Grunzel's page

Well, I'm certainly sad to see this campaign end so abruptly. But if that is your choice, then alright, and I can understand the reasoning.
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Good game to everyone then. Perhaps we'll meet up in future ones :P

Sylas sits down in his chair and reclines. "Well, stringing up dead clergymen in a grisly fashion to 'illustrate our power' was... not my first expectation when I signed on for this, I must say."

He shrugs and cracks a grin towards Malice. "If this is how you regularly treat such men when you come across them, I daresay it's no wonder they might be quick to anger around you. In any case, I'm not terribly inclined to sign my name onto a religious war, so if you wish to follow through on this... 'presentation,' then do enjoy yourself. I'll not likely be part of it, however."

He rises from the table then. "When we are ready to continue on with our work, I will be more than happy to do so. In the meantime, I believe I could use another drink," he finishes with a smile and heads over towards the bar.

Assuming the serving girls are no longer keen on wandering the tables, what with all the bodies about ;)
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Edit:

As Malice speaks to the Sheriff, Sylas looks back from the bar, curiously, and chuckles a little, shaking his head.

Ah, we most certainly are making friends fast in this town, he thinks to himself, taking a sip of his drink.

Sylas inclines his head slightly towards Etienne. "If it makes you feel better, I at least am simply a traveling musician and sword for hire," he says.

"I suppose it's possible someone wants me dead, but if so, I can't think of who that might be. Does that help?" He finishes with a one-handed shrug and a sheepish grin.

Sylas looks around at the remaining Crusaders.

"Well, that was a bit unexpected," he muses, then looks over toward Malice. "Who exactly are these men, and what sort of relation have you with their leader? You seemed to recognize him quickly enough."

I believe Sylas was actually probably hit on that first attack, unless he was no longer flat-footed by that point? I mean, I'd certainly prefer if it was a miss, but yeah, I think he would have still been flat-footed, which puts his AC at 14.
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Well, if he isn't unconscious after the first swing, then everyone has +1 Attack and +1 Damage for Round 2. If he's still not unconscious by the time his next turn comes around, he'll draw his longsword as a Move action and attack the Crusader who first attacked him, while maintaining his performance.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Man, Sylas is rolling all kinds of well for this fight :P

When it gets around to Sylas's turn (admittedly, way into the fight), he'll either start Inspire Courage if hostilities between people other than Trius and Malice have broken out, or if that hasn't happened, then he'll ready to do so instead (on the same trigger).

Initiative:
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22 Etienne (higher modifier)
22 Lethe
21 Trius
17 Rufon
14 Malice (I think I'm looking at the right roll?)
5 Crusaders
4 Sylas

You can roll dice on the boards with something like ['dice=Some kind of text']2d4+2['/dice']. Just ignore the apostrophes and it'll roll for you. You can also click 'How to format your text' underneath the text box posting to see an example of that, and others. You then get something like...

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 Whew! Talk about some Initiative on Sylas. Guess he won't be doing anything anytime soon.

Sylas looks around, uneasily, fingering the sword at his side.

Hmm, I wasn't expecting this, he thinks. He keeps his eyes on the rest of the men who entered, seeing if they plan to join in the battle. If they do...

He's basically just going to get ready for any kind of interference, probably with something along the lines of Grease to mess with the others if they move. Should I roll initiative now, even if he may not attack, or treat it as a sort of readied action?

Heh, yes, there seems to be at least some collaboration going on :P
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And I am also a little curious if this is sounding like a 1-on-1 duel or if the rest of the people who entered are planning on joining in the fight. Guess we'll know soon enough.

As the introductions go around, Sylas nods his head. "I am Sylas Kivarin. Little more than a traveling performer, and sword for hire on occasion," he says modestly.

At Rufon's and Malice's differing toasts, he chuckles. "And I am happy to toast to both of those," he continues.

"So then Etienne - what is this you might need assistance with in the future? While it is true I possess some moderate skill with magic, I can't say I had the most... studious way of learning it, so our new friend here," he says, motioning towards Malice, "might know a bit more than I do. Still, if I could provide some aid..." he shrugs and dips his head.

"Ah, I see." Sylas says to Malice. "Unlocking ultimate arcane mysteries and such? Fun, though I've never had much of a taste for it. I've always had a bit of an innate feel for magic, and learned to focus what I have. It's been enough for me so far."

At Rufon's words, he looks over, and gives a nod. "Come now, I hardly think we need to start threatening each other just yet," he says with a laugh. "We should have plenty of time to wear on each other's nerves in the following weeks, I'm sure we can make it through our first night as friends, yes?" With that, he lifts his drink in a toast of sorts and waits to see if anyone meets the raised mug.

Sylas reclined further in his chair. "Well, aside from what I earn in songs and tales in my travels, I'm not averse to some odd jobs. In fact, I'd consider this to be just such a one. I'm afraid I can't say tomb-raiding has ever made the list however, but perhaps it will turn up some day in the future. Is that your favored line of work?" he asks.

Also, thinking it might be about time to let the rest of the group catch up in the conversation :P Feel free to reply of course, since I just asked you a direct question, but I believe I will hold off for a little bit after that.

Sylas listens as Malice speaks, and at the last bit he laughs rather heartily.

"Is that so? Well, while the pay is a nice incentive here, I must admit that the thought of a good tale from the dark reaches of a haunted wilderness had its lure on me already. You may well have yourself such a song by the end of this," he says with a smirk.

Sylas inclines his head with a small smile. He takes another drink and beckons one of the serving girls for a refill.

"A bit of both, as a matter of fact," he says. "I grasped the early basics on my own, but I did have a mentor who helped me learn the more complex arts of magic. Yourself?"

As the viper moves by him, Sylas shoos it away slightly and looks over toward Malice.

"Can't say I'm terribly interested in hearsay and rumors 'bout your kind," he says, taking a sip of his drink. "I've heard enough stories about enough subjects to have learned never to trust them. The truth is often hidden in far too much fancy."

He leans back in his chair, draping his arm behind him. "So. I'll keep reservations about you limited to what I see in person," he finishes.

Here is Sylas's alias. It's mostly the same info as was posted in here already, but updated a little bit, such as some Blunt arrows and another cantrip known. Also fixed some silly typos and cleared up wording on a few of the abilities.

If I can think of any other gear to pick up, I may do so before the game starts. Will let you know if that's the case.