Kindled Magic: IC Thread, Book 1, Chapter 1

[ripleycat]

 

Quote

Old-Mage Jatembe was the most powerful man in the world. Wherever he went, he spread hope and light to the people around him. All of the good things in the world were awed by Jatembe and came to give him secrets. All of the foul creatures declared war on him, but Jatembe stole their magic and banished them. In this way, Jatembe turned a world of ash into the beautiful land we have today, filled with fish and animals, grains and palm trees, sweet yams and red soil. The foul beasts wailed at their realms of ash and terror being transformed into rich and wonderful lands, but they all feared Jatembe.

One day, a creeping bad-luck spirit inched forth from the grass. It was too young and foolish to know its limits and thought, “I will take vengeance on Jatembe and laugh at his misery.” The spirit crawled into the nearby village and asked where Jatembe was, but no one could answer. It asked then where the riches of Jatembe were, but people said they knew of none. It asked where the spouses of Jatembe were, but the people could not name anyone he had married. It asked where the weapons of Jatembe were, but the old mage’s greatest weapon had always been the knowledge he kept in his head.

Frustrated, the little spirit demanded, “What manner of great man can this Jatembe be, if he has no riches, no wives, no husbands, no weapons, nor any children?”

Yet Jatembe had many children, the people answered, as they showed the little spirit the great city of Nantambu where thousands and thousands of students learned, worked, and helped each other by Jatembe’s words. The little spirit decided that if it couldn’t have vengeance on Jatembe, it would do so upon his children. The spirit listened until it found a voice that told it how to get inside. Following the voice, it crept into the city through the tiny cracks in the buildings’ walls, so small that even an ant would have to squeeze, but Jatembe’s students caught the spirit and tossed it out like a harmless grass snake. The spirit became terribly angry at its treatment but could do nothing on its own, and so it sought out others like itself to creep back inside and strike using the distraction of a celebration..

Chapter 1: Orientation

The Magaambya has a beautiful campus. Perhaps the most notable and famous features are the massive mosaics of Jatembe’s Ten Magic Warriors that overlook the school’s terraced gardens and the surrounding city of Nantambu - a view only slightly spoiled at the moment by a powerful rainstorm, heralding the arrival of the wet season. Fat raindrops splash down from grey skies, sending the small crowds milling around outside scurrying for cover. Despite the storm, the air remains warm, stultifying, humid. Mist rises from the many ponds and canals that dot the campus. Some of the far-traveled initiates may have never experienced weather quite like this.

For some of you, this may be your first time setting foot at the renowned school of magic. For others, it's already home, or the closest thing you've had to one in a long time. Some of you attend through sponsorship. Someone - a teacher, a graduate, a family member, a patron - has vouched for you, and that promise has opened the doors. Others have found their way here through happenstance, ill luck, simple kindness, or bloody-minded stubbornness. Whatever path you took, they've all ended in the same spot - the center of the bright-spirited city of Nantambu, the southwestern entrance of the Magaambya's circular campus, and the winding path fondly dubbed the Welcome Walk.

You are initiates now, numbered among the newest students, and as initiates, have now embarked on your Perquisite—a period of public service (usually lasting a year) that entitles new initiates to attend classes as well as receive school housing and stipends, to join the colorful (and often strange) ranks of those learning the mysteries of magic.

A human man with colorful clothing and warm eyes waits at the start of the Welcome Walk for the assembling band of students. Dressed in robes of sky blue and soft gold, Takulu Ot is a welcoming, comforting presence, even to those who don't know him yet.

The teacher speaks with a gentle, soothing timbre. “Welcome, and a kind hello, new students. It is my pleasure to instruct you. My name is Takulu Ot. You may call me Teacher Ot. You are embarking now on a life of study and service. We see within you intellect, passion, and judgment—in short, the virtues to build upon the strengths of the thousands who have come before you. We follow the footsteps of Old-Mage Jatembe, who showed us that the price of magic is the responsibility to better the world.”

Teacher Ot leads you a short way down the path, to the shelter of a grand old tree, whose broad leaves keep the rain at bay, and motions to find a comfortable place to sit. Ot is content to simply settle in cross-legged on the ground, with his back against the broad trunk.

"Some of you, I have known all your lives. Others I am meeting for the very first time. You have distinguished yourselves already, for you have been accepted here, and that is not a small thing."

"I am not merely here to welcome you, though I wish you a warm one, of course. It is also my task to conduct our introductory interviews. Don't fret. They're merely some questions and small tests, to learn something of what manner of person you are, how you might best be of service to the Magaambya, and how we might be of service to you."

"I don't expect that you've all thought long and hard about all that I might ask. Your answers may not be very deep at all, and that's fine, of course! I hope only that they are thoughtful and honest, because I ask for your own benefit, not my own or anyone else's."

"Let us start with the simplest and most complicated question of all. Who are you?" Teacher Ot smiles and spreads his hands, eager to listen.

 

OOC

Aside from being literally being an entry interview, IC, Teacher Ot's questions and tests of aptitude will allow everyone to introduce their characters, learn more about each other, establish potential pre-adventure relationships or connections, etc, etc. It always takes me a few posts to find a new character's voice. 😊

Nyoka knows Teacher Ot exceptionally well, and knows that Takulu is, among other things, the member of the faculty most interested and concerned with the art of teaching itself. The path that allowed him to flourish is not a path that all students can follow, or wish to follow, and he's fought many great (draining, tedious, tiresome) battles to reform the Magaambya's excessively informal, self-driven style to make sure that shy and unsure students can thrive and learn and feel just as welcome as the social butterflies.

It's a battle that's still being fought, but what you can be sure of is that when Teacher Ot inquires about your interests and histories, strengths and weaknesses, it really is just a kind, thoughtful man looking for foundations to build on, not a grasper or schemer digging for things they might hold over your head.

 

Edited September 2, 2023 by ripleycat (see edit history)

[Kavonde]

Nyoka - LG Tiny Poppet (Toy) Cleric of Mazludeh 1
HP 16/16 | FP 1/1 | Fort +4 | Ref +5 | Will +9 | Perception +7 (Darkvision) | Speed 25'
Status Effects: None | Spell Effects: None | Spells Prepared: 1st Rank: Heal, Bless, Sanctuary

---

Nyoka has had a fairly rough time of things so far today. She's been nearly stepped on no less than four times, accidentally kicked twice, and knocked off the road and into a bush, which took her a good five minutes to untangle herself from, one time too many. This world simply isn't built for someone her size. Halflings and gnomes tower over her at twice her height, and humans may as well be bipedal mountains for all that they loom so high above her and generally don't seem to notice her presence.

It's not her first time trying to navigate a crowded area, of course. She's been herself for almost two years now, and Teacher Ot and his wife, Niana, have encouraged her to acclimate herself to this world of giants. Still, something about the buzzing excitement of a new school term seems to have made Nyoka's fellow students extra clumsy and distractable, and after the bush thing, it was all she could do not to run home and cry--at least as best as her wooden eyes will allow.

Fortunately, and as usual, Teacher Ot's arrival has brought with him a comforting calmness. This little oasis of peace finally gives her a chance to look around at and inspect her classmates. (Especially given that it's much easier to see more than their nostrils when they're sitting down.) She hopes that these young people that she's been paired with will be nice. Because she needs to befriend one of these tall folk, if only to have a shoulder to ride on. She'd rather avoid any further bush-related incidents in the coming days.

Since no one else seems particularly eager to answer Teacher Ot's question, Nyoka shyly steps forward and politely raises her hand, just as Takulu taught her. "Um," she says, her voice high and sweet and nervous, "Well, I am Nyoka." Suddenly finding herself the center of attention from all these gigantic and unfamiliar eyeballs abruptly fills her with such anxiety that she loses any idea she may have had on what to say next. "I, um... I am a poppet... obviously..." She rubs her little wooden hands together, feeling very small and exposed. "I... can use some divine magic, through Mazludeh's grace... And, um... Teacher Ot has been taking care of me since I became myself, and he and his wife Niana are the kindest people in the world and I'm very thankful to be here, sir. I won't let you down." Or her, she adds mentally. She looks around at her peers and her teacher, hoping she's said enough to satisfy them, then shuffles back a few steps and takes a careful seat on the grass.

Edited September 7, 2023 by Kavonde (see edit history)

[Mister Doctor]

 

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

---

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 0/3 | Perception: +3

---

Ras's day had started like many others before. He awoke in an unfamiliar bed, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling, hearing unfamiliar birds sing unfamiliar songs. Instead of getting up immediately, he closed his eyes again and mentally checked himself from head to toe, attention feeling for the one thing that would be familiar to him this morning.

There it was, in his calf. Giving a tentative shift of the muscles, he felt the dormant burn light up, going from a subtle throb to a searing sting. Ras was used to this. He idly wondered if the planar embers would be close enough to the surface to be seen. Easing himself out of bed and favoring his burning leg, he hobbled to his wash basin and freshened up as much as he cared to.

Water dripping from his chin, Ras studied his own features in the mirror. They claimed that the worst of what had happened back in Mzali had been healed by the learned scholars of Magaambya, even if Ras felt a lingering mark on him. Granted many things left lingering marks, it may well just be another he had to learn to live with

Pulling on a fresh change of clothes, he collected his school supplies and crammed them into a satchel before heading down to the airy common room of the inn. Illya was still looking for a more permanent home within Nantambu while Ras attended Magaambya but for the time being, they were still living the life of itinerants. Pausing only to squeeze the shoulder of his guardian on the way out and give a tired wave. He began the painful walk to the campus of Magaambya.

---

Ras raised his hand next from where he was seated towards the back of the small group. He had not been willing to go first and end up drawing much attention to himself but after the Nyoka had stepped up he figured it was best to follow and let himself be overshadowed by the more interesting student.

"I'm Rasalhague," Ras said, speaking Mwangi fairly well, "I arrived maybe... a month ago? Haven't had much time to look around."

Compared to the bright colors and geometric patterns of Teacher Ot's robes or even the simple but bold emerald green of Nyoka's dress, Ras's simple vest, white shirt, and trousers of Inner Sea cut looked positively dour. He looked more like he should be running ledgers to and fro in some Chelish port or distributing political pamphlets on a street corner in Andoran, even if he was nowhere near pale enough to fully suit that image.

Show Kelish Speakers

His name sounds like a slight corruption of 'the head of the serpent collector' or 'the head of the serpent bearer' depending on how it is translated.

Show Lore (Astronomy/Astrology DC 15)

'Rasalhague' is derived from a Kelish name for a star in the Serpent Bearer, a constellation rarely included in modern star charts.

 

Edited September 4, 2023 by Mister Doctor (see edit history)

[Fletcher]

 

Szastuhastah

AC: 17 | Fort: +4 | Ref: +5 | Will: +6
HP: 19 / 19 | Hero Points: 1 / 3 | Perception: +6
Focus Pool: 2 / 2 | CantripsInspire Courage (Composition)
Forbidding Ward
Musical Accompaniment
Needle Darts
Read the Air
Shield
Choice of Daze, Detect Magic, or Mage Hand  | Spells1st Level:
Counter Performance (Composition)
Lingering Composition (Composition)
Fear
Liberating Command
Soothe | ConditionsNone

---

From the very beginning, Szastuhastah knew that the three household servants sent along with her knew more than they were letting on. They moved with purposeful and instructed care, never once speaking to her (or each other, as far as she noticed) as they departed Jzarsset on a sea-worthy vessel provisioned for a voyage across the sea. One could imagine that this was to be their last service since there was nothing more like banishment than being assigned to work in the broader world. At the same time, one could also imagine this to be some semblance of freedom, since they were out from under the scrutinizing eyes of the naga and nagaji of their home; the young priestess was certainly nothing for them to be afraid of, considering the other members of her family and nobility. Szas chose to believe it was the latter, even if their sober demeanor did not affirm this in any way.

Other actions of her caretakers began to seed questions in the young priestess' mind, as well. A wardrobe had been carefully selected from among her most stately attire, while she was also dressed in what she would describe as 'roughwear' for adventuring or braving the treacherous outdoors. A suit of intricately crafted studded leather was measured and fitted, tooled to look like a continuation of scales upon her torso. One of her servants - Seti, she was called - adorned her neck with the silver lotus flower amulet of Nalinivati, a symbol of her goddess and a reminder of the great burden that she was carrying beyond their borders. Another - Vath, his name - had presented her with the precious erhu thought to be a secret, though she was uncertain if it was his knowledge of her secret passion or some family member's begrudging admittance to her talents. And finally, the one known as Zetra adorned her hair with a beautifully ornate comb, imbued with a linguistic translation enchantment - an odd gift, considering how she felt somewhat banished. At least someone was serious about her diplomatic success, though it felt like a subtle, backhanded gesture.

Many weeks and many port calls later, the ophidian vessel slipped gently under the bridges of Nantambu and through the canals until it came to final berth at a dock at The Magaambya itself, coincidentally within sight of the Spire Dormitory that was eventually to be her new home. The three weary humans escorted Szastuhastah carefully from the ship, her scales delighted to be on solid, non-wooden ground at long last. She took a deep breath of the warm Mwangi air, surprisingly pleased by its similarity to her home land's climate, if only a bit drier. While their belongings were offloaded, the nagaji was drawn onward by the colorful (and somewhat alien) architecture all around her and the sounds of students and faculty, birds calling and the rush of the canal and the wind. All sorts of creatures were going about their bustling day under the bright sun. It was all so overwhelming after endless days of salty breezes and darkened ship cabins.

Before she could wander into the deep end of The Magaambya, Zetra approached with beckoning gestures. There was much to do, first.

---

Szastuhastah is wearing as formal an outfit as her servants deemed fitting - a flowing white ruqun of silk with green flower embroidery and hems, all of clear Tian fashion - as she joins the gathering students near Teacher Ot. She seems to float among them as they take the Welcome Walk, arms folded into her sleeves appropriately and her slithering lower portion carrying her (taking up a fair amount of space behind, for those walking alongside). It was an unavoidable logistics issue when among more bipedal folk... and one Szas had not had not considered until now. She politely apologizes to the rest, allowing them to proceed ahead and bringing up the rear, instead.

Arriving at the great tree, Szas' long serpentine form slowly winds itself into a thick coil and she settles into a 'sitting' posture upon it. Her bright, emerald, reptile-like eyes observe each of the rest of them in turn with more warmth and innocence than one might presuppose from a creature such as herself. Her smile softens her features with each introduction and she offers a feminine fist-and-palm gesture to each in turn. When it finally comes to her time to speak, she does not move forward but does vaguely 'stand' from the coil of her tail.

"I am honored, Teacher Ot. I am called Szastuhastah of Jzarsset, of the nation of Nagajor in Tian Xia to the Easst," she says, saluting once again and bowing deeply. Her voice is honeyed and seductive, the enchanted translator not entirely able to rid her dialect of her people's hissing consonants. She rises once more and gives a practiced smile again. "I am ssent by my people to better learn the cusstoms of the Peopless of the Wesst, and of what potential there iss of the myssteriouss artss in mysself." The temptation to wield a cantrip is suppressed by the inappropriateness of the moment. Surely there are others more innately impressive than herself in this circle... and besides, the best of her own power comes from her music. There would be plenty of time for that later. She lowers herself back into her coil-seat and continues to listen.

Edited September 6, 2023 by Fletcher (see edit history)

[Toraka_Stormheart]

Title

Cecilia - Character Sheet

---

AC: 18 Fort: +3 Ref: +8 Will: +5

HP: 17/17 Hero Points: 1/3 | Perception: +5

Ammunition: 30/30 | CantripsMessage
Draw Moisture | ConditionsNone

---

For a lone Taldan fresh off the boat into the Mwangi, Cecilia von Kernensworth found herself the closest equivalent to starstruck one could be to the new environment. The entire walk from her stop in the port of Nantambu to the entrance of the Magaambya the human's eyes looked up, not caring much of the heavy rain soaking her wardrobe.

At the Welcoming Walk itself Cecilia filed in much like the other initiates into the Academy. If nothing else, she could at least determine she wasn't the only Taldane...but only just. A snake girl, an orc, and even a doll that she didn't notice at first! By the time Teacher Ot has brought them to a gathering spot, the young woman was looking visibly relieved for the break. Despite the rain, the heat of the Mwangi had left the Taldan a bit flushed, rosy in the cheek.

Shaking some excess water from her close-kept locks, Cecilia listened intently as the other initiates introduced themselves. Straightening up, she sat crosslegged, adjusting her purple and gold jacket over her shoulders before nodding her head to Teacher Ot, clearing her throat. "Right then. I suppose that is me next. My name is Cecilia. I too come from outside of Garund, and just got in. I am very constipated to know you all as we settle in to this new year."

Her Mwangi came in clipped with some effort, denoting that, while learned, the tongue was not quite native to her. Smiling warmly and confidently, the human relaxed, letting anyone else chime in.

 

 

 

Show Mechanics

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

 

[ripleycat]

As the newest students trickle in and settle under the tree, and some of the more confident souls begin sharing about themselves, Teacher Ot seems satisfied, a small smile on his lips, and it's obvious how deeply touched he is by Nyoka's characterization of his family. "I know you won't, little one."

He also clearly observes that there are some still holding back, out of uncertainty or distrust or simple awkwardness, and takes charge again for a moment.

"A fine start, all of you. Remember, this is a conversation, not an interrogation. Join in when you feel comfortable, but do join in. We can't learn about each other with out giving a little of ourselves as well. But not everyone learns the same ways, or has the same strengths. So let us try something a little more practical and creative."

Gently reaching up his sleeve, Takulu presents the group with a tiny serpent, a small, harmless Garundi shovel-snout snake with distinctive diamond-scale patterns, which curls up in his palm, tongue flicking curiously at all of these large, warm creatures. “Can you get a secret from this snake?” Teacher Ot leaves the incredibly open-ended challenge hanging there, up to his students to determine what secrets a small snake might hold, let alone how one might learn them.

OOC

This may seem incredibly vague, and that's on purpose. Any skill, ability, spell, etc that you think might uncover something about the snake's nature, that's up to you, as is how you employ it. It need not be anything mystical at all (or it might be! Your choice!) There are many skills that might reveal something that's not immediately obvious about the snake. You could simply stare at it very hard, if you think Perception is a particular strength of yours.

 

[theredshirtwholive]

 

 Title

Adalet Bladeseeker - Character Sheet

---

AC: 16 Fort: +7 Ref: +4 Will: +5

HP: 24/24 Hero Points: 1/3 | Perception: +3

| ConditionsNone

---

Adalet rushes in in a clatter of bright colors and good intentions. "Ah, Teacher Ot! i'm so sorry I'm late! I got lost on my way here, and then there was this little kid whose pet kitten had run off, so of course I had to go help with that..." She looks around at her fellow students. "Adalet Bladeseeker, of Yamonji." Her Mwangi is fluent and lilting-this girl is a native speaker.

 

 

 

Show Mechanics

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

 

[Mister Doctor]

 

Rasalhague - Character Sheet

---

KAC: 18 Fort: +9 Ref: +8 Will: +3
HP: 20/20 Hero: 1/3 | Perception: +3

---

Taking note of the vicious looking little stinger the tiny snake possessed, Ras tamped down on the urge to go touch under the assumption that it was tame and docile. Instead, he stayed firmly out of the way and watched the others with interest. The walk had done him no favors and he was still feeling out of place amongst the students that were supposed to be here but this was still one of the premier schools for magic on Golarion. Surely his classmates would have some remarkable tricks up their sleeves.

Certainly something better than torching the tiny snake, anyway.

Edited September 27, 2023 by Mister Doctor (see edit history)

[Kavonde]

Nyoka - LG Tiny Poppet (Toy) Cleric of Mazludeh 1
HP 16/16 | FP 1/1 | Fort +4 | Ref +5 | Will +9 | Perception +7 (Darkvision) | Speed 25'
Status Effects: None | Spell Effects: None | Spells Prepared: 1st Rank: Heal, Bless, Sanctuary

---

Nyoka smiles and waves at her new classmate as she takes her seat around the tree. Then she stands and moves forward to inspect the snake in Teacher Ot's hand. For her, it's roughly the size that a typical snake would be to one of her much larger classmates, and many of the animal's finer details are much more obvious to her.

She studies it for awhile, recalling all the information she's read about this species in Teacher Ot's library to try and determine what secrets the creature might hold. After awhile, she thinks she realizes something--but rather than blurt it out and possibly influence others, she steps back to make room for her classmates. (Not that she was taking up much space to begin with, obviously.)
 

OOC

Rolled a Nature check of 19 over on the Discord to try and determine something unusual or unexpected about this little nope noodle. For example, perhaps it's pregnant? Or has heterochromatic eyes?

[Fletcher]

 

Szastuhastah

AC: 17 | Fort: +4 | Ref: +5 | Will: +6
HP: 19 / 19 | Hero Points: 1 / 3 | Perception: +6
Focus Pool: 2 / 2 | CantripsInspire Courage (Composition)
Forbidding Ward
Musical Accompaniment
Needle Darts
Read the Air
Shield
Choice of Daze, Detect Magic, or Mage Hand  | Spells1st Level:
Counter Performance (Composition)
Lingering Composition (Composition)
Fear
Liberating Command
Soothe | ConditionsNone

---

A soft smile crosses Szastuhastah's lips at Cecilia's valiant effort to speak the native dialect here - much more than she herself was capable of doing, considering the huge crutch she would bear in this land. If not for the enchanted comb, she might be saddled with a translator for the entirety of her time here. Or rely upon constant magical castings of language spells. Perhaps the Taldan human was one she might share her blessing with, in times that it mattered. Just the thought of it would have angered some of those over her... just the thought of considering one of these humans to be equal... Slowly, her fingers rise to brush the decorative hairpiece. Yes, it felt right.

When Teacher Ot presents to them a new challenge, the nagaji's head tilts faintly while regarding the little ancestor. She couldn't help but wonder if he had her in mind for it, and then suddenly worried about how she would approach it. While the others take literal observations of the little serpent, Szastuhastah considers his words as more riddle than question. It sounded to her like the double-intended meaning of a clever song, not an educator asking for mere observations. But then again, she was uniquely positioned to do the simplest thing with the snake: Speak with it.

Sinking down until her ruqun is almost brushing the ground, she shares an unblinking, slit-pupil gaze with the creature and quietly sings a line of questions that sounds (for all those witnessing) like merely an unusual, melodic hissing.

[Toraka_Stormheart]

Title

Cecilia - Character Sheet

---

AC: 18 Fort: +3 Ref: +8 Will: +5

HP: 17/17 Hero Points: 1/3 | Perception: +5

Ammunition: 30/30 | CantripsMessage
Draw Moisture | ConditionsNone

---

Sitting up straight, Cecilia's eyes flared a little in acknowledgement of the orcish girl that hurriedly joined them. Nodding her head in silent greeting, the Taldan had her attention towards the subject of their current question. Seeing others observe, she was about to speak up when the nagaji woman knelt down low, starting to hiss at it. Distracted, the human tilted her head whilst watching the strange scene.

After a lingering moment, Cecilia caught herself leaning forward. Correcting her posture, she returned her focus towards the question. A secret...well this is a magic school. Maybe there's magic afoot here? Calling on her rudimentary lessons in theory from her past tutelage, the young woman started looking for patterns...signs of an arcane influence in the little serpent...

 

 

 

Show Mechanics

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

 

[ripleycat]

Takulu waves his non-snake-bearing hand at the dry ground with a smile. "It's quite alright, Adalet. We've barely started. Make yourself comfortable."

Through sharp observation and knowledge of nature, Ras and Nyoka are able to pick out physical secrets of the snake - its hidden stinger, and that it's blind in one eye, respectively.

From the outside, Szastuhastah's conversation is a mystery. Not even Teacher Ot speaks Nagaji, but everyone can see the results. The little shovel-snout snake meets Szastuhastah's gaze, wiggling this way and that in Teacher Ot's palm, as if showing off its scales. It hisses back, a tiny stream of sibilant noises that even Szastuhastah has to strain to hear. "This itself you could say is a secret." Teacher Ot observes. "This is no familiar or shape-changer, it's simply a little snake, an animal. And yet, some of us might be able to talk with it. Marvelous."

<"Big sssister! You are kind! We do not ssshine like you do, but we have the marksss of the earth and sun. This is a good place. Mossst are gentle. There is food in abundance and much warmth. We are... free? You are the first of the old masssters we have met, but we are very young, and we know little. The sekmin come and go sssometimes, clad in their magic. We do not hear of the naga often. The warm-bloods do not speak in ways we know.">

Cecelia begins observing with a more magical eye, and after some time, picks up some strange, brief flashes, the faintest afterimages, smoke-like wisps of movement, as if her understanding of magic had placed a sort of lens over her vision. The little snake has a shadow twin, a counterpart, a reflection, observing events from the spirit world.

“There are secrets everywhere, all around us. There is wonder to be found in something as mundane as the little snake who likes to sun itself in the flowerpot by my window. So, with that in mind, let us ask another question, one I wince to ask, but must ask:"

"What do you consider your greatest strength?”

OOC

(Sekmin are the serpentfolk, the ancient, underground fallen remnants of the pre-human serpentine empire. In the Mwangi Expanse, they're merely very rare instead of unheard of. They don't actually seem to have any lore links to the naga and nagaji, but I figured that Szas must at least know of them, even without a knowledge roll, the way a human would know dwarves are a stocky, hairy underground people, for example.)

 

[theredshirtwholive]

 

Title

Adalet Bladeseeker - Character Sheet

---

AC: 16 Fort: +7 Ref: +4 Will: +5

HP: 24/24 Hero Points: 1/3 | Perception: +3

| ConditionsNone

---

Adalet nods gratefully at Teacher Ot and sits down. "I'm guessing you'd like an answer other than the fact that I can lift a small ox," she jokes. "My greatest strength...hmm. I guess I'd have to say, I'm really optimistic. I know that no matter what life throws at me, if I work with my community and my goddess, we will find a way forward."

 

 

 

 

Show Mechanics

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3:

 

[Kavonde]

Nyoka - LG Tiny Poppet (Toy) Cleric of Mazludeh 1
HP 16/16 | FP 1/1 | Fort +4 | Ref +5 | Will +9 | Perception +7 (Darkvision) | Speed 25'
Status Effects: None | Spell Effects: None | Spells Prepared: 1st Rank: Heal, Bless, Sanctuary

---

Nyoka frowns thoughtfully at the question, really racking her brain to come up with a good answer. What are her strengths in the first place? She learns very quickly, she supposes, but that's more a trait of poppets like her in general than a strength she possesses personally. She's not physically strong like Adalet, and she's not beautiful or charming like Szastuhastah or Cecilia. She hasn't faced any real challenges or risked her life in any way, at least not since awakening. Mazludeh's granted her some divine magic, but it's not nearly as strong or impressive as the magic other people can use.

"I think my greatest strength," she finally says, "is that I know I have much more to learn about myself and the world. Um. If... if that makes any sense."

[Toraka_Stormheart]

Title

Cecilia - Character Sheet

---

AC: 18 Fort: +3 Ref: +8 Will: +5

HP: 17/17 Hero Points: 2/3 | Perception: +5

Ammunition: 30/30 | CantripsMessage
Draw Moisture | ConditionsNone

---

Cecilia paused, tilting her head to the side as the glanced over at Adalet, nodding sagely at the response of positivity. Tapping her fingers on her lap, the Taldan glanced up, thinking of her response before listening to the poppet Nyoka's answer.

The response made her smile, gently leaning forward, craning her head down to be more on the poppet's level. "You're aware of your potential and constrict it with open arms. I love that."

Her gaze was soft, and the human's expression seemed genuine. Nodding her head, she turned towards the teacher, her gaze piercing as she straightened her posture. "Determination would have to be mine. If there's something I want to achieve, even if I don't kick it the first time, I'm not just going to give it up like that."

Show Mechanics

Action 1:

Action 2:

Action 3: