CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Sakura considers herself one of the most steeled warriors of the town and this VERY UNHAPPY warrior marches towards the corpse with a single-minded determination. The weight of the situation presses down on her, not just in the physical disgust of her current state, bathed in the remnants of the vulture's recent meals, but in the profound responsibility she feels to rectify this wrong.
"Of all the... Why does it always have to be so disgusting? Ugh." she grumbles under her breath, her voice a mix of determination and distaste as she quickly makes her way back towards the body.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Will:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Trying to hold firm in the face of the howling, Kamo, with a shaking voice, chastises the spirit again.
Religion:1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 11 - 1 = 29
"Quiet now, it's not your heart. Tsukiyo bring you some peace."
He casts a nervous look at the trees and puts his staff in a defensive position.
Sakura kicks it into high gear and begins to run as fast as she can. Well, as fast as one can carrying a human heart while being surrounded trees that want to eat you.
Kamo's prayers distract the haunt as Sakura continues to hustle! Jing-De and Pagma take steps to defend themselves as the angry spirit infuses the trees with malevolent life, causing clawlike branches to lash out at you!
Tree Claws:4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 5) = 17
The claws inflict 17 slashing damage (DC 22 basic Reflex save) to each character. A character standing on the path or in a clearing gets a +1 circumstance bonus to this saving throw, and the character who carries the heart gains a +4 item bonus to this saving throw. By Raising a Shield, Parrying, or by Dropping Prone, a PC gains a +2 circumstance bonus to their Reflex saving throw. A prone PC can Take Cover to gain the benefits of greater cover against the claws (increasing their
circumstance bonus to this Reflex save to +4). A PC who Tumbles Through on their turn and succeeds at a DC 22 Acrobatics check gains a +2 status bonus to their Reflex saves against the clawed branches. A PC who succeeds at a DC 22 Stealth check to Sneak improves the result of their Reflex save by one degree of success.
Weathering the attack, Sakura reaches the woman's corpse and places the heart within her chest. Doing so causes the hauntto howl in pain and frustration, then to sound as if the unseen giant were fleeing into the distance. The woman's body sinks into the stone, and then an immense sugi tree grows up out of the ground, consuming the stone and harmlessly pushing Sakura aside. As the tree grows to a height of nearly a hundred feet, its branches unfurl and drive away the fog...
...and then reality fades. You find yourselves back on the Pilgrim’s Path northwest of Willowshore near the Wall of Ghosts. Now, the foggy tunnel through the wall can be traversed with ease. The way to the Tan Sugi Monastery lies ahead...
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
"Some effect of the fog, perhaps? An invisible giant was chasing us through the forest, and Sakura was playing with a bloody heart!" Kamo shakes his head. "I would hope that nothing strange awaits us at the monastery, but that seems a pretty foolish hope."
"Nothing strange?" Pagma says with disbelief as she gets out her waterskin and rag. Then approaches the vomit-covered Sakura, holding them ready in both hands to help clean, but hesitates. "I don't even know where to begin." she says with dismay couples with a Hint of amusement.
Jing hugs himself and fights off the urge to shiver. Whatever they just saw and experienced is most definitely categorized as 'strange', and there is no indication that the situation at the monastery will be any better. It might very well be worse. "This place has escaped the rules imposed by the divine order. Prepare for the worst, for the monastery and its surroundings have slipped into the realm of chaos."
Pagma's words stir a thought in Sakura's mind. She turns to her friend with a mischievous glint that lights up her eyes as she winks and says "Hold that thought."
She whips her head to Kamo and calls out "KaaaaMOOO!" and grinds her teeth as she strides toward her brother in what initially looks like an upcoming sibling shoulder punch that she's fond of delivering.
Before Kamo can retreat or even register the impending doom, Sakura envelops him in a bear hug, her strong arms locking him in an unbreakable embrace. The squelch of the vomit as it transfers from her to him punctuates the moment, a tangible reminder of the ordeal they've just endured. "You know, brother," she begins, her voice dripping with both affection and a hint of wicked satisfaction, "I really, really love you."
She releases him and uses the back of her hand to wipe a clean place on his cheek, where she affectionately places a kiss. Turning to Pagma, she says "Pagma-chan, I am ready now."
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
"Ugh! Why didn't this stay in the spirit world?" Kamo rubs the front of his vomit-bespecked robe. "I just washed this last week!"
The wild cackle that erupts from Pagma is pure delight, so much so she barely manages to pour the water over Sakura's head (having decided as the siblings embraced so warmly that a dunking was the only possible way to make a dent in the disgusting mess).
"I think if we keep at this whole 'hero' thing, we'll need a pack full of changes of clothing." she teases, before pointing out to Kamo "Hygine is important, so you are next, though I only have one more waterskin, so both of you try to move out of the way of the next vomiting vulture we kill."
Common Knowledge: The Tan Sugi Monastery and the Pilgrim's Path:
The Tan Sugi monastery was founded by a Sangpotshi monk named Zhi Hui in 7020 and was built around an ancient sugi tree said to have mystic properties. Willowshore was originally founded to support those who built the monastery and the long trail that leads to it, also known as the Pilgrim’s Path. Zhi Hui passed away in 7054, and as the monks of the monastery began to drift away, Willowshore shifted focus to the lumber industry. By 7060, the monastery had been fully abandoned, but when a group of woodcutters attempted to harvest the ancient sugi trees that grew there in 7062, tragedy struck. The woodcutters returned to Willowshore with broken weapons and ruined bodies, and while the undead woodcutters were defeated by morning, dozens of townsfolk perished to their battered tools. The event is remembered today as the Night of Broken Blades, and few visitors have made the journey to the ruined monastery in the 46 years since. The place is regarded as cursed, haunted, or worse, yet there are those in town who can’t help but wonder what treasures and lore might still lie abandoned in the ruins.
The monastery is located in a secluded valley many miles to the west, surrounded by steep mountains. The only safe path to and from the site is the Pilgrim’s Path. While the last stretch of the trip to the monastery from Willowshore along the Pilgrim’s Path is only a 13-mile hike, traditionally those who would seek knowledge made the trek slowly, pausing to spend the night three times at three shrines along the way. These shrines—one on a floating platform in a lake, one near an ancient dead tree, and one on a secluded, rocky perch overlooking the path below—represented the traveler’s past lives, their future lives, and their current life. By turning the short hike into a multiday meditative trip, the seeker of knowledge and enlightenment adopts a mindset better suited to receiving the teachings of the monks of the Tan Sugi monastery.
Once you are ready, you begin your trek along the Pilgrim's Path. It doesn't take long to realize that the area is even more restricted here than in the hinterlands around Willowshore. Anybody trying to leave the Pilgrim's Path and travel into the surrounding wooded mountains finds themselves returning to the Pilgrim’s Path not long after losing sight of the trail, having been turned around without noticing the change in direction. As long as you stay on the Pilgrim's Path, though, you can travel unimpeded in either direction.
With his knowledge of occultism, Kamo comes to the conclusion that the Pilgrim’s Path is a more constrained version of the same curse that contains Willowshore and its hinterlands. What’s happening on the Path could indicate that a deeper revelation about the nature of the curse does await discovery at the Tan Sugi monastery.
***
On the first day of travel, as you make your way toward the Bridge Shrine, the weather along the Pilgrim’s Path is crisp and cloudy. While you know that the physical distance from the Wall of Ghosts and the Bridge Shrine is about 5 miles, this leg of the journey along the Pilgrim’s Path was intended to be taken slowly, so that the traveler arrived at the shrine at sunset. The first part of the path winds through dense forest. One thing you note immediately as you travel further down the Pilgrim’s Path is how strangely preserved it appears. The road was once well-traveled, but in the 46 years since the monastery was abandoned, the road became overgrown and increasingly indistinguishable from the surrounding woodland. Not so now, however.
About 30 minutes after you have begun your trek, you round a corner to find a lone kappa trudging at a snail’s pace down the path in the same direction that you are heading. Upon spotting you, the kappa drops down on his hands and knees. "My apologies! I did not mean to get in your way! Please, I beg you, have mercy on me!" He crawls pitifully to the side of the path to let you pass, avoiding eye contact. You notice that the bowl in his head is empty of water.
They have seen so much pain and suffering, that they need to be wary of everything, but Pagma has never liked bullies, and suddenly she feels like one.
She bows quickly, "Please, wise Kappa, we did not mean to startle. There is plenty of pathway for all of us." she rises and smiles "You could walk with us if you wish, towards... enlightment." she hoped that is what is at the monastery "There are dangers around. Strange and deadly."
"Oh!" the kappa says, blinking. "You are not agents of the storm mother, then? She has been tormenting me! First, she tricked me into spilling the water in my head bowl when she told me to beg for my life. Then she picked me up and flew into the air with me in her clutches, cackling with cruel delight and dropping me off at the edge of the world, far from any water! All I want to is to get back home to Mirror Lake."
A slight breeze wafts by, and the kappa cries out in fear, waving his arms. "Do you hear it? The storm mother's voice! She taunts me! Please, will you help me reach my home safely?"
Sakura kneels down to the kappa's level, offering a reassuring smile that bridges the gap between their worlds—her warrior's visage softening in a moment of genuine empathy. "Of course, we'll help you return home safely," she assures him. "The storm mother won't bother you with us by your side. And, who knows, maybe along the way, you can teach my brother here a thing or two about courage and kindness."
Rising back to her full height, Sakura looks at her companions, "We protect those in need on our path, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it strengthens us in ways fighting alone never could." she adds, her voice carrying the weight of her conviction.
"Besides, the lake sounds wonderful. My brother is in desperate need of a bath."
"Oh, thank you!" the kappa says, beaming. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" He continues to thank you over and over to the point of near absurdity. He is only able to slowly trudge along without any water in his head bowl, but filling it with water of any sort restores his mobility and earns another near-endless litany of thanks.
As you walk, the kappa gives his name as Enko. Now and then, more whispered taunts reach Enko's ears, causing him to cry out in fear. The kappa warns you that the storm mother is a terrible and frightening monster who can hurl lightning and blasts of wind that can strip flesh from bone. Enko isn’t sure why she took to tormenting him recently, but he does tell you that she’s got a particular and strange distaste for the scent of burning incense—a weakness that Enko warns is tough to take advantage of, given her mastery over wind.
It is the middle of the afternoon when the path emerges from the dense forest and curves around the eastern edge of Mirror Lake. Enko is ecstatic to see the water again. However, as you draw near the lakeshore, danger strikes!
Everybody but Kamo spots the creatures hiding before they can attack. Two vipers of remarkable size lie in wait on either side of the path, each one bearing two heads--one on each end of its body. One serpent is hidden among the detritus of the forest floor and another in the shallow water at the lake’s edge. As you pass between them, they prepare to lunge!
Everybody but Kamo may act first! The creatures are 15 feet away on either side of you.
Sakura, with her katana drawn and eyes locked on the target, dashes towards one of the double-headed vipers. As she closes the distance, she unleashes two quick strikes, aiming to cut one (or both) of those heads off the viper!
Pagme was chatting about the kappas she had met in the bath, trying to avoid the embarrassing parts of that story, her in the bath while her friends stood around.
When the snakes attack, she assumes they are after their new travelling companions. ""Enko, get behind me" Pagma steps between him and the nearest snake, and quickly throws two bottles of lightning at it.
Sakura charges towards one of the snakes, scoring a critical hit and following up with a normal slice! Jing-De finishes the creature off with a beam of searing light.
Pagma misses the other snake, though she does splash it with electrically charged fluid. That snake hisses angrily through both heads, slithering toward the alchemist and snapping at her!
Pagma yells out in pain as teeth dig into her. Poison her mind tells her, she might be poisoned, but there is no time for that. Her hand fumbles around the hilt of her dagger, swinging it wildly to keep the snake away from her and the kappa.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Kamo snaps out of his daze--he was just looking forward to a dip--and tries to come to Pagma's aid.
Pagma's cry of pain snaps Sakura's head around towards the snake attacking her.
Damn!" Sakura curses to herself, frustrated that the other creature was able to get to her friend. She charges towards the creature and swipes her katana at it, hoping to lop off more heads.
Pagma slices the two-headed snake twice. Jing-De blasts it with an icy ray while Sakura moves in to attack as well, scoring one hit. Kamo circles around in an attempt to flank, but he finds it impossible to flank something that can see in two directions at once! The investigator does recognize these creatures as amphisbaenas. Aside from their venomous bites, they can also spit blinding venom into their victims' eyes.
The creature lashes out with both of its heads. Sakura avoids its fangs, but Pagma is bitten again!
Another bite, the agony blossomed where it hits, but she manages not to scream. Her friends are around her, but she is still the one in front of the Kappa. She thinks at least, hopefully he moved, she just can't spare a glance.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
The snake may be able to see him, but Kamo gives it a good whack between the eyes of one of its heads.
Devise, Strike, Strike Devise:1d20 ⇒ 19
Attack Roll: 19+15=34 for bludgeoning:1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 and precision:1d6 ⇒ 4
Pagma stabs the amphisbaena again, then Kamo delivers a brutal strike to each of the creature's heads, bashing in both of its skulls. It goes limp, putting an end to the danger.
"Thank you! Thank you!" Enko cries gratefully. "I would have never made it back home in one piece without your help." The kappa splashes into the lake and sighs in relief. "Wait right there for a few minutes."
He swims underwater, then returns about five minutes later with treasures he found in a sunken boat nearby. He gives these to you as thanks for your kindness before retreating back into the lake's depths. The treasures are a +1 striking silver shortsword and a wand of endure elements carried on a minor sturdy shield.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
While the kappa is underwater, Kamo rushes up to his friend: "Pagma are you okay? Those things have a nasty venom!"
He steers Pagma to a tree stump and starts patching her up. "You really got some attacks in there!"
The kappa's gratitude leaves Jing feeling overwhelmed. He eyes the shield, the sword, and the wand and wonders who they belonged to, and if the names of their former owner has perhaps been lost to time. "Your generosity knows no bounds, Enko."
While Kamo treats Pagma's wounds, Jing kneels and inspects Enko's cache of gratitude. Valuable items, every one of them. "Such an exquisite sword. Kamo, would you use it?"
As Kamo comes to care for her, being pulled over to a stump, she whispers weakly "did you see me, I was like Sakura, all Wee and Woo." she makes a slow swipe and back with her bloodied knife.
After being bandaged and told she wasn't going to die from poison, she manages a firmer smile "Thank you, Kamo. I feel much better now."
After Pagma is feeling better, you continue on along the Pilgrim's Path. Just as the sun begins to set that evening, you reach the Bridge Shrine.
The path leads up to a river’s edge, where a twenty-foot-wide rope bridge hangs a half-dozen feet over the slowly flowing river surface below. A hexagonal wooden shrine stands in the center of the river, its roof providing shelter from the elements while also offering a viewing portal in the center to allow those in the shrine to contemplate the flow of water below. Several long-handled dippers for bringing up draughts of river water for drinking lean against the central hole’s railing, along with a half-dozen delicate-looking clay vials. A total of six wicker mats lie around this central hole, affording places to sleep above the river.
As a former follower of Sangpotshi, Jing-De knows that Zhi Hui felt that time spent along the shore of Mirror Lake provided an opportunity for self-observation and reflection. She hoped that pilgrims, when stripped of the distractions of others and the mundane problems of daily life, might see in their reflections a true vision of who they are when unburdened. To aid in this, each pilgrim would chant a repetitive prayer meant to invoke the cycle of reincarnation, then retire to sleep above the gently flowing waters.
Strangely, the Bridge Shrine washed away a decade ago during a flood, yet here it stands, looking well-cared for yet still abandoned...
Sakura gazes at the shrine, feeling a deep sense of peace and curious apprehension about its inexplicable restoration. Once Jing-De fully explains the purpose, Sakura asks "Jing-De, should you lead us in prayer and allow us the opportunity to see these reflections? Perhaps it is a sign that it is here, now, waiting for us to fulfil it's purpose?"
Pagma has been to this shine before, when she was just a tiny thing, while her mothers were still about, but she knew it was gone now. Just like them. This made no sense "But what about this does" she whispers, retorically.
As Sakura looks at her in question, Pagma brushes off her worry and wonder, t hen smiles. "A wise suggestion." she tells her friend. "Um, do you think we need to perform the entire ritual, taking several days to travel?" she looks to the mats.
Sakura must not have been paying that close attention to when the ritual was explained. "Oh. Days. I must have missed that part. Hmmm."
She runs her fingers through her hair as she considers the possibilities. "It seems important that it's here, now, and not a coincidence. Does anyone else think that? If true, should we not take the time to do the ritual?"
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
"Something strange is clearly happening, since this bridge fell in the river, last I heard," Kamo pushes on one of the support beams of the shrine.
"Let's rest here and see what happens. We assume that the answer to our mystery is at the monastery, but maybe this path will hold clues along the way."
No sooner have you all stepped into the shrine than the surface of the river below starts rippling violently. What at first appears to be water bubbling up to the surface quickly resolves into a nightmarish vision of hundreds of ghostly arms scrambling up out of the water from the lake’s depths! These hands reach up on either side to grab onto the bridge’s planks, but also rise through the hole at the center of the shrine or up over its outer railings, the better to snatch at you.
At the same time, a plume of water sprays up through the central hole in the shrine, tossing two swarms of wriggling leeches up into the shrine! As the leeches seethe onto the floors, they form the word "Kugaptee" over and over as they swarm about!
Jing-De and Kamo may act! The ghostly hands can be attacked directly, or the haunt can be disrupted with a successful DC 20 Religion to offer prayers to calm the haunt, or DC 23 Intimidation to threaten the unquiet spirits away. The leeches will have to be defeated in combat!
The terrifying sight catches Jing by surprise and rattles him. He mutters a prayer under his breath and casts a protection spell on Sakura. "Jade Prince protect us! See these souls to Pharasma!"
Actions 1+2) Cast 'Protection (+1 status bonus to AC & Saves vs Evil) on Sakura | Action 3) DC 20 Religion check to disrupt the haunt Religion vs DC 20:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13
Pagma is not proud of the fact she screamed. But as the hands grasp and reach, and the leeches writhe toward them, who wouldn't. "No... no w-wonder, people stopped c-coming here." a weak attempt at banishing her own fear.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
"It is Kugaptee again, disrupting the holy traditions of this place." Kamo frowns at the grasping hands. "Be gone, spirits. Go to your rest!"
Kamo succesfully disrupts the haunt, causing the hands to sink back below the water before they have a chance to drag you down with them. However, the leeches remain. He lands a solid blow, squishing a few of the leeches, but the remaining creatures swarm all over you, their suckered maws leaving myriad bleeding wounds behind!
Everybody takes 2d6 persistent bleed damage and is exposed to brood leech swarm venom. Everybody may act!
Brood Leech Swarm Venom (poison):
Saving Throw DC 21 Fortitude; Maximum Duration 6 rounds; Stage 1 clumsy 1, sickened 1, and –5-foot status penalty to Speed (1 round); Stage 2 clumsy 1, sickened 1, and –10-foot status penalty to Speed (1 round)
Jing fights against the tide of fear with tooth and nail and his magical blood. As he taps into that rich source of otherworldly power, he involuntarily dons the mask of a long-forgotten psychopomp. It steels him against the awful reality they find themselves in, and punishes those who dare to attack him and his friends.
Action 1+2) Sepulchral Mask - 10ft aoe https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=786 | Action 3) stride (10ft away from the carpet of leeches) Sepulchral Mask Mental Damage:3d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) = 5 The first creature hit takes an additional 3 damage thanks to Jing's bloodline power. Those hit who fail their save, get a -1 on will saves vs emotion effects for 1 round. On a crit fail, it lasts 1 minute.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Fortitude:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
Kamo's head swims with the leech venom. He staggers out of the swarm and calls down a rain of pebbles on the blood-sucking vermin.
Jing-De's and Kamo's spells wreak havoc on the leeches, slaying them by the dozens. Pagma slashes at the leeches on her, though their rubbery bodies prove resilient to the bladed weapon. Sakura doesn't seem to care about their resistance as she scores a critical hit, cleaving a swath through the wriggling carpet of worms. One swarm is defeated, and the other one is barely intact, but it continues to drain your blood!
Welcome! I've opened the discussion thread a bit early to help coordinate character creation with Oceanshieldwolf. Here is what has been proposed so far:
Shadowlord: Sakura Yuzuki, human fighter
Matt Morris: investigator
Solicitor: divine sorcerer
JohnG: alchemist
Oceanshieldwolf: monk, thaumaturge multiclass
Hello everyone! And thank you, Brainiac, for having us!
I'm planning on playing a divine sorcerer who worships Tsukiyo, and who consults the various Psychopomp Ushers for advice. The Psychopomp bloodline provides my character with the Heal spell at level 1 and, as we gain levels, the ability to do very respectable damage to undead and fiends.
I can dip into Medicine and pick up some feats from the Medic archetype, but sorcerers tend to be rather limited in their skill increase and skill feat selection. I'd also need to invest in wisdom, which is fine, but it does tie down my ability scores to CHA-WIS-CON-DEX, and in that order.
If someone else feels like specializing in Medicine, go for it. Both the Familiar Master archetype and an Oracle multiclass are on my list of build options, and I have no qualms with adapting my build to what the group needs (or, doesn't need).
As for their background and fluff, right now I'm thinking of playing a 'regular' Tian human who is either an Outskirt Dweller or a Folklore Enthusiast. Whichever I end up picking, they only came into their powers recently and have tried to keep it a secret because for now, all of it is simply *too* much. Hearing whispers from beyond?! Seeing an incomprehensible glimpse of what is, was, and will be when shaking someone's hand?! It's a nightmare, not a blessing!
So far she is a plain Iian human as well, with their background being Close Ties altered with foundling: outgoing. Almost certain she'll be an alchemist bomber. Working at the Thrice Blessed Inn as a server, her close tie is with Mother Otis.
She gets a lot of skills being an intelligence based. Though I believe from reading (since this is my first edition 2 alchemist) that I need both intelligence and dex, so wisdom will just be okay.
I’m looking to play a Tian Human monk with the Outskirt Dweller background, and the Foundling (Mysterious) background adjustment.
Toying with taking a tiefling versatile heritage just for the extra mystery.
I’m fairly new to PF2e (have played a Hobgoblin Druid partway through Fall of Plaguestone and am currently playing a human Fighter in Menace Under Otari) and have a lot of unlearning of PF1 to work through, so apologies ahead of time if the Discussion thread occasionally gets peppered with the odd rules question.
Going to roll gender here:
1-3 Male, 4-6 Female:1d6 ⇒ 3
It’s late here in Oz, so I’ll be putting the character together tomorrow.
I am playing a Tian fighter, who I modeled after a Ronin warrior. She fights with a katana and wakizashi, but I'm not sure if she'll be dual-wielding or two-handing the katana quite yet. She's strength-focused and will eventually get into some heavy armor. She plans on rushing headlong in danger, so I'm glad someone has healing to pick her back up when she gets knocked down! :D
For skills, she's got athletics locked down, obviously, but she's going to have a smattering of intimidation, diplomacy, nature and religion. Fighters aren't the best at skills, but I did take Skilled Human to try and get intimidation a little more. With only a WIS of 12 she won't be the best healer, but she's not the worst either? Maybe?
For background, she's a Willowshore urchin with the bitter foundling adjustment. She is not from Willowshore her parents were killed when they were visiting, and she was orphaned and taken in by our Investigator's (Matt's character) family. She and him tend to bicker a lot, having differing opinions on most matters.
I wrote up her full background with traits, flaws, quirks and a description at the bottom of the profile.
Being as the town is only 225 people, 75% of which are human, there is a good chance we might know of each other or met each other in passing.
Tieflings are great in second edition, Oceanshieldwolf. My favorite is that they can be applied to more races than just human. Demon blooded halfings are cool.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Here's my character! I'm Sakura's older brother, who definitely knows better than her, but sometimes forgets to brush my teeth or watch where I'm walking. My friends calle Kamo.
I'll cover Medicine and be pretty decent at Recalling Knowledge about our opponents. (I'm starting with Known Weaknesses and Forensic Medicine methodology.)
I'm still working on my backstory, but I'm definitely convinced that most weird things that happen in town are caused by spirits.
In combat, I'll rush in to help out in melee, as long as I can figure out a good strategy.
No idea what I'm doing for my archetype yet, but hopefully something that gives me options when I don't roll a good strategy.
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
This is my monk’s alias, haven’t gotten a start on anything yet. Still checking out the tiefling stuff and figuring out if it fits the coalescing image I have for him.
@Sakura (and all): I would imagine we would definitely know each other - clearly Sakura and Kamo are related. Pagma and Cloud and Solicitor’s Sorcerer would likely be aware of each other. Cloud is a slightly odd fellow who, while friendlly enough, wears an outlandish helmet (outlandish given he isn’t per se a soldier) and tends to strut around meaningfully…while shopping for fruit or haggling over root vegetables. I would imagine he shares Kamo’s thoughts on spirit activity in Willowshore so they might have a common interest there.
No-one knows exactly where Cloud goes at night, and he doesn’t seem to be related to anyone in the village. He just appeared some years back, seems to be able to take care of himself, and has assisted numerous villagers with odd jobs of a manual labor variety.
I got most of my sorcerer's crunch done so all I need now is to put the dots on the i's of my background, and then I can set up Jing-De's paizo profile.
Like Yuzuki, Jing-De is a healer of sorts, but his focus lies on the spirit and the soul. This, apparently, involves a lot of talking and reflecting on life while enjoying a cup of tea. He also tends to a Tsukiyoan moonlight garden in which he grows special herbs and roots. Some are medicinal, others are for the soul, and a few offer doorways to enlightenment.
Ever since his awakening, Jing-De actively seeks out Elizeth Candorra, the town's priestess of Pharasma, for advice on how to cope with his 'condition'. She suggested that he ought to try to not just see the horror in death, and find a way to (re)normalize his relationship with death.
In an effort to achieve that, Jing-De has started offering therapy services to the bereaved. Rumors say that Jing-De has the ability to hear words from loved ones who have passed to the great beyond. Nonsense, of course, but Jing-De hasn't openly denied the rumor, knowing that this hope - false it might be - could lower the threshold for people to go out and seek help. The Gods Above know they can use some.
I've put up the gameplay thread so you can dot and delete to start tracking things. Please refrain from posting in the gameplay thread until everybody has finished creating their characters and potential starting bonds have been established. Thanks!
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
Ok, Cloud is finished. Cloud has no idea where he came from, no parents and few ties to Willowshore, but given all of that gravitates toward the town out of necessity and a strange compulsion. He has some strange ability to emulate tigers and wolves, and can come across as somewhat odd and feral, but also comical with his mannerisms, fondness for his fine helmet and mysterious background, or general lack thereof.
Although he looks like he can take care of himself, Cloud is not exactly a forest savant, more a rugged survivor (Mysterious Foundling background adjustment removes the Terrain Expertise (Forest) and replaces it with Streetwise) plus took rank in Survival to represent…surviving. And the reason he looks like he can take care of himself is because he has Society (from Streetwise) to watch and understand Willowshore folk….and…..helps himself to other people’s belongings (Thievery). He is lonely, and immensely conflicted about both the deception and the petty thefts he engages in to survive. He tells himself that he helps people out, which he does, and is a hard worker, if not as effective as people think he might be (no ranks in Athletics, but still strong).
Cloud does have a Healer’s Kit, if not a lot of understanding about the best way to use it. Medicine +2 from Wisdom only.
On a rules level, I’m still not exactly understanding how Flurry of Blows works. Do I make both attacks without MAP, and then apply MAP to any subsequent attack with either of my remaining two actions? Or do I apply MAP to the second attack of the Flurry? And if so, what is the point given more attack aren’t exactly going to be very successful. And Flourish means I can only Flurry once in a round, I get that.
Make two unarmed Strikes. If both hit the same creature, combine their damage for the purpose of resistances and weaknesses.Apply your multiple attack penalty to the Strikes normally. As it has the flourish trait, you can use Flurry of Blows only once per turn.
So you spend one action to make two attacks with MAP. Besides being able to make two attacks with one action, you can also combine the damage to overcome resistance, which is useful.
It is true that any further attacks in the same round will be unlikely to hit, but unlikely doesn't mean impossible! And if you prefer to use those other actions to do other things, you can do so.
A typical opening round of combat for you might be to assume one of your Stances, Stride to an opponent, and make two attacks with Flurry. Without Flurry, you'd only be able to make one attack in the opening round.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
For Flurry of Blows, you apply MAP to the second attack of the flurry. The big benefit is attacking twice for 1 action, so you can be very mobile or do things like Demoralize. If you are using agile weapons or agile unarmed attacks, there are also times when that MAP of -8 isn't going to be too bad, like if we get attacked by a crowd of lower level people or the enemy has been debuffed pretty well, like frightened and flat-footed.
After playing a monk, the best part about flurry is that it pretty much guarantees two attack per round. Even if you have to draw your weapon and stride, you get your attacks in. If you are multiclassing thuamaturge, it's also extremely good, since that eats up some of your typical actions in a turn.
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
Thanks for the answers and advice folks. I had an inkling it was about mobility, and had realised stances were a cost to enact/switch between but that all makes sense. Should be fun to play around with.
Sadly, my Thaumaturge aspirations are likely dust - the Thaumaturge Dedication has a Cha 14 prereq - my Background didn’t offer any boosts to Charisma, and even if I switched my free boost from Wisdom (thus cruelling the already poor Streetwise skill feat) to Charisma, it would still be only 12 and rejigging any other way would make what is already pretty MAD even worse. I guess I just don’t see why a Multiclass Dedication needs a prereq, kinda feels like oldskool Ability requirements.
I mean, a Monk/Thaumaturge *is* pretty silly, but it was exciting to me…I’m just not the sort of player who picks ancestries and backgrounds to make the optimised class, and pay the ultimate price…
For those that are new to playing with me, I am a visual person. I have a propensity to create the characters in my games to help me bring them to life and influence how I play my character in our shared story.
I've created my first picture of Sakura a few days ago.
Today I finished her brother, Kamo sitting on the bridge.
Both of the siblings are by the bridge, Sakura down below and Kamo up above. I'm assuming this is the bridge that exists between W16/W17 on the map which is relatively close to where they live (around W18/W19).
Over the coming weeks, I will reach out to each of you to help me create your characters as well so I can form a full party portrait eventually! :D
DM, do you mean the stuff we were wrapped in is the same stuff, now degraded, or is different stuff entirely, but of less quality? If Cloud could notice by looking at it…
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
@Kamo: can you explain what you did on your turn? It looks like you use Devise Strategem to generate an attack number. Is the Recall Knowledge part of it?
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Sure!
I used Devise Strategem to get an attack just number, as you said. I have the Known Weaknesses class feat, so I get to make a Recall Knowledge check as part of using Devise Strategem.
So Stride, Devise Strategem (free Recall Knowledge), Strike.
I usually put my actions explicitly in my post, but I was sleepy and forgot.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Did people pick heirlooms, from the Player's Guide?
I was thinking that "Supplies for an alarm snare, 10 sp, and two lesser ghost charges (Advanced Player’s Guide 253)." make sense for me, but I'm willing to do whatever.
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
Yuzuki Kamo wrote:
Sure!
I used Devise Strategem to get an attack just number, as you said. I have the Known Weaknesses class feat, so I get to make a Recall Knowledge check as part of using Devise Strategem.
So Stride, Devise Strategem (free Recall Knowledge), Strike.
I usually put my actions explicitly in my post, but I was sleepy and forgot.
Ok. But how did you arrive at your strike number? You rolled a 19. Added your Int modifier of +4. That gets 23. How did you get 25, and what part does the RK play?
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
Cloud Tawa wrote:
Yuzuki Kamo wrote:
Sure!
I used Devise Strategem to get an attack just number, as you said. I have the Known Weaknesses class feat, so I get to make a Recall Knowledge check as part of using Devise Strategem.
So Stride, Devise Strategem (free Recall Knowledge), Strike.
I usually put my actions explicitly in my post, but I was sleepy and forgot.
Ok. But how did you arrive at your strike number? You rolled a 19. Added your Int modifier of +4. That gets 23. How did you get 25, and what part does the RK play?
Ah, now that you say it, I did mess up a little. (It should have been 1 higher!)
Roll: 19
Int: 4
Weapon Proficiency: 3
Total: 26
(I think you left out the weapon proficiency.)
The Recall Knowledge roll is separate. I just get to make the check as a part of Devise a Strategy because I have this class feat:
Known Weaknesses Feat 1
Investigator
Source Advanced Player's Guide pg. 60 2.0
Whenever you Devise a Stratagem, you can also attempt a check to Recall Knowledge as part of that action. If you critically succeed at the Recall Knowledge check, you notice a weakness and gain a +1 circumstance bonus to your attack roll from Devise a Stratagem. If you immediately convey this information to your allies as part of the check, each ally gains a +1 circumstance bonus to their next attack roll against the subject, as long as their attack is made before the beginning of your next turn.
So, if I get a critical success, I do get a +1 bonus, as does everyone else.
(Technically, the Recall Knowledge is a secret roll, but it's just easier if I roll it and don't metagame.)
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
Yep, I figured out I forgot proficiency a little later, but it still didn’t make sense!
Ok, thanks for the explanation.
Another question: the Recall Knowledge - my understanding was that the DM tells you whether RK is successful (or the level of which). How can you know if you get a critical success? Or will Brainiac determine that and alert you/us?
Yep, I’ll alert when there is a critical success. RAW, Recall Knowledge rolls are supposed to be secret, but it’s easier on PbP to have the players roll them.
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
DM Brainiac wrote:
Yep, I’ll alert when there is a critical success. RAW, Recall Knowledge rolls are supposed to be secret, but it’s easier on PbP to have the players roll them.
Do you mean “secret” as in the DM rolls behind the screen and doesn’t tell anyone what the result was?
Sometimes you won’t know whether you succeed at a skill check. If an action has the secret trait, the GM rolls the check for you and informs you of the effect without revealing the result of the roll or the degree of success. The GM rolls secret checks when your knowledge about the outcome is imperfect, like when you’re searching for a hidden creature or object, attempting to deceive someone, translating a tricky bit of ancient text, or remembering some piece of lore. This way, you as the player don’t know things that your character wouldn’t. This rule is the default for actions with the secret trait, but the GM can choose not to use secret checks if they would rather some or all rolls be public.
I'll upload an interactive town map tomorrow so you can track your location in town. In the meantime, please indicate which Exploration Activity you are taking.
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
Cloud will Investigate, using Society generally in the town, or Thievery if looking at a specific building, structure, object, dead body for traps/snares etc.
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
Cloud’s “home” is a collapsable lean-to tucked into the bole of a tree a little to the east of the Great Willow (W29) at the base of the low rise that sits above the letters “ui” as part of the word “guide” in “Players Guide” on the map on page 16. According to the guide, there might be foraged foods and non-metallic raw materials in the vicinity. ;)
CG Male Human Monk 1 | HP 20/20| AC: 17 | Fort: +7; Ref: +7; Will: +6 | Init: +2 | Per +4 | Spd 25 ft. | Hero Points: 1 | ◆ ↺ ◇
@DM - another clarification please - is the Governor’s House completely disappeared, without a trace, or razed to the ground? Just trying to work out if it has been attack and destroyed, or magically…bamf’ed.
KINDLING AN EXPLOSIVE FRIENDSHIP How Sakura and Pagma became friends
Years ago, when Sakura and Pagma first met as children in Willowshore, it was an encounter neither would forget.
Pagma had just moved into town and was already eager to delve into her alchemical experiments. On this particular day, she was testing a new kind of firework potion she'd read about. In a secluded part of a meadow, she mixed together various elements, holding her breath in anticipation.
Meanwhile, Sakura was not too far away, in another part of the same meadow, rigorously practicing her katana strikes. Her blade sliced through the air, her face focused and determined. She paused every now and then to do a few push-ups and sit-ups, committed to maintaining her physical fitness. Barefoot as she often preferred, Sakura felt connected to the ground beneath her, as if drawing energy from the earth itself.
Just as Sakura finished a complex sword routine and was transitioning into a set of lunges, she heard a loud pop followed by a colorful explosion in the sky. Startled, she looked around and saw Pagma, who was standing amidst a cloud of colorful smoke, looking both thrilled and a bit shocked.
Intrigued but cautious, Sakura sheathed her katana and walked over, her grip tight on the hilt, almost as if ready for another form of training. "Hey, what was that? You didn't start a fire, did you?!"
Pagma looked up, noticing Sakura for the first time. "Oh, hi! No fire, I promise. Just some alchemical fireworks. I—uh—I was experimenting! But don't worry, it was supposed to be a smoke bomb, not a real bomb."
Sakura glanced at the residue that stained the nearby tree a plethora of colors. "But it EXPLODED!"
Pagma grinned. "Just a little tiny explosion, no one will ever be able to tell. My name's Pagma, by the way. I love mixing things together to see what happens!"
"I'm Sakura," she replied, her eyes scanning the setup. "And you do this often? Make trees colors and whatnot?"
"Whenever I can! Are you training for something?" Pagma asked, her eyes following the katana at Sakura's side.
"Yeah, I train every day. You have to be prepared for whatever comes your way," Sakura said, taking a deep breath as if to center herself.
Sakura hesitated before taking another step closer to Pagma's experiments. "Uh, do those things explode too?" she inquired, pointing at the array of potions and vials.
Pagma chuckled. "Only if I want them to. Usually."
From that day on, despite their differing interests—one devoted to the way of the sword and physical discipline, the other to the unpredictability and excitement of alchemy—they became fast friends. They respected each other's passions and even found ways to integrate them, like the time Sakura used her katana to finely chop ingredients for one of Pagma's experiments.
As they grew older, their friendship continued to be tested and strengthened by various challenges, including the infamous "Blastberry" incident—a colorful explosion caused by one of Pagma's experiments that stained them both and left them walking around town like vivid specters for days. But rather than driving them apart, such incidents only solidified their complex, enduring friendship.
Hiya folx, I’m finding I’m not a good fit for this game so I will exeunt. Thanks to Brainiac for inviting me and you all for being welcoming and taking the time to explain various minutiae of 2e. I’m sure Willowshore is in good hands.
CG male human investigator 11 HP 118/118 | AC 29 | F +16 R +17 W +20 (Resolve) | Perc +20 (+22 to Ini.) | speed 25 ft | focus 1/1| Hero 1 | Active Conditions:
We'll miss you OSW. Feel free to reach out if you ever need anything.
I am very sorry to hear that Ocean, and apologize if anything I posted made you think you are not a good fit. I hope you continue trying to explode 2e, and have a hundred thousand awesome games of every kind.
