Lydia Stillbourne's page

Lydia and Fomalhaut follow Okaze and Oboskursuma.

Sorry, just can't think of much to contribute at the moment.

Upon seeing the venerable skeleton, Lydia contemplates her surroundings with her second sight; a place like this must surely have stories beyond count, to those who know how to read them....

I have another idea if nothing interesting comes out of that, but it will take a little more effort to pull off....

I...uhh...are they holding it digitally or something???

...and Lydia crosses her arms, lets down her shoulders, and gives Okaze a "welcome to my world" sort of look.

"Lydia, do you hear that? Either there is a ghost in this graveyard or I may be losing my mind. I am not used to communing with the dead..."

"Alright, alright, both of you," Lydia replies without breaking stride. She seems to be in a better mood than earlier. "It always gets to this part," She pauses for a moment, then adds, as if in reply, "Yes, I know about last time, let it go. Urrhg. No time like the present, right?"

Lydia turns around and centers herself in the chamber as best as the architecture will allow; as she does so, the muting of ambient hues that seems to follow Lydia everywhere she goes now intensifies and spreads, casting the already-gloomy Wayang crypt in downright-impossible extremes of black and white. She begins an occult incantation:

"As I travel Night's domains,
I see wounds gape through the planes.
Enter now this house of rot,
Fomalhaut,
FOMALHAUT,
FOMALHAUT!!!"

With the minutest flicker in the air, like a heavy eye suddenly blinking open, the light and color (such as it ever was) returns to the chamber, and all is as it was before.

With one exception...

Lydia tries the door with the mysterious geometric pattern.

Is it Boon yet?: 1d20 ⇒ 17...Probably not.

I'm in no rush.

Lydia emits a short, wheezing, laugh-like noise at Okaze's observation. "Find me someplace where there aren't, why don't you? Fine, sure, whatever."

Lydia sets out for the one place she knows she can always find somebody worth talking to: The local graveyard.

In a place like this, it must be a doozy, too...!

I've got a natural +4 to Sense Motive; I noticed when I joined this party could use some Wisdom. ;)

I've got Linguistics +9, several Knowledge skills +6, and Profession (Librarian) +11, for what that's worth.

I also intend to procure us some outside help in a bit here...and I do mean Outside.

"A group like that...are you certain they're not just adventurers?" Lydia asks dryly.

"A-ha. THAT," Lydia responds, pouncing like a predator on this last bit of information. "Please tell us more about this crater."

Ow, ninja'd by the DM's reply.

"Rituals...have reasons for being," Says Lydia slowly and awkwardly as she tries to sort through everything that is and has been going on around her.

Typical, she thinks as she looks over the 'offerings'. It's a good thing -she- wasn't hurt. From what she knew of the Wayang, part of her had been hoping they'd actually be the sort to cater to both sides of the veil.

"I don't know about any of you, but I...felt something in there," She continues. She then turns to the mayor with that sort of 'this feels like your job' expression every seasoned clerk inevitably learns. "This is a bit more than just some cheery hats-and-pies festival, isn't it?"

FYI, I've got a LONG plane trip tomorrow, so please pardon my absence for the next ~48 hours.

...I believe HE is. 8S

Seeing Yulau take a nasty hit (excessively so???) from Greencloak, Lydia moves to intercede, placing the wide flat of her kukri between them!

aid Yulau's AC: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Lydia strides purposefully out to by Khoda's side, ebony mock-kukri in hand.

Now...what do I really know about how a druid would fight???

After a somewhat incongruous look behind herself, she turns around and makes a gesture toward the nearest visible Wayang warrior, thrusting her weapon rigidly downward in imitation of some bloody sacrificial rite.

Intimidate to demoralize Green: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

I'd suggest, regardless of our typical weapon preferences, picking weapons with wide threat ranges rather than big multipliers for this - less risk of anything going horribly wrong that way.

Lydia accordingly searches the armory (carpentery?) for a scythe, longspear, and/or kukri.

Flashback:

Lydia samples and appears to enjoy all the food, even having seconds, although the beverage doesn't seem to particularly agree with her.

She cheerfully tries the paper hats, the colors of which look downright garish compared to most of the rest of her; after a moment's odd pause, she takes a second such hat, which she stows...somewhere.

She approaches the booth offering skin-bleachings, only to be courteously turned away after the esthetician, speaking with a mixture of concern and awe, tries to ask her for advice on his own art.

/flashback

Lydia looks down at what remains: The mask of Ilyamakano the Druid.

She scowls, as though annoyed by something, but promptly softens again.

"I choose Ilyamakano," She announces evenly. "Sounds like a lot of what I do anyway."

That's okay but I'm not sure about switching characters after the adventure has already begun.

I've definitely seen it done before; it works so long as one isn't very far in, which we're not.

TO be honest, it's not really designed for wayang PCs. We are okay because Okaze is an unconventional wayang but you will note that the PCs are playing the part of the non-wayangs at the ceremony. The whole point is that the pathfinders do not fit in.

Good point. I'll try to stay in.

I am considering pulling out of this game.

I had no idea it was so Wayang-centric (and I have always adored the very idea of Indonesian shadow-puppets as their own PC character race), otherwise I would've wanted to field one of my several Wayang characters...the trouble being they're all too high for a 1-2 adventure.

I don't suppose a 5th-level character could be admitted into this game?

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Lydia keeps quiet; she's no stranger to the Wayang, but this is the first time she's been anywhere near this far East.

@Miseria, I looked at your sheet, and I noticed you appear to have Shackleborn Tiefling modifiers wrong; their penalty is to Wisdom, not Intelligence.

Sitting near the back, in the shade of the upper deck, is a slight, pretty young woman - well, she certainly looks young at a glance, but it's almost like she's some kind of preserved fruit, simultaneously young and ancient - with a large scythe, a well-made sling, a bundle of leathery old skulls, and a few wands at her side. As one looks closer, a more striking thing about her becomes noticeable: She's virtually colorless. She has some kind of strangely attractive blue-and-lavender pox flecked sparsely across her face and arms, and a few spots of color amongst her equipment, but other than that, she's practically a charcoal drawing, nothing but shades of black, white, and grey - as she leans forward, you notice her mere presence seems to drain the color around her.

I'm Lydia. Also a student of esoteric knowledge. I'm looking forward to Iniyahi. It sounds much nicer than most of the places I've been so far."

Tier 1-2, huh? This calls for a change of plans:

Player Name: I'm Hiding In Your Closet
Character Name: Lydia Schwarz Stillbourne (and Fomalhaut!)
Society Number: 40025-20
Fast/Slow Track: Normal/Fast
Day Job roll: Profession (Librarian), Faction pin: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Faction: Dark Archive

Okay then, let's give 'er a whirl...

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Shoot. Anyone else?

You still have to successfully ID it.

DC 27 isn't a given =)

Given the nature of many other Objectives on that list (like "retrieve a spellbook", "retrieve an artifact", etc), I would argue that, while the CL requirements are specific to me, it is otherwise enough that SOMEBODY in the party managed it.

Besides, with that particular Objective, I could envision, were that NOT the case, parties with multiple high-Spellcraft Dark Archivists getting into some ugly "South Park roshambo" scenarios, if you know what I mean.

Lydia Stillbourne wrote:

- Did I manage to identify a potion or magic item with a caster level of 3rd+?

Dalton had a feather token (bird) which is technically a CL12. Also, he possessed a potion of CMW.

Works for me.

Profession (Librarian), Faction Pin: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

Let's talk Season 8 Dark Archive Faction Objectives:

- Did we recover a named text?

- is there "a named NPC scholar, knowledgeable spellcaster, or similar figure" around who could be solicited for recruitment by the Dark Archive?

- Did we recover a spellbook containing at least 9 spell levels' worth of spells?

- Did I manage to identify a potion or magic item with a caster level of 3rd+?

"You may not believe this, but I have literally been to Heaven Itself and back," Says Lydia as she heaves her scythe again. "If that is truly Iomedae..."

masterwork scythe, bless, flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10

"...then -Whoops!- Rovagug Himself must be imprisoned up Dumpy's bum."

Voices of the vengeful dead guide Lydia's scythe against the invisible foe...

masterwork scythe, bless, flank, Guiding Spirit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
masterwork scythe, bless, flank, Guiding Spirit: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 1) + 4 = 7
even is a hit: 1d100 ⇒ 69

...but the foe uses its advantage too well.

Surprise Round Action:

Lydia calls on the spirits of the dead to protect her (shield)...

Round 1 Action:

...looks out the window, and is about to bolt for it, when (were anyone else still there to see it) it would appear that something either drags or pushes her out the window!

Acrobatics vs falling damage: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

Seeing herself now nearly face-to-face with the mob-baiting little bastard, she feels little compunction to hold back.

masterwork scythe, bless, flank: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23
damage: 2d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2) + 4 = 10

Initiative!: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Perception DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Perception DC 20: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

If you could provide a reminder of what other evidence we've collected but not yet presented, it would help me contribute.

Also, this is one blessedly anomalous mob, just suddenly deciding to listen like a rational jury; I wish more than anything you could do that in real life.

This is pretty close to the heart, for me; the Human Hivemind is my "gold standard of Evil" - and I HATE how Web 2.0 just juices it up.

Elris and I both made the Heal check to find out that the blood was less than a half-hour old when we got there. Elris made it first.

Lydia is conflicted. Will they even listen to her out there? Besides, this may be her only chance to escape....

Want to tack on my Grand Lodge Faction Pin?

Want my folio reroll?

"Durkon, he begins. "I. I was following theses people, keeping an eye on them. Like you said to. Then one of them shouts. I think it was the demonic one. The one with demon scales," he points at Kashasa. "He shouts and they all start chasing me. So. So..." his voice trembles a bit but he quickly takes in a deep breath. "So I ran! I ran into this abandoned building, and they kept chasing with their swords and knifes and whips. I kept running and then, and then.... He gasps as if just putting everything together. "They threw me out of the window!"

The crowd goes livid, surging forward and pressing in on the pathfinders....

Why...you...little... Lydia fights back tears of fury as she sends the wickedest wishes she can muster in the direction of the manipulative little worm and his idiot army outside. There's that feeling again: Helplessness...the vast chasm between what you know and what they'll believe...and the INJUSTICE of it all, as though truth is just another thing for the most charming manipulators to decide, rubbing listeners behind the ears like tongue-lolling dogs, while those who demonstrate enough basic respect and dignity to not rut on others' thoughts are punished for doing so.

She looks about this wretched house, searching for ANYTHING that could help - although an escape tunnel and a necklace of fireballs is what she's hoping for most right now...fireballs enough to bring "justice" to this whole rotten town....

More realistically, though, I look around with detect psychic significance.

We are still in rounds.

I understood that, if this was in response to me - am I not able to make a Perception check as a standard action or something like that?

Lydia's seen this farce before. Hopefully Kronis and Elris can turn this around, but in case they can't, she tries to get away from the window before she's noticed...

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

...and, finding herself before now an unopened door, tries listening at it.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Why THE HELL did I agree to come here? Wonders Lydia as she tries to press herself against the wall...

Stealth: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

...while looking out the window and willing that crooked little manipulator outside to SHUT UP.

Daze, DC 14!

Per the DM's prompting, everyone else may GO now that I have!

Assuming I've got all your instructions right:

Cue the 'exploring the house' music from Clue....

Perception, outside: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Perception, north stair: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Perception, south door: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Assuming I'm there:

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Automatic success on Linguistics.

"There's no question about it," Says Lydia as she looks over the letter. "This is the same person who sent the last two notes."

"We need to find whoever it is, and it sounds like we need to do it QUICKLY."

"'The tall man'...?"

Lydia heads back to the graveyard where she'd first been warned of this "tall man", hoping to learn more.

Wacky Wild Magical Mystery Skill Check!: 1d20 ⇒ 3

"Wait," Lydia alerts the others. "Did anyone else...not hear something? There's always that one rat in the rat-king that squeaks the loudest. I heard it before, but this time...this time, out of all the shouting, that was *the one voice I didn't hear*. Whoever it was...mob-barnacles like that don't just lose their enthusiasm overnight. Something's up...."

Well, that's a solid '20' with 2 aids, at least.

aid Kinshasa's Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

The always socially-awkward, presently chip-shouldered Dhampir is no help in this situation.

And there we go. AWESOME.

I'm willing to lend you my folio reroll.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"You're right, Elris...this is very fresh blood."

"Ekira didn't make it more difficult." Dumpy mutters, then points towards Lydia. "She did."

"See if *you* can hold something like that in for 100 years," Lydia retorts sourly. "I've never asked for too much. Enough was enough."

Having found the graveyard, she spends the night finding her peace in it before heading back to the inn just before dawn. In the afternoon, she visits the Mayor's House in the hopes it has some halfway-interesting books, papers, or historical curios.

Profession (Librarian): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24

Please note that I have the Niche Specialist (Research) Boon, which gives me +2 to Research checks (and similar, subject to DM discretion), and I always rolls a minimum of 1d8+Intelligence modifier "when reducing a library's knowledge points", whatever that all means.