Mythic 6 - Tar-Baphon's final trap and the world left untouched.

Game Master Davachido

Alþórel:
There seems to be some ##/zz values.. whatever they are.
Spells known need to go someplace, I can see that you got your mythic spells but not your normal versions anywhere yet.

Calathar:
Is hero points in your statblock a holdover from herolab? As we aren't using those.

Amelia:
Just a note, human as enemies will rarely come up. I don't want your favoured enemy to become rarely used so if you want you can change it to one of: Elf, Magical Beast, Outsider. They will come up far more often.
Really minor, I think you have 34 hp not 35 as you MCed so can't have put favoured class in both ranger and fighter. (unless I calculated that wrong)

Dreyyn:
Remember to add your backstory to your profile
Have you take 3 gambits? I thought you get your 3rd by 4th level not before?

Elise:
Nothing I could see.

Nethan:
I'm guessing the stars next to the 10s for defence is unbuffed?

Tsadok:
Didn't want a magic item to start?

Jeremiah:
Nothing I could see.

I'm guessing the stars next to the 10s for defence is unbuffed?

1. Amelia was a Caravan Guard to Greengold and we met there for some reason?

2. Nethan was visiting Varisia because his father sent him there to find out more about the Runelords and Sin Magic and we me there?

3. Nethan hired Amelia while she was visiting Greengold after a Caravan run to take him and guard him around the Thassilonian ruins?

4. Suggestions?

**Edit**: Also, Amelia probably learned from Calathar how to fight evil outsiders; assuming that's something a child of Ragthiel would do.

Short Version: You saved me from a dragon, and we've traveled together since.

Does that sound good to you?

And I am also thinking since they spent time on the road together, I am thinking maybe Nethan would have some sort of crush on her regardless what Amelia is feeling. After all, this is the first time on the road, away from massive studying, and has some sort of freedom.

At that point I would already have been mythic so I would have been relatively impressive on the battlefield as a plation commander or something.

Most likely, Amelia is blissfully unaware of how Nethan feels about her.

I think Elise would be happy to find someone with a similar mentality and background so far south from her home so I feel that they would probably would get along fine. I guess they sometimes have difficulties getting along with the local populace since one is a half-orc and the other is a northerner from the ethnicity mostly famous for pillaging. But hardship bonds yes? - just some random thoughts.

Elise personal thoughts on Tsadok and Jeremiah:
The both seems like her kind of people, straightforward and honest. It is good to have comrades that share the lust for battle. She is a little suspicious about Jeremiahs choice of weapon - but it seemed efficient enough versus the dragon they slain.

Elise would probably spent some time travelling around in the south looking for ways to improve her skill at arms and since Jeremiah is stated to work as a mercenary maybe they got on the same job? Elise would not be above cracking some skulls or whatever for a hefty sum of gold so that she can continue to practice - and maybe they heard the rumours of the island from a mutual employer and decided to head towards it together?

Jeremiah is mostly up north to try and find whatever specialists in lost secrets he can. The major driving force behind his personality is either whatever contract he is currently fulfilling or figuring out exactly just what sets him apart from the rest of the population. So pretty much Plot Devices have brought him out of the south. He would have some interest in sticking with Elise since she actually understands magic and the like more than he does.

Okay, then we can stick with touring Varisia. In that case, how about they met in Varisia after Nethan was looking to hire a guide to tour the Thassilonian ruins. They explored, then they traveled to Greengold on the promise that Nethan would return the favor and show her Kyonin. Of course, adveture calls them forth to the Isle of Terror instead!

Most likely, Amelia is blissfully unaware of how Nethan feels about her.

How about we met in Greengold after escorting a Caravan. Then I hired you in Greengold to take me to Varisia and guide me through the Thassilonian ruins. After I found what I was searching for, or not, we returned to Greengold to sneak show her around Kyonin. Usually the Elves do not allow none elves to leave the Greengold area or the elves let us sneak around because they know we are Mythic and we were not doing anything really nefarious.

Now what do you want to have in common? Do we share any goals?

As for blissfully unaware, I think that is more she wants Nethan to think that way but in reality, her guy radar is detecting Nethan's liking for her. Or perhaps, Amelia is flirting with Nethan and Nethan is taking it the wrong way?

Admittedly difficult since he is from Tian Xia, but he has been a mercenary of sorts in the Inner Sea region and abroad. He does do mercenary work for pay, but won't take jobs that he doesn't agree with and will do just things for no pay if none is offered (but will take pay if it is offered, because food ain't free).

He has experience leading men and may likely have been picked up as a low-to-mid-level commander for just such a reason. If he was picked up as a foot soldier or if the garrison made a habit of supplementing their forces with mercenaries, then perhaps things for his unit did not go well and he stepped up to lead what remained of the men in his company.

"When he grew up and understood his heritage"

Would it be possible for Alþórel to have played a wise figure during this period? Possibly a mentor, possibly a sage, possibly someone who just turned up and gave advice? Sounds like the shepherds didn't know his background, so he must have gotten a clue somehow.

Amelia's goals are simple - to wander Golarion seeking adventure and bringing joy in her wake. She eventually found that this group of adventurers was pretty good at digging up trouble. Not sure if there's more to her than that, for now.

A couple of options:
* Alþórel was (temporarily) employed as the wizard for the mercenary company, hanging out with them while they were doing something he agreed with
* Alþórel was a friend of your father
* Alþórel knew the original sword owner and sought you out when he heard of the fall of your kingdom, trying to encourage you to reforge it (shades of Aragorn, I know)
Anything sound interesting?

Calathar is arrogant, but not an arrogant jerk. I'm picturing him more like a Hercules than a Narcissus. He knows for sure that he has a great destiny but has yet to realize that he also has limitations. He might also be unconsciouly jealous of Amelia's meteoric (from his perspective) rise. He is three times her age and yet she's accomplished as much as he.

So, tell me two things about Amelia, one public and one private. How does she like to spend her time? And what secret might she have only told a young lover?

And in answer to those same two questions, Calathar liked to spend his days in athletic competition and his evenings in public places, full of lights and good cheer.

His secret, the one he shared with Amelia would be his nightmares. Terrible visions of ruling over an alien and bestial people in an endless iron city. Sometimes he believes that this is the true source of his powers, not his divine ancestors.

So let me toss it back at you, then. Where was Alþórel and what was he doing that he knew this wasn't just a farm boy with an overactive imagination? We know it wasn't a prophecy (thanks, Aroden!) so could it have been something he witnessed? Perhaps Alþórel rescued Calathar from the field of sunflowers, witnessed the miracle of the snakes and honey and placed the infant with some trustworthy peasants? Okay, now you're sort of Merlin to my Arthur? What do you think?

What habit or mannerism might Calathar have picked up from the wise old man who occasionally entered his life, but seemed to know everyone he knows?

One bit of fun that occurred to me. Being an aasimar means that Calathar is relatively long-lived. Alþórel would have to be even older than Calathar's three-quarters of a century. So Calathar knows that there's something not quite right about Alþórel, but hasn't figured out what. From time to time, he'll ask what he views as clever questions designed to elicit the truth from Alþórel.

Easy one first. Alþórel is old - real old. 106 years (elven) old, and then reincarnated. Hat of Disguise means he can pass as human - so being around 75 years ago isn't a problem... though it does mean he was closer to a teenager in elven terms at 21 he would still have been able to move around - much like Merisiel.

I reckon he probably doesn't update the age of the standard disguise much, so Calathar would definitely know something is up. Possibly even know the truth; Calathar is pretty good at understanding people, and Alþórel isn't actually that good at disguise; he leans very hard on the hat and the fact people usually don't see him repeatedly.

I really like the idea of a Merlin analogue, if you're okay with it.

As to how he knew - not very magical but he does speak Sylvan, so if Calathar's mother was a Nymph (albeit a half-divine one) then it is possible he heard she was in distress (if not details) and went to rescue the child from the elements.

Given how important the snakes are to your story - and the fact this seems to represent a caring hand from your grandmother - I am reluctant to interfere with that.

Possibly he found you being reared by snakes, and took you to where the shepherds could find you? Then dropped by on occasion to ensure all was well?

This would have him dropping by every few years, probably with a trinket, toy or lesson. Possibly staying a few days to a few months. He could help work out who Calathar's parents really were, and helping to ensure you grew up normal-ish.

Nothing earth shaking in this, I know, but seems like there could be a genuine friendship grown up. Something like Belgarath and Garion.

Incidentally, given they are (sort of) of similar ages it is possible that as Calathar ages they become peers if you prefer that relationship.

Mannerisms & habits.
Firstly he has the habits and mannerisms of elves (out of place in a human).
He is dedicated to "good" - which to him means kindness, generosity, selflessness, fairness and cooperation.
He's a Brightness Seeker, so he sees Omens in everything and thinks there is a path of enlightenment for everyone if they just concentrate on following it.
He's old enough that he gets mixed up with ages when he's not thinking, referring to things long past in the present tense, or things just past as ancient events.
He tends to regard everything else as a child, making him a little patronizing. He gets on well with children but rubs teens and older the wrong way after a while.
He has met enough exceptions to every rule that he will give anything with a mind a chance if he can. You never know when a deal can be struck. Sadly he's strange & patronising enough that he's not particularly good at making friends.

Sorry for the poor grammar, if any, I was in a rush to type this out.

You were in Greengold at the time of the attack and you charged into the countryside from Greengold to help the locals put down the threat. Since you were already Mythic, you were the straw the broke the backs of the Orc and Goblin forces. Before, the rural folk were just holding them at bay but you actually drove them away, and the Elven garrisons finished the job making sure they did not come back. You were the one that picked the semi-unconscious Nethan off the battlefield and brought him home to his house but you had to leave and did not see his ascension. When Nethan was heading to Greengold, he saw you and thank you for bringing him home then departed for Varisia because his father was sending him there because of a rising of an ancient evil and he needed me to see if there was anything in Varisia. Later, you met each again in Greengold and this time he was going to the Isle of Terror because Nethan's dad stated that a powerful archmage who died on the Isle of Terror is rising and Nethan's father is afraid that he will try to take over as God of Magic. If that happens, it will be terrible for Golarion and the innocent. In other words, the magical universe and Golarion will be unbalanced. Nethan must go there to verify Tar-Baphon's re-emergence, his goals, and smite him if that is the case, the whole world depends on it. Whether or not that is the case, that is up to the GM but the idea is Mythical and Tar-baphon being alive is not good regardless of his intentions to ascend to the God of Magic's position, or his ancient magic/minions are up to no good. As for you, you can like me because of my courage, my mission, I am a fellow psion, or perhaps it was because I made a crystallized a two-handed sword out of thin air and cut an Orc down with it surprising you that scholar had such martial prowess and Psionic martial prowess to boot.

With regards to Alporel and Dreyyn, were you traveling together shortly before heading to the Isle of Terror? If so, you two could meet up with our group (consisting of me, Elise, and Jeremiah) which would tie up all of our meeting needs quite nicely. We just have to figure out how we all met.
Edit: sorry, all of our meetings besides Elise and Amelia. Missed that at first.

Here is a quick idea that works fine if Dreyyn and Alþórel are travelling together. Lets say for instance that that our "mini-party" were heading to the island and heard the rumours that somekind of wise wanderer just happened to be in town at the same time as they are. Naturally, not wanting to pass by such a chance Elise would insist that they seek him out. When they find him he is travelling in company with Dreyyn and they all realize that they are heading towards the same place and decides that they might aswell group up.