Tella Street's page

The rain from the cold autumn storm blotted out the Irespan and most of the rest of the city of Magnimar. Winter was close at hand and none who could help it waked the streets. It reminded Tella of the day she'd been asked to help with an investigation into burning corpses throwing themselves into the River Lyme. The rain here was different, though. It was clean, pure, without the filth of the Canker or the taint of the air in it.

She watched from the small office the apartment she shared with Eliseera and Darc was over. They sold their services as private investigators in the city, and Tella had to admit that she was shocked that the guard of the city was relatively honest, though the payment they gave her for her services was just as welcome as that turn of events. Life was going well for the three of them.

But today, Tella's thoughts were back in the Blight. Eli had been right. The place had infected her and she constantly found herself drifting into the hopeless cynicism that marked so many other denizens of that hateful place. She shivered and wrapped her hands around the warm mug of cider as she felt the cloying touch of the Canker on her skin, too real, too substantial to be forgotten.

"Perhaps I should play," she mused aloud. Thought became action and after a sip of the cider, she went upstairs and found her violin, one of the few possessions she'd not sold when she had resolved to leave Castorhage and never return.

Slowly at first, the notes came. Slowly, agonizingly patient in their progress, but as Tella fell into the song, her fingers and bow danced as she played at an ever more frenetic tempo. She lost herself in the music, letting it soothe her mind and cleanse it from the taint of the Blight.

She played to forget. She played in hope. She played to remember.

All that mattered then was that she played.

I've enjoyed it and was a little saddened and really surprised to learn we were at the end.

On another note, this is the first PBP game I've seen through to completion. \o/

I really enjoyed this and Tella surprised me. She turned out a lot darker than I was expecting and I loved it.

Thanks for running this Zed and I look forward to playing with you again! For our epilogue, do we have some leeway in where we end up and what happens? I was thinking that Darc, Eliseera, and Tella eventually made it to Magnimar or Kaer Maga and set up as Private Investigators.

"I hear Magnimar's nice. Maybe we can find a home there," Tella replies before the shock of what had happened wears off and she buries her head into Eliseera's shoulder to stifle her sobs.

"The gods damn this city," she whispers as she fights her emotions back under control.

"But he's gone, him and all the others, and for what," she asks, "no, I'll not stay here. I'll not let it have me too. The gods damn this city. I'm leaving it to collapse under its own festering weight."

Her voice was harsh now. The anger burned in it, but it was an anger dulled by the ache in her soul. Eli was right. The Blight did infect a person, infected their very soul, and Tella doubted she'd ever be free of the taint.

But she intended to try.

Tella leans on Eliseera, as much for support as to help support her. Tears stream down her cheeks though she doesn't sob.

"I hate this city," she whispers to Eli.

Yup, but we were more after information than a fight.

Oh well.

Tella nods and hangs on tight, Looking to see if the gargoyles come to finish them off.

Tella looks back, then turns to Eli.

"Get us away from this place," she says softly, barely audible above the roar of the flames. Tears were beginning to form in her eyes and her hands held tight to her friend's cloak.

Tella has Charm Person, but that's a big gamble to take. The woman would have to have control over the elemental and then she'd have to fail her save.

Sorry, I would really like to save Varian, but I don't think we can.

I don't know how I feel about leaving a PC to die...

Tella quickly weaves her spell and casts it on Eliseera before she realizes what the Stirge is saying. Turning to see what was happening, her eyes widen in shock as she sees that the Stirge and Lord Varian are one in the same. She stumbles as Eliseera pulls her along while her eyes stay fixed on the scene in the windmill.

Casting Fly on Eli. If you want to grab Tell and fly, literally, then she's not going to fight. She'd lose even if she did.

Tella only pauses long enough to give the Stirge the power of flight before running after Eliseera.

I say we fly. It'll take two rounds, but Tella can cast it on Eliseera and Varian and one of you, probably Varian, carries her.

I think the part that's going to have Tella the most shaken is that the damn thing actually burned her.

Yup, and I hope this thing doesn't do much more damage. Tella's only going to be able to take one more hit at most as is.

Oooow.

Tella rolls her eyes.

"Of course, I wear fancy clothes, so I can know nothing of hardship," Tella says mockingly, "Oh wait! My surname is StreeeEEEEEEE!"

She lets out a squeal of surprise and pain as she's picked up and claws rake at her back.

Concentration Check DC 13 + Ragefire's CMB 19 32: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Tella's eyes widen as she tries to focus on a spell to rip and tear at the creature's mind, only to have it fizzle.

"Oh no."

Fear and panic grip Tella's heart as she realizes how much trouble she's in.

CMB to pry off the fire sprite: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

"Oh for-!" Tella begins to curse before stopping herself short them pointing at the sprite that had already ruined her pants.

"Is this your handiwork," She asks in clipped tone that Eliseera recognizes as her rapidly losing her patience.

No damage then. :P

"Get off! Get off! I can't afford to replace clothes everyday," Tella says while trying to shake the little fire sprite off as she steps closer to the Stirge, but doesn't really do much before she turns to take out her frustration on the gargoyles.

Mindthrust II on Gargoyle 3, DC 17 Will for half: 5d8 ⇒ (3, 7, 1, 8, 5) = 24

Free- 5 foot step towards the Stirge.
Move- try shaking off the rude little bugger ruining Tella's outfit.
Standard- Fry Gargoyle 3's mind.

Is that Fire damage, or something else?

"Ack! I think we found where the living flames come from," Tella shouts to the others as the tiny flame sprite latches on.

Going to wait for an answer before Acting. If this thing's actually hurting her,
she needs to get it off before she becomes a liability.

Tella stares at the big gargoyle with unsettlingly glowing eyes. Her mind reaches out and rips at the beast's.

Mind Thrust III DC 18 Will for half: 7d8 ⇒ (6, 7, 8, 5, 2, 2, 8) = 38

Well, this is bad. Tella's kinda cornered.

Tella looks around, and seeing little other option, tries her best to get away from the big, brutish gargoyle.

Withdrawing!

Sorry, I'm across the pond and then some from out illustrious GM.

Tella, wanting nothing to do with the wicked claws on these things, does her best to put some distance between her and the stone beasts. She decides to save her stronger magics and sends a spell to rip the mind of the one closest to her apart.

Mind Thrust I (DC 16 Will for half): 5d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 3, 5, 4) = 18

Tella gives a shrug.

"I can try to eavesdrop on them too, but I'll have to cast another spell, and that'll drain me enough that I'll only be able to make us fly for a little bit," she replies.

"Gargoyles watching us, and I must say that being fiend-blooded does have some perks. I could stay here all day," Tella says with a smirk as she focuses on the Gargoyles to see if they do anything other than watch.

"Hold on, I'll see what's up there," Tella says before closing her eyes and falling into a trance-like state.

Casting clairaudience/clairvoyance Putting the sensor a little above head height over the balcony. I'd like to be able to see.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

"You're right about the flue, but I can't see what balcony you're talking about," Tella says before taking a deep breath and sighing.

"Well let's see what grime-covered horrors await us," she grumbles before gesturing for the Stirge to take the lead.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"This is a bad idea," Tella mumbles to herself before trying the jump. She does manage to safely land on the jetty, however.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Tella spends most of the trip ranting about the "unimaginative, mealy-brained, overfed imbecile" they'd dealt with, finally petering out into a fuming, sullen silence when they came upon the docks. She doesn't bother disguising herself, almost as if she's waiting for someone to take issue with her heritage.

It's not until they close with great mill that she speaks again.

"I'm afraid I don't know what monsters dwell in these waters. Do you know what those are," she asks as she points out the shapes swimming about.

Tella is an odd mix of idealism, cynicism, kindness, and venom I have come to discover. I like her. :)

"I see, well then, Officer... What was you name," Tella asks in a voice as cold as ice. Before giving an exasperated sigh and dismissively waving her hand.

"Never mind, you aren't that important anyway and I have better things to do with my time than deal with the over-inflated ego of a half-pint half-wit," she says before turning to follow Eliseera out. As she does, she snaps her fingers.

Ah, Prestidigitation. Is there any more useful cantrip for making someone look like a fool?

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 :|

Tella frowns at that bit of news then leans in a little closer.

"Perhaps I was not clear. I am Investigator Tella Street. I've worked many times with the watch before. I am currently investigating some incidents that have involved the uncontrolled use of fire of some unnatural origin and murders using said fire. I will be speaking to officer Grast. Now. I don't care if you have to drag him out of a meeting with the Emperor of Taldor himself!"

Intimidate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13 Well, this is about blow up in our faces.

"Yes, I'm looking for Officer Grast. Is he about? He took in a man named Mahaas and we wanted to ask both of them some questions," Tella says to the officer. "I'm an investigator and do a lot of work with the Watch, if that helps ease your fears about breaking protocol."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

"And to follow up on Mahaas and that guard," Tella adds.

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

"Of course," Tella says before explaining what the plan was.

Will negates. It's my favorite cantrip for all of the things it can do.

"Very well then. Try not to resist it, otherwise we might be here all day," Tella replies before snapping her fingers again and changing things back.

"Oh, I think you look charming," Tella says with a smile. After giving him a few moments, she asks, "Would you like to remain like that or would you like me to change things back?"

It was a prestidigitation spell. I'm pretty sure that's not a mind-affecting spell, not that it matters.

"He consigned himself to that fate," Tella agrees with Eliseera as she picks up her canteen and sighs. "As for being scarier than you," she snaps her fingers and The Stirge feels something working on the fabrics and leathers of his outfit.

I'm fine with the Windmills.

Tella wears a sturdier outfit than she had yesterday. As she walks out with a canteen of coffee, she is startled by The Stirge standing right outside her door.

"WAAGH!"

Canteen of Coffee (Touch): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9

The insulated canteen falls to the floor of the hallway just outside of her flat and spills the coffee with cream and six and a half sugars.

"What are you trying to do? Frighten me to death," she asks the tall, masked man as she clutches her heart.

Oh dear, at least it's not in her bedroom, though that'd be hilarious to play out.

"I think I'd like that," Tella says softly. She takes a sip of her wine and then brightens up.

"I'm tired of being melancholy, however. We have wine, we have food, and I can always fix more. Things can't be dreary all the time, even in the Blight. There's surely some funny tale or three that you can tell. I have a few as well, if you'd like to hear them."

I'm fine with moving on whenever. I think we can flextime this if needed.

"Not since I was lucky enough to get off the streets," Tella admits. "Most of the time, my work isn't this, ah, exciting. You're right, though. I do need to consider partnering with someone. I have thought about leaving, though. I could certainly afford it."

Tella is more than happy to share a bottle of wine, even letting Eliseera pick from the variety of vintages she has. After a little time to get the both of them clean, ("...I think I've got something long enough for your to change into after you're done bathing...") she settles into other divan with a wine glass in one hand and setting a plate of finger foods on the table between them next to the bottle of wine.

"It's been a long time since I've used so much of my power. It hasn't been so long since I last lost my temper like that," she says. "Sometimes my fiendish side comes out, and, well. It tends to happen when dealing with the worst this damned blight of a city has to offer. I am not proud of it, and I try my best to overcome it, to prove that I am in control, not my ancestry. I want to help others, but I feel that sometimes fate played a cruel joke on me. Today was the first time I was so sorely pressed and injured. Not mention my poor clothes," she gives a snort of amusement at that, "I am sorry for making you worry, though, and I am glad that I was able to save us from Sister Lyme's embrace. I just don't want to be alone tonight, and I'm sorry for being so selfish."

"If that is what you wish," Tella replies in a glum tone.

After several moments of thinking, she turns to Lord Varian.

"After you see to Darc, can you meet me at my home? We have several things to discuss," she says.

Once she has her answer, she and Eliseera head to her flat in one of the better districts of the city. Once inside her surprisingly spacious home, it's clear that Tella is drained. Though not particularly hurt, she looks as if she'd stayed up two or three days straight.

"Thank you Eliseera. I didn't want to be alone after the past couple of days. Is there anything that you want," she asks as they walk through the door.

I'm taking some liberties here. I figure that she could afford a fairly nice place since she's one of the few investigators that can do what she can do, and her services would be in high demand in a city like Castorhage. I haven't had a chance to read through the book yet, so I have no clue what district Tella actually lives in.

"No, I don't want to be alone. Can you come with me back to my flat, please," Tella asks, looking scared and embarrassed.

Tella, unusually quiet, shakes as she clings to Eliseera. In a city full of death, she'd been lucky and had avoided it for the most part. This had been far too close. IF they had remained just a moment more, the Lyme would have taken them.

It takes her a few moments to regain enough composure for her to let go of Eliseera and join the conversation.

"Th-thankfully, we have a couple more. The windmill that you mentioned, the 'Family' that madman was raving about, and Grast of the watch."

Knowledge (Local) on the Family: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Looking down at her ruined clothes, Tella lets out a sigh.

"If I am honest, I do not wish to look into any of those right this moment. I am tired, and I can only cast a few more spells before I am left with only my minor magics. If you wish to pursue this, I will go with you, but I am in need of a bath, a change of clothes, and some rest. I dare say we all are."

Concentration: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22

Tella frowns in concentration as the Limpet rocks. She touches Eliseera and eldritch power flows into the woman.

"Fly Eli! FLY!" Tella clings to the other woman and looks to the advancing ape.

Tella's pretty light. I figured that Varian would grab Darc.

Concentration Check DC13 or DC18: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Tella slides down the ladder to where Darc and Eliseera are.

"Lord Varian, can you get back up here? We need you to carry Darc," Tella calls out to the strange man.

Ready action to cast Fly on Varian as soon as he gets his pale but up here.

As she begins weaving the spell, she looks to Eliseera.

"Can you carry me if I cast a spell on you to make you fly?"

Well, crap.

Hearing the fight turn against them, Tera climbs back down and sends a volley of arcane bolts at the horrid monkey thing.

Magic Missile: 4d6 + 4 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 5) + 4 = 17

"Staying in this place is a horrible idea," she shouts to her comrades.

Reflex: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

"Oh leave this fool for the Lyme! We need to get out before this damned thing falls off," Tella tells the others as she starts climbing out after taking the full brunt of the man's disgusting smelling fire breath.

Okay, I think it's time to go!