Lady Delena's page

I enjoyed the game, as well. I liked playing with everyone involved this far, including the few post Malphene had time to write.

One thing I would like you to answer is the play of Delena. I told at the beginning that she's "Chaotic neutral, but not in a disrupting way'. I would like your comments how that worked out.

I still haven't completed a campaign, so if anyone of you needs a player who is determined to see one through, I'm in.

I watched the video and I was aware of the concept beforehand.

Unfortunately, I didn't major in writing. I didn't even study English after high school, I did my compulsory foreign language with Russian. Only writing course I did was technical writing and that is not very helpful in creative writing.

I do try to write as well as I can, within the limits of time and my ability.

"We are stealing these anyway and glass is fast to break", Delena shrugs at Tiber. She quickly looks through the items. "That, lots of gold. This, silver and fine craftmanship. That has pretty gems. Should be enough even for Abadar prices to clean poison."

"Just smash the glass and stash everything in a bag" Delena says impatiently and follows Tiber to the next door.

"There's something faint in the floor, but that raven is stronger", Delena says and walks over to check the raven.

"This is, responds faintly to this test, it was in the table on page 50"" she talks to herself while trying to remember the rules. Finally, she throws her arms out in frustration. "Can't make it! I just remembered the table last week", she says angrily.

"Yes, yes", Delena mutters and follows Pavo into the room.

"This is a very strange place. If it was a museum, you would expect some documentation about the items. But these have none", she wonders aloud as she tests the area for magic.

Delena follows Tiber and Thalasou to the door.

"Incredible amount of work to do something like this and I'm already bored of them. Wouldn't call it time well spent" Delena frowns at the figures.

I'm fine with the way you put the map.

The amount of doors is just a bit overwhelming.

Delena laughs at Pavo's comment. "Cheliax? Do you know how stiff that place is? Those princess-hating tradition-huggers would be considered dangerously open-minded there."

She steps closer to peek at the circles. "If nothing else, the drawings give us path to follow" she shrugs. "But I can accept a quick check behind us, I don't want daggers in my back either."

"You would rather kill the living, and so bring around more undead? How thoughtful for the ghosts" Delena teases Pavo.

She walks to the next door, following the men and touches her glowing dagger when saying the magic words to keep it alight. "It is getting rather repetitive, and I'd like someone with a mind to play with."

"The reason behind them? No. But there is clearly a lot of thought behind them. Maybe it would be easier to follow if they followed conventional rules, these markings are not standard. Seem to be invented at the spot. It is sort of impressive to develop the method and calculation at the same time", Delena answers to Pavo.

She casts again her detection spell. "No magic on them, nor anywhere else in the room."

"Go on. With this pace, we don't need many more doors to have all of Taldor's nobility here with us", Delena comments dryly.

She pats her viper, that seems now inappropriate for her look. "Maybe we'll find a snake wig, and you could change to something pink, too?" she says to it.

"Yes, I see it. Just a moment", Delena says and concentrates on the wig.

She starts grinning mischievously. "Oh, this is a fun one," she says and walks over to take the wig. She places it on her head, and suddenly changes to resemble the grand prince, with exaggerated features. "I am so scared of women, I will kill them all and everyone who interacts with them. Then Taldor will be finally pure!" she snarls in a mocking imitation.

She changes to a blonde woman in a pink dress, looking very much like a typical family-respecting noble teenager. "Not that powerful magic, and it cannot by itself replicate accurately a specific person. Useful nevertheless especially for unsuspecting people, or for hiding", she explains. She whirls around, admiring her blonde hair and pink dress. "I could have so much fun with this! Anyone else want to try?"

Temporary change of avatar just because I can.

"Are they real people, frozen? If so, how don't we know about them? A roomful of nobles disappearing would certainly be in the history books", Delena wonders as she gets closer to examine the magic.

"Now, let me see..." she says followed with the familiar words of magic detection.

Delena fulfills Imistos's wish and gives him the nod used for servants. "Even a lesser servant can help by doing the menial tasks, to give a master the chance to concentrate on more important matters", Delena explains, mostly to Thalasou. "But there are many stories of servants that are greater than the masters. A wizard advising a warrior, a senator under the prince, or a wife behind the husband. Still the advised one is considered the hero."

"So you think you know my desires? How impressive", Delena says to Malphene, seemingly not shocked by the accusation of lying. "This might prove to be an interesting relationship after all".

Delena walks back to the weapon room, ready to continue.

Delena looks at Tiber and Thalasou. "You don't just know what it is like to have a faithful servant with you, who helps the master achieve even greater things", she says to them. "And that's what he is, a faithful servant", she continues, her emphasis hinting what happens without faithfulness.

"Before we go on, let's split these. Healing ones to us who don't have it in their blood, and the strength to where it helps most", Delena says as she gives out the potions she examined.

One CLW to Tiber, Pavo and Delena, Bull's strength to Tiber, I suggest.

Malphene: That she would have no chance with the conservatives or anyone doing things by lawful order. As there have been female senators and such, I think it is a lie? Whatever happens to the princess doesn't necessarily apply to any other woman. It is lying with a grain of truth at the root and exaggerating.

Also, vaguely hinting in the background that Abadar represents the conservatives, and thus Jowuan is untrustworthy, but that is more role-play preparation and roll-worthy stuff would happen later at a convenient time.

"That sounds great, I just hope the very strong magic didn't mean an item with intelligence. Wouldn't it be great, you were previously held by a legendary hero, now someone fights nasty apples with you!" Delena laughs at Thalasou's comments.

When Thalasou concentrates on the item Delena nudges Tiber. "See, that's what I meant."

"Now that I know it's there, it is not painful. I just opened the way a bit too much for that kind of power" Delena says to Thalasou as she's examining the items. As she does her routine, she explains some to Tiber: "I do very minor magic, much weaker than cantrips, to test the auras and from the reaction I can deduce the effect of the magic. I use a set of quick tricks for fast approximations like this, then with more time and stronger magic I can do complex tests that reveal more. I've heard that naturals like Thalasou often do this by just 'feeling' the item."

"Go get the useless people, this takes a while", she tells the others while doing her analysis.

Posting next action though previous isn't resolved yet. I suppose they won't do anything nasty.

Wizards cannot use many weapons, so if we get one each I can give mine away. Or I can take bolts, or another crossbow if we have enough bolts already.

Delena smiles at Pavo: "Welcome back to the world of stabbing pain."

She then nods at Tiber. "Useful spell, sometimes. A bit hard to fit now that we are trapped indoors," she comments.

She walks back to Malphene, Jowuan and Imistos. "As you can see, there is no danger, and we just animated these things to stab our friend to deceive you. With your active help, it wouldn't come to this, but separate we will surely die", she says to them, pointing at Pavo. "In unpredictable situations, sticking to strict rules doesn't work, we have to improvise." She moves closer to Malphene. "And it's the same outside. Where are you, fatherless daughter, going to end? Married off to some old man in the middle of nowhere, if you are lucky. Killed for treason with the princess if you even try something else, like thinking for yourself."

"New times, new ways. New friends", she finishes and walks back to collect the magical items for examination.

Delena walks over to Pavo, watching the healing attempts with interest. "Is he gone to meet the demons, or still coming back to bother us?" she asks the healer pair.

OK, I'll do better head-nodding in the future.

Well, all I could do on the second round was to finish the spell so I don't consider it a missing round.

But yes, light is for the 3rd round.

Light up, then. No shadows to hide, undead, Delena says. She pulls out her dagger, and with magic words makes it glow.

She steps closer the undead armor, waving the dagger. "Danger here, you mindless thing" she teases the enemy.

"Look out, the armors are animated! No, that's weird... No! They are undead! And resist positive!" Delena shouts a warning to the party.

"Stupid mindless things, at least there's room for this" Delena mutters as she digs out a scroll and starts chanting magic words.

My draft.

"I can do a quick estimation, but I'd like to have a day without anyone trying to stab me for a more complete research", Delena answers Tiber.

"Do you want to practice your thievery" Delena asks Pavo. "or should we use his master key for faster access?", she continues, pointing at the hand axe on Tiber's belt.

Delena shakes her head and blinks several times to clear her head. "By all gods, that's strong", she says.

After getting herself together again, she summarizes her findings: "Not much to know. Something strong, somewhere there. Hurts like mad if you even try to pinpoint it." Already getting on better mood, she smiles wickedly at Pavo. "You should try it, it is an enlightening experience."

"There certainly is something. The circles are geometry, but it doesn't seem quite right. Just hold a moment more", Delena says, continuing her concentration.

"Don't throw up on the circles yet", she comments to Tiber.

At a con this weekend, so posts might be short and at unusual times.

"Of course I can" Delena says. She casts a spell and examines the circles from far, then carefully gets closer.

"We could get them now to help, they seemed so brave and heroic" Delena answers to Pavo voice full of sarcasm.

"Let's pick them up after we have found fresh air."

"So what's the lesson you learned? Hit the thugs before they hit you? What I think is revenge doesn't repair hands. So be wary", Delena comments to Tiber's story.

When Pavo opens the door, Delena peeks ahead with interest. "Actually, I'd like some interesting beast with lots of sharp teeth, to convince our doubtful friends. After that, exit, of course."

When the halfling is looking the other way, Delena watches him suspiciously, tapping her own hand with her nails.

"How thoughtful of you, I could use a new servant", Delena thanks Tiber with a nod and a smile. She walks to the halfling and gently places her hand on his shoulder. "And my friend is right, you are safe with us", she says softly.

Then, she changes the gentle touch to a pinch with her nails, and drops her voice to a hiss. "Unless you fail us, then you would hope you had taken your chance with the demons", she warns him, strengthened by the viper hissing and staring on her shoulder.

Again changing her tone, she releases the halfling, turns to the group and overly positively encourages them forward: "With our newest member, let's continue our merry adventure. There's still a notch we haven't checked, the way out must be there".

In contrast to Ayalina, Delena is far, far meaner and impatient than I am. The business venture boldness is in the same direction.

I like lists, so:
1. Delena is mean, in purpose and just for the kicks. She might not initiate these, but when she notices something she often pushes them further just to see what happens.
2. Delena also lies, often just for fun. I don't lie much.
3. Delena flirts more. I'm terrible at it.

"Strange times, strange ways", Delena says to Malphene. "We are lost here, and others dead, because the less strange ways failed. We don't know whose way will work so to better to keep one's mind open", she says, gesturing neutrally to both Jowuan and the others.

"Ah well, we could have used a bank of Abadar in our lands. We will have to continue financing our trades with Scarzni money. Shame, isn't it my dear?" Delena says to her viper, but clearly enough for everyone to hear.

"Let's go find some more fun creatures, we can bring them back here for the enjoyment of everyone", she suggests and nods to the door the group stands near.

Delena still just watches the situation, gently stroking her viper.

Delena follows the men, just smiling smugly as she watches their conflict with Jowuan.

Delena shrugs at the incomplete negotiation. "Let's find us a danger then. This door looks good, sirs, please? she says as she joins the men at the door.

"In this kind of situation, as it would be a major loss for both parties if we fail our task of getting out, a considerable discount should be offered. My partner's thought of totally free service might be hard for Abadar to accept, but as we offer physical protection from dangers that are demonstrably present, their estimated value should be reduced from the charges", Delena tries to negotiate, mimicking the business-style speak of Jowuan.

"First close relative murdered? Don't worry, the next one will be considerably easier", she offers her view of comfort to Malphene.

Delena nods knowingly to Jowuan. "An arm and a leg, if my father is to believe. But if the killings continue at this rate", she gestures at the body of the noble, "we have no shortage of them. We can find an agreement here".

"Of course, if you like it here you can stay. With us, in the worst case you'd get out and learn you really do hate us. Even then, it is a win, 'Know your enemy' as they say", Delena adds her viewpoint.

Diplomacy (aid): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Delena nods at Pavo, and then turns to Jawoan. "Basically, that. Get out of here, by any means necessary. We have no knowledge of what it requires, so planning is mostly useless. We faced two undead, there might be more or something quite different. Just improvise", she says with a shrug.

"My my, isn't it the lady with punching arguments for her side in the election. You being here makes me guess you were also getting cutting remarks from some parties at the senate floor. You must be overjoyed that we can now continue our discussion, and work together here for the common goal", Delena answers Malphene, voice thick with sarcasm and delighted at the turn of events.

Delena turns to Jowuan and curtsies to him as a noble to an equal. "I apologize, but our last meeting with this lady of mild manners makes me slightly wary of her associates. I propose we share our skills and knowledge now to get back to safety, and so start to build up trust between us. The situation outside may well still make us enemies, but at least it will be honored opponents", she suggests, hiding all her true feelings behind the formal noble smile.

Delena taps Ayalina with the scroll. "What do you think this is then, a napkin? You could feed a family one year with the price of this. Besides, we are currently considered traitors by many. If my head is going to be on a spike, I'm not too bothered if it is jailed for theft afterwards", she mocks Ayalina's comments about legality.

Delena walks behind Pavo and watches what is found behind the door.