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I'm already GMing two live games, I don't think I have the bandwidth to pick up this one given that I've never read it. I've been enjoying the group and the campaign, I'm interested in continuing if we find another GM but if not that's okay. I feel like I'm missing a lot of context for both the group and the adventure so I'm probably the least invested here.
Hope Norv is doing alright, has anyone heard anything?
Everything okay?
Taking a split second to focus himself, Matoska hurls himself across the room, leaping up to strike at the many-faced creature.
I'll get a combat post up tonight after work
I think a lot of the changes of 2e are good ones, and a lot of Starfinder's influence can be seen, but some of the changes are just baffling to me. It kind of weirds me out how race/ancestries work now. In 1e if I play a dwarf I have my dwarf traits independent of whatever class I'm playing. But now, I have to take Dwarf Feats to learn how to be a dwarf. Wanna resist spells *and* poisons? Better be at least 7th level! That's very odd. My FLGS is hosting a "build a character" event on Mondays and Fridays, I'm going to go to that and make a paladin and see what I think.
Matoska shifts back into human form. His face is concealed behind his wyvern-skull mask, but tightly controlled anger is evident in his voice. "The 'darksphinx' was resistant to weapons too, and she is dead. We will deal with this Senshiir in the same way. Stop arguing, someone within needs help." Unless anyone moves first or tries to stop him, Matoska strides swiftly towards the sounds of sobbing.
With a decision seemingly reached, Matoska calmly waits for the others to file out, then waits for Meliya to retrieve his cloak. After donning it again, the Shoanti shifts back into wolf form and pads his way after the others.
Matoska embraces Vencarlo, then glares at Melina. ”Kalepopolis is leverage. We care nothing about slaying any number of your family’s guardians, but he is a potential hostage.”
"Hello to you too, Vencarlo, though the circumstances could be better," Matoska smiles tightly. "We have an arrangement with Meliya to overthrow her brother after she helped us rescue you. Desperate times and all that. Can you stand?
"He's a tough as old leather, he'll be fine. Wake him." Once Korriban gives the all-clear Matoska kneels by Vencarlo, expression concerned.
With a sigh, Matoska removes his beaded and feathered cloak and proffers it to Meliya. "Will this cover the symbol? We can come up with another solution if necessary but if not looking at it is all we need this should be fine for a time."
No stranger to predators, Matoska meets Meliya's gaze steadily and gives a polite nod of his head to acknowledge her. Carefully wiping the muck from his klar's blade, he rolls his shoulders. "I am mostly well, but we do have injured to tend to. If your brother realizes that Sivit is dead before we're out of here, what happen? Can he unleash additional traps or monsters?"
Performing a quick kata to focus himself, Matoska delivers a series of punishing kicks and punches to the same spot just below Sivit's ribcage.
Kicking his legs back, Matoska flips to his feet and bares his teeth at Sivit. "Let's try that again," he mutters.
With a wordless shout, Matoska darts forward, leaping at the last second to drive a savage kick towards the sphinx's throat.
"The phrase 'dark sphinx' has been used, Korriban, but I'm not certain what that means either. What are Sivit's capabilities?" This latter question is directed to Meliya. Callie: As the group starts to execute the new plan, Matoska hangs back a moment near Callie. "I recognize that I preach to the converted, but I'd like your help watching the rakshasa," he whispers to her. "You've greater knowledge of magic than I, if she seems to be holding back or conserving her resources that may be the only forewarning of treachery that we get. I've got her scent now, but maybe she can change that too. Best not to let her out of our sight, for even an instant."
"If this Sivit is as dangerous as you say, it would be foolish to split up. We should remain together, even if it costs us some time."
When Maliya mentions Bahor listening through the ring Matoska's eyes snaps over to Lantressa's hand and he gives the tiefling a significant glance. Turning back to the rakshasa, he sighs. "We're not here to pick a fight with the Arkonas, the Queen is our true enemy. But if an alliance with you will allow us to rescue Orsini...then I accept."
Matoska takes an involuntary half-step back, invoking guardian spirits in his native tongue and half-dropping into a fighting stance before catching himself.
"I know of your kind, rakshasa," he whispers. "Spirits of deception and hedonism, who defy the gods and possess the bodies of mortal babes at birth. If...if we agree to this alliance, how do we know you will not simply double-cross us to keep your secret? What assurances do we have against betrayal?"
Matoska eyes Korriban warily, but when the young man doesn't immediately move to attack he shifts his full attention back to Meliya. "You said your brother boasted of our impending demise to you? Yet you found your way here and adopted your disguise to await us...that tells me you have shortcuts in and out. I'm curious to know more about that." He gestures to Callie. "But I share my companion's question: why do you feel such urgency to dispose of your brother now? The Queen is by all accounts a very dangerous enemy, what does Glorio have planned that you believe he might succeed?"
Matoska's stance relaxes slightly and the Shoanti steps forwards slightly to get a better view. "Callie, are you alright?"
"What are you, creature?! Why in all the Hells should we trust a damn thing you have to say when you wouldn't answer any of our questions?" Matoska's stance doesn't ease in the slightest, but but whatever this...thing, wearing Vencarlo's face, is...it's made it quite apparent that it knows how to fight yet it didn't choose to press its advantage. Despite himself some part of the Shoanti warrior's curiosity was piqued.
Unable to get at the false Vencarlo through the press of bodies, Matoska instead draws a javelin and takes aim.
I am not the GM, but reading the statblock to determine that you can't do the maneuver you want to seems a bit metagame-y to me.
I understand and am okay with that ruling, I'll continue to hold my action. Just wanted to be sure we were all on the same page!
Okay, sorry for still slowing down the game but a few final clarifying questions. I would prefer to try and use Trip, since that's the feat I nabbed with Martial Flexibility and I don't want to expend another use to get Overrun. My understanding so far is that Matoska can attempt a Trip or of combat maneuver, failure shunting him back to his square. Does he shunt back on a success as well? I would prefer not to end up in Callie's square and interfere with her turn if I succeed.
Life happens, GM!
What square would Korriban end up in if the acrobatics failed?
Unable to reach to combat, Matoska bides his time.
As the others leap into combat Matoska take a moment to center himself, performing a quick kata and envisioning his next move. Darting forward to join Korriban and Callie, the Shoanti launches a brutal kick at the non-Orsini's knee, attempting to bring it down.
Yes, my bad. It's been a weird week. Also heads up, over the weekend I'll be out of town for a wedding and probably won't be able to post all weekend.
Matoska doesn't even try to hide his incredulity. "You say a fiend stalks the labyrinth, and here you are wearing the shape of the one we seek. You'd best have a compelling tale to persuade me that you aren't the very same fiend. I want answers, deceiver, or I'll beat them out of you!"
Taking in the stranger's scent--and his hand--Matoska steps out in front of the others with a snarl and shifts back into his human form. Dropping into a fighting stance, he bares his teeth at the man. "You are not Vencarlo Orsini. You've too many fingers on your hand, whatever you are."
With a sigh, Matoska follows Callie into the room and gives Teo a reproachful look. He lets his gaze wander around the chamber, wondering about strange mechanisms that allow the walls to shift and rotate.
As the new chamber reveals itself, Matoska moves to the doorway--not quite entering, but sniffing and looking around carefully. If the door starts to move again he jerks back to stay with Lantressa and Korriban.
Deciding to take a risk in the darkness, Matoska shifts back into human form and steps closer to Lantress, whispering in her ear. "You got rid of the ring Glorio gave you, right?" Regardless of her response, the Shoanti warrior steps away and shifts back. Walking up to the stone wall where Callie and Teo had been, he scratches at the stone and makes a few low-pitched woofs then listens for a response.
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