Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
I hardly ever bother with experience awards anymore in games I run (unless my players ask). I just have them level at appropriate story points. I would reccomend this to you.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
"I believe that is what I said." Mario replied obnoxiously, secretly relieved someone agreed with him.
He also took the precaution of stepping back to 15' away from the possessed soldier/demon thing.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Mario moves towards the seething solider and the allies flanking him.
"I?!" He replied to Drake and Fomiel clearly outraged at the insults. He gestures with his sword. "I am shooting at an enemy attacking our people! Are you cretins BLIND? That's clearly not human!"
He stops a few paces away and looks back and forth between them.
"...Right?" He said, suddenly uncertain.
Did he just shoot an innocent man? Or an ally from an exotic race?
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Curse it! Thought Mario on seeing the seething guard. Victim or infiltrator?
With no time to puzzle it out, Mario aimed and fired.
Crossbow shot to seething guard:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 for a possible 1d8 ⇒ 7 piercing damage.
...Critical threat?:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19 for a possible extra 1d8 ⇒ 1 points piercing damage.
After that, he dumped both packs and crossbow, then drew his sword.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
At the Lords command, Mario jumped up and moved towards the southern exit, aiming to put himself between the oncoming demons and the civilians.
As an afterthought, he slung both his and Anowar's packs.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
The Storm King himself has come against us!
Visibly paling, Mario broke out of his stasis and quickly redonned his coat, sword and hat.
Quickly he stacked his and Anowar's packs into a makeshift shooting stand before cocking his crossbow and settling into a shooting position.
Great, this has to be the most flammable shooting stand ever... He thought as he placed the bolt.
Then he waited for the right moment to shoot.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Mario casts an admiring eye over Anowar's greatsword.
"Ah, that's a nice one to be sure, but I" here Mario taps the pommel of his elegant swept hilt duelling sword, "have a stout blade better suited to my style..."
At that moment the explosion rocked the plaza and Mario jumped to his feet sword out in a metallic flash.
"Cayden's Cup! What was..." His voice trailed off as he stared openmouthed at the oncoming horror out of the West.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
"Hail and well met yourself," Mario said as he rose and gave a sharp Taldan bow over his own handclasp. "Mario Nedraid, late of Taldor myself. I believe I can spare a haybale or two for a fellow soldier, at least until we're chased off by the proprietor."
Mario fell back onto his bale with his hands folded behind his head; he looked up appraising the newcomer with a grin.
"Hm. Now you, you have the look of a cavalryman. Could one of these fine mounts be yours?"
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Mario pitched a copper bit to Torondo at the fruit vendor and jumped up to catch an apple tossed in return. He smiled and waived in return.
Making his way to one side of the plaza, he took a seat on a convenient haybale to rest his feet for the moment. Shucking his pack and unbelting his swept hilt duelling sword, he opened the front of his shirt and took his hat off while eating the apple in the warmth of the noonday sun.
Anyone observing him would have judged him a junior officer of some kind, despite the threadbare uniform coat and cape, the feather in his cocked hat somewhat bedraggled. He was still a handsome man however, despite some road weariness; his hair just a little unkempt and a pencil thin moustache in the style of the Taldan military just above his crooked grin. He carried himself as one thoroughly familiar with his weapons and capable of handling them well.
He had a good view of the plaza and the ceremony about to be held, and he took a lively interest at the officials near the center. Out of habit he compared their style to that of his old infantry regiment in Taldor and judged it was comparable in the heavy political maneuvering, all the shuffling of places to get closer to the ruler.
A horse stabled next to his perch nuzzled the haybale for a mouthful, and Mario idly fed the last of his apple to him as he looked around.
Mario kept on drinking as the men entered the tavern behind him, their footsteps creaking on the wooden floorboards.
Spotting them in the mirror behind the bar, he reached out and drew a pitcher of wine back over to him.
”My Lord!” He called out with a grin. ”What brings you to this fine establishment?” He poured himself another cup and took a drink.
The one in the middle said; ”You need to come in for the debriefing.”
Mario sipped his drink, closing his eyes and smiling in delight (despite the low but affordable quality). Two of the men slowly started to circle around to either side of the room, their blades naked in their hands. Mario apparently took no notice, and did not reach for his dueling sword propped up next to his stool.
”Oh…. No.” Mario replied. ”There’s little to tell in any case. I precipitated a duel with Lord Aratelli as ordered, met him on the field in front of his estate, and killed him.” Mario ticked the events off on his fingers. One. Two. Three.
The footsteps of the men sounded on the floorboards as they slowed their approach.
”You really need to…” Began the Lord again.
”Did you know his wife was there? Lady Arienn? She was a truly beautiful woman. “
He took another drink, and then looked into the cup contemplatively. ”I saw her you know. As I stood over her husband’s body. I saw her look at me; then turn away and leave.”
He took another drink, then smiled again. The Lord was silent.
”I realized why the King gave the order for Aratelli’s death when I saw her. She was just his type wasn’t she? The blond curly hair, the piercing blue eyes…” He shook his head. ”I imagine he intended to sweep in and comfort her in her grief…” ”You are coming with us one way or…” The Lord began before Mario cut him off.
”Too bad she jumped off that battlement. That must have put his pimple-faced weasel of a majesty to some inconvenience….”
The Lord gestured, and the men lunged to attack.
Mario threw his drink into one man’s face as he kicked his stool into the other one’s legs. As he spun off of his stool he grabbed his sword and whipped it out of its scabbard, stabbing one man through the throat as the Lord slapped the scabbard away as it flew at him. Recovering, the other man lunged at the same time as the Lord. Mario parried one man with his blade as he blocked the Lord’s thrust with his cup. Then, Mario spun and knocked the Lords blade out of his hand as he blocked the other man’s sword with his cup. He spun again and buried his blade in the last man’s guts.
”You’ve done it now!” Yelled the Lord as he backpedaled towards the door. ”There is no place in the Empire His Majesty cannot reach you! You’ll be dead before the week is out!”
Mario leaned against the bar breathing heavily as the Lord beat a hasty exit. He cast his blood soaked sword on the bar behind him.
”Well, I suppose it has been an honor to serve on His Majesties Secret Service.” He commented to no one in particular. Then he remembered Lady Arienn’s face as she looked at him again.
He turned to the bar to pick up his drink. Time to forget again in the holy water of the Accidental God.
But as he tipped the cup back, he saw the holes punched in the bottom of the empty vessel. He dropped it on the bar in disgust.
He couldn’t even take comfort in drink anymore. He thought with self loathing.
Then, his eyes fell on the new poster tacked next to Cayden Cailean’s posted rules.
He squinted to make out the headline.
MEN WANTED
Fifth Crusade Against
Worldwound Begins
Mario leaned back. It had been said that the god Cayden Cailean would open a window when he shuts a door. Perhaps he could expiate some of his sins in a good cause…
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Startled at being waived over, Mario cautiously comes out of concealment to join the huddle.
After it is explained to him, he arches an eyebrow.
"Join him? You believe that guy? He IS a pirate after all..."
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Behind the concealing foliage, Mario looks down the stock of the crossbow at the pirate. He shifted the aim point back and forth, but his companions were in the way! Furiously blinking the sweat out of his eyes, he moved the aim point up to the pirates still on the ship.
Vedic should be able to take the pirate leader. He thought. I wonder what they're talking about?
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Aras wrote:
"Kindly avoid shooting me in the arse if this all goes sideways, if you please."
Mario grins back.
"Well, I'll do my best, but no guarantees!"
Looking down when the locking mechanism clicks into the 'ready to fire' position, he slips a blunt bolt into launch position and rests the foregrip on a handy branch to cover his allies.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Looking through the foliage, Mario frowned.
"Hate to say it, but we only have Old Bones word these guys are pirates. If he's lying... well I'd feel a lot better if we could put a name to the leader, then..."
He stops abruptly as Vedic strides past them and into full view of the sailors.
He shares a glance with Thomas. "Well, all that planning, shot to hell." He said, shaking his head.
He drops his heavy crossbow from his pack and starts to crank its bowstring back...
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Mario nods looking through the concealing brush towards the ship.
"Well well, Old grimbones is right! A fine ship indeed and a rough crowd about as well. Does anyone know that tall man?"
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Mario absently takes another drink as he focuses on Danyell's words and expressions.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20 What do I think of his words and actions?
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Round 2
Whirling about to face the two men when the Color Spray flashes, Mario assumes a Total Defense stance. (AC23)
Laying his hand on his sword, he grins and says; "Sure you want to play boys?"
With one finger he eases his dueling sword out half an inch. He narrows his eyes as he focuses on the swordsman.
"Don't be wagering more than you can afford to lose."
With his other hand he lazily swirls his cup.
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Mario snorted in disbelief.
"Just outside of port? A lonely place no doubt, just out of reach of help and perfect for mugging credulous fools."
He took another drink, trying to dismiss the idea, but curiosity wormed its way into his brain. The more he dismissed it, the more the idea came back around again, like a sliver under the skin.
When the dwarf walked up to the tank and scooped out the skull and walked off, Mario went still for a long moment then set his cup down and swore quietly.
Then he grinned.
"Well, maybe it wouldn't hurt to take a look..."
He rocked forward and stood up, sweeping his floppy hat with it's bedraggled feather back onto his head. His baldric, on which hung his duelling sword, went over his shoulder as did his cape. Last but not least, he picked up his cup.
Walking by the bar, he fished out a copper bit and rolled it down the long trestle towards Aras.
"He didn't show us the frigate after all." He commented, then followed the dwarf...
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
Mario waived off the skull's words impatiently.
"No! Don't listen to the skull in the fishbowl! If he knew where riches were he wouldn't be talking underwater right now."
He toyed with his goblet of wine, turning it to and fro while leaning back in his chair.
"A copper bit he points out that Chelish heavy frigate."
Male Human Swashbuckler/Bard Gestalt L4 | AC21T16F15) CMD22 | HP 48/48 | Save F2R8W3 | Init +6 | Percep +3 | Panache:4/4 | Bard Perf: 12/12
"Check the Passenger Aye Aye sir!" Mario bellows back. He motions for Kale to come with him.
"Never met an elf prince before, maybe you can introduce me?"
