Amarant: Noble's Path

[Gear47demon]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Awesome! The scene was worth the wait, in my humble opinion!

As for voting: I vote "No" on doing anything sexual with the guy. It’s one thing for Jane to do it with Maria – a friend of hers she has known for years; it’s a whole different thing doing it with a complete stranger they just met.

Still, let’s not kill the guy just yet. He seems to speak the same language as Jane and Maria unlike the guys they have seen so far. So I vote Other:
Refuse his advances in no uncertain terms, but don't do anything hostile. Try talking to him and attempt to learn anything useful, especially about what he has discovered. However, if he does anything hostile, or if he refuses to take “no” for an answer – fireball his ass! If he survives the fireball have Maria blind him and then try to kill him quickly.


Fluff:
As Jane looked at the new arrival she remembered first what Edwin had wanted from her, and then the rat-folk from earlier and what they had tried to do. This guy was only slightly better than the rats, but his desires were clearly no different and worse, he was trying to take advantage of them, as if they were a pair of cheap whores! Jane felt disgusted at the very idea of letting some random stranger take advantage of them and decided she would not let him do anything to either her or her precious friend. He had already seen them naked, but if he wanted more than that he would have to earn it – the hard way!

Bingo!

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

I vote no on allowing the man to touch either of them as well.

But I suggest ridiculing him and mocking him as well for his presumption. If he gets all insistent and rapey about things, then inform him how imminent his body is to being on fire.

 

[tomaito89]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Why fireball the guy if he turns hostile? There are better ways to resolve this.

Let him continue to move closer and strip down - even be encouraging. Suggest a bargain of sorts (quid pro quo, tit for tat, etc.): pleasure for information, with no intention of following through. If he bites, start asking questions. Otherwise, use wave of force to knock him on his ass. Have Maria move next to his head, ready to cast daze, and have Jane pin him down, ready to choke him out while demanding he answer our questions.

 

[nightshade99]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

A. Let him come close then Wave of Force sending him toward a wall or rocks.

 

[BlueSlime]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Note: I said to *threaten* him with being on fire, not instantly light him up.

Most people, if shown that they are in danger of being horribly burned, would loosen their tongues.

I don't mind luring him in for a little bit, maybe using the remnants of the moss' effects as an excuse to let him start feeling us up, but he should be made to understand quickly enough that he's not with two helpless tarts.

 

[tomaito89]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Don't get me wrong, BlueSlime, I get that. What I was referring to was this...

if he does anything hostile, or if he refuses to take “no” for an answer – fireball his ass! If he survives the fireball have Maria blind him and then try to kill him quickly.

...since everyone else is jumping on this option.

 

[omegau]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

I'm-a go with Moonblack.

 

[Cevrik777]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Results:

Spoiler

With overwhelming support:

As for voting: I vote "No" on doing anything sexual with the guy. It’s one thing for Jane to do it with Maria – a friend of hers she has known for years; it’s a whole different thing doing it with a complete stranger they just met.

Still, let’s not kill the guy just yet. He seems to speak the same language as Jane and Maria unlike the guys they have seen so far. So I vote Other:
Refuse his advances in no uncertain terms, but don't do anything hostile. Try talking to him and attempt to learn anything useful, especially about what he has discovered. However, if he does anything hostile, or if he refuses to take “no” for an answer – fireball his ass! If he survives the fireball have Maria blind him and then try to kill him quickly.

Fluff:
As Jane looked at the new arrival she remembered first what Edwin had wanted from her, and then the rat-folk from earlier and what they had tried to do. This guy was only slightly better than the rats, but his desires were clearly no different and worse, he was trying to take advantage of them, as if they were a pair of cheap whores! Jane felt disgusted at the very idea of letting some random stranger take advantage of them and decided she would not let him do anything to either her or her precious friend. He had already seen them naked, but if he wanted more than that he would have to earn it – the hard way!

Fluff Nudge towards the Man:
"Dratted stupid cave!" He grumbled under his breath, swinging his sword around and chopping down those lanky things. They had already cleared a small amount of them already and he wanted nothing to do with them. Not after what they did to one of his fellows. Poor fool was still probably slapping away at that rock with his body. His blade glistening from being used as a machete, he heard a delightful sound. A sound of crying whores! One's blissfully coiling together if his hearing wasn't going on him! His feet stepped on the stairs, taking two at a time, far too quickly as he stumbled and slashed his sword against the steps, creating sparks and making him grunt with catching himself. Still, the echoing cry urged him on, his pants feeling mighty uncomfortable as he pulled up the stairs and a lovely duo. Both glistening to his eyes, shining as bright as stars to his hungry eyes. Their bodies glistening from their coupling, their skin radiant, his pants felt far too tight as he gazed on the pair with wicked delight, a come hither gesture coming from them as they saw him, his hands already moving to his pants, sword sheathed as he called out to them. (Jane and Maria haven't used a come hither gesture, this is his own mind substituting that effect.)

"Dratted stupid cave!" He grumbled under his breath, swinging his sword around and chopping down those lanky things.

They had already cleared a small amount of them already and he wanted nothing to do with them. Not after what they did to one of his fellows. Poor fool was still probably slapping away at that rock with his body. His blade glistening from being used as a machete, he heard a delightful sound. A sound of crying whores, blissfully coiling together if his hearing wasn't going on him! His feet stepped on the stairs, taking two at a time, far too quickly as he stumbled, making him grunt and catch himself. Still, the echoing cry urged him on, his pants feeling mighty uncomfortable as he pulled up the stairs to see a lovely duo. Both of them wonders to his eyes, shining as bright as stars. Their bodies glistening from their coupling, their skin radiant. His pants felt far too tight as he gazed on the pair with wicked delight, a come hither gesture coming from them as they saw him, his hands already moving to his pants, sword sheathed as he called out to them.

The man did see two women lying together in front of him, but it was his mind that made them seem so willing, their gestures just a figment of his imagination and a product of his time spent in the temple. They seemed so… magical, sitting there for him, waiting on a golden display just like he thought, ready for him to join them. Oh, were they a sight to behold: he could hardly wait!

He dropped his drawers in haste and started to run up to them, but was caught off-guard as one of them stood up to confront him.

---

Jane stood up quickly, a hand resting on her dagger, Maria remaining on the barrier for the moment, keeping the spell going but ready to help her friend if needed. With her idle arm moving to cover her exposed groin, Jane stepped forward to meet the man.

“Hold, there!” Jane spoke firmly to the intruder.

For a small moment, Jane felt as though she were back in the city, using such a commanding voice. Her appearance however, didn’t quite match the authority with which she spoke. Nevertheless, the man held, stopping a few feet from them, awkwardly standing there with only one pant-leg on and his hardening cock hanging down between his legs, frozen in his attempt to remove the rest of his leggings.

As Jane looked at the new arrival she remembered first what Edwin had wanted from her, and then the rat-folk from earlier and what they had tried to do. This guy was only slightly better than the rats, but his desires were clearly no different and worse: he was trying to take advantage of them, as if they were a pair of cheap whores! Even under the moss’s now weakened effects, Jane felt disgusted at the very idea of letting some random stranger take advantage of them and decided she would not let him do anything to either her or her precious friend. He had already seen them naked, but if he wanted more than that he would have to earn it – the hard way!

The man looked a bit surprised, his expression not quite as cheerful as it once was. Still, his eyes loomed towards Jane’s hand, as though willing it to move away and expose her sex.

Jane cleared her throat, pulling the man’s gaze back up to meet hers.

Jane had almost forgotten that the man spoke the common tongue not too long ago: after having ran into so many of these brutes who spoke a foreign language, she had almost assumed just as much of this man. She realized this may be a chance to finally learn something about these men who were here and what they have discovered about the temple so far. As far as what to say however, she was a bit unsure.

“Who are you?” she decided to ask first, hoping to start small and then work her way to some more interesting questions.

“Jackson”, he said, resting his stance so that he stood there with his pants around one ankle.

Jane was surprised to get such a straight answer out of him, finding it odd how he seemed so calm given the situation. He didn’t seem to hold any hostility towards them, instead, seeming rather cheerful.

“What are you doing here?” Jane then asked him.

“Trying to have sex with you” he responded.

Maria let out a small chuckle as Jane stumbled mentally: sure, she could surmise that was the reason he was here now but… well, she couldn’t really fault him for such an answer.

“No, I mean… what are you doing in this temple and what are your friends doing here?”

She assumed he was part of the group from earlier, it seemed only logical that he was connected to them in some way.

“Oh, we’s trying to find something special- … but, uh, but I don’t think I shouldn’t be telling you this: The cap’n said what we’s doing in your temple is a secret.”

Jane wasn’t exactly sure how to react to such an answer – it seemed “Jackson” here was far from being the intellectual among this band of brigands.

“Wait…” she spoke up again, remembering his words… “Our temple”?

“Yeah, are you two not like what Napp was talkin’ about or… Oh! Is this some sort of trial or somethin’? Like the rats were?” He looked between Jane and Maria, displaying the expression of an excited child.

Jane and Maria shared a quick glance, their eyes narrowing in confusion. Jackson’s words were quite different from what the two of them were expecting to get out of him. Jane had a small idea of what might be going through his head, but she wasn’t completely sure. An idea then came to Jane:

Jane could play the part of whatever this man thought they were. Although, she could also be honest with him and tell him they were simply two adventurers, perhaps gaining his favor as well as avoiding the risk of angering. Each option would probably change what information they could get him to divulge and what they could manipulate him to do, but each route also had its own set of risks with how he may react – especially if he saw through their lie.


Voting:

Spoiler

Primary Vote: Does Jane try and play into this perception that Jackson has of them, or do they refuse it and try to be honest with him?

A) Jane takes the gamble and attempts to play the part of whatever it is Jackson has of them.
B) Jane doesn’t take the risk, instead choosing to be more honest and diplomatic.

X) Other/Different course of action

Secondary Vote: How do the girls act as to keep up the illusion? What safeguards and boundaries do they set?

Tertiary Vote: What questions do they ask and what information do the girls attempt to gain from Jackson? (If you want, you can state which options you want to go with which choices.)


Z) Minor Actions

Fluff/NPC nudge: Small, inconsequential NPC actions: allows voters to give their own little touch to the story descriptions and add their own flavor text.

Jane:

Spoiler

Jane Theriner
Age: 20
Height: 5’ 7”
Weight: 128 lbs.
Breast Size: 34d
Hair: Brown. Shoulder length. Few bangs in front, rest pinned behind head.
Eyes: Green

Constitution: 20/20
Mana: 6/10
Cantrip Charges: 2/5
Corruption: 19/100
Pleasure: 3/20
XP: 65/100

(STR) Strength: d6 + 1
(DEX) Dexterity: d8 + 1
(INT) Intelligence: d10 + 3
(WIS) Wisdom: d8 + 2
(CHA) Charisma: d10 + 0

Spells:
Minor Cure Wounds (1 Mana): The caster concentrates on their wounds, healing themselves in the process.
Effect: Heal yourself for your INT + Base INT.
CT: Medium(20 Seconds). Range: Self. Gesture. Requires Focus.

Magic Armor(1 Mana): The caster puts a protective shield over themselves to ward off blows.
Effect: The caster has an armor value equal to their Base INT for 5 rounds.
CT: Short(3 Seconds). Range: Self. Gesture.

Fireball(2 Mana): The Caster shoots a ball of fire towards their foe that explodes on impact.
Effect: The target takes the caster’s INT die + Base INT in fire damage during the initial cast and 1d4 – 2 fire damage for the next 3 rounds.
CT: Short (5 Seconds). Range 30 ft. Gesture. Saving Throw: Dex (6+ to put flames out).

Wave of Force(2 Mana): A massive amount of force blasts forth from the caster’s palm, sending their opponent flying backwards.
Effect: Deals 2d4 + Base INT and send the target flying d4 x 5 ft.
CT: Short (5 Seconds). Range: Melee. Gesture.


Cantrips:
Comprehend Language: The caster closes their eyes and concentrates, able to understand whatever those around them are saying for a short period.
CT: Medium (10 Seconds). Range: Ear-shot. Duration: 5 minutes. Requires Focus.

Material Shift: The caster focuses, enhancing or weakening the strength of an inanimate material, such as wood or metal for a time.
CT: Long (60 Seconds). Range: Touch. Duration: 1 hour. Requires Focus

Create light: Create an orb of light to illuminate your immediate surroundings. This orb becomes solid once conjured and can be held, rolled, or otherwise manipulated.
CT: Short (3 seconds). Duration: 1 hour. Light Range: 20ft. Gesture.

Skills/Passives/Traits:
Mercantile Mind: +2 on rolls to negotiate the price of goods. +1 on rolls for any perception or sense motive checks involving the value of an item.
Charming: +3 to Charisma-based checks against Human, Elf, Dwarf, Half-orc and Half-elf males.
Mana Reserves: After casting a spell, roll a d6: On the result of a “6”, the spell uses 1 less mana.
Budding Diplomat : +1 to Diplomacy rolls.
Waning Aphrodisiac: -3 to WIS during Pleasure Resistance checks.

Sexual Experience:
First Kiss: Edwin Darnel
Stripped for Riordan and Ulmag
Teased by a Rat-folk
Temple – Maria.

Inventory/Clothing:

Dagger(Strapped to thigh): Damage: STR + d4
+ 2 to hit.

Mana Potion (x2): Consume to Restore 5 Mana.
Necklace of Invisibility: Allows Jane to become invisible for a minute. Touch and focus to use.
Ring of Bolt: Has one Charge of the "Bolt" spell.
Scroll of "Bolster"
Scroll of "Racking Pain"
Scroll of "True Strike"
Spell Descriptions can be found here, under the 3rd Spoiler.


Head: N/A
Chest: Bra
Arms: Nothing
Legs: Dagger. Nothing Else.
Shoes: Nothing
Brassiere: Black silk bra.
Underwear: Nothing.
Jewelry: Necklace of invisibility - small silver pendant.
Jewelry: Ring of Bolt – small gold ring.

Maria:

Spoiler

Maria Chauss
Age: 21
Height: 5’ 6”
Weight: 122 lbs.
Breast Size: 32c
Hair: Brown. Braided back into long strand.
Eyes: Blue

Constitution: 16/16
Mana: 5/7
Cantrip Charges: 5/6
Corruption:?/100
Pleasure: ?/20

(STR) Strength: d4 + 0
(DEX) Dexterity: d8 + 0
(INT) Intelligence: d12 + 5
(WIS) Wisdom: d8 + 0
(CHA) Charisma: d6 + 1

Spells:
Daze (1 Mana): Make contact with an enemy’s head and daze them, causing mental trauma. The target suffers 1d4 Mental Damage and is unable to act next round.
CT: Instant Range: Touch. Gesture
Saving Throw: WIS vs. Caster’s INT (Can only avoid 2nd round of stun)

Blind (1 Mana): The caster produces a searing light, blinding enemies and making them unable to act effectively for a turn.
CTL Short (3 Seconds). Range: Line of Sight. Gesture.

Barrier (2 Mana): The caster sets up a large field that will keep anyone or anything from passing through it as long as it remains active. The shield has 20 health and has no roll to hit when attacked. Once its HP reaches “0” or the caster stops channeling, the shield dissipates. The barrier does not consume additional mana for each turn.
CT: Short (3 Seconds). Range: Melee. Gesture.

Disintegrate Object (3 Mana): The Material Shift Cantrip in a much more volatile form, the caster sends forth a bolt of energy that eats away at any solid, inanimate object it hits. Permanently destroys one piece of enemy equipment or armor.
CT: Short (5 Seconds). Range: 25 ft. Gesture


Cantrips:
Transfer Mana: The caster channels their mana, sending it to another nearby magic user. The caster can send up to 3 points of mana with one cantrip charge.
CT: Medium (10 Seconds). Range: 30 ft. gesture

Create light: Create an orb of light to illuminate your immediate surroundings. This orb becomes solid once conjured and can be held, rolled, or otherwise manipulated.
CT: Short (3 seconds). Duration 1 hour. Light Range: 20ft. Gesture.

- Mending: Repairs a simple object or a piece of clothing.
CT: Long (1 Minute). Duration: Permanent. Range: Touch. Requires Focus

- Detect Magic: The caster attempts to scan a piece of equipment to see if it contains any magic.
CT: Medium (30 Seconds) Range: 5 ft. Requires Focus.

Skills/Passives/Traits:
Language: Ancient (Intermediate)
Magical Theory Prodigy: +5 INT
Studious Charm: +1 CHA
Archaeophilia: You have an obsession with ancient artifacts and relics, both magical and mundane.
"Waning Aphrodisiac": -3 to WIS during Pleasure Resistance checks.

Sexual Experience: ---

Inventory/Clothing:

Hip Quiver – Arrows: 13/20
Short Bow.
Damage: (STR + DEX) /2

Mana Potion (x1): Consume to Restore 5 Mana.
Corked Inkwell/Quill/Parchment
Rations
Lantern w/ Oil
Blaze Rod – Provides light for an hour.
Rope – 20 ft. worth
Book: “The Tarmen Journal of Academic study and Archaeological Findings. Vol. XXXVI”
Goblin Carving – Has a simple design. Carved by the goblins who used to inhabit the Coastal cave.

Head: Nothing
Chest: Bra
Arms: Nothing
Legs: Nothing
Shoes: Nothing
Brassiere: Grey silk bra.
Underwear: Grey silk underwear.

Enemies:

Spoiler

Stats will be gleaned from enemies during combat if they have not been encountered beforehand.

Man (Human) HP: 18/18
Wielding: Cutlass (Sheathed)

(STR) Strength: d6 +/- ???
(DEX) Dexterity: d8 +/- ???
(INT) Intelligence: ??? +/- ???
(WIS) Wisdom: ??? +/- ???
(CHA) Charisma: ??? +/- ???

Skills/Passives/Traits:
???

Game/Dice Report:

Spoiler

Power Votes:
Gear47Demon: I
MoonBlack: I
Diagasvesle: I
Kasei: I
Tomaito: I
Xaero: I
1Cyka: I
Denmu: I
Minerve: I

Charisma Check - Jane
Jane’s CHA: d10 + 0
Rolled: 4
Charming Bonus + 3
Total: 7 vs. 3 = Success.

Update should be out sometime on Saturday.

 

[omegau]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

I say B, honest and diplomatic. Granted, he probably won't be answering some important questions, but he also won't be as likely to try and fuck them either. Maybe. As for questions, let everyone else figure that out. My head is too fogged up to think of anything other than the basic "What're you here for." which was already asked.

 

[moonblack]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

This isn’t an actual vote, just some thoughts and ideas. I’ll make a proper vote later, once I have had the time to think about it:
- Briefly (and quietly) consult with Maria and see if she has any idea what this guy might be mistaking them for
- Don’t confirm or deny his guess – let him continue to think whatever it is he’s thinking
- Try to get him to reveal what is this "something special" they are trying to find. If he’s hesitant assure him that his "cap'n" will never know
- Jane and Maria should remain alert and ready to defend themselves – just in case

Again, this is NOT an actual vote. I need time to think and (maybe) come up with good questions

 

[Diagasvesle]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Huh, didn't even realize you updated the story yesterday. A little busy right now, so this is going to be a place holder till I edit in something.

@Moonblack, the thoughts you have posted are beguiling, but is Jane an accomplished liar? We know she is manipulative due to the fact of the recent story. But is she able to pull a poker face off? (Which stat would that be rolled under?)

 

[Gear47demon]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

A We can take advantage of this guy for the time being. I mean, there's always time to say sorry for manipulating you later... right?

Secondary Vote: Jackson here seems to believe that this is another test, correct? So, let Jane and Maria play off of that; outright acknowledge that they are both a test, and that they are spirits of the temple here to test his honesty, patience, his will, and his resistance against the carnal pleasures. If he can resist the temptations of his body and their flesh as well as display his honest character (Hah!), then his soul will be purified and his power will increase, but should he fail... then his body will be engulfed in an endless inferno before perishing. That should put the fear in him a little bit to back off for the time being.

Tertiary Vote: Ask how many of them there are, including Jackson himself. Ask what this "something special" is that the captain is looking for, and who this captain is. Ask about the temple itself: How old it is, who resided here previously and for what purpose, Jackson and his groups connection to the temple. Ask about other trials and tests that the temple has and the significance of this particular one i.e. does it focus on a particular deity, is it used for rituals, etc. Ask about any other paths that he knows about and the best way to deal with the dangers in the temple.

Z To keep up the appearances of what Jackson believes Jane and maria to be, perhaps nymph's or some sort of sexual spirit, maidens or whores... whatever, have Jane smile and giggle every so often and absently trace a finger or her dagger around her breasts or along her stomach and legs to distract Jackson. It will be awkward for her, and it may seem out of place for her, but she has to keep up an act for the time being. Every so often glare at Jackson should he start to falter and have Jane grip her dagger tightly until he backs off, then resume being playful and bubbly.

This is also only a basic outline as I may think of more questions later

 

[moonblack]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

After thinking about it some more my idea is similar to Gear47demon's, but with some differences:
Z: First Jane consults with Maria if she has any idea what this guy might be mistaking them for, then tells her the plan and makes sure Maria will play along

Primary Vote: Modified A: Jane does not actively lie to the guy, she just "forgets" to correct his misconceptions and lets him think… whatever it is he’s thinking

Secondary Vote: Jane and Maria tell him that this is a test, and that if he can resist the temptations of his body and their flesh as well as display his honest character (Hah!), then his soul will be purified and his power will increase, but should he fail... then his body will be engulfed in an endless inferno before perishing. That should put the fear in him a little bit to back off for the time being.

Tertiary Vote: Start slow and gradually move to more important things: Ask about Jackson, then about his friends, about this captain he mentioned, about what he has seen in the temple, what other trials he passed and which one among them was his favorite, and finally what it is he and his friends hope to find (this "something special" he mentioned) and what does he get from it. +whatever other suitable questions the other voters come up with.

Z To keep up the appearances of what Jackson believes Jane and maria to be, perhaps nymph's or some sort of sexual spirit, maidens or whores... whatever, have Jane smile and giggle every so often and absently trace a finger or her dagger around her breasts or along her stomach and legs to distract Jackson. It will be awkward for her, and it may seem out of place for her, but she has to keep up an act for the time being. Every so often glare at Jackson should he start to falter and have Jane grip her dagger tightly until he backs off, then resume being playful and bubbly.

+1 for this

Also Z: Jane and Maria remain alert and ready to defend themselves – just in case (you can never be too careful).

 

[Diagasvesle]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

After thinking about it some more my idea is similar to Gear47demon's, but with some differences:
Z: First Jane consults with Maria if she has any idea what this guy might be mistaking them for, then tells her the plan and makes sure Maria will play along

Primary Vote: Modified A: Jane does not actively lie to the guy, she just "forgets" to correct his misconceptions and lets him think… whatever it is he’s thinking

Secondary Vote: Jane and Maria tell him that this is a test, and that if he can resist the temptations of his body and their flesh as well as display his honest character (Hah!), then his soul will be purified and his power will increase, but should he fail... then his body will be engulfed in an endless inferno before perishing. That should put the fear in him a little bit to back off for the time being.

Tertiary Vote: Start slow and gradually move to more important things: Ask about Jackson, then about his friends, about this captain he mentioned, about what he has seen in the temple, what other trials he passed and which one among them was his favorite, and finally what it is he and his friends hope to find (this "something special" he mentioned) and what does he get from it. +whatever other suitable questions the other voters come up with.



+1 for this

Also Z: Jane and Maria remain alert and ready to defend themselves – just in case (you can never be too careful).

Bandwagon jump. My brain is hurting too much to properly do anything bleh. I'm going with Moonblacks over Gear's.

 

[tomaito89]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Hmm. After much internal deliberation, this is what I've come up with.

Like moonblack said, don't actively lie, but allow him to maintain any misconception he might have.

Secondary Vote: I'm not exactly sure how telling him this is a test would work with *not* actively lying... Anyway, we've got charm and diplomatic skills, put them to good use. Be flirty, teasing. Kind of like with Edwin. But let him know that we're off limits unless he cooperates (again, with no intention of actually letting him have what he wants).

Tertiary Vote: Who is this Napp character Jackson mentioned, and what was he "talkin' about"? Is Napp the leader? If not, who is? How many are there? How long have they been here? What other trials have they faced?


Minor Action: Once we've gotten enough information out of him, have Maria daze him, then bind and gag him with his own clothes, using material shift on the knots to make them heavy and rigid.

 

[Denmu]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

After thinking about it some more my idea is similar to Gear47demon's, but with some differences:
Z: First Jane consults with Maria if she has any idea what this guy might be mistaking them for, then tells her the plan and makes sure Maria will play along

Primary Vote: Modified A: Jane does not actively lie to the guy, she just "forgets" to correct his misconceptions and lets him think… whatever it is he’s thinking

Secondary Vote: Jane and Maria tell him that this is a test, and that if he can resist the temptations of his body and their flesh as well as display his honest character (Hah!), then his soul will be purified and his power will increase, but should he fail... then his body will be engulfed in an endless inferno before perishing. That should put the fear in him a little bit to back off for the time being.

Tertiary Vote: Start slow and gradually move to more important things: Ask about Jackson, then about his friends, about this captain he mentioned, about what he has seen in the temple, what other trials he passed and which one among them was his favorite, and finally what it is he and his friends hope to find (this "something special" he mentioned) and what does he get from it. +whatever other suitable questions the other voters come up with.



+1 for this

Also Z: Jane and Maria remain alert and ready to defend themselves – just in case (you can never be too careful).

Sounds pretty good to me. After all, Jane does have some skill in charming. I think she can handle this.

 

[1Cyka]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

After thinking about it some more my idea is similar to Gear47demon's, but with some differences:
Z: First Jane consults with Maria if she has any idea what this guy might be mistaking them for, then tells her the plan and makes sure Maria will play along

Primary Vote: Modified A: Jane does not actively lie to the guy, she just "forgets" to correct his misconceptions and lets him think… whatever it is he’s thinking

Secondary Vote: Jane and Maria tell him that this is a test, and that if he can resist the temptations of his body and their flesh as well as display his honest character (Hah!), then his soul will be purified and his power will increase, but should he fail... then his body will be engulfed in an endless inferno before perishing. That should put the fear in him a little bit to back off for the time being.

Tertiary Vote: Start slow and gradually move to more important things: Ask about Jackson, then about his friends, about this captain he mentioned, about what he has seen in the temple, what other trials he passed and which one among them was his favorite, and finally what it is he and his friends hope to find (this "something special" he mentioned) and what does he get from it. +whatever other suitable questions the other voters come up with.



+1 for this

Also Z: Jane and Maria remain alert and ready to defend themselves – just in case (you can never be too careful).

I Agree including gears minor action Z.

 

[moonblack]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

I'm not exactly sure how telling him this is a test would work with *not* actively lying...

Let's say that it's a test to determine if he should be killed, or just neutralized. It may not be the kind of test he thinks, but that's not Jane and Maria's fault... right?

 

[Cevrik777]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

Results:

Spoiler

After thinking about it some more my idea is similar to Gear47demon's, but with some differences:
Z: First Jane consults with Maria if she has any idea what this guy might be mistaking them for, then tells her the plan and makes sure Maria will play along

Primary Vote: Modified A: Jane does not actively lie to the guy, she just "forgets" to correct his misconceptions and lets him think… whatever it is he’s thinking

Secondary Vote: Jane and Maria tell him that this is a test, and that if he can resist the temptations of his body and their flesh as well as display his honest character (Hah!), then his soul will be purified and his power will increase, but should he fail... then his body will be engulfed in an endless inferno before perishing. That should put the fear in him a little bit to back off for the time being.

Tertiary Vote: Start slow and gradually move to more important things: Ask about Jackson, then about his friends, about this captain he mentioned, about what he has seen in the temple, what other trials he passed and which one among them was his favorite, and finally what it is he and his friends hope to find (this "something special" he mentioned) and what does he get from it. +whatever other suitable questions the other voters come up with.

Also Z: Jane and Maria remain alert and ready to defend themselves – just in case (you can never be too careful).

Z To keep up the appearances of what Jackson believes Jane and maria to be, perhaps nymph's or some sort of sexual spirit, maidens or whores... whatever, have Jane smile and giggle every so often and absently trace a finger or her dagger around her breasts or along her stomach and legs to distract Jackson. It will be awkward for her, and it may seem out of place for her, but she has to keep up an act for the time being. Every so often glare at Jackson should he start to falter and have Jane grip her dagger tightly until he backs off, then resume being playful and bubbly.

Also, I apologize for the slow update schedule as compared to what I have been doing – work has been picking up. But hey, I did say sometime on Saturday

Jane thinks about it for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of each action, but quickly realizes that this “Jackson” is not only the first of their group to speak the common tongue, but seems to know a bit about why they’re here and what the temple holds. She decides to play along for now, although she makes sure to simply react to whatever he says, instead of declaring what they may be outright.

She eyed him for a second before she spoke, getting a better look at him: He wore a simple outfit comprising of a white linen shirt, dark cloth leggings, sandals, and a bandana, which he had wrapped around his head. Brown hair escaped from underneath it, the cloth actually bulging, apparently containing quite a bit of hair. His face was thin, just like his frame, an oval shape that was almost clean-shaven, except for a set of thick sideburns that went down to his jawline. He didn’t hold himself upright; instead his head sulking forward a bit as he stood there. Overall, he could be described as “lean” yet “wiry” – definitely not one of the stronger members of the group.

“Yes, this is a trial” Jane began, trying to think of what else she could add. She could spin some tale or add some additional details about this “trial”, but for now, she’ll defer to what expertise Maria may have on the matter – perhaps she may know enough to provide some sort of idea of what this man is thinking.

“But first, allow me to consult my companion on an important matter…”

The man seemed to hold a bit of a concerned expression, but still seemed content enough for her to continue. He remained put, apparently not wanting to risk upsetting the two girls, or whatever he may think them to be.

With that, Jane kneels down so that she’s even with Maria, the mage still holding the yellow barrier in place, not wanting to open up the passage unless absolutely necessary. Jane attempted to keep her voice down, turning into the wall as she spoke to her friend.

“What do you think about all this? Do you have any idea what he thinks we are?”

Maria gives a look to the half-naked man, eyeing him warily.

“I’m not entirely sure, but he obviously believes we’re connected to the temple and I assume you’re trying to take advantage of that?” She spoke in a hushed tone as to try and keep the man from overhearing them.

“Yes, I believe we can try and get some information out of him about their group if we play into whatever he believes us to be – just don’t try to actively lie instead, let him lead and react to it.”

Maria nods, understanding Jane’s plan.

“Given the situation he found us in – and his longing to have sex with us – he probably believes we’re either nymphs or some sort of spirit that deals with sex. It may sound farfetched, but perhaps the idea of two random female adventurers… doing what we were doing… was even less likely to him. As such I don’t think we should ask too many questions about the temple itself, as it may lead him to question if we actually belong here.”

Jane glances back at Jackson over her shoulder to make sure he’s behaving, finding the man in the same spot, his now-hard member still exposed as his eyes roamed over their forms.

“Hmm, alright then…” Jane pondered, realizing what that may require of them to pull off the illusion.

Jane stood back up and turned to Jackson. This time, instead of covering her exposed sex, she put her hand on her hip as classes from charm school came back to her, although now for a purpose far more sexual than for what they were originally taught: Clad in only the silk that cupped her breasts, Jane took step after step towards him, her legs gliding forward as her hips motioned from side to side. Usually Jane would be abhorred by what she was doing, of walking towards a half-naked man with naught but a bra, but, for some reason, all the motions came a bit easier to her, her lack of clothing and full sight of her groin simply a minor annoyance rather than something to be ashamed or embarrassed of. Perhaps it was the moss, or the recent orgasm she had shared with Maria… whatever it was, she didn’t linger on it, her focus instead on playing the part Jackson expected.

An subtle bite of the lip, eyes that locked with his, a seductive smile, and a hand that traced down her form: First her breasts, then her stomach, and eventually down to her thighs, the outside of her fingers weaving along the outside of her thigh before ascending on against the inside with her palm. Jane could feel the heat between her legs, the moss doing its work as she acted the part. She was not so inclined to resist it now, actually using it to maintain the illusion of being whatever sexual entity Jackson saw her as.

Jane now stood but a few feet away from Jackson, close enough that he could reach out and touch her if he wanted to. And so he tried try, his eyes locked upon her breasts as his expression grew into one of happiness.

Jane took a quick step back, easily avoiding the attempt, adding a giggle as she did so.

“Careful, you wouldn’t want to fail so quickly, would you?”

“F- fail?” Jackson replied, his happiness fading into fear.

“Yes. You said it yourself: this is another trial. A trial that will test your willpower and the honesty with which you live: succumb to your temptations and desire, or speak a lie, and you will be deemed unworthy. Resist, and speak true, and you shall be rewarded.”

“Rewarded? Rewarded with what?” Jackson asks quickly, his face aglow as he thought of all the possibilities.

“That… is for you to find out.”

Jane added a small giggle as she finished, part of it an act, but another part born out of how much she was impressed with herself: Remaking to herself how it was the perfect setup, crafting the trial in such a way that what Jackson stood to gain would only be earned by not only staying his urges but also giving them the information they wanted. As for the reward itself, it’s best to leave it up to his imagination. Although, Jane had a feeling as to what he would expect it to be...

“Well… what if I’m not worthy? What if I fail?” Jackson then asked.

“Then you will be consumed in fire… and die”.

Interesting enough, saying this was a bit harder for Jane than everything else. Perhaps it was the way she said it, or the thought of setting another person on fire instead of just some rat-folk. Nonetheless, she still held up her free hand, letting a few motes of energy flow from her palm to communicate to him that she could very easily make such a thing happen.

“Do you understand?”

Jackson bobbed his head up and down in an almost panicked manner, Jane noticing his effort to try and avoid looking at her body for too long. It seemed he was convinced. About what exactly, the two girls did not know, but at least he wouldn’t try to do anything to them and, hopefully… will provide the answers they sought.

“Now, who are you? And remember… be honest.” Jane asked with a smile, starting slow before she worked her way to more pressing questions.

Jackson seemed a bit flustered at first, as though she had asked him to recite magical theory. Eventually, the man calms down and begins to speak.

“T- the name’s Jackson: I’m a sailor from Bayton, miss. I work in the transporting business but lately things’ve been a bit tryin’ so I’m here as a bit of a sell-sword of sorts. I came with me an associate of sorts, Entin… but the rats, well, they got to him ‘fore I did them in.” He looks down at his feet for a moment as he mentions the last part.

“Who else are you here with? How many of you are there?” Jane continues.

Jackson thinks for another moment before answering.

“A small group: They’s under the command of Cap’n Monroe. They said they was looking for people to help them on an expedition to this- your temple ‘ere to find something – said they needed ‘extra bodies’ or some such to help out. All together there’s… … Riordan and Ulmag by the front, Cap’n Monroe, Tethlis, Chandra, Emeer, Napp, and that’s it not including me or Entin.”

“This Captain Monroe… who is he? What do you know about him?”

“Er, well, he’s supposed to be the one runnin’ this operation. He runs a small band outta Bayton, but ‘e seems different this time about. He’s always talking with this…”

He goes quiet for a moment before continuing.

“This mage guy, Tethlis was his name. ‘E was the one who planned this whole thing to begin with. Somethin’ about some special bit hidden here. Never liked him, always gave me the creeps them magical types.”

A Mage? As Jane heard this she knew it could mean trouble for them if they were to run into another magic user: If he had organized this whole venture, then he must have quite a bit of wealth or influence too… and that would mean an older, more experienced caster as well. Depending on what magic he used, he could prove to be extremely dangerous if he saw them as a threat.

“This item you mentioned, the one your group is looking for: What do you know about it?”

This time Maria spoke up, Jane turning to see her friend now leaning against the yellow barrier with one knee brought up as she laid back, her braid cast in front of her as it laid between her breasts.

Jane gave her friend a surprised look, who promptly returned an expression that said “What? I’m simply playing my part.”

“The item?” Jackson began again before trailing off. He looked unsure of himself, hesitant to speak.

Jane gave him a sultry look as his eyes met with hers again, letting her fingers caress her chest once again. Jackson immediately seemed to find his words, not only encouraged by the act, but aroused as well, his cock becoming rigid once again.

“It’s- it’s supposed to be some kind of book that has to do with magic, b- but beyond that, I’m not sure!”

He looked between the two girls, perhaps fearing his answer may not have satisfied them. They didn’t render any judgment, instead lost in thought as they considered his words. After a bit, Jane considered her next line of questioning: She wanted to know more about the temple, but feared asking about it directly, lest he see through their ruse. She chose her words carefully as she began again.

“These trials, which you mentioned… what were they? What of our temple have you encountered so far?” Jane asked.


“So far? Rats! Huge ones! Bigger than anything I’ve ever seen. They killed Entin ‘fore I could do much. Haven’t run into too much else ‘sides the puzzle-lock thing Tethlis solved. It opened up a door in the other chamber – that’s where the rest of ‘em are looking while they sent the two of us to check out the rest of the temple for treasure. ‘Sides that, there’s nothing much else… although Tethlis mentioned something about the water in this place, but it seemed fine to me.”

Jane had one more question for Jackson before she would have to come up with some more:

“You mentioned that this.. ‘Napp’ spoke of us. What were these ‘tales’? Did he mention anything else about this temple?”

Jane hoped he would see it as a simple curiosity about what someone said about them or their temple rather than the information they had no idea of.

“Napp? Oh, yeah, the dwarf: He said this temple was home to some sort of sexual cult or something and said that I ‘should get fucked’ while I was here. I thought he meant it as an insult, but I hope he meant you guys!”

Jane smiled a bit. Whereas Jackson probably saw it as her usual charm, she couldn’t help but think the dwarf’s latter comment to Jackson anything but a coincidence. Still, the fact that this temple belonged to, as he said, a “Sexual Cult” may very well explain some a bit about some of the things the girls have seen.

As for any more questions, Jane would have to come up with a few more or ask Jackson to go into more depth about something he mentioned earlier. There was, of course, still the matter of what to do with Jackson… they could bring him along or send him on his way. Perhaps even kill him, although Jane wasn’t too keen on the idea, not with how he was at the moment.

Whatever the case, it seemed their only path now was down the stairs to the rest of the temple… Although, the two of them were still quite scantily clad, their clothes still tucked away in the corner next to the stairs.

Voting:

Spoiler

Primary Vote: What do Jane and Maria do about Jackson before heading further into the temple?

A) They bring him along, perhaps to have him help or perhaps to keep an eye on him.
B) They send him away/let him go, unwilling to simply kill him.
C) They kill him, as Jackson is too much of a threat to

X) Other/Different course of action

Secondary Vote: Before dealing with Jackson, do the girls ask him anything else? Do they ask about the temple even if he might become suspicious?

Tertiary Vote: Do the girls maintain their behavior? What, if anything, do they do instead?

Z) Minor Actions

Fluff/NPC nudge: Small, inconsequential NPC actions: allows voters to give their own little touch to the story descriptions and add their own flavor text.

Jane:

Spoiler

+ 3 corruption from behavior.
+ 1 Pleasure from situation.

Jane Theriner
Age: 20
Height: 5’ 7”
Weight: 128 lbs.
Breast Size: 34d
Hair: Brown. Shoulder length. Few bangs in front, rest pinned behind head.
Eyes: Green

Constitution: 20/20
Mana: 6/10
Cantrip Charges: 2/5
Corruption: 22/100
Pleasure: 4/20
XP: 65/100

(STR) Strength: d6 + 1
(DEX) Dexterity: d8 + 1
(INT) Intelligence: d10 + 3
(WIS) Wisdom: d8 + 2
(CHA) Charisma: d10 + 0

Spells:
Minor Cure Wounds (1 Mana): The caster concentrates on their wounds, healing themselves in the process.
Effect: Heal yourself for your INT + Base INT.
CT: Medium(20 Seconds). Range: Self. Gesture. Requires Focus.

Magic Armor(1 Mana): The caster puts a protective shield over themselves to ward off blows.
Effect: The caster has an armor value equal to their Base INT for 5 rounds.
CT: Short(3 Seconds). Range: Self. Gesture.

Fireball(2 Mana): The Caster shoots a ball of fire towards their foe that explodes on impact.
Effect: The target takes the caster’s INT die + Base INT in fire damage during the initial cast and 1d4 – 2 fire damage for the next 3 rounds.
CT: Short (5 Seconds). Range 30 ft. Gesture. Saving Throw: Dex (6+ to put flames out).

Wave of Force(2 Mana): A massive amount of force blasts forth from the caster’s palm, sending their opponent flying backwards.
Effect: Deals 2d4 + Base INT and send the target flying d4 x 5 ft.
CT: Short (5 Seconds). Range: Melee. Gesture.


Cantrips:
Comprehend Language: The caster closes their eyes and concentrates, able to understand whatever those around them are saying for a short period.
CT: Medium (10 Seconds). Range: Ear-shot. Duration: 5 minutes. Requires Focus.

Material Shift: The caster focuses, enhancing or weakening the strength of an inanimate material, such as wood or metal for a time.
CT: Long (60 Seconds). Range: Touch. Duration: 1 hour. Requires Focus

Create light: Create an orb of light to illuminate your immediate surroundings. This orb becomes solid once conjured and can be held, rolled, or otherwise manipulated.
CT: Short (3 seconds). Duration: 1 hour. Light Range: 20ft. Gesture.

Skills/Passives/Traits:
Mercantile Mind: +2 on rolls to negotiate the price of goods. +1 on rolls for any perception or sense motive checks involving the value of an item.
Charming: +3 to Charisma-based checks against Human, Elf, Dwarf, Half-orc and Half-elf males.
Mana Reserves: After casting a spell, roll a d6: On the result of a “6”, the spell uses 1 less mana.
Budding Diplomat : +1 to Diplomacy rolls.
Waning Aphrodisiac: -3 to WIS during Pleasure Resistance checks.

Sexual Experience:
First Kiss: Edwin Darnel
Stripped for Riordan and Ulmag
Teased by a Rat-folk
Temple – Maria.

Inventory/Clothing:

Dagger(Strapped to thigh): Damage: STR + d4
+ 2 to hit.

Mana Potion (x2): Consume to Restore 5 Mana.
Necklace of Invisibility: Allows Jane to become invisible for a minute. Touch and focus to use.
Ring of Bolt: Has one Charge of the "Bolt" spell.
Scroll of "Bolster"
Scroll of "Racking Pain"
Scroll of "True Strike"
Spell Descriptions can be found here, under the 3rd Spoiler.


Head: N/A
Chest: Bra
Arms: Nothing
Legs: Dagger. Nothing Else.
Shoes: Nothing
Brassiere: Black silk bra.
Underwear: Nothing.
Jewelry: Necklace of invisibility - small silver pendant.
Jewelry: Ring of Bolt – small gold ring.

Maria:

Spoiler

Maria Chauss
Age: 21
Height: 5’ 6”
Weight: 122 lbs.
Breast Size: 32c
Hair: Brown. Braided back into long strand.
Eyes: Blue

Constitution: 16/16
Mana: 5/7
Cantrip Charges: 5/6
Corruption:?/100
Pleasure: ?/20

(STR) Strength: d4 + 0
(DEX) Dexterity: d8 + 0
(INT) Intelligence: d12 + 5
(WIS) Wisdom: d8 + 0
(CHA) Charisma: d6 + 1

Spells:
Daze (1 Mana): Make contact with an enemy’s head and daze them, causing mental trauma. The target suffers 1d4 Mental Damage and is unable to act next round.
CT: Instant Range: Touch. Gesture
Saving Throw: WIS vs. Caster’s INT (Can only avoid 2nd round of stun)

Blind (1 Mana): The caster produces a searing light, blinding enemies and making them unable to act effectively for a turn.
CTL Short (3 Seconds). Range: Line of Sight. Gesture.

Barrier (2 Mana): The caster sets up a large field that will keep anyone or anything from passing through it as long as it remains active. The shield has 20 health and has no roll to hit when attacked. Once its HP reaches “0” or the caster stops channeling, the shield dissipates. The barrier does not consume additional mana for each turn.
CT: Short (3 Seconds). Range: Melee. Gesture.

Disintegrate Object (3 Mana): The Material Shift Cantrip in a much more volatile form, the caster sends forth a bolt of energy that eats away at any solid, inanimate object it hits. Permanently destroys one piece of enemy equipment or armor.
CT: Short (5 Seconds). Range: 25 ft. Gesture


Cantrips:
Transfer Mana: The caster channels their mana, sending it to another nearby magic user. The caster can send up to 3 points of mana with one cantrip charge.
CT: Medium (10 Seconds). Range: 30 ft. gesture

Create light: Create an orb of light to illuminate your immediate surroundings. This orb becomes solid once conjured and can be held, rolled, or otherwise manipulated.
CT: Short (3 seconds). Duration 1 hour. Light Range: 20ft. Gesture.

- Mending: Repairs a simple object or a piece of clothing.
CT: Long (1 Minute). Duration: Permanent. Range: Touch. Requires Focus

- Detect Magic: The caster attempts to scan a piece of equipment to see if it contains any magic.
CT: Medium (30 Seconds) Range: 5 ft. Requires Focus.

Skills/Passives/Traits:
Language: Ancient (Intermediate)
Magical Theory Prodigy: +5 INT
Studious Charm: +1 CHA
Archaeophilia: You have an obsession with ancient artifacts and relics, both magical and mundane.
"Waning Aphrodisiac": -3 to WIS during Pleasure Resistance checks.

Sexual Experience: ---

Inventory/Clothing:

Hip Quiver – Arrows: 13/20
Short Bow.
Damage: (STR + DEX) /2

Mana Potion (x1): Consume to Restore 5 Mana.
Corked Inkwell/Quill/Parchment
Rations
Lantern w/ Oil
Blaze Rod – Provides light for an hour.
Rope – 20 ft. worth
Book: “The Tarmen Journal of Academic study and Archaeological Findings. Vol. XXXVI”
Goblin Carving – Has a simple design. Carved by the goblins who used to inhabit the Coastal cave.

Head: Nothing
Chest: Bra
Arms: Nothing
Legs: Nothing
Shoes: Nothing
Brassiere: Grey silk bra.
Underwear: Grey silk underwear.

Enemies:

Spoiler

Stats will be gleaned from enemies during conversation or combat if they have not been encountered beforehand.

Man (Human) HP: 18/18
Wielding: Cutlass (Sheathed)

(STR) Strength: d6 +/- ???
(DEX) Dexterity: d8 +/- ???
(INT) Intelligence: d4 + 0
(WIS) Wisdom: d4 + 0
(CHA) Charisma: ??? +/- ???

Skills/Passives/Traits:
???

Game/Dice Report:

Spoiler

Power Votes:
Gear47Demon: I
MoonBlack: I
Diagasvesle: I
Kasei: I
Tomaito: I
Xaero: I
1Cyka: I
Denmu: I
Minerve: I

Charisma Check - Jane
Jane’s CHA: d10 + 0
Rolled: 5
Charming Bonus + 3
Minor Action Bonus + 3
Total: 11 vs. 6 = Success.

 

[xaero]

Re: Amarant: Noble's Path

B down the tentacle path if they can