Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MitzaVolchenko 05-19-06, 03:27 AM	This is a miniquest for Ceilia Durrol. If you are not Zevox or myself, please do not post here until the quest is complete. Comments and concerns can be voiced via PM and RP in the Guild thread. Thank you. Goal: Join WAR Week 1: In spite of someone's fell engineering, Ceilia walks away with the prize and her body mostly intact. Items/Abilities Used: None Rewards: 675xp/675gp
MitzaVolchenko 05-19-06, 03:28 AM	Ceilia Durrol My mind and body are honed to their sharpest to serve the Grandmaster. Female Human Lawful Neutral Fighter 2/Cleric 1 [ECL 3] XP/Virtual/TNL: 3,200/3,200/6,000 [3,200 start] Height 5’3’’, Weight 95 lbs, Age 19 Deity: The Red Knight (Goddess of Strategy, Planning, and Tactics) http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/fp_gallery/fp2/Other_group3_p103.jpg http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/fp_gallery/fp2/Red-Knight_symbol.jpg (Red Knight is 2nd from right) Wars are won by those with the best planning, strategy, and tactics, regardless of the apparent odds. Any fool can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with fortune's aid; only a master strategist can ensure lasting victory. War is a series of battles; losing a battle does not necessarily indicate the war is lost. Seek out your opponent's weaknesses and recognize your own; avoid an opponent's strengths and play to your own. Only by focusing one's own strengths on the opponent's vulnerabilities can triumph be ensured. In times of war prepare for peace; in times of peace prepare for war. Seek out your enemy's allies, and be prepared to compromise. Life is an endless series of skirmishes with occasional outbreaks of war. Be ready - and have a contingency plan. Activities this week: Participating in a tournament to join the Warfare Alliance and forging documents so I am not penalized for bringing Foresight. STR...16 [+3]...(10 pts) DEX...12 [+1]...(4 pts) CON...14 [+2]...(6 pts) INT....14 [+2]...(6 pts) WIS...16 [+3]...(10 pts) CHA...8 [-1]...(0 pts) Hit Points: 26 [3 HD] [10Ftr + 5.5Ftr + 4.5Clr + (2*3)con] AC 21 [+1dex, +8armor, +2shield], Touch 11, Flat 20 [+2 deflection Shield of Faith] [+8 Full Plate Armor, +2 Masterwork Heavy Steel Shield] Initiative: +1 [1dex] BAB/Grap: +2/+5 [+2bab, +3str] Speed 20ft Mount Speed 60ft Saves: Fort +7 [3Ftr + 2Clr + 2con] Refl +1 [0Ftr + 0Clr + 1dex] Will +5 [0Ftr + 2Clr + 3wis] [+1 Resistance orison] Attacks: Masterwork Longsword +7 melee, 1d8+3 [19-20/x2] [2bab, +3str, +1MW, +1focus] Masterwork Lance +6 melee, 1d8+4 [20/x3] [2-handed] [2bab, +3str, +1MW] Masterwork Lance (mounted) +6 melee, 1d8+3 [20/x3] [1-handed] [2bab, +3str, +1MW] Masterwork Composite Longbow (str+3) +4 ranged, 1d8+3 [20/x3] [110' range] [2bab, +1dex, +1MW] Conditional Attack Modifiers +1 attack melee (height) vs smaller opponnent while mounted. +2 attack and x2 (x3 lance) damage melee on mounted charge. +1 attack and damage luck melee and ranged Divine Favor. +1 attack morale melee and ranged Bless. Feats: Animal Affinity [Human Bonus] Mounted Combat [1st lvl] Ride-by Attack [Fighter Bonus 1st] Spirited Charge [Fighter Bonus 2nd] Weapon Focus (Longsword) [War Domain] Trample [3rd lvl] [b]Human Racial Bonus Feat 1st level. +4 skill points 1st level. +1 skill point per level. Favored Class: Any (Fighter) Fighter Class Proficient w/ all simple and martial weapons, all armor, and all shields. Bonus Feat 1st level. Bonus Feat 2nd level. Cleric Class Aura of Law Rebuke Undead Spontaneous Casting (Inflict) War Domain: Free “Weapon Focus” feat for Deity’s favored weapon (Longsword). Law Domain: Cast Law spells at CL+1. Prohibited: Chaos spells. Special Abilities: Rebuke Undead 2/day Spontaneous Casting (Inflict): (Convert any prepared spell into an Inflict spell of equal level.) Skills (25 Fighter, 5 Cleric): +3 Concentration [1rnks, +2con] [1Clr] +10 Craft (Weaponsmithing) [6rnks, +2int, +2circumstance] [5Ftr, 1Clr] +10 Craft (Armorsmithing) [6rnks, +2int, +2circumstance] [5Ftr, 1Clr] +5 Forgery [3rnks, +2int] [5FtrCC, 1ClrCC] +8 Handle Animal [5rnks, -1cha, +2Animal Affinity, +2circumstance] [5Ftr] -6 Hide [0rnks, +1dex, -6armor, -1shield] +3 Listen [0rnks, +3wis] -6 Move Silently [0rnks, +1dex, -6armor, -1shield] +10 Ride [5rnks, +1dex, +2Animal Affinity, +2synergy] [5Ftr] [+2circumstance to stay in saddle] +3 Spellcraft [1rnks, +2int] [1Clr] +3 Spot [0rnks, +3wis] Speaks Common, Elven, and Dwarven. Cleric Spells per Day: [3/3] [Spell levels: 3; Cast: 1] [Law Spells (CL 2nd), Law Domain spells (CL 2nd), War Domain spells.] 0: [DC 13] Resistance, Guidance, Detect Magic. 1: [DC 14] Command, Divine Favor, Protection from Chaos. Buffs and Prefight actions: All scrolls deciphered. Pray to the Red Knight. Bring Foresight (CR 1). Equipment: Priest’s Garments. Full Plate ArmorC [50 lbs][1,500 gp] Masterwork Heavy Steel ShieldC [15 lbs][170 gp] Masterwork LongswordC [4 lbs][315 gp] Masterwork LanceC [10 lbs][310 gp] Masterwork Composite Longbow (str+2) [3 lbs][600 gp] Quiver with 60 arrows [3 lbs per 20][1 gp per 20] Silver Holy Symbol [1 lb][25 gp] Scroll Case [1/2 lb][1 gp] Belt Pouch (Miscellaneous Items) [1/2 lb][1 gp] Miscellaneous Items in Belt Pouch 2x Sunrod [1 lb each][2 gp each] Masterwork Whistle [1 lb][50 gp] Scrolls in Scroll Case: Scroll of Magic Weapon (2 castings) [CL 1st] [0 lbs][25 gp per spell] Scroll of Shield of Faith (4 castings) [CL 2nd] [0 lbs][50 gp per spell] Scroll of Bless (4 castings) [CL 1st] [0 lbs][25 gp per spell] Expendables: 350/450 gp Ally & Equipment “Foresight”, Light Warhorse [150 gp] Military Saddle [30 lbs][20 gp] Saddle Bags [8 lbs][4 gp] Equipment at Home: Gold: 521 gp 4 sp Fine Lanceboard Masterwork Weaponsmith’s Tools [5 lbs][55 gp] Masterwork Armorsmith’s Tools [5 lbs][55 gp] Backpack [2 lbs][2 gp] Bedroll [5 lbs][1 sp] Tent [20 lbs][10 gp] Waterskin [4 lbs][1 gp] Miscellaneous Statistics: Encumbance: 0-66 (light), 67-133 (medium), 134-200 (heavy) Weight carried: 96 lbs Mount Weight Carried: 38 lbs , 229 lbs [Mounted] [b]Foresight Light Warhorse Large Animal True Neutral Str…16 [+3], Dex…13 [+1], Con…17 [+3], Int…2 [-5], Wis…13 [+1], Cha…6 [-2] Hit Points: 22 [3 HD] [(4.5*3)Animal + (3*3)con] AC 14 [–1 size, +1dex, +4 natural], Touch 10, Flat 13 Intiative +2 [2dex] BaB/Grap: +2/+9 [2bab, +3str, +4size] Space/Reach: 10ft/5ft Speed: 60ft Saves: Fort +6 [3animal + 3con] Refl +4 [3animal + 1dex] Will +2 [1animal + 1wis] Attacks: Hoof +4 melee, 1d4+3 [20/x2] [2bab, +3str, -1size] Bite -1 melee, 1d3+1 [20/x2] [2bab, +3str, -1size, -5secondary] Full Attack: 2 Hooves + Bite Feats: Endurance [1HD] Run [3HD] Special Abilities Low-light Vision Scent Skills: (6Animal) -3 Hide [0rnks, +1dex, -4size] +1 Move Silently [0rnks, +1dex] +4 Listen [3rnks, +1wis] [3animal] +4 Spot [3rnks, +1wis] [3animal] [u]Equipment: See “Ally & Equipment” section. Miscellaneous Statistics Encumbance: 0-230 (light), 231-460 (medium), 460-690 (heavy) Weight carried: 38 lbs , 229 lbs [Mounted] [b][u]Tricks Combat Riding Package (attack, come, defend, down, guard, heel) The daughter of a noble family of Gladius with a long lineage of Paladins and Wizards, great things were expected Ceilia from birth. When she displayed an intellectual aptitude exceeding most students at her school, her family began to talk of sending her to schooling with the prestigious Arcane Order of the Arcadivius district. Ceilia, however (headstrong almost from the day she could speak), would hear nothing of it. She enjoyed exercising her mind, but not in books of magic - in books of war. She studied strategy with a passion, studied the art of combat, the various methods of battle, tactics both historic and recent, and even the politics involved in such. She took up games of strategy of all sorts at an early age, though her favorite remained always Lanceboard - at once both the simplest and the most complex of them, she has always said. Her family tried to push her towards Paladinhood and membership in the Celestial Forces after seeing her martial abilities develope, but though she pursued this with a passion (learning during this time to ride a horse with more skill than many Paladins due to a strange skill with animals that even she cannot account for) she lacked the moral drive of a Paladin - she fought because she enjoyed fighting, enjoyed both the physical and mental challenge of combat, not for the greater good. It came as no surprise to anyone when she took up the worship of the Red Knight (even though most of the rest of her family venerated either one of the Triad or Azuth), and it was even less so when she asked to join her temple in Central Gladius. Seeing this as the one chance to redeem her socially, her parents eagerly agreed - being a Priestess, even of an obscure and warlike Goddess like the Red Knight, was certainly a better position than that of a common warrior as far as they were concerned. Ceilia has never given them a second thought since joining, but pursues her chosen career with a passion. She continues to regularly play games of strategy with everyone in the temple, besting most of the initiates but still losing regularly to the grandmasters (a situation she wants to rectify). She continues to fight as a rider - she has come to love mounted combat above all other arts of combat - and her military training is as much a part of her life in the temple as her religious training. After befriending an Elf who came to frequent the temple in the past couple of years by the name of Featylec Elendi Ceilia has become enthralled by the idea of joining the Warfare Alliance and participating in the arena. The tales Featylec has told her of arena combat and of WAR have captured her imagination as a way to practice her abilities beyond simple temple training with fake swords and lances. Though it took a long time to convince the temple grandmaster to permit it - he thought she was running off, after the manner of an impulsive teenager (even though she never displayed such impusliveness before), due to some affection for Featylec - she has finally recieved permission to join the Warfare Alliance and participate in the arena, on the condition that she return twice a week for her studies (a condition she eagerly agreed to, even adding that she would also return a third time for games of Lanceboard). Ceilia is both very light in build and short for a human - shorter than her Elf friend Featylec even - but her body is toned with muscle. She usually wears her blood-red armor - the vestments of a Priestess of the Red Knight - unless in some informal setting (and there are few settings she considers informal), in which case she simply wears a set of cleric's robes with the emblem of the Red Knight on it. Her hair is long and dark - almost as long as Featylec's silver hair - but when in combat she braids it neatly so it does not interfere with her. Though she is by and large honorable, she will not shirk from taking advantage of any edge she can sieze in battle - partly a result of her strategic nature, partly a result of association with Featylec. Her horse, Foresight, is very loyal to her, for she takes good care of it (some would accuse her of caring more for her horse than for her family - and they'd be right). Default Tactics None: Tactics sent individually. Fights results: (tot. 0 xp) None: 1st pending. 1: (Name of opponent), (Name of player): (win/loss) [+?? XP] [+?? gold] Past Expenditures (tot. 2,478 gp 6 sp): 3,000 gp start Expenses 4/26/2006 (Creation) - 750 gp Full Plate ArmorC - 85 gp Masterwork Heavy Steel ShieldC - 157 gp 5 sp Masterwork LongswordC - 155 gp Masterwork LanceC - 600 gp Masterwork Composite Longbow (str+2) - 3 gp Quiver w/ 60 arrows - 25 gp Silver Holy Symbol - 1 gp Scroll Case - 1 gp Belt Pouch - 50 gp Scroll of Magic Weapon (2 castings) [CL 1st] - 200 gp Scroll of Shield of Faith (4 castings) [CL 2nd] - 100 gp Scroll of Bless (4 castings) [CL 1st] - 4 gp 2x Sunrod - 150 gp Light Warhorse - 20 gp Military Saddle - 4 gp Saddlebags - 50 gp Masterwork Whistle - 55 gp Masterwork Weaponsmith’s Tools - 55 gp Masterwork Armorsmith’s Tools - 2 gp Backpack - 1 sp Bedroll - 10 gp Tent - 1 gp Waterskin Total Difference: 521 gp 4 sp None.
MitzaVolchenko 05-19-06, 03:33 AM	As Ceilia led Foresight carefully through the gathering corwds of citizens, she noted the temporary stands erected on an empty lot were filling at a prodigious rate. Hawkers and vendors of all sorts had gathered and were each extolling their wares at the tops of their lungs. As she approaches a line of armored fighters, some with horses, others without a red robed judge with a harried and frightened looking scribe in tow stops her. "Name. Events. Colors. Affiliation," his bored tone lets Ceilia know that he has likely been at this since before dawn.
Zevox 05-19-06, 12:55 PM	"Ceilia Durrol, here for the joust on behalf of the Warfare Alliance. For colors, red is preferable." She smiles and shrugs, indicating her blood red armor, a calling card of her faith, as though that last should have been obvious. You know, it just dawned on me that this probably isn't going to be very interesting as miniquests go. Sorry about that. Maybe I should have just let you pick whatever you wanted rather than going with NiQil's hook...
MitzaVolchenko 05-19-06, 07:17 PM	"Third pairing. Take your arms and animal to Merzak for inspection," his tone at her pert answer for colors takes on an offended snap. No worries, my friend. I have plans for you.
Zevox 05-19-06, 11:34 PM	Good to hear :) . Giving another shrug, not overly bothered by the tone of the bored official - her mother had been much worse - Ceilia takes Foresight's reigns, heading off in the direction the man had indicated to see the inspector.
MitzaVolchenko 05-20-06, 12:34 PM	Merzak is a thin, dusky skinned human standing a bit over 6' tall. He is whipchord muscle over a sturdy frame and has two scimitars, one over his left shoulder and one on his right hip. He stands near the end of a tilting lane, a tall slim crossbred horse showing the light muscling of a desert horse and the more massive bone of a destrier standing unbridled behind. The horse seems to be watching and paying attention to things as much as the sharpeyed warrior. Merzak scowls slightly as Ceilia approaches and motions her away from the lanes a bit. Joining her, his hosre following behind him, he cracks a friendly smile, "Name?" As Ceilia repeats her information, Merzak just nods and starts running his hands down Foresight's legs. Foresight who is usually unfriendly to strangers stands patiently, lifting each foot without argument. Within a few minutes, Merzak has examined Forsight and moved on to the tack, testing straps and checking over the condition of each piece deftly probing the saddle for hidden compartments. "You take good care of your mount. That speaks well for you. Present your gear," his tone is slightly friendlier having inspected Foresight. As Ceilia proffers her lance and shield for inspection, she notices that Merzak runs his fingers over everything and is still watching her closely from his peripheral vision as he does. Completing his inpection, he passes the lance and shield back to Ceilia, "The joust will be for three passes with each opponent. Number of opponents will depend upon how many enter the joust. No magical aid of any kind is permitted save that of enchanted arms. You are required to present your equipment at the end as well. If you unhorse or incapacitate an opponent in any single pass, you forego the other two. If neither contestant does either of those things, the judges will determine whose blows held more merit. DO you understand these rules?"
Zevox 05-20-06, 04:30 PM	Ceilia notes the man's handling of Foresight with interest. Apparently he has some skill with animals as well. At his declaration of the rules, she replies, "I understand. Fairly standard rules from my experience at the temple, though the no magic part is new to me. I suppose it would be an unfair advantage when not all participants can use it though, so I have no objections there." Shouldering her shield and lance, she gives the man a quick smile before taking Foresight's reigns. "Where will the joust be held, and where should I wait in the meantime?"
MitzaVolchenko 05-21-06, 12:43 PM	"You can have the third tent on the north endof the tilting lanes," he motions toward a line of medium sized tents at the far end of the jousting grounds. Each is large enough to accomodate a horse, a knight, and a squire, protecting them from the sun and giving them a small amount of privacy to prepare. As you turn to head toward your tent Foresight gives a tug at the reins and touches noses with Merzak's horse, blowing into its nostrils and then with pinned ears turns to follow you as obediently as ever. Submit any special tactics you may have for dealing with a straight joust without your divine abilities. I'll run that tonight, and we'll see how it goes. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns either IC or OOC just toss 'em up here. If there are any rolls you wish to make in advance, now is the time to tell me.
Zevox 05-21-06, 11:35 PM	Ceilia heads off to the tents to prepare for the joust, giving Foresight some feed and making certain her lance is sharp and the emblem of the Red Knight on her shield is well-polished. It was time to make her Goddess and the Warfare Alliance proud. Can't think of anything particularly complicated about it without magic. Charging with the lance and shield is obvious. Taking cover behind Foresight would be something I'd normally do, but since I'd tend to think that jousting attacks occur simultaneously and I can't attack at the precise moment I take cover like that it would be a bad idea here (if its otherwise, go ahead and take cover of course). Oh, if for some strange reason someone attacks Foresight, try to negate it with a ride check via Mounted Combat. Only things of note worth mentioning is that neither combatant gets the usual height bonus from being mounted, since both are mounted; and that Ceilia's Spirited Charge feat means triple damage on successful lance attacks, or x9 on crits. As for rolls, I see no reason to make any myself. Whether I make them or you do won't affect thier outcome, so you may as well make them. I'd think that would make it easier for you to keep track of them.
MitzaVolchenko 05-23-06, 04:09 AM	From her tent Ceilia can hear the commencement of the jousting. The crowd falls to a hush and then erupts in roars of approval or disgust depending onthe results of each clash. When called Ceilia somewhat nervous about appearing before such a crowd and with none of her accustomed blessings, leaves ehr tent and mounts Foresight. Proceeding to her place, she pumps her lance three times to indicate her readiness for the joust. Upon a like sign from her first opponent, Josiah of Stonereach, she sigals Foresight to charge and they meet with aroar from the crowd for their first pass. Both strike, but neither damages their opponent. Two more passes go by with neither unhorsing their opponent and neither breaching the other's armor. With salute to her opponent, Ceilia takes her designated place next to the judge's stand and waits wishing it were possible to chew on her fingernails. Foresight cocks a hind hoof and swishes at imaginary flies the picture of bored confidence. After soem huddled debate, the judges raise their red flag indicating a win for Ceilia. Ceilia smiles and the crowd applauds as she returns to her end of the field to and watches her next opponent, Helenus of Hardornin take the line on the far end of the field. On the firstcharge Ceilia feels everything fall into place and knows that she has Helenus figured out. Thundering down the list, Foresight feels Ceilia's shift of weight and pours on a bit more speed bringing them into a great clash with Helenus. Ceilia feels her opponents lance slide inside her shield and knows a moment of shock and pain as it pierces her side doing (6 points) of damage. As Foresight takes her clear she notices that she is no longer holding her lance as it is still in Helenus who is completely transfixed and lies dead on the ground (31dmg). Wrapping her side with a stip of bandaging handed ot her by a steward who confirms that she is fit to continue, Ceilia moves to take her place on the line once more. Her third opponent, she notices with a shock is Merzak. Racing toward her opponent, Ceilia knows something is off and tries to correct it too late as her lance slides uselessly off of Merzak's shield. Merzak's lance strikes home piercing her shoulder (8 points). Jarred and unsettled she returns shakily to her end of the field as Foresight slows to balance her better. Turning to face Merzak once more, Ceilia focuses her senses in on her opponent. Shaken and hurt, she mets his charge and manages to fend off his blow with her shield while striking uselessly on his shield. Wearily and feeling as if she had been laying in the middle of the field being trampled by horses all day, Ceilia turns to face Merzak's third pass. Knowing she has to make this one perfect or lose, she sets Foresight down the lane at top speed leaning into her lance and offering alittle prayer up. The jousters come together with a terrible crash as Merzak's lance shatters and Ceilia's pierces his chest (59dmg) leaving her grip as Merzak's horse executes a perfect pirouette to keep her rider in place. A horn blasts as Ceilia reins Foresight to a walk at the far end of the field and turns slowly to face the field. The judges hold up a red flag and the crowd erupts in cheers as the stewards try in vain to get to Merzak as his horse sidles and fights to avoid them while bearing her master. Finally a veiled person of indeterminate gender steps onto the field and Merzak's mare comes to a halt allowing her master to be tended. A nervous steward retireves Ceilia's lance and takes it to her. Gasping for breath, Ceilia reins around and accepts her lance from a steward who has wrenched it free of the body. Helenus is thrown over his horse's back and led from the field as the crowd cheers Ceilia's performance. Rolls are here. (http://www.hwx.it/wizards.com/dice.php?sid=239)
MitzaVolchenko 05-23-06, 04:19 AM	Ceilia returns to her tent to tend to her wounds and Foresight. As she unsaddles, she notices that her offside girth strap has been nearly cut through. She knows that it was in perfect condition when she saddled in the morning. Tended and feeling more human, she makes her way to the presentation stand is surprised to see Merzak standing with the judges and the pieces ofhis broken lance laying on the table before them. He nods to her as she approaches. The judges examine the lance and after ashort but heated debate turn to Merzak and ask if he would like anotehr pass with Ceilia. "No. I think the lass has earned her win. That last blow was a good one in its own right. I am however curious to know who sabotaged that lance. When I find out who it was, they will wish they had never laid eyes upon me," Merzak smiles at Ceilia clearly suffering from bloodloss but looking none the owrse for wear other than that. "Well ridden. I haven't taken a hit like that in many summers." The judges nod solemnly s if they had done something important and Ceilia is turned to face the crowd to accept her laurels and winner's purse. We can RP here if you are interested in carrying ths further. It is also a good lead in for a quest for Ceilia or another of WAR who wants to investigate who committed the acts of sabotage.
Zevox 05-23-06, 08:56 PM	Ceilia smiles back at Merzak, clearly weary herself. "A fine match it was indeed. My shoulder will be feeling that for a while even after I heal it. However, you weren't the only to suffer sabotage. When I dismounted I found that one of Foresight's girth straps had been nearly cut through, and as I'm sure you saw when you inspected it it was in perfect condition before the joust. I was lucky the saddle did not slide off and take me with it in the midst of the match." She shakes her head, uncertain of why someone would sabotage them both. Ooo, very interesting. I'm quite tempted to have one my guys look into it. If Lonewolf isn't back when the boards finish upgrading (he was going to run a quest for my other WAR member, Featylec, then) I'd be interested in having Featylec look into it - intrigue is more his fortè than Ceilia's, though perhaps one of the WAR members would be interested in it instead.
MitzaVolchenko 05-24-06, 03:00 AM	Merzak's eyes narrow and nods slowly. "Would you mind if I inspected your equipment and spoke with your companion?" If I can ever catch KU online to chat, I'd like to work this into a series of short quests and then possibly a campaign. I want to flesh out the region of Western Habari and the history there. have somethingin mind with this that ties into that.
Zevox 05-24-06, 03:20 AM	Ceilia's eyebrows are raised at that last. "Companion? The only one I came here with was Foresight, and I'm afraid short of Druidic magic you'll have a hard time speaking with him. Although I'll of course let you inspect my equipment - you had said before that such would be required anyway, no?" Hmm... well, I hadn't intended to activate Ceilia or Featylec for a while after Featylec's next quest, but I'm always interested in RPing (call it a weakness). Whatever you come up with, I'd be happy to participate in :) .
MitzaVolchenko 05-24-06, 03:34 AM	Merzak chuckles, "Foresight is the compaion I speak of. The post tourney inspection is a formality, only. I am less interested in today's game than I am in a true foe." It will be after the board maintenance either way. I turn 30 this week and will probably not be doing a whole lot with the boards.