Rise of the Runelords

Game Master Veniir

There was, as his father used to say, two sides to every blade when it came to the physical labor at The Hagfish - time to reflect. Not all reflections are good of course.

Perhaps it was seeing Donimah and Garridan interact at the White Deer Inn or Zel looking for work as a guard for a merchant caravan but memories of his escape from Belkzen returned. The fear from attacks on the caravans from all manners of monster. Shoanti arguing with one another in their own language about something. Would he make it out of Belkzen? Be turned back? Killed?

It was a tumultuous journey undertaken by the boldest of merchants. Even with 'guarantees' of safe travel through some areas you had all manner of disagreements and friction between orcs, the people of Trunau, the dwarves of the Mindspin Mountains, and the various Shoanti tribes. The orc and 'human' he understood; the rest was all loud, angry noise.
Arrian knew his old tribe might send out scouting parties to look for him. It wasn't that Arrian's father was some famous prince, warleader, or chieftain. In fact he was often derided by others of the tribe for thinking rather than fighting. But Magra the Mad said he saw something in Arrian and demanded he be turned over to Magra for training as a shaman for the tribe.

That training was part of the reason why he didn't seem to complain as much about either the heat of Sandpoint's summers or the cold of Sandpoint's winters. The fasting, pain, exposure to the elements, the scarring...it was all meant to draw out the divine spark within Arrian.

And it did.

His father realized that fact and pondered what to do. He knew he'd never survive a challenge against Hogrot. Possibly insane and definitely reckless Hogrot was the tribe's strongest and most fierce warrior. He couldn't have held onto the chieftainship of the Broken Spine tribe otherwise. But Hogrot's animosity towards all half-orcs as "Half breeds worthy only of contempt" worried Davor and for the future of his son. Ever since his wife Kaleria had been killed in a Shoanti raid Davor struggled to raise his son. When the mysterious fires broke out and burned down much of Heliu's Folly, the Broken Spines winter headquarters, Davor seized his chance and disappeared with Arrian during the confusion.
Arriving at Trunau, Arrian saw humans who, for the first time, weren't trying to kill him. It didn't mean they were happy to see him however - not even the human side of his family. Davor gave them all of the money and goods he'd ever salvaged to pay for them to get Arrian on a caravan out of the town. In case Hogrot or Magra decided to look for them Davor would leave Trunau in a different direction than any caravan would travel. Arrian realized what that meant; no solitary orc, not even a warrior, would last long on his own in such perilous lands.
Crying, as his father wiped at his eyes, Davor told him to be a good man - not an orc, not a human - but a man. He quickly embraced his son then set off for the open desolation of the southern Hold...

"Arrian!" Jargie's voice rose over everyone's in The Hagfish. "Boy you daydream so much you're going to cut yourself! Make sure you save some fingers to pickup up empty bowls - my lobster chowder is a big hit! It probably doesn't hurt that it's free today but hopefully...well...everything will be okay."

Jargie smiled at 'the boy'; despite his gruff exterior, and the occasional correction/punishment, he cared for Arrian. He saw the man he was becoming but also some of the more dangerous impulses his temper could land him in. It was all well and good he was making friends but were they the right friends, good people who would keep Arrian out of trouble? He hoped so. As much as Jargie planned to live forever the increasing aches and pains, slowing down, that damnable cough over the winter he still had...he wondered how much time he had left. Plus it wasn't getting any cheaper feeding a boy no...man...of Arrian's size.

Jargie was glad Arrian found religion. Although he was a bit surprised it wasn't Desna, Cayden Cailean made sense. Arrian was always for the underdog, standing up to bullies, and helping people in need. Jargie liked to think his guidance was no small reason Arrian found his way to Cayden's faith. Even though Father Abstalar was a cleric of Desna he still found time to answer Arrian's questions about Cayden, the Starstone test, and any other story - Arrian always loved stories. Did ever since he was a sad boy being talked to sleep every night with some fantastical 'adventure' Jargie went on during his youth. Of course most of it was hogwash but the boy didn't mind. He loved hearing about heroes and princesses and good triumphing over evil. Jargie learned, slowly over the years, much of that was due to Arrian's childhood.

Sighing deeply, wishing he were back out participating in games no matter how bad he was, Arrian said "I'm on it Jargie!" and hustled out to the main room to collect empty chowder bowls and then it was back to the kitchen to clean them for the next group of diners...

Ano takes in what Zeldrith says to heart just as Juriya and Donimah arrive.

“Y-Yeah I’m fine Juriya,” she says, addressing her friend. She then turns to the tiefling and says “Thank you for your words. I’m sorry if I’m flighty or stupid or anything like that-I think all the talk about the new church is pulling up feelings I thought went away. Or something. Could also be the big crowds.”

Cherry landed on the catfolk’s shoulder and chirped, “C’mon now, your father and friend wouldn’t want you moping on today. This is a happy day! And plus, Donimah, Persephone and Zeldrith look like the kind of people who would tell you that they wouldn’t want your company if they didn’t want it. Right?” The cardinal looked at the tiefling, changeling and Shoanti as if asking for assistance in cheering up Ano.

"Feelings...related to that 'Late Unpleasantness' Cherry mentioned?" Donimah asks cooly. "When a place refers to an event by a name as specific as that, it's almost always significant."

She nods a bit at Cherry's pep-talk.

"Cherry is right: if I thought you were flighty or stupid, I would have said so."

Persephone lays a gloved hand on the shoulders of the sad Catfolk.

Today is Desna's Day of blessing us with the truth that we can all become beautiful butterflies. Going through the mud, muck, many mean things can shape us.

The Tribe Shaman's mix-matched ocean blue and emerald green eyes look at each of them in the group.
Friends. Friends help guide us, pick us up, kick an ass for us when warranted.

Isabel squeaks in response to Persephone's cursing, but the spectacularly colorful Raven does nod in agreement to her sentiment if not her vocabulary.

Persephone smiles at each of them.
Ano. Zeldrith. Juriya. Donimah. Arrian. Anyone seen our lost Arrian? I think he needs our support too.

"Last I saw of him I think he mentioned he was returning to his workplace...the Hagfish, correct? With the challenge that was vaguely described as a disgusting act involving a live specimen of the namesake eel?"

She looks over at Persephone and Isabel, sizing them up.

"Your poetic way of speaking about this group that seems to have coalesced makes me think there's an angle you're working...most likely a harmless one, you don't strike me as truly manipulative. But in my experience, one doesn't gather people like us together simply for friendship. Especially not when spirits are involved."

She gives a knowing nod to Isabel.

"The only ones flighty here are the familiars," Juriya says, unable to sense the tone of the room. WIS of 7. She takes a gulp before continuing. "Yeah... the Late Unpleasantness was... certainly something like that. And yeah, the Hagfish challenge does not actually involve the eel for the record! Still as disgusting though," as she mimics gagging.

"And plus, Donimah, Persephone and Zeldrith look like the kind of people who would tell you that they wouldn't want your company if they didn't want it. Right?"

Zeldrith pats Ano on the shoulder reassuringly. "Trust me, Ano, there are very few who I really dislike, and those ones are mostly the sort who don't like me, either." He grins. "Matter of fact, you remind me of a Pharasmin priest I knew in my old mercenary company. Jhindyl Lostling, his name was - he had the same love of life you do." The young mercenary's smile falters, and in his mind's eye, old memories surface.

The Bridge of Rysev, arching over the tumultuous rivers far below.
The mercenaries' hasty fortifications, grim faces waiting behind the barricades - the faces of those who know they have seen their last sunrise.
Jhindyl, gasping out his last breath on the end of a bugbear's spear, the young cleric's body plunging over the edge of the bridge and dwindling to a dot as it plummets into the churning river below...

"Today is Desna's Day of blessing us with the truth that we can all become beautiful butterflies. Going through the mud, muck, many mean things can shape us."

Persephone's words snap Zeldrith out of his reverie, and his eyebrows raise. "Isn't that the truth. I've lost plenty I cared about, both in Magnimar and in the Goblinblood Wars, but it hasn't broken me. Trust me, Ano, if you're anything like my friend Jhindyl, you're strong. You'll make it through this."

Father Zantus looks at Persephone shortly as if not recognizing her, after bumping into Ano. It looks like he still wants to say something, but he recognizes that friends and acquaintances are gathering and excuses himself.

As Donimah says her farewell to the mayor, she adds quickly "Oh, I can imagine that Garridan gave you trouble.", which Donimah quickly identifies as the White Deer proprietor. "He is very protective of his Shoanti ancestry and is not fond of Thassilonian references, such as some you bear.", she continues before finishing "Enjoy your lunch! And your stay!"

Arrian: great addition to your backstory! Do you mind putting a link to this post of yours in your sheet to complement it, please?

The group of people, each scarred by their own past, notices that most of the day has gone by. Soon, the new cathedral's consecration will take place at sun set. People seem eager for this more due to the cooler night time than the cathedral itself. And, of course, the evening games. However, a few dark clouds start to gather over the town coming from the west.

Father Zantus is on the makeshift stage in front of the new cathedral. He waits until there are enough people and he dramatically calls the attention of the crowd by throwing down a thunderstone, which Juriya clearly remembers selling to him. It is very effective in shutting down everyone. For a moment, the townsfolk admire the scene, as red and orange and even some reflecting violet light from the setting sun paints the gathering clouds as well as the new cathedral and Father Zantus' face in the last goodbye of the summer days. It is as if the weather is saying that the happy summer days will be missed. A stray dog cuddles under a wagon, his belly full and his spirit at ease.

The priest clears his throat with a smile. Then, the recites a little monotonously "Mistress of the moon, the stars, the dark and bright sky, we know of your beauty in exhalted dream." As he breathes in to continue the prayer, a woman's scream slices through the air. Father Zantus looks confused around. As nothing else happens, he considers continuing the prayer and thinks trying to remember where he stopped. Then another scream, now louder rises, then another.

Beyond them, a sudden surge of strange new voices rises... High-pitched, tittering shrieks that sound not quite human. The crowd parts and something low to the ground races by, giggling with disturbing glee as the stray dog gives a pained yelp and then collapses with a gurgle, its throat cut open from ear to ear. As blood pools around its head, the raucous sound of a strange song begins, chanted from shrill, scratchy voices.

"Goblins chew and goblins bite,
goblins cut and goblins fight.
Stab the dog and cut the horse,
goblins eat and take by force!

Chase the baby catch the pup.
Bonk the head to shut it up.
Bones be cracked, flesh be stewed,
we be goblins! You be food!"

Quickly, it is clear that the shape that raced by and killed the dog was a goblin, that is now licking its ugly now bloody slicing weapon. After a while, the crowd is mostly dispersed, and in the square in front of the new cathedral, the group find themselves facing four goblins that seem to have decided to spread chaos in the square. However, it sounds like there are goblins everywhere in the town. The goblins stare at the group, while the group is still trying to make sense of what is happening. A fifth goblin is coming from the top of building to the west. Cackling it jumps from the building in the direction of a running woman, but it impales itself on a wooden stick. This breaks the tense staring and both parties jump into action, the quickest of them acting first.

I'll do initiative by block. I think this avoids having to wait for everyone in turn to act.
Battle map on a link above the Campaign Info tab. I copied your portraits and placed them randomly on the map, and I'm coloring the goblins for easy identification. I also numbered them in case anyone has difficulty with colors. I put a picture of a goblin on the side to help visualize the bugger.

Ano initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Arrian initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13
Donimah initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Juriya initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Persephone initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Zeldrith initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Gobo initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Everyone but Zeldrith acts first (sorry m8)!

Ano smiles softly, "Thank you all. Let's enjoy the rest of the day-starting with meeting up with Arrian, so he can enjoy the rest of the festival with us!"

Later

Ano and the others stood by the new cathedral at sunset, having enjoyed the rest of the day without her thoughts bothering her. As she waits for Father Zantus to say what he needed to say, the sharp screaming caught her off guard...but the second the singing was heard over the screaming, the hairs on her fur stood up straight. She turned to see the goblins enjoying themselves...and her fear returned to the forefront. This time, mixed with a new emotion...

She ignored Cherry's demands for them to run to a safe place as she withdrew her rapier and charged at the goblin at the wagon, her eyes and spots glowing a faint blue aura as she shrieks at the little maniac.

charging at goblin #2. entering rage, +2 Str and Dex. Due to charging Ano's AC is 13, touch is 11, and ff is 10 until the next turn

Ano Rapier w/ Bloodrage and Charge: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 2 = 25
Ano Rapier Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

OH THAT THREATENS TO CRIT

Crit Confirmation: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
not sure if you wish for me to roll damage again or if you want the damage to be doubled

Persephone frowns at the sudden appearance of goblins. The Shaman's mix-matched ocean blue and emerald green eyes look at each of them in disappointment.

Calling on Desna to Bless them, she Strides next to Zeldrith.
Move under Zeldrith's position.

Bless

Light Xbow, Bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 3 + 1 = 11
Light XBow Damage, Sneak Attack: 1d8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + (3) = 7

Juriya, upon seeing the Goblin, switches languages and shouts "SURPRIIIIISE~" in Goblin as she fires a crossbow bolt at the nearest Goblin. As the crossbow bolt presumably misses, she mutters under her breath in Sylvan while reloading and preparing to fire one last time before actually going into melee.

Donimah frowns a bit as Kendra explains Garridan's prickliness.

"And so am I. The ancient Thassilonians are as much the Shoanti's ancestors as the ones who roam Varisia to this day," she says tersely.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

When the consecration begins, Donimah takes in the weather pensively, almost wondering if the spirits were trying to tell us something, though she imagined if they were Persephone would have said something.

The scream causes her to straighten up and clutch her whaling spear tightly, despite already having it tied to her wrist. Then she recognizes the giggling, raucous voices. She'd heard them many a time by Riddleport's trash heaps and the harbor shore. Goblins.

In her childhood, they'd been competitors and dangers, best avoided entirely if you wanted to get the best salvage, and given whatever they wanted and running quickly if they did catch you, to survive. But she was not a penniless little wretch anymore. She had magic, and more importantly, she had allies.

She steps over, between Zeldrith and Arrian, and begins an incantation. The runes around her eye begin shining with an eerie golden light, one by one, until she reaches out and touches Zeldrith's shoulder.

"You may feel a slight vertigo," she says matter-of-factly as the spell completes and Zeldrith surges in height, suddenly standing at eye-level with the surrounding houses!

"Crush them underfoot!"

Donimah casts enlarge person on Zeldrith!

Persephone frowns at the sudden appearance of goblins. The Shaman's mix-matched ocean blue and emerald green eyes look at each of them in disappointment.

Calling on Desna to Bless them, she Strides next to Zeldrith.
Move under Zeldrith's position.

Bless

I moved Persephone's token.

"I wish the townspeople didn't stare at me so much; now all I have is my dagger."

Arrian moves quickly to make sure Ano isn't left alone and stabs at a goblin!

Dagger: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 61d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

@GM: I'll adjust Arrian's tagline but his AC is down by 2 since he wasn't wearing (or carrying) his shield. I also left the lightning bolt icon on the map where you placed Arrian to confirm he moved only his 40'.

Wow were those some horrible rolls! :(

I forgot to say: If Ano or Persephone want their familiar to have a combat token, please provide a picture I can use.

As for crits, I prefer you roll the extra damage.

Ano reacts quickly and stabs at a nearby goblin. It yelps in pain, but still stands cackling. It seems unaware that they are outnumbered.

Other attacks miss on the goblins, even Juriya's surprise attack.

Juriya, if your crossbow was hidden, technically it would be a std action to get it out to fire. Since you missed, it doesn't do much difference, but for the future, please be explicit whether you want your weapon to count as hidden.

I'll wait for Donimah to redo action.

Following the crowd gathering for the consecration of the new cathedral, Zeldrith takes his place in the town square, smiling softly. A pleasant little town, fine weather, and a holy festival - a good day, by all accounts. As Father Zantus begins his speech, he bows his head in prayer, closing his mismatched eyes as his thoughts stray to his goddess...

...only for his head to snap up when the screams begin. Looking around for the source of the commotion, he scowls as the mad chanting fills the air. "Goblins! Stand your ground! To arms!" His hand darts to the hilt of his sword, but as Donimah casts her spell, he whirls to face the Shoanti mage, seemingly lost in some past battle. "You heard the sergeant - mages, hold your position!" Strangely, the mage's spell fails to take hold on the mercenary - some quirk of his fiendish heritage seems to resist the scholar's magic. Instead, Arrian grows to immense proportions, the redirected magic wreathing his form in golden sparks.

Target of Donimah's spell changed - Zeldrith isn't taking any actions yet, as it's not his turn, but we should be good for the goblins to act.

Nice recovery! ;)

Donimah blinks in surprise as her spell rebounds to Arrian instead of Zeldrith.

"Just as good," she mutters. At least the spell wasn't wasted.

The goblins kackle and jump up and down with the group of fast friends attacking them. One of them Number 4 runs off chasing a cat that ran by. Another, Number 3 walks towards the group but doesn't attack and climbs on a nearby table. An expert tactician would think it is an attempt to flank Arrian with his friend, but it doesn't really threaten him, only jumps up and down screaming obscenities in its foul language until it sees some leftover venison on the table, and bends down to get it.

Only the two goblins that were attacked fight back.

While Arrian's combatant gets distracted with the venison from his companion and completely misses his attack, Ano's gets a slice in with his hideous blade.

Ano, take 4 slicing damage.

Eveyone is up.

Arrian slashes at the goblin that injured Ano!

@GM: Striking at #1.

Dagger, Enlarge: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 - 1 = 121d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 9

Ano shrieks as she feels the blade hit her from the side, and she yowls a sharp cry of wrath as she strikes down the goblin that struck her.

targeting Goblin #2, using Power Attack

Rapier: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Meanwhile Cherry is desperately pulling at her tail, shrieking, "Come to your senses, we have to get out of here!"

The well placed powerful blow pierces the goblin through. It is still cackling as it's dying.

Zeldrith blinks, looking at Donimah as though seeing her for the first time. "Hold on - you're Donimah. This is Sandpoint, not Rysev." Shaking his head to clear the old memories, he draws his sword. "Stand your ground, Ano! For Sandpoint and its people!" He scowls at the goblin screaming obscenities on the table. "I lived through the Goblinblood Wars - you think I'm scared of you? ΠΑΓΩΜΈΝΟΣ!" With a shouted word in the Thassilonian language, his crimson eye flashes with white-hot power, and as his seven-fingered hand weaves an impossible pattern in the air, a line of ice springs from his fingertips, lancing out at the little creature.

Ray of Frost: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 Attacking Touch AC
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Isabel will never get involved in combat. RP only.

Bless is up! +1 !

Persephone watches the action as if expecting nothing else from her Tribe. The Shaman of Desna simply waits for them to dispatch the goblins nearest their position before determining her next course of action....
Delay!

Juriya begins cackling maniacally as she unleashes another bolt at the goblin. Without the element of surprise, she's admittedly very scared of combat. She just does not want to show it.

Light XBow, Bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Seeing yet another bolt presumably miss, she sighs and angrily grunts in Minkaian, "Oh for," but cut herself short of mentioning the Lady of Foxes, seeing as that would transfer through languages. Perhaps she's distracted by the redirecting magic as if it's Alkenstar, perhaps its nerves from her previous days of adventuring.

Dear God what are these rolls.

Donimah gives a curt laugh.

"I'll take the comparison to your former sergeant as a compliment," she says before making some gesturing with her free hand and her tattoos begin to glow again.

«Προκαλώ τα στοιχειώδη νερά και τους ανέμους του κόσμου για να φέρουν μπροστά μια φευγαλέα στιγμή του χειμώνα με την οποία θα χτυπήσω αυτόν τον άθλιο!» she chants in Thassilonian as a chill breeze swirls in and a hard-packed sphere of snow and ice forms in her hand. And with the final word, it rockets towards the nearest goblin (3) faster than any arm could throw it!

Snowball!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d6 ⇒ 6

It sails right over the little wretch's head and embeds itself in the wall of the house behind it.

Donimah curses in Shoanti.

Donimah forgot the Bless, but it wouldn't matter anyway.

Being too involved in the festival's activities, the group is still not fully involved in the combat to be effective. Only Ano shows.... cat-like reflexes with her combat readiness.

The goblin on the table catches the venison with glee and starts munching on it. The one attacking Arrian tries another attack at him.

It is clearly still very distracted with his companion to be combat effective. In fact, it completely ignores Arrian to run and try to wrestle the venison from his companion.

However, the goblin on the table clearly has a better grip and his companion slips and falls on the ground. It makes the winning goblin laugh loudly, spewing food all over.

Green (1) moves and provokes AoO from Arrian. It is also prone now (if it survived the AoO). Group is up.

The dying goblin cackling as it gets impaled by the rapier only fuels Ano's wrath further. She whirls around and makes a dash for another goblin, the force of her swinging tail so much that it sends Cherry flying southwards, where he catches himself on Persephone's arm.

moving to Goblin #3. Using Power Attack again. also forgot to add the bless bonus last time

Rapier Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

However the catfolk's attack is far less precise in her blind fury.

His weapon in hand, Zeldrith advances cautiously on the remaining goblins. "Don't get cocky, Ano - focus!" Scowling as he nears the recumbent goblin, the mercenary drives his blade into its chest. "Stay down, little fool!" After his strike, he raises his sword in a defensive posture, keeping the remaining foes between himself and his allies.

Longsword Attack (Bless, Flanking, Prone): 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 + 2 + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Stupid pseudorandom number generator...
Also, if Green is dead, move into Green's space and redirect to Blue at -4, as Blue's in much the same position except for not being prone. Should provide flanking with either Arrian (if Green didn't die from the AoO) or Ano (if Arrian killed Green)

Growing increasingly frustrated by his own ineptitude in combat Arrian tries to take advantage of the goblin who showed him nothing but contempt!

Dagger, Enlarge, Bless - AoO: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 71d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5

That is SAD. Two 3s and a 9...really?

In disbelief at how utterly errant his aim is Arrian nonetheless tries - again - to strike any goblin!

Whichever one is left:

Dagger, Enlarge, Bless: 1d20 + 3 + 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 3 + 1 - 1 + 1 = 221d4 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7

Zeldrith strikes quickly at the goblin on the ground while Arrian cuts the one on the table. The one on the ground dies without realising, and the one on the table dies looking around confused.

With all the goblins downed, the group is able to finally look around. The town is orange, not only due to the setting sun, but also from fires all around, erupting. Screams continue and some goblins can be seen before disappearing. One is munching on something bloody only to be killed by a dog. Another leaps over a window from inside a building only to fall and break its neck.

We're out of combat but still in rounds. Also, Ano please keep track of your hp and used resources (rage). You have 1 round until the next prompt.

"I can at least help you out with the wound Ano. After this we need to help with putting out the fires!"

Cure Light Wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

@GM: When his next turn is available Arrian will rush with the other PCs and do what they can (bucket brigade, sand, etc.) to help put out the fire. Arrian will use his increased size and carrying capacity to carry whatever/whomever needs help.

Persephone begins walking about casting Create Water where necessary.

The Shaman will also use her Healing Hex on anyone injured that she sees, as she puts out fires.

The Varisian winks at Arrian.

Persephone beg8ns walking about casting Create Water where necessary.

The Shaman will also use her Healing Hex on anyone injured that she sees, as she puts out fires.

Thank you for reminding me Arrian also has Create Water yeesh it hasn't been my day...

As Arrian clears up the catfolk’s wounds, Ano whirls and shrieks at the half orc. She seems to have enough control to not immediately attack those she knows, but a twitch from one of the goblin’s corpses drives her mad, and she pounces on said corpse, stabbing it repeatedly with her rapier.

“Ano! What the hell has gotten into you?!” Cherry shrills, fluttering in front of her to try and get her attention. When she uses a free hand to swat the bird away, he chirps for help. “I-I don’t know what’s wrong with her! She’s never been like this!”

As the last goblin falls, Zeldrith's head swivels as he searches for more foes. Seeing that all the goblins in the immediate vicinity are dead, he motions to Juriya with the tip of his blade. "Seems like the mages have the fire under control. Let's spread out, see if we can find any civvies that didn't get to safety in time. We'll fight our way to somewhere defensible - isn't there a garrison somewhere around here? - hold out there until help arrives." The young mercenary glances around the square. "Speaking of which, wasn't the sheriff just here? Someone should try to find him, see if he needs..."

Just then, Ano shrieks at Arrian and continues to savage the goblin corpses. Zeldrith's head whips around to face her, and he rushes over to her side. "Ano, focus! They're already dead - you can't do anything more, and if you don't help us secure the town, Sandpoint's people will join them!" His words are brave, but the soldier's face betrays a hint of nervousness, and his knuckles are white where he clutches the hilt of his weapon - he's still having trouble reconciling the cheerful Ano he met yesterday with the frenzied warrior currently mutilating a dead goblin.

Juriya isn't as lost in memory as Zeldrith was, but she's subtly, but visibly, shaking as she rushes around to collect her ammunition that's salvageable. She mutters to herself in a mix of Taldane, Sylvan, and Minkaian to remain calm as she does so, keeping her crossbow at the ready to stay multiple arms' reaches away from combat. "haha," she can be heard panting.

Hopefully we have actual rolls next time.

So the current goblins are down? Just want to make sure I'm not doing an attack we don't need at the moment.

So the current goblins are down? Just want to make sure I'm not doing an attack we don't need at the moment.

Yes they are down.

Donimah regards Ano's aggression coolly.

"No one can know how they'll react to their first true taste of battle."

She casts her eyes about at Zeldrith's orders and listens for the nearest sounds of battle.

"Sound strategy, we can reinforce whoever's closest, minimize deaths."

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

After Ano is done putting more holes in the goblin's corpse than cheese, the catfolk finally says something. Or rather, shrieks something.

"No fire! Not again! Not more fire in the town! Stop it stop it stop it-"

Cherry once again flutters over to Ano, trying desperately to get her attention. "Ano, stop! I-I get this is horrible for you but you have to snap out of it!"

As Ano continues shrieking, Zeldrith backs away, shaking his head. "Can't do anything for her now, I don't think. We'll secure the area, then come back for her." His sword at the ready, he begins to search the square, calling out in case any townspeople were unable to escape the goblins in time. "Anyone left in this area? The square's not defensible - we were going to fight our way to the Garrison."

Perception: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

As the group takes a few moments to make sense of the situation and recover, Donimah notices that there are many people hiding wherever they can. Persephone and Arrian are about to spread magical water on some fires when a sudden fire engulfs a nearby cart. It spreads very quickly. As the group starts to move to investigate, another group of goblins bursts out. This time, they are armed with burning torches that make the goblins jump with glee. One of them is a bit different, it is armed with one of their ugly blades and a whip. It is also chanting the goblin song. Refer to the previous initiative post for the awesome lyrics.

Ano initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Arrian initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11
Donimah initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
Juriya initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Persephone initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Zeldrith initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Gobo initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

I'll have to update the goblin's action later. My baby woke up.

And we're back

The goblins run towards the party a little without coordination. They seem eager to use their new torches. Two of them walk towards Juriya while one moves to Persephone.

The chanting one with the whip walks behind a cart and looks at Arrian attentively, as if waiting for him to do something.

The goblin attacking Persephone is too focused on Arrian and his size and misses its attack. However, both of Juriya's attackers manage to bump their torches at her.

Juriya, take 4 damage twice. One damage in each of them is fire, while the rest is bludgeoning.

Juriya, withdraws, cackling as she nearly passes out from the pain, hoping to draw strikes from everyone else as the Goblins would have to move to get to her. "MORE MEAT ON THEM," she screams in a panicked Goblin as she deserts the combat, withdrawing to a safe distance.

Withdraw it is.

Ano's head whirls towards the other goblins, and she makes a mad dash towards them, almost throwing Donimah off balance.

"IT WAS YOU WHO DID IT! PAY WITH YOUR BLOOD!"

Full move, next turn will be targeting Goblin #3

Zeldrith scowls, his fingers weaving a different pattern in the air as he intones another word of power. "More goblins! Persephone, withdraw! ಗುರಾಣಿ!" He swings his sword at his empty arm, as a warrior might strike his blade against his shield - appropriately, the blade rebounds with a 'clang' against a translucent barrier of force that shimmers into existence around his arm. He charges forward, his hooves biting into the loose soil of the square.

AC 19 for the next minute.

Persephone only smiles sadly at the yet misunderstood creatures.

The Shaman--needing to protect her Tribe!--takes a simple 5' Step away from the goblins and pronounces strange words!

Burning Sands
Fire damage, ash hag: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Rounds 2/2 Lore Seeker

Persephone curties to Zel.

20' radius Centered so edge is next to Persephone's position (5' up).

Sorry for the delay, snowstorm had me stranded at the hotel I work at overnight. I'm back!

Donimah, who picked up enough Goblin from the flotsam filchers in Riddleport to understand Persephone's declaration, looks at her incredulously and then at the destruction she's wreaking.

"Kind of sending mixed messages there!" she says, before her eye tattoos light up again and send a cascade of golden sparks flowing down her arm to her balled fist, where they form a seemingly illusory, giant copy of it of golden light.

Then she launches it at the loudest goblin...

I cast Telekinetic FIST!: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 51d4 ⇒ 4

...and like the snowball before it, it whooshes harmlessly over the foe and dissipates. Donimah growls in frustration

Stay safe Donimah!

As Arrian takes a few aggressive steps towards the goblins, the one with the whip starts making some strange movements while continuing chanting his war song. This is apparently hilarious to Arrian, who drops to the floor laughing.

Meanwhile, Persephone has two goblins on her, while another moves up to Donimah. Also, the one with the whip attempts to pull up Zeldrith's leg.

The goblins are now on a roll, as one hits Persephone and another hits Donimah. Also, the whip wraps around Zeldrith's foot and the goblin, in a stroke of luck, manages to pull it up.

Persephone, take 3 damage and Donimah, 4, please. Also, Arrian is on the floor laughing and Zeldrith is feet up. Both are prone. You're up. I hogged all the good rolls, guys, sorry.

Seeing her friends get hurt only fuels the anger in Ano, and she whirls around to get behind the goblin that attacked Donimah and strike with her rapier.

Moving behind Goblin #3 to flank to attack w/ Power Attack

Ano Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Ano Damage: 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Unfortunately she whiffs her swing at the goblin in her attempts to skewer it.

The goblin's whip wraps around Zeldrith's hoof and pulls him to the ground, and the young mercenary scowls as he gets back up. "Think you're smart, do you? Well, think again, you half-pint mug of hobgoblin spittle!" He strides forward, moving to menace the goblin warmage with his longsword.

Calming down ever-so-slightly, Juriya decides to loose her pre-prepared bolt at the singing goblin, and then reload. She is far too bloodied to even risk another hit, so stabbing at the vitals will have to wait until she's healed up by some kind person's magic.

Light XBow: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Crit?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Damage: 2d8 ⇒ (2, 7) = 9

She breathes a sigh of relief as she manages to finally hit something, and decides to take a further 5 foot step back to avoid any retaliation. Thank Daikitsu and whoever crafted this crossbow, she thinks to herself as she loads her crossbow with yet another bolt.

Aimed at the white circle Goblin

Y'all are forgetting Bless btw.

Juriya manages a fantastic hit on the singing goblin's ribs. A lot of blood comes out, but it manages to stand, although it is stumbling. The other goblins look at their stronger goblin worried, apparently for the first time, even though they have burned feet.

Hello, and welcome to my game of Rise of the Runelords!

This is the campaign that debuted Golarion as a world in the D&D3.5 era. A lot of world building happened during the development of this campaign. Now it has been reworked into Pathfinder 1e rules and improved since the original version.
Rereading some stuff to run this game made me remember how awesome and well rounded it is. Also, the final battle is really epic (and hard).

Since this game is derived from another post, much of the character creation was inherited, so that makes it easier for me. The link to the original thread is here. To also make things easier for me, I will be dropping the Automatic Bonus Progression house rules as it seems like a lot of work redoing the campaign's entire loot. Progression will be through milestones.

The reason for me to try to make things easier for me is two-fold. Firstly, I don't have a lot of experience with PbP. I will try to do my best, but constructive feedback will always be welcome and I encourage you to give me tips, especially with pacing. Secondly, I have my hands full at home with a job and a 4 months old daughter who is wonderful, but demands much of my time and attention.
This means that this will probably be a slow paced game. Especially during scene transitions, where I might have to read/come up with some stuff.

I would also like some tips for how to do battle maps, and what is usual. Do people use like a VTT or something?

Also, please present yourselves shortly and say if you've played (part of) this campaign. I'm a Brazilian dad living in Germany. My new responsibilities (read: beautiful daughter) are the reason why I had to stop going to the TTRPG meet ups in my town and have taken to PbP.

Throughout the game, to make things smoother, I will put some information behind spoilers titled with skill checks. Please only open these spoilers if you make the checks. Some spoilers will read Cumulative or Isolated. This happens when the same skill is used to open different spoilers in the same post. The Cumulative flag means that you can open all spoilers whose DC is equal to or lower than your check. In the Isolated case, a separate check is needed for each spoiler. Skill spoilers can also contain more than one skill separated by OR or AND. In the former case, you may roll both skills (if applicable) and read the spoiler if either succeeds. In the latter case, both need to succeed in order to open the spoiler.

Please let me know if there are any themes/topics which are a trigger or a general no-no to you. You can put them in a spoiler or PM them to me if you feel more comfortable.

Finally, although there is a post in the Gameplay tab, there is no rush to post. Feel free to coordinate some mechanics or backstory with your fellow teammates and make minor tweaks to your character before posting. The first few posts will be more RP centered, so if you feel your character's backstory and personality are all fleshed out, feel free to post while you tweak the mechanical stuff on the background. I'm assuming all characters are already in Sandpoint for one reason or another.

Having said that, good hunting!

Another 3 quick points:

- I noticed some of you have negative mental scores. I would very much like to see these be roleplayed for maximum fun.

- Some of you already live in Sandpoint for a while. If you've lived here for more than a month, you can open all spoilers in the opening post except the last one. If you've lived here for over 5 years, you can open all spoilers. Persephone also counts.

- This campaign was written for 4 characters with 15 point buy stats and no hero points. I ask that you include a hero points counter in your character sheet if you haven't already. And I will not be pulling my punches.

For Battle Maps, either Roll20 or Google Slides are typical. I use Google Slides, but that's admittedly for two reasons. Firstly, I don't like fitting the map to the Roll20 Grid. I do it in my VTT campaign, and it is pain. Secondly, in Iron Gods there is an absolutely massive map that might lag Roll20 out. My Iron Gods campaign is going there next, and it's... it's something.

I've looked at part of the beginning of a few campaigns, but once we get past level 1 or 2, I'll be totally blind. I'm running two campaigns right now, a backported Outlaws of Alkenstar campaign, and an Iron Gods campaign. I was on a technology kick when I started those campaigns, but I can function without it! I've gotten most of my techy ideas out. Now it's onto the other concepts, though I might want to steal one submitter's idea from the OoA campaign who never ended up submitting.

About me? I'm (hopefully) going to be a grad student in Linguistics this upcoming semester, so I'll need to limit my campaigns going forward. Unless an idea immediately strikes (namely the Iblydan train-wreck anytime a mythic campaign comes up), I'm unlikely to sign up for more campaigns than what I have.

As for the character, she's a "human" daughter of a somewhat successful family of Alchemists. You'd be unlikely to know the family unless you actually need alchemical items fairly often. You definitely don't know that Juriya is a kitsune unless she trusts you with that information. Ano, being a Catfolk, would likely already know. Juriya's lived in Sandpoint all her life, barring a stint going adventuring.

Thanks. And I imagine you and Ano are at least acquaintances but she's going for the loner vibe. Maybe talk about how well you know each other.

As far as the battle maps are concerned, a few of the campaigns I've been in have used Google Slides - it's easy and intuitive. I have experience running a few campaigns, but I've never been anything other than a player in RotRL, and I've never gotten further than the end of Book 2 (for much the same reason as many other groups, I'm told), though I do have Book 4 on my own (on account of my interest in stone giants).

As for me, I'm a physicist in the Midwestern United States. My schedule's fairly busy, so I'm just about at my limit with campaigns now.

As far as my character's concerned, Zeldrith is a mostly human (at least 87% - that's still a 'B,' right?) mercenary who grew up destitute in Magnimar. Looking at the other characters, he's unlikely to know anyone well except possibly Persephone. Still, he's amiable enough, and he could have easily met one or two of the other players during his stay in town. He's probably staying in the White Deer, due to him having no money, but he'd spend more time in the Rusty Dragon.

I'm not seeing any reason to hide Zeldrith's character development in spoilers - it's not exactly secret. He owes money to a crime lord and has some sort of ancestral connection to Thassilon that will be just as much a surprise to him as it will be to everyone else.

Yeah, I think that's settled. I'll set up Google Slides when we have some combat.

I'm fine with Donimah's developments being done in spoilers or openly. Whatever works easiest for you.

Just popping in to say hello.

Hello!

Hello!

Hi!

Oh hey Idari Persephone.

From what I've seen in recommendations for PbP, Google Slides is better than Roll20.

As for me, I do not have a profession of any kind (on full disability due to a multitude of reasons that's neither here and much too long of a story), and is currently in the process of relearning how to walk due to an ankle fusion I had last October; however I spend my days being rather creative, mostly honing in on my art skills. I've already drawn up some reference sheets of my catfolk character, if you wish for me to relink those. I'm also running my own RotRL campaign on Discord through friends, but I am extremely good at separating player knowledge from character knowledge (plus the only way for me to remember details about this campaign is to reread the book), so if you ever need some tips I can help you out, as I'm also new to DMing.

As for my character, Ano is a bubbly, optimistic character (think Pinkie Pie if any of you are familiar with that character), although she does have some lingering issues with her father being the victim of Chopper, and having a strained "friendship" with Nualia when the two girls were kids. I did write up that she also tried to be friends with Ameiko however that didn't go well due to Lonjiku, and if that needs to be omitted that's fine. Ano was born into Magnimar (her father came from the south in the Mwangi Expanse, originally from Northern Garund), and her mother and aunt are both from Magnimar, coming from a family that migrated from Tian Xia multiple times for the last thousand years or so (Ano's family on that side tends to have more magical ties due to being tied into a powerful spellcaster from the Lyashtaki. Ano would be good friends with Juriya (and if still allowable possibly rekindled a friendship with Ameiko), but other than that she's not really friends with anyone else in Sandpoint, but does know everyone (even the ones who find her weird and annoying). She has a familiar due to an option from Familiar Folio where bloodragers and sorcerers can replace their 1st level bloodline ability with a familiar-in this case a cardinal (using the statistics of a thrush), named Cherry, who is more or less Ano's conscience, in spite of his dripping sarcasm.

Oh yes, Ano will have many interactions ini the first book...

I do have to ask. How much power are you willing to give RP skills like Diplomacy? Could we potentially talk our way out of a few encounters here and there? Or are all of them going to be fights?

BTW thanks for sharing Ano. Hope you get well soon.

Juriya, I love creative solutions to problems. If you can talk yourselves through an encounter, I consider it "dealt with". You just need to be convincing. And it will be fun seeing that with your - 2 Wis.

Diplomacy of +13. Bluff of +11. She may be completely and utterly oblivious, but she is convincing.

Lots to digest there. I love it!

A bit about myself. I have been gaming since The Red Books. I have been DMing almost as long...lol.

I absolutely enjoy the creative conceptual process of characters for adventures. I also enjoy seeing them develop, either as planned, or fun as the story takes them.

I have had Wizards turn into Fighters in play and Fighters develop into Wizards. I am excited to see where Persephone's path leads her. I do have a plan for her, although it is quite Flexible.

As far as her knowing anyone in the party. Having been sequestered in Magnimar these last 5 years, she may indeed know our Magus. As they share an interest in the Arcane, they may have met at or around University.

Her (and Isabel) recently arrived in Sandpoint. A hesitant return as it were. She has some "Late Unpleasantness " baggage to deal with.

Her pic in profile is how she dresses. She is of the most recent fashion I Magnimar. She speaks properly, expertly. She is educated and sophisticated. She smiles quite often and appears to find joy in simple occurrences; birds flying by, wind rustling through overhead branches and even a farmer yelling at his mule would make her stop and praise Desna.

I am looking forward to journeying with this Table.

I will read/react to the posts later this evening but I'm just heading out the door.
Thanks for selecting me and I'll chat with you all soon!

...she may indeed know our Magus. As they share an interest in the Arcane, they may have met at or around University.

She is of the most recent fashion in Magnimar. She speaks properly, expertly. She is educated and sophisticated.

I chose the Eldritch Scion background, so my character's powers are more sorcerous than wizardly - it's less accurate to say that he has an interest in the arcane and more accurate to say that the arcane has an interest in him. Likewise, her dress and mannerisms indicate a much higher-class upbringing than Zeldrith had.

Still, they share a faith, and she spent five years in the Underbridge district while he lived in the neighboring Beacon's Point district - it's not inconceivable that they met once or twice at the Desnan temple or some such.

...On a related note, looking at Persephone's Wisdom score, it seems to be the highest at the table. It looks as though Persephone is going to be the voice of reason and level-headed thinking at the table, with Zeldrith more filling the role of the Bad Idea Guy. Quite the change, isn't it, Roots Persephone?

Also looking forward to playing at this table.

.On a related note, looking at Persephone's Wisdom score, it seems to be the highest at the table. It looks as though Persephone is going to be the voice of reason and level-headed thinking at the table, with Zeldrith more filling the role of the Bad Idea Guy. Quite the change, isn't it, Roots Persephone?

Hmmm....I may have chosen poorly....admittedly this will be quite a different personality than I am accustomed to portraying....lol.
Funny how much she sounds like Nidintu...haha!

Oh how the tables how turned, Idari Persephone. I am the oblivious one now. The only way I have +2 in Perception is because it's a Class Skill.

Funny how much she sounds like Nidintu...haha!

Well, not unless she stomps around everywhere, yells at everything, and says "Thrice-tenth" a lot. 'Voice of reason' is a very subjective title in the Wildwood Band - Nidintu manages it simply by not breaking the fourth wall (Roots) and not reciting poetry written by a madman (Carageorn).

Persephone. wrote:

Funny how much she sounds like Nidintu...haha!

Well, not unless she stomps around everywhere, yells at everything, and says "Thrice-tenth" a lot.

Thrice-Tenth? Baba Yaga Thrice-Tenth???

Thrice-Tenth? Baba Yaga Thrice-Tenth???

Just something random I picked as my character's favorite imprecation - it rolled off the tongue better than my litany of Akkadian curse words.

Persephone is a Lady, so she doesn't swear. If you do hear her swear, we are in deep doodoo.

The 4th Wall? Wat's dat....looks directly at the audience and winks.

EDIT!

Isabel is a Mary Poppins type of Raven....

Juriya will happily swear... if the situation calls for it. I'd like to think that she thinks she has "common sense," but in reality she has absolutely none at all, and all of her "common sense" is carefully-reasoned-out habit. She can't read a room for anything, but she logically knows that swearing might have a negative impact on her relations with others, and thus avoids it.

Ano won’t swear unless she’s really, REALLY angry. Even then she might cuss in Catfolk so no one else realizes that she cusses. Her familiar Cherry however swears like a sailor if his patience is tested.

She is an Urban bloodrager. She has to have some amount of tact, right? Haha

Oh of course, though technically I guess she’s more of a suburban bloodrager due to Sandpoint’s size? hahaha

Leave it to Pathfinder to find a circumstance where "Suburban bloodrager" makes sense.

Apologies (DM) I like runes I missed this paragraph of yours above:

Also, please present yourselves shortly and say if you've played (part of) this campaign....

I actually have played RotRL roughly 10+ years ago. It was my initial AP with my current (mostly) Friday home game (SoT).

I played an Alchemist. Fun times! We unfortunately only ran the group to the end of Book 4. Another home group but PFS ran Book 5 and 6 for our characters path to 20th .

Nostalgia is a bittersweet aroma that hopefully clings to your heart.

Okay, now that I'm back from work, I got stuff to write!

Donimah is very much meant to be the "outsider" kind of character for the Sandpoint-born PCs to infodump to, while she infodumps more about history, magical theory and the outside world. She's meant to be moody and arrogant at least starting out, and as I wrote in her Ten-Minute Background I intend for a major component of her narrative arc being her discovering just how bad Thassilon truly was and debating whether that legacy can be redeemed, with her trying to become a better person as she adventures with these fine country bumpkins and they soften her hard heart! :P

I have played in a Rise of the Runelords campaign before. It was in fact the first PbP I joined on these boards. We completed Burnt Offerings and were about midway through The Skinsaw Murders before our GM became burned out. I am well aware of the dangers of metagaming, and will be actively suppressing my memories of that game, doing my best to experience it with new eyes. Donimah is actually kind of a refinement of my PC from that game, Eostre Roldheim. I figured a dwarf has very little reason to actually want to delve into a human empire's history and magic, and I wanted to play up the idea of roleplaying a Varisian native coming to terms with the land's dark past. I feel Donimah and Persephone will make great foils for each other!

Zeldrith too, considering he's a scholar of Thassilon too. I do plan on taking Eldritch Heritage relatively early on (Aberrant specifically) so we can be sorcery buddies too (kind of), though be prepared for Donimah to look down her nose at you at least initially, resenting your natural proficiency with spellcraft while at the same time apparently only dabbling with it. Let me know if she comes of as too passive-aggressive.

I've updated Donimah's sheet to have Automatic Bonus Progression turned off and added her Hero Points to her bar.

Persephone will most likely roll her blue Varisian eyes at the Shoanti until she finds out you're a Wizard!

Table Question: Persephone can share her Teamwork Feat(s) with the group. At the moment, I penciled in Ferocious Loyalty. Any thoughts?

Also, her current Hex choice is Evil Eye, although I can be convinced to take Healing Hex instead?

Zeldrith too, considering he's a scholar of Thassilon too. I do plan on taking Eldritch Heritage relatively early on (Aberrant specifically) so we can be sorcery buddies too (kind of), though be prepared for Donimah to look down her nose at you at least initially, resenting your natural proficiency with spellcraft while at the same time apparently only dabbling with it. Let me know if she comes of as too passive-aggressive.

No worries - I'm fine with it. The two might not like each other initially, but they have a great deal in common. Both are outsiders to Sandpoint, both are arcanists, and both have an interest in Thassilon. As someone who grew up with a brother who shared a lot of the same interests as me, I predict that they will either be best friends because of their similar natures or hate each other with the heat of ten thousand suns for the little differences that get on each others' nerves - these two states are not mutually exclusive.

*rubs hands together with an evil smirk*

Persephone will most likely roll her blue Varisian eyes at the Shoanti until she finds out you're a Wizard!

Table Question: Persephone can share her Teamwork Feat(s) with the group. At the moment, I penciled in Ferocious Loyalty. Any thoughts?

Also, her current Hex choice is Evil Eye, although I can be convinced to take Healing Hex instead?

I'll make my next post Arrian's background but first I wanted to address this post. Do we have anyone else with magical healing? Given his build Arrian really needs Divine Favor to be 'combat effective' - particularly to improve his bonuses to hit and to damage. Taking and using CLW would really tie his hands.

Also, an opinion question, does anyone have a better 1st level feat than Toughess? The main reason I selected it was Inquisitor's are a d8 class and frontlining with that is going to be difficult. Sadly Inquisitors do not get a BAB at 1st level so any feats requiring that aren't an option.

I built him with Knowledge skills in mind so that we have a better chance of identifying creatures and what they can (or can't) do.

About me: Shout out to Persephone! I also began on the red box set with the crayon and small, blue dice. :) That also means we're OLD! I've been gaming for over 40 years (yeah probably longer than many of you have been alive lol) and running for many of those years. I started with Pathfinder rules in a home game back in 2016 with the 'Skull & Shackles' AP. S&S and 'Ruins of Azlant' are the only APs I've played so I don't have a bunch of experience with them.

I'm in the U.S. in the Central Time Zone. I'm a drone who does boring stuff since I was in a car accident last year that dislocated my shoulder. Fun stuff... I like to garden although whether I'll be able to continue has yet to be determined but, with the weather warming up, I'll still have tons of cleanup and yardwork to do. That shouldn't effect the time available for PbP unless my right shoulder, and lucky me I'm right handed, is at a point where I can't type for long periods of time. No wife, no kids, no pets (now) so it's just me.

I'm also trying to learn Google Slides with an eye towards GMing in PbP but I'm still a novice with it. If I can help out the GM (or anyone else), I'll do my best.

As to RotRL: I've never played it, run it, or ran it so absolutely everything will be new and a surprise.

Arrian: I wanted a skill-focused 'second line' PC. For those who aren't familiar with the term a 'second liner' is a PC that isn't a 'frontliner' (like our Bloodrager and Magus) but tends to be better in combat than a 'pure' caster. Any help, suggestions, and improvements are definitely welcome. He's a refugee from the Hold of Belkzen so he might have come into contact with Doniman but that depends on how long ago she moved to Sandpoint and/or how close her ties are to the Shoanti in the NE of Varisia. DM Salsa gave me the backstories of some of the NPCs and Jargie, the owner of The Hagfish, seems like a 'soft touch' and someone willing to take in an orphan. To repay Jargie for taking him in Arrian works at The Hagfish doing whatever needs to be done. He's also partaking of some rather dubious eating and drinking habits as seen by his 'Hagfish Hopeful' trait.
Given he doesn't have any family in Sandpoint, and it doesn't look like a hotbed for Cayden Cailean worship, I can see Arrian wandering around Sandpoint with what little free time he has learning about the place and the people. Perhaps he's come into contact with some of the other PCs during this time? He's affable (as half-orcs raised in Belkzen go) but cautious since trust and openness aren't exactly high on the list of priorities taught to little orcs and half-orcs in Belkzen. Given his upbringing and choice of deities Arrian despises bullies and those who try to strongarm others. This will probably cause him issues with the local gang scene as extortion and such are tools for their work.

Do any of us have magical healing? Juriya will get some minor healing for herself at level 4 with the move into Alchemist, but until then she doesn't get any spellcasting, and it will only be level 5 she even gets infusion. She could try to UMD a wand of CLW, but I don't think any of us have the funds for that yet.

Do any of us have magical healing? Juriya will get some minor healing for herself at level 4 with the move into Alchemist, but until then she doesn't get any spellcasting, and it will only be level 5 she even gets infusion. She could try to UMD a wand of CLW, but I don't think any of us have the funds for that yet.

Arrian can have CLW but, as I wrote above, that would reduce his combat ability for a tough fight. I hadn't made a final choice on his second 1st level spell; Divine Favor was a must-have and I narrowed down the other choice to either CLW or Pro Evil - both good spells at this level.

Before I was excited for this table, but you guys got me pumped! I'm loving the ideas for PC interactions.

Just to reply to Arrian quickly, Toughness is a great surviving feat especially at level 1. Also great is Dodge, since you invested in AC. It also opens up Mobility which is interesting since there are so many melee characters in the party, which means that you might end up moving around a lot during combat.

But the greatest defensive move you can do is: let the bloodrager go in first.

Yeah. I just realized that I should be loading my crossbow well before a fight breaks out, that way I can get a good one or two sneak attacks at range before going in with Juriya's pitiful melee. The build will come together a lot more at Level 3, with the builtin fencing grace, essentially, and taking Rapid Reload. I'll probably put that in a post after Ano posts, or some similar timeframe.

And I may as well plan for Juriya to devote most of her Extracts and Infusions to Cure spells. I believe if a formula is on the alchemist list we can use a spell trigger without requiring UMD? I'd need confirmation on that. Granted, that only starts happening at level 4.

Before I was excited for this table, but you guys got me pumped! I'm loving the ideas for PC interactions.

Just to reply to Arrian quickly, Toughness is a great surviving feat especially at level 1. Also great is Dodge, since you invested in AC. It also opens up Mobility which is interesting since there are so many melee characters in the party, which means that you might end up moving around a lot during combat.

But the greatest defensive move you can do is: let the bloodrager go in first.

Oh I plan to let the Bloodrager and Magus go first. Arrian is a second liner and happy about it. :)

I thought about Dodge too but unfortunately it doesn't help vs. spells or things like falling damage, etc. His AC is higher now because an Inquisitor's average starting gold wasn't enough to afford a falchion hehe.

Another option I was considering when building Arrian was the Sacred Huntsman archetype. It would give him an animal companion which could really help the party out at lower levels. It doesn't 'age' well though.

Yeah. I just realized that I should be loading my crossbow well before a fight breaks out, that way I can get a good one or two sneak attacks at range before going in with Juriya's pitiful melee. The build will come together a lot more at Level 3, with the builtin fencing grace, essentially, and taking Rapid Reload. I'll probably put that in a post after Ano posts, or some similar timeframe.

And I may as well plan for Juriya to devote most of her Extracts and Infusions to Cure spells. I believe if a formula is on the alchemist list we can use a spell trigger without requiring UMD? I'd need confirmation on that. Granted, that only starts happening at level 4.

Yep I have an unchained rogue in PFS1 play so I know the pain of waiting to get Dex for damage.

It appears the answer to your spell trigger question is 'yes' but I'll let the GM confirm. This is from the Core rules:
"Spell Trigger: Spell trigger activation is similar to spell completion, but it’s even simpler. No gestures or spell finishing is needed, just a special knowledge of spellcasting that an appropriate character would know, and a single word that must be spoken. Spell trigger items can be used by anyone whose class can cast the corresponding spell. This is the case even for a character who can’t actually cast spells, such as a 3rd-level paladin. The user must still determine what spell is stored in the item before she can activate it. Activating a spell trigger item is a standard action and does not provoke attacks of opportunity."

The main factor here is the cast part. I realize now I have to take Ranged Feint at level 5 instead of extra discovery. I could just not go for mindchemist, but that wouldn't feel right for the character... And I want that Perfect Recall.

And yes, she will try to talk her way out of a situation if it's even possible. Kitsune Trickster lends itself very well to doing that. Granted, she can't detect traps to save her life, but that fits in with her being very, very oblivious.

I was thinking of dipping one level into life oracle so Ano could have healing (and to give her the lame curse for rage cycling) but if others are dedicated healers that won’t be likely. I might instead dip into swashbuckler to give her parry and make her even deadlier with the rapier.

Juriya isn't a dedicated healer until level 5! Go ahead and dip Life Oracle if you want. I have one in my Tyrant's Grasp Campaign, and she has saved the entire group's hides on many, many occasions. My squishy Wizard VMC Time Oracle nearly died a few times but the ability to quite literally sponge damage saved her.

I will make Persephone The Healer. No worries.

Alchemist need UMD for Wands and such. They don't get that ability.

All 5 of my PF1e Alchemists had Pragmatic Activator.

I will make Persephone The Healer. No worries.

Alchemist need UMD for Wands and such. They don't get that ability.

I'm not well-versed in PF classes/archetypes, is a shaman a spontaneous caster or more like a cleric?

I will make Persephone The Healer. No worries.

Alchemist need UMD for Wands and such. They don't get that ability.

All 5 of my PF1e Alchemists had Pragmatic Activator.

Heck. Link to where it says that?

Second, Shamans are prepared. Have an Unsworn one in my Iron Gods.

Persephone. wrote:

I will make Persephone The Healer. No worries.

Alchemist need UMD for Wands and such. They don't get that ability.

All 5 of my PF1e Alchemists had Pragmatic Activator.

Heck. Link to where it says that?

Second, Shamans are prepared. Have an Unsworn one in my Iron Gods.

Thanks! My PF experience is still what I'd call fairly narrow so I'm unfamiliar with many classes.

Juriya Arima wrote:

Persephone. wrote:

I will make Persephone The Healer. No worries.

Alchemist need UMD for Wands and such. They don't get that ability.

All 5 of my PF1e Alchemists had Pragmatic Activator.

Heck. Link to where it says that?

Second, Shamans are prepared. Have an Unsworn one in my Iron Gods.

Thanks! My PF experience is still what I'd call fairly narrow so I'm unfamiliar with many classes.

What's everyone's vote on Arrian and the archetype? He'd lose out on his judgements which is painful because they're so versatile but a wolf animal companion would help us out at low-levels.
Although our bloodrager and magus are tough!

How did you get Wis to knowledge skills? Inquisitor?

Also, I'll keep which Knowledge skills you're specializing in to not step on your toes too much once I hit level 5 and get double INT to knowledge. Thanks for the 2INT+Wis idea.