Pathfinder 1E [IC] - TIDERULER OF MARAN

[Archon Basileus]

Sorry for the delay, guys! I'm preparing my students for exams... And helping my wife with hers. Update today, and then normal speed again!

Enviado de meu GT-I9505 usando Tapatalk

 

[MetaVoid]

Helping wife with her students or her exams? You are a professor? That means these days are horrible for you, right? With hundreds of students in the middle of spring terms...argh!

 

[Archon Basileus]

HAGADARK (N-23)

He goes to the totem and puts his hand on it.

As the alchemist touches the stone, he feels the statue pulsating lightly, warm to the touch as if it was alive. The others move on as Klutha delivers a last look behind. Soon enough, Hagadark sees his surroundings drowning in thick darkness and impenetrable silence. The others, the walls, the stones and the floor, all vanishes behind an ink black veil. Only the statue glows lightly.

Hagadark hears something moving around in the darkness. Breathing heavily, its footsteps are dragged and remind him of hooves. Whatever lurks in there is huge, but very agile. Suddenly, he recognizes a heavy, guttural female voice coming from his left.

“A half-blood… How sad. But it will have to do.” – at first, he can’t tell the exact origin of the voice. Soon, though, the creature reveals herself. She resembles a huge female orc, muscular and clad for war. Her head houses two sets of horns, and her feet are nowhere to be found, replaced by a pair of worn hooves instead. Her grey-green skin glitters around the dark, and several runes adorn her gear and skin. She’s painted for war, red and blue, and covered in macabre trophies, ranging from animal parts to human skulls.

“You are in luck, half-blood. No one else is here, and I crave to return to the embrace of my brethren. I am willing to repay you, should you choose to help me.” – Hagadark recognizes the vision before him. He heard about her several times before, both as a child and as an adult. Mhuagra, mother of storms, whisperer of incantations, amazon of sacrifices. She’s described as having a dubious nature and a profound link to magic, protecting shamans and wizards alike. She cheats, lies, pushes around and, sometimes, she even helps. But all the greatest mysteries this world ever met are hers to know, and hers alone.


MORGRYM/MARIUS (O-20)

As the pair walks along the path, Arvana joins them in silence. She is not as talented or acquainted to the shadows as Marius, but her light feet can be of use, in case a spy is needed.

“I think we might scout it, at least. Depending on the position, we might calculate a better path through the desert. All things considered, they might even be able to spot us in the distance.” – she blurts out as someone who clearly heard the conversation from the shadows.

As the trio moves around the slopes of stone, a distant image rises on the north. A few miles away, countless lights illuminate the horizon, showing the outlines of a huge fortress. The position seems to match the gnome’s indications. The city must be huge, and well-populated, to have so many lights defying the stars above. The city might command an ample view of the area, considering how elevated it seems to be. Watchers on the walls would most likely spot any travelers going towards the city from miles away. But not during the night, of course…

As they scout the horizon, another spot of light calls for their attention. A solid source of light runs across the mountainous lines, up and down, appearing here and vanishing there. Odds are it is a party of considerable size, going in the opposite direction of the city, directly into the darkness. Down below, another valley spreads between the city lights and the encampment they left just now. There, pieces of armor and scrap litter the place. An ominous feeling permeates the area, though.

[Ok, where to? ]

@Neurotic @MetaVoid @KahlessNestor

 

[Neurotic]

"So, we check the city, hurry up after that party to see what's up? Maybe those who enter the city become slaves and are just now being shipped out. Or am I too paranoid?" Marius asks seriously
"As long as it is dark we can approach unnoticed."

OOC: How far is the city - assuming we can pass unmolested which I doubt I think we should go check the city while it is still dark. If we decide to follow the party, is there a way across the diagonal (DM, could you re-post map link?)

 

[Archon Basileus]

[Sorry, I keep forgetting to post this link!]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BRQ4eidYw9IrrHnPxgfEI3X5_OerurVuAEhI-57fVXA/edit

[The city is up north, two miles - one hour - from your current position. In the map, it's in the next square. The party is to the northwest. It'll take the same amount of time to reach it, going northwest/west. There are ways out in all directions. As for reaching the destination unmolested, is my evil side so evident now, hehehe? Just kidding. I gave you a nice gnome, after all! ]

 

[MetaVoid]

is my evil side so evident now, hehehe? Just kidding. I gave you a nice gnome, after all! ]

OOC: Meh, I agree with Neurotic. And the gnome may be a bait or forward scout I just hope we get to fight among ourselves first.

Hagadark speaks in native Orcish, no trace of human except for the lack of saliva dripping from his (nonexisting) tusks.


"Mhuagra, mother of mysteris, enabler of the shamans, honor to you."
[/sblock]

Hagadark prostrates himself at the feet of the apparition.
"I know I'm not full blooded, but times change. I am shaman of my people and orcs listen. Try me and see me worthy. I experiment with arcane, natural and supernatural world, discovering the secrets of the universe to the greater glory of orc."
Standing up, he takes out a knife and cuts himself smearing blood over the idol (or just lets it drip on the floor if he doesn't see the idol anymore) as he recites the last words.

OOC: [MENTION=6855545]Archon Basileus[/MENTION], post is done

 

[KahlessNestor]

Near Maran
Night
Round 0

Morgrym stroked his beard as he studied the abandoned encampment below. “An army?” he asked the others. “We willnae find any answers standin’ ‘ere. Le’s check oot tha’ camp. an’ then on t’ the city. Might be answers as tae ‘oo they are.”

Hefting his pack more comfortably up on his back, the smelly dwarf started down the slope of the hill.

[sblock=Actions and Rolls]
Move:
Action: Perception: 1D20+10 = [8]+10 = 18
[/sblock]

[sblock=Ministats]
HP: 39/39 NL: 0
AC: 17 FF: 11 T: 16 (+4 vs Giants)
CMD: 15 (+2 vs bull rush, trip)
Fort: 7 Ref: 2 Will: 7 (+2 vs poisons, spells, SLA)
Armed: MW Cold Iron Battleaxe
Ammunition: 10/10 bullets
Storm Burst 7/7

Conditions:

Spells Prepared
0: Create Water, Detect Magic, Light, Stabilize
1. Obscuring Mist (Domain), Cure Light Wounds, Produce Flame, Endure Elements, [Summon Nature’s Ally 1 (Spontaneous)]
2: Fog Cloud (Domain), Barkskin, Flaming Sphere, [Summon Nature’s Ally II (Spontaneous)]
[/sblock]

 

[Neurotic]

Marius again blends into shadows as he mirrors dwarfs and human path in darkness using his speed to scout before they walk into the ambush.

 

[Archon Basileus]

HAGADARK (N-23)

"Mhuagra, mother of mysteris, enabler of the shamans, honor to you."

Mhuagra’s massive figure stands unmoving as Hagadark declares his allegiances and position. Her heavy, slow breath emanates an unnatural heat that even at a distance the shaman can feel. She seems satisfied with the blood he spills over the idle, closing her eyes and jerking back her head as if in pleasure as the red, thick liquid covers the image.
She ponders for a second and continues.

“How strangely appropriate. I wonder if this might be… No. No need to trouble ourselves with such concerns now. Let us profit from this encounter.” – she walks around, her steps resounding against an unseen stone floor.
“I shall test you, then. My path is one of sacrifice. And that is what I require of you, shaman. I felt the presence of your companions. As you say, you lead them. And as a leader I shall test you.” – she stops, facing Hagadark from a short distance, looking down on him.

“To teach you my ways and grant you my blessings, I demand of you a vessel, a body to carry my soul. Choose one of your companions and mark the chosen one with your blood, so I can inhabit his body.” – she falls silent, waiting for Hagadark’s response.

MORGRYM/MARIUS (N-19)

After a steep climb, the companions come across several rocky slopes, their vision of the encampment obliterated here and there as they move about. After much effort, they reach a vast plane, covered in stripes of black and white. The odd patterns of the sands grow until they meet the first fires of the encampment. At a distance, the trio identifies dwarven watchers observing the surrounding desert. A dozen tents or so build a barrage of skins and silks to this side of the encampment, placed under the careful vigil of six soldiers, banners swirling in the wind. The herald belongs to the Braves, warriors from Maran that kept their privileges after the odrosan occupation. Once more the herald evokes the symbol sculpted over the Willing tomb. A sense of impending doom falls over the companions as they realize the state of the banners and tents, as well as the soldiers. Fate was not kind to these men. Their tired gazes and rotten flags are a testament to a recent battle.

They have not yet spotted the trio in the distance.

[So, I’m finally back. I climbed my way out of a pile of papers under screams of ‘rise’ from the captives below. It was a steep climb of nearly a meter, but I survived after a few falls, heheh. Sorry for this, guys, but I got caught between a bunch of projects and the exams, and … Well, I’m here, now, and I’m here for good!]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...hI-57fVXA/edit
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION]

 

[Archon Basileus]

HAGADARK (N-23)

"Mhuagra, mother of mysteris, enabler of the shamans, honor to you."

Mhuagra’s massive figure stands unmoving as Hagadark declares his allegiances and position. Her heavy, slow breath emanates an unnatural heat that even at a distance the shaman can feel. She seems satisfied with the blood he spills over the idle, closing her eyes and jerking back her head as if in pleasure as the red, thick liquid covers the image.
She ponders for a second and continues.

“How strangely appropriate. I wonder if this might be… No. No need to trouble ourselves with such concerns now. Let us profit from this encounter.” – she walks around, her steps resounding against an unseen stone floor.
“I shall test you, then. My path is one of sacrifice. And that is what I require of you, shaman. I felt the presence of your companions. As you say, you lead them. And as a leader I shall test you.” – she stops, facing Hagadark from a short distance, looking down on him.

“To teach you my ways and grant you my blessings, I demand of you a vessel, a body to carry my soul. Choose one of your companions and mark the chosen one with your blood, so I can inhabit his body.” – she falls silent, waiting for Hagadark’s response.

MORGRYM/MARIUS (N-19)

After a steep climb, the companions come across several rocky slopes, their vision of the encampment obliterated here and there as they move about. After much effort, they reach a vast plane, covered in stripes of black and white. The odd patterns of the sands grow until they meet the first fires of the encampment. At a distance, the trio identifies dwarven watchers observing the surrounding desert. A dozen tents or so build a barrage of skins and silks to this side of the encampment, placed under the careful vigil of six soldiers, banners swirling in the wind. The herald belongs to the Braves, warriors from Maran that kept their privileges after the odrosan occupation. Once more the herald evokes the symbol sculpted over the Willing tomb. A sense of impending doom falls over the companions as they realize the state of the banners and tents, as well as the soldiers. Fate was not kind to these men. Their tired gazes and rotten flags are a testament to a recent battle.

They have not yet spotted the trio in the distance.

[So, I’m finally back. I climbed my way out of a pile of papers under screams of ‘rise’ from the captives below. It was a steep climb of nearly a meter, but I survived after a few falls, heheh. Sorry for this, guys, but I got caught between a bunch of projects and the exams, and … Well, I’m here, now, and I’m here for good!]

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...hI-57fVXA/edit
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=87106]MetaVoid[/MENTION] [MENTION=6801311]KahlessNestor[/MENTION]