Arol Halfling's page

Any help/ideas on how I could have learned the goblin language in a big city?

Two easy ways come to mind:

1 - During the city time, there was a Goblin or group of goblins he ran with as an down and out thief. He picked up the language from dealing with them for that time, maybe not perfectly, but enough to be fluent. If you still want to dislike Goblins, then a betrayal by the naturally chaotic little buggers isn't too hard to imagine.

2 - During the Pirate years, your on ship bunk mate was a Goblin. During time off shift, you picked up the language. Maybe from the Goblin, maybe from the ship's officer that spoke it and gave out the daily work assignments. Hating the Goblins could easily be from him trying to backstab your character for some perceived slight, perhaps injuring you badly enough to be dropped off at the nearest port leaving you struggling to survive in the slums for the last two years as you were recovering enough to be able to leave.

If you're going to run the next in the series, I'd be happy to participate.
I'm also thinking of using my free rewrite before my first play at level two to change some things around. I'll still be a halfling, but am considering going either full martial (swashbuckler or cavalier), full caster (oracle) or a multi class into something like Warpriest of Desna or Cayden.
:)

Thanks again folks.
I hope my first actual pbp wasn't to terrible to watch/ read.

As Arol lays there unconscious, one of the others is kind enough to use the healing wand upon him.
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

He stirs, but remains incapacitated.
A second tap of the wand is enough to wake him. He sits up and looks about him.
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

"Uhhh. Desna's blessing upon us, we're all alive?"
He slowly gets to his feet.

"Amazing work all. Fine work indeed, I'm just sorry I couldn't help out more."

After the lantern is lit, and the spirit has spoken, Arol will follow the others back to town to report.

Sitting in the inn after everything, he muses to himself.
"If I'm going to keep doing this type of thing, I really need to get some more formal training. Being quick with a knife is good, but I nearly died today..."

Thanks GM, and thanks all. I appreciated the chance to play my first actual pbp game with you.

Nice work guys. I was worried for a bit there.

Sorry about that, I don't know how I missed it.

With a grunt of pain, Arol falls to the floor bleeding from his two wounds.

Stabilize next round?: 1d20 - 4 ⇒ (14) - 4 = 10
*whew* just made it

GM: That does beat my 21 AC from fighting defensively, but unless I missed something I was only down 5 non-lethal from the blunt arrow back around post # 503 on page # 11.
*looks back*
Maybe it was Post # 650, on Page # 13, you rolled a 19 to hit and 5 for damage, but I was full defense for + 4 to AC that round. My AC was effectively 23 and should have missed.
I should currently be at 5 lethal/ 5 non-lethal hit points remaining.
I'll post my actions this round depending on your ruling.

Thanks GM, enjoy the trip!

"Nice work! Now if we can just get rid of the big one before I'm lying next to Fundir..."

Extra text post inspired by it bringing the number of posts to # 667 :)

Arol maintains his defensive posture as he takes a swing at the skeletal champion with his mace.

Attack, Light Mace (Fighting Defensively): 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 4 = 2
Damage, bashing: 1d4 + 0 ⇒ (2) + 0 = 2

After taking the swing, Arol grabs a dagger from his belt and holds it in his opposite hand from the mace.

* Standard action: Attack while fighting defensively for +2 Dodge bonus to AC until my next turn, -4 penalty to attacks.
** Move Action to draw dagger from sheath at belt.

Seeing the skeletal creature drop Fundir in one blow, a low whistle involuntarily escapes from Arol's mouth. He then springs into action, drawing his light mace from his belt, he hops over Fundir's helpless form to stand in front of the bony monster that just knocked Fundir down. Without looking back he speaks:

"Pull him back out of reach, and get him healed up, I'll try to hold this thing off!

Arol then takes a more defensive posture to better defend himself from attack.

* Move Action to draw the light mace.
** 5 foot step into square with helpless Fundir. (Out of town and using tablet. Please adjust my token on the map.)
*** Standard action to use Total Defense: +4 to AC until next turn.

Arol gathers up his equipment, and crosses the trigger plate.

"Now we check to make sure there's nothing else to set off."

As he proceeds forward, he looks for other possible triggers for traps and hidden doors.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 (Add +1 to locate traps.)

After Arol fiddles with the floor tiles a bit, he stands up and dusts off his hands on his pants.

"I think that should do it. Any volunteers to be sure?"

After half of a second, before anyone can respond he smiles and steps onto the trigger plate.

"Nevermind, if I didn't trust my work why would you?"

Arol looks at the Gnome's less than graceful leap.

"You might want to wait a moment Fen..."

After whatever happens to Fen, Arol will drop his pack, cautiously approaches the trigger, and try to disable it.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

As he passes the pool, Arol stops as he locks eyes with his altered reflection.
"Gods! That's hideous. I can see why they got startled like that.
Now, let's see what is going on with this gate"

Arol then walks over to the gate, looking for any sign of a trap or a release mechanism to open it.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26(Add +1 to notice traps)

I'm still here. :)

During the search of the room, Arol gathers up his dagger and equipment, then gathers with the others. Seeing the tavern receipt he sighs.

"That bill isn't for us is it? Because the service here has been terrible. And the staff leaves much to be desired. "

He then follows along with the others.

Skipping the Know: Local roll, my max roll can't beat Ecthelien's actual roll

"I've got your back Fundir."

Arol then moves out into the hallway behind Fundir, as he passes Fundir, he drops into a forward roll to avoid any attacks from the zombie.

Acrobatics to avoid AOO: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24

As finishes his tumbling, he stands up; turns to face the zombie, and flings his dagger underhanded at the zombie aiming underneath the bottom of Fundir's shield

Throw Dagger: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 (-4 to throw into melee, so 9 to hit)

Well I'm guessing that roll isn't going to do it. Also sorry about the slow posting, I've been swamped this week. This is the first chance I've had 5 minutes to sit down and post in a couple days.

Due to lousy position, I don't think I can attack either zombie from here. If you'll allow it, I'd like to try to aid Fundir and give him the AC bonus.
Otherwise, Arol will maintan full defense for his own AC bonus if attacked.

Aid Another:Fundir (if allowed): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Assessing the situation, Arol draws a second dagger from his belt and peeks around the corner looking north. He flips the dagger in his hand and prepares to throw it at the first zombie that he can see head towards Fundir.

Move action to draw second dagger.
Readied action to throw the first dagger at any enemy coming from north side of the hallway.

Hearing the sounds of something approaching, Arol drops his backpack off to the side. He then draws a dagger from his belt, and takes a defensive posture.
"Fundir is correct. At least two, likely more!"

Sorry, on the tablet. And it doesn't seem to like even loading the map tonight. Could someone move my token to roughly behind where ever Fundir was before he moved to attack?

Move action to drop backpack.
Standard action to fight defensively if attacked.(-4 to attacks, but +2 dodge bonus to AC until my next turn.

Arol looks over at Flaern

"I broke my best pick, and took an arrow to my backside at the same time. Lady Desna isn't shining her best favor upon me today."

Following along with the group, Arol moves up behind Fundir.

The question is, did the bodies rot away? Or did they get up and are walking around?"

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20 (Add +1 to to Find traps.)

Sorry, my reply from last night seems to have been eaten.
Arol will go in far enough to allow the others to enter the hallway. He'll also happily move aside to let the brawnier Fundir or Margat lead the way.

"And . . . there! It's open. Let me check the other side before we crowd in"
Arol will cautiously look into the doorway.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20( Add an additional + 1 to locate Traps)

If he thinks it's safe, Arol will begin cautiously moving into the hallway and hopefully out of arrow reach. Also, double post removed left the first one in place

Stealth (if needed): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

"OWW!! Dammit."

Grumbling a barely audible stream of profanity about arrows and trollfisted fumblefingering idiots, Arol pauses briefly to inspect the damage to his backside. Deciding he's not going to bleed to death, he pulls another pick from the set of thieves tools and sets back to work on the lock.

"That was close. Another inch or two to the right, and I'd look like one of the grilled meat skewers you get from the market vendors."

Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

I was half expecting another 1, If I had, I think I'd give up on the rogue class. The last one I played in an all dwarf homebrew game was nicknamed "fumbles" because of my terrible dice rolls.

"Unlocking the door is probably the best bet. I can try the pillar, but even working as fast as I can, I'm going to be exposed to the arrows. I'll just need a couple moments to prepare."

The halfling proceeds to check various pouches and pockets on his person. Ensuring his tools and implements are close at hand. When done, he nods at Fundir.

"Whenever you're ready. . ."

Assuming Arol survives the trip across the room without a face full of arrows. . .
Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

Sonofabiscuit! Second nat 1 in a row. GM I fully understand if his nose got stuck in the key hole with a roll like that. :'(

"It's up to you all. Using the shield to ferry back and forth I can try to open the door. Or I can try to shut down the pillar. Either way, I'm thinking some of us might take an arrow or few in the process."

After looking over the room for a few moments. . .
"I might be able to disarm it, but I'll have to be close to that center pole. I've got an idea how to do it, but I might just end up like Flaern over there if I'm not careful. I'll keep trying to figure this thing out while you look for some type of blocker."

As the arrows fly out from the pillar, Arol starts counting to himself, and listens for the sounds of the launcher resetting itself.

"I can't think of anything useable to block the arrows. Maybe the shield from that thing we fought. . .

But I'm not sure it wasn't to far damaged by the fire used to kill it.

GM, Now that Arol has seen this thing function, can I make another check to spot a trigger to disarm?
Or would it have to be just move closer to the pillar and roll to disable? My action will be based on that call.

Sorry to hear that, and glad you're okay.

Working from my tablet, so I can't edit the map, please move my marker up with everyone else, towards the front is fine. Or the rear. :)

Arol carefully pauses in the doorway, looking for any visible triggers for the arrows. Or any sign of a person observing or controlling the arrows.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8 (Add +1 if related to traps from Trapfinding)

Ugh...

Arol watches Fundir use his mace to pound in the spike with a decidedly neutral expression. As Fundir finishes up, Arol casually slides the small mace on his own belt a bit further towards his back in a half- hearted attempt to push it out of sight.
"Well played sir. So... Shall we proceed? "

Arol reaches into his backpack, and pulls out a piston.
"We can use this spike it open."

He digs into his backpack again, but after a few moments stops with a bemused expression.
"Though someone else will have to secure it, apparently my hammer has chosen not to accompany me on this endeavor."

From the doorway, Arol looks slowly around the room, trying to spot anything dangerous.
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 (Subtract 1 if not related to finding traps)

Arol listens to Fundir's explanation of his abilities with a thoughtful expression on his face.
"That sounds like a rather versatile, and useful ability to have."

Arol looks into the pool.
"That's pretty deep. I'm a fair hand at swimming, but the magic part is a bit out of my area of expertise. "

Arol puts away his tools, and reclaims the rest of his gear.

"Thanks. Shall we head onwards then?"

Arol looks at Margate with a smirk.
"I'm always careful. And occasionally lucky. Let's hope I can be so today. "

Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"That seems too simple to be the only thing here, but let's take it one step at at time. If you all wait here, I'll try to keep it from triggering so we can pass.
Arol drops his pack to the floor, and retrieves some items from it. He then pulls a small roll of leather containing his thieves tools from a pocket
Unless someone objects?

Arol rolls his eyes at the Gnome.
"You sure you don't want to go first? I'll be happy to wait."
There is a quick squint to his eyes, and what could be a flash of his tongue sticking out at Fen.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17 (Add +1 to locate traps.)

Arol picks up the potions next to his name and stows them away in a belt pouch.

"Not that I don't appreciate the gift, but are we sure we can trust these things? I'd hate to drink a vial of gut dissolving poison thinking it's going to be something more helpful."
He pauses for a moment then sighs softly
"Hmmph. And, how did they know we'd be coming to help you folks? This gets curiouser and curiouser.
He shakes his head
"If I spend too much time thinking this over, I'm sure I'll end up with a headache."

Completing his search of the room, Arol retrieves his belongings, and walks over to where the others have gathered.

"When we are ready to move on, I should be able to do something about that locked door. Assuming that's where we need to be going?"

Disable Device: taking 20 if possible for 26.

If not possible:
Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Guessing that won't do it.
Disable Device: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
If needed I'll try again.

Stepping back from the smouldering remains of the creature, Arol sheathed his dagger, and looks up at the other Pathfinders.

"Well met folks. I'm Arol. Glad we arrived in time to help."

While the others are gathering themselves post combat, he proceeds to casually, but efficiently check out the room, looking for anything odd or of possible value.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26 (Add +1 to locate traps)

Seeing that the Gnome was surprisingly well aimed with her toss, Arol slips in behind the creature and again slices his dagger at the back of its leg.

This is like whittling away at a tree. I need to buy an axe if these things are going to be common out here. . .

Thinking quickly as he attacks, he speaks out to the others;"There's lamp oil in my bag by the door. We may need to grab it if this thing doesn't start breaking down soon!"

Actions:

• Five foot step one square to the right, updated on map
  
• Dagger Attack (Slashing): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
  
• Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Also GM, did my attack last round have any apparent effect? I could have sworn the "/slashing" in the DR is what bypasses it? I may be misremembering. Either way,going along IC that even if it did, it still wasn't enough to make a real mark on the beast

Arol moves in behind the creature, and slices with his dagger towards the back of its leg.

Actions:

• 5 foot step one square to the right to Flanking position with Fundir (Location on the map updated to reflect this)
  
• Dagger: Slashing: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
  (Add +2 to hit if creature can be flanked. Ignoring the potential Crit as creature is immune)
  
• Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
  I believe creature is immune to sneak attacks/ precision damage as well, but if I'm wrong; Sneak Attack Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 2

I'll be on vacation in the middle of the month for two weeks, but should still be able to read and post at least in the evening.
Basically, the same as normal unless the resort internet explodes.
:)

Dagger in hand, Arol moves straight across the top of the landing to the far steps. Turning, he quickly heads down the flight of steps to the bottom, where he tucks into an angled low roll in an effort to get behind the statue without getting swatted by the monstrous thing.

Round 4 Actions:
Double move: 35 ft to bottom of steps, then diagonal of 5 ft for total of 40 out of 60 ft to where I placed my token.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19 to tumble into threatened area and avoid AOO.
Not sure if that's good enough, AC is 19 if not.
I believe that location counts as Flanking with Fundir for next turn.

The others act ahead of me so this may change or be unnecessary
As they approach the room where the combat sounds are coming from, Arol pauses to unsling his backpack, and set it down to the side of the hallway. He then draws a dagger from his belt, and creeps forward preparing to engage if need be. "Are these the folks we are looking for?"

"Sounds like a plan to me."
As he begins to follow the tracks, Arol will make a small marks on the wall with piece of chalk to indicate the direction they came from.
"Just in case we get turned around." he says softly to no one in particular.