Gita al-Rosha's page

Hi all!

So first, I’m really, really, really sorry for disappearing. Despite all the things going on, I should have reached out and communicated with you all. I know I probably led some to worry about what had become of me. That was selfish. I didn't reach out to you, and I'm sorry.

Every time I’ve sat down to write and explain where I've been, I just haven’t known what to say...

I'm doing fine. During quarantine, despite having more time at home, I became ill at ease and just couldn't find the fun in many things that I had before. Other things took their place and absorbed my time. As far as play-by-post, I had worked it into being part of my weekly schedule in such a way that the disruption in working from home just completely threw me for a loop. My interest waned. Any effort to return felt forced, and so I’ve stayed away. And the longer I waited, the more permanent my decision seemed. I wasn't ready to step away from my games. Now, I can recognize that my decision is made.

I want to thank you for having me with you on your adventures. It’s really meant so much. Play-by-post has been such a large part of my life, and I’ve had the chance to interact with such phenomenal people that I never would have connected with otherwise. To step away has felt like leaving home.

But I am still not ready to return. I might be ready again, maybe one day soon. If so, I look forward to seeing what you’re all up to. I really do wish you all the very best.

-Wicked

"Trap." Gita agrees with Ques. "Good instincts," she tells him. "Dark sorcery, witchcraft, something...not good. I suggest we burn this hut to the ground. If the little girl is real, she is likely trapped by the magic.
This way we might set her free."

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Gita frowns, unhappy with the sticky sap on her arms. She casts prestidigitation in an effort to remove it.

Do the cleaning properties of prestidigitation help?

Gita swings her crossbow south, targeting the tree against which she's got the clearest shot!

"These will make excellent firewood!"

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Ref DC 13: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Do not let them surround you!" Covered in sticky sap, Gita maneuvers to open up the configuration of the battle.

Full round action to withdraw, moving west, first square of movement does not provoke an aoo.

Sticky: -2 attacks and concentration

IIRC bite damage counts as all three--piercing, slashing, and bludgeoning.

"Kill them with fire if you can! Also avoid their touch. The sap will bind you in place and allow them to grab you!"

Any special abilities?

Gita gasps as the trees come alive. But old instincts linger, and she quickly adopts a defensive position. Moving in close to the group, she raises her crossbow and shoots at the southeastern tree. She mutters as the bolt passes harmlessly through its limbs.

crossbow: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
dmg: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Knowledge(nature): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 Any weaknesses?

"Careful, this could be a nest? A den?" She re-activates her wand of mage armor.

"Oh, good eyes, Ques!"

Gita would laugh at Ithariel's obvious joke, except that it brings back memories of the forest fey drowning her friend Faraj. The fey are here as well.

"Well, that is that. Prepare for the worst, and avoid disappointment.
I don't like the sound of this hut and doll. It sounds like magic, and not the helpful kind. I wonder what manner of creatures live here. Something worse than bears, I wager."

Gita is indeed watching, cupping her hand over her mouth to call across the expanse. "Great job, Ques!"

Then she takes her turn, clutching the rope railings and moving slowly, as Ques had done.

"Yea, that sucks. Up to this point my drama has been limited to accidents at the store and the appearance of Grey. And the usual familial and personal drama - you know what I mean."

"Adventuring has a way of bringing drama to your door. It is not an easy life, and it seems the adventurer is destined to lose those they care about." Gita grimaces and wipes at her eye, remembering her own losses. "But this is Valani's will, and this is the price I must pay to carry out my solemn charge. I suppose you must decide for yourself your reasons for encountering such danger, yes?"

"So, you're not married or anything?"

"Sand to glass, no! It is... was the custom of my clan for the suitor to present to their chosen a token of battle, such as the head of a dangerous foe. I suspect there may have been such thoughts in the minds of one or two, but in each case the young man died in battle." She smiles at Ques.

The cold wind whipping at her hair, but comfortable in the warmth of Valani's grace, Gita waits to watch the others slowly cross the bridge.

In Heldren

"If you don't mind my asking, what brings you to Taldor?

"My people traversed the sands of Qadira. We hunted demons, witches, and other creatures of evil. A hag nearly destroyed us all, though she took me an my friends, Faraj and Sohi, prisoner. Her wagon fell on her and crushed her to death, releasing us from her magic. We fled into the woods, but Faraj and Sohi were killed by evil fey and shades. I found my way here."

Gita explains all of this matter-of-factly, as though no one in their right mind would doubt the authenticity of such claims.

Back in the Woods

The next morning, Gita studies her holy text and prays to Valani for protection from cold winds, and for the inner fire of conviction. As they head out into the blustering day, she casts endure elements on herself.

As they near the bridge, she produces a wand and casts about herself an iridescent bubble of protection. mage armor

"Yes that might be wise. Grey is very brave!" She smiles at the eidolon.

@Nox: This post

Ques is N/N and considers all of his powers to be 'tainted' and often wonders why he, of all people, received them. Ques himself will suffer no more issues with his conscious than he would casting a good spell and this whole quest thing has enough of a 'good' taint to balance any evil shift Ques might suffer from casting it.

The question usually comes down to whether the recipient will allow it, as those that cast the spell are rarely good aligned. If the recipient is good, as mentioned in a previous post, they might refuse to be a recipient.

But, if some of the PCs are going to balk at receiving the spell, then they should speak up and we should certainly get a wand of CLW and put it in the hands of a divine caster.

I've been considering this, as Gita is NG. But she ain't neutral stupid. She's had a lot of experience battles evil arcane casters and knows that they play dirty. If surviving them requires playing their tricks, too, so be it. In addition, as an arcanist she has an interest in all forms of magic, more concerned with the use of that magic than its goodness or evilness.

I personally disagree with Paizo's position that casting evil spells makes one evil. That is one mechanical rule that we don't need!

"Ah yes, I know of this thing. I am not skilled in potions, by any means, but have used them and observed their use many times. Blessed are those who can use nature's gifts to heal." She smiles. "And combat forces of evil."

"We will be good allies." She says this matter-of-factly, as though it is already true. "And the others. There is fire in their blood, yes? That is needed, if we are to endure this early winter."

If Ques is going to be in charge of "healing duties" with the wand, I'm inclined to let him pick his preferred option (I'll note I can also use the wand). But yes, we should hear GM's position on the evil aspect of the spell.

I'm okay with the scrolls, unless the group wants to sell them for gold.

Gita would pick up 20 cold iron crossbow bolts for 4gp

After their travels, Gita opts for a mug of hot tea. The tavern had at first intimidated her, given that strong drink had been anathema to her clan. For as it was written in The Two Truths of Fire,

Drink not of the grain nor the grape. The binding of the senses and emboldens the agents of darkness in their devouring of the good.

But like with so many other things, she had succumbed to her circumstances and allowed herself to grow acclimated to the free-hearted ways of Heldren's ways. But that didn't mean she would herself lose her faculties to the ale cup, Valani no!

Smelling the freshly baked bread, she immediately remembers how hungry she's been, and hastily devours some bread, along with a few pieces of cheese wrapped in tender green onion chutes, and an entire tomato. Before eating, she enjoys her prayer: ...the world is an abundant place fit for man's growth. Glory to The Fireshaker..

At some point during the conversation, she approaches Nox. "I noticed you seem particularly interested in the dark one's book of spells. Are you, too, a practitioner of the arcane arts?"

Gita would copy all spells except feather fall (which she already has). This will cost 90g, which she can afford, and she can take 10 on her Spellcraft to hit the DC for all. But it will take approximately 12 hours for her to complete copying all of them, which I estimate would take 2-3 days.

So for this first night, I would learn alarm and expeditious retreat.

Same. Could we hang on to the book for an additional day to give us both time to copy from it?

Gita was built at level 2 w/ standard wealth, so I'll pass on any loot or gold at this point.

Also, I'm okay to gloss over the night and move right into the next day's return to the woods. Gita will claim all her gear at this point.

"I'm with Ques and Ithariel," Gita says, moving to stand near Argentea. "We cannot just leave Lady Argentea to the mercies of the frozen forest! Even with her security measures she was kidnapped. Frozen fey, necromantic worshipers of evil gods. Those are not risks worth taking. Teb Knotten has survived this long without meeting any of us on the battlefield. He can wait another day until we return to slay him."

She says this last bit with a gleam in her eyes that can only be borne of experience in the ways of fighting evil, and an eager yearning to return to them, to put old skills to use.

Sohi and Faraj would expect this of me.

"That is the spirit!" she encourages Ques happily. Now that she'd had a good look, she realizes who he is. "You're the grocer's boy, aren't you?"

Gita's smile fades as the feisty imp flees, replaced by a blank look of shock, then dismay, then disappointment. She runs a hand down her face. "Well, that could have gone better..."

She holds up the unholy symbol. "But not surprising, considering that this is the symbol of Norgorber, the god of murder."

"...two scrolls of magic weapon, and one of unseen servant. Oh, and this!" She sweeps the shaggy white cloak over her shoulders, pulling a fearsome yeti visage over her face. "Is a magical cloak. It wards off the cold and provides protection in battle, almost like armor. One of you weapon-wielding types should wear it." She undrapes it and offers it out to the others.

24

A lot to respond to!

"Irrisen?" Gita asks, appalled. "The land of the witches? Valani's Club, if there are witches in Heldren..." Gita's free hand curls into a fist. The other clutches her book of scriptures like a drunkard with their mug of ale.

I am Vrixx; I have been captured here by that beast of flesh! It tried all manner of things on me, saying it "needed to know how I work!" Please, let me out!

"Oh no! If that's true, it's just awful! I know a thing or two about being locked in a cage."

K(nature) on Vrixx: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Some Spellcraft checks to id magic items, if needed, applied in order of appearance.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

"Why would a necromancer have this?"

K(religion) on holy symbol: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

"It isn't only wizards who practice the dark arts, Mr... Nox, is it? Priests who worship dark deities also practice black magic. And, of course, so do witches..."

She turns back to Vrixx. "You aren't evil, are you? If we let you out of that cage, will you in any way attempt to harm or impede us?" She coos and smiles.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 4 All is well!

She takes a minute to start a fire in the hearth (was there a hearth??) for the benefit of Lady Argentea. Allowing the others to question Vrixx, she addresses the Lady. "Teb Knotten and a portal? Do you know that name?"

Ha I think that sounds hilarious, actually. Let's say that Gita is a solid 7, so above "average" in the looks department. That coupled with a friendly nature can account for her Cha score.

Gita could know Ques, since he's worked in the grocery store, and who doesn't need groceries? She's only been in town a few months, so maybe they haven't had many opportunities to interact.

She's been working as a scribe with an unidentified employer in town, perhaps renting a room in someone's home. She's been keeping to herself mostly, but a Qadiran in Taldor doesn't go unnoticed for long. Still, I imagined she'd be more or less welcome in Heldren.

”What and who might you be?”

"I'm Gita. Ummm, a human?" She answers out of order. "I'm a scrivener from Heldren." She looks embarrassed. "I was actually coming to find your group. I wanted to help... But then, when I came upon this cabin, I was assaulted and taken prisoner along with the Lady."

"Ah, that's it!" Gita exclaims, seizing her book with a flourish. "My scriptures!"

In response to Tchezze's question, Gita pipes up. "Anywhere with a warm fire. I can't imagine having to sleep in all that snow..."

"Oh no, not my book," Gita replies, clearly disappointed, but nonetheless grateful to be released from the cold cellar. "It was really unkind of you to hit me over the head, and to keep both of us prisoner!" She looks like she wants to kick the sick man, but restrains herself.

She helps explore the lodge.

Was someone looking for a book, and was someone here the Lady Argenta?

"That's me!" Both Gita and Argentea answer at the same time.

Gita smiles, embarassed. "Erm, sorry. Yes, I believe that's my book! This is the Lady Argentea."

But she frowns at the next question. "I don't remember. Much of anything, in fact. Someone must have hit me over the head. But if all of these people got here, there must be some way out."

She considers the sick man. "We'll take you, too. How can we get out of here?"

"Um, more of a holy text," she explains, trying to describe it. "Leatherbound, with a drawing of a flame on the cover."

"Oh... Oh!" It takes a hot minute for Gita to catch Ques's drift. "The explosion. That was fighting! You're from Heldren?"

"Lady Argentea! We're being rescued!"

She turns back to Ques. "Do you know where they put my belongings? Especially my book!"

A dark head of hair peeps up from the cellar as Gita hesitantly reveals herself to those above.

"Well?" she demands of everyone in the room, her lip on slightly quivering. She gasps when she sees Grey, her eyes traveling between it and Ques.

knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

She recovers quickly, understanding the nature of the creature. "What do you mean to do with us? Why are you holding us prisoner in a basement?"

She nods towards the sickly man on the floor. "And what of him?"

"If that's dinner, it sounds explosive!" Gita whispers.

Due to the explosions, Gita's on edge, so she'll fire an acid splash at whatever enters the basement.

if needed:
acid splash, ranged touch: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Ugh, sorry! I live in Tennessee and we were out of power about half the day. Hope they get it working soon.

Ote you rolled a d10 instead of a d20 for your stabilization check. Try again!

Nevermind, I should have read further. You were healed by Ithariel.

Here's Wicked's arcanist. Please let me know if you spot any issues. I look forward to joining in!