The Forsaken and the Dragon (IC)

[Solaris]

OOC thread link. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5198565) Dice Rolls (DICE). We're doing this prose format - mark other languages as follows:
::Telepathy,:: not to be confused with simply thinking. That can be in italics, if you so prefer.
(Fourth Wallbreakese). The OotS does this alot. OOC FTW.
Assume the dwarves speak their own language - it's translated on the board, but make sure you know what languages you can and can't speak. For ease, Manitorns and Kanorati mark Gut-Tamaug like ^This^. Sealtuans usually speak Gut-Tamaug, too, when they're not speaking Palaou.

- - -

Important links:
Beschoren: Lessur Acellaw (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=87869)
Bitzeralisisisisisisis: Magorah Starbright (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=88059)
Kaiju: Gigas Duo (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=88677)
KevLar: Deanna Doherty (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=85055)
Rettu Skcollob: Shar (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=87910)
RationalGoblin: (Uh... I couldn't find it. It's in there, somewhere, but I dunno where.)
Salvonus: Sivaria (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=88447), concept image? (http://media01.cgchannel.com/images/gallery/2231/112/fullimg.jpg)
Suzuro: Shomuth (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=87875)
WillWolf: Wuli Bai (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=45565)

Destiny and Dragons (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75509)
Weapon Group Proficiencies (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/weaponGroupFeats.htm), Firearms is a single weapon group.
Spell Points (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedSpellPoints.html)
Armor-as-DR, Class Bonus to AC (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedDefence.html)
Races of Arken (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94462)
Ghost Elf Soulknife Substitution Levels (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94728)

Implanted Purpose
At some point in time, a powerful entity has altered you, physically, mentally, or even both, for their own inscrutable purposes, causing intense damage to your psyche. What exactly you are intended to do, or how you were changed is a mystery, but whether for good or ill, you are going to change the course of history. Your destiny is to discover your purpose, and do all you can to fulfill it.
Destiny Bonus: You and all your allies gain a +2 Bonus on Will Saves for 24 Hours.
Destiny Penalty: You take a -4 Penalty to Will Saves and a -2 Penalty to Attack for 24 Hours
Destiny Fulfilled: The damage to your mind is healed, and you gain a permanent +2 Bonus to any Ability Score of your choice.

Corruption
Your Destiny is to corrupt an individual, organisation or group. You may turn a Paladin to a Blackguard, or indoctrinate a group of people in the ways of evil. Your destiny may slo be to become corrupted yourself, either by another character, organisation, or a series of life-changing events over time. The corruption should be a long term goal requiring a great deal of time and effort.
Destiny Bonus: For 24 Hours, you and any allies within 50 feet of you gain a +1 Destiny Bonus on Skill Checks and Ability Checks
Destiny Penalty: You take a -2 Penalty on all skill checks and ability checks for 24 Hours
Destiny Fulfilled: Increase two ability scores of your choice by +1 each.

Destruction
Your destiny is to destroy a person or object, for good or evil. A Good Character's Destiny might be to destroy a Tyrannical Duke ruling his home territory, while a Blackguard may be destined to destroy a powerful Paladin training site. The target of this destiny should be something very difficult to reach, either because it's heavily guarded or well hidden.
Destiny Bonus: For 24 Hours, you any any allies within 50 feet gain a +2 Bonus on all damage rolls.
Destiny Penalty: You take a -2 Penalty on all damage rolls for 24 Hours
Destiny Fulfilled: Increase one ability score of your choice by +2

Education
Your destiny is to train or educate another being or other group of beings in some way. In some cases, it could mean taking a young apprentice and molding her into an eventual Archmage, or it could mean training fresh army recruits into a crack commando team. Characters with this destiny are not merely teachers providing mundane training. The education that this destiny demands must be of great importance to the world, and should lay the groundwork for the beneficiaries of your tutelage to go on and fulfill destinies of their own. Only when the training is complete can this destiny be fulfilled, and the process should take many months or years to complete.
Destiny Bonus: For 24 Hours, you and your allies within 50 feet of you gain a +1 Destiny Bonus of Skill Checks and Ability Checks
Destiny Penalty: You take a -2 Penalty on all Skill Checks and Ability Checks for 24 Hours.
Destiny Fulfilled: You gain a permanent +5 Destiny Bonus on checks made with One Class Skill of your choice.

Redemption
Your Destiny is to redeem a character that has been corrupted or otherwise turned to evil. Many Paladins wish to turn Blackguards back to the Light, for example. A Good Character may seek to turn his brother, a powerful Blackguard, away from Evil, redeeming him back to the side of Justice and Good. The target of this destiny should be someone that has falledn from the light in some way, whether that means turning from a Paladin to a Blackguard, or simply siding with Evil over Good. Turning someone away from their wicked ways is usually very difficult and requires far more than simple persuasion. Often a character that fulfills this destiny does not survive it, and sometimes neither does their redeemed target. Additionaly, you may be your own target for this destiny, making your own Redemption the means of fulfilling it.
Destiny Bonus: For 24 Hours, you any any allies within 50 feet gain a +2 Bonus on all damage rolls.
Destiny Penalty: You take a -2 Penalty on all damage rolls for 24 Hours
Destiny Fulfilled: Increase one ability score of your choice by +2

Reforge Anew:
You have come to an ultimate conclusion: your life sucks. Perhaps you were just handed a bad hand when your soul first came into being, perhaps you just don't want what others can give to you, or perhaps you are just a spoiled little brat that thinks he can do better for himself. Whatever the reasons for your conclusion, you know it's your job to make a name anew for yourself. The further you distance yourself from the exploits of your past and the more you create a new name for yourself, so much the better.
Destiny Bonus: You gain a plus four bonus to all charisma skill checks for a full 24 hours.
Destiny Penality: For the next 24 hours you take a -2 penality to all skill checks as well as a -2 to will saves.
Destiny Fulfilled: Increase one ability of your choice by +2.

Pistol: 2d6/20 x3, 50 ft range increment, 6-round cylinder (move action to completely reload). 200 gp, 1 gp/round.
Carbine: 2d8/20 x3, 70 ft range increment, 1-round internal (move action to reload). 400 gp, 1 gp/round.
Rifle: 2d8/20 x3, 150 ft range increment, 5-round clip (move action to load a clip, move action to load a single round). 500 gp, 1 gp/round.
Hunting Rifle: 2d10/20 x3, 120 ft range increment, 1-round internal (move action to reload). 500 gp, 1 gp/round.
Dragon Rifle: 2d12/20 x3, 150 ft range increment, 1-round internal (move action to reload). 750 gp, 1 gp/round.
- - -

In the autumn of the twelve-hundred-and-forty-fourth year since the hallowed king Artur Pendraegon first set foot on the grounds of fairest Avalon, a great stirring crept through the mortal realms and those below. It was starting slowly, at first, but like the waterfall that begins with but a single drop of water this would grow to become a momentous event. By the fall of the next year, the world of Arken would know great turmoil and be forever changed.

A man was born. Not an infant, purged clean in the Weave of Flames to bear witness this world and bring it back. Not of a woman's womb, carried to term after conception as the gods deemed fit and natural. But he was born nonetheless.

A sextuplet of comets appeared in the skies, red as hellfire, they shone day and night an omen of ill things to come. The Six-Headed Comet passed near the Constellation of the Libram, the sign of Loac, and began its path towards the Constellation of the Healer, the sign of Taelessa.

A murderer escaped.

A wizard scryed an end.

A goddess died.

And a festival began.
- - -

"Master," the slightly-built young magus said slowly as he climbed a wooden ladder up into the Archmagus Habarad's observatory, "there are a number of people in the parlor."
Kyne glanced up at his nephew and former apprentice, then looked back into the eyepiece of his telescope. "What can you deduce about them, Alistair?"
"They expect to be paid."
"And?"
"They're troubleshooters. Adventurers. Also, one is a fairly healthy infant Giganotosaurus. I can only surmise it was awakened, as it did not quite seem someone's pet." He looked halfway amused as he straightened his robe. Unlike the simply-clad Archmagus, Alistair wore a dark blue robe with an intricate white border under a long-sleaved white tunic and black vest. His raven familiar was perched on his shoulder, eyeballing the telescope's eyepiece avariciously.
"What troubles would I have, though?"
"The Six-Headed Comet."
"Yes. What else?"
"Loac's death is not yet common knowledge," Alistair mused. "You wish to investigate it?"
"Perhaps." Kyne smiled thinly. "Go downstairs and tell them I will be with them shortly."
Descending down the eight stories of his uncle's tower, Alistair turned the doorknob and opened it. The cold northland flurries quickly encouraged him to slam it shut. He could never remember how to do it right... Alistair closed the door and turned the doorknob just so, opening it into Kyne's walled courtyard. Despite the wards against noise, he could still hear the hustle and bustle of the Brindinford harvest festival outside. Behind him was a simple door and a mid-sized cottage.
Looking at the eclectic group of mercenaries, sellswords, and troubleshooters, Alistair couldn't completely restrain a disdainful curl in his lip. The stiff-necked young magus noble simply disliked their kind. "The Archmagus has agreed to see you," he said quietly. "Come in, and please wipe the mud off your boots. The servants intensely dislike having to clean the carpets of filth tracked in unnecessarily."

(Alrighty, this's mostly RP for right now until we get to the good parts. You've all been hired on at really good wages through an intermediary by the name of Rickard Drakenbane - except for Magorah, who's Kyne's apprentice. Rickard's rather famous for having slain a young Dragon about four years ago. He's the only one known to have killed a Dragon pretty much ever. He'll come into play later, but not right now. The majority of the party went to the tower's address in Brindinford.)

[Bitzeralisis]

The Magi named Magorah Starbright was wearing a simple robe, accommodated for the mountainous terrain behind him. Sparks danced on his twitching fingers as he refrained himself from casting an unnecessary spell. He hadn't cast a spell in over a week and the addiction war really bothering him now; but surely he could find somewhere to fire off a few Missiles now that he was at a Magi's tower. The previous week's travel had tired Magorah physically, and the imbalance of physical and magical energy in his body upset him; he had a headache and his stomach growled for food and his muscles ached. However, his perseverance had paid off, and now he was here, at a familiar place where he could sling spells, eat food, and get rest.
The Mage wanted. Magorah wanted to Fly, but the channeling was too complex and he couldn't figure out how the propulsion system worked. He wanted to shoot Lightning Bolts, but his veins would burn with power when he tried to channel all that energy and he would find himself out of breath from the exertion. He wanted to create huge Mirage Landscapes, but his mind couldn't even grasp all the details of an image that large and the light refraction signets would confuse his inexperienced mind. Magorah wanted all that power and skill and ability so he could save innocents. But all would come in time. Magorah could wait. The Magi were patient, after all.
"What a joy to be back," muttered Magorah, entering the ever-familiar tower of his once-master. "It feels like yesterday when I left this sanctum as a journeyman. Doubtlessly, I am still a journeyman... but when my time comes, I shall evolve into a master." The young Mage strolled, shuffling his numb feet, around the foyer, and examined a great deal of things. The stern face softened for a moment, remembering the exuberant times when he had trained under this roof, but turned tense again in the presence of those other ridiculous adventurers. A tomboy, a dragon shaman, a hobgoblin, a raccoon-being, a dark elf, and a dinosaur was his company. They were brawlers and buckle-swashers, and he didn't like them. Nay, but I cannot judge a book by its cover, thought Magorah, and he turned to face away from those creatures. No, he couldn't judge books by their covers. He had missed many a great book in his youth due to their ragged, old covers, and he wouldn't make that mistake again. But then again, there was a walking, talking dinosaur. Probably some sort of brawler. Meh. I'll just have to wait.

[Beschoren]

That's curious.

That simple thought filled Lessur Acelaw mind over and over. He was a simple man from a harsh homeland, and was about to enter an archmage personal tower. Although Lessur lived on the frontier and was used to traders and odd "civilized" folk, he had never been so far, seeing so many strange and different things...
That was good. Lessur was allways a curious boy, a questioning little rebel and now a inquisitive man. He could (and likely would) never understand how to build large stone castles or mighty magical towers, but nevertheless he would question and question anyone around him until he could elaborate a comparision with something he knew well. (Wich was quite a limited list.)
luckly, that travel would make him discover much about the world and about himself. And about talking lizzards. He had no idea of who were those who walked along him. But he was going to like them, because they were going to like him - and his handy powers...

Actions: keep silent. aura of senses is active (+1 listen/spot/initiative)

Sorry if I mistyped or terrible murdered the english language, I'm not a native speaker. But please, do tell me If i write something stupid - I'm making a major english test next year, wich may or may not define a wonderfull academic oportunity and I must pratice my writing

[Rettu Skcollob]

The Dwarf known tentatively as Shar (Short for ShåaBATÉ. The intricacies of the earthy Dwarven tongue were ill-suited to most other Races) stood adjacent to the wall, standing bolt upright in his heavy armour. The strangely crafted plate seemed to be made of many interlocking pieces of plate, which clicked immovably into place whenever he stopped moving.

Emblazoned in the middle of his armour there lay a strange symbol; that of half a black sun intersected by a black stripe. The same symbol was crafted into both the large, unwieldy looking shield strapped to his back, and the pommel of the huge, wickedly sharp sword sword at his side.

His face is partly covered by the dark lenses of a pair of smoked glasses to protect his eyes from the glare of the sun, but it is easy to make out most of it. His skin is a deep grey, and his face is mottled by scars and markings. Every now and then a muscle on the Kanorati's face twitches slightly, and his eyes constantly dart from side to side, hidden behind his glasses. Occasionally other muscles on his body would twitch seemingly involuntarily.

He whips his gaze to the Magus noble immediately as he appears, his whole body tensing. He listens, unmoving as the spell-slinger has his say. The Dwarf gives a shudder as the voices from his fractured brain make themselves known, their speech echoing through his mind.

Arrogant bookworm bastard. Let's grind 'is ugly face into the ground.

Be silent Nayls. We have no inclination to be privy to the primitive bile expelled from your crude mind.

Get it up ya; right next to the stick up yer bum, Orc-breath.

Disgusting simian!

Boot-licker!

Shut it, you two! As if we haven't enough problems as it is without your constant bickering. We need whatever this job is if we want to eat, the reward from clearing out that goblin haunt is drying up fast.

P-P-Please be q-quiet?

Oh, grow a god damned backbone Banad.

Sorry.

It's not his fault Nalys, now quit being such a bullying toad and shut up!

Oh, remain silent, I wish to know how this turn of events will conclude.

The Kanorati Dwarf clears his throat nervously, his eyes continuing to dart around.

"Y-Yes, of course sir."

With that, he moves into the Magus' abode, taking care to wipe the dirt of travel from his armoured boots before entering.


Dominant:
Banad: LG
Subjugated:
Edani: CG
Nalys: LE
Observer:
Trium: LN

[Suzuro]

Shomuth walked silently behind the others, his head, and his eyes, darting eagerly around. He was extremely curious; so many curious items that only became curiouser and curiouser the close one got. But, of course, that wasn't the only reason to dart...it was in his nature to be paranoid.

He, of course, [/I]looked[/U] normal, despite his slightly larger eyes and rounded ears, but he knew that someone would eventually notice him, and the last time that happened..it wasn't pretty. Reagardless, he continued walking into the abode, he felt out of place in his ragged clothes he used for traveling.

He followed the others, having to hurry to catch up on more than one occasion...his curiosity would surely get the best of him one day...


-Suzuro

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

And so Wuli arrived at this tower thingamagig, he took a look in his reflection for the first time he got. Black beady eyes and long brown hair and a pointed goatie. He still felt foolish, he missed his topknot and his elgent robes of his own people, not this weird and contraining pantaloons, or this weird three-pointed hat, or the black linen shirt. Although he had to admit that it did not look awful, it felt so weird.

Would this be his new look? A scarred hobgoblin with a pointy rapier and frothy human's clothing? It was at least different from what he was used to, and that was good. As he thought on, the more he realized that this look was better than being even closely resembling his former life. He was a scarred man now: literally and figuratively and he would move foreward without looking back. He sighed as he stared into the reflective upholstery, fiddling with his goatee.

If he dressed the part than maybe he would become the part.

He nodded to the magi as he came in, and followed his companions lead. This adventure would cement him away from his parents and away from his boring life; he knew it, he just knew it, and so he smiled, softly, knowingly.

Perhaps he could get an eye patch as well?

[Solaris]

(I'm going to assume that everyone who hasn't posted yet is here, just not actually doing anything particularly noteworthy.)

Alistair actually smiled when he saw Magorah. Clasping his fellow magus's hand, he shook it before greeting him in the Arcanist's Tongue. Alistair did not particularly care that none of the others would be able to understand the conversation. He had things he wanted to discuss without the others knowing what was going on.
"I am glad to see my uncle's agent had at least some regard for character. Which man hired you on?" Alistair frowned slightly, gesturing away from the group. "There are... things we must discuss. The Six-Headed Comet is prophecied. If we're right, it's v-very, very bad." The habitual stutter he'd conquered as a child was starting to come out again; someone who knew him well could tell he was quite agitated.
"That will not be necessary, Magus Jude," Kyne said as he descended the stairs. "The rest may as well find out now; they'll soon be involved."
"Assuming they've agreed," Alistair reminded him sharply.
"Would you pass up the chance to save all Creation from oblivion?" Kyne asked, cocking a bushy eyebrow. Now that he was in the light, the adventurers could see their would-be employer quite clearly. He was the picture of a absent-minded wizard, with a mane of wild white hair, bushy white eyebrows, a crooked nose, and a look of mild surprise on his genial features. "My friends, I will be as blunt as possible. The world will, within three years, end. Not 'end as we know it', not 'be recreated in the image of the undead,' but end. The Six-Headed Comet that even now heads towards Taelessa's constellation is one of the signs of this oblivion. The next, which many work to stop, is the emergence of the Godskiller. It will strike through our holiest sanctuaries; the cathedral in Brindinford is one such location we believe it will try to come through. I need you to head to Brindinford, investigate the town, and try to stop the cultists before it's too late."

[Rettu Skcollob]

The Dwarf inhales sharply at the spellcasters words, a slight involuntary twitch arcing through his body.

"E-End of the world!?"

Asomdeus' cloven feet!

Oh my...

Bollocks! Is 'e mad?

He can't be right.

I...

Well, whether he's right or not, he's offering Gold inn'e? That's wot that thingy said... Rackard or summin'. Let's play along for now, eh?

Unfortunately, I agree. We're running out of money, and if this guy's as mad as he's sounding, then we can just drop by, and come back for the cash. If he's right, well... I suppose that being a Hero isn't all bad?

So I should... Take it?

Go on Banad.

The Kanorati takes a deep breath and answers more clearly than before.

I... accept.

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah would never give up a chance to save the world, even if it meant his own life. He nodded sternly, without a twitch or quiver.

[Beschoren]

"A what? cosmic profecies? How can you be so sure?"

The barbarian crosses his arms and rises an eyeborow (standing), as if doubting a reason to fear. He's tall, strong and hardy, and the position he is now shows it.

"And what those cultists do? make up scary stories?"

[Solaris]

"Do not underestimate the power of human belief, barbarian," Kyne said softly. He motioned for Alistair to be silent as he explained. Kyne was much older and much more patient with the uneducated than his nephew. "We magi understand that the power of the gods is not truly inherently divine, but rather drawn from those who revere them. Humans - and I mean no offense to our Kanorati friend, but they lack the fire of the spirit that humans possess - make the gods, gods. That is why only humans have anthropomorphic deities. Were a group of people to place this belief in something not a god... There are those who revere this Godskiller, giving it the power it thirsts for. It desires to destroy the sources of life and unlife in the cosmos, the Argent and Ebon Flames. This need gives it an unholy power unlike any other, power it shares with the hollowed men who follow it.
"Mysticism aside, a cultist with a gun can do an awful lot."

[Suzuro]

Shomuth stepped up to be near the others.


E....end? But..I'm not done here! No! Absolutely not... he continued twitching slightly, and finally gave a resounding nod to show his recognition of the severity of the situation.


-Suzuro

[Beschoren]

Lessur Acellaw

The barbarian dosen't seen much concerned yet - afterall, doomsayers are everywere. still, this should be a great oportunity for him to develop his most powerfull ability - breath thunderbolts as he rages. Lessur WANTS that, and if there's a chance of puting down trublemakers such as cultists....

"Mmm. I supose you're not the type that wastes time on the ridiculous. I'm sure the cultists are pretty real however, so count me in."

Lessur would love to enter a great quest to gain power and respect... even as "world ending" seems a bit overeactive, he thinks those mages must have something beside fear of profecies to act like that.

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

((OOC: Sorry for the delay.))

Wuli smiled and then nodded. He would do it, it sounded like a cause that would strike his name far away from the likes of his family. He otherwise says nothing.

((OOC: Wuli is an odd one, he's rarely going to speak until the battles arise and then it'll be a flourish of witty banter and pirate speak, but until then he is fairly solemn and dignified.))

[Solaris]

(@ Wolf: 'Salright. I figure meatspace gets in the way of life every once in a while, so I'm intentionally not trying to move this too quickly.
The fact that I'm doing heavy guard rotations might have something to do with it, too.)

"I am glad to hear it," Kyne replied. "Now that you've agreed to help, let's get down to business. There have been a number of incidents in Brindinford that I want you to look into. Most troubling is a string of gruesome deaths in the Silver Hill district - the wealthy part of town. They look to be the work of some manner of monster, and I have divined they are related to the Godskiller cult."

(Alrighty.)

(As an aside, I'm going to introduce the Forsaken after our adventures in Brindinford. A lot of the characters I'm planning on introducing there are related to him - and his past life - but I don't want the NPC interactions to overload the scene before the PCs get a chance to get going.
So if it has a name, try not to kill it too dead.)

[Beschoren]

Lessur Acellaw takes a good look around him, to the diverse strange objects over the room, and trying to rebember some of the itens he saw in the way, inside the tower. He's sightly more relaxed now, but his tone is still dry and heavy

"Is there anything you could give us to help? our resources are limited, but yours seems more abundant. A pack of utility scrolls can make a difference on how many arms we lose in a dirty fight."
(quickly turns his head to Magorah)"Warlock, would you risk yourself to cast a spell you're not sure you can handle?"

It's wirtten in his face that he expects a "yes" as a awnser.
from both questions.

[Solaris]

"I could," Kyne replied, "but what sense would it make? You can easily return to this location at any time and return to my tower for help. That alone is a great boon many will never receive. I am not so inclined to give more material possessions away. What assurances do I have that you simply won't run off with them?"

[Rettu Skcollob]

The Kanorati continues to stand still, (Or as still as he can manage) while the barbarian pushes the wizard for additional assistance.

Hmph. Greedy bugger. I like him.

I fail see why he's pushing his luck by asking for a handful of scrolls.

[Suzuro]

Shomuth was fidgety. He wanted to get moving, it just wasn't in his nature to stay still for this long. Regardlless, he knew they were going on a dangerous journey, and, as paradoxical as it seemed, he didn't want to leave. Yes, he realized this strange dichotomy, but he didn't care...he knew he would have to leave soon, but at least he had some people by his side....


-Suzuro

[Beschoren]

Lessur Acellaw

(large smile) "I'm not asking for a golden staff of fire, frost and fury - only for a pack of scrolls. you could consider that as a advancement, if you wish, and reduce it from my payment."

afterall, what use he would have to the reward if they could not survive? Lessur remembered of that rougue sorcerer who once plagued the trade roads. he would jump so high no one could catch him, and his magic protected him from gunfire. he was eventually captured (drinking too much spoils roberry), and the elders said he was but a novice magician with simple, easy spells. simple, easy spells that made a lot of difference to his success...

[Solaris]

Kyne studied him for a moment with an eyebrow cocked incredulously. "What, exactly, did you have in mind?"

[Bitzeralisis]

(quickly turns his head to Magorah)"Warlock, would you risk yourself to cast a spell you're not sure you can handle?"

Magorah
"First, I an not a warlock. Such is a derogatory term. What kind of spell are you mentioning at? There's usually no risk involved with attempts to cast spells that one cannot 'handle'..." Magorah's voice is riddled with annoyance, but he tries his best to not let his arrogance get the better of him.

[Beschoren]

lessur

(occ: not sure the barbarian/dragon shaman would have much knowledge of this casting stuff. it's up to the DM. an alternate reply (he being ignorant to spellcraft) is on a spoiler tag, as well as some scroll-using rules.
no need to keep this discussion going to long, right? I would hate to slow things down)

Lessur steps back (metaphory speaking), afraid of anoyng the wizzard. He lowers his head and speaks not as loud (not that he was yelling before!)

(to kyne) "like some two scrolls of jump, one of grease, and one of inivisibility? or nevermind then..."
(to magorah) "sorry, I fail to see the difference. maybe you could show me later. As far as my elders told me, only magicians of higher power could safely use a spell scroll from the 7° or 8° circle, but I supose kyne won't share those, for now."

(occ: use scroll requires to "Decipher the Writing", spellcraft DC 20+spell level, requires casting ability score 10 + spell level (as normal) and character caster level must be equal or higher then the scroll spell level (if not, requires caster level check DC scroll caster level +1. failure may bring nasty mishaps). dungeon master guide, 238.
not sure a 4° level wizard can cast a meteor sawrm, or if it's willing to take the mishaps. not to mention prohibited schools.

(suposing the barbarian could never know such details of spellcraft) (to kyne) "Like some 4 scrolls of very simple and cheap, but usefull magic? or nevermind then..."
(to magorah) "Sorry, I fail to see the difference. Show me later... You mean you can cast spells from any scroll, anytime? I thought those thing were more complicated."

[Solaris]

(Bonus points for using the right IC-term for spell levels.
Wait.
Mind reader.
Getouttamyheadgetouttamyheadgetouttamyheadgetoutta myheadgetouttamyheadgetouttamyheadgetouttamy-)

"That seems... doable," Kyne said slowly. They were all fairly useful low-grade spells, worth scribing if not memorizing daily, but he'd honestly expected requests for healing potions and other restorative items. "Return tomorrow, by noon, and I should have what you need."

(-headgetouttamyheadgetouttamyheadgetouttamyheadgeto uttamyhead-)

[Rettu Skcollob]

The armoured Dwarf nods quickly, and speaks with similar alacrity. His nervousness at the situation has grown more and more - The powerful man and unfamiliar setting have rendered his current personality quite spooked.

"That'sverykindofyousirbutwereally - " Shar takes a breath for a moment "shouldn'tintrudeonyourtimeanymore."

[Solaris]

Kyne blinked owlishly, surprised at the Kanorati's sudden outburst. He hadn't said three words this entire time, and now this... torrent. "No, no," he said, "it's... there's no harm in asking, my stout friend."

[Rettu Skcollob]

The Kanorati opened his eyes again, only to find to his relief that the Mage had not asploded him.

"Th-Thank you, sir!"

[Beschoren]

lessur

whew...

satisfaction and relif... the barbarian set his shoulders in place again (cracking them a bit). he would have a lot to ask about the cultists yet, but it's better to just say "thank you" for now. he prays the others would dare bother the wizzard (or warlock or whaterver) asking about the foes.

(occ: ok (thanks!), but did I said the spell-wise version or spell-dumb version of the post? so I can do just the right version next time..)

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah

"Eigth degree...? That is quite a way beyond my capacity. A Mage can tell when a spell is beyond them when a good amount of effort won't make it go. Sometimes the spell itself is too complicated for my untrained mind. But if you try too hard, try to twist the spell so that its difficulty is reduced and its power is more within your grasp..."

Magorah grows tense. A shudder.

"I don't like to dwell on it. I learned my lesson about that a long time ago. Spells don't like being twisted."

He reaches over and rubs his right arm, as if in pain. Just figments of a doubtlessly horrid memory, however.

[Solaris]

(occ: ok (thanks!), but did I said the spell-wise version or spell-dumb version of the post? so I can do just the right version next time..)

(Spell-dumb. Your character has no ranks in Spellcraft or Knowledge [arcana]. You get the ones you wanted, though, 'cause the Archmagus is just that smart.)

"Agreed," the Archmagus replied. "We all learn that lesson the hard way, I'm afraid."

[Solaris]

(Yeah, I know. Double-posting. I'm just doing this to move the game along. Does anyone want to do anything with this festival - like buy up last-minute gear? If not, I'm gonna go straight to the next encounter.)

[Rettu Skcollob]

OOC:

[Nah, I'm fine. I was feeling kind of awkward not posting, but I couldn't think of anything really decent to add.]

[Solaris]

(Alrighty, then. We're gonna move it along - expect a post some time in the next day or two, hopefully.)
(Tuesday: I make plans, and I swear the Army has this whole collective 'let's see how much we can screw them up' thing going. It doesn't look like that post is gonna happen today.)

[Solaris]

(Double-post again! Honestly, why do I even have the OOC thread if I never use it?
When you came in the gates, the guards had you peace-bond your weapons, put bags over axes, tie swords in sheathes, that sort of thing. Spellcasters not native to the town have their middle and ring fingers tied together - Magorah, you didn't exactly come in the usual route, so you're good. There's a reason magi like to have wandering houses, natch.
It's up to y'all whether or not you want to maintain this status or not. It'll take you a full-round action and provoke an attack of opportunity to unbind your gear.)

As you leave the Archmagus's tower, you realize the streets of Brindinford bustle with activity far increased from what you saw in the early morning as the harvest festival engulfs the main street through town. The main street—none too wide in the first place—is narrowed further by the carts and booths lining its sides. You can tell this part of Brindinford was built before the Mandate established solid rule over the region, as the roads aren't large enough for wagons to get through. Fortunately, wagons are barred, but pedestrians clog the road effectively enough. Artisans, entertainers, and merchants staff the fair booths, calling to potential customers and trumpeting their wares.
Above it all, two notable features define the town’s landscape. A walled keep crowns the hill at the western end of the town, where you're at, and in the center of town a huge bell tower stands like a sentry.

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar will let his Bastard Sword be peace-bonded, and won't un-bond it.


The short, muscled Dwarf moves very slowly outside, standing stock still when he can, as if afraid to be noticed. The consensus in his mind was to let the others do the planning, and then wait until he had an opportunity to hit things.

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

Wuli, who had remained silent through this entire process, nodding in agreement every once in a while, happily strolled (very close to a prance actually) down the market square, every so often grabbing the hilt (but not unsheafing) his rapier; smiled at the people who passed him by, and generally took in the sights and sounds of the area.

Anyone who made eye-contact with him, would find something just a wee-bit off. Something that was just not right with the young man.

[Solaris]

Sadly, Wuli was far from being the only thing not right in this fair. As he prances down the street, a good twenty feet ahead of the bulk of the group, a shout from the middle of the busy fair spreads into an expanding ripple of cries and screams. In seconds, these are accompanied by loud crashes that sound like carts and booths being overturned. These ripples of sound immediately transform into a wave of people as bystanders try to escape whatever is wreaking havoc behind them.

(Wuli, you're about sixty feet from the disturbance and you have a crowd in the way - you can see where it is, but not what. The rest of the group is eighty feet from the disturbance - you can really only see Wuli Bai.)

[Beschoren]

Lessur

The cries of the folk cross lessur's mind and widen his eyes - "And I was worried on how to find our prey!". He moves straitgh to Wuli as fast as he can, dodging some of the townsfolk and trampling most of them "OUT OF THE WAY!!!"

I can move 50 feet, but I'm not sure how much would he really move in a crowd. only action is to get to Wuli and stand by him. I'm still using the senses aura! +1 spot/listen/initiative

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah

"Well, that was quick," says Magorah, rather surprised at how fast they had come across a disturbance.

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

"HA ha," he spoke for the first time, drawing his rapier. "Allow me to save you fair citizens!"

He started to run ahead, not really knowing whether or not he was being followed, "For I am the greatest swordsman of them all! And with my devilish good looks; I shall save you. Swish. Swish."

[Rettu Skcollob]

The short, armoured Dwarf stands stunned for a few moments as he hears the chaos ahead.

Oh yes, finally some Violence! Go Banad! We haven't killed anything in ages!

Move it Banad! It sounds like people are being hurt over there!

Suddenly, Shar begins to run towards the sounds of the disturbance, his heavy armour clanking loudly as he slowly makes his way to the fight, encumbered by his set of plate.


Actions:

Full Round: Run [3x Speed = 45 Feet]

[Beschoren]

(OCC: the point on going towards Wuli is not leaving anyone alone, so I guess I just keep following him instead of standing still on where he was. if there's time to unlock the axe, good then...)

[Solaris]

Alright. Here's what goes down.

Wuli, you manage to slip through the crowd with relative ease, while Lessur curses under his breath in a frantic effort to catch up, trying to undo the leather bag around the axehead at the same time. At the start, it seems as though our Kanorati friend would be quickly left behind - but nothing stops a dwarf on a rampage.
Nothing.
Except for some things. But not crowds of panicked people.
Shar charges forward, roaring like a steam engine as he plows through the crowd, an armored bowling ball scattering people like pins.

Lessur closes to about 55 feet from the disturbance, actually losing ground to Wuli. Shar roars past him, leaving a momentarily open pathway through the crowd - I advise he takes it. Shar's closed to a distance of 35 feet from the disturbance, right behind Wuli.
Wuli moves to 30 feet from the disturbance. He can see that the crowd's thinned out a lot where he is, and he can catch glimpses of pushcarts knocked over, booths smashed, and their goods strewn about the cobblestone ground. Merchants are fighting something, but he can't quite make out exactly what.
Magorah, on the other hand, is hanging back and letting the ablative meat-shields charge on ahead.

(Thought no armor slowed dwarves down. I'mma gonna have to double-check on the heavy plate.)

[Rettu Skcollob]

His muscled limbs barely even recognising strain the extremely heavy plate, Shar continues to bowl through the crowd, using his bulk to clear any more fleeing civilians.


Move Action: Move 15 Feet Forwards
If whatever is causing the disturbance becomes visible by then, then I'll post according to what it is. If it is still obscured, then Shar will use another move action to get however close he needs, to be able to see it.

Edit: Should start putting my Combat Tracker up.
[Combat Tracker]

VP: 41
WP: 17
AC: 19 [10 Touch, 19 Flat-Footed]
Immune to Poisons, Phantasms and Paralysis
Fire Resistance 5
Active Buffs: None
Active Debuffs: None

[Beschoren]

Lessur
bashing the civilians and cursing loudly over the "Stupid bag! die! die!" (that he proves almost uncapeble of removing) the barbarian keeps up to the heat of the shouts.

"Out of the way dammit! I'm trying to save yo-UFF!"(pateticly crashes with a cart)

(keeps moving to the center of the disturbance and removing the bag. about to rage... boss, can we get a map of the situation or you don't use maps?)

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

Wuli, galloped (as hobgoblins gallop) toward the beast/aberration/whatever, and begins to poke it with his rapier, allst the while with his left hand in the air, yelling things like: "Fear not good time people your avenger is at hand!" and "Ah hah."

Move action to get there. Drawn weapon already done. Poking it with my rapier of doom!

Attack: [roll0] Damage roll: [roll1] ... If the creature in question is immune to critical hits or sneak attacks, please minus two from my damage roll. Insightful strike is a wonderful ability.

[Bitzeralisis]

Spells picked.

Magorah Starbright
Magorah wishes he could fly, and swiftly moves towards the disturbance.

Actions
Move to the disturbance as fast as possible.

Status Block
VP: 11/11
WP: 12/12
AC: 15 (Touch 12, FF 13)
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5

[Solaris]

(Be afraid! I'm posting in the OOC thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5198565)!)

Shar, you get within 25 feet of a group of three merchants surrounded by a pack of savage giant rats. The merchants are ineffectually swatting at the rats with brooms and other implements, keeping them at bay but not putting any of them out of commission.

Lessur, despite almost knocking over a cart and the hapless merchant desperately trying to fend off the crowd, manages to cover more distance this time - and wins victory over the gods-cursed leather bag by the end of the round. You're a 5-foot-step from the pack of rats - next round you can work on earning the name "Lessur Acelaw, Rat-Hacker".
(Sorry, bro. I don't have any maps for this scenario mocked-up - and I don't think I'll be able to do 'em for anything but the really important stuff.)

Wuli galloped up to the pack of rats and speared one on the end of his rapier, killing it almost instantly. Looks like you beat Lessur to the punch. The rest of the rats don't look too happy with you and leave off harrassing the merchants to try eating you.
Dire rats (because y'all like dice rolls - and rats aren't cool enough to warrant a halfway-decently-written battle):
1 - 5-foot adjustment, attack roll 5. Miss.
2 - 5-foot adjustment, attack roll 12. Miss.
3 - Dead. Good job, Rat-Hacker.
4 - 5-foot adjustment, attack roll 19. Hit for 4 VP damage - no Fort save for filth fever as you haven't taken WP damage yet.
5 - Move action to come into melee, attack roll 9. Miss.

(In case you haven't figured it out already, I'm not a stickler for initiative. If it becomes important, we'll roll it. If not, initiative order is "You guys" and then "Monsters".)

Magorah, you get the benefit of being a magus - despite being in a near-panicked stampede, most of these people are actually getting out of your way. Still, it's tough enough going that you only cover 30 feet to get 50 feet from the disturbance - and you don't have line-of-sight to anything, yet.

[Rettu Skcollob]

Finally seeing the cause of the disturbance, Shar stops dead in his tracks for a moment, taking the time to first strap on his over sized shield to his left arm, and draw his bastard sword in his right.


Move Action: Draw Weapon
Move Action: Strap on Shield

[Beschoren]

Lessur Acelaw

Once the barbarian can finaly see the reason of the trubles... he gets... unhappy. They were just animals, creatures he learned to live with all the time. Not villans, not monsters, just animals.

Sure, those big guys were quite grotesque, and were killing people. no doubts on what's need to be done, but no joy on killing the little furry things... Nevertheless, the cursing and shouting and raging keeps on and on. the bag and the cart and the people anoyed him enought to just smash the rats, caring not for their felings.

beside that, his presence... changes. shouting and striking against the rats somehow feels inspiring and motivating. grabing his axe with both hands and using it so fiercely is merely flashy, something ELSE is in play there... a dragon's power, now emerging... and raising your spirit...

1° - move action: draw wepon! using the drwaven waraxe as a two-handed wepon
2° - swift action: changes to POWER aura. + 1 to all melle damage rolls for himself and allies in 30 feet
3° - BARBARIAN RAAAAAAAGEEEEEEE!!!
4° - 5-foot step toward the vile rat
5° - standard action: ataaaaaaack!!!(the rat) [roll0] (damage: [roll1])
edit: HP 40, WP 22, AC 15.

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah Starbright
Magorah smiles slightly, almost arrogantly, as the crowd ripples away for his passage.

Actions
Continue moving to the disturbance.

Status Block
VP: 11/11
WP: 12/12
SP: 19/19
AC: 15 (Touch 12, FF 13)
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

Wuli smiles and laughs a great chortling laugh. 'Ha ha ha' as the fell rat-thing falls and then goes forth to smite another, specifically the one that bit him. "Take that, and that you fiend!" He buckled and swashed.

Move action to go to next nearest rat if it's necessary and then he attacks it.

I'm really, really sorry, but I miscalculated my BAB to be 10, instead it's actually only 8. My mistake, I apologize. If I actually missed in my last attack then I'm sorry. I'll minus two AP's for it.

Attack: [roll0] ... Damage: [roll1]

[Beschoren]

(OCC: wulli, like everyone, gets +1 on melee damage rolls due to the dragon shaman power aura :smallcool:)

[Solaris]

(Everyone start putting in status blocks like Magorah, if you please.)

Shar gears up. You're still twenty-five feet from the little melee.

Lessur, your attack connects. The rat you just hit goes flying in a shower of chunky red gore.

Magorah, you continue to move until the end of the round. You close to Shar, only 20 feet from the ratfight.

Wuli, in the thick of the melee, stabs another rodent for a whopping four damage. It just kinda looks at him and snickers before attacking, getting a nasty bite in. It's bleeding pretty badly.

1 - Dead.
2 - Uninjured. Attacks Lessur. Roll 19. Miss.
3 - Dead. Good job, Rat-Hacker.
4 - Uninjured. Attacks Wuli. Roll 14. Miss.
5 - Wounded. Attacks Wuli. Critical hit. 3 WP damage, 3 VP damage.

Shar and Magorah notice a group of four creatures that look like a twisted combination of human and monstrous rat emerge into view. They're in two groups - one group of three is coming from the left, starting about 10 feet from the melee, while the lone wererat is coming from the right, about 30 feet from the melee. The lone wererat has a pistol in its paws and a snarl that means business on its face. The lone gunrat takes aim at Lessur, while the other three rats charge the merchants. If anything good comes of this, at least the pistol shot will make sure the guards come running.
Lone Gunrat - Uninjured. Attacks Lessur. Roll 20 (adjusted). 10 VP damage.
WR 1 - Uninjured. Attacks Merchant.
WR 2 - Uninjured. Attacks Merchant.
WR 3 - Uninjured. Attacks Merchant.

The wererats are in melee range of Wuli and Lessur, while the Lone Gunrat is 30 feet from y'all. Thanks to the fact that he's positioned just right, he's also 30 feet from Magorah, 35 feet from Shar.

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar, brandishing his large shield in his left hand, and his massive sword in his right, barely glances at the were-rats as they enter, silently dismissing them as being too far away, and filing them away for further notice soon. Bellowing indiscernible curses in his native tongue, Shar charges at the melee, his eyes wild.


Actions:
Full Round: Charge (At nearest Rat) [30 Feet +1 Attack at +2 Bonus, -2 to AC until next turn]

To Hit
[roll0]
Damage
[roll1]

Edit: Natural One for my first roll of the day, and an infraction? This is not my day.
[Combat Tracker]

VP: 41
WP: 17
AC: 17 [10 Touch, 19 Flat-Footed] -2 Charge Penalty
Immune to Poisons, Phantasms and Paralysis
Fire Resistance 5
Active Buffs: None
Active Debuffs: None

[Solaris]

(Heh. Not really an infraction - I'm just too lazy to pull up y'all's character sheets every round.)

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah Starbright
Mogorah moves as far as he can from the monsters without being obstructed, muttering spells as he goes along.

Actions
Move Action: Exactly what the fluff states. Be a maximum of 100 feet from the disturbance, while having clear passage and vision to it.
Standard Action: Cast Mage Armor.

Status Block
VP: 11/11
WP: 12/12
SP: 18/19
AC: 19 (Touch 16, FF 17) [+4 Mage Armor]
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5

[Beschoren]

Lessur Acelaw

(OCC: forgot to tell you guys iºm in a trip and with few internet time. sorry for todayºs the lame post and response delay)

"GRRWAAAAAA!!!!"
[spoiler]Atacks nearest ratman[roll0] damage[roll1][spoiler]



Status Block
VP: 30/40
WP: 22/22
AC: 15 (Touch 11, FF 14)
Power aura: +1 melee damage
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +11

[Solaris]

(Don't worry, guys, I haven't forgotten about this! I just PMed WillWolf. He's got 24 hours until I control his character for this round, and this round only. Hopefully, anyhow.)

[Solaris]

(Oi. Well, here's the continuing bit. I'mma gonna try and see what's what with Will - my guess is real life got in the way.)

Shar, you charge into battle roaring... only to stumble on a piece of wood from a broken cart. You barely manage to not blunder into your ally, that smelly barbarian chap whatsisname Lessur. The rat you were charging grins toothily, showing yellowed fangs and sniggering.
Cheeky blighter.

Magorah, you take a move action away from combat, inadvertantly helping to prove the theory that magi are cowards. You cast your spell, tracing glowing runes in the air to conjure up ghostly armor to protect your precious person.
Unfortunately, this draws attention to yourself.

Lessur, you take a step to assist one of the merchants the ratmen are mauling. Raising your axe above your head, you come down with all the furious power of the Beastlander barbarians, dealing 9 points of vp damage. It's bleeding pretty badly, but it's not quite down and out yet.

Wuli attacks one of the other wererats. Attack roll 19+8, confirmation roll 10+8. Critical hit. The wererat has no VP; it's immediately dropped to -1 wp and dying.
Oh, sure. I can't roll like that when I'm trying to kill PCs, now can I? Bah!

1 - Dead.
2 - Uninjured. Attacks Lessur. 23, hit. 2 vp damage.
3 - Dead. Good job, Rat-Hacker.
4 - Uninjured. Attacks Lessur. 6, miss.
5 - Wounded. Attacks Lessur. 10, miss. When I'm not, I'm hot. When I'm not...

Lone Gunrat - Uninjured. Attacks Magorah. 18. That bullet just barely missed you, magus. It's a blessing and a curse that you just cast that spell.
WR 1 - Wounded. Attacks Lessur. 18. Hit for 4 damage.
WR 2 - Dying. Just kinda lies there bleeding. From a rapier.
WR 3 - Uninjured. Attacks Merchant.

Except for Magorah, the positions are mostly unchanged. The crowd's pretty much cleared out by now, but there's no sign of the watch yet.

[Rettu Skcollob]

Gods breath Banad, how incompetent ARE you?

Oh, shut up, it wasn't his fault.

What are you, his mum?

Damn it I wish you were corporeal so's I could strangle you.

Ooh; kinky. Your place or mine, baby?

Jerk.

Ignoring the bickering inside of his mind, Banad regains his balance, charging at a wererat in a similar fashion to beforehand, although keeping an eye out on the floor this time.


If the Lone Wererat is in range, Banad will charge him. If not, he'll charge one of the other wererats. If none of them are, then he'll attack one of the rats again. If he attacks a rat, -2 from his attack roll.

Attack
[roll0]

Damage
[roll1]

[Combat Tracker]
VP: 41
WP: 17
AC: 17 [10 Touch, 19 Flat-Footed] (-2 Charge Penalty Included)
Immune to Poisons, Phantasms and Paralysis
Fire Resistance 5
Active Buffs: None
Active Debuffs: None

[Beschoren]

Lessur

The barbarian shouts and screams "GRAA!! ENOUGH!!" as bulets and bites and pawns rip and scar his flesh and skin. Taking hit after hit just make him even wilder, striking with fierce (and just) recklessness over the foul.... whatever is that he is smashing. period.

Too bad he still could not trow lighting from his mouth (that would satisfy him). but you can see it in a flash - small sparks coming out from his nose and mouth, due to the heavy breathing and loud cursing..

Actions: if there is any flanking oportunity against the uninjuried ratmen (with a 5-foot step), I will take it (even if I get flanked myself). If there isn't, I will atack him anyway (afterall, he is the ratman who is harrasing the merchant). I supose a single magic missile could take down the wounded ratman? (oh no! I'm telling others what do do! shhh!! bad player!)
Atack:[roll0]
damage:[roll1]


Status Block
VP: 24/40
WP: 22/22
AC: 15 (Touch 11, FF 14)
Power aura: +1 melee damage
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +11

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah Starbright
"You're mine, Rat," shouts Magorah to the Lone Gunrat. He disappears from sight.

Actions
Standard Action: Cast Invisibility.
Move Action: Equip Dragon Rifle.

Magorah Starbright (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=88059)
VP: 11/11
WP: 12/12
SP: 15/19
AC: 19 (Touch 16, FF 17) [+4 Mage Armor 1799]
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5
Status: Invisibility 30

Misc.: Character sheet updated with Dragon Rifle reload time.

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

Wuli "ha-ha." he chortled as his weapon connected, "I am the greatest rat catcher of them all!" As he removed his rapier from the previous were-rat.

"And now for my greatest trick of all," he lunged himself and his rapier at the lone gunrat, and attempt to plunge it in-pointy side first.

Sorry been sick, still am sick, probably will be sick for a very long time. I will try to keep up.

Umm I have no idea how to calculate how much WP and VP I have. @__@;; Sorry. I have taken four VP damage.

Move Action: Move to Lone gunrat
Standard Action: Attack Lone gunrat (or move to him more if he is out of range)

[roll0] .. Damage: [roll1]



VP:
WP:
AC: 18 (Touch: 16; Flat Food: 15)
Saves: Fort:6; Reflex:5; Will:0

[Solaris]

(Rargh, stoopid MWR computers ignoring the existence of my thumb drive.)

Shar, you (wisely) decide to forgo charging the Lone Gunrat to instead whack on the wererat standing right next to you. Your sword bites deep into its chest, and when you pull it out the spray of blood is very satisfying. The wererat slumps to the ground, clearly no longer interested in the fight.

Lessur steps to set up a flanking maneuver on the uninjured wererat, getting a +2 bonus on his attack roll to hit the creature. He strikes it in the side, nearly cutting the creature in half. It slumps to the ground, out of the fight.

Magorah, a step ahead of the enemy, goes invisible a split-second after he shouts out his challenge to the Lone Gunrat. Obviously no longer interested in a losing battle, the wererat turns and sprints off. It tossed its pistol aside as it ran.

Wuli, laughing at his own bravado, takes off after the fleeing wererat.
(You calculate VP the same way you do normal hit points. WP is simply your Constitution score.)

Without their wererat masters to drive them into blood-frenzy, the remaining rats flee as well.

Lone Gunrat -
WR 1 - Dying. Just kinda lies there bleeding from a sucking chest wound brought on by a sword.
WR 2 - Dying. Just kinda lies there bleeding from a rapier.
WR 3 - Unconscious. Just kinda lies there bleeding from a massive abdominal wound brought on by an axe. Congratulations... you have a prisoner - and perhaps answers.

(Egad, a human wielding an axe while a dwarf wields a sword? What is this place coming to? Why, back in my day, any self-respecting human used a longsword because it dealt a d12 damage against L creatures, and we walked uphill, both ways, through the snow...
... Yeah. I realized I was oldschool when I read the OotS comic wherein they rescued the dirt farmer and immediately recognized all of the modules he was listing off because I had played through them.)

[Beschoren]

lessur

Blasting away opponents satisfies Lessur in a way that few "good" people would ever comprehend. The fleeing ratman, however, still fuels his anger and bloodlust - "HAAAAAAAAAA!!!!". He steps over the fallen ratman and starts to chase the gunrat.

(actions: changes to senses aura (+1 spot/listen) and chases the gunrat. weee!! 50 ft movement!! I'll never get tired of that!!)
(occ: I'm using a DWARVEN waraxe. And I'm a barbarian, not a human)

Status Block
VP: 24/40
WP: 22/22
AC: 15 (Touch 11, FF 14)
rounds of rage left: 7
Senses aura: +1 spot/listen/initiative
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +4, Will +11

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar stops, the plates of his armour clanking softly as they slot into place now that he has stopped moving. He closes his eyes, taking his smoked glasses off and wiping some of the blood off of them, before donning them again. He watches the barbarian chase down the gunrat, knowing that in his heavy armour, he couldn't really hope to catch the wretched creature himself.

[WillWolf]

Wuli:

Wuli, still chasing the lone wererat gunner, stops at about thirty feet away from his compatrients, places his hands on his hips and laughs a deep barreling laugh. "Ha, ha" He emoted, "Run in fear, rodent-man, run in fear!" He then turned and looked for the closest human-being around, bows from where he stood.

"My name is Wuli Bai; Terminator of rodents." Before returning to his compatriots wordlessly and staring at them.

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah Starbright
Magorah moves over to and picks up the Gunrat's discarded weapon.

Magorah Starbright (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheets/view.php?id=88059)
VP: 11/11
WP: 12/12
SP: 15/19
AC: 19 (Touch 16, FF 17) [+4 Mage Armor 1798]
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5
Status: Invisibility 29

[Solaris]

Lessur, you quickly overtake the fleeing Lone Gunrat. The two of you are about a hundred feet from the rest of the group, and it is clearly not interested in fighting to the death anymore. It throws itself at your feet, shifting back to human form (a greasy-haired, dirty, skinny man with a ratty moustache). "Please, please spare me," he squeals. "I only did as they commanded! I didn't want to! Please don't kill me!"

[Beschoren]

Lessur

(Rage)

the barbarian grabs the now-human by his dirty hair and rises his head high - from lessur feet to the chest. "You better plea for your life!" (puts the axe blade close to the ratman ear, but not touching it. each word he says, he makes a small swing, looking deep the fugitive eyes) "Stay (small swing) in (small swing) line (small, but harder, swing)! that's the only way you may survive".

carring the man by the back of his neck, the barbarian returns to the rest of the group. his other hand still grabs the axe pretty tightly. (occ: I'm sure the ratman will realize the human lost -6 str once the rage is ended...)

[Solaris]

The wererat is babbling, now. In between the pleas for his life, you can hear something about a 'Speaker in Dreams', 'The Blessed', and 'West Hill'.
Well now. This seems like something.

[Beschoren]

(occ: we will question him properly once I'm back to the main group. no fun in doing anything alone. did someone secured the not-dead wererat?)

[Solaris]

(*Poof!* You're with the main group.)

[Rettu Skcollob]

The battle-lust having passed by him, Shar nervously replaces his shield in its strap, disappointed for a few moments at not being able to participate in the battle further. Holding his long, curved blade in two hands, he steps forward, standing next to the were-rat, waiting for the group to find what they needed to know so they could dispatch the beast.

[Beschoren]

Lessur

The massive man trows the ratman in the gound, close to the rest of the party, for interrogation. "Now tell me what the hell were you doing here and why, or I WILL chop your legs off!!!"

intimidate: [roll0]. I guess it would't even be needed...

[Solaris]

"That's not worse than what the Blessed will do to me," the ratman sneered.

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar's face contorts for a moment, and he shakes almost imperceptibly. Abruptly he stops, a cool, sadistic smile spreading across his face. He suddenly seems to carry himself with more confidence, and considerably more menace. He gives a low chuckle. "Oh yes, now I have control." He looks for a moment to the sword in his hand, then to the Rat man, grinning disconcertingly. He lightly nudges Lessur to one side, grasping his bastard sword in one hand, tightly. "Now, you listen, you thing. You are going to tell us whatever we want to know, or I am going to start cutting bits off of you. We have healing magic at our disposal... With a few spells, you could be kept alive for a very. Long. Time. I don't care whether or not personally, but if you decide to keep quiet... Well, I won't say that I won't enjoy it... Because I will. Immensely."


Intimidate
[roll0]
Sonuvacrap. Oh well, I guess it's bit-cutting-off time.

[Solaris]

The ratman chuckles darkly. "Maybe I'm going to enjoy it. Immensely."

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar shrugs, admiring the beasts resilience, if nothing else. He hefts his sword, stepping forward "Like I said; I don't care either way." with a swift undercut stroke, he neatly severs the Rat's hand at the wrist, impassively watching as it falls to the floor. "I admire your resilience, Rat. But I'm not a patient man. So, are you going to tell us what we need to know, or do I continue?"


Intimidate
[roll0]

[Beschoren]

Lessur (un-raged)

(occ: I'm somewhat surprised to see such a resistence from our little fellow, who a round before was talking like a parrot and beggig from his live... for now i'll try reverse psycology)

(deeply disapoited) "You did mention something about a "blessed one",a "speaker in dreams" and the "west hill". maybe that's enought to get us your commanders, that forced you to fight. maybe we will go there just to tell them you're a weak easy-talking traitor and that you're roaming around town wating for them. THEN, instead of the nice game my fried here is playing, you will have to face the terrible judgement of your blessed one, have you soul shattered in a billion pieces and trown to the deepest parts of the abyss in extremely horrible manners. Oh, you would be so regreatfull that you would *love* to have told everyting you know, and get killed right here, by him. (points to the dwarf and smiles)

so... tell us what we want or I will let you go!"

[Solaris]

(... It's not my fault you've been rolling badly. Still, I like the threat of "Tell us what we want or we'll let you go!")

(Banad's Intimidate check succeeds. Violence makes the world go round. And has been known to provide a +2 circumstance bonus to certain skill checks.)

Screaming, holding the bloody stump of his hand, the ratman reassesses his priorities. "I don't know- she's- I met her in a bookshop, I couldn't take you there!"

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah Starbright

Magorah reappears with a resounding ping!, sighing.

"You couldn't take us there? Can you take us there now?" Magorah's words form slowly, his mind shuffling through immense knowledge, attempting to cross-reference the "blessed one," "speaker in dreams," and the "west hill" with his knowledge.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

[Solaris]

"I don't know where it is!" the ratman screams. Y'all can hear many bootsteps and armor jingling; the guard's gonna be coming 'round the corner any minute now.

Magorah, your thought-check with the ol' Internal Database of Factoids has resulted in the following: "Blessed One" probably isn't linked to any legitimate religion (IE: Those following the Argent Flame or its servants), "Speaker in Dreams" is probably a poetic way of describing a telepath, maybe some other spellcaster who likes to use the dream spell, and "West Hill" is the nearby wealthy district.

[Bitzeralisis]

Magorah Starbright

"Who is this 'Blessed One' you speak of? The 'Speaker in the Dreams'? The girl? Are they the same person? What connection does this have with West Hill? Why did she hire you?" mumbles Magorah, more thinking than questioning.

[Beschoren]

"Can you hear? -clang-clangs-boot-boots? the guards are coming, loking for YOU. Tell us what we want or we will let you go!!!"

(talking to the ratman, not to Magorah)

[Solaris]

"I can't tell you what I don't know!" the ratman squeals, obviously more interested in Lessur's threats than Magorah's questions.
The guards arrive at about that time, roughly a dozen in all. They're wearing lorica segmentata armor over tunics and pants, armed with revolvers and short swords. While most of them start talking to the merchants and taking notes on the scene, the one with sergeant's stripes on his shoulders walks up to you with obvious disgust on his face.
"Wererats," he says. "I'm Sergeant Brody of the City Watch. I take it you gentlemen are responsible for containing this... mess?"

[Beschoren]

lessur

(to the sargent)
"yes, we are... we do have this prisioner, and a unconcient one. all the others are dead. we'd like to interrogate him a bit more before turning him to you guys.. ahnn, do you know of any distinct bookshop in the "west hill"?"

[Solaris]

You hear the crack of a rifle, a short, interrupted squeal, and then a sickening crunch as the guards finish off the other wounded wererat.
"One prisoner," Brody corrected. "Be quick with this one, gentlemen; the law says I can't leave the scene with the werecreature left alive. I don't know nothin' about West Hill, though. I ain't been there much." He grins, showing a missing front tooth. Considering West Hill's the neighborhood around the university and an upper-class part of town, you can imagine he hasn't. Brody gets more somber. "Why? What has the creature told you?"

[Beschoren]

lessur

(not so happy)
"well, he babbled over "the blessed one" or "speaker in dreams" that he suposely met in a bookshop of "the west hill". I had no idea weretats visited bookstores in hills... the sorcerrer over here (points to Magorah) may know something about it, surely more than I figured.
ahnnn... I supose you won't kill him - he surredered, and he's OUR prisioner. "

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar wipes his bloodied blade on his armour, and sheathes it. "Let's just kill this one then, shall we? It's not like we have any more use for the were-creature scum."

[Solaris]

Brody looks at Lessur incredulously. "I won't, eh?"
Bang!
The wererat spasms and rapidly expires, his brains splattered over the cobblestones.
"I'd be discreet about poking around West Hill, were I you," Brody says after a moment. "There're more than one powerful magi who live in that district."
Such as your benefactor.

[Beschoren]

"hey! that was our prisioner! we who had to determine it's fate and.... (looks at the scene and just tries to forget it) ..bah! nevermind then. not showing you my prisioners again."

turns to the rest of the group "to the west hill then? we still have no solid clues of the cult."

[Solaris]

Brody clears his throat. "You're in the Chatterstreet Market, boys. Just go that way, then follow the Old Ford Road south until you start smelling ink and seeing youths with more brains than sense. That'd be West Hill, the university district. There's about eight cults operating in it at any given time, but they're generally fairly harmless." He drops his voice to a quiet tone that only Lessur could year. "Just between you and me, friend, someone with discretion needs to look into this. There's been a lot of... odd happenings going on, and whenever one of us tries to look into it either the brass reassigns him or something happens to him."
He pauses a moment, speaking up again. "Look, I know I can't stop you short of trying to take you in, and frankly I don't like the thought of how that'd turn out. But you run around killing innocent kids trying to rustle up this Blessed, by the Great Twelve I swear you'll regret it."

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar smiles, facing away from the guardsman, speaking under his breath. "Oh, but that's the funnest part..." He turns to his companions, hefting his sword. "Shall we g-" Shar's eyes unfocus and he lets out a choked sound. His eyes roll back and he shakes violently "G- Get- Gods d-amnit, it's my turn. His 'episode' over, Shar stands up straight, his expression taking on a more noble expression. "I'm sorry you had to see that side of us, friends... Usually we can keep him in check. I apologise profusely. Shall we continue on our mission?"

You bastard, bastard, bastard! I was having fun! Bloody Gods damned bleeding hearts.

[Beschoren]

lessur

the barbarian gives an odd look at shar. what's his problem? anyway he gave a clar course of action: go. "let's go there at once, following the guard's directions. (starts moving "that way") He told me to lay it low, since there has been odd happenings and that is a discrict of powerfull citizens. I'll try to do my best at that..."

but going into a noble district asking for delicate issues while covered in blood and full os cuts and shots is a bad idea. Lessur stops moving and turn around back to his companions.
"uhn, I guess I need some healing. (starts searching for a potion) and a bath"

OCC: drinks lesser vigor potion, healing 11wp over 11 rounds. I supose 5 wp damage won't make him look like a beaten begger or something, right?

[Solaris]

(No, it's magical healing. It'll make him look like he got into a fight a couple of weeks ago. I'd be more concerned about dress - is Lessur wearing local styles or his native garb?)

[Beschoren]

(more a local style, with some few native adresses like a feather or something)

[Rettu Skcollob]

Shar looks himself over. The fight hadn't really gotten onto him much. There was some blood on his sword that wasn't wiped off, but otherwise he was quite clean. "You're right, friend. Perhaps we should stop for a moment somewhere and make ourselves presentable?"

[Solaris]

(Good idea. I recommend here. (http://z8.invisionfree.com/Solaris_Roleplaying/index.php?act=SF&f=3))