Observations

By the way, I'm going to try to integrate religion more noticeably into the gameworld, so here's a preliminary list of the primary deities worshipped by the party's devout, including their titles, values, rivals, enemies, and allies: Avariel Heironeous : likes chivalry, justice, honor, war, daring, valor, glory, inquisition, and law; dislikes cowardice, treachery, deceit, and crime   Titles: The Invincible   Enemies: Hextor   Allies: Ilmater, Pelor, Garl Glittergold, Moradin, Yondalla, all gods who stand against evil Rezinov Ilmater : likes endurance, martyrdom, perseverance, taking on others' burdens, helping the oppressed; dislikes oppressors, hates abusers of children   Titles: The Crying God, the Broken God, the One on The Rack , the Lord on The Rack , the One Who Endures   Enemies: Hextor   Allies: Heironeous , Pelor Kraggan Ehlonna: likes woodlands, plants, animals, fertility, kindness, growth, purification; dislikes disrespect for nature, undead, worked metals, civilization   Titles: Ehlonna of the Forests   Enemies: Karaan , Nerull   Rivals: Obad-Hai (natural beauty vs unbiased brutal nature)   Allies: the Seldarine , Atroa Hamanap Bahamut : likes good/metallic dragons, wisdom, enlightened justice, wind, skies; dislikes evil/chromatic dragons, selfishness, the underdark   Titles: The Platinum Dragon, King of Good Dragons, Lord of the North Wind (holy book:  Wind and World )   Enemies: Faluzure, Garyx, Kalzareinad (dead), Orcus, Tenebrous (vestige), Task, Tiamat, various fiendish lords   Allies: Aasterinian, Arcanic, Astilabor, Corellon Larethian, Garl Glittergold, Heironeous, Hlal, Isora, Jazirian, Kereska, Koriel, Lendys, Moradin, Nathair Sgiathach, Rais, Tamara, Torm, Tyr, Yondalla, Zorquan Xankoris Isora : likes tradition, family, nature, purification, festivals, storms; dislikes loss, forgetting, contamination, disrespect for tradition   Titles: Fortune of the Seashore, the Raging Widow, Heart of the Storm   Enemies: The Lying Darkness   Allies: Suitengu (Fortune of the sea), Bahamut Ering Wee Jas : likes law, magic, flattery, love, respect for the dead; dislikes illegal/unwilling reanimation, tomb-robbing, lawbreaking, brutality   Titles: Witch Goddess, Ruby Sorceress, Stern Lady, Death's Guardian, Eldest of the Dead (uhholy book:  The White Book ; heretical The Abominable Devastation )   Enemies: Olidammara   Rivals: Myrhiss     Allies: Norebo (secret lover), Boccob, Saint Cuthbert Limar Astilabor : likes wealth, hoarding, and the status richness brings; dislikes theft, poverty, and sloth   Titles: The Acquisitor, the Hoardmistress (holy book:  The Eternal Hoard )   Enemies: Abbathor, Task, Tiamat    Allies: Aasterinian, Arcanic, Bahamut, Elemtia, Hlal, Kereska, Rais, Sardior, Tamara, Zorquan

Dawi said: Ering looks surprised and full of questions, but tries to hide it (badly, since he's a pretty terrible liar) with an awkward smile.  "That's..." Ering looks at him with compassion. "That's pretty deep. And these cave hide a danger after almost every corner." He gestures at himself and his companions, not wounded but clearly tired from the fighting. "I'm certain that bar a direct divine intervention we won't be able to reach the third level today, but if you are willing to retreat with us I would welcome you in our talks." Rezinov gives Ering a quiet nod. "Understandable, I had been restless for three months before you people set me free. I should sit still and chill myself out for a night."

one covenant an they own your soul, I'd prefer "draconic pantheon" hiskel-I'm fine with the execution plan.

Josh said: one covenant an they own your soul, I'd prefer "draconic pantheon" Haha, fair enough. I'll update my notes. Keep in mind though, the various dragon deities will probably try to court Limar's favor as he gains more influence and personal power, especially those he's shown particular favor to.

While the party is greeting your new allies, Hirohito draws Xankoris aside for a moment and says quietly, glancing up at the shadowy form of the Deathmantle floating weightlessly over him, "I must warn you, my descendant, to be wary of the shinigami  bound to you. Such creatures should never be trusted... Death is their nature, and they will only bring ruin in the end." Knowledge (the planes) applies.

Knowledge (The Planes) check: 13 "I understand that well, my ancestor. But I'm Shugenja, Keeping Ningen-do and other spirit realms in a good relationship is one of my duty. Even he seems like The Lying Darkness, he is no evil but a process of world, the end for the new beginning." said Xankoris in an assertive voice, though this man is his ancestor, duty and code is what he abide by.

Ritt K. said: Knowledge (The Planes) check: 13 "I understand that well, my ancestor. But I'm Shugenja, Keeping Ningen-do and other spirit realms in a good relationship is one of my duty. Even he seems like The Lying Darkness, he is no evil but a process of world, the end for the new beginning." said Xankoris in an assertive voice, though this man is his ancestor, duty and code is what he abide by. As Xankoris said, he has been trained in such duties, and knows the dangers that spirits can present--especially shinigami , the Hànyǔ word for things like death elementals and the psychopomps that serve death gods.  The Mist Shadow nods respectfully, deferring to your expert opinion on the matter. "As you say, sensei . I serve only the Crane, in death as I did in life."

It hails on and off the rest of Earthday, though not hard enough to cause any real trouble. Once you've imprisoned the lizardwoman and settled the new freedfolk at your camp, things quiet down. That evening a patrolling guard reports the sounds of movement near the camp, and upon investigating you easily capture a sounder of pigs, two slave pigherds, and the gnoll soldier who was guarding them. That night, Xankoris has some nightmares, which have grown more common since he became attainted.  By morning, you've grown stronger from your ordeals! You gain the following boons:     Avariel: +2 spell resistance and +1 to existing innate energy resistances     Kraggan: Ride-By Attack and Trample (instead of hoof, secondary claw d3)     Xankoris: Void Use (description here ) and +1 Cha     Ering: Empower Spell and Widen Spell     Hiskel: temporary fly speed from Draconic Flight [Draconic] now lasts 1 round, and can be continued without interruption by casting as her first action each turn

Ooh, neat. So I basically got the Improved Spell Resistance feat as a bonus feat? For reference that feat literally does exactly what you said, raises SR by 2, can be taken multiple times, as an untyped bonus. The innate energy resistances are the acid/cold/electricity from half-celestial but NOT the fire resistance, since that is granted by a spell... I'll put this in. Didn't expect this, but I like it. Does this raise the maximum value of my spell resistance as listed in the Half-celestial template? The maximum is 35, so it shouldn't ever matter unless we make it into epic levels but just for my own sanity...

Nate S. said: Ooh, neat. So I basically got the Improved Spell Resistance feat as a bonus feat? For reference that feat literally does exactly what you said, raises SR by 2, can be taken multiple times, as an untyped bonus. The innate energy resistances are the acid/cold/electricity from half-celestial but NOT the fire resistance, since that is granted by a spell... I'll put this in. Didn't expect this, but I like it. Does this raise the maximum value of my spell resistance as listed in the Half-celestial template? The maximum is 35, so it shouldn't ever matter unless we make it into epic levels but just for my own sanity... I knew there was a feat that did something like it, but didn't care to bother looking it up. :P But you can treat it as the feat if you like. It does raise the maximum of any SR you have or get, and applies to any source of SR you have or get (so for example if a spell temporarily gave you SR higher than your racial SR, the spell's SR would be +2 more from this boon as well). I've added the tokens for your new acquisitions to the camp map as well: the slaves you freed from Zurello (Cassie, Aurora, and Hikaru), the captive lizardwoman adept Kuomo, the captive gnoll soldier Rakscha, the slave pigherds (Sam and Deanna) with their sounder, and the freed prisoners (Contra and Lyle). 

On Harvester 17th, while Ering is stuck at the Stone River Waypoint and the forest is rather foggy, Hamanap gets a sending  from Limar in the Stonefare and updates the party that he's apparently freed some crippled and broken slaves given to him by Rith One-Eye, and wants her help with their various maladies. She replies to him that she can heal most wounds and curses, and therapy can help with mental damage, but she cannot yet restore maimed limbs. After all the trips back and forth, your camp is much lighter. The freedfolk are all back at the Waypoint , as well as your prisoners of war, most of the pigs, and several of your guards. Your camp now contains: Allies: Jargon (merc)                 Rezinov (angel) Guards: Helra (Limar's follower)                 Ahmed (merc)                 Pvt Aleslosh (assistant cook/trapsmith), Pvt Dan (Ering's soldiers)                 Sir Sevyir (hedge knight)                 Contra (half-elf warrior1, rescued Companion) Servants: Jarkel (trapsmith), Rebeka (cook), Hannah (kennelmaster/forager), Alty (teamster) Animals: Harren (Sir Sevyir's old quarterhorse stallion, light warhorse ridden by Sir Sevyir)                 Boots (old heavy paint plowhorse clydesdale, heavy horse pulling the wagon with Jess)                 Jess (blue roan hinny mule pulling the wagon with Boots)                 Cade (yellow lab, guard dog)                 Margo (catahoula, hunting dog)                 James (siberian husky, fighting dog)                 3 sheep                 5 pigs Supplies: Rations, tents, cooking gear, sleeping rolls, arrows, trapmaking supplies, misc camping gear The tents are ringed with a staked trench, Jarkel and Aleslosh have laid some simple traps in the surrounding forest, Hiskel has placed 5 alarms (36 hours, audible, guards know the passwords) around the camp? The whole area, including the wagon nearby, is well-concealed with more undergrowth magically grown by Kraggan. Guards take shifts (3 day, 3 night), plus 2 strong members with camp to help protect the others (switching out between raids)     Dayshift: Helra, Ahmed, Pvt Dan     Nightshift: Aleslosh, Sir Sevyir, Contra When Hiskel returns, Hamanap gives her the sealed letter. It's from the shipping  merchant Gardren Payne, thanking her for her donations to the Wayfinders Library in Waterwend . Does Hiskel update the extended  alarm  spells around it when Ering  teleports  her back?

she will renew the alarms.

At around the same time the raid team is attacking the kitchens, Hurock flaps down into the hidden camp on the surface of Zorall's forest. Xankoris and Hamanap recognize his white wingtips as he comes to a landing on one of the tentpoles and speaks in his dry voice. "Leoavor sends word, caw. Slaves sent off, refugees from the Wintereye ." He holds out a scrollcase now clutched in one foot.

"Where is Wintereye?" said Xankoris, he reaches his hand to take the scroll case, open it, and read the content.

Ritt K. said: "Where is Wintereye?" said Xankoris, he reaches his hand to take the scroll case, open it, and read the content. "Right where the hag's forest used to be, caw," Hurock says dourly, as you unfurl the hastily-written letter from Leoavor. In it, he first explains about the fates of the freed slaves returned by Ering. Pam, Peggy, Hikaru, Cassie, and Deanna chose to stay at the Stone River Waypoint , and were given duties to tend to. He bought passage on merchant boats for the rest to the destinations they wished, and gave them each some silver to ease their journey: Lyle went back to Waterwend , Aurora returned home to her family's farm, Sam went to Treefall to escape the war, Carey and Jake went to offer their service as cooks to the Red King. He goes on to tell of an unexpected influx of ragged and waterlogged refugees from the fiefs in Litheria's Forest , serfs led by a headman named Grogery. They told Leoavor about some sort of supernatural disaster in the forest which spread a blanket of deadly cold, ice, and snow nearly to its fringes. They had no choice but to flee the unnatural winter, and lost some people along the way to the cold and the strange, ravenous creatures it brought with it; along the way, they came to call the event 'the Wintereye '. Leoavor writes that he's given them land to work in the outlying Hills of Light  around the Waypoint , promising protection in return for regular tribute once their crops bear, as well as having Traubonn treat their sick and frostbitten. When you and Hamanap finish reading, Hurocks caws again, asking "You want to send a letter back? Or maybe offer a poor working stiff some corn or baubles?"

"I'll have to discuss with the others before replying." Xankoris reaches into his pocket and gives Hurock a gold piece. "Here, take it, though it's not as shiny as Rokugan's coin, It's what I only have." Xankoris turns to Hamanap and says: "Do you know what kind of magic or creature that could cause such an event? Actually, is there even winter in Suloise?"

Ritt K. said: "I'll have to discuss with the others before replying." Xankoris reaches into his pocket and gives Hurock a gold piece. "Here, take it, though it's not as shiny as Rokugan's coin, It's what I only have." Xankoris turns to Hamanap and says: "Do you know what kind of magic or creature that could cause such an event? Actually, is there even winter in Suloise?" Hurock snatches it up eagerly in his beak, and takes off with a flutter of white and black. Hamanap frowns, worry creasing the fine, smooth features of her dark nubian skin. "To turn an entire forest into a realm of ice and snow? Something truly terrible in scope... perhaps the will of a god of winter. I have heard that the uldra people of Hyperborea sometimes worship an evil god named Iborighu, but I do not know of any of His cults this far to the south. I do not think it could be the Suloise, either... isn't Suel a country of jungles and deserts?" she ponders, sounding unsure. Knowledge (geography), (history), (nobility & royalty), (religion), and (the planes) apply.

Knowledge (Geography) check: 10 Knowledge (History) check: 19 Knowledge (Nobility) check: 14 Knowledge (Religion) check: 7 Knowledge (The Planes) check: 13 "I don't know, just a wild guess."

Ritt K. said: Knowledge (History) check: 19 Knowledge (Nobility) check: 14 Knowledge (The Planes) check: 13 Hamanap's words remind you that the Suloise who've harried the nations of southeastern Oerik for centuries are actually descended from colonists who came from the Flaness more than 1200 years ago. Their ancestral homelands included many frigid places, unlike the humid jungles and arid deserts of the Suel you and she know. You also recall that Kraggan spent some time with an uldra priest in Treefall earlier this year, while you were busy studying a spell... and that there are said to be 'thin places' in the Catacombs where the barriers between the planes have weakened, allowing the qualities of other planes to bleed into this one. Perhaps if a plane of eternal winter were to break into the Material Plane, it could leak in and cause something like this Wintereye ? "I'm just glad Leoavor was able to give the refugees a safe place to live," Hamanap says, while you're lost in thought remembering all this.

"That's right, having many people on our side would make our Slave-free Waterwend go with ease for sure." Xankoris nods in agreement. "Planes... bleeding, so it's like Shadowland, but with snow; Snowland it is. Siwan, do you know how to stop planes from breaking?"

Ritt K. said: "Planes... bleeding, so it's like Shadowland, but with snow; Snowland it is. Siwan, do you know how to stop planes from breaking?" In your heart, Siwan's ephemeral, faintly echoing voice whispers "The inner and outer planes are supposed to stay separate from this one... only magic can bridge them, but it usually only works for a few moments. Like when you cast that spell that brings lifeforce from the positive energy plane, or the one you made to bring an ancestor's soul from the outer planes. Bleeding between planes means a longer, stronger connection... the fabric of reality worn thin. Very unstable, very dangerous. Can spread, like seam tearing in clothes. Lots of places like that in the Catacombs, I sense them when we travel sometimes... but most are small, temporary. Very strong magic breaks them, only very strong magic can repair them." When you convey this to Hamanap, she nods slowly, thinking. "I remember stories of places like that... they can happen all over the world, but there are a lot of them here in the Catacombs. They say they're leftover damage from the Lich-King's reckless experiments with epic wizardry. A part of what draws adventurers and the powers here, too... everyone looking for access to strange magics, otherworldly creatures, and arcane secrets to be gleaned. Perhaps we should consult a sage, when the raids are over?"

"We should, my current power couldn't completely seal the bleeding. Who is that sage anyway?"

Ritt K. said: "We should, my current power couldn't completely seal the bleeding. Who is that sage anyway?" "Hmm..." Hamanap muses, tapping a short-trimmed nail on her chin. "Perhaps the high priest of Labelas Enoreth in Treefall ... Enialis, I think his name is. Kraggan once told me that she consulted with him while searching for the Cult of Vecna there. He's very wise and learned, as I understand it."

"I see. He helped us a lot back then, maybe I should give him something in return."

Ritt K. said: "I see. He helped us a lot back then, maybe I should give him something in return." "Like what? A painting, perhaps?" Hamanap asks with a smile.

"I rather give him books, but Treefall library probably out-books many cities. I could write one I'm sure that my ancestors are willing to help if I just ask."

Ritt K. said: "I rather give him books, but Treefall library probably out-books many cities. I could write one I'm sure that my ancestors are willing to help if I just ask." "That sounds like an excellent idea!" Hamanap admits. "A book of ancient Rokugani histories would be a rare prize indeed for a keeper of lore." The raid team makes it back to the hidden camp in the early evening, leading a huge crowd of freed slaves and a handful of prisoners. The Kurta kobold tribe alone comprises more than 3 dozen individuals, including their albino champion Sja'renj, and you liberated 18 other slaves of various races as well. These include the heavily pregnant 'wife' you took from her harem, who still has not been told the fate of her son Armis. Your prisoners of war from this raid are comprised of 4 hobgoblin crossbowmen, an orc, a human, a giant half-dragoness minotaur, and the half-dragoness wood elf Raliza--this last is particularly valuable, as Zorall's high priestess of Garyx. All 8 are now tightly bound with rope salvaged from Zorall's own stores. Along the way, Raliza regained consciousness and has been compliant but otherwise silent and brooding. Sja'renj's poisoning was able to be treated and he'll survive his wounds, though like most of the raid team he's quite beaten up. The Kurta kobolds are mostly quite wary of Avariel and Rezinov, but otherwise seem overjoyed at their freedom. A few of them tell the Draconic-fluent among you that they knew this day would come, as when the Kurta were first enslaved, an aged shaman named Enka (now dead) prophesied that a band of avengers would one day come to cast down the Dragon and free her people from bondage. You also looted several sacks and chests of treasure, which I'll post details about in the Loot thread. Once you're back at the camp and everyone's sorted out, Axil (who has since dropped his magical guise as a drow officer) brings the topic of discussion from earlier back up: "So. We know Kendling knows we're here, and he's been instituting countermeasures against us. From what I hear, he's been laying ambushes too, which is why most of the entrances are sealed off--actually, forcing your way into one of those was brilliant. If you'd looked for an occupied one, you would have walked right into a deadly trap. But now we need to decide if we want to keep raiding, or withdraw back to the Stone River Waypoint and let Zorall bring the fight to us ." "Either way, I like you folks," Jargon says with a rough grin, his teeth still stained a deep crimson with his own blood. "If you'll have an old raider, I'd like to keep fightin' beside ya." "We have a lot of smallfolk living around the Waypoint ..." Hamanap points out with a look of deep concern. "They would be in grave danger if Zorall's forces laid siege, and our lands would doubtless be burned as well. But we also have too many innocents here now, too... our camp cannot conceal so many freed slaves, even with the larger cave and the undergrowth our Fateseeker has cultivated."

Avariel nods. "I don't blame you for being concerned; that said, it would be far easier to defend the Waypoint in the event Zorall decides to mount an attack; remember, he could attempt to attack the Waypoint even if we are not there, which could be devastating. I am certainly not the brightest tactician, but retreat here does seem wise." At some point, Avariel will privately say a prayer for Armis: " Eli amaltakh teina'am va'ur, ateith ma'are'ir nafash sakhrinam kamilo Armis, ki taravo aszereth meikom limekh meikarai'im. Rakhto tisal etor, lihei ba'alam kava, va'etei va'altam aisano salam ve'atum. My Lord who doth love Mercy and Light, grant Salvation to the soul of Armis who knew not the Path of Light, for his heart knew no fear and that is not without merit. May his spirit be safe in the World to Come, and may he and all those who held him dear know Clarity and Peace. Yihei raszon etor. " ( Yihei raszon etor is sort of like "Amen" and does not translate well literally; " Yihei " means "Shall be/exist" and " razson " means "right" or "good" or "moral," but the word " etor " is a sort of particle that indicates a desire or wish for something and does not have a direct translation. See " Keinakh etor" ("let's go") as a reason why it is not translated as "I hope") (I sort of loosely based Eli Amaltakh  on the Hebrew prayer  El Malei Rakhamim   but I am Jewish so it's fine lol)

Rezinov switched to his human vessel and said, "I am going to descend further, so the lord's will shall be done".

Hiskel- "We don't have to let kendling siege the waypoint, if he does march our scouts will see them an we can meet them in the field" Sja'renj- Will go find Karso (tribe chieftain) and return the dagger. in draconic " The tribes free now, where will we go?"

Xankoris considers what he could do, then suggests, "How about we have a countermeasure for their countermeasure? There's a spell in Rokugan that can render projectile useless, send them back, and a lot worse. I only need a week and 1000 GP to bring one of them back again."

"Avariel is right. Axil told us that Kendling himself is coming for us next, probably with an army of soldiers, mercenaries, Greensleeves trolls and some of the remaining raidleaders. This cave is unfortunately too exposed, and we are in enemy territory. We will be able to defend ourselves and the people we rescued if we fall back to the Waypoint. Like all sieges the smallfolk will have to take shelter inside our keep, and their field and homes may be burned, but that will be nothing compared to what could happen if Zorall decides to attack them while we are not there to defend." "Luring Zorall to attack us might have another benefit that the dragon isn't considering right now... What do you think his enemies and his opportunistic allies will do once they know he has been weakened and he is laying siege far away from his dungeons? If he truly overreaches and moves on the Waypoint then it will truly be a fatal mistake." "We should definitely interrogate the prisoners. Extracting information from Raliza will be hard, but she's bound to know a lot about what could come next."  Ritt K. said: Rezinov switched to his human vessel and said, "I am going to descend further, so the lord's will shall be done". "So you will continue raiding Zorall's caves even if leave? Could we persuade you otherwise or were you ordered by your lord?" Ritt K.  said: Xankoris considers what he could do, then suggests, "How about we have a countermeasure for their countermeasure? There's a spell in Rokugan that can render projectile useless, send them back, and a lot worse. I only need a week and 1000 GP to bring one of them back again." "This is something clearly worth exploring. Will you need to conduct research somewhere in particular or is the Waypoint enough?"

Dawi said: "So you will continue raiding Zorall's caves even if leave? Could we persuade you otherwise or were you ordered by your lord?" "I was ordered by my lord, that's right. If you want help from us, I suggest you bind one of us with spell first." Dawi said: "This is something clearly worth exploring. Will you need to conduct research somewhere in particular or is the Waypoint enough?" "Waypoint is enough."

Josh said: Sja'renj- Will go find Karso (tribe chieftain) and return the dagger. in draconic " The tribes free now, where will we go?" Karso accepts the dagger, as the other kobolds of the Kurta tribe gather around excitedly, all speaking in their yapping Draconic. "This is a question most grave," Karso says, and turns to the wizened, nearly-blind shaman of the tribe, Yorpu. "Wisest elder, in this time of prophecy, what should the Kurta do?" Karso asks in a solemn tone. Yorpu bobbles her head, leaning on a wooden cane as withered and gnarled as she is. "The prophecy spoke of the dragon's fall..." she says in her reedy voice. "But the dragon yet lives. Until these avengers slay him, we shall never be truly free. Let us lend them our aid, that they might grant the Kurta our dearest dream." Karso nods to her, so deep and respectful that it's almost a bow. Then she holds out the white, carved fang of a dagger to Sja'renj in both hands. "Sja'renj, champion of the Kurta, blessed with the blood of dragonkind, I bequest you thus: join these Wayfinders, and with this Winter's Bite, fang of our mightiest ancestor, help them to cast down the dragonlord Zorall. We shall travel north, and hide in wait for the day of our final liberation. We will know by the signs Enka spoke of in her vision, a day ' when the land burns and the skies weep '. When that time comes, return to us." Ritt K. said: Dawi said: "This is something clearly worth exploring. Will you need to conduct research somewhere in particular or is the Waypoint enough?" "Waypoint is enough." "Does it work against multiple arrows, or on multiple people? If that was our last raid, we ought to focus on things that'll help in larger-scale battles, I imagine," Axil points out. Dawi said: "We should definitely interrogate the prisoners. Extracting information from Raliza will be hard, but she's bound to know a lot about what could come next."  Hamanap nods, quoting from her scripture: "' Caution is ever wisdom's tool. ' Skies 7:4. I will help with the questioning, but I must insist that there be no  torture." She looks pointedly at Hiskel when she says this last.

Max said: "Does it work against multiple arrows, or on multiple people? If that was our last raid, we ought to focus on things that'll help in larger-scale battles, I imagine," Axil points out.     "Glad you asked, It depends." Xankoris turns to Axil. "Here, let me show some examples." He casts Minor image spell. "Haven't used this for a while, bear with me."     Several diminutive-sized Air elementals surround Xankoris with a protective whirlwind. "Blessed winds, pretty nice for personal protection, but there's more."     Air Kami are now all gone and then the wall of shimmering, churning water encircles Xankoris in 10ft. radius. "This is Castle of Water, one of the castle spells. It can deflect normals projectile, some magical flame, and space intrusion, but it can't block boulders, catapult shots, ray spells, and such. I recommend this against the tanglefoot bag and alike."     Of course, those aren't only Rokugani's protective spells. Xankoris also duplicates himself, filling every space in a 15ft radius, "Castle of air, they couldn't hit when they don't know which is the real one."     He then makes figment arrow comes toward him, but instead of getting hit, the projectile bends around as flowing water bends around a rock in river hit the ground behind. "Fortune's turn, though I have to casts it for every projectile, but there's no way it could've hit the target."     "There are a lot more than that, some are even prohibited. But for the real large scale, I need a month. And the area of it, about 2-miles radius."

Sja'renj accepts the dagger "Flesh or spirit I shall return." -wonders what a 2 foot tall lizard can do in the battle of angels and dragons.  hiskel wonders why hammy is looking at her? sense motive 13 " I was hoping to get the chance to talk to Raliza more about garyx and fire ,perhaps by appealing to her interests i might get her to open or slip up about important information if I knew what to look for?" " either way I'm sure she would be a great asset to my search for the true name of flame, I don't mind paying her blood debt to stay her execution after our treasure is sorted of course." 

When Ering asked Raliza about "other half-dragon names he heard: Cransh, Orzak, Zariah, Agrazar, Lemurion", this was her full answer: "Oh right, I forgot about Cransh... it's a weird one, sleeps most of the time and doesn't really talk except in Terran. Half-earth elemental, and a huge one at that. Kendling told it to start going around searching for you guys the other day, but I heard it can only move through unworked stone, so most of the caves must be a hassle for it. Orzak is half-ettin, dumb but strong. He's been patrolling the skies, along with Zariah, who's a demon-dragon. She breathes hellfire, like me, but for her it's natural. I got mine through the Ritual of Rebirth," she says with pride. "Erianna is half-gynosphinx, one of the vault guardians. She loves riddles, and spends all her time alone making up new ones. They say she'll let you take a piece of the treasures she guards if you can answer one. Agrazar is half-ogre mage, much smarter breed than most ogres. I think she's been helping the raidleaders set ambushes, though she can fly too, so she might be on forest patrol. And Lemurion is half-naga, a big winged serpent. She's a vault guardian like Erianna. I think they've been stockpiling most of my lord father's treasure from the first level down into vaults like the ones they protect, where it'll be safer."

In the days following the Storming, while recuperating and relaxing, some of the Wayfinders find that they've grown stronger from coming through the crucible of war: Avariel has gained 10 bonus skill points, +1 maximum hit point, +4 to saves vs daze and stun, and the Snatch Arrows feat. Kraggan has gained the Elemental Essence (cold) [Wild] and Elemental Essence (electricity) [Wild] feats (COC058), and when casting  summon nature's ally  she has a 30% chance of an extra creature appearing. Sja'renj gains a bonus rogue  special ability . Ering has mastered the Combat Casting, Heighten Spell [Metamagic], Reinforce Spell [Metamagic], Kinetic Spell [Metamagic], and Envigorating Spell [Metamagic] feats. His familiars now always have DR 5/magic and +10 maximum hit points, and to his spells per day he gains a lv3 bonus spell and two lv1 bonus spells. The Wayfinders are now recognized as a lesser power of the Catacombs, and have gained a new magical party title: Dragonslayers (+2 to damage and saves vs dragons) Xankoris finds that  howl of Isora  has been permanently changed by the event at the  Waypoint , and is now called  Isora's cleansing tears . Instead of howling wind and lightning that deal damage and fatigue, it now creates a gentle rainfall that heals equivalent damage, ends fatigue, minor fear, and confusion conditions, and soothes sorrow. It seems that the spell itself has changed, for anyone who casts it from now on...  Xankoris's favorite outfit was also permanently changed, the blue parts turned to a wind/wave pattern and white parts now trimmed with silver, as the mark of his role. He also gains the magical title Champion of Isora, which lets him cast an extra air or water (meaning Shugenja listings, not descriptors) spell of each spell level per day. This outfit is now magically resilient, no longer showing wear and tear or getting dirty easily, and it also counts as a holy symbol of Isora.  You soon come to realize that the rain that fell over the Waypoint and Zorall's forest seems to have fallen everywhere at once, for a few minutes... people are saying that all the storms everywhere nearby were soothed at that same hour, and a gentle drizzle fell from the sky that brought life from any ground it landed on. Some are suggesting it may have even been a worldwide event, and people are soon calling it the Worldrain.

Snatch arrows relies on a prerequisite that I don’t have (deflect arrows); is that the one you meant to give me?

Nate S. said: Snatch arrows relies on a prerequisite that I don’t have (deflect arrows); is that the one you meant to give me? Yes, the prerequisites can be waived for DM-granted boons.

Well the feat reads "whenever you use Deflect Arrows..." so I think there's a reason for it being a prerequisite in this case LOL Since Snatch Arrows itself isn't a prerequisite for anything, if your intent was to give Avariel the option to catch a projectile that was fired at him without giving him he option to simply deflect it (which would be strange) maybe an (Ex) ability that reads something like this would make sense:  Once per round, when you would normally be hit by a ranged weapon, if that attack didn't originate from a spell, you can catch the projectile so that you take no damage from it. Thrown weapons can be thrown back at the original attacker (even though it isn't your turn) or kept for later use. Using this ability doesn't count as an action, but you must be aware of the attack and not flat-footed. Also the fact that you gave me a bonus to save vs stun and daze makes me wary that we're gonna be facing enemies with a lot of those abilities in my character arc, LOL

no bonus for limar?

Nate S. said: Well the feat reads "whenever you use Deflect Arrows..." so I think there's a reason for it being a prerequisite in this case LOL Since Snatch Arrows itself isn't a prerequisite for anything, if your intent was to give Avariel the option to catch a projectile that was fired at him without giving him he option to simply deflect it (which would be strange) maybe an (Ex) ability that reads something like this would make sense:  Once per round, when you would normally be hit by a ranged weapon, if that attack didn't originate from a spell, you can catch the projectile so that you take no damage from it. Thrown weapons can be thrown back at the original attacker (even though it isn't your turn) or kept for later use. Using this ability doesn't count as an action, but you must be aware of the attack and not flat-footed. Hmm, that's a good point. Alright, instead of Snatch Arrows let's go with that, adding the additional caveats: "Unusually massive ranged weapons, such as hurled boulders or siege weapon ammunition, cannot be caught this way. You must have a hand free to use this ability, though you may let go of something held with one hand to use it as long as you don't drop the held item by doing so (such as a two-handed weapon)." Josh said: no bonus for limar? Limar was actually already ahead on effective wealth for his ECL, thanks to devouring so much of the Stonefare's treasury. His 'boons' from this story arc are currently represented by all the defensive abilities he gained from digesting it. :P

Cool  yep. Read dem feats first lul

I'm trying out a new thing for new characters. Here are some rumors the rest of the Wayfinders may have heard about Arsenal (or at least someone vaguely fitting his description), over the last few years: A horned, masked elf has been hunting undead in Ischonn's dungeons, using swaths of fire to incinerate the ghouls and wights that roam them. Witnesses to a rash of assassinations among Kentwing 's nobility have reported a masked intruder who can walk unseen and pass through walls. Hextorian Inquisitors from Kentwing have been hunting for an assassin in a white mask, claiming he wields forbidden powers. Some of the caravaneers who travel the Catacombs' trade routes tell tales of being protected by a masked, itinerant elf-spirit. In some of these stories, his very steps shake the earth, while river merchants whisper of the same figure driving off pirates and walking on water. Treefall 's Assassins Guild denies any connection to Kentwing 's recent assassinations, or to a masked warrior-mage called The Arsenal whom some believe to be one of their top-ranked contract killers, willing to do anything for the right price. Of course, the Assassins Guild always denies such things... In the back alleys of Waterwend 's Red-Light District , criminals whisper that The Arsenal is actually a cult of Chaos, whose members don identical black clothing and white masks to conceal their identity when performing acts of anarchist terrorism. Some think they're for hire, while others claim the cultists are pure ideologists, acting only to spread change and disrupt the status quo.

Kentwing is a kingdom? and/or a city? Waterwend is a city of Kentwing or another city?

Dully noted that our Arsenal is not nescesserally this Arsenal and is also a cult.     Uneasy alliances everywhere !! Hopefully for Sidsaspi, this Tri-Facto can all work togheter....

phil G. said: Kentwing is a kingdom? and/or a city? Waterwend is a city of Kentwing or another city? Wrad wouldn't be as familiar with the Catacombs region, having just arrived following the visions Nola gave him, so he wouldn't have heard these rumors yet. But after the raid, when he's had some time to talk with the Wayfinders and learn more about the surrounding area, he'll at least get a sense of these important settlements. Kentwing  is a human/elven town in the northern part of the region, one of the so-called Three Cities  (the others being Strongtown  and Talys Grotto ). It's known for being a Hextorian theocracy, ruled by the cruel Baroness Lirella as part of the human kingdom of Terolus. Waterwend  is a tallfellow halfling port town on the Orthan River , one of the  River Cities  (the others being Treefall , Bowhery , and more recently Base Camp ) that thrive on the trade that moves along the surface rivers of the region. It's known for being the economic and geographic center of the region, and joined the human kingdom a couple years ago in order to survive the Stone River  War.

Regarding the assassinations in Kentwing, did any of them seem strange to Ering, like following a pattern? Anything regarding the Marquis Goldenblade? Oh and what happened to Litheria's plague in Waterwend during the timeskip?

Dawi  said: Regarding the assassinations in Kentwing, did any of them seem strange to Ering, like following a pattern? Anything regarding the Marquis Goldenblade? Oh and what happened to Litheria's plague in Waterwend during the timeskip? Axil was recalled to  Kentwing  to help guard House Goldenblade while they were going on, and talked with you about it during and afterwards. From what you and he observed, it seemed like just a particularly vicious period of the ongoing shadow war between the many noble houses of the city. Members of House Goldenblade were attacked twice, but Axil managed to drive off the assassins--none of whom wore masks like Arsenal's, that you recall from his stories. He heard the rumors about the white-masked killer as well, but believed most of the slayings to have been enacted by contracted Guild Assassins or the retained private assassins of other noble Houses. Roll Knowledge (local) to see if you recall more details, and Intelligence to notice any unusual pattern. Your investigations with Leoavor led to the conclusion that the plague was being proactively spread by radical former followers of Litheria dying of demon fever after their flight from the  Wintereye . Hamanap then organized a joint task force with the  Temple of Yondalla  and the  Church of Arvoreen  to root out these anarchists, quarantine the infected, and wipe out the disease in  Waterwend . By the way, you never told me if you accepted General Remand's offer to replace the men you lost during the  Stone River  War.