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Thread: Starfall [IC]
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2009-01-07, 02:12 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2008
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- St. Louis
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Where do the three God-Boys go now? You spent about three to four hours in conversation and such at Father Bronce's house. It is now getting to be about noon.
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2009-01-08, 10:57 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
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- Florida
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Ezekiul
The three will head back to town to meet up with the others.Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!
Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.
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2009-01-08, 11:36 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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- Mountain View, CA
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Re: Starfall [IC]
When Kael sees the three come back from Father Bronson he waves them over for a group conference.
According to the rumors we've managed to gather, Starkweather John's tomb is in the hills to the west. Probably desecrated by monsters of some sort, and also rumored to be protected by a curse that supposedly turned the last would-be looter into a ghoul who still haunts the place. There was some more about a haunted defunct gold mine on the north side of town but that doesn't seem very important to me right now. I think some people may have some stuff hidden up there, and it might be worth checking out if the tomb turns up empty, but I'd ignore it for now. There are also plenty of stories about goblins and orcs and the like, but they seem centered to the east, away from the tomb.
I suggest we head out west looking for the tomb tomorrow morning. We may meet a travelling band or two of orcs on the way but I wouldn't expect any really large groups. Depending on how reliable that particular rumor is we may also have to deal with a ghoul when we find the place. The sword may or may not be there, but it's the best guess we've got and it probably at least has a clue to where else to look.
Did you get any information from Father Bronson that might change that?
((DM correct me if any of my understanding of the information is obviously wrong.))Like 4X (aka Civilization-like) gaming? Know programming? Interested in game development? Take a look.
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2009-01-08, 12:18 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
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- Florida
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Ezekiul
"Father Bronson suggested much the same about the fate of the sword, though he did mention some suspicious going-ons with some of the townsfolk. He thinks that a group may be up to no good, suggested that some of the townsfolk don't seem to have as much money as they should and that the group may be responsible. But he asked us to not intervene."Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!
Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.
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2009-01-08, 01:46 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Nov 2008
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- St. Louis
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Re: Starfall [IC]
So, it sounds - unlike anyone else dissents - that y'all're gonna' go to Starkweather John's tomb tomorrow.
Questions from DM:
1) Is anyone going to ask for directions to the tomb, or are you going to just blindly try to find it?
2) Is anyone else going to try to find anything else out, or are you pretty sure you've mind every bit of decent 'gossip/rumor' out of the locals?
3) Also, the God-Boys all had decent food and drink (very Avillonian of Father Bronson) and Kael and Annie already paid for food. What about Jaime? Does he come out of his room, find out what's going on, and pay for a meal for himself?
4) Annie is still wounded. Is Ezekiul going to cast a cure light wounds on him to top him off?
Once these are answered, we will move on with the next day.
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2009-01-08, 02:26 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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- Mountain View, CA
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Re: Starfall [IC]
I mentioned that once in OOC. My vote is that whether or not we want secrecy on this, which I'm not sure we do, it's already blown. See if we can find any directions, but I'm not sure how good or reliable they will be.
Since we (I think) have most of an afternoon and evening remaining today, we might as well spend that time on more gather information checks. I, personally, will spend part of that time practicing my martial arts. However many checks you decide we have time for, reduce it by one for me for the time I spend on that. I do not mind an audience, but won't put much effort into catering to one either.
Whether we seek information specifically about Oakenbough or not is something I will leave to the rest of the party. Other than that, the mines and more details about the monstrous humanoid activity seem the only things of note we've turned up so far to pursue besides the tomb and sword.
It would have to be three cure minors now. Only the domain slot is left for his first level spells, and that can't be converted to cures.
OOC I suggest that Loath take advantage of the house rule about changing prepared spells during the day (takes an hour, I think) to cast Goodberry twice before we go to bed.Like 4X (aka Civilization-like) gaming? Know programming? Interested in game development? Take a look.
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2009-01-08, 02:59 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2008
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- St. Louis
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Re: Starfall [IC]
No problem. The townsfolk (many of switched out and others are there for lunch/ evening proudly tell you where the tomb is. The gold may be gone, but the historical/ legendary legacy that Starkweather John left for Bronce is their one remaining source of pride.
Originally Posted by douglas
Originally Posted by douglas
.....
The Men About Town
A little after midday, after all but Jaime got together to 'compare notes', a large man and some followers enter the Golden Nugget. The main fellow is tall and brawny, smiling and polite, but with menacing undertones. He is armed with a longsword of fine make, and also wears a shortbow with a full quiver.
The next man after that is a weaselly-featured, scowling man. Anyone who gets close to him will note that he has a bad body odor. He doesn't speak much. His sidearm is a rapier, and also carries a shortbow.
After that is a beefy, taciturn man with greasy features. He scoops up a fellow patron's not-yet-eaten chicken leg, takes a bite, and then takes the man's ale. The patron simply allows this to happen. This man is the only one who carries a small shield, and also is outfitted with a fine quality longsword.
The last of this quartet is a tall, scrawny fellow with long, lank hair. He cracks mediocre to bad jokes, and has the terrible habit at snickering at them (his own jokes, that is). His sidearm is a shortsword, but he also has a finely crafted heavy crossbow with two cases of bolts. He wears several rings and an earring.
All of the men are wearing studded leather armor.
The first one (the big one) talks with a patron, the latter of whom pays him a few silver pieces for some unknown business. The patron then points to your group and says something to the big man.
The brawny fellow calls to your table from across the tavern, not even bothering to come over to the table so much as projects so everyone in the tavern knows he is greeting you: "Welcome to Bronce, travelers! I am Jim Oakenbough and these here are my boys (respectively, as above) Hal Bertram, Tom Cucksmere, and Jacko Fenn. We hope you find our little town to your liking. What brings you here, and from where did it bring you?"
It doesn't take a Sense Motive check to notice that the mood is definitely different in here now. People still talk to you, but they seem a little more reticent to do so then they had before. It's as if they don't want to upset this man by being too friendly with your group.
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2009-01-08, 03:33 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2008
Re: Starfall [IC]
Upon seeing the bully Oakenbough make someone else pay him for the privilege of stealing his food, Anaximander turns to stare at his cup of tea. His eyes narrow in anger over this obviously accepted injustice, and he says softly to his compatriots:
I think one of you had better talk to this guy, but if you anger him, we may be in for more trouble than he's really worth.
Anaximander makes note of the weasel-featured man's location in relation to the others, and activates his psionic tattoo.Last edited by srgonzo; 2009-01-08 at 04:36 PM.
May you have a rare disease and need an operation that only one surgeon in the world, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine, is able to perform. And may he be unable to perform it because he doesn’t take your insurance. And may that Nobel Laureate be your son.
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2009-01-08, 03:45 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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- Mountain View, CA
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Re: Starfall [IC]
OOC you mean 4, 5 if Jaime is here (haven't seen Gorgondantess post here in a while). The party has reunited.
Kael lets the more diplomatic party members speak first for the moment while he quietly sizes up the group of bullies from his present position.
((Complete Adventurer has rules for using Sense Motive to assess how tough opponents are, I believe, though I'm away from my books atm.))Last edited by Douglas; 2009-01-08 at 03:46 PM.
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2009-01-08, 03:53 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Ezekiul
Ezekiul gives the man a hard stare, he considers speaking angrily with the man for a moment, but then reminds himself that the good father Bronson asked them to let the town settle such matters.
"I am Ezekiul, priest and sword of Brith and these are my companions, we have come to your town to learn more about your local legends," Ezekiul says in a polite but firm tone.Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!
Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.
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2009-01-08, 04:37 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Starfall [IC]
[OOC: Yes, indeed ... I rewrote and sent that very rule about Sense Motive to a DM in another, now defunct game. Also: Jim was paid by a patron different from the one whose food and drink were liberated by Tom Cucksmere.]
"Well, we here at Bronce are glad for it," he says. "We don't get many travellers in these parts, and the humanoids affecting the other towns, well ... they seem to have left us alone so far but word's gotten out about the whole north and now no one wants to come up here. It's been bad for business all around.
"You know," he continues, "I'm sure as the humanoids have been doing pretty well for themselves, you could get you some decent coin if your worthy-looking crew were the ones to do somethin' about that problem after yer' done sightseeing at Starkweather's grave. I know that we'd be appreciative, you might get rich from them monsters, and you'd help out the entire town in the process as others'd wanna come back up this way. As long as you didn't overstay your welcome, I would venture to say we'd be so appreciative that we in Bronce would see to cutting you a discount on room and board whenever you come through these parts."
[He is a simple man, but of good bearing, and not a trained diplomat. Diplomacy result for him was a 12.]
Kael and Zephram notice that during that entire 'suggestion', Jim spoke as much (remember, he is talking loudly across a hushed tavern) to the rest of the patrons as to you. Once he is done with the above, all of the patrons (a lot since it is time for the noon-day meal) look at your table - expectantly and hopefully.Last edited by lostsole31; 2009-01-08 at 04:46 PM.
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2009-01-08, 05:23 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2008
Re: Starfall [IC]
Anaximander speaks softly to the adventurers.
Blindly searching around the countryside isn't going to do us any good, unless something at the tomb directs us towards something else around here. Besides, I think we'll have worn out our welcome as soon as we find something unsavory about these men.
Anaximander continues to keep an eye on the thugs.May you have a rare disease and need an operation that only one surgeon in the world, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine, is able to perform. And may he be unable to perform it because he doesn’t take your insurance. And may that Nobel Laureate be your son.
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2009-01-08, 05:40 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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- Mountain View, CA
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Kael gazes levelly at Jim.
We'll think about it. Coin's all well and good, but I have a feeling if they were really that rich and that easy to beat you would have taken care of it already.Like 4X (aka Civilization-like) gaming? Know programming? Interested in game development? Take a look.
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2009-01-08, 05:52 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Last edited by lostsole31; 2009-01-08 at 05:52 PM.
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2009-01-08, 06:24 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2008
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- Not in a human colon
Re: Starfall [IC]
Spoilersworn I posted more recently... but these forums are being difficult lately. Jaime would've been walking about town, trying to get a layout for the past while. By this time he'd be back in the golden nugget to eat. Definitely somewhere in a shadowy corner, coz that's his thing, so they probably wouldn't notice him. BTW, I haven't described his getup: while he is a very distinctive feature, and obviously does something other than farming, it is not obvious that he is an adventurer. Over his armor, he wears a poncho-like thing, a tan, tattered thing. It reaches down to his knees or so, so under it not much armor can be seen; at first glance it's still obvious that he's wearing tough clothing (the boots and thigh apparel can be seen), and that he does some rough living. Other than this, his only equipment is some picks and daggers, all hidden among his clothes. Let's say it's a take 10 disguise and sleight of hand for all this. I'll also take 10 on a hide check here, to try to avoid notice, so that's a 19.Marceline Abadeer by Gnomish Wanderer
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2009-01-08, 09:32 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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- Mountain View, CA
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Kael
(To Jim, matching his volume so the whole room can hear easily) Oh, young and muscle I'll grant you, but I'm no fool to think I can beat a dozen orcs at once. Not yet. Vet like you, though, you look like you've been through a few tough spots, learned a few tricks, and got yourself a fine sword besides. Seems to me that should make up for a bit of strength, and you don't strike me as the type to turn down easy money. Now if you're lazy or scared I can understand that, but don't try to tell me you'd turn down a high loot cakewalk.
(To the rest of the room) Now if anyone has reliable information that the sum total of monstrous humanoids in the area really is a manageable number, preferably with some useful details about where they camp and such, then we might seriously consider it. After taking care of our own business.Last edited by Douglas; 2009-01-08 at 09:33 PM.
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2009-01-11, 11:59 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
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- Florida
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Ezekiul
Ezekiul snorts a small laugh at the statement.Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!
Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.
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2009-01-11, 04:56 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2008
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- St. Louis
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Re: Starfall [IC]
"Sorry, can't help you with anything reliable," Jim says. "But I'm not foolish enough ... just that you looked like you might be. Seems to be different, but that's okay, too. Bronce could use your business, and you can't do that if you go out and get yerselves killed."
At this point, unless you have more to say, he goes with his mates to get a table and they sit down and chat amongst themselves.
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2009-01-11, 07:21 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Satisfied with the outcome of this confrontation, Kael returns to his meal.
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2009-01-11, 07:46 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Ezekiul
Ezekiul also eats and tries to make small talk with the others.
"So," he says, "we find yourself together for unusual reasons. Perhaps we should get to know each other?"Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!
Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.
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2009-01-12, 01:23 AM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2008
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- St. Louis
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Annie, Kael, & Loath see the 6th of their crew off at a small table by himself, trying to disguise himself so as to not be noticed. This sixth member is the elf who only said enough to scare Mother Bailey previously, but otherwise has said very little to the rest of you.
Do you 'fast forward the day' or do you try to get Jaime into the mix and, as Ezekiul said, try to get to know one another?
Later that day, Kael goes off alone to talk with residents and then practice his martial arts.Last edited by lostsole31; 2009-01-12 at 01:48 AM.
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2009-01-12, 02:34 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Dec 2008
Re: Starfall [IC]
Annie walks over to Jamie's table.
Would you like to join the rest of us? I think you might have some insights as to how we're going to get along here. Some people are frightened by anything or anyone they don't understand. Personally, I find new things and people quite fascinating.May you have a rare disease and need an operation that only one surgeon in the world, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine, is able to perform. And may he be unable to perform it because he doesn’t take your insurance. And may that Nobel Laureate be your son.
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2009-01-12, 03:33 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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Re: Starfall [IC]
At some point during the day, Kael mentions to Zephram, Ezekiul, and Loath (everyone else already knew) that the tomb is supposedly cursed, and the last would-be looter was turned into a ghoul. The villagers have been quite emphatic on this detail, and I would not be surprised if the curse is real. However, that voice that spoke to us at the stone circle has proven knowledgable and seems in my judgment to have our best interests at heart. I doubt it would send us straight into a terrible curse. Also, it seemed to be suggesting that we somehow have a right to this sword, and any properly set curse would only strike wrongful looters. In any case, we should be prepared to fight the rumored ghoul when we find the tomb.
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2009-01-12, 04:20 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Annie chuckles softly
I wouldn't say it has our best interests at heart. Odds are we are useful tools for its purpose. Once we stop being useful, we may either find ourselves without its benevolence or in a sticky situation. To that end, we, and by 'we' I mean all six of us, probably have either the knowledge or skills necessary to solve whatever riddle is presented by the curse. It's entirely possible the sword holds a curse for "all but he (or she) who is meant to wield it," and there might be some sort of prophecy which will reveal who that person is. Who knows, it may even be one of you. Personally, I wouldn't try actually wielding a sword since I'm more liable to hurt myself or one of you by accident than anyone else on purpose.May you have a rare disease and need an operation that only one surgeon in the world, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Medicine, is able to perform. And may he be unable to perform it because he doesn’t take your insurance. And may that Nobel Laureate be your son.
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2009-01-12, 06:23 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2008
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- Not in a human colon
Re: Starfall [IC]
"I do not fright," Jaime says levelly. "And yes, I will join you, if that is your wish." Once at the table, he presents his thoughts. "We should go to the tomb, obviously. It may be the key to some kind of progress, what I am unaware. For now, that is our priority. We can discuss the details once we get there."
Marceline Abadeer by Gnomish Wanderer
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2009-01-12, 06:40 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Starfall [IC]
"Your words cut that man to the bone, and all without even drawing steel," Zephram says to Kael, with more than a hint of respect. "Perhaps if I learned to exercise my words the way I exercise my arm, someday I will be able to duplicate that feat. Well done, sir."
To the rest of the group, he nods.
"To the tomb it is to be, then. But with a ghoul stalking us, mightn't we seek a sage in order that we should learn of how best and most easily to defeat such a creature? After all, I see no reason we should rush headlong to our deaths when we could spend twice as long preparing and return with the entirety of the party who sets out upon this quest."
Beguiler, you just got served.
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SpoilerOriginally Posted by BRC
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2009-01-12, 07:27 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Side note: Before Annie accosted Jaime, and when all of you were talking, Jaime was with food and drink. He probably brings his stew and house wine with him to the table when he joins the rest of you. Neither Annie, Kael, nor Loath can ever remember him being served by the wench.
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2009-01-12, 07:29 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Aug 2005
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Kael nods towards Zephram. Thank you, though that exchange was more about understanding the man than crafting words. I could tell he is no slouch in combat himself, good enough that if ridding the hills of orcs would be easy for us it would also be easy for him and his gang. A fair fight between them and us would likely end with deaths on both sides, and I am not certain who would win. It is quite apparent from what we have seen and heard that he is a greedy bully as well, and from there it was simple to turn his own argument against him.
As for a sage, I doubt one exists in this run down place. Unless one of the six of us already has such knowledge, finding someone who does might be a quest in itself. Besides, the same logic, mine or Annie's, that applies to the curse also applies to the ghoul. It may be dangerous, but I expect the six of us can handle it as long as we don't get too careless.Like 4X (aka Civilization-like) gaming? Know programming? Interested in game development? Take a look.
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2009-01-12, 07:35 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Oct 2008
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Re: Starfall [IC]
Ezekiul
"A ghoul is a nasty creature," Ezekiul says. "They carry foul disease in their mouth, which can prove deadly and their very smell can make a man nauseous. Nasty indeed."Annoying Gamer says - Hollywood is sooooooooo unoriginal. Hey, check out my dual wielding drow Drazzit!
Annoying Gamer says - My level 1 character's background is pretty complex. After fighting in the three great wars, he was forced to return home and kill an elder dragon single handily.
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2009-01-13, 12:18 PM (ISO 8601)
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- Nov 2008
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Re: Starfall [IC]
So, here we go, Loath … let the dreaming begin.
SpoilerYou are sleeping that night with Jaime in his room … if for no other reason than you are both introverted and not chatting suits both of you just fine. You have trouble sleeping, as the town and this inn seems like some dead thing placed as a cancre upon the land. All around you are the vestiges of death and discorporation: the plant fibers so far removed from their original purpose so as to be unrecognizeable with the odd blankets on the bed; the bed, like a grisly sculpture of the bones of what looks from the grain like it was once a fine tree; the room itself, likewise, the disemboweling of the forest and made as a grim form of taxidermy for the Old Ones (great old trees) who stand guard over the land. All of these things, and more … and in all of it the mood of the people are like death as well.
Rightfully afraid of the monsters which are purported to haunt the area ‘round Bronce, and feeling a link – even if not shared in any way philosophically – with the other characters of your group, you did not seek to take refuge in the woods this evening. You recognize this attachment to the others as having no supernatural skein, but merely the shared psychology of being strangers in a strange land. Beyond that, nothing really connects you to them. But that voice at the Tump …
You sensed it. Faintly, but you sensed it. It was Old. It was the power of the world, the earth. You feel a focus on the power of the wild, of beasts, yet it is the symbiosis of all beasts to the land that require respect as well. The stone circle at the Tump even felt slightly … comfortable. But you knew when you came here that yours is not for comfort; you are the champion of the beasts, and Wohoon’s priest. Survival is the only concern; and when survival is met, you must find where survival is threatened. And that is why you are here … because the voice which spoke at the Tump most powerfully spoke to you, and you recognize beyond the intellectualism of the others that the Survival of All is at stake. You don’t know why you know this; but you don’t care why you know this, either. That is the mark of your wisdom, of your faith. That you don’t need all the answers to hunt for a solution, that one can never know all the answers. That is the mystery of …
… and so you sleep pondering these thoughts. Your body finally, even in this spiritually bereft town, finds the centering and peace it needs to transport yourself. Many hours you sleep, resting well from the traumatic day prior, and certainly dream the dreams which are the standard, random, fleeting veils of illusion that are paradoxical to all reason when awake and yet make sense (or not) when in reverie. The dreams take form, distinct form, in fact … more than you thought could be realistic. Your spirit floats at impossible speed over the land as the starry, half-moon sky in the firmament lights your way … past forests, meadows, hills – and in those hills your spirit descends sharply underneath into yawning blackness. You steel yourself against the fear of the unseen and unknown by telling yourself that you are entering the bones and belly of the Earth, and surely Wohoon means for beasts to hunt, thrive and survive in their own unique way here, right?
You see nothing, yet sense yourself turning, twisting, descending, ascending, and then diving deeper yet again through unseen passageways until you stop. You stop and sense Something. In a split second, you feel that this Something senses your sudden arrival and stop, and without seeing it turn you sense it turn from its previous attention towards you in the abyss of blackness. A red eye opens directly in front of your own. And you know Terror.
You awake, lathered and foaming with sweat, and ashamed that something that most assuredly had malicious intellect could so frighten you, who know so well to divest yourself of fear by subsuming your consciousness into the Beast within. This vision will stay with you for a long time …