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Hey guys quickly checking in by phone.
Feel free to bot Pickles.
I'll be with you soon!
This time Pickles does not quit manage to dodge the explosion . He pats of his leather armor and sheates the oversized kitchen knife. "Well...not necessarily stealthy, but quiet fun." He shares a toothy grin with the group. "Thanks Scratch!" Pickles thanks the Dwarven Ranger for patching him up a bit. "Yop. We should get these bodies out of sight, I reckon." Pickles says and draws the big knife again, wiggling it around ominously. "Also that crate these dumbos where carrying around...One of them nearly took my jaw off, I still want to know what they were hiding." His eyes go a bit wide as he watches Mirtha march straight up to the guards in the south. "She's a bit reckless, huh? And that's quite the statement, coming from someone like me I have to say." Pickles drops his plans and peeks out to watch the situation.
With another backflip Pickles dodges the second electrical explosion. He seems to get the hang of it by now. Landing in a crouched position he immediately dashes forward on soft feet. Trying to avoid being noticed due to the ubiquitous bedlam, he sneaks up on the last remaining creature attempting to backstab the zombie-disguised construct. Luckily Oscar's tune provide additional cover.
Pickles reacts swiftly and avoids the electrical explosion with a backflip. He grinsas he lands and bows with a flourish. Invigorated by Manny's power chord he tips his imaginary hat "Thanks Manny!" The grin gets a bit more grim, when Pickles continues to hack away at the green zombie.
If green is dead, I'll use one action to move and attack Red. Nimble Dodge as previously.
Hey I think there's been a bit of a mixup. Sorry for not being clearer in my post, but at my current position pickles would have been unable to attack and destroy blue. My only viable target is green. We don't have to retcon this and I'm fine with a once in a lifetime lunge attack against blue, but I thought I'd mention it before we continue.
Hey, I just wanna quickly check in about Nimble Dodge and get your input on how you wanna run it at your table. I've previously had GMs argue that I would need to use it on the first strike if I want to use it reliably, since my character would have no way of knowing how often he would be attacked by a single creature until he gets attacked. Reactions are always tricky in a PbP setting. Any ruling works for me, I have no strong opinion on this, but wanted to check in, so I don't step on anyone's toes here ;) Thanks!
Pickles was almost ready to flee as these not-zombies began slicing and clawing into him. Oscar's healing magic does save the day though, and with a fortified mind and a lot less holes in his body, Pickles decides to go deeper instead of retreating. "Watch me!" He bellows ducking past Manny's spiritual weapon before sliding between the legs of the creature wearing a green apron.
"Boo!" He yells with a grin, as he pops up onto his legs behind the creature.
"Time for some slicing!" His gleeful demeanor is almost infectious while he begins cutting at the non-zombie in front of him.
Pickles curses a couple of times in Goblin when the Zombies continue to move his target away from him. As soon as the zombie is lashing out at him, a ogre-sized kitchen knife appears in his hand faster than lightning. "Let's dance." He squeeks with a toothy grin and jumps into action. After dashing around the corner ahead of him his begins slicing away at the zombies.
"Absolutely." Pickles says with a toothy grin and pulls out a leather satchel filled with all sort of lockpicks and tools. "Pretty sure this thing won't just open up, but I might know a thing or two." His grin grows even wider; to proportions only achievable by a Goblin. With a spring in his step, Pickles makes his way for the crate.
"You guys look. I'll keep an eye on these undead." Pickle says while he quietly enters the building, maneuvering the corridors between the crates. He presses his back against the stacked crates, carefully watching the zombies do their work. He's ready to rejoin and warn his allies as soon as the undead begin behaving unusual.
"Alrighty, north it is." Pickles says leaning out of the alleyway a bit. "So, not to say you can't move quietly, but there's probably a thing or too I can show you if we want to approach unseen." Pickles says, and all of a sudden his gleeful demeanor changes to a more serious tone. "I can also scan the perimeter myself, if feel like that. Those guards shouldn't pose a problem, I think."
"Weeeeeell" Pickles begins before taking a big bite of his homemade pickles. "How about the obvious? The undead here?" He barely chews before wolfing down his produce. "The ones I am used to are rarely smart. What about these folks? You said we shouldn't threaten them, but are they controlled right now? What stops them from hauling crates and instead trying to tear our limbs off?" He fishes another briney snack out of his jar. "Oh and I'm Pickles by the way. Pleasure to meet you."
Pickles looks at the Doctor with a wide grin. Over the last couple of days adventuring with this particular longshanks he has grown accustomed to the occasional jest. ”Time for that dinner I promised all of you! Let’s meet in the garden an hour after sunset, that should give me enough time to prepare, and Tavvar enough time to make up her mind.” He looks at the still visibly exhausted woman. ”Dinner is only for members, so if you’ve needed another reason to join our illustrious group of adventurers there’s that.” Pickles says with a toothy grin. ”You’ll excuse me if I won’t travel back with you to the Grand Lodge, I’ll need to buy some ingredients.” Time to jest back. ”I’m certain the Doc will do all the talking anyways, so you won’t miss me much.” With that he’s on his way to buy some fresh ingredients and spices.
”Voilà, Fangwood-Jambalaya à la Pickles!” he says with a wide grin as he lifts the lid and reveals a yellow-orange colored rice dish with all sorts of meats and vegetables packed into it. Interesting enough the pan is garnished with the head of a large alligator . ”That beastie raided my pantry and ended up in my pan regardless. Ironic, huh?” He can basically feel the Doc’s eyebrow raise looking at the creature. ”Don’t worry I had it conserved with a Gentle Repose spell waiting for a good event to prepare it. Enjoy!”
I think it is indeed looking quite good. You guys are pretty good at fixing these flaws :) I still think even with the ritual fixed we probably need to get rid of that pesky wisp. Rolling a 2 and a 1 on my attacks didn't help. That's payback for the earlier crit I guess. The dice giveth, and the dice taketh away... xD
Pickles watches as with a burst of negative energy yet another shadow wisp appears in the room. The ritual almost seems to have a life of its own at this point, trying to fight back the attempts to regain control over it. Without thinking twice Pickles jumps in front of one of Tavvar’s assistants to protect them from the negative energy lashing out at them.
Visibly shaking from the surge of negative energy flowing through his body, Pickles brings up his blade slightly trembling. With a few quick steps he tries his best to help the doctor to get rid of this thing. We’ll need him to fix this rift…. Again his blade tries to find the central core of the shadow creature twice. The shaking is too strong, Pickles is not able to strike true.
Pickles does not like this. At all. The rift between the planes in the middle of the ritual circle gives birth to some sort of shadowy essence that on top of everything has the audacity to attack him. It is personal now and with unbelievable speed the tiny goblin draws his oversized kitchen knife, ducks and slides under the hovering wisp.
Pickles pops back up behind the wisp and is now in a flanking position. Not knowing if a creature he is confronting right now even has vital spots he stabs at its core. If there is a spot, it will be in the middle of it, where it’s most protected, Pickles tries to encourage himself and rid him of any doubts. He angrily slashes at the creature a second time.
Pickles follows Vralzyk, Lazarus and the others up the stairs to the third floor. His head low between his shoulders, he is wearily glancing at the shadows on the wall that seemingly have their own life. The beads of sweat on Tavvar's and the other ritualists' heads is indication enough for Pickles that something is out of order. "This ain't good, this ain't good..." He mumbles under his breath. A bit louder he addresses the Doctor and Vralzyk "So what are you saying is going on here? I'm not sure how used you are to being ignored but this lady isn't quite approachable at the moment, I'd say. What are these big brains of yours saying is the next move. I've got the feeling we need to act quick." His eyes drift to the dancing shadows and the rift in reality in the middle of the room. His hand twitches and gets a bit closer to the large kitchen knife at his side. "You guys like the shadows as much as I do," He says to Ritcher, Jal and Kazkoya. "But these shadows here give me chicken skin..."
Watching what the shadow of the tyrannosaur exhibit just did to one of the shadowy remnants of a patron. Pickles turns to the group. "I'm not a frequent visitor of museums, but this isn't normal, right?" He puffs up his cheeks to muster some of his fabled bravery that turned him into a Pathfinder in the first place. "Here we go." He says to talk himself into what he is about to do, rather than to his fellows. He scurries the last stretch through the exhibition hall towards the staircase in a surprising speed (), hoping nothing bad will happen while keeping his head low.
"Oooh boy, I have a bad feeling about this." Pickles says and tries to stay out of the shadows he is so naturally drawn to normally. "Almost wish to head back to the derelict devil worshipper's manor." he mumbles to nobody in particular. "What did Chayron say, third floor? Let's get this done quickly." he says and headsdown the long hallway in a hunched position, trying to stay undetected with his weapon at the ready. "I'll take a peek."
Pickles draws the oversized kitchen knife that probably belonged to an ogre or giant in an earlier life but is now wielded as a shortsword by the goblin. "Let's go. Careful everyone." Pickles says determined, but the fact that he is not holding on to the knife but instead moves it around in his hand in nervous flourishes shows that he is quite anxious about the ritualistic encounter upstairs.
Pickles ears twitch anxiously as he hears Chayron mentioning odd manifestations. ”Erm, sorry for asking but, the what now? Odd manifestations? What does this even mean?” Before the poor doorkeeper can answer Pickles follows up with a quick bombardment of questions.
”What are you putting on display here for the public that could be an odd manifestation? Have you seen Tavvar conjuring something? Why shouldn’t she have everything under control? What is going on here?” He looks over his shoulder to the doctor. ”If these are regular dealings at your university” – he has not grasped the concept that there might actually exist more than one – ”I think I’ll stay in my kitchen.”
Pickles followed the group back from the Floatsam Graveyard to the Grand Lodge where they all reported their success with the flesh golemn, he cannot help himself but smile after seeing Lazarus so proud. ”I agree, let’s get this last job dealt with real quick and after that I’ll cook us all some lovely dinner to celebrate, huh?” Pickles suggests and his growling stomach just underlines that he would eat rather sooner than later. Damned Goblin metabolism…How can these longshanks not eat every three hours? he thinks by himself as he starts munching on the last remaining meatball. Only pickles left after this…
Following the group around the campus and talking to some of the personnel and students here on campus it becomes quite apparent that Pickles is not at all at home here. With droopy ears he returns to the group. ”Sorry my friends. I got nothing. Most of them wouldn’t even talk to me. I guess the acceptance of my kind hasn’t reached the higher circles of academia, yet.” Looking at the doctor, already grinning again, he adds ”Well except for you, Doc.”
Pickles brings up the rear of the group. Tiptoeing into the darkness, his eyes are well adjusted to, he scans the room. Still standing on the stairs behind Vralzyk he has no chance of spotting the creature beneath him, but he can here Kazkoya speak her warning.
Pickles drops to one knee and places his floppy ears against the boards of the stairs in order to make something out – fruitless. The gaps between the boards are either too tight to see through or have been filled with mud and algae over the years that make any sort of inspection inefficient, even when Pickles gives the boards a sniff to determine what the group might be dealing with. As he gets up on his feet again he hears the doctor offering some brandy. Good thing he’s sharing. Can’t be good for his liver all that booze…On the other hand he’s the doctor. Lost in his own thoughts he does not immediately notice the creature appearing from under the stairs. "I didn't quite catch that." he whispers half to himself, half to Vralzyk.
Pickles hops around on the top deck looking for clues.
His eyes are immediately drawn to the strange markings around the dark opening to the lower decks. He exhales loudly with puffy cheeks. "I assume you're all seeing this?" He says to the rest of the agents after the doctor mentioned these markings first. "Alright what's the plan here? We're quite the sneaky bunch, I'm sure we could get down there without attracting the immediate attention of our fire-breathing friend. What are you thinking?" He asks with a quiet voice standing close to the opening, peering into the darkness below deck.
--- Still chewing on the lunch he made – and enjoyed! – Pickles walks around the docks to see what people here might know.
Pickles shakes his head and folds and squishes his long ears into his auditory canal to muffle the sound of the alluring whispers. A heartbeat later and there is silence. Pickles shakes his head again and his floppy ears unfold once again. "Good job, Doc. He gives honest credit to Lazarus for dealing with this haunt. "This house is getting annoying. Let's see if we can find some more clues. If not, I'd say it's lunch time." All this investigating and rummaging around has left Pickles hungry. "Did you find anything over there?" he asks Jal and the rest of the group. "Where haven't we been? I lost track a bit while reading" Pickles can barely resist the urge to glance over to the Doctor. "...the crazed notes of these devil worshippers."
Pickles cannot react quick enough as the Doctor first hands him a stack of paper and then quickly adjust it to be readable by flipping it right side up. Pickles merely scoffs as he starts examining the notes. He is quite entranced by the notes his fellows found in this ramshackle manor that he does not really notice the Doctor, Jal and the others further searching the building. As he is done scanning the notes he says ”You know I can read, right?” Only then he looks up only to find himself alone in the hallway. Pickles stows the papers and heads to the south (C7). He pops his large head into the ruined parlor in the south and wrinkles up his nose due to the moldy stench.
That floor won't hold any weight. We should be careful. The Gods know what lingers in this basement. He shudders at the though of crashing through the ceiling and landing in a big pile of bones belonging to the sacrificed victims. How else did they get rid of the bodies? He thinks as he quickly heads back to the main hall. He hears some noise from the north and starts investigating. Finding Vralzyk, Jal and the Doctor in the northern section of the manor he walks over to Lazarus and hands him back the papers. ”You know I can read, right?” he repeats, without waiting for the Doc to respond.
"You're hearing this Doc? Somebody or something is whispering up ahead..." He says while his voice is reduced to a whisper itself.
"Alright Doc, that's all nice and gravy but do you have any clue how we can un-haunt this place?" Pickles asks Lazarus and then turns to the group "Or any of you? Any clue how we can at least avoid it if we can't restore the place itself?"
"This place creeps me out. I'm having chicken skin..." He says and rubs his arms "Goosebumps! That's how you longshanks call it. Anyways there must be way to commune with these spirits and either scare them off or talk them into settling down, no?"
Pickles is fading from shadow to shadow, trying his best to stay unnoticed. There is something about this old manor that makes him uneasy. He has not spoken much since the group but foot on the estate. A whiff of brimstone catches his nose and soon after his ears twitch once he hears the strange chanting. "Yop. Hearing it. Not liking it." He unsheathes a sword that can only be described as an oversized kitchen knife, something an ogre might have used in the past. "So it's probably about time I mention that I've heard rumors, very unlikely rumors - well until now - that in the past some cultists worshipping an archedevil supposedly sacrificed humanoids in here. Guess there might be some truth to that after all. Be careful everyone." Pickles whispers and listens intently one more time.
"Yop. Bad news. Whoever is chanting up ahead, they're praying to Mephistoteles himself. Great."
Pickles smiles proudly after being commended by the Doctor and Vralzyk. He shakes his head vigorously when Lazarus offers him a book and is quite thankful that he instead can engage in a conversation with Vralzyk. "I've been cooking all my life, you see. And in the beginning it was quite tough to convince my tribe to try the food I made, it wasn't necessarily Goblin cuisine because my stomach is..." He looks ashamed "...sensitive. Coming to the big city was a blessing really. Well the tribe lost a lot but it's a silver lining, you know?" It is quite obvious that the more Pickles shares of his story, the more his blabbering self fades to a more relaxed version of himself. "I learned that most other folks enjoyed my food and I indeed started to sell some of it, funding some of the construction in our new home in the Puddles. But why I chose adventuring you ask? It's quite simple. When my pantry was invaded by some sewer crocodiles some Pathfinder agents came and took care of it like it was nothing." He smiles as he realizes "A bit like we took care of these Goblins. It was amazing. They were so brave, had such camaraderie. I wanted that. Before they came I went down to defend my brand-new pantry myself. Nobody came with me, and the tribe is supposed to be family you know? And some random folks sticking their neck out for each other like it is nothing, coming down and solving other folks issues, being brave and all! I wanted that, plain and simple." Pickles ends is story with a last big bite out of the sandwich. "Glad your little dragon likes my food. How did you get hold of him?" All of a sudden Pickles gets really excited, "Oh oh! Did you steal it from a big dragon?! Or...or did you find an egg and hatch it?"
Being more than pleased with himself since he knocked the Goblin out with one swift kick to the head, Pickles holds his head a bit higher than before. "Haunted house sounds great! Wonder what happened there to cause the haunt, but I'm sure you and the Doc will figure that out in no time." Pickles responds to Vralzyk.
Pickles stands in the courtyard nervously tapping his foot, while waiting on the Doctor's return. Pretty sure we'd have figured things out on the job itself...Terribly inquisitive the fella. His thoughts are interrupted by the Doctor's return (and everyone that joined him). "Ah there you are! Hope you're smarter now, Doc." He says with a warm smile. Still talking he simultaneously opens his bag and produces a bundle wrapped in some red linen. "Here you go everyone, can't adventure with an empty stomach." Pickles explains as he distributes the content of the linen bundle to his companions. "Sourdough sandwich with blue cheese, a slice of venison roastbeef, home-made pomegranate chutney and pickled lingonberries." He looks even prouder than after roundhouse-kicking that goblin into oblivion earlier. "Dig in!" He says happily and takes a huge bite out of his own sandwich. "Lefff go!" Pickles starts to hop a long towards the haunted house.
"Hold on I got this Doc!" Pickles shouts as he drops the crossbow and sprints over to attack the last remaining Goblin that is currently being manhandled by the Doctor. Pickles runs as fast as he can until he suddenly leaps into the air spinning around his own axis. He timed the jump attack perfectly and the heel of his foot is aiming for the temple of the goblin, surely going to knock him out if the attack connects.
"You see Doc, we Goblins have a fairly crucial artery running up to our peanut-sized brains" Pickles says a bit out of breath after a perfect landing. "You squeeze it a bit too hard and my folks tend to go for sleepy time. Did they teach you that down at your fancy college?" The broad and friendly smile takes off the edge of Pickles' comment.
“Master Gnome is right! These fellas are hiding something!” Pickles shouts while loading another bolt in the crossbow, all the while tapping his foot in the rhythm of the goblin song that their attackers are singing. He can’t help it, it’s too catchy and almost involuntarily he starts to hum and eventually sing along while he’s taking aim on one of the goblins engaged with Ritcher. ” Stabby day, stabby day
Come on in, see our smile
Pickles can almost feel the juding gaze of the Doctor upon him and without looking at him he clears his throat. ”Sorry. Old habit.” He flashes a toothy grin. ”Where were we? Ah right, murdering some brethren, excellent.” With a loud ‘clank’ he fires his bolt, that once again is coated with the alchemical liquid Pickles has loaded in the contraption on top of his crossbow. Without looking if his bolt strikes true, he mechanically goes ahead and reloads his weapon.
Pickles is as surprised as the rest of the group when the group of trouble-seeking Goblins appears seemingly out of nowhere. He sighs with a bit of sorrow before he answers the Doctor. ”No. No they’re not, and judging by their attitude I’m afraid we can’t talk some sense into them.” With another sigh he draws the janky looking contraption from his hip that loosely resembles a crossbow with some sort of glassware attached on top of it. Unmistakably Goblin craftmanship. Time to put mother’s device to some good use, I guess, he thinks while he draws an amber glass vial from his bandolier and jams it into the apparatus on top of the crossbow. ”Locked and loaded!” he yells and pulls the trigger firing a bolt drenched in some sparkling liquid at one of the goblins.
You just add a picture of your character (either a VTT Token, or your Forum Avatar) to the slide deck. The slides are linked in phaeton's statline and on the very top in the campaign information. Also, I linked them here again. @phaeton: Can we place the tokens anywhere on the map or are we limited to a certain starting area? Organized Play Characters
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Quarion Meliamne
Quixos Angevin
Litka Badbog
Gorg Swiftkick
Ecanus Ironside
Yesmoro
Tookit
Django Rechained
Crimson Downs
Solo Twinkler
Blaylocke Codi
Michigan Chae Fraugh
Vixxian Tulaca
Zyrel Adan
Divred