Inner Sea Sandbox: Suspicious Minds

Game Master Garden Tool

A sandbox-style Inner Sea campaign featuring a suspiciously-non-good-aligned party of five antiheroes.

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Male Pale Master

Got the PDF and bought the other 3. Reading now and I must say, wow!

You want us to email a review to Abandoned Arts? Or post it in the discussion threads?


Male Pale Master

and how much of a review are you looking for?


Male HP:9/17, AC15/To11/FF14, F4/R2/W9 Half-elf (Half Garundi) Diviner 2/Cleric of Nethys 1

Took a look at the Wizard book on my break, it looks great! Didn't see any balance issues in my once-over, review coming later tonight.


Male HP:9/17, AC15/To11/FF14, F4/R2/W9 Half-elf (Half Garundi) Diviner 2/Cleric of Nethys 1

Is my Mage Armor still active? Has it been 2 hours since the fight in the inn?

Dark Archive

Write up a review on the Reviews page, yeah. More reviews = more buzz = more awareness for Abandoned Arts. Whatever you'd like to say; doesn't need to be as lengthy as the existing reviews are.

Mage armor would still be active - it hasn't been two hours; you've probably got another 30 minutes.


Male Human Gunslinger (Mysterious Stranger) 3

Hey, with the 4th of July tomorrow, I might be spotty with my posting for the next day or 2. Just an FYI if you need to run me while I'm gone.


Male Human Gunslinger (Mysterious Stranger) 3

Also, I would try to help Kamlann but with those damage potentials, I'd probably just end up on the ground next to him.

Plus, I'm a pirate...

Liberty's Edge

Human (Minkai) Samurai (sword saint) 7 (Order of the Warrior)

If Kamlann dies, I'm giving your PDFs 1-star reviews. ;)

Dark Archive

ಠ_ಠ

Dark Archive

Okay then! Let's have a talk about character death.

First, (as you know) I'm a "RAW is RAW, rules are rules" kind of GM. Syndir is dead because the dice and the numbers said he's dead. So... he's dead.

Second, holy balls! Did you see those d10 damage rolls? 9, 9, 8, 8. I almost feel bad. Almost. Given Dendragon's high damage mods, I expected people to drop. I didn't expect to roll damage like a god. If I'd been a few feet closer, Point-Blank Shot would've killed Kamlann, too. These things happen, though. If you're concerned about the EL of the encounter, read the spoiler below.

Spoiler:
Despite all appearances, Dendragon is CR-appropriate. This is a "challenging" category encounter, and you've only had one other combat encoutner today. It's just that favored enemy + Weapon Specialization + fighter bonuses + enhancement bonus + Point-Blank Shot = a lot of damage. It could be worse - he could be using a composite bow, instead. Fighter/ranger is rough, when you're his favored enemy. The surprise round made a big difference, too.

Third - and most importantly - I'd like to talk about what to do about a dead PC. On the one hand, rules are rules. On the other hand, rules are rules, and one of the rules is "death is reversable." Sometimes, a PC should stay dead. The players should fear the possibility of death, because the characters sure would.

I do not believe that this is not one of those times. I have plans for Syndir, and I don't believe his death helps the campaign. It leaves things unresolved, and it's a bit too early to be leaving dangling plot threads that can only be revisited with high-level spell access, many character levels away. Additionally, a lot of the party cohesion we've built up revolves around Syndir (and Farid, to a degree). Lastly, I'd rather Syndir didn't die so early to a "Seamus villain."

So! I'd like to put some MINOR spoilers on the table, here. Remember the encounter with the sandman sorcerer? That someone would send a sandman (as opposed to a more lethal conjured enemy) for Syndir and Farid suggests that someone might want one or both of them alive. That the sandman carried a failsafe in the form of a curse that would make Syndir easier to catch or caputre further suggests the same.

If someone resourceful (and powerful enough to access mid-level divination and conjuration effects) wants Syndir alive, then there may be an avenue for Syndir's ressurection. If Stiehl9 is willing, I'd like to introduce a plot hook in the very near future that will make possible Syndir's return. That is not to say that his death will not have consequences... but this isn't a shoehorned solution, as you can see. There is someone out there who wants Syndir alive. Spells that return the dead to life are a part of the game for a reason. If we go this route, I think I can actually use Syndir's death to advance the plot.

Thoughts? Stiehl9? Everyone else?


Male Human (Keleshite) Barbarian 1 / Rogue 3 | HP 35 | AC 15 | FF 13, T 12 | F+7 R +4 W+2 | Init +5 | Per +4 | CMD 16 | Speed 40'

Farid would like to see his friend alive, Farid is even MORE annoyed with the Pirate now to be sure...


Male Pale Master

Thanks Farid! I second the notion that I dont want Syndir dead. Mostly because this is perhaps my favorite character that Ive made, secondly because the group has a highly interesting dynamic, thirdly because this campaign has alot of potential. ok brown nosing over even if it was genuine ^_^
And lastly, geez! Poor Syndir the whipping boy. Haha! He's been cursed and killed just a couple of hours into game time! Coupled with our horrendous rolls against the sandman its been epic bad luck thus far...definitely a black cloud hanging over these fellas.
So in closing. Im certainly down for a plot hook to return.

Dark Archive

I thought Kamlann was the whipping boy. That guy has eaten more floor than a swarm of termites.


Male HP:9/17, AC15/To11/FF14, F4/R2/W9 Half-elf (Half Garundi) Diviner 2/Cleric of Nethys 1

Yikes! 2 rounds of firing, two of us down. He must be at least level 6 too, since he has 3 attacks. This is gonna be painful.

Dark Archive

A solid guess since a level six NPC = an EL of 5 = "challenging" encounter for a group of 5 third-level characters.

I think it's Seamus' turn over in the gameplay thread, but given the current state of things and the fact that I'll probably be too busy to post tomorrow, I figure we'll wait for him. Wish I could see his face as he catches up.

By the way! Stiehl9 and FireclawDrake: what did you think of the Class Acts products?

Dark Archive

Hah. Just caught a funny typo in my "what to do about PC death" post, up there. When I said "I do not believe that this is not one of those times," what I meant to say was "I do not believe this is one of those times."

Otherwise, that'd mean I want Syndir to stay dead. : P


Male Human Gunslinger (Mysterious Stranger) 3

Um wow. My face is certainly one of shock right now. It looks like I'm becoming the unofficial bad guy of the party lol. My next post will certainly be interesting.

Dark Archive

Seamus, did you receive a copy of your PDF, by the way?


Male Human Gunslinger (Mysterious Stranger) 3

Yep. Been super busy, haven't had time to write the review yet but I like the book.


Male Pale Master

Yah sorry for the delay Garden Tool. I just finished my review of Class Acts: Fighters and I didnt let the fact that Syndir is lying dead sway me ^_^

Im hoping to get at least one more done tonight and plan on reviewing all of them for you.

Liberty's Edge

Human (Minkai) Samurai (sword saint) 7 (Order of the Warrior)
Garden Tool wrote:
I thought Kamlann was the whipping boy. That guy has eaten more floor than a swarm of termites.

Floor tastes better than coffin. ;) However, the encounter ain't over yet, and frankly, we're still in pretty deep **** - so perhaps the discussion of what to do after Syndir's death should wait until we know whether the rest of us will be around for it to matter...

Dark Archive

Hey, folks. Sorry for my lack of activity on Friday - turned out to be a bit of an impromptu "personal day" for me. All is well, though.


Male Pale Master

@ Garden Tool - I got a review of Class acts: Rogues done for you.

Man! Really impresssive work. If you other guys havent gotten to it yet dont wait any longer. Now to sink my teeth into the Wizards...

Dark Archive

Really glad you're enjoying the PDFs, Stiehl9s. We take the quality of our content very seriously. We've got new Barbarian and Witch Class Acts products up for sale, as of yesterday. As cool as the two new barbarian totems we printed are, the witch product is by far the coolest, I think. Of course, I probably just think so because it was the most fun product to write, to-date.

Both products could stand to be reviewed, too! If you'd like a copy of either product in exchange for an honest, unbiased review, I'd be happy to extend (to any of you) the same "one PDF for one review" offer. At this point, I'm happy for any avenue with which to promote product awareness. Even a bad review would me an excuse to bump a thread and talk about my product.

Jonasty and FireclawDrake: what did you guys honestly think of the PDFs you received? At this stage in the game, feedback is hard to come by (family, friends and business partners make terrible focus groups - they love everything).


Male Pale Master

Right on! Id be interested in Barbarian for sure. Ive never really looked at the witch class in general.

be assured though that both of my reviews so far are unbiased by my participation in this game...even if I dont make it back. You cant beat the price (you could easily get $2 or more I think).

Dark Archive

I'll ask Liz to hook you up with a copy of Class Acts: Barbarians right away then, Stiehl9s. I'm glad you're interested in that product, actually. A very tough reviewer by the name of Feral gave that particular product two stars (the highest rating he's ever given anything, to be fair) based on a review which assumed that the power level of a rage power must be equal to the power level of a feat. That product, therefore, could stand a few more reviews (either to cement some apparent problem with the product that I ought to review and consider, or to bump the rating of an otherwise high-quality item).

I actually think Class Acts: Barbarians turned out great, so I'll be interested to hear what you think. Personally, I was more worried about the Wizards product and the astonishingly high-rated, five-star Rogues product. Let me know what you think of the arcane discoveries when you're finished. (Or just write a review.)


Male Pale Master

Sweet deal! I just got to browse Wizards last night and wont get to really look at it until Thursday. Then I'll go for Barbarians and Clerics.

Dark Archive

Hey, I just realized that Jelani hasn't said a peep in five days. FireclawDrake, are you still with us?


Male Human Gunslinger (Mysterious Stranger) 3

Finally got my review up for the Rogues book. Thanks again for the opportunity. I'd be happy to check out the Barbarian or Witch book next for a review, if you're interested.

Dark Archive

Thanks for your review, Jo. I'll have Liz set you up with a copy of the as-of-yet-unreviewed Class Acts: Witches PDF.


Sorry, this week is kinda pwning me. I am still around. I've starting working out again and it's wiping me out but I'm trying to stick with it. Anyway. Sorry for the absence. Still around.

Dark Archive

I assumed you were - just hoped you weren't ill or anything. What did you think of the Wizards PDF?

[Inigo Montoya] I must know. [/Inigo Montoya]


I found it great, actually. Some of the discoveries are hit-and-miss (One such which has been pointed out by other reviewers: Arcane Signet), but this is the case even with Paizo material, so that's fine with me. Fortunately, you guys seem to be erring on the side of underpowered rather than the opposite, which I believe makes your products much more appealing and usable. My main fear with 3rd party stuff is horrific terrible combinations which break games.

Once I have the time, I will post my promised review (being away for 5 days from the boards means I have alot to catch up on.


I am saddened that my wizard will be unable to use some of the higher level requirement ones though. For example, Jelani would LOVE to take Wizened (+2 Wisdom but requires 9th Level Wizard). Such is the price of multiclassing.

Dark Archive

My first goal is to produce something which is truly compatible (not just in name, but in practice) with Paizo's content. That means no game-breakers. My second design goal is to produce content which is cool (interesting from both mechanical and role-playing perspectives). My third design goal is to produce mechanically-desirable, mechanically-viable options.

Those are my goals, and in that order. If I produce a feat, spell, or class feature which is both truly compatible and mechanically-and-nonmechanically-interesting, I don't mind if it's only situationally useful. I'd rather it screamed "pick me!" instead, of course, and I'll meet all three goals whenever I can.


Male HP:9/17, AC15/To11/FF14, F4/R2/W9 Half-elf (Half Garundi) Diviner 2/Cleric of Nethys 1

Jelani would like to end his delay now, but I'm in no position to post at the moment.

Dark Archive

Seamus is up, but are we ready to drop initiative?


Male Human Gunslinger (Mysterious Stranger) 3

I've already made my intentions known, I'm just waiting to see what the others do. If you need me to post again I can but I'm all set on Init.

Dark Archive

Well, you just got shot (by a crossbow bolt with a rolled-up letter stuck to it), and it's otherwise your turn.

Dark Archive

Male Human Magus 3

I'm just posting to note I'm still here and watching.

Dark Archive

Stiehl9s, I'll be getting Syndir on his feet sooner than you think. Stay tuned.

Also: @ Everyone - You were obviously defeated by the Dendragon encounter, but did I ever award ad-hoc XP for the non-combat Dockside Inn sequences?


Male Human (Keleshite) Barbarian 1 / Rogue 3 | HP 35 | AC 15 | FF 13, T 12 | F+7 R +4 W+2 | Init +5 | Per +4 | CMD 16 | Speed 40'

No, you granted XP for the sequence against the foe in the Inn thus far.

Dark Archive

Everyone may add 160 xp for the Dockside Inn/Gann and city sequences.


Male Pale Master

Im still around Garden Tool! and waiting patiently as only the dead can do.

I know I still owe you some reviews also. Sunday or early next week for sure.

Dark Archive

Sounds good. : )

Dark Archive

Just a quick heads-up: I'm feeling under the weather today, and won't be at work or posting here. See you all on Monday, though.

Dark Archive

Fireclaw doesn't seem to have posted (here or anywhere else) in some time. Has anyone heard from him?


Male Pale Master

nope. sure havent.


Male Human (Keleshite) Barbarian 1 / Rogue 3 | HP 35 | AC 15 | FF 13, T 12 | F+7 R +4 W+2 | Init +5 | Per +4 | CMD 16 | Speed 40'

nope.

Dark Archive

A quick update: I've sent FireclawDrake a quick PM just to see if he's still around. I hate to have to replace him; I hope everything's ok on his end. If I don't hear back from him in 24 hours, we'll write Jelani out and hit the Recruitment thread to pick up a new 5th.

Everyone else still on board and interested? I sure am.

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