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Scott - thanks for the effort. It was fun while it lasted. I, for one, would be happy to continue using the Swords and Wizardry rules, if you wanted to keep GMing. I'm not familiar with them, but that never stopped me before. Anyone who wanted to continue could just adjust their PCs to the appropriate S&W classes and we could pick up where we left off?
Unperturbed, Doctor Iiwo nocks a second arrow.
Stats
Doctor Iiwo sighs sadly when he sees the monstrosities. He dips an arrowhead into a tarry, fuming paste in one of his jars and nocks the arrow, aiming squarely at one of the central monkeys.
Stats
Doctor Iiwo slides his knife back into the waist of his loincloth. He's stopped giggling and is making a soft tsking noise. "What a shame," is all he says, as he builds up the fire to burn the bodies.
Left standing in the center of a pile of dead monkeys, Doctor Iiwo frowns and pours his concoction out on the ground, where it fizzes for another few moments before losing all activity. Disappointment is clear on his face. "No explosion for Doctor Iiwo today. A pity. But such are the exigencies of life." The wound he took slowly heals up before your eyes. He adds, "But you see, the jungle provided, as I predicted earlier." He crouches down by one of the monkeys. "There should be enough bush meat here for a few days. The brains are a particular delicacy." He pulls a knife from his loincloth, and unless stopped, he begins to sever the heads from the bodies to allow the blood to drain properly. He whistles a merry tune as he works, only stopping to giggle to himself. "A banana. How inappropriate to speak to an elder so."
Surrounded by monkeys, Doctor Iiwo falls into a slight trance, concentrating on his breathing and centering his internal energies.
Ignoring the flailing of his feral enemies, he removes a few components from his darkwood alchemy kit, mixing them swiftly in a small clay pot and tossing it lightly just over the shoulder of one of the monkeys. It fizzes and explodes with a satisfying blast of flames.
AC 15
Seeing the mist spreading out from Ciaran, Doctor Iiwo discards his initial intention to use his bow, and begins to move back toward the melee instead. He has his intricately carved club held up over his shoulder, ready to swing if he comes across an aggressive non-human primate.
AC 15
Doctor Iiwo flings his arms in the air and begins to wave them around as he turns on his heel and runs toward the tent. "Ai! Marauders! We are under attack!" He shreiks at the top of his lungs. He will move into the tent as swiftly as possible and grab up his alchemist's kit, quiver and bow. Iiwo's AC is presently 14
Doctor Iiwo is an odd sight with his Ioun Torch rotating slowly about his balding head. Sleep has caused what wispy hair he does have to stick out from his head at all angles. He's wearing nothing but an ill-fitting loincloth and is carrying his snake-whacking club. "I was able to make my water upon a rare species of fern just now." He comments to Sergeant Jack. "Also, a rather persistent stisti fly found my nether regions of great interest. Fortunately, I was able to drive it away before it could feed upon my manhood. It is said that the stisti spreads the dreaded sleeping sickness - a malady that the Little Doctor does not fancy. If you understand my meaning." Doctor Iiwo cackles with glee at his scandalous humor, jabbing Jack in the ribs with a bony elbow.
"I will take the last watch, if there are no objections." Doctor Iiwo stretches his bony arms and yawns. I do so enjoy watching the sun rise." He then sprawls out in one corner of the tent and after a little while begins to produce a raspy snore.
Doctor Iiwo will graciously accept any and all offers of food and water. "The jungle always provides," he adds. It's difficult to tell if this is sage wisdom or just a non-sequitur.
"But we must keep the main mission in mind, mustn't we? Time is of the essence." Doctor Iiwo shrugs off his zebra hide vest, rolls it up, and secures it onto a mule. He's naked underneath, with a scrawny, sinewy upper body that has somehow produced a small pot-belly the size of a middling gourd. "We can re-equip nearer to the cursed city." He's careful to adjust the straps on his slung darkwood box for the best fit, then is ready to proceed once more.
Doctor Iiwo clears his throat and suggests, "Perhaps Chongo might be so kind as to guide us to this road to Madaro-Shanti? I dare say a ruined road is better than no road at all. If the cursed city is the source of this cloud, then we must determine how these villagers disappeared. These things must be related."
Christmas can overwhelm. I suggest giving Finder until the new year to get back to us.
bumpity-bump
Seeing that everyone else has transitioned into patrol mode, he tries to look more dangerous, frowning a bit with his bow at the ready.
Doctor Iiwo pats Kiley on the shoulder in a fatherly manner just before she heads off in the lead. "There is no need to hide your emotions, young lady, you are among friends."
Doctor Iiwo's grizzled head pops up from the nest he'd been carving out of the supplies in the wagon. With alacrity perhaps unbecoming of a man of his station and advancing years, he hops from the back onto the dusty ground and trots over towards the ongoing discussion. (argument?) His expression is one of disappointment. "Please, please, it is unseemly to argue in such a way. If we are not able to put aside our differences now, when there is no imminent danger, how will we do so when we are under pressure." He shakes his head sadly. "I respectfully disagree with the decision to send away the porters and the fine wagon (Who will carry the heavy supplies?) but it is clear that this is the concensus opinion and I will not argue the point. I believe that we must mollify Chief Anassi, however, for rejecting his selfless volunteers."
Doctor Iiwo explains to the Chief in the local dialect, "I sincerely hope that my good friends have not offended the great Chief Anassi by rejecting his generous offer. They are ignorant of our ways, after all. Apparently, they prefer to carry heavy objects through the jungle on their own backs and suffer heat-stroke and be generally unprepared for the trials that we will face. But, they must act as their nature dictates - do not judge them harshly. Nature will be the final judge, as it has always been."
Patience is a virtue.
Doctor Iiwo nods serenely to Chief Anassi, accepting the generous offer of equipment and manpower without comment. He is a man of mystery, after all, and in any case has no appropriate skill in Diplomacy or Knowledge (local) to utilize. He shuffles to the wagon and climbs aboard if there's room, happy to take a load off for the trip. If the wagon couldn't move through the jungle, certainly they would not have provided it? It can always turn back if it gets into trouble. If there's no room in the wagon, he'll attempt to suppress a disappointed frown and stand about awkwardly, leaning on his longbow. Doctor Iiwo waits patiently in the wagon for the assemblage to depart. H has no idea where he's headed, but he's confident he'll know when he gets there.
I think Iiwo is pretty much good. I left some gold in reserve thinking that we can buy a few last minute items if we get a chance to make some knowledge checks or talk to someone who might have more specifics of what's going on and what we might run up against. As for tactics, Iiwo in the middle sounds good. He is neither particularly perceptive, quck on the initiative, or strong in melee, which of course begs the question, "then what good is he?" I'm not sure, as I've never played an alchemist before. I guess we'll see. I will be bombing, and I can't shape the splash. If Kiley is out ahead, she should be forewarned that she may get caught in the splash occasionally if bad guys roll right up to her before she can get away. The splash is not too bad, and she can probably reflex save for no damage most of the time.
I'm going with an efficient quiver. It holds 60 arrows, plus other items. Hopefully that's sufficient. I've also been going a bit crazy buying alchemical items, so it's taking me longer than usual to get my equipment list together. Don't worry about Doctor Iiwo, young man, he'll be cocked and locked and ready to rock.
No whammies:
Rough profile up.
Having finished his tea, Doctor Iiwo looks into the bottom of the cup at the dregs. He begins to study them carefully, losing himself in contemplation. His breathing slows to just a few respirations per minute, and his eyes lose their focus. Left unmolested, he remains in this state for precisely one hour.
Remember, the Rain in Spain falls mainly on the Plain.
Doctor Iiwo will of course politely accept an offering of tea, though he silently bemoans its lack of medicinal properties. The "tea" that Doctor Iiwo brews is not for the faint of heart. He simply sighs when he observes Xoc Xoc perpetuating native stereotypes with his brandished spear and broken common. In unrecognized retaliation, the good doctor expends special effort to hold his pinky finger "just so", and takes another sip of the sickeningly milky concoction.
Iiwo smiles and nods, then says very loudly and slowly. "Yes, you are doing very well indeed! Keep practicing, young lady!"
I am not familiar with your language. Do you perhaps speak the common tongue?
Doctor Iiwo IS an uneducated savage; his degree is more of an honorary one, specifically of the voo doo variety (Art History minor). However, he appreciates any and all kudos from the nobility of the occupying Imperialist honkies.
GM Finder - Dr. Iiwo is indeed an alchemist. He is far too polite to comment on your dismissal of his arcane casting capabilities.
Player Questions: 1. Do you have previous pbp experience as player and/or DM? If so, on Paizo's boards, or elsewhere? I've been DMing a Play-by-email campaign for over ten years, but I've just started playing on these boards. I play Maestro Gelikugel Aberwhinge in Black Tom's Serpent Skull game. 2. Where do you live (specifically, in what time zone)? EST 3. How often can you expect to post (barring illness, vacation, etc.)? I can post most evenings (EST), usually multiple times. I can't post from work. Character Questions: 1. Who are you, and why are you in Chologadi? I am Doctor Iiwo, and I am most pleased to meet you. I come to Cholgadi from my home in the interior, one step ahead of the black clouds. 2. What do you look like? I am short and wiry, though I admit I have begun to expand in my midsection as I have reached my middle age. I am the color of a chestnut, with a balding head, wiry greying hair, and bandy legs. I assure you that wearing a colorful skirt and zebra-hide vest is quite normal among my people. 3. How would you describe your personality? I am polite to a fault, and considerate of others, although I do admit to enjoying the occasional explosion. There are those who say my introspective nature is a bit off-putting, and who am I to say that they are wrong? 4. Why will you join the expedition into the jungle, and what skills do you offer to help ensure its success? I am well informed on the natural way of things in this area, and I can concoct elixirs of many uses. My skills with the long-bow are not inconsiderable, and of course I enjoy blowing things up whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Stephan - I'm afraid Doctor Iiwo must withdraw from consideration. I just got picked up in another PbP. This normally wouldn't be an issue, but it is also coincidentally a Serpent's Skull campaign. Best of luck in your game - I'll be following along!
stephan: I'd view Iiwo generally as a useful source of knowledge of the natural world, survival skills, and comic relief. I'd like to add some native flavor by playing a Zenj tribesman and witchdoctor. I've never run an alchemist before, so the novelty is intriguing. I'm strongly leaning toward the Internal Alchemist archetype. In combat, Iiwo would be ranged support with his bombs and probably a sling, and as he raises levels, buffing and healing allies with infusions. I plan on using mutagens to raise dex for better ranged attacks.
A small, wiry Zenj man shuffles up to the table. He’s wizened, perhaps a few years beyond middle age, with a bald head and his thin whiskers turning grey-white. He wears a zebra-hide jerkin, a necklace of feathers, animal teeth and polished stones, and has a skillfully carved darkwood box hanging at his side on a shoulder sling. The man smiles widely, showing off the many gaps of his missing teeth, and gives a little bow. He speaks in a high pitched, yet soft tribal accent. “Good day, madam. I am Doctor Iiwo, of the Mulaa. It is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance. It has come to my attention that you are in need of a Naturalist for an upcoming expedition to the interior. I would be most appreciative if you would consider my application to this effort, which based on your obviously discerning character is certain to be supported by an esteemed group of professionals.” He pauses and smiles again, unselfconsciously, even though it’s not a flattering expression. “I do not wish to ‘toot my own horn’ (he chuckles at his colloquialism) but I am certain that you will find me to be most knowledgeable of both the beasts in the field and the plant-life in the ground. I dare say I have been a practicing herbalist since before you were born, and in my extensive travels as the witchdoctor for my nomadic tribe I have learned to reliably identify edible and medicinal plants from poisons all along the interior to Kalabuto.” He leans forward close, his breath smelling of fermented pineapple, “Of course, you ask yourself - But can this old man handle himself amongst the many dangers of the Mwangi?” He lets out another chuckle that sounds more like a giggle. Don’t you worry! Doctor Iiwo is not without certain protections.” He pats his darkwood box reverentially, almost lovingly. “Yes, I am a survivor, and I know this land like the back of my hand. If you were to do me the honor of taking me on as your Naturalist, I can assure you that you will not regret it.” (Dr. Iiwo is an alchemist) Edit: Hmm. Doctor Iiwo is sad. I just noticed the above post. I suppose he could also fit as the healer with a little tweaking if the naturalist slot is taken. I'd be happy to do that by maybe multiclassing with oracle. |
