Zaigan Capoferro's page

I think it pretty much went dormant when we took the break, other than the "Saga of Shalana". Sounds like the "Saga" is over, and Shalana will be parting ways, due to be replaced by an as-yet unknown.

I'm ok with staying out of the conversation, assuming Zaigan isn't close enough to be involved. He now faces the task, with whatever help the others will provide, of trying to restore the Iomedean Temple to its former level. I don't foresee him going back down to where Sosiel and Shalana are for a bit, other than to possibly send for more of the army (particularly the paladins) to assist with the effort.

Zaigan pauses briefly in his Detect Evil, still focused on the door to the temple building.

"It's quite simple, actually. You formulate a question regarding your moral dilemma and ask it. You will get a response back stating whether or not your actions would affect your standing with your chosen God."

Zaigan returns his attention to the door, concentrating for a bit longer to find out more of what they could be facing on the other side of it.

Understood. These definitions have already been brought up (emails from back in February). What are you getting at?

So, if that is the case (my two cents)..

I would interpret that you would still need a source for whatever spell you were going to use to enchant the item. It could take the form of a scroll/spell book or have another person cast for you. Since you aren't personally casting the spell (not counting the use of the scroll, since anyone can use a scroll), that would justify the DC 5 increase.

You are crafting the item, but since you aren't specifically casting the spell, the intricacies of where on the item
the spell needs to be applied to properly work are more complicated.

Carrying on with the theme, because Zaigan would've been more than open with his history.

"My mother passed when I was very young, so the majority of my youth was spent growing up in the glow of my father's forge back in Nybor. From the moment I could handle a hammer, I was working beside him, learning the fine art of weaponsmithing."

"I kept having dreams about Iomedae, visions guiding my actions, as I was growing up, but it wasn't until later that I learned who she was. I left my father and ventured to Magnimar to continue my work as an apprentice weaponsmith. It was there that I came across a Temple to the Inheritor and was faced with one of her statues, immediately recognizing her as the armored woman from my visions."

"As far as my becoming a paladin, it is a simple enough tale. After discovering Her temple in Magnimar, I applied and gained entrance to Tempering Hall, where I trained for several years. I left there only a few months ago to travel to Kenabres so I could celebrate The Inheritor's Ascendance. I was intending to pledge my sword to the order here, but obviously that option was taken out of my hands with the attack."

Comment based on personal real-world experience.

Over roughly the last month of world time, our characters have been fighting side by side, sleeping in close quarters around the clock. Even with our diverse backgrounds and various reasons for not trusting each other, some sort of bond would/should have formed by now. We still seem to be acting by our original character reactions.

Based on how characters are still responding to each other, we would've separated long before now. Shalana, at a minimum, would've (and I think actually mentioned it at least once during game a few months ago) left to find another adventuring group that more closely matched her zeal for striking the demons down (we can't be the only group of adventurers that were in the city when Kenabres fell).

The fact that we are still adventuring together and pushing toward increasingly more challenging foes would indicate that some level of trust has formed between us, even though a month ago we didn't even know that each other existed (except maybe as passing acquaintances in Kenabres for those that are originally from there).

Granted, we wouldn't have sat down around the campfire and sang "Kumbaya" while sharing the horrors of our past. We still would've, at least by now, reached a mutual understanding of our goals. It, even with whatever past our characters have in their backstories, would be almost impossible to be working and living so close together for this long and still be acting like we are.

Just my two cents.

I was waiting to make sure that Fernando, Nicholas and Michelle didn't have any input for what happens/their thoughts, etc during their watch periods

I know how I see this needs to go forward, but with the clashing personalities it will be a challenge. Zaigan, as the Marshall, has the role of trying to bring the group together. I half-jokingly alluded to that in my post above (on August 27th) when the discussion was about us choosing a leader. I can do my best to "diplomacy" my way through making us a team again, but it requires some cooperation from the other members in order to work.

Part of this going forward as well might be in finding a way to dig out Shalana's back story. We all know it, but as characters we don't. All of us have a reason to want to attack and eliminate the demons (we were all in Kenabres when it fell) but for Shalana the fight against the demons is somewhat more personal based on her backstory. The problem is that none of the rest of us know that in character, so all we are seeing is that the party wants one thing (in the case of the event above, we wanted to interrogate the demon to find out what we could about Drezen) and Shalana just wanted to kill him because, umm, demon...

based on the above posts, I am going back to edit my original post (the one where I jumped immediately to the morning after). I will recomment the portion regarding the morning discussion (and would recommend Daysi do the same with hers, since some of her comments may also be affected by the ongoing discussion) after everyone has had their chance to make their comments regarding their time in their watch. The post regarding my watch period still stands, as that event would've occurred very shortly after the battle with the demon and the discussion that has followed.

EDIT: Just found out I can't go back and edit my post, since there have been replies already. Disregard everything in my original post regarding the breakfast discussion. I will repost based on how the remainder of the watches go.

is this still right after the battle, or is this discussion resuming after all of the watch shifts are done?

Zaigan turns to face Ansiris. " We go from mad men to church mice. I don't believe I saw you take part in.. " He pauses, taking a breath to compose himself, "no, this is counter-productive. What is done is done, and not a one of us has the power to go back and change it. All we can do is push forward and learn from our mistakes so we do not repeat them in the future."

is this still right after the battle, or is this discussion resuming after all of the watch shifts are done? For interests of continuity, I have removed the content from my previous post that occurred after the watches, as these interactions may change how I respond.

Zaigan turns to face Ansiris. " We go from mad men to church mice. I don't believe I saw you take part in.. " He pauses, taking a breath to compose himself, "no, this is counter-productive. What is done is done, and not a one of use has the power to go back and change it. All we can do is push forward and learn from our mistakes so we do not repeat them in the future."

Not a problem. I jumped ahead a bit figuring that the rest of the watch shifts would go without a hitch. No reason that others can't comment on their parts of the events between the battle and the following morning. In the interest of continuity, I may go back and edit my post to just include the parts that happened during my watch shift, and repost the remainder of it after everyone has had a chance to post their say.

The argument finally breaking off, Zaigan resumes his nightly devotions, remembering (based on how this battle could've gone) to gain the ability to cast Bed of Iron so that he can cast it on himself and Shalana to be prepared in the event that another attack occurs.

As his watch shift comes up, he patrols around the small camp area, offering up words of assurance to the still-shaken troops. He explains that the argument between the leaders came out as a result of heated emotions from the battle with the demon, but that we are still very much united in the noble and honorable quest to free Drezen.

Returning back to the tent, he puts one last polish on his sword and armor before removing them, stacking them neatly next to his sleeping area, his sword and shield within easy reach, then moves to wake up Daysi for her watch.

In the morning, as the party is breaking its fast, he looks around slowly, noting the tension and anxiety that is still present after the previous evening's fight and argument.

"Last night's, umm, 'discussion' brought out some issues that need to be resolved before we push on to Drezen." He pauses, making sure he has everyone's attention before continuing, " We need to all be on the same page if we hope to have a chance of success in the days to come."

He pauses again, composing his thoughts, glancing around to each person as he mentions them, "We all have our strengths and weaknesses. That is very much obvious. In a straight up brawn for brawn fight, you want Shalana or I up there to take the blows. In a grapple, I haven't seen anyone that can match Daysi's skills. Ansiris's tales of heroism have more often than not provided the motivation that meant the difference between success and failure for us as a whole. Rogar has countless times brought all of us back from wounds that would've otherwise incapacitated us. As Sardus pointed out, if we want something done a little more discreetly, there is none better than him in this group."

"Last night, some issues occurred regarding the handling of the prisoner. There was significant disagreement which, if you didn't know, all of our remaining soldiers are vividly aware of. A lot of it can be chalked up to the high emotions from the heat of battle, so I am making it clear that no one was to blame. However, we need to discuss, before we depart from camp, a set of rules of engagement that we can all agree on so we don't have similar disagreements in the future."

"I propose that before any of us leaves this tent this day, we need to have those rules established, a code that we can all agree upon for our actions in future engagements. We can't afford to have these disagreements, especially during a battle. We've been fighting and living alongside each other for almost a month now, but we are still fighting like individuals."

"I am definitely not proposing the team be lead by a single leader. We work better when we are fighting off the unified consensus of the group." Zaigan quietly sits back down next to his gear, glancing around at the others. "I open the discussion up to any suggestions. In the end, we will find a middle ground that we can all agree on."

On a side note, if we were going to choose a leader, the logical choice would be me. From the description for Mythic Marshal: "Some are destined not only to achieve personal greatness, but also to inspire armies, rally the fallen, and bring the most out of those who follow them. The marshal is such a leader, renowned for his vision, courage, and strategic acumen."

The only emotion that will be of any use here is determination. We cannot afford to cater to "fragile" emotions.

wow, Shalana isn't pulling any punches. No time for those silly feelings, let's push on so we can go kill more demons!!!.

The below is for the benefit of whatever number of NPCs and players join me for the small service to Iomedae. I assumed that Daysi, at least, is present, based on her post. Refraining from commenting on other PCs status (guessing they can respond accordingly).

Zaigan quietly polishes his armor, striving to emulate the perfection that is Iomedae. Satisfied, he dons it again with assistance of one of the remaining paladins then heads toward the shoreline, staying south of the main city. Kneeling, he clears out a spot, resting Radiance, point down, in the sand, his hands across the pommel. He whispers a few words in reverence to Iomedae, then stands, hand still on the pommel, as he faces the remaining soldiers of their armies.

Somewhat stretching the use, but attempting Diplomacy (considering usage of the Influence Attitude function of it) to motivate the remaining troops to continue the fight. If it wouldn't apply in this case, ignore.
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

"Today we fought a mighty struggle against the demon hordes," he begins, keeping his voice steady to avoid betraying his emotions. "Many brave men and women sacrificed their lives honorably.

He pauses, his pale blue eyes scanning the group, stopping to rest his gaze briefly on the captains and on the generals present (the player characters). "We must not allow their sacrifice to be in vain. We must regroup and push on to retake Drezen for the Light. To turn back now would be to say that they died in vain.

Again he pauses, taking a deep breath to collect his thoughts. "Iomedae, the Inheritor, continues to watch over us, and guides us. We will have time to mourn our losses, but," he pauses again, scanning over the group, "we must push on to Drezen before our enemy is able to regroup from the blow we dealt this day. Her justice will be with us."

Zaigan pulls Radiance up, brushing the sand off the tip before resheathing it. "If any would like a few moments prior to our watch schedule starting, I will remain here to help you offer up individual prayers."

Now I am just hoping I don't have to eat my words later on when we attack Drezen.

I know it has come out a couple times OOC, but would the fact that Daysi is a follower of Desna have come out within the group? Trying to word my next response in the side-bar discussion, and that is a bit of a key part to it.

Based on the above, I will actually take second, if no one else objects. Will allow me to do my daily devotionals during Rogar's watch (and allow him to do the same if wanted during my watch).

Zaigan walks quietly through the battlefield, somewhat shocked at the ferocity of the forces they encountered and the decimation of the armies. As he passes by the bodies of fallen paladins, he kneels, saying a few quick words of prayer before silently collecting up their holy symbols.

Completing his circuit, he pauses on a small hilltop overlooking the field, clutching the chains of the symbols in his left hand.

"You fought with honor, my brothers," he whispers softly. "Your deaths on this field of battle will be remembered, and will not be in vain."

Zaigan slips the symbols into his pack, ensuring they are secured so they won't fall out, then walks down to stand next to Daysi. "I will be down near the waterfront and will offer up words to Iomedae to look over the rest of us as we continue on our holy quest. If any from our remaining forces would like to join, let them know."

I can take any shift. I will just need an hour (which I will find a way to fit in regardless of the watch schedule) to conduct my daily devotions to Iomedae. After our last battle, my devotions may be a bit longer than usual.

Zaigan worked his way through the buildings, marking bodies for his soldiers to collect to render the proper rites.

Didn't exactly find the hair to match, but everything else seems to fit. I now have a last name as well.