In Service of Yurtrus

[Mhelisis]

OOC Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=15396832)

Sheet (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=586644)

World information:

The world:
What is the world like?

Action: 19 Waste
Subject: 39 News

This is an archaic world where the population is reluctant to use new technologies. Progress Level 0 (http://www.d20resources.com/future.d20.srd/progress.levels/pl.0.stone.age.php).

Stone age people are illiterate, hence there are no wizards.

What is the dominant race?

Action: 77 Deceive
Subject: 61 Death

The world is ruled by ghouls. They harvest humans and demihumans as food and encourage them to breed as much as possible. They forbid the use of technology to control them easily. Ghouls speak Common and can thus interact easily with humans.

Are they ruled by a priest?

Odds: likely (because described in Pathfinder SRD)
Roll: 11
Answer: exceptional yes

"They live in ghoul cities deep underground led by priests who worship an ancient cruel god." Ghouls never come outside during daytime.

Which god?

Action: 100 Change
Subject: 12 Opposition

The god of disease, Yurtrus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurtrus), who created the Ghoul Fever and is thus logically worshipped by the ghouls.

What is the environment like?

Action: 100 Change
Subject: 87 Magic

The environment has been altered by the powerful magic of the ghoul priests. Everything is decaying like they are: the trees are dead or rotting, the air smells of rotten flesh, the plains turned into swamps, most animals are zombies or skeletons, and the cities look like giant cemeteries. Nobles live in small mausolea, whilst commoners must sleep in a coffin.

The only thing that is not decaying is the crop, to feed the humans. However, it has a disgusting taste. Consequently, most of the population tends to be skinny, because eating is never pleasurable.

When exposed to the smell of the swamps, characters must make a must make a DC 20 Fortitude save to avoid vomiting, or be nauseated for one round.

From which village do the PCs come from?

Action: 54 Kill
Subject: 27 A project

From Mor'ath'unt, a village that has been choosen for the ritual of "Blessed Fever". Each year, the priests select a village of which the whole "blessed" inhabitants are partially eaten, and thus exposed to the Ghoul Fever and turned into new ghouls. The ghouls need to replace their troops lost in war.

Do people ever leave the village?

Odds: Very unlikely (because of the hostile environment)
Roll: 45

No.

Who is the leader of the village?

Action: 93 Proceedings
Subject: 23 Balance

Judge Lleumler, a ruthless man who works for the ghouls. As a judge, he rules every aspect of the villagers' life... and death. He's a worshipper of Yurtrus and views the ghouls as angels.

Do most people view the ghouls positively?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 32

Yes. Since the ghouls control the humans since their birth, it's easy for them to brainwash them. Especially with the help of their religion (the cult of Yurtrus).

Is there a group of rebels?

Odds: Likely (humans tend to rebel against oppression)
Roll: 20

Yes.

Who is the leader of the rebels?

Action: 82 Activity
Subject: 43 Competition

Morin Mithralaxe, a priest of Sharindlar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharindlar#Dwarven_deities), goddess of healing. He's an outsider, a hill dwarf from another planet who was stranded here, and managed to convert quite a few worshipperss. He's the only person who can read.

Is the cult of Sharindlar allowed in the village?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 85

No. The ghouls have forbidden the humans to worship anyone but Yurtrus. Judge Lleumler routinely makes his guards raid coffins and punishes those who hold outlawed holy symbols. Meetings are done in secret outside of the village.

What is the main characteristic of the village?

Action: 61 Oppress
Subject: 6 Triumph

Anyone who owns a business that is too successful is sent to the ghouls to be eaten. This is to prevent the humans from developing new technologies. Judge Lleumler says that earthly achievements distracts from spirituality. The last person who was taken away was the blacksmith because the quality of his weapons was too good. He was replaced by his apprentice, a dull-witted teenager.

Who else is important?

Action: 51 Overindulge
Subject: 26 The physical

Rilkar Burl, a chubby man who owns the tavern. He is the only person who knows the secret of beer, which somehow doesn't taste too disgusting. His business is successful, and it's likely that he's next in line to disappear. He's a fanatical worshipper of Yurtrus, however his wife is secretly a member of the rebellion.

What dungeon is nearby?

Action: 71 Trick
Subject: 4 Outside

There are rumours of a tower owned by a gnome illusionist, somewhere in the village, from before the ghouls rose in power. Its exact location is unknown, and people say that it's hidden by illusion spells.

Is there a reward for finding the dungeon?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 37

Yes. The ghouls offer a reward of 500 gold to anyone who finds the stronghold. They probably believe that anything from the old times threatens them.

Rules

This world will follow the Mythic Horror theme, starting with a Chaos Factor of 4.

PL 0 gear

Weapons
Stone Battle Axe; Bola; Short Bow; Stone Arrow; Club; Bone Dagger; Stone Dagger; Dart; Hand Axe; Bone Harpoon; Stone Javelin; Bone Knife; Stone Knife; Quarterstaff; Sling; Sling Stone; Spear; Throwing Knife; Greatclub

Armours
Woven Cord; Leather; Studded Leather; Hide; Wood/Bone Shields

Links
Woven Cord Armor: http://therafimrpg.wikidot.com/arms-and-armour
Bone items: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/special-materials#TOC-Bone
Stone items: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/special-materials#TOC-Stone

The cost of stone items will be 100% and not 25% as specified.

Additional, requested information:

Are humans the dominant race?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 3
Answer: exceptional yes

The average village population is:

Humans 95%
Elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, half-orcs 5%


75% of people tending "the crop" or related activities.
20% other misc production. stone/bone tools, blacksmith, brewing, cooking, pottery, leather/tending animals...
5% government officials, aristocrats, and the like.


There are also lizardfolk villages deep in the swamps, but they keep away from the ghouls.

Since ghouls never come outside during the day, are they harmed or otherwise impaired by it?

No, they are not harmed by sunlight. They just don't like it.

If the ghouls like to eat living beings, why did they opt to practically kill the entire world?

They didn't kill the entire world: it's indeed their best interest to keep people alive. They only destroy one village per year to make new ghouls. They altered the environment, but not the crop so that the humans have food.

There are no wizards, but are there sorcerers? Are there "clerics"?

Yes, there are sorcerers and clerics.

Only Yurtrus is worshipped, and the cult of Sharindlar was brought to the planet by Morin Mithralaxe. The cult hasn't spread to other villages. No other god is known on the planet but clerics/healers don't need to worship a god, a personal philosophy is enough.

Since there are no wizards, is the society capable of making magic items?

Yes, other magic users make them, the rules only ask for caster levels. However, magic items will have double cost, considering the harsh and primitive environment.

What is available?

Anything that's not made of metal and nothing too technologically advanced (e.g. goggles). If there's any doubt about a particular item, then ask if you can buy it.

Is it conflicting to live in a society worshipping a god of death?

Yurtrus is indeed the god of death and disease, however his worshippers don't want to die from any random disease: they want to die from the Ghoul Fever. They have been taught that it's the only requirement to go to "heaven". If anything, they are afraid to die before they are taken by the ghouls.

The ghouls control the society, and they don't want people to die. Healers and nurses are thus completely legal. The clergy is controlled by the ghouls, so even the clerics of Yurtrus won't complain about it. And if Yurtrus cared at all (he doesn't), I'm sure he'd approve of this society...

Do people know the ritual of Blessed Fever is coming?

They know it's coming, and most people are glad that their village has been blessed. The truth is that most are also scared, but they don't want to show it.

this world seems pretty crappy. Are people generally even happy about anything anymore?

People are generally not very happy, but it doesn't mean that they are never happy. They are not forbidden to sing, or love...

Do they celebrate anything unexpected?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 42

Yes.

What do they celebrate?

Action: 49 Harm
Subject: 41 Advice

Despite their main deity being a death god, they celebrate birthdays.

Is there anything special about their celebration?

Odds: Likely
Roll: 85

No.

Since Morin Mithralaxe is an outsider, shouldn't he know how to make newer technology?

Morin does come from another planet, however he's just a priest and he can't build anything at all. His spiritual mission is more important!

Wood and leather would have to come from somewhere. But seems all the wood would be rotting.

Not all trees are rotting, I stated that some trees are dead. Thankfully, Google answers that "wood from dead trees is comparable to wood from green trees. As a result, dead trees should be considered as a source of chemicals, fuel and new material for [...]"

With all plant life dead except crop, I just couldn't see how there'd be any wood left...

For now there's plenty, but in the future it will become rarer and rarer until one day, there's no more on the planet. The ghouls don't care, it's not a material that they use.

How will we start fires?

You can use flint & pyrite (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_making#Pre-modern_methods) to start a fire. Same cost as flint & steel (1 gp).

Wikipedia also gives the following primitive methods to start a fire:

Fire plough (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_plough)
Hand drill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand_drill#Hand_drill)
Bow drill (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_drill)
Fire saw (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire-saw)


Those will abstracted as a Survival check (DC 10). It takes one hour (http://askville.amazon.com/long-rub-sticks-start-fire/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=13633132) to assemble a bow. If you already have one, it takes 10 rounds (http://askville.amazon.com/long-rub-sticks-start-fire/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=13633132) to start the fire. It takes one less round for every 2 points by which your check result exceeds 10, for a minimum of 1 round.

But you can use tindertwigs too.

Who is the local pastor?

Action: 25 Dominate
Subject: 22 Energy

The local pastor is Valerian Tanraya, a stern, silver-haired gray elf who speaks monotonously. He's entirely devoted to Yurtrus and spends most of his time praying and meditating. There's no anger, no passion, no humanity in him; all of his decisions are based on cold logic. The ghouls obviously trust him, and even invited him once to visit their underground city, however he's never told anybody what it's like. He seems quite fond of Zandra and obviously favours her over the others, but perhaps is it only because he sees her as an efficient tool to serve their god.

GM Emulator:

Chaos Factor: 5

Note: The Chaos Factor does not decrease in a horror adventure.

{table=head]Characters (Illytrys)
Judge Lleumler
Valerian Tanraya
Morin Mithralaxe
Rilkar Burl
Tanya Burl
The Chandlers
Nash "Stone Hands" Brella
Gared (friend of Morin)
Peryd the beggar[/table]

{table=head]Characters (Lawful plane)
Morin Mithralaxe
Paladins
Judge Elathaeniel
Half-orc priest[/table]

{table=head]Threads (Illytrys)
Find the illusionist's tower
Find out what Rilkar Burl knows
Track down Morin Mithralaxe and Tanya Burl
Bring their heads to Valerian Tanraya
Torture Rilkar to obtain more coherent information[/table]

{table=head]Threads (Lawful plane)
Get back to Illytrys
Avoid being sentenced to death by Judge Elathaeniel[/table]


DM

We are in a large underground crypt, where Yurtrus is worshipped. The room is shaped like an amphitheatre, and two hundred people are seated, watching the holy ceremony. The seats are made of uncomfortable stone, except for the first row, covered with velvet, where the nobles sit.

At the center of the room, a black-haired woman, dressed in a diaphanous silk robe, is twisting her body on the floor. She drank blood from a cup, and is now in trance. Next to her, two hooded silhouettes are half-hidden in the shadows: ghouls. It's not often that they are present at a ceremony, which means that it must be a special day.

You can smell their powerful stench, but it's not quite strong enough to make you sick. Thankfully, it's also partly covered by the more pleasant smell of the burning torches and incense.

Behind them, there's a giant orc-shaped stone statue representing Yurtrus, with his eyes painted in red. He looks like a regular orc, but there's something indescribably ominous about him. Perhaps is it because he's lacking a mouth...

The woman speaks frenetically, like a crazy person, her eyes revulsed:

"Yurtrus! Lord of flies! Lord of maggots!"

And the assembly responds, as one voice:

"Yurtruuuuss!"

Her voice gets louder:

"Yurtrus! Keeper of the souls! Master of knowledge!"

"Yurtruuuuss!"

"Yurtrus! Yurtrus! We are ready for your holy messenger, now!"

"Yurtruuuuss!"

She screams then passes out. Everyone stomps their feet on the floor as fast as the can. The noise they make is impressive: it's as loud as an army of a thousand. Priest Tarnaya enters the scene from under Yurtrus' legs. He makes a hand gesture, and the noise immediately stops.

"Yurtrus heard your devoted call. Today, I shall speak about love..."

His voice is low, and monotonous as ever. But the amphitheatre is built so that everyone can hear him as if was whispering directly in their ear.

"Love is not real... It's only a projection of your desires and your hopes onto someone else... You will never be pleased from earthly love... Only deceived, betrayed, abandoned... Like everything on this earth, your love will decay and rot, as time passes... Do not listen to this malicious tingling in your heart... You shall only love our Lord, Yurtrus... Any other passion is impure, and will leave a taste of dead carcass in your mouth..."

He looks at some couples seated together, as if trying to detect if they love each other or not.

"And now, I will tell you a story from the Book of Worms II. In the times of old, there were three peasant brothers. The first one was afflicted with smallpox. The second one was..."

And his sermon goes on for an hour. It had been long since the world had not seen books. The hundred stories from the sacred books were all memorised, and transmitted from master to disciple.

At the end of the ceremony, Priest Tanraya clasps his hands.

"And now, look upon the sky, where Lord Yurtrus resides... And open your mouth".

He then grabs a handful of worms from a golden cup, and throws them in the crowd. Some fall in people's hair, some fall on the floor... One of them falls in the mouth of a noble. The elven cleric points his long finger toward him:

"Blessed be the one who caught the sacred beast in his mouth... Enjoy the holiness of its rotten taste!"

The noble makes a face, but swallows the worm.

As you stand up, ready to leave, Priest Tanraya grabs your shoulder:

"Hold on! I must speak to you, Chosen One. The angels have spied on everyone that you told me had an unholy aura. We have been following them for a month, and finally found where they were secretly gathering: in a grove, outside of the village. We slaughtered almost all of the heretics, except two of them, who cowardly fled: Morin Mithralaxe, and Tanya Burl."

"The angels want you to speak to Tanya's husband, Rilkar Burl. Find out what he knows. If you think that he's guilty, kill him. Then track down the two heretics, punish them as they deserve, and bring their heads to me. We cannot allow their poisonous and twisted beliefs to corrupt our society in those blessed times!"

He then stares coldly at you, awaiting your answer. Behind him, you can see that the ghouls are still there. You cannot see their eyes, but you feel that they are watching you.

Reminder: Morin Mithralaxe is a dwarf, leader of the heretics, and Rilkar Burl is the owner of the tavern.

[WindStruck]

Zandra stares back at Priest Tanraya with an equally cold and serious gaze. But she does not hesitate in the slightest. "Yes, Father. I shall do as you -- no, the angels ask. When I am through, the heretics shall wish they were never born!" With that, she gives Priest Tanraya a quick, solemn bow and also a slow, deep bow to the angels who appear to be silently watching before departing.

As she steps out of the amphitheater crypt, she breathes in the "fresh" (though most likely stinking-of-rot) air, and gets her bearings. She thinks of her approach to the situation.

Let's see... I never took Rilkar to be a heretic, or even one to give them any aid. But this was his wife. Could he have been swayed from the holy path? I must choose my questions carefully, just in case...

She strides purposefully toward Rilkar's place of business, slowing to a casual saunter as she approaches.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

New scene: Rilkar's tavern

Chaos Factor: nothing unexpected happened, thus it remains at 4

Is the setup modified?

Roll (d10): 1 (lower than the Chaos Factor => yes)

The scene is altered.

Is Rilkar missing?

Odds: Unlikely (he would become a fugitive)
Roll: 37

No.

What then?

Action: 99 Oppress
Subject: 26 The physical

Rilkar is in no physical state to talk. He's too sick.

Does he have a daughter? (to nurse him)

Odds: Likely
Roll: 100
Answer: exceptional no

No, although he tried, he can't have children.


DM

You stride toward the richer neighbourhood, where the tavern is located. The poor neighbourhood is mostly flat, since people live in simple coffins. But the rich quarters have buildings, resembling tombs. Rilkar's tavern is a prominent tomb, protected by a rusty metal grid, and decorated with sculpture of skulls. Metal is extremely rare and doesn't exist anymore, thus it's likely that it was built in the old times.

The grid is open, but Rilkar is not there and there are no patrons. There's only a soldier of the local militia is standing there, holding his quarterstaff (their most common weapon). He seems relieved to see you.

"Yurtrus' Blessing, Officer Chandler. I have been instructed to wait here for you, and make sure that the suspect doesn't leave. Although, if you saw him, you'd understand that he's in no state to escape. The fellow has fever and can't leave his bed. He's been blurting out random words that don't make sense all day."

Rilkar Burl is lying down behind the bar, on a straw bed. This is where he usually sleeps, with his wife.

[WindStruck]

"Random words? Like what? Never mind; you can tell me later." Zandra quietly approaches Rilkar's bed and kneels down near him. Though she doesn't get too close. Heaven forbid she contract whatever he has and not make it to the blessed fever.

"Rilkar?" Not knowing what else to say for the moment, given his condition, she tentatively continues, "...how do you feel? Can I talk to you for a moment?"

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Does Rilkar understand the question?

Odds: Very unlikely (considering what the guard said)
Roll: 13

Yes.


DM

Rilkar opens is eyes and recognises you. It appears that his fever is very high, and that he has difficulties to articulate:

"Zandra... Is that you? What happened? Where is Tanya? Is she dead? They won't tell me anything... I feel horrible! Why am I sick?..."

Tanya is Rilkar's wife.

[WindStruck]

Zandra replies, "Yes, it's me. I don't know what happened. I was hoping you could tell me that..." After considering his words for a few seconds, she continues with a question: "Did you notice anything strange before you got sick?"

After receiving that answer, she stands up and asks the soldier, "Do you know of any other symptoms he has?" Then she kneels down and more thoroughly checks him, albeit carefully trying to avoid as much contact as possible.

Heal check to maybe determine what afflicts Rilkar?
[roll0]

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Did he catch his disease in unusual circumstances?

Odds: Likely (because it seems that he has bad luck)
Roll: 72

No.


DM

Rilkar painfully responds. It's a big effort, and it's obvious that he won't be able to talk for long.

"Nothing strange has happened... Except that my wife hasn't returned... And that guard..."

When you ask your question to the soldier, he raises his shoulders and spits on the floor.

"What do I care, and what do I know?"

When you check Rilkar out, you quickly recognise what is afflicting him. He's extremely weak, and you notice that he has swollen glands. But he doesn't show any signs of actual infection. It's love sickness. He's affected by extreme anxiety because his wife didn't come back home; it means that an extremely strong bond links those two.

This echoes what Priest Tarnaya taught in his sermon: "Any other passion is impure, and will leave a taste of dead carcass in your mouth..."

You even know how to "heal" him: if you reassure him and tell him that his wife is well and safe, he will immediately feel better. But will you?

Nice roll. :smallbiggrin:

[WindStruck]

Zandra emits a sigh of relief, but spits out, "Love sickness."

She thought about the possibilities. Lying, by saying his wife was well, even though she soon planned to have her head on a spit, could hopefully get any information she wanted out of him immediately. But it was apparent Rilkar deeply loved his wife and was literally worried sick about her. He was so worried because he had no clue why she suddenly disappeared or where she ran off to... and therefore, he had no information of value in the first place.

Zandra decided that she should at least attempt an alternate cure of this 'love sickness' and perform one last test. Perhaps, she could help break their bond and confirm his devotion to Yurtrus. "Rilkar... listen carefully to me," she says a bit louder and slower. "Your wife, Tanya... she is a heretic." After a profound pause, she continues, "She was found gathering with them last night."

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Did Rilkar know she was a heretic?

Odds: A sure thing (it sounds difficult to hide such secret from your spouse)
Roll: 86

No.

Does he believe Zandra?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 11

Yes.

A double number has been rolled. The single digit is lower than the Chaos Factor, which means that a random event happens.

Event Focus. Roll (d100): 19
Result: Horror - NPC
Which NPC? Roll (d8): 5 => Tanya Burl
Event action: 41 Expose
Event subject: 86 Passion

She died gruesomely and told everything to Rilkar. Characters and threads tables updated.




DM

Rilkar sighs.

"Tanya... I've always known that she didn't like Yurtrus... And I've never liked her friends... But I never suspected that she was a heretic... I should have known... Now, in retrospect, it all makes sense... I don't know what to think anymore... Have you arrested her? Why are you here?"

He seems to be worried. Or perhaps, even, scared. But suddenly, he remembers everything, and burst into tears.

"I know why you are here. Yes, she was a heretic. She got deadly wounded, yesterday. She came here with that... horrible little dwarf. She knew she was going to die. Her stomach was wounded... She was holding her intestine back inside... It's not how a woman should die... She died in my arms... She was my love..."

He becomes more hysterical. His fever seems to accentuate.

"I had to burry her myself... Outside... Alone... That stinky little dwarf wouldn't help me... He rushed to his home to hide there... With his stupid little magic... My love..."

He's now screaming:

"Yurtrus... I'm ready... YURTRUS, COME TAKE ME... I DON'T SEE YOUR ANGELS... WHERE ARE THEY? YURTRUS!!!"

At this point, it won't be possible to talk to him anymore.

You don't detect the presence of good in the area...

[WindStruck]

Zandra tries to comfort Rilkar as best she can, but his hysteria is overwhelming. After he manages to settle down a bit, she stands back up and addresses the soldier: "He isn't sick so much as he is stricken with grief. But I wouldn't say he is a suspect either. Just make sure he doesn't do anything crazy, alright?"

Zandra leaves the tavern tomb, now thinking of what must be done... it would probably be best to report back to Father Tanraya. She had a noteworthy update, and at the very least, she needed to know where exactly this grove was located anyway. Aside from that, she wanted to speak to him on a more personal matter regarding Rilkar... and possibly borrow a spade to find Tanya's body, if need be.

She briskly walks off to find Father Tanraya.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

New scene: back at the amphitheatre

Chaos Factor: the situation was in total control, thus it remains at 4

Is the setup modified?

Roll: 7 (higher than the Chaos Factor => no)

Is Priest Tanraya annoyed that Zandra is already back?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 25

Yes.


DM

Priest Tanraya is praying with his two acolytes in the amphitheatre, sitting in a circle, under the idol's fearsome eye. One of those two is the woman with the silk robe, who shows him that he has a visitor (the other acolyte is dressed in the same way). When he sees you, he asks:

"Why do you disturb me? I was in deep communion with Yurtrus. It doesn't seem that you brought the heads of the heretics."

You can't tell at his tone that he's annoyed, but he probably is.

[WindStruck]

"My deepest apologies, Father. There has been a development that I thought might be brought to your immediate attention."

In retrospect, it probably wasn't a good idea to disturb Father Tanraya so soon -- if at all -- but what was Zandra to do? Sit on her hands? To avoid wasting more of the priest's time, she continues, "Tanya Burl is already dead. When I went to question Rilkar, he was stricken with weakness, a fever, and ... delirium. I determined this to not be a disease but love sickness. His account that she died in his arms and buried her is almost certainly true, but he broke down and is completely indisposed for the time being. I also doubt he had any other useful information... did the angels say where this grove was? It's the only lead for finding Mithrilaxe at this point."

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Did Morin Mithralaxe have a girlfriend?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 100
Answer: exception no

No, he's too old to date.

Which good person wasn't present at the heretic gathering?

Action: 76 Mistrust
Subject: 3 Environment

Gareg, a paranoid man who rarely leaves his coffin.

Is he a friend of Morin?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 21

Yes.

Who else?

Action: 85 Negligence
Subject: 58 Stalemate

Peryd the beggar.

[NPC and threads list updated]


DM

"Ah, I see. I'm not surprised to hear that that coward dwarf abandoned the woman to save his own skin. It's too bad you couldn't learn anything about him from Rilkar. Perhaps you went too soft on him..."

His stare is so intense that most people would feel very uncomfortable. The cleric has the ability to make even grown-ups feel like they are children scolded by a severe teacher.

"The grove is located one mile to the northeast. You should find the battlefield easily, it's surrounded by giant megaliths. If you can't find anything there, I suggest that you torture Rilkar to learn more, or that you interrogate other people that you have detected with your special powers."

He tells you the name of two persons with a good aura, who might know something but weren't present at the heretic gathering.


Gareg, a paranoid man who rarely leaves his coffin, but is a known friend of Morin.
Peryd the beggar, who is often found begging in Morin's street (in the rich neighbourhood).

I keep a list of threads in the introduct post, in the GM Emulator spoiler. This should help you if you forget some information.

[WindStruck]

Sorta interrupting his conversation midway. We'll assume the other serious business about the grove and other people continues immediately afterward...

"Yes, perhaps I did..." Zandra's gaze shifts uncomfortably. "I used to think his devotion to Yurtrus was so strong... though now it is apparent his vision was clouded by earthly love. Actually, it was yet another reason to come by. You see, you gave such a wonderful sermon on the matter. It must be something special that it happened to be on this day as well. But unfortunately, Rilkar wasn't able to hear it..." she says, leading up to something the priest may be expecting.

"I was hoping, if anything, were he able to hear your words of wisdom on the matter, he might break free from his stupor? Perhaps he could return to the path of the light? Or at the very least, he might be open to more... interrogation." The last bit implies something a bit more than just simple question asking.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Does Tanraya accept Zandra's proposal?

Odds: Unlikely (he could care less for Rilkar)
Roll: 82

No.

Does he send one of his acolytes?

Odds: Very likely (it's their job to do "lowly" tasks for him)
Roll: 46

Yes.

He shakes his head.


DM

"I don't have time for this, this is why I gave you this mission. It's a chance to prove your devotion to your God. I suppose Acolyte Dellora can accompany you. She's well versed in theological matters, and might be able to extract the required knowledge from the subject. She has experienced first hand the suffering of love."

He doesn't seem to understand your hints about Rilkar's redemption – or doesn't care at all.

Dellora gives you a friendly, if sad, nod.

[WindStruck]

In response to the first half:

"Very well. I shall see if Dellora might break him free of his folly. And as for the grove?"

You answered this already. Skipping to the end of that
When Zandra receives this other information, she thanks Father Tanraya. "Thank you for your valuable time, Father. I doubt there is anything else I may need of you... so rest assured, when next I return, I shall have his head. Yurtrus's blessing."

After giving him another quick bow, she scurries back out with acolyte Dellora behind her. When they get outside, they walk along and Zandra asks, "Do you know where Rilkar's tavern is? I don't need you to 'accompany' me so much as just someone to help calm him and remind him of Yutrus's teachings. In particular, what Father Tanraya spoke of earlier today..."

She sighs again thinking why this had to happen today. If only events were postponed a day or two, he would have heard such a stirring sermon. Surely Rilkar wouldn't be in such a crazed state if that was the case. They walk toward the richer neighborhood again, toward the tavern, the shops, and one of the subjects she was planning on questioning. Zandra continues, "Spend about an hour with Rilkar. More or less time depending on if you think you're getting through to him. But if you can't..." She trails off, unable to speak of the consequences. "...well, good luck, Sister."

When they split ways, Zandra first goes to a common store, purchasing an extra sack and a stone spade. Then she alters her course to Morin's street, beginning to concentrate on finding the unholy auras of people... but in particular, looking for a beggar. A beggar named Peryd.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Does Dellora accept Zandra's authority?

Odds: Has to be (she received a direct order)
Roll: 65

Yes.

New scene: Morin's street

Chaos Factor: the situation was under control (managed to gain a favour from Tanraya), thus it remains at 4

Is the setup modified?

Roll: 3 (lower than the Chaos Factor => yes)

The scene is altered.

Is it night time?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 60

No.

Is Peryd missing?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 31

Yes.


DM

Dollera nods.

"Unfortunately, I know where this place of debauchery is located. I will do as you say, Chosen One."

You cannot find a stone spade, only a wooden spade (http://eshop.oldecharmminiatures.com/Wooden-Spade).

Costs:

Empty sack: 1 sp
Wooden shovel: 2 gp


The street is empty, and the beggar is nowhere to be seen. However, after you concentrate your senses on "unholy" powers, you feel a chill down to your spine: "evil" energies! After you concentrate further, you detect the presence of five faint "evil" auras in the street. Three of them seem to come from a mausoleum with no particularly odd features. The other two seem to come from above Morin's house (a rather large round structure made of black stones). This is quite odd, since there doesn't seem to be anything above his house!

[WindStruck]

At first Zandra is frustrated that she can't find her target. In fact, nobody seems to be around at all! But strangely the evil energies manifest themselves anyway.

What the... Morin did have a house here, but surely it would have been searched already? But those auras... of course! Was this the fabled illusion tower?! Had the miscreant been hiding in it the whole time?!

Zandra quickly rushes up to the entrance. Er, if there's not a door, she'll just barge in. If there is a door of some sort, she'll attempt to open it. If unable to, she'll go through any sort of "window" type opening, if any...

And if not even that, she'll break down the door.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Do houses in the village usually have doors?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 75

No, they don't!

Does Morin's house have a door?

Odds: Very unlikely (considering the previous answer)
Roll: 67

No.


DM

Indeed, Morin's street and Morin's house are indeed located in the rich neighbourhood of the village – just like Tarnaya had informed you. Like most buildings, it does not have a door. Thieves are almost unheard of in Mor'ath'unt (probably because they have all been eaten alive by ghouls – Judge Lleumler is not particularly kind to criminals.)

Morin's house is pleasant and well-kept, and smells of fresh herbs. Unexpectedly, it doesn't seem that anyone has searched it, or if they did, they were particularly careful and didn't leave a mess behind.

You see a comfortable straw bed, a wooden chest at the foot of the bed, a beautifully crafted bookshelf covered with strange glass bottles and various parchments (you had never seen one before, but you are able to guess what it is), and a stone hearth with hanging cooking utensils.

But, most abominable, is the large symbol of Sharindlar crudely painted on the wall.

http://images.wikia.com/forgottenrealms/images/b/b5/Sharindlar_symbol.jpg

If the image does not display, the link is http://images.wikia.com/forgottenrealms/images/b/b5/Sharindlar_symbol.jpg

[Mhelisis]

Oops... Forgot to say. Make a Spot check.

[WindStruck]

Zandra enters the house without immediate incident and surveys the interior. The symbol of Sharindlar catches her eye, and she would almost certainly destroy it immediately. But first, a gut feeling (or however you might call it).

Spot check: [roll0]

[Mhelisis]

A distracted person could have missed it, but there's also a ceiling trap door, with a metal handle. No other building in the village has such feature.

[WindStruck]

Zandra scowls up at the trap door. That must be where the heretic is hidden. But first she turns her attention to the symbol of Sharindlar with an even more wicked glare. Let's see if we can fix this, shall we?

Unstrapping the battle axe from her back, she tries to scrape the paint off the walls. If this doesn't work, she'll want to come back to this later... if it does work, she'll gather as many big flakes as reasonable and toss them in the hearth.

Then she places her battle axe back, drops her sack, and sees about reaching the trap door.

Where exactly is it located? Center of the room? Near a wall? And was there any apparent means of accessing it within the room?

[Mhelisis]

The paint is not coming off easily, but you can scrape out most of it. All that is left is a vaguely circular shape.

The trap door is located at the center of the room, and the ceiling is low enough that it is within arm's reach, if you jump a little bit.

(Assuming that you pull on the handle,) wooden pull-down stairs unfold to make climbing easy.

[WindStruck]

After finishing with the symbol, Zandra looks at the trap door and glances about the room... maybe he knows she's coming... maybe not. But trying to get up there without making a ruckus would probably be best.

She drags the chest, which was at the foot of the bed, directly under the trap door, then stands on top of it, easily reaching the handle, and slowly pulls it down. Surprisingly, some great craftsmanship in the form of stairs seem to be able to unfold from the door.

With an easy entry up further into the building, she grabs her bag again, and slowly ascends. She tries to do so as quietly as possible, and is on the lookout for these unholy auras to help pinpoint their whereabouts.

Move silently check: [roll0]

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Is the door trapped?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 55

No.

What does the room look like?

Action: 32 Delay
Subject: 80 Art

The décor takes time to show up because it's invisible at first.


DM

You (kind of) quietly ascend the stairs, and find yourself on the roof of the building. You can't feel the warmth of the sun or the breeze on your skin. You have a good (and depressing) view of the various tombs and mausolea of the neighbourhood. All of a sudden, in the blink of an eye, the roof turns into a purple themed room, even though it doesn't seem that you moved in space because the trap door is still there, with Morin's house below.

The room is strange, with droplets of liquid gold falling from the ceiling and vanishing when they reach the floor. They do not seem to be harmful. There's a fluorescent hexagon on the floor, with a strange sigil drawn at each angle, and each pointing toward a door with the same symbol drawn on it. The only symbol that you recognise is that of a curvy sword and a skull, on the sixth door.

Focusing on unholy auras, you sense that one is above you, and another one is behind the fourth door.

[WindStruck]

After taking in the extremely strange surroundings, Zandra prods at some of the walls and the ceilings with her staff. This can't be real, can it?

Then, not knowing where else to go, she heads for the fourth door, the one with the aura behind it, and opens it, ready to batter anything that moves on the other side.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Is the door trapped?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 35

Yes!

Is Morin there?

Odds: Unlikely (he wouldn't be very well hidden)
Roll: 67

No.


DM

If you make a successful Will saving throw (DC 16):
As you prod the ceilings, you notice that the droplets are just illusions, however the structure of the building seems to be completely real.

As you touch the door, you hear a mechanical sound, and a stingy needle is thrown at your neck from a small hole in the opposing wall.

Attack: [roll0]
You are flat-footed, so your AC is 13.

If the attack is successful, you take 1 point of damage, and you must succeed a Will Save DC 13. If you fail, you are poisoned and take 1 point of Con damage (which makes you lose another HP.)

Behind the door, there's a small room, empty except for a glowing magical portal of swirling white energy, which seems to open to a field of green grass that you can only vaguely see. You instinctively know that the white energy is "unholy": perhaps the gate leads to an evil location? Or perhaps it is just a mere illusion.

[WindStruck]

Well, you have my sheet, and you should know what my saves are...
Will save: [roll0] for illusions?

Fort Save: [roll1]
The dart whistles through the air and jabs Zandra in the neck. "Gah!" she gasps as her body jolts reflexively, although it is far too late by that point. She grabs the dart from her neck, flings it on the ground, and continues to throw open the door.

Alright, if this is how that coward wants to play... But then Zandra notices the "portal". She takes a moment simply gazing at it.

What... what is this??

The view, it looks so beautiful. But the energy from the portal, it seems so overwhelmingly evil. Then the sting in her neck reminds her of the whole nature of this place. It must be another trick.

She takes her staff and swings down hard on it with both hands, attempting to destroy it.

Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Since I'm using it as a two-handed weapon, I suppose I get 50% strength bonus to damage (+3 instead of +2), plus there is no two-weapon penalty.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Is it a one-way portal?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 29

Yes.


GM

Yes, I know your saves, but I didn't know if you'd get angry if I roll for you. Next time, I will. The Will save was for the droplets – rather inconsequential information.

You do swing down hard on the portal, but it doesn't oppose resistance. It doesn't seem to be made of solid matter. Worse yet, you can't finish your move, because your weapon seems to be stuck inside.

[WindStruck]

Bewildered, Zandra struggles with her staff, unable to finish her swing. She pulls on it, twisting it every which way, trying to get it back into her possession.

Is it possible for an object (at least a non-living, inanimate object) that hasn't fully passed through a one-way portal to partially go in, but come back out?

[Mhelisis]

DM Emulator:
There's no rule for it, so the DM Emulator is going to answer. I'm going to use the forum roller.

Can Zandra pull back her possession?

Odds: 50/50 [answer is "Yes" if I roll 35 or lower on a d100 with the current Chaos Factor]
Roll: [roll0]

[WindStruck]

She scowls at this "portal", illusion, or whatever it is, but otherwise has no idea what to do with it. Backing up, she decides to try another door in search of Morin Mithrilaxe.

She just goes counter-clockwise from the current door she's at. But this time, from the side, she pokes at the door with her staff in various places (especially around the handle), trying to see if another trap will spring. If it still doesn't she'll crouch down from the side and try grabbing the handle before opening it. She does so, so that even when the door opens, she isn't directly in front of the opening.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Is the door trapped?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 84

No.

Is there a staircase?

Odds: Unlikely (1 out 5 chance, probably)
Roll: 66

No.

Is there a creature?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 47

No.

What is in that room?

Action: 66 Carry
Subject: 97 Leadership

Place of worship dedicated to the god of illusions.


DM

There's no trap, nothing is coming out of the room, and you don't hear any noise. It seems that the room is a small shrine dedicated to a gnomish god of illusion (there's a gnome using magical power drawn on the wall.) From where you stand, you can also see a dark cloak hanging from the wall with a metal dagger going through its hood, the same dagger that the gnome in the drawing is holding.

http://www.nj-pbem.com/data/Gods/gnomegods/Baravar_symbol.jpg

[WindStruck]

Zandra peers inside the room, intrigued by the new sight... another so-called god? This would also probably be deemed to be illegal, but perhaps the angels would want to see it...

Then focusing on the cloak and dagger... maybe it was an artifact of sorts. Who knows what would happen if she even set foot in that room. As much as it may have piqued her curiosity, the mission was more important, so she then proceeds to open the next door using the same precautions.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Is there a skeleton?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 2

Exceptional yes.


DM

The next door is the one with the curvy sword and a skull. Poking at the door with your staff does nothing, however grabbing the handle does spring a trap. A needle flies at high speed from the opposing side, hits the door at neck height, and falls on the floor in front of you. Even though you (to be clear: Zandra) aren't too bright, it seems that you managed to outsmart the person who designed the traps with your crouching technique.

The new room is dark and isn't painted in purple like the other ones. You can't see very well inside, but the air smells of dust and there are piles of bones lying on the floor. Perhaps the illusionist was dabbling into darker magic as well? In fact, as your eyes adapt to the semi-darkness, you see the edge of a small-size skeleton, standing, and holding a shield (you can't see its other hand). A child of Yurtrus...

Yurtrus' teachings about animated skeletons are ambiguous: sometimes they are called his children, but sometimes it's said that they have been cursed for being infidel.

Although, you are not even sure that this one is animated, because it hasn't moved.

[WindStruck]

Zandra stands there at the door, still trying to get her eyes to adjust. The skeleton, as it appears to be, stands there motionless. She edges up to the entrance of the room, barely setting a foot inside, in a stance with her staff ready to attack and defend herself.

If nothing immediately happens, she says, "Yurtrus's Blessing." She does nothing else, as if they were two predators waiting for the other to make the first move, and waits a bit longer.

[Mhelisis]

The skeleton seems to gain some sort of life when you enter the room. You see that its other hand is holding a curved sword like on the drawing. You have never seen such weapon and its made of metal. It's likely that you have seen more metal today than in your whole life...

The creature doesn't respond to your blessing. In fact, it walks toward you, holding its sword as if they wanted to fight...

Initiative: [roll0]
Attack: [roll1]
Damage (if any): [roll2]

[WindStruck]

As the skeleton lurches towards her, Zandra steels herself for a confrontation. Just as it gets within reach of her, she lashes out at it with the two ends of her staff, just as she had practiced (and other times, not done so for mere practice) many a time before.

Initiative: [roll0]
Main hand:
Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]
"off hand": (it's a double weapon)
Attack: [roll3]
Damage: [roll4]

[Mhelisis]

I think that you only get a +1 bonus on your attack rolls. -2 (when using as double weapon) +1 (Weapon Focus) +2 (Str mod). Regardless:

It seems that the bones of the mini skeleton are easily crushed under your blows. Its body falls on the floor, impossible to tell apart from the rest of the bones.

[WindStruck]

Zandra inspects the remains of the skeleton, in particular, examining its shield and the shiny weapon it appears to carry. If it seems like anything worth taking with her, she'll place it next to the sack in the middle of the hexagon room...

Also, while we're on it, taking the dart that fired into the door (if it seems usable again) might also be a good idea for her to do, assuming there are blow guns around here. Then she enters the room a bit more to see if there is anything else of interest in there.

In regards to the attack roll, don't forget that both the paladin or fighter class have a Base Attack Bonus of +1 for each level.

Also, I would be curious to know exactly what type of "sword" that is, even if Zandra wouldn't be familiar with it or know the terminology. :smalltongue:

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Is there anything of interest in this room?

Odds: Unlikely
Roll: 98

Exceptional no.

There doesn't seem to be anything of interest in the room, unless you have some odd interest in ancient bones...

The items that you collect are:

Tiny needle (not a dart) covered with greenblood oil
Small scimitar (light weapon, 1d4 dmg, crit 18-20/×2)
Heavy wooden shield (2 AC, -2 check penalty)

[WindStruck]

Three rooms have been investigated. Three to go. After placing the items near her bag, she goes to open the next door. This time, she doesn't bother poking it with the staff, but just uses the same method before: crouching down and a bit to the side before touching the handle. And again, she carefully opens the door so as not to be directly in front of it, in case something else want so pop out at her. What lies behind this next door?

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Is there a staircase?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 68

No.

What is in that room?

Action: 68 Carelessness
Subject: 9 Evil

Translating evil as "evil", it's the illusionist's messy living room.


GM

The next room seems to be a living room. You see a Rennaissance-style sofa with two red cushions and female underwear on the back, two hovering balls of light floating on each side of the sofa, a round glass table covered with breadcrumbs, small leather boots under the table, chairs, a woven rug on the floor, and a crystal chandelier mounted on the ceiling (which is painted with sober geometric shapes). The room is fresh and not dusty like you'd expect of a tower from another age. In fact, it looks like someone is living here.

[WindStruck]

The view of the room was something quite remarkable to Zandra. The furniture, the decor, it all seemed like something that was out of reach of even the richest, most influential people she knew. But it seemed someone was here at the moment. Or at least, very recently...

She begins concentrating to see if she can pick up any other "evil" auras within the room, and she also listens intently for signs of anyone being in there. Unless something completely out of the expected happens, she creeps slowly into the room, in case someone was in there.

Sorry, seems to me there may or may not be more unseen in the room, depending on the size, walls, angels, etc. Heck, maybe even another room beyond... kinda why I am doing what I am doing. Otherwise, there wouldn't seem to be much point of going in.

listen check: [roll0]
spot check: [roll1] just for the heck of it in case there's anything
move silently: [roll2]

[Mhelisis]

Every room has a purpose or challenge. Not necessarily easy to figure out. :smallcool: As for the size, sorry for not giving it. All the rooms so far have the same shape, about 5 x 5 ft with a circular wall in front of you.

GM Emulator:

Is it possible to spot {censored} whilst she is {censored}?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 84

No.

You are very careful, but you don't hear or spot anything at all, despite a strong gut feeling telling you that it's strange that this room is empty.

[WindStruck]

Well, as much as I have a sneaky suspicion of what is really in here and a method of testing so, the meta-gaming must be pushed to the side. :smallsmile:

Yes, this was very strange indeed, Zandra thought. She had her gut feeling, but absolutely nothing to go on. Perhaps whoever was living here is higher up in the tower as well?

Zandra leaves the room and goes to open the 5th door, carefully trying to avoid the traps as she has done previously.

[Mhelisis]

Nice, it's difficult to resist the temptation of metagaming.

GM Emulator:
Is there a staircase?

Odds: Very likely
Roll: 43

Yes.

You activate another trap, but it's now routine for you to avoid getting hit by the needles. Behind the door, there's a spiral staircase leading to a strong oaken door on the next floor.

[WindStruck]

Zandra takes her sack again, but leaves the shield and small scimitar, (let's just say er... a 'kukri'?) and begins to carefully ascend the staircase. Yes, she's not trying to make too much noise again, and she is also trying to detect the evil auras to determine how close this upcoming one is. Once she reaches the door, she'll once again crouch down before touching the handle.

She will open the door but not quite yet. I'd like to know how close this aura seems now. Hopefully there isn't yet another floor to go. :smalltongue:
move silently: [roll0]

[Mhelisis]

Listen check 1: [roll0]
Listen check 2: [roll1]

Taking a -5 penalty for listening because of the door.

Edit: you are not heard until you open the door.

Edit: I overlooked your question about the auras. It's just behind the door, here.

[WindStruck]

Alright, so Zandra sets her bag down near the door...

Hmm maybe I'm micromanaging this thing too much. I think I'd rather not have to keep mentioning it. Shall we just assume that I'll have it on me when moving around, but otherwise, I'll leave it somewhere convenient so I'm not encumbered? At the moment, it doesn't seem to make much difference. The armor penalty I have is -2, but a medium load is -3. Anyway, even when caught off guard, dropping an item is a free action...

Then after sensing the aura just behind the door, she readies herself. With a very slow, quiet touch, she tests which way the door opens... then throws it open and charges whoever may be in there.

Going to wait to see what you say who/what is behind this door. In the mean time, whether or not I get a surprise round...
Initiative: [roll0]

Also, you didn't mention anything about traps at all, so I do want to remind you she already tried touching the handle safely.

[Mhelisis]

You can't charge if there's an obstacle i.e. the door. As for micromanaging... I thought you were having fun doing that, haha. Anything that fits in your backpack is weightless for me.

When you touch the handle, you hear a mechanism getting activated, however nothing happens. It has already been activated by the person who is sitting on the floor, in front of you, and talking to their pet dog. The animal, sensing your evilness, immediately barks at you.

No surprise round.

The room seems to be an alchemy lab, with vials and glass pipes filled with all kinds of colourful liquid. There's also another staircase leading to yet another floor...

The person is an older dwarf with a white beard and a rather strong build, dressed in a green tunic (and whom, incidentally, you might find kind of attractive). He has a look of defeat when he sees you.

"I dinnae suppose it was possible fer me ta hide forever in here... Ye c'n take me life, creature o' evil, but ye cannot destroy all hope and love from tha world... One day, tha good people o' this world will rebel against tha ghouls who eat them and destroyed tha world. And one day, maybe, tha trees and tha grass will be green again..."

Morin's initiative: [roll0]
Dog's initiative: [roll1]

[WindStruck]

Zandra was hoping to get the drop on the dwarf and end this quickly, but apparently, he had some company (the dog) and knew she was coming. Though he just sat there, apparently not resisting or even running away, and began blabbering on, his dog snarling the whole time at her. His words began to infuriate her. :smallfurious:

"Creature of evil?! It is you who spreads these lies and turn us against one another!"

The dwarf still just sat there, apparently not willing to fight back. Yes, this will be perfect. She'll not just kill him; she will punish him exactly as Father Tanraya said. But first, the dog, that was probably the bigger threat.

main hand
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit confirm: [roll2]
+crit damage: [roll3]
off hand
Attack: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]
Crit confirm: [roll6]
+crit damage: [roll7]

[Mhelisis]

Taking a -2 penalty to AC for sitting.

Your first blow hits the dog in the ribs and obviously hurts him really bad (probably breaking them), but he dodges the second one.

The dwarf stands up, and heals his dog with his unholy magic.

"I ne'er lie. If ye weren't evil, ye would speak instead o' killin' me."

Healed for [roll1]

Meanwhile, his dog throws its two little feet on your torso and tries to bite your hand. A part of your subconscious notices that the dog's fur is particularly soft.

Attack: [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
Will edit if it's a critical it.

Edit: I deleted the post because I did wrong actions AND rolled a d8 for attack. Didn't mean to fudge my rolls.
Edit2: Thought you were attacking the dwarf.... Geez!!!!
Edit3: You get an attack of opportunity from him standing up.

[Mhelisis]

Rerolling the dog's attack:

[roll0]

[WindStruck]

As Zandra assaults the dog, she allows Morin to get up, fully expecting him to interfere with his unholy magics, only to foolishly spoil his own spell. His statement vexes her, and she responds, "If I were a weak-willed fool like the others, I would sit idly and let you brainwash me!"

She continues her barrage on the dog, hoping to get it out of the picture with a quick death, so she may focus on its master.

main hand
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
crit confirm: [roll2]
+crit dmg: [roll3]
off hand
Attack: [roll4]
Damage: [roll5]
crit confirm: [roll6]
+crit dmg: [roll7]

Then two hand mode engage. :smallcool:

[Mhelisis]

"If ye were strong-will'd, ye wouldn't be afraid ta listen ta other's opinion..."

The dog is no match for the frantic blows of your staff. He falls on the floor, yapping, and tries to reach his master with his little paw, to touch him one last time before he dies... Just one last time, to have a beautiful death... But, sadly, he doesn't make it. :(

"Poppo! NOOO!!! Me little friend! Ye evil bastard!"

Morin is confused when he sees you hold your quarterstaff with two hands. He draws a curved sword, similar to the skeleton's you previously encountered, and attacks you.

Move action: draw weapon
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[WindStruck]

"Perhaps if you cared so much for your mongrel, you would've restrained it. But fear not. He's been spared a far worse fate than you, heretic scum!"

Zandra comes down on him viciously with a single, double-handed blow, channeling her divine righteousness into the swing.

Smite Evil! (sorta)
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
crit conf: [roll2]
+crit dmg: [roll3]

[WindStruck]

woopsies, let me reroll the damage. Won't bother with the crit, one since there was no threat.
[roll0]

[WindStruck]

Sorry one more thing: when she said that, it was also made in a very threatening way. I think this should probably count as intimidate, kinda done simultaneously with the attack... the effects might not affect the outcome of her attack, but hopefully any action Morin takes.

Intimidate check: [roll0]

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Considering the special circumstances of the dog's death and Zandra's speech, can Zandra take that extra action?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: (the answer is Yes if rolling 30 or lower)

Roll check opposing Intimidate, if successful: [roll1]

Morin easily blocks your righteous attack with his shield. He does not respond anymore: he just hates you too much and only wants to revenge his puppy friend.

Attack: [roll]1d20-1
Damage: 1d6-1

[Mhelisis]

Roll failed because it was an edit.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

[WindStruck]

Morin lashes out at Zandra with his blade. She barely can't dodge it but thankfully it slides harmlessly off one of the thick hides she wears.

Oh good, the dwarf finally stopped blathering on with his treacherous platitudes? Lovely. Zandra swiftly attacks with both ends of her staff before adopting the stance to strike with both arms, once again.

Well, that probably sounds too "smart" for her, but you get the idea.

Edit: suppose I should also add some fluff about him missing, if you didn't

main hand
attack: [roll0]
damage: [roll1]
crit conf: [roll2]
+crit dmg: [roll3]
off hand
attack: [roll4]
damage: [roll5]
crit conf: [roll6]
+crit dmg: [roll7]

[Mhelisis]

Well, some less smart people can be very eloquent, so it's fine.

You hurt the dwarf in the ribs, exactly like you did to his little dog, but he seems more resistant and less wounded. Noticing that you are a better fighter than him, he gives up and says, shorth of breath:

"Time fo' Plan B. If ye even know what B means..."

That said, he rushes for the door, and withdraws (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/actionsInCombat.htm#withdraw) from battle!

He gets to move 40 ft (double speed). Considering that each room downstairs was about 5 ft square, that makes going from a room on one side of the hexagon to the opposite side 15 ft. The lab floor has the same size since it's a tower. He's about in the middle of the room, so he gets to move ~7.5 ft to reach the staircase,~7.5 ft of steep stairs (doubled (http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/SRD:Dungeons#Stairs) to ~15 ft), 5 ft for the floor below, reaching the hexagon.

This is surely a small tower, but I guess it has mini gnomish dimensions. In truth, I had converted units wrongly (I use metres normally) but I will stick to it.

Since you are between him and the door, you get an attack of opportunity.

[Mhelisis]

http://i44.tinypic.com/35miqfm.png
Illustration

[WindStruck]

Realizing the cowardly dwarf is trying to escape again, Zandra tries to stop him from running.

Trip Attack!!
Attack roll: [/roll]1d20+3[/roll]
Strength check: [/roll]1d20+2[/roll]
Messed that up. Anyway, unfortunately defying all logic, seems you can't use a quarterstaff to trip people (doesn't qualify as a 'trip weapon') so this is an "unarmed attack". I think the dwarf can get an AoO on me if he wants.

[WindStruck]

Whoops. Let me try that again. Ahem. I said... Trip Attack!!
Attack roll: [roll0]
Strength check: [roll1]

[Mhelisis]

Stability: A dwarf gains a +4 bonus on ability checks made to resist being bull rushed or tripped when standing on the ground (but not when climbing, flying, riding, or otherwise not standing firmly on the ground).

The touch attack succeeds. I roll my Dex check: [roll0]

And here's my free attack:

Attack: [roll1]
Damage: [roll2]

[Mhelisis]

Erm, I rolled a d20 for my damage. Here is the real dmg:

[roll0]

Zandra's attempt not only fails, but it's so clumsy that she cuts herself on the dwarf's scimitar.

[Mhelisis]

Critical check: [roll0]


She cut herself really bad, and she's losing blood...

[Mhelisis]

Rolling critical damage
[roll0]

Morin continues running toward the hexagon.

[WindStruck]

Zandra grimaces as the damned dwarf manages to not only counter-attack her to quite some effect, but doesn't even have the courtesy to fall on his face, and the fact that he still chooses to flee despite the odds being more in his favor further aggravates her.

Cowardly dwarf! Where is he even going now? He can't keep running forever! ...the portal?!

She pursues him down the stairs trying to think what to do. She doesn't think she can outright stop him like with a tackle or something. And that probably wouldn't be wise...

...Right! Only have one shot.

Suddenly she remembers her sling, which thankfully normally has a bullet ready in its pouch. About halfway down the stairs, she carelessly drops her staff and begins trying to retrieve the sling which was loosely wrapped around her belt (just enough times to keep it from falling).

Then she reaches the bottom of the stairs, noting that her quarry has already put some distance between him and her.

Yurtrus, help me strike down this vile bastard!

She twirls the sling around but twice and looses the bullet at the dwarf.

Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Crit Conf: [roll2]
+crit dmg: [roll3]

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Is Morin knocked down by the bullet?

Odds: Unlikely
Roll: [roll0] (answer is Yes if rolling 20 or lower)

"Ouch!"

Your bullet hits Morin just in the back of the neck, however you didn't have enough momentum to throw a very powerful attack. You can tell that he's very badly hurt, though, and he almost fell. If he wasn't so small and stable, you know he'd have fallen...

The dwarf does run toward the portal, and you can see his body disappear into the swirls of white energy.

[WindStruck]

No!! I can't let him escape!!

She charges (or perhaps more technically, moves as fast as possible with the "run" action) after Morin, but he does, indeed, seem to disappear into it. Without much of a chance to think, she leaps in right after him.

Well, I don't think she knows it's a one-way portal. And again, there's no time to think, but seeing how Morin has a "cowardly" record, one could probably reason that if he went into it, it wasn't harmful...

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
New scene: after the portal
Chaos Factor: things are getting out of hand, thus raised to 5

Is the setup modified?

Roll: 6

No.

Is it a neutral good plane?

Odds: 50/50 (simple gut feeling)
Roll: 25

Yes.

Is it strongly aligned?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 9

Exceptional yes.

You get a tingling sensation as you run through the portal. The structure of your body is changing, getting more subtle... The grass on the other side is clearer and clearer...

...And you find yourself in a completely new world. There's no way that you are on your home planet anymore. First and foremost, without even concentrating, you perceive that everything around you has an extremely strong aura of evil. It's as unpleasant as being blinded by sunlight, and you feel that it dulls your senses and intellect. What did you get yourself into?

Yet, in contradiction with this perception, the scenery is indeed beautiful: green hills covered by grass, trees full of life, birds singing the most beautiful melodies you have ever heard... Even the sky itself seems almost too blue to be real. There's not one cloud to be seen in the horizon. And the air... it has a pleasant fragrance of rose.

On planes that are strongly aligned, a -2 circumstance penalty applies on all Charisma-based checks made by all creatures not of the plane’s alignment. In addition, the -2 penalty affects all Intelligence-based and Wisdom-based checks, too.

When the dwarf sees that you followed him, he lets himself fall in the grass.

"I give up, lass. Ye can murder me like ye murder'd me dog, but without me, ye can't get back home... Because I know where we be and ye don't. Look behind ye."

If you do look behind you:

You can't see the other side of the portal. There's nothing anymore, except a few bubbles of white energy, disappearing one by one. The only thing that you can see is a city with golden spires, afar.

[WindStruck]

Zandra is completely and utterly overwhelmed by this new world. No other way to say it, really.

With what little portion of her mind that isn't simply distracted by the "evilness" pouring in from everywhere and everything, the entire environment is just dazzling to her in its own right. Practically a million new things hit her simultaneously, and she doesn't know if it's real or if she stepped into some other trap or if the events of this day were just a dream the whole time.

She can barely even register the dwarf's presence, despite the firm one-track-mind to kill him that she once had, and his words and actions seem to go completely unnoticed. She ends up turning around a bit anyway, on her own, despite not even comprehending the dwarf in the slightest. All that seems to accomplish is her seeing even more new things she never even dreamed of.

And then finally, all she can utter is... "Wha- what is this? I don't even..." Though not even that was directed at Morin, or... probably not even herself at this point.

Sorry, I just HAD to say it. By the way, I guess I will be deleting the items she left behind from her "inventory"?

[Mhelisis]

Seeing your confusion and disbelief, the dwarf responds:

"What is this? This is where tha gnomes escaped when tha ghouls invaded ye planet... 'Tis a new world... Very far from Yurtrus. Took them years ta create tha portal and hide tha tower. Only good people be livin' here. 'Twas described in tha illusionist's lab notes..."

[WindStruck]

Still otherwise hypnotized by the entire plane, Zandra slowly finishes turning about, coming back to face the dwarf, and only then with that familiar, awful Dwarven accent and looking directly at him does she manage to focus on Morin, with a concerted effort, though at this point is still having a severe inability to comprehend what he's saying.

"...the... 'ghouls' ...invaded what?" she asks, with an extremely agitated squint. She is familiar with the term used to describe the angels, though it was a very offensive slang in her opinion. In truth she probably only used it herself because she was so disoriented and didn't really understand much of what else he was saying.

"What are you... What did you trick me into?! This -- everything's wrong! It can't be real!" she frantically exclaims, backing away from the dwarf, but then she even notices the ground beneath her feat and it feels subtly different as well. She bends over a bit tugging at the blades of grass, and a few snap off, remaining in her fingers.

[Mhelisis]

(Sparing you the awful accent :smallyuk:), Morin explains briefly the history of your planet, from what he has read.

Illytrys was a peaceful world where men, dwarves and gnomes lived in harmony. But one day, the ghouls arrived from outer space, in a Spelljammer ship, and conquered every country one by one. The ghouls had been forced to leave their own world, a dead moon, after technology-advanced giffs, a race of humanoid hippopotami, had invaded it with their army of giant space hamsters (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/intheworks_20090302.jpg), because it was rich in rare ore.

The gnomes first researched spells on raised skeletons to fight the undead, but eventually they gave up and opened a gate to heaven, where they would be safe. The tower was hidden to not be destroyed by the ghouls, and the gate was left behind for future generations to have a chance to escape as they did. Illytrys used to be a beautiful forested world, but the ghouls perverted it with their magic and now use the humans as food.

He then emphasises that he was trying to flee from your murdering madness and didn't want or expect you to follow him.

[WindStruck]

Oooookaaaay....

Morin loses Zandra at the mention of "outer space" and "spelljammer ships", and she outright balks when he gets to the part about humanoid hippopotami and giant space hamsters. Not like she even really knows what those animals are...

Her eyes narrow and she growls, "Do you take me for a fool?! I know exactly what you are doing! This is how you perverted everyone's minds and tricked them into joining your cult! But a mere illusion isn't going to turn me from Yurtrus so easily!"

She takes the shield secured from her back and begins strapping it to her arm. Uh oh. Morin better say something that actually makes sense if he wants to keep his head attached to his body.

[Mhelisis]

"Please, spare me life!" he begs, "I'm not lyin'. Look at tha damn city. How 'bout we travel there and talk ta some folks? Nobody can make an illusion that elaborate."

Seeing you unstrap your shield, he holds his weapons tighter and sighs.

[WindStruck]

Zandra now unfastens her axe and grasps it firmly in her right hand with her knuckles whitening as she stares at the dwarf (The sling mysteriously went back between her belt without mention). She really just wanted to strike him down then and there, but she needed answers. How could the world reek of evil so much but look like this? And maybe, just maybe he was right. She didn't know how illusions worked, but everything did seem far beyond their scope...

I wish I still had my rope.

She didn't realize but as she was thinking all this, her attention began wandering to all the beautiful things again. She regains her focus back on the dwarf and finally says, "...then let's get going. But I warn you: one false move and you're dead."

Heh, and whenever I get a convenient moment off screen, would like to "pre-load" the sling again. :smallbiggrin:

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
New setup: city with the golden spires
Chaos Factor: remains at 5

Is the setup modified?

Roll: 6

No.

Is the city protected by paladins?

Odds: Likely
Roll: 50

Yes.

Edit: Added new thread (get back to Illytrys)

You travel to the city and meanwhile reload your sling. Since you have never left the village of Mor'ath'unt, the city seems gigantic; you didn't know so many people could live in one place. The walls are made of stone, and all you can see behind is the golden spires proudly standing.

The entrance is protected by two elven paladins wearing golden armours and halberds. You can't quite tell what their gender is, however their traits are extremely beautiful, and their eyes have the colour of the sky – an eye colour that you have never seen in an elf.

As they see you approaching, they concentrate on your auras.

"Halt! Who are you? Dwarf, why are you travelling with a creature of evil?"

XP:
Threads:
Finding the illusionist's tower: 250 XP
Healing Rilkar and getting answers from him: 125 XP
Tracking down Morin Mithralaxe: 500 XP

Encounters:
Gnome skeleton: 100 XP
Beating 3 CR 1 traps: 300 x 3 XP
Beating Morin: 150 XP
No XP for the dog (class feature of Morin)

RP:
Obtaining help from Tanraya: 50 XP
Tracking Morin to a different plane of existence: 100 XP

Total: 2175 XP – you can level up

[WindStruck]

As they travel to the city, Zandra takes in the scenery, pausing to even watch a butterfly flutter by. Though the "evilness" pervading the area is a constant, annoying reminder to her, and she tries to keep a close eye on the dwarf, who simply seemed to be perfectly behaving himself, even stopping when she stopped unnecessarily.

The very walls of the city are pristine, and if she thought about it, they were by themselves more beautiful than most things on Illytrys (the actual name of the planet she is still clueless about). As the golden spires also drew nearer and grew in size, so did her curiosity about the city. Could you imagine what the inhabitants would be like? Finally, they approached the two elves, and everything about them -- even their weapons and armor were also beautiful. In fact she'd never seen anything like it before. Surely they must be very powerful indeed.

Though her entire train of thought was abruptly, appallingly interrupted like that of a record scratching as they began speaking -- rather harshly, and referred to her as "creature of evil" again. She was almost about to turn around and look to see if something had just begun closely following them, but she instinctively knew they were referring to her...

Damn it! I knew this was a set up! The damned dwarf tricked me!

She really wanted to execute him now, if not for those two guards. Surely they were by far her biggest problem, and they'd never let her get away with it... might even easily stop her too. This whole world was a threat. She had to get back, somehow, and warn the others of this place, but how would she??

Zandra adopts a defensive posture with her shield (let's just say it's total defense for this round anyway) and slowly backs away, simultaneously looking bewildered, frightened, and angry. She can't even manage a response. Not sure that would even help, though they seemed to be addressing Morin, at the moment...

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Does Morin betray her?

Odds: 50/50 (she's a murderer, but he kind of promised to help)

Roll: 76
No.

What do the paladins think about Morin's answer?

Action: 21 Release
Subject: 7 Allies

They ask him to surrender Zandra.

Does Morin surrender Zandra?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 80

No.

Do the paladins know about Illytrys?

Odds: Unlikely (but possible, since there's a gate)
Roll: 39

No.

Morin looks anxiously at your defensive posture, then at the elves. Elven paladins are universally known to be more lawful than good, and tend to smite before talking (ironically behaving like Zandra.) Despite your evil actions and the cold murder of his best friend, Morin does not betray you:

"Guid mornin', lads. We are trav'llers from Illytrys. We went thro' tha portal and mean no harm ta ye. We are here ta seek help ta go back home."

The paladin answers, without even blinking an eye:

"The creature is evil: its presence is illegal. Surrender it to be judged, lest you want to be guilty by association."

Morin pleads:

"Please. She dinnae seem ta know that she's evil. Her people have bin conquer'd and brainwash'd by ghouls and she's never had a chance ta redeem herself."

The paladin turns to you, and you can feel that his eyes are digging deep into your soul to detect your intentions:

"What do you have to say about it?"

[WindStruck]

Managing to at least pull some wit together Zandra responds, "W-what do you mean I'm illegal?? Or evil! I - I mean we, we just got here! What could I have possibly done to you or your city?! If... if you don't want me in your city, then fine, I'll just go somewhere else!" all while still maintaining her defense and still backing up, evidently making good on her claim that she would leave.

But the dwarf, why was he sticking up for her? Even making things up for her?

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Do the paladins have a horn?

Odds: Very likely (they'd suck if they don't)
Roll: 18

Yes.

The paladins are frustrated that you keep backing away. They point their halberds toward you and follow you.

"Stop moving!"

One of them pulls a horn from his shoulder bag, ready to sound the alarm.

"We can't let you leave if you are a threat to this plane. You shall answer our questions. Are you really not aware that you are evil? Have you harmed innocents? Have you been raised by ghouls?"

The other paladin echoes:

"Freeze! And answer!"

The dwarf remains where he is, mere witness of the events.

[WindStruck]

Zandra tries to focus on what the paladin asks, but that one damn question just keeps sticking in her mind, and it's the only thing she proccesses, as she responds, "I'm not evil! Y-you're evil! This whole world reeks of evil! Just -- just leave me be, please!" growing more panicky.

And she continues backing away too, either too distracted to realize they told her to stay still, or too intimidated by them to even listen.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

Do the paladins attack?

Odds: Very likely (they gave an order to freeze)
Roll: 49

Yes.

The paladins are freaking out. You are not listening to their orders, which means (to them) that you are potentially dangerous. One screams at you:

"We told you to freeze! If you want to live, put your hands on the floor!"

The other one charges you with his halberd, perhaps to help you to drop on the floor...

[WindStruck]

initiative: [roll0]

She finally gives in to the demands of the overbearing, evil guards and falls to her knees, also dropping her axe and leaning her hand against the ground, though as for her other arm, the shield is still kinda strapped to it and she can't quite do as they order with that hand...

Nerve-wracked, she plaintively looks up at the paladin and then at the dwarf, who still hasn't really been much help, considering he got her into this mess.

Also, here are some insights into what she is thinking:This is all just a bad dream. This is all just a bad dream. This is all just a bad dream. This is all just a bad dream. This is all just a bad dream. This is all just a bad dream. This is all just a bad dream. Thisisalljustabaddreamthisisalljustabaddreamthisis alljustabaddream

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Does the paladin stop charging?

Odds: Very likely
Roll: 68

Yes.

The paladin is charging toward you. The tip of the halberd is getting closer and closer to you... That huge thing is going to impale you... But you drop on the floor. This is what the paladin wanted; he deviates from his trajectory and he ends up behind you, without doing any harm to you. They are lawful, and they don't harm criminals who surrender.

He picks up your weapon and examines it whilst the other paladin comes closer, followed by Morin. The other paladin still holds his horn, just in case.

"Look at this! Its weapon is made of stone."

"I've never seen one. It's a beautiful piece of craftsmanship."

He then adresses you:

"You are not aware that you are evil. But now, calm down and answer the other questions. Have you harmed innocents? Have you been raised by ghouls?"

[WindStruck]

"I never harmed an innocent..." Zandra responds with her head down, although the recent events have seemed to make everything... uncertain. She looks back up at Morin for an instant and then adds, "That -- that is, anyone not a thief, a murderer, a criminal; anyone not abhorrent to our god and deemed deserving of punishment by the angels. They... they are the ones you keep referring to as 'ghouls', but they have only guided us spiritually and used magic to let our crops grow. To sustain us."

And she musters up the courage to say something else that might be interpreted as insolent: "And no, they did not raise me. My parents did."

[Mhelisis]

The paladin says to his friend, with some compassion:

"She does seem to be brainwashed. She refers to them as the angels..."

Since you seem to calm down, he tells you that you can get up. He still holds your weapon, though.

"I have one last question for you: do you find me abhorrent to your god? Would you punish the citizens of our city if you found them abhorrent to you god?"

[WindStruck]

Zandra gladly stands up again, but gulps at the question.

C'mon, don't screw this up now. Well too late. But don't get yourself killed.

"I -- I don't... I just don't know anymore!! But if your god found some evil heretic abhorrent, and the angels themselves commanded he be slain, and your priests demanded his head, wouldn't you obey?!"

...that sounded a lot better in my head the first time through.

[Mhelisis]

The paladin ignores your mirror question:

"If you don't know, then you are a potential threat. We ask you to surrender and give us your weapons and your shield."

The other paladin is obviously nervous and ready to blow his horn.

"You will be given a fair judgement and if found willfully guilty, you will be put to death. Know that your sincerity will play in your favour when I write my report."

[WindStruck]

Zandra seemed to know there was no escape for her. And she kind of wanted to explore this world too. Holy mission be damned! She already screwed it up anyway... well, technically... if Morin was stuck here too, she did effectively rid their village and the world of him. But they couldn't find her guilty of anything. No way. She hadn't done anything wrong. Well, that's what she would like to think anyway, except her senses were still going off the charts that everything was "evil". If they really wanted to, they'd find some excuse...

She sighs and begins unstrapping her shield. Though she says, "I don't suppose if I gave my word that I would harm no one in your city, or even on this... plain, that I might escape this 'judgment' of yours and maybe leave? Somehow?"

But the paladins are probably a bunch of hard-nosed sticks in the mud, so, assuming the response is a resounding no, she hands over the shield, the sling and its bullets (probably another curiosity for them), and then presents the bone knife.

Really it's such a crappy "weapon" and was meant as a sort of cutting tool more than anything anyway. Do they take it too? :smalltongue:

Wait, actually, if they still give the whole spiel that "oh she's a danger to this whole plane" again, I think I will respond by asking something like...

"But what if I were to simply leave the plain? How would I be a threat then?"

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:

New scene: the court
Chaos Factor: raised to 6

Is the setup modified?

Roll: 6 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15436352&postcount=87)

Yes (interruption.)

Event focus: 7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15436359&postcount=88) (Remove event)

Event subject: 42 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15436352&postcount=87) (Haggle)
Event action: 97 (Leadership)

A leader in Mor'ath'unt has been replaced (will establish who when/if going back there.)

Is the judge a gold dragon?

Odds: 50/50 (City of Golden Spires)
Roll: 77

No.

Is the judge an elf?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 26

Yes.

Are they questioning Morin?

Odds: Likely (witness)
Roll: 94

No.

Do you get to keep your bone knife?

Odds: Unlikely
Roll: 70

No.

GM Emulator said you don't get to keep your knife.

You are standing in the Court of Justice of the City of Golden Spires. In front of you is Judge Elathaeniel, a celestial elf with bright blue eyes and long hair of the same colour. On your left, they are five juries sitting who look mostly like him. Around you, there are three elven clerics who keep a close eye on you. The court is extremely beautiful; crafted from white marble, it's decorated with frescoes of gold.

"Zandra Chandler. You will be judged for two different accusations. First, we will establish if you have willfully committed crimes against innocents. If you are found guilty, you will be given a quick death by the guillotine. Second, we will establish if you are a threat to the inhabitants of this plane. If you are found guilty, you will be banished to one of the Lower Planes..."

"First accusation: I will ask you three questions, and you must answer them as honestly as possible. If you are deceptive, our clerics will detect it, and you will be considered guilty..."

He grabs a gavel on his imposing desk, and makes a sound with it to declare that the judgement has officially begun.

"Zandra Chandler. My first question is: who are the..."

He makes a pause to read his notes.

"... Who are the angels, and are they the rulers of your world?"

"My second question is: who is the god that you worship, and why do you worship him or her?"

"My third question is: have you killed humans or humanoids, and if yes, was it a direct order from a superior?"

That's a lot of questions... It looks like criminals in this city need a good memory...

[WindStruck]

Good lord man, I feel like I've been assigned to write an essay! Oh well, I'll just try to get this done without the mention of bumbling around asking to repeat the questions, or so forth. Or to make things simpler, not "word for word". I mean, gah.

So just assume she is not trying to lie and explaining things as best she can. They might probably even interrupt and want further clarification, which this writing style may account for, but we'll see....

1) The angels are their spiritual guides who, while they seem to watch the affairs of her people, seldom directly control them. They pass their will onto the clergy, who make the laws, and their judges enforce them. But it is their magic that enables their food to grow so they may even live in the first place, and they are considered the guides to 'heaven'.

2) Yurtrus. Because... that's who she and everyone's always worshiped. Including the angels, who are absolutely adamant about it. All his teachings reflect the harsh realities of her former world. Hardly anything, even earthly accomplishments or love, means much because it eventually dies and decays. And let's face it, it was pretty much the only god they knew of until very recently, and the angels wanted that religion banned.

3) Hesitation; she did kill a thief once who was trying to flee with something valuable. The laws are very harsh there and have zero tolerance for thievery; he would've been tortured and put to death anyway. And also... she brings up Morin. Who she tried to and nearly killed... that was a direct order for heresy and trying to create a cult. Then she requests if he might be brought forth.

[Mhelisis]

You are not interrupted or asked for clarification. However, when you say the name of Yurtrus, you hear shocked whispers from the jury. The judge orders them to be quiet.

"Very well. It sounds like your world is ruled by the angels, even if indirectly, through their clergy. Clerics, did she lie?"

"No Judge."

One echoes:

"She's being truthful, Judge."

The judge continues:

"It's lawful to kill thieves, so you will not be judged for that. You have even shown clemency by avoiding him torture. However, I will let our jury decide if you are guilty of attempted murder on the person of Morin Mithralaxe."

"Now, for the second accusation... I will only ask you one question: if there was, in our City, someone who offended your beliefs, or who was a criminal by Yurtrus' standards... Would you feel compelled to murder them?"

"It's a yes or no question. Any argument is irrelevant."

I'm keeping it to a simple question so that it doesn't feel like an essay. Sorry about that! :smalleek:

[WindStruck]

Once again, Zandra is faced with this same question the paladin posed earlier. She thought hard about this... not realizing she hasn't been answering for like a minute.

She would've wanted to bring up the point that someone marked with the "evil" aura wouldn't immediately be accosted or, much less, put on trial to be executed even though he hadn't done anything. But no, they had to word the question so carefully to trap her. It was so unfair. All she was allowed was 'yes' or 'no'. Of course would feel compelled to...

But... now she was filled with doubt. For instance, the dwarf... for some reason, she didn't feel as if she wanted to off him anymore, even though, perhaps by some duty, she might feel she should. Nothing made sense anymore. If he was evil, he would have probably back-stabbed her at the first opportunity. If the two guards were evil, they may as well had just run her through with their halberds. Or punished her for not listening to them immediately:. But aside from the really bad scare she got, they did no harm.

Then there was this whole trial. If they just wanted to kill her, why didn't they just do it?? Was this some elaborate joke? A sick form of entertainment where they would threaten victims with the prospect of dying unless they could "prove" themselves? But none of them were laughing. Now that she thought about it, not a one of them, not even the guards knew what the hell "humor" even was.

And what of the entire world in general? There was so much life, so much beauty. How could it possibly...

*The gavel bangs*
Insert your impatient, threatening response here. :smallbiggrin:

Zandra delays a bit longer before saying, "I... I don't know!! Nothing makes sense anymore!!"

[Mhelisis]

Whilst a human judge would have been driven angry by Zandra, the elves, being infinitely old, are also infinitely impatient.

When the gavel bangs, Judge Elathaeniel says:

"Ms. Chandler, this is not a valid response. If you say anything other than yes or no, contempt of court will be added to your charges."

He waits a second.

"Nobody is going to leave this court until you have answered."

He rings a silver bell, which plays a few enchanting notes, and a young boy enters the room. He has a basket of red apples, and gives one to everyone, including Zandra. The fruits are a perfect red, and they are sweet and juicy.

"This meal should help us to wait for the accused's answer."

[WindStruck]

Ok. Contempt of court. That was bad, if she remembered anything about Judge Lleumler. May as well defile a shrine to Yurtrus in front of a priest to get the same effect.

Has Zandra ever seen an apple before?

Also, she watches what the others do with this apple. Just take a bite out of it?

[Mhelisis]

This is the first fruit that you have ever seen in your miserable life. Only one jury member is taking a bite from the apple. Everyone else is looking at you and waiting for you to speak.

[WindStruck]

lol I have a funny idea. But it should be believable too..

Zandra looks curiously at the apple given to her and examines it every which way.

What the hell is this thing? It doesn't look anything like food?

She looks up at everyone else, though they don't seem to be doing anything with theirs. Then one jury member takes a bite out of it. She watches him (or her) for a bit and sniffs the apple. Probably still nothing. Then tentatively tries biting it as well...

Now here's the fun part. I was wondering if maybe it would make her sick? Who knows, maybe she might get out of answering for now if her throat and tongue were swollen and she was unable to speak. :smallyuk:

Or... you know. I guess she'd have to give an answer eventually anyway. But first! Fortitude save: [roll0]

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Could Zandra be poisoned by an apple?

Odds: 50/50 (what plays in her favour is that the food is lawful good)
Roll: 61 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15439618&postcount=92)

Yes (need to roll a 65 with Chaos Factor of 6).

Now I read: "The Fortitude save DC against a creature’s natural poison attack is equal to 10 + ½ poisoning creature’s racial HD + poisoning creature’s Con modifier."

Considering an apple has an HD/Con of 0, that makes it a DC of 10. Aww! Nice try. You were close.

The apple has a sweet taste (a new taste that you didn't know existed), it's such a pleasant experience for you who's only been fed "crop" for your whole life, and meat on a few rare occasions.

It leaves a slightly burning sensation in your mouth, but nothing that your body can't tolerate.

As a consequence of what the GM Emulator established, all food on this plane is poisonous.

[WindStruck]

This new "food" was absolutely wonderful. She never tasted anything like it before, but despite it being totally different than anything she'd ever tasted, she found it to be so pleasant... except for this slightly burning after taste. Didn't seem so bad at all compared to the sweetness and tenderness of the fruit.

She takes a few more bites (until it becomes apparent to her it's not settling well with her at all) and if she is still feeling healthy after this, I suppose she'll stop being rude and try to give an answer.

Fortitude saves:
Bite 1: [roll0]
Bite 2: [roll1]
Bite 3: [roll2]
Bite 4: [roll3]
Bite 5: [roll4]

Ouchies. Ok, so the 2nd bite does something to her. :smalleek:

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
After the first bite, is Zandra immunised against the apple's effects?

Odds: Very unlikely (never heard of a poison acting like that)
Roll: 20 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15439784&postcount=93)

Yes.

As you get used to the taste, it feels less and less burning. After a few bites, you can fully enjoy the apple's sweetness.

[WindStruck]

After a few bites, Zandra stops eating the apple, and sort of realizes everyone else still hadn't even touched theirs except for that one guy who took a single bite a while ago... and was he still chewing? Right, even if these guys are a bunch of emotionless stiffs, she was sure they'd probably think of her as getting quite rude and annoying at this point. She tries to think of her response once again...

Cmon, think. If you say 'yes', you're gone anyway. If you say 'no' ... well... maybe it's not a lie? I gave that guard my word I wouldn't harm anyone here... or at least, I offered to. What if I just promise myself I won't? Because even if Yurtrus wanted it, how could I? Ok, so I won't do anything. I promise I won't... But what if Yurtrus commanded it? Wouldn't I want to? Shouldn't I? I have to. I can't just turn my back... but... what if... argh just answer already.

Then she finally responds, "...no?" Though it sounded more like a question. Bah, those insensitive elves wouldn't know the difference.

Also, based on the description of discern lies, I don't know if she could be considered "lying". The problem for her is everything is in turmoil now and seemingly everything she knows is under scrutiny. Whether she'll fully admit it or not. She really doesn't know but is being forced to give only 'yes' or 'no', regardless.

Think of it like this. You are forced to respond to the question: "Are there less than 30 million people living in Uganda?" But supposing you know nothing of the country and have no access to google... what would you say? You don't know? Well too bad, you are only allowed to respond with yes/no. Also you will be punished for lying.

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Does the judge accept her answer as a no?

Odds: Likely.
Roll: 34

Yes.

Is Zandra guilty of attempted murder?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: [roll0] (Yes if rolling 65 or lower)

[Dramatic roll, so I'm rolling here. :smallcool:]

Must she be guillotined? (If she's guilty)

Odds: Unlikely (lesser offense)
Roll: [roll1] (Yes if rolling 50 or lower)

Does to city have a weapon law?

Odds: Likely
Roll: 34

Yes.

Judge Elathaeniel does not seem to notice the questioning in your voice inflexion. He's pleased with your answer, and waits for the jury's answer. The elf closest to the judge stands up:

"On the accusation of attempted murder, the defendant is declared guilty. On the accusation of being a threat, the defendant is declared innocent."

The judge bangs his gavel on the sound block enthusiastically.

"Zandra Chandler! Since attempted murder is a lesser offense, you will not be excuted. However, this court orders that you apologise to Mr. Mithralaxe, and that you offer him a favour to make up for your crime. This favour can be anything lawful. If you fail to perform, he will be legally entitled to bring it to this court. You would have normally been jailed, but our clerics have detected that you are lawful, thus I have assessed that you will probably respect this court's order..."

That was a long speech, so he pauses to drink water.

"Also, our clerics will add a mark on your forehead to let our people know that you must not be killed, as it's normally legal to kill evil beings. You are now free to go. Weapons are not allowed inside of our City, but you can recover your personal belongings at the gates."

[WindStruck]

Zandra stands there, stupefied. Well I mean, she already kind of is, and then the effects of the plane... but still, this was yet another curve ball that threw her off guard.

That was it?

Then the clerics come and do their thing...
This reminds me of Belkar's mark on his forehead. Did you get it from that? :smalltongue:
Then she's still left standing there, clutching her half-eaten apple.

Now what...? Suppose I had better try to enjoy this freedom. And do what they say...

If anyone is still in the court area at the time, she'll ask if they know where Morin is... and also add that she doesn't know anything about this city at all.

Oh right, so did they take any of her other belongings? For example, I was thinking of the armor too...

[Mhelisis]

Yes, of course, I feel obligated to make references to the OOTS since this board is dedicated to it. :smallsigh: And no, they didn't take your other belongings. Only the weapons.

Your mark is magenta-coloured and glowy. It represents a curvy line, next to three hearts.

A human clerk informs you that Morin was waiting for the verdict in the entrance hall. She has blue hair like the elves: a totally unusual hair colour for a human, if she wasn't from an outer plane. From what you have seen so far, it seems that humans only hold subordinate positions.

The City of Golden Spires is divided in 4 quarters (in case you need to know).

Magicians quarters: includes one building for each school of magic except necromancy, various magic shops, and the wizards academy

Temple quarters: includes a temple dedicate to each major good deity

Commoners quarters: the biggest quarter, and does not have golden spires; has various taverns, inns, shops, and artisans

Administrative quarters: where you are currently located; contains the court, the prison, countless administrative buildings, and also Percelythyx' palace, ruler of the City

[WindStruck]

I'd hope Zandra might also glean what the name of the city is, considering she said she knew nothing. Or is it actually named "The City of Golden Spires"?

Also a question I just thought of: Was Morin healed by anyone after arriving in the city? Was Zandra before her trial?

Zandra slowly walks about, trying to find her way to the entrance hall. It was the way she thought she was brought in, if she kept going past the clerk, wasn't it? She continues trying to navigate, whilst looking at everything, assuming she'd have to either keep going straight or turn down a hallway if it looked bigger and more important.

When (or if) she finally sees Morin again, she just stands there looking at him. Eventually she deflects her gaze to something else...

[Mhelisis]

The name of the city is "The City of Golden Spires", "Baavgleean Thylwel" in Celestial.

Zandra wasn't healed. As for Morin, he wasn't healed either, but he now looks in perfect shape.

The entrance hall is easy to find, as is Morin. There are no turns or anything; the building is not very big because there are not many cases to be treated in this lawful city. The dwarf stands in the large marble room, eating blue-coloured grape. When he sees you, he stops eating, but he doesn't say anything either. Awkward...

[WindStruck]

After a long, awkward pause, Zandra manages to take a few more steps closer, at least focusing on his feet. Finally, she breaks the ice saying, "So.. I hear you were waiting for the verdict? ..." There were a few implications of this, both negative or positive running through her mind, although she couldn't seem to say anything else for the time being.

Also, updated description. And... did I beat the "don't be sentenced to death" thread yet, or is that still pending, supposing I do something incredibly stupid or don't fulfill the favor/apology?

[Mhelisis]

I've closed the thread, sorry. Sometimes, I lag behind to update those tables. If you are waiting on XP, I'm giving it to you when you close the main thread or "chapter". Also, very nice and detailed description! :smallcool:

Morin nods his head, but he doesn't respond and only makes a strange face. Then he starts crying...

Between one sob and another, he explains to you that whilst you were being judged, he was getting worried that you were going to be sentenced to death. His goddess, Sharindlar, teaches forgiveness and mercy, especially toward your worst enemies. And as a druid, he knows that every life is sacred. He feels guilty enough that his doggy got killed because he associated with him, and he wouldn't have tolerated that someone else dies because of him, no matter how evil that someone is.

[WindStruck]

Zandra sighs inwardly as Morin starts crying about her... and also is slightly annoyed he kept implying she was evil (like everyone else on this damn plain). But she just doesn't understand why he was getting so upset worrying she would be executed. She tried to kill him. And she did kill his dog! It wasn't his fault, she did it! He should be upset they didn't exact their punishment on her for that!

She sighs. "Dwarf... no... Moran? You should just be glad that you got to this world alive and won't be threatened by me anymore. It seems nice... I think... And... it would probably be for the best if you just stayed away from me..." she says, quite dejectedly.

She begins to slowly walk past him, keeping her eyes on the glistening marble floor but then she remembers: "Oh, but that's right. The court ordered that I do you a favor."

And an apology. Although she really didn't feel like it at the time. I mean, it's only really an apology if you meant it anyway, right?

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Does Morin want a favour?

Odds: Likely
Roll: 91 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15445588&postcount=101)

No.

Morin stops crying, feeling ridiculous... It's not proper behaviour for a dwarf of his age. He also declines your offer: he wouldn't be very forgiving if he forced you to pay him a favour.

But then, he hesitates, and adds:

"If ye really... really want ta do a good thing... then save me friend Peryd and tha other good people o' Mor'ath'unt."

He makes a hand gesture to let you know that you are free to go.

[WindStruck]

Zandra is confused yet again. "Save them? What do you mean...? Did something happen to Peryd? I couldn't find him when... erm, well I was going to see if he knew where you were at, but I ended up finding you without him anyway..."

[Mhelisis]

"Ye need ta save them from tha Blessed Fever... Tha ghouls are goin' to eat them..." :smallfrown:

[WindStruck]

A completely shocked look washes over her face. "...What?!?"


"You--are you still trying to peddle me that nonsense?!" She tries to hold back her anger, if anything, for the sake of not getting in trouble within less than 5 minutes of being released, but it isn't working that well. She snarls, "If you do not wish for me to do anything, that is fine by me. Goodbye!" and storms out of the building.

[Mhelisis]

Your actions:

Well, honestly I was thinking Morin might still try to interject or something, but assuming he doesn't and just lets her leave... I don't know where she's going. Frankly, because she doesn't even know where she's going. She could probably walk into the temple of some good-aligned deity and not even know it.

So I would say, I'll leave it up to you. If you happen to have a map of the city or something on hand, make her take some random path. When she calms down she'll effectively just be sight-seeing again and well, wandering around. Since it seems she has effectively fulfilled what the court asked (since Morin didn't want a favor), she doesn't exactly have an objective at the moment. No, not "save" her village because she doesn't (or refuses to) believe they are in danger. And I wouldn't even say she wants to return to where she came from yet either...

Oh right, something else. In case you weren't going to, give descriptions of interesting places she passes? Also, I think she would also be looking at how other residents of the city are dressed.... and I'm also curious to see if she gets any weird or negative reactions from people. Even if they don't really say or do anything. Cause I'm sure you'd know if you were getting a bunch of weird looks or not. This is probably a guarantee in her case...

Map:
http://i41.tinypic.com/2inon4.jpg

{table]1 - Court of Justice|5 - Temple of Chauntea
2 - Percelythyx' palace|6 - Griffon's Tavern
3 - Wizards Academy|7 - Foreigners Lodging
4 - Temple of Sune[/table]

Description of the Quarters (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15440978&postcount=111)



GM Emulator:
New scene: the City of Golden Spires
Chaos Factor: lowered to 5 (got out of trouble)

Is the setup modified?

Roll: 8 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15448052&postcount=105)

No.

Rolling a random encounter:

Action: 66 Carry
Subject: 2 Dreams

Zandra's dreams... Unclear. She doesn't want to come back home. Involves Yurtrus?

Morin doesn't try to hold angry Zandra; he lets you go. You wander aimlessly in town, toward the east. You are in the Administrative Quarters, and most people who cross your path are elves, wearing white togas and golden jewelry. Most have blue hair, but you have seen a few with bright pink hair. They are all incredibly attractive, and it makes you feel ugly in comparison.

Your mark attracts a lot attention; it identifies you as an evil creature who's allowed to sojourn inside the City. Everyone moves away from your path, and some even show obvious fear at your sight. Most of the people that you see are professional clerks, walking at a steady place to their work, but you hear a few disgusted whispers:

"Brr... Evil has an ugly face..."

Most buildings are made of white stone, and so is the pavement. You don't quite understand what their purpose is, because you cannot read the signs in Celestial. Eventually, you arrive in front of Percelythyx' palace: the palace of the king. It's a very gorgeous building, entirely covered in plates of gold, with spires reaching for the sky. In front of it, there's a small place, with fountains of water that smell of roses and marshmallow(?!), and metal benches under the shadow of small elm trees.

You catch the sight of a man wearing soiled white robes, exactly like Father Tarnaya, sitting on a bench. On his forehead, there's a glowing mark representing hearts, which emphasises the black tumours covering his face.

[WindStruck]

Zandra tentatively approaches this man... still standing about 5-10 feet away from him when she speaks.

"Excuse me. Did you happen to worship a particular god...?" While saying this, she holds her hand around her holy symbol and also looks down away from him and toward it when she is done speaking, trying to subtly emphasize it.

If he does indeed say Yurtrus, she asks, "How did you come to this place?"

Also if she can squeeze it in at some point, "How long have you been here?"

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
What is he doing here?

Action: 87 Work hard
Subject: 64 A burden

Working on a mission.

Is he friendly?

Odds: Likely
Roll: 1

Exceptional yes: he's helpful.

As you approach him and get a better look, you notice that he's not quite human: he has protubing teeth, pointed ears, and a grayish skin. A half-orc.

When he sees your holy symbol, he smiles broadly.

"I didn't expect to meet a sister here. I'm a priest of Yurtrus, as you can probably tell. I came to this place through the portal in the Conjurer Tower (Magicians Quarters). I have been living in this city for many years. I am a refugee from another planet, and was granted asylum because I provided the people of this city with important tactical data."

He looks at you from head to toe.

"But you seem wounded... Let me heal you."

Heal: [roll0]

"So... That mark is annoying, huh? I hate that it's permanent, but I guess it's a life saver."

[WindStruck]

She says with a small smile, "Thank you father," as he heals her, and with a warm feeling, her wound closes a bit and the stinging ebbs away slightly. Now she thinks, wondering why no one else from this city's government healed her at all...

To answer his last question, she says, "Yes... I don't like how it seems people are so afraid of me... I mean, I never did anything to them in the first place, then I was arrested, 'judged'... their courts seem to think I am not a threat, but... well, maybe there have been people with the mark that have lashed out?"

[Mhelisis]

The half-orc laughs.

"You are a funny one. You haven't done anything to them... yet. I have never seen you around, so I assume that you are new around here. There are a few of us in the Foreigners Lodging."

He waits a few seconds, evaluating if he can trust you.

"I have been growing a few batches of Blinding Sickness in my room. You have a good face, so you might actually get trusted with a job, unlike me... I could see you as a cook... maybe. Perhaps you'd like to join our cause and help us spread Yurtrus' gift to the city?"

[WindStruck]

Zandra is happy to be conversing with another of her religion, but suddenly it all turns rancid at his proposition. Her eyes grow wide, probably already giving away that it wasn't a good idea to tell her this plan, and she stammers, "But-but, I promised I wouldn't harm anyone here n-no matter what! What would happen when they found out? And-and why? The only thing we want to succumb to is the Blessed Fever!"

I hope this might be an accurate reflection of her culture, since, if you remember previously when I was asking all those questions, they don't see diseases as "gifts" or "blessings" ... well, except for the ghoul fever that they'd want to die to.

[Mhelisis]

The "Father" opens his eyes wide; he obviously didn't expect that answer. He changes his tone, speaking slower and more clearly (as one would speak to an idiot:)

"Erm... Good questions, my... child? I don't know what the Blessed Fever is, but it sounds like a good infection too... Don't worry, they don't need to find out about our little project. It will be a secret between you and me. You are not going to tell anyone about it, are you?"

He smiles again, showing his nasty fangs.

[WindStruck]

Zandra looks down, a bit disappointed in how this has turned out, and even a bit in herself, but something seemed off...

"I suppose I could... wait. You don't know what the Blessed Fever is??"

She peers quizzically at the half-orc and soon her eyes narrow due to a heightened suspicion and wild paranoia she's had ever since arriving at this plane.

"What--what is this?? Some kind of test? Are--are you just trying to get me to say I'll do something s-so you can kill me?!"

She backs a bit a ways from the him, probably seeming extremely nuts at this point. Well, he'd probably be thinking that's the main reason she wasn't executed at this point...

[Mhelisis]

The half-orc sighs and stands up. For a split second, he seems to be frustrated, but then he smiles again.

"It's not a test... Obviously, that disease is common on your planet, but I come from a different planet, with different diseases. You don't meet foreigners often, do you?"

He takes a pause to think about a plan to calm you down. He's probably met worshippers of Yurtrus crazier than you...

"How about we go to my place, relax, have a drink, and compare our respective knowledge?"

[WindStruck]

Zandra balks at her own stupidity, lowering her head with an exasperated sigh, and shakes her head at his first question.

"I-I'm sorry Father... yes, you are right. This is the first time I've ever left my village. And everything is so... different..."

She solemnly nods at his offer to accompany him over to 'his place'. "Yes, that seems like a good idea." As they walk off in whatever direction, she also asks, "Could you tell me what these 'planets' are?"

Don't have to waste time explaining this. It should be implied that he enlightens her about a few various things (such as the difference between plain and plane)

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
New scene: The priest's home
Chaos Factor: remains at 5 (difficult to tell if events were under control or not)

Is the setup modified?

Roll: 7 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15451803&postcount=110)

No.

As you are walking to the south, toward his apartment, the priest explains what a planet is.

"A planet is a world. Cities, wilderness... Everything is usually contained in one planet, and there are several planets in the universe. Some planets are spheres floating in the aether. But I've also heard of a planet that's a flat disk resting on a turtle's back, so they don't all have the same shape."

If there's something that you don't understand, he tries to use simpler words until you do.

The Commoners Quarters don't look much different, but they are much livelier, and inhabited by many different races. Most of them are celestials, though, so they look as beautiful as the elves.

"Currently, we are not on a planet. We are on an infinite plane of existence that stretches in every direction. A sort of "heaven", if you like. That's a mind-blowing concept, isn't it? Here, you will meet people who come from every possible planet."

His apartment is located on the third floor of the Foreigners Lodging (one of the most plain buildings in the whole city). The apartment itself is a horrible mess (clothes, books, bones everywhere), and stinks like a wild animal's den. He invites you to sit on the floor, where you can spot a flea jumping.

"Make yourself comfortable. The Blinding Sickness is simple but efficient: it makes people blind. Even though the people of this city have welcomed me as a refugee, they are all lawful good. I feel that it's my duty to infect and kill as many as possible. Now, tell me about the Blessed Fever. Do you believe it to be more potent?"

[WindStruck]

Ok... I am aware of what the ghouls actually do with the blessed fever, but I'm not exactly sure what the human cattle are told... I suppose I could try to wing it though.

If you would like anything changed, please let me know. I'd rather have the world running as you imagined it.

Well, ok, I didn't get into any details about it yet. Just it's "potency". If you want to give me some details, please go ahead. :smallsmile:
Zandra was glad the priest took the time explaining things to her on the way to his abode, but once again was getting worried about his plans to kill people. Not just get people sick now, but "infect and kill as many as possible". That isn't what the angels would have wanted, anyway, although that pertained to her people back home, and not all these evil... heretics?

Did it even matter anymore if she was so far away from home, so far from Yurtrus, in the realm of the enemy? Was it really such a good idea to abuse what little mercy she received from them? And she still had so many questions about his background... But wait... did he just say they were all "lawful good"?

So many more questions had entered her mind, but when she was invited to talk about the Blessed Fever, she was happily distracted and ready to explain, "Well, in terms of potency..." She pauses trying to think about all the religious lore she heard about it from her sermons. "Surely it must be the most powerful disease I've ever known, but that might only be because its source is divine... but if you're looking to give everyone it, I think you may be out of luck. Only the angels seem to possess its power, and I don't think you should try to release it on anyone without their explicit approval anyway... it is reserved only for those deemed worthy enough to join them in Heaven."

[Mhelisis]

No need to change anything. :smallcool:

The half-orc nods his head, as if understanding what you are talking about.

"Interesting. So, you don't have access to the Blessed Fever. That means we only have my batches of disease. So, how do you feel about releasing the Blinding Sickness on all those... unworthy?... people. As a priest of Yurtrus, I can affirm that this is the best way to please your god. No mercy for our enemies. And trust me, they are our enemies. They'd kill us like dogs if not for that ugly mark... You are aware of that, aren't you?"

[WindStruck]

She nods gravely. "Yes... everyone was going crazy when they first saw me. Although... I didn't have this mark on my head when I first arrived here. Suppose it was a stupid idea to walk up to this city with that... dwarf. When you first came here did they drag you away to have some trial too? Or maybe you had that mark on your head before you arrived?" It was an odd idea, but at this point anything seemed possible. She looks again at his forehead... and his face covered with tumors. Blech. :smallyuk:

Luckily she seems to have inadvertently directed the conversation away from whether she'd want to do this. For now...

[Mhelisis]

He shakes his head.

"Oh, no, luckily, I've never been on trial. I'd likely be sentenced to death if that happened."

He brings a flask from one of his cabinets.

"This is dwarven liquor, but if you don't like it I also have tea. In this building, we import food and drinks from the material plane so that won't make you sick like what you'll find in the rest of the town."

[WindStruck]

Zandra takes the flask. "Hmm. Dwarven liquor?"

She takes a sip and manages to cough without spitting it out everywhere. It was a new explosion of sensations and flavors, although this time not nearly as pleasant as the apple... though slightly reminiscent of the brew Rilkar made back home.

"I.. uh.." she coughs once again. "Well, this is yet another thing we don't have where I'm from. In fact, there never was much variety in what to eat. Uh... maybe I should try that tea?" She tries to politely ask, though wondering if she would regret trying this too. Then she asks, "What was your world like? You said you were a refugee, so did something happen? And if you don't mind me asking... what was this information you told these people that was so important??"

[Mhelisis]

Rolling Fortitude for you: [roll0]

"Of course."

He takes a pot of boiling water from the fire, pours it in a cup, mixes it with some herbs, and brings it to you.

"It's a herbal infusion of my invention. I hope that you will like it."

The smell is not unpleasant.

"My home world was called Zaryx II, a major evil nation. I was the king's trusted counselor, but he betrayed me. I murdered many people – mostly on his orders, but his people was growing unhappy and he was fearing to be thrown over. What a weak leader! He decided to blame me for everything and was going to hang me on the public place. I was jailed, but a friend helped me to escape. I fled to this world, I didn't have much choice on this matter, and I told the paladins everything I knew about the castle's defenses. The information must have been good, because a week later, they gave me the mark."

[WindStruck]

Oh ****. Nothing's quite a spoiler like saying I rolled a fortitude save... gah, that ******* probably did something to her. I doubt this is just for alcohol. BTW, do you think she would like the "tea"?

Zandra nods, the information still not really snapping into place yet... evil nation, murdered people... she opts to just go for a somewhat agreeable comment: "Yes, a weak leader would always seek to shift the blame and never take matters in his own hands..."

She sips the tea. It seems to have a unique, pleasant aroma and taste.

"Well, what I meant was... maybe if I described my world a little bit. It's nothing like this. Almost the opposite... I've never seen so much green in my life. It seems everything was dead there: the trees, the grass... actually most of the grass disappeared completely and just turned to mud and swamps. And the 'animals', well, most of the wild ones weren't alive anymore either, but... they were still vicious. I think the only thing that still grew anymore was our crops, but... would you say Zaryx was more like that? Or was it more like this? Maybe something completely different?"

[Mhelisis]

The tea has a rather pleasant taste and does not cause any adverse reaction to you.

"Your world sounds lovely. I'm tired of the excess of green on this plane. Zaryx is just a boring, normal world. You'll find forests, deserts to the north, tundra to the south... Nothing dead, but no excess of life like here either."

He makes a disgusted face.

"All that positive energy makes my mind sluggish. Anyway, I have some errands to run. Perhaps you would like to take a nap on my couch? You look a bit tired, if I may say so."

[WindStruck]

Zandra might have been tired... if anything, just mentally, but she really didn't trust this half-orc.

"Thank you but..." she tries to make up some excuse.

"I uh... I should really, um, look around this city some more so I know where things are at. And maybe see about getting one of those jobs... like a cook, right?" she says, trying to hint at what he was talking about earlier.

Also a bluff roll, what the hell. Use if you think it's called for.
[roll0]

[Mhelisis]

GM Emulator:
Does he give a key to Zandra?

Odds: 50/50
Roll: 27

Yes.

Sense Motive: rolled 11 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=15460923&postcount=121)

The priest does not notice that you are being deceitful. It seems that your answer rejoices him.

"Great idea! Let me know if you get hired, and we'll work on a plan to infect as many people as possible."

He takes a bronze key from his key ring and hands it to you.

"Consider my home to be yours until you have your own place".

Then, he leaves the apartment to run his errands.

[WindStruck]

Well, that was a close one. Hmm... now what...

Even though she was grasping at straws for some excuse to leave, those things actually did seem like a good idea.

The priest seemed to be really intent and busy on leaving... hopefully not off to do something to some people... so Zandra lingered just a bit and drank a bit more tea, finally setting the cup somewhere. Hmm, this place would have to be cleaned up. Though she didn't really feel like entertaining the idea of staying here. And that smell... how would we get any fresh air in here?

She peers at the window (there is a window, isn't there?), even walking up to it, touching against it, but apparently doesn't know it can be opened. She also snoops around a bit for anything interesting, maybe something that would tell her more about this half-orc, though, on account of her being illiterate, it was highly unlikely. Oh right. Where was that batch of disease he was talking about? Then she went to leave. She closes the door, and looks down at the key she was given, fiddling around with it.

What is this thing? Hmm, why did he give me this?

Luckily she at least knew how to operate a door here. In fact it was pretty intuitive after watching people use them and quite similar to the few back home. Though she'd never seen a lock and key before. After standing there awkwardly for about 20 or so seconds holding it, she just puts it in her belt and finds her way back downstairs.

Search check for the room: [roll0]
Also, she's currently at the first floor of the foreigner's lodge now. Any interesting events, rooms (like a bar or recreation room), or people there?

And is there anything special about the people or the way they are dressed in this place?

[Mhelisis]

Hahahaha! First time you search a room. And you roll a 1.

You snoop around, but don't find anything interesting except soiled clothes and a large stock of bottles of alcohol. Would that priest be an alcoholic? There's also a chest but, even without opening it, you can tell that it doesn't hold anything of value.

In fact, it's difficult for you to focus and find anything, even the damn entrance door. You have felt a bit disoriented ever since you passed the portal.

GM Emulator:
What is the tavern like?

Action: 69 Ruin
Subject: 54 Investment

In poor state.

Is Morin there?

Odds: Likely (most likely place to go)
Roll: 96

No.

The first floor has a bar, with a few drunken foreigners: orcs, goblins, lizardmen... No humans, just ugly creatures, clothed in leather or rags. Like the whole building, it's moldy and in a pitiful state, and it has soiled straw on the floor. It looks like foreigners are only given the bare minimum in this city. The smell is a mix of urine and beer, although some people would say that both smells are identical. It appears that you have caught the orcs' attention.

"Urgh! There! Human."

The other orc growls.

"Me no like humans."

"Wait. Me think he's female."

"Hmm... Me like females."

In case you couldn't hear his loud voice already, he speaks even louder and makes a hand gesture.

"Hey, you. Want drink with orc? Orc show you good time in City of Gold."

Both he and his colleague are giggling.

[WindStruck]

Actually, I rolled a 4 (with -3 mod) on the search check. :smalltongue:

Do any of these other bozos have glowy marks on their foreheads?
Zandra was once again finding herself in an uncomfortable situation... the stink in the room was not pleasing, though honestly, she remembers experiencing worse. Much worse. But she wasn't sure about these guys either...

No... just, no...

She'd had enough already, and although she might probably strike up a conversation with anything at this point, she didn't want to deal with a bunch of drunkards now. From her experience they're just... annoying. Maybe she should have taken that nap...

Remembering what the priest told her earlier, she makes a tentative smile and says, "Sorry, but I have an errand to run," before trying to find the exit.