Gah. I'm a dope. All this was sounding a bit familiar and on reflection, I've already played this trilogy with a different character. I have no stars left for replay, either.
A well-dressed elf with neatly trimmed hair regards the team with cool dispassion, inclining his head slightly towards Ahmande in view of their racial bond. He awaits the pleasure of the Venture-Captain with little display of emotion.
Maranax definitely takes up Cyran on that teleport offer. The elf is almost jittery with excitement to experience such amazing magic.
Back at Absalom, he indulges himself in a bottle of fine Kyonin wine before proceeding to the meeting with the Venture-Captain and Trade Prince. He is mostly quiet during the meeting, but thereafter begins his Pathfinder journal with the title "My meeting with Cyran."
It looks to me as though all three are pretty well sewn up.
A bit unmoored now that he is not needed with Cyran, Maranax tries to help his fellow elves, though in truth he is ignorant of most religions.
"Those who have most closely understood the will of the gods must make the sacrifice of their time and efforts to lead the less enlightened to truth. Don't you think so?"
Aid Another Knowledge Religion (untrained):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
"Scorn and enmity are all you shall have of me, Madame." says Maranax. "I do believe you would live up to your filthy bargain, but I also know you would not make it if you were not frightened of our success."
"You killed friends of ours in Absalom and the Pathfinder Society does not forget. You are safe here for the moment, but you will leave one day, and we will be there, waiting."
Fort save:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5. Perfect. My 7 Charisma mage is on a roll...
Maranax bites into the Chuul tentacle and finds his jaw going slack, moisture beginning to pool in his mouth. He stiffly and wordlessly excuses himself and hastens out of the room.
Maranax selects a costume that takes advantage of his elvish features, a Bralani azata.
Knowledge (planes):1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
"Like my people, the Bralani delight in the raw elements, the wild, unrestrained passions of nature. And so I honor them and this august gathering with my choice.
Maranax's eyes shine and he sounds slightly awed. "Cyran? Long have I wished to meet that great lord of the planes. This is just the sort of reason for which I joined the Pathfinders."
Seeing no immediate threat to himself, Maranax cocks, loads and fires his light crossbow, aiming for one of the enemy figures on the bridge but aiming too high and sending the bolt flying off into the ravine.
"I was not speaking of the Lady of Art and Beauty, whom I honor as do all with eyes and senses," replies Maranax calmly in elvish. "Lady Miriel was speaking of the dead god Aroden. The Lodge was once his cathedral."
Aloof and still as stone, allowing the sea air to ruffle his long hair, Maranax says little to the passengers and crew, becoming animated only when he notices Nerisiel and Miriel. To these he offers a formal bow, exactly proper in the fashion of the elves of Kyonin.
"The stars look with favor on the hour of our meeting," he says in elvish. "I am Maranax, your obedient servant. Please do not hesitate to call upon me for any assistance you require."
Following Miriel's gaze and thought, he switches back to Taldan. "A human god. Fleeting and ephemeral, like all things human. The elvish gods are eternal. Our ancestors strode the starlit forests of Golarion when his were yet undreamed of."
Maranax notices Maulaxe holding the tanglefoot bag and nods in appreciation. "A wise precaution," he says and draws his own as he hustles along with the group.
Stay out of combat and use his 7 remaining Force Missiles (1d4+1 damage), then switch to his shortbow (+1 to hit, 1d6-2 damage).
PRD wrote:
Force Missile (Sp): As a standard action you can unleash a force missile that automatically strikes a foe, as magic missile. The force missile deals 1d4 points of damage plus the damage from your intense spells evocation power. This is a force effect. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier.
Maranax currently has mage armor active (though it's likely running short on duration) and his AC is 15
I'm alive and well. But my job has changed and I no longer have much time to game (It's 11:30 p.m. and I haven't touched a computer other than for work in two days). I think the games I'm in are my last online games for the foreseeable future, sadly.
Maranax examines the area then returns his attention to the gillman. "If you are no worshiper of Man's god, what magic did you hope to find in the waters?" he asks.
Then, turning to the other Pathfinders, he says "Our way is obvious. Let's to it."
"It is merely a matter of preparation," says Maranax with a smug, matter-of-fact air. The elf steps efficiently back and blasts the nearest swarm with a brilliant gout of blue and white flames!
5' step, cast burning hands. It will engulf the eastern two squares of the eastern swarm, but not harm any PC. He is also careful not to scorch the ground (or the leaves on the ground).
Burning hands and evoker:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Swarms are vulnerable to area of effect, so a total of 3 points of damage. Whee!
GM, before they leave, Maranax will visit with Thiera and scribe charm person, enlarge person, expeditious retreat, feather fall, sleep and true strike into his spellbook.
10 gp each for scribing costs; please note the 60 gp cost on the chronicle sheet at the end. Taking 10 on the necessary Spellcraft checks beats the necessary DCs. Spellcraft:10 + 9 = 19
Startled by the appearance of the swarms, Maranax just stares.
