The Year of Our Lord 1437 Pathfinder RAW PBP (Inactive)

Game Master Michael Johnson 66

"Might I have your permission, Holy Father, to write to Spain? My nephew, a young man in service to the Archbishop of Seville, is a paladin of devotion and great faith. If he could be brought here I trust he will add strength to our forces."

He pauses, "These Desert Jackals sound like a formidable force Holy Father. Their aid will be most welcome I have no doubt! In the meantime Holy Father, might I speak with your confessor? My heart is troubled after the meeting with the Striga."

Just laying the groundwork for taking Leadership at 9th level and bringing a level 7 Paladin along with us. In this timeline Rodrigo Borgia is a paladin, not a cleric, and takes a more active role in defeating the enemies of the Church.

For Papal history buffs Lucius is effectively replacing Alphonso Borgia/Pope Calixtus III (and Eugene's successor but one) in this timeline. :)

So awesome! I give this my blessing lol!

Dictating to his scribe in his office that day after speaking with the Crusaders of the Catacombs, in Spanish:

In Spanish: To my brother in Christ, Archbishop of Seville Diego de Anaya Maldonado: May the peace of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, be upon you and all the faithful of Holy See of Seville. May the angels, archangels and saints preserve you and keep you in blessed light and glory of God. I write to you to request the aid of the good Don Rodrigo D'Borja, that chivalrous and devout servant of Our Lord. The good Cardinal Inquisitor Lucius D'Borja is his uncle, and is currently in need of his valor and bravery, which Don Rodrigo D'Borja displayed when he protected myself during the recent turmoils within Rome. Please send Don Rodrigo at once to Rome, where his courage and fortitude are needed by his Uncle Lucius. Yours in Christ, Pope Eugenius IV. Have a silver raven send it immediately.

To his scribe: Now transcribe this letter to Henry of Portugal: My dear Prince of Portugal Henry, May the Lord bless your adventurous exploits and spread the word of His mercy through the lips of your Christian explorers. I write to you because a great evil threatens all of Christendom, and the Church is in need of its most potent champions to fight against this grave peril. I know your Desert Jackals have been striking righteous blows against the Arab Slave Trade in Africa, and doing God's work on the Dark Continent, but we have dire need of their cunning and valor here in Europa. Please recall them from Morocco at once, and send them to succor Rome. Yours in Christ, Pope Eugenius. Send this out with the other, at once!

Doubtless having divined this exact hour of need with precognitive magic, the renowned alchemist and wizard Nicolas Flamel teleports from his laboratory in Paris to the plaza before Saint Peter's Church on Vatican Hill in Rome, and presents himself to the Holy Father with all due reverence.

In Italian: Holy Father, I have come in the hour when I can most be of service to you. I have foreseen this hour in my crystal ball, Your Holiness. You wish to unite one band of brave crusaders with another that is very distant at this moment, yes?

Doubtless having divined this exact hour of need with precognitive magic, the renowned alchemist and wizard Nicolas Flamel teleports from his laboratory in Paris to the plaza before Saint Peter's Church on Vatican Hill in Rome, and presents himself to the Holy Father with all due reverence.

In Italian: Holy Father, I have come in the hour when I can most be of service to you. I have foreseen this hour in my crystal ball, Your Holiness. You wish to unite one band of brave crusaders with another that is very distant at this moment, yes?

Thank you for responding to what can only be the call of Our Lord, Monsieur Flamel... replies Eugenius with some measure of suspicion and wonder at the famed Parisian magician's sudden appearance here in Rome...

Nicolas Flamel, alchemist wrote:

Doubtless having divined this exact hour of need with precognitive magic, the renowned alchemist and wizard Nicolas Flamel teleports from his laboratory in Paris to the plaza before Saint Peter's Church on Vatican Hill in Rome, and presents himself to the Holy Father with all due reverence.

In Italian: Holy Father, I have come in the hour when I can most be of service to you. I have foreseen this hour in my crystal ball, Your Holiness. You wish to unite one band of brave crusaders with another that is very distant at this moment, yes?

Thank you for responding to what can only be the call of Our Lord, Monsieur Flamel... replies Eugenius with some measure of suspicion and wonder at the famed Parisian magician's sudden appearance here in Rome...

The work of alchemy is merely decoding what is essentially Divine Providence, Your Holiness... Please, call me Nicolas... responds Flamel, kneeling before the pope to kiss his ring.

Nicholas Flamel produces his personal traveling crystal ball from his magical haversack and conjures up a hazy image in the sphere that coalesces into clarity as he burns a stick of incense and wafts the sweet smoke around the crystal...

The alchemist shows the pope what he seeks: a band of rugged and wily adventurers known as the Desert Jackals, as they ride toward Marrakech in Far Africa...

A woman rode on the back of a camel,A woman her hair was tightly bound, even the strange colors of white, orange, blue and gray were bound this way amongst the midnight black strands. Her deep almost midnight black skin was visible in her rough traveling dress of green black and yellow. Her eyes were off one blue one brown and on her shoulder was a beautiful exotic bird looking at the book she was reading.Mwikalis' Skin tone and body type

If you looked for weapons or armor she had little to none. the closest thing to them aside her dagger was an old yet exquisite spear not of European make. It was slid into a small leather throng and cup on her saddle. near the tip, recently wrapped ribbons of red, gold, black and green adorned it matching her dress.

As soon as the Pope dismisses the Crusaders, Zagathoth hurries back to the palazzo, eats whatever’s readily available, and retires to his chamber to celebrate another successful outing. With fresh dragon’s blood still working through his system, the orc’s already considerable vigor and appetites are heightened to an almost unreasonable level. Once Molly has had her fill he hungrily asks, ”do you have any friends that aren’t married who could join us?”

what’s better than siring a dragon-infused half-orc? Siring two (or three) dragon-infused half-orcs, lol

In Flamel's crystal ball, riding on a brown mare, is a slight, black-clad woman of Asian ancestry, a pair of Japanese wakizashi short swords crossed on her back...

As soon as the Pope dismisses the Crusaders, Zagathoth hurries back to the palazzo, eats whatever’s readily available, and retires to his chamber to celebrate another successful outing. With fresh dragon’s blood still working through his system, the orc’s already considerable vigor and appetites are heightened to an almost unreasonable level. Once Molly has had her fill he hungrily asks, ”do you have any friends that aren’t married who could join us?”

what’s better than siring a dragon-infused half-orc? Siring two (or three) dragon-infused half-orcs, lol

Spent and panting on the bed from their vigorous "celebrating", Molly grins at Zagathoth and hides under the sheets...

Normally, I would scold you for such an improper suggestion, Zaggy... but I might have to start recruiting some of the other girls to help satisfy your superhuman cravings, my big, strong champion!

Zagathoth must succeed on a DC 20 Fortitude save to impregnate Molly; if he succeeds, Molly conceives 1d3 ⇒ 3 blue dragon blooded half orc children, due to be born in late October of 1437...

Tringelda embraces Ogon Fox as he relays his merciful sentiments regarding the striga's execution, smiling with adoration, and kisses him passionately...

I am so glad that you are a merciful hero, my dear Herr Fox! Our world needs more of your kind, Foxy!

Ogon Fox is surprised by Tringelda's kiss, but responds in kind...when the embrace ends, he suddenly remembers that he stands in the presence not only of his companions but the very Pope Eugenius, Holy Father of all Christendom! He casts his eyes downward, and you are sure he would be blushing if it were possible to see such a thing through all that red fox hair.

"Perhaps we can continue later, in private," he whispers delicately in the Dame's ear. He eyes her seriously, then, and says, "And there is something more I want to tell you about myself."

Fox is ready to reveal his dual identity to this elven lady of whom he is so fond...

lol- I meant 2-3 kids by 2-3 different women, but I suppose twins or triplets would work too...
Fort: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
noooo... oh well, we’ll have to try again next time we kill a dragon (or possibly after round 2?)

”I am the champion,” Zagathoth answers with a broad toothy grin. Stealing the sheet, he stands to reveal how ready he is to continue celebrating then offers, ”if you do not want to invite anyone else right now, I’ll go find the healer and see if he can help you continue...”

Boga! I’m gonna need a lesser restoration for my lady, stat.

Tringelda Dame der Greifen wrote:

Tringelda embraces Ogon Fox as he relays his merciful sentiments regarding the striga's execution, smiling with adoration, and kisses him passionately...

I am so glad that you are a merciful hero, my dear Herr Fox! Our world needs more of your kind, Foxy!

Ogon Fox is surprised by Tringelda's kiss, but responds in kind...when the embrace ends, he suddenly remembers that he stands in the presence not only of his companions but the very Pope Eugenius, Holy Father of all Christendom! He casts his eyes downward, and you are sure he would be blushing if it were possible to see such a thing through all that red fox hair.

"Perhaps we can continue later, in private," he whispers delicately in the Dame's ear. He eyes her seriously, then, and says, "And there is something more I want to tell you about myself."

Fox is ready to reveal his dual identity to this elven lady of whom he is so fond...

I am flattered and intrigued, my foxy dear... What can it be?

lol- I meant 2-3 kids by 2-3 different women, but I suppose twins or triplets would work too...

[dice=Fort]1d20+8
noooo... oh well, we’ll have to try again next time we kill a dragon (or possibly after round 2?)

”I am the champion,” Zagathoth answers with a broad toothy grin. Stealing the sheet, he stands to reveal how ready he is to continue celebrating then offers, ”if you do not want to invite anyone else right now, I’ll go find the healer and see if he can help you continue...”

Boga! I’m gonna need a lesser restoration for my lady, stat.

Can magic truly restore my virginity, Zaggy? Now that you've deflowered me, I don't know if my flower can withstand a new deflowering...

Zagathoth tilts his head and raises an eyebrow as he tries to puzzle through his lover's flowery answer. Giving up, he shrugs and replies, "he can make it so you're not tired or sore anymore... then we can make more sex. You want me to go get him?"

Zagathoth tilts his head and raises an eyebrow as he tries to puzzle through his lover's flowery answer. Giving up, he shrugs and replies, "he can make it so you're not tired or sore anymore... then we can make more sex. You want me to go get him?"

This will be interesting... very interesting... You are spoiling me, Zaggy! replies Molly, blushing and biting her bottom lip... Alright, let's see how many more times we can reach the heights of paradise, my insatiable lover!

GM rolls Will save against DC 20 "this is getting weird" feelings...1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

Dressed, once again, in only a bedsheet, Zagathoth hurries through the halls of the palazzo calling out, "Healer! I need your help! Healer... Boga, where are you?!?"

The loose cotton sheet offers precious little camouflage for the orc's current condition and more than one witness gasps and turns away with flushing cheeks.

Watching the Desert Jackals through legendary alchemist Nicolas Flamel's crystal ball, Pope Eugenius IV observes them and tries to imagine their conversation as they prepare to raid the palace of the Emir of Marrakech...

Who is that little sprite, there? Eugene asks Nicolas.

Watching the Desert Jackals through legendary alchemist Nicolas Flamel's crystal ball, Pope Eugenius IV observes them and tries to imagine their conversation as they prepare to raid the palace of the Emir of Marrakech...

Who is that little sprite, there? Eugene asks Nicolas.

He is the Fey Lord Perpireen of the Seelie Court, Your Holiness. A versatile and inventive adventurer by all accounts...

Boga sits in his room, making plans for meeting with the Pope. Working with the Cardinal has been enlightening, and he desires to make another push for unification. In the distance he hears his name being called by a strangely desperate Zagathoth. Concerned for one of his cohorts, he springs from his chair and hurries into the hallway, "Zagathoth! I am here!"

Zagathoth steps around the corner and immediately Boga sees he is clothed only in a bedsheet. Boga's eyebrows rise and he immediately stops, "You had me worried. I thought you may be under attack." With a flat expression, he says, "I see that I was wrong."

What better way to introduce and unite the two companies than to send the Crusaders in, at this crucial moment, to join the assault on the Emir in his court? Eugene asks Nicolas.

I would of course be happy to facilitate telelortations to transport the Crusaders and their gear to the palace of Marrakech, Your Holiness... Perhaps you could call upon Our Lord to intervene with a miracle, transporting all of the Crusaders of the Catacombs, at fully rested and restored vigor, along with all gear they will require to aid in the overthrow of the cruel Mohammedian slavelord?

A fine suggestion, my dear son Nicolas! A more worthy and righteous request I cannot conceive...

And so the Holy Father summons all of the Crusaders to his office at that very moment, to prepare them on very short notice for their impromptu quest abroad!

Once the Crusaders have all arrived in the papal office, some time around 4:00 in the afternoon of Thursday, 18 January, just as the Desert Jackals are sending the ninja Achiko to dimension door into the harem room of the emir's palace, Pope Eugenius IV addresses the Crusaders in English: Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know it is only a few hours past our last conference, and you have not had much time to rest or attend to personal matters... (here he gives Zagathoth a high-browed glance, as if the Holy Father somehow knew that between the last few hours when he last saw the orc, Zagathoth had spent the entire time "making the sex", or imposing upon poor Boga to restore Molly's lost purity so he can despoil it again...) Yet I fear that I must call upon you already to once more gird yourselves for battle against our Enemy!

More to come later, after your wily GM has assisted a fair damsel in need of company at an oddly late hour...

In the ancient city of Marrakech on the Dark Continent of Africa, an evil emir forces slave gladiators to fight to the death against horrible monsters gathered from the Four Corners of the World! A band of brave and stalwart heroes like yourselves are at this very moment, about to attack this wicked villain in his throne room and free the poor gladiator slaves... In the name of Our Lord, I bid you, the brave and valorous Crusaders of the Catacombs, to take up sword and shield to fight alongside these daring Desert Jackals! Send this vile enemy of God to Hell as you have so many deserving foes in the Catacombs! Free God's children, who might be retrained to fight for God and the Church instead of for the amusement of evil Mohammed worshippers!

"I FEAR THEY WILL ATTACK US, NOT KNOWING WHO WE ARE. ESPECIALLY WITH THE FOX ACTING SO SUSPICIOUS ALL THE TIME."

Boga sits in his room, making plans for meeting with the Pope. Working with the Cardinal has been enlightening, and he desires to make another push for unification. In the distance he hears his name being called by a strangely desperate Zagathoth. Concerned for one of his cohorts, he springs from his chair and hurries into the hallway, "Zagathoth! I am here!"

Zagathoth steps around the corner and immediately Boga sees he is clothed only in a bedsheet. Boga's eyebrows rise and he immediately stops, "You had me worried. I thought you may be under attack." With a flat expression, he says, "I see that I was wrong."

"Not me, my woman- come quick," Zagathoth answers hastily as he begins rushing back towards his bedchamber. As they near his door he explains, "she is too tired and sore to keep making sex, and she doesn't want to have any other womans join us right now, but I can't be done making sex yet. You have to heal her so she won't be tired and sore and we can keep making sex. Please."

Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know it is only a few hours past our last conference, and you have not had much time to rest or attend to personal matters... (here he gives Zagathoth a high-browed glance, as if the Holy Father somehow knew that between the last few hours when he last saw the orc, Zagathoth had spent the entire time "making the sex", or imposing upon poor Boga to restore Molly's lost purity so he can despoil it again...)

Zagathoth smiles his big toothy grin when his holy liege acknowledges his success at making more sex.

...In the name of Our Lord, I bid you, the brave and valorous Crusaders of the Catacombs, to take up sword and shield to fight alongside these daring Desert Jackals! Send this vile enemy of God to Hell as you have so many deserving foes in the Catacombs! Free God's children, who might be retrained to fight for God and the Church instead of for the amusement of evil Mohammed worshippers!

"Padre Pope..." the orc says with a frown, "I am sorry but I don't have a shield, and I could not swing my sword good if I used one..."

"I FEAR THEY WILL ATTACK US, NOT KNOWING WHO WE ARE. ESPECIALLY WITH THE FOX ACTING SO SUSPICIOUS ALL THE TIME."

The Holy Father considers Johann's concerns a moment and replies: Fear not, my son... An angel of the Lord shall herald your imminent arrival, to allay your new allies' fears and ready them to welcome you as brothers in arms against the forces of the Evil One!

Pope Eugenius IV wrote:

Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know it is only a few hours past our last conference, and you have not had much time to rest or attend to personal matters... (here he gives Zagathoth a high-browed glance, as if the Holy Father somehow knew that between the last few hours when he last saw the orc, Zagathoth had spent the entire time "making the sex", or imposing upon poor Boga to restore Molly's lost purity so he can despoil it again...)

Zagathoth smiles his big toothy grin when his holy liege acknowledges his success at making more sex.

Pope Eugenius IV wrote:

...In the name of Our Lord, I bid you, the brave and valorous Crusaders of the Catacombs, to take up sword and shield to fight alongside these daring Desert Jackals! Send this vile enemy of God to Hell as you have so many deserving foes in the Catacombs! Free God's children, who might be retrained to fight for God and the Church instead of for the amusement of evil Mohammed worshippers!

"Padre Pope..." the orc says with a frown, "I am sorry but I don't have a shield, and I could not swing my sword good if I used one..."

Pope Eugenius smirks at Zagathoth and reassures him, Continue as you have been doing, mighty Zagathoth! God has made you perfectly to wield your keen falchion without a shield, for He shall be your rock and your shield...er, nevermind about the rock part, my son, I can see by your puzzled expression that you may have questions about that...but it is merely what literate folk call a figure of speech. Not to be taken literally... He smiles kindly, not in condescension, but genuinely fond of the hulking orc, and not certain how much of his words the big, child-like warrior comprehended.

"The Lord will guide your blade, and turn the blows of our enemies away from you." Lucius says, laying out the Lord's protection in a slightly less metaphorical way.

"The plan is sound Holy Father, I am ready!"

At the Palazzo D'Borja in Ogon Fox's chamber, prior to the Pope's summons...
"Meine Dame, was ich dir sagen wollte ist ... Nun, es ist besser, es dir zu zeigen. Bitte warte hier einen Moment."

A minute passes, and when he steps out from behind the screen, he is the Ogon Fox, no longer. Standing before the lovely elven Dame is none other than the great composer and organist, Toshio Okumura.

"Sie sehen jetzt vollständiger, Tringelda, wer ich bin. Du wusstest, dass der Ogon Fox ein Kitsune ist, und diese Form ist meine natürliche Form. Aber der Name, den ich in meiner menschlichen Gestalt trage, Toshio Okumura - das ist mein richtiger Name. Aber ich bitte dich, meine Dame, meine doppelte Identität geheim zu halten. Die anderen Kreuzfahrer wissen davon, aber sonst niemand."

A minute passes, and when he steps out from behind the screen, he is the Ogon Fox, no longer. Standing before the lovely elven Dame is none other than the great composer and organist, Toshio Okumura.

"Sie sehen jetzt vollständiger, Tringelda, wer ich bin. Du wusstest, dass der Ogon Fox ein Kitsune ist, und diese Form ist meine natürliche Form. Aber der Name, den ich in meiner menschlichen Gestalt trage, Toshio Okumura - das ist mein richtiger Name. Aber ich bitte dich, meine Dame, meine doppelte Identität geheim zu halten. Die anderen Kreuzfahrer wissen davon, aber sonst niemand."
** spoiler omitted **

Trigelda gazes wide-eyed, astonished, at Okumura, then her expression softens into endeared affection once more. She kisses him even more lingeringly on his human lips, then whispers softly into his ear: I promise you, Maestro Okumura--Ogon Fox...Your secret is safe with me, my dearest one...

And so the noble Crusaders of the Catacombs are sent off by divine miracle and arcane wish, fully healed of all recent wounds and with full preparation of spells optimum for the coming battle, to the far throne room of Emir Al'Haaq of Marrakech, evil slavelord and master of the Arena of Death! There, to join forces with another mighty band of cunning heroes known as the Desert Jackals, and put an end to the tyranny of Al'Haaq and the Arena of Death, once and for all!

This officially closes table 1, and concludes Act One of the Saga as experienced by the Crusaders of the Catacombs.

Cool! Hurrah!

I know we haven’t heard from Boga in a while but we’re operating with the understanding that he did offer aid in my hour of need, correct? (And that, as such, Zagathoth will be in for a big surprise upon returning from Africa?)

I know we haven’t heard from Boga in a while but we’re operating with the understanding that he did offer aid in my hour of need, correct? (And that, as such, Zagathoth will be in for a big surprise upon returning from Africa?)

Yes, we'll assume he did lol...

Zagathoth wrote:

I know we haven’t heard from Boga in a while but we’re operating with the understanding that he did offer aid in my hour of need, correct? (And that, as such, Zagathoth will be in for a big surprise upon returning from Africa?)

Yes, we'll assume he did lol...

I might have call dibs on another one of the children for the follow-up game (or play Rodrigo 'The Dragontamer' d'Borgia, paladin, friend to Zagathoth and mentor to his little dragon babies. Rodrigo would be a lot more relaxed and open about the needs of the flesh than Lucius so he and Zag would be get on very well! ;))

Michael Johnson 66 wrote:

Zagathoth wrote:

I know we haven’t heard from Boga in a while but we’re operating with the understanding that he did offer aid in my hour of need, correct? (And that, as such, Zagathoth will be in for a big surprise upon returning from Africa?)

Yes, we'll assume he did lol...

I might have call dibs on another one of the children for the follow-up game (or play Rodrigo 'The Dragontamer' d'Borgia, paladin, friend to Zagathoth and mentor to his little dragon babies. Rodrigo would be a lot more relaxed and open about the needs of the flesh than Lucius so he and Zag would be get on very well! ;))

So much awesome sauce!

That sounds fun actually

Michael Johnson 66 wrote:

Zagathoth wrote:

I know we haven’t heard from Boga in a while but we’re operating with the understanding that he did offer aid in my hour of need, correct? (And that, as such, Zagathoth will be in for a big surprise upon returning from Africa?)

Yes, we'll assume he did lol...

I might have call dibs on another one of the children for the follow-up game (or play Rodrigo 'The Dragontamer' d'Borgia, paladin, friend to Zagathoth and mentor to his little dragon babies. Rodrigo would be a lot more relaxed and open about the needs of the flesh than Lucius so he and Zag would be get on very well! ;))

Awesome! Can't wait!

lol- unless I find a few more 'volunteers' within the next day or so (or another dragon whose heart I can eat) there's only going to be at most 2-3 dragonblooded half-orcs to go around... (and gods help poor Molly if she is having triplets!)

Excellent! I just wanted to be sure it was taken care of. I know some GM's don't want the headache of dealing with loot ( I know that I don't)

I kind of see it as my job, if no player is inclined to be treasurer...

So, with this cloak of resistance +1 being an obvious gift to Lucius, we won't count it as party treasure, like we aren't counting Fox's organetto of sounding...

Each PC now has 2,071 XP, as lighting the blue crystal and encountering an archangel earned the party 1,600 XP to divide...

Each PC now has 2,128 XP after discovering and deciphering The Antichrist’s Letter to the Mephistopheleans...

Regarding continuing on or ascending the stairs... We seem to be in pretty good shape, so I'd say we continue in the catacombs for now. I assume we don't want to spend the night, so we could quit and take the evidence a little bit later.

That's my take.

If the party decides to continue exploring the catacombs and hold onto the missive for now, which direction do they explore next?

"What is not in courage being?" Zagathoth asks without even pretending to look at the scroll.

LOL. You have a gift for breaking down words

Lol, thanks

Just curious, does anyone else besides me follow both tables?

I'd be embarrassed to say that I've read all the discussion and gameplay for table 2, if it weren't for the fact that it's been really good. The RP has been great, especially since they made it to Africa. Good characters and players. It will be fun to eventually merge

You are all great RPers, it makes for very entertaining reading lol

I threw a dot in their thread so I could follow it but my family’s been playing pass the stomach bug so I haven’t kept up at all.

Also, Zagathoth has no idea what to make of the shaking conglomeration of metal and bone, so I’m going to wait to post until someone says or does something that gives him a sense of what he should do...

As a sign of his trust in the Lord's blessing, Boga has been looking at feats for 3rd level. Are item creation feats allowed in this campaign? Boga is looking at Scribe Scroll.

Yes, you can take item creation feats if you want.

Thanks. Scribe Scroll should come in handy.

Johann, do you carry a weapon at all? It might be worth picking up a cheap 2-hander just for situations like this... if this thing has DR 5 you're attacks are functionally doing 1d6-1 or 1d4-1 right now, and if it has DR 10 you can't actually damage it at all. I know you're not proficient with any good weapons, but even if you just grabbed a spear that you almost never used that 1d8 +3 Str +3 PA might be more effective in situations like this? I'm not super familiar with the shifter class, so I'm not sure how much you'd really delay important class features if you dipped a level or two of another class, but it might even be worth thinking about doing that? If you took 1-2 levels of slayer (for example), you'd gain some valuable proficiencies for a backup weapon, score some extra skill points and class skills, get studied target (which benefits natural attacks nicely), and potentially gain a feat from the ranger's natural attack combat style... just something to consider?

edit: apparently it wasn't a big deal in this case, lol. also, I'm just trying to be helpful... if it feels like I'm too forthcoming with suggestions feel free to say so and I'll gladly back off.

Each PCs XP total is now 2,242 XP after defeating the animated Iron Maiden...

The corridor leading north from the small chamber is narrower than previous catacomb corridors, being only 5-feet-wide-by-10-feet high...

Single file marching order, please...

I'd say this:

Sounds good to me.

Not having a reach weapon, I’d kind of like to be first... I know Johann’s goal is to be the ‘tank’ though so he can take lead.

I have no problem either way. Just concerned about perception and traps as we move forward. We don't really have a rogue type with us.

Yup, the tank with no AC... that's me.

I do have a quarterstaff now that I could use, but I won't multiclass Johann anytime soon. The shifter is a new class for everyone and I want to learn how it functions. So far, it would function great if I could just roll decently. In any case, not too interested in tweaking him for power purposes because that isn't my goal. (At level 4 Johann is going to get considerably more....interesting.)

MJ, your most recent photo doesn't have the settings right because I can't view it.

Crap, sorry... I’m at work at the moment, without access to google doc app, so I’ll have to fix it tonight when I get home... Theater of the Mind til then, mates! Sorry...

Each PC now has 2,470 XP after not falling for the Luciferians’ diabolical trap...

Oooo that's quite a nice bump, there!

Almost 3rd level (3,000 XP)!

I was going to protest the assumption that I would cry out in pain... upon further consideration, however, having grown up in the fighting pits I think they would have taught him to play up his injuries to make matches more exciting, so...

Zagathoth raises his arms, puffs his chest, and howls in an exaggerated expression of pain as blood drips down from the wound in his shoulder.

I had no intention of impugning Zagathoth's orcliness! Just looking for why Boga would dash forward when he can't see anything. Thought a cry of pain would indicate that things could be going better. And, hey, swords hurt!

awww geeez. A 19 misses. Okay, magic folk, we are going to need you here! An AC of at least 20 means that I am already down to missing 3/4 of the time, maybe worse.

Hey MJ, do you think a PC can fight defensively on an Aid Another attack? The interaction of the two options isn't totally clear, and people disagree over it (here's a link to a discussion on it).
If it works, it's an option I'd like to use (although with that penalty I may actually have a hard time hitting AC 10...).

Hey MJ, do you think a PC can fight defensively on an Aid Another attack? The interaction of the two options isn't totally clear, and people disagree over it (here's a link to a discussion on it).

If it works, it's an option I'd like to use (although with that penalty I may actually have a hard time hitting AC 10...).

As a martial artist, I’m open to the organic nature of combat, so I’d allow it...

I have no problem with playing that Aid Another can be done defensively. But in case you run into this in other campaigns, from a RAW perspective, it is not allowed. Fighting Defensively modifies either the Attack Action or the Full-Attack Action, as appropriate. Aid Another is its own Standard Action. Because it does not modify the Attack Action, it cannot be combined with Fighting Defensively.

I have no problem with playing that Aid Another can be done defensively. But in case you run into this in other campaigns, from a RAW perspective, it is not allowed. Fighting Defensively modifies either the Attack Action or the Full-Attack Action, as appropriate. Aid Another is its own Standard Action. Because it does not modify the Attack Action, it cannot be combined with Fighting Defensively.

It doesn't seem so clear-cut to me, because I don't see the rules for Fighting Defensively actually calling out the Attack Action and Full-Attack Action.

We don't need to play out the full rules argument, though, if we're all agreed it's fine to use this in this game (whether some of us see it as a house rule or as proper interpretation of the RAW isn't important).

EDIT: I do like to get my nerd on arguing rules text, though, haha. I think it's for the same reason that I learned to enjoy reading insurance policies after I became a claims adjuster (I'm not one anymore; I hated most parts of the job).

I think a lot of us like digging through the fine print. I agree that this rules lawyering should not affect how we play it in this campaign. MJ66 has made the call, and personally, I'm fine with it. The nature of different campaigns can lend itself to minor rules changes, anyway.

Having said that...

EDIT: Unless everyone else is interested, we should probably take this off the discussion board. Mind continuing via PM?

EDIT: Oops, yeah, that would be fine.

Johann falls asleep. Must be the Fox's fault.

Odor! Odor in the court! Lol

Johann would listen to the Cardinal. If he follows Fox's lead, so would Johann.

Arc would be a bit ill-at-ease with running away and resorting to trickery, but he's pragmatic (and French). He'll always take the option that involves living.

I'm following Johann's lead in moving the ooc discussion from gameplay over to here.

It's going to be a tough sell getting Zagathoth to want to lure the skeletons into the trap, especially knowing (or finding out) that its not very deep... he was sent here to kill things for the pope, not trap them somewhere. That said, nobody has had reason to notice yet but he will obey the cardinal if issued a direct command (in case it becomes necessary to try plan B).

The fight isn't off to the best start so far, but I do think we absolutely can kill/destroy these things. Once everyone's in position and we're getting flanking bonuses and maybe a buff or two we'll be in better shape. I know Quinlin doesn't have much prepared that's going to help against undead but if our other casters want to burn through their resources we can always head up right after this fight to rest and deliver the letter?

Boga would have no issue with resorting to trickery, but his first instinct would be to provide flanking and some channeling. After another round or two, a "strategic retreat" could be done. If necessary, it would also be very believable! What would be best is if we have some kind of debuff ability. In the event that a retreat is what we want to do, Boga's instinct there would be to cast Obscuring Mist to cover our escape. It would also help (depending on casting location) to help the skeletons stumble into the pit trap.

lets try to fight a little longer. They aren't doing anything to us, either.

If you get enough people flanking and attacking, and maybe some buffs that grant bonuses to hit, you should be able to defeat the skeletal champions. Just thought I’d throw that other idea out just in case lol...

I’ll check back and see what you guys decide on later this evening :)

I think the problem we are having with 2 skeletons is that there is a lot of inaction. There are seven of us. We really should be able to handle this unless the dice are against us. In the end, we may need to retreat and honestly, I think the luring into a trap is a really good idea. (I like Ogon's approach of being small and luring them directly onto it. Much better than Obscuring Mist.) Having said that, I think the reason it is being so seriously considered at this point is because we are not working together in the first place.

We do have enough people to have 3 combatants on each skeleton plus Quin behind the lines pitching in with cantrips or whatever... or if Boga wants to burn through his healing I could probably stand up to this one long enough for the other 5 of you to kill the other one?

I love the confusion of some people leaving battle and others staying to fight. Just like a real battle, our PC's don't really have time to communicate. I will wait for the next initiative monkey to speak before I decide what to do...

Ahhh. The fog of war...

If you get enough people flanking and attacking, and maybe some buffs that grant bonuses to hit, you should be able to defeat the skeletal champions. Just thought I’d throw that other idea out just in case lol...

I’ll check back and see what you guys decide on later this evening :)

So everyone who acts before the skeletons has taken their Round 2 actions?

I know I acted in round 2 already... (so I don't even have the option of retreating yet)