Brother MacLaren's page

Brother MacLaren will heal Nil.

Align Weapon to CMW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14
Resist Energy to CMW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 4) + 10 = 15
Divine Favor to CLW: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8

That is 37 back, so only down 3 now.

"I guess? I wouldn't have thought to, but if you wish..."

Brother MacLaren does not actually have Water Breathing prepared today, and he used his open slot already for Owl's Wisdom.

"I suppose I'll need a charge off of that wand, Tucci."

He deactivates the Water Walk property of his armor and follows Tucci underwater.

Brother MacLaren moves up and touches the angry kelp.

Touch Attack: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Will DC 19 or be Plane Shifted to the Elemental Plane of Fire. This will affect only the seaweed monster and leave Nil behind.

If the seaweed makes its save, MacLaren will use a swift action to cast Liberating Command on Nil (didn't do that before because it would have ended his "holding the charge" on Plane Shift). Nil would then get an immediate-action Escape Artist check with a +20 competence bonus.

Will, Owl's Wisdom: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 1 = 24

"Sefina said it could lure you closer. Plants use scent to attract insects."

Brother MacLaren casts Plane Shift, holding the charge, and moves forward 30'. He is Water Walking with his Buccaneer's Breastplate.

For getting out to the Kelp Fields, Brother MacLaren can walk on the water via his Buccaneer's Breastplate, and on the air via his all-day Extended Air Walk.

He will take the time to prepare Owl's Wisdom in his open slot.

Once the party is close to the Kelp Fields, he will cast Extended Owl's Wisdom.

Then, once he sees the creature, he will cast Plane Shift, close to melee holding the charge, and try to touch it. At least, that is the plan. We'll see how things go.

"Nil, the three of us all have options for flight and air walking. Do you need the benefit of our magic?"

"If it grabs its victims to crush and drown them, I am protected."
All-day Freedom of Movement.

"I could try to Plane Shift it to the Plane of Fire. That would be a quick and easy solution."
Could prep Owl's Wisdom in open slot for a little DC boost and resistance to hallucinations.

"If that doesn't work, I can attack it with weapons, I guess."

Tucci has Mnemonic Vestments and a scroll of Freedom of Movement so he can cast that 1/day without using up the scroll, if we wanted to protect someone else?

"Greetings, Sefina. My name is Brother MacLaren. I am a priest of Cayden Cailean, a god of bravery, freedom, and ale."
He raises his tankard and takes a sip.

"Yes, we have a crew with us. Some on the ship, and some preparing the island for a feast. There will be a great number of visitors. Most of them do not breathe underwater, but there may be a few who can, through magic or through birth. I have some magic to allow my group to breathe underwater at times, and it sounds like it may be needed.

What is this new and dangerous creature? If it would pose a threat to us or to you, we would seek to kill it or drive it off."

"Tucci, you're staring! And her eyes are up there!"

Oh...

Brother MacLaren casts Suppress Charms and Compulsions, targeting himself, Tucci, and Veronica. If the Fascinate is a compulsion effect, then it is suppressed for 10 rounds or as long as Mac concentrates.

If it isn't a Compulsion effect, then Tucci remains Fascinated.

Because his protective spell is such a short duration effect, Mac will not move any closer to the creature. He wants to be able to have a conversation.

"I am Brother MacLaren. We are not hostile. May we speak from a distance?"

Brother MacLaren is no prude, but he is also no lech. He doesn't react with alarm or embarrassment, nor does he stare.

Instead, he just sort of casually looks around. Are there clothes on the side of the pool somewhere? If there are no clothes to be found, he will assume this "woman" - and he's pretty sure she's no ordinary human woman to have survived on this island of savage Cyclops - doesn't wear clothes.

Some healthy trees may be needed, as Brother MacLaren suggests.

Mac is keeping quiet and not suggesting anything.

I was going to make a post being a hair less conciliatory than Tucci, along the lines of "Yes, we are going to have to cut some healthy trees, and no, diseased or rotting ones won't work. You can accept that fact and negotiate with us on the amounts and locations of trees to be cut, or we can leave and someone less reasonable can take over this island."

But then I considered that if Tucci wants to be lord of this island, he should set the tone with the treants.

The coconut fruit/fiber/coir solution is great, as is the greenwood solution.

If we do need any wood from other sources, we can trade for it. Perhaps MacLaren can brew some coconut rum to trade.

Brother MacLaren looks skeptical of Tucci's deferential response, but does not contradict the halfling.

If it doesn't understand us, I can take some time to prepare a spell that might help.
Tongues if needed, since I have an open slot, but let's try Common first.

Brother MacLaren is considerably more diplomatic, and will give it his best try.

"Noble palm tree, I am Brother MacLaren, priest of Cayden Cailean. As my halfling friend says, we mean you no harm. Unfortunately we have had to battle the cyclops of this island, as well as those crabs, but we would welcome peaceful relations with the other inhabitants. Can you understand our speech?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (16) + 19 = 35

Brother MacLaren will cast the following spells on himself at the beginning of the day:
Extended Air Walk (all day, Brew Reservoir at 6/7)
Extended Freedom of Movement (all day, Brew Reservoir at 5/7)

We can talk in our minds, Nil, thanks to Tucci's spell.
Shared Training for the Bonded Mind feat.
Uh, Tucci? Veronica? I think that palm tree might be alive. Well not just alive, but animate. Like a person. Am I imagining that?

”Well sure, of course! I figured the good Brother would handle the healing, just trying to lend a hand!”

"Much appreciated, Tucci! Who else is still hurt?"

Brother MacLaren lifts his tankard Last Call and channels the healing power of Cayden Cailean. The smell of freshly brewed beer wafts over the party.

Channel #1: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) = 7
Channel #2: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 9

Veronica was down 48 and Tucci healed her for 35, so she had 13 damage left - all good now. Nil was down 29 after using Windy Escape so now down 13?

Align Weapon to CMW on Nil: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (6, 1) + 10 = 17

She then looks thoughtfully at the giant crabs' remains. "Hmmm. Hey, Mac, think Kroop can make anything good with these, if we bring some parts to him? I'm thinking back to the crab and reefclaw meal way back at the Wormwood, which was amazing. If he could whip up something like that, I'm sure the crew would appreciate it, and it seems like a waste to just leave the crabs here to rot."

"A good idea, Veronica, but crab spoils very quickly. Let's cook it as soon as possible! Tucci, can you conjure any fire creatures?"

Brother MacLaren casts Summon Monster V, expending a point from his reservoir to Extend it. He conjures his guardian spirit, a Caypup named Rumble.

The celestial dog is a red hound like a juvenile mastiff, with vibrant blue eyes. It is Small, but probably at the large end of that size range, so approaching 60 lbs. The creature description calls it a 'large, regal canine' even though it is officially Small.

Rumble will remain for 20 minutes (1 min/level when a Summon Monster spell is used to conjure a Guardian Spirit, and then doubled for Extend). "We need some heat. Lightning on seaweed, to make steam, maybe?"

Mac starts piling seaweed around the giant crab while Rumble uses his Call Lightning spell-like ability. A bolt of lightning strikes down, and while it isn't quite a proper crab boil, there is a need to move fast.

If the crab grabbed Veronica before Tucci's attack, then the crab itself counts as Grappled on Tucci's turn and so takes a -4 Dex (typically -2 AC). It can avoid counting as Grappled if it takes a -20 to its CMB check, which it did not do. So with that -2 AC maybe Tucci hit with his iteratives?

MacLaren had only the one Liberating Command prepared so Veronica will take Constrict damage.

Brother MacLaren casts Dimension Door to bring Veronica out of the Crab's grasp. They reappear on the other side of the crab, so that Veronica can get flanking with Tucci.

Veronica has Mirror Image up, as noted earlier. 6 images. Does that change anything?

I think Veronica would have started the battle with mirror image going, as she often did. [dice=images]1d4+3 I’ll track them.

Brother MacLaren attacks with rapier and tankard.

Rapier, PA -2, Outflank, TWF: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 13 - 2 + 4 - 2 = 33
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 4 = 15
Confirm?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 4 = 11
His rapier has two minor powers. One is that a foe hit must make a DC 14 Fort save or take -1 to hit and damage for 1 round (a pretty trivial save at this level). The other, which I don't think has come up yet, is +3d6 on crits vs foes of the aquatic or water subtypes. Which should apply here?
Bonus Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) = 10
So 36 from that hit if a 25 confirms.

Tankard, PA -2, Outflank, TWF: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 12 - 2 + 4 - 2 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Rapier Iterative: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 - 2 + 4 - 2 = 28
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 = 14
Iterative Confirm?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 4 = 15
Bonus Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) = 11
Another 40 damage if a 22 confirms.

And two AOOs for Kasin due to Outflank (if Kasin has Combat Reflexes).

Wow! A pretty good round for no buffs. 81 damage plus triggering AOOs from allies.

If the Crab is down after the first 36-point crit, then MacLaren will use a move action to walk up and out of the swarm (he has Air Walk).

Yes, Liberating Command is an immediate-action spell with 50' range (at 10th level). It would happen after the Grab but before any Constrict - at least, that is how I have always seen it done.

Hit -> CMB check to Grab -> Liberating Command -> Escape Artist Check -> Constrict if still grappled

I believe that as a Celestial animal, Kasin has DR that negates that swarm damage.

Brother MacLaren attacks the crab with sword and tankard.

Rapier, PA -2, Outflank, TWF: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 - 2 + 4 - 2 = 30
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 4 = 13

Tankard, PA -2, Outflank, TWF: 1d20 + 12 - 2 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 12 - 2 + 4 - 2 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 2 = 5

Rapier Iterative: 1d20 + 8 - 2 + 4 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 - 2 + 4 - 2 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 6 + 4 = 14

As you can see, when not buffed, MacLaren is not very effective in combat. But Veronica is also up and she deals a lot more damage.

In my experience, it is incredibly difficult to find a new GM to take over an existing game. I appreciate you being willing to take it on, and if you can keep going even at a reduced pace I will stick with it.

Brother MacLaren moves up and strikes.

Rapier, PA -2, Outflank: 1d20 + 13 - 2 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 13 - 2 + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 6 + 4 = 12

If Tucci or Kasen is grabbed, Brother MacLaren will cast Liberating Command as an immediate action to give them an immediate-action Escape Artist check with an extra +18.

Aw man! I have to remember to prep Plane Shift now that I have the focus. Don't have it prepped today but it would be an easy way to eliminate one of these.

Predators? Then I suppose we should eliminate them. I lack much in the way of ranged options, but they won't be able to grab me if I go in for melee. Taking them out from a distance seems wiser - but then they might just flee into the ocean and come back to plague our ships.

Brother MacLaren will cast the following spells on himself:
Extended Air Walk (all day, Brew Reservoir at 6/7)
Extended Freedom of Movement (all day, Brew Reservoir at 5/7)

"Lead on, Tucci. I am ready to go."

Brother MacLaren listens and nods.

"I can agree to that. Captain, Tucci, what do you think?"

MacLaren looks at Nil, and considers what to say. Finally, he says,

"Sir, I think you are no common sailor. I could ask Veronica to Detect Magic on you and your gear. But I would rather ask you. Are you a captain of some note? Have you been extraordinarily successful in piracy, or as a soldier of fortune, or as a Pathfinder, or in some other line of work?

We have enemies of some considerable power and resources. We've run into assassins. I am afraid we need at least some information as to who you are. We have given you much information about ourselves. I'd like to hear a little bit about you."

I'm not going to push too much on this, but a party with so many enemies should make at least some inquiries instead of blindly welcoming anybody who wants to travel with them. Just to make us not seem totally stupid.

"You need not tell us everything, and if there are things you wish to keep private then say so. If you lie to us... I am not the best at sniffing out deception, but if I have any doubts then I can ask my god if what you say is true.
Mostly I would be concerned if you were or had been an operative of Cheliax, or of Barnabas Harrigan. Or if you bring other enemies onto our tail."

The obvious Caydenite carries a rapier and tankard. He is a fairly large man, and seemingly quick as well.

"I'm Brother MacLaren, priest of Cayden Cailean. I am the ship's quartermaster, brewer, and sometime cook. I am also, through marriage, lord of a small island called Tidewater Rock where we have allies."

He takes a quick look at Nil's bejeweled cutlass.
Hmm.

"As to that drink..."

He offers a prayer to Cayden Cailean and a nearby pitcher fills with ale.

Thank you for having been willing to help us out!

I would be happy to have our Captain back.
I don't think 4-5 PCs is a problem.

That's a lot of damage! Glad it can't Grab and Constrict.

Brother MacLaren drinks the Cure Moderate Wounds draught from his Sipping Jacket as a swift action.
CMW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (1, 3) + 10 = 14

Then he attacks with blade and tankard.

Rapier, Divine Favor +3, IC +3, Haste +1, PA -2, TWF -2, Good Hope +2, Bull's Strength +1: 1d20 + 13 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 30
Damage: 1d6 + 6 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 3 + 3 + 6 + 2 + 1 = 27

Hasted Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (10) + 19 = 29
Damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

Tankard: 1d20 + 12 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 3 + 3 + 1 - 2 - 2 + 2 + 1 = 26
Damage: 1d6 + 2 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 15
Str going from 19 (+4) to 21 (+5) means that off-hand damage does not increase from Bull's Strength.

Rapier Iterative: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (18) + 14 = 32
Damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (1) + 21 = 22
Confirm?: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21
Crit Damage: 1d6 + 21 ⇒ (5) + 21 = 26

So assuming a 26 hits, that is 90 damage. If a 21 hits and the crit confirms, 116. This is not a typical round from MacLaren but rather one mostly buffed.

The rapier Brine's Sting has a small rider effect - on every hit, the foe must make a DC 14 Fort save or take -1 to attacks and damage for 1 round.

MacLaren: AC 25, HP 52/73

@Tucci, do you want to bot Veronica and Eric after your turn?

Should anybody else get bitten and grappled by the snake, MacLaren will cast Liberating Command as an immediate action before it can Constrict.

How about...
Veronica casts Haste on the party.
Eric casts Good Hope and starts Inspire Courage +3

Oh, I somehow missed the Gameplay post.

@Arkhan, the GM has asked in Gameplay if you want to bot Veronica (Magus captain) and Eric (Bard cohort). Interested?

Do we need to roll this fight out?
With Mac having Freedom of Movement I feel like there's not a great chance for the snake to do much, but I may be wrong.

Personally I like respecting the fact that a 10th-level PC is a really big deal (nearly legendary as per Legend Lore), so having them be other notable pirates who come to join us perhaps a bit in advance of the Gala works for me.

But yeah they can arrive like this afternoon in-game time.

"I should be immune to the beast's attempts to grapple and crush."

Brother MacLaren casts Divine Favor and drinks a draught of Bull's Strength.

We have boosted our WBL a lot with crafting.

But, some of our wealth is in non-optimized found/gifted items, some of which are not fungible; MacLaren has a rapier that is absurdly overpriced under ABP. And a breastplate that is also overpriced and on loan from his wife (yes, he is married - it's part of the AP). The overpriced rapier and the two loan items from his wife (not fungible) account for a pretty big chunk of his wealth (37K).

I guess selling Brine's Sting makes a lot of sense if it is worth that much.

Looks good!
I see you still have to pick spells known, and you get quite a lot of them. Poleiheira Adherent grants 4 new spells for free every level (rather than 2), and the book never runs out of space.

I believe Zefig's character will have 6-level Witch casting. So as to spells known you might look to where we would still have gaps. Or spells where your Inexplicable Luck can make a big difference.

Two players from my Carrion Crown game have expressed interest.
Since we'd be replacing both Veronica and Eric, I think that could work as long as they keep the optimization in check - which, knowing these players, I would trust them to do.

Veronica is a great character and has been a mainstay of this campaign since the beginning.

If there is any way we can keep you, I would be all for it. I just thought you as a player had left the forums for good.

Maybe we can keep Veronica as our NPC captain in the background, and if things clear up you can rejoin us?

Oof.

Another starting PC gone, leaving Mac as the last of the original six.

We certainly did well to pick up Tucci as a replacement, so maybe we would be fortunate again. I do know a bunch of great players and can PM bluedove with their names. Tucci, if you want to do so as well we'd have more to pick from.

We'd be losing Eric as well as Veronica, so maybe pick up two new players. Or Mac could pick up Leadership to gain a cohort.

I would try to communicate to new players that we need versatility more than a high degree of optimization. This has not been an especially hardcore AP.

Tucci and Mac can be quite solid in a fight, but we don't have the diversity of capabilities to solve the full range of problems that PCs are expected to be able to handle.

Brother MacLaren has no strong opinions on the ring.
Happy to keep it or to sell it.

How long does it take to get to the Mangrove Swamp?

Brother MacLaren strikes at the flying reptiles.

Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 3 - 2 = 32
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 3 + 4 = 21
Crit?: 1d20 + 13 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 13 + 3 - 2 = 20
Crit Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 3 + 4 = 22

Iterative: 1d20 + 8 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 3 - 2 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 7 + 3 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 3 + 4 = 18

Brother MacLaren casts Divine Favor and Enlarge Person on himself. He conjures his sword from his glove, moves up next to Tucci, and readies to strike the first foe within reach. He has 10' reach with Enlarge and his rapier, and 3 AOOs while Enlarged.

"Do we know what those creatures are and, importantly, what they eat? I'm more inclined to just kill them if they are predators. Eric, Veronica, do you know anything?"

Knowledge checks are generally not MacLaren's thing.

Assuming that Tucci relates his findings, Mac moves up to "spyglass distance" and holds position there while Tucci moves up to "Wild Empathy distance."

"Good luck with your efforts, Tucci."

Brother MacLaren has his tankard in hand, but not his rapier - keeping one hand free for casting. His new Glove of Storing may come in useful.

He waits for Tucci to report back.

Brother MacLaren casts Air Walk and Freedom of Movement, using a point from his Brew Reservoir to Extend each to "All Day" (brew reservoir at 5/7).

I think the items I settled on are better for Mac anyways. The Gloves of Storing really help with his TWF problem; a cleric with a two-handed weapon can just take a hand off to cast, but a TWF cleric can't. Gloves of Storing are the answer.

So if he just buys the components for the Gloves and the Phylactery, that saves 10,500 total, and so he has 11,091 left to spend.

Will put in another crafting request then - he will get the components for a Stone of Good Luck.

That leaves him at 1,091 GP.

Gloves of Storing: 10 days normally, 5 accelerated
Phylactery: 11 days normally, 6 accelerated
Luckstone: 20 days normally, 10 accelerated

Sound good?