Vardan Argider's page

A fellow reject as well... Have to admit it would be very nice to get further into the storyline than the tunnels.

So, assuming small aasimar are ok (a question for the GM), I'd like to throw Vardan here into the mix (one of those abandoned characters from an earlier campaign) -- with a small edit to his story that he didn't get to Kenberes before the attack. Will need to lose a level, swap done gear and lose the bonus against outsiders he'd rolled for since the SLAs are out.

If the small aasimar is out, I've got a few other ideas rolling around -- so I'll ask when recruitment ends so I can figure out which one I want to flesh out.

Strike had and fast. I'm a cavalier -- running things down works for me.

I think so?

Let's just go frontal assault. If we knew what the interior looked like, we could try sending in people to hit the rear, but I don't think we know enough to do that reliably -- and I'd hate to have half of us get ambushed.

I'm assuming they won't have quite the same "wall" formation if we come from another angle -- but if they do, we can send the summoner (and a bodyguard or two) to come in through the window while the rest of us come from the other side.

And if we use illusions to pull the first shot, we could have some splash damage done before those of us rushing the line close to melee.

Vardan nods at the suggestion, "Turning against false foes would give us a clear edge -- even if they form a line, we can attack while they're reloading...."

Indeed. Running down your enemies on wolfback is generally not the most subtle.

Might be a good idea -- though I still like the idea of splash weapons and/or summons (for instance)

Vardan says, "Well they clearly knew we were coming... We need better tactics to deal with them.... Maybe alchemical weapons?"

Vardan nods, "Agreed."

No problem

Let's go with the snipe plan -- it's simple enough and we can't talk to a magma elemental who could earth glide behind them.

I am back, also.

Could snipe after the attacks from the rear?

As a head's up, I'm about to be out of town and without easy access to a computer for about 2 weeks -- basically, I'll be able to post Monday (13) and then not again 'til the 28th.

Vardan will volunteer to either be a vanguard (smashing into the bad guys as they get hit from behind if we can manage the earth glide) or to cover people's retreat if we go for a more hit-and-run (he's all noble and dumb that way -- though it also makes sense, given his mobility).

Feel free to bot him, but try not to get him (or Thorne) killed. ;)

Magma elementals can, I believe, earth glide through everything that isn't metal

That is the issue -- the slow conversation.

Small elemental is an option on the summon table, could earth glide behind our foes.

Wonder if we could use an illusion (or ghost sound) to lure them to us? Or maybe have Fomiel summon something to get them to waste their ambush set-up.

Ideally, we'd do a little more damage before leaving -- wonder if we could draw some of them in to us, rather than riding headlong into their set defensive position...

Agreed. Some alchemical powder bombs would be super handy... Or a necklace of fireballs...

Vardan asks, "Anyone have the means to strike multiple foes... Or to open a path for me to charge past the cultists to strike their leaders? "

Vardan shrugs at Godwin's assessment, "Tactically, scouting is wiser, if we assume the scout can pass undetected... which is a risky proposition. I can't deny that the idea of striking fast and hard before they can prepare their defenses."

Vardan and Thorne step into the room, "Well, that didn't quite go how we'd expected... but we're in behind whomever might be guarding the door."

The wolf and halfling will be stepping into the room momentarily..

Vardan grips his Lucerne Hammer tightly and stands in the saddle, gaining height to drive the long weapon over Godwin's shoulder, driving the wicked spike into a fly.

Lucerne Hammer: 1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 9 + 1 = 29 1d10 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 6 + 1 = 15

Think so..

Vardan tosses the scale down to his companions on the ground, and draws his Lucerne Hammer, trying to strike at the monsters from behind Godwin, but not being able to find a good angle with the Warpriest in his way.

Lucerne Hammer: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13

Is it a free action to drop the scale out the window?

That seems wiser -- Chime of Opening to the main door.

I was also hoping for levitating wolves. Without that, we may have rethought our strategy.

Works for me.

Indeed! All the best of the season to you and your families!

Wow, nice rolls Godwin.

An invisible scout isn't ever a bad idea...

Vardan and Thorne could follow -- not so sneaky, but quick and able to fight his way in.

Also, congratulations on taking the plunge and running a game. Been debating it myself for a while -- I'm curious how more experienced players would handle the campaign my players finished last year.

I think it's a good time to use the chime.

We have nobody who can pick a lock? (Did I misread the description, I thought there was an accessible lock)

The window would be unexpected, so I like the tactical part of that.

Assuming all PCs can manage to levitate, let's try -- but not sure we'll be able to open the gate from the inside

Vardan pauses, "I wasn't there when the scales were shared... Does it have the power to lift us all?"

Vardan looks up, " Not sure Thorne and I could get up there... So I think it's about picking out smashing the lock."

Vardan looks at the fallen, "The dark ones planned well, using our leaders against us... It makes me wonder just when they may have been taken..."

He sighs as he looks at the fouled ground, "Does anyone know if there's a way to eliminate the filth that's seeped into the ground? Can anyone wake the sorcerer to see if he knows?"

Vardan lifts his lance, nodding in grim satisfaction, "Such ugliness truly needed to be destroyed.... Though I do wonder what other horrors we may find ahead."

Vardan asks, "Does anyone links of that means we destroyed that bit of ugliness?", then smiles as Godwin touches his lance and he feels the holy power start singing through his lance, There's a consistent element in the Inheritor's power, as if it were a simpler harmony of Shelyn's... Simple, but still beautiful in its own way....

He raises the lance, directing Thorne toward the other Vermalek, and charges, racing past the beast as the holy weapon bites into its host.

Charge: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 4 = 29 for 3d6 + 12 + 1d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 1) + 12 + (2) = 22

Selindra, maybe? I joined to late for Vardan to get a scale.

Couldn't Godwin use Radiance?

Vardan winces at the sight of the strange worm-thing, "I assume that's the real evil here... anyone know what it is?", then rushes forward in another ride-by attack.

Charge: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 9 + 4 = 17 for 3d6 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (1, 5, 2) + 12 + 12 = 32

Vardan spins again, "Such ugliness must be destoyed!"

Mechanical question: Is Vardan's challenge still in effect, or did it go with the discarded meat-bag?

Congratulations!

Suddenly really wish I'd taken that first level of paladin so I could smite and bypass DR?

Vardan smiles as he lands a solid blow, then winces when he turns to see it healing, "There's something strange going on here, and if all my momentum isn't enough to do lasting harm to these creatures, then we have problems."

Still, at least I can keep this one occupied..., he thinks as he performs another ride-by attack.

Charge: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 9 + 4 = 29 for 3d6 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (5, 6, 2) + 12 + 12 = 37

Wow -- not sure what happened there.

Vardan winces as the creature pulls out the arrow with no effect, "That can't be good.", but then levels his lance at the one on the right, calling out, "By the Rose, I will cut you down, beast.", then directing Thorne to charge, striking out with the lance and riding past the creature, wheeling to make ready to charge again.

Swift: Challenge; Charge + Ride-by Attack (may be up to 50' past, not sure how much room there is)

Cavalier's Charge: 1d20 + 9 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 9 + 4 = 22 for 3d6 + 12 + 12 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) + 12 + 12 = 30

Vardan winces, [b]"That can't be

Vardan raises his lance, tracking the naked cultist and mentally counting down the distance as he approaches, "I can run one down and try to keep it harried, and at a distance, or I can hold the line."