Maximo the "Brave"'s page

Maximo remains curled up where he spent the night - next to the fireplace of the tavern, with Ryx wrapped around him. However, as Triel and Archan come down, the weasel wakes up and stretches itself, before trotting his way towards Triel, tilting his head up at her. Is he... bigger today than he was yesterday?

Maximo, without the warmth of his partner, edges his way closer to the fire pit in search of warmth. His arms wrap around the platinum scale he found last night, with a number of small scrolls strewn beside him. Looks like he feel asleep reading last night...

Sorry for the absence. Things have been a bit... stressful RL. I'll try to keep up a bit better.

Any news from Johnathon or Aramus yet? Maybe they missed the update in the gameplay...

Maximo held the scale quietly in his hands, it's use flooding his mind as he looked it over. This... this couldn't be from a dragon... could it? It was platinum! There was no such thing a platinum dragon... right? "...Ryx... you don't really think this is from... it couldn't... right?" Maximo looked down at his weasel for a bit, before looking back at the scale.

...it was a blessing, to be sure. He had way to fathom why it was here or how nobody else picked it up before him, but he was grateful to have it. Perhaps... he should do a bit of research. Try to figure out if it could've come from something in Absalom. Besides, it was getting late... he should head back to the Free Nations HQ. Archan! He was versed in magic! Perhaps he could tell the kobold if such a thing as a platinum dragon existed... or it anything else had such scales! Slipping the scale carefully into his pack, Maximo bade Ryx to follow him back to the Free Nations, moving quickly and quietly through the streets to avoid attention... wanted or not!

Ah, thank you Archan, I'm so used to thinking per level vs. every 2 levels. I'll correct that right quick.

Maximo tumbled to the floor, looking back to see what had caused him to lose his footing... and the result was odd. He stared blankly as Ryx investigated the scale, before slowly moving to pick it up. Was this...? It couldn't be, could it?

Carefully turning it over in his claws, Maximo investigated the scale silently, before his eyes glazed over and his pupils widened, darting over the object. Something about it made it glow... made it warm... made it... comforting. He wasn't sure he could figure it out, but he tried everything he had at his disposal. "...what do you think, Ryx? Do you think... it might actually be...?"

Casting Detect Magic, as well as making some knowledge rolls and a Spellcraft roll (given the glow, I'm assuming it's magic, so perhaps I can gather what magic it might have). Perhaps I can recall something or recognize it.

Kn. Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
Kn. Religion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25

Maximo peered around the empty temple, frowning a bit. Ryx slunk up besides him as the kobold pet the weasel, grimacing a bit. "...sorry to keep you out so late, Ryx. I was... I don't know what I was hoping for. I guess... I was hoping to find a dragon here. I had this... this ridiculous thought that if I had a dragon's help, I could rally other kobolds together and give us another ally for the fight... Lady Zalika and Madame Ross need as much help as they can get. You and I are strong... but an army wouldn't hurt to have, would it? ...even if it's just an army of kobolds. ...I doubt even if one was here, I could get them to help. Even if I could, whose to say any kobolds would hear me out, even with a dragon?"

Maximo felt stupid standing in these halls. Just like today - like everything else he did - he just walked blindly into things hoping that somehow he'd find a way to make it work. 'Clearly working out really well for me... I can carry the burden, but I don't know where to take it...' Maximo turned to head back to Free Nations HQ, Ryx quickly turning and tailing him. Poor Ryx must be hungry... Maximo cursed himself for not feeding him before dragging the weasel around the city on his wild goose chases.

Actually, as I think on it...

Maximo and Ryx tag along with the others towards the Free Nations HQ, but as he walks, a thought enters the kobold's mind. These nations needed allies, it was true. Sadly, he had none to offer, save for his own little strength and Ryx's loyalty. Even if he had a tribe like his own back in Andoran, it wouldn't be enough. He'd need many more tribes for that to make a difference. He'd need an army of them. And a dragon (or several) would certainly be a welcome addition.

He stopped for a moment behind the others, Ryx pausing and turning back to him. "...if... if it's okay, I need to visit somewhere before I get any rest. I... I need to speak with someone." Maximo heads off in a different direction, back to the Temple of Apsu he'd visited earlier. He had a couple questions he hoped to find answers for there.

Clearly, I need to gather a whole bunch of kobold tribes together so we all have factions to help the battle!

I shall call it... the Kobold Konfederacy!

*flees the ensuing bricks*

Probably.

I just have nothing to add. I'm just on patrol, looking for evil.

Maximo ushers Ryx to follow after him, deciding to lurk through the crowd to find any more suspicious targets.

Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (20) + 11 = 31
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Maximo thumbed towards Ryx's direction, turning and leading him back. "They're this way. Ryx is watching them." His voice lowered a bit more. "But with Johnathon watching them, we should probably go looking for other threats..."

Maximo looked up at Aramus. ...he might listen! He waved Aramus down to his level, lowering his voice a tad. "Triel thinks she saw her siblings here at the conference; two drow priestesses. You know, the ones who worship the demons and stuff? They're disguised as elves. I've got Ryx standing with Johnathon, but... they didn't sound very friendly."

Maximo folded his arms, looking at the ground and kicking at it as he muttered. "I'm just trying to help." At Archen and Triel's comments, though, his fringes perk up. "Hey, yeah. Elves are good at magic, right? Master Archen, you wouldn't happen to know about anything that could just warp the Firebleeder to anywhere?"

Surely the elves had something up their sleeves! Elves were really good with... magic... elves... OH NUTS! Maximo's eyes suddenly snapped back to Ryx's direction, before leaning over the table towards Lord Kyr. "Blast! I forgot, Lord Kyr! I meant to tell you, I came here hoping to warn everyone! I think there are agents here that mean to attack the conference! It's... L-look, I know my friends don't believe me, so I won't expect you to, but I think Absalom is in danger, and if I don't warn you, something terrible is going to happen!"

"It's not smart, though, is it? You said it was like a force of nature. How hard can it be to trick the thing into a trap?" Maximo frowned at Zalika, folding his arms.

"I don't know anything about the Firebleeder, but at least I'm trying to help. But you and Johnathon have been shooting down all my ideas. I know they may not be sophisticated, but neither the demons nor the Firebleeder can be faced head on, so we have to think of a way to get past their sheer force. I'd like it if someone else here had a plan they'd like to put forward. If I thought volunteering would help, I'd gladly do it... without expecting anything in return, I might add. Which I'd bet is more than anyone you've spoken with here is willing to do." Maximo looked back at the other faces around the table.

"So unless anybody knows something that we could use to teleport the monster into the Worldwound... I'm out of thoughts."

"We don't have to reason with it. We just have to get it's attention and lead it where we need it to go. That's what we did with the kyranas.

Maximo nodded at Triel's comment, before looking back. "Exactly! Couldn't we annoy it and get it to follow us? Like... I dunno, throw a rock at it?" Maximo asked, followed by what sounds like something between a hack and a squeak from someone in the crowd. Johnathon will likely look down to find Ryx just laying on the floor, as if embarassed.

"...well, I mean, a really BIG rock! Even if we can't get it to the Worldwound, couldn't we lure it into the ocean or something? I mean... either it would go into the water and be quenched, or just sit angrily on the shore, right?"

"We should take the Firebleeder, and push it somewhere else!"

Maximo seemed kind of shocked that his idea was being so welcomed. Perhaps he was expecting more backlash that a humble kobold was speaking up.

"Uhm... well, back in my tribe, we have the big, angry burning iguana creatures called kyrana. We'd lure them around with fire to repel intruders when we needed to. So, I was thinking... the Firebleeder is already big, burning and has a bad attitude, right? So, like a really, REALLY big kyrana. We not get something that it really likes or wants, hold it in front of it, and then lead towards the Worldwound! That way, the demons are dealing with the Firebleeder running amok in THEIR home, and Lady Zalika's people can regroup and help us! Only problem is, I don't know what the Firebleeder would like that much..." He cocked his head at Zalika, hoping she might have an answer. "You have the most experience with it... what WOULD it like so much to chase after it?"

And then Madame Ross just starts massaging her temples going "Oh gods, he has another insane plan."

Wait... I have two characters, technically...

Maximo stared down at the disguised drow... but Zalika was needing help in the conference. Unfortunately, he could only be in one place at a ti-

The kobold paused, before glancing down at Ryx, then at Johnathon as he approached. Oh yeah! He sort of could be! ...sorta! "Ryx! Help Johnathon keep an eye on those drow. I should go help Zalika!" Ryx bobbed his head, before snaking off to Johnathon's side, curling against his leg and hissing as he found him. Maximo, meanwhile, moved up to the conference table behind Zalika, catching the last bit of the discussion.

"I have an idea!" Maximo piped up, sidling alongside Zalika and up to the table's edge. "I have an idea to help Lady Zalika AND stop the Worldwound armies at once!"

No worries, Aramus. You focus on getting better! That takes precedence!

--oh right! I totally forgot the Stern Gaze ability!

Also... do I on the stealth? I thought my equipment made me take a hit on that... or am I calculating that wrong?

...yeah, I did. Stealth should've been +4 higher (technically +2, since I think my buckler and armor ACP cut into that). Not that I think it matters too much. They are clearly on a higher level... not that Maximo is going to back down, but if they're really here peacefully, then they have nothing to worry about me hanging around, do they?

We'll see about that... Maximo thought, staying relatively close to the duo, eyes locked on them. He wasn't about to let them out of his sight. They had to be up to something. They HAD to be...!

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Maximo snarled back. He couldn't tell if she was making fun of him or telling the truth, but he knew one thing: Triel was worried by them.

If they worried her, that was reason enough to be suspicious.

"Not to the demons, or their supporters." Maximo tightened the grip on his sickle and buckler as Ryx hissed angrily, back arching up as his hairs stood on end. "...but I think I know part of why you're here. You're here to hurt her... aren't you? ...I will respect the city's requests and refrain from forcing you out, but you should leave while you can. Because if you do anything to harm the people here... I will kill you."

Maximo frowned as he heard them speak up, taking note of his presence. Seems the element of surprise was lost... Maximo stood up as Ryx followed suit, staying close and behind his partner as he addressed the pair.

"You should be." Maximo spoke with as deep a voice as he could muster, staring coldly at the pair. Although he knew his size made it hard to intimidate anyone, his demeanor more than made up for it. He was all business. "...I have a good idea who you two are, so when you give me your answer, be sure it's the truth: why are you here, and what do you intend to do?"

Any word on whether I was able to sneak up without being seen on the elves and overhearing anything?

Maximo's blood chilled as his stomach sank, the duo's gaze following Triel's lead and spying the pair she pointed out. His vision... it WAS a premonition of the future! The kobold's little mind started to race. If drow were here that meant to do harm, that meant others could be here planning the same! What if they did start something - Triel might be accused of conspiring with them! Who were they targeting? What was the plan? Were there more? How many?

Ryx let out a short hiss, snapping the kobold from his thoughts and drawing his attention. The pair of yellow eyes stared at each other silently for a moment, before Maximo nodded, pulling out his sickle and buckler. "Right. I can't panic now. Sorry." He looked up at Zalika and Triel, frowning. "Lady Zalika, if you have any security on hand, I suggest you stay close with them. Lady Triel, we should let Master Archan and Johnathon know too. Ryx and I will try to sneak in behind them. If we're lucky, they might let something slip about their intentions."

Maximo tucked in on himself and slowly moved towards the two Triel suspected were her family, Ryx quickly and silently behind him. With the crowd cover, he shouldn't have any troubling staying unnoticed, but hearing anything... that was a different issue.

Stealth (Max): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Stealth (Ryx): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20

Stealth (Max): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Stealth (Ryx): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

Maximo's fringes perked as Triel seemed to be motioning for him to approach. Aw... he just got up here. Actually, looking at the ground from so high made the kobold a little nervous, so he was happy to clamber down, Ryx once again beating him to the bottom. "So unfair..."

Squirming his way through the crowd, Maximo and Ryx poked out from underneath a bystander, slipping through. "What's wrong? Did you see someone suspicious? I saw some men with weird swords and red belts, but... I dunno. They seemed trained. Maybe they're hired hands?" Maximo looked down at Ryx, frowning before tilting his head as if giving him a signal to go. The weasel immediately started sniffing around Triel and Zalika, looking for signs of trouble... or bad smells. Those went together, right?

Maximo keeps an eye on the oddly well-trained soldier men, but seeing as they don't look to be causing trouble, they might not be dangerous... then again... "...we should find higher ground. Let's go, Ryx." Maximo pauses for the briefest of moments, catching sight of Triel. She looked... different?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

...probably just his imagination playing tricks on him. He was so on edge. Perhaps he needed to relax. Finding a relatively low statue (though still high enough to tower over the crowd), Maximo pulls out his sickle and uses it to latch onto the side of the figure, steadily climbing up the side, Ryx quickly beating him to the top. "...show off." The kobold muttered, before hoisting himself up on the statue's shoulder. Now HERE was a good vantage point. He could see the conference and the crowd all at once. Ryx took a perch on top of the statue's head, yellow eyes grazing over the folks below, while Maximo just looked downward at the ground. "...feels really weird being up so high."

Maximo finds himself nearly lost in the crowd of taller people. Ryx didn't seem to be fairing much better, though his slinking through the crowds made it easier to keep pace with his kobold companion. Maximo was fine, though. He was more interested in keeping an eye out for danger.

Ryx had made the point earlier. With so many people in one space, it was like painting a big target on everyone's backs. If his vision truly was a premonition of the future...

Maximo lead Ryx around the the outer edges of the big meeting, trying to find a place high enough that he and Ryx could get a good look at both the meetings and the crowd. his yellow eyes snap through the faces in the crowd, trying to discern who may or may not be a threat... as well as a good climbing place. "Ryx. Keep your wits about you. If you sniff out anything, let me know." The white weasel lowered his head, nose huffing at everything around him. "Let's see if we can't find a good spot to see things."

Sense Motive (Max): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
Sense Motive (Ryx): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

Maximo's fringes perk up a bit, before pausing and shaking his head. "Then, I hope to find someone who can guide me..." He lingered on that a moment, before shaking his head again. "...I'm sure you are familiar with their layouts. Drow hail from the Darklands, yes? You've worked hard to get away from that - else you wouldn't be here today. I could not ask you to go back to what you've escaped from. So... I will have to find someone who knows it as well as you would. But thank you."

Maximo looked down at the ground, before at Ryx. He had gone unheard... but not without answers. There may yet be some hope, and if Apsu believed as much, he may yet have a chance to appeal to his son... he would try again later.

Maximo rejoined the group as they headed for the conference. "Sorry. I wanted to pray for guidance before things started." Maximo moves up alongside Triel, nodding. "And my apologies for earlier, but I appreciate your confirmation of the Darklands as a route. I may make use of it in the future."

...you know, in retrospect, that prayer might be a bit hypocritical, blasphemy aside.

Working with devils? Unacceptable. But offering a prayer to what is effectively your patron deity's arch enemy? Totally cool.

Maximo frowned, fringes drooping as he listened. "A spawn of Rovagug... that is... sad news. I... have no ideas of how to defeat that. Perhaps in time, but now... I need to think..." Maximo has little else to say until the conference starts (provided nothing else significant happens). He just sits and thinks.

Future heroes of the world, ladies and gentlemen!

Maximo's shoulders drooped a little, looking at the ground. "...at least I'm trying..." he mumbled to himself, kicking at the floor. "Then... we need to find allies for the Free Nations? Why not start with Qadira, Lady Zalika's home. We just have to figure out how to get rid of... what did she call it? The Firebleeder? And a burning prince?"

Ryx circled around Maximo, brushing up against him and sitting next to him. The kobold frowned, before looking up at the map... and realizing he'd neglected something. He pointed to the eastward edges, quirking his brow. "What's over there? That's a lot of land... maybe it has some nations who would help us? And... hey, what about the Pathfinders? Aren't they stationed here in Absalom? They've got a lot of powerful stuff, don't they? Maybe they'd lend us some!"

Well, I guess we should refocus on aiding Zalika. Any ideas on that? Because I've got nothing...

Or we could skip to the conference. I'm easy to please.

Just a heads up Maximo. There is such an artifact that does limit demons teleportation, although it exists in the WotR Adventure Path, and I'm reluctant to name it in case people wish to avoid spoilers. That said, if it still exists in this game, its likely to be well guarded etc, so everyone elses objections still apply.

Wait, seriously!? I was just pulling something out of my arse (because I lack the survival instinct the rest of my race has)! Then again, I've never gotten past halfway through book one, so I don't know when or what the thing is.

But seriously, I was just thinking of a way to make this plan (slightly) viable... and justifiable. But I guess the problem still stands, yeah... unless the GM wants to fiat something (probably not, I'm sure he has things planned out and this just screws with all that).

I guess we could turn out attention to Qadira and get us some new allies...

Oh really?

Aw, nuts, I went too far! X) I'm pushing an idea too early. Uhmmmm... uh... h-hey, we've got a ways to travel before the actual Worldwound! We can level up enough before we get there!

...I'll just go sit in the corner here.

Maximo tapped his chin as he thought that out. "Then the problem is 3 fold. We need a solid objective, an object that would catch the attention of the demons, and a way to nullify their ability to just teleport to us..."

Ryx tilted his head, watching the kobold think a little. After a moment, his fringes perked up as the lightbulb in his head went off. "...what if there was an artifact that rendered a demon's ability to teleport inert? That would solve all 3, wouldn't it? An artifact that prevents demons to warping right to the wielder would certainly draw their attention! And it would keep the carrier safe...ish!"

Ryx made a face that almost looked like a smile at Maximo, before he tapped his foot. "Erm... but... does such an object even exist? If not... that means we'd be back at the start..."

Well, perhaps if the demon lords are fighting for control, they would fight each other to get a hold of whatever we manage to steal (after all, the one who does would surely earn plenty of brownie points with his fellow demons, and who doesn't want that?) The whole prospect is a gamble, banking on the demons being too busy fighting each other and everyone else to really bring their best in chasing us down. Unless the potentially non-existent artifact does something to shield us locally from the demons' teleportation ability... dunno what would do that, but certainly would help.

Like I said, another plan is always welcome, because while pulling this off would probably make us instant heroes (walking into literal Hell and back out to tell the tale), it would also be insanely risky (like a chicken trying to eat out of a lion's feed pen... the food might be super delicious, but... friggin' lions.)

I can just hear it now...

Madame Ross: "So... let me see if I can sum up your plan in one go: you want to tunnel into the Worldwound, which, may I remind you, is literally Hell on earth, finding a holy artifact that may not even exist, stealing said possibly non-existent artifact, waving it in front the assembled Demon Lords, and running straight into territory ruled by a creature that not even a god could kill permanently. Does that about cover it?"

And hey, I would LOVE to hear another plan, because typing all that out just made me realize how insane this scheme is.

Maximo looked back at Johnathan as he passed, frowning and looking at the others. Ryx followed his gaze, before curling up at the kobold's leg, looking up at him. Maximo grimaced, before nodding and looking at Madame Ross again... but not before audibly swallowing his fear.

"...I will go." He thumped a fist on his chest as he put on a brave face, before Ryx piped up with a squeak, drawing his eyes for a moment and nodding. "Er... WE will go. My kind are no stranger to hiding and moving around out of sight. I know it's crazy, and that demon lords could crush anyone who even breathes in their territory. Just attempting such a task is insane... and if the demons believe the same, and Apsu smiles on me... we might have a chance."

Maximo was clearly looking more and more uneasy with every word, but he soldiered on in spite of the fear. "There must be some holy artifact that survived their onslaughts, laying buried somewhere. A brilliant sword, or a polished shield, or... gods willing, a fragment of the wardstones left in tact. Anything! Perhaps even the notion that someone dared to infiltrate their home would be enough to whip them into a frenzy. And getting there..." Maximo paused. Evidently, even he hadn't considered that far. If he wanted to get in to someplace he shouldn't be, what would be the best way to do so...? His train of thought was interrupted by Ryx nudging at his back. He looked over and noticed he was pressing his nose on the pick hanging over his shoulder. He blinked a bit, before snapping his clawed fingers. "Mining... we take underground paths into the Worldwound, and mine our way through obstacles! Demons like to destroy pretty or holy things... and I have yet to come across a mine shaft that meets either of those criteria!"

Yes, Maximo did just suggest lighting the fuse to a continent-wide time bomb.

Nope, he has no better plans than that one.

Maximo tapped his chin as he stared up at the map, before perking up and looking back at Archan. "...oh! Right, right, sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself." Maximo turned back up to the map, pointing at it with a nod before looking back.

"Okay, so, back in my tribe, we lived near a dormant volcano. The magma pools attracted these dragons called kyrana to them - think big, burning iguanas - anyways, they LOVED the heat and were territorial bastards, but they were greedy and pretty stupid, so they were easy to trick. What we did was build bonfires and lure the kyrana into a cavern we could trap them in. When intruders came along, we dumped water on the kyrana's fire and let it loose on the enemies, shooting fire arrows at them to draw them towards enemies. The kyrana, being a greedy fire chaser, ran right into them and dealt with the enemies while we got another fire ready."

Ryx tilted his head a little, watching the kobold as he spoke... and the closest thing to smiling a weasel could do grew across his face, as if he were proud of him. Maximo turned back to the map, pointing up at the area of the Worldwound. "Now, we already have the demons corralled in the Worldwound at the moment. Granted, they're getting bigger, but that is their general home. Their 'cavern', if you will. Now, if a small group could sneak into the Worldwound, steal something big and important, something they would hate to lose... and then run!" The kobold traced a line south towards Ustalav, and then even further south into Cheliax's empire boundaries. "The demons, in pursuit of the stolen object, would run right into the Whispering Tyrant's forces, and if they aren't stopped, will keep going south up to Cheliax's doorstep."

Maximo turned back, smiling as he folded his arms over his chest. "Like kyrana after burning arrows. I know it's a risky plan... er... heck, it's not even a plan, it's a gamble. I won't lie. But I think the demons are too stupid to realize they're being used until it's too late. And Deskari is like a new tribe leader; he's got himself a new throne and power, and he's itching to prove himself worthy of them both. Besides, it took a god to kill the Tyrant before... why not use another?"

Maximo frowned, folding his arms as he looked down at the floor, tail swishing. Ryx tilted his head at the kobold as he watched him think. "...I know it leaves us with few allies, but... unless we want to take a page out of Lady Zalika's book and try reasoning with the de- ...demons..." Maximo's fringes perked up as he twisted to eye a map on the wall. He walked up, staring at it silently as he traced a claw along a path only he seemed able to see, babbling quietly.

After a moment of muttering, he smiled, before spinning around and pointing at Ryx. "That's it! That's what we'll do! We'll make allies out of the demons!" The white weasel's eyes snapped wide opened, head poking up and staring back at the kobold. It was hard to tell if he was more shocked at the pointing outburst or the exclamation that came with it.

Maximo paced in front of the map, continuing to mutter to himself and look at the map. Ryx, for his part, just looked between the others, either in disbelief or hoping they might understand what Maximo was blathering about.

Maximo remained quietly in the back, apparently engaged in some kind of conversation with Ryx... well, as much as one could be, when one of the speakers could only hiss and squeak at the other. "...why? ...do you think that's a good idea? ...fair point, but would they let us in? Erm... that's true, but they should have plenty of guards there, won't they? .........you're right. All those important people in one place? That's practically lining up intruders for a cave-in trap. ...Yeah, that might be wise. I know she may not want it... but I would hate to see someone hurt Lady Zalika."

As occupied as he was, he failed to notice he was being addressed by anybody, but Ryx. Once he finished, he turned back, blinking a bit before looking at Triel and Archan. -I'm sorry, were you talking to me? Ryx seemed to noticably heave a sigh before squeaking a bit. "...oh, that? Well, uhm..." Maximo frowned a bit, looking at the floor as he rubbed the back of his neck. "...I'm sorry... I'm probably not the best source for political advice. I was never very important in my tribe... I was a miner. Not even a foreman, I just was good at swinging my pick around. So I'm probably not the best source for that." He paused a little. "...but if you want my thoughts, I can you this. In our tribe, we had a shaman who had an imp working for him. He said our tribe was safe and prosperous because of the deals he made with devils. ...I hated that imp. He always had this sneer... like he knew more than he was letting on. And... I think he did, at least on something. And he made work hard. We were told we couldn't mess with the imp unless we wanted to be in big trouble. So he spent half his time throwing rocks and dirt at us while we mined. So... maybe dealing with devils comes with benefits, if you know how to handle them... I don't. All I know is... as someone on the bottom of the chain, I would've given anything for some help that didn't come with strings attached."

Maximo frowned a little, before shaking his head. "Sorry, I'm sure that's not very helpful. Like I said, I was just a miner before I become Apsu's Talon, so my opinion probably isn't very useful." He nodded to Madame Ross. "Lady Ross. I've been talking with Ryx, and he makes a very good point: this conference is going to have a lot of people. A lot of very important people. That's a pretty big target for someone looking to make a mess, if they wanted. I'm sure nobody would be there without guards, but... I'd like to see the place myself, just to be sure. As you said... perhaps I could do something to prevent my vision from becoming true."

'But, more likely, the darkness is already here... and I must do all in my power to stop it from hurting anyone.'

OH SUNNUVA-

Get ready boys and girls, it's story time!

"Once upon a time, there was a guy who played pbp games! As he was browsing through his lists of games, he couldn't help, but feel like he was forgetting something. As he did, he stared right at a game that was waiting on him to respond! But because he was dumb, he shrugged and thought that what he forgot must not have been too important!

Because he's an idiot!"

I'm really sorry, I completely forgot I had this game still going. I'm not nearly petty enough to quit a game because of adversity (heck, that's why I love playing kobolds). I'm just a moron. I'll be back in the swing of things.

Maximo seems reluctant to speak about his visions as Archan introduces him, but Ryx nudged at his back a little. Looking back over his shoulder, Maximo eyed his weasel companion for a moment before stepping forward and bowing politely. "...well met, milady. I am Maximo Steelscale, the first Talon of Apsu in over 100 years. This is my partner and divine guide, Ryx." The weasel bowed similarly to Madam Ross, looking up at the kobold again.

Maximo grimaced a bit before taking in a deep breath and nodding. "...I doubt you will believe what I have to say, but... I explain what I know. I also hail from Andoran, and this is my first visit to Absalom, so the past few days, I've been traveling on a ship to get here. But I've been having the same dream every night. I believe Apsu himself is granting me these visions... and I worry I may be too late to stop it."

Maximo paused a moment, looking down at Ryx again. The weasel nodded a couple time before he continued. "In my dream, I was standing at the edge of some vast docks before a big city... and waves of darkness were washing in through the tide. It passed by my feet and snaked its way into the city behind me, paying me no heed, as if I wasn't there. But... scattered among the darkness was specks of light... like cavern bugs glowing in a dark tunnel. I could see them, and I tried to reach out and touch them, but each time... I wake up." Maximo grimaced again before shaking his head. "I didn't know what the city was or the docks... until I got off my boat today. The docks, the city, everything I saw in my dream was right in front of me. A perfect replica. And I fear the darkness won't be far behind... if not already here. But so far, nobody believes me. And... I am too small to stop it myself."

Maximo keeps close to Archan and Triel as he moves inside, Ryx sticking by his side. "Who all is here? It seems quite empty for a grand conference..." Ryx's ears perk up about the same time as Maximo's fringes do the same, trying to hear in on what is happening in the suite.

Ryx Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Maximo Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"You can trust her." Maximo spoke up, but not very much. "If Ryx trusts her, she is trustworthy. He is smarter than many... myself included."