Jan Eriksson 0101 |
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@GM Ladile- OK. I will purchase one set of MW manacles and a superior lock since it just seems like a good thing to have... just in case. So, Jan will spend 200gp.
It might just be an old habit... but if you only have one set of handcuffs it means you absolutely are going to need another pair!
Lazarus Logos |
Yes, I'll copy both haste and dispel magic spending 180gp in ink costs.
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
Considering the nature of our business here I'm going to assume there is a place to stable our menagerie of pets at the Lodge? Tilly wouldn't be the best beast to drag into a gambling house stealthily, and well, I may as well have her keep Pidgy company.
GM Ladile |
Heyo folks, I'm going to be out and about some this afternoon/evening (F2F lodge game) and then for a while tomorrow afternoon/evening (hitting the lake with family). So posts might be a little slow.
That said, I hope everyone's having/been having a fantabulous Labor Day weekend :)
Serge Foxmourn |
Enjoy the long weekend! I'm heading to a blueberry farm, hoping I get a decent haul this late in the season. My posting will also be a little slow but should be back on track tomorrow.
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
Blueberry farm eh? High bush or low? Low bush season is about over here.
Serge Foxmourn |
No idea, had to look up what the difference was. They looked like the high bush kind. Got about 6 lbs worth!
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
Easy to tell the difference: Did you pick them standing up or were you bent right over or on your knees picking them.
High bush are the really big ones you buy in the store usually. Low bush mostly tend to end up being frozen or made into blueberry goodies like juice, jelly, muffins, fillings, etc. Low bush have a stronger flavor and more sugar and more antioxidants, but they are far less convenient to pick and ship.
Serge Foxmourn |
Ah! Just had to lean over to pick them without kneeling or anything like that, so they must've been high bush. I had no idea there were multiple varieties... Though I'm hardly surprised that you knew this :)
GM Ladile |
Hey folks, I've been/am fairly busy taking care of some RL business yesterday and today + I start three nights in a row at work tomorrow night so if posts are slow, that's why. Thank you for your understanding!
GM Ladile |
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Something that I attempt to do when I GM a scenario is provide additional background and flavor about the places the group might go or pass through and the peoples they meet. This is because if I had any one complaint about PFS scenarios, it's that they often take place in very interesting or unique locales but many of them fail to take advantage of it in regards to setting and flavor. Or they might include a rather unique setup or detail that...ends up not being relevant to the scenario at all, but might have made it more memorable if it had been.
So I try to reference the Pathfinder Wiki and what setting materials I already own to fill in details and hopefully make the experience more unique and more 'real', for lack of a better term. Google can also be handy when it comes to referencing the real-world things that much of Golarion is an analogue for, such as climate, flora & fauna, food, etc.
(I have Googled all sorts of random stuff since I started playing PbP.)
This is also as much for my own benefit as anything else because doing this means I learn more about Golarion, too!
I also try to do this (where it's applicable and makes sense) to flesh out parts of scenarios that are very brief. One of the other scenarios I'm currently running is one such case; I could just throw out a bunch of knowledge/gather info. spoilers, have the players make their rolls, then shuffle things onward to the next section. It'd certainly be quicker, but where's the fun in that? We have the time and the perfect medium to explore the setting more than we would at a live game, so why not take advantage of it?
That said, this sort of approach - while fun for me as a GM and as a player - is definitely not everyone's cup of tea. But I occasionally like to share thoughts on my reasoning for why I GM the way that I do and this has been on my mind of late.
Lazarus Logos |
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Love what you do and how you do it, GM, and that's why I'll always sign up for any game you're running.
Re a typical PFS scenario, I've adjusted my GM style over time. In the early days, I would only reveal information based on skill checks or questions the PCs asked. If the roll was too low or the question wasn't asked, the PCs just didn't get it.
It's often the background information or internal motivations of the NPCs that make the stories so rich. I concluded over time that it would improve the gaming experience--for players who appreciated the story--to find ways to reveal as much of that information as possible, at appropriate times, in any way that might make sense.
Of course, some players build their PCs solely around the anticipated 3+ combat encounters per scenario and tune out until the GM calls for Initiative rolls. And that's okay, too.
Meredith Ulmari |
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Additional background info through NPCs is my jam. Sometimes I'm stuck between
- not enough time to prepare the scenario
- PCs just want fights so why bother
So I always appreciate the effort that goes into making scenarios memorable.
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
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I'm here for the RP and the story first and the combats secondary. (some characters skew this a bit but its pretty standard for me.)
GM Ladile |
Of course, some players build their PCs solely around the anticipated 3+ combat encounters per scenario and tune out until the GM calls for Initiative rolls. And that's okay, too.
Very true. This sort of came up in Hangouts the other day but it's always good to keep in mind that there's not really a 'wrong' way to play or to GM, provided everyone is having fun with it. And the question of what makes a 'good' GM is going to be largely subjective depending on who you ask.
GM Ladile |
Hey guys, apologies for the silence again. Yesterday was F2F stuff with my local lodge. We're also beginning the process of looking for and buying a home, which will keep me a little busier than usual on my days off - like it did today. So if my posting is slow at times, that'll likely be a/the reason why.
Lazarus Logos |
Buying a home in Tennessee, I'm envious. Happy and excited for you, Kristin.
GM Ladile |
Well, Kentucky, but close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades! Our place of work is about 43 miles and a 45-50 minute drive one way from where we currently live, which is a lot of time, gas money, and wear & tear on our vehicles even with both of us only making the commute 3 times a week. So it would be *really* nice to get closer!
It's tricky trying to decide which we prioritize more, though: being in town and really close to work (and also probably spending less on the actual home) or being a little further away from work but out in the countryside where we've got more space and privacy.
GM Lorenzo |
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Kentucky's cool. Did some time at Fort Knox and Fort Campbell.
I grew up on a farm and was envious of my friends who lived in town.
Now I wish I lived on a farm and could escape suburbia. Who needs friends, right? ;-)
Alas, now we have a grandson and a granddaughter nearby, and I don't think my wife will ever agree to move away from them.
My cunning plan is to convince my son or daughter to move to the heartland. I've offered to fund the move and even grad school.
Failing that, my hope is they'll move somewhere we can't afford to live (California, New England), and we'll finally have a good reason to find some place somewhere else for ourselves that's more hospitable.
Washington state ain't it, as far as I'm concerned.
GM Ladile |
Heh. I've done rural living (no farm though) growing up and town living since getting married. Each have their good points and bad points, of course.
It's nice to be able to walk to the grocery store or be just a few minutes' drive from food or Walgreen's or the dentist. On the other hand, it'd be really nice to not have to listen to our idiot neighbors 'moving furniture' or yelling at each other from the other side of the wall.
One of the three we looked at Friday really appealed. Nice, rustic-style place that'd be maybe a 10-15 minute drive from work. Outside of town. There are some neighbors but everyone is relatively spaced out from each other; one place isn't even occupied all year round as it's apparently someone's summer home.
BIG yard. Probably more actual space inside than just two people technically need.
(Children will probably not be a thing for us.)
But it'd be nice to have the option to set up a small workout room, if we wanted. Or a crafting room. Or a gaming station. There'd also be plenty of room to put someone up if anyone needed or wanted to come stay. My parents are getting older so it's not outside the realm of possibility that one day one or both of them might need to live with either my brother or myself.
And we could have pets. I've sorely missed having cats around and my husband wants a dog since he never could have one growing up. There'd be plenty of space for a dog to run and play and for a cat to roam.
______________
All that said, we're supposed to go look at a place in town this Thursday that looks really nice - at least based on the listing photos. It'd be smaller than the above place, but smaller means easier to manage and take care of. Looks like it has a nice, long backyard (with a fence), for being in the middle of town.
Also has a swanky jacuzzi out back which is a nice bonus ;)
Anyhoo, thanks for bearing with my rambling :)
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
Yup, certainly lots of pros and cons for both sides. Driving sucks, but annoying neighbors and traffic sucks too.
PS, you totally know that work out room is going to be a gaming room. You aren't fooling anyone!
Larry: What don't you like about Washington State? The weather or something else?
Lazarus Logos |
Not knocking Washington, plenty of people love the state. I'm probably an exception.
After eight years here, I still don't feel at home. The nine months of s****y weather every year is a part of it, but it's mostly a personality-culture clash, I think.
We've lived a lot of very different places, from Western Europe to South Asia, East Coast to West Coast. My wife and I prefer what some call 'flyover country.'
I'm ex-Army and Jackie's from India. We always felt most comfortable and welcomed in the Mountain States and in the South. We've lived in Alabama, Colorado, Louisiana, and twice in Texas. (We've lived in Virginia a couple of times, too, but I'd never live there again.) I'd prefer a home in the country in east Tennessee, close enough to a city for an occasional weekend getaway, but far enough away you don't have to smell it or subsidize their insanity.
Serge Foxmourn |
peeks out from within his blanket of city smog
Meredith Ulmari |
Visited the in laws in Houston, Texas last weekend. I was promptly reminded of my City Slicker tendencies. 30 minute drives to the mall tire me right out. I definitely need to be close enough to amenities that I can walk or take public transit. Also turns out I just don't like driving in general.
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
Heh. During the summer field season, between commute and work driving I drive 3-4hrs a day. Not to mention sitting in a boat and driving that around. But hey, almost never do I sit in traffic or have to wait in line, or deal with herds of people.
Serge Foxmourn |
I'm with you there, Meredith. I walk everywhere or take the subway. Great coffee shops are 3 mins away, near any type of cuisine I could ever want is 10 mins away on foot. The waterfront is ~500 metres from my building's front door. There's a very long cycling path and some parks nearby for needed greenspace that makes for good jogging trails. About the only place I drive to is work, and that's because I have to! You don't mind the herds of people so much when you stay here long enough. I'd never leave if I didn't have to.
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
I've been tasked with trying to find a way to save the Frankie. Going through non character bound boons (the few I have), this is the only one that with some help could help save his rear. Anyone else happen to have any kicking around?
Hang in There: Your soul tenaciously clings to life in the most dire of circumstances. You may cross off this boon to allow yourself to be targeted with breath of life as long as you died within the last 3 rounds, rather than in the last round as typical for this spell. Alternatively, if two PCs at the table possess this boon, they may both cross off this boon to allow one of the PCs at the table to cast breath of life once as a standard action in the next 24 hours; this is a spell-like ability with a caster level equal to the casting PC's character level. This ability functions even if her character level is less than the normal minimum caster level to cast the spell.
*Edit: Going through his character sheet value has him selling off everything to scrape up about 4500g and he's got 7pp left.
Lazarus Logos |
I don't think I have the Hang in There boon--is it one from a particular scenario's Chronicle? If so, which one? Anybody else have it?
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
I won it during the Race for the Rune Carved Key multi-table special.
GM Ladile |
Since there was some confusion on Frankie's part about reach (halberds are not reach weapons) and since I didn't ask for clarification first ('Are you sure you want to do that instead of just withdrawing?') I'm happy to let Frankie retcon his action to make use of a boon from the last chronicle.
(Thanks for the suggestion, Laz!)
I will make official posting rounds later but I did want to go ahead and post this here so it's all official and stuff~
Lazarus Logos |
Must be a con player boon.
(I've got the Chronicle for Race for the Rune Carved Key, but it's not on it.) The chronicle does reduce the coast of raise dead in half, though.
*EDIT*
I actually do have the Hang in There boon from PbP Gameday VI in 2017! If we still need it.
And Lazarus's Character level is 6+1=7 from the Varisian Tattoo (conjuration) feat. Breath of Life is a conjuration spell.
Was planning on dropping a 'create pit on these guys on my text turn.
Meredith Ulmari |
Create Pit is PERFECT for this situation - we can rain fire from above, heal Frankie or focus fire on the first one that climbs out.
Lazarus Logos |
Just waiting to see what Frankie elects to do...
GM Ladile |
^He might be waiting on me; I'm about to catch up with the thread and start working on a post now~
GM Ladile |
Sorry, Jan :(
On the bright side, Lazarus just pulled the exact same strategy that my F2F group often used when we faced constructs in Mummy's Mask. Good thinking!
Meredith Ulmari |
So... how are our ranged weapon capabilities? I have a few vials of alchemists fire and acid lying around.
Serge Foxmourn |
Not great on my end. I've got a javelin and some vials of acid, but no bow. I'll bet they've got half-decent DR.
Yorad Cinderhunter |
Yorad is in the same boat, which is why he is guarding the rear :)
Guisseppe "Lil Frankie" Franko |
Sling shot and marbles
4 Acids and 1 alchemist fire (normal ones)
Wand of Grease to help keep them in the pit.
Meredith's Eidolon |
Keep me alive while I do flyby maneuvers, please!
Lazarus Logos |
Wand of magic missile
GM Ladile |
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Hey guys!
So...we made an offer on a place Thursday (the one with BIG yard) and after some dickering around back and forth with offers and counter-offers, we finally came to an agreement with the seller. We signed our parts Friday/early Saturday and the seller signed his part yesterday. We still have to go get the loan stuff started at the bank (which we'll be doing later this afternoon) but for all intents and purposes...we've bought a home!
If all continues to go as planned/expected, we close on Halloween!
This means that the next couple of months are going to be much busier for me than usual. We'll continue with our current scenario here and Shore to Sea as planned, but I may need to take a bit of a break once those are wrapped up in order to focus on getting things in order for and at the new home. I'm also planning on not joining any new games as a player for a bit once my current ones (mostly Gameday games) conclude.
Truth be told, I'd been thinking of taking things easy PbP-wise during the holiday season and early part of next year anyway for other reasons but given this new development I suspect it'll now be necessary...or at least a very, very good idea.
Anyway, we're very excited and happy! Here is a picture from the front, taken last year when it was initially put on the market. I might share additional pictures later, once the current occupants have moved out :)
Lazarus Logos |
Congratulations to you and your spouse, Kristin!