Astoroth, The Endless Fount's page

YBD again: I have a compulsive need to "know all the things," so high-Knowledge characters are a near necessity for me. My all-time favorite is this one: the forgotten deity of information-gathering. I played him in a ridiculously high-powered solo campaign a few years back.

GM here, with an example of a properly-formatted profile. Yours doesn't need to be exactly like this (especially considering how complicated this character is), but it's a solid baseline. XD
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@Jereru: The general rule-of-thumb is two ability flaws = one ability boost. Therefore, you could take -2 to two additional stats to gain +2 to something else. If you're concerned about your DCs, though, as I told the Goblin Bard in my other game, maxing your casting stat isn't needed. You'll be fine starting with a 16 - especially considering how easy it is to boost DCs as you gain levels. XD And if you start as a Human and pick the right Background, you can start with both a 16 and an 18 in those two stats. In regards to your other question, it does extend to Channeling traits. Feel free to grab whichever one you want. XD

Regarding Aasimars, they're the only race without an ability penalty. Combined with their numerous racial abilities, they needed a slight nerf. The penalty doesn't necessarily need to be INT, but it seemed thematically appropriate as angels typically don't know a ton about the ways of the world. Alternately, a DEX penalty could work as angels aren't normally known for their agility. XD

You get a feat every odd level (starting at 1st-level) just like usual.

@Redblade8: swapping for a bloodline mutation is completely fine. I know what you mean about the 1st-level powers. I keep meaning to buff them but haven't gotten around to it. XD

@Torsten: You might enjoy reading THIS ARTICLE on DnD stats in real life. Short version, the real world caps out around Level 5. Past that, you enter the realm of the superhuman. XD

@Yhrrilka: Perception is simply (character level + WIS + any other bonuses/penalties). It's the most-used skill in the game, so I just made it a base ability. Since characters lose the +3 class skill bonus, I've lowered DCs accordingly.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (14) + 20 = 34

Being 'other' had its benefits when trying to convince the common folk. Especially when you actually had a wealth of experience traveling the planes. Sharing a few pertinent anecdotes that highlighted similarities with the current situation should go a long way to diffusing their tension.

"Calm yourselves," Astoroth remarked to the crew. "There's nothing to fear here. If you believe you're safe, it will become so."

Astoroth was immediately fascinated by this place. A living Plane? He had to know more about it. And he would learn more about it. NOT doing so wasn't even a possibility. He just needed to determine how to communicate with it....

Beliefs: despite the dangerous conditions, there's nothing to fear here; Between can be communicated with in some fashion; Astoroth is capable of doing so; Astoroth's will is stronger.

With his appearance concealed, Astoroth wasn't particularly concerned about trouble for the moment. In his experience, cities with a strong anti-magic philosophy were paranoid about theoretical spellcasters but didn't expect random people to actually be mages unless they did something to attract attention.

As a reminder, I have a hat of disguise, so I don't look the same as when I initially entered Castorhage. Astoroth's a wanted man, after all. XD

I can't think of anything else to ask about at the moment, so we can move on. XD

"That's very interesting," Astoroth remarked. "Has anyone been able to determine a pattern to the portals' coming and going? What makes the two stable portals different from the others that pop up?"

"It's been quite a while, I'm afraid, but I'm sure it will come back to me quickly."

With an appreciative nod, Astoroth heads toward the passage.

"It is, however, the most effective way to learn about Between. Firsthand observation is better than reading another person's experiences, after all."

"My associate and I have extensive experience with planar travel and surviving in unsafe environments. As I've heard Between can be quite dangerous, having us on the crew will increase the likelihood that everyone stays alive."

Secrecy and subtlety was an excellent way to learn things that others didn't wish you to find out. Open inquiry, on the other hand, was the best way to learn things that others wished to tell you. In this case, as there was an ongoing active recruitment for ships to Between, there was no reason to overcomplicate matters.

"From what I've gathered, it's at least somewhat influenced by belief, so there's definitely potential for changes. Perhaps we'll be able to speak to it." In all honesty, he didn't have much of a plan besides 'go inside and see what happens.' After all, 'poke the weird thing with a stick' method was often a very enlightening form of scientific inquiry.

Ready when you are. XD

"More pertinently, the area has displayed several interesting effects. Time seems to function differently there, and it may be somewhat sentient."

"It is, indeed," Astoroth replied. "I'd suggest altering your appearance, by the way. Apparently there's an order of 'Paladins' who don't take kindly to outsiders like us, and I don't feel like being constantly hassled by the city guards." His companion had made an interesting observation. Perhaps there were a great many necromancers here. Although Castorhage didn't seem like a Geb-esque society, it was still theoretically possible. Alternately, the royals had an artifact. Or perhaps it was simply a native feature of this world. He made a mental note to revisit the matter later. "In the meantime, I'm going to explore Between. Would you like to come?"

Time to leave. Astoroth headed back the way he'd come in. Being a wanted man didn't particularly bother him - he'd had a target on his back almost since the moment he'd stepped foot in this city. His ability to change his appearance should keep him out of danger for a little while at least.

Time to check in on Kozuri and then go sign up for the next trip heading into Between.

I'd hoped that I'd appear before one of the probably-not-real guards to prevent this whole thing. Looks like none of them were present. The plot thickens.... XD

"Looking for someone," Astoroth calmly replied. This wasn't the first time he'd had crossbows aimed his way, after all. "As it appears she's no longer here, I'll cease interrupting your day."
1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
It's been 4rds since I became visible, so it looks like I just have to hang out for another six seconds or so before invisibility is good to go again.

Rolling two ones with a single die? That must be twice as bad! XD I'm enjoying learning the limits of Astoroth's patience, by the way. XD

Astoroth almost sighed, but such reactions were unbecoming. It was possible the guard didn't remember him or was simply putting on an extremely-convincing act. Perhaps one of these new arrivals would be able to clear this up. If not ... there were numerous alternative ways to fulfill his end of the bargain with Eleanor.
I'll ready an action to telekinetic catch the first thing thrown/shot at me but otherwise stay where I am - assuming it's somewhere I can't be instantly surrounded.

"Tall woman. Brown hair. Dislikes wererats," Astoroth replied as he once again avoided the guard's panicked blow.

If he swings at me again, I'll expend focus to parry (at +16) as an AoO, expend the newly-gained focus (assuming parry succeeded) to trip (at +14) as an immediate action, and attempt a disarm (at +14, provokes an AoO from the guard). Maybe then he'll calm down. XD

To be honest, this sort of thing is what I like the most about Astoroth: when his level is "gives a s+##" is low. He's really his own worst enemy. XD

Astoroth casually sidestepped the blow. He'd hoped this guard would have stronger emotional control. In a true emergency, a panicked response such as this would only get the guard killed. "Really, that's quite unnecessary - not to mention unprofessional. Now get a hold of yourself and tell me where Eleanor is so I can make my report."

Astoroth didn't feel like wasting time wandering around looking for his employer. He also didn't feel a matter this trivial warranted the expenditure of his (still limited) divine power. Instead, he elected to take the direct approach.
Invisible flight back to the prison barge, followed by finding a guard - preferably one who's seen me before.
Astoroth appeared in front of a sentry. "Where's your boss?"

I just went back through the posts and can't find anything mentioning a meeting place. :-(

Astoroth nodded. "Thank you for the information. I would suggest lying low for a while, as the one who hired me will likely respond with violence towards your kind." With that, Astoroth prepared to return to the prison vessel to drop off the personal effects.

"That's disappointing," Astoroth remarked dispassionately. "I'll return his effects to his friend; perhaps it'll help lessen the sting. Do you know who killed him?"

Astoroth's always been the direct type - and being an Outsider might actually be useful here. He'll be taking the "me and my Ifrit companion are experienced delvers of the unknown and wish to offer our assistance on your next expedition" approach. After all, who better to explore a weird demiplane than partially extraplanar beings from another planet? XD

That's AFTER he finds out what Marren knows, though. Don't want to be leaving jobs unfinished, after all.

Signing on with one of those adventuring companies the magician had mentioned seemed like a prudent choice at the moment. Once he'd heard from Marren about the status of the man he was looking for, he'd locate Miss Kozuri and set off.

Most intriguing.... In addition to the time distortion effects he'd heard about previously (and was now observing firsthand), the Between seemed to possess some reality-altering powers as well. Something related to the power of belief, perhaps? This wasn't the first time Astoroth had witnessed this phenomena: the musician at Grast's curiosities pavilion appeared to have a similar trait. She was truly sad, and that idea was made manifest in her music.

*suddenly realizes that, like the ship, Astoroth comes from extremely far in the past*
What does the ship look like? What era does it originally hail from?

How long was the ship in Between?

This wasn't the first time Aatoroth had encountered a presence on this world. Perhaps it was connected to what he'd felt at the curiosities tent. Reaching out with all of his senses, he focused intently on the presence.

Using Know Secrets to learn more about it. Such as the presence's origin.

While Astoroth was typically extremely convincing, it seemed that these individuals weren't as appreciative of well-reasoned knowledgeable critiques. Or perhaps it was just that he was an obvious outsider. While he was magically disguised now, his natural appearance was apparently enough to draw the negative attention of authority figures. That was worse than Cheliax! Now that the repairs were finally done, however, perhaps he'd be able to look over the vessel's interior without further distractions.

With use of the Warp sphere, I should be able to get onboard without too much difficulty - especially since I picked up invisibility upon level-up.

You know, I'd figured that a Diplomacy check was in order ... and then completely forgot to roll it. XD

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (1) + 20 = 21

In that case...

After observing for a few minutes, taking note of inefficiencies, Astoroth strode over to a group of the workers. "I have some experience with ships. If you focus your efforts on these particular areas, you'll get done quicker and use fewer of your resources. I'm sure all of you have better things to do, after all."
Knowledge(engineering): 1d20 + 21 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 21 + (2) = 31

Would Knowledge(engineering) help with that? I figure that if I can help get things done faster, it'll increase the likelihood of me getting to explore the interior.

Astoroth moved to get a closer look at the ship. He didn't want to cause a scene, but perhaps he could assist in the repair effort.

Ah, that's right. I wasn't sure how long it had been since then. Let's explore Festival a bit more and gather more info about Between. If it's possible to check out the site where the ship crashed, that seems beneficial.

Feeling refreshed, as he always did when absorbing a vast amount of new knowledge, Astoroth bid the magician farewell and began to make his way back to Marren. Hopefully the wererat had been able to ascertain the whereabouts of the man he was looking for.

Let's go with Lesser Metamagic: Disruptive Spell then.

I totally forgot about that. *embarrassed chuckle* How would Metamagic Mastery from Menu A work for spherecasting? I kind of like Lightbringer since it's thematically appropriate that Book lights up so I can read in the dark, but metamagic is always good to have - especially at higher levels. There's nothing I'm particularly interested in Menu B, and Menus D/E/F unlock at Level 11, so I'm looking solely at Menu A abilities.

This should cover it
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Feat
Great Focus

Combat Talents
Boxing: Shoulder Roll
Dual Wielding: High-Low Combination

Magic Talents
Illusion Sphere
Illusion: Invisibility

Feat +1 (still deciding)

Incanter 9
Fort Save +1
Ref Save +1
Caster Level +1
Magic Talents +2 (still deciding)

Striker 9
HP +19 (1d10*1.5 +4 CON)
BAB +1
Will Save +1
Drill Knuckle +1
Vital Insight +1
Combat Talent +1 (still deciding)

Investigator 8
Skill Ranks +15
- All Knowledges +1, Disable Device +1, Escape Artist +1, Perception +1, Sense Motive +1, Spellcraft +1
Studied Combat +1
Studied Strike +1d6
Unfailing Logic improve to +4
Combat Talent +1 (still deciding)

Alas, Orcus and his ridiculously-powerful minions will have to wait until another day. XD

Yeeeaaahh.... That was the first FGG product I ever purchased. Don't have the hardcover yet, but it's on my wishlist. Astoroth has no intention of facing it unless it's truly necessary. XD

I bought four of their discounted hardcovers a couple months back. They take up almost half of my gaming shelf. XD Yay for new levels! I'll get myself updated over the next few days.

*save vs Wall of Text* XD That's one of the things I love about FGG: the amount of detail they put into worldbuilding. I have most of their products - but not "The Blight."

Astoroth listened with interest as the historical epic unfolded. The Book of Truths would be a fair bit thicker by the time the telling was finished. This definitely explained much about the city's atmosphere. With the amount of turmoil Castorhage had gone through, it was no wonder that a sense of intrigue and oppression ran throughout.

"Festival and the city, please," Astoroth replied.

Astoroth smiled encouragingly. "Keep at it. With time and practice, even the most complicated trick can become second-nature." (if there's a particular spell he seems especially interested in, I'll give him those spellbook pages. It's not like I actually use it, after all. XD) "Could you, perhaps, tell me something of the history of this place?" He'd learned a bit about the local politics, but knowing how things got to be this way would be equally useful. Plus, history was just plain interesting.

Astoroth waited until the man was finished before stashing the book safely away once again. "Thank you for your time."

"I see. Can you give me directions to the nearest place to sign up?" Then, as promised, he revealed the spellbook he carried with him so the man could look through it.