Erik Copper's page

Sorry, been busy, but yeah, I think we've run out of steam. Apologies for the silence, and thanks for running the game if we're closing shop.

"Gray Maidens? Sounds ominous," whispers Erik to the group. "Though I agree - at least they're finally taking the threat seriously. Would have been nice if they'd listen before, however, when we first warned them."

Erik stands at the back of the group, however, and speaks in a low murmur. The last thing he wants is for that Gray Maiden to hear him.

"Erm. Should somebody get Kroft's attention?" It's clear Erik would rather not be the one.

A little crestfallen, Erik stows his cap.

"Well, I'm ready to go when you are."

Erik listens gravely, and then gives a quick nod.

"I happen to have a cunning cap that can disguise you as a bland and innocuous halfling or gnome. You'll be able to slip through the streets by our side without any problem."

So saying, he pulls the battered cap out and slips it on so as to give proof to his words, becoming for a moment a red cheeked and aged old halfling before pulling it back off.

"We've already spoken with the Marshall, so she's at least aware of the problem, if not its severity. We've also spoken with the Pharasmans and the Many Faiths. Not enough, to be sure, but it's something."

Erik slips in right after.

Oh, I didn't know we had a friend inside!

I'm a bit hesitant about continuously posting decisions and the like, but I also think that moving the game forward right now is key. Are we going to be replacing Roj? Maybe some new blood would help pick things up.

Erik almost chokes with alarm at the sight of the sores, and quickly presses to one side of the staircase, raising his kerchief to cover his mouth. He tries to get a rough estimate of the number of petitioners, and then shakes his head, heart pounding with fear.

"This is bad. This is very, very bad. Our warnings are either too late or just in time."

He turns to glance at his companions. "They clearly already know of the outbreak. Should we hurry on to the next temple? Every minute now clearly counts. And we should send a messenger to the Field Marshall!"

That said, he descends the steps quickly to the street, and tries to find a reliable messenger whom he gives a rolled up parchment with a quickly penned missive on it to the Marshall, warning her of this latest development. A silver coin should help speed the message along.

"Onto the next temple then?"

Important stuff!

Erik taps his chin. "Pantheon of the Many, I believe. In South Shore? How about we stop by there to deliver the good news? By the gods, this is going to be an awfully depressing day."

Hitching his pants up, Erik sets his face and begins leading the party in that direction, unless any of the others object.

Just trying to move things along!

Erik starts as if shocked by the suggestion. "What? I mean, pardon me? No. No no no. We're healthy and hale. And on our way out the door, I believe, now that our message's been delivered. Thank you! Good bye!"

And unless the others top him, Erik leads a quick retreat back out to the streets.

"So. Which temple next? The closest is..?"

Erik nods along with Borden's words. At the end, he pipes up, "And it's no coincidence that a plague ship went down in the harbor only a few days before this disease started appearing amongst the people. I'm sure it's connected, and what's more, the Field Marshall herself asked us to alert the temples in preparation for a surge of this disease."

Diplomacy to aid Borden: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Erik stands at the back of the group, doing his best not to be unnerved by their current location. It's hard when you're raised on the streets not to let a certain amount of superstition creep into your mind at moments like these.

I'm still here, but like the others have been slammed of late with work and travel. I dig the game, like the group, and enjoy playing Erik. I'm good to keep going if the others are.

Hit the temples, one at a time in orderly fashion? That or run naked through the streets yelling, "The plague is coming, the plague is coming!"

Erik hesitates and steps to the front.

"Um, Field Marshall, we thought it important to report what could be an outbreak of virulent plague. The ship that went down a short while ago? The one with the yellow light? Since then we've noticed several victims of a terrible disease, and it seems to be growing in frequency."

Erik rubs the back of his head. "I'm concerned we're just at the point of seeing it erupt. Any chance we could alert local priests and religious figures so that they can help prepare to fight it?"

I fully admit to floundering a bit at this point. Perhaps we could regroup ooc and figure out what our objectives are? We've got Trinia out, we've healed that little girl, and now we know a plague is starting to spread... am I missing anything?

Erik sighs, exhausted by the time he's done, and sets his kit away to sleep long and deep. In the morning he's going to head out for a hearty breakfast, and put his ear to the street to see what he learns en route and back from his favorite inn.

Gather Info: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Erik tells the others he's just going to go look at the harbor for a spell and check out the water.

Once there, he casts detect magic on the water, and collects a sample in a jar which he will conduct tests on back home. Knowledge nature check, or?

Erik raises an eyebrow at Trin. "I thought the plan was for you to stay put at the farm? Now you're disappearing altogether?"

Sense Motive on Trin - what's she hiding?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Turning to Roj, Erik clearly looks a little queasy but then nods. "I'll do what I can to help, though there's precious little I know about disease. Um. This is definitely tied to that plague ship, right? What if its wreck is poisoning the water?"

Knowledge Nature - could that be happening?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Erik shakes his head. "I'm afraid we must insist on accompanying you all the way. I wouldn't be able to live with the doubt of not knowing if you'd made it safely without seeing you to the doorstep."

He smiles sweetly at her. "Shall we?"

Erik restrains the urge to pump his fist in the air and let out a yell of celebration as Gwen and Bordan make it through. Instead, he meekly keeps on walking till the others catch up with them a block or so later.

Erik tries to appear nonchalant. "Let's just brave it. With Trinia disguised, there's no reason for alarm."

Is Trinia gnomefied by the time the guards show up? Erik would have urged her to change the moment they got away from the house.

After leaving the house, and once Erik's sure they've made a decent distance away, he gives Trinia his Cap so that she can shift unseen in some alley into the form of a gnome.

Wait till morning, then escort a disguised Trinia out of town? Erik is willing to lend her his cap that will make her appear like a gnome or halfling.

Erik nods. "Very well. I don't require much space, and only a moderate amount of incredibly high quality food on which to survive."

"Hmm," says Erik. "I have to say I still think this is a major step. If word ever gets back to the Marshall or the Queen that we helped Trin get away, we're officially done for and will be hunted down as traitors to the crown."

Erik pauses. "That said, I'm up for it! The queen and her rule have taken on a rather hysterical, violent nature, and her senseless persecution of the innocent is the final straw. I vote for seeing Trinia to safety, and we ride the currents where they take us from there."

Erik taps his chin. "Of course, the simplest explanation is that the queen doesn't want the king raised from the dead. You don't need to bring in bizarre and foul magics in that case. All you need is Illeona to simply want to be in power, really."

"Well," says Erik to Gwen. "King's are rich. Gotta be some reason they ain't successfully used a Raise Dead spell on him, hasn't there?"

Erik is all wide eyes and gaping mouth.

"Trinia! Here? You're safe!" He grins and then glances around, realizing that he should be playing the part of the seasoned veteran by now. "I mean, I'm glad. To see that you're safe. And Blackjack? Have you heard from him since?"

Then he hesitates again and motions to his friends. "Mr. Vencarlo, will you allow us a moment?"

Taking his friends aside, he huddles in close and whispers.

"Look, if we help her out, we're going against the queen. Is that something we want to do? Turn against the city? Cause that means we're traitors and if we get caught, we've got no excuse. And would that mean we no longer help the Marshall? Are we picking sides here?"

Erik frowns and turns to the others. "So. On to Vencarlo?"

Hello everyone, I'm going to be traveling tomorrow, so please feel free to bot me if needed!

Erik turns around and checks the letter. "Anybody mind if I open this? No? Good."

He tears it open and reads it out loud.

Erik listens with intent focus, nodding and watching as the cards are revealed, and when Zellara finally finishes he sits back in his chair, eyebrows raised.

"Well. That is indeed a grim prognostication. Impossible situations, victories that will only make our enemies stronger, disease, shifts in power, but ultimate success if we keep our nerve."

He looks a little overwhelmed. "I guess this means things aren't going to be calming down into a state of city-wide tranquility after all."

Looking around at his friends, he smiles weakly. "Anybody for a vacation? I hear the Land of the Linnorn Kings is nice this time of year."

Erik hesitates, waggles his finger, and pulls a card

Harrow: 1d9 ⇒ 5

"Zellera..." Erik stops, taken aback. He looks surreptiously at his friends. "You guys never mentioned that she was still around?"

He seems completely taken aback. "Erm, hello. I'm Erik Copper. I, ah. Am staying here with my friends too? I hope that's all right?"

Turning to the closest compadre, he whispers behind his hand, "Can you tell me why she's still here? Who is she? Why is she so... at ease with us?"

I never got the Zellera story!

"Oh, you mean the plague?" Erik assumes an innocent expression. "I could have sworn you were referring to Roj and Tayce."

Ducking ahead as if expecting a backhand from the paladin (but knowing it wouldn't of course be coming), he laughs and turns to walk backwards, grinning at the group. "Roj! Remember your friends when you're called to dine! I promise we'll be discrete at the far end of the table, and won't make any comments!"

He laughs again and then turns into a pot bellied, weather-burned gnome with an orange cap and a bright red pipe, his voice adopting a rich, rolling country burr. "Oh arr, but I do be thinkin' Master Borden has the right of it. We'd best be making our little way to the Marshall, I reckon, to report this one in."

Erik grins and bounces to his feet, where he then sketches a rough bow. "Many thanks, then! Fine cooking, good company, a delightful audience, and a young lady saved from the clutches of nefarious forces. In all, this could have been a tale told by a talented bard, complete with heroes and merriment. What more could be wished for?"

He grins and heads toward the door. "Good night, and don't let the soup dragon bite!"

Erik eats his fill, amusing the girls with small cantrips throughout, ranging from having a tiny blue illusory dragon poke its head out of different bowls of soup before diving again to sending little balls of glowing light dancing and leaping about people's heads as they chase each other.

When he's done, he leans back and grins. "Wonderful cooking. A fine meal! Be careful, or you might have us coming up with pretexts to come back a-knocking in search of another excuse for a meal."

Traveling today, please bot as needed!

Erik grins, relieved at the outcome of the day, and heads out alongside Roj if only to stretch his legs and give their hostess time to prepare.

"So we didn't hear anything else about a similar disease in the area, but I'm still uneasy. Mysterious plague ship, then a virulent plague disease - it's too much of a coincidence."

Hey, just to let everyone know, I'll be traveling from tomorrow afternoon through Wednesday night. I might get in one more update before I head out, and another when I get in Wed night, but don't be surprised if I only post again Thursday morning. Feel free to bot me if necessary.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
K(Religion): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23

Erik frowns, hesitating, and then moves to stand in one corner and wait to be summoned. When Roj passes close by, he tweaks his sleeve to pull him closer and whisper, "First a mysterious plague ship goes down, and then a week later a mysterious disease appears. We might want to discover if there's a connection between her and the ship. If so, we could be looking at the beginning of a very bad outbreak..."

After a moment, Erik coughs and backs out the front door. "Just, ah, going to see if anybody else in the neighborhood knows anything about this disease..."

Gather Information to see if anyone else is sick: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Agreed. I'm sure by this point Erik has made all the scrolls he could possibly need. How much gold did we each end up receiving?

Erik offers to buy everyone lunch outside a dockside tavern, and after a filling meal of soup and dark bread leans back in his seat to eye his companions.

"To be honest, I'm not quite sure where to go from here. The ship's sunk and gone. Nobody seems to have much more information other than it was a plague ship. Unless something else turns up, I suppose we might as well go back to life as usual, no?"

Head to Eodred's Wall and ask around for more information.

Erik nods thoughtfully, "I'm sure we could ask around the docks if flotsam floated in as well. Or - what if we swim down to the ship?" His eyes suddenly gleam with excitement. "We could acquire potions, and find out for ourselves the ship's name, and other secrets!"