PbP Gameday 4: 6-03 The Technic Siege (Inactive)

Game Master -Karma-

Thanks. I hate save-or-die spells mechanically. But your backstory gave a lot of inspiration for delivering it, so it was lot of fun writing it (even with the possible morbid outcome).

And you made the save and didn't die, I'm happy!

I'm sure after Gunari's last dinner party, he was prepared to deal with someone falling over dead, right?

...right?

No, he just expects that Raven would curl up on the couch, and have Haafiz cuddle up on top of him.

Of course, Gunari's dinner parties tend to focus on the beer... with perhaps some chicken wings and nachos on the side.

Weekend, so it's a struggle to get a decent post in. Any way, you can either go to look for Sal Durivan, or wait at the lodge.

This is what I get for not playing my character in so long, I'm such a dufus. Cyrus has the ninja ability light steps, which allows him to ignore difficult terrain when he moves as a full round action (up to double move)

Gah! Could have been much closer. Oh well... lesson learned.

Which is why I felt comfortable to cast Stone Step - Haafiz, Finarin, Cyrus and Ibid (due to ranged) have no penalty to movements on Difficult Terrain. Sorry Gunari ;)

Gunari has learned of a new spell, Air Steps (from Raven) -- which will let him walk over the difficult terrain in the future. Its all good... Gunari doesn't have to do ALL the damage :P

By the way, I really feel bad about killing the Night Watch. A tear has been shed.

By the way, I really feel bad about killing the Night Watch. A tear has been shed.

Heh, luckily they weren't much like their namesakes. For some reason they were the first name that came to my mind.

I apologize for slightly pushing for the end. If there was anything you'd like to talk with Sal, feel free to that, just separate it from the current timeline.

Also, the end is nigh, so please let me know your:
Player Name:
Character Name:
PFS #:
Chronicle #:
Starting XP:
Starting PP:
Starting Fame:
Starting Gold:
Day Job Roll:

I will post the data tonight... have to check my chronicles on all of this. :D

I am also getting close to 7 checkboxes on my faction card. If I am there, I'll be giving a +3 on everyone's day job checks (he'll get a +10!)... will let you all know tonight.

Player Name: Keith
Character Name: Lightfoot Raven
PFS #: 124235-11
Chronicle #: 9
Starting XP: 12
Starting PP: 14
Starting Fame: 18
Starting Gold: 2666 (before purchasing Hot Weather gear and 2x Endure potions during scenario)
Day Job Roll: None

Player Name: Chris L.
Character Name: Ibid. Oxley Abel
PFS #: 141231-2
This Chronicle (Technic Siege): #22
Starting XP: 21
Starting PP: 21
Starting Fame: 42
Starting Gold: 11,708.8gp
Day Job Roll: Knowledge(local, information broker boon): 1d20 + 17 + 1d6 ⇒ (10) + 17 + (1) = 28
(I hope) possibly the +3 on top of 28 for day job check above (so 31 total), for Gunari's checkbox/faction thingy mentioned above :)

I'll post Cyrus' chronicle info when I can verify it, so I don't spread it across multiple posts.

Just a note:

Slow advancement for me please!

Player Name: Damien
Character Name: Haafiz
PFS #: 135100-7
This Chronicle (Technic Siege): #14
Starting XP: 18 1/2
Starting PP: 16
Starting Fame: 30
Starting Gold: 3,852
Day Job Roll: None.

Thanks Jyri! Great work running the Drongos. Can't wait for the final confrontation.

Player Name: John S.
Character Name: Lord Finarin Moonstep
PFS #: 75655-1
Chronicle #: 22
Starting XP: 21
Starting PP: 21 spending 4 to renew Treasure Map
Starting Fame: 41
Starting Gold: 5692.65
Day Job Roll: Treasure Map Boon 3rd check 8x150=1200 gp

Player: Jack
Character: Gunari Maximoff
Chronicle: 29
Starting XP: 23
Starting PP: 9
Starting Fame: 44
Starting Gold: 10468.92
Day Job: diplomacy: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (18) + 15 = 33
Day Job: diplomacy (shirt reroll, if available): 1d20 + 15 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 15 + 5 = 40 This is being added to his faction card, as deferred earnings.

SLOW TRACK PLEASE!

Note: he is using the season 6 card, so the +5/+10 is not there.

From now on, he may be working on the new card... though, actually, he should finish the two boxes on this one. :D He does get another 150gp to use on bribes, spellcasting, services, etc.[/ooc]

@Damien, why are you slow tracking? Are you planning on bringing Lort back after a while, when everyone catches up?

Just curious.

Level 7 is a sweet spot to have a toon at for playing locally (it hits 3/4 of the different tiered games - 3-7, 5-9 and 7-11). Planning to keep him that way (7) as long as possible. Lort returns next scenario. No question about it. He'll slow track as needed.

@Jyri: How much XP will Amaranti have after he gets this GM credit?

Amaranti has now 20xp, so he'll hit level 8 after this one.

Player Name: Steve H.
Character Name: Cyrus the Flea
PFS #: 133958-2
This Chronicle (Technic Siege): #22
Starting XP: 21
Starting PP: 24
Starting Fame: 42
Starting Gold: 2988.4
Day Job Roll: Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 21 ⇒ (19) + 21 = 40

Where are we assuming the book is? It actually matters, because if it is in the office with Gunari he needs to stay back and guard it, I think. It would be silly of him to be carrying it in his rucksack. Of course, that is probably where he would have it, knowing Gunari.

Ok, so I went the wrong way this morning looking at my phone/slides. And now I want to command whatever thing is closest me, but can it squeeze through the hallway? Maybe it is best if Cyrus uses it.

And Gunari - I was going to go with you through the secret door but if you are going to hang to protect the book can I retcon my first move?

If not I will move into the room with Gunari - single move to door, move to open door.

I am all sorts of a pain in the ass - sorry.

So just to confirm what I see on the map - the wood golem is in room A6, and the armor is in the room with Gunari, right?

@Finarin, I can command the wood golem when I get into that room if you can get into the fight faster. I need to go that way anyways (assuming the above is correct)

I was hoping to open the doors and make room for Haafiz to not get slowed down by having to stop and open them, but I just don't have enough actions :)

@ Gunari - The book is locked up currently.

"Your precious book is locked in the lodge’s hidden vault, but I fear it may not be safe even there..."

Not sure if that helps you make up your mind...

I assume the vault is A15, so, yes,that helps!

Yes, the book is in the vault. Golem is in the secret foyer (A6), and zenj armor in Sharrowsmith's office (A5).

@Finarin: Sure, you can retcon that movement

Thanks now in room A6 after rd 1 - move action to open door, move into room.

So now I am in round 2 I move and open the door and send in the wooden golem. If that doesn't work I am sorry.

This is good news for Haafiz especially - The way is clear for you my friend. Doors are open.

"Arriba, Arriba! Andale, Arriba!"

So... Cyrus needs to double move at minimum to get into melee range, and is currently invisible. I will hold off for now, then pick the best spot to run into the fight, though I still won't be able to do any damage until next round.

Finarin, if you were considering stone call, it won't slow me down. Gotta figure out how to do something about the tripsie trio...

After Cyrus' Speedy Gonzales reference, I can never look at Haafiz the same way again... :)

Sorry I have been so absent! We still have family in the house, so this might be my only chance to post today. Back to normal tomorrow for sure!

Karma, black tentacles do physical damage, not energy. So, Damage Resistance, etc., is the same as any other grapple damage.

I tried to look for it, but I don't know how to interpret the discussions. But I'm happy to run it as physical (perhaps bludgeoning?) damage, as it only sounds logical.

Another rules question: if Thilza starts casting an offensive spell, and Haafiz interrupts the casting, would she turn visible or not? She only tried to do something offensive in that case, but the spell didn't go off.

Also, have you heard of Keith?

Jyri/Karma, that's a time when the simplest answer makes sense. remember, the spell is a conjuration, not evocation or illusion. The tentacles are actually there. So, they are doing physical damage. At least in any interpretation that I have seen. Bludgeoning would make sense.

GM Karma - In a different game, Silbeg explained to us that the invisibility isn't broken until "The blade strikes" (or misses, in the case of a bad roll) so using that as a base, my guess would be that she doesn't become visible until she actually casts the spell. If the spell is interrupted, then she should stay invisible, I would think.

So, I would partially agree with Cyrus. When the act completes (which could be a failed cast) the caster becomes visible. Assuming that Haafiz could see the caster (with See Invisible, perhaps), then, yes, he could take an AoO, causing her to make a concentration check.

I would say that even if the concentration check fails she has taken an offensive action, and turns visible.

But, I would agree that she would not turn visible until the act has been completed, much like Cyrus would turn visible just after the attack has been rolled (hit or miss). Also, in the invisible rogue/ninja realm, the first attack roll will negate the invisibility... all the iterative/etc attacks would be visible.

Because walls of text might easily be read without thought, and because these ones were quite some time ago, at this situation I'd like to refresh or memory on one particular wall of text

Congratulations! Had Dreggs got the chance to spend a full-round action next to the book, he would have destroyed it.

I feel a bit bad about Ibid being trapped in the corner, but the tentacles will disappear after a few rounds.

No need to feel bad for me/Ibid. It was totally my fault for not having a good means to escape. I thought Ibid had a potion of fly to use, which maybe could have let him float over the tentacles, but when I checked his inventory I could not find it. So, totally my fault for not being prepared, he'll be good with the right equipment the next time this happens :)

I still had fun with the combat, I just felt bad for letting everyone down and being the confused old man trapped in a corner.

Jyri - you did such a great job running this with lots of moving pieces. Well done, well done indeed.

I don't know about the rest of you but that was by far the hardest combats I have been in since the 4-armed demon thingy way back when. I used almost everything I have. And this is the first time I have spent all my Arcane Pool Points.

On a side note - I would love to know what the trippers had besides Improved Trip and maybe Greater Trip. They were really nasty to have to deal with not only once, but twice.

The trip guys were fighters with plenty of Teamwork feats. I don't have the scenario with me now, but besides Improved & Greater trip they had tandem trip, coordinated maneuvers and paired opportunists. Tripping was their thing, and they had to be adjacent for most of the goodies to work.

The last half of the scenario felt quite combat heavy, since all the major combats were after each other. Fun fact: had you gone to rescue Arvellos in the very beginning, the final combat might have not happened...

Boy was I happy once you managed to knock out some of the enemies in the final combat, some rounds took me a very long time to compose with everything going on. It was a pretty hard fight, since you were fighting a level 11 sorcerer and her lackeys, although they weren't out to kill you.

And I'm glad if you liked it, despite robots :)

Oh, and the singer was just a diversion bought by the League agents.

For my first play by post with a relatively underdeveloped character, I had a great time. Wish I could have contributed a bit more, but so it goes as the low man out.

I appreciated the distraction.

Thanks for running, Jyri! Had a blast and it was good to finally play this one from season 6. Those trippers were a turd... and to have two lots of them in separate combats speaks of devilry (or a lack of imagination) on the author's behalf. It's the sort of combo that can really only be done for NPCs (especially in a PFS context) and it's so deadly. If a pair of players did that with their GM credit blobs, I'd be pretty mad about it as a GM... and would roll my eyes a lot as a player. At least Haafiz, broken as he is, works solo and has a limited number of rounds he can be insane during.

Also, it was great to play with you again Keith! You may not have punched as high during the last combat, but it wouldn't have been the same without you. Hope to see you on PbP again soon!

Should we hit up Bold Strider to start up our next scenario now?

Nice work everyone! Especially you Jyri - I really enjoyed this one. (metal men aside)

I was chatting with Chris the other day, same thing that Damien just said. PFS (or written scenarios/modules/APs) is the only place where you can do some of this stuff - like make a trio of thugs designed to work together with the exact same feats. No players would ever do that, so I find it interesting and clever. Your point is valid, Damien, about the seeming lack of creativity in using the same tactic in two separate encounters.

Yes! I am ready to move on to the next scenario! I found myself realizing how anxious I am to get back into the brand new stuff, so the sooner we bowl through the heresy of man trilogy, the sooner we can tackle some of the new, high level storyline stuff.

Not sure if I remember why, but I thought that we were playing Heresy of Man so Chris B. could catch up. I think we are all level 8 - right? Can't we just jump in to Season 7 tier 8-9?

... If that's the case..... Let's do eeet!

-Posted with Wayfinder

What level is Amaranti after this again?

EDIT: <scrolls up> Oh, 8.0.

So, after this we'll have:

• Ibid: 8.1
  
• Amaranti: 8.0
  
• Finarin: 8.1
  
• Lort: 8.2
  
• Gunari: 8.25
  
• Cyrus: 8.1

I'd have to revisit the Zedroom to know for sure, but I think part of the issue was that Jack had already played The Ironbound Schism, and Heresy of Man was something we wanted to do that got us all up to level 9 (but not beyond it, as would need to happen to finish the trilogy with the same characters).

So, checking the scenario planner for other scenarios: The Blakros Connection (5-9) and Ancients' Anguish (7-11) are both out now and within range. There are some other 5-9s due for release (so we could perhaps plan to play those as they come out, but I reckon we'd be waiting around too long if we do that), but no more 7-11s as yet. Let's see what Bold Strider has prepped and just play that! Also, please avoid playing the above two new Season 7s with anyone but the Drongos. Yeah?

@ Jyri: I just wanted to trumpet what the others are saying, and totally agree with them. This game has been a lot of fun, and kudos to you for running it so well. Some of these combats must have been pretty tough to keep track of, especially this last one, there was so much happening at once. But you did a great job and kept it all moving, and everything seems accounted for and never confusing. So, at the risk of repeating myself, I just wanted to say again, awesome job, dude!

I'm sorry to say I played Ancients' Anguish yesterday, so Amaranti is not available for that. Ah well, actually I'm not sorry at all... Mikko himself was running the game, so it was really great!

And thanks Ibid, and everyone! It was great running a game for the Drongos again. I promise to there won't be any robots next time I run a game :) And it was good to have you with us, Keith! I know playing up is always a bit difficult. And this wasn't the easiest scenario to begin with...

I'm sorry to say I played Ancients' Anguish yesterday, so Amaranti is not available for that. Ah well, actually I'm not sorry at all... Mikko himself was running the game, so it was really great!

And thanks Ibid, and everyone! It was great running a game for the Drongos again. I promise to there won't be any robots next time I run a game :) And it was good to have you with us, Keith! I know playing up is always a bit difficult. And this wasn't the easiest scenario to begin with...

That sounds cool, Jyri. More than a little jealous here.

I am scheduled to play it tomorrow, since I am expecting to run it in the next month at least once.

For he high tier stuff, there is a LOT of stuff available for us to play... A lot I haven't don't, so missing the season sevens doesn't seem critical.

I was looking forward to playing Heresy of Man series.... Heard it was really good.