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Posting in all of my games. We made it to CA... but finding a home that meets my family's needs (while being in price range) is proving a bit challenging... will be off the boards for a bit. Please bot me as necessary (and possibly send good vibes/prayers my way). Thanks for your continued patience.
As a clothy without mage armor, I have to agree... getting armor buffs is a pain with apb... I just have to pray I am not on the front lines. ;)
Maura smiles ruefully at Allegra. "Oh... don't worry. His face is permanently etched in my memory now. Well, short of another memory lapse like before."
Maura nods. "I thought you might... I just... wanted to make sure." She gives the other woman a sad smile, then shakes her head. "Very well. The memory I saw from your armor was of its... harvesting. I saw a vision of a space surrounded by stained glass windows. They depicted angels healing the wounds of smiling patients by placing their hands within their wounds. There was an operating table in the center of the space... the space looked disused, as the tiles around the table had not been cleaned in some time. On the table was an unconscious figure... at first, I thought it might be a man, but the snow white wings and the too-muscular form lead me to believe he was an angel. He was breathing, but not moving... like he had been given a poison or something." Maura pauses, taking another sip of her drink. "A man approached. He had blonde hair and beady, madness filled eyes. He wore round glasses that just added to that look of madness... almost made his eyes look like they were going to pop out of his head... and his face was scarred repeatedly, though by what or when I could not tell you. Using a scalpel, he... well, he was able to flay the skin off of the angel with one continuous motion around it... taking the skin in one piece. You could tell by the speed he did it and the... well, the quality of the skin afterword... that he had a lot of practice doing this, although I could not say if it was on angels or on other... humanoids." Maura sighs. "So, in summary, your armor was harvested by someone skilled in one piece from a still living angel. Surrounded by images of angels healing men, if you want any additional irony." She shakes her head. "I am sorry it was not... more pleasant. We all had a feeling that this would not be, but I don't think any of us thought it would be quite this dark."
@ DM:
Was there only one memory for the armor? In theory I should have been able to make sense of two if there was a second one. No pressure or anything, just checking. Maura grimaces as the memory that bleeds into her consciousness from the armor. Vix is not going to like this... She holds up a hand to the expectant warrior, asking her for a moment. "Gods. Why can't any of the items that want to speak to me in this region have positive memories?" She pours herself a glass of water and takes a long sip of it before continuing. "Are you sure you want to know what your ... armor... remembered? It is not pleasant, to say the least."
Maura focuses on the armor, letting its memories flow into her as touches it. [i]Show me.... show me your memories... share them with me that they may no longer burden you...[/ooc]
Maura wakes up an hour before Vix, spending the time in quiet meditation. As she finishes, she returns to her bed for a few moments, waiting for the others to rise. When they do, she sits up, nodding to Vix. "Morning. I hope that your evening was ... relaxing. I will read your armor in a moment. I need to center myself before attempting to listen to your armor." So saying, Maura pulls out her harrow deck and begins shuffling. After a few moments of doing so, she draws a card from the deck.
Staring at the card for a moment, she shudders. Such grim tidings. Shuffling it back into her deck, she shuffles more. "Bring me the armor and I will see if it is willing to speak to me."
Next two days will be on the road again. With any luck will be less eventful than the trip to here was (oldest apparently gets motion sick... we have since acquired children's dramamine, so hopefully that negates it). Will be stable once we get there for a little bit again before the final push.
Maura shakes his head. "No, I am not feeling... paintworthy... tonight. If he needs all of us to be present, he will just have to wait for another time. If not, tell him I will be there... eventually."
Maura nods. "Very well. Come find me in the morning with it off and I will attempt to see what stories it can tell me. Try not to stay out too late drinking... we have a cult to deal with on the morrow."
Maura idly shuffles her harrow deck as they discuss the days events. "We need to investigate further... but first, I need to heal... that last blast did a number on my internals..." She turns to Vix before she splits off from them, "You have boots and you have armor... both have stories to tell. In the morning I can attempt to read one of the two... make a decision tonight so that we can take a look tomorrow." Smiling, Maura heads to their room and attempts to rest.
I will be stationary for this week, traveling again on the weekend. I will be doing things with the family (probably go to the zoo etc) but I am not having to drive multiple hours each day.
"Sounds good... make sure someone else... opens the door... until I can rest up a bit." Maura smiles weakly.
Maura just shakes her head, clearly having suffered a lot of internal damage from the blast (not to mention a few bits of broken glass heading into her. "So... new rule... any time you open something, with your feet or your hands, we all are at least ten feet away awaiting the innevitable blast." She nods thankfully to the Saiya as she helps with some of the bigger wounds. "No offense, but I am not scaling down the side of this thing. If they actually responded I will fight my way out... I have better chances with that than with gravity."
"Not insane... just without memories beyond recent ones... and ones that I have from talking to objects." While that might sound like a joke, she says it completely deadpan serious. "As for them... perhaps they were members of the yellow robe society. Folks willing to ritualistically sacrifice others to some odd city... well, 'fanatic' sums it up nicely. Are we pressing further in or withdrawing for now?"
Maura shakes her head. "I honestly can't tell... I know it is poisoned, but I was unable to divine exactly how. That said, given it was in an ingestible substance like wine, I would suppose that would be the most effective way of using it. If it was poisonous from touch alone one of them might have tried throwing a glass in our faces, after all... but I am just speculating. I personally would not use it, but to each their own." Turning to Allegra, she shakes her head. "From what I was told, we were in an asylum prior to this. I only came too recently, so you would have to ask them about the details."
A deity's wishes are misinterpreted by their follower, so typical. XD Of course wearing or not wearing the mithral aren't against Milani's wishes so Vixen gets no feedback. I'm going to have to do something with that angelskin now. Indeed, especially since I am going to be attempting to divine its' history... probably it is next, unless we a) find something more important first, or b) Vix wants me to read her boots first, given she is wearing both.
Maura shrugs. "I was about to warn you not to drink... but it seems like our... friends..." she looks at the Baroness, still bleeding from having her brains scrambled, as she says this, "decided that subtlety was something they only needed to try once before dropping it." She stands up and begins to sift over the items recovered from the bodies, seeing if anything speaks to her. "Won't be able to get them to talk yet, but can at least add it to the pile of things to talk with later on." She smirks at Vix's remark about not being a mind reader. "Well, luckily for you, I am, at least somewhat. Although lately it seems like I am more projecting my thoughts and memories into other minds instead of reading what was already there."
Holding my action to see if it is necessary. So I will be posting this in all my games: I am moving from EST to PST finally (this was kinda expected but has been in limbo due to the pandemic). The movers will begin being at my house tomorrow, with final pack out day being Thursday, after which time I will begin to be on the road. I am not making a straight shot, as it were, across the country. I will have a few rest periods to see family on the way. I expect that I will finish the cross country period mid OCT, after which time I begin the house hunting phase in earnest. I should be able to keep posting during this time period, but some days (especially any that I am driving) are probably going to be limited in quantity (though hopefully not quality) of posts. That said, feel free to bot me in combat it necessary to keep things moving.
Maura sighs and stands up. "So much for hospitality of the house we just kicked our way into." As she speaks she notices the Baroness multiply. Cute trick. Too bad there is only one mind in all of that mess... Focusing on the Baroness, Maura attempts to overwhelm her with thoughts and feelings, probing her mind for ways inside.
"You might want to stay down before my friends make worrying about finding transportation the least of your worries."
Maura is strangely silent as they meet Allegra, though she does attempt to read her thoughts as asked. When the others look at her to see her verdict, she merely shakes her head. "She checks out. She is concerned with Vix, racked by pain from an encounter with fish people, and wanting to bring... justice, I would say... to Lord Lowls and his army. More concerning is that face up there." She points to the form that Vix calls to moments later. Shrugging, she follows the others into the room. Looking down at the glass, Maura observes it cautiously. "Strange things have been happening. I would... advise you... that perhaps just setting off on the road now might be more beneficial than waiting for whatever arrangements might be made." As she says this, she quietly works in words to the others, letting them know if the wine is safe to drink or not.
Sorry I have been silent, been juggling my other games and packing this weekend... I will check in on the game tomorrow.
Maura nods, and gives a quick inspection of their recent assailants.
"We will not be long and we will not go far. Like you said, we could probably use a bit of time to heal before we try to explore the whole place." She pokes her head inside the door frame and takes a look around the room.
Because I know it comes as a bit harsh, I wanted to clarify that neither Maura nor I have any real problems with Vix. She is IC annoyed and concerned with her. I happen to like her, even her impulsiveness. So... nothing personal, but she had to express her thoughts on the matter. ;)
Maura holds out a hand to help Vix to her feet, locking eyes with her as she does. "Your spontaneity is reckless when it ends up working against the rest of us. Yes, you were right to see the threat I, at the very least, was not... but your reaction to kick down the door quite literally stunned most of us. Seriously, I still haven't fully gotten the ringing sound out of my ears." Assuming she accepts the offer of assistance, the psychic pulls the hero up to her feet. "And then, you get hit by a dart trap attached to the door and spend the rest of the ensuing fight out cold... leaving us to clean up the brawl you started. Ci Ci had two literal bites taken from her shoulder. You could have been dead for all we knew." Her tone softens a bit at this point. "And we would have been unable to prevent it on account of said guards and cultists. I do not mean to be overly harsh, but you need to at least think of your surroundings before doing something like that again. As I said, though, what is done... is done. We have already paid a blood price for entry. I say we at least step inside to look into the room that should not have any guards right now, due to our killing them. Perhaps we get lucky and find something useful for our return trip if nothing else."
Maura sighs. "No... as much as I do not envy the idea, we should at least head inside and do a cursory look around. If security was this... elaborate... before a certain someone kicked in a door," she looks at Vix in a pointed manner before rolling her eyes and continuing, "then I do not want to have to come back again later once they realize they need thicker doors, more deadly poisons on their darts, and more guards that like to eat tourists while alive."
Maura shakes her head, the vitality stolen from the guard dressed goon fading from her with his death. "I am afraid not. If you were affected by some form of mental malady I might be of more use, but physical wounds are beyond my skills. Speaking of, anyone have some way of getting Miss 'I-knock-by-kicking-down-the-door' over here up and about again?"
Maura winces slightly as the wave of negativity hits her. "Oh, alright... you want to feel my thoughts, here they are." As she says this, she gives the yellow robed cultist a glare, focusing her thoughts on his mind and defenses.
As she finishes her thoughts, she moves to get out of the way of her flame obsessed friend as she attempts to burn the brute to a crisp.
Maura takes a quick step back from the laboring brute. "Yes, you were strong. Now... show me where you are weak... show me what trauma made you pick this path..." So saying she begins probing the hulking guard's mind, looking for vulnerabilities. As she does so she takes a kettle from her robe, gripping it by the handle.
Maura stands, shaking her head and mouthing a strange word as she does. As her eyes finally focus and hearing comes back, she notes the man in the yellow robes that match those of her vision. Well... at least we are in the correct place to solve that mystery, I suppose. Turning to the guard just getting up, she focuses her thoughts on his essence. "Yes... strong... you will do nicely..." As she says this she attempts to pull some of it away and into herself.
Quite possible on the OOC. IC, I understand her reaction... but Maura thinks they could just be familiar with the stories of our unremembered escapades and be taking steps to defend themselves if... well, we do what you just did. ;)
Maura just shakes her head. "It matters little now."
Maura nods, frowning, as she heads up Iris Hill with the other. She seems like she might be about to try speaking to the guard when Vix kicks the door. "Well, if we were trying to convince them that we weren't thugs, I think kicking the door down probably wasn't the best course of action."
OK, think I got her leveled properly (please do look though to make sure I am not off base). 3 HP and 1 d6 HD added, one extra level 2 casting per day, 1 to WIS, 1 to deflection AC (APB), 1 to all skills, 1 new lvl 1 and lvl 2 spell, and the ability to cast calm emotions as a spell like ability 3 times a day.
Welcome Allegra... will be updating my character later today and making a post.
Maura shakes her head. "No... sometimes I can tell based on context, but this place," she gestures around her, "does not have a lot of things to provide it. I would be able to recognize one of the yellow robes if I saw them again... say, if the these people or their descendants are behind problems here. Which seems probable if their chanting is to be believed. I could even probably recognize the killer if I saw her again, assuming she lives. But the stone did not care about the weather or time of night... it was too busy remembering the ceremony itself." She pauses and thinks for a moment. "I will say that usually items like telling their more... recent... stories.... first. Which, in this case, probably narrows it down to sometime this century, as opposed to whatever millennia it was created."
Was Allegra vetoed for player or concept prior? Additionally, I noted that she was Lawful Evil. While I do not have a personal problem with playing at the table with an evil character (hells, I once ran on a Iron Gods campaign with one... if done correctly, it can make sense) it might be a deal breaker for others. I agree with Ci Ci, I think Sarguhilde has a pretty solid concept, and given all the strange happenings so far it would make sense that an inquisitor of ... well, just about any faith, really... would show up. That said, the player described their character as stubborn... might be some rubbing of existing folks the wrong way if played wrong, at least in character. Amestri has an interesting concept, but it doesn't look like they ever hard stated her out. Does make tuning her toward what we need easier... but I typically like going over that before voting on someone. TL;DR: My vote would be for Sarguhilde. Amestri I would need to see more from before I would be willing to vote yay or nay on, and I need more context on the previous vote concerning Allegra (as well as other's thoughts on an evil character being at the table).
Maura jolts as Saiya speaks in Aklo. "That! Whatever that language is, it was that one! OK, if you are sure, hold still and I will do my best to share the memory with you." So saying, the psychic reaches out and places one hand on Saiya's forehead, concentrating on sharing the memory she just witnessed as best as she can, focusing on trying to get the strange sounds she heard correct as she passes them.
Maura mulls over the two languages Vix spoke in, comparing their tones and patterns to the rhythmic chanting in the memory. After a moment, she frowns and shakes her head. "No... while I do not have any clue what you just said in either language, neither sound quite correct."
As the memory coalesces, Maura reflexively pulls her hand back with the speed you would from a flame. "Well... you lot keep bringing me to the most... sinister... of memories." Maura shakes her head and wipes a few tears from her eyes, taking out her cards to shuffle as she does. "There was... a ritualistic sacrifice here. I am not sure why, or even when. It took place at night and the... cultists? Ritualists? Followers?" The psychic's grey skin around her forehead creases as she tries to best convey the vision with words. "Well, whatever they were, they wore yellow robes and chanted in some language I am not familiar with." She places her hand reverently where her memory told her the victim was. "Tied here was a woman. Lashed to the stone. Once the chanting was completed, another woman ran a dagger through her throat," she points to where the blade's tip would have impacted, "and the strange symbol at the top of this stone began to glow. Not fiercely, just faintly... almost as if the death was barely enough to register. The killer was in her thirties at the time... long, smooth hair... dark eyes.... short..." Maura trails off, shuffling her harrow deck absently for a moment. Gods, what a terrible way to die. I wonder if she was willing... or if she was being controlled somehow. I didn't see her struggle... but she was still bound to the stone by cords... Finally shaking the thoughts aside, she turns to her companions. "Thank you for indulging me... and I am sorry the result was not more... positive. Perhaps if I understood what they were chanting I would have a more complete picture... but all I can say is that it was not Taldan, Celestial, Dwarven, Elven, Draconic... or even Protean. I am not sure how I know it was not those, but I seem to remember words and phrases in those tongues... it was not them." She shrugs. "If any of you would like to give understanding what they are saying a shot, let me know. I should be able to share the memory with you... though do be aware, it isn't pleasant."
Don't worry about us, Lily. (OK, OK, we are playing S.A. ... maybe worry a little, lol.) In all seriousness, focus on getting better not about the game. I can personally attest to DM standing by that "You have a seat when you are willing/able to take it" offer. We will (dice gods willing) still be here no matter when you finally feel well enough to come back.
Maura stares at the stone with a mix of reverence and awe. "Now this has a story to tell. Sorry, Vix... the armor will have to wait until tomorrow... not like we can pick up and carry this thing with us, after all. Give me a few moments to commune with it. See what it will tell me." Without waiting for reply, Maura touches the stone with her left hand gently, barely putting any pressure on it as she closes her eyes and focuses on its memories.
Maura shakes her head negatively at Ci Ci's question, indicating that she should take it. "The armor indeed has some story to tell... later I will try to determine it... but it is not the only thing here that does. Watch my back." So saying, the grey skinned woman puts her cards away and begins to slowly walk toward the item calling her south.
Maura strangely unfazed by the revelation of the armor material, more concerned that her attempt to silence the gibbering creature had not succeeded. I need to learn how to focus better... She shakes away the thoughts and pulls out her cards to ground her, shuffling absentmindedly as she considers Vix's question. "I am not sure. In theory, the armor might remember who... well, for lack of better word, 'hunted' it... but it also might not. It also might have other stories to tell that it thinks are more important... which could be tied to people who wore it or even to the original... owner... of the skin. Give me a moment, I will check to see." Giving the cards a riffle, she reaches out with her senses to listen to the items dredged up from the docks.
Not as such, it just a AoE nullification of sound. If it can cast non-verbal compulsion magic (or if it has effects that aren't dependent on sound) then you can still get hit by them. Also, if I center it on you then you will be unable to get out of it for four rounds... so no talking, no language based things, and no hearing of anything we say to you.
Maura looks at the... horror... with some amount of revulsion. Well... that wasn't in the cards... Shaking her head, quickly calls out to her companions, "Careful... I am going to shut it up, but if you get to close you won't be able to hear anything." Focusing as she says this, Maura envisions a bubble of absolute quiet around the creature, willing it into existence as she does.
Seeing that Vix runs into the area envisioned, she winces. I will have to open an alternate means of communication with her if this works.
Maura looks over at Keldrin. "Are we all invited or just Saiya? And what do you think would have been stashed there?" |
