European here, so mine is CET (Central Europe Time - GMT +1)
On another note - I hope it is OK to discuss possible tactics here in OoC. Ruby, what spells do you have prepared, anything which could help us/Victor remain silent while approaching the tower?
Although, sound of running water was mentioned, maybe that could cover our armor clanking, at least for some tIme?
First thought was to wait the night, but seems these things are bestial, probably they have some darkvision or something, ulike me :-( Could even be that they are night-oriented creatures, sleeping by day...or could be not. Sorry, just making assumptions here, no real knowledge. Your thoughts?
I'm thinking going by day would probably be best as most of the party doesn't have dark vision and the rats are more likely to, but like Porter that's just a guess.
As for a diversion....what do we have that's loud and distracting..hmm..(looks at Ruby's and Porter's guns), what's the effective range on those things? Is 175ft too much? (my estimation from us to the top of the tower)
The pathfinder guns are early medieval so not good on range, mines around 60' but low damage, but if we take pot shots (not that good a shot) they will hear us.
Proposed Idea: Porter moves to the edge of the our woods opposite where the creek is and takes a couple of shots. While the rest of the party sneaks near the creek and moves to the tower, once we get there we engage the rats, causing a big ruckus so any of the rats in higher levels will be distracted so Porter can run to us and back us up.
150ft in daylight... that's a long run.
So once in the wood at the base of the tower, what do we do? Try to get in with everyone in the tower alarmed? Perhaps we should try an actual stealthy approach, without guns.
Let us see - I'm guessing that distance from my potential shooting place to the guards on top would be approximately 150-200 feet. I could extend my musket range from 40 to 50 feet through the use of one of my deeds, but still that would put me at -6 to hit (3 range increments), my BAB is +6, so I'd be at 0 actually, but the problem is that I would not be shooting vs. their touch AC, but full AC, so TBH taking potshots from this edge of the woods does not sound like the best option.
OTOH, 150 feet, you could run in 2 rounds. 4 times your basic movement (Ruby, how much you move on the dog?), or 3x if you're in heavy armor (and not a dwarf). A bit of an issue is that you don't have DEX AC while running, so you're easier to hit.
TBH I would still like to explore any kind of "stealth" approach option, especially during the day. Porter's "gut feeling" would be that since this are ratfolk, that they are night-oriented creatures, but as said before, Porter could be dead wrong onto that.
Neerwyn, anything more we can get from your "familiar/bird", or any of your spells maybe?
maybe,there's a small chance but we could try it but it depends on if Tiff (my thrush familiar) would stand out much if she'd approach the tower. I don't want her to get shot by arrows or guns.
@GM: Are there any birds to be seen? Especially near the tower and its forest?
I guess it is "science-fiction" for me to assume that you could deliver some simple spells like Unseen servant through the familiar...?
EDIT: Reviewed Witch class a bit, and just found that you may deliver touch spells through familiar, but starting from level 3 :-( Too bad, a properly worded Charm person could just deliver us the "diversion" we need...
So, it's back to the "drawing board" (I feel like Wile E. Coyote right now), trying to find either a different means of diversion, or a more stealthy avenue of approach. Let's wait for GM's answer to see if that stream is moving to/from the direction we need. OK, we know he is moving TO the tower, so it is for sure that it is moving to direction we need, what I don't know if this stream is passing anywhere near us, and if we could use it to cover our approach?
I can cast spells with target personal on my familiar. So I could cast Detect Magic on her and have her fly to a point that would just capture the tower in the range of the spell (60ft iirc). But that's just Detect Magic, small chance that will help us. Will try it anyway if Tiff's not the only bird flying around.
maybe,there's a small chance but we could try it but it depends on if Tiff (my thrush familiar) would stand out much if she'd approach the tower. I don't want her to get shot by arrows or guns.
@GM: Are there any birds to be seen? Especially near the tower and its forest?
There are indeed birds so your familiar would go unnoticed. As well, the running water is loud enough to cover sounds of armor.
From between what the GM told us here and in game-thread, it is my opinion that we could, and should, try to sneak up on them using water as cover (with Ruby and me being extra careful not to allow our gunpowder to get wet).
Once there (as close as possible, best would be in point-blank range, but anything at or bellow 50' range is fine, if possible) we use the element of surprise and try to take down those manning the tower.
I am assuming (GM please tell me if I am wrong) that there is one door/exit from the tower, facing us, could we trap that or put grease, entangle or anything similar in that area?
I'm thinking of splitting targets between Ruby and me, with Victor and Neerwyn supporting us with follow up shots using sling and x-bow (would be awfully nice to take both of them in the same round).
If we have surprise, they will be flat-footed (so no DEX AC for them), plus if we are close enough (doubt it, but still possible) Ruby and I would target their Touch AC, making our job even easier. What say you?
I hope Ruby does not mind me answering on behalf of him, I do this only because of speed-issues (if GM is waiting for a response, prior to his post).
I am pretty certain that eng roll mentioned in game thread is actually Knowledge Engineering (Ruby have a +7 in that skill listed, and it's the one that could make sense). Once again, sorry if I am sounding like a "devil's advocate" here :-)
I hope Ruby does not mind me answering on behalf of him, I do this only because of speed-issues (if GM is waiting for a response, prior to his post).
I am pretty certain that eng roll mentioned in game thread is actually Knowledge Engineering (Ruby have a +7 in that skill listed, and it's the one that could make sense). Once again, sorry if I am sounding like a "devil's advocate" here :-)
M Elf Rogue lvl 1/ Hp-8/8 / AC - 16 / Fort - 0/ Ref - 7 / Will - 1 / Initiative - 4
Ok, now I'm done, however I am not sure if Craft Trap is a skill or not, but if it isn't, then I will gladly switch it out for a Use magic device skill. You can't very well prank if you don't know a trap.
Hey Vardyr, glad to have you on board. Let's wait for the GM to return from the concert, and we'll see what he decides. I sure would like to see you in the group with us (somehow ratfolk and traps go together in Porter's mind), but let us see what the GM will say.
M Elf Rogue lvl 1/ Hp-8/8 / AC - 16 / Fort - 0/ Ref - 7 / Will - 1 / Initiative - 4
The characters in this campaign are pretty cool so far, I think^^. Everyone has some sort of interesting past. On top of that we all seem very combat oriented:P
So, am I to assume that Porter, and maybe even Neerwyn crossed the water safely (by using Take 10), and we are now with the others? Or am I "jumping the gun" here...?
This part is to speed things along, i'm doing these things in the background while everyone does their thing
Then heads to the ladder to check for traps or incongruities
Perception1d20+7
Starts to panic reaching for his eyes
Hey guys... I think...I think... I'm blind...
Don't worry you're not blind, just unperceptive. No traps spotted
I've always played it to where when you roll a one on your perception, you are actually holding your eyes closed during the check:P
What are your rules on dosage for poison? When a vial of Drow poison cost 75 gold without alchemy and blowgun darts come in packs of ten. I could easily imagine coating 3-5 shots with one vial. If not more. That being if I slathered it on there really nice and wet.
Victor O'rzet
