Szacha the Fiddler's page

Here is my application. Szacha is a Varisian skald. Please note that if needed, I could also build the character as a bard (likely arcane duelist) or as a skald (magic warrior), an archetype that replaces raging song.

Let me know if you have questions or comments.

Please note I'll be away starting Thursday. I will likely have very spooty Internet acces. Thing should return to normal around December 11. Please bot me as needed.

Same.

As the group sat back in the Ramblehouse one night Corentin, mead in hand and chair leaning back on two legs, asked, "So Gizsmith, you certainly chose a interesting time to visit Trunau. What brought you to our little section of the world?"

Szacha beams at Corentin: "Yes! I want to hear the story!" and turns to face the Gnome.

Thanks for the heads up.

Szacha goes a little pale. From the tale or the stale ale is unclear.

"Silvermane, have you ever faced the restless? How de we harm them, or at least keep them at bay?"

Thanks! I'll work under that assumption.

The morning after the return celebration, Szacha wakes with his throat like a cat's tongue and his tongue like an ashtray. Parched, he reaches over the two wenches rolled with him in nothing but hay to grab at the pitcher he wisely brought with them to the stables.

The first mouthful, a mix of stale ale, hay, and ashes makes him reconsider his wisdom as he rushes up to spit it back away from the ladies of last night.

A similar scene repeats itself for the next few days, only with different women in different stables.

Looking like he feels, his voice extinct, he arrives late to the council and does his best to follow the conversations.

"So, in a nutshell *cough* we should visit the tomb and continue to the valley to hand this Storm Tyrant a taste of conquest, from the receiving perspective... How dangerous is this region? And I can't help but wonder what kind of foe we'll likely meet in this ancient tomb... I'd rather we be prepared against necromancy, no?"

Regarding loot, I suggest we keep the healing loot, offer the druidic items to the druid (duh!), unless we wish to keep the scrolls. Szacha probably has a fair chance of being able to cast them.

Same here. Back Monday morning if all goes well.

I've updated Szacha.

I'm debating spells. Here's my list. I've put a * besides those that are pending. As we have many casters in the group, it might be good to discuss synergy.

Spells Known (6 x lvl 0): Dancing Light, Detect Magic, Know Direction, Ghost Sound, Read Magic, Summon Instrument.
Spells Known (5+FC x lvl 1): Grease, Hideous Laughter, Vanish, Silent Image, Saving Finale (FC), Charm Person (FC), Expeditious Retreat*.
Spells Known (3 x lvl 2): Blistering Invective, Mirror Image, Suggestion, Heroism, Bladed Dash* (FC).
Spells Known (2 x lvl 3): Good Hope*, (Haste or Invisibility Sphere)*.

I could take slow, instead of haste, but my guess is that, in the long run, I'm better off focusing on buffs.

Nice wrap up!

The days were long and slow for Szacha as they made their way down the river, back to Trunau. He spent his days on the deck, taking in the air, the view, the smells, his hands hard at work in penning the saga that was theirs. Reciting the exploits, the betrayals, the twists of fate, that were their bread and butter along this forsaken journey.

When the words were couched, then he picked up his father's violin and, wondering at his own strange fate and at the violin's revealed powers, he started putting music to lift the words.

And he cried as he played and sang, purging through tears the pain of loss and the joy of victory entwined.

Great!

Szacha grins like he's never grinned before his family set course for Trunau. Once outside the walls, he insist they stay nearby tonwatch events unfold and pick stragglers if needed.

Szacha listens to Corentin intently and nods his approval, but then an idea gets hold of him and he lifts a finger, asking for a few minutes.

Going through Gizsmith's pack, he uneaths some writing tools and starts scribbling crudely. He rolls the parchment and, with a wink, slips it in a crack, only partly hidden.

"Her Majesty's secret will!" he explains "It splits power in impossible ways. I hope they find it and respect her last wishes. It will get hot here. Fast!"

Linguistics to forge her last wishes: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14

I agree we cut what can be caught. Rhythm in PbP is key.

That being said, I'd love it if we could come up with a plan that will send the whole place in flames of succession mayhem. Of course, this can be part of the montage :)

Szacha looks at Corentin, visibly impressed: "That's a marvelous plan. The question is: Is it time to withdraw? What if there is an obvious next in line? We'll have accomplished little to ensure the safety of Trunau."

He pauses, then adds: "Another thought has been crossing my mind: What if the remaining horde joins the Storm Tyrant? We can't just leave; we need to make sure the horde disbands, no?"

"If the tribes could self-annihilate... If we could find a window overlooking the courtyard, and the courtyard is occupied, then I' d be all for throwing the giantess' head in the midst of all those warlords wannabes. They'll figure out there's a vacancy and step up, and hopefully mayhem will ensue..." offers Szacha.

"But you're right. First, we need more options. Let's check out where those doors lead."

Szacha's smile seems lighter, as if the pain of losing so many friends had been lifted by a sense of accomplished purpose.

Szacha gives a strange look to Jaghal, but quickly looks away: "Showing what's on that carpet would have the same effect. Anyway, an ear should be enough... I'm wondering why we can't just leave them to a bloody and neutralizing succession war?"

Szacha looks further to search for documents, maps, love letters...

How big is the magical axe?

Szacha nods gravely and hurries to search the bodies.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

if all is found quiet, then Szacha will take 20 to search.

Szacha stands, for once, speechless. Truly, what Corentin had achieved was the work of heroes, not men.

As the cavalier turns to face him, he gives him a mighty beam, eyes filled with irrepressible fervour. He would follow that man through the guts of Rovagug!

Is it wrong that I'm almost as excited to see Jaghal's reaction to being tripped as I am to seeing if we've dropped the giantess?

Definitely the right kind of wrong.

Wincing at the amount of punishment his leader is taking, and amazed Corentin still stands, Szacha tries his best to help the cavalier, striking with resolve and fury, quick as the wind, with his legendary hammer, while shouting at his companions: "Press on Friends! Press on and teach'em the ways of the Free Trunians! Through steel, through flesh, and through bones!"

Aggrimosh, rage, haste, PA, FF: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 302d6 + 14 ⇒ (2, 1) + 14 = 17

Aggrimosh, rage, haste, PA, FF: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 10 + 1 + 1 - 2 = 112d6 + 14 ⇒ (6, 6) + 14 = 26

Spirits: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 151d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Thanks for the heads up :)

Tx!

Extra attack Aggrimosh, rage, haste, PA: 1d20 + 10 - 2 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 10 - 2 + 1 + 1 = 202d6 + 14 ⇒ (1, 5) + 14 = 20

That was close!

"Technically, it's not your keep. And anyhow, he just wasn't right for you. You're much too ugly to settle for a mere Storm Tyrant. Nooooo, I say you're perfect for Rovagug itself!" taunts Szacha, hoping to draw the blow away from Corentin and to bolster his companions into cunning rage and he brings his hammer down again, looking for an opening.

Aggrimosh, rage, haste, PA, FF: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 212d6 + 14 ⇒ (3, 2) + 14 = 19

Meanwhile, the spirits surrounding him keep attacking.

Spirits: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Sorry, forgot rage. Add the appropriate modifiers, please GM.

Spirits for Sacha: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 141d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Spirits for Galor: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 221d4 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

Haste, Raging Song, Mirror Image (5 images).

Taking advantage of the surprise and their tremendous speed, Szacha rushes in, hoping to lock the giantess in place, spirits raging angrily around him: "Sorry ladies, but we're set on crashing this party."

Maintain inspire rage. Move with haste, strike.

Aggrimosh, rage, haste, PA, FF: 1d20 + 10 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 10 + 1 + 1 = 192d6 + 14 ⇒ (2, 2) + 14 = 18

Spirits: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 231d4 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

AC is 16 since haste balances rage. Plus Mirror Image!

No rage for Sacha and Galor?

"For Trunau." replies Szacha, resolute, angry spirits dancing and howling around them.

Szacha has a lot of daddy issues ;)

Everyone taking the rage.

Szacha nods and winks, casting a defensive spell on himself, splitting into an array of dizzying images, then say, as he prepares to pull the door open: "Let me start by saying to you all what an amazing trip this has been. Now, behind that door, we might the mighty warrior-queen that fits this scary dress. As I said, let none of us be taken alive, lest some misled artist depicts our toils on some fierce carpet! Now, that being said, let's give her a fight that will make her forget about that Storm Tyrant and wish instead she'd have sided with Trunau!"

Cast Mirror Image: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5 images, then start Inspire Rage when I open the door.

Inspired Rage (Su) Affected allies gain a +2 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +2 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. While under the effects of inspired rage, allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration. Plus Lesser Spirit Totem: These spirits make one slam attack each round against a living foe that is adjacent to the raging. +7 to hit, 1d4+3 negative energy damage. Spirit Totem: the spirits that surround the barbarian make it difficult for her enemies to see her. The spirits grant the barbarian a 20% miss chance against ranged attacks and melee attacks made by creatures that are not adjacent to the barbarian (typically due to reach).

I'm back. I was a week or so without Internet at all. Which was weird in an interesting way.

I agree with Corentin. Summer is hard on games as most people are away at different times. Things should pick naturally.

That being said, dungeon crawls are tough in PbP. One way we could try to solve this is to have a leader for exploration, who makes all the decision, with SOP for door opening and positioning. For example, if there are sounds or no sounds, etc. That way, one player can drive the group through most of the standard decisions.

This part of the dungeon is also particularly challenging because we're trying to avoid the courtyard and alarming the defendants. Furthermore, those damn manticores in a cage we're harder because the cage gave them an advantage for our melee-oriented group.

I'm hoping we can improve the pace and keep this game interesting for everyone. I find it a blast :)

"Yish!" shouts Szacha as he reads through the letters and takes in the sight of the wedding dress and the carpet "Friends! I beg of you: Do not let me be caught an imprisoned. I shudder at the thought..." he adds, half jesting.

He then reads the letters aloud, tAnd thinks out loud: "This is a lot more than this insurrection... I mean, this fortress is not even taken seriously by this tyrant... He sounds full of himself though. That can only work against him!"Szacha tries to sound confident, by a slight quavering betrays his fear.

Szacha will use the doorframe as cover to throw javelins whenever he is told to by Jaghal and Gizsmith. He'll use ghost sound instead to support their illusions when not tasked with throwing javelins.

Devious!!!

"Not on a daily basis, but what if it's her chambers lying just beyond that cage? Of course, might just be a broom closet... I'm at a loss! Point the way and I'll follow!"

Gizsmith, that's a great suggestion, but you have only made it ooc...

Please note I'm going away for a week and some, starting Wednesday, with very limited access to the Internet, and most likely only through my phone. Please bot me as needed. I'll likely be back to normal posting around September 13.

"Eeywgh... The only reason I'd go down there is to die horribly while trying to find a quiet way through the keep..." says Szacha with curious disgust in his voice. Part of him wanted to explore what could be their best chance to move trhough the keep unnoticed, but part of him also remembered the oozes and their caustic kisses.

"This a well? Worth exploring?" asks Szacha, a little let down by the lack of door.

Szacha goes from bent to straight and smiling as he feels Jaghal's holy healing course through him: "You are truly godsent Jaghal! And yes, let's find a way up rather than down.

He moves over to the doors, signals for his companions to approach silently, then sticks his ear to the door.

Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23

"What an attitude..." mumbles Szacha, badly injured, looking at Jaghal: "Can you help me?"

Szacha bends over fro the impact of the three darts slamming into into him, cursing: "We're trying to help..." and adds: "Let's close those doors and let them rot, no?", but not before he's moved out of the way.

"Well, as my friend says: this is the best we can offer! You're locked in a cage. I suggest you accept our terms and provide us with valuable info about the giantess so we can defeat her. We'll free you once that's done." Szacha offers.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

"Why do I get the feeling you two Manticores are going to try and enjoy our flesh for your 'out of jail' celebration?" asks Szacha, after pulling everyone behind the door for safety.

"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to help. But why would I do that..?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15

What are those... wonders Szacha, peeking behind Corentin's shoulder.

Knowledge: 1d20 ⇒ 18 +7 for arcana, dung., eng., local, history; +3 for the other.

Thanks Jaghal!

His wounds healed, Szacha beams confidently at the Gnome, seemingly without a care that they are deambulating in a stronghold filled with giants and surrounded by warring Orc tribes.

"Ok, we try to make it swift. Last thing we need is raising the alarm. If I can, I'll try to suggest our enemy it's best if he keeps silent..." and he winks knowingly.

"Nice bag... I wonder where it came from?" asks Szacha, now a little more interested in the bag.

"Do you think they have other unsuspected treasure on them?" ha asks, and proceeds to hum a single tone, studying how it vibrates to detect the presence of magic.

Detect magic.