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I'll be around periodically this weekend. Things are actually going to be quieter this weekend than they have been all week!
(This week has been absolutely insane between work, holidays, and game stuff. I actually felt bad about being a bit light with my posting this week, so I'd like to apologize for being a bit of a slacker. Hopefully I'll have a bit more loquacious of a bird now that things have settled down some.)
(Yes, I'm aware of the irony in my apologizing right after teasing Xull about apologizing ;))
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I try not to make promises, especially when posting at the wrong time will get me in the doghouse with my wife. However, I can't stay away, even if I wanted to.
It took my wife about two months to figure out I was actually playing Pathfinder on the forums. There was an audible amount of eyerolling when that happened ;)
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My weekends tend to fill with little to no notice. However, I can usually sneak away. My phone hates Xûll-speak though and constantly autocorrects me. I hate it so much that I tend not to post in character for Xûll from my phone (on my phone right now). I'm seriously considering changing the way he speaks (with good in-character reasons) but we'll have to wait for that.
In the meantime, my posting over weekends and holidays will be spurious but I'll try my hardest for daily at a minimum.
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I hope that makes sense, and I hope I didn't offend anyone. I am not trying to pick on Toorin or the new guys (have I mentioned that yet?) but I just wanted to get that off my chest.
No offense taken, as constructive criticism is always appreciated. I try to be as literary as possible with every post, but sandbox gathering of information is handled differently by different GMs and groups. Without a specific context, it's harder to know what to post that will provide the desirable amount of role playing without requiring a sidetrack into back and forth posting that takes up time when people might prefer to get to the main event.
I will adjust my approach when this situation comes up again.
Well morning everyone (at least it is morning here)
Few points about your negotiation.
Attacking/Threatening Torch is a no-no as outlined in the briefing.
I would also like to remind you that this is PFS, and as such we are beholden to certain guidelines.
Players are responsible for their characters’ actions. Killing an innocent, wanton destruction, and other acts that can be construed as evil by the GM may be considered alignment infractions. “That’s just what my character would do” is not a defense.
So far 2/6 of your have agreed. Feel free to continue to negotiate. Toorin that was astute to check out his writing and will earn you a bonus later.
Structured Sandbox
I would like to complete this scenario in a compartmentalized and organized manner. As such I would like to outline a few actions. I want you all to have as much leeway to act however you want to but still have all the pertinent information.
Basically I am going to spoon-feed you information so you don't get overwhelmed. Drawback to PbP.
Here is how this will play out:
- Finish negotiations with Torch for tasks
- Ask Torch about Faction Quests
- Visit the bazaar for any last minute purchases
- Task 1 - you all rolled high enough to gather info that I will give you the background info just for the task you pick first.
- See Torch after completing
- Task 2 - I will give you the background info just for the task you pick
- See Torch
Rinse Repeat
Rolls
Just a reminder, no need to roll unless I ask for it. You can continue to roll, but I am not using any of them :-)
Korasu That would have been nice.
Note on the tasks - there really isn't any advantage in completing them in any order, so feel free to pick what you want. Seems to be #1, all cool with that.
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Question for everyone:
I used charisma as a dump stat and he has no diplo skill so I play him as diplomatically inept and abrasive. But I don't want to ruin everyone's fun or jeopardize our rewards at the end. I know from a player's perspective that in the end the Pathfinders typically end up on the side of good, but from a character's perspective I thought that would not be a given and role-played it as such. If you think I'm overdoing it let me know and I'll give him a reason to back off. Even better would be if one of you had your characters realize what a liability he is in diplomatic situations and took measures.
Honestly - I have seen such as wide variety of personalities Role Played, the last mod I ran for Pooka and Xull had a PC that was way over the top. One of the problems I am seeing in playing a character like that is they often need someone to 'restrain' their ridiculous actions. Unless you directly state that you need someone to do that, or adventure with the same group over a period of time, that is hard to come by.
Just my 2 cents. :)
Regarding Season 5 Factions
There are 3 factions that can receive boon in this adventure. According to my handy dandy conversion chart
Qadira - Exchange - need additional task
Sczarni- Exchange/Retired - need additional task
Osirion - Scarab Sages - no task required
So if I am correct, only Xull has a faction mission. And as such, he will only have to complete one task to fulfill it.
Sorry - Quadira. Choose one of the in character options, or PM me a 'creative solution' and you will receive the Quadira boon on your chronicle. You just have to say yes to Torch and you can decide at a later time when/how to complete your additional task.
Doing a bit more reading:
The Exchange as Qadira, .... Without a boon that states otherwise, a PC cannot earn Sczarni vanities or boons.
Sorry about that.
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Question for everyone:
I used charisma as a dump stat and he has no diplo skill so I play him as diplomatically inept and abrasive. But I don't want to ruin everyone's fun or jeopardize our rewards at the end. I know from a player's perspective that in the end the Pathfinders typically end up on the side of good, but from a character's perspective I thought that would not be a given and role-played it as such. If you think I'm overdoing it let me know and I'll give him a reason to back off. Even better would be if one of you had your characters realize what a liability he is in diplomatic situations and took measures.
Assuming Warpac has a high Wisdom, I'd play him that he is wise enough to know when it's best to keep quiet and let people with better skills handle diplomacy.
Ok, as stated on the Gameplay thread, moving to the bazaar for information gathering/buying any last minute items now that you know the missions.
I will introduce each task as an encounter, with objective, and information gathering.
If there is cause for a map, link will be in my Tagline and the Campaign Info. All maps are in Google Drawings (tried and hated Slides). Please include who you are attacking in your dice rolls, and move your tokens accordingly. If you cannot move your token, please add at the end. Xull is pretty good about moving people - thank you :). Please include all your modifiers in your roll i.e.
And link to any spells/abilities that are uncommon
Invisible layers of solid force surround and protect the target, granting that target a +2 armor bonus to AC. Additionally, the first 5 points of lethal damage the target takes from each attack are converted into nonlethal damage. Against attacks that already deal nonlethal damage, the target gains DR 5/—. Once this spell has converted 5 points of damage to nonlethal damage per caster level (maximum 50 points), the spell is discharged.
If you cast a spell with a duration to buff, include that in your tag line with the new stats in {} and update your current conditions.
lastly, I updated all the GM rolls, Pooka and Warpac's included. And there is a posted marching order. Let me know any modifications I need to do. :)
Before your first task I will post the 'rules' for the tasks if you want to try and sabotage Torch will still completing the tasks.
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Assuming Warpac has a high Wisdom, I'd play him that he is wise enough to know when it's best to keep quiet and let people with better skills handle diplomacy.
I was thinking along those lines myself as his last post suggests. He KNOWS he messed up and is sulking and a lot less likely to do so again. It would be more fun if another PC got involved though, but it is bad form to require another PC to do so or have them suffer bad consequences.
Last blast, I promise. I really, really hope that all this basting pays off for a better experience for all. :)
Regarding fulfilling Tasks
You may or may not remember what the VC and Amenopheus have told you regarding the completion of Torch's tasks.
Refresher
- Do we have to do play fair with Torch? - Such a question brings a mischievous smirk to Balentiir’s lips. “I suppose Torch has always enjoyed twisting bargains and words to his advantage. Very well. If you see an opportunity to gain some advantage against the man while doing favors for him, you’re welcome to follow through.” Amenopheus shoots a pleading look at the venture-captain before Balentiir quickly adds, “If you can get away with it.”
Attacking him (Torch) outright is out of the question, yet the PCs can undermine Torch’s influence in the region in more subtle ways. Each of his tasks can be twisted to Torch’s disadvantage.
So If you try and fail - a boon. If you try and succeed - a different boon. Don't try - I cross off both boons.
So after each task you are to report to Torch.
Grandmaster Torch keeps tabs on the PCs and listens to them carefully whenever they report back. Tricking Torch into believing that the Pathfinders completed a task in good faith requires a successful Bluff check <>, and a successful <> Sense Motive check allows a PC to know whether or not Torch believes their lies. Each task the PCs perform in this way requires its own Bluff check.
IMHO that is a bit of overkill for PbP. Also I am not 100% stoked about having your success/failure hinge upon on skill roll repeated 4x.
Also as my good friend Xull pointed out:
Creative Solutions
Sometimes during the course of a scenario, your players might surprise you with a creative solution to an encounter (or the entire scenario) that you didn’t see coming and that isn’t expressly covered in the scenario.
So let's do this. If you can come up with creative ways to sabotage Torch, I can give you bonuses on your rolls or if you fail, you would get penalties. We will handwave the meeting with Torch and we will roll a success. Afterwards you can all make me a sense motive to see if you can tell whether you succeeded or not.
Now I can give you some hints and pointers should you decide to do this or at the very least advise you what could work rather than something that couldn't work not matter what.
For those adventuring with me for the first time, I am a 'player friendly GM', meaning that I am going to do everything by the rules, and within the rules, for you to win. I am not going to shaft you due to some technicality. Yet rules be rules, and I will follow them.
I will be pretty busy the rest of today. My schedule shifts to night work for a while. I'll check and make quick posts in the afternoon, but most of my posts will be in the morning or late at night, at least on M-Th.
Right now, I'll read through the posts since last night and try to keep up, but don't expect a lot of posts for today.
Ok so I am hearing two different plans.
- One smuggle it in with a merchant.
- Two go and tell him what is up and see if you can work something out.
The problem with the merchant is they are reluctant to deliver items to Ionacu because they are mad at him. So you would need to talk to him first, convince him you can help him out, and then track down the merchants.
Regarding the lead box, that will cause a penalty as that it a bit overt. Remember the goal is to subvert without Cutie Pie knowing. You can suggest that there is magics he could use to prohibit scyring.
Once I see you all leaning in a direction I will move it that way. Doing great so far. And in my IMHO this one is the most complicated to work out.
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OK, now I am paranoid that I am cluttering the gameplay thread with a bunch of wild and disparate thoughts.
I am going to try to focus down our suggestions and our GMs subtle hinting.
Xull's plan I think is a good base. Xull creates a distraction, Korasu slips the book in the man's posessions.
This accomplishes the task at hand.
Then we speak with Ionacu and let him know that his actions and impatience have upset the merchants. We have reason to suspect that one of them is plotting something against him, and perhaps he should take measures against scrying. When he asks us why we would freely offer the information, we say its because we are pathfinders, and perhaps our society may be interested in the results of his expedition. A little quid pro quo relationship.
Then we have completed Torch's task, and undermined it at the same time, while also cultivating a potential relationship for the society (the last part may not have any effect on the mission, but I like how it wraps it up in a nice little bow).
Good? Not good? What say you? :)
Honestly you all come up with some pretty clever plans. I will push forward in the morning that you go to meet Ionacu Lozar and try and distrct him and place a book. Feel free to adjust on the fly should things not go so well.
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OK, now I am paranoid that I am cluttering the gameplay thread with a bunch of wild and disparate thoughts.
I am going to try to focus down our suggestions and our GMs subtle hinting.
Xull's plan I think is a good base. Xull creates a distraction, Korasu slips the book in the man's posessions.
This accomplishes the task at hand.
Then we speak with Ionacu and let him know that his actions and impatience have upset the merchants. We have reason to suspect that one of them is plotting something against him, and perhaps he should take measures against scrying. When he asks us why we would freely offer the information, we say its because we are pathfinders, and perhaps our society may be interested in the results of his expedition. A little quid pro quo relationship.
Then we have completed Torch's task, and undermined it at the same time, while also cultivating a potential relationship for the society (the last part may not have any effect on the mission, but I like how it wraps it up in a nice little bow).
Good? Not good? What say you? :)
I like it! It's an odd feeling, I. Used to playing character with a a little looser morals so I'd normally happily come up with mad plans, but the one time decide to play the super honourable monk! Lol
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Before we go in and self-sabotage, was there an agreed upon plan? I just want to make sure that everyone is on the same page OOC, as there was a lot of disparate discussion ;)
Are we attempting to sabotage Torch in this? Yes / No?
-If Yes, what was the decided upon plan?
Is Korasu doing the planting of the book? Is anyone assisting? I believe Xull is planning on providing some sort of distraction, which I'm not sure what it is.
If Korasu is the "Placer" it might make sense if he isn't visibly "part of the group" and does some intial recon, though I'm not sure if the setting allows it.
As nothing as happened yet feel free to post a 'Before reaching the camp' post.
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My thoughts are Yes, we attempt to sabatoge, but only after we have successfully snuck the book in. First things first - get the minimum requirements taken care of. I was under the assumption that Korasu was doing the planting, since he is likely the most qualified, with a distraction from Xull.
Sabatoge would be to inform Ionuca that we have reason to suspect someone has it out for him somehow, and he may want to take measures against espionage.
That plan for sabatoging torch is weak - there isn't any point in doing it because it doesn't necessarily benefit us. There is no point in sabatoging Torch unless it benefits us in some way, at least thats the way I think.
I think the plan for planting the book is good. We can talk this in circles for a week, so in the end, I would just rather do something, even if its wrong.
Xull Regarding sabotaging Torch:
Each of the tasks is one encounter. You start it, finish it, report to Torch, done.
It is outside the spirit of the adventure to complete all the tasks, tell Torch all good, then revisit your tasks and sabotage Torch.
If that is your course of action you can do that, but for PFS purposes I would cross off both boons.
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It occurred to me too late that the book might be meant to provide Torch a way to spy on us to discover if we are attempting to sabotage his plans or to detect any trickery. Probably best we rejected such ideas.
Toorin will offer to try wander about as if part of the caravan or with one of the merchants delivering goods (if any) and try to determine where Ionacu's personal things are, whether that is a wagon or a tent or just a backpack. Let me know if you want me to roll perception or any other skills checks to accomplish this.
After that, he'll look for ways to create some kind of distraction once Korasu knows where to place the book and is in position to do so.
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I as a player would like to sabotage Torch, mostly because I like interesting boons even if I have no idea what they're going to do or if my character is ever going to get the "denouement" associated with them.
Korasu would like to get the upper hand on Torch because he's the epitome of slime and try to exact some vengeance on him for his betrayals.
Both character and player don't want to risk failing the mission for going too far out of the way to spite Torch. More is at stake than petty vengeance.
For this Task, I don't think we ever decided on a way that satisfies the task and thwart Torch that we're willing to risk to a bluff. I'm not sure if others might be easier to thwart or if it's an "all or nothing" sort of thing.
It is an complete x without Torch knowing. You have to sabotage, then bluff (Which I would give circumstance modifiers for).
You could do the spilled ink route. Or something else. I am good with cut scenes and such.
Scheduling note, work Christmas party tonight. If I do post, there is a 50-50 chance it is a bunch of garbage that I will have to fix in the morning.
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Scheduling note, work Christmas party tonight. If I do post, there is a 50-50 chance it is a bunch of garbage that I will have to fix in the morning.
Okay Poochie... :D
So as a player I am generally in agreement with Korasu. Though we get a boon either way, its just different depending on what we do. I can't think of a good reason in character to spite Torch, so my vote is to just accept our good fortune and be done with this task.
I also enjoy the chaos of failure on occasion, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings if the group voted the other way.
Long story Short: I say we just move on. Still can't make a proper post yet... meeting in 2 minutes.
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Devious thought: If, say, Korasu were to have done the ink without the rest of the team knowing, would that satisfy sabotage and reduce the need to bluff, as long as he keeps his beak shut when we report to Torch?
I'm good going with that, then moving on. (can add a post in gameplay as a cutscene at lunch.)
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I as a player would like to sabotage Torch, mostly because I like interesting boons even if I have no idea what they're going to do or if my character is ever going to get the "denouement" associated with them.
Korasu would like to get the upper hand on Torch because he's the epitome of slime and try to exact some vengeance on him for his betrayals.
Both character and player don't want to risk failing the mission for going too far out of the way to spite Torch. More is at stake than petty vengeance.
For this Task, I don't think we ever decided on a way that satisfies the task and thwart Torch that we're willing to risk to a bluff. I'm not sure if others might be easier to thwart or if it's an "all or nothing" sort of thing.
Me too. I still say we sick a thief on the book after Torch tests that the book is in place.
No to both. :(
Any sabotage requires a bluff check. You can do the ink but then you need a bluff check.
Anyone who sabotages will have the entire team roll bluff and aids. I will recap with a sense motive to inform you if you can tell if he bought it or not.
sabotage has to be done before you report to Torch.
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As I said earlier, I'm concerned about sabotaging this first task mostly because Torch could be scrying on the party to see if we do anything tricky. It sounds as if that might not be part of the module, but that's how Toorin would worry. It would be like Torch to make that one of the items not so much for the advantage he gains being able to scry on Ionacu but for the opportunity to scry on the party.
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Ah, the straight jacket of PFS.
Sometimes hard to forget it exists. On with the roleplay!
FYI, John, you can always allow "RP sabotage" afterwards, it would just have no in-module effect on boons, etc (and something may well interfere with it). Just saying.
Let's just leave it and stick with the route of "obey Torch". I think everything will go along much more smoothly. Once it's done and we have what we want, we can roleplay indignation or whatever else we feel necessary to square things away with our character concepts.