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Playtime! => PbP Games => Play by Post General => Death of an Artist => : Bozwevial January 26, 2009, 08:26:05 PM

: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial January 26, 2009, 08:26:05 PM
Empty spaces - what are we living for
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for...
Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore
The show must go on,
The show must go on
Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stays on...

Queen-Show Must Go On

...For life is quite absurd
And death's the final word
You must always face the curtain with a bow.
Forget about your sin - give the audience a grin
Enjoy it - it's your last chance anyhow...
Eric Idle-Always Look on the Bright Side of Life

The news spread rapidly. "Kaveri Stechpalme is dead?" At the height of his career, there was no one who came close to matching his fame. Even during the Last War, when times were tough, he was still in high demand. After he retired from the business, though, Kaveri kept in touch with the young musicians his career had brought to him, and one night, following a particularly raucous reunion party (rumor has it that troupes of Talenta halflings were performing when a Valenar warband crashed the party, and the ensuing melee lasted until dawn), Kaveri decided to sponsor a particularly promising group.

A rather motley crew, the band spent two years doing a circuit of Eberron, playing for audiences as diverse as the Undying Court (surprisingly good dancers), the druids of the Eldeen Reaches, the barflies at the Dead-Before-Morning, and in one particularly memorable (or not, in the case of some band members who drank a little too much afterwards) concert, several dragons of Argonessen. But all things must come to an end, and the band eventually stopped playing. Rumors about what had happened to Kaveri's band were many, but no one seemed to know the real truth.

Try as he might, Kaveri never found another group to rival them, and he eventually disappeared from the public eye, only turning up recently in the Chronicle's obituary section, where he managed a whole column and a half. In true showman's fashion, Kaveri's will stipulated that the members of the band be asked to play at his funeral.

And so the band is here, enthralling the immense crowd with the old favorites. It's as though they never broke apart--their music is flawless, and there's hardly a dry eye in the crowd (even the warforged are moved enough to put a dab of oil into their eyes) as the final notes die away. The band members look at each other as the crowd begins to migrate in the direction of the massive buffet line and other entertainments Kaveri provided for. It's been several years, but somehow it still seems like yesterday. Old friends who haven't spoken to each other since the Last War ended are finally reunited.

...Three, two, one, let's jam...
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 13, 2009, 03:22:07 AM
[spoiler]
: Boz
motley crew
:lmao [/spoiler]

"Heh, old fucker always knew how to throw a great party." Lemmy says sarcastically before letting loose a loud rasping laugh.


: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 13, 2009, 04:10:37 AM
The little girl in an occassion-appropiate black dress next to Lemmy attempts to imitate his laugh, though with her high-pitched voice she only manages to sound patently ridiculous, and just a little bit creepy. Then, she tugs at the fellow performer's sleeve. "Hey Lemmy, are there sweets at the buh-fay?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 13, 2009, 04:34:18 AM
"Might be, I haven't checked yet. Old Kaveri knew us well enough so he probably remembered you like 'em though." Lemmy replies to the kid, before lighting a cigarette.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 13, 2009, 04:47:24 AM
Lucy looks at the flame Lemmy uses to light his cigarrete with fascination before it goes out. Then she pouts. "But there's like a million people in front of it!" Suddenly, the girl smiles as if she had just had a great idea. Her right hand begins with white-hot fire as she eyes the crowd in front of the buffet.

[spoiler]For the record, I am not planning on killing off NPCs en masse within the first 10 posts. I am hoping someone will stop her and suggest a less violent course of action. :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 13, 2009, 05:57:55 AM
"No need for that kid...

Hey Mickey! Gimme a hand over here will ya?" Lemmy shouts as he signals towards Mickey Dee.

"No problem, Lem." the hairy goblinoid replies as he puts down his drink and moves over to Lemmy and the girl.

The Bugbear then picks up Lucy and sets her on his neck, before he and Lemmy make their way through the crowd and to the front of the buffet, ignoring any strange looks they might get.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 13, 2009, 10:46:13 AM
"Yay!" Lucy clearly enjoys being lifted up and laughs. "You tickle!" As the three pass a couple that seems to be eating some kind of sweet-looking dessert, she gives the older man an adorable smile and, pointing at the treat, asks, "Hey, can I have that?"

[spoiler]Everyone is loli for Etna Lucy. :lol

She takes 10 on a Diplomacy check as a standard action to convince the man to give her the dessert. With a result of 63, chances are he will give it to her and recieve some nasty looks while he's at it.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 13, 2009, 02:25:32 PM
You hear a loud crashing sound accompanied by the sound of breaking glass, and see a rather stupid and clumsy looking fellow standing over a tray of drinks that he's obviously just dropped on the floor. He has a look of horror on his face as he stares at the mess, and begins backing away from it and looking frantically around the room. Then his eyes lock on a rather officious looking man who walks towards him from the crowd. You recognize the newcomer as Felix, your accountant, who manages the crew of the ship and many other things.

Felix looks furious and yells "I told you to be careful you klutz! Do you have any idea how much those Riedran Crystal glasses cost?"

The man standing over the spilled drink tray starts to blather and beg "I'm sorry Mr. Feinstein! I'm so sorry! It wasn't my fault! I..."

But Felix cuts him off "Silence! I've heard more than enough from you!" Felix holds his hand out, and the man is lifted up off the ground, as if a giant had grabbed him by his shirt. The man screams as he is lifted higher and higher off the floor, and Felix begins to smile evilly. Then the screaming abruptly stops as the man falls to the floor with a wet thud.

Felix turns to Lemmy and says "Terribly sorry about that, Sir. I'll get this mess cleaned up at once. Can I get you or the Little Miss anything in particular?"

Before he's even gotten this out of his mouth, you can see other people you vaguely recognize rushing to clean up "the mess" behind him.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 13, 2009, 05:20:28 PM
Lucy cheers as the clumsy servant is crushed against the ground, clapping happily. Placing the plate she just recieved from the man on Mickey's hat, she chews the dessert with something vaguely resembling pensativity before answering Felix's inquiry. "Cream puffs!"

[spoiler]Are there cream puffs in Eberron? >_>[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 13, 2009, 05:25:23 PM
"Of course. Right away, Miss." He says, as he then scurries off to some unseen corner presumably to retrieve the cream puffs.
[spoiler]I think I should have named him Jeeves... [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 13, 2009, 05:33:33 PM
[spoiler]Lucy is so going to take advantage of all of us, isn't she? :P[/spoiler]

Lemmy in the mean time is mingling with the guests, recalling stories from the past, laughing and having a good time with the ladies.

[spoiler]Diplomacy in case it's needed: 26 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2069156/)

Woot, natural 20 :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 13, 2009, 07:29:08 PM
After she finishes her sweets and Lemmy has mingled in with the crowd, Lucy floats off of Mickey Dee's back and disappears into the crowd as well, looking for the pair she recieved the dessert from earlier. When she finds the woman, the girl tugs at her sleeve and whispers something in her ear.

[spoiler]Lucy tells the lady that her friend has touched the former in inappropiate places while the latter wasn't looking. She takes 10 on the pertaining Bluff check for a result of 42. :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 13, 2009, 10:36:32 PM
[spoiler]Quick clarification, Agita--Do you mean Mickey Dee, the woman's friend, Lemmy, or someone else?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 14, 2009, 06:39:13 AM
[spoiler]I think Agita means the man touched Lucy in inappropriate places :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 14, 2009, 07:46:19 AM
[spoiler]Quick clarification, Agita--Do you mean Mickey Dee, the woman's friend, Lemmy, or someone else?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Lucy tells the woman that the woman's friend touched her. (She's lying, in case it's not clear.)
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 14, 2009, 02:41:49 PM
Looking up from his guitar playing to watch the commotion unfold, Alexi gives off a quiet chuckle. He whispers to Lucy when she comes aside: "Eh, Lucy, do n't make too much trouble, we'h here to drink alcohol, not generate medias spectacle. You'r ruin band's image with your 'tortured as child' sobby stories."  Every word he speaks is accented on the first syllable, at times it's hard to determine where one word ends and another begins. "Beside: in metal band, you do n't put up with bullshit liked dat. If dat ever happen, you'g got too'k kill the bastard. Dat's true metal way tos solve you' problems. Now go and kick dat guy's ass, tos show you' got business."

As lucy walks away, Alexi sighs, and says to Micky Dee: "Dey grow up so fast..." He then returns to playing his guitar, and begins sweeping furiously. Perform (1d20+12=21) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2070282/)

[spoiler]Sorry 'bout the godmoding Agita.

No lie that took like 20 minutes to type.

How does the DC of Perform scale? With a result of 5 being, say, playing Smells Like Teen Spirit with the correct timing and rhythm, what is the DC of playing this? (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8725540685439152718)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 14, 2009, 05:38:39 PM
As Lucy whispers into the woman's ear, she looks in horror at Lucy, then at her companion. She slaps her friend, yelling, "You horrible bastard! How dare you do that to a little girl! Our deal is off, I tell you! It's finished!" She storms away, pushing through the crowd angrily. The gentleman, shocked and confused, spares no backwards glance at Lucy but runs off after his companion, trying to calm the irate woman.

[spoiler]Probably 15 if we're going by that scale.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 14, 2009, 05:46:24 PM
Lucy giggles as the woman storms off and her friend after her. When Alexi comments, she turns to him, beaming, and simply says, "I lied." Then, her eyes seem to very briefly shine in a deeper red and her smile turns into a grin. "But I don't mind killing him either."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 14, 2009, 06:46:25 PM
The fussy little man finally comes back, and holds out a silver platter covered with delicate looking pastries towards Lucy. "Your cream puffs, Miss."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 14, 2009, 11:58:38 PM
Alexi looks up at Felix and says: "Hey pencil head: how much are'w we paying you to makes sure I'd' not run out of booze? Because'r right now it is looking like poor investment."  As a waitress comes by to fill his mug, Alexi sighs a sigh of relief. "You're off the hook this time, but I'n need to's stay drunk if I going to keep signing your checks." He drains his mug of beer and goes back to playing furiously.

[spoiler]I realize that I haven't got my Item familiar figured out... I think it'll have to be my guitar. Can my guitar have my greatsword attached to it? So I can slay overzealous fans who get too close onstage?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 15, 2009, 12:07:28 AM
[spoiler]Hmm, that sounds like it would be an odd-shaped greatsword, but sure. Just as an aside, they call them "axes" for a reason. :P [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 15, 2009, 12:11:21 AM
[spoiler]Well it's a greatsword with a 1.8 foot long wooden handle and a blade that's about 2 feet long and 1 and a half feet wide, and it's shaped kind of like an axe.  :P

In game statistics are nothing to get in the way of imagination![/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 15, 2009, 03:01:42 PM
Felix sniffs and says "Shall I bring you a keg with a hose attached to it, then?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 15, 2009, 03:02:38 PM
[spoiler]:lmao[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 15, 2009, 03:21:22 PM
As she eats her cream puffs, Lucy wanders off to look for the entertaining couple again. She finds them arguing off somewhere, the woman screaming at her friend while he has no idea what exactly is up. With a terrifying expression on her face - that nobody sees because she's roughly on eye level with an average gnome - the girl whispers a single word. The word goes unheard in the commotion, but it resonates in the man's head - and in his clothing.

[spoiler]Baleful Utterance targetted on the guy's pants. Yeah, that guy. If the pants break, he will be dazed for 1 round. And, more importantly, deaf for 1 minute.

Let's see how much Lucy can screw this utterly irrelevant, random, nameless NPC over (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BeyondTheImpossible)! :D
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 15, 2009, 07:14:27 PM
"Dey haves them in kegs here? I didn't know dat!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 15, 2009, 07:28:30 PM
"Oh I'm sure I can find you one. If it's drink you want, I'll make sure your mug is never empty."

He turns to some person you don't recognize who is scurrying by with a platter of hor'devours and says "You there, bring me a keg of ale from the ship."

The serving boy quickly hands off his platter to a nearby girl, and says "Yes Sir. Right away Sir." and then rushes off.

Felix then says "Anything else for you Good Master?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 15, 2009, 07:30:27 PM
[spoiler]Who said he was irrelevant and nameless? ;)[/spoiler]

Lucy's single word, though it goes unheard by the crowd, causes them to shiver, but the effects on the man are even more stunning. His trousers, which were (emphasis on this word) made of a fine cloth that seemed to absorb the light, seem to disintegrate. Nearby people begin to laugh, and the woman's face twitches into a leering smile. "So, the wizard you paid to enchant those pants evidently wasn't worth the gold, eh? What else were they supposed to do? You're washed up, and there's no point in talking to me any more. Nothing you can do will convince me to sign the contract now." The man looks entirely confused, partially because he has just recovered from a wave of severe dizziness that just passed over him but also because he has no idea what the woman is saying.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 15, 2009, 07:55:36 PM
[spoiler] :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol[/spoiler]

Alexi explodes in laughter, and drops his guitar pick as he begins slapping his knee. He composes himself and begins searching angrily for his guitar pick in the immediate area around him, only to find it after 2 minutes, sitting on his knee. He picks it back up and goes back to playing very fast.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 15, 2009, 08:02:07 PM
[spoiler]Knowledge: Local from Felix to see who the heck that dude is, and how much ass-kissing he's going to have to do to fix this...

1d20+10=18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2071935/)

If Felix doesn't know, Eddie does:
1d20+15=31 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2071943/)

He might not give much of a crap, though...
Eddie = Metal. Felix = Not. :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 15, 2009, 08:16:04 PM
As he laughs, Alexi can suddenly hear Lucy's playful voice in his head. Alexi, what's a contract? Then, she concentrates on the woman's presence in her mind, attempting to gauge her intelligence. The angry lady has caught her interest.

[spoiler]Using Mindsight to determine the woman's Int score. And while I'm at it, the guy's too.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 16, 2009, 03:22:35 AM
Alexi thinks: "It's when some asshole makes you give them everything that you make in exchange for them not kicking you out of their house."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 16, 2009, 08:48:05 AM
Unsatisfied with Alexi's answer - mostly because she doesn't really understand it - Lucy decides to interrupt Lemmy in his flirting and ask him instead. What's a contract? In the meantime, she wonders if she should disintegrate some other choice bits of the unfortunate man's clothing as well.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 17, 2009, 06:18:34 PM
Phaedrus:
[spoiler]Eddie (but not Felix) knows this much: The man is a contractor for House Cannith who goes by the name of Lynel Schmidt. He's one of their top agents, and usually only deals directly with very important clients. The fact that he was at an important public event with this woman is therefore quite interesting.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 17, 2009, 06:40:37 PM
A voice speaks into the minds of Lemmy and Alexi. "The kid has stepped on some big toes. That guy is a top agent of House Cannith, and was likely trying to seal some kind of high powered deal for them. Want me to convince him and the woman to join us on the ship to try and smooth things over?"

The voice also speaks to Felix, and tells him to return to the ship immediately with "The 8". [spoiler]These are the 8 minions that are normally used in Metaconcerts.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 17, 2009, 09:08:44 PM
"Oh dammit! Lucy mess up big time on this one! We can't let this go down like that, it's bad for business. We need to smooth this shit over if we wanna keep having work."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 17, 2009, 09:18:23 PM
[spoiler]Knowledge:Local to see who the chick is:
Eddie: 1d20+15=28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2074259/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 18, 2009, 12:32:17 AM
Phaedrus: [spoiler]Eddie is able to discern that the woman is a member of one of the most prominent families who inhabit the Skyway, the Harrisons.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 18, 2009, 06:09:29 AM
"Ow bugger...

Sorry girls, I have to take care of some business." Lemmy apologizes to the female groupies swarming around him as he makes his way over to Alexi.

"Mickey, time to leave the buffet table, leave some for the other guests as well, we've got some business to take care of." he says somewhat jokingly as he signals his Bugbear companion.

"And get the kid as well."



"Yes boss." the large Goblinoid replies as he puts down his plate of hors d'oevres [spoiler]I just know I misspelled that :P[/spoiler] and heads towards Lucy.

"Time to go kid, we need to clean up the mess you made." he says as he scoops her up and follows Lemmy and Alexi to the docking tower.

[spoiler]Mickey holds Lucy in his arms as you would do with your own kid, so in a non-hostile way. If Lucy tries to raise hell he'll grapple her though ;)

In case I need a grapple check to keep Lucy in check: Grapple 34 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2074674/)
Woot, natural 20 :)

I'll try to make it look inconspicuous (or at least different from child molestation :P) if I need to grapple: Bluff 15 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2074671/)


Ow, and I cover her mouth if she tries to Bluff her way out :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 18, 2009, 11:35:26 AM
Alexi stands up thanks everyone for having a beer with him after the show, though the keg that he's drinking out of makes "Having a beer with alexi" a synonym for "committing suicide with alcohol poisoning", and indeed a few patrons have gone down that road and been escorted to the hospital.

Then he stumbles out after Micky and Lem.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 18, 2009, 02:06:16 PM
Felix walks up to the man and woman with an old woman following him (a Binder focused on diplomacy). A person in the crowd casts a spell on the woman as she walks by (Guidance of the Avatar from the cleric 5, who is just leaving to go to the Airship). Felix lets the woman do the talking. She tries to smooth things over.

"I am terribly sorry for this embarrassing situation. Lucy is a very naughty child, and that her actions can't be taken seriously. We'll make sure she is punished appropriately, and please can we make this unfortunate situation up to you in any way? Would you like to join us for a more private party on the band's airship?"

[spoiler]Venerable Half-elf Binder 1
Feats: SF: Diplomacy
Skills: 4 ranks Diplomacy
Equipment: MW diplomacy tool

Naberius bound

Diplomacy 25 (10+4ranks+4cha+2race+2circ+3feat)

add +20 from Guidance of the Avatar from the cleric 5, before he goes back to the ship, for a total Diplomacy check of 45.[/spoiler]

While she is talking, Eddie steals the Psionic Endowment and Greater Psionic Endowment feats from a follower on the ship using Feat Leech, and gets ready to dominate the pair. (3 pps)

Using his Thrallherd special ability, he can subtract 5 from the cost of Psionic Dominate, making the base cost 2 power points. He then augments it as follows: 2 (base)+ 2(additional target) +2(1 hr duration) +4 (affects humanoids, animals, fey, giants, magical beasts, monstrous humanoids, aberrations, dragons, elementals, or outsiders). He expends his focus to use Greater Psionic Endowment, making the DC 28 (10+8int+2feat+4power+4augment). (10 pps, if he has to use it)

Assuming the Diplomacy fails, he manifests this using his psicrystal (which is with Felix) as the point of origin. He looks through the Ring Gate to see the targets (or uses Sense Link first, if that won't work).
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 18, 2009, 02:23:21 PM
[spoiler]If you want to you can use my Diplomancer instead for a base of +44 (incl. Naberius for 1-round check), so +64 with Guidance of the Avatar.

Probably not necessary, but I figured I'd mention it :)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 18, 2009, 02:33:01 PM
[spoiler]With a 45 check, I figured either diplomacy would work, or it wouldn't. If it doesn't, Eddie will take more drastic measures... which probably also won't work, if that didn't. :P If it makes a difference, we can say we used yours, if Boz is ok with that.

I hadn't defined a higher level diplomancer among my followers, but I do have a few unassigned 2nd level ones. Making this a Binder1/Marshal1 boosts it up quite a bit. She might be gaining a level after this. :p [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 18, 2009, 05:35:48 PM
The woman smiles. "Oh, the little girl? She did nothing wrong. It was merely the actions of Schmidt here that caused the commotion...I do apologize for any inconvenience we may have caused you, and I'd be delighted to visit your party...I've always enjoyed the band's music." While she is still giving Schmidt a dirty look, she doesn't seem inclined to insist that he stay behind. Schmidt, still slightly dazed from Lucy's Dark Speech, appears to be trying to regain her good graces without speaking.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 18, 2009, 06:26:14 PM
"That's wonderful. Let's all head that way then."

The nice old lady gently takes Mr. Schmidt's arm to guide him unsteadily towards the ship, and gestures at the woman to follow.

"I assure you that it must have been Lucy behind this unfortunate business with Mr. Schmidt's pants. She is always telling lies and doing things to try and get other people in trouble. I know she seems innocent, and deep down she is a good girl, but she does have a perchance for mischief. She just had such a hard childhood."

She prattles on as they walk, expertly mixing lies and truths together into a sympathetic story. Felix looks a bit relieved. He sends messages through the telepathic relay network of psicrystals among Eddie's followers to prepare for a party on board the ship, and be quick about it. He himself hurries on past them to help with the preparations.

Eddie feels a bit dissappointed. He was looking forward to dominating these two and screwing with their memories. He still readies an action to hit them with a Dominate, if either begins to do anything suspicious like flee, cast a spell, etc.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 18, 2009, 06:43:46 PM
Lucy give the old woman an incredulous expression as she talsk to the couple. Hey! I don't get in your way when you're having fun!, she relays telepathically. When the lady keeps on talking anyway, Lucy starts glowering somberly at her, and her voice in the old lady's mind goes from an upset, high-pitched little girl's voice to a menacing monotone. Shut up or burn, old hag. In the presence of the unwitting pair, however, she takes no action to back her mental threat up, simply pouting in Mickey Dee's arms and glaring daggers at the old lady.

[spoiler]Don't worry, I'll see to it that the believer lives. And if not, she can just be replaced within 24, right? :D

Also, I still don't know the Int scores of the two. Remember, Mindsight. [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 18, 2009, 06:47:03 PM
[spoiler]The man's Int score is 17, the woman's is 16.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 18, 2009, 07:25:29 PM
The old lady tries hard to contain her alarm, but is starting to lose her sense of composure. Eddie's psicrystal projects into Lucy's mind:

"Now Lucy, don't hurt poor old Ethel. She's just trying to smooth out the mess you've made. This man and woman you're toying with are people we probably shouldn't piss off too much. Or at least if we piss them off, we need to make sure they're not going to do anything about it later...

Although, if it will get you to settle down and let us adults sort this out, you can kill Ethel later. However I do think she's doing a splendid job, given the pressure she's under. It is a shame to waste her. Ah well, I can have Marcus* convert her later, if I really want to keep her."

[spoiler]Marcus is the cleric 5 who specializes in making undead. At least, that's his name now. :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 21, 2009, 05:48:11 PM
Most of the people are too busy with the party to notice the group leaving. Ethel leads Mr. Schmidt and the woman out the doorway and down several large, ornate halls until they have left the mansion where the funeral was held. Outside, it's only a short walk to the large platform that slides up a strand of light to the parking deck. This platform, held aloft by some sort of artificer's craft, is where the more affluent guests may park their airships, should they be wealthy enough to afford them.

[spoiler]Tell me if you're leaving the party or staying behind. Either one is fine, even if it splits you up--feel free to follow these two or to stay and drink some more.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 21, 2009, 05:55:28 PM
[spoiler]I think I mentioned it before, but Lemmy & Co. are returning to the airship (at least for now) :)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 22, 2009, 05:44:00 PM
"Say Edward, do you have any information on the identity of those two folks? If they're big shots, and they might very well be seeing as this is Kaveri's last gig so to speak, we might want to stay on their good side."

Lemmy tells Eddie mentally as he steps on the boardwalk to the airship.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 22, 2009, 05:48:11 PM
[spoiler]Yeah, go ahead and describe what's going on at the airship.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 22, 2009, 05:49:49 PM
The telepathic reply comes:

"The man is Lynel Schmidt, a top agent contracted by House Cannith who only deals with very important clients. The woman is a member of the prominent Harrison family, well-to-do's that live in the Skyway of Sharn.

I was just thinking how funny it would be to watch them both get  :censored by a minotaur. Of course, I'll wipe their memories afterward, including the business with Lucy."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 22, 2009, 06:52:42 PM
"Edward, mate, don't take this the wrong way, but we might be able to set up a nice business relation here for future sponsoring and some extra incomes to ensure our pensions...

I think it might be better to see if we can work something out with them for now. If that doesn't work I'm fine with whatever you want to do with them, but I figure it's worth a shot. What do you think?"

Lemmy replies mentally to his longtime fellow band member.



@Boz:
[spoiler]What's the age of the Harrison family member, how does she look? We are talking about Lemmy after all :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 22, 2009, 06:56:31 PM
[spoiler]She doesn't look anything more than twenty, twenty-two at the most. As for her looks, she is quite attractive. My guess is that Lemmy would do her. ;)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 22, 2009, 07:11:49 PM
Ah, of course you're right Lemmy. I just get so bored with only having my thralls to torment.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 22, 2009, 07:20:15 PM
[spoiler]Lemmy would do her then, most definitely :P Besides, might help with the business relationship we might be able to set up :)[/spoiler]

"My apologies for the lack of a decent railing for our airship-ramp" Lemmy says to the Harrison-heir as he offers her an arm to hold onto.

"Allow me to escort you onboard, my dear."


[spoiler]Diplomacy to start some 'business relations': 35 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2081488/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 22, 2009, 08:05:39 PM
The woman smiles and takes Lemmy's proffered arm. "Thank you, sir. I'm sure I could manage, but no need to be reckless." Lynel strides up the ramp with no assistance, clearly confident that he might have a chance to finish the deal once again.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 24, 2009, 02:33:12 PM
Lucy tries to wriggle free of Mickey Dee's arms, seemingly intent on screwing the man named Lynel over for good. What he has done to her is unclear, perhaps the girl simply feels like ruining someone's life for good today. When her attempts prove fruitless, she decides to pursue her plans - or rather, impulses - indirectly. Mentally, she speaks to the bugbear holding her. Hey Mickey, can you push him off without anyone noticing?

[spoiler]Back. And almost 1 page of threads with new posts. Yay.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: woodenbandman May 25, 2009, 01:20:17 AM
Alexi looks at the time, and his eyes bug out comically. He scrambles to return to the ship, not at all looking forward to what will inevitably happen when he gets there.

[spoiler]Cue bitch girlfriend, stage left.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 25, 2009, 05:19:11 AM
Mikkey replies telepathically to the little girl in his arms: "Not now Lucy, maybe later if we can't strike up a deal with these people, okay?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 25, 2009, 12:18:21 PM
As Lynel and the heiress step onto the ship's deck, they are clearly impressed, despite their own affluent backgrounds.

"You certainly like to travel in style, Mr. Kilmister. I wonder if I could trouble your crew for something to drink...?" the heiress asks, giving Lemmy a winning smile. Lynel coughs discreetly from behind them.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 25, 2009, 12:26:22 PM
"No trouble at all, my dear." Lemmy answers.

He then calls out "Edward old chap, could you please instruct the crew to prepare the lounging area with some snacks and something to drink for our guests?" and mentally continues "I think there's some profit for us to be made if we can get on these people's good sides..."

He then escorts the heiress to the lounging area and beckons the others to follow them.
"So tell me my dear, what is your name?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY May 25, 2009, 02:04:03 PM
A disembodied voice replies "Of course, Sir." and then the bustling sound of busy staffmembers washes over the ship like the sound of waves breaking on a beach. As they enter the lounge, trays with all manner of delicacies are presented to the guests, along with expensive wines. There are even attractive masseuses waiting to provide their services.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 29, 2009, 12:32:43 AM
"My full name is rather lengthy...Just call me Eleanor. I'm delighted to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kilmister. You may not recall, but I attended one of your concerts while your band was still touring." Lynel takes a drink wordlessly and knocks it back, apparently unfazed by the strong alcohol. He replaces the glass on a waiting tray, seeming to be much more confident.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 31, 2009, 12:59:55 PM
"The pleasure is all mine. Seeing as you like music, I think we can arrange for some while we relax and talk somewhat." Lemmy says as he gets a mouthharmonica out of his pocket and winks at Mikkey and Phil, who'd just arrived.

Seeing this the other two get the hint and both grab a guitar of the wall as they enter the airship's lounge, filled with the smell of alcohol and sigarets, as usual, and the 3 of them start jamming (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8csouABZSA&feature=related) a bit.

[spoiler]It seemed like a fitting song, reflects the mood of the relaxation area and all that :)

Feel free to join in guys, or start the business talks :)


And before I forget, Phil is my highest level follower, a human DFI bard :)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 31, 2009, 03:22:13 PM
Clapping her hands to the tune, Lucy sends a mental message to Lemmy. Let's get her into the friends room! Looking at the seemingly discontent Lynel, she gets another fun idea. Hey Eddie, let's get the man into a room where they can't hear us and have some fun with him! "That's a pretty name! Did you like the concert?", Lucy asks, giving Eleanor a sweet smile.

[spoiler]With 'friends room', Lucy is referring to the ship's Ambassador's Chamber.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 31, 2009, 05:24:28 PM
Eleanor smiles at the little girl while tapping her foot to the music that Lemmy, Mikkey, and Phil are playing. "I loved it. You're a cute little girl, what's your name? Are you one of their daughters?"

[spoiler]Phil...harmonica...Ouch, what a terrible pun. :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw May 31, 2009, 05:52:21 PM
[spoiler]Hadn't even thought about that one :P

Motörhead really does consist of Lemmy, Phil and Mikkey...
And besides, it's Lemmy who plays the harmonica :P


But yeah, nice find nonetheless :lmao[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita May 31, 2009, 06:33:53 PM
"Thanks! I'm Lucy," The girl replies, beaming at Eleanor. She shakes her head in response to the lady's question. "I'm a band member."

[spoiler](http://www.majhost.com/gallery/Just-my-2-cents/xyz/nipaa.jpg)

Kinda like that.

"pie-row-stuff" means pyrotechnics.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial May 31, 2009, 09:25:16 PM
"Oh, really now? What sort of music do you play, Lucy?" Lynel is giving Lucy a wary look, clearly suspicious of her.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita June 08, 2009, 04:01:47 PM
"I do the pie-row things," Lucy exclaims happily, apparently unaware of the safety implications that a young child handling white-hot fire carries with it.

[spoiler]"Pie-row"=Pyro, of course.
If Eleanor reacts poorly (which I'm pretty sure she will), we can always diplomance or memory-rape her. :D Noone cares about what Lynel thinks anyway, do we? ;)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw June 08, 2009, 04:56:35 PM
"Yeah, little Lucy here helps the Special Effect Mages. She decides on what special effects look best." Lemmy adds just after he and the gang finish the song, before taking a swig of whiskey.

[spoiler]Bluff: 39 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2111460/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial June 10, 2009, 04:02:56 PM
[spoiler]And I was just about to remind you to put in the check. Hivemind?[/spoiler]

Eleanor smiles. "Silly me, I thought for a second that she was the one who set off the fire...Have the mages been teaching you any magic, Lucy?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw June 10, 2009, 04:13:05 PM
[spoiler]"We are the Gamers, you will be assimilated, resistance is futile."

:lmao[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita June 20, 2009, 12:43:22 PM
The little girl blinks at eleanor for a few moments, before asking, "What's mah-chick?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial June 21, 2009, 05:22:39 PM
Eleanor laughs slightly, then straightens up from her slight slouch. "Why, this is, of course." She closes her eyes briefly, then pantomimes weaving in mid-air. As she does so, nearby light seems to bend inward and coalesce into a miniature version of the airship, which hovers a few inches above her palm.

[spoiler]Spellcraft check, DC 16, to identify this as a Silent Image.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita June 21, 2009, 06:27:58 PM
Lucy's eyes seem to glitter with wonder as she oohs and aahs at the pretty illusion of the airship. She leaves her seat, but doesn't stand on her legs, and instead hovers over to the illusion, extending her hand to try and touch it.

[spoiler]Spellcraft (1d20+10=22) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2130030/)
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial June 30, 2009, 01:01:52 AM
The woman blinks at Lucy's open display of magical power, then narrows her eyes slightly and squints at the small child. After a few seconds, her eyes widen, and she turns to Lemmy, an explanation clearly eluding her.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 14, 2009, 05:04:15 AM
"Little Lucy here always has had some mysterious innate abilities." Lemmy shrugs.

"As you can see, it's not more conventional magic such as you yourself practice, it's something innate." Lemmy explains, acting like it's the most normal thing in the world (which for him it is, since he's known Lucy long enough en he's seen more than enough other types of magic in his lifetime :)) before downing his glass of whiskey and pouring himself another.

"Do you want some, luv?" he casually asks Eleanor.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 14, 2009, 04:22:29 PM
Eleanor accepts the drink, the smile back on her face. "I thought there was something odd about Lucy, but I don't think I've ever seen arcane abilities of such potency in a child her age!" The aristocratic woman turns her attention to the illusion she's conjured, watching it revolve slowly in front of Lucy's sparkling eyes. "As you can see, I've developed a few magical talents myself. Perhaps not quite as powerful as Lucy's, but..." She trails off, laughing slightly.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 17, 2009, 02:07:59 PM
"So, tell me, what is it you and Lynel were discussing at the afterparty? Some sort of business arrangement?" Lemmy asks casually as he sits down next to Eleanor and takes a swig of whiskey.

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 17, 2009, 04:35:44 PM
Eleanor frowns. "I'm not really sure I should mention it to you...It's not that I don't trust you, but the House would be very upset were the information to be leaked. One can never be sure that, say, one of your servants isn't working for a rival of ours. As you no doubt heard when I was berating the silly boy earlier, it is a business deal, but beyond that..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 17, 2009, 04:43:03 PM
"I understand, don't feel bad about it." Lemmy replies.

"I can assure you that noone of our personel works for anyone else then the band, though. We've never had any corporate ties, we pride ourselves on achieving the level of success we have nowadays all on our own, without corporate backing or sponsorship, succeeding and persevering (sic?; you know what I mean) because of our love of music." he reassures Eleanor.

"You know what they say, it's a long way to the top if you want to rock 'n' roll." (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFlNo1NjAEQ) he smirks as he finishes his glass of whiskey.

EDIT:
[spoiler]Diplomacy: 40 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2168195/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 03, 2009, 12:33:38 AM
Eleanor's frown has vanished, to be replaced by a smile. "I've always admired that about you." She blushes, then hastily says, "I mean, your independence. This might sound silly, but I don't think I would have bothered to develop my magical gifts if I hadn't seen one of your concerts...I'm sorry, I'm babbling again.

I was talking to someone from Cannith because of an embarrassing incident. One of our family members ran off with a marked member of another House. So far, we've been able to track them as far as the borders of Riedra, but that's where the trouble begins. The Inspired ask a lot of awkward questions, and they don't always wait for an answer before they start reading minds.

My job was to find a way to get our people into Riedra to find our missing lovebirds, or to find someone who was capable. Officially, I was hiring a contractor to produce counter-espionage equipment. I didn't want to go through Cannith...they, too, are prone to questions, and there was always the danger that they'd find out what had happened somehow." Eleanor drains her own glass, looking somewhat defiantly at Lemmy.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 03, 2009, 08:55:48 AM
Lucy looks up from the figment created be Eleanor with a puzzled look, apparently not quite understanding the problem. "What's wrong with running away?" To anyone knowing of her past, the question makes some sense, but to Eleanor it likely sounds like innocent ignorance.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 03, 2009, 12:59:38 PM
The aristocratic woman looks at Lucy, somewhat startled as though she had forgotten the girl was in the room. "Well, they're very important people. If they just disappear, people are going to ask a lot of questions. They might even blame us, and then we'd have...trouble. Lots of it."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 03, 2009, 03:33:50 PM
"You know, in case you haven't noticed, we've got an airship at our disposal." Lemmy smirks as he gives Eleanor a refill, somewhat impressed by her attitude and tolerance for alcohol.

"Besides, it's been a while since we performed in Riedra.

What do you say, Edward, you think the crew's up for a little tour to the east?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 03, 2009, 04:07:47 PM
A croaking, disembodied voice says "The crew is ready for whatever I tell them to be ready for. They'd gleefully fly us into the center of a volcano if I asked them to." The chuckling voice fades away and you can hear the bustle onboard the ship pick up.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 05, 2009, 01:35:17 PM
"You're serious? You plan to go after them?" Eleanor says, looking dazed. "One does not simply...fly into Riedra!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 05, 2009, 02:10:27 PM
"Well, there would ofcourse have to be some sort of compensation for our trouble and supplies and whatnot, but aside from that, I think it shouldn't be a problem. We've been to Riedra once or twice before, I think it should be doable to use a tour as cover for looking for your two runaways."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 05, 2009, 08:01:03 PM
Lucy tilts her head at Eleanor's shocked remark, still looking puzzled. "Why not?" Can't we just fly in?, she asks Lemmy mentally. Regardless of an answer from either adult, she claps her hands and laughs happily. "Let's go to Riedra again! Last time was fun!" What she neglects to mention, of course, is that 'last time' featured a few charred skeletons and quite a bit of trouble with the local Inspired.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 10, 2009, 09:57:11 PM
"It's not that I don't appreciate the gesture, but you plan to leave right away? With no preparations--and of course, that man from Cannith still on board?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 11, 2009, 07:55:40 AM
"Ow no dear, we'll stay docked here for one or two days to load all the supplies we'll need on board and plan everything, it would be stupid to leave unprepared. In the meantime you can decide if you want to have Lynel join us or not."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 11, 2009, 10:58:03 PM
"The fewer people know about this, the better, and that includes Lynel," Eleanor says, rising decisively to her feet. "Do try to keep this a secret, as much as is possible."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 12, 2009, 05:51:01 AM
"Ofcourse. Where are you off to?" Lemmy asks somewhat surprised as he sees Eleanor get ready to leave all of a sudden.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 12, 2009, 10:03:33 PM
"I have my own preparations to attend to, as I'm sure you imagine. I'll return once you're ready so we can leave quickly and discreetly...Will two days be sufficient?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 13, 2009, 06:18:36 AM
"Two days will be more than enough." Lemmy replies as he gets up and starts to lead Eleanor of the airship, offering her his arm as he goes.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 13, 2009, 09:12:38 AM
Lucy hasn't exactly listened to most of the conversation, so she is oblivious to the fact that there are 'preparations' to attend to - but if Lynel is the only thing holding them back, she knows just the solution. But first, a little fun. As Eleanor turns to leave, she lands next to the Cannith emissary and gives him a hug. "Bye-bye, mistuh Lynel!"
However, Lynel hears something decidedly less cheerful and terrifying, coming from inside his head. Drop your pants.

[spoiler]Using Naberius' Command telepathically to tell Lynel to drop his pants - while Eleanor is still present and he is in a compromising position relative to Lucy. :D Will save DC 17.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 17, 2009, 10:29:29 AM
The terrible compulsion of Naberius causes Lynel to reach down promptly and undo the clasp of his pants. For the second time that day, the belt buckle clanks onto the floor in a heap of cloth. The short-lived magical force fades away, leaving Lynel horribly aware of the compromising position he finds himself in. For a moment, he stands frozen with shock and embarrassment, eyes darting to the nearby Eleanor, who has stopped walking and whose face has rapidly passed through disgust and indignation to settle upon pure, undiluted rage. Lynel backs away from Lucy quickly, but trips over his discarded pants and lands heavily on the deck. He struggles to simultaneously pull them up and flee as Eleanor takes step after deliberate step towards him, eventually kneeling beside him and grabbing his throat with one hand.

[spoiler]Feel free to intervene. Or don't![/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 17, 2009, 02:58:20 PM
Lemmy rushes over and grabs Eleanor by the waist, pulling her away from the confused and horrified Lynel (and incidentally closer to himself :P).

"My apologies my dear, but I don't think this is what it looks like." he explains to the infuriated woman.

"Lucy, don't you think you owe mister Lynel here an apology?" he asks the misschievous child.

[spoiler]I figured Lemmy would understand what's going on, after having travelled with Lucy for quite some time already :D

Besides, we might be able to use Lynel and his connections later on ;)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 17, 2009, 03:39:20 PM
As Lynel drops his pants right in front of her, Lucy takes a small step back and looks at whatever he may have revealed with a tilted head and faked surprise. Then she looks up into his eyes questioningly before he starts backing away and trips. She looks somewhat disappointed as Lemmy pulls her away, but she beams when Lemmy tells her to apologize, the way only a child who knows it has been naughty and wants to look cute so it won't get punished can. "Oh, right!" She turns to face the terrified Lynel, still sitting on the ground. "Sowwie for not saying 'thank you' when you gave me your dessert!"

[spoiler]So wipe his memory (and resurrect if necessary) afterwards. Lemme have some fun. :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 17, 2009, 09:44:29 PM
Lynel and Eleanor are both speechless, though for very different reasons. Lynel looks like he might cry at any moment, while Eleanor is still angry, though she has relaxed somewhat at Lemmy's words (and grasp). The representative of Cannith slowly gets to his feet and walks towards the airship's ramp, buckling his pants discreetly as he does so and casting furtive, terrified looks at the little girl standing nearby.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 20, 2009, 12:44:21 PM
Just as Lynel is about to step onto the ramp, the croaking, disembodied voice says "Have a nice trip!", and the edge of the rug he's walking across suddenly rolls up in front of his feet.

[spoiler]Eddie uses his ability to animate objects on the ship to animate a huge rug, which then makes a trip attack against Lynel, to try and get him to trip and fall down the ramp.

Touch attack: 1d20+9=19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2217457/)
Trip check: 1d20+13=23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2217460/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 20, 2009, 12:51:55 PM
Lynel's eyes go wide for the fraction of a second it takes the rug to lift and catch at his feet. The fall is beautiful--a straight, vertical to horizontal sweep that culminates in the Cannith representative lying at the foot of the ramp, groaning and clutching his nose where it struck the ground. Eleanor's hand is in front of her mouth, and slight noises escaping suggest that she's laughing behind it.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 20, 2009, 12:58:31 PM
The sound of the croaking voice laughing at first booms through the ship, and then slowly diminishes.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 20, 2009, 04:35:08 PM
Lucy claps and laughs happily as Lynel trips, sending a mental message to Eddie. Do it again! Again! When she thinks Eleanor is looking away, she silently floats out of the room and into the next, where she peers out of the window, eagerly waiting for Lynel to stand back up.

[spoiler]Lucy waits until Eleanor is looking the other way and flies to the next room. There, she readies an action to use Baleful Utterance on Lynel's belt buckle when he stands up. But first, she'll use her Mindsight to ensure there's no people nearby who might see her and figure out what she's doing.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 23, 2009, 07:09:39 PM
As Eleanor struggles not to let her facade slip, Lucy slips out of her sight. When Lynel gets to his feet again, blood is pouring down his face from his nose, and he clamps both hands to it to stem the flow--something he heartily regrets when his belt buckle seems to explode, sending little shards of metal spraying harmlessly everywhere and sending his pants to the ground for the third time that day. The man seems quite deranged by now, and he screams at this latest development. Yanking his pants up with one hand and holding his broken nose with the other, the man from House Cannith becomes a man on the run.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 23, 2009, 10:41:53 PM
"Awww..." Lucy is disappointed as she sees Lynel running away, quickly out of range of her own abilities. Eddie, mistuh Lynel's running away! Quick, stop him! She herself quickly flies back into the room where the others are before she is missed.

[spoiler]Catch the butt monkey! ;) Most importantly, we need to mindrape him so he won't start telling ugly rumors (i.e. probably the truth).[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 24, 2009, 07:18:22 AM
[spoiler]Seriously, who's going to believe him when he's talking about an evil 5-year old warlock girl :P[/spoiler]

Lemmy can't control his laughter anymore and bursts out in a rasping laugh so very familiar to the rest of the crew as Lynel makes his attempt to get away from this all.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 28, 2009, 11:29:02 PM
After some brief telepathic communications between Eddie and Felix (relayed through their psicrystals), Felix leaves the ship with a few of the crew following him. They mingle around in the crowd, trying to learn what they can about the laws of Sarlona, how they might best approach the government about putting on a concert there, and if it would be acceptable to teleport into anywhere in that region uninvited (or if there is a local consulate that Felix could go talk to). Eddie's psicrystal is with Felix, so he can bring his knowledge and skills to Felix's aid.

[spoiler]They have the following skills, which can be augmented magically or psionically if necessary. They'll attempt to take 10 at first, and if this seems sufficient that may be all they do.

Felix: Gather Information +18, Sense Motive +17

Eddie: Bluff +18
Knowledge (Planes, Local, Psionics) +15
Knowledge (Nature, Religion, History, Arcana, Dungeoneering, Geography) +10
(with Collector of Stories for a +5 to ID creatures)
Diplomacy +23
Intimidate +10
Psicraft +38
Sense Motive +10 (+10 with spent focus, Inquisitor feat)

I'm not saying they'll use each and every one of these. Just giving you an idea of what they're capable of. They'll definitely try Gather Info and any applicable Knowledge checks, and use the others if they think they need them (someone is spreading misinformation, they need to lie about why they want to know this stuff, etc).[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw September 29, 2009, 03:08:41 PM
[spoiler]Maybe there's a Sarlonan embassy or something?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 01, 2009, 07:50:59 PM
PhaedrusXY:
[spoiler]General consensus points Felix towards one of Sharn's top legal minds. After a bit of difficulty reaching the man personally, Felix discovers that teleportation into, out of, or around Riedra is strictly prohibited. Obtaining a permit to put on a concert will carry its own difficulties. If they wish to do so, however, they should apply for said permit at the borders. The lawyer cautions, however, that there will be investigations performed on the band and their ship at the checkpoint.

Felix also discovers, with Eddie's prodding, that teleportation of any kind that begins or ends in Riedra, along with certain types of psionic activities, leave slight traces that can be magnified and followed by the Inspired. Most psionic powers will not draw attention, unless they are used repeatedly in a short time span. Teleportation, however, is closely monitored and is almost guaranteed to bring in several Riedran agents.
[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 02, 2009, 12:45:24 AM
[spoiler]certain types of psionic activities

Such as?  :p[/spoiler]Eddie keeps the group appraised of the situation as it unfolds, so they can decide what to do before Felix even makes it back to the ship, if they so desire.

As he's finishing, he says: "Looks like we'll have to go there the old fashioned way... at least for the last hundred miles or so, anyway."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 11, 2009, 05:12:40 PM
[spoiler]certain types of psionic activities

Such as?  :p[/spoiler]

[spoiler]The rest of the information in that box is all you know. :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 11, 2009, 05:50:58 PM
"Okay guys, how are the preparations coming along? Edward, do we have enough supplies for the trip? Is the entire crew present?

If so, all we have to do is wait for Miss Harrison and we can depart.

While we wait, care to join us for a drink? You've still got some tastebuds, right?" Lemmy bursts out laughing after his question, as he heads towards the lounge area where most of the other bandmembers are as well.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita October 11, 2009, 05:51:29 PM
As the rest of the crew prepare to apply for holding a concert in Riedra but don't allow Lucy to accompanny them, the girl seems to resign herself to pouting in her room, the guest room, the rehearsal room... actually, she pouts wherever she goes. Her mood is somewhat ameliorated by the offerings of various sweets from her self-declared "guardian whose intentions are entirely pure and selfless, how dare you insinuate otherwise!", and after a few days, she seems to have returned to her usual cheerful self. Inexplicably, the days of her bad mood seem to coincide with various mysterious fires in the area near the airship.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 11, 2009, 06:00:14 PM
[spoiler]I never said Lucy couldn't join us, I just won't let her touch the booze or cigarettes ;)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita October 11, 2009, 06:02:51 PM
[spoiler]I never said Lucy couldn't join us, I just won't let her touch the booze or cigarettes ;)[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I think it was agreed on at some point in the OOC thread that Lucy should better stay in Sharn while negotiations are conducted. I'm inclined to concur, really. :lol[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 11, 2009, 06:03:51 PM
"I think we're ready to go, Captain." Eddie applies a thick layer of sarcasm to the last word, which is a bit disturbing coming from a disembodied voice. The ominous chuckling that follows does little to comfort any listeners. "I can always send Felix back to fetch whatever we need, anyway."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 11, 2009, 06:09:45 PM
[spoiler]I never said Lucy couldn't join us, I just won't let her touch the booze or cigarettes ;)[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I think it was agreed on at some point in the OOC thread that Lucy should better stay in Sharn while negotiations are conducted. I'm inclined to concur, really. :lol[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Ow, those preparations, I thought you meant the ones to ready the airship for the trip :)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 11, 2009, 06:21:38 PM
(Assuming you're all ready, and there's nothing you need to notify me of:)

At the precise time she indicated, Eleanor arrives at the airship. A small bag dangles lazily from one hand, but more notable is the large, rectangular crate floating behind her mounted on a pair of blue disks. As she nears the ramp, several workers scurry down it and run up to the crate, dancing around under it uncertainly with arms outstretched. Snapping her fingers impatiently, the heiress steps onto the ship as the disks vanish and the crate drops into the workers' arms. Ignoring the agonized howls of an unfortunate whose foot has been crushed, she asks, "Ready to leave?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 11, 2009, 06:34:27 PM
"Ready." Lemmy smiles.

After the workers have finished loading Eleanor's luggage on board he yells out:
"Edward, cut the anchors! Time for us to go, Judas is rising."

With that the ropes connecting the Judas (yes, I went ahead and named it :P) are magically cut and the elemental ring of fire flares to life. As the airship moves away from the docking tower and starts to rise, music (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOgQ9V2pBU8) can be heard all around screaming from unseen sources.

[spoiler]Magic Mouths placed all over the ship :D[/spoiler]


"Shall I show you your quarters for the journey?" Lemmy asks, not bothered by the music at all, grinning as the ship climbs higher and picks up speed.

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 11, 2009, 11:44:56 PM
"That would be wonderful," Eleanor says, smiling graciously. "Please have the crate placed somewhere safe--and do take care with it."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 11, 2009, 11:52:44 PM
The disembodied voice says "I assure you it will be perfectly safe in my care."
[spoiler]
He has one of his minions stick it in the smuggler's hold, and then assigns some of them 24/7 watch duty just to guard it.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 12, 2009, 01:11:04 AM
"Quite so. Now, you mentioned my quarters?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 13, 2009, 01:43:15 PM
"Right this way." Lemmy says as he offers Eleanor his arm and shows her her quarters, filled with all the luxury and comfort one can imagine, just like the rooms of the band members.

"Now if you need anything, you can ask Edward via this magic stone over here." he says, pointing her to a smoothly polished stone orb on the desk.

He then leaves her to settle in as he heads for his own rooming, nodding as he leaves.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita October 13, 2009, 02:05:35 PM
Lucy flies after the Eddie's minion as he carries the crate down into the smuggler's hold, peeking curiously over his shoulder. "Oooh! What's in there what's in there what's in there?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 13, 2009, 02:18:45 PM
Eddie groans and mutters "That curious girl would be the death of me... if I weren't already dead."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 24, 2009, 11:10:02 PM
The ship's fiery exit from Sharn stands in stark contrast to the uneventfulness of the trip. Apart from a few closely averted mishaps (mainly due to Lucy), the flight to the borders of Riedra is almost tedious, if a flight in a possessed airship can be called such.

Khorvaire's shores fade swiftly from sight, and not long afterwards the Sea of Rage gives way to the stark landscape of Sarlona's shores. Several minutes after the Judas begins flying over the continent, however, all the creatures in the ship "hear" words whispered directly into their heads:
<You are approaching Riedran borders. Alter your course or land for inspection. Disobedience will be punished.>

[spoiler]Psicraft can identify this as a Mass Missive, manifested through Remote Viewing.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 24, 2009, 11:16:08 PM
[spoiler]I think the whole ship is protected by Mind Blank and magically made to appear empty.The exception to the Mind Blank is a cabin that Eddie and his acolytes use for things that require them to not be mind blanked.

-Inscriptions of Vacancy (22 500gp)
Everyone within this stronghold space becomes undetectable to scrying. In fact, to them it appears as if the room is entirely empty of people and devoid of activity, no matter how many people are in it or what they are doing. These inscriptions are often used on areas that need to remain secure, such as throne rooms or war counsel rooms. No decent kingdom is without at least one such room in its leader’s stronghold.

-Secure Chamber (60 000gp)
The entire stronghold space is affected by a mind blank spell. No one in the chamber can be affected by devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions and thoughts, up to and including miracle or wish. Even a scrying that scans an area does not work. Most throne rooms of mighty rulers use this effect.

So at most they'd be able to contact Eddie, or anyone in that room.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 24, 2009, 11:24:36 PM
[spoiler]Consider that retracted and edited, then. Anyone standing in the room, along with Eddie, receives the telepathic missive.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 24, 2009, 11:31:17 PM
Eddie relays the message to everyone else by speaking. His voice echoes throughout the ship.

[spoiler]I guess Eddie couldn't actually be affected either, since he's undead and it's mind affecting. :P Could he even speak telepathically with his psicrystal? I hadn't really considered that before... Ah well... someone gets the message I'm sure, heh.

Edit: Although now that I think about it, the psicrystal should be immune to telepathy also, although it obviously isn't meant to be as it is stated to be able to communicate with it's master.[/spoiler]

He finishes with "Should I take her down, then?"

Assuming no answer to the contrary, he begins landing the ship.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita October 25, 2009, 08:25:00 AM
Lucy, completely unaware that the telephatic message was strictly one-way, attempts to send back a cheerful Hi! I'm Lucy, and you?
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 25, 2009, 08:30:26 AM
"Yeah, let's do this by the book, for now...

Find a nice secluded landing spot though." Lemmy replies to his undead bandmate as he comes out of his quarters, a glass of scotch in hand.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 25, 2009, 03:50:03 PM
"I'll see what we can do." Eddie replies, as he begins looking for a suitable place to set down.

Eddie turns off some of the more conspicuous defenses of the ship, like the Cloudgathering Orb (creates bad weather in 2 mile radius), and Veil of Obscurement (makes ship appear to be part of terrain). He uses the Charts of Certainty to look for a nearby area that is relatively secluded. He also suggests that someone should have a See Invisibility spell/power going. He has his binder followers send out their birds (from Malphus) to scout the nearby area, also. He calls the core of his following into his private chambers to prepare for a Metaconcert, should one be needed.

[spoiler]His "private chambers" are a room without Mind Blank that is also covered in Black Sand. All of his highest ranking followers are either undead or have Tomb-Tainted Souls.

Are we still over water?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 25, 2009, 05:19:13 PM
Preparations:
[spoiler]The Charts of Certainty indicate a mesa about a mile to the north where the ship can touch down.

Your binders note through their birds that there appears to be very little happening around the ship or near the mesa, though perhaps this is normal for such a desolate, rocky landscape. No humanoids are visible (to See Invisibility as well as to the birds), and in fact the only signs of life are the occasional shrub or bird. (And no, your binders aren't running into each other, those are [probably] real birds.)

You are over Sarlona right now.[/spoiler]

Eleanor, upon the relay of the message, seeks out Lemmy, an anxious look on her face. "Is there going to be trouble with the border protection? Should we take measures to conceal my cargo? Or do I need to hide as well?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 25, 2009, 05:39:01 PM
"Don't worry dear, your cargo is safely hidden away.

Any chance of the Sarlonans knowing who you are?
If not, you can probably pose as a member of the crew or one of our groupies or girlfriends."

[spoiler]Put her cargo in a Smuggler's Hold.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 25, 2009, 05:44:20 PM
"My only concern, apart from the awkward questions which might arise if my cargo is found, is that they may discover who I am through a mind probe of one of us."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 25, 2009, 06:00:21 PM
[spoiler]Put her cargo in a Smuggler's Hold.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]It's been there since we left. :D I was thinking of putting a "real" object in front of the area where the opening to the Smuggler's Hold is magically concealed, as well. So it would be magically concealed as well as covered up by a mundane physical object, like a large trunk. Eddie will direct a follower to do that now, and that will be standard MO from now on.

That's a good point on the Mind Probe... I don't know how many of the crew actually know who she is. They can't Mind Probe Felix or Eddie, or any other undead crew members. We could stick all the ones that are vulnerable and that know who she is in the Smuggler's Hold with her stuff...[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 25, 2009, 06:30:45 PM
[spoiler]Nice one :)

As far as the rest of the crew are concerned she's just a groupie, right?
I mean, how would they know her real identity, none of her personel is on board.

And ofcourse have all the questioning take place in one of the many Mind-Blanked areas :)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 25, 2009, 06:36:42 PM
[spoiler]You know... you guys are going to have to submit to Mind Probes, also. So how about we tell them that Eleanor actually left before we got here (Teleported away), and Felix uses Modify Memory on you guys so that you actually believe it. He can undo it later, once we're past this stuff.

And I agree with Agita's comments in Off Topic. I doubt we can get away with doing this in a Mind Blanked area.[/spoiler]

Eddie says "If I might suggest... those of you who actually know who Eleanor is and what she is doing here should have Felix modify your memory. He could, for example, implant a memory of her leaving the ship before we arrived here. That would be simple enough that it would only take a few seconds for him, but it should hold up to even the worst scrutiny they can throw at you... I think.

We could include something about her saying that what she came here for was too dangerous, and she'd decided to call it off. And so now you're really just here to go ahead and perform your concert, and nothing else. You could answer any questions related to this with these answers and be completely truthful... as far as you know. It should even hold up under a Mind Probe.

Of course... he'll have to also remove the memory of me saying this, also. And Eleanor herself should definitely hide in the hold. So what do you say?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 25, 2009, 07:35:46 PM
[spoiler]Plausible deniability, I like it :D

Go ahead and propose it in character :)[/spoiler]

"Didn't we do something similar with that smuggling run back in '91?

Well, it worked back then, so why not try it again...


Eleanor, would you be okay with hiding in the hold with your cargo, until this is over?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 27, 2009, 06:25:19 PM
Some of Eddie's followers throw a tarp over the Black Sand in his private chambers, and then leave. After waiting for Eleanor's answer, and for her to leave, Felix enters and beckons those whose memories are to be modified to follow him. He and each person enter alone, with the others who've yet to undergo the procedure some distance away. After the procedure is finished, each person is then led to a totally different area so they have no opportunity to overhear anything they shouldn't from the people yet to undergo the procedure.

As each enters, Felix manifests Modify Memory on them, implanting a memory of Eleanor saying to Lemmy "I've decided that what I had in mind is too risky. I'm going home. Don't worry about what we talked about before. I'll see you when you get back, and I hope your concert goes well." In the false memory, she then kisses him and disappears after a few gestures and arcane words (Teleport spell). All of the people whose memories are to be modified are present in the memory, also.

He uses this false memory to replace the memory of Eddie discussing the strategy to use Modify Memory, and of himself actually using Modify Memory on them. This should take less than a minute per subject, since the memories being replaced/implanted are short. Eddie takes his time landing the ship to make sure there is enough time to finish the job.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita October 27, 2009, 07:36:38 PM
While waiting for the ship to land after having her memory altered, Lucy begins dancing around happily, making flight-aided ballerina leaps while merrily singing.
"Lemmy and Eleanor, sitting in a tree.
K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
First comes love, then comes marriage,
Then comes an abrupt, tragic miscarriage.
Then comes blame, then comes despair,
Two hearts damaged beyond repair!
Lemmy leaves Eleanor, and takes the tree.
D-I-V-O-R-C-E!"

For the entirety of her performance, she never once stops smiling as if she had just been given candy.

[spoiler]I think substituting Intimidate for Perform is appropiate here. :D

Intimidate instead of Perform (1d20+40=51) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2300739/)

Also, Cyanide and Happines ftw.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 27, 2009, 08:58:22 PM
Eddie laughs hysterically and quietly whispers to Felix "That must have been some performance you gave there. Getting creative in your old age,eh?" He then laughs even harder and the ship weaves back and forth in time with his laughs as it heads for the landing spot.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 28, 2009, 12:46:12 AM
Eleanor allows herself to be sealed in the smuggler's hold next to her crate. While the ship floats slowly downwards to the mesa, all those having their memories modified assemble outside the chamber while Felix performs the delicate proceedure. Eddie times the landing perfectly, touching down and sending up a slight dust cloud just as the last crewmember exits the chamber. An oppressive silence fills the air again as the dust settles, revealing a rocky, barren landscape.

[spoiler]If there are any protective, obscurative or divination-type effects running, could you list them so I don't run into another snag like last time?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 28, 2009, 12:58:06 AM
[spoiler]If there are any protective, obscurative or divination-type effects running, could you list them so I don't run into another snag like last time?[/spoiler]
[spoiler] :lol

Constant Alarm effect, crew with lantern token does not set of the effect.

20% miss chance to ship-to-ship attacks against the airship.

-Ambassador's Chamber (14 000gp)
This stronghold space shifts the attitude of any creature entering to the next most favorable reaction on Table 5–4: Influencing NPC Attitude in the DUNGEON MASTER’s Guide, as if affected by an emotion spell of the friendship variety (Will save DC 14 negates). Creatures involved in combat continue to fight normally. If a wizard creates this chamber, the DC is 16 and the market price is 14,000 gp.

-Secure Chamber (60 000gp)
The entire stronghold space is affected by a mind blank spell. No one in the chamber can be affected by devices and spells that detect, influence, or read emotions and thoughts, up to and including miracle or wish. Even a scrying that scans an area does not work. Most throne rooms of mighty rulers use this effect.

-Inscriptions of Vacancy (22 500gp) (not sure why we need this when we have the one above it. I guess this also works for Eddie's chamber, though...)
Everyone within this stronghold space becomes undetectable to scrying. In fact, to them it appears as if the room is entirely empty of people and devoid of activity, no matter how many people are in it or what they are doing. These inscriptions are often used on areas that need to remain secure, such as throne rooms or war counsel rooms. No decent kingdom is without at least one such room in its leader’s stronghold.

-Zone of Elemental Immunity (10 000gp)
The stronghold space is immune to damage from a specific energy type (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic). Anyone within the stronghold space shares this immunity, but only if the damage comes from a source outside the stronghold. For instance, while the stronghold floats on a lake of lava, those within suffer no damage, but a fireball cast from within the space affects all creatures within normally. Unless you have some specific reason to protect only a section of your stronghold, this effect is generally placed on the entire stronghold.
[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 28, 2009, 01:59:39 AM
For a few minutes, nothing can be seen moving on the mesa. Abruptly, the figure of one of the Inspired fades into view about 30 feet off of the airship's port bow, clad in purple silks. Surveying the ship imperiously, he calls out, "I would speak with your leader. Where is he?"

Anyone with See Invisibility, True Seeing, or another such ability still active (bear in mind how long it's been):
[spoiler]The Inspired in question is not alone. Seven other Inspired, armed with various crysteel weapons, teleport in with him. All eight were under an Invisibility effect initially and appeared about 100 feet away from the airship. The seven guards have taken up positions around the ship at about the same distance and are still invisible.[/spoiler]

Skill checks, if you feel lucky:
[spoiler]DC 25 Listen check alerts you to the footsteps of quite a few creatures. DC 27 lets you guess that the number is (probably) eight.

A DC 18 Knowledge (local) check tells you that the Inspired's robes mark him as an inquisitor of noteworthy rank. DC 24 will reveal that the Inquisitors are usually telepaths of considerable skill and have been known to go above and beyond the call of duty in the name of security. A DC 30 check lets you know that this fanatical devotion to the cause often manifests itself in the form of implanted mental suggestions, dominations, or in very rare cases Mind Seeds.

Then again, this is Riedra. Though they might keep a wary eye out for the Inspired, nobody expects the vanished Inquisition.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 28, 2009, 11:03:26 AM
[spoiler]I meant to say that Eddie was going to do some trickery (Feat Leech on Felix to gain EK: Metamorphosis, Metamorphic Transfer, and another EK (was Chameleon for Felix) used to learn Dimension Hop) to turn his psicrystal into a Spellweaver with Telepathy (and Mindsight) out to 1000 miles using Metamorphic Transfer, but I was tired last night and wasn't sure if I could even get that to work.

He can have the psicrystal be the point of origin for powers, and can "share" their benefits, of course. So I think it could technically work. If it does, he'll have done that during the "few minutes" before they show themselves. He'll scan out to a quarter mile or so to see what else is around, and what info he can glean about these guys. This would cost 10 power points overall.

The psicrystal will remain inside Eddie's quarters during this. They are outside the Mindblanked area of the ship, but still protected from Scrying and the like.


Changed my mind, but I might still use this in the future. So we should work out exactly how it works (if it does).



Eddie's psicrystal uses Aid Another to help with his check
Knowledge (Local) 1d20+15=23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2301529/) (Not included: +2 Aid Another, +5 if Collector of Stories applies)

Then again, this is Riedra. Though they might keep a wary eye out for the Inspired, nobody expects the vanished Inquisition.
Very funny. :D
[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 28, 2009, 03:58:40 PM
As the ramp lowers from the side of the ship, a lot of smoke being produced in the process, a figure can be seen appearing from the smoke, a glowing dot of light at about face height.

"Can I help you gentlemen?" Lemmy asks with his familiar raspy voice after taking the cigarette out of his mouth.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 28, 2009, 04:19:12 PM
At Eddie's "suggestion", Felix transforms into a Hound Archon (assuming it's Magic Circle ability via Metamorphic Transfer), and walks out of the ship and down behind Lemmy (just to his left) to act as his bodyguard (and to offer him the protection of the Magic Circle).

[spoiler]He is inside the ship when he manifests the power, and tries to suppress the display:
Concentration check (vs. DC 19): 1d20+17=28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2301831/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 28, 2009, 04:21:59 PM
[spoiler]Thanks :)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 29, 2009, 01:23:31 AM
"Your ship made no effort to identify itself as it entered our security zone. That, combined with the...unusual array of circumstances made me decide to pull you in for an inspection." The Inspired steps forwards, eyes flicking up and down the smoking Lemmy and his bodyguard. "State the nature of your business."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw October 29, 2009, 08:24:55 AM
"We're planning on playing a couple of gigs here, it's been a while. We were looking for a border checkpoint to land and obtain the necessary permits and all that." Lemmy says before blowing some smoke into the inquisitor's face.

"Do you fellas happen to know where we can find the necessary bureaucrats?" he then asks, his dislike of officials and politicians clearly audible in his voice.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY October 29, 2009, 11:25:08 AM
Eddie tries his best to stifle a laugh, but it still comes out as an audible vibration heard from the ship.

[spoiler] :lmao

Just in case things turn ugly, Eddie uses Feat Leech to "borrow" three feats from his 3rd level Kineticist follower. He uses the two Expanded Knowledge feats to learn Metamorphosis and See Invisibility, and Hidden Talent to learn Synthesete. This costs him 3 power points. He suppresses the display (automatic success).

He directs his psicrystal to go to the "launching platform" (whatever that thing that Dimension Doors you from our ship is called) and wait.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial October 29, 2009, 06:45:06 PM
The inquisitor coughs, waving a hand back and forth to clear the air. "You'll want to visit one of the waystations. However, that will have to wait until you're cleared here. I'll need to inspect the ship and speak with a few crew members." Casting an eye around, he points at two of Eddie's followers, then almost as an afterthought at Lucy. "You three come with us," he says, indicating that Lemmy is to guide them around.

[spoiler]See Invisibility indicates that the other guards have moved around and fanned out around the ramp.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 01, 2009, 08:08:06 PM
Eddie's followers obey wordlessly.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 02, 2009, 12:42:05 AM
The inquisitor makes his way about the ship, pausing occasionally to inspect various areas of the decking in great detail and stamping his boots in certain spots. Eventually, he beckons Lemmy over. "You will escort me around the rest of the ship. We'll start with the cargo hold, I believe."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 02, 2009, 01:03:02 AM
After they're back on the ship, with Lemmy back under the protection of the Mind Blank, Felix makes his way back to Eddie's chambers and gathers Eddie's highest ranked followers to go with him. At Eddie's cue, Felix begins manifesting Metaconcert to join all of their minds.

[spoiler]This takes 1 minute, so they'll start it as soon as the inquisitor mentions the cargo hold. The stats for what this gives are here (http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=4011.msg137346#msg137346). Basically, if some shit goes down, Eddie wants to be ready to Dominate the crap out of this guy, and rewrite his memory before anyone knows what happened (or whatever else is called for). :P

If any of the underlined followers were one of the two guys the Inquisitor has following him around, it will change it a bit. But there are 72 followers, and only 8 are involved in this.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 02, 2009, 01:50:30 PM
"The cargo hold? This way." Lemmy says as he leads the inquisitor to the Judas' cargo area.

"As you can see, mostly instruments and stage-building equipments. And ofcourse plenty of supplies like food and drink."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 02, 2009, 05:41:00 PM
"Standard foreigner fare," says the inquisitor, a bored look of disdain crossing his face. "Are you transporting any items of a magical or psionic nature?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 02, 2009, 05:45:21 PM
"Well, we are travelling on an airship..."

Lemmy smirks somewhat sarcastically.

"Other than that, we have some magic items to aid us on stage. You know, the usual, amplification of sound, pyrotechnics and light effects.

Other than that, the ship has some protective measures the managers insisted be installed, in case of rabid fans or other potential dangerous situations.

They're a bit too paranoid if you ask me." he laughs.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita November 02, 2009, 05:56:38 PM
Ooh, oooh!" Lucy tugs on the grumpy man's robe. "Want to see the pie-rows? They're really pwetty! Ooh, and my room's full of stuffed animals!"
Lemmy, what's ssy-oh-nick?"

[spoiler]Gee, I wonder what would happn if inspector psionic were to slash open Lucy's toys to see if there's anything inside. :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 03, 2009, 04:03:52 PM
"You know we can't use the pyro effect onboard the ship Lucy, we don't want to go down in a giant fireball, now do we?" Lemmy laughs as he picks up the little girl.

"You are welcome to visit one of our gigs to watch the effects and experience the show in it's full effect if you'd like to though, inquisitor."

[spoiler]Diplomacy: 26 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2308835/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 03, 2009, 06:46:29 PM
"That won't be necessary. Perhaps you could explain the nature of this...pyro effect, however, along with your protective measurements." The inquisitor pauses in his search, ignoring the small girl who was tugging at his robes.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita November 03, 2009, 06:51:33 PM
Suddenly, Lucy's face lights up. Lemmy and Eddie instanly recognize it as her "I'm about to do something really stupid" face.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita November 11, 2009, 11:16:20 AM
Beaming, Lucy says, "I'll show you the pie-rows, mistuh in-qwueez-ee-tuh! But first, let's play word guessing!" The girl claps her hands together. "I'll start! It starts with a B!"
And it has one thing in common with you: It ends in an urn.
The Inquisitor doesn't have any time to guess what the word might be, though, as he is suddenly cut off by the sudden and mysterious combustion of his skin and clothes.

[spoiler]Burnination time!
Surprise Round: Lucy uses Power Blast and Hellfire Blast to hit Mr. Inquisitor with a +13 for 14d6 damage (untyped). This is a touch attack against, presumably, flat-footed AC. Point Blank Shot also, presumably, applies. She takes 1 point of Con damage, which is healed after 1 round.
Eldritch Blast (1d20+14=16, 14d6+1=41) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317703/) Eww, natural 2.
   Action Point (1d6=6) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317714/) Make that a 22.
Spell Resistance, just in case (1d20+9=19) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317704/)
Hits flat-footed touch AC 22 and SR 19 for 41 damage.

Init (1d20+8=23) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317705/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 11, 2009, 12:38:20 PM
The little girl's eyes seem to glow momentarily with flickering flames as the inquisitor is enveloped in very real ones. An unearthly scream issues forth from his throat that seems entirely at odds with his thin frame. The fires die away quickly, but the inquisitor is covered in painful-looking burn marks.

[spoiler]Initiative, everyone![/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 11, 2009, 02:18:39 PM
[spoiler]Eddie 1d20+9=27 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317818/)
Felix 1d20=10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317820/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 11, 2009, 02:35:12 PM
[spoiler]Lemmy: 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317828/)
Action Point: 3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317831/) for a total of 16.
Mikkey Dee: 19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2317830/)
[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 11, 2009, 05:50:12 PM
[spoiler]I have here a spiffy new initiative order (which I believe is the first of the game, no?):

Eddie
Lucy
Our friendly invisible guards
Mikkey Dee
The inquisitor
Lemmy
Felix[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 11, 2009, 05:55:02 PM
"Ow bugger..." Lemmy exclaims at the sight of the smoldering inquisitor, his cigarette having fallen from his mouth.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 11, 2009, 07:22:00 PM
Eddie's disembodied voice starts muttering "Ah bloody hell. I'd never have had to put up with this kind of craziness when my old Master was Captain. Bloody cursed card game..."

A whimpering sound begins escaping from the mouth of the hound archon, and several "underlings" that are lingering around nearby turn to start running.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 14, 2009, 05:46:59 PM
A low humming sound fills the cargo hold, rattling some crates and setting teeth on edge. The short-lived hellfire surrounding the inquisitor is replaced by a soft shimmering silver light that brightens quickly to a blinding intensity. When the light fades, the inquisitor has vanished--but in his place, there stands a tall, gaunt man with blue glyphs visible on his pale skin and a stylish hat. Standing next to him is Eleanor, guilt plainly evident on her angular face.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita November 14, 2009, 05:51:37 PM
"Ooooh!" Lucy's eyes grow wide with wonder, and she claps her hands at the unexpected change. "The fire turned mistuh in-qweez-ee-tuh into a funny wee-zard and Eleanor! Will you turn back if I do it again?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 14, 2009, 06:10:39 PM
Eddie sighs and says "Oh boy... It looks like things are going to get interesting."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 14, 2009, 06:14:30 PM
"Ellie, you've got some 'splaining to do..." Lemmy cynically says as his right hand starts moving to the crossbow strapped on his back.

[spoiler]Some fluff text until my Initiative comes up :)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 14, 2009, 06:15:00 PM
This tall man is then replaced in a poof of smoke by what appears to be a youth no older than thirteen. He wears a black tunic, red undershirt, dark pants and matching calf-high leather boots. On his hands are stainless white gloves. He has white hair and reddish eyes - and out of his top hat sprouts a pair of cat-like ears. His right hand holds a scepter with a skull on its tip in glossy black crystal, with deep red gemstones set in its eyes - which nonetheless looks more cartoonish than anything.

"You called, I presume. And to your call I answer."

Then why does he assume such a child-like appearance?!
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 14, 2009, 06:32:50 PM
[spoiler]Knowledge checks to see if I know what or who he is?

Knowledge (Arch&Eng, Planes, Local, Psionics) +15
Knowledge (Nature, Religion, History, Arcana, Dungeoneering, Geography) +10
And Collector of Stories for +5 when applicable.

Here are a couple of d20 rolls. Hell if I know which knowledge to use them on. ;)
1d20=12, 1d20=9 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2321538/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 14, 2009, 06:38:03 PM
[spoiler]*Points up*

What he said :)

Two Knowledge checks should be enough methinks, all are at +15:
32, 25 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2321546/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 14, 2009, 06:46:27 PM
Quick note: As of right now, the initiative order is on ice. The guards haven't moved from their position around the ramp.

Phaedrus and Bowen:
[spoiler]The man who initially appeared bears a striking resemblance to the mage historically credited with the creation of the Ritual of Crucimigration (used to create Necropolitans). This mage vanished well before the ritual procedures were discovered in his abandoned residence.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 14, 2009, 06:54:02 PM
"Care to tell us what this is all about, Eleanor?" Lemmy asks with a raspy voice, crossbow at the ready.

Mikkey Dee just arrived in the door-opening of the cargohold.

"What's going on in here, Lem?" the hairy Bugbear asked, his twin maces in hand.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 14, 2009, 06:57:54 PM
The man - or child, as his current appearance befit him - gazed towards the remaining people in the cargo hold with amazing disinterest. He didn't seem none too worried about their demeanor - if anything, it seemed natural. That he didn't seem threatened at all would make most certainly unnerved, but he spoke nothing until spoken to for the time being.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita November 14, 2009, 07:06:34 PM
Running up to the new boy, Lucy excitedly starts rattling off questions. "Hello what's your name I'm Lucy are you a shayp-sheef-tuh do you turn into things when you're set on fire nevermind I'll try it!" The small girl innocently extends a hand toward the boy, which is wreathed in white-hot flames.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 14, 2009, 07:06:57 PM
Eleanor bites her lip. "I...was worried. Things weren't looking too great, so I--well, this crate I brought had been part of the family for years. It was a heirloom, really. The legend went that if we were ever in dire need we should open the crate, and I thought this qualified. Although I certainly wasn't expecting this." She glances apprehensively at the child standing next to her.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 14, 2009, 07:08:12 PM
"How about you, kid, care to introduce yourself before I shoot you in the head?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 14, 2009, 07:16:14 PM
"A heirloom you're currently attached to, miss." The "child" calmly spoke. "My stipulation on the contract was that the seal on my coffin would be broken if the original contractor or his descendant ever required my aid. So the legend you speak of is correct. I would have your request now."

The child clicks the scepter to the ground, placing both hands atop it. "Given that it has apparently been quite a while since I was originally sealed, I would need to remind you that the help is only unconditional upon breaking the seal. Further consideration will follow after the crisis is resolved. Thus, let us get to business."

The kid morosely turns his head towards Lemmy for a moment - as if he'd only then recognized his presence in the room. "Oh, right. That is something my current contractor would also probably not know by now. I am Nax - Nax Windbrook. In my time, I was also known as the Dusk Edge. Nice to meet you."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 14, 2009, 07:21:54 PM
"So, you're with Eleanor then...

Any idea what happened with our friend the inquisitor?


Edward, can you tell if your power had any effect?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 14, 2009, 07:26:22 PM
Eleanor draws a calming breath, then speaks politely to Nax. "I require your assistance to ensure my survival while inside Riedra. Once we have left Sarlona, one way or another, your contract is formally discharged."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 14, 2009, 07:34:07 PM
"Tch. I hate bodyguard work... but a contract is a contract, I suppose." Nax spoke with a slight sigh.

"I wouldn't really know; I literally just got here. My body was set in stasis somewhere else."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 14, 2009, 07:37:41 PM
[spoiler]I've been rolling terribly for the inquisitor's Wisdom checks anyway, but what was the ML on that Time Hop?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 14, 2009, 10:15:56 PM
[spoiler]I've been rolling terribly for the inquisitor's Wisdom checks anyway, but what was the ML on that Time Hop?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]10[/spoiler]"I'd say it worked. He'll be back soon, though. If you all want to step outside somewhere, I will deal with him. He'll never know what happened." The disembodied voice chuckles.

Then it says "Felix, meet your maker here.  and chuckles even more.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita November 14, 2009, 10:27:30 PM
Feeling ignored, Lucy shifts her attention to Nax's unusual ears, flying up behind him and pulling on them. "Ooh! Was your mommy a cat? Or your daddy?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 14, 2009, 10:32:13 PM
Feeling ignored, Lucy shifts her attention to Nax's unusual ears, flying up behind him and pulling on them. "Ooh! Was your mommy a cat? Or your daddy?"

Nax chuckled slightly at Lucy's curiosity. "Neither, actually. I just happen to like this form better. You know what they say about cats and curiosity... I'm just cabal proof of the matter."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 14, 2009, 11:30:08 PM
At this point, the inquisitor appears in the middle of the group, still trailing smoke. He appears to be focused on a point slightly behind everyone in the room, but quickly notes the abrupt shift in everyone's positions and turns, confused by the addition of three people.

[spoiler]Luuuuuucy, I'm hoooome! :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 15, 2009, 12:04:11 AM
Eddie says "Ah dammit, you guys are too slow. This isn't a family reunion, here."

[spoiler]Eddie manifests Anticipatory Strike, and then hits the Inquisitor with another Time Hop. He suppresses the displays on both (automatic success). That's a total of 19 power points he's spent from the Metaconcert pool.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 15, 2009, 12:12:52 AM
"Oh, sorry. By the way, who are you?" The child questioned with a puzzled look.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 15, 2009, 12:30:43 AM
The inquisitor disappears again, this time with no obvious evidence of supernatural forces. The cargo hold is simply slightly emptier than it was a second before.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 15, 2009, 12:47:10 AM
The disembodied voice says "You can call me Eddie. We'll sit down and play some cards over a cup of tea later to get better acquainted." He cackles wildly and then abruptly stops, a serious tone in his voice "For the time, being we need to deal with this Inquisitor."

[spoiler]Can we turn off this Mind Blank effect? I have a few things I want to share with the Inquisitor when he reappears. (Dominate and Modify Memory :P )[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 15, 2009, 08:05:07 AM
"Edward's right, we can get better acquainted once this is over. Let's go."

With that Lemmy starts to leave the room.

"I take it you'll be sharing a Piece of Mind with the inquisitor, Edward?" he chuckles as he and Mikkey Dee exit the room.

[spoiler]Had to throw in that reference, it was too perfect :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 15, 2009, 09:18:13 AM
"Fair enough. Miss Eleanor, if you would?" Nax offers with a soft bow.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 15, 2009, 12:45:49 PM
Eleanor curtsies in return and walks briskly out of the room after Lemmy.

[spoiler]The inquisitor reappears after six rounds. The guards outside are still holding their positions.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 15, 2009, 12:58:37 PM
[spoiler]So we have 6 rounds to prepare and do stuff?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 15, 2009, 01:03:00 PM
[spoiler]Yep. Although Eddie seems to have the situation well in hand.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 15, 2009, 05:13:44 PM
[spoiler]If I can turn off the Mindblank, yeah. I'll use Schism before he reappears, then Dominate him (twice if he saves). I'll use Anticipatory Strike again to keep him from going before me. Then I'll tell him to take his men, approve our entry, and leave. Then I'll rearrange his memory, so he doesn't know any better afterwards. 

We better heal him and get rid of the singes, also. :P [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 15, 2009, 05:20:48 PM
[spoiler]Sounds like a plan :)

Too bad we can't turn of the Mind Blank though...
Anyone have any forced teleportation to get him the the Mindrape Chamber (tm)? :P
(the one that Eddie uses for this kind of stuff).[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 15, 2009, 06:15:11 PM
[spoiler]Hmm... War troll stunning isn't Mind Affecting. We can chain stun him and carry him there.  :D I'll have Probe (Eddie's psicrystal) come down, turn him into a War Troll, and he can curb stomp him and drag him up there.

Eddie will borrow Overchannel from a believer via Feat Leech so he can turn Probe into a War Troll. I'll tally the total cost in power points later, but he has plenty for all this.

Eddie fires up a Schism as Probe is teleporting down. And he shares Psionic Lion's Charge with Probe on his charge, so it gets a full attack. Eddie also readies an action to Time Hop the guy if he is still undazed and conscious after Probe's charge. :P [/spoiler]

Probe, at Eddie's mental command, steps onto the "launcher", and dimension doors 11 feet from where the Inquisitor will reappear. Eddie turns him into a War Troll, and Probe readies an action to knock the crap out of the Inquisitor when he reappears. (Heedless charge for subdual damage, with pounce via Psionic Lion's Charge.) Eddie makes him a big sap (huge sized, he'll use it with two hands :P ) to use for this via a Linked Minor Creation.

Eddie will use Control Sound (manifest via Schism) to muffle his cries. Ah... it's good to be evil.  :smirk

[spoiler]I forgot to roll for Eddie's flaw, to see if he loses a round of actions. 1 on a 20 means he does: 1d20=10 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2322856/)

Attack rolls: 1d20+22=40 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2322876/), 1d20+17=33 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2322877/), 1d20+12=21 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2322878/)
Damage: 2d6+38=44, 2d6+38=45, 2d6+38=41 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2322879/)
Fort. save DC 25 for each that hits, or he is dazed for 1 round. [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 16, 2009, 01:07:12 AM
The inquisitor steps out of thin air, confusion still written across his face. It is quickly erased and replaced by blank serenity, though, as the war troll standing behind him promptly rushes up and bludgeons him into unconsciousness with an inappropriately quiet noise. The Inspired falls gently to the floor of the hold with a soft sigh.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 16, 2009, 01:30:47 AM
Eddie chuckles and says "Flawless victory!

Ok, now it's time to give this guy a piece of my mind."

[spoiler]Probe drags him to the Mind Rape chamber. :D Eddie modifies his memory so that he thinks he finished inspecting the ship, and found nothing out of the ordinary. We heal and clean him up, and let him go. Sound good?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 16, 2009, 06:32:40 AM
"...with such capable assistance, I'm starting to wonder why you called me, miss Eleanor." Nax pointed out briefly.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 16, 2009, 10:38:55 AM
"I expect we'll be dealing with a lot more threatening challenges than a border patrol," Eleanor answers somewhat worriedly as Probe slings the inquisitor over a shoulder and walks off to the prepared chamber.

Several minutes later, the inquisitor walks out under his own power, his robes and skin magically wiped of burns and chars. Approaching Lemmy, he says,
"Very good, everything seems to be in order. Before you, ah, perform, you'll need to obtain a permit. The closest bureau is about two miles to the west, you should be able to spot the settlement from the air. Are there further questions?"

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 16, 2009, 11:45:37 AM
"None from me, thank you for the assistance." Nax politely replies.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw November 16, 2009, 11:57:36 AM
"I think we'll manage." Lemmy smiles.

"Thanks for the assistance"


He accompanies the Inquisitor to the boarding ramp and raises it as soon as he's of the ship.


"Time to fly. Edward, set a course, will you?

Oh, and nice work back there." he grins as he heads back to his quarters.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 16, 2009, 12:30:19 PM
The inquisitor marches down the ramp and across the mesa, flanked by his invisible guards. When they reach a safe distance, he closes his eyes for a second, and the entire group vanishes from sight.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 16, 2009, 12:52:17 PM
"Thanks. We'll see if they uncover it. We may not be out of the fire yet. The Sarlonan capacity for treachery and paranoia knows no bounds. I'm not sure how I know that, though..." His voice trails off faintly with the last sentence.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 16, 2009, 03:05:03 PM
"I'll have you know I'm from Sarlona, myself." Nax points out matter-of-factly. "But I don't think I can disagree with you there. Miss Eleanor, I believe we have much to discuss. I have no idea for how long I've been in stasis exactly, so I'd appreciate a catch-up on current events."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 16, 2009, 04:31:12 PM
"Of course. But I must admit, I don't really know when you were put into stasis. Are you at all familiar with the Last War and the Treaty of Thronehold?"

[spoiler]The Last War started approximately107 years ago. The Treaty of Thronehold, which ended the war, was signed only five years ago. Depending on when Nax was put into stasis, he may or may not recognize these. [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 16, 2009, 05:13:23 PM
"I'm afraid not. Then again, I wasn't all that acquainted with the goings of the outside world - I was very recluse, as most students of the dark arts tend to be." Nax complemented. "If it's any reference, by the time I had almost completed my research, the processes which led to the creation of undead were crude and excessively time-consuming. I improved them to the point where one could summon undead as easily as most conjurers do nowadays." It then occurs to him that Eleanor is likely not acquainted with such arcane intricacies. "Nevertheless, there's a good chance I was sealed more than a hundred years or so before the Last War, judging from the conditions of my coffin."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 16, 2009, 05:36:00 PM
Eleanor frowns a bit, then her eyes widen. "So your name isn't just a coincidence, then. You're the real Dusk Edge. Well, this certainly complicates things. As it stands right now, the Treaty ended the war and created several distinct nations, which are for the most part peaceful. The dragonmarked families still have feuds, though with less severity than before. Judging by what I recall of history, things are much calmer now. Wars are quiet these days. As for arcane studies, I trust that several leaps and bounds have been made since your era. You'd be most interested in necromancy, though, and that's not my particular branch of study."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 16, 2009, 07:54:33 PM
"Is it that difficult to believe? I don't recall my name being famous back in my time." Nax replied in slight mulling. "Perhaps my initial reflex of changing to a less conspicuous appearance wasn't a waste, then."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 16, 2009, 07:57:36 PM
"Oh you're quite well known among certain... circles. Wouldn't you say, Felix?"

The "archon" standing nearby changes form into a human with pale, withered skin and red eyes. He says "Oh yes, I'd say so."

The disembodied voice continues "After your... disappearance, your notebook was found, and your... procedure... has been replicated many times over since then

I'm sure Thomas, our resident fanboy of undeath, would be particularly delighted to meet you. Well... not the only fanboy, but probably the most... dedicated."
[spoiler]
I just gave my undead-making cleric a name. :P [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 16, 2009, 08:35:27 PM
"Oh you're quite well known among certain... circles. Wouldn't you say, Felix?"

The "archon" standing nearby changes form into a human with pale, withered skin and red eyes. He says "Oh yes, I'd say so."

The disembodied voice continues "After your... disappearance, your notebook was found, and your... procedure... has been replicated many times over since then

I'm sure Thomas, our resident fanboy of undeath, would be particularly delighted to meet you. Well... not the only fanboy, but probably the most... dedicated."
[spoiler]
I just gave my undead-making cleric a name. :P [/spoiler]

"Those particular notes were probably incomplete, though. You didn't think I'd just leave my precious research material where anyone could find it, did you?" Nax offered with a soft grin. He seemed pleased to see that his choice of craft didn't offer him enemies such as back in his time. "My disappearance, as you put it, was planned. After I first completed the ritual I'm credited for - the original name of which wasn't supposed to be Ritual of Crucimigration, by the way; there's nothing ambulatory about it - I decided to seal myself in stasis so my body could properly exchange its flow of positive energy for negative. That would be why, despite being undeniably undead, I'm not quite as dead as a zombie. My body retains pretty much all the functionality it did from before the ritual, but without the need to eat, drink or sleep, and without pesky aging issues either."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 16, 2009, 09:46:02 PM
"Ah, alas poor Felix. He'll always be a dessicated husk. And well... I'm... not... quite... there... either..." the voice says, and then a skeletal figure slowly materializes in the room, smile first, laughing hysterically.

"I'm an older model, and as you can see substantially less complete than either of you two pretty boys."  He places his hands on his hip bones and twirls around as if he was a fashion model showing off the latest fluffy skirt. If a skeleton could smile, you'd swear he is.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken November 16, 2009, 10:02:25 PM
"Oho, a soul trapped in this vessel? That's quite unusual! In my time the complete transference of one's soul into an inanimate object was still a ways off." A pair of glasses poofs on Nax's face, which he adjusts for a moment in a mad scientist-like fashion, only to disappear a moment later.

"I presume this is necromantic work as well? Or is this from another source? It seems I have much to catch up on indeed; I feel like an old man."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY November 18, 2009, 01:00:54 AM
Eddie's voice fades as he fades from sight "Ask Thomas. He has enthusiam for such things." he says dejectedly.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw December 04, 2009, 02:52:27 PM
"If we're done with introductions, I suggest we set a course for the bureau the Inquisitor pointed us to. Edward, if you would be so kind?"

Lemmy says as he leaves the cargo hold and returns to his quarters.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 04, 2009, 02:54:59 PM
"Of course, Lemmy." Eddie mutters, and the ship lifts off the ground and turns towards its new course.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 04, 2009, 03:24:57 PM
Several birds perched on the railing quickly take off and fly away as the massive airship lifts into the air, elemental ring bursting into flame once again. One of the birds is caught in the sudden conflagration, and a light sprinkling of ash rains down onto the deck.

Sarlona rolls by quickly, the barren landscape below revealing little more interesting than rocky outcroppings and the occasional shimmer of air. Before too long, however, mountain peaks edge over the horizon and start to draw nearer in a way that brings the word "loom" to mind. The outpost the inquisitor mentioned is barely visible as a small structure at the base of a narrow gap between two of the peaks.


[spoiler]Anything to do before landing? Planning, RPing, spellcasting, barbecuing?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 04, 2009, 03:53:35 PM
"Should we be concerned about their thoughts on undead?" Nax questions as they slowly approach the outpost.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 04, 2009, 03:56:20 PM
Eddie manifests Synthesete and See Invisibility on his psicrystal before the Feat Leech that he used to borrow those powers wears off. This should allow the psicrystal to "see" out to a normal range (via the "Feel Light" effect of Synthesete), and see any invisible creatures nearby. This costs 4 power points, and both powers will last for an hour. He instructs the psicrystal to travel with Lemmy or whoever else wants to carry around the Ring Gate.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita December 04, 2009, 03:59:12 PM
Lucy passes the time immolating unsuspecting birds, laughing innocently whenever the sudden heat causes an internal organ to explode in a particularly 'pretty' fashion.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 15, 2009, 08:31:04 PM
As the airship draws within a mile of the gap, a faint silver shimmer becomes evident in the air above the outpost, stretching all the way to the top of the mountain peaks and to the roof of the outpost, leaving no visible opening. A sharp gust of wind fills the air, stirring up dust clouds on the ground below and momentarily causing the ship to veer before the elemental compensates at Eddie's direction.

Another telepathic voice rings out across the ship to those members of the crew not in protected areas:
<Land your vessel and prepare to explain your presence in Sarlona. Disobedience will be punished.>

[spoiler]Why yes, it's a massive ectoplasmic wall.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 15, 2009, 08:36:10 PM
Eddie mutters "Wow... now THAT is impressive. I gotta get me one of those!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw December 15, 2009, 08:39:34 PM
"Maybe you can ask the inquisitors after interrogation is over?" Lemmy says jokingly as he finishes his glass of scotch.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 15, 2009, 08:54:59 PM
"Quite an impressive device to keep a single vessel. Have things gone so far down they can afford to fear one airship so much? We don't appear armed." Nax muses.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw December 17, 2009, 04:59:11 PM
"Yeah, they're a paranoid bunch...

Set her down, if you'd please, Edward."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 17, 2009, 05:17:52 PM
Eddie directs the dominated elemental in the ship to land.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 18, 2009, 12:07:08 AM
No sooner has the ship touched down than another gust of wind springs up, creating a thick dust cloud that makes it nearly impossible to see. The wind is the only sound that can be heard, however, as no emissaries seem forthcoming.

[spoiler]Spot checks, everyone! At least, everyone who happens to be on deck at the time (which we may as well assume is everyone).[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 18, 2009, 12:19:26 AM
[spoiler]Spot fail check! (1d20+2=22) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2350960/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 18, 2009, 12:30:02 AM
[spoiler]Eddie: 1d20+10=14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2350972/)
Probe: 1d20+6=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2350974/) (has See Invis + Synthesete + Mindsight 20')
Felix: 1d20+5=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2350977/)
his psicrystal 1d20+4=24 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2350979/) (can only see 40 feet...)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw December 18, 2009, 06:47:27 AM
[spoiler]Lemmy: 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2351313/)

Screw you, IC! :fu


Mikkey Dee: 29 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2351314/)

That's better :)
[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita December 18, 2009, 12:19:56 PM
[spoiler]Lucy Spot (1d20=10) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2351481/)

Cohort Spot (1d20+5=25) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2351479/)

Lucy also has Mindsight out to 100 ft.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 18, 2009, 04:59:07 PM
Nax, Mikkey Dee, and Lucy's companion:
[spoiler]The oppressive dust makes it difficult for anyone to see much past the ship, but you all manage to see several pinpricks of light on the side of the mountain peaks. The lights seem to be flashing in sequence, as though someone were communicating with them.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw December 18, 2009, 05:05:20 PM
"Lem, do you see that?" the bugbear says as he squints his eyes.

"Looks like they're using lights to communicate..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 18, 2009, 06:07:39 PM
"Looks like they haven't evolved THAT much after all. Anyone know what kind of code they could be using?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 28, 2009, 05:02:16 PM
[spoiler]Any of these useful?

Knowledge (Arch&Eng, Planes, Local, Psionics) +15
Knowledge (Nature, Religion, History, Arcana, Dungeoneering, Geography) +10
He could boost these by +4 if given a minute to manifest Call to Mind, if it helps.

Psicraft +38

Eddie also speaks Common, Quori, Undercommon, Draconic, Giant, Dwarven, Elven, and Infernal[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 30, 2009, 12:58:17 AM
[spoiler]It's an old Imperial code. :P

The code is based off of a primitive method of communicating in Common through flashing lights (sort of like Morse code), but has been adapted to the Quori language. A few seconds of watching the latest light reveals the latter half of a word that could possibly be "ship," followed by "investigate."[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 30, 2009, 01:40:21 AM
Eddie absentmindedly says "Yeah, they're talking about us. They'll be here shortly."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 30, 2009, 01:44:16 AM
"Should we bake them cookies?" This is, apparently, Nax's innuendo for "gruesome, gory deaths".
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial January 15, 2010, 09:10:53 PM
[spoiler]If you happen to have some sort of Anticipate Teleportation effect up, do let me know.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY January 18, 2010, 07:43:30 PM
[spoiler]I don't think we do, but it is hard to keep up with all the crap that's on this ship. :P We should consider getting a Forbiddance effect put on the whole thing, though.  :smirk[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial February 09, 2010, 11:05:34 PM
[spoiler]Damn, it's nearly been a month. Sorry about that, guys...I'll try to keep things moving smoothly from now on, assuming you're still here.[/spoiler]

The dust cloud around the ship gradually dies away, revealing a pair of tall figures a moderate distance from the ship. Goggles and facewraps obscure their features, but their movements are graceful and poised as they walk slowly and in a non-threatening manner towards the airship.

Onboard the ship, Eleanor watches the approaching figures with slight worry.
"Should we take steps to mask my presence again?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken February 10, 2010, 12:40:18 AM
"If you'd prefer to do so, m'lady. But I honestly doubt they'll pose much of a hindrance to our advance." Nax replied matter-of-factly.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY February 10, 2010, 01:20:41 AM
"Didn't that... other gentleman... give us some kind of pass or something?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken February 10, 2010, 01:29:09 AM
"Presenting it should be the most safe passage requires, then." Nax mused.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY February 10, 2010, 01:33:42 AM
"No wait... he said we have to obtain a permit before we perform. He didn't give us one. I apologize for any confusion I may have caused..." Eddie's voice trails off again.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial February 10, 2010, 03:09:48 AM
The figures stop a short distance away from the ship. In unison, both of them perform a strange gesture, presenting their hands before them, palms upward. They make no further movement towards the Judas.

[spoiler]A DC 10 Knowledge (local) check indicates that you recognize this as a kalashtar greeting. (The DC is intentionally low--this isn't really specialized knowledge, since virtually everyone has had the opportunity to meet a kalashtar before.)[/spoiler]


: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw February 13, 2010, 02:08:35 PM
"Let's get this over with." Lemmy sighs at the thought of more bureaucratic nonsense.

"Edward, lower the ramp, will you?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita February 13, 2010, 04:04:28 PM
"Hello!" Lucy waves frenetically in greeting to the figures with a cheerful, innocent smile on her face.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY February 13, 2010, 04:18:20 PM
"Of course, Lem." Ed says, as the ramp begins to descend.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken February 13, 2010, 04:48:18 PM
"With any luck, they will know better than to delay us." Nax offered with his arms crossed.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY February 13, 2010, 05:04:09 PM
Eddie's disembodied voice chuckles at Nax's arrogance. "Didn't you say you were from Sarlona? That's not really how things work around here..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken February 13, 2010, 05:47:33 PM
"I've been asleep for a few hundred years. I suppose things can change."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial February 13, 2010, 10:08:49 PM
The figures approach the ramp and walk silently up to the deck of the airship. As they remove their protective garments, it becomes clear that these are kalashtar rather than the Inspired--and twins, at that. One of the kalashtar turns to Lucy and bows gravely, while the other inclines his head towards the rest of the group on deck. In a clear voice, he says "Greetings, travelers. May I ask what causes you to dare the voyage to Riedra?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken February 22, 2010, 02:06:01 AM
"We are a travelling band of musicians seeking an audience. As a matter of fact, we have a show scheduled at... what was that town's name again?" In his speech, Nax makes it a point to keep his top hat lowered as he turns to the others for confirmation.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 10, 2010, 09:40:33 PM
[spoiler]Shit, I was waiting for someone else to cut in...  :embarrassed[/spoiler]

"A band of musicians?" In unison, the kalashtar turn to regard each other, their expressions blank. "'Tis unusual for troubadours to enter Riedra...the Inspired are less than cordial hosts." Their gazes travel across the crewmembers one by one, lingering on Lucy and Nax.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 10, 2010, 09:51:10 PM
"Would you care for a demonstration? I promise you I won't try anything." Nax pointed out simply.

"Can someone lend me a guitar?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw March 11, 2010, 06:34:17 PM
"I'll get one from the lounge." Mikkey Dee offers before returning after about a minute with one of the guitars that are usually lying around.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 11, 2010, 08:28:43 PM
"Thank you, Mikkey. With your pardon..."

The "child" tests the cords for a few moments. Once he's content with their tuning, his fingertips begin to roam about the instrument's length.

It is a sight at once of beauty and dazzlement. Nax's solo is nothing short of absolutely perfect. His strumming leaves all but the most observant of eyes unable to accompany without sense of dizziness, while his left arm caresses the guitar's own with nigh-supernatural ability. Not one note is out of place, not a single chord is struck in vain. One has to wonder why the guitar doesn't light itself on fire.

Back in his own epoch, Nax would best be described as ahead of his own time. Today, he seemed to rock it old school - and old school has seldom looked this good.

[spoiler]Perform Check (1d20+17=36) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2438174/) That good enough for ya?  :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 11, 2010, 10:37:45 PM
The kalashtar are seemingly impressed with the solo.

In point of fact, impressed is hardly the word to use. The blank faces of the pair crinkle in disbelief as the "child" blazes a path up and down the fretboard, then break into smiles that finally allow onlookers to tell the pair apart. Their posture relaxes from its stiffness as Nax effortlessly makes the guitar wail and sing, and the toes of one of the duo even begin to tap. As Nax finishes with an elaborate flourish, the pair break into enthusiastic applause, grinning.


"Bravo! Splendidly done!" one of the pair calls out.
"Indeed, 'twas most masterful," the other agrees. "Though it does raise the question why performers of your caliber would be playing in Riedra, where your talents will surely go to waste?"

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 12, 2010, 12:39:24 AM
"Is it not obvious? It would be in Riedra that our talents are required the most! Would that we could change the faces of all there with smiles such as your own, kind sir." Nax replied with a boyish grin. It was somewhere between a smile of true appreciation for the applause, and a slight hint of cockiness showing through.

[spoiler]Would you like fries... I mean, a bluff check with that?  :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 12, 2010, 01:41:44 AM
[spoiler]If you'd be so kind. :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 12, 2010, 01:44:59 AM
[spoiler]It's true, they really need us! (1d20+13=28) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2438552/) Hmmm. Not so sure they'll fall for that one.  :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 12, 2010, 02:13:34 AM
One of the kalashtar tilts his head. "I suspect it might take a bit more than music to change the hearts and...minds of the Riedrans. Even such music as that." His words are slow and deliberate, chosen with care. His companion shifts slightly, almost as though he were nervous or agitated.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 12, 2010, 11:22:53 AM
"We will not know until we try it, good sirs. Keep in mind I am only one member of this band. My companions are at the very least as skilled as I am in musical matters - if not more." Nax offered simply. "It is said that songs can calm the heart of beasts - but what is not said is that it can also thaw the hearts of men. We appreciate your concern for our safety, however."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 12, 2010, 06:29:07 PM
"Thaw the hearts of men..." one of the kalashtar murmurs. He seems lost in thought, though his companion looks wary of this newfound mood. At last, the first kalashtar turns to his companion and says thoughtfully, "Do you think they have a chance?"

"Brother, calm yourself!" the other kalashtar interjects frantically. "We know nothing of their true motives..."

"Have you ever heard one of them or their ilk make such music? No, they can help us. They must help us." A fire burns in the eyes of the first kalashtar, and his mouth is set in determination.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw March 12, 2010, 06:38:22 PM
"Help you with what, exactly, boys?" Lemmy asks curiously.

"You boys want a drink by the way, we haven't been very good hosts so far."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 12, 2010, 06:45:35 PM
"Clearly now, you've piqued our curiosities. Please, do tell more!" Nax replies with a healthy dose of curious enthusiasm.

"Oh yes, Lemmy has a point as well." The young man agrees.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 12, 2010, 07:04:58 PM
[spoiler]Sense Motive from
Eddie (uses Inquisitor): 1d20+20=37 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2439502/)
Felix: 1d20+17=23 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2439504/)

Eddie suspects these guys are full of crap and are trying to bait us into revealing that we're actually spies or something. That, or they're plants that were sent to do the same thing, but actually believe what they're saying. Either way, we shouldn't tell them anything at all, no matter what they say, even if they believe whatever it is they say.

I'm not sure how he could communicate this discreetly to his allies, though, given that they're all under the effects of Mind Blank...[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 12, 2010, 07:23:17 PM
"My brother and I have a proposition we'd like to make, if you're interested in helping the citizens of Riedra. It is dangerous, to be certain, but the consequences of inaction would be far, far worse." The first kalashtar looks up towards the mountains, where a series of blinking lights has started again. "Perhaps we may continue our conversation inside? I believe a sandstorm is approaching, and should you agree to assist us, we will be able to begin our travels immediately."

The kalashtar turns to face the mountains, holding a small crystal above his head and squeezing it to produce an answering sequence of lights. A few seconds later, the silver shimmer of the ectoplasmic barrier fades away. The kalashtar bows, ignoring his companion's grim expression. "As a show of good faith..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw March 12, 2010, 07:36:54 PM
"This way please, lads." Lemmy says as he gestures towards the hallway leading towards the lounge.

"Let's talk about how we can help eachother.



Edward, if you'd please be so kind as to embed the ship in the ground so we don't get blown away?"

[spoiler]Using the bound Earth Elemental to bury the keel in the ground so we don't get blown away from our current location due to a sandstorm or something :)

Not sure if the 'burrow' function allows that, but fuck you, I'm going with the rule of cool :P ;)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 12, 2010, 08:08:41 PM
"My word, it definitely sounds important." Nax commented in passing. His curiosity was definitely piqued by now. As the newcomer, he tried not to speak for the whole band beyond what he'd done already though.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 12, 2010, 10:32:09 PM
Eddie complies and digs the ship into the ground partially to anchor it in place, but still does not speak and reveal himself to the newcomers. He doesn't trust them at all...
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 13, 2010, 12:27:16 AM
[spoiler]I think this game has already been bent towards the rule of cool anyway. :P[/spoiler]

Phaedrus:
[spoiler]Whoops, I completely forgot to give you the results of your check.

As far as Eddie and Felix can tell, the kalashtar seems to be telling the truth. What little he's said so far, anyway.[/spoiler]

While Eddie "parks" the ship, the kalashtar follow Lemmy towards the lounge, both taking seats beside each other. Neither speak for a while, though a few significant glances are exchanged. Eleanor slips into the room surreptitiously, resting one hand lightly on Lemmy's shoulder with a faintly worried look. At last, the first of the pair leans forward and begins to speak.

"Are you certain this room is safe from clairsentience, sir...?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw March 13, 2010, 06:34:05 AM
"Yes, don't worry about it. I'm sure you and your companions have noticed there are certain shielded areas on board this ship." Lemmy grins as he pours the pair a glass of scotch each before filling his and Eleanor's glasses.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita March 13, 2010, 09:24:47 AM
Lucy claps enthusiastically after Nax's solo, but she seems rather uninterested in negotiations. "Let's have a jelly session!" She looks at the liquor that the grown-ups are drinking with big eyes, and starts pestering Lemmy to give her some too, even though she doesn't really know what it is.

[spoiler]Or was it a marmalade session? I'm sure it was something like that.
Also, I strongly avise against giving Lucy alcohol. Then again, it might be funny. The death, fire, and widespread destruction kind of funny. Note: Alcohol is flammable.
[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 13, 2010, 10:33:54 AM
"We definitely should give it a try after this talk, miss Lucy." Nax offered with a smile.

"Pray tell, why are you worried about prying eyes?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 13, 2010, 01:50:28 PM
"As you may have already deduced, we are not aligned with the Inspired. Nor are we entirely aligned with the monasteries of Adar--our sympathies lie with the innocents of Riedra. Our organization is little more than an underground resistance force, limited in our operations by the Thousand Eyes. Up until now, we would never have considered an act of this magnitude.

Some information we have gathered in hit-and-fade operations suggests that the Eyes are in the process of constructing a monolith near the edge of the border. It appears to be one of the arrays used to project the Voice across the continent, but much more specialized and delicate. Unlike the others, it can be used to send broadcasts from the Prime, rather than Dal Quor.

We also know that a high-ranking member of the Dreaming Dark is overseeing the construction. He's known for hunting and capturing "altavars," and there may be a few unfortunates on-site.

Our proposal is this: We will assist you in taking the monolith. You can then use it to communicate mentally with the citizens of Riedra. If you played like that for them, I'm sure there would be a shift away from the Path of Inspiration. After you finish, we destroy the array, make our escape, and then comes the matter of payment."

Throughout this speech, the kalashtar's friend has been looking more and more grim, while Eleanor's grip on Lemmy's shoulder has tightened fractionally.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita March 13, 2010, 02:04:28 PM
With big eyes, Lucy turns to the silent, grim visitor. "What's an altavar?"

[spoiler]Sense Motive, just in case? :P Can never be paranoid enough.

Sense Motive (1d20+4=10) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2440200/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 13, 2010, 03:05:56 PM
"Sounds like the biggest crowd we'd ever be able to play for... If not the most dangerous. What makes you so sure we'd be able to pull this off, if we did?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 14, 2010, 12:16:18 AM
[spoiler]Eddie will take 10 on a few knowledge checks to see how much he knows of what they're saying:

Eddie: Knowledge (Local, Psionics) 25
Knowledge (Religion, History, Geography) 20

If it would help, I could also "reroll" those with a bonus using "Call to Mind".

I am not familiar with some of what you're talking about OOC, either. So could you mention anything relevant that Eddie would know... [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 14, 2010, 12:40:22 AM
Phaedrus:
[spoiler]Sarlona is more or less divided into the nations of Riedra, run by the Inspired (and the quori), and Adar, where the kalashtar are constantly fighting off a siege from the Inspired. Riedra is essentially a psionic version of 1984, down to the Thousand Eyes, a network of spies and agents intended to find dissidents and traitors.

The Voice is a psionic telepathic broadcast, projected from Dal Quor straight to the minds of the citizens. The monoliths are thought to help relay these broadcasts, but you can't normally broadcast a message from one of them.

If the Thousand Eyes is the spy network, the Unity is the group in charge of day-to-day activity such as industry and health, and the Harmonious Shield is the military force of Riedra, the Dreaming Dark is the shadowy puppet master pulling all their strings. Most Riedrans have never even heard of the Dark, and wouldn't believe the Inspired were involved if they did. (Riedran citizens as a whole are typically taught to believe in a sort of reincarnation system and are fearful to do anything to soil their spirits--including coming into contact with foreigners.)

The Path of Inspiration is the religious system used to keep the Riedrans in line. Spiritual advancement occurs from life to life, as citizens transform from beast to subhuman to human to changeling to Chosen and so on. The Inspired are the mortal vessels for the resulting great spirit (read: quori). As for an altavar...[/spoiler]

"An altavar," the grim kalashtar says, "is what the Path of Inspiration calls an evil spirit. They are blamed for everything from foreigners to social deviance to failings of the Inspired, and are said to be the source of arcane magic. Just another way for the Inspired to seed fear." He scowls grimly.

After a short pause, his companion says to Nax with a wry smile,
"What makes us so sure you could pull this off? Think for a minute. What happened to the Inspired who were running this outpost?"

Agita:
[spoiler]What a nice man he is! You should sit in his lap. :P[/spoiler]

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 14, 2010, 01:02:47 AM
"I suppose you have a point. Still, wouldn't a monolith - one currently under construction, no less - be more heavily guarded? This is the frontier after all - the very fame of this place is supposed to keep outsiders at bay."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 14, 2010, 01:26:01 AM
"The Inspired are always cautious, it is true. However, in this instance, they will be unable to closely examine every single person entering and leaving the area--there will be workers entering and leaving at all times. It would be almost trivial to enter the monolith."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 14, 2010, 03:50:21 AM
"What of our instruments? Further, even a casual glance with one's senses tuned to the flow of magic might end revealing us." Nax seemed content to try and poke holes into the Kalashtar's plans, at least as long as his companions would not speak up.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 14, 2010, 12:54:49 PM
"Magic can be concealed, your instruments can be hidden. The real trouble will come once we enter the monolith itself. It may be more difficult to avoid encountering the Dreaming Dark there, but it is certainly possible. One of our agents has already breached their security and gathered cursory information."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 14, 2010, 01:07:23 PM
Eddie finally speaks up, fulfilling his role as the repository of knowledge that controls the ship. "Let me fill in a few details that our guests are leaving out, for those among us that are not that knowledgeable about the continent.

Sarlona is more or less divided into two nations. The first is Riedra, which is run by the Inspired, and the quori, which are spirits from Dal Quor that interact with our world through the dreams and possession of mortals (mostly humans called "Chosen" which have been bred not to resist). The second is Adar, where the kalashtar are constantly fighting off a siege from the Inspired. The kalashtar, as our guests appear to be, are... were... an offshoot of the Inspired that took a different path. Their quori spirits no longer directly control their actions, but act more as guiding ancestors... I guess you might say.

The Thousand Eyes are a network of spies and agents intended to find dissidents and traitors.

The Voice is a psionic telepathic broadcast, projected from Dal Quor straight to the minds of the citizens. The monoliths are thought to help relay these broadcasts, but you can't normally broadcast a message from one of them.

The Unity is the group in charge of day-to-day activity such as industry and health, and the Harmonious Shield is the military force of Riedra.

The Dreaming Dark is the shadowy puppet master pulling all their strings, the rulers of the Quori. Most Riedrans have never even heard of the Dark, and wouldn't believe the Inspired were involved if they did. Riedran citizens as a whole are typically taught to believe in a sort of reincarnation system and are fearful to do anything to soil their spirits--including coming into contact with foreigners.

The Path of Inspiration is the religious system used to keep the Riedrans in line. Spiritual advancement occurs from life to life, as citizens transform from beast to subhuman to human to changeling to Chosen and so on. The Inspired are the mortal vessels for the resulting great spirit."

The spirit's voice finally takes a short pause, and then addresses the visitors "As to what happened to the Inspired which were controlling this outpost... I see two possibilities.

One: You destroyed them. As a presumably small resistance movement, I'm not sure how or why you'd want to act so openly, or be able to, though. Which leads me to my second hypothesis.

Two: You are simply their puppets, sent to ferret out information from us.

I think we should certainly try and discover which of these is the truth... And I'm afraid that your own "innocence" in the second possibility is hardly enough to convince me that it isn't the correct one. You could certainly be Quori puppets and not even know it. Indeed... those are the best kind."

As Eddie says the last, the gangplank to the ship begins slowly closing, and finishes with a clanging sound as he stops speaking.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 14, 2010, 09:34:51 PM
"So how do we ascertain this, and what's more, how do we keep those outside from knowing the strings have been cut should your hypothesis be correct, Eddie?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 15, 2010, 02:26:17 AM
The dour kalashtar shrugs at the noise. "Go ahead and probe us. What will it prove? Even if you find nothing, you can still claim we're quori puppets and slay us. Whatever justification is necessary for you to slay us and still sleep peacefully."

His talkative companion looks much less laid back about the situation.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 15, 2010, 03:53:55 AM
The dour kalashtar shrugs at the noise. "Go ahead and probe us. What will it prove? Even if you find nothing, you can still claim we're quori puppets and slay us. Whatever justification is necessary for you to slay us and still sleep peacefully."

His talkative companion looks much less laid back about the situation.


"We might have a hard time finding a coffin that accomodates your large balls. But I'm more interested in knowing whether there's a chance you are actually that crazy."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 15, 2010, 11:37:38 AM
Eddie says "Unfortunately, I agree. If they've been mind fucked by the Inspired, I doubt even I could even tell. So we should just do what ever we want: help them, kill them, whatever, and plan for the worst. Hope for the best, but expect the worst. That's my motto." He chuckles cynically at his own joke.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 15, 2010, 11:42:16 AM
"There is one alternative I've just now considered. I could make them into Dread Warriors. This way, we can ensure with almost 100% certainty that if the Inspired DID mess with their minds, that it won't matter at all. They will retain their original thoughts and the ability to think, though their personalities will be... a touch subdued." Nax considers. "The only drawback is that I can only make one Dread Warrior a day."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 16, 2010, 01:37:53 AM
The kalashtar look at each other at this proclamation, identical expressions of fear crossing their faces.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 16, 2010, 02:12:57 AM
"Looks like your balls won't need a separate coffin after all. Where'd your determination go?" Nax offers with no small modicum of amusement. "You aren't afraid of death... yet you ARE afraid of undeath. I could make you into VERY formidable warriors indeed." Nax's grin widens from ear to ear, quite disturbingly so. "But maybe you would care to tell us exactly why that is, and keep your ability to breathe."

At this point, the diminute young man had been petting the top of his scepter's skull, eyes ever-so-fixed into the two kalashtar. His gaze seemed not to focus on them specifically, but on what they would become.

[spoiler]An intimidate check might be in order. Shame I'm not very good at it. I love the smell of wet pants in the morning (1d20+9=21) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2443131/) I suppose circunstamce bonuses MIGHT apply.  :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 16, 2010, 11:25:18 AM
Eddie says "Hmm... I have another idea. Although it is trivial to... clean up... the undesired memories of a mind, I don't know of any way to remove psychic impressions left in an area. Strong emotions can leave impressions that a sensitive mind can detect.

You gentlemen claim to have... dealt with... the Inspired that once resided here. Could you show William where they were dealt with? They should have left psychic impressions of the horror of their deaths there, which might still be detectable.

Probe will accompany you."

As if on cue, the small crystal scuttles in on its spidery legs and stops just in front of the two kalashtar, as if waiting. An older human man walks in behind the crystal and also waits silently.

"William is getting somewhat advanced in years. If he performs well, maybe this will be his chance to earn his immortality. The power of the mind is not dulled in undeath, if the ritual is performed properly. Indeed, undeath merely frees you from many of the threats posed by other psychics while preserving the power of your own mind for eternity..."

At this, the old man smiles and a look of fond hopefulness passes over his face.

[spoiler]William is now my Seer 4s name. :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 16, 2010, 12:53:35 PM
"Failing that, I could always raise the corpses and ask them." Nax punctuates.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 16, 2010, 05:46:10 PM
The pair regard each other inscrutably, their faces carefully blank. Finally, the more taciturn of the pair turns back to the group and nods once. Both of them rise as one, waiting for further instruction.

[spoiler]You know, at first I misread the word "detectable" as "delectable." :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 16, 2010, 06:37:46 PM
[spoiler]You know, at first I misread the word "detectable" as "delectable." :P[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Eh, either one works. The fact that you misread it means that I must be doing good job making Eddie seem like an incredibly creepy, weird, and evil bastard. :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 23, 2010, 04:12:09 PM
The psicrystal crawls up onto the old man's shoulder, and the man says "Well, I'm ready when you gents are." Felix also comes in, wearing the mobile portal that maintains a connection back to Eddie and the ship.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 23, 2010, 08:48:39 PM
"Funny, it's the first time in a while I've been called a gent." Nax pointed with a chuckle. "I'm ready."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 23, 2010, 10:38:16 PM
"Will your manservant be accompanying us as well?" the dour kalashtar asks, inclining his head in Felix's direction. His companion says nothing, instead rolling his head in a circle with a series of cracks and pops.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 25, 2010, 04:34:34 PM
Eddie says "Yes, he will. You never know when you need a good butler to clean up a mess." and chuckles to himself as if he'd told a joke only he gets.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 25, 2010, 10:40:39 PM
Without further ado, the kalashtar make their exit, accompanied by Felix and William. Upon exiting the ship, the strange group makes its way across the dusty plains, quickly becoming hard to follow in the swirls of dust. The pair of kalashtar put their goggles and masks back on as they enter the dust storm.

A few minutes of walking takes them to the foot of the mountains, where one of the kalashtar wordlessly indicates a small crevice in the rock that they crawl into one at a time, quickly vanishing from sight.


[spoiler]So, do we trust them enough to send our minions in after them? :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 25, 2010, 11:47:58 PM
Without further ado, the kalashtar make their exit, accompanied by Felix and William. Upon exiting the ship, the strange group makes its way across the dusty plains, quickly becoming hard to follow in the swirls of dust. The pair of kalashtar put their goggles and masks back on as they enter the dust storm.

A few minutes of walking takes them to the foot of the mountains, where one of the kalashtar wordlessly indicates a small crevice in the rock that they crawl into one at a time, quickly vanishing from sight.


[spoiler]So, do we trust them enough to send our minions in after them? :D[/spoiler]


[spoiler]They're in for emasculation otherwise. Plus, we can always raise the dead bodies.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 26, 2010, 01:12:48 AM
[spoiler]So, do we trust them enough to send our minions in after them? :D[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Felix has one of the Ring Gates, and Eddie's psicrystal. So Eddie is basically "with them", too. :P

Speaking of which, can he actually see through those? And if so, what orientation do they need to be in? Facing "inward" towards the ship?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 26, 2010, 08:27:27 PM
[spoiler]I'm pretty sure you can see through a Ring Gate. And yes, now you're thinking with portals. :P[/spoiler]

The fissure is cramped and narrow, but Probe, Felix, and William make their way inside without much trouble, though William has cause to complain about his knees. A few hundred feet in, the tunnel opens up onto a cavern about one hundred feet across, filled with bunks, a small kitchen, and a fair number of corpses, dried blood congealed about wounds in various places on their body. Another tunnel at the back of the room leads...somewhere else. The kalashtar are standing near the entrance, a grim smile floating about the face of the dour one.

Everyone back on the ship:
[spoiler]Anyone who might be above deck (and yes, anyone who *is* the deck :P), kindly make a Spot/Listen check.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita March 26, 2010, 08:53:57 PM
[spoiler]Being busy with school is a wonderful thing, ain't it?

Lucy will be trying to get front-row seats to watch through the portal... and readies an action to stick her arm out and burninate if things turn ugly (or fun, if you ask her). :D
Her cohort, however, might be on deck. She also has a higher Wis, and thus an actual chance to spot something. :P
Spot cohort (1d20+5=17) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2456930/)
Listen cohort (1d20+5=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2456931/)
Hold on, Aasimars also get +2 to Spot and Listen on top of that, don't they? Not that it's likely to matter...

Reminds me that I need to persist some spells on the group. Nax wants a Death Ward and Life Ward, IIRC. I think everyone will appreciate a Chained Persisted Reached Greater Vigor. :D Any other wishes?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 26, 2010, 11:27:24 PM
[spoiler]Being busy with school is a wonderful thing, ain't it?

Lucy will be trying to get front-row seats to watch through the portal... and readies an action to stick her arm out and burninate if things turn ugly (or fun, if you ask her). :D
Her cohort, however, might be on deck. She also has a higher Wis, and thus an actual chance to spot something. :P
Spot cohort (1d20+5=17) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2456930/)
Listen cohort (1d20+5=8) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2456931/)
Hold on, Aasimars also get +2 to Spot and Listen on top of that, don't they? Not that it's likely to matter...

Reminds me that I need to persist some spells on the group. Nax wants a Death Ward and Life Ward, IIRC. I think everyone will appreciate a Chained Persisted Reached Greater Vigor. :D Any other wishes?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]With that much help, I'm probably better off not asking for anything else.  :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 26, 2010, 11:49:12 PM
[spoiler]Spot; Listen 1d20+8=23, 1d20+5=14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2457083/)
I forgot to add the +2 from Alertness for "being near" his item familiar. So that should be 25 Spot and 16 Listen.

I don't know if the ship has some kind of "alarm system". I'd bet it does, but I'd have to dig through that big list of stuff Bowen put on it...

Edit: Yep, it does.
-Captain's Lantern (12 000 gp)
Constant Alarm effect, crew with lantern token does not set of the effect.

Also... I figured out how we can "question" the corpses:
-Bier of Inquisition, Greater (22 500gp)
This large stone platform casts speak with dead on any corpse lain upon it. This lasts for 15 minutes, and in this time the corpse can be asked up to seven questions, and it answers as best it can. This does not work on undead. If the corpse’s alignment differs from that of the person asking the question, the corpse gets a Will save
(DC 14). After the effect expires, the bier of inquisition will not work on that same corpse for a full week, nor will a standard speak with dead spell.

Also, in case it is a Scrying effect, don't forget this:
-Inscriptions of Vacancy (22 500gp)
Everyone within this stronghold space becomes undetectable to scrying. In fact, to them it appears as if the room is entirely empty of people and devoid of activity, no matter how many people are in it or what they are doing. These inscriptions are often used on areas that need to remain secure, such as throne rooms or war counsel rooms. No decent kingdom is without at least one such room in its leader’s stronghold.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial March 26, 2010, 11:57:19 PM
[spoiler]I really have to write up a list of protections on this ship :P

Also, is Bowen still playing? Haven't seen him around in a while...[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken March 27, 2010, 07:51:58 AM
[spoiler]...how much did that freaking ship cost anyways?![/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY March 28, 2010, 12:03:17 AM
[spoiler]...how much did that freaking ship cost anyways?![/spoiler]
[spoiler]A lot...  :p Several people took the Landlord feat, and all applied it to the ship.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial April 10, 2010, 12:08:18 AM
Mmkay...no one on deck sees anything. Not that this is, y'know, much of a catalyst, but hey.

However, the "alarm" does give off a ping, audible to everyone onboard the ship.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw June 12, 2010, 10:17:46 AM
Looking up from his glass of scotch Lemmy calls for Eddie: "Edward, it would appear we have uninvited guests. Sound the alarm and make sure the crew is on full alert, will you?" He then finishes his drink in one big gulp and gets up, locks and loads his crossbow and beckons for Mikkey Dee to follow him as he heads for the door.

[spoiler]Think Eddie can 'scan' the ship for intruders, Phaedrus?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita June 14, 2010, 02:35:22 PM
As Lemmy looks up from his scotch, Lucy looks up from her intrigued study of everything that's happening beyond the portal with a beaming smile. "Yay! Let's go say hi!" Taking off, she zooms through the air past Lemmy, looking left and right excitedly for the visitors.

[spoiler]Anything show up on my Mindsight radar?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial June 14, 2010, 02:52:44 PM
[spoiler]Range of 100 feet, yeah? You sense something out there with an Intelligence of 17, near the prow of the ship.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita June 14, 2010, 03:37:43 PM
Ooh! There's a really smart man out there! Come on, Lemmy! Flying high, Lucy hovers toward a position from where she can see the point where the mind she senses is and looks straight at it, regardless of whether she can see the mind's possessor, smiling and waving innocently. "Hi! Who are you?"

[spoiler]Lucy will want to get LoS and LoE to the square where she senses the mind, preferably without cover or concealment between her and it. She'll want to stay well out of melee range, but won't make a point of flying away unless it looks dangerous.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial June 14, 2010, 03:51:51 PM
Lucy spots a man dressed in desert colours clinging to the hull of the ship. He catches sight of the flying girl, chuckles ruefully, and says, "Knew I forgot something. Say hello to your mum for me, sweets." He then drops out of sight, and curiously vanishes from Lucy's mindsight.



: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita June 14, 2010, 04:46:31 PM
Clapping her hands, Lucy shouts, "Yay! Do it again!" Her eyes briefly flash red as she checks for traces of how the man's magic trick worked.

[spoiler]Activating Detect Magic, as per the Warlock class ability, and concentrating for however long I have to.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial June 14, 2010, 05:10:07 PM
[spoiler]If you concentrate for 3 rounds, you find a strong lingering aura where the man was. DC 21 Spellcraft check lets you know that it's an abjuration aura.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY June 15, 2010, 11:36:14 AM
"Looks like Lucy Lollipop beat me to it."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 06, 2010, 01:32:44 PM
Felix examines the bodies, to determine that they are indeed Inspired and also make guesses as to the causes of death and how long they've been dead, and then says "What's back there?" gesturing to the tunnel at the back of the room.

[spoiler]So Eddie didn't see the man? Only Lucy did?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 06, 2010, 02:56:42 PM
[spoiler]Right, Lucy managed to find him with Mindsight. He wasn't taking any real precautions at that point other than hiding, and knowing precisely where to look more or less negated that advantage.[/spoiler]

"The Inspired use that room to conduct their operations. Psionic devices, maps and charts, that sort of thing. We had a little time to examine them earlier and figured out how to use the ectoplasmic barrier, as you might remember. There's also a telepathic projector, which is how we contacted you."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 06, 2010, 03:46:24 PM
Always mindful of a way to turn a profit, Felix's eyes light up. "Hmm... mind if I take a look at it? How long ago did you fellows take over this facility, by the way? Should we be expecting a reclamation squad any second?" Felix and William chuckle nervously. Probe skitters around the room, looking for anything that might be hidden.

[spoiler]Probe has Synthesate (feel light... which I think should give him a "normal" sight range) active, as well as See Invisible. He should be decent at finding hidden stuff.[/spoiler]

Eddie says "So where was our visitor, Lucy?"

[spoiler]Eddie will attempt to Dispel Psionics on the area where the abjuration was/is. [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 06, 2010, 08:04:12 PM
[spoiler]I'm assuming that's a standard, five power points expended Dispel Psionics?[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita July 06, 2010, 08:08:35 PM
He was climbing the ship, but I don't think he's there anymore. Let's play hide and seek!
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 07, 2010, 12:41:14 PM
[spoiler]I'm assuming that's a standard, five power points expended Dispel Psionics?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Well... that depends on how you interpret the augmentation to work. If I can get 1d20+20 for augmenting with 5 power points, I'll certainly do that.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 07, 2010, 03:58:29 PM
[spoiler]I'm assuming that's a standard, five power points expended Dispel Psionics?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Well... that depends on how you interpret the augmentation to work. If I can get 1d20+20 for augmenting with 5 power points, I'll certainly do that.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I'd rather cap the bonus to your dispel check at your manifester level, I think.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 07, 2010, 05:31:48 PM
[spoiler]I'm assuming that's a standard, five power points expended Dispel Psionics?[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Well... that depends on how you interpret the augmentation to work. If I can get 1d20+20 for augmenting with 5 power points, I'll certainly do that.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]I'd rather cap the bonus to your dispel check at your manifester level, I think.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Certainly the more reasonable implementation. :D Given the fact that we're highly likely to meet other Psions with Dispel... it's also the one I'd prefer. :P
Dispel Check:
1d20+10=30 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2595760/)
BOOYAH![/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 07, 2010, 11:17:43 PM
A powerful hum rattles the ship, and the interior lights flicker briefly. More importantly, the fizzling noise that immediately follows heralds the appearance of the man, both visibly and in Lucy's mind. He looks around wildly, but only catches sight of the small girl hovering in the air. Wide-eyed, he grins still more, waving as he makes a mad dash away from the Judas.

"Our strike team hit about...four hours ago. We were supposed to vacate the place by now, but your arrival took us by surprise. I must admit, it seems to be a most fortunate coincidence. If the Inspired haven't shown up by now, there's likely some time before they check in. Be my guest...though I do request that you leave some salvage for our forces to make the operation worthwhile."

"Not that we're really in a position to demand anything," the dour kalashtar grumbles.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 08, 2010, 12:23:48 AM
"Now, now, gentlemen. You requested our assistance, and that is what we will provide. We merely need to check the facts beforehand, after all. Surely you understand." Nax smiled with what looked like the most innocent smirk of a little boy, despite the fact practically anyone with a little more understanding in such matters would be able to tell he was more than he appeared.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 08, 2010, 12:30:54 AM
"I never signed on for this. I expected to be mind-raped--hell, it's practically a daily occurrence when you fight the Inspired--but I wasn't expecting a little boy and girl, a talking ship, and a musical cowboy to be doing it." The expression on his face is pure misery.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita July 08, 2010, 11:00:59 AM
Seeing the man's expression and mad dash away, Lucy holds down the skirt of her dress and yells, "Eeek! Lemmy, the man peeked under my skirt!" Laughing, Lucy flies lower and points at the naughty, naughty man. "Shame on you!" Suddenly, the man hears her voice again, this time solely in his head, and terrifyingly distorted. Come back.

[spoiler]Lucy flies to get within 30 feet of the man, then uses Persuasive Words on him for a Command effect, using the Approach command to have him move towards her as quickly as he can and do nothing else. The DC is 18.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 08, 2010, 11:54:44 AM
[spoiler]On his turn, Eddie manifests Ectoplasmic Cocoon on "the visitor". I also forgot to roll to see if his flaw kicked in. 5% chance for him to do nothing on the first round of combat. We'll just roll a d20, and say a 1 means he is too caught up in Deja Vu of his previous life to act.

1d20=4 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2596914/)
So he's ok.

The DC for the reflex save against Ectoplasmic Cocoon (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/ectoplasmicCocoon.htm) is 21.[/spoiler]

Felix laughs at the kalashtar's description of their crew and says "You get used to it after a while. Besides, things are certainly never dull around them, and people literally throw money at them just for showing up at places. So it's not a bad gig at all, actually."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 08, 2010, 12:23:51 PM
"If it makes you feel better, I just like this appearance more than my usual one."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 08, 2010, 03:44:39 PM
[spoiler]Pair of saves! (1d20+7=14, 1d20+11=31) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2597187/)[/spoiler]
The man whips his head around at the terrifying command in time to see the ectoplasmic strands lash at him and dive aside. He hits the ground hard, but the compulsion forces him to rise quickly and approach the ship at a steady pace, struggling against Lucy's influence every step of the way.

"A shame that we have no use for currency, being outlaws. It sounds a good deal easier than rebellion, and much more profitable." The dour kalashtar smirks faintly. "If you intend to examine the back room, I would be quick about it in case we are running out of time. Getting us past the checkpoint will be much easier without the Inspired to hamper our progress."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita July 08, 2010, 05:26:25 PM
Landing right in front of the man, Lucy pokes his elbow with her index finger. "Gotcha!" She looks the man in the eye, and suddenly her irises shift color to a poisonous green, glowing eerily as she says, "Now it's your turn! Catch me if you can!" Then, she runs in the opposite direction from the man, her eyes seemingly back to normal.

[spoiler]Lucy uses her Charm SLA from Touch of Captivation. DC 19 Will save or be charmed for one hour.
Unfortunately, I've done "everyone is pedo for Lucy" jokes to death already, so I can't think of anything witty to say.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 08, 2010, 07:41:56 PM
"Pah. Why search it when we can simply have whoever was in charge do that job FOR us." With that said, Nax set about to look amid the corpses for whoever looked to be in charge of the back room, judging by uniforms and the lack or presence of keys.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 08, 2010, 07:57:34 PM
"Yes, I don't think we should dally long here, considering how recently you all conducted your attack." Felix says. "William and I will conduct investigations to confirm what you're saying, but that will take a bit of time. I'd suggest that Lemmy and the rest of the crew prepare to get on with your... concert. Well... after they deal with whatever is going on back on the ship, at least. It sounds like there is an intruder or something."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 08, 2010, 10:09:27 PM
The man's irises glow green momentarily as well, and he blinks in confusion. Then he smiles, calling after Lucy, "I don't mean to be rude, miss, but I don't have much time to play right now." He trots after her all the same.

"Would you like us to return to the ship as well, or is there some way we can assist you?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 09, 2010, 12:55:21 AM
"If you remember who among the corpses used to be in charge of the back room, that should do for my part."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 09, 2010, 01:26:10 AM
The two kalashtar glance guiltily at each other, then wade through the bodies into the back room. There's some heated debate over which head belonged to which body before they finally emerge with the pieces of a whole corpse.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 09, 2010, 04:55:22 AM
[spoiler]Alright, this should have been enough in-game time to get to the deck.[/spoiler]

As the intruder strolls after the little flying girl, a big and hairy figure emerges on deck and jumps from the prow down onto the intruder.

[spoiler]Time to let the drummer do his thing :P
Boz, what's the distance from the ship (and therefore Mikkey) to the intruder?

Gonna try and jump onto him when he's within 30 ft. (consider that a readied action) :D

Jump: 49 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598341/)
Tumble if necessary (don't think so with Battle Jump, but just in case): 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598343/)

Attacks (Battle Jump, Pounce, Whirling Frenzy):
Kukris: 37, 36, 21, 29 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598354/) (ignore the last roll in the link (16), I forgot I didn't have ITWF yet :embarrassed
First is auto-hit (natural 20).
That's 3 critical threats, meaning 3 extra attacks thanks to Lightning Mace paired with Aptitude Kukris: 28, 31, 29 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598370/)
That's 1 critical threat, meaning 1 extra attack thanks to Lightning Mace paired with Aptitude Kukris: 18 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598372/)

Critical confirmation: 28,28,23,31 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598373/)


Unarmed Strike: 14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598378/)




Damage (double damage due to Battle Jump): 13,13,13,8,12,11,8,6 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598374/)
Kukris:
1)(37; natural 20; roll to confirm: 28; main hand)       =>   26; 52 on succesful crit
2)(36; critical threat; roll to confirm: 28 main hand)    =>   26; 52 on succesful crit
3)(21; main hand)                  =>   26
4)(29; critical threat; roll to confirm 23; off-hand)       =>   16; 32 on succesful crit
5)(28; main hand)                   =>   24
6)(31; main hand)                   =>   22
7)(29; critical threat; roll to confirm 18; off-hand)       =>   16; 32 on succesful crit
8)(18; off-hand)                   =>   12


Unarmed Strike: 7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2598380/)



Man, talk about a blender :lol[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 09, 2010, 11:19:42 AM
"Stand back a moment, both of you."

Nax's eyes began to glow for a moment, and he stabbed the rod into the chest of the corpse. He chanted eerily for a moment.

The bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame...

And thus the corpse rose as a dread warrior.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 09, 2010, 02:43:28 PM
[spoiler]I'm not even surprised any more. :P[/spoiler]

Mikkey Dee's shadow causes the intruder to look up in surprise as the bugbear hits him like a falling comet, the force of his impact sending up a large cloud of dust. When the wind finally clears it away, the bugbear is standing innocently over the mangled remains of the intruder, whose body parts are...scattered, at best.


The Inspired corpse seals itself together, though the wounds remain as a pale line on the flesh. Its eyes snap open, staring unblinking up at its creator. Though its jaw works for a moment, it says nothing, simply waiting dutifully.

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 09, 2010, 02:53:18 PM
Eddie's disembodies voice chides the bugbear teasingly "Wow, what a mess you made, Mickey. I was thinking we might get more info out of him alive... but I guess we can do it the hard way."

In another part of the ship, Eddie commands a young woman with sickeningly pale skin pierced in many places with jewelry, all containing skull motifs, to come to the bridge.

[spoiler]Call in the Death Priest! That's what passes for a medic here!  :lmao[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 09, 2010, 03:00:28 PM
"At least I didn't smear this one out over the good carpet, Eddie." Mikkey replies with a grin.

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 09, 2010, 03:03:44 PM
"Show us to the back room and present any valuables." Nax commanded. In order not to confuse his newfound servant, after he was done he commanded, "Quickly summarize the events leading to your demise."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 09, 2010, 03:20:39 PM
The newly created dread warrior rises to his feet, walking into the back room, his voice floating out of the room. "We had received word that an airship would be arriving soon and that it was cleared from further inspection. When our sensor network indicated that something was approaching the outpost, we thought nothing of it and deactivated the security wall. Shortly afterwards our sentries began to fall silent. I ordered a scouting party to investigate, but we were attacked before they had prepared. Kalashtar rebels entered the compound and killed all present. I tried to send a message, but was decapitated before I could do so." Several trips in and out of the room later, there are a small trove of objects lying at Nax's feet. "Do you wish me to describe the functions of the objects?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 09, 2010, 03:24:32 PM
"Yes, thank you." Nax responded. Turning to the two kalashtar, he replied, "It appears we can at least trust your word that this place was wiped clean from your hand. As for what will be left for salvage, that is not my decision alone to make, but I trust my comrades will have your best interests at heart once they go through the pile."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 09, 2010, 03:47:27 PM
The kalashtar grimace, glancing at each other. Oblivious, the dread warrior begins describing the objects. "This item is the control for the ectoplasmic wall. There are several projectors linked to it which outline the wall that you would need to gather from the cliffs in order to move it. This item is a communications node for the local telepathic network used by the Dreaming Dark through which this outpost received orders and alerts. This item generates an illusory map of the terrain for a mile in all directions with major landmarks. And this set of items is a pair that allows one wearer to telepathically communicate with the other and use psionic effects through the items, which were often used by our sentries and scouts. It is the only complete pair in the outpost, as the others would be useless without their counterparts.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 09, 2010, 04:35:39 PM
"Interesting. Looks to me as though much of it would be more useful to our benefactors here than to us... possibly to the exception of the map and the communicators. But again, not my decision to make." Nax shrugged. "By the way, servant. Henceforth, your name will be Murray*."

[spoiler]*As in Dave Murray, Guitarrist for Iron Maiden.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 09, 2010, 04:54:48 PM
[spoiler]*As in Dave Murray, Guitarrist for Iron Maiden.[/spoiler]
[spoiler] :lmao[/spoiler]Felix says "We already have such a map-projector onboard the Judas, although I wouldn't know how ours compares in quality with this one. I'm sure Eddie or Lemmy might be interested in it, though, at least to compare them."

Looking at the communications node, he says "I guess this is what we'd be projecting our concert through, then? Perhaps we should being preparing for that. I'd suggest we leave the shield generator in place for now, and establish a scouting network of our own immediately, if our new allies don't already have one."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 09, 2010, 05:10:16 PM
"Interesting. Looks to me as though much of it would be more useful to our benefactors here than to us... possibly to the exception of the map and the communicators. But again, not my decision to make." Nax shrugged. "By the way, servant. Henceforth, your name will be Murray*."

[spoiler]*As in Dave Murray, Guitarrist for Iron Maiden.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Nice :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita July 09, 2010, 05:22:08 PM
Lucy briefly looks at the scattered corpse in surprise... then, she starts crying. Running up to Mikkey (and stepping on what appears to have once been part of the man's spleen on the way), the girl starts pounding him with her fists and yells, "You broke him! You broke him! Go fix him now!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 09, 2010, 05:42:23 PM
Lucy briefly looks at the scattered corpse in surprise... then, she starts crying. Running up to Mikkey (and stepping on what appears to have once been part of the man's spleen on the way), the girl starts pounding him with her fists and yells, "You broke him! You broke him! Go fix him now!"
Looking somewhat surprised and somewhat uncomfortable, not really knowing how to deal with the situation at hand Mikkey just shrugs and says "Sorry Lucy, but I'm no priest or necromancer. Maybe Eddie's Death Priestess can help?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 09, 2010, 05:50:27 PM
"She's already on the way. Don't worry Lucy, we'll have him better than new before you know it."

As if on cue, a skinny, pale-skinned teenage girl with dark circles under her eyes walks out onto the deck of the ship, blinking her eyes at the sunlight and says "So like... what do you want?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita July 09, 2010, 05:54:49 PM
When the  the Death Priestess comes out into the sunlight, Lucy's eyes grow wide. Leaving Mikkey alone, she runs over to the girl and asks, "Are you an Elmo?"

[spoiler]I had to. :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 09, 2010, 05:57:44 PM
The girl looks confused and says "Uh... my name is Anna." Seeing the gore surrounding the corpse she says "Oooh, nice spread on that one, Mikkey!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 09, 2010, 05:57:51 PM
[spoiler]:lol[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 09, 2010, 05:59:38 PM
The girl looks confused and says "Uh... my name is Anna." Seeing the gore surrounding the corpse she says "Oooh, nice spread on that one, Mikkey!"
"Thanks luv, at least now the others won't bitch at me for ruining the carpet. Man, I'm never going to live that one down.

I mean, how was I supposed to know that was the Aerenal customary greeting? The guy had a knife and a baboon for fucks sake..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 09, 2010, 06:14:04 PM
I mean, how was I supposed to know that was the Aerenal customary greeting? The guy had a knife and a baboon for fucks sake..."[/color]
[spoiler]:lmao[/spoiler]Eddie says "Enough with the jibber jabber, you useless bag of flesh! Question that corpse... and then animate it for Lucy as a plaything. And then go hide somewhere so I don't have to look at you anymore."

The "girl" says "Yes, Oh Great Master!" with a voice that quivers with an obedient fervor bordering on ecstasy and then she falls upon her knees in the bloody mess and begins casting spells upon the corpse.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 09, 2010, 07:37:03 PM
"Our scouting network is unfortunately more limited in scope than that of the Inspired...but it might provide some useful information. What would you have them do?" The less grim of the pair tilts his head.

The corpse's chest rises and falls ever so slowly, and a faint whisper of a voice emerges from its lips.
"What...do you...want with me?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 09, 2010, 07:46:26 PM
"Oh, right. Murray can probably provide quite a bit of intelligence detail for your network. Thankfully, in his newfound undeath, he is less likely to be picked up by the Inspired, if at all. But we shouldn't take chances. Shall we head back?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 10, 2010, 09:29:28 AM
"If you're finished here, then I would say so. We shouldn't linger here."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 10, 2010, 02:17:05 PM
"Well, the original purpose of coming here was corroborating your story anyway. Let us head back."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 11, 2010, 12:21:15 AM
The kalashtar find a crate nearby to hold all the devices Nax's new friend gathered and head to the mouth of the tunnel, peering around warily.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 12, 2010, 02:54:56 PM
The pale girl speaks to the corpse "Why were you onboard our ship?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 12, 2010, 03:15:39 PM
The corpse replies slowly, "I was...trying to steal the ship."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 12, 2010, 04:51:05 PM
The maniacal laughter that echoes throughout the ship literally shakes everyone onboard, causing cargo bays to fly open, bins to overturn, and Anna herself to stumble and almost fall "overboard". Eddie seems finally about to get himself under control, when another round begins. He manages to stammer out between guffaws "Ask him... who... he... was... working... for.... BWAHAHAHA!'

Anna of course obeys.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 12, 2010, 04:59:45 PM
"I...was not...working for anyone." The corpse, as would be expected, is not forthcoming with an explanation.

Below the main deck, Eleanor frowns through the portal at Nax.
"Maybe you'd better get back here...something interesting seems to be happening."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 12, 2010, 08:24:14 PM
"At once, m'lady." Nax replied as he directed Murray to carry all the necessary valuables.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 13, 2010, 12:34:52 AM
Murray picks up the pile of objects, walking to stand behind Nax dutifully.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 13, 2010, 12:46:10 AM
Nax proceeds to take the gate back to the ship.

"What's going on?" The boy-like magician asks upon his return.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 13, 2010, 12:54:56 AM
"I'm not sure...there was an intruder, I heard some shouting, and then Eddie...laughed..." Eleanor tilts her head up to the ceiling. "I take it the problem is no more?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 13, 2010, 10:52:47 AM
Eddie manages to get his laughing under control and says "A man came aboard, and Lucy and Mikkey Dee made short work of him. Then when Anna questioned his corpse, he said he'd came to try and... *heh*... steal... *HAHA*... the... *HAHAHA*... STEAL THE SHIP!" then he breaks down laughing uncontrollably again.

The pale girl says "We still have one more question we can ask him, Master. What would you have it be? He said he came to steal the ship, and was working for no one."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 13, 2010, 04:19:35 PM
"Perhaps we ought to ask how he found us or why he targeted this particular ship." Nax shrugs as he suggests.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 19, 2010, 03:23:46 PM
The girl shrugs and says to the corpse "How did you find us?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 19, 2010, 04:02:19 PM
"An item in my possession...indicated that your ship was the fastest method of escape...and told me where to find it."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 19, 2010, 04:18:40 PM
"Girl, if you'd like to keep this nasty mess of a corpse, I can animate him with a mind for you tomorrow. He will be able to give us all the information we might need then." Nax commented simply.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 20, 2010, 02:39:37 PM
The corpse is not forthcoming with more information. It simply sits there.

Eleanor bites her lip, tilting her head.
"Shouldn't this ship be more difficult to find than that?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 20, 2010, 03:56:27 PM
Eddie finally manages to get his laughter under control and says "Interesting. So this guy was on the run and wanted a fast ship, and some kind of divination item told him I was the fastest one nearby? I wonder what he was running from...

Anyway, it sounds like he has some nice toys. Who wants to search him and identify them?" Eddie says with obvious mirth.

The pale girl replies to Nax enthusiastically "Oh, that's a great idea!" Her face beams with happiness, then she replies to Eddie "I can see what he has..." and casts Detect Magic.
[spoiler]I don't know what skill ranks she has... I think having max Spellcraft isn't too farfetched, though... Mostly she'll just figure out how many items he has, and let someone else ID them. I'm sure someone has an Artificer's Monocle around here... [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 20, 2010, 04:12:33 PM
As Lemmy puts down his glass of scotch after taking one final swig he says "I'll go check out the kid's toys, see if there's anything we could use among them."


He then starts heading of to where Anna and Mikkey are, crossbow in hand just in case.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 20, 2010, 05:10:04 PM
"M'lady, given the Inspired's network I'd say there's a good chance we're showing as a huge spot on their map right now. But you need not worry."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita July 20, 2010, 06:04:54 PM
Puffing her cheeks, Lucy stomps her foot on the deck, clearly upset that the corpse won't be reanimated until tomorrow. "Fine!" After the man's items have been stripped from him, Lucy takes him by the armpit and drags him off to another part of the deck, where she tries to dance a little waltz with the corpse. It's kind of hard, of course, since he's much too heavy for the little girl, but she seems not to care. Neither does she appear to notice the bit of intestine hanging out of the man's stomach and sticking to her shoulder.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 20, 2010, 09:59:22 PM
Anna's enhanced senses detect three magical hotspots on the corpse. One is the man's black silk shirt underneath his desert wear which has miraculously survived bloodstains and disembowelment, one is a small gold brooch in a peculiar shape at the throat of the shirt, and the third is a single glove on his right hand.

Lemmy's monocle, on the other hand, pinpoints the precise nature of the three items:

[spoiler]The shirt is basically Darkstalker in item form, more or less. The glove is usable once per day for an hour and can give directions indicating the fastest route to a given objective, like "the nearest, fastest method of escape" or "my fucking car keys." The brooch is keyed to be used as a beacon for certain divination spells and also tugs gently when squeezed in the general direction of Sharn. It is also shaped like the emblem of House Cannith.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 21, 2010, 04:18:44 AM
Scratching his head somewhat nervously, Lemmy calls out to Eleanor.

"Ellie, I think Lucy and Mikkey may have found who we we're looking for, or at least one of his associates..."

Mikkey starts looking around uncomfortably and says to Anna "It's like the gorram shit with that damn Aereni diplomat is happening all over again..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 21, 2010, 04:02:59 PM
Eddie starts laughing hysterically again.

Felix says through the open ring gate "Maybe we should take him to the resurrection bier of the ship? He might actually let us bring him back, if Eleanor is the one who attempts it..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 21, 2010, 05:02:44 PM
"One rises to the occasion..." Lemmy chuckles.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 21, 2010, 07:26:01 PM
"I suppose that's better than making him a permanent addition by means of my necromantic magic. Whoever HE'S working for wouldn't be too happy about it."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 22, 2010, 01:52:57 PM
Eleanor climbs up to the deck, wincing at the sight of the mangled corpse in Lucy's grasp, though smiling faintly at the little girl's antics. She steps daintily through the stray bits of intestine Lucy has left on the deck, inspecting the face of the body before nodding. "That's him, alright. I certainly hope you can fix this, otherwise there's not much chance of persuading her to come back with us."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw July 22, 2010, 02:06:02 PM
"Edward...

How capable was that cleric you keep around again?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 22, 2010, 04:37:10 PM
"Not very. I've been wondering why I bother letting her live." Eddie replies flatly, and Anna's face grows even more pale than it already was.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 28, 2010, 03:00:16 PM
Eddie animates a nearby statue and has it walk over and pick up the corpse. He says "Mind if I borrow this Miss Lucy? We'll fix him up for you right away!" and carries it to the ressurection bier.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 28, 2010, 08:16:45 PM
Eleanor tilts her head, walking over to stand beside the bier. "How effective is this item? On the rare occasions I've seen someone return from the dead, they're always weaker than they were."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 28, 2010, 11:46:51 PM
Eddie says "Yes, he'll be weaker, unfortunately...

Unless Nax brings him back...

Then he'll just be... different."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 28, 2010, 11:57:09 PM
"Though it's a tempting idea, given how much trouble they've caused me, I'd rather try to stay in her good graces. I doubt she's into that sort of thing." Eleanor's lips quirk into a smile.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY July 29, 2010, 01:03:35 PM
Eddie laughs and says "Once you've had the dead, all others you'll dread.

Or something like that... "
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 29, 2010, 01:10:11 PM
Nax, who had only quietly followed thus far, quips in, "I must say. Even as an undead myself, nothing quite compares to the touch of warm flesh. I'm sure miss Eleanor would agree with me." The child-like magician teased.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 29, 2010, 01:53:07 PM
"I'm sure you know several spells to help facilitate that, Nax...but on to more pressing matters. What must I do?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 29, 2010, 01:58:40 PM
"Sadly, there isn't anything we can do to prevent the weakness of this method of ressurrection, Miss Eleanor. Whilst there ARE powerful magic that enables one to return from the brink of death more or less unscathed, they require immediate usage upon the creature's untimely demise - or a much greater power than our meager clerics have at their disposal. I'm afraid this one will experience some trauma."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial July 29, 2010, 02:04:25 PM
"Ah, well. A certain amount of trauma it is, then. I'll consider deducting it from the price on his head--maybe more if he's helpful to us."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken July 29, 2010, 03:14:49 PM
"The alternative would be,as I said, turning him into an undead."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 05, 2010, 12:58:04 PM
The statue Eddie is controlling drops the body unceremoniously onto the resurrection bier.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 05, 2010, 09:15:39 PM
Eleanor steps up to the bier and places her hands on the side, shutting her eyes. A faint glow begins to radiate out from the two figures, growing imperceptibly brighter with each passing second. As ten minutes creep by, the light grows blindingly brilliant until it's all but impossible to watch. As the spell concludes, the light seems to seep into every inch of the body, which knits itself together in an unsettling fashion until the man lies there completely unmarked. His eyes flutter open a split second before Eleanor calmly draws her arm back and hits him in the nose with all the force she can muster and a crackling sound. His head snaps back and blood starts pouring down his face while Eleanor, supremely unconcerned, shakes out her hand. The man feels gingerly at his nose, wincing.

"Welcome back to the land of the living, Cyril."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 05, 2010, 09:28:33 PM
Lucy seems positively elated at seeing her new 'friend' back in one piece and readily able to play hide-and-seek with her. When Eleanor nonchalantly punches him in the face, she cheers and starts poking him in the solar plexus. "Yay! Me too, me too!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 05, 2010, 11:10:56 PM
Nax managed to secure a pair of sunglasses, mysteriously, as the light started getting too bright. Said sunglasses also disappeared shortly thereafter.

"Miss Eleanor, please refrain from breaking the man's jaw if you can? We need it for him to speak."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 05, 2010, 11:16:11 PM
"Oh, don't worry. Cyril here won't be short of words, will he?" Eleanor smiles coldly at the man on the bier, who wipes more blood from his face.

"Not very likely, considering that I should by rights be decorating someone's sword right now. What the hell was that, anyway? The tarrasque on two legs?" Cyril pulls on the slashed rags that were his clothes not too long ago, ignoring the blood.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 06, 2010, 04:13:19 AM
"I think I'll take that as a compliment." Mikkey grins, exposing his fangs, before he nonchalantly starts to chew some tobacco.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 06, 2010, 12:09:46 PM
"Ah, right. I'll keep that in mind next time I get to close to the little sweetheart. Speaking of which, am I completely crazy or was she flying?' Cyril looks around at Lucy quizzically.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 06, 2010, 12:12:19 PM
Eddie's disembodied voice says "If that were the only strange thing she did, we'd be lucky."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 06, 2010, 12:28:45 PM
"It's not strange!" Lucy seems upset that Eddie and Cyril would call her ability to fly strange. "You can fly too, Eddie!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 06, 2010, 12:32:25 PM
"Yeah, but I'm an airship. I'm supposed to fly." Eddie says in a voice he reserves for little children and imbeciles... which is mostly everyone, as far as Eddie is concerned.

"Now... talking is another thing..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 06, 2010, 03:41:03 PM
"Oh, now the ship's talking. I get it, I'm completely insane." Cyril seems unperturbed by Eddie's voice, turning to Lucy. "So what else can you do, love?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 06, 2010, 06:04:26 PM
"As I understand it, awesome barbecue."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 06, 2010, 06:35:08 PM
"Yeah, I don't think that patch of forest in Droaam will ever fully recover." Lemmy chuckles.


"I almost felt sorry for those trolls, if they didn't taste so damn good." Mikkey chimes in while continuing to chew tobacco.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita August 06, 2010, 06:48:56 PM
Beaming, Lucy claps her hands together and replies, "This!" Suddenly, a light blue flame springs from her hands to Cyril's clothing and quickly spreads over his entire body, consuming all in its way. Retreating one step, Lucy looks at the burning man and laughs happily like a child pulling the wings off of a fly.

[spoiler]You guessed it, Lucy's blasting him. Don't worry, we can heal him or revive him afterwards. :D

This time, she'll use Brimstone Blast instead of Power Blast, for a change, though she'll still use Hellfire. After a successful touch attack (I really need to start looking into pumping my attack rolls), he takes 6d8+2d6+1 fire damage. Then, he needs to make a Ref save (DC 21) or catch on fire and take another 2d6 per round for another two rounds.

Burn, motherfucker, burn (1d20+14=31, 6d8+2d6+1=26) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2640216/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 06, 2010, 07:03:42 PM
Eddie croaks "Oh my god Lucy! Nooooo!" and tries to intervene to stop the girl from immolating the newly resurrected man.

[spoiler]We used Raise Dead to bring him back... He has 1 freakin' hit point!   :lmao

Anticipatory Strike to hit him with a Time Hop before Lucy's blast destroys him. I hope he has enough sense not to resist, or fails his save. :P

Total power points spent: 14. [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 07, 2010, 09:14:57 PM
Cyril's eyes widen as he vanishes in a flash of silver light, narrowly missing being immolated by the blue hellfire, which splashes harmlessly onto the bier. Eleanor shakes her head with a smile. "Lucy, dear? Please don't set him on fire yet."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 07, 2010, 09:19:34 PM
"LUCY!" Nax offers in his best "the adult world is angry at you" tone. "Next time you want to set things on fire, let me know so I can arrange some disposable undead!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 08, 2010, 05:44:41 AM
"Nice save there, Edward.

Lucy, dear, could you please wait with the immolation until after we're done with him?
If you do I got some sweets for you."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 12, 2010, 01:38:51 PM
Before the man has a chance to reappear, Eddie says "So... what do we want with this guy again? He's the lover of someone you're here to retrieve?

And if we're doing this psychically broadcast show, we should probably be getting on with it, before the Rierdrans show up to reclaim this station..."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 12, 2010, 02:36:48 PM
"Should I tune Mathilda?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 13, 2010, 12:04:01 AM
"He's leverage at this point. What happens once he gets back to Sharn is another question, but for now keeping him alive would probably be a good thing."

The dour kalashtar tilts his head. "The, ah, monolith? Not this guard post."

: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 18, 2010, 11:56:50 PM
"Very well Evelyn. Keep him on the ship, and I'll keep him alive.

Now let's get this show started! Who knows how to operate the broadcast monolith? Or do I have to figure it out? And you said it's not at this station?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 19, 2010, 12:01:38 AM
"Well, no. It should be visible past the mountain pass--it'll be rather hard to miss, since the terrain is rather barren and the monolith makes this ship look puny. Activating it and operating it should be fairly easy to figure out, if only because I'm sure you can mentally molest someone into divulging the information." The kalashtar cracks a faint smile.

Over by the bier, Cyril winks back into existence, looking confused.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 19, 2010, 12:04:02 AM
"Nax's new friend probably knows how, anyway."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: BowenSilverclaw August 19, 2010, 08:12:53 AM
"Well then, let's get going.

Edward, would you be so kind?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 19, 2010, 08:21:59 AM
"For future reference, his name is Murray."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 19, 2010, 12:27:54 PM
"Very well. Hold onto your hats everyone. We're going for a ride! YEE-HAW!" As Eddie's maniacal scream echoes off the surrounding hillsides, the ship leaps into the air, leaving those standing on the deck lurching and grabbing for something to keep their balance. The statue under Eddie's control begins pantomiming riding a horse that's out of control, it's stone body rocking back and forth wildly with the ship's violent motions.

As they head aloft, Eddie says to Cyril "You owe me your life, boy. Twice. I'll collect the debt later."

And then he says "So how about you have your friend Murray there fill me in on how to operate our big broadcast rock, Nax? He can skip the rudimentary stuff, as I think I'm fairly well-versed in psi-tech. Just fill me in on the tricky parts."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 19, 2010, 02:11:19 PM
"I suppose I do, come to think of it. Hopefully you won't be collecting the debt by turning me into one of your servants." Cyril smiles nervously. Eleanor shoots him a smirk, as if to say that it's a distinct possibility.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 19, 2010, 02:56:56 PM
Throughout the "gallop", Nax made sure to hold onto his top hat; other than that, he didn't seem to have that much trouble keeping himself up.

"Well, Murray, you heard the ship. Instruct them on the monolith's operations." Nax commands simply, tapping his cane on the floor
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 19, 2010, 04:08:08 PM
"The operation of the monolith's communication array is rather simple for someone with a basic aptitude for psionics. Once the parameters of the communication are determined, the message is simply relayed by speaking, and the targets hear it telepathically. The selection method is similar to scrying. The less selective you are, the easier the calibration will be." Murray rattles off the instructions tonelessly.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 19, 2010, 04:24:53 PM
"Great. So a psionic monkey could do it. Too bad Mikkey Dee doesn't have any psionic abilities... "
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 19, 2010, 09:14:06 PM
"Murray? Please develop a speaking personality. You can pretend you're an invincible demonic skull, if it helps."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 20, 2010, 12:53:52 AM
Murray cocks his head, then bellows, "HA HA HA HA! RIEDRA! THE WRATH OF HEAVEN AND HELL IS UPON YOU IN A BLAZE OF FURY!"

He turns to Nax and asks, in his previous voice, "How was that, master?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 20, 2010, 01:56:26 AM
"Considerably better than the monotone. However, you should consider developing a lower tone as well. Can't have you screaming your head off every five seconds, don't you agree?" Nax turns to Eleanor. "My apologies, Miss Eleanor. It seems my new servant will require a few adjustments. The process that turns one into a Dread Warrior tends to rob them of both intelligence and personality, I'm afraid."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 20, 2010, 03:52:00 AM
"Most necromantic procedures do, or so I've heard." Eleanor smiles, watching Murray with interest.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 20, 2010, 12:16:16 PM
"That is a common misconception. Most necromantic methods actually rob the individual of his capability to think entirely. Others, while allowing the newly unliving to think, wipe them clean of their abilities... this spell I developed seeks a balance between both. But it could do with some adjustments."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY August 20, 2010, 12:31:48 PM
Eddie says "I kind of liked his new, vibrant personality... as long as he doesn't shout like that all the time. It makes me feel like we're a ship full of pirates... "

A translucent flag with a skull and crossbones suddenly appears above the ship, and a glowing pirate hat appears upon the statue's head, along with a cutlass in its hand, which it begins waving around menacingly as Eddie starts barking commands at his "crew" in a strange voice. He says "Avast there you hardies! Batten down the hatches! Weigh the anchor and hoist the mizzen, or ye shark bait will soon been headin' down ta Davy Jones' locker!"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken August 20, 2010, 01:04:24 PM
"True. Murray, from this point onward, that setting is known as the "pirate" setting."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial August 20, 2010, 02:57:05 PM
"Pirate setting acknowledged, master." Murray nods respectfully.

As the ship passes through the mountain range, Eleanor asks Lemmy,
"So how is this going to work? Or do we have a plan?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial September 22, 2010, 04:43:29 PM
Lemmy seems temporarily distracted by the passing landscape, so Eleanor looks up at the ceiling. "What did you have in mind, Eddie?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 22, 2010, 05:53:44 PM
"Murray, once we start broadcasting, how long should we have before all of the Hell that Rierdra can muster comes down upon us?

And are there any special defense mechanisms around this broadcast monolith that we should know about? Or weaknesses that the Rierdrans could exploit, for that matter?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial September 22, 2010, 06:07:38 PM
"There will be a bit of a delay, but I believe there will be agents on the scene within minutes, at most. The monoliths are high-security objects, so they will not be left unguarded. The security may be tighter than normal, or it may be relaxed for the construction workers. I am afraid I cannot be sure.

As for the monolith itself, the upper levels should be unfinished and open to the surrounding air. The construction crews enter at ground level, if you were thinking of entering that way."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken September 22, 2010, 06:17:32 PM
"Hmmm. We should probably endeavor to make sure those minutes take longer than they would hope for. The best way to do so, of course, is with a distraction. I say we storm both ends. The ground level with undead, preferrably the self-replicating kind, and the top with Eddie. With any luck, by the time they arrive they'll focus on the first wave, rather than us."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 22, 2010, 06:39:09 PM
"Well... I think I might be a bigger draw than you think... If I land on top of the monolith, I think they're going to focus their defenses on me... but maybe I flatter myself...

We could however send in a "stealthy" team through the top, with a more obvious attack by undead and my minions on the ground. Or vice versa, I could be the distraction on the top, along with an undead invasion, while a stealthy team goes in from the ground.


He ponders for a moment, then says:

Hmm... or how about this... We let them know of the Kalashtar take over at the other location, and let THAT be our distraction. Then their defense teams won't even be in the correct vicinity of the real danger at this new monolith... We can have our team there go in as stealthily as possible and start broadcasting.

I think using a distraction is probably a good idea, but the second prong of our "attack" should be less obvious, to buy us more time.

I can actually be fairly stealthy when I want... So hiding "the ship" is possible too, if we desire. I could also make the weather nasty around me, to hinder their defense efforts."

"So to summarize, I think we should somehow let them know about the Kalashtar take over at the other site. The Kalashtar there can stay and fight as long as they deem it possible, and maybe have some plan of retreat for when they can't hold out any longer.

He quietly mutters "Or they can all die there... like I'd care..."

Then continues on in his normal voice "While this is happening, I land nearby the second site and conceal myself, and also bring on some bad weather to cover the entrance of our team. You guys sneak in and start broadcasting. I can act through Probe to give you as much support there as I can, and if things get too crazy I'll come land on top of the damned thing to draw their fire and pick you up."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken September 22, 2010, 07:52:31 PM
"If we use the bodies of the site that got taken over to create the undead, that should be a fairly strong sign that it was attacked. Considering it stopped reporting quite a while ago, there's a chance they're already there, in fact. The drawback, of course, is that reinforcing the defenses of what places HAVEN'T been attacked is the course of action I'd go for here."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 23, 2010, 01:09:28 AM
"Mmm... yes, using their own animated dead against them. I like it. Anna! Get ready to make some new friends! I guess I do keep you alive for a reason...

Can you create the kind of undead that spawn their own kind, Nax? They would make a nasty invasion force... as long as we can keep them from hindering the living among our own allies, that is."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken September 23, 2010, 08:54:06 AM
"I'm afraid the time I've spent in hibernation has weakened my power beyond that. However, if anyone could provide me with a magic circle, I might be able to summon something that could."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 24, 2010, 01:43:44 AM
"I doubt Anna has that prepared... and none of the rest of my crew could cast it. I don't know about Lemmy... He can do about anything, given a bit of notice... but maybe not off the cuff.

Eh, we don't need them, anyway. I think we have enough firepower and bodies to take care of most things. And we can run away from the things we don't." Eddie chuckles.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 30, 2010, 03:01:07 AM
Those on board feel the ship swing back in the direction they just left. "Wish we'd have thought of this before we left. I hope we don't need that couple of minutes we just wasted... I fear we might..."

[spoiler]Heading back to the first site to drop off at least Anna, Nax, and Probe, and whomever else wants or needs to stay there to animate some new friends for us. And maybe a couple of expendable thralls to turn into shadows... [/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial September 30, 2010, 02:33:50 PM
The Judas speeds along, reaching the mountain pass within minutes. The two kalashtar head to the upper decks and helpfully point out the precise locations of the projectors, in case they're needed.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 30, 2010, 02:35:37 PM
"Yeah, we might want to grab those..."

After letting those disembarking off, Eddie swings the ship over to pick up the projectors.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial September 30, 2010, 02:39:18 PM
A very entertaining few minutes later (involving William, a rope, and a poorly timed bout of arthritis), the Judas is airborne once again, speeding along towards the broadcast monolith, visible as a speck on the horizon.

[spoiler]So, this is preparation time! What are Nax, Anna, Probe, and the people who may or may not be back at the outpost doing? If you're on the airship, telling me what you're doing is also helpful.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken September 30, 2010, 03:22:18 PM
[spoiler]Nax won't be doing much of anything until he can get a living creature to shadowify by killing it with another shadow. Too bad summoned monsters don't actually die.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY September 30, 2010, 03:42:38 PM
[spoiler]Nax won't be doing much of anything until he can get a living creature to shadowify by killing it with another shadow. Too bad summoned monsters don't actually die.[/spoiler]
[spoiler]Eddie can help with that.  :D I have 50 1st level minions, most of which don't even have any stats at all, and all of which are expendable. That's why I didn't explicitly say who exactly I dropped off... I wasn't sure how many we wanted. :P I could easily spare 35 or so without even noticing they were gone... [/spoiler]As the ship rises, Eddie's voice speaks to those who were dropped off with Anna and Nax saying "It is your time to join the ranks of the unliving. You have earned your place alongside those who have been found worthy before you. Now go forth, and strike down our enemies when they arrive, and your ranks will swell ever more."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial November 22, 2010, 04:33:51 PM
Eddie's thralls crowd around eagerly as the first shadow is summoned. From the air, the change is swift--a ripple of darkness spreads from the center of the mass as each follower succumbs to undeath, leaving only Nax and Anna unchanged.

Lemmy, however, seems bored by the spectacle, lighting a cigar and heading below decks.
"Wake me up if anything exciting happens."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 01, 2010, 11:35:40 AM
Eddie turns the ship back towards the broadcast monolith, and turns on the Cloudgathering Orb to generate a nasty storm 2 miles in radius around it, and the Veil of Obscurity to make the ship appear to be part of the cloudy storm. He also begins setting a destination for the Planar Sails, in case they need to make a quick getaway.
[spoiler]
He can take 10 on the DC 20 Knowledge (Planes) check to set the Planar Sails, since he has a +15 bonus. It takes 5 minutes to "dial in" a destination. I don't know enough about Eberron cosmology to suggest a decent plane for us to go to, though.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 01, 2010, 01:11:51 PM
[spoiler]We'll handwave that and say you made a decision at the time. Besides, I think you guys have it narrowed down to two or three planes anyway.[/spoiler]

The Judas is quickly enveloped by the gathering storm, elemental ring crackling with energy as flashes of lightning strike it. Though those onboard the ship can see through the clouds to the ground below, Nax and Anna can only see the storm from their vantage point.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Agita December 01, 2010, 04:26:44 PM
[spoiler]
"Wake me up if anything exciting happens."
[/spoiler]

"Lemmy! Look, look!" Trying to attract Lemmy's attention again, Lucy does a handstand out of boredom, clumsily walzing around the deck on her hands with complete disregard for the storm, as if nothing was wrong witht he world.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 01, 2010, 05:24:02 PM
Cyril looks away quickly when Lucy does a handstand, face coloring quickly. Eleanor laughs scornfully, watching the little girl play.

Within minutes, the Judas has reached the broadcast monolith. Although it is incomplete, the framework stretches nearly to the clouds wrapped around the airship. Tiny figures moving over the massive structure appear to be workers, with the occasional overseer floating nearby. The workers appear unperturbed by the fierce winds and drenching rains, and one worker slips from the scaffolding and falls as the ship draws nearer. The nearby overseer makes a negligent gesture, and the worker's fall slows to a safe pace.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 01, 2010, 09:38:50 PM
Tipping his top hat, Nax smiles. "Time to start mayhem, I suppose?"
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 02, 2010, 12:28:29 AM
Eddie says "Should we install those Force Field generators around the area to block reinforcements before we unleash the shadows?"

[spoiler]Is there a decent place for it? The other place was surrounded by cliffs I gather, which made it convenient to use them.[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 02, 2010, 12:37:37 AM
[spoiler]You can rig them to throw up an ectoplasmic dome over the monolith with a Psicraft check. I doubt that'll be a problem, of course. :P[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 02, 2010, 01:06:38 AM
[spoiler]Eddie takes 10. :P[/spoiler]

Eddie says "Let me get these things set up and steer us into position...


Eddie steers the ship to within range (680 feet), and telepathically instructs Probe to head over to the jaunting platform while he sets up the force field.


"There!

There is a jaunting platform that the shadows, and whomever else is going, can use to hop over to the monolith.

I'll send the psicrystals in to scout and find the broadcast mechanism."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 06, 2010, 01:31:08 PM
Two psicrystals scurry over to the platform. One has a folded black cloth wrapped around it like a sari, and their surfaces change colors as it they walk along, like a chameleon's. They step onto the jaunting platform and disappear with a slightly audible popping sound.

[spoiler]The black cloth is the Enveloping Pit, and it is wrapped around Eddie's psicrystal. The Ring Gate is inside the pit. Felix manifests Chameleon on his psicrystal before it jaunts. Eddie uses Feat Leech on Felix (borrowing two of his Expanded Knowledge feats after Felix is finished manifesting Chameleon on his psicrystal, and also borrowing Burrowing Power). He uses the Expanded Knowledge feats to learn the powers Chameleon and Read Thoughts. He manifests Chameleon on his psicrystal before it jaunts, and also a Burrowing Read Thoughts on it. Both psicrystals jaunt to an area near the top of the monolith, where no creatures are visible to Felix (he uses Remote Viewing to "scout" an area), and attempt to hide immediately upon arrival.

Felix's Psicrystal's Hide: 1d20+29=41 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2792565/)
Felix's Psicrystal's Move Silently 1d20+8=14 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2792568/)
Felix's Psicrystal's Spot and Listen: 1d20+4=7, 1d20+4=17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2792570/)

Eddie's Psicrystal's Hide: 1d20+27=38 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2792571/)
Eddie's Psicrystal's Move Silently: 1d20+9=28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2792574/)
Eddie's Psicrystal's Spot and Listen: 1d20+6=22, 1d20+4=7 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2792575/)

Both psicrystals have Darkstalker and Mindsight (20' range). Eddie's psicrystal also has Synthesete going (feel light, giving it normal visual range), Psionic See Invisible, and Burrowing Read Thoughts.

Psicraft for Burrowing  (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#burrowingPower)Read Thoughts: 1d20+38=41 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2792594/) (This would let the power "see" through up to 23 feet of unhardened stone, for example.)

Will deduct power points used for this stuff later. [/spoiler]

While preparing the psicrystals for "launch", Eddie says to Cyril "So where's your girlfriend? We might as well start planning ahead, and that seems to be where we need to go next."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 09, 2010, 01:45:46 AM
Phaedrus:
[spoiler]The two psicrystals appear with a faint pop on a scaffold covered with scraps of leftover metal and crystal near the top of the gigantic structure. The psionic link shows Eddie and Felix that there are workers and overseers barely visible working on the walls here and there. Suspended in the center of the massive chamber is a metal sphere nearly large enough to contain the Judas.[/spoiler]

Cyril smiles wryly. "In the tower. Nah, that'd be too convenient, wouldn't it? She's hidden in a cave not far from where I found you--hidden pretty well, I think. I have a useful little device a bit like your storm camouflage; she should be safe until we get back." His face darkens slightly. "She won't be happy about it, but you've already proven you don't need me to go along with your plans in order to succeed."
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 10, 2010, 05:39:45 PM
The small, spider-like crystals pause while one of them makes several low frequency clicking sounds and waves its ectoplasmic antennae in the air towards the giant sphere.
[spoiler]Probe makes a Knowledge (Psionics) check to see if he knows what the sphere is.
Taking 10 would give him a 24 (26 if Eddie can use Aid Another). If that's not enough: 1d20+14=19 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2797905/) (Well... if that's not enough, Eddie will try...)

He also "sweeps" the area around the sphere (including it) with his Burrowing Read Thoughts. [/spoiler]

Eddie says "Hmm... that's good that she's close. Maybe someone should go ahead and retrieve her, in case we need to leave in a hurry... I've set the coordinates of the Planar Sail for a remote plane, so it shouldn't be easy to follow us, even for those who are capable of it. I expect us to be screaming out of here with our asses on fire when this is over... "
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 10, 2010, 07:06:07 PM
[spoiler]Obligatory post because Nax is heavily based on Hellsing's Alucard.  :D[/spoiler]

"Well then. It's time we began the first act!"

Nax, waving his staff in the air like a conductor's, commands the shadows begin skulking about and draining workers to death. Escalation is inevitable. Soon everything will be death and mayhem and murder. For all his calm demeanor since he was discovered aboard the Judas, Nax sure seems to enjoy himself with a huge smile on his face as he conducts his symphony of dread (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V6XnDPPonI).
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 11, 2010, 04:46:52 AM
Phaedrus:[spoiler]The sphere houses the controls of the monolith. Entering or exiting requires an expenditure of psionic energy (power points), which opens it for a certain length of time to a certain number of creatures.[/spoiler]

As Nax conducts, the shadows swarm through the air towards the monolith, raining down on the workers and overseers amid cries of shock and fear. New shadows arise quickly, and the number of undead begins steadily increasing. Desperate overseers begin hurling bursts of energy into the shadows, but their efforts seem pitiful against the vast army of darkness.

[spoiler]The thoughts of the various workers and overseers in range change rapidly at this from thoughts of boredom and fatigue to those succinctly described as "OH FU--"[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 11, 2010, 11:10:24 AM
Eddie says "Hmm... seems too easy. Ah well." and covers the entire monolith with an Ectoplasmic Wall from the "projector". At the same time, Probe opens the Enveloping Pit, so Eddie can make psychic contact with the control center of the monolith.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 11, 2010, 05:31:43 PM
The shimmering ectoplasmic wall springs into existence, cutting off the panicked workers who had been fleeing from the apocalyptic nightmare. Some workers attempt to fight back against the shadows, but their construction tools pass through the wraith-like undead harmlessly.

Amidst the chaos, the psicrystal unfurls the Enveloping Pit, exposing the Ring Gate concealed inside. As Eddie applies the correct psionic force, the metal seems to ripple briefly before resuming its previous appearance.
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: PhaedrusXY December 11, 2010, 10:57:27 PM
Eddie opens the channels on the psychic conduit up to their maximum and says "OK, it's showtime. Let's crank this thing up to 11 and see if we can't wake these dreamers up to the nightmare they're living in."

[spoiler]Does Master of Puppets seem like an appropriate tune? :D[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Kuroimaken December 11, 2010, 11:15:02 PM
Eddie opens the channels on the psychic conduit up to their maximum and says "OK, it's showtime. Let's crank this thing up to 11 and see if we can't wake these dreamers up to the nightmare they're living in."

[spoiler]Does Master of Puppets seem like an appropriate tune? :D[/spoiler]

[spoiler]I'd have no other.[/spoiler]

"Mathilda."

With that said, Nax opened his portable hole in a grand gesture, and a guitar made of ebony and with skull motifs floated up to his hand. So he got started on an opening solo.

[spoiler]Feeding on your desconstruction (1d20+17=29) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2799609/)[/spoiler]
: Re: Death of an Artist - Game Thread
: Bozwevial December 12, 2010, 02:44:55 AM
Eddie throws open the psychic channels, and the sphere seems to vibrate with pent-up energy. For a single instant, the shadows pause, the workers and overseers turn their heads at the telepathic signal, and not a single sound can be heard apart from the brief hum that shakes the entire monolith.

Nax's fingers curl lovingly around the neck of the guitar.

Silence.

An arm raises.

Then all hell (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z-hEyVQDRA) breaks loose. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEL6_SuQCu8&feature=related)