Ridge's page

Alas no heal skill

Pava shoots a glare at Shane and Kandru. "Acadamae? Mme. Lostling? It got in her through the mask, will ours let us help her?"

"Not sure..." Shane admits.

"Kandru, I think it falls to you if you can."

His eyes fall on the large idol of the Pallid Princess in the room "I wonder if we could destroy that before we leave. It ..." He casts detect magic and then.. blinks "Interesting. I think I found some magic items at the base of it, at least, some variance of magic."

An excuse to find 'the base of the statue in a hidden compartment' the GM told us kindly that we would have no trouble finding :)

Edited post to compensate for a brain fart :o

Rutilux hears they are ready, and gulps now afraid to open the door. Rather, he casts a spell of protection upon himself
Mage Armor, AC now 18
Then moves to the side of the door, still closed, and .. knocks on it saying in common "Well met, I'm with the Freewind Hin Caravan. We've been trying to reach you about your chariot's extended warranty." These words have been known to send even reasonable beings into a rage, and if he must be attacked maybe they'll at least be disorganized about it?

Shane ... laughs, a titter that is just two steps short of hysterical but also full of relief, "I swear, if it weren't the height of boorishness and beneath me, I'd micturate on the remains of this mass murderer. I wish her a miserable afterlife." he takes a swig of a mild healing potion and then says to the others staring at them in wonder "You people, my friends, my allies, are amazing. You just took down a high priestess in favor of the Pallid Princess not once, but twice. She knew we were coming and you all still beat her. I'm not sure how I stand with any god or goddess, but I think I've found faith in the lot of you. You're amazing."

THen a second glance at them, less sentimental and more... pragmatic, "You also look horrible, all of us do I'm sure. We need to heal up before we return to the vampire. If he backs up on his deal, as impressed as I am with you all, I don't think we'd hold up to that as we are."

Scratch One potion of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Wow, a classic Not Even My Final Form! Better than her body exploding like a bomb and giving us all some horrible disease, which definitely seemed to be on the table. What happens with Shrike's readied attack, GM? Does Thorn get partly swallowed up into the new flesh as Shrike stabs for her, and become a literal thorn in her side that we could rip free? :)

I think Shane just gulped so hard he hurt himself.

Does Korvosa have shawarma? Shane could really go for some shawarma ;)

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

Shane gapes, fear spreading through him, he'd heard of this in his studies but never thought he'd see it, he calls out "She's become a Daughter of Urgathoa! I thought it was a myth but the Pallid Princess raises them from her most zealous and accomplished priestesses. Their scythe-like claw can spread terrible and virulent diseases to those they hurt, and the Daughters are resistant to channeled energy that would normally hurt undead!"

He is glad he wears one of the masks and hopes it protects him should he get clawed. "Our one advantage, and this is conjecture, the protective spells she had going should have ended when she died, she maybe, MAYBE easier to hit. I wouldn't consider it a given though."

Shane wants the last zombie dead so turns the wand on it.

Another two bolts lash out, this time at a zombie.
MM wand. I think I'll be at 40 charges after this. Dmg is: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 4) + 2 = 9

"Evocation, the angry wizard's crutch, but useful." He sighs.

Two infants with a... good grief, when this group retires he never gets to work the front desk.

To the archivist "Thank you so much for the map and your help.." The halfling claps his hands almost eager "Anvil Quarter sounds good to me as well for a first drop by."

"Should we get a bottle of holy water in case we run into another demon?" Izzy is happy to follow where they go. "I had the weirdest dreams the gods froze the world while we slept."

Are we... back?

"Pava!" Shane call out as his friend, his often confusing cocky sometimes abrasive but fearlessly loyal friend drops with an audible thump and clank. They'll be all right. Pava is tough. but while he was afraid, now a growing fury is in him towards Andaisin. He doesn't have enough friends where he can let them be killed in front of him. I am going to send Andaisin to her goddess, but if I can arrange it, the journey is going to be a painful one.

(round 4 for Shane I think)
As Shane moves to get better line of sight, he idly wonders if maybe the vampire WOULD have been the easier foe! Even without her scythe, she was damn near untouchable, and her spells devastating.
And it was his turn to get caught in the effect of one.
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

"Unholy Blight," He tells the others, "It's going to sicken some of us and.. hurt, a lot."

He remembers being told about the nature of necromancy by Callibrie. At first she had sought ways to harness it for healing. The half elf and she had been friends, even lovers now and then. But as the years at the school went on, she became less concerned with helping, and more so with the power of it "If you do it right, it's like the necromancy is feasting on your foe ,and sharing the meal with you." she had said once.
"I hope you choke on it," Shane mutters to his assailant.
WILL Save . Protection from Evil Bonus included 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
His ill wish of defiance seems to strengthen his resolve, and he resists the worst of the spell, though the pain is still intense.

Half Damage, and not sick

He draws the wand of magic missile Weak, but at least it should hurt her and it isn't likely to miss.
The magic wand fires two rather unimpressive looking bolts of magic at Andaisin, but the good news is, they literally can't miss.
One charge down to 42 charges I think. Dmg is 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10

Okay. Cross your fingers and hope for a low will roll on our foe's behalf. If she gets blinded, that should give us a better fighting chance.

Maybe the invisibility greater is helping nix something?

Will Save, Protection from Evil and bless included: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (17) + 11 = 28

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27

"A greater command," Shane gasps perhaps too late. His will holds though, and thank goodness. And as there is some cover between him and their enemy now, he takes advantage of it, and lies with a bit of truth behind it, "Master Arkminos, strike her now while she's on the ground and you can claim the treasure you coveted for your experiments AND your freedom!"

And the vampire is there Two squares to the left of Pava and within 'sight' of our villainess malice in his eyes for the cleric.

Minor Image, DC 19 Will. Bluff roll to help 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17

Remember folks, the Paizo site maybe down tomorrow (Starting at 12 PM PST? I THINK) and maybe more than one day. They're doing a new online store I think? either way wanted to keep folks informed.

I feel like that round went rather well, all things considered. I do apologize for catching Shrike in the spell's radius - still, considering that it successfully blinded all the zombies and she only needs a 4 or above to avoid blindness, I think it was probably still worth it.

Shane can't complain. He annoyed the villainess! This is the dream!

Yes, you can have Cat's Grace and any other buffs that were mentioned. If Shrike gets anything that would make a difference in her being targeted by the zombies, we'll retcon it accordingly. Apologies if it sounded like I was trying to impose a limit on your pre-buffing.

If we're all apologizing here then I want in on that action because the misreading was mine :) So sorry! And... looks all good now. I'll update the buffs.

I may have taken the comment

Three rounds of buffs sounds reasonable to me.

as a limit when it wasn't intended as such. I've edited to include Elric on the Cat's grace if allowed.

If we had a lot more time then Blur and Protection from Evil would also go into effect.

"She's calling Upon a spell of Divine Power to enhance herself." He announces.

Then he releases a spell, a humble one.. grease, not on their enemy, but rather her scythe. That's if the art you showed of her is accurate?hoping to disarm her. Reflex save is DC 17.

Shane answers softly "Cat's grace, it helps with nimbleness agility and precision. I can also give one of you a skin akin to stone, or the power of flight. And I can turn one of us invisible but a version that stays with you even as you fight...tell me who wants what? I also have a protection from evil or invisibility sphere but that last WILL pop when one attacks."

apologies for slow post. Assume Shane will cast Stoneskin, Fly, Greater Invisibility, or Protection from Evil on whoever wants it, or try the group sphere of invisibility on us all.

Grod's humming gets a hearty thumb's up from the resident bard! She wants to be supportive.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

She looks over at Tot, "You could use some healing, and you're a bit shaken there, Tot. Don't worry, we were all scared. Gnomes are just wired funny. We get scared, of course, badly, but afterwards some of us treasure the experience. Makes us seem braver than we are."

"Call the Magnimar Patent Office, copyright the name Erridon Demonbinder, I want a copper every time somebody says it" - J. Jonah Izzy!

Gaxi will make little “Psst” noises to get the attention of either Daxiana, Ikit and/or Piret and asks, in a whispering short broken Common, “What happening? What centaur? What Stag Lord?”

Dax doesn't speak Kobold but she tries to find a kind soul to translate what was heard so Gaxi doesn't get left out and she gives her own words as well as what Lady Jamandi said.

.....
When many others mention a lack of desire to lead, Daxiana smiles, glad to see it's not just her.

"Which ever I go to, I want to make things better than they were before I came. See some of the natural beauty. Have fun, do good, don't be an ass: That's my motto."

She's curious about the others, but is almost shy about the idea of accessing them.

She does wonder if Tartuccio is as big an ass as she first thought him?

Sense Motive on Tartuccio: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Daxiana was about to answer Pyros, but then she quiets as Jamandi Aldori and Mayor Sebellus start talking. And the revelation of their missions stuns her. By Cayden's frothing mug, not one but two attempts to cement allies for Restov by securing and building those allies up from next to nothing? Clever. Damned clever. I've never been one for politics but even I can see how in a decade this might change the balance of power. The lady is a long thinker. Trade alone would allow resources to flow in, undercut Brevoy's domination on the trade routs and some resources. I do hope they don't tame the wilds too much. There's a beauty in it.

"Unfortunately, one serious obstacle is in the path of such conquest. A den of bandits holds sway in this area and their self styled leader, the Stag Lord, claims ownership of the region and no one has yet been able to challenge his power. Bring me his head and you will be able to return to that land as its legal ruler. Any questions?"

She pauses for a moment and then continues.
In addition, I will be sponsoring an expedition to the East of the Tors of Levine to deal with the new threat of the centaur tribes of the Dunsward. For over a century there has been peace between Rost... er, Brevoy and the Nomen tribe of centaurs, but recently there have been raids against settlements in the Dunswrad and even some into Brevoy. We do not know the cause, but this must be dealt with. As with the Western Stolen Lands, we are looking to have a more secure state in that area and would also recognize any such entity."

"I've got a lot of questions," Daxiana declares, "But the good dwarf here asked the first one about how you plan to parcel out the volunteers? What's the terrain like for each major area? Will you be providing horses? And, do you realize House Surtova is gonna explode when they hear of this? You ready for the hornet's nest THAT will bring?" She grins at the last "Mind you, the image is funny but it is something folks should be warned about before for committing. Could be You kick the hive, WE get stung. And before anyone gives me a look about killing the fun... let me say I am completely in. Because it sounds like a grand adventure."

an overstuffed armchair that looks several hundred years old.

The fabled magical armchair of comfy study!! *covets*

Kandru confirms Shane's concerns. Not just a vampire but a POWERFUL one. I loathe this thing already ,for what it has done to the people of this city. But punishing the guilty isn't our goal so much as saving more lives... so, let's treat it like I would one of our old Mentors at the Acadamae.

Shane turns visible, and finally speaks up, his voice similar to the tones he would use to appease the wickeder professors at his old school, "Your pardon, learned one. Your genius is evident in the complexity of your study and as an immortal I've no doubt your patience surpasses ours by far. As it costs you nothing, could you tell us who, besides her goddess, is supporting Lady Andaizin? We believe she has a patroness; in fact, I suspect it is the Queen herself or someone close to her. Do you have knowledge or even evidence of this? When we bring you your prize and you depart, this city will mean nothing to you so I imagine that is a trivial thing to you to confirm or no?"

Shane recalls some of the professors who lorded their power over the students. A light caress threatening to turn into a chill touch that could kill a hapless youth, charm to induce fawning behavior if it was not granted on its own accord, rats summoned to bite at your ankles if you did not pick up the pace in fulfillment of a chore; such were the rights of the educator over the student there. Ramoska Arkminos reminds him of some of them, the ones who were not whimsically cruel, but saw little difference between their charges, and animal test subjects if the latter were not in sufficient supply.

So one bowed, one placated, and you remembered the unspoken rule of the school; bend to your betters, or be broken.

A low whisper from the invisible fellow that his companions might here, "the learned sir is a vampire.." His mind is racing This one is intelligent, educated, and that means however dangerous this vampire would be normally, it is more so now. And he just confirmed my hypothesis about Varisians being more resistant to the blood plague. Lovely, I may die, but at least I'll die being right. Mixed blessing.

As keen as the vampire's senses are, invisible or not, Shane thinks there are good odds his whisper was heard by the undead in question but his friends should know.

The chamber starts to fill up rapidly as more folks come in and even as she spoke to Aelbourne and Gaxi (Was that his name?) she observed that everyone was approaching someone. Looked to be making a mighty fine shindig as the saying went.
Then the one thing she didn't want came upon her... family! Then, she looked again and smiled, for it was a cousin she could tolerate. Anyone is better than mother or one of my sisters now.

Moving through the room as smoothly as he could, he approached the crowd around her - which appeared to include a half-elf and...kobold? What strange company. Once he reached the group, he said, "Hello, cousin. I must confess, I am surprised to see you wandering free. Or will the house guards be coming in the door next to bring you back?" To the kobold and half-elf, he said, "I am Stanislaw Medvyed, servant of Erastil and warden of the wilds."

Daxiana laughs good naturedly at that, "Well, I wouldn't be surprised if mother tried. To answer your question, the family is a mite miffed given that wee understanding with my last suitor but as usual, I find it easier to beg forgiveness than ask for permission. I'm a grown woman after all. So if I want to answer a call to adventure, that's mine to do or not," Stanislaw and she have too many things in common for her to be completely on guard, like her, the fellow was a darn fine archer, for one. "I'm surprised to see you here as well. Are you under orders from Church or family to be here or just answering the call to adventure as I am?"

He hears Elric call out. With time of the essence, Shane winks out of sight but this does not slow him down

Invisibility field: at 8th level he can turn invisible as a swift action for up to 8 rounds per day. Round one, then moving to get a look too.

Knowledge Religion: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 21

Alas, in his haste he can't quite get a read on this fellow.

The one towards the back of the room rushes through one of the doors leading further east, shouting at the top of their lungs. "Mistress! Mistress! We are under attack!"

"Sounds like we may have finally found the bigger threat... and she is warned and ready for us now." Shane declares readying for an even greater threat!

The blinded one feels their way along the railing, reaching the northern door and pounding on it desperately. "Master Arkminos! Come out, we are being attacked!"

"Oh sweet Nethys laughs, make that we have found the TWO bigger threats, and THEY are warned and ready for us now!" Shane winces and fires a glob of acid at the fellow he blinded earlier realizing THAT has probably worn off. He doubts it will kill the foe, but hope it might soften him up for Pava, creator of nicknames, destroyer of obstacles.

Acid Splash on purple, Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Dmg: 1d3 ⇒ 2

Shane moves a bit slower than his friends. He envies their confidence as they seem to rotate between calculated and swift tactical genius and brave impulse, while he second guesses himself. Still, he must contribute. And when Pava bolts with bravado he follows their example and them as well!

Move in Surprise Round.
Then first round move to get behind Pava
Then he flings a blinding bolt at the one behind Pava's current target, hoping it renders that foe distracted!

Blinding Bolt -As a standard action you can fire a shimmering ray at any foe within 30 feet as a ranged touch attack. The ray causes creatures to be blinded for 1 round. Creatures with more Hit Dice than your wizard level are dazzled for 1 round instead. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier. Ranged Touch (against Purple): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12

Izzy moves then fires her sling. She doubts she can hurt this thing let alone kill it but who knows, maybe she'll get lucky?

Roll to hit with Sling, bard bonus included 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Dmg: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

EDIT: Holy snot. Possible crit? to confirm 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6
If confirmed add an extra: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Darn, definitely not a crit then!

The ranger looks skeptical, not at the druid’s sentiment, but rather that he took her words seriously in the first place. ”I was playing, Grob. I know you wouldn’t do that…” She adds with an idle smile, ”…but I like hearing I’m damn dangerous. Makes me feel all...” Moon briefly fans herself.

THAT gets a laugh out of him "I'll try to lighten up a bit." The worry about his mom and the grind of not one battle but many has had a toll on him.

"Did you really let Krosk go," she asks skeptically.

"Feels like forever but yes. He did have to convince us he'd never come after Kassen again. If you promise the same for you and any offspring you have in the future, it would set our minds at ease further."

The Druid blinks in confusion at this , then rubs his forehead, muttering "A do jaké nové vrstvy padlých zemí jsme dnes zakopli, Grob?"

Then he looks at the half-elf who has both stolen his heart, AND could carve said heart into tiny pieces without much effort, "Moon, I care about you too much, and your'e too damned dangerous for me to ever cheat on ya, you know that." Then he looks at Nalka "First. I don't 'own' anybody. Second, your life was spared by us all, not just me. At least so far."

Nice! This will be amusing, Alchemy was always Shane's weaker classes in the Academae :D

Now he has a cheat code!

"Varisians are more resistant to the Bloodveil... oh sweet Nethys, the queen is going to try to use them as scapegoats. Hale was right," Shane recalls tea with his halfling friend. "We need to find a way to make sure there's not a purge of hate to go with the plague."

I had actually thought of something like this myself as being fun. I'm not really into most anime or Manga (No offense to those that are) but there is a lot of amusing fiction period about people ended up dying in one world and arriving in new adventuring bodies and it could be fun.

You could even make a list of Campaign Traits based on past life profession or attitudes.

For example:
Customer Service Survivor - You worked Customer Service, put in that delicate position of the front line so those in power never had to actually talk to those they had displeased. Sometimes the complaints were legit, other times it was based on utterly insane expectations. Either way, it serves you well in your new life as you gain a +1 on either Diplomacy or Bluff and which ever you choose is a class skill for you.

Code Monkey is Scroll Monkey- You wouldn't think computer programming and coding would help in a fantasy world, but for you it has translated well. You get a +1 to any spellcraft rolls identifying spell scrolls, and if you take the Scribe Spell feat you find you can create in half the time.

Through the X-Mas grinder- You worked retail during the heaviest holiday seasons there were, with screaming brats, demanding parents ,and bosses who didn't understand why you weren't selling ALL the junk they wanted you to sell. They did not break you, and you have gained a +1 on all Will saves. It's possible you have nightmares about the same yuletide songs cycling over and over.

Free From Copyright- You either did Karaoke as a hobby, or were part of a cover band, or maybe just were the life of a party now and then but you are in a new world where no one has heard of Elvis, the Beatles, or Queen. This means you can blatantly claim you invented any song, poem, or whatever you want. You have Performance (or Artistry) as a class skill... may the god of music be very forgiving.

And so on though I'd probably cap it at 10 choices for 'campaign Isekai traits' tops.

So I guess I'm saying I might be interested. :)

Shane's face is hard to read behind the mask, but his body language shifts. It's the practical sensible thing, and what alternative do we have? We're not going to torture them for information as they would in the Academae. And yet... He looks to the paladin and the cleric. This cannot be easy for them, or then again, maybe it is. Shelyn would not approve of this despoiling of beauty, the tearing apart of loved ones these people have aided in. And Abadar is the protector of cities so maybe they would actually approve. There is one thing I can do for Audria and Kandru though it might cost me their respect.

He looks at Shrike and gives a nod to go ahead, casting his 'vote' as it were, and hoping Pava and Elric do the same. If they wish to protest they will still be outvoted as it were. And if that, Shelyn and Abadar, is not enough to have you show understanding to your paladin and cleric, why don't you come down here and fix things yourselves.

Thank you.

Downtime does not come easy, but Shane actually DOES have 'Forge Ring'. He's not that good at it yet, for example, he can only make 9 rings for mortal men tops and they are doomed to die...

Wait, wrong reference.

He might be able to make a Ring of Protection or two with the help of a cleric who casts Shield of Faith.

My thought when I took it was that he'd use it to make his arcane bonded ring magical (Not sure if that saves time or money since the ring is already made technically)

Shane carefully and meticulously identifies each and every item, in calm academic manner...

Bluff Roll: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (2) + 13 = 15

Then his mask grows hopeful "These notes might be the best prize of all, for the city, not for us. More research required but we might have more clues to a cure."

"Strong willed little pimple, I'll give him that," Shane observes, and almost immediately begins looking for magic and , though he has concerns, signs of a cure or other advancements. Perhaps Rolth also has notes?

Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

"This fellow was potent and strong willed. Unless we have a need of the body for evidence I might suggest we burn it to ashes to reduce the chances of him being revived as undead."

Go Pava go!

*Munch popcorn*

Shane takes Kandru at her word as she sets her silence spell and he moves backwards!

"Kandru, Shane, can either of you do anything about that magical protection that's enveloping Rolth?" Elric asks as he continues to shoot down the necromancer's minions.

"No, an oversight on my part that I shall correct after this assuming we all live," Dispel Magic, it is not that rare Shane, and always useful, so why don't I have it in my books? Blast me for ill preparedness. He hopes Kandru can try it and succeed.

With no recourse, Shane tries again with another Phantasmal Killer on Rolth, hoping his wounded and sickened state will make his resistance a bit less efficient this time.

"Hororsmrt" He sends the spell out again. Once more, the horror within the target's mind is given life!

Last Phantasmal Killer spell today; Will DC 20 to disbelieve, if that fails Fort Save of Same DC required or Rolth dies. Even if Fort save succeeds, dmg occurs: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 5) = 15

Too soon to say if needed, but I'll roll Sense Motive now before Pava rolls her Will save.. just in case. IF it is needed, he yells out a warning to all if he makes the roll. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

"Oh, very good! Whoever just did this, raise your hand. I'll keep you alive to compare notes."

Good line. I'll have to steal that some day, Something in him tells him now's not the time to volunteer for a counter spell. I wonder if he can see the invisible?

He moves up to Pava and says in a whisper [B]"Pardon me, thought you might like to get a one shot chance to really lay something on a certain target[B]

POOF, Pava is invisible! It will fade as soon as she attacks whoever she wants

Seeing his friends react with such RAGE at Rolth surprises Shane more than a little!

Well, if they want him dead that badly, there's a spell he's been meaning to try! Moving to part from the cluster in case spells with spread are cast, he then unleashes "Hororsmrt" It's a very personal spell, gathering the sinister imaginings of a target's fears tailored into a killing form meant to assault the mind so completely it leads to death!

Bit of a Longshot, but it is clear the head of this particular snake needs to go down NOW.

I wonder what Lamm the younger will see in his mind that actually risk scaring him to DEATH.

Phantasmal Killer. Will DC 20 to disbelieve, if that fails Fort Save of Same DC required or Rolth dies. Even if Fort save succeeds, dmg occurs: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4) = 6

Rile her up? Mmm... She begins to sing, "Gotta little job while in the darker planes, but now you got a boss that if you fail will give you pain. You're panicking and freaking at the sight of the forces of good! You're really bad at this that is understood! You're an incompetent minion to the forces fell! And you know your new boss is gonna give you hell!

Woe! Woe minion Woe! Woe is all you'll know! To torture you'll go!"

Bardic inspiration, apologies to Johnny be good!

Also a move but will gladly let Grod or others move past me.

"Is laughing at jokes considered rude where she is from?" Grod says to Izzy, confused. "They must not have many bards."

"Angry audiences do make us an endanger species in some areas."[/B]

But she follows the lead of the others.

Assuming the thing is still up after Tot goes...

"Pardon me little one," Garen says as he steps past Izzy to stand shoulder to shoulder with Grod.

Izzy blinks as she is now behind a Warpriest AND a Paladin...

HA! I doubt I'll roll a twenty for a tie, but let's see. High Roll: 1d20 ⇒ 7

It turns end over end, and for a moment, it seems ready to show the head of it and then, nay, the Korsovo coin lands tails up.

"Well. Obviously I'll take this loss with dignity, and congratulate you. Enjoy your amulet, Pava," I'll just write down my sulking and petty thoughts in my journal, like any grown up academic.

Realistically he recognizes their point about being more in the thick of it though so, there is that.