Flametouched's page

"Pauhan suggested Nark had managed to disrupt some scheme the tengu and ratfolk had concocted together," Flametouched says as it rises to its feet. If a walking statue of wood and iron can sound tired, Flametouched sounds exhausted.

Crossing the room, the warforged lays its hand on Ohak's shoulder. "Brother, I have heard of magic that might exist to undo the birdman's curse, but it is beyond my power. Nonetheless, I give you my oath by the Flame that I will find it if it can be found. For now, though, I am concerned for your safety; you mentioned earlier that your place in the Holt has been maintained through fear, and I have no doubt that a warrior in your condition will be seen as weak, easy prey for the scavengers that skulk through the alleys of this settlement."

As soon as it can concentrate enough to bank the fires of the Flame within it, Flametouched hurries down the steps toward the fallen form of Lothar. "Please, someone, aid Ohak down the steps," it calls out before bowing its head and speaking a short prayer of healing over the unconscious monk.

Casting cure light wounds with my last spell slot of the day. Lothar heals 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 of damage, and I am out of spells and rage rounds for today.

That seems to be the case...

You'll be getting Flametouched's last spell of the day as soon as I get a chance to spe d it...

Who is up next then?

"Yes!" growls the warforged, who, in the heat of battle, does not hesitate to attack one of the fleeing ratfolk when it provides it with an opening.

Longsword AoO on the first fleeing ratfolk: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9.

Flametouched will drop out of rage as soon as its turn is reached and/or we fall out of initiative.

Flametouched cannot read into the tengu's expression; by the Flame's benevolence, however, it does not truly need to in order to do what needs to be done.

Continuing the full attack on Pauhan, with the 5 ft step as needed.
Longsword attack with aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Slam attack with aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
Slam damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Right, 'swhat I thought. I've been reducing the damage appropriately, but I wanted to make sure.

Just as an FYI, GT, in case you are using my profile to keep track of my hit points - I have my remaining hp listed on my profile, but it does not include the 6 hp I get from raging. So while I currently have 6 hp left, that's only once I drop out of rage; I won't fall unconscious until I take 12 more damage.

Also, I am assuming that none of these guys are using adamantine daggers, yes?

"Too dangerous. Not till I fall," grunts Flametouched. Additional eloquence is beyond it, for the moment.

Flametouched finds once again that its wounds don't seem to be as severe as it would have expected. Temporary hit points are fun! Thus, undeterred, it continues its assault on Pauhan in silent fury.

Longsword attack with aid: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
Crit damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Slam attack with aid: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Slam damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

I will metagame slightly, and not have Flametouched take the shot on the rat - we'll call it because it's overfocused on Pauhan, even if it's actually because I want to make sure the bird has to keep making checks to cast defensively or run away if it wants to cast...

Flametouched, still lost in the Flame, does not respond to Ohak or his spell, but the effect remains with it as it continues its assault on Pauhan. Sidebar: pretty sure that Flametouched can't make a Spellcraft check while raging, but that's basically irrelevant.

Full attack with sword and slam again, including bonuses from rage and aid:
Longsword attack: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Longsword damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Slam attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21
Slam damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

"Courage, my friend!" Flametouched calls out, as it lets the Flame fill it and steps to the edge of the stairs. With Pauhan in front of it, it unleashes its fury on the deceitful birdman. Free action to rage, 5 ft step to AB6, full attack with sword and slam.

Raging longsword attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
Raging longsword damage: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Raging slam attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Raging slam damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Here we go again...

Every time.

Yep.

Initiative 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1

Flametouched has not waited for Lady Jenise's orders - it is already moving forward, murmuring a prayer to the Flame and laying its hands on the injured Puhan. Cure light: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5. As soon as the magic takes hold, the warforged lays a gentle hand on Puhan's shoulder and asks softly, "What happened? What can you tell us?"

Flametouched looks at Ohak, then turns and opens the door to the room. "Wake!" it hisses sharply, adding, "Something may be coming for us!" before closing the door again and stepping firmly in front of it, its silvered sword held ready.

For now, yes. But it hasn't lessened its watchfulness either.

Flametouched raises a carved eyebrow at Ohak. "That... was odd." It waits to see if the orc offers an explanation.

"A generous offer," Flametouched replies with genuine gratitude, "but repairs will take up all night. My connection to the Flame is enough for tonight."

"Let us wait and see what tomorrow brings," Flametouched rumbles. "We need make no decisions beyond that tonight. And if we find we cannot in good conscience do what we are asked, or if we have a chance to leave without violence..." It leaves the last unsaid, but hopefully unmistakable as well.

Hopping over here to continue the discussion in a more suitable place...

For my part, Flametouched thinks Lothar's suggestion - that we look for a way to take off tomorrow - is the better plan, although it would probably want to at last wait to hear what Karbal's going to ask them to do before making a final decision. So that is where my vote is.

As for slowing down, I think the rather thorough party-splitting and the forced switch to a really reactive mode threw the game's rhythm off - changing up to something more linear, or at least more straightforward (a la, combat because we know how to handle that) might get things back on track.

For those of us who do such things, anyway.

"Point taken on that then. This needs to be a group effort." She considers for a moment. "What is your opinion, Flametouched. Should we attempt escape?"

Flametouched considers the question for a few moments before replying. "I have no interest in keeping an oath given under duress if it puts the rest of you at risk," it finally says. "But as a practical matter, I do not believe all of us could sneak out successfully - I, for one, was certainly not designed for exfiltration. That would leave battle, and even if we do not have to face Ohak, I do not care to speculate on our chances if we had to fight through the entire rest of the Holt."

"With what little I know of him, I do not think 'subduing' him would be effective," Flametouched says dryly. "And I've no wish to attack him, especially since he has done much to indicate that he might be an ally - perhaps the only one we have in this place. If you plan an escape, I recommend one in another direction."

Flametouched nods its head fractionally at Karbal, then turns to follow Ohak and Lothar as well. Quickening its pace to catch up with the orc, the warforged murmurs in a low tone, "I am content with you as our guard and keeper, my friend, but you should know that I do not sleep, and will be prepared for any... untoward incidents... myself."

When the party reaches the room, Flametouched suits action to word, taking up a position in the room just inside the door, blade drawn. It almost seems to become a statue, neither moving nor breathing, as it waits.

I had hoped for some time to make some Craft checks for repairs, but I think it's going to have to wait. Instead, I will go ahead and cast cure light wounds on myself twice, for half-strength. 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 and 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 = 7 points of damage healed.

Flametouched is beginning to have a similar feeling. It has no desire to defend the goblin's (likely) actions, but Ohak's words about "cleansing" the Holt are beginning to echo within its mind. Karbal may hold the place together in some kind of order, but one could argue that any devil would do the same thing...

Flametouched does not flinch under the hobgoblin's stare. "I'll tell you now what I just told your men: I did not start the fire and I've no idea who did. Perhaps you'd've preferred it if we'd let your town burn so as to avoid arousing suspicion toward ourselves, but I am afraid that's not how I operate. If you want more answers than those, you're on your own, Karbal. Your offer of hospitality is more than welcome, but seems to be getting thinner by the moment."

Flametouched can't hit a 25 on a Perception check, so I'm not bothering to roll.

OotS-verse Flametouched: "Speculation about my build is pointless, and although I am Good, I'm not Lawful, so stop trying to guess."

Flametouched leads the men toward the yard, noting the rest of the townsfolk that seem to be doing the same. It still does not see Narky, and its jaw tightens further.

Flametouched sighs, once it finishes resisting the urge to smack the guard who touched its sword. "Gentlemen," it says levelly, "if Karbal chooses to redeem my debt in that fashion, then we can address that then. In the meantime, I will tell you outright, I started no fire, and I do not know who did. Let us return to the yard and find out what your compatriots have uncovered."

Flametouched turns its head toward the sound, looking at the guards with concern. "'Harpy?'" it asks.

I assume the guards will head toward the shout - regardless, that's the way Flametouched is going.

Flametouched - who knows where Jenise was, and that she did not have anything to do with the fire - sees Lony with some disappointment, but can draw no conclusions from the wolf's presence alongside her. Since she seems well enough, it continues on with the guards, after the other sound.

Flametouched tries to push ahead of the guards, reaching for its blade. "Be wary!" it says sharply. "Let me go first - if there is danger, my construction will protect me best." Though it means what it is saying, it has another agenda - one it hopes it won't need to follow through on.

Flametouched follows the guards, hoping to find out for certain what the cause of this fire might have been (and praying to the Flame that it isn't what it thinks it was).

I'm not quite clear on the situation with the fire - does Flametouched need to redirect its efforts to the supply store, and if so, can it do so from where it is or does it need to move somewhere else?

How much of that did Flametouched see?

Flametouched continues filling and handing off buckets, working as tirelessly as the machine it is.

Flametouched smiles, gratified at the display of community awareness the Holt's citizens are demonstrating, as it sets to work filling and handing off buckets.

Flametouched nods at Lothar's suggestion, calling to others of the town nearby: "We need to organize! Form a line to the larger well! Hurry, before the fire spreads!"

"Is there a well?" Flametouched calls to Ohak. "We need a bucket brigade!"

Flametouched looks dubious at the idea of Jenise going by herself, but does not actively object.

"Whether it is him or not, we should help if we can," replies Flametouched. It does not seem particularly enthusiastic about the idea that there is another cause, however. Taking up its sword, the warforged heads back toward the door.

"I've no interest in a premeditated killing," Flametouched says sternly, "and if we can do our 'repayment' work cleanly, I'd prefer to leave with our debts fairly paid. But I concur with your assessment of Karbal's character; we would be wise to lay plans for an alternative means of departure and hope they remain unnecessary."

Flametouched nods at Ormak's words, and summarizes what it and the shifter learned about the Kolak Shash and the Ghaash'kala. "The most relevant part to all of us," the warforged concludes, "is that there may be a force of orcs who would try to prevent us from leaving the Demon Wastes through their territory. We have long travel ahead of us before such a thing even becomes an issue, but it is something we will have to be prepared for."

Flametouched escorts Lady Jenise to her room. Did we all get one, or are we separated in some fashion?

Yeah, I'll be using it to create "official" Pathfinder warforged, shifters, kalashar, and (the Eberronian versions of) changelings.

Will you, now?

Flametouched, hearing Ormak's words as he turns to leave, turns back. "Ormak," the warforged says solemnly, "let me say something I should have said when we first met onboard the Dragonhawk: what the followers of the Flame did to your people was wrong, and I condemn it entirely. Alas, that is the terrible power of the Flame - used well, it warms, but used ill, it burns. I have seen the heart of the Flame, and there is nothing within it that speaks of blades raised against blameless souls, no matter their shape... or lack of same. They were fools, misguided or corrupt, who worked their evil on your ancestors; some still hold those foul thoughts within their hearts and seek to spread it to others, but I assure you that I am not among them, and should they come against you with such hate once more, know that I will stand against them with every ember of my being." He nods a respectful farewell to Ohak (a movement that also encompasses an acknowledgement of the orc's warning), then turns away to discover what mischief his fellow castaways might be caught in at the tavern.

Flametouched is silent for some time, considering the orc's lengthy speech. When it does at last speak, it does so with unusual quiet and perhaps even a touch of uncertainty. "Perhaps it would surprise you to know, my friend, that the core of your tale of Kolak Shash is known across the Five Nations, and there is an entire country dedicated to the worship of the flame at the center of their version of the story? I have seen that flame as it gushes up from the heart of Eberron, and it was there that I felt it touch my... my soul. For you are right, of course: I am indeed a wizard's creation, or more precisely an artificer's, designed and built as a weapon of war. Before I stood before the Flame I did not even know I had a soul, let alone a purpose beyond killing. Now, though, there is nothing else in me but the Flame; it has burned all else away, and left only the purest behind."

After another long pause, the warforged continues, "But your story has illuminated something else for me. I have long thought that my own experience of the Divine Flame differed from those I met in the lands south of here. Now I find your experience differs again, from both my own and from what I know of others'. I think... I think perhaps the Flame is bigger even than any one of us can comprehend, that it reveals only a part of itself to each who follow it - or perhaps we are only capable of understanding a part of it, no matter how much we might wish to take it all in."

"As for your warning, Ohak of the Ghaash'kala, I will remember it," Flametouched concludes, unoffended. "You and your people understand much more of this place than I; perhaps you are indeed right to believe so. I know of plagues that must be contained within a village, that they do not spread - but I also know that in such cases, the healthy are condemned just as the sick are, and all suffer together. I am less concerned for myself than for my companions, but in truth, I cannot say where we might travel from here. Perhaps we will all find purpose in the Wastes. And if I come to feel the Flame is drawing me beyond... then I will be prepared for what will follow, and place my trust in the Flame to see me through." It nods respectfully. "You have given me much to think about, Ohak, and I am most pleased to have met you. We are staying tonight at Karbal's tavern, if you wish to seek me out." The warforged rises, preparing to leave.

Flametouched listens to the orc's tale with reverent silence. When it is complete, the warforged waits a contemplative moment longer before speaking. "Your words are deeply moving, Ohak. I, too, am a servant of the Divine Flame, and I find your ideas have much in common with my own. I serve the Flame's purpose - to oppose evil, shelter the needy, and give hope to the fallen - and I would be glad, I think, to call you friend. How did the Ghaash'kala come to the Demon Wastes? Do you seek out the Lords of Dust in this desolate place?"