GM Omelas's Destiny of the Sands (Inactive)

Game Master panegyric

Hello all! Thanks again for taking part in this adventure. I am very excited (and a bit scared) about GMing for you and can promise I will do my best to make this a fun and interesting game.

As you know, this will be my first time GMing a PbP and the first time GMing something in over a year. Adding to that, I simply could not leave any of you out and decided to go with 6 party members (instead of 4 as I initially had in mind), which requires me to rebalance some of the encounters I had planned. So I will probably make (quite) a few mistakes along the way. I thank you for the patience in advance and am happy whenever you (politely) point it out.

I will also try to be very open to any sort of feedback you might have, so let me know if things seem too slow/fast, too silly, too deus ex-machina, etc.

But enough about the GM. Here are some things to discuss before I open the gameplay thread:

* I have updated the campaign info with general instructions on how I intend to run the game. Nothing unusual there, I believe, but try to take a quick look and ask me anything that is unclear;

* Also in the campaign info tab there are two things I need on your sheets besides crunch and background: vitals and botting instructions;

* I’d recommend you decide early on how to deal with loot (division, tracking, who’s responsible for updating it, etc). Let me know if you want me to add a link to a tracking document to the campaign links (together with the XP tracker and maps);

* We need to decide how we want to approach posting on weekends. I guess it would be nice to have at least a post for saturday/sunday, but I prefer we do something we can all reliably commit to instead;

* I understand you might want to review aspects of your build now that you know who you will be playing with. You are free to tweak your character until you leave the Sage’s residence (when that will happen depends on how long we take with the audience and the feast).

Ok, I think this is it for now. Welcome!

I'm looking forward to playing with everyone!

Cheers GM Omelas, I look forward to this!

I'll make the requested additions to Theshen's sheet tonight and/or tomorrow.

retconning Hadiya:
As GM Omelas pointed out, the girl is supposed to be dead. So she really can't be wandering around using her family name.

Thanks for running the game and allowing Asmani to take part. I've gone ahead and updated my tag as well as adding #BotMe instructions to the top of my sheet.

I'd be happy with a direct link to a loot tracking sheet in the campaign links. Keeps things simple and obvious.

Things get a little hectic for me on weekends, but I can commit to a minimum of one post a day, even if they're sparser than usual.

Cheers!

Hi all, looking forward to this. I'm sure I need to tweak gear, but I suspect crunch will probably be set for now.

Weekends, I can probably do a post at night assuming I don't fall asleep on the couch. :-)

I can usually do at least one post at weekends, and very likely at least one per weekend day.

The loot sheet in this campaign is pretty neat. A loot sheet page of some sort is a good idea.

Woohoo! Let's have fun! I volunteer to maintain a Google sheet for loot.

I'm fine with once-a-day on weekends as well as week days.

Proposed loot sharing:

Equal shares of things that are equitably shareable (gold, gems, etc)
Equal gp value shares of things that aren't equitably shareable
There is a "raise dead" share included in the division (ie, with a 6 member party, loot is split 7 ways, with the 7th share being banked for rescuing a team member from Pharasma.

Items that are only (or best) used by one character go to that character, but the value is included as part of their 'equal share' of unshareable resources.

I'm thinking that over several levels, characters will have essentially equal amounts of loot, but that things might be out of balance for a level or two because of the lumpiness of the loot.

Also, if you replace something with a loot item, that the rest of the group gets first access to the thing you're replacing before the shopkeepers do.

It's up to you, of course, but I like Rawiya's idea.

I've also taken the liberty to create a google spreadsheet based on Theshen's link and added the link to the campaign header. Thanks for volunteering, Shu-kri.

Regarding Rawiya's true identity, just pretend I used her new name on the final recruitment post =P

How much time do you guys need to get ready? I was planning on having the first gameplay post up tomorrow evening – mostly presenting a bit of story and allowing you to get acquainted with Amenopheus and Nenet (or reacquainted with Nenet, in Waylund's case).

A page recovered from the Wyllt Diary, on display in the Sothis Exhibitory : Boon Companions

Curator's Note: Only surviving likeness of Badhru the Wise in the Pharaoh's collection

OMG! Awesome skills on display there, thanks so much!

Nice piece of artwork, Waylund ;)

I'm good to start tomorrow.

I can start tomorrow as well.

Also, please excuse my inexperience but what is the SM in the tag for?

I think Sense Motive?

I think Sense Motive?

Thank you. Although, with my sense motive I'd never know if you where right or just bluffing.

* I understand you might want to review aspects of your build now that you know who you will be playing with. You are free to tweak your character until you leave the Sage’s residence (when that will happen depends on how long we take with the audience and the feast.

I've noticed that there are at least a couple of people in this group without a lot of PBP experience, at least on these boards.

Could we also leave open the possibility to do some rebuilding/tweaking when we level up to Level 2? I'm thinking of perhaps traits/spellbooks, maybe a feat or two?

I'm not talking scrapping a whole character concept, but more fine-tuning when we discover things that just don't work. I'm in awe of the knowledge some members of this group have. Terrified, as a matter of fact, that I might be a drag on the group as we reach higher levels.

Charisma only gets you so far, after all. ;-)

Catching up on some of the RP. Will be be able to post in the gameplay section tomorrow?

The adept smiled politely and passed two leaves of papyrus across the small table to Waylund. Each sheet, scribed in a neat hand, was a receipt from the temple of Abadar. The first indicated that his loan had been paid in full, while the second confirmed the exchange of Absalom Gold Measures for an equal value of Osirian Scarabs. Eighty-four Gold Scarabs to be precise.

“Thank you,” said Waylund in Osirion. As he signed and stamped each with his signet ring the wizard absently noted that his loan was associated with an ‘account number.’ That was a useful idea for organizing clients and he mentally filed it a way for later consideration. Unfortunately, he thought ruefully, it wasn’t useful to his current predicament.

Prophet’s Ascension, the ship Waylund had taken to Osirion, had been struck by a severe squall a week before they were due to make port. The main sail had been shredded and the starboard rudder damaged – delaying arrival in Sothis by a month. That had meant, much to Waylund’s chagrin, an extra month of provisions purchased from the ship’s stores and an extra month of interest accrued with the bank of Abadar.

Waylund left the temple and considered his options as he meandered in the general direction of docks where his ship was moored. His duties were complete. He’d seen the ship’s cargo through customs inspection with the Eye’s of Sothis and handed in the bill of lading to Captain Marlain. He’d also secured a replacement Purser for the Ascension’s return trip – which would be considerably delayed by repairs to the rudder. Apparently, an adventurer had taken an arrow in the knee during a gnoll raid out on the Brazen Frontier and was eager to return to Absalom.

Perhaps he could find a caravan heading for…

“Master Wyllt? Master Waylund Wyllt?” Someone panted in thickly accented Taldane.

Waylund met the gaze of a portly man clad in livery prominently displaying a sapphire blue Scarab. The beetle heraldry seemed familiar somehow, but he couldn’t quite place why. Giving what he hoped was a disarming smile, he replied “I am Waylund. Is there something I can do for you?”

After pausing for a few seconds to catch his breath the rotund runner explained, “Master Amenopheus sends for you, effendi. The sage would be honoured to have an audience with you at his residence by the time the fourth door of the bazaar closes.”

Waylund’s eyebrows rose in shock. ”The sapphire sage?”

”Yes effendi,” the footman repeated “He wishes an audience with you at his residence by the time the fourth door of the bazaar closes”

Waylund reached into his pocket and took out a silver scarab to tip the messenger. ”Thank you he said, his thoughts reeling. “Please tell your master I humbly accept”

Nanet…

Nice to see everyone's excited. Great work, Waylund =)

@Rawiya yes, that's absolutely fine – I'd even go further and allow a full respec when we reach level 2 as long as it doesn't require retconning major plot points. I'll make sure to plan in some downtime for that. Completely unrelated suggestion: when I was playing a ranged bard some time ago I listed ammo and bardic performances on the vitals and found it helped me a lot.

@Waylund, @Asmani yes, in this case SM it stands for Sense Motive. If you prefer you can drop the abbreviation. Also, I can't wait for you to have to roll skill checks for that and Perception.

@All do remember to add your starting gold to the loot tracker sheet (bottom of the screen, Cash tracker tab) so you can make Shu-kri's life easier. And add a column for the if you go with Rawiya's suggestion of saving a percentage of the loot money for the eventual raise dead.

I will have the gameplay up around 20:00 CEST. Feel free to post any questions you might have here in the meantime.

@GM Omelas: I'll be able to post from tonight onwards, normally at least once a day.

@Shu-Kri: Cheers!

@Waylund: A neat piece of artwork. :)

@Rawiya: Some solid suggestions there. Between this and another board, I have about a year in pbp, and I wouldn't count myself as that experienced. I find there are still always things to learn.

Some guides that might be helpful:

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2nr91?DHs-Guide-to-Play-By-Post-gaming - For pbp advice, more geared towards this board.

http://zenithgames.blogspot.ie/2012/11/the-comprehensive-pathfinder-guides. html - A fairly comprehensive list of guides that various people have written to explain their thoughts on character classes and other aspects of Pathfinder.

http://zenithgames.blogspot.ie/2013/01/guide-to-builds.html - A list of sample character builds, generally from a mechanical point of view.

EDIT: I have added vitals to my tagline and botting instructions under a spoiler at the bottom of my profile. If there is anything missing, please let me know.

I can't wait for you to have to roll skill checks for that and Perception.

I can't wait for Rawiya to explain to the gullible Waylund why she lights up like a Christmas tree when he casts detect magic.

@GM

I've adapted that vitals template for use in D&D 5th edition games. A copy is here should anyone be interested.

This party has skills on skills on skills! And knowledges all over the place. Two rogues, an oracle, a bard, an investigator, and a wizard ...I love it!

@Theshen good idea to have the guides here. I will add those to the campaign info, in case someone needs them later. And thanks for the link to the D&D vitals, might come in handy.

@Shu-kri I was wondering about that, actually. I know this is far from a traditional party set up and the abundance of "skill classes" means that there might be more overlap in your roles within the team. It doesn't strike me as problematic, since I believe your backgrounds and personalities will ensure it doesn't feel like two characters are too similar, but perhaps you guys feel otherwise?

I'm personally fine with overlap. It gives characters common interests to bond over, and it means there is redundancy and ability to assist each other. We can also survive being split up more easily.

I think it's cool and will be a good thing for the party. If I'm wrong and it ends up being a problem, we can address it then.

I noted our "skills for daaaaaays" party composition as I was eyeing things up last night. I'd offered to the GM that Badhru's "core character concept" is portable enough that I could become something else if need be.

That said, we could also lean into this, and have a hoot right up until we figuratively drive off the road doing 110. :)

Terrified, as a matter of fact, that I might be a drag on the group as we reach higher levels.

Charisma only gets you so far, after all. ;-)

Rest easy. It's been my experience that bards would have to be actively trying to undermine the party before they're a drag on a party. :)

Theshen will do his best to keep you all alive and well, whatever about a heavy focus on skills over sheer combat power. As of level 2, he will have Lay on Hands (half his level) + 1 + 2xCha Bonus times a day. :)

I won't lie, Theshen, when you first made that comment about Lay on Hands, posted as a fire sorc, I was a little scared. "Bad touch! Bad touch!" :)

Oh, the joys of a mis-click! ;)

I quite like the feel of this party. The planning to deal with this mission should be something to behold. :)

I also like the party composition. I'm at the stage in my gaming career where I'm happy to play interesting characters in interesting parties over optimized generic builds. If we run into problems that we're not suited for, we'll simply have to get creative.

Asmani, I don't know if it can work in practice, but the idea of the two of us picking up Outflank and Paired Opportunists has me giggling. :)

Happy to see you're all up for this =)

I'm leaving work soon and will open gameplay as soon as I get home. Exciting times.

Also, Badhru and Asmani, I completely support the teamwork feat idea. Stabby, stabby.

That said, we could also lean into this, and have a hoot right up until we figuratively drive off the road doing 110. :)

At least we'll go out with Style!

I feel that with the six of us we'll be ok.

However, If needed I can tweak my spell book and swap out mount for summon monster I. With Summoners charm, my GM approved extended stay cantrip and some spirit of wine as a power component I can summon an eagle for four rounds.

If summoner's charm and power components apply to scroll creation then for 25.5 gold I can craft a scroll that summons an eagle for 3 rounds.

It's expensive for level one and not a perfect replacement for a fighter but having a few eagles on the field might work in a pinch. The extra creatures on the field suck up attacks from the enemy mimicking the role of a tank. Summoned eagles also make great flanking buddies for rogues due to their movement speed.

Summoned Eagle Stats

Alternatively (or in addition to) the group could pitch in for a combat trained guard dog or three.

Fyi: Waylund we be crap against undead and constructs.

Theshen is currently down to coppers, but I do intend to pick up Channel as an Extra Revelation at level 3. :)

Depending on circumstances, I'll either be posting later tonight or early tomorrow. In any case, you'll hear from Theshen quite soon!

Where did Waylund learn about Christmas trees?

But, for real, does anyone have a suggestion about what to do about Rawiya's aura?

I may be missing something. What aura, could you elaborate?

EDIT: wait, I got it, the altered appearance (at first I did a search of your page for the word "aura", which wasn't turning anything up). I'd say this is the first thing to consider, if that's a priority concern.

I'm perfectly willing to tweak that part of her backstory if there's a better solution. I do like that she's in debt to someone like Miri though.

I'm perfectly willing to tweak that part of her backstory if there's a better solution. I do like that she's in debt to someone like Miri though.

I feel like it is more of a plot hook than a problem.

I totally agree, Waylund.

Agreed here as well.

Me too. I actually thought you had done it precisely because of the hook.

Regarding magic aura, do keep in mind it's supposed to only affect objects as big as 5lbs/CL. I could handwave the object bit (or say it works but has some random side effect), but you'd still need to find a powerful enough NPC to cast it

Ok then!
Back to the original question: How might she divert attention?

Would telling Waylund (or anyone else) that she wore a magical protective amulet under her garments be believable at all?

Ah, I hadn't noticed that about the size limit.

Hell, Waylund has a starting Sense Motive of -2. Just bat your eyes at him, and you could probably tell him you're Aroden's little sister. :)

EDIT: because nothing digs you out of magic spell shenanigans better than more magic spell shenanigans, I give you misdirection, which will have to wait until you can do level 2 spells.

You're Aroden's Sister!?

[whisper]"Yah, I can handle Waylund"[/whisper]
Rawiya smirks and swaggers a bit.

But it's the other spell detectors I worry about.

"Why, yes, Waylund. Yes, yes I am!"
Bluff: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Perhaps the spell is only on her head/face? Is that possible? She is in debt 10,000 gold for it, so I think a fairly powerful spellcaster was involved.

Her gait might give her away to someone who knows her very well, but otherwise I think regular clothing would be plenty to disguise a young girl's figure, especially if she's slim and athletic

I've never actually used the forum's dice before. This is good practice for figuring it out.

Waylund appears dubious. 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10

"Hmm. That's not how I imagined Azlanti at all."