Andrus Blake's page

Andrus just nods. I understand.

As he enters the room, Andrus sizes up the enemy. "They didn't buy it, eh, Z? What are THEY looking for?" Then he blasts the nearest one with his lance of faith. move to N5, lance of faith of flamen, +9 vs Ref, 24, if hit, 1d8+5= 11 radiant damage, Kith gets +2 vs Flameguy.

Init=17

At the first sounds of battle, andrus will grab kitherra and run into the house. I expect we'll miss the first round. Did they REALLY just use fire on a TIEFLING? What a maroon. :) Stay alive until we get there.

Andrus signals to Kith to hold up. "Let them play this out. Zareth's gotten himself out of worst situations, believe me." He says quietly. "If there's trouble, he'll cause a stir and we'll run in."

"Tenja, Kith, and I will stay here. Give a holler if you get in trouble." Andrus says quietly.

i can only hurt a situation like this. but if there sounds like a fight, i will run to the rescue.

"Just be careful, m'lord. I don't want to have to find you after we find your son." Andrus says before they leave.

any sounds or movement from the house? if people were living there, we should get some indication before we enter.

Andrus smiles brightly at Lord Padraig's tactful diplomacy. He points in Padraig's direction after he and Waldo leave and says quietly to Kel, "THAT'S why he is lord of Winterhaven and you are the town's troublemaker." Then he gets serious. "The river branches here, folks, and none of the options are guarantied. We search for the boy, first by Agera's old house and then whereever this gang of his haunts OR find out who's after Padraig by finding the Knifeman and shaking that tree to see what falls out of it OR following the money to see who Waldo owes money to and see if they are connected to this. The last option is weakest to my mind, but I am wise enough to know that I don't know everything. What do you think? Which path should we take?"

"We should ask Waldo about Agera's former house." Andrus says after reading the journal entries aloud to everybody. "Lukas may have gone to search for her. We'll check that out, then find this Knifeman and see why he's out for Lord Padraig's skin."

"Let us see that, Kel. I would like to see what a 12 yr old feels a need to write." Andrus says as he holds out his hand. He is afraid of hearing the journal through Kel's "unique" filter.

"O.K." Andrus says with some finality. "Then tell us everything you know about this gang of his. Their name, where they hang out, who's the leader, everything. Then I want you to write up a letter of authorization to Lord Padraig. You will surrender all rights to Lukas's guardianship and release him into his birth father's custody. That way, no one can accuse us of kidnapping, if it comes to that." Andrus looks at Padraig and nods. "Everything else is just noise, designed to confuse us. Focus on the goal. We are looking for Lukas and to make sure he is safe. Being in a gang is decidely not safe."

"I don't think that's it, Z." Andrus says with a frown. "Something's happened. Waldo would have been prepared for this eventuality. Just keep your eyes open, and be nice for a change." Andrus gives him a wry look with that one. He gets up and moves around the room. He is clearly agitated.

Andrus gives the ferryman a couple extra gold for his trouble. "Hopefully, our return trip will be more 'uneventful'." He says with a wry smile.

Are we going to need to use Streetwise to find out where he lives or does Paddy have an address?

"Kith's right. We don't know enough yet to make any conclusions. They were after you and they knew you would be there. That's all we know. This "Knifeman" may have some answers, but I am afraid we are going to fight him, too, just to get them. In the meanwhile, we should follow our true mission. Sir Waldo would be my next step, as well. At least there is a chance HE won't fight us." Andrus says with some exaggeration. I don't want to walk into another trap. Knifeman will have security and whatnot, and if he is tough as his name, we will have to fight him. Better to go with a possible non-combat encounter that will let us know more info than a tight-lipped bad guy.

"Get me a bucket of water, just in case." Andrus says as he checks on the ferryman. heal= d20+12= 26 to gauge his condition. did he faint? or was he knocked out? if he fainted, i will dump a bucket of water on him. if he was knocked out, i will give him first aid. heal=d20+12=27.

"Are we to eliminate any group of thugs we encounter, my dear Kitherra?" Andrus says seriously. "They were not the villians, just the minions of this story. Someone WILL pay for their attack and my near-death experience, but finishing them off would waste valuable time. Something is going on. Right now." He crosses his arms. "Do you think that those guys have been sitting around for months or years waiting for Lord Padraig to attempt to make contact with his son or leave Winterhaven? No. Which means someone is either scrying us or there is a spy in Winterhaven. And they have some sort of way of communicating long distances. Padraig left in the middle of the night. We left at first light. Only his servants and a few others knew about Padraig's walkabout. And yet someone was able to set up this ambush. And you," Andrus says as he points at Padraig. "would have been in big trouble if we didn't reach you in time. Skilled or no, 8 on 1 is terrible odds. Anyway, I have this lingering feeling that something is happening right now and we have to hurry to stop it."

"How about pushing there and moving off that rock?" Andrus asks helpfully. perception=d20+12=24 I am worthless at Athletics. My 10 Str is not built for manual labor. But I am very perceptive and can point out good spots to push.

"See?" Andrus says with an easy smile as he gets up and over to the side of the boat. "That was much better than dying. Get out of here. If you know what's good for you, you'll avoid us from here on out. The Stormbreakers are on the job and we know what we're doing. If you attack us again, I promise you, you'll be dead." And he waves Cap off dismissively. "We'll wait til they leave and then get this boat back in the water." Andrus says softly to Kel over his shoulder.

"Does this mean you've decided to be sensible?" Andrus asks from his crouched position on the boat's floor. "I just need to know who hired you and what you were supposed to do with us and you can leave." Andrus tries to sound as reasonable as he can.

and move- fall prone. I AM NOT BEING A PINCUSHION AGAIN.

"Enough of this! THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE! Give up or die! I haven't even begun to use up my healing prayers. One of your men is already dead! These two lunks are close behind him. You are ALMOST dead yourself. If you want to live, you will surrender, submit to my questions and you and your men can leave! That is the best deal you are getting today. Otherwise, you will sleep with the Raven Queen tonight." Andrus voices changes as he makes this last appeal. His tone is iron and he sounds like a man holding all the cards.

Intimidate= d20+6=21

Then he switches his tactics, "You think I am joking?? Or that I am powerless to stop you?? See what happens when you doubt me!" He points at Cap. Command on Cap, +9 vs Will, 27,(unless there is a penalty), if hit, Cap is dazed and I slide him to M18 (and he has to check if he makes the skill check or fall prone, yes?)

"You never had a chance. My team is going to grind you into paste."

if the intimidate is a standard, then i use my action point to use command

since you didn't play for me, and I am feeling better, and I am in the office, so I have internet and not using my android phone, I'll take my own turn. I just didn't want to hold you up because of my cold.

I am suffering from a bad head cold. Pls DMPC Andrus this round. Ill be back around next round.

"You should have listen to me in the beginning." Andrus calls out to Cap. "Now you and your men are going to die." Then he pauses. "But.... I'll make you a deal. Answer a couple of questions for me and you and your men can go. You won't have to worry about your reputation because the people that hired you will never tell anyone that you reneged on your deal. Of that, I can assure you."

basically, I am trying to end this without killing anyone. Cap is barely hanging on, he knows we can and will kill him before his men can kill us. i don't care about these guys, they're just mercs. I want the people behind them. With that info, they can leave and get another job. diplomacy= d20+6= 20. Provided Cap can control his men, of course.

Andrus just looks in disbelief at Lord Padraig. "Hey, I wanted to move the boat. But that is problematic as well, thanks to the archers. If Kith and Tenja want to run down the archers, I can accept that, but you, sir, are staying with me. I am not letting you out of my sight. I promised Florence. If it becomes necessary to rush the shore, I'll let you know."

"By the grace of Avandra," Andrus says as he heals his wounds. minor-healing word on me. anyone else need one? surge+d6+4=21 hp regained. now at 30/54, 5/8 surges, 1 healing word, (and two other healing powers) move to P19. standard-convert to minor, healing word on Tenja. surge +1d6+4 or surge+6 hp.

Then he moves next to Kith and heals Tenja.

I just have to remember that I'm not a striker anymore. :(

Andrus gets up and looks around. "Many thanks, Kith. I let my anger get the best of me. It won't happen again." 9hp. 1 action point. 6/8 surges left. 2 healing words. No dailies.

with the 5 ongoing poison from last round, yes, i am down and dying. save= 12, so i was poison-free until i was hit again. so much for finishing Cap quickly. stupid archers. spiritual weapon is gone.

Andrus gurgles once as the arrows hit him a second time. He falls in a heap in the middle of the boat.

sorry, a buddy of mine has a son who needed help with his math test tomorrow. quadratic equations and all that. i did what i could, i only hope it is enough. move- move spiritual weapon to cap's sq. standard-repeat attack +9 vs AC, 25, if hit, 1d10+5 or 12 damage. minor-sustain spell.

While wanting to get the boat moving, the sight of the bloodied leader is too tempting a target for Andrus. He moves his spiritual weapon next to the brigand leader and attacks again.

with Kith's rune of mending, I am not bloodied anymore. I am at 38 hp.

with the spiritual weapon, yes? d20+9, 12, crap! oh, well. if by some chance that's a hit, 1d10+5, or 9 hp damage

"Now for something NEW." Andrus says as he says a new prayer. Light forms next to the Brigand Leader and shapes into a large and glowing mace. As Andrus swings his arm down, the mace attacks.

Spiritual Weapon forms in P19 (+9 vs AC on Cap, 26, if hit, 1d10+5 damage or 11 damage and everyone gets CA against him, minor to sustain and repeat) minor-sustain spell. shift to T17

"If they are going to come, let them come, but don't follow." He looks at Lord Padraig and explains, "My plan is to remove the enemy from the boat and get the boat going again. Focus your attacks either on the remaining shipboard enemies or if you've got a good ranged attack, feel free to take out an archer or two. But the best bet is still to eliminate these guys and get away. Crawling around in a dirty mist-filled swamp looking for archers is not a very good plan." He wryly smiles at that one.

"Magic AND Weapons. I did warn you. You have no idea the trouble you're in." Andrus quickly adds.

"Here's where your gamble fails to pay off, because Luck is on Our side." Andrus says right before he casts his prayer.

Curse of Misfortune, closeburst 3, so that's C, B1, B2, B3, +9 vs Will, 26, 23, 21, and 23, if hit, target must roll twice for attacks and use lower one (save ends), after effect: target takes 10 psychic damage, miss: target takes 10 psychic damage.

"You feel that? That is your Luck changing. Avandra favors us, fools. From this point on, nothing will go your way." Andrus says with confidence. Then he moves over to block one of the brutes from attacking Padraig. He whispers to Padraig, "Sir, can you fight? Do you have a weapon? If you do, flank this guy with me. If not, stay back with Kel. He can protect you."

Rev, be aware than despite our differences, Andrus truly wants to keep Padraig safe. He is respectfully asking what Padraig's combat skills are. Andrus didn't grow up in Winterhaven. He doesn't know if Padraig used to be a fighter or an adventurer or what. He only knows him as a government offical. Try not to have Padraig misunderstand him. It is not an insult. Move to S18.

Andrus turns and looks at the leader. "You must either be getting well paid for this, or just plain stupid. You didn't listen to me at all. And now, you and your men are going to pay for it." Andrus turns his head and tells the others, "We'll clear the boat and then getting it going. Don't leave the boat. If they run, let them. Chasing after them into the mist is suicide. Don't kill the leader. We may need him for information later." Andrus then says dismissively, "Almost dead is fine, though."

trying to free the boat with Cap and his brutes on board is too great a skill challenge. if we stay on the boat and focus our attacks on Tweedle dum and Tweedle dee and the leader, we may be able to avoid the others. But most likely, the archers and the others will move back once the fight begins. The mist is our friend, for now. please do not finish the leader. I want to interrogate him. let's get them. (at least the ones on the boat)

"Say, Zareth, now that IS an idea!" Andrus says as he tries to figure out how to get the boat moving again. "What if we got the boat moving again?"

How about it, Rev? What would it take to get the boat moving back down the river? And what happened to the other passengers and the ferryman? The mist works both ways, right? Those archers should have as much trouble as we will attacking at range. Or am I missing something? init-d20+8= 20.

"Look, friend, where we go and what we do is no concern of yours. You can go back now and tell your friends to find another target. We're wolves, not sheep, and we give better than we get. You take my meaning? We've got weapons AND magic, and we know how to use both. We won't start trouble, but by Avandra, we'll end it." Andrus says as he raises his holy symbol around his neck. He gives the man a hard stare. "So, push off."

I'm not sure an intimidate check is needed. But if so, d20+6= 21. I figure this guy engages the "mark" and when he knows how much money they have, he get his boys and rolls the mark for all their money. I am trying to project strength to prevent hostility. If he knows we'll fight and probably kill them, he should be smart enough to find another target. I hope. You guys can follow my lead or not, but please don't step on my play here.

"That's all well and good, Lord Padraig, but to do so without telling anyone in the middle of the night. We thought you were kidnapped or worse. At the very least you could have told us what you were planning. According to Florence, this is not like you." Andrus says with a grim look. "Fortunately, We caught up with you. Now we can keep you safe while you look for Lukas. I am telling you, m'lord, you never know where such an adventure will take you. You need to always bring friends." And he clasps Tenja on the shoulder as he says the part about friends. "We're coming with you."

I say we ride hard for the ferry. With a little luck, we might catch him on the road. This is the most direct route and so it would be logical for him to take the same path.

"That is not what I meant at all! Of all the wronghearted impulsive decisions I have ever of, this takes the cake. Florence, rest assured, we will be right behind him and will make sure he is kept safe and returned whole. I know how much you all love him."

To the others, "we have to leave now. With alittle luck, we'll catch up with him before he boards the riverboat."

"That is not what I meant at all! Of all the wronghearted impulsive decisions I have ever of, this takes the cake. Florence, rest assured, we will be right behind him and will make sure he is kept safe and returned whole. I know how much you all love him."

To the others, "we have to leave now. With alittle luck, we'll catch up with him before he boards the riverboat."

Andrus quickly retrieves the envelope and examines it.

"I'm afraid I know, or at least strongly suspect one of the two places he might have gone. Which is very odd, since he entrusted one of those tasks to us. I wish I could tell you more, good lady, but Lord Padraig entrusted us with this information and I could never betray that trust. It is a personal matter." Andrus tells her solemnly. "Let us examine his study and see if there are any more clues there. At least this implies that he was not kidnapped or any such thing, since the room is not in chaos and only his travelling clothes are missing. "

"If we split up, we can cover more ground, but if we search together, we can do a better job. Let's go room by room, starting with his bedroom." Andrus says. "Florence, could you show us the way?"

I have a passive perception of 22, so not much gets by Andrus. is that enough for a search, or do we need a 25 or better?

Andrus turns to the housekeeper. "Don't worry, we'll find him, ma'am." He places a comforting hand on her shoulder. "But first, there are a few questions I need answered. How many servants does Lord Padraig have? And who would have been the last to see him? Does he have a groom, or does he normally saddle his own horse? Has he ever wandered off before?"

Andrus will pause between questions to not fluster the housekeeper. I always ask a bunch of questions to speed up posting. do i need a diplomacy check? couldn't hurt, I guess. diplomacy=12+6=18.

Andrus eyes widen at the shepherd's news. Is there a servant I can send to check, or am I going to bust into his bedroom?

"That's very odd. I'd better check on him. Hopefully, he is just feeling sick or something." Andrus says as he enters the estate.

"I wasn't implying that he wasn't, Adeliza. Just that the man puts too much pride in his animals. I would say the same about a farmer who spend all his time and energy on his prize carrots. 'Better to value your friends rather than your things,' I always say. But to each their own." He looks at his friends and says, "Kith is still abed and we can't leave without her. Besides, Lord Padraig wanted us to bring that thing along with us on our errand. I think I'll check on that and him, since Adeliza thinks it is strange that he is not here yet."

As he heads for the door, he turns back to Zareth, "We're riding, provided you pay me for the horse." He smiles. "Otherwise, you're walking." and then he leaves. cough up the 75 gp for the horse

Once outside, he mounts up and rides over to Padraig's estate.

"I'm not worried about Padraig. The man cares too much about those sheep anyway. You would think they were his kids, the way he goes on. No, actually, I just want to get started. Every time we start something new, I always get this good kind of nervous energy. You never know what is going to happen, what is right around the corner, over the next hill, what sort of trouble you can get into, especially with Kel and Tenja with us." He takes a cup of coffee and smells it deeply and sighs. Then he takes a big sip. "I love the smell of coffee in the morning."

** spoiler omitted **

Tenja

I have a question about Split Slot, and was hoping I would be able to find answer here. I didn't see a thread about it when I searched, so forgive me if this has been answered else where.

Split Slot allows for the use of an unused higher level spell to split into two lower level spells. If I'm reading this correctly, that would be say one fourth level spell is equal to two 2nd Level, or 1 1st and 1 3rd level spell slots.

Or does this allow a spell, such as Scorching Ray, to become a 0 Level Spell?

Thanks in advance people!!

Happy Gaming!