Sharp Shoot (Ex) At 1st level, a bolt ace can resolve an attack against touch AC instead of normal AC when firing a crossbow at a target within its first range increment. Performing this deed costs 1 grit point. This deed's cost cannot be reduced by any ability or effect that reduces the amount of grit points a deed costs (such as Signature Deed).
That must have been in the new errata. That wasn't the case when I built the character.
I am learning to hate that new eratta.
Guess I have to do some rebuilding. Assuming I still even want to bother with the character. Suppose I should since I already started, but I will probably not bother building one for PFS now.
Considering my rolls, the damage difference between touch and not touch is about 25. Not a big deal.
I think the character and concept are still considerably powerful. Even with the change to the feat, or I guess the deed, you still hit three criticals, easily negating the cost of the grit expenditure. Granted, it's not likely to happen often. Still, with the 17+ critical, you've still got a 20% chance.
Cole calls out "Iomedae guide my aim!" raises his pistol and fires upon the advancing beast.
The massive creature is pin-cushioned by the crossbow bolts, several of which strike vital organs. It barely has time to bellow in pain before Cole's pistol rings out thunderously, penetrating the gug's tough flesh. It collapses to it's knees, then falls forward and stops moving entirely. The gun shots echo ominously throughout the mine and dust falls from the ceiling.
"It looked tougher than that ...." Cole says with a shrug.
As he recovers his bolts "Better it goes down before it hurts any of us. I'd still avoid getting overconfident. I did manage some lucky shots there. "
Nigel, moving slowly toward the fallen creature says. " I do hope neither of you damaged it's ears...this is the first time I've encountered a beast of this sort and I need them for my collection."
"Well I certainly didn't aim for them. Hardly a worthwhile weak spot on a critter. "
"Impressive shooting with your crossbow..."
"I wonder where that thing came from? Anyone know what it was?"
"No idea. Odd looking critter though. "
Nigel is busy making notes and taking measuremnets of the creatures. When he stops suddenly holds up 1 finger. Then he is digging in his backpack. He pulls out a small well worn book and says as he begins to leaf throuh it."Give me a minute lads I just might be able to identify the beast."
Nigel has no clue about the critter. It is totally new to him.
Isavara moves up and stands beside Nigel. She places a hand on the little gnome's shoulder. "We should be moving. I imagine everything in this place heard those shots ring out. The sooner we're on our way, the better. We no longer have the element of surprise on our side" she says as she begins to peer around.
Isavara notices another animal carcass behind the gug's corpse. In the creature's hand is another sizable emerald. The tripwire near it is pretty easy to spot.
Tatsumi gets a little closer to the Gug and examines it.
to see anything unusual.
"I agree, we should move quickly."
"Well whatever has taken over this mine doesn't seem to want company...at least uninvited company. This appears to be another trap over here" she says as she heads further west. She moves slowly and scans the ground, checking to see if any footprints lead in either direction.
Isavara can see some recent tracks left in the dust that look to have moved from the animal carcass the gug was near to the one she's currently looking at, and back again. Those tracks continued north.
The cart tracks lead into the flooded passage to the west.
Cole follows along behind the inquisitor, stopping at the west passage entrance to look around.
Simo will take up a rear guard position and follow along.
Cole detects a discrepancy with the wall to his north and notices a piece of metal concealed by rock. It resembles a door handle of sorts and appears to be made from scavenged machine parts.
"Door over there on the right." he says, gesturing with his pistol to point it out to Isavara.
"A door you say? Let's have a look then." The Gnome says as he moves toward the position indicated by the Paladin, scanning for any clues or traps.
There is indeed a concealed door here. There do not appear to be any traps protecting it.
Isavara saunters over to the gnome and the concealed door. "Stand back little one. Cover me while I open this" she says nonchalantly. She takes a gamble trusting the little gnome's word and reaches over to pull on the pointed-out, piece of metal. Don't be trapped, don't be trapped, don't be trapped...
Light flickers from around a corner in this passage and you hear scratching and squeaking noises. To your right is an alcove containing what appears to a suit of brass armor filled with gears, metal chains, and sprockets.
Nigel peering around Isavara's legs says. "That looks a little like one of those Brass Guardians."
"Does it just look like one, or is it one?" Cole asks the little engineer.
The Gnome shrugs and says."Not sure maybe we should ask it?"
Isavara enters the room and walks up to the set of brass armor. Her greatsword resting in one hand and on her shoulder, she uses her free hand to touch the armor and looks to see if there is a visor to see if someone is actually inside of it. She moves slowly trying not to alert whatever may be around the corner.
It certainly resembles the guardians you've seen thus far. Nigel notices tool marks and scratches surrounding almost all of the joints and articulated sections.
Since the armor doesn't respond to her touch, she shrugs and begins to back away quietly. She turns and begins to head down the other branch of the hallway as she shifts the weight of her great sword and grips it tightly with both hands.
Nigel scurries forward to grt s closer look at the guardian.
"You guys find anything interesting?" Tatsumi asks while waiting outside the secret door. "If you need any help, just scream."
The hammering stops abruptly.
"Isavara, watch behind you .... it sounds like something is down that passage." Cole hisses to the inquisitor.
He cocks his head and strains to hear anything coming.
"Best we check that out. No guarantee it is hostile though. Don't get trigger happy. "
Nigel creeps forward slowly and peaks around the corner the hammering was coming from, Prudence at the ready.
Isavara takes a brief moment to summon guidance from Gorum before continuing around the corner. Whatever was making that noise appears to know we're here now. Best not to give it time to prepare she thinks to herself. I hope it doesn't control that armor telepathically she feared. Her mind was always wandering to the worst possibilities the instant before situations turned interesting. This alone was enough to set her on edge.
Discarded gears, half-constructed machines, and other dilapidated technological wonders fill this isolated cavern. Alchemical apparatuses and complex tinkering tools cover the half-dozen shelves and workbenches lining the walls. Scattered papers with arcane scrawling fill what little floor space is unoccupied by what could be described as unfinished works of mechanical art.
Standing in the corner is a small, diseased looking rat holding a vial of opalescent liquid. "Who are you?" he asks in Common, "That ettin decided he couldn't worm his way into my lair and hired mercenaries, did he? Murg-Nurk isn't going to steal my research without a fight!"
Despite his brash attitude, you can see him visibly shaking. His beady rat eyes dart from you to his unstoppered vial.
"What ettin? We're here to see why contact has been cut with the city. "
Nigel lowers Prudence,holds up his other hand in a stop gesture as he steps fully out into the open. "Now just hold on there lad! No reason to go doing anything unwise or unfriendly for that matter. I assure we are not working for anyone named Murg-Nurk let alone an Ettin, foul creatures way too tall an absolutely no sense of humor. You have quite the workshop here. The craftsmanship is most impressive. I tinker a bit myself. So why don't the two of us have a little chat?"
Says the Gnome as he scans the area in detail.
"You want me to disarm myself so you can steal my wonders! Don't lie to me!"
His workshop is filled with strange reagents and chemicals. Nigel can't really make heads or tails of the sketches and writing. Empty potion bottles and vials are stacked haphazardly in one corner.
"Ok, hold onto whatever that is. We just need to know what is going on around here. What ettin? Why are the clockwork going crazy in town? "
"Oh for Gorum's sake, calm down little one. If we were here to steal your stuff you'd be dead by now. But you're not dead, now are you? You are however, clearly out numbered, so if you wouldn't mind putting down that vial, I'm sure my friends here would be inclined to aim their boom sticks at something else. We would just like some answers, if you don't mind."
Isavara focuses her gaze on the little ratfolk, trying to read his aura.
"I said, PUT IT DOWN!"
Cole will point his pistol somewhere besides at the little ratman.
He watches carefully to see his reaction to Isavara's attempts to settle him down.
The inquisitor does not detect any evil intentions from the little creature.
The ratfolk jumps a little at Isavara's shouted command. "Okay, okay, calm down, don't shoot! Murg-Nurk wouldn't drop the gold it'd take to hire well armed guys like you. I'm going to put the stopper on my juice, okay?" The rat corks his vial and sets it down, then slides to the floor. "I need something, uh, you know? Take the edge off?"
He grabs a small box from one of the work benches near him and opens it. Within is a steak knife and a small jar of white rocks. He takes out a rock and crushes it with the knife handle, the licks the blade and rubs it against the powder. He takes a deep breath before cutting a shallow wound into his arms, mixing the powder into his blood.
After making a few satisfied squealing noises, he jumps back up and says, "Soiftheettindidn'tsendyou,whodid,whyareyouhere,whatareyoulookingfor?" He asks as if it was all one word.
"So what is your name, friend? I am Isavara, Inquisitor Isavara, and these are my associates. Tell me, did you set those emerald-baited traps through out the mine? What else occupies this mine? Now, I'm sure my little friend here, nodding towards the gnome, has a bunch of questions for you about your work here."