Rise of the Runelords: Anniversary Edition ran by DM KLS (Inactive)

Game Master KyleS

You all leave for the Glassworks as the short walk gets you there in the late morning, almost early afternoon. At first glance, it looks as though no one has been here all day, or maybe even the last few days. Upon further notice however, you can see that the windows on the outside seem to have been covered in one fashion or another. Either way, it seems obvious the intent on keeping anyone from peering into the building.

"Oh, that's not normal! I don't think Ameiko is safe, whatever else is happening." Vanya feels like she is stating the obvious, but says it out loud to share her worry.

Triel eyes the Glassworks with barely-concealed suspicion. She then starts looking around for other entrances to the building aside from the front door.

"Like curtains ever stopped me from looking in." Cian laughs softly, then pauses. "That sounded less like a deviant's brag in my head."

Triel turns and gives Cian a look.

"Really."

I wonder if he'd get along with Vindir...

"I'll explain later. He lies. "Can we inspect the suspicious looking Glassworks now, please?"

Arathorn looks askance at Cian interesting remark...

"We should check to see if there are other entrances, Vanya is right, something doesn't feel right about this. With all the attacks, I feel we should be on our guard"

Arathorn pulls out his scimitar and short sword in preparation for an attack.

"If there's an entrance we can go through without being noticed, then I suggest going in first with Triel close behind. Anyone else that feels confident in a fight should follow by her, and prepare yourself, this could be ugly."

"Confident isn't the right word, but I am not letting you two go alone!" Vanya lines up near the door, behind Triel and Arathorn, ready as she will ever be for action.

Triel raises her greatsword and nods. "Very well."

Never thought I'd be taking orders from a surface elf. I've really gotten myself into something bizarre, haven't I?

So, marching order: Arathorn, Triel, Vanya, Cian, Ithylia?

Well, at the very least the surface elf has put himself into the most direct path of owwa and he is not at your back ;)

There is *that*, I suppose. :)

I just marked all entrances with arrows.

I'm leaning towards the entrance to the north myself.

Me too.

Move yourselves over to the entrance and I'll go from there.

That's actually the south east lol. I know, I forgot to rotate the map...

As you go to open the door, you find that the doors are locked.

I'd move you forward from here, but none of you are trained in Disable Device...

Sure no one is, but is anyone trained in BASH?

Triel eyes the locked doors.

"Hmm..." She rests a hand on her helmeted chin in thought. "...I think I have an idea."

Damned doors. Nothing ever comes easy, does it?

"I'm open to suggestions, unless we'd like to try other entrances as well. Either way, I recommend we make a little noise as possible. If something has happened to Amiko, it would be fortuitous to remain unseen until we can fully grasp this situation."

I'm hoping that as a surface elf, I won't be an a&~!!~* to a drow, especially after the epic battles, but we'll see how it plays out

Triel nods. "Arathorn, see if the other entrances are locked. Try to avoid detection, if at all possible."

She then leans against the door, trying to listen for any activity beyond it.

Perception (Hearing): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Arathorn walks southeast along the building, inspecting each of the doors in turn to discern a discreet entrance.

Arathorn quietly walks back to Triel and the group. "There's something definitely amiss about this place. Every door is locked, including ones that would normally be open during business hours." Arathorn sighs in deep frustration.

How are we to get into this building without being detected? There has to be something I've missed, some way that will allow us entry without being noticed.

Triel unsheathes her greatsword. "Alright then--the way I see it, we have two options."

"One, we kick in the door, alert everyone inside to our presence, and have an all-out fight if hostilities erupt." She steps up to the door again. "Two..."

She raises a mailed fist.

"...I could knock on the door and see if whoever's listening is dumb enough to open the door for us."

"Um, don't you think number two is really just number one in disguise. Maybe if we catch them unawares, they will surrender. Or something..."

Triel looks over at Vanya, blinking from the sun hitting her eyes again.

"Potentially. Otherwise, prepare for a fight."

She turns back to the door and knocks on it.

"I think we were when we realized Ameiko had come here alone in the middle of the night." Still, the waif sets her narrow shoulders and feels a blast of color flickering in her mind.

After a few moments, you notice that no one is coming to the door.

Bash it in then? If so, just let me know who's going to do the bashing. I'll make rolls off screen to judge the amount of time it takes for who ever bashes in the door, unless anyone wants to give one last idea of getting in.

Looks like Triel will hit the hardest if they are not going for Break. If they go for Break (both Ara and Tri drop their shoulders on the door) have one roll Aid Another and give the other a *total* bonus of +4

Spoke with Arathorn (she's getting ready for work and therefor can't post lol) and she feels that having Arathorn and Triel bash in the door together would work better because a high roll and successful aid would break it down. Which in that case I can just automatically assume taking <insert number here>, unless Triel just really wants to hack and slash at something.

Triel turns to Arathorn and nods. "Alright. On three then."

She faces the door. "One."

She lowers her shoulder. "Two."

And she lunges forward to ram the door down!

Strength (Bash Door): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

"Three."

Arathorn gapes at Triel. "where did they teach you to count?"
He sighs deeply, lowers his shoulder and has a try at the door himself.

strength(bash door): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

"Well, at least we got the door open. Now for the fun part, I suppose. Let's....not count to three, Triel..."

The door bursts open as Triel goes first into the room. As light fills the corridor, it's clear that this entrance leads into a hallway as the sound of the furnace fills it much louder than what was heard from just outside the door.

Map updated, I'm just letting you all see the full hall since there's nothing big to notice in it, as well as to save time for which ever door you want to inspect. Just put yourself in front of which ever door and let me know that's the one you want to open, and we'll go from there. Sound good?

Triel smirks. "Looks like we haven't been detected yet."

"Where did they teach you to count?"

Triel briefly squeezes her eyes shut and snorts. "The same place I was taught to break doors down. Now, take point. We've got the advantage for now."

She steps aside and lets Arathorn pass. "After you."

Arathorn chuckles quietly, puts his blades away to pull out and ready his composite bow in preparation. "We'll check through this door first." He slowly creeps to the first door and listens to ascertain if there is something moving inside.

perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20

Arathorn backs away from the door to face the group. "Well, this can either be good news or bad news. There could quite possibly be children in what sounds to be the furnace room, or there's several goblins inside. If we can surprise them, we'll definitely get the advantage."

"Then let's be quick about it! Or, let's leave." Vanya shrugs knowing she's not very helpful.

Triel nods. "Right. Arathorn, get that door open if you can."

Cian redies himself, drawing magic from his self and preparing for either goblins or saving people. What good fire would do for saving people he doesn't know, but he'd try.

Arathorn moves forward to open the door as silently as he can to peer into the room. Luckily, he isn't spotted opening the door, but finds the room occupied by 8 goblins who appear to be throwing chunks of glass and giggling with glee each time they shatter one.

Went ahead and GMPC'd to keep moving cause Arathorn is at work and won't get home til later tonight.

Arathorn takes aim at the closest goblin and fires his shortbow.

attack shortbow composite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
damage shortbow composite: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

The arrow flies through the air as it sinks itself deep into the goblin's flesh as it howls out in pain. All the eyes in the room turn towards Arathorn as the rest of the goblins focus their attention from the shattering glass to him.

Well so much for surprise I guess. Everyone give me initiative and first round actions please.

initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23

Arathorn continues to shoot at the first goblin.

attack shortbow composite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
damage shortbow composite: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

"Blasted table is in the way. Ah well, he'll go down soon enough"

Initiative: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

Round 1: Actions
Standard Action: Cast bless on the party
Move Action: Step around Arathorn and enter the room

Triel frowns as Arathorn's second arrow fails to connect with a goblin. The battle fury rises to the forefront, and all language becomes meaningless in her ears.

"Господь в пользу железо, выходит далеко здесь." She bows her head and raises her hand, invoking a surge of divine energy.

The party's weapons take on a dark red outline, and everyone can hear a brief clashing of iron. She strides into the room, beckoning the other party members to join her.

"Приходите! Давайте положить конец это!"

Everyone gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls and to saves vs. fear.

Durations
Bless: 10/10 rounds

Initiative: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12

Perfect :) I was gunna delay a moment anyway ;)

Vanya waits for the goblins to react. Get closer! She lurks behind Triel waiting for an opportunity to hit a group of goblins with a flash of color.

Delay...

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Cian runs in when he hears Triel's "stressed" language and stops at the door where he can see her and Arathorn again.

Move action: move in so he's close next turn.

The goblins towards the back of the room look towards everyone at the door, and begin to laugh and cackle. "Dlouhán! Více jídlo! Řez je dolů, sklo je dolů, dnes večer jíme, je dlouhán maso!"

Triel takes 3 hp of damage, while Ithylia induces Inspire Courage. Vanya, feel free to state your delayed action in your next post along side your next action. Triel's Bless now has 9 rounds left, Ithylia's Inspire Courage may last up to another 6 rounds. Everyone post their next actions.

Vanya, I moved you to where you said you were on the map.

Round 2: Actions
Standard Action: Defensive Attack on Goblin in front of Arathorn
No Action: 5-foot step to the side, in front of Vanya

Triel flinches as the glass hits her before turning her blessed blade against the goblin Arathorn injured. She swings it in such a way as to interpose as much of it between herself and any more incoming attacks.

Defensive Attack (Bless, Inspired): 1d20 + 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 2 - 4 + 1 + 1 = 17
Damage (Inspired): 2d6 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (2, 3) + 3 + 1 = 9

Triel now has 18 AC until the end of her next turn.

Durations
Bless: 9/10 rounds remaining
Inspire Courage: 6 rounds remaining

Arathorn aims his shortbow at the goblin again, shooting with a silent fury.

attack shortbow composite: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24
damage shortbow composite: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

I'm sure that there's been plenty done, but I'd like to give my shot at running this as I've been wanting to run it for quite sometime now. The only restrictions on characters I will impose is that they come from the Corebook, Advanced Player's Guide, Ultimate Combat, and Ultimate Magic, and use a 25 point buy for abilities. I am looking for anyone new to Pathfinder (or tabletop in general), but am also looking for characters to a story, not creations to beat a game (in other words I will pass over a min/max character if I can). Please provide a brief history of your character, as well as a sheet (preferably done with Myth Weavers as it's a lot cleaner than a bunch of text, plus it's free). If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Thanks for the look and I hope to find a fun group ready to play!

Dotting for consideration.

Oh yes please. I really want to run this and then GM it later. I have a couple of ideas for characters but they need to be changed to 25 pt buy and I need to add some back story to them.

I'm definitely interested. Are you allowing alternate racial traits?

And what are you doing about traits? Is it 2 with 1 Campaign? None?

I'm game as I wouldn't mind playing it before I run it for my group.

I'll have to think about what would be interesting to play.

Dotting for interest. You didn’t list the Advanced Race Guide as an option - would a tiefling bard (archaeologist) be acceptable? Because I’ve been trying to get Pavanna back into an RotR campaign since her last PbP of the AE fizzled :(, and she’s all ready to go - hell, even her stats (generated by roll-4d6-drop-lowest) work out to a 25-point buy! (Though having three traits might also be an issue. I hope the GM chooses to allow a three-trait set-up, though, since all three of Pavanna’s were deliberately chosen for RP, rather than mechanical advantage.... :-X)

Main reason I only listed those 4 books is because those are the only 4 books I have, and it's a hell of a lot easier on me (and faster for you guys) if I can search through a book rather than which page of the interwebs for the actual rule if something gets brought up and a call needs to be made. I do plan on getting some more books, but not within the next few weeks, so for now I'm just going with those 4. I hope that's understandable with you guys.

Dotting for interest. I'm at work now but will stat up something when I get home. Thinking a reach/debuff Cleric.

Completely ignored the trait questions, my apologies on that one. Yes, I will allow a 3 trait setup. Just keep in mind that if one of those traits involve an npc in Sandpoint, please explain that in your character's history so that when we start, there's no awkward "Well that never/wouldn't happen between the two of us" type deal.

And in regards to my questions above? And to add to that, information in both player's guides available to us? Since they go into different details about things.

Edit: I just would like to know because I have a concept. I just want to make sure she stays within the guidelines. I've had a problem before that what i thought sounded like fun, and worked for my concept, didn't fit the guidelines.

Won't be a problem. I'm currently statting up a character for submission.

A couple of questions, though:

1. Do you have access to the 1st Pathfinder bestiary? Because the character I'm statting up is a drow, and their stats are listed there. If not, no problem. I can rework her. Alternatively, I'm working on a human inquisitor in case she isn't allowed.

2. What advancement track do you plan to use for this campaign?

3. How much starting gold will we be allowed to have?

Dotting for interest.

Thorgrund here is a dwarf ranger.

Would a Lore Warden be allowed? I'm just kinda fond of that archetype since I like melee characters with brains.

Dotting for interest, not sure what I'll submit though

Definitely dotting! Will submit a concept as soon as I can, possibly an arcane caster (wizard or witch).

This guy is from a RotRL that died so putting him up for consideration. Will adjust later to fit your criteria.

Dotting, time to go a little off the normal track.

I am not sure on this

1) I am in a runelords game (moves slow at times)
2) I would like to have others that are not in a game the chance to play.
3) I was with Zoruk in the one that died.

Jack Churchill here, Halfing Titan Mauler barbarian ready to roll.

Jack Churchill here, Halfing Titan Mauler barbarian ready to roll.

well this answers my dilema.

no need to apply then my submission would just compete with this one

Just to clarify, DM KLS, I'm planning on submitting one of two characters:
-A Drow Oracle of Battle specced out as a combat medic & social skill specialist (and my personal preference if allowed);

OR

-A Human Inquisitor of Sarenrae specced out for scouting & archery.

Expressing my interest. I have an idea for a cleric of Abadar that I will put together.

Submitting for approval:

Karri Chouk Abyssal Bloodline Sorc.

Focus will be summons and crowd control.

I think Zoruk is ready now. Btw how is gold being handled?

Kana: Just stick with the traits in those books for now if it's not too much of a problem for you. I can't remember all of them off the top of my head, but I think there are alternate racial traits in the ultimate books.

Dragon: I do have those (kinda need them for the AE), so if you or anyone else for this matter are wanting to run a monster race, that's going to rely heavily on back story. I don't tend to have issues with typically evil aligned types as long as it isn't going to cause complete hell with either the group or campaign.

As for gold, I'll allow max starting gold for your class.

dotting

Thanks, DM! Now, to get to work on the backstory...

Did you have an opinion on Lore Warden?

I would like to submit Adjinakou -- a witch with the Shadow Patron. I wrote a pretty long backstory for him. I hope it's not too long. I also must admit that I'm relatively new to Pathfinder. I've never played it in real life and have only just started PbP. Therefore, if I've done anything wrong, or if something needs to be improved, please let me know.

Also, do you allow the feat Ability Focus from the Bestiary?

Buzz: If it's not in what I mentioned, I'm going to say no. If I don't have an actual source I can use, then it makes it tough to make calls if I don't fully know it. If it's not in what I said, if you can get me a copy of what book it is (pdfs are fine with me, those are what I use) then I'll take it.

Adj: Let me check when I get home, which will be a few hours. The only two reasons I can't fully run this off my phone is book space and map making, cause I do provide updated maps after each turn lol.

@ DM, I have to retract my submission. Karri is a Tattooed Sorc, which is not in one of the sourcebooks you listed. My apologies! :)

Hopefully i can make a character in time.
New to here i am.

@DM KLS

Did you get my question about what advancement track the campaign will use?

Resubmitting a different Sorc. Should be strictly core, now! :)

Vanya

On second thought, I'm going to drop this one. I just had a work schedule change, so less time for Pathfinder. :-(

Forthepie here.

Submitting my human ranger. This is basically the crunch and I am writing his background right now.

Dragon: Yes, I did get the question, I just wanted to wait till I could get home and look at the book really quick before I gave the wrong answer. Depending on how many characters start out (and keep up with the first few encounters) will determine the advancement track. If it were just 4, then it would possibly be a fast track, but considering the amount of interest within just the first day I've gotten, it may just be a medium track, and only slow if there's really that many people who want to play. I'm used to groups of about 5, but I've gone as low as 3 and have hit up to about 8 on an average basis in one campaign I ran. I'm aiming for about 6 (which should be pretty easy to hit I'm gonna take a good guess at for now) and will top at 8, depending on if the party will be fine with that high of a number in the group. So figure it this way: <4=Fast, 5-6=Medium, 7>=Slow.

Adj: Being as Ability Focus revolves around a special attack, I'm going to say no. Granted an argument could be made that spells could be considered a special attack, there's already enough player feats to enhance spell casting, rendering Ability Focus kinda pointless for a PC to have. Make sense? Also where is the Shadow Patron located at, cause I didn't find it in Ultimate Magic...

For everyone else now to read, I should probably reiterate and clear up what I mean here... Yes, I'm limiting it to the 4 books I mentioned, because those are the 4 I have (plus the bestiaries which are needed for this anyways). Being as this is a published Adventure path, the player guides for it are free so that if you want a tie in somehow, you can look at the player guide for RotR and use any traits or modifiers in there. Like I had said before regarding traits, if you pick one or create a backstory involving one or more Sandpoint citizens (or a close proximity to Sandpoint), go better in depth to said relationships, so that way if need be, we can both talk before the game starts so that there isn't any "It didn't happen this way" confusion, and I can present a more tailored version of this campaign so that it is hopefully more enjoyable, which is one thing I do try and pride on, player enjoyment.

Now what I just said may seem like an oxymoron, but it doesn't have to be. I prefer books when having to look something up, because books are straight source. Granted there are plenty of online resources, unless one single one is deemed legal, online resources can get out of hand with "Well according to this site..." situations, which then in turn cause more confusion between players, and way more work for the DM than needed, which ends up slowing gameplay (which on a pbp system is already slow enough as is). If there is something that you do want to use that isn't in the available options, if you can provide me a pdf copy of said book, then I'll be okay with it, and it'll in turn open more resources for other players. So this isn't a "No, you can't do it, suck it up" deal, it's more of a "This is what I have to work with as a DM who wants a smooth and enjoyable session" deal.

You could just handle leveling up by just leveling the group up when you feel it might be best, or when the AP says it's time. Works well with a couple other groups I am playing with.

Okay. Got it.

By the way, do you have a closing date for this recruitment drive?

That is a pretty good idea Artemis. It's something I do consider, but I'll make my final decision after the party is formed and we can all talk about what works best for everyone. And it seems like we could have a party ready by the weekend, but we'll see what happens by the end of the weekend. Just depends on how many actually show interest and have characters ready.

You say we can use Ultimate Magic, so I'm hoping a Sorcerer focused on blasting with the Words of Power system is possible? I've been tryin to play one(Crossblooded Draconic/Primal) for a while now. So much blasty fun there...

The Shadow Patron is located in the APG; it is one of the base witch patrons (pg. 70) The reason I asked about Ability Focus was because I was curious if you believed it could effect Witch Hexes, many of which are supernatural abilities. (For example, do you think giving somebody the Evil Eye or using Slumber constitutes a special attack?) It's totally cool, if you rule that they cannot. I just wanted to know to plan out my feat progression. Did the backstory make sense? Anything I should alter about the character?

@DM KLS
Looks like I'd better get a move on, then! :)

Yea, that'd be fine Azten. And my bad Adjin. I was just looking in the wrong spot lol. But yes, I do see what you're asking, but like I said earlier, there's already enough player feats that should be able to pump up your supernatural feats. If there isn't any that actually fit the needs you're looking for as your character is concerned, then we can discuss them, but that'll be a conversation better had when a party is formed.

dotting for interest.

Yay! ^-^

Now for my question on the human favored class bonus.

Sorcerer: Add one spell known from the sorcerer spell list. This spell must be at least one level below the highest spell level the sorcerer can cast.

Given that Sorcerers and Oracles still get Bloodline/Mystery spells when using Words of Power, could a human(or half-elf/half-Orc with the new FAQ) take this option to get regular spells, like light or magic missile?

Here we go. The character was originally thought up for a Jade Regent game that died too soon. The character was also originally a Goblin, but they aren't found in any of the allowed books, so...

The Sandpoint Faithful Campaign Trait is actually from Varisia: Birthplace of Legend but it is intended for RotRL. I can change it if you wish, it's just none of the other traits really fit the concept any better.

From what I read Azten, I wouldn't see a problem with that, so unless someone who is more in touch with spells and words could shed more light on that, it would be appreciated. And if he needs to be a goblin Irnk, that's gonna depend on backstory like I told Dragoncat a few posts earlier. But I need to pick that book up somehow. If I can get it before the campaign starts (still need to check my budget even though the pdf is pretty cheap), then I'll allow it should you still want to be in the party, but if I can't, then I'd prefer you drop it if you can work it, but I'm not stating traits are mandatory. I'm just allowing up to three, but they are indeed optional. I just need to know if any of them will create relationships I need to flush out.

Here's my submission: a drow oracle of battle, capable of holding her own on the battlefield or in a duke's ball.

Just don't ask her to dance.