[PFS][Level 3-5] DM Ranginui runs The Midnight Mirror (Inactive)

Game Master Tangaroa

Welcome all!

You will be starting your adventures in Nidal but headed to Karpad a village of 150 people. Unfortunately, you have no specific information regarding the situation there at this time, but you might roll a knowledge local or geography to learn more about the town.

They may have some magic vendors there, but not many. If you have any spare cash and wish to purchase supplies in Absalom or Nidal, you may wish to coordinate here in the discussion thread.

I will start a Gameplay thread when I get home tonight, so that won't won't be up for another 7 hours or so.

Please make sure your PFS numbers are posted either here or in your profile.

Thank you for the opportunity to play!

Know Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
So far as purchases go, only rations spring to mind. 5 days ought to be good for now. 2.5 gp

Thanks GM! I hope we all make it, Nidal seems like it's a pretty dangerous place.

I will want to buy some scrolls for scribing, but will also need to wait until evening to look those over. Probably just a couple of level 2 spells, maybe a wand or potion.

I currently carry nearly-full wands of magic missile and mage armor. I also have a wide assortment of 1st level spells available, but I can only use 4 per day. Grease and Enlarge Person are two stand-bys for me, but if we work together I can plan my best allocation.

Checking in. Everyone have a good New Years Eve.

Howdy!

Chuurock doesn't have much. I was thinking about a Pearl of Power 1.

I am open to suggestions if anybody wants to chime in before we take this little trip.

Yes, the gear in the profile is accurate.

I apologize, I said you are starting in Nidal when in fact I meant Nisroch, a city in Nidal. Nor is Nisroch the capitol, but rather a port city. It is also the city most open to outsiders (which isn't saying much).

You will find the family of Anya Boroi (nee Tiboros) in Nisroch.

Baldwyn's local knowledge check tells you the following about Nidal:

"The inhabitants of Nidal live beneath the shadow of a pact made in the dark days of ancient history. The people of modern Nidal still pay for the ancient pact made by their distant ancestors and to this day live in fear of the dark powers Zon-Kuthon grants the Umbral Court. While the Umbral Court, the decadent nobles of Nidal, rule the land using divinely granted shadow powers the peasants of Nidal live much like the peasants of any other land except with a far greater fear of their noble lords. In addition to the human inhabitants as the favoured kingdom of Zon-Kuthon Nidal boasts many fearsome beast of shadow hiding within it benighted borders"

A 17 doesn't net you any specific information about Karpad itself (far too small).

With that teaser, I'll leave you folk to consider your supply situation.

I was going to ask what city, do ho ho.

Alright, finally got all my sheets scanned in on my relic. This "building a Level 5 from the ground up with 15k, but only 18 Total PA" is cry-worthy, though, do ho ho. At least I barely made the cutoff for headbands/belts. I'll get my Item Tracker excel up and finish my build by tomorrow, because I know I'm going to need to keep track and I never party. No Kn(L) here, just Religion.

Can you point me to the "Short-sighted" curse?

It's Clouded Vision, just a "typed it from memory while at work between calls" thing without easy access to the PRD. Fixed on my sheet.

Everything else look good so far, though? I'll admit; it was busier than I thought it was going to be today and kinda hobbled a lot of the statblock together from memory.

Thank you!

To expedite discussion of purchasing, please be aware that you will be supplied with 5,000 gp up front you may use any way you wish.

You will need to use that money to book your own passage. The easiest way is to book passage up the Usk river and avoid the dangers of Uskwood. I would make sure to save some money for that purpose - about 60 gp for the 6 of you will get you there and provide reasonable accommodations along the way (it's approximately 160 miles - the journey will be about a week and a half barring extraordinary methods).

Just to precise that's 10 gp each for travel costs, not 60 gp each.

And thus about 4,940 gold worth of group supplies that we can try to plan to purchase?

Or save some in case of emergency. Given the podunk town we're heading to, I doubt we could even stay under the wealth limit even saving half of it.

But if we're looking at purchases and feeling spend-y, I'm going to be bold and suggest a wand of Lesser Restoration for 4500. While we've got a lot of casting going around, but we have no good source of curing a LOT of stat damage. It's not on my spell list, and Clerics can only do so much. If we don't opt for the wand, a few scrolls (or one MEGA SCROLL (read: Multiple castings on one parchment)) might still be a good idea. Unless this cuts into our wealth, in which case, I'd be concerned.

I agree that Lesser restoration is darn handy to have around. I'm guessing that this being a module we're not going to be expected to finish in just one day, as per the normal PFS scenario.

We could potentially rest/prepare in cycles like a "normal" campaign.

And I too would like to know how the 5,000 GP advance works. If this is like most other PFS-sanctioned stuff it probably does come out of our end reward, which is probably in the neighborhood of 4,800 GP each, assuming its the same as the 4th-level module I just ran (Fangwood Keep).

I'm not sure PFS allows us to pool our resources to buy "party items".

Aye, I'm unsure of that as well. I haven't played many modules for PFS, just scenarios really.

Any purchases made here are purchases made on your character sheet.

Reporting in! As for the purchases, we should only take whatever's really necessary and keep some cash for an emergency I think.

Yeah, let's just save it for emergency. Not all modules give you a gross amount of money, and buying things that have to go on one character's chonricle just seems... odd.

Once we get a briefing, I'm going to buy some scrolls of Lesser Res, just because it's a good idea to have some (module or not.)

Also, fun edited-in note: Chuurock has a +2 intimidate vs me. I am amused. (Given that that scenario is where this character was originally inspired doesn't really make it a surprise, though.)

Sounds like a good plan...

Always a helpful guide when shopping for the unknown:

Painlord's guide of what to expect at a PFS table

Strong personal opinion, as a former Living Greyhawk Triad Member and an assistant for several other large shared campaigns through the years (Living Force, Living Arcanis, Dark Providence, Legends of Arcanis), about that guide and the one from which it was derived:

BUNK!

The basic social contract for RPGs determines the limits of your reasonable expectations. That social contract says that we are supposed to work together towards our common entertainment, NOT to common mechanical perfection within the game engine.

That guide explicitly mandates to other people how they are supposed to play your game. It isn't YOUR game. Such mandates are an explicit violation of the core social contract that RPGs depend upon.

All the best stories are so good because they focus on people succeeding DESPITE their own shortcomings, their inherent failings. Success without risk means you didn't reach far enough to create a good story, and the entertainment value of the story that was told fell far below the potential.

My biggest hatred for the LG playing community was that they made it the norm to ignore and destroy character story in favor of character power (I freely admit SRM drove them to that). You may or may not remember that when Prestige Classes were introduced in 3.0, the books were adamant that they were story-based, and that a character should grow into relationships to be granted access to such specialized training, and that any character managing to gain access to even two Prestige Classes should be astounding. Somehow, the LG "standard" became a munchkinesque blending of 5+ classes (usually at least 3 of which were Prestige Classes) in order to create the "right" set of mechanical abilities and eliminate weaknesses. Class weaknesses were balanced to class strengths, increasing the opportunity for teamwork and providing a reason for characters to depend upon each other. Providing a reason to drive a common, shared story.

Edit: I try to be a very cooperative and supportive player. I expect to be able to make decisions for and about my character, though, and hope to have everyone at the table sharing that particular expectation. That they are responsible for decisions for and about their own characters, I mean.

I really only have 3 beliefs that I should expect a few things from any player (in PFS, mostly, since that's the most randomized setting for me.)

• Every character should have something to do in combat. Things like buffing, control, or other spell activities might be out of the scope for things like fighters, but hey; slings and improvised bullets are free for a reason! Heck, even the Diviner Wizard w/ knowledges identifying a creature and just throwing free stones each round is something. Aid another is one of those things I try to spread knowledge of in my area, since that leaves even the high AC, low-offense character something to do. Every scenario will have 3 combats that may or may not be able to get diplomacized past; that's hard-coded into the rules. If you only build for super diplomacy, make sure you have something to contribute to the fight, be it aiding others to hit or rolling for that 20 (if you've got literally nothing else to do.) The inclusion of infinite-casting cantrips really helps ease this point in transition from 3.0 to Pathfinder.
  
• Doing something to help against flying by 3rd to 5th level. In continuation of the last point, flying and 3d combat becomes a necessary evil around the time enemy Wizards can cast Fly. Be it a potion of fly, scrolls of fly to hand casters, being the caster casting fly on Mr. Stabby, or (again) the free sling bullets or a crossbow (for the more limited class lists.) Once something's 15 feet in the air, that greatsword ain't going to do much, but that javelin or a composite longbow will work just fine. Sure, you don't have Weapon Focus, Weapon Spec, and Weapon Training in its use, but at least you're contributing.
  
• Having some kind of healing that doesn't drain anyone else's resources.

These things are largely bits I believe that writers factor into their scenarios (and 3d combat becomes a staple of play at 6th-and-higher level that some kind of range is pretty much mandatory, barring running away.) These expectations are more of a "I expect the player to know these things within reason, not the character." If a new player shows up, I make sure to make the above points known and let them do whatever deciding they want. Heck, I've even partied with people who don't do some of the above by character choice, and it didn't even bother me, since they acknowledged that "I understand I might only get mercy heals and won't be complaining (OOC) when I don't get any."

Now, I have characters that don't entirely mesh with these expectations either; One is actually Kris. She can't see past 60 feet; what good is a sling going to be? I mean, she'll have one (because "free"), but it won't do a whole lot of good. That said, she has a wand of Bless so that not-cursed people can do a little better when in places she can't do undead or other necromancy things. She also has capabilities with undead that CAN see that far, albeit the PFS weirdness around undead (but the one Oracle Revelation lets me make 1/day, so that's not as much of an issue.)

That said, I do subscribe to the belief of cooperation and the above-mentioned compromise of "Character beliefs and cohesion secessions." I'm almost glad I have a Pharasmin in the party with my Necro's first scenario; I eagerly await the theological debate and eventual agreement on some level. It's just when you sit down with a "non-combat Monk" with 10 Con and 15 Int and built for Diplomacy that you have to ask "Why are you a Monk" or "How did you even become an adventurer?"

EDIT: Ninja'd!

I generally feel the same as you both do, though perhaps not quite as strongly. I definitely feel like a few things are good to know, things that we would have received training on as Pathfinders, such as using special weapon materials, and carrying certain expendables.

By level 3-5, we are all seasoned adventurers, if not at truly heroic levels yet. I think by now we've all encountered some of the basics: DR, perhaps magical darkness and flying enemies. If your character has encountered a particularly difficult challenge, then overcoming it would definitely be part of your report back to the Society. I wouldn't feel at all remiss about sharing some details of what my character has experienced.

That said, other things wouldn't necessarily be kosher to me. I.E. Guilford has not faced magical darkness OR flying enemies, but another of my characters faced BOTH in the same 1-5 adventure. Still, as a magic user he's aware such things exist and might try to prepare to defend against them. Wouldn't a wizard know about the spells of the next level, at least? And would't it be reasonable, based on experience, that we're likely to face opponents more powerful than any of us individually? Or is that too meta-gamey? I'm not sure I have an answer, I just am wondering what everyone here is comfortable with.

I'm of similar mind. And thank you, Kris, for reminding me to make sure I had bought a ranged weapon, haha.

As one who GM-credited some characters a lot of the way, I forget silly things such as things to do at range or even healing, a woe my lvl 2 rogue is currently facing after a bow crit nearly took him down in encounter 1 and no one is forthcoming to heal him. (My own fault I kept forgetting to buy a wand).

So far as getting things to prepare, I also go with what the character has experienced. That's why my Dervish Dancer learned Ghostbane Dirge. That's why my rangers only carry only cold iron arrows (Baldwyn, too). It's why Baldwyn was motivated to be the only character of mine with a clear spindle stone in his wayfinder. Point is, yes, you can be prepared for general hazards and precautions. As for certain specific threats, it typically is brought on by experience.

(And one thing I've been doing with GM-credit characters is to have them learn from the scenarios they got the credit from.)

Ha, yeah; This character went from 1st (rebuild) to 5th in a process of 6 hours; I'll be AMAZED if I didn't forget something aside from a sling. I even bought too much, forgetting I dropped the Negative Energy Affinity revelation about midway through, so I now have an Inflict Light Wounds wand. It's fine, since she will need it sooner or later, and some free, cheap melee damage should work out fine for now.

And though I'm past the point where I have gross amounts of GM credit, I did that too. Example: When my Cloistered Cleric of Abadar got GM credit for Fortress of the Nail, I fluffed it as "She did all the paperwork to ensure all the evidence they got was legitimate and to gain the party entrance."

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting such a strong response from posting that link. I find Painlord's recommendations practical and Painlord himself to be an affable fellow.

I simply would remind the party that you are going to a small village in the far reaches of a hostile country. There of course will be some resources there, magical and otherwise, but in no way expect it to be equal to the extent of what you can find in Nisroch.

I'll wait until the final two players have finished their introductions before moving on, at which point you'll get a chance to talk to Lord Tioboros.

I will update (and close out) my last previous chronicle to reflect picking up a Pearl of Power 1 and a Wand of CLW. Then I will update the profile.

BTW - I missed that the gameplay thread had been opened!

I apologize, I should have notified everyone. This is my first PbP game that I've run, so I may have some learning pains.

No problems; it's pretty easy after a few bits. You have maps under control? I have some rough-to-translate-without-pictures protips, if you need any and plan on using Google Drive for them.

All the core maps are up on google drives, so I'll just have to see if they stand they test of actual usage.

No worries DM Ranginui. Please ask if you need any advice, or anything. I'll be happy to help.

So far, it's all been easier then using maptools.

Ha, if I wouldn't have felt incredibly bad about the meta-level of gm crediting my life-insurance salesman Kuthite Life Oracle for this, I would have some fun lines here. "Ah yes, a Kuthite wedding, two individuals, bound together by both body and soul. I'll admit, though, I've never seen a more painful separation on that divorce, though."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Wow, I actually have a reason to use my Cities of Golarion book...

Cities of Golarion is a wonderful book, I loved reading it (though I found the part on Cassomir a bit boring).

I wanted to discuss healing matters. Shandor possesses a wand of Infernal Healing and doesn't mind using it, though it temporarily taints the soul. It's good for out-of-combat healing mainly (it heals 10 hp but needs 10 rounds). Despite Shandor's excessively selfish nature, he will agree to use it on companions since keeping them alive will indirectly protect him.

By the way, I hope no one will be offended by my roleplaying him, he's a tough selfish bastard at times.

See, I saw Cities of Golarion as such a waste of a slot for the Campaign Setting, though I guess it might be because I don't have any need for most of the city blocks (having either run them from the Pathfinder Scenarios they take place in or are modules, which I rarely play.)

We've got such a good spread of alignments; this should be a good melting pot. I'm sure once I have to actually animate something, you'll be such an unimportant target for IC drama.

So far as healing goes, I also have a wand of CLW. Infernal healing was just a little too... easy for me. I can't use either, but can lend it to be used on me if need be.

Chuurock is more than willing to burn through other people's consumables at their request. <eg>

I am looking at your sheets and I see nobody trained in the heal skill - is that correct?

EDIT: I know that it's an untrained skill, so feel free to roll all the same.

Map of Karpad added.

That sure is the opposite of "discreet"...

-Posted with Wayfinder

Thanks for the reminder - Post edited.

Gm stuff: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 2, 6) = 18

At this point I would ask for a small amount of roll-play:

Diplomacy or Intimidate checks from Guilford, Chuurock, and Baldwyn; for this particular case, you can use Intimidate to aid Diplomacy, or vice versa, as you wish. +2 circumstance bonus. You can roll in the discussion thread if you wish.

Ah, Kris is welcome to add to the attempt.

DM stuff: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 5) = 11

Guilford and Leastrie, could I ask for Fortitude saves?

chuckle

-Posted with Wayfinder

Dang, I forgot to apply my Translator boon to circumvent some visual-restrictive curse badness, so they can translate things farther than 60 feet way. Gotta remember to do that after this module.