I'm stepping out of this game. Thanks for the opportunity VoV. Best of luck to everyone, have a great adventure.
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VoV - sorry to hear, hope your bub gets better quickly In regards to the posting sequence of round actions: I liked what VoV had set up originally and I don't want tons of encounter posts behind spoilers. The easy solution is simply don't metagame. Sometimes unexpected events alter the field of battle, that happens in combat. In regards to player actions: I do want players to take the actions they envision for their character, even if someone else would have done things differently, such as using a bolt on the roaches. That variety and surprise is part of the fun of having a group dynamic. If Theo would keep firing away at the roaches because that's what Theo would do, then he should be played that way and I hope everyone does that. Also, please, please, don't hold up the gameplay thread for discussions. Joana, you waited 24 hours from the time it was Docia's turn despite posting multiple long bits in the discussion thread and I found that very frustrating, especially given that your discussion was about people posting in order.
I like the way it is now, not a strict order for the sake of keeping things moving. Supporting actions will jump ahead in initiative just as often as they'll fall behind, it'll balance out over time. Chalk it up to the chaos of combat.
Round 2 Aarol attacks the same roach with a lunging spear strike, then shifts back to maintain a line with his companions.
"Take that you chitinous demon!"
Round 1 Aarol shifts back and attacks the roach on the right side of Nessa.
"Curses! Stay still you little monsters!"
Aarol lunges at one of the creatures.
surprise round Aarol shifts forward, leveling his spear at the roaches and threatening their advance. "Take care, we have giant roaches here!"
Aaarol had a medium tent in addition to bedroll and blanket, but I just could not justify bringing that to a festival :( It was meant to provide shelter for the halflings and a spell caster, now it's just a part of the mess left at the guardhouse.
"Careful, this camp looks abandoned, but there's a pile of bones here." Aarol moves forward cautiously, spear at the ready, as he investigates the camp site.
With reach and combat reflexes, Aarol could keep a knowledge focus character protected somewhat. Or, his long spear is a simple weapon, so anyone could use it and lead the way, perhaps while Aarol protected the people at the back of the party? I like the idea of every character getting to shine, so I'm glad to have Aarol take whatever role to help that happen.
Aarol clamps his lips in a tight expression, humbled by the superior minds about him and impressed with the calm that Eudocia delivers in their first moment of conflict. They're all right, of course, the natural process of nature as the maggots consume the corpse is just to be avoided and not a threat at all. "Princess, Gregori, point the direction, I'll lead the way and hopefully the reach of my spear and quick reflexes will keep us from harm." Aarol swishes the little sunburst banner with as much enthusiasm as can be mustered in the dank cavern and dismal situation.
Aarol's eyes are still struggling to adjust to the gloom of the cavern and he discerns nothing special about the spider. "Captain, which side should I flank it from?" Aarol starts a slow circle in the direction that Gregori, and only Gregori, indicates.
Thanks for the link. Sounds like that was a very successful event, nearly doubled the old record of 300.
"I can carry Aravashnial if speed becomes an issue, though I'd prefer to keep my spear pointed towards the gloom, our light and noise is bound to attract some subterranean hunters."
what was the record?
"I say we get moving, this earth isn't stable and we don't want to be here when the cavern collapses. Gwerm, make yourself useful and help Anevia and Aravashnial. Princess, can you keep some light out in that gloom, if bats are here then other creatures are likely to be lurking about as well." Aarol keeps his spear pointed at the gloom of the cavern, remaining vigilant for any creatures creeping out of the darkness.
Not knowing the man, but following Gregori's lead, Aarol complies with the elf's request. "Aarol Varien, sir, I'm a member of Gregori's squad." Seeing a glint of silver from the loose soil, Aarol reaches down and uncovers a metallic scale. Cleaning it carefully then stowing it in his pack, he resolves that day to avenge the silver dragon. Let the gods that weep this day use me as their weapon of vengeance, let it be my arm that drives the death blow through that demon!
"I can move well enough, just a few bruises, and I've got my spear in hand. There are others here, not among our group. Ho there," Aarol calls to the other slumped forms, "you folks alright?"
VoV, would the prestige class of Chevalier be Ok for Aarol? It was introduced in AP #14, the second book of the Second Darkness AP, however that was in the 3.5 days and it's just a three level prestige class that wasn't added to the core book or the advanced player's guide. Here is the Pathfinder Wiki link for it. Here is the D20PFSRD link for it.
now that is an intro to an adventure!
At first it seemed that death had taken him, surely it must have after the fall. But his other senses prevail, the musty air so permeating that he can taste the deep earth and the shrieks of bats echoing in his ears. Quietly, he sifts through his pack until he finds the sunrod, but before he can activate it the arcane words from Eucodia bring forth light. Finding his spear next to him, Aarol brushes the dirt from the sunburst banner of Iomedae and raises it proudly in the gloomy cavern, then sets to protecting the group as the others get to their feet. "Looks like your new armor got a few scratches there princess, and I'm guessing it might get a few more before we get out of this hell hole."
"What do you say, master bandages, a ride through this crowd so you can get a good look at the festival?"
Aarol takes notice of the disadvantage in a crowd for the halflings. "Harrol, Nessa, was it? One of you can ride on my shoulders if you'd rather, you don't weigh much and it'll give you a better view of the festival than I'm guessing you're usually afforded."
Leaving only his tent, bedroll, and blanket, Aarol packs the rest of his gear and fully arms himself as per the custom of the festival. On their path to the old city he'll search for a small sunburst banner to attach to his spear, sharing in the celebration of Iomedae, even though it is Desna he prays to under the stars at night.
Aarol enjoys the free meal and finds a little time in the evening for a drink or two at a pub, then makes his way to bed, rising refreshed and ready in the morning for the ceremony at Clydwell Plaza.
...and take it home to set on his mother's mantelpiece, completely oblivious to the historical and cultural value... Without knowing it, the archaeologist hits close to Aarol's heart. Subconsciously his hand drifts to the hilt of his elven blade, taken from his own mantlepiece when he left home so his mother wouldn't sell it for pesh. "Alright princess, this Basilica thing ain't my church, but I like the idea of saving the important things from both the demons and dusty mantles. I'll protect you the best I can, though I can't promise that armor won't get a few scratches. Hells, I'll even protect 'master bandages' here as well", Aarol reaches out and slaps Harrol on the shoulder, "as long as you promise to use clean bandages when binding me up afterwards."
"All right Aarol, that's enough" Aarol raises his hands with look of disbelief, "My life is being offered up for this, and I have a two question limit?" Resigned to their task, he walks over to a chair and plunks down dejectedly while mumbling to himself, "No wonder they're taking anyone they can find. That flyer said 'crusade', not 'escort a pretty princess on a hole digging mission', I read it twice even."
"After all, you wouldn't wear last year's gown to this year's cotillion, would you?" "A cotil-lion, coat-ill-lion, I don't even know what that is, some princessy function for high brows and fancy pants to mingle? Whatever, the Kithian Basilisk Opera sounds alright, preserving relics of the past crusades and what-not, key word I heard there was 'patronage', this Orlun fellow paying extra for anything special?"
Aarol fixes the newcomer with an incredulously stare, "Her armor isn't even scratched and she needs a team of people to protect her?" Then he considers the implications of his statement, "Huhh, maybe that's why your armor isn't scratched, you usually have a team protecting you? Alright princess, job's a job and your fair enough to look at and I suppose that'll make the job easier. What's this business protecting you, where you planning on going around here? You certainly don't look like the type to be leaving civilization and entering a demon pit."
Jerkass Woobie was a trope for Aarol as well, and as well please don't ever take the banter as anything personal, it's just having fun :)
"Alright, alright, you got a point there, knowing something about our enemy could be a lifesaver. What do you think, Gregori, you met this academic princess?"
"Ha, from Oppara, it'll be more like the discarded fashions from Absalom."
I had been thinking of the french city Arles when I made Aarol, but we could play Aarol as the phonetic spelling of the Oirish brogue 'Harrol' :) Anyone remember the Newhart show, 'this is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl'.
Still exchanging greetings with Theodric, Aarol blinks twice as the two halflings enter the room and then stands in shocked silence as the spectacle of Harrol unrolls. His concern grows as Gregori details their mission. "Whoa, there must be a mistake, I signed up for the Crusade, not to accompany 'dirty bandages' here", Aarol gestures to Harrol and his ball of unrolled bandages, "on escorting some privileged princess around a war zone so she can go back to her royal parlor with exciting tales for her handmaidens and suitors."
Well, this is what I wanted, and here it starts, be it glory or death... Aarol takes a deep breath to steady himself and pushes through the door into the small room. Full of grim determination a moment ago, he sizes up the huge man in gleaming armor and instantly relaxes. ah hells, the demons won't even see me for this shining beacon, a better shield I couldn't find! "Hey, glad to meet you, I'm Aarol. You must be Gregori Shadowbane?"
yep, works for me arrows set to 20 cold iron and 20 regular
hey VoV, I gave Aarol a cold iron longspear and 50 cold iron arrows, though less than an 8 gp investment for a simple weapon and arrows, I wanted to clear that with you as any unusual material that bypasses DR can be a bit weird just having at 1st level. I've no problem at all setting that back to normal material if preferred. (by 'just having', he bought them on entering Mendev with the purpose of fighting demons in the crusade) I had no idea that was a "fastball special", but how very appropriate, and the trope link was fitting :) I have a character for a home game that was based on The Tick and starts combat by chucking "little wooden boy" at a foe, then charging into the fray. Great fun, though the call of 'medic' seems to rise often.
What do the rest of the party bring to a fight? I'm glad you asked this because I was doing something foolish with the build of Aarol and didn't realize it until I went to answer that question. He'll be a brute type rogue that uses two handed weapons and sneak attack to deliver as much damage as possible on a single hit. The rake's bravado ability will eventually combine with the shatter defenses feat to create his own sneak attack opportunities, but that won't be until level 8.
you should take the 'throw anything' feat and chuck Nessa into combat, then charge in behind her
yea, I'm good with any timeframe
Hello everyone, I'm very glad to be part of this group, Thanks for the invite VoV! Here is the first draft for Aarol, little points may change throughout this weekend as I finalize the build. VoV, from the player's guide, the campaign trait 'chance encounter' would be perfect if that encounter could have occurred a month ago when he first arrived in Kenabres rather than in his youth? |