GM Burglar's #5–02: The Wardstone Patrol (Inactive)

Game Master mechaedd

I'm back (na na na na na na na na na na)

Dot

We're just waiting for Omrax now, yes?

One of these days, I will get to Gencon; I want me some fancy boons and the opportunity to spend a grotesque amount of money on one-of-a-kind pieces of paper. Dragoncon this year gave out books, which is cool in its own way, but not awesome when you own the books in pdf form already... Plus, the only race boon I've gotten was made defunct in the Outsider + Birdman Invasion...

By the way, Súrë has a "girlfriend" in Kaer Maga who is actually a cross-dressing male prostitute named Miss Feathers. It's a long story. You probably understand if you've played City of Strangers. Kaer Maga is a weird place.

By the way, Súrë has a "girlfriend" in Kaer Maga who is actually a cross-dressing male prostitute named Miss Feathers. It's a long story. You probably understand if you've played City of Strangers. Kaer Maga is a weird place.

You speak as though I didn't make a 6'7" Shoanti as a RotRL character named "Lady Silk" who is an Ex-Blushing Rose Barbarian (Hurler) 10/Bard (Savage Skald) 1. Have you run the other Kaer Maga scenario, actually? It has a lot of info about the place, as well as an... odd change in canon.

But, regardless, 4 reincarnates (and 2 shirt rerolls on the d100 for gender), and Lady Silk is STILL a man (Well, 2 human bodies, 1 dwarf, and 1 halfling. Her role in stopping the Runelords from Rising is clearly not finished yet.

Ah yes, Miss Feathers. She took quite an interest in the half-elf rogue that was in my party when I played City of Strangers. Kaer Maga is indeed a very unusual city.

GM Burglar, I hope it’s OK to finalize my spell list after the briefing.

I haven’t played City of Strangers, but I have heard it’s good.

Endless, how do you play your druid + Big Bird? Is he casty or in amongst the action in melee? Don’t suppose you’ve got Disable Device as a skill? I understand Tektite’s inquisitor is primarily an archer. Depending on how you play, I plan for Luisila to take her usual buffing/healing role, with archery as a secondary consideration.

**Nagging** “Has everyone got a handkerchief, and some way of bypassing DR/Cold Iron?”

Oh yes … I have also heard it’s generally a good idea to ask, “What sub-tier are we playing?” before we get underway. ;)

All of Baz's arrows are Cold Iron. Of course, the way things this season have gone so far, it'll probably be devils we're fighting.

Edit: And his scimitar.

Burglar's first 5.0 guide subtier decision!

Mathchecker 9000: 3 + 6 + 5 + 5 + 4 + 4 = 27
27/6=4.5, rounds to 5

In order to determine which subtier a mixed-level group of PCs must play in, calculate the group’s average party level (APL). Divide the total number of character levels by the number of characters in the party. You should always round to the nearest whole number.

Starting with Season 4, scenarios are designed for six characters and contain instructions on how to adjust the scenario for four-character parties. When the APL of a table is between two subtiers (like APL 3 for a Tier 1–5 scenario), a party of four characters must play the lower tier without any adjustments for party size. A party of five to seven characters whose APL is between two subtiers must play the higher tier with the four-character adjustment.

So, if I'm reading this right, this table is high-tier with the 4-player scaledown?

That seems to be the case.

Bird is melee, Sure is a little melee and a little casty. He's eventually going to be a wild-shaper but Sky Druids don't get it until 6th level so for now he's got a scimitar and shield.

It's been a long time since I've played this character so I'll need to look at his sheet later. I'll buy a cold iron dagger if he doesn't already have one. Can't do much about the bird's attacks. I'll pick his spells out later too.

I'll have more time after my chem exam tonight to get him updated and review his stats.

ALSO, I know it's three games away but I am at a total loss for what feat to take for this character at 5th level. Suggestions would be appreciated. He has Power Attack and Weapon Finesse and will be taking Natural Spell and Wild Speech after 6th when he gets wild shape.

Sounds right to me.

Feat?

I'm guessing you listed the feats alphabetically instead of chronologically, since Power Attack requires that ever-dreaded 1 BAB. Though, to answer the question, (if you own the Faction Guide), I'd seriously consider getting Extra Traits. It's hardly a power-grab feat, but it does allow you to access what I am told is one of the best traits for a Wildshaper.

A master druid at the Grand Lodge revealed to you greater secrets of concentration when changing your form into that of an animal. Whenever you use your wild shape class ability to turn yourself into a Small or Medium-sized animal, the effect lasts for 2 hours per druid level instead of 1 hour per druid level.

Plus, then you've got that whole other trait to pick for a skill or something. I dunno. Actual content post on the way, now that everyone is checked in, subtier is determined and whatnot.

I don’t have much experience with druids, so I can’t help you with feats for them, Endless.

Neb and Mikhaere/GM Alice both have druids – you could try asking them.

That pic of Súrë (and Bird?) looks great! Do you know the artist or did you just contact him through his website or something to get it done?

I would be interested in synergising with your spell-list, and as party medic I always try to keep everyone’s AC and hp’s in mind – but there’s no rush!! School first.

Yes, I did post them out of order. Weapon Finesse was first, Power Attack was third.

Hm, I'll think about Extra Traits and Beast of the Society. At a certain point your wild shape lasts longer than you ever need it to, but it's still nice to have that extra 2 hours.

Thanks on the picture! It was done by Joshua Allen, a local artist here in Bloomington. He's done quite a few character pictures for me. He showed up in our PFS facebook group last year and offered to do a few free pictures for people to build up his portfolio and since then I've hired him to do several more. I've only played with him once but he's a really nice guy and does great artwork. And pretty cheap, too.

Had a Sure moment and completely spaced that Baz has been here and participated in the Special. Maybe the VC will remember him?

Not attempting to spoil the Siege of the Diamond City... but the Diamond City gets sieged. Have fun time-traveling if you play this character, I guess? Maybe as a flashback or something?

No, I doubt we'll be able to finish this up by Saturday. Also, I'm not going to be able to make it to the con - 2nd job won't allow for the time off.

Is the Diamond City in any way connected to the Diamond Gate?

I believe that the Diamond Gate (while sounding relevant) only mainly ties in with the Season Closer of 3-26, but that's only from the ending part of Storming the Diamond Gate, having never played The Waking Rune. So I couldn't say, other than the fact that they're both very fancy and expensive.

I did play the special (high tier!) but not with this character. Anyone who played it at GenCon: remember when they made that announcement that one of the commanders had been brought down? That was us! We took out one of those siege tower things and a dragon. And lots of other stuff too, we had a heavy hitting party of two paladins, a gunslinger, a rogue, my arcane archer, and my fiancée's witch.

I played 12-13 (or was it 13-14? I was 13th.) with my Cavalier. I successfully did around 1d8+18 damage to our party barbarian (because I refuse to buy a Clear Spindle Cheese Wheel) and was dead or incapacitated in every other fight. 42 AC and not having Crane Wing is not enough, apparently. Shoulda gone for the Taldan Swan Style...

We did take down 2 bosses and had a Bag of Holding/Portable Hole ready for the *MYTHIC REDACTED*. Just know I would have done it for Taldor.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Des, How's Maaarv?

I haven't played Infernal Vault, so can't follow his progress.

He's fine. I actually just rolled a bunch of AoO's that I triggered but the DM never rolled. It just didn't feel right - and most of them missed anyway. Probably because I rolled them. :) But out of 8 AoOs that I triggered, only 3 hit for 4 damage total. Not to bad.

He was just ill-prepared for the devils/demons.

Bazresh will purchase-

(3)Potions of Endure Elements-150 gp
(2)Potions of Prot. from Evil-100 gp
Bandolier- 5 sp
(4) Flasks of Holy Water- 100 gp
MW CI Morningstar- 316 gp

Baz, save your $ for Endure Elements potions.

Luisila will purchase:

Wand of Endure Elements (50/50)- 2PP
Scroll of Delay Poison - 1 PP
Trail Rations (7) - 3.5 gp
Cold Weather Outfit - 8 gp

Des and Baz, I have silvered/cold iron, ghost touch and adamantine arrows. If you want any in battle, feel free ... or move action ... whatever.

Desmond had just purchased a mwk silver morningstar and will also purchase cold weather outfit for 8 gp.

GM Bananarama (should totally be my name)

Burglar, I was going to put a link to 1986’s Venus by Bananarama to tempt Sir Ilvarin into the grasp of the Savored Sting. (I remember when it first came out)

I mean, it’s got …

• The Wordwound as a background
• She-devils
• Zynep/Linnea/Luisila’s reunion tour

But I don’t really want to. Because it is truly awful.

But there IS a Calistrian hymn from 1986, which I think still sounds OK today.

♪♫ I’m right on target. My aim is straight.
So you’re in love. I say what of it?
Things can change. There’s always changes.
I wanta try some rearranging. ♪♫

But I don’t really want to. Because it is truly awful.

I want the last few minutes of my life back, you sadist.

;)

I cannot think of Bananrama without thinking of the opening of The Karate Kid. I loved that movie, and while the song is not great, I look back on it fondly.

Needless to say, I didn't need to click on the link for Venus.

I just realized that a few days ago marked my one-year anniversary of Pathfinder and Pathfinder Society.

Side note: does the new map link work for you guys? (editable and whatnot?)

-Posted with Wayfinder

Indeed it does. At least for me.

Sweet; you guys are getting a Round of distance/actions from the hill before init hits, since you're Real Paladin-ing this hardcore. Though I do have all the inits down in the Campaign Info tab, so I'll roll them out myself, but I want you guys to get your initial placements.

However, the farmers are missing.

No, Desmond; You are the farmers.

In seriousness, though,reference this for a general distance thing. I did miss a farmer on that, too, if you want some distances, though he's not any closer but in the circle-ish shape of people. Can't edit Drawings from work.

Baz moves to the end of the peninsula and tries to detect evil among the farmers.

I moved Baz up and Omrax as well, (assuming he wants up front). I think that is close enough to detect something from a couple of them. Heh, evil farmers, they grow junk food and work for? Golorian equivalent of Monsanto?

Well, Desmond is a farmer, actually. That's his reason for being concerned about them.

Note to self: Less references to horrible Half-Life 2 fan fiction memes and more 80's pop band references.

-Posted with Wayfinder

And I just realized I posted my action in Discussion....

Ah, Haven't Played HL 2 in years. I distinctly remember playing it late at night through the abandoned city - Ravenloft? I could look it up for sure, but I won't. It spooked me good. I need to find a used copy to for my 360.

Maybe HL 3 will be released by the time I'm in a nursing home.

I want the last few minutes of my life back, you sadist.

I’m a sadist? Didn’t someone just put you through a multi-hour chemistry test? Or is that considered fun? ;)

EDIT: Wait a minute ... Does that mean you watched it all the way to the end? Just for historical research purposes, right? ;)

Oh, and Burglar, I’m totally making a speculative buff in gameplay.

Súrë pulls out his shield and then moves up next to Desmond, drawing a cold iron shortspear along the way.

35' movement. Can't move token from phone.

Do ho ho, neither can I. I may move entirely to excel maps, or just use them like I do now. It's just the map is so big, and that's a bunch of work I don't really want to do to make the map on a xls.

Súrë, how did your test go?

Have you sat the entrance test/interview for your higher degree yet?

Inorganic test was fine. First exam had a 60 something % class average but I believe there is a curve so I should be ok.

I've already taken the GRE and did well enough. I'm in the process of submitting applications now (over the next week or two) and I'll start to hear back about interviews in the spring. I'll know where I'm accepted by April-May at the latest. I'm allying to evolutionary biology PhD programs at:

University of Chicago
University of Illinois
University of Wisconsin
Ohio State University
Indiana University (where I'm currently finishing up)

Good to hear!

They all look like good schools … so if you have to move interstate, is it your plan to do that over your summer break next year?

Next July is the wedding. So next summer is all about house-shopping and moving getting ready for July.

Lou Reed died. What a bummer.

Lou Reed died. What a bummer.

That is a bummer.

A hustle here, a hustle there. Absalom's the place where they said ... "Hey, babe ..."

... and Luisila goes, "Doo do doo do doo do, do doo do doo do doo ..."

Man this crowd has a good taste in music. Then again, my music tastes do not match those of my generation. My dad brought me up on classic rock.

I can report from where I am, about 12 hours in your future, that the trick-or-treaters are out in force!

Sadly, I haven’t seen any Valeroses, Ezrens or Kyras yet.