Here's the level 2 version of Becky. I'm giving her 1,150 gp in equipment because of her Employee campaign trait that gave her an extra 150 gp at the start. She's got 516 gp left unspent; I was considering spending some of that to either make her rapier masterwork or (if allowed) to buy a wand of cure light wounds with half its charges remaining (25 charges; cost 375gp). Maybe some silver-tipped arrows as well.
Becky Beys (Bard 2):
Name Rebecca “Becky” Beys
_____________________________________________
Race Human
Gender Female
Age 16 DoB 8/4/4700
Class Bard (Archivist) Level 2
Init +2; Senses Perception +6
Becky Beys Initiative:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 | Becky Beys Perception Check:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 AL Neutral
_____________________________________________
DEFENSE
_____________________________________________
AC 16, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+3 armor, +2 Dex, +1 shield)
hp 17 (8/5)
Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +4; +4 bonus on saves against magical traps, language-dependent effects, and symbols, glyphs, and magical writings of any kind
Becky Beys Fortitude Save:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 Becky Beys Reflex Save:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9 Becky Beys Will Save:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
_____________________________________________
OFFENSE
_____________________________________________
Speed 30 ft.
Melee rapier +1 (1d6 piercing/18-20) or dagger +1 (1d4+1 piercing, slashing/19-20)
Becky Beys rapier:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 for piercing damage:1d6 ⇒ 2(18-20) Becky Beys cold iron dagger:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 15 for cold iron, piercing, slashing damage:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5(19-20)
Special Attacks bardic performance 8 rds./day (countersong, distraction, fascinate, naturalist)
Bard Spells Known (CL 2nd; concentration +4):
0—detect magic, light, prestidigitation, read magic, sift
1st (3/day)—coin shot, cure light wounds, saving finale
_____________________________________________
STATISTICS
_____________________________________________
Str 11, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 13
FeatsAdditional Traits, Lingering Performance TraitsEmployee (campaign), Criminal (social), Helpful (combat), River Rat (regional)
[This Will Be a...spoiler=Employee (Campaign Trait)]
You have worked for the Bountiful Venture Company or you are the child of one of its current employees. This connection helped you get a leg up on the competition to get involved in the establishment of Talmandor’s Bounty. The company didn’t want nepotism to show through too strongly, so you weren’t included in the first wave of colonists and instead have been selected to accompany the second wave of colonists to the island. You don’t want people to know that you’re part of the company, but your contacts in the Bountiful Venture Company didn’t necessarily tell you that you needed to keep it a secret.
Languages Aquan, Azlanti, Common, Elven
____________________________________________
SPECIAL QUALITIES
____________________________________________
SQ bardic knowledge +1, trapfinding
____________________________________________
EQUIPMENT AND GOLD (Price/Weight)
____________________________________________
Gear masterwork studded leather armor (175/20), darkwood buckler (203/2.5), rapier (20/2), cold iron dagger (4/1), composite short bow (75/2) with 20 arrows (1/3), masterwork backpack (50/4), masterwork thieves’ tools (100/2), belt pouch (1/.5), spell component pouch (5/2)
Gear Not Carried: crate of 200 arrows (10/30), quiver of 20 cold iron arrows
Carrying Capacity (12 Str)Light: 43 lbs. or less; Medium: 44–86 lbs.; Heavy: 87–130 lbs.
Current Encumbrance: 39 lbs.
Gold 516 gp
____________________________________________
APPEARANCE
____________________________________________
Height 5’4”
Weight 111 lbs.
Eye Color Green
Hair Color Strawberry Blonde
Region of Origin Almas, Andoran
Parents Regions of Origin Almas, Andoran
Deity Nethys
Character Overview
Rebecca is the teenage child of Perrell Beys (the expedition’s scholar and historian), similar in appearance, build, and interests to her mother. She’s got more of an adventuring spirit, however, and a craving for wealth.
Backstory and Motivation For the first twelve years of her existence, Becky was the spitting image of her mother, Perrell. Then the terrible teens struck and she became a bit rebellious, trying to differentiate herself from her stodgy and boring mom. Oh, she still dedicated herself admirably to her studies and appreciated her mom paying for her topnotch education, but Becky has a wild streak. This manifest itself once her mother mentioned the Bountiful Venture Company’s plan to establish a colony in the ruins of Azlant and the first wave of settlers crossed the ocean. The teen’s need to learn how to swim (an essential skill, she feels strongly, for settlers on an island) led her to join a gang of older teen ne’er-do-wells who hung out near Almas’s docks and shoreline, often swimming out to burglarize moored ships under cover of darkness. Thus did Becky learn to swim and how to wield a dagger effectively. From the gang’s handsome leader, Tomas (whose larcenous talents extended to land-based theft), Rebecca also learned how to pick locks and the basics of detecting and bypassing mundane traps.
When Tomas was arrested, Becky left the gang. Wanting badly to be part of the second expedition to Talmandor’s Bounty, she again became Perrell’s doting daughter (or at least played the part) so she could tag along. This brought her into contact with the soon-to-be leader of Talmandor’s Bounty, Ramona Avandth; Becky’s been a smitten hero-worshiper ever since. Ramona actually helped out a bit with Becky’s bard training, and the young Beys girl chose to learn cure light wounds as one of her spells because, as she told Ramona, “An expedition can never have too many healers!”
Becky’s recently realized that her near-total admiration for Ramona includes a romantic attraction. (How can someone look that beautiful with that hairdo??!! She felt similar pangs for the gang leader, Tomas, and is irked and confused by her stupid mixed-up hormones.
[This Will Be a Spoiler...spoiler=Archivist Bard Archetype]
Archivist Source:Advanced Player's Guide, pg. 80
Some bards greatly prefer academic pursuits to the drama (and sometimes melodrama) of their artistic brethren.
Bardic Performance: An archivist gains the following types of bardic performance.
Naturalist (Ex): An archivist who has identified a creature with a Knowledge check appropriate to its type can use performance to share strategies for defeating it with allies in combat. The archivist and any allies within 30 feet gain a +1 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against exceptional, supernatural, and spell-like abilities used by creatures of that specific kind of monster (e.g., frost giants, not all giants or all humanoids). This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. This language-dependent ability requires visual and audible components. This ability replaces inspire courage.
Lamentable Belaborment (Ex): At 6th level, an archivist can bewilder a creature already fascinated by his performance. Using this ability does not disrupt the fascinate effect, but it does require a standard action to activate (in addition to the free action to continue the fascinate effect). The target must make a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Cha modifier). Success renders the target immune to this power for 24 hours, but failure leaves the target either dazed or confused (archivist’s choice) for as long as the performance continues. If the target takes damage, this effect ends immediately. This mind-affecting ability relies on audible components. This ability replaces suggestion.
Pedantic Lecture (Su): At 18th level, an archivist can affect as many creatures with lamentable belaborment as he currently has fascinated. In addition, he may choose to cause targets to fall asleep rather than be dazed or confused. This ability replaces mass suggestion.
Lore Master (Ex): At 2nd level, an archivist may take 20 on Knowledge checks once per day, plus once per six levels beyond 2nd. This ability replaces versatile performance.
Magic Lore (Ex): At 2nd level, an archivist gains a bonus on Spellcraft checks to identify magic items or decipher scrolls equal to half his bard level and may take 10 on such checks. An archivist can use Disable Device to disarm magical traps as per a rogue’s trapfinding ability and gains a +4 bonus on saves against magical traps, language-dependent effects, and symbols, glyphs, and magical writings of any kind. This ability replaces well-versed.
Jack of All Trades (Ex): At 5th level, an archivist can use any skill, even if the skill normally requires him to be trained. At 11th level, he considers all skills to be class skills, and at 17th level he can take 10 on any skill check, even if it is not normally allowed. This ability replaces lore master.
Probable Path (Ex): At 10th level, an archivist can calculate the action likely to bring success with the least risk. Once per day, he can take 10 on any d20 roll. He may use this ability one additional time per day for every three levels after 10th. This ability replaces jack of all trades.
[End of.../spoiler]
I haven't given up all hope that our old game will restart at some point: I'll be making a new alias if Becky makes it into this game and keep her current one as is.
Besides, one of the three current PCs in this game is using the same avatar as Becky, so I'd have to change things up a bit anyways.
Here are my answers to the Character Questionnaire.
All About Becky Beys:
1. What is your character’s name? Rebecca “Becky” Beys
2. How old is your character? 16. She’s still a kid in many respects.
3. What would somebody see at first glance (i.e. height, weight, skin color, eye color, hair color, physique, race, and visible equipment)? 5’4”, 111 lbs., pale skin, green eyes, strawberry blonde hair, a younger version of her mom, Perrell. The most notable equipment on her would be the unused masterwork studded leather armor darkwood buckler (I misremembered) she bought for the expedition with the extra funds from her Employee campaign trait.
4. What additional attributes would be noticed upon meeting the character (i.e. Speech, mannerisms)? Becky’s a walking contradiction. She’s shy until she starts talking about a subject that interests her; then she’ll ramble on for an hour. She’ll be meek and a good follower until there’s a chance to lead and prove her worth (at which point she becomes confident in her smarts and general common sense). She has a tendency to be an insufferable know-it-all.
5. Where was your character born? Where were you raised? By who? Almas, Andoran, for all her life. She was raised mostly by her mother.
6. Who are your parents? Are they alive? What do they do for a living? Her mom, Perrell, is on the expedition. Not sure what’s up with her father; I sort of assumed that most of her life, Becky’s been raised by a single mom.
7. Do you have any other family or friends? In the previous “Ruins of Azlant” campaign Becky was in, Medrinnah Harleau was her BFF and partner-in-mischief. I assume she’s got relatives back in Andoran.
8. What is your character’s marital status? Kids? Becky’s a kid herself. (But don’t tell her that!)
9. What is your character’s alignment? Neutral, with a tendency toward good. She’s a scholar and student first (and gaining knowledge requires an open mind and general neutrality, at least in her mind).
10. What is your character’s moral code? She’s generally a team player who wants the settlement to succeed and flourish. When there’s knowledge to be gleaned or secrets to be uncovered, however, she can be selfish and prone to breaking the rules.
11. Does your character have goals? Learn everything she possibly can and one day replace Ramona as the colony’s leader.
12. Is your character religious? Heck no!
13. What are your character’s personal beliefs? Knowledge is power. Wealth can be power. Everyone must contribute to the greater good of the settlement in some manner or another.
14. Does your character have any personality quirks (i.e. anti-social, arrogant, optimistic, paranoid)? Her voice gets shrill and squeaky when she’s excited or upset. Otherwise, she’s your typical, occasionally moody, teenaged girl.
15. Why does your character adventure? Why did your character accept the job? The short answer is: for knowledge. She also has a more adventurous (some might even say ‘reckless’) spirit than her mother, and discovering the wonders of ancient Azlant fascinates her.
16. How does your character view his/her role as an adventurer? She knows she’s awful in a fight but can be useful by providing timely aid and support to her comrades. She’s also a secondary healer, but Becky feels she’ll shine as a dispenser of the knowledge she’s gained from a (thus far) scholarly, book-learning lifetime of preparation to go to Talmandor’s Bounty.
17. Does your character have any distinguishing marks (birth-marks, scars, deformities)? Not really, other than looking like a younger version of her mother.
18. How does your character get along with others? She’s easygoing unless she’s treated as a kid. Then she can get a bit ornery.
19. Is there anything that your character hates? Being treated like a kid.
20. Is there anything that your character fears? She’s heard tales about how skum reproduce and is terrified of somehow falling into their clutches. (Not sure if those creatures have appeared yet in the campaign.)
I'd be interested in joining with this character, though she's totally support and needs to be leveled back. The good news is that she'd be easy to incorporate into the storyline, being the daughter of colonist Perrell Beys.
I've previously gamed on these boards with Mark and Crisischild, so maybe they could vouch for me.
EDIT: Just noticed she has trapfinding as well, if the party needs someone with that skill.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky hustles over to Talath and whispers, "I'm pretty sure the Azlanti used will-o'-wisps as eternal lights, kind of like they used the enslaved water elemental in Spindlelock back on Ancorato. They might still be bitter about that."
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky looks at Crispin funny; perhaps she's surprised or impressed by his dancing ability. "No--no Alko from me, I'm afraid." Then her fascination returns to the will-o-wisps.
Not sure if Ventiine made the usual Knowledge check for Becky or not (I'm guessing she did and Becky rolled low). If not, this would be a good time for me to actually remember than Becky has the Lore Master ability which allows her to take 20 on a Knowledge check once per day. In this case, 20+16=36. (But only if Ventiine hasn't already made the check for her.)
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky's frustrated that the pillars seem to be beyond her understanding. When Asher speaks, she looks up from her thorough examination and asks, "Torches?"
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky draws her magical rapier, knowing that should be able to harm the hounds (if only a little). She warns the others that the creatures could have shifted almost anywhere and could return at any moment. She keeps her eyes peeled as Asher flies to the top of the tallest pillar.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky looks a tad disappointed that she won't get to practice her sniping, but she keeps ticking off how best to attack the hounds so that Asher and Mauro can finish them off (and get all the glory).
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky lets out a startled "Eep!" as Crispin suddenly appears by her side. "I don't suppose you have a magic weapon spell prepared, do you? Anyone?" The bard is eyeballing the hound atop the tallest pillar and seems to be considering switching weapons to her short bow.
"I'd need to enchant my arrows to be able to hurt that thing...unless I get lucky and hit it in the eye," she adds.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
"What Crispin said!" Becky calls out, evoking the power of her Naturalist ability. "Watch out--they're shifty! As in 'able to shift' between places and dimensions!" Next the bard casts a sound burst spell behind and between the two hounds, positioned so that they'll get whammed but (hopefully) not Mauro's skele-friend.
Becky Beys sound burst sonic damage:1d8 ⇒ 2(Fort DC 14 save or be stunned 1 round)
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky tries to come up with a compromise solution to the standoff. "How about some long-distance diplomacy?" she asks the creatures. "We're looking for some of our people taken by the ugothols, but we're not sure where to look. If you know where their latest hideout might be, we'll be off to rescue our people and won't bother you again. You lose nothing and potentially benefit if we can wipe out or at least eliminate some of the ugothols. Can you at least point us in the right direction?"
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky frowns at the creatures' reply but remembers that getting angry solves nothing and that, as a potential future leader of the colony (or at least Ramona's trusty assistant), she'll need to be diplomatic and not reactionary. She chooses her words carefully.
"You seem to know already that ugothols are shapechangers so, assuming that the faceless stalkers are aware that you know this, why would we approach openly if we meant you harm? We'd have tried to sneak up, maybe from the sea, and maybe under cover of darkness. But we're NOT ugothols--they infiltrated our colony. We killed several back home and will likely kill more here if we can find their base where they're holding our people. If you know where the stalkers might be found and tell us, we'll be off to confront them. With any luck, we'll end their threat to our island and yours. I don't see what harm it would be for you to give us some information about them at least."
Becky Beys Diplomacy Check (Aid Another--Talath):1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12SUCCESS! (+3 to Talath's check due to Helpful trait)
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky thinks she recognizes what the unusual creatures are, and thus she understands why the faceless stalkers cannot infiltrate their ranks. Raising her empty hands to show she means no harm, she addresses what she believes to be living constructs.
"Greetings! We are not ugothols, and we are not your enemies. We come from a village on the island of Ancorato to the east. The faceless stalkers infiltrated our settlement and kidnapped several of our people; we tracked them here. Our leader, Ramona, is a kind and fair person who's already made alliances and trade agreements with the locathah and strix who share Ancorato with us--she'd be willing to make a similar arrangement with your people, I'm sure."
The young bard goes on to speak of where the colonists originally came from and their generally peaceful intentions towards the area's native populations. Eventually, though, she gets back around to the faceless stalkers and kidnapped colonists.
"It appears from your wariness about us that you've seen other humans or disguised agothols on this island. Did any of them appear to be tied up or otherwise restrained? We've searched two areas--some caves inland south of here and the Wheels of Heaven--for the stalkers and our missing people but have seen no sign of either. Do you know where else on the island the agothols dwell? If you can point us in the right direction, we will gladly leave you in peace. Perhaps we might return later with proof that we've eradicated your enemies (and ours) so that we might enter peaceful negotiations...."
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky lets out a worried "Yeep!" at Mauro's urgent warning and scrambles down the stairs, following in Asher's wake. "Run!" she yelps at Crispin before starting her escape attempt.
I followed Asher's lead and considered the staircase to be difficult terrain.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky crinkles her nose as she identifies the magical ring. She also recognizes the valuable jade statue to depict Ydersius, ancient god of the serpentfolk race, bitter enemies of the Azlanti civilization.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky reaches into her coin pouch and draws forth three gold pieces before casting a spell on them. She then aims at the first chaos beast and fires her first coin at it!
I don't believe the chaos beast's SR comes into play here, as the coins are no longer magical (i.e.--no magic damage) once they leave her hand. I'll roll a CL check just to be safe, however.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
===================================================
SURPRISE ROUND
===================================================
Becky casts beacon of luck and steps forward a bit, while starting to spit out what she knows of chaos beasts.
===================================================
ROUND 1
===================================================
Becky's preaching about a chaos beast's abilities and weaknesses (see beneath spoiler above) takes on a magical effect as she uses her Naturalist ability to aid her friends in the coming battle. Then she shouts "BLAM!" while casting sound burst, centering it 5 feet behind the chaos beast so it won't also affect Mauro's skeleton.
Bardic Performance (Naturalist--Chaos Beast): Round #1 of 18. +2 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky moved forward to investigate when the squealing first sounded; now she moves forward again until the tortured thing comes into sight. When Crispin mentions a chaos beast, the brainy bard starts sorting through her memory banks to recall what she knows of such creatures.
Not sure if I rolled high enough for Becky to initiate her Naturalist ability against the monster. She'll start Naturalist if she made the check; otherwise, I'll post another action later.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
"Sounds sort of like a big rat, but there's something horrible and unnatural about the way it's squeaking!" Becky comments, moving forward (assuming those in front of her do so). "Looks like we're in the right place...but it also looks like maybe the stalkers have abandoned this place," she adds, waving her light-enchanted rapier back and forth to examine the cave better.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky ponders Talath's words. "That might explain why they're still the faceless stalkers' enemies and haven't already been infiltrated and wiped out."
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
"HOME is where we'll most likely find our missing colonists...or at least some clue to their whereabouts," Becky declares fairly confidently. "In any event, that's the closest site to where we are now."
"We ought to check out the faceless stalkers' 'ENEMIES' as well before we leave this island. The enemy of my enemy might prove to be a friend, but then again, could prove to be an enemy of our colony as well, depending upon its nature. Threat or potential ally or trade partner, we ought to at least check that site out."
Becky's PSA aside, her player admits to buying a couple packs of beef hot dogs from a brand he hasn't bought in like 10+ years, thinking "I'll fry 'em up (in butter!); how bad could they taste? Well, it turns out they're not very good. Live and learn....
I'm gonna buy some corn on the cob, though; that'll give me a second chance for delicious melty butter! Planning on making macaroni salad as well.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky tentatively takes the magic sword from Asher and takes some practice swings with it. From the display, you'd all agree the noodle-armed bard would be more of a hazard to the party than to any opponent while attempting to wield the heavier blade.
She's heard that after a while, owners start to look a bit like their pets. Alternating her glance between poor Asher and Huntress, Becky decides to keep that observation to herself.
Though she's indeed proficient with longswords, Becky's already invested in the Weapon Finesse feat. Even with the better damage, she won't be hurting things much in melee. She just tries to mainly flank in combat and occasionally use her Helpful trait to make sure that the heavy hitters like Asher and Mauro connect on their swings.
She might be interested in the handy haversack, though; that way Asher wouldn't have to carry around her enchanted eelskin.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky lets out a frightened squeak when she sees just how big the giant mimic is. That brief exclamation is followed by everything she knows about the creatures, including, "BIG mimic! Aberration! Kill it, Asher!"
After fortifying her allies with her Naturalist ability, the bard lets out another screech, but no sound comes from her lips!
Naturalist (mimic) as a move action; cast ear-piercing scream
(defensively) as a standard action.
Bardic Performance (Naturalist--Mimic): Round #3 of 18. +2 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities.
NOTE: Originally included a 5-foot step before looking at the combat map; changed it to casting defensively.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Mauro Ocela wrote:
This thing appears to be alone in this ruined watchtower and is now surrounded by opponents; do we want to switch tracks to intimidation?
Becky does NOT want to switch to Intimidate, mainly 'cause she's a wimpy little pipsqueak. She's only maintaining her Bluff so everyone else can attack the thing, hopefully with surprise!
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Karnax wrote:
"Wait... Are you playing hooky?"
"I wouldn't say that!" Becky replies. "We got separated from the others and had to improvise. We stole the humans' last boat to get back here. Also, that makes it next to impossible for them to pursue, even if they knew where to look."
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky's engrossed with studying the map on the wall and jumps when the table speaks. The teen recovers her wits quickly, however, replying in Aquan, "You startled me, Karnax! How many others have made it back?"
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky looks a bit disappointed but hands the lenses of detection over to Asher immediately. She also looks embarrassed that she didn't offer him healing immediately after the battle herself.
She shrugs at Talath's words. "Maybe. Hard to be certain, since the destruction of Azlant happened so long ago. We have an idea of the bigger picture of what happened then, but what happened locally--on this particular area of the empire--is anyone's guess."
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
After the battle with the wraiths, Becky finds an old skeleton inside one of the large hollow trees. Casting detect magic, the smartpants bard is soon removing several magical items from the makeshift tomb, identifying most of the items after a quick examination.
I believe that by taking 10 on Spellcraft checks, Becky can ID everything except the scabard of many blades and the necklace of adaptation (though since we've found several of these, maybe the GM will be nice and give Becky a slight bonus which would allow her to ID that as well). Becky has an interest in the lenses of detection for her work with clockworks.
As the group sits shivering in the watchtower, Becky tells what she knows of the place. "This place was likely used both as a defensive position against the dangers of the island and to collect taxes from those who passed through. This island, Zanas-Tahn, translates to "sacred hills." It stands to reason that this area was once home to many temples, shrines, and other holy sites of ancient Azlant...though I'm not sure if any of them survive to this day." When she gets a few blanks stares from her comrades, Becky frowns, crosses her arms, and says, "What? Am I the only one who took notes during the lessons given by Ariel and Urlana, the celedons of Acavna??!!"
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Is it OK for me to add a 5-foot step away from the wraith to Becky's actions? That way she'll be able to safely cast without the worry of casting defensively or suffering an AoO...unless the wraith follows her on its turn.
N Female Human Bard (Archivist) 7 | hp --52-- 52/52 NL [0] | AC 21, t 13, ff 18 | Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +8 | BP 16/18 | Init +3 | Perc +11 | Speed 30 ft. | Bard Spells 1st 4/5; 2nd 3/4 ; 3rd 0/1| Lore Master 1/1 | Shirt 1/1 | Wand of CLW 30/50 | Conditions: none | To-Do List
Becky again reaches out again and tries to touch a wraith. "Stay still and take your medicine!" she half jokes, trying to keep up her courage against the frightful foes.
Targeting red if still up and fighting; otherwise, she'll move to blue. Also, she's maintaining her Naturalist performance.
Bardic Performance (Naturalist--Wraiths): Round #2 of 18. +2 insight bonus to AC and on attack rolls and saving throws against extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities.
