Malvo's page

Completely understandable. I've actually been coming to a similar realization about my no-longer-ftf-game that we've been playing via Discord.

Take care of yourself, and maybe we'll see each other again some time!

Did we lose folks in the Paizo server fail?

Malvo can't reach the monk, but his performance continues to linger.

"I tried the nice way, and see where it got us."

"Keep it up, everyone!" Malvo makes sure everyone is positioned, then turns to attack the newest opponent.

Allow performance to linger, swing at the monk.

Bless, Inspire Courage
Attack (morningstar): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26 Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Inspire Courage / Lingering: As long as you were able to perceive my performance, you continue to gain +1 Competence Bonus to attack and damage, +1 morale bonus to saves vs Fear and Charm.

Malvo mutters, "Why do we always have to do it the hard way? Can't we have a nice friendly chat for once?"

Louder, he calls out, "Well, I tried. Defend yourselves! They're no match for us!"

Inspire Courage, draw morningstar, 5' step to get out of the way.

Yep, that post-holiday "get back into routine" fatigue. I know it well. ;-)

I'm a very very tired boy as I adjust to sleeping schedule

Just post-holiday, or is your schedule changed from what it was before?

Regardless, looking forward to resuming once you're back on track! :)

I know I completely understand. I had several PFS games I was running PbP, and for years I kept a constant stream of 2-3 at a time. This fall I had to let them wind down and not start any more because I just didn't have the brain and emotional space for it.

I look forward to seeing where this goes, but only when you're up for it.

Happy holidays, whatever your flavor may be!

I dropped a 20' radius burst template onto the map for you.

Was waiting for anyone else to respond, but ...

With preparatory magic done, Malvo takes the straightforward course and walks right up to the gate. Before stepping in, he calls out to the nearest gardener, "Excuse me, we need to pass through. Do you mind?"

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
"Those golden men sound like shabti. They are a strange creature from another plane that take punishments for people trying to escape afterlife judgment. The woman is probably some sort of psychopomp. If we're lucky, they won't be aggressive."

"Artyom, can you cast that spell to help me be more convincing again? I'm not sure how long it lasts, but maybe it could help us talk our way past these folks."

"Can't something about this be easy for a change?"

Malvo sighs, and then closes his eyes for a moment, concentrating. When he opens them again, they glow faintly before returning to normal. He then turns to Alara and touches her shoulder. "This looks like something that will need careful attention and finesse. I'll keep lookout, but I need you at the top of your game."

Casting Heightened Awareness on himself, and Heroism on Alara. Both last 40 minutes.

He looks out over the garden, trying to figure out how to get through it.

Take 10 for 21 Perception looking for any immediate threats or signs of danger. Does our current perspective let us see everything on the map? Looks like there is a path through a series of obstacles, but I'm not sure of we are intended to be aware of that as of yet.

Sorry life got lifey. ANYWAYS.

I hate it when that happens! :-)

"Also, this is where you can say goodbye. I'd do it now, these souls await their judgement and the Lady of Graves shall not be kept waiting!"

Malvo looks over at the assembled townfolk. "I don't think I have any reason to talk to anyone at this point. I'm a Lastwall Wolfrider, and my duty is to those still alive. It's time for me to get back to them."

He closes his eyes for a moment and his lips move silently. Then he looks back at Umble and recites, "That's left, left, right, north-left, do a U turn, take the stairs down and avoid the tree. Take eleven first rights, then on the twelfth one take the second right, then two more first rights." He blinks, then asks, "Wait. What does 'north-left' mean?"

I figure between +10 Perform (Oratory) and +6 Profession (soldier), Malvo is good at quickly memorizing instructions. :)

Waiting on a response to Artyom's question about studying the items, otherwise I think we're ready to return to Umble and Thoot.

Was anyone in particular keeping the loot tracker up? It may be that everyone thought someone else was doing it ... I know I wasn't. :)

So we were meant to do all that at level 3? I'm not sure we'd have made it ... :-O

Malvo looks at the quill, and glances over to Tornell. "Is this something you'd want to carry? If not, I can."

Salighara, thank you for the offer of a place to rest. It's nice to be able to sleep and feel confident things aren't going to try to eat us."

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

I can't think of anything we need to do or say before heading back to Umble and Thoot."

GM SpiderBeard wrote:

Oh yeah. DING! welcome to level four!

Did you mean five? Or did you have us level up too soon before, because we're already four ...

Just wanted to double check on this ... should we be levelling up to 5 now, or should we be at 4?

As Artyom casts a spell to sharpen his mind, Malvo turns to Alara. "Alright, once he figures out what needs to be done, you've got the careful touch to do it. I'll be right behind you!"

When Alara starts her part, Malvo will Inspire Competence for Disable Device.

Oh yeah. DING! welcome to level four!

Did you mean five? Or did you have us level up too soon before, because we're already four ...

"So ... Artyom? Ricky? Can you figure out what needs to be done here? If you can point, Alara has a delicate touch and can probably get things aligned right."

I have one round of performance left, so I could Inspire Competence for one of the checks, but not both. (Unless levelling up mid-encounter means I get two more rounds to work with.)

Malvo does NOT froth. :)

Malvo blinks as his sight returns. He looks at Alara standing over the body of Mrs. Pedipalp, and nods at her. "Well done, there. You're getting pretty good at that."

He looks around at everyone and says, "Everyone else alright?"

So ... have we left anyone alive in this place other than the creatures we returned the missing body parts to?

Do we need to go back and find Salighara to tell him the good news?

Unless something changes to let me act again, my last performance (distraction) will linger for two rounds.

Yeah, that's best when you get a round at range first.

Artyon: No, when I change performances, the first does not linger. I was hoping the change to Distraction would help with the other illusions.

Spiderbeard, did a second half of your post not get saved? You made a second set of rolls but didn't post anything after. Waiting to hear the result of Tornell's Pessimist and my Distraction.

Oh, add 2 to that perform check from the Eagle's Splendor from Artyom.

If Ridill failed a save, Malvo will cast Saving Finale to give him a reroll. He will then change Inspire Courage into Distraction to try to get everyone past the visual illusions.

"Don't let her confuse you! Just take her down!"

Perform check for Distraction: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Sadly, Distraction doesn't work on illusions that don't give a save. :-(

"I am SO DONE with this place! Just kill her!" Malvo shouts in exasperation.

Inspire Courage, move around to provide a flanking partner for Ridill.

Malvo looks at the device she points to. "Artyom, have you or Ricky ever seen anything like this? Any idea what it does, or what will happen if we "close" it?"

Looking back to the "old lady", he asks, "And just who are you, and what is your relationship to Salighara?"

Just to make sure I have the names right -- Salighara is who sent us here in the first place, right? Wanted us to remove Mrs. Pedipalp's control here?

In that case, add 2 to Malvo's Diplomacy check, if it comes up.

"It seems that everyone needs our help these days. What's your pitch?"

Take 10 for 19 Sense Motive, 21 Perception, and 22 Diplomacy while talking to her (as they each become appropriate). Malvo is wary but willing to hear what she has to say, and compare it to what we were told coming in.

I'm good to go ... Tornell, are you wanting to cast spells before we open the door? Or did you mean to cover for you after it opens?

"Lucky for you, then."

Malvo sighs, then turns back to the door. "OK, everyone ready?" He starts to cast his vanishing spell, then his eyes glaze over briefly. "Ugh, looks like I've used too much magic today, I don' think I can do that again for a while. You'll just have to rely on your fast feet, Alara."

Line up for take 2 of SOP at the door?

I don't really have anything I can do right now, so I'm holding off until I see other peoples' actions.

It does in fact affect allies. You can tell in the spell description under targets, if it only affects allies or enemies it says so. If it says "creatures", that is everyone.

Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)

Area creatures and objects within 10-ft.-radius spread

Too far away to reach the nightgaunt, Malvo waits in case it moves closer.

Allow performance to linger, swift action to activate Arcane Strike, ready an action to attack if it comes in reach.

Malvo blinks. "Did you say 'tickling'???"

Oh, sure. And there are times that, despite being a Take 10 Evangelist, I still roll when I might not have to, especially if the result can make for interesting roleplay. If it's not life-or-death, I'll let the dice determine how something goes, and come up with an in-character reason for it. That's part of the fun!

Arcana: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

"Gah! What is THAT now?"

Malvo takes a moment to regain his composure, and calls out, "Whatever. Hit it hard enough, down it goes!"

Inspire Courage!

Just wanted to briefly discuss "Take 10". It is a much misunderstood mechanic, so I think it is a good idea to make sure we all have the same understanding, particularly Spiderbeard. ;-)

The intent of Take 10 is that you are good enough at something that you can reliably perform certain tasks every time. The only guidance for when you can *not* take 10 is when you are particularly distracted or endangered by some outside activity, such as combat. The danger inherent in the task does not usually preclude take 10, since that is exactly why you are taking 10 in the first place!

A prime examples is disarming a trap: failure has a significant penalty, but that doesn't prevent you from taking 10 if you believe your skill is sufficient. Similarly for jumping a gap; even if the fall would kill you, most characters can reliably get across a 10' gap without worry by taking 10, whereas rolling a 1 could be disastrous.

First Aid is one my favorite uses - get your Heal skill up high enough and you don't have to worry about succeeding.

Spiderbeard, does that jive with your opinion?

Once the group has determined that there is nothing on the ground that is going to attack, he points at the stairs. "OK, those are steep and a little tricky, but I know you can all manage. Take it one step at a time, and don't look down!"

As we go up, spending a round of performance to Inspire Competence for +2 to Acrobatics; with Inspiring Mentor, it affects all allies within 90 feet, and with Lingering Performance it lasts for three rounds. I'll start it as we start up the stairs. I suggest Ridill, Alara, Malvo, Artyom, Tornell. Once at the top, just before opening the door, I'll cast Vanish on Alara, giving her four rounds of invisibility. I'm just assuming something aggressive is waiting behind the door. :-)

GM, just for future reference: Could Tornell have used Take 10 there, to guarantee success on the first aid check?

I want to make sure I'm reading the map and your description correctly: the stairs lead up to a landing with a closed door? How big is the landing (ie, room for one person or two by the door)? And there appears to be nothing in the bottom area where we are?

You could try to Aid Another on Tornell's escape attempt with a DC 10 Combat Maneuver check. No penalty for failing, but if you succeed he gets a +2.

"I am TIRED of this GODSFORSAKEN PLACE!"

Standard to Inspire courage. If the scroll is tiny and in Tornell's square, then move across to the other side to create a flank position for Alara. GM please move me if so. Otherwise, no move action.

I haven't acted yet, so Inspire Courage is not yet up.

I think we missed a description somewhere ... where was this scroll?

"Works for me. "

SOP. Perception checks, line up at door, open with cantrip with Ridill and Alara ready to react to any violence. :)

Malvo takes 10 for 21 Perception.

Knowledge Nature: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
"Dammit, another illusion. I really hate this place!"

Seeing nothing of interest in the store room, Malvo says, "Well, just one direction left. Let's go."

Malvo sees Alara looking at the weapon. "Is that something you know how to use? If it would be an upgrade, go ahead and get it, we need every advantage we can get."

Toward the crying hay, he says, "We're here trying to sort things out for the rightful occupant. Are you in trouble of some sort?"

Malvo looks around nervously. Keeping his hand on his weapon, but lowered to be less threatening, he calls out, "Er, hallo? Who's there?"

While Artyom investigates the magic feathers, Malvo considers the options. "So ... doors down there... " he points toward the far end of the garden, "... or past the jerks in the gallery? Any thoughts?"

I suggest the gallery, but if anyone has a reason to prefer the others, I can be swayed. ;-)

"And, as always, anyone injured? Ridill, you're looking a bit shaky there."

"Yeah, you've taken the brunt of scratches and bites that look poisonous ... how are you feeling?"

Does Tornell have a Lesser Resto available? 2 Dex damage isn't immediately deadly, though it lowers his AC by one.

"Still need to hunt down this 'Mrs. Pedipalp.'"

Malvo nods, looking around the garden again for any newly revealed exits or other surprises.

Looking at the map, looks like there's another door at the end of the portrait hall, and then more doors we haven't looked through on the south end. Am I reading that right?

Malvo lets his inspiring words linger in his companion's thoughts as he takes a swing for himself. "That's enough of that!"

Stop performing, linger round 1. Swift action for Arcane Strike, attack with morningstar.

Inspire Courage, Bless, Arcane Strike
Attack (longsword): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Confirm?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Inspire Courage / Lingering: As long as you were able to perceive my performance, you continue to gain +1 Competence Bonus to attack and damage, +1 morale bonus to saves vs Fear and Charm.