~Alessandra's page

Playing a slow tune to help herself concentrate, Alessandra tries to communicate to the students: Open door. Then stand back.

Occultism check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

But not like that. Anyone else want to have a go?

Alessandra frowns. "It puts me in mind of a few farcical plays I've seen. If you happen to hear sprightly music, watch for flying pies."

Can Alessandra use Bardic Lore to Recall Knowledge about the effects here?

"That would be pretty funny, though. Come to think of it, though, he was by himself for a while...." Alessandra can't quite manage a straight face when she finishes.

Occultism check to communicate: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Two words: Wrong, Alec.

"Or there's a mind and conscious intent behind what happened, and it chose to separate us from the students. For the moment we can't say."

Sounds good to me. Weapon potency crystals are indeed one-shot items.

"I think they should be safe here for a little while, though I worry about someone--or something else that's tangential to both groups as we're tangential to the students. Let's quickly check the other rooms on this floor after we tell them to stay here for now."

"'Bring chamber focus?' Is there any place in this lodge that they call a focus chamber?"

Alessandra also studies the book.

Occultism check, including sickened penalty if still applicable: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (8) + 8 - 1 = 15

I shouldn't have done that last post, and I'm sorry--when I'm more awake I can usually avoid falling into that one xkcd strip.

And I sympathize--I think I've been gaming a little longer than you (the AD&D Monster Manual came out around five months after I started). I've got a PFS Wiz/7, and in f2f games I got so tired of looking up cantrips every time I used them that I printed out all of the ones I prepared or had from items--complete with how many dice to roll and the relevant saving throw or attack roll.

Wasn't sure about the attack roll. Did add +1 to the damage of the first attack.

If a spell allows the target to attempt a saving throw or use their AC to defend against it, the type of defense is listed in the stat block. Any details on the particular results and timing of the save appear in the text unless the entry specifies a basic saving throw, which follows a standard rule. If a spell allows a defense only under certain circumstances or at a certain time, the Defenses entry is omitted, since the text needs to explain it in more detail. Whenever a spell allows a saving throw, it uses the caster’s spell DC, and one that allows AC as a defense typically requires a spell attack. More information on how to calculate your spell DC and spell attack modifier appears on page 403.

The Defense entry for the electric arc spell specifies basic Reflex, not AC.

As far as I can tell from the language of courageous anthem, it adds +1 to all damage rolls, not just one per multitarget spell. (Though I'm not sure how that would work with force barrage...would you get +1 damage per target, if you spread the missiles around?)

Bustral, no attack roll needed for the electric arc spell, and you add one to the damage from courageous anthem.

But the lice just want to give you hugs! Is that such a bad thing?

Is this a second save, and if I fail am I sickened 2?

DC 18 Fort save: 1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 5 - 1 = 9

Despite the digestive distraction, Alessandra tries to identify the creatures. Then she plays an inspiring tune (casting courageous anthem) and Steps diagonally to the northeast.

DC 18 Fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

Alessandra can use Bardic Lore to Recall Knowledge; bonus is +8.

"Wait...before we start talking to him, let's make sure he's all right. There's enough strangeness here that something may have affected him."

Alessandra draws her bow along the strings of her instrument, playing a soothing melody for Yata.

Casting 1st level soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Under the occult power of her music, the gnome's burns fade away, leaving only a few red patches.

AFAICT getting rid of that condition requires retching and making a new save--it's not like Frightened, where "[u]nless specified otherwise, at the end of each of your turns, the value of your frightened condition decreases by 1."

Can we assume that Alessandra was able to recover from being sickened before the next scene?

DC 17 Fort save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

The bard turns green, but rather than try to shake off the effect, Alessandra powers through. "No worse than...<urp>...playing for a goblin potluck!"

Diplomacy check to communicate: 1d20 + 9 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 1 = 20 **

Third action is a Recall Knowledge attempt to learn more about what's happening; base +8, -1 for being Sickened.

"Stir that one now, or it'll scorch to the pan!"

Diplomacy check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Alessandra snatches the proffered shortsword and (if she can hold it) gives Tels a thumbs-up in the mirror.

Bustral, Alessandra's courageous anthem adds +1 to your spell damage, too. (I forgot to add it to my void warp, but I think GM Erich added it anyway.)

Alessandra quickly raises her psaltery and draws the bow across the strings, sending forth an inspiring tune. Courageous Anthem; +1 to hit, to damage, and on saves against fear. Then she casts a quick cantrip, blasting the orange worm with the power of the Void.

Void warp vs. Orange; DC 19 basic Fort save: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 2) = 7

That stint with the guards occasionally comes in handy. Alessandra uses her military experience to help.

Warfare Lore check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"Can you hear us, too?"

Alessandra murmurs a quick cantrip (detect magic) and examines the mirror.

The bard joins Modra. "I think I have a better chance of communicating with them than you do, in case something gets odd." The elf removes a psaltery and bow from her instrument case and quickly tunes it as she walks.

"There was a human philosopher in Iblydos, I think, who developed a teaching method that involved asking students leading questions. It's terribly annoying, if you're a student, because your teacher is essentially telling you that you already know an answer, you just don't know that you know it. However..." She rubs her hands together in anticipation. "...this might be the time to use it."

Ashes near Geltra shift as words are traced there in a delicate hand.

DOES AN OWLBEAR MOVE THROUGH THE SEAS?

That sounds more like a joke, actually.

Alessandra nods. "The spyglass is an easy one. But should we be doing their schoolwork for them?"

"We'd better follow them."

Occultism check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Bardic Lore RK check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

The elf takes in the scene and takes a deep breath. Don't show panic or we're really in trouble. She smiles at the chaperonees, not immediately realizing that they can't see her."Well, it's not the Pit of Gormuz, at least. Students, this is why you always need to be prepared."

Alessandra smiles broadly. "It's kind of amazing, actually. I still haven't figured out how it works, though."

Diplomacy check, T: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

DC 20 Society check: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

The bard approaches Hari. "I've heard good things about your scholarship. That's a passion of mine, too--my muse drives me to learn more about the world."

Alessandra has Bardic Lore +8, which allows her to Recall Knowledge on any topic. She also has Society +8, in case that's better, and she's already been to the Dacilane Academy.

Caught up in listening to the others' stories, Alessandra doesn't realize that it's her turn. "Oh! Pardon me. I'm Alessandra di Montefeltro, and I was inspired to join the Society by my uncle, who was a Pathfinder in the old days. My first real mission actually took me to your school! There were some strange things happening there, and my companions and I put a stop to them and got rid of the Scholar of Sorts. Once I was invited to a fundraiser for the Knights of Lastwall in Absalom, where we stopped a murder plot and saved the Society's reputation. I've been to Xin-Edasseril, the city out of time, and to Minkai. And in all those places, my fellow Pathfinders have had my back, and I've had theirs--bolstering them with music, magic, knowledge, and the occasional arrow or two."

Deception check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25

Alessandra does a masterful job of keeping a straight face during the skittermander's tale, nodding respectfully at all the right spots. "Of course, of course. I can't imagine how hard it was for them to part from you." Meanwhile, she's making mental notes to investigate Starfinders, and whatever sort of creature this cleric seems to be.

A tall, slender elf woman in bright clothing strides out of the crowd, looking around. There's something about her presentation that makes it seem like she takes up more space than her physical size would suggest. She has a cased longbow over one shoulder and a dagger at her belt, but more conveniently placed is a dark felt instrument case that looks like it holds something triangular. On seeing the mechanical wizard she bows floridly (but not disrespectfully so). "An honor. I'm called Alessandra, in service to the Society and to my muse."

No glyphs here.

Thank you all for the tips.

Stupid question #2: Is there something I need to do that I'm not seeing to log myself as a player/character on the forum tab for this game?

Not a stupid question at all, because it's not intuitive and the language we generally use to describe it isn't easily interpreted. Go to the Gameplay thread and post there from your Modra profile. That's it.

On the boards, we call this "dotting in," because the software puts a dot next to threads you've posted in. The term "phantom dotting" refers to deleting your post right after it's posted; you're still listed as a player and the campaign appears on your Campaigns tab, but you don't have to actually post anything meaningful.

ETA: That, by the way, is what everyone who appears in the Players tab but the GM did--the GM is the only one with a post showing, because the rest of us just wrote something and immediately deleted it.