Ao Shoku's page

Soooo, Mika...how's the Sacred Servant kit been treating you? I see you've got 3 levels on mine.

"When out of fear you twist the lesser Evil into the lie that it is something Good, you eventually rob people of the capacity to distinguish between Good and Evil."

― Hannah Arendt

"The poor tell us who we are, the prophets tell us who we could be, so we hide the poor, and kill the prophets."

― Philip Berrigan

“If citizens cannot trust that laws will be enforced in an evenhanded and honest fashion, they cannot be said to live under the rule of law. Instead, they live under the rule of men corrupted by the law.”
― Dale Carpenter

Perform (Winds), Faction Pin: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
folio: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25
folio reroll: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31

I hope I don't come across as a poor sport, BUT:

I don't want to die. I don't want it to end this way. I spent a Boon on this character (I know some others did for theirs, too).

I'm sorry for not tuning back in sooner (bear in mind I've started forswearing Internet use every Saturday this year), but given how badly this sucks for all of us, isn't there SOME WAY we can wriggle out of this, some stupid loophole or something?

Could we call in a VO to check the game for gaffes/screwups that might render some of it null?

I do still have two rerolls (folio and DM star), could they have helped any? Would you perhaps allow me to force a reroll of that one crit?

I mean, I've seen worse rule-fudging before when it comes to staving off stupid TPKs.

Here's a thought: I DID suggest we rest after the shadow-battle, and was semi-ignored. Would a retcon to see what would've happened had we opted to rest before venturing forth be feasible?

Probably; I'm hoping against hope there's some way we can wriggle out of this.

I'm hoping it runs out of ammo soon enough - I mean, it's a mundane mechanical trap installed in a long-neglected dungeon by a poor village as part of a rite of passage, it should....

The dead PC (my main one) was a multiclass magus/bard.

How did that work out for you while she lasted? I could see that being a monster-combination in a gestalt game, but not so much with normal multiclassing (they're both already hybrids....).

Ao collapses, his final thought as he topples a prayer:

Please, Lord Moon, don't let it end like this...

K.O.d and at 14/20 hp, I believe. :/

Ao gasps in shock, and a halo similar to the one he manifested earlier - save that it is silvery in color, with only a hint of wine-red tint - manifests around his hand as he almost reflexively holds it to one of his impact-bruises...
Lay Hands on self, Tiefling bonus: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

...before rushing to help chop down the door.

masterwork gandasa V door: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
chopping damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 3) + 1 = 7

I became very familiar with the rule once while a player in a campaign. My PC became dominated and joined the enemy side, so was "off-screen" for a few sessions being evil. I got to play a temporary PC in the meanwhile. When my temporary PC encountered my real PC, I had the temp PC use nonlethal attacks to try and subdue my real one. But I rolled a x3 critical hit, and the real PC already had enough normal damage from other stuff that when the nonlethal damage exceeded max hit points enough to be converted into lethal damage, it accidentally killed her! It was both tragic and hilarious at the same time.

I'm curious - what were these respective characters?

Sorry, sorry, sorry everyone....

At last catching up, Ao charges forward with a shout, his fine gandasa at the ready!

Assuming I've got the heights right for this:

masterwork gandasa, charge, higher ground: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
slashing damage: 2d4 + 1 ⇒ (1, 2) + 1 = 4

While digesting Reader's Digest
In the back of a dirty book store,
A plastic rainbow flag, with gum on the back,
Fell out on the floor.
Well, I picked it up and I ran outside
Slapped it on my window shield,
And if I could see old Betsy RossStonewall Inn
I'd tell herit how goodWOKE! I feel.

"But your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more.
We're already overcrowded
From your dirty littleendless global war.
Now Jesus don't like killin'
No matter what the reasons for,
And your flag decal won't get you
Into Heaven any more."

That, and all the power I spent against the shadow (speaking only for myself, I don't recall what others have used up so far).

Are we sure we're not going to rest first?

Ao thanks Roldare and makes his way to the others.

"Roldare the cobbler sends his greetings - and his weapon," He announces, offering up the crossbow to whomever wants it. "He believes his sister is still alive somewhere deeper in...or, at least he clings to hope that she does. He warns of more skeletons - one of whom wears warrior's mail, and speaks."

Is it heavy or light?

We DEFINITELY ought to rest before heading further in.

How's everyone's Heal skill? Mine's +2, which is...at least positive. My Strength damage is light enough that a normal rest would technically be enough to make it negligible, but I know Uaine's not so lucky, so some long-term-care checks (or whatever application I'm thinking of) would be good.

"Yes, yes! The dead who walks has the voice of the grave! But Dimira must be alive! Our parents are waiting for us back in town!" He begins blubbering.

With a body and soul like his, it is not easy for Ao to 'soften' or 'sag' his posture even when he wishes to - but he does some semblance of that at the man's admission that his clear assertion regarding Dimira's fate was not, in fact, based on fact, but faith, hope...and fear.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

"Please, Mr. - I apologize, what was your name again? Anything more you can tell me about Dimira, anything whatsoever, might help my companions and I rescue her. What does she look like? How was she dressed the last time you saw her? Can you describe her voice? Has she any training in weapons, or any other skill or art that could help us all survive this place?"

"If I might also ask, what do your parents do in town?"

more Diplomacy, just in case: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Ao listens to the poor man intently.

"The walking bones! And the one with the voice of death stalks the halls in ancient mail."

Interesting....

Knowledge (Religion) to have some idea what he may be alluding to: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"Dimira's alive! But the voice took her!"

"That much is good...how do you know that she is alive? What can you tell me about her? Who - or what - is 'the voice' Do you mean the walking bones with the voice of death, or another?"

another Diplomacy check, IF needed: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

Meanwhile....

Having been introduced to the sad, strange little man with the crossbow, Ao takes his time trying to 'level' with him while the others fiddle with keys...

"You may find this difficult to believe, but I am your friend; I can help you escape this place, if you will help us to do the same."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

There's just something about Ao that makes him a natural interrogator...maybe it's the Kyton lineage.

SUPER-sorry about disappearing AGAIN. I don't know what to say; last two weeks have been more of a PITA for me than usual, and I'm not even sure why.

I think we should rest after we re-visit Survivor-Man....

I figured we'd go back to the fellow I missed out on.

Ao makes a short prayer of thanks to Tsukiyo as he looks down at his hand, and holds it to the spot where on his chest where it had touched him first.

He wonders whether any of the others truly understand how badly that could have gone.

I think we should rest after we re-visit Survivor-Man....

Ao administers another slap of unearthly power...

Lay on Hands, smoke, courage, SMITE EVIL!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
positive energy damage VS Undead: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

M+%!~+*@$**#...oh well; could've been worse.

Ao re-meets with the others as they leave their farcical 'interrogation', having been left behind in one of the pillow-pits and forced to spend the time struggling to climb out. Now, well, this just does not seem to be his day...or perhaps it is. It really isn't easy being a Paladin.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Even in the smoke, Ao recognizes his foe immediately - almost intuitively.

"A shadow of death, one of the hungry ghosts! Quickly, use whatever magic or holy power you possess against it! Even holy water might help if you pour it in place. You don't wish to become what you see before you - for nearly the moment it slays you, that is what shall happen...."

Despite being visibly...affected by the shadow's attack, Ao not only rallies, but the glow of his eyes intensifies, and seems to spread as his entire begins to to exude an eerie blood-moon halo. He strikes back, his glowing fist a sudden beacon in the smoky dark!

Lay on Hands, smoke, courage, SMITE EVIL!: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
miss chance? low is good: 1d100 ⇒ 21
positive energy damage VS Undead: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Were this an in-person game, we could've discussed our moves a bit prior to making them; DM, I don't know if you'd permit Uaine to take back her action, since the deflection bonus from her spell and my Smite can't stack?

For the time being, then, we'll say I got caught in one of those pillow-pits and spent the 'interrogation' battling my own ACP to get out....

I am TERRIBLY sorry for going AWOL - I don't know if you'd permit a quick retcon? Since we're now in rounds against an adversary who most certainly cannot be reasoned with, perhaps not, but if so, I could move in with that Diplomacy check....

I wish I knew; you might be right about "translating poorly".

Hai!

Well, my Perception is underwater and my initiative is nil, but other than that, I'm just as tough as Steppinwolf, harder to hit, and my saving throws are even better, so perhaps I should take point.

"...Or to smash from a distance than which a cannot be punctured."

masterwork cestus vs Green Eyeless Monster: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
bludgeoning damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

With a well-angled uppercut from his cestus, Ao crushes one of the remaining skeletons' skulls against the wall!

Ao noisily bounds over to smash the final remaining skeleton...

masterwork cestus vs Green Eyeless Monster: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
bludgeoning damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

...only to (I assume) badly misjudge his timing and distance.

Ao gives Surely a brief nod of acknowledgement, then turns his head back to his foe in the same full-body motion as his next swing of his cestus...

masterwork cestus, fighting defensively vs Red Rotten Hood: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Hey, that's a threat!: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Darn.
bludgeoning damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

...clocking his foe square in the forehead (which, regrettably, would've been much more effective against something that was alive)!

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

To date, Ao's knowledge of the undead has been much more scholastic than practical; he has met them in battle only once before, and he'd failed to accomplish much in that fight beyond deflecting a strike or two. However, he remembers his weapon of choice from that fight, and throws a cautious swing with a heavy, spike-festooned gauntlet...

masterwork cestus, fighting defensively: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

...too cautious, regrettably.

After a moment's indulgence of morbid curiosity...

perfunctory Heal check on corpses: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

...Ao readies his arms and armor, opens the door, and steps inside, fearing not the darkness.

It is the darkness that should fear him.

I will Detect Evil.

I'm fine either way; Season's Greetings!

"Allow me to help you with that," Ao says as he looks down with a slight grimace at Surely's twisted landing posture. He reaches out a hand, and a subtle silvery hue flashes through it and into Surely's body...

Lay Hands On Surely: 1d6 ⇒ 5

...which is suddenly right as rain!

Ao then carefully re-dons his armor (perhaps with the assistance of another).

Ao looks down at the treacherous path ahead with trepidation; this would be a horribly meaningless way for it all to end.

He prays to Tsukiyo as he takes the time to doff and stow his scale mail, then draws the rope and grappling hook Mayor Uptal provided them with.

"Remember this, gentlemen? I am no mountaineer, but this could help us all if we took turns anchoring and relocating it while the rest of us use it on our way down."

He also takes the slower and steadier route, while his unnatural length of chain appears to do its best to serve as a piton and extra grabbing limb.

Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Acrobatics: 1d20 ⇒ 1
uh-oh; I think that's worth my folio reroll (UNLESS bonuses/DC discounts from precautions make even a '1' enough to pass): 1d20 ⇒ 18

Hope all those bonuses do it for me!

Just to be clear, I'll happily keep the sword if nobody else wants it more.

"Very good, MacGinney-san," Ao says as he approaches to examine the sword, taking it for a couple of practice swings. "A fine weapon, although my preference is for heavier steel." He holds it forth, grip pointed outward. "Would anyone else care for such a thing?"

His glowing eyes finally alight on the corpse, and he kneels gingerly down to investigate.

untrained Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"This man's clothing...they would once have been quite the mark of wealth and taste. Surely he could not have purchased such finery in humble Kassen. If you say his money is of Tamran mint, then most likely he was from there."

Heal: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10

"All that is long over, now; this corpse has moldered under the light of at least a few moons...as for who, or what killed him, there is no telling."

Ao moves in for the coup de grace (in the truest sense of the term, if not the most technical)....

masterwork gandasa, bless, courage: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
damage: 2d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 1) + 3 = 7

Tsukiyo H. on a bicycle, and those above numbers were without Steppinwolf's bonuses! This round, on the other hand...

Ao tactically clacks his way to the other end of the campsite (literally walking through the merrily-roaring campfire on his way, as though to do such a thing without so much as a singed trouserleg was an utterly banal sight), in position to assist whichever front may prove to need it more.

Double-move. :/

Poor stubborn fools....

"Kyaaaahhh!" Ao cries in a crystal-clear voice as he bursts into motion against the wolf facing Uaine!

Assuming I can charge UNDER that tree...
masterwork gandasa, bless, charge vs Bet-On-Black: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
Holy smokes Bullwinkle, that's a THREAT!: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
OH S~!~...!: 6d4 + 6 ⇒ (4, 4, 2, 3, 2, 2) + 6 = 23

I'll just let you illustrate what just happened, shall I DM?

@DM: Would you mind please adding another direct link to the maps/handouts in your profile? That's always helpful.

:)

I'll use my Seize the Initiative domain power to let whoever has the lowest initiative bonus roll twice.

You, I, and Surely all equally suck; who, then, is the lucky sucker?