Achile had woken early that morning with a feeling unease settling in his stomach. It had been almost a tenday since his god had called him to draw his steel against those deserving the divine retribution of his decree. To be clear he was not some crazed psychopath who needed flesh to meet steel in order to satisfy a strange craving. For Achile it was different. When he felt the call of his god, a sense of unease almost like wondering if you had indeed secured the door to your rented room before leaving that morning, the only thing that would alleviate the sensation was at least making an effort to carry out his divine decree.
Typically he found the best way to alleviate the sensatition was to simply start investigating some of the darker aspects of life in the city. The best place to do so was typically in Fishport. Deals occured at its market constantly and not all of them where of the honest and pure.
He dressed that morning in a sleevless black tunic that seemed to shimmer in the light as he moved, a pair of light colored breeches and had wrapped cloth around his feet in the typical fashion of his people. The wrappings of his feet kept his toes and heel free and didn't impede his footwork but kept the majority of his foot protected from stepping on stray glass and other objects that might cut his tough and calloused feet. Leather bracers protected his arms and as always he wore his fullblade across his back in its unique holder. The handle to the blade reached up past his right shoulder and seemed not to waver as he moved, nore did the weight of massive weapon affect his movement as he walked into the market.
Before he could even begin the young Half-Elf felt his eyes go wide for a moment as someone called his name. As he turned to regard the voice he recognized the halfing calling his name, Kithr his name was, or at least so he believed. He only knew the smaller man in passing but they felt a similiar connection as they both had an inner fire burning within them, something that called to them through the powerful element they could call forth when the need arose. A smile broke across his face as he walked up to the halfing and offered his hand.
"Aye man," he said as he approached,"ya be knowin' as well as I der' be none 'ere that be callin this one masta. Just as ta be callin urself a 'simple man' be more 'o' a jest den bin 'erd in a tenday."
As Achile shook Kithr's hand his grey eyes scanned the people standing near him. Perhaps they simply happen to be standing there but chances are they knew the small man. Achile could only give a small chuckle that just as he had approached the market, searching for a course of action that an acquintance of his happened to be there and to see him as he walked in. This could be a fortunate day indeed. Achile runs his fingers through his short, black hair for a moment before continuing his converstation with the man.
"Come man, ya 'av me ear for da moment ya be askin' for. How I be helpin' ya dis day?"
As he awaited a response Achile noticed that a member of the group, a Windlord clearly from the look of him. If look was not enough his rigid stance and deep bow as enough to confirm the fact. While Achile knew no other natives to the Elemental Isles on a personal level he could at least recognize them and the sign of the respect the deep bow represented. He responded in kind with a quick bow of his head as his right hand came up and thumped himself on the chest above his heart, a sign of respect among his people and a greeting in his own way.
Scarblade Bastard Sword 1d20+18 vs AC. 1d10+8 Damage Hungry Spear Greatspear+3 1d20+19 vs AC. 1d10+9 +2d8 to damage in Bersker Fury.
Ranged Basic Attack: Hungry Spear Greatspear+3 1d20+19 vs AC Damage: 1d10+9
Jarring Smash: MBA + target grants CA until end of my next turn.
Run Down: MBA + target is slowed until end of my next turn.
Defender Aura: Aura 1. Enemery takes -2 to attacks rolls that do not include me or ally with this aura active. Marked enemies not subject
Vengeful Guardian: OA. Enemy subject of defender aura either **** or makes attack that targets an ally without targeting me or ally with active defender aura. MBA+2d8 extra damage.
Badge of The Berserker- The movement of charge attacks does not provoke OA
[] Stone Panoply [X] Savage Cut Used [] Brutal Slam [] Second Wind [X] Nomad's Rush Used [] Earthforger's Passage [X] Furious Assault Used [] A Thousand Ways to Die [] Curtain of Steel [] Hungry Spear Encounter Power
Encounter: Roots of Stone [] Rough Strike [] Mountain Hammer [] Form of Winter’s Herald attack [] Goring Charge[x] Mark of Thunder [] Elven Battle Hide Armor [] Boots of Free Movement []
Daily: Form of Winter’s Herald [] Boiling Cloud: [x] Boiling Cloud Attack: [] Endure Pain [] Treacherous Ice []
Tsubasa mirrors the chest thump in respect, as the newcomer returned his bow.
Striding quick and graceful as the winds, Tsubasa flows to Achile with long white hair streaming behind. "Firecrafter" (smaller bow) "I am Tsubasa Shou. What brings one of the flames to Espir?"
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Bharhas, Level 3 Human, Warlord | Sorcerer Human Power Selection Option: Bonus At-Will power Languages: Common, Elven Theme: Gladiator
CURRENT STATUS: Phase of the Sun: *At the start of your turn, each enemy adjacent to you takes fire and radiant damage equal to your Strength modifier. *You also gain resist 5 cold.
VITALS AC: 18 Fort: 18 Ref: 15 Will: 17 HP: 40/40
Surges: 6/6 Surge Value: 10
Initiative: +1 Speed: 6
CURRENT ABILITY SCORES STR 18, CON 10, DEX 11, INT 10, WIS 8, CHA 17
As the Windlord flows towards him the half-elf shifts his right foot back the smallest of distances. He knows this man not at all and having little experience with Windlords, knowing them mostly by reputation he was uncertain of the motives until the man with flowing white hair introduced himself.
"Achile Demalar be my name," he said with a grin breaking across his lips so slightly, "and da people o' fire 'ave always been ones ta follow da passin and desire dat burn 'in der hearts. Mi own passions led me ta seek out dose beyond mi own 'omelan'."
While he had certainly had no reason to distrust those standing before him they had yet to show signs that they would earn his trust either. The information he gave was enough to hopefully appease the Windlord's curiousity without needing to reveal his divine path that Lord Nui set him on long ago.
"An yerself? Dis not be da Land 'o' Win's 'ast dis one checked."
Scarblade Bastard Sword 1d20+18 vs AC. 1d10+8 Damage Hungry Spear Greatspear+3 1d20+19 vs AC. 1d10+9 +2d8 to damage in Bersker Fury.
Ranged Basic Attack: Hungry Spear Greatspear+3 1d20+19 vs AC Damage: 1d10+9
Jarring Smash: MBA + target grants CA until end of my next turn.
Run Down: MBA + target is slowed until end of my next turn.
Defender Aura: Aura 1. Enemery takes -2 to attacks rolls that do not include me or ally with this aura active. Marked enemies not subject
Vengeful Guardian: OA. Enemy subject of defender aura either **** or makes attack that targets an ally without targeting me or ally with active defender aura. MBA+2d8 extra damage.
Badge of The Berserker- The movement of charge attacks does not provoke OA
[] Stone Panoply [X] Savage Cut Used [] Brutal Slam [] Second Wind [X] Nomad's Rush Used [] Earthforger's Passage [X] Furious Assault Used [] A Thousand Ways to Die [] Curtain of Steel [] Hungry Spear Encounter Power
Encounter: Roots of Stone [] Rough Strike [] Mountain Hammer [] Form of Winter’s Herald attack [] Goring Charge[x] Mark of Thunder [] Elven Battle Hide Armor [] Boots of Free Movement []
Daily: Form of Winter’s Herald [] Boiling Cloud: [x] Boiling Cloud Attack: [] Endure Pain [] Treacherous Ice []
The fortune teller's predictions, accurate or not, disturb Lusi enough that she pales slightly. It's hard to tell how specific the telling was meant to her, but parts of it certain rung true in her mind. More than anything, questioning her purpose here, and her deeper quest brough about the greatest discomfort. She was pondering how best to explain the revelations to the others without sounding daft or gullible, when the paladin strode up beside her, and bid his fortune told as well. It was difficult to tell what, but there was a definite chill in the air or shift in their postures that revealsed something of consequence had occured... perhaps her own telling was as accurate as she believed.
~~~
As the group is discussing their findings, Lusi responds to Erias's question. "I doubt that youth has truly known anything; I wouldn't take his statement to mean anything more than someone he knew saw the bodies being carted towards the river. The rest was filled in by his or his friend's own experiences."
~~~
Lusi watches closely as the half-elf approaches the group at the halfling's behest. She had few experiences with those from the elemental planes, or gifted with such talents; their kind was exceedingly rare in the north, and most often outcast or worse for their unique abilities. She listens with interest, equal parts respect, and an attempt to understand the man's particular accent.
Kithr's reply to Achile is straight and to the point.
"We have some important business to attend to, and it's brought us to Fishport. Seems that trouble is brewing, and the violence is only getting more out of hand. I don't know if you have heard, but a young man and an old lady were lynched by the Vigilant Clergy last night. We've been employed by the higher-ups to see what's going on, and it turns out there is a lot more to this than we thought. We need to follow our leads and see where they take us. If you had the time, friend, we would value your help immensely. I know you would be well-rewarded for your aid, trust me."
Turning to address the rest of the group, Kithr ticks off options one by one on his fingers, brainstorming how to proceed.
"A thief lord named Ronso, an everyman named Golart, a well-dressed halfling, and a Vigilant man's kin. There are certainly many options to pursue. I suppose we should leave no door unchecked. There are two here, and two elsewhere. If we split up, we can speak to the halfling and the bar-goer directly - take care of both routes in one go. Then, we can move on to Golart, and Ronso, too. A two-pronged approach, like something out of a military text. What say you all?"
You don't have to accept Kithr's proposal, but for all intents and purposes, it is a direct route to obtaining information. You still have plenty of time left in the day before you need to report to the Sadrani. Also, this is as much a roll-call as it is a decision-making process. I am curious about jacque's status, so I need to look into that.
"I don't like X, they should remove it." "I like X, they should keep it." "They should replace X with Y." "Anybody that likes X is dumb. Y is better." "Why don't they include both X and Y." "Yeah, everybody can be happy then!" "But I don't like X, they should remove it." "X really needs to be replaced with Y." "But they can include both X and Y." "But I don't like X, they need to remove it." "Remove X, I don't like it."
Until you've had an in-law tell you your choice of game was stupid, and just Warcraft on paper, and dumbed down for dumber players who can't handle a real RPG, you haven't lived.
Lady and gentlemen.... I present to you the Edition War without Contrition, the War of the Web, the Mighty Match-up!
We're using standard edition war rules. No posts of substance. Do not read the other person's posts with comprehension. Make frequent comparison to video games, MMOs, and CCGs. Use the words "fallacy" and "straw man", incorrectly and often. Passive aggressiveness gets you extra points and asking misleading and inflammatory questions is mandatory. If you're getting tired, just declare victory and leave the thread. Wait for the buzzer... and....
One, two, three, four, I declare Edition War Five, six, seven eight, I use the web to
D&D should not return to the days of blindfolding the DM and players. No tips on encounter power? No mention of expected party roles? No true meaning of level due to different level charts or tiered classes? Please, let's not sacrifice clear, helpful rules guidelines in favour of catering to the delicate sensibilities of the few who have problems with the ascetics of anything other than what they are familiar with.
Just a quick note on the MMORPG as an insult comparison...
MMORPGs, raking in money by the dumptruck full. Many options, tons of fans across many audiences, massive resources allocated to development.
TTRPGs, dying product. Squeaking out an existence that relys on low cost. Fans fit primarily into a few small demographics. R&D budgets small, often rushed to market and patched after deployment.
You're not really making much of an argument when you compare something to a MMORPG and assume people think that means bad. Lets face it, they make the money, have the audience and the budget. We here on this board are fans of TTRPGs but lets not try to pretend none of us play MMORPGs.
Something like Tactical Shift is more magical than martial healing.
Telling someone to move over a few feet is magical now? :|
I weep for this generation.
Given the laziness and morbid obsesity amongst D&Ders, being able to convince someone to get on their feet, do some heavy exercise, and use their words to make them be healthier must seem magical.
Bharhas, Level 3 Human, Warlord | Sorcerer Human Power Selection Option: Bonus At-Will power Languages: Common, Elven Theme: Gladiator
CURRENT STATUS: Phase of the Sun: *At the start of your turn, each enemy adjacent to you takes fire and radiant damage equal to your Strength modifier. *You also gain resist 5 cold.
VITALS AC: 18 Fort: 18 Ref: 15 Will: 17 HP: 40/40
Surges: 6/6 Surge Value: 10
Initiative: +1 Speed: 6
CURRENT ABILITY SCORES STR 18, CON 10, DEX 11, INT 10, WIS 8, CHA 17
"I'll defer to those in the know, but it sounds like the best option to me. I'd best be suited to watching over the Vigilant's kin over there, and with whichever group goes to visit the thief lord, just in case a strong arm is needed as counterpoint."
Achile was taken back by Kithr's words for a moment. It was almost like someone had snapped their fingers directly in front of his face. The sense of unease that he had been feeling seemed to abate slightly as he begant o feel like the path he needed to follow was being set before him.
"Word 'o' them 'angins 'ad come ta mi ears'." he said as he seemed to lose the sense of mirth he displayed . "I been thinkin' dem be but rumors 'em people like ta spread. But if ya tellin' me dey be true den you an yours can count me among ya group."
As he spoke Achile's left hand moved up to rub his thumb across the face of holy symbol hanging around his next.
"I ain' ben der to 'ear dat what ya been 'earin' but ya can claim mi blade as yer own. 'At path ya choose be da one I'll walk. Just know I ain't one fer them thievin' and sneakin' ways. Bit more 'o' da direct 'pproach fer mi."
Simply saying the words that joined him to this group began to stir a fire in his chest. Achile could already feel a sense of wanting from the sword strapped across his back. It wanted to find the throats of those commiting such horrific crimes as he did.
Scarblade Bastard Sword 1d20+18 vs AC. 1d10+8 Damage Hungry Spear Greatspear+3 1d20+19 vs AC. 1d10+9 +2d8 to damage in Bersker Fury.
Ranged Basic Attack: Hungry Spear Greatspear+3 1d20+19 vs AC Damage: 1d10+9
Jarring Smash: MBA + target grants CA until end of my next turn.
Run Down: MBA + target is slowed until end of my next turn.
Defender Aura: Aura 1. Enemery takes -2 to attacks rolls that do not include me or ally with this aura active. Marked enemies not subject
Vengeful Guardian: OA. Enemy subject of defender aura either **** or makes attack that targets an ally without targeting me or ally with active defender aura. MBA+2d8 extra damage.
Badge of The Berserker- The movement of charge attacks does not provoke OA
[] Stone Panoply [X] Savage Cut Used [] Brutal Slam [] Second Wind [X] Nomad's Rush Used [] Earthforger's Passage [X] Furious Assault Used [] A Thousand Ways to Die [] Curtain of Steel [] Hungry Spear Encounter Power
Encounter: Roots of Stone [] Rough Strike [] Mountain Hammer [] Form of Winter’s Herald attack [] Goring Charge[x] Mark of Thunder [] Elven Battle Hide Armor [] Boots of Free Movement []
Daily: Form of Winter’s Herald [] Boiling Cloud: [x] Boiling Cloud Attack: [] Endure Pain [] Treacherous Ice []
Erias is pleased to welcome another of the faithful to their cause. "Glad to know you, Achile. If Tsubasa and Kithr vouch for you, then you must be a good friend to have. I would like to speak with the halfling - my knowledge is more of church and duty than the back alleys of Espir. You're right Rolen, we must be careful, though I too would prefer the direct approach, Achile." He lowers his voice and looks around him, "The Vigilant Clergy have established themselves with righteous authority, however false. If we bring violence to them without cause, we will play the part of more Xavian agents when they mete out their so-called justice."
"Rolen, if you'll direct me, I'll go speak to the halfling. Lusi, you'll find the Vigilant's kinsman and convince him to talk. Tsubasa, Achile, I expect Lusi will need your help. Missine? Has anyone seen her? Perhaps she's already at work in one of her disguises."
