He would clap Thorn's shoulder as he is heading out and whisper in Sylvan.
Sylvan:
"Take heart brother, none of them know your family. Nor do they act that way for coin. I go and hunt the demon now."
-----
He comes back as he had left. He shakes his head to the group, walking to his familiar the dragon speaks for him, "The demon may have flown but after leaving a blood trail that was easy to find it just stopped. No it teleported. You will deal with it the next time you see it. Any other business, otherwise I will be leaving."
He nods to Lillianne appreciatively then answers her, ”Take an item if you want, help the others in choosing, return to camp, I will be hunting.” With that he begins to leave. Shar sticks around watching what you select.
"Our vaults it is. Clean... no... scour the items. For once more they may be used. Many of these weapons and items were once cursed. Small curses upon them still but not too bad. A wielder the black blade needs. Be troublesome it will. Leave alone that one you should." He says in his normal strange way of saying things. As you see the pseudo dragon walks around his feet with purpose.
As Andrei begins to poke his head over Ethos' shoulder the spikes begin to react to you elongating and aiming at you, persuading you to stop. Otherwise you might get poked.
Andrei:
You do notice that Ethos is standing very still. Though you won't get to read anything without getting poked. Do you stay and take the pain?
After a few more moments his body relaxes and he taps a few of the tiles on the wall above the book he was writing upon which the tiles begin to glow. Then other items come from the walls items that seem to be in an ooze, or liquid of types.
"Here see what the items go through to be scoured. Ahhhh! Here, look! Ready is this one." He states and plucks a glaive from a brown bubbling substance. Then he points with the glaive at another vat, "See here, not all make it." He lifts a wire frame and nothing is within it. Going over to the central hub where the book and glowing tiles are he waves his hand over the tiles and the vats return into the walls. Then a few more tiles touched and four more items appear at the end of the room. He places the glaive upon a mount that was empty. By magic a plaque appears and written upon it is Mighty Glaive of Sacrifice. The other four items don't seem to be weapons but tools or other wondrous items:
Cloak of the Bat, which looks like folded bat wings on the pedestal. Aura moderate transmutation; DC 22.
Ring of Soul Protection, bronze braided ring, Aura strong abjuration. DC 30.
Gloves of Magical Reach, oxblood leather gloves, Aura moderate conjuration; DC 24 Spellcraft.
This taut black band, clipped with a black metal skull, is attached on the outside of a black hat, Aura faint enchantment and abjuration; DC 16 Spellcraft to be identified.
Ethos then looks at Aramyros, "Know only what the writing says, do I. Willing you are, ask the book with the pen. Hurt it will."
Ethos nods at Lilianne's report. "Following another's teleportation is tricky. The sooner you clear the goblins the better now. These are likely at fault for summoning it. Giving souls to become demons themselves. But first a reward. Finish clearing the site and burn it." He states walking around the camp to find a stone wall behind some ivy. He slashes the ivy clearing the path and pulls out his black blade. The door opens on its own and he enters. Light glows from the tunnel.
Entering the tunnel:
You see that it descends quickly with stairs. The lights are likely different versions of an ever burning torch. At the bottom you see the handle of Ethos' black blade within a pedestal. Another open door to find a vault with an assortment of items on display. Most of them are weapons. Ethos is at the end with his back to you.
A cold iron longsword of the golden dragon.
A harpoon of snaring.
A cursed adamantine short sword of viciousness.
A crystal dagger of venom.
A cold iron warhammer of the deep.
A silver scimitar of keen edges.
A dragon fire forged great axe of execution.
He is writing in a book and the red script is written and quickly fades. If you want to watch longer to see what he is writing let me know.
The portal closed once the four of you rushed through.
In another minute or so, another portal opens nearby and Ethos runs through it with blade in hand apparently ready to fight. Seeing no fight he calms down and sheathes his sword. Walking up he waits for someone to talk to him.
Wolf, how many bottle of wine and spirits did Andrei make off with? And I forget what was our commission that was on the seats behind us?
Like Andrei except I'm one of Opportunity.
Thorn Slivertip wrote:
Once they're clearly ready to walk into the portal once more, he joins in too though while waiting for Aramyros to return, most of the meal has either found their way into his packs or his belly.
How much Food, and drinks does Thorn manages to get?
Given a chance, he'll obtain utensils, a couple of plates as well. Maybe seasoning too. :P
He glares at you as you begin to take the silverware and threatens, "You dare steal from me?" He was fine with the bottle of wine and gin but his expression changes drastically as you continue.
"Oh sh**. I should have considered this." He quickly leaves the room, runs around the tavern and enters the same way as he did earlier this evening, when he was escorted by Ethos.
** spoiler omitted **
You got to wait a half hour...We are waiting for them to catch up to you. At the stables Ethos and Thorn wait.
He looks up as he was looking down into the ground as he was making symbols with a stick. He solemnly says to Thorn, "He will get here when he gets here. You are welcome to do as you wish. We will see if I have enough energy when he gets here."
She lifted her pack and walked over to Ethos. "One question more... What are you?" she asked him bluntly. She had never seen any sort being with his crystalline features. Tieflings could have a variety of appearances, she was learning, but Ethos seemed something altogether different.
I assume our 'order' colors are red and black, just based on the name?
You believe his words.
He smiles at you and bluntly says, "I am an Arcadian, a Metafolk from the stars above. From a planet called Pandora."
Simply responding to your questions, "Others we wait for, yes. For sure seven. Dead is one. Broken is another. Lost is one. Sorry am I, patience you must have, please. Mission you accept then you may have said items behind. Oath to Order you make after successful mission. Eat please." After responding he waves his hand before him indicating the bounty before you. He takes his fork and stabs a few things putting them on his plate and filling his goblet with some wine. He takes a few bites watching the others join. Listening for more questions.
As you follow Ethos into the room you see he was prepared. The table within had five seats on either side and one at the head of the table, where he is sitting with steepled fingers before him.
Behind each cushioned seat a few feet behind was a pedestal with several items upon it. Also before each chair on the table was a place setting with silverware, plate, a clear glass and a silver goblet. On the plate you see a crimson piece of papyrus that has your name on it. Upon the pedestal was a folded cloth of some sort, a weapon, and armor, unless you didnt want them.
On the center of the table held five platters of fruit, sliced meat, cubed cheese, warm glazed rolls, shelled boiled eggs and a collection of cut vegetables. Also there was several wine bottles with corks beside them, crystal pitchers with amber liquid of different shades, and metal pitchers with water collecting on the outside of them holding clear water and milk.
Appraise DC 18:
The dinner ware are either made of mithril or crystal.
A door slams open upstairs and laughter follows. A strange looking man comes down whispering and then laughing with a wench. Once they get to the bottom of the stairs he slaps her butt. She jumps a bit and turns to him, she smiles and raises her hand to his face in fondness.
He appears mostly human as a skin tight black suit shows his nearly perfectly smooth body. He is extremely physically fit, with his tightly packed muscles on his lean frame of six feet. The suit seems to cover his entire body except for his head. Sharp protrusions, like rock or crystal, extend about two inches from his elbows, knees, heels, and his shoulders. His white skin looks almost transparent as if it has not seen the light of day ever. No hair can be seen on his head but a ruffle of crystals seem to imitate a form of hair. There are other crystals that stick out from his head and shoulders.
He looks around and makes a large smile, showing off sharp white teeth. Energetically he quickly says, "Oh good many of my prospects have come! Excellent! Oh dear Jezebelle would you please go out and invite Lilly in too. Okay, grab your drink if you have one and follow me!" He follows Jezebelle sniffing her hair until she gets to the end of the bar, where she saunters to the door and he grabs his mithril dagger with a flick of his wrist. He does a front flip and secures the dagger in its sheath on his ankle. "Come on don't be shy! Oh I am Ethos and your host." With that he twirls and somersaults over to the door which he opens and enters.
The messages were securely placed with the mithral daggers. Now next was to wait. Thinking to himself, 'Now next is to wait by my lonesome as alcohol would need be low.' His words and thoughts did not collect like most but he was good at his job.
He walked up to one of the wenches and whispered naughty nothings into her ear.
diplomacy:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
With the flash of coin in his hand the look didn't change much and he moved over to the next one.
diplomacy:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
This vixen gave him a smile and took the offered coins. She grabs his hand and he followed leaving his dagger in the bar. His mithral dagger had a crimson ribbon attached to its end.
"I can wing it unless one of you know how?" He says in response to Taunk. Having done some driving off world he knows the basics. He gets behind the wheel and begins to famiarize with the vehicle before starting it.
He tracks down Taunk working on his vehicle which looks raw but fixed. "Ready for some mayhem?" He says plainly and points his flaming short sword at the bounty board.
Once Taunk and him are at the bounty board he will smack the board with the flat side of his blade to get others attention. He looks at Taunk with a glare, obviously hoping that the half orc will talk.
Ethos walks up not breathing much at all, then he breaks a smile "Only eighteen? Thirteen goblins and eight scags counts up to twenty-one. Fill of blood, never, I was made for this by my parents and then by the corporation. This is what I live for." With that he runs off to the side cutting down another goblin, a helpless child. Then he jumps into the darkness beyond. An echo of a word can be heard soon after, "Twenty-Two."
Ethos actually breaks a smile and off he goes following the scags into the chaos.
Overall roll for the hunt:1d20 + 3 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 5 + 2 = 15
Ethos is a killer and in his actions you can see it. His blade slices here and there, using a fight always to his advantage flanking and cutting vital parts of scag and goblin alike. He takes a few strikes as he creates a wave of blood in his path. He even disappears once in a while to reappear somewhere else to create a final stroke impaling the target upon his blade.
climb DC 17 down the cliff to the scags and Taunk:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15 No
climb DC 17 down the cliff to the scags and Taunk:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18 5 ft.
climb DC 17 down the cliff to the scags and Taunk:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 10 ft.
climb DC 17 down the cliff to the scags and Taunk:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 20 foot drop.
acro DC 15 to negate last 10 feet of drop.:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 damage:2d6 ⇒ (4, 6) = 10
A tap on Taunk's foot and you look up to see Ethos with his free hand touching it. His off hand holding a short sword and looking around for threats. He says one word, "Ready?"
Ethos merely pointed at the rock/boulder that looked weak. Thus giving you a +2 to spot it or ask why he is pointing that direction. He only said, 'Higher Ground.'
Seeing that Taunk does not see the boulder or at least the weakness holding it up he relays some more information begrudgingly, "Weak structure under boulder, at least three dozen goblins, many scag, reinforcements suggested. Otherwise you climb."
Looking around he points out towards the overhanging rock above the barrier, +2 to see it, then points to the far right and smiles merely saying, "Higher ground!"
K Engineering: What will I need to dislodge the rock?:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Ethos cracks a smile at the reference of friend. He thinks to himself, "Ah friend that is a new term for me, never been used before." Cracking open his lips he moves his jaw around, letting his purple tongue stretch and salivate over it, preparing to talk, this takes about a half a minute.
He says in a smooth voice, "Cinnommmonnnnn. Mmmmmmm. Yesssss. Experience. Bounty. Equal share of loot." Then winks at Taunk.
Perception:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26
He stands besides Taunk and looks where he does to see if he can see anything of usefulness.
Up until now no threats have really come near you. Even now in this new area there are no immediate threats but then you sense some movement behind you.
Then you see Ethos appearing behind you as if the water simple falling off of him held up the invisibility. In your mind you hear male words as if rippling slowly through your pond of a mind, Telepathy ::'Need a hand getting to the goblins? Best route looks through the scags.':: He holds his hands at his sides nonthreatening.
Your mind feels a presence come upon it, then words drift into it from another, who ever it is they are using telepathy, ::'I am presently in black attire and given enough time I can shift my skin color. Assassin by trade.'::
Then Ethos winks at Velden. He smirks and breaks a quiet laugh at Michel's comment.
Ethos nods at Velden at the comment of putting out his neck for him. He shrugs at the overt use of violence.
Ethos rubs his chin at the exchange between Michel and Velden. Glad that the attention is off of him again. He slowly moves back to the gate, still within earshot of the group but he seems to like being in the shadows.
questionaire to be returned to the service bot quickly:
1: are you male? Yes
2: are you not male? No
3: what skill do you have, that would give us reason NOT to turn you into food for the rest of the locals? Protection. I can dismantle you and slice the living ones in half.
4: what special ability do you possess to prevent the rest of us from turning you into Scag bait? Slag assault and venom.
5: A random person is bleeding out on the floor, but he MIGHT have something of value. What do you do? Observe to see if it is a trap for a few moments, they will surive. Not a trap: Apply pressure to wound, See if the item of value is worthy of me taking, if it is of value take it in payment for saving their life. Apply dressing.
6: A scag is about to tear the incredibly Handsome Clappy apart, and you must stop it. What do you do? I must stop it? I would stop it and cut off its head. If service bot was in the scag's mouth I would aim lower at the neck of the beast.
7: What is your greatest weakness? I cannot be fully silent, yet.
8: List one amazing fact that the All-Knowing-Clappy doesnt for a bonus Copper! Doesn't? Please rephrase the question to be logical.
Adjustments for Velden:
Ethos Blade
Male
Assassin
allergy: stupidity
Ethos gets pulled out by claptrap and he scowls at the service bot. He simply shrugs his shoulders at Velden's comments. Hand still on sheathed blade. He looks at those gathered seeming on edge.
I would be up for the fyrestone bounty but my character is not aware of the bounty board, someone might need to alert him before he jumps onto the band wagon.
::"I will heal but some initial boost in the healing would be appreciated."::
He walks up to Aannra waiting with his hand over his pellet sized wounds, they seem to be stable but not in the conventional sense, no bandages or anything.
After being sprayed with pellets from the shotgun he jumps to the side, deep purple inky blood comes slowly out of the wounds from the pellets. He quickly states, "Authorization to terminate!" His hand resting on the hilt of his blade as he looks up at Velden.
Pretty sure that Velden and Aannra are following me... ;)
You can sense that his mind has a lockdown feature, he may not have PSI but it has been affected and conditioned. His mind seems to be a vice, focused and ready, actually very few thoughts are passing through it except analyzing his surroundings.
::'Artificial, no. I am an Arcadian, lost to my people and augmented for my missions of assassination. Though now those missions are naught with no handlers. It is good to have communication this way.'::
Ethos takes his short sword and twirls it around him. He waits for action. Then when the blade is in mid air he kicks it. The blade separates into two and he continues his blade dance with a short sword in each hand.
He smiles back at Aannra and uses his telepathy on her, thinking, 'Greetings,' then follows her and Velden. He stays 15 feet away and watches for the moment.
Ethos appears to be mostly human as the black suit shows his nearly perfectly smooth body. He is extremely physically fit, with his tightly packed muscles on his lean frame of six feet. The suit seems to cover his entire body except for his head. Sharp protrusions, like rock or crystal, extend about two inches from his elbows, knees, heels, and his shoulders. His white skin looks almost transparent as if it has not seen the light of day for an extended amount of time. No hair can be seen on his head but a light tracing of crystals seem to make a design just on the surface of his skull.
The humanoid 'experiment' comes into the town, now that he has collected what he wanted to scavenge off the dead. He looks around and seems to be a bit lost.
With no threats about he begins to search the bodies collecting gear and weapons, digistructing them into the artifact on his lower back. He keeps his ears open and takes his time picking through the bodies and making sure they are dead.
The 'experiment' gives the little service bot a disdainful look. Then looking at the others he gives them a nod. He moves over next to the wall near the ratfolk.
He quickly moves thinking to his new pal, 'You are great to have around, move to my position and mop the bandit we will flank. Let's see if we can get them both in this moment.' Then he separates his sword into two, as a chunk falls off the end of the first one.
Out the back door with Claptrap... DC 30 Perception Check for Aria, Full cover to everyone else:
Acro:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25Pretty sure no AoO.
He seems to be deadly. With Claptrap following and flanking with him, let alone aiding him, he cuts the next bandit once then in a split second gets another attack in nearly cutting the bandit in half. The body falls, blood sprays from the body.
