"Yes, we should calm these unruly spirits and release them to the Boneyard if we can."
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After Agnes skillfully opens the trunk with the help of her crowbar, Marius helps categorize the finds. "Coins - perhaps helpful if we end up in a village. A scroll - could be helpful after we take time to identify it. And a wayfinder. Seems we found a Society member's footlocker." As the group makes their way to the residential district - or what's left of it, Maris keeps an eye out as usual. Perception to Search:
Perception to Search:
"Yes, better to avoid a bunch of zombies if we can, though it pains me to stay that. I always prefer to purge the undead if we can, but we are not equipped for that fight. The lodge is the next best option, yes."
Marius follows the same tactic from before - shield at the ready, eyes wary. Perception to Search:
Marius immediately notices the holy water. "Good to know that some purified items have survived this long." While Barlespin looks at the trinket, Marius uses that time to attempt to identify the mace. "A mace will always come in handy."
"But, it's unlike most I've seen. Maybe I'll figure it out later. Since the inn is closest, let's go there first."
Was hoping to get caught up here, but dealing with work stuff after an AWS incident overnight.
"Red, we can spare ten minutes. Let me do a quick poultice and wrapping."
Works for me.
Marius rushes up to support Red and Barlespin in melee combat, but the corpselight goes dark as he arrives. "Well done, all. That was a nasty undead creature. I hope the other buildings are without them." Marius inspects Red's wounds. "Looks like Squishy was able to heal most of this, but some still could use some bandaging. If we can spare the time, I should be able to help."
Marius first considers the creatures attacking prowess before unleashing a wave of vitality energy at the creature. "Be gone, undead filth!" ◆ RK w/ Undead Lore
"Careful of its bite and claws! That eerie light is its ranged attack." ◆◆ Cast Vitality Lash (DC 18 Fort Save)
Sorry for the delay. Near the end of a busy work trip and forgot to come back here. Thanks for botting.
With Red and Squishy leading the pack, Marius will help guard the party's rear. "Mal, you keep an eye out for danger and I'll search for anything noteworthy or valuable." Holding his shield at the ready, Symon looks around the cathedral, hoping to find something that will help the group in their exodus. Search w/ Perception:
By my count, Marius has used three hero points so far.
Long weekend away. Going to catch up here ASAP.
Marius nods at Malendyl. "I'll explain later - when I can. I assure you that I'm only bringing the essentials. If I can't keep up, I'll fix it."
QM rainzax:
Leave it for campfire Marius retrieves the item from Constan's quarters and tries to pack into his backpack, but it very likely fits awkwardly.
While Marius takes a breather and Squishy works on the door, Marius remembers something in Constan's quarters. Red, I need to grab something important from Constan's quarters. I don't think it should be left behind." Marius considers his plan for what to tell the others about the key that Constan dropped and if he should tell everyone. Or perhaps just a person or two. He defers his decision until nightfall. [i]"A campfire is the right place for this conversation"[i] he decides.
"Yes, I agree. The cathedral first. We could also find leftover metal scraps at the blacksmith. And since it's close, the restaurant after that. Perhaps there's still canned food hiding in there somewhere."
Apologizes - busy couple days of work. Don't have it in for a good post. I'll catch up tomorrow morning.
Check out your dedication! Yup. Now trained in Athletics and expert in Lore: Undead.
@QM rainzax: according to AON & Pathbuilder, Cleric doesn't get a skill increase at level 2. Don't have the book handy at the moment, but I imagine those sources are correct.
Marius pulls out his own crowbar and attempts to follow Agnes' lead. "Looks like you could use a rest. Let me try to pry it open for awhile."
At first, it looks like Marius will utterly fail at the task as he couldn't find solid footing and kept slipping. But, he finally figured out his foot placement and made decent enough progress opening a passage.
Marius Level 2 choices: Class Feat: Emblazon Armament
Looking at equipment right now. EDIT: added to my profile.
I'm currently planning to go with Lastwall Sentry w/ Marius. Very thematic and he can definitely make use of Reflexive Shield. I'll have a full level up decided today.
With little else coming to mind, Marius joins Red Agnes in conversation with Jystolo and continues to extol the virtues of Iomedae.
Hoping to continue providing insight to Jystolo, Marius continues the conversation.
After conversing with Jono and the other Brushpaws, Marius turns his attention to the grieving son, Jystolo. Feeling that the grief is too close, Marius attempts to talk about the situation without truly talking about the situation. "When I'm feeling like our circumstances are bleak and the challenges in front of us are too great, I remember the odds that Iomedae and the Shining Crusade faced, and the bravery that they exhibited by never surrendering to the Tyrant's horde. In many ways, that's our duty now."
"And think of Queen Galfrey. Like Iomedae and the Shining Group, Galfrey led the Fifth Mendevian Crusade against the odds to crush the demons back to the Worldwound and close it. Again, the bravery those soliders displayed - they went about their duties every day, shoulder to shoulder. That's what we have done for six years and what we must continue to do now."
FWIW, I don't think there is an archetype that I'm targeting at the moment.
Feeling a closeness to Jono and hoping to really turn a corner in the conversation, Marius continues to talk to Jono about how to safely and sustainably travel through the wilderness as a group. "I know it wouldn't be easy, but I'm confident we can forage well enough to provide food for all of us. Especially when we consider that we can teach the others. The Fox Scouts clearly know how to survive in the wilderness. We've heard the stories."
Not exactly sure that this message got through, Marius continues. "We are all quick learners. That's how we've managed to live underground for six years - by learning on the job!"
Marius, which Discovery do you want for Rokvel Hardbrow?
Marius tries to appeal to the Fox Scouts knowledge of the wilderness and nomadic life. "Constan provided most of our food, and I wasn't able to master that spell incantation. Jono, you know better than most what the surface is like. Could we scavenge enough food to subsist while still being safe?"
Seeing Jono's reaction to that reasoning, Marius continues to speak with him and the rest of the Fox Scouts. "From what I've heard, you and your family are the best scouts around. If we have to leave and make our way out of the crypts, I'm confident that you would chart a safe route and that we could forage for enough food, with your family showing us how."
Caught a cold over the weekend. Catching up slowly.
With the immediate threat gone, Marius says a silent prayer to Iomedae for seeing the group through the fight - even if they suffered casualties. While doing so, Marius retrieves his sword - both he and Malendyl dropped a weapon apparently. In a state of shock, Marius can barely string a few words together. "Key? What key? Constan! He fell. Marius can barely look at the sight of his mentor - former mentor, actually. Skin already gray. Body torn asunder by blade and magic. Eyes just staring. After several minutes of shock, panic, and weeping, Marius breathes heavily and composes himself. Then, he examines the bodies of silenced zombies, hoping to learn more about why they turned so quickly. "I don't understand how this happened. Was Dame infected somehow?" RK w/ Religion:
Too late to save Marko, Marius sends a bolt of life energy at the last zombie. "The living shall prevail! Knowing that he is barely standing, Marius raises his shield in case the zombie somehow continues fighting on. ◆◆ Cast Vitality Lash
Leaving his sword behind, Marius grabs his shield, stands, and rushes in to the room. ◆ Interact to grab shield
Marius chokes and coughs as the elixir from Squishy brings him back to life. Seeing the zombie of Dame standing over him, Marius crawls away and spins back to face the zombie before sending a torrent of vitality at the undead abomination. ◆ Crawl
Those zombies pack a punch! BTW, the antiplague was given to Agnes if I read that correctly.
@QM rainzax: just edited in my Call to Flee roll. Thanks for noticing that I forgot to add that! My bad.
Marius eyes the key but can't reach it, keeping his attention on the zombies in front of him. He stares directly into what remains of Constan's face. "Iomedae, forgive me" he whimpers. He rears back and slashes around the zombie's torso, raising his shield as he finishes the swing. Seeing Jystolo still in Malendyl's arms, he tries to order the child to flee. "Jystolo run. You can't help. Warn them others." ◆ Strike at Constan
Marius flinches as the priest-now-zombie rakes against his armor and digs to his flesh. He flinches again as the same happens to Agnes. Despite the chaos around him, Marius steels himself, acting as a conduit for divine power. "Iomedae, may your light shine and fill this dark place." ◆◆◆ Cast Heal
You are a helluva catch-upper, Marius! I think that's a compliment, so thanks! :)
Marius is alarmed by the chilling presence in the room. At first, he believes it's due to the grief and anguish he feels, but Talia rises in undeath, Marius realizes the chill's source and springs into action. "NOO! Constan! NO!" Marius yells in shock and horror as the undead Talia attacks Marius' teacher and friend. Not caring to heed the leshy's warning, Marius sprints over to Constan's side, putting himself in front of the others that joined the funeral. Then, he reaches out to touch Constan and push healing magic into his grievous wound. Yellow-gold light flows from Marius hand into Constan, as Marius holds his breath to see if Constan will yet live. ◆ Draw longsword
Marius accepts the scrolls from Constan Russi. "Thank you, Constan. I will ensure these scrolls are used to fight back the undead forces and to keep us safe." Marius stores the scrolls in his pack for safekeeping and finds a quiet place to offer a prayer to Iomedae in thanks for the new resources given.
Upon their arrival to Yua's Hope, Marius felt immediate kinship with the The Fox Scouts. Despite focusing his time on religious study in recent time Marius' first job was as a laborer in the fields. Once the Brushpaws acclimated to the new surroundings underground, Marius loved hearing tales of the family's travels across the whole of Lastwall - though this was a bittersweet conversation since Lastwall was no more. Over the years, Marius learned much from the kitsunes on how to track wild game and how to forage for food.
----------------------------- Despite surviving multiple days on the run after the first attacks on Lastwall, Marius was never much of a fighter. In an effort to remedy that weakness, Marius gravitated toward Garaag Sunbrand, as he is clearly the most capable fighter amongst the survivors of Yua's Hope. The cramped quarters underground don't provide much room for sparring, but Garaag was able to teach Marius the basics of swordplay and hand-to-hand combat.
Quick update on my progress. ☑ Character finalized - may still update spell preparation
The day that Lastwall fell was just another day for Marius - up at sunrise, laboring in the fields, a midday meal alongside the other workers under the shade of a large tree, and falling asleep almost before he laid his head on the pillow. Except, he never went home that day. Lucky to escape a brush with an undead horde with his life, Marius scrounged and cobbled together enough supplies and equipment to give himself a fighting chance against wandering undead that he came across. Eventually, he fell in with a band of survivors and they survived off hunting small game. His luck continued when the group came to Yua's Hope and the group of survivors took them in. Soon after, the undead horde caught up and some of inhabitants of Yua's Hope hid underground, Marius among them. In the long days, months, and years since Marius arrived, he very nearly gave up several times, as the despair and hopeless came close to consuming him utterly and entirely. Looking back, it was only Constan Russi's daily reminders of Iomedae's blessings and the duty the group has to each other that kept Marius alive. Over time, Constan nurtured Marius' belief and faith in Iomedae, and Marius dedicated himself to protecting all those who made Yua's Hope their home.
Hey, I'm still here. Unfortunately, I greatly under-estimated the time and brain power required to come back to work after a month-long sabbatical. I'm working on getting Marius setup this evening. I understand that's cutting it close to when you'd like to start the game. Hope it works out. As for agreeing to the GM requests, I'm definitely onboard.
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