Fevered Dreams

Game Master JonGarrett

Kaelic, how long a fuse do you put on that C4. The next batch of Turtles are about 4 rounds out.

I assumed I had a remote detonator. In that case, uh... Well, I want to leave time to GTFO but I'd like them all to go off at least 1 round before they arrive.

A remote is also possible, you'll just need to tell me when you want it to go bang.

Yeah, one round out ideally.

How's everyone?

My brain is swiss cheese, that's how I'm doing. I'm also stressed out because of a COVID-19 spike in my state, not only because of more COVID-19, but also because it just means that much longer that my wife will be working crazy hours amidst higher and higher levels of stress.

No worries, we're in no great rush and I can only imagine how much of a struggle this has been for your and your family.

Yeah, I'm actually taking my kid and moving out of state for a while to get away from the COVID. It's a lot.

No worries if you don't want to answer, but which state to and from?

I'm in Houston.

Same state, different city. Things are bad all over in TX. Heading North to the country where I have some isolated family.

So it seems like Kaelic planted his explosives last round. Does he want to do anything this round? Does Nurai have any ranged options?

FYI, Jennifer only has one more hulk-jump left. She can use it to get to another turtle if there's someway to get her back to the ship, otherwise, she'll be using it to return to the ship.

Hm, I guess I let this one get away from me a bit. I channeled about 2oz of energy to save the world.

Hey, is there an obvious "driver" on these giant turtles?

They're probably just using the Windows default.

I'm more mad at myself that I understood the joke than I am at you for making it.

Does that mean I win by not getting it?

There are no winners when it comes to nerd-jokes.

But how are the turtles being steered or controlled?

Either they're steering themselves, someone is commanding them telepathically, or a combination thereof.

Can I have a refresher on viable targets/current timeline? Is there anyone I can shoot? Anyone of apparent priority? Are we fighting until the last turtle?

There are three approaching Dragon Turtles at 50feet. One has been boarded by Jessica. There is another that has been railgunned and pulled away, and a final one one floundering by the ships hull. Each of the still active ones has about 20 fighters and 5 mages apiece, although the details of each are unclear.

To be clear, I can't cut the supports with the sword, or I can only cut one at a time?

You can cut them, absolutely. But it's like cutting a support on a pylon - the other three will keep it standing since the downward force keeps it supported and the other three will keep it in place. Cut two or three, though, and it'll go.

How are we doing?

Hmm, difficult to say. I've been putting off dealing with stuff because real world things are there to be done.

I suppose we have three choices at this point - 1) Call it quits here.

2) Power through this section and see if some new recruits enlivens the game.

3) As number 2, but instead doing a summary to end this section. In fairness, we're pretty much done anyway. It's just this fight and some a scene or two after.

Thoughts?

I'm happy with any option. I'd like to keep going, but I've learned that it's usually not worth it if enough people playing aren't into it.

I think that if we keep going, I'd prefer #3 over #2. There's also no hard feelings if people want to quit. If we do #1, I'd still appreciate a summary. :)

To answer Kaelic's question, I'm doing fine-ish. Things are still stressful; there's still lots of new things being thrown my way in terms of work, virtual schooling, and related things; and the news is sufficiently depressing.

But we're managing.

It is crazy times. I just moved and my work situation has been crazy. Plus my kid's school during all the pandemic stuff.

This has been one of my favorite games in the past, but these days it seems there's not enough people to keep it going. Bad timing on people dropping out and the world blowing up.

I think if we want to save it, it might be best to narrate the closing of this chapter, recruit a couple of fresh faces, I'll bring back Solomon, and we can get into some trouble once again.

Thoughts?

Thanks for the poke and question Kaelic - definitely in the managing through ever changing situations and hecticness.

I agree with #3, I think it just got more awkward with only three of us with everything going on so hopefully closing this bit, maybe our characters react a bit while recruiting, and then start again.

Debating on keeping Nurai or whether to roll up someone new.

I'm just glad I got to do ridiculous jumping with Jennifer. Even better that it was between flying giant turtles.

Alright. I'll wrap this story up when I get enough sleep and we can move along. Might take a day or two of sleep.

...sleeeeeeppppp.

No worries. Glad we're all on the same page.
Nurai, do you have an idea of who else you might like to play?

I had an idea forming for a PC to play the next time Jennifer reached a dead level. But I don't see any other dead levels coming up, so I'll just share what I had with the assumption that I probably won't play it in this campaign:

A gnome with a permanent enlarge person cast on him, so that he's human-sized. This will switch out the +2 Dex for +2 Str, I think. He would have long green hair and a bear, and he'd wear a "Free Hugs" tank top and short-shorts. No idea on the class or template, but I have the important stuff worked out.

...yeah, I'd approve that character

Well, I meant to say "beard," not "bear." I hope that he's still pre-approved.

I mean, beards are good too, but I kinda assumed you meant a bear companion, or going full Bear Sphere.

That does sound pretty wild. Who needs crunch? Dispense with dice rolls and declare success.

Not entirely sure, it often depends for me on the scenario or trying to compliment what other players have so I might see what any new recruits come up with it.

Another part of the issue is I've been working a lot in other settings, so my first thought is another kayal, but then I get the idea of a fungi person with mainly area of effect abilities because part of my frustration with Nurai is that she's just not build for distance fighting and we kinda ended up with mostly melee fighters even with the great jumping -- and then it takes a minute for me to realize I'm not sure how to do that within the Pathfinder system and I need something that would fit this setting.

So not decided on it, but will try to either pull back the more lighthearted parts of Nurai as I feel she's gotten a bit more angsty than I had intended or make a more lighthearted character and see if I can stick to it better this time.

For what it's worth, Spheres is more flexible than Pathfinder. If you want some help with a Spherecaster (or just Sphere fighter) I'd be happy to.

Well, took more sleep than I would have liked, but Epilogue is done. I'll go wrangle up more people in a bit (this afternoon, I hope), but if you have friends or people who might enjoy joining feel free to send them my way.

OK, put up the Re-recruitment thread. Feel free to swing by and offer advice to folks.

thanks.

So it looks like we should level, too.

Only if you have a CR1 template. It's level 7 with a CR1 or level 6 with a CR2.

Ah, right. I'm good then.

We did it! Let me make sure the good doctor here is up-to-date.

I believe Doctor Solomon is back online. I took the time to rejigger him a bit to make him more effective and to make him legal with the current Spheres revisions. Luckily there are some Investigator talents I can take to make his abilities workably scale.

So, re-introducing Dr Daniel Solomon, PhD. Shall we bend some realities together?

OK, re-recruitment is closed. Jennifer has given me some idea of a person they like, as has Nurai (same person, interestingly) but since we're picking three, if you guys have some favourites (or warnings) feel free too send me a message about it.

Welcome to our new players. Feel free to go and dot yourselves in.

I'll be giving you guys a choice of game tomorrow, as is tradition. Choose wisely...

Howdy everybody!

Thanks for the pick. I'm excited to play with you guys. :)

YESSS!! We made it!

Welcome new players! We're happy to have you here!

And also Hi to Median, who I play with in a few other campaigns!