Hey everyone, I'm sorry I haven't been active in this campaign, I've been struggling with real world issues that are sapping my time and that's been preventing me from keeping up with everybody's much faster posting rate than I can currently give this campaign. I hope my schedule frees up soon but I can't promise it. Therefore, all I can say is that I will post when I can, but if you are willing DM Mahorfeus, you can DMPC Marossa as you see fit. If that's unworkable, I can bow out to make things smoother for the group rather than waiting for me to post.
Marossa quickly steps forward as several members of the group are stabbed with spears, a particular note sending a wash of green healing energy towards Anapa.
Moving to V18 and casting Cure Light Wounds. Cure Light Wounds:1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Marossa nervously pulls out her flute and presses the device to her lips, breathing in sharply before she begins playing a tune, infusing a bit of the magic she's learned from her instructors into it. The tune is fast and reedy, driving up her companions heart rate and reactions.
Moving to W18 and beginning inspire courage. Same stuff as usual, +1 to attack and damage rolls and fear saves.
Marossa is ready to go, she doesn't have any pre-combat spells to prepare, and I don't want to activate inspire courage before we are stuck in, it wastes limited rounds. :)
Marossa gratefully accepts the rope when it is her turn to go across the river, shivering as she comes out the other side with her simple dress clinging to her skin. Marossa shakes slightly as she tries to get most of the water off of her, a blush forming on her face though she turns to Julius and says, "Thank you for the help Assayad, I'm not a very good swimmer."
Marossa shudders as she stops moving once the beast is laid low by the newcomer. Her face pale, and not just from facing the monster, Marossa steps closer to the dead monsters and looks it over. Her eyes widen as Julius mentions a dagger and gloves and apron. Her hands quickly shifting behind her back as she tries to hide the small dagger back in her skirt, not wanting anyone to she has a weapon she shouldn't have.
Strange, I thought I had updated Marossa's stat block. Well, its all fixed up now.
Keeping up her dancing steps to stay out of the tentacles, Marossa presses her hand forward in the air, a small spark of light spearing from her stretched palm as she intones, "N'Hal Dhhul!"
Maintaining Inspire Courage, casting Daze on the dust digger, Will Save DC 14.
Marossa screams as she stumbles around the shifting sand, her feet skittering across the new tentacled surface. Scrambling away from the monster as quickly as she can, Marossa's linen wrapped feet stamp down in a rhythm similar to one of her dance performances as she avoids the monsters appendages.
Move action to get away from the monster, using Perform(Dance) to activate Inspire Courage, anyone who has line of sight to Marossa now has +1 to saving throws vs fear, +1 to attack and damage rolls.
As the small group marches forward through the dead pesh fields with the rest of the group, she tries to remain focused, her left hand resting on the small dagger she keeps tucked away under her long simple skirt. However, with every gentle breeze that kicks up a bit of sand comes with it the sweet scent of pesh. A little fouler than she is used to because of the dead plants surrounding her, but Marossa's mouth quickly waters as her body begins to develop a cold sweat being surrounded by the aroma.
Marossa staggers slightly as the cravings she's been able to survive the last few days come back with force, her slave collar jangling softly in the open air as she catches herself on a cactus so rotted the spines have fallen out. Breathing shallowly, Marossa keeps her eyes on the ground for the moment, trying to stop her head from spinning dizzily.
Marossa hangs towards the back of the group as new people show up. Initially put off by the appearance of Narkû Marossa stays away from the new members of the caravan. Marossa comes joins the meeting holding a large tray with earthenware cups of water and a full jug, passing between the growing selection of groups in this caravan. Once everybody has taken a cup if they want one, Marossa settles the tray nearby and comes up next to Thurrios. Settling her left hand over her right arm, Marossa whispers, "I dunno how useful I'll be assaulting a village..."
Hey guys, glad to see this PBP has resurrected in my absence. As I explained to Mahorfeus earlier, I've been bedridden and mostly unconscious this past week after catching a nasty bug. I'm feeling slightly better and awake enough to make this post. Welcome to the campaign to those joining us, I look forward to roleplaying with all of you. :)
Alright... so I can't help but notice that for the last several posts now its been just Thurrios and I making any contribution to the thread, besides yourself of course DM. While I understand the need for RL to take precedence the truth is that this feels like most of the group has been forced to leave the campaign. Which is fine but its a bit of a drag trying to get this ball rolling again with just the three of us. Assuming Sami and Khatijah have simply left the campaign and Khasra is indisposed for the foreseeable future, I think we need to bring in more than just one new player. I'd certainly be willing to save a spot for Khasra to be a fifth member of the party once she has dealt with her real life issues but a full active party would do a lot to reinvigorate my own dropping post rate. There's nothing quite like an echo room to make one stop talking unfortunately.
Anyway, just my thoughts and suggestions, no offense is meant or intended. I'd really like to play through a Legacy of Fire game that didn't falter and stop right at the start like so many seem to on these forums.
Marossa turns towards Thurrios as she follows him, "I'm sorry, I don't know Theodephus, but the mountains on the western bas relief are of the Pale Mountain, the largest of the Brazen Peaks. My teachers had many stories to tell of that mountain."
The pugwami's unlucky aura definitely was never made for PBP games, they don't seem particularly threatening either. Perhaps we could cut-scene this combat and move on DM? I think it would be more interesting for all of us that way.
Gathering her courage, Marossa steps forward and tries to help her friends, shifting closer to Khasra, she stabs forward trying to distract the pugwampi from the taciturn man.
Maintain Inspire Courage. Aid Another to Khasra.. Attack vs AC 10:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Unlucky Attack vs AC 10:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Marossa steps back near Khasra as Thurrios and Khatijah charge forward into the room, her voice thrumming out of her throat as she threads magic through her lyrical sounds.
Activating Inspire Courage, everybody gets +1 to attack and damage rolls and +1 on saves vs fear/charms. :)
Hey guys, just wanted let you all know I wont be posting again until this Friday, heading out camping so no Internet. Feel free to DMPC me for the next few days. :)
Marossa looks on in shock as the chandelier's rope snaps and sends the object plus the mangy gremlin crashing down to the floor. As a whole tribe of the creatures suddenly make their presence known Marossa looks towards Thurrios and Khatijah, unsure what to do...
Ducks her head at the mention of the Dawnflower, "Yes Asseyed, I did not mean to be silent with the blessed Dawnflower, I meant if it is wise to announce ourselves to anyone else who might be here..."
Marossa nervously follows the rest of the party into the large nave, her hand clutching the small dagger as she swivels her head around like a frightened rabbit. She nearly jumps out of her skin when Thurrios breaks into a loud cry of joy and she turns towards him. "Is... is this wise Asseyed? We haven't explored the entire building yet..."
Marossa wakes up just before the sun breaks the horizon and crawls her way out from under the wagon, brushing the sand off of her bedroll as she rolls it back into its draw string. After taking a short drink of water Marossa begins her early morning cleaning out her flute before grabbing breakfast, waiting until after everybody else has already gotten their plates. Marossa surreptitiously slip a small dose of pesh under her tongue as she eats, seeming much more awake once it starts to take affect, her eyes less hollow than before. After breakfast Marossa moves over to help Zastoran with his wagon.
Marossa accepts the coin pouch without comment, having learned long ago to not protest a gift from her master, and holds it with both hands, curtsying low before her Mistress before stepping backwards out of the tent and only turning her back once she is outside. Knowing of no other place to go, Marossa walks over to the nearest wagon and crawls under the carriage, settling herself down as she rolls out her gifted bedroll and curls up, clutching the gold tightly as she goes to sleep.
Marossa follows behind the others, still struggling with the cactus field. The small dagger she holds in her hand particularly pathetic looking next to Khatijah, still she moves up next to her fellow slave and tries to help her strike the creature, giving it less avenues to escape her swings.
Moving up next to Khatijah and going to aid another. Hope this works. :D
Marossa turns towards Thurrios and tilts her head towards Khatijah, "We have to follow right? We can't leave her in there alone."
Trying to carefully pick her way through the cactus, Marossa yelps almost immediately as she brushes against one of the sharp needles, seeing blood well up at the cut on her arm. Pulling her hand up to sooth her arm, Marossa follows behind Khatijah slowly.
Marossa follows tentatively behind Thurrios, her right hand nervously clutching near the waist of her skirt as she holds onto a small dagger she keeps as a last resort, her ears listening to the sounds coming from ahead. "Is that really a human?"
DM, could Marossa check to discern if this is a real human cry or some kind of animal? She has knowledge nature +7 if you need a roll."
Marossa returns to the group after talking with Father Zastoran for a little bit longer, stepping lightly up behind the tree near to the group as she catches the tail end of the conversation with Garavel. Unobtrusively she unfolds the last paper she possesses, pulling up the packet she presses the small flat section of dried pesh under her tongue and shivers as she starts to feel calmer.
Stepping out from behind the tree, Marossa slips up behind Sami and smiles for a moment, quietly waiting to be told where to go.
Marossa's eyes snap up from the ground at the mention of Bellianais, stepping forward looking past Sami's arm at the book, "Assayed Zastoran, you read Bellianais? My instructors were preparing to teach me those poems before I was um... sold to Al anesah Almah." Marossa self consciously reaches up to touch her collar for a moment before letting her hand fall again, "I don't mean to impose... but would you be willing to teach me?"
Marossa follows quietly behind Sami, absentmindedly pulling out a small cloth wrapped package from under the folds of her simple linen skirt wrapped tightly around her waist. Her hand trembles for a moment as she stays in Sami's shadow, letting the package warm in her hand as she adds to Sami's introduction, "Mi-Mistress Almah would be most appreciative of anything you could tell us."
Marossa's short stature stands behind and to the side of Sami, her mouth remaining shut as she listens to each person in turn. Waiting until everybody else has finished before responding to Thurrios, "I... I can sing, and play a flute... and my former Master," Marossa's body ducks forward only to catch itself, as if she was going to go to her knees, "Had scholars and magicians teach me, but I can't really fight."
Marossa listens carefully to Mistress Almah as she sways slightly on her feet. Her hands tremble slightly as her slightly sunken eyes roam over the tented room, waiting to be ordered.
Marossa stands off to the side as she waits near Sami, her eyes watered slightly from the heat of the fire and the smells coming from the wagon. Her hands clasped together in front of her as she waits for Master Garavel to begin, whispering to herself "I could really use some pesh..."
Marossa stumbles from her mount for a moment, her eyes wide and fearful as she looks among her companions for a moment, the fire flickering across her vision as she finally decides to follow behind Sami, not wanting to be left alone in this crisis, her mostly bare feet pounding into the loose sand before she slides to a stop next to the two wounded bodies.
Moving to the one Sami doesn't, Marossa whispers to herself as she presses her hands against the worst of the wounds, blood immediately staining her hands, "Just like Master Abai said... Just like Master Abai said..."
Marossa's hands suddenly fill with a pale green light as she casts her voice through the spellsong "Life flows as the river, Making pains fade and wither."
Marossa shakes her head towards Sami, "I couldn't part you from your wine Mistress but I can play the flute as well, and longer than this heat would allow me to sing." Marossa finds herself strangely comfortable speaking out to the blue woman as she reaches down into her back again and pulls her flute out, the well polished wood rising up to her lips as she begins playing on the instrument. The song from her flute flowing along the caravan's trail.
Marossa keeps her eyes downcast towards the sands, the bangs of her straight hair falling over her face as she whispers "I didn't mean to cause more strife."
Seeing more and more words getting spun around, Marossa quickly pipes up in a squeaky voice completely different from her singing, "I... I was not insulted, I just um..."
Marossa's voice falls silent mid sentence as she squeezes her parchment tightly in her hands, fearing the attention she might be drawing to herself. Quickly Marossa finishes her line of thought with "I just hope everyone enjoyed the song."
Among the members of the caravan is a slight young girl. Her eyes turned downwards as she follows towards the back. Her jet black hair flows straight down past her neck and her eyes match her hair. She wears simple linen clothes with her midriff bare and a long skirt that flows around her legs. Her arms show several small scars from previous lashings and her neck still bears a simple steel collar.
Marossa remains silent as she listens to all the conversations around her. Giving up for a moment at trying to follow the quick talking blue woman, she pulls out an ink pen and piece of parchment from the backpack hanging from her borrowed mount and begins to write on the page with the quiet scratching of her quill on the parchment easing her nervousness for a few moments. Marossa begins to hum softly as her thoughts turn towards her current situation and she begins to write a few words about it.
A lilting voice escaping her pale lips matching the scratches she makes to the parchment.
The desert valley with its timeless song
An ancient wind of hope
Many spirits wait until we are strong
Giving us time to cope.
Effects of Pesh
Pesh is an addictive narcotic that has a mild analgesic effect. Anyone ingesting a dose of raw pesh takes a –2 penalty to Dexterity and Wisdom for one day. Pesh smokers enter a pleasant, dreamy state of bliss in which pain seems less severe but pleasant feelings are amplified. Multiple doses within a 24-hour period do not inflict additional ability penalties but may intensify the narcotic effects, depending on the individual. In addition, anyone ingesting a dose of raw pesh receives 10 temporary hit points, which last for 1 hour, and gains a +1 morale bonus to saves versus fear effects for one day. Multiple doses within a 24-hour period do not bestow additional hit points or renew the saving throw bonus. Refined pesh has the same effects as raw pesh, but the ability penalties increase to –4, and one dose grants 15 temporary hit points and a +2 morale bonus to saves versus fear. The narcotic effects are also more pronounced. Pesh whey has the same effects as raw pesh, except no Dexterity penalty, no bonus againstfear, and only 1 temporary hit point for 1 hour.
Addiction
Pesh is an addictive substance (Fort DC 10 to avoid addiction, 5 days satiation, 1d4 Dex and 1d4 Wisdom withdrawals), but as the GM you can ignore this if you don’t want to deal with addiction in your game. The benefits granted by pesh aren’t significant enough to offset the penalties it imposes, and as such allowing the characters to indulge in pesh without ill effects should not disrupt the power balance of a game. Many individuals in Katapesh, especially those native to the region, are able to enjoy pesh recreationally without risking dangerous addiction.
In a darker campaign, however, or one that explores more adult themes, pesh can be significantly more dangerous. While the drug’s effects are at first pleasant and innocuous, repeated pesh use can create a dependence that is both physical and psychological, leaving the user with a desperate craving for more. An individual who uses pesh may need to make a Will save at increasing difficulties until he is unable to resist the call of pesh; he may also find himself growing immune to pesh whey and raw pesh’s effects and may have to seek out the more expensive refined pesh. Pesh addiction causes otherwise stable individuals to lose fortunes, destroy their families, and in many cases, lose their lives. Slavers, pimps, and gang leaders may use pesh as a tool for controlling others, and the Pactmasters or the Aspis Consortium might have sinister plans in motion to bring all Katapesh under the control of the drug.
I'll have a post up in the gameplay thread in a little bit, but I wanted to ask you something as well DM Mahorfeus. I was wondering how you wanted to deal with my characters addiction to Pesh? If you don't want to deal with the darker aspects of drug addiction I am perfectly willing to gloss over it but it is a pretty integrated part of my character's back story. The Chronicles guide to Katapesh has some stuff to say on addiction to Pesh and it's effects on characters and if you don't have that book I can give a short write up of the basic effects.
Hey everyone! Thanks for accepting me into your campaign DM Mahorfeus! Marossa is pretty much ready to go since she was previously built for another campaign. As for your questions...
1. Do you want me to keep information such as the AC and hit points of enemies hidden? I prefer hidden, but with descriptions.
2. Do you want me to perform all of my dice rolls in plain view, within the post? Hidden behind spoilers is how most DMs I've met here have done dice rolls. I like the look of a clean role play thread.
3. Do you want me to roll your saves and initiative for you during combat? This one is a pretty sticky situation for a lot of groups I find. Personally I prefer the same style as Thurrios, but Marossa isn't an initiative machine either so she's unlikely to influence a block initiative style either.
4. During combat, would you rather that everyone post in initiative order, or that everyone post in any order? Posting out of initiative order works great for me as long as you're willing to handle adjudicating group actions that contradict each other DM. Otherwise I've found that arguments can arise among the party about which actions happen and which don't, etc.
5. Keeping in mind that this AP is sandboxy at times, would you rather level up based on experience, or at loosely established points in the main story? Level us up whenever you want to DM, I don't mind. :)
Sorry for the lack of posts. Been a busy week getting ready to head back to college.
Marossa thanks the guardsmen and moves away from them. Her sandaled feet stepping lightly across the desert sand as she rejoins the group. Following behind Sonja, Marossa watches the woman cast her spell across the entire camp and keeps her silence until the Priestess is finished. Once she doesn't think she will be a bother, Marossa says, "The guards from the tent say that... Dashki has been seen trying to peek inside Mistress Almah's tent. Is there anything else I can do to help?"
Marossa looks nervous as she receives her first assignment from her new master. Watching as everybody else moves off on their own initiative, Marossa curtsies to Master Garavel quickly and heads off to the guards who she worked with to put out the fire. Stepping up to the group as they stand near the tent and fire pit.
"Excuse me Sirs, I was told to ask if any of you saw anything before the fire start? It would greatly help determining the cause."
Throughout the entire week long trip Marossa stays towards the back of the caravan, marveling at her chance to ride on a camel provided to her by her new masters. Every now and again she plays a few pieces of music on her flute when she doesn't think it will be a bother but for the most part Marossa keeps to herself.
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The sight of the camp caught on fire fills Marossa's vision as she feels the heat waves radiate up across the hill. Hearing the command of who she can only assume is Mistress Almah, Marossa carefully slips off of her camel (having never learned to ride) and rushes down the hill a few paces behind the others. Staying near the water wagon, she starts to fill up a bucket with water and running back and forth between the wagons as best she can with the heavy bucket carried in both hands.
Staying quiet as more and more people enter the tent, the young girl keeps at her work, moving to polishing her flute when Sonja sits close to her. Shifting her body without thinking to give Sonja more room to enjoy in the tent, the girl doesn't look up when the questions start to go around and everybody introduces themselves.
Looking up in surprise when Sonja asks for her name, the slave's eyes widen as she stammers out "I... I am called Marossa, Kahineh. I could play some music for your enjoyment."
Holding her flute in both of her hands as she follows Sonja and Nasir to the table, once the small party reaches the table Marossa sets herself on the end of the table and moves to kneel back down on the floor, not wanting to set herself an equal of others at the table.
Coming upon the Caravanserai is a tall man in the face concealing mask of a Packmaster Guard. In this man's hand is held a chain that leads to the collared neck of a young girl, whom he leads towards the Caravanserai at a quick pace. Seemingly not paying any attention to his surroundings, the Guardsman walks straight up to the leader of the caravan heading towards Kelmarane and hands off a small set of papers bound in a leather strap. Unclipping the chain from the girls throat he nods brusquely and sets off back towards Katapesh. The caravan master gives the girl one look and nods towards the tent of the Caravanserai. Getting the hint, this young girl quickly steps away from the caravan master with a curtsy and rushes off towards the tent.
As she steps through the flaps of the large tent, her features become easier to make out though she hardly looks like the adventuring type. Her skin is pale despite being an obvious Keleshite, with the hints of her people's usual dark tans hiding under her unnatural coloration. Her eyes are slightly sunken into her face and her dark black hair hangs down in bangs around her face. Barely looking over fifteen winters old, she wears a simple skirt and midriff baring shirt of white cotton. Though she tries to hide it with her long hair, the gleam of a collar is still easily seen around her neck, indicating her status quickly to whoever she meets.
On her back is a small pack that seems to hold the few possessions she has been allowed to keep. Included among them is a flute she pulls out once she is among the group she was told to join. Without saying a word, she sits down and crosses her legs together in a place where she wont get in the way, bending her body with a dancers grace and sets the flute on her lap, pulling out a cleaning rag and beginning to gently thread it through the flute.
DM, I assume we will be using the old pesh addiction stuff we worked up for the last campaign? Other than that, its great to see this started again and I look forward to roleplaying with everybody.
