Angruf's page

Well.. that and Irissen witch. Being Baba Yaga's grandaughter, and raised in a tribe of howling psychopathic b!%#-kittens can't be good for your good/evil ratio.

"Your wealth and titles will do you no good when you have died. Please also be aware that some of us have been afflicted by this thing, in our efforts to aid you. If your greatest concern is for wealth and titles, then you need to come through this picture with us. Come, let us away!'

1.) utopia27
2.) 58034-2
3.) perform(oratory): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
4.) nothing particular at the moment - hoarding some $$ for a busted and psychotic sword... because... well... EPIC INTELLIGENT SWORD! how can a bard resist?

Shuffling a boot-toe in the dust, Angruf forays, "Well, good sir, we do have one possible cure - at least a hint. But you're not going to like. I just want to warn you, before we go on, that we are just carrying the message here, and have gotten caught up in it."

Sensing the mounting of an explosive frozen rage from old Skelg, Angruf moves the story along more quickly, "You see sir, there's a really lovely lady in the boat in the painting. She claims to be your wife sir. And she claims if you come to her she may cure you. Her claim didn't seem very credible. Normally, I'd say that your options appear to be to see her through, or to perish - so no harm trying. But it does appear there is some magic at work that raises folk on that ship to an unpleasant unlife. I'd leave it to you sir, whether we brace her in her den."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

anyone else smell a (frozen) rat?

"Ma'am we certainly come on an errand. Some accident has befallen. The lantern has set a killing chill on one of us. We have punished the miscreant that mishandled it. But we have need to return from where we came to communicate the undoing of the accident. Can you give us the message to return with?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Sorry for drop-out. Rough long weekend - snow (&wife & kids on snow days), cleaning up old job, prepping for new job, and fighting off some disease.

back in the saddle again!

Always eager to smash a shambling undead thing, Angruf takes advantage of the opportunity one presents as it advances up the stair.

...and Angruf derives some satisfaction from the solid <thump> of his hammer, soothing the disappointment of failing his first strike.

'ah look, a space to step in and swing a hammer. zombies and ghouls have kneecaps too, right?'

With a determined stride forward, Angruf takes a place on the line, continuing to invoke the mercy of the gods to lay the restless dead back to rest.

wasn't round 1 when angruf started up his inspire courage?

Anyone got a 'grease'? One of the charming properties of mindless undead is that they're... mindless. keeping them bottled on the stairs and destroying them in detail wouldn't be a bad (if slow) strategy.

Ah.. no breath for sassy remarks. But all i've got are healing potions - but I wonder how well they'd work on ghouly-undead thingies? nah...

At the moment I'm waiting in queue - and I think I've even got my action this round already in the pipe.

know(religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
know(arcana): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

"Ghoul you say? and mask?" Hefting his warhammer... "They're not likely to succumb easily to crossbow bolts. So let us set to like the sons of our ancestors! We'll lay these unfortunates back to rest."

"יִתְגַּדַּל וְיִתְקַדַּשׁ שְׁמֵהּ רַבָּא
בְּעָלְמָא דִּי בְרָא כִרְעוּתֵהּ
וְיַמְלִיךְ מַלְכוּתֵהּ
וְיַצְמַח פֻּרְקָנֵהּ וִיקָרֵב(קיץ) מְשִׁיחֵהּ"

Round 1
Status: HP 15/15 | AC 14 | T 10 | FF 14 | CMD 13 | F +1 | R +3 | W +5 | Init +0 | Per +2
Move: draw weapon
Standard: inspire courage (2/11)

well... OK... actually Kaddish.

After cleaning up, and gathering stuff together, Angruf thanks Kargen heartily for the healing. Once the last guard is secured, Angruf will retrieve his drinks from in front of the bar, and participate in the search of the warehouse, laying out of the dead, and investigation of the lantern.

"Let's bring Kargen and the lantern to my Temple. They owe me some favors, and might be able to reverse the effect."
Temple Vanity - they'll do a free cure mod/lesser restoration. Might provide insight..

Is Kargen not affected in the same manner that Skelg was?

"Borax, please allow me to help."
CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

Who got bopped with the lantern earlier? I think we've got our very own experimental subject right here with us...

Despite the deep cut, and the taunting, Angruf stays with the tall man, and swings hard. "You can ask my ancestors, when you see them. Send them my regards."

Standard: warhammer: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 4 + 1 = 23, damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Apologies for starting up melee. I had thought he was already engaged.

@Borax - how bad you be?

Angruf draws his ancestral warhammer, takes a slight step to Begeirr's flank, and swings wildly at his knee. Unfortunately, he only succeeds in opening a new porthole in the floor.

Move: draw warhammer
Free: 5' step
Standard: warhammer: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8, damage: 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

I'd like to finish, whichever way. I'll let other folks make a call on Games Day reporting.

ooh... nice map.

Watching the guard (finally) head off into the bar, Angruf strides forward, drawing his crossbow as he crosses the street, and steps through the door into the warehouse.

As he walks through the door (and politely, but firmly, closes it behind him), he notes a single Bad Guy with a Great Bloody Monsterwhacker attacking some of the other party. With an inspired, rapid calculation, he decides the Bad Man should Stop That Right Now. A calculation he immediately follows up with a crossbow bolt.

Move: cross street & through door.
Free: draw weapon (with move & +1 BAB)
Standard: crossbow: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 1 - 4 = 4, damage: 1d10 ⇒ 2

With a most uncharacteristic roar of frustration, Angruf tosses his crossbow aside, and begins to claw out his warhammer.
free: drop crossbow

"So mate - can you grab another short cask for me? The bartender was looking at me somewhat askance. I'll hold the fort here."

cast 'charm person' (DC13)

Don't get me wrong y'all - as I said, this is Angruf's perfect idea of a problem solution - minimize the number of bad guys engaged, without needing to make them dead. But I very much like the idea of a charm person to 'convince' the guard to head off for a moment or two.

I had also been hoarding the first level spells for CLW... but the call is a spur to action.

perception (guard goes 'plop'): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

And Angruf continues to engage the guard and the tavern-goers, oblivious to the mayhem occurring scant yards and one door away.

Angruf is all kindsa itching to jump in - but as a player I'm working hard to remember just how quick a 'round' is. From the non-combatant perspective, those guys just walked in the door, and I'm still 'giving them a minute' before working the guard towards the door and 'inevitable capture'. <gnawing on my knuckles>

Stay safe Mol!

So.. no joy convincing the guard to scamper off after his afear'd buddy, eh? Well, we'll just keep him occupied and out of the scrape for now. And hopefully keep the pitchforks-and-torches crew off our backs as well. ♪♫ la-di-di-di-da ♪♫

Merry Christmas and Joyous Yule to all!

Round 3...

As Borax enters the warehouse and closes the door, Angruf eases his attention on the guard, and addresses a broader audience. "It's an awful thing when a dice game goes awry. Looks like that fellow forgot his purse at home. We should probably let those fellows settle it among themselves."
bluff: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13 - hopefully something they'd like to do (not get involved) for a +5.. check is against sense motive result.

Looking more specifically at the guard he's been chatting with, and more quietly, "Say - did you know that gent? I didn't want to let on, but he didn't seem well. Maybe you should go find out what's happened with him? I'll cover you here for a few moments."
diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 - asking him for aid/favor, 'Give simple aid +0 modifier', DC15 if he's indifferent, DC10 if he's gotten around to 'friendly'

@Borax - you may want to note that Angruf is trying to 'fascinate' the guard, rather than sucker-punch him... Although, as it turns out, that had a 50/50 chance of working and... not so much.

init: 1d20 + 0 ⇒ (19) + 0 = 19

Taking Borax's message up smoothly, Angruf steps up his discussion with the guard, actively fixing his attention on Angruf.

Round 2
standard: 'fascinate'(Will DC13) guard

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Angruf is having a lovely conversation with the reticent guard. He's keeping an eye on Kargen, the other eye up the street, and not a whit of listening attention to the warehouse.

"That sounds more a riddle than a tale, friend.
A man sits alone and idle
in front of a bar
No drink, he says
I'm working
What could he be working at? For whom?
I'll wager I can solve your riddle. You're a man of dedication - are you also a man that likes a challenge?"

Angruf thinks to himself, 'I'll also wager I can keep his attention on me, while other entries are explored.'

Did I mention this is what Angruf lives for? 'A thug and a cantor walk into the bar...'

Angruf has a beer. He then braces the bartender - purchasing a small hogshead of beer and a bottle of liquor. He tips the bartender a gold piece, and says casually, "My friends and I are going to sit outside. We'll bring the chairs and steins back in when we're done with them."

Taking the chairs, the keg, the bottle, Borax, and Yanbriel outside, Angruf makes a small line of chairs in the front, near the watchman. He makes a small show of settling, drawing a mug of beer, and setting the bottle next to it. He starts small talk with Borax and Yanbriel, "definitely less hot and noisy out here. and just as many pretty ladies - None! How do they let the lasses around here wander around without proper beards?" Angruf will also take a moment, and make something of a show of lighting a pipe.

After several minutes of this usual bar-speak activity (an environment native to dwarves, second only to a mine shaft...), Angruf addresses the guard. "Say - you have no drink. Did they throw you out for not ordering enough? That's a darned shame. Man shouldn't sit about without a drink or a pipe. Darned shame."

Angruf snaps his fingers ('aha!'), "Say, I'll trade you a drink for a tale. I collect tales, and you'd do me a favor. Here, let me draw you a draught, and you tell me why it is you're out in front of a bar, shaming their product by not consuming. Deal?"

"Borax, that sounds like an excellent idea. Yanbrel, let's take Borax for a drink in the bar, and see what anyone has to say. I was just lamenting my lack of any potables earlier. Once we have a better idea what's happening, and armed with some potent potables, then perhaps we should confront the guard, or his replacement. Kargen, are you and Moll going to watch the watcher?"

With that, Angruf guides Yanbrel's agitation in to be doused in an alcoholic beverage.

diplomacy(gather info): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

"Why do I have a feeling the same approach won't work twice? Perhaps we should find another way into the warehouse - perhaps borrow a boat and use the back door?" Angruf casts a measuring gaze towards Moll, weighing whether to actually prompt the Cutpurse to felonious activities.

perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
know(history): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8 any associated history? (bardic lore)
know(arcana): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13 anything known about the magic item?

"I'm betting Beneirr's man out there - the lead guard - still believes we are his great good friends. At least we avoided disabusing him of that notion. If nothing else, they may know who has the lantern, and where."

"As attractive as that ship might look to some, I don't look forward to an eternity on that ice. I'd like to have the device here that caused the tapestry to turn to portal."

"Yes, Master Skeig, we are Pathfinders. We come at the behest of Adril Hestram, who says your presence in the sparring ring is wanting of late. He has sent us to speed you back to cross blades with him. We bring the note you sent as surety of our origin. Can you tell us how we can help? Your message speaks around a topic, but we are not clever enough to tell how to proceed. Can you aid our understanding?"

"But before you proceed, can you introduce us to your servant? We have had some... difficulties... with the guards at your gate, and would like to understand who else is privy to your counsel."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Paying close attention to the lead guard, Angruf follows up to Borax's discussion, "If our friend here knew anything we might benefit from, he would tell us. I'm certain he'd tell us if Skeig's indisposition was caused by someone at the manor. If there were any danger to us, say, from other gaurds, or from some ambush, I'm certain he would let us know right now. Isn't that right?" Angruf's words are oddly compelling, drawing the guard in, to view Angruf as a friend and confidante.

casting 'charm person'(DC13) on the lead guard.
What the heck - I know they're the first encounter, but.. y'know, how often do we really get encounters with people?

@borax - me too. I have a tankard, but nothing to fill it with. I must remember to purchase some booze for cold nights, and weak-willed guards.

Angruf shrugs, "We've been asked to deliver a message, and our boss is awaiting the reply. I'm not enthused about the messenger role, but some days you take what you get. A bit of a place to warm our fingers would be appreciated."

knowledge(local): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20
knowledge(nobility): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Angruf holds up a forestalling hand to Kargen's response. Angruf holds up the letter, "We're bringing a response to a message. Can you take us to the manor seneschal? Captain of the guard?" Angruf is making efforts to be reasonable and charming.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

"Perhaps this will be a clockwork viking to match the clockwork dragon? Maybe the girl will be prettier this time - I understand some viking women have bears almost worthy of a dwarf."

"Hey - I believe that's inspiration calling my name. Let's head on and see if we can save the viking and get the girl!"

"Have you got the letter, Venture Captain? May we take it, or at least view it?"

Hey, maybe there's a return address. Maybe the letter actually says, "help, i'm overrun by zombies!" or something similarly helpful..."

"Master Hestram, are we expected at Skeig's manor? Is there some letter of introduction that might avoid confusion?"

know(local): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15