Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon contents herself with life in Kassen: helping out at the Seven Silvers, spending time with her fellow heroes, and enjoying admiration and acceptance from the townsfolk that she had always craved. This suits her - for a time. After recovering from her adventure to defeat the Razmiri cultists, Shirzon grows restless in her small home town. She packs up, says her goodbyes, and sets out again for Tamran.
Back in the city, Shirzon seeks out the Pathfinder Society. She meets up with Reginar and takes on field work, ever seeking mysteries and fighting against threats around Lake Encarthan, but always returning to Tamran to report her adventures and visit Asina. She proves a capable agent, facing numerous close calls but always managing to get out of a tough scrape with her team's lives intact. Working with other Pathfinders wins her new friends (or at least begrudging respect, depending on the person), but it never feels quite the same as the bond she formed with the others from Kassen. She still writes them letters when she's not working on reports or on missions, of course, but those early days hold a special place in her memories.
After years of experience, having traveled all over the Inner Sea and survived mortal dangers (although she does acquire an eyepatch after a particularly nasty trap), Shirzon feels ready to pass on her knowledge to other, newer Pathfinders. The Pathfinder Society, recognizing Shirzon's experience and expertise, promotes her to a Venture-Captain. She stays in Tamran for a little while, but decides to leave and form her own lodge. With the substantial wealth she's carefully saved over the years, she heads north west and follows Kassen's example by forming her own town. Her new home, which she names Beacon in a drunken moment of sentimentality, sits on the border between Nirmathas and the Hold of Belkzen as a hopeful experiment where humans, orcs, and half-orcs alike can live and trade in (sometimes tentative) peace. After some careful negotiation with both words and steel, Shirzon establishes her new town and builds a tavern in the center to be her new Pathfinder lodge: The Quarter's Hall. Under Shirzon's leadership and with aid from the Pathfinder Society, Beacon grows from a plot of borderland dirt to a proper town, a gateway and haven inhabited by both Nirmathi and orcs willing to trade and abide by a cautious truce. Whether it will last remains to be seen, but as long as Shirzon keeps her (remaining) eye on things, kids like she used to be will have a place to go.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
I'm also working on my closing post. Giuseppe has got a pretty good read on Shirzon's plans for the future, I gotta say, but I'm thinking I'll throw a little twist on it.
Thanks for a great ending to a great PbP, everyone! Giuseppe, thank you for all your hard work and an excellent campaign. I hope you enjoyed running it as much as I enjoyed playing it! Likewise thanks to the other players, for making a great team and putting up with all of Shirzon's scowling. :)
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon takes in ragged breaths as the fiery form shrinks back down to Iramine. She takes a moment to let everything sink in as she watches the Jewel roll away. She lets her weapons drop to the ground and runs to the nearby Calden, throwing her arms around him in a hug. She repeats this with Merephel and Korech, grinning hugely. "We did it! We actually did it."
Shirzon helps the others gather up Iramine's belongings, and slips on the completed amulet for safekeeping. She leaves the Jewel - it can get swallowed up in the molten gold for all she cares.
---
Out of the city, with only a few handfuls of golden treasure in her pockets, Shirzon stares out over the cursed island. She idly plays with the amulet around her neck, reminded of everything they went through to get it. "What do you think we should do with this? Bring it back to Kassen's crypt? Break it into pieces again?"
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Great job, friends! Giuseppe, if you see this before you're away, do you know how long we've been on the island and in the city? That might affect how long Shirzon stays to nab some gold...
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 2
=============
Sweating from the furnace-like heat of the room, Shirzon shields her face from the rush of heat and gasps for air as Iramine erupts into a living pillar of flame. Maybe it's an illusion? Or maybe she really turned into a living fire. Either way, she won't last long.
Shirzon quickly wipes the pooling sweat from her brow, then launches a flurry of attacks on the fiery new Iramine.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
From your description, Giuseppe, it sounds like Iramine has a blur spell up (or something similar). I don't know if you've already taken it into account, but if she has any sort of concealment then she's immune to my sneak attacks.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
=============
Round 1
=============
Reflex:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Shirzon ducks out of the way of the web that springs up, trying to avoid stepping in the sticky carpet of tough strands.
Escape Artist:1d20 + 12 ⇒ (11) + 12 = 23
She navigates through the webbing, moving toward Iramine with her weapons raised and determined scowl in place. Next to the elven woman, Shirzon shudders as a shiver runs down her spine. Confronted with the woman's beauty and her hypnotic voice, Shirzon nearly loses her nerve. But all it takes is thinking back to the cult in Tamran and the half-orc girl regains her fiery resolve. "You're going to pay for everything you've done!" Shirzon nods to Calden and whips her mace at the elf's enchanting face.
I'll move into flanking with Calden if possible and attack. I'm assuming I can flank, but if not then just remove those numbers. I would move myself, but my computer is not working properly right now.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon nods to her comrades. Here in the center of a lost city, the past holds the present in its grip. Shirzon wears her history in her face: a desperate struggle for something more, now crystallized into confident determination. Only one obstacle still lies before them.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon grins at her friends. "Iramine doesn't stand a chance against the four of us. It still feels strange, when I think about how different things are from not that long ago, when we were all still in Kassen. And while we're still tangled up in that history, Meph is right. This is about us now. I - I lo-" Shirzon stops, the word catching uncomfortably in her mouth. She averts her eyes and her slouch deepens as she finishes her sentence, "I love you all, too. Now let's do this!"
I think I would benefit most from a protection from evil (which won't stack with shield of faith). Bless would also be good! I think Calden might need the most protection right now, so the potion of blur can go to him (it looks like it's a potion, not a scroll). I'll re-cast my wand of shield, too.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
=============
Round 4
=============
Shirzon fends off the herald, and as Calden comes up behind her she takes advantage of their positioning to unleash another pair of attacks. "We're coming for Iramine next. Good to know she's here."
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
=============
Round 3
=============
Shirzon steps around the herald, moving with her as they exchange attacks. Ducking and sidestepping the herald's blows, she puts in two swings herself in a whirlwind of steel. As she lashes out, she calls to Merephel and Korech, "What even is that snake thing?! Watch out for that lightning!" she advises, unhelpfully.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
=============
Round 2
=============
Reflex:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (16) + 10 = 26
As the priest drops, Shirzon hears a faint step behind her. She turns just as the rapier pierces her skin, avoiding a nastier wound. She opens her mouth to berate the herald, but spots the serpentine creature peeking over the ledge. She ducks just in time to avoid its bolt of lightning as the air around her fills with the smell of burning ozone.
She steps to the side of the herald, scowling. "Ready to give up yet? You lot and your your fake god can't stop us." Shirzon makes two quick strikes as she mocks the herald, trying to get past their shield.
5 foot step so I'm not in line for another lightning bolt and full attack. I can't get to the map right now, but I think there should be room enough for that.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
If it's alright, I'm going to try to jump the gap, since my acrobatics is much higher than my climb skill.
Shirzon eyes the gap and the rope, trusting the solidity of the latter but not her ability to shimmy across it. She gestures to her friends and gently moves them aside so she has a clear path, backs up toward the entrance they came through, then runs toward the edge, her boots slapping on the stone. She reaches the edge, pushes off, and leaps toward the other side.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
I'm going to try to get my shield back up before we head in. Use Magic Device:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
"Not sure what that is..." Shirzon answers, eyeing the human-faced snake thing. She raises an eyebrow at Calden's seemingly unconsciously uttered claim to be able to leap across the chasm. Giving a look, Shirzon figures she could probably make it too, if she had a good start. "As long as it leaves us alone, let's ignore it and try to get across. Slim chance of that, I'm guessing.
"Anyway, it looks like the Razmiri used this rope to get across - let me check it out and see if it's safe." Shirzon examines the rope stretching across the pit, as well as the pitons in the wall next to them. She looks for any tampering, planning to test out its safety.
I want to examine the piton-and-rope setup for traps and/or sabotage. If I don't find anything, I'll test the rope to see if it holds. Perception:1d20 + 11 ⇒ (12) + 11 = 23- 26 for traps
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
It suddenly occurred to me that Calden's equipment probably also took 87 fire damage from the molten gold. Feel free to select anything from my character sheet if you need equipment. Maybe the loot sheet has some things of interest as well (I know we had a backup pair of bracers of armor +1. Then again, I don't know how much was in your bag of holding vs Korech's. If we never specified, maybe we can roll 50/50 to see what survived?
Edit: also, I assume we at least gave him a blanket or something, because otherwise I have to imagine Calden naked for the past few posts...
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
After a moment to clean her face and take a deep breath, Shirzon is back to her usual focused self. "Yeah, the dragon is gone. I thought we were done for, but somehow we pulled through."
She pauses, dwelling on Kassen as the others chat. Their warm homecoming had been what Shirzon wanted for a long time, but did she still need it? Did Kassen still need her? Shaking her head to clear these thoughts and focus on the present, she says, "We can't go back until we find Kassen's amulet. It looks like we're at the center - we can't be far now."
Looking at Calden, she looks at him quizzically. His eyes were now gold, but there was something else off about him. He always traveled light, but... "Uh, Calden? I'm glad you're back, but we couldn't really save any of your stuff. Here, take what you need..." Shirzon puts her bag down and empties it out on the golden ground, laying down some of her backup weapons next to it. "Once you're geared up, let's continue. It's time to finish this."
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
I left my post vague about healing because I don't know if I should use all wand charges or if Merephel wants to use any channels or if we have any other consumables (potions from the cultists?). Thoughts?
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon continues to lie still on the bridge as Merephel cries out, then begins to sing. Soothing, cool tears well up in her eyes, rolling down her face and evaporating quickly in the hot air. Her stomach feels like a heavy rock, and she catches sobs in her throat, worried that letting cries out will further agitate her wounds. Eventually she pushes back her grief, knowing that they can bring Calden back, and stands painfully while wiping her face clear to see.
After retreating, Shirzon gets some healing from her friends as they prepare to bring Calden back. Her wounds closed, she can focus all her worry on the ritual. What if it didn't work, or they did it wrong? What if it made him come back in a form he hated? What if he didn't want to coffee back at all? After one of the longest hours of Shirzon's life, Calden's body starts to reconstitute. As the gold melts away, Shirzon can't restrain a huge grin as Calden returns to life, looking the same as ever - except for those eyes.
Tears welling up in her eyes again, she lunges at him before he can stand and embraces the boy in a tight hug with a cry of "Calden!" She holds him tightly, half crying and half laughing, her tears rolling fast and wet onto his newly formed body. Once Shirzon regains her composure, she leans back with her hands on Calden's shoulders, beaming at him through her tears. She wipes her wet eyes and nose on her sleeve and laughs quietly in a nervous, relieved way. "Calden, I..." Shirzon starts. Her grin fades into an uncertain expression as she searches for the right words, and then her brows furrow and her tusks curl out as she snarls. She punches him hard on his upper arm, more hot tears forming as she shouts, "Idiot! I can't believe you did something so stupid! We could have lost you for good! Be more careful, or next time - well - well, there better not be a next time!" Shirzon fumes for a moment, but then sheepishly looks away. She scratches the back of her neck as she stares down, and by way of apology says, "...You're important to us. We need you." She stands up and ventures a glance at her revived friend, offering him a hand to help him up.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon takes a deep breath, then painfully and slowly lowers herself to a lying position. She digs through her bag, pulling out a small healing potion. Crawling over to Merephel, she eases the potion into her friend's unconscious form.
CLW potion:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
That done, she turns her head toward Korech and croaks out in Orcish, "We did it... Help Merephel first..." She then lies flat, drained of energy and staring up in a mix of exhausted triumph and numb shock as she dwells on Calden's death. We can get him back... I just hope it's not too late.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
========
Round 4
========
Shirzon sees Merephel drop, and in her distraction loses focus: her mace swings wide and before she can react there are dragon teeth in her arm. She howls in pain, bleeding and dodging between the golden bones ripping her to shreds. She starts to fade, her vision darkening as the pain overwhelms her, but she pushes through to consciousness. I have to stay alive... help Merephel... bring Calden back...
Teetering on the edge of life, Shirzon summons her fury and unleashes her attacks on the dragon, swinging at the cracks in the gold.
TWF, aid:1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 8 + 1 = 15
I think I can safely assume the first attack misses.
Her first swing goes wide, her aching body screaming out from the effort. She grits her teeth, tusks grinding against her dry, blood spattered lips, then swings again, aiming for the crack in the dragon's skull where Calden smacked it before he fell.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Oh, man, I'm sorry Merephel. I was so concerned with getting the flank so I could actually get some damage in that I totally forgot that it would probably have reach when I told you to move up. I think if Korech can hit it with enough arrows, we still have a chance, but I don't know if retreat is an option. Unless Korech runs away and comes back later to stealthily grapple-arrow our unconscious bodies back, but that seems like a literal and figurative long shot.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Korech wrote:
Adjusted action. If Korehc can get up on that ledge, he will. If I can produce the rope and swing for Calden same round, I'll do that as well although not sure what kind of roll you want.
GM Giuseppe wrote:
So, since Calden fell to his death, now it's up to you to decide what to do with his corpse. I would allow Korech to fish it with a ranged touch attack made against AC 10 with a grappling arrow, so you can later resurrect him via salve of the second chance.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Immediate action: if the dragon drops me below 0 hp, I'll use my immediate action to activate my resiliency rogue talent to gain 6 temporary hp. If I'm still at negatives, I'll use my orc ferocity (which I think is a non action).
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
========
Round 3
========
Dang. Glad I got my natural 1 on a save over with.
"CALDEN!" Shirzon screams as the boy plummets into the gold below. She barely has time to register his demise before she has to fend off more attacks from the dragon skeleton, coming out bruised and bleeding from the assault.
She cranes her neck to look over the dragon's gleaming golden form, trying to make eye contact with Merephel. "Merephel! I need you to move up! Please!" Shirzon glances at the maces in her hands: worthless trinkets against this guardian if she can't get the right attack in. She waits for Merephel to approach the dragon, primed to strike when the beast shows even a hint of distraction.
I believe Merephel has the salve, since I think we gave most of the healing consumables to her.
Poor Calden. I was hoping our Kassen's Boon scales might help, but they're self re-roll only. At least we can retrieve his body (assuming we don't die in the meantime). Here's hoping the lava damage roll is high so that Calden doesn't have to take a couple of rounds to go unconscious.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
========
Round 2
========
I think the fire breath might burn up the horn of fog's cloud.
Reflex:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Shirzon attempts to duck the gout of flame, but in her haste she trips over her own feet and stumbles directly into the blast. She swears loudly as the fire licks at her clothes and skin, finding some relief after Merephel sends out her healing energy.
Gritting her teeth, she moves up to the imposing bone dragon and braces herself. "Calden! I'm going to try to get behind it! Let's destroy this thing!"
Double move to try to move through the dragon's space to get behind it.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
========
Round 1
========
Shirzon takes a deep, nervous breath as the dragon looms before her. You're tough enough to face this, she assures herself, although it's a hard sell. She tries to make herself smaller in the fog, hoping the dragon won't see through it.
Stealth:1d20 + 13 ⇒ (7) + 13 = 20
Assuming the dragon moves closer to us before my turn:
When the dragon approaches, Shirzon bursts forth from the fog in ambush. She swings her maces in a flurry of motion, aiming for the thinnest bones on this huge skeletal creature.
Full attack, 5 foot step if necessary, and I'll roll sneak attack damage in case hiding in the fog's concealment successfully triggers it.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Aid temp hp:1d8 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
Shirzon nods to Merephel in thanks, her face serious as they all prepare to face the dragon. "This is it. Good luck to us, huh?" She smirks a little, but then moves forward when the others are ready to face the huge foe that stands between them and resolving Kassen's legacy.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
"Yeah, Meph can use the horn for cover while she casts," Shirzon agrees. "Like all the other things in this place, it's probably guarding the bridge. I don't think we'll be able to lure it out too far. Our best bet is probably to hit it hard, and hit it fast. I'll go up on the left side, Calden, go right. If we can surround it, I can make it hurt. Korech, I think you can do a lot if you just hit it with as many arrows as you can. Merephel, maybe see if Shelyn will lend us some luck - it looks like we'll need it. Sound good?"
If you could cast Aid on Shirzon, that will definitely help, and much appreciated. c:
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon quietly releases a long breath as she spots the skeletal dragon. In hushed tones, she says, "This has got to be the place. Definitely fancy enough for these Razmir followers. Do you think this dragon can still breath fire? Is that something most dragons can do? I'd guess that something just made of bones couldn't breath at all, but usually bones aren't moving around on their own either. In any case, I'm gonna try my wand before I consider running up to a dragon."
She draws her wand of shield and starts trying to activate it, hoping that each utterance of the command word doesn't attract the dragon's attention.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon smirks at Calden, chiming in despite her injuries with a small voice, "I dunno. Remember that arrow-shooting pillar back in Kassen's crypt? We didn't do great against that." She starts to laugh, but stops quickly from the burning pain in her chest. "Ow."
I'll roll some healing from the wand. I think Calden was hit once, so I don't know if Merephel wants to use a channel or not. 5 charges
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 4 Revised
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I appreciate the move, Giuseppe, but I'm gonna take a slightly different approach.
Shirzon prepares to attack the column, but Korech's arrow shuts it down. She breathes a sigh of relief and turns her attention to the remaining foe. Knowing that she can't take another hit like the ones before, she drops her mace and quickly springs a wand into her hand. She holds it up and concentrates, trying to push her pain into focus, and two bolts of force shoot forth to hit the statue.
Shirzon once again tries to command the wand to her will. Trying to use her pain to focus her will she gets close to activating the magic. However, it backfires as the pain overwhelms her with a sudden intense pulse that shudders through her chest and arm. She clenches her teeth and sucks in a breath before quietly muttering some Orcish curses.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 4
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Shirzon grimaces at her new wound, letting out a quiet grunt of pain. She calls over to Calden, unable to put much volume into her voice, "Sort of."
She strikes out again, her new wound stinging in the hot air, but not preventing her from getting at least one solid hit on the column. Whether it will damage the creature at all is dubious, however.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 3
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Shirzon swings out again, bearing her blood stained teeth. She huffs out a tired breath, spraying a light mist of blood. Even though her hits don't seem to be doing much, she's still getting some scratches in and struggles to finish off the golden foe. Realizing she's getting too far away from her friends, she starts shifting back toward the group to draw the column closer to destruction.
5 foot step left and full attack. +1 light mace, TWF:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 2
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Shirzon wheezes a wet breath, blood bubbling out of her mouth. She scowls, but doesn't dare try crying out in pain and anger for fear of further aggravating her damaged lungs. She tightens her grip on her weapons, knuckles pale and shaking, before making more attacks on the statue.
5 foot step right and full attack. +1 light mace, TWF:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18 Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 1
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My maces are light metal hafted weapons, so hardness 12 on the magic one and 10 on the other.
Shirzon manages to avoid the swing of the statue, slightly unnerved by its eerie, silent strength. She steps to the side and catches sight of the others near a second statue. Her stomach sinks just a little, realizing that she's stranded herself in one on one combat with a pillar of animated stone and gold.
She calls out to Korech in Orc:
Orc:
"Hey! Korech! I could use some help with this one if you can spare it!"
Swallowing her fear, Shirzon takes a couple of shots at the sword weilding column.
5 foot step right and full attack. +1 light mace, TWF:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9 Damage:1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Shirzon sees one of the columns start to move, and her eyes narrow as she steels herself for a fight. "Figures," she mutters. "The columns are moving! Look alive!"
After her rallying cry, Shirzon dashes toward the far statue and tries to smash some of its gold off before it can react properly.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Would you like to go ahead and roll your channel energies for healing, Merephel?
Shirzon settles in for sleeping, having found a small corner to put her bedroll in. She stares up at the ceiling, watching the yellow light's reflect on the ceiling from the gold covering the ground. "Is sleeping on gold a dragon thing? Or is that something kings do?" She idly picks her teeth, thinking of the ridiculous situation she's in. Shirzon the Quarter, once only one scummy step above her uncle, now chasing cultists through some lost city coated in liquid gold.
She would laugh if the whole situation weren't so dire. Considering what they faced in just the first ring, who knew what could be waiting for them further on. Between Iramine's bloodthirsty Razmiri fanatics and the gold covered skeletal guardians of a dead city, their chances didn't seem good. And yet, they made it this far. Maybe they would live up to all this hero stuff after all.
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
Shirzon nods as the girl speaks, her expression focused and serious. She holds out a hand to shake once the girl finishes. "Deal. Thanks for the information. You seem pretty smart - too smart for this cultist nonsense anyway. You two should get out of here, find somewhere safe (well, as safe as you can find), and we'll be out as soon as we deal with Iramine. That was the name, right?"
Once the acolytes are sent off, Shirzon stifles a yawn. "We should rest now. I can't tell what time it is in this place, but I feel like I've been awake for days. Once we're ready, we can find the Razmiri leader, get Kassen's key back, and then leave this place for good. I never thought I'd be sick of gold."
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
"Wait here. I've got some stuff to take care of," Shirzon commands the surrendered acolyte, giving him a nasty scowl. She gathers up her things that she dropped during the battle, and puts them in their proper places before returning. While Calden and Korech interrogate the one acolyte, Shirzon squats in front of the other one. "Hey. Your luck is pretty good: I'm not planning on killing you. If you help us set up a safe place to rest, answer our questions, and then leave, you get off with your life. Sound like a deal?" the half-orc asks, tilting her head in a nonchalant way--almost like a cat that's taken a lazy interest in a mouse it has cornered.
"What do you think, Meph?" she says, turning toward the young priestess. "Should we let them help out before we send them out of here? Or just kick 'em out now?"
I'll roll some healing if needed, but if Merephel has any healing left before we rest, I'll ask her to be so kind as to use her last spells and channels before resting and see where I am after that. :)
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 5
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Feeling a bit tender from the acolytes' attacks, Shirzon leaves the herald to Korech and Calden, and decides to even out the odds with Merephel. She rushes to the skirmish between the columns, and swings out her mace with a sideways blow as soon as she sees a robed cultist fully in view. Her swing feels a bit off, but she still smirks at the now mask-less acoylte. "Are you sure you need to wear a mask? That face of yours is plenty nasty as it is."
Female N Half-orc Rogue 6 | HP: 51/51 | AC: 23 19 (15 Tch, 19 Fl) (+2 vs traps and evil creatures) | CMB: +5, CMD: 20 (+2 vs evil)| F: +5, R: +10 (evasion, +2 vs traps), W: +5; +1 vs evil | Init: +4 | Perc: +11 (+3 traps), SM: +3 | Speed 30ft | Orc Ferocity: 1/1 | Resiliency (6 hp) 0/1 | Active conditions: 1 Con drain, shield, protection from evil
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Round 4
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"Huh? Hey!" Shirzon scolds Calden as he dashes away toward the herald. She makes a slight, annoyed sound in her throat, but turns her attention back to the acolyte in front of her. "You lot aren't very bright, are you?" she asks playfully, before unleashing a series of attacks on her masked foe.
(lvl 3 Mystic) Weapon Specialization (basic, small arms)
(lvl 5) Versatile Specialization
(lvl 7) Step Up
(lvl 9) Weapon Focus (advanced melee)
(lvl 11) Great Fortitude
(lvl 13)
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Traits
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Something out there likes you:
Everytime you roll a d20 (and you remember to do so) roll a d100 as well. If you roll between a 96 and 100 then add +4 to the results of the corresponding d20. As well on a roll between 96 and 100 a roll of 1 on the corresponding d20 will no longer result in an automatic failure.
You are most comfortable at the controls of a vehicle, whether it’s a starship racing through the inky void of space or a ground vehicle zooming between trees, around boulders, and across dusty badlands. You might be a member of an elite military force, the recipient of intense courses of training. Alternatively, you might be a total amateur with innate skills that make you a much-admired hotshot.
THEME KNOWLEDGE (1ST)
You are obsessed with starships and vehicles, and have committed to memory almost every related tidbit of knowledge you’ve ever come across. Reduce the DC of Culture checks to recall knowledge about starship and vehicle models and parts as well as famous hotshot pilots by 5. Piloting is a class skill for you, though if it is a class skill from the class you take at 1st level, you instead gain a +1 bonus to your Piloting checks. In addition, you gain an ability adjustment of +1 to Dexterity at character creation.
LONE WOLF (6TH)
You know at least a little bit about handling every role on a starship, and you can sub in for certain tasks in a pinch. Whenever you need to attempt a skill check either during starship combat or to directly repair or otherwise maintain your starship, you can treat half your ranks in Piloting as your ranks in the appropriate skill for the check, if that would be better (since you effectively have ranks in the related skill, you are considered trained in the skill for the purposes of this check).
Need For Speed (12th Level)
Speeding in a vehicle gives you a heady rush, and you can easily handle operating vehicles at high velocities that might send lesser pilots spinning out of control. Reduce any penalties to Piloting checks you make when on a vehicle by 1. When you take the double maneuver action during a vehicle chase (see page 283), reduce the penalty for each action by 1. Whenever a Piloting check has a penalty for failing by 5 or more, you take that penalty only if you fail by 10 or more.
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Connection
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Saving throw DC: 20 (10 + 6 (1/2 lvl) + 4 (wis))
Your connection channels the energy of the cosmos, its celestial bodies, and the dark voids between them. You might be a brilliant astronomer, a daredevil starpilot, a Hyperspace explorer, a prophetic astrologer, or a would-be transhuman godling.
Walk the Void (Su) 1st Level
You are immune to the harmful environmental effects of outer space and vacuum. You also gain a fly speed of 20 feet while in space. In addition, whenever you can see the stars, you can determine your precise location. Finally, add Piloting to your list of class skills.
Starlight Form (Su) You can transform yourself into blazing starlight as a standard action. Your body sheds normal light in a 30-foot radius, and you gain the benefits of concealment (20% miss chance). At 7th level, a creature that ends its turn adjacent to your starlight form must succeed at a Fortitude save or be blinded for 1 round. You can maintain your starlight form for a number of minutes per day equal to your mystic level; this duration does not need to be continuous, but it must be used in 1-minute increments. You can forgo the ability’s concealment and blinding aspects to instead simply shed light, though this still counts against the ability’s duration for the day.
Stargazer (Su) 6th Level: You can study the stars to gain a bit of good luck. Twice per day, if you are outdoors and can see the stars, you can reroll a failed ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check.
Starflight (Su) 9th Level: While in starlight form, you gain the ability to fly as per the flight spell (spell level 3rd or lower).
Starry Bond (SU) 12th level: You can share the good fortune of your stargazer class feature with your allies. Whenever an ally linked by your telepathic bond class feature fails an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check, you can spend 1 Resolve Point as a reaction to enable your ally to reroll the failed check (see page 243). This ability otherwise functions as the stargazer class feature.
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SQ
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HEALING TOUCH (SU) 1ST LEVEL
Once per day, you can spend 10 minutes to magically heal an ally up to 5 Hit Points per mystic level.
CHANNEL SKILL (SU) 2ND LEVEL
You draw strange feelings, instincts, knowledge, and urges from your connection, augmenting your prowess in certain tasks. Each connection has two skills associated with it. You gain a +1 insight bonus to skill checks with your connection’s associated skills. This bonus increases by 1 at 5th level and every 3 levels thereafter.
MINDLINK (SP) 2ND LEVEL
You can form a mental link with creatures you touch, communicating information rapidly through it. You can use mind-link at will as a spell-like ability, though only once per day on any given individual.
TELEPATHIC BOND (SP) 11TH LEVEL
As a standard action, you can form a telepathic link with up to six other willing creatures, allowing you to communicate telepathically at great distances. This functions as telepathic bond, except the duration is permanent. You can have only one telepathic bond active in this way at any given time; creating a new telepathic bond immediately ends the previous one.
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Gear
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Currency: 1705
Clothes: Everyday Clothes, Badass Black Duster
Armor:
Squad Hardlight Series [Level 12; Bulk L; Type Light; AC Bonus +15; KAC Bonus +15; Max Dex Bonus +6; Armor Check Penalty 0 Speed Adjustment 0; Upgrade Slots 4]
The air inside The Pegasus was thick with the smell of blood and diesel. Smoke burned Cueta’s eyes, and the pilot cursed under her breath as she took quick stock of the bridge: Llano, dead. T-13, fried, letting loose a high-pitched signal whine, and below decks, one continuous, undulating scream.
Cueta unholstered her pistol and put the barrel under her jaw, the gunmetal cool against her skin. Better to be dead than captured by these raiders. And to go back to Iago with such a failure, were she somehow to survive…
It would just be a delayed death sentence after all.
Cueta gazed out the pilot’s window and saw the raiders’ coilgun pointed almost directly at her. It was apparent what they intended - she’d do the same were she their gunner. Behead the snake.
These Phoenix Class ships, designed to emulate the birds of myth, were rightly beautiful. But they came with an unforgivable design flaw. The corridor from the bridge which connected to the belowdecks of the rest of the ship, was aesthetically designed to mirror a neck. And just like a neck of flesh and blood, they were weak. A well-placed shot could separate the bridge from the rest of the body, and with The Pegasus’ shields down…
There’d be no need for her pistol, which clattered to The Pegasus’ floor, forgotten. The pilot closed her eyes, hearing the blood pulsing through her veins over the chaos around her. She took three quick breaths, and released herself from the ship’s safety harness. There was an explosive crack, and even though her eyes were closed, Cueta knew instantly that the bridge was severed, open to the galaxy. Cueta Guiding Star hurtled, head over tail, into space.
Too late, she was consumed with one thought. Live! Live! Live! Her eyes still closed, Cueta fumbled with the straps on her armor. Her body would puff up, as the nitrogen under her skin expanded. At the same time, she’d begin freezing solid, but what would kill her was the lack of oxygen. She only had a couple of minutes before her organs shut down, much less than that before she lost consciousness.
Seconds stretched, it seemed into hours, adrenaline pushing her mind into a frenzy. Cueta - never a religious person - prayed. In the first second, she prayed that Desna grant her wings, and that she fly to safety.
In the second, Cueta prayed that Eloritu break the bonds of physics.
In the third second, Cueta’s thoughts turned briefly to her family. Ma had joined the great wheel, but Da was alive, and maybe even thought occasionally of his daughter. A great pang of grief grabbed hold of Cueta as she thought of her older sister, Melila, and that they should never laugh together again, and of Cueta's homeworld, Balthus 9, a dusty rock filled with tumblewweeds, water farmers, and gritty, sandswept villages.
In the fourth, fifth, and sixth seconds the pilot beseeched Abadar and Besmara, Iomedae and Hylax, and every other god that she could think of, that they may show her mercy.
In the seventh second, she rubbed her hand over her neck, alarmed to find it puffy and bubbled.
In the eighth second, Cueta prayed that the Devourer come and grind her enemies into nothing.
In the ninth second, Cueta reminded herself to breathe, lest her lungs burst against the pure vacuum of space.
In the tenth second she prayed to Pharasma to let her die.
By the eleventh second Cueta neither shivered nor ached, her awareness narrowed to nothing more than quick shallow breaths.
The twelfth second saw Cueta open her eyes. She was surrounded by a light, at once warm and yellow and then, shifting, to tendrils of inky blackness. A sound, words but not, tickled the pilot’s oxygen-addled brain. On offer: survival, in exchange for service freely given.
The pilot accepted, and the light roiled across her, bright and dark, and Cueta Guiding Star lost consciousness.
