Talivar Tamexo's page

In the end of the day you've got to do what is honourable. So Zek please mark me as inactive.

Good bye folks.

I'd like to suggest instead you recruit for another arcane caster, no need for anyone other than me to quit.

I don't know what to say Talia, I offered to leave so you don't have to...

Urelleth the problem is me. I'm just not on the same page as Talia and I sometimes get irritated by well intentioned attempts to push things forwards. If we were to reset, something would likely happen again six months or so down the line :(

I'd like to suggest instead you recruit for another arcane caster, no need for anyone other than me to quit.

:(

Actually it's probably a better plan than mine.

Anyway I'm probably projecting things and the medium of pbp makes it very hard to perceive tone, so its quite possible this is just me being cranky today. Still frustration over planning isn't a new feeling, and I have been thinking of calling it quits on and off for many months.

The thing that's kept me here is Zek's wonderful world building.

Anyway sorry for offending you but perhaps it's time for Talivar to leave.

Don't have much to say, Talia is the only one allowed to make plans ;)

Edit or at least that's the way it feels.

Talivar laughed, "Neither do I! Another pair however may be possible... The note is a bluff, albeit one signed in blood."

It seemed they where safe for now, so Talivar decided to discuss plans, "We know they can see past cloaking magics with those masks so just waltzing up to the door doesn't seem ideal. I favour a diversion... I wonder perhaps we should pay somebody to deliver a cart to the temple doors with a cargo of dead bloodwatch (under a tarp). We can leave a taunting note in the jaws of one saying we have six more someplace the other side of town. Do you think that would get their attention?"

Sorry the days are all blending into one here, I started to write a response but the kids distracted me. Will try to get a post up soon!

Talivar drained the rest of his glass, got up, collected the empties and left them at the collection point by the bar. Once they were outside he responded to Talia, "Are you planning to come back here again? Also should we be expecting visitors tonight?" In this town a little paranoia went a long way especially considering what they had got up to earlier they would need to set watches. With that though in mind he carefully scanned the area for any danger.

Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

Thanks for letting us know, hope you're ok!

Talivar nods slightly at Talia when she buys the men a drink before murmuring, "I wonder if coming as four is an issue... Well we'll see."

"Aye been a long day.... Mine's a pint o'bitter if ya have any." replied Talivar who fished out a couple of coins and put them on the counter before looking for a free table. Of course this gave him an excuse to size up the punters and check if any of them seem particularly dangerous looking. Probably everyone.

Perception with heightened awareness: 1d20 + 21 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 21 + 2 = 38

Talivar laughed, "That's like a law of the universe or something..." He fell silent shortly after, wondering just what kind of task they'd request, something unsavoury no doubt.

Talivar shrugged, "Mmm I wonder what their goals are exactly, well I guess there's one way to find out..."

Sounding skeptical Talivar asked, "Eh you always were ambitious, what's in it for them? A big mark like those carries a hefty risk. Also what makes you think they're going to give us the time of day?"

Not saying no. Just Talivar thinking Talia is getting ahead of herself.

Later

Outside Talivar noted, "Talia wants to make some new friends..." He shook his head at the thought of trying to contact assassins who where devoted to a rather strange cult. Cautiously he explained his concern, "I guess I'm curious, but uh I'm wonder if rushing into this might not put them on the back foot? I mean just think of the implications from their point of view..."

Talivar scratched his ear as he pointed out, "Cant say I'm an expert on obscure cults, but by reputation they're not the nicest lot are they... I'm not sure we could trust them for well anything really."

Glancing at Betty, he added quickly, "Maybe this is a conversation for a different time."

Note Talivar isn't saying don't get the information, rather he reckons they're likely a bunch of vipers until proven otherwise. Incidentally the write-up of Nocticula is interesting especially the aspiration for godhood / godkilling. Talivar knows nothing about that ofc, but given the campaign themes that could be significant.

GM is that a sect of Nocticula the Redeemer Queen? I'd never heard of them before today.

Hmm probably need a Kn: Religion roll here.

Kn: Religion: 1d20 ⇒ 16

Talivar wasn't the strongest man but he figured he should help, so he took hold of the feet while Uruelleth dealt with the rest. Once the bodies where arranged to their satisfaction he whispered, "I'm tempted to leave their stuff alone, this is supposed to be the handiwork of the shadow stalkers, not a random mugging."

Sorry I meant to post but kept on getting distracted. Yes Talivar was planning to cast Icy Prison.

Talivar glided down to see the results of his handiwork and was grimly satisfied to see the helpless bloodwatch encased in thick ice. Glancing at Kilarra and Uruelleth he nodded. Hopefully they'd put the bugs down cleanly and without too much noise.

Once it was all over he quietly said, "Time to see Betty again..."

Waiting was always the worst bit before the battle. Once it started Talivar knew there wouldn't be time for introspection, there wouldn't be time to imagine the hornets nest they where about to knock over. There wouldn't be time to ponder the torments The Mantis might have in store for them, and for his little girl... Thinking of her and his wife always made him angry, so much so that he found his hands balled into fists and covered in an inch of frost. The ice cracked when he released his fingers and he eased beck into the shadow of the chimney stack behind him. Soon. The patrol would be here soon...

Earlier. As the distant boots approached Talivar cast a spell to confuse his enemies.
Mirror Image: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

And there they where here. He glanced around and a feral grin stole across his features, payback time! He waited until they where almost below before casting his spell, suddenly a huge jolt of energy caused his heart to lurch and he bean moving with incredible speed!

Surprise round: Casting Haste.

I wouldn't be flying around like a bird -just enough to get on the roof. Anyway that could be a legit issue, depends on where exactly the ambush site is and how high the walls are. GM how high are the walls anyway? And how far away are they from the place Kilarra knows about? (or thinks she knows about)

Talivar has spell slots to burn. Precast: Fly x3 (Uruelleth can cast fly himself), Mirror Images, See Invisible, Heightened Awareness, Mage Armour.

We hide on the roof at ambush site. Stealth checks if you have them, or out of sight behind a chimney stack or something if not.

Surprise round (hopefully): Talivar casts haste. Uruelleth and Kilarra swoop down, one infront, one behind.

Round one: Misfortune + Icy Prison on one mantis, focus fire on the other.

Talivar nodded with grim intensity, "Got anywhere in mind? We'll have to be quick and brutal and then melt away. I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve they've not seen before, ones I think might help."

Right then, lets try it.

I'm up for that as well. Killara what do you think?

Uruelleth / Kilarra do you have a preference?

We need 1 person to be bait not four. We can probably take ten on it and use a masterwork disguise kit and if you have any spell slots left open there are magics which can add competence bonuses to the roll. I.e not easily detected afterwards.

I don't see why the plan to ambush the bloodwatch should pivot on this one spell. Can't we concentrate on getting a single good mundane disguise roll?

I can make you fly ;)

Well that makes them very interesting all of a sudden. Pretend to be some of them, lead the bloodwatch into an ambush and quite possibly any observers would think they are to blame.

Think that's Kilarra only with +9 on Kn:Local.

So I have a half baked idea, choose a place where we want to ambush the bloodwatch and lure them there. It needs to be:

* A place were two would go without stopping for backup
* Difficult for them to get backup once combat starts

We might be sufficient bait but I wonder if they would just run for backup? So here's a question what would be sufficient bait for a bloodwatch patrol to get them to fall into our trap? Is there a list of public enemies?

Earlier.

After getting tired of making small talk to the various street hawkers and merchants of Ilizmagorti while watching the bloodwatch, Talivar spoke to the others in hushed tones, "It might be easier to ambush them when off duty. You know trawl the bars and brothels looking for ones we recognize and either follow them or entice them somewhere. Thing is I feel that lacks a certain impact, might as well be a random mugging. Maybe we should set our sights higher and take out one of these pairs? If so how? I don't want two to snowball into twenty."

Before Talia heads off to visit Jaxira, Talivar suggests to Kilarra and Uruelleth, "Let's discreetly keep an eye on bloodwatch patrols? Maybe we can spot an opportunity to take some of them out..."

Assuming nobody disagrees rather nonchalantly Talivar goes shopping buying some small things, all the while he's really watching the patrols seeing if they have any patterns or weaknesses.
Bluff: I'm not watching you honestly!: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36
Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (7) + 21 = 28

I'm ready to get started. Uruelleth / Kilarra are you happy with the plan? Is there anything else you'd like to do today?

I like the shape stone idea plus a division.

Talivar considered for a moment before replying, "A distraction seems like a good idea... Out of curiousity what's the biggest dumbest thing you can summon? I might be able to stack some illusions on top. As for disguises I know what you mean but it depends who you're trying to fool, a low level pleb is one thing a senior member is quite another."

The thing about illusions and bluffs is they have to be believable.
I think we had penalties on our last disguise due to circumstance. Mantiss here are common place so a good disguise will likely fool commoners, The Mantis themselves possibly not, but there's a big difference between a lowly bloodvessel and a Vernai and I think we're far more likely to meet the former to begin with. Anyway I won't spend any more resources than taking ten and using disguise kits.

Talivar nodded, "Perhaps we could concoct some story about making a delivery. Won't stand up to scrutiny but if delivered with enough conviction it might get us inside."

From their vantage point Talivar remarked softly, "Well its there... How do we want to do this, wait for nightfall?"

Talivar blinks at Talia when she doesn't respond immediately. Glancing at Uruelleth and Kilarra he tells them, "I'm going to take a look see at the pagoda, might be best if you came with..."

I'm intending to head towards it and try and get a look around the back of it, ideally from afar. Specifically looking for buildings behind the pagoda, ones we might be able to enter or climb on top of. The goal is to plan our entry into the pagoda.

As he started walking, Talivar keep alert for anything and everything...
Perception if applicable: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (17) + 21 = 38

Asking about watch schedules does seem like a decent idea... We could offer money and claim we're starting a 'business' and want to know where and hop often they patrol to make sure it'll be protected.

Agreed taking Klorn out sounds like it's going to be hard and I'm not sure we have the time.

Or here's a wild idea, after we have the scroll (assuming we don't get beaten up too badly) pay somebody to tell the watch people have broken into the pavilion, by which time we are near Sawtooth Keep. My bet is either that gets Klorn or a large number of the watch out. If Klorn is in the open we try to take him out. If not we try our luck in the keep.

Yeah tons could go wrong with that, but who dares wins.

Later Talivar gave Talia a brittle smile, "Seems it's going to be a challenge. What do we know of Sawtooth Keep? I'm not even sure how big it is..."

Maybe we should take a look?

Talivar nodded, "Yeah we have stuff to do." as he fell in behind Kilarra.

Once they were outside, Talivar casually glanced around checking for watchers and danger.
Perception: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

Assuming he doesn't see anything concerning.
Talivar casually suggested, "Perhaps we should go shopping? It would give me an excuse to fish for information about Klorn."

If folks agree.
As they talk to various street vendors and market stall holders about produce the weather, Talivar casually slips in a few questions... "Hey my aunt wanted me to deliver a letter to Captain Klorn, any idea where I should drop it off? I assume he's too busy to receive visitors right? Oh it's not official business, I uh think she's a secret admirer..."

Diplomacy: Gather Information: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

Time seems to be of the essence so what ever we do it needs to be quick, this is enemy territory and we are not safe here. Perhaps we should change our disguises before leaving or shortly after. We need to decide how we're planning to leave, do we try the tunnels again or teleport directly away?

If we could eliminate Klorn I'm sure that would help impress the Kano. I'm thinking we should take a leaf out of the Mantis' playbook and attempt to find out where he lives and when he is most vulnerable. He's got to sleep at some time right, and I wonder if he's as paranoid about his personal safety as he should be? The Mantis have everyone running scared after all.

Talivar beams at Betty, "You're right I don't like it, I love it! Anything that involves squishing bugs sounds good to me, especially if it's not necessarily a one way trip."

He then asks with a poker face, "Still I can't help but wonder, isn't this all a bit risky for you? What if we get captured and they find out about this conversation?"

I suppose a banshee is plausible now we're level 10 but that would be like playing russian roulette very easy to end in a TPK.

Ditto.

Talivar shrugs, "All right spit it out Betty, where is this item near the scroll you whish us to retrieve?" He half expected her to say it was in the citadel in which case he planned on laughing in her face.

TBH I won't take it personally when she does sell information about us. Let's just hope it's after we've left town though. Anyway I guess we say yes to her terms?

We're certainly taking a risk by coming here. Bit late for cold feet thought!
Talivar sighed, "Might I ask what you mean by we won't like where it's located? How do you know we won't like it or are you just assuming? We might be completely mad and unfazed by things that would upset regular folk..."