A couple of quick things about the prisoners.
Compared to table play PbP seems to me more impersonal because it's asynchronous and distributed. Players themselves have relatively little connection, which makes player interactions more important. There isn't much else to build a sense of connection, or what have you, between people in the campaign.
That being said, I've found a certain amount of tension or minor conflict within PbP parties to be beneficial because it gives everyone a little more to work with when interacting. Of course too much, or too much intensity, is not good, and players do need to trust each other enough to know that IC interactions are not OOC interactions. I think a certain degree of friction between Emileva and Kayleigh on certain subjects gives them a better dynamic in the long run. Kayleigh won't find anyone more supportive in caring for the orphans. That shared mutual interest is actually where their conflict comes from as well.
Her killing the gnome was also a bit of a "tell" (if you're familiar with poker). It was more of a "what could be" rather than a "what is" revelation. So don't expect such things from her to be the norm, at this time. I do know a couple of broad brush things about COTCT from references to it in other APs. I'm planning something longer term for Emi with respect to those things. This goes all the way back to her background and the initial character concept.
Tassira herself is probably in for a bit of a wake-up call when she sees just how ingrained shiver is in the city...
It's my turn to officially say...
"Happy New Year!"
Kayleigh will stay behind to watch the Lambs. Since I'm unable to post tomorrow, that works out.
As for conflict in-game, I totally agree with Emileva. Kayleigh's more of a social worker than adventurer at this point, annoyingly goody-two-shoed. I'm hoping she'll grow more capable throughout the AP, perhaps with the help of the other PCs.
I think we should vote about staying or going there right away. I'll vote for going right away even though mechanically it would probably be better to level up first.
I'm distracted with a three day business meeting that I run once a quarter and my time to game is a bit limited. If I make it back to the hotel tonight in some kind of non-inebriated state I'll try to get a post in if it seems appropriate. In the past I've found playing drunk is ok, but DMing drunk, not so much :P
I'm distracted with a three day business meeting that I run once a quarter and my time to game is a bit limited. If I make it back to the hotel tonight in some kind of non-inebriated state I'll try to get a post in if it seems appropriate. In the past I've found playing drunk is ok, but DMing drunk, not so much :P
Don't drink & DM.
Your PCs will either become gods or end up buried under tons of rocks.
I believe in you! How could we possibly end up buried under tons of rocks when the omen is an avalanche? Seriously though, if you want to and feel up for it, I think it's fine to do it. But if you don't think it's a good idea, just wait. We'll be here for you when you come back.
I thought Tassira meant to go to the temple, not to go out to get food?
That's what I meant as well, but I'm comfortable either way.
Ah, okay. I thought you were meaning to go along. But Nebbin and I can go just fine.
Because nothing bad ever happens when you split the party! :p
Because nothing bad ever happens when you split the party! :p
But it worked so well when we raided the fishery! We're experts now!
Ah, okay. I thought you were meaning to go along. But Nebbin and I can go just fine.
I think the idea was to skip the shopping trip altogether and just set out for the temple of Aroden at once.
The Temple of Aroden is Kayleigh's (and Kevlin's) ultimate destination. Whether we proceed there immediately or wait for a safer time to do so is up to you guys (she sees equal merit and dangers in the two choices).
Ugh, this is getting too complicated. Let's just skip it and go then.
My meta objections are as follows.
We level when we rest. Seems hugely valuable since we are given the option of putting off encounters until after we level.
If we are anywhere near sundown keeping a pack of npcs together in an uncertain situation in the dark is unnecessarily difficult. We are also almost completely without low light or dark vision so we're far more blind than we need be. (I guess this isn't even a meta objection)
I hate the meta objection (no offense). Our characters know nothing about leveling, so that shouldn't factor into their decisions.
The second part is a perfectly valid objection and I think we certainly could, would and should all stay inside if it's getting dark outside.
Oh, I totally agree with the meta objection. I even mentioned it above. I'm much more conflicted than Nebbin in that I had to fight myself to come to the same conclusion as him. Namely that it makes more sense for our characters to head there right away if it's not getting dark.
"Never split the group" is pretty meta as well :)
Like I said, I've given several reasons why it makes more sense to spend the night. I haven't seen any reasons why it makes more sense to leave. But it seems sentiment is with leaving so let's do it. It's not worth debating any more.
Never split the group is meta, but it also really helps easy of play most of the time, especially in an often slow-moving format like PBP.
Still, maybe DM Luke will tell us it's about to be dark when he gets some time and all this discussion will be moot. :)
Well there are two reasons that it makes sense to leave at once.
a) It'll get the kids to their new caretakers/home quicker. This'll cause us less trouble and get them quicker acquainted and we won't have to provide food etc for them.
b) Events might blow up soon and prevent us from getting to the temple of Aroden at all if we wait around.
True, if it's mid-day it doesn't make much difference. Whether tomorrow will see the streets even more crowded with torch wielding mobs than it is now is just guesswork :)
Ok, I've considered the risks and have decided I can live with gods.
I figure it to be late afternoon at this point. The distance between Zellara's and the Temple at the southern edge of Old Korvosa can be easily covered before nightfall as long as you don't go out of your way to pick fights, which is clearly not your intention.
I'm sure I'll miss posting tomorrow as we have to wrap this work thing up and then make the two-to-three hour drive home afterwards. Thank the gods this thing only happens once a quarter!
I guess this means the whole gang's heading to the Temple of Aroden, yes? Since Kayleigh knows where it's located, she can lead the way.
Yeah, that's the idea I believe. Are we just auto-traveling or are we actually walking the distance?
Off to the temple!
Damn what a week! Thanks for sticking with me folks. About once a quarter my life goes sideways with work. I should be back to my regular nightly post at minimum again.
I'll also soon be back to normal posting. Looking forward to it, as I think we have some good characters here.
Do you have a team you like, or just a general fan?
Well...this is going to get me hated. I'm a big Patriots fan but watch as many other games as possible.
Not by me, it won't. I'm a huge Pats fan (grew up in New Hampshire)!
I'm a Gator first, Dolphin second. No hate here - though Steelers are not very popular in my house right now. Bud Dupree in particular is welcome to take a long walk off a short pier.
It's all Gator Basketball for me now until MLS/USL kicks off. I'll watch the playoffs, but I no longer have a horse in the race.
@DM Luke: Any chance Kayleigh's 26 result on her Knowledge (local) check re: the "Peddler of Lies" play reveals additional info...such as the author of the play and/or the names of the actors who played the part of the priest-killers in the past?
Once Kayleigh's done being a cleaning lady, she'll be looking for some justice...perhaps even some Emilevan-style justice. ;)
Do have a loot list somewhere. I guess I should decide on a familiar as well...
Characters who do not get a full night's sleep may suffer the effects of fatigue. If a PC does not get at least 6 hours of sleep, she must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or be fatigued and take a –1 penalty on all other checks and saving throws against sleep effects. A second night without sleep requires another DC 15 Fortitude save. A failed save results in the character becoming exhausted and the penalties increasing to –2. A third failed save on the next night increases the penalties to –3.
Actually starting up all night is an awesome combo with restorative touch.
Quick Note: I'll be out of touch for 2 days (Sunday (as usual) and Monday because of the MLK holiday); the GM may bot my character as needed.
@Neziana: Where'd you find the rule about lack of sleep? I did a quick Google search yesterday and found a thread on these forums wherein James Jacobs mentioned if your PC didn't sleep he'd suffer fatigue. Has the rule been made official in another sourcebook since then?
I've never seen that rule anywhere either.
I feel like it's an obvious one to put in (I've used it basically as a house rule) but as far as I know there's nothing in the rules that indicates a way to become fatigued naturally through lack of sleep. (I assumed it was an oversight somewhere and something like Neziana's quoted material is how I'd handle it.)
It's from Pathfinder Adventure Path #44: Trial of the Beast. It's also listed on the d20fsrd. It feels like something that should have been in the CRB though.
I updated Neziana to level 2. I'm having trouble figuring out what spells to prepare though, that's always difficult as a prepared caster... Do I want more crowd control to help Tassira with the job? Do I want scouting/skill stuff like Blend/Heightened Awareness to make Neziana better at scouting or do I want blasting? Maybe something else entirely?
Well, I checked all the places in Core where I thought that sleepless rule would appear and cannot find it. That is the way we've played in the past at my table as well. I also can't find any statement of when clerics of Milani pray for their spells - but given her focus on Hope I'd guess dawn is the right time. Gonna defer to her only priestess on that though...
On the 'Peddler of Lies' question, the show is an original of Exemplary Execrables. One of many such macabre snuff shows that this particular playhouse specializes in. The rabble eats these kind of shows up, but the mummers who work for the place aren't held in any particular regard. Indeed, it's rare to see any of them stick around for very long, leading many to wonder what's real and what's not. This is actually part of the draw of the place. No one is surprised or asks any questions when the player playing the victim disappears. It's part of the 'charm' and mystery of the show.
As to the playwright, Pilts (the chap who runs the loathsome place) has a stable of unknown writers. For all you know, it may even be something from his own hand. While the farce itself is celebrated, Pilts makes sure that all credit for the production comes back to the playhouse, and the playhouse alone.
On the loot list question, I created a list here and also have that link in my summary line, but it hasn't really been used much. You guys are welcome to use it if you want. If you have any trouble adding items to the list or want a different format for it, just let me know and I'll edit that.
I also can't find any statement of when clerics of Milani pray for their spells - but given her focus on Hope I'd guess dawn is the right time. Gonna defer to her only priestess on that though...
Dawn was what I was thinking as well. Thanks for the extra info on "Peddler of Lies."
I'll check in again later today. Kayleigh's first order of business is to ask Garlan about the attack (Who? When? Why?) and go from there.
@DM Luke:...perhaps even some Emilevan-style justice. ;)
Haha, a descriptor coined after my character, this is a first!
Also I must say Luke, the campaign site is really fantastic!
Thanks! I consider that very high praise coming from a UX guy!
So Nebbin just killed the guy right in the middle of the crowd? :O
That post made me laugh so hard my wife had to come check on me. Thank Aroden I wasn't drinking anything. I'll post a reaction after work tonight.
Hey, he might just be unconscious!
Omg. It's so much better to get a hint that he's diseased rather than being asked to roll a knowledge check and\or fort save. I love your style. Kayleigh got a fairly decent fortitude save so hopefully she makes it. Only problem is if there are any situational modifiers\rerolls etc she can apply that you are overlooking, but I don't think that applies here.
I finally decided to prepare silent image, colour spray, sucking grasp, prestidigitation, message and avid splash for the day. I find that is always nice to state it in the thread for everyone to read, rather than just fix it on the sheet.
I finally decided to prepare...sucking grasp....
I'm shocked you'd choose such a spell. ;)
Also, a metagamey note, mainly to Nebbin: Kayleigh's Restorative Touch ability could be a godsend for him, curing his fatigue after each use of Rage...provided I remember or you remind me to use it!
Thank you Neziana. Honestly the advice you all gave me on liberally using DM rolls has helped me find a new groove of sorts.
Neziana has the right of it - I rolled Kayleigh's knowledge and fortitude save already, so Kayleigh can disregard those crappy rolls she made in the game thread. Of course... that doesn't mean mine were any better. Time will tell. :)
This is looking worse and worse to me (and Kayleigh, for that matter). Remember: the priest Amistan got his head caved in with a sledge hammer. I'd hate for us to go up against that fellow just wielding daggers or the like.