GM ShadowLord's Rise of the Runelords Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master GM ShadowLord

Still here.

*waves*

Happy New Year you all!!!

Here

Here

Looks like the gang is all here!

When we left off you had just cleared the ground floor with options to go both up and down. I believe intentions were to go down, any objections to continuing in that direction?

Don’t think so.

None from me.

I posted in gameplay before reading this. It is ok with me if we go downstairs first before trying up.

I'm headed to the mountains for a skip trip with the family through the weekend and I'll be back early next week.

Have a great time ShadowLord!!! I should also look for a break in the snow.

Hi! Hope you had a nice weekend, I finally got my snowy holidays :)

Yay!

I went to a wedding

:)

Cool.

For what it's worth Sunday, Yavenee hasn't pitched in if she changed her action or not so you might still be saved as she's the one who could do it.

*nods*

Looking at things now.

3 javelin
3 potions of cure serious wounds
2 +1 human bane ogre hook
2 +1 hide armor
1 belt of giant strength +2
1 wand of acid arrow (43 charges)
1 dagger
1 amulet of natural armor +1
1 headband of alluring charisma +2
1 ring of protection +1
1 +1 ogre hook

I noted them in the treasure sheet :)

Delendir could make use of some of the AC improvements if Daud and Elisa already have them, because he sometimes joins the front-line.

No point on him taking the alluring charisma thing although some ladies would appreciate his improvement in manners I guess.

Sorry, have had a lot going on recently.

"I think that I have found a safe way through the warrens, we should only have to deal with a few lizards at most if we're lucky and hug the walls. Once we get there keep her distracted while I try to get the others free."

Krysta commented about having found a safe path. My proposal was to just follow her and fight back any lizard we could not sneak through/convince we are not a menace to.

That said, if anyone has a mean to turn the full group into invisibility, dimension door or spider climb around, this seems a great opportunity to profit that deed!

Get everyone to the entrance to the jails where the whoever it is singing, avoiding the lizards as best we can, and have everyone attack the singer while Krysta goes back into the cells and tries to free the captives to help in the fighting if needed.

Ok, just so I'm clear. You intend to lead everyone through the tunnels towards the jail you discovered. You will avoid initiating combat with the lizards. Is that accurate?

Correct, though if we find we have to fight the lizards at some point so be it. I would just prefer to make less noise if we can to try and sneak up on the jaileress.

I know Yavenee is busy, so I'll give her another day. If she doesn't post by tomorrow I'll put her in delay and move on.

Seems fair.

If Delendir ever needs to be GMPCed, just assume a ranged attack. I have an Attack routines spoiler with roll templates in his profile to help it out.

Was previously on 32. Enemy did 42 damage so I'm -10 unless we retroactively add charges. Realistically though, we seem to have someone almost dying every single combat and its going to be a problem when it doesn't even seem to be the challenging fights that are causing issues. We shouldn't really be having this issue of almost getting one shotted every fight. I don't know if its xp, or WBL, or gear or our tactics but it shouldn't be *this* bad.

As the quartermaster for this group I can talk about equipment. That is really an issue. You have not written down in your profiles most of the items that were offered to you. That is the case for even pieces you have actually stated to claim, or items I have remembered some of you through Discussion or PM that you had been assigned but you are not writing them down in your profiles.

This has been not an issue of just Elisai or Daud, it has been general and happening all through the whole campaign. Thus, this might be an issue on how I am managing the treasure loot sheet. I have no idea how to make it better to engage you into actually claiming the equipment you need and appropriately bookkeeping it in your profiles. The group has shown little to no care about equipment found. I have to admit I feel much frustrated at this point in that regard. Through the low levels it was ok, because we could go on without it, but we have reached a level where it is paying its toll.

As a matter of proof, none of the lamia's attacks would have hit Delendir this round, because his AC 24+haste. He is not built to be a frontliner but he has been attentive at the game and updating his AC with some of the items we have found in our adventures. Most groups I have seen at this level have fighters and paladins with ACs on the 27-29 range, so they can give time to the healer in front of the +15/+20 beasts that are thrown in the field.

As for the other topics you point out, there is less I can say. I just try to look for keeping my hp updated at the status and also tend to post hp and AC on posts when there is an hp change or it might be relevant.

I think we have room for improvement as a group on some aspects, if any I am open to see what else can I do to improve and help others.

Yeah, the lack of a healer hurts but it didn't hurt too much until we lost Grace who was part of our solution to the problem. Fortunately it shouldn't be too much longer before Jess can rejoin the group and remedy that situation.

The fact we have so much melee has been a hindrance on this section because of all the tight quarters where only one or two could readily stack on an enemy, especially when they get enlarged.

Oh, and let me know when Krusta is ready to ambush the snake woman, the fight may well become a lot easier then.

Before I write anything, I want to make it clear up front that none of my statements are intended to single someone out or say that one of you is the cause of the issues you are having.

Realistically though, we seem to have someone almost dying every single combat and its going to be a problem when it doesn't even seem to be the challenging fights that are causing issues. We shouldn't really be having this issue of almost getting one shotted every fight. I don't know if its xp, or WBL, or gear or our tactics but it shouldn't be *this* bad.

There are a lot of things that I can think of that are contributing to your problem. I'll pick a few.

• Delendir already picked up on gear woes, but in addition to that you've had numerous players come and go from this campaign. Take a look at the characters tab and see how many players have left. If your WBL is off, I'd point there as the biggest problem. Each person that leaves changes the party is affecting how your WBL is handled not to mention how it changes the party dynamics. In this chapter alone we've already lose Grace and Ragnhildr.

• With regards to challenges, you know I prefer challenging encounters. That being said, I've done the exact opposite since I've stated that fact. As your party has continually lost people, I've been decreasing the challenges accordingly. As a matter of fact, this encounter you are in now I've already made easier than written. If I had done what should be done, there is no doubt in my mind it would have resulted in a TPK.

• You tend to push hard, which is fine, but when you push hard and people are out of resources and things can go badly. Know when to rest, know when to walk away and when to run. As much as you might to keep pushing and pushing, bad things happen when you aren't prepared.

• It's ok to have the melee distribution you have, I don't think that's an issue, but the AC on the melee tends to be lower than average and that also is affecting how much damage you are soaking up.

• Not keeping up with hit points and status effects is big. Not only does it affect how you and your companions would make decisions for the combat, but it affects mine as well. Yes, I'm the bad guy and I'm trying to knock you down. MOST of the time I'm not trying to kill you outright. If your HP is listed incorrectly and I base my actions on what I think your HP is and it turns out to be lower, then people tend to be in much more dire situations than they should.

• XP has not been easy for me. The party is changing size so frequently and at times the size has been nearly double the AP as written, it makes keeping pace very difficult. You were all scheduled to get a level at your next rest, but pushing on to the "boss" has really highlighted this fact.

I'm getting ready to start a new game today and one of our players backed out at the very last minute. It's a rather unique concept, we have 4 GM's running a multi-table 4v4v4v4vEnvironment game.

If anyone is interested in particpating, please check out the specifics over HERE! We were supposed to start today.

I might be interested but need to wait until tonight to look at it.

Cool. Take a look at let me know if it's something your interested in, so far no one else has bit on the recruitment thread. It is party one of a three part adventure in a race against time. A level four of any non-evil paizo character class with a sliding scale point buy dependent upon race.

I'm looking for a fairly quick turn around on a character if that is something you can do, I have 15 other people waiting :( Literally this guy couldn't have dropped at a worse time!

I managed to take a quick look and it seems like it's a fairly dungeon crawly setup, is that accurate?

Also, what is needed for this fill in?

I would maybe get something together late tonight after work ( I get off at 830pm est).

This is a dungeon crawl, yes. The mechanics we're using to keep everyone on the same pace is a real time advancement of rounds every 2-3 days. This keeps us in initiative the entire time so that everyone is in sync.

Tonight would be fine.

The concept is entirely up to you, the player that dropped out was a rogue, but by no means does that mean you need to do that. You can read through the groups internal discussion page here.

So I think the consensus is that we're bedding down for the night?

Yep.

OK, I'm going with everyone staying then - including Krysta.

HP: 1d6 ⇒ 5
+1 BAB
+1 Will
1 3rd known (Siphon Might)
2 4th level known (Black Spot, Masochistic Shadow )
3 4th level per day
Patron spell (threefold aspect)

CL increase 1d4
7 skill points (Heal, Knowledge Arcana,Knowledge Religion.,Knowledge Planes, Knowledge Nature, Spellcraft, UMD)
1 ability point (Int)

I’m pretty sure we’re doing 1/2+1 for HP :(

Level 8

+1 Strength

HP +10
BAB +1
Fortitude +1

+1 Acrobatics
+1 Intimidate
+1 Perception
+1 Survival (FCB)

Regenerate +1
Superstition +1

Rage Power: thinking either Witch Hunter or Ghost Rager.
Focused Study: I get my second Skill Focus so Intimidate, Acrobatics, or Survival. I guess Acrobatics (it’s not like a really use any of those anyway).

Rage Powers

Last level

Delendir 8th level
HP: +9
Favoured class: hp
Ability increase: +1 Str
Class abilities:

• swift tracker
  
• 2nd favored terrain: Underground (caves and dungeons)
  
• Favored terrain bonus improves to +4 (both for Urban and Underground)

• perception
  
• survival
  
• disable device
  
• stealth
  
• acrobatics (x2)
  
• spellcraft

Animal companion (Ghina):
HP: +13
Feat: Toughness
Skills:
acrobatics

@Daud: I do not like the extra penalties to AC and Witch Hunter seems to me that will be of use more often than Ghost Rager

{nods}

I'll get somethign posted tonight, I was trying to give time for the others (not you two) to post bt I won't wait any longer now. Just have to wait until I am home from work.

While I'm reading this I jut thought that I'd throw this out there. That type of back and forth RP posting is type of material that I enjoy reading as the GM. I kind where I don't have to jump in and keep the action going because you guys play off each others posts. I like that part, please keep doing that, thank you! :)

I'll move the story along tonight when I get home.

I've had out of town family staying over these last few days and while I had the best intentions of posting here, it hasn't materialized. I'll try to get a pot in tonight.

No problem ShadowLord! I hope the stay was fun!

So, questions so I can fully pos later:
1.) Do I make a single or full attack?
2.) If multiple attacks do I roll each target randomly or all on the same. (Sadly the little girl I just save may be dead shortly at my own claws.)
3.) Do I or don't I power attack?

So, questions so I can fully pos later:

1.) Do I make a single or full attack?
2.) If multiple attacks do I roll each target randomly or all on the same. (Sadly the little girl I just save may be dead shortly at my own claws.)
3.) Do I or don't I power attack?

Good questions, I'll let you decide what you think is best for Krysta in this situation.

In my personal opinion it should be doing your best to kill the target with all of the resources at your disposal. If you get full attacks, I would assume you would be using your full arsenal to attack with all of the most powerful options. I don't see the character pulling punches, they aren't thinking coherently enough to do that.

Well at least Sunday will be your target given your position, though if he fails his save that means he'll attack you right back.

A good question, is Sunday the closest for me or does the child I just saved share that status causing me to have to roll for which to target?