Gardolf glares at his enemies. He begins chanting and weaving his hand gripping his staff, wincing as the magic courses through him.
He activates his bloodrage as a free action. With his standard and move actions he casts a widened fireball, using Meta-rage to apply Widen Spell and Magic Trick to concentrate fire and cluster bomb the archers. He also uses Rage Casting to increase the Reflex save DC to 26 (save for half). Each mini-fireball has only a 5' radius, so he uses them like single-target spells against each opponent.
Fortitude save for Flumefire Rage, DC 18:1d20 + 20 ⇒ (11) + 20 = 31
Belladhriel emerges from under Gardolf's cloak to sit on his shoulder and look over their enemies. She begins to sing a low, tremulous song that is eerily calming.
Gardolf's familiar moves and then uses Choral Support as a standard action to convert the fire damage into sonic damage.
Perform (sing) DC 10:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Belladhriel has constant detect evil, and if their enemies do detect as evil she would immediately share that information.
Gardolf raises his eyebrows in surprise at Vulpiano's reaction, but before he can comment on it the creatures burst in to the room. Frowning darkly, he reacts to their obvious aggression by casting a spell, gripping his staff with one hand and waving the other in a series of intricate movements while murmuring arcane words.
He casts shillelagh on Blackstaff.
He cocks his head when he "hears" Valas's voice in his brain. He shakes his head, as if warding away an annoying insect. "You will have to defeat all of us to take down one of us," he says lightly to the opposing enemies.
Gardolf shakes his head and speaks again to the mother and daughter. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't know who this man in the fox mask is. It is very generous for him to offer to pay for our rooms, but since we are not staying together, I think I must refuse his offer-- with great respect and thanks. My friends and I will take the suite, good hosts, and we will pay for it ourselves." He turns to Vulpiano and winks at him playfully. "My dear Lord Fox, if you would like to visit us in our rooms and perhaps get to know us better, you are of course welcome. Otherwise, perhaps we can meet and discuss our plans here in the dining room after we have all had a chance to refresh ourselves from our long journey."
Gardolf's unapproachable aura intensifies. He growls, "It sounds as if four of us will try to squeeze into the suite, while our clever fox friend stays in his own room." He looks at Vulpiano. "Of course, you're welcome to visit us there and help us make plans if you wish." His eyes glitter a bit.
Gardolf shrugs. "I'll sleep wherever, but I wouldn't object to a bed and a bath. If Lord Fox wants an individual room where he can let it all hang out, I imagine the rest of us would be just fine in the private suite." He peers at the other parties from under his bushy brows and tries to look unapproachable. He mentally congratulates himself on his tactics working when none of them speak to him.
Gardolf watches Vulpiano as they walk. "Your family, eh? You come from a well-regarded line of nobility, do you?"Perhaps that is why he wears a mask and uses a pseudonym, he thinks. Nobles who engage in adventuring activities often must keep their activities at least partially deniable."I myself was given a noble title once, long ago, though I hardly remember it. I wonder if that place even exists any more?" He broods thoughtfully.
"A surprising number of Westerners here," he remarks. "That inn, the Taldane's rest? I suppose they often see travelers from Avistan? Why, is there some particular reason your countrymen come here often?"
Once their plan is in place, Gardolf teleports everyone in the party except for Valas (who has said that he can transport himself) to the gates of the city. Then he concentrates to alter the effects of his spell. "Who among us will speak on our behalf?" he asks gruffly. "I have a spell that accentuates that person's natural heroism via improving their morale. I would cast it upon the person to whom it would do the most good."
Gardolf frowns, his bristly eyebrows pointing at their distant destination like fans. "I have no desire to trudge several miles through the desert to reach the city, and no offense intended to my good friend Sifso, but I would rather not be carried! Give me a moment and I will solve this problem with my magic."
Gardolf grimaces. "Bah, there are such inconvenient limitations on the spells for transporting the body through space. Gather around close, and I will send one or two of you ahead, and the rest of us will join you a few moments later. Can any of us who cannot change their size become invisible to sight? They would be ideal candidates for our advance force."
Gardolf nods magnanimously to the raven. "By all means, Master Brennus, conserve your strength. I think you have intrigued us all. Certainly I will go on your quest for the sphinx, once we have an idea of where to begin our search." He returns to his pipe, his brow furrowed in thought.
I don't know when exactly ten minutes has passed, but you'll let me know the results of Gardolf's divination, won't you? I'm assuming with my answer that the results are positive or unknown. If they are negative (i.e. Gardolf can't trust the raven) then he will probably answer slightly differently. :)
Gardolf does not appear startled or angry at having his identity described so comprehensively by the man who calls himself the Silver Fox. He mutters under his breath, possibly for Belladhriel's benefit, "My nose just grew that way."
While the others make their preparations, Gardolf watches and finishes smoking his pipe.
Gardolf will use his special power to cast divination. The question he asks is: Is our host Brennus honorable and truthful? Can I trust that his intentions run parallel to mine? I'll let you roll the percentage die in a spoiler so I don't know the results.
"You didn't answer my question, my friend," he says suddenly to Sifso. "Far be it from me to insist upon it, but I am curious if it made you uncomfortable. I will admit that I was startled by what our host offered me to get me to come here. He seems to know each of us surprisingly well. I wonder if having demonstrated his knowledge about each of us, if the Silver Fox can be persuaded to share his own identity with the group. Unless our host cares to enlighten us...?" He turns and quirks a bushy eyebrow at the raven.
Belladhriel takes the cake quickly and flies back to Gardolf with it, where she disappears beneath his floppy hat.
Gardolf continues to ponder and smoke his pipe, listening to the others discuss their esoteric knowledge. When he speaks, he seems relatively unconcerned. "If we can avoid a wild-goose chase for a sphinx decoy," he rumbles, "seeking out more lore elsewhere would be a better use of our time indeed. But it is possible we may learn much and more from this Rahlmaat's simulacrum, even if it is not our ultimate target."
Belladhriel claps her hands and beams. "O! What an excellent interpretation thou hast made for me! Thank you, kind sir!" She nearly buzzes with excitement and flies back to Gardolf. "Didst thou hear, master? What my name might mean?"
Gardolf tries not to roll his eyes. "Yes, I heard," he grumbles. "Lord Silver Fox, if you would kindly refrain from seducing my familiar while I am trying to think?" He puffs on his pipe again. "More often than not, the sage's greatest talent is determining What question should I ask?. If our host is not in a great hurry for us to leave, I might undertake a divination or two of my own to enhance our knowledge. That is, of course, if Goodraven Brennus cannot answer such questions as Sifso poses for us."
Belladhriel returns to Vulpiano's vicinity and sniffs curiously at one of the teacups. She dips her finger into the liquid and tastes it. "Delightful!" she murmurs.
Gardolf watches Vulpiano with something like amusement dancing in his deep-set eyes. He quirks a bushy brow at the aristocrat's introduction, and then seems to ponder this for a moment before responding. "A sensible precaution. Very well, in that case, you may call me 'Sir'. Or 'Sir Wizard', if you prefer, to distinguish me from the others here until you get to know us all better." He puffs on his pipe again, releasing a curl of smoke that encircles his head.
Belladhriel, on his shoulder, coughs slightly and flies forward from Gardolf's shoulder out of the cloud. Her tiny voice is strangely deep and melodic. "Pray, Lord Fox, if thou be offended, let it be not so-- for my master does not intend to slight thee. To foster trust between us, I will tell thee that thou mayest call me 'Belladhriel'. It is as truly my name as can be spoken in thy language, though I cannot tell thee what it means."
Gardolf inclines his head in Myth's direction as she enters, and sits to listen to the four-eyed raven. He puffs his pipe as if unconcerned about anything apocalyptic, but there is a tenseness to his body that suggests he is intensely attentive, for all his casual-seeming demeanor.
Belladhriel smiles shyly. "Mfumaji!" she chirps, in a quiet celestial voice that is understood by all present, "I should have known that thou would be hiding in Sifso's pack. It is good to see thee again!"
Gardolf puffs on his pipe, and looks Valas over curiously while Sifso answers his question. He nods in greeting when his name is spoken.
(There's a picture and a description of Gardolf and Belladhriel on his profile.)
Gardolf frowns, perhaps with a hint of embarrassment. "Ah, Sifso," he says gruffly, as if he had expected to see him here and was just waiting for him to arrive. (Of course Sifso can easily sense that he is covering annoyance at having been caught alone on the road.) "It has been too long since we saw each other. I'm sure you are aware of the... well, let's call it a disagreement... I had with Oyamba? I am sorry I had to leave Nantambu so quickly, and without saying goodbye, but I assure you the matter was urgent. I can tell you that the mages of Kaer Maga are at least no longer on the verge of killing one another, though their relations are still not particularly cordial. But it seems our illusionist acquaintance has pulled you into their test as well? And their quest? May I ask what it was he offered you in return for your service?" He puffs a few rings of smoke and purses his lips.
Belladhriel shyly waves from beneath Gardolf's hat brim and bows. "Blessings upon thee, fellow traveler, in the name of thy celestial lady whom thou servest." She seems pleased to be remembered and also slightly awed by Sifso's presence.
Gardolf steps through with as much dignity as he can muster. He stands there awkwardly for several moments, and then begins patting his pockets in search of his pipe. He draws it out and packs it with a small amount of alchemically-synthesized tobacco, which he sets alight with a quick spell. He puffs it while he waits, sending a small circle of smoke into the air.
Gardolf purses his lips. The illusionist was being respectful, though it was said that Asmodeus could also adopt a pleasing aspect. If this were an elaborate ruse, however, it was always Gardolf's way to challenge it head-on, rather than by hanging back and hiding in fear. "Very well then," he says in response as he makes up his mind, "let this be another step towards cooperation and trust between us, so that we may work in tandem and together grow hale and strong. Open me your portal, and let us meet in council."
Gardolf raises his bushy eyebrows in surprise or perhaps disbelief. "A test?" he grumbles, and he frowns as his rage begins to lessen somewhat.
Rather than answering the question right away, he pauses, perhaps reluctant to let the mysterious illusionist control this entire encounter. He considers for a moment. If this unseen auditor has the information and influence they claim to have, this might be an important step on my path of purpose. They do well to entice me with prophesy, but could this not be some kind of fiendish trick by the Prince of Darkness?
Belladhriel watches, her eyes flitting back and forth between the two figures. She respectfully remains silent.
When he finally replies, he tries to keep annoyance as well as curiosity out of his voice. "Do you require me to decide without knowing who or what you are?" he says, with a note of irony and a hint of a smile.
I applied the damage from the first hit (half of 22 is 11, DR 1/- makes that 10; half of 3 is 1 and DR 1/- makes that 0), and I'm waiting to see if the second one crits before I apply the rest of the damage. :)
"Secrets, is it?" Gardolf roars in response. "You have secrets, do you? Very well, keep your secrets. I will learn them from your master in good time, I am sure."
Belladhriel squints up at the shadow creature. "He bears the symbol of The Archfiend, so your enemy may be protected against fire. Brute force may be your best option, O great wanderer."
Gardolf frowns. "I thought I told you not to call me that anymore," he grumbles between strikes.
"Apologies, elf-friend. I forget sometimes." Her voice has a slight teasing edge to it.
Move action (Bella): She offers Combat Advice to Gardolf.
Standard action (Bella): She readies a Focusing Formula to administer to her master after he hits the enemy.
Belladhriel gasps as Gardolf takes three blows in quick succession, including the last that nearly stove his chest in. "Master!" she cries out in alarm.
"Bah," mutters Gardolf. "It is not real. A shadow." His expression flickers from annoyance to grim curiosity as he looks around briefly, seeing if there is anyone else nearby who could be involved in this ambush.
"Oh, thank the heavens!" Bella replies. She peers at the cleric. "Your assault has made the enemy vulnerable, so that another blow to the head may befuddle him!" she suggests.
Move action (Bella): She offers Combat Advice to Gardolf.
Standard action (Bella): She readies a Focusing Formula to administer to her master after he hits the enemy.
Move action (Gardolf): Use martial flexibility to temporarily gain the Furious Finish feat.
Gardolf, having been holding his staff sideways almost parallel to the ground, turns it 45 degrees and strikes again at the shadow creature with both ends in quick succession.
Standard action: Attack action, applying Brutal Strike, Dual Attack, Heavy Swing, and Vital Strike.
Attack 1 (Blackstaff), Combat Advice (competence), Dual Attack, furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage:1d20 + 17 + 2 - 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 17 + 2 - 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 22 Damage 1 (bludgeoning, magic), Brutal Strike, enlarge person, furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage, Vital Strike:2d6 + 7 + 20 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 7 + 20 + 2 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 41 Brutal Strike: If hit, the foe is battered until end of Gardolf's next turn. Furious Finish: Deal maximum damage and end rage.Nonlethal damage instead of fatigue:1d6 ⇒ 4 Heavy Swing: Fort save DC 21, staggered 1 round on success, or dazed 1 round and staggered 3 rounds on fail.
I'm assuming part of this encounter is that we don't have any buffs prepared? What about things that Gardolf can have ready indefinitely, like the potion of enlarge person he holds in his blood stream with Manipulate Alchemy, or the Destructive Blast he keeps in his Spell Storing staff?
Bella (Gardolf's familiar) peers out at the enemy from Gardolf's shoulder, just beneath the brim of his enormous hat. (She has constant detect magic and detect evil, so she can confirm if their enemy is indeed evil, and if it's an illusion I believe this counts as "interacting" with it.)"Beware, O great celestial councilor," she murmurs to him, "the enemy's flail, for it doth swing as thou would not expect."
Move action (Bella): She offers Combat Advice to Gardolf.
Standard action (Bella): She readies a Focusing Formula to administer to her master after he hits the enemy.
Gardolf frowns at the voice. "An ambush, by the servants of Asmodeus? You shall not prevail against me, you corrupted wretch!" He brandishes his blackened and gnarled ash staff and turns to rush at the enemy.
Free actions (Gardolf): Rage, activate enlarge person potion (if allowed), wield staff as two-handed reach weapon (if medium) or double weapon (if large).
Move action (Gardolf): move up to 30' to bring the enemy within his reach. If he is already within reach, he will instead use martial flexibility to temporarily gain the Furious Finish feat.
Gardolf swings at the Asmodean assassin!
Standard action: Attack action, applying Brutal Strike, Dual Attack (if his staff is a double weapon), Heavy Swing, and Vital Strike.
Attack 1 (Blackstaff), Combat Advice (competence), furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage:1d20 + 17 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 17 + 2 + 2 - 2 + 2 = 32(-2 if Dual Attack is applied) Damage 1 (bludgeoning, magic), Brutal Strike, furious (enhancement), Power Attack, rage, Vital Strike:2d6 + 7 + 20 + 2 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 3) + 7 + 20 + 2 + 4 + 2 = 40(+6 if wielded two-handed, +2/+3 enlarge person) Brutal Strike: The foe is battered until end of Gardolf's next turn. Furious Finish: Deal maximum damage and end rage.Nonlethal damage instead of fatigue:1d6 ⇒ 5(If Furious Finish is triggered, Gardolf will activate his rage again afterward.) Heavy Swing: Fort save DC 21 or staggered 3 rounds.
1. "If the answer is supposed to be man, mistress sphinx, your knowledge of humanoids is severely lacking. I am both day and evening, and while I do not require my staff to walk, I often lean upon it when contemplating bothersome creatures. Whatsoever poetic license the riddler must be allowed, a staff is not a leg, and three of them does not account for the sort of two- or four-legged contraptions upon which many aged men must lean, nor does the description apply those who, like the famous king, must be led by another across the heaths. And furthermore, I would take exception to describing the movement of a baby as 'walking' -- surely that is 'crawling'."
2. "Do you mean an Avistani or a Garundi swallow? Neither, alas, could carry a cocoanut without magic, but I should like very much to see them try!"
Here's an arcane martial character for your consideration. Gardolf looks like a classic fantasy wizard but fights like a... well, classic fantasy wizard, if Peter Jackson's movies are your template. ;)
Greetings. I will get to work on this character's background, but I thought I'd place here what I have so far. Basically, he is a woodsy human hermit who has studied magic, and believes that he is a "better" wizard than actual wizards. When it comes to fighting huge monsters like trolls and balrogs, he may just be right!
