After taking in the sights of the surface, Rahkeg pauses to contemplate his surroundings and attempt to piece together their location and distance from their goal, drawing on maps he has studied and old tales of the area.
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Recall, if you will, our mission Feldspar. It is not to slay as many Orcs as we can, it is to recover an artifact sacred to our people. An artifact that will perhaps help us win this war, or at the least harken many more Dwarves to our side. Quench your bloodthirst man, you will have many chances to slay Orcs before this task is done- our top priority must be this artifact's retrieval, not slaying our foes. The longer we remain undetected by the Orcs the greater our chances of success. This is the second time you have implied some of us are cowards, and I am sure i'm not the only one who... does not care for it. As is tradition, I will follow the judgement of the Clergy of Torag- but strategem is one of my specialities, and it is foolhardy to emerge from the tunnels before we need to. I fear your bloodlust clouds your judgement.
"Right lads," Elyk announces gruffly, bringing the group to a halt, "we all knew tha' this 'ere point would come - decision time. Ah say we continue ta carve a path through these stinkin' Deurgar and take the damn Orcs by surprise strikin' from beneath. Thoughts?" I agree. We should retain the element of surprise for as long as possible. Rahkeg slowly smiles to himself as he has another thought. If we are able to start a conflict between the Duergar and the Orcs at any point... we must seize the opportunity... I'll start researching some spells to disguise our appearances in preparation for this eventuality...
Rahkeg salvages a crossbow from the Duergar before it is destroyed.
Rahkeg thinks quietly to himself, and then voices a thought- Although it is unlikely any of their equipment is superior to our own, and we do not wish to further encumber ourselves on our long journey, I believe that it would be prudent to thoroughly ruin the weapons and armour our foe carried- so that when they recover the bodies we harm them in more ways than just slaying their warriors.
Round 2 Action- Rahkeg backs away directly behind Thoradin for protection, and begins casting quickly, touching Thoradin on the shoulder and watching with satisfaction as the Paladin's skin hardens.
Round 1 Action- Raising his ring into the air, Rahkeg concentrates intensely and calls forth another Haste spell.
Hrmph, they don't look very friendly do they...
There may be even more of them. We should leave no prisoners. Rahkeg says coldly.
Round 4 Action Taking a step back to keep pace with Rhen, Rahkeg quickly lays a hand on the Inquisitor,quickening his co-ordination and reactions...
Round 3 Action Heh, we can match them for size surely eh Feldspar... Rahkeg mutters as he shifts position behind the warrior, laying a hand on the fighter's shoulder as Feldspar becomes the size of an Ogre.
Round 2 Action Rahkeg will cast Haste upon his allies and himself- no one can be further than 30 feet apart if everyones in the invisibility sphere so I can get everyone. Haste Effects:
The transmuted creatures move and act more quickly than normal. This extra speed has several effects. When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with any weapon he is holding. The attack is made using the creature's full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This effect is not cumulative with similar effects, such as that provided by a speed weapon, nor does it actually grant an extra action, so you can't use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round.) A hasted creature gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses. All of the hasted creature's modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject's normal speed using that form of movement. This increase counts as an enhancement bonus, and it affects the creature's jumping distance as normal for increased speed. Multiple haste effects don't stack. Haste dispels and counters slow.
Round 1 Action- Seeing trouble approach, Rahkeg ensures hes well in the middle of the group and shouts to the others- Everyone to me! Comrades, to me! I shall cast a dweomer of invisibility around us!
Stay near me and let them come... Rahkeg mutters as an invisibility radius emanating from him envelops everyone within ten feet.
Rahkeg beams. I'll be glad to teach you all I can over a warm campfire lad...
*casts Haste*, just let me double your atacks per round and give +1 to hit my crossbow-inclined friend :PThat was in 3rd edition my friend, now it's just 1 extra attack! It's been awhile since you played a wiz, huh? LOL... You have 1 attack per round based on your BAB, and you don't have rapid shot. With haste, you will have 2. 1x2=2
"No fear, Rahkeg, I can see the sneaky bastards, with me magic!" But tactically Sir, it is better for everyone to be able to see them, and if I can blind one of them in the process... Rahkeg protests, before falling silent mid-sentence. Dammit Rahkeg yer sounding like a fool. Stop trying to prove yourself so much, ye've been doing that ever since childhood when you were ridiculed for your arcane training. You know the only way to prove yourself is to earn the respect on the battlefield, so don't waste your breath...
Rahkeg pipes up awkwardly- Fear not the Duergar invisibility Stoneheart- I have already formulated a plan for that eventuality...
Don't care who leads as long as I gets me kills! *casts Haste*, just let me double your atacks per round and give +1 to hit my crossbow-inclined friend :P
Rahkeg chuckles, then looks away- the Dwarf veteran seems to be embaressed and abashed, Well yes Elyk... No true Dwarf would go without armour indeed... heh... Rahkeg appears very uncomfortable when addressed directly- he avoids other Dwarves eyes and seems to be more comfortable contributing into a group discussion, or lecturing on hs areas of expertise.
As for taking orders from the cleric... Among Dwarves generally, the clergy are usually afforded enormous respect. Add to that, for the last 200 years the five kings mountain has been a theocracy... I think he would lump it ;)
Question & Rolls:
Ah the Harrowed Grotto... Our clan has much history here. You can almost hear the screams of battle that have shook this cavern to its core... Be aware that our boundaries end here- soon we shall enter the realm of the Duergar... Rahkeg continues to lecture on thehistory of this place, not realising that his fellow travellers have long stopped listening after the first paragraph. Almost as an afterthought, Rahkeg applies his daily spells, clutching a rod he always holds while doing this. Spells & Dice Rolls and DC16 Spellcraft check if anyones interested...:
Extended Mage Armour cast (lasts 12 hours) Extended False Life cast (Lasts 12 hours, temporary HP gained.
Quicken is on the list but is currently useless, Silent I also want at higher levels. I took Bouncing Spell from the APG in the end- as I couldn't get +2 int from my race my save DC's are a little low, so it should be quite useful. I have a bouncing blindness prepared now.
I wasn't entirely sold on taking a craft feat for this campaign, as it doesn't appear i'll have the time to craft anyway. I was therefore going to switch it to another feat. Thoughts?Makes sense, maybe to Combat Casting. If you're ever in melee with an enemy, I worry for you. Maybe you should take Fly or something as your 3rd level spell to avoid that. Well I tend to have haste or mirror image up as much as possible, with average rolls on an extended false life I have 60HP, and its unlikely i'll lose initiative. Besides, I have five of you hasted to ekep the melee off me (fingers crossed) and a fairly good AC if you don't :P. Sadly the feat in question is my 5th level bonus feat, so it must be metamagic, item creation or spell mastery. I'm not a big fan of metamagics when I don't have level 4 spells yet, but perhaps i'll spend it on one I will be using later. Spells are prepped for the first day anyway. Heres hoping I can ruin some Duergar's day with glitterdust.
I wasn't entirely sold on taking a craft feat for this campaign, as it doesn't appear i'll have the time to craft anyway. I was therefore going to switch it to another feat. Thoughts?
Rahkeg stands wearily to his feet. I believe I have said my piece on this- we lose our advantages out in the open in unknown territory. If it comes to a vote, mine is for the tunnels. I shall return in an hour and accept whatever decision you have made, brothers-in-arms...
Rahkeg found himself nodding along with much that the red-bearded fellow said, but had an objection to offer. While taking the tunnels may be an inferior option with regards to seeking our brethren, we must recall the context at hand here. It has been over 200 years since we have walked on the surface in these lands- Like it or not, this is Orc territory now, and i'm sure even some of the stupid greenskins have people who know it like the back of their hand. Conversely, we will be out of our own element...
Rahkeg raised an eyebrow at Elyk's apology concerning dwarven strength-of-arms, but deigned not to speak. Time would show that he was a greater advocate of dwarven martial superiority than Elyk could know, despite his own somewhat weak frame. In the hellish days that will surely follow, I am sure we will either get to know each other and our strengths intimately, or die first... Rahkeg thought to himself. Rahkeg was still somewhat exhausted from bolstering the forces in every way he could possibly think of during the battle for Highhelm, and he had not been getting enough sleep of late. Leaning back in his chair, the elder Dwarf stroked his immaculately braided and prematurely-turned-silver hair and began to speak, his smooth words lacking the rough tones of the Spangelhelms and suggesting a rich background. I agree that in the tunnels our small group will be in our element, unless any among us would say that the Duergar are the true masters of underground warfare, hmm? Rahkeg pushed himself forward in his chair and leant heavily on the table, studying the map intently for a few moments. Nodding as though the matter was settled, the scholar began to speak, somewhat awkwardly. Its clear the Dwarf was out of his element with several pairs of eyes on him. Yes... The deep roads. I have not yet prepared my... erm... spells... (Rahkeg winces) for the day yet, but I can be ready to leave given a mere hours notice.
Just a quick post from Rahkeg to confirm i'm happy to have a slot- I have extremely limited internet time today and tomorrow as my girlfriend just got back from a long trip, but from the 27th onwards I will be posting frequently.
Alexander here, submitting Rahkeg Oathsworn for the arcanist slot- a Transmuter living in Highhelm with the Enhancement subschool- hoping to one day find a new route to Immortality that doesn't involve repeated reincarnations or Lichdom. His character sheet is entirely complete, including skills, equipment and spells prepared for the first day. I have posted his background, personality and appearance here- everything else is available in this profile. I run my own long-standing games on these forums and will be able to post daily. Background & Personality:
Rahkeg Oathsworn is a member of a prominent mercantile family in Highhelm, a learned Wizard and scholar approaching middle age. Rahkeg had a difficult childhood, struggling with the belittlement of his studies by his peers- and dealing with the difficulties of being a practitioner of arcane magic in a martially inclined Sky Citadel such as Highhelm. Now a little over a hundred years old, Rahkeg is as an expert on Transmutation magic and eagerly pursues his research. Despite being bullied in his childhood, Rahkeg is a patriot, and has contributed in many battles and conflicts over the years- in such hard times, few Dwarves his age have not. While he yearns to be left alone to his research on how to enhance the soldiers of the kingdom, he understands the need for all to do their part, and he has inherited a strong sense of duty from his stern, disapproving father. His speciality on the battlefield is to improve the abilities of his fellow soldiers- something he has gained great respect for as the Dwarves are nearly always outnumbered by the Orc hordes. He has also gained renown as a lorekeeper and historian, and his written works are well received. Rahkeg is awkward socially, only in his element on the battlefield (which he sees as a massive chess board, a problem for his mind to solve) or in his research and writings. He disdains the taste of strong ales and struggles to relate to his fellow Dwarves. Due to this, he has few friends despite his social standing. Rahkeg is extremely loyal to Bruagh and did his best to support the warriors rise through power. Rahkeg was dismayed when this show of loyalty earnt him a place on a suicide mission to find an old Dwarven artifact, but his steadfast loyalty refuses to let him complain. Ultimately, his long term ambition is to seek a way to restore veteran and aging Dwarf warriors to the physical state of their youth- for who then could stand against his people, with the combination of hundreds of years of experience in the bodies of young Dwarves, eternally young unless killed in battle? The fervour with which he pursues this research is extremely intense, and he will often go days without sleep until he reaches a new milestone. The source of this intensity is a secret and shameful fear of death- Rahkeg fears his own mortality but knows that there would be no place for him at Highhelm as a Lich. Thus he has always been drawn to Transmutation magic, and hopes to find another path to Immortality through it.
Appearance: Rahkeg is usually dressed in simple scholars robes, although a Detect Magic would reveal Conjuration and Necromancy auras about him- signs of his daily ritual of casting Extended Mage Armour and Extended False Life. Rahkeg has prematurely silver hair, and is of average height and build for a Dwarf. He frequently appears to be day-dreaming, and is often lost in his thoughts. While obviously not particularily muscular, he moves with incredible speed when he chooses to, his reflexes whispering of transmutation magic. He wears a pair of reading glasses wherever he goes and disdains carrying any weapon other than a stout quarterstaff which doubles as a walking stick when he is weary. |