DM Vord's Zeitgeist Act I - Portents of a Starry Sky

Game Master Vorduvai

Sorry! Been a busy week, I'll be able to post tomorrow morning.

Sorry! Been a busy week, I'll be able to post tomorrow morning.

No problem! I am looking forward to what a "four-day stuck in a stagecoach" Ifris will be like however!

Smelly! All that ectoplasm? Ew!

Sorry for the late post...I was having trouble syncing my old Word doc program with some of the new Paizo stuff. Had to reboot everything before it would let me post.

Hope everyone is well and had a good 4th!

A very, very busy one!

Sorry I have been MIA, currently we are going through PCI (Credit Card IT Security) Inspection and I was spending time with family during July 4th so I will be caught tomorrow at the latest.

No problem - just jump in when you can at the point where we're currently at in the last couple of posts, and Delft will be going over your group's mission assignment soon.
(At which point you'll all have a nice SURPRISE to work with!)

Any questions on the +1000gp stipend increase and/or the R.H.C. requisition process, please ask here. Remember that you can "turn in" previously purchased goods (as long as not damaged or used up) for full value, and not half-price as you normally would for selling them. This benefit allows you to trade out/trade up your equipment. Simple firearms and firedust paper cartridges are 25% of normal Pathfinder book prices. Unfortunately, the gunsmiths and alchemy crafters out there will not have time to craft up anything at reduced price, but you do have a wide assortment of items to choose from at the Quartermaster's Office and/or the R&D laboratories. You can get masterwork armor and weapons, as well as cold iron and alchemical silver weapons at the usual prices - from a role-playing standpoint, just know that revealing a cold iron weapon in Risur is taboo, and a fey would consider you an enemy for having one.

As stated in the spoiler, I strongly encourage you to set aside 125gp each for a group-owned Cure Light Wounds wand, as your team is very light on healing power. Technically, only Emerson can use it right now, as Johnathan's ranger-trapper archetype precludes the use of ranger magic later. Each of you may decide that investing a certain amount of your stipend increases into curing potions is a really good idea as a fallback option, but that's up to each of you to decide. You could also agree to divert more stipend funds to another group (wand?) purchase of something else you feel could be useful for divine or arcane use, but again that's up to the group to discuss and decide.

EDIT: Please get your profiles updated with your revised gear loads (double-checking that you're at or under your revised stipend levels), as well as 2nd LEVEL information if you haven't done so already. I'd also like for everyone to have their "header" statlines setup and/or updated to 2nd Lvl before we get to the island.

Questions? Comments?

I'll buy into a wand.

I'd like to trade in my longbow and 60 blunt arrows, netting me 106 GP.

I had 30 GP laying around. So that's 136. Minus 125 for the wand, leaves 11. So 1011.

I want a pistol so that's 250 GP. I'll buy 30 rounds of shot for another 90 GP. That leaves me 671 GP. I want a polehammer (representing earth breaker stats), like this one: Polehammer. I just don't buy into the hammer head the size of a mini-beer keg. One swing would rip your shoulders out of socket. Masterwork one should run me 390 GP. That leaves me 281 GP, which I will use 200 of to get sleeves of many garments and keep the other 81 as pocket change.

Ifris will buy into that wand too.

I'll figure out her other expenses shortly.

I'm also unable to imagine anything other than the Dollet Beach Landing from Final Fantasy 8 right now. Hopefully there's no giant spider golem that'll chase us out of Axis.

I also think we should pitch in for a wand vanish and scrolls of arcane lock and hold portal.

Vanish is personal only isn't it?

Nope.

Range touch
Targets creature touched

I also think we should pitch in for a wand vanish and scrolls of arcane lock and hold portal.

A Wand of Vanish is on Ultimate Equipment's "uncommon" list, so I would need to say that it's not available on such short notice.

So are scrolls of Arcane Lock and Hold Portal, though in reading the magic item creation rules (potions/scrolls under 250gp), I suppose they can be crafted up by your R&D mages today if you really want them, though limited to just one scroll of each.

I'll buy into a wand.

I'd like to trade in my longbow and 60 blunt arrows, netting me 106 GP.

I had 30 GP laying around. So that's 136. Minus 125 for the wand, leaves 11. So 1011.

I want a pistol so that's 250 GP. I'll buy 30 rounds of shot for another 90 GP. That leaves me 671 GP. I want a polehammer (representing earth breaker stats), like this one: Polehammer. I just don't buy into the hammer head the size of a mini-beer keg. One swing would rip your shoulders out of socket. Masterwork one should run me 390 GP. That leaves me 281 GP, which I will use 200 of to get sleeves of many garments and keep the other 81 as pocket change.

Looks great for Johnathan, though for some reason I'm thinking you shorted yourself 50gp with the masterwork "polehammer" being 340gp instead of 390gp. Am I missing something obvious on that one? Different steel type or other metal or something?

As far as how you want to portray your 'Polehammer' as a non-reach two-handed weapon akin to the earth breaker, that's certainly fine by me - similar to how Gemma wanted a "sabre" and we used the scimitar stats for that one.

Just some insight into how my mind is working today -- I saw the Polehammer pic and thought to myself "hmmm...is that a bec de corbin? Or perhaps a lucerne hammer? Which then brings my mind to this...

Darn on the wand.

Ifris will foot the bill for both scrolls. She's a low-GP requiring class combo. They'll be gifts to our resident arcane spellcaster. I'll have a full shopping list tonight.

Johnathan Jackson wrote:

I'll buy into a wand.

I'd like to trade in my longbow and 60 blunt arrows, netting me 106 GP.

I had 30 GP laying around. So that's 136. Minus 125 for the wand, leaves 11. So 1011.

I want a pistol so that's 250 GP. I'll buy 30 rounds of shot for another 90 GP. That leaves me 671 GP. I want a polehammer (representing earth breaker stats), like this one: Polehammer. I just don't buy into the hammer head the size of a mini-beer keg. One swing would rip your shoulders out of socket. Masterwork one should run me 390 GP. That leaves me 281 GP, which I will use 200 of to get sleeves of many garments and keep the other 81 as pocket change.

Looks great for Johnathan, though for some reason I'm thinking you shorted yourself 50gp with the masterwork "polehammer" being 340gp instead of 390gp. Am I missing something obvious on that one? Different steel type or other metal or something?

As far as how you want to portray your 'Polehammer' as a non-reach two-handed weapon akin to the earth breaker, that's certainly fine by me - similar to how Gemma wanted a "sabre" and we used the scimitar stats for that one.

Just some insight into how my mind is working today -- I saw the Polehammer pic and thought to myself "hmmm...is that a bec de corbin? Or perhaps a lucerne hammer? Which then brings my mind to this...

Yeah the weapons in PF are all messed up. I've been doing a lot of historical European martial arts lately (mainly saber and longsword) and it's giving me a lot of perspective on fantasy combat.

Longswords aren't one handed, they are what is called a bastard sword in PF. PF longswords were just called plain old swords historically, and arming swords by modern naming conventions. My saber has an 83cm blade, it's long. It would definitely do 1d8 18-20x2. The pic I linked for the hammer is pretty much exactly a lucerne hammer, but I don't like reach weapons. I also did short myself gold, I always think masterwork is 350 for some reason.

How about a wand of magic weapon? It's on the common list, and might come in handy if we come across something with DR/magic. Sounds like it might be a good investment of 125 gp each.

Here's what I have at the moment.

Anyone have any additional recommendations?

If we were to buy another wand, I'd rather have one of infernal healing if possible. More healing for your buck, great for out of combat. Arcane ppl can use.

I highly doubt that is available. It might not even be in the setting.

Now that I have some room to breathe, I am catching up as I type.

@DM Vord - Sorry if this is a repeat, too many things on my mind. How and when, or if Theme Feats progress?

DM Jelani - I am always having realism issues with Pathfinder but at least it is better than DnD v1 - 4. I have not played or reviewed v5 enough to include it in the comparison. The problem is the developers try too hard in game balancing and/or have never experience the weapon first hand.

I highly doubt that is available. It might not even be in the setting.

Yeah, I'd rather not for Zeitgeist, as the entire concept of infernal/abyssal/celestial/heaven/hell/extra-planar/outer-planar is just not there in the early acts of the campaign. To the people of Lanjyr, those concepts just don't exist, nor do concepts of demons beyond what was vanquished in the world by Trigenes in ancient history. Even elemental planar creatures are tied to the "Heavens" and the specific planetary body that embodies that concept (Jiesse = Fire, Avilona = Air, etc.). Aspects of positive/negative planar energy are similarly tied to other realms, and the Bleak Gate represents the closest thing to a "limbo" afterlife before going on to ?. That's part of the differing philosophies of the Clergy vs. Old Faith vs. Eschatologists and what-not.

Although I could re-skin Infernal Healing, I'd just rather not and treat it as a spell that isn't in the world, or perhaps very rare and not known about at this time.

In other news, I know that SpaceCat/Gemma is off the boards today (as she's called for a "no computer/no TV" day with the girls at the house heh), but she was going through her stipend and new equipment purchases, and may not have enough for another 125gp contribution beyond the CLW Wand...she's looking at a mw cold iron weapon, breastplate armor upgrade, pistol, crossbow for longer range, a CLW potion and a couple of other things. So just FYI on that.

In other other news, I will extend again the offer to join a dedicated Facebook Messenger app Group I setup called "Back at the RHC Briefing Room" in case you'd like to have another medium to chat about discussion type of items - I find it's a bit more fun at times to chat about things in a quicker format than Discussion Tab...more like when you were around the tabletop (a bit, sorta). So if you'd like to join that (myself plus three are in there currently), just PM me and I can add you.

Now that I have some room to breathe, I am catching up as I type.

@DM Vord - Sorry if this is a repeat, too many things on my mind. How and when, or if Theme Feats progress?

Let's see, well for your Gunsmith story theme, the Man With Two Guns is God theme feat (with the house-rule modification I added about being able to holster a single pistol as a swift action) is pretty much what it is. What progresses is the fact that, as a 'Gunsmit'h story theme guy that Willem is, there will be times in each Zeitgeist adventure where a PC with that theme gets special info others don't get, or special advantages others don't get, or something to that effect. I will typically put it in spoiler so you know it's just for that theme. This is similar to what you've seen me do for Technologists, Martial Scientists and Yerasol Veteran themes already. The times those occur are totally story driven by the way.

Ifris will foot the bill for both scrolls. She's a low-GP requiring class combo. They'll be gifts to our resident arcane spellcaster. I'll have a full shopping list tonight.

That's very cool of you Robert! I'm sure Anneca doesn't mind more scroll options there...

Last post of my barrage here before heading into another work meeting...

At this point I'll be waiting for each character to get their 9 Spring montage scene posted, ending with being at the docks to board the R.N.S. Impossible clipper ship at dusk. What you focus on for your montage is obviously up to you. Once everyone has theirs in, I'll moving things forward again.

That, and of course getting your stipend increase requisitions done, PC profiles updated and any final 2nd level items updated.

How about a wand of magic weapon? It's on the common list, and might come in handy if we come across something with DR/magic. Sounds like it might be a good investment of 125 gp each.

I'm up for that! I could contribute 100gp towards the Wand of Magic Weapon.

Anneca Summers wrote:

I highly doubt that is available. It might not even be in the setting.

Yeah, I'd rather not for Zeitgeist, as the entire concept of infernal/abyssal/celestial/heaven/hell/extra-planar/outer-planar is just not there in the early acts of the campaign. To the people of Lanjyr, those concepts just don't exist, nor do concepts of demons beyond what was vanquished in the world by Trigenes in ancient history. Even elemental planar creatures are tied to the "Heavens" and the specific planetary body that embodies that concept (Jiesse = Fire, Avilona = Air, etc.). Aspects of positive/negative planar energy are similarly tied to other realms, and the Bleak Gate represents the closest thing to a "limbo" afterlife before going on to ?. That's part of the differing philosophies of the Clergy vs. Old Faith vs. Eschatologists and what-not.

Although I could re-skin Infernal Healing, I'd just rather not and treat it as a spell that isn't in the world, or perhaps very rare and not known about at this time.

Forgot about all that. Not really used to Zeitgeist setting yet. So far feels like certain more technologically advanced areas of Golarion.

In other news, I know that SpaceCat/Gemma is off the boards today (as she's called for a "no computer/no TV" day with the girls at the house heh), but she was going through her stipend and new equipment purchases, and may not have enough for another 125gp contribution beyond the CLW Wand...she's looking at a mw cold iron weapon, breastplate armor upgrade, pistol, crossbow for longer range, a CLW potion and a couple of other things. So just FYI on that.

In other other news, I will extend again the offer to join a dedicated Facebook Messenger app Group I setup called "Back at the RHC Briefing Room" in case you'd like to have another medium to chat about discussion type of items - I find it's a bit more fun at times to chat about things in a quicker format than Discussion Tab...more like when you were around the tabletop (a bit, sorta). So if you'd like to join that (myself plus three are in there currently), just PM me and I can add you.

I can't conveniently access Facebook living in China :(

DM Vord wrote:

In other news, I know that SpaceCat/Gemma is off the boards today (as she's called for a "no computer/no TV" day with the girls at the house heh), but she was going through her stipend and new equipment purchases, and may not have enough for another 125gp contribution beyond the CLW Wand...she's looking at a mw cold iron weapon, breastplate armor upgrade, pistol, crossbow for longer range, a CLW potion and a couple of other things. So just FYI on that.

In other other news, I will extend again the offer to join a dedicated Facebook Messenger app Group I setup called "Back at the RHC Briefing Room" in case you'd like to have another medium to chat about discussion type of items - I find it's a bit more fun at times to chat about things in a quicker format than Discussion Tab...more like when you were around the tabletop (a bit, sorta). So if you'd like to join that (myself plus three are in there currently), just PM me and I can add you.

I can't conveniently access Facebook living in China :(

Yikes! Yeah, you've got some extra special challenges over there certainly.

DM Vord, can Willem have a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range? ... lol

But seriously, is a double-barrel musket available?

How about the Uzi 9mm!

Who said you could come into MY HOUSE and eat MY COOOOKIES!!!????

DM Vord, can Willem have a phased plasma rifle in the 40 watt range? ... lol

But seriously, is a double-barrel musket available?

Uzi 9mm? (Ninja'd by Cromlich)

Seriously, yep that's something you can get from the armory as it is an early firearm - 625gp of stipend funds. Go for it if you'd like!

Double Hackbutt?

GAU-8/A?

(0______________0)*

One of those you can carry....

Willem Muhnee wrote:

But seriously, is a double-barrel musket available?

Seriously, yep that's something you can get from the armory as it is an early firearm - 625gp of stipend funds. Go for it if you'd like!

Just an errata note there Anderlorn - if you look at Ultimate Equipment it says the range increment for the double-barreled musket is only 10', which makes no sense at all. They fixed this error though in the second printing of Ultimate Combat, so it reads correct there as 40', the same as a standard musket. Misfire chance is correct at 1-3 on a d20.

Heh...wow...I didn't know that giving a stipend increase as well as montage post "homework" would bring you all to a grinding halt! :)

I'd like to see everyone's posts by the end of the weekend, so I can get you all moving. You don't have to go "wall o' text" on your character's 9 Spring montage, though obviously it should reflect some decent insight on what your character is thinking and feeling, as well as any cool equipment changes you're sporting.

DM Vord wrote:

Willem Muhnee wrote:

But seriously, is a double-barrel musket available?

Seriously, yep that's something you can get from the armory as it is an early firearm - 625gp of stipend funds. Go for it if you'd like!

Just an errata note there Anderlorn - if you look at Ultimate Equipment it says the range increment for the double-barreled musket is only 10', which makes no sense at all. They fixed this error though in the second printing of Ultimate Combat, so it reads correct there as 40', the same as a standard musket. Misfire chance is correct at 1-3 on a d20.

Yes sir, I had the same information.

I had Anneca requisition a ton of scrolls, potions, and alchemical weapons. I traded in the blunderbuss and picked up a masterwork pistol. I have it organized here by container. I also added the two scrolls courtesy of Ifris (thanks!).

Other Gear belt pouch (10 cold iron bullets, 20 bullets); scroll box (arcane lock, expeditious retreat, expeditious retreat, grease, hold portal, hold portal, mage armor, mage armor, shield, shield); bandolier (alchemist's fire, alchemist's fire, alchemist's fire, potion of aid, potion of cure light wounds, potion of cure light wounds, potion of protection from chaos, potion of protection from evil); bandolier (acid, acid, alchemist's fire, smokestick, smokestick, sunrod, sunrod, tanglefoot bag); RHC uniform; RHC badge; RHC pocket watch;

I have 351 gp unassigned, after taking the cure light wounds wand into account. I can put that towards the wand of magic weapon; with Emerson's 100gp contribution, that leaves us 299 gp short. I know that Gemma doesn't have the resources. Is everyone else out?

I have 131, but I'm not really convinced a wand of magic weapon is worth my money. Sorry :/

We don't have any magic weapons outside Ifris's mindblade. What happens if we go up against a monster with DR/magic or someone who has cast protection from arrows?

We fight through their DR. That's unlikely for a 2nd level party anyway. The worst case scenario I can think of is a shadow, in which case we'd be running anyway. Johnathan would be very hesitant to leave himself peniless, and 131 is not that much. Maybe next time we get paid.

Try role playing one out of Delft. 1,000 Crowns drains too quickly.

Anneca, I rearranged some gear and could offer up 382gp towards the wand of magic weapon. That would leave us 17gp short.

Can anyone pony up the last 17gp?

17gp I can do.

For the group-owned items: since a particular character will have them on their profile, just put (group) in parentheses after the item.

So here's my list for Gemma's acquisitions.

She purchased the following:
Breastplate, cold iron masterwork sabre, cold iron dagger (given to Bliss Atherton as a gift), 2 applications of silver weapon blanch, 1 application of cold iron weapon blanch, 1 light crossbow with 10 bolts, 1 pistol with 5 cartridges, 1 potion of Cure Light Wounds, 1 gold ring

Traded/surrendered items:
Sabre, 1 bottled lightning, 1 burst jar
Gemma will also contribute the 125gp towards the Cure Light Wounds wand

So that leaves her with 35gp which I'm happy to contribute to whatever if needed