DM Berwick's Serpent's Skull Adventure

Game Master Lost Gamer

Welcome!

Please feel free to post any questions, and let's get finished our preparations for the trip!

Thank you so much,

DM Berwick

Isandril Velahrn reporting for duty.

Just to be sure, 1/2 + Con for 2nd level hit points? And average wealth -900 gp if I remember correctly- for a 2nd level character?

Welcome to the game, F.Castor! Looking forward to Isandril and Bran drawing steel together!

Very Nice! I am dotting this now. I will review Yuuwa for any last tweaks. Did I forget to mention she is a sleeper agent for the psionic class? Oh. Well never mind...

Seriously though, Is this a PFS PBP or a regular PBP with PFS overtones.

This is actually a PbP game with PFS overtones, to make an attempt at across the board equality of power

Welcome!
It's good to have you on board.

Yuuwa is ready to go. She travels light due to encumbrance as well as limited space onboard/shiplife prevents the accumulation of accessories. So whatever she doesn't have will go without until able to re-appropriate at earliest convenience. The ship stores provides everything else.

So Ahoy there and welcome aboard the Jenievere. She's a sound ship and her crew brave and sure. Let the purser stow your gear below while I give you a 3-hour tour. Don't worry none about your baggage, no thieves amongst us just a few card sharks. Looks like a full cargo bay and just cause your paying passengers doesn't mean your eyes/ears don't count. See something on the horizon or alongside give a holler. A Cautious Sailor is one that always finds a port at the end of the voyage.

Thanks guys! Glad to be here! I have followed your adventures in the IC thread started by Dr. Impossible and I have to say you have quite a fun team of players and DM put together. I am looking forward to adventuring with you. :-)

As for Isandril, tweaks and changes are finished and he is ready to go. I am thinking of his job on the Jenivere having to do with the ship's security and protection if or when something goes wrong during a voyage, from stowaways and misunderstandings between passengers up to and including potential pirate attacks. Also, I suppose it is safe to assume that he and Yuuwa know each other well enough, seeing as how they are both part of the crew. Not enough to be privy to each other's full history or secrets, but enough to be called friendly acquaintances at least. What do you think?

Congratulations and welcome to you both!

Just for convenience, here's a link to the old OOC discussion thread.

But of course, some mutual history and association is to be expected. Let have fun.

Curn, I was looking at the APG, and I think that you might want to check out the Archivist Bard subtype. I'm not sure how the power level compares, but it seems to match Torden's academic flavor.

Also:

I will look at it.
I've been reading meticulously through the GM Guide, and haven't devoted as much time to the APG as I should--but now I will.

Thanks!

Speaking of reading--DMBerwick--should we read the Serpent's Skull player's guide? I have it in my downloads, but have yet to look at it.

Yes, please do so.

Everyone please read the Player's Guide to the Serpent's Skull AP.

Found here for download.

DMBerwick--I think I'd like to take Eric's recommendation and go with the Archivist Archetype.
At this point it will replace my "Inspire Courage" Performance and substitute "Naturalist." Then "Lore Master" will take the place of "Versatile Performance" and "Magic Lore" will take the place of "Well Versed." The latter two only change what I've just added with leveling up anyway, and I do think that the idea really fits with the character concept.
Let me know. If you are fine with it, then I'll change the character tomorrow.

That is certainly fine!

Also, I will allow changes to characters based on new information in the Player's guide if anyone is interested.

DM Berwick

Hedgeknight, I was checking out the various PCs and I noticed that you have not factored in the favored class bonus (1 hit point or 1 skill point per level, although the APG provides some other option for a human fighter as well). Also, I think your hit points at 2nd level should be 19 instead of 18. Hope you do not mind I took a look at Bran though.

Don't mind at all, F.Castor - but I thought I HAD factored those in? Berwick, do you recall anything? If not, I certainly will.

Also how do you fellers pronounce your characters' names? It helps me when I'm reading the posts to know (can't explain it, just does). So far, I've been saying "YOO-wah" and "EE-san-drill" - am I close?

One more thing, friends - I return to the wonderful world of work today - gotta love summers off! So my posting will be regulated to early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

I pronounce it ee-SAN-drill myself, so close enough. This way if someone wants to go for a nickname or an easier name, one can always call him 'Sand' or something. :-)

Oops, my bad. Somehow I kept seeing Bran's Int as 14. No idea why. So, you are right, you have factored them in (1 skill point per level for favored class if I am not mistaken).

As for hit points, I think I saw somewhere at the other OOC thread that you have decided on fixed hit points per level, something like 1/2 HD + Con mod? Is that correct? I have leveled Isandril to 2nd level on that assumption, but I can always correct it if that is not the case.

I am all about phonetics, well mostly. Yoo-Wa Ma-Hid is the way I pronounce it. but as worldy as Yuuwa is, she doesnt care.

hedgeknight, you can hear the pronunciation of "Origen" here.

I pronounce "Leanthris" lee-ANN-thris.

F. Castor, I also think that 1/2 HD + Con mod is the way that we're calculating hit points.

Please don't believe the vicious rumors 'round the waterin' hole that I have been away. I am just putting the last touches on the intro. We should start shortly.

Also, I am going to go ahead and assume that you all have read the player's guide. let me know if that is a false assumption.

I'm looking forward to the post!

Saving read the guide, at least Origen (and, I suspect, Jonagher and Torden as well) would be curious about the scholar Ieana, although Origen wouldn't press the issue if she were reluctant to discuss her objective. He's not planning to show her his father's notes, so it's only fair.

Origen would try to take along copies of any prior papers that seem useful, but he'd leave the originals in Skyreach.

And here we go!

Here

Also, I am going to go ahead and assume that you all have read the player's guide. let me know if that is a false assumption.

I have scanned the guide, but didn't find it particularly interesting. I will read through it this week if you think that will help with the game.

Up to you I suppose. There is some good info in there, maybe just the section dealing with your race/character class combo? The rest I have and will basically re-post as we work through it here.

I haven't completed a full read of the Serpent's Skull Player's Guide. I do, however, have a fair bit of insight into the AP despite that deficiency. ;-)

NSpicer, have you leveled Jonagher to level 2? I noticed on your sheet that you still have him at level 1.

Hi Curn,

Check out the spell Borrow Skill in the APG. It might help you get more use out of some Archivist abilities (e.g., you probably won't have to pick up much--or any--Disable Device).

I haven't finished going through many of the new spells, but some of them look pretty good.

Thanks Eric!
I will look at that (when I get home from work.) Yeah, I post from work . . .

NSpicer, have you leveled Jonagher to level 2? I noticed on your sheet that you still have him at level 1.

When have I had time for that? ;-)

No, I haven't. But I should have. I'll try and rectify it over my lunch hour.

Now leveled up to Rogue 2.

Points of interest:

Now leveled up to Rogue 2.

Sounds like a good plan. I'm interested in seeing how the Improved Feint tree works in play. Origen will probably take advantage of some of metamagic feats (i.e., Reach, Empower, and Quicken Spell) to work toward Spell Pefection.

By the way, I think that it's Jonagher's turn to post in the initiative order.

Just stopping by to apologize for the way this all starts out...very slow, but mimics an interesting meme.

Looking forward to seeing how you handle your first combat, had to kick it up a notch to be an appropriate challenge for 6 players.

Good luck!

DM Berwick

Isandril wll naturally be going down the dual-wielding road, meaning Two-Weapon Fighting feats and Two-Weapon Defense, Double Slice, Two-Weapon Rend, as well as Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization and probably Improved Critical. Other than those, feats such as Dodge are always nice. Yeah, I know, planning way ahead, yes? :-)

If I may ask Neil, what weapons will Jonagher most commonly wield when two-weapon fighting? See, I am taking Raven down the dual-wielding route and although I have more or less decided on two daggers following a theme of the stealthy and sneaky rogue instead of the swashbuckler type (especially considering how lousy his aim has been lately), the rapier-and-dagger combination does have its appeal. Of course, with two daggers, one Weapon Focus feat covers both weapons.

Arghh! I hate dilemmas! :-)

If I may ask Neil, what weapons will Jonagher most commonly wield when two-weapon fighting?

At the moment, I've got him on track to dual-wield a shortsword and light mace. Obviously, not your typical stabbity-stab all-day, all-night rogue. Instead, I'm penning him more as a prepared-for-anything adventurer and explorer with a flair for some scholarly elements and magical bits, too. So, his dual-wield scenario is purposeful on my part, because I like the idea of having a slashing and bludgeoning weapon handy at all times.

I'm also not stuck with the dilemma of adding Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization trees to Jonagher's repertoire of feats. I intend to keep leveling him in rogue until he qualifies for the Pathfinder Delver prestige class. That means he'll have a much more limited selection feats (i.e., no fighter levels like Isandril). So, I need to maximize what I do with them. Bringing his sneak attack into play more frequently via the Improved Feint tree seems like the best recourse. I could've gone with the Dazzling Display and Shatter Defenses approach, as well...but I just didn't like that theme, storywise for him.

--Neil

Not that anyone asked lil' ol' me but Yuuwa is aiming for a I'm Still Standing type of cleric.
Not sure if I want DieHard, Improved Fortitude, or for the direct benefit of the team, Extra Channeling. All increase her chances of survival and thereby increase the party's chances. I am open to suggestions.
I have no desire to front line but more than willing to be teamplayer (as per her personality).

Torden, did you level up to level 2?

You sheet lists you only as level 1.

Not that anyone asked lil' ol' me but Yuuwa is aiming for a I'm Still Standing type of cleric.

Not sure if I want DieHard, Improved Fortitude, or for the direct benefit of the team, Extra Channeling. All increase her chances of survival and thereby increase the party's chances. I am open to suggestions.

Extra Channeling is like the equivalent of at least two low-level healing spells, so it's probably a good deal, especially at low levels.

From the APG, look at Heroic Recovery (Diehard and +4 Fort save prereqs) as a possible supplement or alternative to Improved Great Fortitude.

Toughness? More hit points are always welcome, albeit a bit vanilla. (We'll see if I still say that after Origen goes a few more rounds with The Claw #3.)

Of course, with two daggers, one Weapon Focus feat covers both weapons.

Two kukris? They'll have a better threat range than daggers, although you can't throw them.

. . . until he qualifies for the Pathfinder Delver prestige class. . . .

I was wondering whether you'd go that route, as it seems like a natural fit. The reduced sneak attack will weaken him in melee, but it provides a lot of skill (and Initiative) bonuses--right up Jonagher's alley.

Two kukris? They'll have a better threat range than daggers, although you can't throw them.

Unfortunately, kukris are considered martial weapons, so Raven -my rogue in question- would have to take the appropriate Martial Weapon Proficiency feat to use them properly. Not to mention that with the attack rolls he has been making he has trouble hitting, much less reaching the kukri's critical threat range anyway... :-)

I was wondering whether you'd go that route, as it seems like a natural fit. The reduced sneak attack will weaken him in melee, but it provides a lot of skill (and Initiative) bonuses--right up Jonagher's alley.

Which is why I'm going the Improved Feint, Greater Feint route with his development. That should help offset the reduced sneak attack by bringing it to bear more often for him. After all, even a high-level rogue has to always find himself flanking or sneaking or catching people flat-footed at the beginning of a combat. So, it's a challenge use it every round.

This way, the Pathfinder Delver will give him an Initiative boost to help ensure he gets that flat-footed situation against as many opponents as possible on the first round. His skill bonuses should help him setup Stealth situations and surprise round attacks. And, if he's flanking in the later rounds of combat, he should also get sneak attack damage. Finally, even if he's not got any of that stuff working for him, the Improved Feint build-up will maximize his opportunities.

But I'm not just going for Pathfinder Delver because of the mechanical aspects. I think it fits perfectly from a flavor point of view, too. And there's a good mix of additional abilities the Delver provides that should make Jonagher a really good explorer or ancient ruins...particularly where it involves traps and such.

--Neil

Unfortunately, kukris are considered martial weapons.... :-)

Ah, I'd forgotten that; sorry. Maybe a dip into ranger for one level? You'd get the martial proficiencies, and you'd get to keep most of the skill points that you need to keep your rogue skills up to par.

But it might be too martial to fit Raven's flavor.

I'm busy at work tomorrow, so I may not be able to post. DM Berwick, if you don't see anything from me by the evening, please have Origen fire off an acidic ray against one of our opponents.

Rolls

Not that I expect my posting rate to change but just in case. Another semester of college just got added to my workload. I may post a weeeee bit slower or even Gasp! miss a round or two of action. I will post future actions based on current knowledge when I anticipate scheduling conflicts. Otherwise the procrastinating monster may keep me distracting me on this forum.

Thank you for your understanding. May Ol' Gozzy provide sunshine upon your path and hail for your enemies. ;-)

Apologies all,

I got home and was just about to post, when my mother called asking for directions...forgot she was coming over to see our new apartment, and scrambled to clean and organize.

I shall post shortly.

Thank you for your patience.

Berwick

...Now...on with the show

Question on the Grease spell. If affected, is the target considered flat-footed?

Well, the Pathfinder SRD says that:

A creature can walk within or through the area of grease at half normal speed with a DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means it can't move that round (and must then make a Reflex save or fall), while failure by 5 or more means it falls (see the Acrobatics skill for details). Creatures that do not move on their turn do not need to make this check and are not considered flat-footed.

To me, the consequences of Grease seem to be (1) slower movement (if you make the Acrobatics check); (2) no movement (if you fail Acrobatics by a little, but make the Reflex save); or (3) the prone condition (if you fail the Acrobatics check by a lot or fail the Reflex save).

I don't think that you're flat-footed in any of these cases: The description doesn't explicitly indicate this, and Grease is powerful enough already. Also, the description of the prone condition doesn't indicate that it makes you flat-footed.