A talkative skull with glowing eyes was among the many wonders that recently turned up in the Pathfinder Society's vaults. Thanks to the Society's efforts in the magic-rich city of Quantium, the skull has rediscovered her identity as an influential wizard and magical researcher, whose spirit came to reside in her bony body after a magical mishap. She had been attempting to ritually protect herself from dangerous forces, and while her efforts did allow her to evade her pursuers for a time, they also left her true name in tatters. Can the Pathfinder Society help her piece together the mysteries waiting in her magical home before these forces return to steal her secrets?
You are at the Nexus House in Quantium, Nex awaiting Venture-Captain Sebnet Sanserkoht.
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In the corner stands a medium hight dwarf of dark skin. She is wearing leather boots, brown pants and a belt with steel buckle, one holster holds a clan pistol that she carries openly.
Her both hands are covered with red gloves, and her hair are neatly wrapped behind her head to not get in the way. On her belt she carries bullets, powder and other devices that you could image are serving to reload and clean her weapon.
On top of that she carries a long and a bit warm coat. You might not notice it, but at the back of her belt she has a second holster with another pistol.
She waits for other to join, as soon as someone is there she says "I am Rose, Rose Goldenoak at your service"
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Yuan Wu removes the conical straw hat from his head, revealing the face of a Tian-Shu man, albeit one who might have spent quite some time outdoors for he rather deeply tanned. He is garbed in a simple breastplate, a buckler strapped to one arm, while a rather strange looking sword hangs from his belt . Tattoos of various abstract shapes adorn his lean muscular figure.
His naturally stern look transforms as soon as he smiles as each of you in turn, clearly pleased to make new acquaintances. He nods his head slightly, and introduces himself. "My name is Yuan Wu, from the eastern lands you would know of as Tian Xia. Specifically the nation of Quain, although it might be unfamiliar to you."
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Another dwarf, this one polishing a well-worn crossbow, and bearing a small, ornate pistol strapped to one side with a curious curved blade at the other, greets the other Pathfinders.
Aye, name's Cragorn. Cragorn Greyforge. Hail from Brevoy, the dwarf says. Me ma was an Aldori swordlord in Restov — this was hers, here he points at the blade, — and me pa a fire marshal in Brunderton before he passed. Learned from him that things which explode ain't always your friend. Unless you know how to take care of them, he says with a guffaw, nodding to Rose. Cragorn's mud-brown cloak wraps all about him with several silver clasps, each polished to a sheen, and beneath a bit of leather and a bandolier peek out. It's a pleasure, I'm sure.
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Enthusiastic halfling with a relativelly large backpack looks back to now somehow familiar skull.
Arclord! Fellow-finders! I am glad to continue this investigation! I am Klara Hoft, but you can call me RRho if goblins or unoficial situation presetns!
The halfling female is pretty battered but cute, she is obvioulsy a learner and a fan of Janira Gavix. She wears old sturdy leather armour and now holding large fork with a sausage, which she bites ocasionally.
Venture-Captain Sebnet Sanserkoht , excitedly greets all of you at the entrance and ushers you into a small meeting room.
Closing the door behind her, the brown-skinned gnome with golden streaks through her long, dark hair crosses the room in a few long strides and leans against a stool, grinning wryly. Atop the stool she places a skull with glowing pink eyes . “Good, good you’re all here. I’m vash-vatom Sebnet Sanserkoht, or venture-captain, if you prefer. I have someone I need to introduce you all to before we get to the rest of the briefing.” She gestures towards the skull beside her, “This here, is Alyreha, one of Nex’s arclords. We recently dispatched a team of agents that assisted her in recovering her lost memories.”
Quickly glancing around the room she notes a familiar face and adds Including some present!
Alyreha shakes and rattles before Sebnet is allowed to continue. “That’s right! I up and lost my head, but your society helped me put the pieces of it back together. But in turn, I also remembered why I lost it in the first place. See, I was doing research on true names and had just hit a breakthrough, but someone else wanted to get a hold of my work to use for some sort of evil plan. Needless to say, I didn’t agree with that, and tried to lock away my research by erasing memory of myself until the time was right to let my studies out.”
Sebnet finally cuts back in, “And now that her memories have been restored, it’s likely that the rest of her research can be as well. So that’s where you all come in. We want to you to take Alyreha and go to her former manor, to find the pieces of her research and restore her true name before anyone else finds her old notes.”
Sebnet also briefly explains that Vigilant Seal faction leader Eando Kline and Envoy’s Alliance faction leader Fola Barun each sent a letter to the lodge addressed to all of you. She hands you two envelopes.
I wish to bid you good luck on your upcoming challenges. Your mission to aid Arclord Alyreha is, of course, of paramount importance. There is, however, a troubling aspect. If you haven’t already, I’m soon you will soon learn that her research concerns true names—a dangerous area of magical research, though one promising great power as well. Alyreha’s research has already shown its appeal as a target for those who would use it for twisted ends. Our night hag foe is but one of those who would steal the research if given the opportunity. I need you to convince Alyreha of the severity of this danger, and of the safety and security that we would afford her research here in Skyreach. I would be incredibly grateful were you to secure an agreement with her to store her true name research in the vaults here at the Grand Lodge. Though we do not want to threaten the goodwill we’ve built—and that you will continue building with her—please do your utmost to convince her to keep her research safe with us.
Good luck and stay safe out there,
Eando Kline of the Vigilant Seal
I hope my letter finds you all in good spirits once you have arrived in Quantium. I know you are all being sent out to help our new ally Alyreha, and I want to wish you all the best of luck in restoring Alyreha to her former self. I write you now to request that you do whatever you can to prove that she can trust and rely on the Pathfinder Society as allies. As an Arclord of Nex she makes a valuable ally for us, and I would like us to be able to call on each other for aid in the future. If you could help her recover as much of her research as possible, I think she’ll be grateful and understand that we’re an organization in which she can put her faith. As such, I trust you all to do whatever you can to build Alyreha’s faith in our Society’s competence. Even should fewer scraps of her research prove critical to restoring her, do your utmost to find every bit until she confirms she has it all. That should properly demonstrate the Society’s skill and dedication.
Best Regards,
Fola Barun of the Envoy’s Alliance
After giving you several minutes to read them, Alyreha then asks Any questions?
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Lady Alya De-Quinn had gone to Quantium with one of the family's trade caravans. There had been a few attacks and she wanted to see just who was behind it. But my the time she got to the city the house vassal told her it had been dealt with. A inside hand spilling the beans to a local gang. All dealt with, Disappointed she was at a loss what to do, So sent word to the local pathfinders she was available. It did not take long for a note to come back and a request for her to attend a meeting. And here she was, at in a room full of other pathfinders hearing out what was needed.
She comes late, A tall elf of pale skin, yellow almost white hair and pale blue eyes. On her hip is a fine think blade, that matches the two fine fighting knives in her boots. as she takes a seat. Her clothing is a black house De-Quinn uniform with gold trimmings. Clean and very well kept.
She says to Venture-Captain Sebnet Sanserkoht as she ushers them into the meeting room.
"Sorry I am late vash, house business, you know how it can get."
Ones in the room she hands her long coat on the stand, straitens her uniform and takes a seat. looking at you all for a moment she then says.
"The Lady Alya De-Quinn, its a pleaser to meet you all"
She said in common.
Then the magic skull talked she studied it intently.
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Lady Alya picks up the Envoy’s Alliance letter and reads it, then the other. Then she spoke to the Alyreha.
"Nice to meet you Arclord Alyreha. 1st I want to say, and I think we would all agree. What a very brave thing you did in the face of danger. You took the initiative in safe guarding your research from hands that would us it for evil. That above all other things is laudable."
She waves Fola Barun, letter.
"To that end Fola Barun has outlined what risks there still may be. From present known and unknown enemies seeking you and your research for their evil plans. She that end she offers a solution to safe guard you and your research. Along with any future work you undertake. That is if you wish to carry on your research?"
She looks over at Venture-Captain Sebnet Sanserkoht 'Vash' as she calls her. To see if this is the case from her talks with Alyreha, skulls lacking facial responses to show response. Then back to Alyreha.
"So for safety and security there is the after of highly secure research officers at Skyreach. Also access to the near impregnable Grand Lodge vaults so you can store your research. This I think she hopes will alleviate the need for you to take action like this again, while giving you reassurances and the resources you need. That is of you want a safe haven."
She leaned back into her seat,
"Of course this is supposed to be reliant on us getting your research back... but even if we do not. I Suggest you consider it. You never know, access to the vault could spire new lines of research. You still have a Brilliant mind it would be a wast not do what you found so fascinating before."
Lady Alya understood these that sort puzzles to research and solve.
Here was one such mind she suspected.
She ended with a smile.
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A woman of medium height rushes through the door, out of breath. She's dressed in leathers with a sheathed sword at her hip. The most obvious sign of her profession is the flute case around her shoulder...
"Shayna... wheeze... Quickfingers panting ... at your service. S-s-sorry, I... gasping ... was only told last... puffing ... night about this assignment." She takes several deep breaths to settle herself and continues with her introduction. "The Society teleported me to the docks and I ran from there."
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"Well meet, Shayna, better late then never I always say."
As she greets Shayna with a friendly grin.
"I'm Lady Alya De-Quinn, thats RRho, then Cragorn Greyforge over there is Yuan Wu, and last if all we have Rose Goldenoak your fellow pathfinders. And we are talking to Arclord Alyreha here"
She says indicating the magic skull.
"Venture-Captain Sebnet Sanserkoht was explaining that our mission is to find her missing research. These letters explain more."
She hands one to Shayna.
"Of course this is supposed to be reliant on us getting your research back... but even if we do not. I Suggest you consider it. You never know, access to the vault could spire new lines of research. You still have a Brilliant mind it would be a wast not do what you found so fascinating before."
Alyreha's teeth chatter momentarily in amusement before she retorts
Safety and security? One step at a time. Let's first see how you do getting into my manor and recovering fragments of my life's work! Then perhaps I can get on with my death's work, and perhaps talk about a partnership.
Again the teeth chatter in delight at the Arclord's joke.
Who's been in charge of the manor since Alyreha has, eh...been away? Cragorn asks. Don't like the idea of busting into someone's home, even if they're squatters.
Alyreha says “Well the beauty of being wiped from the memory of everyone around for months means it’s likely no one would have known the place was even empty. I suspect most people just thought it was that Crazy Wizard House that’s always been there whose owner no one could remember. Frankly, I’m a bit disappointed that it’ll lose that reputation now. What wizard doesn’t want to be seen as so mysterious that no one even dares approach their home?” Alyreha laughs lightly‐heartedly. “I’m sadly too much of a public figure to keep that up though, so I guess I’ll just have to let it recover its prior reputation as ‘Arclord Alyreha’s Abode’!”
Alyreha exercises her jaw some more, clacking the teeth together. Sometimes the pink light in her eye sockets pulses. She looks back and forth between members of the group awaiting more questions.
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Klara stands beside pale talkative elf seemingly supporting her questions and being curious about discussion. She takes time to finish off the sausage and casually clean her large (filcher) fork.
She waves to every represented Society member with a shy smile.
- We are fellows with Alyreha and I adore her headish jokes. Now as this investigation went so far, I also wonder about who is in charge in the manor and what security sytems we can expect. This memory wiping still sounds complicated for a simple halfling. That's why I prefer to work with solid things like dwarven glyphs in stone rather than soft brain memo...
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Yuan Wu looks intrigued at the talking skull, and become even more engrossed as he listens in.
"Seems that I missed quite an adventure but kudos to the team that helped you restore your memory. But perhaps it is something beyond me, but what exactly are true names? To the extent that led to all these?"
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She could not help herself, she had been interested in this a school
"We Yuan, and I hope no one minds?'
She asks then goes on.
"From my understanding for the purposes of magic, names are divided into three categories."
She holds up a hand with three fingers on it, pulling each down as she lists
"Public names, private names, and true names. Public names are what we call something when we don't have a more specific name. Words—like “grass” or “door”—but they also include aliases and nicknames. A public name can be given without consent, which is how spell casters who rely on names work magic on those they don't know, improvising a nickname or simply referring to the target with a noun, like “Man” "Tree" "Evil-do-er". Privet names is your name, like Mr Willow and such, your given name used. But true names, well this what ever elf learns from stores, They say back when the 1st world was all there was, everything had a true name by which it could be known. Not just things but places, beings and even feelings and ideas, everything had a true name."
She put her hand down.
"And some magic needs you to know something or someones true name to work. Like binding and banishing demons, know their true name and well, you can try and make them your to command. Thing is most things don't know their true name. And if they did know they would never tell anyone. Not when someone with the right spell, could just say your true name and command you to die, and you would, even if you where the other side of the world. You see names give you control over the thing you name, with the right magics of course. And Miss Alyreha here was researching true names. The highest and most tariffing of magics. Is that about right Alyreha?"
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Klara looks at Yuan Wu with a bit of pride in her gaze:
-Actually it was me since the beginning in Emerald Spire's vault. We almost invented way of communications since she remembered nothing mostly but already had a temper - I mean arclord. But we discovered this much later. Although since I know that probably Asylin - the hag - has some interests or envy. After she had stolen master of scroll's soul you can only imagine how copmlicated her plans might be..
After listening Alya - Klara makes some notes and scratch ear with a pencil before speaking with resolve:
-Power of names is one of purposes why I prefer to be RRho outside of close circle. Actually your name, Alya, reminds me about one fellow leshy (Pathfinder surly) who was familiar with one investigator many years ago, when I was a child. I still remember inspiration which brough me to investigator's profession after all.
"What do you remember about your research, do you remember what form it took."
she asks.
Well, recently I've had to adapt my spells to work without hands, and on the fly no less! Unfortunately, this form is quite the headache. You think there's a joke hidden in here but she doesn't emit her chattering cackle this time.
- We are fellows with Alyreha and I adore her headish jokes. Now as this investigation went so far, I also wonder about who is in charge in the manor and what security sytems we can expect. This memory wiping still sounds complicated for a simple halfling. That's why I prefer to work with solid things like dwarven glyphs in stone rather than soft brain memo...
Alyreha says “Well, I mean I am an exceptionally powerful wizard so there’s all kinds of magic in my old manor. But don’t worry I haven’t let all that power,” she pauses for effect, “go to my head!” She waits for laughter, only continuing once Sebnet clears her throat. “Anyway, I don’t expect any of that to be too much trouble to any of you. Since all memory of me was erased until recently, I suspect it’s just been abandoned all this time. The only thing I would worry about is if someone tried to break in there during all this time, there might be one or two of my magical defenses active, but there shouldn’t be too much of a problem, especially with how magically warded I made sure to keep the place.”
Rose looks at Alyreha and simply comments "I think you are building your new reputation as you speak."
The pink glow of her power seems to intensify at this encouragement (whether deliberate or not).
Oooh! Maybe I should design a catchy new arcane sigil for all to know me by!
"But perhaps it is something beyond me, but what exactly are true names? To the extent that led to all these?"
The skull rattles and chatters, answering unhelpfully.
I'm not sure there is an explanation sufficient for one who hasn't spent significant time studying it! See if one of your colleagues here is educated in the ways of the arcane and has more patience than me!
The sassy skull waits out Lady Alya's explanation. After Alyreha remarks
Eh, close enough, for the uninitiated.
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Okay! So which one of you wants to carry me? Don't be shy. I promise to not bite any fingers off. Where would they even go?!
Some of you may remember more about the Arclords.
Only Cragorn seems to have knowledge to offer.
I will for you certainly, since you're carrying me. As for the rest... I'll try to keep an eyesocket out when I can be bothered to.
Satisfied with Alyreha’s answers (or dissatisfied and worn out), the party makes whatever final preparations and purchases they need to in Quantium and then proceed to her manor. She is able to direct you to its location on the outskirts of the city easily enough. It’s a short half hour walk there.
When you reach the manor, you can see both its unusual shape and signs of active magic within. There are two levels, and a small section of the southern ceiling rises above into a tower shape, roughly 40 feet above the second floor. Flashing multicolored magical lights shine through the windows and energy visibly pulses out from the building, seeping into the surrounding area.
Alyreha looks at all of you expectantly to see if you dare approach…
Alyreha rattles in concern, “You see that, Pathfinders? My manor was once filled with numerous magical experiments. To keep it safe from thieves and intruders I had it covered in wards, keeping all of the magic sealed with its walls. Something, or more likely someone, has broken several of the wards. Quickly now, get me inside! It’s safe to enter the building for now, but if too many more of the wards are compromised, uncontrolled magical energy could surge out into the city streets, People could die if we let that happen!”
You enter through the front doors...
The eastern wall of this elegant foyer displays a statue of Nex, covered in a wide array of multicolored runes. Several other runes and lines of magical energy, seeming to originate from other parts of the house, coalesce in a strange magical circle surrounding the statue’s base. The statue’s left hand holds a staff that lights up in apparently random sequences of color. Glowing runes on the rest of the walls shimmer, spin, and spill out into the adjoining rooms. Flashes of mystical lights going off in other parts of the house are visible underneath the doorways. A deep thrumming sound can be heard throughout, though its source cannot be determined.
Alyreha’s eyes glow a vibrant red and flash in disbelief at the sight before her. “Oh goodness, it’s worse in here than I thought! I don’t think I can permanently repair the wards here without significant time and a look at my old notes. However, my statue of Nex is supposed to be the focal point—as well as being a lovely bit of décor—so if you place me over there on top of it, I should be able to keep the magical bleed from getting any worse. That’ll buy you all some time to look around and find what we need! But be careful, Pathfinders, I suspect with how terrible this damage is that it may be deliberate, and someone has a trap waiting for you.
I keep backup copies of the more important notes of my true name research around the manor, hidden by magic and defenses that only I had keys to surpass. It’s likely that all this damage to the wards has been done to reveal my hidden research. Thankfully, that shouldn’t deactivate the rest of the defenses I put into place, which was hopefully enough to scare our thieves off. But that will mean that whatever they didn’t manage to overcome, you all will have to do so, as I no longer have my relics to deactivate the defenses, and it would take more time than we have to make new ones for each room. I’m counting on you all to find whatever notes you can and make your way upstairs, but don’t fret if one of the challenges seems impossible for you all. I’m still a highly skilled wizard, after all. I put my notes together in such a way that not every single part is needed to piece the research back together. Oh! And feel free to take any useful items you find. You can even keep them. After all, as I am, they’re not exactly going to be any good in my hands!” She laughs at her joke before turning her focus to the wards.
Alyreha explains the manor's general layout so that you can commence exploring the rooms to recover her research notes.
MAP updated.
A2. CONJURATION GALLERY
A3. ABJURATION DISPLAY ROOM
A4. DIVINATION LOUNGE
A5. ILLUSION GARDEN
It's currently unclear how much of her research needs to be gathered for her to recover her true name and restore any of the wards in her home.
You may return at any point to ask her questions (you may also ask her further questions about the manor now).
What do you do first?
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-I do not like conjuration. MAybe lets start fron gallery? It would be polite to start from more public places... But lets first do usual precussions?
she likely suggest searching and magic detection...
Klara checks her equipment to be sure she will not push something unproper with her backpak or a slingstaff.
she likely suggest searching and magic detection...
The Pathfinders decide to head to the Conjuration Gallery by narrow consensus with noted dissent. Ultimately they will likely have to visit all of the rooms...
The walls of this room are covered in paintings of creatures, organized beneath signs that list the names of each of the Outer Planes. Many of the paintings have been moved aside, turned crooked, or taken off the shelf, as if the room had been thrown into disarray. On the southern end of the room, a painting in the section labeled “Maelstrom” lies on the floor, with one side of the frame slightly broken off.
Standing near the painting are two cackling, serpentine creatures with elongated crocodilian faces, luminous eyes, and arms that vanish at the elbows into swirling clouds of runes before reforming into solid talons.
They immediately move to attack, their luminous gazes fixed upon the lot of you!
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions:
Before Your Turn:
After Your Turn:
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The bold may go
Shayna
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RED
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Cragorn
Yuan Wu
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BLUE
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RRho
Rose
Lady Alya
One of the creatures says... something to the other before advancing on the party.
After an incomprehensible incantation a large glob of acid speeds at the group and detonates, bursting over the front four of the party.
DC20 Basic Reflex
⇒ 4 damage
⇒ 8 damage
⇒ 2 damage
⇒ 2 damage
on a critical failure, the creature also takes 1 persistent acid damage.
Yuan takes the worst of it and feels acid begin to eat away at his skin!
COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (round 1 of 3)
Before Your Turn:
After Your Turn:
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The bold may go
Shayna
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RED
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Cragorn -4 (Guidance)
Yuan Wu -9 (1 persistent acid damage)
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BLUE
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RRho
Rose -2
Lady Alya -2
The first creature stepped into plain view of the party to wield its acid magic, and so Cragorn takes the opportunity to strike back with a crossbow bolt in its shoulder . It lets out a light shriek before resuming its cackle.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (round 1 of 3)
Before Your Turn:
After Your Turn:
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The bold may go
Shayna
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RED -2
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Cragorn (Guidance) -4
Yuan Wu -9 (1 persistent acid damage)
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BLUE
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RRho
Rose -2
Lady Alya -2
The other creature skitters along past it's companion, ranging out widely to the side to approach Cragorn on his right side. It's jaws open wide and snap at the dwarf...
It's aim is a little clumsy after its long stride across the room. The other one cackles at its miss.
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COMBAT TRACKER
Round: 1
Tactical Map
Active Conditions: Courageous Anthem (round 1 of 3)
Before Your Turn:
After Your Turn:
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The bold may go
Shayna
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RED -2
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Cragorn (Guidance) -4
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BLUE
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RRho
Rose -2
Lady Alya -2
Yuan Wu -9 (delayed, 1 persistent acid damage)
Lady Alya incants a barrage of darts at the first creature, lodging them in its broad face atop the jaws. It shrieks more angrily at her.
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Forgot if its the 1st attack of a round then,
You are skilled and opportunistic. Using your sharp wits and quick reactions, you take advantage of your opponents’ missteps and strike where it hurts most. You play a dangerous game, seeking thrills and testing your skills, and likely don’t care much for any laws that happen to get in your way. While the path of every rogue is unique and riddled with danger, the one thing you all share in common is the breadth and depth of your skills.
Key Ability: DEXTERITY OR OTHER
At 1st level, your class gives you an ability boost to Dexterity or an option from rogue's racket.
Surprise Attack
You spring into combat faster than foes can react. On the first round of combat, if you roll Deception or Stealth for initiative, creatures that haven’t acted are flat-footed to you.
So Sneak Attack add