Search Posts
Sifso blinks with aggravation as the arrow blinds him, but he manages to keep aloft. Even blind, he remains alert, depending on Shimye-Magalla's gift of tremorsense. When the archer takes his attention off of Sifso for a moment to shoot at Gardolf, the seasoned defender lets out a derisive "Ha!". He moves with preternatural speed to interpose himself between the attacks, and with each arrow he replies with an attack, punishing the archer for splitting his attention. Due to the blinding flash, he misjudges the first attack completely, but gets his bearings by the second.
Sifso nimbly evades the attempt to knock him out of the air, and looks every foe in the room in the eye, with a steady glance. "You are ALL going down." With that, his leg snaps out at the fae's knee, attempting again to take him down.
If scout is knocked prone: DC 25 Reflex : Enemies hit by Sifso’s attacks of opportunity or attack actions are affected as by a tanglefoot bag, with Reflex DC = 10 + ½ level + WIS modifier
Sifso laughs as Gardolf's fiery staff smashes his prison. "Thanks, friend!" Despite having taken a blow to the stomach in the process, the warrior seems utterly unfazed.
Free again, his foot kicks out like a thunderclap, aiming to take down the fae.
Sifso lets the breeze carry him up above the tables and smiles at the fae challengers, and gives a challenging smile to the leader in particular. "Go ahead and take him. You just have to take me first."
Gracefully, he enters the ready stance he has practiced as a Mashujaa Kumi wa Uchawi, one of the Ten Magic Warriors. Sifso then snaps out with a lightning-fast punch that couldn't possibly reach the leader--but Shimye-Magala's winds carry the force straight to smash him in the face.
Advancing carnage:
For each strike that hits, I can attack another foe within 5' of the one I just attacked. I'll go clockwise: Leader, scout, ankou, scout. If I miss any, then ignore any rolls after that.
If any of them move (even just 5'), attack anyone other than Sifso, or attempt to cast (defensively or otherwise):
I get an AoO, but (due to Sage Infuser) I can always trade any unarmed attack, including an AoO, to instead force a DC25 Reflex save or be tripped. Then, if a foe is tripped, that triggers *another* AoO. (And of course one more, if they attempt to stand again, that triggers an AoO too.) For simplicity, I'll roll a half dozen AoOs here (for you to apply, as needed) but I'll only use these once I've tried to trip that foe at least once:
If Sifso attacked:
Will use Active Defense to increase AC to 56. Any attack that misses gets redirected at another legal target (at -2 to hit). I'll send'm all toward the leader, if I'm able.
. NOTE, each of these costs me an AoO If allies attacked: Will spend an AoO to give them +5 Competence to AC...and if the attack would hit them anyway, I'll take the damage on their behalf (due to Defend Other).
. NOTE, each of these costs me an AoO
Sifso's eyes narrow as he realizes that Valas had tried to charm someone for his own amusement...and then sighs as the young noble decides to walk off. Without moving a muscle, a breeze blows and Sifso is beside the 'silver fox', and between his companions and the fae. He whispers to the young noble in the ancient language of the giants, "Karai zorro, epyta ha ehecha mba’épa iñimportanteve; pe misión oñeme’ẽva’ekue ñandéve, térã peteĩ joavy umi--admitidamente impar--compañerokuéra ndive orrecibiva’ekue ko misión? Rembohovái mboyve, eñatendéke NDE voi ha’eha peteĩ umi impar apytégui, nde insistencia máscara ha privacidad rehe. "Ha ñañe'êvo ñande compatriota impar rehe...oñembohape piko pende voluminosa beca ko 'Kyrsus'-pe?" Giant (and whatever the highest DC I can get for whispering in this noisy common room):
"Mr fox, stop and consider what is more important; the mission we've been given, or a squabble with the--admittedly odd--fellows that have recieved this mission? Before you answer, note that YOU are yourself one of the odd ones, with your insistance on masks and privacy.
"And speaking of our odd compatriots...does your voluminous scholarship extend to this 'Kyrsus'?" As he speaks, he never takes his eyes off of the fae challengers. He shows no outward sign of tension, but he is ready to strike at a moment's notice if need be.
Sifso chuckles. "Aww, apparently the Fox is a delicate sleeper. You know we may have to sleep on the ground before this is over, yes?" Turning to their host, he says, "Are there two rooms beside one another? If so, perhaps we can split ourselves between them." - - - Once the rooms are settled, Sifso goes and scopes out the common rooms, giving a glance to the huge map out of curiosity, but mostly looking for individuals who might be threats.
As they walk along, Sifso floates just behind the all-too-fragile-looking noble "fox", eyes alert for danger. In a low voice, he asks, "So what is our next move? I am far from tired, though I'll understand if some among us need to replenish before seeking out this sphinx."
Sifso, who still hasn't touched ground in the time since they've met, says, "With Shimye-Magala's grace, the winds can carry me at great speed...and I could certainly carry another of you in my arms. "If need be, I could ask The Sea of Stars to enhance the speed of another one or two of you, to some degree."
Sifso nods. "You are the learned one, not I, Scholar Fox. If you say this is the way to go, I will follow. First though:"–the wiry warrior gives a stern look to all–"We must assume we're always in danger, yes? Stay near me; behind me, when you're able. Praise be to Shimye-Magalla, I don't go down easily...and I'm here to make sure you don't either. Agreed?" Before stepping through the portal, Sifso silently mouths prayers to Shimye-Magalla while tracing three fingers over his shield, in the shape of a crashing wave.
Sifso looks on with interest at the map of Tian Xia. "I have not yet been anywhere in Tian Xia myself.", and he listens attentively to anyone who explains a bit about the land.
"Alright then, let us be off."
Sifso raises a bushy eyebrow, and then nods at the Avistani man in the fancy garb. This 'silver fox' seems to have surprised our host with his knowledge...and he has the ability to measure a room well, at least judging from his read of Gardolf and myself...A scholar like that can be valuable indeed. I wonder how good he is at keeping himself alive?
It would seem I am surrounded by historians, and those who catalogue esoteric creatures? Valas queries. Sifso gives the drow a low chuckle, and shakes his head. "It's not my mug of oshikundu, but I like having a scholar or two around, if it keeps me from stepping into bullette dung."
As the catfolk and the 'silver fox' enter, Sifso continues to 'stand' at attention (his arms clasped behind his back)...while floating several feet off the ground. Those seeing him for the first time note a tall, slender, tightly-muscled warrior in his late 50s, with a shaved head, coal black skin, and golden face paint. His eyes glimmer with starlight. He listens, alert, as the newcomers ask questions...and as he does, a perceptive observer might notice a part of his chest dissolve into a swirling mist briefly, before solidifying again. Sifso glances at Gardolf, arching an eyebrow, wondering: Do you know anything about this sphinx, or this book...or the 'throne of the gods'? ...but then Gardolf, for all his arcane might, was never the most studious of mages. All right then... "Fellow Travelers." Sifso's voice is a low rumble, like a storm in the distance. "I find our host...trustworthy enough to take this task at face value, for now. "I like to be prepared when heading into danger, but I know little about sphinxes in general, let alone this particular one. Are there scholars amongst us? Is there anything we know–or can learn before we depart–that might improve our chance of succes? "As for what I can bring to this foray...I am good at keeping those around me from harm, though I ask you to make my life easier by staying behind me when we're in danger, if possible. If you get yourself killed, I cannot raise you from the dead."
Through the portal: Sifso tsks gently at Gardolf's mention of leaving Nantambu without a goodbye...and nods approvingly at word of improvements in Kaer Maga. When Belladhriel speaks, an energetic monkey leaps out of Sifso's satchel to hug the azata, chittering to her emphatically. Sisfo laughs, and translates, "Mfumaji says...ahem...'It's great to see you, Belladhiel, and why the heck did you let Gardolf disappear like that! You know he needs looking after!!'" As he's working to contain his own amusement, Sifso sees a drow enter through a new portal. He tries to look at ease, but Gardolf recognizes the way he tenses for battle, and smoothly inserts himself between the massive wizard and the newcomer. "Greetings, fellow traveller. I am Sifso. May Shimye-Magalla never leave you parched. It seems our you share a 'benefactor' with Gardolf here, and myself. What did he say to you, exactly?"
Through the portals: Sifso floats through the portal, carried–as usual–on Shimya-Magalla's divine breeze. Seeing Gardolf, he gives out a hearty (almost thundering) laugh and floats over to his massive friend, throwing his arms around him in a hug that doesn't quite encompass the mage's girth. "Hahahahaha, Gardolf, Old Man, how are you? Good to see you too, Belladhriel. Glad to see you didn't get yourself killed when you went off galavanting on your own. Did you have any luck, by the way, on your work to unify Mage-dom? "...And any idea about our "benefactor's" claims of prophetic foreboding?" As he releases his embrace, he sees another portal open up and his muscles reflexively tense for action. Anyone coming through will see a tall, slender, tightly-muscled warrior in his late 50s, with a shaved head, coal black skin, and golden face paint. He wears loose clothing of in sea greens and blues, highlighted with gold thread. His eyes glimmer with starlight. His feet float effortlessly off the floor, and he is surrounded by a cool breeze. If a stranger steps through the portal, Sifso eyes them intently. He makes no aggressive move, but smoothly puts himself between Gardolf and the newcomer(s).
DM: ...Of course it's Gardolf. That settles it. "Indeed. You seem to be honest in your beliefs about budding danger, and your desire to help. I am duty-bound to listen. Lead on."
DM: Sifso frowns and lowers his arms (without truly lowering his guard). ”I do not care for your methods. Rude, at best. I will be honest with you: I’d far rather collaborate with someone who understands that even in times of haste, there is time for a civilized conversation. “That said…well, you have great arcane power. That, I must respect. More importantly, you claim both knowledge of dangers afoot and a desire to quell them. I would not serve the memory of the
"Now, who is this friend of which you speak” Hopefully Gardolf the Great hasn't gotten himself in Greatly over his head again. Shimye-Magalla, Great Freeing Wind, forgive the thought...but some days I wish I I could only keep him on a leash...
DM: As the attacker fades into view, Sifso gives him a disappointed look. "Again, who are you, brother? You can't know who I am or you'd know the folly of your assault."
Sifso knocks the arrow back at the archer, and then punches him twice, trying to knock him unconscious.
DM: Sifso turns in the direction of the noise. As usual when "walking", he floats a foot off the ground, seemingly carried along by the breeze that surrounds him. The breeze carries him along the trail until he's 20' from the stranger.
"Ndiyabulisa, mhambi. Greetings, fellow traveler. May Shimye-Magalla protect you from growing parched on your travels. I am Sifso. Please, introduce yourself." While he seems relaxed and pleasant from the outside, instinct honed over decades leads the warrior to tense for trouble.
"I'm afraid there is Great Danger ahead. I've seen too much to promise safety, but if you stay near my I will be your shield." |