Aerin Whispersson's page

I'd like to submit Aerin Whispersson for consideration. Though his background would remain largely the same, I'd re-skin him as a air focused sorcerer.

I've had a lot of fun playing him in very short bursts, but unfortunately as is so often the case the games have folded very quickly. He is definitely not optimized, I enjoy playing the character rather than a bunch of stats. If accepted I'll be happy to re-skin him as a straight level 1 sorcerer under the rules laid out.

Hoping for a nice long game and plan to stick around as I know the disruption player turnover can have.

Well, thanks for trying Bookrat!

At least it keeps alive my streak of not getting past 3rd level!

wish they would crush my home so that I could get a new one. So lucky."[/b]

[dice=CHA check]1d20 + 1

I'm guessing "Isn't it wonderful that your home is about to be destroyed?" warrants a deception check. :)

This, by the way, is awesome! :)

Soolam, having convinced the modrons to move around,

[dice=Perception]1d20+2

He did? By suggesting they march through the library? lol

Pleased that the library would be spared--and more than a little surprised that the modrons were able to be persuaded to alter their march, Aerin dusted his hands off and looked around to see if there was anything else to be done. He scanned the immediate area, and then rose up on a column of air to get a bird's eye view of the situation, hoping to spot another situation where he could lend a hand.

mingle with the wind to get a top down view. He'll proceed to the next closest location where he can see trouble

Off Topic -- just wanted to bring this amazing offer to everyone's attention. Frog God Games & Friends are doing a charity fund raiser and the amount of content for the price is amazing.

Humble Bundle

Aerin had been thinking hard, trying to come up with a way to coax the marching horde to alter its course, but to no avail. He helped as be could with the evacuation arrangements, but with great distraction as he continued to ponder how their could divert an inexhaustible stream of unreasonable machinefolk.

He watched with frustration as the modrons piled into town, trampling random buildings. He was suddenly intrigued, however, that the modrons seemed to pause as the sight of one book wielding woman and hurried over to the scene.

Listening as the woman seemed to sway them, Aerin nodded along. "There is a vast store of knowledge contained here," the genasi said, not sure if it was even true. "Primus has great interest in such things, does he not? I would not want to be the pentadrone that had to tell Primus I was responsible for destroying that which he values."

What is the third tier?

GM Bookrat wrote:

Despite your request that half the party head back to warn Heart's Faith, none of them actually said anything about leaving. They're all still with you now. Only Soolam has made any mention of heading back.

Can I use the hours spent waiting to see the Quinton to repeatedly stab the 3? XD

Sorry, I didn't mean for Aerin to be inactive all those hours, I was just letting those speaking with the modrons have their turn in the spotlight.

But, if it makes Duncan feel better to stab us repeatedly, Aerin is cool with that :)

Obviously all we need to do is steal the modrons' map and mark a big arrow to the left saying "Modrons this way".

Aerin raised his eyebrows, impressed. He leaned over to Soolam and whispered conspiratorially, "Take them we come in peace. Tell them to take us to their leader.". He nodded solemnly.

Hold out for Primus, Duncan!

Aerin nodded in the affirmative to Duncan as he wracked his brains on what to say. He suspected, "Hey, look over there," wouldn't work in this case, so he decided he'd just follow the warrior's lead and help if and when he could.

"Hail friends! We come by order of the Sword Archons of Mount Celestia. We we're seeking an audience with whomever is leading the march."

Huh. Well. Asking them. There was something he hadn't thought of.

Aerin bounced along unhappily; he was finding riding a land-bound mount much less pleasant that zipping around on the giant dragonflies of Ysgard, primarily due to the constant jolts to his posterior, but his true discomfort was due to his complete inability to think of any way to divert the marching modrons.

He watched the herd as they overtook it on their way to Heart's Faith. The modrons didn't seem likely to be distracted from their path by food, companionship, or even self-preservation. What was left?

Aerin nodded non-committally. Future gratitude? Didn’t sound particularly useful. Gold? Well, ok, but a sword sounded rather more immediately substantial.

He scanned the others to see if they were interested in this new venture…because if not there were some rats to deal with back in Sigil, and they weren’t likely to trample anyone. Still…

”What sort of breadcrumbs would entice modrons to deviate in their path?” he asked the others.

>Alzeil "Thus it was that our superiors instructed us to find agents who could come into contact with these modrons in our stead, and to see if these folk would be kind enough to attempt to prevent the modrons from entering our beloved town of Heart's Faith.

>Zethaya "Diverting marching Modrons from their chosen path has historically proved impossible. I understand, with them already deviating from their normal schedule, the rules have changed, but I wouldn't count on it. Standing in their way is more likely to get us trampled to death as well.

I have some breadcrumbs Aerin thought to himself.

”Excuse me Alzeil, but what happened during past modron marches? Did they trample your cities then?”

He began thinking through potentially solutions, but also wondered at the magnitude of the “spark” that could send a near-infinite stream of modrons marching.

”Do you happen to have a sphere of annihilation? the genasi suddenly asked. ”I think that might be the trick.”

”And if we are able to save this town you mentioned, can we get a fancy sword like yours?”

Aerin turned slowly, taking in all the surrounding sights after he came through the gate in the bakery. He lingered, staring at the ocean, the coast town, the mountain, the fields. There was a deep and lasting beauty to it all to be sure, but the genasi couldn’t help but think it was as if someone took Ysgard and filed off all the rough, exciting edges. Instead of a tangle of brilliant wildflowers exploding from the earth, here you had orderly rows of domesticated blooms ready to be put in a vase. Instead of a turbulent ocean to test the best sailor’s seamanship, here was a placid surf suitable for a family’s float. Instead of jagged mountains posing a challenge to the boldest of climbers, here were gentle paths winding up a rounded hill.

It was like they had taken Ysgard and sucked all the fun out of it.

>"Good evening. Thank you for accepting my invitation. I am Alzeil, Sword Archon of the Silver Rank. In the name of all my brethren, I welcome you. I beseech you to hear my request. If you are honorable creatures, you will listen. And if you are not, I can promise payment. Will you listen?"

The sound of the Archon’s voice broke Aerin’s contemplation and her turned and approached the woman. He dipped his head and replied. “I am Aerin of Ysgard, son of Whisper the sylph and Artorus, djinni and poet. I am of no particular rank, but I will listen.”

After returning to Sigil, Wyaph deals with the trauma of nearly dying as a bariaur should - carousing until his money runs out. He crashes at Jysson's home regularly during that but occasionally disappearing for days at a time. He always returns staggering in drunk, exhausted, or both but often in various strange dress - once wearing the scaly hide of a creature no one could identify, another time wearing vastly oversized ochre robes, twice dressed as a Harmonium guard, and yet another dressed as a geisha. The morning after the last one, he had was even more confused that Aerin and Soolam, but he hoped whatever happened that it was something epic.

After about a month of these activities, one night he didn't return. Out of money, and with the carousing out of his system, he returned to the Great Foundry to reforge his mind and his body. There he spent his days working at the forges until he could scarcely lift his arms, and spent his nights talking with other Godsmen about what had occurred and to hear of their journeys to godhood. Occasionally, he is sent on an errand for the Godsmen, but mostly works on projects at his forge for the Faction.

Also "Gaining Renown" with the Believers of the Source. Dunno if we want to get into specific numbers, or just know that he is trying to work up from Namer rank, but is low enough level (and this post late enough), that I figure any work for the Faction needn't be anything too noteworthy this time.

Ultimately, he came to the conclusion that since Primus started the Modron March years early but at the exact moment Wyaph was bleeding out right outside the portal to Mechanus, he believes Primus sent the modrons at that moment to save him because the One and Prime of the Modrons can see the future and knows Wyaph's upcoming godhood is nearing. Since the March continued after Wyaph recovered, there must be more to this plan, but he is glad to see Primus's obvious acknowledgement of Wyaph's importance. However, he knows he must take the next steps on his own...

Great post

To the Honorable and the Witness.

You are cordially invited to join our host on the eve of Revolvis the 1st. Please attend for dinner and conversation.

To attend, please visit Papaur's Bakery, located next to the Great Gymnasium. Enter the shop, purchase something sweet, and exit with kind thoughts of your mother. You shall arrive just outside the estate.

Alziel
Sword Archon of Mount Celestia
Hearts Faith

=================================

Last night a letter was delivered to you by a small floating ball of light. The being was no more than a foot wide, and asked for you by name. Upon meeting you, it said, [b]"Excuse me, noble traveller. I have be sent to deliver this letter to you. If you would be so kind as to accept it, I would be greatful."

Looking at the ball of light rather dubiously, the genasi managed to smile and bow gracefully while accepting the letter. Once it had departed and he'd had the chance to read the note he frowned. Who on Mount Celestia could possible be asking for him by name?

Aerin stood on the lowest step of the truncated stair, listening intently to the noises in the darkness below, motionless with his head cocked to one side. After a full two minutes he suddenly ascended the stair again, went over to the long table where he had left a hodge-podge of books strewn, and plucked the crust of bread remaining from his lunch some hours ago. He then glided back to the stairs, descended to the lowest step once more, and stepped off—

---only to hang motionless in the air, before descending at a gentle pace. Use spell-like ability mingle with the wind.

Floating slowly down, he twisted the fingers of his left hand in a arcane gesture and called forth a quartet of softly glowing orbs and sending them sailing down into the darkness, spreading them in cardinal directions to try to get a look at the basement layout and the source of the chittering noises. In his right hand, he began to crumble the heel of bread and let the crumbs fall below him in a rain of what he hoped would be enticing morsels.

Cast dancing lights and use the orbs to attempt to scout out what is below. Descend only far enough to see the floor, but be ready to ascend again at the first sign of trouble such as flying projectiles, a nest of baby tarrasque, etc. Use the bread as bait to try to draw out any critters.

Zan Tirish wrote:

I guess Zan will take the Heroic Circlet of Lights, as nothing else that's left is a good fit.

Aerin stole the one you really liked.

What about the one that gives you an extra 1d4 whenever you receive healing?

He also stole all the extra, unclaimed items. He's got, like, 18 miscellaneous minor magic items plastering every conceivable item slot on his body.

I happen to know...

Wolfgang Baur

I'm told he inspired the bariaur, via Colin McComb (with whom I worked at Interplay).

Baur -> Bariaur

A curse upon Baur! *shakes first angrily*

He rejected my first submission to Dungeon. (Ok, rightly so as the outline was a confusing mess bordering on terrible, but still!)

:)

Thanks for that insight.

I've often wondered...how does one pronounce bariaur?

•bariaur (BAR-ee-ahr)? (from enworld)

And what is the origin of the name? I get the "uar" part, but where does the "bari" part come from? I thought perhaps a scientific name for goat or sheep but that doesn't appear to be it.

#oddthingstowonderabout

Leveling up to Bard 3

--Going with College of Lore
--added proficiencies of Stealth, Acrobatics, and Arcana
--Expertise in Deception and Persuasion
--adding suggestion to spell list
--Purchasing studded leather armor and silk rope

And for hit points...

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

The first days after returning to Sigil found Aerin wandering the streets, gawking at the huge variety of sights like the most Clueless Prime. The Lower Ward was an endless string of fascinating sights, and the tales told about the ongoing Blood War by the participants themselves were enthralling.

Eventually, however, as the newness of the place began to wear off, Aerin could typically be found in one of three places: at the Hollow Fountain in the Lady’s Ward, where he struck up an ongoing conversation with a mist mephit named Frizal that was attached to the place; at the Drunken Dabus in the Market Ward where he told tales of Ysgard (mere recitation of facts in his opinion, yet people were willing to pay some coin for them it seemed) and recited some of his father’s poems; or back at the house where he paged through the journals on accounting, looking for any topics that might be more interesting than financial equations. More than once Soolam returned to the house to find the genasi asleep at the table, his face resting on the open pages of a dry text on mathematics.

With the jink earned delivering the book to Heiron, Aerin upgraded to a set of studded leather armor, paying extra to have a design of swirling winds tooled in along the edges, and invested in a length of silken rope that the proprietor that sold it swore was crafted from giant cutlass spiders from the Beastlands. He considered silvering his rapier, but decided that his coin was beginning to run a bit low for that luxury at the moment.

He did not, at any time during his stay in Sigil, miss The Cat.

Aerin lives a comfortable lifestyle, offset somewhat by the coin he earns “performing” at the Drunken Dabus. Also making a thorough if rather intermittent search through all the books in the house.

Apologies for the delay. I'll either get to this tonight or tomorrow night.

Drawback of only having a hardcopy of 5e materials-- I can only reference them at home, and lately every night is being devoured by kids sports.

Thanks for your detailed explanation and view.

I would say that without a doubt every published adventure needs to be a little railroady at the start--otherwise, there is the definite possibility that the players, being notoriously uncooperative simple go straight off the rails.

But oh my goodness--the adventure as written that you've described is truly awful. "You try something and you automatically fail; you try something else and you automatically fail; then we introduce a way to succeed that has nothing to do with your decisions so far." smh.

OK, I'll carry on and try not to get caught up in the way it was written.

As a total aside, if anyone is interested, here is a link to an approach for adventure design that I think effectively straddles the two philosophies you've laid out. http://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/7949/roleplaying-games/node-based-scena rio-design-part-1-the-plotted-approach

I definitely use the node based design described at the link for my home campaign, and I am intending to modify the AP I am running to do the same. Basically, the bad guys all exist and will carrying out their plots more or less as written, but the PCs are going have a pretty open field about how they go about disrupting those plots, and the way they go about achieving their goals will give them one set of advantages, while other courses will give them other rewards, allies, etc. One beautiful advantage of a PbP or PBeM game is that while there are virtually an unlimited number of paths for players to follow, the pace of the games are such that you have plenty of time to develop only those sections the players actually pursue (unlike a tabletop game where you need to have a lot more contingencies detailed.)

With regards to feedback on the game so far, I having problems with one aspect so I will put this out there: I’m feeling like a bit of an observer to the storyline. That is, I’m kind of sensing that the story is going to happen the way it is going to happen regardless of what decisions or actions Aerin or others take.

Perhaps I am simply reacting (overly) to the ending of chapter 1 as it is written. But ideally I’d like the choices that characters make to have some impact on shaping the storyline, otherwise we are just pantomiming as the story goes on around (and despite) us.

Maybe it is too early for this concern, or maybe this changes as we go along…or maybe it is just endemic to a 2e PS module, I don’t know. Happy to be told I’m completely wrong here…

"Down with Cats!"
--Aerin

Glassworks - Reflex saves

Kushnet: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Proxia: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
Kerrigan: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16
Aun: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Bannor: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Copper shard storm: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (5, 5) + 4 = 14

Aun Concnetration check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

What does Aerin know about these marching modron dudes?: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Another rules option I just heard of and I kind of like. I'll leave it up to you guys.

Crit damage.

Normal: double damage dice. Then add modifier.

Change: Max damage on first dice, then roll second dice. Add modifier.

Champion Crit: Max damage on both dice, plus double modifier.

Thoughts?

*shruggity* Whatever rules you want to run with are fine by me, I am pretty ambivalent about rule sets*. I ask questions about the rules just so that I understand and am playing them correctly.

What is a Champion critical?

*Side Rant: I do find that the PF power curve not only encourages min/maxing, but almost makes it necessary just to keep up. Love the PF creativity and adventures, detest the mix/max attitude and mechanics.

Another 5e rules question: Does Jack-of-all-Trades stack with a bonus only conferred by an item?

Specifically, the Dancer's Cloak of Truth confers a +1 Dexterity (Acrobatics) bonus. Acrobatics is not currently on of Aerin's skills, so he gets a +1 bonus from Jack-of-all-Trades. Does this stack with the magic conferred by the cloak?

It seems like it should (or the J-o-a-T ability is pretty weak), yet I am suspecting the RAW say no.

Aerin was fascinated by the continuous and apparently infinite stream of modrons issuing from the gate and stood and stared from a safe distance for some time—a day, or two at most—before reuniting with the rest of the group. He thanked Heiron for the wondrous cloak (more impressed with the cloak itself than the magic abilities) and then went to find The Cat.

”Jysson, look here: I believe you said there would be some jink to be had by returning this book to Heiron. Not to put too fine a point on it, but, so, this jink…where is it?” he asked, folding his arms across his chest. I don’t think Aerin is aware that Soolam was given the location and key, nor do I think we know what was found?

The genasi was also mildly disconcerted with Wyaph’s seeming ambivalence-at-best-eagerness-at-worse outlook on dying. He really had no desire to die and come back as Airon…or Heiron. Hmmmmmm…

At the discussion about the deed, the bard waived his hand airily. ”I have no desire for a permanent residence here. As interesting as this gate town may be, Automata is but one location in the multiverse; I believe I will soon be moving on. You may all do with it as you wish.” Besides, after the years of the unfettered freedom and open spaces of Ysgard, houses are more than a bit claustrophobia inducing.

”Say,” he said to the group in general,”where do you think all these modrons are going? Or perhaps I should say, why are all these modrons going?”

Aerin can cast a healing spell (when a slot is available) so the wand might be better with someone else so as to spread out our meager healing capabilities.

Dancing cloak of truth, I s'pose!

Is there more than one? Because if not it is Mine! Mine! Mine! I tell you. If Zan ever wishes to wake up again...;)

If Aerin has a 1st level spell slot left he could heal easily enough, but no such luck at the moment.

Medicine check using Jack-of-all-trades to stabilize Zan?

stabilize: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Well, hopefully that didn't kill her

Just have to say, the 5e art makes the Modrons look like Minions. Not a fan.

Aerin is probably most interested in the Dancer's Cloak of Truth

Aerin slumps against a wall, trying to catch his breath while doing what he can to staunch the various slashing and puncture wounds. He'd take the technical victory of the Council of Anarchy retreating, those he felt certain they hadn't been driven off by his magics.

From his half bent over position he looked up at Heiron from under his brow. "So what do these Anarchy folks have against you anyway?"

In that case, Aerin sidles up to his ol' pal Primus and asks if he will pretty please disintegrate these Anarchy bashers

Ten left from the Council of Anarchy and only four of us, all badly wounded? Ha! We laugh in the face of death (until we are dead, which might be quite soon).

Aerin had hoped to bottle up the Council thugs at the mouth of the corridor, but their barrage of crossbow bolts put an end to that idea. He retreated back down the hall as far as he could, turning only at the end to give the lead thug a tongue lashing, pointing out his (or her) many faults, in particular the total lack of anarchistic tendencies.

Retreat, then cast vicious mockery. Aerin is out of anything more potent.

vicious mockery damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1 if save failed, plus disadvantage. Bleh.

Begin round 3.

All attacks and damage are behind the DM Notes spoiler. Feel free to check my work to make sure I didn't mess up before we start in on the next round.

Ha! It appears you totally messed up! It looks like Aerin took 17 damage, not 16 as you claimed! Errr, wait...

Well, that merely increases the degree of difficulty of what will ultimately be our glorious victory.

Damage for Aerin's thunderwave: 2d8 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6

Aerin: slight correction. The bonus action is to give bardic inspiration. That costs you your bonus action. The recipient can use that d6 for free. No action required. That just have to declare it and roll.

[

I think we were saying the same thing...but for clarification, what is the difference you are pointing out? I want to make sure I am using this correctly.

Aerin gave a low whistle, eyebrows arched as first Zethaya drove away the woman from the Council of Order and then Heiron turned her into a fine dust. Time to roll into the fray!

The bard strode slowly down the hall towards the foes pouring in, half-singing over his shoulder, “Well done Zethaya! The tornado in you whirls with fangs and claws!” Bardic inspiration to Zethaya

As the Council of Anarchy piled up in front of him, Aerin released a booming, thunderous blast in their direction.

If I understand the 5e rules correctly, Aerin can you a bonus action to use Bardic Inspiration, giving Zeth a single bonus 1d6 anytime in the next 10 minutes. He then proceeds slowly north up the corridor, with the intent of lining up as many foes as he can before casting thunderwave, hoping to catch three of them. I don’t know, is delaying your action (i.e., voluntarily moving down the initiative count) a thing in 5e? If so, that is what he is trying to do, holding until the council people come towards them, but casting before they can attack him.

Also, how high are the ceilings here and what weapons can Aerin see on his opponents?

Well, well, well...

I recently kicked off a Savage Tide game and was going through back issues of Dragon magazine for the monthly Savage Tidings articles when what did I find but an article on Modrons by one of our very own players! (*waives to Ken* *and is further chagrined that my game was full by the time Ken submitted a character*). No wonder Wyaph fits the setting so well. Very cool.

Tony DiTerlizzi's art and Zeb Cook's amazingly different setting are what got me hooked on Planescape. I'm fortunate that Zeb comes to a small, local, old school Con here in North Texas every year and I've gotten to play in his games. I am half tempted to actually try *running* a Planescape game at the Con, but then I imagine Zeb sitting down to play...

”Oh, there is no charge for the book,” the bard said waiving off Heiron’s concerns with a smile. ”No, there are only the fees for shipping, planar transit surcharges, the costs for bodyguards to ensure safekeeping—but you know what? Do not be concerned with those. While you seem to have us mixed up with those silly Council of Anarchy people, the truth is that they are willing to take the book if you do not want it any longer…why, here is one of their representatives now if I am not mistaken!” Aerin added in a cheery voice as he turned to notice the woman approaching.

”If, on the other hand, you do want the book, you may need to prepare to help us defend you,” the genasi added hastily.

Aerin Whispersson wrote:

How is the leader next to Zethaya? I though we were both in the room with Heiron?

Leader used a ton of movement, you guys are still in the closet, not HHeiron's extra dimensional space

Right, I am trying understand how we can both be in the closet with him and he can also reach to shut the door and simultaneously shut us out of the space.

Oh, nevermind, got it now -- there is an extra dimensional space to the side of the closet. Reading is fundamental. Or as one of our brighter U.S. Presidents said, "Is our children learning?"

How is the leader next to Zethaya? I though we were both in the room with Heiron?

Is the room 5' x 10' per the map? How high are the ceilings

I thought one of us would have taken the book inside.

That certainly would have been the logical (and smart) thing to do, but I know I totally glossed over it and never specified that Aerin was taking the book with him.