Hello and welcome to my PbP game for 7-04: The Ironbound Schism! I hope you have a blast playing!
Before we start, I would to lay down some ground rules. (In spoiler tags to not take up space. Also, based heavily on GM Kuey’s rather extensive and detailed rules.)
1. This discussion thread is open for all OOC matters, so no ooc tag needed. For OOC matters in the gameplay thread, please use the [ ooc ] tag.
2. Please post at least once a day on weekdays and once over the weekends. If you are going to be away, please let me know in advance if possible, and we can work something out. Otherwise, if you go missing, where necessary, I will bot your characters for the sake of keeping things moving. Thus, a good idea is to leave botting instructions for normal combat (with dice rolls) and some commonly used non-combat skills in your profile page. Separately, please forgive me if I’m a little slow at times, but I will try keeping to the once a day posting myself.
3. If you have any disagreements over some of my GM calls or interpretation of the scenario, please bring it here to the discussion thread or, even better, pm me.
4. If you have played and/or GMed this scenario before, please do not metagame or spoil the plot. And please let me know.
5. It might have to go without saying, but just in case, you should keep track of the game, including referencing the map on google slides. I understand that there are times where it is inconvenient to do so. In these cases, please be as specific as you can as to where you wish your character to move, what actions to take, etc. If you regularly have issues with accessing the google slides, please let me know and we’ll try to work something out. (Incidentally, Android and IOS has a Google Slides app in case you work off mobile devices.)
Combat
6. Once surprise (if any) and initiative is determined, for the group of characters who can take actions, I will resolve actions in posting order, NOT initiative order unless you specifically and clearly state otherwise. It causes massive headaches if we try to follow initiative order. Also as much as possible, I will group enemies together.
Rolls and Skill Checks
7. I will do your initiative rolls, as well as perception rolls for the purpose of determining surprise (if any). It really does help PBP run smoothly.
8. On knowledge checks for general information, I would usually put them in spoilers with the necessary DCs. Just go ahead to roll, and I'll trust that you would resist reading them if the roll fails (or least not to metagame ). (Don’t forget that you can make knowledge checks untrained for DC10.) There might be exceptions for plot-critical information though, where I might explicitly ask for knowledge checks. As for knowledge checks to identify creatures, I’ll put the most basic information in spoiler as well, i.e. identity and creature type. If your roll would reveal more, I’ll provide in the next post. If you wish, you can ask for what information you want, e.g. DR, resistances, special attacks, etc.
9. On skill checks where team efforts can happen, e.g. influencing the attitudes of NPCs with diplomacy or trying to push things with a Strength Check, please be explicit when making rolls whether you are attempting the check on your own, or whether you are aiding. There might be situations where only one character is allowed to attempt the check (and the rest to aid) – I’ll state so if that’s the case.
10. On skill checks in general, if I feel you have roleplayed well, e.g. gave a good description of what your character does to search for a trail, came up with creative ways to befriend a hostile NPC, gave a very rousing speech, I would give bonuses, or even waive the DC altogether. :-)
Roleplaying Matters
11. The maps and handouts link (at the top of the page) would display all the maps, handouts, pictures, etc as the scenario progresses. The most current page would be right on top, while previous ones would be left there for your reference.
12. Please have your full character information up on your character's profile page. Also, please have your stat block updated with the key information. I can readily provide examples or templates if you need, but also feel free to create your own!
13. Finally, playing by pbp provides many advantages compared to face-to-face games, the chief one being having the time and space to flesh out your thoughts and actions. So please make use of this and have posts that are more than simply dice rolls. :-)
After you’ve read, or at least skimmed through the post above, please fill out the information in the google slides above, post any profession rolls here, and go post something in the Gameplay thread!
I'm excited about running this, but this is my first time GMing something in a higher tier, so if I miss something or mess some thing up please feel free to let me know!
Just a bit, I started late last night and am still working on getting things set up. Good to see you're early though!
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I'm at work on my phone right now, so Google Slides is a bit of a pain even with the app. I'll fill out information later.
Fair bit of background, I specifically built Gro-Kahl as a big stupid fighter because that's what I wanted to play. Likes to vital strike with a large weapon a lot. Makes him happy. Makes me happy.
Looking forward to playing with everyone!
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I am embarrassed to admit that Vermin is now busy (got into a module) and I must bring another character. This was not intentional and I fear I simply forgot what character had signed up to play this. I have a few options and am excited to play this adventure with you guys. If ok I'll wait until more check in to see what we have and what we might need.
So far a 9 and a 10 have checked in. Do we know what the other players are bringing?
Edit: From the sign up sheet here is what we have:
Gro Khal -FightBarbBrawl 10
Edwin Towerfall - Pally 7
Loxx - Barbarian/Druid 8 (maybe a good thing I am not bringing my druid)
Shonne - Eldritch Knight -8
Shyvara Emberfury - "Selfish" Bard 8
Seems a little melee heavy and clearly in the 7-8 apl.
So here are my options:
Radient - face type ninja with 1 level of selfish bard - good rogue
Shine Cleric - 7 - not my favorite
Sutoku - Melee Inquisitor 9 - no one lies to Sutoku :)
Turk - Skald 9 - great for melee buffing
Thoughts? I think we need the rogue type even though we have a pally to play face.
Thank-you Skorn for taking the initiative and sorting that out! Turk looks good and he even speaks Giant! That might, or might not, save ya arses! Muahaha!
Shyvara, we've got some time before we start so no worries on the character sheet just yet, but by next Sunday/Monday would be nice, so I have some time to familiarize myself with your 'selfish bard' (which made me laugh the first time I saw it, btw :-) ) Enjoy your game Sunday, but don't be afraid to chek into the Gameplay thread and start introducing yourself.
Shonne, everything looks good, and I don't have any questions, but dang that's a lot of languages! And curses on your high stealth roll, outside of GM fiat I don't think Benarry can conceivably see you... sigh.
Edwin, looking over your character sheet, you still have Sheelah's name written in places, and, after double-checking, it looks like you're playing Sheelah, the paladin pregen, with the serial numbers filed off? I believe that's fine, but I wanted to double check that you understood the rules for applying this chronicle (seeing as he's your -12 I'd assume so.) Also, this is a bit early, but are you applying it to Edwin as a first level chronicle or a seventh level chronicle?
Finally Gro Khal, I like his character quite a bit, sometimes hitting things really hard is nice and cathartic, and I'm curiosu to see how you play to his 5 int. However, I did have one question, how are you using a butchering axe? I thought they were not legal; is it a boon?
Otherwise I think we have one more person to check in and we should have everyone!
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Edwin, looking over your character sheet, you still have Sheelah's name written in places, and, after double-checking, it looks like you're playing Sheelah, the paladin pregen, with the serial numbers filed off? I believe that's fine, but I wanted to double check that you understood the rules for applying this chronicle (seeing as he's your -12 I'd assume so.) Also, this is a bit early, but are you applying it to Edwin as a first level chronicle or a seventh level chronicle?
Yes Edwin is Sheelah because I did not have a free 7th level character. I will apply that to Edwin when he reaches 7th level.
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Shonne, everything looks good, and I don't have any questions, but dang that's a lot of languages!
The irony is that she is my most laconic character. Witness her epic introduction speech. Scroll down if you don't want to read through the build up.
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*Looks around to make sure no one is about.*
Turk gives all of his belongings to Shonne.
Shonne composes a note to the GM about how she will have a beloved grand parent pass away in the near future and needs to attend their funeral in her native Ghina (a nation that has only recently been in the news). Then she uses her Run feat.
Turk runs and hides in the nearest rain barrel.
Sorry, that was... necessary...
HAve fun at your con!
Also, it's late, but Michael, Welcome! No worries on PC choice right now, as long as he or she isn't too high level it shouldn't affect the tier at all.
Also Shonne, Benarry wishes you the best of luck with your grandmother! She hopes you can make the funeral in time and know a good teleportationist if you're really in a rush!
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I've decided to go with my vanara hunter.
Note, I'll be using an alias for this rather than an actual character profile. This character is the result of my lore warden rebuild, but I can no longer change the actual character profile's name. I wasn't really enjoying the lore warden in the first place, so I decided to scrap it and build something new at the same level. So continuity wise, this is not the same character as the old one. The character retired and this one joined the society later in life.
(Note, a rules change rebuild uses the same rules as a level 1 rebuild and it was clarified that you could apply a race boon during a level 1 rebuild even though the boon itself says it has to be the first sheet applied to a character. So it is legal to rebuild into a boon race if you have a boon available.)
Player Name: Michael Hallet
Charcter Name: Tiki
PFS #: 2608-8
Race and Class: Vanara Fighter (Dragoon) 3/Hunter (Primal Companion Hunter) 5
Track: Normal
No Day Job
Ah, okay that explains the alias, Thanks for letting me know!
Also I'm trying to keep all of this information in the slides this time, so feel free to plug it in there as well.
I and I believe that is everyone then!
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So, rage powers: When Turk sings you will all have the choice of accepting rage from him or not, and can make that choice each round. Note that unconscious allies automatically accept the song.
If you accept you gain a +4 morale bonus to Strength and Constitution and a +3 morale bonus on Will saving throws, but also take a –1 penalty to AC. Note that while under the song's effects allies other than the skald cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Ride) or any ability that requires patience or concentration, including spell casting.
Note that you are NOT fatigued at the end of this rage. And if you have your own rage ability you can either accept my rage or use your own rage benefits without using up your rage rounds. You are still not fatigued after the rage BUT you get my rage powers instead of your own.
Rage Powers
Lesser Spirit Totem: Your ancestors rise up to fight with you and attack one creature each round. You choose who they attack and they they can attack creatures up to 15' away from you. The are +10 to hit and do 1d8+4 negative energy damage. Obviously do not attack undead with them. They do not offer or benefit from a flank.
Spirit Totem: You gain a 20% miss chance against any attacks from foes that are not adjacent to you.
Greater Spirit Totem: While raging, the spirits that surround the barbarian become dangerous to any enemy adjacent to the barbarian. Living enemies adjacent to the barbarian at the start of her turn take 1d8 points of negative energy damage.
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Oh! I never gave a Tactics Discussion!
Shyvara is a 'Selfish Bard' in that her Performance only affects herself. Additionally, she has many buff spells, but tends to only use them on herself unless they are AoE.
She can use a wand, and is a pretty effective Martial character, with a little bit of magic to get her to where she needs to be.
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Since we are having that discussion.
Tiki is a mounted charger using both a lance and his companion's powerful charge ability.
Tiki has the reduce animal spell and the change size alternate racial trait so that he can even ride his companion in more cramped conditions.
He's also willing to sunder stuff with his adamantine earthbreaker, even though he does not have improved sunder yet (that's next level).
His rhino has the maneuver(sunder) trick and tusk blades (so his gore does slashing damage) so that he can get in on the sundering action too.
Most of his buffs are for himself and his companion.
Enjoy your vacation! I'll try to keep you alive, and thank you for the rundown of you abilities earlier.
On a different note, would people mind getting a small botting section up in their profiles? It will be very helpful in case I do have to bot someone.
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I’ll try to add that today.
I should be able to post some in the evenings. I am in Canada on a ski trip for those interested. So when not exhausted and when not obligated into social events with the ski club I am with evenings should have some free time. This is good as I have a second trip coming up in a few weeks that I am less sure about my availability. Going to China for 11 days. Part of that time I’ll be on a river boat and I doubt there will be WiFi.
I am currently away from the computer and will be for the next 16-18 hours, so no fights will be starting right away.
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Regarding haste, I'm not sure how this would have potentially changed things, but the setup as it was on the map this morning would not have been accurate.
1. Kiti is large.
2. Tiki would have been riding Kiti.
3. Being a mounted charger, Tiki would have insisted on being in the front of the group to have an open charge lane.
They gray circle on the map is where I think Tiki and Kiti would have started.
Okay, thank-you! I did add people to the map randomly and meant to say something along the lies of 'feel free to move things around as needed'. To be frank, I should have realized Kiti was large (you ride him after all) and that you'd want to be able to charge.
Hrmm, To avoid confusion and problems for next time let's get a marching order established. I've put a table up on slide three, where you can places yourselves where you want to be.
It's my bad. I had an unexpectedly busy few days, and didn't get a post in when I should have. I'll bot Shyvara and Turk then and get things going again.
No worries! Real life, and particularly not freezing, takes priority and there's not too much dependent on you right now. I hope the boiler issue can get resolved fairly quickly as cold water (and a cold house?) is not enjoyable much at this time of year.