D’ogryn Amaidar's page

I wish everyone luck with the game. You are a good bunch of people to play with. Good luck all.
Jovich

D'ogryn sees that his first instincts were spot on. Claiming what was salvageable from his belongings and anything that was left over from the groups short adventures. The former cook makes his way down stairs to claim a few bits of travel food. Enough to last him a few weeks of hard travel. One last look around the kitchen that was his home, he sighs and leaves out the back door.
Seeing that it does not matter hoe he goes about town anymore. He takes one of the diamonds from the pouch and heads to a person that he knows will sell him a horse and some gear.
When all is said and down the young man is ready to leave town for good.
Once he gets out of town, he meets up with the others and drops off at their feet what is left of the items from their adventures.
It seems that not only does everyone know of our business in town but also your enemy knows where I lived. This is what remains of the items we have.
He pulls forth the pouch of diamonds from his boot and tosses the bag onto the pile.
My home has been violated and my family is at risk. I will not put them in harms way any longer. I am sorry but I am leaving town. I wish you luck at the house. You will need it.
With those last words spoken he spurs his new horse into a run and heads out of town.

D’ogryn Amaidar wrote:

D'ogryn goes about his room look to see what is gone and possibly to figure out what it was that this person was looking for.

Time to get out of town.

D'ogryn turns and inspects the door and the room carefully trying to figure out how this person came in...was it the window or the door and then how did he leave. The young man is pretty rattled and is unable to figure out the ingress and egress of the person.

[dice=perception]1d20+6+2 +2 synergy for sense motive

He moves over to the bed and inspects the bed, the top of it, under the mattress, and under the bed without touching it. Looking at how everything was handled.

[dice=perception]1d20+6+2 +2 synergy for sense motive

Again it is hard to discern what this person was doing but it is clear by how the bed has been handled and the arrangement of the sheets their search was methodical in a nature.

D'ogryn turns to the dresser and book shelf. As he looks at it he feels sick for a moment as he sees his family recipe book is missing as are several other items. But that is not the thing he notices first. He notices the dagger that Rabalar gave him sticking in the top of the dresser with a page of his families recipe book (torn) stuck under it. The spring blade and the pair of daggers....D'ogryn looks around and begins to search for all the items he was carrying for the party and realizes much of it is missing.

** spoiler omitted **

As D'ogryn begins to panick a bit and get angry at the situation especially when he thinks the armor is gone he realizes he left it down in the kitchen to dry after cleaning it and oiling it. He also realizes he has the bag of...

So what items are still there?

D'ogryn goes about his room look to see what is gone and possibly to figure out what it was that this person was looking for.
Time to get out of town.

D'ogryn nods silently as the man leaves the kitchen. His eyes roam to the ceiling and wonders what has happened to his little piece and quiet.
I guess it might be time to move on to a new town. This place just got too damn hot for my comfort. Not safe for those that I associate with. They are at risk...best to see what is left and flee now.
This is what happens when you associate with mouth breathers.

Seeing that his one knife was inadequate for the task to come, the cook
starts to look into the knife drawer.
Chef knives...too big...fillet, too long and flimsy...ahh..these will do for now.
He grabs two simple pairing knives.
short and effective.

Walking slowly up the stairs. D'ogryn takes in his environment.
IF this is as bad as I think...Seaton and then Marker 10
Slowly he opens the door to see what damage has been down.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

...You head up the stairs...

Well that seems to be a waste of good post...LOL

He moves slow and keeps checking his path both where he is going and from whence he came from. The current situation has him on edge but he does his best to keep that to himself. Stopping several times to just be certain of his environment. Returning to the Merry Mermaid, D'ogryn again enters in through the back door to the kitchen. Sitting down at the table, he waits for Irwish to come in. Seeing the man brings him much joy and he smiles both inward and outward to the man.
It is good to see you. I hope all is well and that there were no problems while I was away. There were no problems...right?

He pauses and waits just a bit before he continues.
We were successful with the goblins and such but the council wishes us to be sure of our success. We are not done with the goblin problem just yet. I had hoped to be back at work today but that is not the case. We stirred up a hornets nest following those pesky creatures and...just be careful while I am gone. Please.

He looks around the kitchen...
I would like to take a few herbs and such with me...if you do not mind. Not much, just somethings for the road. A few days worth that is all. I will leave coin behind when I leave.

After some more talk, the young man leaves the kitchen and heads to his room. Still very cautious of his surroundings. Once in his room he looks around to make sure all is in order as it should be. He takes his time to look over his supplies. Putting the armor that he claimed for his own over his frame brings a sense security to his demeanor. Placing several items in his satchel and leaving some behind, D'ogryn goes about preparing for the days to come. Grabbing all the coins into his coin purse. He takes a cloth form his night stand and wraps up the
two vials of sneezeweed, two vials of goblin poison and places them in the satchel. He places the three flasks of oil into his belt pouch. He sticks four torches into the satchel so that they stick out the side slightly. Into the pouches on the sash he places all doses of poison that the thugs where using along with the one remaining dose of antivenom.

The cook looks at his weapons that are scattered on his bed. So many blades to choose from. Taking the spring blade in hand, he looks at it close up. Deciding that it is small enough, he places it in his boot. Taking the Keoish dagger that Rabalar acquired for him and places it on his belt at an angle so that it rest at the center of his back. He then straps two other daggers along his right thigh. Looking at the reaming four daggers on the bed gives him pause. He is not sure how to proceed with the remaining weapons. Taking his mother's recipes book down from a shelf and laying it on the bed, resting the two normal daggers on top. He picks up the two daggers with the handles that are shaped like sharks and places them in his satchel.

He takes the remaining treasures that the group has found over the last couple of days and places them under a loose floorboard.
Leave nothing behind that could lead to my involvement with the death of those thugs. I hope that will help to keep Irwish and family safe from my actions.

He picks up his book and daggers, walking back to the kitchen. He places the book up on the shelf in behind the other recipe books. Walking over to the table with the utensil for cooking, D'ogryn leaves his last two daggers behind.
He will have a better time at defending himself with these than any of the cooking knives.

Grabbing some vegetables, hardtack and spices, the cook adds these items to his bulging satchel. Looking one more time around the kitchen that has become his home over the last couple of years, brings a sense of dread to him.

Leaving out the back door...a gold coin remains behind on the table.

D'ogryn again keeps his wits about him, watching the shadows for anyone that seems to be too interested in him. Making only one stop before meeting the others. With the new water skin in his possession, he felt that he was as prepared as he can get.

Once the meeting is about to adjourn she addresses her fellow Suloiseman D'Ogryn, "Where would you prefer us to gather prior to our departure? I have no problem meeting at Berian's yet I also feel that may raise some suspicions should we all meet there. Perhaps outside of town would be better?"

D'ogryn does not hesitate when responding.

He turns to Soros.
I guess I will have to ask you to look at that armor sooner rather than later.

The young man, an older child really, stand and walks for the door.
Over his shoulder he says.
I need to get my shifts covered. I will meet everyone outside of town.

All,

Just a note to the original house party:

The party has additional treasure you have not really appraised or bothered to review with the group and with the extended period of time (OOC) that has occurred. I would like to mention it:

D'ogryn has a MW set of studded leather that appears to be magical in nature.

Rabalar has a MW longsword (Keoish made).

From the Goblin Caves: (At D'ogryn's room)

90cp (Keoish), 26 sp (Hold of Sea Princes).
1 river opal (walnut-sized) (6 to 12 gp), 2 river opals (acorn sized) (5 to 10 gp/e).
7 freshwater pearls (4 to 8 gp each)
Gold Hoop Earring (5 to 20 gp)
Copper Armband/engraved - human-made - (5 to 15gp)
Silver Earring (2 to 8gp)

2 vials of sneezeweed (look like they can be used as grenades by Goblins).

2 vials of a blue paste-like substance - goblin poison.

4 torches and 3 flasks of oil (goblins had them but they appear human made).

Found on Ambusher's bodies - (At D'ogryn's room)

found on the stranger:
pouch 15gp (new coins - Keoish), 50sp, 50cp (all old coins mix)
A vial with what appears to be 1 dose - you gave 1 dose to Thout - suspect it is antivenom)

vial of 5 doses of what appears to be poison

MW spring blade (very nice), a matched pair of MW daggers (sharks for handles).

3 pouches - all together - 18 cp, 12 sp (old and mixed), 15gp (all new Keoish coins).

There is also the bag of gems I found with the one chest. Around the time we found the documents.

Need an updated status of everyone's HP and conditions after a full 8 hour rest. Which means you get 1 HP per LVL plus CON bonus. Antas is still probably bagged up because I don't recall any healing done after they got back but I don't mind if Peran does retroactively heal him as he would have done that as soon as they were safe considering he was in critical condition. He was at 1 hp.

I am at full hit points now.

agreed, the sooner the better.

He looks to the higher ups...
I would need to check in and get my shifts covered. It is the right thing to do after all.

Looking at Ferona.
There were goblin tracks that skirted the area and went nowhere near the center of the room. They avoided it. If a real ghost was there...those Goblins would not have been left alive. We entered that area and the ghost came out at us...Scared us. Which was its purpose. To warn us away. Again not one of us would be here today if that was real.

A very soft word escapes the lips of the wiry man.
...dalt...
Praise to you master of secrets.

D'ogryn looks to Naia and then looks around at the others. The young cook stands up and paces the room for a moment.
Naia come here please...stand in the doorway.

D'ogryn looks at her from behind as she stands in the doorway.
He crouches down a bit look up at her and the door way.
Thank you.

He turns and looks back at the others.
I am running on just thoughts here...so please bare with me.

He starts to pace the room as he thinks and talks.
The man that we found in the kitchen by the basement stairs was attacked from behind and above. Meaning to me that the assailant was either tall or used a weapon that could reach above his target. The would mean that the attacker did not strike from the basement. They would not be able to hit the location from the stairwell. The ceiling and door frame would have stop any such attack from connecting. It could mean that the attacker was hiding somewhere waiting for that person to come by but I nor anyone else found signs of such activity. Which would mean that there is another way down to the basement. A secret way...one which would be protected by traps to keep it safe. Like a ghost. I am wondering if that area by the fireplace in the back hides a way to get in the basement? It is all theories but I feel it warrants another visit.

he pauses for a moment to look back at the higher ups...
It could also be where our escaped prisoner will flee to. He took much interest in getting inside that place.

I will put together a list of treasure. Sometime today..maybe.

Will have a post up tomorrow morning sometime

Jack,
could you go over D'ogryn for me.
I leveled him up to 2nd level unchained rogue. I have to add a rogue talent yet. I found some mistakes but it has been so long since I created this character that I am not sure they are mistake. That they are part of the build from the beginning.
Just getting confused real easy in my old age.

D'ogryn keeps his words precise as he recounts all that he remembers.

The house is old as all of you know. It has been used by more than just the goblins. I know that there is more to it than what we found but we were forced to return. We were pushing ourselves too much to continue and would have been too risky. The house has some oddities that pop up as not normal. A magic trap that covers a specific area within a room. Which makes as much sense as putting a lock on the closet door but not the door to your own house. Anyways. That traps is protecting something but what that is I have not been able to determine. The upper floor has not been complete investigated nor has the attic. I am presuming that the attic is where the Goblins were holding up. The ground floor has not been completely investigated as well. Still a few room to look in on.
He pauses for a few moments and the continues.

The man who was killed in the kitchen was Keolandish from his clothing. His weapon was a well made Keoland blade as was his armor. He was struck from behind several times...this death was not like the ones in town. To me...this means two different people...two different styles. Not the same person. This attack was more...angry. Like trying to use a cleaver to clean a fish. All brawn and no precision. The body looked as if it has been there for about three weeks.

He looks around the room at those looking back at him. He continues to tell the story of the encounter with four men.
D'orgyn will recount the tale of the encounter with the killers.

Sorry ran out of time and wanted to get this post in

D'ogryn nods at Iborian politely.
I apologize...I meant did anyone dare to look at the bodies. Sailors tent to have tattoos from ships they have worked on...or organizations. It might give us some information. What is the name of the merchant ship?

The young man quietly changes the subject...
Did anyone inspect the bodies? Those that where hired to kill you three that is?

D'ogryn has remained quiet for most of the time as the newcomers and the higher-ups talk.

”D’og is right. The house. Something about that house those bastards don’t want us to know about.”

Of course I am right...

The house has it's secrets.

Do you have any other weapons hidden on your person?

I do not, the character was under the impression that all was good in the town of Saltmarsh and our task was over.

He looks to Soros and then the assembled group.
Soros has the right of it. I trust his judgement and abilities. Those papers are what he says they are.

I will have a post up tonight. Driving 11 hours and trying to stop as little as possible.

D'ogryn remains quiet and by the food. He shakes his head in anger.
ok calm yourself...

His chest expands as air fills his lungs.
prepare yourself...look at the lock...see inside it. What secrets does it hold.

His chest remains still as his eyes close.
see the tumblers and their formation.

His chest contracts as the air is released.
adjust them to the proper sequence...

Again his body is still. No movement at all.
...and the secrets are yours for the taking.

The young man turns and hears Naia yelling even more.
He remains quiet as the others come in. Being woefully out of place here. A young man with maybe a couple of years into manhood, looks more like a servant than a goblin killer. While others are attired as adventures with weapons and armor, the young man appears to be nothing more than a commoner. His only weapon is a simple knife for eating dinner.

His eyes look over each newcomer as they enter. A look of concernetched on his face.

I will be away till Monday or Tuesday for some vacation time.
I will be able to post but when I will be free is a different story.
Most likely late at night.
I will have a post up tonight

Entering the empty hall, D'ogryn remains quiet.
He walks in silence to the breakfast table and looks at what is left over. The young cook picks up a knife that was used to cut bread. Rolling in around his hand a few times. He judges the balance as poor. He quietly turns around, tossing the knife in the air a few times. No words are spoken as he throws the knife across the room and into the seat of a wooden chair. He keeps his face a mask of nothingness but those that know him...know he is very angry right now.
Attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 - 2 = 20

D'ogryn walks across the room and stares at the still quivering knife. He pulls the utensil out of the chair with very little care for the damage it would do to the furniture and walks back to the breakfast table. Tossing the knife back on to the table, he scans the food. Picking up a sausage link, he takes a bite and spits it out.
Piss poor utensils and now s&~*ty food. Now wonder these guards can not do their jobs.

He gives a glance to Soros.
Remind me to talk the city about changing their meal plan.

D'ogryn remains silent as the story is being told. His face is stone as he hides his anger.
Warning...very harsh language

at the conclusion of the story...the damn breaks and the emotions come forth.
What the fu...
Catching his words and calming himself, D'ogryn tries again.
Try away from the waters...inland. If you think he is a salt rat then he might try to avoid the obvious.

D’ogryn Amaidar wrote:

ALLENDM wrote:

D'ogryn and Soros

The two of you make your way to the barracks gates. Two young guards stand at watch and one of them waves you through as he recognizes you.

As you walk into the small courtyard there is wagon near the wall. No horses are attached to it but in the wagon covered by a canvas tarp appears to be bodies. You can tell because there are two pairs of boots and the top of what looks like a head but very distorted as if caved in or smashed in. The courtyard is empty and the stairs going up into the officer quarters is clear as is the hall going into the main barracks.

I guess we are late...Maybe they started without us.

D'ogryn looks at the bodies in the wagon.
These could be what made those stains.

He then turns and starts to walk to the area that they are to meet.

Soros and seems to agree but he seems interested in the wagon and the bodies. As the two of you turn to walk into the barracks two Corporals walkout.

The tall blonde haired man of clear Oeridian descent with some Flan in him seems to be in a hurry. Rain, I will take four men and go to Black Dog and see if he is there. You go to Mick's and see if he is there. Where ever he went he will be looking to find a healer or someone that can stash him until he mends up.

The main with short black hair and clearly a woodsman of short nods his head. I will get over there. Olaf is already gone and is searching the docks and a few of the ships that might stash him as well.

The two cross your path and nod and the tall blonde one stops at the doorway of the barrack hall. I need four men, gear up, and make sure you grab crossbows and a bolt case. He nods...and seems to agree with the men that are going. Rain will need four more as well. Be quick!

D'ogryn is slightly confused by these words.

Looking to Soros with uncertainty...
Who did you lose. Please for the love of Dalt...tell me you did not underestimate him.

D'ogryn and Soros

The two of you make your way to the barracks gates. Two young guards stand at watch and one of them waves you through as he recognizes you.

As you walk into the small courtyard there is wagon near the wall. No horses are attached to it but in the wagon covered by a canvas tarp appears to be bodies. You can tell because there are two pairs of boots and the top of what looks like a head but very distorted as if caved in or smashed in. The courtyard is empty and the stairs going up into the officer quarters is clear as is the hall going into the main barracks.

I guess we are late...Maybe they started without us.

D'ogryn looks at the bodies in the wagon.
These could be what made those stains.

He then turns and starts to walk to the area that they are to meet.

"D'og, that blood is hours old...it is pretty dried up. That blood on the wall is all dried up. Whoever fell here and here...I doubt they made it...that is a lot of blood to lose." He points out the two pools of blood that filled the cracks of the cobblestone. It is still sticky to the touch as D'ogryn touches it due to the amount on the ground.

Tis a jump.

Returning the dagger to his belt, D'ogryn looks down at the dried blood.
hmm. There are no drag marks or drips to indicate a direction that they fled. Rabalar would be better suited for this but I think maybe they have a healer. Healed the major wounds and walked away...I am guessing of course.

He turns to Soros and indicates that they should move along quickly.
Come one let us increase the pace. They sooner we get to the barracks the sooner we can pass along our findings.

I tried to remember all that I described in the first post and it just would not come back to me. I am not happy about that because I went into more detail about the blood.

The posts is not a good as the first one but it will do...

You are pretty sure that no one is watching you are following you at the moment. You spend the next five minutes walking from Soros home to the barracks. You turn west on Common's Road and the two of you turn north on Fisherman's Road and then a lazy right hand turn down Hymn's Road. Normally you wouldn't be paying attention to what was exactly on the cobblestone streets as it was really good to get into the details of it but you notice some very distinct brown and reddish-brown "spots"...rather large ones that look like blood. At first, you wave it off. But your instincts tell you it is not normal and as you and Soros walk you stop and look at two of them spread about nine to ten feet apart. It is clear that two people suffered grievous wounds on these spots. It is also clear whatever it was that wounded them was used by someone with a great deal of strength as the spatter was on the house to the east side of the street. The bodies are obviously gone and there doesn't appear to be any other signs of the fight...

Feeling comfortable that the two have not drawn any unwanted attention ends abruptly as D'ogryn see the dark red stains.

I guess the gremlins took and hid my post from Monday...Not sure what happened. I will repost tonight. I do not have the time to rewrite it right now.
Sorry

[/b]

Soros looks at D'ogryn for a moment. "I am glad I could help. If there are any items you have I can sense if they are magical and I might be able to pinpoint what type of magic was used. If you need me too. "

There is the leather armor that has some enchantment on it...I just cleaned the it last night. It still needs time for the oil to settled in. Maybe layer today you could take a look at it?

[/b]

He stands up and finishes putting his stuff away and grabs an old hooded cloak. "I will walk with you if you like to the barracks."

I would like that.

As they walk D'ogryn keeps his attention visibly towards Soros. His eyes keep looking around at those that may be watching them as they walk. He tries to take mental notes on whose eyes remain fixed on them too long.

The papers in Keoish he looks at for a few moments. Going through each and studying them. He turns a few over and on one he looks at a seal on one and studies it.

Take 10 on (K)Local 10+7=17
"Most of these papers are on the upkeep of the home. Nearly twenty or more years ago for some. But this one and this one. He lays them out. One has an official looking seal and the other has a smaller seal and several signatures on it. D'ogyrn has never seen anything like it. "This is the deed to the home and this is the title and deed to the land around it. Ten acres of the land in total. Our group should be made aware of these documents."

Tis true. Now that I know what they are...I can move forward.

He looks at the remaining document that is sealed and has a parchment cover. "Now this is interesting." He turns it over a few times looks at the seal and the waxed parchment.This is not an ordinary document. He opens the outer parchment up breaking the seal. "Ahh...well there you go." He looks at D'ogryn and points to the waxing parchment and then to the actual parchment that was inside the wrapped up parchment. "It is a spell or spells...the waxing stuff was a homemade scroll tube...so to speak."He then looks at the parchment and lays them out and attempts to read them. "The writing is not arcane in nature and there are religious elements to it or I should say them. Both are divine scrolls." He scratches his head and then waves his hands and says something quickly that D'ogryn didn't really understand but it sounded very logical or orderly in nature. His hands seem to light up quickly ad his eyes seem to glow for a bit. He then starts reading the documents and making noises like he is amused and interested.

One is a spell called Dancing Lantern it is an interesting spell and one that we could have used last night. The other is a spell called Divine Trident and is more offensive spell. He carefully puts the documents back into the waxy parchment and folds it back up. He then takes a candle and pours wax on the folded edge to seal it and puts his ring into it. "Useful for a priest or cleric maybe Edan could use them?Dancing Lantern (Cleric 1st/cast 6th), Divine Trident (Cleric 2nd/cast 6th).

hmm. Interesting...Edan could very well use them.

D'ogryn looks out the window at the lightness outside.
Thank you for your time. I greatly appreciated it. The day is getting late and we have I meeting to get to this morning. Thanks again for the information. Do not hesitate to let me know if there is something I can do for you in the future.

yes, all the papers.

Keeping his facial features and posture neutral as he enters.
Tis good to see you looking better. I am glad to see you are on the mend.

He turns and looks around the room...
...are we alone...

D'ogryn continues on...
All of us have been through a lot over the last few days. It will be a longtime before things return to...normal...

He looks down at the papers that the young man was writing.
I hope he did not put to paper exactly what we found..
I do not trust the others...I have only known them for a short time. It is not that they are not untrustworthy...just not smart when it comes to gossip. It appeared that when we finished with the first Goblins and came back to town. Everyone knew of our business within an hour after our return. They do not know when, where, and how to talk in front of others. It will bring attention I...we do not need.

He removes his satchel and lays it on a table.
I am here because I know that you can and will keep your wits about you when it comes to details. Some things are better...to not be said.

He opens thew satchel and pulls forth the papers.
I need to know what is on these before I can decide what is best to do with them. Can you tell me what language this is and what does it say. It could be nothing and most likely is just that...but...I need to make sure I know what is here before I turn them in. It is hard to know who to trust these days. I trust you and that is why I am here.

"I am busy! Be down in a few!"

D'ogryn takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly and then...

You arrive at the Soros family home. The Smith is to left, right between the Soll home and the Herbalist shop. You give a knock on the door and Soro's sister-in-law opens the door. She doesn't know you has you have not met any of the Soll family. Yes? You need something? If you are lookin for the smith it is over there sir. She points to the open air building with the two chimneys and several men working under the roof. One is hammering something on an anvil and the other is putting something together on a table. Soros is not amongst them.

My apologies my lady, I am here to call on Soros. If he is about I would like to speak to him.

You lay in your bed and you can hear the footsteps in the hall and on the stairs outside your doorway. You peak at your window from under your blanket and realize that your body needed the welcome sleep and rest. You realize as you peer outside that you might have an hour or more before sun rise and your meeting with Geolin at the barracks. Soro's family home is about twenty minutes away or so if you walk and take a few short cuts.

D'orgyn gets up and washes himself quickly eager to be on the move. Once on the move he moves quickly and with purpose. His eyes roam from shadow to shadow. Every so often he looks over his shoulders to make sure his back is clear and that he is not being followed. He makes sure that he does not move into areas that would bring him trouble on his travel.

She turns to you with a weird look. "D'og you have friends...why not trust the ones that actually kept you alive luv? Someone amongst your group must be able to read this?" She snaps her fingers as she bends her hips towards you and smiles. "Soros! He is a trained mage isn't he? So he reads words with all the books he has to read right?" She smiles and then grabs a platter full of drinks and food and walks off. This time a little more shake in her hips than normal.

Scratching his chin...

He watches as she heads out to the main room.
Thank you...

Walking around his kitchen, cleaning up after those that worked here while he was away. Reorganizing the place back to its proper order brings a sense of accomplishment. He then heads off to his room to get some sleep, taking all his papers with him.

At first light he makes his way to Soros' place to ask about a translation.

She looks at the documents and back to D'ogryn. "No love...I can't understand the scratches on that. Never learned my letters."

it is ok...I need to find someone that can understand these but whom can I trust?

yes . I will fix it soon. Since I can not read that language, I am trying a different route. To see if i can get some information about it. D'ogryn still does not know what is on it...for now at least.

D’ogryn Amaidar wrote:

** spoiler omitted **...

** spoiler omitted **

Enna, a wild child of sorts and bit flirtatious at times, walks up to D'ogryn as he reads the papers from the house. She wraps her arms around his neck and the smell of wildflowers, pipeweed, and other common tavern smells fill your nose as her curely brown hair wrap...

Then cook looks at her and pats her arms that have given him some comfort from the last days.

He looks back at the papers that are so strange to him. The symbols are foreign and he is unable to make reason of them.

Tilting his head up at Enna.
so you understand any of this language? I am not familiar with it. Just more curious as to what it says than anything really.

There are many questions and I will be happy to help with what I can when I can.
The young man answers the bard with a calm demeanor.

He looks around the room
If there is nothing else...I need to get to work. So if you need me I will be at the mermaid. Got a lot of work to catch up on.
With that said he turns to leave and makes for the mermaid's backdoor to the kitchen.

D'ogryn remains quiet as the others talk.
As the last words were spoken.
There was a body in the kitchen area that was not dead long. Not killed by a goblin either. His lantern was destroyed by a human size foot and the attack came from behind and definitely not from below. It was not a goblin that killed him. So who did?
He pauses and looks to the others...
There is also this little detail that we still do not know the answer to. Why were those thugs coming to that house? The human prisoner did not seem to want to answer any questions about that when pressed...which leads me to believe that there is something there that he wanted.
He again pauses for a bit...
Why was the illusion trap only on one side of that room. Why not the entrance. A trap is just a way to guard something. Something around or in that fireplace.
He stops again but keeps going a short time later
What else is there that we did not find will help to secure those answer. Loot is not a concern...finding answers is.

Will have a post up later today

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
D'ogryn's eyes widen slightly with the realization of what has happened. He quickly regains his composure and looks at the prisoners.
We may caught those that are responsible for those deaths. May they rest in peace if that is so.

***Earlier***
I know a few people that can help decipher what is written on these papers. After we get settled, I will look into it.

***Outside of town***
D'ogryn's eyes open slightly at the site of the brands. He recovers quickly and turns to look at the human prisoner. Just before he is escorted by the guards, the young cook walks up to him. Leaning down beside his face.
...prisoners have been known to misplace things...
The prisoner feels a slight pressure on his manhood. He can feel the cold blade twist and turn as the young cook stares at the him.
sleep well...
Stepping away as the knife disappears from his hands as quickly as it appeared and turning towards the town. He points towards the horses.
The horse belong to Zove's family. Inside left front quarter is her uncle's brand

D'ogryn has remained quiet during the whole trip back to town. When stopped outside of town, the cook starts to walk around the horses. His hands run over the flanks with a gentleness that does not match hits demeanor during a fight.

hmm...wonder...
He lets his hand float across the hide of the animals, slowly feeling for any sort of mark. He looks at the hips, shoulders, ribs, stifles, and jaws. Hoping to find a mark or two.

...farmers tend to mark their cattle...remember seeing the brands at the market just before slaughter...

Perception to notice any branding: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15

The young cook keeps his head up and his eyes about him. He remains quiet for the most part.
I missed something...

During one of the breaks, D'ogryn takes the papers out of the bag the Naia provided and organizes them better. As the group gets back on the road he take each paper out and looks at them more closely. Saving the two that he does not know until last. When it comes to the last two documents, the cook turns his head toward the sky as he rubs his chest at something that is under his leather armor.
Dalt grant me the eyes to see that which is hidden.
Linguistics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Sweet!

Dot.

Dot.

Discussion thread is open. Gameplay is also open, if you’d care to “dot and delete” there.

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Nestled in the western foothills of the World’s Edge Mountains, the alpine Taldane village of Lyon’s Brook represents the decline of Taldane splendour and the resourcefulness of its people. Essentially abandoned by the nobility and bureaucracy, the common Unbearded folk of this quaint little town have created a good life for themselves, one of peace and quiet. But hey, even sleepy towns need heroes, too!

Unlike other games I’ve run on these boards in the past, there is no overarching plan in place. I have a few pivotal villains in mind and some of the things they might be up to, but how we get there is up to the players. My goal is to string together a series of mid-sized adventures (PCs will level up at the end of each adventure), all based in and around this small town, with some adventures dealing with the fallout of previous adventures. I have a general idea of how the first adventure will look, and will write the rest based on the actions and backstories of the PCs. I know this sounds like standard fare, but I haven’t played such a game in almost twenty years, with everything lately being adventure paths, either published or homebrew. So maybe this is just old school.

To get things started, I have detailed some basic stats and background info for most of the village’s 122 residents, though more can be added to accommodate the PCs (families, etc.). All of this information is what a character would get with a Diplomacy (Gather Information) or Knowledge Local check of DC 10. These characters, some ordinary, some colourful, form the cast for our little drama. Rather than a standard recruitment where we try to fill party roles and assemble a crack strike force, instead you will be auditioning for roles in this drama, and it’s up to you how you want to try to fill each role. Please incorporate one or more of the town citizens in your background, even inserting yourself into a family if that’s appropriate (just ask first).

Applying will be a little different as well. I would like for the five selected characters to not know each others’ backgrounds. As such, I would like for characters to be submitted via private message and not in this thread. I will provide here a running list of the bare bones of each submission, including which role it’s for, and if you have any questions about the recruitment process or Lyon’s Brook itself, or just want express interest, you can ask them here, but everything character-specific stays in private message.

I also don’t care about builds at this stage, beyond your basics like race and class, though if anything starts to sniff of outlandish tomfoolery, I’ll probably pass on your submission. If we have 5 human rogues, then we have 5 human rogues and I’ll make appropriate adventures accordingly. Of course, you can build the character if you want, but I don’t plan to consider the stats at this stage. What I would like is a 10-minute background for your character.

Step 1: Write 5 background and concept elements that you feel are important to your image of the character. These can be a concept overview, a list of important life events, a physical description, a personality profile...whatever you need to get an image in your mind. 5 is just a minimum...more elements are encouraged!

Step 2: List at least two goals for the character. At least one of these goals should be one that the character has, while another should be one that you, as a player, want to see developed over the course of the game.

Step 3: List at least two secrets about your character. One is a secret the character knows, one is a secret that involves him but that he is not actually aware of yet. This will help me in creating plots that center around your character. I will also be creating a third secret which you as a player will not be aware of, so expect some surprises!

Step 4: Describe at least three people that are tied to the character. Two of them are friendly to the character, one is hostile. If you like, you can include an enemy of yours here as well, so I have an instant NPC nemesis to throw at you.

Step 5: Describe three memories, mannerisms, or quirks that your character has. They don't have to be elaborate, but they should provide some context and flavor.

For the roles of Pride of Lyon’s Brook, Black Sheep, and Average Joe/Josephine, blend your life story with the established locals and recent history of Lyon’s Brook. For the Sir Eustus’ Ward role, what exactly is your connection to the venerable knight of the realm? For the Stranger in Town role, why are you here and what are some juicy parts of your past I can mine for interesting tales? These aren’t separate questions, just things to keep in mind when doing the 5 steps of the 10-minute background.

Links:
Overview of Lyon’s Brook and its Citizens
Map of Lyon’s Brook
Map of Taldor (showing where Lyon’s Brook is)

Soft Deadline: Midnight AST of July 31. If I happen to get 30 entries in the first 3 days, I'll probably wrap it up sooner, but I promise to give fair warning for any changes to this date. I know there's a lot of information in those links, though, so if folks need more time, that's fine, too.

Dot

Dot.

Dot

The Articles of Faith
A Mythic, World-Spanning Campaign
Setting: Golarion, Inner Sea Region
Campaign Overview: A new god emerges from the Starstone Cathedral, and his following will shake the current order. Old alliances will crumble, and new will be forged. Four heroes will explore the very nature of divinity itself and what they learn will change them forever. Different paths led them to join the crowd waiting outside the Starstone Cathedral that morning, but destiny will now bind them together.
This is a home-brew campaign, incorporating original material and modified published modules. The beginning follows an adventure-path-style of play, while things will become more freeform as the PCs increase in level. The gods and their faiths and followings will play a pivotal role in the game, and opportunities will abound, especially at higher levels, for the PCs to effect change on a massive scale. Relics and artefacts play a role, as does hunting for such treasures.
Character Creation:
This will be a mythic campaign. While the PCs will not start as mythic, their ascension will likely occur within the first 100 posts, so characters should be designed with their first mythic tier and path included. I don’t mind optimizing, but dislike cheese. As cheese is a subjective quality, I’m happy to work with players on character design, so as to help find common ground.

Races: core, plus aasimar and tiefling.

Good-aligned only (LG, NG, CG). Good-aligned does not have to be a straight jacket, and it doesn’t mean that your characters are perfect and never do anything bad or wrong. Feel free to make your case for LN or TN, but the other four are right out.

Anything from a Paizo source is allowed, except see below. Please no 3pp, as the power level of this game is already going to be high (though I do have a fondness for the Celestial Commander archetype, so if there’s a 3pp archetype you’d really like to try, please make your case).

No psionics, Occult playtest stuff (except kineticists), guns, or eastern-themed classes (samurai, ninja, etc.)

2 traits (3 with a drawback, so long as the chosen drawback makes sense and is something that will actually come up occasionally) or 1 skill-based feat (either Skill Focus, or ones of the feats that gives +2 bonuses to two skills like Alertness or Acrobatic, but not Cosmopolitan).

Background skills
"Elephant in the Room" Feat Tax System

Characters should hail from the Inner Sea region, Varisia, or northern Garund. Most of the events of the game will transpire around those areas, and the PCs should have a stake in what goes on.

Characters should have some connection in their backstory to one or more of the major Golarion gods. That does not mean that the PCs have to divine spell-casters, or even devout followers, but should have strong feelings one way or another about religion.

I will be taking only four characters, and it would be nice if each followed a different mythic path.

Welcome to Falcon's Hollow. Is your life insurance all paid up?

Bolkvar, could we tweak your background so that you have just arrived in Falcon’s Hollow? Perhaps you’ve been exploring this area of Andoran, working your way here, but part of the challenge the PCs have to overcome is their lack of knowledge of the geography, which doesn’t make sense if he’s been there for months exploring the Vale.

With Covid-19 keeping me working from home for at least the next month, I have the time to run a short-lived game, and figuring there are others in the same predicament, might have time to join up a short-lived game. For this game, I've picked an oldie but goody, Hollow's Last Hope, but with a twist: there will be 4 PCs, one each of air, earth, fire, and water kineticist. How this strange party composition came to be can be worked out by the chosen players.

Creation rules:
Paizo materials only, and the closer to core the better; obviously 1e only
Core races only
Single-class of kineticist: elemental ascetic, kinetic chirurgeon, kinetic knight, and overwhelming soul archetypes are fine; other archetypes don't seem that useful at these levels, or else are so different from the base class as to invalidate the experiment
Stats: 2d6+6; two sets, choose better
1st level
Max starting gold
Max HP at first level, then roll
2 traits, 3 with applicable drawback
Baskground skills
Feat Tax System
Backstory: yes, please, but note I tend to be more drawn to sensible backstories
Posting: several times per day most days

I'd like to start the game next Tuesday morning (April 14). If I've forgotten any usual criteria in creation, let me know.

It's the first of May. The spring morning air is crisp and clear, with hints of the recent snow. Everard and Felix's breath comes in small puffs as the exertion from climbing the last rise of Spielberg Pass takes it toll.

But my, the view is worth it!! You can see out over the whole valley from here, although as you take it all in, you realize that it's more of a box canyon than valley. The majority of it is filled with thick growth of oaks, maples, birch, fur, and pine trees. Near the centre of the canyon you see a modest town, walled in stone, and to the north of that, an equally-modest castle surrounded by farmland and orchards. A small lake hugs the mountains to the south. Spielburg Valley looks wild, untamed, and full of adventure.

Discussion thread for the QfG 1 game.

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The Articles of Faith
A Mythic, World-Spanning Campaign
Setting: Golarion, Inner Sea Region
Campaign Overview: A new god emerges from the Starstone Cathedral, and his following will shake the current order. Old alliances will crumble, and new will be forged. Four heroes will explore the very nature of divinity itself and what they learn will change them forever. Different paths led them to join the crowd waiting outside the Starstone Cathedral that morning, but destiny will now bind them together.
This is a home-brew campaign, incorporating original material and modified published modules. The beginning follows an adventure-path-style of play, while things will become more freeform as the PCs increase in level. The gods and their faiths and followings will play a pivotal role in the game, and opportunities will abound, especially at higher levels, for the PCs to effect change on a massive scale. Relics and artefacts play a role, as does hunting for such treasures.
Character Creation:
This will be a mythic campaign. While the PCs will not start as mythic, their ascension will likely occur within the first 100 posts, so characters should be designed with their first mythic tier and path included. I don’t mind optimizing, but dislike cheese. As cheese is a subjective quality, I’m happy to work with players on character design, so as to help find common ground.

20 point buy

Races: core, plus aasimar and tiefling.

Good-aligned only (LG, NG, CG). Good-aligned does not have to be a straight jacket, and it doesn’t mean that your characters are perfect and never do anything bad or wrong. Feel free to make your case for LN or TN, but the other four are right out.

Anything from a Paizo source is allowed, except see below. Please no 3pp, as the power level of this game is already going to be high (though I do have a fondness for the Celestial Commander archetype, so if there’s a 3pp archetype you’d really like to try, please make your case).

No psionics, Occult playtest stuff, guns, or eastern-themed classes (samurai, ninja, etc.)

2 traits (3 with a drawback, so long as the chosen drawback makes sense and is something that will actually come up occasionally) or 1 skill-based feat (either Skill Focus, or ones of the feats that gives +2 bonuses to two skills like Alertness or Acrobatic, but not Cosmopolitan).

Characters should hail from the Inner Sea region, Varisia, or northern Garund. Most of the events of the game will transpire around those areas, and the PCs should have a stake in what goes on. While there will be outdoor encounters, this game is not well-suited to medium mounted characters on large mounts, like horses.

Characters should have some connection in their backstory to one or more of the major Golarion gods. That does not mean that the PCs have to be divine spell-casters, or even devout followers, but should have strong feelings one way or another about religion.

I will be taking only four characters, and it would be nice if each followed a different mythic path.

Please make use of the 10-minute character background, linked here. Completing this process will give me excellent insight into your style and character concept. I will be selecting characters based on the background material that best fits the story I’m looking to tell (and I will be happy to offer suggestions on said backgrounds and how to better make that fit). If you want to also design and build your character, feel free, but my criteria is interesting backgrounds and different mythic paths, and if that means we end up with 3 fighters, so be it.

Finally, I’m looking for players willing to check the game thread 2 or 3 times a day—not necessarily post 2 or 3 times per day, but check in, and maybe offer a quick response if warranted. Most of the PBP games I’ve been in that died have done so for lack of rhythm and momentum—conversations between two PCs, or one PC and an NPC, that drag on for days because the player only makes one statement a day.

I think that’s all for now. I look forward to reading some interesting character proposals.

With the new clarification on SLAs allowing entry to prestige classes, does the following work:

Agathion-blooded aasimar (grants summon nature's ally ii, a 2nd-level Druid spell, therefore divine) sorcerer (any bloodline) 4, then go mystic theurge X to improve spellcasting as both a sorcerer and oracle without ever taking an oracle level, thereby gaining an oracle's spell power without ever having to select a curse or mystery?

I think I remember reading awhile back about an item or process that one could use to have the ends of a quarter staff shod with different metals, allowing a staff man to bypass certain damage reductions, but all my searching is coming up empty. All I've found is one reference to a magical staff as "iron-shod". Now I'm wondering if I just imagined reading a rule about this somewhere and it's just wishful thinking.

Does this ring any bells for anybody?

Last night, a bright glow was seen in all of the Cathedral’s windows simultaneously. The last time that happened in recorded memory was just before when Iomedae stepped out of the Cathedral and into godhood. So in the early morning light, a crowd begins to build around the bottomless chasm, waiting to see what would happen. Waiting to see history made yet again as, maybe, a new god arose.

It wasn’t any big secret that Hazim Masoumi had entered the Cathedral to take the test, although after two weeks, most folks had simply given up on him. Now, perhaps, the champion of Rahadoum and Iomedae would emerge victorious. Hundreds were already gathering to worship him.

There are many possible reasons why the PCs might be there. They might be initiate clerics of other faiths, sent by their superiors to witness and report the birth of a new god. They might be on the City Watch, tasked with maintaining order and safety. They might be pickpockets and thieves there to prey on a distracted multitude. They might be sages from near or far, drawn by rumours of the ascension. Or they might be random citizens, satisfying their idle curiosity.

Whatever their reason, fate has drawn them close to each other, and to stand nearby to the oldest human any of them has ever seen. Sitting at his arthritic ease in a lowered sedan chair with the Eye of Aroden prominently displayed on its sides, he seems to be almost asleep as he waits patiently in the early dawn hours. Whispers in the crowd around him speak of Albar Tolion, the last human cleric of Aroden, the last living human to ever receive and cast a spell granted by the Dead God, with an equal mix of admiration and ridicule.

As the sun crests over the buildings to the east and the first ray of sunlight strikes the main doors of the Cathedral, the doors open, and a man walks out. He staggers, as if in a daze; his clothes are torn, his face smudged and smeared with blood, his linen head wrap askew and stained with red. The crowd is silent as the man circles the Cathedral to a point opposite the PCs, at the foot of the broken bridge of Aroden; they gasp as the man walks onto the remains of the bridge, and then out into the void. He stops a moment, as if unsure himself, but with each step he takes, stone appears beneath his feet. The man crosses the chasm and steps off the restored bridge onto the outer rim; the crowd backs away in fear and awe, as he raises his arms above his head and proclaims in a loud voice that booms across all of Absalom, “I am Masoumi!”

In that moment, as the sound of that voice reverberates across the crowd, nobody dares stir, until one small, elderly voice nearby cries out, “My god! I can feel you! My lord, Aroden!” and Tolion, who has not cast a divine spell in one hundred and five years, raises his hands and light blossoms in front of him. The light lasts a second before a stunned crowd and a stunned Masoumi, before it falters and fades, and Tolion cries out in anguish, clutching his chest.

A voice from far off proclaims, “Masoumi brings with him the restoration of the New Age!” and the mobs resurge around the new god, already forgetting the old. But Albar Tolion, his faced mixed with equal portions of age, grief, and hope, reaches out his hands towards you, with one final request on his lips.

Hi guys,

Now that we are four (+ me), I've set up a discussion group (obviosuly), for all the reasons people have discussion groups with PBP games.

Please feel free to get to know each other and get a feel for each others' playstyles, and I don't mind if you would like to collude on character creation. Fate and destiny have decreed that your four characters are the ones to face this threat and save the world...it probably would make sense that the fates would choose a party that complements itself well.

Here are character creation guidelines:

20 point buy
2 traits (standard trait rules) or 1 skill-based feat (either Skill Focus, or ones of the feats that gives +2 bonuses to two skills like Alertness or Acrobatic, but not Cosmopolitan)
I'm leaning strongly to good-aligned only, but I could be swayed by a good-ish LN or TN. I want there to be moral choices made at times, and I want them to hurt!!!!
Standard-ish races
Western flavour only (and no guns, so not that western)
In other words, no ninjas, samurai, Tian Xia immigrants, or gunslingers. Most of this nastiness is going down in the Inner Sea region, and it would help immersion if the characters all had something to lose if things go south.
Fun class combinations are okay, but please don't try to break the game with the most uber-powerful setup you can.
Yes to hero points.

And here's the biggie...I've been playing in a game that uses this approach and so far I'm liking it. Since it makes magic items truly special and unique, and part of the this game is a relic hunt for ancient artefacts and items, I really want that flavour.

I am eliminating some of the more basic magic items. (Weapons, armor, shield, cloaks of resistance, stat boosting items). Instead you will get bonuses every level to compensate for not getting these items. This will require a spot on your character sheet keeping a log of what you chose and when. The bonuses are from training and experience and not magical.

Every level you can choose from one of the following five categories (Melee, Ranged, Armor, Shield, Saves). You will get a +1 bonus to that category everytime it is chosen. You can choose any one of the five once every block of 4 levels (1-4, 5-8, 9-12, 13-16, 17-20). So you cannot choose +1 to saves at 3rd and 4th level, but can choose them 4th and 5th level.) And yes this starts at 1st level

Every even level your character will receive an extra +1 to a stat over the normal rules. That means at 2nd you get to raise a stat +1, 4th a +2, 6th a +1, 8th a +2, etc) You cannot choose to raise the same stat twice in a row.

Weapons The bonus is an enchantment bonus but does not make your weapon magical. For that you need to find an item with a magical power on it (like flaming or keen) or cast a spell like magic weapon. It makes having these weapons useful for overcoming DR and having less chance to break. Masterwork weapons still give a +1 to hit if you haven’t chosen the weapon bonus and also has 1 additional point of hardness. (The extra point of hardness should be added to magic items).

Armour/Shields The bonus is an enchantment bonus but does not make your armour/shield magical. For that you need to find an item with a magical power on it (like fortification or slick) or cast a spell like magic vestment. Finding magical armour makes the armor harder to destroy. Masterwork armor reduces armour check penalty by 1 (This includes magical armor). You can put points in armour, even if you don't wear armour, but you can't put points in shields unless you use something that gives you an actual shield bonus (like a shield or klarr, but not the shield spell.

Saves The bonus is a resistance bonus.

Ability Boost All boosts to a skill are considered enhancement bonuses and are from experience and training. For this game, enhancement bonuses stack up to a total of +6 maximum. So you could have boosted your strength up +2 and cast bull's strength for another +4 for a total of +6. But if you boost your strength up another point for +3, bull strength still only boosts to +6. Normal means of getting inherent bonuses will still work.

When you do encounter actually magical weapons or armour, the price of the weapon or armour for sale will be figured out as normal for the item like it had a +1 bonus on it. A Sword of Flaming will be priced as a +2 weapon

Monstrous foes will not be using these rules, but any NPCs with character classes will be.

That about covers it for now. Feel free to bombard me with any other questions you may have.

Given that Flurry of Maneuvers in the Maneuver Master archetype replaces Flurry of Blows, can a Maneuver Master take Two-Weapon Fighting normally to get two attacks, and still be able to make his free extra maneuver as per Flurry of Blows, possibly getting three trip attacks or disarms attempts in one round?

Title says it all. When my Maneuver Master monk picks up Greater Bullrush to go with Improved Ki Throw, she'd love to be able to trip an opponent, then play shuffleboard with it past all her martial allies, giving them AoOs against a prone target. Nothing in the prone condition gives immunity to bullrushing, but I'm having trouble with the visual. In my mind, bullrushing is knocking a person off balance so they back up a few (or more) steps, not the above-mentioned shuffleboard metaphor. Maybe 1d4 points of dungeon-burn damage?

For that matter, being prone inflicts a -4 penalty to AC versus melee attacks. A lot of penalties to AC also apply to CMD.

Shield Master (Combat)

Your mastery of the shield allows you to fight with it without hindrance.
Prerequisites: Improved Shield Bash, Shield Proficiency, Shield Slam, Two-Weapon Fighting, base attack bonus +11.
Benefit: You do not suffer any penalties on attack rolls made with a shield while you are wielding another weapon. Add your shield's enhancement bonus to attacks and damage rolls made with the shield as if it was a weapon enhancement bonus.

(emphasis mine)

So the bashing enchantment is an armour enchantment while merciful is a weapon enchantment. Normally, shields can be enchanted separately as both weapon and armour, so I could have a shield enchanted as a +1 merciful weapon, and a +1 bashing shield, which would allow me to use it as a once enchanted weapon that did the damage of a shield two size categories larger and add the +1d6 of damage from merciful (all non-lethal). I get all that.

But then enter the above feat, that lets me use my shield's defensive enchantment as offense. Great way to save money at the upper levels if I want +5 for both offense and defense, but now what do I have to do if I still want merciful and bashing? Can I pretend that merciful is an armour enchantment, giving me a +5 merciful bashing ghost touch shield for 100,000 gp (equivalent +10 shield)? That seems like cheating since weapon enchantments are more costly than armour ones. Do I have to get a +5 bashing ghost touch shield (equivalent +9 shield) and a +1 merciful weapon enchantment (equivalent +2 weapon)? Semi-related question: if I get ghost touch (the armour enchantment) on my shield, does shield master let me bash incorporeal things with it as well? What about pre-Shield Master feat?

Obviously, the same question could apply to flaming, shocking, or any of the other weapon enchantments that aren't normally shield enchantments. If I put the dancing ability (armour) on it, can it make shield bashes for me like a dancing weapon makes attacks for me (pre or post Shield Master feat)?

So my villain, under the effects of an invisibility spell, was forced due to irrelevant circumstances to attempt an overrun against one of the PCs. Obviously, the invisibility was ended by the overrun attempt, but then the question came up whether the PC should get an AoO against the villain.

Not being able to come up with a rule showing why he wouldn't, I allowed the attack, but was wondering if it had been stated anywhere if the invisibility would prevent an attack of opportunity. I know full concealment negates attacks of opportunity, but at what point does the concealment end in this situation - before or after the attack of opportunity would be provoked?

Discussion thread for MSI Rookie Squad Two

Discussion thread for MSI Rookie Squad One

It may have been on a lamp post, the door of a public outhouse, a tavern's bulletin board, or a passing rumour in a far off land. The Magnimar City Watch is creating a new investigative unit, dedicated to those crimes and mysteries beyond the scope of the standard City Watchman. Adventurers on retainer by the City Watch and the Lord-Mayor. Guaranteed income of 5 gold coins a week plus living expenses! Interviews begin at 9 am sharp on Oathday, the 2nd of Rova, 4710 AR at the Pediment Building in Magnimar. See Captain Ilar Percival.

So bright and early on that morning, you arrive. The Pediment Building has all the appearances of being invaded given the amount of armour and steel shown.
Captain Percival is an older gentleman, his uniform is crisp and clean, with the bright links of his chain shirt peeking out from underneath. His office is sparse and plain, a soldier's office, with simple if comfortable furniture. He quickly sizes each of you up in turn with his steely blue eyes peering from beneath bushy grey eyebrows. He asks you about your pasts, your abilities, what you think you would add to the team. Once you've talked about yourselves for awhile, he thanks you for coming, takes down your contact information, and brings in the next candidate. You head back to wherever you are staying with promises that you'll be contacted, if accepted, tomorrow morning at 7.

You wait out the evening and bright and early, as promised and hoped for, a City Watchman shows up at your residence with an invitation back to the Pediment building. You got the job!

45 minutes later, you find yourselves sitting in a small waiting area with five other individuals, the other successful applicants. An officer tells you that Captain Percival has been delayed, and he'll be with you shortly.

Feel free to get things started. Please try to only post with your character's alias. A discussion thread has also been created: post in whatever character you want there, though it's often easier to know who is talking if you use your character's alias, as we tend to start identifying each other by that profile.

It may have been on a lamp post, the door of a public outhouse, a tavern's bulletin board, or a passing rumour in a far off land. The Magnimar City Watch is creating a new investigative unit, dedicated to those crimes and mysteries beyond the scope of the standard City Watchman. Adventurers on retainer by the City Watch and the Lord-Mayor. Guaranteed income of 5 gold coins a week plus living expenses! Interviews begin at 9 am sharp on Oathday, the 2nd of Rova, 4710 AR at the Pediment Building in Magnimar. See Captain Ilar Percival.

So bright and early on that morning, you arrive. The Pediment Building has all the appearances of being invaded given the amount of armour and steel shown.
Captain Percival is an older gentleman, his uniform is crisp and clean, with the bright links of his chain shirt peeking out from underneath. His office is sparse and plain, a soldier's office, with simple if comfortable furniture. He quickly sizes each of you up in turn with his steely blue eyes peering from beneath bushy grey eyebrows. He asks you about your pasts, your abilities, what you think you would add to the team. Once you've talked about yourselves for awhile, he thanks you for coming, takes down your contact information, and brings in the next candidate. You head back to wherever you are staying with promises that you'll be contacted, if accepted, tomorrow morning at 7.

You wait out the evening and bright and early, as promised and hoped for, a City Watchman shows up at your residence with an invitation back to the Pediment building. You got the job!

45 minutes later, you find yourselves sitting in a small waiting area with five other individuals, the other successful applicants. An officer tells you that Captain Percival has been delayed, and he'll be with you shortly.

Feel free to get things started. Please try to only post with your character's alias. A discussion thread has also been created: post in whatever character you want there, though it's often easier to know who is talking if you use your character's alias, as we tend to start identifying each other by that profile.

Given how hard it can be for people new to the PBP scene to find and get into a game on these boards, this game is for you. I'm interested in folks that either haven't tried a PBP game yet, or only managed to get into one that didn't last very long. I have another version of this game on these boards (no peeking!) that's at 1700+ posts and still going strong.

Please post character concepts here, with a fair amount if not complete crunch. Captain Percival is looking to put together a well-rounded and complete team, with all the bases covered. Once you've submitted a character, the selection process OOC will follow pretty much the same lines as what your characters would go through IC: I'll pose several questions in-character designed to help you and me get a good feel for who your character is, and looking for in-character responses.

Could I get some confirmation that I haven't been completely out to lunch for the past decade, and that you are in fact allowed to draw a weapon and take a 5-foot step in the same round? As in, doing a move action that doesn't involve movement doesn't prohibit the five-foot step?

So looking through the Critique thread, and all the responses Neil is churning out, I am starting to see some common trends with rejections that I didn't remember noticing as much in looking through previous years' critique threads. Maybe some other people can notice more.

Before I start, I'm not talking about SIAC, SAK, or "this has already been done" items, but some of the design space choices people (myself included) are making that aren't being well-received by the judges. Also, I'm purposely avoiding mentioning any specific items (save my own), so if these seem a little vague, that's why. Please nobody make this a tear apart somebody else's item thread.

Action Economy: Anything that messes with action economy is getting hosed. Doing stuff that should be a standard action, but making it a swift or free hasn't gotten good responses. One thing I'm not sure on is whether something like a defensive item which allows an immediate action reaction to an incoming whatever falls into the same category.

Money Sinks: There are lots of items in the critique thread, some of them quite expensive, that state outright that certain conditions can cause the character to lose this item, either by the user sacrificing the item to get some effect, overuse the item so it goes nova, or its intended use makes it quite likely that an enemy will be able to either steal or destroy the item. Maybe it's just my play-style, but my 12th level fighter still has a cure moderate potion in his pack from 4th level because I can't bring myself to use it, just in case I'm going to end up needing it more later. The idea of spending thousands of gold on an item that's just going to end up getting ruined by the bad guy, or a single-use consumable costing thousands...well, like I said, maybe it's just me. Elixir of fire breath is as far as I'm willing to go in terms of an expensive consumable.

Takes a Slot But Doesn't: This is kind of a variation of the "Makes you Blind but Not Bling" Auto-reject line, but there are a few items that take a slot, but only when you want to do a specific task, and then you just remove them in favour of a different item of the same slot when the task is done.

Doesn't Take a Slot, But Does: The opposite of the last group. Not wanting to point out any actual items, so I'll make up a riduclous example of my Carrot of Vorpal Bunny Deterring, a special carrot, when, held in your hand, automatically deflects the throat lunge of any attacking vorpal bunnies. Very useful against the critters, but I have to go around carrying this carrot on the off chance that I'll run into one, instead of, for example, a shield or second weapon.

Completely Nullify an Entire Threat: These items completely (or almost completely) negate an entire __________, so that this item is great if you're going to be facing lots of ____________s, and otherwise a waste of pack space. Plus, completely negating entire __________s is just another way of making adventuring safe, which seems to irk Ryan no end.

Again, these are just my observations as more and more items get posted. If anybody else sees some design space choices that aren't going over well with the judges, please add them to the list.

Being rather active in PbP games here on the boards, and running two myself for which I want to create aliases/avatars for major NPCs, I'm beginning to accumulate a lot of aliases of my own - some for inactive PCs, some active, and some NPCs. Would it be possible to have the ability to sort the aliases into categories? The pie in the sky would be the ability to attach categories to the appropriate campaigns, meaning that when posting in a PbP thread, only the aliases in that category would appear in the drop down list.

It's Christmas, so I can at least ask, right?

I have the following situation...

The PCs know that their enemy is using invisibility, and know that their enemy eventually has to come to them. The party witch is spamming detect magic at the only entrance to the room, concentrating for the full duration. My question is do you have to concentrate on the specific magical aura for three rounds to get all the information, or if you're already concentrating on an area, are you suddenly going to go from "no magic present" to "faint illusion aura present" instantly, or go through "magic present" first as soon as the guy steps into the room?

I'm curious to see what combinations of spells and meta-magic people have come up with which most benefit from the Magical Lineage trait. For my current controller wizard (for a PbP game, so I know the advancement will be slow and therefore a low-level solution gives me the most immediate returns), I've chosen grease so I can make it Persistent for only a second level spell, but I know there have to be better options available.

Thoughts?

So I'm a maneuver master specializing in Ki throw. My wizard buddy hits me with enlarge person, so now I'm ten feet tall with a ten foot reach, and can throw my foe into any square I threaten. Well, since I can threaten the "squares" ten feet above me, I'll just toss the guy into one of those and let him enjoy the twenty foot drop for 2d6 falling damage.

Anybody seeing any violations with this trick? Seems cheesy as all get out, but maybe legal?

Flurry of Maneuvers (Ex): At 1st level, as part of a full-attack action, a maneuver master can make one additional combat maneuver, regardless of whether the maneuver normally replaces a melee attack or requires a standard action. The maneuver master uses his monk level in place of his base attack bonus to determine his CMB for the bonus maneuvers, though all combat maneuver checks suffer a –2 penalty when using a flurry. At 8th level, a maneuver master may attempt a second additional combat maneuver, with an additional –3 penalty on combat maneuver checks. At 15th level, a maneuver master may attempt a third additional combat maneuver, with an additional –7 penalty on combat maneuver checks. This ability replaces flurry of blows.

So is this to intend that only the extra maneuvers can be ones that normally require a standard action, as opposed to an attack action?

For example, I can make a maneuver master who can do trip/trip or disarm/grapple (get those pesky light weapons out of their hand first) but can't do grapple/grapple (for the extra damage or a pin).

At 15th level, now I can do one attack action and three standard action maneuvers, but it's too much to do a standard action maneuver first? And am I required to do my attack action maneuver first (so, disarm/grapple instead of grapple then disarm)? Perhaps the specific language is to prevent first-level characters from grappling and pinning an opponent in one round, but is that really so bad? I suppose you give him a few lengths of rope and he hops about the battlefield cattle-rustling and hog-tying the low-level mooks once per two rounds. Again, is this so bad?

What would such a cult look like? I don't buy that the neutral evil clerics of Pharasma can go against their goddess and embrace undeath, and actively taking on the death side of Pharasma's portfolio by killing random folks treads on the toes of other deities. A band of kidnapping mid-wives, perhaps?

Forgive me if this is covered in the recent Pharasma article, but I don't own the Carrion Crown adventure path to read it and there's nothing on the wiki about what evil clerics of Pharasma would be like.

It may have been on a lamp post, the door of a public outhouse, a tavern's bulletin board, or a passing rumour in a far off land. The Magnimar City Watch is creating a new investigative unit, dedicated to those crimes and mysteries beyond the scope of the standard City Watchman. Adventurers on retainer by the City Watch and the Lord-Mayor. Guaranteed income of 5 gold coins a week plus living expenses! Interviews begin at 9 am sharp on Oathday, the 2nd of Rova, 4710 AR at the Pediment Building in Magnimar. See Captain Ilar Percival.

So bright and early on that morning, you arrive. The Pediment Building has all the appearances of being invaded given the amount of armour and steel shown.
Captain Percival is an older gentleman, his uniform is crisp and clean, with the bright links of his chain shirt peeking out from underneath. His office is sparse and plain, a soldier's office, with simple if comfortable furniture. He quickly sizes each of you up in turn with his steely blue eyes peering from beneath bushy grey eyebrows. He asks you about your pasts, your abilities, what you think you would add to the team. Once you've talked about yourselves for awhile, he thanks you for coming, takes down your contact information, and brings in the next candidate. You head back to wherever you are staying with promises that you'll be contacted, if accepted, tomorrow morning at 7.

You wait out the evening and bright and early, as promised and hoped for, a City Watchman shows up at your residence with an invitation back to the Pediment building. You got the job!

45 minutes later, you find yourselves sitting in a small waiting area with five other individuals, the other successful applicants. An officer tells you that Captain Percival has been delayed, and he'll be with you shortly.

Hello players. This is the discussion thread for the Magnimar Special Investigations campaign.

Once I get confirmation from people that they're on board to play this game, I'll be sending permissions to view the campaign google site. This is where we'll keep track of things that happen to the party, and the clues you've uncovered in various cases you'll be on.

In the library, there is a handout called Player Notes. I apologize, it's a bit of a wall of text, filled with background, character creation guidelines, and some new mechanics I'm trying out for this game.

The character creation stuff is buried in that document, so I'll repost here.

20-point buy, max starting hit points, standard rolled starting gold, and either two traits or one of those feats that give bonuses to skills, like Skill Focus or one of the ones that give bonuses to two skills like Persuasive or Athletic.

The main thing to think about with character creation is that, since the party has been selected from a pool, we can discuss character ideas as a group to find a well-balanced group of characters. This campaign is entirely urban, so nature and mounted characters aren't good fits. Welcome all.

P.S., when you do log in to the web site, please add your information under the Contact Numbers tab.

One of the main things that attracted me to Pathfinder and Paizo in general (and I can't be alone on this), is the incredible level of customer support and interaction you folks have with us, your loyal customers. It's quite a heady experience to have Sean K Reynolds and Neil Spicer threatening to rough you up in a dark alleyway and take your wallet!

My question is, given how often you folks are on these messageboards, do you ever find yourselves scrolling down to the near bottom of the screen and check out what some of us are doing with Paizo Adventure Paths or homebrew Golarion games in the play-by-post section?

Hello all,

My group of intrepid colonists and I are looking for one or two brave additions to our group. The premise is that you are part of a joint Taldor-Pathfinder-House Avenstar (Absalom) endeavor to establish a viable and lasting colony in Arcadia. The ships have arrived and the colonists encountered trouble from a powerful magical field being created by an ancient artifact. The party has just deactivated the field, making it safe for colonists to finally land.

Any interested persons are welcome to submit concepts for characters. Basic guidelines are as follows:
Non-evil (preferably good)
25 point buy
Base races plus tiefling or aasimar
APG material welcome

At the moment, the party is looking for a divine caster. The campaign is very wilderness-oriented, and with very few dungeons, mounted characters are quite viable.

Our group will be deciding together on submissions, and we would like 1 or 2. We need a divine person, but some other great concept may convince us to enlarge our party somewhat.

Links to campaign so far:
Game thread
OOC Thread

The current party make-up is: a half-elven ranger/sorcerer, a halfling draconic sorcerer, a halfling bard (GMNPC), and a human (Ulfen) barbarian.

* = wall
x, y = baddies
W = withdrawing baddie
M = me

Here's the layout:

* * * *
x W *
y M *

W performs a withdraw action to move straight left, through x's square.

Withdrawing means I don't get a whack at him for leaving his original square, but does the soft cover from x prevent me getting a whack at him there?

Of course, doing a bit more digging in that table suggests that a person could create a command word item, like an amulet or cloak of greater invisibility, that worked 5 times per day for 7 rounds each for a cost of just over 50k. Given that one is unlikely to need greater invisibility much more often than that, it should be an okay option.