Recent events have had me re-evaluating my commitment to the games I'm currently involved with here on these boards.
As you've probably noticed I've had a few noticable absenses this summer, again due to the fact I've become quite
a bit more busy, usually leading to a rushed decision late at night...do I logon and get some posts in?
Ultimately, it began to feel more like a job than a hobby...<< I have to get a post in...don't want to hold the game up >>
It slowly dawned on me that I just wasn't looking forward to posting, even though I enjoy each of the games I'm in immensely.
When something you enjoy becomes something you don't, it's time to re-evaluate.
Though it's a hard decision, I've decided to take a hiatus from the boards.
Apologies to players and GMs leaving you in the lurch, so to say.
Extra thanks to GMs for allowing me into your games.
Bill, extra ,extra thanks for taking up our game here.
When she goes over to investigate the charred remains of the Gnome he tilts his head but doesn't otherwise comment till she is back. "You recognize him from somewhere?"
Tolenn merely shrugs, "Curios, is all..." then joins the others in entering Pilt's house.
She follows Firdall closely, "Yes, let's..." she agrees to check on the noise further in...
Tolenn shrugs at the group'd decision to investigate Pilt's domicile, but she pauses on the way, looking up at the tall knife.
With a signal to Wednesday, the grabs one side and tips the offending instrument of death over onto its side, hopefully putting it out of commission.
She then spies the body of the Gnome. As the other walk towards Pilt's place, she quickly checks the Gnome's pockets, hoping to glean any other information on his origin or affiliations.
Pereption:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Then , she trots to catch up with Wednesday and their new companions...
Pilts sighs again. ”He was shipped to me, believe it or not. I found him packed in a crate of items from Cheliax. Near dead, tongue cut out, and an eye burnt out as well. Clearly he had been tortured but I nursed him back to health. Poor Jabbyr, loyal to the bitter end.”
Tolenn nods, "A strange thing....still you obviously still have the capacity for compassion...Dwell upon that on your journey back into Old Town, let it serve your life better than the last chapter."
Her piece said, Tolenn dismisses Pilts by turning to the newcomers, "My apologies. You are both well met. I am Tolenn, Chosen of Sarenae" she says, with a slight bow.
To Tiadora, "You come from Kroft? Good, our more recent companions have decided to assist Korvosa on a different path than ours, gods bless them. "
A flicker of annoyance passes over Tolenn's face as the newcomers arrive, but decorum insists... she glances at them both and gives them a quick nod of greeting.
She lets Wednesday deal with them for now, her attention is reserved for Pilts, gauging the truthfulness of his response...
Sorry for my absense. Work and family really kicked my ass last week...
Tolenn looks down at the pathetic Pilts, then removes the point of her scimitar from his neck "You may go. Your reign in Old Town is over. Perhaps some of your former subject will take pity on you...perhaps not. Go, and think on the evil you wrought here. " she says solemnly.
As he rises, she then asks, "Tell me, who backed your taking power here in Old Town?"
Keeping Pilt's chin up in the air with her scimitar, Tolenn murmurs to Wednesday, "Take everything from him...leave him with naught but his breech cloth..."
Tolenn lifts the sobbing 'Emperor's' chin with the point of her scimitar, so that the man looks her full in the face, to see the holy wrath writ there...
Sense Motive, to determine if he's just pretending to surrender:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13
Distracted by the thug in front of her, Tolenn doesn't see the fireball coming until it was too late, it's heat causing considerable pain.
Without consious thought, her hand rises to brush against the holy symbol of Sarenea, bringing forth brief burst of light that travels over her body...
Lay on Hand, swift action:4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1, 3) = 11
The cooling balm of Saranae's healing passes over Tolenn, bringin some relief from the fireball's burns.
Thus refreshed, Tolenn turns her attention back to the thug in front of her...
Tolenn smiles at Cassandra, taking the offered weapons. Her hand tightening on the familiar hilt, Tolenn turns her attention back to Jabbyr, favouring him with an altogether different type of smile.
The scmitar blade's holy carvings gleam as it cuts the air...
Smite Evil, +4 to hit, +4 to AC...losing 3 from AC from attacking with shield, so net +1 to AC; so AC becomes 26, +8 damage vs evil, +16 if Jabbyr is an outsider
A flash of anger passes over Tolenn's face at the simple cruelty of the piglet's fate, but then she acknowledges that is was a quick death, certainly better than the fate that waited for it should it have continued to live under the 'Emperor'.
She straightens, then turns and looks at the shrieking Pilts, her face now only one of disdain...
At the movement of the crowd, Tolenn looks about for her friends, gesturing them to close with her before they're separated by the mob...
Tolenn smiles at both the player's anger and warning, "If Jabbyr comes for me....let him." she says simply.
At the mention of subbing in a friend, she looks him in the eye and says, "Which of these," indicting their 'teammates' , "would you replace."
She looks up into the crowd and sees Wendy, Cass and Amira, signals Wednesday to join her. She'd rather Cass and Amira stay out of the violent to come.
Never came up before, did they take her shield. If not, can she use it here ?
Tolenn fixes the gnome with her gaze, unflinching, uncompromising..."What manner of creature is this ?
Detect Evil
She shifts her gaze to Pilts, disdain on her face, "So be it! I take it there are no rules, your Grace? " she asks with no deference at all, the honorific said with as much scorn as she can muster.
Tolenn walks through the two teams, held held high, spine straight, with no fear. She glances at the guard who spoke, "I go to my death willingly, gladly....would you?" she replies softly.
As she approaches the throne, she keeps her head high, meeting the 'Emperor' gaze directly as she climbs the steps. Reaching the top, she does not bow or acknowledge him in any way, merely looking at him calmly, waiting for his 'pronouncement'.
Tolenn claps her hands together once, loudly, "Excellent. Let's get this show started!" she exclaims, rubbing her hands together, waiting for the thugs to lead on.
As she does, she looks around at those nearby, cheering for her spilt blood, meeting their eyes, holding gazes where she can, judging, condemning.
Huh, not sure what to roll here. Basically, a paladin's powerful gaze settles on you , just as you're cheering for her head to be cut off...unsettling for sure...going for shaming really...
Also, wonder if Cass is able to teleport poor 'ol Wendy into the arena at some juncture?
Tolenn looks up, a doubtful look on her face, "This is the entertainment I heard about...tossing a pig around? Is there nothing more interesting to come?" she asks, pointedly ignoring both the goon's surly looks and their non-too-subtle encouragement.
Tolenn spreads her arms out to the side and gives the 'Emperor' a shallow bow, "Greeings, your Grace. I and my friends merely came to see this same entertainment. But your men here forbade me my weapons, and thought it important enough to disturb you with my presence."
Diplomacy:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30
As she talks , she looks at Pilts, trying to determine if was merely misguided or truely a diabolical man.
Detect Evil
She also tries to remember if he was a contemporary of hers back in the day, or if any of the surrounding thugs were known to her back then.
Sorry, got really busy there...plus I couldn't decide on what to do :)
Tolenn fixes the 'guards' with a withering stare, the shrugs.
She takes her belt with scimitar and flail and hands it to Wednesday, "Hold these for me ,please. I'll go in, no need endangering the two of us." she says, holding her hand up to forstall his protestations, smiling.
She turns back to the guards, indicating with her hand that they should lead the way.
Tolenn ignores the question about the smell, and asks "What does the great Emperor Pilt have to fear from us? And look at you, I wouldn't dare cross weapons with the two of you."
Tolenn considers both ideas for a moment before saying, "Let's do both. Wendy and I will make an entrance, " she says, smiling at Amira, "Amira, you and Cass, keep close but hidden."
She looks at the others for thier opinion of this option.
"I look forward to it, Bert." Tolenn says with a smile, giving the baker a kiss on the cheek.
She pauses before dropping into the fetid hole, "Strange, I spent most of my childhood hopping about above the streets of Korvosa, now when I'm all grown up , it feels I'm spending all my time below..."
With a wave to Bert and his men, she gathers her shield to her chest and jumping after the others...
