1621 replies and 199 files omitted.
Posey casts Chill Touch, as she waits for Luminous. This should give her half a dozen boops to expend during combat.
Spells in use:
>Undetectable Alignment
>Chill Touch
>>171534Good. I revel in the apostasy.
Is this enough to summon the paladin?
Any news on when we can resume, GM?
>>171539Uh... Soon?
Hoebuck street is not a part of the full grid pattern, but rather is at an angle to the main road, veering off slightly eastward as the harbor curves in on itself. Posey finds the location of 33 Hoebuck to the right of the road going northward, with a long warehouse on the other side. The building of 33 Hoebuck is rather large and long itself, occupying most of the lot, which is a longer lot than those provided by the grid pattern. From the few glimpes Posey can gain beyond the structure to the left and the right, she can see that it is on the water, with a space of perhaps 100 feet of what is supposed to be grass between the structure and some sort of seawall.
The structure itself is hardly a single structure, but three fused together. On the far right/south, is the tallest portion of the building with a stone exterior and four stories tall, in a kind of rectangular shape. It has many small windows, though it looks almost like a castle or fortress with how otherwise solid it appears. Then the central section is long and shorter. It is made from a darker brick. It is about 3 stories tall, though the highest floor only has windows periodically and has a higher roof. The windows on this section are much larger, though most are closed off. It almost resembles a hospital. Then finally, the last section is taller and made of bright red bricks, also a rectangular shape. This part resembles a factory, with very high ceilings, the long windows that span half the width of the section (and are mostly covered), and a large smoke stack. At the left most end of the structure, is a loading dock covered by corrugated metal, and accessible from a concrete driveway. Between the street and the structure are a few parking spaces and a slate walkway leading up to a door on the central structure, though most of the front portion of the lot is former grass with scattered trees. The trees are barren for the winter, and the grass is brown and in many places muddy or clearly damaged by the tire tracks of several large vehicles. There are a few street lamps on this street providing an obnoxious yellow light, though the street is less well lit than most Posye has seen.
>>171540Posey decides to survey the area for a suitable location to lead Luminous to once he arrives.
Preferably, one with a low ceiling and few routes of escape (the smaller the room, the better).
This is one of those rare instances where being in close quarters with a melee-based enemy might be an advantage to her as a spellcaster, since paladins are such deadly chargers (especially flying paladins with claws).
Posey plans to explain to Luminous that she told him to come here to demonstrate the necessity of their work (they, being paladins).If this area was recently channeling corrupt energies, Luminous will likely sense that as soon as he approaches the building. Posey looks for any summoning circles, symbolism, artwork or other gruesome scenes that would exemplify the cult's desecration of the site.
Rolling Search, to look for the above factors (as well as any treasure, secret doors or bones left behind by the cult).
[1d20+3 = (4+3) = 7] >>171541That's obviously a fail.
>>171533I think I may have misunderstood how chill touch works... Nevermind this.
>>171542Rules compendium
>If a spell allows its caster to make multiple attacks and has a casting time of 1 standard action, all those attacks occur during that standard action. The caster uses the highest applicable attack bonus for each attack in such a case.Wait, Chill Touch doesn't store boops you can deliver over the course of several rounds, it gives you multiple boops that you can use in one action.
Wtf, I've been casting Inflict Light Wounds and Bestow Wound, like a complete idiot. Arcane Casters get the good stuff.
Appears to be a vestige of the transition between 3.0 and 3.5e.
>>171543>multiple boopsIf Posey had a soul, she'd go straight to Tartarus
>>171541How small are we talking about here?
The most obvious room that comes to mind is a cafeteria on the first level of the middle section, not far from the entrance. It has some movable chairs, is a little long, but has a low roof. There is a workshop secton in the factory with many fixed benches to either side and a higher ceiling. An old... what looks like a chapel, on the third floor of the middle section. Long room, high ceilings. An internal atrium in the southern section. A medium sized open room with a few barrels that appears to have been raided by the police on the second level. A medium sized dormitory room with bunk beds in the southern section. And if Posey wants an actually small room - like, no room for charging - there are bedrooms, bathrooms, and an undergound section.
Posey gets the decided impression that the police and customs have done their dirty work here. Many items have obviously been removed, but Posey recognizes the Kolovrat of the Maarist religion in multiple places, like in bedrooms or the cafeteria, and paintings on the floor of distant star systems important to the esotericism in the chapel. Posey thinks she finds blood in several areas, and definitely finds fire damage in the chapel and the atrium.
>>171544>How small are we talking about here?It doesn't really matter. It just needs to be indoors, preferably with no windows, ideally with only one or two doors to exit.
>cafeteria>bedrooms>chapelAll these locations seem fine. Posey will consider luring Luminous to one of them.
Posey takes more of all of the sites, and rehearses what she'll say to Luminous as she passes.
Btw, I'm going to have to go in one or two hours. I won't be back until the evening, but I'll try to post.
>>171545>>171545The odd, oblong shaped room on the second level of the center building, or the oddly shaped room beneath the first floor come to mind
>>171546Okay, Posey will lead him there.
The next night, Posey patiently waits for Luminous to arrive.
Okay, I have to know, does Luminous show up?
>it's midnight in GM time
Oh well...
>>171498Posey can't hear shit, save for the sounds of the city like the passing of cars, diesel engines, and what must be the sounds of loading and off loading of freight. Through small windows in the warehouse, Posey can see that there is movement going on inside that structure across the street, and several ponies and griffins move along the opposing side of the street.
Then Posey sees two griffins, one of which she can recognize as the yellow griffin, Alluring Granduer. But with him is a second griffin... An Ivory white griffin with a leather jacket. The two are not proceeding at a steady pace, but are arguing with each other, and they stop on the road just outside the center of the property
>>171550I really should be getting sleep rn, but...
>there's two of themGreat...
Posey steps outside the building. She doesn't make eye contact or approach, but she makes herself visible to the two. She lets her chainmail glisten in the obnoxious yellow light.
>>171550Do either of them appear to be carrying the sword?
>>171550I guess I'll roll bluff (innuendo) to flag down the Griffons without causing a disturbance visible to the others.
[1d20+12 = (1+12) = 13] >>171556Why do I keep doing this to myself? Why do I keep rolling for things in non-combat scenarios where I would succeed by taking 10?
>>171550While I wait for the results of my screw up, I'll try to make a spot check to get a good look at them. See what they're carrying (any weapons, armor, etc).
[1d20+4 = (7+4) = 11]>>171556Posey failed this check by 3
>You can use Bluff to get a message across to another character without others understanding it. The DC is 15 for simple messages, or 20 for complex messages, especially those that rely on getting across new information. Failure by 4 or less means you can’t get the message across. Failure by 5 or more means that some false information has been implied or inferred. Anyone listening to the exchange can make a Sense Motive check opposed by the Bluff check you made to transmit in order to intercept your message (see Sense Motive). I'm also going to roll listen, to try to hear what they're arguing about
[1d20+4 = (17+4) = 21]
>>171440If he was hoping to find any contraband inside, he would be disappointed.
"Perhaps not to hear its music–" Amber chortles at that– "but to sell it to a collector for a hefty sum, and use that money to fund their efforts. It's similar to the train robberies that happen regularly in the more lawless parts of the world."
Amber turns the instrument over, to show the hard-to-make-out but visible signature of the maker. "It's a true rarity, with very few of its kind still around today. The original owner was either a fool or desperate to have pawned it off for so little. With the troubles that Katerinburg is going through, many long-held treasures are being sold or smuggled out. There may well be others of equal or greater worth on the train. I wouldn't know, but your customs officers might. That is, if they look hard enough–and don't try to enrich themselves." Amber leans back, awaiting an answer.
Baltimare is a big place. Are there rules in place for the amount of time needed to traverse the city, especially without a car? >>171563DMG has basic overland movement rules. Cityscape goes into further detail for traversing urban environments.
(if you want to travel faster, become undead. You can run indefinitely and have no penalties for a forced march)
cutie mark sparkles
"That's another odd sign... Must be some ambient Equestrian magic..."
Can we do it this week GM?
>>171568Yes.
>>171559>rolls a nat 1>Noooo it's onlt a failure by 3!Uh huh
>>171556In trying to open a window and stick her hoof through it, Posey dislodges the window from its frame, causing it to fall and shatter loudly.
>>171541>Rolling Search, to look for the above factors (as well as any treasure, secret doors or bones left behind by the cult).Whatever secrets and horrors have been left behind by the cult, Posey has not found what the mercenaries and police have not.
>>171552Yes. It's actually Alluring Granduer. Griffin two is seen shoving the sword towards him. It isn't clear if griffin 2 had the sword and gave to to Alluring, or if Alluring attempted to give it to Griffin 2, but it was rejected.
>>171513Oh my...
>>171498The warehouse is active, or at least, there are figures through the window.
>>171561>rolling listen again after already failing listenThe griffins stop arguing when they hear the glass shatter, but Posey can tell that griffin 2 is displeased with Alluring
>>171569>fall and shatter loudly"Oh, hahaha, clumsy me..."
>Griffin two is seen shoving the sword towards him. It isn't clear if griffin 2 had the sword and gave to to Alluring, or if Alluring attempted to give it to Griffin 2, but it was rejected.Hmmm... Looks like they brought the collateral. It appears Luminous may be trying to treat Alluring as his page again though.
>The griffins stop arguing when they hear the glass shatter, but Posey can tell that griffin 2 is displeased with AlluringPosey awkwardly waves at them. Trying to look less corpse-like.
I guess this'll be a diplomacy roll, for first impressions.
[1d20+6 = (16+6) = 22] >>171570Griffin 2 sighs, almost defeated, looks down, and seems to start down the path towards the building
>>171571Hooray!
Posey's first order of business will be to attempt to charm them with her gaze as soon as they come into range.
Posey moves towards the door and bows as the griffons approach, her chainmail glistening in the amber light.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir Luminous Grandure. I welcome you to Equestria, on behalf of Celestia's Holy Knights."
She looks, with a warm smile, her enchanting golden eyes shimmering
"We've much to discuss. Come in."
I would love to stay up and begin the dialogue, but I have to be at work in 7 hours...
>>171563He looks back at Amber, and pauses for a moment
"It was an attempted robbery, you say. Simple, or to support the rebels."
>>171572>>171569Okay, I'm awake now.
Is the white one wearing any armor?
>>171571"Ah, I see that you've returned the sword. I was right to trust you."
>>171573Amber's warmth dissipates as she stares at the investigator. "Like I believe I said, I had a train to run and didn't have time to interrogate the bandit as we held him under arrest, so I can go only by assumption. You have that luxury and can get at his real motives. He likely knows something."
>>171575>armorPosey can't tell. He's wearing a leather jacket
>>171576This depends on where Posey is. They are maybe 50 feet away from the entry door in the center of the middle portion of the structure. If she's at the second floor window as I assume she was, then she's.... 70 or so feet away diagonally down and to the right?
>>171572Griffin 2 is not talkative, and has a rather grave expression on his face. He looks around side to side at his surroundings. His head tends to point low, but his eyes do not. Alluring follows behind, holding his claws close to his body, and with a clearly unsettled expression.
>>171578Posey hops out of the window.
Rolling to jump
[1d20+5 = (4+5) = 9]>whyBecause i think it would look cool.
>>171580>failPosey takes fall damage, although half of it is subdual, do not much.
[1d6 = 4] >>171580>>171581https://youtu.be/4hpbK7V146A?t=4Perhaps in the summer time there would be bushes to help break the fall. Not now.
The griffins stare
>>171582After that, Posey awkwardly dusts herself off, and attempts a less-graceful version of this dialogue
>>171572 >>171575 This is all part of my plan: surely this ditzy, clumsy mare couldn't be an Necromancer assassin in disguise.
"I didn't think it would break that easily..." Posey says, with a groan
And then, to finish off her act, she puts a hoof to one of her bruises and heals 1 HP of damage with her "lay on hands" (Charnel Touch).
>>171582Posey steps towards the griffons. She shuts her eyes momentarily, as if concentrating.
"..... No malign Aura from either of you. That's a good start." she opens her eyes and smiles
"Welcome to Equestria."
Her chainmail rattles
picks the broken glass out of her chainmail
>>171584>This is all part of my plan: surely this ditzy, clumsy mare couldn't be an Necromancer assassin in disguise.HAHA Noble Paladin! I was simply
pretending to be retarded to make you drop your guard! It worked, didn't it!
Alluring moves the sword towards Griffin 2, but Griffin 2 doesn't seem to be looking that way, and Alluring pulls it back closer to himself. Indeed, his limbs are all close to himself, including his tail, in a guarded posture.
Griffin 2 looks over towards Posey, cringing at the moment of the fall, but otherwise resuming a somewhat uphappy but resolved look.
"I've been here two years..." He says, almost under his breath. He turns his head to look behind him, first at the end of the street, and then through the windows of the warehouse behind him. Then he looks up at the structure, through the empty window Posey came from, and along the windows of the first and second floor. He looks back to Posey, and asks
"Where are we?"
>>171587>"Where are we?Posey's expression turns seriously.
"We are at the site of a grave evil: where just over a week ago, a cult of Maar was uprooted." She says, waving her hoof towards her building
"I can tell by your expression that it's unnerving. I brought you here to judge your reaction, and demonstrate to you the importance that our cell serve. We've been forced to operate from the shadows for long now, and in our absence, evil has begun to fester uncontrolled, and depraved lunatics like this could practice their fell sorcery in the backyards of peaceful ponies."
She takes a step
"You can feel it can't you? That eerie presence? This cult operates for months, under the nose of law enforcement, with nopony to sniff out the evil."
She gives a wistful sigh
"And in spite of that, it's still a rather secluded place to meet somepony, or, somecreature without the pesky eye of the military. Come." She steps towards the entrance of the building, on the ground floor this time.