Gah! I did not update the chart on the slideshow. I will include all discovery check skills on there. In about 3 hours, I will update it.
Chart should be useful now. I have scoured the abbreviated rules provided, and it makes no mention of this, however there is one additional option for you to make discover checks towards: Trade Interests. Trade interests provide you with information that may be useful in shaping what you say when you make your influence check.
I know this is clear as mud right now, but after the first event, it should make much more sense.
Untrained Knowledge checks can be made untrained to DC 10. Sense Motive checks may be your best bet if you don't have an applicable knowledge check.
Looking at your stat block Ulena, I would recommend using your Diplomacy to try to learn about the trade interests of the bidders. There is also a free discovery check granted by the circumstances of the event, so you could even roll for two of them! You all also haven't discovered what skills can be used to influence the bidders, your skills may become more relevant than they are right now.
Clarification: Successful recognize checks provide a bonus to everyone's discovery checks. You all would be able to identify the actual bidders without a check.
Added a top row. First column, where their names are, has the recognize skill. On the top row, I have included what type of check it is to determine that category for the bidder. Let me know if there are other ways I can make this easier to understand!
This is an unnamed check that the scenario let's you make. Any social skill will work. You could do things like thank them, make general conversation, try and get some sort of information from them, etc. It is pretty free form, as is most of this part of the scenario.
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So the host of this event is Passad, right? And if we interact with him here, we get a bonus for the rest of the scenario?
I'm a little confused still. At any given event, is only one district being bid on? Do we know what district everyone is bidding on at this event? Sorry if that was communicated somewhere, I read over everything a few times but still might have missed something.
Should we be treating Passad the same as the other bidders in terms of trying to influence him? He has told us he plans to bid on just one district, but doesn't know if he can win. Can/should we be trying to get him to bid on more than one, or should we focus on the others? What about Myrosype? Can we try to influence her directly to NOT bid on a district?
Correct, the host of this event is Temel Passad. Interacting with the host and succeeding on a social check (or a check specific to that person's interests, which is easier) while at their event provides you with a bonus towards influencing that person through the end of the scenario. Other skills may be acceptable, but you would have to explain how you are trying to use it. For example, you could use your knowledge of plants to pay Passad a really good compliment on his garden. Diplomacy works too, but the DC for a success may not be the same.
At any given event, all the districts are being bid on. The end of the fifth event is where the final bids are submitted and the winners declared. At the end of each event, the current leaders will be announced. It is a little strange to run an auction this way, but I think the intent is to drive up the prices and make it more competitive between the bidders. Don't be sorry for questions, ask away!
Even though Passad is more or less on your team, he is a viable target to be influenced in one way or another. Through your conversations with the bidders, you will learn what districts they are interested in. Myrosype cannot be influenced, and any attempts will fail (she is very straight forward with this, so I have no problems telling you all.)
Your goal here is to pressure the other bidders to become steadfast in their resolve to win a district, thus preventing Myrosype from winning districts. The thought here is that against a bunch of unmotivated competitors, she will sweep the field. However, against a bunch of highly motivated financial powerhouses, she may not fair as well.
I hope that clears things up. Please ask questions as you have them!
As you will see in the recent gameplay post, the first instance of learning about a bidder's bias has occurred. Depending on what you say to a bidder, you may happen upon a bias of theirs. A bias can either positively or negatively effect your roll towards them. If you happen upon a bias, I will prompt you to roll. A successful roll means you pick up on what the bias is. There is no penalty for failure.
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I can't seem to find info that says one way or the other, but are we supposed to be hiding our connection with the Society?
If need be I'll use my Explore, Report, Cooperate boon to determine wether or not revealing my connection as an Agent to the Prophet will be beneficial or negligible to the goals of the Society.
Thanks for the follow up! You would know that Temel Passad wants nothing to do with members of the Exchange but holds no animosity to other members of the Society. You haven't had any other indication on people's opinion of the Society this far. The Venture Captains nor Temel have informed you that making your connection to the Society would be detrimental to the cause.
Does that answer your question?
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I want to apologize for my recent (and possibly continued) absence. I'm feeling very burned out right now, and am not sure how much I will be able to reliably handle. Please do not hesitate to bot me, and if necessary, to replace me.
I will do my best, but don't be surprised if my posting is sporadic and low quality for the near future. But above all, do what it takes to make sure that all of you keep having fun.
No worries Tagir. Hope everything starts getting better on your end!
GM whining: It is really lame that the scenario lets you use religion to choose a costume but then when it comes to talking about it you can't use the same freaking skill. Makes not sense!
Whining over.
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Now there's an idea. Sufficiently-starred GMs having more leeway in what they can allow during a PFS game. I like it.
In this particular game... GM, is there any advantage or disadvantage to having a bidder be the highest bidder on different districts during the various sessions? Or is it better to bid on the same district(s) each time?
-Posted with Wayfinder
When Hegio announces the current leaders, it is a way to show you that the bidder has been influenced. You've bene blowing checks out of the water, so it hasn't really been mattering.
Ulena's check is a prime example of why this is useful. She doesn't know if she has failed or succeeded because neither were of a magnitude greater than 5. The results at the end of the round are supposed to be an indicator of success/failure in this situation.
Once you have influenced a bidder enough (it will be obvious when you have), they do their best to remain the leader for the district without further prompting from you guys. You have effectively "defeated" that part of the encounter.
Bidders CAN bid for multiple districts, but there would be a separate amount of influence checks to be made.
Does that answer your question?
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Just a heads up, between Sunday August 6th and Thursday August 10th I'll be out on a camping trip.
Last year there was intermittent cell service, I will check in as often as I can. Hoping to be able to catch up once in the morning and once in the evening but can't promise it will be that frequent, feel free to bot if needed.
Just wanted to let you all know that you're doing a fine job with this scenario. You guys are really doing a number on these bidders! :D Also, I'm enjoying how everyone is making an effort to really use your skills in a social aspect. This type of scenario can easily turn into just a bunch of rolls without any RP, so keep it up!
What is everyone's alignment?
I have Ulena as LG, Dragos as NG, and can't find alignments for the rest of you.
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Huh. Guess I never marked down Evariel's alignment. He's Neutral (or what I prefer to call True Neutral).
-Posted with Wayfinder
Everyone have a rough Monday?
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Yes-- was basically all alone at work so I was swamped. (And I have a toddler at home so I almost always post at work lol.) Hopefully I'll have time today.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Just a heads up,I'll be traveling today and might not be able to post.
Reminder: the Luminous Wharf is also a district you can convince someone to bid on if you like. As it stands right now, Vayde is the only one who still seems like he needs/wants prodding to continue bidding the Scriptum.
One person accepting counts as everyone accepting as far as the chronicle sheet goes. While I disagree with the call, the GM Discussion thread for this scenario (which includes the scenario author) has come to the conclusion that it is to be run this way.
I think this is really lame because it forces a player vs character conflict with everyone at the table. There is also no reason a PC can't accept the deal secretly.
Nice work! Really enjoyed your little scuffle there everyone. Once the scenario is complete, I'll throw out some interesting tid bits and fun facts. Feel free to ask any questions (mechanics, fluff, etc) at that point as well!
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"Ah, my dear Prophet, can I speak with your for a moment?" Ulena moves up to Vayde and motions to a quiet corner.
"I have just finished speaking with Myrosype. She tried to bribe me into assisting her secure the other districts and if I'm being entirely honest, it rubbed me the wrong way. That someone so undevout might be winning the Luminous Warf, and exercising her influence here in the good city of Druma makes my skin crawl."
She frowns and looks Vayde directly in the eyes.
"I don't mean to impose upon you, I know you are spending a large portion of your wealth on the Scriptum, but if you have any designs on the Luminous Warf, I implore you to act on them. Do not let that vile woman to secure leadership here in your beautiful city. If I have overstepped, my friend, I apologize, but it seems your prediction from yesterday was true and I felt something needed to be done."
There are no other goals at this point and all atemtpts to schmooze Vayde at this point would be aid attempts, but Ulena has achieved maximum success for a round.
All: If you would rather not submit/work on a post that probably won't have an effect on the event standings, I understand. If this is the case, please post in the discussion that you are passing or an equivalent RP post in the gameplay thread. This'll be wrapped up shortly!