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

Game Master Tangaroa

Baby was just born here, haven't been a student for a long time! :)

Congrats! First?

Thanks! Yes, it's our first child, so many changes in our lives.

Any advice you can think to give for such a transition, I'm all ears. Come summer, I'll be in your shoes, hahaha.

Then I wish you all the best, lots of amazing moments are coming for you!

I think I forgot to congratulate you in the other thread Shandor.

So...Congrats!

Kids are awesome, I have three myself. Sleep is the only thing I've ever missed about the time when I did not have kids.

Nothing changes your life as much as accepting the responsibility for the care of children. Our youngest (of 3) celebrates her 21st birthday this summer.

I have been enjoying life simplifying back to my wife and I being able to care for each other, and do what we choose instead of supporting the children doing what they choose.

Well, I'll say congratulations again, because it's nice to say it twice!

On an unrelated note, I really dig the image that I found to use for the heart. It's very scary :)

Left a comment on the map, but will ask here as well. What squares is that beastie currently occupying?

What, I can't have a 4 x 3 monster?

I bounded it with a box for clarity.

You absolutely can have a non-square base. I was just curious because those lines were overflowing a little =)

Ohhh tentacles! You're right, it's a very scary BBEG!

Happy pi Day!

And a happy 3.1415926 day to you as well!

Congratulations Shandor! And make sure to eat some pie at pi time!

Or at least some pi cake...

I found out today that Pi day is also Albert Einstein's birthday.

Ok, so Leastrie won't need to make a save but Kris will, or change her action.

Long explanation: all right, so yay Paizo using 3rd party stuff. They do like the tome of horrors.

They are using a template that, in the original ToH version, has bristles that effect unarmed, natural and weapons. However in the statblock in the adventure they removed the language about weapons; thus, the spikes work against unarmed and natural only.

It was pointed out that most critters in the bestiary often don't have the weapon language in similar defensive abilities. I thought that the omission was an oversight, and there are actually cases in the bestiary for both sides of the argument, but after the gentle reminder I'll rule in favor of the RAW text (and the pc's)

However, I'm pretty sure that touch attacks would still be effected. If Kris wants to retcon her action I'm happy to allow it (I forgot to call for a save the first time, but that's on me.). Otherwise, make the save leastrie was going to make.

Thabks!

It's alright. There are some monster abilities that do affect opponents who attack with non-reach melee weapons, so no worries there. It happens.

I'd assume it works vs Touch as well. Just change to drawing pickaxe and transfer my horrible roll to a terrible pickaxe roll to aid Leastrie's to-hit that fails (since that's only at +2 due to nonproficency.)

I know its risky, but I think it is what Leastrie would does as a character. Hoping with the grease still active, the monster won't be able to keep a hold. *crosses fingers*

Guilford:

A missile of magical energy darts forth from your fingertip and strikes its target, dealing 1d4+1 points of force damage.

The missile strikes unerringly, even if the target is in melee combat, so long as it has less than total cover or total concealment. Specific parts of a creature can't be singled out. Objects are not damaged by the spell.

No need to roll for a blur effect.

Baldwyn:

My own take on it is that allies provide cover when they are standing over you, thereby negating AoOs

Works both ways though: you have to count cover if using a reach weapon down a hall over the head of an ally. That's just how I've understood soft cover to work.

Very well, then!

And yes, I am prepared to deal with the soft cover of an ally. I think it is actually touched on in the rules.

When making a melee attack against a target that isn't adjacent to you (such as with a reach weapon), use the rules for determining cover from ranged attacks.

Chuurock as wall was actually one of the back-up concepts for the build. First time it has come up, and it seems to be a pretty big deal right now!

Thanks Baldwyn! I must have skimmed the one sentence talking about the mirror cracking. Was thinking we were right in front of the mirror. (Wrong side of the mirror, so to speak)

Ha, same here. That's what I get for following Tektite's cues, do ho ho!

Any chance I can show that I'm paying attention =P

FYI - Shotgun message I am posting to all of my games (and the recruitment threads I have been participating in):

I will be attending a Mormon-friendly scheduled Wood Badge course (first weekend) this week. The Mormon friendly part is that the course runs from Thursday (0730) through Saturday (2000ish) instead of the more normal Friday through Sunday.

I expect I will be checking the boards and posting Wednesday evening, but probably not as extensively and repeatedly as I do most weeknights.

Then, my wife and I are supposed to get up Sunday and go shopping for some better work clothes for me. It will probably be Sunday evening before I post again.

Just trying to make sure people are aware, and don't end up waiting on me by mistake.

Might as well drink the potions first, Baldwyn, before using your wand?

Note: You may use any item that you find during the scenario for free until the end of the scenario, but you must purchase the item when the scenario is over in order for your character to be able to continue to use the item. This rule is most applicable to consumables such as potions, scrolls, and so on, but also applies to weapons, magic items, and so on.

Unless of course you have a RP disinclination for doing so.

Ah, completely forgot about 'em. Lights or Moderates?

Two mods, one serious.

This is almost a callable fight; just depends on how you handle elenuta.

Speaking of which, I forgot to make babbling saves for the Shae.

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3

Right then...

So if you so desire you'll can simply tie the Kayal up and I can call the fight, since you have 3 rounds until they can begin to act. It's up to you.

I think it would be best, since the fight is a bit pointless.

Alright, calling the fight. If you bind them and throw them in a cell there is little they can do.

The rest is denouement. There is still the fate of the rulership of the town and several lives (and one unlife) in the hands of the group, but the PFS part is done at least, so I will try to send out the sheets tonight. I believe I have all your pfs numbers, but post day jobs as you like in the discussion.

Thanks GM! A most excellent run!

Kris votes Allip King! The king is dead, but it's okay; he came back! Long (un)live the king!

Seriously, though; no strong preference on any story topics; Kris is one to just let all the pieces fall where they may, but that's just a Zyphan thing. Thanks for running! No day job, 22357-3

63517-3
Day Job = Check off box on Treasure Map boon.

I say persuade Stepan to accept the boy as his own heir, which would calm things in his town as well between the people and the kayal. If he mucks up, I'm sure the Society will send some more agents to set him straight again, or depose him by force if it should come to it. Like I said, 'persuade'.

Thanks for the game! Was a long one, but worth it in the end. =)
Now to get rid of that pesky habit of turning around and running away...

It's all good Baldwyn! Gil's got a good will save, and the Allip had him there at the end. It certainly didn't hurt having Kris along for that encounter!

PFS #85794-6

No Day Job for Guilford

Thanks GM! This was a high-quality game. Sorry if I got a bit discouraged here and there - I kept expecting something a bit different than what actually happened. Hopefully I can offer a good experience with Port Godless for the gameday!

This is an interesting adventure. There is no "right" way to do it (is there ever?). No two groups I've seen have done it the same way twice.

I apologize for my tendency to mis-insert words. Oh well, practice, practice, practice...

Running a game in PbP has been an interesting experience. It's hard when your expectations are cultured by tabletop play and the expectation of immediate response. Pacing has been tricky. Thanks for being good sports!

Honestly, pacing is super hard for modules since they're so much more freeform. Scenarios (most, anyways) run easier when the scenarios are often just choo choo rails between 3-4 combats and the GM isn't afraid to push things along. Can't really do that with modules, though, since it'd end up being an assumption on what players want to do sbdthat could lead to players missing things and losing out at the expense of time.

Sorry I haven't been able to post earlier, baby stuff of course.

#76446-3
Day Job, Craft (tattoo): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (5) + 7 = 12

Thanks a thousand times for running this module, which turned out to be one of the best I know! Your GMing skill was excellent, and I loved how you played the interactions and made the descriptions. The first part of the scenario was especially great, but I liked the final dungeon a little less due to the number of encounters in a row there. That being said, I had an amazing time!

Spellbook found among the objects from the shadow plane:

This spellbook was that of Mordrial, Nicasor's shae consort. An illusionist, she was killed by the Heart as a way of torturing Nicasor (which eventually drove him to evil)

Spells in the book; anything not in the PRD is referenced. All spells PFS legal. And yes, the gm got to choose all the level 1-3 spells :)

5th - 250/spell to scribe
shadow evocation (illusion)

4th - 160/spell to scribe
black tentacles (conjuration)
phantasmal killer (illusion)
shadow conjuration (illusion)
enervation (necromancy)
fear (necromancy)

3rd - 90/spell to scribe
energy resistance, communal (abjuration)
spiked pit (conjuration)
sheet lightning (evocation, Rival Guide)
dazzling blade, mass (illusion, Rival Guide)
major image (illusion)
haste (transmutation)

2nd - 40/spell to scribe
glitterdust (conjuration)
burning arc (evocation, Humans of Golarion)
darkness (evocation)
mad hallucination (illusion)
mirror image (illusion)
eldritch conduit (transmutation, Inner Sea Magic)

1st - 10/spell to scribe
snowball (conjuration; Pathfinder 67 or People of the North)
ear-piercing scream (evocation)
dazzling blade (illusion, Rival Guide)
silent image (illusion)
liberating command (transmutation)
touch of gracelessness (transmutation)

0th - 5/spell to scribe
all, except divination and enchantment

As a reminder, Chuurock's second domain power "Touch the Spirit World", of which he has 7 uses per day (4 rounds at a time), allows a mundane weapon to harm incorporeal foes as if it was a magic weapon, and magic weapons to harm incorporeal foes as if the foes were corporeal.

Destroying the babbling undead should, therefor, simply be mechanical. All I have to do is give both Baldwyn and Leastrie this particular blessing of Pharasma, and, well, it shouldn't last long.

About time to leave the house and give today to time with my wife.

Well, if we can use GP earned for the adventure to cover scribing costs, I'd like to add three spells:

Haste, darkness, and mirror image. Total cost 170 GP. I only had 20 GP left over from before, so hopefully this will work.

Now, I'm thinking of grabbing a pearl of power (1st level) and a ring of protection before my next adventure. Anyone with more wiz experience think the ring is a waste? I'm hoping to transmute myself into creatures at higher levels, so I thought investing a little in AC might be worthwhile.

You have a ring as a bonded object. Are you planning on crafting with it? (Since wizards can do that in PFS with theirbonded object.)

Good choices for the ring maybe:

Freedom of Movement
Wizardry
Protection
Inner Fortitude

I don't think it's a terrible idea. You don't want terrible - casters get attacked, too.

*terrible AC

Alright, I'll write an epilogue if everyone finds the conclusion acceptable.

I'm happy somebody actually bothered to make a decision in this adventure. Second time running, and have played once; before, everyone has just handwaved making a decision.

I wanted to give the half-breed the position of power, but I really can't justify arguing against the presented plan, so . . ..

I was all for leaving the boy there as an heir, so to speak. The only real complication is Anna has a baby son. It would just promote more in-fighting and it would eventually turn into the Kingdom of Stormhold.
"Of my seven sons there are four of you still today still standing. This is quite a break from tradition. I had twelve brothers..."
Need to watch that movie again...
So when Anna asked to take the boy and seemed intent on it... well, who am I to argue. Was out of line enough telling her to nut-up or shut-up.
Another movie I need to watch again...

A most excellent epilogue, very fulfilling I believe. Thank you very much Tangaroa for running this!