Giant Slayer PbP (Inactive)

Game Master Batpony

Forgot to add that Devko has see invisibility casts on himself.

Hi guys sorry no post on Tuesday was super busy will try to get something posted Wednesday afternoon

OK so here's the text for silence...please show me where it need's "line of effect"...

Upon the casting of this spell, complete silence prevails in the affected area. All sound is stopped: Conversation is impossible, spells with verbal components cannot be cast, and no noise whatsoever issues from, enters, or passes through the area. The spell can be cast on a point in space, but the effect is stationary unless cast on a mobile object. The spell can be centered on a creature, and the effect then radiates from the creature and moves as it moves. An unwilling creature can attempt a Will save to negate the spell and can use Spell Resistance, if any. Items in a creature’s possession or magic items that emit sound receive the benefits of saves and Spell Resistance, but unattended objects and points in space do not. Creatures in an area of a silence spell are immune to sonic or language-based attacks, spells, and effects.

By this spell description When you first entered the tent...Devko would have been in the radius of the silence spell too...therefore there's no way he could have shouted to Theodric a warning and Theodric would have be completely unaware of the presence of the creature. If fact the timing would have to have been nearly perfect.. but regardless..unless shown a thread (over-turning the above spell description) (btw your mouth does not count as an area' as defined by game terms...so please don't pursue that route) or a different spell description I'm ruling that the lighting bolt goes off before Theodric ascends. I'll give a day to present arguments.. but unless I have concrete evidence to the contrary (FAQ thread, designer saying this would work ect) I'll exercise GM fiat on this one...

No argument: I just read the spell description and it said 'emanation' (which needs line of effect)

"A burst, cone, cylinder, or emanation spell affects only an area, creature, or object to which it has line of effect from its origin (a spherical burst’s center point, a cone-shaped burst’s starting point, a cylinder’s circle, or an emanation’s point of origin).

An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect."

Theodric's mouth is solid. Theodric's mouth is indeed big, but NOT 1 square foot.

I can also designate other appropriate cavities for the purpose of hiding one's silence stone, darkness earring or daylight beads! LOL

:P

PS (GM): I'm getting the feeling that you are pressed for time due to real life at this point, but this can be a busy time of year - if there's not enough time for you to GM right now I don't mind waiting for the new year to get a more consistent post rate from you and from the rest of the group. Also, for many reasons, GMs often have to step down, and Hmm (the online VC) routinely assigns replacement GMs in those cases. There's no shame in it if that's your situation. If that's the case let me know and I'll talk to her. Take care!

Ok, so what are we doing now? reset button or keep going?

So everyone (everyone who's paying attention to the discussion thread anyway)...

I just wrote Glaube in response to his prepared diplomacy effort. I won't get into in much except to say this to everyone.

Unless specifically asked...please stop posting advanced actions.

There may be a point in combats where it's appropriate to ask players to post advanced actions but in non combat...(unless it's book-keeping stuff like "While on downtime I prepare spell X, or sell my sword, ect..)

Telling me what your actions are going to be going into an unknown room/encounter or what have you is not acceptable. (except to say I prepare spell x, or I have my crossbow out ect.. ie preparation not lines of actions like " if there's a sarcophagi I cast detect undead..I'm sure you get the difference)

To the larger point...I'm sensing a little push-back and possibly some resentment. If it's my imagination running wild...well please forgive me. I don't want to be the guy who make something out of nothing.

I think there is some commonality among all Pathfinder players and GMs however,

1. We all love Role-Playing Games (or we wouldn't be here)
2. We do it because we want to have fun...
3. We generally all have active imaginations (visualizing your rogue back-stabbing a Troll or a Wizard Teleporting a group of adventures all takes a bit of imagination because it's something we've not witnessed in our own lives.)

However, different play styles and methods abound. As do personalities and other mitigating factors...(age, time constraints, health, problems at home ect..)

We try to make allowances for each other but sometimes it just doesn't work out.

It has been suggested to me that I might want to surrender this game to a different GM ..

I personally have not had a big problem with anyone (just the normal coarse of GMing and rules arbitration as far as I'm concerned). However, I'm beginning to sense some frustration with my GMing..
And ultimately the point of the game is to have fun.

As for me...I've already GM'd and finished this book once. There's really no need for me to tread old ground. I did this because I was asked and I genuinely wanted to give back to the community that has given so much to me.

But, I don't want to be constantly challenged..
I'm in this to create a good time for you all...if I'm not meeting your expectations I'm perfectly O.K. with you seeking a different GM...seriously no hard feelings.

But if you want to continue with me...
You'll need to learn to "Roll-with-the-flow"

thx
lucklesshero

ok cool; what's next? Harsk's turn?

@The Party: Sorry! I'm not trying to be a pain, I promise!
____________________________________________________________

@Justin:

To the larger point...I'm sensing a little push-back and possibly some resentment. If it's my imagination running wild...well please forgive me. I don't want to be the guy who make something out of nothing.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I am neither resentful nor pushing back. I'm just confused. Like I said before, if I don't understand something, I'll ask questions. To reiterate:

I mean this as sincerely as possible. I recognize that it's difficult to convey sentiment in the written word. Please try to read my questions and comments in the most positive light possible. Cool? :-)

I'm confused because I strode into the tent and started talking. There was no future posting because Harsk already made the perception check and told us someone or something was in the tent. We had also spent several posts discussing this strategy and even spent a couple of spells on it. (From Theodric's post on Wed, Dec 5, 2018, 08:02 pm to Devko's post on Sun, Dec 9, 2018, 04:13 am.) I fully recognize that my action could have been completely wasted, but I have the agency to waste my own actions. It's my prerogative. :-)

Just because I ask a question doesn't mean I don't accept a ruling. That's why I got out a sling and readied to target the floating caster.

@lucklesshero I appreciate you running this. I think we were a bit confused.

Is Harsk up?

I appreciate you running this too. I was just genuinely concerned you had no personal time to run this, but I'm glad to continue if you're still ok to run this!

Let's slay ourselves some giants!!! :)

Ok so this combat got thoroughly messed up... (reading back the post I realize some of it was me too)

So in the future lets keep a couple things in mind.

Actions occur as they happen in initiative order...(even if another player in the block initiative posted before you.)

If you're not in bold it's not your turn (kinda duh but anyway)

try to post as little as possible in advance (unless you're readying an action)

Your moves written in/on the game-play thread will be the default...not the ones on the map...(the map gets moved a lot and things seem to get a little messed up..) The map is only a reference tool...you must have declared your intentions on the PbP board...(ie..Gm I move to the right of the creature keeping a 10' distance ending up about 15' away on the right)

that's it lets keep it tight and if you know the party is in combat try to post at least once a day to keep things moving..(weekends only once is fine)

lastly keep in mind tues-thurs are very busy days 4 me...if I'm a day or two late don't worry I often double post on Friday and Sat..

I'm ok with that.

Works for me as I am busy Sunday-Wednesdays.

map up

Happy New Year, everyone. Hope you've all had the opportunity to celebrate, rest, and rejuvenate.

Happy New Year!

Quick question to the GM: how close do you think we are to complete the adventure? a few opportunities will arise for Theodric at a local Cons end of February and mid-March... just trying to gauge things: not suggesting we rush anything at all, but if you clearly think this will run much longer than end of Feb, I'll make arrangements to play other PCs at those Cons.

Regards,
GM PDK

Theodric I honestly think this may last longer than that...there are over a dozen encounters left...( despite your party's strength it's doubtful you'll 'one shot' all of them)...Alos on the map you have a pawn of a hill giant female...(which I'll use for your adversary) there are two other large pawns..what are they pelts? Also is your character large and disguised as a Marsh Giant? I've taken the liberty of pretending she is..if not please feel free to switch back to your normal pawn.

We're no longer in Roll20 --> use the "Google Slide Battlemaps" link right under my avatar.

This is a distasteful encounter to say the least... having a hard time coming up with what my CG character's response would be here.

Also, can you explain why Diplomacy 50+ didn't work on her, considering the whole careful approach we take (prisoners, other giant delivering to her, etc.) If this is a purely hack and slash module that's fine by me, but I'd like you to confirm before I enter 'beast mode' and stop caring about the things most Pathfinder adventures usually try to make you care about...

The 50+ diplomacy from Glaube was to antagonize her, not to discuss with her.
Using diplomacy require 1mn of peaceful interaction, I don't think we had that time :P

As far as I read this encounter, we've meet the cook, and she thinks of human only as meat to prepare for other giant! So, nothing more than a Tiger looking at pigs ;-)

Devko has explained it perfectly... and yes u will fight most of the encounters but there are several role playing opportunities later so don’t give up yet... slaughter this heifer and move on... believe me you’ll end up enjoying several aspects of this module

Not that my fighter has any Cha-based skills (disguise and intimidate and that's basically all he is outside of fighting) but I just wanted to ask so as not to spoil this module for the others.

Ok, fighting mode, activate. :)

Question: is this game on a one post per week frequency? I thought we all committed to one post daily but I could be wrong.

Yes it is suppose to be more frequent. Personally I've had a very sick wife this last week and haven't felt necessary to pressure neither myself or others to post over the long holiday Season.. (which included up to the week before Christmas and the week after New Year.)

I must confess life is overwhelming me right now and this is very low on my priority list; given these circumstances I would not feel it objectionable for the group to reach out and find a replacement GM.

I will however, post as much as I can until you do find someone to replace me or conversely..wait out this lull in my life and hope (as I do) that I'll reach a point sometime in the near future that I'm able to post 5-7 times a week as I originally intended.

Either way I thank you as players...you've been patient and kind.

Real life takes priority Lucklesshero: take care of your wife and we'll try to find a replacement GM. If things change for you before the end of this adventure just let us and the replacement GM know.

Cheers!
Theodric/GM PDK

Real life takes priority Lucklesshero: take care of your wife and we'll try to find a replacement GM. If things change for you before the end of this adventure just let us and the replacement GM know.

Cheers!
Theodric/GM PDK

thx I did just post and will try to check in until you can find a replacement...I will note though that neither Brother Theo or Harsk has been very faithful in their posting lately as well (in fact we're still waiting for them) so replacing your GM might not be the immediate cure for more expedited play that you're seeking Theodric..

Having said all this: I personally believe I won't post much more than twice a week for the next month or so...therefore it's best I step aside..so every player has the opportunity to finish this adventure A.S.A.P.

GL all...(PS I'll check in and keep posting intermediately, until I replaced so things don't grind to a complete halt.)

Hey guys! I saw the request for a replacement GM. I'm currently running book 4 with my local group so am fairly familiar with the scenario. If you're happy for me to look into this, I have a few issues which I think needs to be clear before we move forward based on conversation above

- Pacing/post rate expectations
- What's the PC's backgrounds and how they've grown in the story?
- PFS or AP mode?
- development of story, what have you guys done so far in book 3? (I tend not to run the book as written, too many redundant encounters)

If you're happy for me to look into this, I have a few issues which I think needs to be clear before we move forward based on conversation above

- Pacing/post rate expectations

I think it's one a day. Although I have to admit that I havne't been doing that. I've just been following the pace of others.

- What's the PC's backgrounds and how they've grown in the story?
- PFS or AP mode?

We were doing this in PFS mode with PFS characters. We're running it as a "special mission" to take out these giants. Harsk is my version of a "clone" of the pregen and he hates giants and takes out vengeance on them for the death of his brother.

- development of story, what have you guys done so far in book 3? (I tend not to run the book as written, too many redundant encounters)

I'm OK with that.

Same as Harsk above. Theodric's background is under his alias.

As for how he's grown into the story: back in town, he disguised as a merchant so that no one witnessed him hanging around a Hellknight (Devko from our party is a bard Hellknight). Theodric is a noble from Taldor and while he's part of the Society, he maintains certain appearances in social circles and being friends with Hellknights is not part of his agenda. He owns a merchant caravan and trades around the world, and part of his reason to come here was to open new trade deals with Lastwall. He deeply admires Lastwall's cause and its people, so while he has never killed giants before, he volunteered to help them with this situation.

There's a link under my avatar name i.e. 'Google Slides Battlemaps' showing the current fight we're on. There's also a Roll20 link but we've moved away from that. I vote for the Google Slides but we can move back to Roll20 if you like.

Thank you for taking on this game! much appreciated!

Least I could do for you PDK! If I recall I was participating in your hells rebels not too long ago.

I'll catch up and get us moving by the weekend, but also to make some expectations clear:

I've had a few good and bad experiences with modules and if it's not working out I will step down. Unlike scenarios, the time commitment is intense so if we're not having fun then there's no motivation to continue. I've had times where the group stepped down because we couldn't connect with the GMs style, and that's ok , no hard feelings there. So if there's anything you don't like just talk it out with me.

Also as a GM, I like to exercise authority in ensuring everyone is keeping to expectations for the greater good so if players are not keeping pace with the rest, I won't hesitate to move on without that player.

I prefer using Google slides.

I try not to, but if it comes that we're not making the right decisions to progress the adventure, I tend to subtly railroad the adventure. I've had times with my local giantslayrr group when that railroad was not so subtle.

Briefly gone through this, you're very much only beginning this AP in my eyes. We could do it two ways:

Long story, a lot of history/lore into this place, more encounters. In real life time: easily 5 to 6 3hr sessions.

Short story, skip the lore and background stuff going straight to finding out what the giants are planning. Direct path to conclusion. In real life time 3 to 4 3hr sessions.

I will plan the adventure based on what you guys want.

I will prefer to have some of the History/Lore, but I will go with any decision.

Anyway, thanks for taking over GM Batpony!

I like lore. But this is PbP, and if the GM prefers short and direct, I will oblige, and read the AP later instead to fill my lore needs.

I love this AP, and Im happy to bring the lore/history to pbp but just want people to be aware of commitment it will take of a pbp task. I will definitely simplify certain parts to keep us smooth sailing.

I love this AP, and Im happy to bring the lore/history to pbp but just want people to be aware of commitment it will take of a pbp task. I will definitely simplify certain parts to keep us smooth sailing.

I like this AP a LOT too. I'm OK with lore/history and as I mentioned I'm up for Book 4 as well if you're OK with that.

Hi, GM Batpony. Thanks for your interest! :)
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All, I will be away at a convention starting on Friday, January 18, through Monday, January 21. Apologies for any lack of posting in that time. Please feel free to bot me as needed.

Welcome GM Batpony. As this is the only part that Brother Theo will participate it, I have no problem with either choice. I try to post when I can but with a 10 hour work day (plus about an hour each way for travel), the best days for posting is Thursdays-Saturdays.

I do plan on being at Rapier in Jacksonville, Fl Feb 8-9, I will not likely be able to post then.

Glad everyone is happy...GM Batpony if you could PM and walk me through how to transfer this thread to you I'd appreciate it...in the mean time please feel free to start running it on my thread until we can make the transfer complete.

These guys have been good sports and are dying for content that I've been unable to provide up to this point. Wish you all luck!

Thanks again lucklesshero!

What time of the day is it in game? I don't think I was able to pick that up from game.. But it will affect the next part.

middle of the night I think or early right before dawn depending or not if Glaube cast Brightest Night on the party or not

Thanks. Also I ask on consensus with the plan cause my local group did exactly the same thing save for one stubborn fella who refused to go in the bag. He rather spend all his invisibility spell slots than risk his life in the hands of another, and that's I suppose from experience since the we had an average permadeath rate of 1 per book.

Also to be clear, I assume this is a non magical bag, so I would take it as a full round action to get out of the bag to be be situated adjacent.

Did anyone here play book 1 with the current characters?

Not with my current character unfortunately.

No - this is my first book of the Gianslayer AP with any character.

it was early morning perhaps 4:30-5am ish just before sunrise

Thanks lucklesshero.

All - I'll hold till we get a response on my last question by everyone, if not I'll start checking profiles in 24 hours as that is a pretty important aspect of the next part.

Also, this is the general pace I like to keep my games at, if anyone thinks it's too fast and need the game to slow a little, please let me know.

Not with this character.

I love how small every character looks on the map, it really gives the grand perspective of being in a giant's kingdom. Having access to slides like this works so much better than the blank flip maps.