Thanks for the good wishes, and back at you all.
Jelani, glad you got your Jeep painted.
I had a good, relaxing Thanksgiving weekend in Pittsburgh PA, with my wife, daughter, and mother-in-law.
Lurking while i post
Thanks again, Jelani.
I just created a little flank square that I'll move as needed. For anyone who I'd told you could get +6 by flanking me, I was wrong. (Mislead by an old playtest rule that was still in the Hero Lab package for Path of War.) :(
The real rule is that I and yall get to count one square adjacent to me (that I pick each turn) as occupied by me when I and you determine if we're flanking.
I've put a little green flank square on the board now.
_________
EDIT: and the PoW devs just replied and let me know that if I *did* fail on the first attempt, I don't get the gambit on the second roll.
In other words, if I disarmed with with a 50, great. If not, my second attempt is a 53 (since I can't add my Gambit anymore AND I now suffer -2 to all d20s for the rest of this and next round).
Lurkin while workin
Lurking
Cool! Hestram is no more (as far as it seems!)
Jelani, how close are we to the climactic end? One or two more modules?
I mean, that was the end of the main arc. All that I have left planned is a brief jaunt to the shadow plane to rescue Imrizade, and then everyone retires...
Thanks for sticking it out basically four years with me guys, it's been a great run and I've had a lot of fun running this game.
Jelani: it’s been a true pleasure, and I look forward to more games to come!
Before I set to work on big grandiose posts detailing the following, I wanted to confirm with you, Jelani, that I had the green light to move forward on all this stuff as we had discussed in PM’s since we have now basically reached the end-game:
1) High Commander x2 (Arcanamirium, Varlokkur) - 8 PP total - which then leads to the custom reward purchase of...
2) High Council of Absalom - ??? PP - unify the two position investments, pay a lump sum of PP, and procure a cornucopia thanks to my underlings efforts, granting me a seat in the High Council of Absalom.
3) Would it also be possible, given the circumstances, to buy a High Commander position in the Pathfinder Society to become one of the Decemvirate?
Jelani: it’s been a true pleasure, and I look forward to more games to come!
Before I set to work on big grandiose posts detailing the following, I wanted to confirm with you, Jelani, that I had the green light to move forward on all this stuff as we had discussed in PM’s since we have now basically reached the end-game:
1) High Commander x2 (Arcanamirium, Varlokkur) - 8 PP total - which then leads to the custom reward purchase of...
2) High Council of Absalom - ??? PP - unify the two position investments, pay a lump sum of PP, and procure a cornucopia thanks to my underlings efforts, granting me a seat in the High Council of Absalom.
3) Would it also be possible, given the circumstances, to buy a High Commander position in the Pathfinder Society to become one of the Decemvirate?
I'd prefer you hold off on 2) and 3) until after we finish up any actual adventuring (i.e. rescuing Imrizade) before you purchase those. To me it's just about the fact that those are more than fulltime, very demanding jobs. You've earned it, but once you take on those mantles you aren't going to have time for anything else. Especially once you take into account all of Argor's other endeavors.
Okay.
I'm going ahead and posting some of the RP associated with it though, because it just wouldn't feel the same posting it afterwards. So even though he technically has one of the twelve cornucopias, he isn't on the Grand Council until they call their annual meeting and he presents it.
So, the official timing of both the High Council thing and possibly the Decemvirate thing are in your court. When you give the green light there (post campaign I presume) I will deduct whatever amount you say is necessary from my Prestige Points to "fund" that.
As for my coinage.
Started with 36,317 gp.
Spent 24,400 on upgrading my staff, plus another 3,000 for the special ritual you green-lit on Roll20. Leaves me with 10,717. Staff is now:
Argor's Staff:
Disintigrate (2 charges)
Greater Dispel Magic (2 charges)
Magic Missile (1 charge)
Spent 5,000 paying Celeena for her services rendered, pure RP spending.
Going to spend 3,000 gp upgrading my Cloak of Resistance from +1 to +2.
Leaving me with 2,717 gp to add to my funds.
Very cool! I'm excited for the (presumed) rescue of Imrizade.
This has been a fun campaign.
RP to come over the next day or two!
Lurkin
PM'd you, Jelani
When was she absolved of her crimes? Am I forgetting something?
I never thought she had knowingly joined with the Shadow Lodge, but was duped into going along with some missions, same as Kyalla.
The fact that Hestram turned her over to the ape lich tells me that she wasn't one of his lieutenants.
I don't think she was ever absolved of anything either. You may have assumed that, but iirc there wasn't evidence one way or the other.
This post says the Society thinks Auronee is with Dreng.
So, though Cladissa may have perceived Auronee as a pawn, the evidence points to the fact that she was likely collaborating with Hestram, and then became collateral damage when Chorkak betrayed his agreement with Hestram and took Auronee along with Kyalla, instead of just Kyalla.
That was the same line of thought I had been thinking all along regarding her: the betrayer who got betrayed.
Well, it's certainly not what I (or Cladissa) had thought all this time. It's a nice little "revenge" for Cladissa, I suppose, though she's moved beyond such concerns.
Though, I've got to wonder...
Umm, gnome... Hmmm.
Ah, well. In another timeline.
Just so you know, I did have this in mind from 'the beginning' or whatever. Basically by the time you guys had gotten anywhere near the end of the arc, this plan for her to join Hestram was already on the books.
I wanted her to get her karmic reward for being such a B to Cladissa.
While we plan our assault, what magic items should we invest in?
* Scrolls of Hide from Undead?
* Many Scrolls of Death Ward?
* White Shoanti War Paint?
Other thoughts / suggestions? I have 26K GP, burning a hole in my (already holy) pocket.
I (so I guess Thrassk) have been thinking that some fetchling disguises are in order as well. Strong as the Freaks are, they have no chance against an entire city the size of Absalom which will be largely (near universally?) hostile to them. In my mind, this will primarily be a mission of stealth, and possibly assassination of Agrinyxia.
Also, Gianluca mentioned not starting to plan the Shadow stuff because of wanting to RP. That's totally fine if you guys want some more downtime to RP, I'm not in a hurry. But I do need to start generating maps and enemies for the eventual excursion, so having some idea of the plan would be quite helpful in that.
Does my result on my check give me any idea as to how strong this Agrinyxia is? That plays a major factor.
I don't need more RP time, I just thought that you might be leaving room for it.
NOT frontally assaulting an entire plane sounds wise.
I have a hat of disguise...which I just re-read. Disguise Self won't change your type, only your sub-type...and Fetchlings are outsiders.
Jelani, unless you rule differently, that means it won't disguise anyone but Gianluca as one...and of course Gianluca will look like a very TALL Fetchling.
Likewise, Alter Self can only give a humanoid form.
Maybe a wand of Invisibility?
And/or a scroll or two of Veil?
And/or hire someone to physically disguise us?
And/or have a "retraining to get to max Stealth score" montage?
What are our other ways to be inconspicuous?
EDIT: thinking more, I think a scroll (or a few) of Veil might be our best bet. Oh! And I just realized Argor's high enough level to actually cast it. Even better!
I can prepare it and cast it up to 4 times a day. If need be. Or scribe it myself.
Does my result on my check give me any idea as to how strong this Agrinyxia is? That plays a major factor.
Presumably stonger than this:
Adril Hestram
Male human fghter 16
NE Huge humanoid
init +5; Senses Perception –1
DEFENSE
AC 47, touch 14, flat-footed 46 (+12 armor, +3 deflection, +1 dodge, +1 insight, +26 NA, -2 size)
hp 1,472 (16d10+stuff)
fort +27, ref +17, will +15; +4 vs. fear,
defensive abilities bravery +4, resist fire 20; SR 22
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
melee +1 wounding earth breaker +39/+39/+34/+29/+24 (3d6+28/19–20/×3) and bite +34 (2d6+23 and grab +35)
ranged +1 returning throwing axe +22/+17 (1d6+10)
Special attacks weapon training (hammers +3, axes +2, heavy blades +1)
Space/Reach 15’
MUTATIONS (16 points)
Large+Huge (10 points), bite (1 point), grab (bite) (2 points), swallow whole (3 points)
STATISTICS
Str 41, dex 11, con 27, int 10, Wis 8, cha 12
Base atk +16; CMB +35; CMD 51
Feats Cleave, Critical Focus, Dodge, Extra Evolution, Greater Weapon Focus (earth breaker), Greater Weapon Specialization (earth
breaker), Improved Critical (earth breaker), Improved
Initiative, Improved Iron Will, Iron Will, Lightning Reflexes, Power Attack, Staggering Critical, Toughness, Weapon Focus (earth breaker), Weapon
Focus (throwing axe), Weapon Specialization (earth breaker), weapon spec throwing axe
Skills Bluff +11, Climb +17, Fly +2, Handle Animal +8,
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +11, Survival +13, Swim +13
Languages Common
SQ armor training 4
LOL! I love that it made sense to buff his HP up to 1472!!!
Out of curiosity, did you change anything aside from:
1. Giving him the Serum
2. Boosting his HP and Nat Armor?
I wonder if we should send a message to Hrimnagel, asking if he wants to join us for this expedition. It seems right up his alley...if he can be spared from his role as VC.
Then Jubal would be managing 2 characters.
So “OMG we’re all gonna die” strong. Got it.
Also: lurking a bit.
LOL! I love that it made sense to buff his HP up to 1472!!!
Out of curiosity, did you change anything aside from:
1. Giving him the Serum
2. Boosting his HP and Nat Armor?
Nope, not really. I ignored a bunch of his gear I guess. He had some potions and stuff. But other than the mutations, HP and AC that's pretty much what was in the book.
Edit: I think I also gave him +5 to saves now that I'm looking closely.
Guys
I'm still here. Haven't had a long enough time to sit and read the Gameplay. Every time that I've had some time it grows by another 12 posts.
Don't know what's going on in Gameplay, but if we're going to face something more powerful than AC 47 & 1472 HP, Grommesson is useless. He needs 20s to hit. So, running Hrim might be useful, at least in noncombat.
This mission is entirely of your conception. It may be possible to avoid facing Argrinyxia entirely, depending on what you guys want/do.
Jubal - If you want to level Hrim to 12 and play him instead of Grommesson for the mission to the Shadow Plane, I'm fine with that. Grommesson is so young, it might make sense for him to bow out of such a dangerous mission. He's what, all of six months old or something?
Especially given as you point out, he would need 20s to hit. Somewhere along the line, a disparity grew between his to-hit/damage and AC, and the other two melee characters'. I have to class things to the Thrassk/Gianluca level, or every single encounter would be a cakewalk. Sorry if that has made it less than interesting to play Gromm in recent encounters :(
In character it could just be played off to his youth and inexperience. I could see Argor asking him to stay and watch over Verde Heights and his other enterprises, in case something goes wrong in the Shadow. Then Argor could write or sending to Hrim and ask for his help on this mission of stealth.
What do you guys think?
It's neat that you mentioned bringing Hrimnagel back, because I was thinking that Cladissa might reach out to him about the mission anyway. What better to have with you when you go to a shadow plane than someone with their own shadow powers?
Everything Jelani said seems a reasonable solution.
Also: Lurking
@Jubal - Cladissa is sending a message to Hrimnagel in the gameplay thread, here.
I’ll try to get to it tonight. I’m struggling with RL time at the moment.
Sure, just letting you know since you said you hadn't been able to catch up on the gameplay thread, I thought you may have been unaware.
No pressure from me, I understand that you're busy.
Lurking some today.
How are you lurking if Roll20 is down for maintenance?
Dunno but I’m in.
Edit: backed out to see what you were talking about, and now I am locked out due to maintenance. Hahaha
Lie all you want, Troll! I know that thou hast tricked me!
Hahaha looks like it’s back up!
Hmmmm, I don't know what you two are talking about. I don't see either of you on here!
Hey
I just don't see how I'm going to continue playing without completely slowing you. I've recently changed jobs and am working crazy hours.
And since I've moved to 5e, leveling in Pathfinder takes an extraordinary amount of time and effort for me.
So, I'm going to write myself out when I can. I'll continue to read the adventure, because I wouldn't miss the end of the story. Hope that's alright with you.
cheers
Hey, Jubal. I understand. I know that time pressure has been an ongoing thing for you. Thanks a lot for sticking it out through the main arc. If you ever have more freetime, feel free to drop me a line and I'll see if I can work you into whatever I have going. It's been great playing with you bud. Best of luck in your new job.
Definitely sorry to hear that, but hope the new job is fulfilling, if busy.
Will you still be able to make a few posts to respond to Cladissa's visit? Even if it's just a few short ones to say goodbye, and she'll pass along his farewells to the others.
Nothing to post in at the moment, so I'm going to lurk for a while this morning.
I’ve got some ideas for some posts related to our training. But waiting on responses from team pre-Scroll use.
Hrim, buddy, it’s been a pleasure gamin here with ya.
Jelani: I’ll level up ASAP.
Jubal, I can totally understand getting swamped with work.
It's been good playing with you. Be well!
Everyone, I suspect I might take 4 or 5 days to level, but we'll see. Looking forward to this crazy coda to a great campaign.
I’ll start to have some down time on Saturday to post farewell.