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 Once again I am reminded of the accursed storybook which I so loathe. Once again I recall its disgusting pages, always turning, never ending, never ceasing, and yet I must always be a part of it. Once again I curse and I spurn whichever god imposed this fate upon me for he is unnaturally cruel. Once again I long for the day I may mete out its destruction. Once again, I am eternal. -=- Prologue: The Never Ceasing Pages The main hall of the League of Examination is a far cry from the staunch, stuffy waiting room you're used to. An absolutely enormous hallway that even a Giant would have trouble filling out. A glass ceiling filters in natural light from far, far above. The hall stretches back beyond what the eye can see, a seemingly endless hall of golden statues and other opulent decoration. The only feature inside this main hall is a single desk right in front of the entrance. Sitting at the desk is an absolute stone golem of a man, the silhouette of a rectangle. A tight-fitting set of cotton clothing threatens to rip off of this man at any moment. He calmly rifles through his papers, pausing occasionally to stare at one longer than that last. Every now and then, he places a small pair of reading glasses onto his face, which don't even cover either of his eyes. You recognize him as the one who gave you your assignment just yesterday. Unfortunately, you've still received little to no additional information. As you entered the hall, the man calmly informed you, in a voice possibly made of pure rock, "Daegen Braunt will arrive shortly to escort you to the Heavenspillar. You will wait here until that time." It's a little past noon, and he hasn't shown up yet... pretty typical for a Confluence higher-up. It would seem there is little to do other than wait. Perhaps you should get to know your fellow adventurers before Daegen arrives. After all, they might very well be the last friends you ever have. -=- THE PLAYERS  - Caroline Osraige, the Scorned Knight, played by Doomykins - Contessa von Tessa, the Daring Vidame, played by A Bug - Darva Renning, the Dancing Blade, played by Superstring - Golden Harrier, the Household Goddess, played by Really Pants - Koraslev, the Relentless Flame, played by KuriegOOC thread Poultron fucked around with this message at 17:53 on Mar 5, 2015 |
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Mar 4, 2015 19:00
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Caroline Early to bed and earlier to rise the sole daughter of House Osraige was swiftly on the move at precisely 6 AM. An hour's meditation, maintenance of arms and armor and a rehearsal of base cantrips took place before breakfast. Standing before a watched pot Caroline prepared a meal of simple oats and after checking over her shoulder three times, added an overly generous portion of cinnamon to it. Discipline was everything but an indulgence was due reward for the incredible turn of good fortune she had just had. Pausing to reflect on her gratitude to Beanna and the Confluence she held a silent prayer before digging in. Once breakfast was over she completed the rest of her morning duties. She penned a letter to Mother and Father, another to a cousin and finally one to a fairly chosen charity, donating 50 gold sovereigns to a halfway house for those trying to sober up and return to work. She exchanged chipper greetings with the manor staff as they rose long after she had and confronted the head of the house and her personal butler and Confluence-approved Parole Officer. Dressed in full military regalia she thrust a sealed envelope towards him with ceremonial pomp and rigid stance, staring up straight into the older man's eyes. "My last will and testament. I have your assurance that if my body is recovered it will be burned, yes. Goodbye, Lionel." Departing under the usual cold silence that filled the manor, she could scarcely contain her glee as she marched promptly to the halls of the League. --- Arriving very intentionally at a quarter till noon, Miss Caroline wears the carefully treated brown-black leathers of a military officer, polished and treated to look as though it just arrived straight from the craftsman's table. The tassles of yellow-brown epaulettes bounce at her shoulders and the gleaming metal frames of the Confluence and League logos shine in solidarity with the gold statues. She strides up to a respectable distance in front of the desk and salutes the man-mountain, then stands at attention with her hands clasped behind her back. Close enough to be unmistakably there, but also with a few steps available so that she may step forward when called. "Private First Class Caroline Osraige reporting for duty, Sir!" She watches the man work and looks to be inhumanly neutral except for the close-lipped smile. She would have to try to keep all of this mirthful joy under control today. Doomykins fucked around with this message at 19:44 on Mar 4, 2015 |
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Mar 4, 2015 19:38
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Harrier At least the worst was over. Saya had quite naturally been terrified of being dragged to a big strange house, full of strange people who were nice and friendly for no apparent reason. And just as she was starting to acclimate, Harrier had to tell her the rest of it. She had wept, of course, and pleaded with Harrier to stay. For her own part Harrier had done her best to explain that the school would keep Saya safe as well as she ever could, and would do so much more for her besides, and if they stayed together it would only be on the horrible streets and she deserved so much better, and of course she still loved her and always would, don't even jest about such things...she remained unsure if Saya had believed any of it. In the end, Harrier had finished her farewell with some hastily-chosen koans she hoped would be good advice for a young girl, and watched as the headmistress gently led her friend away, too defeated to struggle. It shouldn't have been so sudden. She should have let Saya have two weeks at the school at the very least, get used a bit to meeting new people and doing new things on her own. Meanwhile she could have just quietly watched from a distance, mapped the place out, ensured the staff were trustworthy, identified potential problems and resolved them. Had she done anything right? For some reason Harrier couldn't sleep last night; instead she flew over the streets around Saya's old shanty, breaking up fights and subduing muggers, dropping in on some of the gang leaders she had fought just to wish them well, and also perhaps leave just the gentlest reminder that she was always watching, no matter what. It wasn't just Saya who had needed her. What would happen outside the walls now? It had always seemed like nobody else cared. But the decision is made. It is hopeless now to fret about the right of it. Harrier has her destination, and the only way out is through. In a small way, it is comforting. "Golden Harrier, reporting for duty." Hwurmp fucked around with this message at 20:39 on Mar 4, 2015 |
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Mar 4, 2015 20:21
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Koraslev The silence of the grand hall is interrupted by a commotion from the hallway. "It's not my fault! You have tiny doors! If you didn't want me to burn them then you shouldn't have made them out of wood! Everything you fleshy people make is too small! Too soft!" There's a slight pause as whoever he's talking to responds, probably in a quieter, more respectful tone. "Duck!? DO I LOOK LIKE FOOD BIRD TO YOU!?" There's a roar of disgust before an absolutely massive dragonborn is silohuetted in the stone doorframe, and after a few attempts to headbutt his way through the riser, he eventually sighs, dissolves into a puddle of flame, and reassembles himself on the other side. "This door too small too Gnome man! I made your carpet better, it's on fire now." It is around this point that he notices the rest of the people gathered in the entryway. "Bah, they make Koraslev team with more small squishies. Are you even fireproof? There may be problems."
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Mar 4, 2015 21:28
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Harrier "Ah. Our point man has arrived."
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Mar 4, 2015 21:34
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The giant man at the desk looks up as Koraslev enters, taking off his glasses briefly and letting out a sigh to shake the earth itself. "I will have to request that you put out your own fires before Daegen Braunt arrives, dragon, or there will be an issue," he says, in a dead serious tone. He places the pair of glasses gingerly on the desk, reaching down to open a drawer. This action rattles the entire desk, carefully laid papers shuffling about, his glasses nearly falling off the side. "Golden Harrier. In the morning, a letter arrived for you. Since you are so small, and are not in possession of a reading aid, I will read aloud the letter to you." He carefully extracts an unassuming envelope from the desk, closing the drawer very, very slowly. He grabs a letter opener from the desk and, very carefully, opens and unfolds the letter. He replaces his glasses and begins to read out loud. A small glinting object drops from the letter and clatters onto the desk, which the large man ignores. "Harrier, "Last night I was so scared. I was certain that I would never see you again. But the lovely people here calmed me down a little bit, and I think I'll be okay. They said that I should try writing a letter to you, that maybe it would calm my nerves. I don't know about that, I've always been pretty bad at writing letters, right? "I don't really even know what to say. I'm mostly just writing this because they told me to. The only thing I could think of was to give you that ring... you know, the really pretty one you said you bought all those years ago. I still don't know how you afforded it, but I always felt like I didn't deserve it. One of the mages said they would enchant it so that it would protect you. I'm pretty sure he was just trying to make me feel better, though. "Sorry I can't think of anything better to say. I miss you a lot already. Please, make sure you stay safe wherever it is you're going. I'll be waiting for you when you come back! They said you're allowed to visit whenever you want, which is nice. "So... yeah. I guess don't think of it as goodbye. Maybe I'm just taking a vacation! "With love, Saya. "This concludes the letter. It is a letter from Saya who wishes to express that you should not die at the Heavenspillar. That sounds important, so I advise you do not do that. In addition, there was an extra item inside. I will assume that it belongs to you. I will damage it if I touch it, so please pick it up yourself." The massive brick of a man places the letter next to the object, which turns out to be a simple brass ring, one that ought to fit quite snugly on the wrist of a pixie. The boulder of a man begins to re-organize his papers after his mishap.
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Mar 4, 2015 21:45
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Harrier In light of this news, all marauding dragons are instantly forgotten. Harrier tries not to stoop upon the precious message and ring too greedily. "I am lettered, sir, but thank you. Truly." She bows to the large man. "Might I trouble you for a pen and ink, and a parchment? I...do not know if we will have means to send messages, once we depart."
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Mar 4, 2015 21:53
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Caroline Turning her head curtly and glaring at the object of her ire, Caroline speaks quickly with curt authority. "Harrier, you should not begin a mission unprepared. Where is your reading aid?" As the smell of burning and sound of disorder approaches her focus wavers for a second. With an about face Caroline stares down Koraslev from across the hall! "CITIZEN! DISRESPECT FOR THE CONFLUENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!" She inhales and holds perfect poise, waiting for immediate compliance.
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Mar 4, 2015 21:54
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Koraslev The Dragonborn snarls angrily as he smothers the small bits of flame with his meaty claw of a foot. "Pfft, fire builds character. And what do you mean by point man? I'm am fire! Not point! Be lucky you are too small to cook."
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Mar 4, 2015 21:55
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The brass ring is dulled and worn, and seems like it might come apart at any time. Nevertheless, it is indeed the same memento Saya mentioned in her letter. You're not able to tell whether or not there's actually an enchantment on the item, though it probably couldn't hurt to have it checked before you depart. The towering man motions lightly to a pile of parchment and a free inkpot and quill on the side of the desk. "You will use this. I will ensure your letter is delivered." "Caroline Osraige." The gravelly man seems a bit annoyed. "Your authority is not necessary here. I will take care of any disturbances. You will wait patiently..." he pauses, tightening his grip as he glowers at Koraslev. "...and quietly for Daegen Braunt to arrive."
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Mar 4, 2015 22:01
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Koraslev Koraslev angrily storms over to the nearest chair that looks like it can hold his bulk and flops down, muttering under his breath. "Quiet. Sure, Quiet. Silly Confluence, everything quiet, nothing fun. No fighting, no fire, all stone and silence and stupid." After a while he withdraws a large wicked looking dagger from his belt and starts rolling it across his fingers and tossing it from hand to hand to pass the time.
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Mar 4, 2015 22:06
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Harrier Harrier holds the ring up to the light. It is Saya's, all right: an anchor to the world she knows...a reminder of what she is fighting for. It is perfect. As she slips it onto her wrist, she can feel the doubts draining away. She quickly sets to work on the letter, wracking her wits for fitting words to throw into the path of her quill. "I am sorry that I must go, but I know you will be very happy there...do your best...respect your elders...always wear clean underthings...remember to..." In the end there is never time enough, nor enough space on the page, but Harrier at least feels there is a fitting farewell in there somewhere. Lastly, the pixie removes a delicate string of prayer beads from her neck, and resizes them to fit a human. She closes the letter with: "Keep these safe for me, and in all that you might do, be as wonderful as I know you to be. Love always, Golden Harrier" Yeah that's totally Harrier's new ki focus. I guess I'll check for magic if we get a chance, but who cares.  I assume the specific contents of the letter aren't *too* important? Despite what it seems, I don't want to hog the thread with sappy mush. Hwurmp fucked around with this message at 22:28 on Mar 4, 2015 |
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Mar 4, 2015 22:23
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Harrier "Perhaps it would help, sir dragon, if you thought of things as...not on fire yet? I have heard it said that all the world will end in fire, a great many eons from now. And there might well be good reasons for things to be...not on fire yet, even if they are not at first clear. After all, things can generally only be set on fire once." Harrier hopes she is not creating a monster.
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Mar 4, 2015 23:33
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Koraslev He snorts at the pixie, blowing her slightly off course by the rush of expanding hot air. "Everything doesn't have to be on fire, just the stuff that pisses me off. Like tiny doors, turkeys, people who don't like fire."
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Mar 4, 2015 23:50
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Harrier "May I ask, what of the people who simply dislike being on fire? I see little harm in them."
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Mar 5, 2015 00:09
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Koraslev The dragonborn stops what he's doing and gives the pixie a glare that speaks more than his limited vocabulary ever could. "If you live on volcano and the lava comes. Do you poke it and ask it not to kill you, or do you move?"
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Mar 5, 2015 00:24
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Contessa -click clack click clack- The sound of heeled boots clicked rhythmically on the hard floor of the hall as she made her way closer. What a wonderful day! Sun shining, pleasant weather, and a prestigious mission. Surely this was the right sort of auspice for her adventure. Contessa made her way into the grand hall, beaming a cheery smile. "Deepest apologies, I must have overslept a tad, and my valet though I deserved a little extra on today of all days." she says as she moves towards the group, walking more like she was at a party than a serious meeting before a potentially hazardous outing. Still, she was at least armed and armored; dressed in a gleaming overcoat of shimmering finely-wrought mail and a thin rapier worn on her hip. She takes a quick look around, noting the absence of Darva and Daegen. "Hmph, how am I supposed to be fashionably late when others are doing it as well? Had I known I would've taken a third cup of tea at breakfast." A Bug fucked around with this message at 00:37 on Mar 5, 2015 |
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Mar 5, 2015 00:35
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Harrier "Ideally, I would divert its flow into constructive channels. A volcano with self-control would be a force to be reckoned with." "It is well to sleep in a safe place while you can, miss. I suspect the tower is not very luxurious." Hwurmp fucked around with this message at 00:55 on Mar 5, 2015 |
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Mar 5, 2015 00:49
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Koraslev Koraslev snorts a gout of flame that barely misses singing one of the faerie's wings. "You are not a smart little morsel, all wings and no brains. No ground to stand on, the wind could kill you, the lava definitely would. If this Volcano wants your advice, I will tell you."
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Mar 5, 2015 01:04
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Harrier "As you wish."
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Mar 5, 2015 01:09
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Darva Renning Another set of clicking heeled boots followed Contessa soon enough. Though her’s were a somewhat more practical set of brown riding boots. “Ah, good morning, everyone,” Darva said in a singing voice as she entered the hall. She had a modest (to her) bag of luggage in hand and wore a black fur coat over a white leather jerkin with an exquisite leaf and vine pattern. Tan breeches were tucked into her boots and her hair and makeup were immaculate. The only portion of her ensemble that could be generously called ordinary was the rapier at her side and even that had a pommel polished to a mirror shine. "Dears, dears," she said, addressing the group but especially Harrier and Koraslev. "If we're going to be on this expedition together, we may as well remain civil. We are, after all, in this together." “In any case, I see we’re still waiting for the last member of our party, then?” she asked, all smiles. She added, with a shrug. “Ah, well.” Trying to find something to pass the time, Darva then zeroed in on Contessa. “My dear, I just absolutely adore that outfit!”
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Mar 5, 2015 01:17
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Caroline Caroline salutes man-mountain again! "Sir!" She then permits herself to stand at ease, which means relaxing her stance ever so slightly. Rolling her eyes for Harrier and Koraslev's conversation, she remained quiet. And patient! But she immediately snaps to rigid attention as Contessa and Darva arrive. Sizing them up with a harsh glare she had only one thing to say. "Punctuality is important." Hmph.
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Mar 5, 2015 01:20
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Noon fifteen now, and still no sign of Daegen Braunt. That pillar of a man stands up, banging his legs against the underside of the desk, ruining all of the organizational work he had just performed. He methodically makes his way over to Koraslev, holding out a closed fist, as if to give him something. He then turns it upside down, releasing the object inside. A heavy chunk of molten rock chiselled into the shape of a ring falls onto the floor with a loud thud. "You dropped this item. I retrieved it. You will be more careful next time." The mountain of a man moves to the front door now. A tiny, mousey man shuffles up, cautiously sidestepping the giant and moving towards the pair of beautiful divas. "I, uh, forgive me, ma'ams. But, I have, uh, a delivery, here, for the both of you, I think. I think it has to be you. The others are not so gorgeous." He produces a pair of small, brown jewellery boxes. He hands the one in his right hand to Contessa. "The least expensive one, uh, goes to, uh, the least expensive looking one, I think. It is, uh, a silver ring, I think, uh, commissioned by, uh, your father, I believe. I did not make it," he pauses. "I think." He quickly hands off the second box to Darva. "And, uh, a much more, uh, unassuming ring, uh, for the uh, loveliest..." He trails off, turning deep red. "Also commissioned by, uh, your father. No relation, uh, I think. Please enjoy them. I will go now, I think." He shuffles out of the room as quickly as he came, leaving no room for reply. The rock of a man simply lets him pass by, folding his arms and standing to the side of the doorway. "Alright, alright, let's get this started already, I have important appointments to keep you know. Where the hell is Boralin? Oh, right here, of course. Good work Boralin, you kept them mostly in line." You hear a voice coming from outside as someone enters the grand hall. He shoves past the mousey man, standing at about chest height next to the beef slab of a man. Judging by appearance, it can be none other than Daegen Braunt himself.  Daegen Braunt is in something of a position of power within the Confluence, though it's hard to say exactly what kind. Some say he's the head of the League of Examination, others say he's on the Magus Council itself. Whatever the case, he certainly seems important, and this is the man you've been told you're answering to. "Right, which one's the Osraige? Scummy little thing. Oh, there you are. Must be, you're so cold I get chills just looking at you. I've got a present for you. Catch." He reaches into his pocket, producing a light blue ring with a single sapphire gem on the band. He tosses it casually to Caroline. "The artifact you discovered came back. Not of much use to the Confluence so you can have it Oh, and, uh..." He reaches back into his pocket, pulling out a crumpled and torn scroll and tossing that to her as well. "I'm promoting you to Corporal, I guess. I don't remember doing that but I guess that's what happens when you spend all night drinking. "Anyway, it's time to get this show on the road. The Confluence is sending all of you to the mighty Heavenspillar, yadda yadda, give us any information you can, blah blah. Look, even I don't know all the details, but this comes from the top. I'm talking the top of the top. So just get it over with, alright? And hey, maybe don't die like a bunch of idiots this time, maybe? Just a thought. "This all of them, Bolain?" The towering man nods. "Really? That's all you could get me?" He nods again. "Raven Queen having a bad day, I guess. Oh well, they'll have to do. Osraige!" He points dramatically at Caroline. "On account of your recent successful expedition that didn't have a single death, you're being promoted to Corporal. Did I say that already? Anyway, that means you're the leader of this little expedition. Make sure these guys don't steal any good treasure or anything. I don't expect a lot out of an Osraige but try not to screw this one up, alright?" Daegen leans in to Boralin. "How long have I been talking for?" Boralin whispers a reply back. Daegen gasps. "drat, I'm going to make myself late. I was going to escort you out to the Heavenspillar myself, but I've got to run, so Boralin here is going to do it. I'd say I'm sorry, but I'd be lying." With that, he pivots on his heel, sticking his hands into the pockets of his robes and striding back out of the hall. Boralin lets out a tremendous sigh, unfolding his arms. "You will gather your things. We will talk while we walk. It is not a long journey from here, but we will likely not arrive until nightfall. If you have questions, you will ask them to me. If you have concerns, I do not care. You are ready, and so we will go." He turns to leave the grand hall, turning left and heading down the street at a shockingly brisk pace. You better follow him! Poultron fucked around with this message at 22:21 on Mar 30, 2015 |
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Mar 5, 2015 01:54
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Harrier Two pampered socialites, a pariah, and an unrestrained pyromaniac. And a freak of nature, she reminded herself. This was looking more and more like a suicide mission. But she had a promise to keep, no matter the obstacles. "What is known of the Heavenspillar, sir Bolain?"
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Mar 5, 2015 02:00
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Contessa Contessa couldn't help but chuckle at Caroline's comment, hand resting on her hip and letting her eyes run up and down her; no doubt appraising and judging. Yet the smile never faded even as her tardiness was commented on. "Oh of course it is. But it does have its drawbacks like subjecting one to hearing rather irritating squabbles, doesn't it?" she says, stealing a quick glance at Harrier and Koraslev. "In general I mean, not you two dears. You two bicker like you're married already, though I hope that isn't the case." before just the faintest hint of a shudder crosses her shoulders. The mental image of a pixie and a dragonborn actually together... yikes She regarded the new arrival curiously, though the fact he was bearing gifts certainly didn't hurt her opinion of him. "My my, isn't that sweet?" she says as her fingers brush along the jewelry box, then opens it up. She holds the ring up to the light, and the feeling of happiness and excitement coming off her was almost palpable if not infectious. She looks around at hew new companions as she slips the ring onto a finger on her left hand, taking a brief moment to see how it looked. "Ohh isn't this exciting? We should use some of the treasure when we return to commission a matching set." after all, that's what adventurer's did, right? "Well, we can maybe design yours to be a bit more masculine, but jewels are definitely in vogue to celebrate with for the rest of us. The other option is matching fraternal tattoos, and I can't say I'm exactly keen on that idea." she says, but when she made the comment about a more masculine ring she was looking from Caroline to Koraslev. Which one was she actually making that comment towards? ------ A Bug fucked around with this message at 02:30 on Mar 5, 2015 |
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Mar 5, 2015 02:20
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Caroline Weathering the usual storm of insults, Caroline snaps to attention and salutes briskly when Daegen arrives. She is ready for the time-honored tradition of Bestowing a superior uses and catches the ring and accepts the scroll, clutching them close to her heart. She quickly passes both items into one hand so that she may salute again as he finishes the briefing! "Sir! The Confluence will know of the Heavenspillar when we return, Sir! Thank you for this opportunity, Sir!" As he departs she makes drat well sure that he has departed the room before carefully unstrapping and removing a glove, slipping the ring on after a quick handkerchief polish and after restoring the glove... clasping both palms to her cheeks, turning red-faced and starry-eyed. "Promotion!?" Shaking her head to regain focus she immediately banishes her frail emotions and whirls about to the others, saluting! "As acting officer, I will do all in my power to guarantee the success of this mission! Serve with honor and I assure you that you will survive it as well!" She falls to at ease and sets one fist on her hips, twirling the other hand out in a confident introduction. "Corporal Caroline Osraige. I will lead with the authority of the Confluence and all that entails. A pleasure to meet you all." Without even waiting for replies she about-faces and marches off after Bolain.
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Mar 5, 2015 02:26
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Koraslev Koraslev blinks as he turns the heavy metal ring over in his hand. "I not drop this, I would remember this. But I will take it sure." He slips it over his finger right then and there, though if he hears Contessa's comment, she can't be sure if he understood it. "Same questions. What we killing. How many. And how much I get paid?"
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Mar 5, 2015 02:57
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Darva Renning Darva takes her ring with a polite bow. "Oh father dear, wherever is your head at?" She muses to herself. "You really should be more concerned with the house's affairs now that I'm not around to watch over you." Still, she is touched by the display of concern and she puts the ring on. Darva then watches with wry amusement at the overly professional conduct of Caroline. As the apparent "leader" of the group marches off, she gives a simple shrug. She turns to the others of the group and begins to say, "Be a dear and..." She cuts herself off when she realizes she is looking at Koraslev and was about to suggest he carry her luggage. Her eyes quickly dart across the rest of the group, trying to find one that would be suitable to play the role of valet. Her searching gaze stops at Harrier. And, she can't help but break her facade with a small, and disappointed, pout. "Well, I suppose we'll be 'roughing it' after all," she thinks to herself and grabs her luggage. She then follows Caroline. "Onwards!"
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Mar 5, 2015 03:13
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Boralin plods along at a pace completely unfitting of his frame. Most of you struggle to keep up with him. "You will not necessarily be killing anything. You will be paid upon your return from the Heavenspillar. Your only objective is to gather information. That is what the League of Examination does. You were told this upon your induction." Out of the city gates now. The guards stand at attention as Boralin passes by. They look confused at your motley crew. They say nothing. Boralin speaks once again. "I know more about the Heavenspillar than I am allowed to say. We have sent two exploratory teams. Neither has returned. One was sent a month ago. The other, two weeks. We have declared them dead. If you find them, fine. If you do not, also fine. They are of no concern to us." Out into the sprawling fields outside Draiochtia. A cool breeze wafts over your party. The smell of a dozen varieties of flowers. The sounds of birds overhead. Boralin speaks once again. "I will tell you this. The Heavenspillar should not be dangerous. I suspect the other parties are not actually dead, but lost. Lost would not surprise me. But finding them is not your objective. Gathering information is your objective. So that is what you will do." Off the path now. Still in the fields, more like the meadows. A deer skips by your party. Completely uneventful. Just a long trek. It's been a few hours now. Boralin refuses to directly answer questions. But now he speaks once again. "We are approaching it soon. Normally, you cannot see it. A protective ward. But Daegen allowed you to penetrate the veil. Or did you not notice? I am not surprised." Sun is setting now. You must be getting close. Your suspicions are confirmed. Off in the distance, you see a line, extending straight into the sky, just in front of the setting sun. Boralin speaks up once again. "Ahead of us is the Heavenspillar. This is our destination. You will enter it, you will gather information about what is inside. You will report back to the League of Examination. Any valuables inside belong to the Confluence. You have full discretion. Caroline is your leader. When we arrive, I will give you a final opportunity to ask me questions. But no talk now." The Heavenspillar draws closer. The name hardly does it justice. A simple, iron pillar, no bigger than a closet, extending up, up, far up into the heavens, farther than the eye could ever hope to see. At the base, at the very very bottom, a pair of massive, ornate doors, closed for now. The setting sun illuminates the pillar as though it had been a spear driven into the ground by the Raven Queen herself.  You're here now. The sun casts a pale orange glow across the sky. The wind has grown colder now. The sound of the birds has been replaced by a low, gentle humming, emanating from the inside of the Heavenspillar. Boralin stands in front of the doorway, arms crossed as you catch up to him. He won't allow you to pass, not yet. Once again, Boralin speaks. "We have arrived. I trust you understand your mission. Gather information, that is all. If you must fight, then you may fight. All findings are the property of the Confluence. Ask me your final questions, and then you may depart at your leisure. I will open the gates for you." Poultron fucked around with this message at 01:13 on Mar 6, 2015 |
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Mar 5, 2015 03:55
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Caroline If Caroline is even aware of what the others play at when they test her with social barbs, it doesn't show. Uncaring or oblivious, though she looks a bit too clean to be just a bumpkin. House Osraige was a player in noble politics... eight years ago. They dropped off the radar quickly and quietly. Which is what Caroline is as she makes every effort to match Boralin's pace and has the training to do it. Stick thin, all lean muscle. At her height it suggests the perfect scout's build. She wears a clear smile with teeth and everything the entire trip. Seeing the deer fills her heart with warmth. Life truly is worth living if she can become a Corporal this quickly. Arriving at the Pillar fills her with nothing more than grim determination and shifts her from reckless grinning back to stoic authority. YES. This was it. Her real test. She nods to Boralin and takes in all he has to say. "Exploration with autonomy. I will return with glory for the Confluence, Sir." She stands at attention and looks him eye to eye, which involves looking nearly straight up. "Sir, how will we recognize the other two groups if we encounter them? Confluence, Mercenary? A company name will suffice." Once she receives her answers and she has time to salute Boralin again she whirls about on her heel and faces the others, slamming her heels together with a dramatic clack. She folds her arms at her chest and looks each of the freelancers eye to eye, nodding once she has held their gaze for a few seconds. "As your commanding officer, I expect you to conduct yourselves appropriately. A mission of exploration, a possibility of diplomacy. You will represent the Confluence in some small way and I will represent them directly. Defiance of standards of civility and decency will be remembered when we return." Breaking her pose to unlock something from her belt she raises an elegant platinum-framed sheath and holds it at eye level with one hand. That 5'4" eye level of a girl wearing an unarmored uniform. "But in return for your loyalty I will offer you my own. I will protect you from any dangers that exist beyond the Heavenspillar."
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Mar 5, 2015 04:15
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Boralin snorts. "The first party did not name themselves. A disparate band like yourself. A shieldbearer. A calligrapher. A monk. All animal people. The first, a raccoon. The second, a feline. The third, an ape. They should be easy to spot. The second party called themselves The Fools Errant. A band of humans. A berserker. A cleric. Two rangers. A wizard. The sort of party you hear about in legends. Volunteered for the expedition. Figured they would fare better. Evidently not. Both parties under the employ of the League of Examination. They will recognize Confluence authority. I suspect you are unlikely to meet them."
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Mar 5, 2015 04:25
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Contessa Contessa followed along, maintaining pace despite her choice in footwear. She smiled as well, particularly at the sight of the passing deer. She looks up at the Heavenspillar and grins wide. "Oohh my, this is the absolutely perfect subject for an adventure. We should've brought along an artist to make a sketch of this all. Though I suppose we can return after our mission is successful; I should like a portrait of myself before it for the gallery." she says, though quiets down when Caroline turns to face and address them. She listens to their appointed leader, yet there was no change in her expression as the slightly-taller woman looks down upon her. Once finished, Contessa draws her rapier quickly from her scabbard. She holds it in front of her face, the flat towards Caroline before lowering it down in a crisp salute. It was a clean salute, yet it lacked that telltale military snap to it. "Come off it darling, I've seen bigger smiles at a wake. This is our chance to be heroes, no need to be so grim." she states primly before sheathing her blade. Still, the part about Boralin knowing more intrigued her. She walks closer to the man, flashing her best winning smile. "You mentioned knowing more than you are allowed to say... perhaps you could enlighten us? After all, either we don't make it back and none's the wiser... a completely ludicrous impossibility we should fail though; or we return with information. And when we do return, who's to say we didn't just discover those revelations on our own?" Bluff for info: 19
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Mar 5, 2015 17:30
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Koraslev "I don't understand how you keep getting word wrong. It's Extermination. It means killing. Why you bring me along if all we do is watch? Koraslev is good at two things." He indicates this by holding up four fingers. "Being big, and being fire. In case you not notice, fire is not sneaky."
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Mar 5, 2015 17:48
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Harrier "What sorts of knowledge would be worthy to report? In what way shall we report it, and how often?"
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Mar 6, 2015 00:07
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Boralin just shakes his head, letting out a sigh that seems to last for an eternity. "Your tricks do not work on me. You will succeed, or you will fail. The information I could give you would be of no use to you. It is not my job to tell you how to do yours. You have been trained by the League of Examination. You will report any and all information. Must I explain? "People. Land. Culture. Creatures. Artifacts. Places. Sights. Sounds. Smells. Anything that is of interest. If you are truly so dense, think another way. You are going to a new land. Document it. If there is even a land to document. Perhaps you will simply die upon entering the Heavenspillar. If you do not, document it. "You will have two weeks. Like the previous parties. After that, you should return here. If you cannot, then we will presume you are dead. I do not care how you report it. Send a pigeon. Send the large, stupid dragon. I do not care." The sun at last begins to creep underneath the horizon. Almost night time now. You really should be going. "You will go now. I am tired of waiting here." Boralin slowly, agonizingly, turns around, facing the massive ornate doors of the Heavenspillar. He grabs the handles, wrenching them back, and allowing the Heavenspillar to open. A rush of wind. A demon's screech. A brilliant white light. The smell of the desert. A curious feeling of the passage of time. A thick white mist. All of these sensations assault you at once as the Heavenspillar bursts open, aggressing itself onto you. Boralin stands, unfaltering, against the doorway, braced against the tide of air. The sensations die down. All that remains is a brilliant, shining white light, and a thick white fog billowing from the bottom of the Heavenspillar. The dim humming you had heard before has grown in intensity. You can see nothing inside, save for the all-consuming light. You feel as though time is passing more rapidly, though by way of the still-setting sun, you can tell that it is not. Boralin turns to face you once again. "Seek the Eienna. They will be your only comfort." He departs, slowly, ploddingly, like a mountain moving by its own volition. There is no turning back now. A strange compulsion to enter the Heavenspillar washes over you, and without another word, you step inside, one by one. -=-  Once again, they venture forth. Once again, they take a risk. Once again, they will fail. Once again, I will fail. Once again, a new chapter unfolds. Once again, I am eternal. -=- Time passes. An eternity rages on around you, consuming every sense you possess. Time passes. You are powerless to stop it now. Once again, it continues on. Time passes. You see nothing, you hear nothing, you feel nothing. Time passes. You only know that time is passing, time is slipping by you. Time screeches to a halt. What? Already done? This must be your stop. You find yourself in the middle of a dry, dry field. Cracks in the ground give way to massive, gaping maws. Bones are scattered everywhere the eye can see, collapsing into the cavernous underdark below as the land swallows them whole. This certainly doesn't look like any place near Draiochtia, and none of you recognize it directly. A particularly large chasm extends out in front of you. Scattered bones dangle precariously over the edge. There is a peculiar sort of silence hanging in the air as you attempt to get your bearings. But before you can, an ear-wrenching shriek tears through the air from across the chasm. Some of your ears are still ringing, blocking most of the sound, but Harrier and Darva feel compelled to inch closer to the gaping chasm. From out behind a wall, three skeletal soldiers burst forth, rushing forward to jab at you with their spears! Golden Harrier takes 5 damage from one of the beasts, and Darva takes 3 damage. Each of them stands Immobilized (save ends)! Another skeletal soldier sits off to the side, guarding a rickety bridge across the chasm. He either doesn't notice you, or has chosen to stay put for now. A single rock wall blocks your view across the chasm from this angle, though you can say for certain the source of the screech must have come from across it. Caroline (Arcana): Even in your stupor, you realize that something else is afoot. A large summoning circle has been placed beneath the party's feet! You're not sure what's coming through, or who's doing the summoning, but you know it's happening. Everybody's up! Next round is Sunday night!  Skeletal Soldiers: HP 22/22, AC/F/R/W 18/15/16/15 Skeletal Wailer: HP 18/18, AC/F/R/W/ 17/13/15/14
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Mar 6, 2015 03:58
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Harrier Golden Harrier shuts her eyes and takes a deep breath, and the wisps of light that serve her for wings take on a sudden blinding brilliance. Though her foes stand far out of her short reach, the pixie lashes out at the empty air with fist, foot and cane, cracking the skeletons in a dozen places with bursts of force. Harrier's attacker crumbles to pieces, shaking her free from the offending pinion. "Over to you, miss Darva." Please let me know when attacks miss me, for Reed in the Wind/Disciplined Counter. Or would it be best for me to declare "Use Counter on [Jerk X] if he misses with melee" ahead of time? Standard: Five Storms vs Reflex: 3#1d20+7 17 26 20 1d8+6 14 Free: Centered Flurry of Blows. Skeleton in G-5 takes another 8 damage and is out. Save vs. Immobilized: 1d20 11  A good start. pre:Golden Harrier HP: 23/28 AC: 21 Passive Insight: 13 Surges: 7/ 7 (V: 7) For: 15 Passive Perception: 18 Initiative: +6 Ref: 19 Action Points: 1/1 Speed: 4, Fly 6(1) Will: 16 Vision: Low-Light At Will Encounter Daily Fallen Needle [ ] Disciplined Counter [ ] Masterful Spiral Five Storms [ ] Drunken Monkey [ ] Reed in the Wind Flurry of Blows [ ] Pixie Dust [ ] Hero's Armor Fast Hands [ ] Shrink [ ] Second Wind Conditionals/Resists: Ki Focus Expertise: +1 damage to Bloodied enemies Wee Warrior: Can share the space of a larger creature or three other Tiny creatures; -5 to Strength checks for breaking or opening objects Altitude Limit 1: Fall if I end a turn higher than 1 square off the ground; can safely fall a number of squares equal to my fly speed before taking damage or prone Cannot fly while carrying more than 80 lbs. Speak With Beasts: Communicate with natural & fey beasts Hero's Armor: Action Point grants +2 defenses until end of next turn Hwurmp fucked around with this message at 04:23 on Mar 6, 2015 |
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Mar 6, 2015 04:15
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One of the attacks did miss on you - apologies, this is one of those newbie DM things. Feel free to edit your post with an additional action based on this information, no need to make a new one. Minor point Doomy brought up, but you can unzip your weapon as a Free Action, because I think using a Minor for it is stupid, so there 
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Mar 6, 2015 04:25
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I think I'll hold onto the Counter for now.
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Mar 6, 2015 04:28
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Caroline Reattaching her sheath and forcing a small smile, Caroline almost feels as though she could like these two. "I will thoroughly document our findings, Harrier." She gives Koraslev the ol' one eye twitch and glare but eventually lets him off, facing Boralin solemnly and giving him the last salute of the day. And then she is entering the Heavenspillar... --- It was a real shame that the very first thing she would feel upon entering a new world was absolute fury. Without missing a beat she immediately draws her blade and raises it skywards, channeling pure arcane energy! Cascading waves of white-blue light gather and build plates before shrinking and attaching themselves to her sides, swiftly armoring her in arcane energy. She lowers the blade and raises her free hand, a matching scepter topped by an opaque blue-black orb appearing in it. "Vacate this circle! Something is gathering!" With a swift gesture from the orb an arcane brand is cast towards the Skeleton at E4 and he is Marked, a trio of white-blue shades rising from Caroline's shadow and turning to face the rotter, faceless sentinels made of floating plate mail and empty helmet. Between the three they carry simple blue lines of curved light, crisscrossed in the shape of a net. Marching to H10 the little miss brings her blade up and faces down the guard at the bridge. Her eyes are held straight and narrow and a vein in her forehead twitches as she hisses with anger. "I represent the Confluence, know their power!" Stepping forward to thrust Caroline executes a perfect text-book jab, reinforced by the armor along her blade hand doubling in size, a neon-blue runic outline thrusting the blade into the damned dead like a harpoon for 20 Critical Damage! The impact immediately disperses the runic light which fades back into her original magical plate and reinforces it with 10 Temp HP. Another trio of shades erupt at her side with simple spears of hard blue lines, waiting to strike down the fool if it attempts to retreat. Minor: Mark of Ensnarement Skellie E4 Move: H10 Standard: Booming Blade Crit for 20 Damage to Skellie I10! Gain 10 THP Conditionals: Skellie E4 has -2 Attack to any target that isn't me. If Skellie E4 makes an attack that doesn't include me, Teleport him to I9 and Slow Him UEOMNT(Aegis of Ensnarement.) If Skellie I10 moves away from me he takes 1d6+1 Damage(Booming Blade.) pre:Caroline HP: 34/34 (THP: 10/10) AC: 22 Passive Insight: 15 Surges: 9/9 (V: 8) For: 14 Passive Perception: 10 Initiative: +1 Ref: 20 Action Points: 1/1 Speed: 6 Will: 16 Languages: Common, Primordial At Will Encounter Daily Booming Blade [ ] Falcon's Mark [ ] Vanishing Blade Lightning Lure [ ] Buffeting Wave [ ] Host of Shields Sword Burst [ ] Luckblade Aegis of Ensnarement [ ] Channeling Shield Potion of Healing [ ] [ ] [ ] Heavy Blade Expertise: +1 Attack, +2 Defense against OA Watershaper: Elemental Origin, Underwater Breathing, Swim Speed Grasping Ensnarement: When Aegis is triggered, Slow target UEONT(Caroline) Disciple of Stone: Gain 5 THP after using a Healing Surge Rose King's Shield: Gain 5 THP when hitting with Booming Blade. Gain 10 THP if ending turn 2 Squares away from Starting Square. Skills: Arcana/History +11, Diplomacy +9, Athletics/Religion +6, Insight +5, Endurance +4
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Mar 6, 2015 04:40
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Koraslev "HA HA HA! YES! THIS IS WHY YOU NEED A DRAGON! THIS IS WHY YOU BROUGHT ME!" Koraslev rushes forward, inhaling deeply and unleashing a torrent of flame that washes over the skeletons. Move: to D4 Burning Spray on the skeletons, avoiding the other melee folks Burning Spray vs Reflex @ E4 F4: 2#1d20+9 19 21 1d8+10 11 He grumbles a bit and inhales again "THIS! THIS IS WHAT I MEANT!" Minor:Dragon Breath vs Reflex @ same: 2#1d20+7 Though unfortunately he only manages to kill one of them. pre:Koraslev HP: 28/28 AC: 15 Passive Insight: 11 Surges: 6/6 (V: 14) For: 15 Passive Perception: 11 Initiative: +2 Ref: 13 Action Points: 1/1 Speed: 6 Will: 18 Vision: At Will Encounter Daily Burning Spray [ ] Second Wind [ ] Dragonfang Bolt Acid Orb [ ] Hellfire Heart [X] Dragon Breath [ ] Infectious Flame Dagger [ ] Tempest Breath [ ] Spatial Trip Conditionals/Resists: Resist 5 Fire +2 to Reflex when Bloodied +1 to attack rolls while bloodied +2 to AC after bloodied -5 to attack rolls against allies Regain Dragon Breath when taking fire damage. Kurieg fucked around with this message at 05:01 on Mar 6, 2015 |
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Mar 6, 2015 04:49
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