PFS # 6-09: By Way of Bloodcove, with GM Pendrak (Inactive)

Game Master Pendrak

I'm buying the wand of disguise weapon if able

Yeah, this is a big enough city to find one.

Woo this page is not in all bold haha but I do agree with the proposed plan.

Looks good to me. Now we just need to roll high.
"Mindcroft the merchant, ready to make a sale at all costs. My alchemical goods are second to none." "Would you like to buy some vermin repellant or perhaps a fire flask guaranteed to exfoliate ground cover. Keep unwanted pests away." said in a sing song voice as the group still readies to depart for the city.

I think we're good to move on...

Yes. Lets.

Okay, go ahead and make either a Diplomacy, Profession (merchant), or Appraise check with your first post in Bloodcove, or in Kahwen's case, Stealth to lie low.

Haska huttles with the group making comments to Nigel about things of quality and rareness. Here goes nothing!
appraise: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

He sticks close to the others.

I have been bummed by the upcoming pathfinder changes in the near future. I guess i have always felt i was playing catchup only starting to play in 2015. I have never played alot of the class options and have not really even played many architypes. I have never even had a character make 5 th level. I think that is why i liked core pfs. It was like going back to the beginning before the rules explosion. Now i hear core will die. And we have to learn another new set of rules. Is there even going to be a conversion method? It is like all my characters will be frozen and i will have to start over. My characters all feel futureless and stale. I enjoy playing but the world is crumbling down around them.

Any core character can become a normal character at any time. I did not hear that core will be dead, but if true, any character you have that is currently core can just play a standard game at any time and become part of the classic campaign instead. Honestly, I just started PFS almost exactly a year ago and Nigel is my only character; and I am really excited for 2.0 because it will allow me to start fresh like everyone else. I still plan to play Nigel but I really look forward to being part of the new beginning rather than always feeling like a new guy.

Also, keep in mind that it doesn't seem like Paizo is going to actively oppress 1.0 so I suspect Flaxseed will be around for quite some time.

While there may not be boon support, you'll be able to play 1.0 as long as you can find GM's to run it. Which seems like it's going to be quite a while.

Sorry about the slowdown, had a spill on my bicycle Monday (the day I started a new job, which was fun -- always nice to make a first impression with blood on your jeans and a torn up hand and elbow) and it's been painful to type, but I think I will be able to get going again later today.

Ouch. Here's hoping the new job wasn't Corporate Safety Officer. Take your time.

I am sorry to hear that! I hope you are doing well. I am in no rush if it still hurts to type, I am just glad you are doing well.

Would it be prudent to use things like ghost sound to distract attention from us while we're conversing or moving along? I could use silent or minor image as well. @GM Pendrak - would you allow Velinov to use these spells to mask or increase our ability to blend in? For example, if Velinov were to maintain an illusionary cloud of dust, perhaps kicked up from the roads, that happened to be heavier around our group? Would that provide a bonus from people picking out key features about our physical descriptions per se?

Careful, all of those spells have verbal spell components. And those particular visual illusions might not be all that helpful while we are on the go. They only create a level dependent area (number of 10-foot-cubes) in which you can set your visual effects. Not really useful if we need to go around the block. Some better options might be disguise self, disguise other or just a regular old disguise kit. Ghost sound might help mask conversations but might stand out if there is no obvious source for the noise.

Given the number of rolls we'll probably have to make I would assume that we are going to draw attention at least once or twice. I'd say save some of Velinov's illusions until we need to provide (illusory) paperwork, or if it gets to the point it makes sense to flee creating a distraction, or some sort of hindrance to pursuit.

I'll be out for the next few days celebrating my 20th wedding anniversary. I'll still try to post once a day but it probably won't be much more than that.

Happy Anniversary! Hope you all have a great time.

We will be here holding down the fort.

I just want to nail down the mechanics on the "Infiltrate-Sabotage" side.

I'm assuming it will be Stealth and Disable Device checks for Kahwen, potentially with modifiers for distraction by Haska.

Is there a set number? Should I make them all in one post or one by one until I fail or make them all?

Also, if someone succeeds at a Will save, do they automatically know they were targeted by a spell? I don't want to use my Wayfinder's Lullaby ability if it's just going to make people suspicious when they make the (fairly easy) DC11 Will Save.

Also, also Haska and Nigel, don't let me bulldoze you guys. I think Kahwen can handle the sneaking and sabotage but I don't want you guys to feel left out or that I'm taking over. (I'm eager to finally meet Nigel's Eidolon, btw.)

Also, also, also...I just saw "Ocean's 8" this weekend so I'm in a very heisty mood.

I do not think you are bulldozing. It is a good plan and I like it! I am excited to get my eidolon out as she doesn't get much use in the last few adventures I have run.

No, no worries here, Kahwen. Haska will distract with some light questions hidden as confirmations. Stuff like work completion time, who will be on guard, that type stuff.
Good luck in the sneaking and breaking!

I just want to nail down the mechanics on the "Infiltrate-Sabotage" side.

I'm assuming it will be Stealth and Disable Device checks for Kahwen, potentially with modifiers for distraction by Haska.

Is there a set number? Should I make them all in one post or one by one until I fail or make them all?

Also, if someone succeeds at a Will save, do they automatically know they were targeted by a spell? I don't want to use my Wayfinder's Lullaby ability if it's just going to make people suspicious when they make the (fairly easy) DC11 Will Save.

Well, at this point you guys are really just sneaking past some guards, more or less, in a possible combat situation. I have a map up now, which should make it easier to visualize. For whatever reason, they don’t provide a map of the boats or the dock area, so for simplicity's sake I’m going to say that basically to get to the boats you need to exit the left or west side of the map. To be honest, the module assumes you get into combat at this point, though it does mention that it is possible that the party uses Stealth or other means to get past the guards. Unfortunate lack of detail though, in this section.

Assuming the guards are taking 10 as described in the Disguise skill, then Haska’s Disguise check succeeds, even with the penalty for pretending at being another race. He’ll need to distract them for a little while to allow Kahwen to move up to the warehouse, but then it’s possible that he could Bluff the guards into letting him past to go to the boats once Kahwen is inside.

The Aspis warehouse is the one in the center, with doors on the north and east sides of the structure. From where you are now, Kahwen or anyone else will need to move to the warehouse making a Stealth check for every “round” of movement (at half speed), but since Haska will be talking to the guards (at least as I understand it) they will be distracted. I think that comes out to four Stealth checks to get to the closest door.

Once at either of the doors to the warehouse, it will require a DC 20 Disable Device to pick the lock on the doors. Theoretically Kahwen could also climb across the southern side of the warehouse to get to the boats, either after or instead of going in the warehouse.

The recommended forms of sabotage involve ruining or poisoning the food and water supplies in the warehouse, and/or using Disable Device or brute force to damage the ship’s rigging, sails, rudders, etc. If you guys have other ideas as far as that part goes, the module allows for improvisation. You should aim to sabotage the expedition in at least two ways.

As far as the lullaby cantrip works, as I understand it, someone affected by such a spell would be aware of a hostile attempt on their mind, but not necessarily it’s origin. However, that spell has a verbal component (probably singing or humming a lullaby basically), which as always must be done in a clear voice, and which would probably draw attention to your casting.

Kahwen can go ahead and make all of his Stealth rolls and even his Disable Device or Climb in the same post, preferably after Haska makes a post describing his attempts at distracting the guards.

Am I correct in that Nigel will be summoning an eagle to keep lookout using his SLA? That should be more than enough time for it to patrol at least while Kahwen makes his way over.

my plan was to have Christina be the look out and then use my spell to cast SMI if I needed a warning. But seeing the map, it doesn't look like there is a good view point for her to be and out of sight without stealth, so I think the SLA eagle may be a better way to go.

As a cog in a corporate machine, Thaia's presentation makes me sad. Though it is impressive. Maybe because it's impressive.

Honestly, it sounded more like Eugene.

Thaia is able to find a magical emporium run by an old Zenj woman where she purchases a wand of jump with 50 charges, a slender piece of baobab wood. When she explains the need for discretion to the shopkeeper, the merchant laughs and disassembles a colorful, red and yellow parasol she happens to have on hand, attaching the cover to the wand. It won't be able to open, but it certainly will obscure the fact that the item is a wand.

Yay! -750 gp.

How about the 2 scrolls of expeditious retreat?

Yes, she was able to get those as well.

-50 gp.

I will be in leader training for boy scouts for the next 5 days. The camp has spotty cell coverage. If necessary please bot me. I should ne done late on the 20 th. I will do my best to keep up.

Thanks for the game. Very enjoyable. Especially, Thaia. She hit Woodthorne's buttons just right.

Glad you enjoyed it.

I decided I'd go ahead and get the chronicle sheets up. My next couple weeks I'm going to be busy preparing the scenarios, especially the specials, that I'll be running at GenCon, so I figured I'd go ahead and get it out of the way. GenCon is one of the most enjoyable times of the year for me, as a resident of Indianapolis. This is the first year I'll actually be running scenarios though.

Woodthorne

Velinov

Thaia

Nigel

Kahwen

Haska

Let me know if there are any errors or omissions.

Everything looks perfect, and it's the most thorough sheet I've ever gotten.

Thanks again and enjoy Gen Con!

At work, so I'll be quick: they were wands of disguise weapon and jump.

At work, so I'll be quick: they were wands of disguise weapon and jump.

Oops, didn't finish typing disguise weapon apparently, and I forgot about the other one. I'll get a corrected one up as soon as possible.

Thanks for running it! The story was fun but the group was more so! Though, I don't think Nigel has felt so useless in combat since level 1 haha rough adventure for him and his elemental buddies.

Well thank you for taking the time to run it for us! You did a great job. I hope to see you around the boards and I hope you have a great time at GenCon. Someday I will make it out to one of those bi conventions.

Nigel felt useless? Woodthorne ran around trying to hold his stomach in that last combat. I'm sure Thaia had something to say about that!

Gen Con is a good time, although I won't be attending this year. Having a 15 month old daughter means I get fewer opportunities for mini-vacations. Although it has grown too large over the years, making the planning portion rather annoying. It'd be nice to secure a hotel that's attached to the convention center so I could have the option of taking the train in and having everything within walking distance, but the lottery system makes that a crap shoot.

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd do GenCon if I had to travel for it. Living about ten minute from the convention center makes it easy.

Thaia's sheet should be fixed.

Yeah! Got it. Looks good. Thanks for adding in the purchases.

Half the fun of Gen Con for me was the travel (I've been over a dozen times just not recently) waking up in a strange bed (or floor if I were staying at your house) in a strange city after 4 hours of sleep so you can get down to that building on the other side of the convention area and down to the basement to make your 8 AM game after 16 hours of shouting and walking and three-and-a-half hours of sleep on-- what day is it? The other half is of course meeting your mates and making new ones or if you are mated mating with your mate again in exotic Indianapolis after a cosplay event. ;)

Anyhow, have fun!

As for Thaia, she is one of my more contentious characters. It's hard to role-play if your character doesn't have a point of view and not all points of view are the same. Thaia's falls on a portion of the spectrum (along with my other characters Natula Thako, and Agirran the Fury) that can be considered actively grating to party cohesion if played too hard, or in the wrong circumstances. So thanks for not lynching her. There's an edge somewhere and Thaiadora is a character that pushes against it sometimes. Sorry if she pushed your buttons the wrong way--she has a talent for that (1, 2). If she pushed them the right way, cool, she is made to be interacted with. Really she's to be the bad example (of somethings at least) that hopefully proves the good point.

So, great game! See you on boards!

Well I loved her. She's just the sort that Woodthorne's personality and background was meant to be played against. They show two of the sides of a Chelaxian upbringing. Hers more classic, his less so.