Marcelano rushes past Rojava and strikes the goblin on the head with a heavy blow with the butt of his crossbow.
Rolls:
"Take that you little devil." Shouts Marcelano as the blow connects.
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Eyeing the stage for a moment Marcelano ponders his best route to his friends. Deciding that the risk isn't worth it in the present situation he instead hustles around the stage and takes a position near Rojava.
That give me about a 10% chance of failure on the shortest route to the action; on the other hand if I double move I can reach Ro but not do much else. Decisions, decisions...
Ugh, flu; well hopefully everyone's doing better Karina. Anyway, DMD, what would I need to get up onto the stage? Is it low enough that it would simply be considered difficult terrain to get onto and off? Or would it require an acrobatics check because it's high enough to be an actual challenge (even if minor)?
"That much is certain, the only question is where do we go first?" Asks Marcelano as he loads his crossbow. The young man then proceeds to look around at the chaos in an attempt to find the center of it. Perception:
Goblins!? What could have provoked them to attack? No matter, I can't risk firing into this melee. Marcelano thinks as he rushes forward past Gwyddym and Karina while pulling out his crossbow. He quickly assumes a fighting stance as he tries to use the butt of the crossbow to bludgeon the goblin, but his momentum is too much and the goblin easily sidesteps the blow.
Rolls:
As Marcelano proceeds to make his three shots for the second round his first flies just a little too high while his second and third both hit the outer ring. Looks like that's my limit for now. Still I did better than last year. He thinks back to the pathetic showing he made last time as he smiles weakly. He proceeds to pull out his bolts from the target and goes to collect the final one from among the pile of hay stacked at the very end of the archery range.
Looks like Marcelano has run out of luck only managing to hit the outer ring twice; with his first shot going a little too high.
Marcelano's first shot goes a little wide, but both his latter shots hit the bull's-eye.
"Might as well give it a try" says Marcelano with a half-shrug, as he lets the young half-orc woman lead him to the contest grounds he thinks she always seems so confident; I wish I could be so certain of what it is I ought to do. A-anyway, it's not like I'll be able to leave today with the consecration starting at sundown.
Marcelano shakes hands with those seeking him, most using their other hand to make contact with his godmark. He offers each a simple phrase; "may the Lawgiver watch over you."
"Oh, now that is interesting." Responds Marcelano, "I wonder what it is she's foreseen for us?" Whatever it is, she probably doesn't know for sure herself...
That seems simple enough to do. Thinks Marcelano before taking a kite. While he begins to assemble it as per his friend's instructions he starts to talk to the others. "You're all probably wondering why I've got my possessions with me. Well, the truth is that I don't think there is much more for me to learn here. No offense to Father Zantus, but as much as he would like me to be, I'm no priest. After this consecration ceremony is over I plan to leave Sandpoint for a while to figure out what exactly it is I want to do with the rest of my life." As he finishes speaking and assembling the kite, he notices children start to approach. With a reassuring smile he beckons them to come closer and starts handing out finished kites alongside Karina.
Turning to Karina, Marcelano responds "Yeah, I wonder what he has in mind for us." Looking past Karina for a moment Marcelano notices Matrim and Rojava from a distance and subtly nods at them before continuing. "Looks like they're just about here." Marcelano nods at Rojava's comment for once I have to agree with you when he notices Lia start handing out instruments. "Er, that's fine I guess?" Marcelano replies to Lia with a look of confusion which turns into a pained smile at the awkward flute playing as he thinks at least she seems to be having fun.
With an exasperated sigh Marcelano gets up from his chair and looks at the young woman with a wry smile as he walks towards his backpack "Guess he didn't tell you, anyway I owe the priest at least that much. Fine, I'll be along in a moment." With that he turns to his father and mother before continuing "Looks like I still have a few duties at the Cathedral before I can leave," it will also give me the chance to say goodbye to the others "thank you both for the wonderful send off." He says before collecting his gear and waving goodbye. As he approaches the Cathedral, Marcelano catches sight of Karina, Lia, Windsight, and Gwyddym. Noticing that they're already conversing Marcelano quietly waves to the group as he starts moving more quickly towards them.
Well I don't really need to keep a blade next to me because of Empty Quiver Style which let's me crack some skulls with the butt of my crossbow letting me melee attack as though it were a heavy mace (plus other benefits though I don't threaten adjacent squares). Once I pick up Empty Quiver Flexibility at 7th anything that adds to my attack or damage rolls for my crossbow does so for this melee attack and I start to threaten the area around me (sadly it requires picking up stabbing shot to qualify for it, though at least the style removes the elf prerequisite for it). Come to think of it, I should probably put up how I've planned my advancement on the character sheet.
As the crowd disperses, Marcelano heads to his room in the Cathedral. Well, that's it then; all I've got left is to gather my things and say my goodbyes. Abadar guide me he thinks as he looks at his right hand. As he packs Marcelano begins to think about his friends Windsight and Karina, I wonder what those two are going to do now? I think I saw Windsight heading to the archery range "Heh, always has to be practicing doesn't he?" Marcelano says quietly with a chuckle. Though he does have a ways to go as a marksman, he can still fire his bow faster than anyone I've ever seen. He's probably even got more potential than me with that keen eyesight of his; not that I'd ever admit that to him. As for Karina, knowing her she's probably going to be busy keeping Lia out of trouble. He smiles wryly at the thought of Lia. She's been more like a sister to me than my flesh-and-blood sister, I just wish she was more grounded in reality instead of daydreaming all the time. Anyway that should be the last of my stuff. Thinks Marcelano as he heaves the backpack over his shoulders. He makes his way from the Cathedral to his parent's small house. "Mom, Dad..." he starts to say as he opens the door only to be greeted with a banner that says "Good fortune on your journey Marcelano" with his parents joyfully yelling out "Surprise!" "W-what!? How did?" Stammered the young man to which his mother replied "I heard that you were feeling down yesterday from that halfling woman that works at the Rusty Dragon while I was out shopping. We figured it was likely because of our little act, sorry dear to put you through that, but we didn't want to burden you with worrying about us. We were certain you'd take the opportunity to go on a journey and figure out what you really want to do; so we set up this little going away party for you as our apology." "Well I guess I can stick around for a little bit." Replies Marcelano.
Overall? Excellent, one of the best Player's Companion's I have ever seen. If your character uses a weapon there's something in there for you. Does it "fix" the fighter? Not completely no, but its definitely part of a trend towards that goal that started with the Ranged Tactics Toolbox. It personally has my expectations set quite high for the upcoming Armor Master's Handbook.
For me, I went with a non-archetyped fighter because I see going for mithril breastplate and maybe even later mithril full-plate as being solid options when combined with Armor Training's bonuses and my focus on dexterity. The Empty Quiver style is more of a back-up in case someone tries to take me on directly. I also didn't want to give up Weapon Training because of the advanced weapon training options I was planning on taking like Versatile Training at 9th level for perception and stealth, and at 13th Focused Weapon to give my crossbow some extra damage; at 13th I also pick up Ace Trip which if you've read it is pretty solid letting me attempt to "trip" flying enemies to send them plummeting to the ground. Was going to pick up the Burrowing Shot weapon mastery feat at 16th via the Advanced Weapon Training feat for the Weapon Mastery option. If you can't tell I really like the options from Weapon Master's Handbook.
Definitely think that this will be an interesting group to be a part of. It will be nice to see how Marcelano learns to get along with the less lawfully inclined members of the party. Edit: Block Initiative? What's that? I'm unfamiliar with the term.
SAMPLE POST:
It was the day before the Swallowtail Release and Marcelano had woken up early and gone to The Rusty Dragon to clear his head over a bowl of his favorite treat. As he sat there mulling over what to do, a timid voice broke the silence. "E-excuse me, young sir? I c-couldn't help but notice you've barely touched your iced cream." Looking at the half-melted contents of the sizable bowl before turning to the elderly halfling woman thinking what was her name again? Beth-something, Bethana, Bethana Corwin, that was it. Before he could answer her she spoke again, with a little less trepidation. "Something must be really tr-troubling you to come here this early. Grimacing at the astute observation Marcelano thought back to the previous days events.
He had just learned that since he was coming of age, he would be free to make his own decision whether to stay at the newly finished Sandpoint Cathedral, after the dedication ceremony on the day of the Swallowtail Release. Excitedly he had gone to visit his parents to tell them the news, but their reaction was, to him, strangely nonchalant. "Oh, is that so? Well I'm sure you have a lot to think about over the coming days and we don't need a distracted worker so off you go." his father had said brusquely. His mother, Ileosa, had been quiet the entire time and would not even look at him. Little did Marcelano suspect that this was in truth, just a facade his parents were putting on so that he didn't feel obligated to stay with them. "It's nothing serious Miss Corwin. I'm just trying to figure out what it is I truly wish to do from now on." replied Marcelano; attempting to mask his sadness with an air of lightheartedness.
Sensing that the young man was trying to ease her concern, Bethana responded gently "well, don't think overmuch dearie. I'm sure the answer will come to you if you keep moving forward. Speaking of which, you really should finish that before it all melts." Laughing at this, Marcelano began to eat the remainder of the creamy confection. The old woman's right. It isn't like me to get into such a funk. Maybe it's best if I go on a journey? With this in mind, the young chosen of Abadar made preparations for the coming day, unaware of what lay in store...
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