N'bellocq's page

N'bellocq turns his head in surprise to face the General, his mind, and eyes, had been off in the surrounding jungle, but then he smiles a big smile.

"I have located a camp. About 30 Mwangi based on its size. It is located across a gorge but has a way that can allow an approach unseen that we might have a drop on it. All 30 may not be there as it seems some have departed to follow back our path of approach."

And here N'bellocq steps closer and lowers his voice to a whisper, "Coming back from this gorge, I have also found a single pair of tracks that leave our camp and go directly to the enemies' camp. We are spied upon not just from the surrounding jungle... "

shoot. No I am here....trying to keep up pace. Work is burying me this week, but in a good way, as good things are happening here, that help with recent situations.

I have N'bellocq leveled up in HeroLab, I just need to import it.

Being in the pyramid was an uncomfortable confinement for N'bellocq, but he found camp life to be even more so. It did not make sense to him, they had travelled for weeks in nightly camps and if anything he felt more free than ever since his release. But something about the now sedentary nature of this camp and its crude but growing footprint, it perhaps reminded him too much of the river pirate camps, and his unfortunate time as a slave.

For that reason, he relished his early morning runs through the surrounding jungle. It wasn't that he wanted to shirk work, but building walls of his current jungle prison was too much. He did have a service for the camp, after his run, he would hunt and gather food on his way back to camp. Deer and pig were prized shots, but monkey and birds were also brought down. On the collecting side, bunches of bananas, taro, papaya, and nuts were welcome by the cooking crew.

Having crossed much of the surrounding terrain in a short period of time, the General one evening approached N'bellocq at his fire. He askd if N'bellocq would mind putting his morning escapes to a more practical purpose. If he could head out in a different direction each morning, looking in particular for sign of the camp's recent attacks. If a camp could be located, than a sortie might be arranged to tie in with the arrival of the mercenaries.

Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21

The first few days proved to be useful but not too enlightening. He founds scattered footprints and recently broken branches with the foliage slowly dying, but not quite dried out. These signs were likely from before the attack, laid down by scouts passing through on their way to spy on the camp. But enough time had passed that a solid trail could not be identified.

Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

The came the day his travels brought him to a small creek. He travelled along its bank to the right as far as he felt practical before returning to camp. The next day he travelled left upon reaching the creek. Within the hour he was rewarded by finding an obvious crossing spot. A large number of footprints the travelled up and down the muddy banks, obviously the attacks crossed here either by boat or swam. Scanning the water for potential threats, he started to swim across, a knife in his teeth in case of the less visible threats.

Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

The far side proved useful as a bearing the force took to the crossing was obtained. The old game trails of the region though soon swallowed up any sign of the group's passing. He was back to searching a wide spread. It was again several days until he came upon the chasm. Evidence of some ancient upheaval in the land. The tree trunk that spanned the rocky slopes of the abyss was equally ancient and moss covered. A careful examination of the trunk showed the moss torn in many places and a fresh blade cut through the moss and into the old wood as if...N'bellocq peered down into the gorge. The noon sun caught the solitary flash of steel, as if from a spear head. The dark lumps scattered across some boulders, was likely the first casualty of the raid.

Between the creek crossing and now the chasm, N'bellocq felt he had a confident bead on the enemy forces. He took this new information back to the General, to inquire what should be the next plan.

The Handy Haversack will be a good party utility item, consider it done. Also, its limited size means Qhude still gets to drag around his very large conquests. I know he would loathe to give that up.

Oh, ok. Wasn't sure if you were asking for input. Great. Look forward to it.

N'bellocq's partial supping list. (*edit: that's actually all he can really buy, so Full shopping list)

Upgrade MW Composite Longbow (+2 str) to +1: 2,000
Bracers of Falcon's Aim: 4,000
Efficient Quiver: 1,800
20 Cold Iron Arrows: 2

Total: 7,802 gp

Reward: 7,500
+ Previous Wealth: 363

Total: 7,863 gp

Remaining after shopping 62 gp

That's as it should be. I do not see N'bellocq saving for a raining day. Although I would have liked to chip in for communal potions/wands, just not in the coins this level.

N'bellocq will spend down time hunting and collecting fruit, vegetables and nuts, trying to keep fresh food coming into the camp. He will run/ swim/climb in the morning and then hunt on his way back to camp. Maybe fish in the evenings if we are near a water source.

N'bellocq places a hand on Qhude's shoulder. "Brother, I will help you with the burial. I know all to well the fate I have avoided. A fate that would have seen me much like those lost souls. They DO deserve better."

Fixed

I am working on this. Between catching up in multiple threads and a heavy workload things seem to have been busy. But I am caught up and will be a regular poster here on out

Level up

4th Level Monk (Zen Archer)
5 + 2 for 34 total
+1/4 to Ki pool favorite class bonus (.25 total at 4th level)
+1 BaB, +1 to all saves
+1 Wisdom

1d8 unarmed strike
Ki Pool = 6 points
Ki Strike (if 1 point in pool) allows his unarmed attacks to be treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

1 pt to increase range increment 50 ft
1 pt to make one additional attack at his highest attack bonus when making a flurry of blows attack
1 pt to increase his speed by 20 feet for 1 round
1 pt to give himself a +4 dodge bonus to AC for 1 round.

5 skill points
+1 Survival
+1 Perception
+1 Acrobatics
+1 Knowledge Nature
+1 Stealth

Will look into purchases and downtime activity

Probably better I wasn't rolling that. I expect to post here tonight, as I will have a quiet night to catch up on reading the latest exploits.

"Qhude did take the risk of the last room, it is right that he should be spared another trap so soon. If the doll is to be our judge, I will stay to take its judgement. Much has been done to me in my short life, I doubt this doll can do anything worse."

"Why release your enemies in your temple? But perhaps to study and practice on them? Maybe these are similar to the waxmen, to get used to fighting the enemies of the Order."

"Does anyone else find it odd that they left not just wax, but real people, here behind these walls, in addition to demons and floating eyes? They are not expecting us in some lost time to them, they were expecting an attack the day they all marched out of here...maybe to a last fight. And these skeletons are the remnants of a 'just in case we don't make it back' defense....and it would seem they didn't"

N'bellocq has his bow ready and ready to follow the others.

N'bellocq stands calmly and relaxed, but very carefully watching the eyes' movements, judging their ability to maneuver.

Catch a monkey...catch a floating metallic eyeball

N'bellocq strains to resist to go see the light show in the other room, and is rewarded for his efforts by seeing no change in his room. He relaxes a bit once he hears Qhude's voice, but retains his post until someone calls for him or there is obvious trouble.

At Tebati's yell, N'bellocq will resist the urge to move quickly to the hall way and observe whatever is occurring. He will keep a sharp lookout for any mirroring action in this room, particularly the doll and the the cog wall.

"The warrior on the wall looks for something....a word of nine letters? I doubt it is a doll those forces are awaiting."

DMAK: Understood. Just wanted to spot any obvious connections.

"Well, walking about does not seem to be a trigger, I will observe but not touch...yet."

N'bellocq will go in to observe the cubes and the murals.

How many pedestals and cubes are in N'bellocq's room? If there are three plus the figurine.....N'bellocq has an idea.

"Seems they worked hard to make these rooms look like traps. No reason to trip them both at once. Let me know when Qhude does something, I will watch this side to see if the rooms' traps are somehow connected." N'bellocq will remain at the room corner and watch the figurine and the cogs.

N'bellocq signals to the others that it is safe to cross. He will disappear from sight as he slides along the wall to the east and peers around the corner into the larger space.

Perception -> 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
Stealth -> 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

Good luck with that! Fingers crossed.

"I will go. Catch a monkey, dodge a dozen spears. They both involve the same skills...and a little bit of crazy." N'bellocq performs a brief stretch and rolls his shoulders to limber up.

He will then step out into the hall, carefully listening for the sound of dry bones rattling. He will be thinking to dive ahead rather than back, in hopes of having a chance to help the others bypass this hall.

"I heard no such voice. I am sure I am glad for that."

N'bellocq squats and stares out across the passage looking for anything that might suggest a means to trip the spear traps.

Perception -> 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

I did a perception down the hall previously, but not specifically to look for traps.

N'bellocq relaxes slightly as Ansha talks to it so as to not shoot it if it were to respond, and will wait to see if it can in fact cross out of its spot to harm them. But he eyes the holes in the wall as well. "The Frog is not our only worry, these holes seemed designed to deliver spear attacks. Kieran, does the floor show any link to these holes?"

From the description of the corridor, the holes are evident. Are they sized for spears? Or are there spears physically sticking out of the them? I read it twice and am still unsure.

Perception for traps -> 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

N'bellocq takes a bead on the frog and watches for the slightest movement, prepared to shoot if it threatens.

Perception -> 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26

and that "The Aboliths did it"*.....wait! no! reserve that. Make sure the Aboliths had nothing to do with it.

*Good way to get round-filed with a Paizo submission

N'bellocq follows Qhude down, bow still at ready for any threats bigger than a spider.

N'bellocq is prepared to stomp on any spiders that might climb up and out of the stairwell, but a mess of flames and spiders does not look like its needs an arrow.

"Maybe that was what the candle was for...for someone to go back in, clear the traps." N'bellocq gives a shug showing that he is not entirely convinced with his own idea.

"Man overboard, as we would say on the river." N'bellocq gives the wax form a hard enough shove to set up a good chance it would travel a good distance down the steps and hopefully through the webs.

"A Waxman will do. No spirit to offend." N'bellocq will walk back to the fallen sentries. He gives one a kick, before shouldering his bow and grabbing the limbs to drag the limp form back to the staircase. "I will need help to send it down right."

Is that kind of like "Roll initiative. And everyone has backup characters correct?"

N'bellocq released his breath upon the shot. He awaits taking a breath, as he watches the candle roll upon the floor. His eyes and ears sharp for any disturbance, he finally gives an involuntary gasp, as he is forced to refill his lungs. He gives a small shrug, "Well that wasn't so bad either. Maybe we have already defeated the pyramid's defenses....or at least this room's." His eyes turn toward the stairwell and unknown traps still before them.

Sorry, was delayed with moves and home improvement

N'bellocq nods at Ansha's permission, but he holds. Unsure he wished to temp fate with Qhude about to do the same.

He watches as the two disarm the Statue, his eyes moving quickly from statue to statue, looking for any sign of movement. Satisfied, he relaxes his bowstring and nod approvingly at the smiling Kieran.

"Perhaps with that accomplished and the door behind us, we do not want to provoke the bloodless warriors. It is perhaps tied to the operation of the door...but I guess that is just a guess. Snuffing the candle may be the only sure way to know they will not drop down and follow us down these stairs."

He turns and draws a bead back on the candle, but pauses either to refine his aim or for someone to protest.

Lost an earlier post....will repeat a portion of it here.

As Qhude began to make his way across the room, N'bellocq lightly says, "You go ahead. I can fight them from here."

He keeps his eyes focused on the statues, but hears the conversation behind him, and without turning his head let's the casters know, "I can shoot out the candle..perhaps...if you do not want to approach it."

Back to real time

Having watched Qhude cross the room successfully, N'bellocq starts to make his way across careful to follow the path Qhude took.

N'bellocq stretches with a wince and a hand immediately goes to his ribs. With a wry smile, "I am still standing...thanks to your blessing Cousin. That they attacked the two of us does, and does not, seem strange. But I doubt a Mwangi bloodless man will drop down next to give the two of us hugs and chocolate."

"The room center may yet still hold its own danger, and the 'hug the wall' tactic gets rewarded with peril dropped from the roof."

Round 4

N'bellocq knowing he is having some kind of impact continues his barrage.

Flurry Bowshot -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
PB Bowshot damage (piercing) -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 = 11

Second Shot

Flurry Bowshot -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 = 17
PB Bowshot damage (piercing) -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

32/40 arrows left; 16/27 HP

Round 3

Heavily battered himself, N'bellocq is grateful for his cousin's ministrations and steps up to protect her from further harm after Kieran takes down the first of the silent warriors. "Behind me Cousin, better me than you." (5' step to D-8)

He turns his attention to the other bloodless warrior.

Flurry Bowshot -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 1 = 13
PB Bowshot damage (piercing) -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 2 + 1 = 5

Second Shot

Flurry Bowshot -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 7 + 1 = 25
PB Bowshot damage (piercing) -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9

34/40 arrows left; 15/27 HP (hp = -11 + 9)

N'bellocq grunts from the impact, "They seem real enough despite not bleeding like men." The pain does not prevent him from firing two more arrows with surprising accuracy.

Flurry Bowshot with PB Master (so no AoO) -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 7 + 1 = 28
PB Bowshot damage -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 2 + 1 = 6

Crit Threat.....except this probably is moot

Flurry Bowshot with PB Master (so no AoO) -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 1 = 12
PB Bowshot damage -> 2d8 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3, 2) + 4 + 1 = 10

second shot.

Flurry Bowshot with PB Master (so no AoO) -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 = 17
PB Bowshot damage -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 2 + 1 = 10

36/40 arrows left; 17/27 HP

N'bellocq's eyes go wide as the figure drops in front of him. He snaps off a shot more as a reflex than actually aiming.

Flurry Bowshot with PB Master (so no AoO) -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
PB Bowshot damage -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

followed by an equally reckless quick second shot.

Flurry Bowshot with PB Master (so no AoO) -> 1d20 + 7 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 7 + 1 = 16
PB Bowshot damage -> 1d8 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8

Kieran, N'bellocq with his unarmed strike threatens, so you get flanking and SA. Unfortunately, on his bowshots he does not in return get flanking

38/40 arrows left

"I'll step out there first...catch a monkey...dodge a statue...all the same skills." N'bellocq prepares to carefully move along the wall, watching where he will place each foot. But he freezes at Quude's challenge, sweat beaded on his brow.

N'bellocq awaits the pyramid's response or lack of one, before moving ahead.

N'bellocq squints in the faint light, but not venturing into the room, "We know where they ended but not what happened. So much blood on the walls...these guards died very, very violently...but how?

Perception, any marks or prints (or suspicious stone blocks) in the blood -> 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Going to one knee where he was standing, he tries to get a better look at the nearest corpse (from a distance) to see what type of wounds were present...but the light is very dim.

Heal to ID wounds (untrained) -> 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

thanks, I missed that entire post somehow, and unfortunately it was in large a response to me. I thought there was talk, but did not see the results......carry on.

"So we can try the tied arrow tomorrow, but it sounds like it will come back whole when pulled. Unless it takes everything except what offers to hold it back. The soldiers disappeared, weapons, clothes and all, I wonder how this corridor makes this goat separate from the rope? Would we be separated from each other if extended as a chain of hand holding? Don't know if we dare risk the try."

He sits there a bit before continuing, "It could be that this is just the door in, and those already in have yet to come across the way out....It being a magic pyramid and all."

"I am going to need supplies readied if we are to make the attempt right away.

N'bellocq will make his way to the supply wagons. He will ensure his quiver is full, and he will tie another bundle of 20 arrows together for wearing on his back. He will select a length of light rope, some candles, torches, and flint and steel. That should be all one needs, except if we get stuck.. He promptly sets off to the cook wagon to see about some food that he can pack.

I wasn't trying to squash any discussion, that was just N'bellocq being oblivious to personal interactions

N'bellocq spends these moments continuing to stare at the opening. Oblivious to the conversation, as he has been to a lot of the camp tension. He remains lost in thought until he nods his head and flatly states, "Arrow and rope"

He looks around wondering why nobody was agreeing with him. "If men disappear at the end of the passage, I send an arrow tied off with rope. Whether the arrow comes back when pulled and its condition might help find what is at the end...What?...That is what we were discussing, no?"

I just like reinforcing Ansha's Chaotic and Not-Good credentials ;P (Is she Evil yet?)

That is one of those questions that if you have to ask, you aren't trying hard enough. ;P

N'bellocq enjoys the additional training in addition to his ranging while the caravan was on the move. Any spare weight he gained from the luxuries of Freehold are soon melted away with sweat and humidity.

Noting the tension that seems to have developed within the camp, he finds himself chatting around the fire often with Kamishah.

@the ziggurat

Nbellocq marvels at the size of the structure and stares at the gaping maw of its entrance.

After introductions he just has two questions for Arturus, How many died in there? And how? As Ansha asked these, he nodded his head, eager to hear the explanation of what awaited them.