That oil should go to Beppo in my opinion.
The non magical ring Brandon has should be sold.
The wand of levitate, unless anyone wants it, should be sold. I can't use it for example.
This. I want the thing that makes my sword magic.
Regarding the Bluelight:
This is the first couple sections of the list. Later sections all cost more. These are the usual prices.
Bandages of rapid recovery 200 gp
Quick runner's shirt 1,000 gp (Extra Move action 1/day)
Endless bandolier 1,500 gp
All tools vest 1,800 gp
Vest of surgery 3,000 gp (Lesser Restoration(ish) 1/day)
Sash of the war champion 4,000 gp (+4 levels for Armor Training and Bravery)
Sipping jacket 5,000 gp (Use potions round-by-round)
Tunic of careful casting 5,000 gp
Vest of escape 5,200 gp
Cackling hag's blouse 6,000 gp
Deadshot vest 6,000 gp
Prophet's pectoral 6,000 gp
Tunic of deadly might 6,000 gp
Vest of the vengeful tracker 6,000 gp
Resplendent uniform coat 7,000 gp
Quick Runner's Shirt, extra move action once a day, for 700? Good deal.
Sipping Jacket is like Alchemist holy grail.
sorry for absence, been at court. Will catch up by lunch.
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Aemon, the party is over many nights?
If tradition holds true, and if the performance of the play pleases the mayor, he’ll invite the cast and crew to his home for a banquet and party—a gala event that would give you all, as undercover agents of the Shades of Grey, a singularly perfect opportunity to explore the manor.
Janiven runs down the attractions of this plan, ticking each one off on a finger as she goes. She gets more excited with each point.
As guests invited to the mayor’s home, you don’t need to worry about hiding from his guards or sneaking into the house.
Mayor Arvanxi’s obsession with and respect for the theatrical world would grant the you a huge advantage in squeezing information from him.
The mayor’s parties have a well-known reputation for running long—sometimes over the course of days—so the you should have an excuse to remain in his home for more than enough time necessary to get the job done.
Just a friendly reminder to everyone...
If you have questions about what your character may or may not know, you can ask here in discussion (Shorter questions can be asked in gameplay). Normally, at the table, it's not unusual for a player to ask questions about the world around them. After all, the GM rarely gives an exhaustive backdrop. This includes questions about NPCs, times, etc.... things your character may know, but has never been covered. Along those lines, you can ask about information you received previously. In Pbp, I suppose you can always do a quick search or something and find it out yourself (and, to an extent, that's expected), but you are welcome to ask if you want to know what I think/remember. (Oddly enough, *I* don't always remember what I write, and may be a bit off the mark)
Did i read wrong? i'm sure the party was held over a few nights?
It seem most want to move on. So we should do that.
I remember the party well - I remember several courses and several NPCs, but not several days - maybe I misread it back then since Tessai wasn't really much involved in the action.
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Well, the dinner itself was about a half dozen courses over the entire evening. Then most of the guests sleep there in the manor and continue partying over the next few days. Some of the more high and mighty nobles or whatnot tend to leave early as they have other things they must attend to, and some return later.
So going back to the marching order subject, below is the previous agreed-upon order, as last compiled by Brandon:
5': Beppo>Devil>Corellon>Kyle>Aemon>Brandon>Tessai
10': Beppo:Tessai>Devil:Corellon>Kyle:Brandon>Aemon
20': Beppo:Devil:Tessai>Brandon:Kyle:Corellon>Aemon
Any thoughts on tweaking that a bit? Just to get the spitball rolling, I would suggest having our rogue on point with some muscle behind him, the middle occupied with Kyle and maybe some reach and/or ranged capability, and darkvision and combat skills at the caboose to make sure nothing sneaks up on us. For you review and comment is the following proposed revision:
Single File -
Corellon<Devil<Beppo<Brandon<Kyle<Aemon<Tessai
Two abreast -
Corellon..Beppo....Kyle...Tessai
Devil.....Brandon..Aemon
Three wide -
Corellon..Beppo....Kyle
..........Brandon..Tessai
..........Devil....Aemon
My only concern about Beppo being at the front is that, until and unless he gets a Dex boost or takes Lightning Reflexes at level 5, there is going to be a lot of slipping, tripping, getting whacked, and whatnot due to my paltry +3 ref save.
Thoughts?
I'm ok on point, would like some real muscle close to be able to step in when 'its on'.
Sounds good - I'll assume I'm on point and will skill monkey accordingly.
Keep Devil in the middle, adjacent to as many of us as possible, because once/day I can just make myself the target of an attack that's about to kill somebody. (And I can make my AC better than most, and possibly Crane and Snake my way out of getting hit).
What I can't do is win fights. You lot have to provide the damage. :)
Ok. I will need to update the order, I think.
BTW, we have a vial of magical transformation +1, but not an oil of bless weapon, correct?
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I am thinking hard about this move BD just made. Beppo rolled a low roll for a possible AoO. BD, who has the higher AC, steps in front, nullifying a roll that probably wouldn't hit anyway, but obviously minimizing any possible incoming melee damage since his own AC is better in FD mode.
I do wonder if he would have done the same if Beppo had a confirmed crit on the AoO :P
Obviously, this situation precipitated because of the house rules on combat, AoOs being pre-rolled, etc. BD has done nothing wrong, par se...simply taking tactical advantage of an obvious situation. So, I will allow the decision made by the players to stay...but it IS something I'm thinking of. Hmmmmm....
Guys, while I have my drink after having put the kids to sleep, I am throwing this off topic one out there again: what about giving (another) try at a Skype session? Not something necessarily to be repeated, but... Just throwing it out there ;)
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Perhaps what we could do is a PFS scenario with your PFS characters (And I can help anyone who does not have one to make one up). That way, those who cannot make it don't miss anything, and those that could make it don't feel that we need to call it off since we might leave them behind. This would have the added benefit of allow me to invite the one or two others Pbp players in the other campaign to join.
An alternative would be for me to create a 'side adventure' for those CoT players who we can get together. During your time with the Shades, you do have times where you go off and do your own thing. There may be a situation which needs to be addressed by whomever happens to be at the base at the time.
Since we use ad hoc XP, there would be no gains there. However, such an adventure may yield other tangible awards for those who can participate.
Let me know your thoughts. I'm always open to new ideas.
I withdraw BD's action. BD will honor Beppo's held action and potential to do damage, and remain behind Beppo, using BD's actions instead to Arcane Pool, Crane, and Snake Styles, FD (attacking the enemy when they come into range to satisfy FD).
It does seem that the method continues to shave value from us.
edit: gah, ninja'd. Not really, but can't keep up todayt, and came to discuss before Gameplay.
Anyway, Snake Style would let Devil use a Sense Motive against that crossbow bolt as his AC, but he cant' get an AC high enough to beat a natural 20. The natural 20 will even beat the 5 ranks of enemies at -4 per rank... She's a daring girl, this Sian. She goes for the guy she has -20 to hit, who is doomed anyway by contract, double-cursed, triple-drained, and does little damage in any case.
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First, I'm not giving you a choice. :) Sorry. You declared an action, and I've already posted based on that action. And, by my own admission above, it was a perfectly valid action you took given the rules governing our Pbp.
As far as the "Shaving Value" comment, well, all I can tell ya is that I'm expressing concern about things as they happen and allowing input from you all, as players, rather than making decisions arbitrarily, so all sides may be considered. I have not said that I've made a decision on it, or that I WILL make a change to it. I'm just thinking about it, because it does seem a bit meta IMHO.
Honestly, BD, what's the purpose of your last line? It kinda sounds like a plea for pity. Man, get over it. Get your head in the game. They don't call it the Knot because it's a play ground. It's tough. It's hard. And yeah, there's a good chance characters are going to get cursed, diseases, drained and even die.
If you must know (as meta as it is), she attacked you because you were in front. She saw an opportunity to weaken the person who might be the first logical victim of the demon's attacks. She was pretty sure, after her first shot being so easily blocked, that she would have little to no change killing any one of you in just one shot. She wants you dead (obviously). And it's a lot easier for that to occur if she helps the devil along on his road to destruction (via a quick death) rather than spread the pain out where a healer can easily undo what she's done.
BTW, Switching styles is a swift action, so I think you have to do it on your turn...and she's attacking from a position of stealth. So, unless you have another feat I'm not taking into consideration, it may not help since you may not be aware of the attack anyway.
First, I'm not giving you a choice. :) Sorry. You declared an action, and I've already posted based on that action. And, by my own admission above, it was a perfectly valid action you took given the rules governing our Pbp.
Valid, but questioned. If you are going to offer a charge of my being unfair to the rules, expect defense and counter-charge. It's not unreasonable for one of us to be able to read Beppo's crap roll as a foot slip, and step into the gap. It's not unreasonable for Devil, who has _always_ claimed he's best for the front rank, and always taken hits when he can, and has a trait to do just that, to get in front of Beppo when the blinky shredy demon suddenly appears in front of us. I say suddenly because the first guy in the room did not see him, it was only when we were all here that he was described.
As far as the "Shaving Value" comment, well, all I can tell ya is that I'm expressing concern about things as they happen and allowing input from you all, as players, rather than making decisions arbitrarily, so all sides may be considered. I have not said that I've made a decision on it, or that I WILL make a change to it. I'm just thinking about it, because it does seem a bit meta IMHO.
Meta would be Beppo rolls a 20 and I don't do what I always do anyway. Beppo rolls a 2 and I do what I always do anyway? That's Meta? Just like this dungeon, far enough East puts you West. It fits that Beppo stands ready, rather than charges(because, hey, probably more Grease on the floor ahead, right?). And it fits that BD step in front.
Honestly, BD, what's the purpose of your last line? It kinda sounds like a plea for pity. Man, get over it. Get your head in the game. They don't call it the Knot because it's a play ground. It's tough. It's hard. And yeah, there's a good chance characters are going to get cursed, diseases, drained and even die.
Not a plea for pity, just reason. If you tell a PC they have -24 to hit the guy in front of the demon, they don't hope for a 20. They shoot somebody else. If the same rules apply. I'm pointing out her actions make no sense, given the rules we've been using. Talk about meta, it looks like she rolled, and then figured out what she could do with it.
If you must know (as meta as it is), she attacked you because you were in front. She saw an opportunity to weaken the person who might be the first logical victim of the demon's attacks. She was pretty sure, after her first shot being so easily blocked, that she would have little to no change killing any one of you in just one shot. She wants you dead (obviously). And it's a lot easier for that to occur if she helps the devil along on his road to destruction (via a quick death) rather than spread the pain out where a healer can easily undo what she's done.
So, the -24 did not apply, and she chose wisely. Brava. We will also all have unobstructed fields of fire on her, then? When our saved actions for her appearance bear fruit? Or will she sense those saved actions, and change her play? And if she can do that, why can Devil not play around Beppo's roils? And here is where you say he can, and you let him do just that. And here is where I say, Yes, but you rightly sniffed for cheese. And I agree, I too smell cheese.
BTW, Switching styles is a swift action, so I think you have to do it on your turn...and she's attacking from a position of stealth. So, unless you have another feat I'm not taking into consideration, it may not help since you may not be aware of the attack anyway.
Devil doesn't have to switch, he can run all his styles flat out, and he does so. I know that with you I would lose any claim to keeping them running without obvious enemies around, so I haven't even made that claim, and I start them up every fight. Be aware, the option exists to Fight Defensively while attacking 'that invisible guy right there', and so enter FD posture without waiting for an enemy to approach. So he could Swift(Crane), Standard>Swift(Snake), and still move.
Guys, shall we relax a tad?
From a Skype with JCS:
Black Devil: I apparently missed the statement that this time the ranks would not do what they usually do. But I can wrap my head around it. Sian wants to hit BD, who's closest to the demon, but so many guys between them... So she turns around and shoots the other way! Only -4 for the demon, and rolls a 20. OR not, my bad for missing the statement that this normal weirdness or the room was not part of the magical weirdness of the room, and would in any case trump the rules weirdness we'd all just been discussing. I'll post that to the list, I owe you that apology.
Summary: the -24 to hit did not apply owing to the roundness of the room. So it was not 'kill BD at all costs' or 'roll a 20 and see where it hurts most'. And suggesting either was wrong of me. Suspecting both is part of how my mind works. I may be a poor fit for a ruleset that is in flux, explained after the fact, and intended to streamline by cutting corners. I'm considering that point.
I gotta admit that I only understood Sian's positioning and her movement mode about 10 minutes ago ;)
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I'm not sure what you mean by -24.
First, there could be no negatives at play...only AC bonuses for cover. The +4 AC bonus to target for shooting through cover isn't cumulative based on number of targets. Even if she was shooting from a back of the line to the front of the line, there would only be two possible adjustments...
-4 penalty if she's shooting at an enemy engaged in melee with her allies.
+4 to their AC (Cover bonus) for shooting through cover.
Here's the rule. "To determine whether your target has cover from your ranged attack, choose a corner of your square. If any line from this corner to any corner of the target's square passes through a square or border that blocks line of effect or provides cover, or through a square occupied by a creature, the target has cover (+4 to AC)."
Note that there is no provision there for multiple blocks or accumulation of cover bonuses to AC.
So, there's no way she could have a -24...or you, the target, having a +24 AC bonus.
I again stand corrected. My flawed understanding led me to conclusions which were incorrect. More to the point, I did not charitably reason in good faith that because my understanding led to unhappy conclusions, it must be wrong. I'm not sure I'm going to ever be the guy that can do that. I think that's the guy that's needed here, and I'm not that guy.
Well I'm glad that's cleared that up... lol
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I gotta admit that I only understood Sian's positioning and her movement mode about 10 minutes ago ;)
I posted this earlier in Gameplay.
This chamber lacks a visible floor and ceiling—instead, what appears to be an endless shaft stretches to infinity both above and below. A ring of stone stairs winds upward counterclockwise around the room’s perimeter, winding back on itself in a mind-bending twist that, impossibly, brings one back to the starting point’s elevation despite the fact that the stairs themselves seem never to change their ascent or descent. Stone archways, some opening into other similar rooms and some sealed with stone, extend off from landings here and there on the ring of stairs.
If you are looking at the map, you'll note that every room you've been going into for the last 5 rooms or so is exactly the same shape/size/etc as this one. So, they have the same description....circular rooms with stairs that wind around the perimeter, with a big shift/pit in the middle. That's also why I told you guys that you have to line up and fight, 5' apart' on stairs.
This set up is very similar to what you've seen in other parts of the Knot, so it's not exactly new. You've even experienced the pit drop once or twice yourselves and how that works. On the map that I updated at the start of this encounter, it clearly shows you in another circular room. (After going through 5 rooms in a row of these types of rooms, you should have no reason to believe it is different).
Now, I'm not putting this out here to make any of you feel bad...but when you all express concerns about these things, I have to ask, what more can I really do to make things a bit clear? I do not have the time (or honestly, patience) to post things I've said before over and over. Is it a matter of asking everyone to slow down and read everything carefully or even twice?
I understand when you play a game over days in Pbp, things are going to get forgotten, misunderstood, etc. But I've said this before...
If you all have any questions, ask. I'm available on email, skype, etc as well as what we do here. If you feel it's a more urgent request (like you feel upset about something that happened), you should choose try to skype, text message, etc. Some of you use these methods to get answers and/or clarify situations. Some of you don't and I presume we're all on the same page. But if you're feeling wound up about something, you need to 1) re read the posts beforehand to make sure you didn't miss/forget something important and 2) email, skype, text me.
For me it was not a matter of not understanding the room setup - what I hadn't grasped was how Sian was moving about us - I was confused about the descriptions of:
"The tiefling laughs as she moves back into the shadows." - here I assumed she was hiding (correctly I believe)
"The devil cast a spell, and begins popping in an out of existence rapidly with a grin on his face. He moves 20' towards the party." - then I confused this one with the one that had shot at us initially, and then I was completely confused :D
I think I got the gist of it by now, though it still puzzles me how she manages to use the middle well to change places without we noticing it - I thought that if it was in the middle of the room, we were able to see it, better yet, I assumed we could see all that was displayed in the map (since it was displayed and usually what we don't see is blackened out).
That is all - if anything coluld be done to improve my perception, would be to keep the areas not visible, or that we cannot see into, blackened in the map.
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She's jumping down into the pit. Normally, you would expect her to pop back out of the top and fall flat on her face as you all have done a couple of times so far. Yet, she seemingly disappears without a trace. She's clearly adept at blending into shadows, and even causing you to lose track of her when you had a clear line of sight, without casting a spell in the process.
I think the areas you cannot see ARE blackened on the map, though when someone falls into the pit, they do eventually leave your Line of Sight (LoS), and, a few moments later, show up above you. Thankfully, the effect of gravity seems looser and the damage isn't as fatal as you might expect, but it still hurts when you finally grab/land on solid ground.
Keep in mind, if someone is on a stair case ABOVE you, even if they are directly across the room, they will have partial or complete cover from you, depending on whether they are hunched down. You can't see through the stairs. Even below you, it can be hard to make out.
BD RIP.
Good playing with you dude, hope to do it again sometime.
If there have been irreconcileable differences in playstyle this is probably the best outcome for everyone.
Nice playing with you Devil.
See you around.
BD - you are a character, you certainly added a unique and memorable flavor to our adventures, thank you.
Sorry that you weren't able to work it out and to see you go, but glad you guys at least had an opportunity to directly discuss your differences and come to what I hope was an amicable outcome.
Take care.
BD - you are a character, you certainly added a unique and memorable flavor to our adventures, thank you.
Sorry that you weren't able to work it out and to see you go, but glad you guys at least had an opportunity to directly discuss your differences and come to what I hope was an amicable outcome.
Take care.
My thoughts exactly. Exactly. Hope to have a chance to play with you again.
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Tessai, I don't often step in to HOW players are running their characters while they play, but I have to ask here...
So Kyle has suggested that you do something with the Runecurse in suggesting its a wish spell or whatnot, using bluff to communicate the message to you (which presumably goes against their sense motive to intercept if they understand your language).
Now, I totally understand that big devil guy has y'alls attention hard (he would have mine too), and staying alive against this guys and/or taking him down is, obviously, a huge priority. However, I want to make sure you understand a couple of things based on previous postings that you may have skipped over because BD, and not you, had the Runecurse...
It's been established that the Runecurse is a ticking time bomb. When the time is up, a powerful devil comes to claim the life of the current 'owner' who took it willingly. The more common ways that someone would take such a terrible thing willingly is as a part of something else (If not hidden too well) or some other deception.
In questioning the Imp about the devil it summons, the imp stated that you would probably not be able to beat the summoned devil, even as a group.
So, assuming that there's SOME way you guys make it through your dance with THIS devil, it's been implied something much tougher awaits you if you're the holder of the scroll. Since this is the first time you've actually seen someone(s) that can take it off your hands, given that talking is a free action, and other movements to make an attempt work here might be minor... are you sure you don't want to take an opportunity to try something here to get rid of this?
Somehow we need to get that scroll in Sians hand. If you can bluff her into taking it somehow all the better. Hero points are going to help with that.
What about a faux surrender? Give us our lives and well give you this wish scroll.
[Meta-alert]You could threaten to use your wish scroll if she doesnt call off her beast and surrender ... maybe then she will blink in and take it from you[/meta-alert]
Even better.
This is meta but with two people down, three if you count BD we need a little help.
I agree, something needs to happen and this could end in a full party wipe.(With all our really bad roll's)
I don't like it when you tell people how to play their guy, but it's always nice to point out stuff they might have forgotten/missed.
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And understand, I'm not advocating a particular course of action or anything.... I want you all to blaze your own trails without interference . However, I do want to make sure you are making decisions with all known, pertinent information and rules in mind...especially given how, in the past, we have ALL missed or forgotten important information that was previously posted or discussed. Furthermore, I try, as GM, to make sure the rules are clear so you all can make smart, tactical decisions based on all options available to you.
Kyle is mentioning a possible Hail Mary play that bd tried earlier (albeit without an a receiver at the time as the only ones with you at the bottom of the slide was the lake). I cannot say if it will work or not (obviously, the dice may play a role there as they tend to do.). If Tessai wants to reject the plan, that's the players decision... But I do want to insure that it is made with the right understanding of the situation overall and at hand.
As a friendly reminder to everyone...
You can always ask me rules and situational awareness questions here in discussion or via Skype text. You will never be fully effective if you don't take advantage of this once in a while. I am happy to clarify rules, the situation at hand, etc. also, keep in mind that you have hero points and that one valid use of hero points is to ask questions from you deity or higher powers. If you ask something they cannot or will not tell you, you are not charged a hero point. You may attempt this once per day. Knowledge isn't everything but the right question answered at an important juncture can most certainly help put the odds back in your favor.
One last thought...remember what the imp told you what you would need to be successful in the Knot. Hint...it wasn't brute force (sorry Edmond)
No need to apologise. I have a plan.
I will make sure to re-read any pertinent passages about the scroll. With all honesty, and it is simply my play style, though reading it, tend to skim over much of what doesn't pertain to Tessai directly. It is my way of hiding from the meta monster. My bad, and apologies for that guys. As I said I will re-read it, but Tessai's hands are a bad place to have that scroll right now - she is worried about BD's absence, she is raging against both of our opponents, and she is bad at bluffing...
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No need to apologize at all, I'm not blaming you for reading or not reading...just want to make sure you make decisions with all knowledge you should have on hand. I was so quick to point out what I did because I presumed you may not have read everything. And I think you may be on a different page as some of your other team members as a result.
Bad at bluffing? +7 is actually one of the better scores of the group :P If you mean in character, then I'd have to ask why you've got points in it, hahahaha.
Keep in mind, 'in character' Kyle also sent you a message that you would understand (since he made his check). So, I understand worrying, raging, etc...but you're also the leader of the group. I would like to think Tessai is smart enough to consider all avenues in the heat of battle, even if a friend has disappeared for the moment (who KNOWS how this place works...for all you know he'll show up somewhere else, hahahaha), as she has demonstrated in the past that she can make smart decisions even when she's seen allies struck down in front of her.
Since you brought it up, though... One note to everyone as a clarification is in order (another thing I need to add to the house rules)... As far as what you should and shouldn't know...I tend to put stuff that pertains to one character only in spoilers. So if a spoiler is made out to someone, I expect you to skip it if that someone is not you. There are plenty of times when, however, something happens or is said to someone, where your character is not there, yet spoiler tags are not used. Please do read over those areas closely even if they do not directly pertain to you (or seem to pertain to you). They are generally important parts of the story that is presumed, in one way or another, to reach your ears (such as talking over with each other as you are later having a meal or walking to the next room). I want to encourage everyone to read everything as carefully as possible that isn't in spoiler tags for others.