Wrath of the Righteous

"I'm no one to judge anyone because they have strange magic," Shayuri tells the dwarf coldly. "I judge you because of your actions towards me, nothing else. And it was you who attacked these people on sight, without giving them so much as an opportunity to explain themselves. Have you ever paused to consider that it might not be because of your magic that you were driven from the city?"

She sighs and sits down near the dwarf, then rummages through the knapsack she recovered from the fireside until she comes up with a single crystal vial full of clear azure fluid.

"I suppose if we're going to save you, we should do it right. Drink this. It will help with the wounds."

(OOC - Shay has 1 dose of Cure Light Wounds potion on her...it's all I got. )

Calloh, half-elf Bard 1

"Hold, Shayuri! That healing draught is far too valuable a commodity to be so lightly given to one who may prove to be no ally, and especially one who has thus far shown himself to be an enemy. If the Dwarf is able to survive the night, I will tend his wounds with my magic on the morrow, and I will do what I am able to do to ease his rest now to help him make it through the night. I would heal him now, but my power has been expended for this day. Keep your healing draught and guard it well, my friend, for it may yet be the difference-maker as to our survival." Calloh at once moves to the Dwarf's side and will do what he can to cleanse his wounds and see that he is resting comfortably.

[sblock=Calloh's sheet]
Picture:
View attachment 58769

Calloh [pronounced “callow”]

Alignment: N/G
Half-Elf -- Favored Classes - Bard, Fighter
Bard 1
440+120=560 XP [post # 211] +40+120+10 [post 255] = 730 xp +120 for crazed dwarf = 850

[sblock=Ability Point Buy, 20 pts]
S11 (1pts)
D14 (5pts)
C12 (2pts)
I14 (5 pts)
W12 (2 pts)
C16 (5 pts=14) (+2 racial)
[/sblock]

Final Ability Scores at L1:
S11 +0
D14 +2
C12 +1
I14 +2
W12 +1
C16 +3

BAB: 0

AC: 17 [10+3+2+2]
HP: 10 [8+1+1]

SAVES:
Fort +1
Ref: +4
Will: +3
+2 to save vs. Enchantment/Fear effects
Immune to magic sleep effects
Concentraion: Caster Level 1 + 2 Cha bonus + 2 Trait bonus = +5

SKILLS 6+2=8 pts @ 1st Level
Bluff 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill = +7
Diplomacy 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill = +7
Disable Device 0 rank +2 Dex = +2
Knowledge (Planes) 1 rank +2 Int +1 bardic knowledge +3 class skill = +7
Knowledge (all others untrained) 0 ranks +2 Int +1 bardic Knowledge = +3
Linguistics 0 rank +2 int = +2
Perception 0 rank +1 Wis +2 Racial = +3
Perform (Stringed Instruments) 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill +3 Feat Bonus = +10
Profession (Musician) 1 rank +1 Wis +3 class skill = +5
Sleight of Hand 1 rank +2 Dex +3 class skill = +6
Stealth 1 rank +2 Dex +3 class skill = +6
Use Magic Device 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill = +7

Languages: Common, Elvish, Sylvan

FEATS 1+1 racial (skill focus)
Weapon Finesse (Dex mod. instead of Str with certain wpns *+2* but shield ACP applies *-1* for a net +1)
Skill Focus [Perform (stringed instruments)]

BARDIC PERFORMANCE, 7 rounds/day [4 used]
Countersong [allies use my Perform check in place of saving throw]
Distraction [counters magic effects that are sight-dependent, check replaces saving throw if higher]
Fascinate [1 creature, Will DC 13 or -4 to skill checks made as reactions]
Inspire Courage [+1 on saves vs. fear/charm, and +1 att/dam rolls]

SPELLS [Per day: L0 - at-will, L1 - 1+1] [Save DC = 13+spell level]
Daze - 0
Detect Magic - 0
Summon Instrument - 0
Read Magic – 0
Cure Light Wounds - 1
Hypnotism - 1

PP
GP 0
SP 4
CP

EQUIPMENT [105 gp starting funds]
Studded Leather Armor [25 gp, +3 AC]
Heavy Wooden Shield [7 gp, +2 AC]
Rapier [20 gp, 1d8 damage] [+1 att, +0 dam] [+2 w/o shield]
Daggers 2 [@ 2 gp, 1d4 damage] [+1 att melee-feat (+2 w/o shield) or +2 thrown-dex]
Short Bow [30 gp, 1d6 damage] [+2 att, +0 dam]
Borrowed Arrows - 6
Lute, Exceptional Quality [14 gp] [3 gp is ordinary cost]
Waterskin [1 gp]
Trail Rations 3 days [@ 5 sp per day]
Backpack [2 gp]
Bedroll [1 sp]
Traveler's Outfit [1 gp]

Traits: 1. Riftwarden [Campaign Trait] 2. Courageous 3. Anatomist

History: Calloh was born to two adventurers, his mother was an elf champion and his father a human wizard. They were both Riftwardens who adventured into the Worldwound on a secret mission soon after Calloh was born. They left their newborn son with trusted allies, perhaps knowing that their odds of returning were slim. In any case, they met their doom in the Worldwound. Not long after their departure, the foster parents that they had chosen for their son noticed that a mark had appeared on the inside of Calloh's right leg – The Sign of the Seeker's Spiral. [Riftwarden Orphan Trait bonus of +2 on Concentration checks.] The mysterious circumstances of his parents' disappearance sparked an insatiable curiosity in Calloh. When he grew up, he was so intent on making new discoveries and learning new things that he almost seemed fearless when it came to new places, experiences, people, and creatures. [Couageous Trait bonus of +2 on Saves vs. Fear Effects.] Now that Calloh has fully come of age, he seeks to learn the destiny of his parents, hoping against hope that he may somehow find them alive and be able to bring them home safely. For his last trait, Calloh chooses Anatomist, which gives him +1 on rolls to confirm critical hits.

FYI -- Calloh is advancing as a Bard with an eye toward gaining levels in a PrC later. Arcane Archer and Eldritch Knight are his PrCs of interest at this time. Arcane Archer requires him to have a BAB of +6, which he would either obtain by being Bard3 Fighter4 -- CL7, or Bard2 Fighter5 also CL7. Eldritch Knight requires at least one level of fighter and 7th level in bard, so CL8. Or, Eldritch Knight could be pursued by adding a third class, sorcerer to the mix, making Bard2 Fighter1 Sorcerer5, which is also CL8. If he shaved the bard level off he could do that at CL7 as well, but when the third class enters the mix, Calloh will face some XP penalties that will probably make it cost-prohibitive. Realistically, then, we're looking at Arcane Archer at CL7, Bard4 Fighter3. Let's hope that this game continues in good health for a few more years, then!
[/sblock]

[section]

[/section]


_______________
[sblock=MiniStats]
[SIZE=+1]Medjai Issa[/SIZE]
Male Lawful Good Qlippoth Tiefling (Motherless)
Paladin (Shining Knight/Warrior of the Holy Light) 01

Init +1, HP 11/11, Speed 30
AC 15, Touch 11, Flat-Footed 16
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +4

Base Attack Bonus +1
GreatSword +5 (2d6+6, 19/x2)
EarthBreaker +5 (2d6+6, 20/x3)
Dagger +5 (+2 Ranged, 10') (1d4+4, 19/x2)
Cestus +5 (1d4+4)

Lamellar (Leather) Armor (+4 Armor, +1 Dex, +2 Natural)

Abilities Str 18, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 08, Wis 14, Cha 14

Condition None
[/sblock]

Shayuri listens to Calloh, but still seems a little unsure of herself...torn between her distrust of the dwarf and her own sense of right and wrong.

"As...long as you can ease his suffering," she decides, reluctantly putting the potion away. "Otherwise it would be cruel to let him stay awake with his wounds while we all rest."

She starts removing other things from the satchel then, including a belt pouch which she attaches to her belt, and a little sheathe with a dagger in it that she straps onto the other side of her waist. She rummages through it a little longer, perhaps checking to see if everything is there and intact, and gives a satisfied little nod before drawing the strings on it tight again to seal it off.

On impulse then, she murmurs a few deep-voiced, almost gutteral sounding language which sounds like a version of Draconic, though the words aren't of that tongue. Her eyes shimmer with eerie blue light that she plays over the dwarf's possessions, and into her own knapsack to check out the book as well. (Detect Magic)

The spell ends, and she looks back at the others.

"So. We have some time then. I know your names, and you've said you're not with the Crusade. Do you live here? And..." She chews her bottom lip for a second, then finishes her question, "...what can you tell me of the attack? The wardstone is truly gone? How could this happen? And who is this Terendelev you spoke of?"

Aravashnial begins retelling the day's events. "The attack was very sudden, at the hight of the day's festivities. Really, it seems like a perfect sneak attack. Wait until you're foe is distracted with something else, then hit them hard and fast. We don't know for sure and likely won't unless we investigate the wardstone personally, but one of the last things I remember seeing was the Pike exploding. That, and the presence of Khorramzedah within Mendev make me certain the wardstone is gone."

Anevia takes over the exposition story from there. "Terendelev was the silver dragon who defended the city. She clashed with the Stormlord many times, and while she was not always victorious, the two were an even match and she never let him take the city. This time we were not so lucky. The balor attacked her immediately with murder in his heart. She used her magic to save us from plunging to our deaths before she died. Some of her scales also fell into the tunnel with use and they seem to have some magical power in them. Hannah? Why don't you pass your scale over to Shayuri to look at?"

As Shayuri accepts the levitation scale, she gets as strong rush of emotion, and can see a memory that is not her own.

[sblock=memory]


The Balor’s drawn face stares down at you as the rifts continue to open up around you, continuing to consume mortal and demon alike, despite the fact that you’ve used your magic to save as many souls as possible. Both fire and lightning lick your face and burn at your wings.


“I bet you thought you had beat me for good? Joke’s on you then dragon. Now, your city belongs to to me and soon all of the wardstones will burn. Of course, you won’t live to see it, because your head belongs to me too!”


The Storm King’s mighty sword comes down one last time, blazing with vorpal fire.
[/sblock]

Eventually the dwarf seems to tire himself of shouting profanities and falls into silence. Medjai and Jorgun's watches pass easily, and there are no disturbances as you wait out what must be the night and early morning.

[sblock=occ] So I had an entire post written up, but then it got eaten by the board gremlins. Sigh. On the plus side for you guys and things picking up again, Invisible Castle loves you right now, I didn't think you'd make it through the night without random encounters but you did.

Minor point, but could I get a perception check from anyone who cares to make one, keeping in mind that most of you will be asleep? Don't worry, this isn't going to be Shax jumping out in the middle of the night and shouting BOO! [/sblock]

Shayuri's fingers tighten on the scale involuntarily, and her eyes widen and unfocus as her perceptions shift to something no one else can see. Her mouth drops open in horror, and a second later she takes a long shuddering breath as if she were about to scream, and drops the scale on the ground beside her, then pushes it away as if it had just turned into a giant spider.

"I...that..." she looks at Anevia, her expression like that of someone waking up from a terrible nightmare. "...that was intense. Does it always do that every time someone picks it up, or is it only the first time?"

The confusion on the faces of the others told the story though. They hadn't seen this vision.

Her cheeks colored and she shook her head. The last thing she wanted was for them to think her as mad as the dwarf.

"...it must have reacted...I'm sensitive to magic," Shayuri said lamely as she handed the scale back. "It was a strange feeling is all."

She quickly picked a place to lie down and sleep, as much to avoid the awkwardness as for any real need for rest.

[sblock=Perception]Got a 19. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4336531/ [/sblock]

[section]Jorgun Revendka, Male Human Inquisitor 1
Jorgun's silence had been palpable since he saved the dwarf; his thoughts had consumed his attentions, a poor choice given the situation everyone has found themselves in.

Luckily the night passed without issue. Perhaps now it is time to question the dwarf - given the events on the surface his insights may prove invaluable. He spends the remainder of the night resting, preparing to do what must be done the next day.



[sblock=Actions]Perception: 1D20+6 = [1]+6 = 7

Looks like my luck hasn't changed in my absence.
[/sblock]
[/section]
[sblock=Character Sheet]Jorgun Revendka
Male Human Inquisitor 1
LN medium humanoid
Init +3 Senses Normal Vision Listen +6 Spot +6
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13
hp 10
Fort 4 ,Ref 3 ,Will 4
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft
Melee Longbow 3 (1d8/x3) or Greatsword 2 (2d6+3/19-20/x2)
Space 5 Reach 5
STATISTICS
STR 14 DEX 16 CON 14 INT 12 WIS 14 CHA 8
Base Atk 0 Grp20
Feats Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot
Skills Climb +5, Knowledge (nature) +5, Knowledge (planes) +5, Knowledge (religion) +5, Perception +6, Sense Motive +7, Stealth +6, Survival +6, Swim +5, Climb +5, Knowledge (nature) +5
Languages Common, Hallit
Gear Longbow, Greatsword, Arrows (20), Holy Symbol - Silver, Backpack , Bedroll , Pouch - belt (empty), Flint and Steel, Holly, Pot - iron, Mess kit, Torch (2), Rations - trail (per day) (2), Waterskin , Kit - Gear Maintenance, Traveler's outfit , Wooden Flute, Holy Text of Erastil
[/sblock]

Calloh, half-elf bard 1

Calloh snoozes fitfully. Maybe he shouldn't have eaten that last hunk of star fruit right before bed.

OOC: I'm not rolling for Calloh's perception, because it's just a big, fat natural one.


[sblock=Calloh's sheet]
Picture:
View attachment 58769

Calloh [pronounced “callow”]

Alignment: N/G
Half-Elf -- Favored Classes - Bard, Fighter
Bard 1
440+120=560 XP [post # 211] +40+120+10 [post 255] = 730 xp +120 for crazed dwarf = 850

[sblock=Ability Point Buy, 20 pts]
S11 (1pts)
D14 (5pts)
C12 (2pts)
I14 (5 pts)
W12 (2 pts)
C16 (5 pts=14) (+2 racial)
[/sblock]

Final Ability Scores at L1:
S11 +0
D14 +2
C12 +1
I14 +2
W12 +1
C16 +3

BAB: 0

AC: 17 [10+3+2+2]
HP: 10 [8+1+1]

SAVES:
Fort +1
Ref: +4
Will: +3
+2 to save vs. Enchantment/Fear effects
Immune to magic sleep effects
Concentraion: Caster Level 1 + 2 Cha bonus + 2 Trait bonus = +5

SKILLS 6+2=8 pts @ 1st Level
Bluff 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill = +7
Diplomacy 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill = +7
Disable Device 0 rank +2 Dex = +2
Knowledge (Planes) 1 rank +2 Int +1 bardic knowledge +3 class skill = +7
Knowledge (all others untrained) 0 ranks +2 Int +1 bardic Knowledge = +3
Linguistics 0 rank +2 int = +2
Perception 0 rank +1 Wis +2 Racial = +3
Perform (Stringed Instruments) 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill +3 Feat Bonus = +10
Profession (Musician) 1 rank +1 Wis +3 class skill = +5
Sleight of Hand 1 rank +2 Dex +3 class skill = +6
Stealth 1 rank +2 Dex +3 class skill = +6
Use Magic Device 1 rank +3 Cha +3 class skill = +7

Languages: Common, Elvish, Sylvan

FEATS 1+1 racial (skill focus)
Weapon Finesse (Dex mod. instead of Str with certain wpns *+2* but shield ACP applies *-1* for a net +1)
Skill Focus [Perform (stringed instruments)]

BARDIC PERFORMANCE, 7 rounds/day [4 used]
Countersong [allies use my Perform check in place of saving throw]
Distraction [counters magic effects that are sight-dependent, check replaces saving throw if higher]
Fascinate [1 creature, Will DC 13 or -4 to skill checks made as reactions]
Inspire Courage [+1 on saves vs. fear/charm, and +1 att/dam rolls]

SPELLS [Per day: L0 - at-will, L1 - 1+1] [Save DC = 13+spell level]
Daze - 0
Detect Magic - 0
Summon Instrument - 0
Read Magic – 0
Cure Light Wounds - 1
Hypnotism - 1

PP
GP 0
SP 4
CP

EQUIPMENT [105 gp starting funds]
Studded Leather Armor [25 gp, +3 AC]
Heavy Wooden Shield [7 gp, +2 AC]
Rapier [20 gp, 1d8 damage] [+1 att, +0 dam] [+2 w/o shield]
Daggers 2 [@ 2 gp, 1d4 damage] [+1 att melee-feat (+2 w/o shield) or +2 thrown-dex]
Short Bow [30 gp, 1d6 damage] [+2 att, +0 dam]
Borrowed Arrows - 6
Lute, Exceptional Quality [14 gp] [3 gp is ordinary cost]
Waterskin [1 gp]
Trail Rations 3 days [@ 5 sp per day]
Backpack [2 gp]
Bedroll [1 sp]
Traveler's Outfit [1 gp]

Traits: 1. Riftwarden [Campaign Trait] 2. Courageous 3. Anatomist

History: Calloh was born to two adventurers, his mother was an elf champion and his father a human wizard. They were both Riftwardens who adventured into the Worldwound on a secret mission soon after Calloh was born. They left their newborn son with trusted allies, perhaps knowing that their odds of returning were slim. In any case, they met their doom in the Worldwound. Not long after their departure, the foster parents that they had chosen for their son noticed that a mark had appeared on the inside of Calloh's right leg – The Sign of the Seeker's Spiral. [Riftwarden Orphan Trait bonus of +2 on Concentration checks.] The mysterious circumstances of his parents' disappearance sparked an insatiable curiosity in Calloh. When he grew up, he was so intent on making new discoveries and learning new things that he almost seemed fearless when it came to new places, experiences, people, and creatures. [Couageous Trait bonus of +2 on Saves vs. Fear Effects.] Now that Calloh has fully come of age, he seeks to learn the destiny of his parents, hoping against hope that he may somehow find them alive and be able to bring them home safely. For his last trait, Calloh chooses Anatomist, which gives him +1 on rolls to confirm critical hits.

FYI -- Calloh is advancing as a Bard with an eye toward gaining levels in a PrC later. Arcane Archer and Eldritch Knight are his PrCs of interest at this time. Arcane Archer requires him to have a BAB of +6, which he would either obtain by being Bard3 Fighter4 -- CL7, or Bard2 Fighter5 also CL7. Eldritch Knight requires at least one level of fighter and 7th level in bard, so CL8. Or, Eldritch Knight could be pursued by adding a third class, sorcerer to the mix, making Bard2 Fighter1 Sorcerer5, which is also CL8. If he shaved the bard level off he could do that at CL7 as well, but when the third class enters the mix, Calloh will face some XP penalties that will probably make it cost-prohibitive. Realistically, then, we're looking at Arcane Archer at CL7, Bard4 Fighter3. Let's hope that this game continues in good health for a few more years, then!
[/sblock]

In the middle of the night, Shayuri awakens to hear the dwarf quietly whimpering to himself. “Are you done being out to get me Pharasma? What of you Nethys? It was not my idea to truck with heretics, but no, you forced me into the arms of my cousin. You, and your minions who poke and prod. Do you think I could not feel them slipping the poison in my wounds? Why would I worship gods like you?”

Shayuri frowned to herself. Half-curled and facing away from the dwarf, she was reasonably sure he wasn't aware she'd come awake. What madness was this? Nethys? Pharasma? Poison? More paranoid rants, or were there glints of truth amidst the dross?

Maybe it didn't matter, in the end. If the dwarf believed it, then it was true to him...and might be of use, convincing him to give up whatever he might know. A way out to the surface, perhaps? He seemed to have been down here for quite some time...

She closed her eyes, but repeated the words in her mind for as long as she was able to, so she'd remember them when she awoke...