Yaziyah Tanja's page

Hey Wicked, no worries at all, I'm glad to hear you're (relatively) okay.

I completely understand where you're coming from, this pandemic has done a number on my mental health and that of everyone I know. I also lost a lot of motivation for the things that I used to be passionate about and I rarely can find it in me to enjoy anything. I discussed this with my therapist, who suggested that a lot of my passions and hobbies were 'play behavior', and we're not inclined to play when we don't feel safe. I feel that rings true.

I hope that you can return to this game one day, as I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I am looking forward to continuing our group's adventures.

And, if anyone here is looking for a new game and has a *powerful need* to play War for the Crown, I have a recruitment up until end of this week. :)

Am ok, swamped with work at the moment.

Happy Canada Day!

Things are a little busy for me, but keen to pick up the game again.

It stings a little to be lumped in with the rest of the tshamek, but Yaziyah understands - she wasn't born and raised here, and to their eyes she was an outsider. The sight of Thousand Bones fills her with joy, however, and she is quick to greet her mentor. "We are glad to be here. And you are right to be concerned about Ileosa."

She looks around warily, nodding in respect to One-Life and Ash Dancer. "There is much we must discuss. We bring dire news from the city."

Yaziyah opens her arms in greeting, then crosses them over her chest as she bows her head to the Skoan-Quah warriors. "Greetings, boneslayers. We have traveled from far away to see Thousand Bones and seek his council, and the wisdom of the clan." She straightens her back, gazing calmly at the other Shoanti.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

The bloody flying rats were determined to end her! Almost falling to one knee, the shaman draws upon hidden reserves - they already had Garvid to worry about. "I'll manage here, go help Garvid!"

AoO blue, if it's not dead: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35 Damage: 1d3 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Cast Greater False Life, for 2d10 + 11 ⇒ (9, 8) + 11 = 28 HP.

Stumbling, almost falling, Yaziyah grasps for one of the healing sticks in her belt as her preternaturally lengthened hair lashes out again.

AoO blue: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25 Damage: 1d3 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Cure serious wounds: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 7, 7) + 3 = 22

"A little... help here," the Shoanti gasps.

Heads up that I am having surgery on Monday the 25th and will be unable to post for a few days. Bot as needed.

Yaziyah's hair lashes out at one of the gargoyles attacking her as they swoop into range.

AoO attack, blue, bless, IC: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21 Damage: 1d3 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Feeling the sand shift beneath her, the shaman starts moving away from the tectonic disturbance. Now bleeding profusely from multiple wounds, she mutters an incantation under her breath as her skin toughens. Cast Barkskin, AC +4.

AoO attack was against blue.

Pulling out the blessing stick, Yaziyah quickly taps Mouse with it.

Bless on party, +1 to attack rolls for 1 minute.

As the gargoyles were diving towards them, the Shoanti's hair, already falling past her waist, begins to lengthen even more, its tips touching the dusty earth and coiling upon it like a great serpent. As the claws tear into Yaziyah's flesh, her braid of hair lashes out, whipping at one of the attacking creatures.

AoO: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (9) + 16 = 25 Damage: 1d3 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

"Get off me, I'm not a snack!" she snaps at them.

Yaziyah grimaces at the sight of the desiccated head, and quirks an eyebrow at Kynes's lengthy explanation. The man's knowledge was considerable, she had to give him that.

Knowledge nature: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35

"Yes, those are ashwing gargoyles."

Good luck, and take care of yourself!

Yaziyah purses her lips at the revelation that Laori had been scrying on them. Not only a reminder that the girl was not quite as airheaded as she liked to appear, but that she had powerful magic at her disposal.

" It also makes you wonder what was there that attracted Kazavon's essence in the first place. Some weakness in spirit? Or some strength."

"Or perhaps proximity to power, potential and possibility. If this Kazavon was a warlord, think on what he could achieve with Korvosa's resources at his disposal." She brushes cookie crumbs off her skirts with a decisive motion of her palm. "So we need to stop him. We are united in that goal, it seems. Thank you for sharing this information with us, Laori, I hope it doesn't get you in trouble. I think that we should work together on this one." She looks to her companions for their thoughts.

Knowledge religion: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

Yaziyah knew of the shadowcounts of Zon-Kuthon, those who intercede with the fiendish kytons on behalf of mortals. One of them in the city could mean bad news, but the Shoanti had more pressing matters to attend to.

"Got any more of those cookies? They really are quite good. Did you bake them yourself?"

She coughs. "Hm. Anyway. You say that the church of Zon-Kuton do *not* want Kazavon reborn, is that correct? Why is that? Was this Kazavon not a worshiper of the Dark Lord? Would he not bring glory to your faith?"

Sense motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34

Laori's complaints do give her an idea, however.

"This Sial doesn't sound like fun. We could help you research, if you like." Time to throw the girl a bone. "We are interested in this Kazavon as well, and we came here in search of knowledge."

Thanks for mentioning this, Wicked.

Personally, I'm into BDSM in real life, so the present encounter with Laori is completely fine with me, but I spoilered my post in case other people feel different.

Oooh, a Wartenberg wheel. I love those!

Yaziyah sighs, the long-suffering sigh of a grandmother with unruly grandchildren, tilting her head at the dissembling elf. "Come now, Laori, are we not friends? What is really going on? We can't help you if you don't tell us. We have some of which you seek, and you may tell us of things which interest us, while at the same time spreading knowledge of the Dark Lord." She winks at Laori.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

"Was Salvator your main interest in Korvosa, then? Now that you mention it, I believe the Arkonas had several of his pieces in their mansion. Didn't they, Kynes?"

Which part is she lying about?

"Very nice of you to help Salvatore. The poor man has been through a lot. And yes, it is surprising that there wasn't a temple to the Dark Lord here already... Any idea why?" Yaziyah scratches her chin thoughtfully. "You are only visiting here, you said? Are you staying long? Heading anywhere interesting after that?"

Ah, so she had been right - it was Laori who had, erm, refurbished the Zon-Kuthon shrine. Drawing back from the elf's hug, she scrutinizes her with intense focus.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (5) + 16 = 21

"Interested in the Dark Lord? Yes, you might say so. Have you been a follower for long? You must be rather well-regarded in his church, to be entrusted with taking care of his shrine here."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (18) + 17 = 35

She gingerly picks up a chocolate cookie off the floor, gently blowing over it and taking a bite. No point in wasting food.

"What have you been up to since we last saw you?"

And what do you know of Kazavon and his teeth?

There were so many gods being worshiped, observed or placated here! Yaziyah doesn't know the names of most of them, even less about their portfolios or worshipers. She spends some time paying her respects to the gods that she does know and follows at least to some degree, leaving simple offerings and prayers for the success of their mission in the Cinderlands.

But the unusual addition to Zon-Kuthon's shrine draws her attention. "Looks like something that girl would do..." she mutters before heading inside.

Yaziyah stops in her tracks as Li catches up to her. "Garvid has the right idea. Rats are vastly preferable to this." She nods her chin at the cages, and turns on her heel to leave the establishment. She hooks her arm through Li's as they walk towards the exit. "We're not splitting, dear girl, don't worry. We'll all go find another place to spend the night." Lowering her voice, she adds under her breath. "With the coin we made, we could even rent a whole house for ourselves for a week or two, I reckon."

"And for those gods without a devoted congregation there’s always the Street of Little Gods. There you’ll find all manner of shrines and proselytizers, many for deities you’ve never even heard of--including, I’d wager, the Midnight Lord."

"Then I shall visit this street of Little Gods." Yaziyah proclaims. She had little hope of finding anything useful, but she had to try.

Yazi would like a +4 upgrade to her headband of inspired wisdom.

Did Yazi get anything on her Sense Motive check on Gav?

Even if the boy was spinning nothing but fanciful tales, such persistence and creativity should be rewarded, Yaziyah felt. Tossing the gold sail to Gav, she asks. "Is there a temple or shrine to Zon-Kuthon?"

At Mouse's questions, she frowns in thought. "I know nothing of enchanting, my dear, Lord Talfryn is who you want for that topic. But there are many ways to fly." She casts about until she spots a fallen feather from one of the birds circling above Kaer Maga. Picking it up, she smooths it and then blows gently on it. As she does, she rises into the air, her body turning to be parallel to the ground, her arms opening as if in flight. "One way is to make use of the innate abilities of flighted creatures, like so." She makes a few lazy circles around the group, banking on one side. "Another is to commune with spirits of the air, or to grow wings yourself." She alights on the cobblestones, rolling her shoulders. "Whatever enchanted items you seek, they will need to have one of those properties." She eyes Gav. "Perhaps we should make use of the information offered to us and pay a visit to this Unbroken Wheel."

I feel like someone should get that CL 9 wand of meowgic meowssiles.

Sense Motive Gav: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

"Well met, Gav. Five gold coins... is that five sails?" Yaziyah shows the boy the Korvosan gold coin between two of her fingers, while her other hand is closely guarding her purse. "If so, that is rather a steep price for a day's work, but if your information is good you will not find us stingy. Tell me, this "Wheel Unbroken", do they also purchase items?"

The blood drains from her face as their guide rattles off the last bit. If she wasn't mistaking his meaning - and she was fairly certain that she was not - he was speaking of a... a place where people could desecrate the dead in carnal acts. An abomination in the eyes of Pharasma and those of the spirits of her tribe! Still, if this place truly did have everything...

"We are not looking for brothels, but what of places of worship? Especially those of deities less... popular in places like Korvosa or Magnimar."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

Yaziyah climbs to her feet awkwardly, still keeping hold of Kynes's scarf. She hobbles over to Garvid to clasp a hand on his arm. "Well done." She reaches for Mouse as well, but then stops at the sight of her burns. "You did well, too. Here, let me see to those."

Channels x 2: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 1, 4, 1, 5, 6, 4, 1) = 37

She then turns to glare at Kynes and Talfryn, opening her mouth to no doubt deliver a scathing critique of their behaviour, but Mouse's question brings her up short. "There might be a way, a spell that I've heard of... it would create a wall of stone, which may hold things back for a little while. I'm... not exactly sure how to cast it though. So I can do the next best thing."

Gesturing, she starts an incantation and a barrier of tough brambles with finger-long thorns begins to emerge from the floor of the tunnel and expand across the breach, engulfing it completely.

"This won't last very long, but it may deter anything looking to crawl out of there and come after us." She then turns to the rest of the group, clapping her hands. "Alright, on your feet, let's move!"

Woooo!

Significant changes:
- Feat: Amplified Hex
- New spells slots: one 3rd level, one 6th level
- Spirit spells: Mass Owl's Wisdom, Heal

Buncha skills (put 1 point in Survival so we don't get totally lost).

Mouse was having trouble down there! Snatching Kynes's scarf from his now limp fingers, Yaziyah throws it into the pit for the half-elf to grab. "Someone help me get her out of there! I can't hoist her out on my own!"

It was difficult to tell which of her companions were under the influence of the monstrous creatures, what with everyone turning on everyone else. Gritting her teeth against Kynes's attack, she turns on him. "Take a nap, you idiot."

Slumber hex on Kynes, DC 20 Will. If he does fall asleep, does that negate the NL damage he deals to Yazi on his turn, since he's later than me in initiative order? Otherwise, Yazi is unconscious.

Oof, waited too long to edit my post, so Paizo ate it. Casting Fortune on Garvid, take the better of 2d20 rolls for one attack/save/ability check for 1 round.

Will save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14 Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 7

Reflex save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Using a hero point to add +4 to that.

With an undignified squawk, Yaziyah tumbles into the pit that suddenly apparates under her feet, one sinewy arm snaking out at the last moment to grasp Talfryn by the ankle and arrest her fall.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

"TALFRYN! What the f@(k are you doing!"

Will save mid fog: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 13 + 2 = 23
Will save 1: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 2 = 18 Will save 2: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 13 + 2 = 31 Will save 3: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 2 = 32
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 95 Attacks nearest creature.

Yaziyah growls at both Lord Talfryn's attack and his subsequent babbling. "Not now, your lordship, one of them damn worms got on me! I can feel it slithering around in my clothes! Argh!"

Attack Slinky, AC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21 Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Attack Slinky, AC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Will saves 1, 2, 3: 3d20 + 13 ⇒ (2, 15, 16) + 13 = 46
Confusion: 1d100 ⇒ 91

The half light charms' light sways as they move, throwing strange shadows on the walls, floor and ceiling of the tunnel. As the three creatures burst through the weakened barrier, Yaziyah could swear that dozens of smaller worms are racing towards the group, slithering up her body and the bodies of her companions. Alarmed by the noise, Slinky climbs out of his pocket - but it's not Slinky, it's one of the worms.

"Ah! Get off me!" Yaziyah shouts as she attempts to known the weasel off with the end of her staff, barely missing Slinky's head, who chitters furiously at her.

Attack vs AC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 Damage: 1d6 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 1 = 4

Yaziyah had her doubts about Trinia joining them in their journey into the Cinderlands, but the girls seemed so excited about the prospect that she doesn't have the heart to say no. "Alright, if you are to come with us, you need to stick close and follow our instructions. And perhaps Li can give you a few tips and pointers on the way."

================================

The journey towards Kaer Maga is miserable for the Shoanti woman, unused as she is to riding horses. Her beast seemed docile enough at first, but later it picks up on its rider's inexperience and starts testing the limits - stopping abruptly to munch on some grass by the road's edge, or suddenly going much faster than Yaziyah is comfortable with. The shaman manages to bring the beast under control soon enough, but for the rest of the journey she watches it with distrust.

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

She is pleased when the clearing comes into view and they can finally dismount. It was clear that the imposing doors led into the cliff itself, so a subterranean journey was ahead of them. As the Duskwalker gives his spiel, she tips the man three gold on top of the "minimum allowable", then asks. "What happens to the horses?"

"The Queen's plot is probably the best thing to happen to them in decades."

Yaziyah shakes her head. "They would be fools to think that the Queen will stop with Korvosa. And if she did unearth the thing under the castle that generations of my people guarded and tried to keep away, then I hope they will help us to recover it - or destroy it."

"At Salvator's... house. There was a girl wearing Zon-Kuthon's symbol. She was looking for the painter as well. A little odd, but she helped us. Laori was her name, I think." Yaziyah frowns as she recalls the events of the past few days and reviews the new information from Neolandus and Vencarlo. "She might be involved in this, somehow."

She turns her gaze towards the unseen horizon again. "It looks like we will need to travel into the Cinderlands and speak with my people. I have to warn you, it is not a hospitable place. There is a reason why my family decided to come live in Korvosa - as unfriendly as that city is to our kind, the Cinderlands are far, far more inimical." She gestures beyond the walls to the green pastures and the gentle hills. "Here nature is nurturing, tame. There, it is a primal place of scorched earth and winds that will strip the flesh from your bones. Volcanoes and firestorms and a sky that rains death. To say nothing of the hostile creatures that roam those lands." She sighs deeply, struggling to find her words for a moment. "And... even though I call myself Shoanti... the tribes out there-" She clears her throat, shakes her head. "They are as harsh as the land. The Skoan-Quah are likely to be the least hostile, but if we go to them we risk angering the other tribes. Still, if we can find Thousand Bones he will be willing to help."

Completely understand, I think a lot of people find themselves with an abundance of free time on hand these days. Alas, for me it is rather the opposite.

Yaziyah's joy at seeing Trinia and Vesper safe and sound is no less great, but its expression is more restrained. She follows the girls inside, listening to Trinia's tale while leaning on the door frame. She half-smiles for most of the telling, but grows serious as the girl mentions a Shoanti ghost. "That was a very dangerous thing that you did. You were lucky, but the undead are not to be trifled with." She pauses for a moment to let the weight of her words sink in. "Did she tell you anything of her name, her tribe?"

==============================

She listens to Vencarlo and the seneschal intently, snorting and shaking her head at times, especially when Neolandus mentions her people. "Yes, the settlers were keen to paint us as ignorant and savages, ignored a lot of our lore - and look where that got them." She frowns for a moment, gaze going distant. "Zon-Kuthon... wasn't that strange girl a follower? The one who was so enthusiastic about Salvator Scream's paintings?"

Aaah, slow down a little! :)

Gameplay posts are moving a bit too quick for me, can we give it a bit more time for people to react and roleplay?

Yaziyah nods at Ichond's question. "Born and raised in Korvosa, yes, but I know my roots. I am also of the Skoan-Quah." She looks like she might say more, but then shakes her head and purses her lips, withdrawing into herself and spending the rest of the evening in brooding silence.

=======================================

Zellara's apparition finds her awake, as she cannot find rest in this strange place, with so many questions and thoughts weighing on her mind. Sighing wearily, she sits up to hear the Varisian's fortune telling.

”Again I am granted the vision of a beautiful young woman being dragged into darkness. And in that darkness exists only despair. In that darkness, a great evil works tirelessly to destroy all hope. You must enter it willingly. You must defeat it.”

"I am no stranger to darkness," the Shoanti mutters, gathering her cloak closer around herself as she shifts position to ease a painful hip.

As the ghostly woman digs into past and present, Yaziyah's face clouds. "Yes, my people suffered greatly. And they had wisdom, knowledge that is now lost, and who knows how many more may suffer for that, if your prophecies are true. As to the man, that can only the Thousand Bones, the chief shaman of my tribe. He and I, we were of a mind in what we sought. Perhaps now as well."

She trails off, staring into the distance, her fingers absently touching the charms at her belt. Garvid's question shakes her out of her reverie. "Legends? I know many. But I wasn't born in the Cinderlands. People there may know more."

Lore, the dead, in case it's applicable: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16

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As they take their leave of Palin's Cove the next day, the Shoanti woman complains of tiredness and aches, and sighs deeply at the news that they must travel on foot. Her mood hasn't improved by the time they camp for the evening, and she snorts at Vencarlo's question. "Name ourselves? You just went and gave us all new names, now you want us to come up with a fancy name for our group, like we're some adventurers or heroes or Pathfinders? Grow up, old man. When we go up against the Queen, or whatever is under the castle, they won't care a whit for what we're called."

Yaziyah nods at their presumptive host as she pulls the hood of her cloak down, displaying her Shoanti tattoos openly. She snorts at the obviously fake names, but doesn't correct Vencarlo.

"Well met, Ichond, blessing of the spirits upon you and your house." She unshoulders her pack, pulling out a few supplies. "Here, let me help with dinner."

I think that's good enough for now, the other option is to collapse the stairwell, but not sure if we have the means to do that fast. Yazi's spell list is not the most... explosive.

As Slinky hisses furiously at Kynes and his open flame, Yaziyah nods at Garvid. "I like that idea. But first we should make sure that the dungeons below cannot be accessed, they still hold plenty of danger."

Same, we are moving to a WFH setup for a minimum of 2 weeks, so I'm busy organizing that. And then I have my surgery on the 23rd, so I'll be busy with that for a bit. :)

The Shoanti does not speak the words that are Korvosa's motto, but instead watches with arms crossed and a stony gaze how the man- nay, the creature she had thought a benefactor to the poor is judged and executed. Did those acts of charity hide devious plans, or were they simply a way for the Arkonas to gain the goodwill of the populace? She thinks back on the butcher shop and its grisly secret. No, things were never simple with these two; she expects that every action they took had served them in more ways than one. Ploys within deceit within plots.

At the suggestion of leaving the city, she starts shaking her head, but then sighs heavily and nods. "My heart aches that I cannot do much for Old Korvosa as things stand. We could run around and run ourselves down trying to help those who need it the most, but a long-term solution is required. We already achieved a lot by getting rid of Pilts Swastel and of this one." She flicks her chin at the dead rakshasa.

Once Glorio is defeated and the rest flee, Yaziyah busies herself tending to the wounded, especially Garvid. She swats the guardsman once as he insists moving about and blabbering as she attempts to examine and bind his wounds.

Using the wand of Cure Serious Wound for 29 HP a pop to restore Garvid's health and anyone else's to full.

"I don't think any of my spells can hold him, but I can make it difficult for him to get away, unless he takes flight again."

With a few gestures, a wall of thorns erupts into existence around the rakshasa lord, leaving only a narrow opening. Casting Wall of Thorns.