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A Sword Without a Hilt: A Song of Ice and Fire/D&D 3.5 Crossover

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TalonofAnathrax said:
Good point. Then I suggest having one of us adopt a form similar to that of the Luminary, and the others take on the appearance of well-equipped Yi-Ti mages. Waymar should remain invisible, however, as his acting isn't up to scratch.
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Okay, that works for me. Write up the charade with a couple of Emerald Magistrates for added authenticity, also my abduction plan on it as needed, and I'll vote for you.
 
Suggested edits to your plan :
  • Have us take on the forms of a Yi-Ti Mage Hunter team led by a Luminary
  • Use that soul-binding Pathfinder spell Malarys uses for the capture - it's very appropriate against a target using Magic Jar, IMO. Or perhaps Amber Sacrophagus?
  • Have Companions ready actions to counter their inevitable counters
This plan risks letting the lesser mages escape with the body of their comrade (including his Mind Blank ring!), so how will we counter that?
I suggest asking Varys to stay within Mindsight range, or keeping them under observation through a Greater Scrying or something.

Any and all theatrics will happen after the fight is over, @Goldfish. Rule number one of fighting : monologue only after you've won. Once we've won we'll make sure to be seen (maybe we'll kill those insect-things or something? Or make another proclamation like we will for the Alchemists?) but for now all I want to do is run your plan while wearing a different appearance, just in case we're seed during the fight.
 
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TalonofAnathrax said:
Suggested edits to your plan :
  • Have us take on the forms of a Yi-Ti Mage Hunter team led by a Luminary
  • Use that soul-binding Pathfinder spell Malarys uses for the capture - it's very appropriate against a target using Magic Jar, IMO. Or perhaps Amber Sacrophagus?
  • Have Companions ready actions to counter their inevitable counters
This plan risks letting the lesser mages escape with the body of their comrade (including his Mind Blank ring!), so how will we counter that?
I suggest asking Varys to stay within Mindsight range, or keeping them under observation through a Greater Scrying or something.

Any and all theatrics will happen after the fight is over, @Goldfish. Rule number one of fighting : monologue only after you've won. Once we've won we'll make sure to be seen (maybe we'll kill those insect-things or something? Or make another proclamation like we will for the Alchemists?) but for now all I want to do is run your plan while wearing a different appearance, just in case we're seed during the fight.
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Sign of Sealing is a Touch range spell for everyone but Malarys right now. Amber Sarcophagus should work, just as Baleful Shadow Transmutation should as well.

As for Counters and Counterspells, every caster in our group except for Waymar has a Ring of Spell-Battle now.

There are no lesser mages in the house. Varys confirmed that it's just the two 7th circle Volantene mage twins in it right now. If they escape, it will be right into our Teleport Trap.
 
When I said "lesser mages" I meant the other twin :D
When we're a 9th-circle caster, 7th-circle Volantenes count as lesser!
 
Since @TalonofAnathrax doesn't seem to want to post that plan they were working on...

[X] Plan "We will rock you!"
-[X] Disguised as Emerald Magistrates but Invisible until they act, Tyene, Waymar, and Teana will move into position to capture the possessed Shugenja when he exits the house. Teana, in her full Shadow-Traced state, will first target the possessed Shujenja using a scroll of Amber Sarcophagus (with her Channel Vigor buff set to provide a +4 Ranged Attack bonus), but will use Celerity and a Baleful Shadow Transformation (DC 32) spell if the scroll fails. Tyene will act as backup, using her Chains of Light spell if necessary while Counterspelling any attempts the possessed Shugenja might make to cast a spell.
-[X] Once Tyene's group engages their target, Viserys will use a Miracle to duplicate the effects of an Earthquake spell targeted on the townhouse in an attempt to draw out the mages and subject them to our Teleport Trap.
 
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You guys are overcomplicating things: we only need to get the guy guarding the body, and then the unprotected body.

The other one is ours as long as we have the body, and we only need to dispel the magic jar.
 
Goldfish said:
Also, @DragonParadox, can Bloom learn a version of Benthic Spell Metamagic for one of her Spell-Like Abilities? It seems like just the kind of thing a Brijidine would develop over their long lives in order to fight against creatures immune to fire, like Efreeti and Devils.
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I would prefer Consecrate Spell, for thematic purposes.

Consecrate Spell – Feat – D&D Tools

Complete list of all D&D spells, rulebooks, feats, classes and more!
dnd.arkalseif.info

Consecrate Spell Like Ability – Feat – D&D Tools

Complete list of all D&D spells, rulebooks, feats, classes and more!
dnd.arkalseif.info

Edit: For Fire Storm that means 75% irresistible damage.
 
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Tomcost said:
You guys are overcomplicating things: we only need to get the guy guarding the body, and then the unprotected body.

The other one is ours as long as we have the body, and we only need to dispel the magic jar.
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How is it too complicated? My plan captures one mage possessing another mage and forced the other mage to flee the house with his brother's useless meat suit. Actually going into the trapped and awarded house is by far the more complicated option.
 
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Interlude DCCXX:A Thoughtful Study
  • Threadmarks
    • A Thoughtful Study ​

    Thirteenth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC

    Ashdale, Province of Draconys

    Balon Swann set down the note with a satisfied expression, an uncharitable observer might even say a rather foolish grin. Aradia was visiting soon, specifically 'just as soon as we are done dealing with the damn ankle-biting fey'. There was a bit of bravado to that last line he had no doubt. Since taking on land in the eastern marches the knight had acquired a healthy respect for the dangers spirits and magic-born creatures could pose. True the fey were not as destructive as fiends nor as viscerally horrific as the unquiet dead, but they could be insidious as well as clever, cruel as well as kind. Thankfully we have only been getting the odd pech looking for a stone nook to call their own and satyrs drifting in from the east skirting the badlands. No more servants of Ymeri on ash-choked winds like Aemon had to face a few months ago...

    Strange to think of the Volantine sorcerer as Aemon when the man expected, nay practically demanded, formality as his due as the Great Serpent demanded sacrifice before uttering prophecy, but he had come to respect the man too much to call him by his full title in his own head. Growing up Balon had reserved such formal inner appellation for people he could not stand and had to remind himself to treat with courtesy due their blood if not their ability. Alas for his good mood that there were still many tasks that needed doing and not all of them were quite what he had expected or prepared for.

    What do I know of schools? Had been his first thought when presented with the royal decree that there was do be a formal system of learning in Draconys. Being entirely honest it may have even been, what do the smallfolk need with learning letters and sums? But that had only passed through his mind long enough to recall Sorcerer's Deep. He understood objectively that the gears of that growing city may have been carved by magic but they were oiled in ink and polished with parchment, and so that was what he would labor over here though the birds were singing outside his window and the sun shinning with cruel good cheer. I guess I get a fair taste of what all those students will be experiencing under the ministrations of their tutors, he thought with a moment's whimsy.

    Establish Public Schools in Draconys Progress 6/9

    A urgent knock on the door of the study interrupted both his thoughts and his quill, though any relief Ser Balon might have felt over the matter was short-lived as his steward, Yohn, walked in with stiff courtesy and a face like a mourner at midwinter. "I'm afraid the trouble with the livestock won't be solved as easily as contracting a handful of low mages, my lord..."

    Balon swore, calling it 'trouble' would be underselling the matter by no small measure. There were hundreds of animals sick with what the herdsmen were calling blackfoot in the fief and about a third of the infected would die if the illness stayed true to past experiences. "It's some sort of curse then, something magical?" he asked wondering how much coin, or more likely how much influence, it would take to bring a master healer to have a look at them.

    "Not from what has been observed," the steward replied, sweating a bit though the window was open and letting in a draft. Still thinks I'm of a mind to behead the messenger, Balon thought somewhat annoyed though he could not blame the man too much. They were both still rather new at their duty.

    "Alright, make sure quarantine is enforced strictly and make a mark of who loses beasts so we can lower county taxes on them." Balon had just wanted to offer some small compensation from his own funds to the worst struck herders, but his council had suggested a lowering of taxes to encourage sustainable recovery, rather than putting coin in people's pockets that they could just spend with traders. A clever thought, and not one he would have had himself. It was not just in Sorcerer's Deep that the advantages of educations showed.

    OOC: That was a rather poor background roll for Ser Balon but nothing catastrophic, just the unfortunate consequences of living next to a blighted magical hellscape.
     
    Last edited:
  • Threadmarks
    • Goldfish said:
    How is it too complicated? My plan captures one mage possessing another mage and forced the other mage to flee the house with his brother's useless meat suit. Actually going into the trapped and awarded house is by far the more complicated option.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...


    If Varys managed to get in, we can do it too. We need to hit the mage inside with Amber sarcophagus, then the body, and briefly flash antimagic field on the other mage so that it returns to the body we had previouslyencased in amber.

    I mean, it is not like there are many things that can prevent an Amber Sarcophagus from hitting if you are unaware.
     
    Goldfish said:
    So, I've been making a character sheet for Bloom today instead of doing anything productive (/nerdflex!) and now I'm at the point of trying to find a good picture for her. The stock Brijidine picture is crap.

    Here's some of the possible alternatives;




    Etc.

    Also, @DragonParadox, can Bloom learn a version of Benthic Spell Metamagic for one of her Spell-Like Abilities? It seems like just the kind of thing a Brijidine would develop over their long lives in order to fight against creatures immune to fire, like Efreeti and Devils.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...


    I agree with @Artemis1992, I think Consecrate works better than changing the elemental nature of the magic to another element.
     
    Artemis1992 said:
    I would prefer Consecrate Spell, for thematic purposes.

    Consecrate Spell – Feat – D&D Tools

    Complete list of all D&D spells, rulebooks, feats, classes and more!
    dnd.arkalseif.info

    Consecrate Spell Like Ability – Feat – D&D Tools

    Complete list of all D&D spells, rulebooks, feats, classes and more!
    dnd.arkalseif.info

    Edit: For Fire Storm that means 75% irresistible damage.
    Click to expand...
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    You mean Flame Strike, right?

    Consecrate Spell was going to be my Plan B if DP rejected Benthic Spell. It's better than nothing, but I was hoping for more effect than just half damage being applied.
    DragonParadox said:
    I agree with @Artemis1992, I think Consecrate works better than changing the elemental nature of the magic to another element.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Plan B it is then.
     
    Goldfish said:
    Since @TalonofAnathrax doesn't seem to want to post that plan they were working on...

    [X] Plan "We will rock you!"
    -[X] Disguised as Emerald Magistrates but Invisible until they act, Tyene, Waymar, and Teana will move into position to capture the possessed Shegenja when he exits the house. Teana, in her full Shadow-Traced state, will target the possessed Shujenja with a Baleful Shadow Transformation (DC 32) spell while Tyene acts as backup, using her Chains of Light spell of necessary.
    -[X] Once Tyene's group engages their target, Viserys will use a Miracle to duplicate the effects of an Earthquake spell targeted on the townhouse in an attempt to draw out the mages and subject them to our Teleport Trap.
    Click to expand...
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    I went to eat, geez. Food > Internet

    But yeah, my plan is currently identical apart from a few minor spell changes.

    [X] Plan "Who expected the Inquisiton?"
    -[X] Disguised as Mage Hunters led by a Luminary (Viserys in disguise) but Invisible until they act, Tyene, Waymar, and Teana will move into position to capture the possessed Shegenja when he exits the house. Capture will be done through an Amber Sacrophagus (using Belt of Battle if the first one is countered somehow), and we will loudly say that the target will be taken to face the justice of the servants of the True Son of Heaven if it works.
    -[X] Once this target is captured, Viserys will use Chain Dispel on the wards followed by Frostfell (replicated through Miracle) to capture the targets, destroy the area, kill any summoned defenders and disable contingencies, and activate all potential traps inside the building.
     
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    Hm, my plan isn't so different from yours. My main objection to Earthquake was that it could be investigated and lead back to us through that Kami, but if they think we're a strike team then there'll be no need to deeply investigate a mysterious earthquake (it was obviously caused by magic, after all).
    Here, I'll consolidate and we can move on
    [X] Goldfish
     
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    DragonParadox said:
    A Thoughtful Study ​

    Thirteenth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC

    Ashdale Province of Draconys

    Balon Swann set down the note with a satisfied expression, an uncharitable observer might even say a rather foolish grin. Aradia was visiting soon, specifically 'just as soon as we are done dealing with the damn ankle-biting fey'. There was a bit of bravado to that last line, he had no doubt. Since taking on land on the eastern marches, the knight had acquired a healthy respect for the dangers spirits and magic-born creatures could pose. True, the fey were not as destructive as fiends nor as viscerally horrific as the unquiet dead, but they could be insidious as well as clever, cruel as well as kind. Thankfully, we have only been getting the odd pech looking for a stone nook to call their own and satyrs drifting in from the east skirting the badlands. No more servants of Ymeri on ash-choked winds like Aemon had to face a few months ago...

    Strange to think of the Volantine sorcerer as Aemon when the man expected, nay, practically demanded formality as his due, as the Great Serpent demanded sacrifice before uttering prophecy, but he had come to respect the man too much to call him by his full title in his own head. Growing up, Balon had reserved such formal inner appellation for people he could not stand and had to remind himself to treat with the courtesy due their blood if not their ability. Alas for his good mood that there were still many tasks that needed doing, and not all of them were not quite what he had expected or prepared for.

    What do I know of schools? Had been his first thought when presented with the royal decree that there was do be a formal system of learning in Draconys. Being entirely honest, it may have even been What do the smallfolk need with learning letters and sums? But that had only passed through his mind long enough to recall Sorcerer's Deep. He understood objectively that the gears of that growing city may have been carved by magic, but they were oiled in ink and polished with parchment, and so that was what he would labor over here, though the birds were singing outside his window and the sun shinning with cruel good cheer. I guess I get a fair taste of what all those students will be experiencing under the ministrations of their tutors, he thought with a moment's whimsy

    Establish Public Schools in Draconys Progress 6/9

    An urgent knock on the door of the study interrupted both his thoughts and his quill, though any relief Ser Balon might have felt over the matter was short-lived as his steward Yohn walked in with stiff courtesy and a face like a mourner at midwinter. "I'm afraid the trouble with the livestock won't be solved as easily as contracting a handful of low mages, my lord..."

    Balon swore, calling it 'trouble' would be underselling the matter by no small measure. In the fief there were hundreds of animals sick with what the herdsmen were calling blackfoot, and about a third of the infected would die if the illness stayed true to past experiences. "It's some sort of curse then, something magical?" he asked, wondering how much coin, or more likely how much influence it would take to bring a master healer to have a look at them.

    "Not from what has been observed," the steward replied, sweating a bit though the window was open letting in a draft. Still thinks I'm of a mind to behead the messenger, Balon thought, somewhat annoyed though he could not blame the man too much. They were both still rather new at their duty.

    "Alright, make sure quarantine is enforced strictly and make a mark of who loses beasts so we can lower county taxes on them." Balon had just wanted to offer some small compensation from his own funds to the worst affected herders, but his council had suggested a lowering of taxes to encourage sustainable recovery, rather than putting coin in people's pockets that they could just spend with traders. A clever thought, and not one he would have had himself. It was not just in Sorcerer's Deep that the advantages of educations showed.

    OOC: That was a rather poor background roll for Ser Balon but nothing catastrophic, just the unfortunate consequences of living next to a blighted magical hellscape. Not yet edited.
    Click to expand...
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    Here's an edited version of the chapter, DP.
     
    Here's a character sheet for Bloom, @DragonParadox. I took the liberty of assigning her one of our new Mind Blank rings and applied the gear we're crafting or upgrading for her this month, since enough time has gone by that she could reasonably have it by now. The picture is a placeholder for now, in case you can't find anything better.

    If anyone happens to notice a difference between some of the stats for a Pathfinder Brijidine and Bloom's, that's because I converted her into an Outsider by D&D 3.5 rules, which are pretty different than Outsiders in Pathfinder. d8s instead of d10s, all good saves rather than just 2 out of 3, and more skill points. Unfortunately, there are also fewer feats, but that's not much of an issue because several of the base Brijidine feats are kinda crappy.


    Bloom
    Size/Type:     Medium Outsider (Azata[Brijidine], Chaotic, Earth, Extraplanar, Fire, Good)
    Hit Dice: 19d8+171 (260 HP)
    Initiative: +7 (DEX)
    Speed: 40 ft. + 30 ft (Channel Vigor) = 70 ft (Ground), Fly 60 ft. (Good)
    Armor Class: 43 (+7 Dex, +4 Deflection, +13 Natural, +7 Wisdom, +1 Armor, +1 Dodge), Touch 30, Flat-Footed 28
    Base Attack/Grapple: +19/+25
    Attack: Obsidian Blade (+1 Keen Flaming Burst Longsword) +27 Melee (1d8+8; 17-20/x2, plus 1d6 Fire and Burn) OR Lava Blast +27 (16d6 Fire/Bludgeoning, plus Burn and Entrap)
    Full Attack:
    • Lava Blast +27 (16d6 Fire/Bludgeoning, plus Burn and Entrap)
    • Unarmed Strike: +26/+26/+21/+16/+11 (1d8+6; x2, plus 1d6 Fire and Burn)
    • Obsidian Blade: +27/+27/+22/+17/+12 (1d8+8; 17-20/x2, plus 1d6 Fire and Burn)
    Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
    Special Attacks: Spell-like Abilities, Flaming Body, Obsidian Blade, Heat Stone, Lava Blast, Entrap (DC 28), Burn (DC 28), Trample (1d8+9, DC 25)
    Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 ft., Low-Light Vision, Tremoresense 60ft, Damage Reduction 10/Cold Iron & Evil, Immunity to Fire & Electricity, Immunity to Petrification, Resist Cold 10, Spell Resistance 28, Vulnerable to Cold (+50% damage), Immune to all death spells, magical death effects, and energy drain, and any negative energy effects, Mind-Affecting Effects, Divination, Baleful Polymorph [Single use]
    Saves: Fort +24, Ref +23, Will +21
    Abilities: Str 20(22), Dex 21(24), Con 24(28), Int 15(16), Wis 18(22), Cha 23(26)
    Skills: Craft (Sculpture) +25, Concentration +31, Escape Artist +29, Heal +28, Knowledge (Nature) +25, Knowledge (Planes) +25, Listen +28, Perform (Oratory) +30, Sense Motive +28, Spot 28
    Languages: Celestial, Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Terran, Truespeech
    Feats: Ability Focus (Holy Aura), Cleave, Combat Expertise, Combat Reflexes, Consecrate Spell-Like Ability, Maximize Spell-Like Ability (Flame Strike), Power Attack
    Alignment: Chaotic Good

    Spell-Like Abilities: 19th Caster Level
    Flaming Body (Su): A Brijidine's body is molten rock covered in dancing flames. Anyone striking a Brijidine with a natural weapon or Unarmed Strike takes 1d6 points of Fire damage. A creature that grapples a Brijidine or is grappled by one takes 6d6 points of Fire damage each round the grapple persists.

    Heat Stone (Su): Whenever a Brijidine uses her Meld into Stone, Soften Earth and Stone, Spike Stones, Stone Shape, or Wall of Stone spell-like abilities, she can have the affected stone radiate intense heat for 1 minute. Any creature within 5 feet of the stone takes 1d6 Fire damage per round.

    Obsidian Blade (Ex): At will as a Free Action, a Brijidine can create a blade of jagged volcanic glass that functions as a +1 Flaming Burst Keen Longsword. One round after it leaves the Brijidine's grasp, the weapon decays into useless powder.

    Lava Blast (Su): A Brijidine can hurl a glob of lava at a target as a Standard Action. This attack has a Range Increment of 30 feet, inflicts 8d6 Fire and 8d6 Bludgeoning damage, plus the Burn and Entrap conditions.
    • Burn (Ex): Creature's subjected to a Brijidine's Burn ability must succeed on a DC 28 Reflex save (DC 10 + 1/2 Brijidine HD + Constitution modifier) or catch fire, taking 2d6 Fire damage for 1d4 rounds at the start of its turn. A burning creature can attempt a new save as a Full-Round Action. Dropping and rolling on the ground grants a +4 bonus on this save.
    • Entrap (Su): Creature's struck by a Brijidine's Lava Blast ability risk being Entrapped in solid stone. The target must make a DC 28 Fortitude save (DC 10 + 1/2 Brijidine HD + Constitution modifier) or become Entangled until the stone hindering their mobility is removed. A second Entrap attack means the target must make another DC 27 Fortitude save or become Helpless. A target made Helpless by this ability is conscious but can take no physical actions (except attempting to break free) until the stone is destroyed. The target can use spells with only Verbal components or Spell-Like Abilities if it can make a DC 20 Concentration check. An Entangled creature can make a DC 27 Strength check as a Full-Round Action to break free, but this increases to DC 32 for a Helpless creature. The stone has a Hardness of 8 and 30 Hit Points.
    Channel Vigor: Select one of the following effects, which can be changed as a Move Action. Currently using "Torso" effect.
    Equipment: Amulet of the Awakened Mind (+4 WIS, +1 INT, +3 CHA), Anklets of Translocation, Cloak of the Hedge Wizard (Conjuration), Crown of Freedom, Earring of Arcane Acuity, Mind Blank Ring, Monk's Belt of Healing Vigor (+3 DEX, +2 STR, +4 CON), Ring of Protection from Energy (Cold), Ring of Sustenance (Slotless), Soulfire Mithral Bracers (+1), Talismans (x2 Sending Stones, x1 Plane Shift Charm, x1 Teleport Charm)

    Anklets of Translocation: 2/Day Instantly teleport up to 10 feet to an unoccupied destination within line of sight and line of effect. The wearer can teleport with objects, up to their maximum load, but cannot bring other creatures.

    Cloak of the Hedge Wizard (Conjuration):
    Crown of Freedom: 1/Day use the Freedom of Movement spell for 70 minutes at 7th caster level.

    Earring of Arcane Acuity:
    • 3 Charges/Day: 1 Charge(Darkvision 60 ft., 1 hour), 2 Charges (See Invisibility, 10 minutes), 3 Charges (True Seeing, 1 minute)
    Monk's Belt of Healing Vigor: +3 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, +2 Strength
    1. Wearer gains the AC (Wisdom bonus + 1) and Unarmed damage of a 5th-level Monk.
    2. Healing (3 Charges/Day): 1 Charge (Heal 2d8 points of damage), 2 Charges (Heal 3d8 points of damage), or 3 Charges(Heal 4d8 points of damage)
    Ring of Protection from Energy (Cold):
    • The wearer of this ring can apply the Protection from Energy (Cold) spell to themselves as a Standard Action at 10th caster level at will. Each application absorbs up to 120 points of Cold damage within a 100 minute duration.
    Soulfire Mithral Bracers (+1): Immune to all death spells, magical death effects, and energy drain, and any negative energy effects
     
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    Goldfish said:
    Since @TalonofAnathrax doesn't seem to want to post that plan they were working on...

    [X] Plan "We will rock you!"
    -[X] Disguised as Emerald Magistrates but Invisible until they act, Tyene, Waymar, and Teana will move into position to capture the possessed Shugenja when he exits the house. Teana, in her full Shadow-Traced state, will first target the possessed Shujenja using a scroll of Amber Sarcophagus (with her Channel Vigor buff set to provide a +4 Ranged Attack bonus), but will use Celerity and a Baleful Shadow Transformation (DC 32) spell if the scroll fails. Tyene will act as backup, using her Chains of Light spell if necessary while Counterspelling any attempts the possessed Shugenja might make to cast a spell.
    -[X] Once Tyene's group engages their target, Viserys will use a Miracle to duplicate the effects of an Earthquake spell targeted on the townhouse in an attempt to draw out the mages and subject them to our Teleport Trap.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    @TalonofAnathrax, I've updated my plan slightly to first use Amber Sarcophagus via a spell scroll. Since it doesn't have a saving throw, it's one of the few offensive spells that's actually good to use from a scroll. It will be more convenient for our purposes if he's trapped in a block of amber for now.
     
    DragonParadox said:
    A Thoughtful Study ​

    Thirteenth Day of the Twelfth Month 293 AC

    Ashdale, Province of Draconys

    Balon Swann set down the note with a satisfied expression, an uncharitable observer might even say a rather foolish grin. Aradia was visiting soon, specifically 'just as soon as we are done dealing with the damn ankle-biting fey'. There was a bit of bravado to that last line he had no doubt. Since taking on land in the eastern marches the knight had acquired a healthy respect for the dangers spirits and magic-born creatures could pose. True the fey were not as destructive as fiends nor as viscerally horrific as the unquiet dead, but they could be insidious as well as clever, cruel as well as kind. Thankfully we have only been getting the odd pech looking for a stone nook to call their own and satyrs drifting in from the east skirting the badlands. No more servants of Ymeri on ash-choked winds like Aemon had to face a few months ago...

    Strange to think of the Volantine sorcerer as Aemon when the man expected, nay practically demanded, formality as his due as the Great Serpent demanded sacrifice before uttering prophecy, but he had come to respect the man too much to call him by his full title in his own head. Growing up Balon had reserved such formal inner appellation for people he could not stand and had to remind himself to treat with courtesy due their blood if not their ability. Alas for his good mood that there were still many tasks that needed doing and not all of them were quite what he had expected or prepared for.

    What do I know of schools? Had been his first thought when presented with the royal decree that there was do be a formal system of learning in Draconys. Being entirely honest it may have even been, what do the smallfolk need with learning letters and sums? But that had only passed through his mind long enough to recall Sorcerer's Deep. He understood objectively that the gears of that growing city may have been carved by magic but they were oiled in ink and polished with parchment, and so that was what he would labor over here though the birds were singing outside his window and the sun shinning with cruel good cheer. I guess I get a fair taste of what all those students will be experiencing under the ministrations of their tutors, he thought with a moment's whimsy.

    Establish Public Schools in Draconys Progress 6/9

    A urgent knock on the door of the study interrupted both his thoughts and his quill, though any relief Ser Balon might have felt over the matter was short-lived as his steward, Yohn, walked in with stiff courtesy and a face like a mourner at midwinter. "I'm afraid the trouble with the livestock won't be solved as easily as contracting a handful of low mages, my lord..."

    Balon swore, calling it 'trouble' would be underselling the matter by no small measure. There were hundreds of animals sick with what the herdsmen were calling blackfoot in the fief and about a third of the infected would die if the illness stayed true to past experiences. "It's some sort of curse then, something magical?" he asked wondering how much coin, or more likely how much influence, it would take to bring a master healer to have a look at them.

    "Not from what has been observed," the steward replied, sweating a bit though the window was open and letting in a draft. Still thinks I'm of a mind to behead the messenger, Balon thought somewhat annoyed though he could not blame the man too much. They were both still rather new at their duty.

    "Alright, make sure quarantine is enforced strictly and make a mark of who loses beasts so we can lower county taxes on them." Balon had just wanted to offer some small compensation from his own funds to the worst struck herders, but his council had suggested a lowering of taxes to encourage sustainable recovery, rather than putting coin in people's pockets that they could just spend with traders. A clever thought, and not one he would have had himself. It was not just in Sorcerer's Deep that the advantages of educations showed.

    OOC: That was a rather poor background roll for Ser Balon but nothing catastrophic, just the unfortunate consequences of living next to a blighted magical hellscape.
    Click to expand...
    Click to shrink...
    Balon might have had poor background rolls, but it looks like he'll be getting a visit from his possible love interest sometime soon. If him and Aradia actually form a relationship, she would be the first of the Arcanums to do so. That we know of, at least.

    Good luck, Balon! ;)
     
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