Koi Polloi's page

Needed slashing damage for a proper sushi. Pretty cool tho. I’ve now thoroughly read the dying rules! I was going to be okay, with my last hero point, but if we all went down with that double critical hit it would have been tricky.

Koi might call that ”Crit-fishing.”

The athamaru twinkles with Towering Roots’ magic, and flops about on the ground before remembering it has legs. Those will come in useful later, but right now it will remain in the red pillar’s slumber party. ”Thank you, Towering Roots! I will rice again,” cries Koi. “Sashimi!”

The athamaru applies its knowledge of the Occult to ◆◆disabling the last pillar.
Occult Disable: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
It goes nowhere. Koi subtly casts ◆Amped Message to Anji, giving him a push. Perhaps he can do better. Anji can use his reaction to Step or Stride on Koi’s turn

"Hey fishman, you want to die fast? Or die slowly?"

"Ca-an ahh doo bo-oth?"

The athamaru takes a slow ◆Step backwards with an expression morphing slowly from surprise to horror like a cat that bites a chili. ”O-oh no-oo! The-e pee-lar ees made mee een-to ahh jell-ee-feesh!”

The athamaru listens carefully to its team. The purple energy could be the result of mixing red and blue pillars. It pulls out a rope and slings one end through the energy field, intending to tie it around the base of the blue pillar. If the hitching goes without a hitch then Koi waits for someone to hitch the other pillar, before Aiding someone stronger to haul away the blue.

”Lets open up this pillory!”

”Maybe Gock is jealous,” elaborates Koi. The athamaru tries playing the recorder - middle, high, then low notes, trying its best to copy the tones of the coins. ”Don’t you love those tones, Hungry?”

recorder Performance: 1d20 + 11 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 1 = 20

I think it’s fine to brute-force solve it. If our skills were worse we’d also have dud rounds so we are able to do better than some, I suspect. Of course if success summons something nasty then Hungry needs to run fast :)

Koi thanks Hungry for suggesting and pops upstairs while Hungry tests. Definitely a hero point for that 13 though.

HP Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

”Star might be able to tell us the combination once we brute-force the answer. Automatons are often partially ironic.”

Koi rushes upstairs in case the joke lands poorly.

Koi's Fortitude: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 5 = 15 Saves for half

Leroy's Fortitude: 1d20 ⇒ 16 Saves for half, or else GM rolls, adds modifier. Not sure what Leroy's state of health is, whether recovered from the nonlethal headache.

"Ouch!" Koi covers its ears. "Anji, can you take my spear with you?" It holds out the Leroy-popsicle to Anji. "Hungry, I can stay and help with the resonating coins if you like. That noise is awful!"

Hungry has the coins and can roll for Koi if desired - Performance + 11.

For its downtime, the athamaru performs a play involving a wayang perched on the tip of its dancing spear.

Performance: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Koi notes "The Ballad of Leroy the Jinkin" is very well received, despite its moral ambiguity.

”Well done, Hungry. You’re a natural at the t’ree rings.” The athamaru puts one earhole to the box, listening for any variation in frequency.

Performance: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30

The athamaru sniffs at the curious smell of rust. It's a familiar smell, for one who lives at sea, but nothing in the room appears rusty. "Does anyone else smell rust? Unless something rusted away to nothing then something ferrous must have been removed." Koi cradles its chin thoughtfully. "On the other hand, a rowboat would be wooden."

Koi absent-mindedly pokes at the statue with Leroy before catching itself, stepping back and acting like that never happened.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 evidence schmevidence

The athamaru feels the marks that Anji refers to. If only they could speak! Koi accepts Anji's conclusion. "South! Where we just came from. We probably should chance those stairs then."

The athamaru wends gracefully back just past the double door. “Let’s hope we catch our fallen Star through these doors. I’d hate to have to carry a twenty-foot giant rowboat up those stairs!”

The athamaru practices using Leroy as a shadow puppet, its light bauble casting a larger-than-life shadow on the wall ahead of the party and down the stairs.

”There’s nothing to fear from the deep.”

While the party assumes its marching order the athamaru quickly scoops up Leroy. Koi ties him up and gags him, then straps him to the business end of its dancer’s spear. ”I trust you all know this not a trap tester. We can’t just leave him here.”

The athamaru finds itself in the frontline with one tiny foe adjacent to capture. It raises its spear as a torrent of crystal clear ◇Psyche Unleashes. Koi ◇Amps a spell. ”Like sands through the hourglass, this is the ◆◆Daze of your life.”

Daze, basic Wis DC 18 vs Red, unleashed, amped: 1d10 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11 (nonlethal mental damage. Amped extra +1 damage on a Fail, +3 damage on CritFail.)

Koi finishes its move ◆Fading into Daydreams and becoming Concealed. (DC 5 flat check to target Koi, then ↺Dazzle Seeker for targeter to need to roll and succeed twice)

It took me a while, are you Malaysian?

Not Malaysian but have been based there before, your logic is correct :)

In hindsight, thinking I had the back of the frontline first level necromancer was really just my own poor judgement :)

Ovaltine Dinosaur?

The athamaru is caught playing with with its light bauble and fails to notice the creatures attacking. But Anyi’s divine emanation breaks that trance.

Noting one opponent still with his hands in his pockets, Koi’s arms and spear glisten with magical ripples before launching a ◆◆Phase Bolt at the tardy one (white).

Phase Bolt w/bless vs White AC: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 8 + 1 = 21 ignores 2 circ. bonus [/dice] [ooc] for 3d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 7 piercing damage.

The athamaru then spun its dancer’s spear in the light of Anyi’s magic bauble, reflections then glittering off the athamaru’s kaleidoscopic scales like an aquatic disco ball. The ◆Distracting Performance draws everyone’s eyes away from Roots beside it.

Distracting Performance vs Perception DC: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17 On a success against observer’s DC, Roots is Hidden from the observer. Hidden = DC 11 flat check to target Roots or else ◆Seek vs Roots’ Stealth DC to unhide for that observer. Opponents are off-guard to the first Strike (not Cast a Spell) of a Hidden attacker.

Koi, champion of words, doesn't speak Irriseni. But a linguist has to know something. "Ah yes. Not to be confused with the self-saucing automato."

Is that Milo's left or Milo's player's left (ie. west)? If the wayfinder is aligned with 'Star entering the ruins' that could mean the latter. If Anji's comment is directional, then perhaps west? Gock may have interpreted these thoughts as meaning south, ie. Milo's left, based on position.

The athamaru bats at its light bauble with its dancer's spear. "I'm the anglerfish right behind you, Milo and Roots!"

“So… gaping chasm likely harbouring an ancient and powerful weapon (called Star)? Or happy little sidequest?”

Koi graciously accepts a light spell on its person from Anji.

The athamaru steps out of line to check on the southern door. ”Star definitely went west, but I’ll just make sure we won’t get surprised from behind.” It pushes at the slab.

Athletics: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

”Oh. Oh dear. Um?”

it’s practically medieval!

a fish metaphor too far?

The athamaru flops about on the back of its lizard, like a fish on a walker. Koi tries whistling but those old moray tricks don’t seem to apply. It’s almost a relief when the lizard bolts from the buzzing ruins.

Nature rider: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15

As the lizard bucks wildly the athamaru spins through the air like a sardine can key, before landing in a tangle in a drift of soft sand. Koi rises unsteadily to its feet, before bowing to nobody in particular. ”I meant that.”

The athamaru discovers that gravity matters more than grip when riding a lizard. Riding an unbridled moray means hanging on for dear life as it pulls you along, but riding a lizard, you… sit for dear life. Perhaps the excitement comes later. Koi seeks the Guidance of its pendant of the occult. ”Yeehah, Leggsy!”

Nature riding: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 4 + 1 = 12 guidanced

A pearly athamaru with orange splotches glides en pointe along the path to the tent by the dig, its scales scintillating under the sun. The athamaru's many tiny ballet steps made its arrival from afar seem almost ethereal, yet painfully slow to watch. As it gets closer. And closer. And eventually stops.

"Good day to you, fellow Pathfinders! I am Koi, linguist, and emissary of the East Xidao Sea. I've only just learned how to walk on the tips of my toes. It is not very practical." The athamaru slouches back on its heels, sees its arms outstretching then deliberately places each hand on a hip. "Phew, never again. Please go on."

As Katydid describes the second Jistkan automaton encounter of Koi's limited experience, Koi wonders if this is what it feels like to be a seasoned adventurer. While Katydid answers Gock's many questions, the athamaru listens very carefully to her intonations, trialing the mouthfeel of more complex words with its own maw. But at the mention of lizard mounts it perks up back on tippy-toes. "No problem! Lizards are just morays with legs."

Thank you GM! And to the whole party, many excellent moments there. See you again as a level 2 fish!

Downtime Performance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

Oh right. Crit AFTER the adventure is over

The athamaru sees the automaton in great danger and ◇Unleashes its Psyche, which showers it in a torrent of wet magic. It then ◇Amped ◆Messages Bustral to run. "Flee past the fish!" (Bustral can Step or Stride as a Reaction on Koi's turn)

Koi then winds up a barrage of waves along its arms, throwing them in a ◆◆Phase Bolt at the nearest (blue) nightmare flanking Bustral. "Time to wake up, little nightmare!"

Phase Bolt, courageous, sickened: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 12 for piercing, unleashed: 3d4 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) + 2 = 8 this fish don't hunt...

The sickened athamaru rejects some of its stomach contents for emphasis.

Fort save DC 15: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 gets Sickened 1

”It’s Aslynn! And three… er, two nightmares. Ow! Great shot, Mu Long!” Inspired by the dragon, the athamaru tries to pierce the nightmare it can see in the distance with a ◆◆Phase Bolt.

Phase Bolt vs Yellow AC: 1d20 + 7 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 1 - 1 = 14 for piercing damage: 3d4 + 1 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) + 1 = 5

Koi then ◆strides north to avoid any further area of effect attacks.

”Thank you Aru!” Koi drinks the potion Aru provides. ”Oh, and, uh, stay glorious, Zykyrys.”

With all of the athamaru’s searches having turned up nothing more than a coathanger-headed alien, it attaches the toy proudly to its belt.

”Perhaps I should hold on to the key and the Clear Mind scroll - I can be best prepared to free any mind that Aslynn tries to corrupt.” Koi also tries Messaging greetings to the key and the toy in seven different languages. It is a long shot. ”Then we need to look at destroying the shard. Izy’s battleaxe perhaps?”

Never mind, thanks Aru!

Preparing for Aslynn did not mean finding a better weapon. This would require spells. The athamaru returned to the shelves of wands and scrolls. On the way Koi checked in telepathically with Zykyryz (120’ range goes around corners, Z can reply telepathically) ”Hi Zy. You are clearly destined for greater things. What are you planning to do? How does Aslynn figure into that? Can I help?”

Diplomacy chat to Zykyryz: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Occultism search Area 7: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

The athamaru saw Mu Long was still lurking behind Lirien. ”That big filigreed breastplate would look pretty faberge on our dragon, but it would make him look like a hatchling. Our dragon is much older and tougher than that!”

The athamaru's eyes widen and dart towards Bustral when Biglock mentions Jistka. "Our wizard is from that Imperium!"

"I cannot wear a breastplate. Nor Lirien or Bustral I suspect. Aru certainly has a knack for daggers. But if the dagger and key are sought by Aslynn, might they be safer in Glovely's invisible container?" Koi mulled. "Unless we consider those items as bait..." The crystal key in particular was almost intriguing enough to volunteer as a target.

The linguist pondered. "You might assume my kind would be the baiting champions. But that would be a typo."

Not to mention the +1 spear, +1 dagger, +1 striking battleaxe, Clear Mind scroll, Telekinetic Maneuver scroll, Revealing Light scroll, Shardstorm wand or Wolf Fang Talisman found previously, although not found by Koi. Even the enigmatic 'hourglass'. Koi doesn't have high hopes for Tinky Tinky.

The athamaru waggles a finger at a crate that lands at its feet. ”Now, now, Alexander. That’s not how we should treat a dragon.” Koi turns back to Biglock. ”Sorry. That wasn’t very emissary of me.”

The athamaru takes an instinctive step away from the mimic as the dragon hides under crates.

”Are you sure those crates aren’t mimics?”

The athamaru approaches the table. It ◆Seeks Perc +3 anything other than boxes and chests as it removes a few, throwing them aside if they are truly empty.

”It’s as easy as shifting barrels with a fish.” ◆Toss, ◆Toss

Izy (swarmed by rats) and Bustral (earlier protecting Rain) have been taking the risks… Izy has also been managing her hero token icons better than most on slide 2

The athamaru stops whacking and stares at the sticky end of its spear. There is a certain cachet ito mindless violence. Koi will stay mindful of that.

”Hello?” the athamaru approaches the pile of empty chests cautiously. Rain had already searched those. It looked for objects among the chests ethat it might communicate with psychically. Koi spoke again, “Is anyone under there?”

Koi quaffs its minor healing potion healing potion: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Shield Block can only be used against physical attacks, unless it says otherwise (I think there's feats that let it block spells).

Objects are immune to mental effects unless they are conscious, thinking.

The athamaru sees little point messing with the mind of one tiny rat. Instead it ◆Grasps its dancer's spear with its free hand and ◆Strikes the mass of the swarm with the blunt end. ◆Twice. (Reach & Versatile B weapon; Inspired Courage)

"Whack-a-rat! Whack. A. Rat!"

Strike #1 vs AC: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 3 + 1 = 13 for bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Strike #1 vs AC: 1d20 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) - 2 + 1 = 16 for bludgeoning damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Yellow rat is technically unconscious, Daze being non-lethal, in case anyone lives to interrogate it afterwards… and speaks rat

(Thanks regarding status bonuses, AI gave a confused answer)

Does Inspire Courage (a status bonus to damage) stack with Unleash Psyche (a status bonus to damage)?

The athamaru ◇Unleashes its Psyche but the waves of magic blend with the waves of rats; it ◆Flees in horror to the west, spins, and targets the biggest rat (yellow) with ◆◆Daze. "Sink, pond scum!"

Daze vs Yellow Rat basic DC17 Wis, mental nonlethal damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7

Oh no! Our automaton has… diskentry?

The athamaru is overrun with rats. ”Avast, vermin!”

Reflex DC17 to dodge bites: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Fortitude DC14 to resist fever: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Hero Point…
Fortitude DC14 to resist fever: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

The athamaru glares at the nearest (yellow) giant rat. "What is it with you guys and sinking ships?" Wavelets of clear, wet magic break in threes down its arms as it casts ◆◆Forbidden Thought at the rat, daring it not to Strike.

Koi then touches its Pendant of the Occult and casts ◆Guidance on Izy. Izy gains +1 on an attack roll, Perception check, saving throw, or skill check before Koi's next turn.

If Yellow Rat tries to Strike on its next turn then it must first make a save.
Forbidden Thought basic DC17 Wis mental damage: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9

"Oh no! Don't let her capture the purple alien!" The athamaru screams at the other Pathfinders while pointing animatedly towards the shelves atop the southern ziggarat. It frames its aghast face with its upthrown palms, staring in the direction of the purple plushie. "Rinky Tinky, you're our only hope!"

Performance: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23

Perception of the other voice: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 Questioning the source of the harsh voice never crosses Koi's mind.