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Hey guys and girls, I didn't want to have to start the new year off this way, but I don't seem to have the time to give this game the attention I really wanted too. It's good and bad, the good it the reason I don't really have the time is I've got a few prospects lined up to do an actual adventure design with a friend, and I am going to give that my focus. The bad part is it is clearly going to thwart my time here. I can't say for how long for sure, but it's long enough to warrant a break unfortunately. I certainly enjoyed the lead up and the game thus far, and I'm sad I can't get you guys further into the wold you just scratched the tip of. But if I do get time in the future to reopen this i will be sure to let you guys know. Apologies i couldn't get this message to you sooner, but having two hard drives go on me set me back to posting only at work, which has been very busy. Any objections to using your characters in cameos? W.
Argh. I lost my backup hard drive now. For some reason my new computer is just destroying SATA hard drives to the point I cannot even fdisk and reformat them. I lost all my game stuff I had backed up, so it's going to be a slow rebuild. I think my next step is await my first drive to come back from Seagate RMA, and in the mean time try to run SpinRite on the backup and see if I can't at least get it back up and running. Sorry for the delays, my computer decided to really just kick me while I'm down this time.
None of the crew, of either ship, has any desire to jump in the water. The two Sea Elves from the Sea Born look aghast as you splash about in the water. They look as if to warn you, but are cut off by the gleaming Mithral covered Warforged. Four-Oh-Four(common, to Suny): "Statistically speaking, you have just raised your odds of dying from one thousand to one, to approximately three...maybe two, to one. These are not favorable odds for you."
DM: You have a feeling none of them want to go in once they hear about the troubles with the other ship and the cursed water. But, You can try to influence them with a roll if you wish.
It is not easy pulling the Cog out of the still water, but the deed is done, and without any fanfare or incident. The crew of the Sea Born are very grateful. The Sea Born is a much smaller ship by comparison, it is only a single mast sailing vessel, and it's mast is currently withdrawn, as the rigging was used to pull it from it's watery prison. It could be repaired with enough time, and there would be plenty of hands to aid in the task. Sailing it would require a crew however, and besides Four-O-Four, who spouts on endlessly about facts and trivia related to shipbuilding, navigation, astrology, piloting, and other hard to follow subjects, none of the other claim to have much experience operating a vessel larger than a rowboat. Possible events:
I made all checks off camera, no problems with your attempt to pull Seaborn out of the cursed area. (when you finally do so.) Due to the fact I am busy this week, I didn't want to hold up any potential roleplaying, so you can all assume that the plan works just fine. There are no hidden dangers at the moment to thwart your efforts. So if you want to initiate the actual pull in your own words, please do. What you decide to do with this new ship is up to you all. Tow it? Re-rig it and set sails and have a sister ship? make it an extension to your own ship be incorporating it? All up to you guys. You will need to assign a captain and crew if you choose to sail her on the seas though. I haven't looked up the stats on min. crew, but it's whatever Stormwrack says it is for now. You've all literally scratched the surface of what I had planed, and I hope to see you all going strong once I can get out of holiday/work rush mode. W.
The Circle of Magi was a large collection of arcane casters dedicated to the pursuit of advancing the arcane arts. Though the ranks seldom included divine spellcasters, qualifying for the order required at least an ability to conjure the first circle of magic. (any 1st level arcane spell, cast in an arcane fashion.) How you cast those spells was irrelevant however, and in fact, the head of the order was an unidentified creature that had no "levels" in an arcane class at all. There was no genuine favoritism involved, nor distinctions created in regards to sorcerers or wizards being any better than the other. Circle of Magi members have a history of both working with the law, and in their own best interest when allowed to work within the confines of those laws. (i.e. they were pretty much LN. Good/Evil eh, not as important if you can prove legally it's OK to do.) The Circle of Magi had representations in most cities, and ran academies to further the arts, but were centered in force on a remote island that was guarded in veils of secrecy, and only allowed visitors to travel their by invitation, and under guard. This area was called the Inner Ring, and none of the PCs (by design) have been there, but may have heard of it. Only it's location is secret, not the fact it does exist. The Circle of Magi is large enough that not every member would know of each member. Typically a member of the order wears flowing white robes as a sign of their belonging to this arcane order.
DM NOTE: Being a creature born of the sea it would stand to reason you would notice that the water seems thick, almost viscous, more so anyway than your used to. While it does not harm you an any noticeable way, it certainly feels (almost imperceptibly) odd.
DM: Tying the knots, splicing the strands, and checking the work takes time. As the day progresses, the air becomes like a noose around your necks. Heavy, palpable, oppressive, if it had a voice it would whisper sweet destruction into your ear.
Fortitude (DC 9): You are suddenly drained of strength and stamina as if hit by a forceful blow, it leaves you winded and stunned. Effect: You take 1d3 points of WIS damage, and 1 point of CON damage.
Area: The Hold of Seaborn
Food and water barrels are low, there's a few half full barrels of various fruits, and at best a water barrel in tact. The only thing that seems to catch the eye for being out of the ordinary is a small wooden crate with some gold leaf hammered metal edges. It is otherwise ordinary looking, with no other marks or symbols. Crate Contents:
Assuming you want to open this, hence why you are reading this. this is what it holds: Besides a few blankets, or makeshift pillows for sleeping there is nothing else of immediate note in the hold.
What makes you think I have anything nefarious planned?
Diplomacy: Faced with the hope of rescue, none of the crew has any problems being motivated in cutting line and collecting it, I'm also sure there is plenty to reach the ship should they all be tied together. Mini-Event:
Use Rope Checks:
Knotters for this event is someone tying the ropes into sturdy, hopefully slip free knots. For ease of math I'm not going to try and estimate the size of the sections and simply say that there is going to be 4 potential break points. (this is not information you really have IC, so treat it as OOC info.) You can leave it up too one person, or multiple people. Decide who you want to do it, and We'll go from there. The base DC for a knot is only 10, but for this event they cannot be any take 10s or take 20 rolls to tie the knots. Any other skills you wish to use let me know ahead of time.
No issues Kai.
Oh no, Suny convinced me awhile back it was doable, granted I never thought to use the rigging, there's tons of rope that way if all tied together. My whole "no way" was well before Suny changed my mind. Granted I didnt think any ship had a mile long rope in the hold, but cutting down and using the rigging? Nice idea.
Liam: "The strength of a sailing ship should be plenty to pull this small cog from it's watery tomb I would think." Muses Liam.
Must be the heat.
Garth: "You may be correct Nerine, perhaps a simpler solution is needed then. Seeing as this ship is stranded, perhaps we could use the rigging to create a tow line? Assuming it holds, we could use The Brotherhood to pull this ship through this dead zone. It would be a great loss to leave a perfectly good ship stranded here when..." He stops himself. Liam:(M, Human)"Well, it would be a shame to leave it here." Four-O-Four:(?, Warforged) "Calculating chances of success, please hold." Applejuice:"This tree, he agrees. Better to use the ropes to tow us free, then rebind them again later to catch the winds on the seas."
Cassandra(common):"Please, if you have the power to simply fly, take us away from here. This area is cursed, the longer you stay the less you want to leave." she pleads. More so to Garth than anyone else as she clutches his arm. Garth exhales a deep breath, and puffs out a wisp of frost in doing so, then answers. Garth: "I will take Keev first, I can ferry her in the skies faster than boat, and be back for the rest once she is secure. I should have no trouble keeping her from being further injured."
I honestly can't remember how far back we used that. It's possibly from 1st edition, but I can't think of a source where that was in. I've been using those variants forever It's kinda like how thieves cant used to work, sure your speaking common, but your accenting specific words to create different meaning. At least that's how I used it.
Hello all - just checking in to let you know that I'm still trying to follow this, but IRL is leaving me little time to give much time for reply. I'm in the middle of a surprise move - hopefully Dec will be better. don't sweat it, if you need to do IRL stuff we'll just move you to the background, feel free to jump back in full time at any point
Keev catches the exchanged glances. Keev, Draconic(black): "Anyon drniunrago drniunmy unmy poety, anyon myniyonchty niefii myiira ziniedr Un chiwdr yw drnii tyiliyramy drniedr drniyonknidr dry sthuymymy drnii chunrai." Draconic: Translated: "You think this is bad, you should have seen what I left of the demons that thought to cross the line."
Debating 101 - The schooling of Raz. DM:Eithirie either matched or beat your diplomacy roll. So no progress was made to influence her to your side or thinking. She also seems quite knowledgeable about the arcane and spellcraft in general, and while polite and attentive to your ideas, she counters with an air of supreme authority on the subject. Citing cause and effects of certain magical theory, practice, and results. While still being polite to your display, she is taken aback by your 'bleeding' results. Eithirie: "Your theory needs some work, but perhaps your on some kind of track to get an answer. Though I have yet to see any real results other than you straining so hard your brain just leaked blood from your pores." When she notices your gauntlet, she offers to teach you how to attune to it properly, seeing as it seems you might not quite have the correct way to do so. "You know, I could show you how to attune yourself properly to that device, you wouldn't want to go and do it the wrong way, sometimes they can be quite tricky. Take it off and i will teach you the proper technique."
Understandable, I will set her initial attitude and roll your opposed Diplomacy checks as she will wish to counter your points and try to sway you to her way of thinking instead.
Nerine's Heal Check Results:
All of the above from Kai'itza's heal check. As well as the following.
DM to Nerine: Keev is not healed at all but your spell, as far as you can tell, and you may wish to roll a Knowledge(religion), or Knowledge(nature)[with penalties] to identify why. Knowledge(religion) DC 10:
She has suffered Vile damage(Book of Vile Darkness), and unless healed in a holy area she cannot be healed by natural or magical means. Furthermore she has suffered Vile CON damage from wounds and this would need to be healed before any damage can be healed. Knowledge(nature) DC 15: The wounds seem unnatural. Wounds such as these need to be treated in scared groves, or areas of divine protection. She has been tainted by attacks to her body and soul, and carries the taint of a demonic attack. Difficult to nurture back to health, these wounds need the utmost care to overcome, and natural healing cannot be done until the taint has been purged from the vessel.
Raz: XP Investing: It's pretty simple actually, just take your current XP and add 10% (xp * .1 = bonus XP) + (Current XP) = new total Example: Kai has a listing that the current XP total is: 6,545. Assuming this is correct simply move the decimal over, which is 654. So you total is now 7,199 XP, and you gain 10% more xp every time I award XP.
All:
Also, from this point forward you cannot earn them unless I have asked you for a roll for a skill check, attack, or during an actual event. I can see a potential for abuse here and want to limit the rate you gain them. People shouldn't be tying their boots [skill roll: use rope] and earning a fate point, they don't quite work that way in my design. And this is a silly example of a way to abuse that system.
Diplomacy:
I'm seeing an increase of Diplomacy rolls, this skill is not to be used without reason, and should only really be used in actual situations that require it, i.e. a negotiation. Good Examples:
Epic uses of Diplomacy include changing the hearts of entire nations, convincing a king to step down from his throne and submit to the will of the people, gaining fanatical followers who would literally die for you, etc. Special: I also need to know what you are trying to accomplish with a Diplomacy roll so I can set the DC and then oppose the roll if needed. If you fail to do this moving forward I will ignore the roll/attempt.
** spoiler omitted **
Eithire and Raz: Eithire looks concerned for you, now that you are showing signs of distress, but allows you to finish whatever ritual or technique you are trying to accomplish. She notices the gauntlet, but makes no mention of it. Waiting for you to explain what it is your trying to do. She seems confused after watching your display for she did not seem to notice anything arcane manifest.
Keev nods her head weakly in your direction Suny. It takes a little to long for her to bring it back to her slumped shoulders. But she manages a greeting in response to your energy. Keev: "Ziichch liidr [Suny]." Draconic(black):
"Well met Suny." She grimaces as she nods in respect, she does not take your hand however.
When a character chooses to invest his life energy into his item familiar, his current XP total and all future XP awards increase by 10%. However, if the character loses the item, he loses all bonus XP gained, plus an additional 200 XP per character level. So if you wish you can invest your life essence and instantly gain 10% of yoru XP on top of what you already have. And earn +10% more every time I give you XP. The downside is that if you lose that familiar, or it is destroyed, you lose that bonus XP plus an additional 200xp/character level. Raz, spell thematics: Raz: Also please relax on the supernatural effects that are hard to justify, I can't see how you made yourself bleed and eyes glow. Your not a demon :) You could do this with your innate illusion abilities I suppose, but I need to know that you are going that route, as there are checks and balances, like hiding spellcasting etc. I know your just doing theatrical style flourishes, which I usually have no issue with, but they have to be plausible. You could do that kind of stuff with the 0 level spell Prestidigitation spell, but that does require casting it. I think this is simply a "you didn't know how it worked", so I'm not being a jerk, all you have to do is perhaps focus on attuning to the item and it will suffice for the invest life energy part. However, I will keep your actions and bloody display in game, it's OK this time. Maybe you had a cold or something. :)
DM:Deck crew, specifically Kai'itza, in regards to Keev:
In a raspy voice Keev speaks to Kai'itza: Keev: "Kai'itza, Un eli Keev. Anyon niyrayhu lii ziundrni eunty unra e drunlii yw raiity, eraty mybaiego drnii dryrakoni yw drnii khuiedr zianhulimy emy ziichch. Drnii wyhudronrai unmy liunrai drytyean, Wyhu unw anyon huimystoni onmy Un ziyonchty poi unra echch yw anyonhu tyipodrmy." Draconic(black):
The language is harsher, even for Draconic, but even those words, if understood, are delivered with genuine humility and respect. Keev: "[Kai'itza], I am [Keev]. You honor me with aid in a time of need, and speak the tongue of the great wyrms as well. The fortune is mine today, For if you rescue us I would be in all of your debts."
FYI: Draconic(Primer on the Language of Dragons) Free to read:
FYI: Dragons all have their own versions of Draconic, but the language itself is fairly universal. Anyone can understand the words, but sly dragons can sometimes use a 'colorfully' worded dialect to misdirect, or mislead someone not fluent in a particular colored variant. Those understanding the language, can use the language to twist words and meanings with appropriate skill checks. I only mention this as I like the idea of regional(i.e. color) variants, and wanted to add some mystery to the Draconic language. Plenty of old stories and fairy tales are are told of sly dragons granting twisted wishes to foolish adventurers this way. (none yet that I printed but maybe someday.) I haven't decided on how I want to go about "teaching" a variant color to a non-draconic person yet, but assume that all type 'dragon' creatures, if they have a color, have the capacity to innately know their heritage(colors) variant language. And those with the language learned as a bonus know the 'universal' version.
Basic (visual) Heal checks: Your heal check, as evasive as possible, is such. She needs a lot of healing, and magic alone will not cure her. There are clearly broken wing bones, her gasps for breathe hint at broken ribs, sharp pains force her to squint constantly. Her skin shows signs of bruising, patches of skin raw, purple, and exposed where once she had scales. There's probably a ton of internal injuries. Her gait is also lopsided and you spy a broken ankle, her foot jutting to the side at an awkward angle. She is going to require massive long term care, and you wonder how she can even be conscious at this moment. Special: Further information can be garnered for those trained in the heal skill that study her wounds further and wish to start 'treating/diagnosing' her many injuries. this would probably require seclusion and patience, and would likely start a Medical healing challenge, for those would be Doctors interested. (Sorry Avion, this was pre-planned.)
DM: Belros makes a sign of resect to the captain on deck, as Belros and Liam set about there task to fetch rope they whistle for Applejuice's to make a bridge with his limbs as a pivot point to sling a rope over and pull people on board easier. The crew of the Sea Born go about helping everyone on board, they seem quite relieved to not be stranded, or at least that someone has the means to help. Applejuice, seemingly unaware of protocol asks during your conversations a few questions. His voice is a low grumble the echos loudly in the still air, with an offbeat cadence and a Sylvan lisp. Applejuice:
But nothing stirs here in these cursed waters,
Kripya was inspired from that pic :)
DM Narration: Aboard the Sea Born the air is oppressively hot, and stale. The sun seems more intense here, and there is a uneasy stillness to the area. The single mast sits motionless in the absence of any kind of wind, and no life seems to stir here. Garth, , stands at attention near the captains side as he surveys the crew. he is very concerned with the apparently dire situation. He tries to remain calm, but is fidgeting and sniffing the air without quite nailing down whatever it is he thinks he feels. |
