As Oiur runs up to the last downed crusader, beyond the line of skirmish, a giant balrog gives a scream of pain and collapses in a heap. It explodes in a massive ball of fire and takes out many of the demons around it not completely immune to fire. Many of the smaller demons look towards the dead commander and start to teleport out, one by one. Those that don't start to turn tail and run. The crusaders take heart at this and start to rally after them.
The two demons harassing the group look at that and quickly cast spells, popping out of existence and leaving the group in peace. A few crusaders limp by and help Oiur with bandaging the last man on the field you could see and they gesture for you to follow them back to the city.
The party makes it to the Aid Tent, where a grimy Hiko greets them. "Thank-you for the hard work! Thanks to you we were able to save quite a few crusaders from dying alone in the fields! But it seems like Jorsal wants us to gather back up at the Starrise tower!" She shoos you off, and starts gathering up her equipment. "I'll be right after you!"
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She meets up with you at the base of the tower just before Queen Galfrey arrives and sits in silence as she watches the proceedings. "We did it! We beat them off! And I'm sure you were no small part in that effort!" She gives a small stretch and a small yawn before continuing. "You know what, we should celebrate! Anyone want to go see if there's a tavern serving drinks? I know this great place just near here..."
Arriving at the aid station at the Woundward gate, a familiar face walks up to the group. Hiko gives a broad smile as she catches sight of you. She walks in closer and gives Nokka a scratch on the chin commenting, “Ah, it’s my doppelganger and her companions! It’s so good to see you! So you’ve been assigned to this aid station, I take it? Perfect. We need help getting the injured back here. They’re too close to the fighting to risk sending our healers in, but we can’t get them healed up if they aren’t here. There’s too many of them to ferry as well. So instead we’ll send you out there. Focus on getting them on their feet and point them to us and we’ll take care of the rest! But be careful, I doubt the demons will leave you alone.”
Explanation time! The goal of this act is to heal up downed crusaders. They are scattered all over the battlefield and at 0 hit points, you need to get them to 10 hit points before they are well enough to move on their own. You can accomplish this through magical healing such as a wand or spell or through a DC 20 heal check as a full round action (which gets them on their feet). Every round you can take a DC 20 perception check as a standard action to find another crusader in need of help, but only once a round. But every round there is a chance of a demon or cultist taking notice of your actions and attacking the group.
Krieghton sallys off around the courtyard, before coming back with another woman in tow. It proves to be Hiko from earlier in the same outfit with a little more dirt and blood on it. She gives the group a good look over. "Master Shaine was saying that you helped epxell those demons. I was having a hard time getting to some people in critical condition, but thanks to you I could get them stabilized."
"But you look like you could use some attention your selves! Here, if you get in closer, I channel a few times and then finish healing you up with spells."
A few channels and spells later, Hiko has everyone back to full health. "There's still plenty of attacks going on around here. Might not be a bad idea to go back out there."
That's a success! Is there any place in particular you want to visit or any particular type of encounter you want to try? There is also one encounter that has some bearing on overarching story elements that might not be bad to try.
Oiur grins widely at the sight of their friends. They weave their thin, hardy frame through the crowd. Their bobbing shock of bright red hair marks their passage, as do the black, red, and charcoal tattoos spiraling across their weathered face.
"Eugressia, good to see you so soon! And Kahru! I didn't expect to run into familiar faces this far north."
They turn towards the others. "Good to meet you all! I'm Oiur—not as strong as Kahru or as smart as Eugressia, but I do what I can." They hum contentedly to themself as they sip their tea and listen to the others' conversation.
They twist up a corner of their mouth at the mention of cold iron, pull a dagger from its sheath, and tap the flat of its blade contemplatively on the edge of the table. "Right. I remember we dealt with that sort of thing when Absalom was attacked, and I've been reading up in the aftermath. I'll probably get some of those alchemical blanches I saw mentioned."
I'll pick up five cold iron weapon blanches at 20gp each, for a total of 100gp.
Hmm, might I reccomend just getting a Cold Iron earth breaker instead of four of those? It'd be only 80 gp and apply on every hit without needing reapplication. The blanches would only help with one hit and take a full round and heat source to reapply.
Hiko gives the approaching human a smile and gestures to the open spot in their group. "Ah, you must be the sixth member! Please do come and join us for some tea." Offering up a cup, she adds, "Oh, good, you seem to be aquainted with many of the people here!"
Oiur wrote:
"Strictly internally, I assure you." Oiur's lips flatten in a subdued smile, but their emerald eyes twinkle. They lean down to scratch Nokka under the beak.
"It sounds like some of you are familiar with Nerosyan? I know a bit from books, but I've never been in Mendev before. I'm not sure how excited I am about traveling towards the Worldwound, but I suppose I'm slowly getting acclimated to that sort of thing. The Pathfinder Society's taken me..." they look to Kahru, "...well, us, I suppose, far from home."
Hiko gives a small laugh. "Well if it's demon blood, externally is fine with me!"
"I'm....actually afraid I can't remember. I can't remember a lot of things." Eugressia gratefully accepts the tea.
"Well, that must be a rather difficult situation."
Kaya Yoshida wrote:
Grimacing at that bit of information, Kaya nods. "Thank you! Looks like I'll have to get something extra, then," she admits. "The only cold iron I've got is my dagger." Recalling the myriad stands that she'd passed on the way in, she thought she might be able to snag something.
Assuming we have enough time?
Hiko gives the woman a smile. "Well, there's Jorsal now! Given how slow pathfinders are prone to moving when it comes to getting settled in, if you stop by one of the nearer stalls you could probably haggle for a couple of things and be back here in time. I recommend Earnie's; he's fairly good about giving going rates on things!"
She turns to the rest of the group. "Now, was there anything else you wanted to know about?"
We've got about 24 hours before we move ahead, if you want to pick up anything or for any last minute questions. You will have the ability to make purchases later, but things will also be getting, in Shifty's words, 'a bit hectic.'
"Nerosyan! I've read a treatise on the city. It's a fascinating place."
Curses! Of course the last person would be the one who rolled well enough for the gazetteer! I'll add it to and the slides themselves later today.
Eugressia Biogon wrote:
The woman has white skin covered with blue swirls long white curls piled on top of her head. She is quite clearly a sylph. As you get closer to her, it is apparent that the blue swirls mask the vast network of scars that seemingly cover all of her skin. Her mithral chain shirt is oddly fastened.
"Oh, I haven't introduced myself, have I? I'm Eugressia! I used to be part of the Consortium. I mean, the Calliope. I mean, the Concordance! That's it." She looks around. "Oh! Kahru! Nokka! Oiur!"
Hiko gives the latecomer a warm smile, gestruing for her to come and sit down. "Here! Come and join us. Would you like some Tian tea? It's nice and warm."
Getting a good look at the woman's scars she adds, "My that is an impressive set of scars! If I may ask, how ever did you earn them?"
Curiosity aroused and thoughts of Thurl dismissed, Kaya asks, "Will you tell us more about the demon hosts? Perhaps it is only me, newly come to this place, but I do not know much about them and would greatly welcome any knowledge you have to share." She's always interested in any advantages she can get and it sounds as though Hiko knows something about the demons -- Demon Lords, demon hosts. What was the difference? Was there one?
Better to ask, Kaya decided, than to make a fool of herself later for the lack of knowledge.
"Especially if we're to be traveling through their domain." There's a slight frown - but only a slight one. Demons, then. Demons, demons, what worked well against demons?
Well People have unloced the spoilers for most of this information already, but it's good to know anyways!
Hiko gives a slightly less than enthusiastic smile at the question. "Demon hosts and lords are a bit different. Hosts tend to be the rabble, the lower level demons that populate the Worldwound, whereas the Lords are powerful demons worshiped in their own right, even providing some power to the most loyal supporters like a god, but their not as powerful as one." She pours herself another cup of tea to calm herself before continuing, "You have heard of what can and can't affect a demon right? Cold Iron or good aligned weapons are often the most effective, and don't even bother with Acid, Fire or Cold spells as most demons resist if are not outright immune to them."
"I am called Kaya," she introduces herself to the woman and her designated team. "Kaya Yoshida. I'm known to be something of a klutz, but I occasionally come in handy when it comes time to hide or carefully borrow things for a bit." She takes another sip of tea to hide the slight grin.
"Anyways, where is Thurl? I thought someone with the dealings he has had would be interested in so large an operation."
Hiko gives the very nearly identical looking woman a warm grin. "I normally wouldn't say this but feel free to borrow what you want from the demon hosts! Just make sure not to be hiding when there's fighting going on!"
"As for Thurl... Well I haven't seen our second Venture-Captain recently. But he did prefer to work from the shadows, I'm sure the surly tatoo'd dwarf is around here somewhere."
She gets cut off by Kahru and Nokka fighting over the wrapper, with a small laugh, she waves away his concern over the owlbear’s behavior. “Oh, no worries. As someone who has grown up around Estrid’s Pet, who has a tendency to eat people who make Estrid displeased, it’s fine that he’s just nibbling on some leftover tidbits!”
Kahru Kuun wrote:
"I have not been to this city before. Is this sort of gathering common?"
She gives a fairly firm shake of her head “Why no, it is not. Have you not heard, there’s been a Dwarven Sky Citadel discovered near the heart of the Worldwound and Jorsal is trying to mount a massive expedition to reach the site. You must have had to sign a longboat’s worth of paperwork, right?”
Takumi Kamizo wrote:
He states, "This humble one is honoured to make your acquaintance." Giving yet another bow, Takumi continues, "I have been given the simple name of Takumi Kamizo, hailing from shimmering city of Ayajinbo, the capital of Jinin. I understand that not many in the west is familiar with our elven nation of Tian. That is not surprising as we keep largely to ourselves except for our export of mithral. Our nation nurtures artisans of the most masterful crafts. I myself come from the guild of paper sculptors, although I am still just a lowly apprentice. I would gladly share with you some of my work."
Hiko’s brow quirks up for a second, “As in the Shogunate of Jinin? I think I remember my parents talking about them once or twice before. ‘The elves of Jinin have much of the spirit and restrained sensibilities as the Old Minkai Shogunate’ or something along those lines. Though they never actually said much about the places there.”
Takumi Kamizo wrote:
Then almost as an after thought, he adds, "Ah, again it seems my wandering mind has left my introduction incomplete. I also dabble in the magical arts, much like many in my family. I specialise specifically in the art of summoning and conjuration." He ends off with yet another bow.
At the mention of magical abilities, a small flash of pain and jealousy passes in front of Hiko’s face, and she has to take a second to pause and adjust. She gives the man a smile. “My if that’s the case, I’m sure my parents would love to meet you. If you every visit Halgrim, make sure to stop by and see the Umeyama’s.”
Takumi Kamizo wrote:
He then turns and looks around at the gathering. "Seeing the relationship that the Society has with the Crusaders of Mendev, led by Venture-Captain Jorsal of Lauterbury himself, and the infestation of the Worldwound by demons and their demon lords, my lowly assumption is that they would be our antagonists?"
“Well hopefully we won't have to make them our antagonists, but given just where we are supposed to be traveling. I doubt there’s much choice on the matter. You’ve at least heard of the Demon Lords, right?”
She smiles warmly and gratefully accepts the offer of tea, closing her eyes for a moment to savour the aroma of the warm beverage before taking a small sip and lingering on the taste a few moments more before once again opening her eyes. "Forgive me, but this tea brings back so many memories. My now departed husband, Jiro, used to make this for me and the mere smell of it makes me feel his presence once more. Thank you so much for this kindness! It is a pleasure to meet you, my name is Zyneste!"
"This is my first time in Nerosyan. Is there anything you can tell us about the city? I have of course heard of the the Worldwound, the unnatural blight on the world. They say it is a rift into the Abyss, a gateway opening shortly after the death of Aroden...and of the four crusades, the first of which saw the birth of Mendev itself."
Hiko gives a bow in response to Zyneste’s high praise. “It’s a pleasure to be able to bring such pleasurable memories to mind, though I’m sure my tea is a very pale comparison to your late husband’s.” She gladly whips up another cup as soon as the woman finishes her first cup.
At the question about the city, Hiko reaches back to her pack and pulls out a small map of the city. “Ah, you must have just reached the city! Here, take a look at this map.” She lays out in the center of the group a map depicting a nearly perfect diamond of a city, with straight walls ending in large towers on each corner. Inside the large thick walls are smaller walls connecting each corner to a large structure in the center. “This is Nerosyan, as you can see it’s a diamond shape, which is why we call it ‘the Diamond of the North.’ It’s divided into four different districts by these smaller internal walls here. There’s the Egelsee District to the southeast here, they have the cheapest and fastest letter couriers here. Next to that is the Confluence District to the southwest, if you want some Minkai food there’s a great restaurant right around here.”
“To the northwest there’s the Woundward district some of the best lodging in town can be found here. Finally there’s the Battle District in the northeast, if you’re in need of supplies, this might be the best place to go looking!”
A small lithe woman moves through the crowds of crusaders and Pathfinders, wearing no armor in comparison to the rest of the men and women around her. She catches sight of your party milling about, and weaves her way over to you. ”There are some open seats over there, if you’d like to join me!”
She leads you to a spot that has a sense or relative calm despite the people thronging about on all sides. Taking out a small pot of hot water and a tin she starts moving as if to make tea. “Would you like a cup of Tian tea? It is very relaxing and can be very warming on a chill morning such as this.” She pours as many cups as people wish, before introducing herself. “I am Hiko Umeyama and I’m from the Lands of the Linnorm Kings. I have been stationed here for a few months Do you mind if I ask you you might be?”
Feel free to take the time to make introductions, the first act is originally intended to get people seated and settled into character, so we have a few days to get introduced. Also if you can’t or don’t want to roll for knowledge checks, Hiko can also provide much of the same information, provided you prompt her in the right way first!
Hiko explains all of the magical and religious things she learned from the tomb. "It was very interesting. The place had been set up to be a proper Tian-min barracks with many comforts and practice areas set. But the place was almost all maintained by magic so it could subsist on it's own making it ideal for situations where only a few people can live there. On the other side it looks like the people living there were all Tian followers of Apsu, if Estra has the holy symbol right. Their efforts to keep the whispering tyrant sealed is what probably killed them though... It's certainly inspiring if a little sad."
Hiko moves up to the sarcophagus and peers inside, curious as to what or who might have died here. She takes a good look at the armor, enamored with the historical artifact of her ancestral home, that somehow made it to Avistan much like her family. But her attentions then move over to the actual body of the person and she examines the form trying to figure out how they died.
She glances at Estra aas the woman starts to cast a spell. "Oooh, good idea!" Hiko then grasps her rebus and chants a quick spell. Before turning back to the body.
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Heal, guidanced:1d20 + 10 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 10 + 1 = 23
Hikone shivers slightly as the unnaturally intense cold seeps through the thin layers of her clothes. She responds to the Red Robin's inquiry, not quite realizing that it was rhetorical. "I don't know but it was certainly cold!"
She pops her neck and waves her arms around a bit trying to get rid of the sense of chill around her, before noticing that Estrada and the elf are almost at each other's throats. She moves over slowly hands up and a calm smile on her face. Imposing her slightly shorter than five foot frame between the elf and Estra, Hiko starts in calm measured tones. "We don't want to cause trouble here. But we agreed to split the rewards and we should open things together as well..."
Glancing at the still shivering gnomes, and the rest of her group for that matter, Hiko holds up her pendant with the Master's Rebus on it. Glancing at the elf she comments, "As a show of good faith I'll even help heal your friends." Before chanting a prayer to Irori in a pidgin of Ulfen and Tian. As she finishes a wave of calming energy washes out of her symbol, bathing the people in the room in it.
"I'd be glad to help you open the tomb, and if you still don't feel safe I'll give Estra here my holy symbol to hold while I do it."
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Will Save DC 15:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18Sucess, but she still took some damage...
Channel Energy:2d6 ⇒ (4, 4) = 8 Diplomacy aid another:1d20 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 1 = 8 Ahhh, dangit she just missed it! Opp, and I took too long typing this up on my phone and got ninja'd by a rogue (typical) and a paladin (surprisingly)
Hiko notes that the basic attacks of the group seem to be affecting the creature normally and that there are quite a few people crowded around the beast. She decides to take advantage of the opportunity and moveup behind everyone and around to the back side, drawing her flame-motifed wand as she goes.
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Sorry no computer access during the day today!
Hiko is taking a double move to move 70' feet to right behind the creature without provoking unless it has reach.
Hiko, peering over people's shoulders, looks on worried as the floating cloud thing starts getting closer to the group. Not wanting to get on the front lines and not sure if she wants to use a spell on the group just yet she decides to ry something that may or may not work. Grabbing her holy symbol she chants a short spell and watches as a few gallons worth of water appears over the creatures head. AS it splashes down over the creature she rushes up north of Bock.
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Casting create water (it can't hurt right?) and then moving up.
As she catches up to the group, Hiko starts stuffing all of the weapons she received from the gnomes'n'elf into her obi. After a moment or two she starts to clink and clank as she moves.
When she gets to the room it's just in time to see the lock coming off and the door opening, trying to peer around the much taller people in her way. "Umm can you move? You're kinda in the way!"
When she gets a clear view of the swirling mass of stuff, energy, tiny things? in the room, Hiko whistles. "Welp, that's not something we can see everyday. I... don't know what to say. Uhhh" Hiko decides to raise her voice, making it reach to the back of the room, alternating through Tien, Ulfen, Common and Draconic, she says, "Hello! Can you understand me? What are you doing here?"
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Possible Knowledge (Religion, Arcana( or spell craft, all same modifier:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Hiko gingerly accepts the weapons, her fake smile twitching slightly as she tries to keep her eyes on what the elf is doing. I hope I'm not doing anything too stupid here...
As she steps back fro the three with all noticeable weapons in hand, she nods at the elf's suggestion. "I'm rather curious what might be behind this door! Feel free to lead on."
As the group moves to the next room she hangs back with Sheelah and anyone else willing to listen to her for a second. "I don't trust that elf. I don't know if he's up to something but be on your guard."
Hiko slides into the room, and takes an interested look around. After a second, seeing that the paladin isn't doing anything she steps forward, her copy of The Master's Rebus hanging from her neck. "I don't follow Iomedae, but a follower of Irori is someone you can trust just as readily... And I probably couldn't even use anything you give me."
If they agree, she moves forward and arms outstretched to receive their weapons.
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Perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 Sense motive, just in case?:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18
Hiko tries to follow the example set by Daedin and move as quietly as possible. She seems to stumble a bit though, but stays quieter than Estra and her walking stick.
Moving in behind everyone else, she eyes the group before whispering to Sheelah. "Well, are they okay to try parley with? I, for one, would like to know what they're up to in here."
Hiko returns the Red Raven's bow and then comments "It was no problem. I'm glad I could help."
As soon as Daedin has cleared the room for everyone to enter, Hiko moves up to the bowl. she examines it for a moment, curious as to what the runes might be. When Estra comes in and looks at the substance in the bowl, Hiko also takes a look at it. "Want some help with that?"
Hilo walks up to the man in red and decides to give him a shot or of the warming wand. She waves the red wand and with a flick produces a tiny flame on the end of it. She the prods the flame into the Red Raven. There's a momentary sense of sharp heat before it fades into a lingering warmth. Hikone frowns as the wand barely does any healing to the man. She gives him another jab, and then another, followed by two more. "Hmm, maybe this wands the one that's defective..."
Hiko takes the wand as a way of fending off the embarrassing compliment and tries to see if she can figure out what it does. "You needed someone to figure out this wand right, let me take a look at it... I think I recognize this! It might be a wand of..."
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Spell craft:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 Ooooh a twenty, please let that be enough! And Hiko is killing the spellcraft checks despite not having more than a +4...
Well then, I shall be glad to help! Also how many points are you down/do you want to heal?
Hiko strides up to the man she still doesn't quite recognize. "Oh, then I am more than happy to help! Which do you want, the warm one or the cool one?" She trusts an icy blue and fiery red wand at the man letting him take his pick.
Blushing slightly at the compliment from her elder, Hiko mumbles something about recognizing things easily, and her love of orange vegetables.
Hiko walks up to the paladin and asks to see if she can do something with it. Giving it a test on Bock, her face lights up. If you want I can use that for you!"Oh this is a wand of infernal healing! It seems like it's working fine, too! " Looking around at Bock and Sheelah, she blinks a few times before it dawns on her. Blushing slightly over her possible mistake she asks quietly, "Wait was I not supposed to say that?"
Quickly deciding to move on from her faux pas, the cleric flourishes two wands, one a bright red and the other an icy blue. "If anyone needs, I have a few wands of healing... the non-evil kind, of course!" Having relapsed back to that subject she looks over at Estra and the blood she's slowly leaking. "Estra you took a hit there, want me to pacth you up?"
Expanding her gaze to the rest of the party she continues. "I've always got them at the ready if you need, but let me know if you want the hot one or the cold one."
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If it's really a problem to mention what spell it is, then I won't, but it seemed like something she might do.
Hiko is going to wait for Sheelah to take her turn before acting, as her strength surge only lasts until the start of her turn again, but just to keep things moving I'll post her actions in a spoiler
Don't open until Christmas or Sheelah takes her turn whichever happens first:
Hiko gives the paladin a nod and then takes a second to fish out a stick of wood that is carved almost like a flame. She steps in closer to the statue getting right in between Sheelah and Honaire. Looking back at Estra, she comments. "I'm going to touch your husband again, but only if you're okay with it." If the cleric gets permission she reaches over and pulls the power of Irori into the ectoplasmic creature. She then tries to wipe the resulting goop off her hands. If she doesn't she reaches over and pulls the power of Irori into Sheelah again.
Move to draw one of her CLW wands, Free to five foot step and standard to Strength surge again.
I'm sorry Bock, but Hiko is going to cast her Insta-Kill, no save spell... JK, there's practically nothing she can do against something like this, unless it's extremely weak to channel energy can has a horrible will save.
Hiko gives start of suprise when Estra cries out behind her. The cleirc turns just in time to see all of her companions gang up on the now moving statue. She gives a small curse in Ulfen and moves in behind Sheelah. "Sheelah I'm going to boost your strength for a bit, try not to go too crazy!"
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Move and using Strength surge, giving Sheelah a +2 to her next attack
At Estra's words of anger, Hiko does a brilliant impression of a Deer caught in the lamplight of a speeding coach. After a second she starts trying to stammer out something before Estra breaks her bluff.
Rebuffed and thoroughly embarrassed, Hiko gives a shy nod and slowly, very carefully, with her eyes half one Estra, reaches out to touch the spirit. "He's goo... uh, very soft!"
He seems nice to have around, especially if he takes care of you.
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In the room with the statues, Hiko takes a look at the two statues, "I wonder what the history around these are? But it seems like there's nothing else to be seen here, shall we press on?"
Curious as to what or who this Honaire that Estra keeps talking about Hiko watches the ritual with avid interest. As his form seems to coalesce in the mist, Hiko's eyes widen with surprise. "So Honaire is a ghost? You can call on ghosts? Wow! That is amazing! Can I touch him?"
As the older woman keeps talking and finally mentions that this man is, well was, her husband, Hiko's eyes bulge slightly. "Wait, is that what you meant by your husband 'coming back'? I was afraid you joined the pathfinders because your estranged spouse tried to come back into your life and you were running away from him... This is a much better situation."
At the pool, Hiko looks over Daedin's, Honaire's and Estra's shoulders to try get a good look at the baths. When she does, she shakes her head. "You can definitely see the Minkain influence here. That is something anyone from there would love to have."
When the group comes to a T-intersection, Hiko points off to the north. "How about we go that way? I'm curious as to what that statue is of."
Hiko, deciding shooting at the vines when they're wrapped around the woman, tries a different tact. Muttering a prayer to Irori in Tien, she steps forward and tries to keep her concentration on the blessing she is calling down while avoiding the lashing tentacles.
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5' step and using Strength Surge which is a spell=like ability and should provoke. Hiko is going to cast it defensively but I have no bloody idea what the 'spell level' for it is... :-/ Defensive Strength Surge DC 15+, Focused mind:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Just to satisfy my curiosity and make sure I'm not screwing up names right now, who is adventuring with us right now, Aric of Havlon or [sparkles] The Red Raven [/sparkles]?
There's no way the developers would add a sparkle tag to the code, is there?
Hiko takes out another bolt and notches it into her crossbow. She gives a start when Estra taps her on the shoulder, before looking around a realizing that she'd been blocking the way. Taking a step over, and realizing the common sensations of a guidance spell, she turns to Estra. "Sorry for being in the way! Also, I'll freely admit I'm not the most skilled of fighters, and I am working on it, but helping someone more talented might not be a bad idea..."
The cleric then takes a moment to recenter herself and pulling on the guidance the older woman so benevolently provided, fires a shot at the vines being harassed by the spiritual sword.
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I'm not sure if the vines count as being engaged or have soft cover, so I'm just going to roll this regularly. Crossbow light, PBS, guidance:1d20 + 5 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 1 + 1 = 23 Damage:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Hiko gives a couple of blinks in surprise as the glyph creates something completely useless... I guess I should have expected this. The place is set up exactly like a shooting range.
She takes a look at the vine attacking her companions and decides she should probably get in there and help as well. she takes a few strides forward pulling out her previously loaded crossbow. She takes a good defensive place behind Bock and gives a small prayer of thanks that the vines are so far up that Bock and company aren't blocking her shots.
"Hmmm, I'd assume it was likely responsible for that gust of wind there, but it might create something else. Let's see if I can get it to activate."
Hiko mutters through a couple of likely command words before arriving on the correct one. Watching the glyph do it's magic, Hiko also catches sight of Daedin shootin arrows at the vines. "Hm, wouldn't something that could cut be more useful?"
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This seems to be one of those rare cases where my character know something in game that I don't know out of game. Would the glyph just happen to use the minor creation spell, and is there a set activation word or should I make one up?
Sorry for the lack of posts the past few days. I was really out of it and my schedule had been messed up, but I should back on track.
Hiko's eyes light up as she gets a good look at the glyph. :Oh, this is a glyph of minor creation, my parents had one just like it in their workshop! I would probably guess the command word is something simple like blow or gust or possibly those in Tein. But with a few seconds, I can probably get it to activate when needed."
Soi caught up in the glyh, Hiko misses Daedin's advance into the room until the vine's movement catches her eye. "Hmm are you sure we want to be going in there? Do you think the gusts of wind would help at all? I mean maybe that's how this tomb was set up?"
Hiko sidles in behind Daedin and Bock, curious as to what might be living in a place as foreboding and uninviting as this.
"Oh, interesting, vines and a rune... But I wouldn't think there's enough fo a breeze to be moving those vines around. Shall we shoot an arrow or crossbow in their direction to be sure they are just vines?"
Hiko then grabs out her crossbow and starts loading it.
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Perception:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26 Knowledge Arcana for the mark (Spellcraft has the same modifier if arcana is useless:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
As it slowly dawns on Hiko that Alric might be flirting with her she blushes deeply and starts trying to stammer out something for a bit before taking a second to stop and re-center herself. After a few deep breathing exercises, she looks Alric in the eye and very calmly says, "I might need a second glass of that after all..."
Daedin pulls in most of Hiko's attention when he starts talking about his consort's death. "My that sounds like a story! I'd love to hear about it in more detail if your willing to share!"
When Aric brings out the wine and glasses, Hiko gladly takes one, but she ends up sighing over the nobleman's choice of toast, before taking a moment an d thinking of a response. "Pardon my sighing, but 'trying' also rhymes with 'flying.'" She takes a sip of the wine, before draining the glass. Handing it back to Aric, she comments, "As far as I can tell it's a nice wine, but you wouldn't happen to have something stronger, would you? Almost everyone back home would laugh if they heard I was drinking something this weak..."
Hiko gives a clap at Bock's rhyme. "I like that message a lot better! Hmm, Bock, is it? What drew you to the Pathfinders?"
Hiko acts slightly abashed at having her own question turned back at her. I guess I should have expected that...
"It's one of the best professions in Golarion for travelling and also a good way of learning new things and bettering onesself. It also has the added benifit of being a job my parents condsider 'acceptable.'" Hiko gives a slight smile at the last bit. She takes a moment to flick soem of the snow from her hair before asking the question that had been puzzling her. "If you don't mind me asking, where is your husband? Joining the pathfinders after him coming back almsot makes it sound like you..."
Realizing she's probably tripped over a line of conversation that would be decidedly 'not good' to continue down. Hiko turns and pulls Daedin into the convesation . "Uh, Daedin, you've been pretty quiet over there, what made you join the pathfinders?"
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For SOP,
1). Hiko will cast guidance on herself and then help Daedin with percept'ing the doors for traps. (Perception of +12, +13 with guidance).
2). Hiko will stay around the middle of the group, crossbow drawn, and holy symbol in hand if needed.
3). I have no set standards or extremem opinions one way or the other (as long as it isn't 'going the other way and leaving') so clockwise sounds good to me.
For general tactics, Hiko should probably keep to the middle of the party, as her AC mediocre for her level, but so she can heal, channel or notice things as needed.
I was dusting the cobwebs off Hiko here to get her ready for a game and realized that I don't have a chronicle from one of the games she played on here a few years ago. I looked at contacting the Gm but it seems his last post was July of last year. I know the VO's can issue a new one, but I'm not certain who I should talk to about this...
The game in question is this one from a few years ago. I believe we did everything we needed to, and I know Hiko didn't die. Otherwise, I think she just bought a CLW wand and that's it.
Hiko, when do you need the chronicle? I will attempt to provide a replacement chronicle this weekend.
Soon would be good, but this weekend is just fine!
At some time Hiko is going to get a headband of wisdom. This is not that time, nor the time to get anything else.
In the tavern Hiko picks up the two wands. "I can readily use these and would be glad to hold on to them unless someone else wants them." She also picks up one of the holy waters, and puts it away in her pack.
As the group packs up to leave, Hiko moves over to the Taldan newcomer and asks, "Have you seen much Minakain art? My family is from there, but I've never been... The name is Hiko, by the way. And you are?"
Hiko cheerfully wanders up the slope in her thin outfit, seemingly fine with the cold, the rain, and, eventually, the snow. She spends most of the trek next to Estra, interested in the old woman's experiences and travels. "So what made you want to join the pathfinders? How long have you been in the society? Don't tell me you joined when you were young...er?"
A Tien woman dressed in what looks like a cross of Ulfen breeches and a Minkaian kimono, suppresses a small giggle watching the old woman who'd almost been dosing off pop up with the unexpected cheering. Her face then turns a little flat when she hears what the lady says. "And would choosing a page at random really be a problem? I'm sure any place we could go would have something to learn about or from if we looked hard enough..."
Hiko does however give a start when the Venture-Captain bolts up. "Minkai!... art? You startled me there, mind if I take a look?"
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Skill check time! So many knowledge religions!
I was dusting the cobwebs off Hiko here to get her ready for a game and realized that I don't have a chronicle from one of the games she played on here a few years ago. I looked at contacting the Gm but it seems his last post was July of last year. I know the VO's can issue a new one, but I'm not certain who I should talk to about this...
The game in question is this one from a few years ago. I believe we did everything we needed to, and I know Hiko didn't die. Otherwise, I think she just bought a CLW wand and that's it.
Okay, I guess I also wasn't expecting this to get started (in character that is) until February. I'm okay with starting now, it just means my plate'll be more full than I had planned on.
GM, I am curious about how you normally prep a scenario. For example, how far in advance do you like to start? Is it different for PBP and face to face? Also what do you generally like to do when prepping? Do you have a set schedule or order? Are there certain things you like to do when preping a scenario, such as rewriting intro dialogue or setting up things a set way?
Also I have started getting Hiko's cfharacter sheet ready, but I found she is missing a chornicle. It doesn't affect her level (with it, she'd be an adventure away from level six, without she two...) and I will be contacting the VO's, but I'm not sure what the rules about playing her are.
Forum User Name: Sedoriku
PFS Character Name: Hiko
PFS Number: 108507-1
Faction: Grand Lodge
Dayjob (if applicable):Profession (Scribe):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15 Anything else you need me to know: I haven't played with Hiko in a long time, and there are a few things that I need to bring up to standard. She is level five so can go with either sub-tier.
"This seems like a good idea... Do we have any idea why he was here in the first place? It seems like an odd place to be... One last question though, should we stow the rowboat and sail this boat back into town or do we leave the large boat and take the rowboat instead?"
With this question left for everyone to ponder, Hiko starts to clean up some of the blood and spilled buckets of chum. Even if they were to leave to boat it would be polite to leave it clean...
