Yeah, I can certainly understand that. Thank you for running this game for so long, and I'd also be interested in seeing the conclusion of the adventure.
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If you’re unsure what’s going on, it might be better to ask about whatever’s confusing you rather than just not posting and waiting for the GM to say something. This game is slow enough as it is without that kind of extra delay. (If anything, I think SOLDIER-1st could be more aggressive in botting people to keep combat going.
I'm also going to be somewhat spotty in the near future, because from June 26 (this Tuesday) until July 24th I will be on a trip with limited time and intermittent internet access. I'll be able to post sometimes, but feel free to bot me quickly if I'm slowing things down.
Kizziar and Vespartius are both done. Kizziar gets an enormous bonus to Perception from Evolved Companion (Skilled) so he should be an even better scout, while Vespartius gets a couple more spell slots, Augment Summoning (though that won’t be too useful until he can actually add some summoning spells to his spellbook) and a bunch more hit points due to an increase to Con.
Yeah, it’s nice to have a GM who explains stuff like this. I will definitely continue as well.
Realizing that struggling against whatever grabbed him will have little to no effect, Vespartius tries to twist his head around to see what it is while shouting "HELP!" as loud as he can. Meanwhile, his summoned tentacles attempt to restrain the fleeing foes.
Vespartius continues to float upward to around 40 ft. He then tears a hole in the fabric of the plane, opening a 30 ft deep extradimensional pit beneath the horde but far enough away from the Hellknight line not to hinder it at the moment. Meanwhile, the tentacles he summoned continue to grasp at the enemy rear.
Seeing the barbarians advancing toward him, Vespartius calls on the innate power of his bonded ring of sustenance to float 20 ft straight up.
While his conjured tentacles continue to obstruct the barbarians, Vespartius attempts to turn them against one another with a spell of confusion, targeting the center of their onrushing horde.
Vespartius continues casting, summoning a field of dark, slimy tentacles centered wherever the attackers are most concentrated but far enough back not to affect the Hellknights. The tendrils sprout from the earth, entangling whatever they feel.
Still off to the east of the Hellknight formation, Vespartius summons a torrent of driving sleet over the circle, hoping to slow the tide of enemy reinforcements.
Unless Morvan objects, Vespartius runs 240 ft diagonally towards the circle (southeast), putting him around 150 ft away from it and off to one side of the bulk of the fighting. He then tries to determine what exactly the glowing circle is.
Already awake due to his ring of sustenance, Vespartius casts light on his dagger and dashes outside, looking around to determine what exactly is going on. Kizziar scurries out the tent before flying upward and surveying the camp with senses both magical and mundane.
(Assuming nothing else out of the ordinary happens) When Vespartius finishes his shift, he informs Hellknight Roberna of the elusive humming noise, then walks back to the squad and informs Morvan, "While we were on patrol duty, Kizziar heard a rather strange humming noise, the source of which he was unable to determine despite diligent effort, possibly because its location seemed to change constantly. We would do well to be on our guard." That was quite odd, he thinks later. I wonder what would be buzzing around a convoy of Hellknights. Doesn't matter, I suppose. I doubt whatever it is could fight all of us with any chance of victory.
GM: Kizziar follows the sound, trying to determine its location so he can get close enough to tell if the source is magical or good. Meanwhile, Vespartius mentally prepares himself for possible combat.
After performing his rather painful obedience to the Order, Vespartius reports to the patrol leader, mounts his horse, and heads out on picket duty. Kizziar maintains invisibility as he circles around Vespartius at around 30 ft above the ground, scanning the landscape with detect good, detect magic, and normal sight. If he spots anything, he alerts Vespartius telepathically (or using link if he's too far away).
"I personally find it an odd choice to shackle oneself with such moral restrictions, but if he can still carry out his duties I have no objection to the Paralictor being a paladin," Vespartius says in reply.
Vespartius tries to recall anything he may already know about the Paralictor.
As Vespartius enters the conference room he looks around, trying to gauge how many other Hellknights are in attendance.
Once the Hellknights are dismissed, Vespartius examines the duty rosters.
"Yes, I'm sure we shall," Vespartius says. Though I doubt Asmodeus will have much to do with it, he thinks. Unless anyone else has anything of import to discuss, Vespartius goes to bed after casting his standard mental alarm on the door.
"Thank you for the comprehensive report," Vespartius nods to Kallant. "These Mercenary League people certainly seem quite competent." Kizziar perches on a bedpost, idly polishing his stinger.
"I am ready as well, sir." Vespartius states.
Unless anyone says anything else, Vespartius departs and heads back to his quarters, where he prepares his default spells. He then spends the rest of the day reading up on Druma and it's Mercenary League.
"When will we be leaving, sir?" Vespartius inquires.
"Forging alliances with other organizations dedicated to the preservation of order is always a commendable endeavour," Vespartius remarks, trying to conceal his slight disappointment at the diplomatic nature of the mission. Looks there won't be an opportunity to bind a barbazu for a while. "Sir, can you give us any more information on the specifics of the training exercise we will be performing with the Mercenary League?" Vespartius asks the Vicarius. "Additionally, how much should we focus on outshining the other orders' teams? Is impressing the captain the primary objective, or is maintaining good relations with other Hellknights paramount?"
Welcome, Melii. Hopefully our rate of attrition goes down soon, or we'll lose the whole party. :)
Does Vespartius also get the 1,025 gp?
Vespartius arises, preparing only his standard alarm and extended mage armors. He slowly walks through the citadel, Kizziar perched on his shoulder, trying to stop his excitement at having a real assignment from showing. He nods to the others as he arrives, then stands by the wall, waiting for the Vicarius to answer Morvan's knock.
Can I use spellcraft to earn money by crafting magic items like a craft skill?
Spells: 0 - all except for necromancy and illusion 1 - alarm+, ant haul, charm person+, comprehend languages+, endure elements, enlarge person+, feather fall+, grease+, infernal healing, mage armor++, magic missile+, shocking grasp 2 - create pit+, detect thoughts+, eagle’s splendor, fox’s cunning, glitterdust+, levitate 3 - aqueous orb+, deep slumber+, haste+, magic circle against evil, sleet storm+ 4 - black tentacles++, dimension door+, dimensional anchor
Vespartius scribes dimensional anchor, comprehend languages, black tentacles, dimension door, magic missile and endure elements in his spellbook. In addition, if he can make any money by providing spellcasting services, he will do so.
While Acting-Maralictor Fellis' squad is delivering their message to Imazi, Vespartius is part of the escort of an Order of the Gate dignitary on a diplomatic mission to Egorian. The House of Thrune has grown somewhat irritated by the Order's unsanctioned preemptive operations, and it was deemed useful to patch relations with the nation which hosted the Order's citadel. Due to Cheliax's current troubles, an escort was needed, but the journey was fairly uneventful save for a brief wyvern attack. After delivering the diplomat, Vespartius returned, and is now hoping to be assigned to a more interesting task. Vespartius spends his first day copying spells into his spellbook from his scrolls and Citadel Enferac's library, then subsequent days researching the true name of a barbazu. His ring of sustenance allows him to devote around 20 hours each day to these tasks. Vespartius casts extended mage armor twice a day to maintain protection 24/7 and always casts alarm on his quarters before going to sleep. Kizziar, Vespartius' imp companion, spends his time exploring the Citadel invisibly, looking for anything secret or particularly important that Vespartius might not be aware of but trying not to go anywhere specifically off limits.
Vespartius takes 10 on the Spellcraft checks to copy spells and thus automatically succeeds on all of them, learning dimensional anchor and comprehend languages from his scrolls and dimension door, black tentacles, resist energy, darkness, darkvision, knock, endure elements, obscuring mist, magic missile, and expeditious retreat from the library.
Good luck staving off the hordes of chaos to everyone who was chosen, and Vespartius remains available if he is needed.
"Unfortunately I must find myself in agreement with Gerontius here," Vespartius interjects. "I am sorry to tell you this Thurio, but in my experience and research the vast majority of people in general, commoners no more than nobles, are concerned only with themselves and perhaps their immediate kin. It is our duty, as the few who see the bigger picture, to safeguard civilization from this selfishness, with no regard for the chaotic desires of the masses."
After considering a minute, Vespartius replies to Kallant, "Well, devils are essentially agents of order, fighting to preserve Hell's lawful hierarchy from the tumultuous forces of chaos, just as we strive to maintain civilized order here on Golarion. There's a reason we call ourselves Hellknights after all."
To Tybalt, Vespartius responds, "I haven't actually mastered binding magic yet, I was merely using a scroll for practice. If we are assigned together, your talents could certainly be useful in coercing the devils I call. They can be quite reluctant to serve, despite the fact that our Order is essentially aligned with their interests in many respects." After thinking briefly, he continues to Urashu, "During my preparation for the test, I attempted to discover what sort of missions we would be performingif we passed, but I was completely unable to make any headway on the subject. It seems our order is understandably secretive about its operations."
Vespartius turns and responds to Urashu, "No, I happen to specialize in conjuration. In fact, I have an irritatingly stubborn called lemure waiting in my room at this very moment. I merely used that sleep technique because my research led me to believe it it would be the most reliable means of passing the test. I must say, however, that I myself am quite amazed that I managed to survive after that devil summoned a second." "I was also quite impressed with your ability to succeed despite unexpected difficulties. I don't think I've ever seen as fascinating a combat style as your fusion of firearms and magic."
"Yes, I found mocking the devil like that to be quite distasteful," Vespartius remarks. "The duty of our order is to safeguard civilization from the depredations of chaos, not indulge in such selfish behavior." Turning to Thurio, he says, "I was most impressed with your method of dispatching your devil. I did substantial research into methods for a wizard to vanquish such a foe before my Test, but I never even considered the possible uses of shrunken items in the battle. I will be glad to have you by my side if we are assigned to work together."
Having failed for the moment to cajole his called lemure into service, Vespartius strolls back to the Testing arena to watch the other prospective hellknights just in time to be deafened by the cacophony of 8 tons of granite falling upon the unfortunate devil currently in the ring. Damn, I really should have thought of that myself, Vespartius thinks, making a mental note to congratulate Thurio on the ingenuity of his plan if it succeeds.
Does my imp companion get the standard imp's DR, immunities, fast healing, see in darkness, etc.? Based on RAW I don't think it does, but it seemed a bit odd that an imp improved familiar would get those abilities but a diabolist's imp companion wouldn't.
Do animal (or in my case outsider) companions also get maximum hit points?
Vespartius: 1 day later...
Vespartius: "Beast of Hell, I charge you to serve as my guard, protecting me from harm for a period not to exceed two days, in exchange for which I shall provide you with food for the duration of your service."
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