Validk Ghujod's page

Griola shakes his head, no. That is an unrelated matter.

Griola takes another sip of his drink. A friend of a friend has gone missing while on a pilgrimage. My friend would be very grateful to anyone that was able to determine the whereabouts of the missing pilgrim. Grateful enough to provide travel visa's throughout the ISA.

Griola looks intently at Lian, you could take your chances with a smuggler to get into the ISA. Getting caught would likely be very unpleasant. You could also try the embassy in a week or so and spend the next couple of months in interviews by Hellknights.

Assuming you did get in, you'd then risk conscription without a patron. Griola motions to the map again, and as I mentioned earlier, if you want to throw your soul at the worldwound, you could spend a month or two traveling around the ISA.

Avistan is something of a wasteland. Or it's turning into one. The worldwound is growing. The ISA would be your best option. But after the incursion three months ago, their borders are much tighter. Rampaging hordes of demons has a tendency to change one's perspective of simply allowing anyone across the border. Griola shrugs his shoulders,

Griola waves his hand and a map of Avistan appears on the table between the two of them. you can always take your chances of trying to sneak across the ISA. I'd suggest Taldor over Cheliax. The Chelaxians have a very, permanent, response to smugglers.

Griola waves to the west, going the long way around would have you running into some other nastiness.

He looks intently at Lian, I do happen to know someone that could provide a visa to travel anywhere within the ISA.

In these times everyone has needs, and priorities. Some, like those displaced refugee's in the streets, may only be thinking of today. Others may only be thinking of this year. Some, well, those rare ones are thinking of their children's children.

Griola takes another sip from his glass, it's called bourbon. Not something we have here. Which is a travesty. It's made from a secret recipe by Ken Tuky. Apparently a family secret. I haven't been able to figure it out.

Griola sighs and sets his glass on the table as he gives Lian an appraising look. What is your priority?

Embassy of the Undying Sun

How is Lian speaking and understanding Auran? It's not on her sheet.

Griola walks over to a side board. Several bottles and glasses are arrayed on a tray. Flipping two of the glasses over, he drops a couple of ice cubes from a small silver bucket into each crystal goblet. He lifts one of the crystal bottles and pulls the stopper. Waving the opening under his nose he breathes in the vapors before pouring some of the golden amber liquid over the ice. Touvette... Wasn't that one of the river "kingdoms"? Lost ot the First World incursion, if I recall my histtory.

Griola turns his head to look at Lian, and walks to the other chair, handing out one of the glasses he holds his own up and looks at the liquor before savoring a sip.

Perc DC 20, if successful, Know:Arcana DC 29

The embassy of the Alliance of the Undying Sun

The jinn glares down at Lian as she approaches, his lower body a whirlwind that curls under him like the coils of a snake.

The gentleman at the table had watched Lian since she was handed the tablet. An ambassador... It has become uncommon to receive such without much fanfare. Come and tell me your story.

The older gentleman, a human, stands, My name is Griola Fijhn, I am a senior advisor for the Alliance. Griola walks towards a hall leading further into the building. The hall is short, with only a couple of paintings on the walls. Four arches along the hall lead into small meeting rooms. Two of which are occupied though Lian can't hear what is said.

The end of the hall is another arch, this one strung with a curtain of beads hanging to the floor. Griola pulls the curtain to the side and motions for Lian to enter. Please, be seated.

The tiling of the floor looks like a mosaic of bits of precious stone and metal, some of it looks like it was poured in place. Two comfortable chairs flank a small curved table between them. The curve of the table indicates that the chair on the left is for guests.

at the Blessed Cup

The old guy laughs, he speaks truth. If you go in the front door. He lifts the mug and drains half in one go. He looks at Karen. I've seen many that have been offered a second chance. Priests do it for anyone with the coin.

Blessed Cup

The old man peers over the rim of his mug at Karen, why second chancers, my dear. Tis obvious that you and your companions are not naturally here.

He looks at Karen, then the full cup in front of an empty chair, back to Karen.

Another cup please! He waves the now empty mug towards the bar.

An older human pushes into the tavern, dressed as a traveler his dusty coat flaps listlessly as he looks around the tavern before heading for an open table. Barkeep, two of your finest ale's! He flips a platinum coin over his shoulder towards the barkeep.

The coin catches the light as it flips end over end before dropping into the hand of the barkeep.

Sitting down the old guy leans back in his chair, he kicks out the chair across from him, as if for a friend not yet arrived.

The barmaid approaches and places two ales on the table. With a smile, he nods, thank you, keep them topped off please.

He reaches for the closest and takes a long drought from the ale, ahh, just as good as I remember.

So, a new batch of seconders?

Courtyard

It may seem callous, but there are bigger issues that need resolving. You weren't sent here to help a single tree in the forest.

Validk tosses copper into the air where it flashes for a moment as the sun reflects off it. As your eyes adjust, you see everyone in the courtyard holding a copper in their hand. I know you Karen, daughter of Irori. Tell me, what did it feel like as the vampire sucked the last of your life's blood from your veins? Do you not wish vengeance?

He turned and started out of the courtyard. I own the soup kitchen down that way, and the tavern next door, the Drinking Dragon.

As Karen works her way around the courtyard she looks up and the old man is leaning against the wall in front of her, a quick glance back confirms he is no longer behind her.

You can spend your second life pruning each plant in front of you, and miss the forest in flames around you.

The old man pulls a small copper coin from his robes, he starts spinning it across his fingers. Tell me what you would do. You have before you an individual with a horrific dis... condition. If you begin to treat this individual, it will take you the entire day. Do you start treating them? You don't know that your treatment will save that life, its really a low chance. Do you still begin treatment?

The old man looks intently into Karen's eyes. If you don't start treatment that patient will surely die before the week is out. But! In the time you do treat that one person, you don't treat twenty others. Some of whom may die for delayed treatment.

The old man watches as Karen goes about the courtyard.

He smiles benignly when she approaches and spells the young mother and toddler.

Do you think you can save the world like this? Tomorrow will be no different than this morning.

An elderly gentleman leans against a doorway watching Karen as she wanders around the courtyard. His clothes appear to be as worn as everyone else in the courtyard. A tall walking stick leans against the wall next to him. His eyes though, they're different. They lack the hopelessness of everyone else that Karen has seen.

When she looks at him, he motions his hand towards a young mother with a toddler. She is leaning back against a small sack of possessions with her back to the wall of the building. The mother stares wearily at her child, unaware of the surroundings as the child futilely suckles.

1) Almost done with Validk
2) Not started on cohort, probably be able to complete over the weekend.
3) Tied to ancient Azlanti, Aroden's rise and fall, The Society, and the kingmaker AP.
4) Similar to Belgraen with connection to Dark Tempest for keeping crackpot magicians under control. Likely worked with Belgraen and Davin on several occasions if the players are strongly tied to good deities. Not sure about ties to Lord Rook.

Validk could have chosen another way to reach out. However...

Belgraen's sheet says "He has taken painstaking measures to prevent discovery." Which includes mindblank himself.
Dark Tempest has barred mind, which is akin to mindblank, and though tactics are not listed, is likely frequently activated since it is a one day duration.
Lord Rook "no longer exists on the Material Plane. When he visits, via plane-shifted astral projection..." and "his paranoia now is mostly focused on protecting his identity and secrets, as he weaves together half a dozen redundant layers of proof against divination spells targeting his person."
I haven't seen Monkeygod's character yet, but it is likely similar.
Validk also keeps a mindblank up.

Therefore, a GM mechanic is pretty much a necessity when the original rules were so loosely written on character goals and purpose. Otherwise it would likely be an adventure all on its own for Validk to even attempt to track everyone down.

====
@Lord Rook, if the "While the thin layer of lead he wears under his clothing" blocks true seeing, then it also blocks all of your casting and manifesting.

====
@Belgraen:
To questions asked:
Simulcra can be used, your character is likely wise enough to know it would be a very bad idea to use a simulcra for the party, this would likely be considered hostile due to the lack of personal risk by having a stand in, and may be considered a serious breach of edicate, not to mention pledges through proxies would not be deemed acceptable.
Simulcra is pretty expensive, each of your doubles will cost you 6000 gold, and not be mythic.
What's the range on your telepathic bond? I'm not comfortable with a global range. Unless you can point to another object with such a range.
How are you making simulcra for free? 6k is pretty hefty. I would not be inclined to allow an item that provides 6k items for free. You wouldn't want to pay the cost I would demand for such an artifact (which is what it would be).
The simulcra would be lesser versions of yourself, but for the purposes of this spell, not gestalt. Pick one of your 2 classes, give the simulcra 12 levels in it. You may have simulcra's of both classes at the same time, no dips.

5 free spells of each spell level for spellbook type characters is fine (cohorts have to pay full costs, though they can copy from their master).

You would need to list every spell you are buying especially if you plan on using 83% of your available wealth to buy them. I have a feeling that you may find you can't afford all of them. And unless you are neutral/evil, why would you want all of them?

Enchanting a holy avenger into a sacred avenger would require some feats and a lot of gold and time, just like enchanting a +1 sword into a +3 sword.

Nice background Monkeygod!

My viewpoint (and not a final statement by any means) on your previous post:

1)mythic magic items at this point, no. Ascension to mythic status is new, something between a week and a month (depending on reboot). Keep in mind that growing in mythic tiers will be the primary means of character development.

2)Validk is a wizard, a sneaky bastard of a wizard. He's already built a nation from behind the throne. Globe spanning mercantile business. He's pretty content to continue developing his arcane abilities, search for immortality, defeat anything (usually evil) that threatens his nice comfy life. He likes moonlight walks on the beach, and overthrowing oppressive governments. He enjoys cooking, and reading to orphans. He also enjoys siting at a street side cafe and sipping chai while watching the world around him, helps keep him grounded to the mundane life so many lead.

3)I guess I'd really like to know what you want to do with epic leadership. Keeping the followers out of any activities is a really good thing for the GM. Consider the world impact of having mulitple organizations with high level adherents. For instance, what's the average character level for the upper crust of Taldor? Or Westcraven? Epic leadership would easily provide a PC with more high level NPC's than most nations.

3a)Moving the cohort cap is a maybe. How are you thinking to help the GM by not doubling the number of PC characters in the field?

3b)this goes back to what you want those higher level followers for. What comes to my mind, is access to higher level spells and magic gear, creating your own fanatically loyal kingdom, etc.

3c)I don't see this as much of an issue. I doubt I will easily be able to develop encounters that are able to challenge the entire party. (Consider the typical defenses of a small gatehouse/keep. Now consider those same defenses guarded by guards of 15-20th level. then go read Areniel's last post in the game thread.)

One important aspect to consider when talking about these abilities and changes to consider:

"If I was the DM, would I want this in my game?"
"If I am the DM, how would I want this in my game?"

A cafe in Katheer, Qadira

Well boss, I think this was a wild goblin chase.

Validk sighs, Indeed. The cypher indicates it came from a guardian. It's not Kadja's style...

Validk pulls the letter out from a breast pocket and looks it over again, checking the parchment and staring intently at the ink. Those Iomedaen Crusaders generally lose their sense of humor after a few years fighting devils.

Orsenn perks up, maybe it was Radigan, he seems to like pulling the odd intricate prank.

Shoving the uninformative letter back into his pocket, Validk picks up his mug of ale and takes a swig. We've finished reviewing the outpost. May as well check in at the central office.

With the toss of a few coins on the table, Validk and Orsenn step out onto the balcony where Validk casts a teleportation spell, taking them to the home offices of the Odysseus Foundation, in the heart of the Merchants' Quarter of Absalom.

ROFL Validk left Absalom and went to Qadira looking for Aiden...

Sorry to see you going GMV, it has been an interesting journey these last couple years!

RE: Lord Manx Serimus, yes, an ass he is, and while relatively wealthy and successful, he does have a reputation for holding to his deals. He'll try for just about any advantage he can wrangle, but once struck, he will abide by his agreement.

He's suspected of having done plenty of shady dealings, bribery, some extortion, lots of smuggling. He does have a reputation for serious punishment within his organization for anyone dealing in dangerous drugs. He avoids outright slavery, but does allow indentured service to pay off debts.

Dealing with him often leaves one feeling like they want to wash their hands, though his are never dirty. He runs around in the high society circles with a claim to an old, though minor, noble line. He is currently single, his last wife dying in child birth. He has no known heirs. He is known as someone that can generally find just about anything a man might want.

*****
If it isn't obvious, there are activities going on in several locations. Adding a bold OOC header with your current location will help me, and the others know which posts apply to them.

Outskirts of Katheer, Qadira

Two figures appeared at the top of a hill. Both dressed in flowing robes appropriate for the desert region. Ahead of them the Pashman River with the city of Katheer nestled into a series of canyons at a stratgic bend in the river. Behind them the arid land spreading out into the Plains of Paresh.

Well Orsenn, shall we see who has gone to such trouble to find me? Validk headed off towards Katheer, intent on meeting with the staff of his small trading post.

Behind him trailed Orsenn shaking his head as they headed off. You really should give your friends a more direct means of contacting you. One of these days you'll get the message too late to matter.

GMV has posted in other threads as recently as yesterday.

Not sure if just not getting into the game, tired of the game's pace, or what.

So with the appropriate phrase, an appropriate sigil, and a little material to focus the energy, Validk grabs a handful of colored sand, we have a successful application of arcane energy. Validj flings the sand into the air across the stage, creating a cascade of colors clear across the stage. Turning to the dozens of students arrayed in tiers in the packed study hall, Validk smiles, and so, with practice, dilligence, and most importantly, a willingness to learn, we can achieve great things.

Validk gathers up a few notes, I want to thank all of you for attending, and I look forward to seeing more of you in the future.

Many of the students applaud as Validk exits to the side, Orsenn at his side. I still don't know why you insist on having these classes for the first years. Wouldn't you have more impact with the seniors?

Validk shakes his head, I might be able to teach the seniors more intricate and complex formulae, but the new ones still have eyes full of wonder, and seeing that 'ah-hah' moment when it finally makes sense to them is a wonderful thing to see.

Validk walks into his extensive office suite and idly drops his notes on a side table. Walking across the room he opens a small chest on his desk. Ahh, a message! Quickly opening the envelope, Validk quickly scans it. Looks like one of the guardians is looking for me. This came through from Katheer. Get our things and we'll drop into Qadira.

Seriously though, a doppelganger (at least some of them) have access to polymorph, are naturally sneaky too.

And it would give you a tie to another PC.

Make your cohort a doppelganger!

That secretly works for me!

mwahahahahahahaha

I have a question regarding my own character in particular.

There are various class abilities out there that allow access to other spell lists.

These generally allow a spell from another list to be added at +1 level if it isn't on your own class list.

Wizards have an ability to design spells from scratch. This is something that rarely comes up in pbp's.

I'd like to be able to "design" some spells from other class lists. (keeps the whole power by level and appropriateness arguments to a minimum)

I was thinking that I would be able to design them at +1 level. I.e. A cure light wounds that is a second level arcane spell. The cost for designing a spell is $1000 gold per cost of spell. So designing an arcane CLW would cost $2000. (Note that I could buy almost 3 full wands and probably not use them all for the same price. My UMD is high enough to not worry about failing)

Of course, I would need a 10th level slot in order to get a 9th level spell from another list.

Your thoughts?

Validk sat behind the spacious desk of his office in Absalom. He was still stymied by the book. While he could decipher some of the stories in the book, he wasn't able to determine how to access the hidden lore. For the book to have been locked the way it was indicated that it was much more than the simple children's stories it appeared to be.

After the futile hunt through the deserts of Rahadoum, he and the other Guardians had separated to conduct their own investigations and touch base with their various underlings.

Even now Validk was working through a stack of updates, notices, receipts, and the other minutia of running a large international business.

A young doppleganger walked through the door, a small tray and steaming cup held in its hands. Your beverage, sir.

Grasping the cup Validk smiled Thank you Bashirj, how are your studies coming?

Quite well, I've learned several new orisons, would you like to see one?

His smile froze as he took a sip, What is missing? This is not my usual chai.

The young doppelganger lowered his head in despair, no sir, there is no cinnamon.

Cinnamon? How can we be out of it? Tell the chef to get some more from the market. This isn't alchemy! Sighing, Validk placed the cup back on the tray, take it away, and bring me some when it's right!

The cup wobbled as Bashirj tried to calm his nerves, and failed. His features melted and reformed into the face of an elf, then a goblin, a dwarf, before returning to the normal pallid complexion. But sire, there isn't any, not in all of Absolom. At least not that we know of.

Validk frowned, What do you mean, not in all of Absolom. Standing, Validk walked to a large bookshelf lining one wall of his office and pulled a volume out. He quickly flipped through it. This is the height of harvest season for cinnamon. The market should be swimming with the stuff. How long has there been a shortage?

Validk quickly wrote out a message, Send this to our agent in Cassomir. Dismissed.

Vera and her companion sit on either side of a small table. Several candles flicker around the suite as they stare intently at an ancient book on the table before them.

The leather binding of the book is cracked with age, wear patterns from use showing on the surface. Several runes of gold and silver are inland on the surface in intricate whirls and curls, several bending around and under the book to its other side.

Is that it? It doesn't look that old, maybe 50 years, 80 tops.

Chuckling, Vera responds, oh now, this is much more than that. First impressions are often deceiving. This book, if it is the book of Zotun, is from the second age, so many millenia ago. Even the stories of this book are ancient lore.

Who was Zotun?

Don't know for sure. The old stories said he wrote children's stories. His works were said to be much desired by nobility of his time. As far as I know, this is the only surviving copy of his stories.

Reaching a gloved hand towards the book, Vera carefully traces a path across the front, tracing another rune across the front of the book by no more than following the lines of some of each of the runes already carved there. As she traces the last stroke. Silver and gold light runs like liquid fire along the rune, spreading into the runes carved in the book. The book raises a few inches off the desk and slowly spins as the light runs along the path of the runes along the spine and back of the book.

The book settles back down on the table with an audible click as the clasp holding the book closed releases.

Wow. That was unexpected. But living with you, I'm starting to see how unexpected is normal. So this is an old story book? Why the enchantment?

Every story has a grain of truth in it. It's my hope that since this text was purported to have been written prior to the rise of Thassilon.

The meal had been mediocre, it was obviously the atmosphere and location that sold the place more than the fare. The couple sat back in the booth watching the ships in the harbor as they sailed in on the evening tide.

A shared bottle of wine sat empty in an ice bucket as they finished off the last sips from their glasses. When is the courier arriving? asked the old man.

Vera smiled and nodded towards the door, now.

A liveried courier had entered the upscale tavern, scanning the growing crowd of patrons as the dinner hour arrived. Noting the old couple he hurried to them and bowed formally, Lord, Lady, I bring greetings from Proctor Kivensk. The courier pulls open his cloak and swiftly opens a dimensional pocket hidden in the seam. He pulls a book out and places it reverently on the table before them. He hopes this serves your purpose and states that he is ever in yo... the courier's greetings are frozen as he stiffens and his eyes widen in sudden pain. A crossbow bolt juts from his chest, a slow stain of red bleeding onto his shirt. As he falls to his knees he tries to say something, his eyes pleading with the couple as the life in them dims.

A scream rends the air from a nearby table as the assassination is noticed by other patrons. In the ensuing pandemonium, the old couple are unable to see where the bolt came from. Vera grabs the book and looks over at the old man, the long step?

Grimacing the old man agrees, aye, we'll never get through that crowd. The two hold hands and jump over the railing, falling towards the harbor far below them. With their hands held together tightly, Vera mumbles a few words and the two disappear a dozen feet from the water.

An elderly couple walked down the dusty street of Katheer. Occasionally stopping to look at the many stall of merchandise that lined the street. The tangy smell of the sea wafted from the deep harbor below.

The old man pushed open the door of the tavern, holding it open for his wife. The inside of the tavern was brightly lit, contrary to expectations, the farside of the tavern was open to the elements, the woven mat wall rolled up and hanging from the ceiling. Several tiers of seating led out into the air, suspended hundreds of feet over the harbor. Before them an open expanse looked out across the trading port of Qadira.

A young barmaid, barely into her teens approached, Good afternoon, would you like a balcony seat, or here in the house?[/b] she waved at several booths that lined the back of the tavern, their foundation firmly on the ground.

The old woman turned and looked across the tavern, [i]I've always wanted to sit out there, can we? Please?

Of course, Vera, it is your naming day after all., smiling the old man nodded to the barmaid, Can we have that one? He pointed to the lowest tiered seat extending out into the air, visibly swaying from the breeze.

CDL and ace,

How are you coming on your rebuilds?

Seems more are inclined to allow guns then not.

Anyone have a problem with leaving them restricted to very rare?

Anyone have a problem with restricting technological gear?

And while we are at it, there's another play test out, so I'd like to formalize and add in no play test material, or newly released material until reviewed by those in the game.

As I said in the recruit thread, we have five interested people now. I'm not sure that all of them will fit in or be able to provide complementary characters to the group, even if they do, it will give enough of a base of characters to possible have a co-GM to assist the current GM.

Which would be interesting. The co-GM becomes the next GM after the current session.

I'll not likely be responding until Thursday.

Cheers!

Teleportation Circle with permanency $22500. times 2 for a round trip.

It costs that for each leg.

Couple ways to make a network, either a chain or a hub.

Take your HQ, put a room in it with a bunch of permanent circles on the floor, each going to a different location.

That or each location has just two rings, then you have to potentially go through several gates to get close to you.

I'm using the hub approach.

Anyone else that wants to get in just needs to pay for their link and they can access the rest of the hub.

I seem to recall someone that never started had the idea of using a demiplane as a shipping hub. IIRC it got nixed as too world changing to already be in place. Putting one in place and gaming through the changes would be interesting though.

I spent some coin on teleportation rings...

No worries on the classes, we're a relaxed group.

I like the concept. I don't have any issues with the scion class itself.

I do have a concern about the cohort.

Generally cohorts are two levels lower than the PC. However, the leadership table puts a very specific cap on the highest level of a cohort, and this cap is reached before the end of the table (one line before).

I'd accept that under the RAI of scion that a cohort of 19th or 20th level would be acceptable. 25th level may be a bit of a push, as this may have a vast change in power balance.

If you were going for "clones" I would expect that they all had the exact same build. This would provide some limits to where the power balances would fall, but could still have issues depending on how you plan to play the character. (A bunch of cloned rogues flanking with each other comes to mind, along with your own coven of witches).

I believe it is a standard that cohorts can't take leadership themselves, as the infinite cohort/noble scion angle would be too much. Without noble scion the cohort with leadership angle still results in an army. Unfortunately it's a lot of effort that one high level caster will lay waste to with a couple of spells.

Only one of the clones would benefit from any mythic abilities.

While posting this, and researching on paizo, I would tentatively give an okay to a build like this.

If each 'clone' (and you still need to figure out how to do that), had the exact same build, while they would make great 'face' characters, their combat abilities would be limited to effectively 15 levels in combat oriented classes.

If my fellow players are inclined to allow the cohort with leadership aspect, we'd have to put a hard limit on the number of iterations allowed to keep it from getting out of control.

Keep in mind that even if they had the same build, this would be a multiplier in your game posting to handle variations of character among the clones.

fort: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (3) + 21 = 24

Can mythic surge apply if needed?

Validk is invisible, and with his legendary equipment, undetectable. Thus he is exercising patience and observing how the lord of oblivion is handling the others. An opportunity will present itself soon, and Validk plans to be ready for that opportunity.

Though he does cast a summon monster IX. Keeping the LoO busy with various attacks will let Validk see where his weaknesses are.

No problem.

Here you go: Validk Ghujold

Howdy

For something simple like the celestial armor, add the cost difference from +3 to +4.

Where is it coming from?

I might take it since I mostly qualify for it. I'll have to take a look at dipping for the blessing/domain/mystery class feature.

Would divine source (3rd tier mythic ability) count as a domain class feature?

Validk has max HP, I'm assuming that's what had been decided in the past.

PM sent.

What do you think of requiring an extensive google doc character sheet (or something similar)?

Spoilers only go so far when it comes to easily finding information.

A couple of pro's:

Player can easily hyperlink just about everything on their sheet.
Player can also bookmark their character sheet to quickly locate data.
Character sheet has more formatting and space to detail development information (like crafting cost, attack bonus, AC)
Player has room for keeping notes of important people/events rather than digging through old posts.

Feel free to look at my sheet and you can see how I have quite a bit bookmarked and hyperlinked. (you can also copy the hyperlinks from my sheet, they all go to d20pfsrd).

I did notice one missing item with leadership/cohorts/followers.

Here's my suggestion:
Companions, followers, and any other retainers use the basic NPC attributes as outlined in creating NPCs on d20pfsrd. Equipment owned by these is their personal equipment and requires typical negotiation and is subject to DM ruling on availability to the player. Players may provide, from their own funds, specific equipment they may call on. Generally this will be available, but is still subject to DM ruling. i.e. providing a temple with a few scrolls to be held for your character.

A cohort/mount gained through leadership uses the heroic attributes.
I'd like to consider changing cohort gear to the NPC heroic list instead of from player wealth. This is in line with how the cohort is supposed to be equipped.

A caveat would be that said equipment should generally be for the use of the cohort. The cohort is not a mobile bag of holding/ buff bot for the player character. Specific equipment to be held by the cohort for the primary purpose of the player character should come from the player character's wealth. I.e. a fighter that carries a pearl of power for their master would be counted from the player character's wealth.

I like those addendum.

I'd like us to think of a way to weed out those that don't get or understand play at a level like this.

I had a situation where I described a phenomena that was taking place in the sky from one horizon to the other. Player said they were casting fly and going up to meet it.

Same player then said they were casting prismatic sphere to protect an entire temple... Obviously hadn't bothered to check the spell and note that it only covered 10', not hundreds.

Validk had been lost in thought as he contemplated this idea. yeah... umm, basically, we're not on Golarion anymore. During certain stellar events some planes will have their boundaries 'soften' or in this case actually overlap. When that happens it becomes very easy to cross from one plane to another.

Validk licks a finger and holds it up, watching and feeling as the breeze and heat wick the moisture away. I don't think this is an elemental plane, it doesn't seem to have any alignment effects either. Maybe another material plane?

Validk squints and looks up at the two suns, the brighter of which is setting quickly. I haven't heard of such a place. Any of you feeling anything that might be a planar effect?

Now that you mention it, I think it's since we came out of the sand storm. That must have been what was interfering with teleportation spells.

Validk starts getting excited, you know that means? There must have been a coterminous zone! But I don't recognize this plane.

Validk thinks for a moment, well what do we know? They are big, we don't know how big, but we know that they took a chunk out of Manaket, pretty freakin' big chunk too. They swim through sand like it's water. And from what Nagato shared, they have a pretty thick skin and generate a lot of heat.

He shrugs his shoulders, going to them isn't a good idea, we have the means of being able to burrow down to them, but blindsense will only give us so much 'sight.' They obviously have a sensory perception that has some significant range. We need more information, that or we play around with trying to figure out how to draw it to the surface.

Orsenn looks over the edge of the flying carpet, if it ain't coming up here, and we ain't going down there, then lets just get going and find those missing people.

moving on...

I'm at a loss. Nearest I've seen was that nest of purple worms back in '54. Got half my team, they did. I think we could all transform into a form that could burrow into the sand. Unwise would it be to confront something in its own environment. Validk shrugs at Jacob.

Orsenn visibly shudders at the thought of just how large and powerful something must be to move that much sand as if swimming in a pond. So long as we be flying, we're up here, and its down there. On to our destination?

Validk glances over at Katja, What do you see? Validk squints off into the distance, another mirage?

perception: 1d20 + 36 ⇒ (1) + 36 = 37

Sorry boss, I don't see anything either. Dragons are known for their keen eyesight though. Orsenn raises the magic carpet up several feet for a better look.

perception: 1d20 + 24 ⇒ (6) + 24 = 30

Validk pats the neck of his phantom steed as he and Orsenn slowly trot around the area, ten feet off the ground. With gentle taps of his knees, he steers the steed next to Mira.

Did you see what caught Katja's attention? I was admiring the glazed sand and missed it. Just how fast can your mother burrow?

I think he is looking at one person casting a spell to cover everyone.

Validk has permanent flight ability, and he can cover Orsenn as well.