Savannah Broadway's page

It's so surreal to see this blog post and realize that it's actually over! Here were my thoughts on the process:

As a first time marathoner, the process was both exhilarating and exhausting.
Between the game itself and the jet lag, it would take me several days to really get back
on my feet, but I talked about almost nothing but the marathon for a week. I went into
the experience not knowing most of the group at all, and came out at the end of the
weekend with a group of new friends. By the end of Strange Aeons, I felt closer to
everyone involved than I did to folks I'd known for years.

Playing a healing/ support based cleric as Winter wasn't an entirely new
experience, but I've never played it so intensely. As a prepared caster, I always felt one
step behind what we were encountering, but eventually I found some great standbys,
like remove fear, freedom of movement, and, most especially, breath of life. I'd never
had call to use it in game before, much less multiple times per in-game day. It was a bit
stressful knowing that so much was riding on the spells I chose, but I found it to be a
fulfilling challenge as a gamer.

As someone who went into the Experiment knowing the most about the mythos,
the AP showed me how much more there was to know. I'll definitely have to look into
the Yellow Sign-related material now, and re-read Erich Zann and some of the other
classics. One of the hardest parts about staying in character was not reacting to some
of the encounters that I knew were going to be awful, like fighting the gug.

Overall, the entire marathon run was a fantastic one. I ended up with a firmer
knowledge of the rules, a better understanding of grid-based tactics, and membership
with the best group of gamers I know.

The Order of the Amber Die presents:

Erazmus the medium channels his sister Veldira to preform a harrow reading for Pharasmin cleric Winter Klacska as they prepare to head into the desert. Slight spoilers ahead.

https://youtu.be/u-4ap2ovLDw

Just counting PC deaths alone, this was easily the most intense module I've ever played through. I don't think I've ever dropped as many breath of life spells in my entire gaming career as I did this marathon!

The stat block for Winter at the end of module 5 is now available in our Dropbox for everyone's viewing pleasure.

Also, a reminder that the player perspective write-ups are on the Strange Aeons living document, including Winter's (final?) letter to Mother Thestia.

Great stuff! Love the visual aids too. How did the players like the extra work in the physical maps and aids?

As someone who came from a group that uses little in the way of minis and maps (which is fine, just different), I have to say that playing with the Order is *amazing*. Everything from miniature bushes to townhouses with balconies not only helps with immersion, but also gives a great staging ground for the group's tactical savvy.

The stat block for Winter Klaczka at the end of module 4 is now available in our Dropbox!

It's been really interesting to see Winter develop as a character across the entire experiment, but especially in this module. She started out as a skilled, focused healer, but has gradually gained feats that bring her closer to Pharasma and changed up her spell allotment for greater versatility. Check her out!

Savannah Broadway wrote:

That said, the Dreamlands are a Lovecraftian facet that I'm not quite as familiar with (mostly through Horror on the Orient Express) and it did make me eager to read those parts of the mythos.

** spoiler omitted **

Doug M.

Ah, those recommendations sound great! I've already been meaning to read Clark Ashton Smith's Empire of the Necromancers, so I'll definitely have to add Dunsany to my winter reading list. Thanks, Doug!

This makes me curious: what are you and your players picking up from / about the Lovecraft mythos by osmosis? Are you thinking "Okay, I see the appeal of this -- I'd like to sit down and read some of his stuff afterwards?" Or is it more "once a philosopher, twice a pervert?" (1)

Doug M.

(1) attributed to Voltaire, the morning after a walk on the wild side.

As the only person at the table who had experience with Lovecraft, it was difficult not to disrupt the osmosis process with direct injection, but I think I did a solid job of letting them experience the horror organically ;) That said, the Dreamlands are a Lovecraftian facet that I'm not quite as familiar with (mostly through Horror on the Orient Express) and it did make me eager to read those parts of the mythos.

Ron Lundeen wrote:

I'm glad to see the vorpal weapon get some use, but I was sad to hear about Skywin Freeling's fate. She's just so...so....scrappy! :-)

It was sad to see Skywin go so early, but the NPCs were really well fleshed out and the space left by her death eventually left plenty for the Yellow King to fill with his unique personality. It seemed like Adam enjoyed talking our ears off while we were trying to ask questions, negotiate, plan, or just about anything else we tried to do--the Yellow King was there to offer a few words of advice, then some more words, and then a few more after that. But we'll always wonder how things would've turned out on the Starling if Skywin was with us the whole time.

Yeah, I really loved the character of Skywin. If it hadn't been for her intervention, we could have easily lost half or more of the party, so her sacrifice was not made in vain.

Ah, that Necromanagement adaptation sounds -awesome- Go forth, my minions, and broker those souls! *shakes fist*

This month on the blog we're talking about horror campaigns. Every campaign can use Stephen Rowe's advice about making creatures scary or less predictable. Next week Tim discusses his tricks to evoke emotional horror in PCs and immersing players.

Beyond that, Dan will discuss house rules for making fear a real think instead of boring players with penalties to rolls. And in the last week of October, I'll present my strategies for planning a horror campaign so the feeling lasts multiple sessions.

We are grateful for the blog's reception so far. Don't forget to chat about it here or at our new web site: fourhorsemenofficial.com

Tim's going to be writing on invoking emotional horror? ...sure, why not? I wasn't planning to sleep much that week anyhow

So glad to see this make its way out into the world. I've really enjoyed working with this series. Here's hoping that it gives your PCs something to think about...or run from, whatever comes first.

A good guess. But you both forgot the "tiefling" bit, and that's my favorite part :)

Hm, last time I saw the flag, it was with the box of intern stuff (along with an introductory note and a list of what needs to go into the rules database) sitting on the warehouse desk...so really there's no telling. Ask Will maybe? Anyhow, congrats on joining the crew :)

Skeld wrote:

Savannah Broadway wrote:

Lord Snow wrote:

Wait, is Savannah Broadway a real name? Because if it is, I have some very sharp questions to ask my parents.

** spoiler omitted **

It's a perfectly real name, thank you ;) There are plenty of Broadways over here in Southern Illinois. I haven't met any of them, but they exist. (Though, here's the kicker: I'm also a theater minor.)

Are you a Saluki?

-Skeld

She is indeed.

No need to hold that against her, though. ;-)

It would be much appreciated :)

Savannah Broadway wrote:

Lord Snow wrote:

Wait, is Savannah Broadway a real name? Because if it is, I have some very sharp questions to ask my parents.

** spoiler omitted **

It's a perfectly real name, thank you ;) There are plenty of Broadways over here in Southern Illinois. I haven't met any of them, but they exist. (Though, here's the kicker: I'm also a theater minor.)

Ha, cool. Never hear such a name before - I hope you didn't get me wrong, it's an awesome name. "Savannah". Holy cow.

Well thanks, I'm sure my mother appreciates that :p (And no offense taken) Also it got me free candy down in Orlando, Florida at Savannah's Sweets, so it's also handy!

Wait, is Savannah Broadway a real name? Because if it is, I have some very sharp questions to ask my parents.

** spoiler omitted **

It's a perfectly real name, thank you ;) There are plenty of Broadways over here in Southern Illinois. I haven't met any of them, but they exist. (Though, here's the kicker: I'm also a theater minor.)

My group is playing this as a side-game, so we're only level 2

Sabine AKA Madame Octava AKA Tala AKA Allison AKA Marta AKA The Dread Pirate Roberta CN: Slyph Rogue 2 Owes her soul to Moloch and takes on a different disguise every day or so. Attempts to use Bluff for everything, including cooking, with limited success, and flatly denies the existence of whatever personalities she currently isn't.

Robert CN: Bard 2 Attempted to fade in the background but instead showed too much competence. Appointed party pseudo-leader

Yalilsquirt CN Ranger 1 Rogue 1 Resident stowaway. People around her have a strange habit of falling overboard.

Tim CN: Oracle 2 No one's sure if 63 year old Tim is a he or a she underneath all that wither and disease. Tim probably isn't sure. Doesn't have enough CHA to cast, but has excellent surgical skills. Capable of outstanding feats of DEX when the chips are down. Somehow.

Former PCs
Unnamed child-halfling CE: Oracle 2 Extreme masochist, worships demons, nearly committed suicide. Very disturbing.

Future PCs
Marax LN: Cleric 1 Rogue 1 Tiefling who believes himself a descendant of Mephistopheles. Not evil, just lawful with Daddy issues. Works as a covert operator to take out demon worshiping cults.

Savannah Broadway wrote:

Aw, so nice to see my baby out in the world...eating people. Well, I don't think he'd be terribly effective at it, but goodness knows he tries ^_^

Which one is that?

I did the bakekujira--he's my first stab at monster creation for Paizo. Sadly, I think if he did try and swallow someone, it would be rather straightforward to swim in between his ribs ;>> Poor dear...

Aw, so nice to see my baby out in the world...eating people. Well, I don't think he'd be terribly effective at it, but goodness knows he tries ^_^

Matt: Wait, so our barbarian murder machine has a negative wisdom modifier?
Mike: I guess we'll just have to hope that no one uses enchantment. Ever.

55. Oh, you want me to heal you? Sorry, is this a bad time to mention I'm Chaotic Neutral?

Savannah Broadway wrote:

But I'm too bony to be fed to cave raptors! ...I hope.

Yeah! Think of the raptors! How they could feed on such a bony snack?

Quote:

At any rate, I'm allergic to being mauled by vicious predators--makes me break out in hives and a cold sweat.

Are you sure it's only allergy and not some illness? We wouldn't want raptors get sick, would we?

Errmm...Yes, an illness...a horrible, raptor-killing illness, that's right...Rare among interns, but hey, there you have it.

61. I don't care if the lord wants his stuffed dodo back, it's walking around and sentient now. He can't have it.
62. Now if I put the fireball here then I'll hit Fredrick (skeletal frilled lizard) but if I put it over there, then I just hit the druid. None of you liked him either, right?

Now available! (Pirates of the Inner Sea, if you're lookin' for a dodo familiar or feathered friend, it's in this one. :) )

I'm still holding out for that undead dodo, but I suppose a living stand-in will do for now ;)

I like the idea of the Imperious bloodline if I could do a particular character over (the setting was in the Dark Ages, and he went around claiming to be descended from emperors, so I chose the Destined bloodline at the time). The only issue is, I'm not really sure if you could roleplay it in a way that makes your character NOT an pompous jerk. Not that that's an issue for the aforementioned character, considering it fits him BECAUSE he's a pompous jerk, but, y'know, for decent characters it might be something to think about

But I'm too bony to be fed to cave raptors! ...I hope. At any rate, I'm allergic to being mauled by vicious predators--makes me break out in hives and a cold sweat.

Congratulations again, Zana! (Fun fact for you forum-goers. Savannah also goes by Zana. How do I know? I'll let her explain that, if she likes.)

No giving away my secret identity now! But yes, Kyle is from my gaming group back home, the one that is set to tackle my unholy conglomeration of a homebrew again next fall.

Savannah Broadway wrote:

F. Wesley Schneider wrote:

12:30: The bus leaves to get crepes folks. Consider this your only indirect notification.

Goodness, when you say only, you mean only! Can I get a re-roll to make it this weekend?

Absolutely! Though, that place right down the street was pretty good. Totally lacking in decor, but the crepes were good. :)

Ah well, that's the main thing I suppose ^^

Mmmm... crepes were delicious.

Delicious enough to go back and get more later in the week, even!!!

I heartily approve of this message :)

12:30: The bus leaves to get crepes folks. Consider this your only indirect notification.

Goodness, when you say only, you mean only! Can I get a re-roll to make it this weekend?

What I want to know is why we never see Savannah anywere else on the boards

I confess, until I started working here I didn't have a presence on the sight at all, and it's a hard habit to break. I'll have to try and fix that. Also, I don't think they'll unleash the raptors until after PaizoCon. Maybe. I hope...

Savannah Broadway wrote:

godsDMit wrote:

Congrats on the internship!

Assuming you are coming back in the fall, should I expect you to come join us for some Pathfinder Society play at Castle Perilous? It's walking distance from the campus, after all...

Oddly enough, I've never actually played a Society game. My own group on campus has kept me pretty busy. Mostly Hunter games, and a Pathfinder homebrew set in Europe's dark ages. I don't doubt that I'll be at Castle P, though--for a new set of dice at least, if not for a game.

What?!?!?! Time to get you down to Games & Gizmos on a Friday night or Saturday. Four to five tables of PFS goodness each week.

Sounds like a good time to me ^^

Savannah Broadway wrote:

Crepes, stylish leather couches/chairs, tea...It's pretty amazing ^^ I'm partial to the peanut butter and honey, myself. Or the chicken mozzarella.

MONDAY! We're getting crepes. Even if we have to drive Illinois.

Ooooh, excellent! When do I have to get in to work to be eligible for this?

Savannah brought cookies and muffins today (and brought cookies last week), so I approve of the tall gnome we have on our team.

:) I'm thinking peanut butter next week.

Savannah Broadway wrote:

Indeed it is. There's a crepe lounge above it now, too.

CREPE LOUNGE!?!?!?!

DO WANT! I've never heard these two words combined and now am VERY interested.

Crepes, stylish leather couches/chairs, tea...It's pretty amazing ^^ I'm partial to the peanut butter and honey, myself. Or the chicken mozzarella.

Congrats on the internship!

Assuming you are coming back in the fall, should I expect you to come join us for some Pathfinder Society play at Castle Perilous? It's walking distance from the campus, after all...

Oddly enough, I've never actually played a Society game. My own group on campus has kept me pretty busy. Mostly Hunter games, and a Pathfinder homebrew set in Europe's dark ages. I don't doubt that I'll be at Castle P, though--for a new set of dice at least, if not for a game.

Living the dream.

What goes on in a Preservation lab? Is there a Ruin lab, too? :P

Not as far as I know. As for what goes on in Preservation? Generally a lot of useless anger at people who write in their library books, or drop them in water, or stab them with scissors, or--well, you get the picture. Afterwords we generally, y'know, do something about it.

Carbondale, oh the good memories.

SIU is always a fun college. Is Underground Pub still around?

Indeed it is. There's a crepe lounge above it now, too.

GO DAWGS! As a SIUC alumni, I'm proud to see a fellow Saluki in the trenches of my favorite publishing company. Congrats on the internship Savannah, I look forward to seeing your work in AP #59!

Why thank you! It's always nice to see someone from the 'dale.

Hope you have a good time Savannah.

...and I hope you won't mind if I say that you're surprisingly tall for a gnome.

I keep insisting that I'm really a tallfellow, but no one seems to believe me...