Whoops, I thought I had specified my credit character but I guess it slipped my mind. Please apply my credit to 192133-10, which is my spiritualist Katarina Caverly.
Otherwise, everything looks good on my end. Thank you again!
I believe you've got my email if you happen to want to keep in touch at all. Dragas and I are both tentatively planning to hit PaizoCon 2021 next year, if all goes well. Maybe we can meet up and grab dinner one evening while we're there.
Regarding ongoing games, I'm happy to issue you partial chronicles for Debt to the Quah and Treason's Chains, if you wish.
I won't lie, I'm very sorry to see you go. As Red said, you've been one of my favorite players and GMs and your encouragement of my own GMing endeavors over the last few years has meant a lot. You'll be missed.
"It can't hurt," Korinne agrees. "Besides, we may as well make sure that we've found everything we possibly can that'll prove what sort of man Lamm was...and maybe even clear the names of a few innocent people."
All that said, Korinne does think for a moment about where some of the best places to potentially leave a large number of scared, orphaned children might be...
Kn. Local:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
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Figured I'd go ahead and post this anyway, just in case.
Korinne rises the next morning having slept surprisingly well, the events of the previous day having left her worn out - more mentally and emotionally than physically, but worn out just the same. She spends a few quiet moments sitting in the little bit of sunlight that manages to peek through the boarded up windows, in quiet contemplation and communion with the Dawnflower. As she finishes, she murmurs a reminder to herself, one that she's repeated every morning for the last several years.
"Be strong. Be brave. Be good."
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"Runny eggs? I knew I liked you," Korinne can't help but smile as talk turns to breakfast. "Never had brioche though. I'd like to try it sometime."
To the more serious question of what to do with the children, Korinne starts slightly as Sora's Message reaches her but she thinks for a moment.
"Why not ask the children themselves where they might like to go? Even I'll admit that temple life - or the life of a Pathfinder - isn't for everyone. Getting everyone back to their families probably isn't an option, but let's try to give them some say-so in what their futures will be."
"Gerry's right, that brooch and anything else that has a name or something we can use to track down an owner should go back to their owners, if we can manage it," Korinne agrees. "Especially the brooch, if it truly belongs to the Queen..."
Her voice trails off and she sighs, her expression troubled.
Where and how did a lowlife like Lamm get something that belongs to the Queen, anyway? He was a bottom-feeder...someone of her station would never have contact with someone like that.
"Should we...um, set a watch for tonight? Not that I'd expect anyone else to care about this old place but with the city in a frenzy it might be better to be safe than sorry," she suggests.
HP +8 (5 + 1 + 2 Con)
FCB: +1 Skill Point
BAB +1
Fort +1
Will +1
+5 Skill Points (Diplomacy, Heal, Kn. Local, Kn. Nobility, Kn. Religion)
Charitable Hands (Su): At 2nd level, a paladin with this oath heals 50% less when she uses lay on hands on herself, but 50% more than the normal amount when she uses it to heal others. Using lay on hands to harm undead deals the normal amount of damage. This ability otherwise works like and replaces lay on hands.
See No Evil, Hear No Evil (Su): At 2nd level, the martyr and all allies within 20 feet of him gain a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against bardic performance, sonic effects, language-dependent effects, and gaze attacks. This ability functions only when the martyr is conscious.
"No, we won't abandon you now. Not until we know you've all got somewhere safe and warm to stay," Korinne agrees, doing her best to reassure the children.
There are plenty of temples in the city, to Sarenrae and other goodly gods. Hopefully between them all we can find places for any of the children that are true orphans.
"Besides...it sounds like there's something going on out there. No time for any of you to be out wandering the streets alone," she adds, with a worried glance towards the exit. "I'll go poke my head outside and see if I can see what's going on."
Once she's certain that all of the children that were in the fishery to begin with are inside and accounted for, Korinne heads outside to try and see if she can see what's happening. It's actually something of a welcome distraction after all the death and bloodshed, even if the din - and Zellara's words - are worrying in their own right.
Yeah, Dragas should take the composite longbow if he's inclined; Korinne's going an archer route but she ain't nowhere near strong enough to use such a bow at this time :)
After looking over the list I don't see much (out of everything identified, anyway) that Korinne would want. She'll take a vermin repellent but I think that'd be about it for the moment.
I am also amused and dismayed to see Zellara's severed head on the loot list :V
Currently at work, so I'll try and get Korinne leveled up in the morning before I head to bed.
After making sure that the children are still safe and sound - and most likely figuring out the best place for them to seek refuge - Korinne does eventually return to the chambers below to do what she can to help catalog the numerous items found. But what with the lack of magical training and little exposure to the fine arts, it's not easy.
Appraise Attempts:
Same as Gerry's attempts, just take them in order.
While the brooch remains a mystery, Korinne's countenance pales as something clicks in her mind about the dagger. "That style of blade...it was used by one of Korvosa’s most notorious killers! A man who slaughtered over 15 dozen victims between 4690 and 4697 before his killing spree mysteriously ended...."
She shudders. "Why am I not surprised that this ended up in Lamm's hands?"
A bit later, when Zellara's severed head is discovered, Korinne can do little more than simply gape in a mixture of horror and astonishment at it all. It's not until Sora finally answers the impatient spirit's question that she finally snaps her mouth closed and attempts to kick her brain back into gear.
"Yes, he's dead and most of him is still below. He paid for his crimes - including what I'm guessing was your murder. But you said the city is in chaos. Please, tell us why?"
"I guess all that justice, mercy and turning him into the authorities went right out of the window when you had the chance to have Dragas use his big axe for some quick vengeance."
Korinne pauses. She gives Viggo a look but surprisingly, it's not one of anger, or indignation, or even embarrassment. If anything, it seems...resigned. She'd known that serving Sarenrae in this way wouldn't be an easy path. Held to the highest of standards within and subject to the unrelenting scrutiny of those without - and their glee if she ever came up short in their eyes.
"'I will not abide evil, and will combat it with steel when words are not enough. I do not flinch from my faith, and do not fear embarrassment. My soul cannot be bought for all the stars in the sky,'" she repeats. "'I will redeem the ignorant with my words and my actions. If they will not turn toward the light, I will redeem them by the sword.'"
"I meant what I said. You and the others have been the ones speaking of vengeance - not me. But I don't expect someone like you to understand the difference. Most people don't. I didn't myself, not for a long time."
With that, she turns and follows after Gerry and Kradel.
Korinne's eyes widen as Dragas moves to stand over the fallen Lamm, ready to end the wretched man's life. Up to this point she'd been silent while the others nosed around Lamm's den of filth, staring at the one person she'd hoped she'd never meet again and prayed that she would.
A part of her wanted to agree with Viggo and Sora, to bring Lamm around. Talk to him, see if they could learn anything else about his crimes, his associates, his victims. A noble intention and surely information that the local watch would appreciate.
But is that really it? Do you *really* think he can tell you anything important or do you just want to ask him if he *ever* cared, even the tiniest little sliver? If he ever felt bad, felt sorry?
Her hands slowly ball themselves up into fists, arms held rigidly at her sides.
On the other hand, even if she hadn't been there to personally offer it, Lamm had surely had ample time to know they were coming for him and to surrender rather than double-down and fight. By all rights they could execute him here and now.
And there's the rub. If you don't bring him around then you don't have to worry about asking your question...and maybe getting an answer you don't like.
Korinne's hands, still balled into fists, begin to shake.
Selfish. Selfish, selfish, selfish.
As before, she reaches for the code that she's sworn to live her life by, to uphold to the very best of her ability until the day her soul stands in judgement in the Boneyard.
"I will not abide evil, and will combat it with steel when words are not enough. I do not flinch from my faith, and do not fear embarrassment. My soul cannot be bought for all the stars in the sky."
Then, louder, firmer, "No. Today we are instruments of justice. Executioners. But not torturers. Maybe he doesn't deserve a clean death but we'll give him one anyway."
Korinne turns her gaze to Dragas, meeting his eyes with her own, the slightest incline of her head signaling her assent.
Apologies for the silence; I took Monday off from PbP on a whim (and work tonight has been kinda busy) but I admit that I've also been struggling a little on how Korinne will respond now to the current in-game action. That said, will work on a Gameplay post now...
Probably a good thing for Gerry that Kor's not made it down there yet or she'd probably have something to say about pushing an unconscious dude into the water to drown/be eaten by a croc :P
Gotcha, GM. Sounds like the action's pretty well over already anyway but I guess the 'easiest' thing to try would be to try breaking through the barred trapdoor...though with a Str of 10 it might take Kor a few tries :)
Korinne continues to hustle towards the sounds of battle, the boardwalk creaking under her feet as she moves...
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I'm a little confused re: the maps on how to get from the upper level boardwalk to the lower level but that's where Korinne is headed with another double-move.
As much as Korinne hates the idea of leaving someone behind, she's also concerned about the others who may very well be fighting their own battle.
"...Okay, if you're sure," she reluctantly agrees before turning and hurrying back along the rickety boardwalk as quickly as she dares without flat-out running and risking a swim like Donkere just took.
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Went ahead and redid Korinne's Round 3 standard action and then tried again with her Round 4 standard action, which finally succeeded. So Kradel and Dragas should both be free to act as they will for Round 4 :)
With the threat of the spiders now ended, Korinne quickly turns her attention to trying to break Dragas out of the web he's stuck in.
Web Rip - Str (DC 8):1d20 ⇒ 1
But somehow, these webs are super strong!
"Are these webs or are these actually rope!?"
Round #4
Able to faintly hear the sounds of something happening elsewhere, Korinne tries yet again to free Dragas from the webs...
Web Rip - Str (DC 8):1d20 ⇒ 13
...and finally manages to do it!
"There we go! Now come on, I think something's happening back inside the fishery," she calls as she hurries back off of the boat and back onto the boardwalk.
Korinne also swings her scimitar at the remaining spider even though Dragas seems to be killing it, both in a literal and figurative sense...
Attack vs. Red (Scimitar; Flank?):1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 2 = 7 Damage:1d6 ⇒ 6
...and whiffs yet again.
"Gah! And this is why I'd rather stick to using my bow!"
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Or if Dragas' above attack is enough to take care of the spider, Korinne will instead take a second to make sure everyone is okay and then hustle back towards the direction the others went. Can those of us on the boat hear the fighting from elsewhere?
I'm in it for the long haul *but* you definitely gotta do what works best for you as a GM - and if you're just not feeling the game then I understand if you'd rather shelve it sooner rather than drag things out.
It's all good, GM. My own (player) game load just lightened a bit with the conclusion of Siege of Gallowspire (I was at the same table as Kradel) as well as a Mummy's Mask AP (3 years & 4 months from start to finish).
This isn't helping us track down Lamm but at least these spiders won't be a danger to anyone else later.
As a couple of the spiders come racing up on deck Korinne quickly moves up past Donkere and steps onto the rickety boat. Realizing that quarters are going to be rather tight to be using her bow, she stows it and reaches for the scimitar hanging at her side.
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Move to current map location, move to stow her bow~
Yeah, I'm still trying to get a feel for Korinne's character and how bold she is (or isn't) but I'll try and start doing better about pushing things along.
"Right, right, I'm on my way," Korinne calls back, moving further along the boardwalk towards the boat, while Dragas sheds some light on the subject and Kradel decides to go ahead and take a shot at one of the lurking spiders...
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Moved up to the corner, which is probably about all Korinne has time to do before Kradel initiates combat :)
*edit* I see I got ninja'd by the GM so up to you if Korinne can make the move above before Kradel starts combat or not.
Perhaps getting a little tired of waiting at the rear Korinne moves further down the boardwalk towards the boat, taking care to move past Donkere quickly enough to keep from putting too much strain on that section of planks.
She glances off in the direction that Gerry and Sora are moving and then back towards the boat where the others are lingering.
"Spiders? Is there enough room for me to get up there with my bow?"
Presuming she's at least close enough to hear Sora's comment, Korinne nods in agreement.
"Yeah, I don't think he'd be hiding on that boat, as um, not-sea-or-river-worthy as it looks and sounds," she comments aloud. "We need to finish searching the rest of the building first."
She waits, still taking care to stay a few paces back from Donkere. "I'll follow behind you in a second, okay? We need to make sure we stay spread out a bit while we're walking around out here."
Her unease and impatience getting the better of her, Korinne carefully steps out from the office and onto the creaking, rickety boardwalk. If he should look back over his shoulder, Korinne simply gives Donkere a reassuring nod as she slowly moves along towards him.
Now very much aware of what the others were talking and whispering about regarding the footing out here, she takes care not to get too close to Donkere lest she strain the planks to their breaking point. She glances around, looking for any signs of trouble from their rear.
With the rest of the group deciding to continue on, Korinne sighs quietly and does at least move to the other door to peer out at the retreating backs of the others.
Hum...should I stay here or go with them after all? There's a lot of us and not much room around here but on the other hand, it'll probably take a bit for anyone to unblock the other side of that trapdoor and get out...
"I'll stay too," Korinne quickly volunteers as she realizes that trying to keep watch out of the dirty, boarded-up windows will be nigh impossible. "If we're going to split up at all, it should at least be in pairs."
She moves to take up a position in the corner of the small office, bow ready.
"I'm not all that strong so I doubt I'd be able to budge it either," Korinne remarks softly, even though she logically knows that they've already made enough noise to alert anyone below that isn't deaf as a post. "While you get the door open I'll keep watch out the window over here," she gestures towards the boarded-up window looking out from the sleeping quarters. "In case someone tries to sneak away or someone else shows up."
Korinne moves up and tries to peek through any sizable gaps that might be present between the boards...
Perception:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4
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And if there are no gaps then she'll try prying a board loose with a whopping +0 Str modifier~!
Though still unnerved by the whirlwind of violence she's found herself caught up in Korinne does take a measure of relief in knowing that at least some good will come from it all - the freedom of the children they've rescued.
If there are any more of Lamm's goons lurking around I hope they'll be more willing to stand down than these were.
With much of the first floor rapidly cleared by her newfound companions she falls back through the door and into the front room that they'd first entered. Seeing that everyone is ready to press onward she readies another arrow and stands a few paces back, one eye on her companions ahead and one eye back towards the entrance.
"From what I've seen, your boss doesn't care about anyone but himself," Korinne calls down to Giggles as she draws and readies another arrow. "You should've stood down when you had the chance!"
...but only manages to stick it in the nearby wall. Maybe it'll work as a warning shot?
And though she's not as worried about the two children up on the walkway Korinne is worried about the two that are down on the floor, in the midst of the mayhem.
Though she's relatively fleet of foot herself Korinne finds herself amazed at how quickly some of her other 'companions' leap into battle. She hurries through the door as far as she can go, stopping behind Kradel, bow raised.
"Then there's only one way to go and Kradel's about to kick it down from the looks of it," Korinne responds, gesturing towards the northern door. "Those stairs lead down to another door but it's probably going to come out on a different level than this one. Unless we want to split up then there's not much else to do."
Korinne's own expression darkens as Kester and some of the children relay their experiences of beatings and worse.
Hasn't changed. He's not changed at all-!
But she tries her best to keep her temper; none of the children needed to see any further display of temper, especially the littlest ones. No matter how righteous it might be.
"Thank you, that really helps us a lot. We...we can't go with you, but do you know how to reach the temple of Sarenrae? If you go there, the priests and priestesses will be able to help you - and they won't expect anything in return. I swear it," she says gently, wrapping her hand around her holy symbol for emphasis. "Tell them that Korinne sent you. They'll understand."
She shoots a worried glance at Kradel as news of this 'Sophie's mistreatment seems to have robbed him of reason and maybe even a sense of self-preservation.
"Now, go - and stick together, okay?"
Korinne hurries into the fishery as Kradel heads through one door and Gerry intently inspects another, bow at the ready.
