IC Game Thread - The Hunt Starts

[kevin_video]

I'll need a couple of days to get this all going, everyone. Until then, continue posting on the old thread. I'll do what I can, when I can.

If you've got anything you need to know, PM me, or ask in the OOC thread if you want it to be public knowledge. If there's anything you want me to make note of, put that in the OOC thread, and I'll do what I can.

If for whatever reason you don't have the link, use Invisible Castle for all dice rolls.
http://invisiblecastle.com/

We have spoilers again.

This is my first PbP so please be gentle. I'll try to define and describe everything to the best of my abilities, without the visuals.

Use double brackets (( )) if you need to say something OOC within the thread.

Use "quotations" and bold for your conversation, with the exception of Mixster (no bolding), but any regular actions can stay plain. Internal monologue should be italicized and coloured. I'll be bolding and italicizing conversations in different variations to distinguish different NPCs if they're a group.

Forgive my edits for adding in more things for the RP. Just want to keep things consistent.

Also, I don't know how fast everyone types, but I'm relatively slow. Patience is invaluable for PbPs.

[kevin_video]

Distress Letter scroll and map -- http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=10031.0

After saying "yes" to the scroll, you are surrounded by a bright light and instantly transported to a location you haven't been to before. When the light dissipates you can see that you are inside a semi-transparent green-yellow coloured dome that looks like it could easily fit a number of large-sized persons, but possibly not someone that was huge. In front of you, an open door way that leads to the outside. You can see a fairly well walked path that leads to a nearby sidewalk that surrounds a brick building. How tall it is, you do not know. All around it, the dome, and throughout the lawn, are many trees of various sizes and shapes. Beside, diagonally behind and in front, other people of various shapes and sizes begin to pop in. They too seem to be carrying a scroll, not unlike yours.

((You can talk and introduce yourselves now.))

[kevin_video]

Alenatorion steps up to introduce himself....

((You see a eleven foot humanoid who is ripped with muscles,he wears a red cloak,his face can not be seen as he wears a fearsome mask,you can see that he also wears a belt and two rings...
His cloth has the holy symbol of Bahamut upon it...
Draconic Wings are unfurled in his back....))

He says: "Greeting friends, my name is Alenatorion and I am a warrior in the sevice of Bahamut....
May our swords strike true today..."


Melkior is a big man, he wears a full plate, and holds a greatsword in his hand.
His armour is adorned with lots of holy symbols of Pelor, he even have some in his side as well. His stern eyes seek out everyone as they port in.
Next to him Alkazar zaps in, he is a smaller man, with a quarterstaff in his hand, he stands still and looks around while Melkior starts talking:

"I am Melkior, servant of Pelor, this is my friend Alkazar Archmage of first decree. We are from the city of Gronular. I assume you are here to hunt this creature as well?"


A youthful human woman of average height appears, followed immediately by a Dragonborn with wings matching Alenatorion's in hue, but differing greatly in size and build, being quite a bit smaller.

Both are dressed fairly simply in grey travelers' cloaks. The woman carries much more gear than the dragonborn, and wears more intricately-designed equipment as well. Her hair is straw blonde with subtle streaks of platinum woven in, and her eyes are a piercing ocean-blue. However, she carries no emotion on her face. Rather than just human, the woman seems faintly otherworldly. Her complexion carries a faint golden hue, and from her back are sprouted two feathery wings; they appear to be black, though close inspection shows that they are likely white but are covered completely in clinging shadow. Careful observation reveals that she has not inhaled a single breath since her arrival.

The Dragonborn stands taller than the woman by a few inches, and seems dressed in the manner of a Mage. He, too, has blue eyes, though not nearly as vibrant as the woman's. His scales gleam vaguely in a sort of brushed-silvery hue.

The woman speaks up as the others arrive and introduce themselves.

"I am Desirae Del-Kaanen, Chief Justicar and Knight-Mage General of an organization few have heard of. To protect our interests, I will not divulge more information than that. Accompanying me is Rezzik d'Kravnos, Master Sargeant, Transmutational division."

Rezzik nods his head in the group's general direction. "A pleasure to meet you all."

At Raynor's comment, Dez replies, "Hmm, sound reasoning, but do you have any such reason to believe our prey to be fictitious?"


Two large bears blink in together, over in a far corner. Their appearance is quiet outside the normal for a bear. With cranial plates sticking up from their heads, and their extra set of legs, not to mention their orange specked armor or feline masks. A green scaled shield appears to hover between them.

Making no move to get closer, the bears observe the interaction of the others. The occasional growl passes between the two, but they take no action to get the group’s attention.


A tall slender humanoid pops into view. He is wearing what looks to be armor made of silk, has large feathered wings on his back, and carries an odd looking bow.

"Greetings all. It appears that we have all accepted the same job. So we must decide if we are to work together against this beast or in competition with each other."

[kevin_video]

Dez takes notice of the two new arrivals.

"Well, then... they certainly are seeking hunters of all walks, aren't they?"


"Indeed, hunters of fish and berries are welcome as well it seems. They are probably druids though, or something far more exotic."

The big man with the brown eyes looks around. His short pale hair is waving in the wind. His eyes finally settle on the otherworldly woman.

"Ma'am, Knight-mage General, I have heard of none of these people before, It would be same to assume we aren't even from the same layer of the material plane to begin with. I digress, but I do not think there would be any inherent danger in telling us. Although there would be no gain for us to know of your organization."

Then he speaks to the group again,
"Before I arrived, I asked Pelor for guidance, he told me that this Tarmin Squire is in hunter's wealth HQ mansion on the hunters Isle. However, my spells returned unknown plane. As such, I'll assume this is the plane we are on now, and it is probably outside the regular multi-verse. We should ready ourselves for anything, gravity suddenly flipping, wild flying sharks appearing from nowhere, and similarities."

He states these things in a "matter-of-factly" way, simply to share his information with the group, and not for any other reason. The wizard hangs in the background at all times, not saying much but looking around, trying to discern what information he can from everyone around him.

Knowledge check Arcana - 1d20+17 ¨ [14,17] = (31)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2751914/
(to see what he can find out about the creature if it matches anything he has ever herd of)

(if you can see through the ring of invisibility Raynor is smiling at Desirae's comment for a moment)

"From what I can guess we are on some form of game reserve now I don't know about all of your experiences but I will give you a good idea of mine i have hunted Drow, Illithid and during the Caliban Empire's civil war I hunted my fair share of men , Devils and demons. In short my dear.  I have never taken the time to hunt simple normal animals. In short everything i have ever hunted had equal capabilities of killing me. Ever heard of the ultimate prey ? There is odds that it is us that are being Hunted.  Either way this position is way to open I recommend we start moving this location is way to open, who wants point?"

[kevin_video]

@ Stormcrow

You think really hard about such a creature, but nothing comes up. At least nothing pertaining to a creature capable of doing what was explained in the scroll. You think you've heard of an old tale told long ago about four beasts, each with different coloured tattoos, or maybe they were runes, or something to that effect. But they most certainly couldn't make copies of themselves.

@ Everyone

((BTW, if you guys don't think you can come up with something yourself because your skill modifier is kind of low, you're more than welcome to Aid Another for +2 if you get DC 10 with your roll. It'd be realistic that you guys would do that. A bunch of strangers not knowing what they're getting involved with brain storming over what it could be, and randomly shouting out facts to each other which causes an epiphany for another character.))

[kevin_video]

"Look, Raynor, was it? I don't need your condescending smirks or jibes. That we are on a game reserve is obvious from the letter. I have fought against all sorts of creatures, and I will tell you that Man is not necessarily the most dangerous Game. It is entirely plausible that this creature is as terrible as described. I am not one to take chances, however, and was entirely prepared for a such a challenge. Don't get full of yourself and think the rest of us fools, nor naive."

Dez, too, attempts to search her memories for tales of such a beast.

((Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20(15)+27=42))

She looks to Melkior and responds, "Whether we are from the same plane is irrelevant, though I suppose so long as no one here is of extreme temperament, there is no harm in divulging the name of the organization. Very well. We serve a covert group known as the Order of the Triskelion, a collaboration between churches of Boccob, Fharlanghn, and Wee Jas. We seek balance in the world, to ensure the preservation of knowledge, safety of travel, and so that the balance of magic and death are not pushed to any extremes. My job is to hunt down those that would tip the scales, so to speak."

((Hmm, I'm not sure what the limit on my knowledge is. I suppose the creature's name is a good start, and what its type (and subtypes?) would be. Generally a good knowledge check gets a bit more info than that, but if this thing is meant to be mysterious, I can understand keeping it under wraps. I've got a spell prepared to tell me more about it, but I'll have to have seen one before first.))

[kevin_video]

((A roll that high usually would give you a lot, but the higher the HD, the less you learn of it.

I can definitely tell you that if what you think it is, is what it is, then none of you have ever seen one before. It's a legendary creature that's supposed to be a myth, but has been said to have been around since nearly the dawn of the fey. It could very well be the Hound of the Hunt. It's a CN magical beast, no subtypes. And if that's what it is, it's likely not alone, or acting on its own.

For a certain someone who asked in PM prior to the game about whether it was evil or not, that's why I said no it wasn't.))

[kevin_video]

Raynor thinking hard about the creature says “By the Holy Book, there was a creature i think i have herd of something similar in a book when I was a boy growing up in the Temple of Boccob as a boy. In one if the scrolls an old tale told long ago about four beasts, each with different colored tattoos, or maybe they were runes, or something to that effect. But they most certainly couldn't make copies of themselves. You don’t think those fools mage bread something like it and It got the better of them?”

[kevin_video]

"I'm guessing this means that we intend to work together on this. If so you may call me Raptor, no it is not my real name but most people can't say my real name without mangling it and calling me Captain Falcon will only serve to get you shot."

[kevin_video]

At the mention of breeding creatures, both bears' heads swivel towards the voice, and a growl escapes their maws.

((Oh, any scents to be had? Surv check 1d20+40=49))

[kevin_video]

((If you guys want to leave the dome, no problem. There's an opening just larger than the tallest medium character can get through that leads towards the mansion. A huge-sized creature would have to squeeze through, but since the dome is semi-transparent yellow-green, the majority of you have a high ranks in Spellcraft and Knowledge (arcana), I'm sure you don't need to think too hard that this is basically a shaped wall of force. You're not going to crack it if you get stuck, or have to use brute strength to get through.

Whoever's taking point, let me know and I'll explain what you see. Basically it's the outside area of the mansion map I have on the other thread.

EDIT: Regarding scents, you're still in this dome so you don't smell anything other than everyone inside with you, but you think you might get different smells outside, so long as nothing's down wind.))

((If someone who hasn't tried to figure out what this thing is yet, has Knowledge (Nature), you could cross reference it. You're going to need at least a 42 though. And no, it's not because you have to beat Venn's roll. Just wanted to put that out there, just in case.))

[kevin_video]

((Hmm...no other scents, well that at least means no one else has been here for awhile.

1d20+25=33, blasted Int skills))

Starting to feel confined in the dome, one of the bears growls at the other, and they make their way to the exit.

[kevin_video]

"It does not matter if this beast is a natural one or a magebred one,I for one do not fear it  and I will try to help these poor people that are menaced by it....
I would welcome any help but I have to warn you, sometimes in battle I can't control myself,If there is no enemies left I turn to whichever creature happens to be nearby even if they are allies.......
My friend who I used to travel with, when that happened used to cast a spell to help me,I think it was called Calm emotion or something like that.....
Fortunately It does not happen as often as in the past and I am more capable of controlling my frenzy....."

"Let me see if I can find another being's tracks nearby....."

Alenatorion crouches and he searches for tracks that don't belong......

Survival check:1d20+17=21

[kevin_video]

Raynor listens to Alenatorion  "And I will keep that in mind Berzerker but remember this i am a summoner and i have studied the thesis called the Vital Pack and if you have heard of it i will admit it i am what is referred to as a Malconvoker. if you are not familiar with the turn remember these words There is time were good should not battle evil, but evil should be pitted against another form of evil. so if i start summoning creatures of both hell and the abyss don't have a panic attack they are on your side. "

[kevin_video]

"Let me see if I can find another being's tracks nearby....."

Alenatorion crouches and he searches for tracks that don't belong......

Survival check:1d20+17=21

((Hmm...no other scents, well that at least means no one else has been here for awhile.

1d20+25=33, blasted Int skills))

Starting to feel confined in the dome, one of the bears growls at the other, and they make their way to the exit.

((Tons. They all lead towards the sidewalk surround the mansion. They're of various shapes, sizes, types, and races. You see boots, hoof prints, bare feet, claws, paws, etc. The path is well traveled.

And if you try to smell anything, you are almost overwhelmed by them. I say this because you rolled so high before, and coming out it just hits you like a wall. It's a major difference. The inside of the dome was almost like a sensory deprivation tank compared to what you smell outside. The majority of the scents seem to be coming from the edge of the dome, and leading towards the house. Strange though, as you only smelled those who were inside recently, and yet these scents aren't that old. Maybe a day, at absolute most.

Since you're the first out, make spot checks.))

[kevin_video]

Dez follows the procession outside, followed by Rezzik.

[kevin_video]

spot 1d20+5 ¨ [20,5] = (25)

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2752022/

Raynor watching the Dragon Born walk out fallows his scanning the area with his crossbow. Ready to fire at any hostile targets


Bears

((Spot 1d20+38=51, 1d20+38=57 Listen, both aided by ac

Probably should be noted that both have blindsense of 30 and blindsight of 15))

Spot Check:1d20+1=10

Alenatorion draws his Greatsword,it has runes on it in draconic......

"I think they have called other people for help before us....
That would explain the so many tracks here....''

Waits for the others .......


"Perhaps I can help with those tracks. I am a master tracker."

Survival (1d20+30=33)
((apparently not that master of a tracker))

for when I get out of the dome: Spot; Listen (1d20+41=45, 1d20+30=39)

[kevin_video]

Survival checks.

((These tracks are not fresh, but they are recent. Probably anywhere between one month to 18 hours old.
The trees are quite large, and seem common more in the summer continents. You can easily find the moss on them, and figure out where North is. Using that information, you know that the sun in the partly cloudy sky, is starting on its decent to the Western sky. That is of course if this plane works the same as the material plane. If it is, it's probably around 3 PM. Maybe a little later.

Spot checks.

((The DC 20 allows you to see through the trees and brush, and you see a second sidewalk path forking off of the path you originally saw. One direction leads up a set of stone steps, and the other leads towards a very tall metal gate and metal bar fence. You can now see that the pathways are made out of a type of brick. Looking around you, you can see the barred fence seems to be going around the entire complex. It doesn't seem to be of a metal that most people would be familiar with. Not steel, cold iron, silver, or adamantine, at any rate. At the very least, you know how to get off the grounds, what you can only assume is the front door is located.
The DC 30 and 35 checks lets you notice the door (30), and the gate (35), are both slightly ajar. As in, you would have noticed it if you were 10 feet away from it. It's not open, it's just not closed all of the way.
A DC 40 check lets you notice that you really are on an island, and this mansion looks to be on a cliff. In the distance behind the you and the mansion, you can see only ocean. Past the gate, you can see a stone pathway that leads towards a cliff. Passed that is nothing but the tops of trees for as far as you can see, and then some.))

[kevin_video]

Raynor starts down the path scanning side to side saying well that path then drops his shield saying something barley audible in Celestial “Guard” as the shield start to float beside he slowly turns then checking all points then says “well that path may lead to some answers.”


"If not answers at least the door or gate. Everyone should be careful as both door and gate are slightly ajar."

[kevin_video]

Making your way towards the mansion, you notice that the trees and brush aren't overly thick, but they make for good hiding spots if you need to use for cover. Ideally, you could almost swing branch to branch if you have long enough arms, but it likely wouldn't take your weight if you were large size or bigger. Those who are familiar with the woods can tell that these trees have been highly maintained for a fairly long period of time. The grass too is well kept, as if a professional gardener, or three, were employed to maintain this vast land. You can't help but enjoy the splendor that these grounds have to offer, despite the reasoning you have been brought here.

The mansion is incredibly well crafted with stone and what appears to possibly be steel, and also quite large. It is unknown who would live in this place, but it seems like it could accommodate someone of a larger size, but only barely. Multiple windows are placed throughout the walls of the three floors, drapes drawn so that no one can peer inside. A smaller set of windows at the base of the mansion let you know that there is a basement. They too, have something drawn across them.

Coming to a clearing before the stone path, you notice that there doesn't seem to be any wind today. At least up where you are. It could be the altitude, the way the weather is acting, or how this dimension works.