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  1. - Top - End - #1
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default Planescape: Center of All - IC

    OOC thread

    The diverse sights and sounds of the toroidal planar metropolis are much the same as ever, but people in Sigil seem a bit subdued lately, anticipating that a change may come soon. The mysterious dabus, servants of the mysterious ruler of the city known as the Lady of Pain, have given notice that a major announcement is coming tomorrow. Twenty years ago, the Factions were banned from the city by the Lady after a brief but bloody war among them, and speculation is rampant that they will now be allowed to return. Which Factions will be allowed, and in what capacity, are common topics of debate. There are also those who think the big announcement will be about something else entirely, although opinions vary wildly as to what else it could be.

    Today, you have something else on your mind ...

    OOC: I'll use spoilers for PC-specific information here. It's OK for other players to read these, as long as you keep player knowledge compartmentalized from PC knowledge. If there's something that really needs to be secret, I'll use PMs.

    Spoiler: Ash
    Show
    When you heard the knocks on your door, the cadence reminded you of a forgotten dream. From the looks of it, an elderly githzerai man with a whispy beard - tall thin, and of yellowish complexion as is typical of that race - stood outside; his left eye had been replaced by a magical glass one. You didn't need magic to know this was a disguise, as you've been in Sigil long enough to hear many tales of this famous half-fiend, said to know the dark of all that is evil.

    "Thrice-damned Ash" Rule of Three told you "I know what you seek. You will never get it, unless you do as I ask. Help to obtain an item for me, prevent its abuse, keep it secret. Do these three things, and I can arrange the return of your soul. To start, be at the Black Sail Tavern at three hours before antipeak tonight."

    With that, he vanished, by teleport.


    Spoiler: Eilyra
    Show
    You'd hoped to never see Rule of Three again, but the cambion came to you this time. Not that he'd exactly betrayed you; he'd told the truth, just not all of it. He looks much the same as when you first met him, an old githzerai man, except that he now sports a glass left eye.

    "Eilyra, your blade, spells, knowledge are needed once again. Once, you helped prevent the rise of a tyrant. Now, you might help save all. Perhaps that would earn you much goodwill, if you seek it. Please, be at the Black Sail Tavern at three hours before antipeak tonight. Until then I should say no more."

    Your old companions are no longer in the city. Verik is somewhere on the Material Plane, having become the ruler and protector of a small Drow city that rebelled against Lolth.


    Spoiler: Taric Darkflame
    Show
    At first you weren't sure it meant anything. A few chalk marks on the side of your house, which could have been a child's flawed work. But one of your friends, a member of the Mind's Eye, happened to mention the same kind of graffiti on his house. And then you saw the marks on the pavement in front of a restaurant you like. A six-fingered hand ... the symbol of Graz'zt. Time to flee again ...

    But then, the mysterious old githzerai with a glass left eye, who called himself Rule of Three, came to make you an offer. "I have been told that you have something that belongs to the Dark Prince. He has sent servants in the past to reclaim it, and that didn't end well either for his interests or for yours. This cycle can continue until, eventually, you will fall. But it is wasteful for you both - for him in servants, for you in friends. It need not be so. Do a job that I will direct you to, and he will consider the debt paid. I assure you, though he may benefit, it will come at the expense of worse fiends. Be at the Black Sail Tavern at three hours before antipeak tonight."


    Spoiler: Edigaria
    Show
    Though you've seen many strange beings up close during your time in Sigil, but rarely would a deva choose to approach you. At the market today, the movanic deva spoke quiety to several individuals. His face was handsome, with silvery hair and eyes, and his white wings feathered. Of course you knew exactly who he was: the one known as Unity-of-Rings, the dispenser of simple good deeds and cryptic advice.

    He said "Around they go, the ones you owe. Balanced, you keep on toe. But strange events afoot; soon that could be kaput. To keep the balance you could take part. Black Sail Tavern, three 'till midnight, start."


    Spoiler: Avakuss
    Show
    Your old adventuring companion Joel Taverus is now the owner of the Black Sail Tavern. Since he retired from the adventuring life, you have grown more powerful, while he has instead grown older, fatter, and happier. You still keep in touch, but still, the note you recieved from him was a bit unusual:

    Avakuss, once again I ask for your help. Rule of Three is putting together an adventuring party, and I have reasons to believe that it's no small matter. We might all be safer if one of your wisdom has a place at that table, and given the kind of talent he is seeking, I believe that he would choose to work with you, if you are willing. It'd be dangerous, mind you, so use your judgement. They are meeting at my place, tonight, three to antipeak. - Joel


    The Lower Ward is the soot-filled section of the city that is mainly home to humans, tieflings, and most infamously, fiends. There are said to be many portals to the Lower Planes in that area from which the smoke emanates. Dark foundries and smithies belch forth grey smog and caustic steam. There the Black Sail stands in the shadow of the Armory, the former Doomguard headquarters, at the end of an alley between two armorworks.

    Fused to the tavern is the hull of an ancient galleon. A soot-stained sail hangs above the ship's gargoyleish figurehead. Inside the well-kept establishment, beneath a ribcage of dark rafters, is a dim common room lined with curtained alcoves. The tavern's sundry patrons congregate at tables placed in the middle of the room, while muffled voices can be heard behind the thick curtains which enclose the alcoves.
    Last edited by kinem; 2021-05-10 at 07:49 PM.

  2. - Top - End - #2
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Taric heads for the Lower Ward, cautious about being seen too near fiends, who might be agents of Graz'zt. Although the demon lord would not come to Sigil himself, there is always a chance that he might have sent someone else after Taric once again. He moves with great care, and when he gets to the Black Sail, he slips inside. As a bariaur, he has no need of a seat. But he makes his way to an empty table, orders a drink, an Ysgardian Heartwine, and settles in to wait for some sign of his contact. He wonders if it will be the notorious Rule-Of-Three once again, or if it will be someone else this time. He is not sure which to hope for. Rule-Of-Three is a semi-known presence, being well known in Sigil. But his loyalties and intentions are also unknown, and he may be better off if the contact is a lesser known person. They might be totally unknown, but at least they will be unlikely to be as slippery as Rule-Of-Three.

  3. - Top - End - #3
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    GreenSorcererElf

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Seeing Rule of Three once more brings back memories... and not terribly good ones for Rule. After what he did last time, he really expects me to do it again? His information is generally good, but... limited. If he does it again, he won't need to worry about another incident. The Black Sail has a decent reputation, but anyone can be brought, and it does offer private meeting rooms.

    Her eyes narrow as she focuses her attention on Rule. "It had damn well better be more information than you offered last time. ALL you know about whatever it is, NOT just the bits that you think I need to know to accomplish your goals."

    Afterwards
    After the meeting with Rule, the fuming Eilyra finds a bit of privacy, takes a deep breath, and starts chanting, recasting the defensive spells she had let lapse after her last adventure.
    Spoiler: Casting some buffs.
    Show

    Extended Moment of Prescience(44 hours)(Burning Blackfire)
    Extended Mind Blank(48 hours)
    All four Heart spells(22 hours)
    Extended Contingency(If health between 0 and 30, Pop Resilient Sphere around Eilyra, 5 foot area.)(44 days)
    Extended Greater Magic Weapon(On her sword)(+5)(44 hours)

    Having spent a few minutes preparing her defenses, and calming down(Rule didn't exactly betray her, after all. Just mostly.), she visits the markets, to restock on her rations, components, making sure she had the appropriate foci, picking up a longbow and some arrows, snagging a snazzy bag of holding, and otherwise preparing for a long journey to points unknown.
    Spoiler: Item shifting
    Show

    I realized I'd missed a couple of things she needed, and had gone slightly over budget. Dropping the horn of plenty, getting a type 2 bag of holding, some component pouches, and a longbow. Also, added in boots of elvenkind, from Ruathar, since I think the time for that delay to play out has probably come and gone, unless you have a different opinion, Kinem?

    Afterwards, she visits a bath house, to enjoy a lovely bath(Possibly the last one she'll have in a while that wasn't prestidigitation), before heading towards The Black Sail in time for the meeting. As she approaches, she winces as she sees the soot coating the sail of the galleon, and sees the foundries burning nearby. Well, no time like the present to test if the stain resistance on my dress works.. After a momentary hesitation, she heads inside, pausing for a moment in the entrance, before heading to an empty table, and settling in to wait for events to proceed, sipping on the flute of elven wine she ordered.
    Spoiler: Roll
    Show

    (1d20+19)[35] Spot or Listen for things of interest

    Spoiler: Appearance
    Show

    Eilyra is a fairly beautiful elf, wearing a backless white dress(With the front and back split, to allow uninhibited movement), with a silver and gold decorated green overdress. A platinum chain loops around her neck, supporting a ruby pendant that rests above her breasts. Her golden eyes seem to burn with an inner light, and golden hair that almost looks like it's on fire. She also has pair of leathery wings folded at her back, and a long thin tail, which is currently sitting in her lap. A thin silver circlet, marked in ancient elven circles her head, with a pair of similarly marked armbands on her wrists. A white fingerless glove adorns her left hand, while a pair of rings, worn with age and use adorn her fingers(One on each hand), and a fairly large brown leather pouch sits on her right hip. To add a sense of whimsy to the otherwise fairly practical(If ornamental) outfit, an orange ioun stone whizzes around her head. Her eyes look around the room, taking in her surroundings, and her movements are almost bird-like in their speed and precision.
    Spoiler: Image(Which is decently close)
    Show



    Spoiler: Current Character List:
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    John Smith, Playing in the Dollhouse
    Adam of Cyre, Cyre Red
    Grok Magmaforge, Iron Crisis
    ALADIN, Out of the Abyss

  4. - Top - End - #4
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    At this point, after Eilyra sits, there are no more empty tables.
    Last edited by kinem; 2021-05-11 at 09:44 AM.

  5. - Top - End - #5
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash

    Ash sighs. Rule of Three always did like a dramatic flourish, even at the expense of clarity. That was going to get him killed some day. Or, more likely, people working for him.

    She looked around her hidey-hole apartment, checking to make sure that everything was still in place before closing up shop, so to speak. Most of her protections were still in place from last night, but there were a few to refresh.

    With her protections in place, she settled back on her cot to explore Rule of Three's request with some magic. Forewarned is, of course, forearmed. The old joke tugged at her brain for a moment, and she rubbed her left elbow, feeling the undead flesh there, slightly cooler to the touch than the rest of her, as usual. She had literally given away so much of herself that she sometimes wondered whether the leftovers could truly be said to be her. Or anyone, for that matter.

    Climbing up the ladder to the thin sheet of steel covering her pit, Ash levered it open and slipped out. She slid the steel diagonally into its holder inside the pit, then folded up the space and slid the handkerchief sized fabric into an inside pocket of her shirt. Her accommodations didn't provide much of a view, but they were significantly safer than most in Sigil.

    Glancing around, Ash shook out her wings, and strolled toward the Black Sail. She nods, seeing that it's so busy that there are no empty tables available. Suits her fine - she didn't like drinking at the start of a job. Sets a bad tone. Instead, she does what she usually does in social situations - finds a wall to lean against, and watches. Specifically, she looks for which folks have a blazing array of magic auras on them, or the ones with absolutely none at all, figuring them to be the most likely to be part of Rule of Three's merry escapade.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Thanks to whoever designed this class , Ash has an insane number of protections and unusual senses available to her.

    Permanently, she has the following active:
    Arcane Sight
    100' Telepathy and Mindsight
    Read Magic
    See Invisibility
    Tongues

    Before bed, she casts the following, most of which last for 23 or 24 hours:
    Anticipate Teleport (Greater) ~
    Endure Elements *
    Energy Immunity - Fire *
    Hunter's Eye (+7d6 bonus)
    Magic Weapon, Greater *
    Magic Vestment *
    Mind Blank
    Moment of Prescience
    Greater Magic Weapon *
    Nondetection
    Visions of the Future
    Contingency (Heal*, triggered by Ash being affected by an injury that would render her unconscious or dead)
    * Cast using her bead of karma to give a CL of 23.
    ~ Technically, this means that Rule of Three couldn't have teleported that close to her, but clearly he has a mcguffin device to override this.

    Because of Equipment, she also has the following effects active:
    Ring of Spell-Battle - informs me when a spell is cast within 60', even if there's no obvious manifestation, and gives me a spellcraft check to identify the spell.
    Earring (as Hat of Disguise) - normally, she chooses to adjust her appearance only slightly: she hides her skin, head and limb grafts; puts a bit of tan on her face; and makes her clothes look a little nicer than they are.

    After Rule of Three's visit, Ash prepares spells for the day, and then casts Divination, asking the question: "Where am I going to have to go to get the thing that Rule of Three wants me to get?"

    Last edited by Toliudar; 2021-05-11 at 12:57 PM.
    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

  6. - Top - End - #6
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Spoiler: Ash
    Show
    OOC: Anticipate Teleport delays teleportation into the area, but not out of it; it doesn't prevent escapes.
    BTW, you know that RoT didn't cast a spell to teleport; it must have been a spell-like ability.

    Luck did not favor your Divination spell (rolled 99), and it yields no answers.

    Several people around the room have some magical auras. The ones that really stand out are: a bariaur drinking alone at a table, a winged woman that you recognize as Eilyra, and a human man seated at the bar who looks around as he drinks.

    Looking at the latter, you notice that his left eye has a magic aura; most likely he is Rule of Three in another disguise.

  7. - Top - End - #7
    Firbolg in the Playground
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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Avakuss the goliath psychic warrior.

    Avakuss received the letter from Rule of Three as he ate his lunch at his dojo in the Guildhall Ward. There was a slight grimace on his lips as he read it. Joel and Rule at it again. So little information and on relatively short notice, as usual. At least he had the afternoon and some of the evening. He pondered the possibilities as he finished his meal.

    He called class into session. All sat in a circle with legs crossed, if possible, since there were students of a variety of races. He spoke, asking the others to ponder the balance of defending or promoting Good while working with those of potentially evil or selfish intent. All were given the chance to speak their thoughts and critic each other's thoughts. After a sufficient time Avakuss rose and led the class in sparring practice, focusing on getting inside the opponent's defenses for a flurry of blows. As the sparring was going well he turned the class over to the senior student Shilenga with word that he would be traveling a bit, something that was normal for the dojo.

    Avakuss gathered his gear and made sure all was in order. With a nod to the others he headed out and onward to the Great Gymnasium. He knew that action would be coming soon so now was the time for the mind. Mixing with the others he sought out what others thought of the news coming the next day and debated the rumors in a friendly manner. He didn't speak of his meeting for that evening but he wondered if the two were related. Afterwards he relaxed in the Sensory Deprivation chamber for quite longer than most. Coming out refreshed he headed to the Black Sail. Nearing his destination he prepared numerous psionic protections.

    Entering the Joel's business and 2nd home, Avakuss headed for the bar and leaned his hip against it. He would have rested an elbow on the bar but with his height he would have had to hunch over. Avakuss glanced around the room, mostly looking for signs of Rule or Joel, but also for any that might be involved in the coming meeting. He ordered a drink and sipped on it as he waited.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Gather Info (1d20+5)[21]
    Spoiler: Games
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    Keston Tornok for GF's AoW
    Loradralsornux for GF's Savage Tide
    Avakuss for kinem's Planescape: Center of All
    Sgt Ladaran Xiloscient for MrAbdiel's D&D-Day: The Ballad of Echo Company (WW2 with D&D Rules)
    Ganzak for Toliudar's Coming Unstuck

    Extended Signature - More detailed game/character notes

  8. - Top - End - #8
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Spoiler: Avakuss
    Show
    OOC: Seems like a Spot check would be more appropriate.

    In any case, you don't see Rule or Joel just yet. A few unusual individuals catch your eye (the other PCs).

  9. - Top - End - #9
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

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    Sep 2005
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    Edmonton, Canada

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash

    Seeing a familiar-ish face, Ash glances around the room one more time and then strolls over to Eilyra's table.

    "May I join you?"

    Her mental voice, soft as a feather, adds a rejoinder.

    *Funny. I could have sworn you said you wouldn't work for ol' crazy-eye.*
    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

  10. - Top - End - #10
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    GreenSorcererElf

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Seeing the somewhat familiar grey-winged woman approaching, Eilyra gives her a look. Grey wings... Erinyes? No, graft. Ah, the Orb that Tim wanted. The other Diviner. Ash. Fairly professional, fairly skilled.. She doesn't offer any hints as to her rapid thought process, although she does incline her head, in a slight nod, in response to Ash's question, before she speaks.

    "As you asked politely, yes. The ambiance here is quite... interesting, after all. It may have potential, or it may not be what it has been represented as. Time will tell." Her voice is the same cool, melodic thing it has always been, but there is a slight hint of distaste to it.

    She gives no sign of having received the telepathic message.
    Spoiler: Current Character List:
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    John Smith, Playing in the Dollhouse
    Adam of Cyre, Cyre Red
    Grok Magmaforge, Iron Crisis
    ALADIN, Out of the Abyss

  11. - Top - End - #11
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash

    Ash sits, wings ruffling out to the sides of the chair, as they do. She smiles faintly.

    "Hmm. 'It may have potential, or may not be as represented.' I would argue that that's true of most of us."
    Last edited by Toliudar; 2021-05-12 at 07:05 PM.
    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

  12. - Top - End - #12
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Taric sits back and watches for a while, but there is no evident sign of Rule-Of-Three. So eventually he figures the being must be coming in some sort of disguise. He figures he will not be the only one to be summoned, or else Rule could have given him the mission straight away, rather than meeting at the tavern. So he decides he should go and meet other beings of evident power, to see if they have also been summoned by him.

    He looks around at the most powerful looking beings in the room. He has no ability to sense magical auras, so he is working largely by guesswork. He finally approaches a normal-looking woman who bears fiendish wings, figuring she may have had them grown or transplanted through powerful magic.

    "Greetings. My name is Taric. I await someone. Would you mind if I wait with you, until my companion arrives? I feel somewhat conspicuous standing at my table all alone, and to stand out is to attract trouble."

  13. - Top - End - #13
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    GreenSorcererElf

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Seeing the shadowy Bariaur approach, Eilyra carefully puts down her wine flute, before he arrives, but as he is addressing Ash, and not attacking, she watches silently.
    Spoiler: Current Character List:
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    John Smith, Playing in the Dollhouse
    Adam of Cyre, Cyre Red
    Grok Magmaforge, Iron Crisis
    ALADIN, Out of the Abyss

  14. - Top - End - #14
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash
    The woman's wings instinctively fluttered up away from the floor - never fun to have them stepped on - and nods at Taric. She took half a second to process the variety of bright, buright auras swirling around the man and his equipment. Yup. Could definitely be one of theirs. Her smile widened and she pulled a chair away from a stretch of the table to facilitate him joining them.

    "Good evening. I am Ash, and this is Eilyra. If your friend has one eye, he's ignoring us for the moment."
    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

  15. - Top - End - #15
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Taric looks a little surprised at the reference to someone who was almost certainly Rule-Of-Three. Despite this, he realises that he must have come upon fellow people who have been summoned by him. So he might as well stay with them, to make it easier to gather them all. He glances around, hoping to see others who might have been summoned. "Well hello. Thank you for allowing me to join you, and it is a pleasure to meet you. I believe we are here to meet the same person, by the sound of it. I am sure he will be here soon, so we should have only a short wait. Unless he has many others coming, in any case. Of course, he may be here already, as you seem to suggest. Have you identified him here?" he says to Ash and Eilyra. He takes the offered position at the table, though as he is standing, he towers above the others who are seated already.
    Last edited by paradox26; 2021-05-14 at 09:34 AM.

  16. - Top - End - #16
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    GreenSorcererElf

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Eilyra's tail twitches slightly at the Bariaur's words. "The individual you're referring to tends to act as a middleman, a representative of someone else, rather than being the direct employer. A source of information, and thus, control. With a long history of playing both ends to the gain of the middle." After speaking, she takes another sip of her flute of wine, and as she puts it down, she looks directly at Taric, her golden eyes glowing with an inner flame. "Be wary. What it says is probably true, but also probably not the whole truth."
    Spoiler: Current Character List:
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    John Smith, Playing in the Dollhouse
    Adam of Cyre, Cyre Red
    Grok Magmaforge, Iron Crisis
    ALADIN, Out of the Abyss

  17. - Top - End - #17
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash sizes Taric up, noting the calluses that match the blades he carries. The atypical coloration and tone to his skin. The guarded manner that suggests that he has earned the long years he has been alive.

    Eilyra's comments draw a wry smile from Ash.

    "All of which is to say: I think he's at the bar."

    She leans back, her wings lifting and adjusting once again.

    "So...is it the carrot or the stick with you? Do you owe a favour, or are you here for payment?"
    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

  18. - Top - End - #18
    Firbolg in the Playground
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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Without staring Avakuss took notice of the table slowly filling with those that were confident in themselves but likely didn't know each other. Each approached the table, paused as if asking permission, sized each other up, then joined the table. The pattern repeated until there were four at the table. He grabbed the barkeep's attention as he walked by, who would recognize the goliath by sight at least. "Joel around?"
    Spoiler: Games
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    Keston Tornok for GF's AoW
    Loradralsornux for GF's Savage Tide
    Avakuss for kinem's Planescape: Center of All
    Sgt Ladaran Xiloscient for MrAbdiel's D&D-Day: The Ballad of Echo Company (WW2 with D&D Rules)
    Ganzak for Toliudar's Coming Unstuck

    Extended Signature - More detailed game/character notes

  19. - Top - End - #19
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Taric nods slightly in acknowledgement. "Thank you for the warning. I have been out on the Planes for too long, and know little of the personalities of Sigil. I will be wary of what he has to say. That is always a good policy, in any case, and especially in Sigil. Caution is not as necessary on Ysgard, though on the Shadow Plane it can be more called for," he says. He looks around to try to identify the man they are speaking of at the bar. But without a way to detect magical auras, it is almost impossible for him to ascertain exactly which person at the bar is the one he seeks. He then turns back, and answers the question, "I am a hired weapon. I do not owe the man anything, but he may be able to assist me in some troubles I have with a certain demon, so I suppose I am something of a supplicant." He finds it hard to admit that openly, even though he accepts it internally as being necessary.
    Last edited by paradox26; 2021-05-15 at 05:55 AM.

  20. - Top - End - #20
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    GreenSorcererElf

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Eilyra takes another sip of her flute, before she swallows, and quietly murmurs. "Demons do seem to have an unfortunate tendency to cause problems."

    With that said, she leans back in her chair, leathery wings folded behind her, tail looped around on her lap, and horns on her head, and takes another sip.
    Last edited by Archmage1; 2021-05-15 at 07:07 AM.
    Spoiler: Current Character List:
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    John Smith, Playing in the Dollhouse
    Adam of Cyre, Cyre Red
    Grok Magmaforge, Iron Crisis
    ALADIN, Out of the Abyss

  21. - Top - End - #21
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

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    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash

    Ash tilts her head, tasting the thought, and there is a fleeting smile.

    "Well, I'd hardly think the less of you for wanting something from him. If you haven't made powerful enemies, odds are good that you're living too sedentary a life to be at this table, yes? I myself am involved in a complicated dance, of sorts." She seems less angry than saddened at the thought.

    Without rising, Ash looks around the room again, checking for new arrivals. Ah! Another big one. Interesting.

    "I confess that my travels haven't brought me to Ysgard yet. I've heard that it's rowdy in a back-slapping, beer-chugging way, but beautiful. How do you remember it?"
    Last edited by Toliudar; 2021-05-15 at 09:22 AM.
    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

  22. - Top - End - #22
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    The barkeep is a stout red-bearded dwarf. Avakuss knows him as Mugsy, but isn't sure if that is actually his name, or a nickname that refers to his profession.

    When Avakuss walks by he nods and tells Avakuss "He should be out here soon."
    Last edited by kinem; 2021-05-15 at 09:50 AM.

  23. - Top - End - #23
    Troll in the Playground
     
    RedWizardGuy

    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Australia
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Taric nods in agreement. "Some demons cause more trouble than others. The one I upset is one of the mightiest, and he has a long memory and really holds a grudge," he says.

    "I spent so long in the Shadow Plane that my recollections of Ysgard are both vivid and slightly shadowed. It is my homeland, though I spent much of my time in Arborea, at the Mind's Eye headquarters. But Ysgard is beautiful, and very wild. Even demons tend to be reluctant to invade there. Though, as I found to my personal cost, they do occasionally raid the plane. Most of my family there were lost to a demon raid there. So now they should be part of the plane as petitioners," he says to Ash.

  24. - Top - End - #24
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    GreenSorcererElf

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    UTC-5

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Eilyra frowns for a brief moment at Taric's words, before she resumes her cool look around the room. Demons don't tend to just go raiding for blood and death. They tend to trap souls as well. They're used for trade, for crafting, for bribes, as trophies, or even to eat. But now's not the time to break that news. If he's been brought here, he's likely competent, and the time it would take to hunt down a bunch of souls taken in a specific raid an unknown amount of time ago... if they even still exist? No, not happening. If he realizes later, he's already provided the perfect excuse.

    After a moment, she looks back to Taric, and offers a small smile. "The Shadow Plane can be interesting. I've always been fascinated by how it reflects other planes, and how it chooses which plane to reflect. Of course, the colour drain is annoying. As for Arborea, well... I wouldn't exactly be welcome there. For places I've been, well... the Hells are not a vacation spot. Too many demons. Also, the whole fire, ash, brimstone, acid rains, ever-shifting terrain, archdemons, gravity. I would not recommend a long visit. The Astral is beautiful, but you really need a goal there, something to do. Also, Gith."
    She pauses, and shakes her head. "Why did you spend so long on the Shadow Plane?"
    Last edited by Archmage1; 2021-05-16 at 09:54 AM.
    Spoiler: Current Character List:
    Show

    John Smith, Playing in the Dollhouse
    Adam of Cyre, Cyre Red
    Grok Magmaforge, Iron Crisis
    ALADIN, Out of the Abyss

  25. - Top - End - #25
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    A well-dressed, greying gentleman enters the room from a door on the back wall next to the bar. To those who can see it, he sports quite a bit of magic.

    He waves to Avakuss and heads over to the table where the group has gathered.

    "Good evening. I'm Joel Taverus, owner of the place. While I hope you are enjoying your drinks, please come with me so we can discuss the business you came for.

    Our mutual acquaintance will join us soon. There is one other who I hope will join us, but perhaps she was not interested in the offer she got. She can catch up if she shows."


    (to the barkeep) "Mugsy, you know what to look for?" The dwarf nods in response.

    Joel tells you "If you would" and indicates the door he came through.

  26. - Top - End - #26
    Firbolg in the Playground
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    A tall, muscular, and barely dressed goliath with a large greatsword nods to Joel and confidently leads the way through the door. At the table he invites the others to sit with a hand gesture. Once the others have all claimed their seats Avakuss turns a remaining chair around so the back of the chair faces the table and sits, straddling it. "Hello. My name is Avakuss. I've known Joel... for a long time."
    Spoiler: Games
    Show
    Keston Tornok for GF's AoW
    Loradralsornux for GF's Savage Tide
    Avakuss for kinem's Planescape: Center of All
    Sgt Ladaran Xiloscient for MrAbdiel's D&D-Day: The Ballad of Echo Company (WW2 with D&D Rules)
    Ganzak for Toliudar's Coming Unstuck

    Extended Signature - More detailed game/character notes

  27. - Top - End - #27
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Edmonton, Canada

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash

    At Joel's invitation, Ash rises and follows silently to the back room. En route, she makes a brief detour to the bar, where she leaves a stack of five gold coins with Mugsy. She knows that no tavern is going rich off of her, and it seems only courteous to contribute to the wait staff's fine work.

    Once Joel leads them into the room where the meeting is to take place, Ash begins a careful examination of the space, running a hand lightly across the walls and beginning a droning chant.

    Her telepathic voice, an especially soft version of her speaking tone, slips into Avakuss and Taric's heads.

    *Hello, Avakuss. You can call me Ash. I apologize, but am ensuring that our conversation here is not overheard.*

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Ash starts by analyzing any dweomers active in the room but not associated with the four of us. She searches the room, taking ten if possible for 47.

    If Mage's Private Sanctum is not already active on the area, she casts it.
    Last edited by Toliudar; 2021-05-16 at 10:59 PM.
    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

  28. - Top - End - #28
    Colossus in the Playground
     
    GreenSorcererElf

    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Location
    UTC-5

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Seeing the professional looking older gentleman enter the room, Eilyra gives him an analyzing look. Our would-be employer? If Ash has spotted RoT at the bar, that fellow clearly has some influence here, and he's collecting the goliath, so he's certainly something.

    As he approaches the table, she carefully puts her flute down, and eyes him, calmly, waiting for events to unfold, even as she takes another look around the room, and listens to his agreement. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Joel." Mutual acquaintance? Bloody RoT. This is, however, the owner, so things are happening.

    She follows the group into the presumably private section, her dress swishing as she walks, and her tail raising daintily off the ground. After the door shuts, and chairs are claimed, and the Goliath introduces himself as Avakuss, and Ash raises a shield against scrying and eavesdropping, Eilyra finally speaks. "I am known as Eilyra, and it is good to meet you, Avakuss. It is always good to make new allies."

    Spoiler: Appearance, if needed once more
    Show

    Eilyra is a fairly beautiful elf, wearing a backless white dress(With the front and back split, to allow uninhibited movement), with a silver and gold decorated green overdress. A platinum chain loops around her neck, supporting a ruby pendant that rests above her breasts. Her golden eyes seem to burn with an inner light, and golden hair that almost looks like it's on fire. She also has pair of leathery wings folded at her back, and a long thin tail, which is currently sitting in her lap. A thin silver circlet, marked in ancient elven circles her head, with a pair of similarly marked armbands on her wrists. A white fingerless glove adorns her left hand, while a pair of rings, worn with age and use adorn her fingers(One on each hand), and a fairly large brown leather pouch sits on her right hip. To add a sense of whimsy to the otherwise fairly practical(If ornamental) outfit, an orange ioun stone whizzes around her head. Her eyes look around the room, taking in her surroundings, and her movements are almost bird-like in their speed and precision.
    Spoiler: Image(Which is decently close)
    Show



    Spoiler: Current Character List:
    Show

    John Smith, Playing in the Dollhouse
    Adam of Cyre, Cyre Red
    Grok Magmaforge, Iron Crisis
    ALADIN, Out of the Abyss

  29. - Top - End - #29
    Troll in the Playground
     
    Imp

    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Gender
    Male

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    There is a short hallway beyond the door (#1), then a second door (#2) after that. The second door is unusually heavy, and has a small window built into it that can be covered with a small shutter on the inside, so that one inside might see who's in the hall.

    The room past that has several comfortable and sturdy chairs of various sizes around a large table. A couple are built to accommodate larger than human-sized guests. The room is lit by a Continual Flame attached to a chandelier on the ceiling.

    There is another door (#3) to the right side of the room.

    Spoiler: Ash
    Show
    Other than on the people and their items and on the chandelier, you don't sense any magic in the room.


    Joel says "Suit yourself, Ash, but I should mention that this room is shielded with lead, so no one should be able to scry us.

    There is one other person who I will introduce in a moment, but I must first say, anything seen or said here is confidential. You are not obligated to take the job, but if you don't agree to that, please leave now. You will soon understand why."


    There is a knock on the door (#2). Joel opens the shutter to see who it is, then opens the door. The newcomer proves to be Rule-of Three in his githzerai appearance; he may have changed in the hallway.

    Rule says "Hello, good to see you, and good evening. Have you spilled the dark yet, Joel?" and takes a seat.

    Joel says "Not yet." If everyone stays in the room he continues "Well then" and opens the inner door (#3).

    Into the room comes a 10 ft. tall, athletic male humanoid with beatific features and metallic golden skin. His eyes are too bright to look at directly, and an aura of power and patience surrounds him. Though they are seldom seen, you recognize this an an aurumach rilmani, a powerful exemplar of Neutrality.

    The rilmani says "Hello! I am Center-of-All. Pleased to meet you."

    After a round of introductions, Center-of-All takes a seat and tells you

    "For many years, until just recently, I lived near the base of the Spire. As you know, that is a complete dead zone for magic and kind of an enormous wasteland. I liked it fine there, but I was there because it's hard to find anyone there. I lived in a small rilmani village.

    About a month ago, I was killed. The intruder was sneaky and got the jump on me, and was incredibly skilled with the dagger. Human sized, dark skin, dark robe, but no face besides a big mouth."


    Spoiler: Knowledge(Nature) DC 35
    Show
    Sounds like a Gloom.


    He continues "My friends put me on a cart and set off to resurrect me. Not an easy trip but here I am. But the thing I was guarding was stolen by the intruder. Rule-of-Three gave it to me to guard."

    Rule cuts in "Not me! You understand? That was millennia ago. But there's always been a Rule-of-Three in Sigil. It's one of the three basic laws of the multiverse after all! I am just the current holder of the office, so to speak.

    But in any case, it's well that Center came looking for Rule of Three, since he found me.

    I believe the item Center was guarding was a Key. This Key was used to lock away the multiverse - threatening being known as Tharizdun."


    Center says "Prophecy says it will be needed again; not so clear on why. But I must get it back."

    Rule says "Well, we can talk about how to guard it safely when the time comes. For now, we must get it."

    Joel says "Some years ago, I had a bit of an adventure, along with Avakuss and a couple of others. I almost accidently freed an ancient rakshasa lord known as the Mad Rajah. This fellow had some connection to the cult of Tharizdun. He's imprisoned in Baator, but until then the baatezu seemed to have forgotten about it. A trio of rakshasas tried to free him, though in retrospect, they could have tried harder. We slew them, but they mentioned working for a boss."

    Rule says "I have connections throughout the Lower Planes. I believe that said boss was an outcast former Duke among the baatezu by the name of Vayyel. He's been spotted near the site of the prison. Vayyel is a powerful warrior, and was a leader of the cornugons, but I guess he lost a political game.

    I think this was his plan all along. Not to free the Rajah, but to get information from him. Whatever Joel did to the prison must have helped with that somehow.

    The Rajah must have known something about the Key, probably enough for Vayyel to guess who had it. He must have begun the search years ago. This is coming to a head now only because Center was so hard to find.

    Ash, Gargauth is a bitter enemy of Vayyel's. He could not stand to see Vayyel regain a place in the hierarchy before he does. To see his rival brought low, he's willing to make a deal.

    Taric, as for Graz'zt, he too has an interest in stopping the baatezu plot."


    Joel says "What Vayyel wants with the Key we can only guess. Not to free Tharizdun, surely. More likely to use as a bargaining chip. To sell it, maybe. The risk is real that someone will use it. That requires a Gate to the plane where Thaizdun was sent.

    Our first move should be to make the Key harder to use in that way. During our adventure, we found a door on Pandemonium, that leads to a stronghold of Tharizdun's cult. I have done research and it was an important library in ancient times. I believe it would contain the knowledge we need."
    Last edited by kinem; 2021-05-17 at 09:52 PM.

  30. - Top - End - #30
    Titan in the Playground
     
    BlueWizardGirl

    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Edmonton, Canada

    Default Re: Planescape: Center of All - IC

    Ash

    Ash leans forward, listening to the story and not trying to disguise her curiosity. Only once does she lean back, jaw clenched tight, when Gorgauth's name is mentioned. She tilts her head at Rule of Three with frank incredulity, but then is caught up again in the unfolding tale.

    "Tharizdun is everything loathsome about gods, written in letters a mile high in blood. His release would cause incalculable suffering, and, arguably, the end of the universe. I'm in."

    She pauses and turns with sombre, soft tones to Rule of Three.

    "I do have a condition, however. It is insufficient to simply assume that Vayyal does not wish to use the key for its intended purpose. We do not use the key, even as a bluff, as a bargaining chip with him until we have certain knowledge of what his game is. Is that acceptable?"

    Once she gets a response from Rule of Three, she takes out a thick notepad, overlaid with a delicate tracing of symbols. She turns to a fresh page and begins magically transcribing notes and questions.

    Spoiler: OOC
    Show
    Sense motive on both Rule and Centre, watching for any sign of deception or with-holding information from them: (1d20+29)[43]

    "We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." Kurt Vonnegut

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