Maximilian “Max” Cosgrave's page

Day job

Arcana (if that works): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

I’ll try a crafting lore to see if I can make anything if it.

Hmm I believe I have studied this (crafting): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

I don’t speak their language either I’m afraid, it seems though they are saying Gwibble made them do it and they aren’t going to be further trouble.

"Bug controlling fey! That's interesting. I wonder why they attack village?"

"Me help Max." Chug moves over to Max and places a hand on his back. "Cayden bless you!"

Max heals 6 from Lay on Hands

Thank you friend.

Turning to regard the “mitflits” Hmmm fey controlling some of these bugs could explain some of what is going on I suppose. Why though?

sorry it was an unexpectedly sleep deprived weekend

I’d have cast light on a button on my shirt or a pin or something (so I don’t have to hold it)

Next round for me if I’m slow again, unless things change wildly:

my mobile is giving me issues with moving tokens on the map please be so kind as to place me at the back of the party

Max starts chanting then realizing we aren’t leaping into battle here switches incantations.

Casts light

(common) Hopefully they’ll talk. (Orcish) If not the language of the weaklings perhaps you speak the warrior tongue?

If I can arcana check the spell that was cast I’ll use my third action for that.

Tunnels, that sounds like a strangely delightful change of pace.

These don’t look like anything I have researched! I assume though that electricity will still hurt them!

advancing forward the minimum needed to get two targets within 30’. targeting the two closest (green and red)

Electric Arc - DC 18 Basic Reflex 1 or 2 creatures, 30' range: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

I have my turn ready, I assume it is proper pbp etiquette to wait until turn comes up to post rather than put my turn up and wait for initiative to apply results?

An odd potion

Arcana (potion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

Max follows the group as he is out of his element if the compasses don’t work, and quite tired of mosquitos.

Finding the man alive and returning him to town clearly did Max some good. That, plus some sleep have restored some of what seems to be his standard snarky cheer. (Clearly worried about the woman with the dog) Folk shouldn’t travel alone, though I confess my travels in groups of four or five tend to be quite dangerous as well. In any case, we should stick together. I agree with some breakfast and then off to follow this latest lead.

Max will help the man walk unless someone more athletically minded steps up.

clutch crit right there lol

Max pulls out one of his elixirs of life. I have a bunch of these if that helps.

Seeing the body: Woah! Wow that's yeah that is... disturbing. We should pull him out and take a look right? Respectfully of course, and well I Suppose we should return him to town. I believe (checks his notes) we heard of a new face in town, a human, brown hair, dressed in white? I doubt that is a coincidence.

Max studies the tree and the dolls nailed to it. (Occult)

Hmm Perhaps a spell or a cult (occult): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Once the tracking people are willing to let Max examine the sword He would like to see if he can tell anything about it’s craftsmanship.

Hmm Perhaps it’s made locally or hmm perhaps not (crafting): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24

Witchtop, it seems as good a place as any to find a witch who may or may not be the root of the problem. I don't suppose there is a "Stirge Hill" or a "Mosquito Mountain" we could investigate instead?

Clearly the bugs are getting to Max but he presses on in any case. He will join Chug in keeping an eye out for clues and oddities.

Feel free to bot as needed

sorry forgot to check yesterday

Will try acrobatics to rescue as many as I can. Please feel free to not additional rolls if applicable.

Is he a wizard or is he an acrobat?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

"Max, Max," Helène soothes as she puts a hand on the man's shoulder. "I'm not too proud to admit that this place gets to me as well,but let's not get carried away in paranoia. There are no people going around pretending to be us. We've had one person say something to that effect. And he's been caring for someone with severe trauma for a few years. He might just be mistaken, of just a bit... lost. These people have been through a lot lately, we have to take that into account."

Smirking, "That is exactly the sort of thing Mosquito Doppelganger Helène would say."

Max chuckles, whether at his own joke or as a way to relieve his nerves is hard to say.

Your point is valid, I suppose the most likely explanation is that the man is mistaken, but still it is worth keeping in mind

To the group

I’m wondering if perhaps we have multiple mysteries. Bloodseekers killing people and tiny paper dolls seem like they are fairly different approaches to hurting the town. We should ask one of the friendlier locals about whether paper dolls have been traditionally associated with the witch or not.

In broad strokes we ought to come up with a plan if we can. I’m seeing the following issues we need to investigate
* for some reason somebody may be duplicating us. Given this started before we arrived they might have known who the society was sending. Alternatively perhaps someone caused us to seem like someone else.
* paper dolls you can’t get rid of.
* increased mosquitos and blood seekers
* murdered cultist
* a possibly distinct monstrous creature as seen by Ms Lyons
* Woman with the strange dog not being completely forthcoming (maybe)

Did I miss anything friends?

Preferably not leading the convo here, speaking to the group:

who are “they”? Her friends from when she was a teen? We should ask if she thinks the current situation is related to what she saw? Should we ask for details on what she saw it doesn’t sound like a bloodseeker?

If there’s enough here to prompt a recall knowledge I’ll definitely try.

Also noting the directions she provided to where she saw it.

Max nods thoughtfully running his hand down his face.

Am I still clean shaven? (Trying to figure out if we lost time)

Assuming we haven’t lost time:

Sir we arrived in town only this morning by boat. We visited the barber and the baker and came here directly after. I don’t believe my companions have called on Miss Lyons before and I am quite certain I haven’t.

If I have stubble or otherwise realize we have lost time I bring that to the groups’ attention.

There are strange things happening, and Ms. Lyons may be the key to understanding that allows us to rid this town of these cursed bugs.... and yes, we have bread

Occult to hopefully pull up suitable examples of the strange stuff and the repercussions of failing to act : 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Before we head out of town, let us not forget SWAT ... to secure lodging. I SWAT ... don't relish the though of camping out here SWAT ...well you get it.

Slapping down double the rate for cornbread and honey, could you perhaps wrap it up? I wouldn’t want any mosquitos to ruin the bread?

Max waits patiently and studies his notebook staring at the pages as if the answer to this mystery is already in its pages.

Have I ever heard of an emotion sucking witch type creature?

not sure which this would be I’m assuming occult?

Hmm I believe I have studied this (except Religion): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

This bread looks delightful. You mention Miss Lyons, whats her story? Is she the only one that has seen the witch? I know I heard a tale of some kids that saw the witch years ago, was the her?

Unless there is any strong objection Max will continue to walk toward the bakery. Hustling to get out of the clouds of insects.

Are you planning to go looking for the cause? If you aren’t I can’t imagine why you’d be staying here.

Have your travels led you to any place with similar troubles? We want to figure out what is happening here and perhaps you can help? Also perhaps we can talk and walk rather than standing about getting devoured?

Just wanted to pop in and say this is great so far.

Peaches, what a wonderful name for a dog. May I?

Max indicates the dog and extends his hand indicating he would like to pet the creature.

What do I know about the breed?

And to answer your question I suppose that depends on exactly what you mean by it?

Now that I have supplied you three answers to your question, perhaps you'll be so kind as to answer the same question asked of you: "Why have you recently arrived in Shimmerford?"

It also occurs to Max that the handling of the cultist's body (dismembering, burning, salting the earth) is both extreme and perhaps specific. Is this type of execution(murder?) a typical act for some god or goddess Max might know of?

Hmm I believe I have studied this (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

A trip to the barber and then to the bakery. But for the mosquitos, and the threat of grisly death this would seem to be quite the pleasant day of errands. Ma’am if you think of anything else, please leave a message for us at the inn.

Max suggests that given we now have quite a few leads and townsfolk prone to over reacting that we perhaps take pains to spend some coin and make ourselves known to the townsfolk.

We should secure lodging too, I don’t fancy sleeping in a tent with these bugs.

Excellent work, truly excellent. Clearly I must come this way more often, once we deal with the mosquitos.

Max places whatever is double the going rate for a shave and a haircut on the counter, and smile warmly. His smile fades on hearing the cultists death. Action before learning, The cause of so many tragic endings.

Pulling out his notes he studiously adds names to lists and catalogues what we have learned.

So, we must speak with the baker, visit the site of for former cultists residence, and perhaps if we get the chance question the postman and the rooster Though neither is likely fowl perpetrator of this insectile plague.

Max glances around straight faced.

Why would Ms Lyons think anything was wrong before the mosquitos?

Scolls of Burning Hands and Charm from PF training, I'll slot Sand Slide though I hope not to need it, and of course Grand Archive Champion.

I'll go ahead and declare my alchemist items too, 2 batches of elixir of life, so 4 elixirs.

Hmm, yes now that you mention it, I could use a trim. Please tell us what has happened, spare no detail?

Casting a jealous looking glance at Phineas, Max moves somewhat uncomfortably toward the barber chair and gestures to the party to see if anyone would like to go first, if not he studies himself in the mirror and takes a seat eager for a good cut and shave.

Tasaria wrote:

Looking to at Smine she asks, "Are there any good bug repellents that you know of?"

“No.”

Looked around and couldn’t find any in the rules yet,

What about a smoke stick?

That’s all I’ve got

Max heads a bunk and starts checking his supplies and wondering aloud what alchemical items will be most useful.

If anyone wants to discuss I am happy to oblige, otherwise I might suggest we get some rest and rise early

Ah yes mosquitos alone are reason enough to avoid the land route. Thank you for chartering a vessel to transport us

Max nods in thanks and adds “Investigate Alchemical Bug Repellent” to his to do list.

Tatzlwyrms? You don’t say. Do you have any other suggestions on how best to get to Shimmerford? Any trouble with mounts making the journey?

Max flips to a page in his notes labeled: Items of importance (Moderate/High)
In neat letters he adds: - Research Tatzlwyrms.

Max sits and sips casually at his cider taking note of his peers’ questions, Smine’s answers and studies the doll carefully. He notes it’s texture, scent, and heft, he sketches it quickly in his notes.

Fascinating, likely you are correct some unrelated force is using this local folklore to scare people and work toward its own ends. Think of how interesting it would be if it was the witch though. Certainly worthy of an article or two. What can you tell us of thebother threats in the region? Bloodseekers, hit with hammer. Anything more complicated to worry about?

Max appears at first glance to a typical scholar wearing typical scholars garb. If you look a bit longer you'll notice a few things out of place for a simple scribe or sage. His clothing, though cut like a scholars is made of heavier cloth and has a sturdy practicality about it. His boots are rugged and worn but fit for all manner of out-door work. His Taldan features are tanned and windswept.

"There is so much to learn in the world, and if you aren't out there in the thick of it, you are just learning someone else's version of the truth. I am here to further my studies and to leave the places I go at least a bit better than I found them"

As Max follows quietly behind the other Pathfinders, he stops for a moment to sketch the design on the mace and the sword.

I'm good with a horror theme.

Me too.

I think that makes sense. I will get that set up tomorrow evening.