Blueberry Peat's page

"These mirrors are annoying," they say as they shoot at the mirror Rowan just stepped through.

◆ Strike
Hand crossbow attack vs mirror: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Hand crossbow damage (piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 5

They then turn and begin heading toward Rowan.
◆ Stride
◆ Stride

Peat glances around. "The Sailor's Port? Then which port is this?" They look at the map. "Oh, this is the ... Water Port..." They then mumble, "Clever naming ..." Then, louder, says, "Yeah, we can go talk to Eugenie about this workforce logistics issue. But you are sure that you have a cart available for us to use, right? Has it already been paid for?"

They manipulate probabilities. See how Clides rolls three 8's in a row and then I rolled three 11's in a row? Clearly it's witchcraft!

Peat runs into the room, charging toward Rowan. "Your villainy ends now!"

◆ Stride

◇ Devise Stratagem against target of investigation
Recall Knowledge (Society) w/ investigation bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 8 + 1 = 20
Stratagem roll: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Thinking they may have a decent shot at an attack, they swing their rapier in an attempt to throw Rowan off.

◆ Feint
Deception vs Perception DC w/ party condition bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 2 = 19

Then they shift, throwing their real blow with the rapier.

◆ Strike
Rapier strike vs (off-guard?) Rowan: 11 + 8 + 1 = 20
Rapier damage w/ strategic strike: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 4) = 10

This seems a bit of a princely sum for a mule, but they don't actually know the economics of this island. Maybe horses and mules are hard to come by out here. Not getting a sense they're being intentionally swindled by the farmer, they decide to leave this as something that Inizkat can negotiate down the road if needed.

Holding Mister Oats' reins, "So, on to get the cart, then? Um... c'mon Mister Oats." He tugs a bit.

Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"I said c'mon, Mister Oats!" they repeat, this time a bit more imploringly.

Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Mister Oats seems to take pity on the leshy and follows along.

Peat looks over the animal, suspecting there may be some negotiating to be done. "How much did Inizkar pay? Can we get a receipt, please, that outlines the amount paid and the value of the creature? Is there any change due?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Clides, I believe all of the ghouls are dead. I think the slashthrough tagging on purple just missed a slash.

Peat runs over behind Zisiro.

◆ Stride

◇ Devise Stratagem associated w/ Investigation at green ghoul
Stratagem die: 1d20 ⇒ 17

Seeing an opening, they draw their hand crossbow and fire at the green ghoul.

◆ Interact: Draw hand crossbow

◆ Strike
hand crossbow attack w/ stratagem: 17 + 8 = 25
hand crossbow damage (piercing) w/ strategic damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 1) = 7

Peat is more than happy to take a lower bunk, to avoid climbing challenges.

"I can mix up some antidotes, if needed, though not a ton of them," Peat offers to Randall.

Once settled in, he again looks at the list. "So, off to get the cart, then? Or should we check on the horse first? Wouldn't want to put the cart before the horse, would we?"

From his vantage in the windowsill, Peat surveys the nearest of the ghouls and tries to come up with an attack plan.

◇ Devise Stratagem on target related to investigation
Recall Knowledge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
"These are the same ones as before! Watch out for the stench, and don't let them whisper to you. Go for that one's left leg!" Auto-crit, apparently, so everyone gets +1 to attack orange from Known Weaknesses.
Stratagem Roll: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Feeling the need for some advantage, Peat tries to intimidate orange
◆ Demoralize
Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Peat then hurls a seedpod at orange.

◆ Strike
Seedpod attack w/ Stratagem and Weakness bonus vs. frightened orange: 7 + 8 + 1 = 16
Seedpod damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

◆ Leap
They remember the ghoul's stench, and leaps from the windowsill onto the table, trying to keep a bit of distance from the ghouls for as long as they can.

Peat shrugs at the list. "Guess we'll have to ask this Summer person about that."

"Where did Havilah go? Will they be joining us at the observatory?"

They consider the surrounding area. "How long is the travel to Nal-Shakar? When are we planning to set out?"

Peat looks at the list and says to the group, "We're at the port, so might as well get the cart first. Would probably be useful in carrying the other things."

Peat climbs up in the window, pulling a hammer out of his repair kit (rapier in the other hand), and with a few quick bangs makes it so the whole window falls inward ... hoping to draw the attention of any enemies inside, possibly away from the door. Who knows, if someone's inside by the window maybe it even lands on them.

Crafting Initiative: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

At least that's the plan. Instead, Peat just smashes the window with his hammer, revealing himself to the room. "Oh, hello!"

I modified my profile so it has my Organized Play character sheet and my Shades of Blood character sheet in separate spoilers. When the special is over, I'll update my stat line with the Shades of Blood info, but right now it reflects the Organized Play info instead.

Image of Blueberry Peat

Over the last several weeks, you have gotten to know the small creature made of vines, sticks, leaves, and, of course, blueberries, who could never be mistaken for an ordinary human at any glance. They joined up on the expedition with an interest in learning new things and exploring new places. Though they have never received any sort of formal education, they have a knack for a variety of things, including alchemy and astronomy, and so applied for a position with the research expedition. They can be seen sitting out on the deck at night until the wee hours of the morning, looking up at the stars, making notes about the patterns in the night sky.

As you approach the town, Peat stands along the ship's railing, looking to see if they can catch sight of the observatory. "It'll be great to finally meet Inizkat, won't it? I can't wait to get started on our research."

Having now arrived finally at Talmandor's Bounty, Peat now scampers along the deck using a walking stick to help with balance, and then along the gangway, and ultimately onto the dock. They look around to get a lay of the land in this new location and find any place of interest nearby ... or heading straight to the observatory, if they could see it from the boat or dock.

Occultism w/ Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27

Peat takes a different tactic, looking for more esoteric clues on how to counterbalance the ring.

GM: Can you give feedback on whether Peat is going to be a debilitated character concept?

Peat says to Zuza and Agate, as Zisiro makes progress, "This must be more of an religious situation than an arcane one..."

Arcana (trained): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14

Peat offers what advice they can, though this is far from their area of expertise.

Thanks, I didn't know about the journeybread. Thematically, if the GM would allow that to be in the form of a nutrient paste that I could rub on my vines/roots, then that would probably work.

Peat's crafting is usually more in the alchemical style, but he's looked at a few clockwork things and thinks he can figure out this machine.

Crafting w/ Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 10 + 1 = 17

I was going to learn the formula for ration tonic, in case we have to deal with a period where we lack the sun ... but just realized that ration tonic is a magical potion not an alchemical elixir, so I can't make it.

Which means, if the sun does get blotted out for some period of time, this ancestry trait becomes problematic:

Plant Nourishment

You gain nourishment in the same way that the plants or fungi that match your body type normally do, through some combination of photosynthesis, absorbing minerals with your roots, or scavenging decaying matter. You typically do not need to pay for food. If you normally rely on photosynthesis and go without sunlight for 1 week, you begin to starve. You can derive nourishment from specially formulated bottles of sunlight instead of natural sunlight, but these bottles cost 10 times as much as standard rations (or 40 sp).

I am fine with Peat being inconvenienced by the lack of sun ... even devoting myself to a major side quest where I try to come up with the money to buy a nourishing aeon stone or something ... but I also don't want to have a character who becomes fundamentally unplayable because weeks or months of downtime pass when we don't have access to the sun.

So I guess I'd just ask if these expensive "specially formulated bottles of sunlight" will be treated as common availability in the campaign, so I won't have trouble buying them if needed.

Alternately, I do have an entirely different fungus leshy character that would be interesting in this, and would have the benefit of not risking starvation without access to the sun.

Peat walks over to the remaining Dispatch member. "C'mon, buddy, how 'bout you just tell us the way through this maze." While the others try to work out the path, Peat continues trying to cajole the injured assailant.

Diplomacy w/ Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 1 = 20
Diplomacy w/ Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 1 = 12

Not that it matters, but I'm curious for thoughts on this ... from Confusion description:

You use all your actions to Strike or cast offensive cantrips, though the GM can have you use other actions to facilitate attack, such as draw a weapon, move so target is in reach, and so forth.

Based on this description, I didn't use Devise Stratagem as part of my attack, with the assumption that I just couldn't plan out my attack that well being confused. I'd say things like Flurry of Blows, Quick Bomber, Quick Alchemy, etc. would also not be allowed, since they are actions other than Strike. I could see the argument that they "facilitate attack," but they seem more elaborate than the examples given in the condition description.

End of turn Will save: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

After the final swing, Peat finally looks away from the version in the mirror, and seems to realize who they have been attacking. "Oh! So sorry! Don't know what came over me."

The Confused condition says the random target is determined by the GM, but I'll go ahead and randomize it. Since I'm in melee to Cranky & Agate, I guess they are my two viable targets ... 1 is Cranky and 2 is Agate.

In the mirror is a dark reflection, Blackberry Peat! Driven to mental distress by this image, Blueberry Peat lashes out at the nearest targets.

Random enemy: 1d2 ⇒ 2
◆ Strike
Rapier attack w/ quicksilver mutagen vs Agate: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 5 + 1 = 8
Rapier damage (piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 3

Random enemy: 1d2 ⇒ 1
◆ Strike
Rapier attack w/ quicksilver mutagen, MAP vs Cranky: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 - 5 = 17
Rapier damage (piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 1

Random enemy: 1d2 ⇒ 1
◆ Strike
Rapier attack w/ quicksilver mutagen, MAP vs Cranky: 1d20 + 5 + 1 - 10 ⇒ (5) + 5 + 1 - 10 = 1
Rapier damage (piercing): 1d6 ⇒ 4

Jacen Benedictt wrote:

Wanted to bring up varients one more time, after writing to GM.

Free Archetype
Ancestral Paragon
Gradual Ability Boost

Only AP is important to discuss for our characters at Level 1, the others come into play at Level 2.

Any thoughts on these? I guess only AP needs to be decided on at the moment

I am definitely a fan of Free Archetype, and Ancestral Paragon looks fun too. With the action economy, it's nice that having a few extra abilities doesn't tend to unbalance things, just gives more versatility.

I haven't ever played with gradual ability boosts, so don't have a strong feeling either way. I will be creating in Hero Lab, so tracking it won't be an issue.

GM: I am starting at 22/26 because of the drawback on my quicksilver mutagen.

Each time you take damage from an attack or spell, you can attempt a DC 11 flat check to recover from your confusion and end the condition.

Oh, cool, this is clearly the "see how many times in a row we roll under 11" challenge.

Except for our attacks, of course. When attacking allies, we'll definitely get more crits than anytime else in this whole scenario.

Perception w/ Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16

"Not a chance, Sotroz! Our loyalty is to the Pathfinder Society, not a couple of two-bit con men posing as a league of assassins. We're taking you down."

Do we have a map for this?

Right before stepping into the hallway, Peat mixes together some of their chemicals into a silvery liquid and pours it onto their roots.

Using Quicksilver Mutagen: +5 speed bonus and +1 to bunch of Dex-based stuff, but I take 4 damage (that can't be healed until the mutagen wears off)

Peat hands Clides the second one. "Yeah, you can have this for the frying pan."

"If no one wants that other potency crystal, I can use that on my rapier ..."

Peat reclaims the hand crossbow and reloads it.

◇ Devise Stratagem on Orange Mantis
◇ Recall Knowledge (Society) on Orange Mantis: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21
Stratagem Die: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Peat makes a motion as if to reload the crossbow, but instead drops it to the ground as fumbling with it one-handed, holding the rapier in the other hand.

◇ Drop hand crossbow
◆ Create a Diversion
Deception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
I am guessing these trainees don't have a +12 Perception ...

Hopefully fooling the trainee, Peat hurls two rapid seedpod shots at the orange-cloaked mantis trainee.

◆ Strike
Seedpod attack w/ stratagem vs OG orange: 6 + 8 = 14
Seedpod damage (bludgeoning) w/ strategic strike: 1d4 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + (6) = 8

◆ Strike
Seedpod attack w/ MAP: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Seedpod damage (bludgeoning): 1d4 ⇒ 3

House of Mirrors sounds fun.

What is the ETA on start date? Blueberry Peat is still tied up in the special, which I feel may still have a couple of weeks to go. I have a couple of other concepts that I'd be happy to switch to, particularly since I know there was another person looking into Investigator.

"They like ganging up on people ... don't let them get around you."

Seeing that Zisiro is moving on the purple one, Peat focuses their attention on the orange one.

◇ Devise Stratagem on focus of Investigation
◇ Recall Knowledge w/ Known Weaknesses (Society) and Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 8 + 1 = 12
Stratagem die: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Seeing how close Zuza's strike was, Peat bolts forward and screams, trying to throw the orange one of its game.

◆ Stride
◆ Demoralize
Intimidation vs Will DC: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

The move isn't particularly intimidating, but Peat follows up with a crossbow shot.

◆ Strike
hand crossbow attack w/ Stratagem at Orange trainee: 5 + 8 = 13
hand crossbow damage (piercing): 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Unless there's some feat somewhere that allows you a free Recall Knowledge when Initiative is rolled.

The Ranger's Monster Hunter feat gives you a free Recall Knowledge when you Hunt Prey, and with Favored Prey you can Hunt Prey for free with initiative ... so there are some combos that could give you a free Recall Knowledge at initiative.

There hasn't been an actual 8-hour rest to refresh daily preparations since the start of the game has there?

Peat shakes their head upon hearing Brileg's story. "I knew this Sotroz was a dangerous ghoul, but to find out that they're also a ..." shiver "... businessowner. It is too terrifying to imagine."

Upon getting the direction from Giovana, they pull their hand crossbow in one hand and the rapier in the other.

Peat tries to have a soothing little chat with them, nature spirit to nature spirit.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17

Aside from the healing potion we got from the medical cache, have any of the various conditions/effects unlocked anything we should know about? I know sometimes there are various benefits gained if you succeed at different Influence checks and things early on. I don't know if those just weren't available in this special, or if I missed it. (I generally forget to use those benefits anyway.)

So do we have magic folks?

Occultism: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

Peat also tries to figure out how to stop the Haunt.

Peat's leaves begin to wilt. "Oh, dear ..."

Perception w/ Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13

Blueberry Peat points to the artistry on the various furniture pieces, all of which is animal or humanoid.

Occultism w/ Investigation bonus: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 = 13

They are so transfixed on the artistic flourishes on the furniture that they don't notice anything else.

Hey there, Misanthrope. I also enjoyed the Rusthenge game, and would be willing to join in this one ... and think that using my PC from Rusthenge (rebuilt a bit back to Level 1) might be a fun angle. I would be playing Peat as a new arrival to Talmandor's Bounty, having set out to explore a bit after the events of Rusthenge.

"Wow," Peat says, "that's one of the most generous goblins I've ever met."

I am slightly better at Thievery, but suspect the group may lean toward Athletics