Captain Roger Stephens's page

Hey guys, I've been fighting a nasty bacterial infection for about a week and a half now. 102 fever, impossible to eat, the works. I'm finally on the mend, but I'm going to have to bow out of this campaign. I'm not quite up to regular posting yet, and it isn't fair for you guys to have to wait on me. Good luck, and have fun storming the castle. :-)

Sorry about the silence, guys. I've been GMing two conventions and ended up making myself extremely sick. I've been laid up in bed for almost a week now but am finally on the mend. I'll try to get caught up tomorrow.

Elijah's blow knocks the guard back slightly, causing Roger's follow-up punch to miss.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

End the Total Defense, maintain Crane Style, readied action to strike the first person to come up the stairs. I'll be fighting defensively, so AC is currently 21.

Roger will ignore the weapons/armor and take a defensive stance by the stairs. He's prepared to tank anyone who comes up until everyone else is ready.

Roger grins as the first guard collapses. Glancing over his shoulder, he sees the other guard is still up and leaps toward him, extending his leg into a perfect flying kick.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

5ft step toward the remaining guard. Ending up against the wall so Lanarial has room to move up if needed. No defensive fighting this round, so my AC is currently an 18.

"S#!t" Roger desperately lashes out again at his guard, hoping to drop him before reinforcements arrive.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (13) + 3 - 2 = 14 still fighting defensively
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Maintaining Crane Style and fighting defensively, Roger will fire off another punch at his guard.
Attack: 1d20 + 3 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 - 2 = 3 EDIT: I'm rolling crap right now. :-(
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

AC is 21. He'll deflect the first melee attack that hits him.

Same here.

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

If there's a guard within 5ft, Roger will attack with a Stunning Fist. Otherwise, he'll charge the nearest guard.

Attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 +2 if charge attack
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Stunning Fist DC is 13 (if the attack hits). AC is 18 (16 if charging). Surprise round, so Crane Style isn't active yet.

Sorry about disappearing, guys. When you first start a long-term relationship, Pathfinder kinda takes a backseat. It's starting to settle down now, so I'm back.

Roger grins at Lukasz' words and makes a fist. "This is all I'll need. I'd be a poor soldier otherwise. I say we jump 'em about 5-10min after the old guards leave. Gives the new boys time to get comfy."

"Hurry it up." Roger whispers from his post by the doorway. "Shift change in 15 minutes."

"Thanks Lukasz." Roger tucks the potion in his clothes and resumes his ready stance at the doorway.

"Good thinking, Dargon." Roger moves to the side of the doorway and keeps an eye for the guards. "We have a very small window of time before the next guard rotation - I'd estimate around 10-15min. If this guy's going to be trouble, I vote we leave him."

Sorry about the delay, guys - really busy this weekend.

Don't know how Branderscar works, but if they follow normal prison procedure here, there should be a guard rotation within the next hour. Anyone have any idea what time it is? I'm guessing 3-4pm, but I was out for a while when they brought me here, so I'm not sure. I do know that we don't want to do anything half-cocked. I'd say let's find out who our neighbor is. Maybe he's got some info. Worst case, we can always let him out so the guards have someone else to chase down while we make our way out of this hellhole.

Roger grins as Lanarial is freed. He's been analyzing guard rotations and the possible time of day. As he prepares to share his thoughts, there's the sound of the cell door unlocking, and he double-checks that his chains will release quickly.

b!@#%, b!@$%, whine, whine. I don't understand anybody!

Roger's jaw drops, and he stares at Lanarial in shock for a minute. "But...you...I thought...You're...Aw, screw this. I've got bigger things to worry about right now. Short answer: we're speaking Elven. You musta hit your head a couple times too many when they brought you in."

EDIT: Roger will stand quietly like he's still chained up. If it looks like the guard's getting ready to raise the alarm, he'll attempt to hit him with a Stunning Fist. aka Readying an action to attack

@Lanarial: I figured it was either that, or you were keeping your knowledge secret. How Elven do you look, by the way? Roger may have a snarky response. ;-)

@Lanarial: Ummm, you get Common and Elven as starting languages, right? ;-)

Roger sees Dargon's confused look and repeats himself in whispered Common. "I was asking what you saw while you were out. How many guards, general attentiveness, shift changes, that sort of thing. We need information before we can make an escape plan that's got any chance of working. "

@GM: Am I blind, or is there no 19 on the map?

Whispered

"That's right, snotface, I'm talking to you! Quit yer racket; I'm trying to sleep!"

That oughta mask some lockpick noises.

"Thanks, friend. Roger whispers as his chains come free. He keeps a close eye on the door as Dargon continues working. Hearing the lockpick fall again, he makes eye contact with Elijah, nods at the door, and mouths, "Get ready." Then he resumes his former position, arranging his chains to appear securely fastened.

Using your previous rolls, you're completely free, then started on my locks. After two tries, you got one set open (either my hands or feet, doesn't matter). Then you dropped the lockpick.

Worst case, you can give us grid coordinates, and we'll map it ourselves. Time consuming, and not at all ideal, but that's what happened in one of my first PbPs. The others I've been in have done Google Docs, so I don't have any other options for you, sorry.

Off topic, I'm going to bed now. I'll be back on briefly in the morning before heading to work.

I think I'm still partly chained. If that's the case, is it my hands or feet that are free? How much freedom of movement do I have? I'll take on guards while still chained if I have to.

@Lukasz:

Impossible for me to fail the Sense Motive check, so...
"He speaks! I was starting to wonder if you'd died on us. I don't know about you, but I want something pleasant to dream about for the short time I have left here. Anyone got a good story?" Roger then looks meaningfully at Varshana.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

EDIT: "Dargon, right? I was the Talirian Guard's unarmed combat instructor. If you let me out next, I can keep any soldiers busy if we're heard. Won't need any daggers either.

@Lukasz:

When Dargon returns, Roger waits for a few minutes after the guards leave before speaking. "Well? You have a nice time? Feel like sharing all the juicy details?"

Roger's quiet for a minute before responding to Lukasz and Elijah. "As much as I hate to admit it, you're right. I don't know anything about you, and in my anger at being caught caused me to speak unwisely. Kinda stupid to spend our last few days insulting each other, so I'll shut my face. What's done is done."

He pauses to admire Sweetlips' struggling form.
Since there's no way I can possibly fail my Perception check

He then (thankfully) resumes speaking Common. "Speaking of giving the guards hell, that one Sergeant was under some sort of spell. Didn't look like whats-his-face Dargon expected it, so there's something else going on. Anyone got a friend on the outside or something?"

"I took the lives of criminal scum. You were an incompetent who left good men to die. We're nothing alike. It's true I got no love for Mitran hypocrisy, but at least I did my duty. Don't know why I'm bothering explaining myself. Guess 'cause there's nothing better to do"

"So maybe I'm not the only one who's been unjustly condemned." Roger paused as the guards enter.

Sense Motive:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

Once they've left, Roger's attitude changes noticeably, and he lowers his voice. "Something's not right; that Sergeant's being magically influenced. Something's afoot...."

"So, at the very least, we have murderers, heretics, and a bloody deserter." Roger glares at Elijah as he says that last word. "As for you two," he looks at the two half-elves, "I'm sure you deserve to be here too. Not that anyone cares, but I'm Captain Roger Stephens of the Talirian Guard. I served this kingdom faithfully by day. By night, I worked alone to purge filth from its streets. And how am I repaid? Branded a murderous vigilante and thrown in with you lot. The hypocrisy makes me sick! AND STOP THAT BLOODY GIGGLING!"

6'5", 240 pounds. On the right side of his face is a nasty-looking scar running from his hairline to his jaw. Fairly drill instructor-esque, but I haven't been able to find a good picture yet.

I grew up in Charlotte; it's a great place. :-)

Roger laughs heartily upon hearing his prison's name. He appears genuinely amused. "Branderscar, huh? I should have known they'd send me here. The only one who's doing anything good in this kingdom, and they throw me in with you lot." He tugs at his chains for a moment, testing for weakness.

Escape Artist: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15 Since MW Manacles are DC 35, this is just for fun

"Yup, we're definitely in Branderscar. This here's some quality workmanship." Roger looks over at the skinny man. "Sounds like you're like a revolutionary or something, huh? Acting out against the crown? Nothing just about that."

He then glances at the attractive half-elf. "What about you, sweetcheeks? You here 'unjustly' too?"

Jacksonville, Florida. Means I'm in EST (GMT -5). I'm a compulsive forum lurker, so don't worry about me missing posts or whatnot. If I'm quiet for a long stretch, it means I'm either working, sleeping, or don't have anything to contribute at the moment. :-)

EDIT: Thanks for catching that GM. I'll pick up Deflect Arrows in a couple levels then.

Roger groans slightly as a voice wakes him. Where am I? I remember chasing that criminal scum. Then soldiers coming. My soldiers. I wish I could have seen their faces when they pulled off my mask. Ha! He grins faintly at the thought and shakes his head slightly in amusement. Ow! Well, at least my lessons weren't wasted on them. How many of them did it take? Bah! It doesn't matter now. Wonder how long I'll be here.

Roger looks over at his nearest cellmate - the one whose voice woke him up. "Hey! You! Which prison is this, and when do we get out?"

Let's just say he used to wield an Adamantine Returning Throwing Shield. In PFS, he's in the Andoran faction. ;-)

So excited! Thanks for giving me a chance.

I'm going to remove myself as well.

Here's my Synthesist Summoner. Bio's in his profile. He was a submission for a prior Reign of Winter game, so I'll need to edit his stats to match your rules. That'll be done tomorrow. I also have no problem removing the archetype if you have issues with Synthesists: he's designed to be the party face and isn't super-optimized for combat.

EDIT: Actually, converting him didn't take that long, so he should be all ready for you. Any feedback would be appreciated.

P.S. I'll only be using the "Diplomacy" option with the Antagonize feat. The "Intimidate" option is a little too cheesy for me. :-)

You do realize it takes 10 minutes to summon your eidolon right?

I just double-checked; it's a 1min summon. There's also the summon eidolon spell as Feral mentioned. I figure if it looks like danger's imminent, the eidolon pops out.

Thanks for catching that; it's taken much revision to make Stephen's stats match my character concept. I found and corrected a couple other minor errors (I had an extra skill point and forgot to add the summon monster SLA) but should be set now.

I see Stephen as a 'face' character who does his best to "talk enemies down" and only fights as a last resort. He'll spend most of his time outside his "eidolon suit", as the fusing process happens unconsciously in times of need. After all, he's technically getting possessed by the spirit of his relative, so it's not like he has any control over the eidolon. :-) Let me know if you have any feedback or need more information.

Whack-a-Rogue here with my submission. Info's in the profile. I'd welcome any feedback, as I'm new to the PbP format.