GMTrex's PFS [Normal Mode] 05-21 The Merchant's Wake (Inactive)

Game Master Andrew Trexler

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Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

Hi everybody! I'm Andrew. I've gamed with some of you before, some I haven't yet had the pleasure. I'm looking forward to running your adventure!

This will be a standard PFS (not Core) game. We'll be starting as soon as folks are ready. Upkeep business:

1. Figure out who you'd like to play with so we can figure out the subtier. It looks pretty solidly 1-2 but just want to check.

2. If you haven't done so already, please put a few of your stats into your character subheading. Please include current/total hit points, armor class (all three), CMD, saving throw modifiers, initiative modifier, and perception modifier. Feel free to add other stuff, such as per diem spells or ki points or expendable other resources.

2. On your character's page, please include a stat block or link or some other arrangement so that I can find your character's full stats in some fashion. Stat block is easiest for me but if you have a preferred arrangement (such as a link to your character sheet), that's fine too.

3. Introduce yourselves and your characters in-character in the gameplay thread. Thanks for getting us started on that!

4. Please post here with:

Character Name
PFS # XXXXX-X
Faction
Day Job roll (if applicable)
Initiative mod
Perception mod

Secondly, a few basic expectations:

1. A quick-moving thread is more fun for everyone. Please post at least once per day, and the more the merrier. Take your time and roleplay your hearts out, but do post regularly and keep the game moving. I'll make sure to do the same. If you know you'll be unable to post for a while, please let us all know here and consider giving march orders to the party (especially if we're in combat) and know that the game will likely still keep moving.

2. I've gotten pretty familiar with the PFS/Pathfinder rules over the years, but obviously I haven't dealt regularly with every class or situation. So if you are concerned that I've messed up somewhere in a way that really impacts gameplay (which is entirely possible), please feel free to raise the issue here in the Discussion thread or privately and I'll do my best to correct the issue. It's all about learning!

3. Please pay attention to text formatting and the thread tabs. Use Gameplay for gameplay and Discussion for non-gameplay discussion. Use the [b] tag and quotes for in-character speech and the [ooc] tag for out-of-character commentary. Use spoiler tags when necessary and open them only when appropriate.

4. Initiative! I've fiddled with a few different initiative systems and I think I've found one I like--you can act when your name is bolded at the bottom of my most recent initiative post. If you need to post out of turn due to limited internet access later or something similar, please put your whole turn in a spoiler so that everyone else (including me) can ignore it until it's your turn.

5. If you cast a spell on a baddie, please tell me the save and DC as appropriate so that I don't have to try to dig it out of your statblock. Same goes for other similar effects.

6. Have fun and be the awesome Pathfinders you are!


Elf

I have a simple question that can hopefully be answered.

Is this scenario more combat oriented, socially oriented or a combo?


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

A simple adage: Pathfinders must be prepared for anything!

(Hint: this also answers your question.)


Elf

would my level 3 rogue throw off the level?

If so then I will bring along my barbarian :)


he/him

Dotting. I'm an alternate, so if the table doesn't fill I call dibs!


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

@ Chadius: I just had a player drop and I'm running Scizzoot in another adventure shortly, so you're in!

@ Gilthanis: I'd prefer something in-tier, but if your rogue is Exchange or you just really want to then go for it!


he/him

Sweet!

I have a level 2 Urban Ranger who will hit level 3 as soon as her adventure ends (we're up to the last battle + puzzle) so I can join a 3+ subtier.
Otherwise I have a level 1 sorcerer I can bake for the 1+ subtier.

Grand Lodge

HP: 17/17, AC/FF/TCH: 14 /10/14, Perception +0, Initiative +2, F/R/W: 4/2/3 | CMD 15 Half-Orc Magus (Kensai) 2

Gilthanis here, with my level 2 magus.

PFS 63386-3
Faction: GL
craft alchemy: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Init +2
Per +0


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

@ Chadius: your sorcerer would probably be best if that works for you. Everyone else on the sign-up listed a L1 or L2 character.


he/him

Yup, working on a level 1 Sorc right now.

...cause the store went down.

Grand Lodge

Male Human Oracle of Nature 1 / Bard 1 (arcane duelist) - HP -17/17 - AC 17/T: 15/FF:13 - Perception +4 - F: +3/ R: +0/ W: +3 - CMB: +4 - CMD: 12, Speed: 30, Init. +4

Cesare Andistore, Level 1 bard
PFS # 2405-4
Faction
Day Job roll - Perform (oratory) +6
Initiative +5
Perception +3

Liberty's Edge

Denair |Long Arm| HP 50/59 | Spells -/3/0/0 | AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | CMD 18 | Saves 7/3/5 | Init 2 | Perception 0 (Denair 16) | 7 Female Human Unchained Summoner (Fey Caller) | GM Folio Reroll+2 |

Meredith Ulmari
Level 1 Sorcerer

PFS # 133608-6
Faction: Liberty's Edge
Day Job: Forest Guide Profession: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Initiative +1
Perception +1

I have some additional equipment to buy, but otherwise she is all set.


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

Still waiting on a couple of folks. I sent out some PMs, if I don't hear back by tomorrow then I'll pull in some others from the wait list. We'll get started this weekend.

Dark Archive

Hi everybody!

I originally threw my hat in with an Arcanist, but it looks like we got a sorc., and need a cleric. How does everyone feel about a warpriest? Do you feel 'good' about it, or do you feel 'great' about it? Please be honest. ;)

Grand Lodge

Male Aasimar Petrus: Inquisitor (Sacred Huntmaster) Lvl 3 HP 30/30, AC: 16 (FF: 14, Tch: 12), Perception + 11, Initiative +5, F+5, R+3, W+6
Tipple:
Tipple: Wolf Lvl 3 HP 22/22, AC: 19 (FF: 17, Tch: 12), F+5, R+5, W+2

Dot. I'll get Petrus updated and posting ASAP.

-Posted with Wayfinder


Hey all!

If we need a healer I have a life oracle I can bring along. If not I can take my mini cavalier.

Liberty's Edge

Denair |Long Arm| HP 50/59 | Spells -/3/0/0 | AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | CMD 18 | Saves 7/3/5 | Init 2 | Perception 0 (Denair 16) | 7 Female Human Unchained Summoner (Fey Caller) | GM Folio Reroll+2 |

There's still room for another sorcerer, Meredith will deal most of her damage in melee.

That being said, warpriests are pretty cool. Roll them if you like 'em.

Grand Lodge

Male Aasimar Petrus: Inquisitor (Sacred Huntmaster) Lvl 3 HP 30/30, AC: 16 (FF: 14, Tch: 12), Perception + 11, Initiative +5, F+5, R+3, W+6
Tipple:
Tipple: Wolf Lvl 3 HP 22/22, AC: 19 (FF: 17, Tch: 12), F+5, R+5, W+2

Petrus
143757-2
Sovereign Court
Gambling: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Initiative +5
Perception +10

Petrus is functional and online.

Dark Archive

@Scootsan. Alright! If you bring your Oracle, I'll take the risk and bring the Arcanist.

Party on! =)

Grand Lodge

Male Aasimar Petrus: Inquisitor (Sacred Huntmaster) Lvl 3 HP 30/30, AC: 16 (FF: 14, Tch: 12), Perception + 11, Initiative +5, F+5, R+3, W+6
Tipple:
Tipple: Wolf Lvl 3 HP 22/22, AC: 19 (FF: 17, Tch: 12), F+5, R+5, W+2

I vote Warpriest and Cavalier, just because I've never played with a Warpriest, and they seem awesome.

-Posted with Wayfinder


@Atlas2112: Whoopsie! My Oracle's information is not even close to being up on this site. I'm going to have to take the Cavalier after all, if you don't mind using that Warpriest.

Grand Lodge

Andrew, a question. In the letter you posted it says:

"The Trade Prince has asked a handful of agents to join him for this event, and I request that you do just that both as a show of solidarity for an important ally of the Society."

So both as a show of solidarity... and what? Is that just a typo on Paizo's part?


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

I copied it directly from the .pdf so... yeah. Just a typo.

Grand Lodge

Roger

Dark Archive

@Scootsan. Too late! Already got the Arcanist onboard. Now we'll all probably die. Tally ho! :p
(I'm sure it'll be fine. ;)


Lol OK. I might try getting the oracle set up tonight to swap if we aren't too far in at that point.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Grand Lodge

Male Aasimar Petrus: Inquisitor (Sacred Huntmaster) Lvl 3 HP 30/30, AC: 16 (FF: 14, Tch: 12), Perception + 11, Initiative +5, F+5, R+3, W+6
Tipple:
Tipple: Wolf Lvl 3 HP 22/22, AC: 19 (FF: 17, Tch: 12), F+5, R+5, W+2

Alright, great. Get that arcanist posting in the game play thread and we can get this thing going.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Liberty's Edge

Denair |Long Arm| HP 50/59 | Spells -/3/0/0 | AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | CMD 18 | Saves 7/3/5 | Init 2 | Perception 0 (Denair 16) | 7 Female Human Unchained Summoner (Fey Caller) | GM Folio Reroll+2 |

If someone has the wand, Meredith has +7 UMD. We also have a few people capable of using the wand without UMD checks.

Or maybe we'll just kill everything before they hurt us! :)

Liberty's Edge

Denair |Long Arm| HP 50/59 | Spells -/3/0/0 | AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | CMD 18 | Saves 7/3/5 | Init 2 | Perception 0 (Denair 16) | 7 Female Human Unchained Summoner (Fey Caller) | GM Folio Reroll+2 |

Peeks at skill list. Metella it is!
Meredith has no social skills, although she has an innate +3 thanks to her Charisma. After Phase 1, she will try to assist with pretty much anyone here.

But for Phase 1, she'll talk to the dwarf.

Dark Archive

M Elven Arcanist 1 hp6/6 init: +5 Spells: 1st:2/3 AC:12 AR4/5

FYI, in the last campaign I was in the DM actually found a way to punish good RP, so I may have a bit cold-starting this morning.

Dark Archive

M Elven Arcanist 1 hp6/6 init: +5 Spells: 1st:2/3 AC:12 AR4/5

Dieb is slightly surprised that no one else was surprised by the Inquisition. Apparently their two weapons of fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency have worked again.

Grand Lodge

Male Aasimar Petrus: Inquisitor (Sacred Huntmaster) Lvl 3 HP 30/30, AC: 16 (FF: 14, Tch: 12), Perception + 11, Initiative +5, F+5, R+3, W+6
Tipple:
Tipple: Wolf Lvl 3 HP 22/22, AC: 19 (FF: 17, Tch: 12), F+5, R+5, W+2

Nobody expects it.

-Posted with Wayfinder


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

Still missing info from Dieb and Polo.

Liberty's Edge

Male Halfling Beast Rider Lvl 2.1 HP: 22, AC:21 (FF:18, Tch:14), Perception+8, Initiative+3, F+5, R+3, W-1, Luck 3/3
Eclipse:
HP 19, AC 14 (FF 12, Tch 12), F +5, R +5, W +2, Perc +7, Init +2

Apologies:

Polo Bolger
145085-3
Liberties Edge
Jungle Guide: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Initiative +3
Perception +8 (Eclipse+7 scent)

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dark Archive

M Elven Arcanist 1 hp6/6 init: +5 Spells: 1st:2/3 AC:12 AR4/5

Ah.

Dieb Geist
# 162383-1
Dark Archive
no day job
Init. +5
Perception +3


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

Chronicles are HERE! Thanks for playing!


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

Also, for those with hunches, you were indeed correct. Jakti is a member of splinter sect of Sarenrae known as the Cult of the Dawnflower and, suspicious that Temel and Metella are evildoers, sent assassins after them to provoke them into showing their true colors. After the totally separate attack by the zombies sent by Shirin (the false Umut), he drops this suspicion and calls off future attacks.

Everything else was Shirin's fault though. :)

Grand Lodge

Male Human Oracle of Nature 1 / Bard 1 (arcane duelist) - HP -17/17 - AC 17/T: 15/FF:13 - Perception +4 - F: +3/ R: +0/ W: +3 - CMB: +4 - CMD: 12, Speed: 30, Init. +4

Thanks, GMTrex! It was fun!

I'm thinking of completely reworking Cesare, either to improve him as a bard or to change classes entirely before I hit 2nd level. He was my first bard and I haven't found him to be very effective at just about anything. Perhaps I just need to find a more effective bard build, or rebuild him as an investigator.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice?

Grand Lodge

Male Aasimar Petrus: Inquisitor (Sacred Huntmaster) Lvl 3 HP 30/30, AC: 16 (FF: 14, Tch: 12), Perception + 11, Initiative +5, F+5, R+3, W+6
Tipple:
Tipple: Wolf Lvl 3 HP 22/22, AC: 19 (FF: 17, Tch: 12), F+5, R+5, W+2

Polo has a level four bard I've played with often, and found him to be quite good at a number of things, including walking into ambushes, catching arrows, falling prone and occasionally making others do the same with grease.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Liberty's Edge

Male Halfling Beast Rider Lvl 2.1 HP: 22, AC:21 (FF:18, Tch:14), Perception+8, Initiative+3, F+5, R+3, W-1, Luck 3/3
Eclipse:
HP 19, AC 14 (FF 12, Tch 12), F +5, R +5, W +2, Perc +7, Init +2

What don't you like about your bard? What are your goals while playing him? Mine is a controller instead of an archer like yours, so my play style is a bit different.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Liberty's Edge

Male Halfling Beast Rider Lvl 2.1 HP: 22, AC:21 (FF:18, Tch:14), Perception+8, Initiative+3, F+5, R+3, W-1, Luck 3/3
Eclipse:
HP 19, AC 14 (FF 12, Tch 12), F +5, R +5, W +2, Perc +7, Init +2
Petrus. wrote:
Polo has a level four bard I've played with often, and found him to be quite good at a number of things, including walking into ambushes, catching arrows, falling prone and occasionally making others do the same with grease. -Posted with Wayfinder

Catching arrows with his face*

-Posted with Wayfinder

Liberty's Edge

Denair |Long Arm| HP 50/59 | Spells -/3/0/0 | AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | CMD 18 | Saves 7/3/5 | Init 2 | Perception 0 (Denair 16) | 7 Female Human Unchained Summoner (Fey Caller) | GM Folio Reroll+2 |

Bards are pretty versatile, but I find them best if you focus them on either martial combat, skill monkeys or enchantment/illusion spells.

I wound up making a fun whip focused fighter/bard in a tabletop run who focuses on buffing himself with blur/blink and haste, and then threatening 10 ft around him with a 15 ft reach weapon. Tripping optional.

Liberty's Edge

Denair |Long Arm| HP 50/59 | Spells -/3/0/0 | AC 17 T 11 FF 16 | CMD 18 | Saves 7/3/5 | Init 2 | Perception 0 (Denair 16) | 7 Female Human Unchained Summoner (Fey Caller) | GM Folio Reroll+2 |

I had a lot of fun with this module, thanks GM Trex!

Meredith was a lot of fun. I need to figure out if I should dip into Brawler or stick with Sorcerer when she hits level 2. I really want to see if I can make her a Muscle Wizard.

Liberty's Edge

Male Halfling Beast Rider Lvl 2.1 HP: 22, AC:21 (FF:18, Tch:14), Perception+8, Initiative+3, F+5, R+3, W-1, Luck 3/3
Eclipse:
HP 19, AC 14 (FF 12, Tch 12), F +5, R +5, W +2, Perc +7, Init +2
Meredith Ulmari wrote:
I had a lot of fun with this module, thanks GM Trex! Meredith was a lot of fun.

Loved your RP, Meredith. Very well done and entertaining.

@GM Trex: wooooo! My guesswork was some what accurate! Too bad it didn't fit Polo's personality very well-something I need to work on for RP.

@Ceasar: have you looked at this guide ever? It's quite helpful:
Treantmonks bard guide

-Posted with Wayfinder

Grand Lodge

Male Aasimar Petrus: Inquisitor (Sacred Huntmaster) Lvl 3 HP 30/30, AC: 16 (FF: 14, Tch: 12), Perception + 11, Initiative +5, F+5, R+3, W+6
Tipple:
Tipple: Wolf Lvl 3 HP 22/22, AC: 19 (FF: 17, Tch: 12), F+5, R+5, W+2

Treatmonk is a useful fellow. I got a lot out of their druid guide.

-Posted with Wayfinder


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking

Honestly, I think it might just be that Cesare's level 1. Your build isn't bad and he'll get more useful as he accumulates feats and gets higher level spells. Here's my advice though:

1. The only thing that higher Str is doing for you is an extra +1 or +2 points of damage. I'd trade that down some (to 12 or even 10) in exchange for:
More Con (more hitpoints)
More Int (more bardic knowledge/languages/skills)
Or More Cha (maybe dropping 1 point of Dex to boost Cha to 16, giving you more spells later on)

2. Consider (consider!) taking a level or two of fighter for the extra feats. This will slow down your spell progression, though, so perhaps this isn't the best idea.

3. Invest in Linguistics. You've got skills, use 'em to pick up all the weird languages that no one else would know but seem to pop up everywhere. It looks like you're already investing in Knowledge skills, which is great. Keep doing that until you've got 1 rank in each, then focus on other stuff for a few levels. Your bardic knowledge will keep increasing those skills without ranks anyhow.

4. Trade out CLW as a spell known for something more useful. As long as CLW is on your spell list (it is), you can use a wand of it without UMD. It does not have to be a spell known, and you only get a very very few of those to choose. A wand of CLW will give you much more healing power than you could ever provide through daily spells and with a spring-loaded wrist sheath is almost as quick in combat as the regular spell.

Grease is a great replacement option, some others include charm person, chord of shards, ear piercing scream, hideous laughter, and especially especially especially silent image. Silent image can be used in innumerable RP situations but also in combat--in a recent 5-9 I played the wizard used it to divert a half dozen fire elemental attacks by appearing to conjure up a host of water elementals.

Liberty's Edge

Male Halfling Beast Rider Lvl 2.1 HP: 22, AC:21 (FF:18, Tch:14), Perception+8, Initiative+3, F+5, R+3, W-1, Luck 3/3
Eclipse:
HP 19, AC 14 (FF 12, Tch 12), F +5, R +5, W +2, Perc +7, Init +2
GMTrex wrote:
Grease is a great replacement option, some others include charm person, chord of shards, ear piercing scream, hideous laughter, and especially especially especially silent image.

Yup, grease has a ton of combat utility and silent image is great for RP if you can be creative and if your GM is as well (I still need to pick up a version of this for my bard). Each bard spell level has a different form of silent image, but picking up the first version is probably the best idea. If my bard wasn't my first character I definitely would have taken it sooner.

I have saving finale as well, but I only took it because it goes well with the lingering performance feat. You might want to replace it with one of GMTREX's; I'm being you will find you use them more often.

You might feel 'late to the game' during battles up until you get to start your performances as a move action.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Grand Lodge

Male Human Oracle of Nature 1 / Bard 1 (arcane duelist) - HP -17/17 - AC 17/T: 15/FF:13 - Perception +4 - F: +3/ R: +0/ W: +3 - CMB: +4 - CMD: 12, Speed: 30, Init. +4

Thanks for the advice, folks. I'm by no means new to Pathfinder, but I've never gotten the hang of bards. I'll tool around with some of this.

Dark Archive

Male Wayang Alchemist (Grenadier) Lvl 2 HP 17, AC: 19 (FF: 15, Tch: 15), Perception + 6, Initiative +6, F+4, R+7, W+0 Bombs 6/day Extracts (Lvl 1) 3/day

Dot


Kingmaker Tactical | Strategic | The Marchlands | Campaign Tracking
Cesare Andistore wrote:
Thanks for the advice, folks. I'm by no means new to Pathfinder, but I've never gotten the hang of bards. I'll tool around with some of this.

Of course! Good luck!

I'm closing down the thread now -- PM me if anybody needs anything!

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