GM OfAnything |
Sorry, I read "make his way to the stage" as intending to get to the stage, not the stairs, and "keeping in sight" as intending to keep a distance.
If you are trying to do something different, it is helpful to include character motivation or thought process. For instance, most of the party said they are keeping up with the group, so I will move them with the group when I post an update.
Zahra Senay |
Hey... I'm on a brand new prescription inhaler because of bronchitis, and it's making me a bit loopy today. (I have odd reactions to drugs.)
I am trying to get a post put together, though...
Hmm
Garinol |
Sorry, I read "make his way to the stage" as intending to get to the stage, not the stairs, and "keeping in sight" as intending to keep a distance.
If you are trying to do something different, it is helpful to include character motivation or thought process. For instance, most of the party said they are keeping up with the group, so I will move them with the group when I post an update.
I'll try to. I apologize, I was assuming everyone would be moving "round by round" so to speak. I was only really trying to remain a little off to the side for Stealth purposes.
Hey... I'm on a brand new prescription inhaler because of bronchitis, and it's making me a bit loopy today. (I have odd reactions to drugs.)
Hope you feels better soon. Albuterol and other inhaler is a bronchodilator, so hopefully it's just the oxygen rushing to your head. :P
Is it short term (rescue) or long term, do you know?
Zahra Senay |
Short term. They're hoping that if I'm on it for a few days I'll start feeling normal again.
Hmm
Omar Senay |
Short term. They're hoping that if I'm on it for a few days I'll start feeling
normalgood again.Hmm
Normal is overrated.
GM OfAnything |
I'll try to. I apologize, I was assuming everyone would be moving "round by round" so to speak. I was only really trying to remain a little off to the side for Stealth purposes.
Just mismatched expectations is all. Moving round-by-round in out-of-combat situations slows things way down. It would take days to cross the room and open the door. If it is necessary, I'll indicate when we're moving round-by-round with either out-of-character text or a pseudo-initiative block.
GM OfAnything |
"There is nothing wrong with artists, or those who appreciate them. I just do not understand them.", uncertain where the odd outburst is comming from. "I simply find it, questionable that we are brought in to search for a noblewoman in a country know for deception, that also,. . . dislikes us, over a missing actress, even a talented one, when the populace didn't seem to lift a finger on their own, nor for any of the other victims, all of whose souls are equally important. A pet peeve, if you will. Still, this is the, . . . mission at hand."
How much of this was player vs. character?
Guards failing can mean either poor guards or competent enemies, you haven't talked to them and don't know what they've done.
If you are going to blame someone, blame the aristocracy that is only willing to accept aid from the Society now that one of their own has gone missing.
Vrald Sehir |
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No. Don't listen to his corrupting speech!
Don't blame the aristocracy. They are doing what they can for the peasants. There are old, dark, evils at work, and the honorable noble classes are striving to keep the wicked forces at bay. See, one of them seems to have fallen in the battle, and we are here to try and rescue her.
Oopse, Sovereign Court indoctrination too strong!
Faeranduil |
sorry for my absence yesterday, work was very busy and internet in the train was spotty.
Zahra Senay |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
I -- but not Bret -- am gone this weekend to a camp. Feel free to have Bret or the GM bot me. "I am from Katapesh! I am predictable!"
See you all Sunday.
Hmm
Garinol |
No. Don't listen to his corrupting speech!
Don't blame the aristocracy. They are doing what they can for the peasants. There are old, dark, evils at work, and the honorable noble classes are striving to keep the wicked forces at bay. See, one of them seems to have fallen in the battle, and we are here to try and rescue her.
Oopse, Sovereign Court indoctrination too strong!
"Corrupting speech?!?!?" <gasp> <shock> "You wound me, sir."
Omar Senay |
In thinking about it, I decided it would be a good idea to explain out of character what I was trying to do here.
I don't know exactly what would happen, but it seemed like some of Garinol's questions could cause another 'outburst' from Mad Margaret. Thus I tried to interrupt him at the point where I quoted and struck-through the text.
If Garinol wants to continue with those questions I will not interfere again. I would just like the player to reconsider some of the phrasing and questions.
If there is a better way for me to have tried to handle it, please let me know. This is the best I could come up with.
DM Beckett |
Blaming it on Pumpkin may not be the wisest tactic after what just happened, ha ha, but I don't mind. :P
Im ok with trying to avoid another outburst, so feel free to try a different tactic. I'm personally intriged by the candle and the voices we heard, but want to get all the clues we can get, but, something to keep in mind is, despite being good at negotiating and gathering information, I have an 8 Cha. I tend to view things more literally than emotionally or read into innuendo, (or thats how Im seening a Wis to Diplomacy/social sort of character).
Im also interested in the possibility of redeeming/laying to rest her soul, which is one of the truely memerable achievements I love from gaming.
Vrald Sehir |
I'm with Beckett on this one, there is a good story to uncover here. And if we can lay the ghost to rest for good, that would be a deed that Vrald would be proud of. Even if he didn't really understand the metaphysics of it.
Omar Senay |
I would also like to lay the spirit to rest, but would also like to avoid another haunt or other nasty ghost response. At very least, we should get Pumpkin moved before doing something likely to cause such an outburst.
Sense Motive is the skill for reading innuendo and it is Wisdom based, not Charisma based. Garinol even has it trained. I would expect that to be the skill to anticipate if something might punch someone's hot buttons.
Still, it is your character. Play them as you see them.
If you indicate you are going ahead with your questions, I'll try and get Lurgh (who is still hurt) and Pumpkin (who has a poor Will save) out of the area first.
Garinol |
Just to be clear, I said I was okay trying a different tactic to avoid another outburst, meaning I will refrain from pushing the question if you wish, despite actually wanting to know and finding it interesting and worth looking into.
I was simply pointing out, -->> AS A JOKE <<--, it might not be the wisest idea to try to blame it on the character that literally almost killed a party member a few seconds ago.
Zahra Senay |
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Oh god.
Will I have to stable Pumpkin for the rest of the adventure? I feel so horrified by this. What can I do to make this up to the team? I feel HORRIBLE.
Hmm
Garinol |
Dont worry about it. I think everyone knows it wasnt anyone's fault, and could have been any of us with a nasty crit. :P
Besides, sometimes failure can be interesting.
Faeranduil |
Dont worry about it. I think everyone knows it wasnt anyone's fault, and could have been any of us with a nasty crit. :P
Don't say that, who brought the beast to a theater in the first place? You know they have a menagerie in the Grand Lodge in Absalom? It was built for a reason, darn pets...
Just kidding ;-). Might as well say it was my fault for not rolling the required 12 on the dispel magic, or Omar for not being quick enough with his protection from evil
Omar Senay |
First we should get someone out by the wig/hair who can make the perform or Kn:local check...
GM OfAnything |
Go ahead and open that one, it's mostly to keep you all on track.
Go ahead and finish up anything in the theater or discuss theories/tactics, I'll update heading for the swamp later tonight.
Omar Senay |
Turns out I managed to make the untrained roll. Was surprised I did.
I think it will be off to the swamp!
Zahra Senay |
Does Voodland Stride vork in svamps?
Vrald Sehir |
I think you need a Grippli and Swamp stride for that. In swamps it is not generally the overgrowth that causes problems, so much as the lack of anything solid for them to grow on :-(
GM OfAnything |
Yeah, woodland stride won't work in the bog, but will work in the few dry areas with undergrowth.
Zahra Senay |
"If ve hit bog, Zahra vill fly. Or fly somevun else if he vill carry me."
I am okay with us picking up air crystals. Otherwise, Omar has a special wand from a chronicle that we can make use of with the Water Breathing spell on it.
Garinol |
I do not mind getting my hands dirty, . . .
And I promise Ill get anpost in tonight. Long day.
Hmm |
Hey guys,
I think I better post here because I am feeling so torn up right now I'm not having fun anymore. I realize that you all are excellent roleplayers... But I, Hilary, am now struggling to post because I cannot deal emotionally with what is happening here with the team.
From my point of view, I've expressed my misery over this situation to the group in OOC discussion, in character, and privately to the GM. I've asked us to please switch the subject, but that hasn't worked.
So now I'm going to be very explicit. I'm so unhappy I'm wondering if I should ask our GM for a 1 XP 0pp 0 gold chronicle so that I can take Pumpkin and me out of the equation.
Zahra's investment in the tiger is steep. 2 feats, 1 trait, her arcana, her bloodline power, and twenty-five percent of her precious sorcerer skill points. It is also a very real emotional investment for me. We've had the same tiger since day one. He's not a replaceable meat shield. He's Zahra and Omar's family and most trusted companion.
I try very hard not to take away from other people's schticks. Even though Pumpkin has narrow frame feat and could have easily entered the dressing room, I kept him outside to guard because I wanted others in the group to have a chance to shine.
But I feel miserable in this current atmosphere of distrust. I am all about explore, cooperate and report. If the group distrusts us, I am not sure that Pumpkin and Zahra are doing anything but hindering the actual mission.
:(
Can you guys help me, please? I'm an emotional wreck here. Can we please stop with the anti-tiger sentiment? I am not asking you to change your characters, just shift the subject for a while so that I can continue.
Hmm
Magabeus |
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Hey Hmm, my apologies. Thank you for posting this. I hope you accept my apologies and will stop making any remarks about not trusting Pumpkin or Zahra's handeling of him.
I really like the way you portray the couple and want you to have fun with this game. Again: my apologies for my behavior and for not getting your misery earlier.
I am posting this as myself and not as my character as I feel I need to make that apology and to make it clear that I take responsibility for MY actions.
Magabeus |
Hey Hmm, my apologies. Thank you for posting this. I hope you accept my apologies and will stop making any remarks about not trusting Pumpkin or Zahra's handling of him.
What I meant is that I will stop making comments.
Lurgh |
I ended up having to work over 14 hours yesterday, so I have not had any time to respond. I will try to post later this evening.
GM OfAnything |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I too am sorry, Hmm.
The encounter occurred while you were away from the table, and in my attempt to resist using my meta-knowledge to guide your character's actions, I had Zahra do less for Pumpkin than she might have under your control. I bear some responsibility.
Furthermore, my interest in a redemption arc for Pumpkin over the course of this scenario has blinded me to your personal distress. I knew you were upset, but hoped the narrative process would be more enjoyable for you. I'm glad you spoke up out of character. I had not realized that you weren't playing the part.
There are many interesting stories to explore, conflicts to resolve, and roleplaying moments to be had. We should not push in a direction you are not comfortable with.
Some roleplay suggestion that might help resolve the issue:
1. These swampers have a cat, too. There's is mangy and more feral, and Pumpkin compares quite favorably.
2. The swamp cat is mangy, but still well-behaved even in the presence of a rival cat. Cats are generally good companions, and Pumpkin deserves forgiveness.
3. Pumpkin was compelled by magic. Powerful magics corrupt the minds of even powerful men. It was just poor luck that the sound of grooming shears provoked such a strong reaction in the tiger. A Will save, a dispel check, and a 50/50 action all came up tails
Does anyone have other suggestions or ideas? Hmm, do you have a preferred resolution? or would you rather the subject be dropped entirely?
@Lurgh, thanks for checking in. I'll delay my update a bit to give you a chance to respond.
Garinol |
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I sort of know how you feel. Ive been in close to the same situation, and I'm not meaning that to point fingers. I dont think anyone has any issue with Pumkin or your characters, nor do we want you to go.
Out of character insinuation is difficult to get across in online play, and I don't think Faeranduil, or anyone really knew there was an issue or meant to make you, as a player feel crappy. To me it felt like normal ragging one would expect from a random group of folks thrown together. Everyone knows it was not your fault in any way, and it could have very easily been anyone of us that rolled poorly.
And I don't think anyone will have an issue with pulling back if its affecting you as a player, it just wasn't clear. Again, not intending to point fingers, just saying Im not really sure anyone really knew.
In all honesty, that was when I ooc, first started see Pumkin as not just a wall dressing sort of item and kind of badass. Almost dropping one of us in effectively 1 hit is exactly the sort of ally I would want at my back. :)
Is there anything else in particular, besides joking about Pumkin that is an issue we can work on to help you enjoy the game?
Zahra Senay |
Thanks, Ryan, Beckett and Gerard. It means a lot to hear you all say this. I think that I can play out your redemption arc if the group will give Pumpkin a second chance. I was feeling like we had failed before the mission had even begun... It was really tearing me up inside.
The reason that I fell in love was PFS was teamwork. My very first game was "Trial by Machine" at level 1. My party did not TPK... but it was incredibly difficult. We only survived because the group all worked together, including the whole team rigging up a rope harness to help lower baby Pumpkin into that dungeon. Pumpkin rewarded the group's trust by grappling a robot so that the rest of the group could slowly bludgeon it to death, nickel and diming our damage all the way versus the hardness.
What hooked me in was us all working together and trusting each other. No asses, no jerks, no prima donnas. Just a team that all did what they could and that was better than the sum of its parts.
Zahra was my very first PFS character, and the support team we've built between her, Omar and Pumpkin is very dear to my heart. I'd love to be able to help our group acheive our goals if you'll let me.
Explore, cooperate, report.
Hugs,
Hmm
Pumpkin - Such a Good Boy! |
Pft-pft.
The tiger lays down and cleans its claws. The humans were talking again. They do that a lot. Pumpkin had learned it was best to just let them do their thing until they would do something interesting again.
GM OfAnything |
I think we can all commit to making sure you enjoy this experience, I'm glad you are open to playing out redemption. We haven't had another combat to really force everyone to work together, but we can start the process.
@Everyone, in the spirit of cooperation and good narrative, I would appreciate if you include an opening or first step toward acceptance of Pumpkin in this encounter, either speech or inner monologue. It doesn't need to be full acceptance or forgiveness yet, just a nod to show we all mean well and want the best for each other. What this looks like is up to you and what fits your character, but contrast and comparison with the swamp cat could be a good start.
@Lurgh, you have an hour spent waiting for the swampers to arrive. Feel free to use a flashback to do some fishing and some thinking.
Garinol |
Ill try. Im not really angry with or mistrusting Pumpkin, so Im not exactly sure what is meant by redemption arc here. Im also a little unsure, because to me, razzing on people is exactly the type of thing I think builds trust and friendship bonds, (assumings its not going overboard and targetting). To me, in real life and in PFS, that's perfectly normal. But, Im assuming that is not what is being asked for.
Suggestions?
Omar Senay |
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I don't think Garinol has said anything that indicates distrust of Pumpkin.
My only suggestion for his part is to perhaps show trust in some way; either complementing Pumpkin in Zahra's presence, doing something that shows you value the beast, or that you believe in Zahra's skills as an animal handler.
Zahra is a crazy cat lady with a bigger than normal cat.
Vrald Sehir |
Sorry for slow posting here, it's been overnight.
I too want everyone to enjoy the game. From Vrald's point of view, it was always a case of ghost possession of the cat. And he has been thankful that it was the cat not him. Thus the non lethal attacks on Pumpkin at the time.
I'll do something IC as well.
GM OfAnything |
There is nothing wrong with some razzing done with friendly intentions. It's just not always easy to know where each other's limits are.
Perhaps redemption is not the most precise word. The story trope is closer to a crisis of confidence, where a single mistake or failure makes a character feel like a total failure. It's not just the party that needs to learn to trust Pumpkin, Zahra needs to learn to trust herself and her friend again.
Omar has some good suggestions for Garinol. Helping Zahra see that her relationship to Pumpkin doesn't need to change. As much as she protests that he is a good boy, Zahra has shown a bit of fear that it may not be true. Show her that even a Good Boy is allowed flaws.
Garinol |
I'll add in something soon. I was about to, but it didn't seem like a great time to, just because there is a lot going on right at the moment, but soon.
Additionally, if we want to go the route of paying them, (which I'm okay with), I have 1,000gp I can offer. However, I can also offer up:
- potion of cure light wounds (x2) (100)
scroll of lesser restoration (x4) (600)
scroll of remove curse (x2) (700)
scroll of remove disease (x2) (700)
scroll of remove paralysis (x2) (300)
antiplague (3) (150)
antitoxin (2) (100)
bloodblock (2) (50)
GM OfAnything |
As long as someone has the money or a magic item to give, I don't mind reimbursement at the end of the scenario.
Omar Senay |
I can pay my share of it, if payment is required. Was just trying to figure out if there was a way to get their aid without the hefty payment.
Zahra Senay |
It would be nice to know what our Sense Motives revealed, if anything.
Hmm
Lurgh |
I do have a few consumables I could give up, if needed:
potion of invisibility, oil of bless weapon, scroll of flurry of snowballs, scroll of web, scroll of see invisibility, scroll of glitterdust, scroll of monkey fish, scroll of fly
I'm not giving up my oil of daylight though, not after the last time I was here. :)
Garinol |
. . . not after the last time I was here. :)
Hmph. That was sooo bad. Pathfinders today have it so easy, using the Hao Jinn Tapestry and not heving to walk 8 miles, uphill, in the snow.