Markus Notine's page

If you're in need of players for the future, I'd love to be one of them.

Happy gaming and a Happy New Year everyone.

Player Name - Gavin Forbes
Character Name - Markus Notine
PFS Number - 25609-1
Chronicle Number - 3
Advancement - Normal
Faction - Grand Lodge
Starting XP - 2
Starting PP - 2
Starting Fame - 4
Starting Gold - 1779gp, 8sp, 3cp
Day Job - None

I'd also like the holiday boon please.

What a great game, thanks everyone for making it so awesome. Special thanks to Wolfspirirt for another excellently GMd game. I'd play with you guys again in a heartbeat.

Markus' relief is palpable, and he returns Jillia's high-five with a huge grin. "I can't believe how much we've accomplished today. It just goes to show that Pathfinders can overcome anything when they cooperate. Now then," he muses, "when do you think they'll be serving dinner?"

"Ithink these lenses shoot fire," Markus states after examining them."They work best if you can power them with some sort of fire magic, but they can shoot a beam of fire once everyday without empowering." Any further description is interrupted by the emergence of what seems to be two small lightning storms from the magic circles.

Not now, not again, Markus thinks as he launches a ball of acid at the nearest creature then moves towards the nearest lens, hoping to figure out how to use it.

"Rozpustit!"

Standard action to acid splash Red, then Move Action to move adjacent to the Sky Lance (Lockwood please).

acid splash vs touch AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

While the others gather round Smiley to keep him alive, Markus takes a look at the strange circles on the floor. Trying his hardest not to look at the body, he attempts to assess the function of the mystical markings.

Haven't got Knowledge Arcana to review the Sky Lances, so I thought I might be able to use Spellcraft to check out the circles. If Spellcraft isn't the right skill then that's fine.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

acid splash vs touch AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

As the Aspis agents steps away, Markus releases the spinning ball of acid.

As Kharg rushes to confront the last upright Aspis agent, Markus hurries after him. He stands near Nella, conjures a ball of acid, ready to time his shot at the Aspis agent between his friends' strikes and parries.

Move Action to move 20ft, ending east of Nella (Lockwood please), Standard Action to Ready to cast acid splash at Blue if an opening appears in the melee.

Markus barely has time to register the bizarre fate of the sword-wielding Aspis agent, when he feels a hot burning sensation across the the backs of his legs. "Aaaaagh!" he screams, as the acid melts into his flesh. The pain quickly subsides, and Markus turns towards the thrower.

Markus uses Kharg's intimidating size to distract the Aspis man, shouting "Go on Kharg, slice him up!", and flicks out another tendril of thick green vine to wrap around the agent's leg as he stares in horror at Kharg's double axe.

5ft step northeast (Lockwood please) remaining adjacent to Kharg, then Standard Action to use Tanglevine to trip Red with Jillia's Coordinated Maneuver bonus.

Tanglevine to trip vs CMD + Coordinated Maneuvers: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 2 = 18

The presence of nefarious Aspis agents this far into Arliss Hall is an unwelcome surprise. Markus quickly regains his wits, and sees Jillia take a serious looking slice from a huge sword. As Nella's magic heals her wounds, Markus' hand flicks forward and a thick length of vine shoots from it, wrapping itself around the leg of the greatsword wielder.

Standard Action to use Tanglevine against Orange, aiming to trip him.

Tanglevine to trip, vs CMD: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Markus' stomach lurches as Jillia and Smiley seem to throw themselves into the sky, and he clings even tighter to the wall. Hearing Smiley's shout, he carefully sidles towards to door.

"How about I push from down here while you and Nella shove at the top," he suggests to Kharg. He sets his feet, and drives his shoulder against the blocked door.

Aid Another, Str check: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (13) - 2 = 11

Confused by the room's strange access condition, Markus steps into the tower and is nearly blown out of the tower by a gust of wind. Moving carefully away from the missing floor, Markus cries out in alarm as the whole tower shifts.

"Aaaaagh!" he shouts, struggling to stay on his feet and grabbing at a wall sconce to keep himself from plummeting off the tower. Regaining his composure, he looks over at Nella and Kharg trying to force open the door. "Keep pushing guys, we need to get out of here before the tower tries to kill us again.

When nothing happens as the door locks, Markus checks to make sure the door is locked. Satisfied, he moves towards the mirror and tries to tap on it with the tip of his knife.

I had assumed that everyone was inside the room, but I realise that I didn't make that clear, sorry.

"Perhaps we have to lock the door from this side to turn on the portal thing," Markus muses, agreeing with Nella's line of thinking. "It sounds too simple, I wonder whether there will be more steps to it. Worth a try though."

Markus steps over to the door, pushes it firmly closed, and turns the key to lock the door.

Shaking his head at Smiley's antics, albeit with a smile on his face, Markus walks over to the desk to join the others. "So there are only eight doors, but the register lists a room 8A. Can I interest anyone in a wager that there is a hidden entrance to room 8A upstairs? I can offer very favourable odds!" Markus laughs.

"Oh balls," Markus exclaims as Master Shaine disappears, leaving them alone in the middle of Arliss Hall. The lounge appears relatively ordinary, though every Pathfinder initiate knows that the building is anything but. "It could take forever to find the right way to access this room."

As Smiley and Nella start to spread out, Markus heads towards the fireplace to look for anything out of the ordinary. He moves closer, expecting to feel the heat of the fire, and looks around at the fireplace for any evidence of magical auras or secret passageways.

Markus follows Master Shaine as quickly as possible, his short legs struggling to keep up with the elf's long stride. "You're right Jillia, Master Zey was always going forwards with his research. We should follow his example, even if it was a cantankerous and bad-tempered example."

"Thanks Nella," Markus says gratefully, reaching out for the last potion. Unstopping the bottle, he drinks down the soothing liquid in one gulp.

Potion of cure light wounds: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The feeling of warmth that spreads across his chest is short-lived, quickly replaced by a cold emptiness at the news of the inability of powerful Seekers to return Master Zey to life. "I don't understand how that can be happening. Why can't be be brought back? What did those owlmen do to him?" Markus wonders, a mixture of anger and grief clear in his voice.

Yes please!

The strange humming of the Sky Key and the shifting timeline make Markus feel a little sick. He leans over, hands on his knees, and takes a few deep breaths. "That was unpleasant," he mutters as he straightens up and retrieves his morningstar. "Are there any more of those healing potions going spare? he asks, wincing at the pain in his chest.

Will Save DC 11: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

The slimy arm slams into Markus' side and he feels the wind knocked out of him as pain sears across his chest. The sensation of the grotesque oozy appendage is unnatural, but the ongoing threat focuses Markus away from his disgust. Stepping back, he unleashes more acid at the nearest creature.

"Rozpustit, you freaks!"

Free Action to 5ft step westwards (Lockwood please), Standard Action to cast acid splash at Blue.

acid splash vs touch, into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 - 4 = 12
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

"Gaaagh!" shouts Markus in surprise as the slimy torsos appear in the room, dripping with viscous ooze. Dropping his morningstar to the floor with a loud clang, he draws his long-bladed dagger. Markus raises his other hand, and a ball of acid flies towards the nearest oozing torso.

"Rozpustit!"

Free Action to drop my morningstar, Move Action to draw my dagger, Standard Action to cast acid splash at Blue.

acid splash vs touch: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

As the last owlman falls Markus' anger subsides, and is replaced by a terrible sadness. "I didn't know Master Zey personally, but he was always nice to me. I can't believe that those owlmen could have done this, Master Zey should have roasted them," he says, wiping away a tear.

"We need to find out what's going on here. I agree with Jillia, something isn't right."

Thanks for retcon opportunity, but I'll stick with the Heal check. Markus wouldn't want to allow a senior Pathfinder to die through inaction so he took the first chance he could to see if there was anything he could do to save Master Zey. That means I'll start this action from next to the table and between the chairs.

The spreading pool of blood and the cooling flesh of Master Zey are clear signs that nothing in Markus' power could save him. Too angry for tears, Markus gathers his magic into a ball of acid which hisses and pops as he strides across the room. "You've killed him! You've killed him!" he shouts, flinging the ball of acid at the nearest owlman. "Rozpustit!"

Move Action to move to the square 3 from the top and 3 from the left of the map edge (Lockwood please), Standard Action to cast acid splash at Red.

acid splash vs touch, into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 - 4 = 5
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"Those were just illusory doubles, but I see they've been dealt with," Markus calls belatedly. With both remaining owlmen being addressed by Kharg, Jillia and Smiley, he carefully moves towards the table. There is blood everywhere, but nonetheless he tries to check if there is any spark of life left in Master Zey.

Move Action to move up to the table next to the body (Lockwood please). Standard Action to make Heal check to see if he is still alive, using my competition boon.

Heal +boon: 1d20 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 1 + 2 = 11

Another ball of acid appears floating above Markus' hand as he strides towards the owlmen, and he flings it past Kharg's whirling axe blades. His face is fixed in a snarl, and he roars at the owlman.

"Rozpustit!"

Move Action to move 15ft to the square southwest of Kharg (Lockwood please), Standard Action to cast acid splash at purple.

acid splash vs touch AC, into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 - 4 = 8
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Relieved that the fire is finally out, Markus spots an obviously fake book on one of the shelves. Picking it up, he sees that it contains a folio of musings and conjecture about the Hao Jin Tapestry. "I think this is what we're looking for," he says as Nella sets about healing the others' wounds. "We should probably go to the Tapestry Chamber and see if there is anything else we can recover before any more Aspis firebugs try and burn everything."

Arriving in the Tapestry Chamber, a group of syrinx, less friendly than the encountered in the Starhall appear to have butchered a human. As they run on the group with weapons raised and murder in their eyes, Markus ducks behind a pillar and launches a hissing sphere of acid at the nearest owlman.

"Rozpustit!"

Move Action to move 20 ft ending directly north of the rightmost pillar on the upper row (Lockwood please), Standard Action to cast acid splash at purple

acid splash vs touch AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

"Stupid bloody fire!" Markus exclaims, frantically flapping his rug.

Fire fighting: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (7) - 2 = 5

Choking on the acrid smoke, Markus tries to smother the fire with his rug.

Fire fighting: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (6) - 2 = 4

"Smiley, can I leave you with our friend here?" Markus asks, pointing at the looter on the floor. He turns away without waiting for a reply and drops his morningstar to the floor with a loud clang. Bending down, Markus grabs the rug from the floor and drag it over toward the burning papers, ready to try to beat the fire out. "We've got to get this fire out before we all end up overcooked like my pa's roast pig," he calls to no one in particular.

Is that OK GM? Move Action to pick up the rug, Move Action to move 10ft east towards the fire (Lockwood please).

Disappointed that the looter stayed upright, Markus realises too late that he has moved too close to the fighting. Gripping his morningstar tightly, he thrusts at the nearest marauder, hoping to distract him enough to allow Smiley to land a telling blow. "You Aspis monsters always pick on those smaller than you!" he taunts.

Standard Action to attempt to Aid Another to help Smiley's next attack on purple

Aid Another vs AC 10, + flanking: 1d20 + 0 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 0 + 2 = 4

"Look out Jillia, there's one behind you!" Markus calls, moving into the centre of the room. He points his hand toward the ground, and a thin sheen of slippery liquid seeps up through the gaps in the marble floor slabs.

"Příroda vás prozrazuje!" he shouts.

Move Action to move to 2 squares left of Kharg (Lockwood please), then Standard Action to cast grease, catching the yellow looter in the lower right corner of the 10x10 area (Reflex save DC 14).

Sorry for the delayed posting, was away this weekend and couldn't get on the Internet.

Venture-Captain Farabellos' words stir a variety of emotions in Markus - pride at the work they have done to secure the grounds, anger at the brazen attack by the Aspis agents, and concern at the effort still needed to resolve the assault.

As they enter the Restricted Library, the vast collection of lore is very impressive. The looters, however, spoil the calm environs. "Aspis scum!" Markus shouts as he moves to confront the armed men, gathering a ball of acid in his hand before throwing it toward the Aspis in the corner.

"Rozpustit!"

Move Action to move 20ft southeast (Lockwood please), Standard Action to cast acid splash at the yellow looter.

acid splash vs touch AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 = 15
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2

In the Menagerie

"Glad we sorted those dragonmen out before they unleashed any of the creatures here," Markus says, "we could have been in real trouble if some of them got loose."

He turns to leave, but seeing the ape from the earlier competition applauding him, he can't resist bowing and smiling at the great beast before they move off.

********************************

"I didn't think things could get weirder, but they definitely have," Markus exclaims, as the simultaneous sights of the floating chunk of tower and flying tentacled angel statues raise the bar for bizarreness.

Moving carefully around the columns, Markus conjures a ball of hissing acid, and hurls it at the nearest statue.

"Rozpustit!"

Move Action to move 10ft east (Lockwood please), Standard Action to cast acid splash at the Red statue.

acid splash vs touch, into melee: 1d20 + 4 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 - 4 = 2
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

The creature flees for 1d4 ⇒ 2 rounds.

As the dragonman turns tail and flees away from the miniature storm conjured by Markus' magic, he moves around the tent to assist Smiley. Checking at the corner, Markus runs toward the dragonman battling the dwarf, wielding his morningstar as threateningly as he can.

Double Move towards the blue dragonman, ending 10ft directly north of him (Lockwood please).

The dragonmen spread out, and one rushes towards Markus. As the creature approaches, Markus raises his hand towards him. A strong local wind picks up, whipping the tent and it's guy ropes, and Markus shouts at the approaching dragonman.

"Hněv bouře přijde na vás!"

Standard Action to cast cause fear at the purple dragonman (Will DC 14).

I'll grab the smokestick, if that's OK. I'll pass on the other stuff though.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 21

"They're protected by their heathen gods! Look out Kharg!"

The Overseer announcement said that once we use a token we have to nominate a table and pass it over in character. How do we choose a table?

I agree with Jillia, the healing and inspiration seem the most efficient uses.

Markus dodges out of the way of the armoured woman atop an enormous charger, and looks up at her in astonishment. He listens to her intently, and barely notices the small silver whistle she throws at him, but he manages to snag it out of the air and puts the whistle on it's black leather cord over his head. "Thank you my lady," he says, bowing at the waist as she rides off.

As the group approaches the Menagerie, there is evidence of a recent disturbance. Suddenly, a group of tall dragonmen turn towards the group, looking particularly menacing. "That one's trying to release that enormous frog!" Markus shouts. He runs towards one of the tents, hoping to flank the dragonmen.

Double Move to the northeast corner of the tent between us and Gold (Lockwood please).

"Yeah, you'd better run!" Markus shouts after the departing brigand, waving his fist. He joins up with the rest of the group.

"What do you suppose they were doing in here? We should look round and see if there's anything useful that might help with our current predicament."

Thats not the response I was hoping for!

acid splash vs touch AC: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

Afforded some breathing room following the 'retreat' of one of the brigands, Markus realises he is now in the corridor some way from the rest of the group. He moves back towards Kharg and Nella, and gathers magic into his hands, ready to launch acid at any brigands who dare to come back up the corridor.

Move Action to move 10ft next to Kharg (Lockwood please), then Standard Action to Ready to acid splash any bad guys that come from the south.

The man in front of Markus stands up, and Markus cracks him in the chest with his morningstar, to the surprise and astonishment of both the brigand and Markus.

"You should have stayed down," Markus tells the man, before stepping back away from him. Markus stretches out a hand, which crackles with lightning. His eyes turn the dark blue of thunderclouds, and he calls out in a loud voice.

""Hněv bouře přijde na vás!"

Free Action to 5ft step back (Lockwood please). Standard Action to cast cause fear on the now upright brigand (Will Save DC 14)

<Post 1>

Markus sighs in relief as the two men come round and begin conversing with Nella. He walks away, wiping his bloody hands on his trousers. It's a good job Jillia and Nella were here, I should have worked harder in that field first aid course.

<Post 2>

The Mausoleum is, as Markus expected, somewhat creepy. The atmosphere takes turn for the worse when daggers start flying down the passageways. Before Markus can react, Nella steps in to heal Kharg's shoulder. Looking around the corner, Markus sees the man who threw the blade. Leaning round the corner, Markus extends his hand toward the man, and a length of thick green vine whips around, grasping for the man's leg.

Standard Action to use Tanglevine to trip

Tanglevine vs CMD: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Assuming he is now prone Markus rushes up to the prone form, and shoves his morningstar in the man's face as he shouts "Stay down! Stay down!"

Move Action next to the blue guy (Lockwood please)

Markus stands quietly through the exchange with the owlmen, baffled by their talk of tapestries and stars. Fortunately, Jillia seemed to have been playing attention, and the owlmen seem happy with the book that will guide them home. Today is just getting stranger and stranger.

"I agree with Nella, we should make sure there's nothing fishy going on at the Mausoleum before we head further south," Markus says as they leave the Starhall.

As the group approaches the huge imposing structure of the Mausoleum, Markus spots two bodies. On further inspection, their chests seem to be moving, but only just. Marlus rushes over. "Quickly!" he calls to the others. "They're still alive!" Trying to recall the 'First Aid in the Field' course he took, Markus looks for and attempts to stem the source of the bleeding on one of the bodies.

Heal (untrained): 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"There's too much blood, I can't see anything! Nella, help!"

"With the heraldry of snakes? Did they introduce themselves?" Markus asks the owlmen. He turns to his companions. "It sounds like the Aspis have been planning this attack for some time."

"This bead is explosive, and can create a ball of fire when thrown. This hand," Markus says, holding the mummified hand away from him by its chain, "allows even those without any magical skill to move items around at a distance. I'd rather not carry either of them." Markus shudders at the thought of the hand dangling from his neck.

On entering the Starhall, the presence of the winged owl people is something of a surprise. Today is just an endless parade of strange stuff, Markus thinks, shaking his head. "How did you get in here?" he asks the owlmen.

"I agree Jillia. Initiates, tell Venture-Captain Valsin what happened. We'll secure the prisoner, and remove his gear. Then we should move north west and assist there."

He turns to Jillia. "I'll have a look at that bead," Markus volunteers, carefully taking the chalice. He opens his eyes, takes a deep breath, and opens them again. His eyes have turned entirely green, and he focuses his sight on the chalice and the bead.

"Odhalit!"

Detect Magic on the chalice and the bead. I'll use Spellcraft to try to identify them if they're magic.

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

Stupid real life Pathfinder took up all my time yesterday evening, now I missed all the PbP fun!

Markus rushes into the main hall, dagger ready to cut the bonds of the captive initiates. "Quickly, get out!" he stage whispers at the initiates, pointing back through the door. "Before that Aspis..." His voice trails off as he sees Smiley and Nella sitting on the Aspis agent. "Never mind," he says sadly, and he begins to free the hostages at a more leisurely pace.

Does that qualify for the Grand Lodge faction journal card goal "Defeat one or more members of the Aspis Consortium in an encounter whose Challenge Rating is at least equal to your character level."?

At Jillia's signal, Markus clambers up onto the small sill beneath the window. Steadying himself, he pulls out a dagger. Shielding his eyes, he drives the tip of the dagger into the corner of the pane of glass as hard as he possibly can, hoping to break the window in one strike.

If that works, I'll signal to Jillia that I'm in, and try to drop quietly into the room. If it doesn't, I'll look over to Jillia and see if I've alerted the hostage taker. If not, I'll have a second go.