Play by Post - First Steps fo SSWAG (Inactive)

Game Master Helaman

Friends, I am happy to leave this place. Let us return quickly.

X A man named Guaril Karela runs a curio shop in the Docks called the Pickled Imp. Go to him and ll his request as a favor to the Society. I believe it has something to do with a set of rare books.
X Ollysta Zadrian requested aid and is expecting you at the Temple of the Shining Star in the Ascendant Court. She needs someone to deliver a parcel of medicine and curatives to a needy orphanage and verify the character of the recipient.
X Visit the of ces of Osirian nobleman Dremdhet Salhar in the Wise Quarter. The Path nder Society needs to obtain permission to delve the Salhar ancestral vaults beneath Sothis. He has made a verbal agreement, and your visit makes it official. You will receive an of official charter and detailed maps. Do not embarrass the Society in this matter.

Only one task remains...

☐ Chelish Paracountess Zarta Dralneen possesses an item loaned from the Vaults. Meet with her in her estate in the Ivy District and retrieve the item in her possession.

You come upon a magnificent gothic structure three stories in height.

The ebon lacquered double doors wrought with gleaming silver xtures greet the characters, a prickly brass cone hanging from a chain serving as the door chime. Moments after ringing it, a servant in loose casual attire opens the door, greeting you as Pathfinders as if expected.

The servant remains quiet, speaking only a few simple words: “My mistress will answer any questions you have once we reach her quarters.”

Led through well-appointed sitting rooms, ballrooms, and a grand stairway granting a view of an elaborate study, you finally arrive on the third floor of the house, at the door of Zarta’s personal study, which lies beyond her bedroom. Knocking upon the door and announcing his presence, the servant opens the darkly stained wooden door.

A large intricate carpet dominates the marble floor in this sitting room. A chaise sits along the north wall and a desk spans the southeast corner, its chair positioned with its back to the southwest corner of the room. Three comfortable chairs are positioned around a small, low circular table.

Sitting in the chair behind the desk, a striking woman regards you, clad only in a thin silk robe and a naughty smile. She puts away the papers she is working on then stands and stretches, breathing deeply to accentuate her 'assets' before speaking.

Aldor, you are dismissed. Close the door behind you and attend to your other tasks., She then turns her attention to the group. It’s always so incredibly adorable when I see a fresh- faced batch of Pathfinders. I mean, look at you scrumptious little teacakes. I could eat each and every one of you up. Well, maybe not you, the woman says pointing at Siphon.

I assume this isn’t a pleasure visit since most of you are terribly overdressed for that manner of occasion, so that must mean you are here for that trinket Valsin has been nagging me about. Seems I can’t get that man around these parts anymore, she gestures, sliding her hand down her body and widening the gesture to sweep out and across the room as if her home were a secondary thought. On the good side, he always sends me all the precious new recruits..

Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we use the creatures for their power. They serve us and we sculpt their power in our own interests. The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.

But I prattle.

She reaches for a goblet of wine and takes a deep draught.

Complete the task before you and maybe I'll tell you more... if you are good. Or maybe if you are a little bit... naughty.

As the paracountess talks, a cacophony of booms and crashes sounds from beyond the room’s west door. She sometimes pauses at an extended eruption of these noises before continuing with the introduction.

sense motive: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

I'm flattered but I'm out of your league. Jericho smiles now... I believe you have A trinket for me

She seems to be an 'active' noblewoman with certain appetites - nothing more.

Do I have a trinket for you?, she says in a little girls voice then licks the rim of her wine goblet.

She laughs.

Yes I do but you'll need to deal with a particularly recalcitrant servant to gain it.

More crashing and screaming comes from behind the door to the west. It is a high pitched voice that breaks off into cursing and then loud mutterings in an indecipherable language.

She explains that the “trinket” Ambrus Valsin sent you to retrieve is a seven-lock iron case. Zarta tells the you about the box and its locks and seals, explaining she was trying to bypass the protections. Not without some painful failures, she says with a twist of her lips that is as much smirk as grimace.

I advise not trying to tamper with the case when you bringing it back to the Grand Lodge. The box is magically warded with abjuration magic intermingled with strong evocation magic.

There is more noise from the room beyond.

That servant is greatly misbehaving. You’re going to have to deal with it in order to get the trinket. She goes over to the desk in her study, opening a drawer and drawing out an exquisite silver letter opener shaped like a dagger treat as a masterwork silver dagger.

You might need this to get it to submit, she says, offering it with a sly grin.

Achernar smiles the smile of the envoy, and remembers a wise fool who once said, The thing about double entendre is that it can only mean one thing.

He takes the knife, and says,

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 9 + 3 = 32

Madame Countess, we thank you for the gift, but your smile suggessts you know what is in store for us. Indulge us ... precious new recruits ... and let us know how we might best deal with your servant?

He pauses briefly and then continues,

There are many things in life I do not understand,, so forgive an humble messenger, but why would Valsin need to nag you for the box? Why not simply return it to him?

Oh, you're a pretty one aren't you? Maybe you can come back and get to know me better after all this. The silver itself is a clue. Your training, I hope, covers knowledge of the planes? If not?, why it will be so much more pleasurable to watch you find out... oh yes it will.

As for the matter of the box, I wasn't done with it, so I was content to let Valsin Ambrus cool his heels for a while... it didn't hurt him to wait, though I suspect his patience is at the point where he makes clear his intent by sending you here. No matter, I am finished with it now and am saved the bother of delivering it myself.

What a charming woman

The world must come to terms with the order of things. People need to know their place and operate accordingly. It is the only way to make order from this world. Too many people stretch too far beyond their station, making waves and eroding the true order.

Thank Achaekek, someone in this city who finally speaks sense!

I'm not sure the best skill to roll to determine what manner of "creature" silver would be of use against. I'd posit either survival (+5) or against my Bounty Hunter profession (+5 as well)? Either way, I'll roll

Use of Silver: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19

In this case it is Knowledge Planes. You do know that silver is needed to hurt some certain types of creatures or at least pierce through their ability to resist damage

Andelyn smirks.

I suspect that you and the Paracountess probably have very different ideas about your station.

She turns to the Paracountess and curtseys gracefully.

Forgive us, Beautiful Lady, but we are pressed to retrieve the trinket and return it to our master. Perhaps our paths will cross again and I'll regale you with a song in your honour.

Yes indeed, lovely lady, we had better be on our way

She bows awkwardly, and turns to head off towards the booms and crashing noises.

I have, as you might expect some knowledge of the planes, and from your words to us and the silver knife, I can guess that your servant is one of those denizens.

I have some other questions countess, but perhaps they may wait until we have secured the box. Now, if you'll excuse us ... come, friends.

He turns and opens the door.

Looking inside he sees?

knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

Nothing he has ever seen before.

I'll use your Know Planes roll as a general knowledge roll - knowing what things are affected by silver. I'll post more about the game in a few hours

Archrnar, try as he may, can't seem to remember what many of planer creatures are vulnerable to silver.

You can go to the map link at the top of the page. Let me know if you can't view the map

She leaves you in the room.

Let yourselves out when you've recovered the box.

There are still crashing sounds and the odd curse coming from the room beyond.

Achernar looks at the knife, looks around, looks at the knife again and then casts prestidigitation to colour the party's weapons silver.

Which of us is best with a dagger? he says as he gets ready to hand it over.

Not I said the half orc My hands are too big for such a puny weapon

I cannot view the map, it went to the screen like it was going to load but it was just a black square

I have my own dagger, not that I have used it much, but if nobody else wants to volunteer, I will

She looks around the group to check if anyone else wants to volunteer

My... station, typically is behind my bow. I will wield the silver dagger if no one else will

Sheaving the silver dagger into my belt, just in case.

Notching an arrow, and kicking open the door, revealing...

Turning to Sidhion, Achernar says, The weapon will do us little good unless we actively wield it. I say we let the paladin hold it. That said, let us not be too quick to loose our weapons.

He hands the dagger to the paladin, and walks through the door.

To be fair to Sidhion, a Paladin's 'smite' feature ignores damage resistance if the creature is evil - and she hasn't used it today

Sidhion, Let me provide you some advice. Stay behind your bow. I'm not in the habit of waste my spells to keep a rear line upright because he wants to play at hero.

I believe, I will take the Dagger.

Okay, this is getting too aggressive. We've no idea that we're even facing a combat situation - we haven't even appraised what the scenario is behind the doors!

If it is combat, my bonuses wielding a bow are significantly superior to a dagger. And if need be, it's easy enough to swap weapon. For that matter, my character said he'd take the dagger *if no one else will*

Sorry everyone, I'm feeling attacked for roleplaying my character here. And it's not conductive of a fun experience

Back up a second here, what you have basically said is, I am playing my character but I don't want you to play yours. you have chosen to play your character, who appears to be a bit of a lone wolf and that is your right. However you can't then take it personally when people play their characters. as for he said "if no one else will" your next line of text is

Sheaving the silver dagger into my belt, just in case.

Notching an arrow, and kicking open the door, revealing...

unless there is a formatting error, that is not giving a chance for someone else to take it. Now having said what I have said let's remember that this is a game no OOC comments have been made attacking anyone and everyone is entitled to play their own character as he or she feels fit...rant concluded :-)

@Sidhion Gatatheil I'm struggling to see how anyone has been aggressive towards you. I'd love you to point out exactly where you thing someone has gone from roleplaying to having a go at you personally.

Add to the mix Sidhion's general rudeness and disinterest in the party's welfare over his own and you've got me thoroughly confused as to your basis for comparison. For example, you didn't seem to think it was too aggressive to warn my character to be careful of you and refer to her as 'puntable' when it suited you.

In spite of this, I've never seen anyone have a go at any of your "roleplaying" because, like Jericho says, it's your right to play the character as you designed it. Please continue to play him as you see fit but don't pull the "I'm feeling attacked" card when someone plays their character as they designed them.

Rant concluded.

Are your arrows silver-tipped, Haughty one? If not, they may not prove as useful as you might hope.

Andelyn prepares for the performance of a lifetime.

I confess I find myself in a difficult situation with this last exchange. Unlike everyone else in the party, I don't actually know Sidhion's owner, so I am a little wary of expressing an opinion. Since my actions precipitated the exchange, however, I will weigh in. I think I agree that both Stephen and Hollie have a point in their response to the accusation of being too aggressive.

Our characters do not know each other well, and whether they can rely on each other. From Achernar's point of view, Sidhion was rude when he first grabbed stuff in the warehouse in the first act. Achernar was prepared to look past it but was frustrated when Sidhion's only comment in the second act was how droll were our attempts at influencing the old woman. Achernar looked past that, but was actually cranky when, despite being told not to embarrass the society, Sidhion drew his bow on the servant.

In the exchange above, Sidhion notches an arrow and kicks the door open, so I am not sure it is fair to innocently pretend that that the priest is being too aggressive. In fact, if the priest hadn't said something, Achernar might have. This is not because I have a problem with Sidhion's owner (that I am aware of), or his right to play the character as he sees fit, but because, as someone who has been around courts, nobles, and diplomats, Achernar values manners and talking things out and persuading - hence his +12 on diplomacy. In fact, it's frustrating not to be able to use the skill against other players, because Achernar would have tried with Sidhion over time.

Having said all this let me say three things here: Perhaps part of the problem above is that I ought to have said in my post that I was thinking that, since we were given a weapon to use, we should brandish it openly. Then Sidhion would have known that sticking it in his belt was not a good idea as far as Achernar was concerned.

The second thing is that our characters need a development track, somewhere to go if they are to stay together as a party. Pathfinder seems designed to bring people together for one-off play etc, where this is not so important. If we want to hang together, though, there needs to be some accommodation regarding our rougher edges. What I have in mind is the kind of role play where other characters feel they could say, for example, the priest is a bit crusty from time to time but he'll come good you'll see - and then make a genuine effort to do that. I am not saying that we should ignore the character aspect, simply that if we don't make such accommodations, there would be no reason to stay together. As a player, I won't have the time to get bogged down in this stuff. Achernar would simply be grateful for the experience and leave to find a party more suited to his personality.

The third thing is related to this, in that we need to avoid the "I am sorry, it's just what my character would do" style and play in a way that is sensitive to the party as a group. The former is fine for a tournament, but doesn't make for a fun time across the longer term. The skill in role playing is not to be "Leroy Jenkins" but to let the attributes of a character give flavour without actually affecting the game play. It's a bit like Achernar cleaning the place as he leaves. It's part of the character without having too much effect on the game.

I realise this is a long post, and these are just my thoughts on the matter, and I am happy to debate them, but I don't have a lot of time to spend on this, and I would rather be playing than writing gamer theory.

Some clarifications. I've made a point of not associating any characters here with their players - just a personal preference which helps me focus on role-playing. So Achenar, please don't hesitate to express your opinion with me, all is well in that regard.

In all fairness players might be seeing it as friendly-joshing, the kind common around a table where it works. But in text format, it comes across as repeated and directed insults (eg, even if only internal thoughts referring to the character as a "pompous ass" or whispered jokes about the player tripping, the player still reads them even if the character does not). And this is stemming from what occurred immediately after our first combat and the divvying up of loot.

In my 21 years of role playing, this is the first I've seen an assumption that all equipment found is kept in an assumed shared inventory that everyone has permanent access to. My earliest role playing experiences did enforce encumbrance rules, and that is far from desirable in any game! I'm used to looser handling of this, but still at the very least the requirement of saying who is holding what (even if one player assumes a "mule" or "quartermaster" like role).

I did not know that "shared inventory" is how this was being played, so waited 20'ish hours for people to claim items from after our first combat. The assumption after this time was that no-one had claimed anything specific, but the party view is that I was snatching or stealing from the shared-inventory. Now this is a simple misunderstanding, and I'm not criticising how the inventory is being handled. I had thought this was clarified as an ooc misunderstanding, but this is continuing as being a judgement against my character which I've done my best to ignore.

Now in specifics, I said I would take the dagger 25 hours after Achernar asked who was best with a dagger and others had turned it down. My interest was in keeping the game flowing, and curiosity of what was through the door took it. IMO this became a high level of in-game aggression from Brother Jericho - the comment at "playing hero" was a step too far in my view. 25 hours was ample time, unless we will wait for days for every tiny decision.

In regards to the party's welfare, I take personal offence at the accusation of disinterest in it. I have taken no action against the party, and acted in it's defence. The "puntable" comment was in reaction to whispered jokes punctuated with nods towards my character. Perhaps this was friendly-joshing (See above) but this is lost in text-formatting. I also take great offence at being referred to as pulling a "card" when I've got a genuine concern with the campaign. Especially when punctuated with referring to a potential battle as the "performance of a lifetime".

Achernar, the warehouse was an out-of-game different interpretation on the handling of inventory. I apologise if that wasn't fully clarified. The "droll" comment was an internal character thought (unless I used the wrong formatting for it which without reading back is likely), and I've used that to punctuate for the GM the reasoning for my character stepping outside and waiting for the party. Apologies again if you've interpreted that as a spoken statement. I make no apology for drawing a bow on the manservant - characters were too willing to be locked into a room on the assumption of good faith; for all we knew we were to be locked away for the rest of our natural years, or fed to a monster. I stand fully by my role-playing of this situation without doubt.

I do agree with the thoughts regarding rather spending time playing instead of debating.

Ok - I think we should put this behind us for now. The doc function is best used for small issues while issues such as this are best carried on on the discussion thread

I agree, I have asked Sidhion to call me offline so we can talk about this.

Good GRAVY. Can you please stop reading in meaning? If it's not easy to do that, I'll ensure I include appropriate emoticons.

I am a BARD. I plan to SING while you and the others are (hopefully) not getting torn to shreds by a planar creature. Andelyn knowns nothing about the planes and this is probably the first time she's heard of monsters than need to be attacked with silver, so this would be freaking her out just a bit. Hence preparing for 'the performance of a lifetime'.

Can we see into the room? Is it dark or lit? I did look at the map last night but the room we're actually going into isn't revealed, to my understanding.

Zarta’s bedroom is decorated in the colors of Cheliax— ebon black and crimson red. Silk, rare woods, and carefully carved marble compose every bit of furniture in the room. Goose down now litters the room, covering almost every surface and the silken shreds of the cushions that contained it lie about like flayed skin . A post on the massive screened bed is snapped in half, collapsed on the bed and drawing the screened curtains into a ripped slope of formerly fine cloth. Vials of perfume and crystal jars of other cosmetics sit smashed on the marble floor around the dresser. A prominent fixture in the room, a large “X” made of stout wood sits along the west wall, complete with leather shackles and chains. A table sits to its left strewn with various items intended for pleasure, but outwardly resembling implements of pain.

In the air gibbering with rage is a small diabolical figure, right down to the tiny horns on its head Fiendish wings and a whipping scorpion-like tail lash behind this diminutive, red-skinned nuisance as it struggles with an iron box.

Map is up

Jericho casts guidance on Archernar.

What is it?

Jericho casts guidance on everyone, do you want me to write every person by name?

We can retro that before you open the door - every one can take a single +1 to a single roll of their choice in the next 6-7 rounds

Many think we in Cheliax serve and worship devils

Suddenly makes a lot of sense... funny looking little thing.

Sadly I will have to take a leave of absence for the next couple of weeks - just when we were on our last task too! I will be away having fun in the land of the long white cloud, coz you know we don't have any internet over there lol.

Achernar tries to remember what he might have know about the creature.

knowledge: 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 1 = 25

Perhaps he wasn't absent or trying to persuade the Wizards into giving him special considerationthat day, as the classes begin to return to his mind.

The creature is an Imp, a minor devil.

It has some degree of resistance to damage that can be overcome by silver or good aligned weapons.

DR 5/good or silver; Immune fire, poison; Resist acid 10, cold 10

It can also shape shift and can turn invisible at will.

So, this is assuming I understand the rules correctly and is being written in the attempt to keep things moving (If I have made a mistake with the rules, I would like another shot at my actions). The Intimidation DC is 10 + hit dice + wisdom = 10 + 3 + 4 = 17. Achernar can take 10 + Charisma + Size = 10 + 4 + 4 =18. Therefore intimidation will succeed against a notoriously craven creature like an imp.

In his most commanding voice Achernar says, Tiny one, your masters from beyond would be most displeased to see the chaos you have caused here!

I see you are struggling to open that box. Like you we want to see the box open and we are prepared to help open it.

Achernar wants to use bluff here. I am hoping that because it is true that we want to see the box open and it it is true that we are there to help open it - by taking it to people who can - that the bluff is at least believable +0 or even because the intimidate was successful I can scrape + 5. If so, will I need to do better than take 10 + bluff score (8) = 18? Do I have that right?

Again assuming this is correct, Achernar says, let us see the box. He motions for the others to lower their weapons slightly, and motions for the Priest to move forward and take the box.

Take 10 is for actions that are unopposed like climbing a wall, picking a lock etc but can't be used for intimidation... however Intimidation: 1d20 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 4 = 12, so 20!

The imp flutters in your direction, clearly shaken by the commanding entrance.

Shant give it to you! You could open it and use the box against us! It volunteered some information

It hammers the box against the floor for good measure.

Gaaaah!, it screams in frustration.

Jericho Steps forward.

Give the box to me. Now

Jericho's smile twists to a to an almost evil grin.

You are mine now

Attempting to intimidate the imp.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 2 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 2 + 4 = 10

The imp blows Brother Jericho a raspberry and then flies up to the ceiling and into one of the corners of the room, where he continues to hammer the box, this time, against the wall.

Turns back to the group with a big smile.
Right...I am out of ideas, anyone else want to try?

Andelyn pushes past everyone and into the centre of the room.

Oh my word what an adorable creature! Such fine wings! And such courage to stand up to the priest. Andelyn feigns holding her hand to the side of her mouth to whisper hoarsely to the imp. He's awfully big for his boots!

Andelyn adopts her best performance pose and swishes her sapphire hair provocatively side to side.

Come spend a moment with Andelyn! She appreciates you!

Bardic Performance: fascinate: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Hope that roll was right

Andelyn begins to sing a song about imps and how they are an underappreciated race from the planes. Her vibrato is a bit off.

It receives a Will save (DC 10 + 1/2 the bard’s level + the bard’s Cha modifier) to negate the effect. If a creature’s saving throw succeeds, the bard cannot attempt to fascinate that creature again for 24 hours. If its saving throw fails, the creature sits quietly and observes the performance for as long as the bard continues to maintain it. While fascinated, a target takes a –4 penalty on skill checks made as reactions, such as Perception checks. Any potential threat to the target allows the target to make a new saving throw against the effect. Any obvious threat, such as someone drawing a weapon, casting a spell, or aiming a weapon at the target, automatically breaks the effect.

Imp Saving Throw DC14: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

The imp spits at the gnomes performance and farts in her direction before continuing to bang on the box, which is looking a little dented but still very sound.

Achernar quietly but calmly commands the imp using all the presence he can muster.

diplomacy: 1d20 + 9 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 9 + 3 = 19

Tiny one, you are not strong enough to open the box or to keep its contents safe that way. Why not throw it against the strong floor. It will cause more damage that way.

Ping is watching the imp and prepring to throw a shiriken at the imp but will only do so as a last resort. If the imp doesn't throw the box to the floor he will first try to intimidate and if that fails he will take aim.

Hey - just wondering if I can attempt to use bardic performance (Distract) to get the imp to drop the box or allow another player to tackle it and wrestle the box from him. This is listed as a different ability to fascinate, so I guess the question stems from wondering whether the creature is now immune to my performances period for 24 hours, or just 'fascinate'.

Just fascinate