Jebediah Bishop's page

Jed shakes everyone's hand and wishes them well. "Well, didn't hafta dig any holes this trip... and I'm mighty glad. Y'all look me up again if yeh come back to the Mwangi, I'd be happy te see y'all aagin!"

Thanks everyone - that was fun! Special thanks to TOZ for running an awesome game. Have fun in Seattle, those who are going.

Scott

Jed stows his shovel o his back and reclaims his lantern. He'll do a quick reading on the dead ant corpses to see if they have missed any important information before leaving.

He watches in silence as the nuno's ritual completes. On the trip back, he chats with Stuinvolk, to see if the man's cured state is any more interesting than his cursed state. He'll follow the same procedure on the way home, in terms of endure elements and also on watches for the night. He knows that letting one's guard down in the Mwangi is not a mistake one makes twice.

Fort save DC11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7Jed grins widely as he shatters the ant's dessicated husk. His open mouth does him no good when the cloud of dead bug stuff flies everywhere, and he coughs uncontrollably.

Seeing his chance, Jed smashes the red ant again while it's unsteady from the magical grease.
lantern, studied combat: 1d20 + 8 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 8 + 3 = 27 I forgot that as a Gravedigger my studied combat functions as 2 levels higher against undead
damage, studied strike: 1d4 + 3 + 2d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (4, 3) = 11 plus 1 fire damage.

Then, he studies She-Who-Talks-Too-Much (hah!).

"Jatembe? Ya mean Old-Mage Jatembe? Y'ain't that tough, that ol' J 'd need ta deal with ya, ya creepy-crawly varmint! Yer only rightful place is back in the ground, where tha dead belong!"

The nerve'a such thinsg, thinkin' their pathetic plans merit notice by such powers!

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 10 + 1d6 ⇒ (16) + 10 + (3) = 29

(Sorry, work still nuts.)

retroactive climb check: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Jed stands watching, clearly uncomfortable around the various icky bugs. "Cain't never trust nuthin' wit' more limbs'n me... let's get this done and get out." He helps carry the larvae if necessary, although he holds them at arms length with a grimace on his face.

"Ma lantern'll serve for light," Jed replies, holding high an old hooded lantern of ornate pattern. The front shutter has a spiral of bones engraved into it, and as he lifts the shutter of the lamp small images of bones seem to dance across the tunnel walls and ceiling. He keeps his loaded crossbow in his other hand, ready to fire.

Jed chuckles as the nuno brings out termites from his mound. Not tha worst thing I've et afore... He checks it carefully before eating it, making sure it doesn't seem poisonous.

Once the group is ready to enter the mound, Jed consumes an extract of barkskin and his extract of false life that he uses saves for evening watch. temp hp: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

"OK, Stu... you wait here. We'll be right back wi' yer artifacts."

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (19) + 9 + (6) = 34

Jed watches the exchange silently, noting both the fey's bluster and the Chelaxian's trigger-happiness. As things head towards a climax, he interjects.

"Well, we kin certainly take a look at yer anthill," he muses, stroking his chin. "'Course, 't'would be a shame if all the stories, all the knowledge, inside these heads'a ours wuz ta be eaten by bugs." He pats his bandoleer of Pathfinder Chronicles fondly. "World travelers like us, we've seen some things, Ah tell ya. Ant hill this size, that's not bad. But a termite mound taller'n a house, now that's big. And, turns out... termites don't just eat wood."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 5 + (2) = 24

As Lady Mae starts wading into the pack, Jed tenses and stays close, without moving too quickly or spooking the dogs. He tries to appear non-threatening, as "friendly" is beyond his ability. Handle Animal: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Jed eyes the hyenas warily, and loads his crossbow. "Darn varmints! Mae, if yeh kin make 'em back down, fine... but don't let 'em git too close. The ones yeh see ain't the problem."

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (4) + 8 + (3) = 15

Jed enjoys the first peaceful sleep he's had in a while. He still maintains the same routine at night, just in case the Mzali or the nuno, or just a hungry beast, decide to come calling.

I'm good, not making it to PaizoCon alas. Next con is PrairieCon in mid-June.

"Well, that must be a relief," Jed says to Stuinvolk, slapping him on the back. He then heads over to help the wounded with liberal applications of his wand. Almost as an afterthought, he dismisses the elemental.

(Go ahead a roll if you want charges.)

Jed drops his wand and holds his lantern high, speaking softly to the flame inside. As small piece of flame jumps out of the lantern and grows into a small fire elemental. (Grave lamp power, 1 inspiration, standard action)

The elemental gleefully tears into the furry cat. slam, flank: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 2 = 23damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 plus 1d4 ⇒ 4 fire damage. DC 11 Reflex save or catch fire.

In the preparation round, Jed stands and casts shield on himself.

Oh, great... healer might be down.

Jed watches the creature grab Chance and shake him like a rag doll. He runs over to the wounded halfling, drawing his trusty wand of not dying from its sheath at his side.

Jed casts cure light wounds on the halfling, once again hoping he has a valid target for the spell.1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

EDIT: cleaned up conditional orders absed on GM TOZ's post.

Cool!

"Well, Thaia, that don't seem very helpful," Jed opines, taking the jar offered by Lady Mae and taking a long drink. His eyes widen as he looks at the jar, chewing thoughtfully. "'Sides, I think this thing isn't the only issue ol' Stu has... we still gotta git 'im through the journey and back. This creature..." he takes another draft of the juice, "... it's a result of his guilt, but I don't know if that's all there is."

false life: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Jed shares his conclusions with the others discreetly, without telling Stuinvolk, as we travel throughout the day.

"Yeh know, I've heard these Mngwa are very individual creatures," Jed ventures, trying to jog Stu's memory. "I 'member a story I heard down Pridon's Hearth way, how did it go..." He pulls out another Chronicle and starts thumbing through the well-worn pages. Knowledge (local), inspiration, Chronicle: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 9 + (5) + 2 = 35

Discovery checks are Sense Motive, yes?

Jed says nothing, but watches Stuinvolk intently as the others discuss the situation. He hopes to find a way to make the man tell the the entire truth behind his previous voyage here.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17

"'Thing'll be back again," Jed mutters. "Is there anyway ta speed our travel?" he asks the group. "Fewer nights we're here, fewer nights that thing'll attack."

The next time the group makes camp, Jed will use his silver weapon blanch on the shovel, and ensure he's got his cold iron crossbow bolts handy.

I considered that, but strangely there's no rules for doing it - unless that's what the "aid another" action would look like? ;)

Hells, it's getting away... Jed clutches his side against the pain, and then jams his shovel into the dirt. Turning, he sees the flaming halfling, and runs over with his cure light wounds wand at the ready. Can't put someone else out without drenching them, and alas, I can't. Don't speak Aquan.

Over the next few moments, Jed will cure Chance and whoever else requires it, finishing with himself unless the bleed damage gets so bad he is in danger of falling over. If you need it, go ahead and roll.

At Naevys' words, he turns beet red and quickly turns away to examine the ground intently. "'S no problem, ma'am... saves me some diggin' if'n you don't die. "

Jed will look at the creature's tracks, and try to learn what he can from them and the tactics displayed, already thinking of the creature's return.

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Wasn't sure which attack made it through... guessing just the third one?

"AAARRGH!" Jed recoils from the pain of the beast's ferocious attack. He flips his shovel up over his shoulder with a well-practiced shrug and brings the heavy blade down on the creature's head.

shovel, inspiration (6/8): 1d20 + 8 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + 8 + (3) = 26nonlethal damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

"How'dya like them apples, yeh bloody beast?" he asks innocently. "Mebbe yeh want another? Come'n git it!" He moves the shovel's head back and forth in front of the creature's eyes, like a snake ready to strike.

He keeps between Stuinvolk and the Mngwa, blood dripping from wound his wound as he taunts the creature.

Excellent! Forgot that.

I missed the shield other, which probably would have altered my action since I think Naevys wouldn't have fallen down. Oh, well.

What is that shape around Thaia? Does it impede movement? If that's her tent I'll need to re-route, and probably take an AO on the way in. Which I'll do if that's what's required. Acrobatics: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Forgot to reroll my false life hit points... updating the stat block.

1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Jed's eyes narrow as the creature tears into Naevys. All thought of summoning gone from his mind, he casts cure light wounds and sprints around the campfire to avoid the creature's claws. He channels the healing magic into Naevys' lifeless body, desparately hoping she's a valid target for the spell.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

"C'mon, lass, yeh ain't leavin' us so easily..." ... but gods, that beast is strong!

So, this occurred before the summoning? Darn.

Jed is dumbfounded by the blue eyes as the catlike creatures dashes past him.

If Jed can localize the creature's location, he will conjure the elemental as noted above (a standard action).

Jed nods at Naevys' thoughts. "Would be good ta get'er done with, instead'a gittin' woke every night," he mutters, though he can't figure out how to trap such a fast-moving creature.

On my watch, I'm going to put an offering of food out at the edge of camp, and see if that attracts the creature or not. If the screams happen when I'm on watch, I will use my grave lamp as a conjuration implement to cast summon monster II to put a small fire elemental right on top of the creature - not to attack it, but just to light it up and get a look at the thing.

"Pretty annoying, this thing," Jed mutters. He squints at Stuinvolk expectantly. "Can yeh think on anything from your previous excursion that mighta set this creature off? I calculate it's fixating on you, since none 'a us have bin here afore."

Jed will hold his lantern high to try and illuminate the creature, standing close to Stuinvolk.

Jed nods and allows Stuinvolk to rebuild the cairn. Too bad, I bet them bones'd have a story ta tell! But prob'ly wouldn't help our friend much.

The only change Jed will suggest is to have Stuinvolk not on the edge of camp, but closer to the center. (He can take the open bedroll on the map, and Jed will be outboard of him if possible.) He still suspects that the Mngwa has Stuinvolk in its sights, and doesn't want to give it an easy time of making off with him.

During watch, Jed again patrols the area, using his lantern to illuminate the area beyond the firelight and checking for track.

Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Have a blast!

Survival to aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

At the cairn, Jed stops. "Ya know, sometimes the dead have a way ta tell us things after they've departed... if yeh want, I kin take a look, see if they have anything they can tell us, to ease yer mind."

I can read the bones and gain some information from physical remains, but only if Stuinvolk doesn't mind.

"What th'..." Jed's eye snap open as the first scream echoes across the savanna. He listens intently at the three calls, and tries to work out if ti is a single creature moving around us, or if it is multiple creatures. Given what I know of the Mngwa, could a single one move fast enough? Do they travel in packs?Does it seem to be following a pattern in terms of where it calls from and from how far away? Could we anticipate its mvoement tomorrow night and try to ambush it?

Assuming everything calms down again, Jed mutters aloud before returning to his bedroll. "Mebbe we kin give it some food'r sumthin, and it'll leave us alone? 'R mebbe jes' lie in wait for it, get it done with?"

Does anyone have th'ability to create daylight?" Jed asks, after listening intently with the skull to his ear. "Mngwa're powerless in daylight, even th'artificial kind." He looks around at the terrain surrounding the camp. "'n they ain't stopped by rough ground, they kin pounce on ya jes' the same. Might not even trigger a trap 'r a bell."

He drops the skull back into a pouch and pulls out a small flask. "Nah, we'll jes' have ta watch fer it the ol'fashioned way," he remarks, taking a swig and then replacing the flask in his pouch witht eh skull. (Extract of false life - 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14)

Pulling out a well-worn chapbook, he flips it to a dog-eared page and glances at it. "Now, ol' Voth, when he was in the Mwangi? He ran into somma these kinds a'spirits. You jes' gotta keep yer eyes open, and make sure there's more'n one guard on duty. These Mngwa, they kin pounce on ya and take ya down right wuick, without a sound."

Jed can take first or last watch. He's read his Pathfinder Chronicle Volume 1 and use Chronicler's Insight, spending a point of inspiration to make the effects last 3 hours. He also gains a +1 on all saves versus outsiders, if that matters.

Arcana: 1d20 + 9 + 1d6 ⇒ (17) + 9 + (4) = 30

"Mngwa, eh? Driven by rage? I wonder why it would be following us? We ain't been here long enough to enrage anyone 'cept maybe the Mzali." His eyes settle on Stuinvolk. "Any ideas, Stew?"

Jed rummages around in his pack and pulls out a human skull, still partly encrusted with earth. "What do you think, Ebenezer?" he says, addressing the grinning relic, then holds it to his ear, listening intently.

Survival, 1 point of Inspiraton: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (15) + (5) = 20

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Jed watches Naevys curiously before falling asleep. Why would yeh sharpen yer guns? he wonders.

On his watch, Jed walks around the campsite, keeping his eyes open and the fire burning.

Does this appear to be a spell of any sort? Or the cry of a creature? Spellcraft or Knowledge (anything) modifiers listed below.

d20 plus inspiration: 1d20 + 1d6 ⇒ (5) + (1) = 6

Jed offers to cook dinner while the others relax or keep watch. He'll focus on cooking, to try and keep the worrying feeling he has from growing. Sure, the Mzali'll keep their word... until they don't.

Jed will take whatever watch is needed, making sure the fire stays bright enough to illuminate the surrounding area.

"Meh, maps aren't ma strong suit either," Jed admits. "Still, I think I can help, I think this is th' river Ncheki was talkin' about... what d'you think, Mae?" He holds the map up so the grippli on his shoulder can see better.

Survival to aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Jed pays attention to the map, and then carefully copies it into his journal, annotating it with everything Ncheki says. He flinches when he feels something climbing his back, suspecting a spider, but relaxes when he realizes it is Mae. "Ya startled me," he mutters, but allows her to perch on his shoulder so she can see the map.

"Thank ye again, Ncheki. We would hate to earn yer spears. Safe journeys to you and yer comrades."

Knowledge (geography): 1d20 + 7 + 1d6 ⇒ (7) + 7 + (1) = 15 to relate the map to actual landmarks

Ah, yes... talk like that's why I left the Mwangi in the first place. Jed smiles, once again pleased that his inner monologue didn't accidentally come out of his mouth.

"Thank you, Ncheki, yer guidance is most welcome." While he awaits the map, he moves over to Stuinvolk. "We'd best make yer compass-thing an' see where this nuno is... I don't wanna spend more time here than we have to. They're not gonna put up wit' us fer long, and eventually we'll stray into "their" territory. Or they'll just get bored and kill us."

Jed grins and bows slightly. ”Thanks fer sparing us, Ncheki. I’m called Jebediah.” He introduces has companions if they don’t introduce themselves. ”We don’t rightly know exactly where this nuno is... but our friend can tell the direction he’s in. We’d like ta pass along your borders until we find the creature. If’n it’s outside your borders, great. If’n it’s not... we’ll have ta pass the time until it comes out. I expec’ it’ll come lookin’ fer our friend jus’ like he’s a’loookin’ fer it.”

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25