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  1. - Top - End - #271
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    3SecondCultist's Avatar

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    Default Re: Tales of Neutral Ground IC

    Maugrim, with your coaxing, eventually comes out of the worst of his reverie and finds a seat, though you note that he always keeps his back to a wall and he still twitches occasionally. All the same, there is a freshness to him now, an energy that responds to the tension that hangs in the room. "Ah yes, well..." he stammers in a way no doubt intended to be authoritative when presented with the version of the plan that you've chosen to share with him, "yes that sounds like a good tactic! Sneak behind their lines in disguise, they will not know the better of it, excellent idea." He frowns ever so slightly when Kleris presents him with the amulet, running the item over his fingers and marveling at its craft, but otherwise is still and acquiesces as both Kett and Kleris begin the process of making a tactile disguise for him.

    By the time the process is all finished, it's been the better part of an hour. The morning light coming through the glass panes has shifted, but the noises from outside remain the same: movement and shouting, the echoing screams a muted thing. Your mission stands before the door, his figure changed. His nose has been widened to be more squat, dye applied to his hair and thick extensions added, including a braid. Other wax prosthetics have been used to add ridges and extra features to his face, face paint and artificial dirt has been applied to darken his complexion, and finally hazel green contact lenses of glass color his eyes. It was also an easy enough thing to draw over his armor even further so that the Deneith sigil is completely unseen. The man that stands before you might be Raz's uncle, or perhaps an older looking cousin, but has nothing in common with Maugrim Nameless.

    With your preparations made and route chosen, you open the door and strike out towards Thronehold Castle. The route you've chosen is a straight shot past several major intersections in the city and crosses two checkpoints, and the danger in the air tells you that for all of your forethought, this will not be an easy task. Summoning horses seems like a good plan to cut off time, and all of you now wait for Gryphon to complete the ritual to get steeds for you all to ride.

    But a good plan, as they say, does not survive contact with the enemy. Or enemies, as it were.

    They set towards you before the spell is finished. At least fifteen all told, a smaller permutation of a mob. Several of them have weapons - bows over their shoulders, spears and swords - but all of them are looking right at your group. Evidently, they were made aware of Maugrim's location during your time indoors, as there is no hesitation in their movements as they approach. They will be on you within a minute, unless you intervene immediately!

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    So the disguises you've made have gotten you past your first obstacle! I'll tick that skill check as an automatic success with prior rolls, and with a magic item attuned that means that you won't need to worry about another obstacle later on. You have 1 success under your belt.

    Now we have another obstacle for the skill challenge! Here we have interlopers, people who have presumably been tipped off somehow as to Maugrim's location during the hour you spent setting up your disguises. As with any skill challenge, it's up to you how you want to approach this obstacle: usually, you nominate one character to handle the skill check, using a skill that they're proficient in. For the purpose of this challenge, you cannot use the Help action beyond RP, and spells will work a little differently: casting times are a bit flexible, but certain spells will give you advantage on the check or let you auto-pass.

    For instance, Gryphon could finish casting his first mount spell and give you an advantage on running away (since there would only be a single mount, not everyone would have access to it) if someone wants to go for an Athletics or Acrobatics check. Someone else could go for Survival to lose them in the streets, or someone could try Persuasion or Intimidation to scare them off. Whatever you do, remember that only one person can try the check, and once the skill is used, you cannot use it again.
    Last edited by 3SecondCultist; 2020-07-20 at 08:21 AM.
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    Small Justice


    An ongoing web serial about politics, vengeance, and miniature lizards. Go check it out!

    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  2. - Top - End - #272
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    The changeling winks and nods at the shifter as he tentatively mentions the mind magic possibilities of convincing Nameless. It didn't seem needed right now but wouldn't hurt if he endednup having an episode mid mission. He quickly leaves to head over to the impromptu disguise station though.

    Kleris helps Kett touch up the old war criminal, following up with a few touches of the disguise kit for fine details. A touch more hair along the jawline and cheeks, lengthening the eyelashes, dabbing a bit of hair dye on a lighter spot. As they finish he looks over the 'shifter' with the critical eye of a natural shapechanger and nods. He was good to go.

    After that he did some more prep, fiddling with his armor to make sure the fit was good and nothing was going to chaffe or poke him while running. He gave his shield and extra buff, making sure to focus on the the holy symbol on the front with care. After all that he was ready for the final peace of his prep.

    Kleris looks around at these companions of circumstance and fate. Fellow travelers on the road indeed. He moves to an out of the way corner in Gryphons apartment. There he kneels down to pray to the God who helped him along the first step to healing his shattered psyche back when he had been lost and in need of direction.

    Though we come from far and wide the traveller accepts all who wander. We who search for the solutions of deception and trickery beg for your blessing as we slip through those who would keep things static without change."

    As he prays he pulls out a small bit of clay and begins to mold it into a small set of bones, surprisingly well formed ones from the many practice sessions every prayer.

    "Look kindly upon our deceptions and tricks this day for we are heralds of change."

    As he finishes the prayer he gathers the clay bones and crushes them, destroying the creation he had just made. After that he rejoins the others as they head outside, ready for the mission.




    The mob wasn't the largest he had seen, or even been the target of, Passage had almost the entire city up in arms and he had seen others before while rravelling with the clan. Little Sask had almost been grabbed by an orphanage during a riot in Fairhaven as a boy before his father got to him.

    This new group he found himself part of was deadly as anything he had seen so they could probably take down these disgruntled cityfolk but that would be too open and send all the wrong warning signs. Glancing back to check the rituals he makes a snap decision and quick walks over to the 'mob'.

    The greatest deceptions have their root in the truth Kleris, give them juuuuuust enough to believe and then leave them in the dust confused and wondering. Now... with a smile.

    As he closes in he brushes his fingers into an open pouch on his waist, touching the preserved snake tongue socked in a bit of sweet oil. He closes in and winks at the one looking most like the leader his next words friendly and charming "Greetings friends, I know what your thinking. Clearly both out groups are looking for Nameless and you came to scope out the competition. Or did some other group tip you off we already had the living sack of gold? Those basterds, we ran afoul of another hunting group last night also looking for him. We had some knowledge of Nameless and wouldn't share so now they're putting other groups on our tail to slow us down. Well we can show them can't we! Look in the interest of not slowing down either of our groups I'll share our hint with you so we can both get a move on. We brought in an associate of our shifter tracker to help us out since it seemed like he would be tough to find."

    He looks around slightly after his barrage of conversation, making sure not to let any of them get a word in edge wise. Using their brief attempts to say something as a tangent to the next part of his one sided conversation. This next part was the key and he layers his words with honey, friendliness, and good old fashioned eldritch power. "You should go check out the boats down at the docks right now. I heard that is where the old man is heading."

    He whispers a last bit as he looks at his own group "Of course if ya find him down there you maybe consider giving me a bit of a tip? Marcher Ristairn, ya can find me in the Karnathi district near the the north end."

    Spoiler: OOC
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    Rolling for Deception and using Suggestion for advantage.
    (1d20+7)[21]
    (1d20+7)[9]
    "Facilis Descensus Averni." - Virgil, The Aeneid

    “Why would I want to win anything other than a beautiful game?” - Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear


  3. - Top - End - #273
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    When everything is decided, Arimart choose to retire himself and meditate, to recollect himself.
    He kneels down, position his shield in front of himself, and looks at the symbol of the Silver Flame, while humming a chant called "Miron's Eye".
    In the end, he repeats a prayer:
    "Through the Dust of deceptions, let my eyes see truly,
    from the claws of death, may my soul feel freedom,
    among the darkness below, my mind will stand strong,
    let the Fire of Justice burn the hearts of the righteous."


    When he's ready, the paladin takes his weapon and shield, prepares them, and reaches Gryphon outside, before the other Khoravar starts casting his spells.
    "I'm ready to do as we said."
    Arimart starts concentrating and repeats another, seemingly long and peaceful song, then he raises his right hand, puts his thumb and index in his mout and whistles. Immediately after, a strong horse appears; it's not clear from where, it looks like it has always been right outside Gryphon's house but, at the same time, he seems to have come from a far place.
    Arimart pats it on the back and speaks to him in a celestial language "Alu'hni, Schuse'ah"*.

    Before he can further instruct the creature, a mob appears and starts walking toward the group. The Khoravar is thinking of the best way to send them away when Kleris acts.
    "Smart move, this one is really a quick thinker!" thinks Arimart, preparing himself to follow the other paladin's lead.

    Spoiler: *
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    "Thanks for leaving the Silvery pastures"
    Last edited by CozJa; 2020-07-22 at 11:09 AM.
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  4. - Top - End - #274
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    The leader of the group - or at least the one that Kleris seems to have identified as the most experienced, judging by the way most of the eyes of the others glance his way - is a darker skinned man in rough leathers and a fur collar, a big axe at his belt. When he shoulders his way to the front of the group, his authority goes unchallenged, making him a prime target for magical mischief. He seems a bit skeptical of all the words that the changeling is telling him, but the suggestion seems to have taken a hold of him, as he scratches his stubble thoughtfully.

    "Aye, the docks," he gravels in a thick Reacher accent. He nods in open approval to both of your 'shifters', and gives what could technically be constituted as a smile. "Figures the rat'd try to stow passage on a ship. Thanks for the tip, Ristairn. Come on, lads! We've got us a bounty to catch." Several of the others in the group seem a bit unwilling to follow, a few casting looks back towards you, but when the Reacher man and the main body of the hunting party head off, they reluctantly depart from your sight. Of course, they will eventually see through Kleris' story once they search the docks, or stop to question why a fellow bounty hunter would willingly split a profit he could be earning all by himself, but for now your path is clear.

    Moving ahead with the help of your newly conjured steeds, you push towards your first roadblock: the gate to the Thrane Zone. The trip doesn't take long, especially not on horseback, although the roads are not exactly empty of people. You spot the broadsheets with Maugrim's face no less than three times in the first minutes of your trip, and you can see the fear in the way that near everyone you pass is standing up straight, shifting glances at each passer by. You earn more than your fair share of looks from those who can count to six, but nobody sees anyone matching the Nameless' description among your number and so nobody approaches you or takes any sort of action.

    At least the disguise seems to be working.



    You know you're going the right way because the volume of both noise and people gradually increases as you get close to Thronehold's market. A steady pulsing of shouting voices, the bustle of footsteps, the bleating of animals and the jangling of wares are the first signs that you're getting to your first stop. "Oysters, clams and cockles!", cries a young girl with a cart of shellfish, her bleating drowned only by the literal baying coming from a pen of goats not too far away. The red smell of cooking meat seems to have agitated the beasts, as they trample around their woeful enclosure with the dim knowledge that they're supper. For all the bustle though, the East Market in the Port District is one of the calmer and more well-to-do parts of the city's bazaar. Well-established and constructed lanes of shops line the streets here, and folk know to let a trio of horses past without getting in their way.

    Up ahead loom the walls; Throneport's physical dividers, they are made of plain unvarnished stone and their highest points are perhaps thirty feet above the street. There are three sections here, separating the Aundairan, Thrane, and Port zones of the city and all converging at a single point. Atop the battlements, you see patrol groups in grey armor and dark green tabards, the sigils of House Deneith clear even from a ways off. You count at least forty on the various sections of masonry, not including those amidst the populace on the ground in the shadow of the most defining feature of the market: the large fortified hexagonal tower that rises from the point of conflux where the walls meet. The Triptych, the locals here have taken to call it, is the biggest and most traveled zone gate in the city.

    And it casts a long shadow indeed. Two different open passages from the other side join at the base, where gates of wrought iron nearly as tall as the walls come together in a triangular arc. At their widest, each passage can easily fit two wagons next to one another and have room for pedestrians on either side, and although they split right at the mouth of the gate, each offers a similar view of the market in the other zones of the city. However, at the moment the gates are barred by the riotous colors and glinting armor of the Five Nations' finest. Soldiers and officials from both Aundair and Thrane appear to be on high alert, what with the way there are full squadrons of them setting up blocks to painstakingly check the papers of every single person aiming to cross one of the boundaries.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Kleris' 21 beats the DC for this challenge, so that's 2 successes! I included in the narration leading up to this next obstacle you effectively 'beating' the first obstacle in that nobody recognizes Maugrim out and about, so you're on your way to properly making it through this thing with no failures. There's absolutely no way that you guys could fail one of these now.

    Onto your next hurdle, which is of course getting into the Thrane Zone. Again, you can try a number of skill checks here, it really depends on your approach to the situation. Persuasion on the guards might work, as might Intimidation. You could also do Deception again, but you'd need to use someone different from Kleris. Maybe someone might want to do a History or Survival check to find a sneaky way through the wall, or an Acrobatics or Stealth roll to get over it? Or if someone has proficiency in forger's tools, you can do a flashback to making 'papers' for the party. Again, it's really up to you how you want to go about it.
    Last edited by 3SecondCultist; 2020-07-21 at 11:27 AM.
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    Small Justice


    An ongoing web serial about politics, vengeance, and miniature lizards. Go check it out!

    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  5. - Top - End - #275
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    Kett stays quiet when they shoo the mob away and begin the ride, mostly to cover up her disdain for riding horses. Uncomfortable, ungainly beasts with the all grace of a one-legged pheasant. She trusted her feet, not so much the horse's, magical or otherwise. Still, she grins and bears it. Half an hour of uncomfortable and unpleasant bobbing was a small price to pay and hardly the worst situation she'd found herself in. From her perch behind Kleris she casually watches the streets go by - the people milling around, tension still thick in the air. A taste she was familiar with, though usually she was the cause rather than the...recipient? She gives a soft wave and a smile to a pack of staring children. A little bit of attention wasn't surprising. Appearing unassuming and friendly might clamp down on a a whisper or two.

    Her legs dangle lazily over the sides of the horse. Since he was in front she'd let Kleris keep the stirrups, instead opting to lean back and use one hand for a balance brace on the beast's back. He'd be taking the lion's share of arrows if any came their way, so giving him the slightly more comfortable seat was only fair. It might serve her to try to get closer to him - and the rest of them - if she wanted to really use and abuse their trust, but a little quiet niggling in the back of her head tells her it's a bad idea, and that instinct was usually right.

    As the imposing gatehouse comes into view she sniffs loudly, her mocking disdain obvious to Kleris. Easily slipped by alone, easily disabled in a pair. Barely an pebble in the road, even with the 'enhanced security', were they not carting the deadweight with them. Was this what passed for efficient guards in Throneport? No wonder Arano's trail went cold a week past. Her tongue stays bitten, no doubt Gryphon or Arimart or both had the silvery words that would allow them passage.
    Last edited by Amnestic; 2020-07-22 at 04:49 AM.
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  6. - Top - End - #276
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    Nodding his phantasmal creature onward through the city. Gryphon was glad to see Kleris’ use magic to resolve the problem with the bounty hunters. There was a sense of security in traveling with people who possessed some magical acumen.

    The Prosecutor summoning horses, Raz cloaking the party from prying eyes and Kleris’ obvious talent for beguiling magics. Even Kett appears to be more Shadowmancer than Dockyard drunk. Finally some reliable agents to work for me. Not even asking for pay and they’re already helping me complete my mission. Hahahaha. Oma Katra would be so proud if she could see me today. Actually, other than the murder attempt and the other murder attempt things have gone pretty damn smoothly.

    As the party clops up to the Triptych on their mounts Gryphon snaps back to attention and wipes the self-satisfied grin off of his face; rearranging it into a bemused smile at the sight of the colossal gate.

    Reigning up his shadowy sinister beast next to Arimart’s divine mount he addresses the paladin:

    Well, Prosecutor, it seems we have another impediment. How would you feel about flexing that proverbial “Long Arm of the Law” to get our little party through here without them bothering us over paperwork?
    Last edited by (Un)Inspired; 2020-07-21 at 08:16 PM.
    amazing avatar of my favorite character, Gheera, by Pesimismrocks

  7. - Top - End - #277
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    As the mob disperse thanks to Kleris clever solution, the group starts moving through the city.

    on his horse with Maugrim, Arimart reflects on the situation, thinking that the Flame may have guided his steps, and finding this group is something even better than everything he could have hoped for. Maybe they could be convinced to stick together and work as a single unit for the Tribunal, ramping up their chances of success and, subsequently to obtain recognition.
    But the paladin knows not to run too far with his dreaming, and to keep his ambitions in check; as of now, the only objective is bringing Maugrim to Thronehold.
    "But I'll buy a round to each of them, when this is over..." he thinks, before reaching the Trypthic, one of the most important structures in the city, and one of the longest standing towers in its recent, conflicted, history.

    As Gryphon speaks to him, the paladin searches for a couple of sheets in his backpack. "Well, let's give them paperwork" he says, winking at the half-elven magician, then he unmounts from his steed, and pats it on his head, speaking to it:"Shaef'aluhal ne hachart"*

    Paying attention to put enough noise and distance between himself and Maugrim, He prays to the flame to guide his tongue, then walks toward the nearest guards at the gate, searching for Thranes and calling their attention.

    "My eyes are bright and my soul respectful," he says, using a traditional greeting of Thrane laymen and showing the holy symbol of the Silver Flame, "I am Knight Arimart Kaessal, and I'm here to apprehend the dangerous Nameless. I called this group of adventurers to help me in my search but, it looks like I was too late to stop him..." He makes a regretful expression, while showing to the guard his ID paper and the writ from the Tribunal,
    "After this morning's attack, we need to reach the Karrnathi zone as soon as possible, before the trail gets cold. Sorry, but I can't wait for this queue! Can you let us pass through? Also, do you have any information that can help us?"

    Spoiler: Rolls
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    Persuasion rolls with advantage. (1d20+6)[24]
    (1d20+6)[10]


    Spoiler: *
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    "Take care of this old one."
    Last edited by CozJa; 2020-07-22 at 11:17 AM.
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  8. - Top - End - #278
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    Riding along Kleris was quite pleased with how the encounter with the small mob went, enough truth to confuse any possible detection spells or more sharply minded fellows but not enough to actually hurt their goals. 'Still that big Reacher Man seemed competent enough. Takes a solid man to gather up that many on a hunt like this. Maybe I should try to find him after this is all done, offer him a job or something.'

    He twists his head slightly to look at Kett, sitting behind him and notices her awkward sitting, "I don't mind if you want to move slightly closer, you can hold onto the back of my armor as well if you wish. Its thick enough to serve as a sturdy handle."

    He didn't really believe she would take him up on the offer independent soul she seemed to be, but it never hurt to offer. Especially a polite nothing before the more interesting tidbits, he lowers his voice slightly with his head still on a swivel "I have to say though, I am mightily curious as to what business you have in the Thrane Quarter especially among the four king manors. You seem to be looking for someone?"

    'Never trust someone who lies and twists the truth around behind others backs!'

    'You mean what we are doing at all times to anyone who meets us?'

    'Caution never hurts! Be wary Kleris.'
    "Facilis Descensus Averni." - Virgil, The Aeneid

    “Why would I want to win anything other than a beautiful game?” - Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear


  9. - Top - End - #279
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    "Trying to get me to hold on tight to your...big...strong...self?" Kett replies, her tone lilting into a husky tease, stretching the words out. She doesn't shift her position but does bring one hand forward to gently tip-tap fingers down Kleris' upper arm. "I'll pass on the skinship, though if you're hard up for company at night I'm sure I could introduce you to a friend or two. Perhaps even at the same time?" She did know a lot of people, and the city did lend itself to that sort of no-strings-but-still-some-strings fun. It was absolutely not in his best interest to take her up on the offer, so she quietly hoped he'd be enticed.

    When Kleris brings up Arano, she pulls her hand back and sighs wistfully, ever the actor. "I'm looking for someone. Someone who hurt my family." She pauses for effect, pretending to think of how to word the next sentence properly but in truth she'd had this planned out for a while. "My leads lead me to Arimart, but before I could talk about it we got all wrapped up in this situation." Kett shrugs slightly. "The man I'm hunting is good at his job, so I'm not worried about someone getting there first. Burning a day on getting on Prosecutor Silvertongue's good side seems like a good time investment."

    "And you? Sticking around for the altruistic sense of duty of wanting to see a bad man half-addled by insanity meet 'justice' in the oh-so-just court of Throneport?" Given her tone it might be hard to assume she'd even remember the answer if given - so lazy and nonchalant- but she would. She'd remember every word.
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  10. - Top - End - #280
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    Raz

    Re: Conversation with Gryphon on the night before

    Spoiler: For Gryphon
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    With Gryphon clarifying his understanding of a partnership, Raz nods in agreement.
    "Yes, that sounds good to me. Let us talk about further details when the job here is done.", he suggests. [color=goldenrod]"I appreciate the offer and your hospitality." He says with a slight bow.

    Assuming that this closes up the conversation, he wishes Gryphon good night, and then (as described earlier) goes to sleep.


    ***

    Re: Kleris' prayer
    Raz follows the ritual from afar. He has seen his share of people praying, but most of the times out of despair instead conviction. Kleris however appears to follow a well-trained tradition. He makes a mental note about it, but does not address it any further. There might come a time to think about such issues, but it is not now.

    Re: Arimart's prayer
    The chant does not sound overly familiar to Raz, but the open commitment to the Silver Flame feels much more expected from the knight in shining armor. Again, he makes a mental note but does not follow up on it.

    Re: Kett's make up choice
    Raz shortly addresses Kett after she has finished her masterwork. "Good job." He says, honestly. "Seems like you met my uncle Phil once, the old boar." He adds with a wink, before turning on a more serious face again, focusing on the tasks at hand.

    ***

    Re: The Mobstacle
    While the steeds are being summoned, Raz tries to get an overview of the outsides. As the mob arrives led by the fellow reacher draws near, he warns the others lowly. Raz is happy to see Kleris solve the issue, without requiring his further involvement, and he stays quiet for the conversation to not spoil anything. As they are gone, he gives Kleris an appreciating nod.

    Re: The Triangle Passage
    Raz swings onto horseback behind Gryphon with more innate grace than actual training. While he had occasionally ridden beasts in the Eldeen Reaches, those were usually druid trained, and he was rather used to approach the enemy on foot. Yet, he does not complain, and rather keeps his eyes peeled for any kind of danger that could approach them on their passage. As they near the market, he feels the anticipation growing in him. If they would be discovered here, near the market, whatever hell would break loose could hurt many civilians, and he might just die from a pitchfork through the chest as from an arrow of one of the way too many guards. "Too many." is the only thing he whispers to Gryphon as the mage pulls up the horse next to Arimart. Fortunately in the eyes of the shifter, Arimart is all for an approach that prevents bloodshed, and he seriously hopes that the knight's status and papers would just help them pass.

  11. - Top - End - #281
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    Gryphon’s eyes rolls over the crowd as he considers Raz’s point. Crowds turn into lynch mobs with a speed the young witch-trained half-elf was sure his shifter friend was all to familiar with.

    If they turn on us, Gryphon whispers back, I can fly our “horse” into the air. We can just rain down arrows and lightning to support the others. He was confident that with his Lightning and Counterspell and Raz’s Bow and Arrows they could out fight just about anything from the safety of the air.

    As he scans the area with Raz, Gryphon notices Kett and Kleris’s banter and watches as the Monk appears to tickle the Warlock’s arm. These humanoids move fast! For the next batch of henchmen I should see if I can find eunuchs. Less distractible.

    He runs his fingers across one of the arms of his sunglasses to renew their freeze and protect his brain from the encroaching forces of a hangover.
    Last edited by (Un)Inspired; 2020-07-22 at 07:45 PM.
    amazing avatar of my favorite character, Gheera, by Pesimismrocks

  12. - Top - End - #282
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    Those that stand in your way on this side of the triangular gate of the Triptych are hasty to get out of your way, likely for fear of being trampled by three swift steeds. All the same, the rest of you hold back at Arimart's say so, the Flamite knight leading the charge on getting you through your first gate quickly and quietly. The rank and file slowly turn to face the mounted figure, but it is clear that the armored half-elf is a person of some import. Therefore, a commanding officer from the Thrane Zone is sent for, and she appears before a minute has passed.

    "Hail, radiant Knight Kaessel," the gate sergeant replies when hearkened, a tanned dwarf with broad shoulders only widened by emblazoned pauldrons, and a prominent holy symbol of her own that is a near match for Arimart's. "You aren't the first to pass through this threshold with similar reason, today. Flame forgive me, but we've had all sorts of ragged pretenders since the event. We'll need to check your documentation, sir." As one of her subordinates begins to examine both name and purpose put to pen, she looks behind the paladin, hesitation straying across her face. She is clearly on the cusp of making a decision, but then something in Arimart's gaze has her abandon the next words to come out of her mouth.

    "The Voice of the Silver Flame never lies, and so I will extend my trust to you and your companions. My men will make sure you have room to head straight through. As for information: beware the fish who tries to swim upriver." With another wave, the dwarf has her soldiers clear the way into the western passage. On the other side lies daylight and the promise of another press of bodies. The guards with the teal and silver tabards stand aside as all three of your horses canter through the stark tower of the Triptych, emerging on the other side in a city that is at once the same and entirely different.

    Unlike the East Market, the West Market of the Thrane Zone is a veritable hubbub of movement. Unfortunately for you, it does not seem to be the kind of movement that favors your endeavor. Where the Port District's commercial area seemed fairly unaffected by the recent calamity, save for perhaps the relative scarcity of shoppers for this time of day, here you immediately grasp that this is not the case. What might have once been an orderly line of civilians preparing to cross the zone border has collapsed entirely into anarchy. The boundaries of the open-air stalls here on this section of Barteros Street are overrun with panicked city-dwellers, tourists looking to escape Throneport, or perhaps just opportunists looking to slip away undetected amidst the chaos. A cordon of steel and pennants holds back the press of panicked flesh from both gateways - allowing only a few past at a time after a cursory inspection - and it is into this semi-circle into which your mounts careen and nearly crash.

    Looking out over a sea of screams, a direct path ahead seems impossible to forge. Charging your mounts right into the fray would result in more than a few trampled, and your own creatures brought down with you atop them. It is truly a mob to make you wonder at your earlier use of the word. There has to be a way around or through, a shortcut to get past the crowd... but where, and how to spot it?

    Spoiler: OOC
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    A 24 on the Persuasion from Arimart handily beats the DC for this one - that's 3 successes, and not a single failure! It's smooth sailing so far. You know, I think that you will make it through this whole thing without even botching one roll, you'll see. In fact, I am so confident in your progress that I physically dare the forum dice gods to prove me wrong.

    Anyhow, this next obstacle is a follow up from the first: you're stuck in the crowd! Being on super horses is nice and all, but at the moment you can barely move your mounts without trampling people and eventually ending up on the ground. How will you get out of this one?
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  13. - Top - End - #283
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    Kleris snorts at the women behind him with a more genuine smile, pearly whites flashing "Please, I like my companions less mysterious by far and I would trust anyone you introduced to me as far as I could throw them. Which as you can see -"

    He flexes a lean mithral covered arm "-would not be very far."

    He thinks a moment after she says her piece, she clearly wasn't a dock hand and was obviously keeping some stuff back. Like he would believe she was after someone who hurt her family. However she could be helpful while looking around since he didn't have any other very focused leads. "Please. I got caught up in this trying to make some contacts not looking for justice. If it can be found then good for Arimart, he seems a solid trustworthy sort. If that in turns makes me some friends even better. I'm looking for a group that may have some links in Throneport and an... old friend of sorts. However I don't have a lot of leads. Or at least I have too many leads, I've heard some hints from Wolfs Rest and the market in the Karnathi Zone, the well off areas in Thrannish Zone, and the underworld in the Port District. Part of why I'm interested in setting up the inn as a information gathering and trading place. Either way going in with a competent accomplice, even if the trust isn't quite there yet, would be helpful. If not then no hard feelings."




    Kleris breathes out a held breath as they pass through the gate into the Thrane Zone. He had been looking the part of a distinguished adventurer, it was all in the posture and shoulders he had found. While he did not have very broad shoulders a suit of half plate made anyone look broader and more imposing.

    After they got through though they had a very different problem. The Flame damned masses were their biggest obstacle right now. He turns to the shifter a horse over "I don't suppose you have any experience dealing with mindless herds? Or could you chart us a path? Can't be much more difficult then charting one through a swamp or forest?"

    He calls out in a low voice, half joking.
    "Facilis Descensus Averni." - Virgil, The Aeneid

    “Why would I want to win anything other than a beautiful game?” - Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear


  14. - Top - End - #284
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    Slightly before passing through the gate

    "If throwing them's what you're into then I know some smallfolk who are...flexible regarding partners." Kett gently teases, deliberately and obviously misconstruing his point. Alas, she'd have to wrangle him another way if a honeypot wouldn't work. Her feigned indifference at Kleris' cause might seem like she doesn't care, but she does follow up with a simple "Well if we both have pointers towards the city's moneybags I don't see why we can't fell two birds with one arrow." Her act is, at least partially, for any onlookers. Even without her riding companion looking at her she gently nods her head towards the other steeds. "And getting them on board might not hurt."

    Among the crowd

    She keeps her own thoughts to herself, something she'd grown accustomed to doing over her years of work. A quick fire here, a small controlled explosion there and suddenly they've got cover all the way 'home'. Quick, easy, efficient. But also probably liable to land her on everyone's bad side faster than even she could run back to the good side. No, better to let softer hearts prevail for now. Her eyes look past the humming crush of people, idly searching for a sidestreet or alley they could slip into.
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  15. - Top - End - #285
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    Raz

    Re: Gryphon's comment on their options

    As Arimart is handling the conversation with the guards, Raz responds lowly to Gryphon: "I'd rather not rain lightning and arrows on civilians, if possible. But I still appreciate the options you bring to the table."

    ***

    Re: Crowd Computing

    Raz nods to Kleris before sliding from horseback. "If only... Give me a moment, I'll see what I can do."

    Leaving the others for the moment, he takes a few steps off the busy road that had led them right into the chaos, approaching a fully loaded cart. As it stands, the vehicle would not go anywhere, its axle broken, and its driver being caught up in an argument with someone else. Fortunately, the oxen in front of the cart is fully satisfied with once in a while responding to the goats on the market, but not trying to get away from his position. Without further ado, Raz takes one step, two steps, up the wagon and glances over the crowd from his slightly elevated viewpoint. At first glance, there is nothing but apparent chaos in front of him, like an ant colony, although Raz doubts that the inhabitants here are as coordinated as those in a hive. Trying to focus on single individuals reminds him of a certain kind of children's books he had once heard about from a drinking buddy in Aundair, where one was supposed to find a certain person in a swarm of others. To this day, Raz did never quite understood the concept of kids growing up with books, but he had always blamed it on the high share of arcanists in the population.

    Shoving away the thought, he finally finds a person who moves through the chaos less hindered than the others, be it through a native instinct or acquired skill. So, it was possible after all... But this person was afoot and moving through the swarm alone... Noticing the loud voices to his feet fading out -- apparently the situation had been resolved one way or another -- the shifter sighs. He contemplates another option, knowing that it would take its effort, but it was the better option than just standing, watching, and hoping for a golden way to appear out of nowhere. After taking a quick look to find a somewhat quiet and earthbound spot, he jumps down from the cart to reach it.

    Once there, Raz goes down on one knee, and puts his left hand on the ground in front of him. While he closes his eyes, making himself vulnerable for a moment, his right hand instinctively connects on the grip of his rapier (you never know, after all). He takes a few deep breathes, until he finds a sixth sense taking the place of his barred vision, a synthesis of the smell of the bodies around them, the hundreds of moving bodies, and the vibrations their feet leave on the ground, all contributing to a blurry, ever-moving painting in the shifter's mind. You need to go deeper... His muscles tense, fur sprouts, bones creak, his head slightly jerks upwards, as his nose falls in further to form a feline snout, and whiskers sprout. Words of the druids flow through his mind, from lectures about his own unique connection to his surroundings, equilibrium, the spirits -- for a moment, time stands still, as he finally feels his mental curtains opening to hopefully reveal a way through the labyrinth.

    Spoiler
    Show

    Alright, I'll try a survival check. With advantage from shifting and also kind of roleplaying my gloom stalker ability to locate favored enemies near me.
    (1d20+6)[8]
    (1d20+6)[9]

  16. - Top - End - #286
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    Raz, having been volunteered by the rest of the group, clambers off of the horse he shares with Gryphon in order to find a better vantage point of the morass of bodies in your way. Although he does not face the rest of you, you can see that he's completely engrossed in his task. With newly keen eyes sweeping the air, tongue tasting air currents and squat nose collecting a bouquet of aromas, Raz appears just as he did underneath the sewers in Scuttle: a creature ready to hunt down its quarry. When he hops down to the ground, those of you still watching him note that his physical appearance has rapidly changed to reflect the beast within.

    Unfortunately, that beast is not yet accustomed to the big city of Throneport. More than once, the shifter ranger takes a few steps down the 'right' path, only to get turned around in the crowd or knocked about by the sheer force of the momentum he's fighting against. Eventually, Raz does return with a workable route that will get you and the horses through with an absolute minimum of damage to you and others, but by the time that your three mounts have wound their way through the living labyrinth, precious minutes have been wasted. All the same, once you get to the other side of the crowd, the streets of the Thrane Zone become more navigable. Your charted course takes you straight up Barteros Street, to where it joins with the even larger Silver Way, at which point you will near the final crossing point into the Karrnathi Zone.

    As your group of six sets off once more, you take note of the immediate differences in decor and architecture from the industrial city you just left behind. The grand styles of Thrane differ greatly from those of the ramshackle Port District, with clean cobbled streets and well placed glowing gold lanterns that emit no heat. Everywhere is flame carved into the stonework, which is obviously symbolic of the faith here. Unfortunately, you don't have a luxury of time to play art critic, and the scenery sweeps by you as you hurry forward towards your next obstacle.

    You have passed many more strangers on the road and are just past the halfway mark to your next stopping point when you spot the sight of movement on one of the nearby roofs, as a pair of individuals come into view: no dirty bounty hunters, these, but by the looks of their cloaks they might be priests or spellcasters of some kind. "Here they come; do it now!" comes a shout, followed by a short incantation and the sudden creation of a pulsating silver beacon that hovers about fifty feet above your heads... and begins to keep pace unerringly with your mounts.

    Spoiler: OOC
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    So we've got 3 successes and 1 failure! Not too bad, considering how many obstacles you still have to go and the encounter I've got planned for you all at the end of this.

    This is going to be a tricky obstacle: a magical targeting beacon that will let pretty much everyone know that you're open season. I have some ideas about how I would handle this, but I'll wait and see what you come up with first!
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  17. - Top - End - #287
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    Gryphon reaches down from his mount to help hoist Raz back up into the saddle. These human are crawling ceaselessly over one another like worms after a thunderstorm. If my dog Fireball! was here they would scatter before us and show us the proper deference we deserve.

    As they trot through the slim openings they can find in the crowd the young wizard keeps a mental note of how much time has past and how much longer his shadowy steeds will remain corporeal.

    When the two magicians appear at the edge of the building screeching at one another before they begin their incantation Gryphon mentally rolls his eyes. Bloody Hells, what is this? Amateur night? This city has an unlimited supply of dilettantes to throw at me today.

    As the magicians throw out their verbal and somatic components Gryphon holds the tenebrous reins in his left hand and slowly raises his right hand up, with his palm inward, and clenches his fist. As he closes his hand the flickers of silver light crack, crumble and begin to disintegrate. Whatever faint silver glow that flickers in the air is drawn inexorably into Gryphon’s clenched fist like water spiraling down a drain. With a final squeeze of his hand the last of their spell is extinguished.

    As the party rides onward away from the “spellcasters” Gryphon addresses them. I have absolutely no time to waste shutting down what you think passes for magic today. Turn around, go home, kiss you wives or husbands and pray that today ends quickly because; I swear to whatever divinity you hold dear, I will Conjure Shadows to tear the souls from your wretched bodies. Bodies that are worth less than the obsidian I will use to reanimate them as my bootlicking slaves.


    Spoiler: OOC
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    Gryphon casts Counterspell
    Last edited by (Un)Inspired; 2020-07-24 at 01:33 AM.
    amazing avatar of my favorite character, Gheera, by Pesimismrocks

  18. - Top - End - #288
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    The two mages stare in open shock as their spell goes awry, the anchor of energy dissipating as Gryphon effectively erases it in the moment after it's born. They don't reply to the wizard's grandstanding right away, stammering something about 'earning a portion of the reward' and that they were 'just in it for the money' before scuttling out of sight on the rooftops. The confrontation lasts less than a minute, but already you are earning eyes from the pedestrians out in the road. Thankfully, your conjured horses are more than fast enough to spirit you away and closer to your ultimate goal, and inside of a minute the entire event has been put behind you.

    Setting off at the same rapid pace, before too long you find yourselves staring down your next major hurdle. As the street you've been traversing down joins up with the Silver Way - which you note is not a fanciful title, as the very stones that make up the lane have been whitewashed and glitter with veins of quartz in the sun - the gate into the Karrnathi Zone comes into view. While the curtain wall appears to be roughly the same width and height as the divider in the city's market, here you can tell that the soldiers from Karrnath are taking the threat just a bit more seriously. There is no line of petitioners seeking entry into this zone of Throneport; while you do see two small groups emerge from the shadow of the entryway, they are followed by a cadre of soldiery.

    There are no great colorful vestments here. The men and women of Karrnath wear scale mail and plate of gunmetal gray on black, with only the odd red or white accent to be seen. Their pale faces are silent and serious as they escort out what seems to be last of the stragglers, and shaking their heads at anyone trying to get inside without even looking at papers. The vast majority of the soldiery have are already retreating to the other side of the entryway. Then you hear a called signal, and with a deep grinding noise the doors of the checkpoint begin to move.

    They are locking down the gate. The only question now is: will you make it on time?

    Spoiler: Arimart
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    As you approach the gate into the Karrnathi Zone, there is a second Sending spell from Nyctessa: "Deneith are staying put and letting Karrnath gather soldiers. Mage, undead at Thronehold now, waiting for more reinforcements. Better hurry!"

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    The Counterspell worked as an automatic success! No roll needed here, that's 4 successes to your 1 failure. You're nearly there now, but you've got a few more obstacles in your path here. First up is the next gate, this time into the Karrnathi Zone. Bluffing or sweet talking your way past here is going to be exceptionally difficult, but many of the other alternative methods you floated to get into the Thrane Zone would potentially work: Stealth or Perception maybe to find or sneak through a spy door, History to remember another way around... or you could try to brute force it with the horses' speed with an Animal Handling or Athletics check?
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  19. - Top - End - #289
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    As Gryphon brilliantly resolves the problem with the two arcanists, Arimart feels proud for his young fellow Khoravar ability. Less so when he's still shouting insults a good block after they left the threatening casters behind.
    He quickly glances behind himself to check if Maugrim is still in his place and has not switched places with Gryphon, then resolves that his... overeager reaction may be due to his barbarian upbringing. You can take the child of the monsters, but can you take the monsters out of the child?

    As they ride on, they reach the Silvery Way, a sight that fills the paladin with hope and delight.

    "This road is extremely bright, as you can see, and in case you don't know," he says without speaking directly to anyone in particular, "there's an entire group of talented adept in the local Temple of the Flame whose work is to keep it polished and perfectly clean with the continuous use of divine incantations. They are called the Shining Servants, and being one of them is considered a high honor in the ranks of the church. There are two groups turning themselves every day, and a third substituting them during the festivities, like Tirasday or Baker's Night. In fact..."
    He is interrupted mid-sentence by Nyctessa's sending, his expression changing from relaxed to worried.
    "Thanks for the info. Approaching unsafe zone, package intact. Send some healer at the entrance, just in case."

    He prepares to spur his steed, just as the gate is closing.

    "We need to move! Anybody got an idea?"
    Does this poster have a sign?

  20. - Top - End - #290
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    Raz

    Re: Crowd computing

    ... and how the mental curtains open. And much like an inexperienced actor on stage, Raz slightly jerks and stumbles backwards from the sudden and way too intense light welcoming him. So many spirits! So much movement! So little natural barriers between them. The clarity Raz had hoped for, does not come, and instead he feels more blinded than before. Resigning, he disconnects himself from the ground again, and trots back to the group. While he had not learned much from his efforts, there is no time to waste anyway, and the expecting looks on his comrades faces give him at least a small boost of -- admittedly false -- confidence. Mentally shrugging, he nods to the others instead and leads them as good as he can.

    ***


    When they finally leave the crowd behind, Raz feels relief. Who knows what it would cost them to waste so much time by passing through the ant hill. Yet, he also feels watched, now that they are so open, and soon his premonition becomes real as mages appear. He was already reaching for the short bow which he would possibly be able to shoot from horseback, but then Gryphon just dismisses their efforts with ease and confidence. For a few precious moments, Raz cools down, getting slightly lulled in from Arimart's explanations; while their content is of no big interest of the shifter, just listening to the Knight eases him slightly. That is, until Arimart is suddenly disrupted by some message, he would rely, but ...

    ***

    Re: The Karrnath-Gate-Affair

    ... "They know we're here!" He says lowly, more to himself than anyone in particular, although at least Gryphon would hear them. If they know we're here, it's not a matter of getting through unseen anymore... Just if we can get through, at all. The gate closes slowly... If I could... He speaks quickly to Gryphon in front of him, clearly an announcement to be relayed to the group. "We need to get through this one, now! I'll try to jam it to buy us time!" He slips from the back of the still moving horse, slightly hissing as he feels pain getting through a slightly torn ankle. He reaches for a small pouch under his cloak and quickly empties it into the air, sending out a small cloud of ashes. Mumbling a few words and reaching for the smoke with his open hand, he draws it upon himself and engulfs in it to become one with his surroundings. "See you on the other side." he says as he passes the horses and hustles towards the gate. He knows well that his way lies madness, as he needs to pass the two groups, but there is not time to think about it -- or for the intricate plans that start to form in just the wrong moments. He reaches into his quiver with his right, and chooses one of the few, oh so valuable arrows that feel slightly different to the touch, marked to not waste them in the wrong moment. His left however, goes for a few coins in his coat, smaller currency, usually used to pay beggars or urchins. Keeping his bow stashed, he tries to zig zag through the guards to get to the inside, trying to identify whoever operates the mechanism, throwing a few coins to distract them, rush past them and stick the unbreakable arrow in between the big, rumbling block and tackle, hopefully bringing the door to a stop for a moment -- and letting the person operating it believe the reason to be their own missing attention.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show

    Using pass without trace for the advantage. Stealth is at +6.
    (1d20+6)[8]
    (1d20+6)[11]

  21. - Top - End - #291
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    As you see your opportunity to pass unhindered into the next zone begin to disappear, it is once more Raz who steps forward to volunteer his services. The shifter barely breaks stride as he returns to the ground, casting forth the reagents necessary in order to disappear from sight as he has done with you all before. He makes no sounds, but you're certain that he is already striking out to slip through the narrowing gateway as you linger at the edge of the next street. Between his spell shroud and the distance between you, most of you aren't able to witness the ranger expertly avoid the first patrol, glide up to the top of one of the gate towers with the assorted coin and arrow, and begin to wreak havoc. Neither do you see the confused faces of the Karrnathi guards as coins tumble over the ramparts, or see Raz embed his unbreakable arrow into the machinery of the gate.

    What you do make out is a screeching noise as the gates, formerly closing, are now forced to a complete halt with enough width to squeeze a horse through. It is, however, not the only noise you hear. Immediately following what seems to be Raz's moment of triumph come cries of 'intruder', the immediate keening klaxon of the alarm being raised across the battlements, and the stomach-sinking sight a pair of flaming arrows that go well above roof height and explode in a dazzling mid-air display. There is no time to waste, and so your horses are already moving, surging right for the gap between the gates.

    "There, going for the gate," comes a cry from above, "shoot them down now!" And the archers atop the wall do their level best to follow the order, but for all that Raz was caught you have managed to catch the Karrnathi off guard here, and so their reply is a ragged thing. Errant arrows fly around you as your group bursts through the checkpoint with seconds to spare, charging forth into the final zone of your journey. As promised, Raz emerges from his hiding place on the other side of the wall within a minute of your crossing, and as one you set off once more for Thronehold Castle.



    Forging ahead, you have found the Karrnathi Zone to be quite different from anything you have encountered thus far. Unlike the Thrane quarter that you left behind, the architecture here tends to be heavy and symmetrical, with a militaristic uniformity and lots of decorative elements. You pass more than one obelisk and monolith in your haste, stone watchers that would disappear from sight but for their size. In many ways, you reflect, the typical Karrnathi city street resembles a museum, with heavy stone buildings, ornate sculptures, and free standing statues everywhere you look.

    Of course, the abstract differences in building style pale in significance to the first two most pressing changes. First, the streets are absolutely empty of civilians. Shops have been left abandoned, stalls left exposed to the day. The mass disappearance does not remain a mystery for very long, as you see faces in windows as you pass. The Karrnathi have clearly locked this place down. And secondly, just about every soldier on guard seems to have been alerted to your presence. You pass no less than three more patrols, all of whom turn to stare at the thunder of hooves. Several set after you, but you're moving far too quickly for any to catch up at your pace. Still, there is no question that the worst is up ahead.

    "... they shot me," come words from behind Arimart's back. Turning around, the paladin is the first to see that Maugrim is bleeding. The wound isn't all that deep - the arrowhead having lodged its way only partially into the disguised man's upper back - but there is fresh blood dripping over his armor all the same. He's remained quiet during the ride so far, speaking only when addressed which has been not at all, yet the voice that you hear coming out of the face of the 'shifter' does not belong to a meek man.

    No plaintive mewling, this, but rather an observation and only the first of those.

    "This... isn't Thaliost," Maugrim continues, and his tone is anything but pleased. "This isn't Thaliost, and who are you? Where are you taking me!? Stop this horse immediately, or I'll jump!"

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Now you're in for a proper ride! With 4 successes and 2 failures on this skill challenge, the encounter waiting for you at Thronehold Gate is going to be an interesting one. I've started to add some reinforcements to the final encounter, which should make for a challenging fight for you all.

    I've got one last challenge for you before you hit the gates, and this one is going to be a bit tricky: talking Maugrim down. Persuasion and Deception have been used by the people who are arguably the best at it, so you're going to have to find either other characters to lead the action, or use different skills. I am also going to nix the use of Suggestion for this challenge, since it's been used already.
    Last edited by 3SecondCultist; 2020-07-25 at 05:10 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  22. - Top - End - #292
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    Wonderful. Now he picks a time to wake up. If an arrow to the back was all it took then maybe they should've shot him earlier to get it out of the way rather than have it mid-chase. The arrow sticking from the disguised coot's back didn't seem to have hit anything vital. He'd bleed out eventually but they had plenty of time before then. They didn't have time to play gentle nursemaid. "Do you think they're shooting arrows at you for fun!?" She calls across to the other horse. Her pose has shifted slightly, but mostly to be ready to snatch any errant arrows that come her way. It was rare for her to raise her voice (when not singing, at least), and in this case it was more by necessity to be heard over the thunderous clopping of hooves rather than actual anger.

    She gently pushes Kleris on the back to get his attention so that he won't jump in surprise when she leans in close to his ear, dropping her voice to a whisper. The sultry flirtatious tones of before are replaced with cold steel - playtime is over for them. "You say something too. Overwhelm him with one viewpoint all at once. Easy to argue with one, harder to argue with five. Especially when you're bleeding out."
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  23. - Top - End - #293
    Ogre in the Playground
     
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    Kleris nods to Kett, the last thing they needed right now was Nameless throwing a fit and slowing them down. They would be swamped with undead and guards in a second. He yanks on the reins a bit to pull their horse over closer to Arimart and Nameless. "Sir! This is not Thalinost but we are on a very important mission for your safety. If you jump of the horse now you will die and we will die with you to the hordes of enemies on our tails. If you want answers then let us bring you to a safe place and we will answer everything you want! Choose to live sir, people need you alive!"

    He reaches out and touches the pretend shifter on the side, pushing some healing power into his body. Healing up some of the wound he took from the arrow and giving him a big smile. Now to be fair the people that needed him alive were law enforcement that would try him for war crimes but it was still true.

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    Roll 1: (1d20+7)[24]
    Roll 2: (1d20+7)[22]
    "Facilis Descensus Averni." - Virgil, The Aeneid

    “Why would I want to win anything other than a beautiful game?” - Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear


  24. - Top - End - #294
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    3SecondCultist's Avatar

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    Maugrim stares at Kleris when the changeling-in-disguise leads his steed up to match pace with the prosecutor's, and there is a quiet, burning intensity in those eyes that did not hitherto exist. What was once akin to a distant mountain peak after snowfall - quiet, remote, and entirely beyond reach - has been stirred by the course of a single arrow into the first rumbles that precede an avalanche. He says nothing, giving the outstretched hand a withering look but saying nothing as it touches the edges of his age-blackened armor. Looking the man in the eyes, one wouldn't know that his wound had just been resealed by magic, for his mien does not change whatsoever.

    "Very well, then. These arrows seem real enough, but I will hold you to your word." The dragonmarked excoriate doesn't break eye contact until he feels about his person, and seems to realize that he's wearing Kett's handiwork. "What is all of this nonsense? A disguise, is it? Well, it doesn't seem to have worked, in any case. If I'm to face a crucible, I will do it in my own skin." Wasting no time in starting to tear off the prosthetics from the back of Arimart's warhorse, the man slowly begins to look something closer to a darker-skinned version of himself.

    With no immediate crisis on your hands, you resume the journey towards your final obstacle. Along the way, you see Maugrim look about at the five of you periodically, taking you all in with a remarkably clear gaze. He demands no more questions for the time being, but does a double take when his gaze crosses Raz with a familiar silhouette over his shoulder. "You there, were-kin! That is my weapon, and I would have it returned to me. Would it be possible for you to toss it my way, so that I can protect myself against whoever it is chasing us?"

    Spoiler: OOC
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    Well that's it, the final skill challenge! With 5 successes and 2 failures, you've all done pretty well for yourselves this go around. The enemies have had some time to dig in, but the fight ahead isn't insurmountable, especially not if you actually arm and make use of Maugrim at his full capacity.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  25. - Top - End - #295
    Ogre in the Playground
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    As the group sprints through the gate thanks to Raz daring actions, Arimart feels the arrows directed at them, but fails to notice the one that hit Maugrim.

    Before he can react to the old warrior moment of lucidity, Kleris and Kett approach his horse and talk the veteran into staying with them. Another deception that the paladin thinks would have been better to not have to do but, considering their situation, they have to place some concerns aside.

    As Maugrim asks Raz to have his weapon back, Arimart nods at the shifter, signaling him to give the polearm back.

    "We're going to face a heavily defended position before we can reach the castle. For what I know, there is a mage and some of the undead soldiers on Karrnath on the field. Remember that, for what we know, those are law enforcers doing their jobs, and may not have anything to do with our situation, let's try to keep things as non-lethal as possible. Strike to incapacitate. Well, apart from the undead, you are free to blow them up!" he says this last phrase looking at Gryphon.
    "Sir Maugrim, let me know if you prefer to fight mounted or not."
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  26. - Top - End - #296
    Titan in the Playground
     
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    The gratitude of the elderly. Kett muses sardonically to herself as she watches Maugrim pick away at the efforts she and Kleris had gone to to keep him 'safe'. At least he wasn't going to sit idle when they fought.

    Kett glares at the overhead sun. Would that she could block it out for a while, would make her life much easier. "I'll be hopping off once we make contact. Horses aren't really my thing." She says offhand, but her hands were already tensing ready for the fight.
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  27. - Top - End - #297
    Bugbear in the Playground
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    Raz

    Raz is breathing heavily after having caught up with the group and found his now-familiar seat behind gryphon on the phantom steed. "A bit less time than I hoped." he comments, as he takes a moment to scan the strange part of town. He had gotten a brief glance of the Karrnathi architecture before, and now is not the time to carefully inspect it anyway, but the stark contrast to the other parts are difficult not to detect.

    The were-kin raises an eyebrow when he, if only from a slight distance, realizes that Maugrim has changed his way. When he requests his weapon, Raz first looks to Arimart for clearance -- as Arimart anticipates -- and their exchange of glances takes only a split moment. "Could you get us side-by-side, so I can get this bulky thing out of my way?" He lowly asks Gryphon, and then carefully removes the strap over his chest that holds the bundle with the clad-in-cloth weapon, its distinct silhouette undoubtedly easy to make out for its rightful owner, but possibly mistaken for whatever polearm for anyone else. Carefully, he lets the weapon slide into his right hand, and once the horses aside another, he slightly extends his arm, shaking from the bumpy ride and the non-negligible weight of the weapon. Once he feels the movement of Arimart's horse being transferred steadily to his own hand through the polearm, hinting that Maugrim has it firmly gripped, he finally lets loose.

    Addressing Arimart, he replies: "I will leave the undead to you and focus on the humanoids. I'll target arcanists with higher priority, hoping to prevent them to hex any of us. I prefer solid ground to shaking horseback, so I'll jump of once the enemy is in range. You raise a good concern, Sir. My arrows usually leave someone either alive or dead, and rarely in between. I will however not pursue who falls or flees. But, I will not hold back to protect my unit. As we promised one another." He gives Gryphon a short sign to bring a bit more distance between the horses again to prevent any collisions, turns his attention to what would lie ahead. He checks all straps and buckles. Bows and quivers had been maintained carefully in the morning, but he gives both a quick inspection nevertheless. He removes the hood from his head, preferring a greater field of vision to its meek protective abilities. They probably know who you are now anyway... Suddenly remembering Maugrim's words, he puts a slight grin on his face, as he prepares to slowly attune himself to his surroundings and gradually shift into a more feline form.
    Last edited by Niobaran; 2020-07-26 at 10:02 AM.

  28. - Top - End - #298
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    Kleris rolls his eyes as Nameless starts to tear off his disguise, he was sure he could tell Maughin the truth about whats been going on through the bars of the jail cell he would certainly be ending up in. Might even be a little fun, he was kind of done with the crazy old ma. Also a little rubbing it in wouldn't be the worst thing the old war criminal had coming.

    Either way they would need to survive the upcoming fight first. He double checks his equipment, making sure the shield is on and his sword is easily pulled from the sheathe. He nods to Kett, "I be too, can't fight that well on a horse. Especially one that will be popping out of existence with a single arrow."

    He eyes Raz as he passes off the weapon to Nameless and calls over, it had been a bit so they were only a few minutes out "Hey Raz, this may help out during the fight. Help protect you when the arrows start coming down on you."

    He mutters under his breath "My lord travels through the deeps and the wilds, though he travels far his will shall shield you from harm.

    A shimmering field of dark purple comes into being faintly over the shifter, ready to help push aside attacks.

    As they get closer to the final fight he prepares his last spell to protect himself. "Many are the followers of the Lord, and varied are the methods of hiding them."

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    USe Shield of Faith on Raz. Wait until the round before they get to the combat and cast mirror image on himself.
    "Facilis Descensus Averni." - Virgil, The Aeneid

    “Why would I want to win anything other than a beautiful game?” - Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man's Fear


  29. - Top - End - #299
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    When Raz returns his weapon, Maugrim gives the shifter a solemn nod. "You have my thanks, for keeping it safe." Even as the horses continue to make the inexorable approach to Thronehold - its pale towers now visible above even the grander rooftops at this distance - the former commander keeps his full attention on the words and wards exchanged between you. The tightness of his gaze and the set of his shoulders tell you that there is to be no more obfuscation of your purpose.

    "To be clear," he calls out loudly over the clipping of hooves on stone, "we are to launch a ground assault against a fortified position - one that our enemy has had time to prepare with both mages and undead? Your archer has the right of it: pulling our punches will only leave us bleeding on the ground. Even if you aren't lying and the men we are about to face are truly enforcing the law, then they knew the risks when they signed. I will not resign my life for theirs."

    Maugrim is silent for only a moment longer, gripping the polearm in his hands tight enough that his knuckles whiten. "Whoever you are, whatever your purpose, I surmise from these circumstances that you are facing this danger on my account. If so, then I am truly in your debt. What honour remains to me, I owe to you."
    Last edited by 3SecondCultist; 2020-07-26 at 04:10 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Zeno Desaqqara View Post
    You divine bastard.

    "Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in the face of certain defeat."

  30. - Top - End - #300
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    A dozen quips and comments come to Kett's mind as Maugrim speaks, lording the truth over him but she stays quiet. Discretion was the better part of valour, was was so often the case. At least he was on board with the killing plan. She doubts that they'll be as honour-bound as the elves from before, so forcing them into a surrender wasn't likely to garner her any new pawns to play.
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