I Know Your Damn Words! [IC, Group #1]

[SwordChucks]

"To be honest Ben, I'm not even sure where I learned it. My only clue is on my bag here."

Spoiler: Silphael

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I'll try to not butcher the language, but I'm working off of high school french.

[bcool999]

Bangs

"As fascinating as a discussion on local coinage is, I doubt such knowledge will prove immediately useful given that we are currently trapped in a facility with homicidal monsters rather than walking down market street." Bangs says before rubbing his temples and sighing, "My apologies Ben, I am feeling rather exhausted, and the stress of our predicament helps little with that fact. I feel like I just got done pulling an all-nighter with no coffee."

[lostsole31]

Ben nods his head and looks at the group, and addresses all but especially Bangs and Brother Jaume. "Okay, that settles it. We're tired, and we have one more Gray than was originally asked for. We've gathered together the things we've found. Let's show the guard leader the four dead Grays, and expect we'll have to carry them up here again so they don't stink up down there. We need rest, food, and water. Answers, too, what they'll give us."

Not likely to get much argument, especially since people's bellies are feeling wan and the normal weakness of needing water is felt by all, the group goes through the task of bringing the corpses down towards the guards. I think someone mentioned something like holding up a corpse for the guards to see, but York wanted a good inspection, and the staff office is as much as a hundred feet north of the guard's barricade. York will nod that four is plenty, and that he will inform the one in charge of the survivors while you dump the Gray bodies back up north.

Once you get back to the barricade, Captain York - leader of the guards here - says that you will have to turn in your weapons before you are allowed in the chapel, but you will get your weapons back once you leave. Yes, this includes "walking sticks" (quarterstaffs) and "good cutting knives" (daggers) and any other PC-glow contrivances.

Do you argue and balk at turning in weapons, or honor this arrangement?

[BuckGodot]

Björn will give some initial resistance but will relent if the others do as well.

[Blackhawk101]

Brother Jaume hands in his quarterstaff. "We appreciate your hospitality Captain York. We are tired and hungry, but if we could speak to you tomorrow, we have many unanswered questions?"

[bcool999]

Bangs

Having no weapons himself, Bangs is fine with the condition of surrendering their arms. Though if there is a betrayal, he could somewhat rely on his unpracticed ability to manipulate earth, but the captain and his men don't need to know that.

[Blackhawk101]

"Captain, I have a very important question to ask that won't wait until morning: Have you got any wine?!" Brother Jaume smiles broadly and there is a mischievous gleem in his eye.

[Swami Monsoon]

"I'm fine with it if the rest of us are..."

Akbar has figured out enough to realize that fighting by beating and stabbing things is never going to be his strength.

[lostsole31]

"My weapon is a living one," says Mack, "but in honor of my hosts I shall dismiss Ourolini." He concentrates briefly and Ourolini disappears.

Ben hands over his whip to Captain York with a nod. "Here you go, captain."

Aliendrei, before you went back to the barricade, did you un-shift so as not to sport wicked-looking teeth?

[silphael]

Looking totally human, if only a little small and thick, Aliendrei even propose to temporarily give up his shield.

"Of course, you're just doing your duty here. You need that too?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Yep, I'm back to human-boring-form. And I throw in a detect evil on the guards I meet.

[SwordChucks]

Zoo hands over his chef's knives without complaint.

"I'll need those back if you want me to help make dinner."

[lostsole31]

Captain York is surprised when he is handed a "shield" as a weapon ... but thinks and nods his head and accepts the shield.

With all weapons are turned in to Captain York, he and two of the men escort the party. In the meantime, 10' south of the barricade, on the western wall of the hallway, a room is opened and two guards that were in their come and fill in at the barricade while the others are with you. 20/25' south of that door is a set of double doors on the west while the hallway itself ands and then head east. There is a single door on this south wall, 10' from the double doors, and another 10' past that one.

A different barrier rises at the eastern edge of the hall, about 15' from where the inner corner turns to the east. A set of four bed sheets have been clumsily stitched together, creating a curtain that obscures whatever is beyond.

The double doors on the western wall to the south are opened and you enter the chapel beyond. Improvised pallets are clustered beneath sculpted divinities, and cooking fires burn beneath cracked windows in this chapel. Panes of violet and blue stained glass form spiraling patterns between prisonlike bars, while dozens of candles flicker from modest alcove shrines.

The Briarstone Chapel (that's what York calls it) is consecrated to Pharasma, as suggested by a prominent statue of the goddess standing before the sanctuary’s westernmost wall and depicted on the spiral stained glass windows. However, there are smaller, candlelit shrines to other deities, including Abadar, Desna, Erastil, Gozreh, Iomedae, Irori, Sarenrae, Shelyn, and even a modest donation box beneath the symbols of Asmodeus and Zon-Kuthon. Several lesser deities—including almost any deity a PC might worship—also have ledges with symbols and candles here. Each serves as a place where the distressed can come and pray for guidance or mercy for their afflicted loved ones.

Spoiler

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There's a pretty good chance many of you don't recognize some/ any/ all of the deities, but I put this here for description's sake.

There are at least a score of "survivors" (again, York's words) here.

He brings you to see an extremely short woman (4' 5"). She has black hair, black eyes, and is possessed of an austere beauty.

Spoiler: Ben, Brother Jaume, Mack

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You recognize that not only is the temple and the large statue dedicated to Pharasma, goddess of the dead, but this is someone who is dedicated to her in some fashion since she wears a Pharasmin holy symbol like the one the group recovered.

Spoiler: ALL - Winter Klaczka's Visual

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Captain York introduces her as Winter Klaczka, the leader of the survivors. He lets her know that the group found three Gray bodies (which are politely asked to be removed from the area of the barricade now that proof has been provided).

She is really busy helping deal with the survivors, and is extremely direct. "You probably have questions, and I have some answers. Get yourself some food and water. Though you all look capable in general, you also look too harried and tired to do anything more today. I'll make a deal with you, if you clear out the old staff office, ruined hall, linen & drying room, and the laundry room of any remaining Grays ... AND help me for a few hours doing chores, I will have a sit-down with you. But not before."

She will be pleased to find that the room where you found the Grays and killed the one was the old staff office. She will be adamant in giving no more information or interacting with you until these two conditions are met.

Do you try and badger her anyway, or accept her deal and get to healing what you can with the remainder of whatever spell energy you have and eating/ drinking, and sleeping? (Food and water are shared, though they have no extra blankets to share.)

[SwordChucks]

"I'd be glad to cook with whatever supplies you have, and I'd feel better with fewer grays around."

[lostsole31]

You will find that food is as it is ... rations, and other foods that keep well but are perishable (such as apples, cheeses, hard tack, and the like). There is no fire or hearth, nor a place to build one. In fact, any attempt to try to pull things to make a fire will get a stern reprimand from Captain York. Poor ventilation in the chapel area ... no good for hosting any kind of fire. Still, Zoo's words are effectively an agreement to Winter's deal.

What about the rest of you? What do you do? You will be getting rest, so anything you would want to do before you lay down your weary bones? It should be noted that eight winter blankets were gathered by the party, so there will be enough for everyone in the party.

[Swami Monsoon]

Akbar has a few questions for Winter...

"Can you explain a bit about what is going on? Everyone is camped out here in a building full of bad guys... Is there any reason people don't just leave? The non-combatants, at least? Or is the whole city or whatever under attack?"

[lostsole31]

"You heard my terms," Winter says .... coldly (haha- ahem). "Clear the Grays from those rooms - it looks like you got the staff office from the report of the guards - and then I'll answer questions."

[bcool999]

Bangs

"If you have any injured who are in need of medical treatment, I have some knowledge in that field," Bangs says to Winter after their chilly reception, "Doesn't compare to any fancy magic, but it can still save a life or two."

Spoiler: Ben

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"Remind me before we go to sleep to talk with the others about my collective. There wasn't really a good moment throughout all that was going on and not everyone may be comfortable with what could be viewed as a mental intrusion, no matter how benign. Perhaps you could even explain it slightly yourself."

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: IC or Interactive

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Okay, here in IC I wants plans of general or specific action. If you want to engage in RP chatter, more of the "getting to know you," etc. ... please use the IC Interactive.

Spoiler: A Close-Up Picture of Winter, Showing her Heterochromia

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Winter nods to Bangs and the group and walks away to do whatever it is she does (mainly going to the various survivors and talking with them).

Okay, so here is what the group has ... oh, and I was wrong. There were only five blankets, not eight.

Spoiler: Loot

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Masterwork Silver Dagger

Boots, gaudy, cat skin lining (20 gp value)
Chain, 10’
Hammer
Holy symbol, wooden, Pharasma
Lantern
Manacles
Sunrods (2)
Winter Blankets (5)

[BuckGodot]

"I am in possession of a bedroll and blanket and will not require one that has been found." he says to no one in particular before wandering away from the group. Björn will find a "quiet and secure" corner/space and claim it as his own. He will setup his bedroll and blanket and begin to go through the contents of his backpack. He looks curiously at the pack of dominos, not quite sure what to make of them, although they do feel familiar in some way. He is excited at the discovery of the journal and sets it off to the side to look at later in hopes he may find some clue as to who he is or where he came from. In remembering the events earlier, he recalls the feeling of incompleteness when he formed the armour about himself. He decides to sit and think on that for awhile. Before long his eyes drift shut and he seems to be meditating... but in more of a trancelike state. He remains this way for at least an hour.

Spoiler: Getting in the Spirit of things... GM>>>

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Not quite sure how you want to play this out since this is his first unconscious attempt at a sceance...

[lostsole31]

Spoiler: Bjorn

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Sorry, buddy, but just like the prepared casters you need a full night's rest before tapping into this power. Assume whatever dreams will give you the insight you need.

[BuckGodot]

Dang it... Forgot that...

And then Björn will ever so gently topple over onto his bedroll and fall into a deep slumber until the morning.

[lostsole31]

Ben must have a silver tongue, because he is able to finagle some fuel (just enough for cooking, not enough for a constant burn) to warm up some food. It turns out there is something of a gruel that one group in charge of stores makes, but that fire has been secured for the evening.

Bjorn goes to bed. What about the rest of you?

[SwordChucks]

Zoo takes the R.O.U.S. from earlier and begins preparing it for the cooking fire. He skewers the rat and roasts it and uses the liver to make a cheap pâté all the while muttering "No buzzard, it does not taste better raw.".

Zoo offers some of the meal to his compatriots and sets aside a bone for the fennec fox.

"These aren't the ingredients I wish I had but it's better than going hungry."

[Swami Monsoon]

Akbar has no plans aside from dinner and a good night's rest.

[lostsole31]

Bangs ... Al ... Brother Jaume ... any intentions before getting some shuteye?

[Blackhawk101]

Brother Jaume will purchase some gruel and gratefully share the roasted rat. Disappointed over the lack of wine, he will check on any injuries the party has to see if he can render aid the best he can.

Spoiler

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heal check

He will ask some of the other refugees if there are any medical supplies to be had. Failing that he will ask if anyone else is willing to sit a watch tonight. He is not altogether sure that this camp is safe.

[silphael]

Al, taking some rations, give a part of it to his desert fox and slowly removes his boots.

"So we're not even done here, and until that, we won't know a thing? Wonderful..."

[lostsole31]

You do NOT need to buy rations or food. What food is not being made by Zoo (none of the survivors want to touch it), is given freely because you are fellow survivors.

Also, there are basic medical supplies, like bandages and so forth.

Spoiler: Brother Jaume

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Zoo will be fine by morning. He has just a scratch. Still, an ounce of prevention ... cleaning and dressing the last contusion is a good idea.

Akbar is hovering just north of the green/yellow line (~60%), so long-term healing ministrations for him are a good idea.

Ben does not allow you to manhandle him (period) He accepts healing energy if you had any left. (You don't.) But he will not be pawed at, especially by any doctors, thank you, very much. That said, you know he is wounded. Not heavy wounds - moderate - but it is hard to tell. See, his spells ("...useful things for archaeologists...") constantly upgrade the look of the unknown uniform to be clean and orderly, but he had been badly cut up and slashed up by the sadistic doctor in the basement. True, he had some heavy healing since then, but every now and then he favors a side when he sits on one of the ground or winces a little.

Bangs, do you do anything, or do you turn in?

[bcool999]

Bangs

Bangs will assist Jaume with any medical treatments he attempts. Afterwards, Bangs grabs a bite to eat and explains to the others as best he can about his collective ability and asks if any of them wish to be included in it.

The main points Bangs covers is:
1. The collective is a mental bond of some sort and it appears to be possible to 'sense' each other through it for lack of a better word.
2. Magical healing of a sort can be delivered to them through the collective.
3. Bangs can't force you into the collective, and it feels like you can leave at any time with minimal effort.
4. Bangs isn't sure of the complete limits or drawbacks of this collective.

Should the others agree, Bangs will attempt to join as many people from their group as he can. After that, Bangs spends his last iota of mental energy sending some healing towards Ben, before passing out for the night.

[lostsole31]

In short order, Bangs will learn a severe limitation. Bangs can only link four external minds to his own in a collective, and there are eight in this group. This doesn't even count the fennec fox or, as you know, Mack's eidolon should he bring it back. When Bangs goes to heal Ben, Ben shakes his head slightly and looks to Akbar. Assuming Bangs does not try to force-heal Ben, then Akbar gets 3 healing from Bangs' mental powers.

The night, if it is night, passes with surprisingly restful sleep.