Palace of the Vampire Queen (Inactive)

Game Master Terquem

How about those of us with 1 handed weapons arm ourselves with torches and we all head for the lift. If we have to fight it out, so be it.

They don't seem to like the light anyway, and if we all ready actions to attack any arms that reach for us, they'll learn fast not to do that.

As it looks right now

There is no surprise round

Rownig would be first to act

Mazrim (who can go on his initiative) would act next, but would have to move to make an attack - if he continues to hold his action for an opportunity to attack one of the creatures as soon as it comes into range (or attacks within reach of his weapon) he will still go on his initiative count of 15, but it would be in response to an attack by one of the creatures on count 14

The creatures will act next

Hallister will act last

Luca has not established an initiative count

The NPC(s) will act at the end of the round

You need a ranged weapon, or a weapon with reach to make an attack against the creatures. For the purpose of range the creatures are in the second square away from you, if they are attacking you (a full five feet of empty space is between your square and the square a creature is in if it is attacking you).

If you are attempting to make a melee attack against a creature on the ceiling you suffer a -2 to hit penalty (situational penalty) until you succeed in an attack (this will represent you getting a feel for attacking in a direction you are not accustomed to).

Terquem its been day now since you called for initiative, you may want to DMPC Luca's initiative roll.

It actually speeds things up a bit if the GM rolls out all the initiative's. That way there is no waiting and it keeps the GM organized with all the rolls on one post.

Heh, sorry, I'll try and be quicker about that.

I don't know that I like the idea of taking that away from a player, the rolling of your own initiative. I know it is slow going here, but it goes with the territory. I am a little disapointed that some of the "facts" I posted above seem to be ignored when players post to the game thread.

I am a little disapointed that some of the "facts" I posted above seem to be ignored when players post to the game thread.

What's been ignored? Am I missing something?

Rownig acts first, he used his ranged weapon and missed.

Luca uses a firebolt when her turn comes up.

Hallister readied action until one gets within range then he takes his action towards at the end of the round.

Mazrim has posted his action, if one gets within range.

If the creatures do not get within range of Hallister, or Maxrim, then they don't have action. Hal doesn't have a ranged weapon and Maxrim only has a reach weapon. Luca and Rownig are the only two PCs that can act with ranged weapons.

With time differences and posting available, it's hard to post in order at times.

Looks like the its the creatures turn.

Perhaps there is confusion on "Ready Actions" but didn't Rownig fire a lit arrow up in the cave prior to initiative? I suppose they could have readied actions then when they were warned?

It is a sublte "whohah" in my opinion (when combat begins, when you can ready an action), but it's all good. I am putting together a post to show the monsters attacks now.

Strike back sounds like Prone Shooter. It's a feat that allows you to do something you can already do. (in other words it's a bad design feature)

I haven't picked up any ranged weapons yet so my options are pretty limited. I'll continue to ready my action against an incoming attack.

I'm having a lot of trouble finding time to post and a lot is happening all at once. I don't want to hold things up. Please NPC me.

Life should calm down within the next few days.

Terquem which map are you referring to? Is it Map 2 looking downward?

Map one, put the shaft on the right side of the map instead of on the left as you showed on the 3d maps

So now we've lost Mazrim?

So now we've lost Mazrim?

Did Mazrim PM you that is dropping the game? Or are you asking if we lost Mazrim?

Wondering out loud where he might have gone off to. Hope he posts soon. I get kind of sad when I am taking over so many characters.

Hoping Mazrim isn't gone.

Regardless, it might be time to drop some of those extra characters in the last town and recruit some more PCs. They can stay behind to guard the town until reinforcements show up.

Sorry, Anniversary weekend. My wife didnt give me much time to check or post.

If the creature is trying to lift her off the ground, can I just attack the arm rather than make a strength check?

I guess I just don't understand why we can't attack these things in melee if they are reaching down at us and grappling our pals.

I don’t understand it either, seriously it doesn’t make sense. From a “Heroic” perspective, there are countless examples of heroes cutting at tentacles that have ensnared their companions, right?

But, we have all these silly rules. And here’s where I have a problem. If the monster is given “Reach” as some kind of advantage, then taking away that advantage by allowing the PC to attack the monster (indirectly through attacking parts of the moinster) seems wrong. I’m okay with that, but it seems counter intuitive. When PCs attack with reach weapons, monsters without reach are at a disadvantage, but they may still attack the weapons of the PCs through Combat Maneuver, Sunder, right? That is why I already said, above, that player characters may attack the monster’s arms at a -1 penalty. This is sort of a compromise. You cannot Sunder an arm (can you?) but not allowing any attack at all isn’t right either.

So attack the arm if that is what you want to do. We’ll get through this.

Rownig - is that post supposed to be your round 4 action, cause it is a little ahead of me. I'm okay with that, just want to be sure.

Correct it my Rd 4 action. In my haste, I thought you took the monster and the npc's actions in the same post. So, I thought we were back at the top of the round. I, also, didn't catch that I failed to put Rd 4 at the top of my post, which I normally place.

Terquem:

Does this map reflect what you have now described? Note that I moved a monster to the side at C15, since I did not know where to place him based on your last description but he is easily moved if you mentioned the location. You previously mentioned 4 monsters. I haloed the monsters for easy visualization.

There is a blue circle around the two characters that are prone, a red cross over the dead monster, and I overlapped one monster in Mazrim's square to reflect it hanging above him. I made the grid a shade of gray for easier reference.

CAVE MAP

The map is nice, and if it adds to player's understanding of what's going on, then it's all good. It doesn't make it any harder for me, not really, but I do worry about those situatuions where the combat encounters might break down into worrisome discussions over what "could" or "could not" happen.

I misplaced Azram, he should be in C7

there is a monster above Mazrim, in D7 and one above Atharessa in C8

A dead monster is in G8

And it will be beter if Moralane was actually in G3 (she's been retreating from the monster trying to attack her for a couple of rounds)

Here is the tidied up map.

CAVE MAP EDITED

Okay Luca is of the correct level now.

Ready for the lower levels

Sorry but sick kid kept me from posting last night. Ill hopefully be able to sit down and read/post tonight if i can get to to sleep.

Sorry to hear about the sick child. Lots of that going around.

Here is list of loot, I have this on my profile too for easy tracking along with the party's funds from the beginning of the adventure.

Dwarf in Mine

large satchel
flask
small coin pouch
small knife (a dagger)
another small pouch, 4 stones (red garnet)
narrow steel key, with a large head that shows the symbol of a goose

Hey, is it important to point out that the large Satchel is held closed by a lock on a small steel chain?

No worries, Mazrim, catch up when you can.

Dwarf in Mine
large satchel with small steel chain, masterwork lock
- 5 copper rods
- 1 gold rod
flask
small coin pouch
small knife (a dagger)
another small pouch, 4 stones (red garnet)
narrow steel key to the masterwork lock, with a large head that shows the symbol of a goose

I'm not sure what we are waiting for. If the player characters want to do something, they can just say they want to do it, or are you all waiting for me because I missed something important?

I think we are waiting on you.

I have developed a mild case of Bronchitis. Taking anti B's and a steroid and I'm supposed to be in bed, but these games mean too much to me, and there are way too much fun, so please be patient with me over the next few days.

Get better soon and don't strain yourself.

I'm not really sure I have everyone interested in this game anymore, but just so you know. I am better, feeling better, and also going on a short Spring Break Vaca

The wife and I are taking our youngest and his wife, they are both college students, aww isn’t that sweet, to Las Vegas for a Spring Break get away, and I will be out of town, and off line, mostly, until Saturday.

I will try to update this game today, but I do not know what the characters want to do next.

We want to dispose of the cursed item. That was our goal.

Have a good trip.

Have fun! Don't get married to a stripper

Definitely still interested. This has been a neat sidequest.

A lot of the weight of the game is on you, since there's so many NPCs and we're at a point where we don't have any idea what might happen next. I can understand how that might become draining. Maybe after we get rid of the cursed stuff, we can assess the best way of injecting some new energy into the game.

Enjoy your vacation. We'll be here when you get back.

Ditto, on all accounts.

I like this game and the pace has picked up a bit which makes it more enjoyable from my POV. As Hallister mentioned quite a bit of the game is GM dependent but you have 4 long term consistent players which is half the PBP battle.

Yeah, i'm with everyone else. We've only had two drop out and that was way back in the beginning. I'm loving the flavour and detail of the campaign so far. So as long as you're still enjoying running the game i'm all for playing it.

Hey guys, I've got a bit of bad news. My computer is having issues and it's going to take some time to sort it out. My posting over the next week or so is going to be stunted since I will only have access at work, and I've got a good bit of stuff to slog through. I'm still committed to the game, but I won't be able to post nearly as much.

That's too bad, and I hope you can get back to us soon. Your contribution has been excellent.

Well I'm back, and I will try to get caught up and get things moving again.

Hey all, I hat to do this, but after some consideration and introspection, I'm going to be reducing the number of games I'm in on the forums. I have a lot of things I want to do, and unfortunately, Pathfinder found itself down at the bottom of the list when I got them sorted. I've had fun, but I'm dropping this game. I'm sorry to do this, and I hope that you guys have fun.

Thank you for playing with me, good luck in the future.

Good luck

Sad face.

Sorry to see you go.

OOC - this would be a good time for some GM assistance. I understand what Hal want so do and Rownig will follow but I'm not sure that is the direction the GM wants us to go in. Trudging back to town with a cursed item.

Okay, here is where I am, right now.

The party isn't even close to actually finding the "Palace of the Vampire Queen", and that is mostly my fault.

Hallister's player is certainly getting into the setting

We've lost a couple of players

There are too many NPCs (and the idea I had that Players might take responsibility for the actions of some of the NPCs has not been received well, not a complaint, I understand that Players want to play the game the way they want to play, and I won’t force anything on anyone, but...)

So, if everyone agrees (or has a different opinion please share it) I would like to suggest the following

We handwavium the journey back to the capital

We roll play a short exchange with the people Hallister wants to find
These people tell you where to find the Palace of the Vampire Queen, and what is expected of you when you find it

We try, maybe, to recruit a new player to play a Cleric (I don’t mind being NPC “Muscle”, or minor support, the Ranger and Bard, but a Cleric could really shine in this adventure and I think that should be a Player Character)

And we handvavium the journey to the “Dungeon” and get into it as quickly as we can

What do you think?

Sounds fine to me.

In PBP games, the art of keeping a story moving often relates to good use of "editing".