The Savage Tide [IC] - Page 29

lostsole31 · 07-19-2012, 12:57 AM

R3T13: Darrius tries to start advancing through the muck, simply to close the distance if he has to get into the thick of things. His shadow dragon heritage helps him cover a full 20' (now 10' from the front line; 5' from Celiss). However, he doesn't expend all his effort moving, pausing to spit after wading into the mud, hitting the chief in his right forearm for 12 acid damage and finally taking a toll on him.

The chief gargle-growls after that strike. "You bested my tribesman and my mate ... no doubt you'll kill me as well. But not before I make sure this little dearie of yours is dead!"

R2T11: Korian, despite the sucking of the mud, jumps with incredible speed the mere 5' while charging the bullywug with his mass, yowling as he leaps. But the chieftain is too well rooted in his familiar mud and Korian bounces off from the braced greatclub to stand straddling Liamae.

R2T6: Meanwhile, the bug is more intrigued with the weapons Celiss is holding (big ferrous ones) rather than the remaining silverware on the fallen woman (tiny non-ferrous nummies). Celiss is able to use her feet in sweeping crescent blocks to keep the tentacles at bay, and pushes its mouth away with her feet.

End Round 2, Begin Round 3 ...

R3T24/22: Tolin and Zan both fire on the chief, missing so as not to hit Korian.

R3T20: Celiss, because of the position of Korian and the bug, you would have to take a wide arc around either to get to the chief ... farther than you can move in the mud and still attack in one round. What do you do? Do you keep the bug occupied?

PersonMan · 07-19-2012, 02:03 AM

Celiss feels a surge of anger again, a reaction stemming from her wish to protect the people of the manor as well as a strange thought - how dare they oppose her will?

Finally in range, Celiss decides that she will simply crush the bug then move on to the chief - she is completely out of patience now, with what feels like impossibly strong rage gnawing at her. Shifting in the mud slightly, she unleashes a quick two-kick combo on the beast. Her first attack doesn't connect, and Celiss puts the entirety of her suddenly appearing rage into her second strike.

Actions:

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 07-19-2012, 02:27 AM

R3T20: Celiss feels a surge of anger again, a reaction stemming from her wish to protect the people of the manor as well as a strange thought - how dare they oppose her will?

Finally in range, Celiss decides that she will simply crush the bug then move on to the chief - she is completely out of patience now, with what feels like impossibly strong rage gnawing at her. Shifting in the mud slightly, she unleashes a quick two-kick combo on the beast. Her first attack doesn't connect, and Celiss puts the entirety of her suddenly appearing rage into her second strike which hits for max (9) damage.

Spoiler

R3T19: Chief Lorpth continues to swing his big club with full power. First at the fallen Liamae, hitting her in the head and absolutely braining her for 22 damage. Her head caves in like an egg, and brain matter splatters all over the front and underside of Korian, on Celiss' front/left side, a little on the bug, and quite a bit on himself.

She is dead, and the rabbi screams in horror loudest, but echoed at least by the NPC heroes. "I could have saved her, if only I could focus."

His club withdraws and he swings upward - all as if it were one, circling maneuver - and then down again on Korian's right foot for 21 damage, now dropping him into the yellow with a single blast of his club.

R3T18: Kaskus manages to sludge up next to Korian's left and swings at the chief with his dwarven waraxe, but Chief Lorpth is a canny warrior and dodges out of the way.

R3T16.9: Ka'Xet, you are still burst-ing, you are unaffected by battle LOS. Your mindblade is in hand, so no MA needed to manifest. Liamae of the Jade Ravens is definitely dead. Korian, who - like you - is a little less experienced than the other three (Celiss, Darrius, Lazer), is already reeling from just one blow. Of course, the chief is now in the yellow after all the wounds he had received. What do you do?

lostsole31 · 07-23-2012, 04:45 AM

R3T16.9: Ka'Xet thinks that the silly rust monster will be of little true threat to his fellows' metal, since sharp reflexes will save one, and Celiss has a quick hand. But this chief is way too powerful and dangerous to ignore, even if his wounds are beginning to take a toll on him. He wants to take out the aberration, for such creatures are truly an unnatural blight on the world. But the xeph is far smarter than any in the group realize, being second only to Celiss - even edging out the rabbi - and calculates: the chief must die.

He focuses his energies on his mindblade and then tosses it out with a combined psionic shot/ psychic strike. It slams into the chief's hide armor, but the deflection field from his magical protection slows the force just enough to keep it from penetrating. His energies spent in focusing for a psychic strike, Ka'Xet has to wait to re-manifest his mindblade. He lost his psionic shot, but his blade will at least continue to have the psychic strike investment in it.

His burst also ends.

R3T16: Lazer flies up behind Korian and casts CLW for 13 healing to put him back in the green.

R3T13: Darrius?

Tacitus · 07-23-2012, 01:15 PM

Darrius continues forward, pausing only to take another shot at the chief.

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 07-23-2012, 10:57 PM

R3T13: Darrius continues forward, pausing only to take another shot at the chief .... in the face (no, really, but only for 7 acid to the face ... more insulting than deadly) .... because the chief is now to Darrius' front-right, with Korian to Darrius' immediate right.

R3T11: Lazer's healing spell, though effective on the majority of Korian's wounds, isn't enough of a balm. In fact, Korian doesn't even try to hold back his bloodlust but just allows it to wash over him as he yowls and roars into a creature now surpassing Darrius in strength. The cold mist disappears from around him, and his nostrils flare in expectation of blood. He cuts overhead with a powerful axe swing that is blocked by the greatclub, but this opens the bullywug chief to Korian's claw grazing across his belly for 3 damage. He then bites into the chief's shoulder, but his young fangs can't quite penetrate the hide armor.

R3T6: Now focused on Celiss, the bizarre bug lashes out again at her rapier, but the tentacles - what with the windback motion - are easy to track and defend against, and she likewise deflects its bite.

End Round 3, Begin Round 4 ...

R4T24-22: With three people in front of the chieftain, Tolin and Zan resolve to help Celiss with the bug. They both slog forward 5' and fire. Both have their arrows shatter (and the arrowhead disintegrates) against the creature's carapace.

R4T20: Celiss, what do you do?

PersonMan · 07-24-2012, 04:16 AM

Celiss decides that she would rather not end up losing her rapier or bonded sword, so she unleashes a kick followed by an elbow jab, hoping to bring down the thing fast so she can move on to the chief.

Actions:

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 07-24-2012, 05:47 AM

[OOC]Darrius is on Korian's right, not left.[/OOC]

R4T20: Celiss decides that she would rather not end up losing her rapier or bonded sword, so she unleashes a kick followed by an elbow jab, hoping to bring down the thing fast so she can move on to the chief. Both connect for a total of 11 damage, and this thing is now in the yellow.

R4T19: Chief Lorpth laughs at the pitiable damage the bloodraging manimal causes along his belly, and decides the acid-spitting incarnate is a higher-priority target. His club slams down on Darrius' left forearm, cracking it for 28 damage!!!

The incarnate is brought into the yellow with one blow.

Spoiler

R4T18: Kaskus swings his waraxe, but the bullywug chief's movements are impeccably trained and he dodges.

R4T17: Ka'Xet ... Your psychic strike (for damage bonus) is still active, but you do not have psionic focus so you can't use psionic shot. Your mindblade is currently unmanifested. What do you do?

srgonzo · 07-25-2012, 01:20 AM

Manifest a new blade and spend the rest of his round reaquiring psionic focus.

lostsole31 · 07-25-2012, 02:56 AM

Ka'Xet

Spoiler

srgonzo · 07-25-2012, 11:44 AM

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 07-25-2012, 04:04 PM

R4T17: Sometimes, the curse of a psion is in the need for patience and concentration, even in battle. Ka'Xet manifests his mindblade, and begins to concentrate while maintaining alertness, his psychic strike still brimming in this new mindblade.

R4T16: Lazer is still behind Korian, but he casts a spell. This time, however, the casting seems heavily labored. He reaches out and touches Darrius for 17 healing to bring him back in the green.

"That's it," he says weakly, with blood beginning to trickle out of his nose. "I have no more healing spells."

R4T13: Darrius, what do you do? Chief Lorpth stands to your front-left, Korian to your left.

Tacitus · 07-26-2012, 12:34 AM

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 07-26-2012, 12:56 AM

Retro: The chief took 1 fire damage from Darrius' weak mantle of flame, which is fittingly to just bring him barely into the red zone of health.

R4T13: Darrius reels from the strike, despite Lazer's excellent healing. Here's hoping he didn't heal the incarnate in vain. The blue glow around his gloves becomes very faint. Meanwhile, the fiery-blue glow around him triples in intensity from a light wisp to nearly a conflagration. Darrius spits at him, but is totally thrown by not having the sighting gloves and the spit goes incredibly wide.

R4T11: Korian growls in his rage, ice forming on his teeth, claws, and axe and he makes a vicious double-swipe with axe and claw, but both miss the savvy bullywug fighter. It was a desperate gamble, and Korian doesn't even bite. As quickly as it formed, the frost disappears.

R4T6: The rust monster continues to hungrily whip at the hellspawn heroine's rapier and to bite at her.

End Round 4, Begin Round 5 ...

R5T24-22: Tolin's arrow again hits the carapace of the bug and shatters/corrodes. However, despite shooting into melee, Zan actually hits the thing with his shortbow for max (6) damage.

R5T20: Celiss? As annoying as it is with the danger of the chief, you are still the best one to combat this thing with your non-metallic body. What do you do?

PersonMan · 07-26-2012, 02:24 PM

Celiss sighs. "Really, you should just leave. I'm sure you can find a nice suit of armor or something out in hall," she says. Really, how hungry was the thing? Normal animals would just scurry after it turned out that their prey could defend itself too well for them to handle without serious injury.

Hoping to aid her allies as soon as possible, Celiss strikes at the insect-thing again twice, once with an elbow and the second time with her knee. Both are solid strikes and the first carries the entire weight of Celiss' body as she shifts to the side while performing her strike.

Actions:

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 07-26-2012, 07:41 PM

R5T20: Celiss sighs. "Really, you should just leave. I'm sure you can find a nice suit of armor or something out in hall."

Really, how hungry was the thing? Normal animals would just scurry after it turned out that their prey could defend itself too well for them to handle without serious injury. But it takes a millisecond for her own brilliant brain to answer that question: This is not a true insect. This is no animal, let alone a "normal" one. Its touch rusts metal. This is a creature outside of her realm of learning, with an unknowable and alien mind.

Hoping to aid her allies as soon as possible, Celiss strikes at the insect-thing again twice, once with an elbow and the second time with her knee. Both are solid strikes and the first carries the entire weight of Celiss' body as she shifts to the side while performing her strike. She does a total of 14 damage, and the thing finally drops!

R5T19: While the chief mulls over how to deal with the flaming man, he chooses to whallop the dwarf as his greatclub comes around in a high diagonal arc to "graze" Kaskus' upper shield arm for 19 damage, bringing the druid into the yellow.

R5T18: Kaskus returns his own strike with his waraxe, doing a much more humble 7 damage to the chief's right hand .... but still brutal considering the chief can't take much more.

R5T17: This is the first time Ka'Xet ever tried to refocus his psionic mind in the heat of combat, and he fails horribly (with a roll of '1').

R5T16: Lazer flies up and over Kaskus, attacking Chief Lorpth with Gili-Nachum from a high angle ... and the magic hammer just barely manages to get through the bullywug's defenses, but the - until now - uncelebrated-in-combat rabbi does max damage (11) to the chief's head ... and he finally drops!

The humble rabbi finally manages to distinguish himself in combat with a timely and very well-placed hit! But Lazer doesn't seem happy about it, being hopped on adrenaline, rage, and sorrow.

Combat Ends ...

Korian's bloodrage ends.

Kaskus drops to his knees over Liamae ... her head is like a cracked egg that has been emptied, and yet in his grief he gingerly touches her and recoils several times as he tries to process this.

Korian stalks over to the rust monster and says, "We bind this up with ropes and put it in a wooden box. This creature is just bizarre enough ... and overall relatively harmless, that it will fetch a fine price at the Arena."

He does what he can to try to keep it alive, and he feels he is successful.

Lazer, for all of his sorrow and anguish, is merciful in his way ... or cruel. For Chief Lorpth was a proud and capable warrior, with a twisted sense of honor far different from his kin. No doubt if he looked on as a ghost, he would have thought to have a good death. But, no .... Lazer stabilizes him.

Sure, he'll probably die ... but he'll die at the end of a rope like the coward he truly was for his despicable part of the raid on Vanderboren Manor. He forfeited the right to a "good death" when he played his cruel game with Liamae. He lost his entitlement to a warrior's end when he killed her while she was unconscious instead of focusing on worthy opponents on a battlefield. No, Lazer gladly keeps him alive now ... for the world, himself .... no, for Liamae .... Justice shall be served.

He doesn't say this, and his stony dwarven face doesn't betray this. But not a one of the PCs (or Korian) doubt what is going through his mind. Not one of you dare to rob him of this with a finishing stroke. Even Kaskus stops Zan from slitting his throat. The dwarf simply stays his dagger, shakes his head, and looks down at Lazer, who by now is crying with his head hidden in shame next to Liamae.

"I could have saved her. If only I could have focused better. I could have saved her ...."

Kaskus then goes over to assist Korian with keeping the bizarre creature alive.

lostsole31 · 07-26-2012, 10:07 PM

Spoiler

Denoument

Just as in action movies, the cops come once the work is done.

Lady Lavinia went into the streets and shouted down a guard sergeant to get a patrol to her place on the double to help secure, at the same time as the guard captain the heroes talked to on the way to the Manor (remember wayyy back in our 'real' time...) actually managed to bring a solid force together to storm Vanderboren Manor (including into the basement) just as the above post ends.

Lady Lavinia, eager to encourage young Korian's exploits in the Arena as his noble patron, so she instructs the guards to rope-and-box the rust monster. (Ka'Xet's expertise, backed up by Kaskus', will be needed to explain what aberrations are to the others, and Ka'Xet gives a very detailed understanding of the monster itself. Lazer offers 2 charges from the party wand for 16 healing total to the creature so it does not die from its wounds, despite being stable.

Chief Lorpth, his mate Huntress Lorb-Lorb Tub, and eight other bullywugs are taken into custody. Not counting the bullywugs that the Jade Ravens killed before, the party only killed three bullywugs - Bua Gorg and two others. The guards laugh that Doctor Cohen saved them from death ... only to be killed at the end of the rope. Lazer is too depressed to defend his actions, but Lavinia defends him ferociously.

Drevoraz escaped and has not been seen, so that is a possible enemy (?) you may have to deal with later. It's difficult to read that situation considering Lavinia wants his head for killing Kora Whistlegap (her servant), but there is that uneasy truce with Captain Jarliss Havell that the party made that got Drevoraz to recant and leave, despite the damage with the bullywug attack having been done.

The party is still no closer to finding Vanthus, though finding out that he was responsible for the multi-ship fire and scuttlings at Kraken's Cove will likely buy him little love in the world. No doubt the ground (and sea) is running out beneath him.

There is no feast or celebration that night. Even after what healing was applied in battle and throughout, the wounds received and the exhaustion thereof outweight what was regained with healing. All of the casters are, or very nearly, fully drained of their magic and are exhausted. Kora Whistlegap , Corin "Wanderfar" Denomar, and Liamae Teslikaria were killed. Diamondback also, though she wasn't known for very long and started off as an enemy.

Everyone will sleep in the Manor, in cots for overflow. (Celiss will sleep in Liamae's room, unless that freaks her out or makes her think she is disrespectful.) Lazer will be attending physican, of course, and he will ask Ka'Xet to assist him. The next day, Darrius has a few scratches, but Kaskus' wounds are still significant. Though a druid, he is still a Moradinite, and gladly allows the Soulforger's magic to flow into him to heal him.
............................................

Planting 24 (Moonday) 589 CY

The next day, Lavinia hires those that will be needed for what will be an intense cleanup effort, but they will not be there for two more days as the Wormfall Festival draws to a close and people worship for Godsday. She schedules a feast for that evening, because grieving will vary for different folks, but the time to celebrate for overcoming such a large scale attack on the Manor must be publicly noted. She will also hire a new servant.

Meanwhile ... neither Liamae nor Wanderfar had any family. Wanderfar had a will that all of his worldly goods (and his body) be sent to the Temple of Fharlanghn here in Sasserine. Liamae had a will that bequeathed her worldly goods and money to her fellow Jade Ravens, with Lady Lavinia as executor. She was actually a wealthy young minor noble, so the Jade Ravens are doing quite well.

As such, the following goes to the party, as they gave the Jade Ravens their lives (and they, in turn, are given an excellent inheritance from Liamae)...

Spoiler

At the feast, Lavinia rewards the (N)PCs for saving herself and the Jade Ravens with incredible ability to operate under pressure. Each gets 100 pp (sheets updated).

In addition, she increases everyone's monthly stipend to 200 gp. This is not money that you will actually see (or be able to spend), but will go to allowing everyone to lead an extravagant lifestyle: You buy and only buy the best. You take the finest rooms in the finest inns, eat lavish meals with the best wines, attend and throw stunning parties, have regal clothing, and make flamboyant gestures through large expenditures. In time, you may even own your own impressive home with servants.

You did it! You hit the jackpot. Though actual liquid cash might be limited, the "carte blanche, please send to my noble patroness for reimbursment" tab means that you are rich, rich, rich. It's up to you to make it worthwhile. I imagine Ka'Xet and Korian will be more low-key. Darrius might want to be, but considering his extremely humble beginnings, he might play the rogue more than the player himself wants to be by enjoying life for the first time in a way he never could before. Besides, it's important for a junior member of the Seekers to show status as a "successful" adventurer. Lazer, as a member of the Dawn Council, pretty much has a requirement to live in the best means possible. He carries off humility and wealth better than anyone, while still being a social force. Celiss grew up in a monastery, but she finally gets to indulge like the princess (of Hell, but don't tell anyone) that she is. It doesn't matter if daily she looks less and less human and more like an infernal scion .... money paves all roads in the city. As long as he pays, everyone is just fine.

lostsole31 · 07-26-2012, 10:48 PM

Sorry, guys, for multiple posts. It's just easier to break up the information this way.

Korian begins growing fully into his own. Somewhere along the way, he became an adult. He is now 6'3", 210 pounds. His strength matches Darrius', his agility is just beginning to edge out Lazer's and he has significantly superhuman constitution. His teeth are now fully grown, and about the right proportion for a wolverine-man.

With his rust monster gift and his exploits, he is given the dubious title of "Pit Boy." While he is now allowed to fight in the arena, he mainly is given dirty chores.

...........................................

Enjoy your "time off". No one has any Crafting skills (well, besides Korian having continued to become a better weaver). You can shop for new gear, explore Sasserine, or possibly get into trouble in the area.

But assuming we want to stick to the adventure ....

Everywhere you go, people ask you to regale them of your adventures. The most terrifying, however, is not the attack on the Manor. Rather, the accounts of the savage cannibalistic pirates of the stories you spread quickly become part of Kraken Cove's rumor-haunted tradition.

Darrius, you check in with the Seekers and they enjoy cataloguing your wonderful adventures. Librarians and sages try to find out what might have caused the pirates to regress to horrid forms and the like, but nothing comes up. They are saddened to hear that a pile of maps you had seen in Kraken's Cove were not retrieved, despite you fighting for your life at the time.

Celiss, you are approached by two groups. The first is the Dawn Council. You were recommended by Lady Lavinia and Rabbi Cohen, both high citizens and members in good standing. Both can vouch for your (albeit questionable) noble birth.

In addition, word of your magical prowess and knowledge from your adventures has gotten to the "right people." You are also approached by the Witchwardens to join them. The Witchwardens are open to anyone who can cast arcane magic, including bards, sorcerers, and wizards. While some today still venerate the Witch Goddess, members may be of any faith. Many of the most powerful wizards and sorcerers in the city are members, giving this guild important ties to the powerful and the wealthy.

PersonMan · 07-27-2012, 07:57 AM

Celiss inquires as to what the Dawn Council is, exactly, as she hasn't heard much of anything concrete about them during her stay in Sasserine. She accepts the Witchwardens' invitation.

OOC:

Spoiler

srgonzo · 07-27-2012, 01:29 PM

Ka'Xet is really going to be spending time exploring the city, seeing if he can't find something to improve his skills as a soulknife or ranger. For the most part, he's looking for stories, food, clothes, or anything else that might pass for exotic in Sasserine. If he hears anything about traversing the Planes (especially a gateway), he definitely listens intently.

lostsole31 · 07-27-2012, 05:04 PM

*DM palmslaps for having forgotten Ka'Xet*

Duh .... there is the Crystal Wardens for Ka'Xet.

(Sorry.)

However, there is plenty in the city that might catch your interest.

Spoiler

Tacitus · 07-31-2012, 02:40 AM

Darrius doesn't dwell overly much on the deaths in the manor. It is not out of apathy or spite, but never having really dealt with death of anyone close to him or those around him. He may occasionally be able to paint his tongue silver, but here he has no paint.

Upon receiving an increased monthly stipend, the first thing Darrius does is get himself a new pair of swimming goggles, or sets out to, anyhow. He's not had any since he sent his pair back home with Quickslayer, and hadn't yet thought to spend the coin on a new set. Indeed, now that he is set in terms of finances, he hopes to find goggles of exceptional make. How exceptional? He doesn't know. He's not even sure what would make goggles be exceptional in comparison to the ones he had. Maybe custom made of crystal or something? He'll have to ask around. Additionally, his day to day wardrobe will soon be undergoing an improvement. He's in the market for well tailored clothing suitable for land or sea, preferably of darker blues with silver highlights if he can get it.
He doesn't much indulge in jewelry, servants, or extravagant shows of wealth, but he plans to eat well indeed. This involves meat, as much of the finest meat he can get his hands on, and usually cooked rather rare when he can get it. Maybe having acid-spit all the time isn't such a good thing...
When he can, he takes a bit from the monthly stipend to send off to the Azure Cathedral.

When next both he and Korian have a few moments, Darrius intends to learn more about the unique fighting techniques he employs, and perhaps even get the low-down on how to get in good with the arena so he might hone his skills there. There is an uncomfortable moment when he thinks of Wanderfar's martial talents that initially inspired this desire to learn, and wonders how similar they might be. He'd heard Wanderfar mention the Sublime Way when they all first met Korian, was this it?

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 08-01-2012, 02:25 AM

Celiss ...

Spoiler

Ka'Xet ...

Spoiler

Darrius ...

Spoiler

As with Celiss, your initiation fee (non-refundable) to Zelkarune's Horns is part of your monthly stipend from Lady Lavinia. Korian introduces you, and says that you were also instrumental in capturing the rust monster. Your exotic looks and background would make you a good draw, Zasker (the head of the mercenary group) mentions. Your overall combat savvy is not as great as he was lead to believe, but you make up with interesting tricks. Though you might not mention it (probably not, since it's good to have an ace-in-the-whole), you realize that since all Arena matches are fought in daylight, you'd never be able to use your ability to slip in and out of shadows.

It is important to note that without actually joining Zelkarune's Horns .... they won't give you the time of day for training. Since you training similar to Korian's .... but most of the maneuvers and stances he knows don't suit your temperament and skil set .... this is the only game in town that could teach you. Things that will go a long way to earning credit with the company are winning matches, donating trophies from monsters that were tough for you to take down, and procuring interesting monsters for gladiators to fight. (They usually are not fought to the death, if possible, since such creatures are rare and incredibly expensive.) Losing arena fights, or not showing up for a match often, will usually mean demotion. Speaking of which ...

To be inducted, you have to fight one match in the arena. Given the Horns' love of irony ... you are scheduled to fight Korian (non-lethal, of course). The "Monster Men" - one dragon-man, one animal-man. It's a great draw.

It's practially no-contest, however. You and he are matched for strength, but he is faster, hardier, insanely hard to hit with his swordsage intuition, and his weaponry (axe and bite) are signifcantly more capable than yours. The result was never a surprise to you .... he is a dedicated combatant where you are not. You have some interesting abilities (incarnate) that make the fight more interesting, but he has much more of a sense for the arena than do you (for now). What did surprise you is that Korian has progressed physically as quickly as he has, and his bite is that of what might be full-grown for his kind. Despite his limited swordsage abilities before, as an overall focused combatant he is really coming into his own.

As for you, you not only are accepted but you are instantly advanced to "Pit Boy" as is Korian. Congratulations, someone of your station does dirty, nasty chores during the day .... and play noble's representative and high society at night.

I have often sent you your TGS sheet. You have a predilection for filling out the sheet and sending it back to me as a file. Please don't. Just tell me - regarding highlighted entries - what you want to add or update for next level. Post that in OOC or send me an E-mail (with changes in the body, not on an attachment) please. Thanks.

Given your desired maneuvers, I recommend at least a skill rank each in Acrobatics, Mental Focus, and Stealth, and maybe Martial Lore to show you are a scholar in your given new profession.

Korian ...

Spoiler

lostsole31 · 08-03-2012, 02:52 AM

Planting 5 (Godsday): Day of Rest & Worship. Celiss shows her studious devotion to Delleb by studying religion in the Vanderboren Library. Lazer, of course, goes to attend with his people at the small temple of Moradin. Darrius may or may not attend the Azure Cathedral, seeing how this once-atheist is now sending money that way. The travel-oriented, Fharlanghn-worshiping xeph goes to the shrine of that god.

Though a demigod (well, technically since he supposedly is the son of a northern god of Animals of the Frostfell), Korian doesn’t get into this religious claptrap despite his own devotion to his father. After her own studies, she enjoys the second half of Delleb’s application of knowledge: to teach others. She tutors him in a wide variety of subjects.

Planting 26 (Waterday): Celiss contacted by Witchwardens for induction; she sends message back accepting. Once she mentions this to Lady Lavinia and Lazer (because they need to know what external obligations she may have), they agree that with her “noble” background they might be able to gain prestige for House Vanderboren with another member of the Dawn Council, while providing interesting opportunities for Celiss politically and within the Witchwardens. That is a big decision, and Celiss will have to think about it.

Lady Lavinia seeks replacements to fill the vacancy left by Liamae Teslikaria. Answering only a few hours later is one you met in the fight against Diamondback’s cronies …. the mysterious man known only as The Caller. Lazer is asked to help sit in on the interview with herself. He is hired on the spot. He has a stunning intellect, amazing self-control, and his diplomatic abilities nearly rival Lazer’s own. His spellcasting power exceeds that of his Jade Raven peers (rivaling that of Celiss or Lazer). He specializes in summoning, but has bizarre powers that can be changed so that he can fit a variety of roles. Despite being outnumbered, the Jade Ravens fell apart in battle as a cohesive group due to leadership. The Caller is named the leader of the house guard, the Jade Ravens.

Lazer spends time in Vanderboren Library (VL) experimenting with various mathematica that may help him to better control his ability to control magic items to which he is not attuned.

Korian begins to lose focus, growls more, and Ka’Xet recognizes that for some reason he is beginning to regress to a more animal state …. that he is having trouble with being both humanoid and animal. Ka’Xet (with Lazer’s advice) has no idea what is really happening, or how to stop it. He helps to focus Korian by asking him for help with acrobatics and balance-beam training. To show support (and because he’s the best and they can learn from him), Celiss and Darrius work with under his training as well.

Planting 27 (Earthday): Korian introduces Darrius to Zasker of Zelkarune’s horns, formally presenting the rust monster as a trophy. Zasker is impressed with the stories of their battle prowess and the gift of the monster. Darrius can join Zelkarune’s horns if he fights Korian in nonlethal combat the next day.

Darrius is also introduced to one of the swordsages after that meeting, at Korian’s request. But for now, Korian works with Darrius on improvisational fighting techniques – adapting to various combat situations quickly. Korian allows himself to be a veritable punching dummy.

Celiss reports to the Witchwardens and is tested. Her knack for magic and proven skill at casting magic under pressure gives her immediate promotion to an Initiate. She is given a badge of office in the form of a masterwork dagger, marked with runes identifying the guild. This dagger is proof of membership, which includes being able to study and train at the tower.

Most days, Lazer will ply his trade as rabbi (to comfort) and doctor (to heal).

Ka’Xet goes to the Crystal Wardens to work with Quickslayer on some body hardening exercises.

Planting 28 (Freeday): What is a freeday for everyone else in Sasserine is the day the arena holds its matches. When it comes time for Darrius Wavebreaker vs Korian the Karver, the latter simply physically outclasses the incarnate, who cannot call upon his shadow-hiding ability in the daylight. The reason the fight doesn’t end as quickly is that Korian has a solid concept of how to play the crowd. It was an interesting fight, though, as Darrius has some surprising melds that he can bring out in battle. The other PCs surely were in attendance.

Later in the day, Celiss takes it easy with some more religious studies in the DL. Lazer is interested in eating healthier to make his body more pure and to make him a little more resistant to pain in combat. It just so happens that Ka’Xet, through Crystal Wardens tutoring, also makes a serious effort to have a balanced diet.

lostsole31 · 08-03-2012, 04:17 AM

5th Month, Flocktime, 589 CY

Flocktime 1 (Starday): New moon, Morning. Celiss, seeing the benefits of good connections, declares her intentions to accept Lady Lavina and Lazer's sponsorship into the Dawn Council. She will have to attempt a board on the 5th to determine if she is eligible for induction.

Darrius plays Rabbit Games with Korian, with the latter hunting Darrius, and they do this all day long. Darrius recognizes that while he has the advantage when he can bring his shadow-hiding into sight, something has happened to Korian. He has played Rabbit Games with him several times before, but Korian's animal intuition seems to have really kicked in recently.

Afternoon. Celiss studies in VL. She recently, with Lazer's previous guidance, has become very good at psychology. With last week's awakening of an accidentally disastrous use of a heretofore very powerful fear ability, she learns what she can to control that power, or perhaps in the future, to make it more effective.

Lazer and Ka'Xet continue to swap notes on workout techniques in combination with diet to make one more hardy inside and out.

Flocktime 2 (Sunday): Morning. Ka'Xet, sensing further angst in Korian, enjoys his tutelage this time in general athletic pursuits: running, climbing, jumping. He notes that Korian's growth has included an increase in raw physical power bringing him to parity with Darrius' own. They do this throughout the day.

Lazer works with Celiss in the workout room to try to develop her agility, as she is so used to just bulldozing her way through problems. Darrius spends the morning in the jungle to work with the Crystal Wardens on developing chakra control.

Afternoon. Lazer is in VL to meditate over various philosophical texts. Celiss, who has become increasingly fascinated with the possibility of manipulating time for combat prowess, goes to Witchwarden Tower to study the mathematics and physics surrounding time-related phenomena. Darrius spends this time conducting deep meditation.

Flocktime 3 (Moonday): Morning. Ka'Xet works with Korian's mastery over tumbling and balance-beam training. Lazer instructs Celiss in techniques of motivating leadership and negotiations. Darrius had stayed overnight in the jungle to meditate with the Crystal Wardens in the morning.

Afternoon. Darrius returns to town, and continues his training with improvisational combat techniques with Korian. Celiss experiments with the exact limits of her racial detect magic ability, which she learns is on parity with her ability to cast the spell as a wizard. Ka'Xet goes into the jungle to continue his combat training with Quickslayer.

Flocktime 4 (Godsday): Religious devotion as before. Fascinated by deep mysteries as Lazer was studying, Celiss spends time with insightful reading in VL. Korian has become increasingly volatile. Though still more clever than the normal man-on-the-street, his once-underestimated intellect definitely seems to be regressing in favor of the animal. Being near him begins to put people on guard, as if walking on eggshells.

He cares nothing for any afternoon tutelage from Celiss.

Flocktime 5 (Waterday): Celiss, Lavinia, and Lazer attend the board that convenes the Dawn Council to determine if her background will be a hindrance or if she can dutifully serve the town through her patroness. Her board concludes that her wordly experience, her keen diplomatic prowess, and previous service to Sasserine is worthy of membership. She is named as a High Citizen, considered a valued citizen of Sasserine. This is a day-long affair.

Darrius works with Zelkarune's Horns, getting a primer into the school of the Shadow Hand. Ka'Xet studies avoidance training under Quickslayer before returning to the city.

Though members of the City Watch can become members, Celiss' patronage, noble line (to which Lazer attests), and status in society is worthy of a grand ball in the evening. The PCs are invited, given their nouveux riche social status, as dressed members of House Vanderboren. The Jade Ravens, a bit more humble, are responsible for security.

Celiss is pretty good at chatting and holding conversation, but she observes that in the well-populated high society function attending there are various suitors seeking lady's hands. She is quite aware that wealth, land, and stability (as in marriage) are the best means of advancing. She looks at herself and realizes that if she entertained marriage, who would marry her with her thick frame and increasingly diabolical looks. Then again, Ka'Xet (no xephs here) doesn't worry about such things here. Darrius is able to keep a conversation and his Spire of Sasserine medal go far to enhance his muscular frame, well-chiseled face, and exotic looks. Some women who are into unconventional men pay attention to him, but none actually seem to press the issue (that's a man's job). Lady Lavinia, however, is overwhelmed with offers from suitors. She is a stunningly beautiful woman with a keen mind.

It isn't until this point that the PCs realize that Korian hasn't been seen all day. Not even the Jade Ravens, but Ka'Xet realizes that all of his equipment is gone. He knows what happened, and mentions it to the Lavinia and the rest: Korian has left the world of Man, possibly forever, and possibly going to his home in the far north. Regardless, he is fully grown and now no longer needs to be watched over. Maybe the party will see him again, maybe not. But he will be much happier in the wild. Very likely, the party understands.

Flocktime 6 (Earthday): Morning. Hangovers, home-remedy (and ultimately unsuccessful) hangover cures, and a lazy day.

Afternoon. Lazer teaches Darrius some anatomy. Darrius doesn't really care about how to heal, but asks pressing questions concerning vital spots. Celiss, telling herself that she's not bothered by a lack of suitors at her own society function but mainly interested in her heritage, conducts planar studies (especially relating to the Hells of her origin) in VL. Ka'Xet goes OOS (out of Sasserine) to study mental resistance training under Quickslayer.

Flocktime 7 (Freeday): Morning. Ka'Xet enjoys orienteering and map-reading with the Crystal Wardens. Having made insights into possibilities of her heritage, Celiss learns of her telepathic powers, which she finds amazingly simple once she works with it. On another note, she discovers her ability to detect the good in others. That seems nice, but considering its origin it may actually be unnerving to her. Lazer spends time in the library studying defeating basic illusions such as invisibility. Darrius gets an introduction into the Diamond Mind school.

Afternoon. Continuing with her dovetailing of magical studies with her unique heritage, Celiss tries to study her Ring of the Telgakaar a little more, this time using the library at the tower. Already skilled at shipbuilding, Lazer's time has included studies and mathematics in VL, along with tutoring, and how it relates to general structural and civil engineering. Ka'Xet tutors Darrius on meditative centering exercises.
.............................................

As the days wear on, it appears that Vanthus may never return to Sasserine. Lavinia's need to see her brother's face his crimes goes from a burning obsession to a brooding anger.

lostsole31 · 08-03-2012, 05:20 AM

Flocktime 8 (Starday): Half-moon, waning. Morning. Celiss receives mental resistance training from the Witchwardens. Ka'Xet continues combat training with Quickslayer. Darrius studies (from the Seekers) mechanics and how to survive traps that you fail to disarm.

Afternoon. Ka'Xet continues to study secret health and nourishment techniques from the Crystal Wardens. Darrius receives preliminary instruction on Stone Dragon school. Celiss undergoes intense spell theory immersion. Lazer continues engineering studies.

Flocktime 9 (Sunday): Morning. Ka'Xet receives basic training on the possible manipulations of one's mindblade. Darrius continues swordsage training. Celiss receives combat magic training from the Witchwardens.

Afternoon. Lazer works with Ka'Xet on overall agility training. Celiss continues her heritage study, trying to better understand her scales and appearance. Darrius gets adventurer's obervation techniques training from the Seekers.

Flocktime 10 (Moonday): Morning. Darrius receives a punishing workout with Zelkarune's Horns. In the same vein, Ka'Xet leads body hardening exercises with the other two.

Afternoon. Darrius receives Diamond Mind training. As if the morning wasn't enough, Ka'Xet goes OOS to undergo extreme stamina training with Crystal Warden rangers. Celiss's form is slowly growing more inhuman as she notices her canines have been growing, hardening, and getting sharper. Lazer conducts more studies into intuitive magical handling of items.

Flocktime 11 (Godsday): Morning. Religious devotion. Celiss uses VL to continue to investigate temporal adjustment spells.

Afternoon. Ka'Xet uses VL to study the Seeker maps Lavinia's parents had acquired over time. Darrius studies martial history with Zelkarune's Horns (ZH). Celiss realizes if she is so full of diabolical blood, she might as well begin experimenting with her ability to resist fire as well as heat.

Flocktime 12 (Waterday): Morning. Celiss begins to conduct micro-measurements of her bite for trend analysis. The other teeth are beginning to grow firm as well, and her jaw is slowly thickening. Ka'Xet studies with xeph swordblades, discussing the ability of psionic power to enhance overall gross motor speed.

Afternoon. Since Vanderboren assets include shipping concerns, Lazer discusses water travel hazards with Ka'Xet, even calling in experts to train the expert hunter. Celiss guides Darrius on centering exercises.

Flocktime 13 (Earthday): Morning. Celiss continues immersion into spell theory with the Witchwardens. Darrius continues Shadow Hand training. Ka'Xet studies psionic lore with the Crystal Wardens.

Afternoon. Lazer guides Darrius on focusing exercises. Ka'Xet returns to VL to conduct studies into abominable creations. Celiss continues studying her ring.

Flocktime 14 (Freeday): Morning. Darrius has to clean and do disgusting chores at the arena. Now there's a challenge to keeping one's cool with some of the horrid animal smells. Celiss conducts spell theory immersion at the tower. Lazer has taken an interest in animal training, which delights Ka'Xet who has no problem beginning his training.

Afternoon. The PCs support Darrius on his match, which he wins!
.............................................

Lavinia celebrates that evening with a small party for Darius' first win.

Lavinia mentions that she has finished reading through the strange notebooks recovered from the family vaults (the one that were regained in the PCs first major adventure). She reports that they were, in fact, penned by her mother during a trip to a place called the Isle of Dread. Further, it would seem that one of her parent's last accomplishments before their untimely deaths was to establish a colony on a relatively safe islet near the Isle of Dread. According to the notes, her parents planned on returning to this colony, called Farshore, with supplies and additional colonists, but their deaths put an end to that plan. With the PCs aid, Lavinia hopes to travel to Farshore, resupply the colonists, and nurture the settlement into a living monument for her parents. The trip, she warns them, will be anything but short and safe, but the prospects for adventure and wealth should outweigh any fears you may have. All she needs is another ship to aid in the voyage. Perhaps one of the pirate vessels that survived the fire in Kraken's Cove would fit the bill?

Darrius, state what your business in town was/ is, please.

All, any questions for Lavinia concerning this? You are all starting to chafe, feeling the adventuring bug (which, of course, you are free to ignore).

PersonMan · 08-03-2012, 07:19 AM

Celiss is interested in finding out why this colony was, apparently, kept fairly secret (seeing as nobody, presumably, had contacted Lavinia with concerns about the colonists before). She's definitely up for the trip, especially since the people there have already gone without resupply for much longer than they had expected to.

srgonzo · 08-03-2012, 10:15 AM

Ka'Xet asks about the terrain of Farshore. He inquires about the soil, rocks, local flora and fauna, sources of fresh water, if there are any trade routes near there, and when was the last time anyone heard anything from the island itself.

lostsole31 · 08-04-2012, 12:25 AM

Celiss and Eliezer readily agree. Ka'Xet and Darrius have yet to say anything.

"I'm not sure why the colony was kept secret, though my best guess is that my parents wanted some success in developing a thriving and defensible community before opening up trade concerns for greater wealth from natural resources.

"Ka'Xet, Your navigational skills are likely to be unparalleled by any crew I could possibly muster. We can get information, but are you still willing to go?

"Darrius, how about you? Your aquatic skills will be incalculably helpful on this rescue mission. Besides, your contact with the Seekers might give us some information on the location, as well as sea voyage to that place.

"Darrius, Ka'Xet ... both of you, especially you, Ka'Xet, have contacts with the Crystal Wardens in the jungle. Korian left the city, but I don't know if he left adventuring behind him. His climbing, jumping, balancing skills are perfect for shipboard movement, his senses were probably the best of you, and he's likely to be the best muscle you can find."

Tacitus · 08-04-2012, 12:55 AM

Spoiler

Grah, I had a nice post all typed out, but then it got eaten. >.< I am unfortunately far too tired to put it all back together, so the cliffnotes version:

Research more into personal heritage, specifically any named draconic ancestors. Seek potential divination to aid if book research turns up nothing, or at least get an estimate on spellcasting costs for such.

Researching more exotic soulmelds, if he can. Other Draconic ones, maybe even see how hard it would be to shape 'new' ones people haven't tried before or something. I know you may not be big on homebrew, but if we've got downtime and funds, Spell Research (or in this case the meld equivalent thereof) has always been something I've wanted to try. Will it work? Probably not. XD

Indeed, attending service at the Azure Cathedral when possible. Not a devout believer, but having come from the seas the Cathedral is really the only place for him in the ecclesiastical of the city. He hopes his money is being put to good use, but certainly doesn't brag or draw attention to his tithe. He's doing it because he thinks its right and 'good', whether it actually is or not.

Thinks of Cross, the Darrius Cross mentioned in his backstory after whom he is named. Still has some desire to meet his namesake, but until he can set aside the time to head to Fairwind Isle to follow up on his investigations there isn't much to be done.

I'm not sure of Darrius is aware of the restrictions on magic items in the same slot as a bound chakra. If he is aware, he'd be looking into ways around it, for his own future reference. Not a high priority at all.

I'm sure there isn't exactly a Magic Mart around, but picking up a +1 Resist to Saves or Enh to Natural Armor wouldn't hurt, He'd make inquiries, but it wouldn't take up too much of his time.

Bluh... feels like I forgot something...

As for questions, my brain is done for, so I can't think of any. X.x

Edit: Gah! Didn't see your post.
Darrius will agree to head over to the Seekers to see what information they have, and suggests Ka`Xet try to re-connect with Korian. Darrius felt something was wrong, but had no clue what to actually do about it, so the xeph is probably a better idea to try to get back in touch with him.

>.> Darrius doesn't get it. He likes cities. Mostly. >.>