The Plagued One

Azlain's page

562 posts. Alias of Doomed Hero.


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HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

I just checked in to say I was still here. Please don't think it means I'm being impatient. The weather has been knocking out my power a lot lately, so when I had some time with the lights on I went through and did a check-in with all the games I'm in. At the time I didn't even think about the fact that this one is on hiatus.

Hope things get easier for you, Ray. Take all the time you need.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Checking in here.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

[b]"I have a report to make. I suggest we all meet in the morning to plan our next steps. Come to the garrison. We can leave from there." Azlain said. His companions seemed to have everything well in hand, so he sat down at Winnow's desk and began writing.

Azlain is writing up a report to be delivered by Mindy. I'm in favor of going after the last halfling.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

"That seems to be the case. However, he proceeded to resisted arrest right up until the moment of his death. The last thing he attempted to do was escape to another plane of existence."


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Azlain pocketed the Nightglass again and returned to his documents. "Why thank you. It's good to feel useful."


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

"Ah. Yes. Clearly my talents have been exhausted. Perhaps you'd like to carry this as well?" Azlain said, offering Mindy the cloth-wrapped Nightglass.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

"What was that?" Azlain asked dryly.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

"Whatever gave you the impression I was knighted? Or gallant?" Azlain chuckled, still not looking up from his paperwork.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

"Thank you," Azlain said. "Bag it. We'll deliver it to the Garrison with the rest of the evidence as soon as we are done here."


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

"Keep the head intact," Azlain said without looking up from his paperwork.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

I'd prefer him alive for questioning, but they're your critters. Also speak with dead and breath of life exist, so if we need answers we have options.

Azlain made sure the nightglass was safely tucked away, and then quickly fixated on the legal document.

As soon as we have some time, I'm going to Take 20 on a Barrister check to analyze the whole document for mistakes or irregularities. Right now, I'm just flipping through it to get a feel and see if anything jumps out at me.

Prof. barrister, aided by Mindy: 1d20 + 9 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 9 + 2 = 25

Also, portable holes are my favorite items in the game. If no one else has plans for it, I'd like to carry it for us.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

I feel like as the newest player, my personal questline shouldn't suddenly take the spotlight. I don't want to abandon that plot thread completely, but I think letting myself become more integrated in the plot the other players have been following would be the best thing to do.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Hmm. Domains are essentially a handful of extra spells, a first level power that scales in a minor way and an 8th level power that also scales in a minor way.

The extra spells are handy (especially if they're spells that aren't usually on the cleric's list), but they are fairly minor. It's a minor loss of potential options, not of actual ability.

The Barrister skill thing is roughly the same power as a 1st level domain power. You might consider limiting it to times per day like a usual domain power, or making the player choose betweent he two skills like you mentioned, but I'm not sure it's worth the quibble. Mechanically, it's the equivalent of one extra skill rank per level, which would be a decent option as a 1st level domain power, but not game breaking. there's lots of better options than that.

A free improved familiar is powerful, but it's about on par with some of the better 8th level domain powers. I build and use familiars a lot differently than most people, so I feel like I'm a bad person to judge the respective power of this option.

Honestly it sounds pretty well balanced to me. If I were running the game I'd probably allow it.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Oh, we're still in combat?

I guess I ready my Round 5 action to Dispel Magic as a Counterspell then.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Beneath his mask, Azlain was sweating. His hands shook. He wanted to drop the thing he held like it was on fire, but he was a professional. His resolve had been tempered by the fires of Hell. He simply wrapped the black mirror in his scarf and tucked it away in his haversack.

Then he let out a breath that he hadn't realized he'd been holding.

"Winnow, you are Bound by Law." he didn't have the focus to get through the rest. He tossed the Boogeyman a pair of manacles.

"Search the premise. Find the contract, and anything else of interest."

He focused on the job at hand, but a portion of his thoughts could not help but dwell of the immensely powerful enemy they'd just made.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Thanks team. :)

It always surprises me to receive praise for what I still think of as normal gameplay. I've learned it's one of the most fundamental differences in playstyle.

A lot of people (particularly people who started playing with 3.0 or later) approach the game like it's a sport or board game. They think the numbers represent the comparative strengths and weaknesses of the pieces on the field. From that mindset, the fun of the game is in the tight play and counterplay of the actions. A significant imbalance in those numbers mean that the game isn't fair. When things aren't fair, players get cranky.

Frankly, I think it's b*%%@*+*. The game certainly can be a sport, but I think it's better when it isn't.

I learned to play back when "Save vs. Death" was literally a number on your sheet that you were expected to have to roll regularly. The game was unfair by design. Pretty much anything a party came across was a TPK waiting to happen. Monsters were designed as puzzle-traps that chased you down and ate you. If you couldn't figure out their weakness on the fly you were going to be rolling a new character. This was normal.

The mindset players from that era of gameplay learned was, if you haven't stacked the odds in your favor before the fight even starts, you've probably already lost.

The game isn't a sport. It's asymmetric warfare. Azlain is built from that mindset. He looks for weaknesses, and then exploits the hell out of them.

On a more personal note, I think this issue is why we just lost Monkeygod. He really wanted the fight to be at least somewhat fair and got really mad about the fact that it wasn't. I don't think that's unreasonable of him. His play style is actually the dominant one these days, to the point where the idea that the game is (or should be) fundamentally unfair to the players is met with open hostility. For people used to a design philosophy that pushes fairness, It's hard to adapt when you unexpectedly find out that the person running the game has decided to throw fairness out the window.

I, on the other hand, love it. It gives me permission to do the same.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

If Azlain gets the Nightglass-

Use Magic Device: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

"Be gone."


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

"Mindy, get me the nightglass," Azlain said, ignoring Winnow's mewling for the moment.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Is there a way to use the mirror to dismiss the Ormyr?


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Profession Barrister would be me. I'll make the roll later when I have time for a longer post.

If take 10 is allowed I can make that DC without rolling.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Azloain isnt going anywhere until Winnow answers him. Winnow's coming one way or another. Its just easier if he cooperates.

I think the party is waiting on you, GM


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Since Winnow's so affraid of Ormyr, I was thinking we could use that. Maybe he'll surrender and we can get out of here.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Azlain understood the value of discretion, however, he also had a reputation to uphold.

"Winnow, you are Bound by Law. If you stand down and submit now I offer leniency to the extent of the law's allowance, and you will be under Hellknight protection."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33

Well, hopefully that's enough to get us out of the fight.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

My Counterspell was an Immediate action. I should still have an action this round, right?


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

If Ray was doing everything he could to win, being able to target glitterdust because Winnow was too stupid to move after turning invisible never would have worked. So far it's worked twice.

Also, the enemies are targeting each other. Ray is kinda softballing this encounter. It's clear to me he wants us to win.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Magnius, I don't want to be confrontational about this but I think you're overreacting.

It's a team game. Lets see if we can use good teamwork and tactics to overcome this. Yaos is about to drop a horde on the field who's only job is to give you bonuses.

I'm going to keep piling on the debuffs and canceling enemy spells.

You're going to get your hits in, just give us a bit to set you up for victory. You and Boogey should be waiting until After Yaos and I take our actions before you take yours. That way you'll get the biggest bonus out of whatever we do.

I think we can do this.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Now I feel like not taking teleport just to be obstinate. ;)


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Thanks guys.

I don't want to barrel past Magnius' concerns with tactics talk though. Lets get back to the discussion of how to make things fun for everyone. I think a lot of good points have been brought up so far. Let's keep it going.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Yaos, since your leopards aren't doing the trick, it might be worth summoning a group of more intelligent creatures and having them perform Aid Another actions with Mag and Boogie. The AC to pull off Aid is low, and the bonuses stack. That might help our front liners get their hits in.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Alright. Without retconning, what would it take for you to feel like you were having fun again?


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

I get your frustration. It's a tough fight and it's never fun to feel useless. I'm not sure if it's intended, but your posts are coming off as a bit hostile. Should we take a step back and talk about how to make sure we're all having fun, and our expectations of the game?

If it isn't fun for any one of us, we're all partially to blame and should address it.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

I'm using an immediate action to countering Winnow's Counterspell with my Counterspell Exploit. Because I have Dispel Magic memorized I get a +5 to the Dispel roll.

Counterspell, DC 14: 1d20 + 7 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 5 = 18 Taht will do. His dispel is countered.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Jeebus. I thought I'd dealt with the eidolon.

You're not out of the fight, btw. You still have options. Out think the problem. Here's my suggestions-

Wait until after Mindy goes each round. My goal with her is to keep him wasting his actions to deal with whatever annoying stuff she throws at him.

Use touch attacks. Azlain has Tangleburn bags. You've seen him use them. You know where they are on his bandoleer. Come get them and hit Winnow with burning glue.

Use Combat Maneuvers. His CMD is going to be lower than his AC because Summoners don't have full BaB. Dirty Trick and Trip are awesome ways of screwing over an enemy and setting them up for allies to hurt.

The trick is not to think in terms of damage, but instead in terms of forcing Winnow to make choices where he has no good options. Keep him on his heels and buried in status effects. That's how you win fights against high-CR enemies.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Wait, so the creature I banished at the start of the fight wasn't Winnow's synthesized eidolon?


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Alright. Depending on Winnow's action, I may change my action. Probably not though.

Healing Reroll: 1d8 ⇒ 1
...
Healing Reroll: 1d8 ⇒ 2 Sigh.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Azlain waits patiently, biding his time.

Readied action, cast Dispel Magic as a Counterspell.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Not at all. Imagine it like she's inside a small bunker with arrow slits. She can still be targeted, she just has Improved Cover. She can still see out and fire out with her bow or with spells. She just isn't going to be flying around delivering touch spells, potions or stealing things from people.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Caster Level Check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Clarifying, since I'm not sure it ever came up before-

Azlain's big armored pauldrons are Familiar Satchels. They are hollow with "arrow slits" cut into them, and an open hole in the back where Mindy can slip in and out of.

When she is with Azlain, she's inside one of them unless I say otherwise. She traded Improved Evasion with her Archetype, so I have to be more careful with her.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Crud, just saw that Mindy was caught by the Lightning Bolt too. I'm pretty sure I broke down my tactics about Mindy staying in her Familiar Satchel and firing out of it (like arrow slits) any time she's sharing a square with Azlain, but since I can't remember if I mentioned it, I won't be a jerk player and claim that I did.

Mindy's Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22 1/2 damage. Fast Heal kicks in on her turn. She's at 9/22. Ow.

After the lightning lanced through her, Mindy ducked into the small metal fortification built into Azlain's pauldron.

Azlain's Reflex: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19 1/2 damage. Azlain is at 30/45

Azlain winced behind his mask and unleashed a torrent of bolts at their foes.
Dazing Magic Missile, Ormyr: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) + 3 = 11
Dazing Magic Missile, Winnow: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Spending 1 Arcane Pool to boost the DC. Both targets must make a DC 25 Will save or be Dazed for 1 round.


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HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Dammit Winnow! Can't you do anything right?!


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

checking in


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

I'm waiting for Winnow's action before posting.

K. Planes: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

I'm honestly not sure. I didn't think scrolls applied the casting stat of the creator. GM?


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

It's from a scroll. The blindness DC is 12. (i'm not a dummy, I know better than to toss high DC stuff at my allies)


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Light him up, Azlain whispered to Mindy through their link.

Azlain himself concentrated on undoing Winnow's work.

Casting Dispel Magic on the Blade Barrier.

Dispel Check: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 That should do it.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Not sure why the order of my last posts were swapped. I posted Azlain's first.

Just read them in the reverse order.


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Am I correct in my understanding that after Winnow's last action that he could not have moved more than 5 feet without some kind of Swift action movement ability?


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Spell Penetration: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6


HP 40/45, AC 21*, Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +8, ArcRes 2/8 Active Effects: Heightened Senses, Defending Bone (45), Extended Shield, Unseen Servant,

Hope it doesn't have too good of a will save.