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Post by Dave on Feb 19, 2009 23:10:14 GMT -5
Jecht looks about and then shrugs. "Anybody got something to keep us warm?"
Spot:17+25=42 Listen:13+20=33
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Feb 21, 2009 12:35:19 GMT -5
Reaching into his bag he pulls out a long coat and slips it on, Not really particularly cold (OOC: Thanks to 30 resistance to cold), he does it mostly to keep up appearances, and for something to do while he waits for Warshade to get done with his preparations.
Spot: 19-1=18 Listen: 15+0=15
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Feb 22, 2009 3:44:23 GMT -5
Warshade and Jecht both notice that the large mound is not stationary, it seems to be moving (albeit slowly, though this could merely be distance) and it also appears the snow is vastly thicker there as if a raging blizzard surrounds the mound. Jecht alone also notices that some of the snow flurries aren't what they appear, once again distance play tricks on the perception that some of the white motes are actually far far in the distance... and seem to be moving slowly and lazily through the sky. All of this is to the North.
Warshade hears a voice whenever the wind howls, it is indistinct and he is completely unable to make out what is being said but since the wind is blowing from the West to the East, you'd suspect it's coming from that direction.
Jecht hears a good deal more and can determine the source of the voice to be that of a young woman's that seems to be singing some kind of beautiful and alluring song... it seems to softly compel you to follow it, but there's no mind control or anything magical about it influencing your senses without your consent.
You all bundle up against the cold fine, though you all suspect that the temperature could suddenly drop lower as this is, after all, the Omega Ruins despite the sudden outdoor appearance. You will be notified if the temperature suddenly drops to intolerable levels. Also, if you deviate from a cardinal direction, I'll require survival checks to find your way back. Warshade, you finish casting snowshoes on everyone.
As you are standing there, another staircase appears about 20 feet to the South... and this one leads down... apparently it's possible to entirely skip this floor. (You will receive completion based on how much of it you explore and discover, please note that leaving it now will be a 0%)
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Kiirnodel
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Post by Kiirnodel on Feb 22, 2009 21:22:28 GMT -5
"Well, I would say either we move North or West, those seem to be the only directions that hold any sort of interest..."
I also vote that we simply complete approximately 10% of this level and then leave, completing any more than that will simply result in the excess percentage being placed in our spending reserve. So it is effectively lost.
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Post by Yamazaki on Mar 1, 2009 1:26:21 GMT -5
Zomiel seems to not pay much attention as he fumbles about to light another cig. The wind and cold seem to make this difficult. It doesn't take long before he just burns the whole thing into ashes. "Let's just go somewhere. I need my bloody nicotine..."
[ooc] Sorry for the disappearance. Anyways, I vote we explore the whole damn thing, or at least most of it. XP isn't the only thing we need. Loot is good too, you know. [/ooc]
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Post by Cadic's Devoted on Mar 9, 2009 23:14:53 GMT -5
"Always up for a little exploration. We might find things to help us later on." Looking around he shrugs. "Who wants to pick a direction"
(I'm good with exploring the whole thing.)
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Kiirnodel
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Post by Kiirnodel on Mar 17, 2009 0:37:31 GMT -5
[ooc] Ok, fine, people aren't being at all helpful, so the coin in my pocket says we head to the location of interest to the North... Great job guys not even making a suggestion out of character... I like the input, real helpful[/ooc]
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Mar 18, 2009 22:45:53 GMT -5
You begin traveling to the North, after about a mile worth of walking (roughly), you begin to feel a presence, though what exactly it is, you're not sure. The deceptive distance of the 'large mobile mound' seems to be truly vast as you are seemingly no closer to it despite the distance crossed. There does, however, seem to be a village another mile or so northward. There are lights lit and trails of smoke from it that seem to be signs of activity, but a village here is a rather unusual thing, so you are naturally a bit wary.
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
Posts: 1,314
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Mar 20, 2009 14:46:23 GMT -5
[OOC:]Since I've heard nothing I assume you all continue on...[/OOC]
As you progress towards the village, you eventually seem to be more at ease with the surroundings and as you approach, you notice the village to be made of magically treated ice. When you've walked into the village center (still seeing no signs of life despite smoke from chimneys and light behind icy shutters) you are confronted by what appears to be a truly elderly Uldra (Frostburn) sitting on the edge of a well. His pale blue skin has become a light shade almost white, covered with wrinkles and he is sporting a fu manchu that you can't quite tell where it ends thanks to the ice and frost hanging from it, as you approach he lets out a cackle like snow crunching and calls out:
"Oh-ho... Adventurers... here? Interesting, conquered the first floor did you? Impressive. Impressive indeed. Why, it's been nearly forty years since anyone has come this way. The last was... that eccentric man. Oh well, tell me adventurers, will you stay a spell? Enjoy our hospitality? There is much I can tell you about this place, we Uldra of the Snowspread Clan. I am hailed as Raum. Address only me when we speak and pretend to not notice the others, they are shy and this hospitality will vanish without a moment's notice should they feel threatened." He waits for your replies.
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Post by Dave on Mar 20, 2009 16:33:29 GMT -5
Jecht easily relaxes from his tense approach, extending a hand. "Raum? I'm Jecht, and it sure is nice to have a friendly face in here. Uhh... about that. Why are you all here?"
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Mar 20, 2009 17:22:38 GMT -5
He holds up a pale blue hand, not taking yours but acknowledging your greeting. You suspect he might be just a bit too frail for a good handshake...
"Hoo... what a tale that is... we came here of our own choice. My tribe that is, I was not even born until well after we came to this place. You see, my tribe sought a place far from the reaches of our worldly foes. There were many who sought the lands of the Uldra, we of the Snowspread Clan chose not to fight the invaders, we simply fled to a place where we hoped none would reach. It seems we found the best of such places. Here only the random adventurer comes through searching for treasures and artifacts, of which we have none. We live off this beautiful frozen land peacefully, having learned how to survive here. Undisturbed by the outside world, protected vigilantly by Paeltoath, and with only the occasional 'missing person'... though I should warn you, stay clear of any rogue Uldra you see. Whenever they go rogue here, it is... unnatural. Something about this place changes them... for the worse." he pauses and seems to be filled with sorrow for a moment but he quickly dispels the wrinkled frown and continues...
"Though... I must say it does become rather dreary at times, it's been nearly 60 years since our last visitor... not counting that man... why he is able to come and go freely I still do not know... all the same," he waves a hand and the area around you warms, though you suspect it's just limited to yourselves. "That should make things a bit easier, now we can talk out here. I'd offer you some food but I doubt you'd be interested in our cuisine. So... tell an old man something of why you're here? Perhaps we can trade information, you telling me tales with which to delight our children; I telling you information about this 'place'..."
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Post by Dave on Mar 20, 2009 23:11:17 GMT -5
(Assuming the others go along with the idea)
"Sure, swapping some stories sounds like fun. And I don't know what you eat, but if you have anything good to drink, I for one could sure use some." He sits heavily on the ice, ready to have a good time with some storytelling for this short creature. "Now, what to tell you first... I know! Are your people much in the way of swimmers? Cause back home, we've got this great sport where everybody swims around in this big ball of water..." Jecht starts describing at length the amazing game of Blitzball, and going on about he's the best player out there. He eventually gets around to non-sports related stories, recounting stories from when he was Braska's guardian in the early years. Full of hijinks and misadventures as well as high drama and harrowing battles, Jecht becomes very animated (especially once he's got some liquor in him) and gets to his feet several times at the exciting points in his tales, reigning himself in if Raum tells him to. He's more than happy to continue his story-telling for far longer than anyone cares to hear, and will stop when somebody finally tells him its been enough.
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Kiirnodel
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Post by Kiirnodel on Mar 21, 2009 1:06:00 GMT -5
Warshade sees no problem with the idea, and even offers to conjure food (I don't believe he has cast Heroes' Feast yet today) this would feed the five of us (the party plus Raum), as well as twenty more creatures if they so choose to partake...
Every creature partaking of the feast is cured of all diseases, sickness, and nausea; becomes immune to poison for 12 hours; and gains 17 temporary hit points. They also receive a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and Will saves and immunity to fear effects for 12 hours.
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The Lord of Blades
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Ero Sennin
Please allow me to introduce myself: I'm a man of wealth and taste
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Post by The Lord of Blades on Mar 26, 2009 1:57:30 GMT -5
Zomiel and Braska stand there silently dumbfounded by the mere idea of existing.
Raum nods slowly, smiling at Jecht's elaborate and energetic displays and enthusiasm. He also notably enjoys the food brought before him by Warshade, his color becoming slightly more full and blue while eating, you suspect you cured him of a disease or two. He eventually holds up a hand to politely silence you from your storytelling and nods once, stroking his fu manchu with the other hand.
"You are fine men, I can see that now in your words and in your actions. As to those two... I'm not so sure, keep to themselves do they?" He motions to Zomiel and Braska. "Still, allow me to tell you of the place you find yourself. These are the Snow Fields, as you may have noticed, this entire 'level' is arctic and frozen. There is ground underneath all this snow, fertile ground too for those who know how to live in such areas. Yet, our living here is not one entirely of ease. You see, this region is protected by the god we met when we first came here. Paeltoath, god of north winds and raging blizzards has vigilantly destroyed all that once bothered us in this place. The magical beasts both powerful and bizarre that roam this level know of Paeltoath and know of our sworn loyalty to him. Indeed, when first we arrived survival seemed a lost cause, but Paeltoath took us under his auspices. Now any beast of even passing or remote sentience knows to touch an Uldra of the Snowspread Clan is to invite the wrath of He Who Walks the North. You see him, even now," he points to the north, the moving mound... "he patrols this level, always seeking a way out. We, his sworn followers, will accompany him should he find a way as he has promised so long as he lives so shall we in peace and safety. Yet, the wicked God of the South Winds, Kaltozaanar thwarts his every attempt. The two are locked in a fierce battle and it is likely Kaltozaanar has been following you with his eyes on you the moment you arrived. Such is his style, if he could use you to inflict harm on Paeltoath he would not hesitate, he would offer the most exquisite of rewards... yet he is a false and alien creature. Truly nothing like animals or people, he is a monster in every sense of the word. It is he whom we blame for our missing people when they do go missing as Paeltoath has explained it can be no other way!" He seems a bit ruffled again, but continues on...
"As to the West, well, that is her domain. We Uldra know of her ilk, the winter maidens, the frozen damsels, the crystal brides. Ignore her whisperings and songs. She is but a fickle woman intent to satiate her loneliness with the lives of others. If you hear her song, let it be for it is but the howling of a blizzard that wishes company for eternity." He snickers a bit, though at what you are unsure.
"The East... well... to ones of your nature the East would be a bore. To that direction there is only natural life. Indeed, we Uldra of the Snowspread derive our livelihood from that reach, the wildlife, the freezing rivers, the pine forests. Many are our ventures into that wealth of natural resources and supplies. Yet, you I feel would be bored, there is nothing of magic and bizarre interest there. Not like the gods to the North and South and that icy tart to the West." Again he snickers, you suspect he may have a bit more knowledge of the West than he lets on, perhaps having gone there in his youth?
He leans back a bit, having eaten his fill and spoken for a while. "I would request something of you, fine sirs, if you'd be willing to hear it, and I of course would be willing to tell you everything I know to help you with it should you deign to take my request."
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Post by Dave on Mar 26, 2009 9:26:31 GMT -5
"A request from a new friend? Of course we will hear it! Ask what you will, Raum, and we will consider what you say." Jecht still seems in high spirits.
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