DM B's PFS PbP Serpent's Skull (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

Double Ditto

Hey everyone. I finally made it back home, and I'm starting to prep getting back into the game. I was not able to really read up on anything, and to be honest have sort of lost track of where we where in the game, or what was happening.

If not today, I'll get this rekicked-off by tomorrow.

I'm glad you're back safe and sound!

Welcome back!

Excellent- glad to hear you are back safe

Just wanted to check in with folks.

I was trying to push a few games due to deadlines, and also (here in the states) 4th of July is a pretty big holiday, so I took a short break.

But, I'm ready to go, caught up on a lot of house work, and a bit rested, (my first leave in months). I'll be updating soon.

Here and ready to rock.

Also here

here.

I'd like to take this opportunity to, ooc, throw around a few ideas on just what this Illaghri might be? Obviously, if you already know, don't spoil it, but I just thought it might be fun to hear what others think.

Necromancer
Cult
Creature
Ghost
Haunt
Other???

No spoilers from me. I've run this.

And I've read it in preparation to run it.

I haven't. I'm guessing it's some kind of hybrid spider creature. Not necessarily Driders, but maybe something similar?

I was thinking something like that - drider or abyssal spider like a retriever or some such.

I have no idea what these things are. It's going to be fun!

Just a heads up guys, I've got to prep Siege of the Diamond City today, pick up my new puppy, and then I'm at a convention until Sunday afternoon. Posting is going to be spotty at best until then.

I will be on business travel from Sunday until Friday next week. So may have minimal posts.

Hey everyone, I'm posting my schedule here now, as it affects a large chunk of time.

Thursday August 3 to Monday August 7: I'll be camping in the Green Mountains. I'll have the ability to post once per day, and it'll be with a laptop, so they should be "real" posts. Don't be shy about botting me if I'm a player (But not Rathen, he's cursed ;-).

Wednesday August 9 through Friday August 11: I'll be in Cape Cod, and promised Jill I'd unplug for a bit...

Wednesday August 16 through Sunday August 20: I'll be at Gen Con, so posting will be existent, but spotty.

After that it's smooth sailing for a few months with no planned breaks in the works.

No worries. I'm really hoping we can finish this part very soon, and might be able to fit into a sort of natural break. I didn't realize that much of Part 4 was dungeon crawl after dungeon crawl, with little spacing in between.

I've also just gotten back into work after my own vacation, and the first couple of days are the worst.

Over the weekend, the monitor on my computer went out. Game is going to have to be on hold a few more days while i figure it out.

Hopefully it shouldnt be to long, and I might be able to get something up via phone.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Going to be at Gencon This coming Tuesday-Sunday. Posting will be nearly impossible. I'll be on vacation the week after that. posting will be at least daily.

Begus, Frag, Rathen, and KULIK will all be at Gen Con...

Ok, all of you are on point. Dora will call the shots while you are gone. Nothing too dangerous, I promise!

Have fun storming the GenCon castle(s)!

Thanks!

Many Apologies, work has been hectic lately with some personal life events. I will post tomorrow.

Just wanted to gove an update. I am still without a computer at the moment and the local repair places are unable to help due to it being a trick touch screen.

Im not sure at this point when I will have it back. I have also been really slammed at work packing for deployment. That at least is comming to an end, and I can start looking for other possibilities for a computer.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Im barrowing my wife's computer, but am limited on what books I can put on it. I am going try try to getvthis running again tomorrow or over the weekend.

Once I get to parts 5 and 6, (one more dungeon), Ibhave the actual physical books, which will help a lot.

Just a heads up, I'll be AFK from 1500 EST today until about 2000 EST Monday. I'll be able to sneak in a post a day, but that's likely it.

Hello, everyone, I just wanted to say that I've been hit with a lot of work this last week, and have not really been able to get online. I just got off work again, having been called in both weekend days, and I will try to get a post in today.

I don't believe after this point that I will be as slammed, and things should be back to normal. If I am a player in your game, please feel free to bot me, and I apologize for vanishing. I just have not been able to get online much.

If I am running the game, I'll make an effort to get things going asap, and I likewise apologize for vanishing.

@DM Beckett: Just a note that Glitterdust isn't a persistent cloud effect. The area it appears in is filled with golden particles (potentially blinding those in the area when cast), but entering that area after the fact is harmless.

Thanks Rathan...was about to say the same. Plus blindness gets save per round I think. Was hoping to distract while fighters climbed

Are you sure? (I could very well be wrong). I've always read the spell as persisting for 1 Round per level, as it is a Conjuration (Creation) spell instead of a (Calling), and does not have an Instantaneous duration meant the effect and also area did persist, (meaning anyone that travels through it at any time after it's cast, but before it dissipates can be affected). I could be wrong here, but I don't see any indication that the cloud vanishes or becomes harmless, only that the glitter itself, even if you move outside of the area, does not come off, but will only last as long as the spell's duration.

Glitterdust
School conjuration (creation); Level bard 2, sorcerer/wizard 2
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (ground mica)
Range medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area creatures and objects within 10-ft.-radius spread
Duration 1 round/level
Save Will negates (blinding only); SR no
A cloud of golden particles covers everyone and everything in the area, causing creatures to become blinded and visibly outlining invisible things for the duration of the spell. All within the area are covered by the dust, which cannot be removed and continues to sparkle until it fades. Each round at the end of their turn blinded creatures may attempt new saving throws to end the blindness effect.
Any creature covered by the dust takes a –40 penalty on Stealth checks.

According to Buhlman, a spread is instantaneous otherwise would be an emanation

Spread: burst that turns corners
Emanation: burst that radiates

link

As far as I can see, the topic is not really about the same thing, but it is mentioned a few times, but not answered.

Obscuring Mist is a Spread that lasts, (is not Instantaneous), as is Black Tentacles, so I think Grick is wrong.

:P

For me, it's just a point of learning, (its how I get better), I'd like to hear other's thoughts on it. I'm not really holding off updating the game for it, just haven't really gotten a good chance to post.

I have always ruled it as the dust settles instantly. New points of view beyond the ones posted:

1. Even cloudkill is affected by wind. There is no mention anywhere of the effects of wind.

2. The Area of Effect is creatures and objects within 10-ft.-radius spread. It's not the area itself like a cloud spell. Persist spells have and effect entry.

3. To the Black Tentacles example: Black tentacles: "Creatures that enter the area of effect are also automatically attacked." Haunting mists: "The shaken condition lasts as long as the creature remains in the mist." Glitterdust doesn't call that out.

-Posted with Wayfinder

I am fine with whatever the GM ruling, but Dora cast assuming the effect was instantaneous (which is the only way I have seen it run) but I am sure that can vary by region etc.

Hey guys, starting from about 2100 EST tonight until Saturday noon, I'm in 1 post per day territory. I'll try to make that post in the afternoon so others have enough time. By Saturday night I'll be back to normal.

Many apologies- I had a RL lvl 17 CR pop up with no internet access for a while. I am back and will continue in the scenario. Hopefully my absence did not prove to be fatal for anyone.

Same here.

I am back now, and should, (jeeze I really hope so) be good now. I have not had a day off since the weekend before last, and was up all night last night, and worked today.

:P

Apologies. Got hit up with a sudden massive travel workload these last weeks. It isn't over yet but I do have a few days respite before I have to go again.

I'm in the same boat. I'm deploying in roughly or less a week, (I don't even know yet), and have not gotten a day off. I was really hoping that the break between part 4 and 5, right after this dungeon would come right as I'm travelling, allowing me some time to get set up for the next part, but I don't know if we will make it there.

I keep thinking it will et better soon, only to find out I have to do more stupid things that could/should have been done months ago.

To be honest, I don't know if I'll have the bandwidth for more after this. Real life responsibilities for me are changing, and I need to reduce my game load.

Beckett... once you get to your final destination PM your APO and I will send you a care package if you like. Someone here did that for me on my last trip to Kabul and it was most appreciated... paying it forward...

I've arrived, and I do have some internet. I'm not sure if it was just the recent site issues or my location, but have had a lot of trouble.

This is one of my first times getting on at all. There is a strong possibility I will be away from internet for the next 3-5 days. Ill post more shortly, just wanted to get some word out.

Above all else GM, I hope you're safe!

I'm really hoping we can work out a plan to finish this game before the Flaxseed Race for the Runecarved Key starts.

Still here... but some of the forum maintenance hiccups make Jaggar orc mad!

My internet access is pretty severly restricted and I have very little free time, to the point I have not been able to get online at all since my last post.

Realistically, I doubt I will have the chance any time soon to really do anything, so I am going to have to call it. We are essentially at the end of this module any way, and I doubt that anything would pose a significant threat.

I will get Chronicle sheets out asap and the game reported.

Real Life Comes First [tm], DM Beckett, and there's nothing more real than what you're doing right now. It probably makes good sense to call it so you have at least one fewer thing to worry about. Best of luck to you, my friend.

Agreed. It's been an awesome journey (and I start that journey with the Eyes of the Ten run.) You'll always have a place at my table.

Stay safe, and stay in touch upon your return.

I echo the sentiments from the others. Thanks for the ride and have a safe journey. We appreciate all you have (and are) doing. :)

Ditto to all of the above. And thank you :)

I feel your pain.... GL with all and we will all still be here when you get settled and in a better place.