Db3's Narrator's page

I looked at the Taking Ten rules just to be sure, because there is something bad for failure in this case, but it seems to be the case that you can. First time I ran this people nearly died. From falling rocks. It was amazing.

Open to the sky above, this exposed floor contains only some smashed furniture and a sprinkling of rubble. A trap door is set into the floor against the the northwest, but a stout timber has fallen across it. Working together, everyone can easily move it though, and descend into it.

The tower's large ground floor has mostly collapsed under the rubble, but along the western portion of the room a section remains clear of debris. An iron trap door set in the floor is directly below the one you just came down through. Shattered wooden furniture lies scattered around the corpses of two more green scaled kobolds....

Everyone has gained 100 experience.

...forget I said that. >.>

While it looks easy enough to climb -moreso with Ahzuma's rope- the rubble doesn't look very safe to climb. Careful foot and hand placement is likely going to be needed for those without wings.

DC 5 climb check. You get a +2 from the rope on this check. Failure means you slide to the bottom and take 1d6 points of damage from the rubble that followed you down.

Knew I forgot something. The second floor has collapsed partially too, leaving a large opening and a wall of rubble to climb up.

If Lady Origena showed any signs of frustration or bewilderment at the responses, they are lost on the party. In any case, she gestures back at the Witch Tower.

"It appears the door is blocked. Probably by the collapse. You'll have to go in through the second floor or dig your way through. Come and find me when you've discovered why the tower fell to receive your payment."

And with that, the Lady and her son walk off back towards town.

Lady Origena seems unphased by the conversations and in fact shows no sign of even hearing them. Her son talks quietly to her for a moment, pointing out that the town guard was bit understaffed at the moment, and she nods.

"It seems today is your lucky day to prove yourselves if you'll have it. I want to know what happened here, and Mulle and Hod" she gestures to the deputies that were just puttering around before, "Are in over their heads without the Sheriff holding their hands. For the price of four hundred gold apiece, I'd like you to check out the Witchtower and find out what went on here." She pauses and looks at Hunclay Manor with a frown. "And if you find any sign of Hunclay in their, there is an extra hundred in it for you. It seems strange he isn't our here strutting like a roaster over the tower's fall."

"Why is exactly what I'd like to know." A clear, confident voice replies. Those who look for it's source find a middle-aged woman and a young man have walked up to the group. Both wear finer clothes than the other townspeople. "I am Lady Origena, and this is my son, Arnholde. I'd especially like to know since a kobold is asking as well. Care to explain what you're doing in my town? I don't recognize a single one of you."

Ixen, perhaps, may find he doesn't wish to touch the door, if the burnt and smoking remains of the kobold on the doorstep are any indication of the of what happened to the last person to try.

The crowd that has already formed parts a bit for the new comers, and two guards putter back and forth by the tower looking like they have no idea what to do. A few people start suggesting on the old wizard who lives on the other side of the hill the Witch Tower resides on, but no one heads over to check it out.

Rumors start flying again. This time people are claiming dozens of kobold bodies have been found around back, crushed under rubble, and more than a few townsfolk look at Ixen suspiciously. A little investigation proves this rumor false, and only two black-scaled kobold corpses can be seen. After yet another suggestion to go check with the wizard(named Hunclay), the two guards begin to argue over who should go knock on the grumpy old man's door.

A huge plume of dust rising from a hill near town dominates the skyline. People are running about telling everyone about the "Witch Tower" falling, and a group is already heading towards the hill.

As if on cue, a loud, low rumbling sound similar to thunder shakes the inn.

Perception checks.

[]Yes? []No?

When the VR device -a simple looking helmet with directions on it's use- showed up at your house you couldn't help but put it on and begin the beta test. You might have felt excited, or a little scared perhaps, but this felt like it was the right decision.

At first the game started out a bit cliche. You and a few others were offered jobs as caravan guards. Eveeything went smoothly the first few days, though you were kept busy fending off some wolves and a couple bandits, but it wasn't until the caravan arrived at Belhaim that the real adventure seemed to start.

The town had barely come into sight when several armed guards rode up and stopped your caravan, promptly arresting the owner on smuggling charges. While the owner seems intent on taking you down with him, the sheriff believes you knew nothing about this, and takes him away.

Unfortunately, this means you aren't getting paid and are now stranded in Belhaim. Luckily a local tavern owner, a human named Talia Orem, offers to give you room and board for a few days. That's how you and the other players ended up eating an early dinner in the tavern...

Take some time to roleplay with each other. :)

"It's fine, Mrs. Q, just a neighbor asking around to see if anyone needs help." Gerald calls back before looking at Stephen. "thanks, but we're good in here. Wish there were more like you though, then there'd be less rioting and looting."

Geral looks at the door, worried. His mother wouldn't knock. One hand goes into his pocket and comes out in a fist while the other goes to the door and locks the chain latch before he opens it.

Stephen sees a teen with a blue streak in his hair and ears that are just pointy enough to mark him as a Pulsed.

"Hello. May I help you?"

"Mrs. Q? Come on, drink some water or something." Gerald says, though he's just as worried. His mom wasn't home either.

Meanwhile, out in the city, the tide seems to turn in the police's favor. Not because of the cops though. It seems for every looter out there is someone trying to stop them, appearing as needed. Some join the police as temporary deputies, others run off before the cops get there.

Some cities are not so lucky.

Core, Featured, and Uncommon, plus Dreamscarred Press's psionic races are eligible(I'm even removing the older game's "no drow" policy. At least for the normal ones. No nobles, please)

I'm loving this little lizard avvy. :3

At the moment it's a few hours after the Second Pulse. This let's you be pretty much anywhere in New York, or outside it even.

EDIT: The Second Pulse started here.

Took the kidlet to a waterpark today. He had a blast. I got hit on by a sixteen year old, which was a bit surreal. I think he thought I was younger on account of the purple hair. :P

(Adds another tally to the number of times I have been mistaken for a nanny or sibling while taking my kid places.)

Ha, so Gerald Murai really does exist! Way to go, Quartermaine! XD

"Things aren't going to get better for a long time, I can tell. The people that didn't change, the ones that are still human? I already know they're going to hate us. Hate the Pulsed. I'm lucky. I can hide my horns and tail. My only friend looks like a humanoid cat right now though. He'll have a much harder time. I'll help keep him safe though, just like he will keep me safe. Signed, ImpTail."

"This is my fault, I just know it. For three years I was.. Well, the doctors call it a coma, but it was much, much more for me. I was just dreaming, and that dream was more real that anything at all. Not that you'd believe me it I told you what was going on..." ~Máché37

Posts like that and more are showing up on UnknownPower, with the number growing as time passes by. Some people are talking about the riots, the looters, the strange way they look. Some are happy about the Second Pulse, because now at least they know they aren't alone. How could they not, when it seems to be all the news is talking about?

To some of you, welcome back. To other, thanks for joining us. I'm rebooting the play by post game "An Age of Modern Magic" just a few hours after the second Pulse, an in-game event, occured Enjoy the new world.

Much like another pbp I'm in, this game is player/story driven. Unlike said pbp, we're not going to be so rules light. For reference to the rules and to the first game itself, here is the old recruitment thread. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Enjoy the new world.

Grinning and walking through the forest with Rikka still perched on her head, Sylvia leads you for about an hour before she stops and looks around. There doesn't appear to be anything or anyone around though..

"Bad animals have been here. They weren't around here yesterday though.." She starts moving again, without explanation, and it's not long before she leads to what appears to be the other side of the forest. The trip through should have taken the better part of two days though..

You can see tents in the distance.

"Those weren't there yesterday either! Why are the bad animals coming to our forest?"

She is trustworthy.

Sylvia giggles again as Fitzwater winks and Rikka growls.

"Mama said I can help them through the forest so the don't get surprised by a bad animal camp. She also said not to take anyone to the house unless it was an emergency."

Sorry, got caught up in some other things.

Sylvia giggles as Rikka scurries up to sit on her head.

"So you are not helping the bad animals? Are you fighting them?" She asks Lobo. "Mama said I could help anyone fighting them as long as I didn't fight."

She's moved to the ground actually.

Sylvia frowns at Lobo's display of aggression.

"Why are you mad? I'm not going to hurt, I'm a good girl! Mama's says I'll grow up to protect these woods one day." She says, hurt. Then her eyes widen and she takes a step back. "You're not some of the bad animals, are you?"

Sylvia tilts her head to the side and says, in perfect Noble Fauna, "Why don't you have time to play?"

"Nice to meet you Sylvia. I'm Lily. Is your mother nearby? And when you say bad men and animals, do you mean Drostardy or Karakia by chance?"

"Hi Lily! No, Momma went to get some food and said I could play while she's gone." She explains. "What's Drostardy and Karakia?"

"And where did the kitty cat go?"

Rikka smells the acrid scent that Minna mentioned coming from the newcomer, though it's faint. The new girl smiles sweetly down at the squirrel before looking back to Lily.

"I'm Sylvia. Momma says that some of the men and animals are bad, and that we should stay away from them, but you don't seem bad. The bad men and animals don't stay in one place long either. Momma says she doesn't know why they keep moving."

She looks like THIS except she is wearing a slight tattered green dress. She looks to be about seven or eight years old.

Quietly, the manling Lily spotted crawls along the branch and disappears behind the trunk of the tree. Moments later you hear a sweet voice from behind you.

"Hi Miss! Are these your friends?" The small child asks Lily. "It's good to have friend with you in the forest right now, bad men and animals have been moving in it."

While Fitz and Rikka are oblivious to the scent clinging to the wind, both Minna and Lobo catch a strange scent carried on the breeze...

Lily spies something out of place...

Lobo manages to find the scent again(with some help) and the mix of`animals starts following the trail again. After an hour of travel, everyone gets the strangest feeling.. like their being watched.

I'll need two Perception checks from everyone. One for sight and one for scent.

"Of course." The Sheriff says as he opens the door and motions for you to come inside. He leads you a fairly decent sized room with a table surrounded by chairs. "Now, perhaps you could refresh my memory? It's been a strange day and I fear I may have forgotten important details needed for this meeting."

My way of getting Eadric to bring the others up to speed. :)

Lobo's Survival: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

With the bodies of the dogs giving off their scent rather strongly, Lobo can find the trail they took to get to the meeting with only a bit of time spent searching. Unfortunately, the farther the group travels, the harder it is to pick up the scent.

You believe you have made it about halfway to your destination.

I belatedly offer the same things as Beckett and Eadric

While Luminiere haggles her way to slightly fairer prices, Eadric looks around for anyone following them and finds that the group seems to be on their own for now. If asked, Lumi doesn't notice anyone either.

When I was toying around with the thought of having you followed, I got 22 total for a Stealth roll. I decided to go easy on you though. :)

Making your way through the market is fairly easy, and you make it to the Sheriff's house on time(or at least fairly close to on time). He's actually outside talking to someone, though arguing may be a better word, and he sends the man away when he sees you.

"The day hasn't gone badly for me yet, save for having to get my window fixed. How have you faired?" He seems a bit more relaxed to Eadric than he was earlier.

<tap, tap, taps mic> Hello? Is this thing still on?

Yes... and it's a mimic! 0_0

As you get ready to leave, Leon and the other three older children separate the younger kids into groups. After a bit of discussion, Leon is left free of children and he quickly takes his leave. Keiyanna casts a worried look his way as leaves, but doesn't move to stop him.

"Well, I wish you three all the luck I can. Other than that.. be careful and stay out of trouble. Making a fuss will help no one."

Initiative
Lobo
Minna
Rikka
Hunting Dogs
Fitz

Lobo howls and steps between the dogs and the rest of his group, while Minna hisses and spits fire at one. Rikka is unsuccessful in scaring either of them.

The two canines seem to laugh at Lobo, snarling their replies as they close in to snap at him.

Hunting Dog 1's Bite:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage:1d4 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10

Hunting Dog 2's Bite:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage:1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

While both of their jaws snap shut with brutal force, neither manages to sink his teeth past Lobo's(now thicker) fur.

At this point it is Fitz's turn. Since we don't know how long he's to be gone, I'll wait a bit before taking his actions for him. Eric could if I am not available of course.

Initiative
Rikka/Minna
Even Rikka goes first:1d20 ⇒ 17
Hunting Dogs
Fitz

One of the dogs yelp as the fire's heat gets past it's barding, but it keeps running even as Minna runs for the trees...

Rikka is up, the dogs are within 30ft.

"So, now that we are human free," Kotori says as he glides gently down to the ground. "We can discuss the various ways you can get to Karakia from here, or at least some their mobile nests or 'camps' as they call them. You should stay away from hunting trails the farther away from here you go, Karakians will be using them as well. Hmm... the entire forest could be considered hunting trails though..."

"Let me see if I can spot a quick trail." With powerful flaps of his wings, Kotori shoots up into the air and begins to glide around looking for a trail that looks less used than others. Those of you watching him notice a small black dot even higher than Kotori is following the same path as him.. then it dives and collides with the owl.

At the same time the bays of hunting hounds echo through the air and moments later two dogs burst into the clearing and charge right at the group!

Initiative!
Enemies:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Two kingdoms at war. One the righteous Drostardy, the other the tyrannical Karakia. It almost sounds like the start of a minstrel's tale. Nothing can get a young soldier's blood pumping like the thought of battle, nothing can change their way of thinking quicker that feeling a sword cut into their flesh...

But this war is not fought by man alone. No, Karakia found allies in the most unusual of places: the forest. An unfair advantage to be sure, had not the good forest-folk gotten word of this alliance. How they got the news is unclear, but now they are mobilizing to make the war fair again, and protect the good people of Drostardy from their evil kin.

For if their existence is made common knowledge, they shall not know peace. Legends tell many tales of their kind helping heros survive or making them heroes in the first place, but each time they are written off as shapechanged fey or even gods.

Now they must ask themselves a question. Do they follow the Law of Challenge or Serve to the word and protect Drostardy, possibly revealing themselves, or do they let the kingdom fall and live under Karakia's rule? Each must make their own decision.

I'm going to let Eric take over from here, as this little intro was suprisingly hard for me to right... :(

"Little one. Who else has dreamed of, . . . Zipper?", and after thinking about it a moment, "Or more importantly, who is it that has not dreamed of Zipper? Is there anyone that is affraid of Zipper, or other dreams here?"

"Um.." Lily says as she thinks. "Momma K says she hasn't seen Zipper. Nora, Coren, Leon, and Lara haven't either." She points to the four oldest children as she says their names. "But no one is afraid of him. He's really nice."

well, i guess being blessed with timelessness comes with not only that, but the envy of various scholars. and i have always highly valued being able to hold onto a child's innocence. and with everyone's approval, i'd like to instead of trying to remember the years, live under my perpetual appearant age as one of Keiyanna's ward's yet again.

"I haven't an issue with that, and maybe it might help to ease her burden."

"I have no problem with you staying here, but I think you are chronologically old enough to no longer consider a ward. Having someone who doesn't look like an adult should help keep some of the younger kids from getting into too much trouble around the house." Keiyanna chimes in as she cleans the face of a especially messy child.

I know in the Races of Destiny book they had an age chart, but I don't have the book with me right now. Also, just checking in on the conversation.

And out of habit, she has kept buying honey over the years. More so than she actually needs, but she's gotten a good deal! ;)

Lily, the young gnome, looks up from her food as she hears the conversation between Eadric and Luminiere. She quickly gets up and moves to sit next to Lumi, where she begins to talk excitedly.

"You've met Zipper too? He's really nice, huh? I've got a nice blue ribbon I want to tie on his tail but he won't let me! He can jump from bed to bed too and I'm try to do it too but I can't." She takes a deep breath and a bite of her food before she continues. "Sometimes I don't even have to be asleep to play with him! He gets really tall and stays to play for a little bit but he always leaves before I'm ready to go to sleep! One time he even took me up to the roof to see the moon. I've never seen the moon so big before, it was like I could reach out a grab it! But's it probably really heavy, so I might drop it, right?"

"Lumi, meet Liliana, or Lily for short. She's got quite an imagination and daydreams all the time." Keiyanna says. "If you call share a story she's never heard, you're pretty much her friend forever. And Lily, don't talk with your mouth full, it's impolite!" She scolds lightly. Three other children immediately stop talking and swallow, trying to avoid a scolding themselves.

"Yes Momma K." Lily says(after swallowing her food of course).

It is possible, but I think we may need to wait another day at least to be sure. If you are the only one left, do you feel up to doing this by yourself?

Okay, I got my NPC names mixed up, the girl's name is Lara.

Children NPCs you have met that have names.
Leon: Human male. One of a set of "Troublemakers"(other members currently unknown). First met by Basha and Eadric.
Coren: Half-Orc male. Secretly works in a forge. First met by Beckett.
Nora: Human female. Watches small groups of children when they want to go out. First met by Luminiere.
Lara: Human female. First met by Eadric, Luminiere, and Beckett.

The best laid plans of DMs and dragons...

Everyone
"Well then, I think we need to be very careful with our little 'farm'." Keiyanna says before she calls the children in for lunch. "I won't let the 'crops' whither though, no matter what blight tries to take hold."

Most of the children are in the kitchen almost immediately for their lunch, but two(Leon and girl whose name you think might be Nora) are late. Leon pauses when he spots Eadric, but otherwise acts like all the others.

Everyone!

Keiyanna comes back to the kitchen with another person in tow..

Eadric and Beckett

"That's a very good idea Eadric, if you can get the sheriff to agree." Keiyanna says as she starts setting out plates. "But Beckett has a point too. The.. deceased family may have already had them buried."

"Oh! I almost forgot! I'll be right back." She says as she hurries out of the room.

Luminiere

The dream begins to waver as you hear someone calling out for you to wake up.

"Lumi dear, it's almost time for lunch."

"Careful how you talk about wizards, Eadric. I wouldn't want you turning into a newt!" Keiyanna says with a weary wink. "Did you meet with the Sheriff like you had planned?"

Eadric and Basha

"Thank you Beckett."

"Lydinia actually sent word that she may not be back for a while. She's helping my other grown child that stayed her investigate a lead." Keiyanna tells you. Azharten was here, but he left when I wasn't looking.. and wasn't Basha with you?"