Apologies, but the trap is only worth 100xp, not the 150 mentioned in prior post. That means you are at 200/2000 or 10% of the way forward. Sorry for the miscalculation, but parties of 6 don't get the same value as parties of 4.
I am buffing up other encounters to make up the difference (3 zombies at ambush site vs 2 in the text, for instance).
If no one objects, I am willing to take lead. This will allow me to scout the path ahead though it will be slow going for me with the deep snow.
If no one objects, I am willing to take lead. This will allow me to scout the path ahead though it will be slow going for me with the deep snow.
Works for me.
And token placed on map.
Rather than waiting for everyone, I will place Ruso first, Skyne near the rear and plug everyone else in where it makes sense -- Wulfgang and Jack near the front for muscle and Irina near Jack so he can watch over here. Peltra will bring up the rear.
I will move Ruso out ahead a a bit and everyone else climbing up to the best of their ability. I have placed you in random locations climbing the gully for now, will make an update post this evening when I have more time. Until then, you can re-arrange relative positions somewhat as you see fit.
That sounds fine to me.
Those aer some pretty rough results for the party before they even get to act. Let's see if you can dish it out in reply.
Reading back, I believe I failed to mention there is a -4 penalty on ranged attacks also while in the winter pocket due to blowing snow and poor visibility. I did mention the penalty to Perception but failed to add the bit about reduced ranged effectiveness. I will not use the penalty in this fight against the tatzylwyrms, but will use for future combats while in the snowy area.
A minor editorial comment if you'll allow: When I ran this game for my RL group, they struggled through many of these early encounters, complaining about the exposure penalty, the difficult monsters, and the constant challenge. After the sessions, they said it was the most fun they had for a while...I think it's always difficult as a player to be challenged while its happening, but it is also the most rewarding when they are overcome. I realize the wyrms and environment have made this a tough challenge, but who wants a cakewalk?
I will say there were only 3 fatalities in the entire campaign, all in the 3rd book or later. One was a clear sacrifice to save others, one was bad luck, and the other resulted from sheer stupidity.
Hope you aren't too frustrated yet. The dice haven't been very kind to you so far.
After the sessions, they said it was the most fun they had for a while...I think it's always difficult as a player to be challenged while its happening, but it is also the most rewarding when they are overcome.
Completely agree. I think the most fun players have ever had when I GMed was an encounter that had to be fought three times. The first time, three of five characters had to retreat, with the other two left unconscious on the battlefield.
The second time, only one character managed to retreat, and he was down to 1-2 hp. At that point, I went to get dinner and let them plan for 15-20 minutes. They finally managed a victory on the third fight though, and were celebrating that victory for a month afterward.
I hope I'm not the one that dies from sheer stupidity....
I don't mind hard encounters. It makes for the best stories when you barely get past something hard.
So sorry for the lack of posts. I was in a car accident earlier this week. No injuries, but it did mess up my plans.
L'Shana Tova!
Sorry for missing a post yesterday guys. I was traveling for work and got home later than expected and fell right into bed. Should have lots of time this weekend to advance the story if you do.
I will be traveling again next week (Tue-Fri) and likely won't have opportunity to post more than once per day -- and could miss that once or twice depending.
Heavy Snowdrifts - Post-Combat Summary
[u]Defeated[/u]: 2 Tatzylwyrms. Earned 150 xp per player, New total is 400/2000 or 20% to level 2.
[u]Injured[/u]:
Irina - unconscious but stable at -7/9hp
Ruso - unconscious and bleeding; currently at -5/8hp
Jack - at 1/13hp
Peltra - at 1/9hp
Skyne - unconscious but stable at -4/13hp
Wulfgang at 8/12hp
[u]Resources Used[/u]
Jack - fired 2 arrows; 18 remaining[/b] dropped scythe and longbow
Yep, that's where you are. Question is what do you do when you get there.
Since Jack is currently unconscious, I assume he doesn't get a vote... but a warm fire and a few hours rest should bring him around (2 NL damage - which actually probably should have been none due to his cold resistances, but no biggie).
Once revived, though, I think our best bet is to try and rest and find someone in town that might have some curative magic to speed our recovery. If not, anyone with Heal skills could help get us recovering much faster with a night's sleep.
We have some jewelry we should appraise and sell, and see if we can convert that into some scrolls or potions to help us survive the next encounter. And I don't know that they would have anything, but we should check to see if anyone in town has some snowshoes or anything to help with mobility. I think that, more than anything, really hurt us in that encounter.
Heal and rest up here in town. Then we need to have a frank talk with the local church to see what help they truly can provide. We know the town doesn't have more than the few sets of winter clothing that we already purchased. Now I am not sure what the armory might have in it. There is also a set of banded mail and cold iron sling bullets at the smithy that can be had for a price or, once Ruso is back among the conscious, for a five finger discount if we want them.
After that, well I don't know about the rest of you, I am going after the fair lady. We already know that any local guards can't deal with this and if we wait it is only going to get worse for everyone. Let's try to end whatever is causing this before it gets out of hand.
That fight was pretty brutal. Maybe we could talk the priest into loaning us a wand?
Right now, you are stuck at the edge of town. Someone needs to make a gameplay post to get you moving.
Jack, sorry I missed your Cold Resistance...something was nagging me about it, but I spaced it. As such, you can erase the bit about succumbing to the cold and play it off as if "a lesser man might have frozen"...You are conscious, and able to voice your idea for direction.
As for the brutality of the last fight, it was CR 4, which for a group of 6 first level PC's, should've been APL+2, what the PRD calls "hard". Given the terrain restrictions and the surprise attack, it was more than I intended. Typically that encounter has 1 tatzylwyrm, but I was trying to even out the XP awards for a larger group. As I indicated, there may be some unevenness as that gets worked out.
Anyway, I will be giving some breaks on the healing side to try and compensate.
Let's just get something moving again...
Apparently I don't read so good. Skyne doesn't know endure elements yet. Prepping grease and silent image instead.
Apparently I don't read so good. Skyne doesn't know endure elements yet. Prepping grease and silent image instead.
I don't believe either Irina or Wulfgang need the Endure Elements anyway, as they have immunity or similar to normal cold, so it should be fine.
I probably won't be able to post at all tomorrow, and possibly not Tuesday either. Please bot me as necessary.
Pardon my missing a few days here. Should return to normal posting tomorrow (wed).
With Skyne also unavailable, someone should take the lead in either offering the jewelry you have obtained to Theodora or seeing what she might ask/require in lieu of. If you are all done discussing, that is.
It seems we have not seen a post from Peltra or her player in 2 full weeks (last was 9/26). Additionally, there is news in the Flaxseed Lodge that the player has gone missing from several games as both player and GM, leaving some hanging.
As a result I sent the player a PM on Friday (the 6th) asking if was still around and in the game. Knowing that sometimes RL issues happen, I gave him a week to respond (until this Friday the 13th). At this point, I call that unlikely.
I will bot the oracle for now, but how would you like to proceed if he does not appear by Friday? Just drop him at next reasonable spot, recruit another divine caster, or something else?
Your feedback will inform my decision. Thanks!
I'm ok with a smaller group, but having some divine support couldn't hurt. But I guess I am not much help, as I am cool either way.
In general, I prefer smaller groups. We definitely need a healer though. So if we do roll with five, I can switch to a cleric/oracle. Skyne's backstory included him being on leave from work for a few days, so it wouldn't be difficult to move him out of the story.
Hopefully we will hear from Peltra. Even if it just so that we know they are okay.
Divine support is much appreciated given what has happened to us already. I am okay recruiting for a replacement is need be.
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On another note, I am working as the Society organizer at a convention this coming weekend, October 13-15, 2017. I may not be as responsive as I would like to be but will still be able to check in and post for games each day.
I kind of like the idea of Skyne getting re-skinned (or just re-rolled) as a divine caster, which keeps the group at 5 and provides the support.
I told Peltra's player i would give until Friday, so I will honor that, but if you are willing to change out characters, we can make that change when the time comes.
That sounds like a good plan to me. I'm good with the smaller group. I really hope Peltra's player is ok, and life just go busy.
I have to say, using the Silent Image to produce an Obscuring Mist-like effect, is rather brilliant use of the spell. I have seen it used often, but typically to make something that is so unbelievable given the situation that it is hard to understand how anyone would be fooled by it.
But that is a terrific defensive use that can benefit the whole group and is totally believable as a different spell effect. Well done!
I have to say, using the Silent Image to produce an Obscuring Mist-like effect, is rather brilliant use of the spell. I have seen it used often, but typically to make something that is so unbelievable given the situation that it is hard to understand how anyone would be fooled by it.
But that is a terrific defensive use that can benefit the whole group and is totally believable as a different spell effect. Well done!
Thanks :-D
I usually pair it up with message, so that I can tell my allies it's an illusion and give them +4 to their saves, but didn't have enough cantrips yet.
Are we officially down to five now? And if so, when/how will I be switching characters?
I don't have a detailed background yet, but am looking at a soldier or mercenary whose oracle abilities recently manifested. He just left the military and is wandering, both geographically and spiritually, trying to understand his new life.
There has been no response and Friday was my deadline, so I guess we are down to 5. I will have to figure out how to phase new guy in after this encounter and have Peltra and Skyne exit.
Appreciate the willingness to switch out. Mind linking the character sheet when you have a moment?
Mind linking the character sheet when you have a moment?
Finalizing the character now. Will hopefully have it uploaded before I crash for the night.
The character's not complete yet, but almost there. He uses the half-orc alternate racial traits: skilled, shaman's apprentice, sacred tattoo, and city-raised.
In coming up with the name, I got a different (but much richer) character idea. Will probably be changing several things about him now.
Just let us know when he's ready for prime-time. No hurry for now.
Just let us know when he's ready for prime-time. No hurry for now.
Character sheet is finished. Backstory will probably take a week or so to polish, as I'm working 10+ hours everyday this week.
Rough sketch is:
- Trained as a shaman's apprentice
- Ran away when something really bad happened
- Joined a mercenary company
- Got his nickname for marching way past exhaustion multiple times
- The earlier "something really bad" comes back, and causes him to actually die while marching
- Revived, but lame and an oracle now
- Can no longer be a mercenary, because lame
Decorated Trees - Post-Combat Summary
[u]Defeated[/u]: 2 Winter-Touched Sprites. Earned 67 xp per player, New total is 467/2000 or 23% to level 2.
[u]Injured[/u]:
Ruso - 2 Non-Lethal dmg
Skyne - 2 Non-Lethal dmg
Wulfgang - 1 Non-Lethal dmg
[u]Resources Used[/u]
Irina - cast Mage Armor which is in effect for 1 hour.
Peltra - cast Bless which will wear off soon.
Skyne - cast Silent Image which wears off soon
I am going to be out for the next few days recovering from a surgery. I am unsure of the recovery time, but I hope to be back in a few days, a week at the latest. Please feel free to bot me while I am gone.
I am going to be out for the next few days recovering from a surgery. I am unsure of the recovery time, but I hope to be back in a few days, a week at the latest. Please feel free to bot me while I am gone.
No fun at all. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Let us know when you return to duty!
Take care of yourself Jack. I hope your recovery goes well.
Talking Stag - Post-Combat Summary
[u]Defeated[/u]: 1 stag (treat as herd animal, elk) and 1 winter-touched atomie. Combined they are worth 800xp or 133 per player. That raises the total XP to 600/2000 or 30% to level 2.
[u]Injured[/u]:
Ruso - none, still has 2NL on board
Skyne - none; still has 2NL on board
Wulfgang - at 0/12 hp; disabled condition
Everyone else is at full HP
[u]Resources Used[/u]:
Skyne - cast Enlarge Person which wears off soon; used 1 Augment