What are the odds we'll be able to finish this by April 5th? I'm betting most of us would like to have our characters free to participate in the PbP Game Day.
"An' which is that? They're both deceptive, near's I can find," Slach grunts. He pauses a moment to feign indecision.
"But bein' equal on that front, I'd sooner stick with the merchant line, an' avoid as much o' this Razmir nonsense as we can."
"Doubt I'll be able to pass as the mercantilist sort," the heavily armored half-orc admits ruefully, unconsciously brushing the area of his breastplate beneath which hangs his etched silver key, "but me an' the rest of us brutish types could least be some sort o' hired sword."
"Seems as we haven't got much o' a choice," the half-orc mutters to his companions. "But we have th' numbers, so may as well give 'em the chance o' complacency."
The druid was Kraang. And apologies, but I just noticed that I hadn't updated Slach's quick stats. His init modifier was also wrong, I had traded Impoved Initiative for Diehard before taking him to 2nd level. It doesn't look like that mattered here, but it is now correct going forward.
"Ar, by the First Vault," the half-orc curses, stomping on the deck to alert the hidden passengers. Unslinging his longbow, he steps up next to the disapproving druid and takes aim at the nearest crossbowman.
5-foot step, draw mwk +3 composite longbow, fire at closest guard.
"Aye, ye dun need t' remind us the price o' failure," Slachagok retorts. "But ye might remind yeself th' words o' that letter: th' dwarves went through Xer an' paid their way." He crosses his arms, helmet hanging from his left hand.
"Seein' as it's them we're after, I say we follow their steps an' see what they'd 'ave seen. An' if we do attract the same manner o' attention, more's the better t' find where they've been taken."
The half-orc gives a start at Kraang's nudge, snapping back to attention.
***
"Not normally friendly t' other faiths, these Razmirans." The warpriest brushes the silver key that hangs around his neck, as if scattering a cover of dust. He has only recently replaced his wooden icon with the wages from his last mission, but the Abadarian still aspires to acquire a Key in the full gold befitting his devotion.
"If our patron says the docks'll be less cause for trouble, I'm all for it," he grunts. "Wiser t' hide in plain sight than go skulkin' about some corsair's back channel."
The faint creaking of steel on steel whispers beneath the introductions, as the half-orc standing to the back of the room adjusts his posture. He doesn't make a habit of wearing a full set of plate armor when roaming about the city, but every member of the Society learns than any briefing may require immediate dispatch. He cradles his helm in the crook of his left arm, and uses his free hand to wipe away the sweat beading on his brow.
"Slachagok," he announces the other Pathfinders in attendance, taking his hand from his forehead. He turns his wrist, bends forward slightly, and sweeps his arm quickly across the room in a half-hearted effort to evoke a bow. "Repesentin' th' interests o' Andoran, an' the faith o' Abadar."
The "Treat Disease" use of the Heal skill lets another person roll against the disease's DC, with success giving the victim a +4 to their next save. If no one in the party has a high enough modifier to beat it by taking 10, you can hire a doctor (from UE) for 1 gp/day, who has Heal +9.
The half-orc can barely keep himself from gagging as the sickly-sweet odor of death crashes over him with as much ferocity as the frothing waves. Turning his head to seek untainted air, he takes a deep breath, holds it, and steps forward to pin the undead creature between himself and Rogar.
He steadies his grip on the heavy leather-wrapped hilt of his greatsword, raises the weapon high, and cleaves downward towards the ghast.
Stepping into the room, Slachagok perceives the source of the terrible roar.
Knowledge (religion):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
"Bit fancy for a ghast," the warpriest opines. "But not all the perfume in Tian could mask that foul stench."
Next time the Society sends me delving into a city of the dead, I won't forget to lug in a jar of terrap sap.
Touching the key around his neck but keeping his gaze fixed on the ghast, he utters a fervent prayer
Move SW, W, W, N. Cast Divine Favor. Fate's Favored trait adds +1 to all luck bonuses, for net +2 luck bonus on attack and damage rolls for 1 minute (Greatsword +8/2d6+8/19-20/x2).
Seeing the remaining ghoul drawn into the range of his allies, the warpriest decides the time has come to go on the offensive. Stepping up, he swings his blade down at the shambling corpse.
I fully support sub-optimal tactics justified by character flaws, just to weigh in. It's one thing if it puts the rest of the group directly at risk, but with four fully-stocked players waiting in the wings, I don't think anyone else needs to endanger themselves to summit this encounter. I have seen a single ghoul almost TPK a 5-person party when everyone decided to pile down a hallway single-file, though, so if he does get paralyzed, well, he should hope the ghouls don't stop to eat.
Knowledge (religion):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
Slachagok grunts in frustration as the fighter goes charging up the stairway, though he cannot argue with the immediate results.
"Watch out f' their bite, ye damn fool!" he snarls, shouting down the corridor.
Slach speaks these inspiring words, granting a minor blessing of Nobility to Rogar. +2 morale bonus to attack rolls, skill and ability checks, and saves(!) for one round.
"This'll fix ya," the warpriest grunts, seeing another opportunity to show off his snazzy wrist-mounted wand-launcher.
Give Rogar a tap with the wand, then reload it into the sheath.
CLW:1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
"Some sort o' zombified bugbear, this 'un," he nods toward the putrescent corpse recently de-animated by his allies. "What it was doin' down here or how it got t' this state, I couldn't tell ye. Never been t'a necropolis before, though, p'raps these types are standard fare."
He ponders the implications of an entire facility full of goblinoid undead for a moment, before turning to consider at the body in the puddle.
"Dunno what to make o' this either. Strange state to be in, if he's been here since the floodin'."
Sweep the room with Detect Magic. If this doesn't turn up any auras, take 20 on Perception (for 22) to examine the body in the puddle.
"What manner o' creature..." the half-orc grunts to himself, rounding the corner to see the looming undead. Leery of approaching alone, he prepares his blade to strike if the foe draws nearer.
Move up and ready an action to attack (+6/2d6+6/19-20) if the creature enters his threatened range. If we can't assume that Slach redrew his weapon before, then use his standard to do that instead.
=Map updated. DM, is there any way for me to reimburse Slachagok for the CLW charge? 15gp is a lot for a level 1 PC. :)
Don't worry about it. If you could buy charges piecemeal, that might be one thing, but since they come in lots of 50, by the time you burn through your first one, you'll probably be long past the point of caring much about double-digit amounts. Slach certainly mooched enough charges in his first mission.
Slachagok can only watch as his allies are drawn down through the massive funnel. Once the whirlpool forces subside, he tromps once more over to the center of the room, and shouts down the hole:
"Are ye alright?!"
If the way ahead seems less than highly perilous, he will lower himself into the
On second thought, if the hole is deeper than 10 feet, Slach will take his 50-ft roll of hemp rope and tie it to the nearest secure point (one of the rocks on the edge?) and then rappel down.
Slachagok draws his weapon, but has no chance to strike before the insectoid horror succumbs to his allies' assault. With a shrug, he resheathes his greatsword and trundles back through the murk to join the other Pathfinders ashore.
"That one had th' taste for green flesh," he grimaces, examining Mrachni's gaping abdominal wound. The warpriest cocks his wrist back then snaps it forward with a flourish, launching a wand into his palm from a hidden spring-loaded sheath. He swipes the device over his unconscious compatriot, then taps Mrachni on the chest.
Whispering an invocation to his god, the half-orc runs off toward the party's aquatic ambusher. Though thigh deep in murky water and carrying a heavy suit of armor, the warpriest crosses the distance with surprising alacrity.
Use Travel Blessing as a swift action to ignore difficult terrain penalties for one round, move NW, Nx7. 2/3 blessings remaining.
Sorry for the lack of activity, all. We all have holiday commitments and responsibilities, that's to be expected, but I did not expect to come down with strep a earlier this week and get knocked on my ass with a fever. Back to functional now, so sailing should be smoother.
"Are ye sure he's the one that needs protectin'?" Slachagok whispers in reply. "Th' way he carries on with those ghastly images, I dun' know what he's playin' at, but I don't want him at my back in those dark depths."
The one-time street rat had felt consummately out of place throughout the entire affair, but as he pushes back from the table, his gauntlets clang together from their loop on his belt, and his chair catches on plush carpet and nearly tips over, he feel particularly conspicuous. His green skin at least does well to hide a flush.
Aye, I'm in the right occupation.
The lord of his church may be the patron of wealth and aristocracy, but no measure of holy devotion had yet been able to make Slachagok forget the feel of Westcrown's gutter stones against his check, or a Wiscrani house-guard's boot atop his back.
The evening's experience had only fortified the warrior's confidence that he best served the Master of the First Vault militarily. Slachagok's skills, he recognized, are far better suited to enforcing order in the face of chaos. He left it to others to actually enjoy the more elevated social arts whose perpetuation he was sworn to defend.
Still, I might do better to keep up appearances, he rues. Fingering the leather cord around his neck from which hangs the carved wooden Key-of-the-City, he resolves to save some of this mission's bounty towards commissioning a holy symbol of some finer material.
"The hour o' dawn'll suit me fine," Slach nods to Mrachni, moving towards the door.
Do we have any indication either way of whether the 'formal dress' requirement is a mechanical one? That is, whether we'd suffer consequences for walking up in armor versus a courtier's outfit and jewelry combo.
"Aye, Sleepin' Beauty!" Slachagok greets the Taldane sorceress. "No s'prise they sent out all us muscle, then--Society's gotta protect its Azlanti savanti."
Though if Dreng had expected us to be invited to a noble's memorial, the Abadarian warrior muses, looking around at the gathered group, he might yet have invited a few more courtly characters.
Checking in. Should be mostly available during the holidays--the 24th and 25th will probably be iffy, as might be the 31st, but on other busy days I expect I can find at least a few minutes for a post.
Thanks, forgot to chance that when I dropped him down from four-mirror armor to kikko. Anyway, I already have alias for both of these guys: Brognir and Zrair. If the formats look a bit different, that's because I made Zrair a while ago for another deadly-by-reputation campaign that flamed out pretty quickly.
Finally finalizing my submission. Spoilers look a bit funny because Brognir has his familiar's block sub-spoilered, and the code doesn't seem to work if the initial tag has an associated title.
Primary: Brognir Glassgrey, Dwarf Shaman
Spoiler:
Brognir Glassgrey
Male dwarf shaman 1
NG medium humanoid (dwarf)
Init +10; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +6; +2 bonus to Perception when within reach of familiar (included), +2 racial bonus to Perception to notice unusual stonework and receive such checks automatically within 10 ft.
Favored Class Shaman (+1 hp)
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Defense
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AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16 (+5 armor, +2 Dex, +4 racial vs. giants)
hp 11 (1d8+2+1)
Fort +2, Ref +3, Will +5; +2 racial bonus and +1 trait bonus to all saves vs. poisons, spells, and spell-like abilities
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Offense
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Base Atk +0; CMB +0; CMD 12; +1 racial bonus to attack rolls vs. orcs and goblinoids, +4 racial bonus to CMD to resist bull rush or trip maneuvers on ground
Speed 20 ft.
Splash
Alchemist’s fire +2 (1d6, splash 1, burn 1d6)
Spell-Like Abilities Stardust (Sp): As a standard action, the shaman can cause stardust to materialize around one creature within 30 feet, causing the target to shed light as a candle at take a -1 penalty on attack rolls and Perception checks for 1 round. Sightless creatures cannot be affected by this ability. The shaman may use this ability 3 times per day. (Advanced Class Guide Playtest, p. 27)
Spells Prepared
Orisons (unlimited)
Detect Magic, Guidance, Create Water
1st level (DC 14)
Cure Light Wounds, Sleep
Spirit Magic Spells
1st level (1/day) (DC 14)
Color Spray
Feats Improved Initiative: You get a +4 bonus on Initiative checks.
Traits Glory of Old: You receive a +1 trait bonus on saving throws against spells, spell-like abilities, and poison.
Grounded: You gain a +2 trait bonus on balance-related Acrobatics checks, and a +1 trait bonus on Reflex saves.
Skills Heal +7, Know (planes) +4, Know (religion) +4, Perception +4; Special +2 racial bonus on Knowledge checks concerning dwarves and their enemies and can make such checks untrained, +2 trait bonus on balance-related Acrobatics checks; +2 bonus on Perception checks to notice unusual stonework, and receive such checks passively
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Special Abilities
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Slow and Steady: Dwarves have a base speed of 20 feet, but their speed is never modified by armor or encumbrance.
Stonecunning Dwarves gain a +2 bonus on Perception checks to notice unusual stonework, such as traps and hidden doors located in stone walls or floors. They receive a check to notice such features whenever they pass within 10 feet of them, whether or not they are actively looking.
Weapon Familiarity: Dwarves are proficient with battleaxes, heavy picks, and warhammers, and treat any weapon with the word "dwarven" in its name as a martial weapon.
Spirit Familiar: The flesh of the shaman’s familiar accurately reflects the stars that would be visible in the night sky, no matter where the familiar is or the time of day. Due to this, it can be used as a star map. In addition, it gains a fly speed of 5 feet; if the familiar already has a fly speed, it instead increases its fly speed by 10 feet. When it uses this ability to fly, a small nimbus of light surrounds it
Rabbit Familiar: Master gains a +4 bonus on Initiative checks.
Str 3, Dex 16, Con 9, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 5
Base Atk +0; CMB +1; CMD 7 (11 vs. trip)
Feats Run
Skills Heal +2, Know (religion) -1, Know (planes) -1, Perception +5, Stealth +15; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics when jumping
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Special Abilities
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Alertness (Ex): While a familiar is within arm's reach, the master gains the Alertness feat.
Improved Evasion (Ex): When subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, a familiar takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw and half damage even if the saving throw fails.
Share Spells: The wizard may cast a spell with a target of “You” on his familiar (as a touch spell) instead of on himself. A wizard may cast spells on his familiar even if the spells do not normally affect creatures of the familiar's type (magical beast).
Empathic Link (Su): The master has an empathic link with his familiar to a 1 mile distance. The master can communicate empathically with the familiar, but cannot see through its eyes. Because of the link's limited nature, only general emotions can be shared. The master has the same connection to an item or place that his familiar does.
Backup: Zrair, Catfolk Alchemist (Vivisectionist)
Spoiler:
Zrair
Male Catfolk Vivisectionist 1
N Medium humanoid (catfolk)
Init +3; Senses scent; Perception +3
Favored Class Alchemist +1 hp
===== Defense ===== AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 14; (armor +4, Dex +3)
hp 11 (1d8+2+1)
Fort +4, Ref +5, Will -1 (+2 vs. poison)
Defensive Abilities Cat's Luck
Languages Common, Catfolk, Goblin, Sylvan
SQ alchemy (alchemy crafting +1, identify potions), brew potion, mutagen, sneak attack +1d6, throw anything
Gear Chain shirt, cold iron dagger, alchemist’s fire (2), traveling formula book, chalk (10), earplugs, fishhook, flint and steel, parchment (5), bandolier, magnet, sack, 22 gp, 6 sp, 7 cp
===== Special Abilities ===== Cat's Claws (racial) Catfolk with this racial trait have a pair of claws they can use as natural weapons. These claws are primary attacks that deal 1d4 points of damage.
Cat's Luck (Ex, racial) Once per day when a catfolk makes a Reflex saving throw, he can roll the saving throw twice and take the better result. He must decide to use this ability before the saving throw is attempted.
Climber Catfolk with this racial trait possess a climb speed of 20 feet (along with the +8 racial bonus on Climb checks a climb speed affords). This racial trait replaces sprinter.
Scent Catfolk with this racial trait gain the scent ability. (Racial)
Secret Knowledge (trait) When you initially take this trait, it has no effect. At any point thereafter, before making a check, you may choose one Knowledge skill. You gain a permanent +2 trait bonus on checks for that skill, and it becomes a class skill for you. Once this skill is chosen, it cannot be changed. Note: Set to Knowledge (religion). Highlander (trait) You gain a +1 trait bonus on Stealth checks and Stealth is a class skill for you. This trait bonus increases to +2 in hills or rocky areas.
Weapon Finesse (feat) With a light weapon, elven curve blade, rapier, whip, or spiked chain made for a creature of your size category, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you carry a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls.
"Was more the 'Zlanti protections than our own steel, but we'll take the rout all the same," the inquistor nods, removing a steel gauntlet to accept Dias' shake.
"If ye've got a plan t' get this great glowin' marble out o' here, by all means."
Withdrawing his blade from the slain Charu-Ka, the nearby clashing of titans draws Slachagok's attention. Looking to his left, he sees the four-armed gorilla monster land a mighty punch against the steadfast Azlanti golem.
"First Vault, I hope it's our Sorceress inside o' that thing," he grunts. He wheels on the other monkey man and sweeps his falchion downward.
