Hello World

My name is Jaxom Wyandotte, and I am a Holy Inquisitor of Sarenrae.  This journal is a record of what happened to me and my friends during our time in Kenabres and beyond.

We're currently setting off for Drezen, a small city inside the World Wound that was lost to demons years ago.  We ride with a small band of Paladins, to retake Drezen from the demons and hold it as a symbol of hope for the Fifth crusade.  We're along to be the specialists, the people who can solve problems that an army might not be the tool for.

A month ago Kenabres was attacked - I'm sure you've heard by now - and almost destroyed by demons.  Terrendelev was killed, and the Wardstone damaged.  Things were right fucked.  Me and some other people at Armasse fell into a cavern when that Demon lord attacked - Karramazov or something, the Storm King - and our city's Dragon's last act was to cast Feather Fall on us.  I think.  Shit got pretty sideways there.  We made it out of the caverns and back to the city, sorted out a few messes the demons left behind, and then assaulted the Grey Garrison to keep the demons from using the damaged Wardstone against us. 

But here's the thing - that's when everything changed for me and my friends.  We destroyed that remnant of the Wardstone - that formerly protected Kenabres - and in doing so gained some strange, divine power.  As a for instance, I never was one for writing or keeping my thoughts down somewhere, but I feel more introspective, more... I don't know.  Floating with the rhythms of the world?  That sounds weird but I suppose that's the thing going on.  Weird things, is what I mean.

I'm glad I'm not going through this alone - when I became an Inquisitor my job was to police the troops, make sure none of the Paladins were falling and the Crusaders were all on the up-and-up and all.  And other Military Police stuff.  Keeping everyone honest and effective.  When I used to enter a room of troops there'd be a certain guarded silence, but after a couple of drinks we'd all get along; shared experiences in the Wound and in the Army and all that.

But no longer.  We are... different.  There's something - it's not respect as much as awe, I think - in the eyes of the troops.  Our differences bleed out and show: we're just a bit faster, just a bit stronger, just a bit.... more, I think.

I suppose we also destroyed all of the other Wardstones, leaving Golarion open to the World Wound, when we broke that fragment.  It also destroyed a bunch of demons, and prevented the Abyss from corrupting a shit-ton of Crusaders gathered at the border.  That's all probably important, too.

Guess I should introduce my friends:

Vodka is another half-orc.  We knew about each other before all this went down - for its size, Kenabres was a small town in a lot of ways - but we ran with different crews, she and I.  She's fucking tall, doesn't say much, and lethal with her bow.  Used to be in the Scouts, I think, but now she's on the same fucked up path as the rest of us.  Nice to have ranged support, nice to have another blood at my back.

Mal has maybe seven more syllables in his name but I can't keep track of any of that.  He's a wizard and so far maybe you got a certain picture in your head, but Mal's iron.  Sure, the elf overthinks things and he'll slip into lecture mode at the drop of a hat, but I seen him go to town on a demon with that hunk of wood he carries around like it ain't nothing, when his spells ran out.  He keeps us fucking running, he keeps us fucking alive when the shit goes sideways.

Janessa's our token human friend, but she's all right anyway.  A priest of Iomedae who recently took the vows to become a Paladin.  She's kind of a scholar of some other dead Paladin - Yaneel something, I think?  I better ask her before I step on any toes.  Tougher than me.  If Mal's Iron and Vodka's steel, Janessa's Mythril.

I'm fucking lucky to hang with those three.  We're all different now but we're different together.  We're going into the World Wound.  We're going to sort some shit out.

((Jaxom's Character Sheet Lvl5 Tier1))

 Jaxom Wyandotte – Holy Inquisitor of Sarenrae – 5^th level CG Half-Orc Inquisitor – Tier 1 Mythic Champion - 18950 xp

ST 21               DX 14               CN 16               IN 14                WS 18              CH 14               

HP 61               AC 19 (touch 13, FF 17)           INIT +6    BAB +3    CMB +8   CMD 20                                                            Saves +11/+5/+10

            PFE gives +2 AC, +2 Saves (vs Evil)  (both really +1 from stacking)    +2 CMB/CMD vs Demons

SKILZ (eight points per level)

·         4: Acrobatics +5 (+9 unarmored)                    1: Climb +5 (+9 unarmored)  

·         4: Diplomacy +9                      1: Heal +8                                            5: Intimidate +14                   

·         1: Knowledge (arcana) +6 (+10 to ID creatures)                                1: Perform (Sing) +3   

·         1: Knowledge (local) +3 (+7 to ID creatures)                                     

·         4: Knowledge (planar) +9 (+13 for ID creatures) (+15 ID Demons)

·         2: Knowledge (religion) +7 (+11 for ID creatures) (+13 vs Demon Worshipers)

·         5: Perception +14                                4: Sense Motive +13  

·         1: Swim +5 (+9 unarmored)                5: Use Magic Device +10

LANGUAGES: Common, Orc, Draconic, Abyssal, Celestial

INQUISITOR STUFF:

·         Archetype: Ravener Hunter (with battle mystery)

o   Adds all ‘good’ spells to class list, cannot cast ‘evil’ ‘chaos’ or ‘law’ spells

o   Weapon Mastery: Gain Weapon Focus (Scimitar) feat

·         Monster Lore (+ WS bonus to knowledge checks to ID monsters)

·         Stern Gaze (+1/2 INQ level (min +1) to Intimidate and Sense Motive)

·         Cunning Initiative (adds WS modifier to initiative)

·         Detect Alignment (detect chaos/evil/good/law at will one at a time)

·         Judgements (2 combat / day, activate as swift action)

o   Destruction +2 sacred to DAM

o   Healing: Gains Fast Healing 2

o   Justice: +2 Sacred TH on all attacks

o   Piercing: +2 Sacred on concentration checks and CL vs SR checks

o   Protection: +2 Sacred to AC

o   Purity: +2 Sacred to saves

o   Resiliency: DR 2/magic

o   Resistance: gains 4 points energy resistance (choose type when declared)

o   Smiting: Weapons count as magic for bypassing DR

·         Discern Lies (like the spell) 5 rounds/day

·         Bane: swift to activate, +2 enhancement to weapon and +2d6 (vs creature type) 5 rnds/day

ORC STUFF:

·         Sacred Tattoo: +1 Luck to all saves

·         Fey Thoughts: Acrobatics and UMD are class skills

·         Intimidating: + 2 to Intimidate

·         Darkvision 60’

·         Count as both human and orc for any affect having to do with race (like FCB)

FEATZ:

·         1^st: Toughness (+3 hp at 1^st, +1 hp/level starting at 4^th)

·         3^rd (Rav Hunter): Demon Hunter (+2 Know Plane/Rel vs Demons or Worshipers, +2 TH/ CL vs SR checks)

·         3^rd: Power Attack (-1 TH, +2Dam)

·         5^th: Weapon of the Chosen (swift, next attack counts as magic for incorp/DR, reroll concealment miss)

·         Bonus: Improved Weapon of the Chosen (using WotC lasts all round, and makes weapon good)

TRAITZ:

·         Blade of Mercy (No TH penalty for subdual, and +1 dam when subduing)

·         Stolen Fury (+2 to CMB/CMD vs Demons, +2 Fort)

o   Spend 1 Mpoint as swift to ignore DR and +1 crit mult to 1 demon for 1 minute

o   Crystal gives +2 ST, +2 to Perception, +5 Hp, bonus feat

MYTHIC CHAMPION (Tier 1)

·         5 mythic points per day

·         Hard to Kill: automatically stabilize when neg hp.  Death at negative twice-CN.

·         Surge: spend 1 Mythic point as immediate, to add d6 to any d20

·         Fleet Charge: swift, 1 Mpoint, move up to speed.  Make single attack any point, + Tier TH, ignore DR.

·         Display of Charisma: free action, 1 MPoint, +20 on one Cha-based skill or ability check.

·         Feat: Mythic Power Attack.  P/A gives +3 dam instead.  Double this dam before crit mult.  Use one MPoint when activate P/A to avoid all penalties for 1 minute.

Hit Point History:  +1/lvl Toughness, +3/lvl CN, +5 hp FCB.  +5 T1, +5 Crystal.  Rolls: 8/4/5/3/6

Attributes: Original rolls (4d6 drop lowest and reroll 1s) ST 18  DX 15  CN 16  IN 13  WS 17  CH 13.  +1 CH/IN/WS and -1 ST/DX/CN for age.  +2 ST half-orc floating bonus.  Level bonus: lvl 4 CN+1. Crystal ST+2

MAGIC: Known 6 0^th, 4 1^st, 3 2^nd   Per day 5 1^st / 3 2^nd

·         0^th: Acid Splash, Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Light, Read Magic

·         1^st: Cure Light Wounds, Divine Favor, Expeditious Retreat, Protection from Evil

·         2^nd: Blistering Invective, Litany of Duty, Resist Energy

Mechanical stuff:  Spell DC = 10 + spell level + 4 (WS bonus)

·         Acid Splash fires small orb of acid.  Ranged touch, d3 dam, range 25 ft + 5ft/lvl

·         Create Water makes 2 gallons/lvl, range 25ft + 5ft/2 lvl

·         Guidance gives +1 to a single attack roll, save, or check.  Lasts 1 min.

·         Light lasts 10 min/lvl

·         CLW heals d8+5

·         Expeditious Retreat: +30 to land speed.  Standard action, lasts 1 min/lvl.

·         Divine Favor +2 TH / +2 DAM (1 min)

·         PFE: +2 AC +2 Saves vs Evil shit.  Immediate new save (at +2) vs control effects.  Summoned evil shit can’t touch this.  1min/lvl

·         Blistering Invective: Intimidate check all enemies in 30’, anyone demoralized takes d10 and Reflex save or set on fire.  Spell resistance doesn’t protect against demoralization.

·         Litany of Duty: immediate action, re-roll failed save that forces me to act against my will at +2.

·         Resist Energy: protects 1 creature from 10 pts/rnd of one type of energy picked when cast.  10 min/lvl

·         Intimidate gives shaken (-2 TH, saves, skills, ability checks) for 1 rnd + 1 rnd each 5 over check.  DC 10 + HD + target WS bonus.  Normally standard action.

·         Knowledge skilz ID creature powers/vulnerabilities.  DC 10+CR (5+CR for common, 15+CR for rare).  Each 5 pts over gives additional info.  Free action.

·         On fire: d6 fire damage, R save each round (DC 15).  Take full-round action for prone and new save +4

COMBAT

+1 Cold Iron SCIMITAR: +10 / d6+8 DAM crit 18-20 x2 (+5 ST, +1 Enchant, +1 Weap Focus, +3 BAB)

                                                                        (+5 ST, x1.5 2-handed, +1 Enchantment)

                        Power Attack +9 d6+13  x2 crit 2d6+ 34  x3 crit 3d6+51       Cold Iron, Masterwork

                                                (+5 ST +3 PA)*1.5 2-H +1 enchanted; [(+5St +3PA*2)*1.5 +1]*2 (or *3)

                        Power Attack with Bane: +11 3d6+15  x2 crit 4d6 + 38   x3 crit 5d6+57

                        +2 TH vs Demons and Demon Worshipers               

LIGHT X-BOW: +5 / d8 DAM crit 19-20 x2 (+2 DX, +3 BAB) 11 Flaming Bolts (+1 +d6 fire damage) 10 C-Iron bolts

ADAMANTINE M-STAR: +10 / d8+8 crit 20 x2            Power Attack +9 / d8+12  x2crit 2d8+33  x3 crit 3d8+49

DAGGER (Silver, Cold Iron): +9 / d4+5 crit 19-20 x2   Power Attack +8 / d4+8 x2 crit 2d4+22  x3 crit 3d4 + 33

Scale of Tirandello (makes weapon good 3/day)     Cloak of Resistance +1  Ring of Protection +1

Wand CLW 28 charges            Wand CLW 50 charges           

3 Vials Acid      3 vials alchemical fire             5 vials Holy Water                  

Horn of Battle Clarity (anyone not acted yet in combat is no longer flat-footed)

Potions: 9 CLW, 1 Cure Mod, 2 Cure Serious, 2 Lesser Restoration, Shield of Faith, Barkskin, Spider Climb

Scrolls: Comp Langs

GEAR:

·         Breastplate (Medium Armor, +6 AC, max +3 from DX, -4 to checks)

·         +1 Cold Iron Scimitar on back,  Silver Dagger on belt, Adamantine Morningstar on hip

·         Inquisitor’s Pack (a backpack, a bedroll, a belt pouch, candles (10), a cheap holy text, a flint and steel, an iron pot, manacles, a mess kit, 50’ rope, soap, a spell component pouch, torches (10), trail rations (5 days), a waterskin, and a wooden holy symbol, 5 pieces of chalk, 3 additional sets of manacles, Caltrops, Cold Iron Dagger, 2 Healer Kits (10))

·         Explorer’s outfit

·         196 gold in miscellaneous change

            Jaxom is 6’ 2” tall, and weighs just under 16 stones. What little hair he has is grey, his eyes are a clear steel, and his skin has just a tinge of green to it, giving away his half-orc nature (his tusks do this as well).  He is 42 years old, but can still (almost!) fit into his armor from his younger paladin days.  He has a full-back tattoo of what used to be a sword-and-sun of Iomede, that has been altered so it could also be an ankh for Sarenrae.

            Jaxom started his career as a Paladin of Iomede, but that was 20 years ago – he was released from his vows to raise children and worked as an archivist and minor functionary in the church.  His second oldest child died two years ago (in defense of the city against demonic cultists), and his wife passed six months after that (peacefully in her sleep), which caused something of a crisis for Jax; his thoughts more and more turned to Sarenrae, light, and redemption, and he joined that church formally to begin Inquisitor training a year ago.

            Jaxom has a suite of rooms in the Gate district of Kenabres; he sold his house and small plot of land after his youngest child left to study magic.  His wife’s name was Katerni; his children are Orren (M, 20), Jillian (F, deceased), Periwinkle (F, 17), Peony (F, 17), and Rogar (M, 16).  His parents are dead, his sister lives in far off Magnimar, and his children are adults, beginning their professional paths and not needing their father hovering over their lives; it is time for Jaxom to once again take up arms and armor in the service of Good.

Math For Scimitar:

To-hit:  +3 BAB +5 ST +1 Weap Focus +1 Magic (enhancement)  -1 Power Attack = +9

            Optional TH: +2 Bane (adds to enhancement) +2 Demons or Demon Worshipers (morale)

            +1 Guidance (competence) +2 Divine Favor (luck), +2 Justice Judgement (sacred)

Dam: d6 +7.5 STx1.5 +4.5 PowerAttack*1.5 +1 Magic = d6+13

            Optional: Bane +2d6  +2 Bane (adds to enhancement) +2 Divine Favor (luck) +2 Destruction Judgement (sacred)

Crit: d6 +7.5 STx1.5 +9 PowerAttack*1.5 +1 Magic = d6+17 x2 or x3

            Bane dice do not multiply on crit.  Other adds do!

((Some Insights into Jaxom. Videos might be NSFW))

For being focused on kicking ass with a sword, playing Jaxom feels more like dancing than most of my characters.  The people I play are always influenced by the creative shit I'm dealing with in my life; Jaxom's a product of YouTube music, mostly.

So, here's my take on Jaxom.

Here's what casting a spell as a conduit of the Divine feels like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3gw0iD5y0Q

Or the general religious feeling:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4mA8H1dwHE

And here's what fighting feels like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UR0UkTiKxmc

Or maybe like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRSijEW_cDM

Or perhaps more like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABz2m0olmPg

Maybe you have to get past the first minute, with that one.  She dances in heels and a pretty green dress.  Jaxom fights in a Breastplate with a sword consecrated to his Goddess.

Yup.  Jaxom has an internal life and an external life and he is at peace with how in tune each of those is with the other.  His life is conflict and his life is in conflict.

Here are a couple of feels about being an Inquisitor, a strange not-paladin kind of Holy Warrior:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORFQrSDyyNY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8PVTiknvs4

Wish I could put my finger on those feels better - they're a bit ineffable.  Sarenrae is both terrible and awesome in all sorts of senses of those words.  I have thought almost as much about Sarenrae as I have Shiva or Kali, and only slightly less than Buddha, as far as religious figures go.

"But Jaxom," I imagine you asking, "What is it REALLY like to be a half-orc, a former paladin and current inquisitor, looking back at the first part of your life and dedicating yourself to a different god, a softer god, with all your experiences?"

"Well, abstract idea of an interlocutor, I would say it's pretty good.  Things are good and I have good friends and a job that's engaging and interesting."

"No no - I mean your secret life.  Your dreams that you would never reveal to anyone except in the whisper darkness-est of deepest night.  Something that your armor and your weapon and your faith protects you from?"

"Oh.  Yes, I see.  Here are two, secret dream-songs that capture my nightmares and secret shameful desires most accurately."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2kzLAOKUQQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdabIfmcqSQ

But - is Jaxom creative?  Does he have a rich internal fantasy life, or is he just fears and rage and danger?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72oM5cTvnIs