Jacen Ramirez's page

Jacen leaps out of the mist, taking care not to land on Yuriel.

Athletics 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Jacen tiptoes around where he thinks the pit trap is.

Move to P10. I'll take my other move action once the fog of war is revealed.

Happy new year everyone. Here's to a 2012 that's better than 2011 in every particular.

Congratulations on making it into the RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32! :D

Jacen plods warily through the mist.

Stealth 1d20 ⇒ 3. Move to S9.

"Sí, amigo. We shall wait until the mist provides maximum concealment."

"Sounds good, Yuirel. I'll join you in the breach, as I only have short-ranged spells." U4.

To Team Distraction he says, "Just give me a shout if the kobolds pour out of the gatehouse."

"The gap in the wall near the west tower seems a good option. What do you think?"

"The gap does sound like the safer option."

And upon hearing Booj's report, "Hopefully the pit is the only hazard, and that the distraction will draw away the guards near the gap."

"Agreed. Let's head back over there and wait for Señor Booj to return."

"Oh. Right." Booj looks to Jacen, as if for confirmation.

"Yes," nods the cleric, "proceed."

Turning back to Tryg:

"Kavast wants the faithful to be inspired by the role of the lion as protector and guardian of its pride. However, as you have noticed, there is a darker side to any animal. Hence Kavast reminds us that during the anger of battle, even civilised folk are prone to give in to feral bloodlust."

"The longer I participate in this conflict, the more I fear I will start to relish slaughter. And every day I ask Kavast to save me from that abyss."

"As you prefer, Tryg. You are welcome to travel these savage lands with us."

"Kavast is the deity of courage and honourable warfare," explains the Pezari.

"Although not one to start wars, Kavast does not shy away from duty if the innocent, or kith and kin are involved."

The cleric ponders the theological meaning of the symbol before continuing…

"Well met, Tryggrdottir of Valsgarde. I am Jacen, servitor of Kavast."

"That you choose parley over violence, proves you are trustworthy in the eyes of the Lion of Courage," he declares while pointing to the lion-shaped symbol of his god.

All that Jacen notices is the cold, until Booj points him in the right direction.

Perception 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12

Clutching his holy symbol, the Man of Evo Pezar heads towards the disturbance.

"Let's check it out, Booj," whispers Jacen.

I took Shield of Faith for my Level 2 Utility Prayer and the feat Last Legion Officer. Retrained Invigorating Assault for Brand of the Sun.

"Well met, Andros. I am Jacen, humble servant of Kavast."

So do you do this for a living, or was this simply a passing good deed?

The cleric ponders for a moment before saying, "I guess we do seem to keep running into these sorts of situations, so I would have to say the former."

Jacen leaves the looting to Booj. He wipes his blade on the sleeve of one of the kobolds before descending the tower. He reassures the dejected Yuriel with a pat on the shoulder.

Don't feel bad, the good thing about being a defender is that you're already doing your job just by getting in their faces. And less pots being flung at the rest of the team, the better.

Having heard Armand's announcement, Jacen makes room on the crowded tower by shifting to J7.

Jacen concentrates on the kobold in front of him.

Invigorating Assault
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20 vs AC; 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 damage and Yuriel gains 4 temporary hit points.
___

AC 17; Fortitude 14, Reflex 14, Will 17;
24 of 24 HP; 8 of 8 Surges; Init +0

You can be either on the tower top (in the middle of the enemies), or 1 square down the stairs (in the middle of the enemies, but with cover) and heal Booj.

I will pick the first option.

Jacen knows that Kavast values loyalty and courage above all, so with faith in his god, the cleric joins friend Booj on the tower top.

Healing Word
Booj can spend a surge to heal surge value + 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9.

The bar can be passed as a double move, or someone could spend the action to finish breaking it completely. For the stairs, each square is difficult terrain. The stairs are 3 squares high (so 6 squares of movement to get to the next floor, 12 to the roof).

Jacen expertly limbos under the bar into the tower, and runs up the stairs.

I double move past the bar into the tower. Use my Action Point to run 7 squares up to the next floor. Am I within range of Booj to use Healing Word, and have line of effect?
___

AC 17; Fortitude 14, Reflex 14, Will 17; –5 Penalty to Attack Rolls & granting CA until SONT
24 of 24 HP; 8 of 8 Surges
Initiative +0

The cleric turns towards the direction indicated by Booj and waves to the person on the path.

"Greetings, stranger. I did not expect to meet another soul in this part of the wilderness. So tell me, are you the custodian of these woods?"

Nope, Booj's on the tower top 30' up, and the heal is a burst 5.

Okay, instead of doing this, (and assuming Yuriel is still in G9 and I'm still in K10), Jacen will move to F9 and pit the resilence of the locked door against the might of Kavast's Key…

Lance of Faith
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 vs the door's Reflex for 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 radiant damage.
In the unlikely that hits, Yuriel gets a +2 power bonus to his next attack roll against the door.

Minor action to heal Booj with Healing Word, moving if necessary to gain line of sight.

Booj heals surge plus 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 HP.

Ready an action to use Lance of Faith in the event that more enemies make on appearance on the battlements.
___

Jacen moves to L11, hoping for a better angle on the kobolds.

Free Action: Divine Fortune
Effect: Jacen gains a +1 bonus to his next attack roll.

Minor Action: Healing Word
Effect: Yuriel can spend a surge and regain surge plus 1d6 ⇒ 6 HP.

Sacred Flame
1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13 vs the Reflex of the kobold adjacent to Booj for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 radiant damage.
On Hit: Yuriel can make a saving throw.
___

Jacen moves to K10, where hopefully he'll have line of sight to both Booj, and the slinger at J8.

Sacred Flame
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24 vs K2's Reflex for 6 + 4 = 10 radiant damage and Booj can make a saving throw against being on fire.

Kavast is pleased with those who courageously take the fight to the cowardly kobolds.
___

The kobold shrieks in pain and then yells something back in an indiscernable sibilant language, yet the amount of snark is audible. The strike is motivation to help Yuriel fight through the burning cinders, but they stick and the pain persists.

"If pain persists, see a doctor."

I just noticed that my avatar looks like Dr House played by Hugh Laurie.

Jacen unleashes Kavast's holy fire upon the nearest kobold slinger.

Sacred Flame
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19 vs S2?'s Reflex for 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 radiant damage.
On Hit: One ally Jacen can see (Yuriel) can make a saving throw.

Move to F29.
___

Instinctively, Jacen clutches his holy symbol with one hand where making the appropriate gestures for Lance of Faith as he scans for distant enemies.

Any further thoughts on my build before I expand it to a fuller format?

Andros, as a human druid you get another druid At-Will power in addition to the three granted by the Balance of Nature class feature.

If I recall, Aardvark DM has a house rule where humans can instead trade in their bonus At-Will (or some other starting racial feature) for another +2 to a stat of their choice.

Jacen sees no fault in such an endeavour and happily follows the rest.

"The top of the tower would make a good vantage point," offers the cleric.

"Did you see a door in?" He asks Booj.

Using the tree in front of him as cover, Jacen keeps an eye on the tower.

"Jacen, what does Legio standard practice say in this situation? Something about scouting, I think? And then a surprise attack, I imagine. Booj, do you fancy seeing how many Kobolds infest that tower?"

"Yes, and send the slave auxiliaries in first, unfortunately."

He turns to Booj, not expecting him to like, nor agree with that procedure.

R24

Jacen does his best to move quietly in his chainmail, "Be wary, for these kobolds are both crafty and shifty."

"Yes, the ruined fort shouldn't be too hard to find during the day."

The cleric looks left and right before inconspicuously leaving the comforts of civilisation.

The cleric looks around for Seljak, hoping the seasoned veteran is up for another fight.

Upon receiving such boons, Jacen bows solemnly to acknowledge the trust placed in team by the mayor and his people.

"Part of me wishes I could have convinced Roedd to stay. But being truly free means I must accept his decision," Jacen stares off into the horizon in the direction where he thinks Roedd's homeland is.

Later, out of earshot, he says "So what is that grey cloak exactly, and who should have the use of it? I would have said Roedd... but who now is our scout and guide?"

Arcana 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (18) - 1 = 17

"Such garments should be washed separately from garments of a different colour or school of magic."

Jacen scratches his chin, "Yes, I have that feeling too. It is no coincidence that a dabbler of the dark arts is drawn to a place like this." He points to the aforementioned valley, then frowns at the possibility that each member of the team might end up waiting for the others at a different place.

Seeing Yuriel's unease, the cleric asks: "You seem troubled my friend. What ails you?"

Booj simply looks confused.

"Never mind," says Jacen as he shrugs. He decides to find another time to persuade Booj not to just resignedly accept his lot in life.

Armand enjoys the rest of the evening, but his head is already filled with daring last stands, falling kobolds and necromancers brought to task.

Are we setting a watch?

Seeing Armand lost in reverie, Jacen stands adjacent to the sorcerer and asks, "Do you think our hooded friend has behind left spies or some sort of welcoming committee?

As Jacen tucks into his share of rabbit stew, bread and cheese, he turns to Booj and suggests,

"Well, employment is a step up from slavery, is it not? Just think of all the things you could purchase with kobold gold… like a warm, hand-knitted scarf [see picture] from that merchant's stall, for instance."

Jacen is relived that what could have been an explosive situation is defused by Yuriel. BTW, thanks for watching my back!

"Well, we can certainly help you with your kobold problem," he declares, "it's the least we can do after such a… misunderstanding."

Turning to Roedd, Jacen addresses the misunderstanding between the shifter and himself, "My expression to you was merely my surprise at how moved you were to the plight of (as well as how willing you were to speak for) the good people of Merimer."

"I have never thought of you as 'less than' myself or anyone else in this venture. As far as I'm concerned, you were symbolically free long before you tore off the shackles of that ghastly collar. You did your thing, while we did ours, and it only mutual respect that bound us on the same journey."

"So if this grievance has become too painful to bear, then I would be reluctant to stop you if you sought sanctuary amongst the free men and women of Merimer." Jacen looks to Mayor Gerus for his reaction to this.

At Roedd's outburst, Mayor Gerus can be seen shaking as from a silent chuckle, "It appears you may have a little dissension in your ranks, Sir. It seems not all are driven by the mission you may be on." he states after regaining his bearing.

Checkmate Gerus! I'll just offload him onto you instead! ;)

Roedd looks Jacen square in the eyes, "Damn good question. And one that deserves a damn good answer."

Jacen sees Roedd's confrontational gaze and raises him a cocked eyebrow combined with a squint of disbelief.

Turning to Gerus he says, "Although I find your philosophy of 'do what you will, so long as it harms none' to be admirable, I for one, feel it would add insult to injury if my friends and neighbours returned home not on stretchers nor in coffins but as shambling, abominable, mockeries of life."

The cleric turns sadly back to the shifter, "Your kith and kin have no special exemption from such an ignominious fate if this purveyor of undeath is not caught and brought to justice."

"This slave is confused. Aren't we the army, Boss?"

"Correct, Private Booj," says Jacen as he turns towards Gerus to clarify and allay any fears of arrest.

"Though remember that we are a part of an important task force formed to investigate the necromancer that has been taking advantage of the chaos of war."

He produces the burnt-out shell of a black onyx gem as if the ritual component were a key piece of evidence.

Seeing the excitable goblin on his sleeve the priest asks,

"What is the matter, Booj?"

"We thank you, Mayor Gerus for your hospitality. And what, may I humbly ask, is the name of the community over which you shepherd?"

And with that Jacen makes a wide, sweeping gesture with his sword hand encompassing most of the town.

Jacen stands well back from the proceedings, alongside Yuriel.

"Those that have lost their homes are probably desperate and believe they have nothing to lose."

The cleric turns to watch Roedd stroll boldly into the camp, adding, "I guess we'll find out soon enough,"

He readies his holy symbol of Kavast.

If he can see into the palisade, Jacen tries to look for signs of activity, the number of people, and their intentions.

Perception 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Insight 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

"Yes, if our quarry had left the road he would have left his horse behind, so let us keep going along the road."

Jacen sticks to the edge of the track, ever alert for the sound of riders or other traffic. He melts into the forest if he hears anything approach.

Jacen is determined to find something positive about this spur-of-the-moment camping trip. While chewing his cold rations, he looks up at the sky and notices that the stars seem to shine brighter here in the wilderness than back at the smoky, torch-lit camp.