Rao Redflame's page

Rao looked to Oryn and the others, shaking his head with a frown at the predicament that they had found. This was worse than he had anticipated, taking the condition of the workers. His knowledge of things along those lines was not something that extended to something like this. Still, there was the obvious question of 'what was infecting the animals?'. It was a little hard to believe that just the animals would be coming to attack the camp without being directed.

Heaving a sigh, he looked over to tent man, dropping the animosity and gave him a polite nod along with a slight smile. "I'm Rao. You said you were unsure about the cause of this pox?"
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Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32

There was a tilt of his head as the attempt at intimidation stopped cold, the flames disappearing as he received the entirety of Rao's attention. There was a line there, and it may have just have been crossed. There was a smile on his face what had nothing to do with being cordial, and everything about personal satisfaction. The tone in his voice was deceptively soft for what was about to occur. It might not even reach, but then, that might have been the point.

"...dead man says what?

That was pretty fair reasoning, Rao had to admit. A very vengeance-focused attitude and the will to see it through. He found himself nodding with the conviction in their words before catching on to the intent. His expression went from 'That is certainly a commendable attitude', to 'Did you just...?'

Sighing, Rao looked flatly at the man. 'Idiot. You said 'if they stop', meaning the wolves and bears are working. Waste of resources to send more than that, right?'

Raising his voice, he looked around at the tents, checking for any other heads that were watching. "Who is the foreman here?" he called out. "Not-too-bright-and-angry in charge of all of you? Taking a step forward, he returned his attention back to the speaker.

"We were sent to help by your boss after saving a child of his. He's sent a letter in case you didn't believe us." To underscore his words, Rao started pulling fire in to demonstrate, raising an eyebrow at the man. "If you want to be a hothead though— I can help."
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Disgruntled Rao(Intimidate): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

The oddity of the creature does not stop Rao from pulling in flame before hurling it at the floral bear, not wanting something of that size to close with them, and also wary of the... pollen?
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BurnBearyBurn!: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13,Fire: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 6) + 2 = 13 Ref(14) or burn

Against his better judgement— 'They're rubbing off on me'– Rao keeps pace, pulling a dagger from his belt, and considering what he might do, given the flux of his powers when he circulated them through the ring and it did not seem to appreciate that.
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Double move north 60'

Rao has purchased a few things and restocked the supplies that did get used, but after wavering back and forth on something to buy, just flips a coin and gets something that would probably help. He is fine to go when the others want, but is also not opposed to leaving at sunup. They have all seen what is out there beyond the walls of the town. Living a little more when there is the possibility of death was something that he could support— a little gratuity can go a long way.
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1d2 ⇒ 2

Less the money— that was coming to be expected– Rao's expression lit with interest at the mention of a Queen. The possibility of continuing to meet with royalty intrigued him, never mind the technicalities of the first occurrence. Going into the wilderness again was not a positive point, but he was also coming to understand that this is where most of the problems were. He took a sip of the small snifter of libation that had been provided and appreciated the taste for a few seconds before clearing his throat enough to garner attention.

"If I may—", he paused just enough to ensure that courtesy and deference was observed as he sat up, changing his manner from "lounging" to "engaged". "There are a couple of points that I wish to make sure that we understand completely before setting out for this. Firstly, provided that your operations are not harmed by our actions, will you give us permission to act in your name while we are there? Secondly, you said 'one of your cutyards', which implies more. Are any of your others suffering similarly?"
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Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34
Just to keep things smooth...

Rao had shown up near the time, outfitted quite adroitly, the the robes of drawn red and orange silk tied effectively (and somewhat suggestively) around his torso and upper arms with yellow cord. The pants he wore were close-fitting, following his legs down into the boots that came up just past his ankle. He appeared clean, exceedingly well-groomed, and rested— a definite improvement from how they all had been when they had returned.

Lounging, but keeping some sense of propriety with his actions, Rao rose from his chair and gave a ghost of a smile to one of the footmen. It seemed the offer would be coming over dinner, and thankfully he had eaten something light before arriving. "Your invitation is appreciated", he said as he passed.
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Arrangements: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
K.(Local): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
aaand just in case...
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23

Having the day suddenly crammed full of events, Rao was unprepared. What was to be relaxation and decompression suddenly turned into more than he wanted to handle— though a little gratuity was not such a bad thing– and the scale of what was now expected of them here was suddenly taxing.

'No rest for the weary...'

He could not help but chuckle. "and I am so tired...", he murmured to himself before laughing, and throwing his hands up. Running them across the stubble on his head and face, he took a deep breath to try to calm down. "Seven, right?" He looked around at the others for assent, and once it is given, he heads off in the direction that Hollin had been taken. "I'll see you then", he called back, one hand raised in parting.
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K.Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
Calm. Calm. Don't Panic.Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Rao is intent becoming a fixture at the inn whenever the opportunity arises. However, Kylan's idea is not a terrible one, so while they waited, he shared some of his (better)rations with those that looked hungry. "We are pretty notorious at this point... Let's put them up and get them settled." Rao was tired of camping, and being this close to the inn was weighing on him. A bath, food that was not rations, and a distinct lack of threats to his life was something that sounded like bliss.

After all, his clothes were worn and damaged— though the armor was holding up nicely– and being able to shed the effects of what they had undergone seemed like an excellent plan. No doubt there would be nightmares, though. There always were.

Retreating and making sure there is nothing on the creature from a visual inspection, Rao gathers flames to himself before setting the body aflame with a handful of fire petals. Remaining nearby, but upwind, Rao watches to make sure that the fire does not burn anything other than the body and its possessions.

As Edgrin jumps back, Rao sighs. "...I'm really not supposed to be right like this..." Shifting the energy that he had gathered briefly into himself, raising his body temperature to almost harmful levels, he shook his head and started to remove any excess items that he did not need to examine the satyr.

"Does anyone have a spare pair of gloves?" Rao looked around to grab a stick to try to examine the deceased creature.
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Heal: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19(Assisting)

As confident as ever Rao grinned, feeling better about being back under the open sky. "Nor I, but I am all for changing that!" Approaching a few feet(10) to set himself slightly apart from the group, he calls out a greeting to get their attention.

"Ho there! Big fan, got a moment?"

When attempts fail to elicit a response, Rao tries pulling fire out of the air(Gather Power), and then shrugs, turning back to Kylan. "Master Kylan, not that I'm fearing the worst precludes us, but are you capable of giving the individual a spot of healing as a curiosity? After all, attacks return hostility, but a spot of healing should elicit a smile, you figure?"
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Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Diplomacy(in case): 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 33

*raises hand*

Considering that we are moving into the next book, could we reinvent our characters if we wanted? In my case I'd still be keeping the same concept of "flame that sets people alight", but we are missing a (somewhat) front-liner, and I'm curious about the Kinetic Blade tree...

while Rao was pulling the fire in, without a target, it was going to be a wild shot, and there were too many others nearby for him to want to risk it. So instead he stepped forward and attempted to pull the child off of the altar to safety.
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With a general idea of where the kobold was, Rao let the others continue, and started to pull the fire in again. It took a lot to manage what he did, but all he needed was a decent opportunity— provided the others did not conclude this conflict before then.
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Gather Power for 2 Burn

With the fire shaking around his hands, Rao moves into his position, and lets loose a fan of fire from his hands that scorches most of the area in front of everyone.
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1:3:3 arrangement with the fan, hitting everything except for Blue and the square to the left of Blue
Fire: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (4, 6) + 1 = 11

While the others set to battering the visible kobolds with attacks, Rao glanced to the sides and started to gather fire...
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2pts gathered, action on next turn

"The next time this long-legs sees Vreggma, Vreggma will be Queen."

Rao leaves the chamber to catch up with the others, but having seen their discomfort, comes around the corner to the northern passage adjusting his armor and clothing. "The other two are in danger of being sacrificed. The kobold intending to to it uses magic, like becoming invisible, and summoning insects."

All of this was said on the move, giving them little time to question him.

'It isn't too different after all', Rao thought to himself as he reached out to redirect her eyes back (up) to him with a finger, putting as much calming reassurance in his voice as he knew how to. "Jekkajak will be dead. Will Vreggma lead then? Vreggma is smarter than dead great king and Jekkajak."

The others leaving garnered an amused curve to his lips as he shrugged and got ready to follow them. "Or is 'this long legs' wrong and Vreggma only is 'big fun girl'?" A bit of disappointment crept into his voice as he made ready to go join the others.
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Silver Tongued mentions a shift of three steps instead of two. That isn't really relevant here, is it?

Rao is somewhat surprised to find that no harm has befallen him at least this time, and is looking around the throne room, wary of the sigils on the ground. All of this is taking a toll on him, and his expression is a bit tired as he sits on the floor, leaning back against a wall as everyone rights themselves and prepares for the next foray. A trickle of embers dances around his hand that rests on his knee, but the intermittently fade and stop, in time with his breathing.

"Very much that", he replies to Oryn. "Glad to see that you have not yet met with the Lady, thanks to Master Kylan."

Nearly bumping into Edgrin, Rao halted his retreat, realizing that he would back up into him if he tried to move, but being in this position with an armed hostile was very bad. He was able to pull in some embers, a faint heat haze barely visible around him as he tried not to get hit.

"Not looking good here!"
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Searing Flesh enabled
Total Defense (AC20)

At this point, pulling in the fire was an ingrained feeling, and instead of petals, Rao instead tried to get the gout of fire to "bloom" as it impacted. Panic was jittering at the edges of his nerves as a kobold with an axe set to, and it looked like it knew how to use it.
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Attack@King: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22, Damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6
Ref(16) or burn

Another gathering of fire, and a splash goes wide against the wall, thrown poorly.
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Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

As the flames were pulled in to his hand, a gesture flung the petals out to drift over to the king, settling like combustible butterflies and catching fire.
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Attack@Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23, damage: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 1 = 8
Confirm?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12, Damage?: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (3, 4) + 1 = 8
Ref@16 or burn

With a couple seconds to pull the embers into his hand, and then a casual wave, Rao sent a scattering of fire petals to drift onto the kobold to the right of the King. A shake of his head accompanied the gesture and a sigh. "So be it."
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Attack@Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15 Ref(16) or burn.

Rao nodded, giving an agreeing sound as he was fiddling with a bit of a flame in the palm of his hand, working on the shaping of the fire. It was a flickering thing, shaping it against its natural tendency to float up. "Agreed. After all, we all still may decide to attempt to kill each other, but there's no reason that we can't be civilized about it."

Poorly managing to give his wounds the appropriate care, Rao nodded in acceptance at Kylan's offer, unable to treat his wounds adequately. "If it would not be an impostion." A slight snort of amusement gave a bit of lightness to the thought of mortal wounds. "I do make a fairly tempting target, I suppose."

Later:
Upon arrival and seeing their... King? Rao could appreciate the splendor that was being displayed, and the compliment being given— if a bit undesirable, was still flattery. "That's quite the... compliment, I suppose."

As everyone dropped their guard some what from the fight, Rao let out a long sigh before almost flopping backwards onto the remains of a charred kobold. It was a near certainty that he would not be sleeping well for a while, though. Since it seemed like they had a moment, he took a minute to examine the wounds that had been inflicted, and try to so something about them before resorting to other means. The armor was certainly doing its job, and none were directly life-threatening.

"We won't be taking on an army next, will we?", he joked.
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Heal(TDW@20): 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 2 = 7

A few steps and a burst of fire sent a blast that bloomed like a rose on the toad, but unfortunately, it was not sticky, and went wide in trying to not hit his companions.
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Attack@Toad: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

Looking around at everyone as things calm and no other noises seem to be from a threat, Rao approaches Kylan with some uncertainty. A motion is made to assist before thinking better of it with his power and instead looks to Marioc. "...quick rinse?"

A bit too focused on the burning Kobold, Rao gave a slow shake of his head, the smile a touch sadistic. "Oh, but they won't go out that way..." A gout of flame was thrown at the burning Kobold, but due to their position on the ground, it missed.
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Attack@Red: 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15
Target AC +4 for Prone vs Ranged

Rao, having pulled in enough fire that his hands were shaking, ceased the action with a clenching of his fists— the light and sound that had been prevalent vanished as if cut off.

With a clap, from his hands issued a cloud of flaming petals that drifted like embers suspended for a terrible moment before trying to set everything they touched aflame.
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Fire!: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Fan of Flame with the Burning infusion, using the 3:3:1 template, should cover all remaining kobolds, Ref(16) or burn.

As they gathered, Rao took a step back and started pulling in the flames like he wanted to do when they were all scattered. It was a risk, but the positioning was excellent.
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Gather Power Std+Move

In the handful of seconds that it took to gather the energy, everyone took out the majority of kobolds in front of them. A testament to their skill, Rao supposed. Of course, with all this fire gathered, and nowhere to send it, the furthest kobold was a clear target, only for the rose of flames to miss the target.

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Attack@Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Ring used for Extended Range

With a shrug and a look of determination, Rao starts pulling the embers from the air, gauging the distance between them and the back of the line. With some fortune, the others would clear the way briefly.

"Let them gather", he said with a widening grin.
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Gathering Power for Standard and Move

Rao lets the embers dissipate with a scattering of fire petals, and likewise returns. At least there was that reassurance that nothing would be coming from that direction. One avenue of approach was good.

As they returned, Rao gave a cavalier shrug. "I had no idea that mushrooms could scream like that."

Rao visibly jumps at the shrieks, not expecting something like that, and then mentally berating himself for being startled like that. As that sound was something that none of them were expecting, he immediately started pulling the fire close to him, and began stalking in that direction. Setting everything on fire sounded like a sensible solution.

"Let's not get distracted, hm?", he said as he passed the others.

While the footing is uncertain, Rao is wearing a small smile as he carefully navigates the area. The smile dims slightly as he realizes that this bedroll and pile may have been someone else that was sent or lost.

"Who else was missing?", he asked of the group, not especially remembering anyone that they were tasked to look for directly.
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Reflex: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Hearing the commotion from ahead, Rao smiles, the embers starting to gather around him. He did have to admit that all of them pulling on their respective powers did make for quite the sight. However, with everyone ahead, it was going to be difficult to get a clear shot until they had filed in.
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Delay

It looked like the other kobolds were falling quickly, so Rao took a step to the side and pulled the flame to him before sending it out against the larger Kobold.
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Attack@Red: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19, Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Ref(16) or burn
Gather Power, Burning Infusion

It seemed like everyone had the same idea, as Rao lobbed a burst of embers at the biggest kobold, the flame burning, but petering out.
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Fire Blast: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19,Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Carefully traveling near the rear since the others headed out, Rao had consciously extinguished the light that he had cast— almost by habit at this point. Given what they had encountered so far, it may or may not have made any difference, but it was better safe than sorry.

Not even a minute later, Rao comes down in the cauldron, fire swirling around his hands, his face set in a grim expression as he was looking this way and that for the targets. Upon realizing that they were dealt with, the flames that had been gathered were scattered, raising an eyebrow at the state of the others.

The last one to be lowered, Rao tried to be encouraging to the kids, giving them a smile as he was lowered. Trying to find a place of calm in this chaos was nigh impossible, so he settled on listening to the sound of the fire being gathered around him as he was lowered. The sound of the flames gathering, the sound of the embers flying through the air...

It was not tranquility, but it was not chaos, either. That was the important part.

It was time to see what was flammable down here.
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Rao will gather power for however long it takes to be lowered. 1 point's worth, I suspect?

Left standing around the hole with the Kirin and the others while the rest have jumped down, Rao simply sets his pack on the floor, and lets out a long sigh, sinking down on his heels in a squat, and resting his head on his pack. Lifting his head, he could not help but give a shake of disbelief.

"Quick, if you can escape from this place, you may not contract this madness that has infected us all", he commented dryly.
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Rao will be attempting to descend next turn via Climbing. Is the chain anchored, or will the next round be spent attempting to secure it.?

The sound of rustling equipment can be heard along with a small grunt as Rao prepares to go down the hole. "Any idea how deep it is? I don't fancy attempting a climb with this stuff on my back, could it be lowered in the cauldron?" The ring that the smith had worn was on his index finger like a signet ring, while his clothing was certainly worse off than when they had started, stained and dirtied.

The night of rest let Rao feel better, but he could tell that he was not quite as strong as he had been. At least it was not as much of a hindrance as it had been, and that was reassuring. As the others were discussing which order to descend, he was finishing his ration— some decadent thing of dried and pressed fruit with nuts set into a half trencher of quality grains. The waterskin was in his other hand, and he took a couple of swallows to wash down the remainder.

A yawn was stifled as he came over to look down the hole. He took a deep breath, and let it out slowly before giving a half grin. "I'm slowly getting used to this life of danger and impending death... That can't be healthy."

Laughing softly, he went back to get his things.