Javi the Wasp's page

Wow. You go home for one night and the Discussion blows up.

I do want to dog-pile on your DM'ing style, Dien. You run a good game, but what's really stood out is the way you bring descriptions to life. You have a knack for balancing light-hearted with solid, immersive description. I've enjoyed it immensely (and even stolen a bit from your style, actually ... which is pretty much the most transparent form of flattery, right?).

And about the leveling thing. Instead of leveling Javi, I just went ahead and rebuilt him. He can now see in the dark and never fails will saves. Good times, good times. :D

:: walks off to write an instructional guide "How NOT to help your team as a scout in a tomb. A story by a mind-$&#!# halfling thief." ::

:D

Javi smiles as he looks across the fire at Rosalia, "Yah. And in a few months ... maybe years, I'll be able to get a good night of sleep without having nightmares of that guy." He shrugs, "Still, who can say they've seen what we have? That's gotta be worth a bit of gold, too, eh?"

Agreed. Thanks for leading us through this fun nearly-a-year romp, Dien.

WE WIN!

I think that's the appropriate response. :D

Javi stares into the empty air in front of him for over a minute straight.

”He looked … right. At. Me.” His tone is disbelieving, but picks up as he looks over at the crew, ”And did you see the …” he makes flying gestures, ”… with the faces? On their TAILS? And those … “ his hands make crawling gestures, ” … things?”

Shaggar is silent for a moment, staring at where the titanic figure was. "If the Pathfinders mount a journey there - I'll decline the honor."

Javi looks sideways at Shaggar, and his usual grin reappears, ”I don’t know. There could be some fun to be had there.” The grin melts, ”Then again … he looked right at me.”

As Shaggar and Hatyah set off to reclaim the camels, Javi strolls over to the strewn-about “artifacts” (loot), then gives Rosalia a friendly smile. ”The spell was a good call.” He shrugs and winks at her, ”I still say I could have made the climb.”

And since it's basically just a series of rolls, I'd be completely fine if you make the rolls and narrate them as you see fit. Nothing like some good speed repelling from a vanishing pyramid to get the heart pumping.

"That's dumb," Javi says quickly. "You have the spell .. use the spell. Hatyah can't even climb, for Sarenrae's sake. I'll climb down, and I'll drop when I get near the bottom." He looks over at Shaggar, "You better catch me, you big, hairy bastard."

When the team doesn't do as asked, Javi's face gets serious .. the most seriousest you've ever seen from him. "DO IT!" he barks like a little drill sergeant, "JUMP OUT OF THIS GODS-DAMNED PYRAMID RIGHT NOW!"

Then he winks, "I'll be right behind ya."

How do you want to handle the climb checks? One big block?

With the pharaoh bits pulpified, Javi does his own fair share of wiping at his hands and clothes. ”The sewers have nothing on this place, if you ask me. Give me a good romp through a city’s filth any day.”

He looks at Shaggar and the ring, ”I’m with Rosalia on this one. Why would you even look at it at this point?” When the massive gnoll looks over, Javi gives a ’better you than me' shrug. On the other hand, Javi is quick to follow Shaggar halfway out the exit.

He pauses near the door.

”I’m for leaving,” he responds to Lonicera, and then shoots an annoyed look at Heldar. ”If you’re going to double-check my work anyway, I’m more than happy to go cool my heels while you handle it. Save me the trouble of seeing any more runes, anyway. I don’t think I’m cut out for un-life as a subjugated mummy … too boring.”

Shaggar be like WOMP CHOMP!

Then he be like "what? somethin' in my teeth?"

No current map access, but working from memory I believe this is possible.

Hoping to help however he can, Javi draws out a clear vial as he steps back into the room. Then he throws, looking for the cleanest shot.

Draw holy water, 5' step into the room, throw at nearest swarm
Ranged touch: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 1 = 19
damage vs undead: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 3) = 5

Sorry for the unexpected/unannounced silence. My wife and a few buddies made more of my birthday than I expected. :)

Will, DC 16, fear bonus: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Fort, DC 15: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

There is no room for fear due to the epic amount of stomach content rocketing out of Javi ... who stumbles for the exit.

i don't have map access. Can someone move Javi out the exit. He'll avoid moving through the swarms if possible, but the priority is getting clear.

Javi raises his eyebrows as Heldar steps into the room. ”Oh, sure be my gue—“

His obviously-sarcastic remark is cut off as the sh!t-storm commences.

Just a bit of flavor.

”Oh, sure, sure … you can have my boots. They’re a package deal with my loin cloth, though, which you’ll also have to wear.” He sticks out a small hand or a shake, ”Deal?”

Javi shrugs and pats the wall, ”The only way forward is to break through this. I’m good with moving out.” He grins at Shaggar, ”Though I hear there’s a flying egg we need to pick up first.”

Javi nods from across the room, continuing to inspect the bricked-up wall as he mutters to the crew. "What are the chances any of you know how to move that invisible wall of fore thingy from the entrance of the pyramid to in front of both of these shelves?"

his fingers slide across the bricked wall, looking for any hidden latches, handles, or levers that might give them a way to bypass it.

Perception, taking 20: 20 + 12 = 32; +2 vs traps; -4 visual

"You mean can I discern if the barely-perceptible hum of dozens of jars is coming from the jars, lids, or their contents? That'd be a 'no'." Though javi does nod to Shaggar's followup advice.

And for clarity, Javi will avoid touching or breaking the area of the star on the ground ... that just seems like bad hudu (hoodoo?).

Very nice touch! It was one of the more interesting little encounters. :)

Perception, DC 20: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23

Javi nods at Shaggar’s revelation about the far wall, then tilts his head to the side, pointing an ear at fist one set of jars, then another. "Um ... anyone else hear that buzz? The jars are all rattling, all at once." He looks at the Pathfinder casters, "What does that mean?"

”Maybe one of you could bathe this place with your magic-detecting powers before I take a closer look?”

Assuming someone does so, and fore-armed with any information that provides, Javi pulls the goggles back over his eyes (Goggle Powers: ACTIVATE!) and stalks into the room, noiseless feet carrying him in a counter-clockwise circuit as he sweeps for traps, taking special time to see if there are any other details to be gathered about the dancing jars.

Perception, goggles in place: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19; +2 vs traps, -4 for visual checks
Stealth: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (7) + 22 = 29

"I won't lie ... I am curious to see what's behind that big ole rock upstairs. And he is likely to have an interesting insight into this whole Stranger/Visiter thing."

Javi considers Shaggar’s theories, ”According to Raegos’s story, his party all come in together—assumedly with the key mask—and his friend was caught by a similar wall.” He shrugs, ”The runes is an interesting thought, but why would the runes give passage instead of barring passage? How does that make any sense? If I’m one of these pharaohs, and the wall is to keep potential thieves from leaving with my stuff, why put exit keys littered around the tomb in what seems pretty random and easily-accessible locations? You hide keys … you don’t leave them lying around for thieves to pick up.”

He shrugs, ”Though I have no better theories.”

Javi keeps a wary eye on Shaggar as the gnoll begins working on the bracers. ”So we’ve gathered a mountain of loot …. I mean … historical artifacts, we’ve learned far too much about this place’s purpose, and we know we’re on the kind of timer I don’t think any of us want to ignore.” He looks around at the crew, ”What else are we wanting to accomplish here? A few more of the pharaoh’s relics and be on our merry way?”

Thought of leaving seems to jar a few loose thoughts together, and Javi turns to address the air around him. "Smart, something occurred to me." He points to Lonicera, "Our new friend here can't seem to leave. Some kind of invisible wall bars her exit. But neither Shaggar nor I seem to be affected by it. What have you heard about that? I mean ... other than from those sitting here? Really anything could be helpful."

Javi sits looking at the mummified ruler—as well as the rivers of treasure around them, looking for unique items—while the others discuss.

I'll bite. Does Javi see anything uniquely-awesome among the treasure?
Appraise: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20

”Sounds like Shaggar was more-or-less right,” he cuts the gnoll a grin, ”which means we got ourselves a legitimate desert sage, folks.” Quicksilver mood shift back to serious, ”But it’s the second-to-last line that jumps out at me. ’Let no hand take what the gods have granted unto me.’ That all this gold? Or his power? Or … I don’t know. But I guess we should assume we’re not done dealing with pharaohs just yet, huh?”

When Lonicera describes the rod, Javi looks back down at it, his eyebrows rising, ”Rod of writhing, huh? You need to fire the guy who names your artifacts, good pharaoh. What are the chances we know of a way to separate the rod from the mummy before he inevitably comes back and tries to kill us for being in his private gold-pool?” He makes a quick grabbing motion, ”I could just nab it … speed-of-a-mongoose style.”

Javi considers the options. "The blue scales may be related to our late friend dragon back there. You think these scales are a part of whatever magic bound it to this place?" He looks back regretfully, "... and do you think its' too late to set it free? Not much to reclaim at this point."

"Either way, I'd say we work with the scales and shards to see what they do first. Then on to the Pharaoh himself."

"I wouldn't want to let us go, ether," Javi mutters.

"It, well, anchors you to a dimension. But this is some sort of weird variation. I'm not really certain."

”Maybe the Cerulean Pharaoh was smart enough not to trust the Stranger, too.” He shrugs, ”And the anchor is reversed to keep him out?” (or is the Stranger the planet and the Visitor the mega-evil dude?)

Javi shrugs at the currently inanimate once-ruler, ”Only one way to find out, I guess. Hey, maybe he’ll surprise us and be a really sweet guy.” Javi's curiosity, however, has already taken hold, and he drifts down to tap on whatever is the most interesting-looking of the pharaoh's gear.

Yaaaaaaaaahhhhhh .... dat not gud.

Javi drifts in a low, slow patrol orbit over his teammates, taking watch as they recover from the quick but violent fight. ”Well, kind of,” Javi retorts to Heldar, ”hopefully we don’t lose credit since it was already technically unliving. I’d hate to lose rep on a technicality.”

He looks at the sea of wealth around them, not even really sure where to start. ”So, what’s the move? I guess we should check out the Pharaoh?” He shakes his head in a mystified way, ”Seems like something proper Pathfinders would want to do.”

As he takes a moment to dip low to reclaim his dropped tanglefoot bag, Jai looks to the center of the room, ”I and Lyrian can lead, checking closer for traps.”

That would be a feat ... given that Shaggar's corpse would have weighed somewhere over 1,000 lbs right now. :D

Seriously ... i was trying to figure out what our damage output capacity would be against this thing without the Shaggarvator. We weren't out of the fight (by a long shot), but dang would it have shifted the balance.

Javi rails against the fear that threatens to squeeze his mind to thoughtless mush. With a shrill war-cry that’s meant as much for the fear as for the creature that caused it, he zips in on a low attack angle, the forgotten tanglefoot bag falling to the ground below. He hits the mummy-dragon from behind, his tiny blade flashing out in search of any vulnerable spots.

Move to flank with Shaggar (movement provokes, Javi’s AC is 27 against the AoO).
Sneak attack the dragon (including: flank, shaken, Inspire +2, Power Attack, & Risk Strike)
+1 scimitar: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 ⇒ (17) + 13 + 2 + 2 - 2 - 2 = 30
damage: 1d4 + 7 + 4 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 4 + 4 + (2, 2, 2) = 23

Dang ... I lost the bet. My money was on this being an animated construct made up of gold and treasure. :/

Also, surprise, surprise, Javi failed a will save. (I sense a theme emerging.)

Sigh ... my proofreading is abysmal lately. That above should have been Javi "... maintaining his altitude, skirting to his right ..."

Sorry about that.

Javi grimaces at the crocodile’s unexpected agility, and—while a part of him wants nothing more than to rush down to help demolish the croc-thing—he can’t ignore the unknown moving ominously towards them through the river of gold. Instead, he maintains skirts to his right, circling the telltale surge in the water to take a general flanking position and await what’s next … another goo-pot dropping into his off-hand.

Move to behind the mystery purple-critter (map updated). Then draw another Tanglefoot bag.

Trusting his friends to be able to deal with the crocodile in front of Mega-Shaggar, Javi reverses direction and draws out one of his sticky-pots. He hurls it at the second croc-thing, winking back into view at the same time.

FREE: 5’ step towards the croc (and dropping 5’ vertically, to be at 25’ off the ground).
MOVE: draw tanglefoot bag
STANDARD: throw it at the “red dot” crocodile (modifying attack roll for range [-6], Inspire Courage, and the bonus for attacking from Invisible)

ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 - 6 ⇒ (12) + 12 + 2 + 2 - 6 = 22
Success = Entangled for 2d4 ⇒ (4, 3) = 7 rounds. Reflex DC 15 or be glued to the floor (DC 17 to break free).

Still not seeing the problem, but seeing his friends put layer after layer of magical preparation in place, Javi picks up the pace ... racing through the air towards them and whatever they're preparing for.

Double move to get closer to the group, want to be at about 30 feet up at the end of the movement.
Stealth: 1d20 + 22 + 20 - 5 ⇒ (6) + 22 + 20 - 5 = 43

Yah, as the scout, I had specifically mentioned keeping Javi's hands free .. so i wanted to be just as intentional about making sure I had it in-hand. :)

Can Javi have also drawn his scimitar as he flew that last round? What's a wasp without a stinger? Barely a nuisance, that's what.

Then this sounds like an awesome opportunity to reduce those distance penalties!

With Flight of the Bumblebee rocking in his head (as usual), Javi invisibly zips across the intervening space … making his way towards whatever Lyrian is pointing at … his eyes alert for the whatever-it-is.

Move: full move closer.
Standard: active perception to see it.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

WOOHOO! My very own rune damage! I'm like part of the team now! Woohoo!

Oh, then that does change that.

Javi touches Rosalia's calf (and keeps his hand there). "Then how about I go take a look around? If I scream bloody murder, feel free to come get me ... ya know, when the invisibility wears off."

Assuming Javi gets all flighterated ...
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (4) + 12 = 16; +2 vs. traps (again, keeping goggles off for now.
Stealth: 1d20 + 42 ⇒ (11) + 42 = 53

"I think i'll head around that left-most wall," he says as the magics are heaped upon him, "And work my way all the way around the edge before sweeping the areas between us and the pharaoh. If I've found nothing by then, I'll go make a sweep behind him."

Javi takes a moment to take in the ridiculous display of wealth. From near Shaggar’s leg, his voice–full of his usual amusement—pipes up, ”I think he’s compensating for something.”

There is a pause as the halfling takes in the group’s suggestions. ”Yah, I could take an airborne swing around this place looking for traps. Though if they really are buried, I’m not sure how I’ll spot them from the air. Then there’s the ongoing issue of illumination…”

I’d love to help out by scouting alone, but invisibly flying will nullify Javi’s light source, and the size of this room means he’d be scouting in areas that he can’t see … which is less than ideal. IF we were just scouting for living defenders, that might actually be possible for him to fly around and try to hear them. But as he’s going in looking for traps, I’m guessing a visual is necessary.

”I’m happy to do it, and am open to suggestions.”

Having rested well, then worked all “morning” to keep the team informed and free from walking into soul-sucking traps … Javi is thoroughly warmed up. And chipper, as usual.

Agreed. Bring Lonicera—and i’m fine offering her a share, as long as there’s an understanding that she must contribute meaningfully and helpfully—but leave the lecherous scumbag bound/gagged up where we slept.

And can we assume Rosalia picked up his Flamey wand? :D

Javi keeps his blade stowed, bouncing anxiously and eagerly from foot to foot as he grins up at Shaggar and the team. ”Oh yah, and guard your soul from inter-planetary, inter-planar mega-bad guys bent on uber-conquest.” He shrugs lightly, also turning his eyes to the coming room as SHaggar pushes the door open. ”I hear that’s a thing in this place.”

He steps to the side, looking to use his teammates or the doorframe to obscure his presence from any waiting watchers. Then he strains with ears, eyes, and instincts for whatever traps or threats face his teammates.

Can I suggest Heldar has a light source, so Javi can do his best to get un-seen as we move into the next room?
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14; +2 vs. traps (and the goggles are not over his eyes for now)
Stealth: 1d20 + 22 ⇒ (2) + 22 = 24

Why you gotta hate, Paizo dice? :/

Javi smiles at Smart’s sounds, and is suitably hurt at Rosalia’s suggestion.

He shakes his head, though, at Lonicera’s refusal to drop the illusion. ”I don’t like it.” He points a small finger at her, ”You said you wanted to be helpful. This is not helpful.” He points at Scepter, ”Him we’re happy to leave bound here until we can return. You, though, can use magic, so far more drastic measures would need to be taken to make sure you’re here when we return.” He shrugs, ”Or you could … you know … work with us.”

Javi gives a flippant salute at his introduction, ”And while you’re detailing your equipment, why don’t you tell us what skillsets got you hired onto the Chelaxian’s little crew? Or, maybe more useful at this moment, what can you do for us as we figure out how to finish our exploration?”

When they finally make thier way back to the rest of the team awaits, Javi grins. ”So, interesting little wrinkle in this whole complex trip … Shaggar and I are able to stick our hands back out through the open entrance, but Lonicera—” he hikes a thumb at the woman, ”this is Lonicera—keeps running into some kind of invisible wall. I couldn’t find anything.”

"Huh," grunts Javi curiously, pulling his hands back in. He looks to Shaggar, "See if you can reach out."

So I don't see it on Javi's inventory sheet, so who has the mask? Heldar?

Javi listens to her answer without taking his eyes from his search of the edges where hall meets sky. Then he looks up at Shaggar, shrugs, and begins taking slow, foot-sliding steps forward, pressing his fingers along the cold stone in an attempt to catch any tell-tale signs of the invisible wall or traps.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15; +2 vs traps

Basically just trying to find the edges, or more specifically see if there's anything more than simply a blank "wall of force".

Also, just getting a first-hand experience of what happens when it's touched.

Javi stands uncomfortably through the display. He’d worked with Shaggar enough to think the gnoll wouldn’t kill the woman after she submitted, still …. he was intimidating. Seeking a reason to focus on nearly anything else, he turns and pads his way up the incline to the blindingly-brilliant opening to the outside. He slows for the last ten paces or so … not sure what to expect from this invisibly blocked exit.

He stops about ten feet shy of the opening and squints at its edges. Then, Javi fishes a beat-up copper chit from one of the pockets hidden in the mish-mash of his clothes and tosses it out the opening, curious to see what will happen.

From his current position, he answers back over his shoulder. "Maybe. Or maybe we have what we need to leave ... it's happened once before, according to that crazy old man."

Javi watches the interview silently, a discomfort growing in the back of his mind. When Shaggar and Hatyah go to track the invisible woman, Javi tags along … chewing his lip in thought. As they follow Hatyah, he quietly growls out his concern.

He doens’t seem to have an answer to his own concern, and the conversation is cut short when Hatyah goes on point.

”Lonni, right?” the halfling steps forward, knowing he’s a far less imposing figure than Shaggar’s towering form. ”You have no where to run, and this place will devour you if you’re alone. Trust me, the threats in here are far worse than ancient, rusty traps and a few undead.” He waits a few minutes for her to respond. ”Our team is taking some time to prepare for what’s ahead, so I have some time to wait your vanishing trick out. Be smart, here. If we wanted you dead, I wouldn't waste time talking.”

Agreed. Good to have you back, buddy.

Javi punctuates Lyrian's "offer" with a chipper smile.

"Ha!" Javi barks out brightly, "oh, no ... you've got me all wrong. This isn't theater. I'm gloating. What's life if you don't enjoy a bit of it every once in a while, am I right?"

He shrugs, "Besides, what could you possibly tell us? You're not even smart enough to back the right horse at the races."