AC 20 | HP 44/44 | HP 2/3 | F 11, R 10, W 7 | Per +5 | Conditions:
"Oh, Grandfather Winter took me away last night." she says, beaming with pride. "He saw how I had a talent for storm magic. He took me and threw me into the deepest storm there was. Colder than I had ever known, with winds that threw me around like a leaf. It was far too big to tame with magic. I simply had to go with the storm, learning its ways from the inside. I was there for what felt like years, seeing it in a new way. I then rode the winds back to Grandfather Winter, and he nodded and put me back into my body. Now I no longer cast spells. The storm is within me, always waiting."
Grandfather Winter would be their version of Gozreh. His storms are a challenge for man and beast. Some are killed, but those who survive are stronger for this. He is not worshipped with the same love given to Sister Cinder, but he is respected for his great power.
Male Kellid Human Barbarian (Dragon Instinct) -3; AC 20 (Before raging), HP: 50/53, Saves F+9, R+7, W+8*
Hurik nods as if understanding, though in truth he would admit there is much he does not know, "Better from Grandfather Winter than a dragon's heart, of that I have no doubt. I am nervous of this storm you speak of, but I trust YOU so..." A thin smile, "Let us move on, and put your new gifts to the test"
AC 20 | HP 44/44 | HP 2/3 | F 11, R 10, W 7 | Per +5 | Conditions:
"Oh, this just shows that I've opened the path for the storm. I'd never hurt any of you." With that she gestures for Hurik to lead the way like the tough warrior he is.
Hurik moves towards the outcropping and overhang. The crack that leads into the cave is visible, but there is also the cave painting and fire-ring, if any of those catch your interest.
Male Kellid Human Barbarian (Dragon Instinct) -3; AC 20 (Before raging), HP: 50/53, Saves F+9, R+7, W+8*
Hurik does look over the cave painting. "Maybe there are signs telling us how to best appease Svarstik ?" He trusts their godmouth to read that better than he, but still.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
Kheyji takes a look at the painting, trying to decipher it.
What sort of roll would this be? Her religion is a +8, if it applies.
Following Diurn's lead, Kheyji casts light on her crying angel pendent.
Hurik and Kheyji move over toward the ring of stones to examine the cave painting more closely. As they both approach, you are all surprised to see the cat in the painting roars to life and leaps from the wall, attacking both with its semi-solid claws.
Both the scouts take 18hp dmg (can be reduced with basic Will saves). The spectral cat then disappears back into the wall, looking normal again for all intents and purposes.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
Both Kheyji and Hurik react quickly enough to the startling appearance of the ghostly sabre-cat to avoid full damage, thought each takes wounds from the claws which seem real enough to draw blood.
As quickly as the image appeared, it re-apparates back into the wall, and the painting looks seemingly normal enough.
Diurn looks at the image carefully, but can't see anything triggering about it just from observation.
Possible skills are Nature and Religion to perhaps know a bit more about this marking, how it behaved, and how to disable/destroy it, if that's what you intend. Provide your modifier, if you want me to make secret checks for you.
Hurik is too hurt and surprised to be able to recall anything about the painting, but Miriani remembers hearing about items like this -- they are called haunts -- which are the remnant of some curse or magical incantation. It's clear this protective ward is triggered when someone gets close to it. She does think she could destroy the painting given the right ritual, but its easy enough to avoid, if you wish to enter the cave and just leave it alone.
AC 20 | HP 44/44 | HP 2/3 | F 11, R 10, W 7 | Per +5 | Conditions:
"I can release the spirit, but it was placed here as a guardian. We should go around it."
She then cocks her head and steps over to Hurik. She gathers up some soft snow and places it on his wound. The cold immediately soothes the pain. She turns to Kheji and does the same.
healing for Hurik:2d8 ⇒ (1, 5) = 6 healing for Kheji:2d8 ⇒ (4, 1) = 5
Miriani's use of Ocean's Balm makes each of you immune to future uses for 10 minutes. I have Kheyji at 31/35hp and Hurik at 50/53.[/ooc]
With some light sources to show the way, the party avoids the sabre-cat painting and eases into the cave mouth itself, leaving the overhang and the outside world behind.
The tunnel is narrow, only about 5' wide, allowing for the group to pass single file inside. At first there are rough-hewn steps leading down for about 10' then the passage continues. The smell is dank and earthy, and there is soothing rhythmic murmur to be heard, a faint sound, but easily audible.
At the bottom of the stairs, the passage turns to the north, leading deeper into the cave, while another passage runs to the south, looking like it might open into a larger cavern of some kind after short while.
Which way to do you proceed? And please provide a marching order, or arrange tokens on the map so that it is clear.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
Kheyji blinks, looks down at the healing snow, and smiles. ”That is fantastic. Thank you, Miriani!”
While exploring, she will Search. Perception +8. She will place herself either 2nd from the front or 2nd from the back.
The southern passage ends in cavern that is roughly 20x25'. Something wooden is smashed on the floor of the room at the far end, but its too dim in the extreme ends of the chamber to make out what it is/was. Also in the chamber are a pair of stubby humanoids with oversized, frog-like heads and bulbous eyes. Their eyes emit a faint light when they turn to look at you, and you see they each blink twice at each other, as if signaling something, then they make aggressive noises and motions to attack the intruders.
Feel free to make your own initiative rolls as we set up for combat. See the cave map linked at top margin. I will roll for any who have not yet, when I get next post up.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
29 Red Creature
27 Kheyji
26 Diurn
25 Blue Creature
13 Hurik
9 Miriani
The Red Creature hisses loudly and aggressively. It turns its gaze on the party, its eyes suddenly flaring up with brilliant white light. The spotlight-like eyes make seeing difficult after the dim light of the cavern. The creature then leaps to attack Hurik who is in the lead. The barbarian is just able to fight off the snapping jaws of the creature wi with a quick shove.
Everyone needs a DC18 Fort save or have their eyesight impaired. After that, Kheyji and Diurn are up next.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
Fortitude Save:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Embarrassingly for a cleric of the goddess of the sun, Kheyji finds herself blinking away spots after the creature's light attack.
Kheyji certainly waits until after Diurn begins his song to act, letting the bard take the lead.
Once Diurn has acted, Kheyji throws up a Shield (1 action).
Can she prepare to sling a fire bolt at it once her eyesight clears up? I don't want to risk hitting any of my teammates.
Looks like Embry's player has left and isn't coming back unfortunately. Are you all ok continuing with just 4 PCs? or do you want to go back and recruit another?
Male Kellid Human Barbarian (Dragon Instinct) -3; AC 20 (Before raging), HP: 50/53, Saves F+9, R+7, W+8*
DM doctor evil, would you be willing to make a semi-PC or GM PC as the case goes? I do worry about the healing I admit, but also think it might be another way to learn Pathfinder 2 for us all if you show us how it's done so to speak?
AC 20 | HP 44/44 | HP 2/3 | F 11, R 10, W 7 | Per +5 | Conditions:
I do think we will need more healing. PF2 has a lot of ways to do this. Is anybody thinking of running up the medicine feats or multiclassing into a healing archetype? If not, we should recruit or get an NPC. If so, we may be okay.
I am traveling after work today, so posting may be delayed on my end as well. Will be offsite rest of the week, but should have time and access to get some posting in besides actual travel days.
Sorry guys, my grand plans for posting some while away were foiled for a variety of reasons. I got home late tonight, but will resume normal regular posting schedule starting tomorrow evening. Sorry for the short delay!
AC 20 | HP 44/44 | HP 2/3 | F 11, R 10, W 7 | Per +5 | Conditions:
I'm going to have intermittent posting issues for the the indeterminate future. I'd like to stay in the game and will do my best to keep up because I'm really going to need an outlet. But at time I may have issues posting. But I understand if you would prefer to have a clean break.
the long ugly version:
My dad got out of the hospital today after brain surgery a week ago. The hospital thinks that it's A-OK to send him home even though he can't even get out a chair without help, and his lucidity comes and goes. My mother has mobility issues as well, so I'm going to be taking care of both of them. We'll have a caregiver part of the time four days a week.
We got the pathology back, and it's glioblastoma. Aggressive brain cancer. The overall survival average is 12-18 months. My dad is 83, also has a heart condition and doesn't think it's worth extending his life if those months are sick on chemo.
So I may be a mess for a while, and I ask you to be tolerant and bot me when I can't make it to the boards.
I am happy to limp along with these four players, even if Miriani has limited posting, if the rest are. We could go back and recruit another as well, if you wish. If you have someone to recommend to add, I would take references as well.
FYI, I have added another player, Colorfoot by name, to play a cleric/healer for the party. Their first time with PF2e and limited PBP as well I think, but has 5e and other TTRPG experience.
Should be posting a character soon for us to add in. Welcome Colorfoot!
Other than healing, is there anything the group feels like we could use?
I am thinking of statting up a human warpriest cleric of Serenrae/Sister Cinder.
EDIT: I am now leaning towards a cloistered cleric for the increased "oomph" to spells earlier in their progression. Does anyone have any experience either way they could share?
AC 20 | HP 44/44 | HP 2/3 | F 11, R 10, W 7 | Per +5 | Conditions:
I've played both types of cleric. For cloistered clerics you just need to be aware of attack and defense. We've got three front-liners, but we'll be outside a lot.
Going with a decent dex score solves both. You can use unarmored proficiency, a crossbow and a dagger.
You can get higher armor proficiencies with a dip into champion. you can also pick up lay on hands and the champion reaction. Those work well with a cleric.
You might also want to multiclass into a different type of spellcaster. This will give you a wider variety of offensive cantrips. Defense may be an issue, so you'll probably want to keep a shield cantrip up at all times.
I've played both types of cleric. For cloistered clerics you just need to be aware of attack and defense. We've got three front-liners, but we'll be outside a lot.
Going with a decent dex score solves both. You can use unarmored proficiency, a crossbow and a dagger.
You can get higher armor proficiencies with a dip into champion. you can also pick up lay on hands and the champion reaction. Those work well with a cleric.
You might also want to multiclass into a different type of spellcaster. This will give you a wider variety of offensive cantrips. Defense may be an issue, so you'll probably want to keep a shield cantrip up at all times.
Thanks! After reading your post and what you said about weapons, I went back and checked the stat block for scimitar. Sure enough, it's not a finesse weapon.
Re: your suggestion on champion, multi-classing in PF2e looks simple enough, but I've had some bad experiences with multi-class characters in other systems (looking at you, 5e). Is multi-classing disruptive to your class progression in PF2e?
AC 18; Fort +7; Ref +10; Will +6 HP 30/30 // Perception +7 (+9 to Seek hunted prey)
Welcome aboard Colorfoot. Good to have you!
My horrible week from hell seems to have finished... Finally...
I do not know much about PF2e but I think I have read somewhere that Cloistered Clerics can also make decent combatants, while being better at buffing, healing, etc? I think it indeed involved a Champion something (Dedication? Redeemer?) at level 2.
My horrible week from hell seems to have finished... Finally...
I do not know much about PF2e but I think I have read somewhere that Cloistered Clerics can also make decent combatants, while being better at buffing, healing, etc? I think it indeed involved a Champion something (Dedication? Redeemer?) at level 2.
Don't quote me on that though :P
Thanks! Yeah, I'm getting myself acclimated to PF2e, too, so no worries. All advice is off the record. :)
Also, it looks like I made my alias wrong. I made a PFS character, it seems, rather than just doing an alias, which is what it looks like others did. Whoops!
I just dotted in, so she now shows up in the characters tab. I can re-do her as a non-PFS if that matters, DM.
AC 20 | HP 44/44 | HP 2/3 | F 11, R 10, W 7 | Per +5 | Conditions:
Multiclassing in PF2 is all about tradeoffs. I'll list off three sample paths and how they work. They aren't the only ones, but you get to mix and match.
Champion Path
Stats - Champion requires strength and charisma 14. With this kind of build you need Wisdom for cleric spellcasting, charisma for your font and to qualify for champion, strength to fight with and to avoid armor penalties and Con because not dying is good. Dexterity and intelligence are less important. With PF2, balancing four stats can be hard.
Feats - Your second level feat is Champion dedication. This gives you light, medium and heavy armor and two skill trainings. Until then I suggest using the shield cantrip religiously. After that you need to look through the cleric feats and champion feats to decide what you want to take and when you want to take them. This can be a hard choice as both cleric and champion have some good feat choices.
Equipment - you'll be using medium or heavy armor. You probably want to stay medium at first. This keeps your move at 20 instead of 15. Moving slow is really frustrating in P2e. At third level you can pick up fleet as a general feat and move 20' in heavy armor. For weapons, you should use the scimitar because it's the favored weapon.
Dexterity path
Stats - Wisdom is first with either dexterity or charisma second. constitution is always good, but since you aren't getting into melee voluntarily, it's less important than the main three.
Feats - this path lets you choose all of your feats as cleric feats. Booyah!
Equipment - you'll want a sling or crossbow as a ranged weapon. No armor but dex will provide your defense. I also suggest using the shield cantrip often. I'd pick up a finesse weapon for when you have to get close. You don't get the scimitar flavor though.
Sorcerer path
Stats - Charisma is the stat you push. You probably want an 18 or 16 in there. Wisdom and dexterity are next and dump the rest. Yes, charisma is more important than wisdom. You get your healing font from charisma as well as your sorcerer spells.
Feats - set aside your 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 14th, and 18th feats. Those are where you get sorcerer spellcasting. I suggest either arcane or primal, as these are your attack spells. All the other feats you can use for cleric feats or to pick up other sorcerer feats.
Spells - you only fight with magic. The arcane and primal cantrips give you a good attack that scales well. At 4th level you can pick up mage armor for defense, until then you know I'm recommending the shield cantrip.
Multiclassing in PF2 is all about tradeoffs. I'll list off three sample paths and how they work. They aren't the only ones, but you get to mix and match.
Wow! Thank you. That is a lot of detail, and I very much appreciate it.
EDIT: I never would have considered the sorcerer path if you hadn't pointed it out. I didn't think sorcerer and cleric could go together, but the way you've laid it out makes sense. Wouldn't that step on your toes a bit, though? Are two sorcerers too many?
Stats - Champion requires strength and charisma 14. With this kind of build you need Wisdom for cleric spellcasting, charisma for your font and to qualify for champion, strength to fight with and to avoid armor penalties and Con because not dying is good. Dexterity and intelligence are less important. With PF2, balancing four stats can be hard.
Feats - Your second level feat is Champion dedication. This gives you light, medium and heavy armor and two skill trainings. Until then I suggest using the shield cantrip religiously. After that you need to look through the cleric feats and champion feats to decide what you want to take and when you want to take them. This can be a hard choice as both cleric and champion have some good feat choices.
Equipment - you'll be using medium or heavy armor. You probably want to stay medium at first. This keeps your move at 20 instead of 15. Moving slow is really frustrating in P2e. At third level you can pick up fleet as a general feat and move 20' in heavy armor. For weapons, you should use the scimitar because it's the favored weapon.
How does this stack up against going with the warpriest devotion? I'm feeling a pull to use that scimitar. Kyra and her scimitar are inextricable from my mental picture of a cleric of Serenrae (I liked the Pathfinder comics).
It's fine if you used a PFS icon/alias. Shouldn't matter much for actual gameplay. Looking forward to the finished product so I can validate and then get you in the game.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
Okay, team, Colorfoot's cleric, here. I came up with some proposed connections between Kheyji and the current roster. Please let me know what you think. If anything I've proposed doesn't work for you or doesn't sound like something your character would do, I'm happy to make any changes. Please let me know!
Hurik: Kheyji and Hurik bonded over shared hunting stories (she has the Hunter background and he's a Megafauna Hunter). She calls him "Tiny" as a term of endearment because in his hunting stories, he's always the tiny one.
Miriani: Kheyji was finishing up her apprenticeship as a priestess and was the one "on call" when Miriani arrived at the following with a bunch of lost children. Kheyji cared for the kids and struck up a friendship with the woman who brought them in.
Satu Varis: Kheyji, being not particularly strong, was frustrated by her inability to master the scimitar, Cinder Sister's iconic weapon. Satu saw Kheyji struggling while practicing one night, and showed her a couple of moves with her knife instead. Kheyji has been grateful ever since.
Tharskh: Kheyji and Tharskh met on a hunt. As they headed back and were chatting, it came up in conversation that he spoke Jotun. She half jokingly mentioned wanting to learn, and he showed up the next day to teach her. She likes to chat with him in Jotun whenever she sees him.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
@DM Her character sheet is linked in her profile. It’s 99% of the way there; I’m just sorting her spells and equipment at this point.
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
DM DoctorEvil wrote:
Kheyji wrote:
@DM Her character sheet is linked in her profile. It’s 99% of the way there; I’m just sorting her spells and equipment at this point.
Looks good so far. LMK when you are all done, and I will do final validation
I think you are ready to join the game. If you have read up, you can enter into the encounter they are having now with the strange river-spirit asking them to retrieve a lily from the mudhole. Jump in when ready!
NG | she/her | Human | Cleric of Sister Cinder| HP 35/35 | AC 18 (19 w/Shield) | F +8 | R +7 | W +10 | Perc +8 | Stealth +7 | 30 ft | Hero Points 0/3 | Active conditions : awesome
DM DoctorEvil wrote:
Kheyji wrote:
I think it's done!
I think you are ready to join the game. If you have read up, you can enter into the encounter they are having now with the strange river-spirit asking them to retrieve a lily from the mudhole. Jump in when ready!
