Fortuitous Findings in Foraging: A Study, Part II

[Valwyn]

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If you select this alternative class feature, you do not gain trap sense.

Trap sense, not Trapfinding. Besides, Trapsmith gives trap sense +3 as well, which is the same Alex would get with 10 levels of rogue.

Are you sure?

I guess. I can get trap sense (and other nice protections vs traps) from the Trapsmith PrC, but I can't get the chance to sneak attack Bob or the Victories with anything else.

No.

:(

Perhaps I should stop being lazy and use flanking...

Nah, I think you're doing just fine. I mean, look at Maki... didn't he have trap sense as well? +4, if he's pure barbarian.

Team-up, get close, and hope the undead/construct doesn't have Combat Reflexes.

The Victories totally have Combat Reflexes, don't they? Let's just hope lesser constructs don't. (By the way, I bet most enemies will have it ).

"It's not just clerics," Alex points out as the priests patch him up. "The other night I tried to heal Reg and myself with a wand of lesser vigor and it didn't do anything. At first I thought it had something to do with the druid using Fell magic on us, but Harley said that some of the healing wands the wizards were selling didn't working either, so I doubt it was that. Do you know of anything that could weaken healing spells and items? Maybe there's something wrong with the Positive Energy Plane?" The thief might not know the specifics of clerical spellcasting, but he did know that the Positive Energy Plane was the main source of healing energy and if something happened to it, chances were healing would be affected.

[TheOasysMaster]

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Nah, I think you're doing just fine. I mean, look at Maki... didn't he have trap sense as well? +4, if he's pure barbarian.

True, but he still rolled too low for the DC, and the fatigue worsened it.

The Victories totally have Combat Reflexes, don't they?

(By the way, I bet most enemies will have it ).

it's a Minor at the Oasys NPC University!
^^

The dwarf shake his head, "No replies or answers from the gods. The Planes appear to be fine."
Quan jabs a finger at the Charred Horror, "There's no reason to suspect their connected either. This necromancer probably just found a way to make his undead 'special'."

[Todash]

If that's the case, then he made them with an ease and speed, that I have never seen before, and they were far stronger than normal. But no matter, all is simply part of a grander cycle. Greeting the sorcerer, he nods at his assesment, before introducing himself. I shall be accompanying you to rescue someone, I believe, but perhaps we should take our rest first.

[Valwyn]

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it's a Minor at the Oasys NPC University!
^^

I have a question on Penetrating Strike. Could I get it to work as a regular sneak attack (at 50% power) if I use an actual feat to get it/improve it? Darkstalker already lets me "flank creatures that have the all-around vision special quality", so technically I shouldn't have problems flanking your new Life Sense improved undead since they basically have All Around Vision when it comes to living things.

"Speaking of the necromancer, did anyone get him?" Alex looks around, trying to find the body.

[TheOasysMaster]

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I have a question on Penetrating Strike.

I shall investigate.

[Todash]

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I'm curious, how does Combat Reflexes affect flanking?

And does All round vision prevent flanking too? I just thought it meant they couldn't be suprised/flat-footed. I always thought of flanking as "you can't fully defend against 2 people" which vision wouldn't help.

[TheOasysMaster]

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I'm curious, how does Combat Reflexes affect flanking?

it doesn't.
You AoO as often as you have Dex mod, right?

Investigating.

[Todash]

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You AoO as often as you have Dex mod, right?

Ayup. Let's go bust out Quin!

[TheOasysMaster]

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Ayup. Let's go bust out Quin!

Riiiiiiiiiiight...

[Todash]

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Riiiiiiiiiiight..

What, he's not the Cleric who's locked up? That Quan and Hammer want to bust out?

[TheOasysMaster]

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What, he's not the Cleric who's locked up? That Quan and Hammer want to bust out?

Not quite.

[Valwyn]

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Investigating.

I was just sort of hoping for a ruling rather than you having to waste your time doing research. Not that I have a problem with it, but I'd prefer if spent your time working on Return itself than with a possible feat for Alex (and maybe Daina and Harley).

Riiiiiiiiiiight...

I guess this means we're not saving Quin on-screen?

[Todash]

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Awww, swing and a miss!

Out of curiosity, was Maki in a "no win" scenario? Or was that just how things played out?

[Valwyn]

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Out of curiosity, was Maki in a "no win" scenario? Or was that just how things played out?

I think the problem was that he called his men back when they were doing just fine. If he hadn't, he probably wouldn't have nearly as many problems with the archers as he did.

Right now, I don't think he's got much of a chance.

[TheOasysMaster]

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Out of curiosity, was Maki in a "no win" scenario? Or was that just how things played out?

No! it was supposed to go:

Maki arrives.
If he's fast enough, he saves his fellow tribesmen.
If he's too late, it takes longer to win, and the Raider's won't surrender.
Princess follows Maki through the battle, and if impressed calls, him out, and fights him face to face.
Wolf attacks, they fight together.
Relationship established.

But when he called back his archers!

[Todash]

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Oof, that's what I was worrried about. That's gonna be tricky....and oh my god he's still attacking...

Well, he's still one of my favorite characters. Just get him a chair somehow, it'll all work out.

[TheOasysMaster]

A woman's voice rings out behind them, "I believe he Teleported out of here."
Alex hears Holly cry out in surprise, "Amber!"

[Valwyn]

Alex looks in surprise at the newcomer and even more surprise at Holly. "Hey! Where did you go? Almost thought the orcs got you."

[Todash]

Yes, I saw the Necromancer vanish as well. He is nowhere in sight anyway, invisible or no. turning at the other's exclamation, he studies the newcomer.

[TheOasysMaster]

Angel

Holly shakes her head, "I went to get the dwarves when everything went south, then Harley had me set up barrels of acid around the supports of the the building."
She looks around carefully, "Don't. Tell. Reg."
Holly, and her friend, Amber, where skimpier versions of the sneaking armor and uniform that Alex and Therandil had seen seen Harley worrying.
Tattoos run up Amber's arms crawling across her neck, swept in messy red hair.
She studies Marros with bright green eyes.
"You coming with us?"

[Todash]

Dark eyes flashing, Marros nods to the red haired woman. I believe I am. However, I have been in a cell for some time. A change of clothes, a wash, perhaps a hot meal would not be amiss. Unless there was some urgency?

[Valwyn]

Alex nods in agreement at Holly. "Thanks for the help."

"You said you were in a cell? Are there more prisoners? We should get them out before we leave."

[TheOasysMaster]

"We're going to a wedding."
Holly, grins, "It's going to be beautiful!"
Amber nods, 'The access to the dwarven prison, is just behind Bloodstone..."
Quan nods, "That's what Lakkam says. Half my forces are already ready to make a distraction to to help you fellows out. The rest of us here, will finish clearing Bloodstone, and give Reg a hand burying her friends."
The dwarf points.
The elf is crouched next to the still forms of her ranger friends.
Harley stands just behind her, staring at his feets, saying something to her before he rounds on Lakkam.
They exchange words, and Harley frowns, but nods.
They begin to walk over.

[Todash]

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Yes! Alex takes the cue!

At the rogue's words, Marros' eyes suddenly look haunted. There were. I broke them out, was helping them to escape. But the necromancer.....


Marros looks down.They had some sort of collar device. He used it to kill them instantly, then turn them into horrors Marros looks up, and gestures to the sorcerer You encountered them yourself. They pursued me all the way to the surface, through stone and fire, crossing planes as fast as I could, still they pursued me. Looking over at the flaming building again, Marros stares deep into the flames.

I only hope they can be at rest now...

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Edit: Curses, ninja'd! Okay Oasys, are we heading to the prison, or just cutscening? Marros is pretty drained, and most of his abilities are out. Unless you rule "NPC healing = full nights rest"

[Valwyn]

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"We're going to a wedding."
Holly, grins, "It's going to be beautiful!"

How does that answer to Alex or Marros' questions? Or are they inviting us?

"Oh," is all the thief says. Then, something occurs to him. "Are you sure those were all of them? And why didn't you have one of the collars?"

[TheOasysMaster]

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Edit: Curses, ninja'd! Okay Oasys, are we heading to the prison, or just cutscening? Marros is pretty drained, and most of his abilities are out. Unless you rule "NPC healing = full nights rest"

Cutscening.
You guys are starting Return, making the break out.
I don't have the time, or the interest, to do a dungeon crawl that will be no challenge to a group of stealth minded, and with Marros in tow.

I just want to wrap things up neatly with the descent toward the entrance.

"That's a good question, hmmm."
Harley peers at Marros.
"Have you checked yourself completely since you got out?"

[Todash]

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I swear to god, if you do a "you never specified that you checked your own neck....

I don't know why, but they kept me seperated from the others. They never sent me to work in the mines, they kept me in a different cell...perhaps when I find that Necromancer, I'll ask him. Forcefully.

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Figured as much with Return almost ready to roll.

with Marros in tow.

Whatchoo talkin bout "in tow"? Marros can sneak thief with the best of em! +24!

[Valwyn]

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I swear to god, if you do a "you never specified that you checked your own neck....

Oasys would never do that.
He would, however, rule that he knocked Marros out, removed his disk, put a surprise there, and put the disk back into place, with Marros being non the wiser.

I don't have the time, or the interest, to do a dungeon crawl that will be no challenge to a group of stealth minded, and with Marros in tow.

Oh, so when it's something our characters should be comfortable doing, we don't get to do it? Bad DM! Bad!
()

You guys are starting Return, making the break out.

So Quin joins our party at the begining of Return?

"Maybe they were afraid you'd bust out if you were out of your cell?" He shrugs. "At any point, I don't think we'll find him here now that his minions are dead or destroyed, so that means no answers for the moment."

[TheOasysMaster]

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Oh, so when it's something our characters should be comfortable doing, we don't get to do it? Bad DM! Bad!

Oh no!
It's just its beneath you guys.
It'll be too easy!

Breaking in? Break out?
Harley and Alex could sneak through any dungeon/prison complex I could rustle up with ease.
Marros would be untouchable by realistic dwarf guards, and Therandil...
Oh man...
Poor dwarves.

So Quin joins our party at the begining of Return?

Yes.

The reason Marros didn't have a collar is because they didn't have time to make him one yet.
That's all.

Whatchoo talkin bout "in tow"? Marros can sneak thief with the best of em! +24!

Oh no, I'm imagining him letting loose on a bunch of dwarves.

probably your worse problem was if I made everything dwarf-sized, and thus too small to hide behind.
XD

Holly nods, "He's not our problem at the moment. So, monk, what's your story? Wandering Circle's are pretty rare."

[Todash]

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Phew. Out of curiosity, could he have removed the collars somehow if I'd thought of it?

thus too small to hide behind.

Shaking himself out of his funk, Marros brightens to his normal self, flipping his disc high into the air, before rolling it along his arms. Well, I was just heading to Fair Veronia, the brothers there were talking of increased violence and drug dealing. I was going to evaluate whether it justified moving the chapter, or if it could be handled in other ways. Grabbing his disc, he twirls it in his hands.
I travel a lot, exploring the world, checking on local chapters, helping out where I can. That's only gotten harder over the years, but I manage. Having various talents can be useful for a Wanderer Then he makes the Disc vanish.

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(1d20+24)[43] thievery/SoH for fun.