Gavinia Hornsten's page

Hi, this is Gavinia; Oread Warpriest of Alseta, goddess of transitions; doorways, portals, the flow of time. I made her for a RoW campaign a few years ago that petered out kind of quickly, so I'd like to submit her for this game.

A character concept: briefly explain who they are and what they bring to the party.

As a warpriest, she can provide some divine magic, and some front-line fighting. Her community blessing can increase aid another bonus to +4; and she'll be heading towards Bodyguard feat, which will work well with that.
She is stolid and dependable, and is interested in she and her allies working well together.

Backstory: A brief overview of your character's history, showing what motivates them.

Born in Maheto, under the World's Edge Mountains, her earthen appearance (moreso than even other oreads) set her apart from others. After a somewhat secluded childhood, she found solace in the city guard, where she could serve her city and she feel accepted. It was here that she first met followers of Alseta, and their leader, sensing potential in Gavinia took her into the fold. Although she would have been content to remain in Maheto all her life, a trip to a nearby village turned into another trip to a settlement further away, and before she knew it she was an itinerant priest.

She is committed to her goddess's areas of concern and is worried by the strange weather - that the seasons are happening out of order is unnatural and she will want to investigate that.

Why Heldren: Why is your character in the small town of Heldren in southern Taldor?

As a travelling priest, she heads between small towns, performing priestly services where she is needed (repairing and blessing doorways & gates, giving healing and aid to town guards), and taking paid work as a guard/bouncer/mediator when she needs to earn money.

A little crunch:

LN Oread Warpriest of Alseta. Gotta go through and check that the stats and skills & equipment match up with the build rules, but there shouldn't be any major changes.

By the way, the only items worth taking on Gavinia are a masterwork dagger, and one of Mordred's cold iron throwing axes.

There's also some mundane weapons from the chest buried in the wood and the bandits, plus her original gear.

Unfortunately I accidentally copied over her profile when creating the new character, so I lost the exact inventory, but I think the mundane weapons can be worked out from the posts at the time if anyone is really interested.

ha, no worries. Level 1 is rough anyway and the zombonis got some lucky rolls against me.

Next character will be an Undine Cleris of Hanspur, Rivers and Travel domains, come to investigate why there's so much less water downstream.
No more 7.5ft struggling through the snow for me! 40ft base move, plus I can bump it to 50ft and ignore difficult terrain a handful of times per day. wooo!

There's enough people comverging on this place that another won't make a difference haha. But I guess I'll wait to see who survives before definitely choosing a new character.

Dang! Gotta think of a new character. Probably go plain old Cleric as we still need healing, have to work out what sort.

Will: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

As the wave of energy washes over Gavinia, her beathing slows, then stops.

The blow knocks Gavinia to the ground, unconscious.

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Gavinia grits her teeth as the wave of negative energy hits her, but just manages to stay conscious. She staggers backwards and casts on herself. "Alseta, give me the strength to keep fighting."

5ft step back, CLW on myself

"rrrrRrrr. I might need to find a better weapon to fight these things. rrrgggrRrg"

Gavinia grunts in pain as the zombie's fist gets past her defences.

My protection blessing from before entering upstairs would have run out by now, but nothing's actually affected me yet.

MW Dagger: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
MW Dagger damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Gavinia turns her focos to the battle and slashes at the zombie in front of her. red

"That probably wasn't necessary." Gavinia says, glancing over her shoulder at Mordred. "She was the most cooperative of the bandits we've seen here so far."

"Well, we know where Rhomar has been." Gavinia notes impassively as she descends the stairs to confront the new foes. "And it sounds like more trouble coming that way." she adds, glancing over to the clattering noise.

I was at top of stairs to talk to Penny, so should be able to reach zombies with a double move. Do the zombies look like the dead bandits?

With a sudden movement, Gavinia tugs on the handle and completely fails to open the door.

"Ah. It also appears to be locked." she remarks with a tinge of embarrassment. "Could you also attempt to open this one?" she asks Kishai.

Moving back out to the top of the steps, she calls down "What is behind the second door up here? Is it Rhokar's quarters?"

Gavinia enters the upstairs room.

"Do either of you require healing?" she asks Kishai and Garrasay.

Quickly scanning the room, she walks to the unopened door, mimes opening it and then stabbing with her dagger.

"If he is not here, he may have escaped out the window. Do any appear to have been opened recently?"

Bluff: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 = 13

Once the others seem ready, she will open the door.

I assume we're just double checking there's no one else on the ground floor.

With the basement and ground floor secure, Gavinia climbs the stairs as stealthily as she can.

Stealth : 1d20 - 5 ⇒ (13) - 5 = 8

assuming the door remains closed:
As the group prepares to storm in, a shimmer briefly surrounds her as she activates her Protection blessing.
(+1 sacred to my saves and ac, will update header when I get up tomorrow)

Gavinia hands the lady some food and drink, and lights a torch (asking for one from above if there's none down here)

"Here, eat and drink. We are going to find Rhokar now. If we are unsuccessful, you should try to flee. Two of our number are on guard outside the lodge, they can help you back to civilisation."

Climbing back up, Gavinia answers Mordred. "I think it is best to restrain her for now. I have some other questions, although they can wait until Rhokar is dealt with. Once the lodge is secure, there will be time to decide what to do."

Sense Motive on Penny: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8 nope

To Penny:

"Very well, we will take a look at them. I suppose this means you don't know anything about any ritual either, or the cause of this weather. Is there anything you can tell us about Rokhar? I'm afraid we will need to restrain you while we defeat him."

--

Once the trapdoor is open, Gavinia peers down. If the lady is restrained she will climb down and cut her free from her bonds.

"Lady Argentea? We are here to rescue you. We still need to defeat the chief bandit - it will be safer for you to remain here until we do so."

Gavinia finishes her ministrations and addresses Penny again.

"The bandits we spoke to earlier mentioned a blue creature with a hat - if it is not in the lodge, do you know where it is now?"

Gavinia steps forward and kicks the half-orc's shortsword backwards.

"I am glad someone has decided to surrender before being knocked out." Gavinia remarks matter-of-factly. "You must be Penny. We will let you go if you answer our questions satisfactorily. Firstly, who else is in the lodge now?"

As she answers, and the others come to keep watch on Penny, Gavinia starts going around and stabilizing the fallen bandits where possible (also ensuring their weapons are safely out of reach.)

Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

No sweat.

MW dagger attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
MW dagger damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Gavinia deflects the half-orc's swing with her shield, then steps sideways and attenpts another attack.

MW dagger attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
MW dagger damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Hearing the sudden combat behind her, Gavinia turns and goes to assist Mordred, stabbing at the half-orc with her dagger.

Gavinia peers up the stairs to look for any sign of trouble from above, then moves back towards the combat.

only I won't move if there are signs of trouble from above

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Gavinia addresses the closed door "You should know, we met Joe and Sam on our way here. Unlike Joe, Sam surrendered and so is still alive. He asked us to go on easy on you - but as we told him - that will depend on your actions. Surrender, and we will allow you to leave with whichever of your companions here are alive."

She then moves around the fireplace to keep watch the other doors and the staircase.

"That was the wrong door." Gavinia sighs and stabs at the bandit again. yellow

MW dagger attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
MW dagger attack crit confirm: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
MW dagger damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
extra crit damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

If yellow and green are down, she will 5ft step to yellow's square, peek into the room and shut the door.

mw dagger attack : 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
mw dagger damage : 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Gavinia spins around and stabs at the bandit behind her, but her aim is way off.

yeah, wasn't sure about that, really just giving them the option to run if they want, like we told those nice young bandits we would.

Gavinia quickly scans the room and ducks around Mordred to flank the bandit with Kishai. She strikes at him with her dagger.

MW Dagger attack w/ flank: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 5 + 2 = 22
MW Dagger damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Pulling her dagger back, she points it at the eastern door. "Gentlemen, I can see the exit is behind you. If you would rather not die while Rhokar relaxes in his room, you are free to leave at any time."

Intimidate?: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

"Sounds like they may have heard us. Unfortunate, but I doubt they will be expecting so many of us. We should still try to be stealthy until we find them. I did see some double doors on the east of the house - should we try to head that way to allow Garrasay to enter more easily?"

Gavinia points to the southern door.

"If there are foes, we attack - otherwise keep scouting"

Gavinia approaches the window. In a low voice, she says "The bandit leader is upstairs - he is some sort of necromancer, we believe - we fought off some zombies where they ambushed the lady. The lady herself is in the cellar - she is being watched over by a half-orc named Penny. There is also a fey somewhere that is apparently performing some ritual - most of the bandits have been forbidden to talk to him, so they are most likely holed up in a room. I am hoping we'll just find the worker bandits in the common areas on this level. If we can, I'd like to surprise the bandits on two flanks, but I'll settle for just surprise."

If the coast is clear behind the two doors, she will also climb into the room.

"We would welcome any assistance. What is it you are investigating? We are tracking down a kidnapped noblewoman. We interrogated a couple of the bandits and they told us she was here. They also told us that the other rank and file bandits are not really invested in their higher ups' plans, so an impressive display of force should help comvince them to flee rather than fight. We are just scouting now, to find the best way to surprise them."

Sense Motive : 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 16 they seem nice

The short, slate-skinned warpriest pushes back through the snow to see the newcomers. Glancing up at the gnoll, she answers
"They don't seem to be bandits - and they're too dressed to be the fey that Sam described. Let's see if we're more fortunate this time."

Approaching the two newcomers, she says, "Hello. Are you with the Lodge? I'm afraid it's currently occupied by bandits."

Gavinia continues along the wall and peeks around the corner.

Ok, let's get to a point where we can add the new people. If the curtains are shut, so people inside can't see out, then Gavinia will suggest keeping together as we circle the house.

"Doesn't look like they can see out - we'd best stick together." Gavinia says, leading Steinolf and Yuki after the others. She pauses at the well to glance down it.

"Probably frozen in this weather. I suppose they'll be melting snow for water instead."

Knowledge nature! We keep getting attacked by these tiny winged creatures and we have no idea what they are! Maybe also Knowledge planes.

Party is currently:

Warpriest
Magus
Cavalier (multiclassing into Bard I think)
Slayer (player on hiatus)

We've got an NPC witch (player had to leave)

Gavinia remains where she us, waiting for the others to report back, or for sounds of combat.

"Well, someone is home. Steinolf, can you scout ahead to see who's inside. We should have the element of surprise, so it would be best to use it to full advantage. Here, let me bless you first."

Gavinia lays a hand on Steinolf and murmurs a spell, casting Guidance.

can choose to add +1 on a single check, sometime in the next minute. (so presumably on the Stealth check)

She also draws her dagger, in preparation for upcoming hostilities.

So 3 bows for Steinolf, Mordred and myself, plus some intel. I think I'm good to head to the lodge if everyone else is.

three should be enough

"I concur.

Gavinia stomps back over to the two men and speaks as she starts freeing them

"Alseta, my goddess watches over boundaries. The boundaries between two nations, the boundaries between inside and outside, between day and night, between the seasons, between life and death, even between living life one way and living it another. May she watch over you now as you go to live a better way."

With the men free, she returns to in front of them.

"Now, you can keep your swords and armor, the woods are still dangerous, especially if you meet any fairies who suspect you are no longer allies.
And I trust that should we run into each other again, you will be living the better life."

If we want to make a decision, I vote on letting them go (but taking their bows - they're pretty pathetic in the snow, they'll get themselves killed by a moose) I can preach at them a bit, and tell them we'll be checking up on them and they'll really be in for it we catch them banditing again.

I guess another option is getting Yuki to take them back? If we want to retire the character in a convenient way.

out of earshot

"Yes, we should give the ones at the lodge the chance to flee or surrender. If they have been led into this, they may well take the opportunity to go - that will let us focus our efforts on the leaders at least.

"I don't know about leaving them helpless here - the fire will go out eventually and they will no doubt freeze before we return. And if they get free, I imagine they'd be feeling considerably less friendly towards us and may try to warn or help their friends.
At the moment, I feel that they won't come back if we free them and tell them to leave the forest. I fear they may return to banditry, but that is the lesser of the two evils we are facing. They do seem quite shaken by Joe's death.
We could also bring them with us - they can help us to find the lodge, and may help to persuade the others. It will make traveling more difficult though, especially if we have to keep them tied up."

Do they seem sincere? Leaving them here seems harsh, especially if we can't come back for other reasons than tpk. We could take them with us, or let them go (with minimal equipment )

" Who is Penny? "

" If we are attacked, then we will defend ourselves. Kidnapping and ransoming is a crime after all. If you have any suggestions on how we can persuade your companions to surrender instead, we could try that."

---

To the group, after the interrogation and out of earshot of the brigands

" What do you think we should do with them? The ritual they mentioned could be serious, so we have no time to escort them back. The death of their friend does seem to have shaken them - but is that enough to make them change their ways?"

Gavinia will also look through their things.

"Holding secrets will serve you no good. We still need to decide what to do with you, and we don't have the time to take you back to the authorities, especially if there's now a ritual we need to investigate."

"How far is the lodge from here? What happened to the rangers who were there?"

"You said it was Joe's idea to ransom the lady. Who froze the guard, and whose idea was it to raise the handmaids as zombies? "

small and big is the blue fairies - each paragraph matches one of my questionsbefore. I figure the big one is Fawfein, although no idea why he's naked except for a hat. I will refrain from asking where he wears the hat :P

"I have some more questions for them."

Gavinia asks the following lines of questions:

"Why were you clearing the trail? Are you from here? Or did you come with the snow?"

"Tell us about these blue creatures? Were the small like so - " Gavinia indicates the size of the little fairies that the group had fought previously - " Or are they of our size? Was one of them called Fawfein?"

"Where are Rohkar, the blue creatures and the noblewoman now?"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"You should have said that instead of shooting at us with arrows. Who is your boss and what were their orders?"

*rewinding sounds*

Gavinia looks quickly at the fallen man, then turns her attention to the other.

"Do you have any more manacles?" she asks Steinolf. "Or someone pass me some rope."

As the rope is retrieved, she keeps her dagger at the ready and throws the fallen man's weapons out of reach.

Once he is secure, she will search him and the dead man, then look through their campsite.

If he wakes before he is tied, then she will say "I suggest you surrender like your friend here, and not like Joe there" Intimidate: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (20) - 1 = 19

Heal : 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

"Be sure to secure that one before he wakes." Once the bandit is manacled, Gavinia indicates the slumbered man before turning to Joe. She looks him over and staunches the worst wounds, before dragging him over to the bandits' campfire.

"Joe is lucky and still alive." Once he's positioned, she searches him, then looks through any other bags and packs by the fire.

if Joe is actually already dead, I won't do that

Intimidate : 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (12) - 1 = 11

seems unlikely! :)

Gavinia stomps forward past the fallen bandit up to the remaining one.

"Well, big man, you have no friends now, and seem to be no trouble at all."