Tai Pao Leng's page

Tai Leng crosses his arms and taps his foot impatiently at the repeated delays.

Tai Leng nods, giving his consent.

"I'd urge everyone to do the same. We worked with collectives a lot in the army to help with unit cohesion. It's nothing but upside."

He looks around to see if he can find the group they're looking for, walking up and down the streets. The people he talks to are not likely to be friendly, given his appearance and clothing, but he gives it the occasional shot.

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 11

"As long as we have some kind of lead. Let's go." he says, then goes.

"Let's get back up then. There's nothing left we can do here. The medics will have some way to bring these people up without hurting them."

Unless something stops him, he climbs back up and starts heading toward the warehouse.

"Let's get these people up where they can get some help. Where are the guards? Medics? They should have shown up by now."

With a slight shake of his head to help focus himself to the more important issues at hand, Xonti raises his head back up towards the others gathered by the Well, "Do any of you three- Lady Brione, Tai, and the Stranger of the Sommaran Tribes who also observes the very patterns within the Flow- did any of you see any traces of bodies deep within the Well?"

Needless to say, my timing between postings definitely needs work. ;p

"Allow me to reiterate. On sending my Soul Candle down the shaft, I reached the limit of its range. It may roam freely up to a mile from my person."

"The shaft is at least a mile deep. That effectively makes it a "bottomless pit" even if it isn't technically one. Anything we might have been able to see is long out of sight by that point in this darkness. Were I able to get my light to the bottom...we might be able to see something. But there's no telling exactly how deep this shaft goes. It could be truly bottomless for all we know."

I don't think there'd be any round 2 or 3 stuff since "presence or absence" determined "absence".

It's probably magical, but I would assume for this setting Psionics/Magic transparency is firmly in the Off position.

Once they've investigated the mysterious hole, Tai Leng also looks around, now noticing the various corpses scattered about. He does a quick check to see if any survived, but he hardens himself to the strong possibility that everyone died.

Heal: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Tai Leng uses his iron grip to grab the back of Yuumka's shirt before she goes climbing down for the second time.

"That hole is at least a mile deep. If you hit a slippery patch halfway down and fall, we won't even be able to hear your screams by the time you hit the bottom."

@GM: Your second spoiler for Ellais is borked and doesn't open; you'll probably need to repost it.

Sorry, I've been really busy studying for an exam in an 8 week chemistry class.

The bottom of the crevasse is filled with ruble from the recent tumult. In the midst of the wreckage stands a strange edifice, appearing to be a ring of stones... perhaps a well. All of the stones are ornately carved with the characteristic style of Protectorate architecture -- monstrous, slightly abstract depictions of men and beasts. The portal, such as it is, appears to descend into absolute darkness...

Tai Leng concentrates for a moment, splitting off his Soul Candle, brightening it to an almost blinding radiance before sending it down into the well. He looks over the lip to track its progress.

Spending Swift actions constantly while it's going on to add more points of Illumination and keep its brightness up; it sheds light out to 15 ft. as Bright light after the first Swift, and double that as normal which I imagine should illuminate the entire radius of the well or whatever it is. It can be moved at a pace of 30 ft. up to 1 mile away from me.

So, er, what's at the bottom?

"I wasn't expecting to meet so many bizarre individuals so soon." Tai Leng says, shaking his head.

Tai Leng sighs, but slides down the rope all the same.

"Well, at least if she dies I can honestly say it won't be my fault."

Tai Leng frowns at that.

"I take it your daddy never saw action, did he? Artillery casters have their place, but you guys are usually sitting ducks for archers and specialists like myself. The whole unit's there for a reason; we cover each other."

Xonti Ensk wrote:

"Tai Leng- should we try to make our way down this pit? I fear that I do not carry any rope upon me- how about yourself?"

Like a fire inching along before suddenly catching some tinder, a red-haired woman sidles slowly up to the trio looking over the edge before piping up.

"My! What a catastrophe! Are you all going down? What brave citizens you are! Have you any rope? I have rope! Ellais Brione at your service! Perhaps you've heard of my Father? Saestre Brione? No? A pity. I can help! The studies are boring, but actual practicals are really so much more helpful. Really, anything to get out of the classes is fantastic. You're working with the Officiate right? Could we get commendations? I think I could get credit for that. Take me with you! Please?" Ellais speaks quickly as though she is afraid you all will suddenly bolt.

"Are you sure you're cut out for this? Taking some untrained student into unknown dangers doesn't sit right with me."

I am here.

Edit: Also, I have a friend who wants to join since you were thinking of re-recruiting.

Tai Leng moves in to take a closer look down the pit.

Any movement down there? Audible calls for help? Not sure how FAR down the others are.

Sebecloki wrote:

Ashtab nods,

"Very well, attend to your investigations, Citizen, and I shall attend to mine."

This is honestly kind of open-ended right now -- unless I just make the first scene happen, I'm trying to give you some time to explore the setting. I need to gently push you to be a little more proactive here and make your character less reactive in order to keep the story going, so the next post should have Xonti actually heading off and beginning the investigation with Tai.

Admittedly, my slower pace of posting hasn't really been of any real help in this matter; I don't mind getting getting botted if the need arises. May as well go for the more pro-active part then...

Showing the proper obeisance to his social, now official, superior, Xonti replies, "By your command, Ah-Kulel", to Ashtab as he keeps his head respectfully lowered to the the Officiate Protectorate Trio while they lead their Puppeted Dromite captive away.

Once they have left the vicinity, the Ophiduan Cryptic of the Flow goes to regard his two fellow Human Volunteers without even waiting to see if there are any additional volunteers now that some sort of reward had been rendered, courtesy of Ashtab's fellows.

Nodding to both Tai and Desidera, Xonti states, "It would seem that the Flow has revealed itself to those who would be part of the greater pattern. The remuneration that the both of you seek... it would seem that I have been appointed by my betters to help distribute them amongst all the volunteers for our task. Allow me to make my introduction to you; I am known as Xonti Ensk, a recent arrival to this fair City. And the both of you are? Starting with you," as Xonti motions towards Tai Pao Leng, "for you were key in alerting us all to the threat of these Puppeteers.". Xonti then further makes motions towards Desidera as he continues on with, "Then it shall be your turn to make your introduction, you who bears the uniform of the armed...

"Tai Leng. Formerly a member of our glorious military." he says with a somewhat sardonic tinge.

"Now, let's get going. From what this guy said, this might be ur-" he cuts off as the ground shakes and a part of the city...collapses.

"Change of plans. Is the city under attack?" without waiting for an answer, he moves toward the source of the disturbance to see what exactly happened.

"Very well," Ashtab replies, "return to the Market District headquarters whenever you have concluded your investigations and give me a full report on whatever you have found."

"Fine then, let's get to work." Tai Leng says, cracking his neck to both sides.

"I'm assuming these parasites are no threat if they can't burrow into you?"

Tai Pao Leng wrote:

"So there might be a nest of these things in the city?" Tai Leng asks, frowning.

"I'd be willing to help, sure. As long as the city is willing to put up some compensation for the danger, and make it official."

Ashtab's reptilian nostrils flare wide as he issues a powerful snort of obvious disdain at the mercenary,

"And here I took you for a warrior, only to find a better street haggler!"

Tai Leng shrugs.

"We all have to eat, and I need money for that. Somehow I doubt you work for free either."

"So there might be a nest of these things in the city?" Tai Leng asks, frowning.

"I'd be willing to help, sure. As long as the city is willing to put up some compensation for the danger, and make it official."

Tai Pao Leng wrote:

"That's...terrifying. I didn't think things like that would be able to get a foothold here of all places. But more to the point, how do we help him?"

Ashtab nods,

"This discovery is, indeed, disconcerting, as it likely indicates the presence of a puppeteer hive in the near vicinity... perhaps even several are now active in our fair city."

"We'll have to take the dromite to the psionic surgery -- the Chac-Uayab-Xoc -- to remove and then confine the parasite for further study by our scientists and inquisitors."

"I'm glad I didn't have time to do too much. Sounds like a lot more delicate operation than I can perform. Take good care of him then?" Tai Leng says, seeming unsure how to end this weird interlude.

"That's...terrifying. I didn't think things like that would be able to get a foothold here of all places. But more to the point, how do we help him?"

The white-robed ophiduan who has just identified himself to Tai Pao Leng as an 'Ah Kulel', steps forward from the two psionic knights flanking him to inspect the dromite, his lemon-drop eyes narrowing with an admixture...

Tai Leng blinks. "Puppeteer? You mean this thing is controlling the kid?"

@Desidera: It was a Stance: Hungry Jaws, of the Brutal Crocodile Discipline.

Tai Pao Leng wrote:

Sebecloki wrote:

I looked at a base Dromite stat again -- there's really no chance it can circumvent either of these obstacles, but here we go.

The dromite frantically attempts to weave through the narrow spaces between the colorful stalls of the different vendors, but is quickly overcome by the Tai Pao Leng's greater speed and dexterity.

You've caught up with him now, do you want to make another attempt to grab him?

Whoops, missed that I'd caught up.

Tai tries to gently grab hold of the boy.

"Hold still, I'm not going to hurt you. Just want to ask a quick question. What's up with the slug on your neck?"

The commotion caused by the chase and Tai Pao Leng's successful grappling of the attempted pickpocket draws the attention of a three member market patrol. Two psionic knights, a pair of ophiduans equipped with crystal armor and weaponry, along with a white-robed inspector, approach the scene of the disturbance. The inspector regards Tai Pao Leng and his captive with a suspicious expression, before commencing his inquiry,

"Ho there stranger, I am Ah Kulel Ashtab of the Citizen's Market of Crystal," the ophiduan uses one of his native language's terms for a psionic investigator, "and what exactly is going on here?"

"Noticed something odd about the kid, thought he might be sick. Have a bit of medical training so wanted to see if I could help, but he seems like he's too spooked to answer any questions."

Bluff (half-truth) if needed: 1d20 ⇒ 6

He turns the kid around and shows the weird slug on his neck.

"Know anything about what this is? Some kind of parasite, looks like."

I looked at a base Dromite stat again -- there's really no chance it can circumvent either of these obstacles, but here we go.

The dromite frantically attempts to weave through the narrow spaces between the colorful stalls of the different vendors, but is quickly overcome by the Tai Pao Leng's greater speed and dexterity.

You've caught up with him now, do you want to make another attempt to grab him?

Whoops, missed that I'd caught up.

Tai tries to gently grab hold of the boy.

Grapple: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

"Hold still, I'm not going to hurt you. Just want to ask a quick question. What's up with the slug on your neck?"

Storm Dragon wrote:

Sebecloki wrote:

Tai Pao Leng wrote:

Base speed 30. Tai Leng is a Human, should probably put that in my quickbar since there are so many nonstandard races in this game.

Unless you're really opposed, I'm going to make this a bit more interesting by using some of these rules for Chases to flesh out your pursuit of the dromite. Basically, I'm going to use the mechanic where I'm going to insert a specific number of obstacles. You'll start on the same card since the dromite was detected. Basically, we'll imagine the cards as a series of 10 possible obstacle courses. Let me know if you'll participate, and I'll describe the first series of skill checks.

I've always liked the rules for chases (or at least the idea of them), and never really played with them, so sounds like a neat experience.

OK -- we're imagining that there are 10 cards. You're starting on the same card. He only has a base speed of 20ft. He has a -2 check b/c of that discrepancy.

Both Tai Pao Leng and the attempted thief begin a mad dash through the market.

Almost immediately, they are both faced with two potential routes -- one is a considerable physical obstacle in the form of a large stall peddling psionic crystals. The decorative awning and wide tables which make of the vendor's instillation are a substantial barrier to the progress of runners. This merchant has also, illegally, set up its stand in the middle of a marker thoroughfare, likely attempting to circumvent fees for market locations, and thus blocking a major passageway. (DC25)

The other potential way is a much longer, winding route that turns back and forth, and has several up and down dips through a hodge podge of stalls composed of non-Protectorate merchants. (DC20)

The dromite attempts to duck through and over the large stall of the crystal-hawker.

Tell me which one of obstacles you...

Tai Leng takes the slow but sure path, making sure to keep a close watch on the dromite child. His superior speed and height should allow him to more than make up the difference.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 7 + 2 = 23

Base speed 30. Tai Leng is a Human, should probably put that in my quickbar since there are so many nonstandard races in this game.

Storm Dragon wrote:

Sebecloki wrote:

Tai Pao Leng wrote:

[dice=Perception]1d20+8

I didn't notice you rolled a natural 20 there, I'm adding one additional note to your Perception check.

** spoiler omitted **

Any relevant Knowledge to know what that is?

Knowledge (Dungeoneering)

Don't have that. In that case, change of priorities; the kid is obviously sick or something, so I'm gonna chase after him.

Tai Leng jumps to conclusions, and assumes the kid was trying to pickpocket him to pay for his medical bills or something. He'll try to track him down and see if he can help him out before he tries to steal the wrong guy's purse and gets killed for it.

Sebecloki wrote:

Tai Pao Leng wrote:

Assuming that succeeds, going to forgo the Constrict damage because I'm not really keen on ripping a kid's arm off.

Keep in mind if he wriggles out of the grapple, he's still Locked meaning he still can't move away unless he also succeeds a Reflex save.

[dice=Initiative]1d20+5

[dice=Reflex]1d20+1

He wins Initiative, so he can try to run away before you can act, and has base speed of 20ft -- do you have any means of preventing him from fleeing, since he definitely failed the Reflex save if you can get the action on him still.

Not like I have a reason to chase after him, so not really any reason to try and figure a way to get the action off.

Tai Leng shrugs as the kid wriggles free before he can get a real grip on him. He takes a bit to move his coin to the inside of the jacket where it's harder to access, and keeps browsing around.

Just out of curiosity, what kind of shops are open? Not sure what the average market here in Arbil looks like.

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16
Grapple: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Assuming that succeeds, going to forgo the Constrict damage because I'm not really keen on ripping a kid's arm off.

Keep in mind if he wriggles out of the grapple, he's still Locked meaning he still can't move away unless he also succeeds a Reflex save.

Tai Leng grabs the kid's wrist, firmly but short of the point of causing pain.

Lemme know if I need to roll something, but given I'm a Grapple specialist and this is a child...figured it was fine to assume it worked.

"Now what made you think you could try that on me? Do I really look like I'm that easy of a mark?"

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Tai Leng walked around the market with an expression somewhere between a grimace and a scowl.

He had some money in his pocket; enough to last him until the end of the week when rent was due at least. After that...the thoughts made the scowl grow deeper, doing nothing to make him look more approachable, in as much as the deep scars etched into his face and bald head would have let him look approachable in the first place.

Punching a superior officer in the face was never a smart move, but Tai Leng would be lying to himself if he said he wouldn't do it again. The bastard had it coming, and no matter what the official rules might say, body contact during a psionic duel was fair game in his book. Raw kinetic energy thrown with purpose; same deal as a Wilder's blast, right?

Apparently others didn't agree. Truth be told, he was surprised he hadn't been tossed in a cell, but "dishonorable discharge" didn't have much better of a ring to it.

Hell with the army anyway. They had it out for me from day one.

He shrugged his shoulders and tried to relax, take his mind off things. Nothing to be done for it now.

Maybe browsing a few shops for things he probably couldn't afford before, and DEFINITELY couldn't afford now would make him feel better?

His scowl deepened even further.

Not sure what the military uniform in this country looks like, but he's still wearing something along those lines, just with all the insignias ripped off.

Updated. Hopefully this works better. Wounds/Vigor won't really be working very well in the HP bars but I'll be updating that in the alias anyway, so it shouldn't matter.

Present!

Character mostly done; all character choices are made I'd just need to fill in derived stats (defense bonus, Wound total, etc.) and gear. Short personality/motivation blurb up in profile, along with a link to Mythweavers for the sheet.

I don't like to go into TOO much detail for character backstories, particularly when I don't have a strong grasp of the setting beyond what the Player's Guide provides.

However, going by the description, I envision a very bureaucratic system, modeled as a sort of meritocracy. Tai Leng is a military recruit. Finished basic training, but probably hasn't seen real action yet given we're level 1; maybe some small skirmishes with bandits and the like, but nothing serious.

I imagine given the nature of PCs, however we're drawn into the plot having a recruit that shows enough aptitude to be worth training for a future special ops position of some sort would be a good fit.

So I could have: 18 18 16 14 14 11 9 by the looks of things. I could probably finagle it so I have no stat under 10...but that takes a lot of mental energy and rejiggering, so I don't feel like it. I'll eat a penalty to Cha, since I was going to do it anyway; fits better with someone who's kind of angry at the world/injustice anyway and lashes out.

...You know I just realized I picked out 7 stats here. I'm dumb.

Anyway, Tai Leng 3.0 is coming along. Aurora Soul Mystic, very Monk-like.

This game could use a loot page. Because I never know how much we have lol

Cyrus leans over to whisper. "Tai, I don't think hanging around a bunch of people just as likely to kill us is a good idea. Plus I'm not exactly carrying around a lot of gold to spend at an auction. The creature with the ax is also a burning pit to my senses."

"Perhaps, but maybe it will gives us some more information as to what this place is. Lest we forget, this unnatural realm is blocking travel between two fairly large cities. Don't you think we should see if we can fix that?" Tai whispers back.

"Intriguing. You use weapons, do you not Cyrus? Perhaps you'll find something to your fancy."

Tai settles in to wait.

"I am afraid we're late for a lot of festivities apparently. This was an unexpected detour for us. What are we bidding on, exactly?"

And so Tai opens the door.

"Thank you. I didn't feel like we had 5 minutes to spare for my wounds to heal naturally."

"Any objections to my greeting whoever is in this room?"

"Instantly I am suspicious. Let us proceed with caution." Tai says as he moves slowly into the room.

"..I suppose. Let's go try that other door."

"If your creation cannot win a fight in which it outnumbers its enemies and occupies favorable terrain, I'd say that speaks for itself, does it not?"

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Tai Leng takes the inferior genetically modified creature and takes him to Suplex City.

Slam (Bash): 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 16 + 2 = 34

Damage (Doubled): 2d8 + 14 + 1d6 ⇒ (7, 6) + 14 + (1) = 28

Grab: 1d20 + 23 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 23 + 2 = 37

Constrict: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Spinning Piledriver: 1d6 + 5 + 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (8) + 5 = 21

Tai Leng's mighty thews encircle the purple three eyed freak, squeezing him in a bone crushing bear hug before slamming him with great force into the ground!

Total damage: 62.

Tai takes a step tpo the side and then gives him what for.

Slam 1: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 16 + 2 = 35
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (5) = 14

Slam 2: 1d20 + 16 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 16 + 2 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 5 + (3) = 16

"Let us test your creation against a true paragon of humanity's might, shall we?"

Tai snaps his fists in the general direction of the 3-eyed creature, producing shockwaves of damaging sound to buffet the being.

Elemental Lance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage (Sonic): 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 4) = 8

Elemental Lance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Damage (Sonic): 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) = 10

Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Can't see map ATM so I'll post rest of actions later. I assume a 24 passes?

"Ah, but they lack that fundamental spark of free will, I assume by your omission. Then I'm afraid I will have to decline your offer."

"And what of the mind? The physical attributes are certainly impressive."