River of Stars's page

Well that's too bad, mind my asking why not?

Not at all. It's a lot of factors. My local scene collapsed as a result of COVID, 2E and some toxic players. Ive had some great real-time games online, but enough bad ones to make shy away from it now. I also think I'm unusual in that I don't like replays or replayable scenarios, so the trend towards having more of that (for 2E) has been off-putting.

Play by post has generally been good, I've loved many of the games I've played on these forums, but I don't get much free time and the daily post required in many games takes a toll. At the same time I've been getting into miniature painting and other games so I'm not taking on any new games now and will wind down as the remaining ones finish. Perhaps I will return for 3rd edition :)

PFS guide mentions character can't participate in any other adventures until the arc is complete. Would stick you in limbo until the rest is done.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm not fussed though I'll probably not play PFS again but if I did I think I could run the whole series and not take credit for part one.

River gathers herbs for his downtime using a boon. He doesn't get gold

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (5) + 26 = 31

"I will stay here and contact the spirits to warn the others"

Thanks for running GM, I'm going to bow out here as I think I'm done with PFS for a while at least, but it was interesting to see the old classic scenario finally!

"Can you warn the venture captains via magic?" River asks Eliza.

"However quickly we can arrive, foreknowledge may save their lives"

River crosses his arms and nods grimly at the end "The Red Raven"'s words.

"Do not slay the Spirestalker if you still want its eggs"

Diplomacy to Aid: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"This ring is evil to bind a thinking creature so"

River nods gravely to the suggestion of destroying it, and makes his feelings for the Red Raven who used the ring clear as well.

"I think that's a wonderful idea Tessera, no creature should be bound against its will" River opined before Percy did the deed.

River flies down toward Shau and touches her on the shoulder while shouting.

"Spirit of the Hawk!"

Fly and cast Fly. 2 rounds remaining on Fortune for Shau and Mörök. Whether that was a Move and a Standard or a Move and a Ready would depend on the order things are resolved, but hopefully it doesn't make much difference

Anyone have a dispel for the tentacles or the life before I go digging for a way out? ;p

I don't have one; I cast my only prepared Dispel already today :(

I've thrown a template on the map for the black tentacles where I think it was intended based on the description, is that about right? I'm not sure why they wouldn't have gotten River though so perhaps his ommission was an oversight?

Shau River could cast Fly on you, (or communal air walk), but he'd get grappled as soon as he entered the tentacles. He could Fly to a position you'd like to exit the tentacles, then ready an action to cast it on you as you exited, and then you could continue your movement vertically, though that would depend on his actually not being in it so I'll await a clarification on that.

Floating above the battlefield, River continues his chant and beseeches his Shundar Quah ancestors to include Mörök in their blessing.

Fortune hex on Mörök, who can roll twice and take the better result on a ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check once per round. Then Chant to keep the duration of both hexes at 3 rounds.

River activates his own Flight hex, and then zooms into the fray

In that case River will simply cast Fortune on Shae, and chant to send the duration to 3 rounds. This means Shae can roll twice and take the better result on a ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check once per round

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (7) + 17 = 24

River shouts a reply to Teko.

"We are here to see the Red Raven about some stolen property. We do not need to fight, perhaps we can even help you with whatever has you so spooked if you return it to us"

he'll ready an action to cast the Fortune hex on Shau if any of the opponents take offensive actions

River doesn't have a light source. His familiar Eska is surrounded by a small nimbus of light when she flies, but she mostly pads along the ground or stays in the familiar satchel. He can see in all forms of darkness, even magical up to 60 feet.

"I am well, thank you Tessera. To aid in our pursuit..."

He once again begins to chant and calls out the traditional Shoanti prayers to the spirits of the hunt.

He's casting hunters blessing on everyone for humans and whatever terrain they're currently in, Urban? That will give +2 sacrad attack and damage on humans (and some skills with respect to them), and on initiative and some others while in that terrain, all for 12 hours

"Let's go."

River glowers at the medusa. He draws a magic rod from his belt loop, and beseeches his ancestors to smite her.

He's casting Toppling Spiritual Weapon using his lesser toppling metamagic rod. This benefits from his spiritual guardian fear for attack and damage

A Shoanti bone warhammer appears next to the medusa and strikes at her!

Attack, lvl, wisdom: 1d20 + 12 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 12 + 8 = 28
Force, guardian: 1d8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

As a reminder both her attack bonus and AC should be reduced by 4 due to River's hex and stardust, and she cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment. If that hits she may be toppled:

Trip: 1d20 + 12 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 8 = 40

Against his better judgement, River takes a step back toward the Medusa and stares grimly at her. He starts to intone a high-pitch shrill song that carries over the battlefield.

5 foot step, Evil Eye for -4 to AC for 11 rounds, or 1 round if she makes a DC 24 Will Save, and then Chant so it would be 12 or 2 on a success

Will: 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (5) + 23 = 28

River shrugs off the spell with a modest effort of will, and stares intently at the newcomer.

I'm guessing this is a Nature knowledge, his bonuses for the other knowledges are in his profile if not
Knowledge (Nature): 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (16) + 26 = 42

He shares what he recalls, and then summons the light of the stars to enshroud this medusa.

Cast Stardust -4 to attack rolls and sight-based perception checks, and she cannot benefit from invisibility or concealment for 6 rounds. No save, but would be subject to spell resistance, so in case:
SR: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

He will also put some distance between himself and the monstrous woman

You DO realize the pyroweasels are MINE, right? Why would they AoO YOU?

Yes I realised that. The AoOs to which I was referring were those belonging to the cultists. It wasn't clear who had been blended yet. The language was ambiguous though, my apologies.

River cannot currently see invisible creatures, though he does have a very high perception if there's a chance to spot anything

"By the Ancestors!"

River is as shocked by the terrifying fury of the enormous ape as he is by Shau's precise butchery. The battle apparently won, he follows Mörök to continue the healing process, but with his wand this time as the urgency is apparently over.

Move, swift to pop the wand from his wrist sheath and standard to activate it

Healing: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

River rushes to Mörök's side, pushing past the fire weasels. Provoking two AoOs if they have them available I think? I've put his path on the map

"Those wounds look nasty my friend, let me see what I can do"

Cure Critical Wounds
Healing: 4d8 + 12 ⇒ (2, 3, 5, 3) + 12 = 25

Damn that was a poor roll

River looks astonished at the sudden appearance of their assailants, and then again at the fire weasels. To further discourage attacks on the brave Mörök, he chants and conjures barbed chains to trip them!

Trip Blue, prayer: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 1 = 28
Trip Green, prayer: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 17 + 1 = 24
Trip Yellow, prayer: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 1 = 28
Trip Orange, prayer: 1d20 + 17 + 1 ⇒ (14) + 17 + 1 = 32

If any of those are successes, they must also make a DC 19 Will save or be shaken for 1d4 rounds

River is startled at the sudden attack, but he wastes no time in springing into action. He rushes forward until he can see the enemy clearly, and prays to his Ancestors and the spirits of the Shundar Quah for aid.

Casting Prayer. It looks like everyone is in range so will get a +1 luck bonus to attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saves, and skill checks, though it's possible he might not have lines of sight/effect to Shau depending on the wall. The enemy too will take a -1 to all of those things with no save, but it is subject to spell resistance:

vs. SR: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30

Knowledge (nature): 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (19) + 26 = 45

River walks cautiously with Eska bounding along at his side. He nods in agreement at Percy's identification of the extinct blossom.

"This is fascinating, I wonder where we are."

He casts a warding spell Greater False Life on himself and catches up with the others.

HP: 2d10 + 12 ⇒ (6, 10) + 12 = 28

River narrows his eyes at Osprey and his veiled threats and aspersions. Eliza's kind words though dispel his dark thoughts, as does Eska's gentle nudgings from his familar satchel.

"You have proven yourself hardy indeed Osprey, rarely have I met anyone more deserving the name of Skentok"

He bows deeply to him, and then to Eliza. He nods and smiles at the others enthusiasm.

"Very well, let us follow the trail of the Red Raven and learn what we can"

"Fascinating"

River is intrigued by the finds in Adril's room.

"Could these be secret missions he was working on the for the society? The idol seems Mwangi in origin, and there's an initial on the map in the expanse here. Perhaps Adril has been visiting these locations looking for something? Hmm. We'd best consult with Eliza"

Eska peeks out of her satchel long enough to growl at the idol and then go back to sleep.

"Hmm" River grunts in agreement with Shau.

"I heard the Red Raven moving around before he struck Adril, perhaps we can track his movements immediately before the attack"

CMW: 2d8 + 10 ⇒ (8, 6) + 10 = 24

"Thank you Tess, with luck this will be the only time someone tries to kill me today"

Also there was a Wandering Star Motes that dazes, but that also doesn't have the 4HD limit.

"There are spells that can trace a teleport I believe, but I fear I do not know them. Perhaps if we can capture one of our assailants?"

Fearing the gnome with their wand of fireballs, River casts a spell and tries to daze them.

He'll cast Wandering Star Motes on the gnome. DC 22 Will or be dazed, and if they pass it'll bounce around until someone fails

What do you mean by 'it stomps forward searching Mörök.'? Also, if Morok being followed by a Shoanti warrior?

Sorry I just meant that River moved it 30 feet following along the route that Mörök took, i.e through the same open doors. He can move it once per round as a swift action (I'm sort of assuming it works even if he can't see it as it's like a mental command? But no worries if you rule not)

...
and he turns invisible.
...

Invisibility Purge lasts for 12 minutes, within 60' of River

Reflex vs. Web: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

River shakes his head at the violence, and at the sticky web. He waves his hands to wash it away.

Dispel Magic vs. Web CL+11: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (14) + 12 = 26

At the same time the spiritual Shoanti warrior flies quickly along Mörök's path

Sorry I posted it in Discussion because I'm an idiot:

River casts Invisibility Purge, sends his spectral Shoanti toward the door with a thought, and then grabs hold of Peep.

I'm not sure if Spiritual Allies can open doors, but it could wait for Osprey or someone to open it I suppose. I'm also not 100% where River was with respect to Shau and Peep before the bamf

River casts Invisibility Purge, sends his spectral Shoanti toward the door with a thought, and then grabs hold of Peep.

I'm not sure if Spiritual Allies can open doors, but it could wait for Osprey or someone to open it I suppose. I'm also not 100% where River was with respect to Shau and Peep before the bamf

The Armory is L9 on the map according to our earlier briefing. River would make a poor choice for the deliverer of a coup de grace, but he could cast Invisibility Purge before the bamf in case the thief is invisible.

River tries to help Mörök escape by summoning an ancient warrior of the Shundar Quah to aid him. The spectral warrior appears and strikes at the worm with her hammer.

Cast Spiritual Ally, boosted by his Spiritual Guardian feat

Attack, lvl, WIS: 1d20 + 12 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 12 + 8 = 24
Force Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Attack, lvl, WIS: 1d20 + 12 + 8 - 5 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 8 - 5 = 25
Force Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16

Attack, lvl, WIS: 1d20 + 12 + 8 - 10 ⇒ (3) + 12 + 8 - 10 = 13
Force Damage: 1d10 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 2 = 16

Ah OK. It certainly sounds like the author didn't know how Vital Strike is intended to work, but as that's what it says I suppose Lucija gets no reprieve

I had mistakenly thought I'd been missed, thanks for that correction.

It does seem important to clarify the vital strike issue. As the quoted text says it triggers on an Attack action, which is distinct from a Full Attack. So these archers can do one big attack with vital strike and sneak, or forgoe the vital strike for multiple attacks, but not both. Unless they have some special ability that permits it of course

I think the only remaining place for a stone golem would be next to River, so I'll assume that and be cautious

River looks aghast at Adril's murder, but only seconds later has to duck several arrows. He looks darkly at the murderer and utters

"Ferik niklit forenk skoans!"

before casting a spell. As he chants a shadow appears to pass over him as if a dark cloud passing overhead despite being inside, and then Lightning Strikes! He's casting Chain Lightning

Cast Defensively DC 27: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (17) + 20 = 37

He's targetting the Red Raven as the primary target (so his Reflex DC is 24 for half) and the four archers to the north as well as the worm to the south (their DC is 22)

Electricity: 12d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 5, 5, 3, 2, 6, 6, 3, 6, 5, 3) = 50

He then begins stepping away from the Golem Assuming it's where I think it is

River backs away from the slumbering worm as Eska runs into the comfort of her familiar pouch.

Someone is up there with Adril...

He uses his newly enhanced speed to steer clear of the other worm, and concentrates. Two strange portals appear, filled with stars. One by Adril on the Balcony, and one on the ground near River. The one by Adril sweeps over him, and suddenly Adril is on the ground near River.

"There was something up there you hadn't noticed, I feared for your safety"

This is the Heaven's Leap hex. River would need to be within 30 feet of Adril, and have line of sight and effect to him. If the geometry doesn't allow it he can do something else

I guess stuff so close we don't need a dim door at this time. Can River slumber the other one?

River doesn't do Slumber, it's way too strong :)

The layout is a bit confusing, but I'll roll in case I have line of sight

Perception: 1d20 + 35 ⇒ (12) + 35 = 47

I've put River and Eska (his fox familiar) on there, typically I wouldn't bother because he has a familiar satchel and Eska likes to hang out there, but if there's an explosion or something before he can act Eska is currently out.

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

"I have never met Adril Hestram before today"

Announces River as he stands following Percy's eloquent speech.

"Yet his prudence and foresight is well known, and I have no doubt it was he that recently sent myself with a team of Pathfinders to investigate rumours of dark supernatural quickening in southern Qadira."

He pauses briefly to look over the others in the room for signs of recognition.

"There we found a people gripped in famine, and signs of the rising of a Daemonic prince. We found, and fought, and bound the nascent prince atop a tower of bones. Each of our hand-picked group was uniquely suited to some aspect of the challenge, and it is the wisdom of our leader-"

He bows deeply toward Adril

"-that we have to thank for stopping this danger before it grew to threaten the rest of Golarion."

Finishing his short speech, he raises his glass,

"Adril Hestram, may your spirit guide you"

and takes a seat.

River heads over to Eliza's room and knocks gently on the door.

"Madame Venture Captain? I am sorry to intrude but I had some further questions..."

At seeing Lucija's painting, River offers a guarded comment.

"You are clearly very talented"

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (15) + 17 = 32

Later in their rooms, he offers to take the floor and replies to the dragon's thought directly.

Indeed. I suggest we go talk to them; it may just have been Adril about whom they were circumspect

At first put off by Adril's presumption about his promotion, River's opinion was cemented at his lascivious introduction of Eliza.

He stands and bows to Eliza and Osprey.

"It is an honour to meet you both. Though I have not travelled to Galt before, your reputation for skill and diligence precedes Venture Captain Petulengro. I hope the Pale Maiden brings good fortune to your Lodge"

...And a shaman! What kind of neat things can you do? ...

It's been five years since I played this guy last, and even more since I played him regularly, so I'm not entirely sure!

As I recall he casts spiritual weapon and spiritual ally often in combat as he has a feat to boost them, poached a few cleric spells via FCB (Invisibility Purge, Prayer, Burst of Radiance, Air Walk (Communal)), and has some neat utility hexes.

Heaven's leap lets him teleport an ally 30 feet. I remember that being hugely useful at low levels, but probably not as much nowadays. He gets his Wisdom bonus to knowledge checks via his wandering ancestors spirit so is pretty knowledgable, and he has a very high perception bonus. I almost took Skill Focus (perception) at 11 so I could take 10 and get a 50, but it felt a bit overkill :)