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

Game Master Balacertar

Planning on selling my Belt of Incredible Dexterity +6 and will purchase a Belt of Physical Might +4 (DEX & CON) - reviewing Maxim I clocked that Mithril Chain Shirt has maximum DEX bonus of +6 (currently have +7) so downgrading Dexterity to make him "legal" and bonus is his CON is upped :)

Have added Belt of Dex to the Loot.

Good, no worries Maxim! And thanks a lot for keeping up the treasure sheet, I know it takes many hours to handle.

This downtime is longer, basically controlled by you, so you will have time for issuing item requests to Sasserine and beyond through Maxim mercantile contacts, or to craft items.

Ok folks, let me know when you are ready to go for the next installment. I am waiting for at least Marigold and JJ to level up to 17th and decide about equipment. I see Maxim already did his homework ;)

With a single post in two months I regretfully have to give Kythel as MIA. Given that and Kikinnin's player being at knuckles with real life, would you like for us to look for a 4th player?

I know from previous attempts it would be nearly impossible for someone active in the boards to join such long running, high level, old material campaign, but we can ring some bells here and there.

In any case, I think with 3 active players and one NPC this is very likely doable 'til the end.

Well, I did consider a level of paladin. That smite evil bypassing DR would be sweet. However he'd kind of have to pick a singular deity. And if you think he's had trouble with settling on a woman... wait until you get into his mixed up deitific mind set.

Brought up in the church of Abdar - would seem the obvious call. But that is more his upbringing than his innate nature.
Personally he is a lot more tempted by Sarenrae. The whole redemption aspect thing speaks to him quite powerfully.
But recently.. well, recently he has felt he has been the arm of Pharasma more than anything else.

So, until things settle down in his own mind a bit, I don't think we can really go paladin. So... no more levels in Horrizon walker available to him, I think we will be heading back to ranger. Level 7 is a bit meh, but...

17th LEVEL UP

+1 Hero Point
+1 Level of Ranger

+1 BAB
No Change to saves :-(
+1 CL (CL4; gains level 2 spells)
Woodland stride. No more difficult terrain from underbrush and thorns.
+11 HP (6 from class, 3 from CON, 1 from Favored class (again, at last!), 1 from toughness)
+7 skills (6 class, 1 human) acrobatics, know(geography), know(planes), linguistics, perception, stealth, survival
+2 Background Skill Ranks; ranks taken in: know (nobility)x2

I'm sorry! I meant to get Marigold leveled up yesterday and it completely slipped my mind. I'm currently at work but I will absolutely get her leveled up when I get home tomorrow morning.

As far as recruiting goes...eh. If everyone else really wants to and/or if it'd be easier for the GM than having to run an NPC, I'm fine with it but I do agree that we might not get many bites at this late stage.

Folks, apologies for the longer than intended absence.

It has become pretty clear that working full time and running a side business and raising a child, something has to give. Unfortunately, Paizo is it.

My sincerest apologies for that long delay I was hoping to catch up for weeks but it's clear that's not going to happen and even when it does, any week I can fall behind once more.

Sorry to hear that Storyteller (at a game level it makes me sad), but I fully understand, and those three things are definitely more relevant life projects than roleplaying, so good luck with all those three!

I think I can work with something like 3 posts/week at this point, but I fear less than that is going to drain the energy out of the campaign.

In any case, I am very grateful you came and let us know you are physically ok, and I will be happy to see you drop a post here every now and then.

I'm not sure if this is goodbye for good or just goodbye for now but either way, it's been a pleasure to play alongside you, Storyteller. Hope life continues to treat you well and feel free to pop in to say howdy any time!

I share your struggles, Kythel. You're not alone with the feelings of doubt in keeping up. We've got great players who have weathered the storm better than I, and I will try to recommit to steadier posting, only because my kids are in college hehehe.

As Marigold stated, you are always welcome by in my eyes.

Thirded. It's a long haul, but we are getting toward the end.

Definitely I have gone through phases of having more and less time for RPing. And end of the day, its a nice distraction, but should be fun not a burden.

Apologies Watchers - work this week (bunch of offshore call-offs, meetings about aforementioned call-offs) and conducting my teams appraisals has stymied me and emptied the energy reserves.

Hope to get a post up tonight/Saturday morn.

@Storyteller: Echoing the sentiments from my illustrious companions - sorry to see you go. Enjoyed the collaboration and hope to do it again sometime.

Okay, after a quick perusal of the loot list, Marigold would like to claim the following:

Trade out Cloak of Resistance +3 --> Cloak of Resistance +4
Dusty Rose Prism Ioun Stone
Greater Extend Metamagic Rod
Scroll of Mass Cure Moderate Wounds

There might be others but at first glance, these are what jumped out at me. Thanks!

Sweet picks Lil' Miss. Have updated the loot accordingly.

Should I adjust the share also to 4 PCs rather than 5? (Will be split 5 ways with Commons fund)

Maxim has snagged the 2 emeralds (traded in the equivalent coin). He also wants to upgrade his weapons and armour (+2 to +3 in most cases). With Malachite unavailable, can he travel to Sasserine to use a forge there GMR?

Sure, feel free to split by 4.

As about the forge, Redgorge has its own smith, in case you need access to it Maxim.

Finally, if you wish to visit Bluecrater library for more information, feel free to go for it and make the rolls Marigold. Things are getting stable very fast, so you can move to Cauldron if you need it, and you have more or less all the time you might need available.

Hey folks, just checking in - I've been in a bit of a funk for the last few days but I'm hoping things are starting to shift back to normal. I think we've gamed together long enough that you might recognize this tends to happen to me sometimes during the fall/winter months when the days get shorter.

I've got to get some sleep but I'll try and get caught up on the game later this evening; until then please feel free to bot/delay me as needed.

Hi Marigold! Very understandable!

I have also noticed I go through different stages along the year too.

I am a bit concerned about the campaign though, the pace is continuously decreasing. Is there anything I can do to improve things? Perhaps there are barriers I can try to lift or ease up to make daily posting easier or more engaging.

Please let me know. If you prefer, feel free to PM me with your inner thoughts.

@GMR: For my part I think I need to be more proactive in my posting, as I've oft been guilty of late of just reacting to the situation/encounter etc.

I'll endeavour to do better as something that marked this campaign from recruitment up was us leading the narrative as much as you GMR. Appreciate that the sharp end of the AP is likely more railroady as we go, but still much to give.

Also think we should perhaps cast the net to see if we can snag anyone interested in joining the final chapters. While I agree that joining such a long running game is a huge ask, there are some players on these boards who might relish the opportunity to play at high level...

Also last shout for Loot Sheet... :) Can you claim anything you want before we sell the lot!

Yeah, aside from this little research and another one at the beginning of the last chapter, what is left is pretty straightforward. We should be able to do it! :)

claimed. Minor cold ring and various CMW and CSW potions, and some potions of blur. Anyone else wants some, feel free - let me know not to take so many. But each healing potion we take with us is a little bit of magic that Marigold doesn't need to expend to keep us on our feet.

I'm wondering if that Golembane scarab should be snagged by someone though. Golems can be really nasty to fight.

Okay, let's see...Marigold may as well also grab:

Scroll of Bear's Endurance
Scroll of Cure Moderate Wounds
Scroll of Dimensional Anchor
Scroll of Harm
Scroll of Widened Flame Strike
Wand of Bull's Strength (24 charges)

And for S&Gs she'll even take the Pale Blue Rhomboid Ioun Stone if no one else wants it.

Do we get a bonus feat at 17? I'm getting confused between PF/SF and PFS2 now.

I'm thinking so, bout the Bonus Feat at 17.

Just reviewed the items- if there's a Ring of Evasion burning a hole in our pockets, might have to pocket my Feather Fall for a bit...

Thinking we need to invest in multiple Hand(s) of Glory

Extra ring slot each, and use Daylight & See Invisibility each 1/day.

8,000 gold each - a bargain!

I've not taken my 17th Level Feat, but could take Craft Wonderous Item and get these knocked up for us. Might need some spell assistance from Lil' Miss.

Crafting cost only 4,000GP! C'mon now - practically giving these away!

Just need some mummified hands... If we want to personalise them they could be some of our fallen friends or foes?? :S

Yes, a new feat every odd level! :)

Ok, so there is this location they placed in Cauldron's region map, the Spire of Long Shadows, which results to be a major location of the 2nd Paizo AP. I could not resist the urge to make the cameo happen and throw the reference there :D

And yes, Celeste is also part of that AP, but her discovery of the Spire and that being her ultimate reason to be around Cauldron or a consequence of being there is only my own conjecture!

So, if I do understand JJ is using his Astral terrain mastery to dimension door the party inside the spire crevices, isn't it?

That is the plan!

Just a random note that as our current PbP convention for Society play winds down and a few of my games and other commitments wrap up, I should hopefully be able to better help drive this game along :)

Likewise I've a few days off from today. Heading in to see Dune later, but will get cracking on some posts and pushing things along also.

Thanks for the heads up! :)

I am curious to know your impressions after watching that movie ;)

Caveat to below: I'm a major Dune fan, and am also notoriously unforgiving when beloved source material is misused (in my eyes) - the handling of most of the Marvel pantheon is a prime example (don't get me started). Anyway, am just back so here's my thoughts/takeaways fresh out of the box:

Personally my relation to Dune limits to the two PC games from the 90s Dune I and Dune II. But I know about there is a book and has a strong environmental message before that was a trending topic.

I will hold from intently reading that spoiler there, but a quick glance confirms what I have been hearing about the movie, impressive manufacture but shallow.

Thanks for the feedback sir! :)

Dug Dune. Slow burn. Epic vistas. Bardem spit-take. Nuff said ;)

I saw the previous one.... maybe thirty years ago. But never read the book. Size was a bit daunting. Of course, I read Brandon Sanderson these days, so maybe I got over that .

Sorry, I was hoping to push post sooner than this :/

Material components are generally part of scroll creation arn't they? I'm not sure if they are temporary negative levels or permanent ones. I suspect they are temporary ones at the moment that I need to save against at some point to avoid becoming permanent

They are temporary negative levels, but they have no risk of becoming permanent. They are product of an enervation spell as Marigold and Maxim could identify as the effect happened, and will disappear completely once the effect comes to an end. 1 hour per CL though!

Also, I think JJ successfully passed the check relative to the pillars (the third check in this post) ;)

Have blanked the Loot Sheet from our last visit to civilisation - amounted to 97,150GP each

Commons gets another 97, 167GP SP taking its total to a whopping 172, 981GP 9SP

Wow, that is a *lot* of cash.

I feel like Scrooge McDuck.

Think we need to start spending the Commons too! Invest it in local mercantile business that sort of thing ;)

I am going to rule you can avert your eyes as for the gaze attack rules even before your first round, otherwise facing 4 gaze attacks is going to be mortal here.

Sorry Marigold, these medusas have 10 rogue levels each one!

No worries GM!

As a heads up I'm going out of town on a mini-trip this weekend and probably won't be back until late Sunday evening. Please bot/delay Marigold as necessary :)

Posting later tonight, believe you me.

Well done, Watchers. 12,000k quality posts, representing years of gaming and camaraderie.

Huzzah! Here is to many more!

Woo hoo. Where do we sit on that all-time list now?