DM Mitch Friday October 15th, 2021 8:19:43 AM Kezzem posses Ketia with a hypothetical involving someone trying to compromise their defense against giants and if it would be perfectly moral according to Ketia’s religion to sneak up and murder the people who are going to compromise their defenses in their sleep before hand. He makes it clear hypothetically speaking and asking for a friend. Succotash suggests they’d be doing the Wold a favor if Ironbane ended up dying as a result of their confrontation. He reassures Pru that they prefer peaceful solutions to violence but can dish it out if it comes to it and that some of the people they’ve resolved things peacefully with have even reformed. He then tells Kezzem that that even a “justified” murder would likely break the paladin code and then briefly discusses the philosophical implications of assassination. Kezzem tells Succotash he isn’t asking if it is okay to assinate someone he is asking if Ketia thinks it is okay to assassinate someone whose resemblance to characters real or imaginary is entirely coincidental. Pru tells Murphy she remembers him but the events during Yule are kind of a bit muddled like in a dream. Tali who is both invisible and flying shoots Murphy with a message spell asking him what the next moves in the investigation should be and if they should pursue Ironbane.
Pressi says that Ketia makes her understand how Kezzem and the others must feel when she talks and that some of her jokes are no longer fun. She then closes her eyes and mentions all the ways she could play things even without a team and that just because a tool exists in her toolbox doesn’t mean she’d use it she just likes to have options and just like that joking about evil got fun again. Harper makes his presence known and Pressi tells the cat she hasn’t forgotten about him. She suggests either group con or beating Ironbane into submission and for that she suggests divinations to know how he fights, what protections he has, what his forces are and what his weaknesses are unless Ketia happens to know any of that. She then reflects that freedom from morality folks are usually wimps and equivocators but she hopes Ketia is a game respects game kind of girl.
Ketia flashes a smile. ”That all depends on you. That’s the point, freedom from the rules of others still means you still have to justify your actions to yourself. If it was my town and loved ones in danger when these thieves showed up I’d murder them in their sleep and not lose any sleep over it. And according to my religion that would be ok as long as I was ok with it. You, I imagine, would lose a lot more sleep over it then me, but if you felt it was justified then do it and forget what others would think of you.”
“Now again there are always consequences. Say those people I killed in their sleep had loved ones, they'd’ be in their rights to come and try to muder me in my sleep. They’d fail, but they could try. The key point is not letting other people control you or bind you with their own viewpoints and rules.”
At Pressi’s question Ketia gives a quick response. ”Barbarian type. Fleis into a rage and pounds you until you are a smear on the ground. It’s been years so I don't know what his gear is like these days, but try not to take him in melee if you can avoid it, he’ll tear you apart. He has a bit of magic to him too, just enough to complicate things. Usually uses it to make his followers as full of frothing, insane rage as he is.”
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 23 HP 129/129 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 35(33) HP 151(127)/151(127) Spells Friday October 15th, 2021 10:27:32 AM "So he likes the rage spell does he? Not a bad spell really, especially for it's level. I wonder if they have a Catacombs entrance here in Glimmer, I wouldn't mind picking up a few things before we go "chat" with Ironbane."
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells Friday October 15th, 2021 1:01:48 PM
At the talk of fighting Ironbane, Hobie breaks his long silence
"I'm not afraid of any barbarian I've ever seen. The angrier they get the dumber they get. Let's kill this son of a gun"
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Friday October 15th, 2021 8:50:21 PM
"Well, now hold on there soldier," Pressi responded to Hobie. "By 'kill him,' you mean 'keep him alive and get him talking', right? Because he's kind of the only lead we've got."
Looking around, "Also, are you sure we want to just go in bows blazing? Not even try to see if he can handle a will save or a nice bluff? Like, I know we're treating him like crazy and paranoid but we seem to be validating his choice and we don't even know if he'll make it. At least maybe discuss a strategy?"
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Friday October 15th, 2021 10:31:21 PM
One thing Ketia says makes Pru a little worried. "Um....followers?" she says. "He has followers? Are any of them with him? Or have you all taken care of that already?"
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 Saturday October 16th, 2021 4:03:32 AM So, let me get this right...
Tali, having been listening to Ketia; her murderer; spew information since her friends began their inquisitive quest of her, chooses to become visible, moves into range that her friends can here here and begins to sum up the information gathered from her perspective:
"So, let me get this right...Ketia here explains that these Cultists of Skald, have a "freedom from the rules of others" ethos, and it is believed that someone from her group has decided to remove others within the group by murder? It could be an entity called "Ironbane" -- Barbarian type, or an entity called Flamescorn -- type unknown, or an entity entirely unknown to us doing the actual removal? In addition, it is our groups desire to bring this / these murderers to Justice?"
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 Saturday October 16th, 2021 4:04:32 AM
OOC: can someone fix the markup at the end of my last post, please ? just add [/i][/b] to the back end.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36 + 1; HP 222/248; Boots of Speed (8/10), DF, Protect Elec 91 Saturday October 16th, 2021 12:47:24 PM
"Hey Succo, if Ironbane likes to rage, perhaps you could prepare some type of spell to *calm* his *emotions*," suggest Kezzem. "I would, but my spell 'deecee' is kind of low, and also paladin's can't cast such spells anyway."
To Pressi, he says, "I bet you this Ironbane guy is all like, 'You think iron is your ally. But you merely adopted the metal. I was born in it. Formed by it. For the truth is...the truth is...I am...Ironbane.'"
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells Sunday October 17th, 2021 3:19:14 PM
To Keizer “if he’s born of iron, all the better, these adamantine arrows will pierce his skull without issue”
Hobie (Nick T) HP 208/198 AC 38 Touch 24 Flat 30 CMD 44 Hero Points 6 Prepared Spells Sunday October 17th, 2021 3:20:05 PM
Ooc: don’t know why autocorrect changed Kezzem to Keizer
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 23 HP 129/129 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 35(33) HP 151(127)/151(127) Spells Sunday October 17th, 2021 11:16:38 PM "That's a great idea, Kezzem, I'll prepare it in the morning."
DM Mitch Monday October 18th, 2021 8:14:53 AM Succotash remarks that Ironbane likes the rage spell, which isn’t a bad spell. He wonders if there is a catacombs entrance nearby as he wouldn’t mind picking a few things up before their “chat” (OOC: You may visit the catacombs if you need to) Hobie says he isn’t afraid of barbarians for the angrier they get the dumber they get and that they should kill this son of a gun. Pressi tells Hobie to hold his horses as they need to keep Ironbane alive and talking as he is the only lead they have. She also asks if they are sure they just want to go in bows blazing and if they can’t discuss a strategy. Prudence is concerned about Ironbane’s followers and asks if they are with him or have they been taken care of already. Tali becomes visible and asks if they are sure they want to do what they are planning to do as the cultists of Skald have a “freedom from the rules” ethos and someone whether it is Ironbane, Flamescorn or whoever is removing them. She asks are they sure they want to bring whoever it is to justice. Kezzem asks Succotash to prepare some calm emotions spells if Ironbane likes to rage as he can’t being a paladin. He asks Pressi if Ironbane’s catchphrase is, "I bet you this Ironbane guy is all like, 'You think iron is your ally. But you merely adopted the metal. I was born in it. Formed by it. For the truth is...the truth is...I am...Ironbane." Hobie remarks that if he’s born of iron all the better as the adamantine arrows will pierce his skull without issue. Succotash likes Kezzem’s idea.
Ketia nods. ”He usually has a crew of people he’s intimidated into following him hanging around. Some are thugs like him and just follow him because he’s bigger and stronger, others are just too scared of him to try to run away. You’ll have to deal with them as well. And yes that summery is about right, but Ironbane definitely didn't do this. He's not smart enough and it's way to subtle for him. He should know who Firescorn is though.”
With most questions seemingly answered Ketia gives a description of the area Ironbane was sighted. A remote region in the already remote scab with a large geyser field. The description is good enough for the party to teleport close, though not right on top of him so they can plan their advance after arrival. ”He’ll probably be in the geyser field somewhere.”
Succotash (Jeremy) AC 31/16/29 CMD 23 HP 129/129 Valerie AC 40/14(16)/35(34) CMD 35(33) HP 151(127)/151(127) Spells Monday October 18th, 2021 9:47:53 AM "Though I like the idea of preparing calm emotions, that will set us back another day. Are we OK with that? Either way, now that I think of it, I remember seeing a shop that I'm pretty sure has an entrance to the Catacombs, and I would like to add "Mercy" to Valerie's "Amulet of Mighty Fists" and pick up a "Rod of Quicken Spell" before we go. So do we want to wait until morning, or head out right after I get back from the Catacombs?"
Prudence Komonov (Kathy) Monday October 18th, 2021 1:44:29 PM
Pru shrugs. "I'm ready now," she says. "Well, just about."
While waiting for Succotash to return, she casts Extended Mage Armors on herself and her husband. "Does anyone else need Mage Armor?" she asks the group. "I've got plenty."
Pressi (Melvin) - AC 26 (31), HP 144, CMD 26 (28); Harper AC 31 (36), HP 102, CMD 30 (35) Monday October 18th, 2021 9:00:56 PM
"Sorry Succotash but I don't think we can wait. He may go on the move or become the next target. Besides, it's more fun to make due with what you've got."
At Ketia's mention that this murder was too "subtle" for him, Pressi's eyeroll could be heard sighing.
If Pressi has to wait, she'll take some time to think about possible strategies. She also points out to Tali that there must be some system of justice, since Anur went to jail and Ketia seems to be trying to avoid it. "Besides, I've got the justicar ethos thing. I can be all the law... wait, that came out wrong."
She waves off Mage Armor, showing off her own mithril shirt. "Also, maybe hold off on buffs. I'm not planning on letting us teleport right in the middle of camp. I'd like to scope out the place, first."
Tali (JPWard) -- Tali(JonPaul) AC:38 (T:34, FF:32), CMD:42, Saves:(F:15/R:17/W:19), HP:121/121 Monday October 18th, 2021 9:50:37 PM Two Hours?
Tali wonders if she has two hours to meditate? If Tali gets her two hours, she will meditate, then cast her normal round of spells that she does after every two hour meditative period.
Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 41/21/36 + 1; HP 222/248; Boots of Speed (8/10), DF, Protect Elec 91 Monday October 18th, 2021 11:39:12 PM
"Drat," says Kezzem. "The one time I've had a good idea."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 36 Tch 33 Ffted 31 HP 144/144 CMD 46/48(Grapple/Trip/Disarm) Tuesday October 19th, 2021 1:11:27 AM
Spells in effect: Mage Armor
Nikolai rummages through his backpack for a minute then gives the 'Thumbs Up' that he's ready to go.
Murphy (KimMc) Halfling AC 34/T19/F29 CMB 22 CMD 48 HP 208/196+12 d20+20=25 ; Tuesday October 19th, 2021 3:32:13 AM
"Sorry I did not respond earlier, Tali. Yes, yes, pursuing Ironbane may prove profitable - yet with a cost.
"Tali needs some rest to be fully prepared. I need to join Succotash at the local Catacombs outlet. I plan to pick up a wand of prayer. It's always nice to have a prayer in tough situations, no? Anything else anyone desires? In any event, shall we depart in, say, two and a half hours? You and I," he nods to Succotash, "should be done shopping by that time, thanks to their amazing stocking and efficiencies. Tali will have had time to rest.
"Does that sound good to the rest of you?" he asks the group.
"Thanks, hon - shall we wait until just before we leave for the spell casting? Mage Armor will be lovely at that time!" And to the whole group, "Perhaps hold the bulk of the prep spells until just before we leave. Grab a bite to eat, sharpen your blades, or do whatever else you need to in the interim. See you all in a bit!"
Once Murphy gets back, he spends a moment trying out the wand of prayer. "I just want to make sure I can use it." Applying the skill of use magic device, he manages to invoke a prayer spell, which lasts for 5 rounds. "All right - in case we need it, I can cast it. Succotash's prayer lasts much longer - but this one can help for a short time." =================== Use Magic Device: 25 (success, only 20 needed, so I guess it's automatic for Murphy)
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