Takek Iron-Back's page

Seems that way, sadly.

Yep. Same issue.

Are the blobs on the map the molds, or the piles that the molds were eating off of? When I know that answer for sure, I'll feel more comfortable moving Takek. In the mean time...

Takek tossed the glowing beetle sac he'd been carrying into the room, hoping that the light and heat might distract the slimey oozes.

Just a lob, trying to get at least 10' behind the blobs, so that they're all backlit, and, perhaps so that one or more of the slimes will go that way...

Takek looked up from where he had just cut the glowing sac from the body of the last bug they had killed.

He followed Valki Valka around the corner without hesitation, the glowing sac in one hand.

Congrats!

No rush.

And holy hell, Rhangil is the most dice-bot beloved person ever seen. All hail Rhangil, Chosen of Dice-bot, High Priest of Luck and Statistical Anomalies!

Still here, just with the group that's gutting bug butts. :-)

"Well," Takek said, looking about the place, "I think my wife and Rhangil have made good points. I have torches, but let us make use of what our collective strength has given us. Those who can see in the dark, go to the edges of the paths before us, and see what you can see without losing sight of the rest of us. In the meanwhile, we will cut the lights from these... creatures, and bring them with us, whichever way we go. They give enough light to be useful, without giving us away, like a torch would."

Pretty-much that. Darkvision scouts out, Takek and Valki Valka with glow pods (enough to be able to throw one or two out to light up a battlefield, if we wind up needing to, as well as one to hang onto (tie to a belt?) for close work). Then the two of us (and Felix, if he needs to) will stay at least 10-20' back from the scouts, so that they can see ahead of us, without us giving away their positions. My preference is to go up the dry-land route, but it's probably good to scout both ways at least a little (take a look down each way with Darkvision, at least), before we decide.

Takek shook off the attack, and gave those still suffering another shower of cold, fresh water. Then he summoned the strengthening power of Gorum again.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Gotta love a min-roll in combat, followed by overkill in peace-time. *sigh* Everyone hurt should be at full now, unless Θ3Ξ5 only gets half healing?

EDIT: He'll also mention that he has torches in his pack

"It requires strength to lift another. There may be found as much honor in lending your strength to another's sword arm as there is in swinging the sword."

The words of a long-dead priest echoed in Takek's mind, as if summoned, somehow, and he shook his head. Glancing about, he realized that all of his companions were bruised or bleeding, including himself.

Keeping his sword up defensively, Takek summoned the power of his God, and a weak wave of healing strength rolled out from him.

Channel: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Clearly, Gorum didn't quite agree with this interpretation of His philosophy. That, or the aftereffects of the putrid water were affecting Takek's concentration.

Sorry guys. It appears that the RNG hates us right now. But everyone gets 1hp back. If there are any wounded bugs, he'll Exclude them with his Selective Channeling feat.

Glad you're back!

Not sure about the "safe and sound" part, though. At least, not for the PCs...

Gotcha. Man, these are some deadly CR 1/3 monsters

Paizo is, in my opinion, horrible at balancing CR for 1-3 level characters. I have never seen as many PC deaths and TPKs as I've seen in first modules of Pathfinder APs.

Takek growled. He probably should have backed off and healed himself and his companions, but now his blood was up.

Attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Unfortunately, his anger didn't seem to be helping his aim.

Sorry, that's a hit. The AC listed after the slash (with an asterisk) is if he has Shield of Faith active. Which he did in the previous fight, but it should definitely have expired by now. I'll fix that in the morning.

Yep. It's amazing how devastating "sickened" can be at low levels. DM, Takek has the same Init as the baddies. I was waiting to see what everyone else/the bugs did first, but just noticed that they had no Dex bonus to their Init roll, so I guess that would put Takek acting just before them. My apologies on the delay. (That said, you forgot to roll twice for Valki Valka again.) ;-)

Takek drew the greatsword from his back and strode towards one of the bugs.

attack: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Unfortunately, he probably would have had better luck with the flat of his blade. The little thing easily avoided his clumsy strike.

Sheesh! "And the Heroes of Torch were felled by lightning bugs."

Fort Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Takek rose from the stinking water and gagged a few times, heaving the filth from his lungs and mouth. His tongue tasted like something had died on it, weeks ago, but beyond that, he seemed fine. Which did not prevent him from giving himself a quick shower in divinely summoned water.

Blinking, he looked around their environment, ready for trouble.

He'll use Create Water to clean the pool water off/out of his armor, and offer the same to anyone else who wishes it.

Takek doesn't have the cash to buy the things I'd like to feel "ready." :-) So let's go!

Valki Valka is correct. Blech. Still sick. I can keep up, but it seems as though there wasn't really much for Takek to say or do. He's mildly concerned about heading out with only one spell left for the day, but you can't have a 15-minute adventuring day any more, so... Onward we stagger.

Takek rounded the corner and came into the room - most definitely not in any hurry - giving the blonde girl a nod. The technically polite thing to do would probably have been to speak to the girl, but Takek had more important things on his mind. He reached his wife and, with a smile, grabbed her by the armor.

"There is blood on your lips, Wife." He leaned in to give his ferocious bride a kiss.

Without getting into too many details, Takek and Valki Valka's kisses have a certain power to them, apparently. ;-)

CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

Drop Magic Weapon for CLW on Valki

Hey Rhangil, did you know you can cast a Touch Attack spell, then move and attack after casting? At this level, Concentration checks aren't terrible, but the failure of one is proportionally more expensive, as you have fewer spells to lose.

If you knew this, and just had an excitable (and young and inexperienced) character make a tactically inefficient choice, I applaud your RP! :-)

But just in case you didn't realize that you had the option, I thought I'd point it out for future reference.

Hmm, well the rules don't really allow it, but I like the idea. Let's split the difference, and call it a +1 circumstance bonus on Valki's next attack (and Rhangil or Felix if they use electricity based attacks)

I'll take it. I actually got the idea reading... I think it was an introduction to one of the Paizo APs, or the Playtest for the "new rules" (back when there wasn't yet a PRD), where it encouraged/commiserated about creative uses of cantrips, and encouraged DMs to roll with such things. On the other hand, I completely understand GMs who don't allow it, too. +1 is cool - especially if it works for other folks, too. :-) Did you want the Ranged Touch rolls each time going forward?

Just noting that Θ3Ξ5's last attack numbers didn't include the +1 from Guidance, so it's still available for use in round 3, if desired.

Takek was caught in an unenviable position - he very much wished to be inside the building beside his wife, hammering away at the machine with his greatsword, and he keenly felt the blessing of his Lord protecting him, and also urging him to enter the fray. But he also suspected that he would not be able to get to his wife quickly enough to make a difference in this battle, and he knew that if he rushed to get to her, it would only look as though he was trying to rescue her in some way. An intent that his wife would not approve of, whether it was true or not.

So Takek was stuck outside, with Θ3Ξ5, and a damnably small hole in the wall, through which only one of them could reasonably make any sort of attack. And Θ3Ξ5's arrows were far more likely to be effective than Takek would have been, had he tried to ram his sword through the hole, or worse, tried to launch sling bullets through it.

Feeling the frustration, and having done what he could to assist Θ3Ξ5, Takek fell back on an old trick that he'd used in the past, and called forth a couple of gallons of water from thin air. Directly over the robot's head - or at least, that was his intended target - in the hopes that the water would distract the thing, giving Valki Valka an opening to land a more telling blow. Then he headed into the building.

So, one of my favorite tricks with Create Water (some GMs allow it, some don't. Most seem to require a Raged Touch Attack or a regular "Aid Another" check. But the concept is basically a ranged Aid Another attempt, going off of the theory that 16 pounds of water (a gallon of water is 8lbs, and the spell creates 2 gallons/level) dumped on one's head is somewhat distracting. If you don't allow it, then it'll just be a wet robot. If you do, here's a roll for success. Ranged Aid Another?: 1d20 ⇒ 14 Add +2 if it's Dex-based Ranged Touch

Move 20' towards the door (Map Updated)
EDIT: If the Aid Another is allowed and successful, the intent is to give a +2 to Valki Valka's next attack on the robot.

Takek frowned. There was little he could do from the window, so he stepped over to Θ3Ξ5 and whispered a prayer to Gorum, before touching the cloaked archer on one shoulder.

"Gorum grant you Strength in your purpose."

This assumes that a) the window has glass in it, and b) that Takek doesn't know enough about electricity/tech to realize that exposed wires exposed to water (like, say, a Create Water spell) might cause the thing to short out. If I'm wrong on either of those particulars, I'll give Takek something else to do next round. :-) As it is, move next to Θ3Ξ5 (map updated), cast Guidance on Θ3Ξ5 (+1 to one attack/skill check/save of its choice in the next 10 rounds).

My apologies if you were waiting for an action from me. I have this annoying tendency, once we get into initiative order, to want to see how the actions in the order prior to mine wind up resolving before I post my actions (especially when I'm playing a healer-type).

Pulling his greatsword free of his back and calling upon the Lord in Iron, Takek brings forth a blessing of protection, then steps up to the window closer to the missing bricks.

Cast Shield of Faith on self, move to the window (map updated), draw sword while moving.

Quick reminder that Valki Valka would get to roll twice for Initiative and take the best one, as per Takek's Domain ability.

Takek blinked as everyone tore off around the building. Eventually, he shook off his surprise and followed.

The exuberance that you and Valki Valka show towards "diplomacy" goes a long way towards making this a fun game. ;)

Heh. Just wait until Valki Valka encounters a chance to get all "diplomatic" with a bad-guy robot or two... :D

The Kellid woman shrugged. "Your words have been wise enough so far. But it is true that my Husband has a gift with words. If he would wish to stop you from speaking, that would be an entertaining fight to watch." She smiled brightly, as though suggesting that the group duel to speak were a great joke.

Takek gave his wife a quirked eyebrow, but his smile stayed broad.

"I have found that words can be almost as useful as a strong sword arm or an accurate eye with a bow," Takek said to Θ3Ξ5, in answer to its question. "After all, even The Lord in Iron knows that you cannot physically force another to think they way you might wish them to. So, I try to use all of the weapons at my disposal."

Takek shrugged.

"I can speak for the group in situations where it is appropriate."

To bring the question over here and a bit meta, I realized that, sadly, with a 14 Cha and no ranks in Diplo, Takek seems to still be the best bet as our party Face.

I'll toss a rank into Diplo next level, so that should help a bit.

At least he's got the Wisdom to not be a complete basket-case in conversational matters (DM'd a party once with a 20Cha/8Wis Gnome sorcerer as the party face. Everyone else dump-statted Cha - I think there was one 12, or something - needless to say, there were more than a few "crossed wires" conversations, in which the Gnome either completely accepted some incredible stories from NPCs, or talked folk into some of the oddest things that "seemed like good ideas at the time."). :D

Takek collected his writ and handed the others around as they were ready. Then, looking around at the others, Takek took the dismissal for what it was, and opened the door leading out of the room.

"Shall we be off to the Foundry, then?"

Takek nodded and stood up, the movement pulling him free of the hand on his shoulder. He gave Θ3Ξ5 a smile and a wink, before turning back to the dwarf.

"Thank you for your assistance. I believe we are, as you said, 'on the job.' Is there anything else you would share with us before we go to speak to Val?"

If she has nothing else to offer, Takek is ready to follow the others to Val. Right after collecting that writ the Councilwoman mentioned...

Takek nodded as the questions were asked and answered. His eyes narrowed a bit as he thought over what he heard. Eventually, he spoke.

"Did Khonnir speak more of the 'metal wall?' Or of the tracks? Did he know who made them, or if those who made them made it beyond the wall? Do we suspect that those who made the tracks may have waylaid Khonnir's second expedition?"

Takek stood up as well. With no objections heard from the others, he nodded and led the way out of the inn and towards the Town Hall.

"Well then, shall we be off to the Town Hall?"

Though not always as quick to action as his wife, Takek was, nonetheless, a priest of Gorum, and as such, was not the kind to dither once a course of action was clear. He looked around the table, and was clearly ready to stand and go, if no one else objected.

No worries at all. I suspect that this particular relationship is going to be the source of much amusement (and also many dead bad guys).

Takek winced slightly at his wife's phrasing, hoping that the android would intuit what she meant, as opposed to what she'd said. But then he shook his head and smiled again.

In a voice pitched deliberately quieter than Valki Valka's had been, he spoke to the other four at the table.

"Perhaps we should go and speak to the council before we do anything else. If there is a battle to be had, it is always best to know as much of your enemy as possible, so as to be able to crush him more completely. And right now, our enemy is ignorance. We know not where to aim our swords, as it were."

Just a quick note, folks, as I just wanted to make sure you're making deliberate RP choices, and not missing a character detail.

Valki Valka isn't really a traditional "first name, last name" kinda thing. At least, not to Valki Valka. While I (the player) have called her Valki in the ooc discussions, note that Takek (the character), has not. I did screw up once, and refer to her as Valki in one IC post, though that wasn't Takek actually speaking it wrong.

Anyway, the point is, Valki Valka refers to herself as "Valki Valka." Not "Valki." This is a bad comparison, but think of it as more "Sarah Jane" than as "Sarah Jones."

That said, it's an amusing running joke that Valki Valka keeps correcting everyone (and will continue to do so). I just wanted to make sure your characters were continuing to get it wrong because you, as Players, are making that choice. :-)

Takek is pretty much (aside from family, to this point) the only person Valki Valka doesn't insist must call her Valki Valka. And that's mostly because he usually calls her, "Wife" (which is something of an endearment and a title of honor, rolled into one). :-)

I'm sure this will change, as the group bonds over enemy corpses, but for now, it is as it is. Just an FYI. Back to your regularly scheduled fantasy adventure gaming...

Taking credit for other people's ideas isn't really Valki Valka's thing.

I know. :-) Which is why the thought amused me so. Because it was, in fact, her idea in reality.

But it's possible that I'm just too fond of ironic, inside jokes. :-)

Takek let concern color his face for a moment, as he considered.

"If Khonnir Bane is actually missing, and not just overdue, that does not bode well. Someone of his strength and competence would not be taken down easily, I would think. Nor through foolish decision making."

His own train of thought led him to smile again.

"Which means that a mission to rescue or recover him would be quite the challenge, indeed."

Takek nodded at Θ3Ξ5. "Treachery could account for Khonnir's fall, but what would Silverdisk Hall have to gain from stopping Khonnir from reigniting the torch? It would seem that, the longer the town goes without its primary source of income, the more it would hurt a gambling hall. And the... secondary businesses involved."

OK...

Per the thread here, the DM said that we learned very quickly that Konnir has gone missing.

I think we can retcon a bit and say that Valki did suggest going into the tunnels under the Torch, to see what happened, and to calm the people down, and maybe even find Konnir.

When Felix suggests a rescue mission, we can still be taken aback, as it would be tough for us to believe that Konnir would need rescuing, and who is this little dude, anyway?

To paraphrase that great philosopher, Forrest Gump: "I think that maybe, both things is happening at the same time."

EDIT: Or, we can just say that Felix suggested the rescue mission, and Valki immediately seized upon it as a grand idea, and will, for the rest of time, insist that it was her idea, first. ;-)

Takek gave Rhangil a welcoming smile. "As it turns out, you have excellent timing, master Vesperin. My wife was just looking for a set of ears to regale with tales of our latest adventure!"

Technically, the Forge is a tavern, not an inn, from the description. But now who's being nit-picky? ;-) The 'Candle it is, and we'll just make our poor DM roll with it. :-p

I missed the Copper Coin thing, sorry. The only challenge with the Copper Coin for this scene is that it's a tavern, and not an inn. Our DM asked us to, "please post a bit about what you are doing in Torch when the game begins," and for some reason, I read that as "what are you doing the day before the adventure actually starts?" So that's my bad. But if today is the day before the adventure starts, Takek and Valki need a place to stay until then. Of course, eventually, Valki is going to realize that those are technological candles... ;-)

Takek smiled, and shook his head, appreciating his wife's gusto for all things in life. He managed not to smile when she offered the drink to their one-time companion and then looked back at him. It wouldn't do for her to think he was amused by her attempts to please him. Instead, he just nodded, approvingly.

I would suspect that it's safe to say (assuming Θ3Ξ5 is OK with it) that, even if it wasn't on this last trip, that the three of them have guarded a caravan or two together at least once. That at least gives a link between the three of us, and Θ3Ξ5's link to Rhangil would then connect at least 4 of us a little (and heck, Rhangil might have hired Takek and Valki once or twice, as well - maybe his caravan was the one that the three of us met on, depending on how long ago that would have been (either more than 2 years ago, or less than a month ago).) - so all we would have to do now is figure out where Felix fits in.

I think it's safe to say that this is the Evercandle Inn, and the guy Takek was talking to is Erlmon Reverstoudt.

Kellid in appearance, all furs, leather and mail, her long black hair held back by a fur-lined leather headband, her fierce nature was not dimmed by the manner in which she greeted her husband. Wrapping her arms around him from behind, she lifted him, armor, pack and all, off the ground and swung him about in a circle with a yell that briefly drew eyes. Planting him back on his feet, she punched his shoulder and smiled a lupine smile.

"More work done in Gorum's honor!" she announced, nodding to the innkeep before turning back to Takek. "But it was hardly worthy of our time. A dozen bandits? Bah! Next time, I will track down a quest that will bring honor to us, as well as to your god," she challenged. Takek knew full well that Gorum was also her god, but whenever she was dissatisfied, he became Takek's.

Edit: Othres it is! Thanks, Θ3Ξ5.

And here I was, thinking that, as soon as someone told her it was called Othes, she'd start referring to it as "Promises," or even just swearing in its general direction, and wondering why it didn't answer... ;-p

Takek's smile, if possible, grew broader, and he chuckled as his wife put him down and grumbled.

"A dozen bandits might have proved a challenge, were it only you and I guarding the caravan," he pointed out to her. "But as it was, the half-dozen who actually showed themselves did prove to be quite disappointing in their reaction to the five of us that were there, I will admit."

Takek would never accuse his wife of exaggerating. It was entirely possible - even probable - that the 6 bandits that had shown themselves on the road had had at least as many reinforcements hidden in the bushes and rocks nearby. That he hadn't seen them did not mean that Valki hadn't known they were there. She had, after all, been the one to charge after the fleeing five, after she'd cut the leader of them down with her sword, while the rest of the guards were still trying to figure out what had happened.

He sighed as he put one hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps the battle that Gorum blessed us with on this trip was the battle within ourselves - to find ways to make our minds grow stronger, and not give in to boredom." As usual, his smile came back almost instantly. "I am sure that you will do quite well in hunting down a proper challenge for us in the morning. For now though, this good innkeeper has found us a room available to rent this night."

If Θ3Ξ5, wants to have been in the room to witness this, that's cool. If he just walked in during the conversation, we can roll with that, too. :-)

Takek stood tall, even under the weight of his chainmail armor and the giant pack (and even more giant sword) on his back. An onlooker might be forgiven for thinking that standing tall was relatively easy to do for a man of Takek's stature. The top of his head came in just a couple inches shy of six and a half feet above the soles of his boots, after all.

But with a few minutes of observation, that same onlooker was likely to realize that, with Takek, it was something else. There was an inner strength in this man, a way of viewing the world that kept him unbowed. His smile came easily, and seemed to always reflect in his steel-grey eyes as he greeted and returned greetings from folk in the tavern room. Though clearly just returned from the road, and weary with dust and walking, Takek took time to give at least a polite nod and exchange words with anyone who crossed his path.

Eventually, he reached the innkeeper, and began discussions around renting a room.

Leaving which inn/tavern, who's in the room, time of day, and other details deliberately vague, so as to allow other PCs to be there (or not), and to be one of the folks he exchanges greetings with (or not). I'm relatively sure that Valki will be making her own entrance a minute or two behind Takek, in her own, inimitable style. :-)

"My name is TIB, I got a license to kill! I think you know what time it is..." Any Beastie Boys fans in the house? No? Crap...

Takek Iron Back is a priest of Gorum. But he's no dour, "life is hard, suck it up and strap on your armor," look-down-his-nose-at-non-warriors elitist. His philosophy seems to be that life is full of challenges, and each is an opportunity to grow and get closer to the things that you really want. He encourages folks to embrace the challenges, enjoy the moment, and fight with all you have for all that you want. If you can do all of that while also wearing armor, so much the better. ;-)

He's happily married to the love of his life in Valki a woman who tests and challenges him every day, while also making him feel like he's the king of her world.

The two of them work as mercenaries, for the most part. They're not terribly picky about the pay, but do look for jobs that may prove challenging (not a huge stretch, given their level-1 status), and don't seem to mind if those jobs may wind up putting them at odds with the League. Despite their desires for more challenging work, they've mostly worked as bodyguards for travelling smiths and traders, I think.

As I mentioned above, they disappeared from Torch about two years ago, but arrived back in town again a month or so ago, once again looking for work.

I suspect that, had they been here when the Torch went out, they'd have been in the first group to investigate. So I'm thinking that they just got back into town yesterday, having been away for a week or so, guarding a caravan of some sort.

I'll throw up a more IC post later tonight.

Yay! A secondary healer! Welcome!
Also, welcome just in general. But yay for CLW, too!

Sad for one, happiness for another, I suppose. :-)

Speaking to the "how we all know each other" theme...

Takek and Valki have been mercenaries for a while, but disappeared two years ago to visit Takek's family in the River Kingdoms. About a month ago, they showed up in Torch again, and have taken a few small merc/bodyguard jobs in the intervening time. It's possible paths have crossed in this arena.

Takek has also done some preaching in town, though not actively proselytizing, so folks may know him from that.

Θ3Ξ5 wrote:

Just a word of note. The player who proposed Trissandra has disappeared from the boards as of November 20. His high-magic Rise of the Runelords game was forced to recruit a replacement GM.

Noted. If I hear nothing by Monday, I will select a replacement.

Sooo....

I'm guessing that someone else is coming in, then?

"HA, Wife! Many battles and challenges lie before us, indeed. With the strength that comes of companionship, and the armor of wisdom, guided by The Lord in Iron, our company shall be victorious, and we shall be covered in glory and honor."

"Or, die spectacularly, I suppose. In either case, let us enjoy the struggle!"

Happy to be here! I'm probably going to drop the Variant Channeling, just because Takek looks to be the only healer, and the hit points are probably going to prove more valuable than the Str bonuses. I think I also miscalculated his CMD, so I'll take a look at that again. But other than that, I think he's as ready to go as he can be.

I'll get Ozak rejiggered for your game ASAP. Hopefully tonight.

Not to overstep at all, and with all due respect, but I don't think it would be fair for you to basically be submitting a new character after the deadline. There are other folks who also submitted existing characters that needed "rejiggering," and who didn't get the changes done and submitted by the deadline, and they're not on the list either.

The DM can feel free to tell me I'm out of line here, but the deadline was November 30th. Everyone on the list above took the time to make sure they had their characters done and submitted before then. I think it's only right to respect their efforts by honoring the cut-off.