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After the electrocuting wound Dalsine delivers, Dr. Gunter coughs heavily, blood flecking his mustache. He turns toward Vanyel with a harrumph: "What are you doing? Get out of here, you fool! I'll hold off this traitor. Tell the Society--RUN!" With that, the alchemist pulls out a small vial, then grins at Dalsine. Stepping back, he hefts the bomb with obvious effort, not at the maniac in front of him, but at the wall behind him, hoping to catch the manor on fire.
Couple of questions before I make my move: -What are the chances that I could pick up a large article of furniture (the couch for example), and attack with it/throw it in such a manner that could hamper Dalsine's ability to attack us? And that would be more effective than trying to just trip him with my longsword or something, etc.? I do have the Throw Anything feat, if that means anything.
Tevaga: if you have the Advanced Race Guide, Ferocious Resolve has kept Dr. Gunter up and fighting in times like these. Although it can get you in trouble; if you're still a threat at negative HP, attacks against you are much more likely to kill you. That's why I'm also planning on getting the Lingering Spirit alchemist discovery.
Nine bloody hells! He takes them down like nothing! Even the ferocity of orcish blood seems of little use here! And me without my mutagen, too--I certainly feel like the most foolish man alive now! Thus internally flabbergasted, Dr. Gunter snaps into action as quickly as possible. Drawing an extract vial from his person, he drinks it down and swells to an enormous size! Stepping back, he draws his longsword and brandishes it with both meaty hands. "You won't get away with this, cur! Even if you strike us down, the Society will send stronger than us; your days are numbered!"
When I played it we had seven people at the 3-4 tier and two people died before we brought him down. Well that's encouraging. :P I've actually met the guy who wrote this. He's a good GM, although I haven't played with him much, and until very recently was the local VC. I think he stepped down because of the time commitment.
The haughty half-orc scientist, extremely pleased with his clever ruse to enter the manor, is struck dumb at the vision he's granted with his successful invasion. Whatever bravado and cleverness had inspired his earlier bluffs is gone, and he cannot present himself as cooly as Tevaga. Finding his voice, he hoarsely cries out to the maniac at the top of the stairs: "Are you mad, man?! What is the meaning of this? This man was your blood! What devil, born of hell or some insanity, has caused this?!"
"My good man, as I said, I believe that Chalfon Dalsine is expecting us; we are associates, and he requires my scientific expertise in determining the anthropological value and significance of a few things he's procured," Dr. Gunter continues, twirling his mustache in delight at the apparently successful plan. "We also have Mr. Vanyel, to evaluate their magical properties, and in addition to my servant there," he says with a condescending gesture toward the haggard elf, "we've also brought along a couple of my pupils, for whom this is a great learning opportunity!" he exclaims, indicating the other half-orcs. "If you'd be so good as to let us just pop in--no need to alert Dalsine, for we're already quite late--" (here a glare at Rilamon) "we have important business to attend to!"
"My word, what a foul implication," Dr. Gunter mutters, but at hearing the phrase "important guests," he perks up. "I have an idea," he whispers, "Follow my lead." With that, the alchemist emerges from his hiding place, making sure to avoid the view of the guards, then circles back around to approach the gates in a far less sneaky way. He strolls up to the guards with a pompous gait (or rather, more pompous than usual), confident that his fellow Pathfinders are behind him. "Ah, you've found my servant!" he calls out to the guards. Continuing in his most sophisticated voice, he says, "Good on you, I was worried he had gotten lost himself after dragging us all about the city! I'm sure that Dalsine is wondering where we've been. Ah, but of course, he only has the finest people outside his gates. Please, take a little something for finding my man here before we go in. It's good for getting warm on cold nights like this." At this, the doctor pulls out a small bottle and offers it to the guards.
Sooooooo I feel like we're a little stumped here. Or at least indecisive. Does anyone want to try to talk past the guards? We don't have much in the way of physical stealth, but our social skills seem a little better. Other suggestions:
"Yes, certainly the armor would be inside. The question is, how are we to get in? Are we to attempt some kind of burglary, or could we persuade someone to let us in under false pretenses?" At Frunobulax's offer, the doctor's eyes light up and a smile spreads under his mustache. "Not a problem, my man, not a problem! I understand entirely. Well, not everything entirely, you know, but that's what research it for! I'm sure we'll have a fascinating chat later!"
"I agree, it would be best to get the jump on this fellow. But are we sure it can't wait until morning? I'm rather tired, and I could use a little time to prepare some of my alchemical extracts, not to mention another mutagen," the doctor says, carefully removing his monocle with a gnarled claw and wiping it on his waistcoat before replacing it. "A little stake out would also give me a good chunk of time for such things."
The alchemist steps around to flank the charlatan. Dr. Gunter looks injured from multiple sword wounds, but the creature's slam doesn't manage to do anything against his alchemically toughened skin. "Foolish turncoat! You shall not best the efforts of the Pathfinders! Lay into me with your blade, I shall still stand against you!"
Dr. Gunter steps around to where the creature steps to cut off its escape from being surrounded. He winces from the sword's blow, but only briefly. Fending off the creature's second blow, he smiles wickedly through his snaggle of razor teeth. "Oh ho! It's a game of fisticuffs you want then? Come then, see about this!" the alchemist hisses.
His rumbling snores having been interrupted, the now-awake half-orc scientist grumbles out a cry of "Treachery!" He draws a small flask and drinks it down, causing his bulk to swell with muscle and his skin to harden into a gray leather, as his nails grow into claws and his mouth fills with rows of jagged fangs. He moves around the pews to flank the creature with Tevaga. "Vile fiend!" he spits between a jumble of sharp teeth, "You'll regret this day that you attack us!"
Dr. Gunter, now shrunk back to his normal size, motions for the rescue party to stop after collapsing the stairway. "Now hold on just a moment, chaps, I need to prepare another one of those. Won't take a moment!" he promises.
While Dr. Gunter prepares his alchemical brew, he asks their refugees, "So, remind me why the worship of Sarenrae is illegal here? I'm afraid religion (and for that matter, politics) isn't really my area of expertise. I assume it's the usual sort of tribal squabbling?"
"Right, you lot. I'm not exactly a people person--well, I mean I'm an expert on the Orcish peoples--although certainly they are not like other peoples--er, anyway, I am an academic, and I convince through journals, not speeches. But I have a little something that should help with this door situation," the Doctor bumbles, withdrawing a small vial from his pocket. He drinks it down quickly, and starts growing to twice his size. Using his new, even more massive bulk, he starts to pile large items of furniture against the door, and holds it shut with his own weight as well.
Oh, and a quick heads up (especially for Frunobulax and ESPECIALLY the half-orc barbarian who's going to join us): The concept for this character is that while he's an alchemist, he's also modeled after the archetype of an early twentieth-century anthropologist. Having grown up in an urban half-orc community, he's interested (maybe even obsessed) with his "savage" Orc lineage and Orc culture. He goes about this in a very romanticizing, and also very racist, way. If it gets to be too much, or if you'd like me to tone that down before we even really get started, please tell me. I thought this would be an interesting character, but not a very nice one, who eventually goes into the Master Chymist prestige class, whereupon the Mutagenic Form he gains is a separate personality who realizes what a horrible person the "normal" Dr. Gunter is. But again, I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, so let me know here or via PM if there's any issue.
On the boat ride over, Dr. Gunter introduces himself with an adjustment of his monocle and a wiggle of his impressive mustache and mutton chops. He seems especially interested in talking to the other half-orc, but holds off until the man is able to stand. Once in the lodge, he buzzes around the man like a fly on a rotten fruit. "Yes, sea travel can be rather rough on a body. I say, Frunobulax, care to explain what these tattoos mean?" he pesters. "I find these remnants of Orc culture just fascinating, don't you? Oh, what am I saying, you must, or you wouldn't have these, eh? Such savage power!" he exclaims.
Hm, I seem to have misplaced my papers. Hold on, I'll get them in order before it's too late. I must say, I really am very embarrassed by being so ill-equipped... Like I said, I'll get my stats up soon! I just don't have access to my sheets at the moment. Just a few more hours until I'm home, though. |
