Solstice Scar B GM Thread (Inactive)

Game Master Granta

GM Blake's Gameplay RPG Subtier 10-11

GM Blake's Discussion RPG Subtier 10-11

Still pending GM Aarvid and Luke_Parry to check in.

I've had a drop from my 1-2 table. I've written to wydroe who is on the waiting list.

I am just smiling and letting y’all know that this backup GM is reading the thread.

Hmm

Woodenman's 8-99 Solstice Scar B Gameplay

Woodenman's 8-99 Solstice Scar B Discussion

Had a couple of drops from my 1-2 table but have filled one and am working on the other.

@All Please double check if I linked properly to your campaigns. Also, does anybody still need the scenario?

@Batpony & Red I still need to know whether anybody has yet to muster at your tables.

• Aerondor Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Batpony Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Blake Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Chadius Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Chaosorbit Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Cwethan Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Dennis Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Greenclaw Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Kuey Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Ladile Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Red Gameplay | Discussion
  
• Woodenman Gameplay | Discussion

Looks good.

Since we are starting in about a week or so, was thinking of starting a discussion on the roleplaying aspect of this scenario. It seems that the first two parts are completely identical to Version A, and I've been struggling thinking about how to present the game to my players, when all their characters played Version A (and some in the same tier, i.e. facing the same monsters).

My initial naive thought was for the Torchbearing to be the following year. But that leads to the ridiculous situation of Nigel sending agents to steal the dagger again, Medda raiding the museum again instead of seeking the Pathfinder Society, etc. Alternatively, I could just ask all of them to suspend their disbelief and pretend their experiences in Version A didn't happen (or it was all a dream...) but that doesn't sit well with me.

Any thoughts about this?

(Might have been better roleplaying-wise if they brought in different character instead? But probably be too late for that now. )

Given there will be some returning paladins... I think we need to have a way to make it work with returning characters.

I'm a bit disappointed that they decided to include part A, as the rest could easily happen a year later.

That said perhaps part A was a bit of a "dream" or "divine warning" of what they will face. I suspect healthy doses of willing suspension of disbelief is going be required.

One problem will be characters who already know exactly what will happen. And perhaps the "warning dream" scenario is the best way to run that.

(Might have been better roleplaying-wise if they brought in different character instead? But probably be too late for that now. )

RP-wise maybe, but there is benefit to playing the same character again, and they were encouraged to do so.

Having played both, the repeat didn't seem to bad once it got going. The overseer interaction between Nigel and Ambrus was a little weird, but once the scenario got going it's busy enough and variable enough that it didn't matter. They can always push their party to seek out different encounters than they did last time (upstairs in the museum vs. the garden vs. downstairs, Planar Opportunists vs. Seeking Aid, etc.). You could poll them which ones they've done via PM to avoid spoilers.

GM Batpony wrote:

I have one player who is looking to move into RPGgeek from my current table, tier 1-2.

Granta or RPGgeek GMs aware of this move?

Angela Isafara wrote:

Hello! Sorry for checking in so late, but after thinking things over and seeing that there's another Empiricist in the group, I'm going to look at moving Angela to the RPGgeek site's table in this tier. It's not completely decided, but if it ends up being okay, I will try contacting people on the waiting list. Sorry if this proves problematic but it might be best for party composition.

Yes I’m aware. I’ve already found someone on the wait list to fill the spot she is referring to.

Everyone has mustered except the one referenced in the quotes.

Gameplay

Discussion Thread

It seems to play into the large group of Pathfinders all doing this mission together.

Each version represents part of the story of the whole experience the character had.

The first play through, I defeated a pack of dogs with these 5 Pathfinders. The second play through, I defeated a pack of dogs with these 5 different Pathfinders. The third with these 5 different Pathfinders. A character never sees more than 3 copies of the same encounter.

However, I think it's best not to meddle too much and let the players direct the experience. If I play it up as a "dream," that may not have been how Players X, Y, and Z wanted to rationalize it after they read the Solstice Scar blog. Not to mention the wierdness for Player A and B who never played a version before this play.

For several tables, it will be an opportunity to try different encounters.

Much like GM Blake mentioned, I plan to let the players drive the experience. I plan to tell them that the 1st to parts are repeats and it is what it is.

Also I noticed, there is only 4 days scheduled for the Museum part, we likely won't get much done on it. I'm glad more time is being dedicated to the later sections, but am thinking most tables will only get through 1 at most 2 encounters in Part A.

@Granta - Both links are correct! I also have my scenario and all of my players should now be checked in.

Also I noticed, there is only 4 days scheduled for the Museum part, we likely won't get much done on it. I'm glad more time is being dedicated to the later sections, but am thinking most tables will only get through 1 at most 2 encounters in Part A.

And that is why it was posted here for double checking, before going to gameplay. Looks like I made multiple mistakes. Must have been a copy-pasta error when porting from the SSA thread.

IMPORTANT DATES

• March 5 - Start scenario
  
• March 6 - Begin “The Museum Entrance”
  
• March 14 - Begin "Confronting the Intruders"
  
• March 18 - Begin “Blood on the Snow”
  
• March 28 - Begin “Voice of the Shadow”
  
• April 2 - Begin "Leaf and Scale"
  
• April 12 - Begin "Dragon's Lair"
  
• April 17 - Finish scenario

Everyone has reported in and mustered at my table.

Link to Gameplay

Link to Discussion

I've not heard back from wydroe yet, but with the site changes, maybe that is not surprising.

I appear to still be pending Luke_Parry.

GM Aarvid checked in.

Woodenman wrote:

GM Batpony wrote:

I have one player who is looking to move into RPGgeek from my current table, tier 1-2.

Granta or RPGgeek GMs aware of this move?

Angela Isafara wrote:

Hello! Sorry for checking in so late, but after thinking things over and seeing that there's another Empiricist in the group, I'm going to look at moving Angela to the RPGgeek site's table in this tier. It's not completely decided, but if it ends up being okay, I will try contacting people on the waiting list. Sorry if this proves problematic but it might be best for party composition.

Yes I’m aware. I’ve already found someone on the wait list to fill the spot she is referring to.

Everyone has mustered except the one referenced in the quotes.

Gameplay

Discussion Thread

Sorry I don't think I was clear enough.

I meant that I had already talked to other people on the waitlist to fill the spot in my game that she was looking to take. ie she needs to play at your table if she is still interested as my table is now full.

Noted! Looks like she just checked in as well. All players accounted for.

Is Monday the first Overseer post, or is that when we should start the bit about classes they took?

I've not heard back from the Core wait-listed guy, so posted in Flaxseed for a 6th for my 1-2 table.

I've not heard back from the Core wait-listed guy, so posted in Flaxseed for a 6th for my 1-2 table.

Good. It's close enough to the start time, that we should be replacing anybody who has not yet checked in.

Posting speed is much more important during a multi-table special, and there are a couple of easy ways to speed up combat. Of course, if you already do these things, great.

The first tip is to run all NPCs on the same initiative. Doing this will double the speed of most games. The way I handle it is to average the NPC initiatives (rounding down, since Pathfinder always does), and then place them in order from highest initiative modifier to lowest. If the combat is one where the NPCs could become overpowered by all acting together, I do still combine their initiatives, but just have them act after all of the PCs in round 1.

The second tip is to treat a round as the time in between NPC actions. Do not pause at the end of a numeric round.

Here is an example of how my initiative tracker looks when I do these things.

So I've got a couple of players wanting to take advantage of the Restful Pathfinders' Lounge vanity for the Heroes Feast - but there's no CL listed. For now I just told them to calculate the extra HP using the base CL for it. Does that make sense?

I had assumed it was cast by a level 11 cleric. My thinking it was similar to a scroll or spell casting service, and PFS says if a level isn't listed, you use the minimum spell caster level by a Cleric, Druid or Wizard.

Ah! That's sorta what I was thinking but wasn't entirely sure. Thanks!

I remember from the last run of Solstice Scar a discussion on GMs coordinating if their tables are going to tackle encounters that grant special successes, rather than normal successes. For example, once 1/3 of tables clear A3, additional tables tackling that encounter grant no additional benefits. Is that something we want to coordinate this time?

I think the success track spreadsheet has a couple of formula off, by a few cells.

Also..should aid tokens be flowing yet?

I'm not sure it's a formula. I think Granta's tallying them by hand...

Aid tokens should be flowing, and the spreadsheet should be calculating automatically. I will check the formulas later.

We need 4 special successes to trigger Failing Wards, right? If that's the case, just wanted to point out that 2 tables have cleared A3, and my table have just started that encounter.

Aid tokens should be flowing, and the spreadsheet should be calculating automatically. I will check the formulas later.

I might have missed the post. How are the aid tokens passed around?

Aid Tokens

Can you put that in the list of links up top?

It's already linked at the top of the page: it's the recruitment thread.

I missed it too.
So the current aid tokens are with Batpony, Chaosorbit, Dennis and Cwethan

I just happened to check the tracking. Seems like we have hit 4 special successes already.

I will need some GM Backup support from March 11th EST ~5.00pm till March 17th. There is some unplanned work site visit I have to make during this time.

I will need some GM Backup support from March 11th EST ~5.00pm till March 17th. There is some unplanned work site visit I have to make during this time.

Batpony, do you have your backup lined up yet? If not, I can try to cover your table. Tier 1-2, correct?

Hmm

I also need someone to cover from 15-18 Mar for a mini-getaway with some friends. I can still post most of 15th and 18th as I leave later in the day and return early, but my timezone is off from most, so might be easier to work out directly with whoever manages to cover. Thanks!

Well, given that I've a PC at Kuey's table... and there are just the two backup GM's... and these two breaks overlap...

I think Hmm might need to cover for Kuey, and I for Batpony. =)

You just want me to GM for 575 and Corona again.

Muahahahaha. Alrighty then, I will. Batpony, I am no longer helping you out. I will be covering for Kuey instead.

Hmm

@Backup GMs: Please remember to fill in your calendar, linked at the top of the campaign.

Alrighty then. I have filled things in.

Hmm

I'm going to be away for a couple of days at a work offsite on the 13/14 my time. So US time that is likely to be from Monday the 12th until Tuesday the 13th. Essentially my last post is likely in about 30 hours from now.

Can anyone look after my Core 1-2 table and keep things ticking over during that time.

Hrmm... if its just a day, I can probably pick that up too Aerondor.

I'm away one night and two days, but the TZ thing works in our advantage a bit here.

Much appreciated.

It's still a ways off but Granta's post in Flaxseed reminded me; if it doesn't look like my Core table for Session 2 will make, I'm happy to run a Standard table or go on standby as a backup GM or whatever is needed. Just wanted to note it now before I forget again :)

If you still have empty seats in a week or two, I will post another reminder and remove the restriction on playing only one session. Once we open it up to all of the people playing regular campaign in the first session, it shouldn't be too difficult.