Alexander Pierce's page

I'm very sorry to hear that your illness is taking so much out of you and I definitely understand it. As I had mentioned when you first had your hospital stay, I had a pretty major illness last year make me disappear from the boards for a good chunk of time. I really do relate to this.

I think the biggest thing you need to worry about is not burning yourself out. If you do want the connection and distraction that the RP can offer and think you will be fine with a co-DM or the like, then that is great and I think we all will be quite understanding if you find yourself with any slow down periods where you are getting tired. If you need to take an extended break to recover or if the game simply needs to be put aside, none of us are going to begrudge you for it. Do what is best for you and your health.

I do want to say that we really have a great group of players here and you have been a lot of fun as a DM. I know there is no private messaging system on these boards, so if any of you want to keep in touch or perhaps partner up in future games(I try and keep busy with PbPs so I'm always involved in a few as player or DM), feel free to drop me a line at the e-mail below.

felixcosima at gmail dot com

Thanks all, obviously I'm still paying attention here but I wanted to toss that out in case things do go quiet.

Welcome back, Saradac. I hope the trip was a good one and you settle back into things well. I'm sure you'll need a bit of time to get your world settled in if you just got married and are moving. I don't think any of us are worried about rushing you. Just enjoy your new world.

Aeneas, can I suggest delaying long enough to go after I do if you are going to provoke with your action? That way I have a chance of dropping him and you won't get creamed.

Oh, and I mis-stated, you'd be at 18, not 10.

I was thinking about doing the swift action to heal, just so I don't get creamed too, but I am under the impression that doing an immediate action using my swift action on my next turn. I may be mistaken on that though. I should be able to take a round from the giant if need be.

And Aeneas, I feel you with the summon pit thing. Playing through Serpents Skull in RL as a summoner and spiked pit is a spell that is starting to give our DM a twitch I think. Wonderful spell.

See the combat thread, but you are still up Aeneas(never actually went down thanks to an immediate action) and don't forget, my AC is 5 higher because he is my smite target.

Worry not, Aeneas! I'm here.

Seeing the Giant's club turn towards his friend and the abuse he is taking, Alexander closes his eyes and braces for the second impact, taking it himself.

When the giant does his second swing, I use Paladin's Sacrifice. Its my second level spell, an immediate action where I can take the damage and effects of the blow for him. So I'll take the 28 damage and Aeneas should still be at 10.

Text of the spell:

As he rocks back from the effective strike, Alexander lashes out with his blade. Its obvious this creature needs to be dropped quickly, trying to chase away the wounds so he can be prepared as he hopes to draw the giant's attention.

Attack 1(Smite, flank): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30
Damage 1: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

Attack 2(Smite, flank): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Damage 2: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

With the blow done, he sidesteps to give Aeneas room to continue moving to circle the giant.

Alexander shouts up at the creature with a bit of false bravado. "Face me creature, you'll not drop him while I stand!"

You should be proud, we are all so worried about you Aeneas.

Just holding my post long enough to see what the giant is doing. It would be nice to know that Aeneas is still alive before my turn is up.

Indeed, I had hoped for more civil discourse myself. I'll do what I can to irritate him, Aeneas and hopefully draw some attention since he actually can miss me.

Overall, my actions based on him being close will stand as well, though I am going to 5-foot step to M9 so Aeneas can flank with me next round. I'm a bit worried he could actually drop Aeneas if he really opens up on him with a full round rather than a charge, so I am going to drop the non-lethal idea at the moment. The camp probably isn't a good place for a softy.

Removing the charge and the non-lethal penalty my attack rolls above would be:

Attack 1: 29
Damage 1: 18

Attack 2: 29
Damage 2: 15
Confirm: 12
Crit extra damage: 14

The above still assumes he is evil and uses my attack rolls from above.

Init 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Sigh.

Not sure on your feelings on speaking in combat, if I'm too wordy let me know and I'll cut it back.

Alexander raises a brow at the rampaging giant, muttering under his breath. "Hells, he's a big one. Looks hurt though, something might have set him off. If he gives us the choice, lets try and be gentle."

He then calls out towards the giant. "Stand down, put away your weapon. We can see you are hurt, we don't want you or anyone else killed."

Diplo(in case you feel it is pertinent) 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (1) + 15 = 16 Not a good start.

Since I expect to be last in the round, I'm going to have to make some assumptions. I don't expect my words to have any effect, but I had to try anyway so all of these are going with the assumption we are in combat still.

Alexander focuses on the giant, channeling his inner strength to try and bring him down as quickly as possible so no others are hurt. He dashes towards him, drawing his blade as he goes and swinging it in a wide arc.

I am focusing a smite on the giant, which, if he is evil puts my AC to 33. I am going to move and attack, if I can with a charge, I know this provokes an AoO assuming someone else hasn't already taken it. Assuming the fight isn't already going bad for us by the time I get up, I am going to hit non-lethal.

If a new threat appears, or someone actually is dropped rather than just has taken a hit I'll need to revise the action.

I'm including the modifiers I am counting so you can adjust the final result as needed.
Attack(Base, +charge, +smite, -non-lethal) 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Damage(Base, +smite) 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18

Second attack roll, just in case he is close enough I could full round him. Obviously not counting charge on this one.
2nd Attack(Base, +smite, -non-lethal) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Damage(Base, +smite) 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
2nd Attack Confirm(same) 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Damage(same) 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Phew. Hope that isn't information overload. Hard going at the bottom of the round and trying to be ready for whatever happens. If you want trimmed versions of any of this from now on, just let me know.

Alexander raises a brow as he listens to the discourse between Abigail and Aeneas before shaking his head with a smile. "Now, now, no need for our thoughts to be as barren as this earth around us or our humor as dark as Orcus himself, hm?"

He pauses as he glances towards Rasina and Shen, grinning a bit. "You do have a point there. In listing the strengths of the party sensibility and logic weren't among them. I imagine that would be a tall order for such an outing. Aeneas, is that what brings you out to this 'paradise'? Adding a more sane outlook to our fellowship?" He dips down and scoops up a handful of the dry, infertile soil, letting it run through his fingers before looking rather displeased at the dust which sticks to his gauntlet. "I imagine if you were here to build a farm or setup a resort you still would be adding sanity to our mission with your company."

Alexander looks up to the horseman, taking a split second as he cycles through memories to place the face, though it seems he still remembers every face he has served with, particularly those who went with him into that last battle, most of whom were written off as dead that day. As it clicks, his eyes widen a bit and show an emotional rush even as he smiles widely.

"Aeneas? My word." He steps forward, reaching to clasp the other man's forearm. "I thought you were lost like the others. Like too many of the others." Pausing a moment to shake his head again before giving the man a smile. "It is wonderful to see you, to know you are well. You always were a good man. What brings you out on this scenic trip?"

Still listening to the discourse, Alexander makes a show of wetting his mouth against the dusty air. "And I thought we had our last glimpse of civilization days ago. I have no doubt that we walk into a land of darkness, though I don't know if that undercuts the... emptiness of this place."

He takes a moment, looking around to the rest of the group and echoing Shen's reassurance, still hoping to help Rasina find faith in herself and comfort in the power she has. "Shen speaks true. We have a mighty team. Strength, skill, intelligence, one who speaks to the gods and one who was blessed by them. You have been given a powerful gift, there is much ahead of you, don't fear the road you are on we will make it through supporting each other."

I just realized that I didn't buy a horse. Paladin card: Revoked.

Walking along with the others, Alexander keeps his gear in as impeccable shape as himself. The heavy armor and shield he wears polished carefully and his sword given almost obsessive care. His well trimmed mustache and immaculate black hair pulled back in a ponytail gives the same impression as his almost rigid walk, the strict lifestyle of a career soldier. Still the warmth in his grey eyes is welcoming as is his regular smile.

As the group travels along at a steady march, his one hand remains sitting comfortably on the butt of his sword, the relaxed posture belying his readiness as we enter more dangerous territory.

He flashes a small grin towards Abigail's comment, raising a brow. "Your dream is for mouthfuls of dust and to be baked in your armor? I've no doubt Freya wishes all prayers were so easy. Perhaps though with your coming, some of her gaze will turn to this place and help it become bountiful again." He chuckles a moment and shakes his head at himself. "Speaking of 'Tall order' prayers..."

With that said he turns his attention towards the conversation between Rasina and Shen, simply listening. He hasn't said anything to the others, willing to give one with a noble goal the benefit of the doubt, but it doesn't take much to sense the taint on the wizard and it does make him wary. Not so blind as to turn away an ally, especially one so knowledgeable on an undertaking of this, his concern more is in method of achievement than in betrayal.

TD, I most definitely understand. I lost a couple games on the boards last year because of a surprise illness that resulted in a hospital stay and a recovery period that left me unable to focus enough to get good posts up. I'm very glad to hear you are feeling better and at least everything is sorted out so that you can take care of it properly. I wish you all the best in a speedy recovery and hope that with that knowledge your diabetes is manageable.

As for me, Alexander is ready to go as a character and has formed some good connections with others through their backgrounds. I was thinking to put up a summary of all the connections we weaved before things got quiet, that way people can add or change anything as they see fit and you can get a general picture just by looking it over. It might make it so those we haven't formed a connection to can find ways to insert themselves as well, maybe we'll have a cohesive party even before getting to Tsar.

Again though, TD, feel better and take care of yourself. We'll be here as you do and are certainly looking forward to the game.

Just chiming in to say that I'm still here as well, keeping an eye on things.

Toothless,

I have hero-lab(made my character in it) and have no problem running characters through it if you would like for error spotting.

Biggest problem I can see is that it won't cover any of the ultimate magic stuff that is out yet until that book gets released, but that is easy enough to go over by eye.

And six characters works for me as well.

Hope you are feeling better.

Saradac is much older with a fairly similar outlook to Alexander.

If we wanted to have them tied together, could he have perhaps served as a mentor to him at some point in time, perhaps when he first had his calling?

From the adventure hooks, it looks like there are advantages to us more or less coming into this as a group since the hooks all seem to expect us to already be together. It would make sense that once Shen and Rasina got the idea about making their way to the ruins we would begin to reach out to other adventurers we know to put together a full party.

I'm sorry to see you go as well, Havoc.

DW, as for Alexander and Abigail, hm... Perhaps they met during his time as a soldier? Even if the lands around the camp are not terribly contested, there are certainly enough conflicts nearby that he could have been involved in. It would make a good 'in' to introduce you to Rasina and Shen as well.

He met you(maybe was healed by you) back when he was a soldier in some skirmish nearby and knows you base yourself out of the camp so intends to find you as soon as we arrive, or perhaps sent word ahead for you to meet us on the road if all of us entering the camp together is preferable, may be a better option anyway if the camp is as dangerous as it sounds, having a local to walk us in wouldn't be a bad idea.

Alright, I read through the full background and had sort of built in my head that I would be looking to see what may have become of Lord Bishu, then that was listed as one of the plot hooks.

I realize that may be a personal reason for the character, rather than something that is overall for the group, but the idea of wishing to find out what happened to these great men who were sort of unsung heroes seems to fit pretty well with the character.

Shen and Rasina, perhaps I could squeeze myself in there?

Alexander Pierce checking in and ready to get approved. I may tidy up the profile a bit, but I think the character is more or less finished.

I haven't had a chance yet to read through all the background and plot hooks yet but I will do that shortly and add a background and description section to the profile with it.

I see Rasina and Shen are going to be having some ties between them already, did anyone want to work in a background together as well? I'm sure the more of us who know each other the better.