Sandstone's page

Thanks all! Apologies / gratitude again for everyone and especially GMMott coping with my growing distraction.

Fun times!!!

Yeah, sorry for the delay. The continued trauma of the American experience layered atop the new semester starting to make me completely forget about fun games and creativity. :/

Sandstone sets his jaw, marches ahead into flanking position, then drives his claws deep into the side of the remaining cat.

claw attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 1 = 25
claw damage (slashing): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Crit! 6 damage.

claw attack, iterative: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 9
claw damage (slashing): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Stride, Strike, Strike

Sandstone grimly stalks forward to take position beside Samar, growing fierce claws along the way.

Stride, Stride, Wild Morph

shambles, blinking at the sudden light, from Betwixtmas cave

Sandstone takes a deep breath of the clean, hot air before heading back into the cave after his friends.

Sandstone moves forward to join Tess and Samar, blowing a fresh set of lights out of his hands to help his friends see deeper into the cave.
"I'm ready for more if you are," he growls.

Gritting his teeth and snarling, Sandstone throws three more punches at the cyan goblin. "Glad you're here, Scratch!" he yells amidst the fray.

Prickly Pear Punch, inspired: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
Damage (B), inspired: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sirocco Cross, inspired: 1d20 + 5 - 4 ⇒ (12) + 5 - 4 = 13
Damage (B), inspired: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sagebrush Jab, inspired: 1d20 + 5 - 8 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 8 = 11
Damage (B), inspired: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sandstone gasps as Scratch falls to the cave floor. He immediately clutches his sagebrush and pinyon, thrusts it defiantly over his head, and shouts in a voice that sounds like the wind. As he does so, he remembers seeing desiccated, disjointed skeletons in his beloved desert, and projects this memory into his totem.

A warm wind suddenly blows from nowhere, smelling of sun-baked stone and sagebrush. Glowing sands, carried on the wind, blast the skeletons and settle gently on everyone's wounds.

Heal: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

◈◈◈ Heal

Some rules-lawyering here: I've drawn a circle on the map under the assumptions that "30-foot emanation" means 30-foot radius and that each grid square is 5 feet. If either of those is incorrect, please feel free to resize the circle appropriately. I'm pretty sure also that the circle has to be centered on me.

Secondly, I've attached the inspire bonus to the Heal roll on the theory that it is a damage roll to the skellingtons. Maybe the +1 bonus shouldn't apply to how much hp the living party regenerates. Either way, I think we all (except Scratch) are back to full hp, with this roll.

Finally, I think this removes Scratch's dying condition since he is now at nonzero hp.

Sandstone takes a quick mental inventory of all his weapons. "No fire, no cold, no wind, no blades... Hmm." He grins wickedly and raises two fists, then jumps into the fray with aqua skeleton.

Stride, Strike, Strike

Desert Haymaker, inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13
Damage (B), inspired: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Sun-on-Rocks Left Jab, inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 6
Damage (B), inspired: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

What's the big pink triangle on the map?

If I have low-light vision, do I need lights of some sort?

Sandstone cups his hands in front of his mouth and blows into them. Like dandelion seeds, four small lights emerge and waft gently across the cavern.

◈◈ Dancing Lights

Sandstone quietly busies himself with the usual morning preparations: stretching, feeling the wind, eating a breakfast. Despite trying very hard to pretend like everything is normal, his performance is marred by the persistent scowl plastered across his face.

As Scratch starts talking about tracking cats, he finally perks up a little, and goes to stand impatiently by the gate.

What are the mechanics for healing around a long rest? Do I just keep rolling medicine checks each hour? I spent my hero point during the fight, btw.

Sandstone sighs and settles down by the fire. "That could have gone a lot better," he grumbles, only mollified slightly by Loola's small yet mighty hug. He busies himself by making a few more herbal poultices and applying them to the various clawmarks amongst the scars littering his lean frame.

natural medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

The poultices don't seem to have their usual effect, though. Maybe the herbs in this desert just have different potencies, he thinks to himself miserably.

ayfkm these jerks are AC 18???

I'd also like to restore focus. And whoever else needs hp can feel free to roll me for it.

Sandstone rushes to Loola's side, heedless of his own wounds, fumbling in his bandoliers for his healing herbs.

Natural Medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

I think that's a critical success! Roll 4d8!

Breathing a sigh of relief, Sandstone settles back and treats his own wounds.

Natural Medicine: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14 Or not.

"I really, really want to know where that cat took that goblin," Sandstone growls. He starts casting about for traces of goblin blood or cat prints.

Track: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9

seriously with these rolls

Sandstone takes several rapid, deep breaths, trying to calm his racing heart, trying to still his blood, trying to hear the voice of the wind. In a sudden gust, the memory of Basuro Village drenches his senses: the scent of pine, the sound of children laughing, the brightness of snow, the sharp cold of a snowball hitting his fa--

Sandstone opens his eyes and smiles wickedly.

Breathing his thanks to the wind, he cups his hands around empty space, then blows between his thumbs. From the other side of his hands, paradoxical in the desert heat, his breath emerges as fog, then becomes a crystalline sparkle, then becomes powdery snow. He opens his hands to reveal a perfectly spherical, perfectly frozen snowball. Asking once more for the wind's guidance, he throws it with all his strength at the remaining cat.

◈ Guidance
◈◈ Snowball

spell attack (snowball), inspired, guidance: 1d20 + 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 + 1 = 17

thank the wind!! that better be a hit.

snowball damage: 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4

Yellow cat also takes a -5-foot speed penalty for 1 round.

Ok, I'm going to assume that Bloo is stabilized by that action and do another thing.

Watching the orange cat escape into the darkness, Sandstone howls in frustration. He steps toward the yellow cat and channels his rage into two clawed punches.

claw attack, inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11
claw damage (slashing), inspired: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

claw attack, iterative, inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (11) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 12
claw damage (slashing), inspired: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

This is not going great, pals

Sandstone, growling, dashes in the wake of the goblin-dragging orange cat and launches a furious assault with his claws.

claw attack, inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21
claw damage (slashing), inspired: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

claw attack, inspired, iterative: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 11
Yikes, hero point reroll.
claw attack, inspired, iterative: 1d20 + 4 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 1 - 4 = 16
claw damage (slashing): 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

◈ Stride
◈ Strike
◈ Strike

first of all, "crunch orc" is genuinely hilarious; secondly, aw hell, I didn't realize they could climb over fences

"Cat in the tents!!!!" Sandstone yells in a panic. He rushes to the orange cat, growing claws and trailing sand that evaporates before it hits the ground. He delivers a fierce blow as he arrives.

claw attack, inspired: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 4 + 1 = 17
claw damage (slashing), inspired: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

◈ Stride
◈ Cast wild morph
◈ Strike

Aye, sorry, this semester has been an absolute killer.

I think Scratch's plan sounds good. Maybe let's encircle the tent areas with new fencing? I think we can do each area with 8 fence segments each. I've put fence segments on the map as a draft which y'all should feel free to modify.

I left two gaps in each of the fence arrangements and I think it'd be nice to put fires there to discourage cats from ambushing fleeing goblins at those chokepoints.

Point of clarification: do the cats come from the north side of the river, or from the south?

Sandstone listens to Zig's account with a furrow on his brow. "What do you mean, the cats aren't natural? How can you tell?"

Even if the cats indeed aren't natural, Sandstone figures they still must make some mark on the local ecosystem. He goes poking around to deepen his understanding of how the ecosystem should be working, in order to spot anything that's out of place.

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16

If anyone else wants to roll me for healing, it's 1d20+7 for Natural Medicine. :)

Sorry for delays in posting. I caught some real-life aggro over the weekend.

Breathing heavily, Sandstone turns to Muckmuck. "Do they always target the wagons like this? Do they ever take things from the wagons, or do they just --" he gestures expansively "-- ruin them?"

Sandstone dashes to the green wagon and tries to stomp out the flames.

reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Having moved into melee range of Red, he snarls and thrusts his longspear.

longspear attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 4 + 1 = 24
longspear damage (piercing): 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

So that should be Stride, Reflex, Strike.

Spotting the sparkle of sunlight on glass, Sandstone hurls another ball of fire in the direction of Red Bandit, hoping to possibly ignite the vial before they manage to throw it.

produce flame attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 4 + 1 = 21 finally a decent roll!
fire damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 1 = 7

He follows this fireball with his second javelin, but misses high in his excitement.

ranged attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 1 = 10
piercing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

◈◈ produce flame (S,V)
◈ ranged attack

Sandstone aims another fireball at Cyan.

produce flame attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 4 + 1 = 13
produce flame damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8

He produces a second javelin and awaits another opportunity.

◈◈ produce flame (S,V)
◈ draw weapon

great song though

Popping up from behind the rock and his shield, Sandstone bares his teeth and hurls his javelin at Red.

ranged attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 4 + 1 = 15
piercing damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

"If you want fire," he growls, "I'll give you fire." He clenches his fist until small flames flicker between his fingers, then slings a ball of fire in Red's direction.

produce flame attack: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 1 = 8 Ugh, rerolling with hero point.
produce flame attack reroll: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11 Well that's not much better, but I'll roll damage just in case.
fire damage: 1d4 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 1 = 9

◈ ranged attack
◈◈ produce flame (S,V)

ooh that's a good long way away, isn't it

A rock next to a tree catches Sandstone's eye. "Cover," he nods to himself, and dashes to the rock. Ripping the shield from his back, he slams it atop the stone and readies a javelin. Eyes bright, fangs bared in a ferocious smile, he leans into nature and waits.

◈ Stride
◈ Raise Shield
◈ Draw Weapon (probably I think?)

Hi people, and thanks for your patience! In case you're curious: (a) Since I'm back to teaching in earnest, this slipped my mind until Bloo messaged me, and then (b) yesterday we had a large windstorm that knocked out power / internet for lots of people across the city. Fortunately my power never went out (for more than about five seconds, anyway), but my internet was down until just this morning.

Anyway, I'm excited to continue our adventures together!

Sandstone limps along behind the others, quietly nursing his sprained dignity, cursing his acting luck. Next time there is any sort of performance, he thinks, I'm staying well out of it.

-- oasis time!

The oasis is an intriguing biome. From his background in the desert he fiercely loves, Sandstone knows the importance of water, and the curious truce between predator and prey that usually prevails around watering holes. A gentle breeze blows over the water, and Sandstone turns into it, opening his senses to any information it carries.

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17

Three cheers for Hmm!!!!

Sandstone bows deeply to Dorobu, honored by his kind gift.

Later, after some clandestine and rather unsuccessful sword practice, he casually mentions to the rest of the party, "Would anyone find this sword usefu -- Bloo I don't think that's a good idea --"

Herbalism Lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

Dorobu grabs at Sandstone. "Oh crap. I am hearing the trees. What's happened to me? I'm a wizard, not a druid!" He looks pleadingly at Sandstone. "Aren't I?"

Sandstone smiles again. "Well," he replies, "it's clear you have a deep connection with nature. A jade relic called to you; you animated the snowmen; your roots are deep in the Forest of Spirits. What you do with that connection, though, is up to you."

He pauses, breathing deeply, listening to the wind in the trees, feeling the gentle hum of spring, watching Dorobu struggle with conflicting emotions.

"I can't tell you what to choose," Sandstone says after a long while. "The best advice I can give is: Be true to yourself, and care about others."

"Oh," he says, as a new thought strikes him, "and when someone tells you that you must choose between two things, consider that another answer might be neither -- or both."

He winks, and perhaps due to the lingering influence of the kami, it's the best wink he's ever done.

Later, once things have quieted down a little, Sandstone beckons Dorobu over to the largest tree he can find in the immediate vicinity of the village. He places his hand reverently on the tree and invites Dorobu to do the same.

"Shhh," he says. "Quiet your mind. Listen to your breath." Sandstone demonstrates by closing his eyes and taking several deep breaths; a slow smile spreads across his face like meltwater over frozen ground. "Now... what do you hear from the tree?"

Sandstone attempts to back up Grams's words by fixing the kitsune boy with a piercing glare, but keeps being distracted by the rapid growth of the beautiful spring flowers.

Dang, Hmm! Get feeling better!!

Anybody else having weird issues with formatting not showing up on the gameplay thread? I'm on Chrome.

Makes it so I can't see who's next in the order, in particular. :/

◈ Strike
◈◈ produce flame (S,V)

Claw attack: 1d20 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 4 + 2 = 26 Heyo!
Slashing damage (crit): 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10
Produce Flame attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Dang.
Fire damage: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Sandstone grits his teeth and swipes at BIG GREEN with his claws, sinking deeply into the bark. He then conjures up a ball of flame, but his fingers are a little stiff from the cold and the snow and the ball goes out like a blown-out match.

Sandstone catches Tess's flanking maneuver out of the corner of his eye. Through his connection with the kami, he gently suggests to the trees that they might attempt to aid her.

Nature: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 13

Yes excellent I love me some short-form fiction

Sandstone bows to Ti Lan and Lin Po and heads off after Scratch. Thinking of something, he stops and points out a particular tree. "The leaves of that tree are good for helping bruises fade." He attempts to wink but it's not great as he's out of practice. "I call it bruiseleaf."

Sandstone nods thoughtfully. "This explains a lot," he says. "The trees around here have too much life force -- maybe arcane, maybe natural. A powerful relic linked to the trees makes sense."

"I'm Sandstone," the half-orc bows. He reaches for his satchels of herbs and asks, "Can I assist with your wounds?"

Do I do a medicine check for healing npcs? If so, and if they accept:

omg grams "shoo bad dog" looolllll

Sandstone grows claws and runs toward the nearest stone dog. While running, he calls on the memories granted to him by the kami to see if he can learn anything about the natural forces that might be animating the stone dogs.

Nature: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 2 = 18

◈ wild morph
◈ Stride
◈ Nature check

I should have noted the replenishment of my focus point when we slept at the village but forgot, so now I'm just back down to 0/1.

Sandstone lies on his back, panting, staring wide-eyed into the clouds. "That was amazing," he says, "and I know where the relic is."

He explains the spirit's tale to the rest of the party, then frowns thoughtfully. "I wonder if the fox boy animated those dogs like he animated the snowmen."

Sandstone nods to the spirit inside. It's not right, is it? he thinks. He tries to picture the energy of spring, but sped up, jerky, too much.

He imagines a small creek, and he imagines himself walking upstream, tracing the flow back and back as the creek shrinks until he comes upon the spring. Sending this picture to the kami, he asks, Do you know where the source is?

Thanks to the villagers' inspiration, I made congee

Nature: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Sandstone gasps as he sees the spirit, and a smile of wonder spreads across his face. Filled with anticipation and reverence, he walks closer to the spirit, bows deeply, straightens, and holds out his upturned hand.