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Post by xerxez on Aug 26, 2023 10:11:20 GMT -6
((I'm back from a week of overtime. Phew! ((I would have been happy to lose some XP to killing blow players. ((In EPT, don't you re-roll hp at each level, rather than adding a new die?)) I once loved overtime-- In my late forties I changed my mind I go "on call" again in early October...it's just a week but totally unpredictable. Could be quiet or a red-eye flight through the skies of chaos! As for Hit Points in EPT, with each successive level a number of dice are shaken- at level 2 you roll 2. If you don't roll high enough to surpass your original H.P., it stays the same. You also only add the difference. So if you have 8 H.P.at 1st level, upon attaining 2nd Level you get to roll 2 dice- if you roll a 12 you only add the 4 point difference, taking you to 12. A bit challenging, and just a little random in my opinion. As for the "killing blow" rule on XP, if you guys prefer, going forward we can do that but it makes for extremely slow level progression! I will get the books out tonite or tomorrow morning and adjust characters and finish up this encounter. A LOT has been going on.
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Post by scottenkainen on Aug 26, 2023 11:14:30 GMT -6
((Just keep giving us lots of treasure and we'll be fine. Speaking of - we also took the "genie" brazier with us to sell. Is that not valuable?))
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Post by scottenkainen on Aug 26, 2023 15:47:13 GMT -6
N'Rasa had tried to stay clear of the people around her after hearing they might be spirits. Most every story of spirits she had ever been told had been of evil spirits, so while they seemed happy and cheery now, N'Rasa remained mindful that this could change disastrously.
When she heard the people might be illusions instead, she glanced down at her pouch of collected berries and wondered if it was really empty. She felt the bag to see if it felt full, or heavy.
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Post by makofan on Aug 26, 2023 18:45:25 GMT -6
OOC: So if I understand correctly. Bálesh will fill in the skill he skipped, "flail/mace user"
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Post by makofan on Aug 26, 2023 18:46:20 GMT -6
Also, is somebody using Divine Intervention to decide what to do? Bálesh has given an opinion, but what do the others think? Mohammad's idea has merit, unless the lady is telling the truth, in which case we already know the solution.
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Post by scottenkainen on Aug 26, 2023 19:15:48 GMT -6
N'Rasa's not killing this old lady.
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Post by chirinebakal on Aug 27, 2023 10:44:59 GMT -6
This is so much fun to be able to read!!!
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Post by xerxez on Aug 29, 2023 22:38:36 GMT -6
Hi guys. I am so sorry to not have posted! I'm having it a bit rough at the moment. I like your posts and ideas, my radio silence has strictly been due to being run over by a train. I do intend to devote tomorrow evening to our game! Good night and peace!
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Post by xerxez on Aug 29, 2023 22:40:43 GMT -6
((Just keep giving us lots of treasure and we'll be fine. Speaking of - we also took the "genie" brazier with us to sell. Is that not valuable?)) It would be of great value.
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Post by xerxez on Aug 29, 2023 22:42:55 GMT -6
N'Rasa had tried to stay clear of the people around her after hearing they might be spirits. Most every story of spirits she had ever been told had been of evil spirits, so while they seemed happy and cheery now, N'Rasa remained mindful that this could change disastrously. When she heard the people might be illusions instead, she glanced down at her pouch of collected berries and wondered if it was really empty. She felt the bag to see if it felt full, or heavy. Given her talent for magic, she senses the berries might be only the fruit of a fleeting dream...
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Post by xerxez on Aug 29, 2023 23:01:05 GMT -6
Also, is somebody using Divine Intervention to decide what to do? Bálesh has given an opinion, but what do the others think? Mohammad's idea has merit, unless the lady is telling the truth, in which case we already know the solution. I wanted to mention the rule of Divine Intervention in case anyone was unaware of it. I can elaborate on it, that is, how it work's mechanically, but it's just another choice. As Good aligned characters, you've faced several tough junctures and choices, but they were not meant to force you into any action or be a torment-- and know that you will reap the benefits of staying true to your ethics. Divine Intervention is an option, but holds a very slim margin of success. It's perhaps the only option for changing the lady's fate- I'm no expert on the Mit'lanyal as a referee, but you may get the ear of a Stability God willing to take pity and somehow change the game, though the Gods do try to maintain balance. Without such help, if you leave her to her fate, in the end she also had a role in her fate. She chose a capricious and wanton Mistress....
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Post by xerxez on Aug 29, 2023 23:02:14 GMT -6
N'Rasa's not killing this old lady. Staying true to your ethic is honorable!
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Post by dtspurrier1 on Aug 30, 2023 6:51:14 GMT -6
Mohammad will only ask for divine intervention when it is absolutely necessary.
MOhammad idea though is to investigate and see if these are spirits and can they be saved or is this just an illusion or maybe an echo of time
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Post by xerxez on Aug 30, 2023 21:58:47 GMT -6
Mohammad will only ask for divine intervention when it is absolutely necessary. MOhammad idea though is to investigate and see if these are spirits and can they be saved or is this just an illusion or maybe an echo of time I got the books and dice out.
I rolled 2d6 for each of you for level h.p. determination.
With EPT, you roll a number of dice determined by level (2 in your cases) and if the total exceeds your old H.p. you keep the new total.
I rolled well for everyone in this regard, except, sadly, for N'rasa- she did not increase H.P. and remains at 5 (her weaker Constitution denied her the one point increase she would have otherwise gotten with a rather disappointing roll.
There is some great news for her though, as well as Mohammad. Rolling on the percentage table for chance of learning a new spell each of our spellcasters exceeded 80 (84 and 91!) and AT CONCLUSION OF THIS ADVENTURE caan learn a new spell in Jakalla presumably at a temple or from your tribal shaman Bevan.
Each spellcaster also gained the next attainable professional skill of lowest advancement on the list so N'rasa automatically gains Control of Self, which is as follows:
Extreme psychic control over the body- can hold breath indefinitely, stop heartbeat (mimic death), unbreakable iron grip, total memory recall, shut off hearing, etc. If you can think of other uses of the spell you but name it.
dtspurrier, I apologize but I did not update Mohammad's character sheet when you chose them and I honestly don't know what post that's in, I will find it or if you remember please let me know.
Warrior professional skills are as follows: Balesh, Flail/Mace (probably picked up from watching his buddies!)- Mi'kimu, same.
New Hit Point totals will be updated- they are as follows:
Mi'kimu 12 H.P.
Balesh 10 H.P.
Dtspurrier 9 H.P.
I mentioned Divine Intervention not to impose it's use but to let you know its sometimes an Option in EPT, at 2nd level you have a small percentage chance- you would need as a party to roll between 96-100 to reach a Deity, to fail at so low a level invites the chance of angering them, perhaps for your sheer hubris!
The Cohorts (demigods) are a little easier to reach- 86-100 chance.
However Magic Users and Priests get a +2 and+3 respectively, I would referee that this can be a shared effort, and also monetary sacrifices, given to Temples I presume.
Magical items are also accepted - all must be in one's current possession and pledged to the God or Cohort and woe betide the benighted soul who does not deliver the goods when time comes!
The Stability Gods accept no living sacrifices of mankind or allies- but inimical underworld monsters and the undead may be ceremonially slain in honor of the beseeched power to accrue bonus points at the attempt.
It is a limited use option, can't always be calling on these Tekumel Gods to bail you out!
If anyone has questions please let me know.
Unless anyone has an action they wish to perform upon this Plane of Illusion you have found yourselves upon, I will move forward.
I will say you have well passed the mid point of this journey provided you make it all the way!
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
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Post by flightcommander on Aug 30, 2023 22:15:21 GMT -6
Mi'kimu has no qualms about taking the old woman's head off as she requests ... but balks at the idea of offending the god or demon who has cursed her so. "This is not our purpose today — let us depart this place, and leave the woman to her fate."
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Post by xerxez on Aug 30, 2023 23:50:18 GMT -6
(From previous postings I perceive you are all mostly at consensus- Mohammad was inclined to offer a blessing or ritual of Qon but in practical effect the priest's magic is not yet powerful enough to avail her much...so....)
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Post by xerxez on Aug 31, 2023 0:47:14 GMT -6
The Nuroabites...and Fi'ru and Karunaz...are all saddened at the old woman's fate but do not wish to share in it nor..wisely..to invoke the personal wrath of Hri'hyal. As you all stand in the central square gazing upon her in pity and revulsion, the festive mood of the city's people is interrupted by scattered shouts and people pointing up. The once peaceful blue sky seems to split as a swirling purple vortex begins to assume shape above N'gallu...from that strange vortex tiny specks appear from a distance, as numerous as a swarm of bats and moving in the sky in almost the same fashion as bats... As they descend closer to the city, the celebrants of the city suddenly begin screaming and running as dark clouds blot out the sun. The "bats" draw near enough now for your party to discern them as not bats but flying serpents whose upper body is as the chest of a man and having four clawed hands at the end of gnarled arms-- winged they are, with no legs but writhing tails as of a snake. Their heads look like those of lizards but contorted into terrible grins bejeweled with four glittering red eyes, their forms all jet black. They descend upon the people..and the old woman...rending and devouring. Instinctively you form a battle circle as one, but the creatures do not seem to see you at all.... A purple mist fills the city and blinds all of you...Questinil's shrieks and screams are all you can hear. Just as suddenly, the mist is gone and you find yourselves standing in a long stone chamber, silent and cold, lit only by N'rasa's sputtering torch. The room is 30' wide North and South--40' long East and West and the West wall is another open and crumbling wall upon the lake you have just traversed. The barrel ceiling is 12' high at it's utmost point...where the Westward hole stands at the lake edge, you see a stone quay, where your "coffin boat" floats upon the water. In the North-East corner of the room is a set of arched iron double doors, with no other descriptive features. You realize there never was any waterfall...somehow, as in a trance, you all disembarked the coffin-boat and came to this room of heavy square stones. However, each of you for a moment perceives a thin blue shadow upon the walls, like a candle flicker, of the outline of an old woman like a moving painting, careening about the room ,upon the walls, for a brief moment. The blue silhouette is throwing her hands up and pulling her hair, but like a a lightening flash upon a bedroom wall at night, the strange phantasm fades away and leaves you standing in the light of a waning torch held by N'rasa. You are all intact. Fi'ru contains his fear and looks to Mi'kimu, awaiting instruction but visibly disturbed. One of the porters collapses in tears and prayers. Karunaz claps his hand upon Fi'ru's shoulder but says nothing. Vortumoi looks merely contemplative at what has just occurred. VORTUMOI: " Fascinating. Questinil served the Dancing Maiden, hand-servant of the Green Lady of Sin, and thus exulted in the Now with no thought of tomorrow..but her destiny is entrapment within an age of regret. Well, it was her own decision. What now, Outlanders? The door, obviously? Any other suggestions?"
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Post by makofan on Aug 31, 2023 6:16:32 GMT -6
"Onwards and hopefully upwards" says Bálesh. "I will lead"
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Post by dtspurrier1 on Aug 31, 2023 6:59:36 GMT -6
Mohammad says, " so this was a vision from the past. Well lets explore this historic event"
( OOC: in the character generation is Mohammad full stats/sheet)
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Post by xerxez on Aug 31, 2023 8:05:35 GMT -6
The chamber itself is inornate and entirely empty.
An investigation of the doors by Karunaz shows them immovable.
"Locked from the other side," the warrior says grimly.
At that moment all of you hear footsteps beyond the doors, as though someone...or something...approaches the door on the other side.
The footsteps are strange sounding..a measured march which sounds like boots made of metal clinking upon stone.
As the steps halt by the door, you can all hear some sort of whirring noise for a moment, a strange metallic whine, followed by a succession of sharp and piercing noises...almost like the chirping of a bird.
The clinking footsteps resume as whatever it is retreats from the door, the echoes of it's passage sounding through some sort of hall or tunnel by the sound of it.
After about six minutes of waiting the footsteps return along with the strange whirring and chirping noises...
Then the metallic clinking steps retreat again...
VORTUMOI: "No locked door will hinder my magic..but what is the Guardian on the other side I wonder?"
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Post by dtspurrier1 on Aug 31, 2023 8:57:04 GMT -6
Mohammad suggests, " maybe this is some sort of ritual and the chirping noises are maybe looking for a password or a formal greeting to open the door?"
While suggesting this, Mohammad think using his clerical training ,about the god that protects this village ,rituals/formal greetings ( skill check?)
( ooc: do we have our new abilities yet. So mine would be ESP. how does ESP work?)
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
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Post by flightcommander on Aug 31, 2023 13:18:15 GMT -6
Mi'kimu recalls, "The spirit of Bejordi spoke to me of a Gleaming Man: 'He has no soul, no reason. He knows no mercy. But he is strong, not swift.'" Mi'kimu rubs his chin in thought.
"Perhaps it is a guardian, a man of metal, stirred to life by magic, endlessly patrolling the halls beyond this door? As for the chirping sounds, the spirit did not speak of this, and my imagination fails me."
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Post by scottenkainen on Aug 31, 2023 15:21:37 GMT -6
((Since I missed my chance to post for a few days, I'd like to say that N'Rasa ate the illusory plums before they were gone. I figure they either tasted like nothing, like whatever N'Rasa imagined they would taste like, or if the illusion was powerful enough, maybe she really did get a taste of what the famous plums are like.))
N'Rasa checked her pouch, found it empty of her remaining plants, and sighed.
She was also paying attention to the conversation around her, though. "If the guardian is pacing, then it seems it is furthest at the three minute mark. After its next time at our door, we should count out to three minutes and then try the door. Or force the door."
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Post by xerxez on Aug 31, 2023 18:26:18 GMT -6
Mohammad suggests, " maybe this is some sort of ritual and the chirping noises are maybe looking for a password or a formal greeting to open the door?" While suggesting this, Mohammad think using his clerical training ,about the god that protects this village ,rituals/formal greetings ( skill check?) ( ooc: do we have our new abilities yet. So mine would be ESP. how does ESP work?) scottenkainen and dtspurrier: Your "Bonus Spell" cannot be gained in your present locale (as per the rules, section 500, page 20) but the Professor did not include Professional Skills in that part- I would say they are probably gained by your uses of magic thus far and gaining new intuition and insight. That's how we'll do it. Caveat: If you did not pick a power from the first group you chose from (we rolled for that if you remember), you must take any you skipped on before you can move further down the list to the stronger powers. N'rasa had three picks and skipped on Control Self, so her new power is that by default. Next level she would get Telekinesis! If you already have 5 priestly skills from the first five (I can't recall now) then you can take ESP, please refresh me on your current skills. ESP is usable thrice daily and can be used through walls up to 20', it lasts for two turns, and of course detects the thoughts of living creatures. N'rasa does also have Clairavoyance. Mohammad does not recall any of his training which might open the door...
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Post by xerxez on Aug 31, 2023 18:48:09 GMT -6
((Since I missed my chance to post for a few days, I'd like to say that N'Rasa ate the illusory plums before they were gone. I figure they either tasted like nothing, like whatever N'Rasa imagined they would taste like, or if the illusion was powerful enough, maybe she really did get a taste of what the famous plums are like.)) N'Rasa checked her pouch, found it empty of her remaining plants, and sighed. She was also paying attention to the conversation around her, though. "If the guardian is pacing, then it seems it is furthest at the three minute mark. After its next time at our door, we should count out to three minutes and then try the door. Or force the door." N'rasa had enjoyed the plums on the walk into the "reborn city"--now she wonders if the illusion imparted the true taste of N'galu plums. Perhaps if the party were to reach the safety of Jakalla again, she might confirm it! Vortumoi nods at her words. "We have no need to force the door, as you will presently see, but you speak truly as to timing. When I breach the portals it will be loud and fiery for a moment but we can then pass through when the Guardian is farthest away and perhaps looking away..."
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Post by xerxez on Aug 31, 2023 19:03:13 GMT -6
Mi'kimu recalls, "The spirit of Bejordi spoke to me of a Gleaming Man: 'He has no soul, no reason. He knows no mercy. But he is strong, not swift.'" Mi'kimu rubs his chin in thought. "Perhaps it is a guardian, a man of metal, stirred to life by magic, endlessly patrolling the halls beyond this door? As for the chirping sounds, the spirit did not speak of this, and my imagination fails me." VORTUMOI: "Yes, I recall, Mi'kimu. Though I have not seen such with my own eyes, I have heard tale and read in books that the Ancients knew the magic of imparting the mimicry of life and soul within metal golems they constructed. They made servants of them, and even soldiers and guardians. The magic art is lost but their metallic servants live on, needing no nourishment except whatever energy they carry within them. They are to be feared. As for the sounds, I have heard them before in other devices of the Ancients which I have been permitted to see-- they seem to have a cadence which makes me think they are a sequence of sounds related to the activation of these kind of relics. Any plan?"
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
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Post by flightcommander on Aug 31, 2023 19:38:12 GMT -6
"So the chirping might come from some other relic? Perhaps the golem, as you call it, must return to this spot to receive instructions."
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Post by xerxez on Aug 31, 2023 20:25:29 GMT -6
"So the chirping might come from some other relic? Perhaps the golem, as you call it, must return to this spot to receive instructions." VORTUMOI: "That is a possibility. I have mused upon the spirit's riddle and am reminded of lore which holds that they were of differing kinds, and most were not swift. The heavy tread of the Gaurdian beyond the door...the Gleaming Man...makes me think this is the present case. The legends say that some can discharge a powerful energy and project missiles, so there is certainly peril, but if we can elude its grasp in flight for our lives, we can probably outrun the Gleaming Man. I was going to open a hole in the door, but if you have some other thought, I'm curious."
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flightcommander
Level 6 Magician
"I become drunk as circumstances dictate."
Posts: 371
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Post by flightcommander on Aug 31, 2023 20:35:42 GMT -6
"I would like to see this Gleaming Man swim across these dark waters as I have, la!"
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Post by xerxez on Aug 31, 2023 21:36:14 GMT -6
"I would like to see this Gleaming Man swim across these dark waters as I have, la!" KARUNAZ: VORTUMOI: "What by the Dark Flame are you suggesting, warrior...?"
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