(Previous Post: 29)
You watch his motions intently, then nod your head vigorously as he uses words that sound familiar. You raise your hands and mimic the same walking motion, point in the distance, then nod and smile encouragingly at him.
He nods, and seems to give you a patronizing smile.
You struggle into my wet--but no longer dripping--clothing and boots, and he seems instantly ready to walk.
“Khila amin.” He says, motioning for you to follow as he walks up incline toward the city. As you reach the top of the hill, you see the hardened ground of a caravan route. It leads directly to Ilarnek. You find yourself short of breath as you realize how immense the great golden city actually is. Its monumental size and appearance is beyond anything imaginable. And, as you walk, you realize it is further than you expected. By the time you reach the outer gates, your clothing has dried. The shadow of the moon falls over a great tower, whose top may reach unto heaven. And you are in awe.
The gate you pass through has a golden idol of a lizard embossed around its edge. It stands over 100 feet tall, looking down on all who enter. Inside, a river divides the city in two, with several canals feeding the city. You enter on the east side of the river, passing through a gargantuan market. Vendors sell chickpeas and sesame, barley and dates. Plants and animals you never knew existed are being bartered and sold. The scent of fresh fruit mixes with that of fish, caught only this morning. Hundreds of languages are being spoken, all blending together to form an almost familiar group-voice.
The man you follow continues to down the street toward a large ziggurat at the end of the street.
30
(Previous Post: 29)
You continue wringing out the shirt in your hand, your eyes cast down. After a moment you look up, look into his eyes, and raise your eyebrows apologetically. Then you raise your hand to your throat, pat your larynx, and shake your head sadly to indicate that you have no ability to communicate with him.
You continue wringing out the shirt in your hand, your eyes cast down. After a moment you look up, look into his eyes, and raise your eyebrows apologetically. Then you raise your hand to your throat, pat your larynx, and shake your head sadly to indicate that you have no ability to communicate with him.
29
(Previous Post: 27)
You continue wringing out the shirt in your hand, your eyes cast down. After a moment you look up, look into his eyes, and raise your eyebrows apologetically. Then you raise your hand to your throat, pat your larynx, and shake your head sadly to indicate that you have no ability to communicate with him.
“Amin n'rangwa edanea.” The man seems to say to himself. He then points to the city over the hill, speaking slower and more loudly, “I-lar-nek.” He then pats his chest, “Lait-ai-no; amin Bokrug tualle. Iire lye auta, Dinaer?” He makes a walking motion with his fingers, and follows it with an open handed gesture toward the ground. “Manka lle merna, esta sinome.”
You continue wringing out the shirt in your hand, your eyes cast down. After a moment you look up, look into his eyes, and raise your eyebrows apologetically. Then you raise your hand to your throat, pat your larynx, and shake your head sadly to indicate that you have no ability to communicate with him.
“Amin n'rangwa edanea.” The man seems to say to himself. He then points to the city over the hill, speaking slower and more loudly, “I-lar-nek.” He then pats his chest, “Lait-ai-no; amin Bokrug tualle. Iire lye auta, Dinaer?” He makes a walking motion with his fingers, and follows it with an open handed gesture toward the ground. “Manka lle merna, esta sinome.”
28
(Previous Post: 27)
You stand on the shore, knees bent with your hands resting on your thighs, and try to catch your breath. It's taking a moment to acclimate yourself to being an upright human again.
As you catch your breath you nod in acknowledgment to the man approaching you, and half-heartedly wave back. Exhausted, you squat by your bundle, untie it, and begin wringing out your drenched clothes.
“Long journey?” The man chuckles as he stands by your side, looking you up and down. He is dressed in simply, comfortable clothing—pastel blue and tauntingly dry. “I'm Laitaino. When do we leave?” He looks at you expectantly.
You stand on the shore, knees bent with your hands resting on your thighs, and try to catch your breath. It's taking a moment to acclimate yourself to being an upright human again.
As you catch your breath you nod in acknowledgment to the man approaching you, and half-heartedly wave back. Exhausted, you squat by your bundle, untie it, and begin wringing out your drenched clothes.
“Long journey?” The man chuckles as he stands by your side, looking you up and down. He is dressed in simply, comfortable clothing—pastel blue and tauntingly dry. “I'm Laitaino. When do we leave?” He looks at you expectantly.
- To choose your next action, return to 27
27
(Previous Post: 25)
You stand on the shore, knees bent with your hands resting on your thighs, and try to catch your breath. It's taking a moment to acclimate yourself to being an upright human again.
As you catch your breath you nod in acknowledgment to the man approaching you, and half-heartedly wave back. Exhausted, you squat by your bundle, untie it, and begin wringing out your drenched clothes.
“An lema?” The man stands by your side, looking you up and down. He is dressed in simply, comfortable clothing—pastel blue and tauntingly dry. “Amin Laitaino. Iire lye auta?” He looks at you expectantly
You stand on the shore, knees bent with your hands resting on your thighs, and try to catch your breath. It's taking a moment to acclimate yourself to being an upright human again.
As you catch your breath you nod in acknowledgment to the man approaching you, and half-heartedly wave back. Exhausted, you squat by your bundle, untie it, and begin wringing out your drenched clothes.
“An lema?” The man stands by your side, looking you up and down. He is dressed in simply, comfortable clothing—pastel blue and tauntingly dry. “Amin Laitaino. Iire lye auta?” He looks at you expectantly
25
(Previous Post: 24)
You swim for almost an hour, reaching the opposite side tired and out of breath. Your package of clothing sloshes on the ground as you toss it on shore. You're fairly certain there's no chance anything made it across dry.
"Aaye!" A short, slim young man with yellow hair and blue eyes calls out to you from down shore. He waves as he approaches. "Yallume! Oio naa elealla alasse' Lle quena i'lambe tel' Eldalie?"
You swim for almost an hour, reaching the opposite side tired and out of breath. Your package of clothing sloshes on the ground as you toss it on shore. You're fairly certain there's no chance anything made it across dry.
"Aaye!" A short, slim young man with yellow hair and blue eyes calls out to you from down shore. He waves as he approaches. "Yallume! Oio naa elealla alasse' Lle quena i'lambe tel' Eldalie?"
24
(Previous Post: 23)
"...Great." You say out loud, feeling bemused as you watch your new lizard friend disappear. Then, thinking to yourself: I'm floating in the middle of a lake--which may only be a figment of my broken mind, of course--in my underwear. I don't know who I am, I don't know where I'm from, I don't know what I'm doing. All I know is that I'm apparently called Aiden, and I know how to swim. You watch as the wake of ripples in front of you starts to fade, then speak again to the air around you, "Not that it's doing me any good at the moment, of course."
You consider my options. Your clothes are on the shore behind you. You have no idea how far, much less where this temple of hers is located. And you can't very well go mucking about barefooted.
So, back to the shore it is.
Once there, you spread the coat on the ground, unbuttoned, then bundle your clothes and place them in the middle of the coat. After sticking the wire cutters inside the right boot, you lay both boots on top of the clothes. Then you button the coat around the pile, fold the bottom of the jacket upwards, and tie the sleeves across, creating a makeshift handle.
"I guess that will have to do," you mutter, not altogether pleased about the idea of wearing wet clothing once you reach the opposite side of the lake. Your only hope is that the coat will protect your sparse belongings somewhat, but that hope is slim.
Grabbing my bundle by the newly fashioned handle, you step towards the lake and stare across. "Here goes nothing," you say with a raised eyebrow and sense of resignation--before wading into the lake and beginning to swim.
Go to 25
"...Great." You say out loud, feeling bemused as you watch your new lizard friend disappear. Then, thinking to yourself: I'm floating in the middle of a lake--which may only be a figment of my broken mind, of course--in my underwear. I don't know who I am, I don't know where I'm from, I don't know what I'm doing. All I know is that I'm apparently called Aiden, and I know how to swim. You watch as the wake of ripples in front of you starts to fade, then speak again to the air around you, "Not that it's doing me any good at the moment, of course."
You consider my options. Your clothes are on the shore behind you. You have no idea how far, much less where this temple of hers is located. And you can't very well go mucking about barefooted.
So, back to the shore it is.
Once there, you spread the coat on the ground, unbuttoned, then bundle your clothes and place them in the middle of the coat. After sticking the wire cutters inside the right boot, you lay both boots on top of the clothes. Then you button the coat around the pile, fold the bottom of the jacket upwards, and tie the sleeves across, creating a makeshift handle.
"I guess that will have to do," you mutter, not altogether pleased about the idea of wearing wet clothing once you reach the opposite side of the lake. Your only hope is that the coat will protect your sparse belongings somewhat, but that hope is slim.
Grabbing my bundle by the newly fashioned handle, you step towards the lake and stare across. "Here goes nothing," you say with a raised eyebrow and sense of resignation--before wading into the lake and beginning to swim.
Go to 25
23
(Previous Post: 22)
Movement in the water feel natural to you. Not as easy as walking on land, but by no means an unfamiliar sensation.
Kihawahini is suddenly underwater, barely causing a ripple in the surface, despite her immense form.
“We will meet across the lake in the city of Ilarnek, just north of the shore. I will prepare for our journey while I await your arrival in my temple.” A twitch of her tail sends launches her through the water at unimaginable speeds. You open your mouth, questions on the tip of your tongue. Chief among them, the location of her temple. But, it is too late, her form has disappeared in the distance, leaving behind only the light blue glow of the moonlight she trails behind her.
Movement in the water feel natural to you. Not as easy as walking on land, but by no means an unfamiliar sensation.
Kihawahini is suddenly underwater, barely causing a ripple in the surface, despite her immense form.
“We will meet across the lake in the city of Ilarnek, just north of the shore. I will prepare for our journey while I await your arrival in my temple.” A twitch of her tail sends launches her through the water at unimaginable speeds. You open your mouth, questions on the tip of your tongue. Chief among them, the location of her temple. But, it is too late, her form has disappeared in the distance, leaving behind only the light blue glow of the moonlight she trails behind her.
- If you choose to swim across the lake, but return for your belongings first, go to 24
- If you do something else, place your next action in comments below and your story will continue as soon as possible.
22
(Previous Post: 21)
You pause. This is one of those things you should know intuitively, but you don't. Even so, you don't feel afraid of the water...
"Guess we should find out," you say, eying the lake behind her. You kneel down, undo your boots, then step out of your clothes. Unembarrassed, you walk toward the water in your underclothes and begin to wade in. The water rises to your knees... then your thighs... then your waist.... Finally, you push off the soft ground with your toes and submerge yourself, preparing to swim...
...you hope.
You pause. This is one of those things you should know intuitively, but you don't. Even so, you don't feel afraid of the water...
"Guess we should find out," you say, eying the lake behind her. You kneel down, undo your boots, then step out of your clothes. Unembarrassed, you walk toward the water in your underclothes and begin to wade in. The water rises to your knees... then your thighs... then your waist.... Finally, you push off the soft ground with your toes and submerge yourself, preparing to swim...
...you hope.
- If you have at least one rank in Swim, go to 23
- If you don't have a rank in Swim, comment below and your story will continue as soon as possible.
21
(Previous Post: 20)
You choose to travel north through Ilarneck.
"I think I'm going to follow your recommendation," you say. "That is, if you don't mind sharing the longer journey with me. The other paths just sound a little too risky for my tastes right now.”
The great lizard before you yawns, her mouth now large enough to engulf you.
“I sleep for 1000 years. I eat once every few millennia. I do not mind the longer journey. It has been too long since I left my mud throne. We will learn of this world together.” Her great bulk shifts, sending waves lapping against the shore. “Do you swim?”
(Before you answer the question, be sure you have completed Character Creation through Step 5: Skills)
You choose to travel north through Ilarneck.
"I think I'm going to follow your recommendation," you say. "That is, if you don't mind sharing the longer journey with me. The other paths just sound a little too risky for my tastes right now.”
The great lizard before you yawns, her mouth now large enough to engulf you.
“I sleep for 1000 years. I eat once every few millennia. I do not mind the longer journey. It has been too long since I left my mud throne. We will learn of this world together.” Her great bulk shifts, sending waves lapping against the shore. “Do you swim?”
(Before you answer the question, be sure you have completed Character Creation through Step 5: Skills)
- If you test the waters, go to 22
- If you do something else, place your next action in comments below and your story will continue as soon as possible.
Character Creation: Step V - Skills
Starting Skill PointsThe number of skill points available when creating a 1st Level character are four times greater than with skill points gained in later levels. Each Hero Type has a different starting skill point level which is multiplied by the Intelligence Modifier of the character. This number is then multiplied by four to get the starting skill points.
Buying Skills
For every point a character spends, they may receive 1 rank of an in-class skill. For every two points a character spends, they may receive 1 rank of a cross-class skill. Half ranks may be purchased, but will not assist in rolls until the entire rank is purchased. (Click here for more information on skills in character creation)
The maximum rank in a class skill is equal to character level + 3. So, for a level one character, the maximum rank is 4.
The maximum rank in a cross-class skill is one-half of this number. So, for a level one character, the maximum rank is 2.
In-Class Skills
Each Hero Type has a different in-class skills (listed below), all other skills are considered cross-class.
(Click here for the full list of available skills)
(Click here for notes on how to read skill descriptions)
Charismatic Hero Type:
Dedicated Hero Type:
Fast Hero Type:
Smart Hero Type:
Strong Hero Type:
Tough Hero Type:
(Go to Step 6 – Select Feats)
- Charismatic Hero Type: (7 + INT Modifier) x 4
- Dedicated Hero Type: (5 + INT Modifier) x 4
- Fast Hero Type: (5 + INT Modifier) x 4
- Smart Hero Type: (9 + INT Modifier) x 4
- Strong Hero Type: (3 + INT Modifier) x 4
- Tough Hero Type: (3 + INT Modifier) x 4
Buying Skills
For every point a character spends, they may receive 1 rank of an in-class skill. For every two points a character spends, they may receive 1 rank of a cross-class skill. Half ranks may be purchased, but will not assist in rolls until the entire rank is purchased. (Click here for more information on skills in character creation)
The maximum rank in a class skill is equal to character level + 3. So, for a level one character, the maximum rank is 4.
The maximum rank in a cross-class skill is one-half of this number. So, for a level one character, the maximum rank is 2.
In-Class Skills
Each Hero Type has a different in-class skills (listed below), all other skills are considered cross-class.
(Click here for the full list of available skills)
(Click here for notes on how to read skill descriptions)
Charismatic Hero Type:
- Bluff (CHA)
- Craft: Visual Art, Writing (INT)
- Diplomacy (CHA)
- Disguise (CHA)
- Gather Information (CHA)
- Handle Animal (CHA)
- Intimidate (CHA)
- Knowledge: Arcane Lore, Art, Behavioral sciences, Business, Civics, Current Events, Popular Culture, Streetwise, Theology, Philosophy (INT)
- Perform: Act, Dance, Humor, Keyboards, Percussion instruments, Sing, Stringed Instruments, Wind Instruments (CHA)
- Profession (WIS)
- Read/Write Language (none)
- Speak Language (none)
Dedicated Hero Type:
- Craft: Pharmaceutical, Visual Art, Writing (INT)
- Gamble (WIS)
- Investigate (INT)
- Knowledge: Arcane Lore, Art, Behavioral Sciences, Business, Civics, Current Events, Earth and Life Sciences, History, Physical Sciences, Popular Culture, Streetwise, Tactics, Technology, Theology, Philosophy (INT)
- Listen (WIS)
- Profession (WIS)
- Read/Write Language (none)
- Sense Motive (WIS)
- Speak Language (none)
- Spot (WIS)
- Survival (WIS)
- Treat Injury (WIS).
Fast Hero Type:
- Balance (DEX)
- Craft: Mechanical (INT)
- Drive (DEX)
- Escape Artist (DEX)
- Hide (DEX)
- Knowledge: Current Events, Popular Culture, Streetwise (INT)
- Move Silently (DEX)
- Pilot (DEX)
- Profession (WIS)
- Read/Write Language (none)
- Ride (DEX)
- Sleight of Hand (DEX)
- Speak Language (none)
- Tumble (DEX)
Smart Hero Type:
- Craft: Chemical, Electronic, Mechanical, Pharmaceutical, Structural, Visual Art, Writing (INT)
- Decipher Script (INT)
- Demolitions (INT)
- Disable Device (INT)
- Forgery (INT)
- Investigate (INT)
- Knowledge: Arcane lore, Art, Behavioral Sciences, Business, Civics, Current Events, Earth and Life Sciences, History, Physical Sciences, Popular Culture, Streetwise, Tactics, Technology, Theology, Philosophy (INT)
- Navigate (INT)
- Profession (WIS)
- Read/Write Language (none)
- Repair (INT)
- Research (INT)
- Search (INT)
- Speak Language (none)
Strong Hero Type:
- Climb (STR)
- Craft: Structural (Int)
- Handle Animal (CHA)
- Jump (STR)
- Knowledge: Current Events, Popular Culture, Streetwise, Tactics (INT)
- Profession (WIS)
- Read/Write Language (none)
- Repair (INT)
- Speak Language (none)
- Swim (STR)
Tough Hero Type:
- Climb (STR)
- Concentration (CON)
- Craft: Mechanical, Structural (INT)
- Drive (DEX)
- Intimidate (CHA)
- Knowledge: Current Events, Popular Culture, Streetwise (INT)
- Profession (WIS)
- Read/Write Language (none)
- Ride (DEX)
- Speak Language (none)
- Spot (WIS)
- Survival (WIS)
(Go to Step 6 – Select Feats)
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