Taalomar starts to chuckle, or try to at least. But nervousness clearly gets to him by the way he trails off mid-way through a bout.
"When ask for stories, I not expect so much grimness."
A hand curtly goes up motioning for any considering an interruption to hold for a moment more.
"Not to make light of past. This life... This path... While many claim seeking merely riches, fame, or glory--"
Unable to roll his eyes, the dwarf settles for rolling his wrist in the air and lightly shaking his head.
"Few reach as far as you two have without the great designs... mmm... interference? That is to say, in spite of hardships faced, can either of you truly say that you would be here if not for them? That... however long you have been at this, that it has not -- or at least, will not be for a greater good?"
He pauses only long enough to let the words sink in before clasping his hands together with a loud clink and a chuckle.
"But I say too much, and know little. Please! Friend Ja-han. Weave your tale, so that Taalomar might escape further scrutiny of being already deep in his cups."
Said Taalomar says, and if he reach as far, gives the monk a few goading pats on the shoulder.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Ja'han listened to both stories with rapt attention, absorbing every detail until the conclusions are reached. He raises his glass and says, "To the fallen, in remembrance and celebration. May they rest in peace."
He takes a swig of the sweet wine, smacking his lips as he pulls the cup away from them. "And another for good storytellers."
Ja'han laughs as Taalomar prods him to tell a tale of his own, eventually clasping the gauntlet tight. "Peace, friend Taalomar, peace. I will share, I will share. I am not known among my friends as a very good storyteller, but I will try my best.
"I do not remember my birth family well, for they left me upon the steps of a monastery in the center of the Extarasian Desert. I grew up with the sun on my face and the sand in my blood, if you cannot tell by my appearance. The monks of this monastery raised me out of kindness and taught me their ways. Perseverance in the face of suffering. Compassion in the face of pain. Aiding those who are oppressed and persecuted. They were kind men and women, devoting themselves to helping those who suffer in Extaras, a truly harsh place. But I can tell by the looks on your faces that you are not interested in the details of their mission. My story is one of when I was training to be a guardian. The monastery had mostly healers and priests, but there were those who knew that sometimes the only way to alleviate suffering is to strike at those who cause pain. The guardians are skilled fighters that use their bodies and souls as their weapons against evil. My master combined her knowledge of the blade and bow with the martial arts of her fellow monks and taught me how to make my sword or my bow an extension of myself rather than a tool.
"It sounds difficult to do that, you might say. You would be right. The sword took a long time to bind to myself," Ja'han says, indicating the sword in a leather sheath with red cord tied around the hilt leaning on the table next to him, but then he reaches for his bow and plucks the string. "But the bow was the greater challenge. It was hard for me to aim and consider the direction of the wind at the same time. My teacher would always supervise me when I was shooting targets and try to advise me, but I was young and frustrated. I did not take to her archery lessons well and found her directions to be frustrating. Well, in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep, I took my bow and arrows to the target range for I had decided I would be able to concentrate better without her help. I was wrong, for I was doing even worse than when she was with me. She caught me eventually and shouted at me, startling me to the point where I accidentally loosed an arrow that sailed far over the target and the wall behind it down to one of the meditation gardens. Glass shattered, someone screamed, and we bolted to see what had happened and found the abbess and a visiting paladin of Tyr were having a midnight rendezvous, for I found that my arrow had pierced straight through a bottle of Rexillian wine the knight had brought as a present for the abbess.
"Well, to make a long story short, I never went out for target practice alone again, but I did get out of any punishment for my mistake due to the secretive nature of their affair, so I was just fine."
Taalamor did not need to be told twice. So, once freed following a bit of placating 'easy there' gestures using the unoccupied hand, he nestles a bit more into his seat. Once again, the dwarf unerringly kept his gaze affixed to the story teller. Never once showing signs of much of anything except complete absorption into the tale. By it's end Taalamor has leaned back into his seat, absently tugging at -- or at least, pantomiming the motion of playing with a beard.
"And here I thought paladins of any order were more chaste than that... Hmm~ The more you learn, and truly, ever day brings new lesson."
He sighs in contentment, ending the pantomiming just as absently as it begun to pat at his chest.
"... Hn! Well! That was all, uh... very inf-interesting? But! Guess its 'bout time to 'hit the hay' as I here folk say. See you all in morning."
Taalamor says as he tries to slyly but nonchalantly slip out his seat, grab the gear set aside next to it, and start taking those first few unhurried steps towards the room.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I think I will turn in as well. I am weary from a long journey,"Ja'han says while standing from his chair and gathering his few things. "I will meet you all here in the morning. Sleep well!"
With that, the monk saunters after Taalomar toward the room rented for him.
You all turn in for a good night's sleep, awakening at sunbreak to the sound of bird's outside your windows, and the smell of eggs and bacon wafting through the air. As you all meet downstairs, the Barkeep serves you all a hearty breakfast before wishing you all good luck on your travels. You then set off on your journey, taking the Central Highway for most of the journey, following your map. You all begin to get familiar with each other throughout the long journey, as well as enjoying the company of merchants that you happen to pass on the journey. Only once do you ever encounter any sort of trouble, when a group of wolves approached you one night while camping, however the fire seems to keep them away.
On the fourth day, as you all approach the mountain range that is quickly coming closer to you, you leave the Highway and begin to trek through some of the more uncharted areas, until you reach a trail lined with tall, grey stone pillars. As you look closer to the pillars, you see strange symbols, alongside drawings of skeletons and other occult symbols. As you follow the path, it leads you to a large opening in the side of the mountain, easily 20 feet tall and 30 feet wide, with a large symbol carved into the ground in front of the opening. On each side of the opening stands a skeleton holding a spear, seemingly standing watch. You all are around 30 feet from the entrance, standing behind a pair of pillars. The skeletons do not seem to have noticed you yet.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"Repulsive..." Ja'han mutters, drawing his longbow and loosely nocking an arrow."Take them by surprise, or rush in, comrades? There are only two, or so it seems."
The monk peeks out at the skeletal guards, trying to get a better look.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
The sight of the skeletons lingering ahead sends flashbacks into Dekker's mind. After shuddering ever so slightly, he pulls out a bit of material from a pouch on his side belt and sprinkles it over his staff, casting Shillelagh in preparation for what is to come.
"Always expect the worst. If there are two, there's three. If there's three, there's four. Perhaps if we deal with these two swiftly and quietly, any possible reinforcements won't have time to set up."
Taalomar grumbles softly and shakes his head. Either happenstance favored the groups' backer, or the aging elf was truly as resourceful as he let on. Regardless of which, he too began the immediate area a cursory once over before looking to the others.
"It is unfortunate. But I can provide assurances for silence if desired. Otherwise..."
He trails off there to let a hand hover the mace at his side. While the group can clearly see the crossbow at his side, any talk of armaments over the past four days would've resulted in his mentioning its purpose as only an absolute last resort. However, to what end he never elaborates beyond the one demonstration if requested... and subsequent failure to hit a target more than twenty feet away.
And that was stationary...
"By your leave, Ja'han. I will take care of one on left."
Initiative: 11
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Wallace draws his shortbow, "You and I can surprise them with a ranged attack, Ja'han. If there's only two we should be able to handle things pretty easily from there."
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
"I'll give my mark then we can deal with them," Ja'han whispers while pulling back the bowstring. The wooden bow makes a slight creaking noise as he prepares to loose.
As his new comrades ready their weapons and prepare for battle, Dekker waits for the go ahead patiently. Silence falls over the group, all he can hear is the string of Ja'han's bow pulled every so tightly.
"Hold..."
Dekker grasps his weapon, knuckles turning white as he tightens his grip. A gentle breeze sweeps through, sending small debris wising by in the air.
"Now!"
The arrow from Ja'han's bow flies through the wind, whistling as it passes towards the skeletons ahead. Dekker springs to his feet, charging at the same skeletal figure on the right trying to catch it by surprise. Kicking bits of dust from his feet as he charges valiantly ahead, Dekker swings his staff with both hands, hoping to not disappoint his friends.
Attack with advantage: 21 Damage: 9 (Bludgeoning Damage)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Taalomar simply nods, no longer trusting himself to keep his more boisterous side from ruining the ambush. Instead, he readied both mace and shield while risking a glance at the skeletons. As soon as he heard the twang of arrows, Taalomar breaks from covered, and rushes his target with mace held high. Alas, even if the Father demanded no war cry accompanying a righteous smiting, the shifting of chains might very well do the same job if more were nearby.
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
With the others all preparing their attacks, Wallace prepared to fire his bow. In an instant, Wallace released the arrow towards the left skeleton as the others began their assault.
The two skeletons quickly turn toward the noise, appearing as off guard as two undead creatures with no muscles can be as the sudden movement and noise rushes towards them. Both skeletons get struck through the front of their skulls by arrows, before being rushed, the skeleton on the right falling into a pile of bones as Dekker's staff crushes it's verterbre, while the left skeleton manages to deflect Taalomar's mace with the end of its spear.
(Only one skeleton left, and it is damaged. It is Dekker's turn, then Ja'han, then the skeleton (if it survives that long))
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
As the bits of bone spray forth from the mighty swing of his staff, Dekker turns instinctively to check on the others.
"Still putting up a fight, I see..."
He utters to himself. In one swift motion, he brandishes his staff and extends his offhand towards the other skeleton summoning a ghostly skeletal hand to lash out at it's core.
Taalomar starts to chuckle, or try to at least. But nervousness clearly gets to him by the way he trails off mid-way through a bout.
"When ask for stories, I not expect so much grimness."
A hand curtly goes up motioning for any considering an interruption to hold for a moment more.
"Not to make light of past. This life... This path... While many claim seeking merely riches, fame, or glory--"
Unable to roll his eyes, the dwarf settles for rolling his wrist in the air and lightly shaking his head.
"Few reach as far as you two have without the great designs... mmm... interference? That is to say, in spite of hardships faced, can either of you truly say that you would be here if not for them? That... however long you have been at this, that it has not -- or at least, will not be for a greater good?"
He pauses only long enough to let the words sink in before clasping his hands together with a loud clink and a chuckle.
"But I say too much, and know little. Please! Friend Ja-han. Weave your tale, so that Taalomar might escape further scrutiny of being already deep in his cups."
Said Taalomar says, and if he reach as far, gives the monk a few goading pats on the shoulder.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Ja'han listened to both stories with rapt attention, absorbing every detail until the conclusions are reached. He raises his glass and says, "To the fallen, in remembrance and celebration. May they rest in peace."
He takes a swig of the sweet wine, smacking his lips as he pulls the cup away from them. "And another for good storytellers."
Ja'han laughs as Taalomar prods him to tell a tale of his own, eventually clasping the gauntlet tight. "Peace, friend Taalomar, peace. I will share, I will share. I am not known among my friends as a very good storyteller, but I will try my best.
"I do not remember my birth family well, for they left me upon the steps of a monastery in the center of the Extarasian Desert. I grew up with the sun on my face and the sand in my blood, if you cannot tell by my appearance. The monks of this monastery raised me out of kindness and taught me their ways. Perseverance in the face of suffering. Compassion in the face of pain. Aiding those who are oppressed and persecuted. They were kind men and women, devoting themselves to helping those who suffer in Extaras, a truly harsh place. But I can tell by the looks on your faces that you are not interested in the details of their mission. My story is one of when I was training to be a guardian. The monastery had mostly healers and priests, but there were those who knew that sometimes the only way to alleviate suffering is to strike at those who cause pain. The guardians are skilled fighters that use their bodies and souls as their weapons against evil. My master combined her knowledge of the blade and bow with the martial arts of her fellow monks and taught me how to make my sword or my bow an extension of myself rather than a tool.
"It sounds difficult to do that, you might say. You would be right. The sword took a long time to bind to myself," Ja'han says, indicating the sword in a leather sheath with red cord tied around the hilt leaning on the table next to him, but then he reaches for his bow and plucks the string. "But the bow was the greater challenge. It was hard for me to aim and consider the direction of the wind at the same time. My teacher would always supervise me when I was shooting targets and try to advise me, but I was young and frustrated. I did not take to her archery lessons well and found her directions to be frustrating. Well, in the middle of the night while everyone was asleep, I took my bow and arrows to the target range for I had decided I would be able to concentrate better without her help. I was wrong, for I was doing even worse than when she was with me. She caught me eventually and shouted at me, startling me to the point where I accidentally loosed an arrow that sailed far over the target and the wall behind it down to one of the meditation gardens. Glass shattered, someone screamed, and we bolted to see what had happened and found the abbess and a visiting paladin of Tyr were having a midnight rendezvous, for I found that my arrow had pierced straight through a bottle of Rexillian wine the knight had brought as a present for the abbess.
"Well, to make a long story short, I never went out for target practice alone again, but I did get out of any punishment for my mistake due to the secretive nature of their affair, so I was just fine."
Taalamor did not need to be told twice. So, once freed following a bit of placating 'easy there' gestures using the unoccupied hand, he nestles a bit more into his seat. Once again, the dwarf unerringly kept his gaze affixed to the story teller. Never once showing signs of much of anything except complete absorption into the tale. By it's end Taalamor has leaned back into his seat, absently tugging at -- or at least, pantomiming the motion of playing with a beard.
"And here I thought paladins of any order were more chaste than that... Hmm~ The more you learn, and truly, ever day brings new lesson."
He sighs in contentment, ending the pantomiming just as absently as it begun to pat at his chest.
"... Hn! Well! That was all, uh... very inf-interesting? But! Guess its 'bout time to 'hit the hay' as I here folk say. See you all in morning."
Taalamor says as he tries to slyly but nonchalantly slip out his seat, grab the gear set aside next to it, and start taking those first few unhurried steps towards the room.
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
"I think I will turn in as well. I am weary from a long journey," Ja'han says while standing from his chair and gathering his few things. "I will meet you all here in the morning. Sleep well!"
With that, the monk saunters after Taalomar toward the room rented for him.
You all turn in for a good night's sleep, awakening at sunbreak to the sound of bird's outside your windows, and the smell of eggs and bacon wafting through the air. As you all meet downstairs, the Barkeep serves you all a hearty breakfast before wishing you all good luck on your travels. You then set off on your journey, taking the Central Highway for most of the journey, following your map. You all begin to get familiar with each other throughout the long journey, as well as enjoying the company of merchants that you happen to pass on the journey. Only once do you ever encounter any sort of trouble, when a group of wolves approached you one night while camping, however the fire seems to keep them away.
On the fourth day, as you all approach the mountain range that is quickly coming closer to you, you leave the Highway and begin to trek through some of the more uncharted areas, until you reach a trail lined with tall, grey stone pillars. As you look closer to the pillars, you see strange symbols, alongside drawings of skeletons and other occult symbols. As you follow the path, it leads you to a large opening in the side of the mountain, easily 20 feet tall and 30 feet wide, with a large symbol carved into the ground in front of the opening. On each side of the opening stands a skeleton holding a spear, seemingly standing watch. You all are around 30 feet from the entrance, standing behind a pair of pillars. The skeletons do not seem to have noticed you yet.
"Repulsive..." Ja'han mutters, drawing his longbow and loosely nocking an arrow. "Take them by surprise, or rush in, comrades? There are only two, or so it seems."
The monk peeks out at the skeletal guards, trying to get a better look.
18
You do not see any other skeletons, but you also cannot see very deeply into the opening.
The sight of the skeletons lingering ahead sends flashbacks into Dekker's mind. After shuddering ever so slightly, he pulls out a bit of material from a pouch on his side belt and sprinkles it over his staff, casting Shillelagh in preparation for what is to come.
"Always expect the worst. If there are two, there's three. If there's three, there's four. Perhaps if we deal with these two swiftly and quietly, any possible reinforcements won't have time to set up."
Perception check : 16
Initiative (just in case) : 6
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren
Forgive and forgetResent and remember."Agreed. I await your word," Ja'han replies, taking aim at one of the skeletons. "I'll take the one on the right."
Initiative: 15
Taalomar grumbles softly and shakes his head. Either happenstance favored the groups' backer, or the aging elf was truly as resourceful as he let on. Regardless of which, he too began the immediate area a cursory once over before looking to the others.
"It is unfortunate. But I can provide assurances for silence if desired. Otherwise..."
He trails off there to let a hand hover the mace at his side. While the group can clearly see the crossbow at his side, any talk of armaments over the past four days would've resulted in his mentioning its purpose as only an absolute last resort. However, to what end he never elaborates beyond the one demonstration if requested... and subsequent failure to hit a target more than twenty feet away.
And that was stationary...
"By your leave, Ja'han. I will take care of one on left."
Initiative: 11
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
Wallace draws his shortbow, "You and I can surprise them with a ranged attack, Ja'han. If there's only two we should be able to handle things pretty easily from there."
Put your spoiler here.
Initiative: 14
"I'll give my mark then we can deal with them," Ja'han whispers while pulling back the bowstring. The wooden bow makes a slight creaking noise as he prepares to loose.
"Hold... now!"
Attack: 15 Damage: 12
As his new comrades ready their weapons and prepare for battle, Dekker waits for the go ahead patiently. Silence falls over the group, all he can hear is the string of Ja'han's bow pulled every so tightly.
"Hold..."
Dekker grasps his weapon, knuckles turning white as he tightens his grip. A gentle breeze sweeps through, sending small debris wising by in the air.
"Now!"
The arrow from Ja'han's bow flies through the wind, whistling as it passes towards the skeletons ahead. Dekker springs to his feet, charging at the same skeletal figure on the right trying to catch it by surprise. Kicking bits of dust from his feet as he charges valiantly ahead, Dekker swings his staff with both hands, hoping to not disappoint his friends.
Attack with advantage: 21 Damage: 9 (Bludgeoning Damage)
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren
Forgive and forgetResent and remember.Taalomar simply nods, no longer trusting himself to keep his more boisterous side from ruining the ambush. Instead, he readied both mace and shield while risking a glance at the skeletons. As soon as he heard the twang of arrows, Taalomar breaks from covered, and rushes his target with mace held high. Alas, even if the Father demanded no war cry accompanying a righteous smiting, the shifting of chains might very well do the same job if more were nearby.
Mace Vs Left Skeleton: Attack: 12 Damage: 11
((True Damage if Hit: 4 - Bludgeoning))
When you realize you're doing too much: Signature.
With the others all preparing their attacks, Wallace prepared to fire his bow. In an instant, Wallace released the arrow towards the left skeleton as the others began their assault.
Attack: 14
Damage: 2
The two skeletons quickly turn toward the noise, appearing as off guard as two undead creatures with no muscles can be as the sudden movement and noise rushes towards them. Both skeletons get struck through the front of their skulls by arrows, before being rushed, the skeleton on the right falling into a pile of bones as Dekker's staff crushes it's verterbre, while the left skeleton manages to deflect Taalomar's mace with the end of its spear.
(Only one skeleton left, and it is damaged. It is Dekker's turn, then Ja'han, then the skeleton (if it survives that long))
As the bits of bone spray forth from the mighty swing of his staff, Dekker turns instinctively to check on the others.
"Still putting up a fight, I see..."
He utters to himself. In one swift motion, he brandishes his staff and extends his offhand towards the other skeleton summoning a ghostly skeletal hand to lash out at it's core.
Chill Touch
To hit : 10 Damage : 3 Necrotic damage. If hit, target has disadvantage on attack rolls towards Dekker.
DM : The Shade Over Runewarren
Forgive and forgetResent and remember.The skeleton swats the hand away with it's spear, causing it to dissipate before it can strike
Ja'han's turn
Ja'han draws another arrow and nocks his bow, taking aim at the skeleton and whispering a prayer.
"Broken God, guide my hand..."
Attack: 22 Damage: 12
The monk curses to himself as the arrow misses its target.
The arrow whizzes past the skeleton as it stabs at Taalomar with its spear
Attack: 17 Damage: 5
Next up is Wallace, then Taalomar