"The wyrm has turned." remarks Froderick as if victory had never been in doubt. "Well done, my comrades. Our respite now has been well-earned."
The bard begins a courteous bow, but seizes his back momentarily as he attempts to rise upright--a reminder of the advancement of time. The dragons were stopped as were many other threats we faced since our departure from Absalom. But, the looming threat of time neither relents nor takes pity upon those it ravages, Froderik quietly laments, before announcing, "Gods willing, come the solstice next we may yet all find ourselves venturing the Fangwood!"
Moving along the edge of the precipice, Froderik approaches the wyrm, "Doom has arrived, indeed. But, not in the form of tail and scale." Froderik retorts, "but by curse, whip, and blade!"
Taking the full force of the breath, save for that from which he was protected by the Fey's gift, Froderik prepares to respond with the full force of his blade. "Your icy breath cannot quell the flames that burn within our hearts, wyrm!" cries the bard as he strikes!
Froderik considers his foes
Knowledge (local) on kobolds:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10 Knowledge (arcana) on Dragon:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
The bard shrugs, then moves forward, drawing his blade and shouts, "Though you may hold the scales, the weights and measures of this battle balance within our favor! The day is ours"! Begin bardic performance - I assume this is same day as earlier kobold encounter?
Froderik decides to hold his tongue and aid the others where possible with those few helpful skills at his disposal.
Results hidden so as not unduly influence the choice of skills to be used.
If someone tries to influence with Knowledge (nature), Froderik attempts to aid:
Knowledge (nature) to Aid Another:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
If someone tries to influence with Heal, Froderik attempts to aid:
Upon hearing the words of King Vallahk, Froderik quietly considers the words of the Fey. This being claims to be opposed to “all-out-war” and yet admires the ‘survival of the fittest’! Does he not see that the two are one-and-the-same? For what is war, but the attempt of one group to assert their claim to being the most fit—a deadly, horrific display of might and dominance all in an effort to subjugate another group if not drive them to extinction?
If he cannot see such folly, then I fear he will not respond either to sensible words or calculations of reason, the bard concludes. I will see how he interacts with the others—particularly Benny and Ree as they seem to possess attributes most alluring to the king. If he can be swayed, those two are likely to be more successful at it than I.
To aid in this discussion of recommendations of strategies then, I shall employ a time-honored one as my own—divide and conquer. Ceding the persuasion of the king to his companions, at least initially, Froderik focuses his efforts on winning over the queen.
Froderik offers a courtly bow, before addressing Queen Quiselle. “Bluntness is easily forgiven, Majestic One. I, for one, will not seek to find fault in one for being forthright and honest. To the contrary, I would reserve scorn for those unwilling to speak truth, or to fully acknowledge it.”
“And it was from your fair lips, Your Highness, that truth was once spoken, but then placed under threat of being discarded. For you acknowledged the truth of the kobolds growing encroachment and the need for active resistance, but then offered counsel of inaction instead.” The bard, skilled in the art of diplomacy, speaks in a manner more matter-of-fact manner, rather than accusatory. “For evil to triumph, good need only do nothing. If the kobolds are not now opposed, then the future of this court is in jeopardy. Nature may be eternal, and so too then are its ebbs and flows. Yet, those creatures that are a part of it—the Fey included—are not. Even within the short time that my kin—humankind—has walked this planet, species that once prospered are no more. When the onslaught comes, the Fey here my yet outlive my kind. They may outlive the animals, both those feral and awakened. They may even outlive the trees. But, once these allies have fallen, then the Fey too will end—‘til even the memory of their existence here is washed away by the ebbs and flows of nature.” Diplomacy:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12 All this time carefully choosing just the right words, writing and revising this speech, and I get a lousy 1?!
Then, with the flair of trained thespian, Froderik continues, “It is true that the dragons—if their ire be raised—will respond with flame and death will certainly follow. But is death not also a part of nature?” The bard outstretches his hands, so to resemble the towering trees that surrounds the court. [b]“Does not flame serve to renew the forest? Does not destruction provide opportunities for life to continue and to flourish? Does the heat of fire not release the seeds from the cone? Do the embers of the dead pine not clear a path for light for the sapling? Do the ashes of burnt timber not enrich the soil that nourishes new chutes?”[/b ]
And to his pointed questions, the bard neither offers nor seeks response—allowing instead for an appreciable silence to linger in the night air following his monologue.
Perform (Act):1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Oh, the heavy burden necessary for the uplifting of words that come with playing a bard!
With his spell cast, Froderik tries to get a sense of the dryad's even before his spell takes effect. Unsure of yet as to his ability to communicate with her, the bard, nevertheless, attempts to put her at ease through his demeanor and the helpful gestures.
Though his spell allows him to understand the dryad's words, it does not allow them to speak them. Froderik gestures slightly, while pronouncing a few ancient syllables.
He casts detect thoughts.
At a pause in the discussion between thenfey and Puck, Froderik asks, "Do you, per chance, speak or understand the language of the Taldanes, what we refer to as 'common'?"
Froderik begins to smile when he sees Puck. He seems to laugh at odd times, but he seems a friendly chap. Indeed, his laughter may be infectious! As a hardy laugh forms in his belly and begins to well into greater merriment, Froderik feels a bit more quick on his feet, daring, and lucky.
"Good fortune, indeed!" The bard responds to the elf. Well done with the slumbering. Your kinswoman and I shall down this slurk!" Froderik jabs at the creature.
Entangled, the many Frodericks plod forward towards the slurk. Move action at half speed
"Insistent upon joining your rider on his journey to Pharasma's courts are you?" The bards say. "Know this! You and your cold-blooded companions will feel soon be chilled all the more by the icy hand of death!" The Froderiks bring their blades down on the frog-like creature.
Free action= Continuing bardic performance = +2 attack/+2 charm/fear saves Swift action =activate Arcane Strike Standard action=Swing that sword Melee attack with Bardic Performance(+1 longsword) w/entangled:1d20 + 7 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 7 + 2 - 2 = 23 Damage with Bardic Performance and Arcane Strike:1d8 + 2 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 2 + 2 = 10
"Issue a challenge, do you?" Froderik responds to the mounted kobold as he moves forward, blade raised. "Your amphibian and the rest of you reptilian kind should be hibernating for the winter--for the cold-blood within your veins has made you slow, while your words merely serve to kindle our fiery hearts--not to mention my comrade's fiery blades!"Move action=30 ft. Free action=continue bardic performance
"If you challenge me, then you challenge ALL of us!" Froderik says defiantly as he gestures and let's lose words of arcane origin.
Froderik casts mirror image creating illusory doubles that number:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
"I haven't encountered these creatures either, are they likely to be receptive to our help?" she asks, drawing her blade and snapping a sheath of protective force into being around herself.
"More likely to be receptive to being aided than to being eaten I would think." Froderik responds, drawing his blade as he moves forward.
"Indeed, my dear. I know of them only from stories, which vary as widely as the breadth of a forests' trees." Froderik replies. "If the tales of them having miraculous abilities or astounding means of defense are true, then I can discern them not from fiction."
Upon hearing speech in foreign tongues, Froderik casts comprehend languages. Standard action
Knowledge (nature):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
"The voice ahead are engaged in a dispute. The woman wishes the reptiles to leave; the reptiles wish in return to consume her." Froderik notes. "By her speech and the way her voice resembles the rustling of leaves, I believe the woman to be a dryad. May I suggest that we follow her voice and render to her our aid?"
The bard heads further along the forest path. Move action
Froderik draws his wand of cure light wounds and then veers into the dense woods and shouts, "Puck is correct, my consistent--if not necessarily accurate--friend! Do not let your guard down and make the undead wish that they never disturbed their graves!"
Move action into wood and standard action to begin bardic performance.
Mechanics Question:
Can the Arcane Strike feat be used to enhance the damage against undead brought on by a wand of cure light wounds?
"Right you are, Benny. We face a giant crawling hand--presumably the disembodied hand of a giant that...crawls. I suggest you not allow it to grab you." Froderik says. "The others are the skeletal remains of humans given an unnatural life!"
Let's see, do these skeletons have any resistances and/or special attacks?
"The ring ahead appears to be a portal to a plane of negative energy. Ergo, positive energy is likely to bring about its closure." The bard suggests as he grabs his wand of cure light wounds in his off hand.
I saw no one took the Ally Boost to damage that initiates the flank bonus for the following round, so I held off. However, I don't see any reason not to use it next round, but I may be missing something.
"I trust you have the defeat of this undead creature well in hand." Froderik says to his companions. [b]"As there are additional threats to deal with, then deal with them I shall!"/b]
The bard moves toward the zombies while sending a magic charge to his blade.
Move action=Move 30 ft. Swift action =activate Arcane Strike Standard action=Melee attack!
"Continue on, stalwart heroes! This day is ours!" Froderik spurs on his comrades, racing past the location of the necrocraft.
Continue bardic performance +2 attack, etc, (2 rounds expended)
"These creatures are the work of necromancy for sure! Zombies and creatures of necrocraft!" Froderik cries, "They shall not defeat us this day, for the battle is ours! This day belongs to the living!"
Standard action = Bardic Performance to inspire courage =+2 bonus to attack/damage and fear/charm saves
"I believe our 'elders' would be pleased to mediate any proprietary disputes, but should they be unable to see to a reasonable and fair resolution, then I shall speak to Nigel personally to see the justice is done." offers Froderik.
Froderik quickly scans the bleeding allies, Bennybeck and Anok, trying to assess which appears to be closer to death.
I assume this is Anok?
The bard races to the bleeding side of the more severely injured comrade in arms.
Not sure which token is his on the map, but I believe I can to anyone in the room with a move action.
"Cling to life, Friend!" Froderik urges. "Your story has yet to end. We have more tales yet to weave together." Froderik casts cure light wounds on the person he believes to be more injured.
Caster Check (DC 16):1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10
Turning to the other bleeding , he declares, "Do not despair, I have magic to spare!"
Welcome to multitable specials. In PBP (and in real life) they crack on at a pace and unless your GM keeps the game moving you can easily end up halfway through an encounter when the overseer moves you on to the next encounter. I have been in pbp specials here the gm has let things slide a little and it has been very frustrating as a player so I am trying to keep the pace moving. So I will bot and I will post regularly (more regularly than I am used to to be honest) and hopefully you get the full special experience rather than a series of snipped episodes.
@ GM - I truly appreciate this. This is my first special via PbP, but I have been at IRL specials that it seemed our table was missing out due to pacing.
I will be traveling next week, from Wednesday 5/23 through the following Wednesday, 5/30. I expect to still be able to post daily, but not at my current post rate, not at my usual times, and not with the usual verbosity that accompanies Froderik. Should I fall behind, I fully expect to be botted (and will leave instructions that will hopefully make it easier.) If you (and/or the others at the table) think it easier to have one of the other players at the table bot me, I am perfectly fine with that.
Froderik orates, "This evil from a realm beyond our own is no match for those of us assembled before it. Individually, each of us is formidable, but united, we are unstoppable and will easily dispatch this creature to whence it has come!"
Beginning bardic performance to inspire courage = all allies receive +2 competence bonus to all attack and weapon damages rolls and +2 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects (If he can, Froderik will consider the Kellids as his allies)
The bard then moves to a more central location so that his voice can be heard throughout the chamber.
If Froderik knows what Rivani knows (or if she shares the info):
Froderik says, "I mentioned that I have many stories, did I not? And your mention of Ivvora, a champion of Vildeis, can only be a reference to the heroic deeds of the dwarven paladin, who protected her realm with both might and grace nearly a dozen generations ago. If you are here to honor that person of note, then destruction and the shedding of innocent blood is not the means by which to go about it! If you are here simply to settle a quarrel of ownership, then let us seek a fair tribunal for adjudication. And if your interest in the item, as I suspect, is for a far, greater cause... then share it with us and, gods willing, we may well be able to pledge the swords and spells of our Society to aid you with it!"
@ GM:
This PC, Froderik, completed Solstice Scar-A. My memory is poor. However, would Froderik recognize these Kellids and the story of Ivvora from those prior events at the Blakros, which presumably occurred about a year ago? Would he know that the item is necessary for pushing back an ancient evil? Would he have any idea how such an item--assuming it is the same from the prior version--has again fallen into the hands of the Blakros?
"My fiery friend, speaks truth." Froderick adds, affirmatively.
"Clearly, this hilt is an item of great value to you and your people. I can assure you of one thing, if it is within the walls of this institution--one guarded not only by magical means as you have seen, but by the skilled and honest hand of the Pathfinder Society as well, at least when so called--then your heirloom is quite safe." Froderik says, trying to assure the intruders. "Therefore, if the item is truly yours, as I have no reason at present to doubt, then it is merely a matter of retrieving it."
"As for the manner in which the heirloom arrived within these walls, I cannot attest to validity of the method, but I can say that mistakes occur--objects misplaced, words misunderstood--and that once exposed, such mistakes can often be rectified without violence." Froderik sheathes his sword for emphasis and as a show of good faith.
"Come now, my companions and I have means to detect magical auras. Perhaps, if you tell us more of this item, we may be able to help you in retrieving it from this reputed establishment once the issue of ownership has been settled. Those of us here can aid you in looking while others of our Society send for a museum representative." Froderik offers.
"I am a bard, you should know. Perhaps, we can exchange stories with one another and, once this is all resolved, have another amusing tale to share together in the future!" The bard smiles, hoping to elicit a similar response from the Kellids.
Rolling Diplomacy under spoiler in the event another may wish to Aid Another also:
Diplomacy with Aid Another and Fortune:1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 = 24Diplomacy with Aid Another and Fortune:1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 = 25
"Stolen? My dear, we, too, were summoned here for the purpose of pursuing suspected thieves." He points to his comrades. "And by your presence here, it appears as though you are the very persons that we were sent here to retain."
"This building in which you are now found is a museum and it is our understanding that its contents were lawfully acquired." Froderik continues. Though, I must confess that I would not be shocked if that were not the case, he thinks to himself.
"If you have evidence to the contrary, then I suggest you provide it hastily, before my companions here and those elsewhere within these walls remove any such choice from you. For, as you may well concede, the breaking and entering of a building is rarely an activity engaged in by a party that is entirely within the right!"
Froderik scans the automatons in an effort to ascertain the threat they pose and a means to shut them down or disable them.
Spying the woman on the ground, Froderik remarks, "I do not believe this woman to be a part of the lich exhibit."
He reaches for his wand of cure light wounds and approaches the woman. Before he uses the magical device, he turns to his companions, "Any objections?"
If there are none (and Froderik has no reason to believe the woman already dead):
Froderik uses the wand on the woman. CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
"I considered a bardic performance, but fear that my rousing words could rouse the slumbering creature." Froderik whispers as one of the other dogs yips towards him.
"They say to let sleeping dogs lie, but I am finding that one to be refreshingly honest, aren't you?." he quietly jests, pointing to the subject of Puck's spell.
Froderick readies an action in the event it takes a hostile action towards a Pathfinder:
In that event, he swings his blade!
Melee attack (+1 longsword):1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25Damage (+1 longsword)(S):1d8 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Froderik ponders whether he know if these dogs are likely part of the museum security measures, animated exhibits, or belong to intruders.
Knowledge (local):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28
He then draws his sword and prepares to attack any that make a hostile action toward one of his companions.
