GM Almonihah, if I upped Chest Thumper's intelligence up to 3, would it be acceptable for him to know sign language?
On a very basic level, yes. Think like a 200 word vocabulary or so.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Great...it'll be 200 different words that mean "snow."
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I don't know... he could probably learn "food" and "favorite food" and "yucky food" and "brother". :D
By the way, it's time for all of you to level up! You should be 13th level, though you've got time to do the leveling up--you won't run into any major encounters between now and when you throw the keys into the cauldron.
GM Almonihah, if I upped Chest Thumper's intelligence up to 3, would it be acceptable for him to know sign language?
Bumping his int would also get him 3 more tricks, let him learn any feat he can physically perform, and he can put ranks into any skill.
BAB +1, Fort +1, Ref +1
Feat: Talented Blaster
Skills: Acrobatic +1, Perception +1, Sense Motive +2, Dance+2
Utility Wild Talent: Ride the Blast
Is there a slayer talent or anything you are shooting for?
|
And I have to do something to keep up with the writing of this group.
Aye, that’s what I really like about our group. Quasit really set the tone on that early; her background stories have always been awesome. Then Maka joined us towards the beginning of Book 2 and added even more personality to our group. They inspired me to try my hand at fleshing out Fin, give him more of a personality (I played him pretty bland in the beginning). My writing is not on par with theirs but it makes the game more fun for me and makes me feel more involved with the story to boot…
And I agree with Quasit, the ear thing Kal does is a great touch…as is his confusion at trying to understand us at times…
|
|
Is there a slayer talent or anything you are shooting for?
I was thinking Slayer for several reasons:
- Studied Target gives me +1 to hit and damage (always looking to up my attack rolls)
- The sniper archetype fits well into my Elven Archer persona; it practically doubles my range with no penalty (in conjunction with Farshot)
- Gives me a bonus combat feat (via slayer talent) at 2nd level and sneak damage at 3rd
- It immediately adds +2 to my Fortitude and Reflex saves
- d10 hp per level ()
There might be a better slayer talent I can leverage when I hit second level. Any thoughts?
Giving the ape a 3 int score basically gives gives him an iq of 50 or so. High enough to join the army. :)
The one thing I don't like about pbp, I have trouble getting into character. It takes time to truly get into that mindset, but with pbp you write something quick snd then you're done for the day.
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Yeah having a different physical feature to display emotion gives you a lot to play with. It's one of the things I like about Starfinder Androids. I'd also second seeing Kal's reactions to the group. Nice to get the 3rd party perspective as a group of powerful aliens show up, disrupt a war, then leaves without elaboration.
Going for a number of levels in Slayer would be good, probably finishing out the rest of your levels in it. Although for studied target, a lot of time you are better off just getting another full attack off then spending the move action.
You might consider Ankou Shadow. It trades out studied target for an all day mirror image. Stacks with the sniper archetype and goes well with shadow dancer.
The one thing I don't like about pbp, I have trouble getting into character. It takes time to truly get into that mindset, but with pbp you write something quick snd then you're done for the day.
Well you don't have to write something quick. I often will get something down then come back to it. It's easier to build things up from there. And then usually for the background or longer posts you can spend days on.
Speaking of which
Zhen Na’shota kneeled next to his adventuring companions in the brush. Silently, they observed a group of bandits sorting through the ill begotten goods from their most recent attack on a caravan. There had been a growing number of attacks on merchant and settler caravans in recent months, and Zhen and the others had been hired to investigate and put a stop to the attacks.
Unfortunately they had arrived too late to help. The fire and smoke that had brought them to this location had nearly ceased, and only a small handful of bandits remained. Vos, a skilled tracker and woodsman, made the decision to wait and observe, hoping to follow the bandits to the rest of their gang.
While it did not sit right with Zhen to simply sit and watch, he could not argue with the wisdom of the tactic. Putting an end to these bandits, no matter how deserving, would not stop the next attack. Taking a deep breath, Zhen steadied his thoughts. Now was the time for patience, not for conflict.
He did his best to meditate, to calm his mind, until finally the bandits finished picking meat from the bones and moved out. Zhen followed closely behind Vos and the others. Their quarry took care to conceal their tracks, but it mattered not. Vos and the others were experienced woodsmen, and though Zhen was not as experienced at “bushwhacking” as his companions, he was far more adept at moving lightly and swiftly than his massive form would suggest. For some time the group followed the bandits, deep into the woods.
The sun was beginning to set when they finally arrived at their destination; A long abandoned fort the bandits had reclaimed. However, Zhen maintained the vigil on his patience. He and his companions would not be able to simply storm the fort. They would need to study the area, to find the right place to strike and wait for the right moment to do so. Zhen sat down and leaned his back against a sturdy tree. Taking a deep breath, he began to prepare his mind for what was to come.
As the darkness of night took hold, it was held at bay by the firelight that danced off the fort walls and tree tops. The smell of roasting meat and the sounds of revelry filled the area; No doubt the bandits celebrating their latest raid. The group moved in silent unison, each knowing their tasks. Zhen was to take out the sentry posted in the fort’s watch tower. A simple task, but one he needed to time and execute flawlessly, lest the others be revealed.
After 50 heartbeats, Zhen released his breath and stepped into the space between spaces, disappearing and reappearing behind the sentry. Zhen wrapped his massive arm’s around the sentry’s neck, snapping it as easily as most would snap a twig. Quietly and quickly he laid the body down before taking a crouched position to view the area. His eyes went wide as he took in the sight before him.
An emaciated gold dragon, bound in massive chains. The poor creature had been butchered, its wings and limbs missing, the stumps wrapped in dirty canvas to staunch the bleeding. Ragged breathing confirmed the creature was still alive, if only barely. Zhen clinched his teeth to remain silent, his orc tusks barred in full display. What madness could cause such cruelty? Almost as if on cue, he got his answer.
A gout of flames filled the area with light, strong and big enough that Zhen could feel the heat even from afar. Its source was a large woman at the center of the feast, the apparent leader of the group. The flames poured from her agape mouth as if she were a dragon herself. ”Another fine haul huh?” She shouted as she thrust a mug of ale to the sky, which was met with a roar of applause and approval from the bandits. Bringing mug to mouth, she downed its entire contents in a few gulps.
”Ezra! Ezra! Ezra!” The bandits cheered their leader’s name before downing their own mugs.
”Now there were those who didn’t want this haul. No! Old Greta and her boys thought we shouldn’t be greedy, that we would attract too much attention!” Ezra motioned to 3 people tied to posts, an older woman and two middle aged men. Boos echoed off the walls of the fort as the bandits displayed their displeasure, several mugs sailed through the air, striking one of the men in the head. The man fell limp against his bonds as blood dripped from the wound, causing a roar of laughter amongst the bandings. The old woman screamed something, but her words were muffled by the bindings covering her mouth.
”That’s right, that’s right! BUT…” The crowd grew quiet as the leader yelled. ”But there were those who wanted more, who believed… Where the f*$! is Bryon!? Get him up here!” One of the bandits rose and began to make his way to Ezra. One of the younger of the bandits, he nonetheless stood a head taller than most. The crowd cheered him on as he made his way up. Ezra grabbed him as soon as he was within reach, throwing an arm around his shoulders and violently shaking him back and forth.
”Now f&$$ing Bryon here is a believer! He wants more! And he’s willing to work and sacrifice for it!” The leader continued to work the crowd up as she went on. ”Bryon here has eaten of the flesh, Bryon here led the raid today! Bryon here thinks he can replace me!” The mood suddenly shifted as Ezra snarled in Bryon’s face, a hush fell over the crowd. Brion stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do.
”...Bryon here is getting f!#*ed with!” Ezra finally broke the tension before roaring with laughter, which was nervously followed by Bryon and the others. ”And now, Bryon here is getting his reward.” Picking up a goblet marked with strange runes, the woman approached the dragon, driving a curved dagger deep into its flesh. A low moan escaped the tortured creature as its dark, glittering blood flowed from the wound.
Filling the goblet, the Ezra took a deep drink before walking back to Brion. ”Now, drink and give these traitors the attention they are so afraid of.”
Bryon cautiously took the goblet in hand, pausing for a moment, hesitant to drink the blood. But Ezra’s heavy hand on his shoulder and the cheering crowd pushed him on. Pain flooded his body the moment the blood touched his lips. Summoning all of his will, he swallowed as much as he could before falling to the ground. Prepared for this, Ezra caught the goblet, careful not to spill any of its precious contents.
Bryon coughed and choked on the blood he couldn’t swallow as he writhed on the ground. The pain was the only thing Bryon could feel. It filled his entire world, blinding him. Until, just as suddenly as it came, it left. Leaving behind a warmth in his stomach and a feeling of power like he had never known. Coughs and fits of pain turned to laughter as Bryon rose off the ground. Taking in a deep breath, Bryon threw his head back and roared a gout of flame, bringing forth a wave of applause and cheers from the bandits.
A young woman, one of the few among the bandits, ran forwards to embrace Bryon. As the pair locked lips, the crowd hooted and hollered, the few couples among the crowd joining in their own embrace. Eventually the crowd began to call for the execution to continue.
The female bandit rejoined the others as Bryon looked to Ezra for approval before making his way towards the 3 bound captives. ”Bryon! Bryon! Bryon!” The bandits cheered as Bryon took another deep breath to unleash his new power on the prisoners. However, as he opened his mouth it was not a roar of flames that came out, but a roar of pain. Patches of his skin glowed before bursting in flames. In a moment his entire body was engulfed.
None of those previously cheering for him stepped forward to help. Only his lover ran forward, collapsing to her knees and screaming in helpless anguish. All watched as Brion’s entire body was consumed, leaving behind only a pile of ash. Quiet filled the fort for a moment, broken only by the grieving moans and tears of Bryon’s former lover as she grasped at his ashes.
None dared move or say anything, freezing the scene in time before, finally, being broken by Ezra’s harsh laughter ”Hahahahaha! Another who doesn’t have the strength of my baby girl.” Ezra’s cruel voice echoed off the walls as she walked back to her table, soon the others nervously joined in the laughter, leaving the young bandit alone to her grief.
Erza scooped up a young girl of maybe 2 or 3 into her arms, nuzzling her in clear affection. The visual similarity made it clear that the child was Ezra’s, but unlike Ezra, the child appeared to have draconic features. Most notably, the child appeared to be growing scales in patches. Ezra held the goblet to the child, who began to drink the rest of the blood without sign of pain or discomfort. As the child finished the last drop, her golden eyes began to glow with power.
”Nothing like mother’s milk!” Ezra again roared into laughter while the others nervously joined in. ”Now then, who else…” Ezra was cut off as Vos’ arrow pierced through her cheeks. Followed by another to her shoulder and thigh.
At the same time a volley of arrows and explosives struck the gathered bandits, sowing confusion and death. The instant the final arrow landed, Zhen exited the space between spaces and was among the bandits as a whirlwind of attacks. Striking harder than a mace, bones and armor crumbled underneath the force of his blows.
Despite her injuries, Ezra moved with surprising speed, using her own body as a shield to keep her daughter safe. Two more arrows struck into Ezra’s back before she slid behind a wagon. Placing her daughter behind cover, Ezra grabbed the arrow stuck through her cheeks and ripped it out before rising and unleashing a gout of fire at the rooftop Vos was loosing arrows from.
The ranger dived forward just as the roof exploded. A mass of web formed on the ground beneath him, cushioning his landing. ”I told you to be careful!” Trictor, the group’s spell caster shouted
”I got out of the way didn’t I?” Vos shouted back in a thick Nirmathan accent.
”Kill them! Kill them all!” Ezra commanded her remaining minions as she walked forward, seemingly unaffected by the numerous arrows jutting out of her.
Zhen disengaged from the bandits he was fighting and ran towards Ezra. A few careless attacks went his way, but were easily dodged. The remaining archers of the group could finish the bandits off, the leader was the clear and present danger. Focusing his ki into his legs, Zhen jumped into a flying kick aimed at Ezra’s head.
While his aim was true, Ezra dashed out of the way with a burst of fire. Caught off guard, Zhen’s kick instead smashed through a wooden support pillar, leaving him exposed to Ezra’s flaming counter attack. As a fireball came hurtling his way, Zhen quickly twisted and kicked off a piece of the pillar. His aerial acrobatics avoided the worst of the attack, but the force of the explosion still sent him hurtling backwards. He struck the ground with enough force to bounce twice before he limply rolled to a stop.
Before Ezra could gather the power for another attack, several more arrows struck into her as Vos freed himself from the webbing. At the same time, Trictor animated vines which wrapped around her. Yet despite the strength of the vines and having taken enough damage to kill several men, Ezra was not finished yet. Her neck strained against the vines as she sent a gout of fire at the spellcaster.
Trictor raised a magical shield, but underestimated the power of his foe.The shield exploded as the fire struck it, sending the spellcaster flying backwards and crashing into Vos. The ranger struggled to get up as the unconscious body of Trictor pinned him down.
With the caster down, the vines loosened and Ezra began to break free. Flames gathered as she roared in anger. Several cracks rang out as projectiles bounced harmlessly off the gathering energy. Just as Ezra was ready to unleash enough flames to burn the fort down, Zhen stepped out of the space between spaces behind her. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders and gripping her neck, Zhen pulled back with all of his might, sending Ezra’s attack upward. Blinding light and blazing heat filled the area. Pain overwhelmed Zhen’s every sense, as even the ambient heat of the blast seared his flesh. The two stayed that way but for a heartbeat or two, yet it felt like an eternity of struggle.
And then, with a soft thud, two arrows struck Ezra’s heart. Her flames sputtered and died as her life’s blood flowed from her. Zhen released his grip, allowing Ezra’s body to fall limp against her bindings. As darkness took her, Ezra lifted her eyes to the wagon her daughter was crouched behind. One last time, mother and daughter locked eyes. Ezra looked deep into her daughter’s glowing eyes, seeing the power burning inside. With the last of her effort, Ezra stretched a hand towards her daughter. ”You’ll…burn it all!” She sputtered her final words before her hand dropped limp and the breath left her body.
Seeing their leader defeated, the last few remaining bandits turned and fled. The distinctly loud crack of a firearm rang out as Ruby began to pick them off. ”You okay?” Vos asked as he walked up to Zhen and the body of their fallen foe.
Zhen took a step back and looked at his burned hands. The injuries were severe. On his own they would be concerning, but were ultimately nothing that magic and time could not mend. ”I’ll be fine.” He replied.
”Good... Vos was interrupted by Ezra’s head exploding as one last crack of Ruby’s rifle went off. ”Gods dammit Ruby, why!?” Vos yelled in frustration at his younger sister as he wiped bits of brain off of his face.
”Always gotta double tap monsters like that!” Ruby yelled down to her brother with a laugh.
Vos sighed before turning back to Zhen. ”That girl ain’t right. Anyway, Zhen you earned your pay, I’ll tell you what!” He said with a friendly smile.
”I’m not doing it for pay.” Zhen replied.
”I’m not doing it for pay.” Vos replied at the same time, his tone mocking but friendly. It was clearly a conversation they had had before. ”Yeah I know, I know. Still, you earned it.”
Turning around, Vos took a moment to take stock of the group. Zephyr was already pouring a potion down Tricktors throat, who began coughing as the healing magic took effect. Zephyr gave Vos a thumb’s up to signal the spellcaster was alright. Once everyone else was accounted for, Vos let out a sigh of relief. ”Okay folks, let’s clean up. You know what you need to do so do it. Trictor, figure out if we’re saving this dragon or putting the poor bastard out of its misery!”
Turning back to Zhen, Vos mulled on an offer he’d been planning to make for a time. ”I know you’ve got your own ‘quest’ or whatever but if…” Vos’ words were, again, cut off as a small ball of fire struck his face.
The dragonic child stood out in the open, her hand’s ablaze with fire and fangs bared. A look of pure hatred was locked in her eyes. ”Sonovab@$%~!” Vos called out in pain before reflexively grabbing and loosing an arrow.
An arrow that would have found its mark had Zhen not stepped out of the space between spaces and yanked the child out of the way at the last moment. The child struggled with all of her might to break free, growling and throwing out ineffective bursts of flame. Even so, she stood no chance against Zhen’s strong grip. Frustrated, the child sunk her teeth into Zhen’s hand with all of her might.
Despite the pain flaring from his injuries, Zhen couldn’t help but be impressed by the little one’s spirit. With a swift chop to the back of her head, Zhen knocked the child unconscious. ”What do you think you are doing!?” He angrily shouted at Vos, an unusual display of emotion for monk
”What am I doing!? What in the 9 hells are you doing!?” Vos extended his arms in exasperation.
”Saving a child.” Zhen replied, his normally calm demeanor returning.
”Oh you mean that monster’s child? The one that was being fed dragon bits? Which went so well for that bastard Bryon.” Vos paced back and forth in frustration.
”Yes.”
”Yes. Okay, great.” Vos rubbed his eyes and thought for a moment. ”And I guess you’d take offense to Ruby double tapping that there ‘child’.”
”I would.”
”Uhm, can we take a vote on if Ruby will double tap any children?” Ruby called down from her perch.
”No we can not take a vote because this is not a rutting town hall!” Vos called back up. ”And I take it you ain’t keen on just…leavin’ the kid here or somethin’ long those things? Don’t bother answerin’ that.” Vos held his hand up to stop Zhen, already knowing the monk’s response. ”Look I don’t know what kind of magical shenanigans they were up to here, but it wasn’t nothin’ good.”
”Maybe.” Zhen replied. While he hadn’t been certain of the group’s reaction at first, he was fairly certain of what was going to unfold. Vos cared for his people, and he wouldn’t harbor any threats to their safety.
”Maybe…well I don’t operate on maybe’s.”
”I know. And I would not ask you to. I’ll take the child and take my leave. You still have business to attend to and a reward to claim. But my journey was never going to take me back with you.” Cradling the child’s small form in his arms, Zhen turned to leave.
”Zhen…” Vos raced to catch up to the monk. He wanted to argue, to try to get the monk to see reason, but he knew better. Instead he handed the monk a pouch of healing potions. ”Good luck.” He said with a sigh.
”To you as well.” Zhen replied calmly as he took the potions and continued to walk.
”Mark me though, nothin’ good will come of it.” Vos said before turning back to his group.
Zhen looked down at the small form in his arms. ”Maybe.” He said softly to himself.
—-------------------------------------
The smell of smoke woke Zhen. Bolting upright, he quickly looked around the room for the source. Unsurprising, he found the child crying in front of her burning pallet. Leaping up, he grabbed the bucket of water he now had to keep on hand and quickly doused the flames.
With the danger averted, Zhen sighed in relief. He gently reached a hand out to the child, but she backed into the corner, her eyes wide with fear. Zhen held his hands up in his best attempt to show her it was okay before taking a seat back on the bed.
It had been a month since he had left Vos’ group, and such fiery events had become common. If the child wasn’t setting something aflame in a fit of rage, she was doing it in her sleep due to nightmares. Not that Zhen could blame her for that, not after what she had been through. He wished he could just talk to her.
He wasn’t sure how old the child was, but it was younger than he’d initially thought. An orc child of her size would soon be training to fight, but she needed assistance feeding and cleaning herself. Much to Zhen’s initial embarrassment. And while she could speak and understand some words, she couldn’t manage anything approaching a conversation. Certainly not the one they needed to have.
He wasn’t even sure how much of the situation she understood. Not enough to grasp what had happened, he knew that much. But enough to be angry and terrified, enough to have nightmares. Yet she hadn’t tried to run away from him, had let him know when she was hungry or needed to ‘potty’, as she put it. He was her caretaker for the moment, and that was that.
Pulling himself back and against the wall, Zhen took a meditative stance, careful to take up as little space as possible. Closing his eyes, he attempted to clear his mind and waited. He honestly had no idea what was to come in the journey ahead, but he knew there would be many new challenges for him, far greater than any physical fight. ”But can I rise to such a challenge?”
The thought struck him as deeply as Ezra’s flames had. He honestly couldn’t remember a time when such doubt had entered his mind. But then, when was the last time he’d faced a challenge that could not be overcome with dedication and hard work? The turbulence in Zhen’s mind suddenly settled from a gentle movement on the bed.
The child, her fear subsided and sleepiness again taking priority, had decided to approach Zhen. Climbing onto the far side of the bed from him, she crawled under the blanket before settling into a comfortable position. In a handful of heartbeats her breathing began the steady rhythm of sleep.
Daring to open one eye and take the scene in, her tiny, sleeping form soothed his worried heart. ”Patience is Key.” The wise words of Master Isa echoed in Zhen’s mind.
—-------------------------------------
Zhen kneeled over a whining dog, cleaning and bandaging a fresh burn on its shoulder. Pouring some healing potion in his hand, he let the dog lap it up before scratching it behind the ears. He was becoming quite versed at tending to burn wounds.
While purchasing fresh supplies for their journey, Zhen had lost focus on the child for a moment. Yet a moment was all it took when it came to children, as he was starting to learn. Especially this child. ”Nothin’ good will come of it.” Vos’ final words echoed in Zhen’s mind. Was the ranger correct? Had Zhen made a mistake?
”Again, I’m so sorry!” He apologized to the owner, a dwarf who had long gone white in the beard.
”Oh stop apologizing!” The old woman grumbled. ”I had a child who manifested magic young, these things happen. You learn your lesson and you move on. Don’t just fret or you’ll never stop fretting!”
The dwarf turned to look at the child, who was sullenly eating some snacks the old woman had kindly provided. ”Come here sweetie.” She said with a gentle wave. ”It’s alright you aren’t in trouble.”
The child seemed unsure, but still rose and approached, cautiously taking the old woman’s outstretched hand. ”That’s a good girl. Okay, Rango shouldn’t have nipped you and you shouldn’t have burned him huh?” The old woman nodded, and the child, either through understanding or mimicry, nodded along.
”That’s okay, see this?” The dwarf pulled a piece of cheese from an apron pocket. ”This here is cheese, and it’s Rango’s favorite thing in the whooole world! Let’s give him some, yeah?”
Pulling the girl close with one arm, the old dwarf used the other to place the bit of cheese in the girl's hand. ”Okay, Rango, if you can not be a Grumpy Gus you can have it.”
Both the child and the dog seemed uncertain of the situation, but at the old woman’s instance, they played along. With a cautious few steps, Rango sniffed at the cheese. Then, once certain there was no trickery, gently ate the cheese before beginning to lick the flavor off of the child’s hand.
The child began to laugh, and all tension was released. ”Good.” the old woman said as she gently petted the dog.
”Good.” The child repeated as she mimicked the old woman’s motions in petting the dog. A toothy grin spread from ear to ear on the child’s face.
”So, is she yours?”
”No…I found her…there was…” Zhen was the quiet sort, but was not typically one to be at a loss for words. Yet how could he even begin to explain the situation to this kindly elder? As luck would have it, he would not have to.
”It’s alright, I understand. We live in dark times, too many orphans…” The elder seemed to want to say more, but decided not to. ”Do you have a plan for her then?”
Zhen didn’t respond at first, instead simply watching the child play with the dog. ”No…I’m headed back home. I guess I’m bringing her with me.”’
”Oh. Well then she is yours.” The dwarf stated matter of factly, as if announcing that it would soon rain. ”Might want to think of a name for her then.”
Zhen blinked a few times, trying to grapple with the simple wisdom of the elder. ”I…I guess I should then.”
The old dwarf smiled, glad to meet a youngin’ who saw her wisdom for what it was. ”And make it a nice one. A bit of good luck since she’s had a hard start.”
Zhen considered for a moment. ”Maka…it means “favored one” in my home tongue.”
”Well now, there’s a pretty name. Make sure she’s ‘favored’ then, hmm?”
Zhen merely nodded in agreement.
—------------------------------------
”Dad! Dad! Daaad! I found a talking frog!” An older, but still quite young, Maka ran up to Zhen holding a bulbous frog above her head. ”Look look look!” Maka jumped up and down in an attempt to bring the frog as close to her father as possible.
”Hello wise monk. I serve as guardian to a pond which was besieged by a flock of feathered beasts most foul. ” The frog ribbited out.
”See! He talks, and real funny too.” Maka said with a giggle. ”Some birds were being mean to him”
”Yes, I can see that. And did you help him?” Zhen asked as he patted Maka’s head.
”Yeah.” Maka replied while hiding her face behind the frog.
”Help indeed! This precocious child chased them away with flames most fierce! You should be a proud father!”
”I am.” Zhen said with a smile. ”Come Maka, lets escort the frog home.”
”Okay, but you need to teach him how to kick in case the birds come back.” Maka quickly followed behind her father.
”Nothin’ good will come of it.” Vos’ final words echoed in Zhen’s mind, for the first time in years. Thinking back on the situation, on the fear and doubt Zhen had harbored over the decision, the monk couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
”It’s not funny! The birds were really mean!” Smoke snorted out of Maka’s nostrils, a clear sign of her seriousness.
”I know, I know. I was laughing at something else, don’t worry, we’ll teach him how to kick.” Zhen patted his daughter’s head, love and pride beaming on his face.
”I shall be forever in your debt, master monk!” The frog ribbited.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Maka was lucky enough to get a loving and supportive parent and grow up in a vaguely socialist superhero school. Gave her a good foundation despite the evil dragon cultist start. But there is definitely a world out there were Maka is a big bad in a campaign.
As for the frog, I like to think he found his calling in monastic training.
|
Better Than Ezra?
I’m glad someone got my silly pun. And here I was congratulating myself for not making a Life of Bryon joke.
|
|
I knew it alluded to something but didn’t know what. If they’d’ve been an 80’s band, I woulda got it…
Maka, perchance was the Tick in that superhero school with you? Y’all would’ve made a great dynamic duo. I can hear the battle cry now, ”Hey all you villains, stop being evil so we can be friends!!!”
Hahaha Maka and the Tick would get along for sure.
|
|
Quasit is updated.
I think I would after all like to claim the Gloomblade. Taking the Weapon Focus feat, so wielding a 2nd short sword is useful.
Sneak goes up to 7d6. Took skill points in Acrobatics, Appraise, Bluff, Diplomacy, Disable Device, Intimidate, Knowledge Local, Perception, Sense Motive to reflect her activities this level. Knowledge Local is almost mandatory considering she's been learning about a whole other planet's humanoid culture.
13 is kind of a boring level for new rogue stuff. But Sunday's on the road to Monday. I don't really like dipping into other classes as a rule, unless I'm following a specific concept character.
Tried once to build a Batman character who was a blend of Brawler/Ninja/Investigator, with limited results. Before the Hunter class was available, I tried to make a Warcraft style Hunter who was a Gunslinger/Druid, which is fraught on a lot of levels, but it gave me an animal companion (a pig!) to hold targets at bay while I sat back and pumped bullets. But in general I feel like Pathfinder rewards sticking with a single class.
Before moving on, I think we need to send a shopping list to the merchant so we can purchase a a few magical items with our newfound wealth. Is he able to buy our stuff too, or do we need to convert everything to gold coins before we meet him?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Zilvazaraat will trade with you--he won't give you a bunch of gold for a bunch of items usually, but rather trade what you want for what you're willing to get rid of.
In practice, though, just treat it like you're selling everything, I don't want to track everything. XD
13 is kind of a boring level for new rogue stuff. But Sunday's on the road to Monday. I don't really like dipping into other classes as a rule, unless I'm following a specific concept character.
Tried once to build a Batman character who was a blend of Brawler/Ninja/Investigator, with limited results. Before the Hunter class was available, I tried to make a Warcraft style Hunter who was a Gunslinger/Druid, which is fraught on a lot of levels, but it gave me an animal companion (a pig!) to hold targets at bay while I sat back and pumped bullets. But in general I feel like Pathfinder rewards sticking with a single class.
I love mixing classes to pull off character concepts. Batman is tough because of the resource issue. I really like the Star Wars 5E homebrew. Overall it's everything you'd want from a 5.5 system. Specifically though I really like the Tech Power system. Grenades, electric grapple lines, jet boosts, batarangs, etc are treated as spells.
Bulvi
Full Plate +2, Dragonhide(copper) 3,650gp
Owes Maka 1000gp
Remaining: 29790gp
Fin
Bracers of Armor +3 4,500
Remaining: 29940gp
Kal
Rimeblade 8,478
Remaining: 25962gp
Maka
Prayer Beads(Lesser) 4,800
+1k from Bulvi
Remaining: 30640gp
Quasit
Habit of the winter explorer 6,690
headband of alluring charisma +2 2,000
Restless Lockpicks 4,000
Gloom Blade 4,405
Remaining: 17,345
Saki
Page of Spell Knowledge(Dragonic Reservoir) 4,500
Cloak of Resistance +2 2000
Remaining: 27,940
Saved gold 12,439 gp
Selena
Suzerain Scepter 10,000
Remaining: 24440
---
Fin Shipping:
Starting Gold: 29,940
Sell +2 Ring of Resistance at half-price: +3,000
Total Gold to Shop With: 32,940
Ghost Salt x2: 200 gp
Gold Left: 32,740
Durable Cold Iron Arrows (20): 22 gp (all 20 blanched with Ghost Salt)
Gold Left: 32,718
Add Durable Adamantine Arrows (5): 305 gp
Gold Left: 32,413
Runner’s Shirt: 1,000 gp
Gold Left: 31,413
Add Adaptive ability to Longbow: 1,000 gp
Gold Left: 30,413
Add Impervious ability to Longbow: 3,000 gp
Gold Left: 27,413
Upgrade Cloak of Elvenkind to Elven-Rune Cloak +2: 5,250
Gold Left: 22,163
Upgrade +2 Bow to +3: 10,000 gp
Gold Left: 12,163
Upgrade Belt of Dexterity +2 to Belt of Physical Perfection +2: 12,000 gp
Leftover Gold: 163
Maka Shopping:
Ring of Protection +1 -> +3, 2000 -> 18000
Cloak of Resistance +2 -> +4, 4000 -> 16000
Eyes of the Eagle 2500
Total:30,500
Leftover Gold: 140
Saki Shopping:
Cloak of Resistance +2 -> +5 21000
Headband of Cha +2 -> +4 12000
Amulet of Natural Armor +1 -> +2 6000
Total: 39000
Leftover Gold: 1379
|
|
I finished upgrading Fin; went slayer with the sniper archetype. Thanks for showing me the Ankou Shadow archetype, Maka. Since they stack with sniper, I’ll probably be adding that in the near future…
Talking multiclassing, I GM’ed a seeker level module with a 14th-level character that had multiclassed into 14 different classes…never seen that done before and he was a powerful character…
So, GM, are we off to Spurhorn now?
|
|
Here’s Fin’s leveling up details:
Level up: Dipping into a level of Slayer (Sniper)
Hit Points: +9 for the level (+12 more for the CON boost from Belt of Physical Perfection)
Skill Boosts: Acrobatics, Escape Artist, Linguistics, Perception, Stealth, Swimming
Language Pickup: Sylvan
Feat: Improved Critical (crit with my longbow at 19 or 20)
Studied Target: move action to study target for +1 to hit and damage
Accuracy: All range penalties are halved (combined with Far Shot, no penalty for second range tier (220’; 320’ if he spends a ki point to increase range)
Wishlist for Zilvazaraat:
Ghost Salt x2
Durable Cold Iron Arrows (20; all 20 blanched with Ghost Salt)
Durable Adamantine Arrows (5)
Runner’s Shirt
Add Adaptive ability to Longbow
Add Impervious ability to Longbow
Upgrade Cloak of Elvenkind to Elven-Rune Cloak
Upgrade +2 Bow to +3
Upgrade Belt of Dexterity +2 to Belt of Physical Perfection +2
Leftover Gold: 163
Thanks again to Maka for doing all the ciphering for the loot breakdown/split!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I'm going to spend another 20 gold and have Maka get a glowing tattoo. 10 gold for the glowing ink and 10 gold for the tattoo. A stylized map of the solar system surrounded by wings of flame. The wings are at her shoulders and the map flows down her spine. The wings, sun, Glorian, and Triaxus are in fire ink but the rest is regular black ink. Maka plans to get the rest of the planets redone in fire ink once she visits them.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
You may have an interesting time finding a tattoo artist at Spurhorn. :D
Haha right everyone has fur or scales. Summerborn are hairless, so it's possible they have tattoo traditions and some effort would be kept to maintain the skill/tradition during the winter. Of course Spurhorn isn't exactly the place you'd expect to see such knowledge maintained.
Could we say that Cesseer would be able to do it?
Hmmm, interesting question... looking at the description in the module for her, the patterns on her picture are actually fur paint rather than tattoos, so it wouldn't make that much sense for her and she doesn't have any skills that would be applicable...
So on the one hand it seems difficult to find a reason for there to be a tattoo artist around, on the other I don't want to prevent you from doing something cool that doesn't affect game balance. Would it be too much of a problem for this to be a long-term goal for Maka that will take a while to find someone to help her with it? There can always "just happen" to be someone at Spurhorn that could do it if it's something you don't think it would be fun to wait for.
No problem, it can wait.
|
|
Maka, Fin could possibly do it if you’d like it sooner rather than later, if training is required to do it (if Tez isn’t trained). I could change one of his skill upgrades from leveling up to craft (calligraphy); I wasn’t sure what to put the sixth one in any way and that might be useful in one of the next two books. Not sure what’s involved in it or what the DC might be…
Maka, Fin could possibly do it if you’d like it sooner rather than later, if training is required to do it (if Tez isn’t trained). I could change one of his skill upgrades from leveling up to craft (calligraphy); I wasn’t sure what to put the sixth one in any way and that might be useful in one of the next two books. Not sure what’s involved in it or what the DC might be…
If you'd like we could work with that, otherwise it's not a big deal.
Selena is a magical crafter, not the best artist though. Still, she can probably help in this, as calligraphy alone isn't going to confer magical anything.
Actually, given that it's basically a magic item that's a tattoo, Fin would probably the helper as Selena would be the one working the magic. And Selena already knows how to craft magic items, it's just the tattoo part that's new.
|
|
If you'd like we could work with that, otherwise it's not a big deal.
Sure, that’d be fun to roleplay, not to mention Maka would be all the talk at any of the public baths…well, I should amend that to say more than she is even now. Plus, if she ever went into battle with her back bare, it’d be one helluva intimidation tactic…
In addition, if Fin survives till the end of the AP, if he ends up having to return to his river trade, he might make a living being a traveling tattoo artist… 🙀
Selena is a magical crafter, not the best artist though. Still, she can probably help in this, as calligraphy alone isn't going to confer magical anything.
Actually, given that it's basically a magic item that's a tattoo, Fin would probably the helper as Selena would be the one working the magic. And Selena already knows how to craft magic items, it's just the tattoo part that's new.
I could be wrong Selena (and not that Fin would be averse to any help) but, in my understanding, this would be a glowing tattoo, not a magical one. Reading the links she’s provided, the fire ink (an alchemical mixture, that’s highly concentrated for tattoo use and reacts to body heat) is what makes the parts she wants to glow, not magic…
Let's do it then, I'll go ahead and have Maka put a rank into craft(tattoo) instead of 2 ranks in dance. Fin and her can work together to design and apply it.
|
Done leveling.
Feats: Arcane Blast
Sorcerer Bonus Feats: Empower Spell
Skills: Bluff, Acrobatics
Spells: Confusion (4th), Icy Prison (5th), Freezing Sphere (6th)
Gold: 12,439 (starting) + 29,940 (loot) = 42,379
Purchase/upgrade:
Upgrade the Cloak of Resistance +2 to +5 ==> 21,000
Upgrade Headband of Alluring Charisma +2 to +4 ==> 12,000
Ring of Protection +2 ==> 8,000
------
Total 41,000
I like that big jump in all my saves!
Kalchine and Chest Thumper are leveled up.
Kalchine gets his first 7th Level Spell (Mass Cure Moderate Wounds.)
He also took Spell Focus Evocation.
And he gets A Thousand Faces, which comes just in time if they're going to another planet.
Chest Thumper got another HD, better BAB and took the Toughness Feat for a big jump in HP.
How do we know what our share of the loot is?
Kalchine will take a Headband of Inspired Wisdom (+4) for 16,000.
Chest Thumper will take a Belt of Giant Strength (+2) for 4,000.
And I'll hang on to the rest for next time.
I like that big jump in all my saves!
Given how witch-y this adventure path is, saves are certainly important... (it's definitely more heavy on nasty status effects than average, I feel)
My vote for team name is the Cuddly Crocodiles. We're cute, but we'll mess you up! Cranky Crocodiles would work as well.
Runner up would be something with foxes:
Fabulous Foxes
Fire Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Both character and player believe that alliteration and an animal are the keys to a good group name. And it would be crazy not to use our pets as mascots.
@Fin This will likely be the start of the tattoo conversation for Maka. She plans to get a tattoo for the group name and will come up with the back piece from there. She'll also pester for everyone else to get a tattoo.
I just finished Maka's backstory...story.
It's really good, but also interesting because I'm seriously considering creating an orc monk for my next Pathfinder 2E society character.
|
|
Sounds good, Maka…I’m ready when you are…
As for coming up with team names, I kinda suck at that…my fantasy baseball and football teams thru the years all had the same name, Trailer Babes (inside joke)…the only ones that I can think of are nowhere near as catchy as yours: The Searchers (a favorite Western), Black Rider’s Revenge…or taking a cue from you, Maka, Crazy Crocs.
Just thought of a somewhat more morbid and not to be taken serious name, After Yu (Yu Khan was in the original party and he was slain in the very first encounter; so pretty much every experience we’ve had in this AP came after Yu)…
Glad you liked it Kal.
Crazy Crocs is a good one.
|
|
Crazy Crocs sounds like an iPhone game. :)
I thought After Yu was cute, but Quasit would never agree to it.
I sorta like Izzy's Marauders. It implies that there's some shadowy boss named Izzy pulling our strings. I dunno, maybe it's true, maybe Izzy is a genius mesmerist and he's constantly implanting suggestions in our minds. And anyway a mercenary company name should be more intimidating than cute, if we're gonna do this. We don't want to sound like a dance troupe.
Overall I'm sorta agnostic on the name thing. I'd go along with anything the group agreed on.
'Quasit' is a street name for Mina, who was a low level gangster -- it was a name that was given to her by others since she was (a) physically small, and (b) did the bidding of her brother, who became a pretty bad guy. She didn't particularly like it at first, but street names have the nice benefit of obscuring your actual identity a little, and when she took up with Nevar he made it a sort of pet name for her and changed her feelings about it. And as this adventure began, she was actively on the run from Taldan authorities, and so using a phony name had some utility.
Mina's Marauders! The shadowy boss pulling our strings is hiding in plain sight.
On that vein, Quasit's Quasits!
'Quasit' is a street name for Mina, who was a low level gangster
I have so many real life friends where I only knew their nickname and was flabbergasted to learn their real name after months or years.
And as this adventure began, she was actively on the run from Taldan authorities, and so using a phony name had some utility.
Maybe Hace had to leave the party to go pay off everyone's bounties?
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I thought After Yu was cute, but Quasit would never agree to it.
Yeah, that wouldn’t have been in good taste; it was just an after…wait for it…thought…
And as this adventure began, she was actively on the run from Taldan authorities, and so using a phony name had some utility.
Curious, Q, you probably mentioned it before but I can’t remember…what did the Taldans want Quasit for?
Mina's Marauders! The shadowy boss pulling our strings is hiding in plain sight.
Yeah, Mina’s Marauders sounds good…and would fit well since Q’s our leader…but I’m good with whatever y’all like…
I have so many real life friends where I only knew their nickname and was flabbergasted to learn their real name after months or years.
That reminds me of a friend in college, Pugsley. He got tagged with that nickname (he looked just like the kid in the Addams Family) our first night in college and it stuck with him over the next 5 years. I was going to turn in our softball roster to the intramural department during my last season there when one of the girls that hung out with us asked to see the softball roster; upon looking at it, she asked me, “Who’s this David guy? I don’t know him.” I started laughing, saying, “Carol, that’s Pugsley!” She had known him for years but didn’t know his real name…
|
|
Curious, Q, you probably mentioned it before but I can’t remember…what did the Taldans want Quasit for?
That’s another vignette I should write up some day. She alluded obliquely to the incident a couple times, but never told the whole story. Basically she stole something from an Admiral, and before she knew it she had the Taldan navy putting a huge bounty on her and her brother. So she skipped town hoping to let the heat cool down. She went up the river to Oppara and found there were still Eagle Knights sniffing around for her, so she melted into the countryside. She’d been on the run for about six weeks when she came to Heldren.
Curious, Q, you probably mentioned it before but I can’t remember…what did the Taldans want Quasit for?That’s another vignette I should write up some day. She alluded obliquely to the incident a couple times, but never told the whole story. Basically she stole something from an Admiral, and before she knew it she had the Taldan navy putting a huge bounty on her and her brother. So she skipped town hoping to let the heat cool down. She went up the river to Oppara and found there were still Eagle Knights sniffing around for her, so she melted into the countryside. She’d been on the run for about six weeks when she came to Heldren.
Hah! That means she was in Oppara the same time as Hace and Maka. She probably got chased out a few weeks before they did. Wasn't Quasit also in Absolem around a year ago? Or a year + however long we've been on this quest?