The Day the Daevan Stood Still [IC]

[lostsole31]

Moonday, 21 Gozran 4708 AR (Full Moon, Third Day)

Not happy with the fact that someone else was hired on because of great profits, but that shares didn't increase ... and possibly because of other personal issues ... Samaritha Beldusk has quit the Gold Goblin. In truth, she had actually given notice, but is gone by morning. Dirk seems pretty cavalier about it, so it was no surprise to him. Word is that his "extra study help" was able to get her admitted to the Cypherlodge for a full apprenticeship to study as a cyphermage.

In the early afternoon, per his request, Devil-Dave works with Dirk on ambush training, as the human wants to study Daevan's incredible reflexes in avoidance scenarios. DD uses that as well to learn stealth techniques from Dirk. Given the usefulness of avoiding surprise dangers, the new guy (Sol) and Lini join. Sajan studies a foreign manual to work on calisthenics.

Spoiler: Daevan

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Sol surprises Daevan by having reflexes nearly equivalent to his own for broad-area avoidance.

In the late afternoon, Sol is off to study at the Cypherlodge. Sajan does "magic kata" (whatever the hell that is). Dirk goes over spotter training to DD and Lini.

That evening is uneventful.

[lostsole31]

Toilday, 22 Gozran 4708 AR

Devil-Dave, I need you to define who you are binding, and to roll a binding check, please.

[meemaas]

Devil-Dave will bind Sevnoir, using an area in which no light is cast upon the seal to perform the ceremony.

Spoiler

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Binding check (1d20+7)[13]
I did not add my +2 bonus for the totem bonus, because I'm not sure if I count as a favored enemy or favored ally, or both.

[lostsole31]

Devil-Dave cannot count as his "own" friendly half-elf for the purposes of totem. He isn't sure if his elven heritage will aid him; if his human heritage will betray him; or if in his new form it either washes out in the mix or no longer matters. Either way, it is the first time since learning all of Sevnoir's tasks that Devil-Dave seeks to bind the Meandering Mastiff. Devil-Dave sits cross-legged in the darkned store room and blows on a whistling reed like a flute. He then coats the reed with ash and does so again. The hulking apparition of Sevnoir, witnessed for the first time by Devil-Dave, jars the once-half-elven man, as the massive shadow mastiff lumbers into Sevnoir's seal and paces its edges four times before sitting down.

Whether it is unfamiliarity or the fear of facing so bestial a vestige, Devil-Dave finds he is unable to maintain a position of superiority with the beast as after their silent communion it jumps into his chest to bind with his soul. Daevan is wracked with incredible pain in his already racked and ruined body, and just at the most extreme part of the transformation he gives forth a truly baleful howl. He knows his form has changed, and he comes out of the storeroom to see workers at the kitchen staring back at him as white as the aprons they wear. Daevan passes a mirror, and sees that if it couldn't be possible before, he truly is a monstrosity now.

Spoiler: Internal

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"Yes, I like it," you hear the whispers from the Tall Man. "Now that is more like it!"

Having given yourself over to your truly hideous form with this recent binding, even if it was not your intent, the Tall Man will guide Devil-Dave through meditations on holding a store of psionic potential within himself.

In the afternoon, having heard of your "transformation," Dirk will come to see Daevan to find out what happened (Interactive). After a discussion, Dirk will run Daevan through many grueling exercises to train up his stamina.

That night of work goes by uneventfully. Given the long day, does Daevan go right to bed?

[meemaas]

Daevan will go to bed after said discussion.

[lostsole31]

Wealday, 23 Gozran 4708 AR (early morning hours, after closing)

Daevan is awoken by something, it sounds almost like several panes of glass shattering distantly, but he's not sure.

What does he do?

By the way, he sleeps in a long room with Sajan, but also with Lini and her snow leopards (though curtains hung up act as a privacy wall.

[meemaas]

Daevan will "quietly" go to investigate the noise, see what might have happened.

Spoiler

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I put quietly in quotes since it's unlikely that he's extremely sneaky.

[lostsole31]

Hearing "something," Daevan quietly goes to investigate the noise. He gets out of bed carefully and steps over the five feet to the door. His focus on stealth is such that he doesn't quite get to open the door this round.

He then notices Droogami gets up suddenly, and nuzzles Lini to get her to awaken. Otherwise, Daevan doesn't notice anything amiss. Lini wakes up at Droogami's insistence, "What's the matter, boy?" she asks softly. She doesn't seem to notice Devil-Dave already up. She then stands. "Everybody up! Droogami senses trouble!"

That is more than enough to wake her Droogami-clone and Sajan. She grabs her spell component pouch. As the vestige-leopard gets to its feet. Sajan instantly gets to his feet and girds his temple sword.

Daevan, you weren't sure what you heard .... glass breaking? But now with the snow leopard's senses, and Lini's shouting, it seems that your friends are now in battle mood ... at least until it can be determined what is spooking the leopard (and you). You are at the door, and the door is closed. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Daevan heads out the door and starts towards the source of the noise.

[lostsole31]

Daevan opens the door and heads towards the sound of the noise. This next room is the upstairs dining room. A fine table marred by a few nicks and scratches stands surmounted by a trio of gold candlesticks. The walls of this chamber are covered in thick purple tapestries depicting gold-threaded nymphs frolicking in a silver-threaded forest. The tapestries completely cover the door to area 30 (it's a secret door to those that don't know it) to prevent light from shining through into that chamber. Vancaskerin and his managment team (you and your other "PCs") take your meals in here.

From here, you definitely hear noises ... it sounds like through the tapestries you can hear a battle raging below in the main hall. Meanwhile, from the door to the north (which leads to the stairs down), you hear a man shouting about an attack.

Through the curtain, to the main floor 30' below, Daevan hears a bestial roar.

What does Daevan do now?

[meemaas]

Daevan will head straight towards the sound of the roar and call out to the others. "One of you check on that shouting!!"

[lostsole31]

R3T23: Daevan heads straight towards the sound of the roar and call out to the others. "One of you check on that shouting!!"

He speeds well out onto the catwalks (area 30), using his ears to guide him, to get a sense of things below, where he sees a battle to the south end of the gaming hall. Where Daeven ends his move, he both smells and tremorsenses Old Scratch hiding out invisibly on the catwalks 10' from him.

Spoiler: Old Scratch

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Old Scratch is an imp that somehow got impressed into Saul's service, and acts sometimes as a mascot, but otherwise normally hangs out around the catwalks. He is generally insulting (but otherwise has been harmless the entire time you've known it), but no matter what is happening, he only ever listens to Saul ... so you know that if you try to get it to help you, it won't listen.

R3T13: CT1 corrects a bad grip, and in the throes of a rage crits B2, severing a tendon along his jaw for 14 + 1 DEX, dropping the bouncer. CT1 then steps a few feet further into the hall and gives a challenging roar.

R3T12: With a speed that is more than expected (about as quickly as Daevan can move), Sol speeds well into the gaming hall. He doesn't have any weapons in hand, but he does have a dagger at his side, and is wearing a utility-like belt with various pouches (which he normally wears, but either he was still up, or took the time to put it on).

R3T11.5-11: B5 races into the rooms that include the counting cage. B4 moves to engage CT1, but as he attacks the half-orc, the bestial man shatters the bouncer's sword.

R3T10: Far faster than even Sol comes Dirk, who ends his movement side-by-side with the newcomer. It is obvious to Daevan that Dirk has magically aided his speed.

R3T9: B1 attacks CT1, but his blade is deflected by the half-orc's larger weapon.

R3T8: Sajan closes on the half-orc (CT1) and attacks. Only because the half-orc is so focused on aggression is Sajan's temple sword able to score a line against the point where chest meets abdomen for 6.

R3T5: Saul stands at the doorway to the areas leading to the counting cage, looks at the main hall and shouts, "What in the Abyss is going on here?! Old Scratch, get down here and do something to help kill these interlopers!"

R3T4: Daevan no longer smells or tremorsenses Old Scratch.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T23: Devil-Dave, you see one active enemy combatant - CT1 - who is being pressed by Sajan and 2 bouncers (B1 and B4, both unwounded). You happen to know that if half-orc muscle is present, it is a good bet that Boss Croat, one of Riddleport's crimelords, is involved in some capacity. It is 20' down to the floor. What do you do?

[meemaas]

Daevan moves further along the catwalk, using one of his claws to tear the space around him, and then instantly uses that space to quickly move himself down from the catwalk to directly behind one of the foes in order to catch it by surprise.

Spoiler

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Swift action to activate Spatial Concealment
Move action to move further south down the catwalk, and then when close enough, he'll use Spatial Leap to drop to a space adjacent to B1 as his standard action

[lostsole31]

R4T23: Daevan moves further along the catwalk, using one of his claws to tear the space around him, and then instantly uses that space to quickly move himself down from the catwalk to directly behind one of the foes in order to catch it by surprise. It actually makes B1 and B2 jump more, even Sajan flinches a bit, but CT1 seems to be in some type of blood fury. Also, Daevan sees the body of a bouncer (B2) on the ground.

R4T18-16: Seltyiel, followed close by his bat familiar Dhargenti, move speedily out to the center of the floor, trying to figure out what's happening, and then by B3.

R4T13: CT1, totally giving into his fury rather than allow himself to thought a coward, smiles when he sees Sajan, and hacks at him. He powers through Sajan's attempt to deflect and cuts his left bicep for 11, a deep and biting wound indeed. The half-orc then steps back, and readies his shield. It is clear to Daevan that not only is this half-orc a barbarian, but definitely clear and solid fighting skills above those of the bouncers (or the other thugs, for that matter).

R4T12: Sol takes out a small tablet and pops it. The air shimmers directly in front of him briefly.

Spoiler: Devil-Dave

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Devil-Dave recognized not only the effects os a shield, but that Sol must be an alchemist, investigator, or the like ... for he used an alchemical extract rather than casting a spell.

Then, without any weapon in hand, he moves right up into the half-orc's grill.

R4T11.5-11.0: B5 comes out of the counting area and helps to surround the half-orc, standing over his fallen fellow. B4, lacking any weapon (there are remains of a shattered sword on the floor), pulls his bleeding friend closer to him, but with murderous cruelty, the half-orc hacks at the fallen body as it moves, but misses due to interference from Sol and B5.

R4T10: As a precaution, Dirk casts shield on himself, but holds his position.

R4T9.5-9.3: Lini and her cats move.

R4T9: B1 delays...

R4T8: Sajan shoots a small blast of fire at the half-orc, but it strikes him perfectly for 13 fire, which looks like it should've dropped him, and yet the monster keeps fighting, despite having caught fire.

R4T7.5: B6, bloodied, withdraws upstairs in hope of getting help.

R4T5: It's almost as if Saul is running away? Devil-Dave isn't sure, but Saul totally bypassed the battle and is heading north in the room. He does shout out, though, "Dammit, Sajan or someboy! Put out that fire!"

R4T3: RT3 gives chase after the bloody bouncer.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T23: Devil-Dave, you've heard of orc ferocity, how many orcs and half-orcs can continue fighting almost as if they are doing so while standing dead. This particular half-orc, is on fire. What do you do?

Seltyiel (& Dhargenti) on deck, B3 in the hole ...

[meemaas]

Devil-Dave surveys the situation and then starts off after Saul. The burning one seems to be under control, and Daevan suspects that Saul knows something he doesn't.

[lostsole31]

R5T23: Devil-Dave surveys the situation and then starts off after Saul. The burning one seems to be under control, and Daevan suspects that Saul knows something he doesn't. In a single burst of speed he catches up next to Saul. Do you say or do anything, or just follow along?

Spoiler

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You only spent a MA to get to Saul.

[meemaas]

Daevan is just following along. He has little to say, just assumes that this is the best decision.

[lostsole31]

R5T12: Sol Flood leaves a burning figure to burn on the carpet a little, quickly going over to a fallen bouncer and applying first aid.

R5T11.5-11: Bouncer #5 does a coup de grace on the burning corpse. Bouncer #4 stops on it to put the fire out.

R5T8: Sajan puts down his sword and offers what assistance he can to Sol to save his co-worker's life.

R5T5.1-.0: Saul calls out, "Old Scratch! You see anyone that doesn't belong here, you give 'em hell!" He looks to Devil-Dave. "Follow me while we make sure the rest of the place is secure." He then moves out quickly. Daevan, already having moved some to catch up with Saul, falls behind.

Spoiler: DD

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Basically, I had you "ready" your SA>>MA that remained to follow, but Saul still gets to double-move. Next round, I will switch to a delay of only 0.2 initiative to follow Saul properly.

End Round 5, Begin Round 6 ...

R6T12: Sol calls out that the bouncer is stable, and he thanks Sajan for his assistance.

R6T11: Bouncer #4 picks up the longsword that the dead half-orc thug had, since his own

R6T5.1-4.9: Devil-Dave holds up a little so he can better follow Saul. Once he catches up, Saul has gone past the bar to the northwest wing of the goblin, and right up to an open door that leads upstairs. Both of you hear a battle on the stairs. "Keep going!" Saul tells you.

Devil-Dave, you've used 55' of your 80' worth of movement (on a double-move, and you are already well into a double-move). Do you keep going?

[meemaas]

Devil Dave will indeed keep going the rest of his movement

[lostsole31]

R6T4.9 (Cont'd): Devil-Dave heads into the staff lounge (14) and then up the stairs and get to the second half when you find yourself on the stairs below a Riddleport thug that has been scratched by one of the kitties. Cattie-corner from you, you see Droogami on the stairs above the thug (who is on a landing).

R6T3: The thug (RT3) stabs weakly at DD, but is otherwised cornered.

End Round 6, Begin Round 7 ...

R7T9.4: Droogami goes to bite at the thug, but the man actually catches him on the attempt and trips Droogami, who then falls down the stairs into Devil-Dave, who in turn is caught by surprise. Both mutated man and snow leopard tumble down the stairs and into the staff lounge below. (Droogami takes 5, and DD takes 4, and both are prone.)

R7T9.35: A sling bullet is seen bouncing off the thug's armor.

R7T9.3: The snow leopard eidolon (SLE) moves past Lini and takes the place where Droogami was. It bites the man in the left foot for 4.

R7T5: Saul moves in, stepping over the leopard and DD, and moves upstairs.

R7T4.9: Devil-Dave, what do you do? You are in Area 14 on the first floor, looking to go upstairs, and you know if Saul went up, then the thug is pincered between Saul and Lini and her other snow leopard.

RT3 on deck ...

[meemaas]

Devil Dave will delay, not quite sure what he has to contribute right this moment.

[lostsole31]

R7T4.9: Devil Dave delays, not quite sure what he has to contribute right this moment.

R7T3: RT3, badly wounded, tries to attack Saul defensively but the one-armed man easily deflects with his key-hand.

End Round 7, Begin Round 8 ...

R8T9.4: Droogami has nowhere to go and delays ...

R8T9.35: A sling bullet bounces against the wall near RT3, slung from up the stairs (Lini).

R8T9.3: Lini's snow leopard eidolon bites the man in his left elbow for 5, dropping him. It then savages him with the rest of its claws.

R8T5: Then, just for good measure, Saul performs a coup de grace on the fallen thug with his rapier.

R8T4.9: Devil-Dave, though you have been delaying, you hear two loud slams on something (possibly a wooden something) back the way you came (as compared to upstairs). What do you do?

[meemaas]

Devil-Dave will rush towards the noise as fast as he possibly can.

[lostsole31]

R8T4.9: Devil-Dave rushes towards the noise as fast as he possibly can. He moves north along the corridor until it comes to a "T", and assuming that it does not come the way he just came, he goes the other way - towards the west. He opens the door. The space beyond is the scullery (Area 13). A wooden tub holds grimy water and a smattering of soapsuds for cleaning the multitude of platters, trenchers, jacks, and cutlery used in the Gold Goblin. Firewood is stored just outside the back door and is distributed to the hall’s various fireplaces once per day. The door that leads outside seems to have taken some damage, as if something on the outside was beating on it to get inside.

End Round 8, Begin Round 9 ...

R9T5: Saul catches up to Devil-Dave. "What's wrong? Why did you let out of there so fast when the battle was won?"

R9T4.8: Devil-Dave, what do you do/ say?

[meemaas]

"I heard something over this way." Daevan responds gruffly, preparing himself as he goes to open the door.

[lostsole31]

R9T4.8: "I heard something over this way." Daevan responds gruffly, preparing himself as he goes to open the door. When he opens the door, what he sees outside are two thugs that are pretty much like the others he's seen. It's the figure that is now nose-to-nose with Daevan that is of concern. He is a half-orc, but one with reddish-skin like you've never seen before!

End Round 9, Begin Round 10 ...

R10T9.35-.2: Lini comes into view and sees DD and the muscular, red half-orc. She calls out a command to her leopards. Both Droogami and the SLE (snow leopard eidolon) bound into the room with DD. "Daevan, bring them into the room instead of keeping at the doorway."

R10T7.8: The big half-orc smiles. "I see you, Saul. Imma comin' for you, stubby, soon as I'm done with this fool here." Looking at Devil-Dave, he doesn't seem to hold that open or hidden fear that many have when looking at you. He sweeps his foot slowly in a tight arc along the ground and takes up an odd stance with his arms bent at the elbows and hands made into a wedge shape. Daevan has only the vaguest sense of combat styles (which is more than the common man), and doesn't recognize what he's doing. He sends out a probing kick and thrust with his hand that DD easily evades. Though not landing, it still seems like that was a "useful probe" as the half-orc smiles like he has learned something.

R10T5: "Jasker Gant, eh?" remarks Saul. "Devil-Dave, be careful. Jasker Gant is one of Boss Croat's favorite caps. I will get help." And with that Saul is gone.

R10T4.9: DD, do you step into the corner of the room (or even further in), or keep your position at the doorway? What do you do?

[meemaas]

Daevan quickly scratches the air around him, tearing the very space around him and then leaps into the hole, appearing on the opposite side of Jasper. He then lashes out a claw into the mans backside before he has a chance to realize he has appeared there.

Spoiler

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Swift action: Activate Spatial Bleeding, gaining the effect of Blur for 1 minute
Move action: Activate Spatial Leap, moving to the opposite side of Jasper. This effect causes foes who can threaten where I appear to become flat-footed.
Standard action: Attack with claw

Attack roll (1d20+7)[18]
Damage (1d6+4)[9] (I believe Murder Master is not applied to my sheet, so I feel it is worthwhile to mention so, considering the slow pace of this game, to make sure you don't forget about it)

[lostsole31]

R10T4.9: Daevan quickly scratches the air around him, tearing the very space around him and then leaps into the hole, appearing on the opposite side of Jasper. He then lashes out a claw into the mans backside before he has a chance to realize he has appeared there. Jasker does manage to spin around to parry, but not before he takes a raking 10 across the chest.

R10T2: RT5 comes around in a wide arc so as not to get hit, but as moves around Daevan's long claw comes out at him but misses terribly. RT5 does the final close, only to find that DD again attacks him, his nails actually slashing the man's back for 11 (max), enough to drop the man in one blow.

End Round 10, Begin Round 11 ...

R11T9.35-9.3: Lini can be heard giving a command. A sling bullet goes zooming past Jask's head and into the night beyond. SLE bites Jask with a crunch to his intercostals for 5 + sickened! Both claws are knocked aside by Jask's fists.

R11T7.9: RT6 sidestesp to now be over his fallen friend. He stabs with his short sword in Devil-Dave's body with as much power as he can muster, yet it only does 1 mod. "What - what are you?!"

R11T7.8: Jasker continues his strange stance, but stepping off the lone step by the door to now flank DD with RT6. He does a snap kick to DD's knee for 3 (min, and it seems that he is in pain from the leopard-eidolon's bite), and though there is supernatural heat coming from his kick, the heat doesn't affect DD. He sends out two other attacks, but DD blocks these with large, sweeping motions of his own arms.

R11T4.9: Devil-Dave, what do you do? You are being flanked right now by RT6 and Jasker.

[meemaas]

Daevan growls at the thug. "Your worst nightmare." He then tears another hole in the air, jumping through it to the other side of the thug and lashes his claw into that one.

Spoiler

Show

Move action: Use Spatial Leap once more to move to the opposite side of of RT6 (this does not provoke)

Standard action: Claw attack (1d20+7)[18] vs Flat footed, since I teleported into a threatened space
Damage (1d6+5)[10]

[lostsole31]

R11T4.9: Daevan growls at the thug, "Your worst nightmare." He then tears another hole in the air, jumping through it to the other side of the thug and lashes his claw into that one, tearing into his back for 10 and dropping him.

End Round 11, Begin Round 12 ...

R12T9.35: DD can hear Lini casting speak with animals from inside the building. She then speaks a strange language, and obviously not to DD.
R12T9.3: The snow leopard eidolon (SLE) comes out of the door. Jasker kicks it, but doesn't penetrate its hide. It continues to move and Jasker seems to recover from some pain he was in and strikes true this time for 7 + 1 fire. It still continues to move, and Jasker proves how very fast his reflexes are by attacking again for 8 + 1 fire. SLE snaps, but misses.
R12T9.2: Droogami comes out and a little further than just the front step, and Jasker still is fast enough to attack, but misses. Jasker deflects Droogami's attack as well.

R12T7.8: The animals seem to have given Jasker an avenue by which to escape, but the half-orc doesn't take it. Instead, he continues to fight in the strange, wide-limbed, defensive martial art. He does a crane kick to SLE's front leg to shatter it and make SLE disappear! He then attacks Droogami with two strange, pinch-handed attacks that miss.

R12T4.9: Devil-Dave, what do you do?