Kiddrik berates Dekion and Sigríðr for not letting him handle this by diplomacy and you head back to the vault, going through the second door.
Heavy walls and strange panels in this room all focus on the strange orrery in its center. Raised on a small dais, and separated from the rest of the room by a wide trench, the device oozes a thick, emerald light. The air smells of ozone, like standing amid a roaring thunderstorm.
In the middle of the room a woman stands with a staff in her hand. She radiates power, but also seems to be in doubt. You know you have been able to some of her harbingers release the temporal magics they were holding. Are you able to talk Lady Arodeth out of her plans?
The PCs can use the following skills in order to persuade Lady Arodeth away from her destructive path, rekindle her sense of duty, or recall some of the beauty in the world despite the absence of fate and prophecy: Bluff, Diplomacy, Heal, Knowledge (history, nobility, or religion), Perform (any), Profession (any), and Sense Motive. A PC cannot use the same skill more than once, though other PCs can use that skill
You need 5 successes and being stupid more than once might cause her to attack (Trust me: you really don't want that)
Belvica walks up to the woman and offers her knowledge of healing herbs. She even shares some from her backpack. While Lady Arodeth is very defensive at first, even beginning preparations to cast a spell she slowly calms.
Human Lvl 3 :: HP 21/21 :: AC 18 CMD 15 :: Fort +3 Ref +6 Will +3 :: Perception +1 (Aska +5; low-light)
"Miss Arodeth," Kiddrik says calmly as he approaches, his spear point held away from her, "I know you don't want us meddling here, but we're not your enemies. We all just want to get home safely. That comet isn't going to further your cause. It'all just set everything back. Just like with Earthfall. It's just senseless destruction, and it can be stopped. But we could really use your help. You can save so many lives. Surely that's what Aroden would have wanted, right? Let's fix this."
Human Lvl 3 :: HP 21/21 :: AC 18 CMD 15 :: Fort +3 Ref +6 Will +3 :: Perception +1 (Aska +5; low-light)
Or can I take another shot at getting us across the finish line on this one, GMG? I don't want to hog the spotlight, but then again, if no one else has appropriate skills, Kiddrik is happy to step up.
Human Lvl 3 :: HP 21/21 :: AC 18 CMD 15 :: Fort +3 Ref +6 Will +3 :: Perception +1 (Aska +5; low-light)
"We can change this," Kiddrik continues, casting about for any reason for the woman to relent, even going so far as to mention any historical details about Aroden that he thinks might help in the persuasion.
know (history):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15; hmmm. Not great, but hopefully good enough.
Sorry guys, a weekend event took me away earlier than planned and I didn't have a chance to update any PbPs or say to bot
Girzog will try and tell her about various important events from history, trying to convince her of many good things that her plans would prevent from happen I'd go for Profession, but I get the feeling showing off any prowess as a gladiator isn't a good way to stop violence...
Hunter 4, HP 32 [32], AC 20 [18], Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +3,+2 Vs fear, CMD 17, Init +4, Per +11 Milly HP 18 [18], AC 24 [22], Fort +4, Ref +9, Will +4, CMD 19, Init +5, Per +5, Scent/ Mounted
Sense Motive:1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
Vash tries to get a read on her and how she is feeling.
As Pathfinders defeat the furious simulacra, they disperse into foul mist that screams in anger before fading away entirely. Nearby, the true Lady Arodeth seems shaken by the destruction of her miasmic doppelgangers, and their deaths seem to sap her of her zealous rage.
Table GMs, this is Code Green. Code Green is in effect.
The Lady Arodeth sits down, dropping her staff. "You are right, this has gone too far. It seems that the Book of 1,000 whispers was not the prophecy to follow. It has guided me here, but I have to let go and take control."
She stands up again and moves to the controls on the Sky Key
“I have learned something of these controls, and I fear the damage my Heralds and I have inflicted in our zealotry has damaged your Sky Key. It now acts less as a projector and instead like a bridge… And a bridge must be anchored at both ends. For any of you to return now, something someone—must remain behind or else the path home will collapse.
“I have earned this fate. As I said before, I can think of no finer way to die than in the fiery cataclysm that spurs on Lord Aroden’s journey to divinity. It will never be enough to make up for the blood we have shed here, Pathfinders, but know that I truly regret what I have done here today.”
Human Lvl 3 :: HP 21/21 :: AC 18 CMD 15 :: Fort +3 Ref +6 Will +3 :: Perception +1 (Aska +5; low-light)
Kiddrik relaxes visibly, giving the woman a thankful nod as he leans on his spear. "You're doing a good thing here, but .." he gives the controls a concerned look that seems to encompass this whole situation, "... is there no other way? It's right courageous of you, ma'am, but can you not kinda ... I don't know ... set it and escape with the rest of us?"
Sigríðr shrugs and looks at Lady Arodeth, "Yah, ya proally do deserve this." She looks at Kiddrik, "Drangviit sees this is a suitable punishment, so let 'er be."
The asteroid looms impossibly large overhead, and the air grows stiflingly hot as the world itself begins to rumble. High overhead, the dome of green energy shudders, twists, and finally shatters, and Pathfinders’ bodies begin melting into flowing particles as the world slips away.
Just as quickly, you stumble as Bloodwatered Meadow coalesces beneath your feet, as it does for countless other Society agents. The wildflowers bob lazily in the wind, and nothing but a few still bodies stand as testament to the bloodshed and struggle of the past five hours. Kreighton Shaine, looking several years older, staggers to his feet and gives a nervous chuckle before climbing up a small knoll and waving his arms for the crowd’s attention.
“What we have all witnessed here today has been a remarkably journey that included sights no living soul on Golarion has witnessed. The Sky Key has allowed us to walk among the serpentfolk and Azlanti, gazing upon several of the greatest events to shape Golarion and the region that would one day become the Inner Sea. Let the catastrophe that we witnessed and narrowly escaped humble us and teach us so that we might find value in preserving the messages and wisdom those lost people may have left behind for us to discover. I think we all have some responsibility to remember those who passed so that our modern world can exist.
“You have all observed great things and have notes to share. This much is certain. But for now, let us… let us simply take a few days to reflect. The Society, I imagine, will send agents to collect your notes and interview you about your experiences. Until then, find your families and loved ones, as I know I shall. Failing that, find some passion that ties you to the here and now, and embrace it.
“We survived, Pathfinders. I am proud of your Unrivaled Accomplishment!”
-----
Congrats everyone. The stakes haven't been higher for a PbP Special, but everyone rose to the occasion. I've been watching the successes come in on the Google form and it's been exciting watching you inch closer and closer to the goal! There have certainly been some super tables out there, but it's fairly clear that everyone has been working hard and contributing to the group success. I'm super proud of you guys.
At this point, you have a chance to perform Downtime activity and roll for boons. Because the house earned an Unrivaled Accomplishment, everyone gets their Secondary Success Condition.
I'd like to send a big thank you to all of the players for participating in this event, and a big thank you to all the GMs who ran this. Running and playing in the Play-by-Post specials are a lot of work in a short time, and you rose to the challenge.
If you have any feedback about how this was run at all, please either email me at jmcteague@pathfindersocietyonline.com, or email Jesse at jesse@pathfindersocietyonline.com
Please insert your perception and initiative modifiers on the google slide show that I use for maps and handouts.
Also take your time to read this:
How I handle PbP initiative:
I roll initative for everyone at the start of combat and will post a list that looks like this
Example 1 wrote:
Initiative
Combat modifiers like bless or inspire courage are posted here
Player A
Player B
- - -
Enemy 1
- - -
Player C
Player D
- - -
Enemy 2
In this case Player A and Player B can act, and Players C and D can not. If Player B posts his action those action are resolved and I change the tracker to:
Example 2 wrote:
Initiative
Combat modifiers like bless or inspire courage are posted here
Player A
- - -
Enemy 1
- - -
Player C
Player D
- - -
Enemy 2
- - -
Player B
If Player B wanted to wait to see what Player A did before acting he needed to either wait with posting or put in conditional clauses in his post like
Player B wrote:
If Player A flees the combat
Bertrand runs after Aloward, deciding that this enemy is too much for them to handle
If Player A casts a spell
Bertrand gawks at Alowards and mumbles "I didn't know you could do that!"
In any other case
Bertrand steps up to the Aspis agent and attacks him with his greatsword[/b]
In other words: in the same initiative bracket your actions get resolved in posting order, not initiative order.
Dotting, will post and update my info later this morning. Have a couple missing chronicles from Girzog leveling to 3, hoping to have replacements this weekend or early in the week.
HP 22/24 :: AC 20 CMD 17 :: Fort +8 Reflex +5 Will +8 :: Perception +2 (Darkvision 60) Initiative +1
So, are we way too heavy on the melee martial side? I have an oracle I could bring in. He's a Lore Oracle with emphasis on social, knowledge, and martial melee support.
Human Lvl 3 :: HP 21/21 :: AC 18 CMD 15 :: Fort +3 Ref +6 Will +3 :: Perception +1 (Aska +5; low-light)
No problem.
Also, I updated the Perception and Initiative numbers on the game map (a well as inserted Aska in the Perception set, as she both has eyes and can speak to warn the group). :D
Human Fighter 5 HP 56/56 | AC 26 T 13 FF 24 | F +8 R +4 W +2 | CMB +9 CMD 21 | Speed 20ft Init +8 Perc +3
Wow, this group has really changed since the first sign-ups. Looks like we lost the arcane and the rogue. So we have 5 martials and an Oracle (thanks for switching!). This could be challenging.
PC name: Dekion the Defender
PFS # 106385-1
Class + level: Fighter 4
Faction: Liberty's Edge
Day Job: None
Timeline-wise, this comes immediately after Serpents' Rise and Siege of Serpents, correct? I had thought it came right before those but after reading the overseer post it obviously couldn't have.
Ah OK. I did Siege in the 2015 PbP Gameday so I only vaguely remember it, I was thinking it was simultaneous with Rise (Just did Rise at GenCon, I played that whole thing thinking it was causing all the crap in Siege as it happened haha). Thanks for the info.
Serpent's Rise (6-98) is at the same time as Siege of Serpents (6-99) (and is indeed the same event from a different angle). The current special happens after that (7-00)
Overseer post wrote:
"But first, please everyone take a moment of silence to remember our lost Master of Spells and my close friend, Aram Zey. While many of you found his manner abrasive, he fully believed in the Society’s goals of exploration and cooperation, and I know his loss will be deeply felt by us all.” After a moment, Kreighton Shaine continues.
This obviously points to the events in Rise and Siege.
In the games I run, I do block initiative but do it round by round. Maybe it might slow the game down but I generally want those Round 1 people to get a crack before round 2 starts. PFS scenarios don't typically get overly complicated, like one of my pbps that I am running now. My other one is a Gamma World game going old school initiative. Ok.
Moved my response in here because I don't want to clutter up the gameplay thread.
I agree that I don't want anyone to be skipped. I don't believe that's happened, yet. If we have, let's by all means make sure we're not doing that as we continue.
Just to give another perspective, though. I don't want people to miss out on opportunities to contribute, but on the other hand, this is a Special, timed event (unless I'm mistaken). In the three timed events I've been a part of on PbP, my group hasn't fully accomplished any stages before being rushed onto the next part. Usually this is due to slow posting in general or people waiting on other people in combat.
I guess my point is that in this type of game, I'm okay with things being moved along quickly. I don't want people to feel skipped or left out, but it gets frustrating not to get to experience the Scenario because we're waiting on people in initiative order.
Also, I certainly don't speak for GMG. He (she?) may have his (her?) own perspective on it. :)
Main reason for using block initiative is indeed that it significantly reduces the time it takes for a combat round.
A result of block initiative is that it is very well possible that people get to act twice before somebody else has acted and even that combat can be over before a specific PC had a chance. In my opinion that is more than offset by the gain.
Note the first post of this discussion thread, where I explained my way to handle initiative ;-).
Human Lvl 3 :: HP 21/21 :: AC 18 CMD 15 :: Fort +3 Ref +6 Will +3 :: Perception +1 (Aska +5; low-light)
Cool! Texas, here.
Also, sidenote: I read recently that some folks in Europe use the word "Texas" interchangeable with "crazy". I'm still deciding if I'm flattered or offended by that. :D
Also, sidenote: I read recently that some folks in Europe use the word "Texas" interchangeable with "crazy". I'm still deciding if I'm flattered or offended by that. :D
F Dwarf Ranger(Guide) 5 AC 25, touch 14, flat-footed 23, hp 45
I am from Connecticut originally. Been moving around most of my adult life.
I never heard anyone really refer to Texas as crazy but one time behind the fifth bottle of Vodka. They would talk about our former presidents and I would always say, yeah but those are Greenwich boys. :)
Human Fighter 5 HP 56/56 | AC 26 T 13 FF 24 | F +8 R +4 W +2 | CMB +9 CMD 21 | Speed 20ft Init +8 Perc +3
GMG wrote:
A PC can leap from one island to another with a DC 20 Acrobatics. A PC can instead move through the water slowly with a DC 17 Handle Animal, Stealth, or wild empathy check.
Thanks to the chamber’s steamy haze, a PC must be within 5 feet of a plinth to make out the symbols upon it. Once one or more PCs are adjacent to a plinth, they must succeed at three DC 17 skill checks from the following list in order to decipher and record its inscriptions: Appraise, Knowledge (history, nature, or religion), Linguistics, or Perception. A character can attempt a given skill check only once per plinth, but he can still use a different skill on the plinth. If a PC can read Draconic, the skill checks are instead DC 14.
To make this easy do all 5 plinths in a single post....
Unfortunately, I'm a stereotypical fighter with no skills. I have no way to get to the plinth and even if I did, would only have a perception roll to help. I can hold the rope to pull someone out.
I'm hoping somebody on the other side who can make it on their own can hold the rope so those unable can get across assisted. Perception would be nice, even just as an assist
Human Fighter 5 HP 56/56 | AC 26 T 13 FF 24 | F +8 R +4 W +2 | CMB +9 CMD 21 | Speed 20ft Init +8 Perc +3
Quote:
The plinths are scattered throughout the large cave, whose floor is covered almost entirely by shallow, opaque pools swimming with venomous snakes. The Pathfinders face a challenge of navigating the room to get close enough to decipher the plinths, all while avoiding the serpents’ fangs.
The pools are shallow. I don't think the issue is crossing them. The problem is doing so without setting off the snakes, so you can either make the skill roles or you can't. Having a rope attached to you won't affect that.
Even if I take off my armor, I would need an 18 Acrobatics roll. I imagine, if we fail to cross, we get attacked by a snake swarm.
