Jaed Zandorias's page

I wouldn't say I did not enjoy this last module. Actually, the beginning was pretty fun but it is true that towards the end it got a bit frustrating (which was probably aggravated by the lost of Finnrick and Carrakas) due to some brutal fights.

All in all, I personally had a lot of fun during all this adventure and I want to thank you, DM, for doing an awesome job. It was a long run (3 years, I've just checked the first post) during which I enjoyed developing Jaed from a naive youngster to a seasoned rogue. And thanks to all the other adventurers that participated too! :)

Jaed is happy that Raheem gives at least some payment for all the suffering they went through but his mind is focused on his more than possible tiger problem. He remembers being bitten by the tiger-man so the first thing he does with his share of the money is search for a cleric that can tell if he is in fact cursed and, if so, could provide him with a cure.

Jaed feels uneasy after seeing the body. After some thinking during the ferry trip he decides to talk to his companions.

"Did any of you had these weird dreams at night were you, well," this is going to sound stupid, "feel like animal and go hunting? I have been having those since we fought the tiger-man. Do you think our minds could be connected somehow? That he may be following us because of that?"

As Marzela is, by far, the best diplomat I think she should be doing the talking. Maybe to try to convince Raheem that we did the best we could with the resources we had.

"They are not going to be happy when they find out that we could not finish those damn cultists," says Jaed clearly displeased.

you may need to do some convincing to get him to pay you.

Fair enough. We will have to somehow explain we were underpowered to deal with the whole sect and hope they will understand it.

Okay, nevermind. No fight. We can't agree not to report. Might as well leave.

I suppose we can always lie but that will require a bluff check. Or promise we will leave immediately but then send a message to the thakur. But again, I suppose that will also need some kind of bluff check.

@DM: If we just want to leave now, no duel or whatever, are we free to do so?

I'm not determined to do the duel, I was just thinking that, as we will probably lose whatever we do, the duel may serve as a farewell for Carrakas, sacrificing himself for a remote shot of winning and going back with a prisoner to please the thakur.

Anyways, Jaed would agree to take the money and leave. We can go back and tell the thakur where the temple is and who the leaders are. I've just reread the conversation we had with him at the beginning of the adventure and he did not instruct us to kill the cultists (Jaed even ask for extra payment to that end and he refused).

I don't see how we can win this fight against 3 bosses and 4 goons. Jaed can deal good amounts of damage but only if he can get to a flanking position. With Finnrick and Millsy out, the only one that can help with that is Carrakas. So the lost of Finnrick was very bad for Jaed's fighting style.

Also, the only one that may have a shot in a duel is Carrakas. Now that Carrakas player has left the game, what if we negotiate that whoever loses the duel has to stay with the winning party? If Carrakas wins, we bring Zaafira back with us. If he loses, he has to stay in the temple. If we lose, we can always go back and tell the thakur what we found and hope they will agree to a rescue party. Would that be something that Zaafira would agree to?

I don't want to be the one making the call by myself. That's too much pressure :) Does Lily have any preference?

Jaed is tempted by Zaafira's offer but he just looks at his companions without saying anything.

"A duel? Should we really believe that you will all surrender and come with us if we win? What guarantee do we have that we won't have to fight all of you anyways?"

If someone falls from the platform, does he or she lose the duel or is it a duel to the death? If we are going to accept the duel the best option would be Carrakas if it's to the death or Jaed if dexterity is important. What do you think?

"We are not here to talk politics. As you said, we are foreigners, we could not care less. But we were hired to find a murderer, or assassin if you wish, and to stop the threat against the thakur. I suppose you won't do that even if we ask very nicely and I don't feel like joining a band of lunatics again. So what's gonna be?"

Are the wooden beams fixed or could they be pushed down?

"Ok, I'll open the door. Just don't throw anything at us."

"Oh, nice. I wonder if we could just pick all of this and leave," says Jaed with a smile when he sees what's behind the formerly closed door.

Once the group packs all the loot (and assuming nobody will really second the idea of leaving) Jaed moves next to the remaining door, inspects it and listen for any sounds on the other side.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.

Jaed checks the rooms for anything valuable while his companions take care of the door. They already know we are here so I don't think the noise is going to change anything.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.

Jaed tells the other what he sees and then goes check the northwestern door.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.

"Mmm, locked? Let's see if I can do something about that," says the rogue while he looks for his tools.

Disable device: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (10) + 20 = 30

If the door opens Jaed searches the room. If not, he will peek around the corner at the end of the hallway.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps.
Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (7) + 16 = 23

Jaed inspects the northern door for traps and listens for any movement on the other side.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22 +4 to find concealed or secret objects and an additional +4 to find traps

If everything seems in order he opens the door.

Do you want to follow the woman? We would probably have better chances against her in closed quarters so I would say we go after her.

Jaed keeps waiting for an opportunity to attack.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (6) = 13 last d6 is fire damage

Jaed stays where he is and prepares to attack if the woman get within reach.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (9) + 13 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (4) = 15 last d6 is fire damage

Thanks, that's what I thought. The bull rush is a risky move so I will save it for later and only if it's needed.

As I interpret the map, the pillars are 10ft apart so Jaed, with a reach of 5ft, won't be able to attack the woman, am I right?

As an option, would it be possible to bull rush or jump and push her out of the pillar she is standing on? Which kind of check would that be?

Sounds good to me too. I'm not sure how effective Jaed is going to be during this fight without any ranged attacks.

It probably was Jaed who reached for the jewels first as he was the one inspecting the offerings. I don't know if the curse affects the first one touching the jewels or just Marzela in particular but I will roll the will save just in case.

Will save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

"Ouch! Who is attacking us know?" Jaed tries to recognize the figure in the shadows.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Not sure if it's a human or some kind of monster Jaed moves closer to the pit, ready to attack if their foe gets within reach. Readied attack:

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (19) + 13 = 32
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (5) = 12 last d6 is fire damage
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (12) + 13 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (4) = 16 last d6 is fire damage

Jaed turns left (a.k.a. West) at the end of the passage. Unless anyone has a feeling we should head another way.

Jaed picks up his sword before inspecting the offerings. "I have a feeling she did not like me, even if I didn't understand what she was saying."

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 +4 to find concealed or secret objects

When everyone is ready, Jaed will lead the way North through the closest passage.

"Nice done, Lily!" says Jaed from the floor before standing up (which will provoke an AoO).

"Hey big guy! You can start the smashing whenever you feel like it," says the rogue with a smile.

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 44
Frost sword: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 13 + 2 = 33
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (1) = 10 last d6 is cold damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 6, 2) = 11 + Disoriented: -2 penalty on attack rolls. An additional -2 penalty on all attack rolls against Jaed.

"Hey! Give that back!" Jaed moves his frost sword to his right hand (I believe this is a free action) and attacks once Carrakas is in place.

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 36
Frost sword: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 13 + 2 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (1) = 13 last d6 is cold damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3, 2) = 14 + Disoriented: -2 penalty on attack rolls. An additional -2 penalty on all attack rolls against Jaed.

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 76
Frost sword: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 8 + 2 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (4) = 15 last d6 is cold damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3, 6) = 21 + Bewildered: -2 penalty to AC. An additional -2 penalty against all attacks made by Jaed.

lol, I'm starting to feel like a Pokemon trainer with all these "it's not very effective" attacks :)

Jaed moves around the woman, keeping an eye for attacks while he does.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 17 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 17 + 4 = 37

Once in position, he signs to Carrakas to move to the other side of their foe and, once he is in position, the rogue attacks.

Miss chance: 1d100 ⇒ 2
Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 13 + 2 = 34
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (2) = 13 last d6 is fire damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 2) = 9 + Disoriented: -2 penalty on attack rolls. An additional -2 penalty on all attack rolls against Jaed.

And he fails miserably...

"Let's have some fun cutting off all those arms."

Jaed moves next to the woman and attacks.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (18) + 13 = 31
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (6) = 16 last d6 is fire damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5, 4) = 14 + Disoriented: -2 penalty on attack rolls. An additional -2 penalty on all attack rolls against Jaed.

"Were have those cowards gone?"

Jaed approaches the shrine and inspects it and the offerings.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17 +4 to find concealed or secret objects

Jaed takes a quick look for anything hidden in the room

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21 +4 to find concealed or secret objects

and then crosses the hall and heads towards the room on the other side (the red one).

Seeing nothing of interest Jaed leads the way through the passage to the North (the one leading to the blue room).

Perception (trapfinding): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (9) + 21 = 30

Do you want to go after the cultists? It's probably a bit risky and I would be more inclined to scout the area first but I'm ok if you prefer to try to finish them off. If not, Jaed will move to the center of the room looking around for traps.

Perception (Trapfinding): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (11) + 21 = 32

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Jaed stands his ground and continues the attack.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (3) = 12 last d6 is fire damage

Frost sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 5 + (5) = 11 last d6 is cold damage

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (1) = 12 last d6 is fire damage

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (4) = 14 last d6 is fire damage

One question about the curtain. Would it block Jaed and Carakas' attacks if they take a step back? They are a bit exposed right now so if the curtain is not an obstacle I would end Jaed's turn with a 5ft step back.

Jaed keeps attacking. The attack order is clockwise, starting with the cultist on his left.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (13) + 11 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (4) = 13 last d6 is fire damage

Frost sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (2) = 13 last d6 is cold damage

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 6 + (2) = 12 last d6 is fire damage

Crit confirm: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (6) = 15 last d6 is cold damage

Knowledge local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21
I'll pick hit dice

"Here we go again. There's 10 of them." The rogue takes a step forward and attacks the cultist on his left. I'm assuming that the curtain does not prevent taking a 5ft step. If it does, Jaed will take a step back and ready the attack.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (4) = 15 last d6 is fire damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 5, 2) = 17

Frost sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 5 + (6) = 17 last d6 is cold damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 2, 6) = 16

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (2) = 10 last d6 is fire damage
Sneak attack: 4d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 5, 2) = 10

Jaed nods at Marzela and carefully looks from one side of the curtain.

I forgot to update Jaed's character sheet in myth-weavers. The correct disable device modifier is 20. Sorry about that. I will roll the reflex save as a punishment :)

Reflex save: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 12 + 2 = 25 Last +2 comes from Danger Sense.

Jaed realizes that the second trap just in time to move away and cover his ears. "That's their doorbell, I suppose."

Once near the curtain, he waits for Marzela's fine hearing to catch any noises. If she does not hear anything the rogue will, very carefully, peek around the curtain.

Stealth: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22

That order sounds good to me.

Linguistics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

Jaed looks at the runes and he notices that they probably are Vudrani symbols. With Marzela's help they translate them: they describe annihilation, darkness, and the unknown, as well as verses from Dhalavei's holy texts.

"Not a nice welcome. I suppose all these cults like to scare people away," he says before carefully leading the group into the mountain.

Jaed will keep an eye for traps along the way.

Perception (trapfinding): 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (20) + 21 = 41

Sure, let's rest then. Either close to where we are or back in the village if we cannot figure out how to deal with the vetala's body.

Does someone have any spells that can remove the Cha damage? Just thinking if it makes sense to go back and heal or should we keep going once we take care of the vetala's body.

Feeling strangely empty after the fight, Jaed simply nods to Lily's suggestion while he quietly looks around the corpses for some loot.

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

Jaed takes a step to the side and tries to hit the vetala without opening his eyes.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (3) + 11 = 14
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (1) = 9 last d6 is fire damage

Frost sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 5 + (2) = 10 last d6 is cold damage

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (2) = 14 last d6 is fire damage
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (1) = 9 last d6 is fire damage

"Thanks Marzela!" With renovated strength Jaed moves again next to the vetala, but not before closing his eyes. I suppose this counts as being blinded but there is no need to roll acrobatics to move faster than half speed because it's a DC 10 check.

I don't have many fighting options with Jaed apart from swinging his swords, which is clearly not very effective. However, Jaed can be a distraction so the vetala focus on him while you use whatever spells you have to attack it from a distance. Apart from the Cha damage (I will have to think about how to role-play a character with 2 charisma), I think he can keep up for some rounds.

Regarding the fights, personally I don't mind about not being able to kill all the monsters or even failing the module objectives. I'm more interested in the story, which can be also a good story even if we "lose". So if a retreat makes sense story-wise, I'm ok with it. If we keep fighting and we are defeated, then that's also ok. As in real life, you cannot always win.

@DM: I didn't realize (stupid me) that "gaze" actually implied looking at the vetala's eyes, even it was pretty clear now that I reread the first post. So, I have a question. If gaze affects Jaed at the beginning of his turn, couldn't he just start his turn with the eyes closed, open the eyes, attack, and then close them again? It sound a bit gamey to me but within the rules.

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Jaed is neutral so, as DM said, he would be affected by the spell. And seeing that his attacks are not very effective and that he is becoming the least charismatic rogue in the world...

Tired and frustrated, Jaed moves away from the vetala to catch some breath.

Fort save (Touch attack): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
Fort save (Gaze attack): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

Are we sure there is no way to damage the vetala? If it's so, we'd better run. I'll try another attack now that there a no zombies around to see what happens.

The vetala's hand feels like nothing that Jaed's has felt before but he somehow knows that it could've been worse. Not afraid of the ghost he takes a step forward and attacks the zombie hosting it.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + 6 + (1) = 12 last d6 is fire damage

Frost sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
damage: 1d6 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 5 + (2) = 11 last d6 is cold damage

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (4) = 11 last d6 is fire damage

I'll wait for the result of Marzela's actions to see if Jaed can move around the Raging Rubble affected area and attack the vetala.

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Close one... but Jaed will indeed fall unconscious if you keep rolling 4 Cha damage every time ;P

"Oh, sh..." Being surrounded by raised bodies is not a nice place to be. Jaed tries to stay calm and attacks the vetala.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 6 + (2) = 9 last d6 is fire damage

Frost sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (6) + 6 + (3) = 15 last d6 is cold damage

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (3) = 12 last d6 is fire damage

A reminder now that Jaed is completely surrounded. Thanks to the "Improved Uncanny Dodge" feature he cannot be flanked except by a rogue of at least level 12.

Moved. By the way, does Marzela's channel also heal? I assumed so but I remember something about healing and harming being mutually exclusive.

Fort save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Jaed attacks the zombies in front of him. If they are already dead by Marzela's channel he will instead double move next to the vetala.

Flaming sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (2) + 6 + (6) = 14 last d6 is fire damage
Frost sword: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (10) + 11 = 21
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (4) = 13 last d6 is cold damage
Flaming sword: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
damage: 1d6 + 6 + 1d6 ⇒ (3) + 6 + (1) = 10 last d6 is fire damage