Sal, the SalesBold's page

Thank you again for running!

"Thank you, Jaware. May the light of your divine guidance never fade, and may you see great profit in your future."

Back at the City

"It might be better to go back to Absalom and get some more training. When the recruiter mentioned the possibility to me, I took advantage of it. It was an expense-paid trip to the City in the Center of the World and while some of the training was difficult it was helpful for learning the ropes. In addition, one cannot discount the resource opportunities for working with the Schools, Drante."

At L1 things can be swapped around a little bit, up until the first game played at L2. My personal experience with Field-Commissioned is that it gives too little for what it grants. That being said, I have characters that are Field-Commissioned for story reasons. For records sake, Sal is affiliated with the Scrolls school.

Sal is an accountant and happens to be fluent in Osiriani. He navigates the twisty turns of fiduciary writings to attempt to check some books of the local population.

Accounting Lore: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (15) + 6 = 21

"An exemplary job, Master Mission Narrator. Particularly because of the other factors one was dealing with at the time. Your dedication to your craft is commendable, and hopefully in the future the situation will not be nearly so grim."

Thank you very much for running and for letting me tag along. May things get better in the days and weeks ahead!

Khagra's brevity and straightforward actions are a welcome change to Sal's posturing!

While I have the ACP banked, if Sal bites it I may let it stick to help drive my point home that lower level scenarios are stupidly overtuned. Still thinking about that.

"Free is ANATHEMA! Nothing in life is 'Free', heretic!" Sal snarls inspiringly!

Inspiring Courage

The kobold then throws more lightning at the Div.

Electric Arc: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 2 + 1 = 4 DC 15 due to Frightened

Inspiring Courage, Electric Arc

"Keep at them, don't let them out!"

Sal holds up his hands palms facing towards the creature and crackling energy emanates from them!

Electric Arc(Inspire) DC 16 Basic Reflex: 1d4 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 1 = 7

Inspire, Electric Arc (2 actions) For some reason any other uses of the spell previously had been possibly using an untrained versus trained modifier, which has been corrected.

If Sal doesn't have to 're-up' the Inspiration, he's going to Stride back 25 feet to the entrance hallway. Place marked by white +.

"So speaking hypothetically, what would it take to hit the thing with lightning that we're fighting right now? Asking for a... friend."

"Oh, the goggles? Why. thank you, they're Galtan. Not often I get compliments on their aesthetics. Don't know why you'd want to hide behind a sandstorm from them unless you're AFRAID of beautiful art. Alright folks, let's get this done!" Sal's booming voice calls out even as he conjures a familiar shield of magical energy in front of him.

Lingering Composition(Perform): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

Inspiring Courage, Lingering Performance, cast Shield

"Jaware, this requires a person of faith to shut down, not an accountant!" Sal bellows.

'Keep up the pressure, don't let it die in the circle!"

Remaining action spent to Inspire

Sal steps up to the circle and attempts to discern a way to shut it down/disable it, if possible using his knowledge of the arcane and occult. If it requires a more primal or divine approach he'll offer that as a suggestion to the team.

Step, Recall Knowledge: Arcana, Recall Knowledge: Occult

"This is INCREDIBLY inefficient. Where are the quality cultists these days? I swear. Get this done, folks! Drante, what would the arbiters think if you were in court in Cheliax?"

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14

Inspire Courage, Soothe on Drante. Really don't want to do it but Drante is in Ye Olde Dangere Zone.

"Khagra, don't let the last one fall in/on the circle!" Sal shouts as he moves and glances at Drante.

"Hey, no one said court was in recess! Get back up to the podium!" the accountant shouts at the lawyer.

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Step, Cast Soothe

"Nothing quite like a cliffhanger for dramatic effect!"

"The help is going to be at some charity fundraiser this weekend -- my deity isn't quite sure how to parse that but it may hamper my response time a bit."

Going to be at a fundraising convention in the Twin Cities this weekend, won't have access to reliable internet and working from a five year old tablet at best.

Sal hears Jaware drop and shakes his head. "That's not optimal. Get your tail back up!"

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 Soothe Jaware also gets +2 to mental saves for one minute

Step, Cast Soothe on Jaware(2 Actions)

Also, I believe Inspiring Courage is up from Sal's previous turn of actions??

Sal steps up into the room using Khagra for cover.

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"And now you see the inherent flaws with the cultist system. The clearly superior methodology of the Pathfinder Society far surpasses that of which these fools partake -- falling prostrate at the mere suggestion they do so."

Stride, Lingering Composition, Inspire Courage

"Not quite sure what we're supposed to be doing here. Is this the sort of problem I have the help handle?"

Is this role-playing/puzzle or are we supposed to make rolls?

Occultism: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

"Ooh, that looks painful... and that FEELS painful... owwww. And that... that heresy -- no-scales are not built for... that's NOT hugging.... ugghhhhhh I can see now why these cultists are so. messed. up!"

Performance: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"Ah, after the horrible hot days in the desert, it is so refreshing to have a nice chill to the air, don't you think? It's almost as if they'd planned this FOR us, that we might better relax and enjoy the location. Very, very thoughtful, indeed. Why, I may have to up my review of this place to four stars from the lowly two I initially had it pegged at..."

Intimidation: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24

"You ARE NOT the true masters of this locale. Cease this prattling AT ONCE lest the consequences consume you whole with draconic IRE!" Sal bellows with a mixed tone of annoyance and wrath.

My suggestion would be to examine this entire level if possible before delving further. We don't have enough resources to do a full grid, so that would be the next best method."

Assume Sal is doing what is necessary to perform this task with Seek action unless the rest of the party wants to go to the next floor. In that case, he'll go with the rest of the team.

Society (Expert): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12 F. F. S.

"Well, it's too expensive to be easily carried away. Either the oasis dried up or it got polluted -- I'm leaning on polluted based on the moldering remains..."

"Might not have gotten a chance. I'm still camping on the 'eaten by their summoning' ticket." Sal offers with a bit of a wry tone.

"Also, do we really desire to effectively lock ourselves in with who-knows-what nasty things are in the rotten debris?"

Alas, Sal does not have a skill that would be applicable here,

"Want to Buy: A die roll with double digits. Lowest price requested, as I am a poor Pathfinder starting out."

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Sal says nothing -- opening his mouth in the maelstrom would be enough to get a mouthful of sand which he truly does not want.

So we're in a desert so Sal is throwing some more shade to back up Drante's efforts :P

"I think it's less that and more they 'grabbed whoever' which is a horrible way to plan out missions. An organization as large and developed as the Society could do better at this, one would think?"

"True. However, they wouldn't be continuing to release other sinister things, at least? Sal offers as a counterpoint.

Perception: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19

Sal is extra-wary after the stupid sand trap.

He's also rather philosophical about the whole trip -- worst case the team doesn't get to wherever in time, and the cultists get eaten by whatever wants them to do whatever they've been doing.

"Should have sent a more experienced team."

Hopefully not the epitaph for us on the Wall.

Looks like Reflex Save is the best modifier Sal has Barring difficulty changes for having an actual skill (Athletics at +5)...

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10 Well, crap.

Sal doesn't have nearly enough surface area to spread out his weight and starts to fall into the looser area.

"It is an amazing work of art, Seda. Whilst I venerate my deity's teachings to 'never offer a free lunch' in the form of your rescue, that doesn't mean I can't tell everyone I know about what a master craftier you are, and recommend you highly for your work. In fact, I wish to commission your work for a few pieces I have planned out, if you're amenable..."

Sal was shouting Osiriani at the cultists earlier in the fight. He's fluent in it, and a former accountant. ;)

"Some things never change over the ages. The book may have as much value as the amazing shawl for historical reasons. Do you know any more about eggs and hash, Jaware?"

eggs and hash = Aghash in case there's confusion

I apologize for my sporadic posting this week.

I've had a particular difficult month... on Sept 8 I was rear-ended and my car was totaled. I am doing ok, with only minor whiplash symptoms.

Then, last Tuesday, Sept 21, after a heavy rain, the sump pump in our house failed, and our basement flooded. We got it under control pretty early, with only a couple square yards of drywall being lost, as well as the carpet. Nonetheless, it is going to be a significant cost, and a major bother.

I'll keep doing my best, but just wanted you all to know.

Sneaks in while Sal is distracted...

My mom was rear-ended about two decades ago, and tried to soldier through thinking it was just some small aches and pains to one ankle and her upper back. She's been regretting that decision for at least a decade. Hope you heal up soon. Sump pump failure is horrible, too.

"Greetings, Seda and Rasool Alame. Were you part of a caravan or other organized travelling group moving through the desert?" Sal inquires as he glances over the team members and the newlymates to determine who needs medical care -- the cultists are very low on his priority list.

After all, such uncivilized cult behavior undermines the common trust that promotes the development of Greater Works.

At some point, we should check the bodies for loose change, just sayin'... :P

"Keep them off of me, I'm going for the hostages!" Sal bellows. He then slides up to try and pull the apparent female human out of the water.

Stride, Attempt to grab apparent human woman, Attempt to Grab apparent human woman and/or reposition her to not drowning spot

Athletics(Grab/Interact): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22

Athletics(Move/Interact): 1d20 + 5 - 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 - 5 = 20

Argh. Crap. Player saw Khagra keep getting migraines and wanted to make migraines stop!

REVISED Turn Action (because Khagra's a brick superhero)

"Khagra, keep the pressure up and save those folks We'll get the rest of them!"

Electric Arc (DC 16 Reflex) for White and Yellow : 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Revised Turn due to new information that wasn't parsing to player: Cast Electric Arc, Stride

"Khagra, you're tougher, rougher, and all-around far more attractive than these corpse-loving monsters. Let this thought carry you through this fight!" Sal offers encouragingly to the orc while pointing at him.

Verbal, Somatic actions to cast Soothe on Khagra

Soothe: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7 Khagra also gains a +2 to saves versus mental effects for 1 minute

"Free the hostages." Sal then intones as he strides up to the white-clothed human.

Heading to work, will be able to post if action advances by 1500 CDT.

"Who said anything about SAVING them?" Sal snarks in Osiriani as he strides closer, then holds his hands in front of his mouth as if play-acting a dragon using their breath. They try to get the arcing 'breath' to land on the white and yellow clothed humans.

Stride, Cast Electric Arc (Verbal, Somatic))

Electric Arc (DC 16 Basic Reflex): 1d4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

I, likewise, will potentially be slowed down during Gen Con, as I'm doing a standby GM role Thursday and Sunday (and I'm RL-job working the other two days at odd hours).

"Now THAT is completely uncivilized. And ironic." Sal shouts in Osiriani. Really? Drowning someone in a desert?

Given the sudden need for a change in tactics, Sal attempts to zip along the perimeter to get to the oasis unopposed.

Stride (Green), Stride(Yellow), Stride(Red)

"I'll keep my eyes open for you on the flanks... over here. Remember, if it looks like a trap, it probably has two other traps with it." Sal offers helpfully.while holding back just a smidgen so the more perceptive sorts can do whatever it is they're going to do.

Sal takes the mid-watch or third watch on most rotations, as that's the best time for his poor eyes to recover from the horrible brightness during the day. He was waiting to see what the others wanted first.

"It's a shame we have senses dependent on light on our team. If we had a complete team of individuals who could see at night we could do a hybrid of travel, half during the day and half at night, and use the cooler night for the back portion as we got tired. Will have to make a note of that idea should the optimal Pathfinder team ever arises for it."

During travel Sal keeps an eye out, and when the party is camped takes copious detailed notes on the travel of the day, along with any observations or witticisms that the party shares.

Sal, being a kobold AND a Pathfinder as well as an archaeologist picks up a few more items for... 'insurance'.

"These two are useful for dealing with undead Ghost Charge, Lesser. These other two may be recognizable from the flame on their label Alchemist Fire, Lesser.

It never hurts to have a little bit of extra water just in case, and I've also acquired another fifty feet of rope to round my personal stash of rope to one hundred feet."

His 'traveling clothes' are now covered in a loosely flowing series of cloths Hot weather gear.

Sal's picking up some hot weather clothing; two extra canteens for water; 50' of rope (to bring his total rope to 100'); two lesser ghost charges; two lesser alchemist fires. He isn't going to try and haggle merchants down past 'accepted' prices (CRB) -- that's a good way to get watered down or ineffective items.

While Drante takes more of a sour pose, Sal goes for a crisp yet conciliatory stance...

"While my compatriots are a bit rough about this, the concern of a 'false flag' that was cunning enough to fool the experts cannot be overlooked. And as pointed out, it's much better to ensure all known facts of a given situation first before walking into said situation."

"As you say, though, we ARE Pathfinders, so we also need to discover the unknown aspects of this equation that it might add up correctly in the end. Hopefully our jaded experience has not ruined future interactions with the esteemed Gol Amri nor the august personage of Prince Zinlo."

"Speaking of, are there any cultural touchstones we should be aware of locally lest we step on toes while gearing up for this expedition?"

Unfortunately, not yet from this corner..

Sal is impressed at the briefing method, though a bit disappointed at the lack of a 'personal touch'. Despite the disappointment, he moves along with the party and when Jaware does the introductions Does Not Interrupt.

When someone is in the moment, you let them have the moment, bolster them if they need it. Attempting to manage well-honed actions and reactions is a recipe for failure. he thinks as the party travels.

"Greetings, Gol Amri. May Prince Zinlo's and your city's hospitality never fade. I would be Sal -- I'll spare you the Draconic iterative for it is quite harsh for some to speak." Sal will offer politely with a slight bow before turning to listen to the tale of Kida Ameen.

"You mentioned that there are three keys and three families. Have you heard of/from the third of the families of late? And have you heard of any curses or other safeguards beyond the keys that guard this 'wealth' of legend?"

"What sort of techniques do these 'Usij' employ, that we might be better prepared to face them? Are they a known quantity, or will we likewise be gathering information on them for the Prince to better eliminate any other groupings of them in the future?"

"Experience being the teacher that it is, one could reasonably expect that more advanced techniques require a firm understanding of fundamentals first. Not the sort of thing easily pursued whilst holding down an occupation." Sal offers thoughtfully.

"After all, cities aren't built in a day."