Nikolai Lukresh's page

So I hate to be the bearer of bad/good news but I have gotten a new job that starts this coming Tuesday! Better pay, less stressful, should be an all-around improvement on my well-being.

The issue is that it is an on-site position that is a distance away; it'll eat about 2 1/2 hours out of my day five days a week while I'm working on site. With that in mind, my time for most play by posts are going to dwindle down quite a bit so I can maintain a good work-life balance.

With that in mind, I am going to have to drop Nikolai from this game. It has been amazingly fun and I appreciate the story that has been crafted thus far. You all have been wonderful company and, if time permits me, perhaps we'll all have a chance to play together again. Thank you all so much. <3

When you can, DM Vayelan, please remove Nikolai from the roster when you have a chance. I appreciate you all immensely.

IC-wise, Nikolai sees it as freeing a spirit rather than killing a child. She was caught here and trapped, transformed against her will, and needs to be put to rest. If he was a cleric, I'm sure he would turn her so she would be freed immediately. Perhaps Nikolai will know of something more peaceful that he can create with the help of Valda; the latter is touched by the divine and the former is actually a really good alchemist.

I agree though about having to kill the child, I definitely don't want to do it as a coup d'etat or anything. That feels icky. I also know that Nikolai is not comfortable letting an undead just...persevere. She may be good for now but 10 years from now? 50? 100? It isn't worth the risk to other innocent lives.

Would my idea be palpable? Some sort of holy concoction?

Nikolai nervously watches the interaction, waiting for the inevitable turn for the worse. He watched from behind the more martially-inclined figures in the party, frowning at Marilu's sad tale.

"An attic whisperer..." Nikolai murmurs, stepping beside the countess and whispering in her ear. "This undead is the spirit of a lost and neglected child. There is discussion amidst Lepidstadt's intellectuals whether this creature is the child or an echo but...the evidence points to the latter."

"Do not let your compassion get the best of you, countess. The girl she was is gone, even if she remembers being her. She may grow possessive of us and, if she does, may try to stop us from leaving." Nikolai looks down at the girl with a look of regret and sadness for a moment, the look hidden behind his goggles. His face hardens a moment later though as he speaks again. "It is only right that we free her from this mockery of life. She must be destroyed."

Dude. Sad undead is sad. :(

Nikolai flinches lightly at the sight of the undead as she emerges from the crypt, his eyes focusing onto the sight of it. The countess begins to approach and Nikolai finds himself having the same worries as Valda does. Before the woman can get too close, the scholar racks his mind in regards towards the creature.

Kn: Religion: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 9 + (1) = 15

"I doubt the child was the original seneschal for the 13th Count of Canterwall. I am afraid that I must concur with Valda; this individual does not seem trustworthy." Nikolai offers, moving back some as to not be on the frontline should the undead being escape.

At Valda's warning, Nikolai leans down and begins to inspect the stone coffin in further details. Warnings, scripture, writings, anything that could betray who or what was truly contained within it.

Spending an Inspiration
Perception: 1d20 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 12 + (3) = 18

"A child locked in the sarcophagus? Did the survivors flee here when it collapsed and there was a desperate decision to protect the child? How long had the child been sealed away?" It was these thoughts that had stolen Nikolai's mind as he gripped his blade tighter. Too often, tragedy built upon tragedy. He readied himself for danger.

"Th-thank you Bashuk. Let us check." Nikolai says with a nod, following beside the powerful half-orc. He scans the area around them, making sure no other threats immediately reveal themselves.

Go go Disable Device!

Disable Device: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (16) + 20 = 36

"Very interesting. The shrine was destroyed by the collapsing stone. See the difference in hue? The stability here is compromised; it could collapse underneath our feet at any point." Nikolai cautiously steps closer, cataloguing all the places they had traveled through today and trying to put together a solution to reinforce what integrity that still remained.

Kn: Engineering: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 9 + (4) = 29

"I think I have an idea. Good marshal, I may need your strength to help me here."
Would it be a Disable Device roll? Or would the Kn: Engineering be enough?

Appreciated. I rather you all not walk into a trap. Two good perceptions up front will help lots.

I know Nikolai is the group's squishy boy but I do want to remind folks that he is also your best trap detector and also has low-light vision thanks to his goggles. Keeping up closer towards the front will be handy.

Nikolai walks with his rapier in hand, settled in a defensive pose as he steps further ahead. Looking over the shoulders of the others, he clears his throat.

"I am for exploring the various passageways. We must eliminate the ghoul infestation before it can replenish itself. These nests can be quite tricky..."

Sorry for the slowness, I'll post tonight. Nikolai will walk with Kain, keeping an eye out for traps new and ancient alike.

Sorry! Work was very busy this week.

"I'm coming! Yes. Patience is a virtue. Yes." Nikolai muttered, taking his time on the rope. He moved inch by inch, looking down to try and make sure he did not fall to his death. Such an end of a studious mind would be a terrible waste. Arriving on the first layer, he would lower his owl-themed goggles down and watch as the dim light brightened all around him.

Have an amazing time!

Nikolai will listen to what was written as Valeska recites it, his brow furrowed slightly as he considers what they had described.

"Well, there is the potential for a miracle but...there seems to be no residual evidence and we have no witnesses. It is also that, potentially..." Nikolai's words died for a moment as he thought it over, closing his eyes as he considered the possibilities.

"Well...uh...t-there is the possibility that...with this being the...uh...supposed resting place of a prince that magical items from the Golden Age of Ustalav could be here, back when it was a kingdom and before the cruel reign of the Whispering Tyrant." As he spoke, his words grew faster and faster. A true relic.

"I would suggest we investigate the catacombs. See if the rumors are true. Perhaps their miracle has a magical origin?"

"That it would. Finding these relics would certainly give the Countess unparalleled influence even in royal matters, potentially, let alone the more practical benefits of finding Prince Adamondais." Nikolai said, frowning a little bit as he looked over their wounds. "Later, I would suggest that you allow me to look over your wounds in detail. Ghoul Fever is no joking matter and can be quite dangerous."

"Well, that was certainly something." Nikolai said softly, sheathing his rapier away and turning towards the others. There were questions to answer and discoveries to be made within the darkness of the town hall before them.

Kn: Religion (Ghoul Infections & Disease): 1d20 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (20) + (2) + 9 = 31

Being a student in Ustalav meant that, inevitably, one would need to speak about the undead. It was ingrained in their history, in their very being, and it could not be ignored. The Whispering Tyrant had ruled this land for a long time and its mark could not be ignored. Nikolai, an explorer, archeologist, and scholar, had extensive knowledge on the undead and shared it with the others.

Entering into the basement, the investigator covers his mouth and coughs softly at the stink that permeated through here. The ghouls had ruined so much, so much that could've potentially been saved. Looking for the least damaged pieces, Nikolai studied the nest.

Kn: History: 1d20 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (11) + (1) + 9 = 21
Kn: Local: 1d20 + 1d6 + 9 ⇒ (11) + (2) + 9 = 22

Nikolai dodges out of the way of the crossbow bolt, his hand that was covered with a layer of bark deflecting it to the side. Leaving the ranged combat to the skill of Bashuk and her power, he draws his rapier again and moves into close combat, he runs up behind the gigantic Kain and produces another syringe that he jabs into the man's calf. It would be as if a second skin had slothed off of the man, shimmering in purples and blues, before disappearing before his eyes.

"This will protect you! Go all out!" Nikolai shouts out as he takes a moment to study the movement of the undead feline. With his blade in hand, he prepares to engage the hunter's pet.

Nikolai will cast Shield on Kain, granting a +4 Shield bonus for 5 minutes (50 Rounds). He will use Studied Combat as a swift action on the Undead Cat.

Nikolai waits for his moment, relying on the holy magic around him as well as his own expertise with the crossbow. Patiently, he waits for the ghoul on the rooftop to show himself before firing back.

Nikolai will take a readied action to fire at the ghoul on the roof when he shows himself to shoot down at them. Attack roll below.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

for what its worth, charging doesn't help me much atm, since 1. I'm not mounted on Valere, and two, I am fairly certain I can't be mounted on Valere anymore as I am now the same size category.

However, it was close enough that I could charge it anyway. Thanks to being large. That said, instead of 78+ damage, I dealt a paltry 26 heh. But it can't shoot without provoking now, so I may yet survive.

I'll be much more effective next level, with a pouncing griffon that lets me fly. I just have to survive to get there..

My bad, I just wanted to use my cool stuff. Your weapon die should've increased a size too from 1d8 to 2d6.

Sorry for my massive delay, life got the big hold of me and I was super distracted. Hopefully, making a giant Kain makes things up for it.

Also, is my Perceive Clues & Barkskin still active? Both lasted 50 minutes when I cast them here. It wouldn't have helped with the arrow shot but it might come into play elsewhere.

Nikolai cries out in pain as the arrow grazes along his back, the heated sting of a fresh wound running along his skin. He catches sight of Doctor Evet's being attacked by one of the ghouls. His mind immediately prioritizes combat efficiency and he turns towards Kain and gives the man a nod.

"This will sting. The breaking of limbs will only be momentary. Don't be scared." The investigator would then draw out one of his needles and jam it between the armor plates of the warrior beside him. As soon as it was injected, Kain would feel the magic catalysts begin to change through his body and aura. To the ghouls outside, the man would begin to grow in size and in power.

Using my infusion power, Nikolai will use "Enlarge Person" on Kain. Enjoy the increased threat range, damage dice, and strength bonus :)

"It worked... Nikolai says in amazement, grinning wide before Doctor Evet's cries of pain call out to the man. As an accomplished scholar, Nikolai despised the man but no man deserved the fate of being eaten. "I'll rescue the charlatan." Nikolai says to Kain, rushing over with his rapier in hand. He eyes his enemy, studying him and instantly picking out the most painful and effective means to end him. "Release him, beast, and maybe tomorrow there will be old marrow for you to swallow."

Using my swift action to Combat Study the ghoul on Evets. I will use my move action to close into combat with it with my rapier drawn.

I am here! Going to get a post off tomorrow. Sorry for the slowness.

"Yes, let us check the town hall. Perhaps there are answers there." Nikolai says, stepping away from the general store. The status of the village was a shock, entirely empty with no bodies or sign of battle. His fear was swallowed in his chest as he made his way towards the building up on the hill.

I need it. I'm the rare Investigator/Paladin multiclass >.>

"Is there anyone here? We're here to help." Nikolai calls out into the general store even as he holds up a rag to his mouth to fight off the stink of heavy odors. While disgustingly palpable on his tongue, such strong scents could've helped hide survivors of this atrocity.

"These catacombs could hold...unknown wonders as well as horrors within them, Countess. This place is very unstable still, the collapse has occurred perhaps...two or so months ago and has not settled. Crossing the rubble could risk another shift." Nikolai says, looking towards the general store. "There could be supplies in there, lumber, and other things that could allow us to cross further or more easily into the pit. The town hall may have extra supplies and survivors as well." The scholar offers to the others, waiting to hear what they'll all say.

"How astounding..." Nikolai mentions as he looks over the ruined debris below them. "...these catacombs are ancient. Maybe 1500 years old, aging back to the assault by the Whispering Tyrant and even before when Ustalav was a mighty kingdom. Who knows what secrets could be in those tunnels." There a palpable excitement from the scholar at first. His mind returns back to the grim situation at hand as he continued to speak.

"There are bones amongst the ruins; animal and humanoid alike. I-" His eyes snaps forward towards the general store, noticing the mangy cat that disappeared into the store appropriately. Throughout their travel, there had been no signs of life. "There might be someone in the general store."

Moving with purpose around the sunken church, he makes his way to the general store. He slows down only as he approaches, his eyes looking for makeshift traps and debris.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (20) + 17 = 37
That'll be a 40 v.s. traps

"Let me look this over." Nikolai says, pulling back Evets from the edge before he begins to walk around the edge. Lowering his googles, it gathers whatever ambient light is there and tries to brighten it as he looks over the edge and collapse underneath it.

Perception: 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 17 + (2) = 35
Kn: Engineering: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (14) + 9 + (5) = 28
Kn: Nature: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 9 + (3) = 28

Nikolai is analyzing the pit to try and understand if it was due to some kind of seismic event or if it was sabotaged to collapse. Spending an Inspiration on Perception.

Nikolai draws his rapier out as he walks through the seemingly abandoned village, his free hand reaching underneath his coat to grab a pair of elixirs. He opens them up and drinks them both quickly, his face tightening as the magical and alchemical effects occur immediately. His skin seems to toughen and stretch, a bark-like substance emerging from underneath that quickly changes from a dark, ancient green and becomes the color of flesh once more. The other makes his eyes shift to that of a feline, far more focused and observant than before.

Nikolai will cast barkskin and perceive clues on himself. They both last for 50 minutes, tell me when they run out DM, since I know time and such can get a little wobbly here on play by posts <3

As long as they remained undisturbed, Nikolai would move towards the village's center. The gently waving sign of the general store would come into light, the low wind moving it but not nearly strong enough to disturb this heavy fog they travelled through.

"There's the general store, right Mr. Evets?" The magister could only somewhat tolerate the con artist's presence, mostly for the countess's benefit. He would not delude the importance of his fellows by calling him a doctor, however. His eyes focus intently on the general store, observing it as they got closer.

I hope people are okay moving us towards one of the two buildings there? I didn't want to lollygag us too much <3

Nikolai quietly enters into fog-filled mists, keens eyes looking for clues. He follows Bashuk into the cottage along with Valda, his eyes studying the scene within for a moment.

"There is a calmness here, a strange one. Things were left for a meal but the caps and shawls remain. If they left during the evening or morning, it would make the most sense that they would take them to fight off the chill." A frown spread across Nikolai's face yet there was a light of excitement within them as well. It was a mystery, a strangeness that needed to be exposed. "Bashuk is right; if the whole village is gone than we have a problem on our hands. Perhaps the ghouls were a symptom but not the cause."

"We should examine the church, it is where the people would seek shelter if there was an attack of some sort. There and the town hall. We can look in the general store as well, perhaps they built a defense there?" Nikolai suggests quietly, rubbing his hands nervously as he looks amidst the empty streets. The silence pounded in his ears, tricking him into imagining sounds.

Will: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 7 + 2 = 22

Like the proper Ustalavian that he was, Nikolai knew the darkness held unknown fears. He had known his entire life that truth. He also knew that he could unmask it, reveal it, and destroy it in the light of day. The creaks and shifting of the house, along with the moans of the wind playing over the land, did not disturb the scholar in any way. In the morning, he catalyzed his magical potential once more, readying syringes not only for himself but for his companions.

Kn: Geography: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 9 + (6) = 20

I know that Valeska is right, morning mists dissipate as the sun rises higher in the day usually. I am curious though if there are any oddities in the area of Clover's Crossing that would keep the fog around.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

Nikolai is keeping an ear out for any sounds from within the town. The settlement should be just becoming active. Fresh breads, a town crier, anything like that at all should be up and active.

Nikolai steps out in front of the group, his eyes narrowing as he focuses on his senses. For ghouls to have depleted whole villages would be a horrific scenario; their numbers would have to be quite large for them to be so ravenous.

Kn: Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 9 + (4) = 30

"These walls have been recently excavated by claws; signs of a ghoul warren." Nikolai says, examining the walls for a quick moment. "The other tunnels go north and east, towards Clover's Crossing. It is likely that we have a major ghoul infestation on our hands, perhaps even led by a ghast. We will need to investigate further...preferably by the surface. Fighting in these tight corridors will be dangerous."

Before Nikolai can react, the battle underground is already done. Caught by fire and holy blade, the ghoul was destroyed by Valda and Bashuk's combined teamwork.

"Well, don't I feel silly..." Nikolai says with a shrug of his comically extended arms. "Let us make haste while my spell still works."

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

"Something is coming." Nikolai whispered, reaching into his coat and pulling out another extract. Grimacing for a moment, he would chug it down and put it away. A moment of pain graced his face as his arm twisted unnaturally, cracking and shaking. They began to extend and grow, strange joints forming allowing his arm to reach up and over Valda and even Bashuk if necessary. "I hate this extract... He murmurs softly.

Nikolai will cast longarms on himself and that is all for now.

As I said, I'm cool with whatever as long as the scene progresses forward

If people want. It does mean that I've got no ability to fight though. If I'm behind Valda, the Long Arms spell will allow me to fight over her shoulders but the reach is only 10ft. I am cool with whatever folks want to do :)

Nikolai follows directly behind Valda, his keen eyes sorting out any traps or ambushes that may be awaiting them in such tight quarters. While it seemed like he could be useless in such a space should combat break out, a few of his catalysts would be quite useful in such a situation. He didn't really like the one though, made his joints feel weird for the whole day.

"All the evidence seems to be pointing towards such. We should venture carefully; their strikes could leave us vulnerable and more than one intrepid hunter has perished due to their cunning." The scholar advises, quickly rummaging through his pack before producing a sunrod. Striking it alight, he gives a nod to Valda. "I will follow you, Sister Valda. Lead the way."

"Let us see what we uncover then." Nikolai says, having taken a more observational point in this excursion so far. The scholar approaches the door, observing for any signs of traps before carefully opening the doors.

Perception: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (2) + 15 = 17

I am back! Sorry for the delay, moving was a gigantic pain in the ass. I appreciate all of your patience.

I will have a proper post up tomorrow
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14
Kn: Dungeoneering: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 9 + (4) = 14
Kn: History: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 9 + (3) = 20

I had a nice and flavorful post that got eaten so I'm summarizing here sadly. Nikolai will also dismount and ask for Kain's assistance before following the group's lead. He consumes three extracts; shield, barkskin, and anticipate peril.

"How very strange, this predicament. Is this what is causing the disappearances perhaps?" Nikolai ponders to himself after he gets down from the cart and onto his feet once more. The investigation was starting far sooner than he imagined.

"The roots would keep the ground solid enough for the wagon to come up nearby. I concur about the fire; anything hunting us will likely have the advantage at night. A flame may keep us safe." Nikolai offers. He knew of what regions to use, what a safe location could look like, but had no such skill himself.

Nikolai happily rides alongside Evets. Not that he was happy to be riding alongside the man who sells false remedies and empty hopes. His happiness came from the fact that he was able to write down his observations of their trip along with the fact that he wouldn't need to ride his horse that was tied to follow along the back of the garish cart.

Evet had wisely remained silent and did not talk to the Lepidstadt graduate. Instead, he watched and observed. He sat back at General Kain's observations, nodding in agreement.

"I concur. There could be a number of unnatural predators that have led to such...silence. We will need to exercise caution." The scholar advises, looking up into the sky as the sun begins to creep downwards to the horizon. With it went the light and...and the hope of safety.

"Shall we take watch? I require either the first or the last watch; a chance to refuel my spells will be best after a long rest."