GM Tarondor's Emerald Spire Campaign

Game Master Tarondor

Lilika also casts a heal spell on everyone, then follows Wymond's lead.

Heal (1st level) in 30 ft. emanation; hitting all her pals: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Frizz, are you conscious again?

Frizz's eye flutter open as her head bounces along on Wymond's armor.
Oh! I've never been carried around like this before. Wonder how long he'll carry me...

She stays limp while enjoying the ride.

"GO, GO, GO!" Wymond barks.

Jharun continues to run like mad now following the group out

So where are you intending to go? I get that you're headed for the Spire, but what then?

I'd recommend using the token to get to a higher floor immediately, putting as much distance between us and the enemy as quickly as possible.

You have tokens for the 1st and 6th floors. Which one do you use?

GM practices pinochle.

I asked on the OOC thread: I vote first floor, who else agrees?

The token touches the Spire and you dissolve into the emerald depths of the ancient artifact, to be reconstituted from your essences in the same breath, hundreds of feet above! You stand in the ruins of the Azlanti Castle.

Now what?

Wymond breathes a sigh of relief as they emerge into the familiar darkness of the surface ruin.

"Thank Erastil...THANK ERASTIL WE ALL MADE IT!" he exclaims. "That was too close...lemme tend to yer wounds."

Wymond busies himself with praying and laying on of hands to restore his friends' health.

Starting with whoever is most wounded, would that be Frizz or Lilika?

Remembering that Wymond's healing powers are pretty much inexhaustible given time and patience, Lilika saves her own healing resources, content to wait as long as it took for Wymond to patch the group up. (Heal Lilika last).

"Looks like Frizz could use some fresh air."

Once he's done healing the others, Wymond gestures towards the exit.

"Aye, it'll be nice te see the sun again for a bit. Comin' back from the dead and comin' close to being back dead again is makin' me appreciate the little things, y'know?"

Assuming the party obliges, he brings up the rear.

"I'm not partial to it," Lilika remarks with a shrug. "But lead on. I'll try to keep you alive."

She lets the oddly panicked Frizz lead the way back up and out into the sunshine.

"Oh, right...you're more a night-time person," Wymond replies sheepishly. Then he notices Frizz's expression. "That...really rattled ye, didn't it?" he says sadly.

"It did," agrees an oddly sober Frizz. "I think... I think I need a bit of a breather, Wymond. Some time off. Even if it's in Fort Inevitable. Nothing... nothing's going to eat me there, you know?"

Lilika raises an eyebrow, opens her mouth to refute that absurd statement, then closes it again.

This is what she wanted, wasn't it? Frizz and Wymond safely away from the Spire and our of harm's way? Yet, something tugged at her heart, making her feel oddly unsettled.

After another awkwardly long hesitation, Lilika ignores the traitorous feeling, shoving it down, and remarks, "You'll be safe there."

"It did," agrees an oddly sober Frizz. "I think... I think I need a bit of a breather, Wymond. Some time off. Even if it's in Fort Inevitable. Nothing... nothing's going to eat me there, you know?"

Wymond nods.

"Aye...I understand. Could even take ye to the Dwerryhouse farm if'n ye need a place to stay. I'm sure Osbeorn'd be happy to put ye up at least for a few days."

I'm going to pause us here until the new players are ready - unless you want to do some downtime stuff in Fort Inevitable.

Jharun, Lilika and Wymond are eating at the Juliver Arms in Fort Inevitable, mourning the loss of their friend Frizz when a hellknight stomps in with another man in tow. The hellknight looks around and raises an accusatory finger at Our Heroes.

"That's them," he intones with a growl, whereupon he promptly leaves.

Marcel, please introduce yourselves! Assume that your vision impressed the hellknights just enough for one of them to point out the group that has the only legal charter to explore the Emerald Spire.

Marcel moves forward carrying his walking stick. He is a dark haired human wearing robes and bearing a holy symbol prominently. If you do not know he will inform you that it is from Nethys. "Good day, I am Marcel DuBouis. I have been granted a vision of a need inside the Emerald Tower and the Hellknightm, who just left there, has informed me that your group plans to re-enter the Spire. If you have room for another, I would like to join your group. I have some skills that might prove useful in such a place."

Lilika raises an eyebrow. "You're not likeable, are you? I hope you're not likeable. I'm tired of getting attached. Everyone dies or leaves or dies and is too stubborn to leave." She gives Wymond a side eyed, pointed LOOK, then looks back at Marcel. "I'm Lilika. You can come with us. We could use another body. You'll probably regret it."

Believe it or not, that's the friendliest she's ever been. Downright welcoming!

Marcel nods and says, "I will endeavor to not be too likeable then. And I do work to ensure those with me do not die. So, hopefully, you can stop losing those around you."

Wymond looks up at Marcel as he approaches.

"Vision, huh? Sounds a bit familiar. Wymond's the name, Wymond Dwerryhouse."

When Lilika gives him her LOOK, Wymond sheepishly rubs the back of his neck.

"I wouldn't call it bein' stubborn as much as 'holy mandate.' Ol' Deadeye himself sent me a messenger to tell me of a great evil lyin' underneath the Spire, an' he needed me down there to put it down. I'll introduce ye on our way out, the folks in this here inn are nice, but they ain't gonna let Triath indoors. 'Specially now that he's gone all boar-ish. Anyways, welcome to the band, Marcel!"

Having been welcomed in Marcel will sit down and say, "I am glad to have been welcomed in. When do you plan to set out again?"

"As soon as possible, dependin' on how much resupplyin' we gotta do. We got some unfinished business with a snake-man and a man-snake."

Watching with interest. If you want to resupply, assume that you can buy any common item up to 8th level and any uncommon item up to 2nd level. No rare items.

"What type of supplies do you need?" Marcel asks.

"I haven't much funds," Lilika admits, "But what I have I'll use to purchase a shield. ...And a backup shield. Mine met an unfortunate fate."

She's spending her two gold on two wooden shields.

Okay! So if you need cash, please remember that you have an ongoing deal with Abernard Royst to bring him back maps of the structure and you haven't collected in awhile. There's some cash waiting for you there. Do you want to deal with that before we return to the Spire?

Wymonds eyes widen and he smacks his forehead.

"Cor! Forgot about Abernard! Haven't turned in our most recent mappin' efforts to him yet, so we may get some gear money from that!"

Wymond stands up and trundles over to the door.

"Local scholar who's paying us money to map out the Spire's levels for him," he explains as he walks. "We'll introduce ye!"

The elderly scholar welcomes you warmly back to his home. "Ah! I wondered when I'd see you again. Or whether, I must admit. I see you have some new faces with you. Well, come in, come in. I'll just put the kettle on and you can have some tea. I think Marta left me some fresh loaves and honey just yesterday."

He ushers you in and pours tea, but forgets about the bread. "Come!" he says, eagerly rubbing his palms together. "Show me what you've brought me! What have you learned?"

Lilika takes a seat rather uncomfortably, still wary of being aboveground and in such fragile looking buildings (freestanding, lol). She eyes the tea, waits for everyone else to drink, and a few minutes later—relatively certain she's not about to be poisoned—takes a tentative sip.

As the scholar speaks, she defers to Wymond. Lilika had been absent for a time, and assumes Wymond had the most to share.

I don't recall if Lilika's been here before? I think Wymond handled it last time? Also, did Wymond visit here since his death and reincarnation? I missed it if he did. Regardless, Lilika hates speaking much and she's only just rejoined the others after time away, so she'd leave it to Wymond to share his stories.

I think the answer to both questions is yes, Lilika.

Marcel followed along with his new companions as he has nothing better to do until they move on. He looks around the place as they pull out what they have found and waits for their business to be completed.

On the way there, Triath trots up to Marcel as the group exits the in.

"This here's Triath, Erastil's messenger an' me staunchest mate in battle," Wymond explains, introducing the celestial boar. Triath, for his part, circles Marcel and snuffles him a bit before giving him a solemn nod. "Ah, he likes ye! Now I know yer a good fit for this merry band!"

When they reach Royst's house, Wymond spreads out what they've drawn up so far.

"We've found snake-men and man-snakes down 'ere. Whole cult of 'em worshipin' some demon or other. Their high priest drove us off, but we're goin' back down to try again. I'd say we've got Klarkosh's level cleared an' mapped. Was downright cozy once we'd cleared out all the clankies. We can't really map that waterlogged one until later: the fish-folk there REALLY ain't keen on visitors, an' don't want us rovin' around their space until after they've gone home, presumably through them portals there, which we're gonna wanna take a closer look at anyway."

While Wymond speaks, Lilika offers the appropriate maps, notes, and proof. It's a shame Frizz was gone. She would've liked this part...

Abernard pores over the notes and maps, asking many questions.

"There was a secondary way out on the third level, Splinterden. Have you seen any other such exits?"

"And what of the troglodyte tribe? Do you know where they went? Is the God-box still inactive? What prevents it from being reactivated?"

"This Klarkosh was from Numeria, it seems. But it's Azlanti artifacts I'm after. Have you seen any sign of them? It seems that this 'Emerald Spire' is far more than merely the ruin of green glass on the surface, and possibly far older. But what would be far older than the Azlanti? Do you have any clue as to who or what built the Spire? Or why?"

"Anyway, this is splendid work and by the shape of what you have here I can see that you have mapped most of the seventh level, home of these snake-people. I see no reason not to forward you some cash based on your good work so far. Here is 100 gold crowns for the map of the Clockwork Maze and 200 for the map of the Snake Shrine."

__________________________________________________

Now what?

"Haven't found any new exits, though I 'spect we might be getting too deep for a hole in the wall to lead outside, 'less it was a shaft of some sort," Wymond explains.

"Xulgath tribe," he corrects when the discussion turns to Godhome, before sheepishly nodding to Slaagh. "An' no, couldn't say where they've gone. But this is the River Kingdoms, plenty of space for 'em to start their community anew. Yes, the Skraa-orm Thagh is...still silent last we saw. Don't know what'd waken it short of movin' the door-parts, an' those things were heavy, even with the entire group workin' together..."

Poor Slaagh! D:

Wymond spits when Abernard suggests Klarkosh was from Numeria.

"Technic League, then? Good we stuck him when we did. Bloody-handed slavers all of them, an' 'Slavery Is an Abomination.' Fifth River Freedom," he explains. Then he scratches his head. "I ain't too sure what's Azlanti and what aint', Abernard. That was always more Frizz's thing. What should we be lookin' for...you know...like arkeetexture or stuff so we know we're on the right track? At the moment, we're as much in the dark about the Spire as you are."

He shrugs a bit.

"Thank ye kindly for the advance. We're gonna stock up on supplies, then go back to them snake-men and man-snakes, an' kick their scaly, demon-worshippin' arses back to the Abyss they crawled out of!"

Lilika raises an eyebrow at talk of the Technic League and Numeria. Didn't ring a bell. Not even a faint tickle in her memory. Was that a sign that wasn't her home? Would she even remember the name of her home if she heard it?

More talk. Azlant this, Azlant that. That was a word she knew, but only from Abernard and Frizz. She was bound to the Spire in some way. it had the answers to her lost memories. If it was built by the Azlanti, did she have a connection to them, too?

Lilika gives Abernard a nod in farewell, no closer to answers now than she was when she first awoke outside the city. Still, the scholar's coin always helped.

Did Marcel's starting coin account for the gp we just made? (By that I mean, was this coin intended to be split between Wymond and Lilika, or also Marcel?) I'm assuming it's split three ways for now.

Once outside, Lilika takes her share of the coins and goes looking for a magic shop. She'd like to pick up a staff of healing, if she can find one in town. Spending 90 gp of whatever her share is to buy a staff of healing if she can find one.

Did Marcel's starting coin account for the gp we just made? (By that I mean, was this coin intended to be split between Wymond and Lilika, or also Marcel?) I'm assuming it's split three ways for now.

Entirely up to the players.

Spending 90 gp of whatever her share is to buy a staff of healing if she can find one.

You can buy any Common item of up to Level 6 without asking. Ask for Uncommon or above level 6.

Bumpity...

I am here, but I have nothing to sell.

Lilika looks at their payment, already split three ways. With a shrug, she hands the bag that would've been for Frizz out to Marcel. "You should turn back. But if you're going to come to the Spire, take this. Try not to die."

Splitting it three ways then, each of us gets 100 gp. Lilia's spending 90 gp on her staff of healing.

New staff in hand, she waits for the others to depart.

Wymond, for his part, purchases two of the strongest healing potions he can afford.

2 Moderate Healing Potions at 50 a pop spends all 100 of my share!

Once he has the potions packed up, he goes to join Lilika.

"We're gonna win this time!" he says, clearly hoping to inspire her.

Lilika's such a lovable pessimist! :P

Lilika raises an eyebrow. Poor fellow was delusional. She'd like to blame it on that whole dying thing, but she knows better. The guy talks to his god through a pig, after all.

"...Suuuuure..." she responds hesitantly, not quite sure how to lie.

Aww, thanks. I've enjoyed playing up being awkward and dour, but never mean. She's a nice change of pace.

I mean, she's a druid, she ostensibly could talk to Triath via spells and find out he's legit. :P

Or that Wymond's off his nut. Either one.

The team traipses back through the Echo Wood, noticing the subtle changes in the forest paths before they manage at last to come to the Azlanti castle of green glass. It seems uninhabited by more than a large covey of pigeons.

Where to now? And how do you get there?

"Guessin' we'll want to head down to the level before that snake nest, an' take the stairs. Don't wanna walk into an ambush or anythin'," Wymond says as they advance into the dungeon once more.

I noticed you had Lilika join at second level but half wealth, so 500 gp. Do you want us to calculate at half also or can we go 1,000 gp.

I planning a half-orc ranger that can handle traps. Do you mind if I use a double archetype: Deep Walker and trapper

Also, Are you ok with the racial Subtype: Deep Kin?

Deep Kin: Some half-orcs are descended from clans that remained in the eternal darkness below the surface. Half-orcs from these clans tend to be smaller and more at home underground than those descended from surface-dwelling orcs. These half-orcs have the acute darkvision and cavewight alternate racial traits.

I'm considering a Rogue/Gunslinger(Bolt Ace) to act as a switch hitter. I won't have time to write anything today though, and I need to delve a bit more in the Player's Guide.

Speaking as one of the players, part of the reason for that was because we found Lilika tied up by spiders in the dungeon itself. Presumably if we find you in town (Fort Inevitable or Thornkeep), you'd be properly equipped. I can't speak for Tarondor, though.

Dang spiders...

noticed the 500 gp here. and read her intro here.

I figured if I put together a character that was 'underground focused' that you all could just find him down there somewhere as well.

Yes, I was given 500 gp as my starting gold from when I was fully equipped in town. When I joined gameplay I had been captured by bandits, dragged into the Spire, and trapped by a spider. Lilika's gear was all taken from her, and she has yet to find it.

I imagine the starting gold is the same 500 gp I got.

Correct. It's less about what was taken than about not starting PC's with more wealth than the original characters.

dot

I have a couple of ideas that might fit... do you guys like a summoner with a skill-monkey eidolon that can find traps better? (also a tiny smidge of healing ability)
Or does a barbarian sound better?

Also, assuming I submit the barbarian, would I be able to get an exception and dump his int stat to 7?(...maybe 8 would be dumb enough?) He'll be an accidentally amusing fellow with a poor grasp of grammar except for one particular phrase...
Aaaand his name will be Stronk. And he'll think strong ends with a k...
and he'll have a brother named "Incredibly Handsome"

This is the crunch on RH's Ranger Seljak Kopile.

Please take a look and tell me if there is anything I need to change or any questions I can answer.

I will finish his fluff hopefully withing the next twenty four hours. The basic background will be that he was raised in Kaer Maga. His parents being duskwardens helping there in the undercity, all the while teaching him survival skills. He grew up dreaming of the day he becomes a great adventurer, believing his destiny lies deep underground. Not very long ago he heard about a mysterious place called the 'Emerald Spire' just south of home.

Sapiens here. Switched from multiclassing gunslinger to multiclassing ranger, but here is a rogue raised by the forest creatures, moved by curiosity and a desire to find the parents who sold her to the fey. I built her for versatility and for being a switch hitter, contributing both in melee and at range as needed. Thank you for your consideration.

I noticed you had Lilika join at second level but half wealth, so 500 gp. Do you want us to calculate at half also or can we go 1,000 gp.

You'll start with 500 gp.

I planning a half-orc ranger that can handle traps. Do you mind if I use a double archetype: Deep Walker and trapper

Robert Henry wrote:

That's fine.

Robert Henry wrote:

Also, Are you ok with the racial Subtype: Deep Kin?

PFSRD wrote:

Deep Kin: Some half-orcs are descended from clans that remained in the eternal darkness below the surface. Half-orcs from these clans tend to be smaller and more at home underground than those descended from surface-dwelling orcs. These half-orcs have the acute darkvision and cavewight alternate racial traits.

I'd need to know more about "Acute Darkvision" and "Cavewight".

EDIT: I looked them up and they're fine.

dot

I have a couple of ideas that might fit... do you guys like a summoner with a skill-monkey eidolon that can find traps better? (also a tiny smidge of healing ability)
Or does a barbarian sound better?

I'll leave that call to you.

Also, assuming I submit the barbarian, would I be able to get an exception and dump his int stat to 7?(...maybe 8 would be dumb enough?)

No. Please work within the parameters I set up. They're intentional and not too onerous.

He'll be an accidentally amusing fellow with a poor grasp of grammar except for one particular phrase...

Aaaand his name will be Stronk. And he'll think strong ends with a k...
and he'll have a brother named "Incredibly Handsome"

Okay! We have three players interested, two of whom have submitted completed characters. Since I took awhile to get back online, I'm going to give ScegfOd until Monday to submit a character if interested. I'll make my decision on Monday.

Alrighty then! Two interested players. As always, your submissions are excellent and I wish I could take you both! But I can't, so...

Sapiens, report to the Discussion tab, please!

Robert Henry, I mean it. Your submission was excellent. Thank you for your interest and I'm sorry we couldn't take you.

Thanks for your interest and submission Robert Henry, welcome to the team Sapiens!

Thanks for the consideration Tarondor, congrats Sapien, have a good game folks.

Hey folks! We're looking for a fourth for our Emerald Spire superdungeon game. It's 2e and we're looking for someone willing to jump in at 4th level.

I'm interested, what do you need?

Hey, Redblade!

Well, A cleric would be great. Or just someone with plentiful healing ability. The team is currently a paladin, rogue and sorcerer. So an alchemist with healing or a fighter with a medic archetype or just about anything you like, really.

Okay, well I figured I'd try and move a little out of my martials comfort zone, so I'm starting to draft an Iomedan cleric. He'll be a warpriest, I'm keeping one foot still in that aforementioned comfort zone. :D

I'll post more info later tonight.

Here's what I have so far for that Warpriest. LMK if there's any part of it you think I ought to further elaborate, that I haven't mentioned below.

Still to-do, if I'm picked up for this, is figure precisely what brought him to Fort Inevitable and the Spire, even if it's something as simple as, "Looking for a chance to test his mettle." I also need to finish equipping him; this is only my second 2e char, and the first one above level 1, so any feedback on expectations there would be greatly appreciated. I also-also need to finalize my spell picks. :)

Looks good. I don't have any experience playing warpriests in 2e, so I'll defer to the forums for good builds.

As for equipment, I think you should consider a +1 striking weapon and healer's tools. Then all the usual stuff. An cleric's kit will give you most of the basics.

As for backstory, have you considered relationships with any of the power groups in Fort Inevitable (The Goldenfire Order, the Hellknights, the Seven Foxes?)

I'll work something up ASAP. It's tricky to build out a working relationship with the Hellknights, and the other two I'm drawing blanks on. Did I miss them in the PG?

I added a bit about them in the campaign tab. It's not necessary to have connections to any of them. They're just food for thought. Honestly, this is a dungeon crawl and the role-playing is incidental. :-)

I added a bit about them in the campaign tab. It's not necessary to have connections to any of them. They're just food for thought. Honestly, this is a dungeon crawl and the role-playing is incidental. :-)

Oh sure. It's just I reached in the pantry for that box of food for thought, and the box was empty. :)

I'll get Lukas polished ASAP.

Sorry, I had to actually do some work today. :) So if we're not worried about tons of depth, how's something like this:

Lukas' mentor (name still pending) passed away two months ago now. In going through his personal effects, Lukas found a strange bronze amulet, and in a smaller journal Lukas had never actually seen before, he saw notes about this amulet, in [mentor's] handwriting, ending with a note to the effect of, "Take it to Goldenfire Order? Illiara's people are good with these things." Of course, one trip to Thornkeep later, and Lukas now finds himself on the road to Fort Inevitable, trying to track down one of the missing Goldenfire wizards that might have the insights in question.

Something like that work?

Yep! Sounds good. Fig leafs are all we're looking for here!

LOL, okay! I'll have Lukas' profile up later tonight. But for now I've got to roll, I'm the only functioning adult in my house (Mrs. Redblade got her second vaccine shot last night and she's a hot mess).

I applied previously here and just noted you looking at accepting replacements. Is it just one or more?

Edelsmirge,it is just one and at this point that one is Redblade8. I want to keep this at four players. I really appreciate your interest and I will keep it it mind the next time there is an opening.

Reporting for duty!

Hello, I would be interested in joining the campaign. I would be interested in trying a sorcerer, or if the group needs more of a front line a magus could be interesting.

Hi! My Emerald Spire game (played in Pathfinder 2e) is in need of some players! We need 6th level PC's for a game that will go through 12th level (or so).

Current PCs are a wizard, druid and paladin.

Please respond HERE.

Hi.

I see that you say you need players, plural, but your recruitment for the original game states you only want (4) players. I see you've listed (3) that you currently have.

Are you looking for more than one character to join?

The original game started some time in the Lincoln administration. Things change!

Yeah, 1-2 new guys or gals.

Anything in particular you want or don't want? I'm leaning toward rolling an elven rogue, but I could go bard or something else if that's better? (Since I read in the discussion that it's possible that your former Rogue may eventually return?)

Also, I should mention, while I have a bunch of experience with Pathfinder, and I am familiar with the changes for the new edition, I have yet to play PF2. Would that be a problem?

This is Mikhail, here is my submission. A Shadow Sorcerer (Cosmos Oracle Dedication).

Anything in particular you want or don't want?

I don't think that gunslingers or inventors are particularly right for this adventure. Otherwise, you do you.

I'm leaning toward rolling an elven rogue, but I could go bard or something else if that's better? (Since I read in the discussion that it's possible that your former Rogue may eventually return?)

He's a friend of mine and he's always welcome back, but I'm not holding my breath.

Also, I should mention, while I have a bunch of experience with Pathfinder, and I am familiar with the changes for the new edition, I have yet to play PF2. Would that be a problem?

Nope! I can help you with any rules issues.

Alright, I'm calling it early. Marcel, you're in.

Khalth, I'd be happy to see a character now. If you need help building one, let me know. You may or may not know that I've written several class-building guides which may be of use (check my Profile if interested.

I'd like to get the ball rolling soon since our PC's are ready to re-enter the dungeon.

RECRUITMENT CLOSED

Cool. Will check out your guides and possibly toss a few questions your way. I'll get the character written up as soon as I can.

EDIT: Will likely go with YOUR Elven Thief build, after all. :D Is there anything, background-story wise I need to include for this?

Why not talk to Marcel DuBois's player to see if you can forge a link or two between your backgrounds?

Maybe you could talk to the existing players and ask whether they have a good way to link your new characters in to theirs.

Please take the discussion to the Discussion tab.

Khalth: Please check in at the Discussion tab.

[color=red]RECRUITMENT OPEN![/color]

We're looking for one more player to join us on a PF2e version of The Emerald Spire! Step right up!

Probably won’t be submitting any thing for this but I just wanted to drop in and say thanks for the guides you’ve done!

So you have a champion, a sorcerer, and a druid, and you're at level 6?
Looks like you started the AP as a 1e game?
What are the build rules? Standard? Racial Paragon? Free archetype? What do you want the new person to do for gold?

I made this fellow for an Emerald Spire game, sadly the GM disappeared a year ago =(
The build plan was Fighter 1/Wizard 5/ Eldritch Knight X. In 2E he'd be a Fighter with Wizard Dedication I suppose, maybe a dip into Magus for spellstrike at some point. You can read through his gameplay posts if you want an idea of his personality (dumb kid), and his original motivation to venture into the spire is included below.

So you have a champion, a sorcerer, and a druid, and you're at level 6?

That is correct.

Looks like you started the AP as a 1e game?

Also correct.

What are the build rules? Standard? Racial Paragon? Free archetype?

Standard rules. None of that other stuff.

What do you want the new person to do for gold?

2,000 gold. No item worth more than 750 gold. Common items only. No item with a level above 6th level.

PS: I like Nycholas's background as a researcher for Abernard Royst. It makes him easy to include into the game.

So I thought I would toss out my two coppers.

Spellcasting Dedications give very little magical support. I did this in a different campaign and regretted doing the Fighter as the primary instead of the casting class.

Your 1e build would have way more spell usage then what you would get with a 2e dedication. You might find going with the Wizard class with a fighter, magus or something similar dedication acts much more closely to what you were originally going with. You can take a few fighter feats to give you tricks with your fighting and you can use a lot of buffing spells to give you options in and out of combat.

Hmm, you may have a point. I built Nycholas out to level 6 as Fighter w/ Wizard dedication, and he only has two spells slots a day. I don't want to do a full caster as the base class, but I'll look at Magus, maybe with Witch or Wizard dedication or somethin'.

When do you think we can see a final character, Nycholas?