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When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
When The Avatara Walk the Earth: A tale of epic valor and ancient magic
It is noon at Acritov Adrian, Jewel of the twin empires, and center of the world. Having arrived earlier today, you have spent your time looking for a suitable place to reside and marvelling at the gigantic city and its sights. From Pyramids to floating towers, the Jewel of the Empires always has something to interest a traveller with.
You are going about, minding your own business....
BOOM!
A tremendous explosion can be heard coming from the eastern side of the city. So powerful an explosion, that you find it hard to keep standing for a few seconds, though the shockwave soon subsides.
((And here you make your great entrance, guys. What you do is up to you. Feel free to take time to prepare a proper introduction.))
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Uranus
Uranus had been walking through the city, she was originally just passing through. The slender woman, wearing a body suit that left little to the imagination, wasn't so much marvelling at the floating objects so much as simply making a mental note of them. Yes it was amazing, truly a great step in the arcane and blah blah blah. It was all so boring to her. If a man could make a building float, then why was she wasting her time walking when she could be transported by some floating object?
Temperance, her old master would say. Walking is the key to understanding the world. For a walk is slow, and slow life can take in blah blah blah. Something about taking time to smell the roses. Something or another.
He strange clothing was beginning to draw some attention to her. One brave man decided he was going to treat her like some common street walker. He walked up to her, called her, "babey", placed his arm around her, asked her,"how much", found the flat of her palm shoved into his nose. It was all happening so slowly, she became aware of her surroundings, she recognised this as what her old master called a "battle clarity", something only a true warrior exhibited. Meaningless...
The man landed on his back, shouted some obscienity, and watched as she raised a glowing hand. She was going to end him, and he knew it. He began to beg for his life, offering her some stupid monetary gain or something-
BOOM
It knocked her on her hands and knees, she lost the spell, (1 use of burning hands). She stood up, pulled her shortened hair from her face, looked in the direction, smiled, a knowing smile.
"You've been sparred, for now."
Uranus began to slowly make her way over to the source of the explosion.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Sslag
Sslag was perched on a tall building overlooking the city marketplace. It was a slow day. By now, he should have interrupted at least three attempted robberys by now. Was it his job? No, not really, but the local authorities were too stupid to figure out what was going on in their very own city, right under their noses! Meh, maybe would-be cutpurses had wisened up to his pressence, but that wasn't important. What was important was that he was bored! Something had to happen soon, or he would snap.
BOOM
And there it was. He needed no further motivation. He leapt from the edifice, spread his wings and made a course east.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
High noon on a sunny day is there any better thing to do than sip a drink and read a book. Finishing his page Thufir stretches “is there any better way to spend your -
BOOM
...retirement” closing his book and finishing his drink he sighs, “dam it”.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Gars
"What am I doing here again?" Gars muttered to himself as he walked through the crowded, smelly city. Full of chaos and noise far less pleasant and predictable than that of his native woodlands, he felt distinctly out of place. This feeling was increased by the fact that he'd had to leave Shkan on the roof of the low, broad building near the edge of the city. City-dwellers were not happy to be around a tiger...and Shkan didn't like being around that many people (the city "stank").
BOOM!!!
The ground shook. Gars stayed on his feet, but many around him did not, and he had to dodge quickly as a small pyramid of performers toppled to the ground. As people picked themselves up, he heard a little girl ask "Mommy, what was that?"
"Oh, probably just an earthquake or thunder."
Gars knew this was no earthquake or thunder he'd ever caused or experienced. Looking to the north, he reached out with his mind, telling Shkan to cross rooftops and join him near the site of the explosion, and then started into a fast but paced jog, casting Barkskin on himself as he prepared himself mentally to find anything from a portal with a horde of creatures, to a firey explosion, to a sinkhole, to... pointless. Focus. Read the patterns and become the leaf.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
John Doe
As he grew bored of sleeping in a small tent half a mile away from the gathering place of humans, watching from afar their giant camp, John decided today he would venture into the city and find out more about their peculiar ways. Within an hour he had returned all the elements of his campsite back to his bag and redied a new more "presentable form" image to put on himself. He used a former image of the one who had trapped him in that small barred room for weeks. (Disguise self used -1st level). He looked at his new image, a taller man with a black beard and wearing an odd uniform with metal chain armor. He walked slowely toward the city, keeping off the odd warn away paths that had many many people always walking on. And made his way to the side of the city that was on the side of the rising sun. as he walked into the city he was amazed by just how many people there were, thousands and thousands all running about. He started to sweat a little scared that someone might notice him, but no one payed any attention at all
BOOM!!! he was blasted off his feet onto the ground and the ringing sound prevented him from all hearing he his vision was blurry and he felt dizzy and unable to move his eyes around.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Sasach the Wild
Criu
Sasach and Criu looked dreadfully out of place in the middle of this oh-so-civilized city. The pair were walking, with Sasach on Criu's back, still strapped in for flight. Sasach was clad in his chainmail, golden feathers woven into his long brown braids, and his head adorned with a silver helmet, stylized as a screaming hawk's visage, his face protruding from it's open beak. Criu's feathers were preened and brushed until they shown, gleaming in the city sunlight, and a similarly gleaming chest-plate hung loosely off her body. The expression of wonder on Sasach's face didn't really help the image, either. He'd never seen such marvels! The city was completely alien to him. Back on the island, they had no cities. Just tribes constantly wandering from place to place.
BOOM!
The shockwave snapped him from his thoughts as Criu got back to her feet. "Fliege!" Sasach commanded, and Criu let out a piercing cry, spreading her incredible, gleaming wings, and took to the air, soaring over the rooftops and gaining altitude constantly. Sasach guided her gently towards the source. What could make such an incredible explosion so as to be heard throughout the city? He drew out his bow, just in case.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Garris
Garris the hunter was sitting in one of his favorite spots when he visited the city. The Lions Head Inn. He had put the lion's head on the wall, years ago. He was enjoying a drink and spinning an arrow around his thumb as usual.
BOOM!
Spilling his drink he stands up. By the gods! What is it now? Derin, hold my room I'll be back. Garris grabs his bow from behind the chair and steps out into the street where he looks to the east. He begins jogging down the road before leaping onto the roof of one og the nearby buildings. From there he runs and leaps rooftop to rooftop to locate the source of the boom.
Spoiler
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My jump roll is 36. Thats 30+ feet horizontally and 10+ feet vertically.
Moving at about 100+feet per round.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Taia
What a fascinating place... The pixie looked around the city and allowed herself to relax. This looks like a fine place to rest for a while, although trouble always does seem to find me... or do I find it? Hmmm... an interesting question...
BOOM!
... though pointless to ponder for now. She sighs. Here we go again. The pixie winks out of view and speeds off toward the source of the sound.
Spoiler
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Unless there's a good reason not to, always assume that the See The Unseen invocation is in effect.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Jaras
Having just arrived at the city, Jaras spend the next few hours wandering around the streets and ramparts checking out the security in the area. as well as the beggars and homeless. Over the course of the day Jaras has taken several homeless and beggars and brought them a nearby inn, and supplied them with new clothes, and a little bit of money to try to find there way back in life. He has also paid for a months stay in a room, nothing special, but someplace for them to call home while they get resituated.
He was on his way back to another inn when...
BOOM
Turning to look towards the noise Jaras get's blown off his feat as does his newly found friend. wh wh wh what was that???, he proclaims.
Getting up, Jaras hands a handful of coin to the man he was with, this should get your situated, Goto the Majestic Unicorn, and tell them your one of Jaras's friends. and with that he takes off in the direction of the blast, shield in hand, sword at his side with a hand resting on the pommel
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Othar
The half-ogre had been waiting for hours to get access to the library. At the last moment the scholars had wanted to forbid him the entrance, but Othar remembered them of those of their order he had rescued from the bandits, and in the end they couldn't but yield.
His small red eyes gleamed with expectation looking at the knowledge congregated in the vast halls, and all the novices, erudites and students in the room looked at his towering figure with his clunky equipment and the constant rattle of his armour and weapons as he walked by.
The bulky figure was hushed away by the angry scholars, but he just went deeper into the ancinent tomes of the library. Othar had to walk sideways to fit between rows of shelves, but he showed unexpected skill to avoid knocking them off. Wandering around, he stopped in one of the shelves, picking a book for closer study.
He briefly searched in his haversack and picked a small pair of glasses, which looked ridiculous above his large nose. Wow, can this be?? A first edition by Felwarp himself!!?? he exclaimed excited. He lowered his voice, wondering if he had disturbed the scholars of the order yet again. When noone appeared to hush him he sighed with relief
BOOM!
Dozens of books fell from the shelves upon Othar's head, nearly burying him alive and tearing the book out of his hands. The half-ogre coughed due to the clouds of dust that the books had gathered along the years. He searched blindly for his reading glasses, but they were broken, now only a set of wires and broken glass. Is everyone ok? his voice thundered in the library.
A couple of accolytes needed to be rescued from below shelves, but Othar effortlessly pushed them aside. "We thank you for your assistance" said meekly one of the scholars. I'll come for fees later! he shouted as he bursted out to the streets to see what had caused that explosion.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
After some walking you arrive at what must be the site where the explosion or whatever it was took place, a commercial plaza. It seems as if a Titan had decided to drop the proverbial Gargantuan Adamantine Hammer, as there is a gigantic, perfectly circular crater. Many people are starting to congregate around it. One of them, an elderly man, takes out a rope, sets it, and starts to descend towards the bottom of the crater, a good 110 ft below.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Garris
Bounding to a halt at the edge of the crater he looks down into the depths. He looks to the person next to him You see what did this? Where'd it go? He pauses, sniffing the air for a moment looking around at the surrounding people.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Taia
Taia hovers over the gaping hole, attempt to discern any trace of magic.
Spoiler
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detect magic in the direction of the crater
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Tahlin Ryavain was back in Acritov Adrian, and truly, the city was a marvel he never wearied of. A true pinnacle of civilization, the city was a glorious place in the world, and it cheered Tahlin somewhat to be back inside its walls and among its wonders.
Elves draw little attention in the metropolis at the center of the world, but one dressed as fine as Tahlin always turns at least a few heads. His outfit is stylish, but tasteful: a white silk shirt with fine silver embroidery up the sleeves and clean, well-kept black silk pants. His cloak is vibrantly purple and shimmers slightly as it sways with his stride. He had clearly been no stranger to money in his life, and this message was received by many would-be thieves, but the elf's easy grace and well-worn kukri-hilt sent another message to any potential robbers: warning, extremely dangerous man, proceed with utmost caution.
Of the few that made attempts, they found him infuriatingly difficult to get close to, as he would subtly shift this way or that, seemingly just always out of reach. He caused no scenes, feeling avoidance is best.
He was walking through the Upper Section of the city, on his way to a fine Inn he had stayed at the last time he was in the the Central Metropolis when
BOOM!
His vision seemed to vibrate into doubles and his ears rang. Tahlin rose from the light defensive crouch he had intuitively dropped into. It seemed the inn could wait. He was tempted to leave the mysterious blast to the proper authorities, but his curiousity got the better of him. Adventure awaited! His hand reached down and caressed the worn hilt and pommel of his razor-sharp kukri. Its familiar heft and shape comforted and reassured him as he hurried through the streets, fighting the flow of people fleeing the blast like a salmon swimming upstream.
Running into a large courtyard, Tahlin stopped suddenly at the edge of a mammoth crater. What could possibly have caused such devestation? And with no sign of it remaining? This boded ill for the great jewel of the empire...
He saw an old man lower a rope and begin to enter the crater. The tall, thin grey elf waited and watched, wondering what would happen next, not yet willing to enter the crater until he knew more.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
The old man finishes his descent, and walks towards the center of the crater. Suddenly, however, he turns around, looks up, and starts yelling at the crowd: Hey, LOOK! I Found a golden bag here! There's valuables to be picked up!
In a matter of seconds, the plaza is empty, the people having ran to their homes to get rope, eager to obtain anything valuable that could be found in the crater. The old man, meanwhile, resumes walking towards the bottom of the crater, his eyes very aware of his surroundings...and of any potentially valuable item to be found.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Sslag could see it. Perhaps today would be interesting after all. He folded his wings and dove toward's the center of the crater. Part way down, he spread his wings and maintained a hovering position, looking intently at a patch of air. He scrutinizes the spot before continuing down to get a beter look at the crater.
When he saw the old man, he stopped. This guy was either stupid, or he knew what he was doing. The fact that he had a rope suggested the latter, but maybe this old man was one of those 'always be prepared' opportunists.
Sslag continued to hover, waiting to see what happened next.
Spoiler
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Sslag's blindsinse detects the pixie, even if he himself cannot see it.
He can hover due to 'good' maneuverability
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Uranus shouted at the old man, he was either a fool, or suicicdal.
"Put that down, it's a trap!"
She closed her eyes a moment and focused on all she had learned, focusing deeply on her shadowblade stance.
Kneeling down at the edge of the crater she placed a hand on the wall. It fealt natural, it called out to her. She readied to lower herself in incase of trouble.
Spoiler
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Using Dance of the Spider stance to climb walls 20ft per round, in case there's something to kill of course.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Wouldn't it be better to just slow fall down, Spider walk a little bit mid fall, and re-slow fall?
Mais non, nothing odd happens. The old man just shoots you a curious look and keeps digging with a small shovel (Where the hell did he get that from?).
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Othar
Watch out, old man! he shouts when he sees the old man descending. However, he knew his words would be ignored. Greed had grasped the man and he didn't realize that what caused the explosion once could happen again. Othar studied the surroundings looking for the cause of the explosion or any strange item, but he had never been too good at finding things.
The half-ogre walked to the old man's rope side Grasp the rope! he yelled. I'll lift you back here! He offered. The half-ogre wasn't really sure that the old man would comply, but surely he wouldn't think him a robber with so many people around, would he?
Othar observes others approach the crater and express the same feelings, so he only sighs as more people venture into the hole.
Spoiler
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:smallsigh: ok, spot and listen rolls... like Othar can find something without his glasses...
spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Actually a decent roll! I don't think he'll spot anything from above, but anyway, a 20!! :smallbiggrin:
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Once again looking up, the old man grins a toothless smile at Othar. Thanks, sonny, but I'm alright! What are the chances of whatever happened occurring again? C'mon, come down here, you can take anything you find! He says as he continues digging. WOW! A cloak! How could this have ended up here? Pity the poor guy who was carrying it...
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Taia
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Azerian Kelimon
What are the chances of whatever happened occurring again?
Knowing my luck, pretty good, I would think. She refocuses her efforts at magical detection on the old man. Something's not quite right with him...
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Wonderful, people were starting to go into the crater. Sslag shook his head and decided to confront this old fool.
He folded his wings and began a sharp descent downwards toward the old man.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
As you focus on the old man, the only magical resonances you get are from the cloak and bag. It seems the old man is not hiding anything magical.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
((Don't have slow fall. Just have dimension door and other lesser spells of the sort.))
"Look you old bastard, something or someone caused that. And if you had half a brain you'd know that it's getting ready to do it again, it's just baiting the trap. So if you don't come out of there, you're going to be part of the next attack!"
((No way am I wasting spells to help andold dumabss))
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Taia
The pixie moves down into the crater to investigate, using her detect magic ability to identify any strong sources of magic. This is probably a bad idea... but I haven't stayed alive this long by being timid.
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Othar
The bulky man frowns, realizing that the old man had almost read his mind. Grumbling, the giant picks an ugly and smelly rope from his backpack and orders it to grow. [grumble]"Sonny"[/grumble]When it has reached the desired length, he cuts it and puts one side back into his backpack. [grumble]I swear it to you, old man, if a purple worm comes out of that hole to swallow me...[/grumble]
The half-ogre picks the middle of the rope and passes it around a column, not really willing to test his knotting skills. [grumble]I'm gonna bring you back up here before you hurt yourself[/grumble]. Othar begins to climb down, wary of purple worms.[Fatigated whisper]I'd rather hurt you myself...[/whisper]
Spoiler
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Sorry, Duke! I hadn't noticed you already had picked blue! I changed my colour.
climb: [roll0] (I hope this counts as a rope and a wall)
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Sslag landed by the old man. Instead of shouting like a ninny, he would try to reason with this guy.
"Ahem...Excuse me, but you must understand. Some of us are worried about your well being and that of others. People may hurt each other when they find out treasure is to be found...and this area may not be safe... underground cavern's, cave-ins, monsters, evil wizards, and more explosions namely, not to mention onery treasure seekers. Perhaps you should reconsider..."
Spoiler
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Rolling for diplomacy
[roll0]
Bear with me, I haven't done this very often
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Garris
Garris looked down into the huge hole and pondered the actions of the other folk interfering with the old man. Ahh to hell with it. The first step is always the hardest, most of the time. Garris took a few steps back and with a short run, leaped into the crater. The falling portion looked slower than it should have but the hunter lands with a thump and a roll onto his feet. He looks a round warily, sniffing again.
Spoiler
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Leap and then feather fall.
Same checks as before for the cause of this crater. Also looking for things, magical things.
Garris can see invis and detect magic, as well as blind sense and scent.
do I need new rolls?
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Re: When The Avatara Walk the Earth....
Nah, you don't need to roll.
Necro, Slow fall is a monk ability. If you are close to a wall or the like, you can slow your fall for up to X feet. I suggested it because it seemed to be useful.
The old man looks around at the group. Finally, he addresses Sslag. I wouldn't worry about that, friend. D'you have an idea of the kind of magical power needed to provoke such a huge crater in a place as heavily defended as here? It would be literally impossible to replicate if the wizard or sorceror responsible wasn't still around. If there was a magical loony around here, I'd be running away faster than a Dromite from the cold. So don't worry about me, and help yourselves to anything you might find. If somebody else comes here, we'll just retreat with what we might have obtained.
Spoiler
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Can't wait for the others to enter the scene.