Drektan's page

"Well valued Master Drektan. Was your canny eye one you had before, or moreso now in your new form?"

"Neither, really. Has far more to do with reading enough of the right writings, and then remembering it when pertinent. The color of the ore reflects a lesser grade of gold ore, so there should be less refined gold available from it. As the pile is near the size of m . . . my old head, it should generate a much smaller amount of gold than expected for that bulk. I guessed at a little more than a double handful of coins." As he says that he looks down at his hands before hiding them behind his back.

Drek throws the stone across the room, attempting to make as much noise as possible . . .. Hoping the noise will distract at least some of the centipedes.

Ranged: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Drek blows air from his mouth in disappointment as he realizes Antonio's not going to get out of the building, yet. Knowing he doesn't want to lose his dagger, Drek begins looking near the doorway for a stone he could throw deeper into the building to hopefully distract the centipedes . . ..

Then the large building (2) is two stories high with doors wide open and houses bunks that can sleep over 100 and seems to be a tightly packed barracks that is now deserted. In the back corners are two spiral staircases that lead to an upper floor.

No, I don't think the lockpicks will be required.

Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Appraise: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

"Hunk of ore that size could make as many as 300 coins, depending on purity. Weighs a lot more, though." 300coins is only like 3 pounds, though, so . . .. Probably no more than a 20 pound rick, and that would be very unpure, I think.

Looking into the large, deserted barracks, the newly minted halfling shakes his head. "Really has ben deserted for a while. Nest of giant centipedes in there, somewhere. See the molting leftovers across the floor?"

"It will be obvious to this below wanting to come up, yes. But the ones already up here shouldn't notice . . .."

"Ranged standing ready, while only one does the sneak up, is safest for the group, but not for the sneaker. Trade-offs." He shrugs.

"I think I recognize the general make of this lock. I believe these smiths typically put a block about 1/3 of the way back, and another right against the back, so work around those spots."

Disable Device to Assist DC 10: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Drek is trained and could assist. His bonus is just really weak.

Knowledge: nobility: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

"Given the Captain's opinion of the blades, and the number of men sent, he must not think highly either of you or of us. Which means he is even more desperate than we might have thought."

---

"I did not see where Fiona went, either. My apologies."

---

"If we mean to work our way through the structures, we should seek a path which provides the least visibility, yes? Do you have that path, Master Tacitus?"

"Of course the gear could prove useful, given we don't know the state of the mine's infrastructure. For an office, there's not really any useful information at hand. Might have to chase the infestations away to see anything useful. But there is an awful lot of ground we could cover before needing to do that. If we can stay unobserved, checking out the other buildings could prove far more beneficial than charging into the unknown."

My list doesn't change, so, is there anything you would like me to make sure is available? Anyone?

Again, my 1st levels currently are CLW and Comprehend Languages.

Need to pick new spells. 1 cantrip, 1 first. This would be the coordination point mentioned earlier?

The bard moves through the room, poking and prodding, looking for any documentation, or other indication of things that might have happened.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13

I haven't leveled yet, either, but the plan was to handle it this weekend. The +1 is for the 2nd level skill rank.

Right now, Drek knows Comprehend Languages and CLW.

I've not leveled either. Not normally the thing when you die during the experience which levelled everyone else.

Perceptiont: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"I don't see any of the trees that stand out as better than the rest to get a look, but maybe we could try this one?" He taps the trunk of one of the older trees in the immediate area.

"Of COURSE it matters who paid! Whether I am a slave or not, I have a significant debt. More if not, honestly. Would Abadar want me to ignore that debt, or to find a way to honor it?"

---

Drek lets Tacitus ramble on, as he's obviously excited. At the end of the day, though, all his ramblings and teaching is more about accepting information that Drek might need later. There's nointerest in Drek's thoughts to working towards being a "proper halfling." He eventually shakes his head as Tactus is running through the listof names. "No, I'm still me, even if I'm in . . . THIS. I have no reason to insult my parents by throwing away the name they gave me. Yes, I know, in many societies, it is normal to take different names when something significant happens in your life. That's not how I was raised. I am Drektan."

---

As for the question about how to approach the mines . . .. "I suppose we'll have to work the details once we see the condition of the equipment. The better shape the mining gear is in, the easier it should be to look around."

"Name? The family tended to call me Fuzzbutt, after the young Elanna started calling me that. Doesn't seem that fits very well anymore. My parents call me Drektan, or Drek." His brows knit, and he looks away from the table, away from you. "I'm really not sure what I am, or what's happening at this point."

After a short pause, he snaps his head back to the group of you. "Who paid for the spell?"

The halflilng looks mightly embarrassed. "Good morning, Kunala. I recognized you, though I'm not really feeling like myself, so I'm not surprised you don't recognize me." He actually rubs a hand across his bare skin as he says that. The voice is completely unfamiliar, though the pacing of the speech is familiar.

"I'm very confused about my status at this point. Who am I beholden to? The person who paid for the magics that created the new form? Or am I still beholden to the Swan, and they are now beholden to whomever paid? There's a clear case that they owned a body which no longer exists, but there's also a case to be made that the contents of the container are what matters. This is not an area where I've done much research, you understand. Never really occurred to me, you know?"

It hardly seems possible, but he manages to look even more uncomfortable, suddenly changing the topic. "But how is everyone else from the team? Did we save the fortification? Where casualties kept low, or did they have to abandon the site because another attack would have eliminated everyone?"

I THINK I have completed the changes, including selling the wrong-sized gear for half-price and purchasing replacement in the new size. Lost the MW Chain Shirt but was able to replace everything else AND buy some armor, and even have a little coin left.

Basically has to tie a rope to his saddle so he can climb up into the seat without hurting the horse . . ..

The saddlebags and horse save me on the weight differences more than anything else could.

Trying to work my way through the retrofit.

Resizing means basically none of the gear he had works . . .. In addition to a GROSSLY reduced carrying capacity. <shrug>

You will laugh, but Drektan is a halfling with a telepathic link to Sarah Jean. He also adds this bonus feat — spirit of the reincarnated +1 untyped bonus to all saving throws and AC (flat footed and touch too)

Some (including me) might say worth the 5K gold alone

Now you're just taunting me . . .. My radio silence while I wait for time to reappear too disconcerting?

I do need to know how to do the rebuild, which includes am I undoing the full race, or just the physical aspects?

Then I need to know what race to apply, and whether to apply the entire racial modifiers, or just the physical aspects.

And depending on the race, there could be some discussion about whether some traits are physical or not. Like Halfling's Luck. It is never really described well enough to be explicitly identified, but I think it is probably more a social trait than a physical one.

Yes, but I've played that game before. Back in Living Greyhawk, I had an Elven Ranger wo died and was reincarnated as a Halfling. He rode the reincarnation express several times trying to get back to something more comfortable, but the dice KEPT COMING UP HALFLING.

Eventually, he participated in a battle interactive where the teams were promised a True Resurrection if they needed it. Once we won, my team killed me so I could True-Rez back to an Elf.

Next event I died again, and they reincarnated me . . . as a halfling.

Why did he keep dying? Well, Drektan's participation in that fight should give you a clue. I tend to choose dangerously heroic actions. Goes along with a Good alignment. Accepting risks you could avoid for the benefit of others and not yourself.

Honestly, other than PC magic twinkle, nobody's got a reason to get Drek Raised/reincarnated. That doesn't bother me. PC loss is supposed to be a real threat.

I'm good either way.

When I mentioned roles earlier, the one rely suggestedci wasn't understood. Some examples roles are healbot, knowledgebot, dps, wall, status clearing, buffer, battlefield control, blaster, and on and on.

Drek is a knowledgebot with some healing/buffing.

That's what I was talking about. With 1 primary role of that sort I have many options on how to get there.

But, again, I'm good with you working to restore Drek, or not. Either can be made to work.

For the second time in less than two minutes, the cat slumps to the ground. This time there's no gurgle: just a slow, steady flow of blood from his neck.

Let's see . . .. 5 - 21 = -16.

Dead is at -10 adjusted for Con bonus, so, still -10 . . ..

Yep. No more cat.

I completely missed the fact that Drektan got smashed by a falchion. Hit him for 150% of his healthy HP total. He dropped, obviously, and then the healing brought him back awake.

He couldn't have attacked, but would have picked up his blade and tried to be out of the way . . ..

Truly uncomfortable with the situation, Drek takes a step away from the half-ogre, and attempts to stick the drummer (not the drum) in front of him.

Rapier w/ Bless & Inspire: 1d20 + 1 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 + 1 + 1 = 10
Piercing w/ Inspire: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

But the drummer shifts slightly as Drek pushes the blade forward, and it skitters along the side of the drum, directed away from the drummer.

The cat run out with the others, keeping pace with Kunala, but letting him take a position closer to the bigger mass of enemy.

"It will take more than one or two to cork the bottle with THAT pushing against the cork!" He indicates the half-ogre.

Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 21

---

In response to the note

The cat seeks out the Count, or the highest ranking member he can find, and hands them the note. "They have agents inside the walls already, or this could not have been given to me." THEN he shares that information with his other guards.

---

Sally forth

Nobody would say he looks happy about it, but the cat moves out as directed. As he can clearly see the enemy, he thinks again about what he knows of them.

Knowledge (local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Yech. May not have a bons this time, folks. Sorry.

He stands, blade ready, and him nearly so, but as close as he's going to get for now.

<wink> ARCHIVIST Bard. Organizing (and retrieving) information is kind of his thing.

"Trying to make it clear, I think I am hearing several related courses of action. Forgive me for the over-simplification." He ticks off each count on a furred finger as he speaks. "1) Stay inside the fort and attempt to defend what's left of the caravan during the siege. 2) Attempt to assist in breaking the siege, keeping the caravan within the fort until we succeed, or not. 3) Attempt to assist in breaking the siege, sending the caravan through in an escape attempt while we have the attackers flummoxed. 4) Get some of the soldiers to attack the catapults instead of us, and upon signs of success, lead the caravan through enemy territory in an attempted break. 5) Just take the caravan and make a break for it."

He looks at his companions before continuing. "We have already agreed that 5) will fail. The captain here suggests that 1) will lead to failure as well, as he doesn't believe the fort can withstand this assault for long. If 4) was an option we wouldn't be having this conversation, it would have already been started. So, it appears our meaningful choices are to attempt to break the siege, and either keep the caravan behind these walls or have them make a break for it and hope we can catch up to them. Maybe I'm overly simple, but I think keeping the caravan as safe as we can until we can rejoin it is the better choice, so I would propose we attempt the guerilla action while the wagons and merchants remain here in slightly less immediate danger. But such decisions are never in my purview." He actually BOWS slightly as he moves away from the center of discussion and towards one of the walls.

"If they are prepared to siege the fort, then any room for us to slip wagons past them are traps. Stealthy men on foot is one thing, but you said Willip needs the supplies, right? That means wagons. Looks like we have to survive the night."

BTW: I'm very aware Drektan hasn't introduced himself to anyone.

Part of his ongoing role is that he doesn't need a name until/unless someone asks about it. This is NOT a prompt for someone to ask about it. Just player-to-player communication about something I think might have raised an eyebrow or two otherwise.

I will be purrfectly happy if we go through the entire AP without it ever coming up.

Ref: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

As the trap pit opens under his feet, the cat manages to leap to the left even as Jasper leaps to the right, both staying on solid ground above the hole. He looks over to Jasper. "I think the phrase is 'Better lucky than good,' isn't it?"

As the discussion begins about what to do with the orcs, Drektan looks confused, really. "Bandits, if convenient enough, might be taken to a settlement for formal judgement. If not, they normally find frontier justice less forgiving than they might hope. These orcs? Interrogate them if we have time, but their lives are forfeit. At least, that's how I remember the policy."

Know (local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

"You were, yes." the cat answers Jasper. "Sounds like they are heading towards the swordsman, though, so I think we should move to support. Let's go!"

The cat moves out into the cleared trail.

The drums seem to be moving towards the dead orc scout and the victorious swordsman.

The battle seems almost won, but where did those orcs go?

I have the impression we are still very much in combat, and our lonely swashbuckler is about to have his ears cleaned!

As a Cowboys fan, I agree and have more experience with the impact of turnover TDS than most. Jalen Hurts thought he was Dak Prescott for one play.

Some of us were raised to respect the memory of what Tom Landry gave us.

Among other things, he was the first coach to bring computer analysis of players to the professional league.

Meh. Decisive play of the game was the fumble returned for 6. Without that particular play, the last few minutes would have been a completely different scenario. Even the penalties didn't affect the final minutes as much as the turnover touchdown.

Drektan continues his discussion about how to best fight these opponents, while trying to apply that wisdom himself.

Rapier w/ spell buffs: 1d20 + 2 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 3 = 15
Piercing w/ Spell buffs: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The cat steps next to Amelia and begins discussing what he remembered about how to fight Bloody Claw Orcs, providing his Naturalist bonus to all allies w/i 30'.

Inspire Courage: +1 morale on save vs fear & charms; +1 competence on attack & damage
Bless: +1 morale on attacks & saves vs Fear
Naturalist: +1 Insight on AC & Attack vs identified targets (and on saves vs extraordinary, supernatural, & spell-like abilities)

So, stacking the 3, we get +3 on attacks, +1 on damage, +1 on AC, +1 on saves vs Fear & Charms AND +1 vs extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities.

This is Perform round 1 of 7.

Hearing the cries and shouts, Drektan turns and moves through the trees back in the direction of the newly revealed opponents.

Again, treated the forest squares as difficult terrain. Double move to the location shown.

Seeing where those engaging the scout have gone, and which way they are looking, Drektan starts moving in the direction it appears the Scout is heading . . ..

Moved at half speed in trees.

Knowledge(local) to identify combat abilities of Bloody Claw orcs: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Not only does this get me the normal identification information, but it fuels the Archivst's version of Inspiration . . .. Weaknesses, special defenses, special attacks, should be as much or more than I can learn.

I'll kick off the ability if/when people are in range and there's a point.

"The good news is they don't seem to still be here."

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

"The Bloody Claw orcs. Do a lot of raids on caravans through here. Not known for their tea and crumpets. These guys would rather rip off your face than have you reveal the secret compartment in the wagon."

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

"Followers of Hanspur, the River Kingdom's drowned god. Not typically someone I would associate with Orcs. Anyone else?"

Edit: Not letting me paste the graphic onto the slide.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

Drektan walks over to where Jasper is being underhanded, addressing Jasper in front of Malin. "One thing growing up in the main house taught me is that members of the Lebeda Clan pay their debts, they don't push them off on others. You should act in accordance with the name you choose to bear. Stories can control reputations, after all." He then nods, and goes to retire for the night.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18

The cat packs his things onto Perch, wearing his new armor and blade, but the majority of the gear is tied to his saddle and bags, one way or another.

Approaching the Drektan, nodded towards the blade on his hip. "I hope you can use that thing." Winking at the bard, he continued towards the wagons, as he finished the thought in his head, 'Better than you can tell a story.'

Drektan chuckles, sounding nearly a purr. "There are things no sane one wants to do. Fight for your life is normally on that list. Needing and wanting not being the same thing, of course."

As they travel, and the cat's attention wanders a bit, he'll randomly sing part of a song, or start a story, even whistle for a bit. There's little either offensive or encouraging about these random bursts of sound. They sound much like most people would doing the same, really. The bits of stories sound promising, but he just goes over small sections before his mind wanders elsewhere again.

Perform 13 for Take 10 on generic bits and baubles. 18 for Oratory. Not like he's doing a full performance at any point, here.

Trying to entertain the group around the campfire, Drektan tells some of the history of House Lebeda moving into the area and establishing the business they are moving to protect. Any familiar with the history know he's getting the major points of the background right, even if embellished in the telling.

Knowledge (nobility): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18

"With the Taldans gone we should figure out a 'watch'."

"I would prefer either first or last watch, though I do have an advantage except for the blackest of nights." He taps the right side of his face, just below his eye.

Once Emerald looks to take a break, Drektan will move to replace her.

"Good people, I believe that we have been blessed to hear such a performance tonight. As she is taking a well-deserved break, however, I would like to tell you an old story if I may?"

He goes into a story of a group of Abadarians attempting to protect a long trade route, and the difficulties they encounter, and goods the lose, to Caydenites once, Calistrians once, and simple brigands a third time. In the end, they manage to complete the trip with enough goods to secure a profit, but just.

"The point of the story being, of course, that those who will be opposing us on this trip believe that what they are doing is right, and must happen to serve their people and their gods. We should remember that their perspective is the enemy, not the people themselves."

Perform (oratory): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12 :facepalm: Not the way I wanted that introduction to go . . ..

The cat quietly waits in the back, until the others have all placed their orders, ten he moves forward.

"I have been thinking about what is offered, and what I have." He removes his studded leather armor, placing it on the table, along with the complete bag of gold. "I would like an exceptionally crafted chain shirt, an armor which won't care about how my legs are shaped or move, and a map of the area we will be traveling. I hope the armor I'm providing will cover the cost of the map. If not, how much more would be required?"

Knowledge(local): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"If you can't spare a map, I can probably copy the basics quickly enough. A thorough copy would be better, but then I wouldn't be ready to travel on the morrow." The cat stops for a moment, rolling his shoulders and lifting his head higher before he tilts it looking at the Sergeant. "Or do we need to purchase a map? And the question of basic supplies seems extremely relevant."

Drektan continues to try to stay out of everyone's way, doing so with a practiced grace. He doesn't acknowledge Tacitus any more (or any less, if it was possible) than he has the others to this point.

Home from work, let's see how this has gone . . ..

Heh. HARDLY. I have lived in that sort of environment (almost 20 years in Nebraska, with single digit ambient temperatures and 40 MPH winds when I would go outside to my car to head for work in the morning), which is why I'm having so much fun with the local panic.

I'm in San Antonio. They have no winter weather equipment. None. The forecast called for a light glazing of ice, so everything is shut down and people are told not to go anywhere.

Been down here over 8 years at this point. I love the heat. But I'm still going outside (short trips) in shirt sleeves in mid 40 degree weather while everyone else is bundled up.

As the servants pour wine, the cat silently, but politely, accepts a cup, but is still standing. Once the room is emptied of everyone but the officer and tis rag-tag group of strangers, Drektan moves to stand behind a chair, but doesn't sit.

After hearing the terms, and being handed a bag of gold, the cat sits in the chair he was standing behind and pours the wine down his throat while others in the room agree to the "offer." "I do and go where the family tells me, Captain." He holds up the bag of gold. "Surely this is a mistake, though? I mean, yes, of course there are some things I need to purchase, but this is far more money than I should need to that end? It isn't like I will find new armor to fit my frame before morning."

Or what does he mean by enhance his gear?