Scions of the Sky Key: Parts 1-3 (Inactive)

Game Master Wilmannator

I like Cyrus' plan... I guess mechanically that would be intimidate check with some circumstance bonus (I hope)?

Anyone have true strike? That would make bull rush pretty easy.

yes but not prepared.

I like Cyrus' plan... I guess mechanically that would be intimidate check with some circumstance bonus (I hope)?

Plan is great. +2 circumstance (I think as mentioned) due to awesome roleplay. Post when ready, Cyrus!

I vote Miro for a diplomacy check, or Ibid for a Know: History check. I don't want to botch another one :)

I could make a sleight of hand check if necessary, but I also don't want to hog the spotlight.

Cyrus,
when in those situations, remember you can always take 10! Might not have helped... then, again, it might have!

Diplomacy might be good, since we can all aid another.

Nah, sorry, situation was too stressful for a take 10. Very severe consequences (mission wise) for failure. In other situations, sure, take 10. ;-)

Unless it's harsh to rule such things as a combat style situation?

I believe that would probably be against the way the rule is written.

Taking 10: When your character is not in immediate danger or distracted, you may choose to take 10. Instead of rolling 1d20 for the skill check, calculate your result as if you had rolled a 10. For many routine tasks, taking 10 makes them automatically successful. Distractions or threats (such as combat) make it impossible for a character to take 10. In most cases, taking 10 is purely a safety measure—you know (or expect) that an average roll will succeed but fear that a poor roll might fail, so you elect to settle for the average roll (a 10). Taking 10 is especially useful in situations where a particularly high roll wouldn't help.

Consequences are not part of the take ten rule...only distraction or immediate danger. Take 20 is a different situation.

example, you should be able to take 10 when climbing (out of combat). Falling is a danger, but if you take 10, then you should be able to eliminate that danger. This is probably one of the most misunderstood rules... One subject to way too much table variation. In my view, as long as you are not in combat, or another rule contradicts this (such as Aid Another or UMD), you may take 10.

Definitely distracted. Valacosti was doing his best to do exactly that to you. So, glad that was as written.

Thanks for the clarification! Taking 20 is probably what I was thinking of, though - it's the one where you need to avoid it if there are negative consequences to failing a check.

I'd disagree, since we weren't trying to dodge a sword or anything. In a diplomatic situation I would always disagree (but would abide by a GMs decision) that talking (or yelling) is really a distraction. I'd say it was part of the action itself (being typically an opposed check). He wasn't doing anything to physically distract us (grappling, attacking, etc). But I will live with your ruling.

Stress levels were high, and he was definitely trying to work against you. Not really the time your characters would be able to just phone it in for an average result. Also, if a heated debate with dire consequences to follow doesn't negate the ability to take 10 on a diplomacy roll, then what does? I don't know if you could ever effectively use diplomacy in combat - but I guess it's possible to try to calm your enemy down and win them over while fighting them. Also, when do you make a diplomacy roll to improve someone's attitude when some kind of lively debate doesn't rage? I think then, on the whole, that I agree with Jack on this.

So! You can hereafter take 10 on social skills when you're not in danger or distracted (by something other than what you're using your skill on).

FYI (or for the record), taking 10 on that very last roll (the one I rolled, and not the one Miro took 10 on) wouldn't have got you there.

Chronicle sheets are nearly ready. Just need day job checks from everyone please!

As I was filling them out, I rolled randomly to see who paid for the wand charges. Amaranti, Finarin and Gunari got the honors at 1 charge each. Does anyone not have a wand of cure light wounds or equivalent?

sleight of hand, day job: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23

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Perform Dance: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21

F*++ you dice!

Ibid: Day Job Check
Craft(alchemy): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

Also, amazing job (as always) GM Damo, that was a ton of fun! How fast did we get through that, it felt like no time at all.

Perform Sing: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (9) + 10 = 19

Thanks Ibid, loved running it. You guys are a dream to work with as per usual. That one was 9 days and I genuinely wasn't rushing it. My review says more, but the whole scenario was incredibly underpowered (with the exception of a single lightning bolt).

Also, thanks for all the day job rolls, guys! From memory, Amaranti doesn't have one, and Gunari may need me to write something on his sheet... something to do with managing an expedition.

Miro, Finarin, let me know when you're leveled up properly. As with this adventure, Part 2 has quite a bit of roleplay at the beginning so there's no immediate rush (save for social and knowledge rolls). Fort Bandu can provide you with most types of equipment, but please be aware that your faction purchase limit (based on fame) will apply here as it is not a big city. Let me know if that's going to be an issue for you and I can delve more into some rules and stuff for figuring it all out.

So, by my reckoning, you're all 4th level going into this next adventure. The next scenario flows on quite nicely from this one (as you'd imagine). I'll wait for a couple more reports to come in from the players before launching into it. I'll keep this campaign thread for all of the Scions, but I'll change the name again.

The next scenario is looking to be much more appropriate challenge-wise. There's an especially big challenge that I'd like to do a "what if..." on with all of you, but more on that when it happens! I'm very excited about that.

(with the exception of a single lightning bolt)

I am still angry about this, more so with myself for not using my reroll on the reflex save. Two scenarios, 2 dying at the end, sucks!

Thanks for running, even though I am angry, I did have fun and that is why we are all playing.

Finarin is leveled, except for equipment. Are we waiting to finish WBG2 to start, or just add that in after Part 2?

We'll keep playing this while we still can. It continues nicely along, so it's probably best not to break up the 3 parter really. We'll take a break to play the alts between this and part 3. I'm happy to take things slowly if you guys want. I know it can be tough with so many games going on.

Gunari does not have a day job. However, this scenario, he will be receiving his single item of 3500gp or less. This is from the Expedition Manager boon (Season 6 #5). He is receiving an adamantine rapier, which he will also spend 1800gp* on to get enchanted to +1. That's his only purchase this chronicle, I think.

This does put him to level 5, so I will need to level him up. Should be done by tomorrow.

* he gets a 10% discount from his Master of Trade vanity.

Should we consider some teamwork feats? I am looking at leveling Gunari, and have a feat.

Also, should I start going slow track for level 5? I cannot recall the plan.

We were considering it. Up to you, but if you GM some scenarios and give the chronicles away to someone other than Gunari you shouldn't need to worry about going slow.

I believe I am leveled to 4 now, peeps.

I'll keep Gunari on normal track... if needed, I can bring Trask (or someone else) in to substitute for a scenario or two.

Looking for feats... he can't get Weapon Specialization until level 6, since as I read it, only the bonus feats have the special wording of his Warpriest levels counting as Fighter. Nothing is jumping out at me.... even Weapon Spec a 6 might not be best... probably Vital Strike at 6 is better.

I would say that Vital Strike at 6 is definitely the way to go.

You could always just take Lightning Reflexes to shore up that save. Kind of boring, but fills a hole.

Hey Gunari... just on some book-keeping. I had you at 10 XP after By Way of Bloodcove... I think you did too). Where's the extra XP coming from? Do you need me to redo your Bloodcove Chronicle sheet?

As for advancement, you're correct about not being able to get Weapon Specialization until 6th level... and I definitely would grab Weapon Specialization at level 6. It opens the way to Greater Weapon Specialization at level 12 (after you get Greater Weapon Focus at level 8+). +2 damage on every hit is much better than +1d6 damage on your first hit, in my opinion. Since it's PFS, you'll be using your primary weapon almost all of the time anyway.

Weapon specialization always works when you use your rapier.

Vital strike only works when you use the attack action (the "special type" of standard action):

• ... and most of the time, as a primary melee build, you'll want to be doing a full-attack action.
  
• It also doesn't multiply like weapon specialization does when you get a critical hit (with a rapier and 2 rolls per attack, you're hoping that happens often, right?).

Vital Strike is great for rogues, snipers and other single-hit-wonder builds. It is also great for cleave-builds if your GM rules that it's an attack action and not a cleave action (but FAQ rulings on cleave would suggest that it is not an attack action and therefore not subject to vital strike, so that wouldn't be PFS legal... but since you're not a cleaver it doesn't matter anyway). In general, using RAW, it's not so great for melee focus warrior-builds. If you still really want it, you can always use your 7th level feat instead.

Just my opinion. Been burned by Vital Strike before (hence the rules knowledge and opinions!). Actually, the character I got burned with was Lort! Our GM ruled that I could swap it out after he did some digging and found out that the feat was a lot less good than it first appeared.

At least with Lort, it was 1d12 extra damage... totally not worth it for a rapier.

I agree that for a fighter weapon specialization should be the first one taken...but Gunari won't get a second attack until 8th level, so he'll only have one attack, no matter the action, until that point. That extra d6 will mean 3.5 damage per hit, as opposed to the 2 with specialization.

That is true. I forgot about the lower attack progression for Warpriests!

Mind you, though, the extra attack still won't apply if Gunari charges, nor does it multiply on those juicy crits, which Gunari should be getting about 30% of the time he hits (due to multiple dice rolls and my fuzzy math).

But yeah, vital strike will get more of a look in than I'd thought.

Plus warpriests increase their weapon's damage dice, so the vital strike might be ok. And I think Gunari's trademark Weapon of the Chosen -thing works also only on single attack actions.

Correct, no day job for Amaranti.

Oooh, very good point Amaranti. Yep. Vital strike is starting to look better all the time. Even I'm nearly convinced. ;-) Of course, Jack the only one whose opinion truly counts on this!

Amaranti, this is true on both parts. At sixth, due to the quirk in the way Warpriests work, he can get the Vital Strike. And with his use of Greater Weapon of the Chosen, he can only roll twice if he attacks once in a round (which was part of the reason I was considering not taking the hasted attack).

So, with Vital Strike + Sacred Weapon, he'll be doing 2d8+3 per round at level 6 (or 3d8+6 if he crits). Thinking this through, Greater Weapon of the Chosen can also help mitigate the costs of Power Attack (currently -1 to hit), so I think I'll go ahead and get this. That will put him at 2d8+7 (+11 with Divine Focus) at level 6, attacking at a +7 (+11 with Divine Focus). Probably good to go.

@GM Damo - I was at 10 before the chronicle... I may have mis-stated it to you. I checked my sessions and chrons, 12xp is correct. don't worry about issuing a new one, we're fine.

WBG
MotFF
Confirmation
Rise of the Goblin Guild (these four were GM Credit)
Beggar's Pearl
Trial by Machine
Slave Ships
Flesh Eaters
Segang
Paths We Choose
Bloodcove
Scions 1

FYI - Damien you reported Scions 1 as Sept 24, 2014. I think that's a little error ;)

Man I love these kinds of discussions. I always learn so much about optimization.

Sorry about the reporting. Defaults to the event date, not current date. Such a strange thing to do, but makes sense for most events I guess! Just not our ongoing "event just for reporting".

Miro! What are you saving all that prestige and gold for?

Just wondering...

I would suggest possibly doing a little retraining, so that you can get the opportunity to do more in combat (I feel a little bad that almost all you get to do is to Inspire Courage).

I would get the following two feats... possibly replacing Improved Initiative and Extra Performance (the latter first, since you now have a TON of rounds of performance per day).
Weapon Finesse (use that great DEX for melee attacks!)
Arcane Strike (swift action, +1 to hit and damage).

Perhaps switch to a rapier over the short sword (better crit range, and more durable as a one-handed instead of light weapon).

Also, I would strongly suggest taking Heroism over Cat's Grace. Why? 10 minutes per level, +2 on all D20 rolls, instead of just DEX-based for 1 min/level. Also, +2 on weapon damage as well.
Finally, consider getting a whip (instead or as well). That would allow you a 15' reach for doing things like Aid Another, tripping, etc. This would give you another thing you can do! I'd do this, for sure, if you aren't planning on retraining as above.

As always, feel free to ignore any and all of this... as it is merely the blathering of a confessed "know it all". :P

Your advice is very sound, and I do appreciate it. As far as the gold goes...well, not being a very martial member, I don't really need a weapon upgrade...and the AC upgrades at this point are marginal...so I think it was laziness and indecision mostly. :)

As far as the Prestige...this group is really my first foray into PFS play, so I'm very sketchy on what I can actually spend the Prestige on! Any help in that regard would be most appreciated.

Heroism does seem like a better buff, huh? I got Cat's Grace to throw on Ibid during particularly troublesome fights.

Well, you haven't played at level 4, so I would say you could just change it now. This helps Ibid even more than Cat's Grace! Or any of us, for that matter.

As for prestige usage:
2PP buys you any 750gp item... such as:
[list]

That's a good point on the scrolls... I keep forgetting they are cheaper... It's a 25% chance of success, but if im not using it in combat, those 'try try again' rolls probably aren't a big deal. Most likely not going to be using it in combat anyways...

GM Damo, mind if I switch that out? The 2PP gets me 2 copies on a scroll, which is more bang for my buck, so to speak.

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My new 2nd level spells - Bladed Dash, Mirror Image
Spells I want to add to my book:
Ablative Barrier
Defensive Shock
Fire Breath
Flaming Sphere
‪Frigid Touch‬
Stone Call

I am just shy of my belt of dexterity, could sell my Peral of power to get it since I can now spend a Arcane Pool point to recall a spell.. With the dex bonus, it effects my ac, to hit, damage, and reflex saves since I have weapon finesse/dervish dance. Would that stack with cat's grace? If I can do both, I get a +3 to all the aforementioned.

Bit swamped this weekend, will catch up soon.

That's a good point on the scrolls... I keep forgetting they are cheaper... It's a 25% chance of success, but if im not using it in combat, those 'try try again' rolls probably aren't a big deal. Most likely not going to be using it in combat anyways...

GM Damo, mind if I switch that out? The 2PP gets me 2 copies on a scroll, which is more bang for my buck, so to speak.

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Switch away. First fight is where it all needs to be finalized.

Gunari is updated... and is not buying anything other than the rapier's enhancement at the moment.

Definitely purchasing a Wayfinder, then, for 250 gp.

Any suggestions for my 3,663 gp remaining? I could get a +1 Amulet of Natural Armor...but I don't really get attacked very much, so 1 extra point of AC seems almost a waste. Nothing really pops out at me.

Retrained the extra performance for Weapon Finesse, as suggested.

Still having trouble justifying the PP spending. Already have a wand of cure light...don't really see any other 1st-level bard spells I'd want to drop money or Prestige on for a wand.

Displacement scroll with 2 casts? Good Hope?

Greater Invisibility with 1 cast? Ugh, I dislike things that aren't permanent! :)

As with Miro's question above, does any have thoughts or suggestions for a fledgling investigator/archer, so far as equipment or even build ideas are concerned? Ibid's got about ~4k gold on hand.

I was thinking of waiting another scenario or two until I could upgrade to a +2 longbow, and then slowly building up an arsenal of various magical/adamantine arrows.

I also have no idea what to use my PP for, I bought a wand of cure light with 2PP in the beginning, and other than that I'm sort of at a loss for what to do with the rest of Ibid's prestige and I keep seeing you all so cool stuff with your prestige.

For 4k gold, you can get dex belt or int/cha headband.

Wands to consider:Heightened Awareness and for Ibid: [url=http://www.archivesofnethys.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Gravity%20Bow]Gravity Bow
Some potions that are good to have: Flight, Daylight, See Invisibility, Invisibility

Ibid, you can get weapon blanch (ghost salt) so you'll have some arrows that can hurt incorporeals. Adamantine is good to have, too.

I haven't played a bard since 2nd edition, so I really don't have any advice for Miro. Maybe getting a ranged weapon etc. for something to do in combat. Or swap some feats and go melee like Gunari suggested.

A tactics question from my side as well: Who wants to be included in Haste when Amaranti casts it? Only four targets at this point.

I would like to be included in haste, the extra movement would make it easier to get into flank, and two attacks with sneak attack is done good burst, but I would defer to others if it makes more sense

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We all want haste, but I have bladed dash that can get me 30' and an attack in a surprise round or 30' and 2 attacks with spell combat in a regular round, so getting into combat is easier for me.

Okay Drongos, clearly a lot of good character discussion going on here. I'm going to hold off on advancing the gameplay thread to allow some more time to make purchases and refine character builds. Feel free to add whatever you like to the gameplay thread yourselves (I will respond, of course) but we'll keep it in Fort Bandu and the hour or so you take to prepare for your journey northwards.

Ooh, I like the heightened awareness spell, Amaranti. Hadn't even checked out the spell section o the ACG yet! Nice. It is a competence bonus, though, so a comprehensive set of masterwork knowledge tools would be cheaper than a wand for those checks (and last longer). You just miss out on the +4 initiative at the end.

Gravity bow is an awesome spell, but cast out of a wand it has only a 1 minute duration. It's a little niche, but if Ibid gave it to Miro to cast once combat started (and inspire courage was up)... otherwise, part of your "enter room" buffs would work.

Ibid, for your prestige awards, I highly recommend picking up the PFS Field Guide if you haven't already. The last few pages are chock full of really fun prestige awards. Vanities start at p60, and I almost missed them when I first picked up the guide.

Some wayfinder enchantments that won't cost you gold for those with darkvision:

Jade (2 PP): Crafted in distant Tian Xia, the jade casing of this wayfinder is decorated with serpentine dragons wound around the Glyph of the Open Road. Instead of light, a jade wayfinder can be used to cast guidance.

Messenger (5 PP): This wayfinder functions as normal, except that the user may cast message at will in place of light

... and if you have 10 PP to "burn":

Dayfinder (10 PP): Similar to a normal wayfinder in all external ways, this rare form of wayfinder differs in the potency of its light-emitting abilities. Once per day, the light generated by an active dayfinder replicates a daylight spell for a duration of 1 minute. These powerful tools against darkness are granted to experienced Pathfinders by generous venture-captains, and may only be purchased on the black market within the Society itself, and even then only by exchanging favors—never for gold.

Ibid and Miro, since you're both Grand Lodge, something you may want to consider from the Grand Lodge now that you have 20 fame:

Aspis Hunter (Fame 20, 2 PP): You gain special training in foiling the efforts of the Society’s largest external enemy, the Aspis Consortium. You gain a +1 bonus on attack rolls and on weapon damage rolls against Aspis agents who wear clearly visible insignia showing their
affiliation and rank.

Also, for 4,000 gp: Eyes of the Owl (PFS Field Guide), grants low-light vision!

For all of these things, please remember you need a valid copy of the source book the come from in order to take them (that includes the field guide). Sucks a bit, but especially when you turn up to a table at GenCon, you could get asked to show your source material for anything fancy you pull out in game (including your class!).

Finally, there is nothing wrong with hoarding 16 PP for a raise dead (8 PP for Amaranti and Cyrus). I can never seem to avoid spending it long before the 16 PP mark, but that's just me.

For 4k gold, you can get dex belt or int/cha headband.

Wands to consider:Heightened Awareness and for Ibid: [url=http://www.archivesofnethys.com/SpellDisplay.aspx?ItemName=Gravity%20Bow]Gravity Bow
Some potions that are good to have: Flight, Daylight, See Invisibility, Invisibility

Ibid, you can get weapon blanch (ghost salt) so you'll have some arrows that can hurt incorporeals. Adamantine is good to have, too.

I haven't played a bard since 2nd edition, so I really don't have any advice for Miro. Maybe getting a ranged weapon etc. for something to do in combat. Or swap some feats and go melee like Gunari suggested.

A tactics question from my side as well: Who wants to be included in Haste when Amaranti casts it? Only four targets at this point.

@ Amaranti: thanks for the ideas and suggestions. I'm going to check into all of your suggestions and for sure pick-up some weapon banch for Ibid's arrows.

Oh, and don't for get the guide to surviving PFS!

PFS Survival 101

Chock full of useful things to spend your gold on.

My absolute favorite is 5 gp for vermin repellent. I bought the Adventurer's Armory (even though I already have Ultimate Equipment) just for this one item. I really, really hate swarms.

Okay Drongos, clearly a lot of good character discussion going on here. I'm going to hold off on advancing the gameplay thread to allow some more time to make purchases and refine character builds. Feel free to add whatever you like to the gameplay thread yourselves (I will respond, of course) but we'll keep it in Fort Bandu and the hour or so you take to prepare for your journey northwards.

Ooh, I like the heightened awareness spell, Amaranti. Hadn't even checked out the spell section o the ACG yet! Nice. It is a competence bonus, though, so a comprehensive set of masterwork knowledge tools would be cheaper than a wand for those checks (and last longer). You just miss out on the +4 initiative at the end.

Gravity bow is an awesome spell, but cast out of a wand it has only a 1 minute duration. It's a little niche, but if Ibid gave it to Miro to cast once combat started (and inspire courage was up)... otherwise, part of your "enter room" buffs would work.

Ibid, for your prestige awards, I highly recommend picking up the PFS Field Guide if you haven't already. The last few pages are chock full of really fun prestige awards. Vanities start at p60, and I almost missed them when I first picked up the guide.

Some wayfinder enchantments that won't cost you gold for those with darkvision:

Jade (2 PP): Crafted in distant Tian Xia, the jade casing of this wayfinder is decorated with serpentine dragons wound around the Glyph of the Open Road. Instead of light, a jade wayfinder can be used to cast guidance.

Messenger (5 PP): This wayfinder functions as normal, except that the user may cast message at will in place of light

... and if you have 10 PP to "burn":

Dayfinder (10 PP): Similar to a normal wayfinder in all external ways, this rare form of wayfinder differs in the potency of its light-emitting abilities. Once per day, the light generated by an active dayfinder replicates a daylight spell for a duration of 1 minute. These...

"@ GM Damo:" Awesome, thanks for the suggestions also! Some of those are really cool. I like the Dayfinder, in case we ever need it. And the Aspis Hunter, for the theme of it.

"@ Miro:" Would you be up for using a wand of gravity bow of i purchase it? The problem as I see it, is that Casting that for me would definitely make some of the combats lame or boring for you, because of the buffing and such. What are your thoughts?

Ibid, I would definitely consider getting one of the bows gunari suggested to take advantage of your strength. You have enough gold to get one with pp, still have it enchanted, and for a net change of about 1000 good compared to what you have, you will get a +2 to damage on every arrow, taking advantage of your 14 str...

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Ibid, I would definitely consider getting one of the bows gunari suggested to take advantage of your strength. You have enough gold to get one with pp, still have it enchanted, and for a net change of about 1000 good compared to what you have, you will get a +2 to damage on every arrow, taking advantage of your 14 str...

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Sorry about that, Cyrus. Maybe my character sheet on Paizo is wordered poorly, currently Ibid has a +2 Str Composite Longbow (+1 magic). Sorry, sorry, sorry, I ask for suggestions and don't have my act together :)

Having a couple of Dayfinders in our group would be awesome (at least until we can cast it Daylight, and probably even then).

@Cyrus @Ibid, for 2PP (assuming you have Ultimate Equipment) - you can get a Greenwood Long Composite bow at +2 STR -- this is nice, because if it ever gets broken, you just plant it, and it regrows.

@Ibid, since you already have the bow... it might be worth getting it Adaptive (+1000gp and it will modify its strength bonus based on the archer's current strength).