“The first rule of being interrogated is that you are the only irreplaceable person in the torture chamber. The room is yours, so work it! If they're going to threaten you with death, show them who's boss - die faster!”
They say that there's a broken light for every heart on Broadway.
They say that life's a game, then they take the board away.
They give you masks and costumes and an outline of the story
Then leave you all to improvise their Vicious Cabaret...
In no-longer-pretty cities there are fingers in kitties.
There are warrants, forms, and chitties
and a jackboot on the stair
Sex and death and human grime,
in monochrome for one thin dime,
At least the trains all run on time
but they don't go anywhere.
Facing their responsibilities
either on their backs or on their knees
There are ladies who just simply freeze and dare not turn away
And the widows who refuse to cry will be dressed in garter and bow-tie
And be taught to kick their legs up high in this Vicious Cabaret.
At last! The 1998 Show!
The ballet on the burning stage.
The documentary see
Upon the fractured screen
The dreadful poem scrawled upon the crumpled page...
There's a policeman with an honest soul
that has seen whose head is on the pole
And he grunts and fills his briar bowl
with a feeling of unease.
But he briskly frisks the torn remains
for a fingerprint or crimson stains
And endeavors to ignore the chins
that he walks in to his knees
while his master, in the dark nearby,
inspects the hands with a brutal eye,
That have never brushed a lover's thigh
but have squeezed a nation's throat
But he hungers in his secret dreams
for the harsh embrace of cruel machines
But his lover is not what she seems
and she will not leave a note.
At last! The 1998 Show!
The Situation Tragedy
Grand Opera slick with soap
Cliffhangers with no hope
The water-colour in the flooded gallery...
There's a girl who'll push but will not shove
is desperate for her father's love
She believes the hand beneath the glove
may be one she needs to hold.
Though she doubts her host's moralities,
she decides she is more at ease
In the Land Of Doing What You Please
than outside in the cold.
But the backdrops peel and the sets give way,
and the cast gets eaten by the play -
There's a murderer at the Matinee!
There are dead men in the aisles.
And the patrons and actors too
are uncertain if the show is through
And with side-long looks await their cue,
but the frozen mask just smiles.
At last! The 1998 Show!
The torch-song no one ever sings
The curfew chorus line
The comedy divine
The bulging eyes of puppets strangled by their strings
There's thrills and chills and girls galore,
sing-songs and surprises,
There's something here for everyone,
reserve your seat today!
There's mischief and malarkies,
but no queers, no Yids, no darkies,
within this bastard's carnival,
this Vicious Cabaret.
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
Forgive me, this is still registering as an "active" adventure for me, so could you please remove me?
I sincerely apologize for not actually managing to get involved; I just kind of...hit a wall, one that's worse than previous ones for some reason. Part of it may be that this site no longer feels "fun and friendly" the way it used to (largely due to bass-ackwards efforts by Paizo to "keep it fun and friendly"!).
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
I'm terribly sorry for being a total no-show for this long; I will leave it up to you: At this point, should I just bow out, as if I'd never joined?
I see two full pages' worth of missed posts I'd have to catch up on; daunting. How much longer is it likely to be (if it's one of those that would likely only last 5 pages or so, I'll definitely be bowing out - but if it's likely to go on for 10+ pages, that would be a different story)?
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
Princess Xen wrote:
hmm. For caster types we have a witch, an alchemist, a sorcerer and a mesmerist. No divine casters. Should make things interesting. :)
"'Sorcerer'? I see no sorcerer...and surely, my benighted child, do not tell me you never heard of Razmir, The Living God *makes a noise behind mask midway between chuckling and gagging*?!? The divine walks always among us - *fishes around robes* Look, I've got wands of healing and everything...!"
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
”This tree is apparently not merely haunted, but enchanted with a vicious vitality. Perhaps something could be done about that,“ V offers as the scent of myrrh mysteriously permeates the air around him....
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
GM Erich wrote:
@Ajax She was forcing them to go around the world and collect things for her, so I would say they were enslaved.
Superlative! Just what I myself was hoping to hear!
Of course, such opportunities are reasonably common as a Society adventurer, so perhaps I wish to stick with claiming the Objective alluded to earlier....
@DM: My false life is presently down to 3, BTW (and will be down to 2 if I can get this readied shot off); Sacrificial Boon isn't called that for nothing.
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
V finds his powers against ghosts similarly limited, and he has a similar contingency at his disposal - he draws a crystal wand sculpted into a pair of realistic glass eyes at the end, from which emerge two volatile bursts of raw magical power, far wilder and more brilliant than they ought to be!
wand of CL 3rd magic missile, Rallying Cry, Sacrificial Boon, Moment of Glory:2d4 + 7 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 = 12
Don't forget your moment of glory, folks, I cast it for a reason! Lots of ways to spend it, that's for sure.
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
NB: I, too, have (Extended) heroism.
"Let us draw the velvet curtain on this tragedy! VAE VICTIS!" V cries, a strangely beatific rallying cry that pushes you to do just as he has suggested.
Everyone (layabout monks notwithstanding) gets a +2 morale bonus to attack and damage (note, it does not say merely "weapon damage") rolls for 4 rounds hence.
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
Slacker Monks. Who knew?
Love the smoke graphic, by the way.
DM:
Also...any chance Pradnyara will be making her way into the library any time soon? I just realized that prank I set earlier might actually qualify me for a Faction Objective!
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
Actually, given that it's magical Aasimar pyrotechnic smoke, it's probably much more colorful - also, having used a Sacrificial Boon earlier, my false life should now be down to 5.
I presently await others' actions in the hope people will start bunching closer together (hint-hint)....
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
The light lasts 1 round, while the cloud (not just its effects on us) would linger for much longer over a fireball-sized area. I hadn't thought about the life bubble; I don't know much about that spell.
@DM: Oh noes, not Charisma damage!!! Would such a power permit a saving throw, and what descriptors (negative energy, mind-affecting, etc.) would it have?
my Will save vs blindness, if it turns out necessary:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
”Oh, dear me, that's not very opportune, is it?“ V mutters at the unwelcome sight of the ghost.
Nevertheless, V turns toward the blaze to do what he came to do...
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, and otherworldly interlopers of all taxonomies, PLEASE avert your eyes for my next trick, and do NOT attempt this at home!"
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
I moved myself from where I had previously been on the map since I had only been standing at the base of the tree for the sake of levitating up it; I moved myself next to Ajax since it's sensible I'd be next to him having just cast heroism on him.
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
I cast moment of greatness on everybody, heroism on Ajax (replicating quicksilver for +1 CL of duration in both cases), shield on myself, and in light of what we have already seen happen to others around here, suppress charms and compulsions (saving throw version) on Pai, Shardra, and Ara (replicating myrrh in both latter cases, just in case).
Use Magic Device, False Piety to use my wand of cure light wounds on myself:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26 cure light wounds:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
I also use my Sihedron Medallion's false life ability:1d10 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
"Ahhh, a potion of glibness, a charlatan's draught - in a monastery devoted to the god of studious knowledge, of all places! Who ever would have thought?" It is very hard to tell whether or not V is being sarcastic, but he does seem to genuinely be enjoying the irony of this find.
"Now, if there's one thing everyone ought to know about hauntings, it is that they are like self-made rituals, elaborate spells that need to be finished - unlike a proper spell, this is not so that something may occur, but so that it may cease to occur. Now, in view what I have just shared with you, what conclusions might we draw as to what might be done to end this violent visitation?"
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
"Now hold just a moment: What makes us so certain this...being is verily what it claims to be? How do we know it isn't merely some stagecraft ruse? Pai did say that something was amiss with its own story. Remember, remember what a wise man once said: 'the writing on the wall may be a forgery'."
Knowledge (Arcana) RE pertinent knowledge about what causes visions:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (10) + 12 = 22
Knowledge (Religion) RE pertinent knowledge about haunts:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
GM Erich wrote:
@Pai You did not find the third section yet. There are still unexplored "branches" on the tree that were not searched before Vanzetti found the haunt near the top.
If I still have time on my levitate, I will continue searching.
If nobody else did, I will have taken the magic items as well, especially now that we've witnessed our hosts served a sort of 'eviction notice'.
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
V finds himself at a loss in this strange, strange situation...save for his faith in his own suspicion.
Sense Motive:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
"You'd think," He mutters after the apparition has passed. "That if forests objected so profoundly to paper-making, we'd have heard something about it by now."
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
Will save, Deathless Spirit, heroism:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18an extra +2 if this happens to be divine magic
V visibly shudders at the dark force, but handles it very well, considering...indeed, unnaturally well.
What a good time to be The Amazing Vanzetti! Negative Energy Resistance 5! Question is, is that deducted before or after the saving throw? I've taken either 8 or 5 damage.
"Well. That was...interesting," He announces to no one in particular.
"Umm...Pai? Are you still down there? Perhaps it's only vertigo, but should your vertical ascent continue, do remain vigilant for...vicious visions. I have just had a visitation."
Perhaps foolishly, V looks around, nudging the mundane veil aside in hopes of finding the source of...whatever that was.
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
V simply stands and stares at the "tree" and the mentally-mummified monks; unable to do much for the latter, and with two people already tending to the former surely better than he could, he makes his own way of making himself useful and surreptitiously sets up a magical prank for that uptight nun...
Casting magic mouth on one of the head-dead monks here to deliver 25 words of eager, very naughty, decidedly sinful talk the next time Pradnyara shows up. Because I'm a motherf#!$ing Chaotic atheist Sorcerer.
...that critical business taken care of, he looks back up at the "tree" and, realizing that the job will be even bigger than he'd first seen, goes over to the base of the tree and, with a flourish of his arms and another flash of magnesium, levitates up one of the sides the other two seem to be neglecting.
Remember, remember, The Amazing Vanzetti's 500th post, everyone!
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
OMFG you'd better not be like J.J. *shakes fireball-laden fist*....
STD, as they call it, was disappointing enough (don't believe me? Watch it side-by-side with TNG and DS9), but it was a f+*$ing breath of fresh air after "they made me director despite my open disdain for the source material"-Trek (that last scene from Into Darkness was especially nauseating).
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
V ponders his likeness.
"Why me?" He asks, turning to the master and Pradnyara at last. "Do you have any idea at all? I realize you may not, but any insight might be helpful. Although I certainly understand my reputation might likely not precede me in a place like this, I *do* happen to be an actor of some renown, especially in my adopted home of Andoran...which, verily, is the very venue from where our missing text vanished."
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
I already made the saves, Chief.
”Where I come from, it is the view that the burden of verification rests upon the accuser. Why do you vilify us? What have I or my troupe done, aside from a bit of velvet-handed self-defense, to suggest any violent volition upon our parts? That graven visage out there is void of validity, I say - not to say that I am not at least a little bit flattered.”
I'll be taking the '+2s' this round; I'm not sure whether everybody's just within range as is, or if I'd have to choose between Ajax and Pai; given that Ajax technically precedes me, he could just take a step in my direction to guarantee that all are in range (of course that would mean no bonus for him this round).
|AC 12, T 12, FF 12|HP: 56/56|F +5, R +4, W +6 (+8 vs MA, +2 vs divine magic/death/ED/NE/Necr)|Init 0, Perc -1|CMB +3, CMD 13|11/11 Sacrifice, 1/1 Pyrotechnics, 1/1 Godless, 1/1 Rally, 1/1 Rova, 1/1 Liberate
Sense Motive:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
V is not entirely sure what's going on, and even at Ajax's signal, not at all sure he wants to surrender for so little reason, especially not in any place that erects a preemptive monument to his wrongful accusation (the more he thinks about it, the more disturbing it gets, really); Pai detects a note of myrrh (+1 caster level for the purpose of caster level checks and dispel checks) in the air as V projects his raw ego outwards as a tangible ward of force.
