Vad's page

Cool to see. Nice to know I can still find some way to make my prestige class levels work.

--Vad Deschamps, Lore Warden 5/Low Templar 5 (Tentatively, Dragoon 5/Low Templar 5)

(Even if the rebuild will likely end up the second time I've taken a hit to my skill points, heh).

Camels.

"It's just nice to see a friendly face, after the day we've had. Rough, but victorious." Vad grins, despite the lingering effects. "Saving a soul is never easy work."

"Worth it besides reclaiming the soul of the ex-Master of Spells? So long as we're not taking too long- -Kreighton Shaine looked Boneyard-bound when we left," Vad recalls, looking a bit haggard himself. "And I'm not sure I'm up for a bunch more excitement. 322, Aslynn, Muthrazi, and a bunch of Maneads? I'm partied out."

Day Job (Perform: Dance): 1d20 ⇒ 7

I do not believe I have any faction-type stuff. Unless...

"Anyone want to understand true power and luxury? Anyone want a distinct increase in everyday comfort? Want to be at the parties you aren't invited to to see things you did not know existed?"

Unless someone wants to join the Sovereign Court.

Boon: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Also, thanks for GMing! This was a blast!

With Muthrazi gone, Vad will consume a potion of cure moderate wounds (from Aslynn, if that matters) to stop the bleeding, trying his best to keep himself between the pedestal and the rest of these schemers the party.

1 round of bleed: 1d4 ⇒ 1

CMW: 2d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 2) + 3 = 7

Will Save v. Torean: 1d20 + 4 - 3 ⇒ (3) + 4 - 3 = 4

Possibly a lesser resto as well once the paranoia wears off.

This seems like a thing that will end poorly. 5 more, maybe they'll clear beforehand...

Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11
Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28
Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
Fort Save: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (19) + 9 = 28

Wisdom Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Wisdom Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Wisdom Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1
Wisdom Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 2
Wisdom Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Muthrazi's thorns do a number on Vad, but he remains conscious.

Will: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (10) + 4 = 14
Fortitude: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12

"A rose by any other name sounds much better right now," Vad calls to Muthrazi as he moves around her (provoking, AC 31 (Mobility)) and tries to knock her off her feet (provoking again, if applicable, AC 27).

Trip: 1d20 + 18 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 18 + 4 = 26 (+2 if she's CE, less if she hits me with the second AoO)

Vad catches his trident as it appears back in his hand. Seeing little room to operate, he moves a bit closer, and launches his trident at the plant creature in the doorway.

Ranged Trident, PBS: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 16 + 1 = 18

To no avail.

"Sorry, lady," Vad says to the maenad that Torean dispatched. "So much for getting the last dance," be says, shrugging his shoulders, and moving towards Muthrazi. At the end of his move, Vad launches his trident through the doorway at the outsider.

Returning Trident, Point-blank shot: 1d20 + 16 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 16 + 1 = 22 (+2 if she's chaotic evil)

Damage, PBS: 1d8 + 8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 8 + 1 = 10 (+2 if she's chaotic evil)

Vad does his best to appear in a spot where he can threaten the manead, then grits his teeth and gulps down his extract.

Fort: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Did Muthrazi do anything?

Vad shakes his head, trying to dislodge the dread, lessening it perhaps, but not dislodging it. Returning to the room, Vad sees Torean and Liam on the other plane, and makes a wave to Dailung as if to say 'follow me.' He grabs the extract of hypnalis and gets ready to consume it.

Will Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6 (+2 if she's a chaotic evil outsider/+4 if she's undead, if it matters...)

ReRoll!: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 + 4 = 11

Vad remains ethereal and heads away from the source of his fear.

You guys got this!

Vad nods.

"Agreed. These don't seem the welcoming type, anyway," he quips. "Let's press on."

"Indeed. Let's keep our eyes open, get out of here as soon as possible," Vad agrees.

I'm all for 'Perception and pressing on.' To the next door?

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 2 = 14 In case anything is out of the ordinary.

Ah, I gotcha (and I've seen plenty of the fireplaces they've put on maps, it seems a bit ibvious, now that it's mentioned, of course). I'd probably actually find a door- -Material Plane habits die hard.

How about down here? Where there's a door or window or something?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

"I don't know, but it's not attacking us, so I'm going to mark that a 'win.' We could use an easy win or two, considering the path that brought us here. Shall we?" Vad asks, pointing to a different room.

"Well, shall we?" Vad asks rhetorically, stepping through (literally?) the double doors.

"Anything goes, I imagine whoever is holding Zey's soul isn't interested in fair fights," Vad offers, preparing himself for an incoming fight- -which is just grabbing his cloak as a shield and expecting the worst.

(Bluff Take 10: 21)

"With all due respect, I think the party's already over," Vad lies. "Your mistress has what she wants, and she's left you to hang to save her own skin. It's no way to treat a lady," Vad adds, shaking his head disapprovingly. "You ought to speak up now- -I think we are closely approaching the point in our discussion where things get less cordial. Who is your mistress and where is the stone?"

"And besides, no one wants to see anyone put through what you've been put through. What we do want is a chance to help undo some of the pain that's been caused," Vad tacks on. "You can be a part of the solution if you want."

Diplomacy Aid: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2

"Here," Vad says, handing Dailung a wand of cure light wounds. "Pay it forward, right?"

Just let me know how many charges you need. Likewise, Torean. I imagine Torean can activate it?

"You've got the right idea- -be ready for a fight. I'm not sure if Aslynn herself is our foe, but she and trouble go hand-in-hand," Vad cautions, gripping his shield cloak, just in case.

"I think we may be past the point of conversation," Vad replies, but will see if the elementals stand down, as he backs away.

Withdraw Action. Due to a trait (Careful Combatant), the first two squares do not provoke (instead of just one).

Better not screw this up.

Vad forgoes his defensive stance and focuses on ensuring the syringe does it's job.

(No Combat Expertise, AC currently 24)

CMB, haste: 1d20 + 18 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 18 + 1 = 26

Does the syringe require two hands? If not, I will use my move action to activate my +3 shield cloak putting my AC at 28.

Easier to just beat them into submission, but where's the fun in that?

Vad steps in, pulls out a syringe, and carefully attempts to stick the technicolor mass of chaos, lest he be chipped.

Syringe, Combat Expertise: 1d20 + 14 - 3 ⇒ (20) + 14 - 3 = 31 (+2 if these guys are chaotic evil)

Current AC: 27

"Where's it at?" Vad asks Torean and Liam, a spot of immediacy in his voice. "Point me to the one that's pummeling our lady," he says, moving toward Dailung, drawing out the atomizer.

If I can catch it in a cone, I'll blast the elemental with one shot of the 'revealer spray.'

"Much appreciated. And thanks for the assistance. We will have those samples soon."

What exactly are we doing by 'taking samples?'

"Any last preparations?"

When the party is ready, Vad will lead the way.

Knowledge(Planes): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"Not to be late to the party, (but I'm late to the party), let me follow the dwarf's tale with one of my own. Of my days when my humanity was still tantamount. An enemy attack had just left our main base bowed but unbroken, but during their offensive, one of our leaders was slain- -and his soul captured- -so a small group of us set out to find clues. We researched for hours in libraries belonging to noble families, arcane universities, even the Dimension of Dreams. Our research put the soul in question in a lantern captured by an elven woman, then exchanged to a night hag, Aslynn, who is auctioning it off at your Bazaar, which as far as we know."

Vad shrugs.

"Then we took time to sample aether elementals, for a friend. So you can understand that I would like to get this done as soon as possible. Can we cut down the number of samples for now? Not to presume, but if you have desires for new markets, I can offer you connections to prominent members of society on my home plane at a future date," Vad offers.

The Sovereign Court could use a Dragon ally. The Sages shouldn't have all of the fun.

"Vad DesChamps," Vad introduces himself, offering a handshake out of habit. "Hailing from Vudra, via Mendev, Absalom, and Orv."

Is it bad form to push right to business?

Vad holds his tongue until introductions are made.

"Well, this is a good start. How are you guys feeling?" Vad asks Liam and Torean. "Tik suggested the dragon was pretty wise. Think we could chat him up a bit?"

Anything to put off meeting Aslynn for a moment would be ideal.

"Not really sure what he could tell us. Or if he'd even be friendly." Vad pauses. "Is it a 'he'? 'She?' Are dragons 'hes' or 'shes' or neither?"

At some point, we're going to have to talk to Aslynn.

We should make each of them hold a link of the chain. They'd find out in a hurry whether or not they could ever agree.

"What do you say? A chain for a book. It's a fair trade."

K:P: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

"Seems easy enough. Anything for a lady."

"40 is a lot. Like, a lot, a lot. Can't fault you there. Let's go charm a spider."

Vad turns to Torean. "You feeling alright?"

I'm going to regret this.

"We can't afford to be lax, can we? Dailung, got a preference? Otherwise, I suppose we ought to talk to Beleth.

"Feel free, my friend," Vad defers to Torean.

"Anxiety will do- -unless you have more potent emotions- -fright, contempt, despair?"

Vad looks to his compatriots for approval.

"And am I taking this one for the team? Anyone else have memories they want to part with?"

I know Shaine was pretty tore up- -looks like he's not the only one making sacrifices to get Zey back.

Unless someone else disagrees, I'm good with the terms as laid out.

"There's an acquaintance of ours that has something we want, and are looking to impress with our offer to barter. If you had to give a gift to Aslynn, what would you offer?" Lowering his voice, Vad continues, "and what would it cost?"

"I think that's a good start." Vad turns to Liam. "That is a good start, right? Should we double our efforts before meeting with the lady?"

Vad eyes his companions.

"Beleth seems nice."

"Sounds good. New merchant, New goods- -which means he may have something Aslynn has never seen," Vad echoes.

"Torean? Dailung, what do you think?"

Vad holds up his boquet of flowers to emphasize his statements.

"I don't want to ruin this face," he says with a smile. "No violence, no trouble."

I just hope Aslynn is held to the same standard.

"He knows the deal," Vad points a thumb to Torean. "We're not buying a soul- -We're freeing one. We're just buying it first."

Aid Diplomacy: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

"You look drab enough that you could use some color. How about a bunch for...two secrets never said aloud? Or three bouquets for a dream's egg?"

Assuming that means "tell him two secrets in exchange for the flowers:"

"Two secrets for a boquet of flowers sounds fair to me," Vad agrees, leaning in conspiratorially. "A dream's egg seems a bit high."

Diplomacy (Gather Info): 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (16) - 1 = 15

"If we're going to spend time in an unfamiliar place, we ought to appreciate everything the locals have to offer. Strangers in a strange land- -it'd be pretty nice to have a local friend or two in close proximity," Vad remarks, scanning the crowd for any attractive females, elven or otherwise.

If there is any sort of local equivalent of a flower merchant, Vad will purchase a bouquet.

"You probably cannot hear us, but I think it worked," Vad calls to the ghostly afterimage of Shaine.

Vad takes a moment to acclimate to moving around a bit.

Maybe this plane won't invoke such a drastic change.

Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

"As ready as we can be, considering the circumstance. Are you ready? You look a bit ragged," Vad understates. "Any words of wisdom before we depart?"

"So, then, objective one is to get ourselves to the Shaine, who'll get us onto the Ethereal Plane, where we use the Harrow card to get us into the Veiled Bazaar, where we bargain for the soul of a man being sold by someone who could ask for pretty much anything in return," Vad states, more a question than a statement. "All in a day's work," he laughs.

And if you do run into the elven lass, try not to mention that you've been inside her head.

"When do we begin?"