Ruin's Dawn: Conquering Hive

Elisabeth, Balthazar, Tor'ree, Nir'wei, and Ralgar

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Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:34 pm
Race: Human
Renown: 0
Wealth Tier: Tier 1

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Re: Ruin's Dawn: Conquering Hive

Follow the Bouncing Fireball
As Ralgar’s Rampage receded, he found himself without any foes within club reach to crush; once the last dragonling had fled, he was the only living thing in the swampy cave. Unless one counted the little flaming rock that suddenly appeared before him, gesturing frantically for the “big man” to follow.

While all about the Labyrinth shook and moaned, Fuego led the Deathkissed down through the water into the bathhouse. Enough water had drained that Ralgar only ever had to wade up to his thighs, but it slowed him down to an agonizing pace while the Fireforged diri bounced impatiently for him to follow. It stopped to bob meaningfully atop a stack of pool chairs piled next to a wall, under some dislodged ceiling tiles. The diri would insist on having the big man follow him up.

The quartet of beings already in the ceiling were crawling for all they were worth while the wooden beams around them swayed and creaked. Toree would hear a sound behind her, and looking back would see Fuego next to the hole they had recently climbed up themselves, watching as first a hand with a huge club, then a shaggy head, then Ralgar’s large body clambered into view.

Somehow, they all made it out into the glaring Saun sunslight. The four straightened themselves, breathing hard, and looking like ghosts as they were covered from head to toe in dust and plaster. They could see the hole in the partly-underground structure where they had just come out; not far away was the now-collapsed entrance before which they had found themselves back when they had first arrived here, what seemed like a cycle ago. They could trace what looked like a sinkhole starting to form beneath where the Labyrinth had lain beneath the hill, a sinkhole that would have buried them all as it settled, had they stayed any longer.

Elisabeth heard a quiet meow, and looked to see the kitten, still just inside the hole. It looked at each of them, Elisabeth last, before meowing again, and then suddenly fading, seeming as it did to melt into the incongruous timbers and drywall that showed just under the earth. Soon it was there no more, although Elisabeth could have sworn that, just before it vanished completely, she had seen it wink at her.

The next sound they heard was emphatically not a kitten’s meow. A loud noise that sounded oddly like the hum of a huge swarm of insects, issued from overhead. Looking up, Ralgar, perhaps also via Fuego, Balthazar, would recognize the dragon. It had grown to huge size, having by now accreted all the dragonet swarm that had risen with it from the Labyrinth. It seemed to look at them, but made no sort of acknowledgment that the adventurers could tell. After several trills of hovering this, it turned and disappeared farther into the hills.

At length, the four of them were alone. Behind them were the ruins of the Labyrinth. On the plain beneath them were the nearest settlements of Rynmere. Most importantly, before the now-collapsed entrance, were four shimmering portals, through which each of them could see familiar and relatively comforting vistas. Through these portals, they could see their way home.
Let's Review
Elisabeth

Overview

Of course Elisabeth would find a cat! I'll bet she could find a cat in Anox's Folly. This character never stops trying to make sense of what she sees, no matter how bizarre or dangerous the situation she faces. She does this even while also acting to impact the action. I was as impressed by Elisabeth's responses as the Explorer was, believe me. I hope she figures out what the deal is with her necklace.

Points

XP: 50.
Magic: Yes, for Defiance.
Renown: 60

Loot

  • Remaining Favoured Celarion Abilities
  • Celarion Adored Abilities +3
  • Remaining Favoured Nalos Abilities
  • Nalos Adored Abilities +3
  • Tiara with two Krorros abilities:
    - Conqueror's Armor
    - Conqueror's Empowerment
    And yes, Elisabeth has to wear a tiara to use these abilities.
  • Dragonfly Figurine - This figurine will activate if a structure the character is in is in danger of collapsing; the dragonfly will take flight and guide him or her along the best route to the nearest safe exit. Unless the collapse is very sudden and unforseeable in onset, the figurine will always activate in time, albeit just in time, to give the character the opportunity to escape. If there is not an exit available, the figurine will guide the character to whichever part of the building/tunnel/etc. is least dangerous. Once a season, the character can also activate the figurine to get it to show the nearest safe exit even if a structure is not in danger of collapsing (for example, if the character is merely lost).
  • Key Kitty - Once a season, Elisabeth can call on the kitten (a spirit) that she met in the Labyrinth to retrieve the key to a door or other physical portal, wherever it might be. Note that this is *the* key, not a magically-generated copy, meaning a rightful owner could miss it. For this ability to work, the key must be an extant physical object securing a physical lock, located within a trial's journey by foot from Elisabeth's location. The key must also be an object a cat could feasibly carry. The kitten moves in the spirit realm, and is very stealthy and resourceful. Even if a key is in the owner's pocket or a locked cabinet, the kitten will be able to retrieve it.
  • Get-a-Clue - This is a ball of yarn that, when one end of it is touched to a location, will leave a "clue" of apparent string visible only to the owner, tracing the route the owner takes, for a distance of up to a mile. the visualized thread is not a physical object that can be obscured, severed or damaged in any physical way. It will seem to extend through doors or panels that might get closed to shut off the character's route. In addition to enabling the owner to retrace their steps, once a season the Get-a-Clue can be activated to teleport the owner back to the starting location.
  • Golden Pumpkin - For unclear reasons, characters who successfully negotiated the labyrinth each find a golden pumpkin. It's worth a lot of money, but it isn't good for much else. Please add +5 WP to your ledger.
  • Must...Have...Air... A necklace of glass beads that can, once a trial, be activated to provide the owner with a bubble of breathable air around his or her head. The bubble will last for half a break. the beads will pulse and flash faintly about five bits before the time is up. And yes, it can be used underwater.

Knowledge

Athletics: 3
Caregiving: 3
Combat: Blades: 1
Defiance: 5
Detection: 9
Discipline: 6
Endurance: 2
Engineering: 2
Etiquette: 1
Investigation: 4
Intelligence: 4
Leadership: 6
Logistics: 5
Meditation: 2
Psychology: 5
Resistance: 3
Rhetoric: 3
Science: 1
Socialization: 1
Stealth: 3
Strength: 2
Swimming: 1
Tactics: 3
Balthazar

Overview

Balthazar's leadership skills are on display here, also his nobler and kindler nature; he took care of and defended the Explorer even when he was at his most frustrating. And he was left to pick up the slack after Nir'wei bolted.

Points

XP: 50
Magic: No
Renown: 60

Loot

  • Really Good at Charades: Although not conversant in Common Sign, Balthazar is sufficiently ingenious at using gesture that he is capable of communicating via improvised hand signals as if he were Novice in Common Sign, and his target will understand him as if he or she were Novice in Common Sign as well. Balthazar can only maintain this charade (ha!) for two bits, after which he must wait two breaks to try again.
  • Bellinos abilities to Adored +6
  • Tiara with two Krorros abilities:
    - Commander's Boon
    - Conqueror's Armor
    And yes, Balthazar has to wear a tiara to use these abilities.
  • Get-a-Clue - This is a ball of yarn that, when one end of it is touched to a location, will leave a "clue" of apparent string visible only to the owner, tracing the route the owner takes, for a distance of up to a mile. the visualized thread is not a physical object that can be obscured, severed or damaged in any physical way. It will seem to extend through doors or panels that might get closed to shut off the character's route. In addition to enabling the owner to retrace their steps, once a season the Get-a-Clue can be activated to teleport the owner back to the starting location.
  • Dragonfly Figurine - This figurine will activate if a structure the character is in is in danger of collapsing; the dragonfly will take flight and guide him or her along the best route to the nearest safe exit. Unless the collapse is very sudden and unforseeable in onset, the figurine will always activate in time, albeit just in time, to give the character the opportunity to escape. If there is not an exit available, the figurine will guide the character to whichever part of the building/tunnel/etc. is least dangerous. Once a season, the character can also activate the figurine to get it to show the nearest safe exit even if a structure is not in danger of collapsing (for example, if the character is merely lost).
  • Golden Pumpkin - For unclear reasons, characters who successfully negotiated the labyrinth each find a golden pumpkin. It's worth a lot of money, but it isn't good for much else. Please add +5 WP to your ledger.
  • Must...Have...Air... A necklace of glass beads that can, once a trial, be activated to provide the owner with a bubble of breathable air around his or her head. The bubble will last for half a break. the beads will pulse and flash faintly about five bits before the time is up. And yes, it can be used underwater.
  • Curved. Swords. The Aukari Occult dropped some of their curved! swords! Balthazar finds a cutlass. It is Tier 8 quality and carries an enchantment which mimics the Heavy Burn ability from the Al'deurn mark.
  • Labyrinth Stables Liquidation Sale! Balthzar receives one Tier 8 Non-Exotic mount. Please develop and submit to the PSF.
  • Unemployed Squire for Hire. Rynmere has more nobility than it can meaningfully employ. An NPC with up to 450 XP and no less than 10 xp in any skill and up to 100 xp in any one skill.

Knowledge

Athletics: 5
Caregiving: 4
Detection: 7
Discipline: 6
Endurance: 3
Engineering: 3
Etiquette: 2
Investigation: 3
Intelligence: 3
Leadership: 9
Logistics: 4
Meditation: 5
Resistance: 3
Rhetoric: 3
Socialization: 2
Stealth: 2
Strength: 2
Swimming: 1
Teaching: 1
Tactics: 8
Tor'ee

Overview

My first thread with this character, and in practice I only spent a few rounds with her. She is an interesting and complex character, cynical and not entirely pleasant, but always engaging. I thought she was going to kill somebody if she had to explain how her abilities worked again. I hope she and her spirit familiar have many more adventures.

Points


XP: 50
Magic: No.
Renown: 60

Loot

  • Audrae's passing. Audrae's death resulted in a pulse of power that, among other things, gave Tor'ee the remaining Favored abilities of the Audnev mark. She will not, however, be able to progress the mark any further, as its granter is gone.
  • Tiara with two Krorros abilities:
    - Conqueror's Rush
    - Force of the Conqueror
    And yes, Tor'ee has to wear a tiara to use these abilities.
  • Sunglasses At Night. Tor'ee has a visor that offsets the light sensitivity connected to her Audnev abilities enabling her to use them without experiencing discomfort from untoward light sources.
  • Get-a-Clue - This is a ball of yarn that, when one end of it is touched to a location, will leave a "clue" of apparent string visible only to the owner, tracing the route the owner takes, for a distance of up to a mile. the visualized thread is not a physical object that can be obscured, severed or damaged in any physical way. It will seem to extend through doors or panels that might get closed to shut off the character's route. In addition to enabling the owner to retrace their steps, once a season the Get-a-Clue can be activated to teleport the owner back to the starting location.
  • Dragonfly Figurine - This figurine will activate if a structure the character is in is in danger of collapsing; the dragonfly will take flight and guide him or her along the best route to the nearest safe exit. Unless the collapse is very sudden and unforseeable in onset, the figurine will always activate in time, albeit just in time, to give the character the opportunity to escape. If there is not an exit available, the figurine will guide the character to whichever part of the building/tunnel/etc. is least dangerous. Once a season, the character can also activate the figurine to get it to show the nearest safe exit even if a structure is not in danger of collapsing (for example, if the character is merely lost).
  • Golden Pumpkin - For unclear reasons, characters who successfully negotiated the labyrinth each find a golden pumpkin. It's worth a lot of money, but it isn't good for much else. Please add +5 WP to your ledger.
  • Must...Have...Air... A necklace of glass beads that can, once a trial, be activated to provide the owner with a bubble of breathable air around his or her head. The bubble will last for half a break. the beads will pulse and flash faintly about five bits before the time is up. And yes, it can be used underwater.
  • The Joy of Booking. Tor'ee receives a book which, upon reading it, grants her three knowledges each in Cooking and Gardening.
  • Curved. Swords. The Aukari Occult dropped some of their curved! swords! Tor'ee finds a cutlass. It is Tier 8 quality and carries an enchantment which mimics the Heavy Burn ability from the Al'deurn mark.
  • Labyrinth Stables Liquidation Sale! Tor'ee receives one Tier 8 Non-Exotic mount. Please develop and submit to the PSF.

Knowledge

Athletics: 6
Caregiving: 1
Cartography: 1
Cooking: 1
Detection: 9
Discipline: 6
Etiquette: 1
Endurance: 4
Engineering: 3
Leadership: 5
Logistics: 5
Meditation: 2
Psychology: 4
Resistance: 3
Science: 1
Socialization: 3
Stealth: 5
Strength: 3
Swimming: 1
Tactics: 6
Ralgar

Overview

Ralgar may be a rampaging barbarian, but he is thoughtful and intelligent. A bit like Elisabeth, he shares the keen will to understand what is going on around him. And when that doesn't work, he smashes things. I wonder if that counts as a character arc.

Points

XP: 50
Magic: No.
Renown: 60

Loot

  • New MB ability in Rampage Domain
  • Tiara with two Krorros abilities:
    - Heavy Blow
    - Ignore Pain
    And yes, Ralgar has to wear a tiara to use these abilities.
  • Get-a-Clue - This is a ball of yarn that, when one end of it is touched to a location, will leave a "clue" of apparent string visible only to the owner, tracing the route the owner takes, for a distance of up to a mile. the visualized thread is not a physical object that can be obscured, severed or damaged in any physical way. It will seem to extend through doors or panels that might get closed to shut off the character's route. In addition to enabling the owner to retrace their steps, once a season the Get-a-Clue can be activated to teleport the owner back to the starting location.
  • Dragonfly Figurine - This figurine will activate if a structure the character is in is in danger of collapsing; the dragonfly will take flight and guide him or her along the best route to the nearest safe exit. Unless the collapse is very sudden and unforseeable in onset, the figurine will always activate in time, albeit just in time, to give the character the opportunity to escape. If there is not an exit available, the figurine will guide the character to whichever part of the building/tunnel/etc. is least dangerous. Once a season, the character can also activate the figurine to get it to show the nearest safe exit even if a structure is not in danger of collapsing (for example, if the character is merely lost).
  • Golden Pumpkin - For unclear reasons, characters who successfully negotiated the labyrinth each find a golden pumpkin. It's worth a lot of money, but it isn't good for much else. Please add +5 WP to your ledger.
  • Must...Have...Air... A necklace of glass beads that can, once a trial, be activated to provide the owner with a bubble of breathable air around his or her head. The bubble will last for half a break. the beads will pulse and flash faintly about five bits before the time is up. And yes, it can be used underwater.
  • Pheromones. Ralgar emits pheromones that prevent bees and other stinging insects from attacking him, unless he smashes them *cnk* *cnk*. Twice a trial, he can also secrete "attack" pheromones that will cause such insects, if they are on hand, to attack whatever opponent he is fighting.
  • Labyrinth Stables Liquidation Sale! Ralgar receives one Tier 8 Non-Exotic mount. Please develop and submit to the PSF.
  • The Joy of Bonking. Ralgar receives a book. He has no idea what it says inside. But it's really heavy and good at smashing things. After doing so for a while, he will find that he has gained three Knowledges each in Strength and Axes & Bludgeons.
  • Exclusive club. This Fijan Dance Club doesn't just let anybody in! Ralgar finds that, after all his bug-smashing, some of the dragonling chitin and goo has soaked/adhered into the head, actually improving its quality to Tier 8. It can also be brandished to improve his Intimidation skill by one tier for up to 10 bits up to three times a trial.

Knowledge

Combat: Axes & Bludgeons: 5
Athletics: 4
Detection: 6
Discipline: 9
Endurance: 5
Engineering: 2
Etiquette: 2
Intelligence: 2
Intimidation: 4
Investigation: 2
Leadership: 7
Linguistics: 2
Logistics: 2
Meditation: 2
Resistance: 4
Stealth: 1
Strength: 5
Tactics: 4
Nir'wei

Overview

Nir'wei started as the leader of the pack, and ended up as the lone wolf! What happened?! Of all the characters I've modded in either event, this was the one that acted in a way that surprised me most. As always, you write Nir'wei as surly, willful, barely tamable and definitely not domesticable. And yet, he cares deeply about the world and affairs of mortals, and will do what he can to protect it from evil.

Points


XP: 25
Magic: No.
Renown: 30

Loot

  • New Power: Loyalty Domain
  • Tiara with two Krorros abilities:
    - Commander's Boon
    - Ignore Pain
  • Remaining Sojourn Favored Abilities.
  • Get-a-Clue - This is a ball of yarn that, when one end of it is touched to a location, will leave a "clue" of apparent string visible only to the owner, tracing the route the owner takes, for a distance of up to a mile. the visualized thread is not a physical object that can be obscured, severed or damaged in any physical way. It will seem to extend through doors or panels that might get closed to shut off the character's route. In addition to enabling the owner to retrace their steps, once a season the Get-a-Clue can be activated to teleport the owner back to the starting location.
  • Dragonfly Figurine - This figurine will activate if a structure the character is in is in danger of collapsing; the dragonfly will take flight and guide him or her along the best route to the nearest safe exit. Unless the collapse is very sudden and unforseeable in onset, the figurine will always activate in time, albeit just in time, to give the character the opportunity to escape. If there is not an exit available, the figurine will guide the character to whichever part of the building/tunnel/etc. is least dangerous. Once a season, the character can also activate the figurine to get it to show the nearest safe exit even if a structure is not in danger of collapsing (for example, if the character is merely lost).
  • Must...Have...Air... A necklace of glass beads that can, once a trial, be activated to provide the owner with a bubble of breathable air around his or her head. The bubble will last for half a break. the beads will pulse and flash faintly about five bits before the time is up. And yes, it can be used underwater.
  • Golden Pumpkin - For unclear reasons, characters who successfully negotiated the labyrinth each find a golden pumpkin. It's worth a lot of money, but it isn't good for much else. Please add +5 WP to your ledger.

Knowledge

Combat: Ranged: 1
Detection: 5
Discipline: 2
Engineering: 2
Endurance: 1
Etiquette: 1
Intelligence: 3
Investigation: 6
Intimidation: 2
Leadership: 4
Logistics: 4
Meditation: 3
Navigation: 1
Psychology: 2
Resistance: 2
Socialization: 2
Stealth: 1
Tactics: 6
Next modpost: There is none. This is IT!!! Well done, everybody!
word count: 3583
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