All's Well that Ends in a Well

Game Master Choon

You crest the last hill and finally the complex comes into view. In stark contrast to the lush greenery of the hills you just fought your way through lies a large sunken graveyard laid out in the shape of a cross. Rather than towering  above the ground, the graves have settled into depressions, and the  main mausoleum, a building of strange green stone, rests in the deepest depression some 40 ft. below the ground on which you now stand. At the other end of the grave-filled hollow stands what appears to be a stone well. There are no gravestones near it. The  normal sounds of wildlife are gone, and large carrion birds circle  overhead. An ominous silence rests about the place.
Each of you knows in your heart that you have found the legendary dungeon of Rappan Athuk. And though none dare speak it, you wonder if you  will live to return to the warmth of hearth and home.

The medium-sized, black pantheress walks alongside the Catfolk by the name of Simon Blue-Eye as always.
Her body seems to straighten, as if ready for a jump - or an attack.
Her yellow eyes hush over the graveyard below and the birds high above.
She seems ... uneasy but ready.

Just a small dot-post for now.

A hooded man tenaes in anticipation, piping his knuckles and growling slightly.
also a dot

dot, post will come later

You have found the legendary Dungeon of Rappan Athuk. It wasn't hard. The wilds were dangerous, but you managed to get there and instantly realized that there's no way you're doing this alone. You are capable, not suicidal.
You return to the Bristleback Inn with an eye for a team to enhance your strength... and bolster your weaknesses.

The Bristleback Inn is as bright as ever in spite of the low ceiling. The windows are open and a small fire prevents the chill in the air from the landward breeze off the sea. It's not a harsh chill and the air feels brisk.
Several people mill about the room, adventuring types, mostly. There's a hobgoblin, a catfolk, several humans, a half orc or two, and other professionally suicidal types all enjoying a nice lunch provided by the indefatigable Amelia and her girl Ysbel. The room is filled with hearty smells and pleasant conversation. More than a few aren't speaking in favor of shoving as much of the food as possible into their faces.

In a table beside the fire sits a young, slender catfolk with white-grey, fluffy hair, broad whiskers and a long tail.
He is (rather obviously) enjoying a meal (that seems to consist of meat, fish and meat).
At his feet, upon the fur of a bear, lies a big, black cat gnawing on some meat as well. The animal is foreign to this land and you likely never saw one of her kind. Way bigger than any local wild cat you know, the fur black and shiny and with yellow eyes.
At first your not sure, but both defiantly emit a low, deep purring noise that is barely audible in the noisy room.

A heap of goods, armor parts and weapons (short, curved blades and a long bow with lots of arrows in a broad quiver) is stacked near his table and you wonder how he intends to carry all of that around.

The filthy dwarf Dalkk finds a table to sit in. After lighting a cigar he pulls out a whetstone and starts to sharpening one crossbow bolt after another, making sure his equipment is in order. He looks around the room, puzzled and unsure of who he might approach. Instead he continues to set more gear on the table in hopes his presence will attract others. In front of him lay bits of paper, an axe, some vials, a salted fish, some flint, and a bedroll. Proud of his selections, clearly this will tell the room of his intent.

Yes, this is meant to be awkward.

purr, purr, purr
gnaw, grom nom, gnaw
purr, purr, purr

Dalkk sees that there is another person with heaps of equipment! 'Ah... must be an adventure like me' he thinks to himself. His eyes dart around his table and dirty hands exchange whetstone for fish. He breaks it in half and tosses it best he can towards the large black feline.

Marco kicks in the door and bundles himself in his cloak, obscuring his figures as he heads for a corner of the room where he can see all the entrances

The fish sails through the air, landing a few feet beside the black cat. It springs to its feet, quicker than eyes can follow, fixating the dwarf with her yellow eyes.

The Catfolk looks up as well, turning his head to one side.
After two awkward moments, he makes some noises that sound like miarchrr-prrr causing the black cat to relax and turn around to look at her master. He nods,mand she trods over and swallows the half-fish in one go, before heading back to her previous place to settle down.

The catfolk looks at the dwarf with a smile - and an asking gaze.
"Maybe that's some dwarf-tradition? How should I respond? Ahh, of course. Rather obvious, isnt't it?"
With a fluid motion, the humanoid cat picks up a small piece of meat from his meal and throws it over to the table of the dwarf.
Tradition is tradition.
Ahhh, I see, you're a man of culture as well ;-)

Gods of inviolate order help me, everything they said about this place was true.

Ignatiza Thrune, Signifer of the Hellknight Order of the Gate, watches in silent horror as the dwarf and catfolk throw food at each other.It was appalling, and it took a great deal of effort to prevent her from applying a large dosage of psionic charming on each of them so that they would stop.

She currently sits at a table by herself, nursing some sort of beverage while looking over a notebook of some sort, occasionally jotting something down in it.

Who to get into coming with me... So far, the crowd around her seemed... underwhelming. There is a certain appeal to just throwing a horde of people at the dungeon- quantity has a certain quality all of it's own, but I'd like to have a town to return to. Besides, it's not necessary.

There was no rush- the dungeon wasn't going anywhere. She took a sip of her drink and decided to wait for the sight of people displaying a higher degree of competence.

Nothing personal, but typically throwing food at other people makes for a poor first impression :D.

Vuzi looks up from her own meal as the fish goes flying toward the catfolk. She tilts her head as meat goes flying back at the dwarf.

That's waste of good food. Why are they tossing it at each other like that? She feeds a small piece of bread to her familiar which is sitting on her shoulder. The Greensting scorpion is dark green and stripped with black lines.

She studies the piles of gear in front of each person. They look prepared for, something. I wonder if they are here to explore the Dungeon of Graves as well.

Vuzi the tall half orc woman wearing dirty ceremonial armor leans back and decides see what happens next. Next to her own table sits a small backpack on the floor, and a longspear leaned against the wall.

Lol

A rather tall and thin elf walks through the door, clad in what look to be brand new adventurer's clothes. No sign of patchwork on his cloak, pants crisp and unstained, his boots look like they've never been through a puddle. He shivers faintly, and moves towards the fire, standing beside it with his hands on the mantle.

Just then a fish goes sailing across the room, landing only a few feet away. Maglin looks across at the dwarf who threw it just in time to find a piece of meat land on his table. Maglin nods slightly, looking back and forth at the gear on their tables for a moment before noticing the rather large cat at his feet.

Gah he cries, jumping back reflexively, which causes him to hit his head on the mantle, ow. He looks up at the room, embarrassed to have broken the silence, ahem he begins rather timidly, and grimaces before starting again, this time with more confidence.

Hello! I'm looking for some friends, adventurer types; the kind you would read about in a storybook: ready for anything. He scans the room once more, hopefully not finding just blank stares.

Whatever the elf's hopes might be, he gets little more than a blank stare from Ignatzia. It's not entirely blank- there is a bit of condescending pity mixed into the gaze as well. If you're looking for anything 'storybook', you've come to the wrong tavern, island, and archipelago. she silently thinks to herself.

"Hey, Mister-" A voice begins to call out from the inside of the woman's backpack. The backpack.... might... be able to fit a small halfling, but there doesn't seem to be any more noise.

<<Quiet. You don't get to help recruit.>> Ignatzia uses her mental bond with her psicrystal to command it to be silent as she begins to pack a few objects into her pack.

<<But he's looking for you Ignatzia! You're friendly, an adventurer, it's just like the stories he's talking about. Do you remember...>> The psicrystal continues to ramble inside her mind as she heads over towards the table with the half orc.

To think that she's the best option I have right now. The Hellknight thought to herself silently as walked over to the half orc's table uninvited. The good news was that she seemed at least decently strong. But Ignatzia wasn't betting on the woman being a fighter- whatever her weapons, she knew what functional armor was, and the woman wasn't wearing it. This meant that she was either a fool, or drew her power from some other source.

The psion places her pack down next to her as she sits down across from the half orc. With a smile that most would mistake for kindness, the woman begins to speak,"I have a proposition for you. Have you heard of Rappan Athuk?"

The <<>> marks along with bold and italics indicate telepathy.

Vuzi turns her away from looking at the elf. She gives the woman who sat at her table a long stare. Her gaze has a bit of glow, and it's hard to look away. "He's never going to make eet. He'll get ruffians who vant to take vhat he has, and leaf him dead along the road."

Vuzi gives the woman a half smile showing a bright white tusk. Her eyes don't change expression. "Haf I heard of Rappan Athuk? I doubt there is anyone in this tavern, meebe the vhole town, vho hasn't heard uf Rappan Athuk. I'f got my own reasons for being in a tavern near de Dungeon of Graves. Vhat's your proposal?

The hunk of meet isn't on the table but a second before being snatched up. Teeth split the cooked bit and in two bites the meat is slurped down in what was certainly a less dignified manner than the large black cat. Dalkk stands, though the difference in height is not significant, and swishes around some beer in his mouth before swallowing. Cigar in mouth, beer in one hand and remaining half fish in the other, he approaches the catfolk's table near the fire and takes a seat. He tosses the remaining fish on the table before the blue-eyed feline as another offering.

"so, erhm. Ye goin' som'ere? Wit all ye stuffs it must be ah interestin" place. Tell me about it."

His head turns up to elf looking for and with complete sincerity and completly straight faced, with the assumption the elf was speaking directly to him, the dwarf replies "Sorry imma nah much of a friend and the only kind of book I'm interested in is the one I'm writing. Now if ye need something blown sky high ye let me know..."Dalkk turns back to the catfolk but still speaks in reply to the elf"...or if ye be goin' to Rappan Athuk."

Marco raises an eyebrow at the commotion these idiots are going to die..... unless someone bails their asses out... he sighs guess that's gonna be up to me then he stands up and makes his way over to the group
"I heard there was some talk of entering the dungeon. I have a capable sword-arm if you're looking for aid"

A capable sword arm is what I'm in search of, yes, and I am planning to go to Rappan Athuk. Decent folk who've got experience with similar places and a wide range of capabilities, that's who I'm looking for. The last time I tried exploring a cave I got lost within the first few days. Never a good idea to go alone, and they say this is where adventurers gather. You notice that Maglin enunciates clearly and never stumbles while speaking. He isn't talking fast, but any hesitations between his words are measured, as though he is entirely sure of what he is going to say long before he opens his mouth.

The name's Maglin. I studied at the Korvosan Academae for three years, and only left because it was no longer interesting for me to stay. I'm rather good at all aspects of the arcane.

"right... you aren't going to be the navigator then"

Ignatzia nods at the orc's hypothesis about what the ultimate fate of the elf is going to be, then shrugs at her suggestion that everyone here knows what Rappan Athuk is. "It can never hurt to clarify such things. But in any case- I am planning on entering that place and need allies, preferably ones that can handle themselves in danger. You seem to be one of the more competent people in this establishment."

The human woman takes a sip of her drink before she continues. "So- what can you do? If you're interested in coming with, we'll have to learn eachother's strengths and weaknesses."

Her ears perk up as she overhears some of the men in the bar speak of the dungeon of graves themselves. More fuel for the fire, perhaps? She decides to raise the issue later- after an initial alliance is secured.

"oh, another intellectual, perhaps we can exchange notes... well if find ye be going ta the depths of that dungeon I belie' I can help." After a long drag of his cigar he continues "but we'll need a healer...."

I can prepare healing cordials, but only a few each day. And when I do, it means that I've prepared one less cordial of a different sort, which would likely have served our ends better. So I agree we should look for a healer. Maglin shrugs off his pack and looks around for a good place to put it, rubbing his shoulders. Someone who's strong enough and wouldn't mind carrying my pack would be welcome if they can do something else to contribute. I'm not interested in any dead weight. Maglin grins broadly, looking quite pleased with himself.

What do you mean by another intellectual? Are you a wizard yourself? Have you spent lots of time researching the alchemical sciences? Those are my main areas of expertise that I imagine would be extremely useful and fairly common among adventurers. It is obvious from the way Maglin says this last part that he doesn't consider himself an adventurer. If that wasn't obvious enough already.

"I am also interested in entering the dungeon. Vhat can I do? I'm an oracle and sorcerer. My affinity is vith," she leans forward and whispers, "de dead." she leans back. "Some folks around here don take to controlling dead. Sometimes de think I'm efil."

"I haf some healing capability as vell. Vhat about yourself?"

"oh aye ta da sciences" The disheveled dwarf with burnt matted hair looks up at the fellow who visually is nearly his exact opposite. "I think ye would call it self study or close to. More potent than mos' all ta same doh. My pal L'nshpad could prolly help you with yer gear too, seeing as yer hands be so soft and all."

It takes Maglin a second to process Dalkk's words, he's clearly having some trouble understanding the thick accent easily. I'd love to meet your friend L'nshpad, are they in here? And perhaps we should exchange notes, I'd love to learn anything new that might prove useful. Might teach you a thing or two as well, I did some research on the boat over in preparation for The Dungeon.

What's your name, friend?

Under his breath

And in Common "Dalkk. To some circles, Duk" is muttered. His speech stays the same tone without inflection. He is clearly attentive but as he has his whole life is unspirited. "L'nshy be outside in the stables."

The dwarf reaches into his clothing to his inner chest pocket, I dinnae haf much coin, but by Brigh there is noffin' more important then spreading knowledge. I would not be able to tip ye for yer knowledge but you may read mine for free iffin' you truely do know the art." The dwarf looks around and then back to the pristine elf. "Or perhaps when more convenient?"

A pleasure to meet you, Dalkk. Maglin hold one hand out towards the dwarf as though he is expecting something.

What could go wrong?

+++ The first usher of entering the dungeon / As Dalkk approaches Simon +++
"This is my target as well - miarch!
Something terrible is down there ... Sucking out the life of this island-grrrr."

+++ Now +++
Remaining silent over most part of the conservation, Simon speaks up now - after having accustomize himself with all the different ways of talking and people around him!
His voice is deeper than you would have thought and he seems to have a habit of ending sentences with an occasional cat-sound that seems to vary with the meaning of the sentence.
"This meeting seems destined. So many adventurers in one place, all with the very same destination-miarch!
My name is Simon Blue-Eye and this is Emily-brrbrrrh.
We are both good fighters, move silent and are capable trackers and can survive in the wilds - animals are my allies-purrrr. I can heal minor wounds if needs be as well-brrbrrrh.
Who's in-miii?
The evil down there will get stronger the longer we wait-fchrrch!"

Dalkk looks at the hand and hesitates with a puzzled look. A half second later in a flash of recall he remembers this social queue. In contrast to the rest of him a calloused thick-skinned but otherwise surgically clean hand reaches out and takes the elves fingers. Dalkk takes the cigar out of his mouth and holds it with his left before he bends forward and presses his lips to the back of Maglin's hand. The hand being pressed to thick facial hair has an effect similar to squeezing out a sponge. Although not soaking it is far from dry and full of recent dirt, food, beer, and nasal secretions. After kissing the hand Dalkk looks up rather proud of himself for remembering his manners and nods to Maglin "and you M'lady."

"Hah, and I thought the point-ear ... how are they called right ... ah yes, Elves ... was a male.
Good thing the dwarf figured it out in time.
Would be embarrassing to mess that up!
They could make for some good friends after all!"
Simon looks over the collection of people, his gaze stops at the Lady of clear Cheliax-origin.
A low, barely audible grrr slips him as he looks her over - much more careful than the others...

Maglin's hand goes limp when Dalkk kisses it, and he withdraws it rather hastily. I'm a male, he says simply, waving his left hand in the air oddly. Victo cristo aido he chants, not looking at the dwarf.

And his hand is cleaned.

"are ye now? Well that's interesting." Dalkk turns to the Catfolk but before he can speak is cut off by the hiss. He leans in trying to match Simon cheek to cheek to see who deserves such a reaction. "Trouble? What is it.. uhm.. boy?"

Simon stops staring at the female Cheliax immediately as the dwarf leans over and speaks to him.
In a low whisper he answers:
"I had ... problems with people from her country-grrwl."
Then with a louder, welcoming voice:
"Come over here, adventurers heading for the dungeon of evil-fchrr.
Let's share a drink and talk about our plans.
Ysbel, one round of ... milk for all those brave souls-miaurr!"
To underline his words, he clears the table he and Dulkk are currently sitting at and fetches a couple of more chairs
from the surrounding tables.

Interesting, yes... Maglin looks around the room, following the catfolk's gaze. He seems only slightly offended, and more uncomfortable than anything else.

Taking a seat at the table, Maglin waves away the milk. As a result of magic, I haven't had anything to eat or drink in a few months. I would like for things to stay that way until something special comes along, which will be all the more special and memorable as a result.

Seems like we've made a decent start, you said you could heal minor wounds? How minor?

Simon looks bewildered at the explanation about magical sustenance and the
not-drinking-milk part, but otherwise follows the explanation of the elf with
clever eyes and open ears.
"So ... you're doing this for money-mii?" He looks over to Dalkk in
surprise, but continues after a second or two.
"Well I can treat you with bandages and can try to counter diseases and
poison by ... traditional means of course.
Using my magic, I can ... maybe heal a handful of wounds a day, if I use all my
powers that is-purrpurrr.
Then again, I bought a wand full of healing magic during my travels in case of
dire need."

Takes the round of milk greedily with both hands and brings it hastilly to his lips. Milk dribbles down the sides of his beard while he gulps it down. He slams the cup down and wipes his maw with a forearm. He looks back to the blue eye'd cat person. "Do ye have a name? Iffin ya do or nah.. your an eager little wazzit... I think we might be best to go it slow and sure-footed. Think ye can manage tha?"

He turns to the hooded figure, "And for that matter, what brings you here? Do ye have a name? Are ye male too? I've been fooled before."

I didn't see any items on your sheet Marco, if you don't have a sword visible consider the following added. "I thought you mentioned a sword but I dinnae see one... be ye a priest?"

Another puzzled look follows this promt.
Didn't he already told the dwarf his name ...?
"My name is Simon Blue-Eye and my people are called Catfolk-prrrhrr.. You're Dulkk, right?
Careful - yes of course. The dungeons is deemed very dangerous-grchrr."

Scratches his own chin "That name sounds familiar..." Looks down to the large black cat at his feet "Do ye talk too?"

The black pantheress looks up, as the dwarf asks her.
She shakes her head and emits a well-audible:
"Grrroarch!"

"She can understand you but cannot talk back.
Sadly she lacks the anatomy for it-mieh.
But I share her feelings and can see through her eyes if I wish to.
We share a deep band of kinship-purprrbrr."

Takes the round of milk greedily with both hands and brings it hastilly to his lips. Milk dribbles down the sides of his beard while he gulps it down. He slams the cup down and wipes his maw with a forearm. He looks back to the blue eye'd cat person. "Do ye have a name? Iffin ya do or nah.. your an eager little wazzit... I think we might be best to go it slow and sure-footed. Think ye can manage tha?"

He turns to the hooded figure, "And for that matter, what brings you here? Do ye have a name? Are ye male too? I've been fooled before."

I didn't see any items on your sheet Marco, if you don't have a sword visible consider the following added. "I thought you mentioned a sword but I dinnae see one... be ye a priest?"

"the name is Cain. Marco Cain. I come to test my mettle in the so called dungeon, I will be plenty armed when the time comes, but I wouldn't call myself a priest. Any more questions dwarf?"

Is taken aback by the sharp tone but presses on "Ye seem confidant... haven ye been there before? Also... do ye know anyone who can patch up a bloodied body? Seems most of us can do some, but nothing o'er the top."

"I am also interested in entering the dungeon. Vhat can I do? I'm an oracle and sorcerer. My affinity is vith," she leans forward and whispers, "de dead." she leans back. "Some folks around here don take to controlling dead. Sometimes de think I'm efil."

"I haf some healing capability as vell. Vhat about yourself?"

Where many would begin to grow nervous at the prospect of working along side a professed necromancer, Ignatzia simply smiles and nods her head. Convenient. I'll have to compare notes with her at some point. While not her particular forte, necromancy did always have some interest to her. "You have nothing to fear from me- that particular talent is hard to come by and quite useful. My own specialty is controlling the minds of weak willed creatures- with a little bit of prompting on my end, they can be convinced to turn upon eachother. I dabble in some mystic talents that let me see objects through walls, from far away, and even behind doors."

"As for the proposal- it's fairly simple. We travel through the dungeon and more or less take anything of interest that isn't nailed down to the floor. You'll find that I'll be quite reasonable in dividing whatever we uncover."

One way or another. If simpler persuasion wouldn't work to get her what she wanted, a simple bit of psionics would make that problem go away.

She couldn't help but overhear the comments coming from the more... uncouth table. She takes a moment to turn around and look over at them, thinks for a moment, then turns back to the half orc. "Should we invite them along to? There is strength in numbers..."

Not to mention more targets. The last time she had gotten into a fight against a monster who attacked her in melee had been rather unpleasant, an experience she did not particularly want to repeat.

"So ... you're doing this for money-mii?

Yes, you could say that's why I'm here. Maglin seems almost forlorn with these words.

Later

He does seem quite confident, this is one of the most dangerous dungeons any of us will ever venture into. Your mettle will be tested, but if you have skill at arms as you say then I'd like you to be in front of me.

Vuzi studies the gentlemen at the other table, an eyebrow goes up when the dwarf kisses the male elf's hand. That was unusual. I hope his highness doesn't expect me to do that when I meet him.

"Vhy not. It never hurts to have more hands in a fight." she nods. "I agree ve'll split what ve find fairly including dat lot. Better to haf someone vho is committed than someone vho vill run at first trouble because you vere paying dem."

Ignatzia nods her head but says nothing- at least, nothing with her mouth. She does however, give hold a brief mental conversation with her psicrystal.

<<Go get the fools. You know what to do.>>

<<YAAAAAAAY!>> The psicrystal enthusiastically cheers in her mind. Anyone watching the woman's backpack would watch as a piece of flint with legs made of light scurries across the floor and climbs up onto the table where an elf, a dwarf, a catfolk, and have all gathered around.

"Ahem." The mobile piece of flint makes a sound as if it's clearing it's throat- not that it actually has a throat to clear. Probably

Whatever the answer to that little enigma might be, the rock begins to address all of you in a surprisingly loud voice for such a small object. "Greetings mighty travelers, adventures, and heros! I am Araquiel, the humble servant to the mighty Ignatzia, a psion of great might and prestige. At this, one of the rock's legs points towards where a Chelish human woman sits with her back turned to all of you. She's at the same table as a half orc. "My Lady is looking for those with courageous hearts and keen minds to join her on her quest to plumb the depths of the terrible Dungeon of Graves, Rappan Athuk."

"What say you? Shall we be comrades in arms and fight against the darkness? Shall we carve our names in the great annuls of history our stories being told generation after generation?!? I ask you again, friends- what say you?!?"

Still refusing to look at the wretched talking mineral with delusions of grandeur, Ignatzia lets out a sigh and rests her face in one of her hands. The worst part about all of this is that the damn thing is actually going to convince them to come along. It's actually going to work.

Looks with wonder on the talking flint and after the speech attempts to pick it up out of curiosity. "Ach what a fascinatin' lil' whazzit. Let's git ye back to ya's Mum." The dwarf offers his hand to carry it but either way takes his chair and drags it over to the table, unceremoniously departing his company and conversation.

Dalkk sits at the nearby table and if it followed attempts to keep petting the magic stone. "Now that is delightful... but e'en better it'd be if one of yaz was the healing type?"

Marco raises his foot as though to crush the rock

You crest the last hill and finally the complex comes into view. In stark contrast to the lush greenery of the hills you just fought your way through lies a large sunken graveyard laid out in the shape of a cross. Rather than towering  above the ground, the graves have settled into depressions, and the  main mausoleum, a building of strange green stone, rests in the deepest depression some 40 ft. below the ground on which you now stand. At the other end of the grave-filled hollow stands what appears to be a stone well. There are no gravestones near it. The  normal sounds of wildlife are gone, and large carrion birds circle  overhead. An ominous silence rests about the place.
Each of you knows in your heart that you have found the legendary dungeon of Rappan Athuk. And though none dare speak it, you wonder if you  will live to return to the warmth of hearth and home.

Welcome to this, the time of my Rappan Athuk recruitment! It's only the third one of these I've seen recently. Oh well.
You are like family to me, and because of that I'm going to throw a select group of you out of the frying pan of this recruitment and into the fire of Rappan Athuk!  You're so lucky!

The Setting
Generally Golarion. You may use the Golarion deities outlined in Inner Sea Gods and other locations from Golarion as you will. I am placing Rappan Athuk on an island in the Shackles if you want to include travels in your stories, but that won't really play into the game. The dungeon is deep in the Forest of Hope atop a decent hill.  The Coast Road runs nearby linking the port to the central town on the island.  Finding the dungeon isn’t hard.  Surviving is a different story.
In your backstories, please include what experiences you have had to achieve fourth level. Don't get too grandiose. You may have overcome a local menace but that's about it. Think of it as the ability level at the end of the first book of an AP.
This time could have been spent wandering the wild and dangerous lands around the entrance to the dungeon or guarding wagons on the Coast Road. We will be skipping that part of the book as it doesn't interest me all that much. It's nice and deadly and all, but I wanted to start a bit later than level 1.

This recruitment will remain open for at least two weeks with a projected end date of August 2nd.  

As for tone, I will be playing this one pretty hard and not fudging in your favor.  Your advantage in the partial gestalt allows me to take the gloves off.  Death is possible, especially if I roll well...poorly… whatever.  If, when, a PC death happens we will discuss how to bring in a replacement.

I tend to post at least 1/day, sometimes much more.  If that needs to fall off for a time I will notify everyone.

Dot! I've got an idea for a ratfolk wizard; I'm not sure what his ".5" class will be yet. Let's go with 18 in Intelligence (of course), and 8 in Charisma. Other stats:
4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1, 2) = 8 = 7
4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 3, 2) = 11 = 9
4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2, 2) = 12 = 10
4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 3, 6) = 16 = 13

Um. Yeah. I'm thinking a 15 point buy for the other four stats is definitely the way to go!

So, that's 18, 17, 14, 12, 11, 8

I have a question about this 1.5 gestalt. Let's say I'm a Wizard 4//Barbarian 2. I get BAB and saves of the wizard, 2 levels of Barbarian HP and skills and 2 levels of Wizard HP and skills. On the 5th level, I get everything from wizard. On the 6th, I get Barbarian HP and skills. Did I get that right?

Dotting!

4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 3, 4) = 11 9
4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 5, 4) = 14 12
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 6) = 19 16
4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 6) = 14 13

I think that's 14 points? Am I right there? I wouldn't mind just taking that 9 up to a 10, but it isn't super important, probably. I've got a few ideas floating around, but it's a shame Avowed didn't make the cut. Likely something psionic, in any case.

4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3, 2) = 16 = 14
4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 5) = 14 = 13
4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 4) = 15 = 14
4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 6) = 17 = 15

20 point buy...it's a keeper.

4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3, 2) = 13 =11
4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3, 2) = 8 =7
4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5, 5) = 20 =16
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 4) = 16 =13

I'll go with point buy.

Dotting; will have to roll later when I'm at my computer.

Dotting.

4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3, 1) = 13 12
4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1, 6) = 14 13
4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1, 1) = 9 8
4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 2) = 7 6

Rerolling:
4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 3) = 21 18
4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 2, 6) = 17 15
4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 1) = 10 9
4d6: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 1) = 14 13

I can work with that one.

Interesting. :)

Ability Score 1: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 6) = 22 = 17
Ability Score 2: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 3, 5) = 13 = 11
Ability Score 3: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 2) = 11 = 10
Ability Score 4: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 5) = 12 = 10

Wow, weird one. I think that is close, but less than 15, so I will try again. :)

Ability Score 1: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 2, 6) = 13 = 12
Ability Score 2: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 5) = 19 = 17
Ability Score 3: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 2, 4) = 17 = 15
Ability Score 4: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 1) = 11 = 10

Not sure what I will go with yet, but I will come up with something soon. Sounds like a fun, challenging game.

What do we use for hit points per level? Average? Roll?

Dotting!

4d6 9
4d6 12
4d6 16
4d6 13

I think that's 14 points? Am I right there? I wouldn't mind just taking that 9 up to a 10, but it isn't super important, probably. I've got a few ideas floating around, but it's a shame Avowed didn't make the cut. Likely something psionic, in any case.

Whoops! Forgot my reroll.

4d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 2, 4) = 13 11
4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 4, 2) = 18 16
4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 1, 1) = 9 8
4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2, 5) = 19 17

Wow. I'll take it.

Dotting. Very interesting setup!

4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 4, 5) = 14 = 12
4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 2, 6) = 14 = 12
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 5) = 18 = 15
4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3, 5) = 18 = 15

I like that just fine! Will consider options and get something posted soon.

Also I second madcaster's question about future levelling.

edit: Are background skills in play?

You are like family to me, and because of that I'm going to throw a select group of you out of the frying pan of this recruitment and into the fire of Rappan Athuk! You're so lucky!

Something about that sentence just really does it for me. And based on a small sample of your past posts, I can expect more like this if I am selected.

Totally unrelated to my extreme luck, I've begun to wonder if I should prepare a backup character. I will be going for the 15 point buy.

Is the 18 and 8 we get before racials, or can we modify them? I guess it's not my first choice to play a character with an 8 in an ability score, mostly because I'm so perfect in every way myself. I've got all the qualities, like uh...modesty and stuff.

If I write a really great backstory which took me many hours and is over a thousand words, will it be any better for my odds of getting in than a ten minute version? I tend to prefer the former, mostly because I like to write about myself (because pride and arrogance), but also a little bit also because I just like to write in general.

4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 1) = 7
4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 5) = 16
4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 1, 6) = 16
4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 6, 1) = 11

Let's see what that amounts to.

6, 14, 15, 10. I'll grab the point buy real quick.

Edit: Are we allowed to multiclass? This half gestalt thing might well be an opportunity to get a mystic theurge to work.

I love me some high lethality, Choon... or may I say Thoon?

And I feel specially heroic, so before even rolling for my stats I proclame that my submission will be modelled after Arthur Pendragon and his Knights.

Now onwards to the rolling!
Statty Stat: 4d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 4) - 1 = 9
Statty Stat: 4d6 - 2 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 4) - 2 = 13
Statty Stat: 4d6 - 3 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 4) - 3 = 10
Statty Stat: 4d6 - 2 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 5) - 2 = 13
Unless you meant 'under 15 point buy' while taking into account the Focus and Foible, I think this guarantees a reroll.

Statty Stat: 4d6 - 1 ⇒ (3, 5, 1, 1) - 1 = 9
Statty Stat: 4d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 6, 3, 1) - 1 = 13
Statty Stat: 4d6 - 1 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 2) - 1 = 9
Statty Stat: 4d6 - 4 ⇒ (4, 6, 6, 6) - 4 = 18

Well, this is nice. Not the nicest, as the character will be flawed as all heroes should, but nice indeed.

Love lethality. Let's see what the dice say.

4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 4) = 17
4d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 6, 6) = 22
4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4, 6) = 18
4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 4, 6) = 16

That'll do.

18 / 18 / 15 / 14 / 13 / 8

1.5 gestalt... weird but whatever
I'll be going aegis 2/soulknife 4

I missed the rerolls being allowed. Here goes:

4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 5, 4) = 13¨
4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5, 5) = 22
4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 4) = 12
4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 6) = 17

11, 17, 10, 15 - that's a 20 point buy.

Edit: Any chance you'd allow me to reverse the FAQ about wizards and prestige classes? It says they don't get extra spells known when gaining new spellcaster levels from PRCs, which is pretty hard to deal with, given the fact that we're stuck in the wilderness.

Was Spheres of Power allowed?

Was Spheres of Power allowed?

Paizo material is allowed. Dreamscarred Psionics material is also allowed. The Technology Guide is not allowed. Path of War is not allowed. Spheres of Power or Might are not allowed.

There you go.

I have a question about this 1.5 gestalt. Let's say I'm a Wizard 4//Barbarian 2. I get BAB and saves of the wizard, 2 levels of Barbarian HP and skills and 2 levels of Wizard HP and skills. On the 5th level, I get everything from wizard. On the 6th, I get Barbarian HP and skills. Did I get that right?

Gestalt gives you the best of the two, so yes.

What do we use for hit points per level? Average? Roll?

Ahh. I had a feeling I was forgetting something. Use average for simplicity's sake. I've already made it more complicated than normal.

GM Choon wrote:

You are like family to me, and because of that I'm going to throw a select group of you out of the frying pan of this recruitment and into the fire of Rappan Athuk! You're so lucky!

Something about that sentence just really does it for me. And based on a small sample of your past posts, I can expect more like this if I am selected.

Thanks. I do my best.

Edit: Are we allowed to multiclass? This half gestalt thing might well be an opportunity to get a mystic theurge to work.

As long as you're clearly documenting where your moving bits are/are coming from I'm game.

Edit: Any chance you'd allow me to reverse the FAQ about wizards and prestige classes? It says they don't get extra spells known when gaining new spellcaster levels from PRCs, which is pretty hard to deal with, given the fact that we're stuck in the wilderness.

I'll have to look into that one. I hadn't seen that FAQ...

1.5 gestalt... weird but whatever

What can I say, I'm feeling experimental.

I'm delighted with so much interest already! Maybe two weeks was too long a time frame!

4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 5) = 11 = 10
4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 1) = 11 = 10
4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 5) = 12 = 11
4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 3) = 14 = 12
So 3-pt buy

Reroll:

4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 4, 3) = 10 = 9
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 5, 1) = 14 = 13
4d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 5) = 18 = 16
4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 1, 5) = 13 = 12
And 14-pt buy

I'll see if I can come up with something...

4d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 2) = 15 13
4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 3) = 13 12
4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 4) = 15 14
4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 3) = 14 12

That's pretty solid stats there but it's 12 point buy so I might as well check the re-roll

4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 3) = 19 16
4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3, 2) = 13 11
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 5) = 15 13
4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 5, 6) = 17 15

I'll go with that one

Stats after racial mods

Str 8
Dex 13
Con 15
Int 16
Wis 20
Cha 11

Level 20 build
Soulknife 10/soul forge 10/aegis 5/psiwarrior 5

I'll have to look into that one. I hadn't seen that FAQ...

This link should take you to the FAQ. Also the text of it here:

Prestige Classes and Spellcasters: Does a wizard (or other character that uses a spellbook), receive bonus spells to add to his spellbook when he gains a level in a prestige class that grants an increase to spellcasting?

No. The increase to his spellcasting level does not grant any other benefits, except for spells per day, spells known (for spontaneous casters), and an increase to his overall caster level. He must spend time and gold to add new spells to his spellbook.

Definitely interested. Let's see what I can come up with

4d6 - 1 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 6) - 1 = 18
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 2) - 1 = 9
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 3) - 1 = 11
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 5) - 2 = 15

That would give me 18 18 15 11 9 8
That should give me something pretty interesting.

Ierox, you could just go spontaneous casting

Ierox, you could just go spontaneous casting

Yeah, I'll definitely do it if I have to. I just like prepared casting better.

I will keep the FAQ in place, however, there is a town nearby where you could purchase spells. Retreating from the dungeon is a possibility. Running away in this one isn't a sign of cowardice. Usually.

What do you know... just missed the cutoff in another gestalt RA recruitment.

FYI I was in a RA campaign that started at first level and died around when we made second level. I remember a few encounters, vaguely.

This is how we roll:

18 = 18
8 = 8
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (6, 2, 4, 5) - 2 = 15
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 4) - 1 = 15
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (6, 2, 3, 6) - 2 = 15
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 4, 5, 2) - 1 = 11

Yeah, that is totally workable.

The 1.5 gestalt idea is interesting. How does it work with Saves? Do you just take the better of the two even though one is 2 levels behind the other?

The idea that I just tried to submit (but missed the deadline) was an Oracle/Ranger. I don't think that idea would work well with the 1.5 thing since the animal companion would fall badly behind (ranger would be the 2nd class there).

I think I will go Oracle 4/Paladin 2. Make a healer Oradin, basically.

Dotting in, since I showed my interest in the other thread. The half gestalt thing is kind of interesting.

Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 2) = 9 => 7
Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 5, 5) = 15 => 13
Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4, 5) = 15 => 13
Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 6, 3) = 17 => 14

7 point buy, there, rerolling.

Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 6) = 24 => 18
Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4, 3) = 14 => 13
Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 5, 4) = 15 => 12
Roll: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1, 1) = 13 => 12

Well, I think we'll take that one. Makes the spread a bit odd, but I can come up with something to do with 18, 18, 13, 12, 12, 8.

I am interested and it looks like a lot of others are too! Seems you'll have a good game of Rappan Athuk on your hands Choon.

I feel the half Gestalt may end up being... not worthless, but a bit finicky. Since it doesn't grant BAB it can't really give fighting ability to a caster. As for casters as the half-gestalt, for say a Sorcerer you would't have 2nd level spells until 8th level! That's later than a Paladin with high Charisma or Ranger with high Wisdom or just a Bloodrager. So it also doesn't give much casting ability to a martial. I would almost rather not have it, but I can see it grants a bit of versatility (and possibly some survivability depending on the class you choose) with very little power boost, so maybe that's what you are going for? I don't mean this little rant to offend! I am interested in the thought process behind this half gestalt.

4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 4, 4) = 17 = 13
4d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 6, 5) = 19 = 15
4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2, 1) = 12 = 11
4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 4) = 9 = 8

4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 1) = 13 = 12
4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 1, 1) = 7 = 6
4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 4) = 19 = 15
4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4, 5) = 17 = 14

That is basically it. I wanted to give some options and versatility to a class without me having to re-write half or more of the dungeon. So a martial could gain a few useful spells or a caster could get a HD bump and everyone ends up with more skills overall. It's a bit awkward, I'll readily admit, but with some careful attention to what came in where I feel that it could be a kind of middle ground between full gestalt and normal progression. This will naturally favor secondary classes that have more going for them early like monk or fighter, but I don't know for sure. So I'm going for it to see if it sticks. What better way to test a crazy idea than with a super dungeon!

Fair enough! Thank you for answering. I'd like to give it a shot then and see how it pans out.

4d6 - 1 ⇒ (3, 2, 3, 1) - 1 = 8
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (2, 6, 5, 3) - 2 = 14
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (2, 5, 6, 4) - 2 = 15
4d6 - 3 ⇒ (5, 3, 5, 5) - 3 = 15
13 point buy... Reroll here I come! (Oops, completely miscounted, that's a 17 point buy, no reroll for me, ignore the great stats below... :( )

4d6 - 5 ⇒ (6, 5, 6, 6) - 5 = 18
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 3, 1, 5) - 1 = 9
4d6 - 4 ⇒ (4, 5, 4, 6) - 4 = 15
4d6 - 3 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 6) - 3 = 16
I cannot say anything bad about a 33 point buy on four stats.

That gives me an array of 18, 18, 16, 15, 9, 8
18, 15, 15, 14, 8, 8

Choon, how do you feel about Paladin and Unchained Rogue together, do you think Sneak Attack goes against what a Paladin should be?

Sneak attacks may go against your code depending on how you define honor. It's a shaky paring at best unless you include a casing of Redemption (Atonement?) in your things purchased and in your backstory.

I think I will go Oracle 4/Paladin 2. Make a healer Oradin, basically.

GM Choon:

Question #1: Would you allow a Gillman character? It's a relatively weak race overall.

Question #2: Would you allow a Gillman character to use the human favored class bonus for oracles? The four FCBs for Gillmen that are listed are all identical to the human bonuses for the same class. They are also only core classes.

If not I would probably go for a planetouched race.

Quick question: DSP Psionics are allowed, does that include the psionic races or are races restricted to Paizo?

Quick question: DSP Psionics are allowed, does that include the psionic races or are races restricted to Paizo?

Races, feats, etc. Are allowed.

Looking into the Gillman

I'll keep thinking on it, but I'm drawing a bit of a blank, to be honest, regarding this. I have ideas, but I can't really get behind any of them as of yet, unfortunately. It's really interesting to see everybody's concepts, though!

Cool.
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (2, 1, 1, 1) - 2 = 3
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (6, 1, 6, 5) - 2 = 16
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 1) - 2 = 6
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (5, 5, 6, 5) - 2 = 19
I don't even think there is a point-buy for "3". Wouldn't know how to play that anyway. Rerolling....

4d6 - 2 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 5) - 2 = 10
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (6, 3, 4, 3) - 2 = 14
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 3) - 2 = 10
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (1, 6, 2, 1) - 2 = 8

And again...
OK. Well Looks like I'm buying...

St 13 Dx 18 Cn 12 iT 16 wS 12 cH 08 Elven Archer/Transmuter

4d6 - 1 ⇒ (2, 3, 1, 5) - 1 = 10
4d6 - 2 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 6) - 2 = 10
4d6 - 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 5, 3) - 3 = 12
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (5, 1, 2, 6) - 1 = 13

Reroll:
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 5, 1, 3) - 1 = 12
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 1) - 1 = 8
4d6 - 1 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 2) - 1 = 10
4d6 - 3 ⇒ (3, 6, 6, 5) - 3 = 17

Will take point buy.

1: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5, 4) = 16 = 14
2: 4d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 5, 4) = 20 = 16
3: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 6, 4) = 15 = 14
4: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 2) = 11 = 10

I'll stick with that. :)

Question about the Traits.

Did you mean a final total of 2 Traits and 1 Drawback?

Just wanted to clarify since taking a Drawback gives an additional Trait.

Sneak attacks may go against your code depending on how you define honor. It's a shaky paring at best unless you include a casing of Redemption (Atonement?) in your things purchased and in your backstory.

actually it really depends on the deity

In pathfinder there are specific paladin stuff for each deity

For example Apsu

Paladins of Apsu valiantly follow the dragon god’s tenets of holy vigilance against evil. Those following the rigid code of a paladin must sacrifice the sedentary lifestyle of living in a single place in exchange for continuous travel and hardship. The tenets of such paladins include the following maxims.

I am the talon of Apsu’s wrath. I strike where I am needed, but only when evil has been unmasked and there can be no doubt of my enemy’s malice.
When my purpose is unclear, I will walk the roads of the world to find a fresh focus. Every road leads to a new beginning.
Nothing is worth sacrificing my life for, except protecting the lives of others. I will retreat when needed, and come back to vex my foes once again.
Mercy is offered, but only once. Should I be betrayed in my moment of kindness, I will not stop until I have put my enemy down.
It is not enough to slay evil and carry on. I will spend the time necessary to help those I’ve protected to fend for themselves.

Hmm... thinking of Rogue/Aegis

I think I'll try for my stat reroll

4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 5) = 15 =14
4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 6, 6) = 24 =18
4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 3, 5) = 17 =14
4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 3) = 9 =7

hmmm...

18, 18, 14, 14, 8, 7.

Interesting.

Question about the Traits.

Did you mean a final total of 2 Traits and 1 Drawback?

Just wanted to clarify since taking a Drawback gives an additional Trait.

Yes, that's the final total.

18 / 18 / 15 / 14 / 13 / 8

Rough draft.

Quite happy with him. Paladin, so he has good saves. Great rolling means that he hits hard. 1.5 gestalt gives him enough lvl0 and lvl1 Spells to be interesting. Oracle revelation is misfortune...a truly amazing ability for any party to have.

However, he has serious limitations. (1) He can't lie. Well, he can...but it will make him sickened. (2) In times of stress he can only speak Celestial. That is the opposite of good. (3) He is not very smart. (4) He is heroic! And again, not very smart. While the drawback is vainglory, what this means is that he is loud, confident and tends to take direct approaches. Even when he shouldn't. (5) He is pretty slow...20ft movement in his armor. Comes with the style, but due to Mystery choice he can't really improve that.

So a lot of strengths. Has some pretty glaring weaknesses. Will get an alias and background up soon.

Neat, I may just pitch my hat in the ring.

GM Choon wrote:

Sneak attacks may go against your code depending on how you define honor. It's a shaky paring at best unless you include a casing of Redemption (Atonement?) in your things purchased and in your backstory.

actually it really depends on the deity

In pathfinder there are specific paladin stuff for each deity

For example Apsu

Quote:

Paladins of Apsu valiantly follow the dragon god’s tenets of holy vigilance against evil. Those following the rigid code of a paladin must sacrifice the sedentary lifestyle of living in a single place in exchange for continuous travel and hardship. The tenets of such paladins include the following maxims.

I am the talon of Apsu’s wrath. I strike where I am needed, but only when evil has been unmasked and there can be no doubt of my enemy’s malice.
When my purpose is unclear, I will walk the roads of the world to find a fresh focus. Every road leads to a new beginning.
Nothing is worth sacrificing my life for, except protecting the lives of others. I will retreat when needed, and come back to vex my foes once again.
Mercy is offered, but only once. Should I be betrayed in my moment of kindness, I will not stop until I have put my enemy down.
It is not enough to slay evil and carry on. I will spend the time necessary to help those I’ve protected to fend for themselves.

Very well. That would be acceptable. It still strikes me as slightly odd, but it is within the rules I set out, so ok!

I'm going to have to say no to the Gillman. I'd prefer to stay within the constraints I set up above. Sorry.

Edit: I recognize that it's not a strong race, but I've had a hard time closing that can of worms in the past.

Some other deities would not appreciate sneak attack/dirty tricks but Apsu says "do whatever it takes to survive/save others"