Tamien "Tam"'s page

Tamien nods, he appreciates that the group is more or less of the same mindset.
"That guy was a necromancer but he had his head buried in a book and he was just traveling around with his bodyguard. He might have just been really bad at his job but I think he was heading somewhere, not patrolling.

Keri said she saw M'ushu, though. We'd probably find out more by searching him out again and spying but it'd be more dangerous. I say we should follow the necromancer and see what's going on with him."

"But none of that helps us right now. I don't see how we can help M'ushu, especially since he seems to be in charge and we'd have to forcibly remove him from those he commands.

But further compicating things are the Undead. We don't really know anything about them or why they'reapprently working with the Yerath."

Tamien begins tapping his hand against a wall as he's thinking.
"Anything we do is going to be dangerous but a few of these things are all but guaranteed to kick things off into high gear, while some other things will only do that if we get caught. Gathering information about the Undead or the yerath, as well as hunting for goods will take time. Doing anything else is bound to start attracting attention no matter how successful we are. I'm starting to think we should try to figure out what it is the Yerath and Undead are doing here. Thoughts?" he says looking around at the others.

Tamien's mouth hung open and his eyes widened.
"Mushu? He's... he's actually here?"

He took several long moments to try and work past the shock. Eventually he spoke without meeting anyone's gaze.

"I... don't know. This place is unusually cruel, but it is still a place of magic. I won't say it's impossible. But from what I remember of being a Healer as Charles, that sort of a thing is tier 4 magic, at the earliest. Probably more like 5 and it would have to be a pretty small list. Imedren was easily the most varied character I made and he couldn't have done it.

But even so, we're only level 3, so we have a long way to go before we can even consider something like that.

Then he looked up.
"Although, if one of us were to learn divination magic, or buy the right scrolls, I think there's a couple of spells we might be able to use to contact the one running this game. Ask some direct questions and talk at the camera, so to speak."

"Not a bad plan. Keri, you're the quietest of us. Think you can do that?"

"There are bigger things than that in this world. But remember, just because its big doesn't mean it's overly dangerous. I wasn't expecting that to be our first encounter in the city either. But we need to try and get over that notion. Next time we see something like that, we might just need to hit it with ranged attacks first.

So, are we just going to hide out here until another target presents itself to us? Also, we may need to work on hand signs and coordinate an attack."

Tamien had helped stack a half dozen crates along the side of a building in an alleyway in a stairs like fashion. He crouched on the middle crate, giving himself cover.

He'd taken to occasionally tossing rocks down the alleyway to see if the noise might draw attention.

When he heard the lumbering footsteps he stopped moving and prepared to leap from his hiding place.

Hide: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

His eyes widened at Keri's sneeze but he did not move or tip himself over.

"I like Con's ambush plan. It lets us choose our starting ground. We can test out our abilities and see how they'll respond around the city."

Tamien gave a quick wave to the captain as they disappeared then he surveyed the docks.

"Guess it really is abandoned. We should see if we can find and ready something for a quick escape before we're noticed. Vultan, you know ships best now. Lead us to which one you think might work well."

"Let's use the docks then. It'll give us a better idea of the city layout. I like the idea of the sewers, but if it's that easy to get lost then we should avoid it for now."

Tamien found himself noddinging his head even before Vultan and Keri had finished speaking. They sounded so reasonable. The had a solid reason not to get involved with saving anyone, it was so risky.

But something in the back of his mind was nagging at him. Something didn't feel right. Absently, he looked around at the boat, at the ruined city, the miserable people, the obvious danger, then down at the water and he saw himself reflected in the water. The ripples of their passing through the water distorting it.

It hit him then. Keri and Vultan were both so much more convincing than normal due to some racial abilities they each had. When they worked together it was even more powerful. It was an asset, but it was also insidious. Unintentionally in this case, he thought.

Actually, there are several insidious things going on here. But then, this is how this world works.

"No. We can't just ignore this. Not when we're in a position to do something about it. We have to remember, our actions have consequences. Ones that can ripple throughout the world.

We have the boat, the water seems to keep both the Undead and the yerath at bay. If we don't help. If we don't even try, we might end up causing this world's barrier to crack and let the demons in faster. You don't have to come, you can wait here on the boat if you want. Though it would be a lot easier if you came since your prayer ability can help with just about anything." he let the thoughts hang as his mind worked.

Con's words hit Tamien and left him feeling guilty. Mushu. he'd already nearly forgotten that he'd been here with them all. Tamien glanced at the people in chains and his guilt amplified. Could he just leave them all there. Not even daring to try and help. How would he feel if he ended up in a similar situation and he saw some at a distance?

He sighed and decided to go in with this idea. "I don't know about just going out there and avenging M'ushu, these aren't the same Yerath... or at least I don't think so... but trying to save a few people, yes. Maybe getting some combat experience against these sorts of enemies wouldn't be a bad idea. Supplies would be good too.

We don't really know where anything in the city is. So we'd probably have to go in under the cover of dark and try to rescue a few people. We could get some information. We'd probably be able to fight our way out of anything other than a full squad of defenders.

Tamien observed the destruction of Nessus with a grim expression.
"Well we missed the fighting. I admit my plan was somewhat vague and I was hoping we might find something a little easier to focus on once we got to Nessus. But Undead and Yerath. I don't know that there's much we could do without risking everyone."

Tamien looks at the sailors. "If you're not sure how often boats make landfall here, it might be a good idea to try and find a way to signal them and make them come to us. Check the lighthouse keeper's journal and see if there's any instructions on how to signal boats. Or if any of you know morse code or lighting signals on how to call for help?

This isn't a bad setup we have here now and if we have to wait, then we'll be okay. But I'd like to be proactive about getting off this island."

He turned to Keri. "Well, I hate to say it but we aren't exactly the most well equipped and it's a long distance to get to those mountains from here. If we want to make allies and gain assistance, then heading towards the fires and those in trouble would be the best way to do that. Anyone got any fire fighting or brush burning experience?"

"Of course I know you weren't Tesswyn. If I remember correctly, you even gave her a will save which she bombed. It did end on a decent note though, sans 30 years of life. The only character of mine who got what amounted to a mostly happy ending without the looming dread of hell... Imedren and Raven though, they weren't so lucky."

He stared into the fire for a short time remembering and thinking.

His voice became somber. "We need to be careful about that. There are a lot of bad things other than just getting killed. M'ushu is mind-controlled in that hive somehow and Nick... he's not himself anymore."

He grimaced momentarily at the memory of his first character and his decision to use that item. He made a tsk noise. "I made a lot of mistakes in that campaign. To be fair I was in my roughest state of being sleep deprived between work and taking classes, and I told Bookrat that Charles took it off from time to time, but I guess I wasn't really explicit enough.

Not to mention, Kahtia was there being all distracting." he drummed his fingers in annoyance.

Stupid, sexy Kahtia. he thought, remembering the line they'd all started using.

He was appreciative that Con was willing to get the fire going.
"Thanks, Con. You make it look so easy."
It wasn't that he was unable to do so, but despite having been a boy scout for several years he'd never had an easy time getting fires going.

...

As they finished setting up camp, Tamien stopped and looked back at the others.
"Here we are again, huh? A couple of misfit heroes, camping in the wilderness. Trying to figure things out. A race against time! Fighting off things trying to kill us and trying to stay sane. Fighting the good fight, in the shadow of the Demon Lord."

"Ha! Ha ha ha! Ah ha ha ha!" he didn't mean to, but it struck him as funny and and he started laughing with more than a little absurdity. "Haah. Oh man..."

After several moments his laughter died down. "It's our... well MY fourth campaign, so to speak. This time we can really meta-game. Like, really, really meta-game. Do you... do you think we'll make it this time?" The smile was still there, but there was also uncertainty in his voice.

The days at the monastery were relaxing and something like a vacation. Good for helping him learn to become familiar with his new abilities and how tough he'd become.

Heh, vacation. That word has practically lost its meaning. he thought sardonically.

The time spent came to an end too fast however. They couldn't stay here for too long. Tamien said his goodbyes to the monks and then Nick. He headed out with the others from the monastery with a troubled look.

Nick had completely changed after coming back as a Revenant, he'd forgotten who he was. But that happened, he realized. Thinking back on a lot of the Isekai anime shows he'd watched, aside from a few notable exceptions, most of the characters became completely different from who they started out as. A character arc.

He glanced back one more time before they descended too far down and let out a sigh. There was a lot of stairs they had to go down.

...

Remembering the difficulty they had when not taking the monk's advice, Tamien holds up at the spot they'd camped at.

"Hey, I think we should probably camp here for the night. No sense getting back to our rowboat and being too tired to continue. It may be best if we return to the lighthouse and talk to the sailors. They are actually from here and have probably traveled or heard more about the lands we need to travel through. If nothing else, they'd be able to tell us when the best time to go across the ocean would be."

He studied the map with the others, looking over the circled parts of the maps.

"Great, areas I know next to nothing about. It looks like the fastest path would be hugging the north-western facing side of the mountains, it's probably the fastest route but it also looks pretty barren. We might want to stop at the Kingdom of Skulls to get a better idea of it, or maybe cut around the Patchwork lands... anyone know anything about those places?" he asked, looking quizzically to the others.

The rush of power faded, but not entirely. His capacity was notably greater. He felt better, more balanced, his hands felt like they were notably stronger. He could actually feel a small well of the strength he could call to.

"Enchanted items, gear, and power. Well, we're better for it."

And I guess we get to skip over the weeks or months of training... although maybe some of that is still in order.

"Alright, Gax. Where is the next closest gate? Preferably an unoccupied gate? Also, can you warn us about what is going to start happening now that 3 gates have been opened?"

Expert Path: Mystic, level 3,
Attributes: Agility +1, Will +1,
Characteristics: Health +4, Power +1
Enlightened Defense: While you are not wearing armor or wielding a shield, you have a bonus to Defense equal to 1 + your Power.
Iron Fist: Your unarmed strike’s damage die becomes 1d6 unless it is already higher.
Qi Focus: You can use an action to focus your Qi, which remains focused until you expend it, you become unconscious, or you complete a rest. While focused, your Qi grants you a +1 bonus to Defense and a +4 bonus to Speed. In addition, you move at full Speed across difficult terrain.
Qi Strike: When you get a success on an attack roll made using an unarmed strike, you can expend your Qi focus to deal 1d6 extra damage per point of your Power.

The rush of power that hit Tamien was both expected and welcome. His budding fear about missing out entirely by not being the one to open the gate directly was silenced. Now he merely began to wonder if there were some potential benefits he might have missed. He would have to ask Nick about that later.

For now he felt the need to shape this energy into something more, an expert class that would help him survive. He'd already done some extensive research from the books they'd had access to into several good options.

His mediocre stats were not terribly inclusive toward more magically based choices as he'd already opted not to increase them once. There were only 3 chances to do so in most campaigns and aside from a rare encounter he'd had in his first campaign that Bookrat had added in, he'd only have one more after this.

He'd wanted to go with a straight Strength and Agility build. But there already seemed to be a lot more horrific things they'd run into early on in this campaign and he was worried about going crazy too soon. It could kill him if things went really wrong. Agility was tied to his defense and he could get away unarmed combat thanks to them being a finesse type attack. So he'd already come to a decision. He would let strength go by the wayside fo until he could reach a Master Class.

For his Expert Path he chose the Mystic Path.

Tamien eyes the various enchanted items with some interest. Aside from the Sepsis Stone which just didn't work with his planned build at all, he found the other items somewhat interesting to marginally useful and was contemplating ways to use the Jumper Boots most effectively. That was, until the Ring of Life was displayed. Then his eyes lit up.

[i]So soon? We never got anything like this until it was close to end game in Bookrat's games.[/b]

The lesser power of the ring would be handy, of course. But the revival ability could be downright game changing.

"I want that ring!" Tamien said after a long moment.

He would need a lot of practice he realized, 24 hours of concentration was no easy feat for anyone, let alone him. But he figured if he could learn to do it anywhere, a monastery would probably the the best place for it.

"I'll probably need some help learning how to focus and quiet my mind, however."

He was already making a mental list of what other gear he might need and what they could possibly need for later when they were leaving. But that could wait.

Keri's question brought him back to the moment at hand. There was the second thing Gax had planned for them. So he refocused his attention.

Ah, simpler than I thought.

"What? You mean... Ah. So the New God is actually Diabolus, who is a Fae. But he's turning into what he pretended... agh, I hate this!" Tamien exclaimed running his hands through his hair for several moments.

Then he gripped his hands into fists and exhaled sharply. "Okay! So faith apparently does have some measure of power, good to know, I guess. But from what we know, it took a long time for this effect to manifest and would too much work and take way too long for it to finish transforming Diabolus into a 'true god' who isn't draining your power. If I'm even understanding this right. Okay, so he needs more time and is a non-starter. Setting that discussion aside..."

"So we're at odds with the Trolls and the Fae directly because they're overconfident idiots and the insects are also running for the gates.

You have 2 gates in your name. So I guess the next thing is... what are you able to do for us now? The first gate gave me a rush of power in this world and also promised something I'm not exactly thrilled to be trying out even if it does work. Can you aid us now that you have more power or is that something only the person who opens the gate gets? Meaning Nick."

Tamien absorbed the information, though he was feeling better now it still washed over his head.

"Wait, okay. So open the other gates and then we'll have to hunt down some of these other "gods" he says, using air quotes "uh, actually no. I don't like it. Let's call them immortals. We'll eventually have enough power to hunt down some of these other immortals before they take too much power. Which apparently we kicked off by finding the ocean shrine. In this case, you'd need 10 of these gates in order to readily shield Urth from the Demon Lords Power, but the more the better."

He scuffs his feet on the ground.
"What if we fail and one of these other gods gets a bunch of the gates opened to it instead? Could they handle the power? Is there some sort of upper limit that they'd likely hit and couldn't handle? Or is there a learning curve to your power that you think they just wouldn't have time to understand in order to properly shield this world? I can't imagine they'd want to see it destroyed by the Demon Lord.

For that matter, you mentioned the Dark Gods. What about the New God? Where does he stand in all of this. From the bits of lore I've heard, I've always had the feeling that his power came from a different source. Would he be another god to be concerned about?" Now that he could think clearly, the questions began pouring out of Tamien and he had to stop himself to let Gax answer.

It was not the first time he had heard this voice boom into his mind but it was certainly more solid than last time. Still, even with many imaginings, writings, and playing in games where this sort of things was described or imagined, it was still so different than he remembered.

"Nice to finally see you on the table, Gax." It took him a moment for the words to all sink in. "Marquis of Lunacy, huh? I hope there's more to that meaning than what I know. I just got my head clear for the first time in several weeks, so I'd rather not lose it again."

"Seems as though you had some success in getting others to heed your call if this was the third gate being opened. Mind telling us where the second gate was?

Presumably your power, awareness, and memory have started coming back. Also, I kept that Trident and the wave crest safe, like you asked." he said, pulling out the trident.

Tamien smiles at the younger monk, catching his jubilance and gives a nod in appreciation for the healing root. "Thank you."

He takes it willingly despite the pungent amber incense scent that comes from it and clings to him.

Gel uses: 1d6 ⇒ 1
He felt good about using it as it vaguely reminded him of icy hot. It seemed to seep into his body and help soothe his aching muscles and it also seemed to reach further in. Upon feeling that, he even applied it to his neck, face, and head. Somehow it began soothing the constant ache in his head he'd nearly forgotten was there.

He was pleased with the soup they brought him as it beat eating half frozen rations and even happier to find there was a room for him with furs! Oh they were so warm and comfortable compared to the last days of travel. Even more than the ship, if he was being honest.

He rested well that night, his body ached, but he could tell it was a good ache, the kind he'd wake from and be stronger for afterwards. Or so he hoped. The taste of the energy root was still in his mouth however. He wondered if there was more of that as he drifted off to sleep.

Will: 1d20 ⇒ 12
The next morning he awoke, yawning. He was hungry but he had forgotten the slight craving he'd had. He got up and realized he could think clearly. The deep ache from the head wound he'd received had cleared up and the rest had probably been the best in a while!

"Oh man. I can think again. I can talk normally! That stuff is really good!" he reached for the container.
Good Fortune reroll: 1d6 ⇒ 1 Ugh, fine.
Too much. he chided himself, looking at the last dregs of the balm. He'd used it all in one rush. But it had been worth it!

He stood up feeling better than he had in weeks and realized he still smelled like the gel. Ah well. he thought as he made his bed. No need to be rude after all, and made his way to the hall, looking for the others while grinning.

He grimaced at Nick's words. The loss of self he was experiencing having become a revenant and serving death. He wasn't too sure about what he meant regarding winter but he supposed it was good that someone was working to help them.

Gax.
Tamien's eyes open wide at the name of the one he's decided to help. realized how tired he was at the mention of sleep.

"You're right. We need to rest. There is somewhwere for us then, yes? he asked expectantly.

"Lighthouse and cabin infested by fish men. They used strange ritual to create monster. Fought them, slew them. Got hurt, needed a few days rest. Saved some of ships crew." he paused for a few moments to collect his thoughts as he stared at the revenant.

"We're still living. Needed supplies, Nick. Took our time, rested, secured cabin and lighthouse as base. Weather and terrain made it difficult. Took us time to find here."

Tamien nodded as the man gave his name and later takes the proffered root from Pange.

He begins chewing it and immediately regrets it as the taste is one of the things he hates most. Licorice. He recalled from a friend of his who was knowledgeable about such things, however, that most alchemy shops smelled like this.

With a grimace on his face he continues, hoping the taste would fade. Eventually it did, just not all the way.

Still, it didn't immediately kill him, so there was something to be thankful for and he somehow made it all the way to the top of the staircase.

Upon finally arriving at the monastery he spit out the foul tasting root and let's out a sigh of relief as his leg as shake and he catches his breath.

When he sees Nick inside his mouth hangs open with disbelief.
"Alive, and here?!

Tamien nods at Keri's assumption. "Nick."

He turns his focus back to the heavily dressed man,
"We're ready now. Name?" he asked looking up at him inquisitively.

The day of rowing around was worth it! Tamien had always been a poor climber in his other life and he had not been about to test it if he didn't have to.

The stairs were a god send, or something like it anyway. They secured their boat at the base of the steps before beginning the arduous climb up the stairway.

After a while, the aching in his ankles and the sweat from the climb made him wish he had one of those robes but he had to make do with being markedly uncomfortable the rest of the way up.

Lunch was good enough, warm thanks to Keri, and restful. Though he kept having to move around the campfire as the smoke seemed to follow him for some reason. He didn't enjoy the idea of getting up again but he'd been warned by his dad that during a marathon, if he rested for too long, he knew it would just keep getting harder to move again. So, with a groan, he pushed himself to move forward with his group.

Then they spotted some one coming down the mountain. "Hello? Tamien called out to the individual." waving his arm "We're travelers, heading to Monastery. You probably saw fire smoke?"

Despite his preparations, the cold days of the trek wore Tamien down. Trekking through the snow reminded him of being at the beach hikes, only worse now that he was so short. He ended up with dry reddish skin, chapped, then cracked bleeding lips, and despite the winter clothing when they had to camp it was unpleasant as the cold seeped into his body slowly. He took to cursing under his breath about the cold it was and how much of a pain this all was. Somehow it helped him keep going through it all.

Finally, their perseverance paid off as the trinket led their way to the keep. He smiled for a moment, just gazing at the next step, until he began thinking about what they had to do with the next step. Climbing up a steep angle.

He figured Con and himself would have a decent chance. Kil'hara, he wasn't too sure about. But when he looked at Keri and Vultan he eyed the two dubiously.

"I think... we need to find other way. You two, not strong. Not even average. Might fall."

Tamien found the others gathered in the kitchen. He shuffled a few papers in his hands. "We should make a serious push to find the shrine tomorrow. I made lists. Think we have everything prepared. Just need to grab row boat from docks. Tie on ropes to pull it. Can use it as supply sled and cross water, if needed." he said.

"Wave amulet should point us in the right direction. Less chance of getting lost." he looked at the ship's remaining crew members. "Maybe you stay here? Keep yourselves safe. Man lighthouse, watch for other ships passing by?"

The serious conversation he'd wanted had gone well. His allies were with him in finding the next shrine, that would be enough. Now he could focus on what he'd wanted to do.

The next few days were spent traversing further to the south of the island on short day hikes but traveling conditions got notably worse, so Tamien began thinking and planning again. A few more pieces of parchment let him organize his thoughts.

He spent time in the cellar going over their supplies. The golden pocket watch he'd found let him keep track of the time of day, it also helped keep him focused.

The cold was the first hurdle, but thanks to Vultan's foresight, they'd been able to overcome it for the group at large. There were some winter clothes they'd found in the cabin, but covered in gore. Keri and her ability to manipulate fire could boil the water and help clean them. At that point, it was up to the crew to not think too much about it.

The next problem would be... transportation. It would get tricky, especially the more of the group they brought. He considered leaving the crew members and maybe Kil'hara behind, it wasn't a bad idea and they had slain a large number of the anglerfishman. But there could always be more. A sled would be nice. he thought, then he saw the oars on the wall.
Or a boat! The thought struck him and he recalled seeing one tied to the dock when they'd arrived. He nodded to himself. It would work and could be used for multiple purposes. Supplies, wind block, wagon if someone got hurt.

Lots of rope too, so hauling that wouldn't be too hard, especially if he and Con worked together. The sailors were a hardy lot as well, they could readily switch off if they came too.

Food? There was still plenty of rations and water would be plentiful with the snow to the south. Plus the possibility of fishing with spears, nets, and rods, it should be possible to catch more food along the way.

Light? Whale oil cannisters. A few lanterns. Probably more than enough. Good.

Lastly, direction?' He recalled what the deep voice had said and pulled out the wave amulet. It should help guide them along the way, maybe like a compass? He wasn't sure. But he thought he had considered a vast majority of the problems. Now he just had to convince everyone to leave.

Enchanted objects:

Flame Spear:
You can use an action to cause flames to swirl around the object for as long as you concentrate. The flames shed light as a torch.
You can use a triggered action to brighten the flame; when you do so, the flame will stay on for 1 minute before extinguishing, at which point th effect ends. The object has 3 uses. You regain expended uses once each day when you place the object in a fire.

Wave trident:
1- You can use an action to cause long barbed spikes to grow out of one weapon within your short range, granting it the impale property. This object has 1d3 uses.
(Impale- When taking damage from a weapon with the impale property, the target becomes grabbed. While grabbed this way, attacks made with the impaling weapon automatically succeed. Attempts to escape the grab are made with 1 bane.)
2- This object cannot be destroyed and ignores any damage done to it. (Learned by combat.)
3- While wielding this object, you can safely breathe water. (Learned by drowning.)

Wave trinket:
-Locate gate shrines?

Monocle of animal filters:
A monocle that, when looked through, causes other people's faces to have bizarre animal qualities.

Robes of the Summer Queen (x2):
Keeps its wearer warm and protected from the cold.
Is also enchanted to resist becoming dirty.

Even though they'd survived the immediate danger, there was still work to do. A part of him wanted to set out immediately and search the island for the shrine but he was still hurt, another few days of recuperation would help a lot. More than that, somewhere in his mind he knew that leaving the dark occultist sigils, the blood and bodies, all of it had a way of attracting more of that. Particularly in this world.

So he held off on his desire to search immediately and helped spend the next several days cleaning up the lighthouse keeper's cabin, and then the lighthouse itself with the others. He noted that Vultan's robes seemed to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The work was long and hard, putting in a full day each day but it was also simple. He helped put together a slightly more efficient work crew which he recalled from his days in the conservation corp.

They ate well, as it turned out one of the ships survivors was something of a decent cook. Between the stores of rations in the cabins cellar and the host of fishing rods, there was no shortage of new food as all of the crew had learned to fish at an early age.

But during the evenings he spoke with the others in his immediate group, he spoke to Kil'hara and the other survivors of the ship, and he wondered where Nick had gotten off to. As he healed, he contemplated their situation and the eagerness began to build in him. His mind was foggy and his thoughts were slow to collect, he wondered if he'd get better. He didn't know so he found the journal of the keepers cabin and began to write his thoughts down on several torn out pages. Eventually, he recalled what he needed to ask.

As they finished up the cleaning for the lighthouse he found Keri, Vultan, and even Kil'hara. "I need to speak to you all. It's important. It is about your gods."

Still hurt from the wounds he'd taken from the previous nights fighting, hauling bodies, and nearly dying, Tamien grunted as he began to move. He didn't want to move, much less do anything else, but Keri had already suggested it and he knew things weren't likely to wait for them to get better.

"Every building tries to kill us." he complained irritably. "Food first."

The smell of the burning bodies made him somewhat nauseous and he didn't want to eat the stored rations but he felt the growing pit in his stomach and knew he should. Today wasn't going to be a terribly restful one.

"Anyone a good cook?" he asked to the room hopefully.

Once the last of the Fishmen had been slain by Con and himself, and the human skin from the light had been removed from the lighthouse light by Vultan, the red faded and it was like a spell had been broken. Tamien's vision cleared and his anger subsided.

Adrenaline left him and he glanced around the room, breathing hard. The nightmare quality having faded, it was now just real. The nausea and pain which had been held back all this time finally got the better of him and he had to throw up over the railing. He felt nothing short of miserable.

After several minutes Con tossed a body over the railing and although he didn't want to do anything else, he dragged himself over and began helping Con to remove all the bodies of the fish men.

"Kil, thank you for help. Probably would have died without you." he said. "Can you help us remove?" asked of his friend.

9 more bodies, even with help was draining in their condition. When that was over, he stopped and looked at the others.

"We cover the sailors. Too tired for much else now. Bury later, then..." he glanced around the gore covered room. "Then clean up. Rest back in house basement. Eat, drink. Look for rest of crew. Look for Nick."

As the fighting stopped, Tamien stared at the glowing red room of death, full of bodies, of blood, and viscera. The skinned body over the light, the occultist symbols on the walls and floor, and the monsters who held their hands in fear.

And the monsters. The Anglerfishmen who curled on the floor and now... surrendered? It was too much.

How. Dare. They.

There was no mercy for them. There couldn't be. Not in Tamien's cold eyes. He stalked over to them and began finishing them off. Crushing them his with heels, with his punches and elbows. They would know some measure of the pain they caused.

Novice Path Level 2: Monk
Characteristics: Health +4
Stunning Strike: When the total of your attack roll with an unarmed strike is 20 or higher and beats the target number by 5 or more, your target becomes stunned until the end of the next round.
Unarmed Prowess: Your attacks with unarmed strikes deal 1d6 extra damage.

Tamien felt the energy of Vultan's spell wear off and the full weight of his sickness crash into him again. It was bad, but at least he was still moving as he dodged back from the newest monster that had managed to crawl over and swipe at him.

As sick as he felt though, he knew he could kill this one. It was still badly wounded and still terrified from Keri's spell. He couldn't afford to take any more risks, he had to kill it. His punch wasn't likely to be enough on its own, not yet. But the trident could do it.

He dropped the vial of oil he'd been intending to throw onto the ground and drew the trident quickly. Gripping it in both hands he squared his shoulders and thrust in a downward motion with all his might.

Fast Turn: Drop vial of oil. Minor action- Draw Trident. Action- Attack A3. Banes 1; Sickened. Boons 3; Terror2, Prone 1.
Boons: 2d6 ⇒ (3, 5) = 8
Trident: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
2-handed damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Fast turn: Action- Dropkicking A4 over the ledge. Minor action- Picking up fallen oil vial.

Dodging away desperately from the form of the anglerfishman's attack, Tamien hit against the wall and then jumped back at his opponent striking with both legs
Cartwheel dropkick vs. A4: 16 = 16

He watched with a sigh of relief as his opponent finally goes over over the railing. But he could only take a quick moment to catch his breath before looking back into the room with the rest of his allies as they desperately fought for their lives. It looked as though several of the other monstrosities were starting to get to their feet.

Gotta help them!
"Use fire! Hit screaming ones!"

Fast turn: Action- Body toss! 2 banes, bigger enemy/sickened. -1 bane, Martial arts. 1 boon, Blessing.

Not tall anymore. Lower!
Tamien realized his mistake as he dodged the attack. He had tried to lift too high before, grabbing around the monsters waist.

Although he still felt shaky and his body hurt, he leaned in to the pain. Clenching his teeth in determination and letting out a primal growl, he ducked in and grabbed at its legs to control its footing. He heaved with all his strength and lifted up with his entire body.

Then he threw himself and the anglerfishman at the railing.
body toss: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
"Fall down!"

Tamien's eyes shot open and he takes a deep breath as some of the pain in his chest recedes. His gaze snaps to the creature that had struck him and he pushed himself up on his arms before throwing his leg under and behind him to stand up.

Glancing behind him, he saw only the rail and the fog and had a sudden idea. He lunged forward, wrapping his arms around the monstrosity and lifted, trying to throw it over his shoulders and the fog.

Slow turn: Move to stand up. Action-Suplex vs. A4. Banes 2, sickened/larger creature. Martial Arts, -1 bane. 1 Boon, Blessing.
Suplex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Slow turn: Minor action 1 & 2- Draw 2 vial of oil. Move 10 yards back to the open door. Action- hurl vial at the flames at the Crab monster.

As the monster went tumbling over the side, Tamien let out a sigh of relief and spared only a glance at his enemy as he rummaged through his pack. Pulling out 2 vials of oil he hurriedly limped back to the door. The sounds of fighting still fierce.

He saw something happen but didn't have time to determine what, he saw most of the enemies were still up and only a few had any flames burning them. Even so, he was sure he could make at least one of them burn.
Oil vial 1 vs. Agility of Crab man: 1d20 + 1 - 1d6 ⇒ (12) + 1 - (1) = 12

"Keri, burn it!"

As he was struck from moving, the pain and his sickness nearly caused Tamien to black out. But he grabbed onto the pain and adrenaline and forced himself to focus and he moved.

I knew. I KNEW that could have happened. A part of his mind berated himself for being so foolish.

The monster chased him but was faster. He remembered how this should work and he had it right where he wanted it now, he just wished he wasn't so hurt! He might very well die if things went poorly, but he had to hope.

He jumped to cut off his momentum, twisting in the air, he planted one foot on the wall of the lighthouse to steady himself and tensed his legs to spring back the other way. Then his posture changed, instead of using his arms, he was going to flying knee this one over the edge. It was bigger, yes. But he knew he could make up for the difference.

One more step.

Fast turn: Action-Prepare to Shove the Anglerfishman when it closes in. Banes 2: (Sickened, Larger enemy). Martial Arts (-1 Bane). Boons 2: (Blessing, Prepare).

Shove over the railings: 1d20 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (11) + 1 + (6) = 18

Slow Turn: Shifting attack, Sick 2 banes. Martial arts -1 bane. Unarmed training & blessing 2 boons. Move around to the other side of the Catwalk 11 spaces to get some distance.

Tamien strikes at his attacker, pushing back and away from the anglerfishman's head and tries to drive him off and runs around the catwalk, taunting to the monsters behind him.

"Come on, Lovecraft rejects! Chase me!"

Shifting Attack: 1d20 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 1 + (5) = 12
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Slow turn: Stealth across the room. Action- open door, move any remaining distance through. Minor action 1- Toss grapnel onto railing. Minor action 2- Ready bow and signal.

Tamien finished tying his grapnel to this rope and gives a quick test pluck of his bow string and looks back at the others as they ready themselves.

"Wait for me to get to the door, I'll signal, then go." he took a quick steadying breath and then stalked across the room.

stealth: 1d20 + 1 - 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 1 - (1) = 19

He opened the door to the catwalk quietly, then he tossed the end of his grapnel onto the catwalk to create a line for quick descent. Then he spun around and readied his bow.

A few moments after the shaking began, Tamien eyes focused on the strange symbols and while he didn't quite recognize something sparked a memory in his mind and he stopped laughing to himself.

"We have to stop them now and do something about the ritual directly. It looks like they're too far in and can't be stopped by just ruining the symbols." Tamien whispers to the rest of the group.
"I'll go to open the door and then we'll hit them hard and fast. We'll go to the balcony and we can fight them where their numbers mean less. Sound good?"