Arbiscar's eyes sadden as he listens to Jamila's story "That is very sad and tragic, but alas, Targos made a good service even after death. Let the gods praise his name, Qdira is a saver place now."
The dwarf will definitely help to complete the route and assist the final funeral of the renowned Venture-Captain.
Arbiscar smiles seeing the halfling recovering and pats his back "Aye, you hold that line alone, like a true Knight from Lastwall"
The dwarf then looks towards the rocks where Jamila hid and moves over there to check she is ok "Are you ok? I think it is safe now. What a luck we made it on time."
After that, the group should probably make sure the corpse of the Venture-Captain has not suffered any damage.
Arbiscar pushes the Taldan against the Tengu "Your pride was your end. A Taldan from head to toes." the dwarf grimaces, seeing his own wounds.
He swings his hammer at flames making sure the remaining mercenaries scatter.
When it seems save, and noticing Balbo is specially badly wounded, he touches the golden key around his neck "You fought like a giant"
Cure moderate wounds (losing shatter spell):2d8 + 4 ⇒ (2, 7) + 4 = 13Balbo is healed
Arbiscar spits blood after the hard cut, he takes the hammer with both hands while going to flank with Ebonfeather "Abadar bring back justice to this land!" and swings, the sacred hammer bursting into flames.
+1 silver earthbreaker-PA+flank:1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 26 Silver/Magical/Bludgeoning damage+PA+flaming:2d6 + 5 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 6) + 5 + 3 + (2) = 17
HP 30/43 AC 22 TAC 11
Sacred weapon 2/4 - flaming (swift)
Fervor 0/5
"You want me? Then come after me" Arbiscar grunts, stepping back and freeing one hand from his large hammer to cast hold person on Gaspar "If you can"
Will DC 15, 4 rounds duration
"Great display Balbo" Arbiscar smiles satisfied to see the harpies done.
Once it is possible to reunite the whole party, Arbiscar expends his remaining fervor to heal the party with channeled energy, including Atmar.
Channel energy 0/5:2d6 ⇒ (1, 6) = 7
"The Kamawgyar Shrine trail seems good to me" comments Arbiscar while looking at the others to assess the physical and mental state of the group "Are we able to keep pushing after the caravan today?"
"You got some attention my friend." Arbiscar snaps cheerfully while failing to catch the fly-by attacker.
The dwarf settles himself better this time, moving to the group's archers and readying an attack against anyone coming in reach to attack any of them "Let me offer some protection."
"The boy!" Arbiscar follows the moves of the harpies and alerts Balbo and Kolris about this one "We need to stop it before it drops the boy from too high!"
He will try to catch up the Atmar if possible, unless someone can throw a feather fall there.
Climb DC 10:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Arbiscar holds himself hard on the wall "Why I made myself into so much hassle?"
Deciding he does not want to be flatfooted in a wall, the dwarf just jumps down.
Acrobatics DC 15:1d20 + 0 ⇒ (15) + 0 = 15
And miraculously lands on feet "Halfling keep shooting like that. I will try to protect you"
If the actions are valid, Arbiscar will move back to Balbo, drawing his earthbreaker on his move, and asking Abadar to heal his wounds as he goes.
Fervor 4/5 (swift):1d6 ⇒ 4
HP 35/43 AC 23 TAC 13
+2 dodge AC against flying creatures from Sky Sentinel racial trait (already included in AC)
Will DC 16:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9 reroll: Will+GM's stars DC 16:1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 3 = 12Nice you let me keep the reroll on the first encounter, but I guess this is fate :O
Arbiscar moves forward to the cliff, looking up at the mother absentmindedly and stashing his hammer so he can climb. As he attempts, he shocks his head "Oh, what am I doing?"
Climb:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18 Will DC 16:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
I think Kolris is already protected from Captivating Song, as protection from evil blocks further attempts to control someone's actions.
"Not today, grr" the dwarf grumbles back at Balbo about the silence, while moving after the others and casting protection from evil on Kolris "At least I might be able to save one"
Touch attack but I think the song does not force them to reject buffs:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
"A harpy? What do you mean?" suddenly alarmed, Arbiscar runs forward trying to set himself between the group and the mountain.
Movement x4 (dwarves do not get encumbered by armor)
The dwarf moves his arms up and down, his hammer hold in one of them "Stop my friends! Halt there for Abadar!"
K. religion:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
"Kamawgyar Shrine" Arbiscar contemplates the structure with some reverence "I must admit for non dwarven art, it is not a bad craft of the stone" he laughs reticently and explains a bit of the story "It is an ancient abandoned shrine to Irori, constructed when Vudran travelers first brought the faith of the Master of Masters along the Silken Way and into Kelesh and the West."
"With the rise of the Sarenrae religion in Qadira, worship of Irori was sidelined. Once a famous stop on an older route of the Silken Way, Kamawgyar Shrine has since fallen into ruin and disrepair." he concludes just as he notices the song rising up "Eh, where is that noise coming from?"
And noticing his allays going forward, he starts to call them out "Where are you going? Stay together, we do not know who might be there!"
Arbiscar scratches his beard, thinking on the problem "The marks on the skin are clear. He was killed with a blade like that one. But why to leave the attacking weapon in here? It almost seems as if someone wanted to incriminate this Gaspar du Mer..."
The dwarf picks a bit of tissue, blood and hair and stores it safely in a crystal pot "Once we are at the temple we are going to ask the priests to use divination magic to find out what happened"
With that, he does agree to go on with the caravan before the sand buries them all.
When it comes to decide their way forward, Arbiscar musses "A pass between peaks... it seems the perfect place for an ambush" but he has no real knowledge of the area or geography "But I will defer to your higher knowledge of the area. If you say the shortcut will let us catch up with the others, let's do it before there are more murders"
Is the venture captain body with us or we lost it with the caravan?
Arbiscar comes to examine the corpse as it is first found "Goblins?" he questions, but when the dagger is found, his expression becomes concerned.
"Perhaps the assassin profited the chaos of the storm to perpetrate his plans... but how would he know there will be a storm?" the dwarf checks the body's injuries and probable cause of death.
Heal:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
As the goblins disperse, Arbiscar concentrates to bring down his mist magic so they can properly see the results of the battle.
Seeing the party scratched and Triix particularly injured he gathers everyone around, including the caravan members and surviving camels "Abadar, heal those who with the Trade of this caravan and the contract of this mission to be fulfilled"
Channel energy 3/5:1d6 ⇒ 3
As Triix is still badly injured, he will use any wand she might have to heal her, or otherwise use his own.
CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 Left with 1 hp damage; two charges consumed
"We will do as good as we can, I am sure some of my companions has a wayfinder to signal our north, which will greatly help to find ourselves in the proper direction at the least, if not on the proper path" speaks the dwarf with confidence.
He offers a prayer casting guidance and tries to offer his own musings on the right path.
Survival:1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 3 + 1 = 23
Arbiscar swings over at the black goblin in front, as he does, the flames on his hammer burns that area of mist "Away goblins! You are in the lose!"
+1 silver earthbreaker+word:1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 2 = 18 Silver/Bludgeoning damage+flaming:2d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 3) + 5 + (4) = 16 Mischance 20%:1d100 ⇒ 29
HP 43/43 AC 21 TAC 11
sacred weapon 2/4 (flaming - fee to maintain)
Inspiring word 1 min
Hearing the cries for help, Arbiscar leaves his position and ventures south, towards the direction of the plea, swinging his hammer at the first goblin he finds on his way "Opa!"
+1 silver earthbreaker-PA+word:1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 8 - 1 + 2 = 12 Silver/Bludgeoning damage+PA:2d6 + 5 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 5 + 3 = 19
"Is everyone ok? Where do you need more help?" unable to see who is having more trouble with the goblins, Arbiscar decides to ask around while focusing himself with an inspiring word.
Inspiring Word (Su - Blessing) +2 morale bonus on attack rolls for the next minute
"Coward miscreants!" Arbiscar curses the goblins using bows to shot them from afar. Adjusting his position with a step back, he draws his eartbreaker hammer, holding it with one hand while rising his holy golden key in the air with the other "Come here and fight toe to toe with us if you want us! You will taste the silver medicine!"
And as he says this, he casts obscuring mist shrouding the party and the other caravan members under a dense fog where the goblins cannot see and target them.
That's a lot of stuff and rolls, I feel I lost track half-way, sorry
Balbo Beethair wrote:
"Hey, did you notice she's an air janni? Pretty good disguise, I bet pretty much everyone thinks she's just a regular human! Definitely hiding something about the Venture Captain though. Huh... Wonder if she grants wishes or anything..."
"What do you mean Balbo? What is a janni? Do we need to worry?"
Sense Motive+word:1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29
"Sure Jamila, thanks for your confidence" Arbiscar looks around at the many people gathered but decides to try find out what is Jamila hiding nonetheless "Is everything ok about the body Jamila?"
Survival:1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Fort:1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 4 = 18
The desert experience is a pain for the dwarf "Rats! The sand enters my armor from unknown holes! It is scratching down to the lower parts, and that cloud approaching does not herald anything good"
Arbiscar makes his best to try make sure Targos' body is not lost out of his sight and it is well covered from the rising sandstorm all while trying to stick together with Ebonfeather and following his lead.
Perception (darkvision):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
"As my elven friend here said, we need to join the caravan for a last trip on an old respected figure of our society" Abadar then displays prominently the golden key hanging from his neck "It is said the priests of the god of Trade bring good luck to commercial ventures like yours Jamila al-Shafah. Would you care to add my prayers to your people on this trip?"
Diplomacy+Kolris+Balbo+Molos+Ebonfeather+inspiring word+Paragon of the Society:1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 = 23
If that fails I will burn my scenario reroll on this Diplomacy+Kolris+Balbo+Molos+Ebonfeather+inspiring word+Paragon of the Society+GM stars:1d20 + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 3 = 36
Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Arbiscar is also having a hard time to give trust to locals after the recent event, but he somehow trusts this one "Thanks for clarifying things Atosa Vazir. What you say has all the sense"
The dwarf puts his massive hammer hanging on his back and takes the body's table from the head "Can some of you help on the other side my friends? It seems we are looking for a caravan"
As they walk he asks Atosa "What can you tell us about Jamila al-Shafa? Is there something that can give us advantage in this bargain?"
Diplomacy (gather information?):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
As the last cultist falls, Arbiscar breathes trying to refocus. The flames on his hammer are gone, and he looks angered at the fallen Ben-Garri "For the wealth of the First Vault, what was all that about?!"
Fort (+2 vs poisons, spells, spell-likes and death effects):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
The dwarf kicks the mask of the jackal to see Ben-Garri's face, then with a powerful swing of his hammer, he shatters the thing to pieces, doing the same with the holy symbol of Lamashtu.
"Yes Triix, if you can help understand what were these people doing to the corpse, it will be most helpful" the dwarf then searches around for evidences.
Perception (darkvision):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Stepping over the fallen caretaker, Arbiscar swings his earthbreaker over anyone still fighting against the Pathfinders "You know, that was a terrible idea... you better stop fighting before anyone else gets hurt"
+1 silver earthbreaker:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 Silver/Magical/Bludgeoning damage+flaming:2d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 1) + 5 + (2) = 10
Arbiscar grumbles as the ritual members decide to attack him instead of collaborate "My patience has run out. Abadar, let your light put order in this house!" as he voices up, the massive hammer in his hands sprouts with flames, then he swings at the black offender.
+1 silver earthbreaker-PA:1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 1 = 26 Silver/Magical/Bludgeoning damage+PA+flaming:2d6 + 5 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (2, 4) + 5 + 3 + (3) = 17
HP 43/43 AC 21 TAC 11
sacred weapon 3/4: flaming (swift)
Arbiscar is surprised by the sudden violence triggered after him, but so far he focuses on the body "You lepers, stay away of the Venture Captain, keep your hands away!"
He then breaks the bandages around the corpse's head in order to make sure this is the body of the Venture Captain and trying to understand what is this group of people doing to him.
Heal or K. religion (same bonus):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
The dwarf holds his earthbreaker with both hands decidedly for defense against anyone trying to stop his search.
"There is something fishy in here, and that mask of Lamashtu does not herald anything good" Arbiscar pushes away Ben-Garri while he is still flat-footed, trying to open his way into the body's room for examination "Move away immediately, let me see the body of the Venture-Captain"
Combat maneuvers:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21
"Have you determined what was the reason of the death?" Arbiscar looks for any signs of leprosy in the dead body of the Venture-Captain.
Heal:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
Arbiscar nods slightly confirming Balbo's other observations, then greets the masked man "Hello Ben-Garri. Is there something we can do to help?"
Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21
After being informed of the local customs, Arbiscar does just that, he knocks at the door and when someone opens he vows "I offer my condolences for the dead one, a great one for gathering such a mass of mourning people"
"We are the group supposed to help Targos Min-Katheer fulfill his will of taking one last trip along the Silken Way to his home city of Katheer. How can we help?"
Arbiscar smells the tree and it takes an instant for him to notice the mourns, hypnotized by the bees flight. Balbo's question bring him back to reality "I was under the impression the caravan will carry the body, we only need to escort it. But I am sure Chompy can do a good job it they do not have a proper wagon"
Then, rasping his throat to get the attention of the mourners, he looks around to figure out if someone is at charge "Who is the responsible for the rites or the representative of the family?"
Provided the group finds someone, he provides him with whatever documents Adril Hestram gave the group "We are the group supposed to help Targos Min-Katheer fulfill his will of taking one last trip along the Silken Way to his home city of Katheer. Where is the body?"
A stout dwarf of large shiny eyes, like purple gems, steps to the front. His skin is tanned and bright, like the mountains themselves. He wears a full plate engraved with dwarven runes, while one of the largest hammers you have ever seen hangs from his back. The weapon reflects the light as it is made of well polished silver. A necklace with a golden key swings over his breast when he steps forward "My name is Arbiscar" his void is calm and clean of any remorse "And it will be a honor to me to carry the corpse of the fallen Venture-Captain. We dwarves know how to pay homage to our ancestors and the Society is my home now. Count with my hammer" he kneels in front of the Venture-Captain and makes a solemn promise to see the last wish of Targos Min-Katheer fulfilled.
---
The trip passes with a few days of continual oratory in the goodness of civilization and the respect of the law. The dwarf ensures the group signs a contract of mutual-help, in the name of which he would be allowed to offer Abadar's services without extra charge to the party.
Arbiscar is eager to help Kolris on finding the old Venture-Captain home. The dwarf stops the first person with a vivid stare he spots "Hey, desert dweller. We were told Targos Min-Katheer lived somewhere around here once. Would you be able to demonstrate Qadira's hospitality and point us to the proper address?"
Diplomacy aid another:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
1) Character name: Arbiscar
2) PFS#-Character#: 134452-5
3) Character Class & Level: Warpriest 4
4) Faction: Silver Crusade
5) Day Job (with roll): Heal (temple vanity):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
6) Any other downtime activities: None
7) Fast or slow track: SLOW
8) Have you played or GM'd this scenario before? No
9) Anything unusual or fun about your PC that you think the GM or other players may like to know? Will see :)
Arbiscar smiles to the girl and helps her back to her auntie's house.
"Well, we found the excavation, but I am sorry to say this Wuthers turned to Zyphus or Zyphus fell on him, I am not sure how that worked" Arbiscar grumbles "What it is sure is there will not be more Opera in Oppara in a while"
You mean easiest in the sense of being more likely to survive, easiest to pass combats, easiest to make sense of it or easiest in the sense of requiring less time to keep track of its stuff? :)
I think ranger is probably easier in the broader band, as it can contribute a lot to combat, it has a lot of skills, can use healing wands and it does not have a lot of moving parts nor daily decisions to make, so you can have a strong character, able to contribute on out of combat, and with little dedication to keep track of him.
Arbiscar devotes himself to the long task of shattering the altar "By all the older dwarves beards, this is some serious mining experience!"
CLW (remove fear):1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 CLW (bless):1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 CLW (pearl of power I):1d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
After tossing some healing on his companions, the dwarf keeps striking the altar once and again until it is broken.
"I promise you, I am not coming back to the Opera!"
I definitely appreciate the closing on Asuran's fate. It leaves me a better taste. I had a very nice experience on this game up until the last fight and it would have been bad to leave with that sour taste.
It is fine with me to just wrap up the scenario here.
Occasionally, I do GM PFS games, usually Core. I can let you know.
I still do not agree with Asuran's death. I am sure Uncanny Dodge saved him. Even then, that he kept doing things like taking total defense thinking it will help him against the invisible creature, and the fact he was not warned it was not the case and he was just losing his actions instead of drinking healing potions, makes me feel miserable to participate in this. As such I am not willing to roleplay he being raised as an undead in any way.
Arbiscar attempts to make the priest pay for it when it drinks the potion "Not in my guard!"
AoO: +1 silver earthbreaker+Sky Sentinel+flank:1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 13 Silver/Bludgeoning damage+flaming:2d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4, 6) + 5 + (3) = 18
The dwarf grumbles as his swing goes too low, but makes the hammer spin over his head and back to get balance to propel it again over the priest at the same time the eagle attacks. The flames of the silver tool flash in the air as it strikes "Repent of your sins before it is too late!"
+1 silver earthbreaker+Sky Sentinel+flank:1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 19 Silver/Bludgeoning damage+flaming:2d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 5 + (1) = 11 Concealment mischance 20%:1d100 ⇒ 29
HP 26/43 AC 23 TAC 13
includes +2 dodge bonus to AC from Sky Sentinel
sacred weapon 0/4
Seeing the cleric is going to be difficult to crack, Arbiscar tries to be more precise this time, invoking Abadar's might to enhance his weapon "Abadar, burn this heretic in the flames of the Outer Planes!"
The silver earthbreaker bursts into flames as the dwarf attacks in synchronization with the eagle behind.
+1 silver earthbreaker+Sky Sentinel+flank:1d20 + 8 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 8 + 1 + 2 = 19 Silver/Bludgeoning damage+flaming:2d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (1, 1) + 5 + (2) = 9
HP 26/43 AC 23 TAC 13
includes +2 dodge bonus to AC from Sky Sentinel
sacred weapon 1/4 (swift)
If that is the case, then taking the Total Defense action had no sense against an invisible foe. Asuran should have drunk a healing potion or done other meaningful action then.
