Sasithorn Loom's page

“Virtue cannot separate itself from reality without becoming a principle of evil.”

― Albert Camus

“When authorities believe their own citizens will become dangerous, they begin to focus on controlling the public, rather than on addressing the disaster.”

― David Wallace-Wells

Zero-Gravity Champagne

"Every war when it comes, or before it comes, is represented not as a war but as an act of self-defense against a homicidal maniac. In our time political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible. But if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought. All the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.

We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear. In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act."

― George Orwell (1903-1950)

“Never put passion in front of principle; even if you win, you’ll lose. It's OK to lose to opponent. Must not lose to fear!”
― Mr. Miyagi

Schism is banned for "the Tamagoyaki-Tameshiwari Incident".

Pulg's bed contains a portal to the Plane of Shadow within the box spring.

KahnyaGnorc is Durotar's ambassador to Gnomeregan (or is it the other way around...?).

I don't have a problem with how things are but I think we're concentrating on the job in hand rather than getting to know one another at present...

Very good point.

As for me, I'm in the habit of revealing my character via the process of adventuring, and as I've said, I've been suffering an exceptional case of mental decay for years now.

I used to be a FANTASTIC role-player. For one thing, I'm a natural actor (at least, I used to be - I worry I've lost that, too, and I fear for my future and everything I've ever wanted to be and do in life). Ironically, getting involved with actual people is what dragged me down, since for far too long I was stuck in supposed 'gaming' environments that turned out to be actively hostile to anything beyond bean-counting. MMOs were a terrible mistake - good for a couple years, but quickly turning to shit circa 2007, and taking everything else with it. It dragged me down, and down, and down, and I've been fighting a losing battle as gaming in general has not only formed an organized culture (bad), but one that is actively tilted toward the new wave of LCD types (vastly worse).

I could say much, much more on the topic, but I HAVE been trying to say it for so long (you'll find plenty of it in my primary avatar's post history if you go back a few years), and with so little payoff and so much punishment for my efforts, that by this point I'm just about exhausted.

It wasn't clear what you wanted us to do. I'd rather it not end like this, I like my character, and I love playing in a world that ISN'T Golarion and ISN'T just Pathfinder Society with all its strictures.

It was very good for a while, I don't see why it can't continue. We came into this temple for a purpose, but we haven't been able to DO or FIND anything. You're right, it shouldn't just be hack-and-slash, I've had quite enough of that. Nobody's asking for that. I think we've been having a miscommunication problem.

It's not that; it's just that the dungeon's more than a bit spartan. No hints on where to go or stuff to do.

Sasithorn tries to ascertain whether the dark power he feels is stronger in any particular direction.

Perception, if that helps any: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22
I'll also flash Mystic Reflections (detect magic) if that helps.

Sorry for the delay.

Sasithorn likewise stands by to allow the monster the opportunity to escape, but readies another arrow of dusk should it choose to fight.

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14

Knowledge (Planes) to know about this monster?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27

"Really, who's to say which is the better option? Either or both could belong here...or neither. Same with such questions as 'friend or foe' or 'intelligent or bestial'."

I'm sorry, when did these "mystery robed blokes" show up?

Sasithorn continues to stare in the direction the creature fled, an expression of combined bewilderment and disappointment on his face. "That all...does stand to reason. Excellent point about the alcoves. But what if I were to pose you a counterpoint: That perhaps, rather than our no longer being in the temple, we are...MORE in the temple than we were before. Not merely an inner sanctum in the architectural sense, but, perhaps, the TRUE temple, where place of veneration meets object? I've already felt it...the darkness here is VAST. My magic will be at the height of its puissance here."

Any pertinent Knowledge checks I and others could try?

Sasithorn meets the thing's gaze, and begins addressing it....

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Sasithorn carefully creeps up behind Gwernach to see what he sees....

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (13) + 15 = 28

What kind of Knowledge check would be appropriate here?

Sasithorn is silent - but the expression of wonder so often in his eyes is particularly acute at the moment.

I will!

Knowledge (Arcana)?: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24
Knowledge (Dungeoneering)?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (17) + 9 = 26
Knowledge (Planes)?: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (17) + 13 = 30

"Funny things, curses; one can never be too sure what might provoke them. Sometimes they are a form of Justice...or just a sort of aggressive defense. These being Tanri Shar's halls, who can say which way such a wind might blow? I say give it a moment. Leave it with none but itself to blame should it pick a fight with us."

A couple minutes at most (the use of a notoriously vague term being deliberate) sounds reasonable. Either it will finish its meal and move on, or it will engage us - and if it chooses to do so violently, that will be on it.

I think we might be waiting to see what IT does. It looks like a tough cookie, and unlikely one whose first instinct is to socialize over dinner.

Maybe if you allowed us a Knowledge roll to potentially know what it is?

So have we "rested" rested since that last fight, or was it just a few minutes for a biscuit-break?

@DM: I forget; did we just rest?

"'Better night-vision?'" Sasithorn works a bit to restrain his laughter. "For some of us, there is no time when is visibility better!"

He accompanies apace with Gwernach...

Stealth: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (3) + 15 = 18
Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Sasithorn shrugs.

"I will trust your judgment in that, then." He looks over his shoulder as he follows Yildiri. "But perhaps later?"

I, for one, am sincerely still engaged, or at least I want to be; it's just the psychological deterioration I've been suffering for years - of course, I say *I've* been suffering from it, but I honestly can't tell where MY problems begin and other people's problems end anymore. I certainly didn't used to be this way. I used to be nothing short of a creative genius until I started getting punished for it in precisely the venues where it should have been most welcomed...but one thing you're never allowed to do is say there's some kind of hivemind effect dragging everybody down, whether it's true or not. You always have to blame yourself for anything bad you observe, continually taking on more responsibility while giving up more power...which means that if it IS a sort of mass psychological blight, you're basically force-fed it when you try to snap people out of it.

On a more concrete, discrete, immediate in-game level, my biggest problem is that I'm literally not sure where we're going in this temple; it's very spartan in here as you've described it, and our present quest is also a bit vague, so I don't think we don't know what to do.

Enjoy!

Sasithorn gladly takes a biscuit or two.

I'm not giving up! :)

As for the combat, your sentinels are a bit high on hit points; just shave a bit off, I guess, since you're mostly using custom monsters.

As for resting, as Gwernach suggested: I am neither for nor against it.

Arrow of Dusk, melee penalty, vs remaining sentry: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5
magic damage: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 9

"It's too bright in here, dammit...!"

Arrow of Dusk, melee penalty, vs remaining sentry: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
magic damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 4) = 8

Sasithorn zaps the guardian again, only for its own wild swing to drive its mass well out of the way of his attack.

Anyone here interested in also joining another short adventure?

It's a wacky-ass Yuletide slugfest one-shot kind of thing (that could hypothetically lead to something bigger, maybe) - details here.

I can scarcely overstate my admiration for your dedication.

Please move me 1 square up from my present location.

Arrow of Dusk, melee penalty, vs remaining sentry: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
magic damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 4) = 8

While there's no shortage of darkness in this place to direct against these things, and the absence of light is precious little obstacle to Sasithorn, the presence of bulky warrior flesh is a bit more of a problem.

5-foot step straight up.

Arrow of Dusk, melee penalty, vs remaining sentry: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
magic damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 1, 4) = 8

Darkness falls on the sentry...like a brick.

Wait, did I miss a round? I would have done something if I'd known I had a turn up. Please indicate when we have a turn.

Sasithorn attempts to impale the remaining sentry on the surrounding darkness.

Arrow of Dusk, melee penalty, vs remaining sentry: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
magic damage: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) = 12

Sasithorn once again sends his dark magic against the automaton....

I move however appropriate to stay just out of melee and with a clear line of sight; the figurines on your map don't appear to be where you say they are.

Arrow of Dusk (ranged touch attack), melee penalty, vs sentry attacking Yildiri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
magic damage: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3) = 6
Blessed be, critical threat!: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17
critical damage: 6d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 2, 4, 3, 2) = 17 + 6 = 23

Sasithorn steps back and twists the omnipresent darkness into a long, lance-like bolt to strike the sentry attacking Yildiri!

Arrow of Dusk (ranged touch attack), melee penalty, vs sentry attacking Yildiri: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 1 = 19
magic damage: 3d4 ⇒ (3, 4, 4) = 11

Keep on Truckin' - and Trekkin'!

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Pulg, GoatToucher, and JTDV are all savages - SAVAGES! Barely even human!

"If I were to hazard a guess, it sounds like more alien science. From what I've seen of it, it does tend to hum. Amazing it's managed to remain concealed all these years. You'd think at least a few of history's great adventurers would have...of course, maybe there's some great and terrible secret...." Sasithorn shrugs, ambivalent about the implications of what he's saying.

@DM: I'm having a bit of difficulty deciding who fits Sasithorn better: Moloween or Tanri Shar. I've had my patron down as Moloween for some time since that's who you told me about at the start, but aside from the "Justice" angle you mentioned, it seems like Tanri Shar might be a better fit for me in other ways.

Sasithorn approaches the base of the statue and stands looking up in silence for a moment.

"Ah, Tanri Shar...what secrets doth hide behind that smirk?"

Sasithorn keeps up.

KahnyaGnorc has copper-based blood, just like a horseshoe crab.

Sasithorn carefully studies the knickknacks with his esoteric sight.

"Ah! A restorative wand - power has mostly faded, but definitely some still there - and a bona fide Ring of Protection! Better than your typical specimen, too! Anyone object if I take it?"

Sasithorn makes his way to the others.

"I heard a struggle! What just happened?"