Phillip Hargreaves's page

Greetings fellow raconteurs - many apologies for the radio silence for far too bloody long. Work has been... probably the hardest stretch I've ever done. I'm writing this at 11:20 pm staring at probably another couple of hours work before I can contemplate seeking slumber.

Much stress and pressure, plus our lads are getting larger and interesting in their own ways (good, bad and indifferent). None of this of course is an excuse, but I've nary been able to find the headspace for much creative of an eve - which has obviously driven into the PbP space as well.

I'm not sure when / how I'll come out the end of it, but owe all you good sorts better than I've been giving you of late. I'd like to say give it another few weeks and see how I'm travelling... hopefully the door falls down a tad to more level and stable footing.

Cheers,
Your eminently replaceable conniving con

Hey Joana - should we assume building around Level 4? - or is that a bit forward?

Given we want to beef up our martial prowess - my consideration to supplement Javell's Warpriest is a Skald - worshipper of Kurgess and Darechaser.

He can then dance on the front lines as needed, buff the party a bit as well as take some of the healing load.

With a nonplussed wave of the hand to Serpe, Phillip adds "I've no need to spend words with him now, and I'd think seeing him bladeless and bound should be enough... or we could take a couple of fingers if we're really concerned." before adding to Lil "If you've still the hope of life and profit moving forwards... we needs be told of what to look for by way of signal now."

Fully agree that a bit more 'oomph' in the combat department would be useful as we transition to a more rough and tumble atmosphere.

"Bojasc still clings this side of Pharasma's boneyard as well... my votes on keeping him breathing and part of the equation at least until he's had a chance to spend his words."

Congratulations are indeed in order for all! (but most especially our most gracious and accommodating DM) It has indeed been a blast and a half to get through the first AP volume, and chiming in a similar vein to Tendal I think I started this PbP inbetween my 2 kids, moved country, completely changed my profession and steadily increased in both grey hair and bald spots.

I would be happy to continue on as well - though I don't think Phillip is well suited to either my capacity to roleplay at the moment, or the island jaunt. He's definitely a city brat... and unfortunately I get my head tied into knots trying to figure out how to be true to a shadowed image of my recollection of what he is... while also making him work in a party setting.

So if we do continue - I'd like to retire Phillip to the shadows of the Gold Goblin, and retread into a more direct and simpler character.

For clarity's sake, Phil could be convinced to go in any direction... as long as we don't either:
1) end up working de-facto as Lil's operatives. If that's the way the party wants to float... we'll need to figure out a way where we still have control and aren't just now working for Lil.

2) hand over Lil to Shorafa. Phil would probably want to work out some way where we can screw over Shorafa and not... you know... end up dead.

Figured I'd go OOC to say it clear as it can be hard to express those feelings in Phil's IC voice.

Phil offers Lil but a wry smile, nothing to show of whether he's taken heed of the tiefling's honeyed words. However he thinks, he measures the seeming interest of the others he seeks middle ground "Whither the way I'd venture we need anon to more stable footing..."

Straightening from Bojasc's side he keeps whether the brute is clinging to life a self-held secret for the moment. Lil's words and offer is measured as Phil weighs the options and enemies the crew has garnered against one another. With slow and careful words he begins "So if I have it right you're seeking to trade your life and limb against a half-promise of profit from a secret venture with an uncertain end... and in so doing we'd be forging ourselves in opposition to the Whore-queen, Rat-king and lord of the Arena Pits?" cocking his head to the side and allowing a wry smile to form "I'm still for the guessing that your pitiful skin might be the easier commodity to trade for coin... there's more than a few that would put forward a sum to see you flayed..." allowing his tone to show that he is engaged in a salesman's patter rather than speaking with iron-made thought.

Strolling back into the thread like...

Apologies for the inaction, my access did indeed get chewed up in the site update apparently and I've been unable to log in for a wee while. I shall return to functional status now...

With Lil seemingly subdued for the moment, Phil leaves the words to the longshanks as he goes to check on Bojasc... testing to see if the ex-bodyguard still draws breath or not.

Retcon:

Warily regarding Lil's offer, Phillip shakes his head and doesn't take the bait wand.

Blind Mark missed that offer - I'll update in thread.

Phil considers the position that all are in and the newly unlimbered mind of Braddon set to strike. He pauses, motionless for a moment, before taking a defensive guard and noting "Do as you will Braddon... but unconscious would be better than dead."

Effectively delaying, not looking to get in the way of Braddon and his choice for vengeance, though would prefer alive than dead.

Apologies for persona incognito - was an epic last couple of weeks of work right up to Christmas with a big contract being negotiated, etc. Didn't have the mental space to do much outside of work and holiday prep. Back online now.

Merry of the Christmas and Happy of the impending New Year to one and all.

Just the move

Sensing an easing in Braddon's aggression, Phillip looks to secure a spot by the hell-mistress's side...

Move to L,2

Turning to face Gristav at his words, Phillip muses a moment before shaking his head slightly "No reason to be so swift, he's out of the fight and could prove useful... that is if he isn't dead already" before narrowing eyes at Braddon and Lil in turn "As to the rest... are we fair to put away the steel and use our tongues now?"

Delaying for now - potentially seeking to act immediately after either Lil or Braddon

Confirmed no AoO on Braddon

Hissing as Braddon succumbs to his witch-twisted mind, Phillip keeps his focus upon Lil.

Considering halfling move speed in PF1E is 20ft, I'll go with the 35ft movement option :)

Round 6:

With the Demon dispatched, Phil shifts focus and strides in an attempt to put himself near to Lil, but stops at the edge of the grease...

I didn't see the grease being dispelled yet? - Phil would like to get as close as reasonable without risking a slippy slide.

Seizing on Tendal's words, Phillip seeks to reinforce "Aye Braddon... the whore queen and rat king are after Lil... unless you keep her safe and sound out of view... she'll be gutted and hung out to cure... you've got to keep her here... where she's safe"

As his tongue attempts to fight the sorcerous nature of Braddon's sudden friendliness, he attempts to be pointedly unfriendly to the summoned creature before him...

Dagger: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9 for 1d3 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 + 1 = 1
I fear you may not be getting bang for your buck with that cast Magnimar...

Round 4:

With a short nod to Gristav acknowledging the freedom granted, Phil looks to approach. He considers the demon and laments that his art is unlikely to garner him safe passage past the beast, instead drawing near and drawing steel. His eyes flicker with a wan yellow light as he grips the handle, invoking the Wasp's sting to lend cruel edge to his blows. Circling slightly he lashes out for the soft midsection of the dretch...

Judgement of smiting (weapons count as magical), move to N,11 then flank attack the dretch.
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9 for 1d3 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0
Insert meme of Ralph from the Simpsons 'I'm helping'...

Still bereft of a means to move through the web unheeded, Phil considers the situation grave enough to risk a less wise path. He attempts to slip past Gristav's twirling firepots...

Escape Artist (untrained): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

... but meets the same fate as Tendal. Stuck fast he swears in a mixture of halfling and Varisi.

Stuck in L13 I guess?

Sure :) #helping

Bugger... was going sans map as I was sneaking the post in at work. Lets go with the same words, but without any lasting or meaningful magic woven into them. Phil will also approach as close as he can get without interfering with others as well.

With slow inhalation of breath, Phil reaches into his core and hardens the edge of his words with Calistria's venom. Heavy comes his intonation as he pleads "Still your ardour and dull your blade a moment Braddon..." hoping that the threads of divine instruction imprint upon the half-elf as he continues "...Lil is discarding you Bojasc, as empty vessel. Think hard on who you should be raising your blade against..."

Taking action to cast forbid action on Braddon, to stop him chop chop chopping up Bojasc - DC14 Will save or Braddon cannot attack Bojasc for a round.

I got you fam - gotta put those 'forbid action' spell slots to use somehow ;)

Round 1:

Matters taking a further turn as fire and brimstone give way to revelation before matters are finally obscured by silk... Phillip can't help but smirk. To those taller nearby he opines "I've no way to see the web removed... might make for easier passage if it were..."

Phil is delaying.

Phil would be t'wards the rear - I'd suggest Braddon-Gristav-Phil-Serpe-Magnimar?

As Serpe backs away from the lock, Phil takes a few moments to admire the work performed. Sotto voce he adds to the man in question "Remind me to take you for the occasional nocturnal stroll through the better side of town... we could do some good work"

Musing as he looks around and notices just how secluded the yard is, Phillip's demeanour darkens "You've the right idea Braddon... I suggest we take a more direct tact given the circumstances. Lead on" drawing out his own crossbow and setting string to nock.

Phil takes another wary look about, before opening the interior gate and attempting to wave the rest of the group through.

With a nod of affirmation, Phil slips over the wall and into the estate. Once within, the first port of call is testing the gate to see if it's locked...

"...if we tie off a rope I could slip across for a closer look and return... but I wouldn't want to risk it otherwise..."

From position elevated Phil narrows eyes and relates "The hired help either aren't at employ or need to be fired. Doesn't look like the garden's been cared for in a healthy span. One door facing us..."

From what Phil sees - could he finagle a way to get back over the fence again from the inside back out? - ie, if tossed over the fence is it a one way or two way trip?

Phillip ponders the words for a few moments before shrugging and nodding his affirmation to the plan. Before any attempt to raise is made though, he wraps his face in varisi scarfs.

"Might be worth myself and Braddon taking a first squint from afar before we move entire... we're a mite less distinguished than all of you other gentlefolk."

Gold Goblin - how is the foot traffic? - I'm assuming reasonably light given that its a good part of town?

Phil's good to get across the waters as the first step.

Before departing, Phil takes a few moments to scribble a note for Ethel in the halfling tongue... just in case she finds her way to the Goblin before they return.

On the walk the halfling is pensive and thought-drowned, setting a copper to dance across his fingers by way of passing the time between steps.

Ooh - they are indeed pretty dice... though now that I'm a proper working man they might be at the top end of my price range as well. The last sets I picked up were these in d6 to use for playing MtG with.

Oh, and Artisan dice also finally came good on their poly kickstarter from an age back so I have some more wooden ones kicking around.

I saw Q-Workshop launch some Dice Macabre - which look awesome for Necro-dicing.

Phil will roll with most of the punches here as far as plans go - his key points being:
1) Let's not charge in with swords raised and swinging.
2) Recon would be part of his preferred approach.

He's down with the rest: arson, kidnapping, a spot of quiet knifing, etc.

Smirking slightly at Tendal's words Phil adds "Wagon and fuel could be sourced from those of gypsy mein without too much trouble.

Responding to Gristav's question "I doubt the writings match the whore-queen's scratchings... but as it was passed on in her house I'd assume she has knowledge of it and promoted its passage."

Sighing and scratching his head "At any rate, it is a shot worth taking... I'd vote for calling on Chatham in a manner that would see us welcomed into his home... but can see the merit in a more skullduggerous approach"

After taking a diversion to a week and a bit seven real-time years ago... just another small note of gratitude and awe at the world and characters that you've been able to construct and display Joana. Hopefully we've each done an admirable part to colour between the lines of your creation.