I try not to clutter up the board with posts when it's not my turn!
Seriously though. If we're in combat and waiting for someone to post it's all too easy for them to lose the turn order and not even realize that we're waiting on them if everyone else is posting other stuff every day.
Items on Nazhena: potion of barkskin, potions of cure moderate wounds (2), potions of shield of faith (2), wand of ice spears* (10 charges); Other Gear Emberchill (+1 frost sickle), hyperboreal robe, spell component pouch, blue quartz tiara worth 500 gp, ice diamond necklace worth 100 gp.
Will add to the sheet shortly
Properties of the robe:
HYPERBOREAL ROBE PRICE 7,000 GP
SLOT body CL 6th WEIGHT 1 lb.
AURA moderate abjuration and necromancy
This beautiful robe is fashioned from fine blue silk embroidered with silver thread, and trimmed with owl feathers and tiny shards of crystal.
The robe grants its wearer a +2 resistance bonus on all saving throws. In addition, the flesh of the robe’s wearer becomes searing cold to the touch. Anyone who strikes the wearer with an unarmed strike, a touch attack, or a natural weapon takes 1d6 points of cold damage. The wearer can activate or deactivate this ability as a free action.
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS COST 3,500 GP
Craft Wondrous Item, chill touch, resistance
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See the latest post I made in the recruitment thread for a quick summary of PC submissions. Look them over and post your opinions about whom to invite or not invite here or if you prefer in private messages. I've left the recruitment open for now, but with a warning that selection will take place soon. Check for late additions. I'll hold my opinions for now and weigh in after seeing your ideas.
I still haven't heard from Erland's player, so we should probably replace Erland.
Been meaning to chime in and just been really busy.
Definitely a fan of the Gnome Arcanist (Ozella). Looks Like a good candidate to replace Erland as the primary spellcaster. Good selection of spells, and some skills that we lack as a group.
Interesting that we’ll still end up with Domitian as the only frontliner, since no one opted for a melee build, but once I level to 7 Wapiti becomes more formidable in combat. Between that and Rurik supporting (and me if absolutely necessary), we should be fine on that front.
The Arrowsong Minstrel/Dragon disciple and Guerilla Witchkiller/Sorceror both sound interesting (though not much else I can tell about the former without details). Both will increase competition for archery related items (which already tend to be scarce in AP’s), but not really a deciding factor. With The information available I’d go with the dhampir slayer (Guerrilla witch killer)/Sorcerer (umbral) NG Shadow bloodline (Adrian)
For a third I’d go with the chronicler of worlds/studious librarian bard (Hadda). Bards are always good to round things out/ provide support casting, trap springing is something we need.
The ratfolk witch would likely add a degree of difficulty interacting with already untrusting environments (I’m pretty sure Iobaria isn’t any friendlier to outsiders than Irrisen), and the ratling being evil could be an issue.
Been moving stuff all weekend, super busy
I've sent a PM to each of the current players with my thoughts on whom to recruit. I'm open to any of the five, so a lot hinges on your thoughts and preferences.
Workin’ on it.
Same
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I think we owe it to the applicants to post a decision soon. If you have any preferences not yet communicated, please do so by Saturday morning. Thanks.
Keep getting an error message when I try to access the messaging function of the boards, which is prohibiting me from sending info to the DM.
Keep getting an error message when I try to access the messaging function of the boards, which is prohibiting me from sending info to the DM.
Just put your recommendations under a spoiler here in the discussion thread.
I've posted the new players and characters for joining the game.
Knight of Rust: Gnome Arcanist (Elemental Master)
Malinor.: Crasius Leone, a human bard (arrowsong Minstrel)/Dragon Discple (Brass)
polyfrequencies: Human or half-elf bard (chronicler of worlds or studius librarian)
Either of the other two could have been selected but I felt these three fit the current group the best. New players should begin posting soon.
Once character creation is finished and general backgrounds established, I'll work out how to introduce them. Meanwhile the current group has to work through a few things while exploring the hut.
Happy to be here! Mechanically, Ozella is all finished up. I just have to write up a backstory
Backstory blurb for those who missed it.
Despite being smart as a whip, Teladora Whizzlefizz took the words of her family a little too close to her heart. Growing up, she would always look forward to her family visiting, in particular, her Uncle, Fongledoytch Whizzlefizz. Fongledoytch was an avid storyteller and natural liar. Most people took his outrageous tales with a grain of salt, chalking it up to another bout of an overactive Gnome imagination. Teladora absorbed his stories every time he would speak them, not bothering to question him unless something turned out to be impossible.
One day, Fongledoytch returned to the homestead her family was based out of after a particularly long stint away, even by Gnome time standards. His hair was partially bleached, his skin losing its color. However, as Fongledoytch started spinning his tale, some of his colors began showing more vibrantly, and then something particularly powerful entered Teladora's ears.
"While I was traveling the far north, I was cursed by Baba Yaga herself! That's why I'm Bleaching!"
To everyone else, it was a tall tale. Teladora, however, took it as truth. Not long after, she steeled herself, gathered her books and things, and left a note.
"Heading to Irrisen to save Uncle Fongledoytch from Baba Yaga's curse. Be back soon."
It also gives free reign to insert her wherever as she gathers information.
Hello! All my mechanics should be set up by this morning and in the profile.
I'll make the alias asap (later tonight) and then confirm the whole spellbook costs. I am looking forward to the Studious Librarian archetype!
Everything should be good on my character sheet now.
Added in a bit, still have more backstory to elaborate on.
GM Clebsch. How would you stay the Gnome racial trait Pyromaniac works with the Flame Arc exploit? I only ask because it hits... well it hits nearly everything else, but I haven't found anything about Exploits yet, so I figured I'd ask.
Given that the trait was most likely written before Arcanist was created, it was likely meant to apply to all flame-related class features. It would fit in spirit with everything else.
My 2 cents
Added in a bit, still have more backstory to elaborate on.
GM Clebsch. How would you stay the Gnome racial trait Pyromaniac works with the Flame Arc exploit? I only ask because it hits... well it hits nearly everything else, but I haven't found anything about Exploits yet, so I figured I'd ask.
I'll give it a look this afternoon.
Welcome to the new players!
I'll have to figure out how to work everyone into the story. At present, the party is just entering the Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga. I don't think any of the new folk would already be in the place. It's possible, if they are in the same city, that they might wander in to investigate the forest that has grown up around the market square.
The previous section involved clearing out threats in the Fey Forest and there were some folk who had been trapped there and in need of rescue. But anyone who is at a level of the new PCs would probably be able to deal with the situation.
If any of the new PCs might have gotten on the bad side of the current queen, they may have been imprisoned in the forest either as punishment or as a way to finish them off.
But if you want to enter from Iboria, the plot will move there fairly soon. If all three new folk want to start there, I could come up with a parallel situation that they can be dealing with while the current trio gets through the last few issues to resolve before moving on with the Hut.
I think taking part with the Dancing Hut sounds fun.
If it's easier on you to hold off for a bit on introducing us then that works.
Good to know.
Once I have some input from the other two new players, I'll read through the backgrounds and see what can be done.
If you want me to summarize what has happened up to this point, let me know. If you have the AP, you can read through the 2nd book to learn the general thread of the adventure.
Reminder to Rurik, Ingrit, and Dom: There is a melee beginning in the gameplay thread, in case you missed it during the recruitment posts.
I do have the books, but I have not read through any of them before. I will look through the two books.
A quick summary with anything specific to this group would be awesome.
Noted.
Ozella's updated. Wife is getting back from a week long trip in a few moments, so it's a little rush, but I plan on refining it a bit later.
That said, she can enter the story at any point. Right now her story revolves heavily upon "Find Baba Yaga specifically" so it wouldn't be a problem for her being in town and asking around or if she just showed up at the Hut's front door after having done so.
Dealer's choice! I'm good with anything.
I'm a bit delayed in getting the new alias up and running. But Hadda is an Iobarian native who has traveled around extensively. She could easily enter the story in Iobaria. But like Ozella, she as been seeing Baba Yaga specifically (though certainly for different reasons). She has been very interested in the Dancing Hut specifically, so she would have gone looking for it if she couldn't find evidence of how to contact Baba Yaga.
All right, Hadda is here. I need to clean up some stuff and make some adjustments, but yeah!
Crasius is a traveling bard. He can be passing through where ever it is most convenient for him to be passing through.
Ingrit: Ingrit is grappled. She can attempt the usual stuff to break the grapple. Or she can attack the bone cage itself and if she does enough damage, she can break free that way, although that damage won't hinder the bone golem itself.
To the new players: I'll look the PCs over soon. They won't join at least until after this melee ends, so no rush. I'll offer some options for joining after that.
If you have not already done so, please make sure your profiles use the standard Paizo format template. It makes it much easier for me to find a specific stat. You can add anything else you want after the main stat blocks or under spoilers.
As a player, I find it helpful to keep spoilers with the text lines that are used for posting dice rolls. In the profile, these do not make rolls, so you can just copy and paste your normal combat rolls, spell effects, skill checks, and any other commonly made rolls. It also means I can copy and paste the same texts for cases where I have to 'bot a character.
Header information: Put the standard stuff that a GM might want to get at a glance: AC, Saves, hp, special save bonuses, initiative, perception, etc. Try to remember to adjust them as spells or other circumstances apply modifiers to them while in melee.
If there is anything in the PC's background that is for the GM only, please label that under a spoiler. Otherwise, everyone should assume the background information is common knowledge or is information the PC will disclose if asked.
The story so far:
A few months ago, a region in Taldor started experiencing strange winter weather in the middle of summer.
A group of green, mostly local, adventurers ventured into the affected area in Taldor and found it occupied by strange fey creatures with an affinity for the cold surroundings. After rescuing a local aristocrat whose carriage was waylayed near the winterized area, the team penetrated to a portal from which the cold was pouring in. They passed through the portal and defeated the guards of the portal at the origin side, which turned out to be in Irrisen.
At this point, a fateful encounter with a nearly dead knight on horseback, bestowed on the adventurers something called the Mantle of the Black Rider. The Black Rider is one of three such knights who serve as the heralds of Baba Yaga, announcing the end of the 100 year reign of the current queen of Irrisen, one of the many daughters of Baba Yaga. Normally, Baba Yaga shows up soon after the heralds do and removes the current queen and installs a new one. It matters not to the people of Irrisen who is queen as they all tend to rule as tyrants, but the deposed queen always disappears and no one but Baba Yaga knows what happens to the ex-regents of Irrisen.
So the current queen, Elvanna, decided to try to hold onto power. She attacked the heralds and managed to wrest Baba Yaga's Dancing Hut from her control. She also initiated the winter portals.
Back to the Mantle of the Black Rider. As the old knight succumbed to mortal wounds, he revealed he was the last of the heralds and therefore was transferring his obligations over to the adventurers at the Taldor portal. They did not really have a choice and since then, they've all felt compelled to try to locate Baba Yaga, who alone has the power to deal with her rebellious daughter.
The PCs discovered a local Winter Witch, an ally of Elvanna and ruler of a district in the SW of Irrisen, was in charge of things. They go to her castle to rescue the family of a resident in the district. There, they manage to shut down the portal to Taldor, but this has no effect on the other portals which presumably are being sustained by other witches in other parts of Irrisen. The only hope of defeating the project is to locate Baba Yaga.
The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga was somehow secured and displayed as a trophy in the central square of the capital of Irrisen. The adventurers travel across the harsh land in perpetual winter and infiltrate the capital, Whitethrone. They learn the hut is in the market square, but some arcane defensive magic from the hut has caused a strange forest to grow up around it. The queen had a small army of woodsmen perpetually cutting back the forest, but that only kept it contained in the square. It interior was full of fell fey foes. Nevertheless, the queen stationed members of her Winter Guard to keep interlopers away from her prize. The Winter Guard were a new group loyal to the queen, while the old Iron Guard had been driven underground.
By this point, some of the members of the advneturers had changed, as several deserted the mission and new adventurers joined and received the Mantle in turn. To get to the hut, the adventurers defeated a dragon who led the Winter Guard from a clock tower in Whitethrone. Once defeated, a group of Milani rebels worked with the remaining Iron Guard to start a rebellion. This led to the Winter Guard to be redeployed, making the hut unprotected except for the fey creatures that now occupied the forest.
After dealing with these threats, access to the Hut was finally achieved. They also defeated Nazhena for good measure, who had been stationed next to the hut to defend it.
The adventurers are now exploring the hut and attempting to learn the secret of using it as a method of traveling to across space and time. In this way, they hope to locate Baba Yaga, who presumably has been imprisoned by Elvanna. They hope that once freed, Baba Yaga will deal with her daughter and set things right with the winter portals at last.
Ozella has been updated with the standard Paizo template, and I added in the dice rolls. I kept some explanations in a spoiler below so you didn't have to search for what racial traits or anything that I took or what Arcanist Exploits do. Figured it's easier all in one place.
Thanks for the Story So Far!
Is the formatting on Crasius ok? I am not sure what the standard template is, but this is what I have generally used without any issues.
I guess we're waiting for Dom.
Sorry for ghosting you all. I will probably disappear until mid-November due to work... please feel free to bot me. Sorry for the bad timing, especially with the new folks (welcome!)
Gender Race Class #
Alignment Size Type and Subtype
Init +X; Senses Perception +X
--------------------
Defense
--------------------
AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10 [Breakdown of Armor sources, from armor, dodge bonuses, etc.]
hp X (# HD; 1dX+[HP from Constitution])
Fort +X, Ref +X, Will +X
--------------------
Offense
--------------------
Speed 30 ft.
Melee Weapon +[To Hit] (Damage/Crit Range) | Feat +[To Hit] (Damage/Crit Range)
Ranged Weapon +[To Hit] (Damage/Crit Range) | Feat +[To Hit] (Damage/Crit Range)
Special Attacks (If any)
[Class] Spells Known/Prepared (CL Xth; concentration +X)
. . 1st (X/day) -
. . 0th (at will) -
--------------------
Magic
--------------------
Caster Level X; MSB X; MSD X; Concentration +X
Tradition (If any, otherwise None); CAM (Casting Ability Modifier - Int, Wis, or Cha)
Spell Points X
Sphere Name - CL X; DC X; Duration (As applicable, inc. Concentration, extended existence from class abilities, and length if a spell point is spent); Range (Long, Medium, Close, Touch in that order, inc. feet measurement); Talents (Any other talents you have in this Sphere, otherwise none); Drawbacks (Sphere-Specific Drawbacks, if any)
- Ability Type (Such as Darkness and Meld if you have the Dark Sphere, with all applicable Talents lifted afterwards)
(Note: This section is for Spherecasting only.)
--------------------
Martial
--------------------
Tradition (If any, otherwise None); PAM (Practitioner Ability Modifier - usually Int, Wis, Cha, or Con)
Sphere Name - DC X; Duration (As applicable); Range (Long, Medium, Close, Touch in that order, inc. feet measurement); Talents (Any other talents you have in this Sphere, otherwise none); Drawbacks (Sphere-Specific Drawbacks, if any)
- Ability Type (Such as Formulae or Toxin if you have the Alchemy sphere, with all applicable talents listed afterwards, or a brief description of the ability)
(Note: This section is for Spheres of Might users (i.e. Practitioners) only)
--------------------
Statistics
--------------------
Str 10, Dex 10, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 10, Cha 10
Base Atk +X; CMB +X; CMD X
Feats ; Associated Feats (if any)
Skills ; Associated Skills (if any); Background Skills (if any)
Traits
Languages
SQ (Special Qualities, i.e., your various powers and abilities that don't fit elsewhere - just the names)
Other Gear
--------------------
Special Abilities
--------------------
Name of Ability Description of Ability (include all relevant information, copy/paste this line as needed)
Under the spoiler is a template for applying the standard Paizo statistics format to a PC. I usually put links to Archive of Nethys pages that provide information on class, race, spells, traits, and feats, just to make it quick and easy to check what the rule books say. I also usually put some of that info for feats, traits, and some class and race features under spoilers toward the bottom for quick reference. This helps the player and the GM when a detail of how the rules are written is needed. If you are short on time, don't worry about the links and extra stuff, but maybe add them in as you get a moment.
Is the formatting on Crasius ok? I am not sure what the standard template is, but this is what I have generally used without any issues.
See the previous post for suggestion of the format. Yours looks generally okay, but I'd prefer you remove the spoilers for everything except the descriptions of abilities and background.
It's easier for me to find what I want if I have it all in view without having to find the proper spoiler to open. The statistics should generally resemble what you see in published Paizo material when providing a creature's stats.
I can then find whatever stat detail I want at a glance.
Use this as an example: Seer (Fortune Teller)
I'll have a suggestion for getting everyone involved from Irrisen later today.
A few technical points to get straight on the new PC stats. I think Hadda and Crassius may have started with a 25 point buy or some other method of determining ability scores. The standard for this campaign is a 20 point buy, with a point added at 4th level. I know some ability scores are being boosted with magic items, but factoring those in, it still seems like around a 25 point buy for these two.
Please explain your starting stats using the 20 point buy rules (p. 16 of core rulebook) and explain the build (what were the racial bonuses and penalties used). Adjust your profiles to reflect these changes. Or if I did the math wrong, explain how your stats fit the 20 point buy requirement.
I think the best way to incorporate the new PCs is to assume that they followed a similar path as the group from Taldor. That is, they investigated strange winter weather in some other part of Golarian, found a portal, went through it, and ended up encountering one of the Three Riders of Baba Yaga before he/she was killed. This rider passed on his/her mantle and since then the group traveled to Whitethrone and have been trying to figure out a way to get past the guards posted at the market square where the hut was on display until the strange forest started growing around it. When the revolt started and the guards were withdrawn, the group fought their way to the market square from some other part of the city, and are just now arriving. They find the forest free from fey guardians and other threats. The Hut recognizes their possession of the mantle and will let them enter.
I'd recommend the three new players communicate and work out a story to share. It likely includes other characters who fell by the wayside, leaving just the three to continue.
If this is acceptable, start working on the story and when you have something worked out, introduce your character into the gameplay thread entering through the front door.
I still have to work out a reason for Erland to leave the group. I'd rather not kill him off, but need a reason he would stay behind. This doesn't have to be done right away, however.
@GM
This plan is sound. Which Rider do you recommend we receive the mantle from? I'm not sure if any of the riders are going to come into play later, if at all.
@Other new players
Hello! Ozella would instantly gravitate to others who are vocal about finding Baba Yaga or talking about witches in general. She wouldn't hesitate to join up with some adventuring party in order to find what she's looking for.
The riders won't appear any more. They were killed by agents of the current queen.
I forgot to add this: each PC who receives the mantle gains a boon of being able to add 2 points to her/his ability scores.
@GM
Here is a breakdown of my stats using a 20 point buy. The numbers look high because of the Dragon Disciple boost to Strength.
If all players get the Mantle I will put the +2 into Dexterity.
Str 18 [+2 Enchantment, +2 Dragon Disciple Ability Boost, Base 14 = 5 pts],
Dex 18 [+2 Enchantment, +2 Human Ability Boost, Base 14 = 5 pts],
Con 14 [Base 14 = 5 pts],
Int 12 [Base 12 = 2 pts],
Wis 8 [Base 8 = -2 pts],
Cha 17 [+2 Enchantment, +1 4th Level Boost, Base 14 = 5 pts]
I removed all the Spoilers, I will continue to update with spoilers for ability descriptions and double check it against the Seer as I have a bit more time.
@other new players
Crasius would be looking for someone to travel with once he separated from Kahina, especially if there was a good story behind it. If he ran into Ozella who spoke of seeing a mythical figure and realized that strange weather and portals were involved he would ask to join her in her travels.
So I think that works for Crasius to explain how he gets to the hut.
@GM
Formally requesting the White Rider, then. Played a campaign long ago where a character of mine was roped into becoming one of Baba Yaga's riders, and that was what he ended up becoming.
Is the Mantle a physical object that only one of us can wear? Or is something we can share in? Obviously, I wouldn't say no to increased ability scores (who would?) but Ozella wouldn't feel too strongly about it if it's for one person. Also, what type of bonus is it?
@Crasius
That sounds good to me. She wouldn't be quiet about asking, so it would be really easy to find her. With Crasius approaching Ozella, that only leaves Hadda.
@Crasiua: thanks for clearing that up.
We'll wait to hear from Hadda about backgrounds and the mantle idea.
Be thinking of a region where you might be when you were drawn to an area of unusual winter weather. It could be any region in the Inner Sea. I would suggest Andoran, Cheliax, or Varisia, but any region is fine. Winter weather would be most confounding if it occurred in temperate or sub-tropical areas rather than areas at the same general latitude as Irrisen.
The mantle is more like an aura that can only be detected by the Dancing Hut and perhaps Baba Yaga.
Retcon: The description of the Dancing Hut given when the PCs first entered the area said there were two corpses impaled on sharpened parts of the bone fence around the hut. We'll ret-con that to just 1 corpse. The corpse has accents of red on what is left of his clothing. Those who met the black rider will remember that he had similar accents on his outfit, but they were black, not red. New PCs will remember that their meeting with the White rider was a person with similar accents but white.
Note: the White Rider could be male or female and could be non-human humanoid. You can decide details if you like.
I use the Chrome Extension provided by Paizo to allow users to substitute images of zir* own choosing in place of the images available through Paizo. If you have an image that you prefer for your character, let me know by linking to a copy of it. I'll use it on the map avatars and when I look at the threads of the campaign (and I recommend other players use it as well). I usually find images I prefer for my PCs so unless you really like the image you are using, consider getting the extension and search for images you like.
* I'm going to start using the non-gender specific pronouns ze, zir, and zirs in place of he/she, him/her, and his/hers. See this website for more on alternate pronouns coming into common use.
If anyone has a preferred pronoun set for either zirself or zir PC, please let us know. I've long advocated for the invention of new pronouns instead of just replacing a plural pronoun for singular pronouns. This latter practice just creates a lot of potential confusion. Paizo is using the plurals for non-binary characters, but it's always jarring for me to read a plural pronoun where no group is clearly being referenced.
My pronouns are he/him/his.
Their/They're has been used in the singular as well forever. Usually just when the specifics are unknown.
ex. "Whoever thought this was a good idea didn't know what they were doing"
I would say "Whoever thought this was a good idea didn't know what he or she was doing." It's a bit more wordy, but keeps the pronouns correct.
There are cases where it can only mean one thing, such as your example. There are other cases, however, where it can introduce ambiguity. Such as "The group asked each new applicant what they thought they should do." This could mean "what the group should do" or "what the applicant should do." It could also mean what the group thought the applicant should do or what the applicant thought the applicant himself or herself should do.
In role playing situations this can be problematic where an individual may interact with a group.
For example, if Alex is an NPC who is non-binary and a sentence reads, "Alex looked around and could not tell where they were." Does they refer to Alex or the rest of the PCs?
While we can all deal with these things, I think a new set of pronouns, once they become well understood, makes things much clearer.
English pronouns are confusing enough without adding more ambiguity.
I'm not saying players need to follow my preferences here, just making clear what I mean when I use these pronouns.