The Eye of Anubis: OOC Thread

[NeoTiamat]

Spellcraft check for those interested. Two actually.

[The Whistler]

Oh DAMN.

22 and 13.

[Nathan of the FoS]

Brain...hurts.

I gotta hand it to you, NeoTiamat. For sheer show-stopping weirdness, that just about takes the biscuit.

I was definitely not expecting Lancaster to appear in person at this stage.

[yalenusveler]

22 and a 23 on the spellcrafts.

[NeoTiamat]

Brain...hurts.

I gotta hand it to you, NeoTiamat. For sheer show-stopping weirdness, that just about takes the biscuit.

I was definitely not expecting Lancaster to appear in person at this stage.

I do my best. *Tap dances off-screen.*

[Rock of the Fraternity]

From the notes of Lia Mourneswaithe.

Subject: Sand cleric

Name: John Lancaster Cavendish? Assumed name? Is this creature arrogant enough to use its true name when addressing enemies?

Species: Unknown. Appearance suggests Vampiric? Sunlight paradox.

Gender: Presumably male.

Threat level: Extreme.

Abilities & Powers: Clerical spellcaster. Most likely minimally 11th level, probably higher. Soundless spellcasting - Silent spell? But then how did it manage to cast all its spells soundlessly? Including spells that seem to be Bardic in origin? (Disguise spell, perhaps, combined with Perform (oratory)? But this does not explain his ability to cast Cleric spells in the same manner ...)
Addendum: Bardic spellcaster? If so, minimally 4th level caster. If wizard - minimum of 3rd level.

Mystic Theurge? Bard or Wizard / Cleric? Strong supportive evidence for bardic, which would mean something along the lines of Bard 4/Cleric3/Mystic Theurge 8 ... Drat.

Assuming for now that the sand cleric and John Lancaster Cavendish are one and the same person.
Displayed spells: Air walk - Blindness/Deafness - Mislead - Nondetection - Suggestion, as well as magical disguises (Disguise self most likely).
Most of these (Suggestion excluded) are part of the Trickery domain. This meshes with sand cleric's invisibility, back on Guignol Hall, until it actually attacked and possibly its befuddling of the minds of the expedition members at Guignol Hall, causing them to attack each other.

Other psecialized domains and abilities: Inhuman strength, agility, capacity to withstand physical punishment. Further qualities remain unknown. However: 1) Subject constantly wears dark glasses. Eyes vulnerable to bright light? 2) Trickster cleric would be an accomplished liar, capable of disguising and hiding with greater aptitude than most. 3) John Lancaster Cavendish is a skilled manipulator of people, a consummate actor and orator. He displays considerably artistic talent in song, which seems to support the Bard/Cleric combination theory, rare choice as this would be. If he does have Bardic training, the ability to trick, lie and persuade is available to him from both facets of his training.
This is very bad ...

One upside: Trickery does not seem to be in the nature of Anubis. The possibility that this is a real cleric of the Weigher of the Dead therefore becomes negligible, which gives me hope that we will not be attacked by hordes of that deity's clergy as soon as we arrive in the Amber Wastes. Additionally, John Lancaster Cavendish has stated that he torments us because he is bored. A true follower of Anubis would have a better motivation for pursuing us, I am sure. Not to mention the fact that he seems to be a contender for the Eye of Anubis, rather than wanting to stop us from reaching it. (!)

End exerpt.

Note to self: Discuss suspicions with other members of the Expedition!

[NeoTiamat]

Now, out of curiosity, why are you so sure that Cavendish and the Anubite are one and the same?

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Now, out of curiosity, why are you so sure that Cavendish and the Anubite are one and the same?

Right now, it's just a theory, a suspicion. ^^ And I'm certainly open to counter-arguments -- but the shared access to Trickery spells seems like a strong giveaway, to me. Not to mention the rather grandiose exits.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

From the notes of Lia Mourneswaithe.

The Eye of Anubis.

Gemstone, attributed with the power to grant eternal life, also large size.
Monetary value apparently considerable. Exact historic value unknown, but by dint of being part of the Menetnashte collection, would seem to be extremely high.
If power of eternal life is genuine, value increases astronomically, to the right customer.

Question: Immortality in current state of user / rejuvenation to ideal age before immortality is bestowed / undeath? - yuck. Instant clerical lich? Instant ancient dead?
If someone evil gets his hands on the stone and it really has the power, the results would be catastrophic, regardless of how it bestows immortality.
Conclusion: Threat level high. Consider countermeasures.

Deactivation: An elegant solution. If its power could be suppressed, it becomes merely a large gemstone, with only historic and monetary value. Still a great loss if it should fall in the wrong hands, but these can be overcome. Less bad than if some thug like John Lancaster Cavendish gets his hands on it -- or some of the staff members of the University. Lrd. Ramsey? -- and its powers really work. However, this is a divine artifact. Suppressing its powers would be monstrously difficult.

Destruction: A gemstone is a gemstone. A few Shatter spells or a sound beating with a metal object should be capable of destroying even a large gemstone, or at least shattering it to the point that it can no longer hold a magical power. Then again, this is an artifact. If it comes time to destroy the Eye, extreme force might be necessary to overcome its magical nature. Gunpowder? Stronger spells? Query Kuzan on nature of divine artifacts, review previous notes on same. Perhaps speak to Andre; knowledgeable individual.

Safekeeping: Difficult. High level of temptation, long way back from the Amber Wastes to Dementlieu. And who says the stone will be safe from abuse back in Dementlieu?

Theft: Ridiculous. What would I do with the thing? Spend the rest of my life on the run, lugging the wretched thing with me? Bury or store it somewhere in hopes that no one will seek it, or spend the rest of my life guarding it, like some wretched barrow wight? Unacceptable as well as ridiculous. Others might be of a different opinion, however.

Further consideration required.

[Nathan of the FoS]

Well, we know Lancaster has been at both scenes...

The spectacular exit thing is a good point, but that may be more NeoTiamat's style than the style of any particular character (Stefan got quite the sending-off, too).

[NeoTiamat]

I watched a few too many movies as a young child....

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Well, we know Lancaster has been at both scenes...

The spectacular exit thing is a good point, but that may be more NeoTiamat's style than the style of any particular character (Stefan got quite the sending-off, too).

Well, I guess we'll have to wait and see. At least I'm fairly sure about the spellcasting ... or I was.

[The Whistler]

Well, remember that back in Dementlieu, the Anubite tried to stop the expedition, and Lancaster tried to co-opt it; just based on that, I'm not sure they're the same deal.

The way I'm guessing it so far, we have one sinister force bankrolling our group, another hiring Lancaster to get to the gem before us/torment us in the process, and the Anubite as a free agent, just trying to take us down indiscriminately. Maybe?

[Kaitou Kage]

Well, remember that back in Dementlieu, the Anubite tried to stop the expedition, and Lancaster tried to co-opt it; just based on that, I'm not sure they're the same deal.

I -thought- that was the case.

Though he did say we outsmarted him twice.

[Rock of the Fraternity]

Well, remember that back in Dementlieu, the Anubite tried to stop the expedition, and Lancaster tried to co-opt it; just based on that, I'm not sure they're the same deal.

The way I'm guessing it so far, we have one sinister force bankrolling our group, another hiring Lancaster to get to the gem before us/torment us in the process, and the Anubite as a free agent, just trying to take us down indiscriminately. Maybe?

Remember Cavendish tried to co-opt the expedition before the Anubite attack. And he just now made it very clear that he doesn't like being told no. Sour grapes, perhaps?

Though he did say we outsmarted him twice.

And there's that.