party consists of
L7 Dwarven Drunken Monk
L7 Gnome Cleric - Cayden
L7 Halfling Swashbucker Rogue
L7 Dwarven Fighter
L7 Human Bard
L7 Half-Orc Alchemist
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I am playing in a group whose characters are having to head north to retrieve some things taken by a barbarian tribe. We're going in with diplomatic tactics, but not expecting that will work. If it comes down to combat, what are some really effective tactics against barbarians? My first thought is fight defensively until their rage wears out and they are fatigued. Second thought, what effects and abilities could fatigue them, and cause them to prematurely end their rage? Touch of Fatigue? OK but the wizard won't like getting toe-to-toe with a frothing-at-the-mouth, big, fur-loincloth-clad, shield-chewing monster :) Discuss :)
Derrian keeps his head bowed. "I serve Korvosa and Your Highness. I will speak to my Captain immediately about assisting as I can.
Derrian walks alongside Crux, and goes to his knee as well, bowing his head deeply. "Any true citizen of Korvosa would have done the same, Highness."
Derrian speaks, "Derrian. Derrian Thews of the Sable Company Marines."
Derrian steps forward. "We have come across a brooch that we believe may have been stolen from the queen. A curious thing with a broken clasp." He turns back to his companions and asks, "Who has the brooch?"
Derrian steps forward. "Marine Thews, sir. My companions and I have come across a piece of jewelry we believe is Her Highness's and are here to see it is returned."
After a few hours rest, Derrian calls the group together to discuss their next moves. "I still think the best place for the children is at the hostel.we can't watch over them all ourselves. I also have to check in back at the castle. I can see about getting an appointment weit the seneschal at least to see about returning Her Highness's brooch." Derrian lapses into silence and lets the others talk about what they think needs to be done.
Derrian unshounders his shield bearing the crest of the Sable Company, stepping forward to interpose himself between the mob and the children, but sheathing his sword. Calling out, he tries to sway the crowd to stand down and disperse. "Violence is not the answer, good people of Korvosa. I understand you believe yourself wronged, but answer me this simple question. Has this man directly harmed or grieved any of you? You attack a man who's only crime was to be born to a noble family." "In this time of turmoil, Korvosa needs to stand together, to remain strong. His Highness Eodred is not even cold and you dishonor his rule with your 'mob justice'. Would you celebrate the life of your King with murder and destruction? In your anger and grief over his passing, you forget that this is a time to celebrate his life, to uphold what he believed in, what he believed Korvosa could be....what you could be." Continuing, Derrian hopes the people hear his words. "There will be no violence in the name of His Highness, King Eodred II, this day. People of Korvosa, return home, gather your family and celebrate the life of our fallen monarch with feasting and song. Put aside the thoughts of murder, of violence. Whatever crime you commit against another citizen of Korvosa, or our cities structures, you defile the memory of our king. Show His Highness some respect! Show your home some respect!" Derrian lapses into silence, his shield in front of him, proudly proclaiming his allegiance to Korvosa, but his sword hand away from his weapon. Mechanics:
Derrian falls in alongside the children, allowing Kazadarin to lead. He urges the children to stay together, and promises soon enough a safe place to sleep and food.
Derrian nods and ducks back inside to gather the children. Quickly he tells the half-orc boy to rouse the children and gather their belongings, and that there is trouble afoot. Older children should pair up with the younger ones. He explains again that Lamm will not harm them ever again and that he is going to take them to a safe place. Rounding them up, he corrals them out into the night, encouraging them to stay together, stick with their buddy, and stay close to him and the other adults.
Derrian nods, "Yes, too dangerous for them. They stay here for now. I think getting to the castle is a good plan, but in the short term, I think we need to stop the looting and violence however we can." A wing of Sable Company marines flies overhead, angling toward Castle Korvosa, but one of their mounts is heavily wounded; the creature struggles to keep up with the other hippogriffs before losing control and crashing into a statue several streets over. Derrian watches in horror as one of his own goes down. "If we stick together, we can protect the children and get them to the safety of the Hostel. It's between here and the castle anyway." Thinking of the layout of the city, Derrian tries to see if using the boat could get them closer to the castle. Mechanics: I'm thinking that would be a Knowledge Geography. It's an untrained skill for me so if the DC is hugher than a 10 I can't succeed, but I'll try anyway.
Knowledge Geography:
Derrian takes in the scene with a sigh. Lamm was dead and Korvosa was burning. What the heck was happening? "Grent is right, we have to help, but we need to know what exactly is going on before we know how to help." Derrian looks up and down the street, looking for someone who might know what is going on. If no one is to be found, he encourages everyone to follow Grent to the nearest burning building, to help put it out.
Derrian's ears perk up at Crux's scream. Turning back to Taelreth, "We'll find her. I'll help you find her. For now, it seems like this night isn't over." Standing he moves to head out of the sub-floor of the fishery, calling over his shoulder for the others if they haven't heard him, "Company upstairs!" When he reaches the ground floor, he takes the time to explain to the young half-orc that they have nothing to worry from Lamm anymore, and that he should round up the kids and take them to the hostel in the morning. Rushing up to where Crux is, he bursts out, with sword drawn, "What's going on?"
Derrian nods to Grent. "Very true. Well if this indeed Her Highess's brooch, I am sure she will want it back. I should be able to make an arrangement to talk to the Steward to return it to her. As for the ring, there may be a jeweler's mark on it to indicate who crafted it. If not, perhaps a local jeweler would recognize the craftsmanship. But truly, the effort that we would put into finding the owners of these things is most likely more than we want to deal with. The children could use the money these things would fetch to get them set on a better path than Lamm's. Derrian watches Crux leave, and then looks around for Taelreth. Seeing her on the floor in the other room, he rushes to her side to see if she was injured. "Tael, are you OK?"
Derrian raises his eyebrow at Kazadarin's allegation. "How in Golarion would Lamm get close enough to Her Highness to pilfer this pretty? Surely it is a clever fake!" He moves closer to take a look at the bauble, and also peers into the box.
Derrian, finishes looking through the junk. Entering the room with the others, he poes around for a while, and finally looks in the hatbox, scrunching his nose up at the smell. "Well it would see our benefactor had a reason to hate Lamm as well. I'm no healer but that head is slightly older than the last time we saw her." Seeing Crux leave, Derrian turns, "You are right, Crux. Lamm's life may be ended, but now we have his legacy to deal with."
Derrian lets the others examine the inner room and instead curiously pokes around the room outside, looking at various pieces of junk, picking this up, turning that over.
Derrian rushes past Crux and around the boardwalk toward the try and cut off Lamm's Escape.
Derrian shoulders his way into the room. Pointing his sword at the man, Derrian's voice booms, "Lamm, for far too long have you been allowed to poison good men and women, steal and defile our youth. It ends now. Stand forth and face your fate. I am Derrian Thews. Your poison wasn't enough to kill me. Stand forth and let us see if my blade is more efficient!" Mechanics: Derrian is issuing his challenge to Lamm. His attacks deal +1 damage to Lamm, and if Lamm attacks another apart from Derrian, Derrian gains a +1 on melee attacks, for 1 minute.
Derrian unslings his shield, strapping it to his arm and quietly draws his father's longsword.
Derrian looks at the other two. "I'll take rearguard. You two next." Once the other two are down the hole, Derrian sheathes his sword and turns his head to the young half-orc. "Remember what I told you. If we're not back shortly, or if you get worried for any reason, wake the rest of the children and get them to the hostel." Turning back to the hole, he lowers himself down when the boat is clear. Mechanics:
Derrian watches Grent disappear into the hole. "What do we got, Grent? Crux, pass him the light." Derrian's curiosity and the burning hatred of Lamm are slowly start to overcome his caution of climbing with his armor on.
Derrian goes over the instructions with the boy, to make sure in his own mind that the boy has the instructions clear. Once he is confident the boy knows what to do and where to go, he joins the group around the hole. Looking down into the hole at the dowboat, he suddenly feels the weight of the chainmail on him. "OK then, who's first?" I'm the first to admit I will sink like a stone with this armor, if that boat capsizes. Maybe if one of us goes down, we could see if there is another way under the shanty."
Derrian considers the boys words. "We're hoping to get to Lamm before he finds out we've been here. If you tell us where he is, we will make sure he doesn't take it out on you." After considering a little longer, he speaks up again. "I know a safe place you can go. Do you know where Seven Black Street is?" Quietly he explains to the boy that if they don't return shortly that he needs to get all the children together and go to the hostel on Seven Black Street, letting the proprietor know that Derrian sent them and they will be cared for.
While the rest of the group checks for more information upstairs, Derrian is reluctant to leave the children alone. He softly starts to sing, trying to relax the more agitated ones into a calmer state, and put the calmerones back to sleep, while he thinks of how to get them to the hotel, and als how to deal with Lamm without leaving them alone. As he sings quietly, he examines the hole. Without light, he peers down in, trying to see if there is another room below the building. Derrian tries to identify an older child who the other children are looking up to as a leader. Mechanics: Derrian is trtying to find out which of the children may be old enough to leave as a guardian over the smaller children while the six adults look for Lamm. Would that be a Diplomacy for a sense motive? He is also attempting to calm the children with his song. Would that be a diplomacy to change their attitude or a Performance?
Diplomacy (sense motive) to try and identify the eldest children: Diplomacy to try and calm the children: Performance (song):
Derrian follows Talreth downstairs into the room with the children. Sheathing his sword and shouldering his shield, he stops to examine and talk to some of the children, to calm them and assure them that this group is here to help them, not to hurt them. "We need to find a place for these children. There's a hostel over on Seven Black Street that an old friend of mine runs. he whispers to Talreth when he catches up with her. With the description of the girl Talreth is looking for, Derrian also looks around for the specific child. Mechanics: Perception check:
Derrian looks down at the man on the bed with a mixture of disgust and pity. "You should have talked faster. Lamm has hurt a lot of people, but no more." Turning on his heel he heads into the other room to see if the others need assistance.
Seeing the gnome flee, Derrian, attempts to trip him and slow him down. Turning to the spellcaster in the doorway, he hefts his shield and sword and glowers menacingly. "Tell us where Lamm is and we may let you see the dawn." Mechanics:
"Grent, go high. I'll go low." Derrian says, trying to coordinate with the other man. Turning back to the small one, he looks carefully to determine if the creature is a gnome or a child. Dancing out of the way of the small blade, Derrian swings his sword with the flat of his blade, unless he is sure the creature is not a child. mechanics: Notice to determine if the small humanoid is a gnome or a child.
Attack (-4 for non-lethal damage): Damage if hit (non-lethal):
OK Derrian is converted, keeping the Sable Company Marine.
Derrian holds his action to see how his comrades fare.
Noticing the move away from the room they just opened, Derrian looks up inquisitively, but still unaware of the sound.
Derrian moves with unnatural silence, with his chainmail barely making a sound as he crosses the floor to stare at the wall.
Perception:
Derrian moves into the room with his companions, sword at the ready. He puts his back to the nearest wall and waits for his eyes to adjust to the darkness.
Derrian listens to the others for a moment. "If we attempt to kick in the door, and don't do so on the first try, it will give them a chance to prepare. I suggest picking the lock." He fingers his father's sword nervously.
Derrian stands, takes back his sword which he slides into his black leather scabbard. "I have no objection to a walk along the river this fine evening. Perhaps we will have a better chance of finding the man in his lair in the dark of night. I have no qualms about leaving straight from here. I have all I need." The young man places his hand on his sword.
Derrian listens to the woman's words and as all the others lay their blades on the table, he draws his. "The common people of Korvosa deserve a better life than those offered by Lamm and the like. I knew he was a criminal. Now is the time he must pay." The man lays his blade down on the table beside the others.
so Grent's idea of stealth is leaning against the wall of the building across the street, out in the open, loudly saying "I AM NOT WATCHING THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET!" I should talk...I have botched so many stealth rolls in my roleplaying life....and it usually makes for GREAT fun...
Hey Folks, yesterday was a busy day. I will TRY to post more than once a day, but it won't always happen. This weekend, I will definitely be challenged to post, but will endeavor to check in in the morning, if at all possible.
Derrian listens to the others carefully in silence, trying to gauge them. "I am Derrian Thews. Marine of the Sable Company. Through my own shortcomings, I became addicted to shiver. Lamm was my go-to guy, and...", the young marine shivers, despite the warmth of the building, ...when I told Lamm I was off the stuff and was turning him in, be slipped me a final dose. One I almost did not survive." Derrian sits for a moment, his face reddened at his admission of the addiction, but his heart feeling infinitely lighter. "I have just as much reason to see Lamm brought to justice, or removed from the position to poison others. I would like to think even he can be rehabilitated, but for the wrongs he has done on all of you, and countless others...", his voice trails off. He pours a glass of wine but does not drink.
Derrian approaches the open door, knocking on the lintel. "Hello?, he asks, poking his head in the door. Seeing the figure sitting at the table, he pulls out the card. "Oh hello. I'm here about this." The young marine holds up the card, image side towards the other person.
Derrian considers the card carefully. Who could have gotten this here? Obviously another of the marines or one of the stablers. He wasn't aware of anyone with the same situation as he, but who knows. The young man tucks the card into his pouch and tries to remember the meaning of the Theatre. He and the other marines often play games with the cards, but he knows that there are those who use them to divine the future. As he takes Aditi out for her ride, his mind is distant. The hippogriff snorts occasionally to bring him out of his reverie, helping to keep him aware of his surroundings. Derrian's stomach is aflutter as he thinks of Lamm, the man who is poisoning Korvosa. Part of him wants to go now, to this place on Lancet Street. Part of him wants to retreat to a shiver den for another hit. He is distracted. Aditi senses it. Finally he dismounts, leads the beautiful beast back into the paddock and removes her tack. His mind can wander as he brushes her down, and helps preen her feathers. The young man stores the tack in the tack room and moves to the mess, where he eats a small meal, not enough to remove the hunger, but also not enough to come back up . Later, he looks at the card as he walks down the street, asking a boy in a dirty shirt where to find Lancet Street, and giving the boy a silver for his trouble. The Theatre, thinks Derrian. Am I to play a bit part that expires before the end of the first act or the hero, who wins out over indomitable odds and gets the girl in the end? He turns down Lancet Street, card in hand.
OK Dropped Mounted Combat for Sable Company Marine. I'll have to pick it up at a later level.
the background stuff errian was born in Korvosa to Chelish parents. His father was an accomplished swordsman in the Chelaxian military, while his mother kept up all the airs of a nobleman’s wife. For reasons unbeknownst to Derrian, his parents moved to Korvosa when his mother was with child. Derrian grew up in a modest home, being taught both the Chelaxian ways as well as those of Korvosa and the Varisans. Derrian’s father, Andorjan Lucianus, was astrict man, who didn’t take to Derrian’s shenanigans. He instructed his son in the art of swordplay from a young age, and when the boy was of age, apprenticed him to the Sable Company Marines. Derrian’s apprenticeship under the marines was not an easy one. His early teens were spent mucking hippogriff stalls, grooming the beasts and caring for their tack. After a few years, he started training in swordplay and armored maneuvers, and soon enough he was training to ride the beasts he took care of for so long. Recently, he has been allowed to bond with a hippogriff, a female named Aditi, and his father has bequeathed to him his family's ancestral sword, Zannadiavolo, in honor of his accomplishment. Over the course of his apprenticeship, Derrian developed an addiction to Shiver. The man who supplies him with the drug is Gaedran Lamm. A month ago, the dose supplied by Lamm sent Derrian into a trip that landed him at death’s door. Even after the four weeks intervening, Derrian is not fully recovered from the experience. Lately, it has come to his attenting that more and more of the commoners are having similar experiences, and he is resolved to break his addiction, and confront Lamm.
I will be ready on Tuesday! That will give me today to get a more detailed background in order.
Derrian Thews, Sable Company Marine, checking in. Neighbor's family were in last night and kept us out late. Just waking up. Derrian Thews has a little bit of a problem with drugs. Gaedran supplied Derrian with some bad stuff which lead to Derrian almost dying. While he is still an addict, he wants to break the habit, and wants to get back at Lamm for what he has done. Derrian is a good man in a bad situation. Not thinking to clearly this morning. I'll fill in the background information, as well as a stat block ASAP, but didn't want to hold things up any more. |