Hell Hath No Fury (Inactive)

Game Master The Morphling

Unfortunately I was busier tonight and last night than anticipated - this game still is the center of my attention, but while I can check the thread at work, I can't really prep for the gameplay thread there.

I appreciate your patience - I was not expecting to suddenly go from unemployed to a full-time, 40+ hour work week in the span of ten days, but I got an interview and landed the position super quickly, so I've had to adjust. This week has been my first week in the role, so I'm settling into my new sleep and posting schedule.

We'll begin as soon as I'm able. Thanks for waiting - it won't be long now!

Great, and congratulations on the job :)

Whew, luckily nothing happened yet. I.. kinda forgot about this campaign due to a combination of stress at work, being sick, having to look for a new home, finishing up building my new PC, and the campaign not being on my campaign list.

I've been quiet across all my games as a result, but I JUST remembered I needed to check this one tonight while at work.

Btw GM, what kind of job did you get?

I'm a technology specialist for a local insurance and underwriting company. They're putting me through a lot of training and I'm learning the roles of everybody else at the company so I can help automate some of the daily work people do, since they're doing by hand a lot of things that really should be done by a computer. It's actually pretty fun.

I'll be working on prep work for the campaign tonight. Look for a gameplay post Monday or Tuesday night, and be thinking about your intro post in the meantime! :)

Already got my before-the-event intro post and knowledge rolls (Know. Noble on Fex, how dare you avoid me, Archbaron?) ready. Looking forward to when I can only check my campaigns page once more ;)

Getting really excited to release the hounds. Never played a summoner before, never even thought of one not capitalizing on the Eidolon before Justimar. I'm looking forward to our varied roles. Investigator is my favorite class, Lore Warden my favorite Archetype, Witch my favorite caster, Brawler my favorite melee fighter, and while I've never played a healer, I think I would play a Life Oracle (or Oradin) if I did.

Essentially, I am looking forward to seeing how everyone would play something differently than I.

Excellent, I'm looking forward to this, and playing with everyone here.

Sounds like your life is quite busy atm, Ghivinus. Hope it settles down for you soon!

Okay! I've gotten the chance to re-read the setup and there is an opportunity for reconnaissance prior to the raid. Everyone will have the opportunity to make skill checks to represent scouting work done in the days prior.

I'm gonna try to get the first post up this evening. I am really excited to start!

It... BEGINS!

Go wreak some havoc, folks.

Oh my goodness evilness. I knew I'd picked a good group for this game, but the intro posts so far have confirmed just how right I was to be excited about this campaign. This is going to be amazing.

I was going to remark that we are making quite the cinematic opening.

I think "Chelish Dandy" should be my new title. I wish that I drew up some fake papers with a linguistics check to possibly get us out of trouble or provide a distraction instead of just throwing a handful of snakes over a ten foot wall.

Cimri does insist she has that covered, though it's a very appropriate thing for Justimar to have done - you can give me a linguistics check if you want - just in case Justimar doesn't fully trust Cimri's assurances that the law will just let you go if you're found out. Or rather, since it's rolled secretly, I'll make the roll in the event someone examines your forgery.

Sidenote: I absolutely love that you named the spider familiar "princess," Amatsu.

I've gone visiting the family for easter, and only have my phone, so I cant write a proper post yet. I will see to it asap. My apologies for the delay.

No worries! Have fun with your family! :)

Book 2 of this campaign came in the mail today, and boy are you guys in for a treat. This is gonna be an excellent campaign.

I think we can expect people to be busy over Easter weekend (happy Easter, by the way!), and hopefully we'll get our last two introductory posts in soon.

I may make a post revealing the results of your various checks in the meantime, but I won't advance the plot until Ghivinus and Vance have both had the chance to make their posts.

Indeed, happy Easter.

Sounds good, Game Master. I'm excited to see what, if anything, we found!

Easter crept on us rather quickly. I always forget Easter can occur in march.

Regarding what we found, yeah, not expecting too much from mine besides the shouts of dogs or horses. Skill wise, I don't bring too much to the table yet, but six animals per day and a grease now and again is pretty nice.

Actually, I think you'll all be pleased with the results of your pre-adventure investigation.

In the meantime, Here's the Roll20 link for the campaign. Since I can't access Roll20 at work, some combats will be handled without a map, but when we do use a map, it'll be on here. I've labeled many of the notable locations in Longacre by name - and I'll be providing details on all of them soon, in the Journal tab.

Actually, I think you'll all be pleased with the results of your pre-adventure investigation.

In the meantime, Here's the Roll20 link for the campaign. Since I can't access Roll20 at work, some combats will be handled without a map, but when we do use a map, it'll be on here. I've labeled many of the notable locations in Longacre by name - and I'll be providing details on all of them soon, in the Journal tab.

I wonder what happpens if no one makes a skill check?

The Roll20 map looks good, GM. Will we be using R20 for dice rolling, or the gameplay thread?

Dice rolls in the thread, please. Roll20 will just be for mapping.

If nobody makes any of the investigation checks, you go into the raid unprepared.

Oh, and I neglected to include the results of Justimar's knowledge roll - I'll add that in when I get the chance.

(I am absolutely loving Justimar's casual racism here and Arrus's response to it. This is so great.)

(I am absolutely loving Justimar's casual racism here and Arrus's response to it. This is so great.)

Me too! I'm thinking it is going to be fun to play off of Justimar.

I think the two of us can work wondered, Arruk, especially as we are equal in terms of Intelligence, you have more Wisdom, though Justimar definitely thinks he has much more of both than you.

I know from experience many evil players or evil campaigns can create counterproductive moments to the experience, especially with teamwork and working towards a single goal. This is why I'll always play well with the team, but I'll be an ass while doing it.

Between being a bit of an ass, elitist, racist (even though backhanded), and the the torture-theme of the kyton/later Zon Kuthon, always feel free to send me a PM if I'm treading in something you (any of you) rather I wouldn't. Boundaries are important in evil games. I don't intend on pushing those boundaries, but it is always good to hear them. For instance (as DM said early in recruitment), sexual violence is a quick way to make me no longer interested in playing with others.

@Ryde, do you have an updated character sheet you could share? I keep checking the old Rogue one you have in your page for spells and it keeps throwing me for a loop whenever I see it.

Just changed my profile link, thanks for the heads up.

Alright, I'll be home today, but I might not have time to post before tomorrow. I'll try to make it happen though :)

Hey guys, it appears that I forgot to post in this campaign about my recent housing issues and I haven't been able to hop on Paizo as of late while looking for a new place to live. However, thats done now (turns out my apartment was NOT raising our rent like we thought they were), so I'll be posting here tomorrow night after work. I had a reaaaally long and tiring day at work else I'd do it tonight.

Sorry for not posting about this! I did so in a few of my other campaigns but neglected to do so here >.>

Alright, my post is finally up. It took some time for me to be happy with it, it being the introductionary post and all, but I think I got it :)

Also, with Ultimate Intrigue just released, I think Vance might be a better fit as a Vigilante rather than a fighter. With your permission Game Master, I may propose a build change over the course of the week. Or I may just multiclass into it eventually, we will see. I need to read the class first after all :)

I've spent my WHOLE day slacking off at work and reading Ultimate Intrigue instead of doing anything else. I would love to see a Vigilante in this campaign - you may feel free to change his build once we've all gotten a handle on the new class's mechanics.

And that goes for anyone who wants to pick up one of the new archetypes. Run it by me first if one of them catches your eye.

I'll work on getting my next post up soon. It's been a busy week, but I have some dice rolls from Justimar to respond to, among other things. :)

How is Ultimate Intrigue?

Ultimate Intrigue is great, only book I've ever bought day one. So many of the archetypes are great, and inspired characters for a nobility game I am running. There is a magical girl archetype, which I feel the need to express to all of my groups, is great. Well, flavor and how they dealt with mechanics it is great, it isn't a showstopper when it comes to power or utility.

Still, great book, looking forward to getting into all the details they have for social combat and rules for intrigue.

I've been waiting with baited breath for UI to get to my flgs - alas, still not in. From everything I've read, it seems like it is a home run.

Waiting for it myself, but I can play as is for now. Probably not going to be a lot of difference at level 1 anyway :)

Just realized I never finished my gear. Oh well, I'll stick with what I have and explain my 71 gp left over as what he's saved up through stealing. I have the basics already at least... I think.

Working on my post - apologies again for the delays!

Excited for Ghivinus's post. I haven't been able to get on all weekend but I'll get my own post up tonight if able!

Not to hurry you, but what's the status? It would be nice to get the posting rate up a little :)

Alright everyone, a bit of bad news. Ryde's player is unfortunately not going to be able to join us on our evil escapades, as he has recently accepted a new job and is significantly busier than before. While that means we will be able to move a bit quicker, that does leave a significant gap in the party's healing capabilities.

We have a few options. Amatsu could retrain some of her abilities to be more healing-focused, if desired. Alternatively, we could recruit another divine caster. Personally I think I would prefer to keep the group smaller - especially as I think we have the best possible group already. You guys are wonderful.

Ghivinus, I hope you can post soon. If your schedule is too busy to accommodate this game, no hard feelings - but I hope you can let us know either way.

What are your thoughts? What should we do to ensure this game is as fantastic as I know it can be?

I'm fine with tinkering with Amatsu to pick up the slack on healing. The obvious option would be to make her a hedge witch. I could also drop her poison hex and switch to the healing hex. I could also spend her last bit of coin on some scrolls of CLW. The idea of Amatsu recommending painful treatments when she could heal someone fine without them is pretty perfect for her character.

Of course, since we won't be having anyone doing stuff with the undead anymore, I could also switch from veneficus to gravewalker. As hard as it would be to lose little Hime, the idea of Amatsu running around with a horrid little doll she's fashioned to look like a spider that she refers to as "Princess" and talks to is almost as great. And getting to play with undead would make up for the pain of having to be a healbot, of course ;)

I like all those ideas. I'd love to see Amatsu getting to play with dolls... And getting to play with dead people like dolls. And as for her "treatments," nobody ever said that healing hex had to feel good. My friend played a Telekineticist healer once whose treatments were described as "excruciatingly painful" as he telekinetically forced your bones back together. It'd get you fighting and on your feet, but it wouldn't make you feel good. We had a couple instances of people saying "No, thanks, it's nothing really. I'll just heal this one on my own."

Awesome, I've switched Amatsu to a gravewalker and traded Poison Focus for Extra Hex so she can pick up Healing Hex, and gotten rid of the blue whinnis so she can afford three scrolls of CLW. Fingers crossed that this tannery employs undead guards for her to play with, tee hee hee

Alright.

We have a healer, I've sent Ghivinus a private message, and there's not much else left to wait on. I'll get us moving tonight. Bit of a bumpy start, but we'll pull through.

@ Rhyde - good luck with your new job!

@ Amatsu - thanks for taking on the healer role, and I'm glad you're going to go necromancer too. Every group of villains needs one.

@ Game Master - glad we're getting going, I'm excited to see what everyone brings. If Ghivinus can't make a go of it, I can multi-class into Rogue in the future.

In my experience, the games that start the most explosive are the ones that die. A slow start may just be good for bad.

For rogue stuff, there's always Cimri. She's a first level rogue, first level warrior, if I remember correctly. She'll be along for the ride for at least the first few levels, and I plan on having her keep pace with you in experience, for the most part.

Alright, I'm making the roll20 map presently.

Could each of you please let me know who is who in Roll20? I can't assign control of the individual characters until I know which user corresponds to which player. In the meantime, I'm going to give all players control of all avatars.

Justimar and Amatsu, you're all set, got your characters assigned properly.

Oh I like Amatsu's verbal components. :) Very nice.

Extremely important question:

So, let us say I summon a dog. Are dog breeds up to me? If I choose a dog breed now, am I locked into it for then on? Or do I have a wide variety of Resoulute Dogs, available on command, so long as they are all functionally the same/small-size category.

On a more serious note (just kidding, dog breeds are the most important), how much control do I (as a player) have over my summoned creature? May I direct them however I like, or would you prefer orders and then you control them as DM? They act on the turn I summon them, so I am worried about possible delay.

In front of Justimar, a three foot diameter runic circle came into existence, hovering a foot or so off the ground, in front of Justimar. The circle had a pale shimmering about it, the edges of the shapes dimly glowing. The inside of the circle turned milky gold as a black paw emerged, followed by a second. A dog’s head came through, a proud snout colored black and brown, with pointed ears. The hound put its feet to the ground, and pulled the rest of the body through the summoning circle. It was a doberman, with short black tame hair, and brown markings along its belly, identical on both of its sides. The circle faded, and the hound looked towards Justimar with a blank stare.

NOICE! That's a bada$$ dog, Justimar. Arruk is suitably impressed.

Extremely important question:

So, let us say I summon a dog. Are dog breeds up to me? If I choose a dog breed now, am I locked into it for then on? Or do I have a wide variety of Resoulute Dogs, available on command, so long as they are all functionally the same/small-size category.

Entirely up to you. Personally, I enjoy summoning the same creatures each time - when my Wizard levels up to Summon Monster IV, his Small Elementals (who each have names and personalities) are going to grow in size to Medium Elementals.

But for you, it is any way you like.

On a more serious note (just kidding, dog breeds are the most important), how much control do I (as a player) have over my summoned creature? May I direct them however I like, or would you prefer orders and then you control them as DM? They act on the turn I summon them, so I am worried about possible delay.

You may control them - but Justimar has less direct control than you, as a player, do. They are limited by their intelligence and their languages (or lack thereof). Summoned monsters have an inherent understanding of who your enemies are (they will never accidentally attack an ally), and unless commanded in a shared language or with a Handle Animal check* (as appropriate) will attack your enemies to the best of their ability until slain.

You're free to choose which targets they go to - I leave it up to you, as the player, to make the decisions you feel that an animal or other creature would make. When you can verbally communicate with your summons, you can direct them with absolute precision. Before that, they will simply fight your enemies as effectively as they can.

*If you want to retrain a skill rank into Handle Animal, feel free.

Spending one use of martial flexibility to pick up the Enforcer feat. 3/4 left for the day.

Yessssss I love that feat. :D

On the topic of Handle Animal, it's worth noting that it is both a trained-only skill and a move action to use (or a full-round action if attempting to "push"). There's no action needed to direct it to attack your enemies upon being summoned, but you'll need Handle Animal if you want to make them stop attacking, or change targets at your discretion.

For the purposes of this game, all summoned animals are considered "combat trained" and know the attack, come, defend, down, guard, and heel tricks.