Mariel Aldalinde's page

Mariel stands stunned for a while in the eerie silence. Even though her voice has returned, she can't find her voice at first... "This... It's... We really did it? It's over?" She then quickly hustles to Mido, to lend him some much-needed healing. With that taken care of, she rejoins her group. "So, are we actually going to Goka? You think we're ready?" She looks doubtful.

--

Thanks everyone for playing, and GM Yours foremost for making this a blast to play. I must say, I hadn't expected Mariel's curse to be quite so stifling for my roleplaying in combat; it's quite another thing to be able to whistle at the table and pantomime what I meant. Luckily we had some people who invested in Celestial. :)

Well done. Thanks to the entire team - Shifty, GMs, replacement GMs and players - for making this a great ride.

Mariel gives the woman a half-hearted parting shot before retreating. She gives Mido a worried look and wants to reassure him. unfortunately, he'll have to take "Chirp chirp, chirp" for the moment. She shrugs apologetically.

--

Attack +Bless +Flank: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 28
Miss change, high is good: 1d100 ⇒ 42
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (4, 2) + 5 = 11

After inspired her allies with a display of elegant swordsmanship, Mariel decides it's time that she proves her weapon isn't just for show. Unhindered by all the chatter around her (which sounds like the blowing wind to her ears), she moves opposite Mido. She thinks her aim is true, but feels that her sword doesn't connect.

--

Attack +Bless +Flank: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 1 + 2 = 19
Miss chance, high is good: 1d100 ⇒ 8
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (3, 2) + 5 = 10

Whatever she's doing was obviously working, so Mariel keeps up flashing her blade in an impressive display of blurring steel. "ఫార్వర్డ్! కలిసి మేము అన్స్టాపబుల్ ఉన్నారు!"

--

Activating Iomedae’s Inspiring Sword. All allies within 30 feet who can see your display gain a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks for 1 round.

With Rika's wounds healed for the moment and their opponent surrounded, Mariel decides to rouse her companions. She hefts her longsword and spins it in her hand, a blur of steel from the otherwise clumsy half-elf. "యుద్ధం, మేము అతనికి చుట్టూ ఉన్నాయి! పది ఆన్ లైన్ కోసం మాయం, సొసైటీ గౌరవానికి!"

Activating Iomedae’s Inspiring Sword. All allies within 30 feet who can see your display gain a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks for 1 round.

Daunted by the formidable defenses of their opponent and thinking the fight might take a while, Mariel does as she promised. She takes up position behind Rika and heals the tiefling woman.

--

Cure Moderate Wounds, Rika: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (7, 4) + 6 = 17

Mariel nods at Rika. "అవును. నేను నయం చేయవచ్చు. నేను ప్రతి ఒక్కరూ సురక్షిత ఉంటాం. హే, వేచి -" With the stern tiefling woman already out of each, Mariel takes a slightly different course. She moves up next to Manius, and bestows upon him the same protection that she wears herself.

Casting Shield of Faith on Manius. +3 Deflection bonus to AC.

That's rough, Valjoen. Take care.

Mariel is visibly relieved that the earth elementals are gone. They're going to be be my bane one day. Maybe I should ask Dalagriel for a spell against elementals?

With some time between fights, Mariel draws on her power and heals herself.

Cure Serious Wounds, self: 3d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) + 6 = 11. Wow...

Can everyone please take a moment to check your details are correct >>HERE<<

Correct.

Oh Gods, not again. This is Cassomir all over, Mariel thinks to herself, reeling from the massive blows of the earth elemental. She tries to vocalize as much, but ends up sounding like a sad birdie.

Mariel stand up, a bit sore-footed and with a pulsing headache, but she bravely presses on. She tries to apologize to Jillia but finds that, once again, her words are twisted into chirps and whistles. She shrugs apologetically. Once the other arrive, jostled and maybe disoriented, she makes an effort to rally them. "ఎదుగుదల, యుద్ధం. Iomedae మనతో ఉన్నాడు. గౌరవం కోసం!"

She then approaches the earth elemental, advancing cautiously behind her shield and her shield of faith.

Fighting defensively for +2 AC this round (AC 26). Advance to the red earth elemental, probably provoking an AoO.

Attack -fight defensively: 1d20 + 9 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 9 - 4 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 5 ⇒ (6, 3) + 5 = 14

Mariel asks the Inheritor for protection and then hurries down the slide, letting herself drop to aid Jillia as quick as possible.

--

Casting Shield of Faith, then rush sliding down the corridor.

Mariel is more graceful in accepting the Judge's surrender, despite his attitude. "Well fought, Judge Heng. You were badly outnumbered." She cheers at Jillia succeeds in ringing the gong, and then looks cautiously into the corridor that's unveiled. "I think the fighting isn't over yet." She invokes Iomedae's blessing to lend weight to her strikes, and then looks Manius over. "We'd best fix you up." She retrieves her wand and gives him a couple of pokes.

--

I'm perfectly fine with sharing some of the healing burden; haven't had to use a lot of charges yet this scenario.
CLW wand, Manius: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
CLW wand, Manius: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW wand, Manius: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Mariel considers trying to call forth a burst of brilliance to blind the strange clockwork-creature, but she hasn't had the best of luck with that so far. Instead, she draws her sword and moves along with Jillia, running interference and blocking the man's sight to Jillia. She wants to shout an encouragement, but doesn't manage more than a few high shrills.

--

Double move while drawing longsword.

Mariel offers to heal Valjoen as they get dressed, but she excuses herself for not healing him fully. "You never know what we still have to do today. I'd better not squander my spells."
CMW on Valjoen: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (4, 8) + 6 = 18

--

Mariel furrows her brow as the gold-skinned man explains the next challenge. She's quick to agree with Manius, on one part at least. "es, he's just a guardian. There's absolutely no need to kill him. However," she says with a short look at Jillia, "couldn't you get past him and just go for that gong while we keep him busy?"

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"Well, that didn't go so bad," Mariel remarks. She compliments Jillia with the excellent performance, although she apologizes that she didn't quite catch all of it. She bows to Kiang Zhen and then quickly leave stage to turn back to her regular clothes. At least, she hopes. Unfortunately, it seems like the costumed part of the event isn't over yet. She sighs and, like Rika, she changes back to her normal gear before putting the robe on. She whispers to the others as she changes. "So much for our ruse. Kiang Zhen seems to know how we are, at least."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Mariel looks around at all of the unconscious Aspis strewn all around the stage. She feels like a fop, in a silly suit without her trusty armor and sword. What's worse, she hasn't actually contributed all that much to the fight. Hoping that Dalagriel's spell will allow her to somewhat redeem herself, she casts the Admonishing ray again. It's a long shot with so many people in a cluster, but she wills the attack to strike true.

--

Touch attack -melee - cover: 1d20 + 5 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 4 - 4 = 17
Nonlethal damage: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 3) = 16

Confirm: 1d20 + 5 - 4 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 4 - 4 = 4
Critical damage: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 5, 2) = 14

Mariel realizes she's misjudged the severity of her companion's wounds. She lets out a soft whistle that starts high and drops in pitch, sounding almost like "Oh-oh..." She scrambles close to him and casts a quick spell to treat his wounds.

Cure Serious, Valjoen: 3d8 + 6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) + 6 = 21

With the Aspis troupe firmly on the defensive and none of her friends critically injured, Mariel decides to try out the new spell that Dalagriel taught her. In the heat of the fight, she forgets all about the audience, and her broom stick is held limply in her hand. With some whistled words of magic, she sends a blast of force at the Aspis warrior woman. She grumbles as the attack flies wide, muttering in Celestial that she hasn't really had a lot of practice yet, with attacks like these.

Casting Admonishing ray on the Brown warrior woman.
Touch attack -melee: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 9
Nonlethal damage: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 4, 5) = 19

--

GM, what's up with Valjoen's health? Between one post and the next, he seems to switch between 14 and 41 health. What's his actual status?

GM, I was going by this language in the rules for the chou.

Chou can carry and wield a broom or stick (treat as an improvised weapon dealing 1d6 nonlethal damage), claiming it to be whatever weapon they desire for the sake of performance and comedic value.

Not good enough for Iomedae, it seems. :)

Mariel is disappointed that her spell didn't land, but she hopes to redeem some face by giving Zaril the hand and blowing him off. She then tries a different approach: Waving her stick as if it's a sword, she repeatedly raises her hands, whipping the 'sword' around, faster and faster, hoping to get the crowd on her side. "దాడి...దాడి...దా-డి!...దా-డి!!"

Activating Iomedae's Inspiring Sword, if the wooden stick allows me to do so. That would be a +2 sacred bonus to attack and damage rolls for all allies, for 1 round.

Mariel looks out into the audience, then lets her gaze wander over the Aspis party, putting her hand before her forehead for dramatic effect. As she spots Zaril the Clown, she arches her eyesbrows with a significant looks at the audience and bats her lashes, putting a hand flat on her forehead as if she's about to swoon. She waves at him and lets out a wolf whistle at the clown, realizing that's about as much as she'll be able to articulate. Finally, she casts a quick spell to lock the man in place, hopefully.

--

Casting Hold person on Zaril. Will save DC 16.

Thanks for the reminder on health status. Mariel would have made sure her team was in fighting condition, back in the dressing room.

Mariel feels somewhat 'naked' without her armor on, but she bravely strides up on the stage. She gives her stick a couple of waves, as if it were a sword. "It'll have to do, I guess. Good luck, everyone."

Mariel groans as the vase is smashed and the invitations are revealed. "We dragged the cage all the way to the sewers for this? Ugh!" Pouting, she retreats to her room, while her bath is still mildly warm.

--

The next morning, Mariel is up early as always, dedicated the first hour of the day to her prayers, kneeling in front of her sword, the necklace with her holy symbol hung from the crossguard. "Blessed Iomedae, I hope to make you proud again, today. Whatever challenges are in store for us today, I will face them with restraint dignity and honor."

--

At the theater, Mariel dithers over the costumes. "I suppose I should pick something where I can still cast spells," she muses. "But I suppose I'm not really a wizened crone yet." She laughs. Her hand lingers for a moment on the General's longsword, but she eventually settles on the Female Shou. "Asherah will intervene probably, so talking with the crowd is going to be tough, but I guess miming will have its own comedic value. And this stick could make a passable sword. I'm not sure the Inheritor would agree on that point, but we'll find out."

Once Mariel has her own costume on, Mariel casts a few of her spells and finally asks her componions to gather around. "Please hold hands, if you will. Kiang Zhen said lethal force is out of the question, but that won't mean this performance - fight, really - is going to be easy. If we work together, we can surely make it. May the blessing of Iomedae with us, and may Brom guard our backs."

Casting Keen Edge on Rika, Enlarge person on Manius, Hedging weapons on myself. Using my wandering spirit's Battle Hex on everyone: Everyone gains a +3 Deflection bonus against their first hit, +2 on the second hit, then +1 for the third hit. Please don't forget about it. :)

In-character post coming later today, just musing on choice of costumes for Mariel. First pick was the crone, since spell-casting is what I mostly contribute. Alternatively, a chou. I can't really speak with the audience, but trying to do so in Auran could be used for comedic value. That also allows me to cast spells, and - with the broom acting as a sword - means I can still activate Iomedae's Inspired Sword.

(I had throught about General for a while, just activating the Inspiring Sword each round. Most of my spells are buffs anyway, which I can cast before we go on stage. However, I think other people would be better suited for General.)

Movie refererences galore! :D I seem to have misunderstood about the cage. I thought we found it empty. Apparently we were lucky. (At least, I hope we are).

Mariel walks back in, dazed by the events of the last minutes. She was just counting her blessings that they still had the vase. "Why would the Sczarni have taken the cage, and then just left it there? Was he worried because we beat the assassins? We'll probably never find out." Prodded along by the Tengu, Mariel stands behind Mido, watching him work. "Maybe this vial of acid could help, to eat through the lock?" she offers in an attempt to be helpful.

--

Can you aid another on the Trained-only skill, if you don't have ranks in it? If so:
Disable device, aid another: 1d20 ⇒ 10

Mariel takes on a serious look. Dalagriel, I study hard, you know that. But there's so much I still have to learn, about magic. If you could show me how it's done, to locate things. We kind of really need that vase. I know you think it's just a shortcut, if you help me along, but I could really use some help right now."

With some help from the spirit, Mariel casts the locate object spell. "Hah! I've got it!" She sprints out of the Lodge, into the back alley. Once there, she's quite disappointed with the result. "Oh... I think maybe I should have concentrated on just the vase, instead of on the cage with the vase..." She looks over her shoulder. "Sorry Dalagriel, I guess I messed up even with your help."

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

She then spots the same as Mido does, but draws a different conclusion. "You're right, Mido. The Sczarni must have been waiting for the opportunity, or maybe he was in league with the assassins." She then gives Mido a stern look. "But that still does not mean that Skip and his family were involved. You realize how bad it's going to look for their business, with people being attacked while in their Lodge? There's no way they could have been in on it."

She swiftly hurries back to the Lodge and starts asking some questions, before the trail goes cold. "Did anyone know the Sczarni that was over there by the bar? Did anyone see when he left, or where he went? Does anyone know him?"

--

Where did you find those pictures, GM? :)

Mariel lets out a cry of dismay at learning that the vase has gone missing. Her brow furrows as she hears the accusation leveled by Mido. "Hey now!" she butts in. "We've had nothing but excellent hospitality from these fine people. They're obviously just as shocked by these attacks at we are. There's no reason to think they had a hand in this!"

Or is there? Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

She starts pacing the hall, in frustration, still wearing nothing but a towel and somewhat smelly. "There must be something we can do! We went through so much trouble to get it. And we need that vase to continue in the tournament, won't we?" She stews in silence for a moment, then suddenly has a thought "Hah! Couldn't we use magic to locate the vase, if we're quick? I've read about a spell that allows me to search for something, if you know what it looks like. Should I try? I don't know the details, but Dalagriel might be willing to teach me."

If we think Locate Object is worth a shot, I can cast Paragon Surge for the Expanded Arcana feat, to let me add Locate object to my list of spells known for a couple of minutes, enough to cast it once and allow us to go after the vase (if it's still within the spell's reach).

Mariel quickly follows Skip up the hallway and into Valjoen's room, anxious to find out what caused all the commotion. "Valjoen, are you OK?!" She looks over the halfling's head when the barkeep opens the door. "Are you..." She then notes the dead assassin, and the naked Ulfen. "Oh. It seems you... took care of it. Were you hurt? Do you need healing" She avert her eyes, suppressing for the moment her desire to go in and assist with the search. "Guys? Can't you put on... like... something? Anything?"

Mariel gets out of the bathtub and fumbles at the key to her door. She flings open the door, wearing just the towel and the belt with her sword. However, the first thing she sees is the backside of Mido, who's wearing even less. "Oh... OH..." she says, averting her eyes out of reflex when she spots the halfling, similarly dressed to herself. "Jillia? Mido? What's going on?"

--

Move to gets out of the bathtub, standard to open the door.

What's going ON back there," Mariel thinks to herself as she hears shouting and sounds of struggle. "You're right, Brom. That doesn't sound right."

Mariel looks around and hastily wraps a towel around herself. She then grabs the belt with sheathed sword and her spell component pouch.

I think this is the extent of one round's worth of actions? Standard to wrap a towel, move to grab the belt? I have more time, Mariel will open the door and shout to ask what's going on.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (17) + 12 = 29

Mariel is eager to be out of her filthy clothes and quickly strips when she's in her room. As always, she feels somewhat uncomfortable without the familiar feel of her plate armor, and the spiritual presence that accompanies it. "Well, every sword in forging needs a quench once in a while," she muses as she dips a toe in the hot lavender-scented water. "Doesn't it, Haephor?"

A hot and soothing bath is just what I need," she thinks to herself, eager to unwind from the day's affairs. All that business with the samurai still has my head spinning from the adrenaline.

Mariel looks very pleased that she managed to diffuse the situation. And just a bit surprised, as well. When the ordeal is over and Skip returns to the topic of the bath, she sighs with relief. "Yes, please. Lavender sounds great - and no sharing." she adds with a mock admonishing look.

"Fine," Mariel says, giving first Skip and then the ronin a satisfied look with just a hint of smugness. "If we get the money, you will apologize for taking his money, and you will apologize for calling him a liar. That's justice, as far as I'm concerned. And then we can all be happy - and finally take a bath." I suppose getting a drunken samurai and a halfling to settle their disagreement over a bar tap doesn't really qualify as an Act yet, but it's a start.

Ignoring the way she smells for the moment, Mariel takes Skip's tea towel and folds it into a makeshift sack. She then steps up on a chair and calls out. "Fine patrons of the Linseed Lodge, if I may have your attention for a moment!" She waits for the noise in the tavern to die down, then continues speaking. "Many of us have had a day filled with challenges behind us. We have fought for ourselves, for our companions, and for the chance to fight again. Some of us - I hope many of us - have reason to celebrate. Others may wish to forget the day as soon as possible. I propose that we end this day in style. Let's get some money together, as a gift of congratulations to the winners, and commiseration for those who didn't make it. We'll ask the fine owner to provide us a night worthy of the occasion. For honor, and glory!"

She demonstratively puts a few of her own coins in the makeshift pouch before stepping down and making the rounds. Thinking herself clever, she first walks up to her companions, trying to get people to see that everyone is ready to chip in.

Mariel watches the conversation with worry, and when the katana is drawn she's ready to step in. First, she draws in a bit if divine power, with a muttered "Iomedae grant me wisdom, to stop this before it gets worse."

Determined but putting on a peaceful air, she then smoothly walks up to the ronin and the halfling. She places a hand gently on the warrior's swordarm to stay his blade, careful not to touch any part of the weapon itself. "Please, Master Ronin. So much blood has been spilled already. I am sure your honor will be well-earned again tomorrow in battle, but hopefully this situation does not require such drastic measures?" As she talks, she tries to intersperse herself between the ronin and Skip. "Obviously there has been a misunderstanding between the both of you, and I can understand how that wounds your pride and honor, for both of you. If you would allow me, I am willing to arbitrate this matter. If both of you could just tell me what happened, I am sure that we can come to a reasonable conclusion. So help me Iomedae, guide to my sword and guide of my heart."

--

Casting Enhanced Diplomacy first.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 16 + 2 = 36

Mariel takes a deep breath when the party finally makes their way back to the surface. "Well done, everyone," she says cheerfully and encouraging. "I think we've earned ourselves a hot bath, and a relaxed evening. I'm sure we'll have to be well-rested for more challenged ahead.

She's quite eager for that bath and about to retreat to her room, when she notices something is up. She first looks to the site, noticing that everyone speaks a language she doesn't understand. [b]"Asherah, that's not you again, is it?" she hisses. "I told you, it's not funny and it's not going to budge me."

Realizing that she can still make herself understand, she steps next to Manius close enough to her companions to interfere if necessary. [smaller]"What are they talking about?" she whispers. "Is there going to be trouble? Neither of them seem particularly easy-going, I say..." She waves and tries to get Mido's attention, drawing up her eyebrows to ask him what's going on and whether he needs help.

Mariel steps up to Valeros, a sad look on her face when she finds that there is nothing left to do to help him. She says a quick prayer, then motions for the other Aspis. "Take him, and be gone for this place. I'm sorry that such a contest had to end in such a definitive way."

With nothing else to be done, she joins the others in the hunt for the vase. "You're right, Mido. It's quite pretty. And fragile too, by the looks of it. I suppose we shouldn't try to brute-force it." She looks around. "Is anyone of you handy with locks?" She cocks her head for a moment, thinking. "Or course, we could also just slice the chain and bring the vase and the cage."

Thanks for catching that. Lucky it didn't have any impact on the flow of the battle.

Mariel moves past Manius and Jillia while drawing her longsword. She doesn't understand all the taunting that goes on, but she doesn't need encouragement to deal with the Aspis. She adds her attacks to Mido's, holding her strike to disable, not kill.

--

Attack Merisiel: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
Nonlethal damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Mariel looks up at Valjoen, very happy that she is presentable again.

--

As they spot the vase, Mariel speak out triumphant. "There it is! No more trudging through these filthy sewers. And I think these Aspis owe us one. We're going to < Chirp, chirp, whistle >" A gust of wind flies acorss Mariel's face, but she sets her jaw and is determined to ignore the spirit's mischievous efforts. Weaving magic as she had done in the arena, she summons forth another burst of brillance to blind the Aspis.

--

Casting Burst of Radiance. Creatures in the area are blinded for 1d4 ⇒ 4 rounds, or dazzled for that number rounds if they succeed at a Reflex save (DC 16). Evil creatures in the area of the burst take 5d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 2, 1, 2) = 7, whether they succeed at the Reflex save or not.

Mariel sheathes her sword and pinches her nose shut as she has to reenter the sewer room. Doing her best to look determined (and failed at that), she skulk along, trying to teach as little as possible in the room and the pipe.

When she enters the dry room after Valjoen, holds out her hands in front of her, hoping to avoid staining herself more. She looks at her armor, that was previously kept in pristine condition. "You wouldn't happen to have more of that magic, would you, Valjoen? I suppose as one of Elven ancestry I would find such magic easy, but it never suited me..."

Mariel follows after the group, feeling just a bit sorry for the ogre mage. I think he was doing pretty OK for himself, wasn't he? When she enters the smuggler's underground sewer system, she takes out her sword again and lets it glow with a golden light, using a small prayer and a bit of magic. She's happy to stay in the back, letting the others pick their way through the sewers.

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Her delicate elven nose is quickly overwhelmed by the stench of the sewers, and she finds herself in a corner next to Manius, her blade quickly tossed to the side and her hands keeping her hair out of the way. When the worst of it is over, she takes a swig from her water skin, spitting out the water as discreetly as she can manage. "Right. This was definitely the wrong way." She gets a look of horror. "At least, I hope the rest is better..."

Following Manius, with her sword back in hand, she walks close to the contraption. "There has to be a vase in her somewhere, shouldn't there? They can't all be dead ends... And she said we shouldn't waste time." She pokes at some of the pipes. "Mido, do you know anything about this? Gnomes have a knack for engineering, don't they?"

I'd like to know about damage reduction, please.

Mariel speaks out in Celestial, warning her companions about the flying threat. She then prays to Iomedae as she weaves her magic. From her sword flies a bright spark at the flying creature, and it explodes in a radiant burst of light.

Casting Burst of radiance. Deals damage, and possibly blinds. (DC 16)
damage: 5d4 ⇒ (2, 4, 2, 3, 4) = 15

Mariel is satisfied with her strike at the green-clothed Tengu, and accepts his surrender with a bow of her head and a flourish of her longsword. She then tends to her wounded companions, seeing that Valjoen doesn't have the best of luck with his healing wand. "ఇంతవరకు అంతా బాగనే ఉంది. వారు మార్గం పంపించండి ఏమి వెళ్తున్నారు, మీరు భావిస్తున్నారా?" she asks of her companions.

Cure Moderate wounds, Valjoen: 2d8 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10

--

Mariel takes cover from the explosion overhead, looking confused when it turns out to be harmless fireworks. "Chirp chirp?"

Knowledge Planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Oops, I had meant to ready on Green, of course. The one that was still attacking Mido.