Ilya Oftwrong's page

I'm in a good news/bad news situation...

The good news is that a week from Saturday, I will be getting married to a wonderful woman!

The bad news is that I've had to work about 220 hours in the last two weeks, getting my assistants and staff ready for me to be absent while I'm on vacation. I'm staring down the barrel of another murderous 10 days before leaving for the rehearsal (at which point, I will not return until after the honeymoon).

Today promises to be the only day I'll have off until then, and even still it is chocked full of preparations I have to make leading up to the big day, and beyond. When I return, I am likely to have a massive load of work catching up. And now there's word coming down to me that one of my assistants may be promoted by month's end (which is great! just bad timing...).

The short version is that October is going be a massive mash-up of exhausting goodness, that probably won't be sorted and settled until well into November...

When I joined this game, all of this seemed so far down the road. And in truth, I was apparently quite naive about how much work was involved. But, I don't really see how I can sustain any reasonable rate of posting, or even consistently check in to follow the thread, right now. I definitely don't want to be the thing dragging the game to a standstill.

I'm very sorry. But, I think I need to withdraw from the game. I hope you all know how much I've enjoyed playing Ilya and gaming with you all.

Best of luck,
Ilya Oftwrong, a.k.a. Jonathan

Ilya shrugs. "I'm Samsaran. It's possible I might have lived in Thassilon. Or maybe I'm planning to. It's hard to remember what I've done and what I'm going to do, sometimes."

"Eu spun mereu lucrurile destul de clar, că nimeni nu pare să înțeleagă."

"Sic melius quam maxime possit, ut redargui..."

"Tiden bär alltid ut mig, dock."

"Ίσως αυτό που χρειάζεται εδώ είναι λίγο περισσότερη υπομονή."

I'm ambivalent towards adding another player. I'm sorry to lose Fulko, of course. But, full casters can fill an astonishing number of roles. And we have a Cleric and two wizards. A combination of summons, enchant, crowd-control, and save-or-suck spells can work equally effectively to direct damage (which, surprisingly, is the thing casters are worst at...).

Also, I like Nicat. He makes Ilya look calm and well-reasoned... =)

In a low voice, Sylvia leans into Eostre, "You actually listen to his ramblings? Huh. I tend to tune him out after a while. I don't think I'd be able to maintain my own sanity for long if I didn't... For all I know, the whole glass pane incident was today!"

"You should pay more attention. After all, down the road he says that one thing..." Ilya snaps his fingers in an attempt to remember the words. "Oh, what was it? You know it's on the tip of my tongue. In any event, it certainly has a profound effect on you. Well, it'll come in time. It always does..." Ilya relaxes back in his seat, then sits bolt upright. "Except when it doesn't," he adds pointedly.

Ilya pauses in his meal for a moment and looks up towards the door. "Who is the older, olive-skinned gentleman?" he asks, oblivious to the shouting and the tension.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Ilya's eyes glow briefly with a burst of future-sight. "Oh, wait! I recall, now. That's Ameiko's dad... Such an friendly, even-tempered fellow, if I remember correctly," he says, looking to Nicat for confirmation.

Ilya taps his chin. "Your kind being the dwarf? or the soft scholar?"

"Hmmm..." Ilya pontificates. "Aren't the pretzels complimentary? And surely you're as dwarf as one can be?"

Ilya's spell calms the thief's nerves considerably. "Okay, okay... just-just please keep him away from me!"

He takes a breath, trying to keep his fear in check. "I'll admit, I was trying to get in with the Sczarni. I don't have any other skills that'd work for me--not a lot of demand around here for... fugitives. Especially when they're running from Korvosa."

"I screwed up. The thefts I was trying to pull today were my entry test." He looks down, ashamed of himself.

"There, there," the hedge-mage placates. "Not so hard to admit. You're safe enough, now. I don't think our bounty hunter friend will be looking for any more."

At the Rusty Dragon...

"You know, keeping the peace is more trouble than I imagined. Funny that... me getting caught off guard!"

Ilya intervenes as Fulko's interrogation becomes physical. He interposes his slender frame between the terrified thief and the monstrous bounty hunter. "Why don't we take a break? Ekan's going to be here momentarily with something that needs your attention."

Time for a little "Good Cop"...

After Fulko lets the thief down, Ilya guides him to the cell's bench. "Relax," Ilya consoles the frightened man. "He'll be busy for a minute. I can probably calm him down, but you'll have to give me something to tell him."

Arcane Bond: Recall and Cast Charm Person (DC 15).

He's very literal, when it doesn't make any sense... =)

"And what makes you think I provide a service, Ilya?"

Ilya looks at him quizzically, replaying the conversation in his head. As he mouths the the words, he finishes by muttering, "Jubrayl Vhiski, at your service."

He follows along as Fulko drags the prisoner off. "Only because you told me so..." he says as a parting shot.

Not too much to add to Fulko's interrogation.

"How would I treat someone who tried to steal my money?" The leader looks skyward briefly. "Good question. Nobody's been stupid enough to try before--perhaps I should give it a bit of thought."

He looks back at Fulko, a smile on his face. It's difficult to tell if it's genuine or not. "Ah, but I must have left my manners back at the Feedbag. Jubrayl Vhiski, at your service."

"And what 'service' do you provide, Jubrayl Vhiski?" Ilya walks over to Fulko's captive, examining him far too closely for the man's comfort. "Surely not legal advocacy."

"This man may not be able to pick pockets, but he can speak for himself, yes?" Ilya waggles his fingers in front of the man's face. "If you are concerned that he might lie to cover his misdeeds... you needn't worry. I have means to see that the truth comes to light."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

"Hold on now, what's this?"

Nicat sees a lanky, olive-skinned and dark haired man in studded leathers step out of the crowd, flanked by two more men in brightly-coloured scarves. He strokes his well-groomed goatee with a vague sense of amusement. "Now, deputy, is that really any way to treat a man?" He says as he steps forward. "Even if he is a sorry excuse for a pickpocket?"

"I would say it's a poor way to treat a man by stealing his hard earned cash," Ilya counters. "If he puts his hand where he knows it shouldn't be, it's hardly fair to cry when my friend here breaks it..."

Diplomacy - Aid Another: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Nicat Brightluck wrote:

...and Ilya, who just might ask for his flowers back at the end of an evening, because he senses there’s a future date coming where he’ll need them.

Haha!

That's silly. Ilya would ask for them back before the beginning of the the evening, because he remembered having been going to need them when the date started!

"Ilya I remember working with a wizard once and he would always be able to sense if magical things were near us, can you do the same trick?"

"Sort of..." Ilya taps his chin in thought. "At least, when items do magical things, I can sometimes remember what it is even if they haven't done it yet."

"Stealing when I am a deputy? You're either dumb, suicidal or both" He said to the man, his face showed a smith that was anything but mirthful.

"Nicat, Ilya I found us a thief!"

"Really?" Ilya starts. "But, the prices are so low... There's no reason to steal." Ilya leaves the glass sculptures on the table as he moves towards Fulko.

No worries. I'm still getting my thesis started, and haven't worked out a research proposal, yet, so I can only imagine. Good luck!

What's your thesis on, if you don't mind me asking?

I can't complain about your posting rate since it's still much better than Sylvia's, hehe. Though she might take a stroll back to the group just to thump Ilya on the head a good one.

Lol! Ilya's a very mixed up young man! We'll ask the psychology student... But, yeah. A thump to the head sounds like the proper treatment... =)

"And don't ask me about love, I had almost, almost ended up with one woman and it ended with me hating horses" Fulko laughed as he picked up a third glass piece, not letting the second one down yet.

Ilya nods sagely as the glow fades from his eyes. "Makes sense. And that's a good lesson for you, Nicat... about women and horses."

"Besides," he says as he sorts through a number of Tsuto's wares, "women are such contrary creatures, her father's approval may be the last thing you need."

**Looks around furtively, then ducks flying objects thrown by Sylvia and Eostre!** =)

Ilya continues to browse the vendors wares. "Some of these are quite lovely," he announces to anyone nearby. "I wonder if I ever end up purchasing any of these...?"

Ilya's eyes dart around from stall to stall, beginning to glow with the telltale signs of his future-sight. He dives once again into the ebb and flow of future events watching his own timeline unfold.

Cast spells Detect Magic and Detect Secret Doors.
Perception Check - just for anything interesting, hidden, or possibly illicit: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Appraise Check - to spot any great deals for sale: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Fulko wrote:

Fulko looks at the art pieces with pure enjoyment, his attention lasting on some pieces for a surprisingly long time, and on others it was fleeting to the degree that people didn't think he was looking but at the end it was clear that the painting were what interested him the most "Did a caravan of artists stop here without anyone informing us? First day on the job and already things go under our noses"

"I have no idea, but some of these are magnificent. Maybe its surplus from one of the bigger cities?" Ekan can only guess.

Ilya follows along, blithely uninterested in the comings and goings of the locals... even the precocious one that drags away Nicat. The festival of artists and artisans that somehow descended upon the city does catch his interest, though.

"You know, some people can will into being the very things they desire. I've seen it done. It is a frightening thought, isn't it? What if desires turn dark and dangerous? But, this is someone's desire for light and beauty. Sylvia's over there, by the way." Ilya points across the landing to where the priestess conversed with the Father.

Ilya approaches one of the vendors and hails him over. "Say there, my good man, what has happened in this fair burg to have caught the attention of this swarm of artists?" Diplomacy (gather information): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Holy post explosion!

Seconded! What in the wide world of Golarion happened this morning?

*reads*

<o_O /\ O_o> (O_O)!

Well done killing that rat... =)

Ameiko arches an eyebrow at Ilya. "It's not much of a web if everything isn't interconnected. What you're describing is mostly a straight line... I think."

"Oh, no... Well, maybe. Walking a straight line means putting one foot in front of the other in perfect succession... which is absurd, of course! Who could follow such a path?" Ilya walks his fingers across the table in mimicry. "Everyone should follow a more normal path, and simply enjoy the places where it touches the line along the way." He traces a complex, jagged and winding trail across the table, then bisects it with a straight line.

"You see? Much more natural."

"Well, the streets aren't going to patrol themselves. And seeing as I don't remember already having done it, that means it's still left to do, yes?" Ilya walks upstairs to gather his supplies.

"Nothing left to do, but to do it."

Ilya watches the discourse with interest. "So, Bugbears hunt Elves. Elves hunt Goblins. Goblins steal corpses. Corpses attack deputies." Ilya ticks off each step on his fingers. "Sylvia blasts corpses. Fulko hunts everything. Ameiko laments Fulko. Hunting confuses Ekan..."

Ilya trails off as his list becomes too tangled. "It is rather like a spider's web, isn't it?"

"Sooo... Should we be waiting for them to come to us? Or shall we go out to introduce ourselves?"

I wouldn't worry about it. Exposition is usually a little awkward and heavy-handed. If this were a novel you were writing, where you were in control of all the elements of the story, then you could limit that. But, in a RPG/PbP, where six people are all pouring in their own expositions, you kind of have to just dump it all out on the table...

Once it's out there, you can shape the pieces going forward with a little more subtlety.

"Uh, no...no...Food's good...stop it, sodding stop it, he's not sodding here." she says to herself.

"I should say not," Ilya responds. "And a good thing too! Could you imagine the mess it would make, having a full sized bugbear tramping around in the inn? It would be a disaster."

"Lady Shalelu, I'm more than a little concerned about letting you run off on your own, after this monster so nearly made an end of you. Wouldn't it be better if we accompanied you into the wild a ways... at least until we can line up a crossbow bolt or two for this Bruthazmus."

"Ripnugget's new to the job?" Ilya looks left, then right, then straight up for some reason. "How new, exactly? And what happened to the previous chieftain of the Thistletop?"

"The world doesn't work that way. The only thing that makes a difference isn't balance. It's power. And before you say power needs to be used responsibly, I'll say right away that's garbage. Power needs to be USED. Or else someone else will just use their power on you."

"I used power once!" Ilya jumps into the debate. When all the eyes turn towards him however, he realizes he doesn't have a lot to contribute. "It didn't go so well... I- I wouldn't recommend it."

Her eyes turn cold and hateful. "In fact, I'll wager that's what they're waiting for now. The goblins have a bugbear tracker in their employ--goes by the name of Bruthazmus. How the goblins managed to secure his loyalty is anyone's guess, but he's keeping his eye on the town. I know it--I've clashed with him on my way back here."

"Bruthazmus," Ilya tries the name out. "Sounds plenty menacing. Where did you face him?"

Ilya shrugs. "I'd guess that they probably naturally war against each other most of the time, anyway. Right?" he looks to Shalelu. "I'm only suggesting that we maybe... sort of... help them along their natural course."

"I don't profess to be an expert on goblin-kind. But, based on what I've seen of them in combat... the words 'cooperation' and 'coordination' would hardly apply. I can only assume this is amplified between different tribes."

"How easy would it be to turn the tribes against one another?" Ilya starts absentmindedly shifting his breakfast around on the plate, separating it into five distinct sections. "I mean... we have some Licktoad weapons and armor. What if we killed off a few Birdcrunchers and left evidence of the Licktoads? Then we could take some Birdcruncher stuff and head over to the Seven Tooths, and so on."

"Brinestump?" Ilya looks surprised. "I once met a goblin named Zord who hailed from Brinestump. He was part of the Licktoad tribe, under his chieftain Gutwad. I think he planned to attack the Swallowtail Festival."

Gulping down the last of the coffee, Ilya's mood dramatically improves. He turns towards the door of the inn, fairly excited to encounter another new face.

"I hope there is no trouble. I mean no offense, but both of you coming here to see us before the sheriff leaves is... foreboding." She glances to Ilya to see if the diviner feels the same as she does.

Ilya nods half-heartedly. "We're likely doomed." He takes the proffered cup of strong, black coffee Ameiko brings him and takes a long, slurping gulp. "Well... maybe it's not so dismal as all that."

Ilya's all leveled up!

"If you excuse me, though, I must get this gorgeous dress put away before it gets torn or stained. Shelyn weep if that were to happen!"

"I think a good tearing would be the only thing to salvage this one!" Ilya says as he pulls at the collar again. "I need to remove this before it strangles me."

The morning comes without incident, save for someone knocking on each of your doors.

"Up and at 'em, guys! The Sheriff's here to speak with ya!" Ameiko's voice comes through the doors to your rooms.

Ilya comes downstairs rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Is there coffee...?"

HP-1: 1d6 ⇒ 6
HP-2: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Hmmm.... tough call here. =)

I've got an oddly busy day with work, World Cup, and plans with my fiance. But, I'll try to get level 2 knocked out this evening.

Any chance we could just hand wave things until something extraordinary happens? Anymore social could be flexed into spoiler tags, of course. Back to the Rusty Dragon, a few drinks, some laughs, off to bed, and then...?

Ilya rejoins the group. "I've never seen a play which concludes before the exposition... Why did they start with the third act?"

You and your family have my condolences. Take whatever time you need to support each other.

Also, on a game related note, I'm happy to post some thoughts, or a little more RP. But, it would probably just be some more of the same. I guess I'm waiting for the next event to occur...

"Not to worry, Eostre," says Nicat, oblivious to the many theatre-goers turning to stare at him and hush him into silence as they anticipate the lifting of the curtain, "it's only when you're trying to talk to Ilya that you're really, really entertaining. You remind me of those two guys in the story, the tall one and the fat one, who confuse each other talking about a roll-ball player named First, but who also goes first...or maybe his team's in first? Anyway, that's what you remind me of."

Ilya allows himself to become distracted by all the glitz around him. The patrons in their glittering outfits, and the theatre lit by candelabra. Nicat's words call back his attention, though.

Who? What...? I'm sorry. I'm afraid I don't know that story...

One of my assistant managers is on vacation for the next week. That means I'm working some long days with no breaks for the next seven days. It shouldn't prevent me from posting, though I might miss a day trying to catch up on non-work related stuff.

For perhaps the twentieth time, Ilya runs a finger through the stiff, embroidered collar of his new robe. He tugs it down, sighing as the pressure on his throat immediately returns.

Turning to Ekan, he says, "You have greater foresight than I, it seems." He watches enviously as Ekan moves easily in his free-flowing outfit. "I should have chosen something a bit less... starched."

"I think I will sit towards the side, there," Ilya points towards the eastern wing of the theatre. "The acoustics may be a little shaky, but I should have a good view of everything."

Ilya tugs lightly at his threadworn traveler's tunic. "Something a bit more festive would be nice. Let's check out this Vernah's, shall we?"

If everyone doesn't want to go shopping, then I am perfectly willing to describe Ilya's new finery as we move into the show!

"YES! You talk about things that haven't happened yet as if they're ancient history and things that have happened in the past like they're in the future, and that makes it sodding hard to understand WHAT you're talking about in the first place!"

"I understand," Ilya nods, his forehead a deeper shade of blue. "It can be confusing. For example, I distinctly remember having this same conversation yesterday. And again as we walked to the Bottled Solutions. Perhaps if the past and future wouldn't repeat themselves so deliberately, it wouldn't be so difficult to differentiate them..."

"I suppose we should keep our focus where large crowds gather. You may have a very good point."

"Excellent!" Ilya responds, his good humor restored. "I had not expected to see a show, today! And the unexpected is always to be much prized..."

"See? You need an opinion on somethin', Eostre's your gal. Now, I didn't say I nearly got blown up, and it wasn't because of anything I did either. Nisk was making things that are supposed to explode, I suppose, but one exploded when it wasn't supposed to explode..."

"Wait... It wasn't supposed to explode? Are you sure? I distinctly remember it exploding."

"Am I starting to sound like Ilya?"

"I don't understand," Ilya looks around the room for confirmation. "Do I sound unusual?"

Ilya listens as the others report the events of the day. "A quiet patrol is something to be prized. And a show, this evening... Not to be a party crasher," Ilya flashed a mischievous smile oddly reminiscent of Nicat's, "but shouldn't the official deputies of the Sheriff make a show of official peace-keeping at such an event. I mean, it will be a rather large crowd..."

I'll be interested to see what shenanigans ensue from throwing this vial, down the road... =)

If nobody else is making any purchases, I'm ready to rejoin the rest of the group.

My deepest condolences to you and your family.

Nisk glares at Ilya when he asks to look at his work. "No."

With regards to making a sale, his mood swings back in the other direction immediately. "Ah! Of course! I have tanglefoot bags, thunderstones, alchemist's fire, antitoxins, healing supplies, anything you need!"

"Oh," Ilya looks slightly crestfallen at the bold refusal. "As you like..." Ilya walks along the aisles pulling a single vial of alchemist's fire from amongst the miscellany. "This is all, for now."

Purchase alchemist's fire. <-20 gp> from inventory.

Potions Group

The alchemist grins wildly. "Why, I'm glad you asked! I'm currently working on increasing the explosive output of a thunderstone through removal of chemical impurities in its makeup!"

He scratches his head. A trickle of ashes falls out of his hair as he does so. "Although, that last batch didn't turn out the way I hoped... perhaps if I used a pinch less potassium chlorate..."

He straightens up. "Oh, but I forget myself! Nisk Tander, potion provider and alchemical academician! How may I serve you today?"

"A pleasure, of course." Ilya bows slightly. "My name is Ilya. This is Nicat. And this cheerful lady is Eostre. I suspect you must have already known we were coming, because thunderstones are exactly what we came for!"

"May I take a look at your work? I have some knowledge of magical apparatus, and would be delighted to offer some insight."

"I would also be interested in any other alchemical items you have for sale. Potions, oils, alchemical fire, curatives..."

Any chance of getting a list of what's available?

"...YES! Don't taste things if you don't know what they are!"

"Be calm, Eostre," Ilya placates. "Just a sip won't hurt him." Perception checks using taste are a valid way to determine what a potion is, if you don't have Spellcraft.

She jumps at the loud bang and rolls her eyes at the proprietor.

"Can this creation offset your lack of professionalism?"

Ilya watches as the others jump at the noise. "I would also like to know about this marvelous creation."

Ilya Oftwrong wrote:

Eostre Roldheim wrote:

Eostre's face scrunches up at Ilya's words.

"It's frustrating to hear you talk, Ilya. Pick a tense and stick to it!"

Ilya blinks in mild confusion. "You're not the first to say that. How do you explain things that have already happened, but merely have yet to occur?"

"If something has yet to occur, then it HASN'T already happened! You're not making any sense!"

"Really?" Ilya laughs lightly. "A moment ago you said I wasn't making any 'tense'!"

Inside Bottled Solutions...

"How quaint!" Ilya says as he walks in. "I wonder where the proprietor has gone. Hello?" Ilya walks along the jumbled and disorganized aisles plucking bottles and vials from the shelves.

Anything unusual to find? Or merely the standard Alchemical stuff?

"For the love of the great holy donkey, put that down! You don't know what it is!"

"True," Ilya holds the vial up to his eye. "But, these are the one's I remember having already bought. So, I feel certain it's the one I wanted..."