[LPF] Expansion

[perrinmiller]

Ariel Esimae, Female Aasimar Cleric

Riding along, Ariel replies to Audra, "We should look into that if we come back out this way. Perhaps a visit to look through the civil records would help beforehand."

"We also need to deal with the corrupt officials back in Tritower if we get a chance too."

She shrugs at the mention of even worse weather, realizing that the temperate climate makes that unlikely this time of year.

"Hopefully we can dry out tonight at the next village inn."

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +2
AC: 22 (20 without shield, 18 flat-footed, 12 Touch)
HP: 23 Current: 23
CMB: +3 CMD: 15 Fort: +5 Reflex: +4 Will: +7 (+8 vs. Fear)
+1 for all with Resistance
Resistance: 5 Cold, 5 Acid, 5 Electricity
Conditions if Effect: Point Blank Shot

Current Weapon in Hand: Longspear
Javelins: 5/5 Remaining

Fire Bolt: 6/6 Remaining Channel Energy: 5/5 remaining
Deflection Aura: 1/1 remaining
Spells Remaining: Orisons: (Light, Resistance, Guidance, Detect Magic)
1st Level 4/4 (Shield of Faith, Doom, Bless, Burning Hands)
2nd Level 3/3 (Hold Person, Lessor Restoration, Barkskin) [/sblock]___________________________________________

Ariel Esimae

 

[jkason]

Saktouk Bekloric, half-orc monk

OOC: I am going to take a little liberty here with regards to Veniarus and Kalius, I see no reason why Veniarus can't use Kalius for the purpose of a riding mount during long journies so long as he doesn't use him as a combat mount as he doesn't have the feats for mounted combat atm or a decent ride check...

OOC: All the size-based rules about mounts appear to only apply to combat riding, so I think it's possible, though unless Veniarus is extremely light, I think he'll bump Kalius to medium encumbrance and make him just as slow as if Veniarus was walking. But since I don't believe we're on any kind of tight schedule, I don't think it really affects game play.

At least it's just rain and not snowing or worse. I call dibs on a seat next to the next campfire.

[lightblue]"Och, but I miss the snow from the Seithr,"[/color] Saktouk says, the nostalgia for the mountains' notoriously bitter winters clear.

"Hopefully we can dry out tonight at the next village inn."

"I'd enjoy a real bed, I'll admit," the half-orc offers. "I enjoy the outdoors, but a roof does have a bit of security to it, no?"

 

[DalkonCledwin]

OOC: Actually your right, might just be easier to have Veniarus and Kalius walk seperately >.< for the purposes of getting somewhere fast. Unless SS is willing to say that we picked up a horse for Veniarus and Saktouk while in Tritowers as that would just be convenient seeing as how they didn't have horses to begin with if memory serves.

 

[sunshadow21]

OOC: The people who left the party would have left the horses for their replacements to use, while muddy roads slow the group down, travel speed is otherwise unimpeded, and you do get to spend a few nights in an inn.

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

Audra finds herself inclined to remain in the conversation. At least it beats glaring at the trees, all of which look the same, continuously scrolling by.

Nice, warm bed, nice warm mug of spiced cider. Maybe a bard with stories of the road to share. Half a dozen half clad, well muscled men waiting on us hand and feet...

She blinks as what she says echoes in her head.

Sorry, I shouldn't be blabbing on like that. Nothing wrong with indulging, as long as you don't let it take control of you.

Another sneeze strikes her, causing her gelding to lay his ears back.

Sorry. Bet you'd enjoy a nice dry stable, too, huh?

She gently strokes the mane before her on the horse's neck and his ears slowly return to normal.

 

[perrinmiller]

Ariel Esimae, Female Aasimar Cleric

Ariel looks askance at Audra and Megan, "I am sure that you both will find plenty of drink to help in your... partying."

She remembers the trip outbound and thankfully there were no decadent inns with male prostitutes. The burly loggers and trappers were plenty of accommodating, though.

[sblock=Mini Stats]Initiative: +2
AC: 22 (20 without shield, 18 flat-footed, 12 Touch)
HP: 23 Current: 23
CMB: +3 CMD: 15 Fort: +5 Reflex: +4 Will: +7 (+8 vs. Fear)
+1 for all with Resistance
Resistance: 5 Cold, 5 Acid, 5 Electricity
Conditions if Effect: Point Blank Shot

Current Weapon in Hand: Longspear
Javelins: 5/5 Remaining

Fire Bolt: 6/6 Remaining Channel Energy: 5/5 remaining
Deflection Aura: 1/1 remaining
Spells Remaining: Orisons: (Light, Resistance, Guidance, Detect Magic)
1st Level 4/4 (Shield of Faith, Doom, Bless, Burning Hands)
2nd Level 3/3 (Hold Person, Lessor Restoration, Barkskin) [/sblock]___________________________________________

Ariel Esimae

 

[VVilhem]

"Drinking is but one way to party Ariel," responds Megan as she guides Cotton down the trial, "right now I am also picture a nice roast...yes a big one! Big enough to make me forget the staleness of all that trail rations I have to eat. And I'll wash it down with some good ale. Oh yes...ale."

The half elf pulls up next to Audra, "Audra, you seem very used to the luxuries that our adventure have offered, slurping those oysters like you were born doing it. I thought all monks are...monastic and stuff."

 

[jkason]

Saktouk Bekloric, half-orc monk

"Now that you mention it, I don't know much about the Diamond Heart," Saktouk says. "The Inner Forge insists on drinking right down to the initiation ceremony, but I dinnae think many orders that weren't dwarven would indulge so."

 

[Artur Hawkwing]

[sblock=ooc]Wow, did this topic come out of nowhere. I had to make a mad scramble to find the write up on the thing. Guess I should blop it onto the Wiki somewhere. Anyway...sorry for the delay in posting. Not sure if anyone would recognize the names she mentions.[/sblock]

Audra looks up as Megan pulls back and reaches up, to scratch an itch on her nose. When Saktouk chimes in, Audra lifts her left arm and looks at the dirty yet still somehow mostly white cloth wristband bearing the crest of the Ranocchio section of Venza on it.

Collectively we're the Order of the Diamond Heart, sometimes called The Venzan Order of the Diamond Heart. we actually have four separate Temples, well some would say five, within Venza. Unlike most monk orders, we're more civil service oriented and a little less monastic, as you put it. We place ourselves in those cracks and crevices that other, more formal groups, like the city guard for example, either can't or won't deal with. Most of us move from temple to temple every year or so, training in different variations of martial arts as well as other disciplines. I started out under Master Hallaran the Hearer, chosen of Argento the Fisher and as such, the leader of the Temple in Ranocchio.

She pauses as another sneeze overtakes her.

Ugh. Anyway. The initiates of the Diamond Heart spend lots of time learning under the different Masters and their top students, not just in physical combat, but in such things as Diplomacy or even creative thought, at least that's what Master Klaingenhamir calls it. Rather than shut ourselves away behind walls seeking personal perfection, we're more oriented toward the unity and harmony of the City and its population. We do not even limit ourselves on the religion of our members. If the God is recognized within Venza, followers can join our numbers. So we're always active, always learning new things. As for the oysters...

She blushes a little at this point.

We were having competitions, just for the spirit thereof, and I was selected to represent Ranocchio for an eating contest. None of us knew until we met at the Main Temple that the High Master herself had decided on oysters. I finished second to the Councilor, or Master, of the Main Temple, a Dwarf named Handside Moutnainbreak. I'd not had them until that point. Had eaten them once since that day, so the opportunity to have some couldn't be passed. As for drink, when trained for helping any and all levels of society, you tend to pick up skills others might find a bit odd. For me it was the ability to drink in moderation, but make it seem as if it was in excess. One can usually get information from someone much easier under such a circumstance. I'd never dare try to drink really hard, having seen Master Mountainbreak pounding ale like he was going to die the next day.

She looks from Megan to Saktouk and back again, looking for reaction of her explanation making any sense to them at all.

 

[sunshadow21]

After a trip slowed down by the rain, you finally get back to the area immediately around Venza, and around late afternoon, you reach the ruins of the old Johnson compound. Nathaniel explains that the road that leads from the main road through the compound and back into the woods eventually leads to a now probably equally ruined hunting lodge, and along that road is a small walled garden with a mausoleum with a door that leeds down into the family burial chapel, crypt, and vault. Neither he nor Adolfo are particularly keen on lingering so they continue on to the Broken Log, telling you to meet them their, and that they would have a nice warm bath, meal, and bed waiting.

You turn off the main road, tie up the horses in the small stableyard where the plaque honoring Gregori stands, having had secured a local boy to watch them in your absence. You pass through into the main area of the compound, and it must have once been a grand sight to a weary traveler, but now all you see is piles of overgrown rubble and overgrown yards. Continuing on, you follow the road into light woods that have started to reclaim the land. The road itself is still mostly intact, but the sides of the road have started to become overgrown. The branches above break up the sunlight that has finally reemerged after several soggy days. It's easy enough to find the walled garden. Both garden and 4" tall wall have been overgrown, though a broken stone path leading from the now glorified dirt path you are currently on through the opening on the south side of the wall to the the mausoleum like structure with a single stone door slightly off its hinges. Surrounding the path and mausoleum on either side is overgrown and tangled flowers, once decorative trees, and other wild plants that have moved in.

[sblock=combat and map information]

The overgrown garden is impassable terrain due to the denseness of the plants, and the branches provide light cover to anything more than 10 feet away, the wall/fence does what you would expect a wall to do, but otherwise movement, and line of sight is unhindered.

Ariel 23/23 hp
Audra 20/20 hp
Kalius 11/11 hp
Megan 29/29 hp
Saktouk 13/13 hp
Vaniarus 9/9 hp[/sblock]

OOC: The party is not yet in initiative, but try to keep actions limited to a round or two at most.