Nessa Meretrix's page

*Jumps up and down jiggling delightfully*
Memememe!

Hey no problem, I'm just glad to hear you're alive and surviving. I'm very patient so take your time and get better.

Maybe? I think you can do it, just not right off. Given that you get to bump multiple attributes at 5, 10, 15, and 20, and that the bump is a +2 to the stat unless it is already at an 18 or more, it should be possible with careful planning ahead.

I very much want to like 2ed, there are very few things I don't care for thus far, My home group just isn't playing, or wasn't before we had to stop due to COVID anyway, and I now have the APG which has some really good material in it so far. I love the changes to the planes-touched races, dhamphir, and changelings allowing hem to be from any race now.

I've started Age of Ashes a couple of times but never gotten further than the intro before the GM poofed on it. I'd be very interested to play if you run any of the 2ed APs Thyra.

I've honestly lucked out and only a few games have ground to halt from COVID, one of the ones I most want to continue likely will once the GM's life calms down.

Yeah, this AP was written in DnD 3.5 and never has been converted. It does make it a challenge. The first book also, as I understand it, really doesn't fit well with where the campaign goes with everything either. I personally blame COVID and the mess it's caused globaly.

As for feeling less inviting, I think less games starting up is part of it. I blame that in part on COVID as well but also on people not really being sold on 2ed just yet. I also find it a shame there have not been more recruitments for the last several APs but especially Return of the Runelords. I soooo want to play it and I think the only game I got into folded before it even started cause the GM went *Poof!*

He could well return. I recall he said something on Discord about being gone for a while. I'll try and remember to look after I get home from work and see if I can find what I think I read from him.

Sadly it does, it's happened to every game of this I've been in. This one has lasted longer than my others though, never even finished the first book in the previous three or four I've been in.

Yeah, what they said.

Nessa sighed and nodded as she said, "I agree that we should look for the metal, but I think we need our rest first don't you?" With that she turned to go back into her tent and go to sleep.

Still the evening we were about to go to sleep IIRC.

Nessa cast a spell of her own, it was a small one, but she hoped it would help take the last one down and sent a glob of acid sailing at the last of the undead things.
acid splash: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 4 = 171d3 ⇒ 2

Seeing more of the zombie things charging them still Nessa cast another spell. This time a pair of magical bolts leapt out and slammed into whichever of the zombie's had taken the mist hits so far.
magic missile vs zombie hit the most times: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 2) + 2 = 7

Nessa was quite pleased with the results of Cameron's reward and was all set to rest comfortably when the alarm was called. Nessa popped out of the tent and quickly cast a spell causing a pall of sparkling dust to fall all over the encroaching enemies.

Cast Glitterdust dc 16 will negates blindness. I will get as many of them as I can while not getting any of us.

With their agreement reached and tents pitched Nessa considered the watch rotations and finally said, "I can see just fine in the dark, as long as I can get enough sleep to recharge my magic for tomorrow I'm good." She looked to Cameron and said, "Hmmm, I did promise to show you my thanks," she was coming across as very suggestive in tone, "would you like to find somewhere to experience that right now?"

Nessa nodded in agreement with both Cameron and Zincher and said, "We'll go talk to them and let you know their answer." With that she and Cameron went back to tell the others the deal and see what their reactions were.

Nessa let Cameron fill them in on the offer and listened to what they had to say before she added her own thoughts on the matter. Once they had done so she said, "I think it's better than staying out here alone with those...things," Nessa said, "and I agree the extra pay is goo too. As long as we watch our backs I think we'll be safe working with him until he has what he wants at least."

Nessa listened to Zincher's propositions and, while not the kind she normally got from people, decided that they were likely acceptable with her allies. "I can't speak for them but I think those are reasonable, maybe not the second one, but the rest should be fine. Second is just dangerous but I'll let them know."

Nessa looked to Cameron and asked, "What do you think?"

Nessa considered what Zincher said, and then said, "I highly doubt they will do that so why don't we discuss this and then Cameron or I can go out and explain it and return with their reply then." Nessa waited for Zincher to decide and then asked, "What are these jobs you wants us to do for you?"

Nessa felt a wash of relief that Zincher was willing to provide some shelter for them and the mages and, while she didn't want to get deeper into his debt the fact that he did have a way to resolve that was a relief.
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
While she was naturally suspicious of the man Nessa felt his words were genuine. He obviously had little to nothing to lose by helping them and would gain much even from just the added security of more people to deal with any threats, particularly with the magics the cypher mages could help bring to bear, and nodded slowly. "That seems reasonable to me, though more details on what you want us to do in exchange would be needed."

Nessa finally said, "Would you allow the others to come into the camp so we can discuss this proposition further? The guards wouldn't let us through without taking our weapons and spell pouches and they weren't going to do it."

After having filled Zincher in on an overview of what was going on and what brought them here Nessa listened to his response and questions carefully. She decided that what she knew could be safely shared, and it would be best to do so, and said, "We ran into some dwarves fleeing for their lives when we first arrived and managed to get them off of the island safely after they'd been attacked by these strange...things."

Nessa explained about what all they had run into since arriving, the fate of the Cypher Mages, the blue tongued space zombie things, and the giant thing that knocked the lighthouse over and into the water with them inside of it. "We remembered you were headed here, or at least that's what we suspected given what you'd said and the rumors around town, and had hoped you would at least be willing to take in the surviving Cypher Mages and maybe even work together in getting to the bottom of this. After all, if another, bigger rock, is brought down it might be the beginning of a second darkness and that," her tail lashed side to side in emphasis, "would be very bad for business."

Nessa entered the tent as instructed and gave a curtsy to Klegg when he greeted her before heading to one of the empty chairs. She took a seat as instructed and smiled as she said, "Thank you Mr Zincher." She considered what to tell Zincher as he asked her to tell him why they would brave this place. She wasn't sure how much she should say but deemed it better to be open with the man rather than hide anything.

Nessa finally began to speak and said, "I bet we're here for similar things. We're looking into the rock that fell through the hole in the sky though we aren't after it so much as what brought it here. It seems this was intentional, as was the fact it missed the city, and we're looking into the person who did it."

I can't recall what all we know just now about the reason the rock was sent or the who. Could someone clarify for me before I go farther with this please?

Nessa sighed as her efforts at diplomacy failed and understood the reasoning of the guard. When most of her companions said they weren't willing to put their weapons down Nessa sighed and said, "Fine then." She took off her component pouch and handed it and her pack to Cameron. "Here, hold these for me," she patted his cheek a moment and then turned to the guard as she said, "I'll go with you then, I have no weapons and my components are in his hand," she gestured to Cameron, "I am as unarmed as I can get."

Would have pushed forward on my last post but wanted to make sure no one else had anything to add first. Since we have here we go.

Nessa led their group towards the encampment and when the guards drew their weapons and demanded to know their business Nessa said, "Oh thank Calistria you aren't more of those horrible....things! They are all dead, with blue tongues, and walking around, they...they...they slaughtered most of the Cypher Mages expedition and we only just barely managed to reach the mages and get away alive. There is something really big with them to and it knocked down the lighthouse!"

Nessa looked every bit the panicked woman in distress, her outfit disheveled from the fall and traipsing through the forest, and her shock and relief were not feigned. "Please, let us speak with your leader. Surely we can come work something out so we can help each other?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14add +1 if charming applies.
Aaaand I get a roll like that!

Nessa nodded in agreement with what Sam said and added, "If it is his people he won't be happy to see us since he told us to stay away from here, but at least we aren't exactly his enemies either." She looked at Sarai, "As for the talking, I think I can handle that part."

I have a +11 or 12 with trait so I should be able to handle the talking.

Nessa breathed a sigh of relief when the boars went down and was quite glad she learned that spell. She gave Cameron a smile when he compliment her on her spell and said, "You can show your appreciation tonight if you like Cameron," her tone was honeyed, and rather hungry sounding, as she twirled her hair around one finger as her eyes looked over him hungrily not watching Sarai take off to scout some more.

Nessa shook her head at Hedran's question and said, "No, there's no telling how long they will stay blinded, we have less than a minute at most!" With that she chanted, gestured, and sent two bolts of raw magic slamming into one of the boars.
magic missile: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6
targeting Sarai's boar first if it's still up, second choice is Thyra's if Sarai's is down by then, and last choice is the remaining one.

I don't think it would unless you are using a reach weapon too. He would threaten the square before they reach range of you. In order to threaten them you would need to be one square forward of him and to one side. That being said I'm all for it!

Ready for what was about to descend upon them Nessa prepared a spell and worked to time her casting so that it would end right before they could attack Cameron when they charged.

I ready glitterdust (dc 16), I intend to cast it so that right before they can attack Cameron the spell will go off and place it so as to avoid us.

Nessa nodded in agreement and said, "That makes sense to me."

Nessa walked with the others until they rant out of path and then climbed the cliff. It wasn't a good time for her, being a city girl and all, and she was most definitely not used to physical exertion....well this kind anyway. She very much wanted to complain, loudly, about what she was suffering through but she knew that if she did it might bring those things down on them so, with that in mind, Nessa kept quiet and pushed through as best as she could.

When they heard the message from Sarai about what was ahead she became much more wary. "Well this could be interesting," she said in a voice dripping with sarcasm, "it's probably more of those," her tone became very condescending and disgusted, "things."

Nessa was right when the tumbling mage slammed into her she cried out in pain as she indeed lost her grip and tumbled as well. Then, all of a sudden, the bottom simply dropped out as the tower rolled of the edge of the cliff and splashed to the water.
Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Then the bottom dropped out beneath her as the tower fell to the water with a loud crash and the water began to pour into it. It must not have fallen far as she expected the last drop to hurt far more than it did. She quickly began making her way to an exit, fortunately finding one that let her out above the water and swam to shore as best she could.

Nessa was not a good swimmer by any means but she did manage to get there eventually and waded out of the water, her long hair in disarray and filled with water and her leather clothing already threatening to shrink down too much to fit her. Nessa quickly used a simple spell to work on removing all the water and then to redo her hair and by the time the others were discussing climbing the cliff, back to where those things were right now, Nessa looked at them like they were crazy,

"Seriously?!" she exclaimed, "You want to go back up there where who knows how many of those things are waiting in addition to whatever knocked the tower over?!" She seemed shocked at the suggestion and mumbled, "And people think I'm crazy?" Nessa sighed and then said, "Much as I hate to say this we need to find others, even if it is Zinchler, or we likely won't survive this place."

Sorry Hedran, I missed entirely that you offered. Having said that I thought we were on different floors of this place?

While Nessa didn't want to be inside this thing when it stopped moving she figured her chances braced her were better than her chances to ride the thing or jump out of it. With that in mind she did her best to stay wedged in place.
Brace: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Unfortunately for Nessa she realized all too late that one of the tumbling cypher mages was headed right for her and she could only hope she braced herself well enough.

Nessa saw the blue monsters block her way out and hesitated which cost her what might have been her only way out alive. Nessa found the tower suddenly rolling, and then falling, before she could react and she was tossed around painfully inside of it. She frantically tried to find some way to brace herself so she wouldn't get hurt any worse than she already was and she didn't look forward to what was going to happen.

Nessa thought they might have a chance only to feel the whole tower roll beneath her. She realized this wasn't a good thing and quickly followed Cameron as she tried to get out of the tower.
acro: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
Ruh-roh Shaggy, this is gonna hurt!

Nessa helped with the barricading of the tower entrances only to feel the second large boom and then the sickening feeling of the whole tower falling to the side. She wasn't sure what it was that had caused this but she realized very quickly that this was a very bad thing as she began to fall.
Ref: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
As the structure fell to one side and Nessa felt herself go with it she managed to mantle out her wings and cup as much air as she could. Normally this accomplished little when she tried it but this once she managed to actually catch the air just perfectly and slow her fall. She landed on the "floor" with one foot on each side of Cameron's head as she folded her wings.

Nessa quickly moved so as to let Cameron up, though not before he got a decidedly clear view of what she didn't have on under the skirt, and offered him a hand up once again. "I see you fell for me all over again Cameron," she teased him and blew him a kiss after his spell was cast. She looked at those in the room with them and said, "We should get out of her, right now. Those things probably won't have trouble reaching us now."

Nessa took up a place on the second floor with Cameron as she felt rather comfortable around him for some reason. It really felt like they'd known each other much longer than they actually had. It also helped he was the one who could heal her injuries so it wasn't all about comfort.

acro: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22
When the tower suddenly shook hard and began to lean to the south Nessa had no troubles keeping her footing. Her form was flawless despite the heels on her boots and she barely wobbled at all. She reached a hand down to help Cameron up and said, "Come on Cameron, get on your feet."

Hearing that Fanella was among the first to die was a bit of a shock to Nessa. The mage had been a regular with her for years now and she found that she would miss the woman's visits. She reached out to place an arm around Samaritha and draped one wing around her shoulder for comfort as the woman detailed the nightmare she'd been through. "I'm sorry about Fanella, she was a talented woman in many ways." Nessa actually seemed saddened for once at this loss which was unusual for the harlot, "She will be greatly missed." Nessa looked to Samaritha then and said, "She would be proud of how you've stood up to take charge of the situation, as am I."

When the tale was done and the discussion of escape and their need to explore the island began she said the only thing she could think of to try and calm Samaritha, "I think we have to find the cause of this...plague and end it. If we don't, and they keep spawning like this, they could come for the city and then no one will be safe."

Nessa wasted no time in going around to the base of the tower and waited for the door to be opened. She hurried through the door as instructed and got out of the way so the others could follow and, once the door was closed, stepped forward into Samaritha's embrace, returning it fiercely. She folded her wings around the half-elf and returned the embrace firmly. Her tail even slid around Samaritha's waist and helped to pull her close.

Nessa may be the walking embodiment of Lust personified but she still understood when comfort was needed. Much as she wanted to press Samaritha against the wall and take her she knew that wasn't what was needed. Instead she just held the woman close as she spoke and when she seemed calm enough she released her and stepped to the side. "What is going on her Sami? Where did those," she gestured out at where the undead they had fought had been, "things come from?" She smile slightly, "And how has your apprenticeship been going?"

With the last of the zombie things destroyed Nessa heard a voice of someone she'd not spoken with for a while, not since she helped the woman get her apprenticeship, and smiled in delight. She moved around her companions with her usual sensual grace, her boots clacking on the floor like the hooves they resembled, and said, "When are you going to join me in bead Sami? I haven't gotten to seduce you since you became an apprentice." Giving the half-elf her most enticing smile Nessa crooked a finger at her and said, "Now come here and give me a proper greeting."

Seeing the zombies not dropped yet, even after one's head got crushed, Nessa fired another pair of missiles at her target in the opes of finishing it off.
magic missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 2) + 2 = 5

Woot!

Walking through the town was more than a little eerie for Nessa. The place felt haunted, like there were ghosts hiding in the darkness just out of sight, and it left her rather on edge. When they found the strange corpses and discussed what to do with the Nessa looked on in revulsion. When the fight started and the things began to rise she screamed in fright, "EEEEEEK," before sending a pair of magical darts slamming into the rising dead.
I'll target the one that Sarai attacked if it's still up, otherwise adjust to the last one.
Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 2 = 6

The tale the dwarves told about what had happened to them was rather disturbing to Nessa and she was starting to wonder if this was really a good idea to be here. It seemed something haunted this island, even if it wasn't ghosts, and maybe it was even worse than spooks given what happened. Unfortunately they were committed to this endeavor now and she'd just have to try and survive it.

When they began to discuss their route after seeing the dwarves safely off the island Nessa spoke up and said, "I agree with the road." As they traveled the road Nessa realized something else, unless they found friendly, or at least interested, inhabitants, she was going to have to try and get her companions to provide her the entertainment she needed each day. That might be a problem as they all came off as rather prudish about such things though Sarai might be interested given their shared religious affiliations. She supposed she'd cross that bridge when they came to it she was just glad she and Lavender had said a long goodbye before she left the temple that morning.

As they followed the road, a poorly maintained road, uphill Nessa again began to think this was all a mistake but she pressed on anyway. Eventually they spotted a tower to the south that must be a lighthouse of some kind and had to be part of that small village they'd spotted earlier. There were birds circling near the village and Nessa wondered what they were, they didn't look right for seagulls. She looked to the sky and said, "I think we should go to the village for now. It looks like rain and maybe we can get a roof over our heads and find out more about whatever attacked those dwarves."

When they boarded the ship again to set sail for the Devil's Elbow Nessa did her best to enjoy the trip. It was her first time sailing on a vessel and it was kind of fun. She spent her time, as she could, in the bow feeling the wind and spray in her face as the ship sailed along to the island. Once she even stretched out and spread her wings imagining that she was flying low over the waves until she was told to get back from there because of the danger of falling overboard and getting drug along the bottom of the ship. That sobered her up quickly and she went back to join the others again.

As they began to discuss how long they would need to be there Nessa considered carefully. "If someone has a spell thy can use to speak at a distance that might be the best option. If you were to come back every three days we could know to send the message at a specific time to let you know whether to get us or go on your way."

With the fires out Nessa gathered with the others to speak again with the Captain. The fact he wasn't abandoning the job was good, the fact that he was charging them for damages ticked her off a little. She thought about try to seduce him instead of paying the money, it would be far more enjoyable, but she decided he didn't deserve the please of being with her so she took out the three coins and paid up.

As they began to try intimidating the captive Nessa added her own threat and said, "Please Cam, that's too good a fate for him." She walked towards the man seductively and leaned close to him as she said, "I bet I could reach my spawn donor, I'm sure she'd love to have a mortal guest for eternity in the Abyss." She said it sweetly as she drew her claws lightly over the man's throat without breaking the skin and then snapped at him with her fangs in threat.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Nessa saw the flames erupt and knew that she had to do something. They couldn't afford to lose this ship. She quickly headed to where Cameron was working on putting out the flames and began to help him. Given she had no cloak Nessa began using her wings to try and help smother the fires, trusting in her innate resistance to fire to protect her flesh from harm.

Wanting distance between herself and the start of the potential fire Nessa stayed near the far edge of the ship and cast a spell. A pair of energy darts lanced out and slammed into the nearest of the thugs.
magic missile on red: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (1, 3) + 2 = 6

Hearing that they were under attack Nessa quickly began to move towards the stairs. She got to the top and started spotting targets for her spells.

Can't check the map right now since I'm at work but if I move as a standard can I target with a spell?

Not my fault, I'm right here where everyone can see me.

As they were shown into dinner with the Captain aboard ship Nessa noticed how he seated Sarai but not her. Most Calistrians might find this a reason for vengeance but Nessa figured he was just intimidated by here, afterall one only rarely had what seemed to be a succubus come over for dinner, so she took a seat of her own and crossed her knees as she sat forward to make room for her wings and tail.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
As they began to eat Nessa listened to the discussion and noticed that her companions were carefully not talking about their real reason for going to the island. Nessa finally nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah, just looking out for the business and my home. I don't want it flattened if another of those came in like that." Her eyes twinkled a little as she said, "Besides, who knows, maybe we'll get lucky and find some star stone and become incredibly wealthy!"

I honestly don't remember there being all that much before. I kinda think the first book of this one is very sparse but as there's very little of use to casters this low of a level I haven't paid that much attention.. It may also be, in part, because this was written for dnd 3.5, not the actual Pathfinder 1st ed rules so that may be a part of it as well.

I can chip in for the want as well, I still have four or five hundred gold after the potions.