Hey all, had a rough day at work today and don't really have spirit for a post today. Business as usual tomorrow.
Hey folks, I'm currently running through a Ruins of Azlant game with GM Striker who has an interesting way of running us through. He's essentially skipping over the random encounter combat (still posting it, but thematically) and focusing on the important combat encounters. His thought is that it will keep things moving a little more smoothly without skipping over things entirely. Given that we've had quite a few random encounters ourselves (and there are quite a few more in this book), I was wondering how you guys felt about doing that with this AP?
I think it might help to maintain the creepy atmosphere as opposed to simply jumping into combat and squishing some bugs. If you would like to keep things the way we have been doing them, that's okay with me.
I'm not really sure how it will work. How will spells and consumables be tracked? As a player with no knowledge of the adventure, I don't know which encounters are scripted and which are random so I don't know how much it would impact us but I'm not against it.
Whatever you feel works best, I'm fine with.
I like the idea, but I understand the concerns brought up by Dhamis. I think I'd like to try it for a while.
Let me ponder on how to handle the consumables and trackable class features to see if I can come up with a good solution.
As far as the encounters go, everything thus far has been scripted in the AP. it will be sometime before we really run into any "filler" fights, because right now I feel like it gives you all a good opportunity to react to your new surroundings.
Also, terribly sorry on the lengthy delay. I have just been so darn busy lately.
Sorry on my delay folks. My coworkers and I went to White Sox game Friday night. That night my wife decided that I should take the boy camping on Saturday. So I didn't really have any time over the weekend.
To my respective GMs and/or players, I am posting this in all my games that I'm running or involved in. I was involved in a force on force incident today during work. I cannot go into details for obvious reasons, but suffice to say no one was seriously injured. I'll be very busy with paperwork for the foreseeable afternoon/evening. If I have time later this evening, I will attempt to get caught up with my games. Otherwise, look for me tomorrow!
Hey guys, I haven't forgotten about this game. I've just been very busy the past few weeks and I'm still trying to figure out the best way to nix some of the more 'random' encounters in the AP to make this have a little more thematic feel. I'm leaving for a week long vacation and will have limited posting options since I'll be without my computer that has all my notes on it.
Once I get back, I will get this train back on track and moving along. So don't feel like I've forgotten or have less interest in it!
Sounds good. Enjoy the vacation.
Checking on.
Still here.
Hello
Howdy!
Okay, I think I've figured out how I want to handle this... For the 'random' encounter fights I'll do something a little more thematic, but avoid using party resources, but then beef up the actual battle encounters a bit to balance it out. We will see how that goes from here forward for a little bit and if I doesn't work well, then I will adjust. Thank you all for being patient with me!
Beef up? Uh oh. I'm already feeling pretty useless.
Basically GM, Drafton's just using his fascination ability as an Ice-breaker. By no means is it strong enough to last the full hour, as that would actually require the suggestion ability. Hopefully he's at least neutral and doesn't have a Charisma bonus.
Checking in.
I remain!
Here
Sorry folks, I was waiting out to see if Nova wanted to try her hand at healing again; however, I think in this situation we will simply hand-wave the skill checks. Sometimes I think Pathfinder APs rely too much on skill checks/die rolling to get things done and this is one of those times. Rather than punish you all for the low rolls, the fact that some of you (I'm looking at you Carter ;) ) were willing to help is enough. I will get an update rolling here shortly.
I'm still fatigued, at half health, and have no appropriate skills. I'm not sure what they expect me to do.
Hah! I'm just giving you a hard time. I'm actually quite impressed how well you guys have handled these challanges so far.
The intro to this adventure reminds me of some of the 1st and 2nd ed. "Killer dungeons," back before anyone cared about game balance.
I kinda like it. :)
It's been great. Such a break from the norm. It feels like complete strangers who may or may not like each other but are forced to work together to survive and every encounter seems like it could be the one that ends it all for them, it's awesome to not steamroll encounters and to come up with alternate solutions. It's kind of nice not having a cleric around to fall back on or a two-handed swinging barbarian to hide behind.
I also really like the fact that we're all some sort of Arcane based spellcaster. Admittedly we'll have plenty of cannon fodder between the undead Dhamis will control and the summoned creatures that both Nova and Carter will summon eventually, but for now we've definitely got some glaring weaknesses.
We're vulnerable, which is great for a horror campaign.
I'm really glad that Pathfinder added the section about background skills to help flesh out characters in the Unchained book. But sometimes even that doesn't feel like quite enough. Oh well, level 2, definitely putting a few ranks into more "flavor" skills, like profession cooking.
Assuming we can make it there, anyway.
If you guys are interested and feel like it would give you more umph to flesh out your partially amnesiac characters I am willing to boost the background skills up a little more and give more skill points to distribute to the Background skill set.
I'm always interested in more stuff but I think once we hit 2nd level we'll be okay. That said, suddenly remembering that we know how to do something certainly does fit with the whole amnesia angle.
I'm always down for more Background skills. Honestly, the skill system is one of the most frustrating parts of the game for me.
After your next rest, you all will gain +1 Background skill point to put into any skill that exists on that list. I like Dhamis' idea of passing them out as you all go along and come into situations that might rekindle such things.
Still here, although I suppose it's the holidays, so understandable things will be slow.
Happy Holidays everyone. I will get us moving again soon!
Hey guys, I'm very, very sorry on the delay in my two games. There's been a lot going on with the weather recently and some issues on the homefront. Seemed like every time I popped in here and was ready to get the games back on track, something kept popping up. I am going to shoot to get an update together for both of my games tonight (if I can) and if not then, over the weekend. Thank you all for your patience!
No problem. Thanks for letting us know what's going on and that you're alright.
I almost never take a saving throw boosting feat in games, usually due to other more useful or flashier feats along the way. Even though our party's full of spell-casters, for this game in particular, I would recommend Iron Will.
Hey guys I've been feeling really overwhealmed over the last... 2 weeksish, and I'm trying to get back on track. I'm updating one of my four forums per day to make things a little easier. Sorry for the wait, but I'll be with you soon.
You're number 2 of 4
No worries, Nova. I completely understand; my son is sick again for the third time this month. Wife had to take him to urgent care because he's running a high fever and suddenly became inconsolable with crying when the fever came back right before left for work.
Nice comparison, Dham. I didn't catch that.
So... the more I read about Pathfinder 2E, the less I'm liking it. Not a fan of goblins suddenly becoming a Core race without a better explanation than the one presented in the Blog post, plus I really am not digging the four levels of Failure/Success, not the Condition levels. They are becoming EXTREMELY rules/number heavy from what I can tell.
I was hoping to pitch an idea for a campaign to start with the Playtest rules for PF2E and offering anyone in my two games a guaranteed spot if anyone wanted to join; however, I've recently picked up the D&D5E rules and have really started to enjoy the simplicity that WotC came up with and the older school feel of the game. (Plus I've recently become hooked on Critical Role and that might be part of what's fueling this desire.) Anyway, I have an idea in mind of building the base campaign alongside the players (I have a very solid, beautiful map to use) by allowing anyone participating to come up with the ideas, names, locations, and history of the area from where they come. I haven't come up with any solid plan other than doing a little sandbox action. Would any of you be interested in such a venture?
I have not really been into a creation mood lately. So I would probably skip out on that portion, but I think I could certainly add another game to my current repertoire as they have all slowed down considerably.
I completely forgot that Pathfinder 2E was even going to be a thing. I wasn't terribly impressed by 5E the two times I played it, but I'd be willing to give it one more shot. Maybe a Play-by-post will change things.
I have not really been into a creation mood lately. So I would probably skip out on that portion, but I think I could certainly add another game to my current repertoire as they have all slowed down considerably.
I completely forgot that Pathfinder 2E was even going to be a thing. I wasn't terribly impressed by 5E the two times I played it, but I'd be willing to give it one more shot. Maybe a Play-by-post will change things.
If you don't mind me asking, Drafton, what parts of 5E did you not like? I'm more than willing to play around with some Houserules. Also, I'll admit that I've never played 5E yet, so it would be a learning process for me as well. One thing I'm playing around with would be granting some extra HP based on racial choices to help make those early levels a little less harrowing.
I haven't had a chance to play 5e yet. I've heard good and bad things about it. I'd be willing to give it a shot but I'd need quite a bit of help creating character.
Sounds good, DH! I can definitely help you with that. The nice part is that it’s fairly easy. What are some of the help the ads you guys have heard? I hope to work around those as best I can.
Much appreciated GM, but I'm stocked full on games and my posting rate still has much left to be desired.
I completely understand, Nova!
Question: As a changeling, I already have a +1 natural armor bonus. Does the amulet bring that up to +2, or do they not stack?
They stack. Your natural armor bonus is Racial. The amulet is Enhancement.
Thanks Carter ^^