Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TelinArtho 01-18-06, 02:02 PM	This is a quest for Samuel Highground (ECL3). If you are not lonewolf or myself, please do not post here until the quest's completion. Samuel is questing to gain the ghost template (EL1+). Questlog: The Darkness of Light (EL1+) Week 1: A Pair of Zombies are Reduced to Dust in a short time frame Week 2: A Dire Weasel skulks about and gets burned Week 3: Samuel faces his alter ego - and takes him down. Then he dies anyway... mwahahahaha Resources Used: Week 1: 4 charges of Dorje of Energy Ray (ML2), Tanglefoot Bag [Manifested Vigor (wildsurged)] Week 2: 2 charges of Dorje of Energy Ray (ML2) [Manifested Vigor (wildsurged)] Week 3: 1 charge of Dorje of Energy Ray (ML2), Stone of Energy Bolt (ML5) [Manifested Vigor x2] Rewards: Ghost Template awarded (moves Samuel from ECL3 to ECL8): 29000 xp (total before quest rewards)/+24300gp (in addition to current equipment and rewards below) Week 1: 300xp Week 2: 600xp Week 3: 600xp, Stone of Energy Bolt (ML5) [quest value 281gp] Bonus: 500xp, +1719gp
TelinArtho 01-18-06, 05:03 PM	Samuel Highground Male phrenic Halfling Chaotic neutral Wilder1, ECL3 XP: 3200(Start) +300(fight1) +600(fight2) +325(fight3) +900(fight4) =5325 STR...6 [-2]...(0 pts) [-2 race] DEX...18 [+4]...(10 pts) [+2 race] CON...10 [+0]...(2 pts) INT....14 [+2]...(4 pts)[+2 template] WIS...14 [+2]...(4 pts)[+2 template] CHA...22 [+6]...(16 pts)[+4 template] Hit Points: 6 [1 HD] AC 19 [+4dex, +1size, +4armor], Touch 15, Flat 15 [+1 dodge] Initiative: +4 BAB/Grap: +0/-6 Speed 20 Saves: Fort +1 [0 Wilder +0Con +1racial] Refl +5 [0 Wilder +4dex +1racial] Will +5 [2 Wilder +2wis +1racial] +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear. Attacks: +5 ranged touch +6 light crossbow, 1d6, 19-20/x2, 80ft Feats: Dodge Racial and Class Abilities: Phrenic: Psi-like abilities: 3/day - defensive precognition; 1/day - force screen Naturally Psionic: A phrenic creature gains 1 bonus power point. Power Resistance 11 Int +2, Wis +2, Cha +4. Halfling: +2 Dexterity, –2 Strength. Small size. +1 bonus to Armor Class, +1 bonus on attack rolls, +4 bonus on Hide checks, –4 penalty on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits 3/4 those of Medium characters. A halfling’s base land speed is 20 feet. +2 racial bonus on Climb, Jump, and Move Silently checks. +1 racial bonus on all saving throws. +2 morale bonus on saving throws against fear. This bonus stacks with the halfling’s +1 bonus on saving throws in general. +1 racial bonus on attack rolls with thrown weapons and slings. +2 racial bonus on Listen checks. Automatic Languages: Common, Halfling. Bonus Languages: Dwarven, Elven, Gnome, Goblin, Orc. Favored Class: Rogue. Wilder: Wild Surge+1 Psychic enervation Wilders are proficient with all simple weapons, with light armor, and with shields (except tower shields). Skills (24 Points Wilder): +4 Concentration[4 rnks, +0 Con] +7 Escape Artist[4 rnks, +4 Dex, -1acp] +7 Hide[0 ranks, +4 Dex, +4 Size, -1acp] +4 Listen[0 rnks, +2listen, +2racial] +5 Move Silently[0rnks, +4 Dex, +2 racial, -1acp] +8 Perform(Comedy)[2ranks, +6Cha] [2cc Wilder] +6 Psicraft[4 rnks, +2 Int] +6 Spot[4 rnks, +2 Wis] +7 Tumble[4 rnks, +4 Dex, -1acp] Speaks Common, halfling, gnome and dwarven Powers Known: [1] [Power Points: 6(2 wilder, 3 bonus, 1 phrenic); Use: 2(1/3 of total PP)] 1: [Dc 17] Vigor Buffs and Prefight actions: Gain Psionic Focus Equipment: MW Chain shirt[12.5lb][250gp] MW Light crossbow[4lb][335gp] 20 bolts[2lb][2gp] Brooch of Shielding(101/101 damage) 1500gp Expendable Items: [CL] Dorje of Energy Ray[ML2][36 charges][1500gp] Potion of Shield of Protection from Evil[CL1][50gp] Potion of Shield of Protection from Good[CL1][50gp] Potion of Shield of Protection from Law[CL1][50gp] Potion of Shield of Protection from Chaos[CL1][50gp] Tanglefoot bag[50gp] Potion of invisibility[CL3][300gp] Stone of Energy Bolt[ML5][375gp] 4x Potion of Cure Light wounds[CL1] 200gp Equipment at home: 17gp Default Tactics nothing yet Fights results: Fights results: Samuel vs Faelto ... lost gained 300xp/354gp Darius vs Samuel vs Instacio vs Feradeth ... 2nd loser gained 600xp/600gp Aryleia => Samuel => Gaston => Zwei und'Vierzig ... lost gained 325xp/325gp Samuel vs Sven ... won! gained 900xp/900gp Past Expenditures: Potion of Invisibility Potion of Shield of Faith potion of Protection from Chaos 14 charges of Dorje of Energy Ray[ML2] Tanglefoot bag
TelinArtho 01-18-06, 05:12 PM	[Introduction] Samuel didn't know what brought him here. He stood at the edge of an old cemetary - in the middle of a rainstorm on the border of night. Somewhere inside him, a voice spoke. Welcome my son. It is about time you have come to join me. Be wary - the way is not granted to you - but with determination it shall be given. Proceed with caution. The voice faded and it left Samuel without answers and even less patience. Why had he come here? Where exactly was he?
lonewolf 01-18-06, 05:36 PM	Samuel looks around confused. What the hell is happening here? He puts his cloak over his head to protect him from the rain ... a bit ... This looks like a damn realistic dream. It must be a dream, right? Well no mater if its a dream or not I will not gain anything while standing around here. Lets find a place where I can gain cover from the rain. And if that weird voice starts speaking again, maybe it can tell me why I am dreaming such a crap. If this is a dream, of course. He shakes his head and enters the cementary. But as he stepped through the gate, his survival insticts remembered him of something. This is a graveyard a nightfall. If there is anyone else here its probably better if I see him first. So he starts hiding, and sneaking forward trying to find a building, always looking out for movement. Take 10 on all rolls if allowed.
TelinArtho 01-19-06, 12:44 PM	With ears and eyes attuned as best as he can to the darkness, Samuel feels a little ill-prepared. What did bring him here? Why at this place? The answers he could not know. Suddenly, up ahead, he hears (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=340126) a faint rustling. About forty feet away, he can barely see two forms moving - carrying something on a litter between them. They are humanoid in size and shape - but orc, human or elf is all the same to you in this light. Their gait is slow and purposeful. They don't appear to have noticed Samuel yet. Treat this as partial concealment because of the darkness and rain. If you get within 10ft of them, this condition is eliminated.
lonewolf 01-19-06, 06:55 PM	I dont like this. I dont like this at all. I better prepare myself for fight before moving closer. Who knows what the two of them are doing in a graveyard at night. I dont even know what I am doing here.... Samuel draws his Dorje and manifests a wildsurged Vigor before sneaking closer to the two shapes.
TelinArtho 01-19-06, 11:55 PM	Samuel ducks behind a tombstone and manifests Vigor. Try as he might to cover the displays - he finds himself covered (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=340535) in the familiar slick jelly and a familiar scent comes to his nose. The two forms are about 20ft from the entrance to a second section of the cemetary and they seem to give pause before proceeding. They are carrying your burden. In order to come to me - you must take that burden and carry it yourself. If they reach the entranceway with it - then you will never reach your true purpose.
lonewolf 01-20-06, 07:23 AM	I dont know what this voice is talking about, but Im gonna find out. Samuel stands up, but stays behind the tombstone for cover and readies to use his dorje on those forms if they come within 10ft of him, but keeps the hand with the dorje behind his back. "Good evening guys. I have lost my orientation. Can you tell me where I am exactly?"
TelinArtho 01-20-06, 11:20 AM	The two forms continue on their way towards the far gate - closing at a slow 5ft pace. Samuel is quite sure he was loud enough that they could hear him.
lonewolf 01-20-06, 11:43 AM	If this is a dream, I cannot hurt them anyway. And if its not I will find it out soon enough. Samuel raises his dorje and unleashes a ray of fire at the closer form.
TelinArtho 01-20-06, 11:55 AM	A jet of flame bursts from the dorje and strikes (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=340854) the humanoid form solidly. It moans, drops its quarry and turns towards Samuel. The other one continues dragging the makeshift litter - but is moving even slower now. The first one is now only 10ft away from Samuel and he can see that it once was a human - but now is some form of rotting animated corpse.
lonewolf 01-20-06, 12:07 PM	Zombies. I should have known it. Samuel depletes another charge at the Zombie in front of him if thats enough to drop it he stays put. If not he moves backwards away, if possible again behind cover.
TelinArtho 01-20-06, 12:13 PM	Another gout of flames enfulfs the form (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=340871) in front of Samuel and it burns away - leaving nothing but ash. The remaining form continues its slow trek toward the gate - now less than 10ft from it. In case I haven't made it clear - if it gets through the gate, your quest will fail...
lonewolf 01-20-06, 01:14 PM	Fearing that the other Zombie may reach the gate, Samuel moves forward (within 10ft)while drawing a tanglefoot bag and throws it at the Zombie, trying to glue him to the ground. If that succeeds, finish him of with the dorje.
TelinArtho 01-20-06, 01:25 PM	Samuel steps forward and draws and tosses a tanglefoot bag at the zombie near the gate. The goo covers the entire creature, but its feet (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=340900) are not glued to the ground as Samuel had hoped. It takes a strained step towards the gate. So should I assume you are just finishing it off with the dorje then?
lonewolf 01-20-06, 01:44 PM	Yes. Samuel has no other ways of stopping it but to kill it as fast as possible.
TelinArtho 01-20-06, 01:49 PM	In short order, Samuel reduces (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=340923) the zombie to burning dust (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=340924). Moving over to the litter, Samuel finds that is carries another corpse - another former human - though this one seems infested with scarab beetles.
lonewolf 01-22-06, 08:04 PM	Samuel moves closer and examines the corpse. This becomes stranger and stranger. Am I supposed to carry this corpse? Im not even sure if Im strong enough to do that. You missed to add the tanglefoot bag on the used resources.
TelinArtho 01-25-06, 03:30 PM	Samuel pokes at the body a little bit - and fights revulsion to even attempt to pick up the litter himself. However, as soon as he does - he is filled with an immense inner strength - that or the litter is exceptionally light. Trust in yourself my son - for it is the only way to reach me and to reach the next level. Come to me now. Hauling the litter through the entranceway, Samuel finds himself at the head of a set of stairs heading into the darkness of a crypt underground.
lonewolf 01-25-06, 04:49 PM	Samuel looks at the stairs, then at the surroundings and thinks for a moment. *sigh* At the least it will be dry down there. He refreshes the Vigor(assuming it has run of), uses his defensive precognition and starts moving down the stairs, hoping that there will be a source of light somewhere down there.
TelinArtho 01-28-06, 12:54 AM	As Samuel descends, a dim light emerges from within, leaving the room he emerges into deeply shadowed. The room is small and cluttered - with a couple of coffins in two rows. Suddenly, Samuel catches (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=348450) movement out of the corner of his eye. He's not sure what it was, but it is on the other side of the coffin nearest to him. I'll get the map up real quick - give me a moment. Then I'll roll the initiative. http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a180/TelinArtho/q-darknessoflight-2.jpg [Initiative (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=348463)] Samuel 10 Animal 15 Okay - your turn. Although I have marked your opponent on the map - that is just the last known location - you actually know it has moved from there - but you aren't sure where because you failed your listen check.
lonewolf 01-28-06, 06:57 AM	Samuel carefully moves a bit away from the animal and readies to fire his dorje should it come into range. moving 3 squares right and one square up. Hide/move silently behind the corner.
TelinArtho 01-29-06, 02:21 PM	As Samuel moves to a better position, he catches sight (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=349833) of the animal once again. It seems to be a close relative of a ferret - but is much larger. He points his dorje at it and a gout of flame engulfs (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=349834) it. The animal moves deftly around the coffins to be next to Samuel and bites (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=349835) at him. Samuel - quick with his reflexes manages to dodge the menacing bite. Current Status: Samuel 6/6, Vigor (10 temp hp, ends 10), Defensive Precognition (ends 11) Dire Weasel xx-11/xx
lonewolf 01-29-06, 03:24 PM	Samuel backs away from the dangerous animal(5ft step) before discharging another ray of fire at it.
TelinArtho 01-30-06, 11:21 AM	Samuel tries to get away from the rabid animal, and fires his dorje again. It engulfs (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=350646) the animal and burns through the last of its fur - leaving it a burnt husk on the ground. Well done - even I had not foreseen that thing in here... still - you have done well thus far - and so I am glad you will be coming to me. It is almost time for your true potential to manifest. Just come to me through those doors up ahead.
TelinArtho 02-02-06, 03:00 PM	Moving on into the next room, Samuel finds himself overlooking a worship chamber. There are three symbols on the floor - one representing life (a seed blossoming into a full grown tree), another death (a head pierced upon the tip of a spear), but the third - he is simply unsure about (an open field of stars in a night sky). Looking to his left - he sees some stairs heading into the area below.
lonewolf 02-04-06, 09:21 AM	This becomes stranger and stranger ... I hope that this voice will explain to me what is going on here once Im down there. Samuel continues by sneaking down the stairs.
TelinArtho 02-05-06, 10:10 PM	As Samuel reaches the bottom of the room, he is suddenly aware of another figure in the room - a halfling in size and shape. It is good that you have come this far. Only one more test can show you the way to salvation. You must understand that to unlock your true wealth - there are steps in this world which must be taken in another. That other world is where you must go. Here - before you - is your-self from that other world. He is just as capable as you - and just as needy to reach the potential that you seek. That being said - to let the other succeed - one of you must die. Be vigilant - for to misstep here will not gain you anything but a place in the ground... and I sense that is not what you desire. You should treat this opponent as a mirror of yourself. He wins (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=356515) initiative and manifests Vigor without issue (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=356516). You are up.
lonewolf 02-06-06, 05:46 PM	Slowly Samuel starts to understand what this is all about. Killing myself I must? I think I´ve got just the right gadget for this here. With this he draws his stone of Energy bolt and uses its powers to send a line of icy energy at his mirror image.
TelinArtho 02-07-06, 11:30 AM	A line of Ice crashes (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=358219) through the other Samuel sapping (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=358220) away much of his temporary health. The false Samuel draws a dorje and fires it at Samuel, but the fire ray misses (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=358221) him. Current Status: Samuel 6/6 False Samuel 6/6, Vigor (2 temp hp, ends 21) (If possible, give me a few rounds to work with - this will either be really quick or could be a measure of luck)
lonewolf 02-07-06, 11:51 AM	I hoped that the bolt would be enough. Ah well. After his biggest gun didnt score, Samuel feels the need to bolster his defenses before continuing the attack. He manifests a wildsurged Vigor and then uses his dorje to fire electric rays at his mirror image. refresh Vigor if necessary. If my image does the same, this could be a very long and costly fight.
TelinArtho 02-07-06, 12:18 PM	Samuel scrambles his mind together, boosting his health (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=358249) temporarily, but just in time as another fire bolt crashes towards him - this time striking him severely. Samuel tries to get his health back up again, and succeeds (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=358250). This time his dual's fire ray misses him completely though, so he has the opportunity to go on the offensive. Samuel brandishes his dorje at the dual figure, and the electricity strikes him (http://invisiblecastle.com/find.py?id=358251) fully - dropping him to the ground. Nicely done. As his dual drops to the ground, dead - Samuel is bewildered as his own life seems to be sapping away. What? You told me that his death was needed? Why am I now dying? The voice in his mind came to him, a whisper on the wind. As I said - in order to reach your true potential - you must kill yourself - that alter ego was merely a simulacrum to get you into the right position. Now that you have - your potential is attained and your efforts rewarded. Feel free to roleplay it out further. I apologize that I haven't had much time for this this week...
lonewolf 02-07-06, 06:29 PM	As Samuel sinks to the ground, his soul and life essence seems to part from his failing body and form a translucent mist that loosely looks like the dead body in front of him. Suprisingly for Samuel all this doesnt feel horrifying or even strange to him, but more like all this was supposed to happen. His life until now was just a preperation for the next step. He learned about the weakness of flesh and defeated it. "I understand." Now what should I do with this new form? Back in the arena? That sounds intriguing. Yes thats it. I will show them my new powers and will punish those who thought little of me.