Pathfinders - Honor of the Fallen

[TacoMann]

You awaken to the vast expanse known only through whispers and folklore as the Cobalt Graveyard. A monolith of blue metal sits behind you, as you stand alone, amidst the rows of increasingly twisted, rusting, metal. A forest of brutality. Moans and screams echoing across the world. You fell unconscious as you passed the shining, grand, unguarded gate into Mensus, the so-called "City of Salvation.", which heralded itself as the great metropolis of trade, study, and prosperity, in the uncertain world known to its inhabitants as Valenor. Now, you awaken in a place only moments ago, believed a legend. A myth to frighten the young. The sky is black. The moon shines, but the stars are gone. You are abandoned.

​

Why did you travel to Mensus? Give a nice simple answer once your character has been confirmed.

Was it for Trade? To profit and make your living? Gaining honor through wealth and influence?

Was it for Glory? To make a name for yourself amidst the great shining streets? To be honored, as a hero in the brightest city?

Was it for Power? To play your hand in the open politics of an isolated, powerful republic? To gain honor as a figure of great importance?

Was it for Knowledge? To explore the vast libraries and spires of a center of culture? To gain honor, through study?

Was it for Salvation? The religious truths the oracles and sages from the city claimed to preach? To gain honor, through righteousness?

Was it for Strength? To push and prove yourself with the mightiest warriors, against the greatest of beasts? To gain honor, through battle?​

​

...Or do you seek honor through another path?

​

​

You enter alone, and carry on...but in time... movement stirs on the path ahead. A flicker from the shadows....

 

[Orikanyo]

To come to Mensus, to come to this place to help, to guide, to see.


Everytime Shara-kier asked the angel why they come to the golden city, it was a new answer... probably trying to act prophetic again... As mcuh as it tried to seem so, it's foolishness won out more often then not. If most likely came here because it thought the last city was cleansed well enough, or a larger problem existed here...


Either way, to make the journey alone is an experience, and the city will allow for many an opportunity to commune with those who serve the light, perhaps he would visit a nearby church to learn of the place before he went in a more thorough exploration of the grounds.. try as he may to stay still for a day... his wanderlust still wins out. Tired or not, the city is a object of interest, and whos to say one cannot take a look around whilst they spread the word to those who wish to hear it? Key word, wish to, salvation means nothing if not chosen.


But his plans are interrupted, his plans, changed, for where he was now, in the last step of his adventure was not his intended destination... Now... now he was frightened...


"Where? What? Cass? Where are we?" he asked allowed, speaking to the helm atop of his head.


A yawn erupted from the slightly glowing helm, sounding as if it had just been awoke from a good nap. "Hmm? where are we now? You didn't lead us into a haunted bog now have you?"


"No... Not again at least, no will o' wisp this time."


"Then... how are we... what in hell did we just stumble into?"


"You are speaking to me.. so i doubt its a dream... unless you being atop of my head lets you speak to me in them... that much frightens me more then this place... We had reached Mensus, but the gates were ungaurded..."


"The gates? So we got to the city? And ended up here somehow? Magic, no doubt in that... a moment." Slipping off of Shara-kier's head the cassisian angel casts detect evil, in hopes of possibly ascertaining any threats in the area. As Shara-kier attempts to look around the immediate area.


"..I remember... the combat graveyard... the rumors are true in it's visage... horrible in every way."





"Almost as scary as you attempts at cooking. Look rather similar as well."





"F-f-focus damn it!"

 

[DarkDan1100]

Chase opened his eyes slowly, wondering how exactly he'd gotten here. He didn't recognize his current location, nor did he remember how he got here so he was a little suspicious.


The monk guessed it was some form of magic that brought him here since his head didn't hurt. He examined the metal blue pillars around him as he stood up, dusting his brown robes off and adjusting his headband as he did.


"I suppose there is some magic to this Mensus place..." he mused to himself, crossing his arms as he looked around. He was certain this didn't look like an enlightened metropolis, it almost felt like a graveyard if he took a guess.


He wasn't worried about survival, he could live with no food or water and only needed 2 hours of sleep a night thanks to his Ring of Sustenance but he didn't want to stand around doing nothing. Chase decided to wonder from his starting position, he chose a direction at random and started walking at a steady pace, careful not to let his guard down in the strange place. He supposed the blue pillars of metal must have been nice to look at when they were new and wondered what purpose they served.

 

[JayTee]

Roland looked around the sights of the Cobalt Graveyard with a mixture of wonder and caution. Loosing consciousness like that was unexpected, and he would have to be more careful in the future.


Thankfully, he appeared to be unharmed. Since traveling to Mensus upon hearing rumors that the general of the coup de'ta forces had fled to the city, Roland had followed close behind. He didn't know if General Abradus knew that Roland was pursuing him, but he didn't want to take chances.


Reaching in to his coat and pulling out his familiar, Krim, Roland sent the Dragon Faerie in to the air. "Keep an eye out for anything of note. Keep me appraised and stay out of trouble." He said.


The familiar itself gave an approximation of a salute, a holdover from Roland's time in the military. 'Got it, boss.' Krim responded via telepathy, before flying up to act as his eyes in the sky.


Satisfied that he had a second pair of eyes watching his back, Roland began walking.

 

[SephirothSage]

A woman stirs, clad in burnished mythril breastplate that seems to have a smokey grey pattern upon it, and bearing a blackened metal shield. At her side, a curved blade rests in a sheathe. Molten golden hair rests on her shoulders- as she groans quietly, stirring to look around.


"Damnit..." She grumbles- her voice soft and pleasant, yet marred by a gruff tone. She pushes herself back up to stand, swaying as she surveys her surroundings.. and scowls on reflex. "....Ugh... doesn't seem like any kind of paradise to me, so far.... tch. What was I thinking, 'a place of peace'.... 'a place to rest my head'..." She spits, as she looks up at a starless sky.. and closes her eyes.


"...I've really gone and fucked up now, haven't I..?" She murmurs softly- a sad frown on her face.

 

[TacoMann]

@Orikanyo


As you carry on through the graveyard, a faint aura of evil makes itself known. The great cascading pillars of Cobalt, long since blackened by rust, loom over the path as it widens to a perfect circle of inlaid cobalt brick, which surrounds a tangled, withered mass that might once have been a garden. A single tree lives, shrivelled, twisted, and leafless, in the midst of it, with a faded plaque on it's bark, illegible at this distance. The dusty sands beneath your feet scatter as you step. Detect Evil makes signs of other creatures around clear. A figure stalks from shadow to shadow, roughly 50 yards ahead. Moving rapidly.


[Perception Check - DC 20]


@DarkDan1100


A low rasp comes from the shadows ahead as you make your way through the city. The pathway leads to a widened opening, about 100 yards down, with a singular tree in the midst of it. As you pass, you notice a hole in one of the pillars, perfectly square, and just large enough for a nimble humanoid to crawl inside. A shadow sprints across the path ahead.


[Perception Check - DC 20]


@JayTee


A winding path unwravels before you through the ever growing rise of metallic pillars. One of the hollow structures appears to have been caved in before you, the edges withered and rusted black. Long-since dried stains of blood leading to a butchered, torn, mummified husk of a humanoid inside, which sits clutching a shimmering, cobalt tablet close to its chest. A figure dashes along the sand ahead, and leaps onto one of the pillars.


[Perception Check - DC 20]


@SephirothSage


In time, you find yourself at the base of a merged structure, twelve of the pylons twisting together into a single spire that must've once been a beautiful sight. Now, it merely looms, casting its shadow to the edge of the only vegetation in sight: A twisted bramble garden at the foot of a large, shriveled oak. A figure scrambles past the bark, leaving a line in the dusty sands.


[Perception Check - DC 20]

 

[SephirothSage]

Mira snaps out of her internal monologue with a new purpose; aware of something more than she was before. Knowing more than just a few seconds ago. She sighs softly- and smiles gently, as her eyes rove the area around her, and her keen ears perk up. She slowly, smoothly draws her blade- and drops into the low crouch she is used to, as her eyes and ears scan the area about her with a practiced and keen skill. Survival- she knows that all too well. Awareness, stealth... she has the knowledge..


Now to put it to use. There is no more noise from her- not for now, at least...


[dice]18531[/dice]


[dice]18532[/dice]

 

[DarkDan1100]

Chase blinked, he wasn't certain he'd seen anything, he didn't consider himself reckless, he slowly approached where he'd seen the movement. The monk was confident but not overconfident, despite this he didn't bother to hide himself from whatever it was, since he assumed it might have already seen him. He was a careful fighter, despite his confidence, so he checked his surroundings, making sure whatever it was didn't have friends.


[dice]18540[/dice]

 

[Orikanyo]

"Do you sense that Cassisian?"


"indeed... but.. what is that?" the creature asked as it motioned towards the strange shadow dashing around, attempting to pierce the viel of shadow that it held over it'self.


"What... what is..." Shara-kier asked himself as he drew out his bow, knocking a mundane arrow atop of it, but still the bow it self gave it a faint magical glow.


"just where in blazes are we?"


"Definitely not Mensus."


"Not the time for jokes..."


The young tielfling stated as he drew his bow, awaiting the shadowed creatures next movements...


Shara-kier


[dice]18547[/dice]


Cassisian


[dice]18548[/dice]

 

[JayTee]

Roland's hands had been tucked away in their sleeves for warmth and comfort, but when something skittered about at the edge of his vision, he shook them free, figures bent slightly in readiness to begin channeling power. 'Krim?' Thought Roland to his familiar through their bond.


'Yeah boss, I saw it too.' replied the Dragon Faerie. Roland could sense Krim moving in to position, ready to rejoin his master should things become... dangerous.

Spoiler

[dice]18561[/dice]


[dice]18562[/dice]

 

[TacoMann]

@Orikanyo @JayTee @DarkDan1100 @SephirothSage


Each of you (or your familiars) spot out a degree of details regarding the figures that stalk you. That they are pale, gaunt, emaciated figures. Pointed ears, and blood-stained maws. Each with a weapon of sorts in hand. A spear of sorts. At the glance you each scoured, the figures would seem to be ghouls. Their pallid skin bearing many a reddened, sun-flayed patch. The figures scramble past once more.


@JayTee

Spoiler

From his view above, Krim caught a glimpse that the darting figure seems to have hidden just out of your view atop the pillars, and that another, wielding a longbow, sits hidden in the alley the figure sprinted from.


@SephirothSage


As you cling to the shadows, and wait another moment, the scowling figure takes a glance back out of it's refuge, scanning the area for you. It scampers across the yard once more, hobbling. A feral stance ready to pounce with its odd, branched spear, as it draws closer, stopping in the shade ten yards from you, trying to catch a scent. Mother suggests execution.

 

[Orikanyo]

@TacoMann


"Ghouls, bloody ghouls, its always the damned undead." Cassisian muttered as he ploped down atop of Shara-kier's horned head, for protection and sake of convenience.


"Damn it... We have to find a way out of here, who knows how many lie in wait..." drawing out 3 more arrows, holding them in the drawing arm as he used two fingers to draw the bowstring taught and ready to fire(Even wonder how in myth archers seem to fire so fast, thats why, arrows were kept in the drawing hand to limit the range of motion in the action of reloading, fire, use fingers to bring one arrow up and pull in the same motion, repeat until enemy looks like a strange bird) at the first ghoul that attempted to lunge towards him, or any other thing that might jump at him.. Gods know he wasn't in the mood to be chewed upon this day, andhe had more then enough arrows to keep them at bay... he hoped...


"What kind of fresh hell is this place...? Perhaps the way out lay in the towers?" he asked himself as he slowly walked down what he... well.. he doubted there was a path... so... forward he guessed?

 

[SephirothSage]

She narrows her eyes- lurking in the shadow, her breastplate seeming to fade into the darkness with her- her form and shape indistinct in the darkness around her as she scowls- and makes her own decision, rather than hastily jumping forth- peering forth into the beings soul. Is it truly undead? Is it evil? Good..? Neither, like most beings..? She stares at it's soul-and soon, she will know.

Spoiler

Detect Alignment + Soul-Sight. I can see it's current health (which would include if it's actually dead or not), and alignment on the Law/Chaos, Good/Evil scale.

 

[DarkDan1100]

Chase looked at the pale undead, more armed than he was, and frowned. He didn't need to be armed but he knew that being surrounded would not end well for him.


The monk glanced around and made a decision, he jumped as high as he could on one of the cobalt shafts and held himself up there to good a better view of his surroundings. He didn't need to be surrounded and intended on killing the monsters if he could.

Spoiler

Acrobatics roll to jump up


[dice]18637[/dice]


Climb roll to hang on


[dice]18638[/dice]


Perception roll to get a better view of the surroundings from up there


[dice]18639[/dice]

 

[JayTee]

Roland signed as Krim relayed the information to him. "I don't have time for this." He muttered as he raised his hand and snapped his fingers. Instantly a humanoid canine appeared in a glimmer of light, kneeling before him and wielding a masterwork great sword. A Hound Archon.


"There are two ghouls haunting me." Roland said to the Outsider in it's native language, pointing at each of them. "Kill one, maim the other. I have questions for it." He ordered.


OOC


Summon Monster 4: Hound Archon

 

[TacoMann]

@JayTee


The archon nods, and charges the longbowman. The spearman dives, giving a shriek as he lunges for the hound, and the bowman turns to aim. The bowman looses a shot at it whilst the spearman dives for an attack of opportunity, before the Archon makes it to range to swing...

Spoiler

[dice]18658[/dice]


The arrow flies past the Archon, as it charges, embedding into a pillar behind you.


[dice]18659[/dice]


The spear however, finds its bed in the archon...


[dice]18660[/dice]


... grazing through the noble hound's shoulder as it charges its first mark, aiming to impale the archer on its blade.


[dice]18661[/dice]


[dice]18662[/dice]


Doing so with success, as the ghoul lets a spurt of blood from its mouth and backside down the Archon's blade.


@Orikanyo


You see one weilding a dagger, and bow, clamber on top of the pillar aside you, standing on it's peak, and aiming away from you. It snarls loudly, as a swordsman dives from the shadows, charging towards you at an unnatural speed.


Swordsman AC: 24


Archer AC: 15


@DarkDan1100


As you climb atop the pillar, you find it to be rather sturdy. You spy the figure of the Hound Archon, charging into engagement with two more of the ghoulish figures. The one that stalked you clambers atop a pillar across from you, and draws out a longbow. The shriek of another can be heard on the other side of the pillar it stands upon. You find a view of the garden the others spied as well. The bowman aiming at you looses an arrow.






[dice]18663[/dice]


[dice]18664[/dice]


The arrow finds its mark, embedding itself in your shoulder for 5 damage. The "ghoul" snarls, sneers, and draws two more.


@SephirothSage (Target details revealed in PM)


The figure turns its back to you, its ears perking to the air as a figure leaps atop one of the pillars across the garden, followed by another, taking aim at it. In a view of the streets curling towards the garden, you see a humanoid canine figure charging to engage two of the "ghouls".

 

[DarkDan1100]

@TacoMann


Chase caught the arrow shaft on the back of his wrist, deflecting it to take no damage, smirking at the ghoul as he did, he decided to take the ghoul down a notch. He leaped across the pillars to kick the ghoul. He'd deal with the other ghouls when he landed, since there didn't seem to be as much of them as he was worried about.

Spoiler

Leaping across


[dice]18667[/dice]


The kick


[dice]18668[/dice]


damage from kick


[dice]18669[/dice]

 

[Orikanyo]

@TacoMann


"So be it! i send you back from whence you came!" Shara-kier yelled to the beast as he unloaded his first shots into the archer, his pulls were swift yet strong, sending the arrows searing towards their target, while mundane, the strength behind each of these shots ensures they will sting.

Spoiler

[dice]18672[/dice]


[dice]18673[/dice]


His next few went to the charging beast, the arrows screeching as they rushed forward, propelled by a bow that had really no reason to be that strong, but sadly, magic says otherwise on the matter. Shara-kier has never been mroe thankful that he grabbed that adaptive enchanment, it was just abit more gold, but it certainly was worth it.






[dice]18674[/dice]


[dice]18675[/dice]


[dice]18676[/dice]


Damage


[dice]18677[/dice]


[dice]18678[/dice]


[dice]18679[/dice]


"Return to the hell of which you came!"

 

[SephirothSage]

She nods, slightly. Evil seeps in their souls- sin on which to feast. Sins to reap, and souls to harvest. She readies her blade- and from the shadows, bounds from stealth- her blade seeking the poor, misbegotten, starving elf's vitals. She lunges with a blur- her armor not even truly hindering her serpentine-quick movements from the shadows. She snaps out from the shadow- scimitar blurring towards the beings body!

Spoiler

[dice]18685[/dice]


[dice]18686[/dice]


[dice]18687[/dice]


[dice]18688[/dice]

 

[TacoMann]

@DarkDan1100 @Orikanyo


As the monk spirals through the air with unnatural grace, crossing @SephirothSage 's line of view, and lands, foot cracking to the "Ghoul's" jaw as the beast staggers back, two arrowheads bursting from their lungs as you take its place atop the spire, and it falls dead onto the ground. The charger, too, is heavily wounded by arrows, and lunges away before his charge, giving another feral shriek and turning to sprint off into the shadows at an unnatural pace.


@SephirothSage


The cannibal is silenced before it can charge off. Its head rolls off its shoulders to the dusty ground below in the great spire's shade. As it's blood barely flows from the spout of it's neck. Mother grows restless, eager to be appeased, as you spy the first rising figure spiral gracefully to launch his assailant from his foothold. The Archon continuing its brawl.

 

[DarkDan1100]

Chase saw the sword wielding ghoul sprinting off towards the shadows and decided to deal with that one too. He leaped at the retreating ghoul with the intent of kicking it in the back for daring to run away.

Spoiler

Acrobatic leap


[dice]18689[/dice]


Kick the ghoul


[dice]18690[/dice]


Damage roll in case I somehow succeeded


[dice]18691[/dice]

 

[TacoMann]

@DarkDan1100 @Orikanyo


Chases loses his footing before he leaps, and falls, face-first, onto the ground in front of Roland. The "Ghoul" sprints off, at a beyond unnatural sprint. Hauling a sack of fresh carcass from an alley as it's adrenaline kicks into overdrive. The figure clears off further into the distance.


@SephirothSage


You see the previously graceful figure slip, and flop out of sight behind the great tree.


@DarkDan1100 @Orikanyo @SephirothSage @JayTee


The sounds of battle rage on, as the two "Ghouls" and the Archon clash.

 

[SephirothSage]

Efficient. Quiet. Quick... and supremely lethal. This is Mira's modus operandi- be sure that you know all you can, then be sure you only need to strike once. As the body falls, she coaxes it down.. And then sets to her quick work- reaching out to the soul she's felt. Her clutches grasp at it- and she drinks. She cuts into the body- cuts to the bone, and digs into the marrow. She rips and tears through flesh- blood spraying from the wounds. It coats her hands and her blade, and she licks it up into her mouth- tongue lapping at the sickly sweetness.


She's in the shadow- and she begins the ritual. She feeds on his sins- on his misdeeds; on all the sorrow and evil of this misbegotten wretchs existence, and takes it into herself to feed her mother.


To feed herself?


She cuts at his arms- and then lefts a severed limb to crack and drink of the marrow, even as she drinks of the spirit.

Spoiler

Begining Sin Eater ritual. Still in stealth.


[dice]18713[/dice]

 

[Orikanyo]

@TacoMann @DarkDan1100 @JayTee (because you can hear this no doubt.)


Just as he was about to pin two new feather into the flying things back, another damn ghoul in this wretched place, or so he thought at first. the figure suddenly planted it's face directly into the ground with a rather comical lack of grace. Shara-kier stepped forward, two arrows still perched on his un-pulled bow, ready to fire at a moments notice... But... was that a ghoul?


"...Are.. you alright?" he asked the now prone... acrobat, looking quite confused onto why he he took such a fall... And still questioned if he was indeed alive after such a dive, was dive a good word for it? More like a plummet.


"...Do... you need assistance?"

 

[JayTee]

Roland took a few moments to make sure the Hound Archon had the situation well in hand, before turning his attention elsewhere, trusting Krim to warn him should he come under threat.


The mummified figure had drawn his interest, and that Cobalt tablet could provide him with greater insight. Picking it up, he was about to examine it when he heard a voice speak out, and not at him.


Deciding that discretion was the better part of valor at the moment, he veiled himself in magic before moving to investigate.


OOC


Spell: Invisibility