Ryan Taskerhill's page

"Praise Abadar, but you look much less dead."

"And I'm feeling much less dead right now, thanks to Marigold's timely arrival"

Hearing JJ's return outside, the cleric moves towards the door, seemingly ignoring the rubbles strewn across the floor. Ryan smiles as Marigold chides the foster brother "Powerful things come in small packages, and I for one and happy for her timely return" pondering the last words he spoke "How did you know to come back? Believe me I'm not complaining either."

"Where's everyone else" Ryan takes Marigold's proffered hand and does his best not to pull her over when he stands up. Following her outside the look up and down the street.

In response to Marigold's last question

"Dunno, just had a brief vicious meeting with a greatsword didn't see any of the others."

Duly noted and thank you GM

Blackness had enveloped Ryan as the heat of battle quickly cooled, while his blood pooled around him. A creeping cold surrounded him, beginning in his fingers and toes and drawing ever closer to his heart. Stealing himself for his final judgement Ryan prepares, wondering to himself if Pharisma will sit in judgement as is her prerogative, or if Abadar would come.

I think too much of myself, probably one of Pharisma's functionaries will read out my judgement his soul thinks with a mental head shake.

Looking towards the unfocused light ahead Ryan feels himself warm and become more comfortable, not just once but twice and again a third time, the last making him feel as if he was resting in a field on a warm spring day. There was even a light flowery smell accompanying the warmth returning to him

My judgement draws nigh

R-Ryan!

Funny that sounded like Marigold...

R-Ryan, can you h-hear me? Are you okay??

With great effort Ryan opens his physical eyes and see Marigold.

"Are you dead? When did that happen?"

Congrats Lady Ladille, I knew JJ had mentioned something previously but I had missed what the honor was.

"Welcome back Mistress Montajay," says the recently departed Taskerhill. "See what happens when you leave me to my own demise.... Err devices." ;)

Glad you're back and well rested

No bonuses to the remainder of our group and a big part of healing removed, makes perfect sense....

Heard it mentioned before that the red crosses on medics could be also thought of as targets....

No worries, just figured in this case I had dropped out of sight so so Ryan made the perfect target.

Looking forward to see what happens in the future. I should have enough Hero points to cheat death if that is OK.

Ref(DC20): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25 Not sure making the saving throw was a good thing -.-

The strange insulating properties of the good whiskey, that protect Ryan from the cold turn into the same properties that slow Ryan's future reflex's as his mind knows what's coming from the half-orc's attacks but his arms can no longer keep up with the sword's attack and he is left a bleeding mess on the floor.

"Remember, Bror. We already tried to gain audience with Vhalantru, and the half-orcs prevented us from securing any appointment. If the man wants to speak with us, it'll be on his terms, by the sounds of it."

Ryan sits back at the table after Anna takes her leave, seeming to stare off into a far corner , that no one occupied.

"Perhaps it wouldn't have to be on his schedule, we've been there and could step into the office again, without going through the front door. Then again we could just look in on them without going at all - Maxim do we still have that mirror?"

Ryan sits back on his heels as Anna speaks aloud about what is worrying her; his hand subconsciously drags across his face as he ponders whether Uncle Ankhin could have orchestrated a hit on his daughter's group to make her stop.

"B-but Anna, what have the Vanderboren's done?..... is it, they have grown too fast and he feels threatened by their family?"

Ryan know his uncle is a businessman and will talk business nearly anytime that it's possible but to stoop this low??

Sense Motive(DC25): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (19) + 18 = 37

Ryan watches Anna's face as she answer before looking at the floor. Squatting down before her and blocking the room from her view.

"Anna, there is much good that has come from both the Stormblades and the Watchers, for Cauldron and personal honor. Something bothers you more than the Cauldron guard being upstaged by some nobles. What is it, cousin?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (4) + 15 = 19 Well I hope the previous 2 good rolls (30, 31) will have brought her around to this being convincing

While he waits for Anna's answer, Ryan contemplates the symbol of the eye and arrow

kn:Religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
kn:Nobility: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20
kn:History: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Sorry forgot about that one, had looked over the spells after a long day. :) +1 to the ranger

"If Ike is taking a long time, then could you not provide the funds to Ryan, and let him perform the resurrection?"

Shaking his head, Ryan lays a hand on JJ's shoulder...

"Alas, that is still beyond my skill, if I brought Todd back, he wouldn't be quite right. And definitely not alive"

With my next level that will change, but for now Breath of Life is the best I can do, and I don't believe Todd would qualify as recently deceased per the spell text. - it speaks of rounds, not days :)

Turning back to Anna.

"Whom do you trust the least within Cauldron's current leadership? Something isn't right here."
diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

Sorry all, need more hours in the day

Ryan listens to Anna's description of the fight as well as Kikinnin's follow-up questions. While trying to remember anything the church may have come up against in the past, meeting that description.

religion: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (13) + 10 = 23

Looking at Maxim with a wry grin, Ryan fills Kikinnin's proffered glass.

"Now Maxim, have a care, resurrecting the dead is not for the weak of spirit or faith, nor is it cheap. With the strength Abadar grant's me now I could bring Todd back, however he'd likely have a taste for merchant brains and seeing as you now hold all Maavu's holdings dear, Todd might have a hankering for yours." he finishes with a hard smile and wink "Perhaps Iverson's not fleecing them as much as you think"

<sigh> no names were given, and we've all lost friends or companions. The idea was to make Anna A little more willing to discuss what happened. We did seek her out for this meeting

Entering the Coy Nixie Ryan approaches the barkeep. Oldlaw whiskey, shot glasses and bread a cheese for our table please." Handing over 40gp for the single malt whiskey and glasses, he also passes and additional 3 gp for the bread, cheese and tip.

Walking up to the table he joins the others and places a glass in front of each with a last glass turned over empty. "yes, we made it back from the jungle" Ryan answers Anna's comment while pouring a dollop of whiskey in each glass. Sense Motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38 to get a sense of what is worrying Anna

Raising his own glass "I'd like to propose a toast before we start." indicating the empty glass.

"This glass is reserved to honour our fallen comrades in arms. This symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit, yet unable to join in our toast. We should never forget the brave men or women who have answered Cauldron's call to serve. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured the agonies of pain, deprivation and death. And we are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We knew them, we'll remember them, and they will not be forgotten. To our fallen comrades!"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 15 + 2 = 30 Ryan is trying to improve Anna's attitude before the meeting gets started

Ryan brings the cloaks to the tavern one evening to meet with both Maxim and Kikinnin, ordering a round of stout dwarven whiskey which causes him to cough repeatedly.

"They're ready, I believe they will work as advertised, although with steel added you may wish to avoid thunderstorms." he finishes with a smile

Bringing his own shield to the table he slides it across the table towards Maxim.

"Take a look at it and design some spikes to add to it and I want it to be as much of an offensive weapon when needed as a defensive one, got a feeling in the future there might be a foe or two that needs bashing."

I'm still here all, just buried at work and home right now

Ryan will make some quiet inquiries about his cousin with the Stormblades and if they might be willing to meet.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29
Sense Motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (20) + 18 = 38

Back to back 15 hours days have left me a bit drained mentally, sorry for the absence

Ryan answers Kikinnin "In the kaleidoscope of changes affecting Cauldron, Vhalantru seems to be one of the few who are benefiting. Sometimes I can judge better in person than from just other's observations. And as for the Stormblades one of them is my cousin so you're right JJ their families do have the most to lose or gain in a major shakeup."

Drinking the shot that Kikinnin passed him, "I can add a bit of steel to both of your cloaks as you say, it will just take some time, within the week I could help both of you out a bit +2 but to really strengthen them it's probably a little over a week each +3."

Available time subject to GM's discretion

"Outside of ourselves not very many" Ryan grouses from his side of the table.

"Maavu, didn't trust anyone in the current government leading Cauldron, however we should at least make an appearance before Vhalantru and gauge what we see for ourselves."

reaching out Ryan grasp the edge of Maxim's cloak, "You still going to let me work on this for you?"

sense motive(DC23): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

Ryan watches as Maxim passes the merchant-mage liked that term and stole it schooling his own features to maintain his silence. When the papers are signed and put away, Ryan will exit the cell and follow the others out.

Later

"So now what"

Sorry all have been caught up in storm restoration the past two days, just got in I'm beat, will get up a post tomorrow

"Arlintel, is there anyone in the present government that you would trust?"

Ryan is the obvious way to get Arlintle out but that would also automatically implicate the Watchers. Suggestions?

found this in a dead thread after searching on my own question, would fall to the GM's discretion of course

spell level x caster level x 50gp
Ex 6th lvl spell x 11(min caster level) x 50gp = (3,300gp + any special materials) / 2 = 1,650gp(crafted) 4 days to craft DC16 craft

yeah your right... :/

was reading the Craft Potions section

Forgot about the wording in the feat description that limits it to level 3

So odd question, who creates those lvl 4 and above potions......

Retcon of above question: Are there any 3rd level or lower spells you'd like as a potion?

I'm not too sure that I've been keeping accurate track of my funds in. I suspect there is a big gap somewhere, but no biggie there.

According to my journal in Hero Lab, the last loot distribution was 4/22/017, almost 2 years ago to the day. Doesn't count individual things people have collected along the way like your Alakast or healing potions and wands of displacement.

Ryan will spend 10 days working on a belt he found a design for in the church library.
Belt of Physical Might +2(Str, Con) (DC17 <5+CL12>): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22
-5,000gp

Going forward if we don't see a need for a "common" fund we can easily divvy the above up between us all (and just contribute equally if/when necessary?)

If so it would mean an additional + 1,159.10 Gold each (for this split), but I'll leave the final decision to a unilateral view.

Are there any potion that needs to be created before we head back into trouble once more? The commons could pay for that. Ryan can create potions up to lvl 6, so Restoration, Cure Serious Wounds, ect.

As for the Basilisk blood, I find it hard to believe Juraan would have removed the basilisk blood, especially since he was GMPC'd for that move, and not have sent it back to Cauldron with us.

Ryan listens to the back and forth between Maxim and Maa'vu.
Sense motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (3) + 18 = 21

"Arlintal, you've painted a poor picture of Cauldron and a bleak future for our town. If it were within your power where would you focus your time to restore order to Cauldron and allow her to prosper once more?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

Before heading to the jail

Ryan takes some time after his morning rituals to attempt to contact Marigold. Preparing the ritual he sends.
Sending
{we're in Cauldron, lots of change. Storm Blades lost Todd. Hope all is well, we interrogate Maavu later today. any questions?}

Ryan will pass on anything Marigold sends back.

At the jail

Ryan appreciates the small talk by the sergeant but for the most part remains quiet, comparing the jail of today with the one he visited what seems like a lifetime ago but was only a few short months ago
perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

entering the jail, Ryan nods to Maavu "Any final words of repentance MAster Merchant, it appears your time is growing short"

Yes congrats on her acceptance and as Marigold says it won't last forever.

Sorry all, kinda have writer's block at the moment

Ryan listens as Kikinnin and Maxim discuss the taking over of Maavu's businesses, seemingly lost in thought.

"Others businesses beyond Maavus have closed their doors. Seems for all we have done we've still taken 3 steps backward at the end of the day."

Meeting up with the others after some sense of normalcy has returned Ryan will broach the subject of Ruben. Raising his glass in a toast to the others
"Friends, we've travelled far from home in the search of safety for our homes and to bring those who were lost back into the fold. Some have remained behind on our travels, but will catch up with us when the day is right, here's to that day."

drinking his beer, Ryan orders another round for the table. "Maxim, Juraan mention the Basilisk blood might return Ruben to normal, do we know where he is?"

Ryan will take his leave with a promise to check on Alek in the morning as he heads towards the training grounds. Retiring to the church library for the evening.
Seeing what he can find out about Occipitus and Maavu's investments.
Kn:History(Occipitus): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (3) + 5 = 8
Kn:History(Maavu's Holdings): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

His next couple of days will involve time in the training yard, his daily devotions and a great deal of time spent walking the streets of Cauldron
Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25
sense motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (7) + 18 = 25

Maxim did you see this previously.?

Maxim, I placed Ryans name beside the +1 bastard sword, with hopes of trading to the Church for Sarcem Delasharn's Abadar's First , will pass his own +1 Cold Iron Heavy Mace into the pot (4,324gp)

Posted last night but the system ate it.....

Maxim
Cloak of Resistance +1 upgrade
+2 = 1500gp, 3 days
+3 = 4000gp, 8 days

Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2
+4 =6000gp, 12 days - you'll have to assist on this one, Clerics don't have access to Cat's Grace or Fox's Cunning, Bears, Bulls, eagles and owls oh my yes, but not those two.

Alek

"How is your riposte swing doing? Have you finally controlled the balance with your shield?"

A somewhat sheepish grin crosses Ryan's face. "I can swing a sword but my riposte is still woeful. Can't seem to switch from the endweighting of my mace to the balanced swing of the sword, perhaps I should take up the axe like Kikinnin. The weighting would be the same however might have to worry about it getting stuck in something. My shield on the other hand is balanced quite well, I've been able to use it to maintain JJ's pretty face here when something else was trying to rearrange it. He has a habit of leaping in before looking." Ryan says with a friendly grin at JJ to remind the ranger he was joking.

"Ryan, I saw your connection with Abadar while fighting Nabthatoron. JJ here wants to know more about his grandmother. If she really is an angel, perhaps you are able right now to request her assistance, given Abadar's will"

"Thank you, It's hard to believe we are mixed up in things that could need an angel's help, but your suggestion makes sense and I'd probably do well to do some research"

Yes same as you can armor and weapons, although the belts like those typically go up in increments of 2.

"You appear better rested that you did when I last saw you Sir Alek, perhaps by the end of the week you'll be joining me in the training yard. I can help you return to form, much as you molded me when I was younger."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28 Ryan understands that Alek's physical issues are not the problem, but wants to see if he can distract him mentally from the shock to his self-confidence that the hags have given him.

Ryan can also craft Wondrous Items, belts gloves, ect... let me know if anyone is interested. His Caster level is 12 so he can create up to a +4 Cloak of Resistance, granted it takes time - 16 days for the example above from scratch. And the check is a 17 (5+CL12)

Think Ryan will create a belt of Physical Might (Str and Con) +2, will benefit him when he gets into melee (Str) and in absorbing others melee damage (Con).

Maxim hold off on Ryan's upgrades, Magic Weapon, greater can give him a +3 silver light mace if needed

"I name you Abadar's Shield, you are a Champion of the temple now, and this is your honor. You can pick it now"

"Thank you, Mistress Jenya, Keeper of the Vault, may I ever defend Abadar and Cauldron against enemies both within and without." Taking the Abadar's First from the shelf, he attaches it to his harness. "When was the Star of Justice last required Jenya? It glows as if it was laid upon the shelf just yesterday. "

Afterwards Ryan will leave to catch up with the others, seeking out both JJ and Kikinnin in the recovery to check on their charges Gemma and Alek. Happy to see both of them in much better condition than the previous time he'd seen them. "How are you feeling"

Heal check (Gemma): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Heal check (Alek): 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (16) + 15 = 31

GM, Ryan is checking to see if anything is still affecting them, outside of fatigue that would resolve itself with rest."

Ryan finishes his report to Jenya, thinking on the things she has said.

"While we were gone, a great deal has happened to us, but what has happened here in Cauldron. Who has been acting stranger than normal in the game of politics."

sense motive: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (13) + 18 = 31

Shaking his head in frustration. "We have been one or several steps behind from the beginning. We need to determine how best to get ahead of the Cage Wrights."

Unbuckling the bastard sword at his back, Ryan lays it on the alter they are standing by. "Jenya, this sword is celestial made and well fit for battle against the evils this church may face but I have not the training to put it to the use for which it is made, I would request Abadar's First, a weapon for which I am trained to defend the church and Cauldron with. Should Alek recover, this weapon would be fit within his hands."

Ryan nods to Kikinnin as he chooses to remain behind.

"Do we know who actually killed Todd Vanderboren? Since he was returning Maavu for trial one would think someone did not want Maavu brought back to Cauldron." Ryan ask Jenya before getting down to the report.

"We've been gone a while and a great deal has happened in that absence. We've been to Redgorge, the jungles of Sasserine, the sands of Osiris, and the Plane of Occipitus. Marigold and Juraan have remained behind in Occipitus for the time being. Marigold has been touched by the pane as evidenced by her now smoking eye, yet she is also ruler now.

The Plane of Occipitus was part of the Cagewright's plan to rule, so with Marigold in charge now they have lost that option."

I will need to right a whole new book for the remainder of everything we've done for the past 6-7 months.

edit**** Apparently it helps to hit submit

Ryan turns to Ruphus, Can you escort JJ to see his uncle? I'll report to Jenya, filling you in later. I'm sure Kikinnin would like to check in on Gemma and Maxim his Uncle Aldrick as well. I believe his hip flask is woefully short of rum these days." Ryan finishes with a smile.

Reaching down and picking up the golden coins, Ryan presents them back to the acolytes along with a few more.

"We have returned, but my uncle is not with us, I imagine he is either at home or checking on his various projects. Would you be kind enough to inform Mistress Jenya that we have returned. And where can we find Sir Alek Tercival?"

Maxim, I placed Ryans name beside the +1 bastard sword, with hopes of trading to the Church for Sarcem Delasharn's Abadar's First , will pass his own +1 Cold Iron Heavy Mace into the pot (4,324gp)

Looking around Ryan shakes his head, "Well we're back on Golarion anyways, and appears were back in the jungle once more. Unless you're deadset to chisel a bit of coin out of them in Redstone, I'm up for going back to the temple in Caudron and from there we can work the rest out."

"OK, Shall we head to Cauldron or Redgorge first? The elves took Alek back to Jenya in Cauldron, but things were changing dramatically when we came to Occipitus. If we go to Redgorge I can teleport us to CAuldron in 1 or 2 jumps."

GM, distance wise how far is it from Redgorge to Cauldron, anything less than 1200 miles and a single teleport will move us.

Kikinnin saw you posted while I was writing up the post but it was written to be stated earlier in the conversation.

BTW all and Kikinnin specifically, I enjoy the back and forth on the various topics throughout the past 11k+ post this group has put together. Looking forward to more in the future.

Just don't think quickly on my feet and takes me time to formulate coherent responses at times.

Speaking of delays, GM here is the update for Ryan's level up

Earlier in response to Kikinnin

If you have yourself a rabid dog, you can't let it go on its way if it doesn't bite you. It can bite the child down the street, or another animal, which will spread the disease. You have to put it down for the risk it represents.

Ryan realizes that Kikinnin's view is definitely more black and white on the subject of the undead proctor but make one final attempt to clarify his previous comment for the paladin.

"Dogs are often our companions from the small lap dog a lady might carry about with her to the wolfhound and mastiff that hunt for us or guard our homes, yet all of them from the littlest to the largest have the ability to bite the hand that feeds it, and we still use them to be our companion or work for us. Once they turn on us, become rabid, then we treat them different and move to protect those we love. Same as we would with a big cat or bear that lost their fear of civilization and come down from the mountain or in from the savannah and attack those within the town and farmstead."

"Good and evil come in varying shades, call one who is completely good pure white, while one who is wholly evil would be solid black, the others will fall in between because if you add even one drop of black to the pure white it's no longer pure white and vice versa, and likely right now you believe I'm more grey that you are. I just don't wish to kill the proctor for something it might do in the future but has shown no evidence of doing now, I've been taught to build the city and there are times that for the good of the city, possibly the plane in this instance, those who are not wholly good are needed to get the work done."

later speaking to Marigold

B-but I p-promise that if anything h-happens that I d-don't think I can handle...I'll b-bring myself to C-Cauldron. I can d-do that on my own, th-thankfully. It's just g-getting back to here that would b-be the hard part.

"No worries Marigold, I can bring you back and all of us can come as well. Probably would be good to pick up a scroll of Sending if one is not available on this plane. That way you an contact us if a full trip back to Cauldron is not necessary."

Same thing we said about Kaurophon. If they don't raise a hand to us, they're worthy of Abadar's mercy? Is that what you're saying, Ryan?

Shaking his head in the negative Ryan continues. "No, that not it exactly. I'm saying that were not in Cauldron anymore. At home the bear and the lion are both predators, in the right instance they will kill a man without remorse. If that man has traveled to the wilds and lost his life in the bear's hollow or the pride's savannah, then we do not blame the bear or lion for being evil. Yet if they come to our town or farm and begin to kill the livestock or our family they are considered evil.

could be wrong just haven't gotten the feeling we're supposed to take on the proctors of Occipitus, seems they are more or less functionaries/public servants

BTW, that is one body of work contained in the Campaign Index, and you've got to love some of those titles. Excellent work