(Nice Haiku, Praexon. Though unless I counted wrong, Mindy's is 6,6,5 syllables. Am I just seeing things? O_o; )<br/>(Welcome back, zeusthunder. Is this a new character? Either way...)<br/><br/>*before the celestial shows up*<br/><br/>[Knowledge(Religion) check to identify "baatethnom": 1d20+9, 5+9 = 14. Fail]<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Huh. So Puime is alive. Shows what I get for staying clear of the arena. Still, I wonder if her being a finisher is just a way for them to acquire a large number of nutrions from competitors. Fattening her up, so to speak. Maybe that's why Jess want's these people to "help" her so bad. Getting rid of the arena's hardest hitter would ensure her survival. Would she still have her paladin powers in this collared state?"</span>She wondered.<span style="font-style: italic">"Baatethnom... Is that the ritual for becoming a Blackguard?...No, that's not it."</span><br/><br/>"Um, Baatethnom?" Mindy asked. "I'm sorry. I'm not familiar with that term."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Great. Now these guys want to fight the Sogluyem."</span>The elf griped to herself.<span style="font-style: italic">"And here I thought these people could help me with my problem, not give me more things to worry about."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"They probably stand a better chance than you trying to find a safe way out of this town for you and the others."</span>Her psicrystal cut in.<span style="font-style: italic">"I know you're afraid after losing Jilas and Cale so fast, but if you don't at least try to take hold of your life, you're just going to watch it whittle away in the town."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Then what do you think I should do?"</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"You should try to HELP these people. And in turn, let them help you. You're stronger than you imagine yourself, than most would imagine, but you've barely used your powers since arriving. "</span><br/><br/>Mindy stared into her glass. She hadn't drank any more wine past the first few sips. It was true. If there was a confrontation, she avoided it. She feared retaliation. Even if she could break any one opposition, she feared unseen allies and their deadly retort.<span style="font-style: italic">"...I'll keep listening for now. Hopefully, they'll come up with more than ideals, boasts promises. A plan, of some kind."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Maybe you should come up with a plan"</span>The rock added.<br/><br/>She pondered. Thinking about how most of the slaves were kept under control.<br/><br/>[Knowledge(Arcana) check to identify the Black Collar: 1d20+9, 12+9 = 21. What does that get me? I'm curious if the collars can be dispelled, if my Mind-Affecting powers would wor, etc(would this be Knowledge(Local)?)]<br/><br/>*After the celestial shows up*<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Oh.....NO!"</span>Mindy pulled her hood back over her head, ducking down to try and keep her face hidden.<span style="font-style: italic">"What is he thinking, summoning an angel into a bar run by devils and filled with killers?!"</span>She started concentrating to hide her powers activation.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"I'll 'port right out that back door over there, I'll tell the rabbitfolk about the trouble, and to enter at her own risk..."</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Stand your ground!"</span>A voice chimed in her head.<span style="font-style: italic">"If they didn't kick the Centaur out, they aren't likely to react to the angel either, as long as she buys something..."</span><br/><br/><br/>She stopped her dimension door.<span style="font-style: italic">"Yeah, but there's no way she has money, and even if the devils don't attack, she will!"</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Not necessarily. She said she's here to serve that little goblin. If she listens to him, he can stop her! Be ready. You may need to act very quick, very discreetly."</span><br/><br/>[Concentration Check to Manifest a Level 4 Power without it's display(DC19). 1d20+24, 8+24 = 32, Pass.]<br/><br/>She started to breath again. Her eyes shifted between the angel and the goblin. She focused. Drawing on her power, she literally split her own mind in two, breaking off a piece of her psyche, to strengthen herself, albeit temporarily. If anything happened she would be prepared.<br/><br/>[Spending 7 Power Points to Manifest<a class="postlink" href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/schism.htm">Schism</a>, Range is personal.]<br/>[Question: Would Schism also affect my Piscrystal Via it's<a class="postlink" href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psion.htm#sharePowers">Share Powers</a>ability? It may not seem like much, but it can be a big factor.]