Lazarus Logos's page

"Sorry, bro, local isn't my forte," Skye shakes his head. "Your guess is as good as mine."

Seeing Meredith and Denair attack the red monster, Skye sketches a hex against the blue one, trying to put it to sleep.

Slumber Hex: Will DC18 or the creature falls asleep for a 6 rounds. This hex can affect a creature of any HD. The creature will not wake due to noise or light, but others can rouse it with a standard action. This hex ends immediately if the creature takes damage.

I'm a cat person, too. But I don't get to have one. My wife is Indian, and they take cat phobias and superstitions very seriously.

So we have a dog. He's a good running partner for my wife. He's chop-blocked me a few too many times while running for me to consider him a suitable companion on my own runs.

Skye is ready.

I heard the virus affects ferrets, too.

What ever are we to do now?

Sitting home, isolated, thinking about the meaning of life.

At least my wife hasn't yet decided to socially distance herself from me...

*Looks around. Where's Jackie?*

Thanks, Kristin.
I went ahead and copied and pasted the requested notes myself, no worries.

"We managed to repair and restore the wards, and Tar-Baphon is still confined within his prison." Lazarus describes the details ritual for Venture-Captain Besnik. "But I worry our efforts may have only delayed an inevitable collapse of the magical defenses."

The samsaran adjusts his pack, ready to resume travel.

"I will report back to Skyreach and discuss our concerns with Zarta Dralneen and the Dark Archive specialists. A day of reckoning with the Whispering Tyrant approaches."

Cue ominous music and the opening credits for #10-98 Siege of Gallowspire...

Last Gameplay post was all in fun. Lazarus would really like an improved familiar. Sid the Cussing Bunny was fun, but mostly fluff beyond the passive benefits.

Problem is, it looks like he'll have to wait till level 9 to get the usual level-7 options, because his cleric levels don't count for that purpose.

Hunting for some workaround, but I haven't found one yet.

Inside Lazarus' robes, Sid continues to vent.

*Do you f&#&ing hear that guy?! Sounds more like he just dropped a load in the f$&&ing privy!*

"Friends," Lazarus announces. "I think Sid needs to retire from the adventuring life and start a new life."

*WHAT?!!!!* Sid screams in Lazarus' mind. *Don't even think about trading me in for one of those 'improved' familiars!!*

Sid pokes his floppy-eared face outside Lazarus' robes, cute ruby-red eyes sparkling, and little pink nose twitching.

*I know where you all can shove that f&%!ing stick, you--!*

Lazarus shoves his familiar's head back inside his robes, his cheeks darkening a shade of deep purple.

GM, if it's not too much trouble, can you note the following on Lazarus' Chronicle?

Spent 655gp total (190gp each for scrolls and 'ink' of Cacophonous Call, Gallant Inspiration, and Sound Burst, and 465gp for a scroll of Good Hope and 'ink').
Take 10 Spellcraft for 18 to study and scribe the spells into his spellbook (DC17 for the first three level-2 spells and DC18 for the last, level-3 spell)
These are Lazarus' samsaran 'Past Life Spells' spells from his Mystic Past Life alternate racial trait, all from the bard spell list.

Lazarus also left offerings of 40gp (10gp each) at shrines to Aroden, Sarenrae, Torag, and Shizuru.

He spent 2PP on this chronicle to acquire a wand of heightened awareness.

Detect Magic, Guidance, Spellcraft Take 10 for 19 re Amulet
Detect Magic, Guidance, Spellcraft DC20 re Bowl: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 = 29
Detect Magic, Guidance, Spellcraft DC24 re Arrow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 8 + 1 = 27
Detect Magic, Guidance, Spellcraft DC25 re Rod: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 8 + 1 = 14

With several prayers to Song of Spheres, Lazarus examines the magical objects in the banquet hall.

"The large ceramic bowl, covered in runes and full of a greenish-yellow substance? It functions much like a sustaining spoon, though I estimate this bowl could provide enough gruel to feed up to 40 people each day."

"This is a searing arrow."

"This amulet is an aegis of recovery."

Shaking his head, he offers the flat iron bar with a button on one end to his teammates. "I'm not sure what this rod is, though."

I don't think we've found any scrolls or spellbooks during this adventure. Or have I overlooked anything?

If we're done by Sunday, I'd like to use Lazarus as one of my Aid Characters during the Special #10-98 Siege of Gallowspire, so I'm trying to figure out how I want to level him up.

Mystic theurges get no free wizard spells, so Lazarus is going to have to drop some coin to get what he needs/wants.

With a slight bow and hands pressed together, palms touching and slender blue fingers pointing upwards, his thumbs close to his chest, Lazarus acknowledges the pair's eternal souls. "Namaskar, Akina and Hiromasa."

Thanks, Kristin. I checked in.

I'd love to keep going as soon as you're ready, GM.

Guidance, Take 10 Spellcraft for 19.

"The sword is a +1 katana," Lazarus determines. "The armor is +1 Steel Lamellar."

The wizard-priest regards the holy symbol of Shizuru, considering all the team has learned. "The vellum in the shrine to Shizuru referred to a cleansing ritual. The Rondeau of Righteous Retention wasn't completely legible, but offered further clues about the ritual the Knights of Ozem used to create layers of wards and defenses against the Whispering Tyrant."

The samsaran holds up the holy symbol of Shizuru. "It’s made of pure silver, and the details of its design imply it was intended for use in a holy ritual."

"Remember the evidence of a great blast of holy energy we observed earlier? Perhaps, we should return there, now. Together, we might possess the skills and knowledge we need to repair and restore the wards and defenses the Shining Crusade constructed to keep Tar-Baphon sealed within this prison."

Guidance, Take 10 Heal for 21.

Lazarus mutters a prayer to Desna, while Quang Chi examines Akina Yohanatotu lying in the sarcophagus.

The wizard-priest nods, concurring with Quang Chi's assessment, and he watches as the monk performs the rite that ends her un-life. His eyes are drawn to the vampire's bloody blade.

With another prayer for guidance, Lazarus casts detect magic and picks up the samurai's katana, studying its auras, if it has any.

Pleasant dreams. May you wake tomorrow refreshed in body and spirit.

"An astute question, Francis," Lazarus says, not quite certain himself.

"Hiromasa, how can we put your Xīn'ài to rest?" the samsaran asks, following the bodak.

Guidance, Circumstance Bonuses, Knowledge (religion) DC38: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 9 + 1 + 18 = 34
T-shirt Re-Roll, 5 GM-stars: 1d20 + 9 + 1 + 5 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 1 + 5 + 18 = 42

"Hiromasa, set aside your anger and your hate," Lazarus says, appealing to the undead creature. "Permit us to continue our mission in peace."

Gaze Attacks

Found the rules I was looking for. (The penalty is a miss chance from concealment.) Excerpts:

Each opponent within range of a gaze attack must attempt a saving throw each round at the beginning of his or her turn in the initiative order. Only looking directly at a creature with a gaze attack leaves an opponent vulnerable. Opponents can avoid the need to make the saving throw by not looking at the creature ...

Averting Eyes: The opponent avoids looking at the creature’s face, instead looking at its body, watching its shadow, tracking it in a reflective surface, etc. Each round, the opponent has a 50% chance to avoid having to make a saving throw against the gaze attack. The creature with the gaze attack, however, gains concealment against that opponent.

A creature with a gaze attack can actively gaze as an attack action by choosing a target within range. That opponent must attempt a saving throw but can try to avoid this as described above. Thus, it is possible for an opponent to save against a creature’s gaze twice during the same round, once before the opponent’s action and once during the creature’s turn.

Whoops. Looks like Quang Chi and Lazarus were posting at nearly the same time.

"Say, Quang Chi, perhaps you could translate your conversation with the bodak for the rest of us," Lazarus suggests.

The wizard priest moves to the south wall and points at the undead creature, directing a ray of positive energy at it.

Eyes Averted Penalty? Ranged Touch Attack; Positive Energy Damage; No Save, SR Yes: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 221d6 ⇒ 1

Miss Chance, High is Good: 1d100 ⇒ 46

"Desna have mercy, friends! Avert your gaze or don your smoked goggles," Lazarus warns the team. "Don't make eye contact with the creature."

I had a lot of fun running Overflow Archives during a previous PbP con.

I'll think on it and give you some suggestions for your consideration.

Knowledge (religion) DC18: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

"It's a bodak, an extraplanar undead creature, stripped of its soul and possessing only fragmented memories of its former existence, driven by profound emptiness, sorrowful longing, and vengeful hatred of all life," Lazarus informs the team. "And a bodak has special attacks, including __________."

Finally got around to the first GM post in the Gameplay thread of my Curse of the Crimson Throne AP.

Regarding a 'theme' game, a 'Guardians of the Galaxy'-like motley crew of wacky PCs taking on one of the zanier scenarios could be a lot of fun.

Back to the north wall, Lazarus moves into the crypt. He points his wand of magic missile in the direction of the east wall, where the green wraith disappeared, prepared to fire as soon as it shows itself.

Readied Attack, Force Damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 (14 charges remaining)

Given the typical level of personal hygiene at highly congested Cons, it's probably best to cancel such events in the near-term. (Only half joking.)

Having learned to live in South Asia, we can do without toilet paper. (Don't ask.) I haven't heard of folks selling it at inflated prices, yet. I think they're just worried about running out, if this turns out to be the Zombie Apocalypse.

It's fascinating to watch the global extended freak-out over this particular virus. So far, the numbers don't seem to support an assessment that it's worse than any of the other recent pandemics. Social media and hyper-partisanship in an election year might explain some of the panic.

But it's a good reminder to everybody to thoroughly wash their hands, properly cover their mouths and nose when they cough or sneeze, and avoid other people when they're sick.

MoG doubles morale bonuses, so it would not double the sacred bonus from blessing of the faithful.

Was hoping to get Lazarus's post up before Serge rolled.

Concerned for the wraith's constant draining of Serge's life essence, Lazarus steps forward. "Serge Foxmourn, receive the blessing of the faithful."

Facing the paladin and sketching the sign of the butterfly in the air with his slender blue hand, the ecclesitheurge also expends some of his divine energy to extend the blessing's duration.

Blessing of the Faithful (Su): A blessed ally gains a +2 sacred bonus on attack rolls, skill checks, ability checks, or saving throws or to AC until the ecclesitheurge’s next turn. Lazarus expended 1 use of channel energy when activating this ability to increase the duration to a number of rounds equal to the number of dice of his channel energy. (So, 2 rounds total.)

Knowledge (religion) DC15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
"Lady Despair, another name for Urgathoa." Lazarus also shares whatever other information he recalls about the goddess.

"Tell us your name, Lady," the samsaran requests. "If once you served the light, you might choose to do so again. Let us help you find your way back."

I've had some players who meta-game, usually it's a clear sense that they've read the scenario before playing it, always having exactly what they need, when they need it; rolling through some spaces, then abruptly getting cautious when a difficult encounter is about to take place; always choosing the best several options, etc.

The other sort of 'meta-gaming' that annoys me are Gameplay thread posts filled with a lot of ooc chatter. Lots of folks don't mind at all, but I find it too jarring, breaking my sense of immersion in the PCs, the fantastical world, and the story we're creating together. My personal preference is to encourage everyone to have such 'table-talk' in the Discussion thread.

In high-level games, I sometimes get the sense that players use some sort of wealth-by-level table to equip a PC for a session. I look at what they're carrying and compare that with my own PC's gear, and my jaw drops. I suspect they're forgetting that a simple wealth-by-level calculus overlooks the cost of selling many of your acquired items at a 50% loss, a significant hit over time. I confess, I'm guilty of rarely auditing PCs before a game I GM.

Min-Maxed PCs aren't the sort I like to play, but I have no objection to those who do, especially if they stay engaged in active role-playing, even when they're otherwise ill-suited to the current situation.

All that said, I never get that impression with our small group of players. It's one of the reasons you're my favorite friends to play with.

Lazarus raises his arm, the sleeve of his robe falling to reveal the blue and white tattoo depicting the holy symbol of Desna, the butterfly, stylized to resemble her herald, the Night Monarch on his forearm.

Using the elaborate tattoo as a divine focus, the wizard-priest casts moment of greatness, bestowing upon his friends the potential for greater success and glory.

Duration: 3 minutes. If the affected creature is benefiting from a morale bonus of any type, it can double that morale bonus on one roll or check, before making the roll. Once an affected creature uses this spell’s effect, the spell is discharged for that subject. For example, everyone can double the +1 morale bonus from bless on one roll.

@Quang Chi, did you add the +1 morale bonus from bless?

Drawing another wand, Lazarus casts bless on the party.

Using his holy symbol tattoo as a divine focus, Lazarus casts a spell, and a brilliant, flashing 10'-radius burst of radiance erupts around the fanged elf woman clinging to the west wall of the crypt.
DC16 Reflex or Blinded for: 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds. If successful, Dazzled for: 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.
Damage vs Evil Creatures, No Save; SR Yes: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) = 9

Sorry for posting as one of my other PCs (Oberon). I was multitasking at the time I was posting.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
Oberon points to the wall to the south. "Francis, Serge, watch out! The pinpoint eyes are a wraith, an incorporeal undead creature born of evil and darkness. They hate light and living things, as they have lost much of their connection to their former lives." (Special Attacks and Special Defenses, please)

"I'm not sure what that fanged and heavily-armored, deathly pale woman with long, pointed ears is," he says, pointing to the ceiling.

The wizard pulls a piece of parchment with a holy text written on it from his spell component pouch and casts a spell. A shimmering, magical field, a shield of faith appears around the samsaran that averts and deflects attacks.

Then Oberon flicks his wrist, releasing his wand of magic missile into his hand.

Following close behind Quang Chi, Lazarus checks for magical auras and sends his dancing lights into the room, looking around the crypt, lingering over the five sarcophagi and the inscription above the platform.

"See anything?" he whispers in the monk's ear.

Remember, Icarus got burned.

Just leave it where it is. If anyone asks, tell them you're hoarders, now get off our lawn!

Though it's painstakingly slow, Lazarus sets to work, gently scrubbing the Yohanatotsu shrine with a little prestidigitation. Once finished, the wizard-priests offers a prayerful blessing for the family. "May your spirits, those of your noble ancestors, and your descendants find peace."

He glances over at the little rogue.

"Francis, you might try rubbing the bellies of the hound archon statues for good luck," the samsaran says. "You never know."

So you're like Denzel Washington in Training Day. Is your new protege anything like Ethan Hawke?

Guidance, Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23
Guidance, Linguistics: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 1 = 15

Following after the scouts, Lazarus follows his standard procedure to clear the room. Once the team's convinced the room is clear, the wizard-priest enters the chamber, studying the shrine and the Minkaian writing.

"히로마사에게 애정을 가지고, 아키나 'To my Hiromasa, With affection, Akina.'" Lazarus, having puzzled out the script's meaning, reads it aloud to his companions.

"Yohanatotsu Akina was also the name inscribed on the lid of the empty sarcophagus in the southern chamber where we found the holy symbol of Shizuru."

"I wonder who Hiromasa was... " the wizard-priest muses. I really must devote some time to learning Tien. Perhaps after this mission."

Linguistics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Lazarus studies the script, then he hands the parchment to the monk. "Quang Chi, you are no doubt familiar with this language."

"I very nearly missed it, but the illumination from one of my dancing lights is reflecting off of something buried amidst that pile of metal and rotten wood."

"The rusted and dented metal tin was probably once a small chest for personal belongings."

"It doesn't radiate any magical auras, nor does it seem to be locked."

Lazarus catches the eye of Frankie. "Francis, care to take a look?"

Just got the notice of GM assignments for Outpost (March 30-May 18).

I'll be GMing the subtier 15-16 table of PFS Special #10-98: Siege of Gallowspire (soldier - not champion - mode).

I'm not sure when sign-ups will open, but I hope some of you will join my table.

After assisting the team treat their wounds, Lazarus nods at Meredith's suggestion. "Yes, let's explore that passage to the northeast."