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Hello! I have never played PFS before, but I would like to give it a try. Would you be willing to have an organized play newbie on board? I would be playing a level 1 PFS compliant version of this character, a Deaf Lore Oracle. I should be able to get the character set up later tonight.
Upon closer inspection, each figure is wearing a motley suit of full plate made from scrap, with rusty, spiked edges and painted to give it a fearsome visage; the image of a hawk is most prominent.
Scholar watches Groog look up, then wave at the wall. Though she can see the guards stop inside the gate and turn to face the group, they are too far to see their lips (assuming, of course, that these ones have lips), so she doesn't know if they are welcoming the group or threatening them. Regardless, letting Groog do the talking doesn't seem like the best plan, so Scholar straps her shield to her arm while she walks into a position where she can look back and forth between Groog and the guards. She leaves her Mace at her hip, her free hand raised non threateningly in a greeting as she smiles at the guards past the gate. "Greetings! My companions and I have traveled far to come to Scrapwall. We have items for trade, and several possible business propositions to discuss with various individuals here. May we enter?" Her eyes flicker back and forth between Groog and the guards. "Groog, what did you say to the nice men?"
I am going to be going to a wedding this weekend, so will be doing a lot of driving and meeting with family over the next three days. I may be able to post brief actions from my phone, but won't be able to do anything substantive until Monday.
"I think you've got the right idea, Sunset, Gaius. Scrapwall is a lawless collection of individuals, but they are loosely organized into a number of groups. There are at least four gangs I know of; the Steel Hawks, Redtooth's Raiders, the Lords of Rust, and of course the Smilers we have already met. The Lords of Rust bow to the unknown being Hellion that claims to be a god, and they are the group we have been sent to stop." "There is no law in Scrapwall, except the law of the wild; the strong survive and take what they wish, and the weak perish. They don't sell things here, individuals either barter for goods or take what they want if they can. It is doubtful that the weaker gangs are happy being overshadowed by the lords of rust. If one of the weaker groups are not solely comprised of psychotic cannibals, we may be able to ally ourselves with them to help work together to expand their territory and influence. If we are able to form a coalition of the less powerful gangs and those too weak to be part of a gang, we may be able to work together to bring down the Smilers and the Lords of Rust, to everyone's benefit." "There may also be individual creatures that we may either ally with or may have to deal with in some way. I have heard of a mutated manticore, a mysterous worshipper of Brigh and spirits that haunt the eastern portion of Scrapwall. We should be wary of these possible threats, although the Brigh worshipper at least could potentially be an ally." "I don't think we necessarily need to try and infiltrate or rely overly much on stealth. There is no central authority in Scrapwall, so while we will always be in danger, I don't think we need to worry about facing a coordinated response just by arriving." "I would be in favor of attempting to contact the Steel Hawks to determine if they would be open to the prospect of an alliance. What do all of you think our approach should be?"
As Scholar finishes bandaging the wounded soldiers, she will tilt her head pensively. "I think you're right Sunset, it sounds like there will be a lot of opposition in Scrapwall, but most of it unorganized. We should have an opportunity there." Images of discord, conflict and death fill her mind. "We can rest here, and decide how to proceed in the morning." Scholar will spend the rest of the day building a fire and heating up some trail rations to eat, providing long term care for the soldiers, and relaxing by painting.
Well....Groog+investigation focused adventuring will be interesting. Scholar is probably well suited for that sort of thing though. I am good with either approach.
Scholar will provide what magical healing she can for the soldiers, one spell each, then will get out her healer's kit and begin to clean and bandage the remaining wounds. She misses her companion's statements while she tends the wounded, but does see Andalen's statements. "We will stay here for the next day or two while you recover. We are on our way to Scrapwall to investigate the source of an attack on a town. Any information you can give us about Scrapwall would be greatly appreciated." _____________________
"Small Tarl, Sunset, can you watch Groog? I am going to go see if Gaius is wounded." Scholar gently, but firmly extricates herself from the Orc's grip, and heads over towards where she saw Gaius go. "Gaius? I wanted to check and make sure you didn't get hur-" As she rounds the corner, she sees the abused prisoners and stops abruptly, her eyes widening. "Oh no! Let me take a look at you, I may be able to help. I have some supplies to clean and bandage your wounds." Scholar begins to examine each of the former captives in turn. As she looks them over, she introduces herself. "My name is Scholar. I can't hear," she taps her ear, "but I can see what you are saying if I watch your lips. I apologize if I may have to ask you to repeat yourself at some point." ____________________
Scholar's eyes widen as a startled expression crosses her face as Groog picks her up. She laughs as Groog shakes her. "Easy Groog, easy! Just once more, alright? I can't do this too many times before I need to rest.". She places her hands on the side of Groog's head, and casts one more Cure Light Wounds. "Can you put me down now, please? I need to see to the others." She looks over her shoulder at Small Tarl as Groog holds her. "The spherical device is known as a gas grenade; when the metal pin is removed, the device will explode in a cloud of toxic gas a few seconds later. The mask is designed to protect against this, and other airborne poisons. It contains a filter that removes toxins from the air, to clean the air the wearer breathes. Further, the filter contains a compartment to accept stored galvanic power. I have never seen one before, but based on the writings I studied at the university of Leipzig, I believe it is theorized to operate on the principles of electrostatic repulsion as demonstrated by the experiments regarding silk rubbed with glass, and the subsequent experiments regarding the attraction of dust particles. It is really quite ingenious; the poison is attracted by an invisible galvanic force that pulls it away from the air intake, augmenting the efficacy of the physical barrier." She pauses to frown at the jars of pink goo. "The jars are a chemical known as soothe. They heal recent wounds, but with horrific scarring and induce a mild state of confusion. Don't let Groog near those, they may damage his mind in ways that would be difficult to fix."
Scholar will follow Groog back, catching him as he shoves a wire through the erstwhile leader's head. She places her hand on the head to briefly stop him. "Groog, no! You're badly hurt. Let me help you first, then you can take the man's head after we remove his mask." Scholar places her hands on Groog, and healing warmth flows into him. His wounds close.
As she finishes, she gently but firmly takes the mask off Ehwar's head. "Feel better Groog?" She smiles at him. She looks over her shoulder as Small Tarl nudges a small pile of gathered equipment towards her that brushes her foot. "Ooooo..." Scholar's lips form an 'O' as her face lights up in excitement. She intently studies each item in turn, moving her hands in a sign to provide mystical guidance to her work. When she comes to the mask, she enters a short trance before pronouncing its purpose.
Scholar's mouth drops open and her eyes widen as Groog comes running past her, covered in a blood and huge gaping wounds, close on the fleeing Smiler's heals. "Groog! Those wounds, how-". As he passes her, she quickly drops her mace and bounds after him, chanting as she moves and catching the raging orc before he gets too far out of the way. ___________________
Scholar looks at the man who fell dead at her feet, then glances back at Sunset and start moving swiftly towards the gate where the rest of the group went earlier in the fight. ____
Scholar hefty her mace as the man keep staggering forward, and takes a swing.
As one of the crazy men jumps off the tower towards Sunset and Scholar, she realized that they're both far out of position from the rest of the group, and that she has no idea what might be happening to them. Since rapid movement may soon be required, Scholar pulls her cloak tight around herself and mutters a command word, magically enhancing her speed. She then moves part of the way towards the gate, but not too far in case she has to help Sunset deal with the man who just jumped off the tower. ______________________________
Scholar's visions have not yet come into focus, but through them, dim and hazy, she sees that all of her companions save Sunset have left, and Sunset is setting up her big gun to shoot at the man who just jumped off the roof. Scholar feels growing dread, and snaps herself out the trance, forcing the visions to flee her mind. "I did not have time to finish, but are we under attack? You don't need to turn to answer if so, shooting at them will be sufficient." Scholar will strap her shield to her arm as she speaks, then cast Protection from Evil on Sunset.
Scholar keeps receiving her visions.
Scholar continues to receive her visions.
Scholar nods to Sunset, then puts her fingers together and her eyes glaze over, as if she is viewing something far away. Her eyes begin to flicker back and forth, watching something only she can see...
"A plague?" Scholar frowns. "I have no magical means of treating disease, but I have made a cursory study of medicine. I may be able to be of some small help." She hesitates briefly. "I receive visions from the gods that show me many things. I can divine if entering this place will be dangerous or beneficial for us, if any of you wish."
Scholar looks between her companions as Groog runs over to start pulling at the gate. "Those two are somewhat far, and I was not able to catch all they said, beyond 'Halt'. Are we welcome to enter here, or are we being kept out for some reason?"
Images flash through scholar's head at the size of the suggested reward. A pile of gold, and the books, scrolls and learning it could buy. At the mention of the rod, Scholars smile widens and she becomes visibly excited. "That is a very generous reward, Khonnir. I will go, and will relay your request to this Dinvaya if we are able to find her."
Scholar arches an eyebrow at him. "Raksasa is already Small Tarl's puppy. He found her a long time ago. What do you want to do with the puppy, Groog?"
Scholar shakes her head. "I would not bet against Raksasha. She may be very young and relatively small, but Spinosauruses are deadly combatants at all ages. Ahem, Groog, that is not a puppy. Her name is Raksasha, and she is Small Tarl's friend. Please put her down." __________
Scholar hovers at the door to the tavern, lost in thought as she gazes over her surroundings. She watches the birds fly overhead, divining insight from their flight. Images flash through her mind; time, travel, machines and mystery. Home, and youth. Endless knowledge, and new companions. Collecting her thoughts, she adjusts her wide brimmed hat with a gloved hand, then pushes open the door and enters with smile on her face and a spring in her step. Scholar is an attractive human woman in her late 20's with medium length black hair pulled back in a pony tail. She is dressed in armor and practical, if dusty, traveling clothes; a thick leather skirt, solid boots, and a wide brimmed hat. She carries a mace on her hip and a backpack on her pack, and a luxuriously thick dark green cloak wrapped around her shoulders. As she meets the councilors, she smiles and introduces herself as Scholar. She takes a seat by the bar, and takes samples of various foods and drinks offered. She watches with interest as Serantha tells the group why they have been assembled, and of the achievements of Hoot's Hellions. Unable to hear, she reads Serantha's lips, easily done with long practice, but does not notice Groog's impact on the conversation until the smell wafts its way to her. She wrinkles her nose slightly; images fill her mind, of skunks, and guts, and gas that burns before she centers her thoughts. She speaks with a slight slur, a strange accent to her words not quite like anything anyone has heard before. "I will gladly do this task for you. I am low on funds for my travels, and Scrap...wall you said? Will undoubtedly hold many mysteries and much to learn. Small Tarl, you are coming as well, yes? I look forward to spending more time with you and Raksasa." She turns to the two other individuals here to make up the group and gives them a big, warm smile. She waves at the two of them. "Hello! My name is Scholar. I look forward to traveling with both of you.". She reaches up and taps her ear with her right hand. "I can not hear, so I must see your mouth to understand you. I apologize if I may ask you to repeat some things at times." Her eyes flicker briefly to the device at Sunset's waist. Images flash through her mind; explosives, alchemy, chemistry, saltpeter and smithing. Books and discussion, but few experiences. A future image, a decision to meditate on the device at a later time.
Ok! Scholar's Mystery and Curse have been added (not sure how I missed writing those down) along with a bit more info about the revelations and the effects of the Curse. I should be ready to go, I think.
That would be nice, crafting exotic materials stuff takes forever otherwise. I was kind of wondering if Torch had a bonus for doing that; they mention in the player's guide that smiths come from all over to use the flame to work adamantine, and I could totally see that being something smiths would travel long distances for if it sped up construction to the same speed as a normal steel item or something.
I would be open to both of those suggestions, although the crafting is somewhat time dependent. Scholar would most definitely have welcomed your company on the road, as she is only passable as a warrior even when fully magically enhanced, but can make you and especially Raksasa terrifying. She also would absolutely love to learn more about the realms of the mammoth lords. She has never been that far north, although she has traveled quite a bit, most of it has been to the south. She would be willing to smith skymetal if it doesn't take too long (she's willing to smith something for a few weeks, but not years, which is partially why she doesn't have a mithril breastplate). Not sure exactly if there are any accelerated crafting rules for Torch; normally, Adamantine takes a long, long time to forge.
All right, Scholar is done, I think! Looking forward to playing with everyone, but it is time for me to head to bed. And yeah, the -6 initiative will be...interesting. This is the only character I've ever made likely to lose an initiative contest with an ooze. It improves some at levels 5 and 10, though, so hopefully I won't drag the party down too much forever.
I should be done tonight.
Decided on a name change for fixer, have a lot of the crunch done. Still need to do a final pass and cleaning up the backstory, should be able to do that some time tomorrow. |
