Fhârn's page

I find the key to making EK really sing is to play it back when Spell-Likes could work for the prerequisites :p

I wasn't one of the originals, I got recruited same time as you mdt :P

My personal feelings on the topic are a bit mixed. On one hand, I had great 'dreams' of this game and the lofty heights we would achieve. On the other hand, it feels sorta like that tv serie that has went on for 15+ seasons with so many changes of cast and loose threads you can't really love it anymore, despite the current cast and plot being nice, due to all the baggage.

As time progressed I find myself leaning more towards the later. I'm not sure if fast foward would help - it could by tying up all the loose ends backstage - but I know a reboot would.

So even though it pains me a bit to relinquish all that we built a clean slate might be for the best.

And Fhârn, not knowing what ??? is, takes his actions. Namely getting back on his feet, thanking and redirecting Uba, directing Lumnia (whom also takes the same actions as the previous post!) and then activating his Flight enchantment.

Forgot you like to re-roll the initiative, sorry!

"Aw-sh!" Fhârn growls as his target both easily dodges his wide sweep and Triumph comes barrelling down for him. Not wanting to injure either himself or the horse further he throws himself out of the way!

When he stumbles back to his feet he notices Uba closing in quickly. Realizing (upon hearing Gorruum) is there to help him he points towards the fleeing kobolds - "Get them!"

Prone and avoiding the hit. Spending the round getting up on his feet (move action) and then activating the flight enchantment on his armour (standard action)

Fairly sure trip does not actually deal damage - but even if it does when dealing with stampeding beasts the magical horse also has his -Con hp left. And this way he would at least be easier for Will to find :P

(Coincidentally if the kingdom treasurer* feels comfortable enough to grant Fhârn sufficient funding [and time/levels] to swing together something more impressive then mechanical mounts we can get some real trampling action! :3)

*"Oh wait that's me! HehehehehehahaHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

Chasing the kobolds in the dark may be annoying...

But on the other hand - odds are slim they had time both to pursue us on horseback while tracking and have time to dig some traps. Fhârn is certainly thinking of activating Fly and using Lumnia to chase down some of them (mainly to discourage future attacks).
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@Horses - This is truly the perfect opportunity for Fhârn to pitch Craft Construct and swing together some mechanical griffons or something :D
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@Triumph - What is his CMD?

Getting prone pretty much means any pursuit is over but being flattened on the other hand sucks too :P

Maybe it is worth the shot to use another Trip AoO ... ^^

Which sort of horse is the dead horse?

Not sure if it matters, but could help decide whom owns that horse. Hestor the Horse is a light horse for the record.

Also I'm wondering if the Combat Training would help some of the horses to be less panic-y?

Regardless, Fhârn is certainly a bit regretful of his Opposing School choice of Evocation as it includes both the Light spells as well as the staple 'Crispy Kobold' ones :P

But I am going to assume that we are not in pitch black darkness, so Fhârn can find some kobolds to engage at the very least (and Lumnia can help out too!)

Ugh! Fhârn thoughtfully notes as his peaceful guard is turned into a chaotic mess of bolts, arrows and screaming horses/paladins. Knowing he had precious few means of either illuminating the entire battlefield or calming a bunch of horses he picked the option he did indeed have some familiarity with. Gripping his poleaxe he set about to find some of those attacking kobolds. With the help of Lumnia's sight he easily found a pair - and given they had already given them a good chance to back off he had no qualms about going for broke straight away!

To Hit: 1d20 + 10 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 2 = 13

Damage?: 1d10 + 12 ⇒ (1) + 12 = 13

Damn that was impressive! I'd mention to add any appropriate visual penalties, but I don't think that is needed ...

It looks good - still looking good : )

Only thing I would note is that the spots Natalie and Will occupies are probably the generic guard spots. Given which of us that got to roll perception I guess Fhârn and Pruett have those when things go down.

My main worry about the suggested spot (triangle) is that the terrain around it is sorta rough and that if the kobolds find us they can shoot at us at will. But on the other hand, we could probably just leave again in that case ...

Consider my vote split between the ruins (better cover for a shootout) and the suggested spot (lots of terrain - both good and bad).

Fhârn should have a silent image scroll or two and they last for as long as he concentrates. It is totally possible for him to maintain it for his watch (creating a decoy camp at dawn at least [as it probably won't help much in the middle of the night!]). But that also means he is sitting almost in trance - and will probably not be that helpful for actually watching...

Earlier

"Indeed. I rather not need magic at all then wait for it and pick the fight!"

The Watch!

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (14) + 3 = 17

"Hmm?"

Got

1st- Snowball, Bed of Iron, Liberating Command, Feather Fall, Crafter's Fortune
2nd- Mirror Image, See Invisible

left up with Bed of Iron probably going away during tonight.

But if it comes to it Fhârn can also hit people somewhat ok with a pointy stick so his rest may not be as important as the other casters.

"I too would prefer a watch either at dawn or twilight. Dawn would be best I think as I would need to consult my spellbook anyhow." Fhârn added to the conversation. He wished a little that Munin was at his side instead of back at the capitol; his keen eyes would have been helpful now. On the other hand - Lumnia's Wind Wall was pretty handy too.

Know(Local) @Kobolds: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Fhârn ponders Natalie's question a bit but realizes that despite their proximity he had learned very little of Kobold customs and art of war. A painful mistake. I have to remedy that when I get the opportunity. The sliver of annoyance he felt over not knowing such a trivial question about their foes are however washed away by the positive emotions flowing trough his bond with Lumnia. And what got her so happy? He throws a worried glance at the sky but can't spot much more then his own familiar looping around.

"Poison *does* make sense. Just like the bane arrows - the Kobolds probably can't rely on physical prowess to carry the battle. But it could also be a curse or ... Anyway - I am not sure we are equipped to deal with it here and now - especially not quickly enough to avoid any pursuers. Anastacia do you think you can ride? Otherwise we will have to arrange something else ..." Fhârn speculates with a worried glance at their cleric. Trailing off at the end of his statement he looks around for any small-ish tree suitable to make a makeshift sled.

"Human bane? Hmm. I'm not sure if I would rack that up to preparation or intent - worrying either way ..." Fhârn comments on Pruett's discovery. On the topic of dismounting he adds and winks at Lumnia. "I think we ought to put a little more distance between ourselves and the kobolds first if possible. But if you are feeling too injured to continue Ana, I respect that. Just not feeling interested in another barrage ..."

Yeah crafting for Fhârn probably takes a sweet little while - and you need to have your alchemy kit which is indeed hard to deploy on horseback. But I was mostly thinking if Will wanted to have some handy for future endeavours (and then it would be cheaper for one of us to craft it instead of purchasing it - I am the treasurer after all^^)

I could probably mix together some Antitoxin if you want - and I guess Ikit could hook you up a bit quicker even : )

Sadly they don't help much once you already are poisoned unless you chug it real quick!

"Hhm. I would not expect the kobold bolts to inflict significant injuries given how poorly they shot back there. Are they laced with poison perhaps?" Fhârn muses when he looks around and notices several shafts sticking out of his companions. As Lumnia comes soaring back from the treeline he gives his familiar an appreciative nod before turning back to the kobold topic. "Hmm. Let me examine those things a bit closer ..."

He mutters a quick spell of detection but can't get a proper read on the aura while bouncing around on horseback. After a short while he sighs and simply pockets the bolt.

Know(Arcana): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

"Enchanted clearly - glad I wasn't struck. But I'm not sure with *what*. Still I'm not sure how much to read into it - enchanting a batch of ammunition is a sound tactic for a group of archers to take on a dangerous foe."

@Archery Tactics - The Flame Arrow and Keen Edge spells are even cheaper alternatives for the thrifty type :P

Oh yeah that is true. He was just a bit tiny :P

Hmm. I don't see him on the map either - most likely an oversight. I would just roll initiative and plop Ikit down on the map somewhere : )

(Also Ikit/his mount would of course receive the seventh 'casting' of Haste)

@2d6 damage - Alchemists! It's fitting and there is a discovery to slap bombs to bolts. So level 3-4 alchemists with a +2 int mod? Hmm, could work : )

@Damage/readied actions: If Fhârn/Lumnia gets shot here are some concentration checks for them

Fhârn: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Lumnia: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Additionally I realized Haste gets 7 targets; Lumnia will get the last cast for that sweet 80' fly speed to hide with. Additionally her AC is now 19.

Cursing to himself Fhârn quickly (for him) reins in his horse as bolts starts to bounce off his armour. Well, that went sour! With Will's command at heart he takes upon himself to improve the mobility situation. And slaying all the kobolds probably won't help our PR. Or *eh* probably with the east side neighbours... Anyway - where was I? Right!

"Kvickhet; I åkallar dig!" With some nonsense in Skald Fhârn summons his arcane powers to imbue the horses with speed.

"Lumnia - see if you can fix the kobolds on our over there!" Fhârn points his familar towards the kobolds on the east side.

Swift to use Arcane Armour Mastery, Standard to cast Haste on all mounts, Move to direct his horse to move away with the others

Concentration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Or a ball of fire?

I'm helping I swear!

.

...

On a serious note I got Haste for our horses : )

All right; new plan: aid another the aid another roll? We'll build a glorious pyramid scheme of aid anothers until we can succeed with the skill-check :P

On topic of hostages if that really is the only way to (peacefully!) fix this Fhârn would be willing to go. He does at least speak the language and isn't critical to the function of the kingdom.

And I'll get to take my cohort for a little quick spin I suppose.

But hopefully we can fix this some other way :P

Diplomacy; aid another: 1d20 - 1 + 5 ⇒ (4) - 1 + 5 = 8

"Indeed. Battle will help neither of us; you won't come closer to finding the Queen and we can't really help you regardless of outcome. Now - your absence of physical evidence is indeed merited - are you at least willing to share its nature and why it would point to us?"

Fhârn attempts to aid in the pacification of the kobolds but end up rambling on towards the mystery of the disappeared queen herself; which indeed was quite interesting but not perhaps the right time and place ...

Hmm. So some 'Aid Another' rolls may be prudent for us that do speak the language. With the situation being what it is, it probably won't make things much worse :P

I'm gaming a bit with some friends at the moment but I'll make sure to drop by in a while and try my luck : )

And if Pruett kisses them up real good maybe they decide to go for a new king instead of their old queen. But then he might need a paintjob and a tail - shouldn't be *that* hard to fix right ...?^^

Fhârn nods when the cleric has made her suggestion. Pulling up the reins of his horse - but not quite pulling a weapon yet - he eyes the kobolds cautiously. "Indeed. I agree with Anastacia. And as you say - we can hardly solve the situation from their realm can we? Us as hostages might be useful for them *if* we actually had Shimmerscale. But since we don't neither of our sides are served by it."

"An interesting situation. I am willing to bet a sizable chunk of my fortune that we have our 'dear neighbour' to the east for this..." Fhârn comments and sighs. Then he attempts to convey Wil's word in the most amendable way he knows.

Linguistics, Aid Another: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

@Pruett - Wanna sneak in and show-off your silver tongue (before Fhârn makes an attempt and get us [more] shot :P)?

"He seems to ... hmm." Fhârn strains to piece together the unfamiliar sounds - he preferred his draconic written and on topics such as 'read future' or 'magic runes' and not nobility and modes of killing. But in the grand scheme of things; if something is going to yell at me in anger in draconic I think it is pretty okay for that something to be a kobold ...

"I *think* they want your cousin Sir."

@mdt/Kobold - If I remember correctly from my Koboldology classes their language on Golarion is actually Draconic.

Assuming it is still so, Fhârn may actually have a chance to show off his linguistics already ...

Linky link seems to be linking now :)

(Also Jelenhrad seems quite empty now that there is just a castle.)

@Mad Hermit - Invisibility is something I can provide. But on the off chance the gnome notices you then you are probably screwed :P

But then again, you are pretty sneaky so it might work!

@Path - Nice : )

@Mad Hermit - That is indeed a good question. Might be something we save for a later level quest then.

Or perhaps a daring sneak run Bilbo style ?

Mkay. Looking at the map, I'm happy to see that we won't encounter another river until F19.

@Anastacia - Perhaps we could petition Pharasma for a Water Walking spell for that day, as to not repeat previous misadventures? :P

@Mad Hermit - He didn't seem too hostile, merely insane. Perhaps if someone not present during our previous flight would try to talk with him he might release the sword willingly?

@Path - I don't think we fully explored E21 (hence the half-blanked out hex) so may I suggest we go F20 -> E21 -> E20?

It seems nice to have at least a 1 hex buffer between our own/allies land and the great unknown.

@mdt - As they said above - don't worry about us that much : )

"Maybe I ought to prepare some scrolls for the next river..." Fhârn mumbles to himself inspired by, and reluctant to participate in, Gorruums proposed swiming lesson. Still too cold. Brr.

@Ikit - Welcome back : )

@Path to take - Your plan seems nice Will. I concur.

Oh okay. Not that surprising I guess given that he hasn't posted in a while, but still a bit sad. Courteous of him to mention it at least. I hope his troubles resolve eventually : )

"We might, at the very least, going to enjoy sleeping in real beds tonight." Fhârn notes with a grin. "Once the pleasantries at the gate are cleared, of course." As he shifts to those matters he shoots his familiar a sideways glance and a 'don't scare/annoy/harass anyone too badly' nod.

"Well, things are certainly picking up pace..." Fhârn notes as they approach the keep. Like Wilhelm he hadn't seen the actual construction with his own eyes, merely the line on the kingdom's expense account.

"As long as your handwriting is small and you don't want to employ rune stones." Fhârn replied with a small chuckle. "And yes, there are not an over abundance of friendly giants in our tales either. But there are certainly some. Maybe we get to add another tale to that topic?"

Yeah, I'm also ready to move on I think : )

"Aye. Their language is quite close to the runes I employ; under my apprenticeship I studied quite a bit of their words and phrases. Can't guarantee I get the local dialect though..." Fhârn replies as he starts to fiddle with his writing gear.

Fhârn speaks Giant

"And Munin checks in every other day or so to keep me up to date - I can simply send our heads-up back with him."

As mentioned earlier Munin periodically makes trips between the capital, Fhârn and my cohort (whom is currently also in the capital). He should be able to carry letters and messages back and forth. Not as fancy or quick as a teleporting outsider, but much cheaper :P

"That may be safest." Fhârn agrees. "My own seal is a bit ... obscure."

"Still, I can't help but wonder it that giant is in league with the trolls? It may be simple size-ism, but my homelands tales tell of such alliances. On the other hand, a giant on friendly terms is alot better then one on hostile ones."

"Indeed. I shall prepare such a letter immediately." And send a message home, can't hurt to give a heads-up!

That may be true, gimme a moment to check up on it...

Would the barrow be anywhere close to where we met that revenant?

"Interesting..." Fhârn takes note of the new information and shoots Gorruum a sideways glance.

"Oh, I think you may have vastly overestimated the fanciness of our pillows. They are not *quite* at the level of a worthy pilgrimage yet." Fhârn chuckles. "No, I was thinking that a visit to our small map archives would be tempting-" aka a small chest probably :P Mayhaps for us to acquire some of that useful-but-not-adventureworthy map info like where all the nice fertile ground is or what bend of the river is suitable for a bridge or something : ) "-but a fair trade here works just as well I suppose. Now, let's see..."

I don't think we have that many places we want to hide? Perhaps only the kobolds - but they'll probably find them anyhow and it might be better if we warn first!

Oh you say that ... :P

Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 + 5 ⇒ (18) - 1 + 5 = 22

I have to double check *exactly* how Raiment of Command works, but I don't think the save is for the simple +skill bonus. Otherwise there might be a DC 14/15 (can't recall atm, will check at home!) Will save vs that +5 bonus :P

Edit: OOh nice roll : ) And if there is a save, it should be DC 14. But note sure if there is .P

Fhârn chuckled at the gnome's annoyance over the sword lords. Gnomes have a reputation for being a bit on the hoarding side. Interesting to see in action...

"That practice is not totally unknown among the rest of us either, I'm afraid. Not that I know of many uncles with any treasures hidden away."

He paused and switched topic, jumping over to the really interesting one.

"I have myself taken up some efforts to start up the surveying and cartography process - and I know Lord Rowan have taken a quite personal interest in the task as well."

The heavens know it feels odd to talk about friends with the prefix lord. I wonder if I ever get used to it?

"Now, the good lord have been quite busy lately with his other duties but I could write you a letter to my chief cartographer."

As if I had more then one!

"Perhaps access to what maps and data we have will aid your quest - and both I and the country of Domierow would be quite pleased of whatever knowledge you are able and willing to share."

Fhârn grinned and finished his pitch with a small bow. Small runes of comfort and heat materialized around him, responding to a quick chant.

"Now, let us see if we can't try and cheat with that drying eh?"

Prestidigitation to start drying up the wet gnome's clothes, unless he protests of course. Do you want a diplomacy roll for that offer btw mdt : )?

I too am anxiously awaiting the continuation of our glorious quest.

However, trough the ancient magics of 'other posts' I have learned that our beloved GM may in fact be stuck up to his neck in IRL and sinking. Given my previous knowledge of the poster known as 'mdt' I'd say that he will most certainly be back eventually, but he might need some more time to deal with the issues at hand.

Uhm - TL:DR: I think/know mdt is currently having some family+health troubles so we might need to give him some time, as those issues can be exceedingly draining.