Loche's page

My apologies to all. I've been busy and unable to keep up. I am retiring Loche as a result.

Thanks for the rpg experience.

Acrobatics (Loche needing 20) 1d20 ⇒ 8
Perception (Loche) 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

Acrobatics (Beetle has 6 legs for +8 vs Trip and similar knock downs) 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20
Perception (Beetle) 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Loche goes tumbling and finds his companion coming soon after.

"Get off me you overgrown horsefly."

Loche re-directs the sphere at the remaining Ice Mephit.

Reflex DC 17 to avoid. Damage 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) = 12

Plus 50% for Fire Vulnerability will make that 18 damage

'Back to the outer planes with you ice spawn. This world has enough troubles without you adding to the mix.'

"I may not know what these creatures are but by the spirits I am a Child of Winter and I know how to fight the cold...with Fire"

Standard Action to cast spell Flaming Sphere and move action to direct the Flaming Sphere at one of the Mephit. Range is 100'+40'. Each round it can move 30'. Reflex Save to avoid DC of 17. Light is shed as a torch. Damage is 3d6 Fire 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 1) = 4

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

"Cursed if I know. The things ain't natural and part of my prevue. Talk to a wizard if you want to know on creatures from other planes. They're the ones always messing with the natural balance like taking an innocent elemental and binding it to the core of this ship."

Loche follows Captain Ria's signal and leads his companion below deck. It is a bit of shove getting the large beetle's carapace through the door but the beetle turns a bit sideways to fit it's way through.

Perception roll 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

'Looks like we have winged company readying for a feast. Prepare yourselves or you'll be dinner for the buzzards or worse.'

Knowledge Nature to identify creatures 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Acrobatics Check 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Loche moves carefully along gathering his companion. Loche waves off the Cold Weather gear. He'd been born in the north lands and he had a natural affinity with the cold. It took extreme cold pass what most weather gear was built to handle to bother him. If it was that cold then he'd be asking the spirits to give him protection.

Loche also didn't bother with the rings. They were too small for his companion and Loche could fly naturally though he was still learning the basics of maneuvering in tight spots. Even a turkey could land relatively well without much fan fare.

"Alright you elements. You've huffed and puffed enough. Settle it down a might before I get angry myself."

Wild Empathy 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

Good to go.

Loche looks for something to feed his companion before bedding down for the night. The good thing of a beetle was that it ate most things. Kitchen refuge was a snack. Boxes were more filling. Tree logs were a main meal.

Loche does his best to instruct his companion to deposit any poop near the side of the ship where it was less effort to shovel it over the edge.

It was part of having a companion that most people forgot. Sure, sure it looked great having a giant beetle at your back but feeding and cleaning up the mess afterwards made elephants seem attractive.

Loche enjoys some cheese, eggs, and fruit.

"I'm not sure of your kingdom's ways. Does undeath invalidate the right to the throne? If the person has been crowned and they die and then are raised to life then are they not valid again to be considered king since they were king first? Do we have a priest that can determine the will of the gods in the right to rule?"

Loche was a little saddened by the leaving of the prison for he knew that he had failed the forest for he had failed to retrieve the other items he was supposed to find.

Loche pats his companion after the ordeal. He is tempted to offer up some of the fine wood the ship is made from as a snack to his companion that is surely hungry at this point but figures that will likely anger the good crew looking upon him.

"There, there, my friend, we'll find you some nice evergreen to eat later."

Loche then scans to make sure that someone had made sure the king they had worked hard and sacrificed life for had made it aboard the ship.

"Vorik your concern for Desh is touching but did you make sure that special friend made it aboard the ship? I'm looking but I'm not sure if I'm seeing him. Surely, you didn't forget your 'friend' we came all this way to see."

OOT Tues till Fri. I might have limited access during that time but not guaranteed. Just NPC as needed.

Loche moves back a bit and stomps his scythe's butt three times rapidly on the stone to make a banging noise to alert his companion to come and grab him.

Handle Animal 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (6) + 10 = 16

Ride 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

The Beetle trained for battle breaks off combat in the mists and sleet and Loche easily mounts the beetle on the fly as it leaps into the air in pursuit of the air ship.

Loche prepares to cast Obscuring Mists to cover Bones escape while preparing to 'call off' his beetle for a fly away.

Loche finishes his summoning and calls up a Stirge to bother the guards followed by preparing to cast Obscuring Mists.

"Get clear Bones."

"Me and the beetle can fly and catch the ship before it flies to far away."

With the Dreadnoughts surrounding the others, Loche begins to the call to the Great Woods for another to help flank the Dreadnoughts.

Full round action is casting summoning spell.

They did open themselves up to attacks of opportunity and moved to block us rather than attack. Maybe, they just moved and did a run around the sides?

AoO from Beetle 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Bite Damage with chance to grab 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Grab attempt from Lockjaw 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15

The Beetle snaps at the dreadnaught trying to move by and attempts to latch on the dwarf.

Loche's Beettle attacks again 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

The beetle failed to connect with his enlarged mandibles which prevented him from latching on.

<Seeing the beetle charge into the dwarves>

Bones ask the paladin should they stand their ground or charge in also.

I will follow Vorik's lead even if it means delaying until he goes.

The Dwarf Dreadnaughts have already charged the Paladin. See Levi's last post. Vorik was missed on that post do to his armour. I sent the beetle in to the melee divide up the Dreadnaughts attacks so Vorik is not the only one getting smacked.

Loche dismounts from his beetle.

Loche orders his beetle companion to charge forward and attack one of the Dreadnaughts.

I say we split the difference and call it one free airship. ;>

Desh wrote:

I thought it was fun. I really still hope for the air pirate angle, but Desh is NG on his character sheet - and i just couldnt' see him being okay with wholesale slaughter of sailors. :D

Maybe we'll get our chance still... Hint, Hint, Levi!

Oh, don't worry. That Airship is there for a reason. When Loche wanted to go down, I was like .... "NO! NO! NO! Go UP!" Haha!

And don't worry Loche, I got you covered! ;)

Good to know because I was thinking that I might have to skip part of my 'quest' and make do with half a success.

'Looks like you're going to need a bit of an upgrade to tackle these boys. My beetle can probably hold up one of these dwarfs. At least long enough for the rest of you to put the other to bed. If we need cover to run then I can summon the mists of the forest to give that but I doubt it would last long enough to keep then away from the airship.'

Preparing to cast Lockjaw on the Beetle.

lockjaw

It will last three rounds and give +4 on grab attacks with the beetle's bite attack.

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

My posting will be limited until Sunday night. NPC me if you need to.

'I've got to agree that we don't need to be kill'n everything we see. We've still got a decent story in that we're bounty hunters. The guards at the gate ain't the same that are running the ship. A bit of gold or other items ought to be enough to buy passage to nearest city or wherever this ship be going.'

'Only prisoners wouldn't have money to offer to purchase a ride. If we have money then we can't be prisoners. And the only other thing inside a prison are guards and visitors.'

'You do have coin on ya?'

Loche groans visibly for a moment and waves the rest of the group ahead.

'Teaching lummox here,' he indicates with a tap of his staff as he hops off the beetle, 'a new trick like to not step somewhere is never pretty. You better get to safety and I'll see what I can do to lead him over with out putting his neck in the noose.'

This will likely count as a Push since I don't have something in the beetle's repertoire of tricks yet to avoid something. This could get interesting. ;> I guess I'll stand near the trap switch and then order my beetle to squeeze around me as if the corridor was narrower.

I know Darius said he was on point and in his latest post he said that he looked back at Loche which would indicate the Rogue is on point. No indication of looking for traps in prior posts by anyone since we came into the prison; so, I personally wasn't expecting any. Traps in main corridor ways tend to kill or damage too many of your own people as they blunder into them far more then the rare intruder but then traps are part of the gaming 'story'.

Loche though will be happy at the demonstration of buildings and his point on stumbling into tar pits :D

With pursuers behind us, I'm fairly sure we weren't going slow. Indiana didn't walk away from the boulder chasing him. ;>

Reflex checks are needed then I'll put them into a spoiler.

As far as I could tell, here's how the marching order goes, Beetle in front which occupies 10ft. Then behind it is Loche & Darius while Desh takes point at the back. Here's my suggestion for the position in between: Kaius & Vorik, then Bones & Dakvor. I'll have no objection if anyone wants to change the marching order totally.

Loche is riding the beetle not behind it.

'Since when did killing trees become the only way to write messages? Don't you know that you can use beeswax tablets, clay tablets, chisel stone, tie knots and braids in material, use magic runes on a host of substances, carve wood, embed talking messages with magic in a host of things, arrange stones in patterns, stamp metal, and need I go on?

'Killing trees and skinning animals is your solution to writing. No wonder you are constantly killing yourselves in war. You can't even think of a way of writing that doesn't involve destroying nature much less trying to live peacefully with one another.'

'Fine building this. What kind of women are you planning to pick up in this place? Someone to take home to mother? And for someone concerned with riches of gold and gems, the second the opportunity for those came up, you seemed to want to run the other way.

'You've chosen your path, so, I've not to do but see ya through as I won't get paid unless we get ya out of this mess.'

'Why is that every time humans hire a guide to go into the woods -- the second they get in the tree line they think themselves instant experts and know the best route by looking at a straight line? You're all fools. Maybe after you've been clubbed a few times by guards as we get closer to the gates that you're in a rush to try and breach you'll realize sense. 'Course, most times, that's after you've already stepped in the tar pit and their ain't much more to do but watch you sink.'

Loche will go with the group's decision but he is clearly unhappy with the choice.

Loche halts his beetle and grumbles at the delay which is allowing the 'hounds' to get closer.

'Whatever you choose be quick of it. I may have the strength of the woods but it won't allow me to fight off an army all day if continue to dither.'

"I'm holding back nothing a little reading wouldn't cure."

"I've a mind to find out more of this here mine they supposedly built this prison on top of. They say that there are shards as big as your fist down there."

"My guess is that these prisoners they've been keeping here are just a cheap supply of slaves to work the ore down there. And just like a fox in the wood, the best way to lose your scent is by heading deeper into the bear's cave."

"Course, if you don't want to set your eyes on one of the wonders of this here world that few have been privy to or to find a few treasured shards that will give a King the funds to fight some bloody war then we could go straight up to the gates and turn ourselves in now while they're at maximum alert."

"A few more hours or even a day or two down here will make our leaving that much easier. Guards will be round up prisoners and slaughtering more than a few in revenge for the loss of that there Minotaur and Dwarf. They'll not be done exacting their blood vengeance for several days. After that's all done they'll have forgotten what started their alarm in the first place."

'They'll expect that we are taking the most direct route up to the entrance to escape. I suggest that we head down and lose our scent in the depths below.'

Loche directs his beetle downwards.

Loche takes Bone's direction and sets his beetle in the entranceway to avoid anyone else breaking into there way.

'If you're freeing anyone else then be quick of it. These blinking globes won't stop until we're all locked up and I've other things to do then count the number of bricks in a cell.'

If people signal to go then Loche will start the group moving at a solid pace.

Will save Fear +7 +4 Pal 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

'A worthy suggestion. I have no idea on how to navigate this maze but the map seems to show where we are at any time. My thoughts are that it should give us a good way to head.'

'Now do you wish me and the beetle to lead or to follow. I can also carry the prisoner on my beetle with me if he isn't strong yet to walk far.'

Loche moves to mount his beetle and take position in the formation that the players choose.

Like a Mahout, Loche raps the shell of the beetle's shell a couple of times with the handle of his scythe in a pattern that it is trained to respond to.

'I hope you all have a Plan B cuz the elemental in this spell is breaking free. I don't think I can hold it much longer.'

Last round for spell. DC 16 Ref 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) = 16

Signaled Beetle to Overun. See if it obeys Wild Empathy check with +4 for Companion. 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

That should be enough as it is part of its attacks.

Beetle w Improved Overrun 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

After issuing the order to his mount, he moves back to the rear of the group to let the fighters lead.

Round 2

The Beetle doesn't have a 'name' as Loche views 'naming' a humanization that is against the 'natural order' of things. You can use the term 'companion' if you want something other then beetle.

Loche will direct the Flaming Sphere at the Minotaur from it's backside. Ref DC 16 Damage 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) = 16

Beetle will bite w PA 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage w PA 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

'If'n you're not busy. We could use some help over here.'

Preparing components for Flaming Sphere and moving to keep my beetle from me and area beyond the 961 cell block entrance. I'll toss the sphere on the entrance if I see a mob of guards trying to break in here.

Pointing to my earlier post to keep my beetle between me and what I take was the path of entrance of the minotaur. Beetle is CMD 18 or 26 vs things like Trip. Beetle is also size Large 10'x10' area it occupies for purposes of trying to move around it. Not sure how wide the corridor is.

Damage from Flaming Sphere with Ref DC 16 to negate 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6) = 17

Flaming Sphere

If beetle gets an AoO on Minotaur then bite Power Attack

Bite to hit w/ -1 for Power Attack 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage Bite w/ +3 for Power Attack 1d4 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11

Door with the minotaur is the aim for the flaming sphere. Trying to keep the sphere between the group and the minotaur and hopefully block the doorway.

'Great Flame they have a Minotaur and it looks like he's hungry!'

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
Knowledge Nature 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

I have the prepared action to use the flaming sphere at the entrance of the doorway.

Initiative-1d20+4

"Shoulda let Vorik slit your throat!" Darius bared his teeth at Loche before leaping forward,

'Yeah, and I shoulda been a tree. We make the best of the shards we're dealt.'

'Well, elf, do you have a second act to go with that first trick? And will someone here shove the keys in to the blasted lock.'

Loche heightens his senses preparing for trouble.

Loche also reaches into his pouch and pulls components to give them at least a small advantage in the coming fight.

'I'll try to buy you a few extra seconds but more than that I can't do. Still a bit of the sun's fire will boil the beard off of a dwarf or two if they try to come too close.'

Preparing components for Flaming Sphere and moving to keep my beetle from me and area beyond the 961 cell block entrance. I'll toss the sphere on the entrance if I see a mob of guards trying to break in here.

Loche taps the beetle with the handle of the scythe to signal it to follow him and the others. It scuttles around and begins following.

'nothin wrong with misfits. Natures way of experimentin. Some of the biggest and toughest in a herd are misfits. Being a misfit tends to make them tougher and meaner then the rest of the herd.'

'but if'n either of you be want'n that there dwarf to be open'n that there door. You might be want'n to get the keys back from Vroik.'

Ya, but my character is forbidden to discuss that as part of his 'deal' to get the aid he needs.

Darn those GMs and setting up situations like this for us players to suffer through. hehe.

Speaking of which, see Desh, having a strong personality is not always a good thing, it gets swords pointed at your throat. ;>

'At least some speak sense down here. Now, I don't know these boys from Sharn you're talking on but I'm sure enough as the sun rises that if they were to be pissing on my beliefs it would be their own leg that fell on. Everything that walks, flys, swims, and grows knows the way of things whether they want to admit it or not.'

'It'd be like ignoring a tree trunk in the woods. You can close your eyes all you want but eventually you're going to run into it's reality.'

'Now, lets be moving again as we've this prisoner folk to be rescuing so we can get on to more important things and you're holding the keys to the cell.'

'Mind you, releasing that feller is going to reap buckets of blood deep enough that even those dark gods you serve will be pleased. Like as not all the kingdoms will again be at each other's throat and marching here and there with blood on the brain.'

'Course, that's all good by me. The more the various kingdoms choose to fight the better it is for the trees provided they don't go chop crazy building their silly machines to kill each other off faster. Then again, some things might be worth sacrificing a few trees.'

'Me, I've got greater concerns than that silliness like fighting true corruption in the world that tries to dig in the heart of the wod and rot from within.'

Upon hearing Loche utter words about his King and country, Vorik is instantly incensed. He quickly unsheathes his sword and whips the point towards the druid. "How dare you spew forth such filth regarding my King and my Country, comparing us to base insects!. You do not know me or my family, and you insult my honor and that of my ancestors. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't cut you down where you stand?"

'And that's the very reason why I prefer animals to people. Animals aren't stupid enough to turn on their own when they're deep inside an enemy territory. We've got miles to go and things to do without slowing down for this feather show. Unless of course you're into wasting the good graces of whatever patron spawned this deal and felt we were all needed to help find this person. I'm sure they can try again tomorrow if it suits you.'

'Now can we focus on this Dwarf and how he might lead us to our target or use the map and follow the footsteps. I don't care which. I'm not here for the prisoner, I have promises to keep that are miles from here but I'm here because getting this person out of here serves my cause.'

'I think the others here weren't finished asking you some questions.'

Perception 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

Loche directs his beetle to flatten the Dwarf under its bulk.

Free Action to order Companion for Trick. Beetle has improved overrun so need to beat CMD of dwarf by 5 to knock prone and beat the CMD to get through the dwarf's square.

Over run 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

'Not so fast unless you want your outwards melted with acid and turned into a beetle slurpee. He needs quite a bit to eat and there ain't been much to eat down here. Dwarf might just do in a pinch.'

Loche is riding on his beetle

Fear 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Loche is not sure why but he feels the Grim haunting his steps as he steps into the block. He is certain that death is stepping on his shadow.

'I'm going to die here. I'm going to die here and never return to the woods again.'

--------------------

'Your King, Vroik? You some royal? Totally stupid notion. Even bees know that royal jelly alone doesn't make a queen. You need to be strong enough to fight for the right to royal or you deserve sitting in the dirt or dead. Weakness has no place in government. It weakens the colony and the pride.'

Spellcraft 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12