Giant Slayer PbP

[lucklesshero]

this is where we talk out of character

[Ud Nibbleaxe]

So it is said, so shall it be done.

[Harsk Hammerfist dwarf]

can we take one more?

[lucklesshero]

I only count 3 players right now...you'll need at least 4 before we start...Let's cap it at 5 though...remember we won't start for quite a while...but once I start I keep a good pace...and I generally don't flake out...

[Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario]

I can find you another player if you guys want.

[lucklesshero]

So I got a PM from Qstor the other day asking about this game...I had written him earlier...about when I'd have time to start this game however, he may have forgot or something...Therefore I've decide to post once again my situation in the discussion thread and give you all a 'heads up' as to what the expected game time start could be for this campaign. The best way to do that is just cut and paste what I sent Qstor previously so without further ado:.....

Ok I'm still up for this but, I'm currently stretched on my 'Bandwith' as it were. I'm running book 1 of reign of winter...the gameday module 'Risen from the Sands' and the PFS Scenario 'Gods Market Gamble'...I'm also slated to run part 5 of the 'Silverhex chronicles' here in a couple months...This is all PbP...the good news is I have almost no Players in game except the special 'Solstice Scar part B' so as I finish up these campaigns I'll have time for yours.

The other caveat is: I just took a summer job that will have me work 70 (i'm not kidding either) that's right 70 hours a week. Fortunately it's only a summer job. Now I'd like to be a great guy and get you started before then..But, I want to be realistic as well. So here's the best I can offer at this point...but, let be known "I almost never flake once I promise to do something"...

If you and your group still want to stick with me as a PbP GM I'll start up 1st week of September ...if this is too long to wait I understand. If however, you do want to play HERE is the recruitment thread. We can accommodate 4-5 players...I leave up to you to recruit all the players. Also you may 'Ninja dot' the game-play thread HERE and use the discussion thread Here to keep in contact with the other players and myself leading up to September...

If all this is acceptable...I am still perfectly willing to GM this game and give you the best PbP game I am capable of giving. However, it would be unfair to everyone involved ..if I attempted to start the game sooner than that...
Let me know what you decide.
Cheers
Lucklesshero

Hope that make it clear to everybody... I cannot and will not be starting this game before September. However, I am a reasonably reliable GM once I start a game and have only 'given-up' on one game (that I can recall) that I ever started. So if your willing to wait...
I'm still happy to be your GM come the Fall

[Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario]

Enjoy your summer! all 70 hours a week of it! :P

[Chaine "The Butcher" Alazario]

Welcome back! can you please give us some details on which adventure you are running? (which book, level range, etc.) My character leveled to 10 and he might be 11 at the conclusion of another adventure he's finishing now.

[Harsk Hammerfist dwarf]

FYI book 3 is for PCs level 9-11.

lucklesshero thanks for running this! I've been waiting to play this for a LONG while.

[lucklesshero]

ATT: Glaube and everyone: For the Heroes' Feast, you have to eat breakfast with Mr. Goody Two-Shoes, but in return you get a full belly, 1d8+5 temp HP, a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and Will saves, and a +4 morale bonus on saving throws against poison and fear effects for the next 12 hours.

For the sake of ease of play. I'd prefer you just assume this is cast every morning and adjust your stats accordingly in the stat bar on your character. Glaube will roll the HP for everyone each time he cast it or, we can just assume everyone gets 9 extra HP each day....majority rules.

Let's assume less than an 11hr workday each time we adventure so in effect this will be a permanent set of bonuses on each character.

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Very cool. I'm ok with 9 HP.

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

@GM Lucklesshero: next time you edit the campaign tab please delete Chaine and Silvermane from the list of players/characters. Thanks!

[lucklesshero]

OK I'm almost ready to go on this guys...Some quick meta backdrop...I'm going to start you in the city of Vigil in Lastwall it ties in better with my former campaign. You will have been summoned by the female gnome Venture captain,Evni Zongnoss. whom all of you have met at least once before (it's assumed all of you have been in Vigil at least week and would have reported to the lodge at least upon arrival.)

Go ahead and make a post about what you been doing in Vigil this last week or two. Also a gather info or knowldge local check may reveal some useful info about your up-coming mission. Assume all characters know the basic rules of Vigil. I'll try to get opening post up Tuesday by mid-day.

[lucklesshero]

Ok So let's everyone "check in" within in the next day or two. Now that I'm started I'd like to move along at as quick a pace as possible. So let's shoot for 5-6 post a week each o.k.?(min: As your GM I will most likely have more)

Weirdly enough I like to call people by their given name or preferred online pseudonym (example: people call me lucklesshero on the paizo boards but you may also call me Justin) So please let me know a name beside's your character's name that, I can address each one of you on the discussion board.

A couple of ground rules:
1. I'll bot you after 2+ days of no posting (maybe more if it falls on a long weekend)
2. If a save is called for the: The GM requires it be the first roll on your next post...even if you forget and post the roll as say...a perception check...I will still count the first roll as the save roll.
3. GM will roll for initiative and many perception checks: However, I may ask you to roll initiative or perception (if you don't get to the post those rolls before I do then we default to The GM's rolls.) Any extra perception checks (ie: ones I don't ask for but made by player characters anyway) always take at least one action of careful looking around (ie. if your walking down a hallway looking around I'll have already rolled perception for all of you...but if you roll again..it just means your going extra slow and taking your time usually costing you a move action)

I'll need the following from every person:
Player's name:
Character's name (that will be assigned the PFS chronicle when we are through):
PFS #(of the character being assigned credit):
Faction:
Day job roll (if any):
Starting prestige points:

Note all players should fill this section out before we really get rolling
I will be providing a link to my old Obsidian Portal campaign thread that I've loosely will attempt to tie in to your game.( the page needs some updates so it will be several days) It's a fairly comprehensive campaign website with many useful pages.
All combat maps will be posted in a link up at the top of the page. (none posted yet)
Anyway, let's fill these out as quickly as possible and also a short post of being summoned to the Pathfinder lodge in Vigil will be appreciated a.s.a.p.
thanks looking forward to running this with you guys!

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Player's name: GM PDK
Character's name (that will be assigned the PFS chronicle when we are through): Theodric de LaMontagne
PFS #(of the character being assigned credit): 4456-1
Faction: The Sovereign Court
Day job roll (if any): Intimidate: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (5) + 14 = 19
Starting prestige points: 8 Prestige / 39 Fame / 28 XP

Call me Theo (Theodric PC in use here) or Purple (Purple Dragon Knight is my Paizo name)

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

@GM lucklesshero: I just read your knowledge nobility spoiler in Gameplay, and I have a few questions.

1. Are there exceptions on the right to bear arms? my PC is a visiting noble from Taldor and will NOT get tattooed or swear any Oaths to these separatists. He admires Lastwall and what they're doing, and remembers that this land was settled by Taldor a long time ago, but he's 100% loyal to the Primogen Crown of Taldor.

2. Does this AP assume the PCs swear the Oath and receive the mark? if so, are there workarounds possible when played in the context of Pathfinder Society involvement? why has the society sent us here?

Thank you!

[lucklesshero]

sorry guys for holding up the game a little on some details that really don't involve the primary adventure. I'm trying to World build here a little and to offer you more than just a battle ridden long Pathinder scenario. This beginning section will be your primary roll-play opportunity....Because as you will soon see...you'll be thrust into action very shortly after we're through with this stage setting section.

I'm loosely attempting to tie your group into my own campaign..while not messing with the previous adventures and scenarios your own characters have experienced. (As I understand it some of you have already played book 1 and two of Giant Slayer with these characters? If so I'd like to which characters [in this group] have played either of the two previous books)

The decision to start from Lastwall is simple. It's a big city that was featured in my own campaign and it allows your group to make major purchases before they leave on their own adventure. It will also serve as the catalyst to introduce you to your mission.

As far as Devko's situation goes...his black garb would be looked upon with suspicion. His obvious Hellknight armor (presumably turned in at the gate with much grumbling) would have spread rumor like wildfire that a Hellknight was visiting Vigil. Although (as Devko pointed out), Hellknights are not an inherently evil group; they are wholly unconcerned with morality. Although there are numerous evil members particularly among their upper echelons. This would make most members of a lawfull good (and I might add already suspicious) society very nervous and uneasy about Devko's presence. Therefore, all encounters he'd have with the citizenry would start off as, Unfriendly in addition to him taking a diplomacy penalty. His one saving grace would be is: Many of the Knights of Ozem fought along-side the Hellknights in the Worldwound.

So my plan is to roll-play a couple of situations out here in Lastwall. Assign you your mission and arrange for transport. And then jump right into the mission (which is very combat heavy; thus I feel it needs adequate set-up before we start rolling of attack rolls ect..)

If everyone is Ok with this just go ahead and respond : sure! or sounds good! ect...
If you have an objection to me forcing you into Lastwall without weapons or Armor we'll need to have roll-play character driven reasons as to why they'd break the law in a very martial and serious city.

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

I have no problem being in Lastwall without weapons. I am a fat merchant (now :) )

I was concerned in the long run if the fighting happened here in Vigil...

[Brother Theo]

Might help if I fill this in now rather than later.

Player's name:Ed Birnbryer
Character's name (that will be assigned the PFS chronicle when we are through):Brother Theo
PFS #(of the character being assigned credit):66136-2
Faction:Grand Lodge
Day job roll (if any):Profession-Chirurgeon: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Starting prestige points:Prestige 33/Fame 51/XP 27/GP 8,070

[Harsk Hammerfist dwarf]

Player's name: Qstor
Character's name (that will be assigned the PFS chronicle when we are through): Harsk
PFS #(of the character being assigned credit):66136-2
Faction: Silver Crusade
Day job roll (if any):Survival hunting lodge 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (2) + 17 = 19
Starting prestige points:Prestige 51/Fame 55/XP 31/GP 12,370

[Brother Theo]

Might want to check the PFS # there Hammerfist.

[Harsk Hammerfist dwarf]

whoops 2072-9

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

Questions/info for the GM:

Could you please add me to this game's character list? I'm not currently getting notifications when there's a new discussion post. (That number in the tab to indicate how many unread posts there are.) Thank you. :)

To answer your question above, I have not played either of the previous Giantslayer books. This character, Glaube, has done PFS scenarios and one module.

Also, I sent you a PM to let you know that I have a GM star boon available on this character. However, I am unsure if you wanted to allow those in this game. Happy to roll with it either way. :-) If we're not using boons, I'd like to make one last purchase.

Lastly, are you allowing the use of PFS re-roll material? Again, happy to go either way, if you're uncomfortable with those. If you choose to allow them, please know that, in addition to our own re-rolls, both QSTOR and I have the ability to confer a 5-star re-roll upon another character.

__________________________________________________

Player's name: R D (Ray)

Character's name: Glaube Hoffnung Liebe

PFS #: 755-13

Faction: Silver Crusade

Day job roll: Profession Herbalist: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (15) + 15 = 30

Starting prestige points: 52 Prestige Points; 31 XP

[lucklesshero]

Guys will make a post tonight after work sorry for the delay

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Hi GM Lucklesshero,

If you're busy these days and can only post once a week, may I suggest you pick a night that fits best your schedule and let us know a day or two in advance?

That way, when you're able to post, we can all fire back our replies right away and manage a few additional posts between you and the rest of us before we all go back to our busy weeks.

A 'scheduled' or 'focused' PbP so to speak. Theodric can't wait to slay himself some giants! :)

PS: in other PFS AP tables I've been in, the GM also focused on the Sanctioned Content (i.e. the content described in the instruction part of the Chronicle Sheets download bundle). I've seen other GMs focus on the dungeons and forget the rest of the plot. How do you intend to run it?

[lucklesshero]

I'm sorry guys, been sick, school, work, ect... My bad my goal is 3-4 times a week if you can just give me a pass for this week we'll move on

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

Yikes! 'Tis the start of the cold and flu season. Take good care of yourself. Hope you feel better soon.

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Hope you feel better soon! don't sweat this game: get better first. I don't wish to rush this one as we have great RP'ers at the table!

[lucklesshero]

Guys have a bit of a confession, I kinda of back burned this lengthy exposition post/ data dump...because I knew it was going to a big one. It took me over an hour to write it! But it was necessary to give you guys a good segue into this campaign. That belays the question Because it will come up which of the current characters playing have Giant Slayer Chronicles attached to them?

I'll need to know this because in my last campaign some key magic items were lost when the last group got TPK'd... If any of your group posses a chronicle that has Argimmosh I'll need to make a little further exposition in to how that piece was recovered.

The good news going forward is their shouldn't be too much more back story. Your mission is clear. Find the place, kill the BBEG, and gather any intel you find along the way. There's 15-20 encounters to play (depending on what choices you make), so it will be wise to plan on having a way to rest safely in the middle of enemy territory 2-4 times. Rope trick, or other dimensional spells may help..as would good old fashion teleport. You'll need to be creative here, because you could get caught in a real meat grinder if you don't have a plan.

Anyway, thanks for waiting hope to get the next post out sooner!

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

That's gonna be hard without a mage. Do clerics have safe haven spells like this?

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

We could buy scrolls of rope trick (or similar) and hope that someone can successfully use them. In a post on Sept 25 I asked about using a boon. This boon grants me:

Scroll-Savvy: After penning countless reports and poring over myriad texts, you have developed a natural affinity for using magical scrolls. You can cast spells from scrolls as though all spells were on your class’s spell list (treat your caster level as 1 if you do not already have a caster level); however, if you fail the caster level check to activate a scroll, the Wisdom check DC to avoid a mishap is 8. At the start of each scenario, Kreighton Shaine gives you a single scroll with a single 1st-, 2nd-, or 3rd-level spell with no expensive material components, but you must return an unused scroll to him after the adventure.

This gives us one free rope trick scroll. If everyone else is willing to buy a scroll, I need to roll a 2 or better to use it.

[lucklesshero]

Glauber of coarse you are entitled to use your ability. I’ve got no problem

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

@GM: Thank you. I just didn't want to spring it on you or bury you with an endless litany of: "Well, I have this boon that..." I want to be up front with my shenanigans and be clear with you first.

I would like to purchase one 5' length of rope, please.
__________

@Party: If the fit hits the shan, I have an aura that's like sanctuary. Enemies cannot attack allies within my 30' aura unless they make a will save. If you attack while in my aura, that ends the effect for you alone. If I attack, that ends the effect for everyone.

I could also prepare Word of Recall daily to get us all back to the Lodge safely. That's up to y'all.

In combat I prefer to Antagonize the enemy (per the feat) giving them a –2 penalty on all attacks rolls made against creatures other than me and a 10% spell failure chance on all spells that do not target me or that have me within their area of effect. I role-play this as trying to convert the enemy combatants to a more peaceful lifestyle--like a "hippie life coach." :-)

Happy to use, or not-use, any of these tactics in deference to party needs.
__________

Since a scroll of rope trick defaults to level 3 (I think?) it would only last for three hours. So I'm happy to use it in conjunction with Nap Stack so that we can get a full night's rest AND enjoy a Heroes' Feast before it runs out. Since you can only benefit from Nap Stack once per week, this is likely something we can only enjoy one time during this part of the AP. Happy to discuss/consider other possibilities for rest.

[Brother Theo]

Since we are prepping for the adventure, put me down for some boots of Striding & Springing please. (5,500 gp)

[Harsk Hammerfist dwarf]

Word of Recall as needed sounds ok along with the rope trick and Nap Stack.

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

Nap Stack plus Rope Trick gets us through one rest period. Word of Recall gets us through another (though we'd have to find a way back to where we were in enemy territory). Any other prep/requests?

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Suggestions for Clerics:
Air Walk 10min/level to keep the fighter mobile;
Magic Circle vs. Evil 10min/level on fighter to keep him on your side;
Bear's Endurance 1min/level to keep the fighter from dying too soon;
Shield Other 1 hour/level, if you don't mind the risk and staying within 50 feet of Theodric.
Deadeye's Lore 1 hour/level on Harsk;
Aid & Ironbeard & Ironskin & Align Weapon: all 1min/level on Theodric, Harsk, Devko;
Spiritual Ally for Theodric and Devko for flank bonuses! (it can also make AoOs!);
Spiritual Squire for Brother Theo and Glaube;
Freedom of Movement: anyone can benefit from this, especially those with lower CMDs;
Find Traps 'cause we don't have a rogue;
Theodric is also fine serving as an anti-spellcaster missile if you want to cast silence on him; and finally
Hold person 'cause giants are persons too! ;)

For Emergencies: (of course)
Breath of Life
Heal

Suggestions for Devko (bard):
Heroism on Theodric / Harsk
Inspire Courage!
(those two things are always very appreciated by fighters! :) )

Finally, Theodric will also buy an additional Wayfinder (250) and a scarlet and green cabochon ioun stone (10,000)

[lucklesshero]

OK so for purchases I have:

Glaube: A free scroll of Rope trick
and 50' rope ? (5' of which you'll cut off for material component?)

Theodric: wayfinder and scarlet and green cabochon ioun stone

Brother Theo:
Boots of Striding and springing...

Did I miss anything? Do you guys want/need anything else? You might be gone a few days or more...How are you on rations? Everyone got a canteen or waterskin?

Please let me know by tomorrow Thursday afternoon 3pm(10/11/18)..what your final pre-trip purchases are.

thx.

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Got water; got 5 days-worth of food; what's the two ladies' estimate on time needed in giant land? do they think I need more food? I thought Heroes' Feast made you full for the day?

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

lucklesshero wrote:

Glaube: A free scroll of Rope trick

and 50' rope ? (5' of which you'll cut off for material component?)

I'll cut it right before using the scroll. Rope trick says that the rope goes to a the rope's full length. I figure we'll wait to see what kind of terrain we're in before deciding on the length. :)

____________________________________________________________

Theodric de LaMontagne wrote:

I thought Heroes' Feast made you full for the day?

I don't see that in the spell's description. But it's certainly possible for the average person to get by on one meal a day for a few days.

Glaube can also create water, if that's a concern.

Glaube has a clear spindle Ioun stone and doesn't need to eat. Though he loves to eat.
____________________________________________________________

I've updated my spells to reflect what I think is important on the first day out. Facing giants and such, I do want to keep some liberating command spells in case someone is grabbed or the like.

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Yeah Theodric don't need to eat or drink either... wonder why I forgot about that... probably because the main reason for the item was the resonant power of protection from mental control, before it got nerfed to 'protection from evil 1/day' (still not bad since it's CL 12th)

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

He usually carries a bag of apples with him, and he still has a bag of MW candies he's been carrying since the beginnings of the Pathfinder game... for interrogation purposes. Don't ask.

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

Theodric de LaMontagne wrote:

he still has a bag of MW candies he's been carrying since the beginnings of the Pathfinder game... for interrogation purposes. Don't ask.

As they pack for the adventure ahead, Glaube notices Theodric's candles. "How wonderful," the cleric thinks. "He also enjoys candlelit baths. I shall have to remember to give him the addresses of healing spa facilities back home."

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

Not candles: candies. Don't ask. :)

[Glaube Hoffnung Liebe]

ROFL!

[lucklesshero]

OK slide show is up the link will be at the top of the game-play and discussion threads. Please complete the info on slide 2...more slides will be added as we dive further in to the adventure.

[lucklesshero]

Ok people...This will be your last chance to reveal any boons you may have earned by playing previous books of this adventure. If no boons are revealed...by my next post (Thursday 25th Oct) then I'll assume you simply don't have them. (Which is strange because I was requested to run this adventure as the previous GM abandoned the campaign?)

It is imperative to know if you have these boons before we proceed further. (It doesn't count if they've been on your character portfolio this whole time..I don't have time to comb through all your character's boons traits equipment ect)...You must reveal these Giant Slayer boons in the next few days in this thread if you want to use them. Otherwise, there is no way for me to smoothly introduce them to the narrative.

thx...please let me know one way or the other

[Theodric de LaMontagne]

I have not played any previous Giant Slayer adventures, not with this character, nor with any other character. I have zero Giant Slayer boons to my account.

[Devko Obradev]

I have only played and GM the first part of this adventure with another character. So no boon with Devko :'(

[Harsk Hammerfist dwarf]

No Giantslayer boons on this PC.