Figured as much.
Not an issue of course. Thanks for the great hooks and the vivid descriptions.
I hope to play with you all again at some point!
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It's regrettable that it had to come out like this but it's better that things never fester. I do think that both of you taking your time was the right call so I'm not concerned about the mini hiatus. I'm fine with continuing but we will definitely need another player to put us back to four. The question is are you? If the answer is no, that's also fine. If it's maybe, that's okay as well. Ultimately this is supposed to be fun and if it ceases to be fun or is not fun it's fine to say that. Today I'll be playing Skull and Shackles for most of the day so I won't be following this thread, but I'll check back later on.
I read this after I made my post and I will take a bit of time to think about where my various lines in agency are before committing something here. In terms of basics, I really don't want any assumption on my part unless I explicitly stated to (for example, using my ability on LN actions that Abadar would appreciate in order to expedite). I am very fine with a slower game, in fact it is one of the main reasons I play PBP still despite my friends not getting it at all. Truthfully the only time I really don't want to feel in control is when I roll dice. @Kalig: Whether I disagree with you or not shouldn't matter ultimately as it should be respected case by case. And if you are fine with X as your limit and I am fine with Y as mine, then I should do my best to accommodate for X.
Danton is able to appreciate the garden and the Sheylnite temple. For whatever reason there was this stigma that those who worship Abadar don't appreciate art and beauty. It wasn't true of course, it was just that those things were much lower on a list of priorities than others. All in all he keeps his mouth shut and his demeanor somewhat pleasant. He didn't like this place, it was too bright, too capricious. Every moment felt like there was some new patch of colour or sound that was out of place and it kept him off centered. When the elf starts with the platitudes about the High Enumerator and how his congregation would be the one to save this city, Danton excuses himself. "I'm sorry, I remembered I have some work to do before we meet with the Lady tonight." He gives a polite nod and leaves, a coldness trailing him. Once he was out of sight he dropped the meager facade he held as a guest. Unbelievable hubris. He left the garden quickly and in disgust, nearly knocking over a couple of gardners in the process. Eventually he made it outside the grounds and focused. Recounting values of trade and standard currency conversions. He came to the conclusion that the Sheylnites were full of nonsense, feelings without logic. However he remembered his training, he needed to not give in to those same feelings and look at this objectively despite their insulting claim. What could he have meant though? There must be some truth to scare them into saying something so preposterous. An Underwriter was responsible for these types of matters so if there truly was an issue he would figure it out. This place seems to be full of mystery.
I'll admit I'm a bit lost. Are we all at the Shelynite temple?
Danton gives a smile at the Lady's comment. Of course that was the way if things, but perhaps when they discuss more about the situation they can get more leverage. The whole thing was peculiar though. The wizard. The kobolds. A giant horde. The implications of what could be happening worried him. There were stories about the area, but they were just that... stories. Right? "I think regardless of what happens next we must regroup. There's something going on here and I would like to know what it is. There's much wealth to be organized and sorted, and without the whole story, I doubt we can find its rightful owners." He accepts the offer.
Danton returns back from the rites and speaks plainly to the Lady, "We have uncovered far more than what we anticipated." He waves in the general distance, "Before we continue and tell more about our findings, I think we need to renegotiate, or at least agree to in the near future."
14 hour day today, I'll try to get something tomorrow but for now I need to get to bed. Sorry!
Danton isn't much for hauling but he is good at managing people, and he was concerned about a crowd of nosy townsfolk. Not that they didn't have a right to know what was found down there, but unless a proper inventory was done and unless they knew how it got there, he wouldn't trust them. Villagers had a way of getting heated and causing damage when they didn't know details, so he kept as many as he could at bay. The Abadaran knew better than them after all.
Got a bit confused there myself. I'm just communicating my plans and how rigid I'm going to be with them. Kind of funny how the character informs the meta choices lol.
Unfortunately with how Danton is set up he needs every Cleric level he can. It makes no sense for him in and out of game to dip so I cannot help in this endeavour.
The cleric weighed in on Kalig, "This money may have very well belonged to the town. I don't think we should get excited until we know more about it but I do think some of it should belong to us." He feigned being in deep thought, "Perhaps the Church of Abadar can hold it for the time being. Assuming we get it out of course."
The priest shrugs at Niccan and Quintus' suggestion, "You may be right of course but I will not rule it out. I don't fully trust our current employer truthfully, and I worry there is more to this than burrowing kobokds." Danton gives a sigh when Kalig starts to rummage, "Let me see whatever you bring me..."
He really does not want to go through the mess of stuff to evaluate everything, but he will do so knowing full well that it will be required in the future, "We are washing up after right?" The disdain from his voice is only matched by the exhaustion of the day.
"I fear our wizard friend might be dead." It was a matter of fact. Danton had issue with many of the dead bodies down here, but he somehow couldn't muster up anything for the wizard. Perhaps it was the exhaustion of the day, or maybe it was the arrogance of an arcane wizard. Ultimately the underwriter organized it internally under "not important right now". "So. It appears that this place has been connected deeply to the kobolds, but the question is why? The Cantleclures weren't known for being magnanimous and kind, I worry that they had some sort of deal with the kobolds and they're coming to collect now." It was purely speculation of course, the Abadaran had to keep an air of knowledge about him. He would hate to lose the trust of these very competent allies.
Danton inspires Kalig while she examines the body. "I wonder if we could tell just based on the type of rocks that have fell how old that body might be..." His insight was strange but it came from Abadar himself, hopefully it may provide some idea for Kalig.
Danton is pragmatic. He has seen Niccan summon a bird earlier.
Could we use monster summoning to trigger the tripwire?
I'm enjoying the pace, it's great as long as I get my weekends away from my computer lol! Re Replacement: I'm fine with a new player as long as they can keep up with the game honestly. Now that we've started they can check out the rate and posts and stuff and judge for themself. Re Trapfinding: We just need a rank into Disable Device Kalig, you don't need to dip a level really. Trapfinding allows you to disarm magical traps in addition to the mundane default, and I don't see us hitting many of those at this level.
"We are on dangerous ground here figuratively and literally. I do not want to end up buried alive." Despite Abadar's domain being one of Earth, Danton didn't truly feel comfortable down here. He wasn't sure if it was the spirits, or something else. "Have we considered that the tripwire may be attached to something to cause a cave-in?" He looks up and down the wall, "If that is the case, we have no clue how expansive the damage due to age could be."
Danton chuckles. "I don't believe so. Though the Master of the First Vault can never have enough clerics. As civilization grows, as does our number. It is the nature of the beast." He shakes his head at the thought of more lifting. "I'm not keen on the work but it must be done. I will say though, I am keeping a line by line invoice of added expenses. Whether or not we get it though... I will do my best."
I am back in the game. I'll be getting my post up later this evening. Would you mind if I just started from where we currently are and just assumed I was there?
The priest watched the party's resourcefulness. They are very competent. I will definitely have to get them a raise. Danton gave a silent smile. Perhaps I will be able to get out of this podunk town sooner rather than later.
Danton nods. "With everything going on down here, we may need to alter the deal anyway. There's something bugging me about the Cantleclures but I can't put my finger on it right now." He began to think on it, What was it?
It's been an exhausting few days but now it's the last stretch. I should be back up and running by Wednesday / Thursday. Please continue without me and I will catch up when I can.
Danton raises an eyebrow at the acid, "Well I certainly expected that. Nothing good grows in the dark and oozes like that." He reflexively steps away from the green. "I am not good at climbing at all... Nor am I equipped to do heavy labour like set up an entire bridge system." He sighs, "But this does leave me curious." He wonders if there was a way to sub out the job to some villagers, but he quickly dismissed the idea. Shaking his head he followed Kalig, "I'll join you. If there's yet another swarm you shouldn't be alone."
"If it lives I may be able to waste it away. I am not sure though." The cleric was frank about his knowledge.
Danton happened to know a lot about the Cantleclures.
A strange area of study for sure but her obsession was helpful. Clearly something of her fascination rubbed off on him. "He who prospers, labours...?"
Same with me, with the summer ending it's back to teaching kids maths so they can play games like this. I'm fine with a smaller party, truth be told it may be selfish but it makes my job easier. Plus I am liking the dynamics we have so far. It's neat to have a more lawfully aligned party, which I don't see all that often online. Also I don't want to get too personal, but my grandfather has just entered palliative care today, so if I do disappear for a handful of days, I will be back, but it's just life happening. I will try my best to keep you all in the loop but I may not have the space or power to.
"Despite that ordeal we have made it through." The cleric coolly recomposed himself. "Niccan, what is that you've noticed?" He saw the ratfolk move around and examine the walls until he came upon the hidden door. Danton moved over, being careful not to touch any of the disgusting implements, corpses, and remains as he did so. Magdh? Did I hear that correctly? He was somewhat wary of the Eldest, but at least Magdh was one of the less capricious ones.
"If there is a passage here, we should ensure it is clear before we report back. Providing false, or worse, misleading information can prove problematic." He had a suspicion that Kalig might make a fuss as it wasn't a pragmatic decision to push onward, "However, I have a feeling the whole story with our employer hasn't been revealed to us, and I do worry what might happen if she has nefarious intent." The priest wasn't sure what the course of action was, but thankfully Abadar was clear. Finish what you've been paid to do.
I imagined the Ready would work like that, the trigger was if he showed up, so he couldn't have shown up until he attacked. It all makes sense! Also don't feel bad about the encounter I'm loving it. It's suitably creepy and gross and it's perfect in terms of ambience. Swarms just be swarms. It happens!
@Kalig: I've seen my share of deadly 1st level encounters and this one is pretty nasty. The nausea saves are nuts! Also don't forget that some of those halls might still be Haunted, we don't know the triggers and how long they're disabled for.
Danton bleeds out a little and plans to cure himself to stop his life from ebbing out. Moving away from the little creature that is bound by his order, he calls upon some restorative magic.
Danton treads carefully in the dark, not knowing where the rat creature was. He readies a Command, harnessing the power of the Inevitables to impose his will on the creature.
Well I tried. That was a solid effort lol.
We got this though!
Danton sees the flicking shape in the shadow but doesn't have a chance to catch what it was. Whatever it may be, it was not the all consuming swarm that was the current threat. He shifts a bit in the darkness and fires off another pulse of negative energy, tinged with earthy black, this time filling the whole room. "Abadar! Provide us the power I need to ensure order in this crypt!"
I'm here but I'm going to wait on the results of the AoOs before acting. If they wipe the swarm I'll probably ready a Command, otherwise I'll check the map and see if I can burn it safely.
@GM Heat: Hope you don't mind me answering rule questions if they pop up. I like keeping things flowing if I happen to know the answer in my brain grimoire.
Spoiler:
A melee is defined by 2 or more fighters threatening each other. Since swarms don't threaten, you are not in a melee so you won't incur the -4 penalty!
Swarms do not threaten creatures, and do not make Attacks of Opportunity with their swarm attack. However, they distract foes whose squares they occupy, as described below.
I had a window and decided to take it. Sadly I didn't roll that well on the damage... was hoping for at least 4!
Danton sees the swarm and it is a lot bigger than the shadows let on. He knew he had to act while they had the momentum. "We have a job to do. My faith will protect me." He moves through the swarm, knocking some of the skittering creatures away and enters the room again. . Seeing both the ratling and the swarm, he summons up some divine power and channels it outward. A black, earthy wall, as solid as a vault itself engulfs a portion of the room.
The wave passes harmlessly through Niccan, Quintus and Kalig.
The room filled with dread, there was no hope for diplomacy here. Whatever this creature was, it was vile and probably needed to be eradicated. When Niccan called for a tactical retreat, the priest immediately knew those instincts were right. "Kalig, Niccan, I'll stay with you as we pull back." Between the heavier gear and the smaller frame, he wouldn't leave them in this room. The rat-like creature was probably some kind of outsider, and while it was small it seemed to command the respect or fear of the swarms nearby. They couldn't allow it to continue whatever agenda it had.
Channel Foci like the Just Scale are kind of unclear, I'm unsure if I need to charge it up in advance or if it is expended as a part of the swift action. If it's the former, can I charge it up right now and then ready the action to Diplomacy? Does Channeling into a focus have a noticeable visual effect?
Danton had never seen such a creature before. He knew enough to know it was unnatural, and he let Niccan take the lead for a moment. Whatever it was, he was certain it would not appreciate Abadar, not with the way it was talking. The cleric kept his holy symbol at the ready though and clutched the heavy scales in one hand. Let's see what happens. He prayed a silent prayer that Niccan would be able to handle whatever creature this was.
Danton was not suited for this, but he accepted the coin and now had to see it to completion. Anything less than his best would be sin in the eyes of the First. "Traps. How quickly we forget what brought us here in the first place. Maybe not directly but certainly by extension." The dark didn't make it easy so he let Niccan lead. "I'll bless whoever opens the door. I pray we don't need it."
Let's say he's from Taldor then. I'd always pictured him as someone from a more grand place so that works out well; especially with his political background. Thanks!
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