Rackham Pulsifer's page

"Then let's kill the bastard!"

"Death shall fly on swift wings, this day!"

Ok I'm back posting on 2 of my pbps and into the groove again. I seem to have my allergies under control, and my life is functioning again.

If you guys want me to keep it going I can summarize, we can finish the fight, and then convert all the characters to current PFRPG.

Game?

Cool. Just finished some artwork I've been meaning to get done, so I'm pretty beat, but I shall update at some point in the near future.

Hoktsumisso need blood !

Eh?

Brother Domo wrote:

So, is this officially dead or is there still any life left in the corpse? Do we need to find a Miracle Man?

Kruel has taken on an increased workload and has been quite sick to boot! I think he would like to get back to the Boards, but unfortunately not in the forseeable future. I would keep an eye on the game just in case though, I'd like to think it's not dead :)

Let's keep it alive until he gets back.

With PFRPG released do we update stats?

I would assume. I just updated Rackham's stats.

dessert predator

Stalking the elusive chocolate mousse again, eh?

This whole cliff-hanger thing is getting kinda old.

who's next?

No, who's on second.

Pharasma wrote:

Rackham Pulsifer wrote:

Touch AC 18? I'm screwed.

Damn. Must have looked at the wrong box. I think it's 15 but I can't say for sure til I look at his sheet at home. Did you take your -4 for shooting into melee?

I thought I would cover my bases by yelling at everyone to get out of the way, so no. I will, though.

15 + 1 - 4 = 12.

Rackham Pulsifer wrote:

Touch AC 18? I'm screwed.

Damn. Must have looked at the wrong box. I think it's 15 but I can't say for sure til I look at his sheet at home. Did you take your -4 for shooting into melee?

I thought I would cover my bases by yelling at everyone to get out of the way, so no. I will, though.

Book twists aside, wobbles on the grease, then rights himself. AC 18

Touch AC 18? I'm screwed.

Rackham, not even seeming to notice the dagger in his back, moves slightly closer towards Book, dropping his staff and raising his hands. He speaks calmly and firmly, repeating his message to the bar patrons and his fellow party members.

"I would suggest that you get out of my way."

Red sparks dance across Rackham's skin and clothing as his hands clench into fists, glowing with a deep crimson aura. Spidery blue veins bulge from his arms, neck, and forehead, the air humming with power. Blood begins to seep from the corners of his eyes. Once more, he speaks, quietly at first, then louder, rising to a stentorian roar as he releases his spell.

"Please. Get of MY WAY!"

A blinding beam of white-hot energy explodes from between Rackham's outstretched hands, burning his skin and singing his robes, streaking toward Captain Book.

You can tell I've been reading China Mieville. Rackham casts scorching ray, ranged touch: 15 + 1 (Dex) = 16; damage: 4d6 = 17. Does caster level get factored into the touch attack? I can never remember that one.

Barely an instant after Pulsifer casts a knife drives into his back, thrown it seems by the man in the corner behind him.

... equals 12 damage, and the dagger still sticking out of your back.

Good thing we're not using death by massive damage rules, else Rackham would be deader than disco.

Currently at 7 HP.

Without even looking, Rackham sends two more bursts of semi-solid red light in the general direction of his assailant. The blasts slam into Righty's chest, knocking him backwards.

Uses magic missile (wizard bonus spell, 2 missiles), 2d6 + 2 = 13 damage. And he can do it again.

"What's with this Iomedae b!!&#, anyway. She went from Aroden's whore to divinity in a few moons and now you people bow down to her. Write to me when she's lasted a few millennium and then I'll show you some respect."

"Who are you to speak of respect, parasite."

Rackham's skin begins to crawl with crimson sparks. He speaks to the tavern's patrons as he raises his hands in front of him.

"I suggest that any of those who do not wish to become involved leave now. Any who do not do so may suffer grievous bodily harm. Jon, Rohit, I would suggest that you step aside for a moment."

He pauses, his hands glowing with arcane energy.

"This ends now, demon."

Beams of crimson light arc upwards from Rackham's palms, curving downwards and solidifying before slamming into Vass/Syd's body with devastating force/

Casts magic missile; 2 missiles: 2d4+2 = 8 damage. Rackham's current AC is at 15.

"We begin our attack soon, I take it?"

If yes:

Rackham makes the sign of the sword, tracing his finger from forehead to abdomen and from shoulder to shoulder. The air around him begins to crackle with thaumaturgic energy.

Casts mage armor.

Aref leads you toward a river channel that cuts straight into the cliffs - alongside the channel itself a narrow walkway leads into the dimly lit tunnel.

As the tunnel widens and your eyes adjust you enter an entire district belowground with Katheer's naval keep at its center - this lit from above through a small hole that opens to blue sky.

And the Toiling Midget, one of the few wooden buildings in Katheer - a hotel, flophouse, saloon and gambling house. Its ancient timbers groan at you from their perch half on the bank and half on an old pier.

And inside, you are told, is Captain Gravid Book.

"The Toiling Midget. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious."

He nods to Cordoba as he walks past, even going so far as to move out of his way, obviously showing some respect to a fellow worshipper.

Aref wrote:

"We understand dat you can make de necessary introductions to a paladin of Aroden by the name of Ka?"

Thelonius just nods at the introductions, barely able to understand Aref's speech.

Finally when Aref mentions Ka, he responds.
"Aye, that I can. He's that self same Paladin I was mentionin' before. I ran with him a good number 'o years ago. You folk'll wanna be sure you wanna see him before I take you out there. 'Ole Ka's not too right in tha head anymore. I don't want you folks causin' him any trouble. Else Pharasma might find herself some more names for the Book 'o the Dead."
Thelonius doesn't look threatening as he says this. It is simply a matter of fact as far as he's concerned.

"He shall not come to any harm. And if we are to die, then so be it, so long as our task is completed. Death isn't so bad. I've been there."

Says quietly to the Pulsifer and Cordoba:"we have some of these little people in Tian Xia. They are also insane."

"A bit, yes."

Yes sir.

Rackham Pulsifer wrote:

Jon Qiang wrote:

Eating with his mouth full. "Aref has the green ball. Let's show it!"

The what?

The Eye of Aroden, you know, the capstone of the demon prison? The one pulsifer SHATTERED... hehe. It's an emerald orb.

Yeah, figured that one out a bit late... Very tired.

Rackham steeples his fingers in contemplation.

"We know the demon's name, and possess the Eye. In theory, we should be able to trap the fiend's spirit inside as we search for its mortal body. Is this correct?"

I have to check the old Beta book but I recall adding the +2 bonus to human to Dex, hence, my Dex starting value would be 14 without the bonus.

And is Rackham coming down with the swine flu?

Nah, he's been doing that since the beginning of the PbP. He just hasn't gotten really fired up in a while.

The Deceiver wrote:

"Vass is out there." The Deceiver points at the teeming masses of humanity. "He's following us. And I aim to make him regret it."

"You still have the Eye? I hope so, you're going to need it."

"And I'm sorry but I won't be able to join you. I leave for Varisia tomorrow with the children, I can't leave them."

"But this fellow is here to help you. You must find a follower of Aroden and he will take you there, south across the Qadr. And Book is found, Cordoba. Down on the water with new crew and looking for a boat. He's at the Toiling Midget. Waiting for you, I have no doubt."

Rackham nods.

"We have the Eye, and intend to learn as much as possible about its use."

He turns to the newcomer, bowing slightly.

"I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Rackham Pulsifer, humble servant of the Lady. We seem to share a calling."

He turns back to Bodhan.

"As for Book, we must deal with that scum. I shall not have his presence nagging at my conscience as we search for the demon. If I were possessed of my full abilities, I would SMITE..."

Rackham's declaration dissolves into a riot of hacking coughs. He wipes his mouth, and his hand comes away bloody.

Pulsifer:** spoiler omitted **

Yeah, I'm a moron. Sorry. Is this the spoiler you were talking about?

Sorry, been gone for a while. Could I please have a recap of the last few pages or so?

Right here.

"Vass is still following I am sure. Let us go to the one place that will give him pause - the Temple of Iomedae. I assume that we are all agreed in this, yes?"

"Yes, it would be wise to visit the Lady's temple."

With the platform stopped, the fight above continues - a man is thrown into the well - falls in the center of the platform - reflex rolls Cordoba, Jon and Syd (I flipped a coin).

But... this isn't Sparta...

<Gulaf stares at Hoktsu. smiling and laughing, but his smiles fades as he considers the staccato explanation.>

"A demon. Bodiless. A possessor. Well then it is not just legend and tale tales."

<Gulaf reaches into his robe and looks around.>

"So you seek entrance to the city."

...

"This demon tracks you now?"

"Yes."

"Friends, I believe the demon is on the roof. We must beware." Domo murmurs in a voice designed not to be heard.

"Aye, brother. I shall keep a keen eye out for any suspicious behavior."

Hoktsumisso takes cover from the Xbow men ...

Every time you write that, I accidentally read it as "Xbox" rather than "Xbow."

Rackham nods surreptitiously at the hawk circling overhead.

"Gentlemen, we may have a problem. That hawk's been following us for quite some time now."

Perception: 16 + 3 = 19

"I will keep all of this in mind."

The Deceiver wrote:

Great map! Adobe illustrator? Downloaded the trial version and attempting to master it. And I will.

I started it for JJ's open call and sent it to him unfinished. To be honest I think the maps they've been putting out of big cities have been really poor, so I'm just making one myself.

I sent in a large continent map and a dungeon map, the former done by hand with pen, ink, and markers, and the latter done in Macromedia Fireworks.

Hoktsumisso has been quiet since the night but speak in response to domo enquiries

'Should'nt you go see a mage to identify the gem rather than a temple ? '

Rackham looks down his nose at the gnome.

"Well, I'm glad that someone's been paying attention. As both a mage, and as a devotee of the Lady Iomedae, it would be my best guess that the stone served as a capstone to Vass' crystal prison. This, in essence, is the key to the demon's binding and imprisonment."

He pauses.

"If it were solely up to me, however, I would rather endeavor to find a way to destroy the fiend entirely. Any suggestions?"

Shiny, get your ass in here.

Sorry about that- Ever since Saturday morning, with a pair of five-hour breaks, I was on the road to and from Savannah, Georgia. In other words, I had a 26-hour round-trip drive to deal with, and consequently didn't post much.

Rackham is woefully unprepared for exorcism. Perhaps, years ago, he may have been, and that is what causes him to make a violent gesture towards Akilara, shouting hoarsely.

"By bell, book, and candle, GET THEE HENCE!"

A jet of invisible something makes it halfway to the possessed woman, exploding with terrific force in midair.

Casts flare, which does not affect anyone other than Vass/Akilara, thank you very much. Vass/Akilara must make a fortitude save or become dazzled for 1 minute.

"Only a coward would hide such as you have! Face me, demon!"

Pharasma wrote:

The plan, then, as I take it, will be:

To the temple of Iomedae to get help with the Eye.

To the river district to track down Book.
In that order?

Kill dammed Vass first , then let's take care of Book.

"I concur, my friend."

Perception: 17 + 3 - 10 = 10

The plan, then, as I take it, will be:

To the temple of Iomedae to get help with the Eye.

To the river district to track down Book.
In that order?

Sounds alright to me.

Aref Sami Shahrokh wrote:

Pharasma wrote:

Aref, this is from a spoiler when you first sat down in Draka's:** spoiler omitted **

Actually I forget what makes the light and what it was that I put in the pack......lil' help?

A really big frickin spherical emerald that was the capstone to the cylinder in which Vass was imprisoned. The "Eye of Aroden".

OK, that's just hilarious.

Pulsifer, I vould velcome your help in examining dis book.

"Yes, my friend. It is of interest."

Pharasma wrote:

LOL. The Deceiver is a psychopath. Levels in assassin?

Been thinking about that but I'm still a few levels shy. Tell you later when I'm eligible.

This could get interesting. I was going to have Rackham start getting back on the paladin track.

"Way to go!" Cordoba tells Rackham.

"Don't test me, Deceiver." Rackham seems more resigned than angry.

"He's YOURS if YOU kill him first!"

Rackham nods, almost imperceptibly, then levels his staff at the orcish cleric.

"Thou shalt not suffer the unholy to live!"

A beam of red and blue light erupts from the tip of Rackham's staff, streaking toward the cleric of Rovagug, encasing the orc in burning crimson ice.

Ray of ice; ranged touch: 17 + 3 = 20; damage: 1d6 = 6 plus reflex save or become frozen.

Pharasma wrote:

The cleric of Rovagug swings at Ryor with all his strength:

Ryor's head flies off. A geyser of blood shoots up and arcs back down onto Syd.

The man behind Aref chuckles: "OOOoooohhhh! Now that was a show."

"Alright! That guy just got on my kill list!"

Rackham's eyes flash with uncharacteristic anger.

"That one's MINE, Cordoba!"

Perception: 12 + 3 = 15

Rackham Pulsifer wrote:

Jon Qiang wrote:

"naive stupid."

Eh?

naive idiot ? Is that understandable

You're fine, man. The original was understandable, just a little wonky.

Rackham sends a second, smaller bolt of red energy towards the orcish cleric.

Uses fire ray school power; 17 + 3 = 20; damage: 1d6 + 2 = 7

"naive stupid."

Eh?

SRD. You can find it here. DOH!

That would sure spice up a bar fight.

OK, definitely saving that one for later.

Rackham looks pointedly at several of the members of the group, as if to say 'get ready,' then levels his palms at the savage cleric.

"May the flames of the Lady further blacken your heart!"

A blinding beam of red light shoots from his hands, over the heads of his compatriots, and strikes the enemy spellcaster directly in the chest.

Casts scorching ray; 15 + 1 = 16 (ranged touch); damage: 4d6 = 17

Kruelaid: I can't find one of the spells from the list you gave me (flaming sphere). What book is it from?

The Deceiver wrote:

"The man is no more! That is Vass, a fncking demon!"

"A demon?!? By Cailean, he must be stopped!"

"And by Iomedae, they shall be banished to their foul domain!"

Rackham nods at the monk, and prepares to cast a spell.