[PFS Core] GM Harker Presents: The Emerald Spire (Inactive)

Game Master Upaynao

Minor magic won't let you into arcane strike anymore via the FAQ.

I know because I just had to change it out on my own rogue in my game day game.

Bummer. Thank you for the clarification. Then I will switch out minor magic for combat trick-step up for those pesky spellcasters.

I'm very sorry for the absence. However, we're having some complications with my daughter and I'm putting all my attention there. I'm unsure when I'll be able to make the time for gaming in the near future.

I'm very sorry to bail on you at this stage of the game, but it is what my family needs right now.

I really enjoyed meeting everyone and was having a terrific time.

Siv aka John

Sorry to see you go, Siv. Take care of your family.

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Can I take B2? If not, I'll take B1. Sorry for the delay--I couldn't find the .pdf that outlined the different hexes. I finally just downloaded all the chronicle sheets to find it. Don't worry; I won't peek at the others (although I've already completed level 3 in non-Core).

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I'll get leveled soon. Should I take my second level of Bard or my second level of Ranger? Ranger means two ranged feats instead of just one. Bard would mean more inspiration. And, I think, another spell.

Mudk's brother might possibly be interested in joining (two of his three other PbP games have come to an end) if we want a 6th player. However, he hasn't been posting much lately. Also, I'm okay with 5. Let me know if I should ask him.

Does Mudk's brother have a Core character in tier between levels 2-4?

Also, Chronicle Sheet sent Freod.

Ah, no. Forgot that we had passed level 1 already. I think all his characters are still level 1 (and his CORE character is still in a game). 5 is still fine with me. We'll miss our cleric, though.

1.5k to spend. Can't afford a Handy Haversack, can't afford magical weapon enhancements, can't afford an attribute belt...

I could get a Pearl of Power, but I don't actually do much spellcasting yet.

Does anyone (*cough cough Jirah*) have the ability to cast Masterwork Transformation? I'm thinking I'll buy a Masterwork Falchion (or at least a longsword) and have MWK Transform cast on my reach weapon.

Perks of a one-handed weapon (like a longsword): you can use it in one hand without dropping your bow.
Perks of a two-handed weapon: much higher damage potential.

I need to get one or the other for sure--having to resort to 1d4 damage to fight in the fog is obnoxious.

However, another weapon will put me over encumbrance, so I may have to leave some other EQ at home. Decisions, decisions. Any thoughts?

Masterwork Transformation's sourcebook is Ultimate Magic, so unless we get a scroll in the chronicle sheets don't expect it to happen.

Save your money for bow and armor enhancements or cloak of resistance.

One-handers are great for bucklers and you can use them in a grapple. Scimitar is my recommendation over the longsword for the better crit range.

Bummer about Masterwork Transformation. I had forgotten that (or never knew it).

Oh yeah, forgot about Cloak of Resistance. I'll go ahead and spring for that one.

I have a spiked gauntlet for grapples. I'm reluctant to take a buckler, since it hinders my use of my reach weapon (which I did not use this session because skeletons and obscuring mist).

I'll think about the Scimitar. I always find rolling less than a d8 to be painful. I had a Gnome Paladin for a while that used a Scimitar and Buckler. Ultimately she switched to a Greatsword. Plinking away with 1d4 was just too puny.

will try and update as soon as I can.

I have played and/or GM'd every spire level down to level 13. I have on oracle who has only been through Emerald Spire 1 to 13 so far. (Non-Core)

I have lots of fun with him.

anyway we will have to take slow progression for several levels along the way, otherwise we will out level the adventure.

so... Level 3 Druid. not sure what to take yet. not even sure about my feat either.

ok I get another trick for Truffles. should I roll the handle animal skill to teach the trick here?

EDIT, nevermind the roll, the trick I wanted to teach was aid, it is DC 20 and I can take 10 with a +10 already to get the DC 20.

that will allow Truffles to use the aid another tactic.

Sugarsnap, unfortunately I believe Truffles can only learn tricks found in the resources available to Core, therefore, he can only learn the tricks listed under the Handle Animal skill in that book.

Sugarsnap, unfortunately I believe Truffles can only learn tricks found in the resources available to Core, therefore, he can only learn the tricks listed under the Handle Animal skill in that book.

ok then, best choice is the "Come" trick and that is only a DC 15

can we purchase the spire transport token?

Hero lab says it isn't legal for core. I thought we can get stuff non-core if it is on the chronicle sheet.

Since it is on your chronicle sheet, you can purchase it.

Since we're starting in a week, I went ahead and sent out a chronicle sheet to Mudk for The Cellars. As I mentioned in the email I sent to him, if he wants to buy a hex I can easily update the sheet or it's probably fine if he fills it in himself.

Profile updated with EQ purchases (cloak of resistance, mwk cold iron falchion, scroll of magic weapon) and level up changes.

I went with the Falchion. I already have one-handed options for when I don't want to drop my bow. Holding off on the Buckler for now, since it would inhibit my ability to use the Ranseur and Falchion.

I picked Weapon Focus (Longbow) as my level 3 feat, and Rapid Shot as my Ranger bonus feat. I also added Appraise, Knowledge (Arcana), and Spellcraft to my list of trained skills.

Let me know if you have any comments or suggestions.

Guys sorry about disappearing entirely. Between my work obligations and some of my civil obligations I've been pretty much destroyed.

I'm back now... heck I'm on an actual three day. I'm not sure this is real :P

We also got the computer fixed in the meantime and I should be able to post regularly here.

I'll get the hex choice to you today GM Parker and I'll level Mudk.

Mudk should be updated for level 3. I haven't done equipment purchases because I need to run by the DMV and also go shopping with the kids.

I'm not entirely sure what the best thing to buy at this point is anyways. Suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Perhaps double sided armor spikes? So that he can properly feel pain while threatening those too near to him for the Ransuer

Cloak of Resistance+1 is always good, but armor and weapon enhancements should take priority if you have the funds.

Equipment purchased:
CLoak of Resistance +1
Armor spikes

Feats:
Iron will

HP/Saves/Skills/Class abilities leveled up.

Should be good to go.

Okay, it looks like Jirah still needs to update her character.

I see that both Mudk and Jirah have a mess kit. I haven't been able to find that item in the Core rulebook. Am I missing it?

Also, Freod, you have both Wandermeal and a Weapon Cord. I don't believe either of those items are found in the allowed resources.

Other than those issues, it looks like everyone is fine.

I'll look it up not sure exactly where I pulled it from.

Same. I am updating tomorrow morning (it's the only time I'm off work). Not sure where I got a mess kit. Maybe a copy paste error?

I think I copied it over from one of the ultimate equipment kits and assumed.

I'll remove it. Replacing with a shovel and adjusting for the 2g.

I just need to add the spire transport token (I forgot to add that to the sheet)

Yeah, so Paizo was down all this morning, so my update will be after I get off work.

Ah, I'll nix them both. More money, less weight issues I guess.

-Posted with Wayfinder

I'm at work and fiddling with Jirah's purchases. I have three questions:

Are Cold Iron Arrows Core Legal?
Are Silver Arrows Core Legal?
Are Second Level Scrolls available to us?

I will have her updated when I get home.

Yes, yes and yes if it is a Core spell.

Legal equipment is only from Core Rulebook or on a chronicle sheet. No exceptions. See hyperlink and Control+F to search for desired mundane item. Magic weapons also can only be from Core Rulebook or earned from Chronicle.

Sweet, thanks. It's hard to look up the legalities on my phone. Sometimes items don't show where they are from in the databases.

Jirah is leveled, save for her scrolls purchased. I made a list of them at work and accidentally left it there. I'll post them up when I pick it up tomorrow. Other than that, her stats are adjusted to level 3 and she purchased the following:

Added +1 to Mithril Chain Shirt
Cold Iron Arrows-20
Silvered Arrows-20

Sorry for the absense everyone. My store starts Black Friday sales on Tuesday and I've been working my ass off ever since. 19 hour days are no joke. I'm going to get all of my games updated tomorrow, for sure.

Ok guys. So now, right after thanksgiving, I'm dealing with a divorce. I'm going to try and keep my posting rate up to normal starting tomorrow. Sorry for the absence.

Sorry to hear about your divorce, Jirah. I wish you the best of luck in dealing with that.

I'm sorry to hear that Jirah. Divorce sucks.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Sorry guys--was working on a post here yesterday when my phone died. The rest of the day was pretty hectic. Should, hopefully, be able to post for the next round tonight. Thanks for botting me, GM.

I am just glad it was wisdom damage and not Drain.

My PFS Barbarian got drained to a 1 wisdom in one scenario then got hit with strength drain in another.

cost me to get the stinkin restoration spell cast.

updated for the loss of Wisdom. stuff in "()" is the adjusted modifier

Happy New Year everyone!

Happy New Year's to you too!

Xakon doesn't have an interest to check under every stone especially places that smell like privies and barns unless the party is adamant. So if your character that likes investigate EVERYTHING, please take the lead and state your actions. Don't assume Xakon will look into it for you.

A magic missile wand would be useful in this situation. Shooting through melee has a small chance of success at lower levels. I don't see a knowledge arcane checks from the wizard. Getting improved precise shot at 6th level ranger is the best route playing Core archers. Too many ranged attack misses and the opportunity cost (spells via wand or scroll if you're out of spells) is high. I feel a party wipe coming soon with our current builds and tactics.

I recommend flaming sphere scrolls (2 PP for 5) being cast by the druid on the enemy caster and first level magic missile wands equipped by wizard. I also find it ironic the bard/ranger is dropped again by his favored enemy. It might be time to pick up a reach weapon and combat reflexes until your archery feats come together.

Point Blank Shot
Precise Shot
Weapon Focus (Longbow)
Rapid Shot (Ranger bonus)

What more needs to "come together?"

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I was dropped by the snake construct, yes, but the fact that it is my favored enemy is orthogonal to its poison--favored enemy offers no bonuses on saves and most constructs don't have poison. I actually had pretty decent odds to beat that DC with my +6 fort, it was just a bad roll--it could have happened to you just as easily had you been the one in front with only your +5.

Done cleaning up roads and headed home. Will start posting again tomorrow.

What I mean by "come together" is -2 from rapid shot -4 for soft cover (most of the time) -1 for bard BAB +1 from PBS (most of the time) +1 weapon focus = -5 (-25%) attack penalty.

Compare this to a two handed reach weapon with quick draw and combat reflexes. Core archers have to slog thru 5 levels before getting improved precise shot from ranger class at level 6 to give them effective chance +4 (+20%) at hitting their targets.

If the bard or wizard has the Open/Close door cantrip, then this will help the archers from being sabotaged. Also Bards can roll all knowledge checks untrained, so I'm surprised we don't see that more often.

As far as getting hit by the poisonous snake construct, I said it was ironic and not bad tactics. I'm suggesting a switch hitting build with combat reflexes/quick draw that would allow you to hit enemies moving toward you even when you're flat footed. Once you can afford gloves of storing, then it becomes even better tactic.

Ah, generally I plan to switch once the soft cover comes in. I wasn't doing it against the thugs because they're so easy to hit; also Frēodwēn was usually able to get an angle on them. He stayed away from the mouther for his own safety.

I don't plan to take any more ranger levels, as tempting as it would be to get Improved Precise Shot so early.

Frēodwēn does have a two-handed reach weapon. I'm not sure the way I am / will be using him will give me my "money's worth" from Combat Reflexes or Quick Draw, much as I love the former feat for melee characters. Frēodwēn probably will pick up Power Attack in a couple of levels.

Have there been knowledge checks I forgot to roll for?

I'll keep the open/close cantrip in mind.

-Posted with Wayfinder

"You can take a 5-foot step before, during, or after your other actions in the round."

"As a standard action, you can make a single attack at your full base attack bonus against a foe within reach. If you hit, you deal damage normally and can make an additional attack (using your full base attack bonus) against a foe that is adjacent to the first and also within reach. You can only make one additional attack per round with this feat. When you use this feat, you take a –2 penalty to your Armor Class until your next turn."

There is no qualifier the second target must be within reach before the initial attack. In my opinion, you may take the 5' step after the initial attack and qualify to cleave as the secondary foe is still adjacent and within reach after the step, but like always adjudication is up to GM. Nevermind, see below.

"When using Cleave or Great Cleave, if your initial attack hits, you may take a single 5-foot step as a free action before making your additional attacks. If doing so places a creature within your threatened area, that creature becomes a legal target for your additional Cleave attack(s) as long as it meets all the other prerequisites.

Normal: You may only make additional attacks with Cleave against creatures you threaten when you make your initial attack."

I'll consider taking Combat Reflexes instead of Power Attack at level 5. I don't intend to take more Ranger levels. For the most part I have been avoiding shooting through soft cover.