GMDQ's Skull and Shackles

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I guess we're at the denoument?

Looong day of editing reports today and tomorrow, so brain is dead. Will post when creative energies are restored.

Yes we are now winding down. This is the time to wrap up loose ends and go meet Fairwind for a final hurrah.

SuperT, you had expressed interest in taking over the campaign. No rush on deciding, but if you do I can hand over my various crew, etc. docs to you. Let me know what you think and if I should check back with you later.

I have been painting up some figurines of your characters and hope to get them to you within the month (but my painting schedule is very erratic so I apologize for any delays). Lathiira, hoping I can deliver yours in person while I'm off for the holidays. Will be in touch.

I'm still open to it. I'd need to do some prep to get things going, and I think you said you wanted a break for a month or so.

I'm still game.

I dreamed last night we had a third player who I'd been skipping past as we move along. I think I was dreaming that someone was playing Taniwha as a separate character.

Anyway, I may be slow but we will wrap up soon. Happy Holidays, all.

Taniwha is certainly a character :)

Happy Holidays!

Happy New Year! As evidenced by the fact I am sitting alone on my sofa watching the new Matrix movie and posting in a PbP game 14 minutes before the new year, things aren't going great for me. But new beginnings are always a chance, right?

Happy New Year to you too. I'm goofing around on Skyrim, posting here and chatting with friends across the country on Discord. There are still far worse things, which I don't forget. I could be at work lol

Sorry for the low start to the New Year, SuperT. I was with my dad (still sick with both long haul COVID and anemia) watching movies, not very exciting. But glad for you all and those I can still safely gather with when I can. Take care all.

Struggled to find appropriate gifts that would also add up to 3-odd points of plunder. If the campaign ends the mechanical uses are less important but I hope they feel appropriate. I know Thren's is a little more tailored to her but the description of the magic item gave me a way of tying in a little campaign history; the intent is not to slight K by comparison however.

Also note that I don't know what questions are tied into the portrait, if any, and it's a portrait of Thren. What's she gonna do, talk to herself?

Don't answer that :P

All the ioun stones are intriguing though!

The End... for now.

Thank you very much for sticking with me, especially as delays kept hitting throughout this difficult year.

SuperT if you want to take this on, it is all yours, but there is as always no rush in deciding or starting (and yes, I'd like at least a few weeks off). I do have some character ideas as a player should we restart.

I also am happy to leave open the possibility of restarting a good while hence, but at the same time cannot commit to that nor would I have any idea when. A lot may depend on both family issues as well as how work evolves.

Your minis are looking good and need some final touches and varnishing before they get into the mail. I'll let you know when to keep an eye out.

Thanks all very much and if not in this game I hope we shall play together again!

It was a long haul. I'm still game to play some more with a full party, should we all desire.

So I think to continue I would need to re-read the part of the campaign from before I joined. And I would need to review the future materials.

And we would want to recruit a couple more players, I think, though perhaps by invitation rather than an open recruitment.

I agree on all points. We've been through a lot just to get to this point. Next up is the Regatta as I recall.

Yes, we finished part 2 of book 3. Part 3 book 3, the Regatta, is next (obviously followed by books 4 and 5). SuperT if you decide to take this on, I can send you campaign notes, NPC stats, etc. to catch you up.

The original PCs finished the first book pretty much as written (apart from them being from a ship called Aurora's Kiss rather than being press ganged at the Formidably Maid, just because I thought that start was stupid). So Harrigan, etc. are where they need to be for future installments.

I did Plunder and Peril instead of S&S book 2. So they got backing from Varossa Lanteri rather than one of the captains in Book 2, and they have Ghoral Rey/Brightglass Island rather than the Rock as their base of operations. Varossa Lanteri is retired and I wasn't planning on bringing her into play.

This game also had a big interlude between book 2 and book 3 (to bring together a later version of the party, which in turn resulted in a lot of people coming and going), which was where you came in -- the Smoker, the first visit to Hell Harbor with the opera, and the adventure at Devil's Arches was all just bonus/sandbox story. None of that needs to be reviewed for the purposes of Skull and Shackles, it was just a chance to get more crewmates, treasure, and Infamy. I did use the Hell Harbor adventure to prepare for atmosphere for the brief section at Hell Harbor where you chased down the assassin, but nothing else there sets up the future story--just fleshed out the nature of the Shackles and the adventures to be had therein.

I'm down with invitation. Should you decide to carry on, I could ask Lee's player if he wants to rejoin.

Other assorted events:

Thren won the race at Lilywhite during the Rum Punch festival, wearing a black mask with a butterfly. She got the nickname 'Dream Runner' from that run and the mask hangs off her bunk. Then she did other stupid stuff. The animated portrait references that race.

On Brightglass, we went to start exploring the island and ran into a pair of cyclopes. Thren was impaled on a rather large spear and had a vision that definitely convinced her to talk to Captain Fairwind.

We also have a deal with a brine dragon.....

Of course. Forgot to ask: did we level up? XD

Ducks for cover....

I was trying to stick to matters that are relevant to the future of the Skull and Shackles adventure for the most part. This said, yes, your agreement with Kelizar (from Plunder and Peril) could come back into play (terms of agreement are in the campaign notes).

If this game continues, yes, you attain level 9. I didn't want to jump the gun if the game is truly over however.

Sorry. Had to ask. It was the other guys' job to ask about door hinges, it's mine to ask when campaigns end if we level up ;-)

That is all helpful. I'm happy with any players that you two want to suggest. I'll get to work. DQ, please send me any pertinent notes.

Okay, will put together some stuff (and I'll update our crew roster before I send it to you) over the next week or so. I'll also be sure the campaign tab is fully updated. Let me know when you're ready to "inherit" the game and I will try to transfer the thread over to your control (IIRC there is a way to do that).

My old computer with my mapping software may or may not be dead so I am not sure if I can update the map of Ghoral Rey (I can also install it on my laptop, should run ok, just may take some time; I should install it anyway because I was planning on using my laptop for running games if we can ever have in person gaming again).

I guess we should figure out how that undead infestation went down too huh?

And because I'm me and bored/feel like it, wayfinder resonance rolls, 25% chance each, roll high :)

resonance, iridiscent: 1d100 ⇒ 43
resonance, dusty rose: 1d100 ⇒ 20
resonance, vermilion: 1d100 ⇒ 53

No to all. Ah well!

Managed to review the broad strokes of the rest of the campaign today.

Thren, at your leisure would you add up your wealth. Whenever we get around to recruiting we will want to know what people can come in with.

Sure. I was doing some back of the napkin auditing yesterday, but I'll do a proper audit for you soon.

Ok, here we go.

Several things to note. First, Thren owns that breastplate but isn't using it; it's an in-game reason to develop her medium armor proficiency at 10th level.

Two, she's the owner of the ring of the iron skull. This item is one she'd happily get rid of, by one means or another; it doesn't do much for her.

The Three Reasons to Live is most important for opening the door to the base at Brightglass Island; a dervish sikke gets her overall better benefits for a better price.

If these three items vanish, Thren goes down substantially (by almost 28000). WBL for level nine is 46000 I believe? And note: she has no stat boosters, unlike every other PC we had at this level except maybe Chakam? So her wealth is...odd.

I would consider the Ring of the Iron Skull a plot-based, party item.

I would do the same for the One Reason to Live except for the particular benefits it gives a bard (even if there are cheaper items that do similar).

SuperT would you PM me your email address or email me at deathquaker at gmail? I swear I had your address but can't find it now. I want to share with you a Google folder with some campaign materials. Thanks.

Fair assessments on the items. I can also just let Sandara take the breastplate, she should be proficient in medium armor and if not the penalties are not all that substantial.

Let us also note we have Tessa's rewards to dispense, as well as the loot from the Port Peril adventure.

Hi folks--SuperT, a few emails are incoming to you.

I've updated the Ghoral Rey map and the crew list for future campaign use.
Besmara's Whim/Fearsome Tide Crew and Ghoral Rey Personnel (Last updated 1/14/2022): https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B5Qn0JUWp-AiI7HEGnkd6RbIoM3H5YVpRbsOc40 JFLU/edit?usp=sharing

Map of Ghoral Rey (last updated 1/14/2022): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pa-_RFwZKxav_CJXtMAn1rcX4Vn7u2ri/view?usp= sharing

SuperT these are both in the folder that I've shared with you. These links are NOT the ones in my GMDQ profile (those are still the old links).

I still need to update the campaign info, which I will do hopefully soon. Your patience is appreciated.

Like the renovation map but can't see the other stuff, file doesn't exist?

Try this: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B5Qn0JUWp-AiI7HEGnkd6RbIoM3H5YVpRbsOc40 JFLU/edit?usp=sharing

That works, thanks!

Got the shared folder. Thanks!

Haven't really been able to look at anything this week, but I think I can get back to work now.

Looking forward to it!

Okay, my final task is complete: I've updated the adventure summary in the Campaign Tab.

The sea chanty in the gameplay thread is just to have a periodic post in there so the campaign doesn't fall inactive.

SuperT, let me know when I should try to "pass" the thread to you. Hopefully I can figure out how to do it.

Since it seems likely that we will continue, I have a few character ideas in mind to join as a player. I don't know when to share potential stats--I do not want to overwhelm you, SuperT. For information, one's a monster-slaying tidal hunter ranger who can breathe underwater (I'm honestly not sure if her archetype would be legal by my own rules, though; I can't remember what book it's fun), and the other is an astrologer Oracle of Desna. The former is very exuberant, the latter a little salty. If something else is desired, let me know.

I have also not issued an invitation yet to Lee's player because I don't know what our timeline is for starting up again. I am in no rush, I just want to be sure I fulfill any commitments I've made.

Might also depend on if we go forward with different rules, eg background skills or automatic bonus progression. Both ideas sound like fun to me :)

Honestly, I don't care that much about limiting sources unless you two want to stick with that. Tidal hunter is from Ultimate Wilderness, but it isn't likely to break the game.

I'd say play what you want and I'll try to make it fun to play.

Also, I'm happy to take a look at build specifics. I'm imagining getting fired back up in two weeks if that works for you guys. If you need a longer break, maybe the beginning of March would be good.

Ah that's right. That would fit within my own limitations (any Core RPG line book). The next complication is that I realized those stats are on my old computer that just died so I need to do some rebuilds.

Looked it up and I think to "inherit" the campaign thread you have to be the one to request the transfer:

If you are the GM for a play-by-post campaign but didn't start the thread, please email customer.service@paizo.com.

We need:

A link to your profile page (click on your name at the top where it says "Welcome, your name!"
A link to the gameplay and discussion threads for the campaigns you have inherited.

Just copy and paste these links from the address bar in your browser, please.

(I could email them as well but they might need to verify you are you.)

I'm fine with starting again in a couple weeks. We just need to get a new crew together, and discuss the few odds and ends I've mentioned previously.

Hey folks, I talked to KeefX and he said he is interested in taking on Lee, the party's original sorcerer, again. I suggested he post in the thread when he's ready and told him we were probably starting in a week or two. So that's good news! KeefX is a very good, very creative player.

And in other news...

This is one of the possible characters I am thinking of playing. She is a plucky half-aquatic elven ranger who dreams of fighting the biggest sea monster she can.

I originally created this character for a Ruins of Azlant game that died, so she was already set up for high seas adventure. Further this is a concept I had rolling around in the back of my head for awhile, and actually in this game briefly introduced a(n inconsequential) NPC with a similar personality/name (she was originally Ironball Sal instead of Cannonball), so I figured she could actually be retconned to be the same character--a mate on the ship the Long Sunset, a salvager that helps supply Brightglass Island. So I tweaked the backstory (which is still overly long as per my usual) and made her work for that.

I'm still also toying with the idea of the oracle as well, but in the meantime let me know what you think of Sal. I am sure I have math errors in this sheet but it should give the general idea. I tend to build toward concept more than power, but I tried to be sure she was capable in combat areas as well. I presumed standard WBL for gear for starters, and she has @ 2,000 gp to round things out if needed (and/or to swap other things in and out).

I like her. Thren will happily get out of the way and let her have at any really big monsters :)

I like her as well. The build looks pretty versatile and tough enough to not get constantly clobbered.

I noticed you have a harpoon. In my face to face game, we use 3.5 stats for harpoons, which I would be willing to allow here as well. The idea of only grappling on a critical hit seems to me not at all to be the point of a harpoon. I think when we used them most recently we changed the save DC to 10+half damage dealt.

"If it deals damage, the harpoon lodges in an opponent who fails a Reflex saving throw (DC 10+damage dealt). A harpooned creature moves at half speed and cannot charge or run. If you control the trailing rope by succeeding on an opposed Strength check while holding it, the harpooned creature can move only within the limits that the rope allows. If the harpooned creature attempts to cast a spell, it must succeed on a DC 15 Concentration check or lose the spell. The harpooned creature can pull the harpoon from its wound if it has two free hands and takes a full round action to do so, but it deals damage to itself equal to the initial damage the harpoon dealt. A character who succeeds on a DC 15 Heal check can remove a harpoon without further damage."

Here's the other option for the party -- a Desnan oracle. She is built primarily as a support caster, though I've thrown in a lot of combat feats to get her decent with a starknife just because I really like the flavor of that. One tricky issue is I've chosen the clouded vision curse and she has a Revelation she is required to take because of her archetype that only works if she can see the sky. I am hoping mechanically this can mean "when she is outside at night" and otherwise added some fluff to how her vision works that might make this suitable without too much cheese. I also gave her a bunch of knowledges, as this has been a gap for the party.

Her gear is NOT finished; I added in weapon and armor but only about half of WBL is spent and she needs some more stuff (some of the extant gear is actually from a 3rd level version cleric version I played briefly in a Rise of the Runelords game that died).

I like both characters and I think both can fill in some gaps our group needs filling. Sal is definitely more of a damage sink, but Riori could come in handy with a lot of magic versatility and some of her skills. Sal's much more gung ho and happy go lucky; Riori is more curious and subtle, with a dose of snark. Either could be fun. Thoughts appreciated.

Both are good characters. I admit I like Sal more, because part of me thinks of her as a much more fun-loving Ahab than original :) They both fill niches in the party though.

Good evening, all.
DeathQuaker has been telling me about this campaign getting back up to speed again? I would be interested in taking on the role of Lee again if there's interest in moving forward.
-Keith.

We're planning on moving forward soon. It'll be good to have you and Muffin back.