Nat Oqueva's page

OK, first things first: sincere apologies for lack of posts.

Good news: I got a promotion. Bad news: I now have a metric ****-ton of extra work to do, plus travel.

I’m still around, but I won’t be able to post once a day. We’re looking like – at best – every other day. If I am holding stuff up please just bot me and I’ll do my best to catch up.

What's that saying? You always kill the NPCs you love? Sigh...

Grease-Fingered Ladzlo says hi.

BTW, is my idea of a Life-based ritual (summoning positive energy that seeks out and puts the thing to rest/destroys it) a way of dealing with our problem?

=============
Desnus 27
=============

Nat had come along in case Scree was injured and needed healing, but it's immediately clear that the warrior-monk is beyond any help she can provide. Instead she kneels down and looks at the wounds, trying to determine what caused them - natural weapons, like claws? Or something sharper, like a knife?

Any information on their enemy is worth having.

Meh. GMBP doesn't worry about killing PCs, so NPCs are gonna fall when they're gonna fall...

Could Nat come with you, btw? She doesn't have much to do right now and would want to see if any healing is needed (although obviously Scree is beyond anyone's help).

However, I said that the spy is not a ghost. I didn't say it is not undead. In fact, given what you know, assuming it is undead is a reasonable assumption.

Ah. In that case my idea of a Life-based ritual still stands: summoning positive energy that seeks out and puts the thing to rest/destroys it.

Hehe, that was my thought. Way of the Wicked Nat would be all about it though.

Ha! WotW Nat would be an Asmodean Witness...

"Have you heard the Bad News about our Lord and Slaver?"

Interesting (although in light of GMBP's revelation, sadly irrelevant) fact: there may be, because of Quantum, a universe in which Nat agrees to use a pregnant woman as the focus of a dangerous ritual; but it is not this one.

Question for GMBP: what skill check could we use to find the spy?

Some sort of positive energy (Life sphere) based thing aimed at laying unquiet spirits to rest - a cross between 'you belong dead' and 'leave now and never come back' I guess.

If it tries to disrupt the ritual then Drazan and Istiel get to banish it by more conventional methods.

Hm. What about...an Incantation? (Haven't tried one of these yet, and I've wanted to ever since I first read SoP - they look awesome.)

I'm open to doing something about the spy. Ideas welcome.

It was genius. I'm just envious that I never thought of anything like that.

"Godsdamn!" Ippaxa snorts. "You found some darhom porn!"

*raises eyebrow*

Really, GMBP? THIS is the denouement the campaign has been building towards?

Imix's attempts at childcare are absolutely adorable, btw - the kids that survive the Suriname upbringing are going to learn so much!

====================
Nat, Desnus 19-25
Remembrance
====================

Church isn't a building/place. It's not a state of mind. It's not a congregation. It's a location AND a state of mind AND a congregation. It's all of that, and more. It's hard to define, so Nat doesn't try.

You know it when you see it.

And she doesn't see it, yet. But she's getting there. A week of finding the right place, facing the dawn, open to the elements but with shelter enough from the wind (even the most devout don't generally consider chilblains to be a blessing). A week of borrowing what she can, scrounging a few possessions, a few chairs, a table here, a cloth there. A week of prayer and fasting. A week of sheer undiluted slog.

She can't remember when she was last this fulfilled (which is not the same as happy. In some ways, it's better).

Finally, satisfied, she rises from her knees and looks around at her helpers; acknowledging with a nod and a smile the work they've put in. Couldn't have done it without you.

As Ayida-Wedu rises, her first beams piercing the gloom of night, Nat raises her hands to begin the service.

And stops. She's not a silver-tongued bishop, or smooth-talking prelate - what does she have to say that's worth the listening? Nat isn't given to much in the way of hesitation: when in doubt, do what is right is the motto she has lived by. But as she looks at the (small) crowd of people gathered there, what is the right thing to say at this time? What is there to be truly thankful for?

How do we worship our gods, in a land that is not our own?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

"You moyt be wondering whoy you're here. Whoy, after all that's happened, all the ill we've suffered, losing our home, should we care about the gods? Do they care about us? And Oy could say summat loyk 'give thanks we've still got our loyves' but that's priest-talk. It doesn't help any."

She pauses, and looks around. Hopefully this is registering. "But let me tell you whoy Oy'm here. Oy'm here to remember. Oy had friends in Cornucopia, friends in moy Tooyah homeland; and they're gone. Oy didn't get to say goodboy, nor bury them even. Oy know we all lost those we care about, and Oy suggest we take some toyme to remember them, and ask the gods to see their souls home safely."

Silence is a powerful tool for reflection. Nat thinks of those she knew and will never see again: Astix the High Priest, though he didn't have a high opinion of me. He defended Cornucopia bravely at the last. Shariss, who helped me with my studies when I got stuck amid all the book-learning. Utzos, the head-man of my village who recognised my calling... On and on, all the friends and neighbours whose names she can recall; and the faces of the ones she can't.

She allows time for people to indicate that they're done; ready to move on. Eventually, she nods, and lifts her hands once more. "May the Father of Waters goyde them to his Source, where all waters run together and the Sun ever shoynes."

Apologies again. I really am back now.

OK, so, just getting caught up. Thanks again for your patience.

Week 2:

* Nat will concecrate a church. Where is the church going to be located?

Church will be outdoors, of course: open to the sun and the rain.

Sorry... been having internet connection issues (plus phone issues because of course everything happens at once).

Back now, hopefully.

Yikes. Best wishes to you and yours.

Nat gives a reassuring nod. "Perfectly normal. Chances are, you'll adjust and be foyne in another day or so. If the sickness continues, Oy've got some herbs that'll manage it. Of course, eventually you'll have to take it easier, but that's some months away yet." Nat doesn't hold with the Cornucopian ideas of confinement: the Tooyah stay active right up until the last month, if at all possible.

She gives the girl - and the man - some time to take it all in. The important thing is to keep them calm, and the best way of doing that is to be calm herself. This is nothing she hasn't seen before, and being a chasqui means that Paola is in good shape. There's nothing she has to be worried about.

She hopes.

"Anyway, Oy'm sure you've got a lot to think about so Oy'll leave you to it, but if you need anything, come and foynd me. Oy'd much rather a wasted journey than be absent when needed, alroyt? Now, before Oy go, do oyther of you have any questions?"

Think so - this is the first time we've had an opportunity to stop and catch our breath since we were kicked out of Shadeholme.

If we're going to be here for any length of time, Nat will suggest that they consecrate a church - even a makeshift one - and have some sort of service.

Both in gratitude that they've survived, remembrance of the fallen, and some hope for the future.

Nat gives a wry half-smile as she realises what the 'problem' is. "Not to worry, there's no danger of fever." She turns to Issy. "You're quoyte royte, and we'll make a healer out of you yet; but you can put those things away for now, girl; there's no infection here. And besoydes, some of them would be harmful for someone in her condition..."

She turns briskly to Cogsward. "Thanks for coming to foynd me. There's no danger, so don't let me keep you. Oy'm sure you've got things to do." She gives him a meaningful look: This doesn't concern you any more.

She waits, somewhat patiently, for everyone to take the hint and leave. Once it's just herself and the two chasqui (plus Issy, of course), she sits down on the floor, taking the weight off her legs. "You're with choyld, Paola. Oy can make a guess as to how far along you are, but you probably have a better oydea than Oy do as to how long you've been feeling out of sorts."

She looks at Nando. "Oy take it you're the father?"

"Quoyte royt, we don't leave our friends when they need us, do we?" Nat gives Nando a friendly, reassuring half-smile, the scar across her lip doing its usual thing of preventing a full smile. "Besoydes, Oy'll need to know where she's been, and who else can tell me that, if not another chasqui? So, chasqui, where have the two of you been that you shouldn't have?"

This is a far more direct look: Don't bother - I've no patience for your stories, and your friend has no time. Tell me the truth.

She moves to examine Paola, mentally cataloguing the symptoms that Cogsward recited to her: vomiting after food, feeling ill for some days, now feverish and barely conscious... her skilled hands mop the girl's brow, taking her pulse, examining her eyes, her breathing.

She does her best to hide whatever anxieties she is feeling: everyone knows what plagues can do to a population, and the last thing she needs right now is panic. Best to be calm. "Alroyt, moy girl." This is addressed to Issy. "What herbs am Oy going to need for sickness and a temperature? And what else am Oy going to want, now?"

Laying her tattooed hand on Paola's brow, Nat prays silently to her Goddess. If this is a disease, best to cast it out before it spreads.

She nods at Cogsward. "You did the royt thing, coming to foynd me. Did anyone else help bring her up here? Oy'd loyke to just make sure that they're OK."

Oh, not to worry - civil servants don't go to jail. We get put on gardening leave.

Istiel: Nat has the cure disease SoP talent, but that obviously requires Istiel to ask for assistance.

I wouldn't say it's calmed down, but at least I'm no longer in imminent danger of killing anyone with a sharpened memo.

================

Nat, Desnus 11 - 18
================

Going through the bone pit is grim work, but it is one well-suited to a midwife and a priestess, and it is well-suited to the wise-woman Helgya and her apprentice, the girl Issy, who both join you.

The wise-woman knows her healing arts, it is soon apparent, though age is catching up to her; she takes frequent breaks and moves slowly. The girl, you've met before, though time has passed, and she is once again quiet; you catch her giving you furtive looks as the day goes on.

On the second day, Anayda, Oios' sister, joins you in going through the bones. She sings softly to herself and says little. And so, the four women work throughout the week, bonding quietly over bones.

Soon, you've begun sorting the bones into piles that now line the halls, according to presumed species; both animal and humanoid.

Straightening her back, Helgya sighs. "Raw materials most likely, maybe used in that room the daft monk Suuha spends his time in? Look at some of them, the ones on the bottom; they show great age."

The bone piles are nearly complete, and you'll soon be able to examine them in more detail. A soft cough interupts you, and looking up from the bottom of the pit, you see the farmer Cogsward looking down. He removes his hat and holds it in one large, weathered hand. "Excuse me, ladies. We need a healer in the town square, when one of you has a moment."

Not sensing an emergency, Helgya waves her hand. "Ah, you go, dearie. I'm beat."

Issy, already half up the ladder, looks to you. "I'm going too!"

It is not the most pleasant work, but the dead deserve to be properly buried. Besides, it is a pleasure to work in silence after the noise and chaos of the last few days.

As Cogsward interrupts them, Nat nods, slowly, her dark eyes looking at him with curiosity; but she says nothing. If he wanted to give them more information than that, he'd have give it. She stretches, feeling the scars around her ribs and back twinge in protest. "Oy'm happy to go. The walk will do me good."

She smiles at Issy. "Alroyt. Let's go and see what's needed, shall we?"

Sorry, work has been ridiculous since I got back from my trip. Thanks for the bot, GMBP, will take a look at the post and get something up asap.

Sounds good!

Ugh. Travel may broaden the mind but jet-lag kills the will to live.

I'll review where we are and post once I'm awake.

Advance warning: I have been called away with work and will be out from Sunday to Wednesday. Will post as I can which might not be much.

GMBP: you said combat over - is that right, or is there still one enemy out there?

Nat flinches, now badly burned by the acid; but her resolve is undiminished. She gestures, and her wounds begin to close, skin and sinew knitting together like new as the damage fades.

Nat is no frontline combatant; she steps away from the fight as soon as possible, once Yd has been distracted by the new arrivals.

From a safe distance, the holy symbol on her palm glows, life-giving energy flowing from it to envelop Yd's ghostly form.

Man, that's what 5, touch attacks missed this combat? Stupid dicebot!

Well then, you shouldn't have given it the whole "where's your god now" speech, should you?

Honestly. There's things that live under rocks know better'n that. Tribes without Internet access know better'n that.

Tsk.

Nat is momentarily paralysed by memories as the wraith rises up out the ground: a croc where no croc should be, something that does not belong, biting, chewing, rending...

...but the similarity ends when Yd misses her, Ayida-Wedu's protection holding fast now as it did then.

Her eyes blaze with golden light as she stares the undead thing down. "You don't belong here. Toyme for you to return." Her hand reaches out, enveloping Yd in life-giving energy.

Nat's eyes blaze like the sun as she restores Oios with her healing magic.

I need the mass healing talent.

OK, agree with Oios, bored now. Let's regroup and do something different because the current strategy isn't working.

Oios can teleport, if memory serves. Whether it's a self-only power or not I'm not sure.

Unfortunately I'm travelling with work for the next few days so posting will be intermittent.

If anyone fails the save then they can re-roll it. Costs Nat a spell point so please let me know if you do so.

I, too, have lost the plot slightly - who are we waiting on?

Also, I think we're fighting because it's difficult to have an orderly retreat from someone who can walk through walls/floors; and because I suspect Istiel will protest strongly* at the prospect of running from yet another fight...

(*By 'protest strongly' I am of course using a euphemism for ultra-violence of the most bonebreaking kind, rather than, say, referring to to a sharply-worded memo**)

(**Although I'm quite prepared to believe that Istiel could inflict CONSIDERABLE damage with a suitably sharp memo.)

More to the point, it's a Will save to disbelieve any illusions - once you've "interacted" with them. (At least, I think that's still how it works in SoP? Confess I'm behind on my reading)

Does having Oios point out that there's illusion magic in the area count as "interacting" with a possible illusion and thereby allow the Will save to disbelieve?

Nat takes advantage of the relative lull in combat to heal Drazan some more.

You know what, scratch that. I hadn't realised how badly hurt Drazan is. I'll use my heal spell on him instead.

Drazan: +12 hit points for you. Try not to shed them all at once.

GMBP, if it helps to think of it by analogy with the Mass Cure Light/Moderate/Whatever Wounds - there's no attack roll needed for those, either. It's a lot less powerful than a fireball (but I can't cast those): it requires a talent to use and it takes a spell point each time it's used. I think it's balanced as it stands.

But you're the DM and it's your call :)

Nat ducks on instinct as the magic darts towards her; the hot acid still burns her skin, but she avoids the worst of it. Standing, her dark eyes flash defiance at the ghost: "No. Toyme for you to rejoin your family."

Opening her left palm and stretching out her arm, she concentrates; and a stream of hazy, pale vapour extends from the holy symbol tattooed on her hand, arcing out from her towards the wraith. The glowing, vaporous light is life and health - to the living; to the undead it is purest poison. It's how she scoured Shadeholme of the nest of bodaks that were present there.

Welp, it's like Nietzche said: when you struggle with the website, sometimes the website crushes your soul. Or something.

Correction: first we fight the website, then the Dicebot...then the monsters.

"Yd is still where he was." Nat breaks the silence to pass valuable information on to her allies.

Still in silence, Nat prays again. Maybe it's the silence and stillness of her spellcasting; perhaps it's that Ayida-Wedu's light is stronger than any shadow. Either way, the clinging, snaring dark fails to prevent Nat's prayer from taking effect.

Slowly at first, but with increasing brightness, the great form of the Father of Coywolves coalesces out of the dark.

His bite takes great chunks from the ogres.

I don't think you want this "doggy" to play with you...