Happy you are all excited still. Should I wait for Robert?
Nah, probably better to keep things rolling.
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Oh, also. Olmstead will be a crit gifter, we'll see how it works in practice, so if anyone wants to carry a high crit modifier weapon, that could be interesting.
I took stealth as a skill for Olmstead, as well. Plus in two levels he'll have access to this little beauty.... Mind Eye (Sp): As a standard action, you can expend 1 point of mental focus to create a mind eye—a magical sensor through which you can see and hear. The mind eye is invisible and its size is Fine, giving it an AC of 18. Any amount of damage to the eye destroys it, but it can be harmed by only spells or magic weapons. The eye moves with a fly speed of 60 feet with perfect maneuverability and can travel up to 1 mile away from you. You must concentrate as a standard action to direct the eye and receive sensory images through it. The mind eye sees as your eyes see, including any additional senses you possess (such as darkvision or see invisibility). The mind eye lasts for 1 minute per occultist level you possess. You must be at least 5th level to select this focus power. This should help with scouting and surveying :)
"Rii are Those Left Behind..." Mr. Gylibi reads the title of the fable aloud. "Well, it does not sound familiar to me..." he takes a moment longer looking over the cover, but when he next places his hand upon the book he feels a surge of power stir deep within its pages, which passes through his finger, up his arm, and resides like an ardent, resilient warmth in his chest. With a surprised jump, the book seller unintentionally recoils away from the book, even though the sensation was not unpleasant, and casts a look of surprise at the customer. Looking back across the counter toward the book seller, Olmstead only raises an eyebrow and flashes a knowing smile, but does not speak in reply. "May I?" Mr. Gylibi asks, motioning to the book. Olmstead nods in agreement, allowing the expert to further look over and delve into the pages of the tome. There is again rush of warm, soothing energy that infests the book seller as his skin contacts the book, but this time he manages to remain calm and accept the pleasurable sensation. Gently, and ever slowly, Mr. Gylibi flips the item over and sees a faded block of text covering the back cover in the spare places where grime and burn marks do not reach. The book seller leans in close and begins to read, his eyes scanning side to side and his mouth moving slightly, uttering unintelligible words here and there. While he waits for the book seller, Olmstead reaches into pack and pulls free a small sheet of parchment, now crumpled due to how unceremoniously the old man pulled its hiding place. Next he pulls a few small vials of thick, sludgy liquid, each its own vibrant, lively color. With a small paintbrush, Oldstead begins to swipe here and there with the brush and dole out a few splotches of brilliant orange onto the creased piece of parchment. As he waits, he continues to paint and pass the time. A little while later, Mr. Gylibi looks up having finished reading the back cover of the book. He initially looks on, oddly watching as Olmstead continues to paint as a large orange sphere begins to take shape on the sheet. "Rii are Those Left Behind," the book seller begins. "It appears to be fable or warning for children about listening to one's parents and expresses, quite heavy handed, the need to fit in with your family. The importance of trying to work together and for each person to be thankful for what you have. Apparently this author chose the route of trying to scare children in order to capture these young reader's attention by creating the image of a lonely, nameless creature that will gather and collect the unsatified children by luring them away. It seems, drawn to their wishes for better mothers... fathers... siblings." "It seems to imply that if they stray too far from their family, this nameless thing hears their unspoken thoughts and comes for them to fill its own loneliness. It is forever alone but tires quickly of its playthings once collected, and forever searches for more friends. Thus the fable scares children into being content with what they have." "I've never heard of this tale before," he admits. "It doesn't sound particularly well written or even teach a particular useful lesson..." Mr. Gylibi continues on, mumbling about the book as he flips it right-side-up, the gently opens the cover to the first page. Olmstead continues to paint and nods along in agreement with the book seller's words.
A well dressed man pushes open the door of the small, quaint shop in a fluid motion, dipping his head to keep his tall, chimey pot hat from hitting the upper sill. A few wordless steps later and he his standing before the overweight, though very well put together man behind the counter, who raises his nose from deep within a book to greet to new customer. "Greetings, sir," says the man behind the counter. "Welcome to Gylibi's Rare Books... I'm Walter Gylibi, the owner. What can I help you with?" his voice is cheerful and honest, and does not seem to be bothered by the interruption to his reading. The new arrival is well dressed in collared shirt and tie, overcoat, and stove pipe hat. Oddly, showing beneath his overcoat, but above his dress shirt, is an exquisitely crafted, bordering even on fashionable, suit of beautiful chainmail. Another oddity of the man's dress is the casual manner in which he wears it, dress shirt with a few buttons undone, tie loosened and uncinched, shirt untucked, and top hat tilted at a rakish angle. Even the dark stubble, casting the hint of a dark shadow across his face relays the same impression as his dress, he is simply wearing the clothing of a noble in order to pass off as one. He adjusts the rapier at his side and opens his coat enough to reveal an old book, patched and rebound, clearly on the verge of tatters, which is strapped to himself by means of leather cords holding it securely and safely to his person. After a moment spent fiddling with the cords, the book is released and the newcomer sets it gently on the counter. As the book touches the table, he turns and the shopkeeper sees what looks to be a paper wrapper with a cherry inside, which the stranger raises to his lips in a flash. A moment later, the stranger is chewing on something and with a wave of his hands the wrapper is gone from sight. "Good evening, Sir," the stranger says, tipping his hat. "I would like to know if you've seen this book before, or any others like it," he says as his eyes peer strikingly at the shopkeeper. As he speaks, the book seller finally realizes the man before him is quite old, and not some young, foppish royal like he had previously thought. "Yes, of course," Mr. Gylibi starts, but pauses before looking at the book. "Mr. ... erm.... ahh..." The new comer stands silent for a moment, a hint of anger flashing across his face at why the must exchange names. Either the shop keep knows something or he does not, knowing each other's name shouldn't change that fact in the slightest, would be the obvious thought behind his gaze. "Olmstead," says Olmstead, trying and failing to mask his annoyance. "Great, Mr. Olmstead. Pleasure to meet you, now let's have a look," Mr. Gylibi says, lowering his gaze to the book, all the while still smiling and unperturbed by the unsocialized actions of Mr. Olmstead. His hands trace along the cover of book, and feel the ragged edges of the pages underneath. It is clear this book is decently old, but not ancient nor particularly valuable looking. It has clearly been rebound at least a few times and by a very unskilled hand that in all actuality probably caused more damage to the tome than good. What is further still, it appears to some kind of children's book or fable. Rii are Those Left Behind... The book seller reads the title then finds his eyes focusing on the faded image of young girl standing alone amidst of darkened copse of trees. From one hand hangs the sad form of a stuffed bear, and her back to the viewer, as if she is starring off or possibly waiting for something's approach.
Email Chris too about your ID Rager backstory idea - (or I will bump him to check this thread out if he hasn't yet) because there could be some really cool synergy with the idea he came up with and ran by me yesterday. I'm here already... just reading and trying to catch up. Thanks for the great stories to read on a Saturday afternoon :) |