out from the hole in his leg.
Unsurprisingly after a wound such as Bernie has delivered, Damien doesn't appear to be doing well at all.
Damien eyes the nearby collection of bones with a critical eye.
"Bernie?" he inquires with a raised eyebrow. Shaking his head, Damien says wryly, "As much as I would love to claim credit to such a thing, my dear Araxus, I'm fairly certain no one I know has been sent down with the chamber pots. Well, not recently at least."
"But seeing as how you have chosen to go ahead and announce my true name, Araxus, yes everyone, I am called Damien. Mysterio was a fun appellation though, wasn't it?" Damien chuckles. "Even after I asked you so nicely (and in secret!) to remain confidential, too."
"Still with us, horned friend?" Damien says in response. "You've been so quiet recently, I had near forgotten you were here." Glancing around at their locale, Damien smile fades briefly and he sighs. "But I can't help but agree with you, alas. Who would have imagined these blasted sewers were so extensive?" But the usual smirk begins to return and eventually leads to a laugh. "Sorry. I was just thinking of how I will never need worry about anything I have disposed into the sewers ever resurfacing. Well not easily at least." He winks at no one and everyone.
Having ample time to keep watch, Damien looks into even the darkest parts of the sewer. Traveling from one end to the other, he may be able to draw a near-perfect map from memory at this point. I feel like I have been in this sewer for years, he muses. Has it actually been years? Maybe. I'm just not certain anymore. "Anyone else curious as to our mysterious benefactor back there?" Damien asks aloud to keep his mind of the sights and smells around him. "I find myself hoping we have the chance to bargain with it in the future. His mention of appetite already has me thinking of who the best dinner choices for it would be. Dinner companion choices, I mean to say." Damien's chuckle is pure wickedness.
Damien plods along as Amadeo leads through relatively dark areas. After two more markers without incident, the group's spirits seem to be up. As the group reshuffles its marching order, Damien finds himself at the back with everyone in front of him. Inside he chuckles, and it leaks out in the form of a wicked smile. Behind the scenes and watching everyone else's backs, Damien muses. I can't think of a better place to be.
Damien hears nothing over the banter of the others, but he does nod in agreement when Amadeo indicates his impression of the Hellknights last known position. "I believe the tiefling is correct; our pursuers have decided to continue on with their search. If we keep pace behind them far enough back using Amadeo's eyes and their light to guide us, mayhap we will come across the next symbol to follow and then lose them when they head the wrong way."
Damien waits until the others have all exited then turns to address the unseen creature in the darkness. "If rumors and gossip are something you desire in addition to gold, then I hope we meet again. The circles in which I run would be a veritable trove of such information for you. And I imagine with what you may 'See', the exchange of information may be lucrative for both of us. We appreciate your hospitality. Good evening to you."
Wincing at Slidell's comment with mock hurt on his face, Damien looks in Odhran's direction, raises his hands, shrugs in a what-can-you-do motion, and says to the warrior, "And with that, you are now bound to our purpose, or we will indeed have to kill you." He chuckles and it has an evil quality to it. "If you don't wish to be party to possible revolution, could you offer yourself to our mystical host as a snack and solve several problems at once? No?" Damien sighs theatrically before Odhran can even respond. Glancing at Slidell, Damien says simply, "Despite our short time together, I would have figured you would already have learned I don't like to 'mince words' and prefer to speak plainly." He smiles at his own irony. "I admit my 'plainspeak' may be a bit more eloquent and artistic than the average rube, of course, but nonetheless it is all about getting down to brass tacks and making sure everyone is moving forward into the shadows together," he finishes with a wink. He sweeps his hand to indicate their current circumstance. Addressing those same shadows as if to a large crowd, Damien speaks almost conspiratorially, "I am confidant there is certainly something we can offer which will sufficiently satisfy you, Unseen Host of the Deep. I believe we are in a position to become something new in the city. I for one look beyond just making the streets safer and can only imagine what a boon advice from one with your evident experience in avoiding 'Imperial entanglements' would be to the enterprise we now embark. As a gesture of goodwill, we would even promise to factor your presence into our 'making the streets safer' plan and not intrude on the business that other souls choose to do with you here in your haven."
Damien cocks an eyebrow at the shadows paying more attention to the places the voice did not appear to be originating. Paying sole attention to the location one thinks a sound is heard would be an easy way to miss the ambush. "What a novel notion. You claim to be a Seer, one who can watch the future and look into the hearts and minds of men and women, and you look to us to provide something new and entertaining about the city above," Damien says with a smile at the irony. "Truth be told, I feel almost as if you possess knowledge of what we're about (earmuffs, Odhran) and merely wish to amuse yourself with dangling us above an impossibility when you already know full well that we are in fact the the newest thing to happen to this city. If you can indeed see beyond, just letting us live should be new and amusing enough for someone such as you. Just hearing the confidence with which you speak of being able to separate your own life from our dear archdevil tells me that witnessing or being instrumental in a change to the politics or civilization above would at the very least amuse one such as you." Damien produces the the bottle of wine he has on his person again and worries the cork out. He takes a modest swig. Offering the bottle to the darkness, he asks, "Shall we drink to our continued health and the manipulation of hundreds for our own amusement?"
Damien strides into the room without pause. He motions for everyone else to come in and shut the door. He waves his hand and dispels the dancing lights so that Araxus' light will be the only illumination reducing the chance of discovery that way. Despite the ease and boldness he displays, Damien is on high alert, and his eyes move casually around trying to discern any clues as to the nature of their host.
From over Odhran's shoulder, Damien says, "Go ahead now, new friend. I have a feeling his small price will be a better deal than the one those behind us will offer." Damien recasts dancing lights into the room past Odhran.
"Ah, another door to unknown mystery. Why do I feel like we will see plenty of those in our time together? No matter, I concur with Araxus we should try the door. Then we'll ask our cheeky wizard here to use his tricky spell to help make the door appear as if we had not opened it, and it was not disturbed, so our pursuers will have no reason to begin breaking it down. Just a thought," Damien says with a shrug.
Damien steps aside and lets the new meat shield move into position. Patting his shoulder, Damien says to Odhran. "I want you to know, I really appreciate you. Truly." An odd smile appears on Damien's face. "In case you died before I could tell you I just wanted you to know going forward, you may just assume. Whatever manner your death comes, I appreciate you." Damien casts Resistance on Odhran.
Gesturing at the growing light, Damien moves quickly in the direction Camris indicates. Softly, he says, "Perhaps we should try to be as quiet as we can be."
Damien pushes his dancing lights to maximum range in the direction they're headed to reduce the chance those behind them will see their light.
Damien is happy letting his dancing lights spell run. After all, how would he get to view these wonderful environs and add his helpful point of view if he couldn't see a thing?
Of course, leaving it to Amadeo to find the markings in the dark may not really change much considering how completely distracted Damien is with that small spot of burnt clothing and flesh where the Beetles of Base nipped him.
Left mostly alone in the sewer tunnel with his lights, Damien will take a moment to look for any further markings and listen for pursuit. There had been sounds of a battle earlier if he recalled.
Damien smiles wickedly. "A very wise notion. But suffice it to say that I may not be as friendly as you might imagine. The honest truth is that I am a dangerous man and have recently become more so after a rather unfortunate due diligence by the 'Law' in these parts. If I explained further, my comrades and I may actually have to discuss whether or not to kill you, and you look like much too useful of a fellow for such nonsense at the moment. I much prefer to have that discussion calmly over tea, maybe with some tarts, rather than in some dank and smelly place as this. You may call me Mysterio for the time if you require a name. You may even choose to believe it is actually mine, if you wish." Damien winks. Damien sheathes his rapier in a rather theatrical way. He snaps his fingers and the four balls of light zip through the air spacing themselves at equal distances out above the sludge between Odhran and the goblin lair. "Just follow the lights there, and my comrades—one cheeky fellow whom you will know the moment he opens his mouth and some others who will be much more polite—will see to your current toiletry needs. I know you must have quite a few questions, and there may indeed come a time when I feel inclined to answer them. Until that time, allow me to...delay your concerns for another moment. You see, at fairly any given moment the 'Law' I mentioned before may be coming down this beautiful boulevard upon which we now stand admiring the full flavor of last week's pastries." Damien smiles slyly, squints one eye conspiratorially, and wags a finger in Odhran's direction. "Unless I miss my guess, you also desire not to afford such an opportunity for reunion with the kind and merciful friends to be found in such an organization. So suffice it to say, we are of equal purpose! And provided your inquisitive nature (for I am certain you are in possession of one!) does not urge you to ask too many questions about the business of my secret cabal (oh my, did I say cabal?) than I will promise that when I have my tea and tarts and I recommend killing you, the motion is certain to be voted down as my comrades are not even slightly as ruthless and dangerous as I." Damien extends his hand and says with a warm smile, "Partners for now?" If Odhran has any inclination of taking Damien's hand, Damien casually turns to the side, back towards the sewer wall and turns his extended hand into the usher wave directing Odhran down the lighted path to the lair.
Damien slowly follows in the footsteps of his spell. With his rapier set to stab, he cautiously moves down the sewer walkway. At the clear sound of someone yelling, Damien causes the man-shape to split into four glowing balls of light and advances forward. He lowers his rapier into a semi-nonthreatening position but still ready for action. Upon seeing Odhran, Damien quirks an eyebrow and puckers his lips as if he just tasted a lemon. He watches a piece of let's say sludge slide out of Odhran's hair, onto his shoulder, and then off his sword arm to connect with a delicious splat! on the stone walkway. "My, my. Stranger, you've certainly discovered a new fashion the ladies just won't be able to refuse." Damien sweeps his rapier in a gesture pointing back the way he came. "Normally, I would never dream of offering someone the blankets and bedrolls of goblins to clean themselves, but for you sir, I do believe an exception may be required."
"Armed. Why did they have to be armed." Damien grunts at Slidell. He passes out any of his healing potions that are needed to the group, then shoulders his small pack. Damien once again casts his spell of dancing lights and instructs the spell to take the form of a vague man shape. Opening the door, Damien has the glowing man-shape assume a jaunty stride and move along the sewer in the direction of the most current noises. "Hope everyone's done drinking their tea. We just might be needing more soon," he says while drawing his rapier. "If we're lucky, maybe they just came for a shave from their barber friends here." Damien gestures to the goblin corpses while wearing a grim smile.
Damien reaches over and plucks an unusual blade from the pile of goblin goods they had gathered. "Waste not...as they say." He tucks into into his belt with grand gesture. Glancing at the stream of offal close by, Damien smiles. He can't help but wonder if there ever isn't a good time for a pun.
Damien thinks he hears something after the splashing.
Damien hears a bit of something in the distance, and at Slidell's remark gives a barely audible snort. Gesturing Slidell back away from the entry, he turns to take stock of their current comrades. "It certainly seems we have more company, and while we may feel like we've been in this room of goblin splendor for days and days and days, it's really only been a few moments. How ready for combat are we?" Damien begins rummaging through his own pack. "I'm pretty sure we were in possession of some healing potions. If anyone still feels under the weather, let's get to tip-top before we go out and get slaughtered by acid-eating bugs again."
Damien continues to listen and gets ready to yank the wizard back if anything sounds or looks to be trying to lunch on Slidell's face.
Damien cackles and waits for the deaths to begin. He'll be there for those. He wouldn't miss them.
Damien approaches the room door and cocks his head to listen if there are any sounds of pursuit.
Glancing back at the room's occupants, he says simply, "Shall we, gentlemen?" He makes a performer's bow and sweeps his hand in the direction of the sewer.
Damien steps up to the wheezing unconscious goblin and thrusts his rapier through the pitiful creature's heart.
Twisting the blade, Damien says, "Everyone feeling ready to move? Unless those acid eating bugs recognize what can be found in the soul of a Hellknight is exactly what they need, I suspect we need to vacate this area quickly. These bodies will raise enough questions to keep the search active, I am afraid." Withdrawing his steel, Damien raises an eyebrow and nudges the goblin for any further signs of life.
Seeing the little goblin overcome its fear and make a break for it, Damien quickly attempts to stop the escape with a slash of his rapier.
Assuming the goblin survives from his grazing strike, Damien yells, "Araxus! Quick! Before it escapes!"
Damien arches an eyebrow at the halfling's lackluster attempt to save himself and his comrades the threat of leaving someone alive who could oust their cabal's identity before they even became a cabal. In his mind, Damien muses. Surely even in his "goodness", Camris can see that dispatching this evil creature - armed at that - would be for the greater good.
Ugh, Damien finds himself thinking. Already the paladin ruins my enjoyment of these little moments.
Damien looks at the terrified little thing before them. Stepping up, he swings his rapier almost nonchalantly. It almost looks like he isn't attempting to strike true.
"It won't do to let the Hellknights have a prize from which to torture information." With his empty hand's forefinger, he taps his cheek while holding his chin. "Ironically, we may even be able to deny our favorite law-abiding enforcers knowledge of the existence of these gobbo pests. If our friendly acid loving swarm of insects is still on our trail, I would imagine they might stop to feed on something still warm...and not running away." His eyes don't leave the goblin archer's trembling form, and if his swing has not yet caused enough damage to end the pathetic sewer dweller's life, Damien prepares a hopefully more fatal strike.
Damien rushes into the room still "aflame" and bellowing something about goblin livers tasting best when eaten while their owners are alive. He fixes the goblin archer with a mean eye and sneers in an awful manner.
"I have you now, Green Beans! Dinner time!!" Damien screeches in his best slobbering barbarian accent. Thank Hell I have had so much exposure to the theater, Damien thinks to himself.
Damien runs forward yelling and brandishing his sword...boy, this sewer is much longer than he thought. He's not sure if his move stat covers running for almost a month without pause. Ah, well, he mentally shrugs. At least the swarm of critters is taking just as long to catch up with us.
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If any Paizo staff or other Seattle residents are reading and don't have plans for Friday night, I highly recommend the Straight No Chaser concert at Benaroya Hall - Nordstrom Recital Hall. I drove to Montreal to see them a couple of weeks ago and it was an amazing show - a great ten man a cappella group. If anyone goes, enjoy. I'll be jealous. Angus
Last night Billy Joel and Elton John brought their Face to Face tour to Ottawa. I had seen Billy Joel before, but had never seen Elton John, and have always wanted to see one of their tours together. I am so happy that I went to the show, it was probably the best concert I've ever experienced. I highly recommend the tour to anyone that has a chance to go and is wavering on whether or not they should. It will be worth it.
I wasn't sure where to place this and thought that thanking Paizo would probably be better here than in the Off-Topic Discussions forum since thanking them for good deeds doesn't seem to be off-topic. I just got home from the last day of CanGames in Ottawa, Ontario, and want to thank both Paizo and Craig Shackleton (Rambling Scribe on these boards) for their contribution to the convention. The thanks to Paizo is for the donation of copies of Kill Doctor Lucky! and Stonehenge that were used as prizes for the events being run there. The thanks to Craig is for running both games all weekend long with new ones starting up pretty much on the hour, every hour. You did a great job teaching new players to play so many of the games. It was also nice to have someone to talk Pathfinder with. Many thanks! Angus MacLennan |
