Strange that we got stuck after it started out so well.
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I don't really have much of a plan. As discussed earlier in this thread I was considering to multiclass as a cleric Shelyn, however, on high levels that is considerably worse than simply pure ranger, not so much due to the amount spells I'd have access, but due to the comparably low caster level. I'll just see how it goes and level up as it makes sense.
Maybe I didn't make it clear enough, but Reknar (afaict) and Shalira are about to leave...
Shalira stood up, grabbed her bow and arrows and attached the string to the bow and checked her swords. When she stepped to the door and turned to Reknar. "You wanna take horses? I was about to check the immediate surroundings on foot to attract less attention... Well, let's go, anyway." To Aleidi:
If that was the case Shalira would have certainly asked her about her parents - specifically about her mother. The idea of the elven ruins - and the fact that no one really knows about any elves living there came from the player's guide, so it fits the bill. So I don't really think this is a problem at all there is just a lot more things to explore.
Shalira put the pen away and ceased her drawing for now. "Tomorrow", she wondered, "that gives us little time for preparation. But we might be able to take them by surprise if they haven't found out about our arrival yet. I would like to check the area to the south right now. See whether there is a scout of them and where we may surprise them best. I doubt they do because it sounds like they feel all to save anyway, but it is possible. Would anyone like to accompany me? I'll be back for food later." Shalira had stood up and was already ready to leave, the knuckles of her left hand protruded white as she grabbed the sheath of her fine, elven longsword with it.
Shalira wasn't in a rush to get into the public room of the outpost but instead took her time to tend the horses. It wasn't easy to admit to herself, but after all the publicity in Brevoy the week of travel had felt like a relief. She didn't like the thought to be stuck with many people in a small house, especially not if they were likely surrounded by bandits lurking in every dark corner. After she had curried her two horses, checked their horse shoes and cleaned their hooves she went back into the public room, arriving just as Oleg was speaking out loud in anger. Shalira forced herself to listen calmly even though she considered such overt display of anger and aggressive emotions outside of battle vulgar and disturbing. She wasn't sure whether she was comfortable with the offer however. Being fed through just for keeping the bandit's of the family's tail felt pretty much like banditry itself. She wasn't here to coerce protection money, she wanted to help those people - among other things - but she had to feed on something. She swore to herself to work for every apple, every slice of bread and every bit of meat. "So... how much time will that leave us before they come the next time? Do you have any idea where they camp? I'd very much like to have a look at them before I face them... I don't like fighting the unknown." Shalira had to bite her lip to stop talking. She had a myriad questions. Regarding the bandits, regarding possible elves hiding in the area, regarding natural resources which might be exploited given a few hands, especially ways to produce food - it might be helpful to have an alternative to offer to the bandits after all. But all of that could wait until they had a better idea of the more pressing elements of strategic situation. And tactical. It may be helpful to take measures to secure the immediate area before the bandits returned, but she's gladly leave that to the warriors in the group and focus on her own field of expertise, reconnaissance. "I am sorry if I am rushing things ahead - I am very happy about your warm welcome and about your assistance. It's not just about pride as far as I am concerned, it's about creating something beautiful in the world, creating something on your own while others want to steal the seed right from the soil. That's worth fighting for. And a little courage will come a long way, you'll see. But first... well there is a saying that the general who knows neither himself nor his enemy will loose every battle. And that's the situation we have right now. It makes me feel highly uncomfortable." Shalira got a sheet of paper out. If they were to map the entire region - which would be extremely helpful anyway - she might as well start with the outpost. And an overview over the outpost and its immediate surrounding may prove helpful in planing its defence.
Alright... updating my character page with the new equipment - that may take a moment, though. Hmpf. The feed for horses is 10 lbs. per day. Meaning with two horses and feed for five days I got 100 lbs. of horse feed alone. Good that I have a second horse now. How long exactly did the trip take? If it took a week I would have run out of food, which means I'd have to let the horses pasture. Alright. I noted the following equipment:
I didn't not a compass because I already had one, ashes on my head. I didn't note the horse feed, because I very likely already used - I am not sure in how far domestic horses can live by just pasturing. All the equipment is currently listed with Shalira herself, not with the horses, even though technically the horses carry it.
Shalira dug in one of the bags of her second horse until she found the charter. When she she noticed how Oleg had trouble with the horses she just added: "I'll take care of it, just show me where I shall bring them..."
Her gaze followed Svetlana. "Your wife isn't entirely wrong. We were hired by the government, but we're no guards but freelancers with a charter for this region. We will help you." She lifted the rolled charter and waved with it so h could see the seal, but it looked like she wanted to deal with the horses first.
There were a few things Shalira wanted to get from the market: Some additional food for two horses for four days. (She has enough for two horsess for one day.) A tent. Additional rope and grappling hooks, a hammer and hooks and generally climbing equipment. Paper, ink, coal pens... both for map making and drawing sketches for Aleidi's hair styles. Not sure whether I can effort it, but a compass and a sextant might be helpful in determining position, the height of mountains, latitude... Things for making up hair, bands, combs, clambs, a small steel mirror... things like that.
Shalira had been comfortable riding Windmane without much additional baggage - leading a second horse behind her. And the second one was quite packed; it looked like she bought quite some stuff during that afternoon they spent in Brevoy. Compared to Mikhail's "Ink" Windmane was but a simple horse and yet it was at times uncanny how Windmane understood whatever Shalira wanted of her. From time time to Shalira would look sideways to Aleidi and watch how her hair moved in the wind as the human woman was riding her horse. As embarrassing as her request had been at first it was something very serious to her - doing Aleidi's hair. It was surprising what kind of ideas she produced, deep blood red bands, mistletoe, ivy, delicate braids and loosely yet elegantly interwoven streaks. In the evening she would discuss her ideas with Aleidi - always trying to get her to show off and emphasize the things that Aleidi actually wanted to hide - her ears, her eyes. Shalira displayed the same focused, serious, yet somehow curious look whenever they encountered tracks they couldn't assign at first glance or there was a sound out of the forest they couldn't place. For all her affected behaviour, Shalira was indeed surprisingly adept to the wilderness. Upon their arrival in Oleg's Outpost she didn't slip off her horse at once but took a moment to look around. Possible attack angles, cover, obvious tracks, visible landmarks that might be of strategic importance and tactically important features of the outpost, such as defensible positions. "No, no guards we are." she said, more to herself and almost absent minded, but she became more clear and direct. "We're hunters, warriors, wizards, paladins. We're ... explorers with the force of steel, magic and the divine. My name is 'Shalira' and I thank you for your welcome. But I must admit I am itching to get to action..." She took a deep breath and it was it was obvious that she had restraint herself from asking questions about the bandits and their positions, restraint herself from riding out to scout out their defences right away. She slipped of her horse and patted it at the neck. "But why don't you tell us about life out here first? Say... you didn't ever encounter any elves who settle out here before, did you?"
I just wanted to point out that Shalira has nothing more to say at this point.
Shalira nodded to Aleidi and smiled to Iamandi: "I should very much like that; I would love to know more about your adventures." ... and she wanted to know more about that priest of Shelyn, of course. "I wanted to ask around for the bandits we're going to face... maybe you can point us to the right ones?" Shalira walked up to the door and held an arm as though she expected anyone to take it - but it wasn't quite clear whether she meant Reknar, Lady Iamandi or Aleidi.
"I'm going to go look around town. Any of you coming with me?" Turning before receiving an answer, a smile graced her face as she walked out the door before turning to look back at the others to see if they were following. If not, she could meet up with them at the inn later. "I should very much like to join, Aleidi; I wanted to question a few traders and shop for a few ... things." replied Shalira with a somewhat roguish smile.
I know some people put their gods out there right away but I don't want to point anyone out so I decided on blanket message. There is a very specific reason for this. Humor me. I am not quite sure what you expect of us... I have seen Tarja in Dortmund last wednesday A phgotostream of a profesional photographer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotodesign-bochum/sets/72157636901576063/with/ 10457563973/ (curiously all taken during the first part of the concert, Tarja changed her look twice during it)... and I am going to see Within Temptation in the Palladium in Cologne on April 8.
Sooo... what now? I understood it so that we skip forward to Oleg's Outpost and just roll on whatever we wanna do before we leave, which is why I haven't said anything since Lady Iamandi's reply. Want a list of the stuff I wanna buy before I leave and the information I am going to try to acquire? I can say as much as that Shalira was amused by Iamandi's little slip "This time my..." Doesn't anyone like symphonic metal here? :) Did you notice that Within Temptation recorded a song featuring Tarja - a duet with Sharon den Adel and Tarja Turunen. http://www.within-temptation.com/headlines/paradise-what-about-us-music-vid eo/
Well, I would always prefer if you do orchestrate your game as you see fit. I prefer a play style that really gives you the feeling that you deserve epic game content once you reach it. I know it's a tad difficult to get there in a play-by-post game, because the fights tend to take forever. As far as I am concerned everything is already more epic than I'd make it myself. For example, I would let folks choose between Point-Buy 20 or 6x(5d3+3) and never use such house rules as you do... On an entirely different matter, if we want to cut the rest short until we travel on (which is what we're about to do, right?) - it might take a bit too long playing that out:
To Aleidi: I have thought back and forth how I best represent Shalira's relation to her goddess better. I thout some craft or perform skill would make sense. Create something beautiful every day.
I was considering "Profession (Hail Stylist)" and use Aleidi as victim. Shalira is notoriously envious for Aleidi's beautiful hair, but she is trying to overcome that envy. I might say that she always did that for her friends and her mother and do things like weave strains of ivy into her hair or try a palette of complex looks on her that would Princess Leia's look dull. Shalira wanted to ask Aleidi for that later when exploring the city and if she agrees buy stuff such as clamps, combs, bands and so forth. Another option I've already been considering has been some drawing or painting skill, particularly geared towards maps which would of course come in handy right now. But a map isn't usually a work of art... so it's not ideal.
Shalira looked at Mikhail thoughtfully and appeared like she wanted to say something, but remained quiet as Reknar and Mikhail started a conversation. Somehow, that being assigned to this mission was connected to an official writ reduced the actual assignment of the mission to a mere bureaucratic act in the minds of the others. Ironically Shalira believed they might take it more serious if there was no such writ. Was she the only one who wanted to know what exactly their mission was, how far they could go and what they would have to expect of Brevoy, or, more specifically, Rostland? Anyway, since the charter was signed, the presence of her comrades was not strictly required... maybe she should kindly get them to leave before they got all too antsy; if she found anything out that might become important she could always report it later. For now she remained focused on 'Lady' Iamandi. She wouldn't cut her off by addressing her comrades before she gave her a chance to answer her own question. Besides, she enjoyed the company of one or two of them so far.
"Thank you." Shalira took the charter with fingertips of both her hands. She skimmed over the writ to make sure its formulation was identical to the one she had already seen. "This Greenbelt region around Oleg's Trade Outpost does not encompass the entire Stolen Lands region I suppose? Why is that? Furthermore, this charter seems to permit us to enforce judgement on bandits in the described area but it also puts a great value on 'exploration and travel'. Could you elaborate on that a little? So, just to avoid misunderstandings, what exactly does Restov hope we accomplish by 'exploration'?" She held the document out in case anyone else in the group wished to read it, but spoke to the young woman. Shalira couldn't really make out what "Lady Iamandi" was about. And while Shalira never cared much for being treated as a noble - which was a border case anyway, and Lebeda was for all practical purposes but a name - it concerned her how quickly people seemed to adopt new nobles, and obviously by inheritance as the reference to her father suggested. Arrogance? Frustration? Insecurity? As she herself had said - fun is subjective. So what was so funny to her?
I've had enough of writing for Pathfinder things and programming for a while so I just played some games... Hm. I eventually finished the main story line of Skyrim last saturday. I am considering to get me the extensions... but then, no matter what you do, Skyrim is simply Skyrim, regardless of what the mission is. A co-worker of mine has logged ten times the hours in Skyrim on their Steam account but not finished the story line yet (about 1700 hours instead of my 175). I am kinda in an enough is enough mood now. It's been a good game, but it wouldn't make sense to push it further. After that I got me Arkham Asylum and Arkham City via Steam (both games together for about 13€) and am already through Arkham Asylum. Well, the storyline anyway. Not necessarily all riddles and not the challenges. On the horizon of video games and beyond. Well, Elder Scrolls Online sounds promising, though I have a bit of a suspicion that it will be outright boring to anyone who isn't a fan of Eve Online as well - the "sandbox" approach driven to excess. I am curious about a possible successor of the Mass Effect story arc. There was a lot of bad blood concerning the ending of Mass Effect 3 and I must say I am kinda tired of all the technical limitations of the game. It was pretty obvious in all the Mass Effect parts, that the areas in the game were designed to work with the limitations of a console with merely 512 MB combined video and main memory. While I understand that with a title like this you want to address more than just the PC audience, I find that limitation inappropriate for a several hundred million game. I really hope they are gonna let us create an own character in a future title and not nail us to a predefined one. Commander Shepard was nice, but I'd love to play an Asari now. For now I have more than enough games I have never played through waiting to be played. After I am done with Arkham City there is still Bioshock and Tomb Raider: Underworld, both of which already have successors which I am also curious about. Other games, like Fallout 2, I am probably never going to play through, because I don't really like them.
Well, since the Magistrate asks her to sign the charter on the behalf of her father, and the charters are officially issued - at least the one Mikhail had - by the "Swordlord of Restov" (unfortunately Ervy didn't mention his name earlier) I guess that's her father.
Aleidi's answer to the question wasn't bad, not at all, though a little defensive on the second half. Her own answer would have been shorter. She would have simply said 'Yes.' Nevertheless, she stood by Aleidi to make sure everyone realized that she sided with her on this. Softly and with a nod to Phillips she turned the charter around on the desk and took the feather from him, given his agreement. She dipped the into the ink, let the superfluous ink run off and reached it to the young woman. "If you would?"
Hrm. Since the woman directly addressed Aleidi, Shalira has nothing to say at this point.
Hm. I am currently busy writing at another episode for Shalira's background, taking place briefly before the existing one. Words come easily, but I don't have enough of a real story yet, so I just write in hope a good idea will present itself... However, a German langage play-by-post forum took over a mod for status posts I programmed. Have a look at that - I justed wanted to show it off a little. It's nothing big, but now that it's actually online I am kinda proud on it:
Shalira stepped back closer to the desk as soon as everyone had given their names. She left Aarya's remark uncommented - explaining that would be 'Lady Aleidi's' choice. Not that she wished to leave Aarya in the dark but this wasn't the place to discuss the noble houses of Brevoy. And the woman behind them, as interesting as she may appear, seemed to prefer to be left alone. 'Just don't do anything that might distract us any further from the problem at hand.' Shalira told herself.
"You little sl.." Shalira whispered. Her ears went blazing red again and she had to cover her mouth to hide a smirk and swallow a giggle. She couldn't help it, she liked Aleidi.
And Shalira was concerned about name dropping... Well, she said: Shalira nodded to Aarya. "Thank you. It's not such a big secret anyway, because I am not going to lie about it when they ask for my name in the town hall. I just want to avoid drawing unnescessary attention to it." While he didn't explicitly ask for it it's clear that he wants the full name... She is concerned, but she's also honest. You can still omit your last name or call yourself Underhill...
'Alright... let's make it quick and painless.' She tried to remain as nonchalant as it was possible when she said. "I am Shalira Lebeda." She took a little step back to make room for the next and used the opportunity to look over her shoulder, squinting through her blonde mane.
On an OOC level she already said she could live with "The Wild Wardens", so there is no question there... EDIT: Sorry, didn't see the DM comment when I posted. Forget I said anything.
I realize how long it has taken - and that Aarya didn't say anything last night even though she was around; I have taken that as she deliberately remains silent. And I'd say it was more in the range of a couple of minutes. The way I see it the discussion was fruitless - three out of five did not show the will to compromise. That's why Shalira suggested the vote. Now if that isn't accepted we're simply running out of options. Besides, as a player I do wish to go on and not spend a week on every little detail.
"Could we, please discuss this later, Reknar?" she looked imploringly at him. "I can't speak for Aarya, but we do have a simple majority here if both you and Mikhail cease to vote... and I didn't have the impression it was something she couldn't live with so far. We simply need to make a choice and it's not horribly important anyway." She hoped that Aarya would back her up on this, but tried to remain focused on the Magistrate.
Shalira held Mikhails gaze on his outburst but obviously didn't feel quite comfortable. Being born into a noble family she had tried to avoid the impression that she was claiming some kind of birthright, even though this discussion had strained her nerves seriously as well. Why was it so difficulty to just... agree on something - it wasn't like it was particularly important. She simply nodded and mumbled "You're right." She focused on the matter at hand. She turned back to the desk: "The name of our group is 'The Wild Wardens'. I am sorry about the delay, Magistrate. Any further questions, or can we go to the details and the implications of the charter?" She glanced over to the little cat. An amazing beast. She liked animals, they could be so much simpler and more honest than civilized creatures. She smiled at it and whispered "Hello, little hunter" to it, offering a hand to sniff on while she remained focused on the Magistrate.
Hmm. Shalira doesn't even know what a democracy is - but you don't have to to suggest a reconciliation. I'll formulate a post. Give me ten minutes.
Shalira hesitated briefly. Aleidi's vote somewhat surprised her, since she had said earlier that she prefered 'Anima Libera' over 'The Wild Wardens'. Nevertheless, Shalira liked it. She really liked the purple squirrel idea, because she liked a bit of understatement and preferred to not take oneself too seriously. Let their enemies run from a band of squirrels and the actions of their group speak for themselves... Unfortunately she doubted that would find a majority. "I vote 'The Wild Wardens', too." That made two out of five. She hoped that even if two others voted on the same option other than "The Wild Wardens" the fifth would have the sense to choose between those to options to prevent a tie.
Well, almost every second post in the discussion is from Shalira. I didn't want her to be that dominant and talkative, but rather calm, friendly and observant. It's more the thing that I as a player find it difficult to hold back and not post anything if I could post. Shalira is probably just driven, because she just wants this charter and tries whatever she can to reach an agreement. On a side note: Are you sure that the "libera" in Anima Libera is the correct conjunction? Wouldn't it rather be liberalis? Sorry I gave up on the idea with the Squirrels, but if there is just one suggestion I'd want to make something serious.
Shalira was a bit startled as she spoke the dark warrior suddenly speak up. She turned to the the gnome behind the desk and made an excusing gesture. "I am sorry, magister. Just another moment." She reached for her forehead and covered her eye for a moment, lost in thought for a few heartbeats. She had seriously hoped that Mikhail would comment on the existing suggestions in the room. The new suggestion now made it only more difficult. "How about... everyone makes one suggestion and casts one vote, for any but their respective own suggestion. If that doesn't help we'll have to make a lottery..." "So unless you wanna change it..." she looked to Mikhail, "The Red", to Aarya, "Anima Libera. And I myself say." She paused briefly and sighed. "The Band of the Golden Harp." She paused and waited how the others would react and what Aleidi and Reknar would say.
"I really like the sound of 'The Wild Wardens' - the best idea not counting my own so far. But I do like 'The Purple Squirrels', too." She smirked. "As far as I am concerned the name doesn't really have to mean anything. That's why I suggested making something up out of our first names or the place where we met..."
I was hoping someone would jump at the purple squirrels idea. And I mean that seriously.
Shalira opened her mouth and closed it again. That outburst was somewhat surprising. As far as she was concerned most bandits were probably simply desperate - desperate people do desperate things. Sure, many were greedy, opportunistic bastards, but the lot of them? She doubted it. "Erm, well... 'Soul of Freedom'." Not her first choice but if they were to find a perfect name they'd be still standing here tomorrow. If she was to make up something in a similar fashion of her own faith it would be something like 'Keepers of Harmony', but she didn't even need to suggest that, because she didn't really think the others would like that - didn't sound really strong. "Can we agree on that? Any other good ideas? Could we compromise to something less assuming, say 'Wardens-', 'Defenders-' or 'Guardians of Freedom' or so... Ultimately I'd find 'Soul of Freedom' acceptable, though."
I assume 'the Disciples of Jon' is not to be considered... The Long Jons?
"Not bad... to the bandits down there it would sound rather cynical. They have more freedom than is good for them and the rest of the world. What we bring is order... Erm, and a clear 'no' to Arshea's Faithful"
"A name?" she wondered. "We... haven't thought about that. Erm... Are you guys ok with 'The Golden Harpers'? No, wait, that sounds like Golden Hamsters. We might as well call ourselves purple squirrels. Erm. The Harpers? Does anyone play a harp...? The Goldilocks? Well, that would only apply to myself. What do you think? Maybe puzzle up something out of our first names... Aarsharekhaildi... Alaarhail Sharek... Mikalaar Sharek... Or just the first letter... S-R-A-A-M. Hm. Aarms? Well, if we took the 'l' from Aleidi we might call ourselves 'The Alarms'"
Where is the pub? Well, neither I as a player nor Shalira as a character wanted to make the decision for everyone else. But I hope this doesn't lead to another extended discussion. :D
'Next time you'll speak common, if there is something that might involve payment' she told herself. Or she could just let Reknar speak. "Certainly", she replied, this time in common, longed for her purse and piled up ten gold pieces in two stacks of five on the desk, "here you go. Nothing's too costly for the glory of Brevoy." She spoke well pronounced, but without much conviction.
Well, it may look a little funny that I take the initiative after Shalira asked Aarya to do so, but that was primarily to get going and since it seems it's Skull, Reknar, Aleidi and myself around right now I gotta work with what I got.
Shalira looked a little puzzled for the strange greeting. Either this Gnome had no manners for someone supposed to welcome visitors in the town hall or something about their group had offended him. She became keenly aware that she was still carrying her swords, though - since she was here as an adventurer - she thought that would just fill the role. She replied in Gnome, not quite sure whether that would seem rather polite or bothersome: "Good day, sir. It has come to our ears that Restov is looking for adventurers for an exploration to the south. That's us." She presented a polite, if not hearty smile and made a gesture to include everyone. "We would like to speak to Magistrate Phillips on that matter."
I was under the impression you were about to post right away.
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