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| Book501-18-06, 06:40 PM | Guild Joining Quest Marcos the Black [ECL3] Joining the TAO ________________________________ Starts in the Street outside an Inn of the Arcadivius District.. not the Red Lion. "Emerson's Nice Rest Home" If you are not Iced or Book5 Do not Post here.. well personally I have no problem with "peanut (and I mean small) gallery" comments. BUT Ask Iced and me first and IF he says OK AND You PM Iced;Book5 .. that will hit both of us at once. My req is you are in the TAO, since this is the TAO joining quest. I would Think it appropriate. QuestLog: Dice: week1&2 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?u=Marcos+The+Black+ECL4&limit=on) week3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?u=Marcos+Last+Fight&limit=on) Experience: 1,350xp _Stuff_ Appraise notes ~Exotic - Common Bobert and Fobert's Equipment Found 2x MW Daggers ~ 600+gp* 10 Throwing daggers - 20gp 2x MW Chain Shirts ~ 450+gp Royal Outfit + Jewelry ~ 200+gp Bellman's Clothes - 2gp (scorched) 2 unidentified rings Kept 2 Unidentified Rings 1 MW Dagger ?2 Throwing Daggers? Ending Status: -6 HP -4 Dex. Used Combat scroll 3 (2 Magic missles) and 1 cure light potion. Cast 12/13 Spell levels: 2x Shocking Grasp*, Invisibility, Spider climb, Mage Armor, color spray, scroching ray. Reprepared over Web durring 4 hour meditation. http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/Book5/ArenaMap-City-Archidavius.png The blue one is Emerson's. You can guess on the others, umm Red... yeah. Marcos just went off the map though. So we'll see how that goes. A fair fight in the Fey Orc. getting an eraly start ;) Spent: 2 pearls of power Healing (?gp) - Full HP & +2 Dex. (Total -2 Dex) Marcos prepared the following spell list (in the tavern) after eight hours of rest: Spells Per Day: 5/5/4 13 spell levels use 5 0th - DC16 - 2x Ray of Frost, Ghost Sound, 2x Detect Magic 1st - DC17 - 2x Obscuring mist, 2x Color Spray, Shocking Grasp 2nd - DC18 - Scorching Ray, Invisibility, Spider Climb, Web Put on one of the bert rings. Casts detect magic, obscuring mist, shocking grasp, color sprayx2, and scorching ray. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v314/Ashenai/TMap.jpg the fey orc ()......=...XXXX...XX ========..........*XX X.................OE.. ...HXXX..D....W....XX ...H.......XXX....... XX.................XX ......CXXX....M...... XX...C.........().... () - doors Xs are table/booths C - umm half orcs H - humans D - Dirty human O - Full orc W - Wand wielder E - Eros * - Chest = - the bar. Cast= web, obscuring mist, scorching ray ring is revealed to be cursed - controlled by accessory "key amulet" Command 1 Minute duration, Success consequence. +2 Cha still applies. "Timmer" is the "tim" from earlier. Never intending on Joining the tao at all, he was scouting. He was paying for a room after all. "Can't turn down money" Had a whole lab and everything.. a decent investment from another party seems fairly likely. With Impossible Luck Marcos Rolls an 18 beating the Command DC of the cursed ring. He drops enchantments and steps foreward into the hall. Casting True strike (scroll) and scroching ray he brings the highwayman to near death. His advantage lost. The coward surrenders. Marcos recives the praise of his fellow members and Lord Ruster compensates the mage greatly. XP - Win, Win, Win -300 for putting in the ring. Marcos has to pay NPC services to remove curse correct? I don't see how this will effect the arena but may serve as an amusing quest object. I would prefer if Iced donated the Command Key Talisman to the "teacher's space" Teacher's Space = A mythical place where the arcane order's more reclusive and exclusive members keep shared resourceses. From this place the Lord Ruster is withdrawing the rewards for marcos. In addition he finds, 2x MW Daggers ~ 600+gp* - posioned 10 Throwing daggers - 20gp - 3 poisoned (scropian) MW Chain Shirt ~ 315+gp* - burnt Royal Outfit + Jewelry ~ 200+gp Using one pearl of power and one scroll of true strike (4) Dice Rolls for Final Fight. (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?u=Marcos+Last+Fight&limit=on) 3,300 XP Third Week: 1,200 Second Week : 1,200 Ring Curse : -300 (hehe) First Week : 1,200 ~3,600 GP -1,800+gp* - 5 posioned daggers (scorpian) ~460gp Command Key Amulet (quest item only - nonfunctional for Marcos) 315+gp* MW Chain Shirt ~ burnt ---- 1,020 GP Take the ~4k or the Command Key? Deduct the poison from your rewards if you keep the daggers - "Large scorpion venom Injury DC 18 1d6 Str 1d6 Str 200 gp" Cursed! Marcos wears a Highwayman's ring. It is triggered by the key amulet an upper in the highwayman wears. The effects are as command, however the duration of the command is 1 full minute duration. An activity is required to remove this yes? Joins the TAO Marcos is officially recognized as a Master of the TAO by the Earl of Archidavious himself. Marcos prevents his own assasination attempt on the Earl of Archidavius! |
| Book501-18-06, 06:55 PM | Marcos the Black! War Wizard from the long lost world of the Prophets! http://aiki.4bit4.pl/muonline/images/screen/scr91.jpg Marcos the Black http://aiki.4bit4.pl/muonline/images/screen/scr91.jpg "Do not fight the intangiable, do not seek the invisible, do not doubt the inevitable." Gender: Male Race: Prophet (Consider Old Gray Elf, (Humanoid)) Size: Medium, 5'10", 120wt Alignment: Lawful Neutral Class(es): War Mage 3 (EL3) (Consider Wizard (Evoker) 3) Experience: 5,537/6,000 STR 04 -3 (01 Points) DEX 12 +1 (05 Points) CON 12 +1 (13 Points) INT 22 +6 (16 Points) [B]WIS 11 +0 (01 Points) [B]CHA 10 +0 (00 Points) [B]Hit Points: 12 [4+2.5+2.5+3= 12; 3HD] AC: 11 [+1 Dex] Touch: 11 [+1 Dex] Flat: 10 Initiative: +1 [+1 Dex] BAB/Grap: +1/-2 [+1 BAB, -3 Str] Speed: Land 30’ [Base 30'] Saves Fort +03 [+1 Class +1 Con +1 Enhancement] Ref +03 [+1 Class +1 Dex +1 Enhancement] Will +04 [+3 Class +0 Wis +1 Enhancement] [+2 Vs Enchantment, immune to all sleep spells and effects] Attacks Ranged Touch [Ray] +02 ranged [+1 Dex, +1 BAB] Feats Alertness Familiar Scribe Scroll Wiz 1 Spell Focus: (Conjuration) 1st Craft Wondrous Item 3rd [B]Class Abilities: War Mage Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Proficient with the club, dagger, heavy crossbow, light crossbow, and quarterstaff, but not with any type of armor or shield Arcane Spellcasting Summon Familiar Scribe Scroll Specalized Wizard: Evocation opposed schools enchantment and necromancy [B]Race Abilities: Prophet (Gray Elf) Ability Adjustments: +2 Dex, -2 Con, +2 Int, -2 Str Base Land Speed: 30' Low Light Vision: See twice as far in conditions of poor illumination. Weapon Familiarity: Proficient with the Longbow, Shortbow, Rapier, and Longsword Immunity: Prophets are immune to all sleep spells and effects. Save Bonus: +2 racial bonus on saving throws against enchantment. Skill Bonus: +2 to listen, search, and spot checks Secret Doors: If a Prophet passes within 5' of a secret door he's entitled a search check to find it. Skills (48 War Mage: 8*4 +8 +8) +07 Concentration [6 Ranks War Mage +1 Con ] [6 Ranks] +12 Knowledge: Arcana [6 Ranks War Mage +6 Int] [6 Ranks] +04 Tumble [6 Rankscc War Mage +1 Dex] [3 Ranks] +12 Spellcraft [6 Ranks War Mage +6 Int] [6 Ranks] +07 Spot [6 Rankscc War Mage +0 Wis +2 Racial +2 Alertness] [3 Ranks] +10 Listen [6 Rankscc War Mage +0 Wis +2 Racial +3 Familiar +2 Alertness] [3 Ranks] +04 Escape Artist [6 Rankscc War Mage +1 Dex] [3 Ranks] +14 Craft: Dimensional Gateway [6 Ranks War Mage +6 Int +2 Tool] [6 Ranks] Languages Spoken: Common, Elvish, Draconic, Orcish, Goblin, Infernal, Arcaniantum, Prophet's Tounge Spellbook: 0th - All known 1st - Shield, Mage Armor, Mount, Obscuring Mist, True Strike, Silent Image, Magic Missile, Shocking Grasp, Color Spray, Expeditious Retreat, Protection from Chaos 2nd - Scorching Ray, Invisibility, Fox's Cunning, Spider Climb, Web, See Invisibility, Protection From Arrows Spells Per Day: 5/5/4 13 spell levels use 5 0th - DC16 - 2x Acid SplashS, 2x Ray of FrostB, Ghost Sound 1st - DC17 - Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Color Spray, Shield, Shocking GraspB 2nd - DC18 - Scorching RayB, Invisibility, Spider Climb, WebS S = spell focus +1 to DC, B = Bonus spell for specialist wizard Familiar: Eros Diminutive Magical Beast (Treat as Bat) Hit Dice: 1/4 d8 (6 hp) Initiative: +2 Speed: 5 ft (1 square), fly 40 ft. (good) Armor Class: 16 (+4 size, +2 Dex), touch 16, flat-footed 14 Base Attack/Grapple: +1/–16 Attack: +7 Melee Touch (+4 Size, +1 BAB, +2 Dex) Full Attack: +7 Melee Touch (+4 Size, +1 BAB, +2 Dex) Space/Reach: 1 ft./0 ft. Special Attacks: — Special Qualities: Blindsense 20 ft., low-light vision, Alertness, Impeoved Evasion, Share Spells, Empathetic Link, Deliver Touch Spells Saves: Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +2 Abilities: Str 1, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 7, Wis 14, Cha 4 Skills: Hide +14, Listen +8*, Move Silently +6, Spot +8* Feats: Alertness Environment: Temperate deserts Organization: Colony (10–40) or crowd (10–50) Challenge Rating: 1/10 Advancement: — Level Adjustment: — Eros is a small black winged creature with silvery eyes. He goes everywhere Marcos goes and has been his constant companion for eons. Combat: Blindsense (Ex): A bat notices and locates creatures within 20 feet. Opponents still have 100% concealment against a creature with blindsense. Skills: *A bat has a +4 racial bonus on Spot and Listen checks. These bonuses are lost if its blindsense is negated. Equipment Tattered academy robes (Worn) Free Cloak of Resistance +1 500gp/40xp c 4x Pearl of Power 1st 2,000gp/160xp c [Ma] Dimensional Gateway Artificer's Tool [home, 5wt] 55gp 1x Tatoo of Vigor 100gp 1x Potion of Cure Light Wounds 50gp Scrolls: All crafted Personally Unless Otherwise Noted Combat Scroll 1: 6x Magic Missile [3]...112.5gp/9xp Combat Scroll 2: 6x Magic Missile [3]...112.5gp/9xp Combat Scroll 3: 3x Magic Missile [3], 3x Shocking Grasp [3]...112.5gp/9xp Combat Scroll 4: 3x True Strike [1], 3x Scorching Ray [3]...262.5gp/21xp Utility Scroll 1: 1x Expeditious Retreat [1], 2x Invisibility [3], See Invisibility [3], Spider Climb [3], Protection from Chaos [1]...325gp/26xp Utility Scroll 2: 2x Obscuring mist [1], 2x Web [3], 2x Invisibility [3]...325gp/26gp Defensive Scroll 1: 1x Invisibility [3], 2x Shield [2], 2x Mage Armor [1], 1x Silent Image [1]...162.5gp/13xp Contingiency Scroll 1: 1x Mount [1], 1x Protection From Chaos [1], 2x Protection From Arrows [3], 1x Mage Armor [1], 1x Shield [2]...212.5gp/17xp Contingiency Scroll 2: 2x See Invisibility [3], 1x Obscuring Mist [1]...162.5gp/13xp Equipment @ Home Total Gold Earned: 5,998gp Total Gold Spent: 5,992.5gp Gold Remaining: 5.5gp Miscellaneous Statistics Encumbrance: 0-16 (light), 17-33 (medium), 34-50 (heavy) Weight Carried: 6 lb Character Background Marcos fell. All was dark and hollow in eternity, the enemy had won at last, had trapped him in this place. Devoid of light, devoid of sound, far from the bright sunlight of the world he had called his own. Marcos had indeed fallen, but had not lost all. His spark of life, his soul, his mind had endured after the fashion of his ancestors. He would find a way, a magic to take him away from this place. Eternity was not a complete cage, the fabric continuity could be manipulated. All it took was time... A light at last! Marcos surged upward, mindful of the force strands he had created to anchor his portal of escape. Thrice-blessed light! The black wizard dove through the vortex and through the chaos of space and time. Scenes rolled past impossibly fast. Images of countless worlds, the future, the past. Marcos tugged a strand and was thrown from the vortex and into further darkness. It was not the lifeless light of his prison, no this darkness was illuminated by the light of a small moon. Marcos allowed himself a brief moment of celebration. Here at last he was free from his bonds! Free to walk the soil of the material plane once more. He turned eyes that could once more see to the horizon. There. There lay the city of this world. An image crept forth into his mind. "Gladius." whispered Marcos, "City of warriors, it is there that I go." Description/Personality: Marcos is one of the last of a strange race known collectively as the prophets. He was an archmage of some power amongst his people before the great war. He fell in defense of the citadel Carthos, imprisoned in the fabric of continuity by an enemy priest. Through the ingenuity of his familiar Eros, the black wizard retained his sentinence if not his former power. Eons have passed, his home world has been conquered by the invaders, and Marcos is a refugee on the prime material plane seeking power and knowledge enough to challenge the conquerers of his home and return his people to prominence and strength. Marcos is extremely intelligent, creative, and dedicated. As time goes on he regains his former strength in conjunction with the new knowledge of the true Art as it applies over the prime material plane. Marcos has deep green eyes, a dusky complexion, and silvery white hair. He is apt to remain quiet and comtemplative in the face of others, but is eager to learn and understand the processes and machinations that drive magic. He is more likely to attempt to solve a problem through calm diplomacy than violence, but if provoked his rage is terrible. Buffs and Prefight Actions - Feed Eros - Scrolls Deciphered 1. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=8137051) FFA vs Uilo (Dracazar) vs Loddick (Erithmu) vs Jecht (wellTHATstinks) Victory! 1,873gp/1800xp "Look out Below!" 2. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=8168154&postcount=953) FFA vs Zwei (MitzaVolchenko) vs Featylec (Zevox) vs. Jonathon (Abyssal Stalker) 2nd 1,125gp/1,125xp "My mind was wiped clean of sorcery and so knew the black cloud of defeat." +3,200 [B]Starting Experience +2,925 Experience Won -588 Experience Spent +5,537 Total Experience Starting Gold [Net Gain +3,000gp] 4x Pearl of Power 1st [Net Loss -2000gp/160xp] [Ma] Dimensional Gateway Artificer's Tool [Net Loss -55gp] Summoned Familiar [Net Loss -100gp] Scribed Fox's Cunning into Spellbook[Net Loss -200gp] Scribed Spider Climb into Spellbook [Net Loss -200gp] Scribed Web Into Spellbook [Net Loss -200gp] Scribed Scroll 2x Magic Missile [3], 2x Shocking Grasp [3] [Net Loss -150gp/12xp] Scribed Scroll Expeditious Retreat [1], Invisibility [3] [Net Loss -87.5gp/7xp] Expended crafted scroll of Invisibility [3] from scroll 2 ----- Fight one [Net Gain +1,873gp] Scribed Scroll 2x True Strike [1], 2x Scroching Ray [3], 1x Invisibility [3], 1x Spider Climb [3] [Net Loss -325gp/26xp] Sold Scroll of Expeditious Retreat [scroll 2] [Net Gain +12.5gp] Scribed See Invisibility into Spellbook [Net Loss -200gp] Scribed Scroll 1x Expeditious Retreat [1], 2x Invisibility [3], See Invisibility [3], Spider Climb [3], Protection from Chaos [1] [Net Loss -325gp/26xp] Purchased 1x Tatoo of Vigor [1] [Net Loss -100gp] Purchased 1x Potion of Cure Light Wounds [1] [Net Loss -50gp] Scribed Protection From Arrows into Spellbook [Net Loss -200gp] Scribed 2x Scroll of Protection from Arrows [Net Loss -150gp/24xp] Expended Scroll 2x Shocking Grasp [3], 2x Magic Missile [3] from scroll 1 ----- Expended scroll 2x True Strike [1], 2x Scorching Ray [3] from scroll 3 ----- Fight two [Net Gain +1,125gp] Sold 2x Protection from Arrows from scroll 1 [3] [Net Gain +150gp] Sold 1x Invisibility [3], 1x Spider Climb [3] from scroll 3 [Net Gain +150gp] Crafted 5,000gp worth of scrolls and sold them for their value [Net Loss -200xp] Crafted Cloak of Resistance +1 [Net Loss -500gp/40xp] Combat Scroll 1: 6x Magic Missile [3]...112.5gp/9xp Combat Scroll 2: 6x Magic Missile [3]...112.5gp/9xp Combat Scroll 3: 3x Magic Missile [3], 3x Shocking Grasp [3]...112.5gp/9xp Combat Scroll 4: 3x True Strike [1], 3x Scorching Ray [3]...262.5gp/21xp Utility Scroll 2: 2x Obscuring mist [1], 2x Web [3], 2x Invisibility [3]...325gp/26gp Defensive Scroll 1: 1x Invisibility [3], 2x Shield [2], 2x Mage Armor [1], 1x Silent Image [1]...162.5gp/13xp Contingiency Scroll 1: 1x Mount [1], 1x Protection From Chaos [1], 2x Protection From Arrows [3], 1x Mage Armor [1], 1x Shield [2]...212.5gp/17xp Contingiency Scroll 2: 2x See Invisibility [3], 1x Obscuring Mist [1]...162.5gp/13xp [Net Loss -1,462.5gp/117xp] Marcos was one a fledgling academy mage on his home world. He was just learning his craft when strange creatures from the void invaded his world. Still learning control of his powers, he was forced to take his training to frontline. He stood shoulder to shoulder with the other Prophets in a desperate effort to drive the enemy back through the rift from which they came. The Prophets lost. His homeland fell. Marcos was imprisoned by an enemy cleric inside a place outside of time and space. It was only by the grace of his familiar Eros that he was able to return from the brink of nonexistence. His soul spent like yarn from a spindle. A fragile shell, grown both weak and old awoke one day on the shore of some strange world far from everything he once knew and held dear. Marcos's goal is to return and lead his lost people. To reclaim the prophets world from their otherworldly oppressors. But where does that world lay? How far from Gladosian shores? The answers to these questions are beyond the reach of the weakened war mage. He must rebuild himself. He must become stronger, even stronger than he had been before. The first step in his path to power lay in finding others. Finding allies are his first priority, finding his people is a necessity. Worst of all, the most difficult step; perhaps an impossible one.. finding the way home. Marcos considers himself intelligent, cunning, and resourceful. If nothing else he is persistent and clear of purpose. His training involved the spectrum of battle kata and war workings, but he was lacking instruction in the subtle skills of enchantment, the dark arts of necromancy, and the further the subtle arts of man. He was thrust to the front lines still a young prophet; forged into a sword before he was matured; broken into pieces and transformed into an old man seemingly instantaneously. Due to his training there are eldritch doors that will remain forever closed to his wizardry. The black mage trusts few, has a hard time forming true friendships without anything in common with these "humans," preferring to remain aloof and mysterious. Mention of his people has shown to be the only thing that flusters the young but aged prophet. He is stubborn to the point of foolishness, and often criticized by his elders for his cut the nonsense approach. Despite these criticisms, Marcos does possess an uncanny knack for survival and perseverance. He is even smarter than he appears, and he is obviously brilliant. He attempts to hide the sharp look in his eye, but no one can truly guess at the machinations turning in his mind; few would bother to attempt such a great feat. Marcos is a loyal ally, a stalwart guardian, and a deadly enemy. As an apprentice he was recognized by the enemy from the void as a force to be reckoned with. There was a reason he was kept for study... A day will come when the now freeman Marcos will turn his attention to the resurrection of his empire: It is this day that his enemies should come to fear. Some questions remain: ones that Eros has lost too much of his old wisdom to explain to Marcos. How did his familiar free him? Did Eros truly free him? Was he simply released? Forgotten? How far was he flung from what he knew? How far in time? These thoughts stewed in the war wizard’s brain as he sat on Gladosian shores. They drove his feet to the arena, they turned his eye to the order, these questions, and more never ending, will one day fly the War Wizard Marcos the Black to his ultimate goal. To go home. To have his home back. To have his people. To have the life that was denied him. To exact revenge on those that took it away. So that is where we start our story. Marcos works by day in the “laboratories of the TAO” the finest by far in the city.. available to the public, that is. After the year or so of hell that the city faced there was minimal resources available for the up and coming wizard warrior, gladiator or not. The black mage used the bathchambers of some flea speck of a sorcerer that Marcos was certain would never reach past the 3rd mysteries. Timmer Halavine, a human that knew little more than alter self! Marcos knew enough of the “lesser sorceries” to tell you that Timmer isn’t even a nice guy, let alone smart enough for wizardry.. maybe if he finds a god or something, otherwise he is destined for the dirt mop. What little time Marcos spends away from his own room is spent with Timmer looking over his shoulder. It is Timmer’s room after all, for now. Cali, the TAO master of teachers had promised Marcos that he would be provided a room. She had mentioned later (when he had asked) that it would probably be after “projects are graded” and the wise mage figured he had been “paired” with Timmer so that he could get familiar his quarters. Today starts like any other day. With master Marcos thinking as he watches the world walk by. The cheap inn he checked into is within sight of the Red Lion. The already grandiose hotel and entertainment resort was perpetually overflowing. As the extraplaner travelers and the wealthy visitors made their way to see the battles of the arena the Red Lion was “the place to stay” but Marcos cant afford such a place. He can barely afford Emerson's. We will be using a modified verion of this map. (http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e61/MindWandererB/ArenaMap-City-A.gif) sigh, I have it fixed and all with TAO and Emerson's (all 4 extra hotels actually) marked.. but! its on another machine right now. "Pending me getting my image out of limbo." |
| Book501-18-06, 07:04 PM | still waiting to hear back from scribelords/pitlords.. but Marcos sits in his room with a view of the TAO's Red Lion Tavern. From the his vantage he can see the the comings and goings of the TAO. The "facilities" of the Arcane Order were available to Marcos for a modest fee (most often waived as Marcos was willing to assist others in the more complicated craftings) and he had become comfortable with the walk. Just a dozen or so yards from his own, inexepensive, hotel lobby was the upscale finery of the Red Lion. Marcos considered his prospects... Lemme get a little "day in the life" eh? |
| Iced01-19-06, 04:19 PM | The TAO offered knowledge. Knowledge that could be used to further his own quest for justice. Marcos gazed at the headquarters of the Arcane Order, so small and unrefined compared to the great academy of his world, but nevertheless shining with the potential for greatness. Surely there would be magic here that he had not known, not been tought by his masters. The art of this world was bound in different ways then the weave of his own home, and that in and of itself offered power should he come to recognize and control it. We must come to know this power Eros, magic here suffuses everything. Masters of the art in all its forms will be the edge required to rid our world of the vermin that infest its halls. |
| Book501-20-06, 02:11 PM | Marcos stood at his window often. Watching the wyrd effects of the Nimbus work thier wonders on the people. Once or twice a day, perhaps not so often, but often enough someone would be harmed. The strange thing, that perhaps most take for granted, is that when someone was slighty harmed.. they react normally. When they are harmed slightly more than slightly ... they start acting a little crazy. "Better to die than wake up in the morning with a broken arm!" The nimbus was a strange blanket to sleep with. The black mage had himself felt "the wings of the Harvester" pass him by. An avatar of a god.. Marcos considered. Not just once, but thrice now Death has sent his harvest emmissary.. and twice now these "pitlords" have frozen the harvester in the Heart of their arena. A third still fights to claim every soul saved by the Nimbus. Other angels as well. Travelers from every plane Marcos had ever hear of, and several more besides. The Sheer power contained within the Arena was surely beyond the scope of a mere object. The grand stone walls were nothing but so much picket fencing for the true arena inside. A place where time can stop at Pitllord whim. Enter friday and you don't leave until the tuesday before, so the vetrans say. So far Marcos had experienced nothing more bizzare than the ressurection. Unfamiliar with resurections himself, Marcos was only barely aware of purity of the Nimbus ressurection in comparisson with the "miracles" of mortal hands. Nothing got in this guys way, but the TAO.. some of its more pestering members.. At least that Halfing fool knows better than to bother me with his short tales Marcos chuckles at his own unbidden comedy. His wandering mind snaps into place as he notes a man looking suspiciously at his window. The moment the human began to dodge Marcos's gaze the war mage knew there was something suspicious.. |
| Iced01-20-06, 04:24 PM | I am being stalked he projected to Eros, pray find our dear friend and deliver a message.... Calling on his magics, Marcos infused Eros with magical energy and with one lunge threw the bat through the window into the gentle breeze. Eros hovered for a split second before flapping away to spy on the man who sought the black wizard. Suspicious now, his nerves stretched by the present danger, Marcos crosses his carpeted floor and checks the locks on the door to be sure of their integerity. It simply wouldn't do to be caught unawares from behind by an errrant assassin. Striding back to his window, Marcos invokes the power of invisibility. His form shimmers and vanishes from sight. Smiling now, He whispers another word of power and crawls spiderlike onto his windowsill. With smooth and deliberate movement he climbs along the outside of the wall and up to the rooftops. Eros would find the man and deliver his burden, and when that happened Marcos wanted to be witness. [Shocking Grasp on Eros and then Invisibility/Spider climb/Mage Armor on Marcos. Send Eros after enemy and then ascend to rooftops and follow.] |
| Book501-20-06, 09:48 PM | As Marcos exits his room via the window Eros flaps leasurly above the human. Quite a stir is abrewing. The man was of course immune to any lasting harm the shocking bird might have but everyone is always ready to see somebody fry in Gladius. By the time Marcos is standing invisibly on the wall he can only barely make out Eros. The human apparently running as fast as he can. Why would anyone seek to shadow me? I know no one but those I have met in honorable combat iin the arena.. and those I have met at the order... The old man thought silently. Marcos thinks of those he knows while he makes his way quickly to the roof. His tourney opponents were all honorable. Of this he was sure.. but of the orders members..? some faces, such as the ragabash Tan came unbidden to his now paranoid mind surely that harmless fool could not be the source of this? attack? Other faces also came to foreward, one pair particularly. Caliandra, the Head of the Teaching staff, and Lord Ruster, Earl of Archidavius. Of the few he had met Cali had been the most understanding.. and Ruster the most suspicious. He reached the rooftops just in time to catch a solid view of Eros's strike. The human shakes violently and looks to have expired for the day, falling limp upon the pavilon. That man was no threat to me.. Certain this man was simply a watcher.. an eye. Marcos suddenly become even more concerned for his safety. One man with a grudge is one thing. This weak man was in another's employ.. he must be.. but whose? Perhaps Marcos considered retreiving the temporary corpse and watching it rise with dawn what I may learn will be worth a night of stench. The mind of the ancient wizard was formulating and eliminating possibilities faster than most could begin to imagine. An enemy of mine - but I have none. A greedy and stupid thief has mistaken me for a rich man. An enemy of my friends - but every friend I ever had is long since turned to dust. An enemy of my people - only the fool had even heard the tales of the prophets. Some poor confused moron mistaking me for someone to trifle with! Even the massive intellect of the black mage brought to bear upon this conundrum only confirmed what he already knew.. nothing. Retrieve the body and claim responcibility? Seek the aid of the TAO? Stand batman-like on the rooftop and brood over things? else? oh you know your Inn keep aint gonna like you busting the window like that ;smirk; |
| Iced01-21-06, 03:15 AM | Marcos quickly makes his way along the rooftops to where the man lies in the street. Recasting his shroud of invisibility, he descends to examine his prey. Eros flaps leisurely about the buildings before settling on Marcos' invisible shoulder and fading from sight. "Who is this man? Why is he here spying on me?" The key question from which all the others found root burned within his mind. I must know |
| Book501-21-06, 11:23 AM | Marcos made his way to the street with ease. His invisibility needed refreshing only after his feet had hit the street. One of the walkers by heard his whispered words, but thought them much further away. Marcos slipped, stumbled, and barely managed to avoid slamming headlong into the crowd on the street. This is the Archidavius High Life district. Even the beggars could pull coins out of your ear! Slowely the aged prophet made his way to the dying human. Mere moments of breath were left in him. Eros stood triumphantly upon the body. The bat was more a killer than Marcos himself. Once Eros had been far more intelligent. A creature of the black mage's homeworld by nature. He had developed a frightening intelligence. He had lost that with the passage of time. "Spent" would perhaps be a better term. Who do you work for! Marcos pulls the man close with a knobby hand. His voice a whisper of rage. The hired hand stay silent unto the grave. His eyes roll back and go soggy the way the humans do. A prophet's eyes become glass orbs, and they begin to smell of salt and stone. They begin calcifying moments after their death, human eyes remain a pasty white goo. Marcos assumed the eyes would become mushier over the night. The smell will be horrible I imagine Eros. his bodiless voice declared. Then the body lifted of its own accord, and began to float. Anyone who saw such a thing in archidavius would simply presume that there was some sorta magiking about. Some telekenetic hand, some flying zombie man, perhaps a bull strengthed bat.. Eros is riding on him.. Eros flap The bat flapped his little wings somewhat futiliy as the war wizard caries his corpse prize back to .... When you go to The TAO there were four cheaper hotels within sight (right next door actually its a design consequence thing) "Emerson's - a cheap and simply furbished place without a tavern, but it does have a commons and open air courtyard w/ food vendors (paid to be there) Gilded Lilly - a "comfortable place" staffing only the most beautiful people they can find... somewhat expensive (not so bad if you dont sample the extras) Golden Heron - Your classic D&D tavern full of travelers - rates vary with quality. The Drunken Horseman - The is a "party bar" the equivalent of mid-evil night club with room upstairs. Always music always lights.. (this is archidavius remember). Of course there is always the Red Lion. ;} |
| Iced01-21-06, 02:04 PM | Marcos made his way to Emersons, a quiet inn near the headquarters of the TAO. Crawling up the side of a building, he deposited the man in an empty room overlooking an alley and slipped in himself. Moving to the door, he locks it and then move back to his prize. There must be something more. An indication, a sign... Remembering his surroundings, he directs Eros to keep a lookout on the alley before continuing his investigation. I think I'll go to Emerson's and recall shocking grasp from my pearl. If the title was deliberate, Marcos will read a copy of "Nature" while there and gain four free ranks in Knowledge [Trancendentalism]...;) |
| Book501-21-06, 04:13 PM | In the arena the powers of the Nimbus are activated wittingly by the Pitlords. Little to Marcos's knowledge, in the days before the pitlords the Nimbus would ressurect any and all within moments of their death. Returning them to perfect health. This brought the coming of the Harvster, this no longer happened save in the arena itself. Immeadiatly after returning to his room Marcos examined the filthy human's effects. His boots were cheap and worn. He wore no badge or heraldry. Beggars clothes, a few morsals of unsavory food, a flimsy dagger, and some silvers. The only distinguishing mark was a pair of tatoos on his right hand. Identical one was between the index finger and thumb knuckle, the other on the underside of the wrist. A curious mark, not a picture. Most likely a personal sigil, similar to the mark arcane.. only scribed in skin ink instead of eldritch ephemera. These should pay for the window the war wizard remarked aloud. this "weapon" was not meant for killing, and he isnt even armored.. he has no spell pouch nor holy symbol.. perhaps he is a psionic, but I think not.. ahh! I know nothing of these human ways! The Prophet tossed the "butter knife" to the table and rubbed his boney skull. Eros.. surely his associates will be along shortly to find what has become of him! Yes? No instant gratification for the war wizard, however. He picked at his broken window, and paced round his rooms. Light meditation took his mind from the smell.. Like an outhouse. Eros eventually fled to the rooftops to catch bugs. As the day grew dark, the black mage was startled by a knock at his door. Paranoia spiked, but it was one of the bellboys. He yelped primitivly through the closed door for Marcos. The body safely in the washroom, Marcos opened the door. A visitor for you Master Marcos. The young man looked at the ancient expectantly even as his nose curled at the stench. erhm The three bellboys - Bellmen would seem more appropriate - had been making that noise regularly around Marcos. He was unsure as to why. The weighty thoughts on his mind.. a minor fact escaped the wizards notice.. Well son where is he? the Prophet provoked the human. This was not his room. How had the bellhop known he was there? Well, this is Archidavius.. Geez! Downstairs! The human threw his hands futily in the air and walked away.. Marcos considered the strange behavior and took it for a human thing.. Prophets respect their elders the old one thought. You see "tipping" was a practice of a peaceful land, Marcos had grown in a time of constant warfare. A dead body was no disturbing sight, but any excuse to escape the rotting smell of human defication was acceptable after some four plus hours of stewing. Marcos was already stepping rapidly away from his room when doubt attacked him.. Who would seek my company? The dead man's allies? Someone from the order? Some new and further complicating factor? What if they wish to return to the room? The Bellboy was just down the hall.. the stairs the to the bottom floor (of the two story hotel) were the other direction... |
| Iced01-21-06, 04:44 PM | "Well boy? Are you going to lead me too him or not?" Marcos growled. If I can get him to walk before me i present less of a target for a swift assassin he thought. Eros! I have need of you! The small bat flaps to the windowsill. Fly down and let me know if there is anybody waiting in the alley or anywhere around the building. I don't want to step into a trap... Projecting ill-temper, Marcos steps toward the stairs with his sleeves up and battle magic buzzing in his mind. |
| Book501-21-06, 05:14 PM | The bellboy grumbled. Were this not his job he would have backtalked the elder prophet. Not that Marcos noticed. He was preoccupied with this troubles. A bat appeares at his side before he even reaches the bottom of the staircase. Whoa! there little guy! The bellbooy was nearly bowled over by the little flapper. Eros ready to attack as always. Waldo, the bellboy, pointed Right over there gramps. With that small comment.. that Bobert had considered entierly reasonably considering Marcos's lack of tippage.. let the cat out of the bag. The prophet's sharp eyes saw the tell tale traces of skin putty and face paint.. unnoticed until the rouge had made such a rude comment about his age. "Waldo" had "ermed" and "jeezed" every time he spoke with Marcos.. but he had always given the elder his respect. Suddenly the spike of Paranoia became a sinking pit in stomach. hehe |
| Iced01-21-06, 05:22 PM | Marcos mutters and bestows the power of electricity on Eros. The bat flaps away to the ceiling and waits for any hostile movement. Marcos readies to cast magic missile if attacked and examines the entire common room. |
| Book501-21-06, 08:14 PM | A double take at the man waiting for him in the commons reveals him to wear a similar disguise.. What is this? Insanity! The man waiting him the courtyard looked to be Lord Ruster. Earl of Archidavius and official patron of the Arcane Order. However, the two men that had led him here were obviously not of the TAO. An agent of the TAO would use alter form or some other magic.. or would they .. to throw me off the track. The problem with being smart is that you can give complex layers of motivation to others.. knowing very little about them. As soon as "Waldo" pointed him to "Lord Ruster" the "bellboy" turned to head back upstairs. The faker didnt seem to notice what the old man had muttered, nor did he seem to care. Whatever he wanted was upstairs. Excelent! Marcos thought The man I cought must know enough to warrent retrieval. Now the only question was.. would Marcos attempt to collect these two for trophies? or Play along? What do they want? Who could they be? "Lord Ruster" waves to Marcos with far more familiarity than is deserved by their association. Had Marcos not already detected the faults in his disguise... perhaps, but as he stood he looked more like a venomous snake than his brother arcane. SO! Does Marcus play the game? or whip the floor? I can go like three ways here so take your pick! |
| Iced01-21-06, 09:09 PM | Marcos glided forward and stopped just out of range of a swordthrust. Standing eminently before the disguised men he smiles thinly and whispers. "Your disguise is poorly worught, your features give you away. I will speak with you, but know that I hold you in neither esteem nor confidence and my magic will be swift to my defense should your intent be hostile." Eros takes a perch on a rafter overhead, not drawing attention to his dimutive form. Energy still seems to crackle from his small furry body. He eyes the strangers as his master does - with suspicion. Marcos makes no secret of his spellweaving prowess, his sleeves are rolled up to the elbow and his long fingers fairly twitching in anticipation of a fight. A scroll of thick parchement seems to fairly teleport itself into his hands and Marcos readies for combat. Gesturing, he bids them proceed him up the stairs with the intent of leading them to the room adjacent to his own. There's no sense in showing them the body of their man... Marcos thought. [If attacked color spray in conjunction with Eros' Shocking grasp (which I recalled) then recast shocking grasp designating Eros as the toucher before ploughing into the Magic Missiles] |
| Book501-21-06, 10:30 PM | The human blanched. He looks up toward the staircase his compatriot just ascended. With a dumb nod he walks around the perimiter of space Marcos allows him. The black mage congradulates himself on taking command of the situation. I have them exactly where I want them, and their plan is obviously failing right and left. As they reach the top of the staircase Marcos sees the other fiddleing with the door to his room. Marcos whispers to his captive. Hey Bobert, cut it out. Were made. Frobert! Dont say our.. Suddenly the ancient arcanist realized these two were no ringleaders, but surely they had a message for him. Even if it was intended to be death. At the war wizard's direction the three men found themselves "chatting" in the midst of an unoccupied room. Well.. the paid proffesionals snickered at each other. Old man yur gettin' all worked up for nuthin! Wees was just supposed to watch you 'k? It seemed their equivocations were like quicksilver they were not lying to Marcos, of this he was certain. They were not here to take his life. He examined their accutrements while they spoke. Bobert "waldo" was obviously wearing some light armor underneath his disguise, daggers were nearly at his ready hand, and he had a most interesting a ring on his finger. A ring of the like he had seen in the TAO workshops. Wrought with gold and amber it was likely the piece of jewelry was enchanted in some manner. Frobert had obviously expected to be in close quarters with Marcos for some time. He wore no armor and as Lord Ruster neaver touched weapons .. Frobert had none. If Marcos had been a frequenter of the cities underbelly he would probably know these fools for who they were, but the war wizard had seen little of the city other than the Arena itself and the Archidavius district. He did not notice the strange sigils on their hands that he had on the other. The other man. The one I slew.. what was his name? Timmer? Bobert smacked Frobert for his stupidity. Was? you aint teleported Timmer to da tree's land eh? You aint so mad that you would go and do sumthin like that! Timmer aint done nuthin wrong.. hes the one what was going to pay up later. He's the one what wanted to talk to you. Thats all. Wees his bodyguards.. he aint but a nobleman wants to hire some black wizard to do a job... Suddenly Marcos felt like a fool. He was being watched as a potential hire! Not an assasination.. What an overeacting old fool I am! Eros felt his master's tension slide, and came down from the rafters to comfort Marcos. His lightning frazzled hair nuzzled the old prophet's chin. And the job? The two looked at each other.. *shrug* :) Paranoia returns, Doubly an Old Fool! These two are con artists! Don't believe their words... I think they speak truth regarding this "job" but they know.. I know that Frobert knows. So it looks as though you aint interested eh? Why dont we get Timmer and take a powder eh? Marcos recognizes the two as twins now that the disguises had begun to wear off. Same noses, same eyes, same fingers.. same ring Marcos hadnt noticed earlier, but amongst the cheap dimestore jewelry that the two had put together for the Ruster Disguise .. a matching ring of gold and amber (lightly painted) was on Frobert's hand as well. Most likely he has matching daggers, perhaps even armor underneath that fat man suite Either Frobert was quite a bit heavier than Bobert.. or he had armor underneath his suit as well. |
| Iced01-22-06, 03:34 AM | Marcos sighed as he looked at the two men. "Now there are two ways out of this room. One is through Kelvemor's halls. The other is to start talking - fast. I won't put up with any nonsense. Consider this your one and only warning. Divest yourselves of all your weapons, toss them slowly to that back wall. I'll be watching and if I see so much as a twitch in my direction I'm going to fry you both so thoroughly that they won't be able to tell you apart from the ashes in yon fireplace." Eros takes off and circles the two men, affected by his masters sudden aggression and prepared for anything. Marcos' fingers twitch in anticipation of attack. He places the bed between him and his two seated captives, mindful of the daggers along the man's belt. "First, remove those rings and place them on the bed." [OK if something aggressive happens, Eros is going to dive-charge and release shocking grasp. This action will immidiately be followed by a color spray with the goal of incapacitating both of them. After color spray then scorching ray from memory. Remember I still have scroll in hand and ready should I need it.] [Kelvemor = God of death if you haven't read Faerun] |
| Book501-24-06, 06:06 PM | "Fobert" spoke to "Bobert" with his eyes, and the battle hardned black mage recognized the sycle sweet smell of aggression fill the room. These two scoundrels, with the kind of ludicrous names that only criminals "make" for themselves, were not about to let the old man leave with even the slight knowledge he possesed. Bobert rubs his ring as though about to remove it, then the twins go for their daggers. |
| Iced01-24-06, 09:30 PM | Tactics [Marcos will make sure there's cover in between him and his enemies and then have Eros dive-charge the flat-footed one with the armor and realease a 3d6 Shocking Grasp. Remember the +2 to attack because he's wearing metal. As soon as Eros' strike is resolved Marcos will use color spray on both of them. Eros will fly back. If they're knocked out by the spell (2HD or less), Marcos will CDG with rays of frost. If they're just stunned (Up to 4 HD) then hit the armored one with scorching ray followed by magic missile and then magic missiles from the scroll. If color spray affects one of them then focus on the unaffected one and then switch after he's dispatched. Try to keep cover in between Marcos and his Enemies to prevent a charge attack.] |
| Book501-25-06, 09:42 PM | Bobert looks at the Prophet with a cunning eye. Old man, you shouldnt have said that. His hand goes to his hip and the battle is on. raw fight - will be reformatted to betterness Marcos Init 17 Bobert Init 16 Fobert Init 6 Marcos Steps back and behind a counter so that no charges can be made - Mentally directs Eros to Attack and readies to cast color spray at the two conmen. Eros dive attacks Bobert. FAILURE (1)! - convientiently no spell discharge... Bobert draws and throws his dagger at the old mage. It strikes the wall inefectually. Fobert does the same ... only his blade strikes true. The aged prophet feels his limbs become heavy, "poison!" thinks the old man. Eros attempts to clamp on to Bobert's boot ... (20!) Bobert Shakes violently and falls to the ground. Marcos reaches out his hand and unleashes a color spray upon Fobert. The rouge shakes his head and stays on his feet. He moves to marcos and attempts to grapple. Amazingly the old prophet fends off the young human! Marcos takes a step back and points a finger at Fobert - releasing a ray of fire. (OMG! ...1) The toung of fire tears into the back wall - leaving a hole in the walls of Emerson's. Fobert reaches for Marcos again, and again the ancient warrior dismisses his grasping hands. Eros flys into to distract Fobert - and gets smacked for his troubles! Marcos steps back as he calls up the force of magic missles and unleashes them onto his opponent - Fobert is battered but not beaten. The Rouge reels back from the force of the magical energy and pulls another dagger out of a sheath on his sleeve. He then proceeds to embed the dagger in Marcos's shoulder. Now bleeding from two wounds, - one that stings with some vile posion.. Marcos glances at the scroll in hand and throws yet another barrage of energy at the human. The dirty scoundrel wearing a now nearly destroyed representation of Lord Ruster falls to his knees and begs for mercy. His hands are up and no weapon appeares in them. No master no! I beg you! You have defeated me! Leave me to live! I can't face the horror of the nimbus again! Marcos believes him, because it is true. The human before him is at the brink. A single barrage of missles will take him down, but the black mage can't help but feel that he is nearly in the same boat. Might need to get another one of these the wizard thinks as he draws and drinks from a clear blue vial. The drought closes the second wound but something in the sickness that infects the first wound staves off the power of the potion. Marcos is prepared to converse but in the moment his eyes close to enjoy that healing power.. the dirty scoundrel slips another dagger into hand and flings it at the mage. As the third dagger penetrates his flesh a rage incenses Marcos. The missles that stream from his scroll are red to him and the blunt force of the magical pellets finally crack "Foberts" thick skull. Marcos falls to his knees and vomites violently. The poison in his blood ejects through his stomach. The keen eyes of the prophet can see the sublte signs of something unnatural in the regurgitat, something purple. Marcos's overly analytical mind was absorbed by these things as his brain tried to tell his heart that he was going to live. Eros, my friend.. I believe .. that should these two wastrels have defeated us.. they would have taken us to these "tree lands" and there to lay forever dead, outside the glow of the nimbus halo... so close to death after so so long.. After a few moments he stands. Wobbly still from the poison, but stands nontheless. Stands Victorious! His sharp ears bring him back to the moment - the hotel staff - the real hotel staff were pounding fleet feet to his door. From the sound he had mere moments to prepare an explanation. whew - theres that - sorry took me till today to get it up. I don't have any pitfights this week - so I think we can be set for the second encounter by friday! |
| Iced01-25-06, 09:56 PM | Marcos wipes his mouth grimly and rises as the hotel staff manage to enter the room and gape at the two unconscious men, the blood, and the scorch marks. "These two men attacked me in this very inn! I demand to see the tavern keeper immidiately! Fetch him now!" Marcos looks very intimidating. His face still reflects the rage of battle. His eyebrows are singed and his shoulder still bleeding sluggishly. The hotel men continue to gape, "NOW!" Marcos bellows. Uttering frightened squeaks, the staff retreats and Marcos moves forward to examine the corpses as quickly as possible. They'll not be long, I must find what there is to find swiftly... OK things I need to know: Items used Spells/Abilities Used Current HP total Active Spells Ability Damage from Poison and Which Ability You're supposed to keep a quest log in the initial post of a quest keeping track of the happenings. A sample questlog can be found here (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=8166863&postcount=1). The log also helps Cat keep track of quest progress. ~Iced |
| Book501-25-06, 11:39 PM | Waldo (the real one this time) gapes momentarily at the scene. Its not that such things are uncommon in the city. This is gladius. Arena is the primary form of entertainment, but to have the arena come home to Emerson's was beyond his most outlandish expectations. Uhh, uhh, yes master Marcos! He blurts and dissapeares from the doorway. The battered black mage barely has time to snatch, what he rightly assumes are the most prized physical possesions of the two conmen: an identical pair of rings. Amber and gold, the rings resize to their natural smallness as he pulls them from deadmens' hands. Made by gnomes I imagine. Most likely safe.. but it never does well to put magic rings on haphazardly the rings slip into his pocket. He feels their chests and finds metal at his fingertips on both bodies. "Lord Ruster/Fobert" is wearing several peices of strange jewerly, as well as what may very well have been a peice of Lord Ruster's wardrobe.. compleate with authentic looking Archidavian royal sigil. Daggers were tucked carefully in several places on both their bodies. Several actually. The one that had poisoned Marcos was now in his hand, and its design was by far above the common knife. Its twin was in the south wall. Marcos examines it without touching, his keen eyes notice the same purple scum tha mixes with his own bile on the floor. close.. very close The younger bellboys (simply messangers for their elders) are peeking into around the corner as Marcos brings his head around. Hearing the Master of the house - one Master Randolph - walking with his distinctive gait up the stairs. The prophet's ears are keener than the children's eyes as Randolph startles them as he appeares behind them. Begone children! This in no place for you. Back to your duties! The housemaster faces his guest. Master Marcos! You must come, sit down. Do not move too fast, a man of your age cannot risk aggravating an injury! He turns to one of the children that has not found a duty and demands that Elania the healer be helped "in her hurrying" before attempting to attend to Marcos. Tell me what happend. Who are these men? how did they come to attack you? why? Should we contact the (chuckle) authorities? The housemaster looks sideways for some reason I know some fellas that can make certain these arn't in town in the morning.. if you catch my meaning... of course, there would be clean up fee.. and Master Marcos.. I dont imagine either of those two ... made that hole in the wall.. [i]either... The housemaster was obviously implying something.. but Marcos was too exhausted to comprehend such "subtle" communication. All he heard was exactly what he was expecting to hear - "You put a hole in my wall.. and it wasnt even in your room! Someone has to pay for that." |
| Iced01-25-06, 11:51 PM | "I'm sure their personal belongings will suffice to repair your wall master Randolph, though I ask you to allow me to inspect them before you cart them away and I ask for the services of your healer if possible. The hole in the wall is because that one" he points to the fried and smoking man on the floor, "Got me angry. Pray don't do the same." Marcos raises a singed eyebrow. |
| Book501-26-06, 11:57 AM | The housemaster, who had been very kind and had kept an honest face of concern for the well paying patron.. suddenly became darkfaced. Threaten me.. will you "master" Marcos. This barkeep is no fool. He has lived in this district for his entire life. A mage is never weaker than .. just after a fight. A warrior is often just fine, but even the mightiest mages.. and Randolph had seen a few that would put the stink on Marcos.. Vandelar, Aranor to name two. Nonetheless the mere man was not quite ready to threaten the black mage back. He speaks slowely and with measure. I imagine.. He looks over the two. Those two there are Fobert and Bobert.. here soon Tim will be around looking for them. Don't give me that look master Marcos. I own an establishment here. I'm suprised they got past me, and don't you worry. Waldo is going to be fired he turned to look with some honest concern over his shoulder if he hasn't ran already. Tell me what you know of them man! Marcos stood and stepped foreward his rubber legs staying under him somehow. He grasped the man's sleeve. Speak! Randolph pushes the mage just slightly away, but the poison steals the old man's knees. Marcos falls on his rump. My apologies Marcos. I didn't mean to shove you. The master of the house reaches his hand out to the man on the floor. |
| Iced01-26-06, 07:02 PM | Marcos stands on his own and brushes himself off. "I'll be fine as soon as that healer you spoke of arrives. I have enough magic left in me to blast any more idiots who come bursting in so i'll be safe until the healer actually does arrive. In the meantime why don't you tell me what you know of these two men? They don't look quite dead yet and I want to know if they're worth saving..." Marcos will recall color spray and shocking grasp with his pearls. |
| Book501-26-06, 08:24 PM | The housemaster looks at Marcos. He sees the pride, and he recognizes the danger. He speaks in short words. He bows his head as he leaves. It has been a pleasure having you master Marcos. Inspect them for clues if you will, you will find little. These men are professionals. I would you join us for dinner tonight. These men are dangerous and if their employers find some reason to send them after you.. I know you prefer to take your meals in your rooms Master, but I would you join us on your last evening here. With that he leaves. No word of the healer is spoken, but after some searching of the bodies she appeares at the door - Tasia by name. The old man founds nothing but the obvious.. a couple silvers in Foberts boot. Perhaps if he had not given up after the first three boots. The stench of dead human was stewing fast. Eros had escaped to "guard" the hallways. These fools had nothing, probably burrow things into holes like animals He was also distracted by the lovely lady's arrival. Not a prophetess, but she certainly remindes me of Tricia.. an old prophet's memories stirred at the very sight of her. She inspired him. I believe you should look in that third shoe sir. Why stop part ways. |
| Iced01-26-06, 08:35 PM | The newest entry reminds him of Tricia Whitehand, prophetess illusion master. It's some consolation to the wounded Marcos that the woman hasa sense of familiarity about her. "If you would healer, I have taken injury..." |
| Book501-26-06, 10:41 PM | The beautiful woman took the prophet by the hand, and led him from the scene. Down the staircase and to a room she keeps here at Emerson's. Over the next few hours she aministered to his wounds, all the while humming a tune hauntingly familiar. The wounds on his body closed with the power of that soft song, leaving only the poison in his blood. Will you rest here Marcos? The lovely lady asked. Nevermind the meals, I will bring them to you. If you wish to regain your strength you must not move narry a stining muscle. It is the venome of a dire wasp that tainted this dagger. She inspects the finely wrought item whose twin was most likely confiscated by the master of the house. You are lucky they did not mean to kill you. She looks to the prophet with sad eyes. As easy to gain as this, is a poison that could stop your very heart my dear. The leaf Sassone is sold on the streets for a mere pittance more. The lady looked at him with hope in her eyes. She was a caring soul. A healer by trade and desire. She knew little of the vaguries of Marcos's situation. She knew nothing of his impending departure from the room. Nor of his first/third corpse in his own room. A fellow that would certainly be waking at dawns first light. Assuming Marcos allows the star filled eyes of Tasia so like Tricia's to hold him in place.. they would hold him well past dawn. Past breakfast, perhaps even till the dark of the next day. Oh Marcos, why do these men treat you so? |
| Iced01-26-06, 10:58 PM | Marcos matches her sad expression with one of his own. "I have done nothing to warrant assassination, nothing to anger the common or uncommon man. My pursuit has been knowledge, my goal revenge. Those who seek to destroy me are far away and know not of my presence here. It is possible they thought I had something to steal, they are mistaken for I am poor by the standards of this world. Perhaps they sought to test me? If so I have passed their test. Perhaps they or theirr master saw me as a threat and sought to have me removed. If this is the case they have failed. I am at a loss as to who could be behind these attacks and their motive, but I intend to find the source and neutralize it. They may think me weak, in this they are sorely mistaken. I can defend myself most ably if needed and will do so if the occasion warrants such displays of power." |
| Book501-26-06, 11:34 PM | whats the plan? over the next day/2 - staying here will give you the beni of full dex heal - dinner and diplomacy with the master of the house might lead to information - either way you have already left an unattended body in the loft.. for a few hours. - aka - where do you see yourself in 24 hours? - night, be back in the morning with my coffee |
| Iced01-27-06, 12:47 AM | Marcos will stay for healing and then do the following: 1. Eat dinner w/ inkeeper and gather info on the would-be assassins 2. Re-check the bodies for clues 3. Interrogate the staff 4. Go the the TAO for additional Info 5. Stakeout his room. in this order. If 1 works disregard two, if two works disregard three etc. If mage armor runs out then recall it with the last pearl. |
| Book501-27-06, 02:51 PM | The old soldier was not wooed by the words of the woman. She watched over him as he slept and joined the mage at the dinner To make sure you eat she says. There is no feedhall at Emerson's. There is a courtyard with open stalls for vendords. There is a stage where performers entertain. Dinner with the master of the house was taken in his quarters. A fine room, a library off to the left and a private chambers to the rear. Marcos's rooms would fit within the front room. While washing his hands he noticed that the chamber pots in this room were gold. Knowing that this was his last night at the inn Marcos was somewhat sullen. He intended to speak up, but the keeper beat him to it. As you know some ten attended Master Marcos was attacked this morning. My self and the Master Mage have agreed that it may be too dangerous for him to stay here anylonger. One of the bellhops blurted in impromptly. They were thugs from the highwaymen! Who did you do tick someone off? Nothing. The wizard replied truthfully. I saw the highwaymen's mark on their hand. Those guys work for money. Someone wants something from you. What did they tell you? Nothing. I did not allow them to speak. I told them to leave and they attacked me. My question, since were are discussing this Marcos.. is why were you in the other room? Furthermore. Your room has quite an unpleasant smell to it, not quite frog legs .. more like a corpse. |
| Iced01-28-06, 02:36 AM | "Well I had a bit of an accident last week with a summoning spell and well..." Marcos shrugs. "I know a spell that'll get rid of the smell if you wish it." Eros! We must get to that room and dispose of that corpse immidiately! |
| Book501-28-06, 11:31 AM | Gimmie a little more. Do you rush out? do you wait till dinner is finished? well yeah that question. Do you rush out or do you wait till dinner is finished? |
| Iced01-28-06, 01:52 PM | Marcos will wait a couple seconds chewing his food with an air of complete composure before delivering his answer to the man. |
| Book501-28-06, 07:22 PM | Marcos learns a little about the town. How it works. When after equivocating about his stench.. he finds it taken care of for him. A bellhop, one of the two that had not been at the evening meal, was sweaping when he walked in. A magic broomstick in his hands.. this is Archidavious after all. They have a few around for "just such an emergency." Well, that stunk. What was that a homeless person? Frickin Necromancer! With that Marcos was left with nothing but a paid bill, two rings, and a bit of memories. He noticed that his robes had been packed. A quick search revealed nothing missing. Everything folded nicely. No one wanted to make him angry after all. |
| Iced01-29-06, 07:20 PM | Marcos curses his ill luck as he walks the streets of Gladius toting all of his worldly possessions. Eros sends comforting thoughts, and Marcos strokes him absentmindedly as he walks forward heading for the a well-known and well-hidden tavern in lower merx. |
| Book501-31-06, 09:39 PM | The war wizard was weary. His righter mind bemoaned his choice to head out into the damp night with his old bones dragging some damned elven chest full of possesions he could hardly call his own through the street... sigh, He breaths deep. The tools in his chest seemed unfamiliar to him. Not quite the same as his homeworld. Serving the same purpose of course but the vials were simply not curved to a prophet's hand. One thing man and prophet have in common is that their common judgemnt is turned a bit sideways when they get flusterd. They mistake a kindness for a curse. Or a hell hole for a haven. Marcos will never know, as he has walked another path, that Emerson's was the only safe place for him tonight. His name was marked already, sure, but not like it was tonight. Randolph was a good man. Not that Marcos cared for such things. He did not really like the ale at the Fey Orc, but needed something to ease his aching bones. Though his wounds were healed.. his legs and arms still felt the singe of poison. He thought he saw some quick magic as he reached the door. His keen eyes scanned the street but found nothing but whisps of movement. Perhaps elementals loose on the streets? Perhaps a hidden watcher? Perhaps nothing? The old man trusted Eros's instincts and proceeded into the building. The question is where does he go from there? His feet are tired. He may have gotten some rest.. but he has had no to sleep, and no time to study. Already the sweet few hours he had spent with Tasia were as of yesterday.. not some short wet miserable hours ago. Updated first post mega! added maps.. umm is this the EHTC bar? Or an already defined bar? If so can you refer me to some refrence? |
| Iced02-01-06, 02:07 AM | Marcos looked back warily, but decided that the tavern probably offered as good a protection as he would receive outside. Opening the screeching door, he carefully closed it making sure the hinges would squeak again if anyone invisible came in. Nodding amiably to the half-orcish guard by the door, he makes his way to a dark booth in the corner of the inn and calls for an ale. Eros is not on his shoulder, rather the bat is hanging above the door unseen waiting to see if anyone enters that Marcos can't see. The wizard tries to appear harmless, but his eyes dart warily about searching for some sign of trouble. That may not have been the wind outside Eros... Let me know if you see anything... His fingers hold a long piece of parchement bearing arcane runes. Can't be too careful, this is lower merx after all... The tavern is called the fey orc. It's located in lower merx, known for horrible food, passable ale, and cheap prices. It's frequented by rogues, brigands, and local dock hands. The entire place is old having survived over half a century of bar brawls and violence. The wooden counter is chipped from swords and axes. A rack by the door holds weapons and a rough looking half-orc guards everyones blades in the hope of preventing murder, taking them as people enter. Marcos, having none of his own should be allowed to pass without much trouble - doesn't look as if he's worth much in a brawl. Marcos prepared the following spell list in his eight hours of rest: Spells Per Day: 5/5/4 13 spell levels use 5 0th - DC16 - 2x Ray of Frost, Ghost Sound, 2x Detect Magic 1st - DC17 - 2x Obscuring mist, 2x Color Spray, Shocking Grasp 2nd - DC18 - Scorching Ray, Invisibility, Spider Climb, Web Marcos will use one of his prepared detect magic spells to determine the powers of the rings if applicable. Eros has blindsight and will relay the locations of enemies to Marcos. Marcos will cast obscuring mist and rely on Eros to guide him should he be threatened. He'll use color spray in the hopes of incapacitating an enemy and CDG with shocking grasp. Multiple enemies will require use of his scroll for an additional shocking grasp.. |
| Book502-01-06, 07:05 PM | You have had enough "rest." You only need an hour or so to look through your spell book again. The wizards mind was ready to absorb the knowledge bound in his books again. The sweet words arcane - finding meaning in his mind. Meaning he alone understood compleatly. Every spell with was his own. Perhaps learned from another, perhaps "copied" from another's tome. Magic is more peculiar than that however. No two fireballs are exactly alike. No two arcane masters drew the same sigil exactly the same way. Each one has to add their own curl, their own mark to everything. Coincidence.. that tease, showed her face that night. Marcos had just reviewed his web diagram and had begun to imprint the ever so familiar invisibility spell into his mind. Heady now with power. Eros cought his attention. A man was walking into the room. A human, and a dirty human at that. Marcos could smell the stink of him from his seat, and in the Fey Orc that means something. Eros picked this man out, because despite appearences this man did not enter alone. Two came in after was sortof what Eros told him in his mind. Near enough anyway. The black mage cast his detection spell quickly. He glanced back and forth from the "empty floor" of the bar and the two precious objects in his hand. The energy of this world was weird to Marcos. Once his eyes could stare into the face of mighty magics for minutes at a time... but now his eyes began to water in moments. This strange beauty, this magic, was something that would always hold the prophet's heart and mind. Two subtle forms cavort about the room. The man at the bar looks around the room. If he knows of his shadows he covers it well. His eyes pass right over Marcos with only a passing quirk. Not a hint of recognition. Perhaps this man is only the door opener the arcane genius spins thoughts in his mind. A survey of the room counts 8, plus two. The rings on the other hand displayed only a light transmutational energies. Of the 8 men (humans and half-orcs, one real orc in the corner) the dirty human at the bar and the orc both bore the highwaymen's mark. Marcos follows thier eyes and sees the marks on the highway men on two of the other visible patrons.. Have these miscreants just been wandering around .. in plain sight? The wizard was incredulous. So much so he actually missed something. He does see, that one of the half-orcs (with the highwaymen) notices Marcos noticing the invisible forms. The two notice each other noticing each other. The half-orc draws a wand from his belt, the others notice the wand is drawn. Only the two half-orc allies of the wand wielder manage not to notice the sudden hostility in the room. The orc.. what is he saying.. "wizards.. something.. old man.. " curses! whats going on here! Tactics! who is your enemy here? what do you do? Prolly gonna stop this one mid way and let you rethink do you put one of the rings on? the enchantment seems to be identical. suprise :rolleyes: oops meant "transmutation." |
| Iced02-01-06, 07:57 PM | Well I'm not putting the rings on until I have some idea of their function. Detect magic should at least allow me that knowledge: Spellcraft = 17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=353174) If the result was an abjuration or transmutation effect then go ahead and put them on. Marcos reacts quickly to the perceived hostility of the half-orcish wand user. Bringing his hands down and spreading them in a wide circular motion he calls forth mist from his mind. The roiling clouds manifest themselves immidiately cloaking the entire inn in their dark and wet embrace. The fire stutters and smokes as the thickly moist fumes battle its heat. Eros! Marcos calls willing his small familiar to come to him, Eros I have need of you! The small bat flies through the clouds unerringly as it returns to its master and Marcos ducks out of his booth. No sense in giving them a known target he muses. Marcos will cast obscuring mist and duck out of his booth calling Eros to him. He'll then cast shocking Grasp designating Eros as the toucher. He'll move forward into color spray range and catch as many of them in its conic range as possible relying on Eros' blindsight to target correctly. After they've been colorsprayed he'll charge Eros up with a shocking grasp and send hm to deal with any stragglers. |
| Book502-01-06, 08:08 PM | The implusive wizard sets the stage. His actions suprising the others... other than the half-orc bartender.. who ducked under the counter as soon as the wand was drawn. His mist fills the corner of the room. Effectivly rending him invisible as well. His allies and enemies are accross the room from him, but Eros comes to hover within reach of his master. One of the rings slips easily onto this finger. He feels more confidant with the ring on, more in charge. (cha+2). Before Marcos can cast his next spell the half-orc waves his wand and speaks a word that stills his heart.. "dispel" but the fool knows not how to wield his wand so well.. the mist, and the two mysteries remain. Marcos hears some one begin to cast a spell in the fog (a ready). He rocognizes the spell. "Touch of Idiocy" a magekiller spell. One meant to rob you of the intellect necessary to cast spells. Marcos also hears the srambling of many feet. One set rushes through the fog coming to a stop near Marcos's booth. The heavy footfalls reveal the actor as the orc. He seems to fumble in the fog for Marcos. Marcos allows his familiar to guide him and casts colorspray into the mists. He cannot see to say whether it worked or not, but... Marcos moves away from the large framed figure. It remains still as he moves past it... he reaches the edge of the mist - and can see the four creatures outside the area of his spell as well. 2 humans, 2 half-orcs all four scrambling to avoid the unnatural mist that spewed from the black mage. A second spell is started (the caster obscured) but its terms evade Marcos's ear. The half-orc associates of the wand wielder are yelling. Their "discussion" interupted by a .. bar brawl? Their faces seem confused. Unseen in the mists the wand waves.. the mists away.. revealing a stunned full-orc standing by Marcos's booth. A punch dagger at his feet. The now visible dirty human surveys the scene.. seemingly as confused as Marcos.. if not more. The War Wizard once again quickens Eros with the soul of lighting, the fiesty fellow seeks to define his target.. an invisible? the orc? the human? the one with the wand? The orc! The tiny titan Drops from the air above the stunned orc. The smell of burnt flesh mixes with the arcane fog. One of the half-orcs in the corner hollers curses at Marcos but does not step foreward to fight. Marcos hears one of the invisible actors prepare to cast ghoul touch. By the sound of it he is closer to the bar than the door... where Marcos is. Next to the door that is. His chest is still stowed by the booth.. next to the stunned and sizzling orc... already blinking his blurred eyes hard and fast. ()......=...XXXX...XX ========..........*XX X.................OE.. ...HXXX..D....W....XX ...H.......XXX....... XX.................XX ......CXXX....M...... XX...C.........().... () - doors Xs are table/booths C - umm half orcs H - humans D - Dirty human O - Full orc W - Wand wielder E - Eros * - Chest = - the bar. The other half orc decides to hide under the table - cowering before the bizzare magics that are being thrown around the room. One of the humans follows suit with his own table. The dirty human looks at Marcos (obviously begging for the his arcane aid). This man (perhaps rightly) believes these invisible figures to be after him.. not the prophet. The wand weilding rouge waves his wand again. The perpetually perceptive war wizard thinks the wand is working, but cannot identify what magics have been dispelled. One of the figures returns to the seen as he steps and grabs the man's arm. Marcos knows very little about the spell ghoul touch but he does know that is not what it looks like when it works. Marcos considers what the dirty humans eyes told him.. and raises his finger to point at the Orc... and burns a rather nasty hole into the wall. The hulking orc begins to twitch in place. His eyes have started tracking the fight again. The still unseen mage also begins to see. As the dirty human strikes out at the magic user Marcos recognizes something. The child mage before him is one of the TAO students. One of Timmer's classmates. The boy is shaken by the dirty humans agressive responce to thier attack, and realizing his ally may have been disabled by Marcos's spell.. he runs for the door. The sharp ears of the wand wielder hear.. he spins and waves his wand - revealing the second spellcaster.. another TAO student almost recovered from Marcos's stunning spray... her eyes can see, her hands twitching. Marcos makes a quick descision. What the TAO apprentices want with the dirty human was certainly no threat to Marcos, the wand wielding half-orc seems to be content having upstaged the "uninvited guests" perhaps ready to wave his wand again. A regular, he wanted to make certain there was a fair fight in the fair orc tonight. The orc on the other hand seems a tad steamed at the war wizards shocking bat attack. Marcos releases a second spray of color. This one limited to just the orc. Perhaps it was the focus, or the double helping, but this time the orc looks to be stunned for the durration. The second apprentice also makes for the door. Now all three wizards stand near the door. Note: You cannot CDG the orc.. he isnt helpless.. just stunned. The TAO students manage to spit out a few words .. Come with us! Its not safe here! The War wizard raises his finger menacingly and moves to his chest. The wand wielder readies to respond to the his store bought magic trinket (rather powerful actually for a store bought wand - Marcos had noticed) but as the half orc was no wizard himself... he carred nothing for who Marcos was, and knew nothing of how much power the war wizard could bring to bear (or how little), but he was certain that he prefered the mage gone from his favorite hangout. The colors swirrled in the orcs eyes more than long enough to drag his chest back out onto the street. There the two apprentices awaited him. No sooner did one of them try and speak did a loud clatter (in orcish) arise inside. Rather than waste time with pleasantries the three arcanist made their way through the streets of the Merx. Used: No expendables. Cast: detect magic, obscuring mist, shocking grasp, color sprayx2, and scorching ray Circumstantial Winner! |
| Iced02-01-06, 10:01 PM | I don't need to see the rolls, I just wanted to know the school of magic of the rings and didn't get it from your description so I went ahead and rolled a spellcraft assuming that you'd not rolled it. You doing the rolls is welcome. ~Iced |
| Book502-02-06, 03:54 AM | any mid fight adjustments? I'll give you a hint.. only a part of this rabble is actually "threatening you" ... otherwise the challenge rating would be signifigantly skewed. |
| Iced02-02-06, 03:45 PM | Marcos would've dealt with any downed enemy with a CDG. Instead of having Eros fly away with the charge, Eros would have CDG'd the enemy. |
| Book502-02-06, 11:02 PM | The three mages make their way to the corner before the war wizard stops and sits upon his chest. His ire was raising. His goat was gotten. What is going on here? What is going on here Would one of you two care to explain what you were doing in the lower Merx? The boy looked at his gnomish companion.. and she looked back at him. They attempted to equivocate but the stern look of a grandfather tore through the childish defenses of the apprentices. In a moment a story flowed out of them.. patched together it goes something like this, Timmer, you know Timmer? You use his lab like every day. Him and another student are missing. They had been dissapearing for several nights in a row, but the other night four students went missing.. and didnt return. Cali had told the apprentices that no one should be alarmed. Students dont always stick to the rigours of the TAO, Timmer is a perfect example. According to these two students Ruster was always picking on Timmer. Pointing out his failures more than any others. Cali had refered alot to Timmer (as an example of a "drop out student" ) but human apprentice was not satisfied with that answer, and his gnomish companion agreed. You see, one of the four missing students was the boys younger brother. Only just arrived and .. if the boy spoke the truth (which marcos did believe) the youth great potential for the sorcerer's arts. It was this human youngling the two were seeking this night in the lower Merx. So what made you decided to follow a highwayman around? Was the first reasonable question Marcos could put together after two twittering pair threw a confusion of words in his direction. Thankfully Marcos was a smart fellow. Without need of description.. only the thought to look. Marcos recognized the lines of the face and turn of the ear on the boy. He had seen them before.. not in this boys face, but in anothers. In the face of a young human that for a time.. lay just on the other side of death in an Emerson's inn bathroom.. rented to one Marcos the Black. I killed this childs younger brother.. thanks be.. the nimbus undid that mistake already.. maybe Cmon! We need to get back to the TAO! Its safe there. At least its safer than the street! The children were right. The TAO was at least somewhere he could rest.. perhaps sleep now that Timmer's room was empty. No really go to the TAO and tell them whats going on. I've been expecting you to. Do you not want to? I have no problems with you bringing up the unfinished state of the quest to the others.. see if anyone want to rp off of it.. is there some problem with that I havent noticed? Is it against the rules? |
| Iced02-02-06, 11:22 PM | Marcos sighs as he looks to the children. "Follow me back to the TAO and be on your guard. Have you any talent for scroll-reading? Have you familiars? I may be forced to arm you as we've been having some bad luck of late. Something funny is afoot, and we must stay alert." If I have a pearl left recall colorspray. |
| Book502-05-06, 03:31 PM | The war wizard Marcos and his local lord made their way from the Red Lion Inn and Tavern. Lord Ruster's uncle was the owner of the establishment. The largest of its kind still standing in the city of Gladius. Ruster manor was as well a fine local. To the north of the Archidavius district, the ancient manor had seen the city by the sea raise its first arena. A sprawling place, more like a ranch than a mansion. The manor house was accessible via a slight detour from the main road. The back forty was seperated from the unclaimed territories beyond by a simple fence. Before the year of hell Rustor manor had maintained herds of fine horses, cattle, fowl. Marcos was a man who had come from years of war. Strangly at home in the desolate Gladius. Life prevailed thanks to the Nimbus, but buildings and the lesser animals, too afraid to hold their ground vs the demons in the skies above the city, did not. Ruster has plans for his fallow fields, but his mind is agitated enough by the reconstruction of the order. The ampitheaters and libraries that his family had helped build were destroyed. This earl of Archidavius was looking forward to being a hero of the Ruster family.. by luck of disaster and survival. The two traveled in silence. Lord Ruster contemplated the possibilities of what more than simply valuables could be desired by these highwaymen. Marcos seemed simply concerned with bringing his personal involvement to an end. They arrived at the door without molestation, but Eros's senses stirred as Marcos waited for Lord Ruster to unlock the entryway. This is the servent's quartes actually.. Marcos could easily see that the main house was currently unlivable. You can see why I stay at the Lion mostly. I moved everything of value into this building. I.. I cant think of what they would have wanted in here other than money.. and Marcos stopped paying attention here. His keen ears decoded every word of common, but his warrior instincts were screaming. and and I moved everything of any magical value into the rooms of the varius students.. or the teachers space. The mumble of the aristocrate suddenly peeked Marcos's interests.. "the teacher's space" he had overheard word of this before. A place where some of the more reclusive teachers "shared" valuable materials, key items, and books. The door swings open easier than expected and a sharp command rings out. Kill Lord Ruster! A command coiled in the golden and amber ring on the black mages finger. Its power a price, a gift that gives back to the giver. Marcos may never learn that he had done a great boon to the two men called Fobert and Bobert. Released from the Highwaymen's ring. No longer bound by command to obey. The younger boy, the brother left in the bathroom, was spared his fate by way of Fobert and Boberts freedom. The freedom to speak ill of their master. Timmer. Marcos's master Timmer. well.... that worked!! what now!?! |
| Iced02-06-06, 10:06 AM | Buff with mage armor from a scroll. Have invisibility and shield ready to go, possible spider climb and pro arrows. What level is lord ruster? |
| Book502-06-06, 05:46 PM | Buff with mage armor from a scroll. Have invisibility and shield ready to go, possible spider climb and pro arrows. What level is lord ruster? lets do 2nd. well now! these might change here eh? please review here!! http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=8402961&postcount=49 How exactly will you prevent the assasination of Lord Ruster? Your assasination of Lord Ruster?!? Think carefully!?! Command has limits and rules! http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b192/Book5/RusterManor.png Marocos and ruster outside the smaller buildings front door. They came from the side road up and to the right. Web and mist cover the doorway, Timmer the Highwayman spy is in the cottage house. |
| Iced02-07-06, 12:44 AM | "Run!" Marcos cries, "I can't stop! It's magic!" his eyes acquire a greenish tint as he raises his hands and casts a spell. Webs spring from his hands and entangle both him and the aristocrat spreading inward towards the source of the voice. Marcos stands still for a brief moment, but the moment is enough, he's entangled and unable to attack lord Ruster. The magic of the command begins to falter... |
| Book502-07-06, 02:13 PM | Lord Ruster is blitheringly unaware of the enchantment that effects Marcos and without anything else to do tries to move past Marcos and manages to get behind him before getting cought in the web.. without a weapon ready the mage was unable to stop him with his hands alone... His rational mind resisted his eldritch commands and devised a rational. Gaining distance, moving away.. became a type of assualt. The Black Mage has a capable mind. He considers many things, many things an attack. He follows a pattern of preperation of assualt, building to an unstoppable strike. Eros was uneffected and moves to distract the Timmerman that commands his master. The mists of otherworld ether exploded from black magic hands. Timmer ducks behind a wall and yells! Kill kill kill blood makes the grass grow! Timmer aways was stupid, the real prayer is Ba'al Ba'al Ba'al blood makes the grass grow! Its a phrase from the grave desert. Calling on an ancient Xephan God. Ba'al the hunter. Marcos was unaware of these subtleties of the outer lands, but refrences were a tool to the guild accountant, and a lords consideration of Local was slightly different than a Master Mage's. Another heartbeat passed and Marcos forced his will against the amber eye on the golden ring. His will unable to resist the persistant command, How long can this last... command last a mere moment... they could not have pushed the duration on this curse beyond a minute! it would be impossible for anyone in this world! His mind needed a plan, one that would buy him just 30-40 seconds more... |
| Iced02-08-06, 01:36 AM | Marcos's mind struggled with the otherworldly force that sought to sieze it. He thrust forward down a pathway that held a conceivable answer. Drawing a scroll, he begins casting a litany against chaos. A bluish light gathers about his form armoring his body - and his mind. Pro Chaos... :plotting: |
| Book502-08-06, 11:11 AM | The drive within the Master Mage must have spun some fate and impossibly (Will+1(18!)vsDC18!!) broke the enchantment on the ring through sheer force of will. An instant later Marcos Dropped the mist and the web, drawing a scroll labeled with an "arcane sigil" that was simply the Prophet's numerl 4. Eros struggled with Timmer and Marcos used true strike from his scroll, timmer withdrew down the hall. Marcos's outstreached finger lanced a scorching ray towards the Halfing bringing him to his knees. The fool surrenders, his advantage lost. Pity will deliver him to the nimbus, futher frustration to his betters will only lead to being fed to the trees outside of gladius. YOU WIN AND NOT ONLY SAVE THE EARL OF ARCHIDAVIUS!! and I pray have enough time to edit your rewards in - I know your faster at this, win win win -300 for putting on the cursed ring. Thats still on btw - I think you have to pay to remove curse, but since you broke the command it doesnt do anything.. you can take the necklace off the highwayman Timmer, he has the same equipment, only he has more 5 doses of poison on his 10 daggers. No money on timmer. You have to donate the key talisman... (its too powerful) to the "teacher's space" and recieve a perfect payout in GP - "dynamic balancing" wait till I send a paladin on a quest! 3,300 XP Third Week: 1,200 Second Week : 1,200 Ring Curse : -300 (hehe) First Week : 1,200 ~3,600 GP -1,800+gp* - 5 posioned daggers (scorpian) ~460gp Command Key Amulet (quest item only - nonfunctional for Marcos) 315+gp* MW Chain Shirt ~ burnt ---- 1,020 GP Take the ~4k or the Command Key? Deduct the poison from your rewards if you keep the daggers - "Large scorpion venom Injury DC 18 1d6 Str 1d6 Str 200 gp" Cursed! Marcos wears a Highwayman's ring. It is triggered by the key amulet an upper in the highwayman wears. The effects are as command, however the duration of the command is 1 full minute duration. An activity is required to remove this yes? Joins the TAO Marcos is officially recognized as a Master of the TAO by the Earl of Archidavious himself. Oh, your not gonna get here in time are you Iced.. drat, sorry I was so laggy. I will be editing the three battles into paragraphs today. |
| Iced02-08-06, 08:22 PM | Good show Book5, thanks for all of the effort you put into this. Marcos can sit out a week - It's not a big deal if everything's not fully updated so don't sweat it. Rewards for an EL4 should be: 1,350xp, 1,200gp - Week 1 1,350xp, 1,200gp - Week 2 1,350xp, 1,200gp - Week 3 1,350xp, 1,200gp - Quest Completion Bonus ----------------------------------------- 5,400xp, 4,800gp - Final (-300xp Ring?) Now that i've got the ring off i don't want to pay the cost for the breaking of the enchantment. Marcos doesn't need a cha boost. I don't think i'll take anything from this quest except gold, xp, and my TAO membership. thanks again Book5! ~Iced |
| Book505-31-06, 05:42 PM | Marcos was givin Timmer's room in the Red Lion. The teachers considered rooming another student with the ancient mage.. considering he was technically still a student. However after his heroic efforts on the behalf of the Earl, and considering the full weight of his history and true experience.. everyone took to calling the black mage "Master" Marcos right away. Not as much of a gladiator as one might expect of a war mage, but the ancient arcanist has a serious situation on his hands. Far from his homeplane, and severly depleted in power he had call to delve deep into the libraries of the TAO. Much of the lore of Talas was subtly differnt than that of the prophet's world. Before too long the once master of the dark arts will rise again. Long live the TAO! Felt like adding an postscript. |