Wilham "Thorny" Thornbriar's page

He said he was going to be on vacation until the 31st. He was going to try to check in either on his new phone or his laptop to try and participate. Connectivity must not have been optimal while away.

[G]ot the campaign bookmarked on the laptop for vacation 8/20-31. Just got a new phone three days ago and getting it there also just in case... It's all a matter of connectivity now.

I like it. Moving from Dex to Con is absolutely a core correction, as is abandoning the group-oriented "phalanx fighter" I originally built him as. At the time, I was strongly all-in with a background story more than I was thinking about being an RPG group's meat-shield.

I apologize for spending no time on this, this weekend. I'm currently earning too much overtime (read: neglecting everything) to prepare to teach a course this week. At the risk of appearing to take the easy way out, I do like the suggested build you have for Thorny above and would be hard pressed to find something to change. It's well rounded, and provides the front line fighter the group desperately needs.

Really, the only thing I see that might need changing is to abandon Thorny altogether and use the build as a completely new person. Maybe he perished at the hands of that bear. In the end, he proved he wasn't a coward, just an idiot for kicking that rug :D

I'll come back at this soon with a new persona and background story.

Sorry! Work has me coming back into the office which, ironically, takes me away from the computer.

I'm going to remain the fighter meat-shield and keep Thorny, but I'm going to optimize him. I think he's at least 60% there (conservative estimate) but he needs moderate tweaking.

I probably won't even be able to crack a book on this until Sunday, however. I accept any and all recommendations from anyone with input.

Thorny is never touching a bear skinned rug again.

Least disruptive would be option C, but B would give us (me) a chance to build better optimize the characters.

This campaign has made me realize how very little I've played fighters in my on-and-off D&D career.

Thorny bleeds loudly, in an attempt to distract the bear

Thorny slashes his sword at the bear's flank, trying desperately to trigger it's release of Val. "Let her go!"

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Thorny shoves in to the fray, his shield raised and Cold Iron longsword slashing.

Attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

Thorny lightly kicks the foot of the bearskin rug with his dirty boots.

Thorny enters the room, warily hastily eyeing the rug.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 3

"What was that noise?"

Thorny inserts himself between the door and Eli, raises his shield, and braces for an attack.

Remember, this game was begun for the group that wanted a slower pace! :-)

Oh, I'm not knocking the current pace! Sometimes it's too slow for me, sometimes it's too fast... averages says it's perfect :)

Don't mind me. I'd make the same flippant comment about levelling up if this game were at the speed of sound. Historically, all games I've played in have been rogue-types (I really loved playing the Akashic in Arcana Evolved). This is probably my first time ever playing a "tank" and I'm interested in exploring how he progresses.

To be completely clear: I enjoy this game immensely in its current incarnation and would follow it wherever it goes: 1e, 2e, 20th level.

I definitely find it interesting and wish we'd level up sooner, so I can use it :D

Eli slowly approaches the door and, with a little less caution than her teammates prefer, examines it for dangers.

Perception, Traps: 1d20 + 13 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 13 + 4 = 18

Sorry!

I am absolutely no help with your product review apart from saying it looks extraordinarily well thought out. :) I wish I had time to give it a proper examination to give you meaningful feedback, but I can only promise that I will be using it the next time I level up, since it applies to Thorny. Nice work!

As the book titles are being recited, Thorny frowns extra hard at flesh golem. A younger me would have called that a work of fiction. I'm not so sure, anymore. Thorny approaches the door Liam mentions, eyeing it distrustfully.

Thorny cracks three or four joints as he rises, post prayer. Completing the ritual by drawing a holy sign in the air with two fingers, "Let us return to the task." He shoulders his pack and marches out of the room, onward to Hunclay's Manor.

Thorny contributes to the donation as well. We should refuse Eli's impending offer of joining the split. We'll do it three ways - 42 GP each.

Thorny eyes the sofas in the corners. He cranes his neck and looks around the room. "I don't know that I would even trust the beds in this place." He leans down and scoops up Eli in his arms. "I agree with Liam. We cannot continue with Eli in this condition. Though we just got here, she is critical to the mission and needs to recover. Let's get her to someone who can help." Thorny begins to retrace his footsteps out of the mansion and back to town.

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 4

Thorny tries to examine Eli's state, but is immediately out of his depth when there is no bleeding open wound.

"Are... you okay?," Thorny lumbers over, concerned.

Dive! Dive!

Thorny finishes the fist-sized hunk of cheese he found in the pantry. He cocks his chin to read the title of "The Book of War" on the spine. "Now THAT is a book I'd love to read." He wipes his hands on his pants and continues to cautiously meander around the room, looking for dangerous things. He heads to the stuffed bear and looks it over.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Usually plodding along with his comrades, Thorny seems to take heightened care with his footfalls since the warning from Mathezic. Following Liam and Eli from room to room, Thorny tries to focus his attention into areas of potential danger.

Perception Hallway: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Perception North room: 1d20 ⇒ 10
Perception South room: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Thorny moves to briefly delay Mathezic's flight from the room, stepping between him and the exit. "Before you leave, friend, would you please tell us what nature of challenges lay before us? What, exactly, should we be prepared to deal with and what sort of precautions can my comrades and I take?"

Diplomacy: 1d20 ⇒ 20

"My friend, we mean you no harm." he calls our reassuringly. "I am called Wilham Thornbriar, but my friends call me Thorny, as you may also." He sheaths his weapons and holds his palms open in view. "We are here at the behest of local authorities to examine the manor and take an account of the properties here." He pauses momentarily, recognizing the sound of a victim. "Are you injured? Have you been attacked? We are capable of healing what ails you and escorting you safely to a destination of your choice." Thorny stops, providing room for the man to speak.

Thorny moves next to Liam and peers down at the drawer. He bends at the waste and brings it eye level, examining where it sticks.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 9

He reaches out and pulls firmly.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

His hand slips from the handle. He looks at Liam and grins sheepishly. He tries again.

Strength: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22

Thorny sees his comrades listening at a door and he notices one behind him. Turning to face it, he presses his ear against the wood.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Trying to help, Thorny clumsily examines the cabinet along the south-eastern wall.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 5

"Aye," he responds to Liam. "Seems to be... non-threatening." Thorny moves toward the curtained-off area and pushes the fabric aside with his sword to peer in.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Thorny cautiously steps into the room and looks around. He creeps his way towards the center, never ceasing to scan his surroundings.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Noting Liam's reaction, "I answer the door like this at my house expecting a visit from my mother." He grins.

Thorny looks at the door next to him with a wary suspicion. "One is as good as the other." He cautiously walks across the room to join his friends near their door. "Eli, if you would be so kind?" He sets himself as if he's about to be attacked by a hidden creature.

I, also, am kind of loving this. I hack for a living and being able to run tests on my home lab is far superior and efficient than doing it at work (go Army?).

Like you, Val, it also makes it hard to turn work off in the evening and, like you Scott, I feel like I was born for this... but my wife is meant for museums and botanical gardens. She's struggling the most since our 4 year old is no longer in kindergarten and she's got them both full force for about 9 hours a day. At least I'm around to come upstairs when I hear the screaming getting a little too blood-curdling.

Scott, that sounds like really great structure for them.

Reflex Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16

Thorny dives to safe ground as the floor disappears beneath his feet. He dusts himself off as he rises. "I... don't think I would have normally made that one." He eyes his new cloak admiringly. "Or maybe it's been all the recent exercise."

He enters the room and gingerly walks alongside the opposite wall from Eli and Val, looking (too fast) for hidden traps, triggers, and compartments.

Perception: 1d20 ⇒ 7

I hope everyone is coping as well as possible given the circumstances.

It's all good. Thanks for the recap. I've not been as attentive to detail as I have been in the past, due to...well... everything. I could have put a little more effort in and just gone over the thread.

Thanks, again.

Did anyone buy healing potions from Xemne before we departed? I was tracking that those were party fund purchases? Thorny has no healing potions in his inventory.

If it's not too late, I recommend grabbing a few. Maybe 3 or 4. Or less.

"Well done, Liam." Thorny takes a step forward then halts, "Actually, would you mind, Eli?" He gestures ahead.

-----

Thorny bought the Potion of Remove Sickness and Enlarge Person, and took Xemne up on the offer of Bull's Strength...
...Remove Sickness - 50GP
...Enlarge Person - 50GP
...Bull's Strength - 300GP

Thorny commissioned the creation of the below. Pay up front, half, or upon completion?
...2 x Resistance - 25 x 2 = 50GP
...1 x Remove Fear - 50GP
...1 x Magic Weapon - 50GP

Source in use: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/potions/

"Hi! Come on in!" says Xemne from the back room. "I'll be right out!"

A middle-aged woman with smoked goggles pushed up onto her head comes out, wiping her hands on a stained rag. "Ah! One of Belhaim's heroes! What can I do for you?"

Sorry, once again. Being quarantined and teleworking has changed at-home dynamics. All is well, unintentional disassociation of my computer and office from anything that isn't work.

Fast forwarding - Thorny wants to purchase the following items:

Potions of...
...2 x Resistance - 25 x 2 = 50GP
...Enlarge Person - 50GP
...Remove Fear - 50GP
...Magic Weapon - 50GP
...Remove Sickness - 50GP
...Remove Paralysis - 300GP

Any arguments or problems with availability?

Sorry for my absence!

Thorny starts to accompany Val and Eli to Big Bull Baccus, thinking there might be a friendly ear to recount a new story, then thinks better of it. "I think I'm going to focus on some magic things, for a change," he uses the word as if it were from a foreign language. "It's not much of a fair fight if I don't figure out how to neutralize the enemy's hexes. Valena shouldn't have to be doing my job as much as she has been."

Thorny plods off to Xemne's Tonics to see what can be had there.

1,895 gp - 20% (379 gp) toward the party fund = 1516 remaining.

1516 / 4 people = 379 gp a piece.

1,200 gp from Amethyst gems = 300 gp trade-in value (or more coins if the town economy can support the exchange).

That's about 679 gp spending money for each person. Please validate that I didn't miss anything from earlier.

I think new gear should come from personal funds, but healing potions and other items of a community nature could come from the party fund?

No additional items. I think you covered it.

If no one wants to claim it, I am both horrified and excited about the prospect of Thorny's teeth growing fangs just before a bite attack. Mostly I want it for the resistance bonus.

The evening of their return, Thorny takes a hot bath and climbs into the cleanest clothing he can find. Hours later and much more relaxed, he joins his comrades in celebration. Through the night, his gaze passes over each of their faces and he notes their spirits are familiar, yet the scene is alien to him. While still glowing in the after-fight, no one is bruised or wrapped in bloody bandages.

Witchcraft and magic, he thinks to himself. It's not NOT fair, it just has two edges, like a blade.

The next morning, he plods into the common room and takes a seat among his friends. Famished, he orders two breakfasts and still asks Eli if she is going to finish her bacon.

"Business can wait until after breakfast. Then, as Little Liam here says," he gestures toward Liam with a buttered bread roll, "we should report to Lady Devy, collect and divide our gains, then adjourn to refit and reset." He shoves the rest of the roll he was just pointing with into his mouth. "And after which, we can see if the good Lady has anything additional she wants us to engage."

Scott: Not at all. You have highlighted that I misread the feat. As most of us probably are, I'm working from home almost exclusively and by the time I get to this board late in the evening, my reading is lazy.

I misread Cleave as a second opportunity to hit *the same* target. I wasn't after mooks, I was after the same guy :)

I'm replacing Cleave with Iron Will. Thorny can't do his thing if he keeps failing Will saves, and it fits with the narratives I've been writing in the game play posts.

HP: +5 for a total of 21.
Reflex and Will Saves +1

New Feat: Cleave
New Special ability: Armor training (reduces armor check penalty by 1)
New Fighter ability: +1 CMD vs. Bullrush and Overrun
New Skill ranks: Acrobatics, Climb, Swim

Chapter 1! That felt like the whole thing, apart from any demand from a dragon. :) Well done, everybody.

Valena, do you have the charges to help Nighttail, too?

Thorny squats to rifle through Liam's pouches. "He must have something useful in here... ah!" He extracts a healing vial and pauses, looking toward Valena. He walks over and squats to pour the vial into Valena's mouth.

Cure Moderate Wounds: 2d8 + 1 ⇒ (5, 1) + 1 = 7

To Nighttail, "Once we have had a look around, we should.. I don't know. Have we completed our task down here?" He pauses. "What say you, Nighttail?" Only the second time Thorny has referred to the Kobold by her name.

Thorny squats down over Liam and starts to rapidly rip strips of cloth from his own clothing to bandage wounds and stop the bleeding. "Someone check Val!" He gently slaps Liam's cheeks "C'mon big man. It's not that deep." Turning his head again without taking his eyes off Liam, "Does anyone have any healing potions?"

Heal: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Forgot my Will save

Will Save: 1d20 ⇒ 19

Oh, thank god.