Ardashir al El-Fatar's page

Yasmeena manages to befriend the nice purchasing agent. "Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't sell individually. I sell in bulk. And, you see that sign with the no questions asked? That's because my customers don't care."

Anyway, Yasmeena persuades him that even if the profit for him is lower per item if he pays them better, his overall profit increases significantly because of the large number of items he gets at once and so for that and her good looks she squeezes 2500 gold extra out of Ardashir. Again the party is payed cash in platinum. "It's a pleasure to do business with you."

As the prospect of finding an interested buyer for every single item is not very appealing, the party takes a shot at this 'steal you blind' shop.

You're not sure about his family, but the guy behind the counter is not starving. The shop is cluttered with crates and barrels and piles. A pile of used chain shirts here, a barrel with all kinds of blades there. But only the cheap stuff. Other than the man's clothing. That is finest damast, golden rings, shoes made from soft goat leather (recognizable for those who have and eye for that). Clear complexion, neatly trimmed beard, manicured nails. This guy leads no scrap yard. The door in the back of the shop is also of high quality.

"Can I help you lighten your load? Show me what you got and I'll offer you a more than fair price!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (11) + 19 = 30

"Maybe, if you are a devourer of worlds." Ardashir jokes.

Ardashir follows out of the vault. Still surprised he exclaims "This is for sure not Katapesh. Not even close."

Ardashir waits for Lanneth and William to pass through the portal, then he follows. Until then he has his weapon ready.

Ready attack in case something hostile appears within reach.
Falchion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 182d4 + 17 ⇒ (1, 3) + 17 = 21

Ardashir opened the door for Lanneth and stands there startled as everyone races across the bridge. He quickly tries to follow.

Ardashir won't fall. He will graciously overcome any obstacles!

Ardashir - being at the top - feels all pretty.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (19) + 4 - 2 = 21
"I'll take my chances." Ardashir tells before jumping graciously over the lily pads.

Ardashir closes the door and holds it shut.

Ardashir grabs the door and waits for all to come through, to close it after the last. "Quick, move in."

Ardashir follows along, his weapon ready to attack anything that jumps them out of the fog.

What direction did the voice come from?

"Strength in numbers ma'am." Ardashir plays it down.

"Let's get the dwarf out, before he suffocates in there." Ardashir tells and rolls up his sleeves. He reaches down the gullet of the beast to grab a leg or something, preferably mot the beard, to pull Dain back out.
CMB: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Ardashir hacks away at the tree.
Falchion: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 14 + 2 = 352d6 + 22 ⇒ (3, 1) + 22 = 26
Confirm: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 2 = 182d6 + 22 ⇒ (4, 6) + 22 = 32

Ardashir doubles in size as he uses the magic of the armor. He then keeps hacking at the cursed tree.
Falchion: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 14 + 2 = 322d6 + 22 ⇒ (1, 1) + 22 = 24

Ardashir hurries to the rescue of Dain.
Flachion+PA: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 162d4 + 17 ⇒ (2, 4) + 17 = 23

Ardashir 'runs' along, blade in hand, just in case.

Ardashir stands at the side, waiting for orders what to do next.

Ardashir looks surprised but after he gets what that is about he replies "I'll take the lead."

He climbs into the chest and down the ladder, looking around, as soon as he is deep enough to get an overview.

Ardashir retreats from the raging woman.

"Is that her normal behaviour or should I be worried?" he whispers to Master William.

Ardashir also takes a look into the chest, if there is some trick at work.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Thank you Mylady."

38/48HP

"I'm glad you're pleased with my skills Master William."

Checking on himself Ardashir asks "Is one of you in charge of tending to the wounds after a battle?" He is not sure if it's just due to priorities that Yorikata hasn't taken to healing again. It would make sense in such a small expedition that some have to fill several roles.

There is no such thing as beeing too dead.

CDG: 4d4 + 34 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 1) + 34 = 42
"Looks like it." Ardashir tells after hacking at it again, just in case.

HP 24/48
The plant hits Ardashir like through a cushion. He on the other side keeps hitting the plant hard.
Falchion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 232d4 + 17 ⇒ (1, 2) + 17 = 20

HP 36/48
This magic armor is really nice. Ardashir doesn't even get a scratch from all that thorns he moves through with his hands and arms while lasing out at them (DR5).
As they have the plant cornered now he keeps pressing for it's final demise.

Falchion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 252d4 + 17 ⇒ (4, 3) + 17 = 24

Ardashir steps closer and swings his weapon at the weed.
Falchion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (14) + 14 = 282d4 + 17 ⇒ (2, 4) + 17 = 23

Ardashir lets the spikes bounce off his armor. He moves further to close in on the vicious plant.

Ardashir moves towards the chest, following Lanneth, as far as his feet and his heavy armor allow.

Falchion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 252d6 + 17 ⇒ (4, 4) + 17 = 25
With his greater size and additional strength, Ardashir hits the plant extra hard.

Ardashir speaks a word in giant that came to his mind when he put on the half plate armor earlier. This makes him grow in size.

What kind of action is activating this? Can I still attack?

36/48HP

Ardashir is going to use the Armor's ability to enlarge. I need the DR, or this will be a short fight. That thing hits not too hard, but very reliably. And so far only me.

So if you're using magic, may I suggest something with 100% chance of success? Heal me. ;)

"Arghh! This ever cursed plant!"

Falchion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 162d4 + 17 ⇒ (3, 3) + 17 = 23

My FF AC in the magic half plate is 19. To slam again, it has to release me, so I assume I can attack with two hands. HP38/48

"Argh!" Ardashir cries out as the thorns rip into his flesh.
Falchion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 302d4 + 11 + 6 ⇒ (3, 3) + 11 + 6 = 23

"This chest it is?" Ardashir asks before being on his way straight to the chest.

Ardashir keeps his blade ready and moves into the room, carefully eying the surroundings.
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Ardashir moves on, leading the group through the door into the next room.

"Shall I take point, master William?" Ardashir asks.

"I'll try it. We'll see if it helps. Being large is helpful inded. I have some magic juice with me for exactly that, if the occasion arises."

Ardashir looks around that no threat jumps out at the next corner. Then he takes off his armor and puts on the one William handed him.

As he finally managed to get everything on and it he asks "And this is better how?" as the armor pinches here and there and everywhere.

Well, actually the AC doesn't get any better, as magic half plate has a max dex bonus of 1

"Ah, yes." Ardashir says, trying to hide his non-existant knowledge on those topics.

He looks for Lanneth about an answer, even though it becomes ever more clear that there is no strong leadership structure in this group.

"For now I'm good. It's definitely warm in here." Ardashir tells, moving his clothes to let some air in.

"But Belkzen isn't that snow covered land, is it?"

"Thank you very much for the fair warning Lady Lanneth."

"If I may be so bold to make a request - May I tag along with you until I'm back to familiar ground? I'd make myself useful. My job at the expedition I just lost, I was hired as a guard against the dangers one unvariably faces."

"That is an old city, that is now in ruins. With a lot of interesting places that hide unspeakable wealth. Or so the legends say. I don't know what is left of that after all the expeditions that went there over the years, but it is still worth my master's time."

"I'm Ardashir al El-Fatar. And what is your name?"

"I'm sorry, Mr. William, Sir, but I don't really know. Last thing I know is that I tried to fetch that staff from the tomb in El-Fatar for the master of our expedition. And the next thing, I stood in this flowery corridor, filled with this sleep inducing scent. I just now woke from the land of dreams, and luckily still in one piece."

Ardashir wonders where he is. The scenery is nothing like the catacombs beneath El-Fatar. It looks like nothing he has seen before. Lush plantlife and an explosion of colors. Is it the Mwangi-Expanse? He doesn't know.

But there are strangers before him. Clearly an expedition. A small one, he has to admit. His master brought about two dozen people to his expedition. Some mercenaries, some slaves. Some armed, to defend the expedition, some experts to investigate the ruins and the found goods. And some servants to provide basic comfort.

Ardashir musters the people standing before him. A dwarf with a crossbow in chain armor. A human in full plate with an axe. Two elves in flowing garb, with not a stain, and that typical "not of this world" look. And last a red haired woman whose garb is the opposite of the elf's. With the uglyness of this world dripping from it.

The red haired one is not the leader. If she were, someone would be busy fixing that mishap leading to her unpleasant appearance. The dwarf looks like muscle for hire. Dwarves who made it into leading positions, aren't humble about it. At least that's his experience from Katapesh. But he can't decide between the elves or the knight.

"Madams, Sir - I'm Ardashir al El-Fatar at your service. Please excuse my intrusion and my ignorance about your customs. Would you please tell me who of you is the leader of this expedition?"

Behind the boots there is suddenly movement.
Falchion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 222d4 + 11 ⇒ (3, 3) + 11 = 17
Ardashir hacks with his sharp blade through the crawling vegetation at his feet and gets up. His head still dizzy from hitting it on the stone and those pollen he looks around.

In shock he sees a red haired woman on the ground, also covered in corpse flowers. And a man in armor on a leash that is approaching. He rubs his eyes and looks again, but the scene hasn't changed.

He sends a short prayer to Sarenrae Please let that not be my fault.

Once you meet Ardashir in game and you have uttereed the magic phrase "He looks trustworthy!", you can offer him to wear the armor and he'll accept.