The Pact Stone Pyramid (Inactive)

Game Master Pact Stone GM

Hal practically shivers with excitement to finally face something...

Good! Then perhaps now is the time to start linking epic sounding music!

Despite his most recent burn by magic, Karek is unable to resist the lure of becoming bigger.

I'd like da be bigger, I dink. Da bedder da keeb da beasd ad lengd.

Hal grins widely and holds back his laughter, "I like the plan, better to smell like crap then end up like crap after Deca Jaws is done with us".

"I also have a few ideas. While in A'Viss I found four potions which I believe will enhance the maneuverability of those of us who are less gifted swimmers. I have also prayed to Angradd for a series of spells which will aid us against Deca Jaws. Once we are ready to begin our journey I will cast these spells. Their duration is somewhat limited but in the heat of a battle I will not be able to get them all off at once".

As we set off (so each round of swimming I cast another spell) I would like to cast spells in the following order and I hope we move through fast enough for the spells to be effective versus Deca Jaws:
1)Spell - Bear’s Endurance : Target – Myself
2) Spell – Shield of Faith : Target – Jason
3) Spell – Shield of Faith : Target – Karek
4) Spell – Shield Other : Target – Breach
5) Spell – Sanctuary : Target – Myself
6) Spell – Status : Target – The Dune Squad

“I would prefer to be a smaller target but for the purposes of swimming I will probably move faster larger. I will follow Karek’s lead and be larger. Thank you again Orchid and Faren without you both we surely would have perished”.

Aye, an' you'd think it would matter, but it never seems ta work out tha way.

Karek will keep pace with Hal while he is casting his spells. His action will be to ready his spear against a charge.

"Alright boys, we better get movin'. We only become a more likely target the longer we wait here. I plan stayin' as I was when I came inta this world and will go out the same way."

How far are we from the gate? I will ready an action to set off the raw sewage field once we are within a sprint distance to the gate.

How far are we from the gate? I will ready an action to set off the raw sewage field once we are within a sprint distance to the gate.

Sounds cool.

Several hundred feet - let's say 700 for the moment - not quite a sprint distance yet. But I don't have the Dune Squad moving forward just yet - I want to make sure everyone is cool and final with their preparations.

I'd also be interested in your 'swimming order'. Space is not an issue so you can fan out parallel, or you can even stack the Dune Quad vertically. How far apart shall you be? Moving at the Speed of your slowest swimmer?

"Wasn't there a bunch of swimming potions or something?"

Jason casts mage armor on himself. If anyone else can benefit from it, just let him know and he'll cast it for you as well.

"I'll take one of your spells there, Jason. I think that we need to stay near each other so I can cover us as best as possible with the cloud. If we spread too far apart it will be impossible to all benefit from the concealment."

"Friend Hurgah, this is indeed a sorry excuse for an oasis, one that would not play host to any gen's conclave. According to wee Schmoosh, though, this here be the lair of some foul Deca-Jaws, no doubt swimming in yonder pool waiting to make chowder of our friends and us.<rumble, rumble> We will need to act fast if there be any hope of savin' us all, though I do know what we can possibly do. I can summon a fierce water elemental, or some sharks, maybe a pair of killer octopi, or even a swarm of tasty shrimp perhaps to tempt its ten jaws." <rumble, rumble>

Moonpate rubs his big belly and looks at the large sack containing their friends gear.

"Gads, I hate waiting to eat, or in our probable case, to be eaten. Maybe we should take stock of our friends gear an' see if their be any weapons or such we could use. Maybe that blasted traitor left behind something useful, or at least tasty."

He then lets his hungry eyes linger for a dazed bit on their summoned mounts when suddenly a crazy idea pops into his prodigious head.

"Hurgah, what if we can lure this Deca-Jaws on to the shore with some bait and then slay the foul beast ourselves, like that pair of ancient heroes Soof and Zan-al Zweeb, the Sand Craw Slayers of Katapesh!"

OOC:

Fun post. I'd love to resolve this issue before I unleash the rest of the Dune Squad. Otherwise the temptation to metagame will be even more brutal.

Will you:

(A) Act now, potentially courting a battle with Deca-Jaws minutes, hours or even days before the rest of the Dune Squad arrives.

(B) Continue to sit on the beach and wait, which may result in you missing the whole encounter if it takes place on the other side of the gate.

Or (C) any other plan. I include this as I've been awesomely surprised a few times now.

The problem you face is you do not know where you synch in time with your allies. The GM knows this, but you do not. The Schmoosh phone would have been handy, but is alas not available - perhaps the fruhgen's off sulking over an unanswered riddle.

"Friend Hurgah, this is indeed a sorry excuse for an oasis, one that would not play host to any gen's conclave.

Moonpate though, has not seen the cool pics of the oasis in the link in the Beetle's profile. Or maybe he's an oasis snob - I can respect that.

"I'll take one of your spells there, Jason. I think that we need to stay near each other so I can cover us as best as possible with the cloud. If we spread too far apart it will be impossible to all benefit from the concealment."

"You got it!"

"Eldritchi Anamarius!"

A soft azure glow flows over the elder dwarf and then quickly vanishes, the magic leaving its invisible protective field in place.

"Can't say I'm looking forward to this Shi!t storm, Shattershield."

----------

OOC: If I recollect right, Breach dropped his armor back at the Red Tent and it is now in Hurgah's sack?

If so, once you get moving I think Jason will cast blur on Breach as well - possibly duplication with the bag of endless dung, but it won't hurt.

I am rolling with guantlets, a shortsword, and a whole lot of grit."

Will you:

(A) Act now, potentially courting a battle with Deca-Jaws minutes, hours or even days before the rest of the Dune Squad arrives.

(B) Continue to sit on the beach and wait, which may result in you missing the whole encounter if it takes place on the other side of the gate.

Or (C) any other plan. I include this as I've been awesomely surprised a few times now.

The problem you face is you do not know where you synch in time with your allies. The GM knows this, but you do not. The Schmoosh phone would have been handy, but is alas not available - perhaps...

I'd like to see what Hurgah thinks of launching a preemptive strike --monumentally foolish or worthy of the greatest heroic sagas. With the right combo of spells and dice rolls (i.e. lotsa luck says Guido) we can bring a lot of hurt. Of course, I also thought things would go better back at the Exemplar's tent, and look where that got us...relying on a bag of wolf bait. Hilarious, brilliant, and fantastic. This is a great adventure and a great group!

Donkor likes Hal's organized method, and will join in.

To add to his 4 potions of swimming, he adds his 5 touch of the sea. He will use one himself, and distribute the others to those who want them.

Additionally he will cast prep buffs as Hal is as follows:

Breach - Bull's Strength
Karek - Bull's Strength
Gandel - Shield of Faith
Sooron - Sanctuary

Will hold the rest in reserve. Additionally, hope I might be able to aid the obfuscation with my water spells. Will Obscuring Mist or Fog Cloud have any effect under water? Or do they just fizzle?
Here's a Spellcraft check if I need one: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

Hm. Touch of the Sea gives us one minute. Not too much, but it allows us to take the run action underwater, which will hopefully be excellent. One of us will be left out, but that doesn't have to be a problem. I nominate Gandel to be reduced to size tiny, and to ride along with one of the guys going enlarged. He could hang out with Bunky! (Only a problem when Faren's duration expires...)

Give the swimming potions to everybody but me - I can make whatever checks we need on my own. Jason, Gandel and Donkor for sure, probably Hal as the last one. Breach seems capable as well.

Karek wouldn't be opposed to a Blur spell, either, if Jason can manage.

As far as swimming order, beats me. I guess it depends on how many people go big. We should be able to move together, with five of us having TotS, and one of us along for the ride. (Again.)

I guess it's time to reevaluate my stats. Sigh.

"Wohoo! Double fisted! It's like I'm back in my arcane college!"

OOC: Jason takes a touch of the seas potion and readies it in his right hand. He then takes an elixir of swimming with his left, toasts Breach's plan, and then tosses the elixir back, drinking it now. Once he discards the empty container he places his rod of metamagic [focused] in his now free left hand.

He agrees with Karek and makes a note to cast blur on him too once they get moving - he's got a lot of slots to burn.

Will Karek still have Belleson's handy haversack?

. . . Additionally, hope I might be able to aid the obfuscation with my water spells. Will Obscuring Mist or Fog Cloud have any effect under water? Or do they just fizzle?

Here's a Spellcraft check if I need one: 1d20+6 [=23]

Thanks for the round-by-round casting list. (You too Hal!)

Obscuring mist and fog cloud, unfortunately, do not work underwater. Donkor will know this. I had actually written a lengthy post on how the spells would create a churning effect and potentially interact with Breach's crap cloud, but I now see the spells' descriptions rule this out. Bummer.

Since Sooron would have known this, he can swap them out for his alternate domain spells, if you'd like. Though maybe he would like to keep them regardless in anticipation of use on land. Just let me know what Donkor chooses.

I nominate Gandel to be reduced to size tiny, and to ride along with one of the guys going enlarged. He could hang out with Bunky! (Only a problem when Faren's duration expires...)

The (potential) return of Master Blaster!

Gandel, if you sign-on for this, let me know who you are "riding".

There's a Bunky vs. Binky joke here somewhere, but it's not coalescing for me.

I guess it's time to reevaluate my stats. Sigh.

Oh, you love it!

Does shield of faith stack with mage armor for Jason? I don't remember the bonus type.

Does shield of faith stack with mage armor for Jason? I don't remember the bonus type.

Yes.

Shield of faith is a deflection bonus (in this case +3).

Mage armor is a +4 armor bonus.

However, Jason has a ring of protection +1, which is also a deflection bonus. So he only gets a further +2 from the shield of faith, which might be what you were thinking of.

If you've got a better use for it, feel free to swap it around, but otherwise Jason will happily take the net +2. Unless someone proposes a 'marching order' he plans to stay at the back of the bus anyway.

Oh, you love it!

Guilty! Except now they're much lower, which is the not-fun part. The relevant stats should be on my profile as "Underwater Adventure!"

If we're going to take our Touch of the Sea potions, I'm going to recommend we just motor through. That's going to be the fastest we can go, so once we take the potions, I don't think we can stop for casting any more buffs. This will take round/level buffs like Blur out of the picture until combat joins.

Our "run" speed will be 120 feet. That means we can make it from here to the rift in 7 rounds, and then we have 3 rounds in whatever water we find ourselves afterwards. Keep in mind that DecaJaws could be lurking in that reef below, or he could be lurking after the rift, we have no idea.

If we muddle along at our non-TotS speed for a while, we could conserve the "sprinting power" for when we look very close. Of course, if we're attacked before then, some of us aren't escaping. It's a safe bet that DJ has a ferocious swim speed.

If anybody needs a deflection bonus, I also have a Ring of Protection +1 that was taken over by the Shield of Faith spell. Let me know.

Finally, if Breach gets bigger, his equipment gets bigger. Does that mean he can fling a bigger cloud of dung? That sounds pretty good.

Finally, if Breach gets bigger, his equipment gets bigger. Does that mean he can fling a bigger cloud of dung? That sounds pretty good.

This poop flinging scheme has me in stitches when I try to visualize the unfolding scene. Brings a new and positive meaning to the term "craptastic"!.

Once combat joins, we should hopefully have the benefit of Gandel's Naturalist ability, giving us +2 Insight to AC, Saves, and Attacks.

Pact Stone GM wrote:

Will you:

(A) Act now, potentially courting a battle with Deca-Jaws minutes, hours or even days before the rest of the Dune Squad arrives.

(B) Continue to sit on the beach and wait, which may result in you missing the whole encounter if it takes place on the other side of the gate.

Or (C) any other plan. I include this as I've been awesomely surprised a few times now.

The problem you face is you do not know where you synch in time with your allies. The GM knows this, but you do not. The Schmoosh phone would have been handy, but is alas not available - perhaps...

I'd like to see what Hurgah thinks of launching a preemptive strike --monumentally foolish or worthy of the greatest heroic sagas. With the right combo of spells and dice rolls (i.e. lotsa luck says Guido) we can bring a lot of hurt. Of course, I also thought things would go better back at the Exemplar's tent, and look where that got us...relying on a bag of wolf bait. Hilarious, brilliant, and fantastic. This is a great adventure and a great group!

The timing aspect of our actions in relation to our aquatic companions is definitely not lost on me. Moon just hates waiting and doing nothing, especially if there is no booze or grub involved. So, at least he will go through the sack of equipment and see what might be useful while waiting for Hurgah to ruminate (if you can call it that).

How's about the potentate whip us up some kind of knowledge roll to see if he can figure out what we are up against. Reading the info Gandel shared with the other group, I can come up with several scenarios where we could put some serious hurt on ol' D-J...but without IC access to that knowledge, that is so metagamey I feel almost dirty just thinking about it...almost.

I support the Gandel-reduction plan. Gandel and his gear will weigh a total of 6.25 lbs once reduced. The only question is: who wants to carry him?

Gandel can cast four 1st level spells and three 2nd level spells today. I can use the 1st level spells to cast Expeditious Retreat (duration 7 minutes) and/or Vanish (duration 5 rounds) on anyone who may want them. I can save the 2nd level spells for casting Gallant Inspiration to aid in the battle, or I could cast Cat's Grace (duration 7 minutes) or Summon Monster II.

Oh, I missed the question. Karek does still have Jason's Handy Haversack. It has his bulky, wonderful, form-fitting armor, and a lot of alcohol as well. If Jason needs it for fightin' purposes, though, Karek will hand it over.

Expeditious Retreat, did you say? Interesting. That could double our movement speed, but only for four of us. If we shrink Jason or Donkor, maybe we could bring them along with a big'un as well. Moving 240 feet/round sounds great.

Expeditious Retreat, did you say? Interesting. That could double our movement speed, but only for four of us. If we shrink Jason or Donkor, maybe we could bring them along with a big'un as well. Moving 240 feet/round sounds great.

Donkor would be happy to be shrunk.

How's about the potentate whip us up some kind of knowledge roll to see if he can figure out what we are up against. Reading the info Gandel shared with the other group, I can come up with several scenarios where we could put some serious hurt on ol' D-J...but without IC access to that knowledge, that is so metagamey I feel almost dirty just thinking about it...almost.

Thanks for that. I re-read the exchange between Moonpate and Schmoosh. While not perfectly clear, it doesn't read to me that Schmoosh ever communicated the name Deca-Jaws, or anything more than Moonpate's minions were likely to die before reaching the Tumen oasis. He definitely wasn't asked.

With that background, I don't think he can make the check. Moonpate only has a vague sense there's something dangerous involved - he might not even be suspecting a monster at all - perhaps traversing the gate is simply dangerous.

Oh, I missed the question. Karek does still have Jason's Handy Haversack. It has his bulky, wonderful, form-fitting armor, and a lot of alcohol as well. If Jason needs it for fightin' purposes, though, Karek will hand it over.

Jason can take it back then. It has his scrolls and wands the like (though I should check what he left at the red tent).

It sounds as though he could put Gandel in the haversack without much trouble.

Though if the plan is to shrink him too, maybe it's better with Karek? Up to you guys.

Once combat joins, we should hopefully have the benefit of Gandel's Naturalist ability, giving us +2 Insight to AC, Saves, and Attacks.

Yes, you definitely will--

-- unless the GM forgets to take it into account. And this sounds exactly like the kind of obscure bonus that could be forgotten in the sea of flooding variables.

I recommend you guys keep on me for that. I promise I won't take it as a criticism. The best thing to do is keep your PC profiles updated with your buffs, as I try to consult those before posting. (such as Karek has done - head of the class.)

As long as I'm on this topic: at some point, pointing out a GM math error becomes too late - too much stuff has gone by and I won't retcon/rewind it, even if it was my mistake. It's unfair, especially since it was my error, but there's nothing I can do except assure you that at least half of my errors tend to work in the PCs' favor. I'll try to keep em to a minimum.

P.S. Holy smokes. I didn't realize the naturalist ability also applies to attacks as well - that's a serious mega-buff.

I will update my buffs tomorrow.

I will update my buffs tomorrow.

No worries - we got some time. We'll finalize the Hurgentate first before the rest of the Dune Squad starts Montezuma's revenge - though everyone feel free to fine tune the details while we do so. There's a number of different ideas floating around and we should pin down which are up for execution.

Okay, how about this. Assuming Jason is fine with being little and Breach fine with being big, we pair off. Since Karek, with the spells currently on him, can heft 612 lbs as a light load, he can tow Jason easily. Breach and Hal each take a spellcaster as well. The Aquatic Dwarf Trio (TM), loaded with Touch of the Sea and Expeditious Retreat, and clouded with a load of crap, make a break for the rift, traveling at 240 feet per round. The spellcasters are free to hold the extra potions and spell slots in reserve until desperately needed. I think this gives us a good amount of speed and flexibility.

I like Karek's additions to the plan. I say that this is the way to go. From Dwarf to giant swimming in a cesspool in order to avoid being eaten by a ten headed hydra that can become seperate animals.

Some fun facts:

The Core book puts a human run at 13 mph.

With expeditious retreat this is doubled (30 touch of the sea + 30 expeditious retreat), so assume for the sake of argument 26 miles per hour.

This converts to 41.84 km per hour (Hey! There's Canucks and Europeans here.)

For a comparable this is very close to the highest speed ever recorded by a human (as per my quick and dirty google search):

"1st January 2011: As by end of 2010, the highest speed of human recorded was of 44.72 km/h (27.79 mph), seen during a 100 meters sprint (average speed between the 60th and the 80th meter) by Usain Bolt."

So, with this plan the dwarves will swim just under the top Usain Bolt sprint speed while carrying people on their backs.

You can go from your present position to the rift in just a handful of seconds.

Note, this plan fails if anyone is in heavy armor - it relies on using the run action as a full-round action in order to get the x4 multiplier. As I have it, Karek's got his put away in the handy haversack and possibly shrunk; Breach's is in Hurgah's Santa Claus sack; and Hal doesn't wear heavy armor.

Also, while running, you lose your Dex bonus to AC. I'm going to extend that to the passengers, who won't have anywhere to dodge to. Though, some or all of this will be off-set by their size bonus to AC with their reduced size (+1 for Donkor and Jason at Small, +2 for Gandel at Tiny).

A few more details.

As I have it, all the 1 minute/level spells previously mentioned will be cast before Montezuma's Revenge begins.

The 1/round/level spells are not. The spellcasters may or may not cast them while traveling on the backs of the dwarves. They will need a Concentration check to do so (DC 10 + spell level).

So I have:

Bear's Endurance by Hal (on Hal)
Shield of Faith by Hal (on Jason and Karek) and by Donkor (on Gandel)
Shield Other by Hal (on Breach)
Status by Hal (on up to two persons?)
Bull's Strength by Donkor (on Breach and Karek)

That leaves the only uncasted buff spells as the two sanctuaries. If you like you can cast those too before you start - since there's a 7 round duration which is more than the time it should take to reach the rift. But should anything go wrong, there won't be much time left on the spell after you reach the rift.

Thanks for that. I re-read the exchange between Moonpate and Schmoosh. While not perfectly clear, it doesn't read to me that Schmoosh ever communicated the name Deca-Jaws, or anything more than Moonpate's minions were likely to die before reaching the Tumen oasis. He definitely wasn't asked.

With that background, I don't think he can make the check. Moonpate only has a vague sense there's something dangerous involved - he might not even be suspecting a monster at all - perhaps traversing the gate is simply dangerous.

Looking back at the quote, Schmoosh indicated that my so-called minions "are probably going to be eaten in the Tumen Oasis tomorrow"; so, I think we can assume a fairly powerful beastie is involved. But you are obviously right (of course, being the Beetle and all) that the Pate would have nothing specific to go on or even surmise about. In that case:

So, with this plan the dwarves will swim just under the top Usain Bolt sprint speed while carrying people on their backs.

Also, while running, you lose your Dex bonus to AC. I'm going to extend that to the passengers, who won't have anywhere to dodge to. Though, some or all of this will be off-set by their size bonus to AC with their reduced size (+1 for Donkor and Jason at Small, +2 for Gandel at Tiny).

This just gets funnier to envision with every post. Sprint-swimming giant dwarves carrying wee and very wee folk on their backs blasting through clouds of ever-flowing poo: worth a whole lot of coin. Being chased by a ten-headed hydra who will quickly (hopefully) surmise that the special seasonings accompanying this strange meal will not enhance its gustatory experience: priceless.

In that case:

Plan A: wait and react, or:
Plan B: explore, by sending an "Unseen Servant" to the water's edge to thrash about with a stick or something and see what happens.
[/ooc]

Great - just let me know which it is so I know which half of this encounter to resolve first.

Donkor, Gandel, Hal - if anyone has any alterations or misgivings about the current plan, get em in now or forever hold your peace. Cause I think otherwise, we're about ready to go!

The Janni Return to A'Viss

"Thank you for the sacrifice you have made to your work for us. I will pray that Angradd bless you in the dangers you are about to return to".

The janni accept Morgrym's final blessing and the other expressions of gratitude from the Dune Squad.

As a final gift, they alter the Dune Squad's size, as per their requested preferences. At first you find it disorientating as the dimensions of your relationship with your surroundings drastically changes, but you soon find your reflexes adapting.

Faren and Orchid then re-mount the Vonovoxen and wave farewell. The huge manta ray circles around the Dune Squad a final time in a majestic arc, as though it too says goodbye. Then, with a powerful pulse of its wings, it launches away, soaring back the way it came.

For a few moments, you cannot help but watch the creature slowly grow smaller and smaller in the distance until it drops from sight. Then you realize the gravity of the task now before you and you refocus. . .

"The Rather Extensive Buff List"

Or

"Maybe I should play WoW Instead and get a Computer to Do this For Me"

So I have:

Bear's Endurance by Hal (on Hal)
Shield of Faith by Hal (on Jason and Karek) and by Donkor (on Gandel)
Shield Other by Hal (on Breach)
Status by Hal (on up to two persons?)
Bull's Strength by Donkor (on Breach and Karek)

Just updating this list to include the spells from Gandel, Belleson, and the Janni as well as the potions and elixirs.

Bear's Endurance by Hal (on Hal)
Shield of Faith by Hal (on Jason and Karek) and by Donkor (on Gandel)
Shield Other by Hal (on Breach)
Status by Hal (on up to two persons?)
Bull's Strength by Donkor (on Breach and Karek)
expeditious retreat by Gandel (on Breach, Karek and Hal)
mage armor by Jason (on Jason and Breach)
blur by Jason (on Karek and Breach - and he's adding Hal for good measure unless I hear otherwise)
enlarge person by Faren and Orchid (on Hal, Karek and Breach)
reduce person by Faren and Orchid (on Donkor, Jason and Gandel)

(5) touch of the sea potions drank by Karek, Hal, Breach, Gandel, Donkor but not Jason
(4) elixirs of swimming drank by Donkor, Jason, Hal and one other(?)

I see that some of the above was posted as in-character proposals as opposed to a stated action, so don't hesitate to clarify, if you need to. But otherwise this will help cut to the chase and give me a running list.

Hal will gladly accept the Blur spell. I think Breach should take the other Elixir of Swimming as Karek (I think) is the better swimmer of the two. I will cast Status on Karek and Breach. My temporary updates are listed in my profile.

So, with this plan the dwarves will swim just under the top Usain Bolt sprint speed while carrying people on their backs.

You can go from your present position to the rift in just a handful of seconds.

Another caveat has occurred to me. One of the assumptions in this plan is that you can use the run action with a Swim speed. I think that makes sense.

The wrinkle is this. I don't think you 'Swim-run' without two free hands. You need them to actually perform the strokes. So the dwarves can either do this at 120 feet a round with weapons in their hands, or they focus on the Swim and go 240 feet a round.

Hmmmmmm. In for a penny? Or in for a pound?

Thanks Dennis. Here's a further revised list:

Bear's Endurance by Hal (on Hal)
Shield of Faith by Hal (on Jason and Karek) and by Donkor (on Gandel)
Shield Other by Hal (on Breach)
Status by Hal (on Karek and Breach)
Bull's Strength by Donkor (on Breach and Karek)
expeditious retreat by Gandel (on Breach, Karek and Hal)
mage armor by Jason (on Jason and Breach)
blur by Jason (on Karek, Breach and Halstadt)
enlarge person by Faren and Orchid (on Hal, Karek and Breach)
reduce person by Faren and Orchid (on Donkor, Jason and Gandel)

(5) touch of the sea potions drank by Karek, Hal, Breach, Gandel, Donkor but not Jason
(4) elixirs of swimming drank by Donkor, Jason, Hal and Breach

The spell description of Touch of the Sea makes it clear that you can swim-run, but you describe a wrinkle indeed. Since the plan is predicated on combat-avoidance, I think we rush through and hope we don't need the weapons. Put 'em away, boys.

Also, whoever rides Breach gets the enviable task of holding open the Bag of Endless Dung.

Also, I might advise that Gandel and Donkor don't yet drink their potions of Touch of the Sea. They may need a longer duration when we hit a snag.

Hal does not have a weapon anyway as far as he knows it is lost in the tent back at the dig site.

Also, whoever rides Breach gets the enviable task of holding open the Bag of Endless Dung.

Good point.

Regrettably, there does not appear to be a way we can put this without unfortunate innuendo--

--But if Jason is "on" Karek, who is 'riding' Hal and who is 'riding' Breach?

“Dammit Suekahn!” screamed the diviner. “No more games. What does it mean when the countdown clock reaches null? Why here? Why now? I know that you know!”

Suddenly the creature’s voice changed, falling decidedly soft as though it were actually possible that it knew fear. “It’s when the ringed planet loses its rings. I would not wish to be a mortal on that day.”

* * *

Welcome to the Pact Stone Pyramid game discussion thread!

Lurkers welcome! (But spoilers not so welcome!)

Note: this is not the thread where the PBP game is actually played out. Here is where we talk about that game – usually “out of character” (OOC). Here we chat about whatever we want or need to. Players can plan strategies, ask the GM questions, chat about their PC concepts or even vent.

There will be a separate thread on the “Play by Post” Board where the game takes place. That thread hasn’t been created yet. But don’t sweat it or get too stressed about what goes where. Nobody gets too upset if a post better belongs on one board or another – at least not this beetle.

Er hem! If you are posting to get your “dot”, you must note the following. You are required to either leave a witty comment or reveal one interesting fact about your PC.

It’s the dot tax people, and it’s one of those things in life that’s certain, right along with TPKs. (Just kidding – well maybe, sort of.)

A Word on Hit Points

I neglected to cover this in the PC Creation FAQ. (Bad beetle!)

Hit points are determined according to the rules in the Pathfinder Society Guide. In case you are not familiar I've reproduced them below:

Are we doing preludes for our characters or are we simply all going to arrive at the dig at the same time?

I will update my sheet for HP.

In case there are any single dwarven ladies out there (which would be a first as Hal has yet to meet a dwarven lady) Hal enjoys sustained battles against the forces of evil, spreading the fires of Angradd to anyone who wishes to see the light of a true God, and quiet walks along the underdark.

Are we doing preludes for our characters or are we simply all going to arrive at the dig at the same time?

Preludes are very welcome. In fact, I was going to request people give their PCs an intro. If you want, keep it under wraps for the moment as that would look awesome in the actual game thread (still to come). The adventure will actually begin before "the dig". There will be a briefing first in Sothis - more on that to follow.

In case there are any single dwarven ladies out there (which would be a first as Hal has yet to meet a dwarven lady) Hal enjoys sustained battles against the forces of evil, spreading the fires of Angradd to anyone who wishes to see the light of a true God, and quiet walks along the underdark.

Love it!

Gandel here! Thanks for letting me be a part of this wild ride!

Character profile is 95% complete. Should have it completed tomorrow.

Dot Tax: Witty comment or reveal one interesting fact about your PC...
Gandel's most prominent feature is his unabashedly mischievous grin - the type that makes any authority figure frown and every father lock up his daughter(s). While Gandel may seem all studious and business-like back at the Grand Lodge in Absalon, his adventurous side comes to the fore when out on a dig. Whether swinging over spiked pits or dodging ingenious traps, Gandel revels in the excitement of adventuring, always looking forward to meeting new companions and tricking monsters out of their loot.

Karek Kogan checking in. I have much of the relevant character information on my profile here. Over the next couple days I will be fiddling with it; either making it more presentable, as you guys seem to have done; or switching out some things, trying to figure out what will be the best fit. I'll be fussing over it until we actually start the game. (And even then I won't be perfectly happy with it. So it goes. :P)

Gruff Karek is largely silent, but he will not be useless as an ally in a social situation. Not much escapes his eyes, and he has a keen sense of how people act, born from years in detective work.

Also, he keeps a weasel in his backpack. Name of Bunky. It just sorta took up residence there one day, and Karek has taken a liking to the little thing. He feeds it sometimes, and sometimes it gorges on his rations anyway.

What's this dot business? And is there a means of private communication on this forum?

Dot tax:
"I know what you are thinking, what's a nice girl like me doing in a place like this...well let me ask you...what makes you think I'm a nice girl?"

on another note, what do you mean by prelude, are you wanting a more detailed backstory on why we are going there, or is it something different?

"No self respecting "nice" girl would go around without a beard!"

Dot tax:"A hill giant once tried to take Hurgah's treasure. Hurgah ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice cup of Hill giant blood."

What's this dot business? And is there a means of private communication on this forum?

If you look at the different forums, you will notice a dot next to any thread you have posted in. If you click the Focus button at the top of the forums, it will only display the threads that have dots. This is a convenient way of checking threads of interest to you without the clutter of a bunch of other threads.

Sadly, these forums have no private messaging or other forms of one-to-one communication.

Gandel:
Since the whip is your main weapon, have you considered the Serpent Lash feat? It provides a lot of nice options to a whip user.

. . . on another note, what do you mean by prelude, are you wanting a more detailed backstory on why we are going there, or is it something different?

Once we get going in the actual game thread I'll hit everyone up for an opening flavor piece which describes what their PC was up to before the game started. It's optional, but I hope some players will see it as a chance to stretch their legs.

You might write about your voyage to Osirion (if you took one), or a conversation with an old friend who directs you to the Pathfinder lodge in Sothis as a favor. Perhaps you write about a narrowing escape which leads you to take refuge in the Sothis slums etc. Just something to get the juices going. It's not so much to provide an origin, but to help showcase the "feel" of your PC and give me some insight as to your PCs' motivation for participating in the adventure.

These posts typically do not need to go too far back in time. Somewhere between 15 minutes to a few weeks ought to do it. If you are waiting on your fellow players to catch up, feel free to work on it, but there's nowhere to post it just yet.

Player List

Just wanted to gravitate the PC list over here.

* * *
1. Moonpate the Potentate (Phrip)
2. Hurgah (Jace DK)
3. Halstadt Morgrym (Dennis Harry)
4. Karek Kogan (Flamethrower)
5. Gandelplot Trapspringer (Max Hellspont)
6. Donker Soroon (Mr. Monotony)
7. Breach (Bilbo)
8. Thalia Xian’an (Ekeebe)
9. Jason (MoFiddy)

Karek Kogan checking in. I have much of the relevant character information on my profile here. Over the next couple days I will be fiddling with it; either making it more presentable, as you guys seem to have done; or switching out some things, trying to figure out what will be the best fit. I'll be fussing over it until we actually start the game. (And even then I won't be perfectly happy with it. So it goes. :P)

Flamethrower,

If you are still in fiddling mode, here's my question on Karek's mechanics.

When I look at his stat array, I think that you went for 17 Strength and then added +1 from your level bump to net 18. To this I think you added +2 from your belt of physical might to arrive at 20. That's a mighty strong barbarian you have there!

But if you are actually including the stats from your magic items in your base stats, I think you have another +2 for another physical stat missing from your belt. (Care for 18 Con?)

I then see that you have listed Strength next to your belt but no other stat. So another possibility is that instead of a belt of physical might you actually meant to go for a belt of giant strength +2 If that's the case, just make sure you note the cost is only 4,000 and not 10,000 as this will save you some gold for other purchases. I have no thoughts on which route you go, I just want to make sure you don't short yourself (or that I've misinterpreted what you did).

All good! And thanks for getting your sheet in!

And as long as I am in nit-pick mode:

Re: Thalia

In your skills you have added the +3 from your circlet of persuasion to your Bluff score. However, if I have it right, you will also get the same bonus to the Diplomacy, Intimidate and Use Magic Device skills you have listed - it's a pretty sweet item. So if you meant to include you magic bonuses in your totals, you've got a few more you can add.

Also, just as a typo, I think you have Intelligence listed as the class skill for Intimidate instead of Charisma, but in Thalia's case it doesn't affect the score so it is all good.

Very excited about Thalia in this game.

Okay, now that I know about this dot business, I just have to have one!

I think that most of the male character's are with PSGM in being excited about having Thalia in the game.

Game mechanics question: If I use a feat to take tower shield proficiency, will this enable me to spend the duration of the adventure standing directly behind Hurgah the Reaver? I am prepared to invest in some noseplugs and move in!

If this board is not very user-friendly for running a game, have you considered rpol.net?

You are spot on with your assumption about how I came across a base score of 18. As far as the mis-named item, here's what happened...

I've only played low-level Pathfinder characters so far, so I am unfamiliar with most magic items. When I saw the Belt of Physical Might, I read the line about the creation cost as the cost of the item itself - so, 5000 gp for pluses to two ability scores. (Yes, I thought it sounded way undercosted, but I wasn't going to say no. At that price, who could?) I eventually caught that mistake, but did not change the name to "Belt of Giant's Strength". Don't worry, I haven't overcharged myself. :) Fixed.

Another character tidbit. Hiro Kogan, Karek's father, was an architect. He raised Karek with a strong understanding of the way structures and objects come together, and he drilled the importance of stability into his head at every opportunity. Funny, he often reflects, considering how little stability his life has held so far.

Gandel:

Since the whip is your main weapon, have you considered the Serpent Lash feat? It provides a lot of nice options to a whip user.

Hey! Great feat! I have updated my character sheet accordingly (dropped Iron Will - who needs boosted Will saves when you can do neat tricks with a whip?).

Thanks Hurgah!

You always learn something by examining somebody else's character. Thanks, Hurgah! I missed the Raging Vitality feet. Almost a must, really. Adding it right now.

In related news, can I make a will save if I'm unconcious?

Question for the Class: Would a Portable Ram fit into a Handy Haversack?

Question for the Class: Would a Portable Ram fit into a Handy Haversack?

Tis would fit in me codpiece.

How's that for a witty comment to earn my dot. I have updated Moonpate's sheet, except for his spell list. I hope I have everything right. I used the Pathfinder Character Excelerator spreadsheet, but since this is my first higher level character using Pathfinder rules I could be wrong on some things. This system is way more complicated than my usual fare of Castles & Crusades.

Here! Sorry for the delay. Work actually expects me to...work!

Pact Stone GM, Hal's rationale for being here is in his backstory. Should I wrire a prelude between him and his contact in Sothis or do you want to do a little back and forth? I left Hal just off of the boat, not very different from the way most of my real ancestors arrived in the US :-)

You always learn something by examining somebody else's character. Thanks, Hurgah! I missed the Raging Vitality feet. Almost a must, really. Adding it right now.

Yeah, meant to point you to that. Without it, unconcious = dead for most barbarians.

Yeah, meant to point you to that. Without it, unconcious = dead for most barbarians.

I was wondering how I was going to overcome that particular limitation. Guarded Life simply wasn't cutting it. Good thing they have a feat for it. (Why isn't it a part of rage anyway?)

Karek is, provisionally, done. Like I said, I'll fuss over things until the game gets started. A mostly complete backstory should come tomorrow. I'll deal with how he ends up working for the Pathfinders then. This may involve tagging along with Thalia or one of the other dwarves, although I'm planning in some former Pathfinder contacts for him.

Hurgah the Reaver wrote:

Gandel:

Since the whip is your main weapon, have you considered the Serpent Lash feat? It provides a lot of nice options to a whip user.

Hey! Great feat! I have updated my character sheet accordingly (dropped Iron Will - who needs boosted Will saves when you can do neat tricks with a whip?).

Thanks Hurgah!

No problem. With that feat, you will be filling much of the role that Tarik would have, had I chosen him. So I'm glad I went with Hurgah.

While we're at it, I prefer Lightning Lash (trait from Wayfinder) to Prehensile whip. It's basically Quickdraw for whips, lets you pick p a dropped whip as a swift action and give you a +2 to rolls to wrap your whip around posts and beams.

Dot tax:

"I know what you are thinking, what's a nice girl like me doing in a place like this...well let me ask you...what makes you think I'm a nice girl?"

on another note, what do you mean by prelude, are you wanting a more detailed backstory on why we are going there, or is it something different?

Thalia, I looked at your sheet, and noticed that you have picked light twice under spells. Are you aware that in Pathfinder, 0-level spells have unlimited castings? So once you have prepared light, you can cast it all day long, and you can pick one more orison.

"Like a moth to a flame, get too close and you will get burned!"

Yeah, I just noticed the spell mistake myself...still stuck in 3.5 mode I guess...you can blame my maptools DM.

Will fix the skills, if I can get more CHA based skill check bonuses, I'm more than willing to fix the problem...

Also just noticed something else I forgot, I haven't added a +1 to an stat for level 4 yet.

Guess I'm still in final tweaking mode. Will fix those things now.

Game mechanics question: If I use a feat to take tower shield proficiency, will this enable me to spend the duration of the adventure standing directly behind Hurgah the Reaver? I am prepared to invest in some noseplugs and move in!

Yes. Though if he is enlarged, then he's just hard cover, like a big greenish wall.

If this board is not very user-friendly for running a game, have you considered rpol.net?

Thanks for that - you're not the first to recommend it to me and so I am keen to try it out. For this game though, as a Paizo fan running a Paizo mod, I am partial to the Paizo boards so I think we'll stick around.

P.S. Donkor's sheet looks good! Very glad to have a Pharasma priest in this.

Question for the Class: Would a Portable Ram fit into a Handy Haversack?

Oh boy. . . Sure!

So far at least half the party has handy haversacks. I live in fear as to where this is going to go. : )

. . . I have updated Moonpate's sheet, except for his spell list. I hope I have everything right. I used the Pathfinder Character Excelerator spreadsheet, but since this is my first higher level character using Pathfinder rules I could be wrong on some things. This system is way more complicated than my usual fare of Castles & Crusades.

Ah! Great to have Moonpate join us.

I like that even though he couldn't yet qualify for the prestige class you wanted, you have still captured the flavor with your trait choices. I'd still like to work some spell-fetching genie action into the plot-line for him somehow and I'll think on that.

When you can, add in your standard/starting spell selection and identify your purchased scrolls.

Not necessary, but maybe also take a look at what Gandal did in his sheet with summoned critters. (Thanks Max!) It looks like Moonpate is going to be a big time summoner, complete with the complimenting feats and traits. You might find it handy to add in the stats of some of your favourite choices. But there's plenty of time for that.

Here! Sorry for the delay. Work actually expects me to...work!

Forgiven! But keep checking in so we don't forget you. : )

Pact Stone GM, Hal's rationale for being here is in his backstory. Should I wrire a prelude between him and his contact in Sothis or do you want to do a little back and forth? I left Hal just off of the boat, not very different from the way most of my real ancestors arrived in the US :-)

Nothing just yet Dennis. You've got the right idea, you are just a bit ahead of folks. Once I post the intro in the game thread, you might feel moved to re-post the piece you have in your background on your sheet. You might modify it slightly to better reflect the intro once you see it, but it's pretty solid now.

While we're at it, I prefer Lightning Lash (trait from Wayfinder) to Prehensile whip. It's basically Quickdraw for whips, lets you pick p a dropped whip as a swift action and give you a +2 to rolls to wrap your whip around posts and beams.

Ninja'd!

I was going to suggest that if Gandel is going for the Indiana Jones look this fits pretty good.

It's an overpowered trait because I suspect the designer did not anticipate the scorpion whip which came out subsequently. It's not too bad when coupled with a non-lethal damaging whip, but with the scorpion whip, it's probably worth a feat choice. However, I did say these were available, so if you like it, have at it!

Another question this time about my next Feat. I just have the core rulebook at this point so can someone tell me if there is an equivalent to the Quicken Turn feat from 3.5 in the APG or another supplement?

Thanks!

Sometimes I am posting to quickly and I miss someone's question. If you feel you didn't get your answer or feeback, please always feel free to re-post. I probably wasn't ignoring you intentionally. (Probably)

Have a good weekend guys!

-The Beetle

I updated my profile. I still need to add traits and clean a few equipment selections up, but that should be done this weekend.

So the story begins with our arrival in Sothis? I'm working on my arrival post and want to make sure it makes sense.

Thanks!

Edit: I just noticed that I need to pick an avatar too. :)

Hurgah the Reaver wrote:

While we're at it, I prefer Lightning Lash (trait from Wayfinder) to Prehensile whip. It's basically Quickdraw for whips, lets you pick p a dropped whip as a swift action and give you a +2 to rolls to wrap your whip around posts and beams.

Ninja'd!

I was going to suggest that if Gandel is going for the Indiana Jones look this fits pretty good.

It's an overpowered trait because I suspect the designer did not anticipate the scorpion whip which came out subsequently. It's not too bad when coupled with a non-lethal damaging whip, but with the scorpion whip, it's probably worth a feat choice. However, I did say these were available, so if you like it, have at it!

Whoa! That is a nice trait! I've swapped Osironologist for Lightning Lash (since they're both Regional Traits and you can't have two traits of the same type).

So just to clarify, Lightning Lash is basically Prehensile Whip plus the ability to Quickdraw a whip and pick up a dropped whip as a swift action?

This is the first time I've ever played a whip-focused character, so any additional pointers are greatly appreciated!

I updated my profile. I still need to add traits and clean a few equipment selections up, but that should be done this weekend.

Ah there's Jason! I like the format you used for the sheet. I didn't know he was going to be a protean sorcerer - tanglefoot bags for all! Love it.

So the story begins with our arrival in Sothis? I'm working on my arrival post and want to make sure it makes sense.

Technically the initial post will have everyone gathered in a Pathfinder lodge, in Sothis, for a briefing, whereupon (I hope) people will soon depart for the desert. A post which explains why you are in Sothis and why you are responding to the Pathfidner Societies private call would really fit the bill - but I'll take whatever I can get - it's your initial post, it can make whatever kind of statement you want it to make.

So just to clarify, Lightning Lash is basically Prehensile Whip plus the ability to Quickdraw a whip and pick up a dropped whip as a swift action?

Yeah, well, sure, when you put it like that, it sounds really bad. (That's correct)

So Max, here's what I am thinking for Gandelplot, seeing as he's a rather connected Pathfinder.

Assuming things don't go completely off the rails (which is fun too) one of the NPCs in the adventure will turn out to be a Pathfinder by the name of Professor Hoffenburrow. He's more of an academic than an adventurer. He's someone who your mentor Dimbleshanks Boddynock has paired with before and Hoffenburrow's had occasion to write you in the Grand Lodge in Absalom from time to time usually concerning one or more bits of lore.

So when he comes up, while you haven't met him in person, the two of you will have a bit of a pen-pal relationship and a mutual friend.

This is just something to wire your PC tighter into the adventure and make his motivations a bit more personal. You in?

Then MoFiddy,

I'd like to explore the possibility of something similar for Jason:

Perhaps, one of Jason's deceased former adventuring companions has a sister known as the Mithral Scarab. She's a Pathfinder agent operating in Sothis. Jason has never met her, but he's heard of her by way of her now deceased brother.

Depending on events, the Mithral Scarab might also play a role in this adventure. She will have heard of you (hopefully favourably).

The deceased brother, your old pal, was named Xyran (male human rogue of some type - low to mid-level)

Let me know your thoughts.

P.S. Donkor's sheet looks good! Very glad to have a Pharasma priest in this.

Glad you like the sheet. I actually shamelessly stole the format from one of the players who sadly is not joining us. Alas, Javell, `twas not fated to be.

I've been reading some extra stuff. Here, in Wayfinder number 2 is a feat that I would dearly love to have. Would this be acceptable? I will probably get rid of Alertness in order to make room for it, or perhaps Turn Undead. However we are going into a pyramid, so I'll likely find some undead to turn.

Dual Channeling
You can channel both negative and positive energy.
Prerequsites: Cha 13, channel energy class feature,
worshiper of Nethys or Pharasma.
Benefit: You can channel negative and positive
energy. You must choose which type of energy you are
channeling each time you channel energy.
In addition, if you have the ability to spontaneously
cast cure or inflict spells, you can now cast either.
Normal: You must choose whether to channel
either negative or positive energy when you acquire
the ability.

To anyone else, I am really new to this system, so if anyone else can see helpful tidbits that I might have missed, I would be very grateful!

Look at all the beetles on this page. I'm like a swarm. (A Friday swarm!)

Mr. Monotony (Donkor),

I do seem to have opened the door on Wayfinder (Urp!). That is very Pharasma-flavored feat. Let's give it a try. You are now two clerics in one.

P.S. Oh sure, increase my guilt over the player choices. : )

So Max, here's what I am thinking for Gandelplot, seeing as he's a rather connected Pathfinder.

Assuming things don't go completely off the rails (which is fun too) one of the NPCs in the adventure will turn out to be a Pathfinder by the name of Professor Hoffenburrow. He's more of an academic than an adventurer. He's someone who your mentor Dimbleshanks Boddynock has paired with before and Hoffenburrow's had occasion to write you in the Grand Lodge in Absalom from time to time usually concerning one or more bits of lore.

So when he comes up, while you haven't met him in person, the two of you will have a bit of a pen-pal relationship and a mutual friend.

This is just something to wire your PC tighter into the adventure and make his motivations a bit more personal. You in?

That sounds good to me!

Question for the Class: Would a Portable Ram fit into a Handy Haversack?

Jes try tae fit dis dwarf in yer sack. Ye willna like da results.

Er, sorry. Common is Karek's, er, third language.

I do seem to have opened the door on Wayfinder (Urp!). That is very Pharasma-flavored feat. Let's give it a try. You are now two clerics in one.

P.S. Oh sure, increase my guilt over the player choices. : )

You are very welcome for the guilt. I live to serve.

And thank you for allowing me to spontaneously inflict wounds indiscriminately 7 times /day! I'm sure that soon all party members will learn to orbit me outside of my new 30' no-go zone. Woot!

Hey guys, I have been out of the loop with an Army issue this past week and it looks like you've been busy, lol. I will be reading over the list and see if I need to make any adjustments. I did see that we didn't have a true frontliner and have adjusted Breach a little in respnse to this. I will be 5 Fighter/ 2 Rogue to start and will have sheet up today.

I'll be out of town this weekend. I'll check back in Sunday evening sometime.

Q. What the heck is a Pathfinder?

A. The term Pathfinder is confusing to some because it refers to different things in different contexts. It is, of course, the name of the actual role-playing game we are playing. It is also a brand of game products put out by the gaming company Paizo. For our main purposes though, it also refers to a fictional semi-secret organization called the Pathfinder Society that operates in our gaming world of Golarion. One short way to explain what the Pathfinder Society is, is to check out this excerpt from “Entombed with the Pharaohs” (another Pathfinder module set in Osirion):

PATHFINDER SOCIETY

Part cartographer, part explorer, but all treasure hunter, the free-spirited Pathfinders of Golarion exhibit the very best of the classic adventurer’s creed: to immerse themselves in the unknown while turning a tidy profit. Although individual Pathfinders are as eclectic as adventurers come, they all agree that few honors rank higher than making a contribution to the secretive guild’s legendary Pathfinder Chronicles. This archive of journals contains the unearthed secrets and exploits of some of the Pathfinder Society’s greatest members. Any map or treatise marked with the covert Pathfinder logo no doubt originated in danger and is guaranteed to be accurate and to lead anyone who follows it headlong into adventure.

The Pathfinder Society also keeps a number of Pathfinder lodges throughout the world where their membership can rest, train and study. These lodges themselves can be quite fascinating places to explore. There is such a lodge in Sothis, which is where our game is going to begin. The lodge is called “The Kothi”.

Two of our PCs (Jason and Gandel) are actual members of the Pathfinder Society. The rest of you will be there by invitation of one of the Societies’ Venture Captains. A Venture Captain is position of authority, often with responsibility over a particular geographic area. Since Venture Captains typically have to deal with adventurers, you can imagine their lives are particularly difficult.

Got the APG last night. I was surprised that there were no (that I saw anyway) new Channeling Feats.

Is there another Pathfinder Cleric guide that may be worth looking at for some out of the box Cleric PRC and Feat ideas?

Glad you like the sheet. I actually shamelessly stole the format from one of the players who sadly is not joining us. Alas, Javell, `twas not fated to be.

Lol! Steal away, my good man! Steal away! :)

No worries, Pact Stone. I must warn you, though, I have the (Ex) ability in lurking. ;)