I was coming on to post something similar, as I’m bowing out of all my games, so I understand who GM is feeling. I wish the best to everyone and thanks for the game.
Search Posts
Edmund holds his head and tries in vain to clear the fog, literal and mental. He tries to concentrate to determine what sort of spell that was.
”That was a…a…I can remember, I think…. It was a…a spell of some sort, I think. Most distressing. Most distressing indeed.”
”I also brought a gift, according to what my research suggested they would like. Would be a shame to antagonize these orcs when we brought along the means to befriend them.”
Here
”Now, now, you haven’t caused any problems at all. Don’t even think that.”
Edmund sighs to himself as River retreats. He smiles faintly at Jebediah then gently shoos him away, falling back to walk with River. ”Humans don’t have as long of memories as you do, my dear, since our lives are so much shorter. As such, the expression ‘Time heals all wounds’ means that grief usually fades with time. If we come back that way in a month, and the good woman is still isolating herself, then there is cause for concern.”
If the weather is unseasonably warm or cold, Edmund will cast a charge from his endure elements wand in the morning, but otherwise, the spry old man is ready for an exhilarating day of walking. His tweed walking jacket and stalker cap strike just the right tone as he pulls on thin leather gloves and grips his walking stick with very little intention of actually using it. Edmund is both pleased with River's company and with the lack of actual rivers to tempt and distract the "young" woman.
Yep, just super busy. I've been reading along but just can't think of anything interesting for him to say.
”I myself had not planned on a life of adventure at my advanced years or any other. I come from ever further away than Crow, from outside Korvosa. Things in life took a sad turn for me when I lost my son. It was the search for answers that led me to this guild and eventually to your fine supper table.”
I could see Edmund having his wayfinder hanging at his hip.
”Indeed. Seeing a problem from all angles is always best.”
Edmund examines the metal bullette. ”Orc work, this. Grafted the metal plates onto its hide. Poor thing probably didn’t enjoy that procedure.” As folks start deciding a course of action, Edmund pulls his eyes from the metal-clad creature. ”Did somebody say something about food? Positively famished, myself. We cannot walk to a distant mountain without a good meal.”
”He promised a reward? I must have missed that. The nerve of some folks, wagging canes in people’s faces. Very unbecoming of a nobleman,” Edmund says, giving his own cane a swish in the cranky man’s direction.
”Very well said, my dear,” Edmund says, patting her arm. ”Does Samuel ‘owe’ us for saving his life? No more than you sir, would owe us for saving the lives of all the rest of your horses. Are you prepared to honour that debt?”
Sympathy and grief glistening his own eyes, Edmund places a hand on the father’s shoulder and replies, ”We would be pleased to dine with you and your family.” Edmund casually leans on his own cane as the presumed stable owner approaches. He keeps glancing over at River, making sure she’s okay.
Three loose horseshoes fly through the air at the metal bulette. Meanwhile, Edmund moves another thirty feet closer and unleashes more magic missile.
The invisible aether elementals continue to pound the metal bulette with debris, picking up recently-deposited horse pucky and flinging it with deadly force.
For his part, Edmund casts a minor spell, and 4 force missiles fly across the stable yard and impact the red bulette, exacerbating its wounds.
The black tentacles continue to lash at the creatures.
For his own action this round, Edmund invisibly advances 60 feet to get into hasting range of the warriors.
The tentacles seem to get a better grip this time.
Meanwhile, Edmund begins casting a summon monster 3 spell.
It appears the Edmund knows less about bizarre amalgam monsters than other things arcane, but he still knows a bit.
Given that the monsters are within his 180 foot range, invisi-Edmund casts black tentacles, positioned to catch the pair of monsters to the northeast without getting the guys they're attacking. He also take sa 5-foot step closer towards the action.
Edmund glances over the blown glass that has so captivated River and smiles affectionately down at the ancient girl he has pseudo-adopted. He pauses at an image of a mountain lion, remembering how enamoured his son was with such creatures when he was a boy. His hand is halfway to his money pouch when chaos breaks out down the street. ”River, wait,” he calls out uselessly as she heedlessly takes off. Pausing only long enough to cast invisibility on himself, Edmund quickly follows. Those who know him know that the cane is an affectation, and the invisible old man soon outpaces Crow.
”Is there anything in your rumour network to suggest that this weapon has anything to do with us or this situation at the mine? All of the goodwill we’ve earned with this ship’s officers and crew would be nullified if we were caught snooping in things that don’t concern us at all.”
"I brought along two casks of fine brandy, the orc chief's favourite liquid tribute, which might help smooth over any ruffled...ear hairs."
<<Passes stylish but unnecessary cane to other hand and tips hat.>>
Edmund’s token is fine, unless you want to pull a screen shot of Sir Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle.
He also has silent image. The question for GM is can the spell be used to create illusions that change? Can he create the image of a mountain, and then gave a dragon walk out of a cave and circle its peak, breathe fire and swoop off, the mountain fading from view as the dragon soars low over some tree tops, etc? The illusion would be obviously fake (the scale alone would be a give-away) but would make a nice little silent movie for anybody who chose to disbelieve it. Or, is he stuck making a dragon and have the dragon move about, but if he wants a scene of farmland, he has to cast a new spell?
Once they’re underway, Edmund finds himself an out-of-the-way spot along the railing near the stern. He has his pipe in one hand, a book in the other, and two eyes constantly on the lookout for any pursuit.
Same here. Sometimes, games can bog down with fireside conversations and the momentum of the adventure is gone. Worst example is when one player figures it’s time to move on so “goes to bed”, then three other characters spend two weeks of real time chatting about their childhoods.
Edmund will enjoy the sights and probably spend most of the time trying to keep River’s clothes on her person.
”Corsairs don’t tend to like our guild. Bad blood and all,” he says to nobody in particular.
Sadly, the dolphins only last for 16 rounds and Edmund isn’t prepared to blow too many fourth level spells conjuring River more playmates. ”River, they’re getting ready to cast off soon, and it would be best for you to be on board at that time. Besides, you’re in serious danger of causing some minor boating accidents. Many of the local helmsmen appear to have developed a rudder of their own.”
Edmund shakes his head at River’s innocent antics. Picking up her discarded clothes, he leans against the railing and begins a familiar incantation. Several seconds later, celestial dolphins appear to swim with her.
As you contemplate your late-night shenanigans, I will remind you that baleful polymorph is only two levels away.
Edmund makes careful notes, then in their way to the boat, stops to purchase three casks of decent brandy, and, as an after thought, picks up a small one of nice port. ”These three are just in case we need to make nice with Chieftan Frazan and his heir,” he tells River. ”And this one is to make the journey itself a little more enjoyable.”
Passing a silver coin to the young man acting as porter, Edmund offers his arm to his lady companion and the two make a slow but steady pace to their riverboat. Once gathered with the group, he passes on what he learns and explains the purpose of his purchased brandy. ”If we don’t end up needing to placate some oddly sophisticated orcs, then I guess our journey home will be a lot more enjoyable than the one there.”
”I shall make my way to the library to see what I can learn about this particular region and this crimson silver, as well as check the House’s journals for any accounts of predecessors who ventured there. Others should check with any local contacts you may have to find any individuals from whom you could get first hand accounts of travel in this region.” Edmund also finds a good map of the area and spends some time making a precise copy to take along.
Ship is fine here, too.
”Irriseni Mirror Sight. Don’t know that trick myself. Could be useful someday.”
”Don’t worry, good sir. There’s no need to figure or find out who owns the mine. I already know and what’s at stake for our anonymous client. I am certain we can all be the truest exemplar of discretion. The question I have is, has anybody determined if the Gouged Eye Orcs had anything to do with anything.”
Edmund can spam enlarge person (though it is better as a wand spell) so if Crow wants to be big, he can be big. Obscuring mist is a good wand spell also, so I think I’ll do something original and swap colour spray out for magic missile. Something useful for dealing with incorporeals.
”Thank you, sir, but we ate a good deal of porridge and bacon for breakfast, so couldn’t possibly,” Edmund replies, gently placing one hand on River’s wrist.
Edmund is a god-wizard done as a sorcerer. He has few damage spells, but lots of battlefield control options (grease, glitterdust, black tentacles), and a few utility buffs (haste, invisibility, fly). Currently, he has colour spray, which is an awesome spell but not so useful at this level. He has the option every even level of swapping out spells, and so I could exchange it for something more useful. Are there enough folks in party who would enjoy an enlarge person cast on them regularly, or should I exchange it for obscuring mist which also has its uses? Edmund's main damage spell is acid arrow, which he can extend without increasing its spell level (magical lineage). He likes to pile a couple of those on any BBEG or spellcasters they face early on so they have time to enjoy its effects (he has metamagic rods to change it from acid to cold should the need arise). Edmund also has a selection of wands and scrolls for added utility.
Edmund, seeing River coming, ensures that her kiss is successful, then ends his invisibility spell so she can see his smile. ”My dear, I must agree with Crow. Though it is possible he has many deeply submerged feminine traits, you are indeed most likely the target of that addendum to our instructions. I fear the good master of the blades is still a bit sore concerning the incident with the brandy bon-bons, though really, it only took a day or two to get all that water out of his office.”
Edmund gives Crow an exasperated look which the larger man obviously doesn’t see, then uses his magic to float a lemon and knife over to the table, before very carefully carving a few slices off the end for Crow’s tea. Double-checking to confirm that all ten fingers are still present, he floats the knife and lemon back to the cupboard.
Edmund prefers Edmund, once an acquaintance has moved beyond the more formal Mr. Gwenn. The older man appears a bit stuffy in the beginning, but once you get to know him, you soon learn he has a childlike mischievous side, such as preparing breakfast while invisible, though I imagine there is a practical aspect to what he’s doing (some mission early on where he had to perform some fine motor skills while invisible and having trouble due to not being able to see his own fingers, so now he practices regularly).
”Good morning,” invisi-Edmund replies. ”We have a new mission today!”
|