Revival of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Cellion

We just promised Conna we would try dealing with Mokmurian before antagonizing her nephew. Guiness is not willing to be part of betraying that trust, and as I understand it going through this door would do that.

Let me know if I misinterpreted any of that. If her nephew isn't through that door, Guiness is fine going through that. I'm not sure where the ramp is that Conna was referring to...

We just promised Conna we would try dealing with Mokmurian before antagonizing her nephew. Guiness is not willing to be part of betraying that trust, and as I understand it going through this door would do that.

Let me know if I misinterpreted any of that. If her nephew isn't through that door, Guiness is fine going through that. I'm not sure where the ramp is that Conna was referring to...

Ah, sorry. For some reason I was envisioning a ramp behind the door that would lead up to the surface that we had said we would avoid. Looking back through the dialogue, Conna was talking about two separate paths, and I recalled that what looks like a hallway around the central opening is actually the ramp she is talking about....

Yep, the ramp discussion was in response to Colvyn's question about the bear area in the center of the map.

good lord, for some reason i didn't expect that to actually work

The dice giveth ;)

aaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I earned that.

Ziva, how much damage are you at? Your tagline still has you at max health.

77dmg as of the end of this encounter.

Is everyone okay and engaged? I tend to wait at least a day for those who haven’t posted in a while to take their turn during the combat, but we seem to have a lot of delays going on.

You're right, we have had a lot of delay lately.

I did not pass my first attempt at the Series 10 but can retake after 30 days so I've been studying for that after work; I know from another game that Astrid was quite sick for a week and then has backlog for work to catch up on. I don't know about anyone else.

It's taking me a while to get myself caught up. Sorry.

Yep, we've been dragging quite a bit on activity over the last few months, though it's a continuation of a gradual trend. I've been following the rule of thumb that we need at least half the party chiming in before I start botting or delaying, just to make sure we have a decent degree of engagement/decision making before the enemies get to go. Would be pretty silly to bot more than half the party just to keep things rolling.

Assuming Ziva and Astrid are back in action from here on, we should be good to continue that way, with one round every day or two.

I'm open to any suggestions if people are looking for a faster pace.

I'm feeling a lot better now, sorry for dragging us down. I'm still having a lot of fun, and I'm grateful for the work you're doing as our GM!

Glad to hear it. I'll update us a little later tonight, delaying Colvyn and Kellek.

Just a heads up, I'll be on vacation until the 22nd. That means traveling and probably fewer chances to post. I expect I'll be able to keep us rolling, but if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, just sit tight and I'll get a post in once I have a free evening.

Would you be able to make an SR check for the wall of fire to see if it affects me?

Thanks. :)

Dammit, I thought I posted after asking that. I'm so sorry!

Astrid, did you take a turn last round, or just command your summoned allies?

I think we are still pending last round’s and this round’s actions for both Astrid and Kellek…Got anything for us, guys?

God dammit! I turned into a giant cat so I'm going to use it. ;)

I'm really sorry, I've been having a hard time lately as a medicine I have to take every day has been subject to a national shortage, and I didn't get any warning before having to essentially go cold turkey.

I'm really sorry, I've been having a hard time lately as a medicine I have to take every day has been subject to a national shortage, and I didn't get any warning before having to essentially go cold turkey.

Ouch! Stay safe.

Hey everyone, I apologize for being MIA for so long. Going cold turkey on psychiatric medicine is not something I recommend. I'm on an alternate one now, and feeling way better. I am very sorry but it was just really hard to do much more than get through each day in the meantime.

Guiness really needs a way to fly if we are going to keep running into flying enemies like this--or maybe get a really good thrown weapon. Maybe we'll find a Dwarven Thrower here somewhere--they are good against giants, right?

The name is unfortunate, but "sharding" is an enchantment that lets you fire ranged copies of a melee weapon at enemies. The range isn't very good but I love the concept.

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/magic-weapons/magic-weapon-special-abi lities/sharding/

I envision Guiness flying down at the giant, arms wide—shield still strapped on, but probably dropped hammer as he tries to grab with both hands.

I think we are in a holding pattern here until Kellek chimes in, unless someone else knows Thassalonian.

tinkle, tinkle.

Anyone else got any other questions?

Could we ask about the repository we're currently in? It's more for curiosity, in-game this is a slow enough process that Ziva is starting to worry about our rescued charges.

Anyone else got any other questions?

“In addition to the other papers on the desk, you find two in particular that catch your eyes. One is a rough map of the Varisian coastline with the rough location of Sandpoint circled. A note next to Sandpoint reads: "Hellstorm Flume Ruins - Foundation stones from each would know where the traitor Xaliasa dwelt, and perhaps where he hid his key to the Runeforge." (See handouts for this document)”

How would one identify a foundation stone, and then get information from it? Who is Xaliasa, what is a Runefoge and what does its key look like?

Also, when we are done here, Guiness thinks we should give enough paperwork to Conna so that she can show the giants how they were being manipulated by Mokmurian and instead lead them to a more peaceful path, then we grab the captives and head back to Sandpoint.

For the foundation stone question, the library won't be much help, but you may be able to get an idea with KN Local. For the Library's story, Xaliasa, the Runeforge, and the Runeforge key, you could research all three with some KN History checks with the aforementioned bonus.

I'll be traveling for work until Wednesday next week. Feel free to plot out your next actions inside the Black Tower, and I'll resolve them when I get a chance. Might be able to get a couple posts in during that time, but we'll see.

Guiness is waiting to take his turn until the cleric goes (possibly twice) since that could make a big difference in the tactical situation. Otherwise I think he is going to have to make a Will save or trigger that trap since it is directly in his path to approach the one who has enchanted him.

Speaking of Astrid, is she still with us? No posts in almost a month…

Astrid's player has (based on some discussion in another game) been sick the past few weeks. They're on the mend now, but may or may not be able to post yet. For these two rounds, take a peek at Astrid's sheet and let me know what you'd like me to bot for her.

It seems kind of simple, but a few Channel Energy to harm undead could go a long way depending how hardy these ghosts are...

Of course Astrid is very creative with summoning things, so there may be better options, but damage vs. undead only seems like a good basic approach unless she has something like countersong that can break others out of their mind-affected states...

Ziva's turn this time around is already determined so I too am just waiting to see how the situation develops.

If Astrid goes quickly enough, a well-timed Remove Fear could be good here, though strict order of initiatives would put her after Kellek, I believe.

Poor Ziva's got some powerful John-Noble-as-Denethor energy this fight.

FLEE! FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES!!

Apologies everyone, I've been having a really difficult month with my health. I'm trying to get back into things, hoping to get some proper posts up later today after work.

Guiness will use the same planned action as last round, unless new rolls are needed.

Interesting that the swear filter no longer seems to work

(Repositioned Guiness to head towards the mummy for his attack since the mummy moved--I had moved Guiness last round before I realized he did not get to act that round).

Forgot to say what I was doing: using my heaven's leap hex to teleport myself. If it gets a crit against anyone within 30 feet, I'll use divine interference to sacrifice a 1st level spell to make it reroll the attack with a -1 penalty.

Woo, level 12! Updating everything later, but the big ability I get at Stargazer 7 is the Star Chart revelation:

Star Chart (Ex): Your copious notes contain a working model of the night sky expressed in artistic scribbles and arcane mathematical formulae. Once per day, you may spend 10 minutes contemplating your star chart to gain the benefit of the spell commune. You must be at least 7th level to select this revelation.

And the effects of commune, for reference:

You contact your deity—or agents thereof—and ask questions that can be answered by a simple yes or no. (A cleric of no particular deity contacts a philosophically allied deity.) You are allowed one such question per caster level. The answers given are correct within the limits of the entity's knowledge. “Unclear” is a legitimate answer, because powerful beings of the Outer Planes are not necessarily omniscient. In cases where a one-word answer would be misleading or contrary to the deity's interests, a short phrase (five words or less) may be given as an answer instead.

The spell, at best, provides information to aid character decisions. The entities contacted structure their answers to further their own purposes. If you lag, discuss the answers, or go off to do anything else, the spell ends.

So, if we get particularly stumped by something, we can every so often call up Pulura for a little bit of a hint. But without paying 500gp every time for the privilege.

Guiness is levelled up. Lots of hit points and a meh damage potential for a fighter, but he'll continue to be your favorite speed bump for all bad guys...

We really ought to get Guiness a reach weapon or consistently make him big, or both. Guiness with 20ft reach and a longhammer (using the Shielded Brace feat) would make him a terror in a dungeon

I'm taking another level in Crimson Templar, I'll get Ziva leveled asap but my spouse has covid and I'm either coming down with something or just sleep deprived so I'm going to go get a nap right after work