Erasmus the Iconic's page

"I can only do my best, Your Highness," he says with a bow.

Erasmus bows to the princess. "This is unexpected."

Offer him the Tree Cloak.

This argument would be the last or second to last.

Erasmus lays out a cloth and places ancient metals, ribbons, and other symbols of military accolades. "Each of these laurels were recovered from Honaria's tomb. Count them. How many of us can lay claim to so many deeds rewarded by her superiors? Sadly, rewarded by those same superiors who, after a failure--a failure ensured by a failure of those superiors to send her reinforcements when requested, as testified by the ancient tree, ensured by failure to support her troops when they needed them most, as testified by her own blade--decided that all of these," Erasmus waves his hands over the plethora of awards, [/b]"No longer held any value, and they stripped her title and her honor away from her.[/b]

"Even the servants of those who voted for such a severe demotion acknowledge, after so much time to reconsider, that her punishment might have been out of proportion to her failure, though Amantius refuses to testify here, guarding the honor of his mistress in his own way by his refusal. I can understand his reluctance given what happened to Italice Cenabari. She voted against Honaria, as did many nobles. After Honaria died, with no one but her family to honor her. One of her lieutenants, Syagra, murdered Italice out of revenge. The woman broke in to Honaria's tomb, disgracing it with her actions, to leave Italice's head as a trophy. Amantius, Italice's ancient servant, however, concedes that Honaria would have been horrified at her lieutenants actions had she been alive.

"This is a woman, a soldier, a patriot who served her country. Served it well," he gestures dramatically at the laurels, "And was respected even by those who took her title and honor. Her memory deserves better than that. Her name deserves to be restored with the honor she earned serving her country. One failure in the face of overwhelming odds against success does not erase her many heroic successes.

"Does this mean that those who bear her name deserve to stand among you as peers? I do not know. Many of you were fortunate enough that your ancestors were not stripped of titles and stand here today with as much right to a noble's title as Remaio. Which of your ancestors received as much praise from Taldor as Honaria? Which of you, yourselves, have received as much praise from Taldor as Honaria? Certainly not Remaio. Does he not deserve the same opportunity to ride his ancestor's coat tails and profit from the deeds long done by a hero long dead? That is for you to say, not me.

"Honaria deserves to have her honor restored. That I am certain. That I can say."

Erasmus promised Theon something, so he should do the mausoleum.

Erasmus wouldn't have intervened. I, the player, am quite fine to let it play out however it may.

"Huh. Well, it was Remaio's sword, not ours. Oh well."

Erasmus approaches Valeros. "Did you just... give away the intelligent artifact and our only first hand witness to Honaria's deeds?"

Erasmus makes his way to the waiting hall and surveys the gathered nobles.

Sure, I'm game. I'd only need to review the store blurbs to see which character I might want to assign.

Erasmus trustingly gives Estra the pouch full of platinum coins.

"Lie to Your Serene Highness? Never," Erasmus says, "But the subject of using murder to advance one's political position is, regrettably close to my hear."

His tone takes a somber turn. "If you truly wish to hear my thoughts... I abhor the idea. Killing your betters or worse, those who have done you no harm--No, worse! Killing those who have loved you merely to improve your wealth and station is dastardly and lazy means of advancing oneself."

Erasmus takes a moment to gather his composure. "You see, my brother killed my brother, my two sisters, my father, and our uncle and sentenced me to an asylum in order to advance his own position in the aristocracy."

Erasmus has a pouch of platinum, but he's stuck over here with a princess.

"It reminds me of home--only less violent. A pleasant change, Your Serene Highness," he says with a wry smile. "I assume there is as much maneuvering here as in Caliphas, but hopefully not as much murder. That's a dreary story, though, and I would not want to dampen your spirits or keep you from your subjects. You have put together a grand party, honestly. Thank you, again, for the privilege of speaking with you."

Erasmus bows as the Princess enters the room. He rises to find himself remarkably close to the heir to the Lion Throne and unable to disengage without committing offense.

"Your Serene Highness, it is my great honor to be allowed as Remaio's guest here tonight."

"That seems entirely reasonable. You have a deal." Erasmus bows to Theon.

"We speak about deeds long eroded by time," Erasmus begins, "but we do have a few witnesses--esoteric witnesses--Amantius, the ancestor tree, and the sword. They all at least agree that Honaria was an honorable person albeit one who failed at her assigned task. I gather than Italice was an honorable person following her orders as handed down to her.

"Do you have any record or tale that tells whether Italice agreed with her superiors in the judgement or the severity of the judgement that Honaria received? I would have expected a woman who fought as bravely and as dutifully as Honoria would have impressed someone like Italice, even if ultimately she had to be disciplined for failure.

"There is a difference, after all, between absconding from duty and failing a given task due to superior resistance. While Remaio is not as... impressive, impressive shall we say, as his ancestor, Honoria, it would seem right to restore her honor."

Diplomacy, Spirit Surge: 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 7 + (4) + 1 = 27

"He is a bit of a bore and something of a coward," Erasmus says in a stage whisper to Estra. "As the Lady Morilla suggests, there are plenty of nobles who would match that description."

"That's an understatement," his uncle whispers in his brain, "Must be careful. They'll gut you--literally or figuratively--as soon as you show weakness."

The medium looks around the room for a moment. "Estra, do you think you can handle Lady Morilla's task without me? I see someone that I would be interested in speaking with."

"My Lady, always a pleasure," he says with a bow, "Aayef, stay out of trouble."

Erasmus peels away after pleasantries and heads into the other room to visit with Theon Cenebari. "Good evening, my Lord Cenebari. I wondered if I have a moment of your time to discuss history and your ancestor's place in it."

"Yes, he does," Erasmus adds in the conversation, "We were able to bring back all of the evidence he requested. True, we returned the Cenebri's owl and her remains, but that simply seemed the right thing to do, and I don't believe it will hurt Honaria's status. Right or wrong, they judged as they judged, and everyone is aware of that judgement. She seems like she was an honorable woman who, do to actions not entirely under her control, failed at her task. Even the owl confirmed her honor. Besides, he now has his own construct (the sword) to speak for Honoria. So I'm not sure what Remaio has to be nervous about."

Diplomacy, Aid Estra: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Erasmus listens to Remaio's instructions attentively.

"I'll do my best," he assures the noble.

Can we aid Estra out of order? In other words, can we chat with an NPC and roll our aid for when Estra gets there or after Estra has left them? As opposed to us all moving as a swarm around Estra.

Will channel the Marshal for this one with the Trickster seance boon for +1 to Cha skills and checks and +1 to Diplomacy.

Erasmus arrives dressed in the courtier's outfit. He seems much more sure of himself and gives off a commanding air tonight. He chats pleasantly with Remaio while they wait outside the palace yards.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

"Yes. You would be an excellent witness to Honaria's deeds and life," Erasmus says to the owl.

"Well, maybe not excellent as you are a construct owl, but you are better than any we have found so far."

"Who what now?" Erasmus asks the animated owl, perplexed.

"This is she? Or all that is left of her?" Erasmus says as he blows the dust away from the plaque and reads it. He picks up the hairpin and holds it in the light.

"I don't recognize the crest. Any of you?"

Erasmus walks over to tend to Estra, "Oh dear."

He fishes a vial from his belt pouch and kneels down beside her. He cradles her head to slowly administer the potion.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Who jinxed me?

Erasmus slashes at the red animated hand as it skitters to him. "Almost as bad as scor--Ow!--right, sister?" he inadvertently says aloud.

AoO: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
Damage (Slashing, Silver): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

He steps over and attacks it again as it skitters back form his bleeding leg.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Damage (Slashing, Silver): 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Erasmus jumps in fright when the construct explodes behind him, but he continues to wait in case Honaire needs assistance.

5 ft Step

Erasmus steps to the side. "Let's bottle them in the hall, shoulder to shoulder," he tells Honaire.

Odd, talking to a spirit that I can see.

5 ft step up from his current position, but I can't manipulate Pictures from mobile.

"How did I miss that noise?" Erasmus moves to stand beside Honaire and readies his starknife to attack the broken construct.

Wisdom: 1d20 ⇒ 6

"There is? You have sharp ears, Amiri. I don't hear anything."

Erasmus takes up his starknife.

Erasmus continues down the hall, as yet unaware of the findings and still trying to avoid any pressure plates or other traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Erasmus moves over to peer down the hall.

"Something happened some time ago, but it doesn't look like anyone's been here in quite a long time."

After a pause, he says, "Unless it's necromancers. Necromancers in a tomb and risen dead would make sense."

He cautiously moves down the hall, trying to be wary of trip wires and pressure plates.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11

"At least not anyone who cared about the Alcastis."

Erasmus follows into the larger room, keeping an eye out for hidden vermin.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

"The hinges are cracked. Maybe we can just shove the door out of the way?" Erasmus posits before examining the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

"I was under the impression that 'dolt' was part of the definition of kobold. Or was that goblin?"

Erasmus waits for an opening.

Ready action: melee attack with starknife, should an enemy get through.

Erasmus draws his starknife and hustles over to stand beside Megalister.

"Kobolds? They were coming, not going?

"There should be more than this," says Erasmus, "Unless Remaio was sorely mistaken about his cousin's work."

He continues to search the home.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Erasmus cautiously steps into the house, trying to not break anything further.

"Documents, yes--Oh."

Attack it rather than go for the break DC. Or just take 20.

"Don't look at me to open the lock. My sister is firmly seated, and my uncle is sleeping." Erasmus shrugs at the resistant door.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"Well, let's go get the murdering kobolds!"

"Yes! Something to fight that doesn't have eight legs."

"Do you suppose Remaio was exaggerating his cousin's fondness for visitors?"

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"I was going to say that I am no hero," Erasmus begins, "I was imprisoned by those who wanted my inheritance and found myself on this path as a means to survive, but Megalister's words give me pause. Maybe he's right. I am the sum of my deeds, I suppose."

Diplomacy Aid Estra: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"Of course. No reason to stand in the desert."

Erasmus chuckles a little at Amiri's stubborn refusal to address the sword.

SM: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Perc: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

"It is alright, Aayef. Your mother sent us to find you. You're safe."

Erasmus looks around at the initial sound of the blade's voice. "Ah, I am Erasmus, nice to meet you..?"

"Try to get over your fear."

Erasmus steps forward and slashes at the chitinous beast.

"I'm not afraid," his sister's spirit counters.

Starknife: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

"Right."

I put in an arrow for my future move in case the connection fails.

Erasmus heads around to the east as the others go west.

"Scorpions are icky."

"Helpful insight, o brave warrior sister."

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

"What size scorpions?" Erasmus holds his fingers an inch apart and then spreads his hands as far apart as he can.

"Good eye, sir. Thank you."

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 11

"Uncle would probably be more helpful."

"Yes, I know he would, but are you willing to let go so he can come out?"

"..."

"That's what I thought."

"We will do our best to return you son."

Erasmus searches for some clue, though neither he nor his sister's spirit is particularly skilled in detective work.

Survival: 1d20 ⇒ 17