Alakhest's page

Thank you for running, I had fun playing. Totally fine with stopping where we were.

I wanted to say thank to everyone else as well. I was really nervous coming into this but now I feel a little more confident about this format. My big concern with myself was whether I was trying to "do too much" or if I was okay with how much of my action I was putting in at once, specifically with out of combat situations. I would especially appreciate feedback on that aspect of my posts.

As to your specific requests, I found that the game mechanics and rolls in the open were not too disruptive, if there was only a little bit spread through the post. The spoilers were best when everything was behind one spoiler, for this I am referring to the PCs' posts. The GM posts were perfectly fine as far as the use of spoilers go. I liked the DC's up front so we could see what we knew without waiting for the GM to respond, even if I was frustrated by my inability to identify a skeleton because the die roller betrayed me. :P When there were multiple spoilers on one PC post it drew my eye away from the meat of the post.

Moving on to the arrows, I found it quite helpful. I was still uncomfortable just moving another PCs marker around when we were botting them on the off chance they would not post in time, hence why I was marking Xs for where I was moving them, I hope that was an okay alternative and not disruptive for anyone else, including the GM.

Alakhest, seeing that Bahboom has things well in hand and frankly worried that he will sink into the muck and be of no help to anyone, takes a moment. Swapping Narvak to his shield hand, he pulls out the vial and drains it. Tossing the vial aside and retrieving Narvak with his sword hand, Alakhest shifts out into the river, though his feet never seem to sink into the muck.

Alakhests stony demeanor nearly breaks with fear for a moment and then he shrugs off the strange magic of the little pests, "Your foul magic can not forestall Iomedae's justice."

Muttering something in Terran, Alakhest touches Narvak, his longsword, to Bahboom's club and imbues the club with power.

He then advances to the water line and prepares to fend off the attackers.

"These creatures have used foul magic to bring false fear into our hearts. Do not be disheartened."

For the other people in the Core, my Core character is an Elven Abjurer, if that helps with any decision making.

I never lug my books. I'm a digital man.... I have pdfs and I print out the necessary pages.

I buy ALL the books, as a general rule why would I play without them...

That said because it simplifies my participation in this I am willing to play Core for this.

I have never played Core, so I can play all of them.

Seeing the minotaur fall Alakhest turns to Talia, "Talia, can you get across to check on Janira? I can go check on Umbru."

assuming Talia agrees

Alakhest then rushes over to Umbrutari to do what he can to help his companion. He switches which potion he is carrying as he moves there, but quickly realizes that he is too late and puts the potion away. He hangs his head for a moment before announcing to the group, It is too late for this little one.

He takes a moment to arrange Umbru's body away from the water in a position that is more stately and less crumpled. He then carefully, and as respectfully as possible, goes through Umbru's pockets searching for some indication of what deities he followed. Once he finds something, he lays Bragha over top of Umbrutari's corpse. He moves to Umbrutari's head and, being careful not to strike Umbru's corpse, kneels down plunging Narvak into the ground just above the head and speaks a small prayer, "May the light of Iomedae's holy blade guide you to the after-life, may Pharasma show justice in guiding your soul to its reward, may Qi Zhong welcome you with open arms into his house."

If Alakhest did not find any indication of which god Umbru followed he, obviously, does not include the reference to Qi Zhong.

Alakhest collects Bragh and Narvak, cleaning Narvak's blade before sheathing her and slings Bragha onto his back. He kneels back down by Umbru's body collects any of Janira's items from him as well as the alchemical items speaking to Umbru, "You property will be returned to your body or your kin if we do not need to use it and I can make it happen."

He then looks toward where Janira lays, hoping that someone has made sure she is okay.

Rysky wrote:

]I don't think they've ever said they weren't ever going to do any of these things, just that they were unlikely at the time.

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2j67g?Beyond-the-Core-Rulebook#23

Erik Mona wrote:

Just to make one thing clear, here, I'm talking about a PATHFINDER RPG line.

Like the Core Rulebook, the default assumption is that we are providing rules, and we may use some Golarion stuff as examples, but these ARE NOT Golarion sourcebooks.

This is relevant to the discussion here so I'll link it. Another one I forgot about was the (paraphrasing) "We won't do another Humble Bundle" they told all the FLGS's - which I know made many of them very upset.

I like the company too - but I call my dad out when he lies about something I'm not going to be gentle to a company when they do the same.

The problem is that they told the FLGSs "We won't do another Humble Bundle [b]like that[b]." (Bolding Mine) People chose to read that as "We won't ever do another Humble Bundle" words that Paizo employees never spoke. They have never done another Humble Bundle like that one they did another one later that included much fewer books from the Core Rulebook line and fewer books period if I remember correctly.

Paizo does not have this problem of lying. They have a problem of getting misinterpretted and then held to the standard they never promised.

I would be 1 XP behind if I bring in a Core character, unless I can sneak in a Confirmation with him.

Alakhest can not be Core as he is an Oread Occultist. I would have to bring in a different character. I do have a Core character made up in case it becomes necessary. I do want to get some XP under Alakhest to at least get him out of 1st level soon, in any event, but I could continue him in some other campaign.

Granta,

Do you want us new people to drop our character background in here, now or wait until we are separated into groups?

Alakhest yells out in surprise and grief as his companion is felled by the beast, "NO!" Without time to check on him, he glances at Umbru's crumpled form unable to tell if he is dead or not. Not knowing but hoping for the best Alakhest rushes down to the log that crosses the water.

If we have a hope of surviving this we must drop that beast

Hello. Not sure what to say, just yet. I am planning to play my Oread Occultist(who may be multi-classing, still working out how he is going to play out), he is a Sword and Board Melee character who is also pretty smart and I am planning for him to be a backup healer as well.

I am new to PbP and a little nervous to be honest, but I am going to give it my best.

"Talia, try to get to Janira and make sure she is stable!"
I hope this works and does not make a mess for everyone.

Alakhest then focuses on his attempt to use the scroll. His eyes unfocus for a moment, like he is attempting to stare through the scroll before he refocuses and a look of frustration crosses his face. He drops the scroll in Leira's general direction, "Maybe you'll have better luck with this if the appropriate moment comes along," and pulls out a potion vial before moving closer to the conflict.

For area of effect spells, especially ones with lasting effects, should we draw on the map for where they are?

Based on your ooc comment I adjusted Alakhest's position on the map, with the idea that he used a move action to get there instead of a 5ft step. I that is not what you intended, we can move him back, no problem.

I presume your idea is that he is holding his sword in his shield hand, yes? So, it will be a free action to get his weapon back in hand after the scroll is gone, right? I just want to make sure I get this right.

as no one else has Botted for Leira I will do this round.

Leira moves closer to get in range for their attacks. As Leira gets in position the crossbow fires a bolt at the Minotaur.

Alakhest shifts slightly forward while sheathing his sword and pulling out a scroll.

"Leira, try to knock it down with your magic."

Alakhest looks pensive for a moment,

"Well, we are supposed to examine the caverns, this is part of the caverns, I have no objection."

I hope that fearless little halfling is doing okay against the Minotaur...

Upon seeing that the undead foes are no longer a threat, Alakhest nods to Talia as he starts to move toward the prone figure at the back of the room, "Thank you for that boost, Talia." When he sees Umbru approaching as well he slows a little and adjusts his direction to provide Umbru with cover as the wayang determines if the body is a threat

Assuming the body presents no threat, Alakhest surveys the room to ensure there are no other active threats remaining. When satisfied, he looks down at his wound, "I suppose someone should probably take a look at this, when you have time."

While waiting for someone to check his wound, hopefully someone with more medical skill than himself, Alakhest rifles through the detritus in the room to see if there is anything of relevance in the room. As he searches he turns to Talia, "I know of Shelyn as a goddess of beauty, art, and love. What aspect of your goddess provided the guidance to my strike?

God, the dice roller is really hating me right now... Oh well.

:P

Alakhest takes a moment to breathe and try to center himself and then swings again at the Zombie. Unfortunately he slips a bit in the mud as he begins his swing and though he does not fall into the muck it does throw off his swing yet again.

Alakhest is utterly still for a moment as he processes what he sees. Then he steps forward into the muck, "4 Hostiles, the 2 fleshy ones are Zombies, not sure about the skeletal ones. Bahboom don't waste your attacks on the zombies they are resistant to your blunt weapons like yours as well as piercing attacks"

Alakhest swings Narvak in an attempt to strike down the Zombie nearest him.

I was on the same page. I was waiting to give others the opportunity to do stuff first.

Alakhest finishes his sketch, takes a moment to utter a prayer to Iomedae and to Aroden. He looks on approvingly as Umbrutari pays reverence to the Craftsman aspect of Aroden.

When Umbru finishes Alakhest approaches Bahboom, "The depiction of The Farmer shows him plowing four lines in a field, with an implication of humans bringing fertility to barren land over time by wearing down pebbles to fertile soil over time. Perhaps you could make four furrows in the gravel beach while focusing on the symbolism of the action." If necessary Alakhest demonstrates to Bahboom what he means.

After talking with Bahboom, Alakhest moves toward Leira, "Leira, can you make an object produce light? Perhaps if you do this, and then move that object about the diorama bringing light to all the corners of it and then leave the object within the diorama you will be emulating Aroden's Soldier aspect."

When Talia returns from the other room, "Talia, do you have paint? If not, perhaps there is something within the cavern we could use to make paint. I suppose we could use some of the chalk if put to it. However we accomplish it, if you were to paint something on one of the buildings you would be emulating Aroden's Artist aspect like shown in the carvings. As a side note I would imagine this would be honoring your own goddess of Shelyn"

If anyone wants to act before Alakhest approaches them that is fine with me, I am dumping a lot in here and assuming there is some in game time separating each piece, and that only because Granta is encouraging us to move things along.

If anyone does not wish to go along with Alakhest's suggestion and there are rituals unperformed as a result he will follow his own suggestions as needed to ensure that the ways win which they can venerate Aroden in this place are done.

As Talia goes to head back into the Mural Room, Alakhest speaks up, "We should make rubbings of even the more faded murals that we could not identify earlier. Perhaps the rubbings with draw out details our eyes missed. Also we can take them back and by comparing them to other copies or Aroden's holy book we can figure them out. If you don't have any I have some chalk you can use to make the rubbings."

Alakhest pulls out the chalk as well as some of the paper and the inkpen.

"I will try my hand at making a sketch of the diorama. Once that is done I would like us to try to perform Arodenite rituals. I follow the Inheritor and I feel it only appropriate to honor the fallen god Aroden's memory. That said I do not mind if someone else is the one to perform the rituals."

Then, using the inside of his shield as a flat surface to work from, Alakhest attempts to sketch the diorama.

taking 10 on an untrained Craft check gets me a 13.

As his companions begin speaking to the stranger, Alakhest sheathes his sword and approaches closer to where he can openly be seen, still remaining somewhat back so as to not intimidate the stranger. He attempts to help the diplomatic efforts by appearing friendly and non-aggressive. Unfortunately, his efforts do not appear to be very effective and he continues to allow his companions to do the speaking for the group, while he keeps quiet for now.

Diplomacy, aid another: 1d20 ⇒ 8

Alakhest follows along behind Umbrutari attempting to move quietly, and he hangs back knowing he is not so quiet but knowing he can not move as fast either wishes he could be a bit closer.
Stealth: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (8) - 3 = 5

When Umbrutari looks for approval he shrugs seeming to be okay with Umbru going forward but attempts to signal that we should try a peaceful solution before violence.

we don't know if it is dangerous to us and if we can talk to it we might get some straight answers to why they come here

Knowledge(Religion)+Pin: 1d20 + 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (16) + (1) + 7 = 24

Alakhest, upon seeing the plank, grabs it and returns back to the pit after asking the others for a moment, "Give me a moment, I think this plank is long enough to span the pit back there." Using the plank he collects his rope and returns with both, putting the plank back where it was.

Alakhest sheathes his sword and pulls out his journal again and begins making sketches of the carvings, adding notes about his interpretations.

He notices Talia's frustration and walks over to her and starts to explain what he sees, "I think what we are seeing here represents an older version of Aroden's holy book. This one here represents the Farmer, one of the aspects of Aroden." Alakhest continues on to explain its significance and then waits to give the others a chance to explain some of the other legible carvings. If no one else supplies any details he continues on explaining what he understands about all four, otherwise he just fills in what others miss.

rather than rewriting what is under the spoilers exhaustively I figure people can just look for themselves.

I'm not sure how using the Accessory Perks works in PbP. I have the pin for Silver Crusade so I am going to be using the pin bonus for this roll as Silver Crusade is associated with Knowledge Religion.

I also have items qualifying for the reroll. Not sure how that works in PbP either.

I am going to be offline for the rest of the day so I added more than maybe I should have. If I went too far or what not, my apologies, just trim me down to an appropriate amount and use the rest as a guideline. Alakhest will go along with whatever the group consensus is unless it is cruel or needlessly harmful, or evil. None of which are likely to come up in this moment.

Alakhest leaves covers on the grappling hook point so it will not tear the cloth and, after making sure the ledge of the pit is stable enough to support him he begins lowering the grappling hook into the pit. As he does so he replies to Umbrutari, "That is certainly a reasonable plan. I just figure we can get the cloth before we go into the pit, and if I can anchor this rope on both sides of the pit we can climb across the top of the pit instead down into it and then out of it again, less distance that way. Also with this we could possibly make makeshift safety harnesses with other rope so that if someone loses their grip they don't fall and get hurt at the bottom of the pit."

After a bit of fishing Alakhest pulls up the cloth and hands it off to the first person to take it. He pulls the covers off of the grappling hook tips and begins the work of affixing it on the far side of the pit. Assuming no one objects he will continue with his plan as described above

Survival: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15
Knowledge(dungeoneering): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
"The pit doesn't look natural to me."

Alakhest crouches down and peers ahead into the tunnel, looking for any place a grappling hook might find purchase on the far side of the pit. While doing this he begins pulling knotted rope, hammer, pitons, and a grappling hook out of one of the sacks attached to his backpack.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

The Scroll of Mage Armor went to Leira not me.

Alakhest, realizing he forgot one thing adds, "Oh, and anything people have already asked for they should take."

Alakhest nods at Umbrutari, "I will take the Featherstep potion as your suggestion has merit, Umbrutari, and as no one else has asked for them I will take the scrolls except entangle, obscuring mist, and mage armor." he looks at the remaining items and does some thinking.
After a moment of complete stillness he speaks up again, "I would like to offer the following suggestions. Bahboom take the potion of barkskin and Bahboom and I each take one of the cure potions as Umbrutari also suggested. If anyone has the ability to activate scrolls of spells they can not otherwise cast,"UMD"they should take the scroll of entangle. I have this ability, but I think someone not at the frontline should have the scroll instead, if anyone else can activate it."
Alakhest pauses for breath before continuing, "I think Umbrutari should take the acid and alchemists fire as you can make the best use of them, but if someone else wants them speak up. The potion of Vanish and the smokestick could go to Leira and/or Talia as they appear to be the most focused on casting and might be able to use them to maybe get off a spell in a dangerous circumstance. The antitoxin and sunrods don't really matter where they go as whoever needs them can get them when they do. How does that sound? Did I forget anything?"
I hope I did not overstep my bounds with everyone just now

Played and run

"I can use the other wand. Though if someone else can use it and wants it, I am fine with that as well. I can also easily activate all of the other scrolls except the entangle scroll. Though again I will happily relinquish any claim I have on them to someone else if they want them."
Alakhest casts an appraising glance at the others, taking in their various armor and protections,"I think that Leira should get the Scroll of Mage Armor if they can cast it," I hope I used that pronoun correctly "if not I will gladly cast it on them."
Alakhest hesitates for a moment and then looks directly at Leira, "I have noticed you use the plural pronoun when refering to yourself...selves... Did I get that right?"

"The Great Majenko!!" became well loved by the party and their players.
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At least I think they liked him. :P

Alakhest hesitates with Talia seeming torn between his desire to protect others and duty to obey orders. When Talia moves he follows into the caves guarding her and the others backs. As he enters the cave system his face moves from concern to interest as sees the petroglyphs. Alakhest quietly sheathes his sword and pulls out his journal and begins to sketch some of what he sees as the group travels, a somewhat awkward maneuver as he must hold the journal in the hand which also holds his shield. Every few seconds he glances behind the group whether watching for pursuit or still facing doubt it is hard to tell.

After a bit of sketching Alakhest pipes up, "Bahboom, shall we see what the lady left us?" He indicates the backpack that Bahboom picked up as the group retreated and puts away his journal.

My apologies for zoning out on game yesterday.

"I suspect that others in our number, Bahboom perhaps, are more skilled in nature's mysteries than I, but I will help however I can."

Survival, aid another Bahboom: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Alakhest looks at the others, waiting to see if anyone else wants to go first.

After a little waiting he speaks up, ”I was born many years ago in a primarily Oread settlement in the foothills of the Zho mountains in Qadira. When I was young I discovered Narvak and Bragha,”he indicates his ornate longsword and shield respectively, ”neglected in a traders collection and I felt a strong connection to them. Eventually I discovered the power that I can draw from them and other objects.”

Alakhest pauses contemplatively before continuing on, ”Pathfinders came to my home exposing us to the outside world and overthrowing our tyrannical leader. One of their number inspired me and I asked to become her apprentice. When they returned to Absolom I went with them and Reshu began acting as my mentor, preparing me to be an initiate. Like my mentor, I work with the Silver Crusade and hope to be a force for good in the world, helping those in need and being a source of comfort for my fellow pathfinders.”

Alakhest makes sure everything is once again stowed where it belongs and then looks up,

"I'm ready to head out, whenever everyone else is ready to go."

Alakhest pulls his backpack over and rifles through its contents,
"Well lets see, I've got climbing equipment, including 150 of rope, chalk, a bag of powder, my journal, pen, and ink. I've also got basic travelling supplies. Lastly, I have torches, candles, a lantern, and the tools to light fires. I don't generally need the light sources but I am not opposed to letting my allies use them and I have a shield sconce so I can carry a torch attached to my shield if people need me to carry a light source."

Alakhest listens attentively as Leira explains about the gillmen.

Knowledge (Geography): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 Untrained – max result 10

Alakhest looks to the others,
"So, what do we know about the threats we may encounter in the foothills?"

I suppose I should introduce myself.

Alakhest nods his head in acknowledgement of Umbrutari and Leira,

"I am Alakhest Thudergem. If the situation calls for something less than Alakhest, I will respond to Khest."

A smile crosses the black marble facade of Alakhest's face.

Alakhest glances at the halfling,

Perhaps the little one is extremely hungry.

shrugs, and then turns to the others.

"Well perhaps we should take the opportunity to learn a little about each other. For instance, you need not worry about catching me in the splash of alchemical acid, my kind is resistant to harm from such, in fact I gain a small measure of healing from it sometimes."

I am working from the assumption that we know who the other members of our group are and am addressing only them.