The Ghost Writer's page

The Chronicle sheet looks good. Thank you for the game!

Shortly after being healed from the undead condition, the Ghostwriter slips away as quietly as he first appeared, leaving behind only a scrap of paper with the words: "The Ghostwriter...will return."

"Yes, the forms were quite effective. We managed to fool one of their military officers, a mummy by the name of Corvalos. And as Aiden stated the previous group wasn't killed by undead but by some Pharasman partisans, so they are still unaware of our ability to disguise our agents as undead."

Boon Roll: 1d20 ⇒ 7

The Ghostwriter quickly identifies the two scrolls, using his highly refined understanding of the written word.

Esoteric Linguistics, take 10 on Linguistics: 10 + 18 = 28

"We have some spell scrolls here, and a spell book. I would say that we have fared quite well for a single days work "

The tengu flips through the Book of Geb. "This look like the grimoire for which we are searching. I must assume that this wormy fellow was the missing necromancer. Is there enough left of the body to bring back?"

I think he is getting to add his Dexterity to damage with daggers, but wouldn't get it with his natural attacks, so its a close call on what would be better.

You can make additional natural attacks at a -5 to hit. And it counts as a secondary attack so only half damage from strength and power attack (which would apply to the Dex to damage that an unchained rogue gets). Since youre only using a one handed weapon, I think you can claw and bite.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 18

Realizing that only sheer luck has kept him out of the jaws of the great worm, the Ghostwriter fights with fury and desperation.

"Cough, cough...We cannot reason with such a beast...We must kill it before it kills us all."

Claw 1, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 15
Slashing, Bludgeoning, Magic: 1d6 + 4 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 - 1 = 6
Hidden Strike: 3d4 ⇒ (2, 3, 3) = 8

Claw 2, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 18
Slashing, Bludgeoning, Magic: 1d6 + 4 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 - 1 = 10
Hidden Strike: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) = 9

Bite 1, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 22
Slashing, Bludgeoning, Piercing Magic: 1d6 + 4 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 - 1 = 9
Hidden Strike: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 1, 2) = 7

The Ghostwriter glides to the ground, landing in a rolling somersault as he moves towards the giant worm. Seeing Frankie on the other side, he tries to take advantage of his position and hit the thing in a weak point.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 + 2 = 28

Claw 1, PA, flanking: 1d20 + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 8 - 1 + 2 + 2 = 29
Slashing, Bludgeoning, Magic: 1d6 + 4 + 2 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 - 1 = 6
Hidden Strike: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) = 5

Fort save: 1d20 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 5 = 13
Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 3 + 5 = 23

The Ghostwriter unfurls his duster, revealing a set of jet black raven wings. He leaps into the air and takes flight, flying five feet above the ground as he moves away from the spiders and in the direction of the necromancer.

Using the Tengu Wings feat to gain a 30 feet fly speed with average manueverability. Flying 5 feet above the ground, which should high enough to stay away from the spiders.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20
Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6

The Ghostwriter's mask keeps the spiders out of his eyes and mouth, but he begins to start feeling woozy from the ones that have stung him elsewhere. He pulls out an antivenom and slurps it down.

Fort Save: 1d20 + 3 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 3 + 5 = 10

"Egads, I think I've been poisoned!"

The Ghostwriter flings his bow to the side and delivers a series of powerful blows to the ghoul in front of him.

Claw 1, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 1 = 14 Slashing, Bludgeoning, Magic: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

Claw 2, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (19) + 8 - 1 = 26 Slashing, Bludgeoning, Magic: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Bite, PA: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 1 = 21 B/P/S, magic: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

The Ghostwriter slinks forward, firing an arrow at the closest ghoul.

Composite Longbow vs Blue: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10
Piercing, cold iron: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Hidden Strike, Partial: 3d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) = 4 Hidden Strike, Full: 3d8 ⇒ (4, 7, 4) = 15

The Ghostwriter readies his bow as he silently moves into range, skirting the edge of the wall and trying to find any cover at all to hide behind.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (4) + 14 = 18

The Ghostwriter always tries to get in a surprise attack if the opportunity presents itself. He would want to get within 30 ft. so he can take advantage of his Hidden Strike ability.

"Let's head to the temple. Be careful, though, for I expect that something terrible awaits us there."

The Ghostwriter begins to move towards the temple.

Int: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8

We're so smart!

The Ghostwriter neatly lays out the bodies in the grave before tossing dirt back on them. He counts the bodies and tries to see if there is anything that identifies them.

"How many people were on the first group. Do you think everybody is here?"

The Ghostwriter clicks his beak as he looks down in the rotting corpses. After the party retrieves the way finder he gingerly replaces the bodies and begins burying the bodies.

"I wonder if we can do anything about the insects. At the very least we should make sure they are put back with respect."

The tengu grunts as he begins shoveling the cold earth. "And the grave is most likely haunted because the incompetent dolts mucked up when they consecrated the burial site. Guy, I'm sure you'll be able to give them a proper send off once they have been re-interred. Or I guess we could carry the bodies back home instead."

If they didn't walk off on us.

We're looking for a book. The person last known to possess this book was buried in this grave. Digging up the grave would confirm whether the book is still on the corpse or if the corpse is still in the grave. But if somebody has a spell or ability that lets us determine these facts without digging up the grave, then please use it instead.

"I see there is hesitation amongst some of you about digging up this grave. May I suggest that if you are squeamish about exhuming a body that you may have chosen the wrong profession? I'm not sure how you have made it in the Pathfinder Society this long without having to dig up a corpse, because forensic investigation and archeological retrieval is a major part of what we do. Perhaps there is a nice library in which you could find employment?"

"Frankie, we need answers. And sometimes the only way to get answers," the Ghostwriter says, pausing as he pulls two foot long metal bar out of his pocket. He presses down on a button and shakes the bar several times. The object lengthens to double it's original length, then a shovel head pops out of one end. "is to dig them up," he finishes.

I love my Traveler's Any Tool!

He does have an ability that lets him always act in the surprise round, even when he normally can't.

Too paranoid to ever be surprised, the Ghostwriter senses that something is wrong. He also realizes that it is probably beyond his ability to understand. Knowing this, he does the only logical thing he can think of, which is to shout a warning to his allies as he flees away from the sound of chanting.

"Ghostly chanting! Beware!"

The Ghostwriter accepts the hide undead spell.

[b]"I can scout the site and see if there are any signs of danger," the Ghostwriter volunteers.

Per: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (12) + 17 = 29
Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34

"Yes, the bright side is that we will be able to report back to Mister Valsin that their undead disguise was so effective that instead of being killed by the walking corpses, the agents were slain by Pharasmans."

"I'm glad that we didn't end up meeting the same fate that they did," the Ghostwriter quips.

With a new lead to follow, the masked tengu is anxious to follow it. "The sooner we find that book the faster we can leave this cursed place. Perhaps we should also investigate that Urgathoan temple while we're at it, but that is something we can decide upon after the book is safely in our possession."

The Ghostwriter steps forward cautiously, not wanting to meet the business end of the clerics' maces. "We are living creatures just like yourself, but in disguise. We are with the Pathfinder Society...does somebody have a wayfinder that we can show them?"

Seeing that all his allies are retreating and realizing that he would not be able to stand against all these clerics on his own, the Ghostwriter also reluctantly retreats.

Since we are deciding to run from Corpselight, I guess we're just going to go back home then?

The Ghostwriter turns on his heels abruptly and walks back to the cages. "Yes, you have a point there. We wouldn't want you to starve to death, now would we? How would you like to earn a little food today?" He reaches into his backpack and pulls out some of his rations. Holding it at the edge of the cage he says, "We are looking for some other humans who passed through here recently. Their leader was some kind of wizard. Have you seen or heard of any unusual quickened passing through this way recently?"

The Ghostwriter stares at the people in the pens through the black lens in his mask. He ignores the cold chill through his spine and passes by the begging woman.

These people are already doomed. We need to make sure we that we complete our mission and if we are successful maybe it will keep others from suffering their fate.

"Yes. There are two types of peoplw on this world. The quick and the dead. And I guess a third kind, as we just saw."

The Ghostwriter slinks forward, and hisses at the undead, "Do not make us tarry. We are on the trail of some very dangerous living creatures. They are too clever to catch with a big patrol and too strong to send just one of our kind. One is a cleric of Sarenrae, a dark haired woman of Garundi descent. There is also a Varisian warrior who wields a pair swords and a barbarian woman who carries the sword of a giant on her back. There may also be an elf with a brace if throwing knives and an elderly human wizard with them. If you see them, be careful. They have destroyed many of our kind already."

Linguistics (Orator feat): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (14) + 18 = 32

The Ghostwriter grabs the bow off his back as he silently slips into some underbrush.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15

Lovely.

And scent is pretty awesome too!

"I smell the scent of rotting flesh drifting on the winds. It's strangely," the tengu's voice trails off in thought. ""appealing. Perhaps I should not try too enjoy this form too much."

Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (11) + 17 = 28

The Ghostwriter sees what little Frankie did; because the Ghostwriter sees everything. He quietly approaches the little halfling and whispers, "I see what you stole young man. You need to turn that over to an adult, because if you do lose it we will all be in very, very big trouble."

The Ghostwriter pulls up the sleeve of his coat to see that his glossy black feathers have turned into a ashy gray. He sees that his talons also appear to have become even longer and sharper than before and when he touches his beak he realizes that other weapon of his also feels deadlier.

"These are an improvement in many ways! I could truly strike terror in the hearts of wrong doers in this form!" the vigilante says enthusiastically. His shrill voice is now a little more raspy, with a subtle rattling sound.

The Ghostwriter is already a natural attacker, and this just increases the damage he is going to do from 1d3 to 1d6.

"Where's your commitment to the Pathfinder Society, Guy?" quips the Ghostwriter.

I mean is infernal healing *really* any worse pumping negative energy into yourself? But, seriously I understand not wanting to use that spell on your character. I never use it on my good characters either.

I'm fine with shelling out for a wand and selling it latter. That is definitely the most economical option. Since Ghostwriter can't use a wand but can use scrolls, I think I will still pick up two inflict light wound scrolls so that he has a way to heal others. And I do have my wand of infernal healing as a backup, which Molos could hold onto.

I mentioned this in my last gameplay post, but I think infernal healing might still work as normal as it doesn't depend on positive energy. I do have a wand of infernal healing that I'm willing to share; but unfortunately the Ghostwriter would need somebody else to cast off it.

"The inability to be healed is something I haven't considered. I would like the time to commission for some scrolls to be written."

The Ghostwriter will purchase 10 scrolls of inflict light wounds. Also, just out of curiosity, would infernal healing work as normal? It doesn't heal positive energy, just gives the user fast healing, which is an ability a lot of undead creatures actually have.

Knowledge:Local: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

A figure dressed in a weathered gray duster slips silently out of the shadows. It is unclear when he entered the room or if he has been here the whole time. The vigilante's face is concealed underneath a leather plague doctor mask that has been modified to expose his natural beak, which is the same shiny black color as the patent leather of his mask. He has a long bow slung on his back and a pair of swords hanging from his belt but his razor sharp talons and long pointed beak seem just as dangerous as these weapons.

Despite his ominous appearance, his voice is rather shrill when he speaks.
"This must be quite the valuable grimoire indeed if it is worth risking two teams of Pathfinders to retrieve. Can you tell us anything about this man that was sent to retrieve it the first time, this Joktan Heth? Any clues that may help us pick up his trail would be greatly appreciated."

Day Job - Profession (Scribe): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14

This character has a few odd mechanics I just want to let the party and the GM know about. The Ghostwriter is a vigilante but he never leaves his vigilante identity during scenarios, so the dual identity thing shouldn't be an issue..

He is a stalker and gets Hidden Strike, which is very similar to Sneak Attack. I see we have two other people with rogue levels, so we should work together to get that sweet, sweet flanking.

The Ghostwriter has Orator and Esoteric Linguistics, which lets him use Linguistics for some social skills and to cast off of scrolls.

And finally, he always gets to act on the surprise round, even when caught unawares.

Player Name: Lance K
Character Name: The Ghostwriter
Pathfinder Society Number: 125869-12
Faction: Scarab Sages
Normal Progression
Day Job: I'm going to save this for the end.

The Ghostwriter is glad to see Valais healed from her condition, commenting that order has been restored. He stays in Heaven for several days and tries to enjoy it but begins to feel anxious from the relentless goodness. When it is time to leave, he is glad to go back to the Material Plane.

"I hope to see you all again, but I am eager to return to Kaer Maega after being away so long. I fear that the criminal elements have begun to relax in my absence and it is time that I return and chase them back into the shadows." With a flourish of his cloak, a pair of wings sprout from his back and he flies away, as quietly as he came.

Thank you so much for running this. It was great being able to go through all three of these with the same character!

The Ghostwriter will play it safe and take 10.

Profession:Scribe (take 10): 10 + 6 = 16

"You are required to confess anything you have hidden in order to gain access to Heaven, including, but not limited to: items, abilities, and intentions. Was helping Valais an excuse to loot Heaven? How did you even know about the Great Library of Harmonious Scripture?"

Orator Feat

Linguistics: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 18 + 4 = 39

If I can't use Orator for this check, then my total modifier is +2; for a total of 19.

The Ghostwriter is eager to present the opening arguments.

"I understand why you would assume that we may have entered Heaven under deceptive means, but I can assure you that we have only been straight forward and honest regarding our intentions."

The Ghostwriter recounts the story of how the party rescued Kitarlo from Laktharis in the World Wound, who was maimed by the vicious demon. He also describes how the group approached the gates of Heaven and their interaction with the hound archon.

"Us mere mortals, would never have considered violating the customs and laws of Heaven. Although we did take measures not to call attention to ourselves and Valais's condition, we also never tried to enter you kingdom under false pretenses and were open with any that we encountered."

"When else will I get to try heavenly honey. Don't drink it all! I want a taste!"

I wasn't sure if he had actually gone down a size or not. That failed Acrobatics would provoke an attack of opportunity also.

Chagrined that he missed his jump, the Ghostwriter moves in to claw at one of the constructs. He tosses his bow to the side and gets into his Deadly Crow stance, before unleashing a series of furious blows on the blue puppet.

He does not have actually have a stance, but does use Power Attack on these attacks.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (9) + 8 - 1 = 16
Slashing, Bludgeoning, Magic: 1d3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Claw 2: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 1 = 21
Slashing, Bludgeoning, Magic: 1d3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

Bite: 1d20 + 8 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 8 - 1 = 21
B/P/S, magic: 1d3 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 4 + 2 = 7

"I think you're getting shorter Laktharis! Watch me jump right over you!"

The Ghostwriter takes a running start, then breaks into a cartwheel before attempting a back flip right over Laktharis's head.

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Ghostwriter is double moving,, using Acrobatics to move through Laktharis's space. The DC is his CMD+5. Hopefully the shrinking that's already happened has affected his CMD.

Flashy really isn't my style, but I'll think of something. First, let's thin their numbers out a bit.

The Ghostwriter sneaks around the corner. Seeing the red puppet, he fires a cold-iron tipped arrow at the jaunty construct, hoping to catch it unawares.

Stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Longbow: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27
Piercing, Cold Iron: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8

Hidden Strike if Construct is unaware of Ghostwriter: 3d8 ⇒ (4, 8, 2) = 14
Otherwise, Hidden Strike for being flat-flooted: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 7

The Ghostwriter salutes Skuroth. "Thank you for giving us the chance to clean up our mess."

[b]"Is everyone ready to get going? We have more demons to subdue."[/ooc]

The Ghostwriter lets Orin use his own wand on him to heal the minor injury he received from the exploding slime.

"You have found yourself in the most dangerous place in the universe for a demon. Do not try to mislead or deceive us, fiend. We are your only chance for receiving any kind of mercy."

"You're not going to escape from us that easily!"

The Ghostwriter turns around and backflips into position. He doesn't quite stick the landing and almost falls off the branch.

Acrobatics to avoid AoO: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Rapier, flanking: 1d20 + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 7 + 1 + 1 + 2 = 20
Piercing, Cold Iron, Hidden Strike: 1d6 + 3 + 1 + 3d4 ⇒ (5) + 3 + 1 + (3, 4, 1) = 17