Simon Blue-Eye's page

Simon quickly hurries to Grelthes side as she sinks to her knees beside the dead form of Zadira. He meows softly and lays a paw upon Zadiras belly in a very soft gesture of sadness. The other paw searches and finds the hand of Grelthe and squeezes it, while tears start to fall into the battered and scorched fur of his face.
"Thanks for coming for us-miour.
Sister and I would be just as dead as poor Zadira-purpurpuh."
After Grelthe has said her farewell word to her old companion, Simon adds:
"Don't you fear. Me and Sister will not give up on that goal.
Even now I can feel the will of the spirit we encountered before our fall.
It is expanding its influence now that this great evil has been banished at last-meow."

~ Burial Discussion ~
Simon looks a bit uncertain at the talk about burial in Zelkor's Crossing.
"Did she ever talk about where she wanted to rest-miii?
I would much rather be laid to rest somewhere deep in the wild forest, under a fletching tree and close to a flowing river than in a tightly packed graveyard...
At any rate, we should bless her grave-meow.
I ... would rather not face an undead Zadira forced to do evil in the name of some wicked necromant-frch."

With the danger finally and most palpable vanishing, Emily sets Simon down and lays down, obviously exhausted.
Simon has barely gotten to his paws, when he his tackle-cuddled by Vuzi.
She has to support him partially or he would have promptly fallen back down again.
He purrs audibly but also offers a slight, half-hearted hiss at her offering of raising him and Emily as undead.
"We wouldn't.
Thank you for coming back for us-purrurr.
They were ... evil-frchhh.
Wanted to sacrifice us to their dark masters-grch."
At that he stops and blanches then tries to untangle himself from Vuzi and get a look over to Grelthe.
"How is Zadira-purr?
Did you get her out of the lava in time-miii?!!"

Ah no-miour!
I can totally understand the reason of course and I add my hat to Harkon: I won't be going anywhere and would be more than ready to continue this whenever time permits.

Simon was my first pathfinder character on this board and boy what a ride you offered him! I'll never forget some of the awesome RP going on in here, nor the tension of some of the more razor edged fights.
This was IS one of the best games I ever played.
So, thank you a metric ton for such a good time at this point.

Are we going to bring this to a fitting end and have each of the characters go their ways (for now) with the premise of coming back together should a new evil arise from the bottomless pits of Rappan Atuk?

Simon Reflex-Save: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (11) + 13 = 24 Evasion, zero dmg
In his need to get close to Emily, Simon lunges through the fireball like a cannonball, fast enough to not even feel the heat wash over him.
He has to stop a good two meters in front of her as she is lashing all around her in blind fury and agony.
If you were close enough to look at the Catfolk, you would see tears coming to his eyes as he is faced with this scene.
Over the sound of battle you might hear low humming and purring as Simon attempts to calm his trusted companion enough to get close to her and unshackle her.
Handle Animal (Push? DC25?): 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (13) + 16 = 29
It seems to work well enough and the nimble cat closes in, thieves tool at the ready.
disable Device: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

Not that much.
My company has issued home office to the entire employees, so I can work from home, which is very nice, allowing me to sit it out, only going out to fetch food stuff.

Finally unshackled, the Catfolk straightens his back for a moment, letting a low hiss escape his blood-encrusted lips.
"Give me those, Blackman-yesyes.
Gotta free my sister and you seem more ready to fight than poor me right now.."
And he quickly grabs the thieves tools from Amari.
As the voice speaks up, he howl in agony, fear and rage.
"Oh no, you won't-frchhh!"
He flings himself forward, straight towards the point where Emily is bound to the wall in an awkward, certainly uncomfortable way.
(So, what is his status? Hp, Equipment, spells, other X/day abilities? For now I'll treat him as practically NPC, without anything interesting available.)

"ZADIRAAA-NOOOOO!!!!"
The anguished cry of the chained and bruised catfolk echoes through the dungeon and both cats bent and strain against their chains as their ally and friend is put to a horrible, senseless death.

@Slippery topics:
- Legal stuff goes first:
Paizo is generally considered PG-13 anyway, so we would risk divine admin intervention if we would go too far down that route.

- Quick personal take:
In our F2F games we try to keep those out of the purview most of the time, since we once had a GM who went a bit far in that regard and it didn't work out well.

- In depth: NPC-PC
As for NPC-PC relations, that really depends. Aforementioned female-GM did come up with a NPC that was hitting on my PC and another NPC that was hitting on the PC of my then girlfriend-now-wife. It felt like the GM was intentionally trying to intrude into our RL relationship, so that was kinda the worst case scenario and in the end added to reason we broke with that GM for good. That may have colored my take on NPC-PC relationships, but I feel those require A LOT of trust between player and GM because of all the things that could go horribly wrong there. E.g. as a GM it feels very tempting to put such a NPC into danger to drive the PC (and thus the group) to adventure, but it might feel horrible for more ... invested and sensitive players.

- In depth: PC-PC
If it happens between PCs and both sides are good with it, I feel it could add a lot of RP potential and character depth - love is one of the if not the most powerful emotion we have after all.
There is a lot of powerful RP to explore, e.g.:
Are you going out of your way to help your darling, even if that endangers other group members?
Can you keep socializing with NPCs that are open (or shadowy) disrespectful to your darling?
What are the goals of the couple as adventurers? Are they looking forward to settle down eventually - e.g. after become exceedingly rich and/or powerful?
...

Pretty much all done but equipment.
I hate equipment.
The big stuff is done but still got something like 4k and am not sure what to get...
Will try to finish the build and a new alias tomorrow.
But RP should be fine right now.

Anyone having experience how to best handle a character playing in two campaigns at once at different levels etc?
Guess you'd put all mechanics into two separate spoilers.
And the same for the status headline, right?

We are using background skills, yes?

Thanks. Me too :-)
Considering he is also a Master Craftsmen of magical arrows, I think I will mostly describe that as him using arrows with very simple runes on them that momentarily flash upon impact or the shaft being specifically crafted to splinter upon impact into thousand fragments intended to get into your eyes or something like that.

It is far from purrfect and unfailable but it does not cut into my action economy to attempt to 'unlock' SA for one round (or more) - and it is nice to have it handy for melee punches.
It goes like this:
UC Zen Archer gains 'Trick Shot' with lvl 5 (analogous to style strike of UC monk).
It lets you do a free combat maneuver as part of one Flurry of Bows attack using your attack roll as the CMB result.
One of the trick shot options (you have to decide on one, gaining another later on) is Dirty Trick.
Dirty Trick if successful, lets you apply the Blinded condition for one round (or more if you beat the enemy CMD by 5+).
Which denies the target his/her Dex-to-AC.
Which in turn is one of the possible pre-conditions for Sneak Attacks.
-> So basically, he will flurry away happily and once in a while I will beat the enemies CMD which will introduce him to another level of pain :-)

'I love it when a plan comes together'

*dirty evil laughter*
It IS going to be a ninja.
I just happen to find a realiable way to get ranged sneak attacks with this particular combination.
*Harharhar*

I just have the feeling that it would be a ... dangerous idea to go down the well without anyone having either trapfinding or disable device skilled, which we would considering that Simon is caught and Zadira dropped out.
I'll see what bonus I can reach on the two if I go Ninja. If those are unimpressive, I'll probably go Inquisitor instead.

Which difficulty do you have in mind (in case of rogue)?
Stealth/Trapfinding/DisableDevice is only a matter of skill points put into it after all. Sure, you miss out on half the extra points to spot/disarm traps from rogue, but honestly, they are simply overkill for most traps/locks anyway.

Hey fellows,
I am horribly undecided about what second class to pick up.
So, I thought about asking you :-)
Options I can see:
- Inquisitor: +solo damage, +Initiative, +some spells, -not much support
- Cleric/Warpriest: +some decent support spells, only 2nd lvl spells, -not much of a damage boost
- Rogue (likely Ninja): +scouting, +decent melee fall-back option, +more skills, +trapfinding -not much party support, -no spells

How does 17->15, 7->12 sound?
Thats a net +0 from a point-buy view.
Otherwise 17->14 is also fine by me. That would be a net -2 - sacrifice I'd be okay with, to prevent my char from becoming both socially awkward AND dumb :-)

@Choon: Yeah, just remembered all the tiny rule-differences from that other game compared to ours, so I probably have to do a bit more of rebuilding than I first thought ^^

stat #1: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5, 4) = 16
stat #2: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6, 1) = 18
stat #3: 4d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 6) = 13
stat #4: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3, 1) = 8
uhmmm...somewhat... extreme, I guess?
Final stat array would look like: (18), 17, 15, 12, (8), 7.
You know you're in trouble if your bad score is not your worst score.

@Choon: Nice. I got a couple of questions for the replacement. Could you check out the spoiler here and get back to me? Thanksies.

Ah, noooo, Ssssssnaaaaaakeeeeeee!!!! ;-)

I'd be good either way.
For dramatic and story purposes, I'd step up if no one else wants to change characters for some time.

So, I think I am the only one who would be go for a chat swap as it seems?
Guess Simon and Emily are making a stand while Harmon ushers everyone else out or something like that?
Would give the others a very good reason to come back and search for me-yesyes?

I think I'd be up for a change under the premise that "Simily will return... eventually"
:-)

Considering that we already have two paladins, I guess I'll go with my ranged option.

Got myself two days off work to chill through my release date anniversary.
Will likely be busy gaming with my wife and eating pizza ;-)
My pbp time will likely be limited until next week.

@Harkon: Haha, that will work for Simon, thats for sure :-)
***
Playing someone else for a while could be interesting. I have a particular Ghoran I play in another gestalt game, that might fit the bill. Or maybe I raise my Zen Archer to gestalt - could be interesting as well... oh, the possibilities!

Maybe Harkon does only manage to get some of us out, while the others are snatched - aka people who want to chnage chars for a bit have their chars being captured, the rest of the party get away, get healed and then search for help and return for round 2 and some honest rescue action?

Isn't there a scene in a famous book about a single seeing person leading a rather large group of blind people ...? ;-)

Haha, that sounds funny.
Not sure what our new people think about doing a new guy just in-game minutes after joining the game *lol*

Miour...

Feeling multiple pairs of eyes resting on him, Simon (still in the neck-grip of Emily) turns to look at two women and a snake.
He knows them.
They are nice.
He wants to sit next to them.
Maybe have them pat his head and fondle his belly.
Even the thought of that makes him purr softly.
But he cannot move with Emily holding him tight.
Then, suddenly, he is dropped
Looking up, he sees a green-skinned woman in thick armor right in front of him.
He knows her too...

Simon's curiousity finally got the better of him and he opened the confirmed evil door leading out a room filled to the brim with traps with only a superficial check for traps.
Simon goes full house cat?: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Emily: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8 (+4 if mind affecting or enchantment)
The moment he opens the door, his eyes turn full and he lets go of his weapons, which clatter to the ground audibly.
He turns around with an expression of utter surprise and lack of understanding.
"Meow?"

I think what we currently heading for is the room with the beds and chest filled with traps where you fought the black skellys.
I recall that there was one possible exit leading ... someplace.
We decided to not go down there but clear the current level first...
Right?

yes-yes!

Simon manages to keep his paws in check - barely.
But he seems to be briming with energy today, eager to delve deeper into the dungeon!
"That restroom was evil-frchh, so maybe we should start there-miii?
Evil likes evil, yesyes?"

*** After Battle ***
"You hit hard, metal-man-yesyes!"

*** Later ***
As the girls discuss the matter of their previous travel, Simon edges closer to the three glowing shapes. He seems to be holding his paws for an unknown reason.
"Anyone wondering what will happen if you press the moon, or maybe the box-miii?
Maybe this is a mystery tunnel, leading to different places...
And those shapes are the switches-yesyes?"

Back from no-internet holiday location.
Made it back to civilization after all *lol*
Will catch up in the week to come.

Holidays finally have come for me.
Will be away for two weeks starting tomorrow.
I probably can still post.
Or maybe not.
We'll see.
@Choon: Please bot me where necessary should I not respond within a day or so.

The fight was over before Simon had to intervene.
Not that he could have anyway, his paws carefully closed around the poisonous gas vial.
As he leaves the room, he calls a couple of warnings to Zadira.
"Take care, these vials are very fragile indeed-grch.
My chest had a tripple-string trigger running attached.
Look out for the third one, it is hidden within the lid-meew."
Auto succeed in aid another for a +2 for Zadira
For good measure, he whispers another small prayer for her as well.
Guidance gives another +1. This should bring her result up to a 30 as well.
After leaving the room, Simon joyfully pads Emilys head and rubs his head along her massively muscled neck, purring low.

So, they are outside the room, where the party is waiting, right?

Simon nods.
"Meow!"
He beckons everyone out of the room.
"Just in case I mess up-miour..."
Then, he starts with the first chest, muttering a short prayer under his breath.
"Gozreth, steady my paw and guide my tools."
Going with take-10 for a total of 30+1 from guidance

"See... Those three are traps for sure-meew."
He points at the three surprise-lockers.
(forgot to mention that he is going to use detect magic alongside)
He turns to Grelthe.
"You want me to try and disable the traps first, or last, after peeking into the other ones-mii?"

As soon as he takes in the room, Simon holds up one paw.
"Halt-meow.
This smells like a place brimming with traps-frch.
I will have a look at each chest and those torches in turn, before we touch anything in here."
(to make things short, I'll take-10 to spot traps for a 26 each.)

Simon, being mostly dry due to riding on Emilys back, follows Zadira to the door and produces his well-used tools of we-shall-pass.
"You keep the magic busy, while I open the look-meow!"
With that, he starts working feverishly on the door!
1d20 + 20 ⇒ (6) + 20 = 26

Simon nods serenely.
"Yes-Yes!"

"Fchh. I don't do that.
I just try to figure out your trick-meow.
A tiny-tint gnome inside maybe-miii?
Maybe one of those strange moving stones-yesyes?"

He is interrupted by the elf and the unfriendly woman taking their leave.
"Oh no, that is not a good idea-meour.
There is so much danger down here-grrr.
Too much for a group of only two-meeew.
Please... Don't go.
We could escort you back up so you can leave this place alive, how about that-yesyes?"

As 'puppet' repeatedly speaks up on its own, Simon carefully approaches it from behind, sniffing the air with eyes fixed on the puppet. Once he gets close, he is feeling about the puppet as if searching for invisible strings.
Emily can be seen to keep as much distance as possible from puppet, eying it ... sceptically?

"Okay okay,sister."
He looks up at you.
"And ... I was mighty curious what is down here to be honest-mew.
Simon Blue-Eye is the name.
And this is my sister Emily Blackfur.
I think we should have come down here together from the start-meow.
Words simply cannot do this place justice after all."

The catfolk who is riding on the black panther cooks his head to the right as if thinking back before answering the half-question of the half-ork.
"Huh, you are right, Grelthe-purrurr.
Sis and I came here to find out what evil is causing the spreading corruption of this place-grch.
It is seeping out if this place like pus from an infected wound, destroying the beautiful wilds of this island-meow."

A few moments after the woman, a large shape steps into sight, but seems unwilling to close much further. It is a massive feline with long, pitch-black fur. Keen ears can make out the occasional *pling* of metal chains. The black panther is armored.
Atop it's back, a more humanoid figure is seated, although it too has strongly accented feline features - foremost the grey-white fur and long whiskers sprouting from his cheeks. The rider is wielding a short, curved blade and looks somewhat nervous in your direction.

Hello newcomers!
I hope we will have a heck of a time 'down the well'.

@Jester: Ouch, when you start novaing, whoever's on the receiving end will remember those 'words' for a while indeed!
I really enjoyed your memories. Both the grave stones (did you play the Divinity series by any chance?^^) and the awakening of Poppet was amazing and made me laugh.