Tarphrex the Magnificent's page

"No need, Tarphrex, but thank you. I can see in the dark as well as most of my kin."

”Tarphrex knows, have good friend dwarf. But sometimes Tarphrex thinks light is better for trap-looking. Magnar knows traps, Tarphrex gives room.”

Hang in there, you’ve got a good group. I think we will wait.

Probably half of my posts are via phone. Or phablet as my friend calls it.

"Does Magnar want light to search for traps?" If not, the lantern-bearing kobold will stay back.

Oh, I backed that - I probably have the adventure in my library and just completely forgot about it.

....checked - no Thornkeep, I got the Emerald Spire megadungeon for my donation.

@Sphen: I have not. The name is only vaguely familiar, I’m afraid.

@Estella: That sounds wonderful, particularly “getting lost” in the woods. Our first ten-mile hike involved a poor sense of direction and reading a map incorrectly. And it was awesome.

Tarphrex eyes the pool nervously, making sure he’s as far from it as possible.

”Door with piles of skulls not used soon. Other way from room?”

Tarphrex offers his hooded lantern as a target for the light spell.

Welcome back!

The team's resident kobold has a hooded lantern if the warriors would rather he was the one with a hand occupied. He does not have a light spell to offer.

Tarphrex makes sure he's not standing in line with the doors and nods his readiness.

Estella lines up in what would effectively be the second rank, her spear at the ready and ready to start a song.

"Oh! Maybe troll use ogre for writing on door!"

”Maybe dead ogres write words. Them use blood and other body stuff to decorate…”

Estella uses her spear to poke into the nests to make sure there's nothing alive within.

Tarphrex peers around the room, shrugging and nodding at Magnar's suggestion.

I assume Sherman and Ceven are in the middle with Tarphrex while Estella watches the rear.

"Is fancy star with seven points. Old smart man tell us was symbol of Xin long ago, but used by Runelords that follow him. Bad people, long time ago. Think people who die with symbol feed magic well, not sure why."

Exposition courtesy of discussion we had in-character in Sandpoint. The post was in 2021.

By way of explanation, Tarphrex says, ”Some ogres at big fort have special tattoo, some bad people in town have same tattoo. Start to think part of same big plan. Maybe ogres here just ogres using building because no one here.”

”No ogres, only trolls. This look like trolls fight ogres, maybe?”

If it appears that the immediate threats are gone, Tarphrex will follow the leaders into the room, poking at the debris with his short spear. He sees Magnar eyeing the fungus and asks, ”Maybe it burns?”

Without waiting for a reply, he goes to where Estella is examine the remains of an ogre, looking for a particular tattoo…

Tarphrex nods eagerly. Estella gestures for him and Sherman to proceed, take up the middle of the marching order.

I think it’s reasonable to assume our skald would accompany the scout as soon as he indicates the coast is clear. Would our other new ally take up the rearguard or join the van?

Pointing to where Elisani disappeared from, Tarphrex says, ”Elisani scout. Time for new scout.”

As the squishiest of squishy, he’s not volunteering unless there’s no alternative. Happy to follow.

”At least three trolls,” he points out the burned and acidized remains, ”but maybe more inside.”

”New friends good! We look in troll nest?” He gestures toward the door from whence the trolls issued forth.

Is Tarphrex the sneaky one in the party now? +12 Stealth

Tarphrex, still looking at the ground, nods. "Zenaida save Tarphrex life first time we meet. Save Tarphrex many more times. Tarphrex save Zenaida once." He shrugs out of his pack and pulls out a holy symbol of Falayna and a firestarting kit. Pointing to each item and to each of a pair of daggers on his belt, he says, "Zenaida. Alain. Loth. Quinn. Tarphrex lose too many friends." He carefully reassembles his pack and pulls it on.

"You in time see what trolls do here." As the conversation goes on, a pit - unexpected considering the location - suddenly closes up, leaving a smoldering pair of troll corpses on the surface of the dam.

A diminutive figure, small even for a kobold, peers through a forest of legs at the new arrivals, eyes wide. His scales are predominantly a dull mossy green, but there are quite a few that have a glossy black sheen.

"Friend Estella very brave, protect all friends! Keep Estella alive, very good, yes!" The impression that a first-time listener gets is that he understands the common Taldane tongue, but it's still not natural to him.

The kobold looks at the ground and says sadly, "Always good, keep all friends alive. You do?" He looks up at each of the newcomers with this last question.

When last you could check in, I asked for guidance on how to bot you during a battle with trolls. We paused for party augmentation (welcome again, new players!) with that battle largely under control, so other than some rounds of combat, you are caught up.

Happy Birthday to young Ms. GM Sphen!

e) Just congratulating nieces and nephews and godchildren reaching milestones around here. Congratulations for anyone seeing the rewards of years of hard work, whether it's a diploma, a certificate, moving a child to the next stage of life, or just self-satisfaction that you did the thing that no one knew you were striving for.

Take pride in who you are and what you've done to make your world a better place.

*squeals in delight*

Minor nit for Jane PC - Zenaida's family and church are very aware of what happened to her. Tarphrex and Sherman leaned on their aid to get back on their feet after the Half-PK. But that need not stop the backstory - they might have simply recruited you to pick up where she left off in light of the creature that killed her and the belief that it had an ally in Turtleback Ferry.

But most importantly, welcome aboard, whatever you choose to do. Glad to have you!

Remember, protect the tiny dragon. That's my new theme. And my old unspoken theme.

As I expected, sounds like you've done your homework. The class concept sounds solid and I'm not seeing any backgrounds that concern me.

I only ask that you remember the core mission is to protect the tiny dragon. ;-)

I was contacted by a player from another game I am in. They asked me if we would consider them for one of our replacements, so I bring their name forward. I will be completely honest, I think Sphen and Aldizog need to have a frank conversation about what they expect from the game to make sure they are on the same page, but Aldizog is a very good player. I just think our table here is different from the table I share with Aldizog elsewhere and I don't want people to be unhappy with the game due to a misunderstanding at the outset.

Forewarning: We have a major system migration at work - almost everything we use has been replaced or will be in the next week. My ability to focus outside of the office is worse than usual. I'm no good at recruitment at the best of times, so I'm not going to volunteer for that task.

I think both absent players are dealing with larger issues and hate to pull the rug (game) out from under them if there's a chance they can return. Can we put them on ice (a Sending from the detective agency makes it clear that Elisani must return to Magnimar with all haste and Ceven flies her there, for example) and recruit replacements, allowing for them to return to the story when their life allows?

I don't want to pause - game pauses have been too often permanent in my experience.

Elisani grimly looks at the fallen troll, knowing it will rise again no matter how grievously wounded it is… but she can postpone that from happening soon.

”This hardly seems sporting, but a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”

She takes careful aim and strikes the creature with a shot that would kill most monsters.

Automatic critical since coup d’grace isn’t a thing for a troll?

Damage: 2d6 + 14 ⇒ (5, 5) + 14 = 24

Tarphrex conjures a familiar void in the floor between the fallen troll and its compatriot. "Ceven! Push dead one!" The hole is 40' deep at this level, for sake of figuring falling damage.

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Decision die: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Ceven wheels around, "It's already down - that one's still a problem!" He hurls another pebble at high speed at the upright troll.

Telekinetic bullet: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 9 + 1 = 25

Bludgeoning Damage: 4d6 + 9 ⇒ (5, 2, 4, 4) + 9 = 24

Also, I'd like to let everyone know in advance that on the 29th, I'll be going on my Japan trip, so I'll likely be unable to post for a good 2 weeks.

Wow, that sounds exciting! We’re going to be bouncing all over the place for birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations, but my availability should be basically normal.

@SHerman: It was, thank you. I do not yet know how much of a success, but we'll be donating a couple thousand at least.

Awesome! Sorry I wasn’t more help. I have a plan for next year!

Also true. That said, I believe a flaming sphere moving randomly around a pit full of trolls would be effective. There is a building we could stand on to fire down into a well-placed pit, also. We can make it work.

It's just a temporary hole in the ground. If it can be attacked in a normal hole, it can be attacked when it's in the pit.

They are, and they would, in fact! Somehow I'd failed to internalize the "non-adjacent melee attacks like reach" part of the rage ability. Thanks for the reminder. I'll keep an eye out for those circumstances when they apply again.

I was only asking because you did not mention them and I don’t know the ability to know if it would apply.

Sorry, I don't have the mental bandwidth to figure out Elisani's move right now. I think she would tumble into melee and apply a studied strike or something like that, but I have no idea what to roll.

Tarphrex steps back to be out of the monster's reach.

"Does Sherman want make floor snakes here, too? Or maybe Tarphrex make hole?"

While he waits for his ally to share his tactical thoughts, he flings another gobbet of acid.

Acid Splash at Yellow: 1d20 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 8 + 1 = 26

Acid damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6

Owning up to a previous error, I had the attack bonus for acid splash too high by one. I don't think it made a difference.

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Ceven wheels around, "Where the devil did that one come from? Should I throw it off the dam?" He likewise adjusts to be out of reach and hurls another pebble at high speed at the new target.

Telekinetic bullet: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13

Bludgeoning Damage: 4d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5, 4, 5) + 9 = 24

Estella, are your wisps still active? Should they defend you and Sherman?

Ah, my gaming is limited to TTRPGs. I can’t keep up with them already.

I don't recognize the game, sorry.

I forgot to include the haste bonus on my own attack last round. And Ceven’s.

Tarphrex keeps up the barrage on the visible troll. He flings another slimy-looking missile over the halfling-sized Elisani at the creature filling the doorway.

Acid Splash: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 9 + 1 = 13

Damage: 1d3 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6. Boo

Seeing the kobold’s strategy, Ceven adjusts his feet and tries to target the same area above the investigator.

Telekinetic bullet: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 = 29

Damage: 4d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 5, 1, 1) + 9 = 17

Bot Ceven continues the trend of focusing fire on the troll in the doorway.

TK Bullet Fling: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Damage: 4d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 6, 1, 2) + 9 = 19

Excellent, thank you!

Ceven: It seems a telekinetic blast or a force blast are probably what we would use to bot the character at this point. Can you help us out by giving us the to-hit bonus for your blasts or making it more obvious? I don't want to miss any bonuses you have - it's clear you've put a lot of thought into the character.

Ceven: They are inside the 'house' atop the dam and Sherman has caught them, more or less, in a black tentacles spell (that's the circle on the map). You are aware of some of their abilities - look at Elisani's recent posts - and the one directly in front of the door has recently been hit with acid. Hope that helps.

Job hunting is a job in itself. Good luck.

I had considered it, actually. My primary focus has been picking up dragon feats, obviously. But more acid spells certainly is attractive.

EDIT: My next "must have" feat (Draconic Paragon) is not available until tenth level (rude, considering I cannot pick it up until 12th!)

Elemental Spell is a great option, for sure. Deepsight is thematic for the little dragon wannabe. Burning Spell might be in the cards after all damage is acid damage.

Wonder if Acid Pit damage is also increased by my favored class ability - you know Acid Pit is on my wish list, whether the bonus applies or not!

Hmm... fire, ahem, acidball would be really good right about now. If I vanish first to prepare, the DC for half damage becomes...DC 20! Fun!