GM Tyranius Giantslayer (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

I think you might be missing something Kraygan. Malt can carry up to 1,400 lbs. (700 max for Strength; x2 for Large creature)

Shrugging, Torgan continues to load up Malt with fire geodes, anticipating their need in the future. "Should be useful." is all he offers to the group.

---

"Hiya!" Torgan yells as he sees his power of lock-picking is needed.

He leaps into the air and brings down Agrimmosh on the locking mechanism, hoping to break it.

@Torgan: good point, though I just noticed that the multiplier is actually x3 because they are large quadrupeds. :)
@GM: Does this change anything about moving them with our mounts?

"More rocks and a big sack... Not sure this helps." Kraygan scratches at his beard.

We both were missing something apparently!

@GM: Does this change anything about moving them with our mounts?

They should be able to handle the weight as long as you break the stones apart to lift and disperse them in smaller chunks. What ones are you taking? The two that each weight 750 lbs with a red glow in the northern alcove or the six stones that each weight 1000 lbs in the eastern room?

Wren watches the rock moving and yak-tendering. He yawns, tired from watching the efforts of others.

Enjoying PaizoCon, but nothing needed here from Wren. Keep playing.

"So these glowin geodes, are they safe ta move? They ain't gonna explode if we drop 'em, are they?"

@Wren: there is a spellcraft check you could attempt. Kraygan would do it, but I would need to roll a d30 for a chance of success.

@GM: Other then weight differences, are the geodes in different rooms the same? Or are the glowing ones already active?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

Rogzul hefts the bag, grunting while he does at the weight. "What use is a magical bag?" He wonders out loud, looking toward Wren to see if he can determine the qualities of the item.

Seeing that the dwarves seem determined to bring the rocks back with them he shrugs and moves to help them lift, hoping to speed up the process.

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17 Spellcraft

Wren examines the bag, find it useful only to cover up the head of a dwarf.

@GM: Other then weight differences, are the geodes in different rooms the same? Or are the glowing ones already active?

They are indeed different, though they look the same from the outside.

Growing impatient with the dwarves, Rogzul helps heft one of the new stones and it also cracks open. Instead of revealing deep red crystals ,as the one set in the northern alcove did, these crystals seem to have a milky yellow hue to them that begin to glow with a pulsing yellow light.

Wren lets out a sigh but examines the geodes revealed by Rogzul. He doesn't expect much.

1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33 Spellcraft w/Detect Magic

Wren sits up again, explaining the stuff in the spoiler above.

"Huh...better be careful with those. But they also might be useful with the giants somehow," Wren says, unsure. "Those are dangerous, to be sure."

Wren also knows from the pulsing that the stone have been activated by the move and will explode at any second.

Sorry- not false traps. They are trapped with the spell set to go off.

Quickly rushing from the room Wren slams the door shut as the milky yellow geodes within explode, nearly tearing the large door off of the frame. They would have surely injured everyone within.

It is nearly nightfall. Continue on back west or rest here for the night?

...run!...
As his spirits whisper in alarm at the reveal of the yellow insides, Rog sees Wren taking off and he follows closely behind, not bothering to question. When the geodes explode he growls.

"Nearly killed us all for a bunch of rocks." He looks at Torgan angrily.

Kraygan stares at the smoking door with wide eyes.

"Break 'em up, he says. Load 'em onta the yaks, he says." Kraygan reaches for his keg again. "Really startin to think ye cut too much off the top when ye trimmed yer beard."

After a gulp, Kraygan votes to load up the other geodes and get some distance from the temple, just in case the explosion draws unwanted attention.

It had 5 rounds before it went off. Plenty of time to run out since Wren noticed what it was before it was too late.

Kraygan and the group quickly break apart and load the two true geodes onto the yaks in several hunks.

With a small vote you set out once more just before the sun falls. Jorgan has little trouble navigating in the dark though it gets quite late in the night as the group returns to find Gristlecrack's body where she was slain. Thunder cracks in the air in the distance The cacophonous sound reverberates throughout the valley. A storm is rapidly approaching.

Forced march or rest for the night? Also level up to lvl 9!

Wren decides at the last moment to *not* shut the door behind him as he flees so the blasts don't get him. And is glad he didn't as the dwarves follow him.

He listens for the boom with ears covered.

When Wren returns he will level up. I'll let others decide wether to push the pace or rest. Resting would lessen his complaining about his knees and legs though.

Torgan leaps onto Malt and the pair powers through the doorway just as the fireballs explode, setting quite the sight for the non-existant onlookers.

---

After the lengthy hike, Torgan wipes his brow and smiles to the group. "The Shorn Whiskers 'ave survived another day." he says with a grin. "Let's 'ead west in the morning. This storm ain't natural..." he says, unsure about the timing of the impending meteorological event.

"I'll take first watch with Malt. Ye lot can worry 'bout th' rest." he says, getting comfy near a fallen tree with Agrimmosh in his grip.

Jorgan finds one of the many hundreds of caves set into the natural rock of the Valley to try and weather the storm for the night. With watches set one by one the group stands by as the storm increases in intensity. Thunder cracks across the sky followed quickly by a massive electrical burst of lightning tearing the darkness from the land for many minutes. Small streams of water quickly flow through the Valley's rough hewn paths. It is a good thing to have stopped as someone could easily have been swept away in the slick mud and stone.

Daylight awakens the Valley leaving the sky a dark and dull gray as the driving rain continues to splatter all about the ground in thin sheets. The storm seems to have dies down some. Though he had a decent nights sleep the brisk wind makes Wren's older bones ring out in pain.

Need new Fort saves from Rogzul, Torgan and Malt

The rain makes it a bit more difficult for the group as they continue the journey back west. For many hours it seems as if you have gone in circles until Jorgan notices the path that originally lead the group into the Valley in the first place from Shinnerman's Fortune.

Continuing on, the mountains' glacier carved slopes steepen above the rim of this Valley, where dozens or so of small trickling mountain brooks converge into a wide shallow stream. The icy, roiling waters send smooth pebbles tumbling along the bottom of the stream bed.

Once again after an extremely long day of walking, nearly 30 miles, darkness begins to fall as a narrow footpath heads west through a field of boulders and dense scrub into a small side canyon that branches off from the main valley. Windswept piles of dead leaves and branches clump between boulders poking trough the mud. Patches of green and pale yellow lichen cling to the rocky canyon walls.

The footpath continues for several hundred yards, emptying into a wide, boulder filled clearing at the western edge of the canyon. A dark cave opens in the cliff face 30 feet above the valley floor. Fragments of cracked and broken bones litter the ground below the cave mouth.

Fortitude-Torgan: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19
Fortitude-Malt: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Torgan and Malt awake in a sweat the next morning after being sent to bed by his brother and the elf. "Aye, I hope I've shook th' flu I've 'ad." he says as he looks at Malt's gums and eyes. "I think Malt be lookin' a 'air better as well." he adds.

"Never seen a disease go 'twixt dwarf an' yak." he mutters to himself as he finishes examining the pack animal.

Malt wanders off to find breakfast as Torgan pulls out his stale sausages and gnaws a bit in silence, waiting for the rest to get ready.

---

15 miles later...

"Huff... huff..." pants the blonde dwarf as they continue to march. "Aye... are we... there yet?" he asks as he trudges along dourly in the overland hills.

---

30 miles later...

"Aye, Prophet. Ye want t' mention th' bones there, so we'll be careful?" the dwarf asks Wren with a grin, alluding to his previous rant after being eaten by a plant.

Heal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (16) + 1 = 17

"They look t' be mammoth an' gnawed on. Prolly something big got t' em." he adds in a serious tone.

"Never seen a disease go 'twixt dwarf an' yak." he mutters to himself as he finishes examining the pack animal.

"And Orc." Rog adds as he swings by Torgan the next morning to see if he needs any of his restoration magics.

Once moving, the half-orc is quiet, trailing behind the rest of the party as he speaks with Kashag and his spirits, learning more secrets and spells to aid him in battle.

When they find they cave he finds himself near Torgan once again. Still distracted by the whispering of his guides, he is unable to inspect the remains as thoroughly as usual and he accepts the prophets judgement about the cause of death.

"We'll just need to make sure we're ready to move if we hear anything on watch. Unless you would rather travel through the night."

Fort: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Heal: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

"Never seen a disease go 'twixt dwarf an' yak." he mutters to himself as he finishes examining the pack animal.

"Guess ye never met cousin Trumper. They say he'd bugger anythin that moved."

***

15 miles later...

Kraygan shrugs at Torgan's huffing and puffing. Since the group had left Trunau he and Haggis had grown strong and resilient from long days marching across the land and the mounting tally of fights with increasingly bigger enemies.

***

30 miles later...

"Let's rest after checkin that." Kraygan says, looking up at the cave.

As the group travels the wormrot takes ahold of Torgan and Rogzul once again with a fury. Haggis seems to be doing a fair bit better with it. The constant rain seems to only invigorate the worms writhing around in their bodies.

Torgan Con Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 3
Rogzul Con Damage: 1d3 ⇒ 1

***************At the cave entrance***********************

Kraygan is interrupted by an intense draconic roar that emanates from within the dark cave above. The blood curdling scream doesn't seem to sound like any of the spire drakes that the group has come across in their week within the mountains so far.

The sound of scraping claws on stone seems to be approaching the entrance very quickly.

Sorry! I was traveling this weekend for the holidays and expected to have more time to update than I actually had. I'm back for this week at least, but I'll remind everything this weekend about my exam and hence forced absence next week.

"Here we go... sounds like we woke the dragon. Any tricks up our sleeves? Are we using that horn or anything?" Jorgan quickly protects himself and Spirit.

Not sure how much time we have but Jorgan will start with barkskin on himself, then on Spirit. On the off-chance he has a third round he'll use lead blades.

Morning lesser restorations
Lesser Restoration on Rogzul: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Lesser Restoration on Torgan: 1d4 ⇒ 3
________________________________________________________

"If it is the dragon, we might as well try it, who has the horn?" Rog draws his longspear and begins to cast enlarge person.

@Jorgan- Good luck on your test next week! You have roughly 2 rounds to prepare

30 miles later...

"Aye, Prophet. Ye want t' mention th' bones there, so we'll be careful?" the dwarf asks Wren with a grin, alluding to his previous rant after being eaten by a plant.

Wren blinks and steps further back from the trail and cave once the bones are pointed out.

"Thanks, Torgan. I appreciate you looking out for me," Wren says, leaning against a rock and rubbing his knees. "I'm not sure what we're really doing out here now, but I hope this is the last time we need to be tramping about this dang forest and hills."

*rawrmuthapiddlespotter*

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (17) + 15 = 32 Know (Arcana)

Wren's head jerks up and he looks around, drawing his bow.

"Woah! That was a real dragon. A real one, I'm sure of it. Did any of you catch the color of that sound? It could be important. What color did it sound like? Was it purple?"

Wren hides in Round 1... 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 Stealth

Round 2 to come after Wren levels up.

"I'm thinkin that's the sound o' the brown noise." Kraygan says with an uncomfortable chuckle.

Grabbing in his pouches he pulls out a vial and pours oil on his lance. oil of magic weapon

"Jorgan, ride that way. Torgan, blow this and make it come to ye." Kraygan pulls the dragonbane horn from his back and tosses it to Torgan, then reigns Haggis about and rides the opposite direction that he sent Jorgan.

"Wren? What're ye doin under that bush? If ye still got that dragonbane amulet, now's the time to look fancy." Wow. Kraygan could take 1 and still spot Wren.

"Amulet? What am--" Wren replies trying to remember what Kraygan is talking about as he peeks out of the very very small shrub he was trying to hide behind. His face lights up.

"Oh, you mean this amulet?" Wren reaches down into his 'sack and pulls out (and dons) the Dragonfoe Amulet. "Oh, yeah...I was looking for it. I thought I dropped it behind this bush."

Wren walks away from the push 5' as if he never intended to hide behind it.

That's Wren's Round 2 action. Uh...geez.

Wren remembers that the group is trying to find a back way into the Cathedral as the front didn't look to be as promising. Though the journey has been a long trek through the mountains as the group decided to search the furthest reaches of the mountain trails away from the Cathedral first so as to clear out any and all giants.

Hearing the growl and scraping of sharp claws on the stone 30 feet above. The group has little time to prepare as Torgan looks up and does indeed see the head of a young black dragon peering down at him. The head is quickly followed by a second and a third head, Those of a lion and a great horned goat. All seem to be attached to the body of a winged lion of sorts. Acid oozes from the dragon's maw as it salivates at the fresh meat invading near its lair.

Round 1
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
-----------------------------
Monster (30 feet up at edge of the cave.)
-----------------------------
Round 1
Torgan (80/80 62/71; Wormrot; sickened)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened)
Jorgan (75/75)

"It's a... Dragon?!" Kraygan was clearly expecting something more dragony. "Balls! Whatever it is, draw it to the path?" He shouts as he works out the tactics they might use against it.

Move action to use Martial Flexibiltiy to pick up the Outflank Teamwork Feat.

GM: Kraygan was trying to position the group in a way that spreads them out and puts Jorgan and Kraygan away to the flanks. I've made some marks on the map for where I was trying to get people to move to.

Yup- That is fine as you knew the 'dragon' was coming and all are easily within moving distances for the two rounds.

Kraygan begins working out many tactics in his head as the black-headed beast takes to the air. It's vile draconic head arches back and breaths a solid stream of acid at Torgan and Malt.

Acid Damage: 6d8 ⇒ (8, 4, 2, 6, 2, 6) = 28 DC 17 Reflex for half
Breath Rounds: 1d4 ⇒ 4

The line of acid melts everything in it's path as it nearly reaches Wren, stopping just before his feet.

Round 2
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
-----------------------------
Monster (Breath-4 rnds; 30 feet in the air)
-----------------------------
Round 1
Torgan (52/80; Wormrot; sickened)(Malt 24/52; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; Wormrot; sickened)
Jorgan (75/75)

Round 1, Init 18

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22 Know (Arcana)

Wren stares at the acid that stops just before his feet. The acidic burning scent doesn't even reach his nostrils before he moves away 30', sending a stream of magic missiles into the chimera.

5d4 + 5 ⇒ (3, 2, 2, 2, 1) + 5 = 15 force damage

"That's it Wren! Jorgan, be ready ta take its flank! Torgan, blow that horn!" Kraygan calls, hoping this creature has enough dragon in it to be affected. "Rog, tend ta Torgan and move to yer right! I don' want ta trample ye when I charge in!"

His emotions bubbling to the surface, Kraygan grips his lance and grinds his teeth. "C'mon, monster. Come and get us!"

Cavalier's Challenge: Kraygan gets +5 damage. Everyone else gets +2 to hit!
Also, I'll ready an action to rage and attack with Kraygan's lance if it comes for him.

I will take Outflank as my 9th level feat as well.

Torgan blesses himself with the skin of a keg using his limited nature magicks. "Keg dwarfin' time!" he yells as he follows his kin closer.

Once the dragon makes? landfall, the dwarf puts the mouthpiece to his pudgy lips.

BrrrrrrrrrrrRooooooooo!

-Posted with Wayfinder

Rogzul, now towering over the rest of the party is still not tall enough to reach the many headed creature so he communes with his spirits and begins to cast, lifting his giant form off the ground and toward his strange foe.

Fly, 20ft up, 15ft range for AoO

Forgot Reflexes

Torgan: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21
Malt: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Evasion.

Malt gallops free from the acid spray, avoiding the corrosive liquid as only a small bit sears intimate Torgan's scarred shoulder. "Oi! Watch it, ye git! " he yells just before sounding the horn.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Ok, just finished leveling. Perception increased to +14.

Inspired to Kraygan's call to action Jorgan charges in closer to his brother and stabs!

Actual charge this time!

Heartspit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 + 2 = 19
damage: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (3, 6) + 11 = 20

gore: 1d20 + 12 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 12 + 2 + 2 = 34
damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (6) + 16 = 22
Plus 1 bleed.

@JJorgan- It is flying 30 feet in the air. You won't be able to reach it to gore / Heartspit.[/ooc]

Torgan and Malt avoid the majority of the acid as the small amount of trees block the from it's hazardous effects. Torgan raises the large horn to his lips and gives a mighty blow. The sounds reverberate down the valley's walls. The Chimera turns its heads momentarily towards the horn but overall seems unaffected by it as it is less of a dragon than Torgan initially thought it to be.

Wren releases a small wave of magical missile that leap into the air at the black-headed beast. One by one they quickly slam into it's side, knocking the wind from it.

Rogzul's spirits firmly grasp ahold of the orc's arms and raise him high into the air to join them. His eyes glaze over as they take partial control of him and help to guide the seers hands.

Kraygan continues to clear some lanes and attract the beast to him, though the chimera now has sights set on Wren as his missiles stung it badly.

Round 2
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
-----------------------------
Monster (-15; Breath-4 rnds; 30 feet in the air)
-----------------------------
Round 1
Torgan (66/80; Wormrot; sickened)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; 20 ft in air; Wormrot; sickened)
Jorgan (75/75)

Oh sorry, I missed how high up it was. Let's do this instead:

Since the beast does not want to come down and play, Jorgan starts calling on a friendlier beast to help them in this fight....

Start summon nature's ally III.

Jorgan begins to call in a bit of aerial aid as the Chimera darts straight at Wren. The creature seems pissed at being hurt by his magical missiles. The black-headed beast lands in a small copse of trees right next to Wren. All three heads snarl and snap at the elf as small drips of acid melt away at the plant-life below.

Provoke from Rogzul

Round 3
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
-----------------------------
Chimera (-15; Breath-3 rnds; on the ground)
-----------------------------
Round 2
Torgan (66/80; Wormrot; sickened)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; 20 ft in air; Wormrot; sickened)
Jorgan (84/84)

Round 2, Init 18

Oops. Wren posted a 22 know arcana last round but neglected to say that it was an ID on the chimera. Might the beast have any DR?

Wren stares in surprise, first into the lion's head, then going to the dragon's fangs, then finally at the goat's head. He quickly wishes he wasn't there.

And then he isn't.

Blip 90' away. Moved on map.

As the creature moves to attack Wren, Rog takes a shot at it's exposed underside, trying to pierce it's hide with his spear.AoO: 1d20 + 13 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 + 2 = 26
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (2, 3) + 15 = 20

Once the chimera land, Rogzul wills himself forward in a midair charge, zooming over Torgans head and thrusting a second time, and putting himself between it and the rest of his companion.
Power Attack: 1d20 + 13 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 13 + 2 + 2 = 19
Damage: 2d6 + 15 ⇒ (6, 2) + 15 = 23

Current AC: 16

"No, no, no!" Kraygan exclaims when the monster flys into the brush after Wren. Turning Haggis, he crashes through, trying to close distance.

I'm guessing the tree area is difficult terrain?

Yes- Trees are difficult terrain.

From what Wren can recall he believes that Chimeras aren't resistance to anything in particular. Just as the goat head is getting ready to ram him Wren's form quickly blinks and vanishes as he reappears on the far side of the trail.

The spirits usher Rogzul forth as his spear stabs into the mighty beast twice, puncturing one of it's lungs. The black-headed beast forgets all about the elf and turns it's focus to Rogzul instead.

The lion head roars in defiance at Rogzul as the dragon head snaps at the spear head.

Kraygan crashes through the canopy, just a bit more gracefully than the last time he took Haggis to the glassware market.

Round 3
Kraygan (91/91)(Haggis 66/66)
-----------------------------
Chimera (-58; Breath-3 rnds; on the ground)
-----------------------------
Round 2
Torgan (66/80; Wormrot; sickened)(Malt 52/52; Wormrot; sickened; 1 save)
Wren (55/55)
Rogzul (74/74; 20 ft in air; Wormrot; sickened)
Jorgan (84/84)

Torgan sees the rumble in the jungle melee in the forest and decides to put the Steelkeg's new fighting plan to the test.

"Hiya! " The blonde dwarf yells as the elf winks out of existence.

Malt tears around the trees and comes in from the north to flank with Kraygan, but there isn't enough time to strike before he is sent into a full defensive by the chimera.

Double move for Malt and Total Defense for Torgan.

Can someone move me north of the chimera?

-Posted with Wayfinder

"That's it! Surround the beast!!" Kraygan bellows as Torgan joins the scrapple in the chaparral. Yeah, reaching for a pun there.

I moved Torgan. If the trees provide any concealment or cover I think he can avoid any AoOs.

As Jorgan finishes his whispers float away on the wind, and from the air suddenly a large bat materializes over the chimera.

bite: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13
damage: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Jorgan and Spirit then push through the brush to get closer and lend their own aid to the fight.

Heartspit: 1d20 + 8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 8 + 2 = 17
damage: 2d6 + 11 ⇒ (5, 5) + 11 = 21

gore: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 + 2 = 34
damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (3) + 16 = 19
Plus 1 bleed.

Confirm:
gore: 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 = 27
damage: 1d8 + 16 ⇒ (8) + 16 = 24

Torgan follows near Kraygan as he also crashes through the loose shrubs and foliage. The chimera seems to be confused, yet pleased as to why there are so many yaks in the mountains. Using the trees as cover the chimera can't seem to find an opening.

Jorgan's spell completes, though the large bat seems to do little more than annoy the black-headed beast, affording Spirit enough of a chance to hook his barbed horns in the chimera's soft underbelly, tearing it wide open.

The chimera's eyes go wide for a moment as the slowly roll back in its head. Looking down it seems that Spirit's horns have opened the belly of the beast wide open causing everything to spill out in an instant. Each of the heads slump forward as the magical creature passes.

**************************************************************

With hardly anyone injured the group slowly makes their way up to the now silent cave to rest for the evening. In the back of the smaller cave lies a sizable pile of bones mixed with a small treasure hoard.

• +1 Banded Mail
  
• (Large) Chainmail
  
• Mwk Chain Shirt
  
• Locked Gauntlet
  
• (Large) Gauntlet
  
• +1 Corrosive Longsword
  
• +1 Rapier
  
• (Large) Mwk Heavy Crossbow
  
• Mwk Quarterstaf
  
• Potion of CMW
  
• Leather case with a scroll of Flaming Sphere
  
• Scroll of Water Breathing
  
• Broken water clock (750 gp)
  
• Climber's Kit
  
• Sunrods (4)
  
• Clear Quartz Crystal (30 gp)
  
• Smoky Quartz Crystal (20 GP)
  
• Red-Brown Spinal (80 gp)
  
• Golden Yellow Topaz (252 gp)
  
• Silver Ring set of Azurite (30 gp)
  
• 650 gp (130 gp ea)
  
• A flanged collar of mithral and steel with a magical glyph etched into the center.
  
  DC 28 Spellcraft:

  This is a Guardian Gorget

The rest of this mountain should go fairly quickly.

Jorgan pats Spirit on the side. "Thattaboy." He waves his arm and the bat flies off into the distance, having done what it could to aid the fight.

As the others rifle through the treasure, Jorgan merely helps pack it up without taking too much interest in it. "Well, that can't have been the dragon that fella talked about, could it? I'd think he would have mentioned the two other heads. Besides, I don't see any bones or anything like the man was eaten here. Seems we've still got more mountain to explore."

I've got just a couple more days before I disappear next week.

Wren sorts through the crap, hoping for one item that might interest or help him, grumbling as each new item doesn't fit his criteria.

1d20 + 17 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 17 + 2 = 29 Spellcraft - gorget

Wren tosses down the gorget as his dreams of it being overtly useful to him die. He considers kicking it out of the cave and down the cliff and remembers he's not alone. He picks up the gorget and tosses it to 1d4 ⇒ 2 = Rogzul.

"Here you go, squats, try that on," Wren chirps. "Get it on tight, should keep your head from being detached from your neck."

"Well, that can't have been the dragon that fella talked about, could it? I'd think he would have mentioned the two other heads. Besides, I don't see any bones or anything like the man was eaten here. Seems we've still got more mountain to explore."

"Not sure this was a dragon at all, just something that mated with one. Or was created by a wizard to act like one. Piddlespotting wizards...ain't good for anything."

Sleeping the night in the bone-filled cave after such a long journey the day before is far more restful than any would have thought. Walking such a long distance seemed to wear everyone out enough to get a restful sleep.

Rogzul, Torgan and Malt need another Fort save for the nasty disease.

Continuing south,about another 16 miles the trail begins to make its way back east, towards the back end of where the cathedral should be. The sun his high in the air and beaming down into the valley. At the end of this valley, the surrounding ridges merge, forming a tapering gorge edged in rocky escarpments. A series of giant, stone-carved stairs climb from the base of the ridgeline to several cave openings that pock the cliff face. Seven caves have been carved into the cliff face at the eastern end of this valley. The caves are mostly shallow shelters only a few yards deep but one seems to hide an entrance to a far deeper cave system.

The meandering passage widens into a natural cavern containing two huge columns formed from grayish-white calcite. While the walls and ceiling have a natural appearance, the floor of this cavern has been hewn and leveled. The air feels damp, and moisture collects on the walls and in small puddles on the floor. Hundreds of bats cling to the ceiling, forming a living carpet that constantly moves and shifts in the pitch darkness.

I don't know if any of you have the new splat: Weapon Master's Handbook, but is it as full of broken stuff as I have been seeing on the boards?

I haven't killed any PCs in any PFS games yet. Killed one in my Kingmaker tabletop game though. The alchemist got too confidant when hunting a creature he was unaware could burrow and a lucky crit/grab/crunch combo took him out.

Regarding the Weapon Master's Handbook: don't have it and haven't read much about it. There was a point when old DnD 2nd edition got out of hand with supplement books, and I worry that Paizo is starting to get there too.

Yeah, I cancelled all my supplement books last year partly because it was too expensive and partly because I couldn't keep up with how much new stuff they keep throwing out there. I gave up and haven't been paying attention to the new books since. It's just too much.

Oh Quorum of PFS PbP adjudicators, I come to you with a question.

Does your Reflex Save go down if you are helpless since you are treated as having 0 Dexterity?

This is a bleeding out/unconscious party member + errant alchemist bomb related question.

If the PC is unconscious or helpless, I'd say they don't get a Reflex Save.

They get a save. No dex bonus certainly, and at a -5 penalty (for zero dex)...they are helpless. Nothing there (or anywhere I've seen) said that you lose your ability to make a save.

I would say that they get a save without a dex bonus, but I wouldn't apply a -5 penalty.

@Kraygan: I think Wren is saying they lose their Dex bonus and then take another -5 because Dex drops to 0.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Yes, I'm just not sure I would go that far. Although it isn't explicitly stated, I think helpless was intended for AC effects. Saving throws are mostly luck and fate - for instance unattended magic items get saves (and without stat bonus or penalties).

Also, it could be argued that the +4 AC bonus for being prone cancels out a penalty for being unconscious.

It's a grey area and I tend to favor PCs because I'm a bit of a softy GM.

How do you dodge something if your unconscious?

Edit: Going through the boards, apparently you still get a save, representing the luck aspect of the save. Previous assertion withdrawn.

They get a save. No dex bonus certainly, and at a -5 penalty (for zero dex)...they are helpless. Nothing there (or anywhere I've seen) said that you lose your ability to make a save.

So then I would agree with this.

I agree also. They would lose dex to their reflex save and gain the helpless condition (-5). That way they still get a save and the numbers completely reflect what an unconscious person would have.

Just because you have a grenade land next to you when you are unconscious does not necessarily mean the shrapnel will hit you. The save still reflects fate and luck.

As for the +4 AC for being prone and dealing with an Alchemist's Bomb. I think that would make sense if that was your direct target but I don't think it would counter anything with splash damage.

I don't know... I mean, there is a reason why they say "hit the decks" when a bomb is incoming. :)

Jokes aside, I don't know if there is any official rule for this so I would go with whatever the GM thinks is reasonable.

Would someone like to bot Vanderhoff's action?

A snippet of gchat chat ensued...

Wren: tick tock...I post for Vandy at noon PST...about 63 minutes from now...
Wren: "Vanderhoff casts an admiring eye at Wren, finally noting how majestic the old elf could be..."
Vanderhoff: Huh. I thought I did post.
Wren: tick tock
Vandehroff: Driving. I'll post shortly
Wren: :)
Wren: tick tock
Vanderhoff: It's the holiday. Is nothing sacred to you!?
Vanderhoff: ;)
Wren: Vanderhoff realizes that he thinks the world of Wren, both for his wisdom and his wit...and understands that this yakhorde would have died long ago with the steadying presence of the Elf.
Wren: Tick tock, dwarf...

Heh.

Hehe. I figured he was busy with the holiday. :)

New game announcement (with disclaimers) for anyone interested.

I like that. I may steal the expectations from you for my games. I have a couple of players that I have noticed signing up for a few games that do just what you mention. Bad thing is they consistently sign up for games or ask for a specific one and then they are the ones that post the least. That and I really don't like having to bot the same person over and over for a short scenario.

I like that. I may steal the expectations from you for my games. I have a couple of players that I have noticed signing up for a few games that do just what you mention. Bad thing is they consistently sign up for games or ask for a specific one and then they are the ones that post the least. That and I really don't like having to bot the same person over and over for a short scenario.

Go right ahead. If more GMs start demanding quality and consistency, the playerbase as a whole will have to adapt. I don't remember having as many problems in the past but it seems like this past year we have had an influx of new players who prefer roll playing or maybe just haven't been shown how to write a good post yet.

I think we should all adopt that "disclaimer of expectations". What about a link to it at the top of the Flaxseed Lodge so that all players interested in finding games there know that we have a standard?

I'd even suggest that we enforce a requirement that prospective players post an in-character application for any game they want to join.

Go right ahead. If more GMs start demanding quality and consistency, the playerbase as a whole will have to adapt. I don't remember having as many problems in the past but it seems like this past year we have had an influx of new players who prefer roll playing or maybe just haven't been shown how to write a good post yet.

+1000. A thousand times again this.

The only way we're going to have better players is if GMs set standards.

+1 to your expectations post, excepting that you cited my post in which I was b*#!+ing up a storm like a jerk. :)

+4 for your use of Pirate Rob. Love that guy.

Uh oh. I better take my names off the sign up sheet.

EF's signup sheet lottery is rigged! Rigged I say!

Your 7-11 table looks like a good one. Both do, actually.

I know, I think you haven't won a lottery all season. But when I make it public like that, I try to be fair. I'll do another private invite game for this group after we finish Blakros for whatever scenario happens to come out around that time.

I know, I think you haven't won a lottery all season. But when I make it public like that, I try to be fair. I'll do another private invite game for this group after we finish Blakros for whatever scenario happens to come out around that time.

Rigged!! Rigged I say! ;)

Anyone else seen this? I have been doing it in an excel format for awhile now but this is a lot cleaner.

Campaign / Scenario Tracker

Hmm, looks pretty cool. I rather like my own Excel file though. I input the character numbers next to the scenario/module/AP for playing/GMing and have it set to automatically calculate the XP and level of my characters. Pretty handy.

Wish me luck guys. Applying for a lectureship position at a university in Den Haag, Netherlands. Fingers crossed as this is exactly what I want.

Hmm, looks pretty cool. I rather like my own Excel file though. I input the character numbers next to the scenario/module/AP for playing/GMing and have it set to automatically calculate the XP and level of my characters. Pretty handy.

I can just do the basics with excel. I start messing with formulas and I goof it all up :)

Wish me luck guys. Applying for a lectureship position at a university in Den Haag, Netherlands. Fingers crossed as this is exactly what I want.

Awesome! Good luck man. The Netherlands sounds amazing!

Wish me luck guys. Applying for a lectureship position at a university in Den Haag, Netherlands. Fingers crossed as this is exactly what I want.

Good luck, yo.

As a guy who has done lots of interviews...:

1) Research your interviewers if you can. Do this so you can ask a pointed, personal question or two that relates to the position you're applying for. "Mr. Vanderhoff, I see that you're in charge of XYZ...does XYZ and this position have many opportunities to cross research/argue/work together?"

2) Have some good freakin' questions ready about the big picture: "Mr. Jorgan, I see that the university has an emphasis on ABC. How does the emphasis on ABC show up in the courseload for this position?"

3) This is your chance to brag a bit. And your interviewers are looking for a culture/personality fit. Show them what you got. Like in PbP, quiet loners are boring and difficult to get a read on. Show some personality and warmth.

Go get them.

Wish me luck guys. Applying for a lectureship position at a university in Den Haag, Netherlands. Fingers crossed as this is exactly what I want.

Good luck man!

Wish me luck guys. Applying for a lectureship position at a university in Den Haag, Netherlands. Fingers crossed as this is exactly what I want.

Best of Luck!

Wish me luck guys. Applying for a lectureship position at a university in Den Haag, Netherlands. Fingers crossed as this is exactly what I want.

Sounds awesome. I'll learn some Dutch just for the hell of it and come visit you.

If there was no way to exclude the giant, Van would have moved closer in order to catch Hops in the channel.

I think Van is going to put a rank in Profession: (large animal veterinarian) after this.

You did get Hops with your Channel.

Oh well, it that case, poor Hops. :(

I have really bad luck with animals. I think Fizzbeard's axebeak has died twice an Sure's bird has died at least once but maybe twice, I can't remember now.

Yea my wife's died to AoE spells. From what I am noticing is everything seems to scale fine on them except for their health.

Animal companions just don't have enough health for mid-end game hits and spells.

Again. Sorry about Hops. She focuses on one creature until it is unconscious or dead before moving on to the next. I kind of have the feeling that this is how deaths are going to go in this Campaign. The Giant's hit like a Semi being thrown at you, so a crit in the middle of a fight when everyone is low on health is devastating.

No, I understand. My druid died through an unlucky axe crit (looking at you, Tek!) so these things happen. Jorgan will be upset for a while. Unfortunately we don't really have any way to raise him immediately or even put him under gentle repose. I guess we'll just have to see if we find another option.

No, I understand. My druid died through an unlucky axe crit (looking at you, Tek!) so these things happen. Jorgan will be upset for a while. Unfortunately we don't really have any way to raise him immediately or even put him under gentle repose. I guess we'll just have to see if we find another option.

EF's signup sheet lottery is rigged! Rigged I say!

Your 7-11 table looks like a good one. Both do, actually.

Hmmmm. Am I seeing a coincidence here? You kill his druid and all of a sudden you don't get in a game for a year :)

@Torgan- How did your interview go?

On a serious note though I just realized that our 1 year anniversary is rapidly approaching here.

The dwarf that really needs rescuing is Wren's inner dwarf that is struggling to get out....

What about dragging the two orcs down to the manticores' room to give them an easy meal? Let them out, drop the giant from the window, chaos ensues, and dwarves win!

Oh yeah. So the 1st anniversary is the paper anniversary. Do you guys like origami?

I suppose money is made of paper. We could each give each other 5 bucks.

Oh Extraordinary League of GMs:

Another puzzler - Protection from Evil vs. Fascinate effects.

Does Protection from Evil stop a Fascinate effect as the new FAQ limits what the mind control section actually blocks.

Is a Fascinate effect 'exercising control' over the target or is it closer to a Sleep or Confusion spell?

I wouldn't consider Fascinate to be direct control. Direct control to me would be you having to give some form of a command to make a creature do something. I would consider Fascinate to be closer to sleep or confusion.

I wouldn't consider Fascinate to be direct control. Direct control to me would be you having to give some form of a command to make a creature do something. I would consider Fascinate to be closer to sleep or confusion.

+1.

The waking Hill Giant on the walkway turns around to the east away from Wren and begins to scratch at his large wide butt. His hand slightly lifting it's loincloth to reveal a dirty back end, That could possibly be holding small swarm of vermin all on it's own.

I don't have an actual post yet, but did want to highlight this delightfully described imagery.

+1. Good stuff.

Apologies for the silence this weekend. My middle daughter's and my birthdays are/were over the last couple days, and since we're celebrating anyways, all of my wife's family comes to the party (and stays the weekend) and we celebrate our Christmas with them over the weekend. This comprised of me cleaning/getting the house ready the past week, entertaining 15+ ~7yr olds during an art party (thankfully we are replacing our carpet because its ruined now with paint), cooking dinner for 20+ people Sat., and breakfast for 15+ people Sun. Yesterday was cleanup/rest.

TL;DR

Sorry for the slow posting, but my excuse is fairly valid!

*And this goes to BS and EF, so I don't have to post in the numerous games I in of theirs.

Phew! Understandable. We also have a pretty big family so parties are usually 30+ people but we don't have nearly as many youngns so I'm sure it's not nearly as bad as your situation. Also, all our family (minus us currently) lives less than 30 minutes away so no one stays for the weekend.

Completely understandable. Christmas is rapidly closing in hehe. Surprised Vanderhoff still has his beard with that many 7 year olds. Phew!

I can barely handle one 6 year old...