DM B's PFS PbP GameDay 3: The Dragon's Demand part 1 (1st-3rd) (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

Mahd, if you roll a 'natural 20' as you did in your previous action, you get to roll an extra attack to confirm the critical hit. If that lands, add 2 additional damage rolls (because Starknives are x3 crits)

Mordack responds to mors And Kobolds are lawful evil anybody can tell you that.

Mors looks up from his work at the human, an incredulous look on his face. "Lawful Evil ... who the hells talks like that? And out of curiosity, what does everyone say about orcs?"

Mordack, I think Mors' in-character statement aludes to this: the alignment system is more player knowledge than character knowledge. It's akin to your character discussing his 'attack modifiers' in a conversation. To your point on kobolds, I've covered the knowledge check for you, in game. Specificially, the PRD states:

   'Most kobolds are lawful evil, though some, more concerned with procedure than their own personal advantage, become lawful neutral instead.'

Aside from this, Mors and Thaddeus have run into kobolds before, and found those in particular to be an annoyance, but hardly evil.

Well, to be transparent, Mors really just took exception to Mordack's using general racial stereotypes as justification for violence (which I hope I expressed effectively). Mordack was likely dead-on in terms of the alignments we're likely to run into in terms of evil kobolds in those caves.

And yah, given their tendency towards cowardice, I'd think we could coerce these two kobolds to give us some useful intel. In the end, we may end up having to murder our way through this place—in fact, i'm pretty much expecting and looking forward to it—but Mors is nothing if not lazy. So blindly destroying what could very easily be two sources of solid intel that could help us avoid having to deal with angry lizardlings with sharp sticks is just dumb, in his opinion.

Understandable. Thadd's reaction is more from pragmatism than morality.

I always thought alingment can be character knowledge, because of the spells, detect good and evil, lawful and chaos exist.

okay I'm posting this in all of my games. My virus protection expires tomorrow and I won't be able to renew it until my brother gets here to install the new one on Christmas day, therefore I will be inactive from tomorrow until Christmas day, bot me as needed, ie. my computer will be off, as I'm not taking any chances of being hacked just by being connected to the internet during that time.

burning hands is mordacks spell of choice if there are multiple enemies, ie. the glass cannon. Otherwise if only one he stands from a distance and does magic missile, or if low on hp, like at 4 he does mm.

Ok. I will not be able to update until tomorrow either. Sorry for the delay.

Yep. My posting is going to be sporadic at best this week.

Ok, I figure that everyone should be getting back from various holiday activities by now, so just let me know if you are good and ready to start this up again.

I'd like to kick off again tonight ish, just want to make sure I have most people back first.

yeah, I'm back

I'm here

Ready

Here

-Posted with Wayfinder

yup

Also here

Me too

Sorry for the disappearing act over the holidays, guys. A crazy busy year-end calendar turned into family holidays which turned into a much-needed break from (nearly) all online activity. I should have dropped in to give everyone a heads-up, but just couldn’t bring myself to pull up any of my usual online sites (including pbp’s).

I’m back at work, getting back into a rhythm, and will be posting across my games.

Again, so sorry for the abrupt disappearance. I’m getting caught up today.

IMPORTANT. THIS APPLIES TO EVERYONE. PLEASE RESPOND, EVEN IF IT IS JUST TO SAY I'M FINE WITH THINGS AS THEY ARE. ALSO, PLEASE READ, AND TEN REREAD BEFORE ANSWEREING.

Ok, I wanted to talk to everyone, because I know I'm not alone on this. And before I begin, I want to say that I'm not going to be directing this at anyone, because I am not pointing fingers. There are some complaints about the pacing of the game, beyond just the holidays and my workload. There is also at least a few players and myself, that are just finding it more frustrating than fun. I think I made a mistake in suggesting this, as the more I read it, because it's only a portion of the story, the Module is just not interesting.

I wasn't lying at all when I said I was very busy at work, but I can honestly say, and this is just speaking for myself, that I'm not really having any fun. Part of it is just because of the module. Part of it, (and I might just be reading into it too much), the feeling that no one else is really enjoying it, and part of it, (and again I could just be reading into it too much incorrectly), the feeling that there is some player tension going on between half the party trying to rush in when there is really only one spot to act vs the other half wanting to fall back so everyone can participate.

So, with all that out there, and again, THIS IS NOT ANY ONE OR TWO PLAYERS, more the specific entire set of circumstances all together, I wanted to open the floor up to everyone on a few possibilities from here. To allow everyone to speak their piece. I'm not terribly interested in this scenario. That doesn't mean I'm wanting to just quit, but I'm going to be honest, out of character. This low tier portion doesn't really change. It's pretty much the exact same thing that has happened so far, with no real conclusion. It just kind of ends. Secondly, the map is really annoying me. So, what I suggest is basically ending this, and looking to start something else. I figure, a few more things have come out since we started, which hopefully will allow everyone to play.

And again, I want to open the floor to you to voice your issues. However, please keep this civil, and also remember that different people have difference preferences in playstyle and get different things out of the game. Please refrain "pointing anyone out" as well, as that is not the point here. Rather, it's to try to make this work.

For example, (and this is an actual complaint I've gotten from some in PMs) "the absolute lack of group cohesion and discussion is getting very annoying and frustrating. How can we fix this?" This is a great way to say it.

While "<Player/Character> is really pissing me off. They don't ________, they always ___________, and they never _________ when I ________" is not. This isn't not going to help at all, and I'm not okay with anyone ganging up on anyone else or telling them they are playing wrong or not having the right kind of fun.

Can anyone NOT play either S06–08 The Segang Expedition (1st-5th) or S06–10 The Wounded Wisp (1st-2nd Replayable)? I do not have either yet, and am 100% broke right now, so I can't even pick them up until Sat (ish), but I think we can salvage this whole thing.

So, beyond all of that, a few questions would like everyone to answer.

1.) Are you having fun?
2.) Do you want to continue?
3.) Do you want to continue, with the same players (not characters), in another game?
4.) What are your big three concerns towards the players?
5.) What are you big three (or more) complaints towards the DM? <Feel free to PM me if you would be more comfortable>

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6.) Would you be willing to try another scenario instead?
7.) Would you rather continue this one?

1. Yes.
2. Yes, though I prefer to continue this as a non-pfs game and we all bring in new characters or keep the ones we have but don't get credit for this. I'll explain further down the line.
3. I prefer this game here, I like these big dungeons.
4. 1. Who has experience with pfs games and who does not have experience with pfs games? 2. Does running this game PFS/Non-PFS affect your playstyle? As in would you play your character a little differently if this wasn't pfs.
5. You are doing fine, but please if you want to continue this PFS, remember the deadline in February. Due to the speed of things, I honestly think you would have more comfort doing this game non-pfs, that way you are not on a deadline to get this done.
6. What do you have in mind?
7. And yes, I would like to continue this one, though I think everyone would have more fun doing this scenario non-pfs

Okay the reason I prefer to continue this game non-pfs. When DMing something PFS, you have to DM it exactly as written. I'm not saying players should go lookup the scenario or make decisions based upon I've played it/dmed it knowledge, but that fact that it is PFS can affect some decision making. Lets take the kobold fight for example. The scenario might allow a little room or even no room for diplomacy or a lot of room for diplomacy, while non-pfs the DM has a right to say, well anything goes. In other words, in the back of peoples minds, some people might think, well yes I've never seen/played the scenario, but will this pfs game allow me reason with kobolds? and some people know that without even looking them up in the monster manual that kobolds are lawful evil, especially people who DMed before and just can't get that out of the back of their minds. In other words, some people are biased. Now lets assume this was non-pfs, the dm has the right to say these kobolds are chaotic good and knowing that a non-pfs game can be changed will make people reconsider. PFS is too videogamish, and well I'm okay with PFS, I think PFS might not be for everyone. I do not know what the complaints from the others are, but I get the feeling that people want to Roleplay. If this was non-pfs, people could have the freedom to do whatever they want to do. In a PFS game, trying to reason with the kobolds might cost you one valueble turn while the character gets the crap beat out of him/her. And it is entirely possible that maybe this scenario allows it, but not everyone will want to take that chance. In a non-PFS game, the dm has the right to say the kobolds have been reasoned with, combat over, regardless if the scenario allows it or not. Now we go onto the rats. In a PFS game, I'm guessing that you have to kill these rats. There is a small chance that animal handling or picking these things up with gloves might do the trick, but again pfs has to be DMed exactly as written, so in the back of people's minds they could be like, well will the pfs game allow this? In a non-pfs game, I could say, I pick up the rat with a pair of gloves and the DM could say, it is now your pet and harmless.

PFS: I see it as a video game and will treat it as a video game, since it has to be DMed as written, I see it as following the script to a T. I do try to interact and roleplay with others, but to an extent. There are too many things you cannot do because the scenario won't allow it. And many things that you will not do, because you don't know what the scenario will and will not allow. Yes, PFS does allow creative solutions, but within limits.

Non-PFS: I see it as a roleplaying game, I can be as goofy as I want, talk as much as I want and dying is no big deal to me. Creativity can be done to no end.

8. Does anyone want to add any thoughts as whether or not playing this game non-pfs might change decision making?

I'm getting a little frustrated at the pace, but have been willing to chalk it up to holidays recently.

I find some of the group frustrating, but am assuming it's mostly characters rather than players, which is fine.

I'm up for whatever the rest decide, I've been fairly busy as well, planning on my wife having a kid Sunday if not before. I might be out of pocket for a couple days.

Congrat Retty.

I have no complaints.

Pace is going well and i am willing to finish either way or try something different.

The group i find entertaining at times and love what each character brings.

With what i have going on at work, getting ready to deploy and all, getting the time to deap role play is hard and i apologise if that upset someone.

If anyone has suggestions that they think should be done during this combat say them. I am falling back every turnbecause that is what others want. I am just trying to take as many as i can along the way. If we bottle neck them in that whole then only 1 can attack at a time and we dont have to worry about numbers. We just need a range fuy and spell caster to come up and shoot over me and if another melee person wants to rotate so they can get in it i am down. That was my thought about it.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Congrats, Retty!

I'm also a bit frustrated with the pace of this game. I can see chalking it up to holiday posting rates, and a possibly over-large group.

I feel like this group's players have different play styles, which makes character cohesion difficult, in my opinion. A few players seem to want perpetual combat, some seem more inclined to strategy, with the others neutral or somewhere in-between.

I don't particularly agree with Mordack's assessment of PFS play, but this just reinforces my belief that we have different play styles.

Beckett, I think you're doing a fine job of running things, but you have a lot to manage with 7 players. I really enjoyed the last mission you ran, and appreciate being included in another one.

As far as continuing, I'm not adamant to leave, but I don't feel like we've really made much of a dent in this mission, either - so it wouldn't hurt my feelings to bow out and look for a faster-paced game. It might help things move faster for those remaining, and simplify things for Beckett, as well.

All that said, I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts, and try to reach a consensus of what's best for the group.

Hey, congrats, Retty! Hope everything comes out okay. Ba-dum-tssss.
(But seriously, hope everyone is happy and healthy.)

Okay, now that that’s out of my system.

Firstly, Beckett, while I appreciate you trying to take the responsibility for the selection of this adventure, it was a group decision. Don’t feel like you have to fall on that sword. ;-)

As to the questions posed, I pretty much agree with Thaddeus. I was in the middle of trying to figure out how to answer the questions when he posted, and he’s said it better and more succinctly than I was.

I’m frustrated with this game’s pace (which isn’t helped by the group size), and I’ve also been frustrated by some player play-style tension. I'd love it if every fight weren't dictated by one or two individuals wanting to rush in and immediately engage in open combat. I'm not asking that we try to sweet-talk our way past ever problem (heck, Mors isn't exactly the Diplomatic type), but there are way more options than "I rush directly in and hit it with my sword/fire/axe/whatever!".

Its also likely no secret that Mors could do without Mahd’s insults and antics, but I can continue ignoring him. (I mean, in a perfect world, Mors would have a way of bypassing the PFS ‘no pvp’ rule so he can pound the elf into the dirt a time or two in order to work through his annoyance, but alas … this is no perfect world.)

If the question were a simple “are you in or out to continue?”, I’d likely bow out with Mors. I think there’s enough folks and role redundancy (Mors / Thoril = beatstick; Thadd / Retty = skills guy) that the group would still have a solid chance of success even if the two of us moved on.

But, like Thadd, I’m happy to stick around to hear what everyone else thinks.

And as for Mordack's question about switching this game to a non-PFS, I'm even less interested in that.

Would anyone be interested, or better, not be interested in switching to S06–08 The Segang Expedition (1st-5th) or S06–10 The Wounded Wisp (1st-2nd Replayable)?

The reason I ask is that I just don't see this module really changing in a beneficial way to the group. And I'd personally rather just do something that offers a little more story and different challenges, which might be more appealing to everyone.

I say that just because I get paid soon, and could very easily just jump straight into one of those within 2-3 days. In my opinion, that might be the best answer, as this module was not really intended for PFS play, and it really doesn't work at all.

I am ok with either one as long as we can do a character swap.

As the the charge in play type. I play each character a different way and i hope none of you arw offended that this is one of my charge in and hack away characters

-Posted with Wayfinder

Character swap would be fine. I'd rather keep all the players, but I also understand if people would rather bow out. No hard feelings on my part.

Just my opinion, but something less combat-oriented seems like it could work better for PbP play.

I'd be down with Wounded Wisp. I'll likely bring in my Vudrani bard, though. I'll get his profile updated and post with him so everyone knows who he is. :)

@Thoril: Don't feel like you have to swap out characters if you enjoy playing Thoril. I don't actually have a problem with charge-in-and-slash characters. I have a few myself (and love playing them). I was more trying to say that I'd prefer if the players as a group would be open to switching up tactics to suit the strengths of ALL the characters as opposed to ALWAYS rushing in and hitting things. I wouldn't bring it up if it hadn't been something that's happened in this group before.

(Okay, I don't mean to beat a dead horse; I'll shut up about it so we can all move on into enjoying DM Beckett's next offering!) :D

"A thousand blessings upon you all."
:: two polite, shallow bows ::

Meet young Raman Sanjihartna, rich kid from Vudra. (Geez, I hate this avatar, but have you ever tried to find a decent Vudrani profile pic that ISN'T Irori?)

I'm looking at a Bloodrager build that Eben recommended; I can convert my level 1 barb.

@Thoril: Don't feel like you have to swap out characters if you enjoy playing Thoril. I don't actually have a problem with charge-in-and-slash characters. I have a few myself (and love playing them). I was more trying to say that I'd prefer if the players as a group would be open to switching up tactics to suit the strengths of ALL the characters as opposed to ALWAYS rushing in and hitting things. I wouldn't bring it up if it hadn't been something that's happened in this group before. (Okay, I don't mean to beat a dead horse; I'll shut up about it so we can all move on into enjoying DM Beckett's next offering!) :D

I am currently redoing thoril he will be a human titan fighter instead of halfling titan mauler. I have a different character that is just gm credit and have only gotten to play him once he is lvl 3 and would like to play him instead lol

-Posted with Wayfinder

I think you can only run lvl 1's and 2's in Wounded Wisp, right

And Thoril not a halfing?! Say it aint so! ;P

I believe that is correct. I still don't have it. I could have sworn I was getting paid yesterday, but didn't so couldn't pick it up.

Also, haven't heard from Mahd yet on all of this.

Ok, I'm going to go ahead and stop this game here. It doesn't sound like Mahd is going to answer.

With a few different conversations I've had through PM's and what is said here, I think the best idea to try another game. I've already made a Recruitment thread for The Wounded Wisp, and you are all invited.

The LINK IS HERE, and again, all players here are both welcome and have first dibs.

I'm also PM'd everyone this, as I will be closing this game down soon (day or two).

Please follow the above link, check it out, and tell me if you are in or not, as I'd like to start it asap.