Humbert Ardentask's page

So looking over the current party and possible party members (everyone excluding the brawler who isn't posted anywhere yet) I see that the median Charisma is 7. With my shut-in dilettante, historian, occultist, author, and ghostwriter of weird fiction, and very often--cheap pornography--being the the most charismatic person in the party--he has a 10!

Humbert is the only guy I have that played part 1 or A or whatever it is called, but it really isn't his bag baby. I have other characters I could bring but I'm not sure that they fit with the current party mix (as far as the party's overall skills and abilities).

I could bring my huge, angry, bikergang-like Ulfen pirate (Highlight include: Water wizard school, greataxe, Power Attack, Charisma 7, Intimidate +8, lot's knowledges) and then we could name our group the Unlikables, or the Wallflowers or the Creeps! ;) But we might need someone who isn't so aggressive in their diplomacy.

Got my chronicle and boon! Thanks again everyone!

★★★OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT★★★

As Medda and Anok join your group of Pathfinders around the stone circle, she assists you with the binding ritual. Medda thrusts Ivvora’s hilt into the portal, calling on Vildeis for aid. The shadow rift shrinks and closes, releasing a massive shock wave that knocks the Pathfinders, the Twinhorn warriors, and Medda to the ground. A field of dark, rippling energy remains, suspended above the stone altar. As Medda reaches out to pick up Ivvora’s hilt—the already broken blade now spider-webbed with new cracks—a supernatural silence descends. Only the telepathic rage of some unseen menace cuts through the quiet. “You dare to shut me out?” it rages. “I see you, but I do not see her. Where is the dwarf woman, Ivvora, who fought me so long ago? Has her mortal body failed at last? Has the realm of the living at last lost its protector? Know this: when the long shadows reach out again, I will grasp them and claw my way back into your world to see your flesh devoured by my children.”

"Terribly good diction for an otherworldly horror."

Sound returns to the Realm of the Mammoth Lords, and Medda cautiously stands. “It seems that Eshimka still lives and has even left this foul scar on our world,” she declares. “If we are to believe its promises, the fiend will attack on the next winter solstice. If we are to survive, we must be ready. Nearly a millennium ago, Ivvora held the key to defeating Eshimka. By following her legends and discovering her fate, we may harness the same holy power that banished this fiend—and together end the beast entirely.

"Yes, well, good luck with that." Humbert says glad the whole affair is at least temporarily over.

"I'm glad I was with good people such as you throughout this ordeal. Your names and deeds will be known and remembered, I assure you."

"Oh really, that's not necessary. You needn't--really, you needn't."

knowledge (arcana, inspired): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (8) + 8 + (2) = 18

"Oh my stars and garters."

Gravity and natural clumsiness drive Humbert forward through the trees and down toward the stone circle.

Double move.

Humbert comes down the steps, fails to stop and crashes straight through the trees ahead coming out just in front of Makon who is barrelling around a twist in the path.

"AH!"

Double move.

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"Be careful, there's a queer light in the eyes of those dry bones. I sense a malignant intellect guiding their movement."

Recasts shield awaits more info on their foes.

"Comrades be careful! These are Type III, free-roaming, full-torso, ectoplasmic apparitions! They are not fully corporeal their very being is naught but slimy ether! You can disrupt their corpus by hacking them to bits!"

Iovarl looks over the strange humanoid shaped creatures and tries to remember if he's met or read anything about them before.

Arcana, Planes and Religeon are all +8, if any of those help at all.

Yeah, that too! Knowledge (Arc, His, Loc, Pla, Rel): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27

"Mother, Please look out for your dear, sweet, slightly-asthmatic son." Humbert says fingering his locket.

Cast's shield, draws sword cane.

Aid another, anyone? The dice really do hate me. I don't think I've ever had a high roll on a Knowledge check with this character.

I would, but I don't see that it would help much. :(

She shakes her head at Humbert's comments, as if she is disgusted by his emotional appeal.

Failure.

"Ahem. Yes. Well, I'll leave you to your grim-faced skulking then shall I?"

Seeing a slightly friendly attitude emanating from Medda the 'warrior woman' (Heh, he still can't get over it, it's like saying 'President Trump'. It just doesn't make any sense.) He wanders over and joins her collection of hangers on, hoping it might make him more popular.

"UP WITH THE GOOD GODS! DOWN WITH THE BAD GODS!" He shouts, and then coughs a bit afterwards.

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

@Humbert

"Yes, the undead. Too many." Jala says, brusquely, staring at Humbert. She stares so intently at Humbert that he feels like she is peering into his soul.

The deep, deep, dark recesses of his tormented, Hell-blackened soul.... Somewhere Depeche Mode is playing.

"Yes well, I'm sure Makon is enjoying himself with all the animate skeletons--you know, 'crunch all you want, we'll make more'. Heh--err, I suppose it is troubling to have your living friends and family ousted from their lands by what are potentially the remains of their ancestors. I only write about the horror of such things. I doubt I could live it."

I am assuming you all share what you learn. For reasons of time, I am not going to make you all RP it out. Go ahead and do what makes sense this round.

Sure, you can make an ASS out of U [HIM] and ME. ;)

Kragr responds to the half-orc's taunting. He storms out to confront the barbarian. "Who dares call KRAGR a coward?"

Humbert stands stiffly to one side, and points at Makon with both hands. He rushes off to speak with the safer seeming Jala.

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

"Lovely land you have here... aside form the all putrefying walking dead of course."

In addition to Medda, Anok the phantom, and the towering man, there is a fourth person in this room. An old woman with plenty of scars of her own, is calmly listening to the arguments while she fletches arrows. She has to bring the arrows close to her face as she fletches, but her ears are turned towards the conversation. With tanned and wrinkled skin, white hair cut short, and a weathered longbow by her side, there is an intense focus about the old woman, and the other three leaders keep darting glances her way, as if waiting for her to weigh in....

Angela Merkel?!?

Humbert looks over the big man in the bear hide and using his knowledge of primitive northerners determines....

knowledge (local, inspiration): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + (4) = 16

Between the eagle, Atronia, and Makon, all of the zombies are dispatched. The Pathfinders hurry forward into the camp.

"Yes. Well done the two of you. I will recommend you both for special commendation should we survive."

"The way I see it you can either join us on the lines and fight off the deaders until then. If you are more of the leadership kind of folks, maybe you should go try and hurry them up to make up their minds...."[/b]

"Well, at university I was the head of our book club."

Leaders!

Humbert runs forward, not wanting to be left behind.

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16

[They had been men.] This much was clear despite the nauseous eyes, the voiceless simianism, and the daemoniac savagery.

"Did you see?" It was all he had been on about for two days now.

"And then...." He always stopped just there unsure how the tale ended. He must of fallen in a swoon, been dashed in the head by some unseen foe, or perhaps been overcome by what men in the trenches around Gallowspire called 'sword-shock' during the last days of the siege.

"What? Wait! Why are we running toward the ceaseless ranks of the dead? Don't leave me!"

He offers a quick prayer upon the locket containing his mother's portrait and then draws his sword hoping against hope that doing so will quench the terror in his heart.

Draws sword, casts shield.

I'm not entirely sure how difficult the terrain is (steps and so forth) so lemme know if this is feasible.

"Invigorating this bloodshed is it not?"

sword cane v red (charge, raging song): 1d20 + 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 + 2 + 1 = 20 damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

"FOLLOW ME MEN! And err, frogs. HAVE AT THEM! FOR THE ROOOOM! YAAAAARGH!"

Double move, sword in hand.

Casts shield. Moves.

How long between the last and encounter and this one? Inquiring minds with shield on want to know.

Hurriedly, Humbert kicks out a plan of attack in the ground out of ear shot of the pugnacious percussionist and his lackeys "...And then Atronia charges up the middle, wailing to draw their attention, while the rest of us move to- Atronia? Atronia!? I haven't finished the plan yet!"

Precise strike please.

"Let us dash the head from the snake!" Humbert cries in martial fervor. He raises his blade and prepares to charge off in the wrong direction.

At the start of an encounter, each PC can choose to gain the Precise Strike feat (Pathfinder RPG Advanced Player's Guide 167) for the duration of the encounter. Each PC can use this benefit once before the end of the adventure.

So depending on when the GM rules the encounter started.... My guess is it one of those things that we as a group are meant to pow-wow about in-game before the encounter truly gets underway, basically planning out our tactics before the fight.

And I probably would have had to state I was going to use it at the beginning of the encounter.

Humbert takes a step back, draws his sword (so now he is armed) and in a very clear (not shaking at all) voice says "Drop it" indicating the orc's weapon.

He's using Obey which works like the spell command (Will DC 14). If the orc is actually an orc, and therefore a humanoid, he takes a -2 penalty on his save.

Makon doesn't look very good after that.

Horrible! It's like Makon, but chewed....

Double move! Shield

"Pardon me." He says getting the orc's attention.

Hell yeah!

Sure that he is underdressed to meet the vanguard, Humbert clutches the locket with the image of his deceased mother.

He casts shield.

Medda calls out, “Pathfinders, someone is willing to risk Uldeth’s ire by attacking us! I need some of you to meet their vanguard....”

"But I don't know that I have anything appropriate to wear." Humbert calls out a little panicked.

Humbert tells his tales, appropriately embellished with his supernatural spookiness, keeping the chieftain entertained for some time.

"Tekeli-li! Tekeli-li! cried the unnamable monstrosity from beyond time and rational thought. Tekeli-li!" Humbert finishes with his best impression of a wailing, idiot slime beast.

Invigorated by the experience, Humbert slaps his hands together and says: "Well, what's next?"

I'm a little disappointed in myself right there. I figured Atronia prefers telling stories of romanticized real events, so I went for a story of her latest adventure, but I really need to get back into creative writing and work on my skills, 'cause that felt more like a jumbled news report than an entertaining story. Not anything like what I figured I would do when I started. I hope y'all weren't too bored by my attempt, if you did take the time to read it.

Alas, dice do not always match in-game actions. Though I would note that the operative word in:

Borbus => Cleft Head -> looking for entertainment that isn't just violence

Might be 'just'. ;)

Honestly man, who needs a wayfinder in a library? We have female librarians and a decimal system for that sort of thing.

★★★OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT★★★

Medda takes a deep breath. "Over 900 years ago, a powerful warrior named Ivvora came into our camp. She spoke of an angel named Vildeis...."

"Wait a moment. 'She'? The 'powerful warrior' is a woman? Come now that can't be right." Ardentask says with a jaunty laugh.

Later.

"'Belkzen'? Hrmph. They'll never get me to one of those orc holds." Ardentask says fussily.

Still later on the journey to Belkzen.

Dread grows upon me at every turn of the carriage's wheels as we approach the bastion of Makon's accursed kind--Belkzen, the broken land of savagery.

My fellow writers have insisted that I not go meekly into this heart of darkness but rather prepared. Thus, I have packed several days worth of granola and deep-fried kale, and purchased a rather gritty-looking, monogrammed waterskein, and a warm parka and snowshoes for when our expedition inevitably leads us northward to those mountains of madness Medda's people call home. It has been days now and my ears still hurt from the boxing she gave them.... The added weight of all this extra gear is quite daunting, hopefully there will be some staid natives I might hire to carry my things once we are forced by terrain to leave all creature comforts, like carriages, behind.

He's purchasing cold weather outfit and snowshoes (for 13 gp). If forced to carry everything he moves up to a medium load.

At Atronia's tale-telling stage performance for Borbus.

"Apparently the stars were not quite right, Atronia." Humbert says shaking his head. Suddenly his hands go to his ears and he adds in a slightly panicked tone: "But your speaking voice is really quite good."

If his ears aren't boxed, he continues: "I have several stories of my own that they a might find entertaining if only for the tales' more lurid scenes. Oh, but please note, I do use the formal version of Taldane in my stories, so 'color' is 'colour', and 'specter' is 'spectre', and so on. Oh, and that word there is pronounced 'pseudopoidal.'"

Nekked Dice (if he's the one rolling): 1d20 ⇒ 13
Using his knowledge of fear, and if able to depending upon the roll, Humbert uses his amateur investigator ability to augment the end result: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Humbert uses his psychic unseen servitor powers to heighten the spooky suspense.

Should we go ask our superiors for more guidance?

"Well, if you're going to ask me...."

Humbert takes 10... a lot.

ANOK THE VENGEFUL Some cosmic aberration beyond most mortal's ken.

MEDDA SPIRITBEARER A sort of 'extra-large' medium.

TWINHORN SCOUTS Primitive (possibly noble) savages stunted for their kind. I could make a sociological study of them and their relation, if any, to modern homo sapiens. They probably indulge in all sorts of barbaric and superstitious activities that may be of interest to the scientific community. Perhaps I could entice them to stay with the promise of proper religion or the secret of fire or some trinkets or beads.

Humbert shares his (naively condescending) views of the information contained in the spoilers away from the subjects of said spoilers when the opportunity presents itself.

"Q-quite."

Medda responds, “These Blakros people stole our most precious heirloom.” Medda retrieves a bundle of bloody bandages, then unwraps it to reveal a dagger hilt with only the fragment of a black blade. “It belonged to Ivvora, a champion of Vildeis who vanquished the great black evil from our land over 900 years ago....”

Yes, yes, go on. Go on.

Anok responds in his deep, booming and hollow voice, “They came into our camp asking about Ivvora. Medda gave them shelter and told Ivvora’s story, but we would not part with the hilt. The next morning the hilt and the Blakros agents were gone. We tracked it here, to this building.”

"And how did you track this fabulous artifact here exactly? I mean your camp wasn't here on the island was it? Your people come from the north."

Any specific knowledge check to have heard of the item in question?

★★★OVERSEER ANNOUNCEMENT★★★

Nigel Aldain’s announcement echoes through a museum littered with shattered clockwork and toppled exhibits. There’s no question that the Pathfinders have quelled the building’s defenses, and perhaps the peaceful silence will set whoever hides on the third floor at ease.

"I question whether or not we've quelled the building's defenses."

@Humbert- does not specifically state if there are or not. there were in the beginning so I can surmise there would be here as well. Torches would be on the wall. Standard action to take one down

Was Humbert right about the wax man's fire weakness?

Makon's axe bites deep in to the wax figure but it seemingly has little affect! uh...maybe the strange little man was right? fire might work Makon scans the room for torches.

Actually Humbert's above average height and on the gangly side (like HP Lovecraft) or did you mean Iovarl who's like 4 points weaker strength-wise. ;)

When I'm on my computer, I can move objects on a slide. I just don't know how to move them from one slide to another...

Highlight the object you want to move then [Ctrl + 'x'] to cut or [Ctrl + 'c'] to copy it. Click on the slide you are trying to move it to and then [Ctrl + 'v'] to paste the item (or items) selected (and either cut or copied) onto the slide.

Iovarl and Humbert inform the others what they believe the foe they are facing is and offer some bit of advice on tactics.

Was he right? Are there any sources of fire? What does this place use for lamps anyhow? Humbert still has actions, I just need to know stuff before he can take them.

Am I supposed to be able to move my icon from one page to another in the Google doc? I feel silly, but I can't figure it out. XD

Double check to make sure you actually have Google Slides on your device and that it is up to date. It's free from Google. Google let's you look at it even if you don't have it.

Not my turn yet but just getting the roll out of the way.

Unless you are actively researching something in a library, knowledges are generally reflexive. You see a thing and you might recognize its significance. Assuming that holds true:

knowledge (arcana, Amateur Investigator): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (9) + 8 + (2) = 19

The gruesome tallow creature's waxy visage was animated by a crude alien intelligence, and given the semblance of man. Humbert takes a moment to compose a description of the macabre creature in his mind.

"....What is this mockery of a human face?"

What horrible irony....

"True. It is a waxen image of a man given the barest semblance of life as a golem. Certain spells will act strangely about it, however, as with a tallow candle, fire might be of some use against it. BUT BE CAREFUL OF THE OTHER EXHIBITS! We're not here to burn the place down!" This is just a guess. The player does not actually know but.... it is the sort of info Humbert would like to get should more info be forthcoming. Are there any lit torches or wall sconces nearby?

"WHAT WAS THAT!" Humbert looks about in a panic.

knNat (untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

"The museum's guard dogs seem to be frightened by our amphibian-- err, friends. It's just like Wizard Whateley's boy... Oh dear."

Humbert draws his cane sword and boldly draws nearer so that he might better supervise the action.

"Grimus! My good- person. I realize that such items might have little value to a rustic such as yourself, but some of these relics animated or not are considered by many to be unique, one-of-a-kind treasures! Please try to refrain from destroying them with your axe!"

GM Need permission to access the map.

Under a sign that reads “The Shining Armory,” priceless Shining Crusade artifacts displayed on pedestals creak and move by some unseen force. Eerie light seems to dart between the objects while the din of a raging battle echoes throughout the chamber. The central feature is a low, artificial hill atop which stand two stuffed owlbears surrounded by shattered undead foes. Each of the beasts wears chainmail barding and an orange-and-black caparison depicting a stylized owlbear. A dead man dressed in furs lies on the floor before a suit of full-plate armor.

-----

knowledge (arcana, banner): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 special defenses, resistances, immunities

Like it is a part of the will of the Shining Crusade?

sense motive (a hunch about it's motives, and why I feel it has motives): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21

Oh my Gods! That half-breed brute might have just ruined everything!

"I shall have your back, Humbert. I may be a tiny frog person, but I can hold my own in combat. Also, no matter what it may sound like while I'm fighting... I'm not going to backstab you."

Enrique smiles a mysterious, reassuring smile. "I have a certain condition that I can describe to you later, if you want me to."

It was as if the horrible thing were reading his mind! And now it wanted to show Humbert its necrotic rash (for all that's all Humbert could think of at the time)! The horror was enough to make a man of lesser constitution swoon and just then Humbert nearly did.

"T-that's f-fine." Says Humbert. Must be strong. They can probably smell fear.

I'm good.

"Right, who's going first."

Marching order? Humbert calls dibs on the middle. ;)

Knowledge as a skill does have a potential limiter though.

Training You cannot make an untrained Knowledge check with a DC higher than 10.

So he could make the roll but might be limited to a max result of 10.

"The Blakros are a pretty wealthy merchant family from Taldor. They have been allies of the Pathfinder Society for a number of years now and they sometimes invite notable Pathfinders to high-society parties and the like. I also heard that the Blakros family has been involved with some shadier groups during its rise to power though, so we should certainly be wary around them."

"Nonsense! They are allies of the Society. How could they possibly be involved in anything 'shady'?"