Hope everything turns out ok. Solo-parenting is definitely not a walk-in-the-park. Even if it is only for a few days.
Hope it goes well and the work stress passes soon.
Hope all works out soon. Don't worry about us - when you have some balance again, just jump back in.
What they said. Either of those by themselves can be a challenge, and when they arrive at the same time, well.
Reposting this here so it doesn’t get lost at the bottom of the previous page of the gameplay thread.
We may have made a tactical error in going toe-to-toe with this thing before Saban was closer. OTOH, it wasn't clear (to me, at least) how readily it would be able to reach the roof...and fighting any sort of flesh golem in a lightning storm did not seem like a tactic consistent with long-term survival.
Silas' goal was simply to occupy the thing until Saban arrived. In that regard, so far, he's been successful. :) :)
I don’t know what else we could have done - the lightning storm seems designed to make it unsafe to just wait up top, and anything immune to magic is going to be hard for a party of 5 casters (full and partial) and only 1 full martial to handle. If Vivian and Silas survive this round, maybe we’ll make it through round 5 by keeping the thing from making full attacks on any one PC while we chip away slowly at its HP.
Also - Pontia, next round, could you spare a couple of your archons to cast Aid on Silas and Vivian? They could probably use the temporary HP. (I don’t mean to interfere with any plans you might have, though - I reread my post just now and realized it comes off as bossy. Please ignore me if you have something else in mind.)
I'm pretty sure I'm down, if not dead.
I'm pretty sure I'm down, if not dead.
It’s GM Fuzzfoot’s call, and maybe the golem has a unique ability to maintain a grapple as a free action, but I don’t see how it’s possible for the creature to have made any attack on you - let alone a full attack - without dropping Silas, and even that assumes that it made the Reflex save against Grease to stay upright despite the Dex penalty from the grappled condition. Let’s see what GMFF says.
The roof only seems dangerous, though. With only one of us potentially eating 3d6 of electricity damage a round, we can hold out for quite some time. Certainly that's a lot less damage than the golem is doing.
ETA: Vivian, I think we can afford to have you raised.
Also - Pontia, next round, could you spare a couple of your archons to cast Aid on Silas and Vivian? They could probably use the temporary HP. (I don’t mean to interfere with any plans you might have, though - I reread my post just now and realized it comes off as bossy. Please ignore me if you have something else in mind.)
Aid is a touch range spell, so they'd have to get up close and personal to cast it on Vivian or Silas.
Also - Pontia, next round, could you spare a couple of your archons to cast Aid on Silas and Vivian? They could probably use the temporary HP. (I don’t mean to interfere with any plans you might have, though - I reread my post just now and realized it comes off as bossy. Please ignore me if you have something else in mind.)Aid is a touch range spell, so they'd have to get up close and personal to cast it on Vivian or Silas.
Fair enough - I wasn't sure where they were. Did you include the +2 from inspire courage on their attack rolls? Might be enough to convert a miss or two into a hit depending on the creature's AC if not.
I didn't. GM F, since their light rays are listed as weapons and not special attacks or spells, does Inspire Courage also add to their damage? Because if it does and the golem has a crappy touch AC, my little friends might be able to inflict a not-so-little chunk of damage on the thing.
Yah, this is a ridiculous tough encounter. I don't know that it clear enough that you should wait for the friendly monster to come do the toe-to-toe stuff, but that was the intent of the encounter. Knowledge checks at the beginning of any encounter can do nothing but help.
Regarding Nic's questions, this monster does have some specific features that help it do what it is doing. First, transferring a grappled victim to its tentacles is a move action (listed in the monster description). It also has Quickness, giving it an extra move action per turn.
Now, I will consider the following. I did not consider the monster grappled, meaning I did not apply a -4 AC. Grappled condition usually prevents AoO as well, but that doesn't really seem to be the intent here. It also wassn't clear to me that the monster need to use its standard action as well to maintain the grapple before the transfer. Doing some research, though, shows that there are feats for Greater Grapple and Rapid Grappler that would have made sense here, but are not listed. Then again, it seems no feats are listed... In any case, the creature really had the ability to move Silas to a tentacle still in the round he grabbed him, and then it gets really murky as far as what does having someone grappled in a tentacle mean?? He has a +29 CMB for grapple, and I think I saw a rule that he could maintain this for free at a -20 penalty, so maybe we'll use that (assuming not paralyzed). But I also didn't apply the extra constrict damage to Silas as I was feeling bad about killing him too quickly...
The basic idea here is a many tentacled monster wreaking havoc all around it. It seems to me that the intent was not to allow one grappled character to tie up all of the monsters actions. It may have just been poorly written. Then again, the grapple rules are rather odd in my opinion in general.
As far as Vivian's AC comment, yes - I missed that, and the Prayer's negative effect on the monster. But here is something I will say - you all need to either keep your status bar updated with current buffs or make a note on your post, because I seriously don't have the time to recalc every number for every variance on each post. I don't mind retro fixing it, but if you can be more clear on your own stats, it can help prevent too much of that. (See Silas' post where he says his AC is current 18 - that is a good way to do it).
So, here is what we will do. First, I am going to move the Round 2 where it should have been. I am not going to retro add another constrict damage, though, because that's just cruel. Based on the rules for Grab, I will say that tentacled characters do not give the monster the grappled condition (so AoO ok and no -4 Dex), but this does apply a -20 CMB for maintaining it, and will re-roll this for each character each round. This means that while Silas is paralyzed (unless Nic's spell helps there), he stands a better chance at escape.
Given this, the rest of the attacks stand, however Vivian is right about one missing her. Looking back, I believe this also means that the AoO missed! With 49 less damage, and actually 2 few due to prayer for the successful attacks, this puts her at only 42 dmg total - still conscious! But, to round out the retro, the monster will also use it's free move action to move her to a tentacle as well, meaning she will have a poison save to make.
Now, as I was looking at Nic's spell, it unfortunately does not help with Saves - only attack or skill check. So he can decide on a different course there if he likes, or he can apply it to one of Silas' attacks from Round 3. (Either of the two that missed would now hit).
Nic - you should really also make a Knowledge(arcana) roll (as high as you can) and ask for what you can deduce from examining the monster so that you all have better understanding of abilities, defenses, etc. It WILL help you avoiding getting in too deep.
Now for some good news (well, more good news than Vivian breathes again!). The touch AC is 8. Also, I agree that as weapons, inspire courage works on both attack and damage, so this means every one of them hits! Prayer also works. And these bypass DR and don't appear to be affected by the monster's immunity. I will roll that for you in gameplay.
And grease, while it didn't work, could be a good move here - I was surprised that the sheer size of this creature didn't give it some advantage here, but it doesn't.
I am willing to discuss further if anything here really bothers anyone, but I hope that this is a fair resolution for everyone...
Thanks, GM. Sorry about the mix-up on Gallant Inspiration - I even highlighted the language and still thought it worked for saves. I saw what I wanted to see, I suppose. On Grease, if the grappled condition doesn’t apply, then the -1 from prayer isn’t quite enough to knock the creature down.
I'll do my best to update my stuff so you have the correct informations!
Sorry bout that!
Thankies for the clarifications
I hate to be That Guy, but AIUI the archons shouldn't get a benefit from prayer. I think it's a burst spell with a duration, so you have to be in the AoE when it's cast to benefit (or suffer) from its effects.
So I did consider looking this up too, but by the time I finished what I did do, I decided I didn't care :)
Thank you for being upfront and honest, so I am going to leave it - but won't apply it to future hits.
I hope your archons roll well, Pontia - we’re going to need their help!
I updated the loot list. Is there anyone who can use the Staff of Swarming Insects, or should we sell it? I suggest the party members who played through the whole book decide how to split up the spoils - Niculaie will be surprised and pleased by whatever he receives. Thanks for letting me join the game - I’m looking forward to Book 3, and following the Whispering Way down the Silent Path!
Not much required to level Niculaie up to 8. He is going up a level of bard, so now he's Bard 6/Investigator 2 (caster level 8 for his bard spells). Tentative choices so far:
Favored class bonus: +1 skill point
Ability score increase: +1 Charisma
Skill increases: Acrobatics (+2), Know (Arcana), Know (History), Know (Local), Know (Religion), Perform (sing), Perform (strings), Spellcraft
Spells known: Cat's Grace, Drain Construct (bonus wizard/sorcerer necromancy spell from Secrets of the Grave dirge bard special ability)
Niculaie also gains a new Bardic Performance: Suggestion.
Let me know if you see any errors or think I've missed a skill we're lacking or forgotten the most important second level bard spell ever. I'll may tweak these choices this evening but should settle on final decisions by tomorrow at the latest and should have my stat block and tagline updated by morning, except for any equipment purchases if the party goes back to town for shopping and rest before traipsing down the Silent Path.
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following the Whispering Way down the Silent Path!
While playing The sound of Silence, I suppose?
Level 4 Rogue
L 8 Ability bonus +1 Dex
HP 5 base+ 2 CON=7 Total HP 59
Bab +1
Ref+1
Rogue talent (Trap spotter, automatic perception roll within 10 feet from a trap)
Uncanny dodge (neverFlat Footed, don't loss Dex bonus vs Invisible foe)
Skills (11) Acrobatics, Climb, Disable Device, Perception,Sleight of Hand, Stealth (all +1 ranks), escape Artist (2 ranks), Intimidate (3 ranks)
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following the Whispering Way down the Silent Path!While playing The sound of Silence, I suppose?
At least you posted a link to the correct version. ;)
Vivian Deberth wrote:
Niculaie wrote:
following the Whispering Way down the Silent Path!
While playing The sound of Silence, I suppose?
At least you posted a link to the correct version. ;)
Hey, I enjoy the Disturbed version too of this song, but the original will forever remains the best!
following the Whispering Way down the Silent Path!While playing The sound of Silence, I suppose?
Great. Now that song is in my head all morning... :)
Hey, at least it's a great song.
I could choose a song soooooooo much worse to haunt your mind.
If you are letting Caromarc stay, let's just say he gave you an extra 3000 for your consideration.
Game wise, what you do with Caromarc is rather irrelevant.
For loot, I really haven't been tracking much - just a few notes. Sometimes I keep a group equipment/loot google sheet - but if you are all comfortable tracking your own, I am cool with that too.
Since I came on, the following loot is sellable:
3000 gp door
3000 gp reward
1200 go wine
120 gp cloak and cane
300 gp spices
300 gp trophies
325 gp tobacco and accessories
90 gp brass and gold checker
1850 gp wardrobe contents
270 engineering books and jars
-------
10,455 / 7 = 1495 (ish)
So you each have 1495 extra gold to spend right now.
We've got a loot sheet here that is mostly up to date - I'll reconcile it with your list later today, but I think there are a couple of pricy items not on your list. It looks like the sheet's "owner" is Haladir, who I recognize from the Paizo boards - he's one of your former players, right?
Also, why divide by 7 - there are only six PCs now, unless I'm missing something?
Addendum:
Thanks, GM - the loot sheet is updated, and there were a number of items we missed. Here’s the list we have now:
Staff of Swarming Insects (7 charges)
Gold
Tiny Rubies
Magnificent spyglass bound in gold
Wine
Cloak and cane
Spices
Trophies
Tobacco and accessories
Brass and gold checker
Wardrobe contents
Engineering books and jars
Potion of displacement
Potion of gaseous form
Vials of alchemically preserved basilisk blood
Wand of speak with dead (31 charges)
Adamantine door
Reward from Count Caromac
Total sale value: 27,560gp.
Note that of that total, 11,400gp is the sale value of the Staff of Swarming Insects, so if someone can use it and wants to keep it, that will knock down the total. Same for the wand of speak with dead (sale value 3,487.50gp).
Hey, at least it's a great song.
I could choose a song soooooooo much worse to haunt your mind.
You wouldn't be trying to rickroll us, would you?
Fighter 8
HP +10
BAB +1
Fort +1
+1 Strength
Bonus Feat:
Improved Critical - longsword
Skills:
Intimidate +1, Perception +1, Survival +1
GM Fuzzfoot, How do you feel about the Antagonize feat? Some allow it, some feel that it's OP and ban it. Can't get it yet, but it feels like a good fit for Silas.
@Silas - I may miss why others consider it so overpowered, but I think it sounds fine to me. I don't much care for things that the opposed party can't do anything to circumvent, but it is only once and only for one round. I might give the target an insight bonus similar to what you can get if they are particularly intelligent or sensitive (ie. they roll sense motive to see what you are doing),but I'll probably forget this anyway...
@Niculaie - apparently I was giving the Beast a share... oops. Yes, only 6. And thanks for digging up the rest.
I think moving forward, I will start a new loot sheet. So let's decide if anyone is keeping the staff and wand and get what you want on your sheets.
Everyone wants to continue to book 3, right?
I want to apologize for my post on Sunday; Things aren't going great for me right now, and the lack of rolling well has been haunting me throughout all of my pathfinder games and that was just one failed save for me too far. It is not your fault GM Fuzzfoot for running the encounter as written. I am sorry.
I am still interested in continuing to book 3, if you will have me.
Looking forward to Book 3. :)
Silas isn't interested in any of the items we've recovered. He would like a belt of giant strength, though. So the more money we get from selling, the better. :)
Lol - no worries here. Its been years since I knew the rules to a game so well that I didn't need to look half of them up, so always feel free to correct my missteps or suggest other interpretations. I don't take it personal. In fact, I had to go look at your post again to even know what you were referring to... :)
That was definitely supposed to be an end-all battle, and from the searchign I did, TPK were not uncommon. I like to try to balance risk and entertainment - if there isn't an element of sitting on the edge of your seat, I am probably not doing a very good job. But I also don't want anyone to ever feel like their character or other contributions don't matter. I felt bad for Silas who had to basically watch to see if he survived, but he wasn't wrong in that he took the first hits so others didn't have to.
Still - I always strongly suggest that teams do a few things:
1. use your knowledge checks! The more you can know from observation, the less danger you are in.
2. come prepared. Have ways to deal with swarms, constructs, high DR, etc. The more versatile you are, the better your survival rate.
3. don't assume you will win. Even if your characters is a "rush in no matter the danger" type, sometimes taking a breath to look around is just good for your health.
Anyway, I wasn't originally convinced I could go the distance on this one, but this is a good group and the story is bringing back memories of my early childhood watching Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi on TV. So I am good to go as long as you are!
Thanks, GM. I am definitely interested in sticking with the group for Book 3. And thanks for taking my posts about the action economy in the final encounter with such good humor!
As for the loot, even if we sell everything else, I assume someone will take each of the potions, right? In other APs I've played or run, we have accounted for items taken from the pile at the price we could have sold them for, so it's always a better deal to use something found than to take the gold and purchase it - is that how you've been doing it?
Not that I'm complaining, but didn't we just level up before the boss fight?
ETA: I'm up for Part 3!
SSSShhhhhh!!!!!
That 36-second battle was action-packed, and Niculaie learned a lot!
Torn between Cat's Grace and Minor Image as my one new level 2 bard spell. Cat's Grace is a nice buff that will probably be useful at least up to level 14-15, if not longer. On the other hand, creating illusions that work on undead - even mindless undead - is a key part of Niculaie's archetype. Any thoughts?
I want to continue this AP!
Cat's grace can be a wonderful spell to a finesse fighter. Although, I'd be surprised if a finesse fighter doesn't have a medium belt of DEX by level 10-12 which would replace it.
I kept thinking that there were better places to spend that gold, but eventually one less round of casting a buff was worth it.
That 36-second battle was action-packed, and Niculaie learned a lot!
Pontia learned that lantern archons + inspire courage can be really tough, at least when the big bad hangs out on the other side of a doorway and can't reach the archons.
oops. Yah, I did forget you up-leveled just before the fight. But that's ok - we'll roll with it. It may be a while before you level up again, though... :)
Thanks! I'll be leveling up tonight or tomorrow.
If nobody wants the staff or wand, are we looking at just dividing up the loot value in equal shares? If so, that's 4,593.33 gp each. I'm happy to take less since Niculaie wasn't in the party when some of the treasure was found if that’s the consensus — only asking because I'm looking at potential purchases (OK, one potential purchase, a headband).
Silas would be completely happy with that.