Qalaus's page

Qalaus glances at Learnur. "I suspect I am out-voted on this. Very well, I shall the azata on this side of the door, to stand with us against what may. Insert the rod and raise the door. We shall see what awaits."

With that, Qalaus passes his tiny hands in front of him, moving down and out, as of molding an imaginary lump of clay on a potter's wheel. A sparkling archway appears, a portal to the gleaming towers of Findeladlara on the plane of Elysium. Through it steps a great being, radiant, resembling an elven archer, save that her hair and eyes both shine silver. She wears a loose-fitting robe, tied at the waist with a long pair of golden cords that continue down her legs and secure her sandals as well. She has an arrow knocked as she steps through, wary for battle.

"Liberty and joy be upon you, Qalaus."

"And upon you, fair lady Raeksu. We are attempting to rescue strangers who say they are trapped behind that door, some injured."

The Azata stands at M1. She rests her bow and arrow and draws a gleaming radiant scimiar from a scabbard at her waist. Qalaus is behind and to the right, at N3, a loaded sling at the ready.

"We might then warn them that healing is on its way.

" And, may I be as true as the northern stars, I am more comfortable with the thought of startling kindly people who accidentally fail to tend their camels while mysteriously carrying around Andoran records of trade routes, than I am of exposing us to whatever might be in there."

As Theo moves to the other scepters, Qalaus holds out a hand. "A moment, my friend. If you like, I can summon forth an azata, something of a lesser angel. She can appear in that cell, heal any who are harmed, and report back to us the nature of those inside. Would you think that prudent?"

"Good master Aldebrant, ask her if they're all right in there."

If I've heard of any woman named Alarka, I'll let the rest of the team know.

Knowledge (history) +8 or Knowledge (nobility) +10
1d20 ⇒ 17

"Indeed."

Qalaus is not resummoning Marra as of yet. He wants a better idea of what's down here before he determines whether he'll need her or some more versatile summoning.

"At 10-foot width, two of us can move abreast.

"Might I humbly suggest that Theo and Aeron take point. Jack and I might take second rank, and Learnur would then take the rear guard? When we need something examined, Jack or Learnur could slip out front, but this way we have our heavy-hitters making first contact with any enemies."

On the way in, Qalaus carefully examines the "other" six camels, to dee if there are any clues about our company's identities or abilities. (Anything from identifying property left behind, to a uniquely Qadiran style of tying camel reins...)

Perception:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26

"But was...that a devil? On on average day, that's exactly the sort of thing I'm dedicated to destroying. Why, then, should this be handled any differently?"

"It was, indeed. I am not much fonder of Jasparitus myself. He is a creature of hate and vituperation. But when I bid him come, he does those things as I ask."

"why not...Jasparitus, was it? After all, if he sees something bad, he gets to kill it, and can relay information via telepathy, no?"

"Because he doesn not remain on this plane long. Minutes, at most. And if he finds the errant pathfinders ... or those six who came after them ... and they attack him, I do not think I could keep him from returning blow-for-blow."

Qalaus carefully gathers some of those flowers.

Magicks cloak your reds and greens. Conduct your business all unseen. Qalaus casts improved invisibility on Jack.

Theo, I can summon forth a creature that can use its telepathy in our service. That might do better than your skills at reading surface thoughts.

Marra looks at the halfling. Then I shall becommme a gate?

Qalaus agrees, and Marra discorporates, her otherplanar stuff becoming a mist, out of which steps a bearded devil. He appears ready to fight whatever stands before him. "Okay, pipsqueak. Which of these do I have to kill?"

"There's no killing this time, Jasparitus."

"I should just give them a disease, then, and depart?"

"No disease either. See those camels down yonder? We need you to find out from them how long ago they came here, and what happened to their riders."

"Can I give them a disease?"

"No, just ask them what we would like to know. Oh, but if anybody attacks you while you're doing that, you can kill them."

"Does anyone here have the magic to make conversation with the camels?"

Jack, in the days of travel here, you might have been paying attention to some of Qalaus' tales, about how when negotiating with a cleric of Asmodeus who meant him ill, Qalaus pretended to dismiss Marra, but merely turner her invisible, so that she might surprise the evil man. In another tale of adventure, he'd cloaked a companion archer from the sight of a band of wicked, foolish dwarves, so that she could shoot arrows of lightning at them without their understanding where she was.

If you ask, he'd be happy to cast greter invisibility on you before you go a-scouting.

Qalaus will be happy to heal his fellow halfling's remaining bruises and cuts.

UMD 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (9) + 18 = 27 Cure Light Wounds 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
UMD 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (18) + 18 = 36 Cure Light Wounds 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"There's still a bruise on your chest there, where the pincer cut through the skin. I could try to heal it up, too, but you don't want to get to the people we're here to rescue looking too pretty."

Marra looks down at Jack dubiously "I can zzzzupport you, Jaaack, if you like, but it would be aaawkward."

Qalaus takes out the wand of mount. "You're welcome to ride along, my honored friend. But I could conjure up a pony for you, if you would prefer. It's not as exciting as riding on Marra's shoulder, but its a little more dependable."

I would imagine it would take 5 or 6 charges?

'Shall we ride, then?"

Marra sets a friendly claw on Leanur's shoulder "Izzzz alright. We all do our bezzzzt. Yezzzz?"

Qalaus come walking up to the others. "I wouldn't worry about your blade. I imagine it will get plenty of practice before this day is over."

"Let's see whether or not there's any remains of our missing comrades among the scorpions' lair."
Perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

The summoner takes out a red-and-gold striped wand with a series of gold salamanders parading down its length. Some of you might recognize it as one of the healing wands made by Geoppro, a cleric in residence at the Pathfinder Lodge in Absalom. Qalaus looks like he's about to announce something, but stops as he sees the wand that Leanur holds.

Instead, he uses it to heal Marra's single wound.
Cure Light Wounds:
UMD 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (5) + 18 = 23 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 hit points;
UMD 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4 hit points;
UMD 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (6) + 18 = 24 for 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 hit points.

Qalaus hurls another stone
Attack 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (18) + 16 = 34
Damage 1d8 + 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + (5) + 3 = 10

"That's a little better." he notes, as the stone hits and the wound sizzles with an acrid plume of smoke. He then hustles over to the rest of the team, ending in U6, or S5 if the sands are considered difficult terrain.

Marra's wings start to buzz as she drops the scorpion husk, and she flies to XY 10-11.There, she attempts to catch the remaining monster in her delicate, lady-like pincer.
Attack 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24
Damage 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 2) + 6 = 9 plus grapple attempt 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (4) + 31 = 35

Focused on the peril Theo continues to face, Qalaus doesn't notice Jack's situation.

Marra shrieks a savage, otherworldly battle-cry, takes a 5' step to QR-7-8 and unleashes a full attack against Scorpion-4
BITE:
Attack: 1d20 + 19 ⇒ (19) + 19 = 38
Damage: 1d8 + 10 ⇒ (8) + 10 = 18 plus poison (Fort DC 16 or take 1-4 STR damage)

PINCER:
Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 4) + 6 = 11 plus free grapple: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (15) + 31 = 46

PINCER:
Attack: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (1, 3) + 6 = 10 plus free grapple: 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (6) + 31 = 37

Not that anyone notices, but a smile crosses Qalaus' face. "Well done, my dear. But I think it meritorious for us to provide Brother Aldebrant with a little more support."

The Qadiran halfling gestures, throwing some powdered crystals in the air. "Turn the tide of battle as we turn the air to light. We steal away your stealth and more: we steal away your sight." He centers the glitterdust effect in T16, requiring Scorpions 5 and 8 to make a DC 19 Will save to avoid being blinded.

Marra notes The oootherrrzzz! and lands at QR - 6&7. She readies an attack with her pincer in case a scorpion approaches.

Qalaus casts slow a second time, with two more tanglefoot bags, trying to incapacitate Scorpions 5 - 8.

"Brother Aldebrant, I've never heard of such grace and of nimbleness! The bards are neglecting their duties! Would you permit assistance in dispatching those monsters, or would you prefer the glory of killing them yourself?"

"By the Amira's little toe, these monsters flow like the desert sands themselves! Let's see if e can put an end to that.."

Not much changes. Marra rises to about 30'. and moves to S-T-3-4. Qalaus casts slow on S1 through S4. He'll use two tanglefoot bags.

(grin) And what's with the 5' by 10' horses? Feeling nostalgic for 3.0?

Qalaus nods at Jack. "We need to check this place, I'm afraid. If the map had our three friends turn here, they may have fallen victims to these scorpions, and we'll need to retrieve their bodies."

Marra maintains her altitude, and moves forward. Qalaus casts slow (DC 18) on the largest clump of scorpions.

According to the Adventurer's Armory, page 27, for each tanglefoot bag used as a power component in a slow spell, the caster may designate one slowed creature as being affected by a tanglefoot bag. That doesn't require a feat or anything, it's just something those components do. Do you follow that rule, Scipion? If so, Qalaus adds three tanglefoot bags into the spell.

"Favorite Pathfinder in history? Hmmm. Perhaps Escobar Vallian. He was bold in his accomplishments and forthright in his goals. But I've read his works in the early Chronicles, and he never thought that recklessly throwing himself into danger was part of the job. He went to the same places others had gone, but he saw things that no one else had bothered to notice. He made a name for himself being clever, and that's always a good lesson to keep in mind.

"If you mean to ask, who is the favorite Pathfinder I have met, then that would probably be Prince Gorn Greathammer, who has a gift for making everyone welcome. I saw him in action last year as he was part of an entourage into Absolam. Of course, as a Pathfinder, he visited the Great Lodge, which set the Master of Swords on edge, as it were. Master Farabellus had led a mercenary team against Gorn's people back in 4695, and there had been some loss of dwarven life. I was there at the time, and I was expecting that things would be awkward at best. But Prince Gorn made sure that the Master of Swords knew there were no grudges held, and asked only that a plaque honoring the defenders be placed in the north hallway. He turned a tense situation around, while slighting neither his duty as prince of his people nor as a pathfinder."

No ranks in Survival, but Qalaus and Marra keep a lookout from about 20 feet up, if that's helpful.

Well, with that, and a day or two of observation, you know that Marra is an eidolon, and its -- or rather, her -- current form is variable. Right now, she flies, and she's enormously strong. She seems to have some sort of venomous bite, but she bites Qalaus on the shoulder or the hip every evening as some sort of intimate ritual, so his system is probably swimming with poison as well. But all that is temporary, the current arrangement of her essential stuff. She could just as easily shift that around and assume the form of a humanoid armadillo with three heads, all of which breathe fire. However, she vanishes into smoke as soon as he goes to sleep, and it takes him several minutes to call her back in the morning.

You also get the sense that whenever Marra and Qalaus have conversations, there's none of the standard minor miscommunication and correction, confusion and clarification, that happens between two people, even old friends or long-married couples. They seem to be of one mind somehow, play-acting any disagreements or little disputes.

Unless anyone objects, Qalaus posits that we should move forward with all due speed. 'Taking the ponies and mules will slow us down. Trying to move with a caravan will slow us down. Just horses, and just enough equipment (we need 6 days rations to get there, one day for exploring there, and another 6 days for the trip back).'

Once we're ready to travel, Qalaus will call out in a loud voice and light incense. Shortly, the wisps of blue smoke coalesce and solidify, becoming an enormous creature, insectoid, crablike, human-shaped, with iridescent blue scales, a serpent-like mouth in front of large multi-faceted eyes that seem decorative more than sensory. On its back are six large gossamer wings, moving independently of one another.

"Gentlemen, this is Marra, my wife."

The creature bends down to examine the rest of you. "Pleeezzz'd" it says, its raspy voice coming from organs on its locust-like legs.

Qalaus won't be riding a horse, or a pony. Marra will be carrying him as she flies.

Qalaus is both impressed with the expense of the provisions, and bemused. Quietly, he notes to Learnur, "I suspect we're dealing with a venture captain for whom gold is no object, and a provisioner who know when to up-sell." Raised among Qadiran businessmen, the halfling approves.

Do we have any sense as to whether traveling with a caravan would speed us up or slow us down?

And again, just checking, does Qalaus receive a faction mission?

"Tents, my friend?"

Qalaus greets the grooms, and looks over the map they provide. "If this is accurate, we have some days of travel ahead of us. Let us make certain we have provisions necessary.I propose we leave Sothis two hours before sunset."

In particular, are there provisions for getting just us five back, or are there also supplies for the original expedition?

Qalaus does attempt to buy or otherwise obtain a wand of mount, just to be on the safe side. ("I have heard tales of folk who are left in the desert without their animals. Rarely do they end well.") Also, a wand of endure elements, unless someone else wants to provide that effect with spells.

"The ponies and mules will slow us down, too, o captain. But I bow to your wisdom in this."

To all you others, Qalaus smiles and says, "Shall we be off, then? I'm curious to see these maps."

Do we have anyone who can help us endure the heat and sun of the desert? Do we have anyone who can read ancient Osirion?

Qalaus nods to Aeron. "Indeed. Let us see what can be found in Sothis."

Would determining the availability of a wand of mount be a Diplomacy / Gather Information style check, or Knowledge (local)?

"Another question, if we have not yet exhausted your patience, noble captain. You say that the Ruby Prince himself wishes the Society to investigate these ancient halls. Does His Highness have some instructions for us? Are we to retrieve something particular for him, or may we gather all the valuables from the tomb without let or hindrance?"

Qalaus repeats what he knows for the benefit of his colleagues (that is, feel free to read the spoiler text).

Horses are better than camels, but I fear that even they might be ridden to destruction. Is it possible, o captain, for us to find someone willing to sell us a wand with which we might conjure mounts?"

"You say, o captain, that the first team took eight days to travel to this Hall? If your concerns prove to be well-grounded, we can't afford eight days to follow in their path. Even if they were simply robbed and left alive, they'll be dead afore we arrive."

Qalaus looks around to the rest of his newfound companions. (The name is pronounced like "K'laus", which has gotten the halfling confused with Klaus von Trement, a more pre-eminent pathfinder from Brevoy, once or twice. Von Trement has never found this funny.)

"Have any of us a good idea for getting there before nightfall?"

The Captain seems to reminisce about this Jilarni fondly ...
K. History or bardic knowledge check to see what your characters might know or have heard.

Sense Motive to get a better sense of his attitude or feelings toward Jilarni: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Qalaus does not wish to interrupt, nor to barrage captain Ballantiir with a volley of unrelated questions. When opportunity presents itself, he will chime in: "Thanks, o venture Captain, for this opportunity to earn the esteem of our Society. I have but two questions, if you would honor them with replies.

"First, what do you know of the three agents you sent originally? Perhaps, if we knew their strengths, we could better prepare ourselves for what dangers they were unprepared to face.

"Second, what do we know of this tomb? How old is it supposed to be? Who or what should we expect to find within?"

And, while I realize this is not a typical Pathfinder Society adventure, Qalaus is indeed a member of the Qadiran faction, and he often gets side missions from his superiors.

Large gives it -2 Dex :)

There it is. Thanks. Upon consideration, though, I think I'll put the attribute bonus from 5th level into Dexterity rather than Constitution, then. That gives her a CON of 17, dropping her hit points and Fortitude save, but the DEX of 14 maintains her Armor Class, Reflex save, and CMD.

Greetings, my fellows. While we take our ease in Absalom, waiting for the Venture Captains to find us some new quest for the greater gory of the Society, may I interest anyone in a friendly game of chess?

Scipion, the only change I made from the base character was to switch out his staff of size alteration, an expensive item he was able to buy once, with scrolls and a wand allowing him much the same powers for less cost. His equipment comes in quite a bit under the limit, but that's fine. We can say that Qalaus has the remainder in gold and fine gemstones, as befits a scion of Taldor.

Situation Qalaus the summoner is investigating an area when he steps in front of a mirror of opposition. Suddenly, an opposite-aligned black-hearted duplicate of Qalaus steps out of the mirror next to him, and gains initiative.

Qalaus, who is no longer in front of the mirror, would like to summon his Eidolon.

Question What happens?

a) The Eidolon is considered part of Qalaus and not a separate creature, so both Qalaus and the evil Qalaus can summon independent, identical Eidolons.

b) The Eidolon is a separate entity, which was not reflected in the mirror of opposition. Just as the two summoners couldn't both gate in the same unique outsider, Qalaus can summon his critter, and the duplicate cannot.

c) The duplicate acts first, so has the option of summoning the Eidolon. If he does so, Qalaus cannot.

d) The two casters summon different aspects of the same mysterious outsider. The duplicate's Eidolon has the same base form, but different evolutions.

"Sir... Your loyalties to your comrades in arms; and to the here and now above your other loyalties; and to your past or future... They are commendable. Furthermore, I find them both acceptable and inspiring to my own person. Would you mind, if I adapt the wording and philosophy behind them to best match my specific situation?"

"I am gratified beyond my power to express, to have won the notice and approval of one so worthy. I would be honored to provide you the means to your own goals."

Granted, o master. Here is your netbook.
But your most bitter rival...he gets two of them.

--+--

May I have a puppy, o wish-granting lamp?

I wish I were immune to diseases.

Granted, o mistress. No longer shall ... shall you have any ... er, any concerns about...

Mistress, would you please stop the groaning; it's distracting. Mistress, I ... yes, I have brains, but I don't see what ... I said, yes; are you ... AAARG!

I wish, deeply and passionately, that people on the Internet would learn to spell words correctly. (Including, but not limited to, the word "words")

I wish the Paizo messageboards weren't so slow sometimes.

Laugh, and oops.

Granted. That high-pitched whine you hear is an incoming missile. After the EMP hits, you'll have no messageboards to trouble you.

And again, I wish for a career as a rogue in Greyhawk.

I wish the average human lifespan were 900+ years, and with no trick population explosion scenarios.

The Genii laughs. "That's one of the classics, my poor lad. Granted!"

And he leaves you, and all your race, to age and age and age. By the time we reach our 400th birthday, we've shrivelled up to resemble nothing so much as large cicadas, delicate and fragile, memory turned sour as our brains shrivel and calcify, and ever so so hungry.

And looking forward, dimly, to death, in only another 500 years.

I wish I could live in the world of Greyhawk as a crafty rogue.

I wish...I didn't have to wish anymore......

No wishes for you; now you grant wishes. Phenominal cosmic power... itty bitty living space.

I wish for a pony.

Name: Qalaus
Race: Human
Gender: Male
Class: Fighter
Faction: Qadira
Alignment: Chaotic Good

Dresses in red with white fur trim. Wields a spiked chain decorated with tinsel and jinglebells. Jolly.