Mahmoud the Blade's page

Mahmoud takes up a position on high ground and watches for movement or other dangers before they approach the mound.

He'll also take 10 on Perception (31) and Survival (21, 26 when tracking) if necessary.

Mahmoud does his best to back up Aerith, singing what he hopes is a pleasing counterpoint harmony. As he does, he steps back and forth on his nimble feet, sketching out a primitive dance of worship and supplication.

"Ohhhhh... tongue tongue
Ohhhhh... hums hums
Ohhhhh... Storm-born King
Nooooo... fang we sing
Ohhhhh... power and might
Ohhhhh... flee in fright"

He wrinkles his nose behind his mask. He is sure the creature will find this cacophony irritating, and he hefts his dagger in his hand behind his back to be ready as soon as it attacks.

"Ohhhhh... song to KEEP!
Ohhhhh... not our MEAT!
Ohhhhh... challenge THROWN!
Ohhhhh... rightful THRONE!"

He begins a dance performance, stepping up to Aerith and slowly traveling around her as they sing. He also activates his momentum. He spends a hit die to add to his Perform check.

Aid Perform (sing, untrained), Well-Practiced: 1d20 - 1 + 1d10 ⇒ (3) - 1 + (7) = 9

Following Aerith's lead in the pregnant silence that follows, he draws out one of the flame drake breath glands that they harvested from the creatures and holds it aloft to demonstrate her claim.

Mahmoud nods agreeably. "With Pharasma’s support, let us pray that your diplomatic approach will work as well with this dragon as it did with the last.”

He prepares to cast fly.

Darn. Then I guess Mahmoud would be at the mercy of the die roll. Not likely to make a beautiful song! :)

Mahmoud scrunches up his nose behind his mask, causing his eyes to narrow. "I am not a singer. Nor do I play an instrument. I do know a little about music, but I doubt it would impress anyone." He sighs. "But, it is a dragon, which I think you will want to know more about. I may be able to draw upon Pharasma's blessings to conjure pleasing sounds in an emergency."

I think he can use Illusion Mastery to cast minor image. Would that create an illusion of music? Maybe a bard playing a fiddle or lute? How 'good' would the performance be? :)

Mahmoud frowns. Climbing down would not be easy, but it might be worth flying, depending on what they thought would be likely found there. He also looks around while Aerith examines the area.

(He'll take 20 on Perception too.)

That seems like a wise move. ;)

Mahmoud nods. "Agreed. Let us continue. Lead on!"

Mahmoud collects the treasures and waits for Aerith to rejoin him before they continue onward.

(Added loot to spreadsheet!)

Mahmoud signals to Aerith and dives to follow and make sure both drake and rider will no longer bedevil them.

Reflex save (DC 17): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Reflex save (DC 17): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

Mahmoud veers sideways as he soars through the air, and avoids the brunt of the explosions.

(15 fire damage.)

He throws his dagger at the enemy drake, adding extra strength to make up the distance between him and his opponent.

Attack #1 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer, range: 1d20 + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 32
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer; -2 DR: 1d8 + 12 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 6 + 1 = 23

Bonus (Barrage) attack #2 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer, range: 1d20 + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (10) + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 28
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 12 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 6 + 1 = 20

Bonus (Barrage) attack #3 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer, range: 1d20 + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 36
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 12 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 6 + 1 = 25

Critical confirm attack #3 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer, range: 1d20 + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 22 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 - 1 = 34
Critical damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 12 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 6 + 1 = 20

Blowback Barrage (DC 18)

He moves 15' closer to the remaining drake and rider, beginning a beautiful and intricate dance as he flies. He also activates his momentum, regaining his martial focus.

Mahmoud uses Barroom Brawler as a swift action to gain Flight Mastery and casts fly. Then he moves upward to join Aerith.

Mahmoud nods his complete agreement from behind his intimidating mask. He immediately begins walking the direction she indicates, doing his best to choose the best path through the wild lands.

I really like how flexible it makes Mahmoud, because otherwise fighter can often become just do attack/do damage. He has some nice versatility in his super-specialized build. The trick is to remember all of his options, so that I can call upon them when they become relevant!

Looking back at the various Item Mastery feats, I just noticed that they all have a limited number of daily uses. It looks like you can currently cast fly twice per day and lightning bolt once per day.

They do, but Mahmoud has the Abundant Tactics Advanced Weapon Training feature, which adds his weapon training bonus to the number of times he can use a combat feat with a limited number of uses per day.

Although, now that I look at it again, I am not sure if Abundant Tactics applies. Mahmoud is using martial spontaneity to gain a combat feat, Advanced Weapon Training. He selects the Item Mastery option, which gives him an Item Mastery feat. The Item Mastery feat is not a combat feat, so Abundant Tactics might not apply to it. But I could also see an argument that the Item Mastery feat is part of the Advanced Weapon Training combat feat, and so for Advanced Weapon Training options that have a limited number of uses (like Item Mastery) Abundant Tactics should apply.

Mahmoud listens quietly as Aerith explains what the various items do. "We are lucky we did not need that stone salve," he grunts. "What use is a hydra? A pet?" He shrugs.

If we think we are likely to face enemies vulnerable to electricity, the wand of lightning bolt might be worth having-- though Mahmoud can already cast lightning bolt by using Martial Spontaneity to get Energy Mastery.

Yay! Thanks, GM. :)

I'd imagine if we can go around this hex and keep exploring the sand flats according to Aerith's plan, we will.

Fort save (DC 18): 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Mahmoud veers back when Aerith identifies the creature, trying to avert his eyes, but less nimble than usual due to his inexperience with flying. He gets a good look at it, and shudders.

Is it too late to expend his martial focus to roll a 13 on the die? I know I should have said that before I rolled, but I forgot about it until I started looking to see if there was any way to undo the failure. :)

Mahmoud can't fly all the time like Aerith can; he can only fly for 9m at a time by casting fly with the Flight Mastery feat. This costs him stamina points, and he can regain them by resting for a few minutes, but I think for general exploration he has to remain on the ground while Aerith scouts above.

So, I'm going to imagine that when Aerith spots the rock formations and reports, Mahmoud will then cast fly and join her to approach and examine them more closely from the air.

Mahmoud squints into the sun. "Are those statues?" he asks. "I wonder what could cause such formations." He itches his shoulder and adjusts his desert headpiece.

Seems like Aerith has a plan so I'll defer to her. :)

Did the worm have any treasure? Maybe a special tooth? (Thinking of NetHack!)

Oh, sorry, I must have misread that bit about the hardness. When we rest this evening, Mahmoud will cast mending on the dagger, which should undo the corrosion, right?

Would Mahmoud know that he needs to improve his Reflex saves before he engages? If he does, he will use Barroom Brawler as a swift action by spending 5 stamina, and give himself Advanced Weapon Training (Fighter's Reflexes), which allows him to add his weapon training bonus (+4) to Reflex saves for 1 minute.

He will also start his performance before launching his barrage, rather than after as he usually does, so that he can activate Replenish if necessary. (If he is performing, and Aerith joins the performance, they both count as having an active totem for the Rally ability because of his Vicious Performer feat.) He will also activate his Momentum (mostly in case we need to mitigate damage).

Reflex (vs acid maw, DC 17): 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28 (+4 if he has Fighter's Reflexes active)

15 damage from the acid maw. I don't think I can use Momentum to reduce that because it's not from "an attack".

Looks like Quickspiral has hardness 10 (base light weapon) + 4 (2 x enhancement bonus) = 14, and hp 2 (base light weapon) + 20 (10 x enhancement bonus) = 22. For the save, Mahmoud gets to add his weapon training bonus (+4) because of his weapon guard ability. It's not a specific type of bonus, so I think that means he can add it twice if his Fighter's Reflexes went through.

Reflex (vs corrosive blood #1, DC 17): 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 4 = 22 (+4 if he has Fighter's Reflexes active)
Acid damage: 3d6 - 14 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) - 14 = -1 (halved if he saved)

Reflex (vs corrosive blood #2, DC 17): 1d20 + 12 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 12 + 4 = 22 (+4 if he has Fighter's Reflexes active)
Acid damage: 3d6 - 14 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) - 14 = -8 (halved if he saved)

Looks like Pharasma is watching over him!

Mahmoud springs into action when the worm emerges from the sand, dancing forward and hurling his daggers at the creature despite the stream of acid it sprays at them. With amazing agility he tosses his dagger in such a way that it avoids the corrosive spurts of the worm's blood yet still cuts deeply.

Mahmoud agrees. He seems content to let Aerith choose their route, only voicing his opinion should she be uncertain.

Yay! Should we just pick a direction to go from our current hex? I'd suggest we go north, heading for the sand flats. We don't have any hints about where the tomb is, do we? For some reason I imagine it would be in sand flats, but that's just my gut instinct.

Mahmoud looks back at the gnolls. "I can just fly at the same level as you, then," he says slowly. "Once we are higher up, we should see what they intend with their bottled storms, to flee or fight."

He moves into the sky, rising up to see over the swirling sand and crossing the distance to bring him 60' closer. Then, depending on where the enemies are placed, he maneuvers to encourage them to flee easily along the river rather than deeper into the mountains. He looks around with his higher vantage, scouting what lies where in their immediate area.

Mahmoud looks at Aerith's dragon form. He says: "If I climb on your back, we might fight better together. We could also watch the enemies from above to see what they do. I have Pharasma's blessing to keep me from falling."

Sure thing! I have been imagining that Mahmoud is basically circling his enemies, but we should make it clear when we are in corridors and other tight spaces how far he can actually travel.

I just discovered that there are some new Intimidate-focused talents that have been added to Barrage. If possible, I'd love for Mahmoud to take Warning Shot (blitz) instead of Demoralizing Momentum. Demoralizing Momentum requires an immediate action to activate but can be used by either Mahmoud or Aerith, while Warning Shot takes away a Barrage attack and can pin the opponent down to keep them from fleeing. The latter seems better for Mahmoud to me, and I doubt Aerith will ever give up an immediate action to demoralize an opponent when she could instead use a (slam) talent. What do you think?

I noticed something else that I might be playing wrong: The Performance (dance) talents say that when Mahmoud uses them, he becomes fatigued after ten minutes. I realized I was assuming that if he doesn't use them for ten minutes, he doesn't get fatigued, but it might be that he gets fatigued whenever he uses them, but only every ten minutes. I searched the Drop Dead discord looking for clarification, but I didn't see anything. Here's the text of the (dance) package: "For every 10 minutes that a dance is maintained, you become fatigued; you cannot begin a dance while exhausted."

If it works the way I thought it works, there's hardly any cost at all for Mahmoud to use it every fight, since he will never keep it up longer than a few minutes at most. If it works the way I suspect it actually works, Mahmoud will have to use martial spontaneity or Barroom Brawler ten minutes after every fight he dances to gain Restoration Mastery and use it to remove the fatigued condition, and then rest to regain stamina. (Or get Aerith to cast Restore.) Also he can only use Restoration Mastery 5 times each day (1/day plus Abundant Tactics gives him 4 more uses).

Mahmoud (as a move action) activates his martial spontaneity to grant himself the ability to cast fly (he gains the Item Mastery Advanced Weapon Training feat, which temporarily gives him Flight Mastery for one minute). Then he casts fly on himself (as a standard action, if he can do both before initiative).

Mahmoud pauses, and watches the slavers and their hyenas through slitted eyes. While he is not opposed to fighting them, their captured humans could prove problematic for Aerith and himself to look after. Frightening them off would be better, he thinks. He looks sideways at Aerith to see if she has similar thoughts, though he has a very hard time reading her expressions in dragon form. "Scare them off?" he mutters to her in his low, growly voice.

Hmm, in that case I could take Signature Skill (Intimidate) and get the benefits of Pathfinder's Intimidate skill unlocks with Mahmoud's Perform (dance) skill? That's still pretty good!

Mahmoud had spent some time on the run in his previous life, and had some small idea of basic survival methods when camping in the desert. He also keeps a wary eye out for danger, and examines any tracks they come across to get a sense of what enemies they may face.

Mahmoud will take 10 on Survival checks if that's allowed. Stealth probably isn't an option while marching through the desert with a dragon, but if we want to try to sneak up on something Mahmoud can cast invisibility. Mahmoud is also wearing a ring of sustenance, since Aerith suggested a while back that he purchase one as soon as he could.

Hi folks! I updated Mahmoud, but I realized in doing so that I have been giving him too many blended talents. His cleric side of the gestalt should only get blended talents when his caster level increases, which is not every level because he's only a mid-caster. Whoops! So I removed two of his momentum talents, the ones we weren't really using anyway.

Level 9
HP: 6[HD]+4[CON]=10 hp
BAB: +1
skill ranks: 4[class]+1[FCB]=5 ranks (+1 Disable Device, +1 Fly, +1 Heal, +1 Survival, +1 Use Magic Device)
saves: +1 Reflex
ABP: +3 resistance
Feat: Signature Skill (Perform [dance])
AC: +1 (unarmored training)
cleric: nothing
fighter: combat talent (Gladiator: Daunting), tenacious grip, weapon training +2

Daunting says that opponents he has demoralized provoke attacks of opportunity when they miss him.

I'm hoping that Signature Skill (Perform [dance]) gives Mahmoud the skill unlock benefits for the two skills he can use his Perform (dance) in place of, Acrobatics and Intimidate. That should allow him to frighten creatures with a demoralize check and move more easily through opponents' squares.

Now that he's got 9 ranks in Heal and UMD, he can use stamina to cast remove blindness/deafness or remove paralysis using Restorative Mastery. Since he can also take Flight Mastery in that same way, he can now put a rank in the Fly skill.

Oh hurray! I’m currently relaxing on a couch in a less-traveled area of Disneyland, but I will update my character sheet when I get back home tomorrow!

I'm going on vacation tomorrow through Monday, so my posts might be even shorter or less frequent. I will have my phone, but I'm unlikely to have much time during the day.

Mahmoud stares thoughtfully at the fresco. "That looks more like a map than a tribute," he mutters. "What language is that? It seems artists never change. They cannot simply draw a picture that looks like what it is supposed to look like." He crosses his arms and glowers up at the ceiling.

Mahmoud is ready and springs back into the room as soon as he hears the rubble hit the floor. He is surprised to see the two creatures descending from above, but immediately prepares to throw his dagger at the closest.

He takes his full movement as a move action, beginning only one performance as he does so. He also replenishes his momentum pool. Then as a standard action, he throws his dagger twice. He throws it a third time using his forward momentum as a swift action.

Attack #1 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 20 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer; -2 DR: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 21
Bonus (Barrage) attack #2 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 20 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 38
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 22
Bonus (Momentum) attack #3 (Quickspiral), Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 27
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 23

Crit confirm attack #2 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 20 - 1 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 36
Add crit damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 21

Look! Another nat 1! Fortunately, because Mahmoud didn't spend his martial focus on this attack and he has Perfect Shot, his nat 1s can still hit (maybe the creature is flat-footed?)

Mahmoud purses his lips, looks up at the ceiling, and nods. "I will wait just outside, behind the doorframe," he mutters. Guarding against wandering monsters from inside or outside the chamber, it doesn't matter to him.

Once Aerith and Mahmoud pool their observations and determine what is going on, Mahmoud suggests that he keep watch while Aerith attempts to physically remove the false ceiling, in case any more creatures come to investigate the sounds.

Mahmoud looks up at the ceiling and examines it carefully to see if he can see any sign of the (presumably) faded fresco.

Can he take 20 on this roll?

Mahmoud, any ideas on how to proceed? The best I can think of is more research within the city as towards this figure and the missing fresco.

I don't think Mahmoud would think of it, but it occurs to me the player that we could research the artist to see if there are other accounts of what the fresco might have looked like before it presumably faded with time. Did Hor-hepu have any other exhibits of their work, or like a studio where early drafts might be preserved? Alternatively, we could look for magic that restores faded pigments or something like that?

Mahmoud looks sharply at Aerith, startled. "Yes, I will come with you. We must stick together, in case assassins with feathers are still looking for us. There is safety in numbers."

I think it's cool!

Mahmoud considers the ramifications of the note, and frowns. He catches Aerith's eye before they retire and shows it to her. "I do not know much of human interactions of this sort, but I am not sure what to make of 'recent events' that would require our patron to depart."

Mahmoud reports what he has discovered in his low, understated voice, but his eyes water to cover his own yawn when he sees Aerith's toothy maw stretch with fatigue. "Yes, we must rest. Here? Or back to the inn?" He almost cracks a smile to himself thinking that they mustn't let down the assassins that have been following them every time they leave.

Mahmoud considers. "If we were to continue exploring, I would need only to restore the blessing from my goddess that allows me to see in the darkness. Easily done, if you are willing to advance forward."

Mahmoud nods with his characteristic conservation of movement, as if to say "Of course, it goes without saying."

I updated our loot sheet with these new treasures.

I don't think either of us has spent any gold yet; Mahmoud because I don't want him to be without his dagger for ten days, and Aerith because she hasn't decided what to buy. :)

Mahmoud continues his barrage of dagger tosses, easily maneuvering around Aerith as he dances to either side.

Attack #1 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 20 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 20
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer; -2 DR: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 21

Bonus (Barrage) attack #2 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 20 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 18
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 26

Bonus (Barrage) attack #3 (Quickspiral), Barrage, Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 20 - 3 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 21
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 19

Bonus (Momentum) attack #4 (Quickspiral), Deadly Aim, Deific Obedience, Melee Archer: 1d20 + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 20 - 3 + 2 + 1 = 30
Damage (magic, piercing/slashing), Deadly Aim, Melee Archer; -2 DR: 1d8 + 11 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 6 + 1 = 19

My relationship with the dice roller is improving: only one natural 1 this time!