Dear Abigail-senpai,
Greetings! I hope your convalescence is going as scheduled. Or at least I pray that you are currently in the same good spirits as I am right now. It has been only a short time since I left the nurturing confines of the Academy and got posted here in the village of Sandpoint, but already this place has grown on me.
You were indeed correct when you said that the outside world was a fascinating place. I believe you have read my earlier mails to you about the adventures I have experienced. I have somewhat developed my divine powers, and I thank the Father Sun everyday for the good fortune of having met comrades who share the same resolution as I do to defend the Light against the darkness of evil.
Indeed, it is very heartening to witness the resolve of the multitude of people who call Sandpoint their home. From the halfling baker across the street, to the dwarven smith down the road, to the half-elf minstrel at the village square, to the human farmer at the outskirts of town, and even to the neutral goblins in the next village -- their steadfast determination to protect those they hold dear, to preserve the peace, and to fight the fear of the encroaching darkness -- these beings truly deserve a rightful place under the Sun.
I also believe you have heard about my request to extend my stay here. What I have said above contributed to my decision to seek an extension. I fear the past encounters with the Cultists are still unresolved and they still pose a threat to the village. Even as we speak, strange occurences have been happening throughout the village. A freak hailstorm, a water spout so close to shore, cracks forming suddenly on the earthen ground, and many other extraordinary incidents. Albeit minor in nature, the frequency with which they occur has become alarming.
I feel as though there is an ill wind approaching the village. This sense of ominous foreboding I cannot shake from my thoughts. I wish that I will be wrong in my apprehension. I wish that these halycon days of peace would last longer. But I also know that it is far better to be prudent than to ignore these sinister signs. So I will stay here and help protect the village against any danger it might face.
Hopefully next time I write, it would be of happier news. Till then please rest well and may the light of Pelor shine on you always.
Your kouhai and friend,
Arao
Arao: Season 2 prologue
Arao: Strange Days in Sandpoint
Arao was in the streets of surrounded by a crowd of children beagging him to once more tell them stories about Magnimar and dragons. The dragonborn was in a middle of a story when a loud rattling and clatter is heard that proves to be tiny falling objects clattering on the roofs and streets of the city from a clear sky. At first the dragonborn assumed it to be hail, but examination reveals it to be tiny pieces of porous black rock— looking almost volcanic in nature but defying all identification.
The initial storm of pebbles does no noticeable damage, but after 2 minutes, the rocks increase in size and begin cracking shingles, ripping awnings, and pelting anyone who remains outside including the dragonborn and the children with him.
“Run for cover kids!” Arao shouted as he pointed towards the nearest building which happens to be Sandpoint Theater.
It was lucky that the paladin was in his armor and he used his body to shield the slower kids from the falling onslaught.
The rain lasts for just a little over a minute but when all is said and done, there are several dozen casualties and hundreds of gold pieces of damage to property and ships.
The stones themselves remain for a few more minutes, covering the ground before they suddenly evaporate into nothingness. Attempts to classify the material before it fades meet with failure—the stones feel like granite, but float in water and are strangely cold to the touch.
Arao: Nualia, Round 3
arao reaches out to lloyd and lay's on hand on the half-elf. he likewise calls upon divine mettle to reinforce lloyd. the dragonborn then turns towards nualia and tries to enfeeble strieks her but misses. nualia backhands the dragonborn. sending him prone. (and with 10 hp damage)
envigored, lloyd stands up from being prone (move action). he then goes into a defensive stance (minor daily utility power) and stabs nualia with his short sword (villain's menace, daily power. standard action, hit with 10 hp damage).
nualia glares hatefully at the half-elf as he moves to attack. her eyes once more blazes black as she realizes lloyd's attck manages to break thru her defenses. she lets out a scream as teh shourt sword pierces her. a wave of darkness ensues from her mouth and once more covers the party.
orik charges out from within the plague cloud seemingly unharmed. this catches nualia by surprise and fails to block the mercenary's swing. the bastard sword bites deep into the demon girl's flesh. (9 hps)
and then two arrows fly thru the plague cloud and strikes the mercenary's back. (28 hps. orik's down to 6 hp)