Epperson continues to shield the triaging priests, but fixes his gaze at the crawling hands.
"Holding patrol!"
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Epperson moves out of combat action and into emergency assistance. "Dwarves and stones - it's a good mix for all!" Epperson calls out, pulling rocks and rubble free from the trapped citizens.
”Holding fast!” Epperson calls out, swinging wider with his flail. He targets an as-of-yet addressed zombie.
Epperson takes a hit but it only serves to instruct the dwarf's next actions. He plants his feet firmly in the ground in front of one of the fallen servants and take a combat vigil. "I'll protect any who wish to help this one!" he calls out, swinging his flail high above his head. The dwarf targets a different nearby zombie with his latest tongue-wag.
Epperson's eyes glint with excitement as the horde pours into the auction hall. "This means something has been CURSED! " He draws his flail and moves to engage, targeting one zombie with his tongue and an adjacent one with his flail.
Apologies for my silence. Epperson would be fine with the sacrificial plate mail but he REALLY wants that shield of blessings and curses. Of course he does.
Sorry. Travelling. I'll be home tonight.
"New store, eh?" Epperson grunts at Menya the Whip. "Gotta keep overhead low at start-up, I'll bet. What's your business plan moving forward?" The heavily-armoured dwarf makes idle chatter with the entrepreneur.
Oh that scene with Aerith was too much fun.
Epperson allows himself a chuckle as Aerith storms off, though if his amusement is genuine or part of an act, he’s not telling. ”Eh, I’ll see about getting her to let you have a look at it,” the dwarf bows his head in after thought to Iosep. ”Elves, eh?” he scoffs, knowing full well Iosep’s heritage. Epperson abruptly turns to “chase after” Aerith.
”You cannot just go talking about something of such import until we have…” ”…allowed your family to arrive and drive the price of the auction for the item into the clouds? For what end? It needs to be used, the tablet, and I daresay it needs to remain here in Wati, not some dusty shelf in your family’s trophy hall.” Epperson pauses, awaiting an exasperated or scandalised retort from Aerith, heartily enjoying the fake argument.
"One boulder often budges another," Epperson says, touching Aerith's arm and leading her in a direction after finishing with the Nethysian priests. They present themselves into the small circle of conversation including the coffee merchant Basif Iosep. "Master Iosep, I am Epperson, son of Epper and this is Aerith Lithanel. We are of the Formerly Five Shadows, one of the chosen groups sent to honourably scour the City of the Dead. Your reputation as a docu-phile and manuscript manic precedes you. We wanted your expert opinion on the utility of a relic that could be used to translate any document presented into a legible text. We think it's an historic find, but it would be good to hear from an expert." Epperson winks at Aerith. He may have side-stepped dwarves' natural inclinations towards greed, but the dwarf knew just how to stoke the flames of others' greed. His devil-may-care attitude didn't hurt, either.
Just under his breath, Epperson murmurs to Aerith: "Argue with me. Tell me that we shouldn't be talking about it just yet."
I don't have a burning opinion on treasure divide. It'll become obvious if one person is getting a share of treasure more so than others, and to be frank, I think it provides for interesting role-playing opportunities. I like to keep it in the game. Epperson will be SUPER interested in anything that has a curse flavour, especially with his new 4th level power (remove curse). Apart from that, he's happy to slowly and steadily build his capital until he can upgrade his armour. Thanks for the tip, GM.
All good. If it's not a long spear, then Epperson will stick with the flail. I'm keen to upgrade my armour, but just as happy to go with the flow.
Having spent a good deal of time prior to The Canny Jackal soiree in brainstorming about the Forgotten Pharaoh and the curses inherent in that discovery, Epperson is not surprised to find Aerith pulling him into a conversation with dignitaries about the topic. The taciturn dwarf allows the elf to weave him into the conversation, but then soon seems to dive in with an unforeseen and unpredicted level of vim. "...the contents of such a scarab's digestive pouches would suggest that this Forgotten Pharaoh could then make use of such an enzyme to invigorate the amputative horror of the aforementioned curse, or rather that could be just one hypothesis as to how it could come about. I have a few other theories that I'm constructing but that's the most FLESHED OUT." The dwarf pauses, the twitches of a smile at the corners of his mouth. He obviously finds his wordplay a RIOT. After a too-long pause, Epperson dives back in. "So what of the association with this former temple of Nethys and the aforementioned fell decree that there should be nothing spoken of about what we did not find there?" When they don't immediately reply, he turns to Aerith. "What was that Ancient Osiriani inscription? 'Take this relic to our new city where the asp and crook join and ensure it is never discovered?'" He then glances at the Nethysian priests.
I think I'd be more useful with my Patrol ability with a reach weapon, like a spear. I feel bad giving up the adamantine flail as the flail is Groetus' chosen weapon. And, adamantine is quite lovely. Still, I think we should keep one and sell the other. I'm happy to take suggestions. I think I will take Scholar as my background feat (thank you for those lists, GM) and choose Lore: Curses and Knowledge: Occultism as my two boosts, if that's OK.
Slow and steady, just like Epperson.... Stat bumps: Strength 14 to 16; Wisdom 14 to 16; Charisma 16 to 18 BaB +1....that means CMB, CMD, and melee attacks go up. Not sure about the PSB/PSD and MSB/MSD stats. I'd love some help there please, GM. Deflection bonus to AC. Check. AC 18 Will Save bumped by Wisdom increase. Are HP maxed? If not, +2 = 9 hp. That's pretty swell. Skills +6: Athletics +8; Influence +10; Knowledge (occult) +6; Lore (curses) +6; Sense Motive 9; UMD +11 Class stuff:
Dread Escalation (1 Strife): Magical barricades created by spell effects can be targeted. In addition, you can make the Strength check to breach obstructions out to the normal range of your Maledictions. Background feat......hmmmm. I'm lost. I confess that I find the Spheres website impenetrably dense. Add on to that the fact that search bar is useless for the Spheres wiki.....I don't know what's a Background feat and what is not. A big cry for help to the GM here. I'd like to enhance my Patrol action. My Assist feat doesn't seem to go along well with PbP gaming, sadly, so I'm finding the Patrol utility severely limited. GM, I'd be grateful if you might make me somehow more useful to our party with my Patrol abilities. Thanks for looking. Fanny (Animal Companion): No changes (4th level provides nothing)
”Sadly, Aerith, there are no curses present here, but I welcome the chance to learn of this Forgotten Pharaoh’s curse. I welcome it!” At the bloody footprints disappearance, Epperson frowns. The only notable thing is the large humanoid effigy at the north end of the room. There are subtle indentations around the figure's ears and chin, and the head is the only part of the effigy that isn't coated in a fine layer of dust. ”Crap. The Shadows have been fleeced by a foot-wounded bandit.” The dwarf points at the effigy. ”There was a mask of some sort there. It was taken. Recently. It might be the only thing that’ll lead us to this Forgotten Pharaoh. Oh, and someone has taken my curse!!” The dwarf looks peeved. Still later, Epperson considers the Tooth and Hookah. ”This might be a chance for us to find our thief. Mayhaps they are foolish enough to try and sell that stolen mask here. We should be on the lookout for someone who has injured feet.” ”A sole trader, methinks,” he quips with a rare smirk for Aerith.
Merry and happy! And I’ll work on Epperson level 4. Hoody hoo!
”I respond well to challenges,” the dwarf deadpans.
"That ring is....interesting," Epperson mounts a grim nod of approval. "It's almost as if it curses the already cursed. I am impressed." He heaves a big sigh. "I confess my disappointment as to the lack of curses present." He sniffs at the canopic jars. "We could probably sell these as well."
Epperson thinks to himself. "There are a few doors to the west of here that we've not yet explored. There's still a chance we will answer the mystery of the bloody footprints."
"Hunh. More space; no bloody footprints.....sarcophagus!" Epperson's attention is immediately diverted to the ornate-appearing sarcophagus, his eyes ablaze with fervour. "A perfect setting for a curse if ever I saw one!" The dwarf approaches eagerly, but with trepidation, avoiding the summoning circle (and his weapon and shield drawn).
Epperson grunts as the footsteps of the defeated fade away. "We should determine what we know so far about these bloody foot prints," he reasons. "We only saw them in the octagonal room with the empty chest, yeah? Headed away from the stairs..." Epperson scratches his beard. "And we didn't see them anywhere else. Maybe we go back and look again?"
Epperson clears his throat and addresses everyone - including his party members. "None of this matters. We're all grave robbers, so none of us have the moral authority to pass any kind of judgement." He turns to the members of the defeated Scorched Hand. "I have no grudge against any of you. It seems your ass-hat of a leader there wanted to kill us. She posted snipers and mercenaries outside of this place who attacked us as we approached. I firmly believe that none of you - " he eyeballs the Nethysian priest just to be sure - "knew of that ill-thought plot. Now that she's dust, your slate is clean with me but any future actions starting NOW will be judged afresh." He then turns to his colleagues, specifically looking at Mahmoud. "We provided mixed messages to the half-elf mercenary. Aerith promised an equal share of loot for their services; Tribim just asked them to refrain from joining in the conversation. Mahmoud, you later told them that they needed to fight in order to get a full share." Epperson grimaces in disgust. "They did not raise a weapon or cast a spell against us. I say that they get a full share. I don't rightly care, but that's my opinion. Maybe this is an opportunity for us to return to the Five Shadows again. I'm sure that we'll have more work." The dwarf gives the female merc a considering glance before clearing his throat. "I also would like to claim that silver holy symbol to Nethys." Epperson picks up the holy symbol and immediately hands it to the Scorched Hand priest with a nod. "Like I said, none of this matters. We were sent to canvas, explore, and secure this location. Our work isn't done as there's someone or something with bloody feet wandering around here and it's none of you." He turns back to the Shadows. "I think that we should let them leave so that we can continue our work and then register this place as cleared with Sebti and the Pharasmins. I would apologise for the speech but, well....you know." The hint of a smirk appears on the Groetus devotee's face.
”It doesn’t really matter - all of it - but you can stabilise your friend there. If he wakes up and starts using that wand of his again, then Fanny here is going to feast on your eyeballs.” Epperson takes a guard stance around the two downed combatants.
Apologies. Posted.
Epperson gets a bit crispy in the gout of flame from the be-hatted one, but doesn't let it distract him as he spies his allies entering the room. he targets the priest tending to Aziz with both his tongue and his flail, as does Fanny.
"So be it," Epperson growls as Tribim absorbs the force blast. One moment the dwarf is with his comrades; the next moment he stands behind the Scorched Hand. The dwarf's calling card echoes out proudly, aimed squarely at the leader in the broad hat. On the contrary, his flail's aim is the wand-wielding Aziz.
"Fanny! Away!" The shadow of the bird flies up and out of Epperson's breastplate, aimed straight for the priest.
Apologies for my silence. Very busy weekend. I’ll get back to posting tomorrow.
I would agree to all of these. Their leader is duplicitous and the mercenary likely would jump ship if offered equal pay. I'd ask Aerith to 'port me to the wand-wielding hothead, please. Fanny can also be useful as distraction to spell casters.
Epperson cocks an eyebrow at his comrades, clears his throat, and adds: "What they said."
Epperson pulls the untouched holy symbol from the flames and gingerly touches it. After determining it to be unchanged, he shrugs. ”Probably not cursed. Maybe like the other fountain we saw?” He hands back both items.
The dwarf nods. "I should check that out," he surmises, grabbing the recently-acquired wooden holy symbol of Nethys and the spear. Epperson then approaches the pool and thrusts the holy symbol - dangled from the tip of the spear - into the blue flames to see what happens while trying to keep a safe distance.
Oh, I'm sorry - I thought that Tribim was using the new and fancy spear. Epperson's perception ain't great, so it doesn't really serve him as an upgrade in that sense, but if it has reach (the spear), then that works nicely with Epperson's patrol abilities. The adamantine flail is nice though 'cuz adamantine. Happy to do whatever serves the party best. And also - Happy Thanksgiving from New Zealand!!!
The dwarf looks around.
"Speaking of what's wise, I think it's time that I tend to my wounds," quips the dwarf as he unhouses his wand and tries to get it to work.
"MUCH better," he grunts, replacing his wand in his belt.
Epperson holds onto each item in turn with a bit of melodramatic zeal, daring a curse to enter his body.
"Ow," Epperson grunts as the skeleton's spear stabs a less-vital section of his body thanks to Aerith. "My thanks," he nods at the elf as he grunts and swings.
"THBBBBT!"
”Wow!” Epperson remarks as the skeleton channels void energy. ”That’s impressively resourceful. Oh well, time to end it.” The dwarf strides in.
Epperson hefts his flail, considers Aerith's knowledge, notes Mahmoud's enthusiasm, nods, then sets into pulping one of the creature's legs with his weapon. "Even if it gets back up, it won't be able to chase us on a lame leg," the dwarf reasons.
Epperson blinks in surprise as the sneaky rogue yells. "Surely those that we are following won't be expecting us....perhaps stealth continues to be a key tactic?"
"Steady on," the dwarf calls out, hefting his shield and advancing on the zombie. "This could be a mummy-----aw, blast. It's not." The disappointment is plain in Epperson's voice.
"Thbbbbbt." The disappointment even creeps into the malefactor's curse as his apathetic swing sails wide of any mark.
Is that saving throw vs fear a curse effect, GM?
Epperson grunts as the zombie falls. ”Wonder if there’s anything to these zombies hanging around and our uninvited collaborators. As in, could they be creating them?” He lets that question hang as he fiddles with his healing wand.
Hey y'all - I'm going to be the lead for a large work conference beginning tomorrow. I will be tied up for the remainder of this week. My ability to reply to games that I'm in will be considerably limited. It's not that I'll go dark - but I might. Anyhow, FYI. I should be back in 6 days. Thanks!
Satisfied with finally cursing a foe, Epperson concentrates on preventing any attacks from landing his colleagues.
The dwarf grunts at the suggestion. "I'll see what I can do," he murmurs.
Epperson adds for good measure.
Epperson peers hesitantly at the Nethys statue. "This would be a good place for a trap, methinks," he reasons.
"That's a bit strange," the dwarf points out the bloodied footprints to the others. "We saw similar tracks upstairs. I wondered if they were a ruse." "I'm less convinced now. Whoever came in here before us has been injured."
Epperson deflects the second blow of the akhat away from Tribim, then attempts to slam home his flail.
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