Gethric Orted's page

Hello fellow Bumblebrashers - many apologies for the radio silence for far too bloody long. Work has been... probably the hardest stretch I've ever done. I'm writing this at 11:20 pm staring at probably another couple of hours work before I can contemplate seeking slumber.

Much stress and pressure, plus our lads are getting larger and interesting in their own ways (good, bad and indifferent). None of this of course is an excuse, but I've nary been able to find the headspace for much creative of an eve - which has obviously driven into the PbP space as well.

I'm not sure when / how I'll come out the end of it, but owe all you good sorts better than I've been giving you of late. I'd like to say give it another few weeks and see how I'm travelling... hopefully the door falls down a tad to more level and stable footing.

Cheers,
Gethric

Smiling gamely Gethric can't help but agree with Darla "I'm all for a trip back to town for a hot meal, clean up and check in with the council. After all... we are heroes now and it'd be reasonable to let them all know we're safe and sane... ish before we continue on through the rest of this place?"

Managing a wry smile as his close brush with death is beginning to fade "Oh, the usual... poked by a few skeletons and what not. Any of that 'food' floating around?"

Apologies for being a bit out of circulation over the last week - we lost a team member from work, so it's taken some adjustment and mental reconciliation.

At Aronida's words Gethric unfurls but slightly and adds his own words "Aye... my vote's for a breadbowl filled with my ma's potato soup... but barring that a span resting where I've no fear of skeletons walking up and putting steel through my ribs would be welcomed."

Always happy to serve as a learning moment by trying / being subjected to something new ;)

I'll second Gellius opining on the options available in 2nd ed as well. The three actions and a more streamlined way to use them for stabby characters does make the combat seem more involved and active.

The bloodied halfling groans, and writhes to his side curling slowly to a small ball. Eyes squinted shut he coughs wet, and wipes blood away from his mouth onto a sleeve. Clearly the halfling is live... but hurting.

Round 2: 13/26 HP, Step to AH-9, Raise a Shield (AC to 18), Strike at 04

Bruised and bleeding at the skeletal assault Gethric whimpers slightly as he observes that he's surrounded. Muttering something unkind in Halfling he twists and maneuvers out of the worst of the assault. As his weight moves he swivels and lashes out with twin tines...
Fork: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11 for 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
...muttering another unkind word as the tines slide between exposed ribs. Hissing at Gellius he concurs "We should listen to Alek and pull away... Gellius?" growing concerned as the glassy eyed tall man is slow to respond.

Strolling back into the thread like...

Apologies for the inaction, my access did indeed get chewed up in the site update apparently and I've been unable to log in for a wee while. I shall return to functional status now...

Round 1: Raise shield, Stride to AG 10, Seek

Raising his meagre buckler for protection, Gethric follows his curiosity around the corner. Pausing at the entrance to the room he gazes around for points of interest.

Apologies for persona incognito - was an epic last couple of weeks of work right up to Christmas with a big contract being negotiated, etc. Didn't have the mental space to do much outside of work and holiday prep. Back online now.

Merry of the Christmas and Happy of the impending New Year to one and all.

Sorry to see you go as well Aronida - t'was a pleasure to play with you.

A flash of recognition crossing Gethric's face his complexion pales "Aye, thats what they said... makes me think we should be putting it back, if we had a way to make sure the buggers wouldn't just yoink it back out again."

"I'm not one for disturbing the dead... but whoever did had an interest in the hands." indicating the bones visible through the broken corner of the sarcophagus "Could've been looking for a ring?"

No plans from Gethric to disturb the interred

Whispered to those behind "Good news... the skeleton's still in the box" before gesturing for them to join him in the room

Quiet and kitten-like Gethric stalks into the room, drawing up to the sarcophagi that's been breached... looking to ascertain if it still has it's occupant within...

Gethric creeps forward to the door, placing an ear against the wood to see if aught can be heard and testily testing the handle to determine if it's locked or unlocked.

Unless given pause in his proceedings by enlightened information coming from either preceding action, he proceeds to open the portal.

With a wry smile Gethric bookend's Alek's words "Which given our luck so far won't take us too long... I'm game to risk it"

I think that is the plan - as far as I recall we've kinda committed to clearing out the majority of the fort before we return as 'heroes'.

Dead longshanks and bone splinters it is!

Wanly smiling at the banter Gethric attempts to engage "If for nothing else it's been a fine education in pain. I used to think I knew what that was when I burnt myself on da's oven... turns out I've been sorely mistaken"

Can confirm am still present - this week has been wild at work, but am headed threadwards now.

Wiggling the last of gelatinous protoplasm out of one ear Gethric shrugs "Oh, you know... the normal... swallowed up by a big see through cube of acidic jelly... anything interesting happen here while we were about?"

Furrowed brow and a mite disconsolate Gethric queries the rest of the party "We're making progress right? Clearing the way for the bumble's to feel safe and sound... just... I dunno..." kicking at a tuft of dirt on the walk "This squishing around with oozy things in broken rooms lack a bit of the heroic aura that we had... liberating the citadel from the dragons just sat a bit better in the playground of my imagination."

Teehee - I graciously accept the celebration of a battle where my contribution was being the archetypal 'damsel in distress'.

The soothing touch takes much of the tension out of Gethric's contortion as his breathing eases, a few span of seconds later he's able to straighten and rise. Spoken word still halting and quivering he adds "That was horrible... what... what was it? I didn't see it coming, and then it swallowed me up and I couldn't move" warily eyeing the puddles of gelatinous mass that was the creature.

Gathering what skerrick of courage remains he hesitantly pokes through the cluttered room commenting "I think a rest is a fine idea, though I'm not necessarily looking forward to the Bumble's culinary arts... pity we can't duck back to pick up some buns.."

Happy to go off and rest after searching the room.
Gellius - don't forget the rapier you spotted :)

The laid out form of the stealthy halfling slowly curls from lying flat on the floor into a shuddering foetal ball, skin raw and made bloody by the assault of caustic cube contents. His breath comes shaky and indistinct, and teeth chatter through gritted teeth.

Might be worth blowing a hero point on the second attack roll Gellius? - save you from joining the wrinkled fleshbag group with myself.

Well now... looks like Gethric is in a pickle and getting pickled...

Round 3: 07/26 HP
Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12... Hrmmm... Hero point...
Fort Save #2: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18... nope... still dead in the 'cube'
Acid Damage: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5 - down to 2/26 HP

"..."

Round 2 Actions: Fort Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

"..."

Reflex: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14
Fortitude: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
HP 14/26

Gethric can do little but squeak an alarmed note before he's swallowed up by the amorphous beast, his ability to control his body fading as an acrid scent fills his nostrils and a brush fire seems to spark within his skin.

Warned into defensive posture Gethric raises his shield.

Last action to Raise Shield for +1 AC

Round 1: Stride to S-27, Seek, ?

Curious about the contents of the latest room, Gethric approaches the armor racks and looks them over.

Given Gethric is higher in initiative than Darla (and to avoid metagaming), Gethric would first move to the tables and take a look

Wary of what horrors yet await them and confident of his companion's ability to weather at least the first wave of conflict, Gethric seeks to avoid notice such that any foes would not see him coming until the pointed backwash.

Exploration Activity - Avoid Notice

Gethric frowns slightly as Darla doesn't detect any magical residue, but his interpretation remains unshaken. He whispers to the soul gem "Don't worry... we'll find a way to get you out of there" before carefully wrapping the gem in a handkerchief and stowing it safely within his pocket.

With the rest of the chamber searched, he then proposes "Onward and ringward?"

Cradling the soul-gem gently in his hands Gethric asks "Umm... Darla... are you able to do the thing with your eyes and looking for magicky stuff?" proffering the gemstone as the target of the inquiry.

Gethric shudders as the implications of Gellius' words, complexion paling as the words of the construct are repeated through his mind. Brow furrowed and hesitatingly spoken he adds "Um... I think we should dig out that gem Gellius' said should be in there... I mean... I think... maybe the soul bound to the soldier didn't want to... you know... I just think we need to take it with us..."

Following his own words Gethric kneels by the fallen soldier and begins to examine it's body - trying to garner where such a gem might have been installed.

Gethric has Crafting (Woodworking) at +6 if that helps with the task.

As an aside as he works "We should gather up the chess pieces if we can while we're here too..."

Breathing heavy and looking worriedly at Gellius, Gethric intones "That... is not a toy that people should be playing with..."

Round 2:

Wincing as Gellius is put near to death, Gethric stammers "Get past it and we can take it down" pausing in his own actions until Gellius can stumble forward past the corpse and press the creature from both sides...

Gethric Delays to act after Gellius.
Gellius Steps (1 square to the East), then Double Slices
Gethric Strikes x 3

Gellius:Rapier Strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18;Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Main Gauche Strike: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17;Damage: 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
Gethric (Flanking) Strike 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 for 1d4 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 + (1) = 8
Strike 2: 1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 4 = 18 for 1d4 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 + (1) = 7
Strike 3: 1d20 + 8 - 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 - 8 = 13 for 1d4 + 4 + 1 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 + (4) = 13

...weaving a complex interplay of flashing steel that hopefully splinters the soldier.

Gellius Round 1: Stride to W20, Seek, Interact to 'Parry' with Main-Gauche (AC increased to 20)

Gellius adopts a wary mien as he squeezes past his companions to stand astride the fallen boggard, his blade before him. He nobly scans the room as he turns his second blade in hand to a defensive posture.

...Seeing nothing that causes alarm, Gethric moves cautiously into the chamber - aiming to draw nearer the boggard bodies and spy what caused their demise.

With the portal opened, Gethric's squinted gaze scans through the room...

First action for a Seek

Nodding and swallowing by way of trying to ameliorate a dry mouth Gethric agrees "Sounds good... we don't want any of the nasty things we've seen in here so far up our backsides..." pausing and cocking his head before shaking away the double entendre. Instead he pads towards the indicated portal with forked fork in grip... eyes narrowed and inquisitive.

Gethric nods "Seems and sounds fair... lets be about it"

Shrugging "Aye, doesn't look like it... but at least we know now. Shall we away and below? - or look to the vaultway?"

Gethric turns the ring over in his hand for a moment before flicking it nonchalantly to Darla, as she had shown interest in it. Adopting a more normal mannerism "Well thank you very much, pleasure doing business." raising an eyebrow to his companions to see if they had further questions or considered the matter settled.

Gethric shuffles forward in a measured fashion, emptying his right hand into the cupped hands of the green kobold. He then reaches to retrieve the ring while simultaneously emptying his left.

Assuming the transition takes place without issue he squints at the ring, nodding "Nice ring... mighty dragons seen any other rings? Maybe with red stone?... or is this best and only ring?"

Gethric's hope fades as the ring is clearly shown to be different than that sought... but he stops it showing on his face as Darla's words ring out. Narrowing his eyes to appraise the ring the halfing makes a show of considering before curtly nodding an approval. He opens his left hand to show the second fist of shinies before adding "Two hands... one ring... good trade yes?"

Quickly turning his back to the door and shuffling the shinies into both his hands and closing them into fists Gethric turns back with squinted eye and shrewd suspicion on his face. He holds for a few moments before slowly opening one hand "Some here... now you..." gesturing with his chin to indicate that the second batch of shinies would need to see the man-ring before being displayed.