We're just at the very beginning.
I will get a Gameplay post up tomorrow introducing the new PCs. We are waiting on one more.
This may move a little bit slow at first - as I am running 3 games now - but it will move, I promise you that.
Just want to say it was amusing to see how much longer this group lasted rather than mine.
Keep fighting the good fight, folks.
Ready to go Aldizog!
I'm checking in with Deluge to see if he can still join us.
ALL of us out... or no deal! :) :P
Assuming this is for standard, I have a Liberty's Edge PC that's level 6, and I have two Silver Crusade PCs that are each level 8. Let me know which are my options for credit: I'm a bit rusty on how it works.
All three characters are free to play now actually... lol
Let me know which one could join without messing up the APL for everyone: (all 3 have great diplomacy and sense motive, come to think of it... not sure why I went for the pregen here... was there a requirement for a pregen on this one?)
Arcane Duelist 6 (melee lightweight with inspire courage)
Cleric 8 (healing and buffing)
Paladin 8 (melee heavyweight tank)
Edit: I just realized this is a Core adventure yes? that would explain the pregen choice. Please confirm and I'll give you the number for my Core Silver Crusade PC.
This is a Core game.
Ah that explains it. Please put credit on my gnome cleric then. I'll put the boon on hold until he reaches level 5.
Player/Forum Name: PDK
Character Name: Sarzuket Thicketbotter
Class and Level: Cleric 4
PFS# (and dash): 4456-14
Faction: Concordance
Day job Roll (if any):
Okay, so I believe that means for this mission Valeros is considered a member of Liberty's Edge.
Yes, liberating the town from the grip of an evil tyrant is definitely what his faction wants him to do. The only question is how to go about it... the elder has been dropping some hints but isn't supposed to come out and say it.
Sorry I double checked and that PC is 'Concordance'. But I'll play Valeros as if he was Liberty's Edge if you want. It fits his character.
It is up to you, not me.
There are faction boons for Liberty's Edge and Silver Crusade that you get for achieving certain goals in this scenario. That's why I asked.
Yeah don't worry about the boons. Assign it to my Concordance PC. Thanks. I only have two Core characters.
Likewise. Best wishes of health and recovery for your son!
ignore the game...family first always...we'll just use you as a meatshield and trap detector...lol
Hey guys, I think it would benefit the party to learn from one another. Please add your characters to the role that most accurately describe him/her:
Melee: Valeros
Ranged:
Arcane:
Healing:
Buff/Support:
Face:
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Melee: Valeros, 1/2 Deluge (low DPR, substandard AC), Merisiel..a bit
Ranged:
Arcane: Deluge
Healing:
Buff/Support:Merisiel
Face:
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I sincerely apologise, been finding it difficult to log in and update games. Life is hitting hard at the moment.
Melee: Valeros, 1/2 Deluge (low DPR, substandard AC), Merisiel..a bit, James
Ranged: 1/2 Fethril (Magic Missile, substandard bow)
Arcane: Deluge, Fethril
Healing: Fethril
Buff/Support:Merisiel, Fethril, Morkda
Face: Morak
I know this can be a frustrating encounter, so let me point out some things.
First, combat was pretty likely here unless you had made some amazingly good social rolls. While Valeros did trigger combat with his approach (he could not have hit the Intimidate DC so I didn't roll), this is how things would probably have gone down. Unless another PC with better social skills and very good rolls had stepped up before Valeros spoke.
Second, Morka has a few things he can do here. Grease or Glitterdust are somewhat incapacitating but not lethal; Inspire Courage offsets some of the penalty of dealing nonlethal damage. Aid Another also works.
Third, you have to defeat or drive them off, preferably without dealing lethal damage and definitely without killing either of them. You also have to contain the fire, which you have done.
Fourth, every PFS character should have a sap. It is not at all unusual to need to deal nonlethal damage. Even the pregens have enough spare coin to pick one up.
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Also, keep in mind that if you do 90% lethal and 10% lethal you will knock them out before you kill them almost every time. So just land one decent non-lethal blow on each and then return to smacking them good. The penalty for dealing non-lethal is just -4.
As for a sap? Deluge will stick to his storm burst. But I'll take that under advisement for my other martial characters. Makes a lot of sense.
The onlookers notice that you are trying to kill their Ifrit kin every time you deal lethal damage. That is what lethal damage is - striking to kill.
Doing so would be preferable. These are Ifrit, and are literally the children of the Oreads of Crystalcrag.
But, there are no consequences to your Chronicle sheets for using lethal force here. It would be strictly an RP thing.
If they are hitting for lethal damage, Valeros will hit back with lethal damage as well. I'm sorry guys, but even though GM Aldizog is gracious enough to let us know about some of the module's writing flaws, it would be extremely ridiculous for resort to nonlethal against incoming lethal damage unless they were somehow mind-controlled. These are actual sentient warriors striking to kill out of their own free will.
Given that you now have saps, you would not be taking a -4 on your attacks.
That the Ifrit are kin to the Oreads is a feature, not a bug. It is part of the story and intended to make the usual murderhobo approach less viable.
In the storyline of this module, killing the Ifrit leads to lasting problems within Crystalcrag rather than reconciliation after Tygora is defeated.
There are many storylines and scenarios where responding to lethal force with nonlethal force is an intelligent and appropriate thing to do. Here, the reason is to not make things worse.
You can make your own decisions, and do what you wish, but I strongly disagree that using nonlethal here is inherently "extremely ridiculous." You are outsiders and interlopers in a family dispute.
They are not mind-controlled, but they have been indoctrinated and effectively brainwashed. It is not so clear-cut.
When this module is done I will read it thoroughly; I am utterly turned off by a module-wide nonlethal restriction upon the players. I could live with an encounter or two, say, at a tavern or in front of a crowd like we did earlier, but if we're going to storm a castle like countless other PFS scenarios before this one, imposing nonlethal on the players is against the concept of fun and I will take this up to the campaign staff as a complaint. Not a slight against you Aldizog, just a complaint about this scenario, so please double check this is really meant to go down this way before I talk to Tyranius.
Please also keep in mind that several feats for some players are tied up in weapon selection, so 'using a sap' for a fighter specialized in swords, when that's the only thing he has (with a complete lack of skill-monkey-ism to fall back upon) is the opposite of fun.
At the very least I would have gone with a different pregen selection if I would have been given a warning by the GM or by way of scenario blurb.
Again, there are no consequences to your Chronicle sheets for using lethal force here. It would be strictly an RP thing.
I was trying to explain those RP reasons.
These Ifrit are the children of the Oreads you are trying to help. They have been led astray. The Oreads still love them. The module is plain as day on that point.
If it is more 'fun' for you to try to kill the Ifrit, the scenario does not mechanically punish you for doing so in this combat. The narrative still indicates that killing Ifrit causes problems.
There are 4 major fights in this scenario. Two against Ifrit, two not. You can use lethal force to your heart's content against Tygora Cinderfury, as you did against the elementals. "An encounter or two" is okay you say? Yes, it is "two." (Maybe two and a half if Tygora has Ifrit guards.. in which case Valeros can focus on the BBEG.)
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I look at it a bit differently. I do not see it as a problem with the module, just a unique twist on things that encourages you to think outside the normal PFS box. Admittedly 90% of the scenarios push you into lethal combat, but in this case you have the opportunity, not burden, to find a solution that does not involve killing. The fact that they are trying to kill us makes it more interesting to me. At least at this point. The tavern scene was less optional.
But you can go ahead and play Valeros as you see fit. Your character's response to lethal force is reasonable either way. You COULD go with respond in kind and role-play Valeros' not taking any crap, or you could try to appease the Oreads and indulge in a little role-play of a different sort.
But either way, Deluge will probably roll his eyes at you :)
Just in case you were concerned, the tactics as written in this scenario do not have Tygora Cinderfury's non-genie allies (like the Mephit in this subtier) Wishing you to be teleported into the sun.
So that won't happen.
Efreeti with loyal non-genie allies could be far more dangerous than they are usually intended to be...
It being a holiday weekend in the U.S. (really the whole week for some people), I will hold off on botting James until Monday.
Just curious Aldizog: is it in her NPC personality profile for this large sized efreeti gal with bigass sword to just cower in the corner of the ceiling and do the *pew pew* game with us? I mean this comes across as the most cowardly boss I've ever seen... maybe she's a STR 5 halfling wizard with some clever illusion going on? lol
Oh, and can someone create a stool for James to step on? lol
At least that way he wouldn't have to lower himself and keep throwing these pitiful daggers at her! :D
It absolutely is in her tactics for her to use her SLAs. And in her personality for her to be cunning and crafty.
Closing with you would be rather stupid. You outnumber her severely and she has the advantage at range. She has a decent Int and is quite interested in her own survival.
It has worked quite well so far... well, until Fethril started interrupting her casting. That could force a change in her tactics.
She has Scorching Ray at will. 3 shots for 4d6 each.
There is nothing cowardly about using your strengths against your opponents' weaknesses. That is basic Sun Tzu.
Awesome. Now the GM is using Sun Tzu against us. :D
Pretty simple tactics. Attack where your enemy is weak.
Would you rather I have her throw the fight?
Of course not! :)
I would be inclined to accept her surrender if she feels overwhelmed though. :)
This scenario introduces an interesting twist if you do manage to get her to surrender...
Hmm... interesting... do go on Sir! :)
(not that Valeros can do much else in this fight; due to low HP he's now fulfilling the lowly X-Men 'Angel duty', carrying bodies around... hmmm... wait a min!!!!! O_O O_O O_O ---> if James wasn't so big could Valeros lift him up into Tygora's face?!)