Arvanya Pertovi's page

Life's a circus--it moves on.

Hi, I'd like to submit Arvanya Pertovi for the running! After a sordid and harrowing journey through the wilds of Varisia and beyond, she finds herself in southern Taldor with her pet wolf and only a few scattered friends. Mechanically, she is a vanilla hunter. She'll focus on archery, but won't be shy to use her glaive and daggers when in tight corners.

Arvanya participated in a previous PbP of Reign of Winter that made it about halfway through the first book, which is why she has more background than required. I really love what I've seen of this campaign and am excited to play more of it.

Please let me know if you'd like any other info, and thanks for the consideration!

Based on time constraints, I've decided I must withdraw from this recruitment. Best of luck GM, the game looks to be great!

4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 2, 4) = 9 8
4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 1) = 15 14
4d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 5) = 18 17
4d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5, 3) = 17 14
4d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3, 6) = 15 14
4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 6) = 13 12

I would like to apply with this character, a human hunter with a wolf companion. She is a switch hitter with a focus on archery. Arvanya is part of a small troupe of Varisian children who braved their way across the continent of Avistan from Varisia to Ustalav and beyond. Now her wanderlust carries her eastward toward the vast expanse of Brevoy.

I have had great experiences with Google Slides on the boards, and I bet you will too. Please let me know if you have any comments or questions, and thank you for running this campaign!

So after sleeping on it, I've confirmed my decision to step out of the game.

I wish you all the best of luck and great fun battling the ice witches!

Hey all,

As a player in Astrid's Bloodsworn Vale game I would give her my 110% endorsement as a GM.

I am thinking on whether I want to continue. I've loved playing with the group, but I'm also enjoying the time that has opened up for me, and I'm hesitant to recommit to many games.

I'll let you know in the next couple days.

No disappointment at all. We all know that things happen and games, online and otherwise, can end. You've been a great GM and given us a lot of fun!

More important, hope you are able to overcome these challenges and feel better. If you decide to return, you know where to find us!

Wow...

K(nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

The spear's tip comes within inches of Arvanya, showering her in a warm spray of crimson. "No!" she screams, furiously negotiating the sister urges to attack the troll and help Blaze.

Auryel's instincts are far more assertive, driving him against a seemingly impossible foe (moving in to attack troll).

The huntress in her wins over, after all, and she steps to poor Blaze's side and shoots the troll.

Auryel acrobatics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Auryel, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 = 191d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 1 = 6
Vanya ranged, IC, PBS, composite +1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 231d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 10

"Ucide!" Arvanya calls to her wolf, giving him the familiar command to maul the enemy. The wolf obeys with zeal, snarling as his snout becomes stained with fey blood. He hadn't been this well fed in a while.

Meanwhile, Arvanya strings another cold iron arrow. Tilting her head slightly to adjust for the wind and snow, she takes aim at the fey directly before her. As her arrow strikes its heart, and her gloved hand reaches for another goose fletching, she wonders how many more they will have to slay before they see their mission through.

Auryel bite, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 241d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
Vanya ranged, PBS, IC, composite +1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 231d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 8

This one looks familiar!

Arvanya's heart is racing. She had instinctively thrown down her spear and drawn her bow. She can't help but smile as it strikes the pixie.

As Cithembi's light show explodes, she pats Auryel on the back and he sets off through the snow, bobbing up and down in its drifts as he makes a beeline for the fey. Reaching up, he snags the creature with his teeth. Arvanya stands behind, struggling for another clear shot around her friends.

Auryel bite, IC?: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 241d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 3 + 1 = 5
Vanya ranged, PBS, IC, composite +1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 201d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 7

GM please subtract appropriate penalties for shooting through allies.

So, with half the party deafened her bard song is greatly lessened. We seem to be facing flying enemies, again. They seem to be able to see us just fine and target us with range weapons despite the weather while we only move and see 5'. This place sucks! lol. A CR 1 flying creature with a bow could kill is all. How far back do we need to go to to have better vision and/or movement?

Agreed, we're in a very precarious position here! I'd like to wait until next round to see what develops, but if things get too sticky, let's never forget that there can be honor in running away! Honest!

Arvanya quickly places a hand on Auryel's flank to calm him, and her nostrils flair as she takes a deep breath, sharing in his senses for a moment.

(Swift action to activate Bull focus on Auryel and Wolf focus on self. Both Auryel and Arvanya now have the scent extraordinary ability, though Arvanya's is limited to 20, 10, or 5 feet depending on wind).

She looks toward Cithembi and speaks loudly so the others can hear. "Do not have fear. We go through worse before, eh? Keep alert. If you cannot see, use other senses to guide you."

She draws her longspear in preparation for an enemy to show itself. Her fingertips idly tap the shaft as she waits, breathe baited, for a sign of moment or the errant smell of danger.

She sets Auryel into motion, following closely behind him as he sniffs out the enemy.

Frowning, Arvanya withdraws her cold iron dagger. She hesitates only a moment. Then, wordlessly, she stabs the creature where she expects its heart would be. Coup de Grace.. Wiping the blade clean on her pants leg, she stands. "Is dead."

Arvanya was so worked up by the fight she hadn't noticed her latent injuries. She winces in pain and touches Cithembi on the shoulder, nodding. With a grateful hand squeeze, she then turns her attention to their fallen enemies, searching their belongings for clues.

And now Arvanya is ready, trying to locate the flying creature in the darkness and through the trees. She nocks an arrow, intent on shooting into the icy wind the moment it's within range.

GM not sure how far away it is, but my longbow's range is 110 ft. (though darkvision's only 60ft).

Vanya ranged, composite, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 91d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

Auryel growls, ready to snap at the creature should it appear.

Arvanya clumsily gathers her weapons, the light from the bow stinging her sleep-filled eyes. She stumbles out into the cold, noting with concern the lack of firelight. Peering into the light granted to her by her longbow, she approaches Auryel, prepared to shoot.

Although unnoticed in the dim light, her eyes grow large, her pupils expanding until nearly entirely black. Auryel's do the same. Activing animal focus (bat) on both of us to gain darkvision 60 feet. Can I see the imp?

Double move to stand and move outside the tent, swift to change animal foci, while Auryel will ready a bite attack for the flying creature.

Auryel bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 231d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
confirm?: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Vanya Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
Auryel Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Auryel's eyes snap open, his hackles bristling and a low growl escaping his lips. The growl transforms into a vicious bark as he surges forward, barking loudly into the air. FYI Auryel also benefits from scent.

Arvanya sits up, heart racing. "Auryel, what is it?" Reaching over toward Blaze and Cithembi, she rouses each of them in turn, then reaches for her bow.

GM, with my full round, how much of the following can I accomplish? (1) Rouse Blaze, (2) rouse Cithembi, (3) Grab my longbow/arrows, (4) cast light on my bow.

I'm assuming the rest of us are out cold unless woken, so I'll hold posting for now.

FYI I mistakenly had Auryel wearing light leather rather than lamellar. This means he's had lower AC but a higher jump skill. I've adjusted his stats!

"True..." Arvanya agrees with Cithembi, turning back toward him so he can see her lips. "But snow is not forever, and stars still are floating, waiting." Shes's reminded of the young girl and the doll then, and falls quiet.

With a brief smile, she points back toward the fire, inviting Cithembi to return to the warmth. Seeking out Auryel to ensure he hasn't despoiled the traps, she inspects the fit on his leather armor, removing and re-securing it, then returns to the others. She sits by the fire, inspecting and working her longbow, humming a little tune as night settles in.

survival assist: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

Arvanya assists with the game traps, even crafting a clever snare trap using a heavy rock. "And no eating squirrel this time. Save some for rest of us," she gently chides Auryel with a smile.

As Astrid prepares their sleeping arrangements and Freyja starts the fire, Arvanya begins to count out rations and refill waterskins with a sly casting of create water. Noticing Cithembi's interest in the sky, she walks over and pokes him on the shoulder. "You have favorite stars, um..." she falters a moment, trying to recall the word in common. "..constellation!"

"Let's see...North is...that way!" she twirls and points, her long hair gently slapping Cithembi in the face. (casting know direction).

"Yes, yes!" Arvanya agrees with Cithembi, clapping her hands gently in praise of the cat's notion. "Freyja, can you tell us anything more before we destroy the doll?"

"And... And child?" Arvanya asks hopefully. "You did speak to her as well?". She worries over the doll for a moment, inspecting its little doll pockets and examining the eyes.

She also tries to reassure Freyja and Astrid. "Do not worry, witches are evil and tricky, eh? Come, we move on now."

Still trembling from the ice magic, Arvanya's shaking fingers locate another arrow. Her teeth chattering, she shoots again. Auryel continues to jump and snap at the doll's feet.

Vanya ranged, PBS, composite +1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 211d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 + 1 = 4
Auryel jump, frog focus: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 14 + 4 = 21
Auryel bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 41d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

A blistering cold encompasses Arvanya in a wintery cocoon, her skin burning. Gasping in pain, she staggers to the side where even the icy winter air offers a respite from the preternatural cold. Move to step out of area.

Auryel tries once more to protect his mistress and friends, but the tiny doll continues to evade his snapping teeth.

Auryel acrobatics jump: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 14 + 4 = 25
Auryel bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

I accidentally rolled Auryel's attack twice, but I think both miss anyway!

arrow recovery (low loses): 1d2 ⇒ 2

Arvanya leans back to shoot into the air, but between her boot sliding back on the ice and the numbness in her fingers, her shot goes very, very wide.

Vanya ranged,PBS, composite +1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 91d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 121d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Turning to Auryel, she crinkles her brow in concentration as she imbues him with enhanced agility Swift action to switch Auryel's animal focus to Frog.

Auryel growls and crouches back before leaping straight up into the air, snapping at the doll's feet.

acrobatics to jump, Frog focus: 1d20 + 14 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 14 + 4 = 26
Auryel bite: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 141d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Missed arrow recovery (low loses): 1d2 ⇒ 1

Arvanya pulls away from Freyja, fear in her eyes. She turns to face the norsewoman, her hand shooting out defensively. ”Freyja, stop! Listen to me, doll is evil! It is enchanting us somehow, and means us harm! We must destroy it!”

As Auryel continues his attempt to ravage the doll, Arvanya takes a chance and snatches another arrow. She turns to the side, pulling back quickly and firing, hoping Freyja does not try to kill her.

Vanya ranged, PBS, composite +1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 81d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Auryel bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 131d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
trip?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Sense Motive (if needed): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

Arvanya hesitates. It's clear the doll is a product of sorcery, but her friends seem to trust it... Why do her friends trust it so?

Witchcraft.

Ahead, the doll's little mirrored eye twinkles brightly in the snow, like a far-off star in the sky; like those that she and her friends followed each night, never knowing where the next path would lead. They relied on the stars to guide them. Beacons in the night to lead them home.

And who would guide the little girl within the doll? Could she see the stars at all? Arvanya's hand trembles at the thought, but her mind is made.

"Auryel, ucide!"

Auryel barks and vaults through the snow. Arvanya shoots her arrow.

Vanya ranged, PBS, composite +1: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 + 1 = 141d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
Auryel bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 241d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
crit confirm?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 141d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Trip?: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

In a heartbeat Arvanya has drawn an arrow and aims it directly at the doll. Auryel's hackles rise and a menacing growl rumbles from his bared teeth.

"Dolls do not walk through snow on their own. Whatever is behind this doll is looking. Perhaps if we smash doll, little girl goes free, hmm?"

"No! I mean...how can we just leave her here, alone in the woods? She is little girl, and she has no one to help her..."

Another thought strikes her, and she clinches her fist.

"There is also a witch behind this doll. One who keeps little girl locked inside. We will find this witch, then we will cut out her eyes, eh? Replace them with mirrors..."

Also okay to move on, if it seems there isn't much we can do for the girl now...

"What you are saying, Astrid? Listen to me. Doll is evil. Is made of witchcraft and dark dreams. Is made of child's tears. If you did see what I saw..."

Arvanya thinks again of the images of the lost child, and of her dead family.

"...You would see this thing for its truth. Its magic is clouding your mind, eh?"

"I no understand.." Arvanya's brow wrinkles in confusion as Astrid fails to follow through in her attack. "Astrid, step aside, I will shoot if from distance, yes?"

If Astrid agrees, Arvanya will fire an arrow at the doll.

Vanya ranged, PBS, composite +1: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 = 91d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 1 = 10

Happy holidays folks! Wishing everyone the best, most enjoyable season possible!

Auryel looks great with his reindeer antlers.

Arvanya purses her lips as Astrid charges, keeping an arrow aimed at the doll's mirrored eye.

For a time there is nothing else in the world but Arvanya's panting breath, her heartbeat thundering in her ears, the crunch of snow under her boots, and the relentless cold. Her foot snags on an exposed tree root and she tumbles into the snow. She lies motionless for a moment, waiting for the world to stop spinning. Auryel's nose prods her shoe and he whines anxiously. He has found his way to her. Above her, the barren treelimbs form a sinister spider's web against the gray sky. Soon it stops spinning and she hauls herself to her feet.

She knows she must return to the clearing, but the images still claw at her eyes.

After a few minutes, the duo emerge back out of the treeline, finding the others beginning a search for her. Her face is raw and red, burned by the frozen tears that were streaming down her face.

"Oh Evelina! Is terrible! Memories of lost little girl, and of strange doll. I...I think she is trapped inside this doll! And, worse, I am looking and seeing faces of my family and friends in snow but, but they are dead!"

She wipes her nose on her sleeve. "We must rescue little girl. Who would do such thing to someone? By the stars, they will pay for this, yes!" tag?

"What..." Arvanya hisses as the girl disappears. "Is sorcery?" She quickly runs to Freyja, helping her up from the ground. "Is no time for sitting! Hurry now!" She rejoins the others, explaining what she has seen. "We must move quickly now. Enemy is sure to know we are here."

Shall we rush recklessly toward the cabin? :)

Arvanya and Auryel move westward over the ice, toward the base of the hill leading up to the cabin.

Arvanya sighs in exasperation as it's clear the girl isn't cooperating. Wary of an ambush, she and Auryel creep deeper into the ice after her.

Arvanya clicks her tongue toward Auryel, inviting him to follow her as she stalks along the edge of the ice-maze, trying to keep the young girl in her view. She's making no sense, and Arvanya has creeping sense of dread, though she cannot quite target the source of her unease.

"Little girl? Why you are hiding in ice? Come out and talk to me and my pet wolf, yes? He very friendly, aren't you Auryel?"

Auryel's heckles raise in response as he prowls behind, nearly hidden against the whiteness of the snow.

Yea, I don't think that's metagaming at all. You don't need detect magic or sense motive to think that this is just weird! The question is, how do we proceed?

"Wait!" Arvanya holds up her hand in a cautionary manner before the others chase after the girl. "Something is not right. Little girl should not be in middle of icy woods. And who she is speaking to of name-calling? We have already met one dark mage in these woods. Does she lead us into hands of another?"

I'm guessing you'll roll any relevant check on my behalf, Frosty? How far away from the others am I?

Arvanya pauses with one fur-lined boot mid-air. A small gasp escapes her frozen lips as her hand tightens around the grip of her longbow. Her instinct is to raise the weapon threateningly; however, this is only a...child? It wouldn't do to threaten a small child--best to appear as non-threatening as possible.

Of course, that's the same behavior she'd exhibit toward a bear.

"Is alright," she whispers uncertainly, glancing around for the presence of others. "We find your mama, mmm? What you are doing in woods all alone? Is not safe place."

"Dollhouse story looks like is real, eh?" Arvanya whispers seriously when the hut comes into view. "I can try sneak to its back." She draws her longbow and steps lightly toward the snowdrift. "Unless someone has better idea."

Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

"The stars are full of surprises for us all," Arvanya mumbles, still spellbound by Cithembi. "My own mama says...used to say, that they can guide us on a path, but what they do once we arrive is great mystery."

I'm ready!

She touches his him behind his ear, begins to scratch. She actually issues a little purr as though she were coaxing a feral cat. She catches herself, hoping the others didn't notice, then draws her hand back with a smile.

And a follower of Desna, too? She likes him even more for that. "My name is Arvanya. My wolf is Auryel. We are Varisians, also strangers to this land, and also starry-eyed travelers who walk under Desna's moon and sky."

Even after the weasel falls, Auryel's hackles remain raised in alarm and he growls and snaps toward the cat-man. Arvanya instinctively drops her bow and dives for the wolf, grasping him around the neck and shushing him as she pulls him close in an effort to keep him under control.

Handle Animal (Auryel): 1d20 + 5 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 4 = 28

He continues to glare at Cithembi but does not advance upon him. Arvanya cautiously reclaims her bow and climbs to her feet, slowly approaching the newcomer from the side so that he can see her coming. Had she ever met a cat-folk before? All manner of exotic beasts had found their way into the circus act, and she had sometimes even wondered if the animal trainer Yeosef was himself part bull. And later, traveling the fey-haunted Fangwoods of Nirmathas, she would swear she had seen a were-rat. And, of course, she had recently met Astrid...

But never a cat-folk! But oh, how she loves the sight of him! The spots, the eyes, his little ears! The noises he makes, and how he must read lips!

She waits but a moment for the others to greet him before giving a little wave. "I am sorry for wolf," she says, pouting and pointing toward Auryel. "He is very scared to see big weasel, and also he must think you are cat. Well, you are cat, but..." Words fail as she comes close and instinctively reaches to touch Cithembi. "May I?" she asks, her hand frozen in mid-air. Tag Cithembi

Arvanya blinks as the implications of a talking cat begin to form, but there is no time for wasting. Quick as a cat :) she secures her next arrow and sends it whistling through the icy air.

Auryel continues his assault on the weasel, just as Arvanya battles the deepening snow to skirt the perimeter of the fight, eyeing an opening for her next shot.

Vanya ranged, IC, PBS: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 161d8 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 9
arrow recovery if miss: 1d2 ⇒ 2 reclaimed
Auryel bite, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 111d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 3 + 1 = 10

Auryel standard attack, arvanya shoots and moves west.

Don't worry Freyja, that buff is so nice it's totally worth the action!"

K(nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

"No...." Arvanya says quietly as she tenses and flips her head around. "The weasel."

Just then the cat-man leaps onto the scene, hotly pursued by the very creature whose name Arvanya has just uttered. "By the stars, speak and it shall be so!" She spits to rid herself of the name. There is power in words. Her mother had often said.

Before she can stop him, Auryel is off and running toward the weasel (or the catfolk?), hopping to and fro as he navigates the hidden snow drifts. He comes to a halt between his friends and the weasel, growling mencingly. Double move for Auryel.

"Auryell!" Arvanya cries as he draws the attention of the weasel. She shifts to the left to avoid the cat man and stay in line of Auryel, then nocks and arrow and lets it fly.

Vanya ranged, IC: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 81d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5
arrow recovery (low loses): 1d2 ⇒ 1 lost

"Hey, big ugly!" she calls, waving her hand to distract the weasel and keep it off of the cat and wolf. She also reaches for her next arrow.

As soon as she wakes, Arvanya busies herself trying to defrost her eyelashes, which have frozen together and prevented her from opening her eyes.

"This is new experience," she grumbles, huffing into her closed hands and rubbing her face vigorously. "I do not remember ever feeling so cold! Thank the stars for Auryel!" She pats her wolf good-naturedly on his head, but he is up and shaking off the snow that accumulated on his fur with little regard for the icy weather. He sniffs a nearby fir and hikes his leg against it, a cloud of steam billowing where he pees.

Arvanya draws closer to the fire, clutching a cup of Freyja's tea as though it were her most prized possession on earth. "Th-th-thank you," she stutters through frozen, chapped lips.

"Yes," she responds to Astrid's warnings, "I have heard of oceans of snow that swallow people whole, like sinking ship. What is word in common...drift? Maybe snow will give us easy way to sneak up on doll, eh?"

"Yes, is much better, thanks you," Arvanya says to Freyja as her wounds are tended to. She tries to keep Auryel calm while Blaze burns off the resin, though the occasional growl issues from behind his bared teeth. "Shhhhhh" she offers soothingly, to no avail.

"The trees are protecting their families. It is important work." She stands, steadier now, and helps Freyja and Astrid prepare bedding for the night.