Good luck. Have fun. Peace out.
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In my defense, you insult a big guy, you're probably going to get punched. Especially if he thinks you're out to kill his little buddy. Plus she, like Audria, is getting no where after 9 months of searching. That's more than a little upsetting. From her backstory you knew she was jealous of Audria, and therefore irrationally angry with her, and these two could be enemies. What do you expect? It's been like 10 min in game. I promise she won't be like this all the time but she needs a realistic amount of time to cool down and start doing something more productive. She literally just got hit with awful news.
Cliche as it might be, an alley brawl with some goons from the attack on the temple would help.
Ninja'd by the DM but yes, I'll tone it down. But Marla needs a reason to. Right now, people are after Audria and two random people show up knowing who she is. That makes them possible enemies so of course she is going to be violent and distrustful. I can't think of a reason not to be. Besides, she's a Harbinger. Violence is a class skill.
Those are true statements. She is. But there has only been three total characters involved. Granted the trend is likely to continue for a while but that doesn't mean she can't learn, change, or be forced into something by a higher power. I was planning to develop her over time into someone less aggressive. You're likely to face the same challenges as you have with mine against every NPC that isn't from the underdark as well. Would you have quite after the first inn keeper snubbed you cause your skins too dark? If you expect every group to be all buddy buddy then you are going to severally limit the games you can be in. Plus that's just not realistic. Given the premise of the game and the fact that we had zero connection, did you really expect anything other than a rocky start? I figured that would make things interesting. You also used the exact same tactic (insults and claiming to help) to try and talk her down. Did you expect a different response? Change your approach and I'll change mine. Mention Nethys leading you here. That will at least confuse her enough to stand still. Threaten to call the guards right now. If you were part of the ones tracking her down that would seem an odd threat. Use your imagination. Yes, I intended her to be stubborn and violent. I thought it would be an interesting challenge. She's had no one to be a foil against her personality or strength for a long time. Like the DM said, we are several orders of magnitude above the common adventurer. I didn't mean for her to drive you away. For that, I am sorry. Can you at least wait until the others have a chance to post and weigh in? I'll try to tone it down until then.
No need to be like that. Give me a solid reason she should trust a dark elf she just met and I'll run with it. So far he has done nothing but insult her and claims to be there to help. Sure he's being non-violent but she doesn't know who is after the Guardians. Could be you and Egryzon on after her too. I want this game to go forward to but she isn't going to blindly accept help from people she doesn't know or trust. Especially a smartass drow, who I assume have a negative reputation in this world just like any other drow. Kobolds as well. I assume you picked drow for this very reason. A race that has difficulty breaking the stereotype surrounding them.
Marla looks up at the dark elf and simply...vanishes in a puff of black smoke. A pop behind the dark elf at the same time is little warning as a blade taps him on the shoulder. "Hello square peg," Marla growls from behind him. She then looks down at the kobold. There is another pop and she is now standing behind him. She walks past him and back to the Guardian. "That was to show you where you stand. Which is always within reach. I don't know how you know who she is nor why you are here but this none of your concern. She is my mission and my responsibility." The sword disappears from her hand as she places another on Audria. "Come. We should leave before other nuisances show up. You need more than trail rations. And a bath. You stink."
If the drow thought Marla sensible enough to not strike him, though he dared her by stepping forward and in range, then he was sorely mistaken. She weathers the insults like a statue as he draws closer. She lowers the blade assuming a neutral stance. And for a moment, it seems things might have calmed down a bit. Then like a snake, she shifts forward and thrusts her fist deep into his stomach.
The blow drives is enough to drive the wind out of even the strongest man. The large blade swings fast for his throat and stops an inch from decapitation. She pins the drow in place with a look that promises violence of the most painful kind. A palpable malice oozes from the woman, making the whole alley feel humid but not really. Indeed, she appears to be in command of some sorcerous power that cannot bee seen but certainly felt. "If your brain moved as fast as your mouth you would have realized now is not the time to be smartass." Her words are calm. The dangerous kind of calm that preempts a storm of violence. "You insult me and my blade and you know who it is that is standing behind me. That alone is reason enough to finish what I started," she says, indicating the blade at his throat. "So stop talking and think about why that is." Zaknador:
What she is referring to is that the Guardian in question is not supposed to be away from the temple like this. Their duty is to protect the Grail of Albia. It is feasible that this is a new guardian since they sort of reincarnate but, being a cleric, you might already know that it isn't time for one to appear in the world. All slots are filled essentially. More likely, something very bad has happened and, despite attitude and appearance, Marla is likely an ally or protector of the Guardian. With an Int of 18 her could probably put that together. Hope you don't mind the violence. Marla levels her piercing stare at the kobold now. "I ask again. Who's Light do you refer to and why are you looking for her?"
If the Guardian's words made Marla angry then it was hard to tell. In fact, it looked like they might have made her just a little happy. That is until to people made themselves known in the same alley. A kobold and a drow. Marla is instantly suspicious and moves to place herself between the newcomers and Audria. Part of the kobold's words seemed to confirm that suspicion too. She throws both hands in front as if trying to push against an invisible wall. Black fog fills the space in front of her hands and solidifies quickly into and large obsidian blade. She sweeps the blade in front of her and levels it at the two. "Hands where I can see them dark dewellers," she orders. "I don't need to be told of decorum from a drow," Marla says, spitting out his race like an insult. "And you, tiny, white one, who's Light are you referring too?"
I couldn't even begin to comment yet. We haven't even gotten the party together or been in a fight.
"Weak," Marla grumbles as she lets the woman go. "Pull yourself together. You are the Guardian of Albia's Grail. Act like it," she snarls. She lets the woman eat while Marla paces slowly down the alley, thinking. "I knew you three were inadequate. Defeated by a bunch of cowardly thieves," she mutters as she walks. Eventually she comes to a stop and spins towards Audria. "I will postpone vengeance on the cult that attacked the temple and join your quest to find the Grail. What have you discovered about the culprits? How close are they? Eight or none months and you should be close yes?" she says headless of the irony of the statement and her own faltering quest.
"The..." was all Marla managed to get out before her brain shut down for a moment to process what had been said. Temple attacked again? Two guardians-in-training and the Grail stolen? Marla didn't know what to feel about all that so she defaulted to angry. She hauled the pathetic figure before her up on her fit and growled two words inches from her face. "Explain. Now."
Marla scowled. Well, scowled more. The scar on her lip, the most recent of them, had healed a little tight and gave her a perpetual scowl. Which was fine because it made intimidation easier. Marla bent over and placed her hand on the woman's shoulder and gave a short prayer to Albia. Green energy pulsed through her arm and all through the Guardian's body.
She then rifles through her pack for a field ration tosses it into the woman's lap. She did neither out of kindness per say. She just knew at a glance that the guardian was in bad shape. Too bad to answer her questions effectively without some minor triage. And they were important questions. "Eat. Then speak. Why have you left the temple and your responsibilities?"
Angry was Marla's default state nowadays. Nine months. Nine months chasing those blasphemous cowards and not a shred of justice. Just a few narrow misses that were getting wider and wider. Money grew short real quick and she was forced to take up guard jobs on ships heading in the directions she needed. Sometimes it took days to get such transportation which made it that much harder to follow their trail. But Marla was nothing if not persistent. Justice would be served. Justice... Marla's train of thought derailed at a sound from the left. She looked to see a figure poorly hidden between two shipping crates down and alley. They rocked forward gently and she saw it. flash of silver. No. A flash of platinum. Platinum? It took her a few seconds to process the importance of that. Platinum hair meant a guardian. No one else had hair like that. But the guardian's were supposed to be back at the temple. They never leave. So why was one here. "What are you doing here?" Subtly and thoughtfulness were never strong points for Marla. And because her base state was still anger, the question had little concern, curiosity or sincerity. She walked towards the figure with a purposeful stride.
I always thought Belsarius was female anyway.
I think the site is good now.
Here. And yeah, paizo was down for me for the last two days I think.
Dear lord a wizard/cleric? Spells for days. Can't wait for Monday.
Well poop. Ianthe sounded cool. Is everyone else ready?
Actually I think a deadline would be helpful. Gives people something to aim for. @Me'mori: I can understand wanting to find a class that perfectly fits the background but I just wanted to warn you that Haunted may gimp your character more than want. I mean you are nauseated when it Usurps power. You can't do anything but take a move action. Mystic is really powerful so you'd actually be less effective when it did that.
I am familiar with Path of War and will try to keep things simple but the Harbinger is decidedly complex. Fun, but complex. The power level just makes things better really. She'll stay delusional longer as long no one can knock some sense into her. Might makes right. @Me'mori: Investigator should pair well. It's really low power so no chance of murdering everything on accident. Her backstory says she well versed in everything and investigator adds a lot of knowledge and skill. Inspiration is really handy too. Bard (archaeologist) might work too. Not so much a sing song bard as just really well read and lucky.
Made some alterations. Swapped out exotic weapon proficiency for improved energy blade. Also forgot about the casting traditions. Took focused and verbal casting plus blast shape (energy blade) to get closer to paladin without really being a paladin. She now summons a greatsword (which she thinks is a holy avenger) and can only apply the blast to the blade (her version of smiting).
I believe Marla is complete.
Health Rolls:
Back to a four man team then.
More things to murder. Why not? Also, no word from Harbeastus? Thinking half orc sorceror/ oracle That will be a nasty combo, blaster and healer. Or blaster and buff? Or blaster and Tank? Or blaster and Necromancer? Which revelation? That makes a significant difference.
@DMYour right. But my backstory probably isn't going to change too much. I do wish to know how is Talismiera viewed by the other cities and races? And how do people feel about the drow since there may be several PC drow? @Critzible/DM The only thing that separates the drow and the noble drow is greater spell resistance, advanced stats, and at-will us of their SLA's. The SLA's aren't great but I feel the greater spell resistance and advanced stats are a little much. That being said, its not like you can't be a noble drow without being the race noble drow. Use the standard drow and call yourself a noble, character concept integrity maintained. Also, gunslinger is still really powerful and I know why most DM's leave them out of consideration. I have played one. I know. Touch and dex to damage on ranged attacks all day, every day, is dangerous. Really fun, but may make people feel like they aren't contributing.
I am feeling Armorist too actually. Being able to summon a sword and armor would add another level to the delusion and significantly help in a low magic setting. Low Wisdom won't be much of an issue either. Honestly the setting isn't nearly as important as the story. All it changes is how transportation works really. Akiheton sounds cool. If you want I could through some ideas at you. I once had a world concept that was similar to this but instead of dragons ruling the sky it was a race of intelligent spiders. Their webs spanned multiple floating islands and hundreds of miles. Even dragons were weary of getting caught. When their children (about as big as a dog) hatched they took to the sky on silk sails and caused all kinds of trouble. And for a short time, their children had little intelligence. They had a hive mind connected to their parents. The survivors grew and eventually developed intelligence and their parents got to see a lot of the world for a short time.
Damn! I feel much better about this one already. Let me fix Marla and get back to you. What would you suggest for a second class? I was happy with pure Harbinger (I assume that is still allowed) and being a class level higher but gestalt always adds more possibility. Something that goes with the theme of being like a paladin but not. And I don't mean the class. She thinks she's some holy avenger with impressive martial powers fueled by divine magic. It's actually innate sorcerous magic fueled by wrath and past traumas. Barbarian is probably out because I don't think rage and maneuvers work together and her anger is focused rather than explosive. Maybe something from spheres. Been wanting to try that.
Everyone who is left has gone. DM's turn.
Marla deflects the pathetic attack and sneers in contempt. "Weak," she says. She rotates around the battlefield once again to strike from a new position. Pure malice engulfs her blade. She strikes low to leave a grievous wound and prevent escape. Actions:
Free Action: use boots to get +5 to Acro and +2 to attack if I avoid the AoO.
Move: Acro 10ft around him. Swift: Claim should have worn off so Claim again and recover Relentless Warden's Strike. Standard: Huntsman's Curse - On hit, Will DC 18 or become cursed and staggered for a number of rounds equal to your initiator level (5 rds). In addition, a target that fails its save takes a –1 penalty on attack rolls, Reflex saves, and to its AC, and moves at half its normal speed for the same duration.
Effects:
AC 21, +2 Ref
How did he contact you? Some kind of warning or apology would appreciated next time. That was a long time to be gone without warning or notification.
Fine with me. Can we start up next Monday? That would give the others time to chime in that they are still around and to prove the DM is not.
Nope. Since you and Critzible helped make this I figured you guys would know best. How confident are you as a DM? Cause it looks like one of you will have to take over if this is to continue.
Can we temporarily bot him for now.
Harb and Ianthe should both go.
Technically it is my turn but everyone should go or this will take forever. @Eleanor: Might I offer a suggestion? In the Class/Levels section of your profile you can use spoilers. That means you can use a spoiler for base stats and one for fusion. And though each line has a character limit(not sure what it is) you can use the Gender section for more class stuff. Although, whatever you put in Class/Levels will appear after Gender so plan around that. I like use Gender for my main line of stats (Harbinger 5 | HP 53/53 | AC 19, Touch 12, FF 15 | CMB +4 | CMD 18 | Fort +8, Ref +5, Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception -1) and Class/Levels for daily class abilities like spells or bombs.
Marla's feet practically glide across the ground as she spins and moves into a better position to strike. In her wake, a disorienting shadow follows, laughing at anyone's attempt to keep track of her. From her new position she unleashes a mighty swing with a violent roar. A yell filled with such wrath that it feels like it could freezes blood. Actions: Free Action: use boots to get +5 to Acro and +2 to attack if I avoid the AoO. Standard: Terrifying Strike - On hit, Will DC 15 or be frightened for one round. Bonus damage when cursed.
+2 if avoid AoO and another +2 if flanking.
Effects: Aura of Shared Misery - extra damage to cursed targets
AC 21, +2 Ref
Forgot to respond. Aura of Shared Misery means +1 damage per damage die in the attack. My previous attack did 1d10+2d6 ergo +3 damage. So for Elenor's attacks, which are 1d6 each, the damage is +1 per attack.
Slaver's turn I believe.
I am guessing Castle Blades is new to DMing PBP so an explanation is probably in order. Block init means putting all the enemies into one group for simplicity. What I think works best is averaging the enemies into one. Should any PC's go before, have them go. Then have the baddies go all at once. Then all the PC's go and we just go back and forth regardless of where the round actually changes. This way we can move things along one day per round rather than one day per person. Also, rolling init for us, or mass perception checks or anything else where we are surprised.
Explanation of abilities: Aura of Shared Misery:
DESCRIPTION This baleful aura spreads the despair you inflict and drains at the life of your victims. While you maintain this stance, whenever a creature within 20 feet of you becomes cursed as a result of another effect, you may select a different creature within 20 feet. That creature becomes cursed for a number of rounds equal to your initiation modifier. In addition, cursed creatures within 20 feet of you take additional points of damage equal to 1/4 your initiator level (minimum 1) per damage die whenever they take damage from an attack or effect. Relentless Warden’s Strike:
DESCRIPTION You hound a weakened enemy, keeping them in check. When you initiate this strike, you may teleport to any space within 60 feet that is within 10 feet of a creature that is cowering, cursed, shaken, frightened, or panicked. After you teleport, make a melee attack against that creature, if able. If it hits, it deals weapon damage as normal plus an additional 2d6 points of damage. In the first found I Claimed him as a swift action. I have a feat that makes all those claimed by me are also cursed as well. He also takes a -2 to Combat Maneuver check and skill checks but I don't think that will come up. The stance allows me to curse another but there is only one enemy. The other thing it does is add 1/4 my level (+1) to damage from all sources per damage die. I did 1d10+2d6 so +3 damage. This applies to all damage, allies and enemies alike, if I am reading it right. The strike I used allows me to teleport up to 60 feet and attack someone. If they are cursed the attack does +2d6 damage.
Marla caught the drow's movement out of the corner of her eye and prepared for a fight, bringing her blade back into both hands. Marla had every intention of cutting both of them down with one accurate slice. But then the drow attacked the man instead. And what's more, a blast of ice came hurtling towards him from...a kobold? Whatever, she could sort it all out later. She points her blade at him one last time, "You die first." Marla then leaps back and completely disappears from sight. Behind the slaver, something hits the ground. He turns time to in time to see her blade flashing towards him. Actions:
Swift: Claim slaver for 2 rounds. Also cursed.
Standard: Relentless Warden’s Strike - Teleport behind, and hopefully get into flanking, then attack. Bonus damage when cursed. 26 with flanking
Effects: Aura of Shared Misery - extra damage to cursed targets
AC 21, +2 Ref
DM: I don't think anyone would mind if you rolled init for us. In my experience, that is much faster.
If Marla seemed unnerved by the apparent numbers against her, she did not show it. If anything, she might have smiled a little. "Paladin of Perfection? I did not know drow had a sense of humor," she says, scoffing at his claim of paladinhood.
Its named ironically. And you don't have to use ooc tags in discussion. Most of it is ooc.
"May your god have mercy on your soul then."
Marla sees another drow not to far from her place her hand on her sword hilt. She turns back to the one before, still far to close for comfort.
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