Maxim Snaphånce's page

Apologies on in missing this - we've had some terrible storms here in Scotland courteousy of Storm Babet and locally where I am we were at the epicentre. However all is good here - work and life continue to be balanced and I too am working toward running a game here on the boards (bastardised version of 5E).

Right - where to begin - firstly congrats on your new baba GMR, and it warms my heart (like a good dwarven whisky) to see all my illustrious collaborators and friends gathered together once more. I'd be interested Storyteller - sharing a virtual table with any number of you would be an honour :)

Finally echoing Surabar - this was without doubt a mighty undertaking executed brilliantly by some stalwart creatives in you lot. The prep paid so much dividends in investment and development of the characters throughout and I still reference this game in posts as a yardstick as an archetype on what a pbp should be.

Once again I salute you all my friends... Skal!

With a raise of his own glass, Maxim answers the toast in time honoured tradition;

”Og mens vi venter, så lad os drikke noget mere!”

Chuckling the gun-mage leans back, letting the potent dram warm his throat.

He smiles, teeth plated with mithril and gold glinting in the chamber’s hearthfire as thoughts drift to all they have accomplished, all they have built and yet to rebuild.

In the region Golden Barrels Trading & Tinctures enterprise continued to flourish. While as much a vanity project as a business, Maxim had high hopes for the future. Under his patronage he had found roles of importance for those who had assisted him in The Watcher’s endeavours: Myrza, the young lamplighter and Irruth Mercadi, the chandler. Both now key members of his mercantile house alongside his longtime mentor and Hackbus.

The old gnome continued to crank out new blackpowder weapons, which in turn provided new protections to the coach folk and merchants who served his Trading Company. Discussion had turned to grand plans of arming both Malachite’s soldiery and a rebuilt Cauldron’s militias. Hackbus had even presented him scribbled designs and babbled notions of monstrous “bombards” to protect her walls.

Others not forgotten he paid tribute to in his wares; Brokenhill Brandy, Blackscale Bourbon, Last LaChance Tequila and of course the signature spirit of the company: Wyldbore Whiskey, which he and his staunch Bror were imbibing at that very moment.

Finally his eyes settled on the Black Beard who was at once his opposite but also truly his Bror. Malachite would be blessed to have him as regent. Already a legend to the dwur folk, Kikinnin’s reign would be one for the ages, and with family like Surabar and Lil' Miss they would never fail.

Hell's Teeth we deserve this.

Maxim’s glit-grin shone in the firelight and with a self-satisfied nod he charged their glasses once more and raised his own in toast;

”Skål”

Echo your sentiments LL - you will forever be Lil' Miss to my goodself :)

Thanks for the amazing laughs, drama and creativity you've all provided in this most epic of games. Kikinnin ever my Bror, and JJ ever Surabar - a darn fool with the ladies, but darn handy with that staff :)

Absolutely hope we'll all game again - rest assured that if any of you are attached to a game it'll be high on the priority.

Special kudos to our illustrious GM for herding us through this iconic AP with a deft hand and flair. Been an absolute pleasure and I'll miss the OOC updates on how everyone is doing/up to in their corners of the globe.

Rest assured I'll be raising a dram in your collective honour - thanks again for the great times had, and the times to come :)

Kikinnin's scene is the perfect ending for me- can't top that :)

Maxim too stands, and when his Bror swings his keen axe once more, he nods with a self satisfaction as he claps the warriors broad shoulder;

"Bror, rest easy knowin' I have the magicks to get us here faster than ye can say Hell's Teeth! Lil' Miss calls we'll answer..."

Reaching for his pocket the gun-mage produces his saved stogie... straightening it then with a muttered incantation lights the cheroot.

"Surabar has the right o' it tho' Marigold. Reckon all them scraps he's been in have knocked some sense into that head o' his. This realm is yours fir the shapin' and a pretty place it'll be for it."

He leans back, enjoying the tabac and the end of this journey with folk he now calls family.

"Time I started makin' some dishonest coin. Safer too, than all this heroing... Have a notion to expand the Trading Company... Golden Barrels - Purveyors O' Quality Spirits and Black Powder..."

Maxim grins, then tips the nod towards Marigold with a wink;

"Who knows Lil' Miss, maybes we'll open up an Occupitus Branch!? Demon drink an' all that!"

Maxim scowls and replaces the victory stogie;

"Gods be darned... Alright then, let's get after it..."

He pats the sheathed stogie, then nods toward Marigold reaching to take her dainty hand;

"Lil' Miss. Take us to where this gits finished fir once an' fir all."

Ditto. Words can't really do this game justice. Kudos to you all and especially our illustrious GM.

Been a long old road, enjoyed every step. Wow...

Will get an epilogue written for Maxim also.

Maxim nods in grim satisfaction as they win both the battle and the war in one fell end.

He shoots a look toward his companions; each of them awe inspiring in their own heroic fashion as he pats his pistol affectionately and holsters the glowing weapon;

"Hell's Teeth... It's over..."

Proper epilogue will follow, just thought a reaction post was required :)

ROUND 3 Buffs/Conds: Prayer, BoF (50ft Move) & Smite

As the knot of melee tightens, Maxim shifts to a better vantage and renews his blasting:

50ft. Move Action and Arcane Blast: Burns 7th Level Spell

Pistol barrel glowing with arcane energy he fires again!

"Sons o' Malachite!"

Arcane Blast Ray (Ranged Touch Attack): 1d20 + 18 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 18 + 1 + 7 = 29
Arcane Blast Damage: 10d6 + 1 + 24 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 6, 5, 6, 2) + 1 + 24 = 64

ROUND 3 Buffs/Conds: Prayer, BoF (50ft Move) & Smite

Holding position Maxim once again funnels his magic into his trusty firearm;

Arcane Blast - Burns 7th Level Spell

His pistol glows intensely as the gun-mage squints and fires;

Arcane Blast Ray (Ranged Touch Attack): 1d20 + 18 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 18 + 1 + 7 = 32
Arcane Blast Damage: 9d6 + 1 + 24 ⇒ (5, 5, 3, 3, 3, 4, 6, 1, 4) + 1 + 24 = 59

ROUND 2 Buffs/Conds: Prayer, BoF (50ft Move) & Smite

Augmented by magics, Maxim scouts around the room and levels his pistol toward their foe;

50ft Move Action

The gun-mage's bushy brow furrows and his pistol glows with arcane power;

Converting a powerful spell into ammo, he lets fly to test Adimarchus;

Burns 8th Level Spell

Arcane Blast Ray (Ranged Touch Attack): 1d20 + 18 + 1 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 18 + 1 + 7 = 42
Arane Blast Damage: 10d6 + 1 + 24 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 1, 1, 2, 4, 5, 2, 5) + 1 + 24 = 56

ROUND 1

Maxim also holds, not sure how this plays out.

Stogie flaring as he puffs, the gun-mage eyes the others;

"Make yer play Lil' Miss. We aimin' to cause a ruckus or parleyin' with this here Adimarchus?"

Will also hold this round.

Maxim eyes the cage warily;

"I got magic's that'll do it. Disinter-grate it, follow up with limited wish..."

He shoots a look to his companions;

"Course the lesser wish might also get anyone trapped inside out..."

The gun-mage reaches for a stogie, finding he is down to two.

"Hell's Teeth. Last couple o' smokes. One fir now, an' one fir when all this is done."

Powder blacked hands spark up, and he takes a puff...

"Say the word folks."

Sorry - missed that too :)

DC19 Will Save: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18 Paralysed with Fear (Rounds): 1d4 ⇒ 4

R2 Retconned

When Maxim tries to reload, his fingers shake and teeth chatter with fear...

Grabs popcorn for next 4 rounds :)

ROUND 2

As Kikinnin moves in one direction and Marigold the other, Maxim's brow furrows trying to see how he can be best tactically place.

He shifts near to Marigold (5ft Step) then reloads each barrel with alchemical cartridges (Double Move Action, Provokes AoO

Busy busy operational week friends. Likely be a day or so before I can get some clear air to post. Bot "Maxie" if needbe.

Maxim nods at his Bror;

"Aye. Let's git to fixin' what needs to be done."

He draws his pistol and moves forward with purpose.

Maxim too shakes his head;

"I ain't that kinda wizard lad. My magic is more fir augmentation o' my pistol than readin' the tea leaves..."

The gun-mage smiles wryly;

"Try shouting. Maybes he'll hear us."

ROUND 2 REDUX

Using his magical boots Maxim flies over to where his Bror and their angelic ally face the golems;

Fly: 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 13 + 4 = 20

He moves o'er the scrap below and lands gently nearby one of the brutish constructs. The gun-mage then immediately invokes some of his magic to empower his trusty pistol...

60ft Move Action & Standard Action ("burn" 2nd Level Spell to grant Icy Burst ability to Arcane Gun)

ROUND 3

One barrel glittering with frost, Maxim levels his pistol at the nearby golem and fires!

Ranged (Deadly Aim); “Smaug”; +3 Planar Double Barrelled Pistol (Arcane Gun+Icy Burst): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30

Adamantine B&P Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (6) + 12 = 18
Cold Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3

[ooc]Standard Action - no further actions taken

Maxim sets his jaw with chagrin, but says naught else on the moral conundrum presented.

ROUND 1

Knowledge (Arcana): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (12) + 23 = 35

The gun-mage eyes the shambling hulks and their crone handler;

"Yonder are Flesh Golems. They're sturdy an' resistant to stunnin', bleedin' and the like. Worst yet they're immune to magic. Cold an' fire'll slow them, and ware fir electricity heals them. Only Adamantine weapons are assured o' a cuttin' edge on their stitched hides!"

He holds position loading 2 Adamantine cartridges into Smaug's barrels; (Move Action x2)

Maxim shrugs with a resigned nod;

"Iffin' we planned to send 'em to the Boneyard, least they would take some o' the guards with 'em. We'll be havin' to put 'em down regardless unless we just leave 'em to rot. My thinkin' is they take out some guards or get taken out themselves. Whatever's left standin' makes fir easy pickens."

Maxim eyes JJ curiously;

"Send 'em to the Boneyard? Seem to recall we gave clemency an' some respite to Embril from her madness. Could be we can afford some o' these wretches the same?"

The gun-mage turns his gaze to the cells occupants;

'Dangerous or no. Havin' creatures such as this owe ye a favour can be... profitable. Besides reckon they'd all like to get their claws on their gaolers, so why not ablidge 'em? Save us doin' the bladework?"

Maxim's brow furrows at JJ's emulation;

Maxie... Hell's Teeth.

"Yup. Surabar the Magnificent indeed. Joinin' the exalted ranks o' Leomund, Bigby and their ilk..."

He flashes his golden capped teeth, and beckons JJ to pathfinder for the group;

"Lead on o' Master Mage."

Maxim looks o'er the carnage and loot with equal satisfaction.

"My Bror has the right o' it. Best ye wear it."

The gun-mage looks to the others;

"Ain't got no magicks that'll help with our path. We can flip a coin I reckon. Deeper or Higher, can't see this jaunt being a party..."

Sounds truly epic Bror... had a wee drift back to halcyon days myself reading that :)

Dice also sound perfect - was gifted a set of heavy lode copper dice from my wife when I turned 40, alas they've never seen action yet, but yon tales of face to face perhaps has rekindled a flame to once again set the table and the scene.

Joking apart glad you had a rip roaring time of it. Here's to many more be they virtual or real tables.

ROUND 5 BoF: +2s

Fortitude DC29: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 13 + 1 = 34
Fly: 1d20 + 13 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 1 = 25

Maxim holds onto his breakfast and shifts in the air to allow himself a clearer shot, before blasting the corpulent foe!

10ft Move and Standard Action - Ranged Touch

Ranged (Deadly Aim)Touch: “Smaug”; +3 Planar Double Barrelled Pistol (Arcane Gun): 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 16 + 2 + 1 = 39
B&P Damage: 1d8 + 12 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 12 + 1 = 14
Crit Confirm? Ranged (Deadly Aim) Touch: “Smaug”; +3 Planar Double Barrelled Pistol (Arcane Gun): 1d20 + 16 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 2 + 1 = 38
Crit B&P Damage: 2d8 + 24 + 2 ⇒ (8, 1) + 24 + 2 = 35

Bror that just sounds amazing... hallowed ground and paths well trodden indeed.

Look forward to hearing tales of the mad hermit, his mountain lion and of course the chaotic caves themselves! :)

@All: Am glad the malaise isn't one that personal but perhaps just some fatigue we're all feeling in the strange new/old world order we're easing ourselves back into. Truly consider myself blessed to share these virtual adventures with you all, and especially GMR for having the will to see this saga through!

Hey folks, I know I've not been very responsive here the last week or so. Life has actually legitimately been a little busy the past few weeks between work and needing to get things done on my days off. But on top of that I've also been struggling a bit with a waning interest in PbP. Not actively avoiding posting but meaning to get to it after doing X or Y and then running out of time for the day/night or just never getting around to it. I've generally done a little better about keeping up with games where I'm a player but even those have been hit or miss.

While this doesn't *feel* like burnout as I've experienced it in the past I suppose it still is, just manifesting itself in a different manner than I'm used to. I know that I definitely don't want to give up PbP entirely but I think I'm reaching or have reached a point where just a couple of games at a time is enough to suit me - and I actually have been acting on this, opting to not sign up for new games when current ones wrap up.

But all of that said, I'm still committed to seeing our game through to the end. I'm about to head out of town for a couple of days starting tomorrow and won't be back until sometime Tuesday afternoon. Please feel free to bot or delay Marigold until then, as needed. General priority in terms of spell usage, as per usual, is healing/buffing first and damaging spells second; utility magics as needed.

This.

I'm in a very similar scenario to you Lil' Miss. Have dropped 3 games in the last few weeks due to a sense of burnout, but also an increasing malaise in motivation to actively participate in games. I'm lucky to have some long running and bespoke games on the go (including here) and these do me fine.

Like you this feels like something different than previously when RL stymied me and enforced a break. This creeping doom is more a lack of motivation to engage and be inspired (despite the best efforts from excellent players and GMs). Tis strange.

I'll be honest and say this is my first (and last) high level game - no reflection on anyone here or our most distinguished GMR, but high level play and the wall of rolls/boons/buffs/bonuses is something that my current headspace cares little for. I do find myself yearning for the halcyon days of pre-teen levels.

That being said I'm keen to see this one through to the end, but apologies in advance if my posts lack flair or come across as elementary, its most definitely the player not the game!

ROUND 3 BoF: +2s

Buoyed by his boots, Maxim takes to the air and attempts to fly past the clamour of the melee;

Fly (Winged Boots+Prayer: 1d20 + 13 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 13 + 4 + 1 = 27

60ft Move over the assembled combatants. Not sure if he takes AoO? If he does I'll just risk it.

He lands at a further corner of the chamber and loads his pistol with an alchemical cartridge (Standard Action)

DC14 Will Save: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 16 + 4 = 21 Fail
Hero Point Reroll DC14 Will Save: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 16 + 4 = 30
DC14 Will Save: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 16 + 4 = 39
DC14 Will Save: 1d20 + 16 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 16 + 4 = 32

Almost overcome, Maxim composes himself and focusses on the weight of the pistol in his hand. He breathes deep and holds fast.

(Not moving forward yet GMR)

ROUND 2

Seeing his wand come to naught Maxim trades it out for his pistol.

(Move Action - Sheath wand, Move Action - draw pistol)

Sorry Watchers - work is a grind at the moment, loads on and not much post shift energy for anything else.

Hoping this weekend will see the load lighten. Meantime please bot Maxim as necessary.

ROUND 1

Maxim draws his trusty wand (Move Action) and fires away!

"Magische Raket!" (Use Wand of Magic Missile - Standard Action)

The wand blasts 5 force bullets that unerringly strike one of the demodands;

Magic Missile Damage (CL9): 5d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 1, 3, 2, 4) + 5 = 18 (41/50 Charges)

Just a heads up gang I'm positively slammed at work - had a couple of additional jobs land of my lap today in an already busy week and need to do my team's performance review by Friday... also have our works Xmas do on Friday (at the 3rd tilt - covid allowing).

Posting might be pretty spotty until the weekend so please bot Maxim as necessary.

[ooc[ Sorry gang - bereft of any inspiration at the moment[/ooc]

Maxim nods sage like in agreement;

"Ain't nuthing from me needed."

20th Level Up

+1 Hero Point (Maxed out at 3)

+1 Level of Arcane Trickster

Spellslinger 6/UC Rogue 4/Arcane Trickster 10

+1 BAB
+1 CL (CL16; additional 7th & 8th Level Spell/Day)
Sneak Attack +1D6 (7D6 total)
Surprise Spells (adds Sneak Attack to damage spells - if target flat footed)
+6 HP (4 from class, 2 from CON)
+1 Ability (DEX)
+7 Adventuring Skill Ranks; additional ranks taken in: Disable Device, Fly, Knowledge (Arcana), Knowledge (Engineering), Perception, Spellcraft & Stealth
+2 Background Skill Ranks; ranks taken in: Appraise & Lore (Cauldron)

Maxim looks to Marigold;

"The enemy of our enemy could be our friend. 'course first rule o' business is buyer beware..."

He fishes out a stogie and sparks it to life as the group parley;

"Fir what its worth Lil' Miss. Byakala here is the lesser o' two evils. Grant it liberation... with a warnin' o' retribution if that decision proves damagin' to our cause."

The gun-mage eyes the little oracle, then the marilith through a haze of primo Sasserine leaf smoke.

Yeah that's exactly what's happening - suddenly coin is available for those jobs to optimise well performance!

Just a heads up gang - had a couple of rush offshore jobs land of my lap this morning, so might be mid-week before I'm clear enough to contribute. Please bot me as/when/if necessary.

Maxim grimaces as JJ resorts to gunboat diplomacy. The dwur reaches out placing hand on the newlywed's steely arm and steps forward;

"Hold Surabar, not everyone negotiates with slaps an' barbs..."

He forces a smile at the deformed brute;

"Afore you meet strike with strike friend, take my apologies an' this as a token of such..."

Revealing an emerald in his palm (worth 1000GP)

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

His other hand flashes past his belt...

Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (5) + 15 = 20

... producing a silver locket;

"An' this. Locket with ashes o' a Lord o' Malachite contained therein. Scraps o' his soul. To hold it, is to hold his power... Priceless.

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Maxim watches the angelic newcomer with interest, his stogie still clamped betwixt his gold hued teeth.

"Reckon we could use all the help we can."

Sparking up a fresh stogie, Maxim lets out a plume of smoke then frowns at Marigold's words;

"Risk? Hell's Teeth you ain't a risk Lil' Miss any more than any o' us is. Someone gets hold o' my mind an' my pistol an' power become a threat. Ironclad wrecking ball like my Bror even more so. You're the best o' us, and don't you furgit that.

He smiles, his own eyes a little dewy;

"Don't you be turnin' on them waterworks neither... Plenty o' time fir tears when we get what's required done an' dusted. Darn smoke gettin' in my eyes..."

Maxim nods, content to get moving sooner rather than later;

"Ready to roll whenever you are Lil' Miss. Redgorge ain't exactly the hub o' entrepreneurial spirit, an seein' Arlintel still' chides me somewhat. Leave Surabar to his nuptials I reckon, lessen he's desperate to join us?"

He raises a sooty eyebrow;

"Though if he chooses us o'er her then we'll likely face a reckonin' from his bride!"

ROUND 1

Maxim levels his pistol and blasts the eye tyrant with a single barrel:

Ranged Touch - “Smaug”; +3 Planar Double Barrelled Pistol (Arcane Gun): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
Damage B&P: 1d8 ⇒ 212 = 12

Not sure if the anti magic negates his pistols bonus?

So does Kikinnin have to make the Slow Ray Resistance? I'm happy enough to take the hit to be honest.

ROUND 1

Maxim, bereft of much of his arsenal is taken by surprise by their archenemy's reappearance...

Will DC32: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20

... as he draws the ever-present iron at his hip, the gun-mage finds himself awash with fell energy that stymies his usual crisp reflexes....

(Slowed. Single Move Action - draw pistol)

Same... :(

Aye have fixed last divvy @ 4 way split this time. Selling everything now unclaimed amounts to 68,887 Gold each.

Have then added 22k each for Kikinnin, Lil' Miss and JJ from the Commons to bump that to 90,887 each.

Maxim got the +8 Bracers which we could have sold for 40k so I see myself quids in still.

Commons still sits at a healthy 106, 982 Gold.

That work for everyone?

Maxim will be using his 8th Level Spell slot for one of his many 7th Level spells - none of the 8th level appeal to be honest (high level spells are either WMD's or boring :S)

Marigold - may I suggest you trade in that Ring of Protection +2 for Ring of Protection +4 in the loot currently...

For his part Maxim keeps his head down, focussing on learning new spells from the scrolls and spell books recovered;

Spellcraft DC20 - Learn Cloudkill: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (19) + 23 = 42
Spellcraft DC22 - Learn Greater Dispel Magic (counts as a 7th Level due to Opposition School): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (2) + 23 = 25
Spellcraft DC22 - Learn Mage’s Magnificent Mansion: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (20) + 23 = 43