GM Hmm: It was great to see you again at Gen Con this year!! One of these times, we are going to have to sync a schedule that will allow us to sit down and actually have a conversation!! ~Patrick
Fazgyn follows along the others, tolerating the jabbering softscale but enjoying the effects he has on some of the other members of the party. As they reach the troll, he first grabs for his sword, then giggles at the "joke" on James, before reeling backwards in disgust and revulsion as she cuts her stomach.
At the office of the Duskwardens, he finally breaks his silence.
Fazgyn jumps back as the great and mighty (mysterious) hats charges past him to places unknown. "OI!! What the--" he starts, looking down the dust trail rising from the creature. He gazes around in wonder as they pass through the different rings, returning open stares with one of his own. Reaching the bar, he give the place a look from under squinting brows. "Looks good enough. Maybe some good food here?" Pushing through the doors he is surprised by the synchronized movements of the reaction! His shortswords clear the scabbards with smooth practiced motions, readying for the attack. He takes pause though, as one of the locals tries to calm the situation. He looks cautiously around as the rest of the tavern returns to thier night, and slowly slides his own weapons away too. At the mans introduction, he gives a short nod in return. "I am Fazgyn.. trapmaker of the group. That is one way to welcome supposed friends. But I will take your meal and ale.."
Fazgyn tries to keep a steely glare on the newcomer, but bursts into outright laughter at the mishaps of Vanarog the Weak Tongued. "HA! You wouldn't know taste if it walked up and bit you!!" he guffaws. Turning to the vendor, he flips a gold coin through the air to the man. "that was truly the most entertainment I have had so far this trip!! " he says before turning back to the possible captive. "We are looking for Halman Wright of the Freemen. Have you heard of him?"
Fazgyn hisses in alarm as the busy city warps in around him and he is suddenly accosted by the sights, sounds, and smells of human civilization. As the hoomman darts in and begins to interject himself into the party, he looks over to Skyrhak and hisses in draconic "Can I make him disappear?? Please??"
As the rest of the team is combing through the alley, Garekk rushes up, huffing and out of breath. He casts a deeply apologetic look to his companions, before explaining himself. "When I couldn't make it through the window, I tried to go around the wall and got caught by the guards! Those chelaxians took me captive and questioned me as a spy, and it took Grand Master Torch sending in a "special operative" to get me out through a hidden tunnel under their compound. It took a while, but he briefed me and told me that he sent you on this escort to try and draw out the thieves. I hurried as fast as I could, and only just now caught up with you!" All of this comes out between panting breaths.. it is clear that the half orc must have run just about the length of the city trying to catch up to you.
He immediately begins casting around the alley where the fight took place, looking for any evidence of the fleeing thieves. Once he gets his bearings, he sets off, hoping to redeem himself in the eyes of his friends.
Ok guys, s@$& hit the fan in a real way, and I completely ditched you for much longer than what I intended to. For this I really apologize. I still have a few things percolating, but the majority of things are if not resolved then at least on a back burner for right now. I am still going through a few transitions, but I hope that the majority of the insanity is past. Mykel, I am sorry as well that it took so long for me to get back to you in response to your message. In addition, I would like to really thank GM Nowruz for his generous offer of help. I will leave it up to you, the players, as I am sure that being in limbo has not been the most pleasant experience for you. If you would like for me to continue, I will gladly take up the mantle again. If you feel that you would prefer another GM to take over, I will step aside. I completely understand if I have lost your confidence as GM. Just say the word and we will go from there!
I ran out of time at work to post on sunday night, then fell into my usual schedule problems for monday nights. They updated the firewalls at my main job so now instead of sitting in front of my computer all weekend with Paizo in the background, I have to actually bring in my laptop and find a spot off camera to set it up and run my phone as a mobile hotspot. (I am being recorded the whole time at my job, but since its also my job to watch the cameras, I know where the blind spots are!!)
I am personally withholding judgement. I am trepetitious about change to begin with.. but I am willing to at least look things over. The one thing I really like about this is that it appears that we have a choice! Everyone seems to be either doom and gloom about Paizo changing things up or happily anticipating it, but the way I interpreted the blog was that 1E is still going to be live in both Pathfinder and Society rules. There may come a day when Society changes to strictly 2E, but that does not look like it is even on the horizon. Because of this, I am not overly worried at the moment. Let the playtest run, and the revisions take their course. When the new rules are formulated and published I will decide which I like better and go from there. Yea, this could eventually throw a hell of a wrench into the works.. but it might not either. Either way, for at least the next year or more I have a choice of which to play, and will take advantage of it. It does sadden me that there is no current plan to convert current 1E characters to 2E, but even that COULD change if enough people speak out about it. Long story short: I don't see any reason to panic or to rage quit at this time. A lot of people have brought up valid points, but personally I do not see the direct comparisons that are being made to WotC and their multiple editions that immediately cancel previously made characters. Change can be scary.. and people do get comfortable with familiarity. However, until the final word is released and they decide to completely do away with 1E, I can chill and take it as it comes.
Hi there all! I am one of two players that the GM invited to play, and he asked us to introduce ourselves and help moderate the discussion. I'm just curious why using herolab matters. Accuracy? Speaking as a GM that uses HeroLabs: not only is it as LH pointed out, but when you use HeroLabs as a GM you can punch everyone into the same file along with all of your GM creatures. This makes running combats SSSSOOOOOO much easier in PbP because you never have to wonder who's effects are active or what modifiers are in play.. you tap a few keys and its right in front of your face. Everything from conditions to modifiers, to HP.. and if I have to secretly roll something for one of my players, I have all of the info right there and don't have to tip them off by saying "Hey, let me see your sheet for a sec!" Other than that, there are some good concepts at work here!
Anyways, glad to meet you and hope to be gaming with you soon!
Glad you enjoyed yourself!! God, I need some time off myself.. Other than taking time off work for my wife's surgeries, I haven't had a vacation in like 4 years. I keep thinking about just throwing a pack on my shoulders, leaving my phone at home, and disappearing off into the forest. It's getting harder and harder to resist the temptation!
I don't know how, but I seem to have completely missed this update somewhere along the line!! In that case:And in answer to some of your questions above, GM, I would like to say that I took a great deal away from watching you roll this out. First and foremost, I took away the enjoyment of a good game with good people. I have really enjoyed this group!
Alarmed by the attention and the praise, Fazgyn tries to push back to the rear, but encounters solid wall.. for once there is nowhere for him to disappear to!!
I really hope that you feel better soon.. and be careful! I have been hearing some real horror stories about this bout of the flu. Sorry for the late update here, the wifey threatened physical harm if I touched my laptop yesterday!!!
I am sorry for your loss. You have my condolences!
The next morning, all four goblins meet back at the Moot House to see the Chief one last time. As you are ushered into the Throne room Chief Gutwad is already in place in the very high chair. "You not too sick from party to go hunting.. and if you are too bad.. you go hunting for my.. er.. OUR fireworks!" he says. "Slorb get you some toys for the trip. Use wisely. And don't come back without the Big Booms!!!" He rubs his hands together greedily as he says this, then dismisses you with a wave of his pudgy hand. Slorb meets you in the antechamber with a large chest. Looking decidedly unhappy to just be handing this out, he lifts the lid to reveal a horde of 'splodies!! Several fireworks of various types lie in the chest. "You take these with you.. if you not use all, bring back. Don't burn yous or burn each others!" the goblin tells you.
'Splody Rules!!!: The chest contains: two Desnan candles, four paper candles, and a skyrocket. You may share these out any way you so desire.
Desnan Candle: When lit, this foot-long wooden tube launches a flaming pyrotechnic “candle” every round for 4 rounds. Each projectile deals 1 point of nonlethal damage and 1 point of fire damage if it hits; on a critical hit, the target is also blinded for 1 round. The projectiles shed light as candles for 1 round and have a range increment of 5 feet. Attacking with a Desnan candle is a ranged touch attack and always has a –4 nonproficiency penalty. Paper Candle: This finger-sized explosive detonates noisily 1 round after lighting. Anyone in the same square as a paper candle when it explodes must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or be dazzled for 1d4 rounds. Skyrocket: When lit, this foot-long wooden tube begins to shake and emit a handful of white sparks, shedding light as a torch. One round later it takes flight, moving in a straight line with a fly speed of 90 for 1d6 rounds before loudly exploding in an burst of light and sound, dealing 2d6 points of fire damage in a 10-foot burst (DC 15 Reflex save for half ). If a skyrocket impacts a solid surface or a creature before reaching its maximum range, it detonates prematurely at the point of impact. Anyone who takes damage from the explosion is either blinded or deafened (a 50% chance of either) for 1 round.
Retcon if allowed?:
Amelia blinks her eyes open as the first of several waves of healing energy wash over her. "By the gods, that thing packed a punch! Who brought it down finally?! Great job!!" she praises Before long, she is good as new and surveying the battlefield as the others grab up everything they can. As several magical items are found, she quickly and expertly identifies their properties while working with Kiboko.
Read Magic: Scroll of Invisibility Amelia takes the wand of Create Pit and the Scroll of Invisibility, but the amulet and the cloak, she explains the uses and hands them over to the rest of the companions to use. Amelia wakes the next day bruised, but none the worse for wear from her near encounter with death. She bounces down the stairs at the Lodge, and seeing Rallas in the common room, glides over and gives the elf a great hug. "Thanks for helping me out last night! I was sure I was a gonner as that thing Pounced on me!!!" She is equally effusive as the rest of her companions arrive and gladly refills Kiboko's Ioun stone with his wand, but her manner darkens slightly as the team receives their orders for the day. Approaching the decrepit tower, Amelia pulls out a wand and taps herself with it, creating a magical barrier around her body to help protect her. She carefully follows the rest of the group within the tower, flinching every time the floor squeals or her heavier companions crunch and thump around. As the peers around, she concentrates every so often on Detecting Magic, hoping there may be some overlooked clue hidden about. Entering the lab, she gets a burst of excitement before realizing that this room is just as bad as the rest of the tower.
I have historically gone for a first come first serve type recruitment, but I found this was causing a few wrinkles. Generally, I had a very small pool of people that would claim seats so I was seeing a lot of faces over and over again. Sometimes this was a good thing.. other times not so much. I have recently been experimenting with a weighted lottery system like what Ewok explained. If a person has made it to my naughty list, I will remove their name and PM them. If I owe you a favor or like your playing, you will move up in the list. The only exception to this is that I have started to reserve seats for new players and give them a chance to get into the game prior to running the lottery.
As the beast surges to its feet, Senach tries to reach out with his mace, but stumbles as the living wall of rock sweeps towards him like an avalanche. The beast rears back spreading its arms, and Senach has time for a quick prayer to Erastil as time seems to freeze. Suddenly, Senach is surrounded by a warm light of mixed green and gold hues. The colors of the sun drifting through new spring leaves. A sense of peace covers the nagaji as his ears hear for the first time the voice that has been speaking in his heart for so many years. "Be at peace, Warrior. You have fought well, and carried your burdens with grace."
GM Hmm.. You bring up some great points about when to push and why, as well as GM fiat in decision making. Redelia also brings this up from a different angle, and both are very valid points. When making table rulings, there are a few things that I try to do in my games:
2) Do your research. Look at both sides of the coin, and go with what feels right and is in the best interest of the game. Don't hesitate to reach out to fellow GM's and throw them a basic synopsis and get their opinion. What do the message boards say? It is doubtful that you are the only one that has ever faced the situation, and there is good information out there in the advice and the rules threads. 3) Something that I do on corner cases or where the ruling goes against the player is I try to justify my ruling. Link in excerpts from the rule books or discussion threads, and explain your reasoning. I have found that this serves two purposes: It keeps your decision making transparent so that no one can say "You just wanted to kill me", and it provides an opportunity for discussion and learning on both sides of the screen.
What do you see as the role of the GM in Play-by-Post? What special duties do we have that may be missing in face-to-face games? I think that due to the medium, we have a greater duty to accuracy. In a f2f game and under a time crunch, a lot can be hand waved or "I Think"ed, but since we have the luxury of time in our posting, we need to be precise with the rules.
Our role here is to tell a story and to make it as involved and immersive as we can, but to still keep the story on track and moving. To find a balance between the story and the characters that everyone can live with. So... This is supposed to be a GM Mentoring Game, so let’s talk about those times when you get crunched or wind up too brain dead to compose anything. How do you handle those?
I think that this goes hand in hand. Trust is built through experience. I try to pop in and say "hey.. this is going on" and give a timeframe. I also try to give a heads up if I know something is going on in the future.. for instance my wife has a lot of health problems that precipitate trips across the state for surgeries and doctor visits. I will give a heads up a few days in advance that my posting may be erratic, and give a deadline for when things will return to normal. The trust is built up by offering quality games and by doing what you say when you say you are going to do them. As L.L. points out right above me.. it is built along with your reputation. If you are known as a good poster with great RP and for holding certain standards, then the players will trust that is what you will deliver as both a player and as a GM. If you are known for getting side tracked then players will ignore the bait of alternative choices in favor of driving the story and getting it over with. How much information is too much to push or educate the PCs on what will happen if they make decision A vs B?
Fazgyn bows as he is addressed directly by the Venture Captain. "Traps are indeed our specialty.. And they will rue the day they found our tunnels!" Fazgyn swears. "But tell me. You said you have suggestions.. I would hear them before you leave. How much time do we have before the surface reinforcements arrive? I will need time to set up our surprises."
Fazgyn watches this all with a seemingly detached air, but the wheels are turning in his mind. "This one likes giving orders.. I shall have to watch out for him. Maybe he will feel a slow fang, or maybe he tell where slow fangs go.. we will see.."
That's mainly what I use the function for. Another purpose is if the post has some pertinent information I want to come back to later, I can favorite it. Now.. you build up a heck of a lot of "favorited posts" like this, and it can be hard to sort out what you meant to come back for later and you getting a laugh from a funny post. In this case, I use the "List" function that is offered over each post. I have several private lists on my account sorted and organized by topic. Say I am researching something for my Rise of the Runelords game and I come across a really interesting thread or some community generated links, etc that I think I may use. I can click on "List", sort it into my ROTRL file on my account, and know right where it is when I go back to look for it.
This is kind of odd and I wanted to throw this out there to see what the hive mind and hive masters think of it. When posting, at the bottom of the text box there is a drop down menu "Post As: xxx". Normally, if I have posted in the thread before this will default to that alias which just allows me to type and hit Submit Post. However, for the last week or so, this has by default been the alphabetically last alias, and I have to physically choose the appropriate alias for every post. Not a big deal.. but odd in that it switched right after yall implemented your sign in fixes.
Fazgyn gives Skyrahk an innocent grin full of teeth.. or at least as innocent as a kobold can manage to look.
Fazgyn reconsiders his no hats position as he considers what a couple of horns could do to help a trap. Gingerly, he tests the point on one horn as the helmet rests atop his head.. satisfied and thinking nefarious thoughts, he grins. "Ok.. me like this hat. It could be big help in making big ouchy later!" Amused at the tinkly hat placed upon Skyrahk's head, he reaches out and swipes at one of the dangling bells, making it jingle.
Mikail jumps back from the creature with a squeal of disgust and indignation! "How dare you?!?!"[b] he cries out. [b]"Do you have ANY idea how long its going to take to get that.. crap.. out of my fur?!?!" The kitsune is truly enraged as he rears back for another strike with his rapier.
And just in case it's not clear: thank you all so very much! You guys ROCK~! You know, I have to second this as well. I have spoken highly of Paizo's customer service and the way yall have handled a few issues that I have had in the past. As for this situation, this website has to be a massive headache with everything that yall have going on here, as well as the heavy and continuous traffic that it sees. Despite the many headed issues that come up, the team is not only constantly working to slay the gremlins in the system, but the management team is not shy about popping into the threads and saying "this is the problem, and this is what we are doing to work on it". For this, I thank you. All too often, large companies tend to either quietly work in the background, or some random talking head might pop up and say a few "customary and expected" words. Instead, Paizo management is forthright and communicative to their clients and timely with reassurances and explanations. To me at least, this means quite a bit.. to know that yall take enough pride and ownership to take time out of your busy schedules to pop in and reassure the often snarling masses. THANK YOU!!!!! TO THE MANAGEMENT AND THE IT TEAMS that work so hard to keep bringing us this game that we all love so much.
I do have a new problem: I need to change my billing information, and the My Account page is having issues. I can make it all the way through the My Account page to the Manage Billing Options page, and there it goes wonky. Clicking on "Add Payment Method" results in half the top of the page going blank with what I suppose is an unseen text box. I can click and drag, highlighting some text in the blank area, and if I hover over where I know where text boxes or buttons are, some things will then appear. Old Problem: still getting signed out, and when I sign in, it brings me to a blank page and tells me "Your search returned no results". I can just click on my user name to take me back to my main area, but its still a bad redirect.
Not to toot my own horn too loudly here, but I am pretty proud of this one:
Despite several fitful starts that included me taking over from the original GM, we completed this with the same 4 player characters throughout the entire adventure. Most importantly, all 4 of the players stuck through to see the book to its end; and we shall be starting book two shortly!
^^ Hang around here.. Especially with gameday coming to a close, there is going to be an uptick in games as GM's close out their Gameday load and begin other games.
On Magical Maggie: acid (4), alchemist’s fire (3), smokestick (2), tanglefoot bag, padded armor, dagger, bag of confetti, bag of mint candies (5), formula book, jester’s cap, wooden flute, 13 gp, a map of the local area with a large, red “X” drawn on one spot, and a gilded envelope containing a sparkly piece of paper covered in words.
In PbP, you have to be willing to handwave certain actions. The whole 'If you don't say it, it didn't happen' rule doesn't work so well when you're waiting for people to write out lengthy responses to posts. I find that making assumptions such as adventurers are going to check the door for traps, they're going to search everywhere they can, they're going to loot the dead, cast detect magic and identify anything they found. My rule of thumb is, unless it's dramatic or there's a chance of failure, just assume it happens and move on. It cuts literal days off a play by post game, and they're the parts that cause good players to slow down anyway. This is something that I have been trying to emulate you in. You do very well with pushing the story at just the right point, and allowing the time consuming days long post cycle to be circumvented. I still have a long way to go, but you provide a good example. GM Turmoil, I do not mean to leave you out of the praise.. I believe I may have played all of one or two games at your table, so I have little knowledge of your styles. I do agree that this is something that must be discussed with each individual table. No blanket rule, indeed no rule at all, is going to satisfy everyone the same way every time. However, through a few posts in the discussion tab, a general consensus can be reached and may allow you to occasionally throw a bone to include those that were against whatever decision you ended up with. However, the most important thing here is that it also has to be fun for YOU as the story teller. Don't allow chronicle harvesters to force you to neglect the story that you are trying to tell.
Floggentop: Per the spell description of Undead Anatomy: In this form, you detect as an undead creature (such as with detect undead, but not with magic that reveals your true form, such as true seeing) and are treated as undead for the purposes of channeled energy, cure spells, and inflict spells, but not for other effects that specifically target or react differently to undead (such as searing light). I will rule that your class abilities and spells will work as per normal with regards to the heroism and flag bearer. For anyone currently in a game: This being a gameday, I understand the press and volume of games being played right now, and therefore the varied schedules. If you are at such a point in your other game that combat is over and there is no chance of your character dying or having any leftover effects, you may start in this game. If your game is not yet at that point, we will push the start date until you are. There is no need to rush or to exclude people from enjoying this or any other game and I am pretty fluid with being able to adapt things to suit everyone. The only thing I emphatically ask is respect for the first condition, and to pop in and let us know your status so that I don't kick off too early for you, and that we do get started in a timely manner.
I really like it. It is obvious that you took a lot of time and effort into covering not only the basics, but anything at all that might be needed or useful at any given time. I love the fact that you have a full "in character" background listed, as well as botting instructions and dice rolls. As a GM looking at this, it is obvious that having this character at a table is not only going to greatly influence the "role" play, but if you put this much effort into the character sheet, it can reasonably be assumed that you would be a consistent and concise player and contributor at the table as well. Well done.
My sleep deprived mind has been officially addled, and my google-fu is nonexistent today. Does anyone have a link to the "New Player Boon"? I am running a table tonight of three brand new players and would like to expose them to some of the rewards for society play.. but I can't find the link or the download. Help please??? Edit: Never mind.. New GM Kit link above has it!! Once again, you save my backside and my mind, GM HMM!
GM Hmm: You have put together yet another really amazing project! Very well done. It is concise, succinct, and easily referenced. Bravo. If I may, GM Granta uses a chart for Knowledge rolls (originally attributed to GM Z.D.) that I have taken to using as well. I find that it is incredibly helpful for players to be able to visually see what their choices are for the extra tidbits of knowledge they can gather about a creature. This is my copy of the chart. Feel free to include it as well if you think it would be helpful.
Suddenly, a thunderous voice echoes throughout the room from within the fireplace. "Vex, Dr. Zephyrus Vitruvian, K'Kei Hikaru, Jayson Deckert, Caduceus! You are summoned for espionage and adventure within the land of Geb!"
"And since this is a dangerous mission, we will be sending a second team in on a different rout. Yoshi, Selter, Aramil, Turathal, and Slick, you will go as well!"
Jazmine bows as the casino chief grants their reward. "It is our pleasure, sir. I hope we have represented both the Underground and the Pathfinder Society well during this mission, and hope to work for you again!" Exiting the building with Giggles bouncing along at her heels, Jazmine looks to her companions. "Well, we weren't told specifically to report back after being released.. but the Captain will surely expect it. What say you? A drink or two at a tavern, or early to bed and early to rise?"
Black sun moves into a short, dark corridor before Argor casts light on his staff and strides confidently forward. The corridor opens up into a medium sized room where a sturdy silver chain jutting from the ceiling ends in a glowing orb that radiates yellow light across the rectangular room. A simple desk of polished wood, stacked with documents and scattered notes, shelters a pair of wooden chests against the south wall. A series of cracks along the eastern and western walls form makeshift entrances into exposed caverns.
You Only Die Twice is a particularly fun and flavorful adventure. It was there that the legend of Evil Crossbow Ezren was born...even though it wasn't entirely his fault. Probably going to regret asking this... Lol.. Ok, I will bite. What is the legend of Evil Crossbow Ezren??
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