Bramelane's page

Anyone interested in taking the "Close Ally" trait with me?

I'd go close ally.

Since we have a healer and a muscle wizard, I was thinking of switching my wizard up and have been trying different builds most of the day.

Using the backgrounds optional rule made me think that crafting might be a thing. So I'm thinking of switching to play a wizard preparing to craft magic weapons for sure and maybe wondrous items eventually.

Will we be able to craft? If not, I'll jettison my current favored build and keep working. If so, I'll finish him up and present him for consideration.

As for personal introductions, I am a third attorney in the group. My old boss made me an offer I couldn't refuse to move back to West LA from Anchorage to work on recreational boating cases again.

No kids, just a medically-retired husband and two wonderful yappy dogs (who have recently become my coworkers)!

I've played mostly in person and by phone, but I did some PbP several years ago and one game very recently.

It's been a while since I played Pathfinder. I was a 5E regional coordinator for a while and so was focusing on that. I don't really have the time to DM an online game right now, but after a couple of volumes of this adventure path I might be able to be persuaded. I've DM'd a lot in person and on the phone and actually don't play as a player very much, so I'm really looking forward to this.

Art: Wizard/Chirugeon - CONTROL

I'm not sure how much "CONTROL" my guy will be as compared to any other wizard. I"m not real used to thinking in those terms, though.

The way I've built him, he has +15 heal at 1st level, speaks a lot of languages, is very good at spell craft, linguistics, knowledge religion, and knowledge arcana and even a bit better at knowledge planes.

He has a high STR (16) and INT (20). Grants a +4 when aiding on trained knowledge skills instead of +2. Specialized in enhancement (transmutation) school. Opposition schools are evocation and illusion. Arcane bond is a suture vine that stops bleed damage.

I suppose I might end up being more tank/support, sort of like a cleric. I was thinking about taking a bunch of enchantment magic, but hadn't really thought much about spell list beyond taking some obvious healing stuff (positive pulse, polypurpose panacea, and celestial healing). I could go with a bunch of conjurations to augment our ability to tank.

If there's a more primary healer, I'm happy to be backup. And if the other healer is a wizard, too, it won't hurt to have two. We're gonna need a lot!

I do up all the stats this evening. I tried this morning, then lost it and had to start working.

Derek, I rebuilt slightly to drop the extra crystalline dust. In exchange, I picked up the extra trait feat and took Audrahni's Ally. Bramelane probably knows her from Magnimar. I made an error taking the poleiheira adherent archetype with worldseeker, as worldseeker requires a familiar. So I dropped poleiheir adherent and will pick up a familiar. I'll make those changes and then fix my stat blocks on here, probably Thursday morning.

A mulit-wizard party is awesome! I'm here for it!

dot

"Hello, I am Motaz," says a young man with fair skin and shoulder-length, sandy blonde hair, beneath which he conceals unusually large ears. He has unusually large pupils. His eyes flash with red power and the fine pelt of blonde hairs on his skin stand up as if electrified. Although Motaz spoke in Common with the heavy accent of an Osirian native, he looks more like a northerner.

Motaz is an aasimar, derived from a fennec agathion, but without the agathion heritage and with the scion of humanity aasimar ability, so his fennec agation qualities fall within the normal human range of characteristics. He just looks like a thin, hairy ulfen with big ears and unusually large pupils.

Motaz played parts 1 and 2 and has the special Mythic Powers cert from Part II. He is therefore suffused with power from the Ruby Sage and gains the following powers from her for this adventure: +2 Wisdom, +12 hit points, Hard to Kill, Amazing Initiative, Recuperation, Mythic Power 9/day (to use on Surge, an additional Amazing Initiative benefit, an additional Recuperation benefit, Absorb Blow, or Legendary Magic). I am updating Motaz's statistics now to reflect these changes and the other changes since the last time I played him online I should be done in an hour or two, depending on interruptions.

Motaz also has the boon "On the Trail of the Diamond Sage" from 5-07 Port Godless. He uses it to obtain an elixir of vision from the Sapphire Sage.

Motaz spends 6,000 gp on a Ring of Spell Knowledge II, in which he places touch of idiocy. He also buys the following items: scroll of see invisibility 150gp, scroll of scorching ray x5 750gp, scroll of arcane lock 175gp, 10 alchemist fires 180gp (Favor of Cartahegn from 2-01 The Bloodcove Disguise grants a 10% discount, scroll case .9gp (same discount), elixir of hiding 250gp, scroll of break enchantment 1,125 gp, scroll of spider climb 150gp, wand of clairaudience/clairyvoyance with 7 charges from 5-07 Port Godless 1575gp, and a cloak of resistance +1 1,000 gp. That's a total of 11,355 of 11,483.37, leaving him 132.47 in various coins and gems. (Sorry, he's been accumulating GM certs for a while.)

Thank you for judging for us!

How much damage does Bramelane take from the fall?

Bramelane now lets loose with glitterdust, placing the spell so that it hits the ambusher, but not Hiko. Then, exhibiting unnecessary old-school machismo drilled into him by his Chelaxian parents decades ago, he jumps out the window to come to Hiko's aid and perhaps draw the attack from her.

Bramelane is untrained in acrobatics. He just plain falls and winds up prone, but he tries to land in another space adjacent to the ambusher, no in the ambusher's space or Hiko's. The Will save DC for the spell is 17.

Small flames descend from the window and illuminate

the area, outlining the ambusher, who curses abundantly.

Bramelane rejoices, thinking to himself. "The power of preparation comes to the rescue again!"

P.S. The flames are....blue.

I put some dots on the map to show where I mean, in case it's not clear.

You don't see him. Please aim the squares you're targetting, and you'll see if he's there or not.

We crossed posts there, I was editing when you ruled. Please see my previous post. Bramelane instead casts faerie fire centered on the ground just below the window since he cannot see the attacker. That will also give us some light out there, even if the attacker is not in the area.

Because Bramelane moved in the surprise round, he saw directly, not through the sensor.

Bramelane moves to the window and casts glitterdust on the attacker. If Bramelane cannot see the attacker, he will instead cast faerie fire from his wand, centered on the ground just below the window.

DC 17 Will save to avoid being blinded, as before.

Actually, I need to change Bramelane's action. He is forewarned, which means he always gets to act in a surprise round. The following actions are for the surprise round and the following round and replace the action in the previous post.

Suprise Round:
Bramelane moves up by the door to see what just happened and to get in position to cast a spell.

1st Round:
Assuming the attacking individual does not move....
Bramelane casts glitterdust centered in the back corner of the room.

Centered there, the spell should catch the attacker but not Husarq. I drew the outline on the map. Obviously it will not go out of the building or through the wall into the next room. The DC to avoid being blinded is 17.

In a panic, Bramelane pulls out a scroll (the one marked "Emergency!" though he briefly considers pulling out the one marked "Life or Death") and casts true strike on himself.

Yes, Bramelane is an old castellan who just needed line of sight and line of effect to scope out the upstairs. He'd much rather be behind a tank or two!

Bramelane steps behind Husarq on the stairs and sets another sensor as far away as he is able at the top.

** spoiler omitted **

GM Lithrac

Bramelane casts light on his staff, then places another send senses sensor to the South.

"The proverbial coast appears to be clear," he says. "Shall we proceed upstairs?"

Cyril, I had to prepare and run this module for the local game day yesterday. I'll be sure not to spoil the plot for the others and will stay out of the strategic decisions from here on out.

Bramelane uses his send senses ability to set a clairvoyance/clairaudience into the building. After scanning through it, he places another on the stairs. The sensors are where I placed the yellow dots on the map. They last 2 rounds each.

"I fail to see how someone could be 'trapped' in such a small house with so many windows and unlocked door. This becomes more obviously a set up with every passing moment. By all means, break down the door. I will be glad to mend it afterwards." Bramelane pulls out a wand and casts shield on himself. He offers the wand to Mareq before putting it away. Then Bramelane readies his wand of faerie fire."[/b]

The sensors can be placed right at the windows! The effect has a range of 150'. I don't have to stand where the sensor is to see through it. That's the whole reason it is called "send senses." However, I do not have a way to see in the dark, so I can only see what any present light reveals.

You are correct. However, even if I do not have line of effect into the building, I have it to the windows and sides of the building, so can use it to listen at doors and windows and peer through windows. If a window is open or if there is some gap sufficient to create line of effect, I can place a sensor just inside. To the extent necessary to place sensors at the windows on the other sides of the buildings, we circle around the buildings at a distance of about 150'.

Before we get that close to the house, Bramelane uses his ability to send senses which has a range of 150', to send a sensor into each and every room of the building (or buildings, it looks like there may be two) to determine what he can see and hear inside. He has 8 uses left today, and each use lets him scan a room for 2 rounds. If there are uses left after scanning obvious rooms, he will attempt to send sensors under the floors of various rooms to look for basements.

Bramelane quietly whispers to the other Pathfinders and the sheriff, as they crouch in hiding 150' away from the building(s) a bit closer if necessary to scan them completely, relating everything he sees as he sees it. If he sees and creatures, he uses his knowledge skills to identify them.

Knowledge Aracana/Nobility +12
Knowledge Local +10
Knowledge All other +9

Here's a roll for an initial creature 1d20 ⇒ 1, assuming there are any.

Bramelane's Profession (Castellan) check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

"That is an excellent idea, Rydderch."

"Fellow Pathfinders, let us go out to the trap, spring it, and exterminate the killer. I grow weary of being toyed with. This note is ridiculous. What trapped person gets conflicting messages out this way? Nevertheless, going out there will give us something to do beyond being accused and manipulated by the soft-minded locals."

"Look, Hiko couldn't possibly have killed anyone. She cannot even stand up, she's been drinking so heavily! These accusations are preposterous!"

Bramelane's Diplomacy Check to aid Mareq or Rhydderch, if Mareq aids Rhydderch: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 14 + 2 = 28

"Dear people, please, think this through. Ambassador Mareq has been with the Sheriff and I the entire afternoon. We can each vouch for his whereabouts, so he cannot possibly have done this. Furthermore, he is a spell caster, and likely could not kill even one person with a dagger, much less two. I also could not have done it. I am a wizard, and an old one at that. I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a dagger, much less kill a man."

"Sheriff, perhaps you should examine the bodies and talk to any witnesses before you anyone else is condemned for murder based on mere accusations and an association with the Pathfinder Society."

No problem, sandbox social mods are hard to run! However, the vote still has not been held yet, right? Can we figure out what the procedure will be there? Can we speak at the vote to prove the Pathfinders' innocence, or do we need to do something about that sooner?

"I beg your pardon, Sheriff. I we were told that these people had already been sentenced to death and were to be hung in two days' time. We therefore assumed there had already been a trial and that the vote on their sentences had already occurred. It is a great relief to learn that we were misinformed. Please forgive the misunderstanding. Thank you for your time."

When Bramelane gets a chance to talk to the other Pathfinders, he takes an urgent tone. "My fellows, what we have just learned from Sheriff Luin changes everything! The Pathfinders have not yet been tried. There will be a trial by citizen vote in two days. We should therefore focus our efforts not only on proving their innocence, but also on gaining the favor of those who will vote."

Bramelane considers what he knows about who gets to vote in these situations. Everyone who has come to town, or just the people who have lived here. Could the Pathfinders get votes if they rented property here, or by some other means? How are trials conducted? Who runs them? Do the accused get representation, or must they represent themselves? Can anyone address the voters before the vote is taken, or only certain people?

Knowledge(local) Check: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Bramelane will spend the evening asking around at the inn about these procedures, to learn what the townfolk and the visitors know about them.

Diplomacy Check: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 14 + 2 = 26

"Perhaps we should start to win the favor of the locals by buying them free drinks? I will contribute as much as 1,000 gold pieces to the campaign to clear the names of the Pathfinders. Will some of you spend some of my coin this evening buying everyone free food and drink at the Beer Garden, telling them that the Pathfinder Society wishes to thank them for coming to bear witness to the exercise of justice over a case involving their agents?"

Bramelane uses his wayfinder to cast guidance on himself before examining the letter.

Linguistics Check: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 13 + 1 = 21

What does the letter say?

"Interesting. The handwriting on this letter is the same as on the one that summoned us here. That cannot be a coincidence. Someone is trying to frame Pathfinders. I suspect you'll be hearing accusations against the members of our group very soon, Sheriff."

"An anonymous tip? It seems odd that an accusation would come in that way. Who do you believe sent it in? Did the author come forward to testify at the trial or the sentencing?" If the Sheriff says the author has not come forward, Bramelane points out how odd that is, given the fact that the Pathfinders are behind bars and no longer pose a threat to the author.

Do we have that letter with us, or did the Venture-Captain keep it. If we have it with us, we get it and show it to the sheriff.

"Sheriff, I don't doubt that the Pathfinders were at Otto's farm. It is only that the corpse was in such a state that the victim had to have been killed earlier and elsewhere. Did you find the remainder of the corpse anywhere? Was there any blood on the Pathfinders to suggest they killed or transported the victim?"

"Sheriff, if you could indulge us for a few more minutes, you did not answer about the trial, the sentencing, or the tall, dark-haired man. Do you know who he is and where we can find him? What did he say when you interviewed him about what he must have seen? What did he say when he testified at the trial?"

"You did conduct a trial, didn't you? Who ele testified, other than you? What happened at the sentencing? May we see the magistrate's records regarding this matter?"

"Pathfinders, we are here to look into the matter. Rest assured, if you did not commit these crimes, and the evidence we have found suggests you did not, we will do our best to convince the Sheriff here of your innocence and to bring the true culprit or culprits to justice."

"Sheriff, thank you very much for allowing us to see our brethren. Before we ask them questions, can we discuss the evidence with you in private?"

Assuming that the Sheriff agrees and that he takes Mareq and Bramelane somewhere out of earshot of the Pathfinders, Bramelane continues.

"We have asked around a bit and are quite concerned with what we have learned. Otto, the owner of the farm on which the first corpse was found, reported seeing a tall, dark-haired person. The corpse, as I'm sure you know, had been defiled, and in a way that would be quite bloody. However, there was no blood at the scene. That suggests the crime was committed earlier and elsewhere and that the corpse was transported to the farm. The timing is very problematic, since the Pathfinders arrived later. Moreover, as you clearly see, none of the Pathfinders you have incarcerated could be described as tall, dark-haired individuals, at least not in relation to humans."

"The barber and proprietor of the general store, though he revels in spinning out his tale, consistently tells of a tall dark-haired man assaulting him and fleeing the scene of the second murder."

"I'm sure that as a seasoned professional, you took all of this information into account. The other evidence against these three must have been quite overwhelming? The Ambassador says you have some written statement and a dagger, is that correct? May we examine them? Was there anything else that lead to the conviction of these men? Who is the tall, dark-haired man is? What did he have to say when you questioned him about his involvement or what he saw?"

"Finally, I am given to understand that sentences here are imposed by a vote of the citizens after a conviction. Is that what happened here?"

Bramelane goes out of his way to give the sheriff the benefit of the doubt and treat him like a seasoned professional and an esteemed colleague.

Diplomacy Check (in case one is needed): 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22

"Ambassador, it is high time that we speak to the Pathfinders themselves. I am afraid my meager talents may not be up to the task. If they are not, would you try to convince the sheriff to let us speak to them?"

Bramelane already rolled the Diplomacy check, above.

When seeking to convince the sheriff, Bramelane will mention the two eyewitness descriptions, which he wants to check against the Pathfinders, and the fact that the corpse from the first murder was in such a state that it appears to have predated the Pathfinders' arrival in Dawnton.

Having confronted Erika and gotten nowhere, Bramelane heads for the sheriff's office. Once there, he attempts to talk the sheriff, or whomever is guarding the Pathfinders, into allowing him to speak with the prisoners.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 14 + 2 = 17

When Erika stalks away, Bramelane casts detect thoughts and then catches up with her to follow her for a few minutes and to see whether he can determine what she is thinking about her encounter with the PCs.

Will save DC 18

Bramelane, I specifically asked for a Bluff check, not a Diplomacy check. Also, as a divine caster, she's well aware of what you're doing Hiko. Remember that guidance usually doesn't apply for a diplomacy check since a check requires at least one full minute of interaction... which is the maximum duration of the spell.

"So you admit to being Pathfinders. Another slew of corrupted souls invades our beautiful town. I'm not going to listen to your lies, Pathfinder." she spits this word as if it were a curse, something utterly vile. "The Voice of Iomedae has warned me against you and your evil ways - you are but mere villains. Now leave town before anything dire happens."

"Good woman, yes, we are Pathfinders, and we have not denied it. Some of our brethren are accused of murder, so we came to see if there is truth behind the accusations. So far as we can tell, there is not."

"If you have some other proof, please furnish us with it. We will not suffer murderers in our ranks and will witness the execution if the Pathfinders committed these heinous acts. However, we will also not allow the innocent to be executed for the crimes of others. If someone else is behind the murders, we mean to apprehend that person and bring him or her to justice, preferably in time to clear the names of the condemned Pathfinders."

"I swear upon my honor and all of the gods that we will not interfere with true justice. Our inquiries so far have shown that justice has been thwarted here. As a servant of Iomedae, surely you cannot abide that. Why do you think the Pathfinders committed these crimes?"

Diplomacy Check: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 14 + 2 = 22

Here is the start of the Diplomacy check, awaiting assists.

"No one has lied to you here. We have merely declined to discuss the matter of our affiliation with you. We have told you much, and yet you return our courtesy and information with only accusations and anger. Can you blame us for not wanting to discuss our affiliation with you? If we were to admit to being Pathfinders, you would hate us. If we were to deny it, you would not believe us. What is the point then of even discussing the matter? If you are merely going to prejudge us, then you have no real interest in justice. Get on with it, attack or accuse us. You are wasting our time and, knowingly or unconsciously, aiding and abetting a murderer who may be killing as we speak."

Bramelane folds his arms across his chest and looks at Erika with disgust. He comments to Mareq, in a quieter voice, but by no means trying to hide his words from the inquisitor.

"The poor woman is blind with rage. Something had addled her wits and lead her astray from the ways of Iomedae. We need to help her as much as we need to find the real murderer."

Anyone who would like, please chime in here and give me some aid for a Diplomacy check or start your own, so we can win her over!

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
"We beg your pardon, dear lady. We have been asked to look into the murders, and are unfortunately not at liberty to share our affiliations with you. We attempted to find and speak to you earlier, but were unsuccessful."

"Like you, we seek justice for the murder victims, and to ensure that the perpetrators are punished. The two eye-witnesses each say that a tall man with black hair committed each of the murders. The corpse from the first murder was in such a state, that the crime must have occurred before the Pathfinders arrived. Therefore, it seems that a grave injustice may be about to be perpetrated. Worse, it seems the murderer is still at large and is free to strike again. We would prevent that."

"Let us work together to ensure that truth and justice prevail here and that the good people of Dawnton remain safe. You have argued quite strongly, vehemently even, that the Pathfinders committed the crimes. Please share your reasons for believing that they did these heinous deeds, so that we can aid the cause of justice. Mayhap we have overlooked something in our investigation."

What are your plans for the afternoon, then?

Bramelane will set out to see if he can find the inquisitor, Erika, and see whether he can draw out the tall, dark-haired man in the process.

Before setting out, Bramelane casts mage armor on himself in case he is jumped.

I gather from their posts that Hiko probably goes to find Erika, too, that Mareq wants to stick together, and that Bane is still interested in finding Erika, so I imagine most, if not all of us, go together as a group in this phase.

"I could try speaking to the sheriff. He might be more receptive if we have something concrete to offer him. What if we look for Erika the Inquisitor now, together, then depending on what we learn, or if the tall, dark-haired man assaults us, I speak with the sheriff this evening?"

The town is small, but it is having a festival. Is it possible to find a scroll of a 2nd level spell here? If so, Bramelane would like to pick up a scroll of raiment of command in preparation for meeting with the sheriff.

After we all share our information with one another....

"Well, Pathfinders, it seems that we now know: 1) Erika the Inquisitor has it in for the Pathfinders and pushed for their conviction. 2) The first and second murders were committed by tall men with black hair, who was missing a patch in the back in the case of the first murder. 3) A tall man with black hair is after us. 4) We have attracted much attention."

"I am at a bit of a loss to suggest how we proceed. Do we divide up and look for Erika and the tall man with dark hair? Do we set a trap? Do we check the Pathfinders to see what they look like and what they may know? Do we stick together in case the murderer and/or Erika attacks us? Should we check on the witch/undead story?"

Bramelane is neither stealthy nor terribly good at deceipt. Nevertheless, he is better at sneaking than lying. He attempts to draw as little attention as possible by skulking about.

Stealth Day One: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Stealth Day Two: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (17) - 1 = 16

In the morning, Bramelane strolls the fairgounds, taking in the sights and asking about the local goings on, paying particular attention to gossip about the murders, the inquisitor, the supposed witch, and the Pathfinders. Bramelane will also explain that he has heard stories about a witch wanting to transform the murderers into undead after their execution and try to track down this "witch."

Bramelane liberally spends money on food, beverages, trinkets, and carnival games and sights while asking about these matters, giving generous tips to encourage the vendors and barkers to talk to him.

Before he gets to the fairgrounds, Bramelane casts cultural adaptation again, so that his speech and mannerisms are more appropriate for rural Mendev.

Diplomacy Check (gather information: 1d20 + 14 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 14 + 2 = 18 plus any additional bonus for generously spending money and tipping.

T-shirt/Folie reroll (I have both) and 4-star GM bonus: 1d20 + 14 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 14 + 2 + 4 = 35 plus any additional bonus for the spending and tipping.

"Mareq, let us do this, instead. You go with Rhydderch to see the farmer in the morning. If you suspect he is charmed, I will go there in the afternoon and follow up."

"In the morning I will go to the fairgrounds and see what I can learn."

It just doesn't make sense for three of us do to the same task at once. Two was a stretch. If you discover anything from the farmer, Bramelane can always go back and test him for charms and dispel them if they are there. If this game is anything like the Blackros Matrimony, we will paint ourselves into a corner if we don't cover all of the bases.

Bramelane doesn't honestly expect any untoward acts by the Pathfinders during the night, but he keeps an eye on them during his watch just in case. Unless someone stays up to watch with him, he merrily spends the watch drafting provision schedules and contingency plans. Otherwise, he spends it in quiet conversation with the other Pathfinder, seeking to learn what he can of the wider world from the tales.

Proposed Watch Schedule
1. Bramelane and ????
2. Rhydderch and ????
3. Hiko and ????

Toilsday Morning - Phase 2 of 10
Fissa - general store/barber re: tasks 6 and 10
Rhydderch - Otto's farm re: task 8
Bramelane - Otto's farm re: task 8
Hiko - sheriff/jail re: tasks 2, 3, 4, 5
Mareq - maybe sheriff/jail? re: tasks 2, 3, 4, 5
Bane - maybe Erika the Inquisitor? re task 1

Toilsday Afternoon - Phase 3 of 10
Fissa - fairgrounds re: task 9
Rhydderch - maybe fairgrounds too? re: task 9
Bramelane - possibly gathering information regarding the witch rumor re: task 7 so all tasks get some coverage
Hiko - maybe another part of town or the fairgrounds
Mareq - ???
Bane - ???