GM Batpony PFS evergreen (Inactive)

Game Master Batpony

Huh, I thought I mentioned that I moved you, Kiboko.

Flasks are a godsend against swarms. That and burning hands.

I probably should have bought some of those...

Huh, I thought I mentioned that I moved you, Kiboko.

You did...but he thought he needed to be 5' closer to the southern swarm to be within the 10' landing spot so I moved him the 5' closer since he couldn't...if I erred you can correct it...

Flasks are a godsend against swarms. That and burning hands.

I only had enough to get 1 acid flask...I pretty much mortgaged the farm after my first venture to scrape up enough to get a Masterwork Composite Longbow built to add my strength bonus and it left me pretty poor...maybe that wasn't the wisest thing to do upon reflection...

50 gold for a flask is pretty hefty if this is your first adventure. Masterwork Composite Longbows aren't cheap, either. Swarms are simply a huge pain at low levels.

You were correct to move Kiboko closer.

Swarms are simply a huge pain at low levels.

This is my only my second Pathfinder PBP...and I've faced spider swarms in both of 'em. We weren't prepared at all the first time as we had no flasks and only 1 caster (but his acid throw spell only dealt 1-3 points of damage at a time). We were very fortunate as it was summoned and we just had to face it for a couple of rounds...

Yes they are a super pain at low levels! unfortunately the dice has spoken..

I'm in the right square now, thanks all.

Swarms are really unpleasant, especially at level 1. We have what, 8 or so grenade weapons between us, and no area of effect spells? And there are two swarms. We may have to run. Chances are we can outrun spider swarms. I don't know the speeds for Janira or our Ratling though? Mvumbu could probably carry one of them, but I'm not sure about both. Possibly I could carry the other, and still not be encumbered. We know we're headed for the mountains so a tactical withdrawal and regroup may be in order.

Reviewing the splash weapon rules, I'd say that each square that gets hit by a splash takes one damage. The swarm is composes of many many creatures, although for most purposes it is treated as a single creature. That would mean that the southern swarm would take 4 damage, but Kramac would also take 1 point if he was in his current position (sorry!). GM will tell us anyway,

A torch can do A little fire damage so that is what I am going to do.

Swarms are really unpleasant, especially at level 1. We have what, 8 or so grenade weapons between us, and no area of effect spells? And there are two swarms. We may have to run. Chances are we can outrun spider swarms. I don't know the speeds for Janira or our Ratling though? Mvumbu could probably carry one of them, but I'm not sure about both. Possibly I could carry the other, and still not be encumbered. We know we're headed for the mountains so a tactical withdrawal and regroup may be in order.

And I don't think they're particularly easy to hit either, if I recall correctly, so hopefully we'll be accurate with the flasks we have remaining...

Maybe Janira has some kind of splash weapons as well...

@GM: I didn't want to clutter the game play thread but I had a question...don't know if Kramac has a tindertwig but, if he does, couldn't he light the torch as a standard action?

Yes, that's correct!

Sorry, yet another question before I post as it might affect which swarm I target...

Since Point Blank Shot damage and Inspire courage damage apply to the acid flask damage, does one's strength bonus (for thrown weapons) apply as well? I'm assuming it doesn't but had to ask 'cause, if it does, then Kiboko's hit with the acid flask would've caused 4 more points of damage which might've dispersed the blue swarm (or allowed Rhinshin's attack to do so)...

You don't add Strength to splash weapons. The full rules for splash weapons can be perused here (I had to go look it up myself to confirm)

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/combat/#TOC-Throw-Splash-Weapon

On another note, man our damage rolls suck!

I can't wait to get this character to level 2. My endless need to tinker, and the full allowances to completely rebuild a character until they get to level 2 has caused me to rebuild him in my head at least a half a dozen times. There is a chance he might be a half-orc in the next scenario.

You don't add Strength to splash weapons. The full rules for splash weapons can be perused here (I had to go look it up myself to confirm)

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/combat/#TOC-Throw-Splash-Weapon

On another note, man our damage rolls suck!

Thanks. Then I'll try to finish off the blue swarm as I don't think Rhinshin's attack will disperse it...if I manage to hit it, my damage roll probably won't matter as Rhinshin's attack should cause some splash damage...

ETA: My damage roll was decent...my attack roll sucked...

I can't wait to get this character to level 2. My endless need to tinker, and the full allowances to completely rebuild a character until they get to level 2 has caused me to rebuild him in my head at least a half a dozen times. There is a chance he might be a half-orc in the next scenario.

So you can change anything prior to level 2 and then he's locked in? Did you make many changes prior to this campaign?

Kramac wrote:

I can't wait to get this character to level 2. My endless need to tinker, and the full allowances to completely rebuild a character until they get to level 2 has caused me to rebuild him in my head at least a half a dozen times. There is a chance he might be a half-orc in the next scenario.

So you can change anything prior to level 2 and then he's locked in? Did you make many changes prior to this campaign?

I think I moved my stats around a little between the first mod and this one, but nothing too major.

Sacred Tattoo from Half-Orc with fate's favored for a blanket +2 to all saves is almost too good to pass up, especially since I realized I don't need quite as many feats as I thought I did, so being Human is less necessary.

Yes! you can change anything and everything prior to level 2! It's to allow flexibility for newcomers in case they mess up and want to re-do.

I've moved Artus.

So yellow swarm is about to die. But it costs the Maiden her last flask.

Blue swarm is damaged but still mobile. Kiboko has one more alchemists fire and Kramac has a lit torch.

Yep...and Artus has a lit torch as well. Looks like they have 9 hit points since the 1-splash damage will knock out the yellow one. If you hit with your alchemist fire that'll finish it. If you miss but the landing zone falls within the swarm, does that give it 2-splash damage? Didn't that happen with your first flask? That would be enough to disperse it as well...

The dice, at least as far as attacking is concerned, have not been friendly to us. If I understand correctly, if Rhinshin rolls anything but a 1 on his deviation roll for the missed flask then the swarm gets 1 pt of splash damage (which should allow Kiboko to finish it off even if he misses with his last flask)...and it would've been dispersed earlier, 'cept I couldn't hit it even with a +7 bonus. It would seem the law of averages should be in our favor on future encounters...

The dice, at least as far as attacking is concerned, have not been friendly to us. If I understand correctly, if Rhinshin rolls anything but a 1 on his deviation roll for the missed flask then the swarm gets 1 pt of splash damage (which should allow Kiboko to finish it off even if he misses with his last flask)...and it would've been dispersed earlier, 'cept I couldn't hit it even with a +7 bonus. It would seem the law of averages should be in our favor on future encounters...

I think you're right. BatPony could probably just save us some time by immediately declaring us victorious in all future combats and just let us do the RP bits.

Splash damage for swarm is actually 2 points as they take extra for being a swarm. I was going to wait to see if Artus second hit will damage the swarm so Maiden could save her flask.. But let's move.

Splash damage for swarm is actually 2 points as they take extra for being a swarm. I was going to wait to see if Artus second hit will damage the swarm so Maiden could save her flask.. But let's move.

I may have this wrong, but before I and Rhinshin threw my only/his first flask and we both missed, the blue swarm was down 5 hit points...wouldn't that be 4 points of splash damage together and take the swarm to -9?

That's correct! I was talking more about the other swarm which was at Artus and Maiden's side.

Question 'bout taking 10. In what situations is taking 10 allowed (or not allowed)?

You can take 10 as long as you are not in immediate danger or are distracted. Kiboko took 10 for survival, for example. He couldn't do that while the spider swarms were about because he was in danger. This way you can climb up rocky cliffs if your climb skill check is high enough, as long as, say a harpy isn't trying to claw your eyes out.

The only exception I can think of is Knowledge checks - you must roll those, even in calm situations. Level 5 Bards can always take 10 on those rolls.

Thanks, 'preciate it.

Use Magic Device is also an exception. You can't take 10 with UMD unless you have a special ability that allows it.

Sorry for not being around for a short while, had a bad friday at work and was very down today.

Back now though.

L

Phew, I'm happy we fled the minotaur.

Phew, I'm happy we fled the minotaur.

Agreed. Think that could've been a total party kill; their attacks are pretty deadly. I was debating firing off an arrow before ducking into the cave but thought that might've caused the Minotaur to come after us instead of following Janira...

Rhinshin ninja'ed me...I guess I'll go along with him...Flin can move to just under full speed stealthily, with no penalty...

Rogue..ninja...same thing really. He would probably be ok with being called both.

flyn wrote:

Rhinshin ninja'ed me...I guess I'll go along with him...Flin can move to just under full speed stealthily, with no penalty...

Rogue..ninja...same thing really. He would probably be ok with being called both.

He looks kinda ninja-ish at any extent...

Quick newb question...can you take 10 with a perception check?

Quick newb question...can you take 10 with a perception check?

Generally yes, if you are not threatened or in danger. This is sometimes described as a "passive" perception check by some players/GMs, and GMs will sometimes ask for your perception modifier so that they can know this "passive" value.

However in the current circumstances when we don't know the target number, rolling might be preferable.

However in the current circumstances when we don't know the target number, rolling might be preferable.

Thanks...I went ahead and took 10 and then did a spoiler roll in case it wasn't allowed...since most of the DR checks seem to be done in fives (10, 15, 20, etc.), I figured I'd just go with 15 and take my chances, if it's allowed...my die rolling skills thus far leave much to be desired...too bad I can't take 10 on my attack rolls...

Looks like you've probably got us covered on these drawings any way...

We don't have a face as such, but if one of us is going to Diplomancy it should probably be someone with at least a zero CHA modifier ;-)

I think the Maiden has the highest charisma of us but I don't think any of us has Diplomacy as a class skill...since he's not hostile, maybe we should let sleeping dogs lie...

Kiboko mentioned earlier 'bout passive checks...meant to follow up earlier but got side tracked. If scouting ahead, or just traveling through the tunnels, can I just use a passive Perception check (take 10 + bonus) for the duration of the scouting/traveling (unless interrupted or attacked) as opposed to having to roll or re-roll every so often?

So what I think you mean us active perception, as in looking for hidden enemies, traps, looking for things not plain sight... etc. I'm fine with making a single check.

Passive perception on the other hand I will either make it for you guys or put it in spoilers, so you'll never miss a passive perception opportunity. Active perception I expect you guys to be looking for it and making those rolls or I assume you guys aren't!

Ah gotcha...thanks GM, 'preciate it!

If I've calculated right, we've put 42 points of potential damage, depending on the AoO's come out. Will the Minotaur get one AoO and have to choose one of the three that drew one, or does he get one for each?

He'll need combat reflexes to take an AoO against all of us who approached. Otherwise, typically a monster will take its AoO against the first foe to provoke - after all it can't know that anyone else is going to provoke within the same turn. That would mean Mvumbu eats the AoO, by my reckoning.

He'll need combat reflexes to take an AoO against all of us who approached. Otherwise, typically a monster will take its AoO against the first foe to provoke - after all it can't know that anyone else is going to provoke within the same turn. That would mean Mvumbu eats the AoO, by my reckoning.

Ah, I see...then, if I understand correctly, he gets a single attack on Mvumbu...if he takes her out, then we'd do 35 points (2 arrows for 10 each, Kramac for 9, Artus for 6)...if not then we add 7 for Mvumbu...unless he crits Mvumbu, then if she does go down, hopefully we can heal/stabilize her before she reaches negative constitution on her hit points. Is that right?

That's correct! But fear not! he had 38 hp and Mvmbu did well!

"HAAAARRRR!!!! HAAAAARRRRR!!!!"

actual hippo sounds here :)

I'm traveling for work so can't get the chronicle sheets to you until maybe this weekend. Limited comp access, but start leveling up if you need to! We'll start the second scenario as soon as everyone is ready (including me!)

Thanks, GM. Really enjoyed this and lookin' forward to the next one...

Was called out for emergency. Booked my flight tickets less than 12 hours ago and already en route.

Had a blast hosting you guys! Really great players! Am looking forward to the whole thing.

Was called out for emergency. Booked my flight tickets less than 12 hours ago and already en route.

Had a blast hosting you guys! Really great players! Am looking forward to the whole thing.

No worries... Hope everything is ok at work.

Can you at least tell us how much gold we're getting so we can go shopping?