Trianne Ashton's page

Thank you, Kronug, for bringing up your concerns in rational discourse. I certainly appreciate it! DMC is always very good about keeping us honest, though ultimately, I believe we all just suffer from a little bit of too much going on in our aging brains in this slow paced environment. As soon as you mentioned Mirror Image, I was like, "Wow, how did I overlook that?!" Because I try to keep a pretty solid handle on the active tactical flow. Less so on each player's nuanced build, as I'm more of a casual Pathfinder player, learning as I go.

Never hesitate to ask clarification or to drop a reminder for folks. I have/do. :)

One additional element I'll add, is that we are sometimes unable/slow to adjust the map tactically with our character movements due to when/where we're posting. I just mention it because I know your build is affected by adjacency, so again, just ask where PCs actually are if you need to when making your tactical choices.

Cinematic though! You may want to tie it in to a demoralize...though straight choppy chop might be better while hasted. Either way, woo hoo!

Trianne raises her loaded crossbow with a half smile, having anticipated a few seconds of volleying fire, she realizes she should expect the mad charge into melee. Even now though, the directness of it stymies her.

She sweeps the crossbow across the melee and finds one figure still unengaged. She releases the bolt at the burn-scarred orc and zips off into the treeline.

Attack, Move SW, W, SWx3, S, SWx3.

Lt. crossbow at Tark: 1d20 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 4 + 1 = 22
Bolt damage: 1d8 ⇒ 7

Haste -- Duration 4/5 rds remaining
Full Attack action = +1 attack at full bonus
+1 attack bonus, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 Reflex saves
All modes of movement increase by 30' up to double normal maximum

Holy crapola! I was going to enfeeble the giant, but Kronug just about knocked him out of the ballpark! :D Lemme recalibrate...

Trianne watches and waits, having sent Soot to relative safety some distance away and biding her time to cast. As she sees the group move into position and prepare to launch their offensive, she releases the vibrating energy with a mad rush and accelerates everything they do.

Operating under the presumption no one is closing during the Surprise round. If you want to, then delay until after me for Haste benefits. Enemies are 30’ away on the map. Cast Haste encompassing everyone presently.

Haste -- Duration 5/5 rds remaining
Full Attack action = +1 attack at full bonus
+1 attack bonus, +1 dodge bonus to AC, +1 Reflex saves
All modes of movement increase by 30' up to double normal maximum

I just would like to get a Haste off before we get into the thick of it.

I do love the notion of them having to communicate with body language only, and the giant smashing the occasional orc out of frustration :) , but I get the need for plot development communication too.

Trianne sighs, blowing a strand of red hair out of her face in the process. She looks behind them, eyeing the tracks that they have left behind. She turns her head and looks forward, seeing no better path forward there either.

“Agreed,” she says. “Thinning a patrol outweighs a patrol being identified as missing this far out from Redlake.” The thought of trying to prevent runners crosses her mind, but the Twisted Hearts likely know they are here already. So that prevention seems unwarranted.

"Where's a good spot?"

Plus a +1 with Guidance from Jarrek.

“I wouldn’t have trusted leaving the stone with anyone else,” Trianne says. “And we can always smash it if it comes to that.”

She tucks herself a little deeper into her cloak and looks back the way they had come, then back in the direction of the fort.

“I expect will see Skreed’s other half with her longbow somewhere between here and Redlake as well,” she adds, her tone clearly indicating she did not look forward to the reunion. “Killing the chieftain and her would suit me very well.”

She chirp whistles for Soot and instructs the raven to keep an eye out in front of them for anything unusual.

Yep, not suggesting a 10 mile super creep, just that we don’t walk a straight line to our target and offer some consideration to being undetected for as long as possible. No long duration invis options, but I can keep Message up as needed to reduce chatter noise at least.

Trianne’s tight smile at Jarrek’s proclamation is overshadowed by her own concerns. For there are many.

“Ideally yes, Jarrek, but concern is warranted,” she says as they continue to move away from the ship. “The Twisted Hearts likely know we are coming and—” She pauses, realizing there is a great deal that Kronug does not know.

Let me ‘splain. No, there is no time. Let me sum up.

“A raid on Trunau was conducted to obtain two items. That hammer,” she says to Kronug, pointing to Haftor’s weapon, and then she waves ‘please get out the stone I gave you’ fingers to Seamus. “And that stone. It is half of a map to the tomb of the Giantslayer. Grenseldek, the chief of the Twisted Hearts, wishes those items, and she must not be allowed to get them or it would greatly strengthen their position.”

“We intercepted a message describing her plot and indicating she has the other half of the stone at their base of operations, Redlake,” Trianne continues. “Our primary objective is retrieval of that stone from her. However, they likely know we’re coming and with the fort nestled between two branches of the river, I imagine the area will be lousy with patrols.”

“The sooner they spot us, the harder it gets,” she says. “But Dame Blix was able to provide us with a rough map of a sewer access way beneath the fort. That is our destination, as a frontal assault would be madness. So the general idea is infiltrate, quickly retrieve the other stone, sow as much mayhem as possible, and…well, run like hell. Because if this is there main fortification, I don’t see us lasting long in a toe-to-toe.”

“Questions?” she asks. “Did I miss anything?”

Again, we're not on a critical time table, so is there a reason not to try a stealthier approach?

Trianne had shared with Kronug that as part of the cost of passage to Redlake Fort, they were expected to serve on the ship in various capacities. Once the ruse of blindness was completed, Trianne helped where she was able, but she also eked out time wherever she could manage to work at some sort of intricate jewelry. She appeared to be integrating it into the chain which fastened her spellbook to her and would respond if spoken to, but otherwise she remained fairly engrossed.

The call for landfall brings a resigned smile to Trianne. She has enjoyed the time to tinker and has been reading voraciously as well, but being on solid ground suits her more. She stretches and gatherings her belongings.

“Thank you for getting us here, captain,” she says before making her way off the ship. As Jarrek suggests a marching order, Trianne raises a finger.

“No offense,” she nods at Seamus, coughing and waving the air as she steps away from the gnome. “But I prefer to be upwind of Seamus.”

Seamus and Kronug are both at +9 Per. Memorized spells for the day updated. Began crafting Pearl of Power 2. Position 3 or 4 is fine for her, whichever is less assaulting to the nostrils. :)

So as it stands from preferences mentioned, looks like we're trying to offload the following gear:

250 125 MW Chain
810 405 wand flaming sphere, 9 charges
2700 1350 wand greater magic fang 12 charges
250 250 ironwood crown with a stylized thorn motif worth 250 gp
150 150 a ceremonial gem-encrusted cudgel worth 150 gp
2280 subtotal

30 3 pp
178 178 gp
60.5 605 sp
21.25 2125 cp

2569.75 total

642.43 split 4 ways (unless Svarog wants his cut...?)

So items we'll be keeping on hand include:
1300 650 +1 ironwood breastplate (Jarrek)
4000 2000 +1 flaming scimitar (Haftor)
800 400 10 +1 orc bane arrows (Kronug)
2282 1141 arrow of orc slaying (Kronug)
150 75 scroll barkskin (Haftor)
375 187.5 scroll call lightning (Haftor)
700 350 scroll summon nature's ally IV (Haftor)

Okay, I'd defer then since I think Trianne can actually make more useful things, at this level most alchemical weapons are more of a nuisance than truly effective.

Thanks, Seamus, but I was just planning on using the half-time adventuring crafter rules anyway, and if there's no consensus on an overarching item to craft, she'll just take her share and see what's what.

Feel free to take dedicated crafting time if you like, though if you do, making something for the captain as well might be to our benefit. ;)

Trip back took less than two days, but we're going further and which way is the river current? Minus all the potential murdertime along the way too...

I had forgotten Agrit gave us a PoP (granted it was 5 years ago!). Make sure to add it to your profile, Haftor. My memory gains new holes daily now.

In the scimitar's defense, it was created by druids. ;)

The wand is a 50/50 shot for Trianne on activation, and I generally like better odds than that. Up to Haftor if he wants to carry a fire stick.

Armor craft takes time and a forge. If you want to wear the BP now, that's fine. We could offload it later if need be.

I can craft Amulets of Natural Armor +1 for 1k and a day as needed. I can do +2's with slight risk, but they run 4k/4 days. Though I'm eyeballing a Pearl of Power too...

If there's a pricier item we want crafted, we just need to hammer that out with team resources. Whatever works for the greatest good!

~GP value Sell value
1300 650 +1 ironwood breastplate
4000 2000 +1 flaming scimitar
800 400 10 +1 orc bane arrows
2282 1141 arrow of orc slaying
150 75 scroll barkskin
375 187.5 scroll call lightning
700 350 scroll summon nature's ally IV
810 405 wand flaming sphere, 9 charges
2700 1350 wand greater magic fang 12 charges
250 250 ironwood crown with a stylized thorn motif worth 250 gp
150 150 a ceremonial gem-encrusted cudgel worth 150 gp
30 3 pp
178 178 gp
60.5 605 sp
21.25 2125 cp

7248.25 ~Total available

Of the Vault loot, arrows and scimitar could probably find a home. Haftor do you want any of the divine casting items?

Trianne would be interested in anything that cures blindness and any arcane scrolls that might be on hand to potentially transcribe. Other than that, just conversion to craftable wealth is fine with her.

“But first, I’m glad to hear you’re flexible, Kronug,” Trianne says. “Because we’ll be beginning with a deception. Three of us were blind when we arrived, but by the grace of Sir Feldhan here, that is no longer the case. They’ve asked that we maintain that ruse though, to appear to any enemy agents as though we did not receive aid from Lastwall, considering we’re heading back into enemy territory.”

“So we’ll need you and Haftor to guide us back to our ship in due course,” she adds. “And we’ll be acting downtrodden and angry about it until we get far enough upstream. Sound reasonable enough?”

Very lucky if you still have your white box! I don't have my originals from childhood but have reacquired most of the early materials over time. I love leafing through the old modules. Have the Ghost Tower of Inverness on the night stand right now. Haven't found a white box yet, but I enjoy the hunt!

And let's maybe just say 'greying beards' instead... ;)

Oh, I love the original iterations as well and wiled away many hours as a child min/maxing with vorpal swords all too often and crayon coloring in my dice. Groundbreaking at the time and a wonderfully comparative light to how far we've come.

Truth. Playing an Elf as your whole character...lmao.

“Especially that sword,” Trianne adds, pointing a finger at Gorum’s Thorn. “We retrieved it at no small cost from a Council of Thorns cache, with their blessing for the intent to use it against the invaders. If a calling has brought Kronug and Gorum’s Thorn together, I would abide by it.”

“Our mission to the fort also explains our choice of conveyance,” she continues. “Captain Bloodtusk and his crew have been exemplary so far. Please extend them what courtesies you may without endangering your strategic goals.”

All of the above reasoning is sound, and I have no problem with any of it.

That being said, I often find the paladin's detect evil ability to be one of the most contentious/house-ruled abilities in the system. Having to quantify 'what constitutes evil' and 'when does alignment shift' for those who walk a moral tightrope is SUCH a gray area and slippery slope.

Never cared for it. Rarely use it on my paladins. Ymmv.

Just a point of clarity. K-C Feldhan is the blindness curing paladin out of Vigil. We don't know Blix's commander's name yet.

Haven't watched Rome here, but you can quote Conan anytime.

Trianne smirked a bit at the interaction between Seamus and Kronug. Also a point in favor of the Kellid. A spy would have handled that unusual interaction more fluidly. She let her smile fade as she spoke.

“You had me at ‘Our reasons change,’” she said to Kronug. “I generally don’t cater to lunatics, all single-minded and maniacal. So I’m grateful for the thought you put into your words. Charging into battle is fine, and good luck beating Jarrek there, but it’s senseless violence I don’t stomach well. You seem like you have a good head on your shoulders though. Let’s try and keep it there.”

She returned to her original spot, saying to Haftor as she went, “He’s fine by me.”

Trianne’s arms crossed in front of her as the men started posturing. She wasn’t opposed to Kronug joining them. In fact, one of the facets of Svarog she had liked most was his simple forthrightness. No frills or agenda. Kronug seemed to manifest those traits similarly. Still, there had been talk of deception and agents, and she liked to understand what was going on in the minds of those around her.

When a moment of quiet came, she stepped into it with her long legs and looked the Kellid down and up, mouth quirking momentarily as she realized she was a bit taller than him. She nodded respectfully as she introduced herself.

“I’m Trianne Ashton, transmuter and artificer by trade, and I only have one question,” she said. “Tell me, Kronug the Merciless…why do you fight?”

Trianne’s half-smile slips into the genuine article at the Kellid soldier’s entrance. Her eyes flick back and forth between Svarog and Kronug, marveling how the region shapes its people to the same purpose but still makes them so distinctly different. Still, if this man’s earlier words are even half-true, he seems to have the potential to serve in Svarog’s stead. She knows though that there’s a distinct difference between being willing to wield Gorum’s Thorn and being willing to carry such a target deep into the heart of the enemy.

She has questions upon questions, as she always does. This is not the time though. The rigid hierarchy of those present is thick in the air, and though she had fled such rigidity in her youth, she respects its power and purpose.

So she watches, fingers of one hand drumming idly on the tome chained to her waist and the itch to read, to pore over what is within, clamoring inside her.

Of the locals present, Dame Blix was the one Trianne’s gut trusted the most. If she didn’t look concerned about this somewhat covert gathering being interrupted by this shouting, Trianne felt no need to reestablish the ruse of blindness just now. She caught the gazes of some of her comrades, raising an eyebrow, and snorted, “Too loud to be a spy.”

She shifted her position slightly to see if she could see anything of what was going on outside the somewhat soldier-propped door.

Trianne assessed the room for a few moments and decided on vagueness being safer, but she needed the local defenders to know the import of their purpose as well. She said, “The less you know the better, but we have a lead on forces that may be unifying enemy efforts. Our objective is to penetrate deep into enemy territory, identify, and should opportunity present, disrupt that focusing force.”

“I wouldn’t expect our actions to incite direct retaliation against you and yours,” she continued. “But, there are definitely agents at work in the locale.” She went on to describe Mel in detail and the location of the riverbank encounter. She fished out Skreed’s locket and continued speaking as it dangled from her hand.

“She possesses the sister to this locket,” she said, and upon discussing it came to a realization. “She might be able to track its magical nature. So she may find her way here. If she does, please make her regret doing so.”

She tucked the locket away and said, “Rest assured, left unchecked, invasion will come. Complacency only serves the villain.”

Trianne rubbed a hand down her face, mostly to keep from voicing the initial thoughts she was having. She didn’t want to appear ungrateful. Feldhan had acted miraculously in their favor.

“Our truest gratitude, Lord-Commander,” Trianne said, bowing. “In aiding us, you’ve aided yourselves, as our mission takes us into the western mountains to recon—”

Svarog’s intent hit home mid-sentence, and she turned to him.

“Wait,” she said to him. “You mean go go?” She saw the answer in him and knew the difficulty of it all too well. Choices born out of love could not be reasoned with.

“Well damn,” she said, moving to him and snatching him up in a fierce embrace of camaraderie. “Your aim will be missed. Good luck.” She was a hugger, but released him quickly, knowing his own nature all too well.

No worries. I just see Drill Sergeant and my mind goes right to Full Metal Jacket. :)

Glad to have you aboard!

LOL! Dicebot is such a malicious siren. "Here, your first roll's free."

I think Kronug looks solid. I do like the versatility of Barroom Brawler but don't know if it's enough to swap out your current build.  Could it work into your CL6 plan or do you have other goodness in store?

I'll also be interested to see what motivates him to sign on with a less disciplined unit. :)

Speaking of hawking, DMC. Can Castle Firrine absorb any of the heavier loot we may be lugging?

Nice to meet you, Aldizog! As the resident squishy I would never turn down another front-liner, but I always say play what you enjoy first. If Gorum's Thorn tickles your fancy, build around it to suit. We were just going to hawk it for maximum gain. Certainly don't feel pressured to though, if you want to buy/build in another direction.

We're a pretty flexible bunch. :)

Trianne squeezed Feldhan’s hand in reassuring thanks as her sight was restored, but she remained silent. Whatever anger she had harbored toward this retinue from Iomedae washed away as the light flooded into her eyes once more. This was not the person who had responded to their request for aid.

From the surreptitious dialogue, it was not difficult to deduce who had. Her face was downwardly deferential, but her eyes flicked briefly toward Dame Blix’s superior.

Trianne sat quietly, breathing evenly, and the color slowly drained from her ruddy cheeks back into the skeletal whiteness of her knuckles as they unclenched. She stooped and collected her fallen leatherwork after a brief search to locate it.

“I’m fine. I’ll be fine,” she said. “It’s just been awhile since such a dismissal. Bad memories, and I’d forgotten how...ignorant soldiers can be. I’m grateful for the reminder.” Though this last sentiment was somewhat lacking in zeal.

“Is there somewhere we can freshen up?”

When the party/pair has a moment alone...

“Seamus,” Trianne said, finding the gnome with one hand, she placed something in his hand from her other. “Take this. Hide it. I don’t want to risk them finding it.”

A quick study of it with his hands told Seamus she had given him the pleochroic tourmaline, the geode that was their map to the Giantslayer’s tomb.

Trianne had sprung up from her chair against the wall with arrival of the messages. The needle and thong she had, by touch, been working through leather, fell to the floor forgotten. The work was crude by her standards and had simply been something to keep from remaining idle with her thoughts.

As the contents of the missives were conveyed, her fists clenched slowly, as did her jaw. Her eyelids fluttered over sightless eyes as color blossomed first up her neck and then into her cheeks. Soot fluttered from her shoulder to the rafters above as she sat slowly, her white knuckled hands clasped on her lap.

She shook with the slightest of tremors. To the normal onlooker, she appeared to be on the verge of unspeakable grief or perhaps sick with fever. To those who knew her though, who had traveled with her, had bled beside her, they knew she was trying to contain something quite a bit simpler.

Rage.

Trianne’s sullen and frustrated demeanor washed away at the mention of the paladin. She stepped forward, her sightless eyes trying to find Dame Blix.

“The paladin removed her curse?” she asked. Her head then turned to the others. “Surely if he was strong enough to do that he could remove our blindness. Right?”

“Could he? Would he? Where is he?” she fired questions at the Dame, then realized how she was sounding. “We could compensate him, of course.”

Forcing herself to remain calm, she added, “And Seamus is right. There was no mithril, but we found a pair of axes with a distinct maker’s mark that she may recognize.”

Both battleaxes have maker's marks on them. There are no smaller personal effects to be found.

Trianne quietly closed the book sitting in her lap, having finished running her fingers over the pages as she slowly turned them. She said, “Yes, this is going to be a problem. The faster we can get there the better.”

Half-speed for blind folks over land. So boat seems the better way to go indeed! I can also see why Svarog would say, ‘I’m done with you lot!’ :P

As soon as Trianne stepped into the heavenly swamp mud, she whistled a quick shrill tone. She turned her head slightly, listening for the telltale flutter of wings.

A thin smile creaked past her frown as Soot flapped down to her shoulder and squawked with disdain.

"Oh hush, we weren't gone that long," she said to the raven with obvious relief, scratching along one side of its beak. "Keep your eyes open and let me know if you see anything odd now."

From what I've seen, Dispel Magic can counter this magical blindness too, which Trianne can get access to but doesn't currently possess. Plus, scribing scrolls might be a little challenging without her eyesight... >.>

Still, an arcane caster with DM in the repertoire is an option too, having a chance to dispel the effect. (And I can assure you what one of her spell choices will be next level...)

Fort save DC16: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

Trianne felt the fey magic and tried to resist, her eyes blinking rapidly, but after a few heartbeats, she saw only blackness and shrieked her displeasure accordingly as the party dragged her from the chamber.

“Oh you soulless wretches! Murderers!! Not enough that you’re invisible, but you steal sight as well! A pox upon you!”

And so it went until she realized the doors between them and the lurkers had been closed. Then she yanked away from the guiding hand upon her and ran hands over herself, taking inventory and slowly regaining her composure.

“We go,” she said, blind eyes roving. “I’ll not stay another moment in this wicked haven. Not one.”

“Here, give me your hand!” Trianne said and helped Seamus get situated with Haftor before darting on ahead.

Seamus’ position on the map is after his second turn, hence my question to clarify when he was blinded and if he was able to move first and/or throw his flask. Use a Move action to guide him to Haftor and get him a handhold, and another Move then to dart ahead 35’

Svarog frowns and holds his position, letting two arrows fly at one of the creatures.

Updated map with existing movements described. Svarog attacks blue. Trianne waiting on the save from Seamus. Did the lurker delay until after Seamus or were you just waiting for a die result?

As to the poison, well, looks like neither of them has the Craft: Alchemy skill needed to create it. So eventually they'd run out without a supplier?

cmp. longbow (+2) + PBS - 2 Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 8
arrow dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
cmp. longbow (+2) + PBS - 2 Rapid Shot: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 27
cmp. longbow (+2) + PBS - 2 Rapid Shot crit confirm: 1d20 + 8 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (4) + 8 + 1 - 2 = 11
arrow dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Last initiative here, waiting to see if I'll need to lead the blind...

I checked with, Kris, and she does not.

I'm in favor of a fifth. I believe it adds resiliency to the game when a player needs to fade for a bit or must drop altogether. What that 5th is doesn't matter to me, as I enjoy the tactical puzzle of using whatever we have to overcome the obstacles.