Estelle LaGrange's page

Estelle LaGrange wrote:

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-See, but that's why I play Pathfinder/3.x. I like that it blends roleplaying and tactical, gamist choices together so well. Whether character creation, planning for an encoutner/trip, combat, spells, feats, skill capabilities, etc. It gives the world parameters, like real life has parameters. Certain things can be expected to function in certain ways, allowing players to interact with the world on their terms best they can.

I see your point. Just not the type of game I'm interested in. I tend to want to suspend reality when I game, and not have rules for everything. I get enough of that in real life :-). Nothing wrong with the type of game you like, I don't consider my style superior...just probably would never jive. To me just the GM saying "you're -2 due to poor lighting is enough. I don't have to know why. I don't mind crunchy roleplaying games (I'm an old school Rolemaster player), just don't particularly like tactical games...including chess.

I guess that's why they make different styles of games...and have multiple successes.

Just my two cents...since I'm out of the game I won't spend more :-). I don't think anyone is at fault here. I have experienced these same frustrations both in PbP and real life, and much of it has to do with the whole 3.0, 3.5, Pathfinder gamut of games. As much as I appreciate the system...and I really do...it got me back gaming again, as I play it I see certain limitations, and problems, which only grow as the game grows. The most evident one is Rules Bloat.

I understand the companies must introduce new rules and options, but as a player of the game it gets frustrating. The more rules we add the less imagination is left to both the DM and the Players. In First Edition the discussion of lighting, and all the strategic questions would have never come up, because they relied on the DM to make the call. There were limited rules to cover these situation, because the combat and even the characters weren't tied in to the combat meta-game. I understand you can choose to use these rules or not, and that you can house rule things to get them your way, but fact is, in these veneration's of the the rules characters abilities and choices are tied firmly to the games mechanics. The players have to ask these questions, to make wise choices for their characters tactics, and the DM has to follow / come up with the answers in order to make the characters planned abilities and reactions relevant. The rules begin to drive the story instead of the story being supported by the rules. Kind of a quandary...that grows worth with each rules supplement.

I will continue to play Pathfinder in real life...and wouldn't mind running it up till about 6th level (Thus the intrigue of E6), but to me things fall apart due to the myriad of options, and difficulty factor of running the more complicated encounters. Nothing wrong with that, and some people prefer that type of game, but I'm not one of them.

In my

Tabletop games I am now experimenting with Savage Worlds, and our other GM is actually going back to Second Edition (I still prefer 1st) on our next game. Maybe it's time for a "rules light" version of Pathfinder that brings back the story.

Hey guys. I'm probably going to drop out of this game. I'm just too far removed from playing Eberron to pick it up again, and a character like Estelle takes a lot of time to properly play. I have enjoyed the experience, and wish you all continued luck. I'll follow along as this looks like a fun game...just don't have time to give it, it's due. Thanks for the opportunity though

Hotel has internet issues. Should be back to posting by Friday. Thanks for keeping me going :-)

Hey everybody. I'll be on a 9-day business trip starting this afternoon, so posting will be spotty. Still should be able to post every day, but feel free to NPC my character to move things along.

While looking around for info, Viyko keeps scanning alleys, warehouses, rooftops, stairs and the like. If Estelle asks, he comments, "I've never been much for the trappings of civilized folk. The forgotten and overlooked corners of their world hold a certain magic and peace, though, which I find appealing." Eventually Viyko spies an out-of the way rooftop that is shielded from the view of passersby, and protected from the elements not far from the party's inn. "If you should need my aid tonight, Estelle, I'll be bedding here. I might actually have pleasant dreams for a change." With the last comment, Viyko's gaze wanders a bit and he remains relatively distant until they reach the inn.

Viyko informs the party the party of what he and Estelle found out.

"Boy you're a strange cat". "Rather stay out here than a nice comfortable bed in an inn...still to each his own.". "I thought I might sing a few tunes tonight, and maybe earn enough for my keep without having to come out of pocket".

At some appropriate time during the evening...probably after dinner, Estelle will take stage in the inn, and belt out a few old fashion Varisian drinking songs. 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Perform: Singing.

Estelle will be glad to join Viyko on his info gathering foray. This is what she is good at. She will take on her human soldier persona, and join him.

1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23 Knowledge: Local

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 Diplomacy: Gather Information

If she finds a source that looks like a fountain of information, she will use her abilities to cast Charm Person, to help out with the information.

Estelle still a bit shaken by all the violence, and I thought that once the war was over this would all end remains quiet for the most part, but is eager to join the caravan and get out of this town.

Estelle returns to the room after not hearing the Bugbear's rough voices for a while. Though she blanches at what has happened, she understands that it was probably necessary...probably being the key word.

"Well we'd best drag the bodies out of here and start cleaning up". "We'd probably also try and find a next of kin". "Somebody must mourn the bodies of the fallen". "We were guests here, so we can't leave it in this condition".

With those words Estelle heads behind the bar to look for some rags, and cleaning supplies.

"If you wish I'll go inform someone of the tragedy here".

Having no taste for torture of any intelligent Species, Estelle steps outside to wait out the others.

If Estelle is asked, and brought back into the house...she would wander back in on her own in five minutes or so.

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 Appraise
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14 Sense Motive

Estelle would have followed Lethe into the Kitchen with the unconcious Bugbear, as she intended on questioning him "her" way.

1d20 ⇒ 2 Fortitude Save

And promptly rushes to the door to empty her stomach. She had seen worse of course in the war, but somehow seeing it in this peaceful setting hit her very hard...She stays outside...

"I would like a shot at questioning this 'Fred' if we can bring him back concious". "I have a little song designed to soothe the beast"

1d20 ⇒ 1 heal Check

"Oh my! I seem to have made this wound worse".

Estelle frantically looks around for something to tie the smelly beast up with, then does so.

If the enemy within striking range of her on top of the table went down, Estelle will sigh in frustration, as her other target closes to melee, then is partially concealed by her battling allies. And try to carefully place an arrow around her friends.

1d20 - 3 ⇒ (18) - 3 = 15 Arrow, In melee, soft cover, Higher Ground, Bardic music.

1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 Arrow Damage

If that enemy is still up, she will step down off the table, and try to push it into the enemy and knock them off balance.

1d20 ⇒ 18 CMB or STR ?

Estelle jumps on the table beside her, and draws her shortbow.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19 Acrobatics

She also begins a song to inspire her friends in their combat.

Inspiration +1 to Hit and Damage

Estelle pulls out her new potion, and takes it.

2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 3 = 14 CMW

"Ahhh Much better". "Now which one of you did that"?

Estelle, maybe I'm missing something, but Lullaby has limited effects, and you'll have to concentrate to keep it, unless you plan to follow up with another spell.

Oops your right. I got it confused with a spell from another game system. I thought it was the sleep for one round spell...Estelle will just take another move action to get far enough away to take a potion next round.

BTW...I hate the FF until you act rule, and never use it in any of my games either played or DM'ing seems to add complication, and doesn't seem reasonable. After the first round it doesn't have any effect anyway, so it just seems a bit ridiculous. If there was a surprise round involved as well, a character rolling low initiative could stand around for 12 seconds without reacting. The BB descended down a chimney, created a cloud of soot, attacked, along with some other things, and Estelle just stood there like a statue until she was stabbed. Even more crazy if the initiative worked out wrong someone could charge from across the room and stab her again, while she again stood there stock still. If I get stabbed I go down then...I don't wait 6-seconds till it's my turn. Sorry...just my Monday b#%!#ing session!

Estelle attempts to tumble away from her assaulter, somersaulting backwards as blood geysers from her wound like slinging red paint from a brush.

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Acrobatics to tumble away.

She then tries a lullaby on her attacker.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6 Perception

Did you say we "Wake Up" in the morning. Obviously not all of us :-)

Sorry. I didn't know you were waiting on me. You said unless we tell you otherwise... Estelle will spend the evening in the hotel, resting for the upcoming trip.

"Well I'm gonna walk around and see what else is in the flea-bitten town". Anybody else want to go"?

She really wants to check and make sure nothing unusual is happening with interring the body, and or look around the church to see if any unusual activity is taking place

Knowledge local (untrained)

1d20 + 1

Lethe mumbles something about having should have read up more on the place before arriving.

Just FYI...unless it's a house rule, or you have a special ability, knowledge skills cannot be used untrained

Estelle slowly unwraps her bundle, and a smile appears on her face as she takes the contents into her hands, and reads the accompanying note. She stands and lets the dark, seemingly almost alive garment fold out in her hands. She then pockets the note, and the pouch of coin, and stands to let the cloak drape over her shoulders. Though out of place with the military uniform, the cloak seems to shift, and change, and almost pick up the colors of the surrounding environment. Lovely...and useful" Estelle states.

She then twists the garment around and giggles as she pokes her finger through a hole in the otherwise finely made robe. "I shall have to mend this however"

Ayla wrote:

Ayla watches silently as Viyko finishes his rant.

"Ayla believes these men will greatly appreciate truth more than gold."

"I'm not so sure about that, Ayla. Most conflicts are over truths."

Lethe wrote:

"Getting worked up over details we know nothing about ain't going to solve anything the commander gave us a job to do and I say we do it."

Viyko smiles. Infantry, he thinks to himself. "Well, what else have we got to do, right? I suppose we can work out the murkier points as we go along."

Estelle, was your italicized text dialogue that we heard or internal musings?

She was thinking out loud, so probably annunciating under her breath. If one really listened or was close by they would hear her

Estelle sits back in her chair, her complexion paling at the news (Although she might have done that on purpose). After a minute she takes hold of the package with her name on it, and turns it in her hands thinking out loud as she considers it.

Information. We need more information...and that...that I'm good at uncovering. But these others. I know of them a bit, and obviously Dalvan trusted them, but what is unique about us. What made him choose us from beyond the veil"?

With a smile, and small laugh Estelle begins to recant a memory of her own. "I remember a different side of Dalvan as well". "Once he told me he had set up a meeting with an envoy from Garund, that was very important to some mercenary troops we were trying to hire". "He wished for me to appear as a Garundi officer of our squad, to show that we accepted people of all backgrounds into our army". "He gave me a complete description of the Garund...Black kinky hair, Black eyes, even down to the facial structure, and features". "Imagine my horror when the ambassador showed up, and he had 'black' skin". "How could he leave that little detail out when giving me the description, I thought".

"Turns out the Garundi was actually an officer in our army, and Dalvan had set all this up to get me back for pretending to be a lady in distress, and having his personal guard carry me for most of one sweltering afternoon". "Didn't know he had a sense of humor till then". Estelle's final words begin to tremble a bit, and she turns from the rest of the gang for a moment, obviously clearing some dust from her eye.

"I'm game". "We could get caught up and see what everyone's been up to since the war".

Estelle is willing to take a shift as well.

Estelle's natural curosity (That's what led her to be a spy in the first place)overcomes her caution, and she slyly sneaks in for a look at her beloved general.

1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 Perception

Galeus stands and slowly looks around the gathered people in the room.

”How did I become your ally you ask”? “Rabbit, I’m surprised you have to ask…Does Tika still have that moth eaten old stuffed Mire otter with the missing eye she used to carry everywhere”?
”Ayala…I see you still carry that garish old mask you’ve been carrying ever since I knew you.”
“Viyko…do you stilbl have that craving for pickled lamphrey that you always used to disgust us with”?
”And Vrykkas, you of all I would expect to remember our long chats around the fire with Dalvan…plotting how to best gather information on the enemy”.
Then looking at Lethe ”You I don’t know…but you seem to be in good company”.
”I guess my new disguise is effective if none of you recognize me”.
Estelle then begins to sing a song, that was always a favorite of the crew, and that they used to ask her to sing when another comrade fell. One that they probably will recognize.