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Albert keeps close to the king, his face taciturn at the clicks and hoots of the young lizardfolk leading us. His hand inches occasionally toward his blade, though he does not touch the pommel. "At least this is a better reception than last time," he mutters under his breath.
I've updated my spells to deal with our old friend.
I'm participating in a workshop on using historical RPGs in the classroom for the rest of the week and this weekend, but I will post when I can.
Albert turns in early, arising at dawn to study his spellbook. He repeatedly reviews the magic missile spell he learned from Rillka, ensuring that he knows all the words and the proper way to twist his hand at the end to make sure he channels the energy correctly and can direct as much of it as possible into a single attack. "This will take everyone working together," he thinks to himself. "I have to make this count."
I think the ring should go to Andreas, as he definitely needs the AC boost. I already have two backup healing potions and a wand of CLW that I can activate with UMD. Albert's interests are a bit orthogonal to the kingdom's, as he is very interested in his standing in Brevoy politics. But House Garess is also currently on the outs there and needs a way back in.
As a character, I am primarily interested in rising in the ranks of House Gardens, but will also pursue any options to increase my standing in Brevoy.
Watching the bard depart, Albert replies: "Aye, Vinni, sometimes ruling is about putting on a good show." He then turns to face the dwarf. "Grigori is not wrong however that these lands remain dangerous. We have much yet to do so that they are safe enough to prevent such demagogues from influencing the people." His face turns more somber, as he reflects on his experience in the lizardpeople's village. "First on our list must be ridding the kingdom of that aberration that tormented young Tig. What do you know about will-o-wisps?"
Albert looks into setting up a forge and the kingdom's current supply of iron. He appears to watch Grigori's performance, a stern look on his face, but keeps his temper. Once the crowd turns on him, he leads on the jeers: "Any fool can tell the difference between the Stag Lord and a decent king!"
That was a rough week for me, but thankfully it is over now.
Next week is finals and graduation, so I'm pretty busy. Will post when able.
I was worried that something may have happened. Hopefully it only turns out to be a minor inconvenience. It's always a nuisance to deal with transferring to a new laptop, but even worse when it's unexpected.
"Thanks, Rillka," Albert says, as he pores over her spellbook. He takes out his rune-covered sheath and compares it with her notes."Yes, I think I understand how it would work," he says absent-mindedly as he rolls his arm forward, index finger extended as if he expects energy to roll off of it.
"No trouble at all. Thanks again," he says, handing Rillka back her spellbook.
"In that case, is it possible for you to write down the formula? I think I may be able to learn it, as well, given enough time."
Albert nods at Vinnie and Saoirse's advice. "Reaching out to Varn seems our safest bet, but I have another concern." "His intentions may be ill, but Grigori is not wrong that the aberration which tormented the boy is still out there," he says, gesturing toward the southwest. "Maybe destroying it will end his suffering, but we must at least demonstrate that we are capable of defending this kingdom from such threats. The only thing that the creature is susceptible to, at least which is in our power to obtain, is the magic missile spell. We must obtain a scroll of such a spell as quickly as possible." He turns to Saoirse, "But there is still the problem of defending ourselves against it's attacks. I do not have a library here, but you are knowledgeable about many things. Do you know how we can protect ourselves against it?"
"My apologies, Lady Medvyed," Albert says, bowing his head. "I did not fully heed your words at the time we met. We should consider sending envoys to Drelev and Varn. Perhaps they have also been targeted by Pitaxian provocateurs, and are willing to trade or ally with us against a common foe."
Albert nods at Vinni. "You have the right of it. While I would prefer to toss a clear enemy of the kingdom in the dungeon and throw away the key, it would serve us better to know why he slanders us." He scratches his chin in thought before proceeding again. "If he is not a local, he has no basis for complaint. And if he does not know any of us from before, his motives cannot be personal. So he can only be working on behalf of someone else. The more we know about whomever that is, the better."
"Welcome, Veronica," Albert says. He looks quizzically at the wolf. "And I am . . . happy to join with any creature willing to lend a hand in battle." He is surprised to hear that the Swordlords sent out other expeditions. "What do we know of these other groups? Could they be working with Pitax? Or might they be potential allies against King Irovetti?"
"Seraphina is right. It was inevitable that our success would attract those who seek to profit from it. Smaller groups we can more easily manage, but to deal with a kingdom such as Pitax will require a stronger kingdom of our own, and more defenses than we currently have. We must look to attract new settlers and form a militia as soon as possible." Hearing that Seraphina is leaving to spend time with the kobolds, he adds "Too close of a relationship with those creatures is likely to scare away new settlers, but we also do not wish to antagonize them or disregard the benefits our alliance can bring us. While you have been an invaluable adventuring companion, your unique talents will be an undeniable asset in impressing the kobolds and maintaining our relationship with them. We wish you all the best!" When he has a moment to speak to Andreas alone, he says, ""I understand that we have a forge in the town, and I have the tools needed to forge high-quality weapons and armor. I cannot do this on a large scale, of course, but you especially would benefit from some better armor. I may even be able to add some magic to the process, depending on your needs."
Albert invites Vinni to join him as he returns to the group. "This is Vinni Stoneclaw, who's come to help the settlers here. He has some druidic training, but it seems he's left that community behind." He clear his throat and takes a swig of the pint glass of beer he inadvertently took from inside the inn. "We seem to be in need of someone with his background, given our previous companion's response to the fey we encountered, so I've asked him to sign up."
Albert extends his hand and shakes. Sensing Vinnie's discomfort with Dwarven, Albert replies in Common: "I am glad to hear that you are a man of action. You say you've traveled with the druids? There are many fey in these lands, and it would help to have a companion with some experience dealing with such mercurial creatures."
Pacing around after his tirade against the man, Albert wanders into the inn to escape the bustle of the crowd. Hearing Vinni praise him and his compatriots to the bartender, Albert approaches him and begins speaking in perfect Dwarven: "You have the right of it, friend! Not long ago, these lands were run by bandits. Now see how ordinary people are able to go about their lives without fear of molestation." Looking him over briefly, he notices the dwarf's array of weaponry. "I can see that you however are no ordinary subject. What brings you to our kingdom?"
Albert becomes enraged at hearing the man's speech, undercutting the barony that he has worked so hard to defend and which is key to his own advancement. "Do they?", he roars to the crowd. "Lumberjacks may now harvest wood in areas under the king's protection unmolested. The fey we have met have agreed to help protect new settlers. And the foul aberration that tormented the boy has no followers left to serve it, though it shall meet its end soon enough." His mouth nearly foaming as he turns on man. "And what have you done for these people? Someone who comes only to tear down what others have worked so hard to build is no friend of this kingdom. Beware, lest you find our obligation to protect this land requires dealing with rabble such as you!"
Welcome aboard! Heal and Religion are two areas of need.
Given Saoirse's informed recommendation, I'm on board with Veronica as the second pick.
I agree with Rillka about Veniir, and we don't need to double up on sorcerers, as we're pretty well covered on arcane casting. I'm open to other candidates who bring either ranged coverage or area control.
Albert also leaves the talking to Andreas. He only hopes that these fey can be trusted not to betray us, given that their desires are likely to be at odds with those of settlers from the kingdom.
Sounds good. Recruitment can go on during all that.
I already have a wand of CLw, and I can craft magical arms and armor.
I'm fine with the recruitment post. We should decide what we would like to request from Restov.
When I thought I was likely to die, the backup I came up with was a Seeker Oracle, to capture both deficits.
It may take a few weeks, but can we send someone with an order to Restov? I'm fine recruiting two new members, if other people want.
We can more easily make up our trapfinding deficit with a wand of Trapfinder's Focus, which Saoirse can use (as well as myself with UMD). Someone with divine casting would be more useful.
"Now that we've rested, perhaps we should give the feather tokens to the fey who enchanted the loggers, then return to the capital, do an inventory and consider investing in additional resources and tools. We should have considerable coin to spin once we have traded for many of the valuables we've come across."
I agree with that plan.
Albert turns to the aasimar. "I agree. I must rest and study my spells to be at my best. Andreas may need some time to recover, so I will take first watch."
Seeing the small chest, Albert takes some fine tools out of his kit and begins working at the lock.
"It's only fair I take the lead on this one," Albert says as he braces to kick the door, propping himself against the wall for maximum leverage.
Albert presses his palm against his forehead. "Damn! Okay, I should have checked there. Sorry." He scans around the room, hoping he can uncover something to show he's not completely oblivious.
Albert inspects the door. "I do know a bit about how mechanisms work. Let me see if there's something connected to the door."
"Nothing unusual that I can see. Should be safe."
As the swarm surges forward, Albert swings his scimitar wildly at the mass of rodents
As the rats overtake him again, he feels his stomach twist in his gut, and finds himself unable to concentrate. He takes another step back, trying to refocus.
Surprised by the sudden flurry of rats descending upon him, Albert steps back and casts his newly prepared Shield spell upon himself.
Sounds good to me. Despite having well that went, I was so sure that I was dead that I had actually started working on a new character!
"The Quickling is still out there somewhere, so let's be careful." Albert takes his Pearl of Power from his pocket, concentrating on it as it briefly shimmers. "There," he sighs. "I hope it will be enough to prevent being poisoned by our quick little friend," he says as he tucks the sphere, now dimmed, into his tunic.
Albert gingerly takes the vial from Rillka, examining the fluid inside by swirling it around, his eyes squints as he inspects the eddies of magic in the color. "A love potion? She seemed to have sufficient powers of seduction on her own. Maybe she acquired it for someone else?"
Breathing fast as he takes in the last of the euphoric must, tinged with the charred smell of the electrified fey, Albert scans the room. Taking a cue from Rillka, he activates his own ability to detect magic as he sheathes his sword. "Find anything interesting around here, Rillka?" he asks.
I think Saoirse means that ordinary spellcasters cannot crit with their touch spells as easily as a magus can.
Spellstrike allows a magus a free attack with a spell they cast, while Spell Combat allows them to both cast a spell and make an attack as a full-round action. So they get one attack with the spell, and one extra above BAB. It requires a -2 penalty however, which I didn't include in my roll that turn.
Pressed back against the wall, Albert grimaces as the Lady steps closer and begins her dance again. Sensing that the allure is no longer working on him, he grins as he shrugs off the effects of the haze surrounding him and steps up beside the fey to have room to maneuver. His blade arcs with electricity as he channels the last of his arcane power into it, chanting as he casts a spell to force even more electrical power down the blade and into the Dancing Lady as he swings, discharging it into her body.
I thought magus received an additional attack when they cast.
Frigid Touch staggers for one round, so I hope that means she can't dance and attack.
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