Death and Taxes - GM Budd the C.H.U.D.'s Feast of Ravenmoor

Game Master Budd the C.H.U.D.

I am slowly going nuts with all those simultaneous side tracks of the story... you said that you were tracing them individually... is there a way to use a wiki we all have access to to keep things organized?

Ha, yeah. I can try to sort something out. There certainly is a lot going on all at different times and places. I'll see about putting something together tonight.

Speaking of making a wiki, I actually have no idea how to do that! :D I'm going to start looking into such a thing now, as it has occurred to me that it might be a good way to present my homebrew campaign setting for my next game (which is almost certainly going to be in a homebrewed setting- probably gothic horror-themed!). In the meantime, just to tide everyone over, here's a ROUGH TIMELINE!

Seven days ago:
-In Magnimar, Jeminda Anikee meets Sebastian Bacarov, Vincent Marsh, Warshawski, Dramin Jodare, and Dalton Thorpe and hires them to travel to Ravenmoor in search of her missing brother-in-law, tax collector Elias Kyle.

Six days ago:
-The five investigators depart Magnimar aboard the river barge The Lucky Dragon, captained by the halfling Bach, bound for Galduria- from where they can take the Lampblack trail north to the village of Ravenmoor.

One day ago:
-Elven Knight of the White Rose Calwen Snowpaw meets with her fellow knight Galeth, who asks her to investigate the outbreak of blightings across Varisia. Calwen leaves for the Churlwood to meet Galeth's lover, the dryad Lyila, who knows more.

Today:
-The investigators from Magnimar arrive in Galduria to investigate and prepare for the journey to Ravenmoor.
-Calwen meets the dryad Lyila, who asks her to check up on her druid friend Armand Rastveille, who was investigating Ravenmoor's connection to the blighting. Calwen finds Armand dead, and is tasked with avenging his death by finishing his investigation. Having learned through the voice of the trees that a party of investigators is approaching from the south, Calwen departs Lyila's glade and decides to wait for the investigators, likely to join them on the road to Ravenmoor.

...That's, like, the rough version. Calwen's adventure with Lyila and all that might have happened a day or two prior to the gang arriving in Galduria, but probably not. I'm imagining that you're all caught up, timeline-wise.

...Questions?

Looks good bub.

Summary looks good, sir. If it helps at all, I've had some success using Google blogger for another game in running. I've not updated it in awhile but there's a Blogger app you can even use from your phone. Might be a good resource.

Ha, yeah. I can try to sort something out. There certainly is a lot going on all at different times and places. I'll see about putting something together tonight.

Well, the idea was not to make you more work, but to collaborate. :D

Warshawski, dancing queen - Round 2

Great. Now I got to get this song out of my head again. Maybe this helps, it's not quite Dancing Queen but it is ABBA. So to speak:

Beseech (covering ABBA) - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A man after midnight)

Wikis aren't hard and there are a number of services that offer them free, including Google. The big thing here is we have multiple interactions going, each taking place on different days - in addition to the main threads. That can get a bit confusing. I'm not sure a wiki would help there because it is easier to put interactions there after the fact than it is during.

Though it will probably make it easier to track afterwards if we put each thread together as a whole somewhere. I won't say we're the first to do this but it feels like we're breaking some new PbP ground here.

As for homebrews and wikis, if it helps, here's an example. I set this wiki up for my own homebrew setting, Krystallos.

Budd: I just got my hands on Chronicles of the Righteous. I'm really digging the depth its giving me on Warshawski's mystery worship of Ashava. Would it be possible to rejigger my character so I can replace my Believer's Boon feat with the Celestrial Obedience feat from the book?

Aye, that would be fine, Warshawski. Anyhoo, I imagine the "on the river" RPs are probably just about wrapped up, right? Let's try to trim this back down to a single timeline.

But yeah, once that thread has finished, let's all figure out a good way to put everything together in order and make it pretty! I'm really proud of this game so far, and thanks to everybody for making it so fantastic.

Okay. The Celestial Obedience feat requires Knowledge (Planes) 3 ranks and the worship of an empyreal lord. I already have the second requirement. The first I'll need to move around skill points.

Looking at my skills, the ones I haven't used yet are:

• Appraise
  
• Disable Device
  
• Knowledge (Engineering)
  
• Linguistics

I'm going to take one rank from Appraise and two from Knowledge (Engineering) and put them into Knowledge (Planes). And then replace Believer's Boon with Celestial Obedience.

So, my skills will now look like:

• Appraise 5 (1 ranks + 1 INT + 3 class bonus)
  
• Disable Device 7 (2 ranks + 2 DEX + 3 class bonus)
  
• Knowledge/Local 7 (3 ranks + 1 INT + 3 class bonus)
  
• Knowledge/Engineering 5 (1 ranks + 1 INT + 3 class bonus)
  
• Knowledge/History 7 (3 ranks + 1 INT + 3 class bonus)
  
• Knowledge/Planes 7 (3 ranks + 1 INT + 3 class bonus)
  
• Linguistics 7 (3 ranks + 1 INT + 3 class bonus)
  
• Perception 9 (3 ranks + 3 WIS + 3 class bonus)
  
• Performance/Dance 6 (2 ranks + 0 CHA + 1 trait bonus + 3 class bonus)
  
• Sense Motive 9 (3 ranks + 3 WIS + 3 class bonus)

And my feats will now look like:

Celestial Obedience (Ashava): Each empyreal lord requires a different obedience, but all obediences take only 1 hour to perform. Once you've performed the obedience, you gain the benefit of a special ability or resistance as indicated in the “Obedience” entry for the empyreal lord.

Obedience: Dance in an isolated place under the light of the moon. If no moonlight is available or if someone witnesses your dance, pray for the spirits of the lonely dead and then leave a lighted lantern in a dark area. Gain a +4 sacred bonus on saving throws against spells and effects cast by undead.

Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Bladed Scarf): Trained to use a bladed scarf, sacred weapon of Ashava.

Weapon Finesse: Can use DEX bonus instead of STR bonus with light and listed weapons, included Bladed Scarf.

If this is alright, I'll make the changes to my character sheet. Thanks for the consideration.

I just started a page to keep things organized:
http://feast-of-ravenmoor.wikia.com

Just dump whatever you got there and hopefully we can keep it organized... I am not sure whether you need a log on on wikia.com. If so create an account and send me the names.

I'll try to put stuff there the coming days.

@Warshawski - How long does that effect last? Looks fine to me.

@Feuerrabe - Sweet, I'll take a look at it and see what's needed throughout the day.

Would it be too much of a plot convenience for Warshawski and her new Desnan friend to happen into the same tavern where Bacarov and Marsh happen to be chatting with one particular half-orc and his waitress girlfriend...? Galduria's a small town, there can't be more than three or four taverns around.

Also, Calwen, I'll tackle your conversation with the trees in this coming post.

It's another work day, so the post will go up at some point on one of my breaks, most likely.

@Budd: The effect is constant so long as I perform the Obedience each night, according to the book. If I fail to perform an Obedience, I lose the effect until the next time I can perform the Obedience again. So, if on the night of Day 7 I can't perform the Obedience, I don't have the +4 bonus until the night of Day 8, when I can perform the Obedience again.

I should go buy several lanterns...

Groovy.

I'm good with Warshawski and her new friend joining up. We can share the depressing news thus far. ;)

@Warshawski: Yeah about the Sense Motive, I feel he is a little too callous to normally see certain things, even if they are somewhat obvious. ...Also I like to roll dice.

@Warshawski - The bit about regretting Marvene's lack of expertise in the sexual rituals of the far east had me in tears. Bravo!

Aww, shucks. :)

I've copied and pasted the first scene into the wiki.
In some places the formatting is messed up, but it should be helpful once we get all the scenes separated.

I'll try to catch up over the coming days:

http://feast-of-ravenmoor.wikia.com/wiki/Drunken/Dancing_Dog

Aye, good work, friend. I'll try my hand at updating it myself in the days to come.

Typing is hard with four burned fingers. O_O I roasted my left hand while cooking last night.

Eesh. I hope you smelled good at least.

Heh, roasted Budd, side salad and steak fries. Goes well with a red ale. I'm all about the beer pairings.

Nice work, Calwen. Looking forward to meeting up on the road. I'm thinking we'll be departing town soon.

@Dalton - Well, the food did, anyway. :D

Indeed, all the paths should be crossing very shortly. I'll have a catch-up post up later tonight, so fret not!

I'll cook up a summary post for the gathering at the tavern, if it'll help. Sebastian loves his lists.

Nice job with the wiki! Meant to say earlier but some stuff has changed recently so for the next few days or so my schedule is a little tighter with time regarding work.

Can't wait to get the full 6 of us together!

Hey guys. I just received word that a very close friend and colleague of mine died last night. I may not be posting very much today, I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry, Dalton.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Dalton. Take as much time as you need; I've been there myself not too long ago, so I know where you're coming from. Best wishes. We'll be here when you come back.

Positive thoughts and prayers going your way. It's never easy losing a friend.

.

For all...

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Horse & Buggy Show

To make it fast, what's the consensus on travel? I like the idea of a horse and/or carriage, but if weather guess bad, we'll be spending time digging out wagon wheels or twisting horse ankles. At least on foot, we'd just have ourselves to monitor. (plus, this detective doesn't have the coin!)

.

Now, some items for the road....

Trail Craft
Bacarov will fall into the practice of leveraging "Careful Teamwork" during the first hour of travel and then the last hour of the day; effectively the twilight times when bandit attacks are more likely. I'll post it IC in the gameplay thread, but he essentially will sing a simple bar song or two to activate the bonus.

In addition, if he's git shields available, Bacarov can cast Deadeye's Lore on the best tracker in the party. You guys let me know who it should go to, Marsh or Dramin... (and soon Calwen)?

Careful Teamwork
A detective uses performance to keep allies coordinated, alert, and ready for action. All allies within 30 feet gain a +1 bonus on Initiative checks, Perception, and Disable Device checks for 1 hour. They also gain a +1 insight bonus on Reflex saves and to AC against traps and when they are flat-footed. These bonuses increase by +1 at 5th level and every six levels thereafter. Using this ability requires 3 rounds of continuous performance, and the targets must be able to see and hear the bard throughout the performance. This ability is language-dependent and requires visual and audible components.

Deadeye's Lore
Gain a +4 bonus on Survival and move full speed while tracking. While subject to this spell, you take upon yourself the mantle of the hunter, channeling the insights of the spirits of the wild. You gain a +4 sacred bonus on all Survival checks for the duration of the spell, and you do not have to move at half your speed while traveling through the wilderness or while tracking.

Bacarov, you've being OOC in the OOC thread. :)

Mode of travel

Warshawski votes for going on foot for multiple reasons. First, she doubts between us we can afford horse and carriage.

Second, a carriage would hide our numbers and make us look richer than we are which basically screams "attack us" to bandits. At least on foot we look like five mean sonsab$#~&es who can handle ourselves. Bandits might think twice and wait for an easier target.

On the road

All that sounds fine. Obviously, we'll keep watches as well. My guess is the spellcaster will want the last watch so he has time to prepare his spells. Warshawski would want the middle watch so she can do her obedience.

I like pretty colors ;)

I need everybody to do me a favor and see if this map works- as in, can you see it? Can you move your icon around? Et cetera, et cetera... I think Google Drawings is probably a better and less confusing option than Ditzie for battle maps, but I want to make sure that I'm doing it right and that you guys can actually access/interact with it before I commit to it.

Also, don't be mad at me if I actually use this exact map if we get into a combat, because it's the only wilderness map I have. -_-

Gah. I requested access in the wrong darn account. Budd, you just got a request from a gmail account that begins with a 'th'. Please reject it and I'll go in through my other account.

Also, have you considered using Roll20 instead? I think it has more options.

I think all you need to do is update the permissions on the file. For me, I usually have a separate folder established with "Can View" access. Then I can create docs in the folder and they get the permissions each time. The link sharing section is where you can update permissions. This way you don't have to worry about permission requests.

@Budd: Requires permission. Sent with a sockpuppet account. *Shiftyeyes*

@Bacarov: Personally Dramin would like a carriage as to allow for time to study as he is quite fixated on that. Walking is for chumps and bandits are just that, bandits. Dramin is not much of a tracker, more of an encyclopedia of bardic knowledge. With regards to any surprise attacks, I should warn you that though I do get a free round during a surprise round, chances are its going to be selfish as are my spell selections.

@Team: If we do have to camp, I would prefer to take a full 8 hours so I can cast the next day. I'm sure Bacarov would say the same.

@Dalton: My condolences.

Work internet is being a jerk. I'm updating the permissions to where you should all be able to access it through the link.

I probably won't be able to post much tomorrow since I'll be on the road most of the day, but I'll be checking in periodically!

I am currently trying to fill the wiki with info, but I need a bit of help.
In this post Warshawski speaks of a tattooed man:
http://paizo.com/campaigns/DeathAndTaxesGMBuddTheCHUDSFeastOfRavenmoor/game play#36

Later Dramin addresses that man:
http://paizo.com/campaigns/DeathAndTaxesGMBuddTheCHUDSFeastOfRavenmoor/game play#42

While Dramin writes "deciding he wishes to check on the harbour" that scene still takes place in the Dancing/Drunken Dog if I gather that correctly.

Who's the tattooed man? Alberto Raldhing?
Or did I miss anything? I've not noticed a mention that Alberto was tattooed, but I might have missed it.

The tattooed man that Warshawski referred to is Dalton the Thirst. She assumed the markings on his face are tattoos.

Thank you for working on the wiki, Calwen. You're amazing.

The hitman Rahlding was talking to had tattoos, too. That's probably what you're thinking of.

Awesome work, btw.

So I'm at a car dealership right now, and I'm gonna try to post. This is hard to do on my phone, so wish me luck.

@Calwen: He's referring to the indomitable Dalton as he said earlier 'perhaps I will check how to secure a boat', or something along those lines. Its totally still in the Dancing/Drunken Dog.

Gang's all here, at long last! Also, was everybody able to see and/or interact with the map I posted?

I can see it but I can't move anything on it.

Totes rad!

I updated the test map again- it should be editable now. Anyone wanna confirm?

Confirm!

Gang's all here, at long last! Also, was everybody able to see and/or interact with the map I posted?

It works for me.

Confirming access. Also confirming I can move my token.

Sweet!

As an aside, I had game prep yesterday for a 5e session last night. I'll try and post today! Awesome to see the band is joined.