Horatius Lartius's page

Thanks for the runs Lyn, hopefully get to do one again with you in the future.

No purchases at this point. I believe this sheet will level Horatius though (woot) so I'll update his profile once the sheets are out.

Horatius nods in agreement with Thaurux. "It is unfortunate but it would seem the braid was at the heart of the demise of the monastery. The community there was undermined by jealousy and mistrust and now houses only the creatures of the highlands. From what we have learned the monks overcame their pettiness in time but what they had built was lost."

Didn't realize there was a second book . :) Horatius is ready willing and able.

After taking a bit of time to rest and enjoy the company of his companions Horatius asks about the lodge to see if anyone can translate the writing he copied down from the cave.

Burn it to the ground and take their stuff? :)

Horatius spends most of the trek down focused on the trip itself. Traveling downhill at first seems like it would be easier than the difficult climb but sore knees and joints quickly make their opinion known. None-the-less making their way across familiar terrain eases the effort and soon the town they started at is before them. Rising plums of smoke speak to warm fires and inviting inns hurrying the parties pace.

In the relative safety of town Horatius is glad to once again walk among a larger community. The stark beauty of the untamed mountain wilderness is near to his heart but it's where goodly folk carve a place for themselves within such a land that his spirit truly lies.

Sitting with his companions he asks, "Perhaps it might be worth asking about the two monks who left the monastery before we depart. It seems likely that they would have stopped in town after making the descent."

Horatius takes a few moments after his morning prayers to once again take in their majestic surroundings. The long views and serene landscape have a calming, centering effect and it's easy to see why the monks chose to make their home here. Feeling a bit refreshed he turns to preparing for the day and begins the trek once the party is set.

"Agreed, there is no sense in exhausting ourselves."

Horatius assists in setting up camp before seeing to his gear.

When all of that is done he'll ask Thaurux, "You have some skill with languages my friend. Would you look at the writings in the cave and see if you can translate them?

"Thank you my friends, Erastil was surely with us. Unfortunate that it needed to be done, but best done swiftly if at all."

Horatius cleans his blade before sheathing it. He nods to the group and begins the long hike down the mountain.

Distaining the need to slay the creature but unable to ignore it's threat to the party Horatius charges forward, a battle cry to Erastil on his lips, to hopefully end the battle swiftly.

Attack w/Charge + PA: 1d20 + 5 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 - 1 = 18
Damage w/PA: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 6) + 7 = 18

Congrats! I'm glad to hear mom and baby are good :)

Horatius moves to the final unexplored room, lets the party get in position and then opens the door.

No Linguistics love?

I wanted to give you all a heads up that I'm going to be away from the 19th until the 25th or so and won't be able to post anything during that time. I should be back online the 26th but possibly earlier. I don't know where we'll be when I disappear but feel free to GM-PC me if necessary.

Horatius nods "As Leiff has recommended, let us see to the last room of this temple and then we can prepare to make our way back down the mountain."

To the spirit he says, "I wish you well in your own reflections Jiang Dan. May you find the wisdom you seek."

Once out of the room Horatius asks, "Is anyone skilled in languages? Perhaps the journal we found or writings from the two brothers might carry a clue to the monks fate. I lack the skill to decipher them however."

Horatius nods at the mans statement. "Such a statement is evidence that you are well on your way. It is a wisdom shared by both Irori and Erastil that a man must take responsibility for himself. I would advise only that you consider that such individuals brought together in community are stronger than any one alone. As to the braid itself, we are but couriers. If you have warning that might aid those we bring it to we would be in your debt for it."

"Or aid we might render?"

"Greetings Jiang Dan, it is an honor to meet you. Are you the master at this temple? Do you know what happened here? I am afraid that it has fallen to time, violence or both. It has been some time since word from the temple was heard and we were sent both to investigate and to retrieve the Braid of a Hundred Masters. Do you know of it's fate or that of the monks who lived here?"

When the voice first sounds in his mind Horatius looks about trying to find the source. Discovering no obvious speaker and realizing he hears it from within his mind he shakes his head trying to clear it of the intrusion while noting his fellows similarly distracted. Finally when it fails to depart and he begins to recognize the words he responds, "I am Horatius Lartius, devoted of Erastil and Pathfinder. I am sorry to hear you have been without communion in so long. To whom do I have the honor of...speaking?

Horatius steps into the room and gazes at the statue.

K:Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

"Any sign of the braid?"

Seeing that the creature is indeed fleeing Horatius looks back to the party, "We should continue our search and move on."

He'll then help look around the room before moving back out to the open area so they can investigate the western passage.

Perception to search the area: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Horatius rushes to the door where he halts, weapon again at the ready, watching the creatures path.

Move to the doorway (where the yeti was) and prepare to attack any threat that comes in range.

Moving forward Horatius places himself between the party and the creature. He keeps his sword leveled and at the ready but does not move to attack.

Preparing an action to attack the creature if it advances toward the party

Following Thauruxs advance Horatius enters the room as well and attacks.

Attack w/IC: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 5 + 1 = 20
Damage w/IC: 2d6 + 4 ⇒ (4, 1) + 4 = 9

Horatius tries to follow up on his companions attacks.

Attack w/ IC - PA: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 1 = 6
Damage w/ PA and IC: 2d6 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (6, 5) + 7 + 1 = 19

His mighty blow is thrown off however when the blade catches the edge of the doorway.

Horatius advances to add his blade to the battle but is unable to land a blow.

Attack w/PA: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage w/PA: 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (5, 3) + 7 = 15

Walking out into the training area Horatius takes a moment to consider the mosaic.

K:Reglion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

The foreign symbology eludes him however and he turns his attention back to Theor.

I took the liberty of moving Lyn to the doorway. I'm guessing that was where you wanted her.

Horatius steps out into the training ground. He's careful to keep Theor in sight while giving him enough room to make his investigations without interference.

Horatius follows into the room allowing Lyn and Leiff to move past so he can provide a rear guard. Once in he notes the rubble, giving it a look to see if it contains any dangers.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

When Theor indicates he is ready to open the first door Horatius makes his way up the stairs and moves past the rannger. Sword at the ready he takes a position a bit south of the rest to watch for any activity from that direction while the party looks to the room.

[ooc]Paladin in place :)[/b]

The worst of his wounds closed by Leiffs magics, Horatius picks himself up and surveys the scene. Retrieving his sword while thanking the bard he then applies his own healing before the group moves one.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Back to full

Did a bit more digging and am feeling my original thought on grease was wrong. Although your movement is impaired spaces don't cost double to move through and so it's not really difficult terrain in that sense. Therefore my new and improved thought is that you can 5' step but need to make the appropriate Acrobatics check.

This has a bit of discussion on it.

Back to the battle, so did he Gaze or start tearing Horatius's face off? :)

It may be that there are effects going on that provide for some of this but I believe the yeti used three standard actions in that round...

1. Frightful Gaze (Supernatural ability)
2. 2x claw attacks (Full attack)
3. Short spear attack (would need to draw it as a move/part of move so no full attack)

On the Grease topic I don't believe you can take a 5'step. Grease doesn't specifically state that it makes the area difficult terrain but does only allow you to move half your speed and then only with an acrobatics check. The 5' step rule says you can't take one if your movement is hampered by difficult terrain or darkness.

Don't think I'll interfere with Theor so I'll post Horatiuses action...

Catching sight of the threat Horatius acts quickly to defend the party.

Attack w/ Charge + PA: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16
Damage w/ PA : 2d6 + 7 ⇒ (2, 1) + 7 = 10

AC -2 for the next round

Horatius scans the area, his vision lifted to the sky above for a moment by the mosaic. Shaking his head at his own naive wonder and returns his focus to the ruins around the party.

Perception: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Moving into the area he makes his way toward the fallen bell to make sure the rubble hides no threats.

Taking in the once proud building Horatiuses face turns a bit grim.

"I suppose this state of things is not unexpected given our guides words about the loss of contact with the monks. I had hoped we might find it otherwise though."

"We should be careful. Whatever is at the root of this may well have taken up residence." he warns while drawing his sword and gazing at the broken doors.

When the party has had a moment to rest he advances forward with them.

Unable to translate the writings Horatius instead does his best to copy them down for later translation. Once done he prepares his gear, confirms the fire is out and then sets out with the rest.

Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Fort: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

During the evening, after seeing to his gear and any of the party's needs Horatius spends some time looking about the site and cave. Eventually he stops in the back of the cave and considers something he finds there.

"There is some writing here, perhaps in the local language. Are any of you able to translate it?"

"Thank you. It is good to hear that their legacy of diplomacy lives beyond them."

When talk of camping here comes up Horatius adds his agreement. "That would seem for the best. The light will not hold much longer and I think we will be grateful for whatever warmth it can provide during the remainder of our travels."

He'll then draw his sword and investigate the cave to see if anything has taken up residence in it.

CLW for himself
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Once his companions are healed Horatius turns the wand on himself, issuing a brief prayer of thanks to Erastil as the healing magic flows through him. By that time Theor had lowered the rope and so he replaces the wand and begins the climb out of the ravine.

"Well done." he says to Theor, a bit out of breath from the climb.

when they approach the twin pillars Horatius pauses to take them in. "These must be the "two brothers" we were told of. Tell me Leiff do you know much of them? Are they more than mere markers on the road?" As he listens to the bards reply he takes a few minutes to look about the structures.

T20 Perception = 21

What time of day is it at this point?

"Of course."

Horatius then proceeds to heal the party

Rather than me guessing at it if everyone wants to roll what they need for healing and then we can tally the total uses at the end.

Horatius begins dispatching the fallen and collecting their belongings. "Erastils work is never done..."

Slowly Horatius rises from the rubble and debris that had half covered him. Each movement brings a new discovery of pain but he manages to get back on his feet. Looking around he sees only Thaurux is moving, the rest of their companions lay on the ground, bloodied and injured. Thankfully they all seem to still hold onto a spark of life.

Choked by the dust filled air he only nods in answer the the wand Thaurux offers and begins setting it's magics to work.

Horatius will try and get a feel for who among the fallen is most injured but if nothing stands out he'll start with the closest (most likely Lyn)

Heal check to triage: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Heal Lyn: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8
Heal Leiff: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Heal Theor: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

At the cry of alarm Horatius dives towards Lynthara and does his best to shield her from the falling rocks.

Reflex: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Sorry should have mentioned that it's a Linguistics roll. See spoiler above

"I'm afraid I am not well trained in the art either. I will take the lead if needed but it would probably be best for one more skilled to do so." Horatius states. While the party discusses their options he hands the journal to Leiff. "This journal may have some information of interest but I'm unable to decipher it. Can you make heads or tails of it?"

Horatius draws his bow and keeps a look out while his companions climb down. Once they have done so safely he sheathes his weapons and descends.

T10 for a 12

Anything of interest in the journal?

While those more skilled in survival look about the area Horatius takes a few moments to look through the journal, waving Lynthara over if she's free.

Between the bards healing melody and the wand Horatiuses vicious wounds start to close and knit. The bleeding quickly stops and new pink flesh begins to form over the worst of them. A few moments later the unnatural stillness falls from him and he gasps in a great breath of air only just maintaining his feet.

"Thanks you Master Gunnarson, your timely intervention is most appreciated."

Taking a moment to catch his breath he uses the wand again before responding to Thaurux.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

"I agree. If there are more of these foul creatures we must deal with them now both for our own safety as well as for others who might follow. Is anyone else injured?"

I could be wrong but I think it's more of a slope than a drop, is that correct?

As for Horatius, yes he gets a +2 AC vs his Smite target but with the negatives from paralysis he'd be eating both claw attacks.

Horatius's head lulls slightly after being mauled by the ghoul. Blood flowing freely from the wounds, only the paralysis of his muscles keeps him standing.

Ouch, glad I picked up that CLW wand :)

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