Before the group attempts to free the bears, Bym asks Umlo if there was anyone he could see who was in charge of the bears. Did someone open a gate to a pen to release the bears into the pit or did he just get forced in. Was there anyone commanding the bears to attack him and not each other? If they were contained in a separate pen, how did the orcs get them to go back into their pen? How did the orcs prevent the bears from tearing Umlo to pieces each night and/or eating him? If he was being healed, then there must be some way of stopping the bears from attacking. Bym asks to understand If the bears obeyed some commands which would sugget they are trainable.
With the GM's permission Bym would like to try to befriend them using orc meat and his handle animal skill. Bym's plan is to spend three hours (minimum) or as long as he can (before the group departs) to get the bears to associate a sound Bym makes (as well as visually seeing him) and the providing of food with friendship. The basic idea is to use food to win a friend. For example, to begin Bym will click his tongue and when the bears look his way, he will drop a portion of orc meat down to them. Bym will repeat this several times to reinforce this association.
Bear #1 Handle Animal:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21 Bear #2 Handle Animal:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22 How many bears are there??
It doesn't really matter how the group descends to the manticore level, Bym just wants to try talking to them before the cage is raised. I don't think we even need to raise the cage first thing, delaying the event to whenever.
Possible Manticore responses...
Liar! You promised to release us and didn't!:
Bym says, As to thyne release, thou art correct. Yet thou doth overlooketh thy captors. Would not thy subjugators return thee to thy imprisonment if we doth not first completeth our commission here? For thyne own safety, we hath toiled to rid thee of the menace of this keep so thy might truely be freed. In return, we ask thy one small favor. Unleash thyne anger upon thy jailor's accomplices. The orcs who doth reside within the earthen channel beyond these walls.
Why should we believe you?:
As to our word, hath we not toiled to vanquish those who hath imprisoned thy? Doth thy not see the fruit of our labours? Doth thy not heareth our blade clashes nigh but 50 paces from thy chamber? Doth thy not forget thyne own efforts to thwart our ascent? And to what harm did thy suffer? I say to thee, thy suffered not for thy transgression. Thou wouldth do well to remember this. For despite thyne efforts, we hath shown thy mercy.
What is it you want?:
Upon thy release, thou must sweareth to do no harm to us or our kin. Instead, take thy revenge upon thy jailor's lankees. Slaughter what orcs thou might findeth beyond these walls. Forget not to exact thy wrath upon those dwelling within the earthen channel.
[spoiler=We will kill you for your betrayal!]
Hold thy tongue! Thou hath forgotten who thy real captors art! Twas not we who imprisoned thee. Twas not we who clipped thy wings. Twas not we who stoleth thy freedom! Nay! For we hath toiled here to rid thee of thy menace! Doth thy not heareth our blade clashes nigh but 50 paces from thy chamber? Thou wouldth do well to remember who piled the corpses of thy captors at thy threshold.
And doth thy forget thyne own efforts to thwart our ascent? To what harm did thy suffer for thy transgression? I say to thee, thy suffered not! Thou wouldth do well to remember this. For despite thyne efforts, we hath shown thee mercy. Remember well our response to thyne protests. Think hard upon the fate of thy captors, for should thee seek to do us harm, thou shalt perish here.
Bym's goal is to remind the manticores who put them in that cage. He wants them to understand that it was not the party who removed their wings and to not mistake us for their enemy. We only delayed in releasing them, but have not forgotten them. Bym wishes them to also understand that the party has demonstrated our ability to handle foes much bigger than the manticores, that their previous efforts to attack us did not hinder our ability to behead the leader. As to the delay, it has been to further ensure their freedom. By first killing those ogres and giants who captured them they do not need to live in fear of being recaptured. In return for our efforts, Bym asks that the manticore kill as many orcs encamped around this fortress as they can before they leave. He would direct them to the north and west sections of the camp in order to draw the orcs away from the captured dwarves.
If anyone can think of any other possible responses the manticore may have to Bym's efforts, I can try to respond here.
In the eighth hour of rest...
Patches of purple, green, and black cover Bym from head to foot. Worn out to the bone, yet somehow not dead, the puffy eyed cavalier rises from a night of weeping to stretch. He is rewarded with the familiar stabs of pain first introduced to him by his mentor as part of a cavalier's 'conditioning'. Today's battered bones and sorely tested muscles remind the halfling of yesterday's unlucky lessons.
Adjusting his helm and dabbing a handkerchief across reddened eyes, Bym pats his faithful wolf, Come Vheyron, tis time we doth review the manticore below that they mayeth see some reason to our cause.
Bruises seemingly forgotten, or ignored, Bym mounts his trusted companion and together they check the barricaded door. First listening carefully, then spying as best he can, the halfling ensures the way is clear before crossing the chamber's threshold and descending the stair. Perception +7
The pair move as quietly as they can, prepared to retreat at the first sign of trouble, back whence they came. Then when they have reached the lower door, Bym once again listens, and once again checks. Stealth +1 / Perception +7
Bym opens the door a crack so as not to be see, then whispers, Ho there! Manny, Core. Harken for I bring thee tidings. The time of thy promised release draweth near and thy patience rewarded.
I'm taking a lot of liberty in getting Bym and Vheyron down to the door. I'm also making dangerous presumptions that the way is clear. The aim is to start a dialog with the manticore, so getting down the stairs doesn't have to be as I've imagined. If Bym goes with the group, or if Bym's plan are thwarted by waiting Ogrekin, thus postponing the effort, the icebreaker is the same.
When you say 'group' I presume everyone is in attendance... Did Bym learn anything (tall tales, old stories of giants or battles with their kind) from the townsfolk prior to coming to the council meeting?
Both honored to have been included in the meeting and still feeling the strains of the previous day's exertions, Bym is startled to find gaps in his recollection of what's been said. One moment Halgra is speaking, the next Sara is providing details of woodcutters. For a time the halfling is distracted trying to recall the last time he saw a tree in these lands, much less a forest mature enough to gather timber in the volumes needed. I thought these lands were barren, I ought invest in a map of the area. To his surprise Lessie has taken the stage. Bym's head spins. 25%? What doth she mean? As a further distraction, the words of the late Knight Errant Senori Bernandi Branzino come to mind, "Tis not thy place to concern one's self with such trivia as commerce. Thou art not a merchant. Thou art on the path to Knighthood! And a Knight's worth shalt be ordained by the virtuousness of thy deeds!" At this point Bym's stomach, having supped upon the virtuous deeds of battle, growls. Blinking, he realizes it is Agrit who sits down and not Lessie. Bym suddenly feels he's missed something terribly important.
He is the middle of scolding himself when Durin begins. Much to the halfling's relief, Durin's recounting of the past few days is better than his own - Bym had completely forgotten about Daktani. The pint sized cavalier nods in agreement with everything Durin has to say and upon finishing his report, Bym takes a turn to stand before the council.
Bowing first to thank Durin, then to the council members and again to his companions, Bym begins, I thank thee. Tis an honor to be inviteth thus to make our proclamations ere these past days. I wish to add, thine Plague House hath been useth as a place of meeting by these brigands. As Master Durin alluded, some villains yet remain. Thine Plague House should be demolished to preventeth further treachery and the resulting materials refurbished to thine purposes. On a whim, Bym adds, In kind, as to the orcish weaponry so recovereth, doth thou not have a skilled smithy? Me thinks, such wealth of resource hath much use here. To send these abroad is folly. And as to the newly discovered tomb below, there is potential for it in future defense of Trunau, neigh? Bym is about to say more, but stops himself realizing his testimony is in danger of becoming a rant on commerce and an insult to his beloved mentor. Standing a little taller, Both Vheyron and myself hath some interest in learning more of this Grenseldek.Bym would add what he learned from around town at this point...Wouldst be an honor to be party to such a venture and with mine new found companions. To this, and there is yet further discourse to be had in this regard, some of us believeth learning more of Grenseldek necessitates a commission to search out the fleeing brigands. Having given his two coppers worth, Bym bows once more before once again taking his seat.
Barely able to remember the group having recovered a letter from Grense...somebody or other, Bym can neither confirm nor deny mention of the Twisted Hearts club. Or was that Band? Sisters? Bym places a finger to his left temple to ease his headache. Perhaps another pint...
Leaning in Seeva's direction Bym asks, Doth thou spell Grenseldek with an e or an i?
....
His hunger eased, Bym heads out with Vheyron in hopes of filling another deficit - information. If he could manage to gather some clue, clues or anything really about the orc club, perhaps he might regain some footing with the group. The halfling decides to run a few more errands and in so doing improve his chances of mingling with the townsfolk. In particular, Bym looks to speak with the communities' elder folk. If he is going to learn anything about an old Giantkiller's tomb, the keepers of stories and local legends feel like a good place to start.
Bym canvasses townsfolk for information or stories either of a person known as Giantkiller, tales of giants or perhaps long lost tombs. He'll also listen to tales of events before Trunau's establishment. As a possible icebreaker he'll try...[b]Yesterday's raid hath most certainly been harrowing. By the by, I'm sure there weret times Trunau faceth greater dangers. What know thy of...?
The remains of a pint slosh threateningly close to the lip of Bym's tankard as the halfling wipes a sleeve across his mouth. At the mention of himself and Durin disguised as orcs, some of the beverage had been forced its way into his sinus. The halfling looks on, choking quietly so as not to interrupt.
Durin cocks an eyebrow in Bym's direction. Why is he speaking that way? Is he having a conversation with Vheyron?! Did he suffer a serious head blow?
Having spent some time traveling with Bym when returning to Trunau, Durin would know that yes, that is the way Bym speaks. The antiquated speech is something Bym picked up from his mentor, Knight Errant Senori Bernandi Branzino, whose sanity is on par with Don Quixote.
Yes, Bym regularly speaks to Vheyron in much the same way a crazy cat lady speaks with her cats. Bym understands Vheyron by being familiar with the wolf's personality, reading the wolf's expressions and moods. Bym basically sees the wolf as a person. This is how the two maintain their bond. Yes, Bym did recently take a blow or two to the head. By the looks of his helm, there have been many such blows. Durin has already categorized Bym as being a few cards short.
Mouth full, Bym nods along with the conversation. Based on the look on his face, the cavalier is quite interested in what's being said. Swallowing, Bym replies to Seeva, As soon as we art able, both Vheyron and myself shall avail ourselves to thy purpose.
With stubbornly dark circles under his eyes, Bym reads the letter Durin produces. Vheyron, doth thou remember our party finding this missive? The wolf cocks his head up and to the side, practically rolling his eyes with a moan to which Bym frowns, Mine injuries hath't been more grievous friend, as I doth not recall such. Master Durin, I thank thee for thy foresight in retaining thus. Bym indicates the letter then returns it to the dwarf, Indeed, remaining here would be folly. Al be that in truth, I too desireth some rest and perchance to commission stronger arms. A day or two more wilth do us all wonderously! Now, as to seekth Grensekdek... Bym hesitates, ...peradventure, seek Grensekdek not directly but what he desires? By the by, seek thy news of this Grensekdek, more importantly thas aforementioned Tomb of the Giantkiller and gods willing, the provenance of thy hammer. Bym looks to Seeva and then around for Halaron, Pray thee, as thy most learned amongst us, thou art better suited for delving into libraries. Wilt thou undertake such a task? And more for us, what doth Halgra know of these? If they art not available for interview, an elder may yet knoweth a verse or two of these mysteries. Regardless, two days hence, thou may surely count upon mine aid!
Bym bows sincerely, Lady Brinya, as thou doth request, I shall solemnly swear to honor thy token thou hath bestowedth. In so doing, I shall continueth to ply thy treasure where ever there art dangers to Trunau. Returning the blade to his belt Bym is nudged by Vheyron's yips, What is this? The halfling listens to the wolf but frowns disdainfully, No Vheyron, thy request is, inappropriate. The wolf growls a protest, licks his snout and gazes upon Brinya's hips, As tis an uncommon gesture... Bym struggles a bit, Tis not practiced by refined folk Vheyron. And thoust idea of greeting is too wild for maidens. A more civil request would beeth of her handeth. Vheyron barks once enthusiastically and Bym blushes, knowing Brinya is undoubtably listening to the entire exchange. With thy permission, Vheyron requests to, umm, sniff of thy hand. Tis but a gesture of his friendship.
....
Resuming his work amongst the townsfolk, word of Skreed's body being dragged across town does not distract the cavalier from his tasks. What troubles Bym is the future. Trunau has a clear history of being raided - more attacks are almost certain. As the keeper of Brinya's blade, Bym is now honor bound to uphold the town's safekeeping. Bym can't help but wonder what on Golarion he's gotten himself in to. He'd best devote at least some of his energies to finding a reason, other than the primal need for orcs to destroy everything, for attacking the town. Part of this raid was to dig to the tomb below Trunau. Could there be more? Bym decides he will ask the others.
I'm stuck with the image of Seeva standing over someone saying, "Relax my pretties, everything will be ok!" before casting a reduce person spell, Cackle, cackle.
Still feeling the exhaustion of the struggle, Bym's puts on a resolute face. Straightening his helm, the cavalier sets to work along side the others - escorting the injured, dosing fires and running supplies. The latter of these tasks, although lacking the appearance of what might be thought of an honorable deed, turns out to be well suited for the cavalier. Vheyron's speed and capacity to carry items or persons proves to be very useful and Bym is only too happy and honored to help in any way he can. Alas, he feels remorse for having had to quaff the lesser potions of healing chance entrusted him with, but will do as Durin had, donating his one remaining potion to the cleric Tyari to use as she sees fit. (Surrenders one Potion cure Moderate to Tyari)
When he can, Bym seeks out Brinya. Bowing before her, he presents to her the knife she so generously provided to aid him in the party's struggle to safeguard the town. My lady, I thank thee for thy generosity. Thine blade hath truly aideth my companions and I to vanquish what hath befallen here. This task completed, I doth return to thee thy blade as thou art thine rightful keeper.(I can't remember the exact words Brinya used when she gave us the Hopeknife to use. As it was given in a time of need, part of Bym continues to see the knife as Brinya's. Bym's role has been to act as an agent by which to wield it in her name and would not assume to keep it.)
The collar is only once per day on command. Bym will activate it as he himself is enlarging so shouldn't be an issue. Both potion and collar last for one minute.
Should Bym get an Earth Breaker, or is that too Lucerne Hammery? Option 2 is a heavy flail. Option 3 light flail.
How is resizing normal items going to work? What will the cost be?
As for the large +1 spear, RAW says it can't be resized. Even if Bym could use it as a lance (with a -8 penalty to att?) RAW would have a stroke; using oversized weapons is frowned upon. Sure, Lord of the Rings has multiple instances of the halflings using knives as short swords, but weapons two size categories outside the norm just doesn't translate.
Repairing the spear should be 1,152gp by someone with craft magical weapons or 0gp using the spell Make Whole as long as no pieces are missing. I say give the spear to Haloron or Seeva, let them repair it and sell it for their own profit.
Bym will be looking to purchase a few potions of enlarge person as a back-up to any spells the casters might offer. Another Dire Collar would also be useful as once per day isn't great if we will be engaging in long days with multiple encounters. Taking a minute between fights to swap collars doesn't sound impossible. There's a 75% chance of it being available, right? 75%:1d100 ⇒ 49
Shopping Budget 2,400gp:
Mwk Mountain Pattern Armor - 400gp
Mwk Great Sword - 350gp
Mwk Lance - 310gp
Dire Collar - 1,000gp
Potion Enlarge Person x3 - 150gp
Submitting for review for the reboot of Giantslayer: Bym Amberleaf
Backfluff:
When Bym witnessed the crashing of lances tilted between two splendidly armored knights, he knew he'd found his calling. As the youngest son, Bym got his chance and pledged the oath of squire to Knight Errant Senori Bernandi Branzino at the age of 15. For 8 years Bym studied and stood witness to Branzino's annual renewal of oath: to fight for those in need, bring justice to the mistreated, protect the honor of women and above all be valiant. Unfortunately, Senori Bernandi Branzino was a bit of a madman who placed chivalry ahead of his own personal safety. Never fleeing from a fight, the Knight Errant fell in the wilderness to superior numbers a fort night north of Kaer Maga. Obeying his master's final order to retire from the field, Bym watched from afar as orcs pulled his master down and unceremoniously hacked Branzoni to pieces.
Bym ran and was soon lost, wondering for days subsisting upon what was left of Senori Branzoni's supplies with which Bym was charged. Several days later, Bym had a vision of a woman, the Donlla Lilium de Chazulle who is the most beautiful woman to ever walk Golaria. In his vision, Donlla Lilium de Chazulle lead Bym to a lost wolf pup which she presented to him as a token of her affection. Upon awakening, Bym found and rescued the pup, caring for the animal like a horse, as that was the limit of Bym's training. Bym christened the pup Vheyron and with the wolf as his witness, vowed to take up the spirit of Senori Bernandi Branzoni's life work, for which Bym had been trained. Bym made his vow to vanquish fearsome monsters and tyranical conquers from the world, protect his kin (halflings) and any community he might find himself, and above all, to defend the honor and name of Donlla Liliun de Chazulle whose peerless beauty and refinement surpass all mortal women.
The two companions set out and met up with a caravan bound for Janderhoff from which Bym purchased the best sword his late master's purse would allow, a lance and shield. Bym and Vheyron renewed their oaths adding to dedicate all victories to the Donilla Liliun de Chazulle in order to keep her favor. Bym and Vheyron started by traveling the caravan roads, pledging their skill with sword and lance to travelers. They got paid, but were never taken seriously. Seeking to make a name for themselves, Bym and Vheyron have traveled by caravan to Trunau via Lastwall. Here in these badlands filled with morauding Orcs, Bym and his trusty companion Vheyron will test their valor and steel against all challengers!
