Doby Posted September 21 Author Clone Share Posted September 21 ~ Skum Cave - Post Battle ~ ~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~ "You! Kobold!" Cessah spins and points towards Coalscuttle as she makes her opinion known. "You understand what an opportunity we have here," she says excitedly as she takes a few steps towards Coal and away from the alter. Cessah clenches her hands clenching into fists as she brings them up towards her face, "We have the chance to channel the power of the divine," she continues as she approaches Coalscuttle. Nothing about Cessah's movements are hostile or aggressive, just energetic, almost zealous. "Your friend," she turns to Vannan's lifeless body as she places her hand gently on Coalscuttle's shoulder, "we owe it to him to try, don't we?" She turns back towards the rest of the group. "Let's move both of them," she indicates Vannan and the cloaker, "towards the altar. I'll keep working on the runes." Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil_Bottletop Posted September 23 Clone Share Posted September 23 Quim Quim met every enthusiastic move by Cessah with a flinch of his own, only his was focused entirely on the hilt of his sword. The only thing that dampened his instinctive need to draw his blade was Coals initial urge to see the woman's suggestion through. He watched the kobold comply with Cessah, and he thought to hover near her for a moment until he realized that Coal was fully capable on her own. Instead, Quim moved to the other side of the watery rock shrine and investigate the pile the goat had been so interested in a few minutes ago. He kept one eye on whatever was going to happen with Cessah's magic, but he knew he wouldn't be able to tell the difference between bad magic and good. Worg Show this text Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheonixfire Posted September 25 Clone Share Posted September 25 Draco Tiras (sheet) Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30 AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0 +1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2) Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15 Condition None Speaks Common and Draconic Draco wasn't entirely sure about this. On one hand, there was a very good chance Vanan could be saved. That was good, Great even! But then he remembers the feeling of his blood almost bubbling, the thrum of power that sings throughout his entire body. He may gain such power too, so that awas a great point too! So he blinks, and moves to help bring the bodies to the stone. All the while, in the back of his head, he wonders what those shades were at the beginning, when she first did all this, stuff. And now, he feels a bit worried. What if something else comes from this? Could they handle it if it did? Actions == Resources spent 3 HP damage 5/5 Uses of Mythic Surge 5/5 Uses of Bardic Inspiration 0/3 Uses of Eldritch Pool 2 Bard spell slot 1 Magus spell slot Standard: Become desperate? Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illogictree Posted September 26 Clone Share Posted September 26 Coalscuttle Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 16/25 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 1/5 (+1d6) Coals struggles to pull the dark elf's body across the ground as quickly as possible. Although quite strong for a kobold (and average strength for a human), her short stature makes her leverage awkward. She manages somehow. She is, however, at a loss as to how to move the huge floppy stingray creature. She turns her pleading eyes to Quim, Byran, and Draco. "Please, help me with this," she asks, "and help Vannan." Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doby Posted September 26 Author Clone Share Posted September 26 ~ Skum Cave - Post Battle ~ ~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~ Cessah continues to pore over the runes on the altar, while Draco and Coalscuttle carefully move Vannan to the center of the tower. Byran approaches Cessah, a worried look on his face, and asks quietly, "Are you sure about this?" Cessah's gaze breaks from the runed altar for only a moment as she briefly glances up at him before returning her eyes to her work. "He's dead already, we have nothing to lose, and so much to gain if we succeed." Byran half-hardheartedly nods his head in understanding as he turns to help Cessah and Draco drag the cloaker. The dark dwarf lends a hand as well, adding, "Curious to see if yer mistress can work this miracle," to Byran. He finishes with, "But I bet ya' an ale she can't," and a low chuckle. "Untrained mortals wielding power of the divine...what could go wrong?" Pox quipped just loud enough for everyone in the tower to hear, though Cessah seemed content to ignore him. Meanwhile, Quim inspects the pile of refuse near Eunice as she has returned to pulling and munching on a patch of lichen growing on the rocky floor. The pile itself contains all sorts of castoff items, building materials like worked stone, and even bones and decomposed entrails. Quim also notices a fist-sized satchel lying amongst the garbage. It is discolored and slightly torn. When Quim picks it up, it shifts in his hand, and opening it he finds a small collection of gems. With the bodies of Vannan and the cloaker moved near the altar, Cessah looked around to make sure things were set. "I think they should be touching the altar," she said as she pulled the cloaker's wing-flap closer until it was resting along the bottom few inches of the altar's base. She carefully moved one of Vannan's so when she stretched it out his hand would do the same. Looking over the bodies, the altar, and the area around the two, she seemed content to proceed. "Eveyone, stand back, and stay put," she called out as she raised her hands with her palms out to emphasize the point. "You, maybe you can just hold his hand," she said looking down at Coalscuttle, "and pray," she added just loud enough for Coal to hear. Going back to stand near the altar, Cessah took one last moment to gather her thoughts and prepare. Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Posted September 26 Clone Share Posted September 26 Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 30/33, Speed 20, Mp 0/5 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +7 (1d10+4, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, -1 Dex -1 Size), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 17, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "Oh AYE." Ingrid growls, stalking towards Cessah, knuckles white on her truncheon. "Vannan's consent didn't matter the first ritual you subjected us to, bound and chained. Digging into a mountain for some godforsaken temple. Why would it matter now, when he's 'chained' by death?!" Her teeth were clenched and on full display. "I've not gotten one answer out of you, woman, that I was satisfied with. Not. A. One. And here you are, touting some new ruin, some new ritual that I want nary a part of in the name of experimenting on me dead comrade in arms. Where was that bleeding heart of yours when we begged our freedom. When you left us at the hands of shadows in a collapsing BLOODY MOUNTAIN, then to fend for ourselves at the hands of the men YOU HIRED, still a slave!" The weapon was in hand now. Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doby Posted September 26 Author Clone Share Posted September 26 (edited) ~ Skum Cave - Post Battle ~ ~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~ Cessah stood and turned to face Ingrid. Crossing her arms over her chest, she listed to Ingrid lay out her grievances, nodding occasionally. Cessah's face displayed no fear, nor anger of her own. She simply listened, almost dispassionately. When Ingrid finished, Cessah gave one last, slow nod, and took a deep, almost sighing breath, before she answered. "Well, you're half right," she initially conceded. "I did run the camp...sort of, though I only hired my personal guards, and even they were just mercenaries." She stopped suddenly and her eyes shot to Byran, and gave a half smile, "but some things change." Her attention floated back to Ingrid and she continued. "Everyone there, including me, was in the employ of one Doorlan Delk: the current archon of Citadel Forge," the way she pursed her lips and spat the word 'archon' is clearly intended to show a lack of respect for the man or position. "He's a nasty little gnome, and I strongly suspect he stole leadership of the Citadel, but he funded the expedition. And he gave me a choice: work for him to unearth an amazingly ancient and incredible archeological find, or have both me and my brother be thrown into prison for treason." She closed her eyes and let out a full sigh before opening them again. "I could have handled myself just fine in prison. Wouldn't have been my first choice of destinations, but I've been in bad situations before. Barrett, however, he's an idealist," she says with a condescending smirk. "It's probably my fault since I raised him after mom died. I protected him, kept him safe and fed, and I learned very early on that life is hard, and that sometimes you have to make hard choices." She turned away from Ingrid, pacing slowly as she continued, "So here I had a hard choice between letting my brother get sent to prison for his protests and political activity, or to take on a job where I would get to be a part of history being made but do so on the backs of forced servants." She paused again and turned to look at Ingrid once more, then around the tower at the rest of her former slaves: Coal, Draco, and Nancy, and eventually her eyes drifted to Vannan as well. "All I can say is that I've been in servants shackles myself, believe it or not, but I don't regret the choice I made. I'd make it again if I had to." Her gaze locked onto Ingrid now, unblinking and unflinching. "Now you can stand there and think you'd have done differently, and you can believe in every bone of your body that you'd have kept to your morals. But until you've stood where I did and had to make that choice knowing full well the consequences of both sides, you can't know for sure." For the first time since she started speaking she seemed tense, as if every muscle in her body had gone rigid. Maybe she recognized this, as she took a deep breath, and slowly started to nod her head again as the rest of her body began to relax in turn. "For what it's worth, I'm glad you all made it out when the mountain came down. I'm sorry for those that didn't. And if you let me try to make some part of it right, to what degree I can, then I will." Edited September 26 by Doby (see edit history) Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheonixfire Posted September 28 Clone Share Posted September 28 Draco Tiras (sheet) Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30 AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0 +1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2) Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15 Condition None Speaks Common and Draconic Draco had helped bring the body over to the alter with Coals, and had stepped back as instructed. He prays this would work. Despite if it would work or not, Draco made a decision. Vanan died because they couldn't stop the creatures. Couldn't save him, despite all the power they had at their fingers. He will not let anyone else die if he can help it, because for all this power he had, what good was it if he couldn't protect those that he cared about? Ingrid then stomps into action, and now he was frozen as she and Cessah talked. He closed his eyes, but didn't say anything. Because what could he say? She didn't order him captured, he was just sold off like a piece of bread, to be taken and consumed someplace else. The fact that everything backfired on his bondage and was freed, was still a lot more than most of the other people in the world had. He could remember the other slaves in the Citadel, and the burning rage deep within his core. He tries to think about what Vanan would want. Would he be satisfied resting after all this? Or would he prefer to be brought back to help stop future slaves from happening? And in the back of his head, he wonders, would his death even be restful? Whatever happened to them, wasn't normal. Was his soul being tormented somewhere because of this and bringing him back would save his soul? He opens his eyes, and glances between the two. He, had nothing to really say, his expression completely conflicted. How could he voice these things when he didn't even know? He understood Ingrid's position. Truly he did. But the thought of it being possible to bring back Vanan from death? It made his blood sing and he found that possibility difficult to suppress. Like an instinctive need to keep those he cared about close and safe and not dead. Actions == Resources spent 3 HP damage 5/5 Uses of Mythic Surge 5/5 Uses of Bardic Inspiration 0/3 Uses of Eldritch Pool 2 Bard spell slot 1 Magus spell slot Standard: Become conflicted now? Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illogictree Posted October 3 Clone Share Posted October 3 Coalscuttle Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 16/25 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 1/5 (+1d6) Coalscuttle has been silent, trying to follow along with the argument with her increasing but still shaky comprehension of Common. She really doesn't want to go against her friend Ingrid. But... She places herself in between Cessah and the dwarf woman. Her interposition is questionable, as she's well below the sight line of either of them, and she has to jump up and down waving her arms to attract attention. When she's sure the two have noticed her, the little kobold is suddenly self-conscious, but she marshals herself. "Ingrid... I know Cessah did bad things to us. She helped keep us as slaves and did the strange thing with the pendant to us. But..." "...She says she wants to help us now instead. We gave the guards a chance to help us and they did as much as Cessah did. We should give her the same chance that we gave them. And..." Here she looks at her feet. "And... it is my fault Vannan is dead. I have a chance to put it right." Her wide yellow eyes turn up to Ingrid. "Please, let us try." Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robot Posted October 4 Clone Share Posted October 4 Ingrid Hearthkeep Female LN Dwarf Battle Shaman 2, (Adept 0), Level 2, Init 0, HP 30/33, Speed 20, Mp 0/5 AC 19, Touch 10, Flat-footed 19, CMD 10, Fort 3, Ref 0, Will 5, CMB +1, Base Attack Bonus +1 Masterwork Heavy Mace +7 (1d10+4, 20/x3) Masterwork Breastplate (+6 Armor, -1 Dex -1 Size), Mithral Shield (+2 AC, MW) Abilities Str 17, Dex 10, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 15, Cha 10 Condition None Speaks Common, Dwarven "I've lost a lot more than one sibling, doing as I was told, but you'd know all about that. We are so well acquainted, you'd know I have had to take more than that from others, to spare the community a bigger loss. Me Father, much of me clan died so I'd never know slavery, much less what you did." Ingrid's tone darkened more still, she was ready to spill blood until a flailing claw and a small body interposed itself between her and the woman who may as well have just accused the dwarf of being a traitor to kin for how she ground her teeth now. What Coal was saying made sense, but she was young. Tortured but inexperienced. Coal had never known a good life where choices or freedoms could be taken for granted. Her brow furrowed deep, she inhaled to speak and halted. Damn those eyes. That the Kobold could still be so forthright and willing to trust, after everything she had been through. Ingrid's tone was firm, but kind as she set hands on the tiny paladin's shoulders and took a knee. "Coal, Vannan chose to be here. We all did. You weren't holding a leash and dragging him cuffed and chained to be fodder for some experiment, crushed by stones, rent by spectres, or mauled by that thing whatever it were. We knew where we were headed, why we were here, it was our purpose and choice. If it were me, I wouldn't want anything to do with these creatures. Not their rituals, not their life in my body. What Cessah is talking about is living sacrifice to raise the dead. It's sacrilege." The look continued, and Ingrid could only manage a tired stare in kind. "I won't stop you, but what comes out of this won't be Vannan. Keep it away from me." Relinquishing her hold, she stood. Gathering the things she'd lost about the room, she headed for the door of the tower to recline on the steps leading up to it. Head in her hands. Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illogictree Posted October 5 Clone Share Posted October 5 Coalscuttle Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 16/25 Speed 20ft Str 11 (0) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10 (0) Int 9 (-1) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 1/5 (+1d6) As she watches Ingrid go, Coals feels her certainty waver, especially at the dwarf's last comment. She turns to Cessah, as the only person with any knowledge on the matter. "Is... is Ingrid right?" she asks the white-haired woman. "If we do this, are we sure it will really be Vannan who comes back?" Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doby Posted October 5 Author Clone Share Posted October 5 ~ Skum Cave - The Ritual ~ ~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~ With Ingrid having rescinded her opposition to the ritual, or at least taking it outside with her, Cessah turned to face Coal as she knelt down to meet her gaze. "This power is of the gods...surely we can trust in their wisdom?" Cessah took Coal's hands in her own, lifting them as she stood up, then leading Coal to Vannan's side. "Pray for your friend," she said to Coal as Cessah laid the kobold's hands on Vannan's chest. Cessah turned back to the altar and immediately began to focus on the runes along the sides. She spoke in tongues few of you understood at all, and no one understood completely. Her fingers ran down the length of the artifact, pausing to recite certain runes over others, the way one might use their finger to help them read a book. As she continued the ritual, some of the runes began to glow dimly. As she repeated her recitations the glowing intensified, and after a few moments the glowing runes were bright enough to light the entire tower chamber. Suddenly the light grew so bright, so pure white, that no one in the chamber could look at it. It was seemingly as bright as the sun itself. As the light died back down and everyone's eyes readjusted, there was a moment of hope and anticipation where it seemed every breath in the chamber was collectively held. Then Vannan's head lifted from the cold ground as he looked at Coal. The chamber was silent, save for Vannan's dry whisper to Coalscuttle, "I felt you. You called me." DM: Coalscuttle Coalscuttle needs a fortitude save and a will save, please. Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pheonixfire Posted October 5 Clone Share Posted October 5 Draco Tiras (sheet) Male NG Human (Brass) Eldritch Scion Magus 1, Arcane Duelist Bard 1 (Aristocrat 0), Level 2, Init 3, HP 21, Speed 30 AC 18, Touch 14, Flat-footed 14, CMD 14, Fort 3, Ref 5, Will 4, CMB 0, Base Attack Bonus 0 +1 Rapier +4 (1d6+3+1, 18-20/*2) Explorers outfit donned under Chain Shirt (+4 Armor, +3 Dex) Abilities Str 10, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 11, Cha 15 Condition None Speaks Common and Draconic Draco hovers nearby as the situation finally resolves itself. Whilst he was sad that Ingrid didn't want to stick around, he did understand. They were doing something that went against her beliefs, but she respected and understood Coal's enough to accept what she wanted. As Cessah did the ritual, he wonders if what Ingrid said would be true. Would be come back to normal? Or would something else do so? And if something else did come back instead, what could they do? Could they kill his body? He didn't think he could, and releases a breath he was holding as Vanan speaks. Thank the gods... So he peeks over, and offers a tentative grin. If he had some tears in his eyes, then that was fine. Vanan was back! He didn't say anything though, content to let Coals do what she wanted to do as she was the one to give the command. Actions == Resources spent 3 HP damage 5/5 Uses of Mythic Surge 5/5 Uses of Bardic Inspiration 0/3 Uses of Eldritch Pool 2 Bard spell slot 1 Magus spell slot Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Illogictree Posted October 6 Clone Share Posted October 6 Coalscuttle Coalscuttle Kobold Paladin 2 || Guardian Tier 1 LG AC 21 HP 16/25 Speed 20ft Str 11-2 (-1) Dex 13 (1) Con 11 (0) Wis 10-2 (-1) Int 9-2 (-2) Cha 15 (2) Attacks Dagger +3 (1d4), +1 Longsword +4 (1d6+1), Light Crossbow +4 (1d6) Mythic Power 1/5 (+1d6) Coals stares at her friend, scarcely daring to believe this was possible. But she knew what she felt and she knew who was there, talking to her. "Vannan!" she cries, throwing her arms around him. She begins weeping openly. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't help you against the monster. I am sorry you suffered for it." She is suddenly extremely tired and can't seem to think straight. She keeps sobbing and blubbering out "I'm sorry" in Common increasingly mixed with other languages. Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doby Posted October 6 Author Clone Share Posted October 6 (edited) ~ Skum Cave - After the Ritual ~ ~ Month 2, Day 9: Afternoon ~ Vannan blinks a few times as he tries to make sense of what Coalscuttle is saying, and he is clearly trying to adjust his comfort level to deal with her her display of emotion. As she continues her sobbing with her arms wrapped around his, he slowly brings his hand up and pats her on the back a few times. "It's ok. I'm fine," Vannan says with a stoic look on his face. Looking to others in the group who are more coherent and calm, he asks, "What happened? Last I remember was that thing sucking the life out of me," he nods towards the dead cloaker on the opposite side of the altar. "It did, lad," the duergar blurts out immediately in response. "Ya passed over. Died. But the ladies brought you back," he indicates Cessah and Coalscuttle. "Wondrous stuff n'deed. Truly, ne'er seen its like 'afore." He pauses and adds a few head nods as he looks around the chamber at everyone else in the tower. After a few seconds, and satisfied that he's paid sufficient homage to the moment they were just witness too, he starts looking around. "Now, there any loose treasure about, hmmm?" "Wondrous is an understatement," Cessah says as she looks over Vannan. She rubs her hands along his wounds as she marvels at the result of the ritual. Turning back to the altar, she takes another look at the runes. "I wish this altar was in a more accessible location, or that we had more time to study. But," she looks around, "it isn't safe here, and I suppose it would be better for us to get back to the surface as soon as we can. Maybe I'll be able to bring an expedition back here in the future...with a fully paid staff who join willingly, of course," she adds with a smile. After a cursory search of the area and a gathering of potential spoils, mostly lead by the duergar, the party finds a number of interesting items that could be worth salvaging. Spoils 12 tridents (one appears to be of a much better quality than the rest) Sturdy and well-made shoulder pauldron A handful of gold and silver coins collected from the skum (59 gold coins and 80 silver) Small bag of random gemstones (the ones found by Quim) And a brief reminder of loot found outside the tower: A polished stick that looks suspiciously like a wand, a fist-sized canvas pouch (filled with random gems, and different than the one Quim found in the tower), a tightly woven cotton cord, a pair of somewhat translucent cotton tubes, a small and round piece of leather, fine looking suit of studded leather, a pair of well-crafted elven looking weapons (thornblade [claimed by Quim] and branched spear), a gray hooded cloak with an expensive looking clasp, and a pair of soft leather boots. Edited October 7 by Doby Added spoils (see edit history) Name xDiceName xDiceResult xDiceString xDiceRolls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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