Malus Tenebrae's page

Not relevant to this particular post, but I am very interested if you end up running a high-tier of this in the future. Really want to run the entire series eventually before Malus levels out of it.

"While I am glad to be of assistance to the Society, I am thoroughly upset. Not because the Memoirs were fake, but because our senior leadership were so easily duped by the promise of it. As a member of the Dark Archive, I understand the need to aquire items of power, whether they are powerful in and of themselves or they provide important knowledge, but this appears to be a lesson that we cannot let greed blind us to the situation around us."

Malus stares off pensively for a second.
"It is a shame I could not spend time conversing with the rogue captain, it seems we could have learned a lot from each other..."

The combat clear, Malus casts Detect Magic and searches the spellcasting captain for magical artifacts and spellbooks.

Malus, seeing the situation handled to the south, sets to work cleaning up the area around him by kicking the weapons a good distance away from the prone bodies nearby.

"Hey Rhuul, what does a pirate say after he messes with pathfinders?"

Malus winks, leaving his joke unfinished...

Just wanted to say thank you. I think you did a fantastic job as gm, it was rough with the holidays but you kept it all on track.

Wasn't a giant fan of this scenario though, for some reason I just didn't find it as compelling as newer ones I've done.

Still got to show off at the end, and thank you Rhuul for helping Malus score his first melee kill, haha. Can't wait to 'upgrade' Ripper at lvl 7!

Thanks to all of the team, by the way. Very cool characters.

Malus advances and takes a backhand swat at the archer with his Cestus.

Cestus + Flank + Rhuul Bonuses: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Damage: 1d4 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 + 2 = 1
Damage: 1d4 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (1) - 2 + 2 = 1

You hear a groan from somewhere behind the trees right after Rhuul's 'quip'...

Could someone please upload a nice enough Rhamphorhynchus icon onto the map for me in order to perform my familiar's actions? I can manipulate objects on the map, but I seem to time out while trying to add a new image. Thanks!

Malus intones a spell, and a small ball of ice appears above his head, launching at Lady Riverbane. An almost palpable accumulation of power activates during this incantation.

Malus uses 1 point from his arcane reservoir in order to increase the CL by +1 on his spell.

Snowball! vs Lady Riverbane's Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
Damage: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 6, 4) = 16

DC 15 vs Fort or Staggered 1 round.

As sudden as his actions, a crack in the air, darker than night, appears behind him and Malus steps through, the crack quickly closing behind him. A keen eye notices him re-appearing behind the archers and he quickly takes off for cover behind the tree-line.

Dimensional Slide takes 1 point from his arcane reservoir and he moves up to 30' to a new location that he can see, taking 5' of his movement (indicated by the transparent Malus icon). He then moves his remaining 25' to his final position.

Watch out for that witch if you see her.

"Not to worry, we stand at the ready to deal with a witch; you are now under the protection of the Pathfinder Society. It appears often the case that they have exchanged defences for their arcane powers, and that will be her undoing."

Craft Mechanical + MW Tools + Crafter's Fortune: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 2 + 5 = 35
Nice!

PFS#137500-1
Dark Archive

Really sorry, one last day of travels and I'm home tomorrow evening. Magic missile wand until then, then I'm 100% back in business. Thanks for understanding.

I don't want to hold things up here, going to cast daze dc 14 vs Will. Sorry, can't ccoherently post more.

Malus has darkvision.

Disable Device (Aid Another): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"There, that should do it." he whispers.

Forget it, no more waiting. Anyone I injure I will heal it, but I've been waiting for days for Holman to move...

Malus completes his throw on the far swarm indicated by a ranged attack against the square indicated by the far left 'explosion'

Ranged Touch vs West square: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Alchemists Fire Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Malus follows his throw with a quick sidestep away from the swarm.

Malus takes a flask of Alchemist's Fire from his bandolier and holds steady.

"I am ready to throw it as soon as you clear yourselves of the spiders, Holman and Nokazi!"

Malus delays his standard action until the two party members clear themselves of the spiders.

Nature (untrained): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Malus activates his Jade Wayfinder on Holman. Grants Guidance, +1 to skill check

Nice, I think a few of you took some temporary ability damage, potion up!

Any results on the potions/poisons, GM?

Do all three potions have the same label?

Malus casts Detect Magic in case this helps his DC, not sure, and samples one of the potions.

Perception to identify potion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Malus takes the time to reset his wands in his spring-loaded wrist sheaths, then assists Eadie in searching for clues about what happened to the former crew of this ship.

Take 10 Perception: 10 + 8 = 18

My apologies, got pretty busy last night!

Malus activates the wand in his right hand this time, targetting the spider.

Magic Missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

If I am tracking things correctly, that last spider is at full health! At least we're working them down... Everyone is mostly alright except for Rhuul who seems in a bad place, correct?

Malus sighs, and flicks his left wrist. Another wand drops down into his waiting hand and he quickly activates it on Rhuul.

Rhuul feels a sudden uneasy, evil feeling about what has just happened.

Wow this is going fast, sorry, this was our big 'set up for Xmas' weekend, lots to do.

Malus flicks his right wrist, and a wand appears in his right hand. He activates it on targeting the same spider he damaged before.

Magic Missile vs Yellow: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Malus moves back to get a better angle on a spider, then casts a quick spell targeting the spider that was near his grease. A ball of frost appears above his hand and launches toward the spider.

Snowball vs Touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Damage: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 2) = 9

DC 15 vs Fortitude or Staggered for one Round.

Malus incants some words and a portion of the floor in the hold ahead of you is covered with a thick, greasy coating.

I see them on the map, can my character see them from where he is? 60' Darkvision

I think that we are all in the 'same boat' (gotta keep it going) regarding paizo.com

Perception (Malus): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Perception (Ripper - He communicates feelings to me): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Can't update map from work, but so long as I am not first, my position doesn't really matter. I generally want to be within 60' of my targets.

Just a heads up, I have an arcanist exploit that I have found to be particularly useful in PFS: Consume Magic Items.

Basically, whenever potions/scrolls/wands are found, I can convert them into one of my resources (my arcane reservoir). Obviously, I don't just consume everything I find, but this can be turned into:

-More standard action summons
-Buffs to my spell's caster level or DC
-Used to teleport around

I have often found that we get items that while useful (e.g. a wand of restoration when fighting things that do ability damage), not all charges need to be used.

TL;DR: feed me magic items for fun times(TM).

Malus takes the time to activate his Mage Armor wand once again, and joins Eadie, albeit slightly behind. The wand is returned to his bandolier for future use.

"I am right behind you, Eadie, my magic at the ready."

Oh, I see. First time I've played anything before season five, didn't know things were like that.

At the end of the day, we're having fun, so I'm not too concerned.

Based on what we've seen thus far, I think that if we face more pirates of this sort that I will be easing off spending my resources unless there is a bigger threat involved.

Malus takes some time to straighten out his clothing, and begins a quick check of his equipment to ensure nothing is lost or out of place.

"If this is the big pirate threat we have been hearing about on these waters, I am sorry to say that it appears slightly exaggerated; they may have accomplished more shouting puns back at us."

Malus waves dismissively at the eagles, causing them to leave this plane with a faint popping noise.

"I have no use for a ship myself, but I have to agree that this value seems wasted at the floor of the river."

Malus intones some words while gesturing at the archer farthest to the south, and not otherwise occupied by a melee monster.

The eagles, meanwhile, continue their attacks:

Eagle1 Talon1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Eagle1 Talon2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Eagle1 Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Eagle2 Talon1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Eagle2 Talon2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Eagle2 Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Eagle 1 farther north, Eagle 2 to the south

Malus takes a step forward then makes some quick gestures with his hand aimed at the archers farthest from his melee oriented companions, and...

He spends two points from his arcane pool

Summon Monster II: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Two eagles burst into existence around the archers, and they get busy with their target.

I guess we'll do Eagle 1 is the Northernmost one
Eagle1 Talon1 (Inspire Courage): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10
Damage (Inspire Courage): 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Eagle1 Talon2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Eagle1 Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Eagle2 Talon1: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4
Eagle2 Talon2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Eagle2 Bite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"Sorry, I could not find any parrots... he says, with a grin.

Which bard effects would have an effect on my summons? I assume no for the Pathfinder Society Flag as they are not Pathfinders, but would they get the benefit of Inspire Courage, for instance, even if they do not speak common?

Hearing the commotion above, Malus twists his wand of mage armor in his bandolier such that the tip presses against his chest and activates his item. His preparation complete, he moves above deck.

Prompted by Eadie, Malus shares information he too has gathered:

"I spoke briefly with Viorel, and he mentioned that Larkus Lockinvar, a fugitive of Cheliax, was also part of this expedition into Echo Wood."

"I am unsure the relevance of this information, but I have often found that there are often those amongst a Pathfinder Society mission that can shed some further light on snippets of information with their knowledge of local events."

Completing his studies for now, Malus busies himself readying his gear and ensuring everything is where it should be.

Malus will again prepare the same spells in the morning.

"Unfortunately, this situations finds me very much out of my element. Thank you, Eadie. For now, I will retire below deck and focus on my studies; I am sure there will be use for my skills soon."

Ripper, after sharing in the stew gets rather bored with the idea of being cooped up below deck, and flies up to join Nokazi on watch.

Ripper is a Rhamphorhynchus, a small flying dinosaur with vicious teeth. They are known to be able to use their size and speed to attack so swifty such that it precludes a reaction from opponents.

Malus grins and shouts up to the Tengu on his way to the stairs, "Do not worry, he does not bite... much."

I'm sure its just a case of being busy for the holidays with Hawk, but worst case, would we recruit more considering we haven't really started yet?

Based on the information so far, Malus will prepare the following spells:

Cantrips: Daze, Light, Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Message
Level 1: Snowball, Sleep, Grease

"I have completed numerous missions on behalf of the Pathfinder Society, but have spent little time at sea. Though I recently participated in the... acquisition of a pirate ship just a few weeks ago, this one was decidedly docked."

Slave Ships of Absalom: Rescuing some slaves about to be sold to market.

I cannot help with CLW wands with my low spellcraft, unfortunately, but I have a wand of Infernal Healing if no one is opposed to this touching their skin. Otherwise, I think our Oracle is going to be holding a gripful of these wands.

Glad to have found a spot. Hoping to broach this subject early because it caused me some hassles before:

I have done two PbP sessions so far. One was fantastic, and the other I wish I had never done it.

The good one was great because people were legitimately posting at least once per day (often more when things were fun). Posting a lot had no effect on how well the roleplaying went.

The second one dragged on forever because several people interpreted 1 post per day as "Once my turn comes up, I have 24 hours to post". What this in fact translates to is your 'turn' only coming up every 3-4 days.

The latter makes you lose immersion quickly and you have to continually check back and read the thread to catch up because you forget what has happened.

I just hope that we can all agree to be a bit more active on this one. If this cannot be done, please tell me now, as I would rather not play than to participate in a session that locks down my character for 3+ months of not fun.

I am not trying to make this seem like an ultimatum, but I hope to just remind everyone that when stuff like this happens, things become less fun for the 5-6 other people always waiting for you. Obviously, I have no issues with real life happening, and a post to remind people that you get busy for a few days goes a long way (I went to a wedding out of town, but still managed a post or two on my cellphone; it only took minutes).

Let's all do our best to make this fun for everyone?

/rant

Eadie: I should be able to help on swarms, through level 2 scrolls and Alchemist's Fire.

A tall and rather thin man stands before you. In all respects, he appears to be a demon with large horns and small, atrophied wings on his back, but his quiet voice eases any initial tension:

"Greetings pathfinders, my name is Malus."

Dressed in simple, dark clothing, he carries a combat cestus and buckler along with a very well-crafted backpack, a bandolier across his chest appears filled with various objects. You seem to have some difficulty ascertaining his chosen combat specialty.

A tiny, vicious-looking flying dinosaur rests on his shoulder, its eyes quickly darting to each individual as they enter the room. A background in adventuring indicates to you that this is probably the familiar of an arcane caster.

Interested in tier 3-4 with this character, all stats fully updated in profile. This should be the final session before he hits level 4, and he is quite capable of playing up (pulling his weight in a 4-5 group).

Level 3 Arcanist

{Test}

Sorry, this is my only PFS character.

Can you explain this boon? How's it possible to get 0 pp? I'm confused...