Raffe Crymoff's page

Raffe listens intently to Nickolas. Odd that a wanderer would pass through here so close to our awakening...

"Did they describe this stranger? Did he ask for anything or do anything that they can remember while in town? I only ask because it seems too much of a coincidence that a strange man passes through town mere days before our awakening and the following events. My gut says we should either follow the direction on the non-north pointing compass or follow this stranger."

... OH, INT, not INITIATIVE... duh... granted changing the modifier to a +4 wouldn't make it any more successful, but will keep in mind for future rolls.

Raffe shrugs. "Well given it is supposed to be a guide, the worst we can do is head the direction it is pointing. Let us ask the townfolk what they know about the area in general and the path that way in particular."

Initiative: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 Well... I think its still a compass...

Examining the compass, Raffe is as baffled by it as when he first removed it from the chest last night. Shrugging, he shakes his head and passes it to Nickolas. "Maybe you can get a better idea of what it is for than I have. I will ensure that our ratmen friends will care for Issac and send him in our direction should he finally wake again."

Collecting his things and giving a few bites of food to Xin, he heads to the leader of the Ratfolk.

Empathetically to both Xin and Thalachos:

I hope that they can discern more about the compass than I could... otherwise we will have to just pick a direction and hope it is the right one.

"Raffe, or Mister Crymoff if you prefer, Ser Thorne. Our ... calling, let us call it that... is to find some place called the Pantheon on behalf of the alliance of Ordered Gods before the champions choosen by the amalgamation of chaos find it. Our guides were initially small orbs that lead us to each other... the remaining two we had exploded into the portal that brought you here. Now we have a compass and the hint that three of them will lead us to this place. Speaking of which," Raffe turns to Crucible, "Have you learned anything more from the compass? If not I'd wager our next objective is whereever it is pointing toward."

So saying, Raffe rises and goes to Issac to check on him.

Raffe mentally nods to the raven as he finishes preparing his final spell. That done he closes his spell book.

"Apologies about that. I was having Xin here try to tell you that I was finishing preparing spells for the next day and would be with you shortly... now, in point of fact. My name is Raffe Crymoff, servant of Lissala. I am afraid you will have to ask Crucible there for aid with healing as I am not skilled in those arts. Tell me, whom do you serve? Given you came through a portal created by orbs meant to lead us to our allies I would wager a copper piece that you are meant to be our reinforcements on this quest."

Raffe smiles and stands, delivering a small bow when he introduces himself.

"I will be happy to answer what questions I can in the morning, but for now I need to rest and recommit my magical energies. Crucible, please make sure that his horse is alive at least and help him find a bunk. Also, check on Issac again if you would... you have more knowledge of healing than I do."

With that, Raffe rolls up into the cot and attempts to sleep.

Raffe is aware of the new person and horse in their midst, but too focused on his memorizing his spells to be able to respond directly. Xin, ask him if he understands you. If he does, tell him I will be able to ask him questions in a minute.

The raven shifts on his master's arm, then does a decent facsimile of nodding before turning to the man introducing himself as Nickolas.

The raven cocks its head the the side, waiting to see if the newcomer responds.

"Very well Crucible, we shall set out with the morning then. I will study my spell book first, then rest. Wake me in eight hours if I am not awake by then."

So saying, Raffe takes a cot down and begins studying his spellbook while sitting crosslegged before it.

Will do, but need to 'refresh' my prepared spells, will have that done and the post regarding it tonight.

So that is what she has planned for me. Lissala doesn't exactly speak much anymore... most of her followers died several thousand years prior to my being born... all she told me was that she had a special plan for me and to find this orb. Raffe sends a mental image of the orb he still keeps in his spell component pouch to Thalachos. Which, when I found it, put me to sleep until I woke up in a forest with the others... and orcs.

Seeing Crucible come back inside he nods at what the powerful not-dwarf dwarf says. "Very well. If Issac is not well in the morning we may have to leave him in the rat folks' care and hope that he gets well enough to catch up later. Thalachos, as I am calling him, says that we are in a race with the forces of Chaos to find this Pantheon. And we may well be outnumbered at this point. Still, we cannot fail lest the world be plunged into chaos for all time, or so it is telling me. Give me a night's rest and time to prepare spells for tomorrow and I will be ready to travel. What about you? You took that elemental on head on, are you burned or damaged?"

Sadly we cannot afford to race off yet. We were down to three of us when we found you, and one of us fell to some unknown ailment during the battle with the big fire elemental that wanted to use your resting crate as a new internal organ. If he is not better by morning we might have to leave him in the care of these people here. They worship his god, perhaps they can bring him out of this... comatose state he is in. Or at least give him a burial in accordance with his faith.

Raffe sends his own mental shrug to Thalachos. Besides, that last fight was exhausting and I need to prepare new spells for the day. With any luck the forces of Chaos are having as many problems in their quest. Speaking of, what exactly can you tell me about this "Pantheon" you keep mentioning? It is the second time I have heard about it, but I still would not be able to identify it if we walked right over it.

Welcome. I am Raffe, with Issac being ... extendidly away from his keyboard ... um... yeah, last remaining of the original five (though I do hope that Issac comes back and disproves that).

I only have two questions for your character (and no, you don't owe me the answers as some form of initiation or test or whatnot... I am only asking because it will help me in working with you in game):

1) What god do you serve? Who is this deity to you? Why do you serve him/her, and what is important to do to honor this deity (and furthermore, do you care if you do or don't)?

2) What do you see yourself being the "Subject Matter Expert" of for our little band? Conversely, what areas or skills do you need help from Crucible and myself (and hopefully Issac) to accomplish?

I do hope that you have fun. While this has been a tad slow due to people dropping off (for reasons away from the table) it has also been enjoyable. Having a new face (to me anyway) will just make it more so.

Raffe pauses and considers the item's mental words carefully.

I suppose they have... and chaos has never been one for following rules, truthfully. I am glad that I found you then... I have not always seen eye to eye with the followers of Sarenrae, but they are a good bunch in general. I think I will call you Thalachos, after your packer's herald. Would that name be to your liking?

Raffe is startled almost enough to drop the rod when it speaks to him.

Um... well I did not expect you to talk. I am Raffe, devouted servant to Lissala... so, 'stiffs' if you wish to call us that. And if I am reading the plate right, we were probably expected to have more of our number here seeking you... so be thankful the fire plane did not acquire you as new oddity. What is your name?

"Well Crucible, I think I will hold onto the rod... it... speaks to me. Telepathically. And it has the ability to enhance my spells to make them more potent."

Now this is interesting. Five seekers... Myself, Crucible, Issac... Haikyu, and Wyrm....and Farisa, who disappeard when Crucible arrived. Perhaps we can only have five at a time per team. Lissala and Alseta are gods of order.... we must be the Ordered seekers then. Which means that there are other sekers for the gods of Chaos. Not sure what to make of the rest though.

Raffe examines the rod and the compass.

Knowledge: Arcana: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20
Appraise: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

Taking the rod, compass, and plate, he shows them to Crucible.

"These were in the chest. What do you make of the plate? And what of Issac, is he getting better?"

"Well, Xin, what do you think? Shall we see what was so important to that creature of fire?"

Xin squaks and shifts on Raffe's shoulder.

Raffe chuckles. "We shall see."

With that he cautiously opens the now thawed chest.

After finding a suitable heat source, Raffe places the chest by it.

"So strange that Issac passed out defending the temple. Was he not a follower of Alseta?"

Raffe looks for a fire still burning to thaw the box by.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Keep an eye on Issac please... I apparently froze this a bit too well with that last beam, so I will go get a heat source to open it... I would rather not have to use something like burning hands on it if I can avoid it, given all the fire this place has seen tonight."

Raffe smiles wearily to Crucible as he asks him.

Raffe picks up the frozen chest and takes it outside to open it (if it is unlocked).

"We did not see the healer I am afraid, just the young ones and several fire elementals... the last, and largest, of which took this out the temple walls and tried to... assimilate it, for lack of better words, into itself."

So, half hp or roll?

Huzzah! Will update and level up in the morning.

As the elemental finally collapses, Raffe lets out a small cheer that is echoed by his familiar, Xin.

"Thank you, Crucible... that elemental just would not die. I wonder what was in the box that it thought was worth killing over."

Raffe tries one more time to hit the elemental with a ray of frost.

ranged attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (17) + 1 - 4 = 141d3 ⇒ 3 frost in the unlikely event of hit

Not waiting to see if it connects Raffe readies his staff. Next turn he will run up and start with the melee swinging.

Appreciate it!

Raffe, frustrated with his lack of sucess, begins to move toward the frontlines, stopping midway to aim another frost ray at it.

Raffe will move as close as he can to the frontlines without getting there yet and fire the ray at his rest point... he will try to close with the elemental in melee range next round... and yes, know he will start getting an AoO for my casting once I am in melee... he will pull his staff out to wail on him then.

Ranged attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (2) + 1 - 4 = -11d3 ⇒ 1 Frost damage... maybe... if it hits.

yeah, given that last one was a negative, think I might be doing better with the staff.

Raffe takes aim and attempts to hit it again.

Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (14) + 1 - 4 = 111d3 ⇒ 2 Frost if hits.

... sigh, this -4 crap is getting old... about ready to try wail on it with my staff at this point, despite knowing I will probably be targeted and killed

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (3) + 1 - 4 = 01d3 ⇒ 2 Frost damage

..... wow ....

Raffe apparently is so distracted by finally hitting the elemental that his next beam doesn't even materalize.

I know, right? I mean with some things it makes sense I suppose, but it still is frustrating... almost means you have to kill your targets before they can close with your frontline in order to do anything reliably... or switch to melee, which for a squishy person like me defeats the purpose of having the frontliner in the first place.

I see... hm... maybe if I move up and to the left one block each (so that I am in the the same row as Isaac but by my lefthand wall) things will go better... and at least that way I won't be trying to shoot beam attacks through Crucible/under his legs etc.

Raffe takes position along the wall and tries again to hit the elemental, again being careful not to hit Crucible.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (20) + 1 - 4 = 171d3 ⇒ 2 On the miracle chance it hits, frost damage.

Edit: never hit a crit on a spell... is it like a critical with a normal attack where I roll the dice again? Going to do so, just correct me if I am wrong.

Ranged Touch Attack Crit?: 1d20 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (19) + 1 - 4 = 161d3 ⇒ 3

Is it possible to move in a position where I can be targeting it's back? I know I will still be taking a -4 to keep from hitting Crucible, but at least then he wouldn't also be providing an AC bonus to the thing... otherwise I am not sure how much help Raffe can provide.

nope, but doubt I would have hit it with that roll anyway... -4 only makes it that much more wide... though who is in melee with it, just Crucible? still can't see the map.

Raffe takes a pace backard from the elemental and targets it with yet another frost ray. "What will it take to make you things finally die, Lissala herself to smite you with her seven sided rune?!?"

Ranged Touch attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 101d3 ⇒ 3 (frost damage as per previous statements)

... sigh, all these fire creatures with my higher level spell for damage being fire...

Raffe takes position behind Crucible and casts Mage Armor on himself. +4 to AC for one hour

"Well, this thing just does not want to die. Who opened the gate to the plane of fire and forgot to shut it?"

As he and his feathered companion are scanning the area, Raffe turns to Issac. "Everything ok? You seem more agitated than I have seen you."

Raffe sighs. "Well, best we leave to find whatever that boom was before the flames within roast us."

So saying Raffe and Xin strategically retreat outside. Once out of the inferno he scans the area, sending an empathic suggestion that Xin do the same.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Xin's Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Raffe backs up out of melee range and casts again.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 131d3 ⇒ 2 Again, frost damage if it hits.

Again, Raffe tries to hit the elemental with a ray of frost, hoping to cover the retreating children.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 131d3 ⇒ 3 (frost damage if hits)

Raffe will attempt to hit it with a Ray of Frost, moving as needed to ensure that neither Crucible nor Issac are in his line of fire.

"Issac, get the children out!"

Ranged touch: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 1 = 151d3 ⇒ 1Of frost damage if hit.

If I was at my home pc I would be able to edit it... its more the fact that our work computers use a rather outdated version of internet explorer not supported by google documents... I am lucky it allows me to see at all to be honest.

Raffe bends down and picks up the nearest child. "It will be ok, we will get you out of here. Crucible, Issac, grab as many as you can and lets get out of here." Placing the child over his shoulder and picking up a second one under his other arm, Raffe hurries to the exit.

Can't edit the map for the time being, though thankfully I can see it (which sometimes I can't when at work).

Raffe mentally sends thanks to Xin, then carefully begins moving toward the room, trying to avoid the fires he can see spreading to it.

"Kassa? Are you here child?"

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10
Xin Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

Xin and Raffe look around for the younglings.

"Kassa! If you hear me come to the sound of my voice!"

"Alseta protects your building well then." Raffe remarks on Crucible's comment.

Two bits, on nights now so posts will be more frequently at evening/early morning. And what can you say about Alseta.

Not sure what to make of this... going to make my two roles (religion and survival) but nothing more for now. Will make the other two wis checks untrained as well, but disregard if difficulty is above 10, given per Paizo that is something I would have to be trained in to know.

Survival: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
Knowledge: Religion: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
Knowledge: Engineering: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Knowledge: Local: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

"Hm... well...might want to keep going along the river... we should be able to keep following that even at night without problem."

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5
Xin Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Well, apparently the smoke is so thick that neither Raffe nor Xin can see anything.

"Sounds like a lovely little place." Raffe tries to smile, but the prospect of lodging with more ratmen does not seem to appeal to him. Still, he hands over 5 silver for a ration to eat, so that he does not have to tap into his stockpile.

-5sp from me, will eat the ration when we have a break for meals.

"Is there anything you can tell us about the village and its occupants?"

Raffe looks warily at Crucible as he casts his spell.
"You do know I am not made of iron riIIGHTAAaarRAHHHH!"

Raffe falls to his knees as the pain hits him. Xin, who had been sitting next to him on a ledge, squalks in alarm.

Xin takes flight and seems ready to try to peck out the blue one's eyes when Raffe stands and calls to him.

The raven seems mollified and lands protectively on his shoulder. Raffe turns to Crucible and nods in thanks.

"Well that was more painful than I would have imagined, but whatever you did worked. I am ready for whatever trials this place brings."

Raffe walks over to Fariza's roll and picks up her orb.

"I wonder what became of our not so good tempered friend."

"Hah, given the quality of his work I would say that he owes us breakfast on the house to cover the difference. I may not know where you are from but you are a masterful smith. Even the javelins are easily worth 20 gold each. The masterwork weapons are easily worth enough to cover all of us a few months of staying here at his prices."

Raffe gives Crucible a small bow of respect.

OK, replaced Spark with Acid Splash. Raffe is now at 2 HP thanks to the rest.

Raffe awakens, stiff as a board and aching everywhere.

"Well, that wasn't my best night ever, but at least I am slightly better."

He examines the work that Crucible did over the night.

Appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Think that will be enough to show that it is really good quality, GM feel free to ad lib me saying exactly how great a job he did.

Raffe will rest and also spend the necessary one hour studying his spellbook. Will switch his spells a bit, next post will have what I take as a spoiler labeled spells. Next post will be in character... at work so time to post is a tad limited this instant.

"Hold on, what is the deal here? Why do you have a potent barrier around your hut? What does it do? Who are you really?"

Look at him, tell me what you see.

Raffe Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14
Xin Percpetion: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17