Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Assuming Colin shares with the class:
"Well could we, I dunno, give it some luck-tricity? There's magic that makes lightning, right?" Raka looks hopefully at Phantrel, Colin, and of course Em and Xira. "Since it goes between floors, the part that's s'posed ta do that could be anywhere."
GM Dien wrote:
On the interior wall, a panel contains runes for Iron - Steel - Silver - Gold - Mithral - Adamantine - Arkhorianite. A square of darkened glass, like the many ones you've seen on the doors so far, sits above these runes.
"Oh wow." The second elevator seems capable of accessing all the floors, even the ones far up the mountain that aren't particularly helpful right now. "If we could get this one to work, I bet we'd be outta here in no time."
She looks thoughtfully at the ceiling of the small elevator car. "Even if we can't... I wonder if we could bust through that roof an' climb up."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Argatha wrote:
"If we do go in the furnace room, who-ever goes first should be wearing all this."
"I'd go myself, but I'm worried if somethin' happened to me I'd be the hardest for you all to get back out again. Though all o' you together could do it I'm sure." Raka shrugs. "I just don't want Brimble to think he's the expendable one. 'Cause he ain't."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Em Salt wrote:
Xiramona wrote:
"It looks quite comfortable, true, but I'm not sure all three of us could fit in the bed. Where would we put Em?"
"Right in the middle, one would hope," Em interjects upon hearing her name.
"Hah! We could try, but we ain't kids anymore Em. One o' you'd prob'ly be on top o' me by mornin'."
Once again, the words are out of Raka's mouth before the less-than-innocuous implication dawns on her. Rather than laughing it off, she for some reason finds herself blushing.
* * * * *
"Wow, I never even heard of Arkhorianite. Must be, like, super rare an' expensive." Raka looks for any other doors leading out of the mountain, besides the one they entered from.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Brimble Palescale wrote:
He hefts his somewhat lighter pack then pulls out a safety tunic and a couple other baubles. He weighs them in his claws then looks to the strongest miners. ”Argatha, Raka… could one or both of you carry these for me?”
"You got it." Raka removes her own pack and sets it down so Brimble can load it up with some of his excess weight.
While Brimble listens at the crack, Raka helps Em get the door open. "Aw, this place is cozy," she remarks inside the room. "Dibs on the new sleepin' quarters! Brimble can have up there," she adds jokingly, knowing the kobold is around the corner with his focus likely elsewhere. Then she sees the clan daggers carefully arranged on the table, a sobering sight. "Together we go. Well that's depressin'."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"I'd love another way up, but I haven't seen any. Prob'ly should just get the return trip over with. But I agree, our next step should be huntin' gobbos. It didn't seem like they've seen the surface anytime recently-- maybe never-- so wherever they've been hidin' is most likely a dead end. But the last thing we need is another ambush."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
GM Dien wrote:
Kn Religion, Diplomacy, or an Intelligence check here may be useful. Or you might have some other bright idea.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
Singularly focused on the shrine for reasons she can't fully explain, Raka wipes off her hands with a satisfied finality when the work is done. Or, at least, as done as they can make it.
Somethin's missin' still, she muses to Bastion. Like the gods themselves are waitin' for a priest to come along an', I dunno, make it right again. Guess they're outta luck, though, 'cause there ain't no more...
Raka trails off and looks down at her hands. The dwarves had been gone for who knows how long, but it wasn't accurate to say their religion was gone too.
Faith in Trudd had just started back up again.
"Thanks everyone for pitchin' in with this," Raka addresses the group (except Brimble). "But I think there's one more thing to do for this place to be... I dunno... good again."
Raka clears her throat and puts a hand on the statue of Arkhoria Skywatch. "Uh... I bless this shrine in the name o' Trudd, who has for some reason decided he likes me. And in the name o' the other dwarven gods whose faiths, um, might be forgotten now, but... ya never know, could come back again. Through people like me." She pauses, feeling like the room is waiting for her to finish. "So says I."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"Bastion is pretty upset about whatever happened in here," Raka says, softly and carefully. "I think it's safe to say it wasn't no dwarf." She goes over to the alcove that once revered-- in its much humbler way compared to temple above them-- Trudd. Though she barely knows the god, and the others not in the slightest, she can't help but feel a twinge of sadness herself.
D'ya... d'ya want me to clean the place up a bit? she asks Bastion.
Assuming he says yes:
Without saying anything to the others, Raka brushes the ashes and bits of stone from the alcove shelf belonging to Trudd, then moves from one side to the other and does the same to the other alcoves. She picks up the larger pieces of stone scattered around the floor and piles them around the statue in the center, forming something of a ring around it so that the damage looks at least a bit more respectful. Who was this? she asks as she works.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Em Salt wrote:
"It may be mere illusion, but the dwarfgold sparkles like sunlight upon the ocean. Here and there it seems to move, though never when I fix my gaze upon it."
"I don't recommend doin' that at all." Raka still shudders at the memory of the shield-shaped rune that jumped out at her in the first chamber. It may have only been a harmless harbinger of good things to come, but it had spooked her nonetheless.
She wanders toward the closest elevator doors, which are currently closed. "Haven't seen any stairs leading down from this level," she muses. "What d'you think odds are any o' these elevators go down either? Be a lot easier if we could just take one o' them down to a good hidin' spot an' come right back."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"I think we should keep tryin' to get back up. There could be a better place to store the Courageous somewhere that's closer to the surface-- a vault or somethin', I dunno." Raka looks down at the dark water, remembering the panic and adrenaline from the last time they were down here. "I jus' don't want somethin' like that--" she indicates both the water and the trap-ceiling above them-- "to happen again an' get us stuck even further down."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka can't help but scrunch her face in disgust as they force their way back through the fetid water. It is no small grace that they don't have to worry about leeches this time through, but knowing that this trip means having to traverse it a third time is quite discouraging. "Gods, this place is disgustin'," she says when they reach the other side of it. "Em, can you use that cleanin' spell on me too?"
Returning to the kitchen is almost uncanny-- was it really just yesterday they crawled up into this place for the first time? Or had it been longer? It seemed a lifetime ago.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Round 1:
Concern flashes across Raka's face. Rats aren't too bright. The fire shoulda scared 'em off, not thrown 'em in a fit. She reasons that they're either not natural rats, or else they're very hungry.
She draws her sword and rushes in to scatter them. She sweeps her weapon in a sideways arc so as to hit only rats and not the stone floor.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka has no magical solution to the problem, nor is she accustomed to relying on any. "Do we have anythin' that's, like, big an' heavy? Maybe we could squish 'em. Bastion isn't big enough, an' prob'ly wouldn't appreciate bein' used like that anyways, but like... we could use one o' the beds or somethin'?"
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Xiramona wrote:
Xira grins at Em and Raka. "Remember when Da would use his hardwood shavings to smoke fish? Let's see if that works on mushrooms too."
Raka scrunches up her nose. "I hope it does. Never met a mushroom I liked much." When Xira is finished with her magical food alterations, Raka picks up a mushroom and pops it into her mouth. It is reminiscent of the smoked fish from back then, she has to admit that. And it's... better than she was expecting. The "smoked" mushrooms make a rather odd pairing with the pickled fish that constitutes their only other food right now, but at least it will keep them alive.
Brimble Palescale wrote:
”Forgewise has gone home. He left that note and these goods.”
"Has he? Good for him. Hope he finds the peace he was lookin' for so long." Though that does leave the seven of them in a worse place than they were before, having lost a key asset down here. Raka glances up at the ceiling, imagining Salt Spire however far above them-- with Forgewise gone, home is a little farther away than it was before.
"Say, Brimble, did he leave that for ya? Looks good!"
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
During the watch...
"I dunno much about growin' stuff," Raka concedes. "But it always seemed ta me that mushrooms are pretty fast. All it takes is a hard rain, an' there they are." She shrugs. "I never watched 'em, though."
It occurs to Raka that, although Phantrel is a fellow Salt Spire native (Salt Spirian? Salt Sprite?), and looks much the same now as he had all her life, Raka knows very little about the man. "Have ya grown lots o' mushrooms? I never really knew whatcha were up to around town."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Xiramona wrote:
Since Brimble now feels well enough to be up and about, Xira asks Raka (and Em if she wishes), to return with her to the temple and ask Forgewise to set Altynbekh to patrolling the area when the automaton next returns for a water refill.
"Sure, but this time I'm grabbin' my sword." Raka returns to her bed to strap on the sword belt, hoping she won't need it. Does she really expect more of the mutated goblins to be between themselves and the temple? No, but luck favors the prepared.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"I'll take Brimble back," Raka offers. "I can't do nothin' ta make ya feel better, but you're the only one who can't run away if somethin' comes back this way. So someone would need ta get between you an' it."
Since she isn't wearing her weapons belt, Raka shoves the handle of the hatchet down her waistband, the metal cool against her skin. Then she scoops up the still-recovering kobold. "Come on, let's get ya somewhere more comfortable. You've done good work tonight."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
With no healing magic (that she is aware of), Raka's best means of helping Brimble is bringing down the remaining goblin. She steps up and strikes with the hatchet she brought.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Without bothering to grab her new armor, knowing it would take much too long to put on, Raka shoves her arm through Bastion's straps as she heads out of the room and into the hallway. Brimble is already across the hall-- too far for her to reach in a few seconds-- but she puts herself between the goblins she can see and the door to their chosen beds.
"Who are you and what do you want?" she calls out in Common to the goblins.
Round 4: Move action to draw shield, move action to move.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka wakes and is instantly on alert. She grabs the hatchet at first, but once she's out of bed and standing she straps on her swordbelt and shoves the smaller weapon into it. She picks up Bastion and draws the sword from its sheath with a soft but satisfying metallic hiss. She doesn't bother donning the armor, deciding it would take too long-- the heavy metal might be worse than useless if they get attacked while she's halfway through fiddling with the straps.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka looks around the new dorm room, which has noticeably fewer beds in it. "Huh. I guess these dwarves were a step up from the ones below. I'm sure they thought that o' themselves, whatever the case." She picks a bed to be hers for the night, sets her pack down on the associated desk, and unloads her weapons. She reaches up and places the small axe near where her head will be, preferring to have at least one of them near to hand at night, and figuring it's the smallest and easiest to sleep next to.
Then she unclasps the armor and pulls it off as well. After the excitement of finding such fine metal armor wore off, she realized that it's really not so very comfortable, being made for a person roughly as broad in the shoulder as herself but barely half the height. She rolls her grateful shoulders in relaxation.
Finally, she picks up her shield again. "So, uh... I don't think our new friends have been introduced proper. This is Bastion," she says, holding the golden shield up proudly. "He's real friendly an' likes ta help. An' you all saw what he's capable of against the dead dwarf earlier. He keeps insistin' it was me an' not him, but I sure couldn't do anythin' magical before an' now I can, so there you are.
"Anyway... I'm real glad he came with us." Raka beams at Bastion. She looks expectantly at Em's diadem next, being perhaps the most noticeable of their new items; it seems to be able to change Em's entire appearance at will.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
GM Dien wrote:
"The mining company that thou all labourest for... Dost thou imagine they shall gain access to this strata, to this temple? Thinkest thou that they wouldst try to claim the remainder of the Courageous?"
"Oh they'll definitely try. It does seem like the, um, Courageous can sorta pick who they bond with even before bein' picked out-- I think he sorta chose me same time as I chose him." Raka indicates her shield companion. "But there'll be people in the Company who don't so much care about that, an' I'm sure the ones in charge won't care a lick even if the miners do. They'll just see fancy dwarf stuff.
"We got down here, which means they'll wanna know how we did it. Then more'll come down here too. An' some of 'em are good people, o'course... but not all."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Oh yea, that reminds me.
"Hey Em," Raka clanks noisily over to her friend wearing her new armor. "I think the machine over there said somethin' about signin' the stuff out that we borrow. D'ya think you can put my name down for this stuff? One sword," she indicates the new sword at her belt, "one little axe," she indicates the handaxe, "one curvy bow an' a quiver of arrows," she indicates the composite (+4) longbow she grabbed as an afterthought, "an' one shiny new set o' plate armor." She grins and twirls girlishly, as though showing off a new dress.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"Those who would... opposed..." Raka's train of thought derails as she turns a corner to see rack after rack of weapons and a wide assortment of armor. Her face lights up. Jackpot.
She returns the axe to her belt-- no sense in letting it go, perhaps it would be a useful backup sometime-- carefully sets Bastion to lean against a shelf, and picks up a longsword. The axe she had been carrying had worked perfectly well, especially after Forgewise's improvements, but what she had really wanted was a sword. As her fingers close around the hilt, her mind drifts to those long days spent with Ciran. She pulls it from its sheath to admire the blade, then attaches it to her belt, feeling much better. She also grabs a much smaller axe, just in case the need arises for something lightweight.
Then she turns to the armor. As much as she trusts Bastion, with the prowess he had displayed just moments ago, it would be foolish of her not to take up the best armor she can find... right? She takes off the leather armor that had once belonged to their foreman and carefully removes the plate armor from its display.
Will take a longsword, a handaxe, and the half-plate armor.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Bastion wrote:
Ha HA! We have worked well together, defending your friend! it says to Raka. No matter that the defenses hadn't actually been tested. And a goodly cut! Whack! Like that! The wicked struck down! A blow for righteousness-- I only grieve to see that one of the stoneborn had become lost, like that.
"Yeah!" Raka says out loud in response to seemingly no one, raising her axe and whooping in triumph. She finds Bastion's enthusiasm infectious, and the fear of facing down such an unknowable and uncanny foe gives way to giddiness. "We did it! That was so cool, with those other shields, how'd ya do that?" The reality that, in fact, the protection magic had come from herself and not Bastion is lost on her.
If she doesn't get an answer right away she'll repeat the question via thought-speak.
* * * * *
In the Steel Vault, Raka leaves Xira-- or whomever, really-- to converse with the construct while she looks up and down the shelves. Wonder if there's anything useful in here. While material riches are certainly enticing, even if she manages to smuggle some out and even if there isn't some horrible curse on them, they're only of use to her on the surface. And nobody knows how to get back there yet.
So, Bastion, she says while perusing the shelves. Ya got interrupted earlier, you were gonna tell me about Trudd's second lesson or somethin'?
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"Argatha no!" With the man now front-and-center and taking the full brunt of the definitely-not-living dwarf's attacks, Raka can't possibly stand back and watch.
She charges into the room and pulls the axe from her belt, her shield held in front of her. On a silent suggestion from her companion-- not even spoken into her mind like before, but felt like an instinct-- she calls out a single word. "Challenge!"
Six translucent shields, like small versions of Bastion itself, surround the undead creature. One interposes itself unerringly between Argatha and the enemy, the other five surrounding it on all sides-- except in front of Raka, occupying the only gap between them.
Whoa.
Understanding immediately the implications of this new effect, she braces for impact.
Bastion of Good! Attacks by the creature against anyone but me (as long as they're within 10 feet of me) deal half damage. AC is now 19/12/18.
Move action: move
Move action: draw weapon
Swift action: Bastion of Good
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
By the stars...
Instinctively, Raka holds the golden shield in front of her at the first sign of movement inside the room. When its source is revealed, the part of her that feels foolish for brandishing her fine shield at its own maker (or one of them, at any rate) is pushed down by the weight of the years that brought her up.
Every legend (particularly those about what lay behind The Door), bedtime story (like Kishrak the Giant Dwarf and his sack of misbehaving children), and turn of phrase ("That merchant dwarfed me on every item") Raka had ever heard concerning the ancient people had always led her to the same conclusion:
Dwarves were not to be trusted.
Her new companion certainly gives her reason to think perhaps not every dwarf was what everyone said they were. But that's hardly comforting in the face of the first living dwarf anyone had seen in generations. Who knows what he's capable of.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"Mmmm... I think Brimble's got a point. We know there's somethin' dangerous up there, goblins or no. Maybe they're not likely ta come down after us, but I don't wanna take chances. Let's at least block up this door or somethin', so if they do come down they won't be able ta get very far."
I'm guessing Bastion wouldn't be able to fit through the hole?
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka stares in wonder at the improved axe in her hand, which had just split the puddle-creature in half with a single swipe. That's some upgrade! It doesn't occur to her that Bastion's influence and her own brute strength may have played their roles as well.
She takes her friend's advice, however. "Em, is there water in there I could use?" She indicates the bathroom.
If there is, Raka will wash the acid off as best she can in there.
She remembers then that her new companion had stayed oddly quiet through that brief ordeal. Bastion? Are you there? What was that thing?
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka looks apologetically at the weapon in her hand. "Sorry axe," she mutters. Then, for the second time in as many days, she swings it in an overhead chop straight at the stone floor.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Xiramona wrote:
She slides Zenith down her shirt with an apologetic thought.
...
"Raka," she murmurs, then forces her voice to its normal level. Whether or not it can hear, the thing already knows they're there after all. "I can improve your defenses with a force screen. If the blob shows any signs of getting through the door, I'll do it.
Of course I'm not jealous of Zenith. Sorry, what was the question?
Raka nods, her attention still focused on the closed door. "We need to end it now. Who knows if it needs to eat, or sleep, or can just chase us forever." She steps to the side, getting ready to open the door so that everyone will have a clear shot. "Everyone ready?"
Will wait until everyone has a readied action-- well, readied-- then I'll open the door.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
While the others fire off ranged attacks from a (more or less) safe distance, Raka jumps forward and holds out her gleaming shield in front of her, still hoping Bastion knows what this thing is. She wonders whether the shield itself, as large as it is, might be a more effective weapon against such a creature.
Readying an action for if the puddle attacks. Raka certainly isn't keen on slamming her new shield on the ground (what with her recent experience hitting the ground with things), but if it forms one of those pseudopods again she'll attack that.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Bastion, what the hells is this thing? And how do I kill it? Raka has heard of dangerous acids and poisons, but she certainly has never encountered a puddle that can move and attack on its own.
Does anyone have something they want to do that requires being adjacent to it? If not, Raka will move into that square to body-block. (A limitation of PbP, and this party especially, is that we don't really know what each other likes to do in combat.)
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
At the warning from Argatha, Raka brandishes Bastion in front of her and pulls the now better-than-ever axe from her belt.
Wait... a puddle? She's pretty sure her axe isn't really meant for cutting puddles. Bastion should prove useful though. "Get back after you strike. I'll cover you!"
Move action to draw weapon, not much else to do right now.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Called back to the here-and-now by Xira addressing her, Raka blinks and looks around to realize she had lost track of her surroundings during the introduction to, and bonding process with, Bastion.
"Oh, gosh. Um... you're right, we need to stick together. I dunno what she saw, but I'll go after her." She heads out in pursuit of her friend, motioning the others to follow. "I, um, guess we can introduce our new allies later," she adds, indicating her shield.
"Hold on-- was Em wearing purple?"
* * * * *
Raka follows after her friend, discussing with Bastion all the while. Yeah. It isn't really like Em ta head out in search o' danger like this, but I think I know what ya mean. An' it's hard ta know what t'do down here especially. I mean, nobody's seen any dwa-- any stoneborn since, well, long before I was born.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Ok I think I'm all set. I took the Sacred Shield archetype (probably not much of a surprise), trading Smite Evil for Bastion (heh) of Good which encourages the baddie to come after me instead of you as long as you stay close. I also plan on taking Warrior of the Holy Light, since I really don't see Raka casting spells, but at this rate I don't know if we'll ever reach level 4 lol.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
GM:
Yes! Let's do it.
Raka lifts the golden shield away from the others and slides her arm through the straps. It feels oddly lighter and more comfortable than she would have expected, as though she were in some measure already used to it being there.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka grunts audibly and briefly squeezes the golden shield, not for its own sake, but bracing against an invisible sensation. She now understands why Phantrel didn't exactly laud the benefits of having his sword.
GM:
I... can understand you now! Wait, is that all it took?
Hello, Bastion. Raka likes that name. Simple, easy to say. Not complicated like Thunder-follows-Lightning. Yea, we definitely need help. But the others need it even more than I do. I know they're gettin' companions of their own right now-- at least, I think they are-- but I'm hopin' I can...
She stops mid-thought as she finishes processing Bastion's words. Hang on, you know about Trudd? I keep seein' him and hearin' about him. I mean... I know I'm not a dwa-- a, um, stoneborn, but I think... if I was, he's a god I'da followed.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
GM:
Raka blinks. Can... can this shield hear my thoughts? It wouldn't even be the craziest thing she had encountered since waking up this morning.
Tetch? Um... oh, teach? Teach you my... lang... language! Oh! Like Phantrel's sword did, and now he can speak dwarf!
Raka realizes mid-thought that the shield may or may not have any idea what she meant by this. Sorry-- yes. You can teach me it. Although, she adds with a hint of embarrassment, I'm... not so good at learnin' stuff. Em was always the smart one. It might take me longer.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Such secretive conversations!
Raka moves into the room, as eager as any of the others. She'd never seen so much as a single weapon so finely-crafted, except perhaps Thunder-follows-Lightning, and here is a whole collection of them. "This place is incredible."
She can't help but notice that, contrary to her expectations, not all of the items in the room are weapons. She even watches Xira choose one such item, what looks to Raka like a ball of glass. I guess you could, like, throw it or somethin'. Maybe it's more dangerous than it looks.
For herself, Raka turns back to the deadlier implements. She debates whether to choose an axe or a hammer, wondering how Xira had selected her item so quickly. She reaches her hand out first to one and then to another, unable to decide. An axe is probably closer to her sword training, but then again a hammer might be more versatile...
Trying to decide, her gaze slides away from them and falls onto a couple of shields. She probably shouldn't choose one of those, she needs something that can--
Wait.
An eight-sided shield depicts a mountain rising over the sea, a mountain she recognizes immediately. It's stylized a bit: there's some kind of tower at the top, and the buildings which should surround it at the base aren't there, but she would know that mountain anywhere.
Salt Spire.
Home.
She abandons the axes and hammers, not giving them another glance, and moves closer to the shields. The one that had caught her eye is beautiful, seemingly made entirely of gold. Part of her hardly dares to touch such an exquisite and priceless item, but another part of her yearns to do just that. Tentatively, she reaches out and picks it up.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka thinks over each of the charges carefully as Forgewise says them. They seem to matter a great deal to him, so in exchange for his help the least Raka can do is pay attention.
GM Dien wrote:
"First, that thou swear not to sell these weapons, either for coin or other material profit.
Easy, she thinks. Although the minin' people might have somethin' else to say about it. I guess havin' it taken away by the rich an' powerful isn't the same as--
GM Dien wrote:
"Second, that thou wilt not give or yield them to any evil being, or to one whom thou thinkest intends evil with them. Better to throw them into the depths of the sea than that.
...Oh. Raka wouldn't consider the Golden Mining Company evil per se, but she certainly wouldn't vouch for them. She wonders how easy it would be to hide her new weapon, if they ever manage to return home.
GM Dien wrote:
"Third and last, that you treat these items with the same respect thou wouldst a peer, for they are entities with their own wills, not mere crafted objects.
Raka has to stop herself from stealing a mischievous glance at Em and Xira. Which peers, exactly, will Forgewise expect her to treat it like?
GM Dien wrote:
"If these charges be not too onerous, then I shall bequeath them to thy care, as temporary guardians."
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka returns to the room, somewhat awkwardly. She doesn't know exactly what was said between Colin, Phantrel, and Forgewise, but it's clear her two companions successfully talked him down from the ledge, as it were. The grief Forgewise still feels is palpable, however, even across the language barrier that separates her from him.
She waits for the translation of his words (maybe Xira does the Dwarven-to-Taldane and Phantrel does Taldane-to-Dwarven?), but she balks somewhat at the mention of 'charges' associated with finding the other sentient weapons. It sounds like these things have some kinda ritual importance ta them, at least for the dwarves. Are we gonna be, like, committed to 'em? Is somebody gonna hold us ta this?
On the other hand... do we have a choice?
Raka steps forward. "I'll take your charges and carry one." If it gives her the best odds of protecting her friends and allies, promising to use a particular sword or whatever seems like a small price to pay.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
"Oh, I really don't like this..."
While Phantrel and Colin attempt to talk Forgewise down, Raka sidles around the room toward the door without getting any closer to him. "Xira-I-think-somethin'-bad's-about-ta-happen-ta-the-celery-we-need-ta-move !" Putting her body between the rapidly-heating Forgewise and her friend, who is already close to the door, she pushes Xira further away from the threat.
Not gonna force anyone into anything, Xira is free to refuse to move if she wants.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka blinks. "A dwarf... is alive?"
She quickly takes off her backpack, where she had stashed the remaining glowing daggers, and produces them for Forgewise to see. "I had assumed these were magicky or somethin'. You mean these other dwarves are alive too?
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Cool!
Sense Motive (DC 15):1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15 Can't possibly make a DC 20.
Even though she's only getting his words via translation, Raka notices this is the second time Forgewise has mentioned being in Heaven.
"Y'know," she says softly to the others in Common, "he seems pretty fond of bein' in Heaven. I mean he sure seems ta like makin' stuff, but d'you think he'd be happier just goin' back up there?"
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
Raka lingers on the statue of Trudd for a while, then moves on. Whatever the smiling god might have wanted to give to his followers, and wanted from them in return, is long gone.
Sense Motive (DC 18):1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17 Awww, so close!
Raka feels as though she can almost get a better sense of the-- what did Xira call it? A celery?-- creature's true intentions, but being unable to speak his language, the finer points still elude her. His chanted words are oddly soothing, however.
She readily relinquishes the axe upon hearing the translated conversation. It seems like the celery genuinely wants only to fix it, and in its ruined state it isn't nearly the lifeline that it was when she first picked it up.
Female Human Paladin/Warrior 1 | AC: 21/10/21 | HP: 16/17 | Fort +5*, Ref +1*, Will +1* (+1 vs poisons/spells/SLA's) | CMB +6, CMD 17 | Initiative: +1 | Perception: -1 | Conditions: (none)
While a few of the others converse with Forgewise-- some directly, others via translation-- Raka takes the opportunity to look around the room with Brimble. The dwarf-creature had confirmed that this place, or at least this specific room, is indeed a temple. Therefore, these statues along the far wall must be depictions of various dwarven deities. So many!
As amazing as dwarven crafting skills were, the statues are surprisingly... humble. Not plain, and certainly not crude, but Raka would have expected them to be larger. The world map and night sky somewhere above her had been much more aw-inspiring than these shrines to the gods. Maybe it's so they could reach the tops, she thinks with a chuckle.
She glances at each in turn: an elderly gauntleted dwarf, a dirty veil concealing one probably too impolite to be displayed, a dwarf wielding a two-handed axe, a female dwarf bedecked in and surrounded by wealth and scintillating colors, an unarmed and unarmored dwarf surrounded by offerings (presumably from the faithful)...
Raka stops at the sixth alcove. An armored dwarf fashioned from grey granite and lapiz lazuli with a much shorter beard than the others stands in this alcove, smiling up at her. Actually smiling, warmly and reassuringly, in a way Raka had assumed the dwarves incapable. But that wasn't what had caught her attention. On the kindly dwarf's arm was--
I've seen that shield. Her thoughts immediately jump back to a time not so long ago-- a few days and a lifetime-- when a rune nestled in the lines of gold had jumped out at her. Surrounding this dwarf are other tiny shields, some with the same shape, others quite different. She doesn't know the significance of these, although she assumes they were left here by his followers.
"This god," Raka says aloud to Forgewise, having lost track of the rest of the conversation. "What's his name?"
She doesn't need a translator to understand the answer: Trudd. It was the one Lady Saltspire had told her about. Seeing him depicted here, it's even more clear he's a god that, had she been a dwarf, Raka would have followed.
Don't be afraid, he seemed to say, by his posture and sturdy shield and that reassuring smile. I'll handle it.
