Mao Phan's page

Mao turns her head towards trying to figure out how to get past, around, or through this invisible wall.

Knowledge (arcana): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Assuming that doesn't work, she turns with a bit of a pout on her face and says, "Invisible wall. Some sort of magic I can't undo. Should we risk the docks?"

d6: 1d6 ⇒ 5

"Stupid beast," Mao mutters, and she begins following Reggie to the gate.

"Umm, doesn't someone need to get the horse?" Mao asks, heading back towards the stables.

Going to try handle animal untrained, but a 10 is the most I can get as it's an untrained roll

Handle Animal (untrained): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7

"What's the nearest town we could head to?" Mao asks hoping someone has knowledge (geography).

Heeding the man's advice, Mao begins moving in the direction of the guild house while gesturing for the others to follow and asking Felstad to bring the horse (because she knows she certainly won't be able to reign in the beast).
While moving, she keeps an eye out trying to discern what that horrid roar might have been.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

"Can somebody try to clam that beast down and maybe I can ask someone where we can find a wagon to hitch to it," Mao poses having failed to find such a mode of conveyance herself.

Didn't seem like we managed to find anything ourselves, so I'm getting creative

Mao looks for a passing stranger who might find her lovely and plays the damsel in distress card.

"Please, sir, my family!! We need your help. My poor, invalid uncle can't run from town. We can't just leave him! Do you know where we might find a cart or wagon we could use to get him out of town?"

Hope that works

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Mao leads the group through the crowded streets continuing to fill the role of "prophet" for the "chosen savior" to encourage everyone to let the group past. Eventually assuming we're unhindered along the way she arrives at the stables and begins scanning to area for horses or some other means of conveyance.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Mao continues towards the stables walking with purpose and poise.

"Clear the way," she calls out as they move forward, "Jamira, lady of the Flaming Sword, seeks to slay the beast. Stand out of our way that she might save us all."

Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

And with that, she casts a wink back at the group and keeps moving forward.

Oooo, bad roll. Thank goodness for my bonus!

"The dragon's moving to the docks," Mao asserts. "I would personally prefer to move away from the fire!" and with that, she takes a step in the direction of the stables.

Are we thinking we write in the idea of Kuzu as character leaving the group since the player already has so we have that narrative piece? I imagine maybe she becomes separated from the group and it's the "Get to (insert location here). I'll meet you there!" And that leaves the door open should the player return or should the GM decide to use the character idea as a narrative device to advance plot later. Just a suggestion.

"[bYes, the gate and the road sound fine, let's just do it quickly![/b]" Mao says starting to move in the direction of the stables. Then, she pauses and suggests, "Maybe someone with armor and weapons should lead...?"

"The stables, then," Mao says. "Perhaps we can find trusty steeds to carry somewhere extremely far from the flame-breathing monstrosity?" she says, gesturing in the direction of the winged embodiment of death.

"You said you were looking for a ship, right?" Mao said, turning to Reggie. "I say we all go find one. Right now."

"Felstad," she says in a sweet yet stern tone, "you're going to need to stand up and walk now."

Glad to still have you around, Reggie!
The flu bug can be flat out NASTY! Hope you're feeling all better now.

"I...that's.." Mao says, finding herself at a momentary lack of words. Regaining her composure, she turns to the greatsword-wielding warrior. "So, warrior-priestess, if you want to start praying or doing miraculous fighting things, this would be a good time." Then, turning back to Felstad, she adds, "Your visions didn't happen to show how to stop that thing, did they?"

Mao casts a curious glance at Kuzu as if to ask, "should we follow?"

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (6) - 1 = 5

"Umm, Mao says, not quite sure what to do with Felstad's statement. Instead, she sweeps a look around the bar, "Anyone need another drink?" and then she mutters under her breath, "because it looks like the five of us do," and she looks quizzically at her fellow Tian, Kuzu, to see how she's reacting to the spectacle that is now shaping up.

As soon as the beggar, whom she now knows as Felstad, begins his utterings, Mao quietly walks over and pulls a draught of the house's cheapest ale. She moves slowly in the direction of the table and waits until he has finished (including a rather embarrassed look in her direction) and then sets the ale down before him as he sobs into his hands. She rests her hands comfortingly on his shoulders and says softly, "That's enough, Felstad. Have a drink to soothe away what you saw."

Then, she glances at the woman with the large blade and says, "Was that more or less what you were looking for, Miss Sunblade?" There's a tone to Mao's voice. Perhaps sincerity, perhaps sarcasm, perhaps judgmentalism. Mao spent years learning to be hard to read.

Mao, slighty amused that Felstad just looked at her as if she was intimidating, gives the disheveled fellow a smile and says, "It's okay, Felstad, you can tell the nice lady with the great big sword about the end of the world. Just try not to flail about too much, okay?"

Mao smiles and continues getting the soup as the crazed beggar man yells at things that aren't there before snapping back into reality.

She gets the soup as he gives her the name Felstad. She wonders briefly if it really is his name or just some hallucination that has been with him through the years. Regardless, at least now they are properly introduced.

"Here you go, Felstad," she says, setting the bowl down before the man who looks more than ready to eat. "Just let me know if you'd like a drink to wash that down afterwards," she adds. She then returns to stand by Kuzu who has been dealing with the trouble-making thug.

I'm working on the idea that whatever interactions happen with the intimidating are happening at the same time as the healing, introducing, and soup serving

Mao watches the old man approaching her suspiciously. He's never seemed aggressive or violent towards her and she believes they have somewhat of a positive rapport...even if she doesn't actually know his name.

He reaches out his hand seeming somewhat hesitant. She stays still watching to see what he's doing. His palm touches her arm. His skin feels rough and calloused. Then she is aware of a feeling of her wounds easing. The blood coming from her wounds seems to slow.

He's a healer, she realizes. All this time this "crazy man" sitting outside the tavern was actually a healer. And now he's healed her in her time of need.

She looks over the man with a new appreciation and says, "Let me get you some soup," and moves from the chair toward the bar. As she walks away from him to get the soup, she says over her shoulder, "I'm Mao. I don't think I've ever caught your name...?"

Mao pulls a cloth for cleaning tables from her sash and holds it against her wound. She leans heavily against a chair and her complexion seems more ashen than it had.

Heals, please?

Oops! I was thinking I was by Kuzu in initiative rather than Reggie. My mistake. Please ignore that earlier post.

Mao reels from the blow and drops back a step 5 ft steps away from her assailant.

As she steps, she lifts what appears to be a small reed to her lips and releases a puff of air through it. A small projectile shoots at the cutlass-bearing man.

Blow gun: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Damage: 1d2 ⇒ 1+poison

Vishkanya Venom (1/day, Fort save DC 12, 1d2 Dex damage once/round for 6 rounds, cure 1 save)

She posted first, so she can go first. If she drops the thug, I'd just do the same attack but switch it to Cutlass guy

Mao takes a cautious step back from the cutlass-wielding foe and casts daze at the thug threatening the poor drunkard who stumbled in and tried to help.

Mao would have no idea he's actually a capable combatant, but she knows for sure that Kuzu can handle herself.

Daze, DC 16 on "mystery man."

Still here. Just posted in gameplay, in fact.

Mao is targeting cutlass man. Sorry, didn't realize I hadn't specified. As he's the only armed target, he's more of a threat.

It is sadly looking that way. Rather unfortunate. Seemed like we had some nice potential for really great RP and an interesting adventure here.

Mao almost chuckles to herself as the outburst from the beggar seems to startle one of their assailants so much that he drops his weapon.

"Thanks, friend," Mao offers to the beggar. She then makes a mental note to include a drink with that bowl of soup she was going to bring him.

Even as she's thinking that, she watches the rough-looking lass swing an elbow at the unarmed foe's face...and miss.

With a sigh, Mao decides to help out and begins intoning a spell.

Mao is casting Daze (DC 16 will save). A dazed creature can take no action for 1 round, but they take no penalty to AC.

Init for Mao
Init: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Two out of three isn't bad, Mao thinks to herself.

Out of the corner of her eye, she notices the tough-looking gal with the rum simply sits back to watch what happens. Well, don't work too hard fending off your attacker, she thinks sarcastically.

Mao has seen and heard about enough to be certain that talking is not going to solve this issue.

She casts color spray (DC 16 will save) with a cone engulfing all three men, then she take a step back so Kuzu can better defend her in case any of the men stay upright.

Hey, she tried charm and logic, and the squishy sorceress would rather strike first.

That was kind of my fault. It was just a passing thought and not intended to be a conversation starter. Great conversation, though. My intent was more an observation on the vibe of the trio.
I'm looking forward to when we start busting heads (or just magically putting people to sleep and calling the authorities in Mao's case).

Readied action to color spray the group of thugs if they make any threatening advance towards Mao, Kuzu, or Reggie.
Also, is anyone else picturing us as a fantasy fiction Charlie's Angels right now, 'cause that's totally the vibe I'm picking up.

"Sorry, boys, but if you want to get violent in this establishment, you'll find that the 'play' is quite rough. Those who know how to be civil, however, can be treated quite nicely," she says giving another suggestive look.

Mao gives a quick nod to Kuzu then makes a show of turning towards the rowdy men in the back of the bar. During the turn, she managed to pull the front of her kimono open just a bit wider.

"What's all this silly talk of your wife?" Mao asks while meandering towards the speaker, making sure that her hips are putting on their best display. "I think we all know a mistress is more...fun?" And at this point, she makes some meaningful and suggestive glances at the fellows at the table.

"Now, if the silly girl over there owes you something, maybe we can work out some sort of deal. You know, all friendly-like?"

Mao manages to end her walk having put herself in position to have formed a third point to a triangle involving herself, the ruffians, and the sailor girl. She also makes sure she's close enough to catch all three ruffians in the cone of her spell if it comes to that.

Seductive talk leads us to a bluff check, so here it goes.
Bluff: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Kuzu-I would think that any sensible bartender would keep a weapon stashed behind the bar in case of emergencies.

Mao is surprised by the kind gesture of buying soup for the old lunatic outside. Mao had to admit that she had a soft spot for the bedraggled old fool. Maybe this rough-looking woman was softer than she appeared.

As Mao got back to the bar and was ordering the soup, she heard the trouble starting behind her. She looked up to make eye contact with Kuzu. It was certainly not the first time they'd faced taproom troubles together.

She began calling to mind the arcane words she might need as she mouthed the words, "Do we step in?" and then added with a raised eyebrow, "and with force or flirt?"

Mao is preparing to use color spray to incapacitate the thugs (as stated, she has gained instant respect for Reggie due to her kind gesture) and then call in the authorities or she's ready to use her feminine wiles to distract them.

"Steer clear?" Mao says, soundly mildly confused, "But then how am I supposed to make extra coin?" and she gives Kuzu a playful wink.

Then, her face turning serious, she adds, "I'll stay close enough to keep an eye and ear out."

At that point, she begins sauntering her way across the room, all hips and curves, to take the bottle of rum to the newcomer. However, she makes a point of maneuvering close enough to overhear the "gents" in the back on her way there.

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Finally, arriving at the table of the tough-looking female, she presents the bottle of rum and extends her hand for the payment.

Mao whispers an amount to one of the back table scoundrels while slapping away another hand and adding, "No free samples." She had picked the number based on his looks. She always creates a range based on how much she thinks a gentleman (or at least male) can pay and then chooses the higher end of that range. She finishes the whisper with, "Payment in advance."

She then backs a step or two away from the table before turning gracefully and being sure to give a good show while walking away.

Approaching the bar, she leans in a little closer and asks, "What is it Kuzu?" Of course, it may be as simple as needing to run more drinks around, but Mao has learned to trust in the perceptive powers of her friend.

Still here waiting.

Mao gave Kuzu a smile as she picked up the tray of drinks to take to the rowdy "boys" at the back of the bar. She knew exactly what Kuzu was thinking. The redundancy of cleaning tankard to refill tankard to cleaning tankard to refill tankard...

Mao was thankful that her friend, and fellow Tian, had been able to help her secure this job. Serving wench may not be high society, but it suited Mao just fine. Plenty of information slips from "well lubricated" lips. And information can always turn a decent profit.

Of course, there were other ways to earn profit. Given the looks the "boys" around the table were giving Mao, she was pretty sure she'd be earning some extra money that night...or maybe even this morning. She has been given leniency in her schedule to "tend to the needs" of the patrons...so long as the house gets its cut.

Mao saunters into the room with her hips swaying and her eyes scanning about as if she knows the attention she garners simply by walking in a room. She approaches ye olde scroll of gameplay, lifts the feather quill, dips it every so lightly in the ink well...and dot.

Okay, not real gameplay, but I've been waiting for a while now to play this character, so I figured I'd let her dot this for me :=)

I'm back now guys. Y'all ready to get this started?

Absolutely!

@GM TPK-As Mao works as a courtesan, I'd appreciate some feedback to you as to what rating you would like me to keep for writing her bits. Just need to know if we're going vague glossing over, hints, light allusions, or blatant (but not graphic) references. (I can create sample writings if you need more clarification than that or aren't sure if our ideas on the levels of propriety would match)

Also still interested.

Mountain standard time for me.

I've only recently started PbP, though this will actually be my 6th game. I'm also an aspiring novelist, so I love the writing aspect of this.

I usually check the site a least a time or two per day.

@GM TPK-As Mao works as a courtesan, I'd appreciate some feedback to you as to what rating you would like me to keep for writing her bits. Just need to know if we're going vague glossing over, hints, light allusions, or blatant (but not graphic) references.

I would never allow you to endanger yourself without me by you side to protect you, friend Kuzu.

You've convinced me enough,mainly by giving me a way to not pick people,to manage to include everyone.

Death of a God:
1.Reggie
2.Kuzo
3.Mao
4.Jamira
5.Gerulf
6. Felstad

Darklands/Underdark:
1.Xundus
2.Sinde
3.Arrack
4.Archae
5.Grani(If he shows up)

I believe I have everyone now. I will be running the Death of a God campaign in this discussion/gamplay thread,and I will connect another one for the Underdark campaign.

Thanks, first off, for coming up with two great ideas, and secondly, for being willing to take on two games rather than just one to accommodate us all. In the immortal words of Crush the turtle, "You so totally rock!"

Okay then. Thanks also to Sinde'Sithuan!