My Savage Tide Journal


Savage Tide Adventure Path


Hello. I've recently started running the STAP with a group of players over Roll20. and decided to start a journal of the adventure so far. We are using a 25pt build, with pathfinder races and classes, but taking from 3.5 when it suits me.

Characters:
Malachi: male Human Swashbuckler
Hunts-The-Seas: ? Seascared Bloodrager
Moishe: male Human cleric
Iiysavel: female aasimar arcanist

Session Zero:
This was our first session. It was little more then Be being a cat herder, getting things organized, making characters etc... nothing excited.

Session one:

The player characters responded to the message from Lavinia, Malachi made certain to give Liamea a flirting smile, which she responded in kind when the two groups of adventurers passed each other. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, and they made their way to the Blue Nixie.

Malachi made a knowledge local roll to see what he knew about Vark, and learned that he was a smuggler that did business with the Lotus Dragons. This gave him the bright idea to try to get aboard the ship by posing as messengers from the Lotus Dragons. Vark didn't fall for it, and attacked. Shooting crossbow bolts down at the group in their boat. This is when Hunt-The-Seas jumps out of the water in shark form, and grabs Vark dragging him under at negative HP. This was enough by itself to cause the rest of the thugs to scatter. 100 feet is nothing with Hunts swim speed, it was nothing for Hunts to drag Vark to shore, only to catch sight of the fire and make her way back to the boat just in time to help put down the Rhagodessa. Of course Vark stabilizes and the rest of the thugs run off with him....

Session Two:

With the signet ring in hand, the group head to the Vanderboren Vault. With Lavinia with them, they have no issues getting into the castle and down into the vault. Malachi takes the lead, so is of course the one attacked by the Iron Cobra. The fight ensures With Malachi failing multiple fort saves against the strength sapping poison (Taking a total of 9 points of str damage) Finally Moishe puts things together and gets Lavinia to display the ring. The riddle gave them some issues, and there was a short argument over should the linguist skill let them auto-solve riddles... Eventually with some heavy hints they figured it out..

Session Three (tonight's session)

Having spent some downtime to let Malachi recover from his str damage, They were all invited back to the Vanderboren estate. I decided that this was enough time for the Jade Ravens to return from Caudron, so they joined the group for dinner with Lavinia. Liamea and Malachi flirted some more, and the group finally selected a group name, Selecting the Storm Ravens. Lavinia brought the dinner to a close, with a toast to the two teams of adventurers and the continued fortunes for them all. The Jade Ravens then retired to the parlor, while Lavinia gave the group their new mission, to track down Vanthus.

So far I'm happy with the progress that's been made. Tonight session was cut short by one of the players being called into work early. I wanted to give the players more time to get to know the Jade Ravens before their appearance in the next module. One of the things that has drawn me to Savage Tide over some of the older APs was how they seem to encourage relationships with the NPCs more then in Age of Worms or Shackled City.


Session 4:

So My players failed on their gather information checks to find out anything useful. But I still threw out the names Barris and Penkus. We did this over the forums during the week to try to save time.

In the actual session, Shafton showed up on queue. And finally got to Parrot Island to be trapped in the tunnels, and realizing this is a lethal part of the AP, they only encountered two of the zombies.


Okay, Its been awhile since my last update, but there has been some major shake-ups in the game...

After the PCs had cleared the smuggler tunnels, two of my players dropped out. Since I was going to be recruiting new players, I decided to change the character creation guidelines. Instead of rolling for stats, going to a 25 point buy, and then restricting races to core book races only. This of course meant my two remaining players needed to make changes.

Malachi: male Half-orc Bloodrager
Michi: male Human Fighter
Kayin: female Human Fighter
Lars: male Human Sorcerer
Nightwind: male Human Slayer

Now since we were starting with new players, I felt starting with the assault on the Lotus Dragons was an awkward place to begin, since practically none of my original characters remain. So I fast forwarded, starting the players at Level three, and the start of Bullywug Gambit. I did provide a summary of the events of Chapter one, along with a "who's who" of named NPCs. At least one of my players has latched onto the "We're not supposed to like Vanthus."

So Reboot: First session...
Went Very well. I was expecting it to be a cat herding session, with maybe a random encounter or two if time permitted. but everyone was on task, quickly figured out where they needed to go, They still bought the map of the region and hired a fishing boat to land them just north of Kraken Cove.

For the 16 hour trip, they encountered a grey ooze, that had absorbed some blanks. my attempt to foreshadow the future encounter with the flotsam ooze latter in the campaign, and handled it well. When the ship landed, I immediately started to drop the hints about the smoke raising from the cove, and the deformed and distorted animals. they made short work of the savage monkeys.

We left the game for the night, exactly were I was hoping too... The players overlooking the fire that was the ships harbored in Kraken's Cove, and knowing that things were still alive. One of them with a spy glass seeing the sail of a ship fleeing away from Kraken's cove..


Okay. Another good session. Despite more player issues. Michi wasn't able to make it due to work, and Lars ended up dropping out in the middle of the session.. ((without saying a word... But then he was never very active in the first place))

So they continued to explore Kraken cove, Dispatching many Savage Pirates, and Ripclaw made a valiant effort to make a snack out of Kayin. However when it turned out we were short two players, I brought in Henda (an NPC Witch I intended as a support character) to give them some needed support. I decided to skip the encounter with the Savage Krenshaw since there was so much other combat. ((I'm not tracking exp, leveling people at suitable times, aka after they've met Harliss in this case ))

I decided to remove one savage pirate from the messhall, and combine the encounter with Wyrmsting in the hallway. It made more sense to me to run it as a single encounter instead of two separate ones. We ended the session, with the PCs having a debate over what to do with the Savage Prisioners.


BTW: If anyone is actually reading and enjoying this, I'd like to know..


It may seem quiet in here, but I'm still keeping an eye on the savage tide forum!
It is always fun to see how it plays out with other groups!

FYI - my (adapted) ST campaign ended recently with the overwhelmingly successful defense of Farshore by my PCs
(due to RL & other RPG campaings we played about once every 2 months so it took a while before we got there).

One tip:
I strongly recommend you take some time to go through the ST forum (and/or story hours): many good ideas [e.g. for roleplaying NPCs (e.g. Avner), for certain encounters (e.g. Olangru)], variants (what if no ship wreck when reaching the Isle), upgraded enemies, etc, etc, etc.
You can use the search function to focus your search for a particular subject.

Have Fun!


Yes, I am reading this, too. However, it has been a year since we finished Savage Tide, so I visit this forum only now and then (being busy DM-ing Reign of Winter).
Hope you can keep up the campaign and do not have too many players walk out on you. It is really a fun campaign and we enjoyed it immensely.


Thank you Hagor, and Luna. :)

I Have taken the time to read though the other threads here, and I intend to include some of those ideas already (( like the no ship wreck is a GREAT idea, if only to Foreshadow a future encounter.))


You might get more views/comments if you repost your journal in the Campaign Journals subforum. I will continue to read this.


So the group was now joined by Zantar, a half-orc Druid.

It was a relatively short session last night. The group finished exploring Kraken cove. While Kayin and Zantar explored the Captain's quarters, Michi decided to jump on the bed, and I couldn't resist having the Captain's rapier poke up through the mattress to poke him in the bottom. They proceeded to threaten to set the bed on fire a few times in different languages, before they finally just looked under it. (( not as good as the Gazebo, but it amused me ))

When they encountered captain Harliss Javell, I rolled her attacks openly. I didn't need to play up her flamboyant combat style, The fact that she was taking three swings a turn was more then enough to convince the players that she wasn't someone they wanted to mess with. They then immediately loaded up on the Sea Wyvern to head back to Sasserine to save Lavinia.


Wow! I'm surprised by how quickly things progressed tonight.

They came into port with the Sea Wyvern. and immediately started pushing their way though the streets. Nightwind immediately suggested using the rooftops to bypass the crowds, I ruled that there were going to be parts of the city it wouldn't work. I couldn't resist throwing in a few of my own encounters in there. Including an encounter with Avner, a random amorous woman. I let them bypass the encounter with the battle dancer by going up onto the roofs just to keep things moving.

They got to the manner then without further delays, and went though the front door, immediately killed two of the bullywags, and injured the third, that went into the trophy room to get help. Zantar and Malachi chased after him, while Kayin and Nightwind ran upstairs. (( yeah, split the party fun )) Now Zantar's ape animal companion (Koba) finished off the wounded bullywag, Zantar and Malachi managed to drop one each. and again the one survivor decicded to get help, this time going down into the basement enough to get the chief attention, before Koba killed him, and lead to a fight between the two half-orcs and the bullywag chief and his pet.

Nightwind and Kayin went upstairs, and with Kaying calling for Lavinia gets directed into the master bedroom. They try to take the peaceful approach taking it out with the First Mate. they seemed a stalemate, when I had Lavinia aid their diplomacy check, ((and gave them a hefty circumstance bonus for a 400GP bribe)) then the shaman got bored of the taking and summoned a fiendish crocodile. Drevork turned against the shaman and chopped him up soundly, while Kayin and Nightwind dealt with the summoned monster.

One thing that I found helpful for dealing with the split party situation, is I had them roll init at the first encounter, and knowing they would be getting into combat again right away, I simply kept things in init order.


I have glanced at your posts a few times myself, (partly because i have my own savage tide running i like to skim others and mentally compare notes/entertain myself with how folks unfold differently)


Looks like you are having a nice flow in the story! I remember this scene with my party. This was when Cora died.
Have fun!


Yesterday's session was a little different then the other sessions. Instead of running head long into Sea Wyvern's Wake. I decided to have a short side mission.

I've given them 3 months in game time, most of them have actually used this time for retraining in addition to purchasing magical items. Malachi has successfully seduced Liamae. I've introduced Lirith early, and Nightwind is attempting to do the same with the tomboy warrior.

Now,at the urging of Henda ((the witch NPC I've bought in for some extra support)) the Sea Wyvern takes stail. Roughly two days out, they encounter another ship. This one however, is a ship made of bone and crewed by skeletons under the command of Captain Masters. Boarding lines made of intestines are cast over the rail, and a few skeletons cross over, at the same time as Nightwind crosses over to the bone ship. And is promptly challenged to a dual by the Captain.

Nightwind manages to win, because he forced the captain to resort to his Magus abilities. offered them each a piece of treasure from his hold to get them to depart. Zantar didn't want the undead creation to get away ((spouting the usual anti-undead nonsense of it being against nature and such)) Only to find out that the living bones of the ship respond to the Captain's command and ends up catapulting him off the Bone Ship.

Zantar unable to destroy the undead, turns his anger and frustration against the one that brought them here. and has cut ties with Henda for the time being.

In all this is just a fun sandbox type adventure that I came up with on the fly, to give the PCs some extra treasure before they end up on the Isle of Dread. and foreshadow a possible future ally or foe.


I am putting parts of savage tide with Skulls and Shackels because my group wants to get to 20. Instead of Lavinia's brother I am making Plugg the antagonist. They played the Wormwood Mutiny up to taking the Man's Promise. Plugg fled in the night to Krakens Cove were I introduced the devastation of the Savage Tide.

The fight with Javell didn't go as planned, the savages got multiple crits and big hits on her so she was left with 4hp. When she was recalling what happened while cleaning off in the tide pool the groups sorcerer Magic missled her. What a loss. I think I tramatized them too much on the wormwood. They don't trust anyone.


I've not looked at skulls and shackles. But I'm still planning to stick straight with STAP. But its an interesting idea.


I really didn't expect anything to happen tonight, as we started Sea Wyvern's Wake.

In order to reduce the strain on me as a GM, of trying to keep track of multiple named NPC, I had assigned an NPC to each player to play. so Lirth, Urol, Skald, Father Feres, and Tavey are under the control of my players...((I also did this as an experiment to see if I should allow them to take the leadership feat.))

When I informed my players that there was still room in the hold for more cargo, in true PC fashion decided to take on 40 tons of booze. This of meant that when Avner showed up wit Thunderstrike, there was no room in the hold for the horse. They wisely advised Avner that taking on thunderstrike would overload the ship, and that they were going to charge him 500GP for the cargo they left behind ((Which is the total I had charged them for the 40 tons of alcohol.)) Avner of course refused and Thunderstrike got left behind with the promise to send for her later. They offered to set up some privacy screens for Avner in the hold, when he complained about not having a private cabin, I decided this was enough to give them a situational modifier on the diplomacy check.

At this point, I just had them set sail, and then RP with each other and the other NPCs.


Cool stuff. My GM threw a lot of new stuff at us during SWW - little sandbox things - that really spiced it up. In particular we ran into a ship that was made up of the dredges of the Crimson Fleet and got to see first hand, ahead of time, how awful they were (and how dangerous - it was run as a mass combat with the crew and NPCs helping out, and we were still nearly overwhelmed).

I think you played Avner as a little too agreeable. Make him an utter dick to the party. Make him demand they give up their cabins for him. He's the perfect antagonist to force the party to confront who they really are. Are they heroes up and above petty revenge, or are they thugs that are going to mess with someone just because he's an arrogant dick?

Fun to read. SWW is by far my favorite of the adventures in this AP I've run through, so I'll be interested in seeing where it goes for you.


with respect to Avner:

for inspiration...

and

picture of Avner I used for my players --> instant dislike!

Enjoy!

Hagor


Hello Everyone!

Sorry for no update last week, there just wasn't too much to report, as the session was mostly taken up with playing with a Deck of Many things. They didn't draw any results that ultimately make a difference overall. One player drew the card that gave him the service of a 4th level fighter, so I decided to level Lirith, and let him have her as the 4th level fighter in his service.

This week we did do the dinner with Lavinia. I played up Avner a bit more, being more dismissive of the "Savage" and child-like NPCs. As most of the PCs respect her, I decided to put in an arranged marriage subplot between her and Avner, even as she is now pregnant with Michi's child.

The fight with the water Mephit was very brief, and Nightwind wasn't in danger of drowning. But now they're aware it was sabotage.


This brings back fond memories. My players did not trust Urol Forol at all. In my campaign Avner ended up married to Lirith, and Lirith pregnant.


*sighs*

so the PCs prudently did a roll call to make sure all the passengers were accounted for, and searched the ship. Zantar got a natural 20 on his search check and found Roywn. She might have had a chance, but Zantar passed his will save to resist a hold person...Immediately calling for help, the other PCs arrived and knocked her out. Tied her up and healed her.

She's currently "playing possum" and the PCs plan to turn her over to authorities in Fort Blackwell.... I wonder if she'll escape in time to make it aback aboard the ship...


My players let Rowyn live and 'redeemed' her as well. They let her go. She played along and in the end (in the Abyss) returned to claim the throne in the name of Malcanthet (I made her a thrall of Malcanthet). Imagine the surprise on their faces.


Sorry its been so long since I've done an update. There just hasn't been much to update. We missed a few sessions and overall progress has been slow.

Nightwind has left us, and we disposed of him in our normal manner... (( He was eaten by a shark)) Fortunately, they met Lessar at Fort Blackwell, and the burglar needed quick transportation...

As soon as the Good Father started complaining about not feeling well, Zantar slapped him with a remove disease.... *mutters about prudent half-orc druids ruining the GMs fun*

I've decided that Roywn is going to hold off, and might end up joining the attack on Farshore in ToD...


I have to start with my favorite quote from tonight's session:

"I like my soul..not feasted upon, thank you very much."

So The group goes with Urol to explore the famous ruins. The Basklisk and Gibbering Mouth don't prove to be much of a hazard to the heros. Since I've decided to skip the Saragoth to save time, I've added some of the treasure here, and intend to let the Purity's Prow be more successful in pass engagements.

The iconography of the batlike creatures eating humanoids in the ante-chamber gave the player's pause, But eventually pushed forward, at Malachi's insistance, against Zantar's reluctance. It actually seems fitting that those two were the ones that failed the save against the mummy Rot trap.

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