DM oKOyA's Mummy's Mask: The Half-Dead City

Game Master Lord oKOyA


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Just imagine how much more expensive this would be without the strain/injury rule. :D


DM oKOyA wrote:
5' step wouldn't work as the table to bench would be considered difficult terrain.

Not that it matters, since the AoO missed, but the solifugid moved from bench to table in this post without incurring an AoO from Pherenike and got a full attack. :P


It has a climb speed. :)


Unless that bench is one block with the table so you can't sit facing the table and put your legs underneath, there's nothing for it to climb on. Should be open air between the bench and the tabletop. :P


Here is my thinking. The solifugid, with a listed climb speed, can walk up vertical walls at 30', and it is not considered difficult terrain. It follows then that it could climb a set of steep stairs at the same speed, as in, not difficult terrain for it. If it is not difficult terrain for it, then it can 5' step on a set of stairs, just like the wall or even the ceiling.

I am considering the table and bench to be similar to a set of steep stairs. Which are difficult terrain for Pherenike (no 5' step allowed), but not for the spider.

Make sense?

I did allow Mus'ad to get onto the bench that round (thereby providing Pherenike a flanking opportunity) even though I believe he didn't have enough movement to do so. Seeing as how he missed the spider anyhow AND seeing as how the spider missed its AoO AND seeing as how Pherenike was doing enough to hit and damage to kill the spider regardless of the flank/precision to hit & damage, I thought it was ok let Mus'ad's movement slide as it made no impact on the unfolding of events. :)


Perhaps I'm too hung up on verisimilitude. I forget that, by RAW, a spider, a mountain goat, and a squirrel all have the same mechanics, even though IRL their climb speeds are achieved very differently.

(By RAW, I believe that a spider can't spider climb, either: Despite the racial +16 to Climb, the skill description specifically calls out that a smooth vertical or inverted surface without handholds can't be climbed. :P )


The solifugid is the same size as Myron. If it was a tiny (or smaller) creature then yes, the lack of the riser in this steep "staircase" might be an issue for it to climb.


Elrisiel Ielessar wrote:
I'm counting that between El and Myron, we used 5 of El's stock of 20.

I think the Professor used at least one, as well.

Professor Aristedes wrote:
Assume the adamantine is also masterwork, pretty sure all adamantine are masterwork right?

Already factored in. Even if I hadn't looked it up, HeroLab had my back. ;)


Yeah, you're right. The Professor used one too. So down six.


Two, actually, by my count, and Mus'ad took one as well.

I told you we might as well just throw money. ;P


This is why I announced my own count. So that someone else could give me the right one. ;P


Eight of Elrisiel's used by my count.

Elrisiel

Mus'ad

Ahkenaten

Elrisiel

Myron

Ahkenaten

Elrisiel

Myron

You might also want to start a tab for some of these freeloaders. ;)


Female Azata-blooded Aasimar Diviner 4

Yeah, I counted the same the last time I went through. And next time...I'm just scribing scrolls of Burning Hands.


Professor Aristedes wrote:
Seem to recall some rule about targeting a square on a larger creature in melee that doesn't incur the -4, not got time to look it up so apply it as needed. Definitely got a shot with no cover.
Combat>Actions in Combat>Action Types>Standard Actions>Attack>Shooting or Throwing into a Melee wrote:
If your target (or the part of your target you're aiming at, if it's a big target) is at least 10 feet away from the nearest friendly character, you can avoid the –4 penalty, even if the creature you're aiming at is engaged in melee with a friendly character.

Referred to obliquely in Pherenike's post here, though not with the necessary precision. :)


2d6+7 is rough for 2nd level. You crit, and you'll kill any one of us pretty easily. :P


Agreed.

This critter falls squarely into "kill it quickly before it gets too many attack chances" territory. Similar to ogres at CR3. :P


Continue IC and shoot another crossbow bolt seems like a fair option for the Professor if AK doesn't check in.


Myron Drumbarrel wrote:
We need to get some knowledge rolls going so we can figure out how to fight it.

That'll be on the Professor after the monster acts.


Male Osirian Oracle (Life) FC 4 HP:34 AC:15 INIT:+1 PERC:+3 F/R/W:+3/+2/+4

That and we need to coordinate our knowledge skills so we don't spend lots of points on the same knowledge skills.


Male Taldan Bard (Dirge, Sound Striker) 2, HP 15/15, AC 16/15/11, CMD 10, F: +2, R: +4, W: +3, SR7; Init: +1, Perception: +5, Sense Motive: +0, 2/11 BP used, 2/4 Lvl 1 Spells Use

Well you and the Diviner need to actually roll to get any effect ;).

DM any chance you can call for the relevant knowledge check at the start of combat?


Female Azata-blooded Aasimar Diviner 4

My plan is pretty much the same with Ansha in the Sargavan Saga game. El is eventually going to have at least one point in every Knowledge skill. But I get what Kheled is saying--beyond being capable of a trained Knowledge check in anything, we don't all need to specialize in the same ones.


Pherenike gets 2 Int skills per level. Suppose I'll have to pick something other than Knowledge (local) to invest in. Be funny if she turned out to be a natural linguist; maybe I'll learn Aklo next. ;)


As it turns out, only one of you has the proper knowledge skill to even attempt a check for this creature. :P


Male Dwarf (Pahmet) Ranger (Warden / Trapper) 2

It's me with Knowledge (Geography) isn't it? - this is the dreaded sticky map-mummy?


:O

How did you know?!

lol


Alchemists' fire is the most cost-ineffective way to do one point of damage ever. :P


hp 22/36, AC 18/15/14, CMD 17, F: +6, R: +8, W: +3 (+2 vs fear); Init: +4, Perception: +10, Sense Motive: +5 Halfling Fighter (Lore Warden) 2/rogue (knife master) 2
Joana wrote:
Alchemists' fire is the most cost-ineffective way to do one point of damage ever. :P

I'm incredibly open to suggestions about more effective ways of hurting it, because Myron is running out of options pretty fast.


*shrug* With this thing that has both DR 5/-- and the ability to disarm those who successfully attack it, on top of the swarm and the Dungeon o' Hardness 5, the theme of this book seems to be "encounters designed to limit player contribution." Myron literally can't harm it unless he crits, and I have never before played a character who has three melee weapons so I ought to be already out of the mix. The map is far too small for ranged tactics to be effective, between soft cover and the fact that very few PCs can get Precise Shot by 2nd level.

The thing with alchemist's fire is that, at low levels where you're most likely to need it, due to limited spell resources, you're also on the tightest budget and least likely to hit with it. Most of the things you're fighting at 1st and 2nd levels don't have a worse touch AC than regular AC, so you don't get the trade-off of risking a more valuable resource vs. getting to roll against a lower AC.


Male Taldan Bard (Dirge, Sound Striker) 2, HP 15/15, AC 16/15/11, CMD 10, F: +2, R: +4, W: +3, SR7; Init: +1, Perception: +5, Sense Motive: +0, 2/11 BP used, 2/4 Lvl 1 Spells Use

Aid Another's on the big hitter attack rolls, Myron.


hp 22/36, AC 18/15/14, CMD 17, F: +6, R: +8, W: +3 (+2 vs fear); Init: +4, Perception: +10, Sense Motive: +5 Halfling Fighter (Lore Warden) 2/rogue (knife master) 2

Well, alchemist's fire is potentially 12 dmg over two turns, and as fire dmg it is likely to bypass the DR, but I see your point. Besides, using ranged attacks while it is prone isn't making it easier to hit.

Professor Aristedes wrote:
Aid Another's on the big hitter attack rolls, Myron.

Probably. If Myron could keep hold of both his kukri, I think I would keep attacking, hoping for a crit to pass off to either Pherenike's high str or Mus'ad's x3 weapon. But given the state of things, I think Aid another is the way to go.


Myron Drumbarrel wrote:
Like the swarms, it does seem like another example of a type of monster that is very hard to deal with effectively, unless you happen to make your knowledge check and/or pack just the right time of gear. I'd pay solid platinum for a vial of universal solvent or something similar.

Yeah, it's another shopping challenge, not to mention that DR and Hardness at such a low level where no one's going to have bonuses to damage yet basically tells players of Small PCs they might as well not have shown up.

A lot quicker to sit down at the beginning of the campaign and say, "What party composition and gear do you have written down? Sorry, you lose."

DM:
I also recall a post by Jim Groves back when this book came out chortling about how clever it was, when a party could reasonably expect undead to be a major opponent, to not use them, thus rendering the anti-undead divine character all but useless for the first book. He's definitely going on my list of authors to avoid in the future. He feels like a very adversarial DM.


Yeah, this creature seems a bit too much. DR/-, SR, grab, adhesive grappling & weapon trapping, combat reflexes etc etc. I have never encountered or used one before and did not realize the full extent of its abilities at the start of the combat. For not being more observant, I apologize.

Joana:
I was not aware of the post, but I am in agreement with you.


Just out of curiosity, what is the CR on this thing? I didn't even realize it had spell resistance and combat reflexes too.

DM:
Eh, it probably wasn't as blatant as I remember it, and in fairness, it might have been someone else congratulating Jim Groves on his deviousness in wrongfooting a party expecting undead. He definitely writes for a different playstyle than I enjoy, however.


CR 3


Sorry for the delay. My place of work burnt down last night. Everyone is fine and my boss was able to save most, but not all, of our equipment before the fire forced him out. Needless to say things will be a little crazy for me for the next few days as we scramble to set up a temporary shop and take inventory of what we lost and need to replace for upcoming jobs.

Regardless, let's keep gaming! :)


Professor Aristedes wrote:
Is it just this AP that's meant to inspire moral dilemma or did people just bring characters that were clearly going to struggle with what is essentially tomb raiding?

In fairness, most Paizo modules give a motivation beyond just phat lootz to complete the adventure. Heck, even if I were playing a dedicated Osirionologist, "retrieve ancient artifacts and convert them immediately to pocket money" isn't very enticing.

I really think this first book would have been better received if the PCs were looking for specific items in the Necropolis for a wealthy/eccentric/museum-owning employer rather than just wandering aimlessly, smashing barrels to see coins fly out.


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Male Dwarf (Pahmet) Ranger (Warden / Trapper) 2

The way that the AP presents the wealth is a bit gauche as well. Funerary masks, mummified cats, jewels encrusted into sarcophagus lids that need to be pried out... I'm surprised it doesn't have a You spy a fleck of gold in the interred body's mouth. Would you like to pry the gold teeth out of the jaw of the honored dead?

If it was a few sacks of gold in the corner, or trade goods or the like - it'd sit a mite better.


Exploring dusty tombs for monetary gain is a fairly straight forward motivation for many, many characters/players. It might not be your cup of tea, but the nature of this was completely advertised at the start of the AP. The onus was on you (at least a little bit) to bring a character to the game that was compatible with this story line.

I would also point out that it is literally the morning of the second day of the delve. Things are going to happen that will change things significantly. Give it time. :)

In fact, that your characters aren't just simple grave robbers is a good thing, as your motivastions would surely be tested when the AP really turns on in the last act of this book, if you were just "in it for the money". I think it is harder to motivate those that are only in it for the wealth when it comes time to save the world. ;)

As for the "retrieve ancient artifacts and convert them immediately to pocket money" and the employer comment, I will remind you that you are working for an employer (one some of you took an immediate and intense disliking to) and the roleplaying of the sale of the artifacts was nixed by you players. Of course it seems like smashing barrels for coins if everything you found is treated as just that. :)

And I think the trade goods and what not are still ahead of the funerary masks in abundance. That is even considering that you left the chariot behind!

I can honestly say that you have looted your last tomb for a while... so there is that.


Male Osirian Oracle (Life) FC 4 HP:34 AC:15 INIT:+1 PERC:+3 F/R/W:+3/+2/+4

Kheled respects the dead...but he is not above looting them...its the soul of the dead creature that matters to Pharasma, not their monetary possessions...as long as do it repectfully...lol


Sorry for the delay everyone... getting slammed by life atm. Will try and get things moving again soon.


Hey, AK, this backstory sounds familiar. :)


hp 22/36, AC 18/15/14, CMD 17, F: +6, R: +8, W: +3 (+2 vs fear); Init: +4, Perception: +10, Sense Motive: +5 Halfling Fighter (Lore Warden) 2/rogue (knife master) 2

Leaving for a one-week family vacation on Monday. Not sure if I'll have web access. Please DMPC if needed.


I am on vacation for the next 2 weeks. I will do my best to post but things will be even more erratic than normal. :)


Male Taldan Bard (Dirge, Sound Striker) 2, HP 15/15, AC 16/15/11, CMD 10, F: +2, R: +4, W: +3, SR7; Init: +1, Perception: +5, Sense Motive: +0, 2/11 BP used, 2/4 Lvl 1 Spells Use

The staff deals damage as a club, which for Myron deals 1d4, no?


Yeah, I believe it should be at +2 to hit as well, not +5, with 1d4+1 for damage. Kukri in the off-hand is correct at +6 to hit with 1d3 damage.


hp 22/36, AC 18/15/14, CMD 17, F: +6, R: +8, W: +3 (+2 vs fear); Init: +4, Perception: +10, Sense Motive: +5 Halfling Fighter (Lore Warden) 2/rogue (knife master) 2

I knew that weapon was too good to be true. I blame Hero Lab. I'll fix my sheet ASAP.

Btw, I'm back in the land of decent internet access.


I'm still houseboating until Sunday... Internet is poor. And we are waiting on Alex. ;)


Mus'ad wrote:
Watching the beast withdraw, Mus'ad takes a protective stance over the fallen companions. As an aside he asks "Are they dead?... or will they recover?"

We're paralyzed, not prone. And don't get me started on vargouilles and their aftermath; I already destroyed one campaign with my rant on poorly-written legacy monsters. ;P


Joana wrote:
Mus'ad wrote:
Watching the beast withdraw, Mus'ad takes a protective stance over the fallen companions. As an aside he asks "Are they dead?... or will they recover?"
We're paralyzed, not prone. And don't get me started on vargouilles and their aftermath again; I already destroyed one campaign with my rant on poorly-written legacy monsters. ;P


Male Dwarf (Pahmet) Ranger (Warden / Trapper) 2

Watching the beast withdraw, Mus'ad pushes over the paralyzed people and then takes a protective stance over the fallen companions. As an aside he asks "Are they dead?... or will they recover?"

Fixed :P - slip of the tongue and I apologize.

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