Marilus's page

Hey folks,

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to withdraw from active participation in this campaign.

This is absolutely a result of recent changes to my life circumstances over the past month or two and not anything anybody here did or didn't do.

Due to these personal events I've had a lot less time for play-by-posting, and I don't foresee this changing in the next several weeks at least. Rather than continue to struggle to post weekly, if that, I'm consolidating my several PbP obligations down to the single adventure path I'm GMing to make it more managable (and since finding a replacement GM for a PbP AP in book 3 is very challenging).

Thank you for the consideration and the PbP experience. All the best finding an additional player.

-Dan aka AFlashInTime

I'm admittedly a bit out of my element on the circus show composition. Marilus is fine helping however he can, but other than some acrobatics and maybe sword tricks he doesn't have an "act" so to speak. He's fine just doing security, too.

"Ruanna definitely was here for trouble," Marilus offers.

"We should keep our eyes open. I'm not convinced they've given up just because the authorities showed up and ask them to leave. I'll keep an eye out during the show. It wouldn't surprise me if they just doubled back and cut a rope or set a tent on fire right in the middle of a performance."

Marilus lets his hand slide to the hilt of his rapier when talking with Ruanna.

"Yeah, I joined up here to get away from you all, but it seems even the Menagerie can't stay away from the new best show in town," Marilus retorts. "Don't you have your own circus to bother, Ruanna? Go home, and take whatever trouble you came here to cause with you."

From well within the crowd gathered around Niksi and Delamar, and while trying to stay as far from Delamar's line of sight as possible (preferably behind), Marilus leans to another member of the crowd and says "You know, that poor lady's got a point. Imagine trying to get your kids to bed after they see a manticore..."

Deception aid: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Maybe Marilus was too focused on staying away from Delamar, or maybe he made the manticore sound a little bit too exciting...

Marilus sheaths his rapier.

"Got it, no blades yet. I'll stick back in the crowd and watch to see if they start a fight with us. It'd be bad for business if any paying customers got hurt."

(Before)

Marilus thanks Niksi for the elixer and the welcome.

(Now)

"Oh, we'll cut them..." Marilus begins, standing and reaching for his blades.

As Rova continues, he pauses. "Are we only trying to get in a fight with some of them? If they're all Menagerie and they're all in our tent... well, we can still talk after they've gone, one way or another, right?"

While eager to begin "addressing" the problem, Marilus still looks to the rest of the group for confirmation before heading off. If there's anybody the group doesn't want attacked, or if you want to try something other than fighting, he's definitely willing to listen.

Marilus will do a lot of heavy lifting during circus set up and try to make some friends (and keep an eye on) those joining up for work. He figures if the Menagerie is going to make an appearance, sending a couple of double agents to ensure an accident on opening night might be the way to go about it.

Society? trained: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Athletics expert: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

That does just hit Marilus. Two less damage from inspired defense though.

Marilus grimmaces as the creature's giant jaws find his shoulder but feels a bit better with Niksi's healing and defensive magic. Undaunted, he continues his speedy attacks.

"Surrender!"

Quickened: Strike
Actions 1-2: Double slice
Action 3: Twin Parry

Quickened +1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5) + 3 = 13
Deadly?: 1d8 ⇒ 5
Crit specialization happens, knocking the barghest off-balance?

If the Barghest still stands, Marilus resumes his defensive posture.

Thanks Rova, I wasn't familiar with the double the standard roll. I can do that going forward for simplicity.

Double Slice +1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 5) + 3 = 13

Double slice Main Gauche: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Small poke: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Dodging Rova's attack and thankful for Prism's help distracting the fiend, Marilus continues his attacks.

Quickened: Strike
Action 1-2: Double Slice
Action 3: Twin Parry

Quickened +1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 6) + 3 = 14
Crit success?: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 2) + 3 = 10
Deadly?: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Double slice +1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 6) + 3 = 16

Double slice Main-gauche: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Small poke: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Last round's haste attack
+1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 3) + 3 = 12

AoO
+1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 5

"The Abyss?" Marilus responds. "Then we shall send you there!"

Marilus strikes with his rapier with supernatural speed! He then strikes with his rapier and main-gauche together, before resuming his defensive stance against the gigantic barghest.

Quickened: Strike
Action 1+2: Double Slice
Action 3: Twin Parry

Quickened +1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (7, 1) + 3 = 11
Critical success: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 6) + 3 = 10
Deadly: 1d8 ⇒ 2

Double slice +1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 3) + 3 = 7

Double slice Main-gauche: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Smaller poke: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Marilus would have drawn his blades when the party was tracking the Grinning Goblin, just in case something like this happened. Also, would it have been possible to get Marilus 18 HP worth of healing overnight? I clearly forgot but he wouldn't have in-character.

Marilus looks at the Grinning Goblin in disgust. He waits for any protective songs or magic from the party before he raises his blades in a defensive stance and advances straight toward the gigantic wolf-demon, shouting as he goes.

"We are trying to get back at the person who hurt you! Go bother her instead and stop this!"

Twin parry
Stride
Strike

+1 striking rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1) + 3 = 5

"I'm not sure about telling the guard," Marilus chimes in. "Seems like the authorities can't blame you for things they don't know about. I'd rather try to track down the Grinning Goblin and deal with him ourselves. Let him know he can join up-" Marilus glances at Niksi, "-if that's okay--or he needs to find someplace else to bother."

Marilus glances back to Rova. "Or stop him from eating us, if it comes to that."

Marilus is good with calling it a night instead of blundering about in the dark searching for a demon wolf.

Marilus smiles, sheaths his weapons, and walks forward with his hand extended.

"My name is Marilus. I'm a bit of a newcomer myself, but I will promise you that nothing like what happens at the Celestial Menagerie will happen here. Welcome aboard!"

After shaking hands, he continues, "Now, what was that about a wolf creature?"

Marilus looks back to the ratfolk for their response.

Good speech, and I think she means it. Joining this group might be the first good decision I've made in a while.

Marilus lets the women do the talking, watching the debris to see the ratfolks' response. He does his best to look non-threatening, even with swords drawn.

Maybe they could do some sort of acrobatics routine.

"Who are..." Marilus begins, peering ahead into the debris.

Marilus covers his ears as several (perhaps literally) deafing booms go off.

"WELL WHATEV... whatever it is knows we're here now," he says, lowering his voice as his ears stop ringing. "Not that we were really sneaking up on this place anyway."

He keeps his swords drawn and waits for Rova to fix up Prism.

Marilus practices his footwork and parrying while Rova patches up herself and Prism.

When she finishes, he says "You know, since there's still light, we can go over and take a look, at least. It's not too much of a hike and if there's some demon or Rovagug spawn we can always just turn around."

Marilus looks over the sodden map, his eyes lingering on the crumbled keep.

"You think that place might be worth checking out? If the Grinning Goblin went somewhere near by, ruins like that might be somewhere it'd think about using as another lair. Or anything else that lives around here."

He glances up at the sun, low in the sky.

"How soon were you wanting to get this circus up and running? If we have time, it might be better to check out the keep tomorrow."

"Prism!" Marilus dashes back toward the now visible attacker, raising his blades in a defensive stance, and strikes.

Stride
Parry
Strike

+1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8
Crit success?: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 = 9
Deadly?: 1d8 ⇒ 3

That was close Marilus thinks as the creature's zap misses him. Seeing the creature at the edge of the island, Marilus draws his main-gauche, strides forward, and takes another stab at the light ball with his rapier.

+1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
Poke: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8) + 3 = 19
Crit success?: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 1) + 3 = 12
Deadly?: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Marilus draws his rapier, steps forward, and swings at the ball of fire 1.

Draw weapon
Step
Strike

+1 Striking Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17
Strike: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 3) + 3 = 14

Marilus watches the figure to see how they respond to Prism. He figures one of the group's colorful (in many senses of the word) women would probably make a better impression than he would.

Marilus deftly hops onto the bridge and Balances his way across to the central island to investigate the ruins.

Marilus finishes talking with Niksi and the rest of the group about the Grinning Goblin during the short walk out of the cave. He blinks a few times as he comes out of the cave, then looks around in the late afternoon sun.

"We haven't looked to the south yet, and I think we still have some time. Should we scout that area?"

After pausing for a second and not being bit by an invisible jaw full of teeth, Marilus lowers his weapons and looks back at the party.

"He's gone now?"

Assuming an affirmative response, Marilus continues. "Ya know, I think that was the Grinning Goblin from the Celestial Menagerie. Mistress Duskill used magic and drugs to keep him under control, least according to rumors. I can't be sure, but he went missing a week ago. Maybe inspired me to start to get started leaving, too, a little."

Marilus sheaves his weapons and looks around. "Think he left anything behind?"

Perception: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

Marilus grimaces as the creature bites down into him, but then a flash of realization crosses his face.

"Whoa! Are you the Grinning Goblin? From the Menagerie? We're not here to make you go back!"

Marilus carefully steps back away from the barghest and keeps his weapons raised defensively.

Action 1: Step
Action 2: Twin Parry

"Let's talk! We don't like Mistress Duskill either!"

Action 3: N/A

"Here goes nothin'" Marilus mutters as he readies his weapons and dashes forward.

Action 1: Twin Parry
Action 2: Stride

Trying to stay at the edge of the barghest's no-doubt long reach, Marilus stops suddenly and lunges forward, trying to strike the fiend with his rapier!

Action 3: Lunge->Strike

+1 Striking Rapier lunging strike: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (11) + 16 = 27
Piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (5, 3) + 3 = 11

Seeing the giant sleeping creature, Marilus speaks in a whisper, his voice a mix of genuine admiration and slight exasporation. "Shapeshifting fiend, huh? And I think you're right, Rova. It does look like a good biter!"

Marilus grins in the dark as Prism sneaks off. "And thanks for the heads up on the weapons. Looks like I'll be sticking to swords again," he says as he readies his blades in a fighting stance. "You all have a normal plan of attack for times like this? I don't think this one's going to run off into the woods to play with the other wolfies."

Marilus follows at a distance as Rova and Niksi work their figurative and literal magic. When the wolves are outside of the area, he lets out the same sigh as Prism. His words come out as an excited whisper.

"Wow! Great job!"

Encouraged by not having to fight off several hungry wolves, Marilus follows Prism south once the lair is looked through.

Marilus watches intently as Rova and Niksi try to interact with the wolves. He keeps his weapons in his hands and tries as best as he can to remain out of sight. As the wolf begins playing with Niksi's illusion, he nods encouragement.

So far so good, he thinks to himself.

Marilus looks at the halfling skeptically.

"Lure them out? After us? And then what? Hope they chase us all the way back to the mayor's office?"

Marilus gives a brief chuckle at his own joke, but doesn't seem like he believes it's actually funny.

Marilus accepts the elixer with a smile. "Thanks!"

Marilus looks at the compass, turning it over in his hands.

"How romantic," he says.

He checks to make sure it's pointing toward north, as best as he can tell underground.

Survival: sense direction (untrained): 1d20 + 2 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 - 2 = 11

Ducking to keep from hitting his head on the cave's low ceiling, Marilus watches Rova try to deal with the mold.

"'Fraid I wouldn't be much help over there, Rova. Maybe we should try to find a less moldy place?"

"No reason to tell the sheriff anything," Marilus agrees. He spends a few moments leafing through the pages in the dark, thanks to the darkvision elixor.

"'Wanderer's Folly - Danger'. Let's be careful as we keep going. Could be more than just a giant wolf we have to watch out for."

When everyone is ready, Marilus will lead (or follow Rova) further into the cave system.

Marilus nods in thanks as Niksi hands him the darkvision elixer.

"Thanks. And just in case Rova's coaxing doesn't work..." he trails off as he draws his rapier and dagger again. "Should I go in first or wait for Rova's signal to move in?"

Marilus walks up to the bear's corpse and kneels beside it, looking at the damage inflicted. He tries his best to figure out what caused the injuries, though he bets it might have something to do with enormous wolf paw prints.

"I'm guessing it means whatever made those wolf tracks got this bear, and not to much hunts bears, right? I'm liking our real estate less and less."

Medicine to recall knowledge/perform forensic investigation: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 2 = 20

In addition to anyone being able to recall knowledge of Medicine untrained, Marilus has the Clever Improviser feat, allowing him to attempt trained only skill actions untrained.

Relief washes over Marilus' face as the last centipedes stop squirming.

"Great job everyone, and thanks for the help, boss," he says to Niksi. "And we didn't burn the place down, either!"

Marilus tries to fight off the poison.

Fort: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 1 = 26

Feeling a little better.

He then rushes back in and starts stabbing at the centipedes.

Quickened action: stride
Action 1 and 2: double slice

Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32
Main gauche: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Rapier piercing crit? + deadly?: 2d8 + 3 + 2d8 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (6, 2) + 3 + (6, 3) + 3 + (4) = 27
Main gauche piercing: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

"Surely these *stab* things are *stab* dead by... wait, are they dead?"

Backs away a few steps to see if the centipedes keep attacking.

Action 3: Stride

Marilus does some dodging.

Ref DC 22: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 = 29
Ref DC 22: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 13 + 1 = 29

0 damage first attack after inspire defense
1 damage second attack after inspire defense

Fort vs venom: 1d20 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 1 = 21

Marilus feels the sting of centipede venom entering his body!

Does he take two damage and get flat footed or is the 1d6 re-rolled? 1d6 ⇒ 3

Still hasted, Marilus takes another two slashes at the centipedes crawling and biting at his feet.

Action 1: Double slice 1/2
Action 2: Double slice 2/2

Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (20) + 16 = 36
Main gauche: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
Rapier piercing crit + deadly: 2d8 + 3 + 2d8 + 3 + 1d8 ⇒ (5, 1) + 3 + (5, 1) + 3 + (6) = 24
Main-gauche piercing: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

Aiming for the largest centipedes, Marilus stabs at his foes with gusto! "Take that you bugs!"

Then he moves back, trying to get away from the centipedes (living and dead) until he can move in and attack again.

Action 3: Stride away
Didn't really use the hasted action because there's not a need to use twin parry against centipedes. But in future combats, there will be!

Marilus is surprised by the sudden boost of speed he feels.

"Sure thing, boss."

Marilus strides forward, he hopes confidently, with his rapier and main-gauche out. Quickened action.

Then he starts slashing aways at the bugs while trying to do his best to keep any that come up off him.

Two actions to use double slice with his +1 striking rapier and main-gauche. Third action will use the twin parry feat to increase his AC by 2 to 24.

Rapier: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35
Rapier piercing: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (3, 6) + 3 = 12
Main-gauche: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Main-gauche piercing: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Potential rapier crit damage: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 4) + 3 = 15

If the rapier was a crit and the centipedes are susceptible, Marilus's sword mastery will make them flat footed. Seems unlikely to work, though.

Marilus looks at the infested log with his hand on his sword. He raises an eyebrow as flames spring into Prism's hand.

Maybe we should have a bucket of water or two first?

He's about to say as much when Rova offers her thoughts. He listens, but the conversation goes off in a weird direction he's not following at all.

"Rovagug? Why do you think there's a temple of Rovagug... where? Here?" he remarks, motioning to the clearing and surrounding woods with a look of confusion.

"For the bugs, fire should work, right? Maybe I should go grab a bucket of water or two just so we don't scorch half the campsite getting rid of the bugs."

On the way over

Marilus shakes Niksi's hand back. She probably notices a rapier, parrying knife, and crossbow on his person.

As the conversation continues, Marilus gives a quizzical look. "Monsters? I have a little experience, both from the Menagerie and some other work I used to do. Hope to be avoiding that if we can, but in my travels I've come across a few things that might help," he says, gesturing at his weapons. "I'm decent in close combat, if that's where you want me to be." He glances at his companions. "I'm also not bad at climbing, balancing, sneaking, those sorts of things, too. That's why I'm here only in this," he says, gesturing to his leather armor.

At the site.

"Prism! Wait up," Marilus says, drawing his rapier and main-gauche. Marilus will Scout.

Finishing an ale at the bar across the street, Marilus keeps peering through a window at the building across the square.

Seems like they've been in there a long time for a permit. I...

He does a double take as he sees the hatted Delamar angrily march away from the building.

That might be good news.

He slides the barkeep a coin as he stands and departs. Being careful to wait until Delamar is out of sight, he steps outside and waits to see if the Circus of Wayward Wonders will be coming to Escadar and taking him along for the ride.

Let's see how we did.

If a little bit of ret-conning is okay, Marilus would prefer to sit out the meeting with the constable. One because he's trying to avoid current members of the Celestial Menagerie before he's able to jump ship, and two because he avoids law enforcement in Escadar due to some unresolved issues in his past. He's happy waiting back at the inn to see how things go, unless there are reasons for him to maybe be waiting in the lobby or right outside.

Either way.

Marilus turns to address Niksi. A look of surprise quickly transitions into one of abundant curiousity as he studies the... dryad? Bound spirit? Tree-person?

How incredible.

After a moment, he resumes his friendly but serious demeanor.

"I admit, I need something from you, too. Right now I'm an employee of the Celestial Menagerie, but I'm looking for a new job. I've worked as a rigger, a guard, a messenger and deliverer of sensitive goods, and as somebody who can find out information. Figured if I helped you get set up here, you might help me out with that new job, too."

A dark-haired Taldan man of only about 20, wearing leather armor over a dirty-white shirt with brown pants and boots and with a rapier at his side, enters the bar. He looks around for a few seconds until his eyes fall on the group at the bar. After a quick glance over his shoulder, he walks toward the group.

Alright, that hunch paid off. Closest inn to the square.

"Hello, ladies," he begins, in a friendly but quiet tone. "My name is Marilus. Forgive my intrusion, but I think I might've just ran into the very folks that stand to benefit from some information I just happen to have come across."

He waves off the bartender with a "Just a minute," before continuing.

"Are you the folks in charge of the Circus of Wayward Wonders? From Abberton? Just come into town? If you are, and you're here, you're probably going to be talking with Constable Paldreen, right? About the permits and getting all your papers in order? Well, something you should know going in: right now, the Constable's having a meeting with a Celestial Menagerie employee named Delamar Gianvin."

He glances over his shoulder again. Still good, probably.

"And, I have it on good authority that Delamar has some 'relevant information' on all of you that he's planning on using to make sure the Circus of Wayward Wonders doesn't get any permits to set up here in the lovely city of Escadar. Which'd be a real shame. This town could use a decent circus."