Divo Merula's page

Divo paused, bristling a bit at Prax's criticism. He then exhaled. "...he has information we don't have." Divo said carefully, "I've been in his shoes. I was a guardsman until the day my world collapsed around me. I fell into a bottle or five myself. Give the man a chance."

When Grau wakes Divo is ready with some day old bread and a cup of water. Then another cup. "Take the moment. Drink some more." Divo says patiently as he places the refill into the man's hand, "Tell us everything. We were on our own business off the main thoroughfare when everything went to hell."

"This is Grau, a member of the city guard." Divo says to Romli as way of introduction, "He has some idea of what chaos has befallen the city, and can likely help us secure the home."

Hefting his packages that had started to slip while they stood there, Divo then makes his way into the house. "Children!" he calls out across the open living space, "I've brought you those clothes I promised."

Divo was feeling good, despite how the risk of more danger rang in time with the bells. The children were somewhere secure, they were returning with what they needed, and had managed to link up with someone valuable to their cause.

I swear I'm not trying to scoop up npcs.

"I have children waiting on me ser. Children without proper food, clothing, or defense in this chaos." Divo stated firmly as he adjusted his packages and met the man's gaze, "Would you delay me further simply for the sake of your pride? I did nothing to deceive you, and would prefer to be on my way."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17

Going for that diplomatic rebuke that appeals to their nature route.... and likely failing.

Divo gave the man a confused look, then past him to get some kind of clue from Prax that wasn't forthcoming. At the unwelcome touch and the stink of booze Divo nearly drew his warhammer, using all his self control to try and shove the man off of him.

Push: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

"I do not know you ser." Divo says harshly, "Do not encroach on my person again." He paused, freezing a moment as some of his old mannerisms came out. He patted down the shoulder of his armor as if it had somehow been stained.

Divo really has no opinion on the loot other than we definately don't want anything tying us to the queen's jewelry. Actually, not sure I had him elaborate on that yet.

I am having issues with my heating and pipes in the winter cold. My ability to post over the next few days will be affected. Will update everyone.

Divo holds the knife, staring at it with intensity. After a pause he gripped the knife harder. The intensity on his face had washed away. "Gaedren Lamm, you have murdered a noble of house Capri." he said with finality and a voice as cold as death, "As the fiancé of Alana Capri I carry out vengeance for her house. May you suffer as you made her suffer. May her pain carry you to hell."

[dice=Coup de tat]2d4 + 8

She was mentioned. Figuring cost, can I assume squire's outfits for children would follow the same rules as clothing for small creatures? Half cost and weight? That would put squire's outfits at 2.5 GP and 4 lbs a piece. 22.5 GP and 36 lbs. for the nine of them. Otherwise it would be 45 GP and 72 lbs. of weight. Difference for Divo is medium vs heavy load. Good quality meals will likely have to wait unless someone in the party is an exceptional cook.

"It's in the markets same as any store with provisions." Divo remarks, "It produces uniforms for squires and the guard, but is a private entity... it should be in one piece."

But mooooooom, I wanna buy the kids matching outfits!

If the supply run proves treacherous never mind.

Before Divo accompanies Prax he pulls the children aside, making them stand with their arms and legs apart as he briefly uses his hands to inspect them. Then, he makes a note by himself. "I will return with what was promised. Be patient and help the other adults." he finally says while kneeling before the children. Looking back to Prax he stands and heads off with the woman.

Once they were a block or so from the house he speaks. Praxedis had shown herself to be cagey and pragmatic, so convincing her to add an errand to their vital mission was a potential point of conflict. If he was honest with himself, he also knew how impractical clothes shopping might be in such a time. "...if you don't mind I would like to pick up those clothes I promised the children as well." he begins carefully, "I know a place that would put together many sets of clothing in quickly and without question. Though I imagine we'd need to go with blank tabards for now."

He also had to pick up some food for the children. A good meal would be five silver for an adult, and he was sure the lot could put away an adults portion with how thin they were... Divo walked on autopilot next to Prax, keeping himself ready and walking alongside her to serve as a physical barrier to harm. Though he was a bit distracted.

How many children are we dealing with here?

Feel better indeed. There is a lot of that going around.

So can I assume someone is going to give Divo his ring?

Divo gave an incredulous look to Trebelle, then to the children. With a weary sigh he went to the tools available and started to work on making the house presentable. He did not remove his armor or weapons though, occasionally looking toward the door. "Come on then children." he bid them sharply, "You don't want your new home falling apart from neglect do you? I won't always be here to do it for you."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Divo gives the deck a dubious look before turning his gaze to Amadine.

Amadine wins the argument, but Divo has a handy out.

Divo stands with the children. "I'm sure you're exaggerating." he says firmly, "There was only a woman, surely no ghost." He gives Amadine a consolatory look and then pointedly breaks her gaze to look at the no doubt already frightened children.

As everyone else continues that line of talk he sighs and makes a point to repeat himself. "It's just a dusty old house." he says as he tries to get his point across and flashes Kyki a meaningful look as well.

Prax's comment catches him off guard, but he nods to her. He would gladly accompany her.

A smile voice in the back of Divo's mind tells him this meeting is an opportunity, and he almost winces as he remembers such thoughts would amount to nothing. He solemnly pats the noble on the back, as if letting go. "I didn't forget my promise children, but we will have to lie low during the chaos." he explains as he turns about and starts a headcount to see if all were still there.

One... two... crap, how many had there been in the first place. He placed a heavy palm down on one child's head as the lad kept popping up aasif trying to throw off his count. His other hand pointed, guiding his count.

Yeah, harrow is one of those mechanics I always kind of bounced.

Divo can't help but let loose a sardonic snort at Praxedis move. As she frees the young noble Divo gives him a once over, then pats him on the back. "Best keep your head down with us for now." he tells him.

Know:Noble: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Know his face/clothes?

When all you have is a (war)hammer.

Know: Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Divo briefly considers what might be causing this riot against the queen. Even as he thinks though, there are more immediate problems.

"If someone is dropping the gryphons from the sky it's not safe on the streets." he reasons, "We should get to the house quickly!"

Divo was caught off guard by the man lunging at Amadine, but his warhammer followed up in quick fashion.

Nonlethal + Arcane Strike: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 191d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Are you okay?" he asks before looking to the children, "Like I said, stay close children."

I look forward to it. The holiday slowdown was terrible with everything else I was dealing with.

Not such a smol-bold now. :D

I feel that I shouldn't gamble on my HD roll as the person planning to be the tank, but I've always had pretty decent rolls.

HD: 1d10 ⇒ 2

lol

"We don't even know what's going on..." Divo protests as he continues to get swept along. He didn't seem to have much heart in it though. Looking to the children he ushers the nearest pair behind him. "I still owe you kids." he said.

"You really think it's a spirit?" Divo asks before changing tone abruptly, "Alright, we go back to her place and see what happens."

Absolutely not! Best case scenario she is haunting her previous residence. Worst case scenario someone just used us to recover a piece of jewelry stolen from the queen and is planning to eliminate us now that we've outlived our usefulness.

Either way, we have the hottest piece of stolen merchandise in the city on us.

Divo scowls at Amadine. "That was no apparition we dealt with at the house." he says firmly, "More likely it was some imposter setting us on this job for their own purposes."

At the question of the broach his eyes go wide and his mouth hangs open in horror. He froze like that until Romli helped him. "Show that to no one." he says frantically, "Once we're safe I'll tell you what that is. Until then... it's better if you don't know."

He then turned to hasten everyone out. To himself he simply say, "F**!."

Also:

Shit shit shit shit shit shit!

Divo didn't have much interest in where things went from this point, but after a short while he did start to worry about those who had moved on to the other room. He puts a foot down on the small of Yagrin's back and puts some weight onto it. "Behave." he tells the man, though it ws hardly necessary.

As he enters the only thing he can really make out in detail is the severed head the group was holding. That voice in the back of his head that had been nagging him about a setup back at the woman's house was now screaming.

"Grab it all." he gasped, "We need to leave. NOW!" He put as much force and urgency into his voice as he could. He surged forward, scooping what he could back into containers and trying to shove them into the hands... claws... of Trebelle and Romli.

I mean, being busy doesn't mean we have to completely pause things. Slow progress is still progress.

Busy time for most. Hopefully less busy for me in the near future. Hopefully.

Divo stands vigil, no idea what is going on in the next room.

Knowledge Nob if needed later.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (14) + 0 = 14

"I suggest you're more honest with the guard when we hand you off." Divo says in a low voice, "Because if they let you go I'll hear of it... and you won't get as quick a punishment as your boss."

As Prax take's hold of Yagrin Divo's hand closes around the rope beside her. He helps her haul him up, half dragging and half carrying the man with her. When she stops he does as well, promptly releasing the bindings so the man could abruptly slump to the floor. He let's her do the talking, remaining quiet and contemplative.

He looked over the scene skeptically, alternating between the prisoner and Prax.

Divo continues to stand near Yagrin, standing still as a statue while the others go about the business of searching. His eyes remain on the man, standing vigil over the prisoner much like a guard might. A guard who had already killed his boss.

I have made a number of dragonheirs over the years, but I think Divo is the first to not know draconic. :D

Divo watches the search, keeping a close eye on their prisoner in case he tried anything. Not that he needed to.

Divo joins Prax at the edge, offering a hand as well. "Don't do anything stupid." Divo warned with a stern look.

Intimidation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Lapses happen, but normally it's a bad sign so early into a campaign. I myself won't have a day off from the 1st to the 13th, but I don't imagine it will keep me from posting.

Divo shrugs. It had seemed poetic to him.

Divo looked to the small kobold and gave a weary smile. "You're not wrong." he conceded, "But justice had years to find him. It's a little late for that now."

Divo practically throws Gaedren's body down off of him as if it would infect him. The dagger remained buried in the old man's chest, untouched. He made no move to take any of the items off him. None except the ring of keys. Turning slowly, he tossed them to Amadine.

"Let's get what we came for." he said dully, not seeming to care so much now that he had gotten what he had clearly come for.

If the party takes it badly enough they just might end up looting Divo's corpse too.

Divo holds the knife, staring at it with intensity. After a pause he gripped the knife harder. The intensity on his face had washed away. "Gaedren Lamm, you have murdered a noble of house Capri." he said with finality and a voice as cold as death, "As the fiancé of Alana Capri I carry out vengeance for her house. May you suffer as you made her suffer. May her pain carry you to hell."

Coup de tat: 2d4 + 8 ⇒ (1, 3) + 8 = 12

Fun part! Fun part! Fun part!

Sorry, I should have specified Divo was making a non-lethal attack. He HAS to for his free action intimidate, and it was implied with my description. Not trying to pull a fast one, but everyone responded so fast!

"I'm not looking to set a good example." Divo growls as he goes down to one knee and takes Gaedren by the shirt. He starts to search the man with his other hand.

Well he killed Divo's fiance, so you know my choice of path. :)

I checked this at the perfect time.

Perception: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (1) + 0 = 1

Divo can't clearly see Gaedren, but he can see enough to know what the snake is trying. He swings out with the flat side of his hammer in a horizontal sweep, trying to clock him as he passes.

Warhammer: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 211d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Percentile: 1d100 ⇒ 42

Feeling the mace connect Divo shouts in sudden fury. "No! You don't escape today!" he barks, "Today you suffer. Like she suffered!"

Demoralize: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19