Angorath. That was the name of the city, if you could call it that. Slum would be more accurate word. A slum built around a castle instead of a city. Local folk were so poor that you wouldn't be surprised if one of the beggars laying on the thin streets was dead, nobody would notice, the stench couldn't get worse.
Basically, people only lived here because it was the only place with water within weeks' journey on a camel through blazing wasteland. Those unfortunate to be born here had nowhere to go, and the new people were brought as slaves to the "overlord". Igniis, was his name, and the castle was his. Most people could tell from his name that there was efreeti-blood in his veins, if only a little. He wasn't necessary a bad man, or any worse than most other leaders. He simply didn't care about the townsfolk dying. He didn't really need them for anything - if they could make a living on the outskirts of his castle and entertain his soldiers during the night, fine, but if they couldn't, it wouldn't be much of a problem, either. He'd just take some slaves on a raiding trip, they'd fulfill the role just fine.
Either way, the reason you arrived was not because you felt like kicking the haughty "overlord" the hell away. In fact, it had nothing to do with him.. Kind of. You were here tracking a man who didn't exist, to make sense of something that no one ever could. This man went by the name "master of masks", a name that sounded fairly alluring to your ears. So far, he was your best hope of finding others with masks similar to yours. The problem? The man was a goddamn enigma. Disguise, bluff, forgery, lies and contacts. That was his repertoire of resources, and for one reason or another, he had decided to dedicate his life and skills to not being anyone, anywhere, but still being exactly anyone he wished to be. For one reason or another, it seemed that right now he wanted to be an advisor to Igniis. The reason that had damn better be good.
So, there you stood, on a tightly packed street with poor beggars staring up at you in hopes that you'd drop them a coin, so they could buy some food from any of the local hunters. You weren't even sure what there was to hunt in this barren landscape, but there had to be something. At least the castle had a moat with water at the bottom of it. The shadow of the castle looms overhead, making you feel like you were standing on a gigantic sundial and it was the needle whose shadow pointed the time. Perhaps the time was for you to finally get some damn answers, and the company your mask so seemed to crave.
This is posted now due to Dalkon's ADHD. Most of the masks are complete with stats, some of them are not. I'll finish them later today.
The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Feeling less than comfortable in this city, Ir'Throsar had immediately dimmed the powers of his Fey ancestry so as to not attract any unwanted attention from the populace within the city as soon as he had detected the rotting stench coming from the city. He also wrapped part of his traveling cloak up around his face so as to help staunch the scent from his mouth and nose, to little effect as the stench was quite unbearable. He could feel the revulsion emanating from his familiar at the smell as well.
Slowly and cautiously Ir'Throsar made his way into the city, and wound through the streets toward the Castle Entrance. He figured it would be easiest to make his presence known in a peaceful manner as opposed to forcing entrance. Hopefully this would work, Though as he was traveling he was also consulting what knowledge he had gained while traveling here about this land. He wanted to try and discover what type of reception he would receive at this castle.
Igniis is a prince of an old ruling family in the desert area. Sadly for him, this does not mean much, considering that the sultans tend to have hundreds of wifes and more children. You have heard that his prowess in arms is legendary, and that he wields a ranseur to battle. His path to this position remains slightly unknown to you, but you know that he used to serve in his father's military for a long period of time, and there are rumours about him learning some forgotten lore that helped him to secure his piece of the desert.
He has had a reputation for being quite reckless in warfare, but since land to conquer is not that important, most of his attacks have mostly been to rob riches to sell or to further his "kingdom". Currently he is having fairly bad relationships to the slightly larger kingdom to the east, led by Halfstalker Halelip, a peaceful man who'd rather not engage in warfare.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
"Interesting, Interesting." Ir'Throsar mutters to himself under his breath. He glances up at the castle again, trying to determine the rough value of the castle overall.
Appraise check:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +25 modifier
20 + 25
Don't know if an appraise check works on something this big or not?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero." -- Varsuvius, Order of the Stick
The price is hard to determine, just looking at it from the outside. What's inside is what matters, after all. You can tell that the castle must've been very expensive - the walls are of fine stone, look sturdy and the tallest towers are tall. While it is not especially great demonstration of wealth, one has to bear in mind the location - carrying all that stone to the middle of a desert must've cost a fortune to begin with.
The castle is also very well maintained. It doesn't seem to crack under the searing heat, or then any damages are repaired immediately.
Most you can deduce is that it must've cost a fortune, and the building process has either been really long or then it involved wizardry.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Now convinced that either there is a great architect and master builder in this town, or else that there is a Wizard here that rivals or exceeds his own power, a thought that slightly frightens Ir'Throthar. The Elf decides it best to tackle this from a new tract. He goes off and starts talking to random people asking questions such as "Hello, What can you tell me about your Ruler?" He of course makes it worthwhile to the people he interrogates offering food and in some cases gold coins from his own supplies.
Going to use 10 Gold Pieces, and 1 full days rations broken amongst various people to try to improve my Gather Information check.
Gather Information Check:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +20 modifier
11 + 20
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero." -- Varsuvius, Order of the Stick
Quickly after taking out the goods, Ir'Throthar is surrounded by dozens of hungry men, women and children. All of them seem really willing to tell him grand stories of everything, just to get a bite. Credibility of those stories, however..
You might want to roll a sense motive check, here.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
For a good while, Ir'Throthar stands in the middle of a crowd of desperate starving people talking over each other in order to please him for food. A lot of the things told he knew already, things about efreeti-blood, battle-prowess and tales of sorcery. Other things were new to him, however: It seems that Igniis has been fairly faithful to only one wife, which is quite uncommon from the ruling class in these areas. It also seems that he is either a worshipper of Aurifar or Joramy, crowd could not quite make up their mind on that one. There are also tall tales on how he can defeat armies in one fell swoop, probably exaggerated. The one think that everyone agrees on, however, is that he is not much of a nice guy.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
After some time, Ir'Throsar manages to extricate himself from the crowd of people in one piece, though a little more haggard than he was to begin with. "I will have to remember not to pull out food or money in plain sight in this town again." he thinks to himself. Now he turns his mind to what was said in that crowd of people. The statement that the ruler was faithful to only one wife could prove troublesome if true. Because that means said wife would have unprecedented power over the ruler's decisions. However what interested him the most was the statement that he worshiped either Aurifar or Joramy. Ir'Throsar attempted to place those names within his knowledge realm...
Lore Check:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +15 modifier
12 + 15
Knowledge Arcana Check:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +29 modifier
12 + 29
Knowledge The Planes Check:
Dice Roller1 D20 rolled with a +26 modifier
18 + 26
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero." -- Varsuvius, Order of the Stick
Aurifar, the Caliph of the Sky is the god of the hottest time of day in the desert, and fairly powerful. Your knowledge of the planes tells you that many efreeti worship him. Joramy, on the other hand, is the embodiment of fury and beauty of volcanoes. Many leaders in the past have worshipped him, so that would be fitting, as well.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
The Sage is occupied with the unspoken
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
"Well, that is somewhat inconvenient." Ir'Throsar says to himself. Well he decides that nothing can be helped now but to head to the castle proper and attempt to get in. There is not much left that he can really do now aside from that. He is as well armed as any Archmagus would really expect him to be when going into an unknown and potentially disasterous situation. Yet at the same time, he feels a helpless sense that he is missing something vitally important here.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero." -- Varsuvius, Order of the Stick
Vale, previously unengaged, moves over to Ir'Thosar. His voice exemplifies his golden-scaled majesty, though it is offset by the clicking of his claws upon the street. "Do you mean to approach the castle head-on?"
Ir'Throsar looks around at the voice that appears to be addressing him. He is equally startled to discover what looks to be a hybrid of a large cat, and lizard speaking to him.
"Pardon?" was all that Ir'Throsar could manage to say.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero." -- Varsuvius, Order of the Stick
A few villagers look up, idly curious, as a golden shape streaks through the sky.
Skorri has had a long, unpleasant flight. He's tired and cold, and this town his information sent him to is a total dump. It had better not be another wild goose chase, or someone is going to pay...
No, they aren't. You're not an animal. Get ahold of yourself. With a distinct mental effort, Skorri wrenches his thoughts away from gruesome violence and back to the task at hand. He lands delicately on the doorstep of the castle, knowing well how spellcasters react to those who simply fly into their keeps.
Once he's on the ground, he looks around, a bit unsure as to how to proceed.
"Apologies," Vale booms, "but I observed you asking around about the king. If you're bold enough to approach directly, you either have enough grit to be worthy to know, or foolish enough that I won't know you lon-"
Vale cuts himself off as he sees another dragon-kin drop from the sky. "This is a strange day indeed. You should join me in inquiring into this newcomer's presence." With that, Vale walks over to the dragon-kin. "Hail, cousin, and welcome!" he calls.
"I am quite worried about my own strength enough. But I don't think it is going to be a significant problem if this is—" Ir'Throsar starts as he notices the other gold body landing near the castle. "Well now, that could complicate diplomacy a bit."
You get 55,000 gold and I introduce the airship a bit later. You don't know each other prior to the start, so I'll just give it to your team once you do.
You are being brought together by the masskkkksssssss...
There you go.
EDIT: IC
Another part-dragon? I suppose I might get something out of this trip after all.
Skorri's mood is considerably improved by the other half-dragon's presence. "Hail, cousin. I don't suppose you're looking for the ruler of this land also? I certainly wouldn't assume you were native to...." he looks around with some distaste "...this."
Vale shakes his head, weak sunlight reflecting off of his brow. "Nay, I haven't come for the ruler, but his advisor..." Vale pauses. From the belt around his top half, he pulls out a peculiar mask. "I've come to investigate this mask. I've drawn a connection to that advisor, but little more."
Ir'Throsar eye's the two giant sized creatures with a bit of distaste, the one that had just arrived was being way to forward about his notions of distaste for this area. Just as he thought of this despite his better judgment, Ir'Throsar removed the part of his cloak that was covering his face. He also re-lit the powers of his fey mother within himself allowing his true beauty to emanate forward for all to see.
Then noting that Vale has withdrawn a mask he makes a mental note of it for future reference.
OOC: everyone in the vacinity that is looking directly at me has to now make a will save verse a Difficulty Class of 14 or be shaken for 1 minute. People who continue to look at me will need to make additional saves.
Skorri looks at the smaller creature with more interest. "You're fairly unusual too, I see. I don't suppose you have one of these also...?" Skorri reaches behind him, into his backpack, and rummages around for a moment, eventually retrieving his own mask. Looking back at Vale, he replies, "I just assumed the guy I was after was the ruler. I you're here about one of these masks too, though, we have to be on the same errand."
Ir'Throsar shrugs, if they both happen to have these masks as well, what harm could it be. He pulls aside his cloak at waist level revealing a magnificiently crafted mask designed to look like a face made out of leaves. "Would you stop talking in such a way that makes it sound like we are here to assassinate someone. Because that most certainly is NOT why I am here." Ir'Throsar mutters only loud enough for the two half-dragons to hear him.
OOC: any of you who are familiar with the Green-Man Mythology would recognize the mask instantly as that type of design.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"As the size of an explosion increases, the number of social situations it is incapable of solving approaches zero." -- Varsuvius, Order of the Stick
Basically, people only lived here because it was the only place with water within weeks' journey on a camel through blazing wasteland. Those unfortunate to be born here had nowhere to go, and the new people were brought as slaves to the "overlord". Igniis, was his name, and the castle was his. Most people could tell from his name that there was efreeti-blood in his veins, if only a little. He wasn't necessary a bad man, or any worse than most other leaders. He simply didn't care about the townsfolk dying. He didn't really need them for anything - if they could make a living on the outskirts of his castle and entertain his soldiers during the night, fine, but if they couldn't, it wouldn't be much of a problem, either. He'd just take some slaves on a raiding trip, they'd fulfill the role just fine.
Either way, the reason you arrived was not because you felt like kicking the haughty "overlord" the hell away. In fact, it had nothing to do with him.. Kind of. You were here tracking a man who didn't exist, to make sense of something that no one ever could. This man went by the name "master of masks", a name that sounded fairly alluring to your ears. So far, he was your best hope of finding others with masks similar to yours. The problem? The man was a goddamn enigma. Disguise, bluff, forgery, lies and contacts. That was his repertoire of resources, and for one reason or another, he had decided to dedicate his life and skills to not being anyone, anywhere, but still being exactly anyone he wished to be. For one reason or another, it seemed that right now he wanted to be an advisor to Igniis. The reason that had damn better be good.
So, there you stood, on a tightly packed street with poor beggars staring up at you in hopes that you'd drop them a coin, so they could buy some food from any of the local hunters. You weren't even sure what there was to hunt in this barren landscape, but there had to be something. At least the castle had a moat with water at the bottom of it. The shadow of the castle looms overhead, making you feel like you were standing on a gigantic sundial and it was the needle whose shadow pointed the time. Perhaps the time was for you to finally get some damn answers, and the company your mask so seemed to crave.
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Slowly and cautiously Ir'Throsar made his way into the city, and wound through the streets toward the Castle Entrance. He figured it would be easiest to make his presence known in a peaceful manner as opposed to forcing entrance. Hopefully this would work, Though as he was traveling he was also consulting what knowledge he had gained while traveling here about this land. He wanted to try and discover what type of reception he would receive at this castle.
Knowledge [Nobility & Royalty] Check:
Urak Murdinnum — Cabal_ChanSkorri — Nevinrryal Ascendant
Valeshrahk — TaloreAussir Vorastrix — Halinn
Ir'Throsar — Myself
He has had a reputation for being quite reckless in warfare, but since land to conquer is not that important, most of his attacks have mostly been to rob riches to sell or to further his "kingdom". Currently he is having fairly bad relationships to the slightly larger kingdom to the east, led by Halfstalker Halelip, a peaceful man who'd rather not engage in warfare.
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Don't know if an appraise check works on something this big or not?
The castle is also very well maintained. It doesn't seem to crack under the searing heat, or then any damages are repaired immediately.
Most you can deduce is that it must've cost a fortune, and the building process has either been really long or then it involved wizardry.
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Gather Information Check:
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
EDIT OOC: just going to take all corners and get as much info as I can, try and sort it out afterwards....
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
Knowledge Arcana Check:
Knowledge The Planes Check:
and acts without effort.
Teaching without verbosity,
producing without possessing,
creating without regard to result,
claiming nothing,
the Sage has nothing to lose.
"Pardon?" was all that Ir'Throsar could manage to say.
Skorri has had a long, unpleasant flight. He's tired and cold, and this town his information sent him to is a total dump. It had better not be another wild goose chase, or someone is going to pay...
No, they aren't. You're not an animal. Get ahold of yourself. With a distinct mental effort, Skorri wrenches his thoughts away from gruesome violence and back to the task at hand. He lands delicately on the doorstep of the castle, knowing well how spellcasters react to those who simply fly into their keeps.
Once he's on the ground, he looks around, a bit unsure as to how to proceed.
Vale cuts himself off as he sees another dragon-kin drop from the sky. "This is a strange day indeed. You should join me in inquiring into this newcomer's presence." With that, Vale walks over to the dragon-kin. "Hail, cousin, and welcome!" he calls.
EDIT: IC
Another part-dragon? I suppose I might get something out of this trip after all.
Skorri's mood is considerably improved by the other half-dragon's presence. "Hail, cousin. I don't suppose you're looking for the ruler of this land also? I certainly wouldn't assume you were native to...." he looks around with some distaste "...this."
Then noting that Vale has withdrawn a mask he makes a mental note of it for future reference.
OOC: everyone in the vacinity that is looking directly at me has to now make a will save verse a Difficulty Class of 14 or be shaken for 1 minute. People who continue to look at me will need to make additional saves.
OOC: any of you who are familiar with the Green-Man Mythology would recognize the mask instantly as that type of design.