[AP] The Shackled City Adventure Path by GM Rutseg (Inactive)

Game Master Balacertar

I don’t think I’ve been drunker than I’ve been at a social event than I’ve been at my niece’s wedding, during the time of COVID ....

^Hey, I went to a wedding this evening too!

This week has been busy with stuff needing to be done around the house and social obligations. Too pooped to post anything tonight but I promise I'll try to get something posted tomorrow.

Well, they say alcohol keeps the virus at bay.

Post-wedding report- the night before the wedding, my niece got a call from the restaurant informing her that a staff member tested positive for COVID-19, so last-minute coordination took the reception from the second floor of a restaurant to the backyard of my sister's house. Tables, tents, the whole shebang... and it went off without a hitch. The masks were still a thing, because some folk just didn't think to worry about statistics. Now, I'll likely wait until the end of the week to test again, just for peace of mind.

The virus was kept at bay several times over. The inoculations were tasty, and another niece was kind to hydrate me before we departed :)

As for our response, with Jenya's encouragement, Kikinnin is going to defer speaking immediately after the high priest of his church :) not saying he won't lend his voice, of course.

Hokay, during the interim Marigold will purchase the following from Skie's shop...

Might pick up more later, if we have the time, but definitely the above before the meeting :)

*edit* I know that all eyes are on Marigold so I'll try to get an actual meeting post posted later today!

Hei there! The ball is in your roof people!

That said, we can just assume you give some explanation of your findings and follow up with Jenya's proposed discussion if you wish.

I kind of wanted you to do the exercise as a way to sum up what happened, getting some consciousness of how the puzzle pieces are falling and fitting together, to gain some push for the next chapters, also as a control check to know if there is something that has not been properly explained by me, to identify points that need clarification.

But I know that kind of recap posts are hard work and maybe a bit tedious, so maybe we just should skip it?

I defer to our meek voiced halfling lass, but am happy to contribute to the conversation at hand, as it'll be good for our collective consciousness headed into the last chapters of the AP...

I understand the purpose behind the exercise and agree that it would be helpful because I'll be frank - I myself don't remember a lot of the particulars of what happened early-campaign. Broad strokes yes, fine details, not so much.

I will try, at some point tonight if work is not busy, to at least get us started on the recap. I'll need to go back and re-read some things to make sure I get the gist of it right (since I assume that this is basically an invitation to recap the entirety of the game up to now) but I will do my best.

My slowness to post is not due to lack of interest in this game in particular but I've had a lot of other not-PbP things on my mind to do and get done.

Our lass is bringing out the big guns... gonna find some time to elaborate, lend a voice, later today, if that's alright, Marigold.

^That's fine! I'd hoped to get back to it before needing to head to bed this morning but alas, no such luck. Depending on where we are later and how busy work is (or isn't) I'll try to jump back in later tonight :)

Got side-walloped last night :P I'll sniff around for some more time this morning...

Reviewed up to post count 1500, figuring what Kikinnin will describe will avoid the side stuff of the Watchers, like Ryan's tonsure :)

Apologies ahead of time - this town hall was going far too politely. Time for old scores to be settled and Maxim to become the People's Mayor :)

Meanwhile outside...

No pressure, as Jenya asked Marigold to continue the debriefing. If folk are busy, I can try and slap some more exposition together, to nudge us through the data dump...

Sorry, exam week for my school, so been real busy with revision and exams.
School ball on Saturday also made for a late night that I'm still recovering from.

Although Jenya pointed at Marigold, don't restrain yourself from delivering part of the history Kikinnin, or anyone else willing to pick up the story forward.

Work has wiped me out this week folks, been a long weekend of duty calls and after action meetings. Likely to be closer to Friday before I'm in position to post. Please bot Maxim as/when required.

Thanks for the heads up Maxim!

If/when you feel everything you wanted to say is done, let me know and I will pick up the conversation.

Gonna try and continue the exposition later today, try to 'big picture' stuff, while insinuating that they're laying out finer points at the same time...

Go ahead!

Do you mind if I do some parts posting as Ryan or Eidi to speed up things?

yes, please :)

Ok, I think Kikinnin's said his peace. I will defer to our benevolent GM to carry us onwards :)

Hey folks - apologies for my absence over the last week, as I touched on previously was burned out with work.

Bad news is things are continuing to ramp up over the next month here in my Ops role, and I’ve a bunch of front loading to do ahead of my planned seasonal family vacation to Dubai for 2 weeks from 12-29 Dec.

Knock on has been I’ve been mentally wiped and struggled for motivation and impetus. I’ve always taken pride in being a player who didn’t just post for postings sake, and enjoy the role-play as much as the roll-play.

As a result I’ve taken the very, very tough decision to cut back on the games I play in, and run, and try and focus on those games I’ve belonged to longest. Next few weeks will tell if a reduced game load will help and allow me to manage my input whilst tempering it with RL demands.

So in short I’m still here, and hope to be a productive player, but would ask that the huge level of patience and understanding you’ve all already granted to me is extended for a few more weeks.

I’ll try and post whenever possible, but if my creative funk continues please bot Maxim to keep the impetus or have him take a background role for the time being.

Hang in there, friend!

Definitely. This year has been a tough one for everyone.

Although down here we've had it somewhat easier than the rest of you.

Stone endures, Bror.

No worries friend. The game always gains some points when Maxim is around casting his personality, but you have well gained all the patience.

Take your time to find the muse!

And your collective replies are testament to why I love this game and group so much.

Much appreciated one and all.

And your collective replies are testament to why I love this game and group so much.

Much appreciated one and all.

Having just dealt with this same issue only a few short weeks ago, I can relate! RL comes first.

:-)

Did JJ get an AOO on the spellcaster as he flew out of range?

Maybe it was a 5' step?

Mmmm... the fly skill does such a poor job on describing the different checks meaning. I have assumed the DC 20 Fly check is enough to take a 5-foot step up or to move at full speed when going up and to the side, but I might be completely wrong. I do not know.

Kikinnin
I forgot smite evil bypasses DR. I will adjust the derro damage accordingly with the next post.

I think you can 5' step while flying if you choose (and make the roll).

It is more about it being a cautious action that limits what else you can possibly do.

Does the spellcasting Derro have a weapon in hand?

Let me check... there is a dagger. Yep! See that grandiose dagger there in his hand, it looks very menacing, JJ should better keep himself away or risk true death ;)

Aaaaaand.... white is out of the equation xD

Now we just need your white-eyed inviso derro to hold still...

Nasty looking thing. Hopefully the table gives JJ enough height to reach the flying little menace. Otherwise I'll change cloaks and run up the wall.

DM, the suggestion was to run out of the building, we have been prevented from doing so, do we attempt to push through as our actions? The duration of the spell is an hour per level so it's not like a single round+closed door should stop that no?

Probably it would not stop you, but it might gain you a few rounds of discussion to remain inside if you wish so.

Note we do not know when Maxim is going to return. Thus, someone else should make sure all that loot is not lost from the dwarf's coffins :)

^I don't have all the values inputted yet but I think I've got everything documented on the loot spreadsheet and with links to the appropriate post, so now there's at least *some* record of what we've collected :)

He turns to his own. "Safety, eh? The Cagewrights have many allies, and Krav's likely not the last of them. We should set ourselves to canvas Cauldron, I think. Bring awareness to those who can help us be in all places at once. Inform the Stormblades, awaken our stony statue allies and enlist their strength to our cause. There's much we can do."

Note that as part of Kythel's downtime in aiding Maxim in clearing out Vhalantru's manse, Kythel began casting Break Enchantment on the stony allies.

Sure, Kikinnin's just using a short phrase to point at those once-stoned, now flesh, yet to be put into play :)

Sure, Kikinnin's just using a short phrase to point at those once-stoned, now flesh, yet to be put into play :)

OK, just wanted to make sure you knew as I know that often other PC downtimes are not tracked by all PCs :-).

Haven't forgotten you guys but I'm traveling and a bit out of pocket until tomorrow afternoon. If I've got time tonight I'll try and get a post in, otherwise I'll catch up tomorrow afternoon/evening!

Do not worry Marigold, just post whenever you can. I have admittedly been running slower than usual, in part hoping Maxim will be back before we move too far.

Also, I think it comes Thanksgiving for you, and that is usually a busy time. I do not know how COVID will affect that this year, but games usually get slower by this time of the year.

For us government is starting to warn is this year Christmas would not see large family gatherings. It is going to be painful, for we are still very family driven in general, so we are somehow collectively starting to assume this change before it takes us by surprise in a few weeks.

The second wave is starting to go down in here. The vaccine is expected to be authorized mid December starting with Germany and Spain, and it seems the EU is already implementing and rolling out a plan to make it arrive to most citizens along the next six months.

I am really hopeful I can start to play face-to-face roleplaying games again in about half a year :)

Okay so, another reason for my lateness in posting is....kitten! I went and picked her up Saturday morning. Her name is Bonnie and she's a very sweet little lady. Resident housepanther Dyer is adjusting - he still hisses at her sometimes but I've also seen play-chase behavior initiated by him as well as by her - and I think it'll be fine with a little more time.

Working on getting caught up on all my games now; will hopefully have a post up soonish!

Congratulations on your furry baby :) I can appreciate them from a distance, as my face explodes in the presence of cat dander...

Oh, I'm mildly allergic to them myself. I tend to get itchy, watery eyes if I touch my eyes after handling cats and any scratches or nicks I get from kitty claws always puff up and ITCH LIKE A MOFO for a short time...

But I love cats and those are inconveniences I'm willing to put up with :)

Very cute.

Oh, that's a real cutie! It makes me willing to have a cat again :)