Merevelyn's page

Hi all,

I am afraid that I am going to have to bow out of this scenario after all, owing to a need to cut back and to some personal matters. It's definitely nothing personal against the group or the GM, but since this group has enough people and we were only just started, it makes the most sense for me to put this character on hold. :-\

My thanks for having me in the game, and my apologies for having to drop out,

Matt

Diplomacy (Gather Information): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22
Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 2 = 16

Merevelyn consults her memory, her Pathfinder Chronicles chapbooks, and her own contacts, but does not find much, if anything, that the skilled newcomer had not already found out.

Merevelyn spend most of her time just observing and listen; if anything, her garb is bland and innocuous. Hopefully, such will serve their new mission ("Or, at least, this Mivvy may prove a useful distraction.").

Hello all, too!

Yeah, play what you would prefer (although I always miss not having someone to channel energy heal - usually that is me). I find the idea of 'two of the same' (or even 'six of the same') to be interesting, with good potential for interaction and character differentiation.

In my opinion, you would probably be OK since we are only level 2, and we would be playing Tier 1-2 scenarios. Plus, there would be a fair number of us.

I'd be fine with it.

Merevelyn raises an eyebrow incredulously. "Brother Saitama wrote a note? Using actual words written on paper or parchment? Made up words, no doubt, but words nonetheless?"

I wouldn't at all have guessed him as one to disappear, but Darmut/Broken Prince stopped posting on another game about a month ago, it seems.

"Indeed, well met, Kintampo," Merevelyn agrees. "I think we have an explanation for the exposed wayfinder and your knowledge of the difference between teas and herbal infusions: You come from a place more civilized than Absalom. Here, it is good to stay in a group and watch your back - and watch what alley you are 'inconveniently' routed down."

Ditto here. I have the Frostfur Captives as my last session for Merevelyn on her "Sessions" tab.

"Thank you for defending my honor, Marduk," the half-elven Merevelyn says with a wink.

"It's rare for anyone to so display a wayfinder. As VC Valsin is so fond of saying, for every friend of the Society there are two enemies. I like the odds more in my favor."

"Matters of arcana, aberrations and oozes, local lore and personalities, the natural world, other planes of existence, religions and undead... The list seems endless. I never had the formal schooling, just family traditions in magic, talent, and knowing who to ask. Unfortunately, when adventuring across Irrisen and then in the sewers, I realized that there isn't really anyone else to ask." She adds in a conspiratorial whisper, "Not that the VCs are all that good at providing information, even when we are in town." "Someday, if I am able, I will run things differently."

Merevelyn replies to the half-orc, "I'm better now. Good to see you, my friend, not that I could miss you. And here comes Wyeth. Please do sit, Wyeth."

"Any news? I've been so engrossed in my many remedial studies -" she gestures to her Pathfinder Chronicles chapbooks - "- that I fear missing the next assignment."

It might be good to wait until everyone has chimed in on the new campaign, and we are still missing a few people there, I believe.

So, I wonder if the Emerald Spire super-dungeon will be one of those that can be done in "Campaign Mode"?

Originally, I was planning to do Thornkeep that way with a group, feeling I really needed to make a few adjustments and also wanting to bring in more of the surrounding story, but then found out that (apparently) The Dragon's Demand is the only module you can run that way presently.

I also asked on a thread whether there is a list somewhere of which other modules, if any, can be run in campaign mode, but didn't get a good answer. Do you know of any others?

Sterelin McKeaough wrote:

It looks like the FAQ crew have said that the questions don't need replies.

I find it really disappointing when they do that. I mean come on, if "the solution is obvious and left to the student as an exercise," then why is the question being debated on the forums in the first place?

I get why they don't want to waste their time on trivial matters, but if people are struggling with a rule interpretation, clearly it's not trivial.

I was just going to say this, too. I've searched for answers a few times on the boards, only to get that result (or, rather, non-result).

The best thing to do then might be to take it to the James Jacobs thread. Even though it isn't final or definitive like a FAQ, it is at least fairly authoritative and respected, and he seems to answer all of the questions.

Dotting in here, too, since I am not sure whether dotting in on the Gameplay thread is sufficient to get updates about the Discussion thread.

Sounds good!

Merevelyn was waiting for the 'splash'. :)

No problem, GM. Thank you very much for running this! (While Darmut may grumble ;-), Merevelyn is quite pleased with herself, gathering a contact. She is taking her first steps to be the next VC, or perhaps the next Grandmaster Torch...)

I dotted in to the new game with a hopefully-fun paragraph or two (I never like just saying 'dot'.)

Merevelyn is sitting in the much-storied "Pig's Paunch" tavern, at the table with the best view of everyone who comes and goes, and where she can still have her back to the wall. Before her is a large stack of serious tomes and Pathfinder Chronicles, plus pen and ink and a thick sheaf of notes in her own cryptic shorthand. (The lot of them is probably too heavy for the slight half-elven woman to carry to and fro, but there always seems to be some strong individual to help, when you know how to ask.)

It isn't the quietest place for traditional scholarly studies, of course, but it is very conducive to the broad range of learning Merevelyn engages in: comings and goings, all of the quirks of behavior, idle gossip, deals of all sorts, inebriated and indiscreet ramblings. (She drinks nothing stronger than tea, and she is careful to brew it herself.) And, a little bird flits unnoticed under the tables in the dimly-lit and shadowed tavern, collecting 'crumbs' of all sorts.

"Ah, yes, frogs and moldy mushrooms... Sadly, the Pathfinder Society longshanks chief mistress will have different things for me to do now," Merevelyn smiles then nods regretfully. "It does rather sound like some haute cuisine, however. Maybe there could be role for goblins in society."

Bluff, taking 10 for a 19.

Merevelyn, too, is impressed, and reassured about having opened hostilities, with the group thus having neutralized the brains and much of the force behind the Nightsoil Marauders. "I would guess that the stolen wayfinder was going to be one of the clues left at some crime scene, meant to entangle the Pathfinder Society."

"Speaking of entangling the Society in questionable situations..." Merevelyn thinks as she begins to quietly collect the groups unused alchemist's fires and other goblin-produced alchemical items. "We'd just be giving them to the Society, and Pathfinders won't probably want to use them, anyway," she argues.

After going back to free the captive goblin and spending some time finishing the destruction of the alchemical equipment and reagents back in the lab, Merevelyn makes ready for the group to take leave of Ekkie (and Plurk). Merevelyn gives Ekkie back her the rest of her gear, plus the alchemical items, and whatever goblin items and supplies she may find of interest.

Diplomacy, Take 10 for a 25.

"Now, leave the city, as we agreed, Ekkie and Plurk, and take care of yourselves. Go back to your tribe or another, and keep away from the longshanks and their allies. If you find things or information that would be of interest to us, however, you should come back and tell the Society; you'll be rewarded for it. Obviously, you know where to find the Lodge."

Merevelyn then spends some time describing things the Society would be interested in (actions of rival factions, remnants of the Shadow Lodge, ruins, artifacts, and the like), and then some time coming up with passwords and identifying signals so the Ekkie can be recognized as a non-hostile visitor to the Lodge, information she'll take back to the Lodge. (She'll keep Ekkie's interest, parceling items and food as she talks, making sure that Ekkie understands each point.)

That's too bad, since even saying "gassy bugbear" is kinda fun (at least for my inner child).

Too bad I'm taking over next, mwa ha ha!

Actually, now probably isn't a bad time to bring it up, but what do people want to play? I have a few ideas:

Thornkeep: The Accursed Halls (1-2 megadungeon module for 3XP and 4PP, repeatable for level 1 PCs and can be played once with a level 2 PC).

The Emerald Spire Level 1 (1-2 Megadungeon module for 3XP and 4PP, the chronicle sheets should be out before we finish)

The Stolen Heir (1-5 scenario, Season 5)

The Glass River Rescue (1-5 scenario, Season 5)

Sorry, I didn't see this right away.

I've played Thornkeep: The Accursed Halls as a level 1 cleric, so I could potentially replay it. I played in the group with Broken Prince/Darmut.

I don't know anything about The Emerald Spire except, pretty much, its announcement.

I've GMed The Stolen Heir but haven't played it.

I haven't played or GMed The Glass River Rescue.

We've got to wait at least 2 mins before he comes back to his natural form...

Btw GM, how many turns does the effect last?

Edit: the effect in question is my "entangled". 2 mins gaseous form would account for 20 rounds.....

Really, that would be a knowledge or spellcraft check for in-character knowledge, IMO. Merevelyn has Spellcraft, but not Knowledge (Arcana) (yet). I wasn't sure which would apply to identify the potion effect as equivalent to a particular spell's effect, and then to further know the details on that spell.

Merevelyn considers the new turn of events, and decides that a magic missile is always a good option.
MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Not sure if identifying such an effect is Knowledge (Arcana), Spellcraft, both or neither.
Spellcraft?: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Again? That was my last one, too. :(

Merevelyn fires another small bolt at the bugbear, now grappled. "Now that he's got it, what is he going to do with it?" Merevelyn wonders.

Merevelyn has no Day Job. She'll be studying (and picking up knowledge skills) until the next adventure. :)

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Must have the thing set on 'stun'...

Merevelyn fires another unerring bolt at the eastern goblin. "Too bad you can't aim these things..."

Oops! I hit 'Edit' for some reason after that post, but it shouldn't make a difference since I didn't win anything. It's embarrassing, though, since they just said "Do not edit". My subconscious is just a contrarian, I suppose.

Merevelyn's boon roll: 1d20 ⇒ 15

Merevelyn moves east behind a pillar then fires a magic missile at a goblin.
Move 10 feet east, using the pillar as cover, then firing at the east goblin.

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"A key to successful diplomacy, however, is knowing when not to use it. For example, I would suggest not doing so with the leaders who see themselves in a position of strength, with brute-strength murderers, or with the chaotically evil. This seems to be all three, and a bugbear," Merevelyn speaks softly to the group. "Please act with the signal."

After Merevelyn gives her short discourse, she retrieves a small golden sphere from her necklace and moves ahead 20 feet where she says, "You wronged the Pathfinders and tried to have us killed, so here is our counter offer -"
Round 2, 2 move actions.

She tosses the fireball sphere directly at the bugbear, then moves east behind a column, letting her wand of magic missiles spring into her hand.
Round 3, StA and MA and a SwA.

Fireball to square?: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Fireball, DC 14 Ref: 2d6 ⇒ (1, 1) = 2
Bah!

Broken into possible rounds, in case they begin to act earlier.

Merevelyn identified the necklace, but, looking back through the thread, we never said who it should go to, so I'll presume it would still be with her.

"Hmm. Not the precise statement I was hoping to make..."

Knowledge (Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17 (For the bugbear.)

"Are we waiting for something?" Merevelyn whispers, before casting shield from her wand then stashing it in her belt.Round one.

Heh. All of my characters are a little Silver Crusade at heart, I think.

Merevelyn hands the broach of shielding to Sterelin, "On the rare chance we'll be attacked so, and I have my shield spell to protect me."

She then picks up another alchemist's fire for herself, and discusses something quietly to Ekkie.

Hi All, I'll be on a short vacation to the coast this Wednesday through Friday and will have less computer access, so feel free to GMPC me if I hold things up.

No one has a Wand of Cure Light Wounds? O.O Oh my... It is usually my first purchase - even as a wizard - but I've gone with wizard stuff so far. :-\

"We have the one potion, from Ekkie," Merevelyn suggests, "... and," she adds, a little begrudgingly, "I have one, too." "How did we survive this long?"

Ah, I see. No problem either way, though. :)

Merevelyn will cross the small bridge, carefully testing it for strength before she does so. "Healing isn't my skill," she calls out.

Conveniently leaving debates about the downed goblins' well-being to others, Merevelyn casts Detect Magic and scans around the room and the fallen foes.
DM and Spellcraft for Identifying an item 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
DM and Spellcraft for Identifying an item 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
DM and Spellcraft for Identifying an item 3: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Sterelin, please acknowledge that you deducted 1 charge of your wand of infernal healing

Sorry, I, too, have never done that, though I have a system set up on my sheet.

Merevelyn fires another magic missile, this time at the other non-shielded goblin.
MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

43 charges remaining.

Saitama - I laughed out loud several times now this morning, thanks! :)

"A Shield spell! That will be tougher, but it is only personal..." Merevelyn says, redirecting her wand to the southern goblin.
I assume she would know that, using her Shield spell for just this purpose.
MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Merevelyn waits until there is room, then moving forward 5' and firing her wand of magic missiles at he mouthy goblin. "I hate to be a critic, but you presume we need to come close."

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"Yes, but I have to hope there is a different way, and a chance for change, and that evil can be turned to good ... or, at least, 'not so bad', as Wyeth has said," Merevelyn says, gesturing discreetly with her eyes towards Ekkie.

I've been assuming that we are tying them up while we are discussing this. Maybe Shersht should be 'taking care of' the alchemist before it wakes...

Merevelyn hesitates. Normally, she would give little thought about killing the goblin enemies in their sleep, especially the alchemist leader. It is likely that the goblins, themselves, would do the same. But, Merevelyn feels pangs of doubt, and whispers to Marduk: "Should we show a better, more merciful example? The alchemist is too dangerous, but the follower could be tied up and let go later."

Merevelyn hurries into the room and fires another unerring bolt of force into the downed goblin, while reminding Ekkie, "Alchemist's fire only later, Ekkie."
Move into the room, 10' E of ('below') the sleeping goblin on the lower level.

MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Caelum flies off her shoulder and flutters around near the top of the chamber in the lower level, viewing the whole field.
Total defense SA.

Merevelyn fires another missile at the goblin she hit before, try to do better, and it does so.
MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Cover reflected in status line ACs.

Merevelyn drops her wand of magic missiles into her hand as she hustles to the doorway, taking cover behind the hard stone and firing a missile at a goblin.
MM: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Bah!
Spring-loaded wrist sheath for the wand (a swift action), move 25' to be in the doorway for Cover, shooting southeast and hoping for Total Cover from the west.

We had something similar to the camping idea you were describing in Illinois back in the 70's called "Indian Guides". It was like Scouts in some ways, but was boys and girls and their fathers doing camping and activities, with the idea giving fathers some special time with their kids. Things were different back then, In Ye Olden Days, of course, with working dads and stay-at-home mom's more the standard. Now, I am the stay-at-home dad, and will probably need to send my wife off camping with the kids one day. ;-)

One new thing they have now which my mom takes the kids to is an annual "Grandcamp" for grandparents and grandchildren.

Merevelyn responds to Ekkie, in Goblin, "Yes, a rock, or maybe something harder. But he means well."

I'm not sure if we said, but perhaps 1 alchemist's fire per person?

"Storm the place, taking cover behind the tables while the climbers and jumpers go up a level?" Merevelyn casts shield on herself from her wand, then places it in her belt.

"Can anyone identify it? It may be vulnerable to magic, or perhaps fire, if the need arise."

Merevelyn then makes to follow Darmut and the group around the corner.

Merevelyn will carefully watch the flasks of alchemist's fires, in case there are any temptations on a certain goblin's part, until they are distributed among the group, and Caelum keeps an eye on Ekkie. "Maybe when you are ready to leave town," she suggests. She'll then help search the bodies for items, giving any 'goblin treasures' (i.e. things unsuitable for anyone else to possess) to Ekkie.

Next, Merevelyn casts Detect Magic and looks down in the pit for auras. She'll toss in the goblin weapons to check the depth. "Could be important for the way back," she explains.