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Laurel's voice comes out hoarse and crackly. "Please forgive me for this terrible burden. Find Tilaria and Alces, see if they are still alive, or make sure their souls are at rest. And when you are strong enough, find me, and put me to rest. And Thras..." Laurel looks up at his older brother, and forces a smile with the last of his ebbing life force. "I believe in you." Thras's face fades into blackness, and a flash of red lightning passes Laurel's vision.
"I'm sorry...oh gods I'm so so sorry." Laurel clenches his brother with all his strength, nearly forcing the air out of his lungs.
Tears threaten at the corner of Laurel's eyes. He had hoped for more time. But Thras had never been one for patience, even if he was marching towards his own demise. He moves over to Thras's side; his clear skin was practically translucent now, like smoky glass, and he could make out the scene behind him. Before what he is doing fully sets in on Laurel, the terror and uncertainty and hesitation, he pulls Thras back to his feet and wraps his arms around him, tight.
Laurel grits his teeth, stopping himself from shaking his head. Oh gods, even now you test my patience. Thras crosses the shed and claps Laurel on the back, and Laurel steels himself for the blow, but it comes off as weak and feeble, like an old man. A flash of concern comes over Thras's face but he quickly conceals it. Laurel takes his brother's large scarred hands in his own. "Thras...I was never angry with you. I was scared for you when you ran away. I thought we had lost you. And when you returned...it hurt my pride, knowing that you had been right all those years. I was a coward. I am a coward."
Laurel bites his lip. "You do have an escape Thras, but I was the one who found it..." He trails off quietly.
"Thras? Thras, it's Laurel."
Sounds good. I will likely get all of the writing for that done on Saturday. It's a fair bit to go through, and right now I need to be preparing for my IRL game that is having a session tomorrow.
GM, how are you wanting to handle this scene? Do you want to run Thras until the life swap happens, or do you want me to write for both characters? I'm fine either way, but wanted to make sure I didn't conflict with your plans :)
Laurel gives a hard nod to the others, and returns Sarela's tight grip. As she holds him another sob escapes. "I hope you are wrong, for your sake, because I fear that putting me to rest will fall on your shoulders." He steels himself, tearing his gaze away from the rest of the party and follows Umble and Thoot. After hearing the explanation he nods gravely. This would be harder than he could imagine, but afterwards it would all be out of his control. He fears what being an undead will do to his mind and soul, but he knows that no more decisions will be made after this. That party of his burden, at least, would end, if he could but just shoulder this one... He enters the shed. "Thras?.." He calls out softly.
Aira and Aralah's words cut Laurel deeply. It took them almost no time at all to volunteer themselves, their lives and their very souls to save another. Do I hesitate because of cowardice? He grits his teeth, flashing back to everything that had happened over the last few days. The heroics and strength of the others. His own weakness and hesitation, doing nothing but weathering a few blows and some healing, but even then this group had ample healing at it's disposal. Laurel takes a deep, shuddering breath. He knew what he must do. Laurel straightens up, turning to face the others. His face has wet streaks from the tears, but a smile is on his face. "Samalgee, Sarela, keep everybody safe. The horrors we have seen thus far I fear are the least of our concerns." "Mithralline, Thras will need guidance on how to fight with a team. Your expertise can hone his raw power." "Aira, Thras has latent powers he doesn't fully understand. They will only get more powerful and unpredictable as he grows. Please help to temper them." "Aralah." He steps over, placing his hands on her shoulders. "You have to stay Aralah, Thras will need your help most of all. I have seen the way you look at him. My brother is so bullheaded and stubborn you will tear your own hair out, but he does have a good heart buried in him, I know it. But-" Laurel's voice cracks. "-but he will have to forgive himself, and forgive me, for this terrible burden I am giving to him. Please...help him learn forgiveness." Laurel steps back, facing the entire group again. "I was always the weakest of my siblings, in body and in will. But I was never one to shrink from weathering hardship. The world still needs you, your strength and bravery, and it needs the strength of Thras fighting on the side of good, not evil." Not knowing what else to say, he tears his gaze from the party to face Thoot and Umble. "Now, how do we do this?"
It would be horribly evil of me to just have Laurel stay silent and watch as other party members volunteered themselves to be sacrificed :P
Weapons against evil is highly useful for helping the DPS characters overcome DR at low levels.
Welp nevermind just found the Bloody-Knuckled Rowdy archetype.
Laurel is both angered and concerned at Thras's state of mind. Of course he's not at rest, he's Thras. His look of concern grows at the mention of undead. If there was one thing Thras was, it was determined. Even if he ripped his very soul apart he would make sure he wouldn't be shackled by this realm. Laurel shudders at what kind of powerful vengeful spirit he may become. "Tell me! You have no idea...you have no idea how Thras is. Even if he understands what would happen to him he would think he can fight it still." The alternative lands on him. Exchange places. Laurel goes silent and still, color draining from his face. He stares blankly past Thoot and Umble towards the townsfolk. Exchange places. Free Thras of this place and allow him to continue on, but I will become a vengeful undead, powered by his rage. He closes his eyes, hanging his head. Sarenrae, I thought I already had so much to bear. It weighed heavily on me but I could burden it. But the fate of my brother...what is all of this for if it is not to protect those like my siblings from the evils of this world? And Thras, he is so much stronger than me. He could save so many more than me if he was free. Laurel chokes up and covers his mouth, tears running down his face as he realizes he's seriously considering the consequences of the choice he's making. He would never forgive himself, he would never forgive me. Laurel sobs, torn by the horror of the weighty decision that has landed on his shoulders.
1) That's fine. But also I have not really made it abundantly clear what happened to his other two siblings, and have very much left their fate in your hands :) 2) Yeah, I'll just keep it as a placeholder for now until we get to know each other a little better. 3) Got it. Ugh. Right now I'm building Thras as a draconic bloodrager who will prestige into dragon disciple, and I'm settling on an intimidate build. It's going to be a very fun melee build that totally relies on natural weapons, and I would love to take the boar style feats but taking improved unarmed strike when I already have claws feels real bad. Hmm. It's too bad none of the draconic bloodline bonus feats are intimidate-based either.
Couple questions for building Thras: 1) Would the family ties drawback be appropriate given the state of Thras's family? 2) How are we handling the campaign teamwork feat? I'm fine with throwing ferocious loyalty onto him because it fits well and is strong mechanically, but wasn't sure if you wanted to do some RP hurdles before we had Thras with the same teamwork feats as the party. Edit: 3) How am I doing wealth?
In a haze Laurel only matters a "Wha..." before Umble is gone. He stares at the puff of smoke with a confused frown for a moment, then his adrenaline spikes as realization sets in. Oh no, Thras. The last few days had quickly worn him down with the painful trial it had become, but now he was remembering why he was going through this suffering. With a desperate look to the others Laurel starts moving back to the townsfolk at a swift pace.
Neat! And I assume you mean level 3?
Laurel's eyes seem to go fuzzy as he looks at the prince. He simply nods to the queen, glad they have a way out.
Laurel does not finish the spell, holding it in anticipation.
Laurel casts a spell, continuing to walk forward with a blank expression.
I'm hoping to inject some new life into my personal character investment when I switch characters. Unfortunately Laurel was built as divine support with a focus on channeling, and as such he doesn't really stand out in this party at all. But Thras certainly will, and should significantly help our damage output.
Laurel just nods wearily. He seems too exhausted and confused to bother sifting through the morality of it all.
"No." "We will do better than that, we will allow you to publicly reclaim the throne yourself." Laurel steps forward, inhaling and raising his arms. "As we have said, all of his guards are dead. He himself was injured during his fight with us. He is alone, weak, and bleeding. It would be child's play to finish him off." "And it's vital that you do it yourself. If we dethrone him and deliver you, it will look like you hid in this room while others got rid of an enemy for you, almost by luck. But if you are the one that takes him down, then your reign will be that much more secure."
Unfortunately, Laurel's idea is easily seen through as the slimy tactic it is.
Well sometimes certain stuff can't be handled with a diplomacy roll, no matter how high the result. Well if you go according to RAW it can, which is why creating a level 1 bard with a +20 to diplomacy is actually the most broken level 1 build there is.
Laurel narrows his eyes. Was the mimic just planning to attack again once it had the backup of the queen?
Laurel tries to finish the mimic off, but this blow goes wide.
Laurel steps up, swinging at the creature with his scimitar!
Laurel looks darkly at the fairy that killed its ally. He steps over to Aralah, blessing her with guidance on her next attack.
Laurel's face twists into rage, his growing detachment finally bubbling over into frustration and anger. He bares what teeth has left, spitting out a curse at one of the fairies.
If Mith fails her save:
Laurel jumps to Mith, reaching out to keep her from falling off the bridge!
If Mith makes her save: Laurel assist Mith in taking down the closest fairy!
A new face to aid them? For the briefest of moments Laurel sees a hint of brightness in the world, but it quickly evaporates when the others call for healers when Rose won't wake up. After checking her he hangs his head in shame. I can't even keep us from slipping away in our sleep. What good am I doing here? He quietly follows the others, beaten and downtrodden.
Yeah, Arcane bloodlines are always really powerful, regardless of class for some reason. The bloodrager arcane bloodline lets them cast haste on themselves every rage starting at level 8, which is gross, among other good abilities.
In the back of Laurel's mind a warning calls to him. It may be a trick, be careful! But he doesn't seem able to force the words into his mouth. He watches the door with sunken eyes, waiting for the newcomer, distantly hoping they will be friendly.
I think I may go with a draconic bloodline into dragon disciple. Another build I've never looked at before!
An investigator can be passable in combat but it takes a lot of work, and even at their best they're only passable. I had a tiefling investigator who took mutagens and had fencing grace and could drink extracts as a swift action, and when completely buffed up he was fairly intimidating, but I could only really be dangerous 1/day and at all other points I was easily outclassed by any fighting type. Which is more than fair considering all of their skills and utility.
It sounds like the perfect time for an old cranky toothless wizard with a temper as short as his patience who lobs fireballs at anything that disrespects him!
I think that would require such a significant rebuild that it would change Laurel to no longer be the same character. Plus we have a very thematically appropriate way to make the swap of Laurel for his brother. A blaster or a skill based character would both fill empty niches right now.
Indeed. I think switching to one of Laurel's siblings, most likely his brother, will be for the best. He was originally conceptualized as a barbarian, although honestly I've never played a bloodrager so I may give that a try instead. GM do we know what kind of build/concept the new recruit is going to have?
Laurel shrugs, staring down at the depths from the fall as if it's irrelevant if he dies up here or down there.
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