PFS PbP GD 6 King Xeros of Old Azlant (Inactive)

Game Master Beckett

Now that our famed heroes have stepped forward, please take an opportunity to introduce both yourselves and your characters. You can also take an opportunity to discuss swapping out spells, making any purchases, and things of that nature before the scenario begins. We still have some time.

I'd also like if everyone can post the following information:

* Player Name (or Nickname):
* Character Name:
* PFS ID:
* Faction:

I'd also like if you have any uncommon Feats, Spells, Abilities, Boons, etc that you plan to use, if you could explain them or point them out to avoid confusion or questions later. Likewise, if you have any options that might cause "table variation", lets discuss them up front.

If anyone wants the old school Faction Mission, please mention it as well.

Lastly, if you click on my DM Beckett avatar, I have posted a lot of little information about how I tend to run games, little things I do, and explanations of things I utilize. Please familiarize yourself with those when you get a chance before the game starts.

One thing I will point out, when I played this, in low tier, I found it rather deadly. Partially due to our team's construct, and partially outside of the norm for a Season 0. Just a warning. I really enjoyed it, but it was not a cake walk when I played.

* Player Name (or Nickname): supervillan
* Character Name: Nana Grilka
* PFS ID: 75577-4
* Faction: Grand Lodge

I'll be playing Nana in at least one face-to-face convention before pbp gameday, but she'll still be within tier and it doesn't look like it would change our sub-tier even if I hit level 10 (which I think is unlikely).

Nana's primary combat strategy is summoning on round 1, followed by either support casting or melee as needed. Although Nana is a negative-summoning cleric she plays more like a druid.

I will almost certainly switch spells around a bit from the fairly standard list I have currently on my pbp character sheet. And I'll have done a little more shopping too. I'll also need to update the character sheet with chronicle boons.

I'm not terribly interested in the old faction missions. I do use the current faction cards, I quite like them.

I have ninja-dotted the gameplay thread.

* Player Name (or Nickname): Enchanter Tim
* Character Name: Torean Spellbane
* PFS ID: 1142-4
* Faction: Grand Lodge

Torean is built as a anti-spellcaster. He has high saves, especially vs magic, Step Up, and the Spellbreaker archetype to help against casters. He likes to say the Society puts him in place to protect a group against strong magic, so they can worry about other things. Like most Inquisitors, a round of buffing will set him up to wreck things.

I've never played Nana in a pbp before, just face to face games.

So I think I should point out that Nana is a priestess of a goddess of motherhood, and therefore conception and childbirth are both high sacraments for her. Please let me know if you are under 18, or if you are at all uncomfortable with potential innuendo. She can behave herself when she needs to ;-)

Just noticed I wrote "negative-summoning" in my post earlier. I meant, of course, "negative-channeling".

I personally am fine. I (as Ignatius) am simply RPing, as the character is an angel. No actual issues on my end. :P

* Player Name (or Nickname): Gummy Bear
* Character Name: Rasamoro Nagaji
* PFS ID: 74244-2
* Faction: Grand Lodge

Rasamoro always acts in the surprise round and rolls his initiative twice (War Sight Revelation from the Battle Mystery). He has a MWK Tool that grants him a circumstance bonus to UMD but only for the purpose of activating wands.

He also has the ability to move up to his speed as an immediate action twice per day (Surprising Charge Revelation from the Battle Mystery). I understand that PbP is an awkward medium for this ability. How would you like this to be used if I want to utilize it when it isn't my turn? I know I can't use it while flat-footed, but I enjoy using it after an enemy's turn so they can't avoid a flanked full-attack and the like.

He has scrolls of Shatter. I've heard there is table variation on how that spell is adjudicated, but none of the specifics of the debate.

Other than the above items, I can't think of anything else that would be unusual or have table variation.

In combat, Rasamoro enjoys being up front. He usually takes a round to buff, but has no problems plugging a hole or otherwise being a nuisance to buy time for his party to buff/setup/etc.

I am comfortable with Nana being Nana.

Interesting. Nana will detect as CE, plus be a spellcaster. Torean might have some issues.

Nana's adventured with plenty of LG types. Paladins do tend to be disturbed at first, especially if they recognise the (un)holy symbol, but Nana's a total sweetie.

Nana's ideas of good and evil are unconventional. She is absolutely not evil in any sense (aside from the Aura). Nana believes that all creatures deserve a mother's love. The more grotesque and mis-shapen a creature is, the more beautiful it appears to Nana.

I'd consider using misdirection spells, but that'd imply that Nana is conscious of having an Aura.

Looks like fun RP potential to me! :P

As far as purchases, are there any scrolls we should make sure we have? I could make a 2PP purchase to add to my (small) scroll library.

Right now, I have the following in scrolls:
Invisibility Purge (2)
Deathward
Control Water
Shatter (5)
Lesser Restoration (5)

Nana's current potion and scroll collection:

scrolls:
air bubble
mage armour x2
ghostbane dirge
invisibility purge x2
magic circle vs law
remove fear x2
remove sickness
unbreakable heart x2
delay poison
remove paralysis
lesser restoration

potions and oils:
oil of magic weapon
oil of bless weapon x2

This will probably change a bit before we start on King Xeros.

Awenydd83 here. Glad to be gaming again with you, GM! You know, one of these days, you are going to have to let me GM a few for you!

Considering the composition of the party, I think I will be bringing Eladrian. He is a pretty straight forward switch hitter and can go from ranged to melee with no issues and deal some pretty good damage either way. He also has Disable Device and some hefty stealth bonuses so I can cover as the scout/rogue as needed.

Nothing too special about Eladrian, he has 2d6 sneak attack, studied target x2, and took Vital Strike as his last feat.. all geared for more damage output. No buff time needed, and normally doesn't get surprised. Just let me know if you want me to lead with my earthbreaker so yall can buff or stand back and fire my arrows.

* Player Name (or Nickname): Patrick
* Character Name: Eladrian
* PFS ID: 95823-7
* Faction: Grand Lodge

Edit: TOREAN!! Nice to be at a table with you again. It's been a little bit since Eladrian fought at your side!

What changes are you thinking of making Nana?

I have a trip to the Gloomspires scheduled (Hrethnar's Throne). I'm anticipating undeads! So I may use up some of what I have now, and purchase additional supplies.

Having audited my character sheet and ITS whilst setting up the pbp sheet, I currently have around 15,000gp I can spend too. I probably need to do something about my armour class.

Eladrian! Great to have you.

I think need to make some scroll purchases for Torean between now and the start of the game. He also has a low number of hps compared to others at his level.

We lack any sort of arcane caster. Anyone got UMD?

Kernuffle is Nana's animal companion.

GM, do you want to run Kernuffle on Nana's initiative or separately? His modifier is slightly higher than Nana's and he'll be set to defend her by default.

For ease of play, I generally allow the player full control of their pets, summons, animal companions, etc. . . (outside of extenuating and fair circumstances)

I also have them go on directly after the PC, the idea being that if they would have rolled higher, they wait until directed to act, but as they are under the PC's control, there should be an issue.

Default defend is fine.

Rasamoro has UMD, do you have consumables that you want me to hold/use for you?

Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to suggest anyone buy Scrolls or gear, I was only meaning to ask if there was anything big you might want recorded.

A lot of the issue I faced was that the entire party was a very caster heavy group with only my backup tank as tank. I don't think it will be so much an issue here, but, it still felt rather challenging for a Season 0.

:P

Eladrian only has a little less than 600 gold, but I do have some prestige saved up if someone wants me to pick up a couple of scrolls of Haste for the team.

I also have a CLW wand I will be passing off to someone.

Ninja'd! No worries GM. I like knowing when I am heading into a particularly difficult scenario.. amps up the pressure to perform!

No worries GM, I am big on coordinating consumables and spell lists. This is my MO for F2F games and higher level PbP :)

I have umd, but a scroll of haste would be fairly unreliable. I do have blessing of fervor which is sort of haste. I cant cast it every fight, but I'll certainly use it when it is a serious one.

Nothing for you to activate Rasamor. Just thinking in case we find some wizard scroll during the adventure.

And Torean has been neglecting magic consumables for a bit. He's got an abundance of prestige, so it can be a few good purchases. I think I'll buy a scroll of Remove Curse (both with 2 castings) for 2PP.

Torean has boots of speed, so he has built in haste.

* Player Name: KingOfAnything
* Character Name: Rémy Târeaux
* PFS ID: 93593-9
* Faction: Scarab Sages

Rémy's patron is an avatar of Time, which he contacts through his Harrow Deck. He walks around with his deck in hand, constantly shuffling and consulting the cards regarding all manner of decisions or points of interest.

In combat, Rémy buffs with haste when possible, before debuffing enemies using his Evil Eye, Misfortune, and Cackle hexes. Against particularly difficult enemies, he uses his Deadly Dealer feat to deliver touch spells at range. Thrown cards return to him at the beginning of his next turn. He's particular to spells that allow multiple touch attacks such as chill touch or frostbite against lower-level enemies.

I still need to finish leveling and preparing spells.

If anyone would like a full Harrow reading, Rémy is happy to consult the cards to reveal a glimpse of your tapestry. Just frame a question particular to your character. He'll perform a general reading about the mission at hand after the briefing.

Just FYI, This character has become level 9. Shouldn't change anything with regards to tier.

Nana & Kernuffle have returned from the Gloomspires and recovered from their ordeal :)

I've only used up one of my scrolls (magic circle v law) and a bunch of clw wand charges.

I've upgraded my belt to physical perfection +2, bought an ioun stone for saving throws, and added light fortification to my armour. I have a little left over for consumables as needed.

Nana will definitely go for a Harrow reading! "Oooh, Remy, what does your cards say about all of my beautiful children? Will they all grow up to be great warriors and priestesses? Or Kings and Queens?"

I just wanted to let you know that my computer is dead, and so far everywhere Ive taken it has not been able to help. I still have at least my phone, which will allow me to play, but I might have less opportunity to post than I had expected until I can get it running again.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Oof, that's rough. Hope you can get something sorted.

Hello, everyone, I just wanted to say that I've been hit with a lot of work this last week, and have not really been able to get online. I just got off work again, having been called in both weekend days, and I will try to get a post in today.

I don't believe after this point that I will be as slammed, and things should be back to normal. If I am a player in your game, please feel free to bot me, and I apologize for vanishing. I just have not been able to get online much.

If I am running the game, I'll make an effort to get things going asap, and I likewise apologize for vanishing.

GM, the moonbeast is a figurine of wondrous power. I am sure those are treated purely as magic items, and not in the category of combat pets. It is more like a summoned creature. It isn't a class feature or a bought animal as such.

Not looking to cheese-weasel anything here. This is only the second scenario I've used the figurine in, and the question of the combat pets ruling didn't come up last time. Nana often summons stuff into the battle so I've always had to keep a lid on the number of critters she has in play to avoid slowing tables down.

If you still think we're obliged to treat the figurine as a combat pet akin to an animal companion or eidolon I will of course accept your ruling. I couldn't find this specific question asked on the boards anywhere, and it might be worth asking in the PFS GM forum maybe?

First, let me say I do not agree with the ruling, as I think that they are largely class features and people that have those classes should benefit from them fully. The issue is that the ruling has been recently rewritten to include "or it may be a creature that you purchase", which includes the Figurine of Wondrous Power.

My understanding is that the reasoning is two-fold. 1, (mostly, but not completely applies to a table top version) where one player essentially gets 3+ times the number of actions as others do and it bogs down the game for others, but also because (and this does apply to PbP equally, if not your particular case due to flying), because your pets, especially being larger, do hog a lot of the space in the map. I don't mean that as an insult, as much as that there are enough players out there that don't really consider the other players at the table in cases like this.

Very shortly, I don't think it will be an issue, as you will be going inside the ship (not really a spoiler) and simply will not have the maneuverability or room.

If you would like to post it on the forum, I'm not going to stop you, (and will abide by the ruling), BUT, I suggest we not, as doing so will very likely render a result that will make it impossible to have your Moon Beast and Animal Companion allowed together at all, (at the start, pick one or the other, period). Like I said, I am not trying to rob you of it as much as I can, but I do have to be mindful of the other players as well, (and I truly believe if you ask any of them I've run games for before, I do try to go out of my way to make things work if I can). Which is not to say that anyone has complained, they have not, at least to me. It's just, in this case, the less definitive answer, I think, the better, though I do think that an allowance based on the DM and table would be the best option.

However, if you feel you would like a ruling, by all means, I'm not trying to stop you, other than as I've said above, that I don't think the ruling would be to your (or my) liking.

Thanks GM.

As it happens the last scenario, where I used the figurine and had the ape companion, also involved ships. I didn't bring out the figurine until late in.

I've deliberately used Kernuffle's dire collar on the first encounter already because I recognise that the likelihood of being able to make use of huge size inside the ship is next to none. Plus it allowed a full attack against the golem a bit earlier (even though nothing hit!).

I'll be careful to avoid filling the map up with beasties. Given that I've no way to shorten the 1 round summoning time it isn't terribly likely anyway. It's never happened in face to face games but of course those have different time issues. When in a f2f with Nana I also bring hard copies of the summoned creature stats and I use a phone app for quick lookup. I've still gone whole scenarios without summoning anything, because there either hasn't been a need or hasn't been an opportunity.

I think, after this scenario finishes, I probably will seek a ruling, but I won't do so just now. I bought the moonbeast figurine because it was something a bit different, and being a hideous and alien creature it's something Nana would just love. It's mechanically pretty weak. Nana can fly with spells anyway, and +7 or +8 to hit for 1d6+3 is not great at this level, even with 5 of those attacks on a pounce. If I can't use it alongside the animal companion I can afford the gp loss if I have to sell it back, even at half value.

I appreciate your consideration.

Out of curiosity, what app are you using to manage your summons?

There's an app called Summoner which is pretty good for most things. It adds in Augment Summoning and Celestial/Fiendish templates for example. The masterwork tools pathfinder app also has all the creature statblocks in it.

I just got word that I will be working straight until the 21st, (This is coming off of me working through the weekend). Right now, I am not sure if I will have a chance to, and if I do, just how much time I will have to post in that time. I apologize to everyone, and this is very uncommon for me, (normally it's a day or two at most).

Torean, are you worried about the grapple? I have one liberating command prepared (plus a pearl of power if I need to get it back).

I think I'm fine. If we kill red first, it won't matter. I can still use my warhammer one-handed.

Anyone feel like tyring UMD on the cube thingy?

Even if I had UMD, I think it would me more of an INT check then UMD. I could be wrong though. I say go for it!

I can try it!

GM: These effects are really awesome. Could you please PM me and let me know how you are doing that?! I would love to use that on my own maps.

For anyone that is interested, you can copy/paste or load Gifs on Google Slides/Drawing just like pictures.

I have two sites that I linked in my DM Profile for easy access that I use often:
HERE
and
HERE is my Google Drive one

For some reason, lately, my Drive one does not copy over the animations now, so I'm not sure what the issue is.

But, you can also search for "GIFs", and sometimes get lucky. That's what I did for the Hellraiser Puzzle Box.

For some reason, when you copy GIFs, it will also add another box, similar to a Text box on Google Slides. I just delete it, (and it tends to be rather large), but as far as I can tell it does not seem to be too harmful.

After that, once the GIF is up, either Right Click or search the Menu bar for "Image Options", where you can reduce the Transparency so that you can also see the map and grid lines.

Also, make sure that you drop the images near the bottom layer, just above the map itself so that the player and npc tokens can move around without moving the GIF, (click on the GIFs, CTRL + SHIFT + Down Arrow and then CTRL + Up Arrow once).

Oh Man!! Thank you! These are going to make my maps so much better! I never even considered that this was possible!

I have been having computer troubles, and this is the first time I have been able to log in since this weekend on the work computers. I do apologize for this interruption. If I am a player, please bot me until I can establish a permanent connection, and if I am the GM, I will be back just as quickly as I can. I have made progress with the software, but will be tearing apart the hardware tonight

Eladrian: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Nana: 1d20 ⇒ 12
Rasamoro: 1d20 ⇒ 14
Remy: 1d20 ⇒ 3
Torean: 1d20 ⇒ 9
DM: 1d20 ⇒ 9

The battle with the Xill ends rather quickly. While Nana's first attempt to share her deity's blessings fails, a second try seems to have some effect, though not as expected, . . . perhaps fortified by the will of Torag and Gorum.

The Xill atop the platform somehow directs the massive plant towards his own, and suddenly vines spring to life, catching two of the Xill and dragging them towards the center of the room where they are eaten alive. Torean and Eladrian make short work of the last one while Remy and Ras attempt to take the leader alive. It proves futile as suddenly a tremor runs through the ship followed by a sudden surge of power as a new life-force battery is accessed by the helm. The bulkheads and decks begin to shimmer and shift out of phase slightly as the phase spike warms up and prepares to activate. You know something is wrong before you hear a loud grumbling sound coming from the puzzle room behind you, and know that you have to escape, and fast.

Running as quickly as you can, to the top deck, you see that the guardsmen have already abandon the ship, and you can see mystical energies playing about the massive phase spike. Seeing you, the steer a boat towards you, allowing you to leap to safety just as the King Xeros totally vanishes in it's entirety, taking everything on it is carried back to a random location in the Deep Ethereal, where it is unlikely to be seen again.

The End

Again, I feel really bad about not being able to post more often and not getting to the finale. I think it would have been really fun. But, the game is reported, and the Chronicle Sheets are below. If there are any errors, please let me know, but I am not sure when I will be able to correct them. I've left the Day Job GP off, realizing I had forgotten to ask for that up front, but if you would like to roll, I can correct and reissue the Chronicle Sheets when I can. I'll leave this open until I get a chance to close it once I arrive where I am going. I honestly do not know how long that will be. :(

CHRONICLE SHEETS

Real Life gets in the way sometimes. Can't be helped.

Thanks for running. I can see why it's a bit above the norm for season zero. Xill got a serious power bump in Pathfinder compared to 3.5e.

It was fun playing with you all. :)

Craft Blacksmithing: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29

Great game, everyone! Don't worry about the slow down, Beckett. You run some great games. Best of luck and stay safe out there!

Thanks DM Beckett, looking forward to gaming with you again! Don't worry about the rush. Like the others have said, real life happens. What I would like to thank you for is that you have been great at communicating issues on your end. For that, I am incredibly grateful! :D

I truly enjoy playing at your tables, Beckett. Take care and please be safe over there. I look forward to playing for you again as soon as you are able.. if nothing else, check in every once in a while at the Flaxseed and let us know things are well, won't you?

It has been great to play with all of you, (and good to see you again, Torean!) and hope I see yall around!

Good gaming to all!!

Eladrian is in the middle of responding to Torean when the subtext between Nana and Rasamoro hits him like a ton of ugly. The half elf quickly grabs hold of the dwarfs baldric and flows along for the ride as they run for the nearest tavern to drink away the mental images that are now forever scared into their heads! Over his shoulder, he waves a hand at the others, and disappears around the corner.

Great playing with yall! I hope to see yall around the boards in the future. Nana: Although Eladrian is a bit put off, I think I would rather enjoy the RP that could come out of some of my other characters! You certainly have an interesting character there, and play it well!

Thanks! I like playing Nana :) Hope to play with you again some time.

Might we get this campaign marked as inactive now please?