Lief Stoutspear's page

Hey folks,
So, clearly once or twice a week hasn't panned out... Sorry. RL continues to be too demanding. Thanks for all your patience but at this point I'm going to have to bow out. Happy gaming.
GH

Thank you all for your understanding. I underestimated just how many posts I would have to catch up on for the 3 games I'm in... I'm reading now but might not get a post up until tomorrow.

Thanks! And, sorry I haven't made a gameplay post yet... this is going to sound a little outrageous but, my SO's uncle was murdered by his ex-wife last week and things have been a little crazy since. The funeral, which we're both helping with, is tomorrow so, hopefully, I should be able to get a post up like Wednesday-ish.

Hey everyone,
I'm really sorry for disappearing for a few weeks there. Work has not improved (in fact, due to people leaving over the recent changes I now have more responsibilities then when this all started), and now I'm looking for a new job on top of that. I definitely should have at least made time to give you all a heads up before now though, so (again) I apologize for that. I've gotten accustomed enough to the situation that I could probably start making some posts again--if you're open to that--but, truthfully, it wouldn't be everyday: more like a couple per week. If that's not often enough, or if I've already lost my spot, I totally understand. Please just let me know what you'd like me to do.
Lief

Queen’s Grace and Sea Serpent

My rage song (thanks to my archetype) doesn't buff Str- it gives a bonus directly to attack and damage rolls (so it's just as effective for Dex based builds as it is for Str ones).

Lief hurries over to Manny's charred little form bobbing in the bay, and touches the goblin with a palely glowing hand.

cure light wounds (Manny): 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

and rage song persists, thanks to lingering performance

I'll vote for Queen's Grace and Sea Serpent. I don't really like either option in the final bracket, so I guess I'll just vote for whichever one lets us finish the voting faster (Fever, it looks like?)

Also, sorry for still struggling to post quickly/regularly enough. Work continues to be rough.

From his safe spot outside of the monkey swarms, Lief begins a rousing tale of brave Ulfen raiders conquering all manner beasts as they sail southward.

Activating rage song- +2 to melee attacks/damage for anyone who wants it (and to saves vs fear, if that comes up).

Sorry for the delay- two of my siblings who live in different states decided to meet up like an hour from where I live, and the way things have been going at work I needed a break, so I took off for a little impromptu family reunion and discovered there was no cell reception at all (much less data) there. I'm home now and should have a post up tonight. In the meantime, whatever you want to name the ship is fine with me (and, I know there were some female players, I didn't realize everyone other than me was female).

I could work with the Wild Ride, but inviting women to join me on “Life’s Voyage” is decidedly not the vibe I was going for… (unless, maybe, we happen upon a buxom, insatiable tiefling of succubus stock)

I think we should name it the ‘Sea Serpent’ (so I can offer women “a ride on the Sea Serpent”)

Lief shrugs and returns to dragging.

that other ship's still in the bay... he thinks to himself, if those two cause some kind of mishap, I could always just see if the other crew needs anyone...

Lief stops in his tracks as he and most of his new shipmates are dragging the corpse away from the watchtower. Before they're out of earshot, he shouts back, "Hey, you know those flags are for signaling right?" He shakes his head in confusion and mutters to the captain, "perhaps someone competent should stay?"

"Stop!" he calls out again. "If you signal that the navy is here again, Rickety may just burn our boat to make sure it's not captured as evidence against him!

"Now, that sounds like a fine plan!" Lief says to the sea-elf's suggestion. "I like seafood as much as any sailor, but a bit of pork now and again is always a welcome change."

"Cap'n, should one of us stay here and man the watchtower until Rickety can get a replacement out here? It could be awkward if a third ship tried to sail into harbor while we're already crowded- let alone if a Chelish ship happened upon us with two ships ill-prepared for battle."

I believe what the GM was suggesting (regarding the Tidewater Cutlass) was to functionally let Callum have the one you recovered. So, nothing was going poof, it was just being assigned to one of the new players?

Lief ties off the ropes as instructed and helps the captain lower the corpse.

profession (sailor): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

"Maybe we should get this poor excuse for a watchman back to Rickety before we go off hunting wasps?" he suggests.

Lief roots through the dead man’s pockets, looking for any kind of food or treats for the bird. When he hears Nuts’ suggestion he looks up at Capricia and asks, “what do you think, cap’n, could we toss the body to the water from here? That’d be a lot loss damage than letting him drop to the ground, and with that bloat he’d definitely float until we pulled him out…”

I have no idea if that’s feasible or not (I’m not sure how far from the water we are), but I do think it would be funny.

Lief laughs.

I suppose turn around is fair play

”Thanks for noticing,” he calls back down, “maybe later you can get a closer look.”

Lief gives the captain a nod and follows her up the ladder, making no effort to be quiet about it. "If anyone is up here, please don't attack me- Rickety asked us to come check on you." He looks up towards the platform as he climbs, quickly realizing there's not much to see above him other than the captain's legs and backside.

"Not a bad view from up here," he calls down to the rest of the group. "But while you're down there, it might not be a bad idea to look for signs of boars, or blood, or anything like that on the ground?"

Sorry, work's been crazy this week (there were some changes at the global level that're causing all kinds of problems locally). I'm hoping to have a post up tonight but, if not, I'll definitely have one up tomorrow during the day.

Oh man, I haven't played Bloodbowl in so long!

It doesn't matter for this round (because I already posted an action), but I'm not on the initiative list? I rolled a 15.

initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15

whenever my turn comes around:
With his polearm at the ready--in case any other boar emerge from the brush--Lief begins another one of his rousing tales.

activating rage song (+2 hit/damage and saves vs fear)

If updated Lief worshiped anyone it would probably be Arshea (the Empyreal Lord of freedom, physical beauty, and sexuality).

Lief smiles at the offer but then looks a bit perpexled. "Thank you, cap'n," he answers, "that's not the first time I've been complimented on my tongue, but I can't imagine many captains being willing to discuss terms with a bosun- I don't exactly have the authority to actually make any kind of deal. I might be able to charm whoever has that captain's ear though; you know, sweet talk the first mate or ship's mage while you're discussing things with the other captain and then let them speak on our behalf when it comes time to make a decision?"

Alright, if you're all sure, I'll stick with Lief as he is (only hornier).

If you want Lief to add the title of Special Negotiator to his boatswain duties, that works for me. I can try to make a successful Aid Another check to Lief's Diplomacy checks by interjecting something here or there.

That’s very generous, thank you, but you were here first- play Capricia the way you want to play her. I’ll figure out a way to fit in or I’ll bow out (you’re up to 5 without me, you’d be fine).

I certainly don’t want to make extra work for you! I thought maybe a gunslinger/alchemist would spare you from having to do any extra work because he could craft all his own gunpowder/bullets and, I think, learn to enchant his own gun too, so you wouldn’t have to add any extra loot just for him or anything. But if the Pirate King’s gun is a plot element or something, obviously that would be harder to overcome.

That was just one of several ideas though… would a grizzled, surly sailor who’s built like an ox and uses a ship’s anchor as a weapon be a better fit? Or, a somewhat androgynous druid who reveres Gozreh (The Wind and Waves) and can use weather effects to impair our enemies?

I can stick with Lief the skald if you want, I’m just having a little trouble figuring out his place in the party. I suppose, I could lean into the sort of stereotypical ‘fu€kboi’ bard trope and his diplomacy would have some use outside of actual plot related encounters?

Lol- no good, I don’t have any ranks in perform [boogaloo]

*slightly earlier*
Lief smirks at the priestess as she asks Manny her playfully threatening question.

oh, she’s going to be trouble…

*now*
Lief takes a step back when the captain takes over the conversation. A literal step back, behind Vikla, where he can get a better look at the shape of her.

That’s a clever, and potentially funny, idea but, sadly, I’m way worse at bluff than I am at diplomacy. I have no objection to the captain taking point in conversations—it’s honestly the most reasonable approach—I just don’t want to be redundant (especially when there’s so many other characters I could make who wouldn’t be).

While we’re still in port, I can make a different character (or bow out) if that would be helpful? Face skills are Lief’s biggest thing, so if he’s going to fill a position on the ship that doesn’t use those at all, and the captain prefers to handle the face stuff herself, he’s maybe not a great fit for the party.

I could maybe put together an alchemist/gunslinger to add some ranged damage and still be able to do a little back-up healing (and make their own guns/ammo, maybe even be able to enchant it eventually)? Or, I made a bruiser ages ago for this AP and the game fizzled out right about here- I could bring him back (a Str based melee guy who fights with a ship’s anchor that’s chained to his wrist)? Or a druid with some weather based magic that would allow for some battlefield control?

Not all of them ;)

Lief places his hand gently on Vikla's when she touches him and summons the warm healing light. "Thank you," he says, his piercing blue eyes looking deeply into hers. He smiles and holds eye contact for a moment until their attention is pulled away by the commotion at the docks.

sense motive: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24

"Don't worry," he quietly remarks to his shipmates, "they're not looking for a fight- they're just afraid one might be waiting for them."

Holding his polearm like a walking staff (rather than like a weapon), the skald begins slowly approaching the new arrivals and calls out in a friendly tone, "Hail, fellow sailors. Fear not, nobody here means to ambush you- although, disembarking with drawn steel is great way to cause a misunderstanding. My name is Lief and I'm an officer on another ship currently docked here. How 'bout you sheathe those blades before anyone gets the wrong idea about your intentions here and I can help you find whoever it is you need to talk to?"

diplomacy: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Lol- do we want to start a fleet, because I think I might be in the running for captain of this Chelish ship.

"I had to eat all kinds of strange things when I was marooned," Lief offers. "I can try to help you get whatever you need out of the carcasses."

survival: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

I'll help him harvest the glands, and some 'meat' too if he wants (until/unless the captain says otherwise).

Lief takes a step away from the remaining wasps and continues his rousing tale.

spending another round of rage song to keep the +2 bonuses going. And since I’m no longer in melee, if either wasp approaches me that provoke an AoO.

AoO (if needed): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 6 + 2 = 26
for: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 2 = 7

Fort (again): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

As the burning sensation from the wasp's sting spreads down his leg, Lief steps (a little more clumsily) into striking distance with his polearm, and swings at one of the wasps.

bardiche (ir): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 2 = 21
for: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 3 + 2 = 15

One more round of +2s still for whoever wants to use them.

It looks like, maybe, so far every single PC has forgotten to apply the +2 bonus to attack and damage rolls with melee weapons that my song provides? It's in our best interest to add that to our rolls.

Fort: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

Lief takes a step back from the wisp which just stung him and slashes at it with his polearm.

bardiche (rage song): 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 6 + 2 = 9
for: 1d10 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 3 + 2 = 9

I'm not spending another round of performance to continue but the lingering performance feat makes the bonus last for 2 more rounds- so everyone still gets +2 to hit and damage with melee weapons for their next 2 turns.

I tried copying and pasting the link, but I still have the same problem- I put in my email and password and I get an error message that says to try again later? For now, I’ll assume I started near everyone else?

“Looks like massages will have to wait,” Lief answers as he follows his new captain towards the giant wasps, stopping five feet behind her and Callum to begin telling an inspire tale.

Move action to move closer and activate raging song which grants everyone +2 to hit and damage with melee attacks and to saves vs sleep or paralysis, and 3/day (each) while under the effects of my song you can have your weapon do an extra 1d6 electric damage.

I certainly don’t want to step on any toes but, if Vilka’s interested in being ship’s surgeon my biggest strength is social interaction (+13 to diplomacy and sense motive) and first mate would probably give me the most opportunity to use that. If making a new person first mate doesn’t sit well with people, my profession (sailor) is +9 so I could probably get away with being bosun/boatswain (and my acrobatics and climb are both +11 on a ship, so a position where I can still be in the rigging might not be a bad idea).

Lief initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Please note, my weapon has reach so (unless their attacks do too) I'll get a free attack against any of them that move next to me (up to 3). Also, I tried to join the Roll20 group with the link but I keep getting an error message?

“I wouldn’t be in too big a hurry to brave the Eye,” Lief answers the would-be helmsman solemnly, “I saw it tear a ship full of people who’d been sailing longer than you’ve been alive to pieces. I’m only alive today because my unconscious body was carried to shore tangled in the tattered ropes of a section of rigging and mast…”

The handsome man suddenly realizes what a downer he’s a being and flashes his charming smile at the captain and other female officers. “But I am alive, so I best get back to enjoying life. I don’t have anything here that needs finishing, except this waterskin full of mead. But, if you need help with anything before we leave, anything at all, just say the word.”

Before the halfling has a chance to walk back to the ship, a handsome human with a large, axe-like polearm comes trotting towards the group. He stands a little over six feet tall with broad shoulders and an athletic build, and the blond hair and bright blue eyes of an Ulfen. He smiles at the motley crew assembled around Rickety and calls out, "Hey, you're the ones looking to take on new crew members, right?"

He has a charming smile, and there's a pleasant cadence to his speech as he continues, "My name's Lief. I grew up with ropes in my hands and the salt air in my hair, and I've spent the last five years working as a sailor. I can work riggings, man a helm, navigate, and I can be helpful to have around in a fight. You may very well have warriors more skilled in combat than I am, but I know how to inspire them to fight better, and I can do a little bit of healing afterwards. Do you think there might be a place in your crew for me?"

@Emerald- that’s a good thought but I have uncanny dodge (so don’t count as flat footed when unaware) and combat reflexes (so I can still make AoOs while flat-footed), so I should probably be ok, I think.

Sure thing. Do you want to make a post setting up the meeting or should I just show up and interrupt what they’re doing to introduce myself?

How about you introduce yourself in character

Here or in gameplay?

Fresh meat!

lol, hello

I’m not sure what exactly I should say to introduce myself. Lief is a skilled sailor and talented negotiator (+13 diplomacy and sense motive), and a party buffer (his performance will boost everyone’s attacks/damage). He also has some healing and UMD to eventually provide some backup for the casters as needed. Does anyone have any questions I can answer?

Ok, in that case, I’ll use my bonus language from Int for Skald and drop Aquan. Thanks.

Hello, all!

@GM- thanks for the pick! I’m unclear on your answer about languages. Are you saying that in this game humans don’t get their ethnic language unless they spend a rank on linguistics, or that nobody gets bonus languages for high intelligence in this campaign, or both?

I don’t mind switching to studded leather- I just read the description (from the Varisia sourcebook) and the hide shirt doesn’t really look the way I was picturing it anyways. Am I good on the languages? And the UMD bonus?