Hey, guys. My wife has just gone into the hospital as we prepare to welcome our first child. Posting may be sporadic, and I won’t be able to do anything on the maps for a while.
I should be back to mostly normal in a couple weeks.
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Igor looks at the others, considers Aaaggghhh for a moment, and then carefully goes over the wall the orc had just gone over.
Maybe. Give it a day or so.
Holding up the jewel, Igoroskandrallanotly says, "A useful tool. It does not lead out of this room, perhaps, but it is as I said - there is more to this room than meets the eye. I will look to the wall opposite the door. Someone should check the remaining wall without a door." The jewel slips into their belt pouch, and they do as they said they would.
Deceive always thy enemy but never thyself. A lesson I know well, now. Igoroskandrallanotly had believed themselves safe in their disguises, had deceived themselves into thinking they couldn't be discovered. The accursed Versarius had shown him the error of that belief. The doppelganger slowly turned in a circle, looking over the room. "Naught but a lantern and a door. There is a trick to this room, I think, based on the words I heard. We are apparently to learn lessons in these rooms, so perhaps the lsson for this one is 'Deception is a tool. Self-deception is death. Deceive always thy enemy but never thyself.' Let us search the other walls of the room for any secrets. We appear to not have a time limit, at any rate." Igoroskandrallnotly moves to the wall to the left of the door when facing it, and begins to search it for any secrets, carefully going over every inch he can see and reach.
Igoroskandrallanotly carefully observed the Cardinal’s byplay with the murderous bugbear. Tiadora’s abilities, in particular, they made note of. I was right - she would be a most formidable foe. The bugbear’s punishment was noted, and the Cardinal spoke of his gauntlet. The doppelgänger nodded at Mei’s sentiment and said, ”I am prepared. Let us do this.”
Upon receiving the Cardinal's summons, Igoroskandrallanotly dons their new armor beneath their clothing and gathers together their alchemical supplies, disguise materials, and thieves' tools. They also take the signal horn they took out of Branderscar, in case it is needed, as well as the dagger and crossbow they'd retrieved. Upon their arrival in the altar room, they note the...clearly inhuman creature and the naked slaves against the wall. Combat, or sacrifice? That is the question. Will we do battle with this creature, or give it one of these slaves as blood payment? The doppelganger otherwise says nothing, waiting for the Cardinal to speak.
Igoroskandrallanotly considers, then says, "I require several alchemical reagents and the instruments with which to mix them. I will provide you with a full written list. I would also trade this armor for one of higher quality, and I require a kit for making disguises, to better enable my infiltration abilities. A crossbow with sufficient bolts would be beneficial, as well as well as some lockpicks. I'd also like some raw materials and access to a laboratory with which to create some alchemical weapons. Your assistance with this is most appreciated."
During the downtime, Igoroskandrallanotly refines the alchemical skills they'd learned during their time as Versarius's...minion...and focuses on imbuing their alchemical concoctions with some magical essence. Though most could not be used by others, they were able to use their restoratives on others, and the others seemed capable of caring for themselves. The doppelganger particularly pleased with the discovery they'd made which allowed them to fortify their organs, and restored some of their shapeshifting abilities - enough that they could move vital organs from where they were expected to be to another part of the body, anyway. It didn't help with disguises, unfortunately, but it might let them live a little longer. The mutational formulae they discovered were advantageous, as well, although the side effects were less than ideal. The doppelganger would have to find a way to mitigate those. When not working with their alchemical formulae, they trained with Fiain, as both were quite used to fighting with claws. The hound was a skilled combatant. When boredom drove Aaaggghhhh to the yard, he proved to be a fearsome warrior as well. The doppelganger would also spend time conversing with Reginald about magical theories. They'd learned a few things from their time in Versarius's captivity, and Reginald's training and education made the ogre a most agreeable and sophisticated conversationalist.
Hi, sorry for the silence. I was doing some work on my house, and thought I'd have more time to post than I did.
Igoroskandrallanotly narrows their eyes, but nevertheless takes the dagger and signs the Pact before taking their copy. It makes sense the Cardinal's pact would include loyalty to Asmodeus, and if I must choose a deity to align myself with, he certainly isn't the worst choice. The doppelganger tilts their head quizzically at the mention of training. "What training will be required? Do you think the Talirean soldiery will stop hunting us?"
Technically, Igor had not agreed. They always intended to, as they are fairly certain refusal = death, but they wanted to clarify their role in this before doing so.
Igoroskandrallanotly nods, then says, "Very well, then. I am willing to work with you to bring about the fall of Talingarde and to raise up a new kingdom in its place. I look forward to this." And to the wealth and rewards I will earn in your service, the doppelganger thinks. They suspect they'll never be able to reclaim their stash in Ghastenhall, so building up a new one was the only course of action.
Igoroskandrallanotly coolly observes the human's fiery and impassioned speech, a blank look on his face. So, our mysterious benefactor worships the god Asmodeus. Not the worst choice, but I must question his sanity a little bit. He seems very emotional, and bent on revenge. I don't think I want to be under his thumb - but then, refusal means death. Patience and submission are the keys of the moment, I think. The doppelganger inclines their head to Cardinal Thorn, then says, "Your assistance in this matter was most appreciated. Death at the hands of the Mitrans was not what I would consider a particularly pleasant end. I see no issues with aiding you in this endeavor on the part of myself, but I must ask, what role will we play in this crusade? I must admit, the possibility of being used as expendable shock troops is no more appealing than the fate that awaited me yesterday." Igoroskandrallanotly patiently awaits the Cardinal's response, face once again blank.
I'm fine with both of those options. I'm only intending to max myself out at three natural attacks (feral mutagen + my claws), so the 5 attack limit is perfectly acceptable to me. I'm thinking about getting bone-spike mutagen as well, but those function as masterwork armor spikes, even though they're made of bone, so I'm not sure if they would count as natural weapons or not.
True - it is pretty easy to break a natural attack build. I usually don't go the natural attack route, but the chance to play with mutagens and their affect on a shape-shifting doppelganger was too good to pass up. GM, please ignore the second question. I will have to hope I can find an AoMF for the rest of the attacks at some point, and will make my right claw the magic one for now.
The doppelganger turns to face the Hound as he comes through the door. "Fortunately, most humans aren't blessed with as powerful a sense of smell as you." Igor takes several of the components he took from the Warden's office and mixes them together before pouring it into a bowl and putting it before Fiain. "Drink this. It has restorative properties that should so something about those rather painful-looking wounds."
Really? You think they would have taken natural attacks into account for ABP, given Druid Wild Shape is a thing. GM, will it be possible for me to, at some point, get an item I can choose as my weapon attunement that will act as an Amulet of Mighty Fists? That, or could I have natural attack types count as one weapon? For instance, both claws would be one weapon attunement, bite would be a separate weapon attunement?
Igor shakes their head at Aggghhh. "I care nothing for your smell - I don't even have a nose, normally. I thought you would merely wish to present yourself as an imposing warrior for our mysterious benefactor, as opposed to a slovenly savage."
Okay. I'll take infusion down the line. Now, do I want Igor to be right handed or left handed, since I can only choose one claw. That or start going more of a weapon-based route. How do monks replicate an amulet of might fists using ABP, I wonder?
Mei, I think you should only switch to Cleric if you want to. As Dahlia said, Warpriest would give you the chance to maintain your position as melee fighter while giving you divine cleric utility options. A Warpriest is an incredibly effective fighter - I really enjoy playing them. It also allows you keep your focus on kukri through Focus Weapon and being able to choose Fighter bonus feats.
I actually did not intend to take infusion, although looking at the description of Infused Curative, it only applies to cure spells and breath of life once I get it, so it would not apply to lesser restoration, restoration, or my various "Remove" extracts without GM approval. I think I will take the Chirurgeon archetype. If the GM allows the Infused Curative ability to apply to lesser restoration, restoration, and remove X extracts, great. If not, then I'll take the infusion discovery down the line for those. This applies the below changes to my level up. Level Up: Chirurgeon archetype
Skills: 4 + 3 Int + 1 FCB = 8
Background Skills:
Class Features: Discovery (Preserve Organs), poison resistance +2, [s]poison use[/b] infused curative, torturer's eye Base Formulae Book: cure light wounds, disguise self, long arm, shield, true strike New Formulae: comprehend languages, deathwatch (from torturer's eye) Incidentally, vivisectionist gives me regenerate, so I should be able to make myself a decent single target healer. I just can't do AoE healing. EDIT: I have a question about Automatic Bonus Progression. Does my weapon attunement apply to both claws if I choose claws, or just one?
...you know, I Ctrl-F’d restoration on Archives of Nethys earlier, and it didn’t show up. Yet I check again now, and sure enough, there they are. I guess if I grab the Chirurgeon archetype, I can handle a decent amount of things. Don’t Wizards get Break Enchantment as well?
With the GM's permission, I can add the Chirurgeon archetype onto my PC. It replaces Poison Use and some of the poison resistances, but it allows all of my cure extracts to be infusions, and eventually gives me breath of life as an extract. I do get a few Remove X extract options, although no ability score restoring options. I also have Use Magic Device and a decent Charisma, if we can acquire some wands.
I have a question about this line from the intro post: The feeling and effects of the collars they used on you are gone and you feel mostly yourself again. Does this mean we regain monstrous abilities? Igor's shapeshifting is quite limited, currently, and I'd like for them to be able to expand it. Level Up
Skills: 4 + 3 Int + 1 FCB = 8
Background Skills:
Class Features: Discovery (Preserve Organs), poison resistance +2, poison use, torturer's eye Base Formulae Book: cure light wounds, disguise self, long arm, shield, true strike New Formulae: comprehend languages, deathwatch (from torturer's eye)
Igoroskandrallanotly had been in worse environments than the muck of the moors, and they were glad to be free of the prison. They were curious about their strange benefactor who had freed them from their confines - obviously this benefactor would want something in return. The likely outcome of refusal to aid this benefactor would be death, of course - someone this powerful wasn't likely to allow any creature to wander away knowing of the assistance they'd provided - but hopefully it would not be too onerous a task. Seeing the woman who broke their chains, he nods. Clearly the master's right-hand woman. A coveted place, I think. Looking at his compatriots, he said, "Once we have all dined, washed..." here with a specific look at Aaaggghhh, "...and dressed, if anyone wishes, we can discuss our much improved circumstances." He then motions for his slave to lead him to his room.
I'm still here! I was just away for the weekend. We do have Blackerly's locked chest. My other loot is a dagger, crossbow, chain shirt, and we have the Warden's wardrobe. As for continuing, Igor is obviously best suited to infiltration - he's a doppelganger, after all. That said, the majority of the remaining monsters are not particularly well-suited for the infiltration, barring powerful magic, so it may be best for the group if we go help the Fire-Axe.
Yep. I also technically had some in the second floor of the guardhouse, too, but if it works better for you, they can not be there.
I wrapped up this fight. If you want to cinematically wrap up what's left, Cardinal, that's fine by me.
Ooo, I like it. A cloak, perhaps, that can help hide him from detection. Perhaps it starts with an effect like Lesser Nondetection, and eventually grows in power to include an Undetectable Alignment effect and Nondetection?
I'm trying to come up with something for Igor - something that would be thematic. Maybe something that improves his stealth capabilities, or ability to bluff?
Igor attempts to wiggle the pin in the bottom hinge loose.
Yep, that's what I think.
Grimacing, Igor glances to Reginald and whispers, "I think I'll need to enter the fray. Drop the rope and I'll make it look like I escaped to get into an advantageous position."
Igor does nothing, not wanting to give away the ruse quite yet.
Igoroskandrallanotly calls out, "You fools, whoever betrayed us and freed them, they knew what they were doing! We cannot stand against them!"
Igoroskandrallanotly found a book of alchemical formulae, and mixed one of them up. He then shifted into his human form, stripped the Warden of what he was wearing to put over his armor - good that the clothing was already bloody from the Warden's death - and then held up the extract and said, "This will allow me to look similar to the Warden - I cannot impersonate him specifically, but from a distance and with blood on my face, it should work. Let's get into position. It will only last for 10 minutes." Once they were ready to threaten the warden, the doppelganger drank his extract, and took on as close an appearance to the warden as he could.
Igoroskandrallanotly shook his head. "If I had my full shapeshifting powers, I could, but some poison that was administered to me has limited my abilities in that regard. I hope it fades eventually, but until it does, I'm stuck with only one form I can take. I don't believe Tartarus can take on the Warden's exact appearance, although her ability to mimic a human shape is quite impressive. Perhaps with the right focus, she could develop the ability to do so."
Igoroskandrallanotly eyes the alchemists' lab, then sighs. "Would that we had an hour to wait while I brew a special concoction that would enhance my ability. Still, we must press on, I feel."
Igoroskandrallanotly looks at the clearly still tar-looking human-shaped Warden, then says to Augh, "While it isn't a bad idea, I don't quite think they'll believe it. We might have better luck getting myself and someone else with invisibility on them inside the walls as a fleeing guard." Looking over the room, the doppelganger turns to Reginald and Kahmunash and says, "The Warden has an Office across the hall. What do you say we take a look in there and see what we can find?"
Igoroskandrallanotly takes a look at the finery.
He shrugs. "It looks well-made. If I had my full abilities, I could manage an excellent impersonation of the Warden with it. Gather it up. Maybe we can sell it." Igoroskandrallanotly looks at Reginald and says, "For a wizard, he doesn't seem to have had a spellbook on him. Do you think it could be in that other room?"
Igoroskandrallanotly strikes at a guard within the darkness, trying to bring him down.
Igoroskandrallanotly moves towards one of the guards. He has to wait to set up a flank, though.
Igor's attacks miss, but Eat-in-Shadows and Richter manage to bring down the final guard on the left side of the room. Augghh, Mei, and Reginald attempt to slay the warden. Auggh's attack bounces off the wardens protective magic, as do two of Mei's attacks, but one of her kukri gets through and slashes the Warden, while Reginald's mighty fist smacks him on the head. Together they finish the old man off, and the flaming sphere winks out of existence. None of the guards seems to notice Tartarus is still alive. One moves to assist his compatriot with killing Fiain, the other to assist in killing Gop. GM Rolls:
The two guards manage to just barely bring Fiain down, and Gop is hacked to bits by his two guards.
Igoroskandrallanotly claws at the guard before him.
His claws only scrape the armor.
Okay, so that's 8 people still around. I'll resolve the current combat round and move us onto the next one. It's clear the GM has modified the base stat block for the Warden, so I'll have to guess at what he's done. Hopefully the GM gets back soon.
I mean, I am, but that isn't necessarily a reason for me to take over the game. I'm also currently GMing 5 play-by-posts, and I'm not sure if I can handle another. Besides, I'm willing to give the GM more time to respond. It's been about two and a half weeks since his last post. Let's give him until Monday, at least. Out of curiosity, who's still checking the thread apart from myself, Aggghhh, and Mei?
...Might I inquire as to the reason why?
Hopefully we aren't dead, but he hasn't posted in the game I'm running that he's in for a bit, either.
Igoroskandrallanotly takes a step to begin moving into flanking position on the next guard with Richter and lashes out with both claws at his target.
But he misses.
I'm going to be traveling this weekend. I'll have my phone, but may be unable to post. Please bot me if necessary.
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