Kobold Company

Let's Roll: Corvo Attano from Dishonored for Pathfinder RPG

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sun, 09 Aug 2015 16:22:00 +0000

Building your heroes 10 levels at a time.

"Let's Roll" is a self-imposed challenge to build my (and your) favorite heroes in 10 levels or less using the Pathfinder Open Gaming License. I primarily focus on the standard Paizo rules, but have no issues dipping into 3rd party products (3PP) either - especially since I'm an author of some such products!

If you have a character you'd like to see developed, shoot me an email or check out the Kobold Company Facebook page to send in a submission!.

NOTE: "Let's Roll" is not a min/max character creation. It is a fun attempt to replicate hero characters from other games in just 10 levels of the Pathfinder RPG. Of course there are better feat choices (spells, traits, etc.), but those selected were chosen because, in my opinion, they best emulated the abilities of the hero.

Corvo Attano

From the Dishonored wiki: Corvo Attano is the protagonist of Dishonored and one of the two playable protagonists of Dishonored 2. Previously an agent and bodyguard to Empress Jessamine Kaldwin, Corvo is stripped of his title of Lord Protector and imprisoned by the usurper, Royal Spymaster Hiram Burrows, on the pretense of having murdered the Empress and abducted her daughter, Emily Kaldwin. After escaping from confinement on the eve of his execution, Corvo becomes either an assassin or vigilante for the Loyalist Conspiracy, eliminating Burrows' confederates to clear his name, avenge the Empress' death, and restore Emily to the throne.

I just finished up playing Dishonored (yes, the first one...) and I have to say that as far as sneaky-type games go, it's a fantastic one. Playing as Corvo through a shattered, steampunk-esque world was amazing. So much so that I've decided to do the next installment of "Let's Roll" with him in mind.

BIG challenge here to emulate him in just 10 levels, but we'll see what we can do. There are some things I am just going to have to accept he's not going to be great at - but it's going to give me a chance to get really creative and (I think) put together a build I've never considered before.

Alright...

Let's Roll: Corvo

The biggest issue with Corvo is his large complement of weapons. The primary focus is going to have to be his short sword (dagger?), but he also uses a hand crossbow with some unique rounds (sleep, incendiary, standard), a pistol, grenades, a nasty improvised explosive device, and - lest we forget - some magic abilities to help him sneak around as well as fight.

First, let's take a look at those magic abilities and see if we have a Pathfinder analog for each. Check out this quick video for a fun run-down of his magic abilities.

I'm going to separate out his equipment and his magic abilities into two groups. Also - only going for the Dishonored primary game, none of the DLC right now. It's going to be tough enough with just the basic game:

Equipment:

It's hard to ignore Corvo's mask. It's basically what makes him stand out as a game icon and is absolutely the signature item of this franchise. Going to have a hard time matching the appeal with standard magic items for this one.

Corvo's folding dagger is really about the size of a short sword in the game. I'm still debating, at this point, on the best way to go about implementing this. Dagger builds are pretty common and there are a lot of feat trees to support this. On the other hand, though, (like I said) the blade is clearly short sword sized.

Corvo uses this as his primary "quiet" weapon for assassination throughout the entire game. I'm going to go pretty crazy with this, so watch out!

His second most useful weapon (in my humble opinion) is his hand crossbow. This is sort of a no-brainer and pretty easy to get into this build. It's quiet and deadly in his hands. The tricky part is going to be the ammunition (see below), but even that can be overcome.

The sleep dart is awesome for people playing through the game trying to limit "kills". There are actually several achievements related to not killing people. One, which would be seriously difficult to get, involves not killing anyone in the entire game.

Anyway, I think we can get these either through alchemy or poisons (Drow poison?).

Incendiary bolts are awesome, but have limited use in a stealth game - or at least they did for me. In a pathfinder game, however, I can see them having their uses. They are also easy to get through alchemy. Hmmm, I think I'm seeing a trend here.

Grenades go BOOM! There are several instances in the game when this comes in handy - specifically when you are trying to take out the River Krusts (I HATE those things) and groups of Weepers. Not so great when trying to be stealthy and get around guards.

These bad boys already have rules for them in Pathfinder, so we're good to go with this.

Springrazors are going to be difficult to replicate - at least as I see it right now. There are some abilities like Ranger Trap (spoiler alert!) that can get us there, but I wasn't considering ranger, as of yet anyway.

These things are pretty brutal, by the way. It's basically an improvised explosive device that shoots out nails when its tripped. Nasty.

Probably the least useful when trying to be stealthy is the flipping boom-cannon that is Corvo's "City Guard pistol". I hate this thing, but unfortunately it's necessary in those moments when stealth fails. This thing is viscous at close range, but difficult (for me) to aim at a distance - it often seems to behave more like a blunderbuss dealing damage to multiple targets. I don't think this is worth spending a feat on - but we'll see.

The Heart is essentially a magic item. It is useful in the game because it points Corvo towards the Runes and Bone Charms that help you customize his build throughout the game. It also possesses some psychic abilities that allows Corvo to detect the surface thoughts and other psychic emanations from people he's observing. It can come in handy when searching for clues. Not sure just yet how this will work in PF though.

Sokolov's Elixer - Healing potion. Got it.

Piero's Spiritual Remedy - Mana potion in the game. No real analog in PF game terms. I'll see if something else beneficial comes to mind.

Magical (Mystical) Abilities:

Corvo is granted some mystical abilities by a powerful being known only as "The Outsider". He visits Corvo throughout the game, typically when he finds a Rune. These power are, individually, easy to replicate in Pathfinder. Getting them all into a 10-level build is going to be interesting.

Blink: I'll start with the one I personally used the most - and I consider to be Corvo's signature ability: Blink. Just like in Pathfinder, this ability is pretty much a short-distance teleport.

I'm going to focus primarily on getting this ability. It'll take a little bit, but I'm confident I can get something similar within my 10-level limit.

Agility: This one is easy - and likely the easiest to pull off. It's straight boosts to dex. In-game, this allows him to run faster, jump farther, and swim faster.

A belt of dex and we'll be fine.

Dark Vision: Not yo momma's darkvision. For Corvo, this affords him the ability to see through walls, identify the difference between people and animals, objects and items. This seems more like clairvoyance than Pathfinder darkvision. We'll see how we're going to get this one.

Possession: This is going to be a tough one. Very tough with just 10-levels to work with. It works very similar in function to the Magic Jar spell. I can tell you right now, we're not going to be getting 5 levels of any spellcasting class. Charm Person may be the closest I can get to this ability.

Vitality: It gives Corvo the ability to heal faster and more hit points. Sounds exactly like constitution to me. We'll see about a Con boost - not a major priority, but easy to replicate.

Windblast: This is a fun ability...or at least I had fun with it. It's basically wind-borne bullrush that can affect multiple targets (looks like a cone). I have no idea just yet how I'm going to replicate the bullrush against multiple opponents, but I'll do some research and see what's available. Against one target, it should be pretty easy.

Shadowkill: Dishonored is a stealth game, pure and simple. If guards or anyone really find bodies you've..um...well...murdered, you are more likely to get caught. Shadowkill turns opponents Corvo kills to ash. Not sure if this can be done through magic with RAW rules, but I have some ideas which may or may not include necromancy. Also, if it wasn't obvious, I think some sort of spellcaster is unavoidable at this point.

Bendtime: Well...I already said that Possession was going to be the most difficult to replicate, but I think this one will give it a run for its money. This ability slows down time or, with high a enough rune count, stop time entirely. Since Corvo's not going to be an arch-mage, I don't think we're getting Time Stop. The only thing that comes to mind is focusing on some sort of initiative bonuses that make him go SOOO fast it seems like time is slowing around him........yea.

Stats (20 point build):

As we'll see in the class selection below, both dex and charisma are going to be important. I am traditionally more of a high-fantasy player/gamer, so the idea of using 20-point builds really irks me, but there's no doubt that is the most common point-value game played out there, so we're sticking with it.

Strength: 10 - (0 points) Corvo is pretty strong in the game, but for this build, I can't afford more.
Dexterity: 16 - (10 points)
Constitution: 12 - (2 points) Minor bump for fort.
Intelligence: 10 - (0 points) Going to rely on the bonus point for being human.
Wisdom: 18 - (10 points, +2 Human) Mandatory for the route I think I'm going to be taking.
Charisma: 8 - (+2 points) No one ever accused Corvo of being a social butterfly.

OK - stats are out of the way. How are we going to build this guy?

Level Advancement

Let's talk build. From the start, I knew that Corvo was not going to get by without some sort of spellcasting class. However, several of these abilities can be accomplished with magic items and there are some class abilities I can use as well that won't require spells. It's not the optimal route, but above all, Corvo is excellent at sneaking and close-quarter fighting.

With all that being said, we're going with Unchained Monk. Corvo will get his Blink through Abundant Step at 8th level, he'll be fast with an increased movement, he'll be good at a lot of combat maneuvers, and, with a few magic items, I can replicate just about any of the abilities he needs. Or so I think. Let's try it.

Unchained Monk is the revision Paizo just recently published which looks at creating the type of kung-fu character everyone wanted with the original 3.5 content. They've stated they weren't particularly happy bringing the monk (or rogue, or barbarian) over as written, but didn't have the resources to make any changes at the time. The biggest changes are the full BAB, a lower Will saving throw, d10 hit dice, and some changes to the way Flurry of Blows works. All-in-all, it'll be a great fit for Corvo.

Level 1

Unchained Monk 1 | Race: Human

BAB: +1 | CMB: +4 | CMD: 18

Fort: +3 | Ref: +5 | Will: +4

HP: 11 | AC: 17
Init: +4

I like this guy already. Those saves and that BAB? That CMD!? Nice.

Traits: Ambush Training (+1 init, +1 damage during Surprise round), Spirit Sense (+2 to perception to avoid being surprised)

Feats: Dodge (B), Improved Unarmed Strike (B), Agile Maneuvers, Stunning Fist (B), Weapon Focus (Dagger)

Abilities: Flurry of Blows, Bonus AC (Wis)

Skill List: Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Escape Artist (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (history) (Int), Knowledge (religion) (Int), Perception (Wis), Perform (Cha), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Sense Motive (Wis), Stealth (Dex), and Swim (Str)
Skills (5): Acrobatics (+7), Intimidate (+4), Perception (+8), Sense Motive (+8), Stealth (+7)

Notable Equipment: Dagger, no armor, metal mask
Weapons: Dagger (+2 / 1d4; Flurry: +0/+0, 1d4), Unarmed Attack (+1, 1d6; Flurry: -1/-1, 1d6)

I know I talked about the short sword early on, but with the way this build is going to develop, dagger is the only option. Also, we're loaded with feats at 1st level. I went with agile maneuvers to ensure his CMB is high. If we're going to replicate some of his sneaky ambush moves, he's going to need a higher CMB. The not-so-good thing about this build being that pesky low strength. He's just going to have to deal with it at 1st level. I can't afford the points to strength. Successive levels will be much better.

I also set him up with some nice ambush mechanics. It should become apparent why here in a few levels.

Level 2
Unchained Rogue 1 / UM 1
BAB: +1 | CMB: +4 | CMD: 18
Fort: +3 | Ref: +7 | Will: +4
HP: 16 | AC: 17

Feats: Weapon Finesse (B), Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Hand Crossbow)(B)
Abilities: +1d6 Sneak Attack w/ Daggers, Finesse Training, trapfinding
Skills (9): Acrobatics (+8), Disable Device (+7 (+8 Traps)), Disguise (+4), Escape Artist (+7), Intimidate (+4), Perception (+9(+10 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+7), Stealth (+8), Survival (+5), Use Magic Device (+4)

Gold: 1,000gp
Notable Equipment: Dagger (Masterwork), Hand Crossbow

Weapons: MW Dagger (+6 / 1d4 (+1d6 Sneak Attack)), Unarmed Attack (+4, 1d6; Flurry -1/-1, 1d6 (+1d6 Sneak Attack)), Hand Crossbow (+4, d4)

Unchained Rogue is a perfect combination for this build with the Unchained Monk for this build. He gets bonus damage based upon Dex, he gets the free Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Hand Crossbow), some bonus precision damage, and he'll get a nice rogue talent for a 2-level dip. Coming together nicely!

Level 3

UR 2 / UM 1

BAB: +2 | CMB: +5 | CMD: 19

Fort: +3 | Ref: +8 | Will: +4

HP: 21 | AC: 17

Feats: Mobility

Abilities: Evasion, Rogue Talent (Surprise Attack)

Skills (9): Acrobatics (+9), Disable Device (+7 (+8 Traps)), Disguise (+4), Escape Artist (+7), Knowledge (Local)(+5), Intimidate (+5), Perception (+10(+11 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+9), Stealth (+9 (+14)), Survival (+6), Use Magic Device (+6)

Gold: 3,000gp (+2000gp)

Notable Equipment: Cloak of Elvenkind, Drow Poison (DC 13)(4 doses, 300gp)

Weapons: MW Dagger (+7 / 1d4; Flurry: +5/+5, 1d4 (+1d6 Sneak Attack)), Unarmed Attack (+5, 1d6; Flurry: +3/+3, 1d6 (+1d6 Sneak Attack)), Hand Crossbow (+5, d4 + poison)

Picked up Knowledge (Local) since there are a few points left over. The lack of bonus intelligence points hurts here a little bit, but it's not over the top. He's still going to turn out to be a pretty good skill monkey. He's starting to come together. Still not a power house, but we'll fix that.

Surprise attack will allow Corvo to get a sneak attack on anyone during the surprise round - it won't matter if they go ahead of him or not. Goes along nicely with our Ambush Training trait.

Lastly, while a little cliche with the Drow poison, it is the only one at a reasonable cost that will force a target unconscious. Probably going to have to go with stacked doses to make that DC a little more difficult.

Level 4

UR 3 / UM 1

BAB: +3 | CMB: +6 | CMD:20

Fort: +4 | Ref: +8 | Will: +5

HP: 26 | AC: 17

Dex: 17

Feats: -

Abilities: Finesse Training (Dex to damage w/ dagger), Sneak Attack +2d6, Danger Sense +1

Stat: +1 Dex

Skills (9): Acrobatics (+10 (+15)), Disable Device (+8(+9 Traps)), Disguise (+6), Escape Artist (+8), Knowledge (Local)(+5), Intimidate (+5), Perception (+11(+12 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+8), Stealth (+10 (+15)), Survival (+7), Use Magic Device (+8)

Gold: 6,000gp (+3,000gp)

Notable Equipment: Boots of Elvenkind (2,500), Cloak of Elvenkind, Bolts (Incendiary)(12)

Weapons: Dagger, Masterwork (+8, +6/+6 Flurry, d4+3 (+2d6 sneak attack)), Unarmed (+6, +4/+4 Flurry, d6+0 (+2d6 sneak attack)), Hand Crossbow (+6, 1d4 + poison)

I had a hard time going unchained rogue for another level. It basically ensures I'm not going to get Abundant Step within my 10-level limit, but with the Finesse Training of the Unchained Rogue, Corvo now adds his dex to his damage with his dagger. His threat potential just spun up through the roof in combat.

You may be asking why focus on the dagger rather than unarmed combat - the truth is, weapons have a greater potential for damage than unarmed combat at higher levels. Corvo's going to be a grappler and a knife-fighter.

Danger Sense adds that +1 to avoid being surprised, and there's nothing wrong with that in this ambush build.

Level 5

UR 3 / UM 2

BAB: +4 | CMB: +7 | CMD: 21

Fort: +5 | Ref: +9 | Will: +5

HP: 32 | AC: 18

Feats: Spring Attack, Improved Grapple (B)

Abilities: Evasion, bonus feat

Skills (5): Acrobatics (+11 (+16)), Disable Device (+8(+9 Traps), Disguise (+6), Escape Artist (+8), Knowledge (Local)(+5), Intimidate (+5), Perception (+12 (+13 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+8), Stealth (+11 (+16)), Survival (+8), Use Magic Device (+9)

Gold: 10,500gp (+4,500gp)

Notable Equipment: Dagger +1 (2,000gp), Ring of Protection +1 (1,000gp), Bolts (Drow Poison)(12)(1,200gp), Boots of Elvenkind, Cloak of Elvenkind

Weapons: Dagger +1 (+9, Flurry: +7/+7, 1d4+4 (+2d6 Sneak Attack)), Unarmed Attack (+7, 1d6; Flurry: +5/+5, 1d6 (+2d6 Sneak Attack)), Hand Crossbow (+7, 1d4 + poison)

With a +16 acrobatics check at 5th level, Corvo is basically simulating the Blink ability. Combine that with Spring Attack now and, for flavor's sake, we can essentially say it IS blink - he can jump up to 20 feet (currently with a 10' running start) and does not provoke attacks of opportunity if he uses spring attack.

Grappling is now online - he's going to be able to replicate the "choke-out" somewhat, but in all likelihood, he'll need to sneak up with stunning fist first, then move into a grapple to subdue them.

He's pretty sparse in the magic item department, but otherwise I really like this build.

Level 6

UR 3 / UM 3

BAB: +5 | CMB: +8 | CMD: 22

Fort: +5 | Ref: +9 | Will: +6

HP: 38 | AC: 18
Ki Pool: 5

Abilities: Fast Movement (+10), Ki Pool (5), Ki Strike (Magic)

Skills (5): Acrobatics (+12 (+17)), Disable Device (+8(+9 Traps)), Disguise (+6), Escape Artist (+8), Knowledge (Local)(+5), Intimidate (+5), Perception (+13(+14 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+8), Stealth (+12 (+17)), Survival (+9), Use Magic Device (+10)

Gold: 16,000gp (+5,500gp)

Notable Equipment: Dagger +1, Mask of the Mantis (6,000 gp - assumes 500gp or so extra from previous levels or a loan), Boots of Elvenkind, Cloak of Elvenkind, Bolts (Drow Poison)(12), Bolts (Incendiary)(12)

Weapons: Dagger +1 (+10, +8/+8 Flurry, d4+4 (+2d6 sneak attack)), Unarmed (+8, +6/+6 Flurry, d6+0 (+2d6 sneak attack)), Hand Crossbow (+8, 1d4 + poison or fire)

It might be a weird choice - and for RP purposes, the "mantis mask" would look like Corvo's iconic metal skull mask. It goes a long way to help replicate the "Dark Vision" power of Corvo's both with darkvision and see invisibility. It's also a creative choice since it costs charges to use, much like Corvo's abilities cost "mana".

Level 7
UR 3 / UM 4

BAB: +6/+1 | CMB: +10 | CMD: 24

Fort: +6 | Ref: +11 | Will: +6

HP: 44 | AC: 19
Init: +5
Ki Pool: 6

Feats: Learn Ranger Trap (Wounding Trap)

Abilities: Ki Power (High Jump), Still Mind, Stunning Fist (Fatigued), AC +1

Skills (5): Acrobatics (+14 (+19)), Disable Device (+9(+10 Traps), Disguise (+6), Escape Artist (+9), Knowledge (Local)(+6), Intimidate (+5), Perception (+13 (+14 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+9), Stealth (+14 (+19)), Survival (+9), Use Magic Device (+11)

Gold: 23,500gp (+7,500gp)
Notable Equipment: Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2 (Dex 19) (4,000gp), Gloves of Reconnaissance (2,000gp - save 500gp), Pellet Grenade, Iron (10 / 500gp), Dagger +1, Mask of the Mantis, Boots of Elvenkind, Cloak of Elvenkind, Bolts (Drow Poison)(12), Bolts (Incendiary)(12)

Weapons: Dagger +1 (+11/+6, Flurry: +9/+9/+4, 1d4+5 (+2d6 Sneak Attack)), Unarmed Attack (+9/+4, 1d6; Flurry: +7/+7/+3, 1d6+0 (+2d6 Sneak Attack)), Hand Crossbow (+9, 1d4 + poison or fire)

Learn Ranger Trap....what? This is the spring razor we talked about wayyy at the beginning. It's not pretty for a min/maxer, but it works for this build. The damage is definitely not great (1d6 + 1/2 level and counts as magic for DR), but it's still a handy feature.

The other odd-ball item is the Gloves of Reconnaissance. These allow the wearer to see and hear through up to 15' of stone for up to 10 rounds per day. Excellent. Between this and Mask of the Mantis, we have almost exactly replicated the Dark Vision ability Corvo has in the game.

He had to wait until 7th level, but Corvo can now make jumps as though he was running, even while standing still. This is as close as I'm going to get with his Blink ability inside the 10 level limit, I'm afraid, without some magic.. Abundant Step comes at 11th level...blarrgh! Still, he can leap 20 feet on a roll of 2 and almost 40 feet with a roll of 20...as a move action.

Level 8

UR 3 / UM 5

BAB: +7/+2 | CMB: +12 | CMD: 26

Fort: +6 | Ref: +12 | Will: +6

HP: 56 | AC: 20
Init: +6
Ki Pool: 6
Stat Bonus: Dex +1 (20)

Abilities: Purity of Body, Style Strike (Defensive Spin)

Skills (5): Acrobatics (+16 (+21)), Disable Device (+10(+11 Traps)), Disguise (+6), Escape Artist (+10), Knowledge (Local)(+6), Intimidate (+5), Perception (+14(+15 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+10), Stealth (+16 (+21)), Survival (+9), Use Magic Device (+12)

Gold: 33,000gp (+9,500gp)

Notable Equipment: Dagger +1 Human Bane, Vicious (+10,000gp), Gloves of Reconnaissance, Dagger, Masterwork, Mask of the Mantis, Boots of Elvenkind, Cloak of Elvenkind, Bolts (Drow Poison)(12), Bolts (Incendiary)(12)

Weapons: Dagger +1 vicious human bane (+13/+8 (+15/+10 vs. Humans), +11/+11/+7 (+13/+13/+9 vs. Humans) Flurry, d4+6 (+2d6 sneak attack)(+2d6 vicious)(+2d6 vs. Humans)), Unarmed (+10, +8/+8 Flurry, d6+0 (+2d6 sneak attack)), Hand Crossbow (+10, 1d4 + poison or fire)

With his new Style Strike (Defensive Spin), he can engage in melee with a single opponent, gaining a +4 dodge to his AC.

More importantly is his brutal dagger....brutal against humans, effective against anything else. With Vicious and Human Bane and a sneak attack, he's going to deal 1d4+6+6d6 against a human target in exchange for taking 1d6 himself. With a full flurry and sneak attack, he would deal 3d4+18+18d6 (taking 3d6 himself) against a human.

I don't like the idea of taking damage, but Corvo is out for blood and this is going to get it for him, without a doubt. A must would be some potions or a wand of cure moderate wounds handy.

Level 9

UR 3 / UM 6

BAB: +8/+3 | CMB: +13 | CMD: 27

Fort: +7 | Ref: +13 | Will: +7

HP: 62 | AC: 21
Move: 50'
Ki Pool: 7

Feats: Piranha Strike, Improved Feint (B)

Abilities: Bonus Feat, Ki Power (Formless Master), Move +20 (50)

Skills (5): Acrobatics (+16 (+21)), Disable Device (+11(+12 Traps), Disguise (+6), Escape Artist (+9), Knowledge (Local)(+6), Intimidate (+5), Perception (+14 (+15 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+8), Stealth (+16 (+21)), Survival (+9), Use Magic Device (+13)

Gold: 46,000gp (+13,000gp)

Notable Equipment: Ring of the Ram (8,600gp), Amulet of Natural Armor +1 (2,000 gp - save the rest), Dagger +1 Human Bane, Vicious, Gloves of Reconnaissance, Dagger, Masterwork, Mask of the Mantis, Boots of Elvenkind, Cloak of Elvenkind, Bolts (Drow Poison)(12), Bolts (Incendiary)(12)

Weapons: Dagger +1 viscous human bane (+14/+9 (+16/+11 vs. Humans)(+11/+6 Piranha Strike or -3), +12/+12/+8 (+14/+14/+10 vs. Humans) Flurry, d4+6 (d4+12 w/ piranha strike)(+2d6 sneak attack)(+2d6 vicious)(+2d6 vs. Humans)), Unarmed (+11, +9/+9 Flurry, d6+0 (+2d6 sneak attack)), Hand Crossbow (+11, 1d4 + poison or fire)

Ring of the Ram - ranged bull rush?! Yes, please! Right down to the wire, Corvo is getting his Wind Blast ability. It's not going to be great against big critters, but a +17 CMB against a medium sized opponent is going to be pretty decent!

Piranha Strike here is just gory. When he can catches a human opponent flat-footed, he can flurry with piranha strike (full-round action, mind you) assuming all hits for 3d4+36+18d6 (or a absolute max of 156)...taking 3d6 himself.

Keep in mind the whole idea behind this build is to sneak up and kill the crap out of someone. Corvo, as built here, is absolutely not sustainable in a long combat.

Finally, Formless Master is also pretty cool - it's another way for Corvo to bump up his AC against an opponent - this time as an immediate action. In addition, he's going to get a +4 to hit that opponent and + 6 (monk level) to damage him.

Level 10
UR 3 / UM 7

BAB: +9/+4 | CMB: +14 | CMD: 28

Fort: +7 | Ref: +13 | Will: +7

HP: 56 | AC: 21
Ki Pool: 7
Abilities: Ki Strike (Cold Iron/Silver)

Skills (5): Acrobatics (+17 (+22)), Disable Device (+12(+13 Traps)), Disguise (+6), Escape Artist (+10), Knowledge (Local)(+6), Intimidate (+6), Perception (+14(+15 Traps)), Sense Motive (+8), Sleight of Hands (+10), Stealth (+17 (+22)), Survival (+9), Use Magic Device (+14)

Gold: 62,000gp (+16,000gp + 2,400gp from last level + 1,250 sold Cloak of Elvenkind)
Notable Equipment: Mithral Chain +2, Brawling Shadow (12,750 gp), Cloak of Resistance +2 (4,000gp) , ( Ring of the Ram, Amulet of Natural Armor +1, Dagger +1 Human Bane, Vicious, Gloves of Reconnaissance, Dagger, Masterwork, Mask of the Mantis, Boots of Elvenkind, Cloak of Elvenkind, Bolts (Drow Poison)(12), Bolts (Incendiary)(12)

Weapons: Dagger +1 viscous human bane (+13/+8 (+15/+10 vs. Humans), +11/+11/+7 (+13/+13/+9 vs. Humans) Flurry, d4+6 (+2d6 sneak attack)(+2d6 vicious)(+2d6 vs. Humans)), Unarmed (+10, +8/+8 Flurry, d6+0 (+2d6 sneak attack)), Hand Crossbow (+10, 1d4 + poison or fire)

10th level for Corvo with this build is mega-anti-climactic with him gaining just the ability to strike as cold iron / silver with his unarmed attacks. Not a great way to end this week's build out. Still - he's come a long way and I think what we have here is a remarkable representation of Corvo from the Dishonored video game.

All in all, this turned out WAY better than I had hoped. That damage on a full-round sneak attack is beyond crazy.

Some of the things I wasn't able to get:

- True "Blink" ability. I could have picked it up - had I gone full Unchained Monk or even just two levels of Unchained Rogue, we could have had the Abundant Step monk ability. The Dex to damage thing was too appealing, though and there was just no way around it.

- The "choke out" - he's going to be a pretty good grappler, but it's going to be more like: stunning fist -> auto-grapple to keep them from talking.

- Shadowkill - Unfortunately (and I sincerely mean that) there is no ability in the Pathfinder game (that I could find) which would allow a PC to turn their opponent into ash upon a kill. I mean, I guess he could just use flint and tinder?? Might take a while...

- Bendtime - I never did get around to getting Corvo a really BIG Init modifier and, short of using high level magic, there's really no mechanic for slowing down time. He has some control abilities (stunning fist, leg sweep, etc.) but nothing that's going to slow down time.

- Possession was not even on my radar. There are plenty of abilities that can charm a bad guy, but nothing in the game lets you physically infuse a PC's body into a target, control them for a while, then pop out later. Sorry 'bout it!

- My biggest gripe with all of this was not having something to replicate the Heart. I thought about it a great deal, but never did come up with anything. I thought tumor familiar, artifact, intelligent magic item...nothing that would mechanically work is going to be available to a 10th level character....so, bummed about it, but not much I can do.

For future advancement, there's not a whole lot else to consider. Definitely pick up abundant step at 11th level (8th level Unchained Monk) and I would continue to boost up either dex or wis at 12th and 16th levels.

Nail down something for The Heart. In my head, I'd like to see an intelligent magic item - or even better, an intelligent psionic universal item that had some psychic ability. That's entirely DM dependent, however.

I pretty much ignored the gun - I didn't like using it in the game (too loud), but at 11th level, Corvo could easily pick up Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Pistols to cover that. I would personally go with Improved Initiative, but that's just me.

That's it for this edition of Let's Roll! Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this! If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, let me know and I'll be sure to answer or incorporate them where I can!

KC Rift is a long time gamer, role-player, and computer nerd. In addition to his day-job, he moonlights as a freelance writer for Total Party Kill Games and as an "Agent" for Catalyst Game Labs - His current published works include "The Deductionist" and "The Feybinder".

Thanks to John Reyst - This was created using:

Let's Roll: Nova, The StarCraft Ghost for Pathfinder

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sun, 19 Apr 2015 04:03:00 +0000

Building your heroes 10 levels at a time.

"Let's Roll" is a self-imposed challenge to build my (and your) favorite heroes in 10 levels or less. If you have a character you'd like to see developed, shoot me an email or check out the Kobold Company Facebook page to send in a submission!.

Nova

One of my favorite characters for StarCraft has always been Nova, the Ghost who first aids, then hunts Raynor...to boot, she hates Kerrigan's guts. In this pathfinder conversion for Nova from Heroes of the Storm, I'm going to try and recreate all of her abilities in just 10-levels of advancement.

She is now a character in Blizzard's new "Heroes of the Storm" game and she's a lot of fun to play. That started me thinking, though, what would Nova look like in Pathfinder stats? Obviously there are some issues with the whole "high tech" genre vs. fantasy, but I still think I can make this work. So let's try it!

NOTE: "Let's Roll" is not a min/max character creation. It is a fun attempt to replicate hero characters from other games. Of course there are better feat choices (spells, traits, etc.), but those selected were chosen because, in my opinion, they best emulated the abilities of the hero.

Let's Roll: Nova

Right out of the gate, I'm going a bit unorthodox. I want to simulate some of her tech with magic...she obviously has to have a rifle with which to snipeth her enemies too. For that matter, I have a set list of tech I want to replicate and I want to be able to use it often.

Let's take a look at some of that tech we want to replicate before we go into the final decision on the class(es).

Cloak: Obviously Nova's biggest asset is her ability to cloak and hide. This allows her to hide from enemies, cross hostile territory and set up perfect ambushes with her rifle. Cloak is probably the easiest of the tech abilities to replicate with magic. At low level we have Vanish which will get the job done well enough, but then Invisibility and Improved Invisibility at later levels pretty accurately replicate the ghost's ability.

Snipe: Well, this is is obviously where we need to have a rifle. With the musket, we have a ranged-touch weapon at the first range increment - and with the right selection of magic items and feats (such as Far-Reaching Sight or Deadly Aim), we can make the musket deadly indeed!

Holo Decoy: One of the new abilities Nova has in the Heroes of the Storm is grants her a body double that acts independently of her and "attacks" her enemies. While initially this decoy does no damage, Nova can eventually upgrade it to deal minor damage (25%) to the baddies. The immediate idea that comes to mind is obviously Mirror Image. This does a pretty decent job of the duplication bit, but doesn't really behave independent of Nova herself.

Pinning Round: Another new one from Heroes of the Storm, this one is tough. Believe it or not, it's also the ability I'm going to focus on. From a party perspective, I think it'll be where she can best help the party. There are plenty of movement hampering feats for the melee types, but not many for missile weapons. Fortunately, we're already considering taking Deadly Aim and one of the feats in that tree is Ranged Trip. She's not going to be very good at it without some significant effort at boosting it, but the ability is right there, staring us in the face.

Precision Strike: This is going to be a tough one. I don't really see Nova as a spellcaster, but there's not a lot of AoE damage abilities she can call down from the Heavens that isn't going to be magic. Since this is one of her two epic abilities, I will wait for later on this. The obvious choice is Flame Strike, but there is no way this build is going to get level 5 spells. This one may have to be left in the bin.

Triple-Tap: This is probably my favorite talent of Nova's in HotS. She locks-on to an enemy target and fires a three-round burst at them. Assuming the player is doing their job, this is almost always a kill-shot. This one is also pretty easy to get with Gunslinger too, since they have a 7th level deed, Dead Shot, that almost exactly replicates this.

OK, so those are the elements we have to have in the build to match technology with our Pathfinder magic. Pretty excited up to this point since I have a good idea what I want to do. Stealth is a must, but we also probably need to focus a little bit on intimidate, and maybe a knowledge skill or two in order to make her useful to the party.

Human Musket Master / Ninja

I think at this point, as far as Pathfinder is concerned, Nova's going gunslinger and ninja, using ninja (and rogue) talents and/or feats to her HotS abilities. There may be a couple of other ways to get to the end-game we're trying to achieves, but with Gunslinger, She gets a rifle right out of the gate and can start the game with the ability to snipe.

Stats (20 point build):

How about taking a look at stats? The musket master combined with ninja means I want a high wisdom and a high dexterity. Basically, I want to hit often and have enough grit to use her special abilities. We'll take a hit with a low ki-pool, but there is only so much you can do with 20 points.

Strength: 8 - (-2 points)Total throw away stat that will not do anything for us.
Dexterity: 18 - (10 points, +2 human bonus) Obviously...ninja.
Constitution: 12 - (2 points) We'll throw a couple points in here for Fort saves.
Intelligence: 10 - (0 points) Rogue gets a bunch of skills, plus the human bonus. Good to go here.
Wisdom: 16 - (10 points) Need this for the Musket Master and for Will saving throws
Charisma: 10 - (0 points) Nova is a big smart-ass. Ninjas benefit from a high CHA, but no points.

That covers the stats. Not incredibly diverse or spread out, but trying to create a hero archetype with 20-points ain't easy. We'll have a +2 to hit and a +4 to grit, plus some bonus spells along the way. Looking good so far!

Level Advancement

Let's talk about how we want to start Nova out and how she'll progress in order to fit the bill we've laid out here.

Level 1 - Musket Master (MM) 1
- Musket Master is the obvious choice for Nova. Uses a rifle, gets free Rapid Reload and treats a musket as a one-handed firearm for purposes of reloading. She can also increase the range of the musket by 10' just by spending a move action to aim. Perfect for a sniper.

There are several routes with regards to Traits we could take and could be argued for under the right circumstances (Defensive Strategist or Paragon of Speed, to name a couple), but in the end I went with two traits that would allow her to be stealthy and fast.

AC:14 | HP: 12 | Grit: 3
BAB +1 | Fort +3 | Ref +6 | Will +3
Abilities: Deeds, grit, gunsmith
Traits: Black Sheep (Bitter Nobleman), Veteran of Battle (Act during surprise round, +1 init)
Feats: Gunsmithing (B), Rapid Reload (Musket)(B), Deadly Aim, Point Blank Shot
Deeds: Dead-eye Shot, Steady Shot
Skills: Acrobatics (8), Intimidate (4), Perception (7), Stealth (9), Survival (7)
Notable Equipment: Battered Musket, Cartridges, Paper (20), Cartridges, Entangling Shot (5)

She gets rapid reload for free as a musket master; she takes deadly aim for a +16% damage bonus, and point-blank shot because...reasons.

I hate taking Point-Blank Shot since she's a sniper and should be FAR from combat...but it's a prerequisite for nearly everything (sounds like a 3PP challenge to me).

Also, taking some paper cartridges and entangling shot cartridges at 1st level is the poor mans way of emulating some of Nova's abilities early. With the cartridge and Rapid Reload, she can reload her rifle as a move action. Just be aware of the increased misfire chances!

Level 2 - Ninja 1 Getting into the good stuff now. Shooter baseline is accomplished - now it's time to start working towards some of those special abilities.
AC: 12 | HP: 18 | Grit: 3 | Ki Pool: 1
BAB +1 | Fort +3 | Ref +8 | Will +3
Abilities: Poison Use, Sneak Attack +1d6
Skills: Acrobatics (9), Bluff (4), Disable Device (8), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (Local)(4), Perception (8), Sense Motive (7), Stealth (10), Survival (8), Use Magic Device (4)
Gold: 1,000gp
Notable Equipment: Replenish paper shot as needed
At 2nd level, still relying mostly on the musket master, but we'll get there.

Level 3 - Ninja 2
AC: 17 | HP: 24 | Grit: 3 | Ki Pool: 1
BAB +2 | Fort +3 | Ref +9 | Will +4
Abilities: Ki Pool (1), Ninja Trick
Talent: Vanishing Trick
Feats: Combat Reflexes
Skills: Acrobatics (10), Bluff (5), Disable Device (9), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (Local)(5), Perception (9), Sense Motive (8), Stealth (11), Survival (8), Use Magic Device (5)
Gold: 3,000gp (+2000gp)
Notable Equipment: Daredevil Boots (1,400gp), Mithral Shirt (1,100gp)

Nova is fast - really fast. I'm on the fence here with getting Improved Initiative - but since we're getting other ninja talents that will fit her HotS talents, I think it will be ok. Combat reflexes is a necessity to make sure she really has a good Pinning Shot ability (as we'll soon see). Nova just needs to make sure she stays out of melee.

Ki-Pool lets her spend one point to gain a 20' movement boost - this is a great way to mimic her ability to move quickly while stealthed!

With the Vanishing Trick, she gets her Cloak feature pretty early on. Awesome. She needs several other Ninja Tricks to really get that HotS feel, but she's well on her way.

Finally, daredevil boots give her the ability to get out of combat quickly by avoiding attacks of opportunity as she makes good her escape.

Level 4 - MM 2
AC: 18 | HP: 31 | Grit: 3
BAB +3 | Fort +5 | Ref +11 | Will +5*
Ability: Nimble +1
Stat: +1 Dex
Skills: Acrobatics (11), Bluff (4), Disable Device (10), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (Local)(4), Perception (10), Sense Motive (7), Stealth (12), Survival (8), Use Magic Device (5)
Gold: 6,000gp (+3,000gp)
Notable Equipment: Potion of Invisibility (3; 900gp), Potion of Cat's Grace (3; 900gp); Cloak of Resistance +1 (1,000gp)

Not a lot going on at level 4 - but she does get Nimble +1 giving her a bonus to her AC. In theory, she should be staying way out of combat, but not going to balk at anything granting AC.

Level 5 - MM 3
AC: 19* | HP: 34 | Grit: 3
BAB +4 | Fort +5 | Ref +11 | Will +6*
Deeds: Gunslinger Initiative, Fast Musket
Feats: Quick Draw
Skills: Acrobatics (12), Bluff (4), Disable Device (12), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (Local)(4), Perception (11), Sense Motive (8), Stealth (13 +5)*, Survival (8), Use Magic Device (6)
Gold: 10,500gp (+4,500gp)
Notable Equipment: Mithral Shirt +1, Shadowed (4,750gp - assuming there is change left over from previous levels)

OK, I'm going to get some grief for not getting Precise Shot at this poing - I can hear heads exploding already. The -4 to hit someone in melee is a problem, but since she's using Touch AC within the first range-increment, I'm comfortable enough without it. Nova is a sniper - this build is intended to keep her out of combat and as far from the bad guy as possible. Period.

Plus - With Gunslinger Initiative she now has a +7 initiative (+4 dex, +1 trait, and +2 Gunslinger), can act during a surprise round, draw her musket as part of her initiative check, and reload her musket as if it were a one-handed firearm. I am really itching for Improved Initiative, but there's just no room.

This, combined with paper cartridges means she's reloading as a free-action (Full-Round -> Standard Action w/ Rapid Reload -> Move Action w/ Fast Musket -> Free Action w/ Paper Cartridges).

This is exactly where we want to be...going fast!

Level 6 - MM 4
AC: 19* | HP: 41 | Grit: 3
BAB +5 | Fort +6 | Ref +13 | Will +6*
Abilities: Bonus feat
Feats: Ranged Trip (+8*)
Skills: Acrobatics (13), Bluff (4), Disable Device (13), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (Local)(4), Perception (12), Sense Motive (9), Stealth (14 +5)*, Survival (8), Use Magic Device (6)
Gold: 16,000gp (+5,500gp)
Notable Equipment: Musket +1 (2,000gp), Beneficial Bandoleer (1,000gp)

Ranged Trip is a combat trip maneuver at -2 CMB, using dex instead of str. If she is successful, she both deals damage and trips the target. Without any other bonuses, her CMB for this attack is +8. Not shabby, but not great. Another option here would be to go with Rapid Shot, but with this build, I wanted to excel at Pinning Shot rather than getting multiple shots per round.

Also, with the new bandoleer, she can load her rifle as a swift action 1/round!

Level 7 - MM 5
AC: 20* | HP: 48 | Grit: 3
BAB +6/+1 | Fort +6 | Ref +14 | Will +6*
Abilities: Musket Training (+Dex to damage)
Feats: Improved Trip CMB: +12 Ranged Trip*
Skills: Acrobatics (15), Bluff (4), Disable Device (14), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (Local)(5), Perception (12), Sense Motive (9), Stealth (16 +5)*, Survival (8), Use Magic Device (7)
Gold: 23,500gp (+7,500gp)
Notable Equipment: Musket +1, Shock (+6,000gp), Belt of Incredible Dexterity +2 (4,000gp)

Just one feat and another level and Ranged Trip is now pretty formidable.

Not to mention....Holy Crap...she now adds Dex to damage with her muskets!

Level 8 - Ninja 3
AC: 21* | HP: 54 | Grit: 3 | Ki Pool: 1
BAB +7/+2 | Fort +7 | Ref +14 | Will +7*
Stat: +1 / Dex (22)*
Abilities: No Trace +1, Sneak Attack +2d6
CMB: +14 Ranged Trip*
Skills: Acrobatics (16), Bluff (5), Disable Device (15), Intimidate (4), Knowledge (Local)(6), Perception (13), Sense Motive (10), Stealth (17 +5)*, Survival (9), Use Magic Device (8)
Gold: 33,000gp (+9,500gp)
Notable Equipment: Save the coin.

No Trace is an OK ability, but nothing stellar. Not a lot going on this level.

Level 9 - Ninja 4
AC: 21* | HP: 60 | Grit: 3 | Ki Pool: 2
BAB +8/+3 | Fort +6 | Ref +15 | Will +6
Abilities: Ninja Trick, Uncanny Dodge
Feats: Fury's Fall (add DEX bonus to CMB for trip - yes it stacks)
Ninja Trick: Shadow Clone
CMB: +21 Ranged Trip*
Skills: Acrobatics (17), Bluff (6), Disable Device (16), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (Local)(7), Perception (14), Sense Motive (10), Stealth (18 +5)*, Survival (9), Use Magic Device (10)
Gold: 46,000gp (+13,000gp; 22,500gp total from last level)
Notable Equipment: Sniper Goggles (20,000gp)

I took Fury's Fall here over Greater Trip because it re-adds her +6 DEX bonus to her CMB for tripping. If your GM pushes back on it stacking, have him read through the attached thread (above) on Paizo about the logic behind it. Fury's Fall is intended to add both STR and DEX -or- two stat bonuses. We're just adding DEX twice.

With the ninja trick and feat next level, I would definitely encourage picking up Greater Trip, but for now, I want to make sure she can even pull off a ranged trip in the first place - give her the additional +6. Bloody brilliant.

Also, at long last we get our hands on an ability that perfectly replicates Holo Decoy in Shadow Clone. It sucks she had to wait so long to take it, but it's in there before 10th, so I'm happy.

Finally, if she scrimps and saves, we'll pick up a pair of Sniper Goggles. This makes Nova just plain lethal at any range since she can now apply her sneak attack damage at any range. If she's within 30', it's an extra +2 damage per sneak attack die. Brutal.

Level 10 - Ninja 5
AC: 21* | HP: 65 | Grit: 3 | Ki Pool: 2
BAB +8/+3 | Fort +6 | Ref +15 | Will +6*
Abilities: Sneak Attack +3d6
CMB: +22 Ranged Trip*
Skills: Acrobatics (18), Bluff (7), Disable Device (17), Intimidate (5), Knowledge (Local)(8), Perception (15), Sense Motive (10), Stealth (19 +5)*, Survival (10), Use Magic Device (12)
Gold: 62,000gp (+16,000gp and 2,500gp from last level)
Notable Equipment: Far-Reaching Sight (4,000gp), Musket +1, Shock and Distance (+10,000gp)

Conclusion: By level 10, we have achieved the cloaking ability (to a certain extent with a Stealth up to +28), her snipe ability (range touch AC with 1d12+7+3d6 sneak attack), her pinning shot, her quick movement (Ki Pool +20 movement), and her Holo Decoy.

We still have to get a better Cloak ability (ala Invisibility), but Vanishing Trick fits the bill well enough and there are always potions to bridge any gap. Also need to find something for Precision Strike. However, at level 10, I'm fairly satisfied with the thematic feel of this character.

In the surprise round, she can draw her loaded weapon as part of her initiative, full-round attack action (shoot to trip +22 (+23 within 30') / 1d12+1d6 (shock) + 3d6 (Sneak Attack) +11, swift reload with Bandoleer, shoot to trip +22 / 1d12+1d6 (shock) + 3d6 (Sneak Attack) +11). I'd say I'm happy with that.

My thoughts on further advancement:

11th level: Musket Master (6); Nimble +2 Feat: Precise Shot
12th level: Musket Master (7); Deeds: Dead Shot (aka Triple-Tap), Targeting, Startling Shot
13th level: Musket Master (8); Feats: Rapid Shot (B), Greater Trip
14th level: Ninja (6); Ninja Trick: Fast Stealth
15th level: Ninja (7); SA +4d6, Feat: Improved Initiative

She needs to get to 7th level Musket Master in order to get the Dead Shot deed. I would probably knock those two levels out at 11th and 12th just to get them out of the way and gain access to Dead Shot as quickly as possible. From then on, it's Ninja all the way in order to continue to get Sneak Attack damage for her kill shots.

So 15 levels to really get what I wanted out of this build. Still, with the 10 levels given, I'm very happy with with way she turned out!

Notes and considerations on future abilities:

Future Ninja Tricks:

Deadly Range - increase her range on sneak attack first by 10', then 5' each additional increment. Get her out of combat and keep her out. Since she already has the Sniper Goggles, this can be set aside for the time being.
Fast Stealth - one of Nova's upgrades as she progresses during HotS is moving faster when she's cloaked. Between Fast Stealth and spending ki to gain that +20' speed boost, she mimics this pretty perfectly.
Stealthy Sniper (Advanced Rogue Talent) - Since ninjas may take take ONE Advanced Rogue Talent, this is absolutely the one I would recommend. Reduce the post-shot stealth check from -20 to -10? Heck yes!

Future feats:

Greater Trip (an additional +2 to CMB for trip attacks AND forces an Attack of Opportunity on those she trips!)
Improved Initiative - She needs to be faster, ensuring she goes first in those surprise rounds. It's annoying that we can get it in the first 10 levels, but without triple-classing, it's not possible.
Obviously, Point Blank Shot is probably next on the feat list. It's annoying, but required for a lot of future feats.
Trick Shooter - Gain another +2 to CMB for ALL ranged combat maneuvers (if you should decide to get another one in the future, that is) AND she can deal no damage to the target, if required.
Covering Fire - Use the aid another action with a ranged weapon to give your ally a +2 AC? For flavor purposes, this just fits the traditional sniper build absolutely perfectly.
Far Shot - Decrease the range increment penalty from -2 to -1. She needs to stay out, far out. Combine this with a couple levels of the Deadly Range ninja trick and now she's really looking like a sniper.
Bullseye Shot - Spend a move action to gain a +4 to hit. Nova is all about that knockout shot. Making sure she hits is a good thing.
Shot on the Run

Parting Shot - Nova needs to stay out of melee, period. This feat tree gives her options when the enemy isn't cooperating. She withdraws and take a shot at the guy trying to attack her.

Clustered Shot - Calculate all damage together before applying DR. This is big at later levels and combines great with the 7th level Dead Shot deed!!!!

There are just a couple of ideas on how to take this class to 20. Hopefully you enjoyed walking through this as much as I enjoyed creating it! I appreciate you taking the time to read through it!

Please let me know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below or at Kobold Company on Facebook.

*Stats marked with "*" reflect magic items worn.

KC Rift is a long time gamer, role-player, and computer nerd. In addition to his day-job, he moonlights as a freelance writer for Total Party Kill Games - His current published works include "The Deductionist" and "The Feybinder".

Thanks to John Reyst - This was created using:

The NEW Boba Fett revealed in the Star Wars Force Awakens trailer

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 05:49:00 +0000

The second Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer came out today and it's a DOOZY!

Did you know it had Boba Fett in it??? The announcement (or hints of an announcement) have already been made they will be spinning off a Boba Fett movie (along with a Rogue Squadron movie), so it stands to reason we'd see him in this movie!! We all know he was more than capable of escaping the Sarlacc Pit!

We have Vader, Storm Troopers, Star Destroyers, Sith, Jedi, TIE Fighters, TIE Pilots, more X-Wings, more of the Millenium Falcon, HAN SOLO AND CHEWIE....and...you heard it here first, BOBA FETT! More on that below, but check out some of the screens from the new Teaser/Trailer #2!

Here appears to be a great view of an (Imperial?) base complete with stormtroopers and a new imperial design - with what appears to be some sort of leader-type fella in the background.

We also have a great action shot of our two new heroes Finn and Rey with the new (astromech?) droid, BB-8 - complete with a TIE fighter bearing down on their position (top left).

Alas, poor Vader...I know him well, Skywalker. SOMEONE goes back to the pyre site and picks Vader's helmet out from the debris!!

Who do we have here? Our new Sith? I'm not sure, but it sure looks a HELL of a lot like Lord Vindican from Knights of the Old Republic!! Is this a TRUE Sith??

Lord Vindican in his armor (minutes before his death by Darth Malgus)

Lord Vindican, true Sith, during his last fight with the Jedi.

At any rate - the similarities are there, but everything is pure speculation at this point.

----------------------------------

...getting back to the TRAILER....

The new TIE fighters have a reversed color scheme from the traditional "gray with black solar panel wings" we've known for over 30 years. I don't hate it...just not sure why the need for a change. It's reminiscent of the way the 90's Batman movies kept changing (and getting shittier) as time went one with more and more neon lights (I'm talking about YOU, "Batman and Robin"..../puke)

Oh God...

TIE fighters ALSO now have turrets. Pay close attention to the first pic with the very familiar and world-recognized geometric window pattern. In the above pic, we see the new design for the twin-ion engines and the lasers obviously firing to the rear. (By the way, if you've seen this clip, it's pretty clear the pilot in that thing is DRUNK!! LOL)

Lastly (before Boba), we have this INCREDIBLE shot of a wrecked X-Wing in the foreground and the titanic derelict of an Imperial-II class Star Destroyer. This shot is gorgeous.

-------------------------------------

OK, so here we are at the end of the post! I submit to you that one of the BIGGEST "Easter Eggs" in the new Teaser/Trailer #2 is the appearance of none other than BOBA FETT himself! I am basing my hypothesis on two separate lines of the thought here. First and foremost is the appearance of the mysterious individual in the trailer, himself and the OTHER is the history of the Storm/Clone Trooper armor.

We'll start with the latter and work our way up out of this Sarlaac Pit. The original concept of the armor for the Republic's shock troopers was designed by a Mandalorian, Jango Fett - and as we all know - Boba's father. It was made from 22 different pieces of armor and bore a striking resemblance to the Mandalorian armor:

Original, Phase I Clone Trooper Armor

Compared to the Mandalorian warrior battle-ratter, it's pretty obviously a derivative.

With that little nugget out of the way, let's take a look at two images from the new Teaser/Trailer #2!

Here's a screen shot of the new troopers again. White armor, check. Definitely a Stormtrooper. Standard issue rifle with no stock - almost pistol-like. Other pics show a comparatively long barrel too.

Wait just a tick...what or who do we have here? Looks like a Stormtrooper, but the armor is reflective or even silver.

The helmet is two-toned, but it's hard to tell exactly what colors are represented - there is clearly different colors on the parietal portions of the helmet compare to the top.

The rifle is NOT standard issue; it has a stock, a similar scope, but a shorter barrel. It looks a LOT like Boba's iconic rifle.

He also has a lot of "tricks" on his utility belt too. Way more than the Stormtroopers do in the video.

Lastly - he has what appears to be a red and green cape!

Boba Fett's original gun - all updated and modern for the new movie (above)

Boba Fett in all his glory. Similar pose to the one above.

I am hypothesizing that we are looking at the new armor Boba Fett is going to ride into this new movie with! We KNOW the original Clone Trooper armor was designed by a Mandalorian - we know they're expecting to roll a spin-off movie - and the appearance of this mysterious stranger fills the final checkbox of character rolls we would expect to see in the movie following the RotJ - we have the Sith Lord, we have Luke and Leia, Han and Chewie, we have our new heroes, we have the Stormtroopers, we have the droids...all we need is the bounty hunter.

EDIT and UPDATE: Turns out that's Captain Phasma...and a female. So NO, not Boba Fett. LOL. Still, it was fun putting this together!

Imperial Assault by Fantasy Flight Games - A brisk review

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 05:05:00 +0000

Have you SEEN the New Fantasy Flight Games Imperial Assault? It is an amazing game on all fronts - having played a few rounds of the game at GenCon 2014, I can tell you first hand, this game is very fun and going to be extremely popular among the gaming crowd!

Pit yourself and your friends against the Imperials (the gamemaster) and run through LIMITLESS scenarios with the 100% modular gameboard pieces. I mean, you can play the same scenario 10 times and it will be different each time just by moving the game board pieces around.

It also comes complete with 34 figures (complete list below). Imperials in gray and the Rebellion in khaki. The number of Imperials outweighs that of the Rebels, primarily because it gives the gamemaster options when setting up the scenario. Among the Imperials includes Darth Vader (of course), Bossk, the Imperial Probe Droid, a slew of Stormtroopers and a complete freaking AT-ST walker!

Did I mention the pieces are exquisite? If you thought the detail in the X-Wing Miniatures game was good - wait until you see the time and effort put into these pieces! None of the pieces come painted, but there are already a bunch of fan-paints out there that are spectacular.

Credit Ronald Brannon - Nova Squadron // Facebook

Seriously. Get this game. It's good for family time, it's good for hard-core gamers, it's good for date night. The playability is very high right out of the box, but (as FFG is wont to do), it's also expandable with immediate expansions available for Han Solo, Chewbacca, several rebel troopers, elite Royal Guards, and IG-88. That's only the beginning, I promise you.

Below the video is a complete account of what comes in the box. If you have about 30 minutes to sit through it, check out Comlink's unboxing - it's a pretty good look at the game.

Excerpt:

The Fate of the Galaxy Hangs in the Balance...

The Galactic Civil War rages on. After the destruction of the Death Star, the Galactic Empire's power is threatened. Stormtrooper legions surge across the galaxy in an effort to reassert their dominance, while elite Rebel operatives battle them at every turn. Against impossible odds, they engage Imperial forces in the struggle for galactic freedom.

Imperial Assault is an epic adventure board game in the Star Wars universe for 2-5 players. The mighty Imperial army and a cadre of deadly bounty hunters face off against daring Rebel heroes in a series of tactical combat missions. Iconic characters like Darth Vader and Han Solo raise the stakes in the epic campaign. Each battle escalates towards a climactic final showdown between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance.

In addition, special head-to-head rules allow players to build armies and compete in standalone skirmish missions, recreating epic confrontations from the Star Wars saga or creating all-new battles!

With 34 plastic figures, over 200 cards, over 50 modular map tiles and much more, Imperial Assault is your chance to change the fate of a galaxy far, far away.

Contents:
34 Plastic Figures
11 Dice
6 Hero Sheets
1 Round/Threat Dial
39 Deployment Cards
10 Story Mission Cards
14 Side Mission Cards
18 Agenda Cards
5 Reference Cards
2 Skirmish Mission Cards
81 Class Cards
36 Item Cards
18 Reward Cards
12 Condition Cards
42 Command Cards
12 Supply Cards
60 ID Stickers
59 Map Tiles
45 Damage Tokens
35 Strain Tokens
12 Ally Tokens
4 Door Tokens
8 Crate Tokens
8 Terminal Tokens
20 ID Tokens
20 Mission Tokens
15 Condition Tokens
1 Entrance Token
1 Initiative Token
4 Activation Tokens
4 Plastic Stands
1 Learn to Play Guide
1 Rules Reference Guide
1 Campaign Guide
1 Skirmish Guide
1 Luke Skywalker Ally Pack
1 Darth Vader Villain Pack

Ages: 14+
Players: 2-5
Game Length: 60-120 minutes
Price: $99.00 MSRP (most gaming websites have it betwee $65 and $80)

K-BOX Art Design Ideas for the CNC machine!

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 08:19:00 +0000

The K-Box Kickstarter Campaign is in full swing! Over $100 on the first full day! Tonight was spent working on some idea for the initial release of the K-BOX after the Kickstarter campaign finishes (January 17th, by the way!!)

Simple Celtic knots and braids would look FANTASTIC on the side of this box.

With a print resolution of 0.03mm, even elaborate images will be possible. Check out this #PathfinderRPG dragon!

Or maybe Fantasy RPG's aren't your thing? How about some good ol' StarWars sci-fi? Almost anything we want to print onto the box can be accomplished. We're only limited by your imagination!

If you're liking what you're seeing here, please check out our K-Box Kickstarter Campaign!!

K-Box Lego Rescue: The Droids rescued by Anakin and Obi-Wan

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 22:03:00 +0000

Dabbling a little bit in Photoshop today in order to do a little marketing for the K-Box Kickstarter Campaign

This was a quick set-up using a custom Anakin Skywalker and the original Obi-Wan, R2-D2, and C-3P0.

The Stormtroopers are the rare "open-visor" suits sold in various kits several years ago. Blaster and lightsaber effects done in Photoshop CS.

The Hanging Tree - Indi film: Father teaches Catniss to hunt and sing

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 19:08:00 +0000

I just found a gem of a video on YouTube posted by MainStayPro. It's an independent account of how Catniss learned how to hunt, learned about freedom and the oppression of the Capital, and, more to the point, learned "all the words to all the songs we can't sing inside the fence" (i.e. The Hanging Tree and others..)

Check out this video - it's a good one!

Imperial Raider - First pilot and upgrade cards revealed!

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sat, 20 Dec 2014 04:59:00 +0000

The first couple of upgrade and pilot cards for the Imperial Raider have been revealed. Fantasy Flight Games released a couple of the cards themselves, but at least ONE card has been uncovered from their website. Check out these cards. Pretty awesome stuff!

First up is the elite pilot for the TIE Advanced included with the Raider. He gets a free Target Lock on any ship within a range of 1. Pretty great card by itself. Get in close with the enemy and get both a focus AND a free target lock. He's good on his own, but when you consider the combo with the Adv. Targeting Computer (see below), it's downright fantastic.

Advanced Targeting Computer - now we're talking! Combine the Commander Alozen with this card and you're getting a free crit if you're within range 1 of a target. It'll be difficult to stay that close to a target, but in those instances a pilot can make it happen - boom!

Then there's the TIE/x1. Pretty straightforward, and a big upgrade for the TIE Advanced too. In addition to not costing anything to add, you get a free slot AND if you add something in that category, it costs 4 less than it would normally.

Obviously this was intended to provide some space for the Advanced Targeting Computer for a cost of 1, but there are several other options available that would also make this a great upgrade for the TIE/A. (Fire-Control System or Enhanced Scopes, for example).

It's a good card combo. It will be interesting to see if this improves the playability of the TIE/A in the minds of many players.

Here's the first card I've seen for the Imperial Raider - and it's a good one! 2 Energy, 4 dice and the target automatically suffers a crit AND receives an ion token. A fighter getting in too close to the Raider is going to be toast!

Imperial Raider - Fantasy Flight Games announces new Corvette Class ship for Epic play

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 18:45:00 +0000

The Imperial Raider has been announced!

The Raider is the Imperial answer to the Corellian Corvette (the Tantive available to the Rebels). This ship was specifically designed for the X-Wing miniatures game as well, as indicated by the interview:

“The impetus behind the Raider-class corvette came from a desire to produce an Imperial ship for X-Wing that was comparable in size and role to the Rebel corvette.

“Before we even announced the Tantive IV™ Expansion Pack, we knew Imperial players would need a comparable ship to lead their fleets in the game’s Epic Play battles. But none of the ships within the established IP and extended universe quite fit the bill. As we looked at ships that were larger than the VT-49 Decimator, the next possibility was the Lancer-class frigate at 250m; however, that was larger than we wanted for the scope of the game. Moreover, it didn’t quite fit the desired role, so we worked with Lucasfilm Ltd. and drew upon existing materials to create a new starship that fit seamlessly into the aesthetics and background of the Star Wars universe.

“The result was a cross between a Star Destroyer and a single-pilot fighter, something fast and aggressive.

“The Raider is a starship made specifically for anti-fighter warfare. Its six dual heavy laser cannons proved more accurate against snubfighters than the turbolaser batteries of its Star Destroyer cousins, and the disruptive effects of its ion cannon emplacements, along with the efficiency of its localized command, make it a powerful addition to small strike forces.

“It’s also a ship that’s particularly well-suited to fighting alongside a number of TIE Advanced. Both the Raider-class corvette and TIE Advanced are well-suited to quick assault missions. They are both equipped with hyperdrives and enough defenses to stand up to a wide range of threats. They can jump into a sector, launch a quick assault, and then jump away. Then, they can leave after the mission is complete. This makes them ideal vessels for use in the Outer Rim, and this is an idea that you’ll be able to explore even further within the context of the expansion’s campaign.”

–Andrew Navaro, Frank Brooks, and Steve Kimball

None of the cards are available just yet (that I can see, anyway) - what do you think will be included? Take it to the discussion forum and let us know what you think!

JOIN the discussion!
- http://forums.koboldcompany.com/discussion/131/the-new-imperial-raider-announced-from-ffg-for-epic-play

The K-Box Kickstarter is LIVE!

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 08:31:00 +0000

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128840374/k-box-the-whiteboard-dice-box

UPDATE! I've added a new $50 reward option! Check out the new Mobile GM KBOX! $50 reward for up to 10 special people!

The Kickstarter campaign for the K-Box is live! Please help support this project and Kobold Company by spreading the word!

Funding this project means Kobold Company will get the tools needed to create this product professionally - the demo box (pictured here) was cut and put together by hand, but funding here would mean automating the process to a certain extent, and making a more professional, finalized product.

In addition, each K-Box is customizable by YOU to include your name, picture, art, or other feature you might come up with. With the CNC machine (funded by this project), we can add just about anything you want to the exterior of the box!

Please check out our Kickstarter campaign by clicking here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/128840374/k-box-the-whiteboard-dice-box

The Deductionist - a detective base class for the Pathfinder RPG

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 19:36:00 +0000

$2.99

There are some who take on the mantle of adventurer for the gold and the glory. Others have the dubious title thrust upon them through circumstance or fate. Then there are some who seek out the adventurous life for the sheer sake of knowledge and discovery of the unknown. Enter the Deductionist.

Want to add a little steampunk flavor to your Pathfinder campaign? The deductionist has that too! From the Aerification Tube to the Luminiferous Memory Transanimator, this book brings several very flavorful steampunk-style elements to your game play! The Deductionist is an original base class which will find a niche in almost any adventuring group. Highly skilled, and incredibly perceptive, the Deductionist overcomes his adversaries with brilliance, rather than brawn. The Deductionist is a fun class which possesses a wide array of abilities and talents. Their main attribute, "Reason" grants them a preternatural ability to defeat his foes.

Each Deductionist is a master of a chosen discipline of knowledge, with almost sage-like ability. With almost 40 deductive abilities to overcome their foes, no single Deductionist will ever be the same. Confound your opponents with your knowledge, avoid their clumsy swings with danger sense, exploit their weaknesses and even learn mystic abilities, This sourcebook also includes 17 new feats, 13 new pieces of equipment and three new archetypes.

The Operative, a stealthy infiltrator who uses charm and charisma to accomplish her objectives. The Eldritch Inspector, a magician who uses spells and tricks to solve his mysteries. Finally, the Shadowed Avenger takes to the streets as an investigator-turned-vigilante.

The Deductionist - base class was written by KC Rift of Kobold Company in 2012-13 and originally published by Total Party Kill Games.

Tactics Mats - Star Wars: X-Wing and Star Trek: Attack Wing playmat!

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:11:00 +0000

The KickStarter for Tactics Mats should be starting very soon!

The manufacturer sent this pic of the production piece and it looks AWESOME!

The final product is going to be a massive 48"x 36" neoprene playmat designed specifically for Star Wars: X-Wing and Star Trek: Attack Wing miniatures games.

Be sure to support out kickstarter and get a HUGE discount on the first mats to roll out!

Chase Rules for Pathfinder

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:23:00 +0000

I just came across these rules on "Geek-Related.com", a website for, well, geeks. As the author details in his commentary, if there is one thing I have never been satisfied with it's the lack of good cinematic chase scene rules. There is just no incentive to run or chase or to ever have to move once combat has engaged.

These VERY SIMPLE rules are a quick and easy read....AND easy to implement.

The gist?

Step 1. Roll Initiative (if you haven't already started)

Step 2. Roll your movement for the round and apply modifiers

Step 3. Avoid or surmount obstacles

Step 4. Determine if you are closer or further from your quarry / pursuers - the scale is from 1 to 6. If you hit 1, you are caught or you catch your quarry. If it's a 6, you have lost them or your target has lost you.

SIMPLE. The DM can get as cinematic as necessary, but the rules themselves lend themselves to a natural, fast-paced chase.

Bravo to The Geek for this super slick rule set.

http://geek-related.com/2009/12/13/life-in-the-big-city-chase-rules/

Beautiful rendition of 'The Rains of Castamere'

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:53:00 +0000

If you are a Song of Ice and Fire (aka Game of Thrones) fan, you are no-doubt familiar with "The Rains of Castamere" - a tragic dirge in which the Lord of House Reyne of Castamere, a bannerman to House Lannister, betrays Lord Tywin Lannister only to suffer the most severe and ultimate of punishments; the complete and ultimate destruction of his house. There are several renditions of the song only written in the books, but these are the the most impressive.

The version by Karliene Reynolds (below) is by far the most haunting

This awesome is how I imagine The Man in Black, Johnny Cash, would sing The Rains of Castamere! Awesome!

Extended Trailer - World War Z

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 19:55:00 +0000

I realize the zombie genre has been beaten to death (ahem..pun intended), but I am nevertheless WAY excited about this movie. I have not read the book (World War Z), but just judging by the preview this is no typical "zombie flick" where the undead are slow creepers who prey upon bumbling idiots throughout the film. These zombies are strong, fast, feral...and pissed off!

According to the following review (which follows the movie preview), this movie doesn't follow the book very well - but it still looks epic in scope. I'm a fan of Brad Pitt too and I'm reasonably confident he is not going to play the star role in a stinker film.

Personally, I think this is going to be bad ass...here's hoping I'm not disappointed!!

Elemental Manacles

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 03:07:00 +0000

Elemental Manacles, Greater - These mithral manacles play host to a bound large earth elemental. These manacles behave in every way as a pair of mithral manacles with two magical exceptions.

First, if the manacles are thrown at and hit a small or medium target using a ranged touch attack, the elemental manacles will automatically attempt a grapple (CMB +16, CMD 25). If the Elemental Manacles successfully win the grapple, the binders clamp around targets wrists, trapping them. The victim is considered grappled until the manacles are removed. The Escape Artist check is a DC 40 (vs. a 35 for Masterwork), 15 hardness, 68 HP (as per the large earth elemental), and a break DC of 35. If the ranged touch attack misses or the initial grapple attempt fails, the charge is still spent. This ability uses one charge.

Using the second ability, the owner may command the earth elemental to engulf the person entrapped by the manacles. For 8 rounds (the HD of the large earth elemental), the elemental will attack and attempt to completely draw the victim into the ground where it will smother and crush them.

Starting on their initiative, the target gets a DC 17 (Str-based) Reflex save each round to avoid being engulfed. This is a standard action. Once the target is engulfed, the elemental automatically does 2d6+7 crushing damage to the target and the target is pinned for the remainder of the 8 rounds. Each round the target is engulfed, he may make an opposed grapple check (see stats above). If the target wins the opposed check, he is not considered pinned for that round, but still takes damage. He must continue to make the opposed grapple check for the remainder of the 8 rounds to avoid becoming pinned again. This ability uses two charges.

Elemental Manacles, Lesser - These masterwork manacles behave very similar to the greater version, except there is a medium-sized earth elemental bound to these. The CMB is +9, CMD 18, Escape Artist check is 35, Break check DC is 28, they have a 10 hardness and 34 hit points. The lesser elemental manacles do not gain the engulf ability.

Both the greater and the lesser have 3 charges per day.

Construction

Lesser - Craft Wonderous Item, Bind Elemental (Feat), Lesser Planar Binding, Cost: 9,000
Greater - Craft Wonderous Item, Bind Elemental (Feat), Greater Planar Binding, Cost: 36,000

NOTE: Elemental Manacles is based upon the creation feat conversion of Bind Elemental for Eberron. This feat and creation process can easily be adapted into your campaign by removing the Khyber Dragonshard requirement and placing a standard Pathfinder gem type of the same value in its place.

Pathfinder Feat: Alchemical Precision

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:30:00 +0000

For use with Pathfinder

Alchemical PrecisionYou have developed a preternatural precision with the various mundane alchemical items often found in your repertoire. You deal precision damage using alchemical items (such as acid or alchemist's fire) that already normally deal damage.

Prerequisites: Sneak Attack +3d6, Stealth 5 Ranks, Master Alchemist Feat, Throw Anything Feat

Benefit: You gain the ability to apply your sneak attack to mundane alchemical weapons such as acid flasks or alchmist's fire. Performing an attack in this way does no splash damage. The sneak attack damage type is the same damage type dealt by the weapon (i.e. acid, fire, ice, etc.). Critical hits do not multiply the precision damage. Continual damage beyond the initial attack (such as burning, etc.) does not receive any additional precision damage. The target must otherwise still qualify as a valid sneak attack target.

Evil Dead - Trailer (2013)

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 04:18:00 +0000

The re-invention of Evil Dead looks absolutely terrifying!!

Check out the trailer here!

Pathfinder Quick Encounters - The Imp made me do it! 1st Level Encounter

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 02:47:00 +0000

DOWNLOAD THE PDF - Quick Encounters #1

"Quick Encounters" are plug-ins for virtually any adventure or campaign series. These events can act to fill a gap in the action or even as a launching off point for other adventures. Each Quick Encounter has some campaign hooks as well as ideas for scaling the encounter for higher or lower level as needed.

This "Quick Encounter" is for 1st level characters, but could probably still present a slight challenge to level 2 characters.

"The Imp made me do it!" is a story of what happens to those devilish familiars after they have outlived their evil masters. Many are able to return to their native plane, but every so often, the tiny devils decide they like it right where they are. In these instances, the devil will usually find itself another master to serve and pervert to its own ends. Some, however, revel in the idea of becoming a puppet master, dominating the low intelligence of various goblinoid tribes they encounter.

The latter is where we find ourselves in this "Quick Encounter". Grixzl, an Imp and formerly a familiar to a none-to-goodly wizard, has maintained his presence on the material plane and begun the process of creating his own "kingdom" among the kobold tribes in the area. Grixzl has already subverted the leadership of one clan and, when this encounter begins, he is in the process of moving on to a rival clan across the valley. Grixzl and his kobolds inhabit one of the caves in the bluffs high above the trail in the base of the valley in which the PCs find themselves. The valley floor itself is mostly forested with a few small lakes and clearings from time to time and a small, winding trail following a stream up its entire length.

This encounter should be timed at such time as when the PCs are preparing to camp for the night. Near midnight, the kobolds along with their new master move down from the cave and prepare to assault their rivals on the other side of the valley. They become aware of the groups campsite and after careful deliberation (or as close to that as kobolds ever get), they decide to go around the camp to avoid the stinky humans. It is in the process of going around they are themselves ambushed by a pack of hungry wolves eager for a quick meal.

It is the ensuing combat that draws the attention of the party - and presumably draw their presences to the battle. The kobold war party initially consists of 12 kobold foot warriors, 8 mounted kobold calvary riding trained dire rats, 1 kobold alchemist and Grixzl. The pack consists of 12 wolves who see the plump rats as a tasty dinner. No matter how long it actually takes the PCs to get to the combat, by the time they arrive, the kobolds (with the significant help of their devilish leader) have run the wolves out. Not without sustaining some unforeseen losses, however. The war party loses 6 of their dire rats and the kobolds riding them - they were the primary target of the wolves - as well as another 4 of the kobolds on foot.

The PCs come upon the remnants of the war party just as the last of the wolves is leaping into the forest. The kobolds themselves have definitely lost the taste for battle and the remainder of the group breaks as soon as they spot the humans entering their midst. Grixzl, having no desire appear weak to his minions, makes a stand for at least a round or two before fleeing. The kobolds flee straight back to their cave to hide. It is only about 1/2 mile away and they immediately post sentries to warn if the wolves or the humans come calling.

For purposes of this encounter, the assumption is the PCs will eagerly hunt down the devil and his kobold clan, if not that night then in the morning. Grixzl assumes they will be coming and sets his minions to work setting a few traps for the party in advance of their arrival. When the group does arrive, the sentries shriek and run into the cave, hoping the traps will do the work for them. In the end, the party will likely prevail - slaying the remaining kobolds and defeating the impish devil.

The intent for this encounter is for it to take roughly 30-45 minutes of game time. There are no plot twists or conspiracies to uncover, just a straightforward hack and slash! Good luck! When the Quick Encounter begins, read the following:

1. Wolves and Rats - The sun has set on another day in your journey. Once again you have set up camp and prepare for a chilly night's sleep after a bone-jarring day of travel. The valley you have entered, while less traveled than some more traditional routes, promises to shorten your trip by more than a week. Caravans and other groups avoid this part of the mountains because everyone back in town says it is infested with feral goblinoids of all types. Now finishing your second day walking up the narrow trail in the bottom of the vale, you still have yet to encounter a cross-looking squirrel, let alone any goblins or other nasty creatures. It is around midnight that very night when you think your luck in that particular area has come to an end.

The sounds of wolves snapping and snarling erupts in the forest somewhat near to your camp. Shortly thereafter the wolves are joined by various squeals and shrieks before a small explosion is heard, the flash of it bright in the dark night. Bright and close. You judge it to be no more than 100 yards from your campsite. Earlier in the evening you and your companions had waved off the howling of a wolf pack more than a miles distant, if the sound in the valley could be judged correctly. Now it would seem they have crept much closer to you, but you appear to not be the target of their hunger.

The wolves have ambushed Grixzl's raiding party, targeting the dire rats and the kobolds riding them. When the party arrives, the last of the wolves have been chased off leaving a bloodied troupe of kobolds behind.

First Round:
Kobolds: Flee immediately upon their initiative, blending back into the forest and getting away as fast as possible
Kobold Alchemist: Not much braver, but he sees his leader is staying, so he takes the time to throw one bomb at the nearest PC and then uses his move action to fall back into the forest
Graxzl: Angry at the wolves and having just quaffed a Potion of Bull's Strength, Graxzl sees the PCs as a way to vent his fury. With that being said, he is not stupid. While he runs towards the interlopers, it only takes him a few seconds to realize his war party has fled him. He casts Suggestion (DC 15) on the nearest PC, telling him to stop his or her attack. If he does not take any damage in this round (including from being hit, but absorbing it via DR), he will press into the second round; otherwise he flees.

Second Round:
All Kobolds: They continue to run. The party is not likely to catch them in the forest at night.
Graxzl: Turns Invisible and moves towards the next nearest PC for a sneak attack next round.

Third Round:
Graxzl: If he has still not been hit, he will use the cover of his invisibility to sneak behind one of the PCs for a sneak attack (1d4+1d6+2 / Poison).

Fourth Round:
Graxzl: If he remains unscathed at this point, he counts himself lucky - goes Invisible one more time and flees the area, back to the cave.

Kobold (12 - 4 mounted, 8 on foot)
XP 100 ea.
Kobold warrior 1
LE Small humanoid (reptilian)

Init +1;
Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +5

DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 armor, +1 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 5 (1d10)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will –1

Weaknesses: light sensitivity

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee spear +1 (1d6–1/x3)
Ranged sling +3 (1d3-1)

STATISTICS
Str 9, Dex 13, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 9, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB –1; CMD 10

Feats: Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills: Craft (trapmaking) +6, Perception +5, Stealth +5; Racial Modifiers +2 Craft (trapmaking), +2 Perception, +2 Profession (miner) Languages Draconic

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Crafty (Ex) - Craft (trapmaking) and Stealth are always class skills for a kobold.

Kobold Shaman (1)
XP 200
Kobold alchemist 1
LE Small humanoid (reptilian)

Init +1;
Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +5

DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+2 armor, +1 Dex, +1 natural, +1 size)
hp 5 (1d10)
Fort +2, Ref +1, Will –1

Weaknesses: light sensitivity

OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Bomb, Alchemy +4 (1d6/x2)
Sling +3 (1d3-1)

STATISTICS
Str 6, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 12, Wis 9, Cha 8
Base Atk +1; CMB –1; CMD 10

Feats: Throw Anything (bonus), Weapon Focus (Bomb)

Skills: Craft (trapmaking) +6, Perception +5, Stealth +5, Craft (Alchemy) +4; Racial Modifiers +2 Craft (trapmaking), +2 Perception, +2 Profession (miner) Languages Draconic

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Brew Potion, mutagen, Throw Anything, Bomb 2/day, Alchemy Craft (trapmaking) and Stealth are always class skills for a kobold.

Bomb (link): 2/day may throw a fire bomb dealing d6+1 points of damage. Mutagen: +2 AC, +4 to Dex, 1/day

Equipment:
1 Banshee Ballerina firework, 1 Smokestick

Dire Rat (4)
XP 135
N Small animal

Init +3;
Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +4

DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)
hp 5 (1d8+1)
Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +1

OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Melee bite +1 (1d4 plus disease)
Special Attacks disease

STATISTICS
Str 10, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4
Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Climb +11, Perception +4, Stealth +11, Swim +11; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Disease (Ex)

Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 11; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Graxzl, Imp
XP 800
Rogue 1*
LE Tiny outsider (devil, evil, extraplanar, lawful)
Init +3;
Senses darkvision 60 ft., detect good, detect magic, see in darkness; Perception +7

DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 16, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +1 dodge, +1 natural, +2 size)
hp 16 (3d10); fast healing 2
Fort +1, Ref +6, Will +4
DR 5/good or silver; Immune fire, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10

OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., fly 50 ft. (perfect)
Melee sting +10 (1d4+2 plus poison)
Space 2-1/2 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Spell-Like Abilities (CL 6th)

Constant—detect good, detect magic
At will—invisibility (self only)
1/day—augury, suggestion (DC 15)
1/week—commune (6 questions, CL 12th)

STATISTICS
Str 10 (14 with Bull's Str), Dex 17, Con 10, Int 13, Wis 12, Cha 14
Base Atk +3 (+5 w/ Bull's Str); CMB +1; CMD 15
Feats Dodge, Weapon Finesse
Skills Acrobatics +9, Bluff +8, Fly +21, Knowledge (arcana) +7, Knowledge (planes) +7, Perception +7, Spellcraft +7, Stealth +9
Languages Common, Infernal

SQ change shape (boar, giant spider, rat, or raven, beast shape I)

SPECIAL ABILITIES
Poison (Ex)
Sneak Attack (Ex) +1d6 (as per rogue ability)
Skill Focus (Stealth)

Sting—injury; save Fort DC 13; frequency 1/round for 6 rounds; effect 1d2 Dex; cure 1 save. The save DC is Constitution-based, and includes a +2 racial bonus.

2. The Approach - The kobolds flee up into their cave with Graxzl following behind. He is angry, but does not blame his followers for fleeing the humans. He appreciates they would have all likely been destroyed had they stayed to fight. He also assumes the humans will follow them to their lair. As such, he orders the survivors to immediately begin setting up traps for the soon-to-be intruders.

The cave is less than half a mile from their campsite and a blind troll could follow the trail left behind by the fleeing kobolds. In all likelihood, the PCs decide to wait until morning to follow the kobolds. If they do not, use the remaining 10 wolves as incentive to stay close to the fire for the rest of the night. The wolves can be used to keep the PCs in check, but only attack the party with the pack if they should disregard the signs they should wait and attempt to find the kobolds at night.

The next morning it takes less than an hour to get to the cave. When they arrive, read the following:

Just up the slope, you spot a hole in the earth. You are perhaps 50 feet from it when two small reptilian humanoids scramble from previously unseen perches in the rocks. With a series of screeches and yelps, they flee into the cave.

3. The Kobold Cave - When the group makes it to the entrance of the cave, read the following:

The cave entrance is small, but not so much so that you would be cramped where you to enter. You will have to go in one at a time, however. From inside you hear more of the yelping and dog-like barking as the vermin within ready for you.

Walking into the entrance, there is a spiked pitfall. The kobolds have not dug a Punji spike trap right inside the entrance.

Punji Trap
CR 1/2 XP 200

Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20

EFFECTS
Trigger location; Reset manual

Effect spikes (atk +10 melee, 2d4); spikes hold the target in place; the trap can be escaped with a DC 20 Disable Device check, DC 20 Escape Artist check, or DC 24 Strength check.

4. Fork in the tunnel -

After only about 20 feet, the tunnel splits into two different directions. Down the right tunnel, although pitch black, shouts and yelps can be heard. It sounds as though a small crowd of the humanoids have gathered there. Down the left tunnel there are no sounds, but a soft yellow light, perhaps a torch glows softly around the corner.

The kobolds have setup two traps down the right hallway. The first is a tripwire trap that will trigger a pot of alchemist fire to drop and explode in the hallway. The second one is after that, but before the next room. It is simply caltrops spread along the floor.

Alchemist Fire Tripwire
CR 1 / XP 400

Type mechanical; Perception DC 25; Disable Device DC 25

EFFECTS
Trigger proximity; Reset manual

Effect Alchemist Fire (1d6 damage), Multiple Targets (everyone in a 10' radius), target must spend 1 full round putting out the flames or take an additional d6 fire damage the next round. Reflex DC 18 for no damage

Hidden Caltrops
CR 1/2 XP 200

Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device N/A (can pick up or avoid)

Effect: Covers the 5' area leading into area #5. BAB +0. Anyone stepping through the square is attacked. They get no armor, dex or magical modifiers to AC. If they are wearing shoes, they receive a +2 to their AC.
Victim takes 1 hp damage and has his movement reduced by 1/2. See Caltrops for more information.

5. Kobold's Hovel -

Once the PCs reach the caltrops, the sounds from this area stop. All of the kobolds in the area scramble to hide amid the junk and debris that constitutes their living area. Most of the kobolds and all of the rats are in this room. When the PCs entire with a light source, all the immediately see (without a perception test) is the rats who then scramble to get out of the light.

It smells absolutely horrible in this room. The sounds you heard before have stopped, the only noise remaining is the same persistent clawing and scratching sound rats make in the rafters of your house back home. The area is covered in debris of all types. There are some digging tools, bits of armor, some wooden weapons or spikes, broken metal weapons, scraps, tree trimmings, utensils, but mostly piles of refuse. Mounds of it. Everywhere. From where you stand, there does not appear to be any other exit from this room.

The rats will only fight if cornered or if one of the kobolds manages to get mounted on it. The kobolds will remain hidden as long as they can, but once one of them is found, they will fall upon the PCs with the fury of those trying to protect their home. Once combat is joined, they will not flee.

Kobolds (8)
Dire Rats (4)

6. Graxzl's Den -

In the hallway leading to Graxzl's small chamber, there is one final trap. A snare trap, commonly called an Ettercap's Noose is here. If one of the PCs is snared, the four remaining kobolds and the kobold alchemist will charge out of their hiding spot in Graxzl's chamber and focus their attacks on that person.

Ettercap Noose
CR 1 / XP 400

Type mechanical; Perception DC 20; Disable Device DC 20

EFFECTS
Trigger location; Reset repair

Effect +15 CMB check (grapple)

Upon your approach to what appears to be a rather small chamber, the light source there suddenly goes out. The room is now pitch black and eerily silent.

If the trap was disarmed, there are 4 kobolds, the kobold alchemist and Graxzl in this chamber. They are hiding behind a few rocks and other debris, waiting for the PCs to enter. Because the room is so small, only 1 melee type is able to enter at a time. Additionally, due to the debris and free space only one ranged character will likely be able to assist as well. As the kobolds begin to drop, as many as three PCs can get into the room.

Use the tactics above for Graxzl. If at anytime he is below 5 hit points, he attempts to flee using Invisibility and running from the cave. The kobolds fight to the death, they have nowhere else to flee. The alchemist uses his 2 daily bombs before switching to his sling.

Loot:
1 Potion Cure Light Wounds
1 Potion Darkvision
1 Potion Sanctuary

Wizard's Spellbook - This is a simple, unadorned spellbook. Notes on improving the efficiency of each spell crowd the margins, most of them hopelessly misguided.
Value 275 gp

Spells
2nd—fox’s cunning, scorching ray
1st—alarm, feather fall, obscuring mist, mount, shield, shocking grasp, silent image, sleep
0—standard plus jolt [UM] [errata removes 0-level spells]

46gp in coins and small gem stones scattered about the room

1 Masterwork Shortsword

CreditsThis product was written under the Pathfinder Open Gaming License and is free for personal use. No reproductions of this product are authorized without written consent by the author.

Written and produced by Matt Everhart, 2013
Artwork by Matt Everhart, 2013
Leave your comments and find more information about this and other adventures at:
http://www.koboldcompany.com

Thesis

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:40:00 +0000

Thesis: Long-term Parapsychological effects of Possession on the Living

Synopsis: Possession by spirits is a fact of life in both ancient and modern times. In todays world, those who can manipulate Astral space and better control those spirits have the unique ability to harness the spirit's power. Over time, however, this can be dangerous and leave the subjects, those practitioners of magic, wonting for more. More power, more control.

This all-consuming desire can become destructive and addictive if not held in check. This work will delve deep into the world of Possession; from the historic societies who embraced them, to the modern occult who uses this power to further their goals.

(OOC: This is the Thesis Ordeal for Macabee's Grade III Initiation. The process will take him 5 weeks to complete and will gain him "Shielding" as his Metamagic talent)

Fat Fingered

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 15:34:00 +0000

Entry 5 - Well, the good news is Elohim is not dead, or gone. Disrupted was the term he used. While he was extremely hacked off about it, he was otherwise unharmed. It cost me a drek-load of creds to bring him back, but he is back.

Entry 5.1 - I'm holding off on a decision about the Romanovs. It's very exciting, but Dreamer didn't seem to excited about the idea. I owe her a lot and definitely should take her opinion into consideration before I make a decision. I'm still leaning towards joining their group. MacGregor says he can teach me a way to help focus the dark magic, let it flow through me rather than fight it every step of the way (OOC: Centering and Channeling). I guess we'll see.

Entry 5.2 - We have another job? This is a great gig! I can't believe I was considering my parent's offer to go back to school! What a waste of time! I've made more in the last 3 months than my old man makes in a year!

***Note: So it looks like our fixer's cousin (a fracking trog) wants to be a Shadowrunner. Wants to be some kind of consultant. Apparently he shot a gun once. Whoopee-fracking-do. Heh, I'm impressed.

She wants us to take this noob out with us on our next run or we don't get the job! Great, just want I want to have to worry about - a newbie TROLL bungling things up and getting in the way.

Well, if NOTHING else, at least he's going to be a good bullet-stop. Can't hardly expect Lone Star to shoot at anyone BUT the troll given a chance. Heh.

It would appear our contacts with the local mafia-types are paying off. Some Italian mobster just called us for a meet. Sounds like his son has been fingered in a hack and murder the Don "swears" he didn't commit.

***Note: How you both hack and murder someone is beyond me, but I'm still listening

The kid lives in some gated community (no doubt living there on daddy's "hard earned" dime). The Don gave us passes to get into the place and offered us 25,000 to clean up this little mess of his.

No problem.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 14:01 - We're at the kids pad. Looks normal. I snooped around in the Astral just to see if there was anything out of the ordinary. Not a strand out of place. Hackmagick says he found someone snooping around in this guys node. Also said he was able to trace it back to...the Bayside Mall? Random.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 15:11 - Pulling up to the mall now. Looks like the address we came up with is an electronics store. How fitting.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 15:19 - Judas got us in the front door with very little problem. Going in now, five by five.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 15:24 - Ok, this is going to be a drek-storm in no time flat. Two Sec-types corpsed in the front room, behind the register. The trog says there's another cold one in the back, self inflicted shot to the brain-pan. Store is quite, but I don't expect that to last. I'm going dark (OOC: invisible) and waiting.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 15:26 - Shutting off the comm - six Triads, including a fracking troll mage are approaching our twelve o'clock with a quickness. Hackmagick says a silent alarm went off. Must've called down the calvary. >>>SHUTDOWN - 15:27<<<

Entry 5.3 - Summoning gargoyle-faced wannabe! That troll mage was a pain in the hoop! First Judas and I get ready for the assault. Our troll, Big Deal, was just a little slow on the uptake (fracking noob), but managed to get in the game...anyway, we were set up to repel their assault when the trog mage calls out his Air Elemental to break in the door!

What's that saying about the best laid plans are shot in the first seconds of combat? Well, yea! Judas sprays the doorway with his sub-machine gun, I try to move into a position to see the fracking thing and then Hackmagick, pulls out a sword! The guy killed it with a sword! How weird is that? I knew Hack was a man of many talents, but he was quite elegant with that weapon - and took the spirit out in just a few quick strokes.

Thank goodness because the rest of the frackers were pretty much relying on that spirit and the mage to carry the day. They were rank amateurs. After the elemental came in the door, they spilled into the room, coming in all directions.

Perhaps if they'd had a more tactical approach they would have done better, but as it was the troll smashed one into the ground, Judas blew one away, I grabbed the mind of a third and had him lay into one of his buddies, a fourth guy coming in the door.

The troll-mage wasn't out of tricks though. He summoned another air elemental on the fly and sent him after Big Deal. The spirit tried to stun the big troll, but it didn't work as planned and the spirit vanished as quickly as it had arrived.

It was over then in a matter of seconds. All of the Triads were dead or out-cold and I had control of one of them for questioning. We fled the scene quickly.

We found an open Commlink on the dead guy in the back. Wouldn't you know the chiphead was running a hacked BTL chip before he capped himself. Hack said he found something weird running in the background of the chip too. He said he tried to chase it, but couldn't quite catch it. He DID, however, trace it to another location.

We're on our way there now. Switching back to Commlink.

>>>POWER ON - 18:03<<<<
>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 18:04 - I have to hand it to Big Deal, he's solid. He might be a little on the green side, but he's good to go. He handled himself like a champ against the Triads and didn't run. The trog has a SOLID punch too.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 18:25 - Weird. That's all I can say. We're sitting outside a Soykaf shop, scouting this place out. Nothing visible in Astral space; but Hack says our target (some Matrix Security corp) is getting POUNDED in VR. I can't see anything in AR, but the icons and such do look a little screwy. Labels for "Contact Us" read "Piss off", that sort of thing.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 18:32 - And the hits just keep on coming. Some lady talking as though she were some sort of prophet or something just walked up to the corp building leading a big gaggle of chiphead-looking-mother-frackers.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 18:34 - Hack is saying the assault in VR is stepping up. All the doors and windows to the building just opened up simultaneously. Judas just hopped out of the car with his assault rifle in hand. I hate it when he does that. Shutting off the Comm and grabbing the Walter-2100! >>>SHUT DOWN - 18:35<<<

Entry 5.4 - Bloody hell! The chica wasn't a prophet...at least not in the spiritual sense. She was a God damned Technomancer! She had total control of the building and (at least it appeared) most of the networks around the area INCLUDING our car - more on that in a minute. Heh.

We were just in the process of laying out our order of battle when out pops the wage cop from the corp building. He's waving his stun baton around and telling the chipheads to disperse. You can imagine how well that went for him. He was tackled and brought down in short order. Idiot.

I have a lot more respect for Big Deal now - he actually kicked off the drek-kicking this time with a perfectly placed flash bang. Right in the middle of the group. He didn't drop any of them, but BOYO were they surprised!

Needless to say the attention given to the Corp building was now fully directed towards Big Deal and our group.

On the bright side, I was finally able to pull the trigger on my baby! Holy hoops! Does she ever kick! The Walter-2100 has a pretty good integrated system, but it was totally degraded by the hacker-chick. Hack spent most of his time in AR trying to undo what she was doing to our equipment.

In the middle of the fight, I hop out behind the car to start blast chipheads - the next thing I know the car, along with Hack inside (!!) starts up and roars, full-throttle through the front of the SoyKaf shop! If I hadn't been completely exposed at the time, I think I would have probably found it quite amusing!

So I scramble over to the corner of the SoyKaf building for cover, right on the heels of a heavily wounded Judas - when the car roars to life again, this time in reverse! Fortunately Hack had vacated the vehicle just a few seconds before, but Big Deal was right in the cars path and the thing just PLOWED into the big troll. WHAM! He limped away, around the corner of a building across the street to take up a new position - but he was hurting.

The fight was brief after that, but pretty taxing. Judas and Big Deal both had pretty significant wounds and I think Hack may have taken some damage to his hardware. I KNOW my SmartGun is fried. Also, Judas' car took some pretty bad dings. At the end of the day though, we all survived.

As it turns out the hacktivist had a beef with all things "security" related and was out to geek anyone who stood in her way or prevented "open" Matrix access. "Open", in this case, meaning completely open, unrestricted and unprotected. Nice.

She was dealing in BTL slaves and was actually collecting VR zombies to do her dirty work. I feel bad for the two or three I wasted. They had no idea what they were doing. She had embedded a virus deep in the BTL she was dealing. Basically it allowed her to control the people almost like they were drones. They just couldn't help it.

Long story short, we took the evidence back to the Don and he was able to free his son based upon the evidence. Another successful mission....but I'm just not feeling like I thought I would. I expected to be helping people who really deserved help, not just working for the highest bidder. The cred is great, but is it really a worthwhile use of my talents? Time will tell.

I think I need a drink. MacGregor said he'd meet me at the Giant's Staircase down in Pullyup.Heading out there now.

Stolen Digital Media

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:29:00 +0000

Entry 4 - Word must be getting out about how impressive I am in the "shadows"! Well, we. It is a team, most of the time. I mean, I certainly don't know the first thing about hacking the matrix or anything; but that's really such a small part of what we do out there. Judas is definitely a tough guy though. OK, so I probably couldn't do it without them, but let's face it...we all know who's the hero and who the sidekicks are.

Entry 4.1 - Oh, right, right. We have another job. Tabby just called us up and said to meet our new Johnson at some hoighty-toighty night club. As I'm finding out, our fixer knows nothing about the job beforehand. Oh well, it's another free meal!

>>>>>Commlink - Monday - 23:11 - 25,000?! These guys must really be desperate! This could really save my neck. I need to get back to the pad and get everything ready!

>>>>>Commlink - Monday - 23:41 - So, here's the deal. Someone stole an optical-disk from some anonymous musician and we have to get it back from some anonymous person who physically stole the disk. Should be a complete piece of cake. Where is that sarcasm button..?

>>>>>Commlink - Tuesday - 08:01 - Up and at it early this morning. Just had my double-mocha Soyfee for the morning and I'm ready to rock! Apparently our hacker stayed up most of the night looking for clues and came up with a couple of gems. It would appear that some drek-hot ork rocker named Nabo was offered the opportunity to purchase...wouldn't you know it...an optical disk with some important, "historic" music on it.

Now we just have to get face-to-face with the hottest rocker in the biz right now. This keeps getting better and better.

>>>>>Commlink - Thursday - 10:01 - Wouldn't you know it; Nabo is having a concert in the Barrens tonight. We've done a little legwork on the place and it's a freaking hole! The UCAS' hottest commodity on the market and they get him a venue in a abandoned hole-in-the-wall? Certainly makes our life easier, I guess.

>>>>>Commlink - Friday - 00:13 - HA! That was fracking great. So with my awesome powers of persuasion, I convinced 3 dumb orks to give us their tickets so we could get into the concert. One of them was even a back-stage pass!

I then convinced the back-stage guard we were allowed to be back there and then mind-fracked the troll guarding Nabo's private room.

Everything was going great; Judas waltzed right into the room to do the search - and would have been drek-hot had it not been for the drunk ass ork ganger in the room trying to show off to the drunk ork dames also in there. This chummer immediately jumps out of his seat to beat Judas down.

Of course, he was sorely outmatched and the ork went down with two Stick-n-Shocks to the face!

We ran out the back door before anyone saw a thing! It was tight!

>>>>>Commlink - Friday 1:02 - Zipper's the name. Apparently this dope-head rocker was solicited by some not-so-hot hacker named Zipper. It's a girl. And a dwarf. Shouldn't be hard to pick out. We found out where she likes to hang out, so we're going to go have a talk with her.

>>>>>Commlink - Friday 17:00 - Just met with the dwarf. Although there was a momentary panic - she must've had some sort of magical protection I couldn't see, because she completely shrugged off my attempt to persuade the information out of her - Judas stepped in and found out she's just a (poor excuse for a) fixer. SHE is working for one of her buddies over at some dive in the Barrens who is "in the biz", the music biz that is. Somehow it seems we managed to corner our quarry.

Unfortunately for us, it seems like we failed to intercept her call over to said friend and he's now been alerted to our impending "meeting". Stupid halfer.

**Bookmark** Drop "Zippers" name to the Mexican Mafia. Let them know she's been fixing in their territory without paying up.

>>>>>Commlink - Friday 22:43 - Judas just pulled out the biggest machine gun (OOC: assault rifle) I've ever seen! Drek.

Entry 4.3 - Elohim is dead. Or banished. Or whatever happens to spirits when they take full-auto bursts from an AK-97! Drek-fracking chipheads!

There we were, following the pointing fingers out the back door of the bar. The back of the bar happens to basically be a huge junkyard. Great. I think to myself, he could be anywhere in there! SO, using the Power of Insight, I quickly scan the entire yard for this drek-head.

Wouldn't you know it, there's another TEAM there! Not only that, but they outnumber us big time AND there's a mage with them! This is bad.

I tell the others and we fan out to get the drop on them. Judas starts first with a huge burst of gunfire from his huge artillery piece and drops the guy dead. Now it's four on three (four, if you count Elohim, who I've ordered to harry the mage).

It gets crazy QUICK and they are basically quick to spread out and deal with this new problem. I was pinned down by suppression fire, the decker was running around all over the place, plinking away at their Sam.....and Elohim goes after the mage.

I don't know exactly what happened next, and I didn't give Elohim specific instructions on HOW to harry the mage. The next thing I know, though is the mage casts a spell at Elohim, wounding him. Then the Sammy unloads on him from across the freaking junkyard! It was horrible!

Just like that, my link to Elohim vanished. He was gone.

I was so angry! I don't know how I did it, but somehow I just summoned...called...brought forth a tremendous force. When I came back to reality a few seconds later, there was an incredibly bright, obviously powerful Man-spirit walking away from me, seeking out the mage.

One of the gangers shot at him, but his mist-like body literally swayed and weaved around the bullets. Completely missed. The mage did unload an incredible display of magic into the ghost, but it kept right after her. Everyone in the junkyard was fixated on that one, titanic monster. And the monster was solely fixated on the mage.

Shortly thereafter, the mage was finished and THAT pretty much seemed to be the catalyst to them breaking. Judas laid into the Sam with a long burst wounding her and that was it for the other two.

Fortunately, I was able to let the hacker know our mark was trying to run away and he managed to track him down in the junkyard while we continued the fight.

Of course, the bit-brain actually had the disc ON HIS PERSON....so now all we have to do is get back to the Johnson and we're 25k richer!

Big Time - Smash and Grab

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 03:10:00 +0000

Datapad Entry 3 - Dreamer introduced me to some guy name MacGregor this morning - says he's a "Romanov" or something like that. Never heard of them, but he claimed he can help me out with training and controlling Elohim and the other ghosts [Spirits of Man] I run into all the time. Sounds good to me.

Entry 3.1 - Another job! That's three jobs in less than 2 months! We are really starting to make a name for ourselves. It's great with such a small team too! Some Japanese Johnson none of us know called up this morning saying she has some work for us. "Extraction", she says.

>>>>>Commlink - 15:32 - Another corporate job. This time we're supposed to grab some 11 year old girl? I don't really like the sound of this, but it's a damn good bit of cred.

>>>>>Commlink - 15:56 - Hot drek! A bunch of slags tried to hit us outside the Johnson's meet-spot. They were targetting her for some reason - she wouldn't go into it. I was like a fish out of water! Couldn't collect my thoughts fast enough...and then it was over. The decker and the chromie took them down before I could even really react! Coward! Hopefully, talking with MacGregor more will help.

>>>>>Commlink - 07:34 - I didn't know there WAS a 7am in the morning.

>>>>>Commlink - 07:42 - We decided to check out the girl's school. The decker found out she's got a 24/7 bodyguard. That could complicate things.

>>>>>Commlink - 08:15 - Just spotted the girl and the body guard. 100-percent legit. The dude is big, burly, and serious. Decker is checking him out now.

>>>>>Commlink - 11:02 - Oh good, the Chromie just found out the body guard is ex-UCAS Spec Ops. This ought to be a cake walk.

>>>>>Commlink - 13:43 - Sitting in car. Watching a wall. Bored.

>>>>>Commlink - 15:15 - The decker decided to let us in on the fact that he had a micro drone. I thought Judas was going to gut him right there. Micro-drone deployed and attached to the undercarriage of the body guards car. We're finally leaving the school.

>>>>>Commlink - 19:23 - Drawing up a map of choke points and areas we can ambush the body guard / snatch the girl. Judas says he thinks we should try the home invasion route - get them when they get home.

>>>>>Commlink - 09:12 - Checked out the house in the Ether. There's a watcher spirit patrolling. Taking them out at the house is out of the question. Can't get past the watcher without someone knowing.

>>>>>Commlink - 15:12 - Any minute now. We're going to take them out on the road. The decker has jacked his car. Going to force him to stop and make the extraction.

Entry 3.2 - Wow. I literally do not think I have ever seen a human being move that fast. We had the drop on Billy Badass and he still just about ate our lunch. The decker came up on the passenger side of the car, gun at the ready - the SOF guy practically teleported out of the car, assault rifle in hand!

I think if the decker hadn't had the door between him and the SOF, he'd be a blood spatter on the Seattle pavement right about now!

Judas came up on the other side of the car and let him have it - but this gutterpunk was having none of that!

Fortunately for us, I wasn't frozen completely stiff this time - even with Elohim screaming in my ear - but even like before with the Black Cats, I felt myself rush towards the SOF guy even without moving. I whispered in his ear for him to drop his weapon...and he DID IT!

This time I wasn't yanked back into my body so forcibly - and I maintained a bit of composure.

Not to be taken for a ride, the body guard didn't let a little something like no weapon stop him! He jumped over the hood of his car and tackled Judas! They went down in a heap.

I was just getting ready to make this guy catfood with my own Pred, when the decker greased the guy from point-blank range, right in the back of the brain pan. Fast or no, that guy went down like a sack of soyburgers.

Mission accomplished. We got the girl, took her to the meeting spot and even got a bonus for being just so damn good.

Entry 3.3 - I'm a little sick to my stomach right now. Just found out the kid we snagged a few days ago was iced by some "unknown" assassin...and it was all over the 6 o'clock news trid. I don't mind good, dishonest work - I mean, I have to eat, ya know. But killing kids just ain't right. Haven't heard an explanation yet - not sure if I want one.

Entry 3.4 - MacGregor just called and invited me to join the Romanovs. He swears he can help. It's a little pricey, especially since my bills for all this gear is already so high - but 500 nuyen a month is a small price to pay if I can get Elohim and the others out of my head!

Corporate Retreat and Kidnapping

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:59:00 +0000

Datapad Entry 2 - Two runs in the first month! We just got a call from the deckers Johnson. Apparently we did a pretty good job last time, because we've were recommended for a retrieval gig. Some lowbie corporate nobody managed to get himself kidnapped from - I won't say where (because that's part of the contract), but let us just say this place would be out of business if word got out he was snatched from there.

Entry 2.1 - By the way, thanks to that cool gig at the first of the month, I was able to pay off about 10-percent of my credit debt! Wowzer - is it going to feel good when I don't have those money-grubbers breathing down my neck!

Oh, also went out to see Dreamer this morning before we had to go meet the Johnson. She helped me with my summoning techniques and we managed to bind a pretty powerful ghost [Spirit of Man]. He seems amicable enough - I could feel the immense power flowing through me when I ordered him to possess me.

Entry 2.2 - Heading out to meet Johnson. Switching to Commlink entries.

>>>>>Commlink 13:01 - Holy drekballs! This place is amazing! I don't think I knew there was this much open land so close to the sprawl! %*&^!@$((((Data Corrupt....SIGNAL LOST_

>>>>>Commlink 13:43 - Back on the road. Meeting went well; I checked out the Corpies' room. We found a blackbird feather and a weird dagger made out of stone - decker said it was Obsidian. I'm keeping it, for sure. Might make a good talisman. Sure as drek will never come across something else like it anytime soon.

Dreamer is looking into the background on the items for me.

>>>>>Commlink 16:14 - Well, Dreamer didn't know much about the items, but Samael [Lone Star Cop] called me back and said those used to be the calling card for some old Ameri-Indian hit squad. Weird.

>>>>>Commlink 18:03 - Heyo! So, looks like we have a lead! The Blackcats, another runner team, is now using that calling card to mark their hits. Dumb. If I've been taught one thing that's more important than anything else, it's NEVER LEAVE A TRAIL! The ego on these chicks must be titanic!

>>>>>Commlink 18:26 - Found out where they used to hang out. Out near the parks in the Redmond district. I just summoned a Watcher to go check out the place before we arrive. The decker is doing his google-drek; Judas has that twitch in his right eye - so I'm assuming we're about to blow some drek up.

>>>>>Commlink 18:54 - Decker just found out their holed up in a storage facility? What the frack? Judas just went in to talk with the store manager. The decker is tapping into the CCTV system. Elohim's [Teacher/Mentor] voice in my head has been getting louder for the last couple of minutes. I think he knows something I don't.

>>>>>Commlink 19:00 - Going in.

Entry 2.3 - Holy frack-loving-drek - those were no Go-Gangers like last time! The Chromie is beat up...BAD. They had the whole place rigged to blow! They were ready for us and we walked right into it. Before I could even blink, Judas had taken some frag from a grenade in the stairwell. There was an exchange of (VERY LOUD) gunfire and then the lights went out.

Guns blazing, Chromie led the way up the stairwell with the decker in hot pursuit. I was having trouble keeping Elohim quiet. I couldn't quite concentrate. Then...nothing.

I don't know quite what happened next, but I "came too" on the top floor. We were down range of the damn Black Cat gun-bunnies. Judas was down, the decker wasn't much better...and Elohim was screaming at me from the Ether.

The next thing I see is my hand going up and I was walking down the middle of the fracking hallway! No idea. My vision blurred and I was out of my body and...from what I can remember...inside the body of one of the gun-bunnies!!

It was AMAZING! I took that hoochies assault rifle and buried into the back of one of her compadres! BLAM! BLAM! BLAMBLAMBLAM! Down she went.

Another one went down as a result of fire from mi amigos and before I knew it, it was over.

We win!

Unfortunately, as quickly as it happened, I was ripped from her body and SLAMMED back into mine. I thought I was going to pass out from the pain and exhaustion.

I need to learn to control this better. I need instruction.

Nevertheless, we took the corpy back to our Johnson and made out like bandits in creds! I this keeps up, I'll be free and clear of the loan sharks in NO TIME!

Time to Run, Chummer

noreply@blogger.com (KC Rift) — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:52:00 +0000

Entry 1.1 - Received the focus today AND Dreamer threw in a sustained spell for free [not really, character did pay for it], all for 50,000 nuyen! I've spent just about all of my cash, including the loan

Entry 1.2 - Recieved a call from a fixer this morning. He said he found my commlink on the Shadowland message board. I posted there just a few days ago and already have a job lined up! This is going to be so exciting! Hitting the big time!

>>>>>Commlink Update 20:35 - Well the "Johnson" turned out to be some weird Amerindian mob boss. Scary fracker, complete with authentic freaky Indian mask. They have matched me up with this chrome job right out of a action trid, complete with a total arm replacement and a guy who says he is a whiz-bang decker, but doesnt even have a integrated commlink. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

>>>>>Commlink Update 21:09 - So the chromie also turned out to be the only chummer with a car - a Ford Americar, no less. It's ok, the Indian is going to pay us 5,000 nuyen just to take this piece of paper across town. What could possibly go wrong?

>>>>>Commlink Update 21:21 - This is no drek, my friend. I finally had the opportunity to shine! Triads and the 'Kuza BOTH tried to jack our payload. The Chromie took a bullet right to the chest and completely shrugged it off! The Wire Boy took a serious hit or two, but we're otherwise safe and sound...and on the move again. Fortunately, I was there or who knows what would have happened?

>>>>>Commlink Update 21:59 - So this wizzer Wire Boy from the Mafia totally just jacked us! We were just driving along - all of the sudden the car stops - Bad guy WB stopped us cold. Our bithead was still trying to recover from the last fight and had a hard time defending us from the attack.

So the baddie tells us he just wants to scan the package - that's it. He just wants to scan it and he'll give us our car back.

The Chromie looked like he wanted to splash that pimple-poppers right in the head - but we struck a deal nonetheless.

Our decker said the deal was legit. Eh...whatever, it's another 1000 nuyen in my account.

>>>>>Commlink 22:19 - Drek-eating, go-gang gumbies! Go-gangers?! Really? Six jack-wagons just royally ate our lunch; Who tries to skiv someone on the open highway? We actually wrecked in the middle of the road when they shot out the tires! Fortunately, again, I was able to save us with my awesome abilities. I mean, I'm practically a super-hero. I skragged two of the drekkers myself. Gutterpunks.

>>>>>Commlink 22:49 - Made it to the Mexican's pad just a little before the deadline. The Cromie's ride limped up the driveway on it's last leg. The mafioso barely looked us in the eye when he took the payload - first run complete! Walked away with a cool 6,000 nuyen for our troubles. Hopefully the Chromie can get his car fixed up with that amount of Jack.

I'm going to be famous!

[Rep Changes
Italian Mafia +1
Mexican Mafia +1
Koshari Mob +1
Yakuza -1
Triads -1 ]