As Guston stammers out the words, Starlen walks up to him and smiles. “It’s okay,” she says. “We can do our part by keeping watch out here. After all, it would be bad if someone was able to just walk up and seal the entrance again with them inside, right?”
As Anduin enters the tomb, Guston feels a hand on his shoulder. Starlen whispers into his ear, saying “Look, I don’t feel very comfortable out here by myself. It would be nice to have someone else to pass the time with.” She has a look of concern on her face.
As Anduin enters the tomb, Guston feels a hand on his shoulder. Starlen whispers into his ear, saying “Look, I don’t feel very comfortable out here by myself. It would be nice to have someone else to pass the time with.” She has a look of concern on her face.
Don’t split the party! But... must.. play... in... character...
GAH!!!
For the first time since his curse, Guston seems to have a female of his own race show him something that isn’t complete, unabashed disgust (the only other female ever being Fiora). He feels his knees go weak at the unexpected gesture of compassion and he...
...
...and he abruptly faints.
His head and face hit the ground violently with a loud squelching noise as several of his boils pop with the impact.
A second later he wakes up and sees both the stars and Starlen looking down at him. His moment of bravery likely stolen by his weak blackout, he nevertheless stands up quickly as though nothing happened and says, “You can count on me!”
“Two of us really should stay out here to keep watch... it’s just not safe otherwise.”
Vaga looks at the spineless love-sick cad, sighs and shakes his head a little.. how can one suddenly abandon your path, your purpose, the second a woman looks at you? It's unbelievable to this dwarf, who doesn't even know how to react to it. Vaga therefore says nothing, turns around and follow the minuscule gnome into the crypt. He walks slowly enough so he can scan the environments.
Ignatius smiles approvingly at Guston, for he's glad that the sad fallen priest has finally found some company that he desired, and probably one that makes him happy. He gives another reassuring smile at Guston, as if indicating that there is nothing to worry about, before following the others into the crypt.
Ignatius stays at the back of the party, walking slowly like Vaga, keeping watch of all the sides, but especially the back, so as to be ready in case of a rear assault. He also keeps his ears alert for any strange sounds or any sounds of footsteps not their own, so as to be aware if anybody is following them stealthily.
Using his darkvision, Vaga peers into the darkness. The entrance leads into a long corridor just High and wide enough for a human to fit in. The walls of the corridor are barren. Nothing stands out to him, except for the dim light that Erica produced to help her see. It seems she and Kaiser have already reached the main chamber.
Despite his bluster and proclatation of dependability, now that he alone in the moonlit surface with the girl he is frightened. He keeps looking over his shoulder at every small sound, peering into the darkness with his mace ready, and keeping an eye on the yawning entrance of the crypt.
To try to ease the tension he feels he whispers to Starlen, awkwardly, in a weak, squeaky voice, “So... do you come here often... you know, in the middle of the night to an evil, tainted, cursed tomb of the potentially undead...?”
He actively looks out into the darkness and tries to listen for anything out of the ordinary, his mace at the ready.
Starlen seems to be ignoring Guston, as she intently listens to the fading footsteps of the party. Once she is certain they are deep enough inside, she walks over to the entrance. Guston watches as she calmly pushes the door closed.
As soon as she hears the sound of the door sliding into place, Starlen turns towards Guston, and smiles. It’s a different kind of smile, a devilish grin filled with malevolence. “It’s so nice to see that chivalry isn’t dead,” she says, in a rough, gravelly voice that causes Guston to shiver instinctually. She then walks towards him slowly, savoring every step.
He also listens actively to the entrance to the tomb for any sound of his friends, thinking he would hear the sound of battle or screaming at any moment.
He now realizes that he feels guilty at letting his friends enter without him. What was he thinking? That he’d have some sort of conversation with a girl who can only abhor him in the end? And even if he did, what difference did it make? It will never realistically come to anything.
Fiora, Vaga, Kaled, and even the child, Ignatius, stood by him despite their knowledge of his curse. It was Fiora who nursed him back to sanity from his beggaring on the streets, and at the first glance from a red-haired lass he just let them walk away.
He wonders if he abandoned those he’s loyal to for selfish reasons, or if he genuinely wanted to help by keeping watch over the tomb entrance. The action rings familiarly and he wonders if this is what he has done before... when innocent families died because of it. He has conflicting emotions and he’s starting to doubt the morality of his choices for the first time in his life. He realizes he’s never had the spine to back up his conviction to good once. He ruefully realizes that perhaps that’s why the puss from his face is looking around his neckline.
“Starlen, I think we shouldn’t abandon them,” he says nervously shaking. “Maybe we should go in after them? The gnome did say we could both go in... I don’t know what to do now... I shouldn’t have let them leave... I’m so confused... can you still hear them?”
“Oh,” Starlen says in a voice that is entirely different. It sounds similar to Nate’s, in fact. As she steps up to Guston, her skin melts and shifts, enlarging and swelling until Nate stands before Guston. “Just tying up some loose ends.” Nate grins that same dark grin...
Nate: Attack roll: 17+4=21
...and a sharp object shoots out from behind him and strikes Guston in the shoulder, nearly knocking him down and embedding itself painfully in his flesh. As the pain sets in, Guston can see that the source of his pain is actually a long, twisting stone spear-like object protruding from Nate’s back: a tail.
So, yeah, combat is introduced. How it will work is a character attacks, I roll for the attack using strength for melee, dexterity for ranged. No need to worry about hit points and damage, as it will be roleplayed instead. In general, it won’t be too hard to survive (as long as nobody picks a fight with a high level NPC).
The rest of the party definitely hears the door at the entrance close behind them, and soon the only light shining in the tomb comes from Erica’s spell. Startled, Erica spins around towards the entrance, and Kaiser immediately raises his halberd defensively, keeping himself close to Erica as she runs back to the entrance.
As Guston whips around, his vision blinded by serious pain for the first time ever in his life, he realizes he is likely doomed and it is entirely his fault. He knows had he been a loyal friend, he might actually have friends at this moment to back him up.
He’s not a fighter, never has been. He doesn’t know what this Nate person is, but he’s smart enough to know that he is outmatched. His first instinct is to run like a coward, and, in fact, he almost takes a step in that direction. His thieving skills might see him through. But he realizes that Nate will not let him escape to warn others and that he is trapped. His go-to chance, his friends, are locked behind a door and he doubts he can fight the creature person.
He has only one chance. He had tried to prepare Sancuary last time he had prayed to Chauntea, but he wasn’t sure if it had worked.
Promising Chauntea, for the first time since his banishment and curse, to display her hallowed virtue of loyalty to his friends in his life no matter what if he gets out of this alive, he tries to cast Sanctuary. If the spell doesn’t fizzle and works, he will then try to open the door to warn his friends.
So, yeah, combat is introduced. How it will work is a character attacks, I roll for the attack using strength for melee, dexterity for ranged. No need to worry about hit points and damage, as it will be roleplayed instead. In general, it won’t be too hard to survive (as long as nobody picks a fight with a high level NPC).
Ooo combat! I'm excited! It's great to integrate this into our adventure!
By the way, my Psychic Blade +1 uses INT instead of STR or DEX for the rolls (as I've mentioned earlier).
This Nate aka Starlen aka Tail-man looks like some kind of Tanar'ri descendant, isn't that so? I guess it's not a Tiefling (since as far as I know, Tieflings can't shapeshift like that), so maybe a Cambion or a pure-blood Demon? Whatever may be the case, we would need some clever tactics against this creature.
@Nimran Can anyone of us who are inside attempt to open the door from inside? (Since we have distinctly heard it being closed.) Is it locked or not? (Because from your description, Starlen just pushes the door closed, but doesn't block or jam it in any way, so it shouldn't be locked.) And in case if it is somehow locked, can anyone of us attempt to use Open Locks skill? (INT is the skill rank modifier, right? As far as I know from NWN) If yes, Ignatius will try to open the crypt door.
@lolien Does Kaled have Knock memorized or as a scroll? (In case we need to unlock the door.)
Also since this is @Anduin's family tomb, and since he's not evil (as detected by Fiora), does he know any other way out? (In case he's willing to help us.)
No Knock by Kaled, that's the third spell on his buylist. I would have like to buy some pen and paper to scribe some spare scrolls earlier with Kaled, but forgot it and missed the oppurtunity.
Vaga follows Erica and Kaiser towards the entrance, hearing the door slam shut he immediately thinks of Guston's meager constitution and figures that if this is indeed an ambush and someone is attacking Guston and Starlen on the outside, they don't have much time to get out and help them before they fall.
As Guston finishes his spell, he hears a faint, yet comforting voice in the back of his mind. “It is not your time to perish,” the voice speaks, just as a sense of calm washes over him. Suddenly the pain in his shoulder subsides, as a softly glowing light pushes the tail’s sharp tip out of his body and closes the wound. Nate’s smile turns into a look of confusion, and he turns and spins around, searching for the invisible Guston. Guston then goes to push open the door.
As Guston finishes his spell, he hears a faint, yet comforting voice in the back of his mind. “It is not your time to perish,” the voice speaks, just as a sense of calm washes over him. Suddenly the pain in his shoulder subsides, as a softly glowing light pushes the tail’s sharp tip out of his body and closes the wound. Nate’s smile turns into a look of confusion, and he turns and spins around, searching for the invisible Guston. Guston then goes to push open the door.
Guston: Strength check: 12
And finds it too heavy to move.
Omg, I read this and just started dying of laughter at the last part!! So anti-climactic it’s perfect! Also, glad Guston’s not dead (yet).
Guston’s instncts kick in and he feels a sense of calmness and purpose about him. But he doesn’t have time to dwell on that at the moment.
Using his brain rather than brawn, as it is closer to his strength than not, he looks for something he can use as leverage, perhaps a fallen branch or even his mace handle.
As the group inside reaches the entrance, Vaga looks around for a way to open the door.
Vaga: Spot check: 19+3=22
He notices that the door is set against the entrance rather loosely. It still seems very heavy, but it should be possible, if very difficult, to move out of the way.
Kaiser pushes against the door, but can’t quite seem to find a good grip, and the door remains in place.
Comments
Well... I am even more unsure of taking a cursed of Chauntea into one of her blessed tombs.
...
Baaah! Enter last if you must so that your curse does not effect the rest of us.
*Anduin waggles a finger at Starlen*
I'd keep a blade ready if you are completely abandoned outside young lady. Chauntea knows how many monsters roam this wood.
*Anduin shakes his head sadly, then heads into the tomb*
Don’t split the party!
But... must.. play... in... character...
GAH!!!
For the first time since his curse, Guston seems to have a female of his own race show him something that isn’t complete, unabashed disgust (the only other female ever being Fiora). He feels his knees go weak at the unexpected gesture of compassion and he...
...
...and he abruptly faints.
His head and face hit the ground violently with a loud squelching noise as several of his boils pop with the impact.
A second later he wakes up and sees both the stars and Starlen looking down at him. His moment of bravery likely stolen by his weak blackout, he nevertheless stands up quickly as though nothing happened and says, “You can count on me!”
“Two of us really should stay out here to keep watch... it’s just not safe otherwise.”
Ignatius stays at the back of the party, walking slowly like Vaga, keeping watch of all the sides, but especially the back, so as to be ready in case of a rear assault. He also keeps his ears alert for any strange sounds or any sounds of footsteps not their own, so as to be aware if anybody is following them stealthily.
Using his darkvision, Vaga peers into the darkness. The entrance leads into a long corridor just High and wide enough for a human to fit in. The walls of the corridor are barren. Nothing stands out to him, except for the dim light that Erica produced to help her see. It seems she and Kaiser have already reached the main chamber.
Using his darkvision, Ignatius sees what Vaga sees. Beyond that, he hears no sounds aside from the sounds of the group’s footsteps.
"Stay on guard you two, I have an uneasy feeling about this."
*Anduin blushes*
Can you see why we can't let the young ones in... Would be wrong...
To try to ease the tension he feels he whispers to Starlen, awkwardly, in a weak, squeaky voice, “So... do you come here often... you know, in the middle of the night to an evil, tainted, cursed tomb of the potentially undead...?”
He actively looks out into the darkness and tries to listen for anything out of the ordinary, his mace at the ready.
As soon as she hears the sound of the door sliding into place, Starlen turns towards Guston, and smiles. It’s a different kind of smile, a devilish grin filled with malevolence. “It’s so nice to see that chivalry isn’t dead,” she says, in a rough, gravelly voice that causes Guston to shiver instinctually. She then walks towards him slowly, savoring every step.
He now realizes that he feels guilty at letting his friends enter without him. What was he thinking? That he’d have some sort of conversation with a girl who can only abhor him in the end? And even if he did, what difference did it make? It will never realistically come to anything.
Fiora, Vaga, Kaled, and even the child, Ignatius, stood by him despite their knowledge of his curse. It was Fiora who nursed him back to sanity from his beggaring on the streets, and at the first glance from a red-haired lass he just let them walk away.
He wonders if he abandoned those he’s loyal to for selfish reasons, or if he genuinely wanted to help by keeping watch over the tomb entrance. The action rings familiarly and he wonders if this is what he has done before... when innocent families died because of it. He has conflicting emotions and he’s starting to doubt the morality of his choices for the first time in his life. He realizes he’s never had the spine to back up his conviction to good once. He ruefully realizes that perhaps that’s why the puss from his face is looking around his neckline.
“Starlen, I think we shouldn’t abandon them,” he says nervously shaking. “Maybe we should go in after them? The gnome did say we could both go in... I don’t know what to do now... I shouldn’t have let them leave... I’m so confused... can you still hear them?”
“Starlen... what... what are you doing..!”
He readies his mace, praying silently for Chauntea to grant him a spell on his hour of need and weakness.
...and a sharp object shoots out from behind him and strikes Guston in the shoulder, nearly knocking him down and embedding itself painfully in his flesh. As the pain sets in, Guston can see that the source of his pain is actually a long, twisting stone spear-like object protruding from Nate’s back: a tail.
He’s not a fighter, never has been. He doesn’t know what this Nate person is, but he’s smart enough to know that he is outmatched. His first instinct is to run like a coward, and, in fact, he almost takes a step in that direction. His thieving skills might see him through. But he realizes that Nate will not let him escape to warn others and that he is trapped. His go-to chance, his friends, are locked behind a door and he doubts he can fight the creature person.
He has only one chance. He had tried to prepare Sancuary last time he had prayed to Chauntea, but he wasn’t sure if it had worked.
Promising Chauntea, for the first time since his banishment and curse, to display her hallowed virtue of loyalty to his friends in his life no matter what if he gets out of this alive, he tries to cast Sanctuary. If the spell doesn’t fizzle and works, he will then try to open the door to warn his friends.
By the way, my Psychic Blade +1 uses INT instead of STR or DEX for the rolls (as I've mentioned earlier).
@Nimran Can anyone of us who are inside attempt to open the door from inside? (Since we have distinctly heard it being closed.) Is it locked or not? (Because from your description, Starlen just pushes the door closed, but doesn't block or jam it in any way, so it shouldn't be locked.) And in case if it is somehow locked, can anyone of us attempt to use Open Locks skill? (INT is the skill rank modifier, right? As far as I know from NWN) If yes, Ignatius will try to open the crypt door.
@lolien Does Kaled have Knock memorized or as a scroll? (In case we need to unlock the door.)
Also since this is @Anduin's family tomb, and since he's not evil (as detected by Fiora), does he know any other way out? (In case he's willing to help us.)
Also, poor Guston
And finds it too heavy to move.
Guston’s instncts kick in and he feels a sense of calmness and purpose about him. But he doesn’t have time to dwell on that at the moment.
Using his brain rather than brawn, as it is closer to his strength than not, he looks for something he can use as leverage, perhaps a fallen branch or even his mace handle.
This is exciting!
He finds very little of interest, though he could still use his mace.
And finds it too heavy to move.
He notices that the door is set against the entrance rather loosely. It still seems very heavy, but it should be possible, if very difficult, to move out of the way.
Kaiser pushes against the door, but can’t quite seem to find a good grip, and the door remains in place.