Callie Cobalt's page

Thanks for both taking it on and agreeing to mark me as inactive. Good luck! :)

I'm in another game with Vrog and I haven't heard from him in that since he first posted the account issue. He hasn't posted from his new alt since August. I think he's gone.

At this point, given my level of business with life and other games, I am just going to call this one a loss. If y'all want to seek another GM, I wish you the best of luck. It should be okay if the campaign fades to inactive, I believe it can still be picked up by a new GM later. Personally, I'd appreciate it if this thread weren't bumped in the meantime (unless it's Vrog posting a return) so it does go inactive so it's no longer in my active campaign list.

Good luck all, and happy gaming.

Sounds good.

That really sucks, man. I hope you are able to get this sorted out.

Appreciate the heads up about the game. Disappointing but understandable. As the relative newbie to the group I'll defer to what they say about seeking another GM or waiting.

"Well! That was... bracing." Before they go, Callie searches around the throne in case Pilt kept any goodies there.

Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

"I've no idea where Pilt could have gone, but let's clear out this area and find Scream. I just hope Pilt hasn't gone to Scream to keep him away from us."

"I have no idea." She nods to Laori. "If you don't mind healing, I would appreciate saving my strength. I expect this is not the last fight we'll have today." She isn't fond of the notion of torture but having, in a sense, tortured herself earlier in life, she doesn't feel she can philosophically object to accepting aid from a god of pain.

"He used a dimension door. So he's anywhere in a roughly 500 foot or so radius from here. If he has a safe room in this area, that's likely where he ran off to, otherwise... "

Callie tries to think of where a wounded individual might try to escape to within range of the spell.

Knowledge Local: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

I checked back to see when Pilt was providing "musical support" to his enemies, and could only find "Pilt begins rallying his men to action with his words..." Did I miss a more overt reference?

Otherwise I feel like as a bard, I (at the very least) should have been given a chance to recognize that (especially if it was actually musical, which doesn't seem to have been described prior; Callie uses Perform Oratory but it's still obvious she's telling a story or making a speech). Your description was not adequate enough to suggest a performance ("rallying his men to action" just sounds like he was saying "kill them!"). Callie can't countersong, but I could have switched over to a more effective performance sooner. I've never played a game in 32 years where it wasn't made clear that a bard was using a performance (I certainly try to roleplay Callie in a way that it is obvious).

Also could I have two points of clarification--
- Did I actually hit Pilt before he teleported? Would be good to know if he is wounded.

- Understanding that you may just have been trying to wrap up combat and give me a free strike, and thus at the risk of looking ungrateful: Callie used her AOO on Pilt and does not have Combat Reflexes, so technically she would not have been able to attack the guard.

I did not add the prone, so yes, she hit a 23 then. Thanks!

Attack of Opportunity versus Pilt, prayer, haste: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 19
Sadly I doubt that hits, but just in case
Damage, prayer: 1d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10

Spellcraft to ID Pilt's spell: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19

IIRC, if she does hit and he takes damage, he now needs to make a Concentration check to complete the spell. Sadly Disruptive won't apply because he isn't actually casting defensively.

If Pilt succeeds in disappearing, she says, "Damn, now he's teleported!"

Can you confirm Pilt teleported? want to know that before I post my action

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Can I also make a 5' step toward Pilt? I couldn't see the updated map prior, and I'd like to step toward him so her Disruptive feat can apply to him if possible--since she can actually see him. This shouldn't affect the rest of her actions.

GM, Alistair rolled his miss chances in his post and hit. Callie is at -16 as the guard hit her with 8 damage prior round. My statblock includes my damage taken and defensive boosts from haste.

Callie will still continue to report the positions of the invisible foes. Her words are interesting as she combines the reports with her narrative. "And like the fallen Rat King, Pilt hides by whereever he is standing along with his craven henchman wherever he is standing, so too will soon face the wrath of the people just as the Rat King was torn to shreds..." Free action to maintain performance

Meanwhile she turns her blade, which begins to glow a vibrant blue, at last upon the guard facing her. Swift action to activate Arcane Strike

Longsword attack 1, prayer, haste: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 28
Damage, prayer, arcane strike: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 10

Longsword attack 2 (hasted addition), prayer, haste: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 1 + 1 = 25
Damage, prayer, arcane strike: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 10

Longsword attack 3 (normal iterative), prayer, haste: 1d20 + 6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 + 1 + 1 = 23
Damage, prayer, arcane strike: 1d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 8

Weird. I swear to god I posted. I remember seeing the rolls and everything. I must have dreamed it!

Callie casts defensively once again, this time targeting all allies, including Laori, with a haste spell.

Concentration to cast Haste, DC 21: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31

All of her allies and herself become faster. +1 AC and reflex saves, boosted speed, and extra attack when full attacking

She also continues taunting her foes with her Dirge of Doom.

GM - in addition to the penalty inflicted by prayer, these guys should be at a -2 penalty to attack from Callie's Dirge of Doom, unless they are immune to fear effects, which should probably be discernible in that they don't look afraid. Since you're not breaking down your math on your rolls I can't tell if you're working it in or not. I know that the Dirge and flanking would cancel each other out but just still checking to be sure it's being considered. Also, I don't remember where Garran was when Pilt cast his spell, but both he and I are Disruptive which would increase Pilt's Concentration DC by 4.

Callie then grabs onto the throne to fling herself around to the other side of the guard who had just moved in to flank her, to get on his other side.

Acrobatics, Avoid AOO, Prayer: 1d20 + 19 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 19 + 1 = 29

If she fails, she still moves, she just triggers the AOOs and potentially takes damage

Maintaining a defensive stance with her blade, she attempts to cast see invisible.

Casting Defensively, DC 21, Combat Casting: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (11) + 18 = 29

If Pilt is invisible and she is now able to see him, she will shout out about where he is standing.

She maintains telling her terrifying tale of tyrants gone wrong.

Move to Acro over behind the guard, Standard to cast, free to maintain Dirge of Doom

Callie grips the wall and tries to fling herself over Pilt and his guards to get behind Pilt. If Pilt's throne blocks him from the back, she will land behind the nearest guard instead.

Acrobatics to move 15-20 ft through guard's square (DC his CMB +5): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (14) + 19 = 33
Acrobatics to move 15-20 ft past threatened squares (DC foes' CMB): 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38

Presuming Callie lands where she wants she jabs her foe (Pilt if she landed behind Pilt and can stab him, the guard if she landed behind the guard), infusing arcane energy into her blade, all the while telling her tale of petty tyrants falling.

Attack, Prayer, Flanking: 1d20 + 11 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 1 + 2 = 19
That may not hit, but just in case
Damage, Arcane Strike, Vital Strike, prayer: 2d8 + 4 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (3, 1) + 4 + 1 + 2 = 11

Free action: maintain Dirge of Doom; Swift Action: activate Arcane Strike; Move Action: Acrobatics moving 20 feet or less; Standard: attack

Garran and I are waiting for the GM to post Pilt's action

Technically, the dirge of doom only targets "foes," and "shaken" does not force targets to flee (frightened and panicked do) but if you want to creatively interpret that, that's fine. Does this mean Callie didn't step in front of the emperor? I thought those spaces were open.

Would it be too much to ask to move the maps to Google Draw or similar, where we could add and move tokens? one very crowded example (a barroom brawl)

I will post my move after Pilt takes his action

"Right. Let me regale them with a similar tale I told at the tavern the other night, and when you see an opening, go."

Callie offers a broad grin. As she begins to speak, she moves over to face the emperor directly. "Ah, if it's entertainment you want, your Majesty, then you know full well I can deliver. How about this? Shall I remind you of the tale of Dodging Arthur, the cutpurse who called himself king of the slums? And how, when he pushed just that little bit too far, he was drawn, quartered, and chopped into bits by his own 'subjects'? He had begun a lowly con artist who had stolen a certain bauble..."

Callie launches into her tale, initiating a Dirge of Doom.

All subjects within 30 feet become shaken. No save, but if it is relevant it is a mind-affecting fear effect, and it relies on audible and visual components.

No roll is necessary, but let's see how good her story is-Perform Oratory: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (19) + 12 = 31

Pilt is the Emperor. The Gnome is the Executioner who operates the "Tall Knife" (the guillotine).

GM, you've got the map of the palace up, but I'm not sure where we are in it. Would help to see where we are positioned to see what we can do (for example, to tip over the guillotine as Alistair suggests).

To make things easier--we can finalize this IC but I'm posting here because it is a little easier -- how do folks feel about one of the following:

1 - Callie starts a Dirge of Doom performance (which will cause everyone to be shaken) after which the PCs attack. She'll propose this IC if this sounds good.

2 - If the proximity is reasonable, Alistair charges the gnome and/or guillotine

3 - We just charge straight for Pilt

4 - Give him one more chance via a counter offer -- Emperer hands over Scream now or we wreck everything.

Other suggestions welcome.

Callie has message going since the morning BTW. Mind, this is not perfect proof from being overheard, but it can help.

"I agree with Alistair except for his insult to women everywhere. As to the game, I expect it involves a blood and pigs of one stripe or another, and is probably rigged and an attempt to kill us in broad daylight. At the same time, I doubt Pilt came to power without talented muscle at his disposal. If I approve of the beating and killing plan, it's only because a, I think it's going to be inevitable, and b, I don't like the way his 'tax collectors' are treating the people, and the longer we delay the inevitable, the more people get robbed and raped."

Sounds good to me!

I think it's fine to keep going

Callie's eyebrow bolts at the Emperor's comment. "And why would you be surprised we still live?" Her hand rests on her sword's hilt. "Anything you'd like to tell us, Pilt?"

Intimidate, change attitude: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22

I'm sorry this may not help with the Diplomacy tack. But she isn't keen on playing nice with someone who dragged a harmless artist away from his home by brute force, let alone with the other rough way they are treating people in the area--something she would no doubt make clear during conversation on the way back to the palace. In retrospect, we may have wanted to discuss approach ahead of time, with all due respect to the GM's eagerness to press forward. I know this application of Intimidate requires a minute of interaction but I am rolling in anticipation of some back and forth and/or presumed introductory banter.

Where do the tracks lead?

"First, let's take another look at those tracks in case he wasn't taken back to the 'palace'." Callie looks toward Garran.

Callie rolls her eyes as she takes in the tabard Laori produces. "While I agree with Garran about seeing where the tracks in particular lead, I am starting to get the feeling Pilt sent us on a wild goose chase." She frowns. "He's a playhouse runner. I what if the whole conversation we had with him and his 'subjects' was a grand performance to keep us from sniffing around his own 'palace'?" She spreads her hands. "I don't know about the rest of you, but if we weren't already trying to find missing persons, taking him and his would-be rapist bullies down would be my main priority in this ward. And I don't doubt he knows that either."

"That sounds fair to me." Callie says. "I'm an ex-ex noble, ex-cutpurse, current storyteller-mercenary good with a sword and the bardic arts with enough arcane skill to cast a basic dispel. Like most bards, good at a little bit of everything. Some might say master of nothing as well, but we can see about that." She grins cheekily.

She pauses. "Is 'Common Sense' a work Scream created by any chance? Not that I've seen it, but I'm curious."

Callie nods at Garran.

Callie frowns at Alika's information, and at Alistair's reaction. "It's not like the leather and the spiked whip weren't clues. Nor is it atypical of Scream's fans. It doesn't mean she's going to tie us to a rack--but it doesn't mean she won't either. Still, I trust at least she has a vested interest in Scream's survival. So do we. It might be better that we work together than at cross purposes, when we have a shared goal."

"I agree. I'd like to know more about her business with him, but can understand why she's not going to disclose it to a bunch of strangers. She seems to admire his work at least, and I doubt she has anything to do with the prior group that was here. Given she's the first non-hostile entity we've met here, apart from the kid from this morning, we can use all the help we can get."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

"And I am Callie Cobalt. I also echo the sensibility; as we consider this, do you mind if I ask how you know Mr. Scream and why you'd like to find him?"

Taking in the elf's choice of gear and fascination with the painting, Callie assumes the woman is a fan of Scream's and hopefully had nothing to do with the earlier tracks found.

"Given Garran here noticed signs of someone dragging him off awhile ago, we're a bit concerned," Callie adds.

Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

You can try to conceal casting with Stealth and Bluff checks, but I'm not going to waste time with that right now. She'll stand as far away as possible before casting the spell. To hear a brief (less than 6 seconds, as it's a standard action) incantation through other doors and walls would still require a Perception check, I'd think. I would like to establish as a standard operating procedure in the future that Callie will always cast message on the party before they enter an area they are investigating or exploring, and renew it automatically as needed as they proceed through an area.

Callie reports through the cantrip, "There's someone in there talking in a foreign language. Don't hear any hostilities though."

Ugh. I wasn't going to say a word, but since YOU did: that NPC in my last game was the worst most horrifying and yet annoying set of bad 90s character tropes rolled into one ever. I will trust that the last GM handled them poorly and you have a fresh take that makes them far less irritating.

Callie sneaks up near the door and listens at it, leaving room if anyone else wants to join her.

Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Callie nods and quietly casts the message cantrip.

"Skipping? Well... nice to have something different, I guess?"

Callie is ready.

"For the hole, my spell picked up something moving underground. Maybe whatever they threw in was to draw whatever that thing is. Or to feed it. Or they were throwing something away and that accidentally drew whatever it is. I don't fancy figuring out what's there, but we won't figure it out unless we check it out. Still, if someone's in the house right now, you're right, that takes priority. After you," she waves.

Callie raises her hand in warning. "There's something underground near here. It's moving away from us. Outside. I say let's try to avoid whatever it is as long as it doesn't keep us from the house." She then points at the path by the house--muddy footprints. "Someone's been here. Any of you good at analyzing tracks?"

Did he take the potion of lesser restoration I offered? Just want to track it on my gear either way. Linking your map in my post below to be sure folks realized you posted it, since we "turned a page."

Callie surveys the ramshackle abode that the locals say is Scream's home. "Hardly what I'd imagine a beloved artist, weird and sickening though the art might be, would live in. Those nobles should have offered better patronage."

Standing at the edge of the property, she casts sift a few times to see if there's anything lurking by the docks or water nearby.

Perception, nearby water, sift: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 8 - 5 = 15
Perception, nearby dock, sift: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 5 = 16
Perception, near edge of house, sift: 1d20 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 5 = 7

Callie suggests leaving Amin to rest and protect Orsini's house while they look for Salvator.

When they get to Salvator's possible residence in Old Dock, Callie suggests a slow and quiet approach, too worried about coming across more assassins.

Outside of giving Alika a chance to prep spells, is the timing that important? Otherwise, the party has clarified its intent to rest/wait in the house until the next morning (not merely stop at an 8 hour interval), especially so Alika could regain her spells. While personally I would prefer to wait until morning before we continue our investigation, I will defer to the rest of group whether they wish to go on your proposed timetable and depart in the evening or wait until the following morning as originally planned.

Callie says to the party before they leave, "Scream is a strange one. He's not a public figure, per se--like, he doesn't address the public. But he's popular in two very different circles. He paints really gorey, graphic stuff that gives certain bored nobles a tickle in their knickers, and they pay him a fair fee for his work. But when that doesn't pay his bills, he paints backdrops at the Old Dock playhouse for the Exemplary Execrables. So likewise he's got a number of fans among the lower classes who enjoy the blood and gore in his backdrops as well."

She pauses, thinking. "Makes me wonder if he has ties to Pilt. Let's see what we find at Scream's house, but I'm starting to wonder if 'the Emperor' has sent us on a wild goose chase."

GM--result on my Knowledge Local check about Salvator Scream?

As for the timing, Alika and I both acknowledged the events you linked to. We all agree we searched the school till dawn (which would now have been yesterday). Re-reading through the thread you linked to, Garran suggested resting after we finished sifting through the rubble, but we never actually did--we left straight for Orsini's after we finished searching the School; the time we would have departed the School to go to Orsini's would be in the morning. So we got to the house in the morning (as it was nearby). We searched the house and fought the assassins, which took us probably from the morning to the afternoon. We THEN and only then, decided to rest (and probably longer than usual since we had pulled an all-nighter). I think the party is in agreement we settled to rest the same afternoon we searched the house, but rested until early morning the following day. We do need to agree to be on the same page about this, as it does affect Alika's spell preparation.

I agree with Alika (and so does my uses/day tracking, which I haven't yet updated post rest, but reflects both spells cast at the School and at Orsinis); while we discussed resting after finishing our search of the School, we did not actually rest--we went straight to Orsinis at dawn, and then rested once we were all done searching everything. I think it makes sense that this is the next morning, not evening.

Weird, I didn't see the new messages on Friday and Saturday

"Well, Salvator Scream is the only lead we've got. Shall we head to Old Dock? We can't guarantee the assassins will come back here, but we can't wait around here all day either."

Knowledge Local-Salvator Scream?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30

Callie watches Alika administer to the youth (has any one introduced him to Callie?) and whistles. "Oof, you got hit that hard if that's the treatment you need." She pulls out one of her potions of lesser restoration and holds it out to him. "If you're still weak, take this--save some of our good priestess's skills for later. Also, if you're hungry..." She also reaches into her haversack and offers him an apple.

"Don't suppose you got any idea who sent these bug men? What they are after?"

"Well, we saw the results of what happened. Did you see what started the fire?"

Alistair, given Callie is actually holding the door (at a crack), this means you would have had to shove Callie out of the way and tear the door out of her hands to perform the action you described. First of all, I would appreciate your checking with me before ignoring my character's agency or doing violence to her like that. Please don't something like that again without checking with me. Secondly I think something like that, given Callie would not just allow herself to be pushed away without warning, at the very least calls for a combat maneuver check versus Callie to make that happen.