Reno Jackson's page

Hey guys, sorry I've been so quiet this past week. I can't explain why, but it's been really difficult to force myself to sit down and update the campaigns I'm in, both as a player and as a DM. I regret leaving you all hanging for this long and I don't intend to abandon ship, if you'll all still have me; I just need to get back into my creative mindstate and this flu I had for a few days recently really took it out of me.

As soon as I'm able to, I'll resume my regular schedule. I'll be trying every day...I'm just finding it very difficult to focus and just think. My mind is very...unsettled. Anxious. I don't know what kind of mental fugue I'm in but I want to get through it and be done. I don't like struggling this much just to write a few simple paragraphs of text.

Sorry about this, guys. I feel like I fall off my regular posting schedule all too often, every month practically, and all I have to say is that I'm thankful to be able to come back and rejoin my online gaming crew.

Just wanted to give you all an update so you don't think I died or something. :)

Reno nods at Himnon. "Let's go investigate the manor's statue ourselves, then. No time like the present." and with that, the paladin is off down the cobbled road, gesturing over his shoulder for the others to follow.

"Whether we know about how to destroy it or not, we should go closer to the manor and investigate it personally," the paladin suggests. He feels a bit more confident now that he's wearing his own armor and girded with his own weapon again. No more sparkly breastplates.

Super busy day at work, post inc tomorrow

Ysolde knocked on the door of one of the inhabited manors, and we're waiting to see who answers.

Reno crosses his arms and stays near by to Shyness as she tries the door of the abandoned manor. If anyone unsavory was lurking within, he'd protect her from it.

Whoops. I had a feeling I was wrong there, thanks for confirming. I'll make some adjustments to my sheet.

Well, I wasn't able to salvage my own gear from Drazhu's lair, so I'm working with very little right now. Still, hopefully I can find some armor in Balderdale that can replace the glittery goblin garb I'm wearing right now. If I can't afford it with what gold I found in the slave pits, then I'll trade away one of my treasures for a proper weapon and armor.

Seeking:
1 weapon
1 small backup weapon
1 shield
1 suit of armor (according to what I can afford)
Field rations
adventurer's gear

I have the following to trade with:
Unknown amount of gold looted from Drazhu's mines

A pouch of some kind of red liquid in a vial, it fizzes slightly and smells like strawberry

If someone already mentioned how much gold I found, I apologize because I overlooked it.

Also, if there's a Church I'd like to see if they would let me wear a holy symbol to channel my magic through. At least until Sora's church becomes established.

What time of day is it sir GM?

Are they dilapidated and abandoned or dilapidated and inhabited by poor people?

"That's as good a suggestion as any. While I was working as Drazhu's diplomat, I made quite a few enemies in all of the cities I visited on his behalf. I know now that it's because Drazhu himself is repugnant and evil, but back then I just thought I was a crappy diplomat." he rubs the back of his head thoughtfully. "I guess that could still be true. Regardless, I'll be hanging back when we introduce ourselves to anyone who is in charge of these cities we visit. Balderdale it is, then! While we traveled to these cities in the past, I always took care of the trailblazing...I could do so again."

Trailblazing roll: 2d6 + 0 ⇒ (1, 1) + 0 = 2

Reno's diplomacy trips always took a very long time to get anywhere. As Reno trailblazes for the group, the reason why becomes immediately apparent. :( XP marked.

Just so you know, if and when Amaranth finds out you are invulnerable to fire, she's going to be all over you.

Why do you think he picked the boon?

Reno steps forward. "If you're needing followers for this Reformed Church, count me in. I've seen what you can do and I've seen you in the terrible situation of being enslaved. Your interpretation of what a church should be is the one we should follow."

He pounds his fist on his chest, unfortunately the glittery armor ruins the drama of the effect somewhat. "I swear, we will see the Church of Auhra rebuilt."

Quest: I will see Sora's vision become a reality.

I'd like the following two boons:
Invulnerability to Fire
No need to eat, drink, or sleep

The GM will then tell you what vow or vows is required of you to maintain your blessing:

Honor (forbidden: cowardly tactics and tricks)
Temperance (forbidden: gluttony in food, drink, and pleasure of the flesh)
Piety (required: observance of daily holy services)
Valor (forbidden: suffering an evil creature to live)
Truth (forbidden: lies)
Hospitality (required: comfort to those in need, no matter who they are)

Busy dipping my toe in the water of WoW again with Legion tonight, guys. Sorry

Reno perks his ears up at Sora's question. As a diplomat, religions weren't part of his official job description, but he always found that faith saw him through the most difficult of challenges. Perhaps he could learn more about the official churches of the land now that he wasn't working for Drazhu anymore.

Loots!: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12

Alignment: I put myself in danger to aid Himnon over the rope bridge, +1

+3 for the three questions

Bonds:

I'll feel nervous around Ysolde, guilty about my past behavior when I was one of Drazhu's lackeys. I can see now that I was acting like an ass, but it was under the lich's orders. My bond with Ysolde is: "I will redeem myself for my past actions in Nathan's eyes."

Sora's wings are beautiful, and she was kind to me in a moment of deepest despair when I was first thrown down here. I want to protect her.

Himnon's magic is an unknown factor to me. Hopefully I can get, and stay, on his good side. UPDATED TO: I saved Himnon from falling off the rope bridge. Time will tell if he feels that he owes me anything for it. +1 XP

The fire elemental seems overtly friendly but I'm not sure I trust it.

+5 XP total, which brings me to 10, which means I'll spend 8 XP to level up and bring me back down to 2 XP at level 2, and I'll pick:

Hospitaller: +1d8 whenever I heal someone.

Reno ignores him. Let the wretch go free for now.

"Jokes on you, Drazhu! Paladins are the glitteriest profession of all!" Reno looks down at his goblinoid armor, covered in sparkles, and is thankful that the armor is only meant to be temporary.

He spends a few more moments in silent prayer, thanking the Light for its blessings with his hands clasped together over the necromancer's corpse.

He looks over at Amaranth, wondering if he should attempt to Lay on Hands.

"COMING, COMING!" the paladin shouts as he rushes into the room, still flicking off zombie gore and guts from his goblinoid armor.

He hears Sora's words and knows that he must do what he can.

He kneels before the lich's body. "I'm going to admit first and foremost that I've never done this before," he says to the others. "But, uh...I do know that for important and holy rituals, having everyone else join in usually tends to help. Himnon, Sora, put one hand on my shoulders and join hands with everyone else around Drazhu's body, while I pray."

The paladin lowers his head, closing his eyes as he attempts to commune with the Light.

I know I'm no priest. I can't even call myself a holy man, not really. But the resurrection of this foul necromancer must work against your divine plans, whatever those are. So I beseech you, Light. Fill this wretch's corpse with your goodness and prevent his soul from housing itself within, ever again. This I pray...

[dice=Usually my "holy" related rolls are Charisma based, so...]2d6+1[/dice]

Luckily I positioned everyone nearby...hopefully one of them Aids my roll to a 7.

Having disposed of the zombies, eventually, I will be running up to join the others in the room; helping as I can. Am I in time to attempt an Aid roll on Sora?

If so,: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (1, 4) + 1 = 6

Crap...hope not...

Seeing the zombies undeterred by his shouting, Reno says, "I'll have to dispose of you myself, then!"

Drawing his two-handed clumsy warhammer, he begins sweeping it back and forth in wide arcs, trying to crush the zombies.

Hack and Slash - clumsy tag: 2d6 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (6, 4) + 2 - 1 = 11
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Sorry for not posting any updates yesterday guys, I was under the weather. Will be updating today.

Looking over his shoulder at the others, he thinks to himself, Oh no! Their damage sucks! They need my help!

Then he returns his attention to the three or four zombies fruitlessly attempting to chew on him. With his Mark of Divine Authority, even these mindless creatures would have to respect him on an instinctive level.

"KNEEL AND FALL IN REPENTANCE BEFORE THE LIGHT, FOUL CREATURES, AND TROUBLE US ALL NO MORE! ATONE FOR YOUR SINS!" he shouts, raising his voice to the top of his lungs to be heard over the groaning and shuffling zombie horde.

I AM THE LAW!: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 2) + 1 = 8

✴ On a 7+, they choose one:

Do what you say
Back away cautiously, then flee
Attack you

If I'm imagining the scene correctly we have two orcs ahead of us and a group of zombies behind, right? If that's the case...

Seeing the undead horde shambling toward them as the rest of his friends engage Drazhu, he knows what he must do. Kneeling, the half-elf scoops up some dirt and smears it on his forehead before lowering his head to his knees in a short prayer.

Light protect me and help me to defend Sora from the iniquity of undeath that besets her. Grant me the authority to hold these foul constructs at bay.

Paladin move: Quest

When you dedicate yourself to a mission through prayer and ritual cleansing, state what you set out to do:

Defend Sora from the iniquities that beset them

Then choose up to two boons:

An unwavering sense of direction to X .
Invulnerability to zombie claws and teeth.
A mark of divine authority.
Senses that pierce lies
A voice that transcends language
A freedom from hunger, thirst, and sleep

The GM will then tell you what vow or vows is required of you to maintain your blessing:

Honor (forbidden: cowardly tactics and tricks)
Temperance (forbidden: gluttony in food, drink, and pleasure of the flesh)
Piety (required: observance of daily holy services)
Valor (forbidden: suffering an evil creature to live)
Truth (forbidden: lies)
Hospitality (required: comfort to those in need, no matter who they are)

If his desperate prayer is heard, Reno will rise to his feet and stride boldly at the zombie hoard encroaching on their battle. The dirt smear on his forehead now blazes with a brilliant white, and he doesn't even seem to feel it when their claws rake at his flesh. The others will have to deal with Drazhu and his minion while I hold these zombies off... he thinks to himself as he stares down the horde.

Reno glances back at the crackling magic of the energy wall of light that blocks the zombies, and whistles slowly.

Sorry! I tried to catch up on everything that was said but I guess my reading comprehension wasn't at its highest at the time. I intended to leave with you.

Errr, whoops. I meant to come with you. I think I might have got the directions confused. Weren't you heading out?

Reno doesn't stick around to see what the zombies are doing, unless someone gets caught up in one of their claws. If nobody does, he's hightailing it outta there right now through the east passage.

Reno gulps at the thought of flight...he's never done it before. Still, the others feel comfortable in the skies, why shouldn't he?

He braces himself near the East door, ready to open at the same time as Sora herself.

"I'm with you," Reno says, moving to stand next to her. "Shall we get going? We're burning daylight. Assuming it's day."

He decides not to go for the gems. No need to try his luck hoping it wasn't boobytrapped.

"No," says Reno, stepping forward and addressing everyone present in a loud and clear voice. Here, closer to the open air and tasting freedom once again, the half-elf feels some of his boldness returning.

"I want to ask Drazhu a few questions myself...some very direct, very pointed questions. But now is not the time. We should regroup and approach him when he least expects us, not when he is on high alert about escaped slaves. I vote that we head for Balderdale, to the south of here. It's the closest thing in close proximity to Drazhu's fortress resembling a large town, and we might be able to recruit some additional help there. Trust me...we'll need all the help we can get."

As he speaks, his attention is grabbed by the strange statue's gemstone-eyes. He thinks about it carefully. Spout Lore: 2d6 - 1 ⇒ (3, 6) - 1 = 8

Aid Himnon: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

Reno hadn't had time to form a bond with Himnon yet, but the paladin couldn't just let the mage fall. With a grunt, Reno catches the mage by the wrist with both hands, keeping him from falling and lifting him back up to the rope as best he can, groaning and straining from the effort.

DD Strength!: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 2 = 7

"Let's do this, then. No telling when more of Drazhu's goons might find us." so saying, Reno approaches their end of the tied-off rope and tugs on it. Calling across to Sora, he asks, "It's firmly tied off? Confirmed?" Assuming it is, he will grab hold of the rope and hang down below it, making sure to loop his legs up and over the rope as he does so. Carefully but with as much haste as he could muster, he climbs across the chasm.

"I remember saying the same thing once...right before a huge disaster," the paladin mutters to himself, staring doubtfully at the broom.

Reno nods, glad to move on from this subject of conversation. It never ended well whenever the topic was explored too deeply in mixed company. "Come on, then," he says, heading off toward the bridge and beckoning over his shoulder."[/b]

Reno's eyes widen a little at the self-given appellation of "saint," but doesn't comment on that. He's in no position to be rude, even if he had the inclination.

"I'm Reno. I used to work for Drazhu, until he revealed his true colors. If this broom can get us out of here, I'm willing to give it a shot. I certainly don't have any better ideas. I'm afraid I haven't been much use to us so far." As he admits this, his demeanor hardens, his backbone stiffens up a little bit, and he holds himself up straighter. "But that won't be the case any longer. I'm ready to throw myself into this escape attempt wholeheartedly. What can I do?"

3 XP marked, no bonds resolved yet.

Reno shakes himself out of the wordless torpor he had been sitting in. "How's a broom going to help us?"

Hey, so I hate to ask, but I'm over 200 posts behind. Could I get a quick recap that would fit in a Tweet so I know where we are and what happened? Thanks in advance for anyone that could help me out. Normally I'd read each one, but I'm also trying to get caught up on other campaigns today as well. :)

For new players, hi! I'm Reno Jackson, half-elf paladin. I was formerly employed by Drazhu as his diplomat/emissary - basically playing the role of this guy from 300, minus the part where I get kicked into a pit. Actually, NOT minus that part, that actually did happen to me - only it was my employer, not my enemy, who kicked me. Drazhu took issue with my sudden attack of conscience after I discovered his penchant for necromancy.

Apart from that I haven't really done much, so my character is still fairly new. I have a prior relationship with Kara Silvertongue but not anyone else that I'm aware of.

Hey all, just letting everyone know that I feel very refreshed and revitalized after taking a week away from the forums entirely. I've got a lot to catch up on, but I've begun working on just that, and I hope to have updated every campaign I'm part of by early afternoon. Thanks for your patience once again.

Hey all. Since you're all so patient with me (and I do very much appreciate that), I've made a decision.

Rather than half-ass this break and come back today, before I feel fully ready to, I'm taking the rest of the week off.

Updates will resume in full next Monday. I promise, I'll be fully 100% again by then, and my posts will continue as normal. Just need a bit of a break week to let my brain relax and re-gather some creative inspiration.

I'll be spending the free time this week reading, mostly, and collecting ideas that I can use in characterization, plot, and setting.

Thanks for your patience everyone.

Additional note: I know it's terrible for me to be doing this right at the start, I hope I don't negatively affect the campaign in any way. I look forward to coming back on Monday.

Reno looks down at his shabby armor, his cobbled-together weaponry. "Running sounds like a good idea," he observes to the others, as the battle rages on elsewhere.

e.g. "I use...POT OF GREED! It allows me to draw two cards from my deck!" -Yu-gi-oh

Yeah, we should be all anime-style with calling out our abilities and describing them as we use them. That'll help Thunk-GM. ;)

Dodge the net! Dex: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6

Reno, like Sora, is caught in the orc's net when he tries to roll out of the way. "Rrrrraaaarrgh!" he shouts in anger, struggling against its ensnaring coils!

Break free! Str: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (1, 4) + 2 = 7

I'll take it if you don't want it! I can use it alongside my shield instead of the two-handed goblin hammer I have right now.

Reno catches on to the deception that Sora's trying on the whipmaster and tries to help, himself. He stands in the doorway leading into the room that the orcs are standing in, and points off behind him.

"It was a slave uprising, sir!" he says to the large orc, trying to sound like he used to when he worked as Drazhu's lackey. "A few of the stronger ones rose up against the goblin guards - but I took up arms against them! Can we help you get the rest of them and be rewarded?" he brandishes his hammer and looks eagerly at the big orc.

Lie: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 1 = 6

Damnit!

I'll add the bonds to my profile in a sec too.

Reno also makes sure to grab the tunnel hammer, holding it in a grip that favors the strength of his left hand over his right, and strapping the shield to his back for later.

"Well, now I'm armed and armored...pfeh..." he scoffs a little as he looks down at himself. He didn't normally like to think of himself as vain, but looking as shabby as he did right now didn't sit right with him. The memory of being at the elevated position of Drazhu's diplomat still sat fresh in his mind.

Nathan is just wincing to himself as he pulls on the dirty cloth and leather armor. Now's no time to be squeamish about dirt and filth...ugh, it looked like the previous owner of this undershirt used his sleeve as a tissue too many times. Goblin snot. Lovely...

Shaking himself free of his sense of disgust, Reno approaches Nathan, blushing a little. "I prefer diplomat, yes. And I would use this shield, but I have nothing to trade...unless you want this armor I just put on."

After he and Nathan reach a deal, he turns to Sora. "I think you have the right idea," he says. "If more guards come and discover what we've done, the Whipmaster will torture us all to death. Come on, let's use this map we found on the dwarf and get out of here!" he points at it.