Emmanuel Holysmith's page

"Hey Makai. Do you think Completing the Formula is religious in nature? I can ask Shylye to Aid...

Religion to Aid in Completing the Formula with Religion: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (6) + 15 = 21

Manny seems to be listening to someone. "Uh huh, uh huh, yeah? Oh Aroden, what didn't he mess up?"

"So long, Sluggy." Manny finishes his horn solo as the team unlocks the door. He could swear he heard one of the slimes whine as he left.

"Another puzzle room... crystals are shiny." Manny inspects the walls. "Here's the part of school I didn't excel in..."

Decipher the Sketches: +11 Society, +12 Thievery
Find the Hidden Ink: +11 Occultism, +11 Society
The Spaces In Between: +15 Deception, +11 Occultism
Thieves Cant Spell but They Can Write Code: +11 Society, +12 Thievery
Completing the Formulas: +13 Religion, +11 Occultism

"Alright, I'll let ya'll go ahead first. I can aid you but I probably shouldn't lead."

Manny puts the horns to his lips...

Vibrate the Oozes: Performance with Horn: 1d20 + 19 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 2 = 31

And begins tooting away, causing the oozes to vibrate back and forth until he can gradually nudge into place.

"I could use my horn to herd..." Manny watches Liam push the oozes together. "Well, I could ask them kindly? Or use the horn."

Calm the Oozes: Diplomacy +17, Occultism +11
Feed the Oozes: Diplomacy +17, Occultism +11
Tame the Oozes: Diplomacy +17, Intimidation +15, Occultism +11
Vibrate the Oozes: Performance +19 (+2 if I use my horn), Athletics +17, Thievery +12, Medicine +9

Manny's probably best at Vibrating the Oozes with a +21 Performance.

"Alright! Let's go for it!" Manny gets a rhythm in his head and starts dancing to and fro amongst the Swinging Guillotines.

Performance: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

"One, two, three!" Manny leaps on the blades and picks the gears away in perfect sync. The blades unceremoniously THUNK on the ground, falling flat on the ground. "That was fun."

Manny just sits and watches Zabu destroy the columns.

"Well, maybe I can mess around with the guillotines." Manny stretches a few times, striking a few dance moves along the way. "It's like swinging from a chandelier. I think." +17 Performance from me.

"What can we do about the Acid? I'm not a medic or a carpenter..." Manny looks about. Anyone good at those skills? Looks like we have overlap on the other checks.

Swinging Guillotines: Manny +17 Performance
Acid-Spewing Nozzles: ?
Spinning Blades: Teja +17 Stealth
Crushing Pit Traps: ?

"Yeah!" Manny cheers Teja on, although he's actually glad he doesn't have to remember any history lessons. His doppleganger is far too eager and starts blurting out facts about Galt. "You're overacting your part, bro!" Manny laughs and moves ahead to the next room.

I'm assuming the same rules as the previous room- only 1 person can make the skill check but others can aid? I'll list my relevant skill checks here:

Detach the Swinging Guillotines: Performance +17, Athletics +17, Acrobatics +14
Disable the Acid-Spewing Nozzles: all Untrained (but can attempt Trained), +12 Thievery, +9 Crafting, +9 Medicine
Jam the Grinding Columns: +17 Athletics, +12 Thievery, +9 Crafting
Stop the Spinning Blades: +14 Acrobatics, +14 Stealth, +12 Thievery
Wedge the Crushing Pit Traps: +17 Athletics, +14 Acrobatics, +12 Thievery, +9 Crafting

Manny whistles. "So the giant sludge thing is made of spinning blades? Or maybe is this unnecessary?"

"Oh! Uh... I guess we're doing a history contest?" Manny and his copy scratch their heads. "Right, yeah, um... normally this is when I ask Shylye for help..."

Manny can Aid with Society +11.

I think >Teja already did< "Ally with the Innocent", and Zabu has handled "I Heard That Doppelgangers Have Rubber Bones", and Karando took care of Shell Game.

I think that leaves "He'll do it, he doesn't care". Manny has +15 Intimidation, I'm certain others can beat that.

The GM can reuse my >He'll do it!< roll from before or make a +15 Intimidation roll.

Ah, in that case, let's coordinate and see who has the highest skill check. The second highest person should probably Aid.

Ally with the Innocent: Diplomacy +17, Deception +15, Intimidation +15
He’ll Do it, He Really Doesn’t Care: Intimidation +15
I Heard That Doppelgangers Have Rubber Bones: Athletics +17, Acrobatics +14, Occultism +11
Shell Game: Diplomacy +17, Perception +13, Society +11

Manny has Bardic Lore +11 (functionally +13 for this challenge) so he can always do Lores.
Manny has Clever Improviser so he can always attempt a check with 9 + Attribute Bonus.

Too Many Pathfinders: Manny suggests Performance/Deception/Diplomacy/Religion along with his Illusory Creature spell to "summon an angel" who will point out the Pathfinders.

If I can perform multiple checks, then...

"So, that's me, but not me..." Manny points at the finely dressed doppleganger who took his form. "I can change my clothing at a moment's notice... Oh! I can summon Shylye and let her point out we're the real Pathfinders."

Too Many Pathfinders: Manny suggests Performance/Deception/Diplomacy/Religion along with his Illusory Creature spell to "summon an angel" who will point out the Pathfinders.

"Come on, help us out." Manny tries to Ally with the Innocent.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
Hero Point: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (9) + 17 = 26

"My butt does not look that big." He points at one of his duplicates, who simply grins.

Do we need to do all of the challenges in the room?

"If I could mold my body however I wanted to, I'd probably ask for a bigger butt- OW" the back of Manny's head suddenly hurts, as if someone slapped him.

"But looks like we need to risk our lives to... risk our lives to save the day. This is the Pathfinder way."

Manny watches Dunn Palovar emerge. Curious if Palovar's decisions. It's not the way Manny would want to go, but...

Palovar isn't much of a conversationalist. Now they have to prove themselves in a stupid test. He sighs. The sooner they get it over with the sooner they can stop the real threat.

"Yeah, Mom's more of an information broker type. Then again you'd have to to keep tabs on the Holysmith family." Manny's smile fades for a moment. "We uh... don't get to die peacefully at an old age. She keeps track of them all. Dad doesn't do well under all that strain, but he's one of the few people to listen to me when I mention Shylye." He sighs as the wind picks up.

"Zabu has a point, though. The sooner we get this over with the sooner we can have a party."

Nex. Lots of arcane magic here. They've dealt with their own fallen leader, some kind of high up archmage or something? Shylye's told him about it multiple times in his dreams. He does take note of the fashion and try to match his armor to it. Very loose cloth.

"'Sup, I'm Emmanuel Holysmith, but ya'll can call me Manny." He waves and shakes hands with everyone again. "Karando Tull? Good to see ya. That armor may get really hot, be careful."

Fleshforging. He's heard about it, he's seen a few variants before. He doesn't like it. Sure, it's nice when someone loses an arm in an accident and they can afford to replace it. But some people go overboard, and some people don't get to choose. Gotta play nice to get permission, though...

"'Sup Dalanin. How do we qualify to get permission to hunt? Some tests I assume?"

He pauses as Zabu interrupts. Always Zabu. "What he means we're here to stop the wanton destruction across the territory."

I'm gonna be lazy and suggest 6-07 so I don't have to prep for 2 runs at the same time right before I travel to see my family.

Ooo, 4-17 was real fun to play.

If there's enough interest I could acquire the scenario and GM it. High level play is quite different from lower levels.

Count me in.

This would be Manny's second level 9 adventure. Man these DCs really climb up.

...on closer inspection, I never updated my saving throws in my post headers. I've had a -1 penalty all this time.

Thanks for the chronicles, and thanks for the game everyone. These numbers really scale as you level up!

"Makes sense..." Manny ponders.

"I got a few pointers on the Dark Tapestry back in Bard College. Not a whole lot, my head is more focused on the divine forces of good and evil and all that stuff. But this is barely within our realm of understanding. That Night Hag Aslynn? We barely understood her, and she kept poking her nose in our affairs. Only by learning and studying her patterns were we able to stop her. She was able to invade our vaults when we tried to lock things away."

"I think we need to give the tapestry to the Dark Archive. Let them study it, learn what's really going on. Maybe it can provide more answers. The risk is worth it."

"That tapestry hurt my brain good." Manny tries to warn them before they start debating.

More importantly, he turns to Csilla. "Do you know of a naga named Jimpani? She tried to stop us, said you were better off not knowing. But anyway, we found >a journal and a blanket< from a small village. Maybe it was your hometown?"

"Oh man, Teja got brain freeze." Manny looks her over. "Okay, good news is she's not dead, just knocked out. Would have been real ironic if the librarian died in a library."

"Good news, I can try to heal her at least a little. Bad news, I have this wicked headache."

Flat Check DC 11 vs Stupefied 4: 1d20 ⇒ 13
"Oh! OH! Shylye said she would cast >Soothe< for me!"

Healing: 2d10 + 8 ⇒ (2, 8) + 8 = 18

"Hey Teja. You ever have that time you practice so hard for a session your brain hurts? Yeah, me too. Let's get out of here, eh?"

Manny probably would have stopped researching once the tapestry scrambled his brain. I'll roll anyway.

Will Save, Stupefied 2: 1d20 + 15 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 2 - 2 = 20 2 HP remains before healing

"Uhh... I think Shylye's telling me to take a break." Manny plops on the ground with the worst headache he's ever experienced.

"So anyway, must be something real important about this-"

Will Save, Bravo's Brew: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 2 = 18

Manny's head is caught mid sentence.

Performance: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

Success, 16 gold pieces

Manny's got quite a tale to tell. Always pay your late fees!

"Awesome! That's one way to avoid library fines. The other way is to date the librarian..." Manny muses before his head jerks, reacting to an unseen slap.

"Aaaaanyway, can someone help Zabu with his bleeding? I'll get the tapestry." He sheathes his sword and hops up the ladder.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (6) + 14 = 20

Once that's done, he climbs back down. "This is way outside of my wheelhouse." He tries to examine it.

Religion: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (13) + 13 = 26

"I should've payed more attention during prayer." He shrugs.

While someone more qualified takes a look, he begins flipping through the library's books.

Society: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14

This is way too advanced for him.

"Oh hey, the big guy's gone." Manny turns towards his remaining foe. "Might be best for you to flee."

Intimidation vs Pink to Demoralize: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (12) + 15 = 27

"Alright, everyone. All in!" Manny's chant switches to a more offensive call, hoping to end the battle soon. He moves ahead to Pinkie and attempts to trip them.

Trip via Athletics, Courageous Anthem: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 17 + 1 = 26

◆ Demoralize Pink
- ◆ Hasted Stride
◆ Courageous Anthem. +1 Status to Attack, Damage, Saves vs Fear.
◆ Trip Pink
↺ >Reflexive Courage< on the first enemy to trigger a reaction.

"Hey! I do whatever I want! Back off!"

Will Save, Bravo's Brew: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 2 = 30

"Besides, Shylye said this may be a trick."

"Now we're talking! Thanks Makai! Time to do something stupid!" Despite Manny's words, the way he says it rallies his team's defenses.

He calls to Shylye for a magical shield to protect him, and a feathered wing forms right in front of him. He uses his hasted energy to stride ahead.

This will Trigger movement based reactions from Pink.

"Alright, you're a smartypants, but let's see how stable your footing is!"

Athletics: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18
Best opportunity for a Hero Point EVER: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

He tries to trip the librarian over, hoping to slow them down.

◆ >Rallying Anthem<. +1 Status bonus to AC, Saving Throws, and Physical Resist 2.
◆ Cast >Shield<. +1 Circumstance bonus to AC. Will Shield Block the first attack that hits for 15 or more damage.
◆ Hasted Stride
◆ >Trip< the Librarian

Fort Save: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29

"Ow. I want to make a good joke about biting but man it hurts!"

Yeah, let's hope that was the librarian's strongest spell. I'll switch to healing duty in a second, I have to get rid of all of this persistent damage.

"The future is ours, old-"
Will Save, Rallying Anthem, Sickened 1: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 15 + 1 = 28
At 36 HP. Doomed 2

"OW." Manny's headache is even worse. "That is a cool attack, though..."

"Hey Pinky, you have a bad taste in bosses."

Manny tries to focus and get this headache under control.
Retch vs DC 27, Sickened: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 15 - 1 = 15

That didn't work.
Retch vs DC 27, Sickened: 1d20 + 15 - 1 ⇒ (17) + 15 - 1 = 31
That's better. Ends Phantom Pain Persistent Damage

"But seriously, they just tried to blow you up. You get health benefits? Do they clean your remains, at least?" He jabs a thumb at Blue's remains.

Bon Mot vs Pink: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (14) + 17 = 31

Feeling his confidence (hopefully) restored, he lashes his chain sword out.

Silver Chain Sword: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (8) + 15 = 23
Slashing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (1, 2) + 3 = 6

◆ End Sickness, Fail
◆ End Sickness, Success
◆ >Bon Mot< vs Pink
- ◆ Hasted Strike vs Pink
No Anthems this round, had to remove Persistent Damage and Will Save penalties

"Huh, I should have stuck to the cloak- OW"

Fort, Rallying Anthem: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 15 + 1 = 24

Manny gets a wicked headache!

Sickened 1, Manny takes initial damage, Persistent Damage

Manny's Rallying Anthem continues, even as Zabu begins to recite an important text. Is he a book nerd underneath that attitude?

Manny ignores the thing with the knife right in front of him and focuses solely on the librarian. "So if Waterfall has late fees, do you taste the aftershock? Or do you hear the sandpaper as it rubs your fingers green?"

Bon Mot: Diplomacy vs Librarian: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21
While he rambles, he calls upon his own powers of confusion magic and tries to overstimulate the Librarian.

Now he turns back to the Pinkish creature and the many duplicates swirling about. "Alright, I know one of you is real... is it this one?"
Silver Chain Sword: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Slashing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (4, 1) + 3 = 8

>Martial Anthem< Continues for the round
◇ >Rallying Anthem<
◆ >Bon Mot< on the Librarian
◆◆ Cast >Synesthesia< on the Librarian, Will Save DC 27
◆ (Haste) Strike Pink

Manny is checking his belly button when violence erupts about him. Watching the librarian dig into Teja like that does not look good.

So he lets out a Rallying Anthem. "Try not to spill too much of their blood on the books, these things are full of knowledge."

Then he pulls out his Chain Sword and reaches over to the Brain Zabu is tearing into.

Silver Chain Sword: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34
Slashing: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (6, 4) + 3 = 13

◆ Rallying Anthem Status bonuses: +1 AC, +1 to Saving Throws, 2 Physical Resistance. Does not stack with Heroism.
◆ Stride
◆ Draw Chain Sword
◆ (Hasted Action) Strike Brain
◇ If Manny Strikes (and I hope he did with a 19), >Martial Performance< extends his Anthem for another round

"Okay, look, maybe it's customary among you to tear out souls the same way I'd shake a hand or whatever, but we're here to save someone's memories. You're a librarian, we need research done. We should be teaming up here. I'd rather not shed blood for once."

Manny figures if the tentacle cat and the brain waves are regulars, then the librarian is no pushover. And no really, violent librarians?

Manny will attempt >Glad-Hand< if allowed. Player assumes we're fighting this thing anyway but Manny wouldn't.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

Alright dice, have it your way...

"Shhh! This is a library!" Manny mocks the librarian for their apparent bloodlust with a little >Bon Mot<.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25

"Besides, we just want to restore one person's identity and their memories. Give us what we need about Waterfall and we'll let you go back to your research."

Manny actually tries to whisper, instead of loudly stage whispering.

"Shylye gave me the intel... That's a >Angoyang<" he points at the cute horrifying kitty. "Either leave 'em alone or adopt them, no inbetween."

"And that is a >Yithian<. They love collecting knowledge. No wonder they'd love a library."

"No idea about the rest, or the big gray guy here."

Teja gets the 3rd Heroism.

Manny carefully stows his pork rinds away as they enter the library.

Many unexpected creatures here. Manny knows when to keep quiet, for the most part. He doesn't want to cause too much trouble.

I'm assuming Heroism is active while we do this.

"How about we cast Heroism on Zabu, Kohl and... Teja? I'll cast it once, Teja and Makai can also cast."

He holds onto his scroll. "Alright, hit the button!"

"By the gods, I thought my aim was getting rusty." Manny flexes his arms as if his 2 strikes greatly contributed to felling the beast. "Wish I could sleep off this lethargy, but I'm always busy..."

They approach the owl statue.
Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

"Huh. You ever play those games where you reach the end of the level and there is a ton of healing items and ammo and think, Oh, I'm about to fight the boss!"

He chugs his Moderate Bravo's Brew and pulls out the Scroll of Haste, 7th Rank that was offered early on.

"I think it's time. Does anyone want Heroism? I can cast it twice more."

"Alright, let's finish the last one off."

The battle has concluded already... Release me, Emmanuel.

"Sure thing, Gabe. Get out of here."

Manny stops sustaining his spell and instead shouts a >Courageous Anthem<. "Alright, 1 loser left!"

Manny focuses on the tendril holding him in place. He raises his Chain Sword...

Chain Sword, Courageous Anthem, Bless: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 26
Slashing: 2d6 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 + 1 - 2 = 8

Oh my gosh oh my gosh did he hit something? With his own weapons?

Chain Sword, Courageous Anthem, Bless: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 15 + 1 + 1 - 2 - 5 = 28
Slashing: 2d6 + 3 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 + 1 - 2 = 8

Maybe a second time???

Pernicious Poltergeist cannot move, unfortunately. Great if the enemy can't move though!

If either Strike hit, >Martial Performance< extends the Courageous Anthem for another round.

Haha! The dance between Light and Dark begins once again!

Gabriel sends another rush of void into the Blue creature to deal 4d10 ⇒ (10, 10, 8, 2) = 30 damage.

"Alright! Let's finish this thing off!" Manny reels back with his Chain Sword-

Silver Chain Sword: 1d20 + 15 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (6) + 15 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 21
Slashing: 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (4, 2) + 3 + 1 = 10

And whiffs once again would be nice to roll over a 10...

◆ Sustain >Pernicious Poltergeist<
- Deathly Assault vs Blue (void): Basic Fort Save DC 27
◆ >Courageous Anthem< adds +1 Status to Attack, Damage
◆ Strike Blue with Chain Sword

"Just hold on a bit longer!" Manny maintains his rally cry. Realizing his shots are going nowhere, he swaps over to his chain sword.

"Alright Gabe, let's stick to basics. Go back to the rock shower."

And your ally?

Manny looks up and realizes Liam is a lot bigger than before, and would get hit by the Telekinetic Storm.

"Oh! Uh never mind. Go back to the void thing."

We will see if it was immune or not.

A rush of void energy surges into the Blue creature dealing 4d10 ⇒ (1, 9, 7, 8) = 25 damage.

◆ >Rallying Anthem< adds +1 AC, +1 Saves, 2 Resistance to all Physical
◆ Swap Longbow for Chain Sword
◆ Sustain >Pernicious Poltergeist<
- Deathly Assault vs Blue (void): Basic Fort Save DC 27

Manny switches to a more defensive position. "Keep your guard up, folks. These things are nasty!" He lets out a Rallying Anthem and then fires an arrow at the big Blue thing trying to crush him. Or bite him? What do living rocks do?

Shortbow, Bless, Enfeebled 1: 1d20 + 15 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 15 + 1 - 1 = 16
Piercing: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (7, 2) + 1 = 10

Not get shot with arrows, apparently.

"Gabe, can you make me look cool and scare this thing with my uh warning shot?"

I have a better idea.

For a moment, a gaunt humanoid appears, skin stretched across his bony skeleton. His armor has the same coat of arms as Manny's. He shouts, bearing his whip before fading from view.

We shall see if it knows fear...

◆ >Rallying Anthem< adds +1 AC, +1 Saves, 2 Resistance to all Physical
◆ Strike Blue and whiff
◆ Sustain >Pernicious Poltergeist<
- Frighten (emotion, fear, mental): Will Save DC 27, Failure = Frightened 2

I was tempted to pull out the scroll of Haste, but...

It never gets easier as you level up, just more streamlined.

"Yikes!" Manny ducks under a tentacle. "Come on, everyone- break free!" He shouts some encouragement and takes aim at the White thing.

Shortbow: 1d20 + 15 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 15 + 1 = 21
Piercing: 2d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5, 4) + 1 + 1 = 11

His aim is awful.

"Hey Gabe! Did you even try to hurt it?" Manny calls out.

It resists the power of void. Gabriel grunts.

"Fine, try uhh... Force?"

Very well...

The rocks and phantom rocks smash through the area around the Blue tentacles, dealing 4d8 ⇒ (7, 2, 2, 1) = 12 Force damage, unless it can resist. DC 27 Basic Reflex Save

◆ Courageous Anthem
◆ Strike White with Longbow. If that somehow hit, Courageous Anthem is extended for another round.
◆ Sustain >Pernicious Poltergeist< on Blue's space
- Telekinetic Storm vs Blue

"Aha! Now you show your true form!" Manny swaps to his Longbow. "I can handle the Blueish one over there. Assuming they don't move, anyway. Focus on Red and White."

"Hey Gabe! Get over here!" Manny calls out.

We meet again, Manny. Do you need me to scare another angry mob while you run with your tail between your legs?

"Maybe next week. For now, just zap that Blue thing."

Very well...

A rush of negative void energy seems into the Blue tentacles, dealing 4d10 ⇒ (5, 7, 4, 3) = 19 damage, unless it can resist. DC 27 Basic Fort Save

◆ Swap to Longbow
◆◆ Cast >Pernicious Poltergeist< on Blue's space
- Deathly Assault vs Blue