The Necromancer IC

[Atsull]

I suppose I could be of use for that. I'm a decent enough fighter, and there's a few powers I could use against some enemies. Ivellios says thoughtfully, changing his tune as the dread subsides. When do we head out?

[iTookUrNick]

"As soon as we are ready. Felidae will get some supplies in case we need to camp out a night or two. If you need something, we'd better get it now"
Thanat himself will need a few minutes of quiet and concentration to scribe a spell. Looking at their new companion, he cannot go wrong with an extra mage armor...

[Atsull]

I'll go talk to Felidae about something, briefly. Ivellios follows the girl as she sets about preparations If I'm going to disappear, I need someone who can help me. With a flash of purple from a clenched hand, I channel my powers towards my own endearment.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Casting Charm. Save DC is 13.

[Kaptin Keen]

Felidae is busily packing supplies for another outing. Food and water, oil, bedrolls, tools ... all the trappings. As Ivellios walks over, she looks up.

Spoiler: Save

Show

(1d20+1)[14]

She notices the lightshow, scowls slightly, and says Hey - you're not trying to bewitch me, are you? If you try that, I'll tickle your liver with my dagger. Concentrate more on green fire! Or summon a dragon, that'd be good too!

[iTookUrNick]

As Thanat finishes scribing, he rejoins the rest of the group. "Let's hit the temple and the alchemist's shop" he proposes "and see if they have anything useful for sale. No sense dying with too much money in our pockets..."

[Atsull]

hmm? No, just trying to help you load with... Telekinesis. Yup. Ivellios throws his hand in his jacket as Thanat approaches.

[iTookUrNick]

"Come on, don't dawdle." Thanat urges his two companions "Especially you, kid." He pauses. "By the way, I did not quite catch your name. What was it?"

[Atsull]

I'd Rather die an unnamed hero, than have this helpful monstrosity be connected with what I actually do.

[iTookUrNick]

"Why, what do you..." starts Thanat, surprised. "You know what, never mind. I'll keep calling you kid, Kid" declares brusquely.

[Kaptin Keen]

As Thanat finishes scribing, he rejoins the rest of the group. "Let's hit the temple and the alchemist's shop" he proposes "and see if they have anything useful for sale. No sense dying with too much money in our pockets..."

The alchemist isn't in his shop. You know this, because he's in your field of view - preparing traps and heating greek fire for the catapults.

hmm? No, just trying to help you load with... Telekinesis. Yup. Ivellios throws his hand in his jacket as Thanat approaches.

So your 'telekinesis' failed, eh? Are you sure you're any good at this? She smiles wickedly.

"Why, what do you..." starts Thanat, surprised. "You know what, never mind. I'll keep calling you kid, Kid" declares brusquely.

Or Ears! Calling elves or halfelves Ears is clearly highly impolite, but Felidae smiles rather disarmingly as she says it. Or we could call you 'not good at telekenisis' - whatever that is.

[Atsull]

If I was any good, I wouldn't be here, would I? Ivellios says, allowing a grin to crawl across a face. A grin which is quickly wiped off when he hears the term 'ears', even in a playful tone.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I know this is pedantic, but you don't 'heat up' greek fire. The 'fire' is created when two separate chemicals combine, which is usually done when it's as far away from you as possible.

[iTookUrNick]

Spoiler: Alchemist

Show

Indeed. I meant to go chat him up a bit and see if he has anything we can use at hand or somewhere else (like in his lab, for example).

[Kaptin Keen]

If I was any good, I wouldn't be here, would I? Ivellios says, allowing a grin to crawl across a face. A grin which is quickly wiped off when he hears the term 'ears', even in a playful tone.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

I know this is pedantic, but you don't 'heat up' greek fire. The 'fire' is created when two separate chemicals combine, which is usually done when it's as far away from you as possible.

Spoiler: ...

Show

.... says who?

Greek fire, traditionally, is basically related to a molotov cocktail. It's not described in the PHB how it's made, but it does state it ignites when exposed to air.

But honestly - so what? The alchemist is cooking up greek fire. Maybe he improved the formula? Maybe your character has no idea how greek fire is made?

This is a fact in the game world your character is in: The alchemist is heating a giant cauldron of greek fire. Your character may wonder about that, if he has any reason to know even the slightest thing about it.

Go and ask him, if you like. But I define the fluff.

Spoiler: Alchemist

Show

Indeed. I meant to go chat him up a bit and see if he has anything we can use at hand or somewhere else (like in his lab, for example).

So you go speak with Vardryn?

[iTookUrNick]

Yes, let's do that. Perhaps we can get a little if that greek fire, if nothing else. Can't go wrong with a little fire... :)

[Atsull]

Spoiler: ...

Show

.... says who?

Greek fire, traditionally, is basically related to a molotov cocktail. It's not described in the PHB how it's made, but it does state it ignites when exposed to air.

But honestly - so what? The alchemist is cooking up greek fire. Maybe he improved the formula? Maybe your character has no idea how greek fire is made?

This is a fact in the game world your character is in: The alchemist is heating a giant cauldron of greek fire. Your character may wonder about that, if he has any reason to know even the slightest thing about it.

Go and ask him, if you like. But I define the fluff.

So you go speak with Vardryn?

Ivellios takes some time to meditate and regain his lost power points.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Sorry, I'm not familiar with how handbook Greek fire works. I though you were speaking about the historical substance, which the Greeks actually used.

[Kaptin Keen]

Vardryn looks up as you walk over.

Gentlemen - lady Felidae. Anything I can help you with? I'm somewhat occupied here, I'm afraid.

[iTookUrNick]

"Oh, we can see that, and we do not wish to disturb you at such a delicate juncture. However, we're about to embark in an endeavor of our own and, frankly, we could use all the help we can get, so we were wondering if you had anything we could use. Anything, really: we do not yet have much of a plan yet" admits Thanat.

[Kaptin Keen]

Well - hard for me to know what you can use. Give it a little while, and I can certainly give your some jars of liquid fire. Maybe you'd also like some smoke bombs?

[iTookUrNick]

"We'll take whatever you can give us. It might end up making all the difference in the end..."

[Kaptin Keen]

Go about your errands then. I'll have some smoke and fire for you, when you return.

[iTookUrNick]

Thanat bows and retreats back to his group. "He'll have something ready for us in a little while. Next stop: Mountainshade Temple" announces.

[Kaptin Keen]

The temple lies on the town square - along with the Combine House, Town Hall and other important buildings.

It is a 'small' temple, the size of a large barn. Built from solid and ancient timber, carved with a plethora of holy symbols, being as it is a gathering place for the faithful of a wide and divergent pantheon.

You push open heavy doors to gain access to the main floor. Rows of benches lead up to a trio of altars. The theme from outside is repeated inside, small shrines lining the walls all the way around the room.

Brother Cantor notices your entry, and comes toward you from where he was reading, at a small table off to one side.

He is a tall man, elderly, with a receding hairline and somewhat fierce eyes. He is dressed in black - as is traditional - and carries no religious symbolry.

Welcome, children - do you come for solace, worship or confession?

His voice is a deep, confident rumble.

[iTookUrNick]

"None of the above" answers Thanat, still at the lead of the group "Though everyone in this town will soon be in dire need of some serious solace. Rather, we were wondering if you had anything available that could be used on a field of battle."

[Kaptin Keen]

Some would say faith is the greatest weapon of all. But if you're asking for direct battlefield intervention, there is little I can provide. I am not a fighting man. What did you have in mind?

[iTookUrNick]

"Nothing in particular, I'm afraid. I decided it was worth asking anyway, since I was here." says Thanat, a bit crestfallen. The temple could not be compared with what could be found in Madripor, but he had expected a little more. "Do you have an altar to St. Cuthbert, by any chance?" he asks tentatively.

[Kaptin Keen]

Saint who?, Cuthbert is clearly not among the regulars here, oh the ... retribution guy, isn't it? The patron saints and lesser deities are worshipped in the antechamber.

He takes the time to show you where - through a small alcove to the east, into a beautifully decorated chamber cast in multi-colored light by a stained glass window. There are no holy symbols here at all, instead the walls are filled with books and scrolls for a multitude of faiths.

[iTookUrNick]

St. Cuthbert is far from minor as deities go, at least in Thanat's opinion, but he decides not to share his views with the priest. Who knows, maybe here in the far reaches of human civilization He is. "Thank you" he replies simply.
He asks for his companions to remain behind, or do some quick worshipping of their own if they are so inclined, and moves to the alcove on his own. He fishes out the god's holy text and quietly reads a few passages meant to invoke the god's blessing. He can't recite them from memory just yet, as he as never worshipped this particular deity before. He used to pay his respects to Boccob instead, dubbed "the uncaring", god of magic. However, he now feels that this particular choice no longer fits him well, and that a change is due. That done, he goes back the way he came.

[Kaptin Keen]

I'm here so ... serve. Replies the priest. It doesn't sound even halfway convincing.

[Atsull]

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Sorry about recent inactivity, IRL stuff got in the way.

Ivellios searches for any easily available relics.

Gods haven't done me any favors, don't see why I should.

He also studies the priest for any signs of strange behavior.

[Kaptin Keen]

In a world where the gods are as real as rain or taxes, theft isn't something the church generally has to worry about. Nothing is bolted down or secured particularly. Are you looking for something of religious value - or something of monetary value?

Assuming it's the latter, there is the box, which is by the entrance. It's never certain how often it's emptied of course, of how generously the faithful give. But in a crisis, it might be quite good.

The standard layout for temples in this world is this: You can worship a nearly endless plethora of things and beings, portfolios and areas of dominance overlapping in confusing profusion. However, each temple will have three main altars. They are not for specific deities - instead, they are for the most common areas of worship, or prayer: Home and hearth, growth and harvest, and life and death.

These three altars have certain items. A table set, a plowshare, a skull. You know the kind of deal. These tend to be gold.

Regarding the priest - what would you consider suspicious or unusual? There is an intensity to the man, but he is rather inscrutable. You can roll sense motive if you like.