Clebsch GM Wrath of the Righteous Adventure Path

Game Master Clebsch73

I'm glad of it, Ellena!

*hugs Avelina's player* I hope you feel better, dear.

I'm here and doing okay. I just didn't realize it was Tauni's turn. There's just a lot going on, and sometimes it is hard to keep focused.

I'm here checking less frequently but im working on that

Thanks for checking in, everyone. I realize we are establishing new normals and still fitting PBP into that. I actually have more time than normal to post, since I'm working from home and my wife and I don't go out as much. But I still sometimes put a post off a day

But everybody stay safe and sane and play when you can. I'm thinking when this battle is over, moving things along to the next big battle since we're moving slower than normal and still only in the 2nd book.

On a lighter note, we adopted a 2 month old black kitten, whom we have named Juno (goes with our other cat name, Jupiter). So we're having fun watching the antics of the kitten.

Kitten!!! I got a new quarantine buddy too, he's a little older (1 year) but still has a lot of kittenish energy. ... Mac was quite determined that I not be allowed to sleep last night.

Supposedly, adoption centers have been doing well during the pandemic as people seek out companions for their forced isolation. My wife and I have been cat lovers and caretakers all our adult lives. When we got married, we each had a cat. Since then, almost 20 years, we've seen three cats pass away. We were worried the new kitten would be rebuffed by Jupiter, our current 7-year-old tom, but he's been very accepting. Juno is playing on my lap and climbing up on my shoulders as I type.

As for the adventure, you have some options. Since the citadel is surrounded and the current residents of the citadel, what's left of the leadership, are reluctant to call for reinforcements because it could trigger retrobution for failure to defend the citadel, it is possible to rest or even to leave and return, so long as too much time does not pass before the next ingress.

There is the vault to explore and one more important fight on this level. If you work your way north after exploring the vault, you will be taking the most direct path to that fight. After that, we can take it as read that you defeat the remaining demons in area and then there is a lower level to explore.

My sister works closely with a local animal shelter in my rural area. As such, I’m always fostering/have a household of dogs and cats all the time. I have two older dogs, a Saint Bernard and an old breeder poodle, both rescued from hoarding situations. I’ve got a younger Pyradoodle that we rescued as well. Currently I’m fostering a larger Pyr as well, hoping to get him on a rescue transport in the next week or so.

I’ve got two cats, well three kind of. I trapped a cat from a local subway a decade ago because it had a terribly broken leg. I got her fixed and since she hates everything in the world, just tossed her in a spare bedroom and put up a baby gate so she can sort of hang out with the rest of us. I go in and visit her every so often but the dogs leave her alone so she seems happy, lol.

————————

Ellena’s fine with heading straight to the big fight, but I’m not sure if the others have expended maany resources.

Today's the first day I've felt able to even check the thread. Knowing it was okay to just put it off until I'm ready has been incredibly helpful to my mental health, so thank you.

I've been active on Facebook and Karas is on my friends list, so if you all ever need to reach out to me, he can get my attention easily. :)

Glad you are getting better.

I've seen the posts in the gameplay thread but haven't read them yet, as I'm busy with end of term stuff and want to have the time to launch into the next stage with full time and attention to detail. I will post soon.

Last weekend was consumed with grading late assignments. Now my time is consumed with a new term with some new logistics. I'll post as soon as I can, but it may not be today. I'm teaching at night for the next five weeks, so most of my posts will come during the morning on M-Th.

I planned to post last weekend, but my new term class has a lot of students and so it took extra time to get my weekend grading done. I'm close to caught up, so I'll try to post something this afternoon or Wednesday. Sorry for the delay and thanks for your continuing patience.

One of my favorite aphorisms is "The reward for patience is patience."

We understand. It's a crazy time, within a crazy time.

This might be a good time to review my house rule Cautious movement to avoid AOOs, found on the Campaign Info page under the House Rules spoiler.

Avelina, who does not have combat reflexes, avoided an AOO (assuming the crusader would make one) by using the cautious movement option to move five feet as a move action. This avoids any AOO. After that, she took another move action to move out of the chapel.

Those with combat reflexes have more options.

This has been a rough weekend, emotionally, so sorry. I think keeping her in delay makes sense

Hang in there. Hope things improve.

I was hoping Anarya would be able to post, since the situation is a fun opportunity to RP. I won't wait as long in the future until I get an update from Anarya's player about RL issues.

I reminded her it was her turn last night. I assume she was busy. That actions seems in character for her tbough

That was a perfect Anarya turn and very in-character for her - I'm really sorry I wasn't able to get on before today! Things have been a mess around here, especially since I've been applying for jobs again.

I really appreciate you all being understanding. And I'm sorry again that I was responsible for the delay.

No problem. Reminder: anyone can act in any order in game play. Just limit actions to what could be done in a round.

Could everybody post your current RL situation as regards your ability to post regularly.

I'm still able to post every day, with an occasional exception when my work load is heavy and I have a long, complicated post to work out. I'm teaching from home most of the time. Currently, I'm teaching classes in the morning and early afternoon on M-Th.

My wife and I get out once and a while, but we're not yet comfortable eating at restaurants and mainly go out to exercise or visit a botanical garden and an art museum. So when I'm not teaching, I don't have a lot of other activities that require my attention except the quality time with my wife. We're currently watching streaming shows like Stranger Things and Lucifer.

I’m here, generally multiple times per day. For the time being, I’m good on posting. Should be no delays from me.

I've been a bit lax in checking the boards lately.

I'm working from home so i have plenty of opportunity. I'm trying to get back into the habit.

On my days off I generally try to just relax. I go out for socially distant interaction but otherwise just try to do house projects and spend time with my wife.

Almost verbatim what Karas said. Working from home, time with my wife, and trying to get our house and yard in shape before cold weather sets in.

In general, I've been fighting some depression that means it takes a lot more energy to focus. Not going out much means hours and days tend to blur, so sometimes more time passes than I think since the last time I checked in. Once in a while I get spikes in workload that mean infrequent checking, but I don't see much like that between now and the end of the year.

We are caught up on Stranger Things Right now, we are watching the Top Chef[i] seasons we missed before we caught on to it, and the latest season of [i]Lucifer. And trying not to obsess about the news too much.

I've just been dealing with depression, anxiety, and dealing with some doctor's appointments. It sometimes stresses me out to think about reading the thread and making a post, so often when I remember to go check I'll succumb to the burst of stress and focus on something different.

I've been playing a lot of City of Heroes again lately, which takes up most of my time. I started a RP group on there which has been exhausting but very rewarding.

Last week my partner and I went out to eat at a restaurant at an outdoor table, and it was the biggest relief to just go and do that again. I rode that high for days.

I’m stressed as all hell. I’m having a real tough time focusing on much but dread about politics. I get scatterbrained and forget to check threads.

I’m at home most days with my wife, both of us working remotely. We are hanging in there, and I’m trying to figure out how to find a better balance.

It sounds like the game is going to need to go slow at least until after the election. Let's at least try to finish up this encounter. I'll 'bot people as needed. Post what you are doing in the aftermath of the faux Iomedae vanishing. There are still some crusaders apparently acting under an evil influence.

Once the melee is over, there is the issue of locating the secret chamber where the Sword of Valor was stored.

FWIW: I voted on Tuesday. Now it's just dealing with the crisis de jour.

Yesterday was the 2oth anniversary of my wife and I getting married. We celebrated by getting carry out food from one of our favorite restaurants and enjoying it outdoors near the local fine arts museum with gorgeous weather. Then returned home, opened a bottle of Proseco, and had a tasty desert before watching some shows.

I picked a good week to not check the boards! I have been doing overall okay but the news cycle this week really took it out of me. Trying to get back to a place of stability and motivation to check the boards. At the end of July I basically started a second full time job and that's been a bit of a thing, draining energy/time, but... I'll try and be regular going forward, my apologies.

So I moved things along in the gameplay thread. Once you have role played the aftermath, you can focus on exploring the next room.

Post as you are able and I'll try to keep things moving if there are no posts for a few days. Post any 'botting instructions if you know you are not going to post regularly, if you can.

Hang in there everyone. This is going to be a bumpy ride to the election.

In the following melee, if someone doesn't post in 24 hours, I'll 'bot the PC when I am next able to post, just to keep things moving. I know people have things going on IRL, so post when you can and catch up if you miss some chances to post. No need to apologize or explain. Once everything and everyone is back to normal (soon, I hope!), we can resume normal procedures.

The books say everyone should be at 8th level soon after they start exploring the Citadel Drezen. So everyone, go ahead and level up. Think about the next level after that, since the book says everyone should be at level 9 soon after starting to explore the dungeon (lower level of the citadel), which you are close to doing.

I'd also say you can rest up and regain spells. You've cleared out enough of the citadel that you can secure a space for rest and sleep, such as in the secret vault you just cleared.

Post if you have questions and let me know when you are ready.

You will have the opportunity to reach mythic third tier by the end of the adventure, which is close. I'm going to streamline events to include the most important stages of clearing the bottom level, taking it as read that you can clear out lesser opponents.

Excellent!

Woot!! I will level ASAP, I have a busy day tomorrow...er ... later today, with medical appointments, but I will try to have level done by the evening of the 27th.

Also working on it! We are moving over these next couple weeks so I'm especially busy, but I'll make time

8th level Paladin

HP 1d10 ⇒ 1
Roll 2 1d10 ⇒ 3
Reroll the one 1d10 ⇒ 7

*+1 Dex
*+1 BAB
*+1 Fort and Will
*Aura of Resolve: immune to charm spells and SLAs. Those within 10’ of Ellena gain a +4 to saves against same.
*+1 2nd level spell casting per day
*Lay on Hands: 4 + Cha mod per day, healing 4d6 HP
*Divine Bond weapon: total of +2 bonus on weapon.
*Skills: Sense Motive (x2), (Background) Prof. Soldier and Handle Animal
—————-

Ellena is leveled.

Rollin' for hp

2d8 ⇒ (1, 4) = 5

Reroll 1: 1d8 ⇒ 4 ...four it is!

Ranger +1

HP: +6 (4 +1 FCB +1 Con)

BAB: +1

+1 Dexterity

+1 Fort/Ref

Favored Community:

Skills: Disable Device, Kn Local, Kn Planes, Percpetion, Ride, Stealth, Survival, Swim

Spells: +1 level 2 spell (will default to Protection from Energy as prepared)

I'll work on getting Tauni leveled as well. My laptop with my pdfs and everything on it is mostly commandeered right now; my wife is using it to make calls on behalf of the Democratic party these days. :) But I will find time to dig into it and get her done.

No rush.

I'll have it in ASAP :)

This is gonna get awesome

I’m picking up the keys to our new apartment tomorrow! Been crazy with all the moving. I should have time tonight (if I can stay awake) or tomorrow

Those demons still in the citadel have no idea what they are dealing with! Take your time. Make sure to vote.

I did already! We sent our ballots in on the 5th and the tracker says they have been accepted. The California system is pretty great. I worked the polls on an off election once and it was quite banal, as it should be.

HP: 1d8 ⇒ 7
Add +2 from con so 9 more HP this level

+1 charisma (also ups her initiative to +8 thanks to noble scion)

+1 Fort and Will

New spells:

3rd level: Not Today, Fool! (aka Dispel Magic) and Spirit of the Champion (aka heroism)
2nd level: Blades of Righteous Fury (aka Storm of Blades)
1st level:Icy Orb of Judgment (aka Snowball)

She picks up her aligned class evangelist ability, so advancing as an evangelist also advances her sorceress abilities now, too.

Protective Grace (+1 dodge to AC permanently)

Put new ranks in Knowledge (religion), Diplomacy, UMD to keep them maxed and spent the other 5 in catching up Intimidate some. I will remember now that I have the ability to demoralize as a move action thanks to her mythic ability I forgot about lol

As a friend of mine that plays locally says, We play a complicated game.

Hit points for 8th level 2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6

Here we go lol:
Dragon Disciple level 3
HP: 1d12 ⇒ 10
HP: 1d12 ⇒ 5

BAB +1
Fort +1
Will +1

Gain Breath Weapon (30ft Cone of Cold 8d6)

+1 Con

Looks like we are just waiting for Anarya to level up. Over the weekend, I'll try to move things along toward the next important battle.

If noone minds, Karas will snag the adamantine greatsword

I will get a level-up in soon, dealing with a lot of stuff at home right now (good things, thankfully, but busy things!). I hope everyone else is doing well!

I'm considering 'botting Anarya to move the current encounter along. She has some spells that I expect she would cast that would give the other players some information so they can interact with the new NPC. I just have to decide how to interpret how the rules say things should unfold.

Glad you're all right, Anarya. Looking forward to having you posting regularly again.

Reminder: Waiting on Tauni to post.

Obviously, Ellena would like to make a claim on the armor, if no one objects.

Yeah, for now. But when Tauni multiclasses over to paladin, we can dice for it. :)

To keep things simple, I'm going to post soon describing the group resting another night, so people can start with fresh spells and abilities going into the last few encounters on this level. Since I've narrated that the group has had to deal with a number of fights already on this day, but with no way to identify spells cast, etc., it will make sense to assume the group again finds a safe place to rest up. It is clear that the remaining occupants are hunkered down and not capable of any mass counterattack nor are they necessarily abandoning the citadel.

I hope folks in the U.S. have a happy and safe Thanksgiving. I'll be available to post all weekend, but I understand for many it could be a bad time to try to post, so no rush to pick up on the thread once I do post.