.Arrian's page

Is it safe to assume we can level-up now?

Ethan: I need some coordination with Arrian's spells since he's a spontaneous caster. Is Ethan going to pack Remove Paralysis and Hide from Undead for the ghoul fight(s)?

** spoiler omitted **

The sheriff says "Oh, I see. Forget what I said... It seems you're already on top of it. Please, do rest and prepare. And thank you for the information. I will arrange a heavy patrol for tonight. I think it would be wise to patrol the river, what do you think?"

Ano has straight up face planted the bed. What's everyone else up to?

"Since at least one of the undead used the river to travel to the saw mill it would be a wise idea. And make sure no guard is walking alone. Maybe see if Father Zantus is available to assist; he can help with the undead and disease aspects of the situation. Hopefully we can end this tonight. If any of you are particularly religious now would be the time to ask for divine assistance for all of Sandpoint."

Arrian heads back to The Hagfish to eat and sleep.

Arrian finds the sheriff in a meeting with Corporal Redmane and the guard that came with him. They're reviewing all that was documented. He looks up and says "Oh, you're here! Great!" He seems happy to have something to do other than look at the boring documentation. He says "There seems to be some problems that need some attention. Do you have the time?"

Wondering if the jail smells so bad that what he's bringing in didn't generate any questions a weary Arrian says, "We still have the ghoul problem to deal with."

He proceeds to gather the three severed ghoul heads from their bags. Assuming Sheriff Hemlock and Corporal Redmane don't run out of the room vomiting he continues:

"A homesteading couple, Maurice and Carol, were attacked last night. We were on our way to Foxglove Manor when we came upon them. Maurice was killed but we saved Carol and her baby. Carol told us that a number of their neighbors have been turned into ghouls. Maybe you can identify which ones from the heads. These three won't be a problem anymore but we don't know how many more are out there. Unfortunately we had to turn back from Foxglove Manor to escort Carol into Sandpoint. She's with Ethan and Father Zantus at the Cathedral. I asked Cayden Cailean for guidance and Sandpoint is safe until nightfall. At which point there will be more violence, more death, and perhaps even more ghouls created. We need to eat, sleep, and prepare ourselves for tonight. As soon as we're able we'll go to Foxglove Manor where whoever this creep is I'm going to see he's sent straight to hell."

Blinking his eyes, "We forced march ourselves from the Sanitarium to near Foxglove Manor and then back to Sandpoint. To say it's been a long day, night, and now morning would be an understatement. So unless the problems you and the Corporal are examining are related to the growing ghoul menace threatening Sandpoint I'm afraid time is a luxury we - and Sandpoint - don't have."

Good news, bad news time. Good news: I got an early Christmas present in the form of a new computer! Bad news: I just realized I need to reinstall HeroLab, which I built Donimah on, but her character file is on my old computer!

Doh! :(

When I bought my new computer back in August I made sure to backup the entire HD onto an external HD. But I'm sure I forgot something...

Including getting spells back I've gotta get those scrolls Arrian mentioned. I doubt I'll have time to copy them all into my spellbook.

Even if they're for use in action I would strongly urge everyone to pick up their scrolls from Father Zantus or Brodert.

For my PFS paladin I stopped at 5th to go into Hellknight. After I think 3 levels of that I was going to go back to paladin but I haven't played him in a couple years I think.

Ano looks at Arrian and speaks, sounding more dead than alive, “I think I’m just going to head home. If I stay awake any longer I’m going to sleep on the street…” Cherry is already sleeping soundly on her shoulder.

Arrian nods and gives her a hug, "It's been a long day and night and now morning. I can make the needed reports."

Arrian has the Endurance feat so he's used to tough conditions and exertion.

** spoiler omitted **

Arrian will spend one.

Arrian traces some of his tattoos; a familiar quirk for Ano and Juriya. As he does so he closes his eyes and mutters a prayer to Cayden Cailean.

He opens his eyes and tells the others, "I don't think anything bad will happen until past nightfall. We should report in to the Sheriff and maybe the Mayor so they're aware of what we're up against. Three more ghouls destroyed but who knows if there were any others created amongst Carol's neighbors. Then eat, sleep, eat some more and on our way. Boy is Jargie going to be mad..."

Inspiration stated nothing bad for 20 hours so we'll have time to rest, get spells back, etc.

Even though the question wasn't addressed to him Arrian offers, "Carol you can tell your son that his father was very brave in helping him and you escape terrible monsters."

Diplomacy aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

Nodding at Ethan, Arrian takes out his frustrations on the ghoul remains and uses his falchion to cleanly sever the heads.

He gathers them up and stuffs them into sacks.

Noticing Ethan searching the husband's remains Arrian helps out:

Perception (his own, not an aid): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Arrian is disappointed with the turn of events but goes along with the others in escorting Carol back to Sandpoint.

I'll let the Diplomancers roll to Gather Information. But Arrian will attempt to aid - haha!

Any help to Diplomacy?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 18

Arrian asks Carol some followup questions about her husband, the ghouls, and anything else the others feel is important.

Arrian's eyes widen to the point they might literally pop out of his head, "Uh I don't think combat is a place for a pregnant lady to be."

Shuffling his feet and with a frown on his face, "We need to continue. We owe it to Carol's husband and all of their victims."

** spoiler omitted **

Carol looks at Ethan incredulous for several moments. Although she understands, she is having trouble coming to terms with it.

After a while, she asks for a moment with her unconscious husband. She takes his head on her lap and whispers things into his ear. The pain across her face gradually grows until she can't speak anymore, only emitting squeals and hugging his head, although he doesn't reply.

She needs someone to drive her out. As she is walking away, she whispers back "I'm sorry, I'm sorry." She doesn't look as the group does what needs to be done.

Once the deed is done, Ethan says urgently, "Move away from the body."

Once they are clear, Ethan calls upon Erastil's power.

"Stagfather, cleanse this corrupted vessel, and see its owner's soul to the Spire for the Gray Lady's merciful judgment."

[dice=Ranged Touch, if needed]1d20+5

[dice=Coup de Grace, with Searing Light Spell, if still human]4d8

DC 28 Fort Save

[dice=Searing Light Spell, if now a ghoul]5d6

Arrian tosses a flask of oil onto the body to make sure it completely burns.

Once Arrian completes his scouting task:

Arrian pulls Alicia aside, "I can mend the damage to his body but it takes time - time we don't have right now."

@Arrian: leveling up my inquisitor in another game made me review teamwork feats. Don't know if you've seen this one, but it seems that you could benefit from Feint Partner and its Improved version, given Juriya's preferred fighting method. That is, if you can spare the skill points and feats for the pre-reqs.

Thanks I didn't know about that one. My other Inquisitor is in PFS and I haven't seen many feint-based builds.

Turning to Ano and Juriya, Arrian asks, "Can you guys keep an eye on the lady? I want to see if I can find any tracks from those ghouls to discern where they're from."

Arrian goes near the fallen man to see if he can find any trace of the ghouls travel.

Survival, Track: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 2 = 29

Arrian moves to flank the last ghoul and attacks.

Combat modifiers:
Masterwork: +1 to hit
Divine Favor: +2 to hit, +2 to damage; luck bonus
Haste: +1 to hit
Ferocious Loyalty: +1 to hit; morale bonus
Power Attack: -1 to hit, +3 to damage
Furious Focus: Negate Power Attack penalty on first attack

MW Falchion: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 182d4 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 11

In case that doesn't hit or doesn't finish the ghoul:

Hasted by Donimah's magic he swings again.

MW Falchion, PA penalty: 1d20 + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 2 + 1 + 1 - 1 = 112d4 + 4 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 4 + 2 + 3 = 12

Ouch. :(

Well now I know that the bad roll is attack #1

That stinks. :(

I like runes wrote:

@Doni: The spell is 1 target/level, so that's 5 targets. You only have to pick one player to exclude.

YUSS! Can Donimah exclude herself? I feel I'd benefit the least from haste...

Yes she can exclude herself.

1/8 * 1/4^3, screw me in particular I guess. .2%

At least you hit! :)

@GM: Then Arrian will use his move action and spell casting since we were not in initiative. I moved his token by Alicia's.

That's one angry looking bird!

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Arrian draws a blank and tells Juriya, "I don't know. I must've missed class that day. Fey eh? I'll see what I can recall.

Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

@GM: Any basic knowledge on special defenses of fey? And Arrian would cast the Light orison on whomever's weapon/shield/armor who needs to see. Are we going into initiative?

Arrian moves forward and casts a spell while getting behind the pregnant woman and in front of the ghoul.

@GM: Single move of 40' but I don't see grid lines on the map? So move me what looks like 40' please and Arrian is casting Divine Favor.

Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

He needed the roll to identify them so he can use Bane next round. Also any special defenses, DR, SR, etc. If the roll is high enough then special attacks.

I've leveled Donimah up to 6th, and she's now a TRUE Cyphermage, but I've noticed something while doing it that could be...problematic.

The prestige class advances spells-per-day like normal...but I don't know if that actually adds SPELLS to Donimah's spellbook, since she only can put new spells in from non-copied sources when taking a new WIZARD level. Am I interpreting this right? Because if that's the case, then Donimah's going to need to spend a LOT more money on spell purchases just to keep up with not gaining 2 new spells in the book each level for a total of 20 spells short over the course of Cyphermage's 10 levels...it'd be kind of stupid in my opinion to assume her wizarding doesn't keep up like that, given the average Cyphermage is a wizard rather than a Sorcerer or Bard, but I don't want to just assume it's an oversight.

Unfortunately it appears you are correct that they do not add spells to their spellbook. Here's part of the entry for the Arcane Archer:

"Spells per Day: At the indicated levels, an arcane archer gains new spells per day as if he had also gained a level in an arcane spellcasting class he belonged to before adding the prestige class. He does not, however, gain other benefits a character of that class would have gained, except for additional spells per day, spells known (if he is a spontaneous spellcaster), and an increased effective level of spellcasting."

Since there's an explicit exception for spontaneous casters then RAW an arcane archer with wizard levels would not receive the two free spells in their spellbook since that's listed under the 'Spellbook' class feature.

I don't think I have the book that the Cyphermage is in so I don't know what the text explicitly states beyond what's in the Archives of Nethys entry for it.

Not apples-to-apples but this 'No advancement of class features' is why clerics that go into prestige classes that advance spellcasting receive their domain spells (since they're listed as the +1 in their spells per day) but do not advance their domain abilities or channel energy since those are class features.

Edit: I found a copy of the 'Adventurer's Guide' and it contains the same text in the introduction section as I copied and pasted above for the Arcane Archer. So unfortunately Cyphermage levels do not grant the two free spells per level. :(
Remember we received the free scrolls as a reward earlier. It was two 1sts, two 2nds, and one 3rd. So Donimah could claim her five scrolls from Brodert and at least get those spells for free.
But we'll need to budget in the future for scrolls.

Still in my boss's workshop.

@Juriya: FYI you guys still aren't level 6 because you haven't rested yet (if Thassilonian comes at lvl 6)

Understood and I was planning on no updates until Wednesday per your previous post.

Arrian will take the lead since he can see in the dark but he doesn't get more than ten feet ahead of Ano and Ethan.

@Alicia: I'm ok with the Leadership feat. In fact, I soft prepared Orik and Gogmurt to sort of be cohorts if you wanted them.

@Everyone: I may not be able to update the hike until probably Wednesday morning.

No worries on the update. Also, depending on schedules and lives, next week could be iffy for U.S. players with the Thanksgiving holiday.

Half which is technically half plus one? Meaning a d10 would get 6, a d8 gets 5, and a d6 gets 4.

Sounds like we're doing the Hustle then? ;)

The Hustle!

Ok, here is where we stand.

Overland movement is what we want to do. There are only 2 options: walk and hustle. The game forbids attempts to run (I think Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli aren't part of Pathfinder).

If you walk there, you'll have no problem. If you hustle, you're fine for 1 hour. After that, you take 1 nonlethal damage for one hour of hustling. After that, you take double the nonlethal damage from the last hour.

If you hustle, you'll take 4 hours to get there. That is an accumulated 7 nonlethal damage.

I don't believe any of you took the horses you were gifted in the previous book, so you can't try to mount there.

We did take them at least for the hunt. I had no idea what we were supposed to do for money to stable them so I never knew what happened to the horses after the hunt.

As far as the speed of travel I again leave that up to the others. Arrian does have Lesser Restoration to eliminate fatigue but it's a 3 round casting time so we'd have to do it far enough away from Foxglove Manor to avoid an ambush while we're dragging.

And Ethan could channel to heal some of the nonlethal damage.

@GM: In case it helps?

Survival Aid: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Arrian nods at Ethan, "Point the way; Ano and I will charge ahead!"

As soon as he receives confirmation of the direction they need to travel Arrian hurries.

Are we going double moves? If you want to use the 'Run' action make sure you read the rules on making Con checks.

Ano stares at the moth as it flitters on into the night. She sighs heavily, and heads inside.

"Well...what are we going to do?" she asks in mental exhaustion.

"I still think we should go now but I also realize it's late at night, it's dark, and we're tired. It's also fair to wonder if they're out of the Manor now and won't be back until morning."

OMG, you guys!!! Is there a Captain Planet equivalent of Golarion deities?

For a moment, the group sits in silence. The guard that came with Redmane stops his scribbling for whatever reason, and even the winds seems to stop its howling. A lunar moth lands on a window to the southeast of the building. Just as quickly it flies away to the southeast.

The stink from the wizard's spell can still be felt. Although it produces no disabling effect, it is still unpleasant. The dark of the night seems to enter the building.

The silence and the mood are broken by an egg that falls and breaks from the kitchen part of the room.

There's divination magic to ask specific questions. This is the best I could do. Interpret it as you like.

Unfortunately Augury isn't on the Inquisitor spell list. And I don't think Ethan has it prepared or an open slot to memorize it. I guess we could go with the 'Inspiration' use of a Hero Point.

Arrian pondered while the others considered the options before them. He didn't need to ask Cayden Cailean what he'd do; Arrian had a pretty good idea. Cayden would go to the nearest pub, buy a keg of ale, and then drink it on the way to Foxglove Manor. There, emboldened by drink, he'd heroically defeat all of his enemies like the stories the bards tell.

"The problem is I'm no hero. And this isn't a bard's story. If it were the hero would know what to do, how to do it, and save the day. I'm not sure I can save myself. With my luck I'd get drunk, fall into a hole, and break my leg."

He was also stuck with what happened when he was going to give Grayst a mercy killing. But he wasn't ready to talk about that right now.
The final words he heard in his mind stuck with him the most: "Trust your friends; they are your true strength."

Arrian would vote for pushing on but with his two closest friends wanting to rest he'll agree resting is for the best.

Plus we need to get a pointy wizard hat for Alicia...

Enlarge Person would give Arrian reach but, due to the casting time, it's a spell best cast as a pre-combat buff.

Arrian on continuing forward:

Although Arrian is only half...

Unless you're an old geezer like me and that it's more like:

A catchy tune for Alicia!

Looks like the long walk then?

Guys, let me help you make the decision about the path to take.

Next time you rest, you're up to level 6.

We'll see what everyone wants to do but Arrian has made it clear that he wants to press on as soon as possible to reach Foxglove Manor.

Did we not bring pylons and rope? -3 and -3. She can't convert them to INT skills so she's absolute trash at them.

Did you mean pitons? Arrian has one 50' of hemp rope, one grappling hook, one Traveler's Any-tool (can be used to make a hammer, crowbar, etc.), and four pitons. But he does not have a Climbing Kit.

Yeah. I'm admittedly a bit lost right now since I might have forgotten to check in on this one for a while. But yeah, 7 Str is very much a concern.

That's why I'm hoping you, Ethan, and Alicia can do a summary of your Swim and Climb checks (with ACP included!) so we can see if either of those routes is even a possibility.

Are we back?

Looks like it but don't jostle anything just in case...

Ethan, Alicia (with her heavy armor and Paladin skill points), and Juriya (7 Str) were my primary concerns. I think we'll need to go the longer, more time-consuming route which avoids the skill checks.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

Arrian nods to Ethan, "I know what you mean."

Arrian will then go over the necromancer's map with the others on their thoughts of which path to travel.

I'm not sure how comfortable everyone is with Swim and Climb checks so what do we think?

”While I understand the prudence of approaching in daylight, when we are well-rested, I’m concerned that should delay too much longer, more people will be murdered.How far is the Manor from here?”

@GM: Would Knowledge (Local) give us an estimate?

I can see as well in the dark as the opposition can, but if we are illuminated, they will see us before we see them.

Alicia opines

And while I dont particularly fear being ambushed by ghouls myself, others in our group do not exactly wear full plate or a Paladins. On the subject of full plate, if we march through the night with lights, the foe will both see us and hear us before we see or hear them.

"We're not all that quiet to begin with. Speed, surprise, and violence of action are the keys."

Lady Kelinahat demands her servants know the distinction between foe, who may well be a good man serving a bad cause, and fiend, who is evil with no hope of redemption. I declare this "lord" my fiend, and my vengeance on behalf of Mr. Grayst, and any other he wronged, my goal in this.

Should we hunker down here for the night, and move to this manor during the day? While some of us can see in the dark, not all of us can.

"They commit their crimes at night and we shouldn't give them a chance to learn of the loss of the necromancer or the Sanitarium. I can provide light from Cayden if you need it."

Arrian has the Light orison he can cast on something of Alicia's to illuminate her way.

Arrian places one of his big hands on Donimah's shoulder and pats it gently, "No you just did what was necessary."

To Ethan, "Yes it is. We need to end this now."