Shifty Group Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

Seeing that the bears have moved closer to the others, Bree sneaks around the backside of the building and moves into a flanking position before sticking the bear with her dagger.
Sneak Attack 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32
Sneak Damage 5d8 + 3 ⇒ (8, 8, 7, 1, 4) + 3 = 31
Electricity Damage 1d6 ⇒ 3
Sneak Attack (crit confirm) 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Sneak Damage 5d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 8, 5, 5, 7) + 3 = 30
Electricity Damage 1d6 ⇒ 3

Bree, sneak damage is not multiplied on a crit to the best of my knowledge.

Hoping to put an end to this as quickly as possible, Ailetha quickly jabs at the bear.

Attack-rapier: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 11 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Attack-rapier: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 2 = 14
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 4 + 2 = 11

Unfortunately neither attack is even close to accurate.

Karlan chops down on the yellow bear. Seeking to end it and get to the giants.

Lunging to reach them
1d20 + 15 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 15 + 1 + 3 = 30 Attack 1
1d10 + 17 ⇒ (6) + 17 = 23 Damage

1d20 + 7 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 1 + 3 = 14 Attack 2
1d10 + 17 ⇒ (10) + 17 = 27 Damage

1d20 + 12 + 1 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 12 + 1 + 3 = 26 Attack 3
1d10 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 Damage

If any early attacks kill the bear assume further attacks are on the other bear.

You're right, it's been quite some time since I've read the description and it slipped my mind. However, I'm not clear if her regular damage would then be added on a crit? If so: 1d4 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 I also forgot to add the flanking bonus to the attack rolls.

R10
Ailetha misses...twice!
Bree sneaky stabbity!
Celestra hammer!
Sable
Kabal
Karlan chops!
ENEMY

It takes the combined blows to put down the marauding bear!

Spell timer:
Haste 9
DF 9
IC 3

R (Blind)
O
B

If any bears remain standing, Sable commands the owlbear to attack it.

Sable steps around the building and attempts to weaken the ursine.

Ray of Enfeeblement/Ranged Touch: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (16) + 7 = 23
Strength Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10 Fort DC 15 half

we opening up going out of turn?

Fatigued 2 more rds. Haste rd 9, HP = 105. Move 70'

Kabal took a couple of quick steps and brought his axe sweeping at the next bear.

PA Great Axe vs Blue: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 2 + 5 ⇒ (10) + 19 + 1 - 2 + 5 = 33
Damage: 1d12 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 18 - 2 = 17

Might have to go a bit out of turn, otherwise we might be inthis raid for eternity :p

Sable directs magical energy at the thing!
Fort 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32 but it resists! (5 damage)

The owlbear tries digging in...

Bite 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (1) + 8 = 9
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Claw 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
Claw 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 24
Damage 1d6 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Grapple 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30
It hits once and grapples the bear!

Kabal also strikes it!

R
O
B 22

Enemy

Thge giants hurl boulders at Karlan!
Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 15
Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (5) + 11 = 16
Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24
He's too hard to hit...

The bear responds to the owlbear...
2 claws +13 (1d6+7 plus grab), bite +13 (1d8+7
Bite 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16
Damage 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
Claw 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (1) + 13 = 14
Damage 1d8 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

The Owlbear gets bitten!

R11
Ailetha !
Bree
Celestra
Sable
Kabal
Karlan chops!
ENEMY

Spell timer:
Haste 10
DF 10
IC 4

Ill keep that in mind then ^_^

Yeah I reckon we just jump in where we can, as long as we don't jump ahead of the enemy... otherwise we all end up waiting a looong time :p If things change a lot I'll refund you

Round 11

Celestra's Spiritual Weapon attacks the bear.

Spiritual Weapon: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25
Damage: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

Celestra moves up and strikes at the bear herself.

Rapier Weapon: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Damage: 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Sable moves closer, to get a better scope of how things are unfolding. Remind me to buy a wand of Spectral Hand soon...

Bree stabs at the bear once more.
Shock Dagger 1d20 + 12 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 12 + 2 = 27
Damage 5d8 + 3 ⇒ (6, 3, 2, 6, 1) + 3 = 21
Electricity Damage 1d6 ⇒ 2

R11
Ailetha
Bree stabs cleanly!
Celestra strikes!
Sable flies...
Kabal
Karlan
ENEMY

R
O
B 59

Ailetha/Kabal/Karlan up :)

Ailetha continues to dance and pirouette as she attempts to not only hit, but also to confuse the bear so that her companions can get in solid strikes.

Attack-rapier: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 18 <-- +2 Inspire Courage, +1 Haste, +2 Flanking
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Attack-iterative: 1d20 + 6 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 6 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 2 = 8

Attack-haste: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 34
Damage: 1d6 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 4 + 2 = 10

Confirm Crit: 1d20 + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 11 + 2 + 1 + 2 = 27
-->Butterfly Sting - if it confirms, next hit is an Auto-Crit. <-- Karlan, looking at you

R
O
B 69

The bear gets tagged by the last shot!

guess Ill just let Karlan go ahead then...

I think I don't get the crit anyway since the last hit killed it and thus butterfly sting won't activate for meh.

Chop the last bear.

1d20 + 15 ⇒ (14) + 15 = 29 Attack 1
1d10 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18 Damage

1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13 Attack 2
1d10 + 17 ⇒ (4) + 17 = 21 Damage

1d20 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14 Attack 3
1d10 + 17 ⇒ (8) + 17 = 25 Damage

I think the main problem is that this isn't a fast posting group, it posts comparatively slowly. If people keep waiting for someone to post before they do it moves slower than a snails pace, which is problematic in a PbP, and tends to kill them - if they slow to a point where people start forgetting why they are even in a combat or what we were supposed to be doing again. So to try keep things moving I don't mind you guys posting out of sequence and then I try to be as flexible as I can in sorting out what happens. I'm more interested in picking up the pace than dropping players, because there is a metric smackton on content in these and I'd like to see it get done.

Kabal adjusted the swing of his axe as Karlan's blade scythed in front of him. 'Bloody Hell! Watch it bub!'...damned priest steps in my way again and he's going to get his chin checked... Frustrated, he unleashed on the bear in front of him with three quick chops.

Fatigued 1 more rd. Haste rd 10, HP = 105. Move 70'

PA vs Blue: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (16) + 19 + 1 - 2 = 34
Damage: 1d12 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (8) + 18 - 2 = 24

PA vs Blue: 1d20 + 11 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 + 1 - 2 = 11
Damage: 1d12 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (9) + 18 - 2 = 25

PA vs Blue: 1d20 + 19 + 1 - 2 ⇒ (7) + 19 + 1 - 2 = 25
Damage: 1d12 + 18 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 18 - 2 = 18

I get that, and we want to keep the RP aspect up, but to give some perspective, the combats can interfere with that - and the RP aspect drops right off as we go through a mechanical process. Each time an AP dies it is during a protracted set of battles, and to give some context, this combat will be very lengthy, very protracted, and quite complicated. There's no set deadline, but I am more than a bit cautious that even this group has had around three or four lineup changes and the AP has died at least once. I'd be thrilled to see the side chat and banter even between turns, because when it is silent for days between peoples actions it can give the impression to players that nothing is happening.

I've been in a stack of AP's so far, and not one has made it into book 4, they seem to die well before that - I'd like to see this one through to the end, so if there's a deadline I suppose there is - I'd like to see it complete before inertia and real life kills it. Yep we are all long time posters, I agree, but I'd like to keep the hum and buzz.

In fairness I think that long combats can be problematic, and its why Shattered Star is such a PBP Problem, similar to how Godsmouth Heresy (The module of a thousand doors) starts to lose a bit of the fun after an endless procession of combat rounds and actions.

Right now you are in the middle of a town being over-run by a strong army the place is on fire, giants are pounding it, mutant bears running wild in the streets, a dragon just turned up (A DRAGON!) and citizens are getting killed left and right and Sandpoint is being over run. It is a high pressure and dangerous environment, and that is a little hard to press the point in a PbP and keep the excitement and thrill?
At a game table you'd be in a postion of making high tempo decisions, in PbP land it is easy to become a bit blase and chillaxed as you guys can optimise the heck out of every play - there's no confusion at the table or adrenaline rush.

Like I don't mean to be cheeky, but a DRAGON flew in and torched the Garrison and I think one person made an RP comment, and even that was "yeah probably need to get to that" :) It's a dragon - where did they get one of those? What sort of Overlord must be coming down the mountain when a pet dragon is something they are sending?

So not keen on losing a player over it, and want you guys to have the opportunity to RP, but that can happen both in and out of combat as well, I just want to keep the pressure on - especially in what (really is) the culminating point of the Campaign.

To me looking in, I think you guys have let some major cues slip - Karlan getting a sign that things were changing with the rebirth of the dead Ranger, past what the laws of known magic dictates. The clearing of the giant menace and the hope restored to the Ferry, the final hurried attack on Sandpoint - the turning tide of the whole campaign as you start the turn from 3.5 chapters of defence and finally start the OFFENCE campaign.

To me it sucked hard having to retire my own character that I had been investing in since the very start to get this AP back off the ground, and if I am honest it still bugs and gnaws at me as I see how happy I'd have been playing it through, but yeah I thought the story so far was worth it to see how it might all end, and I'd like you guys to all now take this to its bloody conclusion - its exciting stuff, and I'd like to think it was worthwhile - even if some of the mechanical (combat) stuff wasn't as beautifully resolved.

I will admit that I haven't been very fond of the way that this campaign has gone so far, either. I feel like it's too rushed, even the story feels glossed over in favor for combat. I feel like there isn't always clarity on who it is we're waiting for when we're waiting for someone either. Several times I have noticed people post their action but it wasn't taken by the others to be their action, I guess? So, the game continued to wait for further posts from that player without making it clear that that is what they were waiting for...

At any point you guys can jump in with aside and banter. When the thread is quiet I take that as my cue to move the game forwards.

The thing is this is supposed to be a non-relaxed pace, the pressure is supposed to be on, there is an invasion and the Army of Darkness orlling over the place and yes you are at a point in the AP where the investigation and checking about is over and the enemy is trying to enforce its will.

After just about every post there is a round summary posted up afterwards where you can see who is still outstanding that round.

Likewise I have prompted players when it really is their opportunity to take an action - especially from a story perspective.

To be honest I am pretty disappointed, in order to keep this game vibrant and engaging it sort of is necessary to keep it shifting along at a reasonable pace so the story isn't lost - look at what you guys have done storywise in the last while - saved a town by defeating a legendary beast (Black Magga), uncovered the operations and power source of an ancient Thassilonian Dam, cut a deal with a Pit Fiend (including having the Paladin make a moral dilemma over it), drove the Giants from Hook Mountain, negotiated with a mythic level ghost and returned her dead lover in a way not known to the laws of magic and Celestra got blessed by said powerful ghost.

The town is getting invaded, the enemy is at the gates, and everyone goes to the pub,

Rally the townsfolk? Gather people on the gates for mighty speeches?

Do an actual in character post about the road to victory? Nope.

An army of giants turns up and it was just a yawn fest, Dragon? One mention. The main garrison baked in dragonsfire? not a comment.

You sort of get my frustration here at pointing out that you have this enormous canvas against which to do epic RP etc, and I'm not seeing that but being told 'things are too rushed'.

If that's where we are at then I'll leave it with you guys, because I am equally not down with the criticism that despite you having carte blanche to pretty much do what you want, you guys aren't collectively doing it, and that somehow the world continuing to turn because the enemy have no reason to wait is a bit unfair.

In my defense I was rallying. Can we chop up the bear and suplex the giants now? :(

That's true, you did give them a rally - hence at least some of the defences were in place, but you guys didn't get all the extra clues, early warning etc which was a shame.

Well to be fair, it's kinda hard to give a damn about a dragon over there when we're faced with enemies that are right in front of us. It doesn't seem like a good idea to let ourselves get distracted from the huge threat we are already facing to worry about the even bigger threat we're about to face, because, well if we get distracted we die. Combat banter is fine and all, but it can't account for the sum total of role play and building relationships. It still doesn't feel like one whole, cohesive group, but two groups clashing as they try to fight enemies together. Bree, Kabal, and Sable being at a distinct disadvantage because they haven't been here since the start and quite frankly still don't really even get what the hell they're doing here and what they're suppose to be doing. Even those story bits you're talking about though, they felt rushed. It's all just felt rushed, a means to an end and not an adventure to be experienced and enjoyed for its own sake.

Right, and that is up to YOU guys to build yeah? I can't build your relationships, that is for you guys to work on, I put a dragon on the table, thats for you to then make comment or conversation on, and if you don't react, the world keeps turning - I guess thats the key message, if you don't say or do anything, the world will continue to move - it is not a static environment. Especially when the party asks to be moved forward.

From 20 Aug to September 5th look at the dialogue and exposition - there was ONE comment about the huge transformation happening around you and rescuing the ranger etc from Celeestra - no one responded. Two comments that were "Right, lets get to Sandpoint ASAP". Not even an acknowledgement of what just went on. Your comment was around what boots to get. You guys had close to two weeks to converse over what was going on, what the grander plot might be, or how it hashes together -

If the party decision is to ignore the events around you, not comment, but ask to be moved on then how is it feeling rushed? If you want to see the dialogue then its on you to build it too. You dont have to rush to the Dragon, but where's even the in game dialogue? If people are rushing over each other, feel free to discuss it. When you have an enemy you are racing ahead of to save a town, maybe dropping in to the pub isn't the best concept. There were unlimited options to go off and develop story there

I truly do not understand all the complaining that is going on. If people do not like the way the game is being run, a PM to Shifty would have been appropriate. He has done yeoman's duty running this campaign after Zyren disappeared. I would love to still have Harry as Harry-Celesta-Karlan-Ailetha have been in this game together for a very long time (Harry and Karlan since the beginning and Ailetha and Celestra since the middle of Book 1).

While the timing is not opportune, if people do not like the way the game is being run, nobody is forcing you to stay.

As far as how Shifty is running the combat, this is how most pbp games I am in are done with the party acting as a group and able to adjust positions as necessary. In this case, Ailetha moved and attacked one bear, and then the two big hitters engaged the other bear, effectively making her Butterfly Sting ability worthless. Everyone in this game has many years of gaming experience and while most of us have never sat at table together, we and our level 10 characters should understand basic combat tactics. (Fighter engage first to allow rogue to get flanking/sneak, block the mages, keep the cleric alive, etc.) In this game we have multiple time completely deviated from this. Rather than sticking together so that Ailetha and Celestra can use Blessing of Fervor/Haste, we all run around like chickens with out heads cut off, and then wonder why we are getting beat up. Our witch and rogue have charged forward in front of the more heavily armored tanks. We have people not posting for a week at a time so that Shifty has to run them. So, yes, I find things quite frustrating.

Despite this rant, I really want to see this game through to the end. If others are not up for that, that is fine. But, please let us know so that we can recruit other players to fill in and allow us to slay a Runelord.

Dear Cayden, there is a dragon burning down Sanpoint! What are we doing fighting bears?! We've got to wrap this up quickly!

"My friends, we need to save Sandpoint from that dragon! Can we leave the bears and giants for others to deal with? That or we've got to deal with them faster! With that dragon on the loose, it won't take long before we will lose Sandpoint altogether."

"Then let us fly. The greatest raptor of the skies is upon us, talons at the ready. Has anyone ever dealt with one? As masters of flight this crow learned the Draconic speech, as I strive to speak with all beasts on the wind, but it will take more than birdsong to fell a wyrm. My talons and magics are at your disposal. What would you have me do? My avian-ursine ally will tarry a bit longer to hold the bears and giants..."

When you have an enemy you are racing ahead of to save a town, maybe dropping in to the pub isn't the best concept. There were unlimited options to go off and develop story there

That's actually kind of a perfect example of what I mean. We don't have a HQ so I thought that it made sense for us to meet at a centralized location to discuss a plan and delegate tasks. Celestra I think it was mentioned the pub, so that's where I went. I had assumed we'd meet there and those familiar with the area would point out what areas need reinforcements, who needs to be notified etc. etc. Instead, you assumed for Karlan that he would have gone to the barracks, after we said we were at the pub, which of course meant that Kabal would have as well. You separated the group and removed the chance for in game discussion of what to do and who should go where.

I will admit that I haven't put up nearly as much effort lately, I haven't felt like it's been very welcome for some time and thought it best to just try to suck it up and go with the flow. I thought that perhaps since we were starting to talk about complaints, it was a good time to mention my own but I feel like I'm basically being told to stfu and play or leave.

"The only time I've ever seen one was the one Winter convinced to let him ride into battle. I don't think this one is going to be quite as amendable."

I didn't separate the group at any point. You arrived in Sandpoint (expecting to find it under attack or possibly alreadt destroyed) and had a blank canvas. There was a brief interchange between yourself and Karlan, everyone had a couple of days (RL time) to comment, but only you two did, by the time I moved forward there had been no further comments in game or otherwise for a day and a half.

We moved to the next morning, and I asked where the group was going and for you to indicate your locations on the map - Karlan was first post and said he was off to start rallying help and located at the garrison. Your subsequent post was to go to the tavern and just stay there, everyone else went to the tavern in /ooc format and that was it. I am not sure how that translates as me splitting the group.

Here

You have been plenty welcome, I really don't get where this is coming from. I get it Bree is stand offish and aloof, sure, but I am not seeing anyone spurn her or give her flack. Alana was in the party for a year so I'd have assumed you got the mechanics of what was going out, how do you see Bree fitting in that context?

I do apologize, I inaccurately recalled how that particular event played out. I'm not saying that the other players are giving flack... Alana didn't really know what the hell was going on either and swiftly became little more than Celestra's girlfriend. Look, it doesn't matter. I don't see anyway that this conversation is going to be productive so I'll just stfu and play.

Ailetha looks to her companions.
We need to get to the dragon, but we are already here. We are taking these bears down in a few seconds each. Lets finish this and then sprint across to the dragon. I have some magic left to haste us to help with this fight and then running across to the dragon.

Ailetha will step back and use her Rod of Extend to cast Haste - 1 round casting time, but will last 20 rounds.

Sable, move closer so that can get us all in the spell.

"Splendid, Ailetha! Let's just hope we are not too late."

Sable will fly closer to join the others.

The bear falls under the rain of blows - the giants maintain their barrage - trying to bring down the flying warrior!

Attacking Karlan
Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29 (hit?)
Damage 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Attack 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (15) + 11 = 26
Attack 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

...you can hear fresh screams breaking out (main map updated) and giants yelling "If you don't give us all the beer, we'll smash you flat!" and the sound of stone cracking stone.

R12
Ailetha
Bree
Celestra
Sable
Kabal
Karlan
ENEMY

Celestra yells out to the giant's demands.

"If you don't give us all the beer, we'll smash you flat!"

"I tried to negotiate with your companions and they would having nothing to do with me! If all you want is beer, that can be arranged. I am Celestra Zomesco, high priest of Cayden Cailean and one of the order of the Starstone Brewers. Will you agree to cease attacking so that we can arrange a negotiation?"

"You've got to be bloody kidding. Seriously? Beer? They're attacking for bloody beer?"

Ailetha, ignoring the goodwill of her companions, steps forth and shouts at the giants in their own language.

In Giant:
Begone. Your fellows to the north are dead or fled. Your bears are dead. We are uninjured. Flee now and never return, and you shall live. Anything else and you will die before we slay the dragon.

Intimidate: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

My vote is for Shifty to DMPC anyone who does not post in 2 days. This battle is taking way too long. When the fight is over, if people do not want to be part of the party, let us know and we can recruit a few more heroes to save the world from Runelords. With the current posting rates, this campaign is going to take another decade to finish. I would like to be done by Christmas 2016, which means we have to get through 2.5 books in the next year. We can do this, but only with active participation, which we clearly are lacking at this point.

Appreciate the sentiment Ailetha, however I am heading off tomorrow for a week away where I don't know how much spare time I will have (likely barely enough to check in) and back on the 14th. I also head off for a cruise mid Dec and then we hit Xmas and New Years.

After reflecting on the broader conversation in the thread, some discussion back and forth separately, and looking at what the rest of the AP entails I don't think it looks feasible to continue it on. Long story short this combat alone picks up tempo as more and more activities unfold and more key and decisive events take place, and then the AP just gets more and more hectic.

So in short, I think we just put this one down to a great effort from all concerned, but the magic just isn't here.

I think we achieved quite a chunk in the months we got stuck in, and the story caught some funky situations - Handsome Karlan being fought over by a bunch of cursed hags who were doomed to always think they were stunners was great!

But like Kenny says, you gotta know when to hold em, know when to fold em.

So this one is a fold.

Thanks for all your contributions, I enjoyed not only the last bunch of months, but also the many many months preceding this chapter.

;-;

That's too bad. Thanks for running it for us, Shifty.