Graham Snodgrass's page

Proposed order: SK, Velas, Alvis, Graham, Faen, Tessa, Teela.

DM DoctorEvil wrote:

What's your plan after rising the next day?

Back to the sycamore. We got a ring to find.

Seconded.

Graham curses under his breath and pulls out his potion of minor healing, feeding it to the unconscious Teela.

healing: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Graham produces a potion vial of his own. It's not much, but it's about all I can offer to help, he says, handing it Alvis.

His eyes, wide with concern, fall on Teela, and he kneels at her side to prop up her head. Oh, no, you don't, you stubborn little sophisticate, he half-whispers to her. You're not leaving us yet. Not after dear Lady Orlovsky was so kind as to cook the filets you were asking for.

composite shortbow vs off-guard AC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 = 19
piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8
plus Deadly, if a crit: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

composite shortbow vs off-guard AC: 1d20 + 9 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (11) + 9 + 1 - 5 = 16
piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 + 1 = 3
plus Deadly, if a crit: 1d10 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6

Strike x2, action pending (see spoiler below). Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

"No. Teela shakes her head. "No retreating. Chop it into fillets."

Well, by whatever god you trust in, retreat enough to let those of us not yet poisoned at the thing!

Graham pulls out his bow in exasperation, nocks and arrow and tries to strike the oversized bug.

composite shortbow: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25
piercing: 1d6 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 + 1 = 7
plus Deadly, if a crit: 1d10 ⇒ 5

Interact to Draw, Stride, Strike. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

Graham pulls out another rope from his pack, uncoiling it as quickly as possible and hanging one end down for Teela to pull her back up. I'll assume that's an Interact to pull the rope out and another Interact to uncoil it.

Athletics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

[ooc]Cold dice. Hopefully the "tool" lends some kind of modifier.

Graham waves to the scampering kobold, quietly pleased at Meepo's escape. In short order, he nods to Velas and whirls about, falling into step just behind the Scarlet Knight, his rapier in hand.

You might be in OG gamer if you know the reference to Meepo the Kobold.

For the uninitiated.

I seem to recall him showing up in the Neverwinter Nights video games too, though that memory may be apocryphal.

Graham shakes his head. My foe's foe is a friend, he says simply.

Graham is absolutely adamant that Meepo be freed. He is in favor of allowing Meepo to join.

Reactive Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem) vs. Purple: 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 18
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Graham watches in some dismay as Green vanishes into the gloom. By Hanspur's hairy heinie, we have got to stop letting those little fellows slink off. If you think THIS lot was well-prepared...

Graham moves up to Orange. Oh, so it's your turn now!

Strike (Orange) (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 26
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Strike (Orange) vs. off-guard AC (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 20
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Stride, Strike x2. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

Point of order, GM: Orange was already down 5 from Graham's second attack last round, yes?

Graham moves like a big cat, chasing after Yellow in an effort to keep more foes from coming in (and also to try and keep Velas on his feet).

Strike (Yellow) vs. off-guard AC (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 11
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Strike (Yellow) vs. off-guard AC (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 10
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

The ceiling over here is a little uneven and he struggles to find an effective angle. But maybe the threat of his presence itself is enough.

Stride, Strike x2. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

Noted, GM, thanks.

Sliding to the ground beneath the shaft, Graham redraws his rapier and tries to clear space for his companions. He begins with one that already looks bloodied. Starting on Red, will move to Orange (who should be off-guard) if Red falls.

Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 18
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 14
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Interact (Draw), Strike x2. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

If Tessa has dropped the rest of the way (thus clearing the shaft), Graham would like to do the same, and perhaps an Acrobatics check or Reflex save to Grab an Edge on the way down to avoid falling damage?

GM adjudication as above, and then for number of actions. Remaining action(s) pending.

Graham follows Tessa down.
Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23

Graham is not on the initiative tracker.

I mean, if that means he can take actions any time he wants, that's cool and all, but... :)

Graham guards the rear, letting Teela and Lady Tessa go before him while having absolutely no intention of footing any future tab at Oleg's.

The Scarlet Knight steps close to Graham and tilts his head slightly.

"Are you well enough to continue?" He asks quietly enough for no one else to hear. It's not an inquiry of worthiness; it's genuine concern.

Hale enough, Graham replies with a grin. Felt a little touch-and-go there for a bit, but now I'm...well, not exactly right as rain, but set to press on. Svetlana's ring won't find itself, after all.

DC 16 Fort: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12

Hero point!

This time for sure!

DC 16 Fort: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 7 + 2 = 19

LMAO

Graham wobbles a bit. I don't feel so good...

DC 16 Fort (part III): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
DC 16 Fort (episode IV): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Some of the debate about saves is from my own mistakes. I would say that shield block prevents the sting/bite etc from occurring, so no saves are needed if that is used -- its just hard to remember.

For Flash of Grandeur, the text doesn't specifically say, but I as it calls for resistance, not avoidance, I would say the saves vs afflictions would still be needed. You still get bitten, you are just resistant to the damage, not necessarily the effect.

If someone can find a rules reference that sharpens our understanding on either point, provide a link in the rules and a reward shall be bestowed...

Teela reminded me out-of-thread (and should get credit for it) that damage is rolled before resistance is applied, and that an affliction takes effect when you're first exposed (in this case, when the hit is successful). The saving throw can still be critically failed, putting you over any resistance threshold. (Resistance is distinct from immunity.)

Shield Block prevents damage rather than granting resistance, so I'd argue that the hit didn't actually succeed and thus no exposure to the poison affliction would have taken place.

The Scarlet Knight holds up his shield and flashes bright crimson-colored light into the green centipede's face. A bright flash of angry eyes scowl down upon the bug, before the centipede is dazzled, and thrown off by the strange vision of ... something otherworldly. Celestial? even a bug knows when it has angered someone It Should Not Anger.

Graham feels less wounded.

Flash of grandeur reaction against Graham's first attack, giving him resistance 4 to that strike (so he gets 4 HP back).

Curious, does reduction to 0 damage mean no save is needed?

Graham growls as the mitflit creature bolts. Damn, we're about to have company. While he would prefer to chase after, he can't expose the group to the remaining centipedes here. He positions himself well to reach both, and starts with Yellow.

Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 21
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem): 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 12
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Stride (triggers reactions), Strike x2. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

DC 16 Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
DC 16 Fort (the sequel): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27

Sorry about that, all, I'd missed that I was up (late July/early August often gets very busy at my job, and I haven't looked at much else this week at all).

Graham moves forward at Bucky's poem and –

Oh, yuck.

The appearance of another blue-skinned foe and pet bugs don't help his already-foul mood thanks to the cramped quarters. Still, he turns his attention to Purple.

Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem: 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 21
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem: 1d20 + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 23 If 29 is a crit, then so should this be.
piercing: 2d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (6, 2) + 4 + 2 = 14

Stride, Strike ◈, Strike ◈. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

Graham moves forward, silently cursing the cramped space and being talked into descending beneath a massive tree. The size of the foes is a tad surprising, but not so much as to give the riverman pause.

Strike (DEX based, M sized, courageous anthem: 1d20 + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 1 - 1 + 1 = 23
piercing: 1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4

The environment blunts the impact.

Stride x2, Strike ◈. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

Graham brings up the rear, shaking his head in the darkness at the banter. It's a wonder the whole gremlin tribe doesn't know we're here by now..., he thinks to himself, distracted enough that he nearly strikes his head on a massive root before ducking out out the way at the last moment. Not the most pleasant of smells, either.

Velas whistles softly in surprise at the size of the tree. "Elly said the tree was large, but I assumed he was exaggerating."

He was not, Graham says, taking in the full measure of the sycamore tree with some difficulty.

He steers clear of the body Scarlet finds, leaving ample room for others to investigate without him being an obstacle.

When Tessa mentions Svetlana's ring, Graham turns to Teela. What was it Elly said about what happened with her ring...?

He does, however, interject when Alvis brings up fighting tactics. "You are correct that we could stand to improve our tactics as a group. While it has been some time since Faen and I joined the group, we are still learning how each other works in a fight and how the pieces fit. Perhaps one change is for Graham and I to stop being so hasty to take the fight to our enemy. That would give Alvis, Teela, and Quintessa an opportunity to help set the stage."

Graham cocks an eyebrow at Velas. I've long subscribed to the theory that a dead enemy is better than a live one. What you call "hasty" I call "prudence."

Still, one can't dispute the wisdom of a more coordinated assault.

For clarity, you are planning to back track the exact same hexes you have mapped to the Thorn River and then work along it to the south? Or do you ride through hexes you have not yet explored along the way? Do you explore them (1 hex per day) or ride through (2 hexes per day)?

Graham's proposal would be THIS. Exploring due south of Oleg's until we find (presumably) the Shrike – rivers are guessed at based on the GM's descriptions, but Graham is a river pirate sailor so it's an educated guess – then follow that to where it meets the Thorn.

Graham expresses gratitude to Oleg and Svetlana, careful to say thanks without specifically mentioning the radish soup.

He steels himself before climbing into the saddle of Horse. Southward following the river would be my vote, he says, knowing full well that Teela will ultimately side with whatever Tessa says.

Graham feigns irritation at Teela's distractions. You shall not divert my attention this night, seamstress! he laughs, dodging a swing from Velus only to have the laugh cut short as he is caught across the midsection by the Magus' follow-up. Oof... Or maybe you will...

With a sudden spin, Graham ducks out of the way of another swing and grabs the heel of Velus' left boot Dirty Trick feat, catching the man unawares and sending him tumbling to the ground. Graham catches the dueling sword that flies from his companion's hand before it hits the ground and offers the pommel to him at once. I believe you dropped this, he says with a wide grin.

Reminder for me to retrain message cantrip into figment on the next level up.

Figment?

Quintessa, who had been taking her own notes, sets her quill down and lifts an eyebrow at Graham, the corner of her mouth quirking into a half-smile. "Master Snodgrass, you fence like a duelist born, but Gods, you do let words slip past your guard sometimes."

"We already know the Shrike: we followed it from Restov. The tributary that fed the bandit camp was the Thorn, Oleg named it only moments ago. Which means..." She sketches a quick triangle on the map Teela is working. "We have not yet reached the Skunk, and the southern edge of our warrant still lies unexplored."

"Your memory is forgiven, provided your blade remembers its work the next time a stag-marked brigand steps from the brush to poke us."

Graham arches an eyebrow and considers his response. His first inclination –"Oleg mentioned a thorn, so naturally I assumed he was talking about you." – feels a little too harsh.

Instead he says, Alas, I was talking to Teela about Important Things, and then to Velas about Other Important Things, and I missed Oleg's remarks. He deliberately addresses Oleg: My apologies, good sir.

Graham is pleased to partake of anything that is not Svetlana's famous radish soup; he's never had a taste for radishes, so a dish with that as the main course is not appealing.

"Perhaps we want to start our next excursion by heading slightly south of here and then back to the east? There is a lot of ground to cover, but we may just find more bandits."

Graham considers this a moment. The river near the camp likely flows into the Shrike, he muses, and any number of bandits will continue to need fresh water. Perhaps we set south indeed, but to the Shrike itself, then follow it to the confluence of that we found? He frowns. Hmm, we should have asked Elly what river that was, to learn if we've found the Skunk and the border of our charter, or if it's another and we have more to explore beyond.

And you for yours, Graham says with surprising earnestness. We'd not have made it this far without you.

Oh, Graham replies, cracking a grin as he lends a hand to the sketches, is that anything like "Curtsey to the nice noble, Graham...Pretend to be a spouse, Graham...Go kill those bandits, Graham." Okay, that last one's a freebie.

Graham sits forward at the mention of bandits. We've had our share of bandit trouble, friend, he says, holding a piece of bacon himself. I entreat you, please, tell us of yours.

Graham is drawn by the scent of bacon himself, and shakes his head at Alvis' actions as he steps alongside Teela. Survival in spite of himself, sometimes, he says as Alvis passes by. Then, more quietly, So, ten out of ten for style, but minus several million for good thinking, yeah? he mutters to the bard.

With a silent sigh he steps forward. Welcome, Scarlet Knight, and come break your fast with these fine folks. We will personally vouch for Oleg, a fine fellow, and his lovely bride Svetlana. I daresay you'll not find a better cook in these parts than her.

Graham keeps a watchful eye on the newcomer (Perception +6), but as long as there are no signs of threat to them or to the Levetons, he remains genial and all smiles.

I'd vote for credit, yes.

Welcome, Scarlet Knight!

Regarding the return to Oleg's: As far as I'm concerned, Oleg and Svetlana can simply have the thylacines, unless someone strenuously objects. They have treated us well and it is the least we can do for them.

As for selling stuff, I'm down with that. We know the weapons and armor Kressle had weren't magical, but we do need to try and determine what the silver flask is before we consider selling that. (Not sure we ever identified the mangy cloak from Scene 24 post 348, either.)

I've taken the composite shortbow and added a regular one to the sell pile.

"These are fine tools. Although not something I used before. Anyone can make use of them?"

Worth asking: what skill would this be? I suspect we'll want to invest in it.

Graham and Velas present the slain thylacines to the Levetons. Perhaps you can make something of these hides, Graham says, and the meat might be gamey...but it's meat, at least.

As the group settles in for the night, bellies full for the first time since last they were here, Graham dutifully takes his guard duty since he was last through the gate.

Graham has already dragged the body of Red to another spot. I don't know much about tanning a hide, he says, wiping his brow, but maybe Oleg does. Velas, can you grab that one too? he says, pointing at Yellow.

Graham won't give chase, but will take a Reactive Strike.

Reactive Strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

My bad, I totally missed this.

Graham wheels about and takes the fight to Blue.

Intimidating Strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Strike: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (12) + 9 - 5 = 16
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Intimidating Strike ◈◈, Strike ◈. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

Graham easily avoids the initial assault and counters quickly against Red.

Intimidating Strike: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

Strike: 1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (15) + 9 - 5 = 19
piercing: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Intimidating Strike ◈◈, Strike ◈. Graham has a 15' aura, he and his allies within it get a +1 status bonus to saving throws vs. fear (lasts while Graham is conscious).

Graham already has his blade in his hands as Velas speaks. Right with you, he says, heading forward Stealth +7 as well.