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So this post might need to be on the advice board or in that nifty Thornkeep thread down there (looks down a few posts at the really nifty Thornekeep post, then back up. 'Wait a minute how did you get up there?' Oh nevermind).
So this is happening in the Thornkeep dungeon but it could happen in any dungeon or any scenario really. Scenarios though for their part seem to have better pacing to avoid what I am about to talk about. So I have a player who likes to read ahead. And if he does not have access to that book then he reads the forums like crazy to find everything out.
Then he goes one step further and acts on it. Memorizing spells that no one in their right mind keeps on tap, like cure posion. I mena you might have a scroll of it but using one of your slots for that, just not likely. Unless you know what is coming. My newest answer to this is not to tell the players what I am running until we get to the table. I hope that helps.
Right now the biggest problem is we are doing The Enigma Vaults of Thornkeep and this player has read all the encounters. They are not near the end yet but this character has taken some ability damge. He wants to leave the dungeon and rest up to get it all back. Because he knows what is at the end. It would take 8-10 days for him to get it all back.
What do you do as a GM if the party decides to leave? Does the monster stay there chilling out and waiting? I was thinking of having the monster leave if they do,
Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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I don't think this answers your question, but I'm going to take a stab at it:
Kick that guy out of your games; he's cheating.
To actually answer your question (without the taint of a cheater influencing the decision), I would propose this:
Do what seems natural. If the bad guy is smart enough to realize his defenses have been breached and he's about to die, why wouldn't he take off? Else, if he's perceptive enough to know they're there and are backing out to rest up, why not follow them and ambush them during their "rest?" Merely sitting there and waiting to die seems silly.
That said, if he's not perceptive, nor intelligent, then there should be no reason for him to leave.
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How did you find this out? Did this guy just say at the table in the middle of the game, "I read ahead and am ready for everything!" Where is the fun in that?
Sorry I don't understand this kind of mentality. In my opinion, he is just cheating himself and spoiling things for his team mates.
Nathan Meyers
NYC Player/GM
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If you know for 100% certainty that the player is cheating, ask him to leave. But here's three situations that have occurred locally:
1) A GM happens to glance at a player's tablet during a break. The current scenario is open on it.
2) A Wizard throws a highly unusual spell that no one at the table has ever seen used before and completely shuts down the next to last encounter.
3) A Cleric "happens" to have remove disease, remove poison, and remove paralysis memorized in a scenario where all three are useful.
Only 1) is cheating. 2) has a reputation for using weird spells that are normally considered "useless". 90% of the players are more effective than him most of the time. But when that unique situation comes up it's absolutely hilarious. Number 3) is me. My cleric always memorizes "remove" spells, planning to use those slots for spontaneous spells if necessary.
So yeah, he's ruining not just his fun but the challenge for others at the table. But make sure he truly is cheating and be prepared for a discussion with the event organizer / Venture Captain.
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Well first it is a home game and we are using PFS. So it is not the typical event per se. So the VC or organizer is not someone I can really bring into the mix.
@Off Yeah talking about that guy.
@Natertot and Belafon He specifically mentioned he has been reading the forums and knew what the last guy was going to do. I also know when we were running AP's he had a subscription as well and read them when they came in.
@Drogon The BBEG has like a 24 Int, pretty smart cookie. His minions have already went missing. I think it would be reasonable for him to come looking for them. However you are supposed to run the adventures with Tactics as written and that says for him to wait in his little room waiting for everyone.
Would it be wrong for me to dock the chronicle sheet if they guy just leaves the dungeon when they head back to town? In a broader sense what do you do when players just walk out of a dungeon to rest?
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Owner - Enchanted Grounds, President/Owner - Enchanted Grounds
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From Guide 4.3, page 35:
As a Pathfinder Society GM, you have the right and responsibility to make whatever judgments, within the rules, that you feel are necessary at your table to ensure everyone has a fair and fun experience. This does not mean you can contradict rules or restrictions outlined in this document, a published Pathfinder Roleplaying Game source, errata document, or official FAQ on paizo.com. What it does mean is that only you can judge what is right for your table during cases not covered in these sources. Scenarios are meant to be run as written, with no addition or subtraction to number of monsters (unless indicated in the scenario), or changes to armor, feats, items, skills, spells, stats, traits, or weapons. However, if the actions of the PCs before or during an encounter invalidate the provided tactics or starting locations, the GM should consider whether changing these would provide a more enjoyable play experience.
I highlighted the part we're talking about. Change away, my friend, and don't have any qualms about what you're doing.
If, on the other hand, you want to simply have the guy run and take all his gold with him, that is within your rights, as well. My issue with that is that you punish the group for the actions of the one cheater. That's not so cool.
I still think you should punt that guy. I cannot imagine having someone who is okay with cheating in any game I run, much less being okay with him coming over to my house. You are a very tolerant person, and I commend you for that.
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
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Yeah, if the person doesn't tell you up front that he's played through / read through the game you're running, you should have no mixed feelings if you wind up booting him.
RE: The changes. Seems fine to me. When I was running Thornkeep, the group left, healed up, then returned. I rolled for two random encounters, and ended up spawning a forest drake into the dungeon. I figured it followed the sounds of combat, then sauntered it's way into the cleared space and decided to make this its new lair. No one at the table minded the change, and it actually ended up helping them out in the long run.
It's a module, not a scenario. You have to run it as written, but part of what's written is random encounters, and that the monsters have various motivations that dictate their actions. If I had to stay in one room for a day straight, I would likely go insane. Of course your monsters can move from one place to another within the dungeon.