Alchemical Remedies (+1 from Trait)
Alchemical Grease 3/3 (5gp)
Antiplague 3/3 (50gp)
Antitoxin 3/3 (50gp)
Bladeguard 3/3 (40gp)
Salt tablets (10) 3/3 (1gp)
Smelling Salts 3/3 (25gp)
Vermin Repellent 3/3 (5gp)
Soul Stimulate 3/3 (300gp)
Total crafted gp: 466
Alchemical Tools
Alchemical glue 3/3 (20gp)
Alchemical solvent 3/3 (20gp)
Armor ointment 3/3 (30gp)
Blasting Jelly 3/3 (45gp)
Dye Marker 3/3 (15gp)
Total Crafted gp: 130
Alchemical Weapons
Tanglefoot bag 6/6 (100gp)
Alchemist's Fire 3/3 (20gp)
Alkali Flask 3/3 (15gp)
Bloating solution 3/3 (25gp)
Bone Burn 3/3 (25gp)
Bottled Lightning 3/3 (40gp)
Brewed reek 3/3 (40gp)
Congealer spray 3/3 (15gp)
Darkfire 3/3 (1gp)
Desiccating lubricant 3/3 (30gp)
Diamond Dust Vials 3/3 (25gp)
Flash powder 3/3 (50gp)
Ghast retch flask 3/3 (50gp)
Holy water 3/3 (25gp)
Slime slow 3/3 (15gp)
Somnigrip 3/3 (45gp)
Smog pellet 3/3 (40gp)
Thunderstone 3/3 (30gp)
Total Crafted gp: 589
Crafted 753gp of Alchemical pheromones!
Alchemical pheromone Aggression(animal, magical beast, vermin type) 3/3 (150gp) / Arousal(animal, magical beast, vermin type) 3/3 (300gp) / Simple (animal, magical beast, vermin type) 9/9 (3gp)/ Susceptibility(fall)(humanoid-human) 3/3
I think I'm just about ready. Need to think about adventuring gear.
Strengths: he's an absolute stalwart against Fear effects. Should be pretty good in melee. At 6th level the Bladethirst ability will be supercool.
Weaknesses: Fortitude is a weakpoint.
I don't think you need Arcane Armor Training since bards have no ASF with light armor or shields. That frees up another feat for you.
If you're going to be using Arcane Strike a lot, Riving Strike might be a good feat to take instead. There are lots of good feats worth taking, though, just suggesting one you might not have seen. :)
Arcane Duelist is a great archetype.
I don't think you need Arcane Armor Training since bards have no ASF with light armor or shields. That frees up another feat for you.
Somehow I missed that. Thanks!
Riving Strike can be helpful for all the casters in the party. Also considering Dodge (classic), Great Fortitude (shore up that weak point), or Lingering Performance or Extra Performance
GM, would you approve of me taking the Fire in the Blood Alternate Racial Trait, which replaces the Fire Affinity Racial Trait, although the Sunsoul Alternate Racial Trait already changes this?
under Sunsoul: Solar Affinity This racial trait functions as and can be replaced as the base ifrit’s fire affinity, except it benefits sorcerers with the celestial bloodline and spellcasters with the Sun domain. (emphasis mine)
Problem is, Fire Affinity, and likewise Solar Affinity are only useful for certain classes, and it feels like that's a benefit I'm missing out on. It seems to be worded that Solar Affinity can still be switched out, but Pathbuilder isn't letting me do it.
GM, would you approve of me taking the Fire in the Blood Alternate Racial Trait, which replaces the Fire Affinity Racial Trait, although the Sunsoul Alternate Racial Trait already changes this?
under Sunsoul: Solar Affinity This racial trait functions as and can be replaced as the base ifrit’s fire affinity, except it benefits sorcerers with the celestial bloodline and spellcasters with the Sun domain. (emphasis mine)
Problem is, Fire Affinity, and likewise Solar Affinity are only useful for certain classes, and it feels like that's a benefit I'm missing out on. It seems to be worded that Solar Affinity can still be switched out, but Pathbuilder isn't letting me do it.
Considering how bad off all the genasi are, go for it.
Sorry for the delay, I saw it and meant to look at it but then got distracted.
It'll probably never come into to play
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Got my PC made, and got a personality. I'm going for a persona and writing style not that far off from what you might find from a Lovecraft protagonist (albeit taking into account that this is PF, not CoC). I'm going to try to bring in some of that writing style in my posts, though perhaps with fewer obscure adjectives (mostly because I prioritize getting a post up over getting the perfect post up). Also not sure if we will encounter anything squamous.
Would that I had never heard the name Azlant! Curse my thirst for knowledge! Mine would have been the happy days of ignorant bliss as enjoyed by the vulgar masses that crawl upon this wretched speck of rock.
But Azlant! Oh Azlant! As I did learn, the full scope of humanity’s history came to light, though as shattered pieces. The remnants of glory lay strewn about for those with the curiosity to look, showing what had once been a masterpiece. The greatness of ages past, now reduced to ruins.
Curiosity carries a most dreadful cost. For, once one has learned of Azlant, how can they find peace in this fallen world? How could they be content with Taldor, now a mere shadow of what it once was, if they knew that Taldor even at its greatest was but a faint echo of the splendor of lost Azlant? It is akin to those who eat of the food of Faerie, that all other food ever after tastes of ashes in their mouth.
My early years were much like those of any of my kin. As my family was of the quality – or what passes for quality in this age – it was my burden to learn to train with arms. It was demanded that I learn to trade honeyed words with the gentry, though my efforts there were half-hearted. Nor did I thrill to the clamor of battle. My joy was in the dusty tomes of the manor library, where I read voraciously as the opportunity presented itself. Eldritch lore, forgotten gods, and half a dozen lost or blasphemous languages did I teach myself as I read. And above all, of Azlant.
The gods! Great Amaznen, the Azlanti god of magic who gave power to Aroden himself. Mighty Acavna, who with Amaznen saved Golarion – the irony, to call this world saved! – from Earthfall. Much did I read about these, until one day in a most ancient volume I chanced upon an incantation. A key that opened a door to a world of power, power such as humanity would need to restore its glory and best its myriad enemies.
For this too became clear in my studies: humanity was weak. Even the greatness of Azlant – where humans were as legends to those of us today, as quick and clever as elves and as tough and wise as dwarves, while mightier than either and with science and magic the like of which the world has not seen since – even Azlant was destroyed by an alien power, by unholy abominations from unknown worlds. That these aberrations should have the power to call down the Starstone spoke to their origins from the stars, and so this line of inquiry brought me to the Dark Tapesty.
The Dark Tapestry. Better that I had never known such things. Where I once thought humanity was weak, I now knew it was utterly insignificant. Meaningless.
But know I do, and this is my burden to bear. Many days all seems dark and lost. Outside my window a madman shouts about the coming End Times; my heart understands his pain. To see the pathetic state to which humanity has fallen, who would not wish for the end? Who would not hope that everything would be wiped away, that our humiliation would cease? Who would not wish for the peace of Oblivion, that blessed Nothing that we pray for every night only to be tormented by the nightmarish half-life that we call dreaming?
And yet he is wrong. There is to be no End. Our misery will continue, with mankind becoming ever less capable… forever. Surrounded by powers far beyond our ken, a mere afterthought to the cosmos. Even death offers no relief, for in the Great Beyond our souls may continue, and return to this lamentable world again.
Unless. There is but one sliver of hope. That we might rediscover the power of Azlant, its arcane sciences and discoveries, to bolster ourselves against the unnameable adversaries that plot our ruin… humanity might have a chance to matter. For indeed, that is why Azlant’s enemies destroyed it; with continued delving into eldritch secrets, mankind might eventually rise to challenge the unspeakable entities of the Dark Tapestry.
Is this hope in vain? I know not. There are those who seek knowledge, but it is as a game to them. ‘Adventurers’ they call themselves, as if the quest for knowledge was a pleasant weekend diversion. Nay, it is far more than that, though they cannot see it. Still, my skill at arms has proven useful, and grave-robbing is a most lucrative endeavor; I have been able to acquire numerous tomes.
For, crediting that hope as being beyond faint, what else is there? Death offers no relief; the promises of End Times have been wrong so many times that is foolish to place hope there; nor does there seem another path forward to greatness. Common Rule? The people wish to know nothing, to hide from the horrors around them; no, the people cannot rule. Aroden’s heir, Iomedae? Ignorant of magic. Great Nethys? Indifferent to the fate of his followers. There is no path but this one; and if I should fall, it is no matter. I am insignificant, as are all; but if we can reclaim the power of Azlant then, just perhaps, that may change.
Valkarian
Human Fighter (Child of Acavana and Amaznen) 5
N Medium Humanoid
Deity: Acavna (dead), Amaznen (dead), and Aroden (dead)
Init +2; Perception +8
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DEFENSE
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AC 25, touch 13, flatfooted 23 (+10 Armor, +2 Dex, +1 trait, +1 Dodge, +1 Deflection)
HP 44 (5d10+10)
Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +6; +1 vs fear
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OFFENSE
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Speed 20 ft.
Melee +1 Longsword +10 (1d8+9/19-20) or Warhammer +9 (1d8+8/x3); PA -2/+6
Ranged MW Composite Longbow +8 (1d8+6/x3)
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STATISTICS
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Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 10, Cha 8
BAB +5; CMB +9; CMD 23 (28 vs Trip, Grapple)
Feats
1: Iron Will, Power Attack
3: Arcane Strike
4: Dodge
5: Step Up
Traits Defender of the Society, Indomitable Faith
Skills (6 per level)
Swim 4 +11 (-4 ACP)
Climb 4 +11 (-4 ACP)
Acrobatics 5 +7 (-4 ACP)
UMD 3 +2
Perception 5 +8
Spellcraft 4 +8
Knowledge (Arcana) 1 +5
Knowledge (Dungeoneering) 1 +5
Knowledge (Planes) 1 +2
Knowledge (Religion) 1 +5
Diplomacy 1 +0
Background Skills (2 per level)
Knowledge (Engineering) 1 +5
Knowledge (History) 4 +6
Linguistics 5 +9
FCB Fighter +5 CMD vs Trip, Grapple
Languages Common, Draconic, Celestial, Aklo, Infernal, Abyssal, Necril, Azlanti
Special Heart of the Fey, Eldritch Lore, Bravery, Lore of Acavna and Amaznen, Eldritch Armor Training, Spells
Spellbook Read Magic, Detect Magic, Open/Close, Dancing Lights, Enlarge Person, Feather Fall, Shield, Touch of the Sea, True Strike
Spells Prepared Detect Magic, Feather Fall, True Strike
Equipment (Starting: 5,250)
Explorer's Outfit
Spellbook
Pathfinder’s Kit (includes dagger) 12
MW Full Plate 1,650
MW Longsword 315
Warhammer 12
Whip 1
Bolas 5
MW Composite Longbow (+4 Str) 800
20 Cold Iron Arrows 2
20 Silver Arrows 41
20 Arrows 1
Wand of Shield 750
Scroll of See Invisibility 150
Lesser Talisman of Freedom 900
Potion of Bull’s Strength 300
Remaining: 311 GP
Thursday is only a day(s) away!
Jeez I forgot background skills...
I think I'm all set, corrected my skills and changed my spell selection a little.
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@Galileo, if I could suggest a spell, Saving Finale is an amazing Bard spell. If you can't fit it into your build, I can rearrange my purchases to get a Page of Spell Knowledge with it.
@Galileo, it looks like you still have Arcane Armor Training. Weren't you going to change that to Lingering Performance, or maybe something else?
I second the recommendation of saving finale. Also liberating command is especially good against things with tentacles, if that seems likely. ;)
I might suggest you consider taking a masterpiece with one of your spells known? The Battle Song of the People's Revolt is very appropriate for such a martial bard, especially as it looks like you took Perform (wind) anyway. There's lots of good teamwork feats that this would give you, but of course Outflank is always good for melee characters.
yes, that's been a very effective spell for a certain bard I know. I can switch out one of my level 1 spells for it.
I picture him using Oratory in battle, since he will be fighting with sword and shield, and I like to picture him giving rallying speeches to psyche the party up. The feat I switched out for was Great Fortitude... I just have a feeling saves are gonna be super important.
Thursday is only a day(s) away!
Is Thursday starting day? Shoot. I've been trying to get back into posting somehwat regularly, and have neglected finishing Euda. I'll make sure everything I need to pick for her is done tonight or tomorrow, although copying and pasting stuff into her class abilities and whatnot might not be finished. Sorry.
Oh, another question for Galileo: it doesn't look like you have any gold set aside to contribute to wands of cure light wounds. Do you think you can fit in 300 gp somewhere?
We could make it 150 gp instead to only get one wand if we can't afford two, but I suspect we will need to use more than 50 charges over the course of the adventure.
Oh, another question for Galileo: it doesn't look like you have any gold set aside to contribute to wands of cure light wounds. Do you think you can fit in 300 gp somewhere?
We could make it 150 gp instead to only get one wand if we can't afford two, but I suspect we will need to use more than 50 charges over the course of the adventure.
My mind went to already spending that 150gp on more alchemical toys....either way.
Oh, another question for Galileo: it doesn't look like you have any gold set aside to contribute to wands of cure light wounds. Do you think you can fit in 300 gp somewhere?
We could make it 150 gp instead to only get one wand if we can't afford two, but I suspect we will need to use more than 50 charges over the course of the adventure.
I will be very disappointed in myself as a player if you prove to be right about that. Taking a lot of damage generally feels like I have messed up (at least in PF1; apparently PF2 expects you to get hit all the time). I would rather be tactical enough to minimize the damage I take. But no plan survives contact with the enemy.
We also have a druid with a bard cohort, and a warpriest, so we have more healing than just wands.
But I think Galileo may have more coin available anyway? Because his sword is his bonded item, it should be priced as if crafted. So the extra 300 for wands may not be a big deal.
If it is and he can't cover it, then I will cover his 150 to get the one wand.
The Arcane Bond comes in at 5th lvl, not 1st like a wizard, so I'm not sure if I get the cost benefit. I think I did have 200something gold left over and spent most of it on a bunch of alchemist fires.
I posted in discord already, but in case anyone looks here first- Euda is mostly done, I just have to look up how much gold we get and spend it. Aside from that though, I do still need to do the math for Fox and Bear, and finish up Edalmir Churnwood (her bard companion).
The Arcane Bond comes in at 5th lvl, not 1st like a wizard, so I'm not sure if I get the cost benefit. I think I did have 200something gold left over and spent most of it on a bunch of alchemist fires.
You would only need to pay half of the 2,000 GP price for Courageous (the 1,000 GP crafting cost) to add that enchantment to your sword.
A wizard can add additional magic abilities to his bonded object as if he has the required Item Creation Feats and if he meets the level prerequisites of the feat. For example, a wizard with a bonded dagger must be at least 5th level to add magic abilities to the dagger (see Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat).
So just say you started with a MW sword (which you paid for at earlier levels) and then added Courageous yourself at 5th.
The Arcane Bond comes in at 5th lvl, not 1st like a wizard, so I'm not sure if I get the cost benefit. I think I did have 200something gold left over and spent most of it on a bunch of alchemist fires.You would only need to pay half of the 2,000 GP price for Courageous (the 1,000 GP crafting cost) to add that enchantment to your sword.
A wizard can add additional magic abilities to his bonded object as if he has the required Item Creation Feats and if he meets the level prerequisites of the feat. For example, a wizard with a bonded dagger must be at least 5th level to add magic abilities to the dagger (see Craft Magic Arms and Armor feat).So just say you started with a MW sword (which you paid for at earlier levels) and then added Courageous yourself at 5th.
Well if that's the case, I've got some more spending to do. I'll reserve 300gp for the CLW wand fund.
I've got about 600gp to spend. I figure getting a few scrolls for in a pinch situations would be good. Never played a Bard before, any good bard spells for in-a-pinch scrolls?
Sure! Here's a few scroll suggestions:
comprehend languages (for eldritch writings not known to man)
heightened awareness (excellent for scouting and knowledge checks, plus the amazing initiative bonus)
remove fear (good for preemptive fear protection)
tears to wine (another great scouting spell, +2 to all Int and Wis skills, stacks with heightened awareness)
A lot of good bard spells are swift/immediate action spells, or depend on caster level, which means they aren't great for scrolls. But spells like moment of greatness are almost better on scrolls, so if you're thinking of switching out for some, I recommend:
alarm (good for camping in dangerous places)
dazzling blade (nice swift action spell, and its special feature isn't in the summary description-- it blinds an adjacent opponent for 1 round, and you can cast it on someone else for them to activate!)
liberating command (being grappled sucks)
saving finale (this spell saves lives)
timely inspiration (another bard-only spell; an immediate action +2 competency bonus after the roll is pretty good)
Somebody really knows their Bards.
Having played a few, I agree. Bards have a bunch of Swift/Immediate spells that will get used.
Oh, another pretty awesome masterpiece is Arrowsong's Lament (oratory). Especially with this group where we don't have a wizard, being able to "memorize" spells off of a scroll or out of a spellbook is pretty damn cool. Unfortunately, we're not high enough level for it to work with wizard-only spells, but there's lots of good spells on the bard list like alarm, heroism, invisibility, or mirror image that you could switch out as needed.
Liberating Command is, in my experience, a Hail Mary pass. It usually fails (most PCs do not have great Escape Artist, and grappler CMD is pretty high) but at least there's a slim chance it can work.
I would say that a scroll of a Brd3 spell for a boss fight might be worthwhile. Costs 525 GP, but you could get either Good Hope or Haste.
Timely Inspiration is usually redundant with Inspire Courage. Gallant Inspiration usually gives some incremental benefit.
For scrolls I'm thinking for out of combat options, thanks for the suggestions.
I have Grease as a spell known, should help in case of grappling, and has more versatility than Liberating Command.
Timely Inspiration is usually redundant with Inspire Courage. Gallant Inspiration usually gives some incremental benefit.
Not for combat, but a +2 competence bonus is nice on skill rolls that you really need to pass.
Somebody really knows their Bards.
I have a 10th level bard (Dawnflower Dervish) in a Legacy of Fire campaign, and Pageant of the Peacock is incredible. But that's a dance/act masterpiece, and works best if you're heavily invested in Bluff and no Int-based skills. I'd say her best spell is probably heroism because she casts it on everyone at the start of an adventure and it typically lasts for the whole thing. Consequently I always think moment of greatness is going to be amazing but in practice I never have time to cast it because I'm always doing Inspire Courage and then full attacking.
I'm open for suggestions for druid scrolls too. Since we don't have a wizard, I'm planning on preparing some versatile/problem solving spells (like monkeyfish and animal aspect), and since I have some melee support in my animal(s) I'll probably prepare some buffs as well, but some of those I could potentially put on scrolls instead of we think a little more blasting would be helpful? Druids aren't the best blasters, but there's a few basic damage spells I could pick up.
I'll probably grab 1-2 obscuring mist scrolls, because those are helpful and not very level dependent. And I was thinking I may grab a lesser restoration, although our trusty warpriest could prepare it the next day if someone gets hit with lasting penalties. I have 400g left, so I can potentially get two 2nd level and 4 first.
I might suggest Faerie Fire and Gust of Wind.
Thanks, all, for the feedback. I still need to add some fluff to my profile but all of the crunch should be done, I believe.
Doesn’t have to be final, but here’s a scroll list:
1x Alarm, 1x Animate Rope, 1x Heightened Awareness, 1x Recharge Innate Magic, 1x Glitterdust, 1x Heroism
Was thinking about Comprehend Languages and even Tongues, but it looks like between the 5 of us, we have every language in the book covered.
Galileo already has abilities that are a boon vs Fear effects, so Remove Fear feels a little redundant.
@ Galileo have you seen Oswald's Will Save? And guess which Mutagen he brews? I have noticed everyone else has taken Iron Will...hahaha!
I’d caution against getting scrolls of alarm, animate rope, and glitterdust because the former spells have durations that are too short (1st level spell scrolls are cast at caster level 1) and the latter is likely to be easily saved against (scrolls are also treated as cast with a minimum ability score). I’m not sure the ability to cover an invisible creature in glitter is worth that much gold, especially when there’s alchemical creations (or even just a pinch of flour) that do it as well.
Rallying cry lets you use my Intimidate roll (+11) vs fear and despair. But I'll toss the alarm, animate rope, and glitterdust scrolls for another heightened awareness, heroism, and a remove fear.
I do feel better! Ain't afraid of no ghost! I got me a Bard buddy!
I think I'm just about ready. Need to think about adventuring gear.
Strengths: he's an absolute stalwart against Fear effects. Should be pretty good in melee. At 6th level the Bladethirst ability will be supercool.
Weaknesses: Fortitude is a weakpoint.
Perhaps, Oswald should double up on Antiplague and Antitoxin....
I could exchange some Pheromones for them, so he can hand them out?
Hey everyone, I’m really sorry for falling silent without any notice!
Last week I returned to normal/full-time work and it’s proved a bit more challenging than expected. I continue to recover well, but after being on the computer a lot at work (and all the little ways you use your shoulder throughout the day without really even thinking about it when you're not laid up at home recovering), I haven't been up to getting back on it afterwards to post. I’m getting to the point where I should be able to post during breaks and after work with some regularity again soon. And, I’m actually off tomorrow, so I’ll catch up on reading posts and get a post up in gameplay then.
Thank you for your patience and understanding!
No worries, glad you're still with us. :)
Sneaky little guy! I figure I should wait to see if anyone else wants to try talking before I launch another lightning strike at it. So I'll wait for everyone else to move first.
Just FYI, I'm going on vacation for a few days and so my attention might be a little divided until the weekend. Feel free to decide what Brother Laurence does in my absence if I don't post in a timely enough fashion. :)
Hey everyone, just a quick heads up- I'll be camping Aug 6th through 12th. I'm going to be in a cabin with a bed, but no electricity. I'll do my best to make short posts whenever I go in to town for supplies, but I won't have any reliable means of charging my phone so it may be kind of hit or miss. Feel free to bot me if necessary.
I'm getting ready to leave for my week of camping- like I said before, I'll try to post from my phone when electricity and cell signal allow but please feel free to bot me if needed.
Have fun safe travel!
Sorry had a emergency with my mom this weekend. Everything is fine now.
Am I’m correct in understanding that we all need swim checks where we landed? Also, do we need to question Hyve or is him dying really a win for us right now?