Yeah I can do that though if I'm supposed to be bluffing, I'll have some problems.
Grand bonus of +0
Easy, then, you are here to meet with Xaneesha according to the letter that was sent, and will discuss your matter with no one else.
That much is true, and it cuts out basically all small-talk they could try and probe you with.
(Not a fan of 'cheesing' that stuff with technical truths or creative wording, but basically shutting down all conversation on the basis you will only talk with the person you are here to see would be in-character, AND is definitely true enough that you won't even need to be nervous about saying that. of course, they may not accept that, or probe more anyway, but that's a risk I'd take - since you are not really alone, there.)
I doubt the Charade will hold for long, anyway, but if we can even learn a bit of information(such as if X is even here or not) it could be worth it.
Yes...I hired a couple of local kids. That's why I said 'sort-of' scouted. I wanted to learn more, but the GM curtailed what I learned in a leading manner. I suspected/assumed that meant scouting the clock-tower area could 'activate' the next part of the game in some manner, or lead to trouble in another way since I was 'warned off' by the local resident kids.
For now, let's not overthink things: Let's start with basic scouting!
1. Who goes.
2. How are they going.
3. When exactly are they going.
~(It is always going to be dark under the bridge)
4. What happens if they don't come back.
If you want a map then we need to request that from the GM to see if he will provide such in advance and/or if we can successfully scout the area at all without an encounter.
As far as who goes 'first' to the meeting, or pretends to be whatever...is beside the point as far as I am concerned right now. We need to get there safely to the meet first, and I assumed some sort of ambush anyway since the letter I sent was vague enough. Whoever Xanesha is, she kept Ironbriar charmed for quite some time and I doubt she is stupid enough to fall for the letter word for word. It was merely to get her attention, and draw her or her cronies out.
The fact she responded is some sort of proof of that I hope. It is better than anything else we had to find her, and it appears to have worked in some manner.
Just chiming in to see where things stand.
Is Karmid sneaking in the concensus? Other options could include Flutter or Ro using Invisibility.
Lia, I don't see your spell selection on your charcter sheet, so I'm not sure that you have invisibility, but I am assuming you do. If your spell list is posted somewhere I haven't seen, please let me know.
Karmid is more than willing to scout, or even let someone else go while invisible at minimum.
If we have no other opinions, Karmid will try and scout ahead before the meet as best he can.
I guess I'll say here what I said in game. I don't think there's much chance Xanesha has been fooled into believing the message we sent was genuine. The chances we could write something that would pass muster without any sample messages to work from are really slim.
My guess is she knows it's fake, or at least something is wrong, and is now alerted to potential trouble. Her writing back was probably to find out who's sniffing around, probably to eliminate them.
I think any scouting that doesn't involve having the whole group on hand is inviting trouble. We might be able to find out something about the way of the land from it, but that's not worth having our scout, probably Karmid, picked off.
We should all go and do what limited scouting we can, but expect they'll be alert and prepared and we'll be in for a fight.
Hmmmm.
I always assumed scouting ahead of time was just getting the lay of the land and trying to gain knowledge of any obvious obstacles or useful information for our attempts later.
But...I'm not against just showing up together as group at the last minute and seeing what we find.
I also don't have a problem with Drasven trying to pretend to be the person who is attempting to contact Xanesha.
I am also willing to be the person in the lead and take on whatever Xanesha throws at us first and therefore 'set off the trap' so the rest of you can respond appropriately.
Whatever we decide, we need to get moving. I don't see a consensus anywhere yet, and while Karmid is the current leader, I am loathe to just jump ahead with one idea and everyone at odds as to what we do next as a group.
I really only see a few basic options at the moment and would like some direct input as soon as reasonably possible from everyone.
So...
Let's make a Poll: Pick 1 choice ONLY and either PM me or list it here in the Discussion in a spoiler.
1. We move forward to the meet, together as a group, and hope for the best realizing it is going to be a trap of some sort.
2. We attempt to scout the location of the clock tower in some manner in much advance of the meet. Whoever goes, must go alone, be very stealthy, and must return to the group at the first sign of trouble (if any.)
3. We scout the area as a group, as carefully as possible, in some manner. GAME NOTE: This could simply activate the next part of the game anyway, superseding the designated meet and pushing the plot directly forward.
4. Don't Care: Whatever Karmid decides.
5. Something else. Anything else! (Make a suggestion)
Once we have this part decided we can move on and decide who/how/when we show up for the meet itself in much bigger detail.
I guess my vote is for either 1 or 3. Boiled down as basic as can be, I don't this it's a good time to split the party.
I don't have any real opinions on going early or waiting until the arranged time. I also don't care whether we scout or not, as long as the party is within distance to step in right away if the scout gets into trouble.
I think we should keep it simple.
We meet in a group with one of us hidden or invisible.
I mean I like the idea of scouting but only to get the lay of the land and pick out possible escape routes, ambush points and maybe any other interesting or noteworthy features.
So my vote would be a 1 & 3.
I object to 2. Solo scout = solo death.
Also if we spring an ambush, we can go ahead and bash them to vent.
(oops wrong character.)
I mean persuade them to give up more clues.
Before we get going on confronting Xanesha at the Shadow Cloc, I just realized that we never finished dealing with the loot from the Skinsaw Cult which you can find HERE. Ro is the only one who has expressed any interest in any of the things on that list, so I am assuming that she's added them to her equipment list. Does anyone want anything else. If not, the rest should be sold for cash, which will give each of you a good chunk of change that you will probably want to spend before going on your next mission. Let's figure this out ASAP so that we can move forward.
@Karmid: If I remember correctly we were both eyeing the mithril chain shirt. What did we decide? I don't remember.
I bid for the wnd of Cure moderate wounds.
Karmid still prefers his personal armor. You take it.
There is nothing on the list Karmid would want really. He would feel the human-skin masks should be destroyed and prefer to take his share of the rest in coins so he could get some of his stuff enchanted later.
OK, I think I've figured everything out.
The way I am figuring these numbers is by calculating the sale value of all treasure minus the four items that Ro and Drasven are keeping. That comes to: 20,765 gp.
Per four of you, that comes to a total share value of 5191.25 gp.
I thought at first I would subtract the value of the items that Ro and Drasven are keeping from their share, but a) that gets really complicated and can be figured out many different ways, and b) even though the items that are kept benefit the person who gets them the most, they end up helping the entire group because that person is more effective. In the end everyone gets the 5K and Drasven and Ro additionally get stuff that would be sold for an additional 540 gp and 877.5 gp, respectively. Can we all live with this "inequality"?
If you'd like to figure it a different way we can, but as I said, it gets complicated.
Works just fine for me BrOp!
Works for me. No worries.
On another note, I have not heard from Lia on her decision on what to do next. I will wit a couple more days and then make a decision to move forward.
Tomorrow then: We should move forward one way or another so I will make a decision then.
Might be busy with RL since covid restrictions has being cut down.
I'm fine with moving forward.
I've been sick in bed for the past few days. Thankfully just an early summer cold. Will put a bigger post up today.
I think the GM has made my decision easy: We will scout the area early as a group. Feel free to roll checks as he suggested. I already tried my rolls earlier I think so I'm out of it already. If anybody has a question or problem, feel free to PM me.
Once we have gotten all the info we can on the area, we will head for the meet next once everybody is ready. Drasven can pretend to be the one who sent the note, and we can remain somewhat (a reasonable distance, but not too far) nearby as backup. Any magic we can use to keep tabs on him or offer him assistance would be appreciated.
Anybody have Knowledge Engineering? That Clock Tower looks pretty unstable.
I want to say Drasven has Knowledge engineering but it's at +3 via breadth of experience.
Roll it! What can it hurt? No critical failure with skill checks.
Scouting has revealed all it can I'm afraid. I think we are finally ready to move on. Has everyone finished leveling up their character? I need to make the actual changes to my sheet I think...
I'm very sorry for the long absence everyone. I was getting badly burned out by work especially, and life in general so I took the long holiday weekend to go to the beach and get away for a bit. That made coming back hard, and I just couldn't muster the energy to start back up with regular life. Took few days off for laying on the floor and staring at the ceiling, walking the dog a lot, eating a different kind of salad for every meal including breakfast, and spent one day doing nothing but laying on the couch and binging the entire 4th season of Stranger Things. In sum, avoiding everything.
I'm feeling better now so I'm in the process of getting caught up. Thank you for your patience.
Stranger Things!!!!!
Welcome Back Rojava. Hope that break recharged you.
Everybody needs a break. I've hit walls before too. No problems here. We have all been in this particular game long enough to understand we are in no really big hurry either. Especially if anyone needs a short break.
=)
FYI, I'm going on vacation beginning tomorrow (6/16) through 6/26. I'll have internet access and will be posting during that time, but it may be a bit sporadic. Apologies.
Understood.
You back yet Sir? I think we are ready to move forward.
Sorry about the delay in returning. Stuff had piled up while I was on vacation that had to be taken care of. Hope everyone is doing well. Now back to the show!
Think it's time to check in on Lia?
She's in one of my other games, and hasn't posted there since ~June 24th I think. We are starting to worry too.
Maybe RL has taken up much of her time leaving her less time to check in on her games.
Anyone Ping her yet?
I've sent her a PM.
Hej.
Spell Selection is under Daily Abilities spoiler tag, near the top of the sheet.
With that out of the way: Apologies for going dark. And thanks for checking in.
Some events in my life conspired to essentially throw any plans we had as a family for the next couple years out of the window.
That, in turn, caused me to overthink, to be unable to sleep, to barely function. My mind spiraled to a kind of depression I thought I had left behind almost 20 years ago.
It's not even anything tragic that happened. Just losing grip with one hand, a foothold failing, slipping, and you are in freefall.
That said - I very much value these games, these interactions. It's something...therapeutic in itself, providing mental stimulation, social contact,..and fun. So if that is fine, I'll try and get myself up to date as soon as I'm able to(on the weekend, just doing the rounds and saying sorry).
I apologize for not at least posting something earlier, but all of what little energy I had went to the kids to pretend everything was normal. That, and some anxiety of having to come here and talking about being unable to come here. It's hard to explain but I have a feeling GM may understand what I mean...
Glad things are heading on an upward trajectory. You've taken the first step to reintegrate the "fun stuff", and that's always hard when you feel you've let people down. I DEFINITELY know that from personal experience.
If anything good has come out of these past few years, is the increased understanding that we need a whole lot more compassion for ourselves and the folks in our lives. We're all going through hard times.
No problems!
Nobody is perfect, especially me. RL matters most, but role-playing is a great way to unwind...and leave reality behind for a little while at least.
Glad to see you back and healthy.
=)
I am glad to see you back.
I hope and pray everything is well with you and your family.
Welcome Back.
I'm very happy to have you back Lia, and I'm glad things are improving for you.
Sorry it took a few more days to catch up.
Also thanks for the welcome back's.
Alas, the improving part is a journey. I've been down that hole once and dedicated to avoid freefall this time around. So I'm hanging on and clawing my way upwards.
It's not easy, but preferably to any alternative. Now that I am caught up and posted, I'll try and keep up better, but apologies in advance if I need some more patience down the line before things are "looking good" again.
No worries, Lia. If you drop off from time to time, we understand. I'll continue moving the game forward, of course, but that has to do with overall campaign momentum and is not a reflection or a comment on you.
On a completely different topic, how would everyone feel if we did some minor recruitment for a new player or two? Would new blood be a good idea, or would it seem intrusive after so long? I just checked, and it looks like we have 16 currently inactive PCs. Should we reach out to them to see if they'd like to rejoin?
I'd be fine with a couple of extra people. If you'd like to avoid a posted recruitment I know of one or two people who would probably be interested, and have lots of enthusiasm along with good RP skills and instincts.
I'd be fine with a couple of extra people. If you'd like to avoid a posted recruitment I know of one or two people who would probably be interested, and have lots of enthusiasm along with good RP skills and instincts.
I would definitely be more for bringing in people that we already know will make a greater contribution to the game rather than an open recruitment. If we decide to open up the game, I would definitely vote to go that route.
It's also an odd customer character build for this game, which would tend to attract a bunch of questions and clarifications. Extra work. I'm not into extra work. :p
Hum. I'm fine with addition. But if we're doing it by invite, I'd love the "new person" to suggest 2 or 3 concepts they would be interested in playing that we could weigh in on.
I am not afraid of overlap, but from the outside it's often harder to "see" what the group might really need, and we're a weird bunch that is not optimised by purpose.
(So I'd prefer the new person to not min-max their char, either, just to keep stuff in relative balance, and instead have fun with a quirky concept themselves, if that makes sense).
As for the spells, bummer. In that case Snowball is really a bummer.
I am half inclined to keep it just for the great performance it attempted to deliver in that roll, but obviously if it allows for SR it's a no-go as an action.
Create Pit would be sweet, but due to Karmid Lia is no longer using that one...so my current line-up is bad. Stinking Cloud only works on living things, Lightning Bolt would heal it(but non-issue since it allows SR), Scorching Ray also allows SR.
I suppose that leaves the best option to duplicate Ro and Grease the floor beneath it. But of course, that would then possibly alter his action, so I'll just grease him this round, and change my previous action to providing Karmid with "a bit of luck" TM.
@Karmid, you get to roll twice on all D20 rolls in this round.
I don't think either of the people (actually 2 and 1 as a backup in case someone isn't interested) I'm thinking of would object to that at all Lia.
On the subject of you all not being mix-maxed, I will say that I have not been pulling punches during combat and you've been doing okay. On the other hand, I don't particuarly GM in a very bloodthirsty manner either, and generally will pick actions for your opponents that make sense for the character, but are not necessarily optimal in terms of DPS.
My days of GMing PFS when I tried to challenge my minmaxed players in every combat are long gone, it seems.
I'm not sure what a minmaxed Bard would even look like. Unless it's for drama; Ro can bring the drama.
I guess it might be worth asking what we might be looking for or we might need from a couple of new characters?
A couple of things that come to mind for me are:
1. We're down to only 3 of the Sandpoint Cathedral 6 represented in the party Shelyn, Erastil, and Sarenrae are all empty spaces. It would be nice to fill a couple of those since that was the original concept.
2. We could probably use another frontliner of some sort. Our main weakness there isn't so much DPR as bad AC all the way around. I think we need someone who can either take attacks without getting shredded, or can bump our damage so we kill things faster.
3. Personally I think a divine full caster would be nice. It's in keeping with the party concept IMHO, and would let Drasven use his spells for self-buffing. Warpriests tend to be very buff hungry in combat in my experience. Wands can do the job as well, but we're poor.