Blood Eagle's page

DM Beckett
Blood Stone <Will appear under Blood Eagle>
53,74 - 14
Liberty's Edge
No Day Job Activity

Thanks again for running. I wasn't sure with all the talk about this one just what the issues where, but I'm glad I have a better idea, and thank you running.

I'll talk to Helgga to get her to post ASAP. I think she decided early on that this scenario was not for her, and felt she couldn't really contribute in any meaningful way, except in that last combat where she was travelling. Mostly an issue with bringing the wrong character to this one, I think.

DM Star Reroll: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
That was very strange. For some reason, it added this originally to the first post, but now is gone.

Dang it, my post to help Jazmin's checks was eaten. :(
Oh well, it had a few jokes, but didn't really add too much. I'm ok to move on.

Making his way into the room, Blood Stone pays the proper respects as he does so, No Profession Ranks, Wis Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6.

"Good day pathfinders, I hope you have been treated well and find yourselves in good health. Please be seated... I understand you know why you are gathered here. If not let me be quick about this."

"And you as well, General. It's been an experience, but no complaints." Taking a seat, he concludes, "Yes, we have been accused of a few nasty things."

"Firstly, congratulations on your exemplary training regime, I've understand you completed the basic training in very good time, not to mention some field duty.I recognize you stopped a mess in the Casino the other night."

"Yes ma'am. Nothing too difficult, but it was still challenging, and different than the sorts of tests and missions we are used to. However, to give credit where credit is due, the whole casino job was really all Jazmin and Rogan. Their great intuition and superior skills at observation did all the work."

However, Captain Othis has reported that your behaviour and performance to be dismal, bullying recruits, destroying obstacle courses, attracting trouble in general. And has recommended the pathfinders to be un-associated in any way to the Ungrounded. However, as a responsible General, I required to investigate this myself as I was told the Pathfinders are a very reputable organization."[/b]

"And that's something we can understand and respect. It's no secret that Captain Othis and we have had,. . . issues. As I understand it, this is not uncommon. But, I also understand that there seemed to have been something in particular about us that offended the Captain. Maybe us, maybe the Pathfinder Society, we don't know."

"One thing about these charges, one I was not aware of until just now, was that we "bullied recruits". This is an outright falsehood. In fact, in every occasion we have done our best just to be able to fit in. To earn our place here, to learn how things are done here. In fact, anyone can plainly see that my heritage is linked to this plane, and one of the things I've personally tried to do here is to reconnect with that heritage while here. I was very uncomfortable with the notion of attacking my own kind, even in training, and you can ask any of them. I withheld from attacking them, and afterwards, not only did I heal their wounds, I also made every effort to both use it as a teaching opportunity and also to heal their morale and spirits as well."

"We did not call them weak, nor put them down for loosing the trial of battle, but rather tried to build them up following that defeat, showing points to learn from, and that we had been mainly lucky, which we where."

"We as Pathfinders are taught very early on to work as a team, and to rely on others. This is also, more importantly to me, also something that my faith teaches, that the strength of the nation comes from it's bonds to each other, not from the individual." as he references his holy symbol of Torag.

"It is difficult to argue this accusation without actually being accussed of something specific, though. In what cases did we "bully" anyone? Who, and when?"

Enhanced Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15 <nope>

No, it was a joke, meant to get him a few extra push-ups. I'd been trying to hand it to Giacomo right when we where getting introduced, pretending (very, very poorly) it was real.

Water Special Forces Agent Casanova,
.
We udder understand you have been given a special mission for the armies of Water guys. We approve of your oddac... audac, of your awesomeness in showing those dirty Earthy's how a real army guy does it. Semper Fi!!!
.
We hope you received the bag of cookies we sent you as well. Make sure no Earthy's get them, so eat them all before going to their Earthy realm, and make sure there is no trace of the cookies for them to enjoy. They can't handle them, anyway. They stupid, so should not be hard.
-
The Water Army Guys.

Just out of curiosity, how much of the charges against us relate to the note I slipped into Giacomo's pack at the start? Either way, I think that's pretty awesome, and it was completely spontaneous.

I don't necessarily believe the Captain is behind it. She could be, but all of the evidence we have is ultimately very circumstantial. Anyone could have put the rocks atop the wall, or hinted at the caravan being particularly vulnerable. For all we know, it was the Commander that is behind it all and was only at the casino to see us go down, (and it just so happened we noticed the disguise because it was a disguise). Which, also means that the real person could have gotten right by us. . .

For me, the biggest issue I'm seeing is just how un-military-like it's presented. Not because of it itself, but rather because it really plays with my expectations. I keep trying to pretend I'm playing this as if my only knowledge of how a military training should be was straight out of Full Metal Jacket, (I'm actively trying to ignore my own experience and get into a mindset I'd expect for the game), and different common movie troupes, but it sort of seems that the scenario doesn't even care about those basic things.

I think it's pretty obvious that we've been set up the whole time. I get the sense that we are supposed to figure out the Captain's motive and why she wants us to fail, but I have no idea how to approach that. Any ideas?

I think maybe we where supposed to break into her quarters or something, but that seems like something none of us would do, well, maybe the Player that controls Helgga. . .

Not only is it sort of immoral, but it also seems to be against the whole idea of the mission, which was to survive and impress the foreign army.

It's also worth noting that this was sort of the big complaint about this scenario, (in addition to the Captain deriding the PCs). I have not read the scenario myself, but I'm pretty confident based on hearsay that this is squarely on the scenario's author and not the DM, being sort of an open sandbox, but without anywhere to really go or anything reasonable to actually try. Because of that, I sort of feel sorry for suggesting this scenario.

The only other possibilities I could really see is asking around the other soldiers, or going to speak to the commander preemptively.

Trying to track down the "merry band of elemental thieves" seems like it might be a good idea too, but I sort of took us rushing back as a sign of "that's outside the scope of this scenario".

Moved my response to the discussion thread.

Maybe an Aid Another on Diplomacy might help? (16 kind of sucks)

As soon as the threat ends, Nef runs out, along with the rest in hiding, to thank you all profusely. "Thank you, thank you so much! It's a good thing we hired you huh. Marauding elemental gangs are failry common outside the Vault. But they are normally found much much further out, and I don't know if they would attack people so openly. But I guess times are changing huh?"

"Or maybe they just had some extra incentive to this time. . ." he grumbles to himself.

After returning home the the barracks, Blood Stone notices the note on the door, and stops, the revelry of yet another victory, even such an easy one now drained as he reads it aloud. "well, if that isn't the best "welcome back and good job" I've ever gotten,. . ." he says sarcastically.

Ignoring it for the time being, he drops off his gear and, acting as if nothing was out of the ordinary makes his way to report back in to the Captain for his normal reporting.

Afterwards, he will try to go grab some grub. If anyone else is around at the time, he will make his way over to them, not really allowing a "no" for an answer as he simply plops down at their table, and ask bluntly of the other soldiers or recruits, "Any idea what this is all about? This some sort of final hazing prank? Or are we just that good, ha ha."

Gather Information: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

Blood Stone circles around, avoiding being attacked by what could very well be a relation of some sort and calls on the healing powers of his faith. Normally, Torag would look down on this sort of thing, healing when there is still a fow in need of smiting the crap out of, but, being that she is one of his people, and a single lucky hit might change that from "is" to "was", Blood Stone figures he would understand.

Remove Fear -> CLW: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Don't forget Inspire Courage, it grants you a +1 to both Attacks and Damage Rolls. :)

Laying a calming hand on the large snake's side, "Calm. I'm certain their clumsiness was just an accident."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Calling out to the rest of the party, "Set up?.

Rogans offers to take point and stays a bit ahead of the group and constantly scanning the route. "I still don't trust that Othis. Mark my words, this is some sort of trap. I'll scout ahead a bit to hopefully get a jump on any danger."

"I agree, but it seems nothing we have tried will either help her or us to figure it out. Might as well just let it happen be ready for it when it does."

Later

While the faster folks start scouting, Blood Stone stays nearer the caravan itself, offering to assist Nef and Annie if needed, and attempting to pass the time with small talk, but remaining vigilant.

"How are you. How did you wind up here doing this? What's the craziest thing you ever encountered in this line work? How about on this stretch?" that sort of thing.

"It is our job, and we can do nothing less than our best. I am ready, unless we want to see about transportation."

I kind of think anything we say or ask is going to go nowhere, so might as well just head out and get started.

"Not really, Captain. Our success will bring you and the Ungrounded much glory and honor. It is our pleasure.", figuring whatever he might ask will simply be too far above her head to really get a decent answer.

Turning to the rest of the group, "Shall we start heading that way, then? Maybe if we get there early we can do a little scouting? Find good places for an ambush, or areas we might need to be mindful of? Perhaps we can buy some horses for the day, too."

A thought suddenly dawns on him, as he turns back to the Captain, "Perhaps, if a few of the real soldiers and warriors are not using them, we could maybe barrow a few Ungrounded uniforms? I know we have not earned them yet, Captain, but, we are so weak and stupid still, not having completed our training and stuff, any thieves or scum might see the uniforms and think we where real soldiers, and have second thoughts. . ."

Enhanced Diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

B. Stone is ready to go.

I was thinking the same thing.

Thinking for a few moments, his mind almost as slow as his grumbling speech pattern, "It has been a very, long time since I was here, in this realm. I would like to see the site. I do not even really remember anything here. I was too young. I wonder if there is anything else we could do to bring glory to the Pathfinder Society here, or the Ungrounded?"

I just wanted to let everyone know I'm finally home, and should now have full access to the game/maps, and able to post much more frequently. I apologize to all for my absence earlier.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 Linguistics: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

B. Stone simply stands back a bit, uncertain about any deception, but wishing to remain see and ready.

-Posted with Wayfinder

No worries. Little to no internet has made it difficult for me to follow, so Im trying to catch up, and I just wanted to get a post in.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Seeing from afar Jazmine approach a strange woman directly rather than hang back and observe the area, B. Stone catches Giacomo's attention, "Hey, let's go see what is up. Might be nother, but, why don't you casually circle around to the left and I will the right. If we see any indication of danger,. . . "

Just wanted to give a head's up. I've finally made it to the field and set up, but now that I'm here, my internet signal is incredibly weak to non-existent.

This is the first time I've been able to get on, and I will try to be more active now that I'm able to, somewhat, but feel free to bot me as needed. Once I get a change to inform al of my games, I'll start going through and catching up on what's been going on thus far.

Again, apologies for vanishing.

"...but they can't be too smart if they want to setal from a dragon."

"Isn't that every single Pathfinder's biggest dream?"

I think the problem may be that (at least some of us) are walking into this one with a bunch of assumptions that might not be correct.
* Are we locked down to the base? I'm sort of assuming that we are not allowed to leave our rooms except to go to the mess hall or wherever we are told to be for training.
* What really is there here, on the base, that we can really even go explore or look into?
* Is there someone obvious that's in charge of the Captain? <I would assume we would all know this so that we know who's orders to follow>

I'm okay sort of moving beyond this first part, as I know how it feels when the proverbial ball keeps getting tossed back to your court as the DM, but honestly, for that part, I feel like we are kind of caught in between too much metagaming, (either doing something because of possible metagaming, or not doing things because of other assumptions and possible metagaming).

"It sounds fairly standard, Captain. We got this, and shall do the Ungrounded proud."

Helgga and I are ready to go as well. She is prepping for a family trip while I'm prepping to go to the field for a month, but neither of us really had anything in particular we wanted to do or anyone to speak to. Breaking into the Captain's personal living quarters seems both outside the scope of this scenario and wrong, so I'm not really sure what else we should do here.

No one for me, but again, OOC, I don't see this as particularly out of the norm, besides the fact that there seems to be no instruction given after the fact.

Retroactive Sense Motive for the Oreads: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Once we get a chance to speak freely amongst ourselves, I'll go ahead and bring up my observations, "Indeed, when I offered to help, she seemed, both interested, but was also clearly hiding something. Suspicious. But, do you remember back to when we had to rush and climb the wall. Someone had purposefully placed rocks on the top that where designed to fall on us."

Which I don't really see as bad in any way, it's supposed to be challenging and dangerous, right. :P

"Did anyone else notice anything out of the ordinary about the other obstacles? Or notice how we keep getting handicapped by not being allowed to use our natural talents. It's almost as if she, or her superiors, believes that magic might reveal something. Or, she knows who is setting things up to make us fail and trying to cover their tracks."

Slightly edited my post above.

Sense Motive DC 20: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

"That was interesting. . ." as she walks away, knowing now is not the time to discuss it. "But, none of us are ALONE. Perhaps LATER, we can all meditate on this experience, hopefully TONIGHT, and TALK with the other to find a way through what is ultimately all of our failures.", hoping that the other Pathfinders are familiar with the old Pathfinder cant, a small trick agents are taught about incorporating certain body language and specific phrases into a statement to conceal doublespeak and coded messages.

Turning back to the other Oreads, "Don't worry about it, friends. We are all just doing our jobs, and you fought well. As I said, you where out numbered, and we have had the advantage of years of training in adverse conditions. In the end, we all can use this opertunity as an example. It might not have been a life or death situation, but now we can all use this to do better next time for when it very well might be." as he walks over to shake each of their hands and offer further healing if required.

"None of us can do this alone, and I'm not going to lie, you had us on the ropes there for a while. It was only by luck we managed to turn things around, and it could have gone very differently. Besides, you where clearly taking it easy on us for our first time. No shame in wanting to give us a small boost to morale before things get really, really bad." partially suspecting that something else is going on and partially to help them "save face".

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Afterward, my initial reaction, even as we are being congratulated, is to begin to call on the healing powers of my faith, allowing it to wash over both the party and the Oreads we had just fought. Even the Captain, should she require it.

Chanel Energy x3: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) = 9

"So, that was a little bit pointless. . ." he comments, looking around. "Win or lose, what does this prove? That we can outnumber our foes and happen to get a few lucky hits in. No offense, and yes, we very easily might have lost here, and that might have been a well earned lesson, but you really need to step up your game here if this is how you train your warriors. This was nothing more than rolling the dice. There was no real lesson here, no "sometimes you need to dig deep and find the strength to fight on when things are not fair". No "you need to learn to depend on your brothers and sisters in order to fight through". I'm getting the impression you are new at this, and I'm no expert. But, we have learned a few things about challenging and teach recruits from when we went through our own training. If you want, maybe we could help. In the end, all we have is each other to depend on."
Enhanced Diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

If the Blue Oread is still standing:
Blood Stone, just wanting this mock fight to be over so that he can check on his friend swings recklessly.

Flanking vs Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Nonlethal Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

If Jazmine drops the Oread we are facing:

Blood Stone will charge, running slowly, but making it all the way towards the last mock foe and attempt to deliver a slamming strike so that this will end and he can heal all warriors on the field.

Charge vs Green: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15
Nonlethal Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

If both Blue and Green have been dropped already:
Blood Stone instead move in closer to the party, "It is done. Now, rise warriors, and allow your wounds to dissipate."
Channel Energy to Heal: 1d6 ⇒ 2

"This is so pathetic!" Blood Stone curses at the string of poor luck his team is enduring. One of ours is already down, another half way towards following him, and I can't hit the broad side of a barn, hanging suspended above it with gravities help!

Thankful for Jasmine's assistance, Bloodstone give his training hammer another swing, his anger at himself for such failure starting to overcome his desire to not hurt others when they are not truly enemies.

Warhammer vs Blue: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Nonlethal: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

If that drops the Oread, I've drawn an arrow that I'd move to afterwards.

Does NL mean negative levels?

-Posted with Wayfinder

As mentioned, its referring to Non-Lethal damage, attacks that are designed to knock someone out rather than kill them. Normally, most people have to take a -4 to their attack roll and specify they want to deal mon-lethal damage, because they are purposefully holding back and using their weapon in an inappropriate way, such as the blunt flat side of a sword to hit.

In this case, because our weapons are training weapons, they automatically deal Non-lethal damage with no penalty. Non-Lethal damage works similarly to Lethal (normal) damage in many ways, but instead of dying when yiur HP drops too low, you get knocked out instead. Non-Lethal also heals much faster.

Stepping over slightly, Blood Stone raises his hammer high to try to bring down his opponent again, all the while uncertain. A small bit of him holds back, knowing his foe is not truely an enemy, and that this is not a true battle to the death.

None the less, he does what he can, but his apprehension gets the best of him still.

Warhammer vs Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Nonlethal: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

I have been rolling a lot of 3's lately. I mean a lot.

@ Helgga: We are fairly restricted in weapon choices, which kind of screws some of over more than others, but all in all is not too bad. You will loose your Weapon Focus Feat, which sounds bad, but is not really that devastating. I'd suggest really one of two options here;
1.) A Heave Flail which would take up both hands, but deal more damage and for you would be <+5 to hit, 1d10+3 damage>
2.) A sling, which would be a ranged weapon, and not ideal, but might allow you to stay back still act, for you <+2 to attack and 1d4+2 damage>, if that's an option.

Walking slowly, Blood Stone circles around the Oread nearest him, leveling his training Warhammer as the other warrior.

Warhammer vs Blue: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Nonlethal Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

The Warhammer clanks off of the Oread's stony skin and nearly snaps from the vibrations of such a poor hit.

Same here. I've been working really long hours preparing for a deployment, and the wife is just finishing up this semester. I have not had a lot of time to help her with posting, but hopefully we should be freed up more in the near future.

"And who are we to be practicing on, Captain?"

Dang it. I had posted I had just wanted to put some extra work in on the obstacle course, but it got eaten. I had nothing really special I wanted to do other than take a little walk around the complex to pass the time and take some notes about what we have encountered.

I can also channel energy to heal everyone, including the other Ungrounded if they need.

Looking over some of the practice weapons, I'd like to take a warhammer, but, if someone else has an eye for it because we are fairly limited to blunt weapons, I'll pick a Heavy mace instead.

In either case, a quick inspection of the weapon, just to make sure it is functional, if not pretty.

Craft/Appraise: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20

-Posted with Wayfinder

Know Planes DC 18: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"Um. . . the Dwarves that I grew up with had a legend. There was a natural pool underground, where water from seep down from atop the mountain, making its way slowly through the stone to collect in this pool."

"They believed a spirit of rain and thunder lived there, guarding her shores from those who would try and claim or spoil the pool, and speaking to lost children who couldn't find their way home."

"Im not really sure who would want to live in a place thats all underwater. Sea Cave Bears? Starfishies?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Know Planes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Regardless of my roll, the answer will be the same.

Holding his sacred weapon up with pride, "The same way you counter anyone else's fighting style. . . With a big damn hammer!"

-Posted with Wayfinder

"Arg!"

Seeing the waterling do it with such ease, Bloodstone takes a step into the gunk and tries to make it across.

Swim 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Swim 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Climb 1: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 with Guidance and Aid)
Climb 2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Being slower, Blood Stone gives it the old Pathfinder try just as Rogan makes his way up to the wall but his short legs slip about half way up and he is left hanging.

"Hey" he whispers to Rogan and the group, "it looks like these rocks have been set to fall on us."

Knowing he has to redeem himself after the last obsticle's utter blunder, he gives it all he can to try and pull himself up.

Stone Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Climb 3 (later): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Is it vs regular or FF AC?

-Posted with Wayfinder

odd, could have sworn Id posted again yesterday.

A little perturbed at being given tasks he is so poor at, Blood Stone drops down to give it another try.

Escape Artist 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Escape Artist 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

-Posted with Wayfinder

You bastard! :P

Dropping to the ground in a pile of rocks still vaguely held together to keep his humanoid shape, Blood Stone begins to slowly, but steadily make his way beneath the wire.

If I can take 10, I will.
Blood Stone Escape Artist 1: 10 + 2 = 12
Blood Stone Escape Artist 2: 10 + 2 = 12
If not:
Blood Stone Escape Artist 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Blood Stone Escape Artist 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7
---

Following suite the waterling seems to have a much easier time at this obstacle, his body flowing and weaving beneath, without too much difficulty, (I assume).

Casanova Escape Artist 1: 10 + 2 = 12
Casanova Escape Artist 2: 10 + 2 = 12
or
Casanova Escape Artist 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Casanova Escape Artist 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Two more attempts to get myself killed you mean. . .

"I'm goin', I'm goin'. . . One thing you should know about us Pathfinder-types. We don't give up when we stumble and fall on a few little pebbles that scrape our knee. We find a way."

Acrobatics 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Acrobatics 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
-
Refl 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Refl 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Huh. . .

Cassanova's wife came home from surgery, so he might have his hand's a bit full. If he is cool, I'll roll for him, or he can roll when he gets a chance.

Stepping up to the oiled log after seeing his team have such trouble, he closes his eyes and tries to cross it quickly, not looking down, and focusing on the way the water moves within a container, splashing from one side to the other, but always returning to the center, afterwards, settling down.

Cassanova's Acrobatics 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
Cassanova's Acrobatics 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 2 = 22

Refl 1 if needed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Refl 2 if needed: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Ah, my speciality. . . Sigh

Refl 1: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Refl 2: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

-Posted with Wayfinder