Serena, the Hyperborean's page

It's with a lot of regret that I'm announcing I have to pull out of all my games - I simply don't post often enough, and I'm actually kind of afraid of posting in PbP. No, I don't know why (it's clearly irrational); I like the games, I like the characters, and I like the other players. You're all wonderful. The problem is obviously me, and none of you deserve to have me dragging you down. I'm sorry I cannot be better. If anyone wants to chat or just say hi, I'm active on Discord, and you can find me on the Drop Dead Studios server (a link is available through the Spheres of Power Wiki).

Sorry for the delay. o wo;;; Is all my fault. But yeah, a basic ray is probably the best thing for me to do regardless, since I'm still working up to proper battlefield magic.

"Not on a battlefield scale." Serena admitted. "That's high-level magic. I might be able to whittle down a commander if I can get close enough, but that's about it. Even so, a rabble of tieflings against a force of trained Paladins? I don't think that's even a contest, even if they do outnumber us twice over. Trained soldiers will smash a mob every time, and you need many more foes to start evening the odds. Hit hard and hit fast, and we'll have victory."

I appreciate the lowered consumption. XD That helps a lot, given the, uh, lack of good supply lines around here.

"Well, let's get to know the staff, shall we?" Serena said brightly as the army headed out. "They kept telling me that armies should be very familiar with who's who, and that's especially true for the officers and support staff."

"I'm pretty sure we know a good scout." Serena said as Arianna spoke up. "Assuming she's interested in coming with us, anyway." With that, she glanced towards a certain figure who'd been with them in the underground.

"I'm pretty sure we have enough levitation to get in, at least." Serena said, nodding to answer the question. "I don't suppose you know anything that could help your sight, Sir Aravashnial? You would be a most welcome help. I don't suppose any of the clerics with the Queen's armies could help...?"

"Sneaking in and opening the gates often works." Serena observed. "Buuuut frankly, I think we need to see the target itself before creating a final plan. You never know when peculiarities of the terrain will interrupt a given plan." After a brief, thoughtful pause, "But I do usually prefer invisibility and flight to enter from above. Even demons often have a hard time defending against that, especially when they're not alert."

Excellent choice for this game. XD

I'm not saying someone should have Profession (Soldier), but someone should definitely have Profession (Soldier). XD

Serena leaned over to Thrall, keeping her voice too quiet to be heard by the troops, though loud enough for the rest of her closer companions to hear. "I think we are. But which of us is at the top?" she said quietly. "Traditionally, it would be a Paladin, but if someone knows more about leading soldiers..."

Serena nodded. "You don't win a war with demons by staying on the defensive. I like the plan." she said agreeably.

"Lord is a little much for most of us, I think." Serena said, just loudly enough for the innkeeper to hear. Then, a little lower, "You know how, um, enthusiastic some nobles can get about the right use of titles. With the army here, best to keep it as neutral as possible, just to be on the safe side."

My saves are +4, +5, +6. But more importantly, I can craft. If we've got the resources... who wants gear? XD

Hearing Thrall's words, Serena spoke in a rather loud whisper. "It's true, don't keep Queens waiting. She's got a lot to do as it is." the sorceress noted, clearly in favor of seeing her as soon as possible.

I'm ready! I'll need to doublecheck my level to be sure that's right, but otherwise, I'm ready to go.

I'm pretty sure this game isn't using Spheres of Power - although it probably could, if anyone wants to. I mean, we have Mythic Spheres of Power rules now and everything. (If nothing else, I'd encourage using the Mythic Traditions. They're cool.)

I think I'm GMT-8? West Coast of the US, anyway. Discord is generally no problem for me.

I'm also the administrator of the Spheres of Power Wiki there, and I'm uploading some additional rules from those books. Please feel free to ask if you have any questions about the material. XD (It's generally solid stuff. Lots of mythic feats, spells, et cetera, plus suggestions for avoiding the common problems.)

As you've probably noticed, I'm the party's Sorcerer. o wo/ I've got a 3PP bloodline (Hyperborean), although honestly it's pretty mild as third-party options go. XD Mostly just supports my selection of light-based spells.

If we can find a new GM, I'd love to keep playing!

"There are only so many plans you can handle, though." Serena opined. "The Crusades haven't held out this long by being something the demons can just growl at or trick, however chaotic they may be."

Serena, too, waited near the back. Following protocol was important - if she had something to contribute (and she didn't yet), she'd just get some attention at that point. Greed and selfishness were the demons' way, not hers.

It's kind of weird how few groups actually get this far. XD

Is that one character with a bonus feat, or everyone?

"Well, I have a few ideas for large-scale rebuilding..." Serena noted as she tottered along with the others. "And I want to see if there's any news from the army. All this can't have gone unnoticed."

Wild Arcana's errata put a limit on the casting times for spells you can use with it - to 1 standard action, I think. That cuts out some of the long, powerful ritual-type spells that were formerly available, and that's a good thing. XD As someone using it, I think the original was too strong. ...As someone who's written a published mythic product, I still think the original was too strong, and did something else for casters.

Huff. Huff. Huff.

Serena didn't have the kind of stamina that some people did, and it showed. She looked exhausted, though a bit better after the flood of energy that had moved into their bodies. "One of these days... mark my words... I'm gonna make a ton of healing wands." she said. "I'll keep watch while you heal."

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (12) + 10 = 22

Serena: Sorcerer 6
Total HP: 46

FCB: +2nd Level Spell Known (I have no idea why I didn't grab Burst of Radiance earlier - it fits her so well)

Mythic Path: Archamge (Surprising nobody - matches her campaign trait)

Archmage Arcana: Wild Arcana (I'm assuming we're using the pending errata, so this would be a standard action with a smaller spell list, not the bonkers broken thing it is now)

Path Ability: Eldritch Breach (As pretty much the main caster, Serena is really good at penetrating spell resistance)

Mythic Feat: Mythic Persistent Spell (...And at this point, I feel like I've invested all I really need to into making darn sure I can pierce the defenses of the demonic foes I expect we'll be fighting. XD)

I've run combats like that. XD Dice just don't favor the enemy and end up making them way underperform the expected curve.

"I can keep going for a little while!" Serena called as she unleashed another trio of magic missiles at the one brawling with Bitey. Still, she only had so many spells left - and might yet need some for later.

Force Damage: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (1, 1, 4) + 3 = 9

Serena focused, gathering energy around the swirl of her metamagic rod before unleashing another torrent of energy towards the demons. Every bit helped - and she was aiming for the strongest.

Piercing Magic Missile: 3d4 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2, 4) + 3 = 12

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13

Seeing the demons hit a bit, Serena focused - but with a shower of bright sparks, her magic fizzled as she failed to cast more cautiously. Not a good time for that!

Serena clutched one hand tight, then threw out another Glitterdust spell, aiming to cover the demons as best she could and blind them if possible, leaving them open to followup strikes from the many warriors within their group.

Light. Brilliant, blazing, everlasting light. It burst from Serena's body as her power responded to the energies surging around, brighter even than the others surrounding her as daylight itself seemed to walk beside her.

Magic wasn't everything. A sword through the stomach would kill you as surely as a word of power. But it could certainly go a long ways... and if her power was for anything, it was for bringing hope and light to those who needed it. The fatal flaw of the darkness was that it retreated from even the smallest sources, and she had far more light than that.

Sorcerer Level 5
FCB: +1 spell known
Feat: Persistent Spell (not so good now, but should be handy later)

New Ability: Incandescent Soul (Never worry about needing Daylight spells again... XD)

Serena wasted no time at all in hurling a pair of Magic Missiles at the caster to try and disrupt their concentration - the fewer spells their foes could cast, the safer her companions would be.

Magic Missiles: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25

The curse shot towards Serena's mind - and shattered against the force of her will. "I'm not going to let you win that easily!" she called, shooting out another burst of fire towards him.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16 for Fire Damage: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (6, 6) + 2 = 14

Noticing the caster in the back casting, Serena raised one hand and sent a bolt of light shooting forward, trying to at least weaken him and keep him on the defensive so the others could do their work.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 for Fire Damage?: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (2, 2) + 2 = 6

Before everyone rushed forward, Serena flicked her Piercing Metamagic Rod up and pointed into the room. "For the light!" she called, detonating a Glitterdust spell within the crowd. (Centered in the middle of the four green foes.)

Glitterdust: Will DC 17 vs Blinded for 4 rounds. Piercing: Treats Spell Resistance as 5 lower if they have it. Any Invisibility is not very useful.

Serena held up one hand, concentrating magical energy onto it. "Ready when you are." she said, comfortable in her roll supporting others.

As Thrall's body got close enough to her, Serena reached into her bag, then poured her Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds into his mouth. "Come on, you're not done yet!" she told him.

Potion of CMW (Thrall): 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 1) + 3 = 10

Incidentally, if anyone's interested in taking a look, I've started adding content from the Mythic Character Codex to the Spheres of Power Wiki. I plan to eventually get to the creatures and stuff, too, in case the GM wants to throw anything new at us. XD

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 4) + 2 = 10

A moment after casting her spell, Serena called out "Pull the body back here!" As she spoke, she pulled out a potion, getting ready to administer it.

"You all know what to do! I just need a glimpse!" Serena called, unable to push past so many people to unleash her magic. Once they all got up, she'd be in a much better spot.

Holding action for now. Will ascend and cast Magic Missile if I can.

Magic Fang isn't on my list, but I do have good UMD and can probably cast it.

Assuming You Want Me To, UMD: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26

Serena followed at a cautious distance, ready to throw out magic to help but otherwise quite mindful of the fact that she was not as observant as some other people. Keeping your place in the formation was important.

"I've got one potion." Serena said, holding up a bottle. "One of these days, I need to find a wand for us..."

I've got a +3 in it. ...Not a fantastic score, but there's a lot of planar threats here, so it's not a terrible investment.

Serena knew better than to dive into a brawl - but she kept her magic at the ready in case it was needed further. The sooner that was all taken care of, the better.

Well, it seemed like things were wrapping up. One of these days, I need to get me a cleric. Serena thought - right before sending a pair of magical missiles into the stag demon.

Magic Missiles: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 2) + 2 = 8

Thrall didn't seem to be having any problems, so Serena shrugged and shot a bolt of fire towards the red minion. If nothing else, she could probably wear it down.

Ranged Touch Attack: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

...Or not.

A moment after Arianna lashed out, Serena sent a series of magical darts into the stag demon's hide, aiming to at least soften it up and make it easier to land a finishing blow.

Magic Missile: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (3, 3) + 2 = 8

"Got it!" Serena flipped her rod up into her hand as she stepped to the side and pointed at the halberd demon. Two glowing missiles shot out of the end of the rod a moment later, arcing through the air to smash into the demon as it cast. She wasn't sure if she needed the rod or not, but... best to be safe when she was trying to disrupt foes.

Piercing Magic Missiles: 2d4 + 2 ⇒ (4, 3) + 2 = 9

Know Arcana (Identify Spell being Cast): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
vs SR? (Piercing Spell - Treats Target's SR as 5 lower; representing it here as just a +5 bonus so we don't have to muck about more with the numbers): 1d20 + 4 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 4 + 2 + 5 = 26