Duvors

"Well that's nice. But tell us, where is the... nexus? of this mischief? We're here to negotiate some sort of deal with them, to see if they can be convinced to move out of the chute. We really need to use it at this point and it will probably go down better for them if this is dealt with before station maintenance notices something is up."

Thank you! 100% natural light, in an open-topped lightbox on a sheet of (what I think is) flexible waterproof cardboard, on an overcast day to get that diffuse light. No tripod either, and I had to lie flat on a slightly damp wooden deck to get this shot. I couldn't really do it any other way, as the expensive photography lights I have cast light that comes out as this horrible dim orange in the camera I use. It's definitely meant to be one of each. I think I changed the google document we were using to say that during development, but if I did it didn't make it into the final draft.

"Ah, yes, sorry, I should have introduced myself first. That was terribly impolite of me, I apologize." Enson bowed deeply to the man.

@Zepher The character I came up with, an Elemental Celestial of mystical inclination. I'd've used one of those new wands for the walking stick if I had any, but sadly I don't. Avatar size image.

"Are you the person Georgi sent down here?"

You can buy both directly the same way you buy other attributes; 2 points for every +1. Also you can buy additional proficiencies for 1 point each without increasing Smarts. WBD's character started with the 'Researcher' kit, which gives them an item (Holo-Scroll) that grants an additional spell. I could do something, but the only way I can get decent lighting for a photo is to take it outside and it's been raining a lot around here recently. I'll see if I can do anything.

@Khorne @samurai-turtle The current rally action Polaris is taking won't affect Felix until next round as they come after Felix in the turn order. If you want a rallied attack this round Felix would have to rally Polaris. Also please note that if Varen dies they won't be able to participate in the rest of the quest as per the rules, I doubt KotZ would enjoy that.

"I doubt it matters much if they know what it is. We'll likely have to use it anyway and it's impossible to conceal an explosion. I'd rather just be honest about how we intend to remove the blockage. We'll tell the truth and so puzzle and confound our adversaries."

If there's an inconsistency, it's likely because someone didn't think of it, or it didn't come up often enough to be important. But a general reason is that unnecessary swear words come off as juvenile and crass to many people, it lowers the tone of a conversation and can drive people away from a platform. The existence of swear filters ensures that people uncomfortable with crude language aren't driven away and can interact with others here.

"Well that would be my preference too. If hostilities do break out I have no intention of being the instigator. We are effectively under a metaphorical flag of truce at the moment and if they choose to violate it I have no intention of giving them a justification. In fact..." For a moment Enson took a look around, trying to find a white flappy thing he could use as a flag. "You know what?" he said, "Perhaps we should just leave the bomb here and deal with it once the talks are done. A gesture of goodwill will probably be more helpful."

"I'm considering that we may not be able to get back down here if a fight breaks out and we have to flee. We don't know how many there are and we may not be able to drive them off if things turn hostile. If so, I'd like to be able to blow this blockage here as quickly as possible before we're driven out. Admittedly that will probably destroy the colony and I'd really prefer not to do that, so if driving them out or getting them to move on their own is possible I want to aim for those options first. Still, the course of true diplomacy never did run smooth and I believe one should always be ready for all possibilities." Enson looked a bit uncomfortable as he spoke, as if he were trying to convince himself as much as Valesia.

"Healing is my primary calling nowadays, I haven't been much of a fighter for a while now. Yet somehow I always seem to find myself on the front lines anyway." He shook his head. "The rats?" he said, "Well I've been thinking of just letting them move into the basement. We don't use it much anyway and other than access to some of the maintenance areas there's not much we need from it." He leaned in and lowered his voice, "As for backup plans I suggest attempting five all-one-color combinations on the bomb. That should at least tell us what colors and how many of each are present in the combination."

There is no hard and fast answer to this. In general yes, but without specific rules it's ultimately down to MM fiat.

"Oh dear, you're hurt." said Enson, noticing his companions' injuries. "Here, let me help you-" Enson will cast Sustaining Healing twice, once on each of his allies. Taking a look around him, Enson let out a long breath. "Well, it seems I owe the elusive Mr. Georgi an apology. This really does seem to require extreme measures." He glanced after the rat, them back at his companions. "I think we should follow them. We are here to negotiate after all. What do you think?"

I read every Redwall book growing up, so it's not a particularly bizarre concept from my perspective.

The intent is that the additional dice from Defend are added to the roll you make to reduce damage when attacked, whereas Rally is added to the roll you make when you attack someone. There are a couple places in the WiP classes that refer to the former as an 'Armor Check' and it may be a good idea to retroactively add this term to the main rules.

"Excellent, let us descend then." He turned to go, stopped, and shifted to face his companions again with something of a contrite expression. "I'm sorry, before we go any further I must apologize. I really shouldn't have come up here without you, or at least consulting you. If I hadn't been put out of sorts by that absurd bomb..." He coughed; "But anyway, that's all past and done with. If you'll allow me?" Enson will head down.

"I understand, thank you." Enson said with a bow. Turning to his companions he said: "Do any of you have anything you wish to do before we descend?"

Renamed Warlock's second trait and the Sorcerer class (Conjurer). Altered the actions of Assassin, Ætherdiver, Martial Artist, and Outlander, as well as the Swashbuckler's Parry. Fixed the syntax of the Illusionist, Priest, and Engineer's actions. Added a provisional Empath class for players who want psychic powers.

"My name is Ensonvilterayquis - Enson if you prefer - a Qoun'ahn from the planet Vin'quo. I don't know if that means anything to you, but it signifies that I have been trained in the ways of patience and rationality. I understand you have made your home here, correct? I do not wish to seem unempathetic, but the building this chute is attached to is currently in use and as long as this chute is stoppered up we cannot dispose of our garbage. I understand that, being classed as 'vermin' by most, you do not have many places that you can live safely. Tell me, if you were offered another place to reside, what reasons - physical or emotional - would prevent you from accepting such an offer?"

Enson would've looked around himself, but in the absence of light that would be useless. Instead he closed his eyes, focused on the overwhelming psychic hostility around him, and, breathing steadily to calm his nerves, spoke: "Listen. I have no desire to harm you, or to take anything away from you, but none of that matters if you keep constantly trying to attack us without any communication. I'd much rather talk this over with you and try and come to a consensus. Please, just say something." Enson waited in the dark for any response - even hostile - to his attempt at communication, trying to keep the crawling fear he felt from overwhelming him.

"Thank you, no. Please, save your strength, I have a feeling you'll need it."

"Do as you please, I'm going to try and find someone to negotiate with. Or get eaten by, as the case may be." Looking around, Enson decided that up would be a better way to go than down for now, if only because he didn't know if his companions would follow him. As he climbs, Enson will attempt to use his Insight to pinpoint the direction the sense of unease is coming from, because why not?

I've altered the Assassin's action to work off stealth, as allowing them to just double their weapon proficiency on a whim seemed a bit too much to me. I've also made a small change to the Swashbuckler.

Nah, I'm expecting we'll have to fight off an endless horde of rats while one of us enters combinations. @Khorne I'm highlighting this because in the specific situation your party is in (facing enemies with a higher Skill than any of your party's weapon proficiencies) this action is extremely useful. Also keep in mind that both these actions can stack their effects, both from being applied by multiple allies and by being applied over multiple rounds.