I'd like to submit Cander Vitrich for your perusal. Cander is a Human Sohei Monk who seamlessly weaves between melee, ranged, and mounted combat.
Backstory:
Cander Vitrich was born to two stern traditionalist parents in the south of Brevoy. Traditional Rostlanders and horse farmers, he was raised under extremely high and harsh expectations to hold up the family name and tradition.
Long before they were simple horse breeders and traders, the Vitritch family served under Sirian Aldori when he was still known as Baron Sirian First. When First disappeared into obscurity after losing a duel with the local bandit lord, the family and their horse-based combat style fell from favor. When Aldori emerged victorious years later from creating his new sword style, the Vitritch line had already settled down in a small homestead out of the way of the bandits, breeding horses to trade in order to survive. One day, a lucky ancestor of Cander’s discovered what would be told to his descendants as a mine “lined with the finest gold one had ever seen.” With the confidence of new riches and a head swollen with the possibility of restored status, Cander’s ancestors marched into Baron Aldori’s court, asking to once again rejoin the Baron.
Aldori’s new regime of swordlord had no place for Vitritch “Horseplay.” The family was spat upon for their “desertion” of the Baron’s banner, and were cast back into obscurity when they approached the court, seeking audience with the man they once followed. Grasping at an opportunity for entertainment and challenge in a time of peace, a group of Aldori sword lords and their followers brought conflict to the Vitritch homestead in the Stolen Lands. They offered an ultimatum: Surrender the goldmine, or die. The Vitritch family fled in the night, using their well-honed skills of stealth to escape swordlord eyes, and set up a homestead under a different name upon Rostland’s border. The exact location of the mine was eventually forgotten by both sides, and only rumors of its riches remained in the Vitrich oral history.
Despondent, but not defeated, the Vitritch family preserved their traditions in secret, and passed their combat techniques and family birthright onto each successive generation. As time passed, the Vitritch family and their exploits faded from Brevic memory while Baron Aldori’s glory was preserved. While most of the family remained proud of their stoic isolation in the south of the Rostland, Cander’s father was different. He was the first of his line to resent his family’s lack of ambition, instead teaching his children that the combat techniques of their family was squandered in simply protecting the homestead and preservation of tradition. He wanted his eight children to do what he, at his old age, could not: make their mark on the world, and bring the Vitritch name to glory once more!
Cander was his best student among all his sons. Fast, strong, wise, and extremely coordinated, he took to combat as a normal man took to breathing. Cander would have been envied by his brothers and sisters for this prowess, had his father not been all the harder on him for it. Cander was drilled day-in and day-out, constantly confronted with grueling tasks of strength and finesse. His less-gifted siblings looked on in wonder, fascinated not only by the strength and confidence of Cander’s movements, but also the sheer dedication he had for it.
While he succeeded at nearly every exercise, such a training regimen took its toll: Cander’s social growth was somewhat stunted. He didn’t have time to interact with other children or young-people his age under the stern yoke of his father. Because he never argued with his father, and seldom shared much with his brothers and sisters outside of training, Cander never developed a talent for personal interaction. Instead of words, he often responded with action, and when action was not the appropriate response he would often falter. Combat was his strength, not conversation.
This was only reinforced by the family’s conservative interpretation of the God Erastil’s teachings. Cander’s father took his position as head of the household to be a god-given right, and if a decision came from any other source than he, it was wrong and insubordinate. As such, Cander had very little free will of his own, and often deferred to his father’s “wisdom” when trouble reared its ugly head. This is not to say that he had a poor relationship with his father. Quite the opposite. The two were extremely close, but their relationship was a stern one. They loved each other in their own way.
When word came that Restov was looking for adventurers to civilize the Greenbelt and thwart the bandits within, Cander’s father saw his son’s first chance at success. His father filling his head with imagery of honor and glory, Cander was soon convinced to ride towards the small fort known as Olegg’s trading post, seeking redemption of the family name he had always been taught to revere.
His only regret was that he couldn't take his father's bow with him, as the homestead wouldn't survive without game to eat and pelts to sell. Oh well. Perhaps he'd be able to pick one up somewhere along his journey...
Personality:
Cander is quite green when it comes to adventuring, and will usually resort to action before he resorts to words. His dedication is second to none, but sometimes becomes frustrated when he cannot complete a task as he wished. Despite this, he can be extremely innocent and naïve, sometimes easily fooled by subterfuge and distracted by the shiny (or curvy) things that may come his way. Above all, Cander venerates Erastil, and trusts goodness and order. Should a creature or action seem inclined towards chaos, dishonesty, or evil, Cander will give every effort to change or stop it.
Appearance:
Cander is not short, but not tall either, resting in a build of catlike athleticism that favors sinew over bulk. His upper body is quite tan from practicing in the sun’s rays all of his life, but anyone seeing his legs or feet would know that his skin is originally pale, derived from his Taldan ancestry. Cander’s black hair is messy and uncontrollable by nature, and as such he wears it in a ponytail, under a hat, or using other such methods of restraining his unruly mane. He keeps with him a very practical outfit of earthy tones as one might expect from a Druid or Ranger, topped with a shirt of hide armor and adorned with various forms of weaponry. Under the plain-seeming facade, in the sleeves of his garments lie two spring-loaded wrist-sheathes. One might think that such equipment betrays a deceptive nature, but in fact they serve a more practical purpose: swift access to medium-range ammunition.
Sample Roleplay:
"So, boy, you said you were just passin’ through. Where’re you heading?”
Cander was already on his third drink when the barkeep asked him this question. The question that he had hoped someone would ask on this journey of his. The nineteen year old stumbled to his feet and declared, "I’m going to The Stolen Lands!”
The entire tavern roared with laughter.
"And what’ll you be doin’ there, young lad? Planting flowers with the fey? Marching with the Mites? Keeping up with the Kobolds?”
"I’m going to settle them, and take down all monsters and bandits with ‘em!”
Now the tavern fell nearly silent. These men were simple. They did not know many things. But one of the things they did know is that in the Greenbelt, it’s humans who are often the greatest monsters.
"Are you sure about that, lad? These are bad times for law and order in The Stolen Lands.”
"Which is why I’ll change them,” Cander replied, and attempted to make a dramatic exit, just like the heroes did in his storybooks.
"BOY GET THE HELLS BACK IN HERE. YOU HAVEN’T PAID YOUR TAB!”
"SORRYSORRYSORRY!" Cander exclaimed, scurrying back to the bar and fiddling with coins before dropping them on the counter. Embarrassed, he then drunkenly sulked his way out of the tavern, hoping that hanging with his horse could cheer him up.
Crunch:
Cander Vitritch
Male Human (Taldan) Monk (Sohei) 1 (Pathfinder RPG Ultimate Combat 0)
LG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +4; Senses Perception +5
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Defense
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AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 armor, +4 Dex)
hp 10 (1d8+2)
Fort +4, Ref +6, Will +3
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee lance +2 (1d8+3/×3)
. . unarmed strike +2 (1d6+2)
. . wushu dart +2 (1d3+2)
Ranged wushu dart +4 (1d4+2)
Special Attacks flurry of blows
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Statistics
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Str 14, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 8
Base Atk +0; CMB +2; CMD 16
Feats Improved Unarmed Strike, Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Ride-By Attack
Traits armor expert, pioneer
Combat Skills Acrobatics +8, Knowledge (Religion) +4, Perception +5, Ride +9, Sense Motive +5, Stealth +8
Background Skills Knowledge (History) +4, Profession (Woodworking) +5
Languages Common
SQ devoted guardian, unarmed strike
Other Gear hide shirt, lance, wushu dart (10), spring loaded wrist sheath (worth 5 gp, 1 lb), spring loaded wrist sheath (worth 5 gp, 1 lb), heavy horse, monk's kit, saddlebags, whetstone, wooden holy symbol of Erastil, 20 gp,
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Special Abilities
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Armor Expert -1 Armor check penalty.
Devoted Guardian +0 (Ex) At 1st level, a sohei can always act in a surprise round even if he does not notice his enemies, though he remains flat-footed until he acts. In addition, a sohei gains a bonus on initiative rolls equal to 1/2 his monk level. At 20th level, a sohei's
Flurry of Blows -1/-1 (Ex) Make Flurry of Blows attack as a full rd action.
Improved Unarmed Strike Unarmed strikes don't cause attacks of opportunity, and can be lethal.
Point-Blank Shot +1 to attack and damage rolls with ranged weapons at up to 30 feet.
Precise Shot You don't get -4 to hit when shooting or throwing into melee.
Ride-By Attack You can move - attack - move when charging mounted.
Unarmed Strike (1d6) The Monk does lethal damage with his unarmed strikes.
Mina (Horse Gained From Pioneer Trait)
Female Horse
N Large animal
Init +4; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
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Defense
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AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 11 (+4 Dex, -1 size, +2 natural)
hp 26 (2d8+10)
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +3
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Offense
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Speed 50 ft.
Melee bite +5 (1d4+5) and
. . 2 hooves +0 (1d6+2) and
. . unarmed strike +5 (1d4+5 nonlethal)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
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Statistics
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Str 20, Dex 18, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 17, Cha 11
Base Atk +1; CMB +7; CMD 21 (25 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Run
Tricks Come, Heel, Riding, Stay
Skills Acrobatics +4 (+8 to jump with a running start), Perception +8
SQ riding
Other Gear monk's kit, saddlebags
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Special Abilities
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Endurance +4 to a variety of fort saves, skill and ability checks. Sleep in L/M armor with no fatigue.
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Riding [Trick] The animal has been trained to bear a rider.
Run Run 5x your speed in light/medium armor or 4x speed in heavy armor and keep Dex when running.
Scent (Ex) Detect opponents within 15+ feet by sense of smell.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cander does not own a tent, but instead takes his bedroll out of Mina's saddlebags and sets it on a patch of soft grass.
Katya Sokholov wrote:
What do we do with the horses while we're camping? I assume we can't just tie them to a tree.
"Well, yes and no, Katya. What we want to do is set up a "highline." We tie a rope between two trees and then tie the horses to that rope with some distance between them. That way, they won't get tangled up with one another and can't trap themselves by walking around the tree trunk too many times..."
Cander goes on to explain the process, showing Katya how to tie the requisite knots and how to place debris in-between the ropes and the tree-trunks so that the line does not make a mark. He also enlists her to clear the debris below and around the highline, so the horses might have a more comfortable place should they decide to lie down or roll.
"That should do it." he says, when all is said and done. "And should there be an emergency in the night, do not cut the highline. Our horses will panic and could hurt each other if they decide to gallop in different directions. Instead, cut the rope attached to their bridle and take control from there."
By this time, the others have most likely finished pitching their individual supplies.
Harsk, how do you suggest we make a campfire blind?
Remembering bits and pieces from when his father would take him camping farther into the wilderness, Cander attempts to take the lead in finding a secure place to stay for the night.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Harsk Ironback wrote:
Unless you intend to pull that damn creature by its reigns the whole way, aye I mean to walk. You think I get much horse trainin in the forge? You mean to take me a man's shoulder off the ground? Scores of miles bother me none, I'm a race bred and born to do so.
"Ugh... fine." Cander growls. He had envisioned the group gallantly galloping across the plains, the horses' manes flying in the wind. Now he couldn't even exceed a moderate trot because the little man felt squeamish about saddles.
Surivival:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Between his frustration and the sighting of possible game, Cander gets so distracted that he doesn't pay attention to the trail. He does, however, follow anyone who seems like they know where they're headed.
"Another day, perhaps..." he sighs wistfully, his mouth watering at the prospect of fresh venison.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Harsk Ironback wrote:
Harsk shoulders his gear wordlessly and follows the others, Just don't get too far ahead of me. I'm strong but my parents were only as tall as they were and I can only walk so wide in the step.
"Wait, say what?! WOAH THERE, MINA!"
Cander brings his steed to a screeching halt, then turns her to face the dwarf.
"Harsk, surely you can't mean you're going to walk?! It could be scores of miles to their encampment. Besides, we have plenty of steeds for us now," Cander points towards the Bandits' former horses, "So no one has to ride backsaddle. Everyone wins."
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
So all are ready to engage in open-worldedness? Awesome! Feel free to take your time, Angel, as I know world maps can be difficult to set up in these situations without revealing too much.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cander mounts his steed, securing saddlebags and tightening straps before departing. He leans forward in the saddle, offering a handful of nuts and berries to Mina who voraciously gobbles them up.
"Alright, old gal, lets get going!"
As soon as the others are ready, Cander will be the first to set off through the gates, believing himself best to take point in the expedition.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
"Worry not, good friend. We shall not travel too far, as the light is already half-done, and should be able to survive without your arcane talents for at least that long," Cander proclaims, pleased with himself in finding a clear trail.
These hoofprints shouldn't be hard to follow. Besides, the sooner we set out, the easier to follow this trail will be!"
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Harsk Ironback wrote:
Again...I agree with the Orc? The world 'as gone to dis'eray! Huffing a second the dwarf continues, We might as well use the time. A spot of scouting while the man cools his heels in the shed then we come back and see how he feels about this mornin.
Oh, Harsk, there's no reason to sound so surprised! I think Cuddles here has a good head on his shoulders, despite some of the words that might come out of it. I agree that if we cannot get information about the bandit's camp from him, we should pursue its discovery immediately. The sooner we get there, the closer we are to clearing banditry from these lands."
Cander goes to the gate to see if he might be able to determine the origin of the riders via their hoofprints and other such markers of their passage.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Anton Marakov wrote:
Sorry I haven't been posting. I've been sick for over a week now, and unable to get my head straight for some of my games. Probably just assume that Anton is watching the proceedings with horror.
GM Angel wrote:
Don't worry Harsk. You have your own dwarf point scale. And he has a hammer in hand to mete out thoseoints.
Nothing major just yet. Looks like I have to get iv antibiotics. Just going to take me out of commission a few days.
Take care guys! Game is always secondary to your own health, so be sure to get some rest.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
"I think it's fair to say that this one's no threat. We should let him calm down for a while, then see what he can tell us. Oy, Oleg! Is that shed ready yet?"
Just as a reminder, Oleg did say he was converting the shed into a holding cell, right?
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cander grimaces as Cuddles's fist ends the life of another man.
This isn't an execution, he thought. This is a massacre.
He turns to the remaining man with a pleading look in his eyes. He goes down on one knee, trying to appeal to the poor fool:
"Look, man: under the charter that we've been charged with, your friends left us no choice but to execute them as is dictated by Brevic law. Our hands are tied in respect to what we must do. You, however, still have a choice. You have a chance at life. I know that you're scared, and I know that a lot has happened, but take a few moments and consider your options: repent and you live. Remain adamant, and you die like the rest."
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
GM Angel wrote:
Cander, as he lands the kick on the man's temple seems to hit much harder than he initally intended to, and a sickening sound of his head and neck twisting suddenly and cracking several times can be heard, silencing the poor man's screams.
"Dear gods, this went south quickly."
Cander wipes the bits of blood from his bootheel. He was now a killer. Not a murderer, though, he reminded himself. This was an execution, a destruction of evil. But why did he feel so... empty?
Cander shook his head. The men who had spoken had been idiots, and for that he felt regret that the party couldn't make them understand how futile their resistance was, but that was no reason to beat himself up. He remembered something his father once told him:
"Men do not change, son. Remember that. Boys change. Hell, women change from day-to-day. But men never truly change."
He didn't want to believe it, but in front of him was evidence. These men, being threatened with death, were responding with idiotic loyalty to a bandit lord that probably wont even care that they've been killed.
GM Angel wrote:
"You can all die in a fire. You might take me, but the Stag Lord owns this land, and he will avenge us."
"Not if he doesn't know you're dead, man. We're going to get the drop on your 'Stag Lord,' and when we do? The only thing he'll be a ruler of is the plot of dirt we set him in. We're giving you one last chance: repent, and you live. Continue to screw yourself over, and you die."
Cander spins to deliver a powerful kick towards the man's temple, hoping to knock him unconscious at the very least. He may have been an unrepentant criminal, but no one deserves that kind of pain.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cander is all hopped up on victory. I guess he'll make the big speech.
Cander thanks Svetlana, then steels himself for the task ahead.
"Alright. Cuddles: would you be so kind as to stay here with the bandits? If any of them move... give them a really big hug. A really really big hug. In the meantime, we're going to take them one by one ask ask them a few questions, okay?"
If Cuddles agrees, Cander walks up to the captured bandits and begins to pontificate:
"Alright, boys, you've found yourself in a bit of trouble. We've been sent here by the Swordlords to civilize this region. As you've been able to see, we certainly have the ability to deal with the likes of you without taking so much as a scratch. That's why it's very important that you each answer the questions we're about to ask each of you truthfully: we're not screwing around. If we think you're lying, you might end up with your head separated from your shoulders and speared on a pike from these walls.
Now, we're going to take each one of you individually to the guesthouse here and we're going to talk from a little while. We're going to ask you a few questions, and from your answers we'll be able to decide what to do with you. If you run, you'll be stopped. Cuddles is very good at stopping people. If you fight? You'll most likely be killed. We're offering you a chance here, so don't muck it up by doing something stupid."
Cander then motions for the group, sans Cuddles, to come with him into the guest house. Once inside, Cander will make sure each captive is sitting on the bed, and that he himself is standing in front of the door, the only exit from the guesthouse. If all goes as planned, he asks each of them the following:
"What's your name?"
"Where are you from?"
"Why are you in the Greenbelt?"
"What skills do you have?"
"How did you come to a life of banditry?"
"What do you know about the men you work with?"
"Where is your base of operations?"
Added the last ones, as they may be important and are two answers that Cander cares greatly about. GM Angel, would you rather we roll Sense Motive now or after the Bandits tell their tales?
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
"Yeah, we all have the same charter, then. My guess was that after we decide what to do with these bandits and put the kibosh on their operations that we start going after any other local baddies, monsters, giants, trolls, etc. You name it, we'll set it right. I'd say we don't really have our bases covered with our current members, but if that last battle was any indicator we'll do just fine."
Caden, though glad to have something other than nuts and berries to stuff his gut, was still hankering for some meat in his diet. He eats the radish stew slowly, hoping that he'll fill up before he finishes his bowl.
Oleg wrote:
Speaking of. As a reward for you all, I would like to offer you 50 gold crowns as payment for helping to defend my post, as well as these.
"50 crowns and potions, and you get security AND the rest of their gear? Oleg, my friend, you're one hell of a businessman, but I like you. Your generosity has been more than measured, so thank you for both your hospitality in past, present, and future."
Cander is obviously somewhat drunk on the last victory as he says this, convinced that he's proven himself to be some sort of hot-shot adventurer after one skirmish.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
The moral debate is beginning to bore Cander, but a life of living with siblings has taught him that when emotions get involved, decision-making processes become far more difficult. He tries to find some way to reach an accord between the party members:
"We have a lot of different ideas at the moment, but a lot of it seems to hinge upon the bandits' guilt or innocence, the only side of which we've heard from Oleg and Svitlana."
He grimaces upon a certain recollection: "Also, of course, we have the self-incriminating words of the one damnable bastard, spouting all kinds of foulness before the fight. I trust our hosts and what we've already heard with our own ears, but these men should have a chance to talk to us."
"I think we can all agree that they should be given a chance to redeem themselves, whether it be through penance or mercy. Why not listen to them first, then decide how to deal with them. If we remain unconvinced of their innocence, we can react accordingly. Besides, they can begin enacting their "penance" by giving us information about this "Stag Lord's" operations. We have nothing to lose by listening."
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Katya Sokholov wrote:
I have another issue with the plan to enlist these men in our endeavours to rid the Greenbelt of banditry: if we do bring them along with us, how will we police them? If any of them do indeed harbour wicked intent, it would only take a momentary loss of concentration for us to wind up with a knife in our back or at our throat.
"I'm with Katya on this. To keep them with us is hardly practical. It would expend too much energy and we'd never get a moment's rest. In addition: I don't know about you all, but I'm not comfortable giving men the choice of 'Join us or die.' Only the truly twisted speak in absolutes."
Katya Sokholov wrote:
Perhaps we should ask Oleg and Svetlana for their input into this? After all, they are the victims here--at least, they’re the ones we know and have ready access to.
Cander had a thought, one so clear and possibly useful that he couldn't keep it to himself.
"What if we cross-reference what these bandits say about themselves with what others say about them? We can take Oleg and Svetlana's word at face value, but then see how well the bandits' stories line up with the background information our hosts provide. With any luck, we can get the bandits to incriminate themselves if they're truly guilty, and get a sense for how they speak of, and treat, others."
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
As the group disarms the bandits and sets aside their gear, the hooded man's bow catches Cander's eye. He runs his hand along the curves, then tests the bow's draw. It seemed a perfect match: not too taut, but also not too easy to draw. He stowed it on his back, unstringing his original bow and sliding it into the cords of Mina's saddlebags.
"Never hurts to have extras," he said, to no one in particular.
GM Angel wrote:
After you gather everything together, you will notice that the Cloaked man is in possession of a silver amulet, with an image of the Stag's Head on it.
"Anyone know what this thing is? Holy symbol, maybe?"
Knowledge Religion:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Haha, nope.
Svetlana wrote:
"Moon radish stew will be going on in a little bit everyone. Hope you are hungry for Lunch!"
"Thank you so much Ma'am! I'm so hungry I could it a-" his eye catches Mina mid-sentence, "-radish. I could eat a radish."
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Harsk Ironback wrote:
Harsk looks up at Cander after a cursory inspection, Looks like he'll live. I'm no healer though..ah..."triage" is a might better word for it. I suspect we don't treat him too rough though, he'll be al'right.
"Thank you, Harsk, and thank the gods! I thought I'd accidentally killed the man. I meant to take it easy on him, even traded my lance for a fist in hitting him. I swear I thought he'd be tougher, being one of their leaders and all. Or at least I assume this is the 'crude oaf' Oleg was talking about..."
Harsk Ironback wrote:
Harsk stands and looks out over the bandits, Right so...staright to the trial or do we give them an opportunity to do some "repenting"?
"Let's tie them up and then confiscate their ill-gotten goods. After that, we can ask them for their stories and see who, or what, we believe."
They are criminals and cutthroats, after all. For them to be liars as well would be no surprise, Cander thought, dismounting Mina and patting her on the nose.
"Sorry I was rough on you, girl. You did well, and Ol' Deadeye knows you'll get extra feed tonight!"
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Harsk Ironback wrote:
I have to concede that I have played this particular part of the AP a couple of times (long story) and it always goes differently. This is by far the smoothest a group I have seen handle the bandits. And lets be honest here it was only 2/3 of the group LOL Leandric and I didn't really do much.
Same here, actually. I was in an optimized Kingmaker once (the party consisted of a Master Summoner, a Musket Master Gunslinger, a Vivisectionist/Beastmorph Alchemist, and a "Captain America" Ranger all at 25 point-buy) and even then this battle lasted a few rounds. The campaign kind of fizzled out after the first book, though, so I only have vague recollections of what comes later.
DM Angel wrote:
Oh Cander..., vigorous motion on a horse, 2 rounds back to the post...
I'll have to do some rolls in a bit. See if he lived through it.
While you're more than welcome to houserule it in your own game, I was under the impression that RAW Vigorous Motion only was a hindrance to spellcasting and had no bearing on causing damage or hindering stabilize checks. Nonetheless, the bandit lives, so I'm not complaining.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Oh no. Oh no no no!
Cander rushes to the fallen figure, lifts him, and gently places him on the back of Mina's saddle.
He rides back to camp, one hand holding the bandit's form, the other on the reins. He gallops back into the courtyard and bellows "Harsk! This man needs a healer!"
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Seeing Katya's arrow hit it's mark, Cander's mind turns to her words the day previous: the bandits were to be shown mercy. What Cander needed was not power, but speed.
He throws his lance on the ground and grasps Mira's reins with both hands, controlling her every minute turn and movement over the changing terrain. Due to his quickness in action, they had closed the distance to the hooded figure.
"It's now or never, girl."
Mina began her charge directly toward the figure, and as they pass, Cander releases the reins and strikes out with a whiplike backfist!
After delivering the attack, Mina continues to ride forward in anticipation of the other horse doing the same.
Cander/Mina charge as a full-round action, with Cander using his ride-by attack feat to avoid attacks of opportunity from the rider. Cander's bonus to attack is increased by 3 due to charge bonuses and Cleric-magic, and his AC decreases by 2 for this round.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Did Katya's readied attack hit the rider? Also, due to the surprise round being over, wouldn't we roll initiative to see if the cloaked rider rides away before we can react?
Cander follows in pursuit! Not wishing to let the man escape, much less alert his allies, he pushes Mina hard, digging his heels into her sides.
"Sorry girl, but we've got to move!"
Ride to spur mount:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Damage to Mina:1d3 ⇒ 3
Poor thing takes full damage... :(
Mina can run at five times her speed, which while spurred becomes a total of 300 ft. per round. The two pursue the figure to the best of their ability.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Glad the ACG is so good! I might actually buy it now... I was kind of skeptical when the Playtest became available.
Also RE: Job - I'm feeling you there, Angel. Mine is yanking me around every-which-way at the moment. If it weren't for the benefits and opportunities for advancement I'd be out of here in no time flat.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Ride to mount as free action:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
Time to clean up this scum.
Unable to stand the insults to (the illusory) Oleg, Cander springs into action. He masterfully mounts Mina, using his lance as a vaulting-pole, and lands squarely in the saddle. He rides quickly and masterfully into melee range of two of the men, delivering a mighty kick to one of them, brandishing his lance at the other.
"The only cries heard across the Greenbelt today will be yours!" he proclaims.
Cander succeeds in his check to mount as a free action, then uses Mina's movement to get into melee range of the two bandits surrounding point A1 (about 40 ft. of movement, Mina's speed being 50). He then delivers an unarmed strike attack to the Bandit taunting the illusory Oleg, whichever one that might be.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
By the time the riders arrive, Cander has already sharpened and stowed his lance, dao, and two wushu darts. When Katya gives him the signal, he reports the four riders presence to the others as quickly and quietly as possible.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cander awakes with a start, wondering at first where this strange roof came fr-
Oleg's.
It all came rushing back to him: the talk of battle, the extortion, the morality. The battle was about to begin shortly and he did not have much time to prepare.
Cander grabs a few handfuls of his trail rations to steel his stomach, and washes it down with what's left in his waterskin. After re-stringing his bow, he makes his way outside, greeting whomever he may encounter on his way. He then bridles and saddles Mina, lays down his weapons near the middens, and reties his horse between the two buildings adjacent.
Katya Sokholov wrote:
Should we post a lookout on the wall? she asks as she ties her hair back into a quick plait. I'm happy to do it if everyone agrees.
"Sounds reasonable, just don't let yourself be seen. With you up there, we'll be able to close the gates before they reach the walls if they come with a larger force than expected."
Cander spends the rest of the time near the middens, sharpening his weapons for the upcoming battle with his whetstone.
Sharpening with a whetstone takes 15 minutes per weapon, granting the weapon a +1 on Damage rolls the first time that it hits a target. Cander will spend 15 minutes polishing each of these weapons in this order until the bandits arrive: Lance, Nine-Ring broadsword, then as many Wushu darts as he can.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
After eating his share of the stew, Cander stables his steed and makes his way into the guest house. Before they retire, he also asks if Oleg or Svetlana would wake him after they rose, so that he might sharpen his weapons.
As he gets into bed, he sits on the mattress and nocks an arrow upon his bowstring. He recites from memory:
"Yea Old Deadeye be my guide
Through the wood and to pierce the hide
Bless mine bow, and bless mine arrow
To rend the flesh and sunder marrow
To prey and foe alike beware,
The God Of Hunters hears my prayer."
After he finishes his invocation, he unstrings the bow and falls to sleep.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cuddles wrote:
Cuddles grins even larger. CUDDLES WAS ENBIGGED ONE TIME! HE LOVES!
PLEASE for the love of all that is holy let that be an innocent comment.
"So, would Cuddles have to wait around to double in size, or could he already be engaged in combat? If so, we can take full advantage of each second given by the spell. Also, if I can start on horseback, that will definitely be advantageous, as I can both kick and fire from the saddle."
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Sorry I'm late to the game, folks! I'm a New-Yorker with a full-time job, so between my hours and public transit my posting hours can be strange.
I like where the map is going in reference to tactics, the surrounding of the thieves is great, giving them nowhere to run and we can take advantage of flanking in melee.
One thing that Cander can capitalize on is his Ride By Attack feat, keeping the thieves off-balance with superior mobility, and then attacking with his bow when charges aren't possible. In such a situation, it may be best for him to start on horseback between Buildings A3 and A4 or A4 and A7.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Katya Sokholov wrote:
Oh, don't get me wrong, Katya says, I find their activities as horrifying as you do, and if they are unwilling to repent and become members of society then I'll happily wield the headsman's axe. But we do need to give them an opportunity to renounce their lives of banditry. A lot of people only turn to robbing others when times are bad for them personally. Some of them welcome an opportunity to leave that life and rejoin the rest of us, but others...
She trails off and stares into the middle distance for a moment, before putting one hand on her hip and pinching the bridge of her nose with her other hand.
Perception DC 15:
You're sure the hand that went to her hip was originally straying toward her peacebonded shortsword. It looks a bit awkward.
Anyway, she says, eyes still closed, are we agreed that we'll try to ambush them in the morning, try to capture rather than kill, and that any that we do capture will be given a fair trial, to the best of our capabilities?
Perception on Katya:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
I like this girl, but something tells me we shouldn't trust her entirely...
"I'm in full agreement. What preparations can we make before the morn?"
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
cynarion wrote:
In one short post you've just hammered home how naive Cander is. Nice work--it also helps that it made me laugh out loud. ; )
Haha, thanks! I'm trying to see how different I can make him from a young Oracle I'm also playing. They're both very green, but in different ways, and the characters in each campaign are reacting accordingly: Everyone in the Reign of Winter campaign loves the Oracle, and feelings about Cander in this one seem to be skeptical at best.
cynarion wrote:
Hey Tassadan, does Cander wear any obvious holy symbols indicating his worship of Erastil?
I'm glad you asked! He doesn't have a pendant or anything like that, but carved on each side of his bow is an image of deer antlers stretching from the center to the tips. It's nothing masterwork, just something one of his more artistically talented siblings did to wish him well on his journey. Also, as a bow and arrow are Erastil's chosen weapon AND holy symbol, Cander will usually nock (but not draw) an arrow before beginning prayers. He hasn't had occasion for these yet, but once we start getting into a day-to-day routine it will come up more.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Katya Sokholov wrote:
Cander Vitritch wrote:
"The charter says we are able to execute unrepentant bandits. Doesn't that mean we should at least try to talk to them first? After we subdue them, of course. Playing fair doesn't mean we have to play stupid.
She turns to Oleg and Svetlana. I can't speak for the others--we have yet to discuss what our charters actually mean--but I for one would be happy to ensure these bandits don't bother you again.
She looks around the compound. Is there a place we might use as a temporary prison, if we happen to capture any alive? And could we perhaps move a few things around to create some cover and give ourselves a better chance at surprising these low-lifes when they show up tomorrow?
"Hmph! Extortion and threatened rape sound pretty unrepentant to me! I'm not anxious to kill anyone, though, and regardless, I think you may be right: we should let each bandit plead their case to make sure that some have not been coerced into this way of life. Let's do this in as fair a way possible."
But a surprise attack or trapping them... That doesn't sound honorable at all! he thought, if they outnumber us, though, it might actually even the playing field. I guess I'll go along with this plan... for now.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
"Er, "Cuddles" here has the right idea. The punishment for banditry is death, no matter how strict that sentence may seem. We are far from simple sellswords, sir. We are arbiters of justice. We will rid you of these bandits, sir, once and for all!"
Diplomacy to improve standing in Oleg and Svitlana's eyes:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15
Cander strikes what he considers to be a heroic pose: beaming brightly with his fist raised righteously toward the sky.
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cander is a bit taken aback by... Cuddles. He's never seen an orc before. Hell, he'd never seen a member of a non-human race before. All the stories he'd heard of orcs had been of marauding bands and evil warlord. "Cuddles" sounded like the opposite.
"Forgive my manners, I think arriving here got me a little over-excited. I am Cander Vitritch, son of Pavel Vitritch. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. I have been conscripted- wait, no, that's not the right word. I've been... contracted? Yes! Contracted to rid this area of banditry and unlawfulness. You all... you wouldn't happen to have gotten the same charter, would you?"
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Deadeye's Bow, why is it so... bright?
Cander awoke to the harsh mid-morning sun beating down on his face. He had awoken far later than his usual rising at dawn these past few days, due to a lack of his father's early-morning role calls and reveilles. Life on the road was boring, he thought. Beautiful, but boring. At least at home he'd have hot meals instead of this dull trail mix that his mother sent him off with. Nuts, berries, dried cereals? This was fare for rabbits, not a young man. What he wouldn't give for a sausage or stew.
He had not run into trouble on the road, and rightly so: he did not look like an easy target. Mounted on a steed, clad in armor, and armed to the teeth, Cander did not look like someone to be trifled with.
After breaking camp, Cander sets off. It's not long before the shape of a structure began to loom upon the horizon. By the time Svetlana had come to greet the motley crew at her fireside, he had reached the front gates of Oleg's Trading Post.
"Hello?' he called from atop his horse, "Is one of you Oleg? I'm here about the thing! Oh... hold on, where is it? I could have sworn I had it here... is it in my... no, not there... Here it is!"
Cander held his charter high above his head after pulling it from a saddlebag. "This thing! I'm here about the charter. Right. So is there an Oleg here?"
HP 10/10 | AC17 | FF14 | T13 | Fort +4 | Ref +6 | Will +3 | Init +4 | Perception +5 | Speed 30 ft
Cander is rather green, but can attack from almost any range. He'll be especially good at long-range attacks once he hits level 6, which will allow him to use flurry of blows with a Longbow. (Flurry of Bow for short) He's mostly looking to establish himself and bring honor to his family name.
