Harvester
player, 26 posts
Tue 9 Oct 2018
at 20:18 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness"I believe we should at least attempt to speak with them. If there's a chance they could point us in the right direction it's worth taking." Harvest was mostly thinking aloud at this point, "Vince, would you feel comfortable approaching them alone? Letting them think they've got an advantage in number may keep them from feeling threatened and fleeing."
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Vincent
player, 22 posts
Wed 10 Oct 2018
at 01:23 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessVincent sighed and nodded. ”I can do my best. I will let you decide if they do run, if you want to try to tackle one, and try to capture one without harming him or her. It is not my intention to make things worse.” The bard moved a short distance from the others, so if the Tulita looked behind him, they would not see the rest of their group. He took the flute out, and whispered a few words as he played a few notes, a spell to enhance his natural talents of personality.
OOC: Casting Enhance Ability – Eagle’s Splendor on himself. Concentration up to an
hour, giving him Advantage on Charisma ability checks.
Stepping out in front of the others, the half-elf held his hands out, the flute held obviously in his left hand, displaying it as nothing threatening and the right hand was empty. “Good day, Tulita. I come in peace. I hope to be be able to talk, and hope that we can perhaps help one another. I seek only information, but if I can aid you in some way, I would to do that. I come from a village seeking to aid an orphaned Tulita boy, and the folk there told me to seek out Mokoli Ali'i. May we speak to about this please?” Vincent paused, hoping his sincerity was evident from his words to the three strangers.
OOC: Vincent will try to get about 40' away before speaking if possible, but will stop as soon as they show any tension from his presence.
20:18, Today: Vincent rolled 15 using 2d20+4, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 11,2. Persuasion (Eagle's Splendor).
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The GM
GM, 310 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Fri 12 Oct 2018
at 18:22 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Tulita Warrior
The Tulita's first action was to point their weapons at Vincent; they did not flee. "What do you know of the Ali'i? What boy?"
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Vincent
player, 23 posts
Sun 14 Oct 2018
at 23:53 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Despite being threatened, Vincent preferred the fact that he was a potential target rather than them running away. He paused, and nodded, holding out his empty right hand. "Milliauka, the wise woman of the village, the kahuna of the village the boy Olou lived told me and a few others to take the boy to Mokoli Ali'i. I know little about him, other than what the kahuna told me. She described him as strong and brave..."
He paused, wondering how they would react to the mild negative comment about the man. Still, the bard continued with the truth, hoping the detail would also show his words were truth, and not just an attempt at pure flattery. "She also warned me that he could stubborn, and would not like assistance from 'hou'li'. Still, that did not dissuade me from attempting to help. The boy is nearby, with a few others, two of which are from the Tulita village. I can tell you are tense, that something bad has happened. So I will not ask you to put away your weapons, but perhaps you can lower them, and I can ask my comrades to come out of hiding. Is that a satisfactory answer? It is the truth... Perhaps then, you can share what has happened to you, and your leader..." The half-elf stood ready, trying to his best to keep calm.
OOC: Let me know if you want another persuade check. Or you can roll it for me (At advantage due to the spell).
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The GM
GM, 316 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Wed 17 Oct 2018
at 02:24 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness | |
 Tulita Warrior
The Tulita with the helm chuckled. "Stubborn? ʻAe Milliauka speaks well."
|  Tulita Warrior
"Mālie! You are here from the village?"
|  Maliki'otou
"ʻAe," Maliki'otou stepped forward out of hiding with empty hands spread wide. "Milliauka bade us bring Olou to Mokoli Ali'i when his guardians perished in the jungle."
| Tulita Warrior
"The child is here? A'wé! I say this mission is madness. First Mokoli Ali'i goes into the city himself, and now we have a child here? A better plan would be to swim through the sky and piss on the hou'li!" | Tulita Warrior
"Mālie! We cannot have Olou here. If he is found with us he will be taken and put in the city prison. We must be able to move swiftly on the outskirts of the city, and the jungle is not easy."
| Maliki'otou
"Milliauka said. Olou must go to Mokoli Ali'i." Her hand was on her hip. She slapped the center of her chest.
| Tulita Warrior
"Stubborn." His grin was wry. "Mokoli Ali'i is there, where the Tulita dare not tread. Hou'li guards watch the ways in. Maybe they would ignore the child if he was with others, but you cannot go, Maliki'otou, and we cannot go. Mokoli Ali'i said."
| Maliki'otou
"Olou cannot stay here, you cannot go, I cannot take him back."
|  Olou
"..." Olou's lip was beginning to tremble.
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EDIT: I had the wrong person delivering the line...
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:46, Wed 17 Oct 2018.
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Vincent
player, 24 posts
Mon 22 Oct 2018
at 02:11 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Vincent was frustrated with all the secrets. He spoke to all the Tulita, hoping he could get some answers. "I realize I don't matter to you, since I am just h'ouli, but I have gone out of my way to help. If you want my continued assistance, it would be nice if you would tell us the reasons why Olou can't stay out here with you. It makes no sense unless there is something unique about him, that nobody has spoken about. If you aren't willing to tell me, I can take him to be with people I trust, but won't take him to Mokoli Ali'i. The decision is in your hands..." He looked at each of the Tulita in turn.
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The GM
GM, 333 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Mon 29 Oct 2018
at 07:59 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness | |
Tulita Warrior
"Ah, hear the manticore roar!."
| Maliki'otou
"Milliauka asked these people to help. She thought the time was right. That these people were right.."
| Tulita Warrior
"You have nerve. We, we! are shut out of our homes, forced to live like animals. Forbidden to carry even our sacred knives. Left to rot in the streets, hunted like game in the jungle, and slaughtered in the villages!"
| Tulita Warrior
The other sucked his teeth. "All this is so. Yet Olou is here, The hou'li are here. We are here. You are here. We must eat this fish before it spoils." | Tulita Warrior
"We are still fighting the war that we lost. Mokoli Ali'i scouts the city, seeking those of stout heart who still cling to the pride that is now poison. And we shall charge, fight and hurl ourselves into the maw of the shark."
| Tulita Warrior
"Mālie! You do not know these.... The hou'li, If they know we are here they will kill us. If you leave Olou with us he will be killed too. You know we must travel like the rushing winds before a howling storm. A child, even Olou Ali'i cannot be with us. It is not safe."
| Tulita Warrior
"Mokoli Ali'i believes in Mokoli Ali'i. Milliauka believes all. He will not want the small child to be the speartip of rebellion. "
| Maliki'otou
"There is an old story... The Ali'i are said to have... a power. Milliauka says that the old warriors are with us and can help us. She thinks Olou.... can help us."
| Olou
"I want to help."
| Tulita Warrior
"You... Olou, the people there want to hurt you. And you should not be here. You cannot help."
| Olou
"Milliauka says I can. Milliauka says that I should. And... I say that I should. I will go to Mokoli Ali'i. I have said."
There was a moment, and then the other Tulita bowed their heads.
| Tulita Warrior
"Though it kills us, we shall."
| Olou
"No one need be killed. Take us as close as we can, then... I will go into Stormreach with Vincent." He turned to Vincent. "If you will, I cannot command you. If you will not, then I will go into the city alone. I must come to Mokoli Ali'i."
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Vincent
player, 25 posts
Wed 31 Oct 2018
at 00:12 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessVincent gave the boy a glance, and then looked back at the other Tulita. He turned a second time to Olou, and gave the child a nod. “I would not do this for everyone, Olou, but will do it for you.”
Turning to the Tulita once more, he asked a final question. “Do you have any advice in where to look for Mokoli Ali'i , any place he might go or what he sought within Stormreach? It is a large place with several thousand people. Any help you can offer would be appreciated… The boy has shown bravery, and would think you would wish to help by saying what you know.”
Lastly, the bard turned to Harvester, and gave the warforged a warm widesmile. “I would welcome your help, if you are willing, Harvester. You have been a resourceful ally, and I think with time we could become friends. But if you decide your path takes you elsewhere, I wish you well. ” He waited, ready to hold out his hand if the warforged decided against coming along.
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The GM
GM, 336 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Sat 3 Nov 2018
at 21:52 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessTulita Warrior
"There were rumors of a hou'li who was willing to help us. A priest of some volcano god. There are many Tulita poor and starving in the streets. If they can be coaxed away from the demon's drink, then there is an army in Stormreach, waiting for a leader." He pointed. "Find the fire god's temple beyond the harbor walls."
| Maliki'otou
"I will go too. I will feign captive"
| Olou
"This we do."
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Vincent
player, 26 posts
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 01:57 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Vincent gave a deep sigh. “I’m not thrilled with playing a slaver, but I suppose it beats playing a captive, huh? I will do what I can to get you in safely, Maliki'otou. ” The half-elf took out his rope and bound the woman’s hands in front of her, concealing a loop that would release the rope inside the outer wraps. “Pull the short end if you need to release yourself. OK? I will need to carry your weapons. I hope we won’t get into a position where you will need them. ”
The bard then turned to Olou. “Olou, I need you to speak only if asked a direct question. Otherwise, do as you are told. If necessary, I may have to make threats, but they are lies. Still, you should act as if I have beaten you in the past, and fear me. Is that understood?”
Vincent shrugged, as he looked to the others. “Anything else we need to discuss before we do this?” He was willing to take advice to help this plan succeed.
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The GM
GM, 341 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Wed 7 Nov 2018
at 05:27 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessOlou
Olou adopted a genuinely fearful look, and nodded. "I do."
|  Harvester
"I will help, but I wish to avoid conflict." it nodded towards the city. "If we can..."
| Maliki'otou
Maliki'otou began quietly to weep as her hands were bound. "Ke kauā na kapu!" the last word sounded like a curse. "You should say you are collecting a reward, and show my weapon as proof of our guilt."
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Vincent
player, 27 posts
Tue 13 Nov 2018
at 02:22 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Vincent gave a smirk at Harvester. "I'm all in favor of avoiding conflict if we can too. Still, I am glad to have you with us." The bard started to hand the other end of the rope that bound Maliki'otou's arms, and then paused. "Would you prefer to play the role of guard for our captive, or would you prefer to do the talking? I was originally going to play into the stereotypes of you being the guard, but I don't want to offend. If you'd prefer to do the talking, Havester, I am happy to play the dumb guard."
The half-elf waited to see which option the wardforged would take before they headed for the nearest gate.
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The GM
GM, 349 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Wed 14 Nov 2018
at 02:50 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessHarvester refused the notion of portraying even a semblance of slave owner, for obvious reasons. That left Vincent in charge of the narrative as they approached the gate.
OOC: you still have your Enhance active, until after the gate encounter.
Two guards stood in charge of the gate. They appeared to be engrossed in a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of being a shark.
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Vincent
player, 28 posts
Tue 20 Nov 2018
at 01:48 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Vincent contemplated trying to engage the guards, but decided to just nod in their direction, and nonchalantly gestured to Harvester to head in with the two Tulita. He was fully prepared to stop and talk, should the need arise, but wasn't going to instigate the conversation if there was no need.
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The GM
GM, 359 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Thu 29 Nov 2018
at 00:02 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessThe shark occupied the guards attention as the odd group walked by. Once within the walls, the feeling changed entirely. Outside the city there was at least the illusion of freedom, here the ruined walls rose impossibly high and surrounded them.
As they trudged along, Maliki'otou asked no-one in particular "How should we attempt to find this volcano god's temple?"
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Vincent
player, 29 posts
Mon 3 Dec 2018
at 01:03 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Vincent spoke, directing his comments toward Harvester, but his words were meant for the entire group. "Keep your eyes open for any street urchins. I'd suggest you keep one hand on your money pouch, just in case. But we should be able to enlist the aid of one or more with a decent offer."
The bard kept his own advice, tucking his real coin pouch inside his waistband.
OOC: If we find someone, Vincent will make sure that the urchin knows he also grew up on the streets here, and that he will give the urchin both a ration, and a few gold to be led to the temple of volcano god via the main streets, not through any back alleys.
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The GM
GM, 364 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Mon 3 Dec 2018
at 22:32 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessVincent wrestled with this issue. Puzzle solving wasn't his strongest suit, but he tended to keep his ears open. The Tulita had their own pantheon, and while they were private people he'd heard they had a volcano god. But that was the Tulita, and there were no Tulita temples in Stormreach, not any longer.
But the warrior had not said 'volcano god,' he had said 'fire god,' and if there was any hou'li deity that fit that description better than the Church of the Silver Flame, Vincent had not heard of it.
As they walked along there were only a few beggars still left on the street; the day was coming to a close and the shadows deepening. The coming storm meant it was time to find some shelter, and for the downtrodden, that meant an active search for someplace to stay.
There was a crier, though, shouting something about the unfairness of property rights on the corner. He appeared to be a child, at first, but as they neared the corner, Vincent realized it was a halfling.
 Capshaw the Crier
"Ser!" the halfling shouted with a practiced aire. "Can you not see the iniquity that you are enforcing? That these chains you wield will only drag you down into barbarism?" |
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Vincent
player, 30 posts
Sun 9 Dec 2018
at 13:27 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Vincent approached the halfling. "An interesting perspective, sirrah... I would be open to hearing your reasons, if you would be willing to do it while leading us to the temple of the Silver Flame. Besides hearing you expound on the topic, I could probably see to giving you a gold for your troubles. I am guessing that your crusade against barbarism doesn't put food on your table... if you would take my offer, I should introduce myself... I am Vincent." He kept his eye on the halfling in a friendly way, although also watched to make the halfling did not have an opportunity to pick his pocket.
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The GM
GM, 374 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Wed 19 Dec 2018
at 02:13 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness
Capshaw the Crier
"As if I would be leading you, and these in chains!" He brandished papers as though they were a sword "Free your captives, or I'll have no truck with you!" |
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Vincent
player, 31 posts
Fri 21 Dec 2018
at 13:54 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Vincent rolled his eyes, shaking his head at the halfling. "Ohhhh, I see now. You are one of those charlatans, who wants to feel good about themselves by pretending to do something about an issue, but when it doesn't immediately happen, they turn away. I was giving you the opportunity to explain your reasons, to convince me and change my perspective as we walked. But you aren't interested in a healthy exchange of ideas. You can talk the talk, but don't fully believe enough to walk the walk. Go back to your soapbox that gives you the illusion you are making a difference, since you don't want to have to sully yourselves with the real work you profess." The half-elf waved his hand at the halfling, in a dismissive gesture. Turning to Harvester, he commented. "It is a shame that not everyone acts on their beliefs like most of your kind. The warforged aren't afraid of hard work, like some of us softer skinned races. Let's continue on our way..." He turned and started to head the direction they had been going.
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The GM
GM, 380 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Mon 24 Dec 2018
at 08:40 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness Harvester
"Err... Are you certain? It seems to me that one does what one can, in the situation. If all this halfling can do is speak, then speaking out is acting on his beliefs. But I am bone, wood and metal, perhaps there is something here I do not understand."
| Capshaw the Crier
"I help the Tulita where and when I can against this oppression. I could fight you, but what would that prove? If I win, you would hold the offence against me, if I lost, nothing is gained. But if I change your mind about the morality of your deeds, then one battle has been won, and when enough minds are changed then the war is over. Fights are not the indicators of morality, or civility, and if one side is outmatched, as the Tulita were, well then, all their honor makes little difference to their fate."
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Vincent
player, 32 posts
Fri 28 Dec 2018
at 18:36 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessVincent sighed deeply, since even his allies couldn't tell when he was lying. He took out a small piece of wire and brought it to his mouth, pointing it quietly toward the halfling before casting his cantrip.
OOC: Casting Message toward the halfling. Will do multiple times if necessary.
"I would have explained this on the way, but thought it would be easier to explain away from your soapbox. I too want to help the Tulita, and the one with me asked me to play the part of a slaver to draw less attention, something that your speech has damaged. If you look closely at her bonds, you can see that she has the ability to drop them at any time. We seek another of her people, a warrior of great strength. If you were sincere in your desire to help, I hope that you will consider helping us. We were told the Tulita warrior was headed to a temple of the Silver Flame."
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The GM
GM, 389 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Sun 30 Dec 2018
at 19:43 | Re: 1: Heart of Darkness
Capshaw the Crier
Capshaw looked perplexed, the stepped forward to examine the bonds "What goes on here?" he gasped. | Olou
Olou whispered. "We are on a secret mission. To save the others."
| Capshaw the Crier
Capshaw quietly said "I've not seen any Tulita warriors with any strength left, but I know where the Silver Flame Lodge is. But it's been closed, shuttered, since the disappearance of the old priest, Archibald." |
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Vincent
player, 33 posts
Tue 8 Jan 2019
at 01:39 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessThe half-elf bard sighed, but shrugged. "Even if it is closed, I would appreciate if you would lead us there. I don't know if the man we seek knew that the temple was closed. So it is still the best area to look for him, and see if we can find him."
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The GM
GM, 396 posts
Fair Winds and
Following Seas
Tue 15 Jan 2019
at 00:24 | Re: 1: Heart of DarknessCapshaw agreed to help lead, but with the light gone and the storm arrived, it was difficult going. The rain came down so hard it bacame difficult to even converse. The group found a makeshift lean-to in the lee, and rested a few hours, and then with the arrival of the dawn it was as though there had never been a storm.
A few more streets and alleys brought the group within sight of the Lodge.
Go ahead and post for Vincent and give general dispensation of the Tulita and Harvester here: link to a message in this game Your story continues in The Embers That Still Burn.
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The Cast