Tomb of the Emperor Gods -- PbP

Game Master Tarren Dei

Tarren

Tarren

** spoiler omitted **

If you are able to remove curses, you're entrance you could return behind the pesh-addled punk Pathfinder Akkhunis sent to find a priest. He asked for a proselytizing jerk, but Peshie would go for the one that was closest.

Ooops hadn't checked this for a while. Welcome Kevin!

And not that it really matters to me Tarren, but just curious, are we gonna keep going in the same thread?

hello folks, just wanted to say that I've been reading your PbP, and have enjoyed it a great deal. Just got to the part where you guys dropped the Paracount. Always a pleasure to read such fun games.

Take Care

Ovirid's understanding of the target is that most of the individuals are going to be innocent slaves. He would rather avoid collateral damage as much as possible. If we had some idea that, for example, slaves would be on the trail (pushing, pulling, carrying) and guards and their mounts would be off the trail riding herd, he would be up for setting up traps along side the trail for the guards and avoid the slaves for the most part.

He's very keen on the idea of sabotaging wagons, saddles, etc., to slow the caravan down. But that will require some time.

Of course, if we shadow the caravan and set up traps for the patrols to find, that's fair, too.

What say you?

hello folks, just wanted to say that I've been reading your PbP, and have enjoyed it a great deal. Just got to the part where you guys dropped the Paracount. Always a pleasure to read such fun games.

Take Care

Thanks a lot Zerombr. This play-by-post has been great fun to run. The last time I ran a group with such dynamic player characters, it included Jonathan McAnulty and Neil Spicer before either of them started publishing.

Ovirid's understanding of the target is that most of the individuals are going to be innocent slaves. He would rather avoid collateral damage as much as possible. If we had some idea that, for example, slaves would be on the trail (pushing, pulling, carrying) and guards and their mounts would be off the trail riding herd, he would be up for setting up traps along side the trail for the guards and avoid the slaves for the most part.

He's very keen on the idea of sabotaging wagons, saddles, etc., to slow the caravan down. But that will require some time.

Of course, if we shadow the caravan and set up traps for the patrols to find, that's fair, too.

What say you?

Refina would be okay with this plan (Her lack of stealth abilities aside.)

Ah! Been so long since we've really used the OOC kinda forgot about it. Apologies all.

Thanks so much for the praise Zerobar and Tarren. And I couldn't agree more. It's been a fantastic game all the way through. Looking forward to this next one too!

Ovirid's plan sounds perfect for once we're on the road. I think one of the decisons at the moment is to scout/spy for info from Kymysra's helpers in the city or not. It may gain us some valuable info, but it could also get us into trouble...hmmm, decisons decisions...course, trouble does sound appealing... ; )

Ah! Been so long since we've really used the OOC kinda forgot about it. Apologies all.

Thanks so much for the praise Zerobar and Tarren. And I couldn't agree more. It's been a fantastic game all the way through. Looking forward to this next one too!

Ovirid's plan sounds perfect for once we're on the road. I think one of the decisons at the moment is to scout/spy for info from Kymysra's helpers in the city or not. It may gain us some valuable info, but it could also get us into trouble...hmmm, decisons decisions...course, trouble does sound appealing... ; )

Then, by all means, let's go find some trouble. ;-)

Wow. Very Pissed right now....just spent over an hour typing up a list of ideas and crafted items and one wrong key hit and it's all gone...Now I don't have time to retype it all. So real quick here's a recap (well as much of one as I can make...)

Don't think any of those spells will work Sykala-but hope I'm wrong. Some other suggestions though are:
-Contagion (but does anyone know if the diseases are contagious once someone gets them?)
-Shifting Sands (bury slaves, trip golems..golems carrying stuff :)
-Giant Vermin (several giant scorpions suddenly popping up along with crawlies summoned by Korian=Fun!)
-Sleet Storm (hampres vison & movement)
-Fog Cloud (hampers vision for a long time)
-Hide Campfire (could be VERY helpful, especially if they come looking for us!)

As for Korian, I was Going to have him craft a whole boat load of scrolls, but in looking at the crafting rules again I seem to have learned this. NO MATTER HOW LONG THE TIME FOR CRAFTING, STILL ONLY ONE ITEM CAN BE MADE A DAY. Is this correct?? So even though a 1st level spell only takes 2 hours to scribe still only one can be made a day? If true, that bites! Assuming that it is RAW though, here is Korian's crafting/scribing list for the week of time he had available:

Day/ Item/ GP Amount (S=Scroll)

1/ Hat of Disguise/ 900gp
(Ixius has a decent bluff stat so with the +10 for the disguise spell figure he could cause lots of mischef. If you're not up for that though Ixius lemme know and Korian will make something else)

2/ S of Gaseous Form/ 375 (Good ‘in case’ spell)
3/ S of Major Image/375 (Scare the bejezzus out of the slaves and guards?)
4/ S of Shifting Sands/ 375 (See above)
5/ S of Spiked Pit/ 375 (Cast in front of Anhkegs?)
6/ S of Fly / 375 (No need to explain)
7/ S of Seek Thoughts/ 375 (a great spy this makes one!)
Toatl Spent: 3,150 (minus 900gp if Ixius wants to pay for the hat. If not, Korian had to 'borrow' from Sykala a little bit ;)

Plus also Korian changed his memorized spell list

Here’s the full list of spells I though might be handy. If Ixius had wanted to buy any just double the craft price obviously.

I think that's about it...almost ready to rock and roll on these guys! hee hee!

OH! PS, Ixius, you Definitely want to check out an awesome new spell called Arrow Eruption!

Hmmmm, I was going for stuff less than lethal to the slaves in general. Freeing them yes....killing them no (she has lots of ways of flat out killing them if she wanted too).

Hmmmm, I was going for stuff less than lethal to the slaves in general. Freeing them yes....killing them no (she has lots of ways of flat out killing them if she wanted too).

Agreed - Ovirid's focus has been on demoralizing the guards and possibly frightening the slaves, but he doesn't want to kill anyone that's not their of their own free will. (The guards chose to be paid, so they are targets in his mind if it comes to that.)

I'm concerned about what we can't see -- who or what is in those palinquins. But I don't know if our scout is going to get a chance to find that out.

Ixius is most definitely down for infiltrating the caravan and causing mischief!

No Korian feels the same. Guards, leaders and big insects are targets but slaves no. But Korian is not above scaring the slaves so that they refuse to continue, revolt or flee. And freeing them and allowing/helping them escape is even better.

Ok, updated Sykala's spell list. We have the possibility of a night attack too but lets get this show on the road, shall we? I am thinking Sykala casts Pass with Out trace on everyone. Casts barkskin, Endure Elements, Call Lightning, and Bear's Endurance on herself (these last two just before combat). She can cast Air Walk on someone. First round of the ambush she will sacrifice her flame strike to summon a tiger on the guards. If the ankhegs prove to be docile during the conflict than she can summon a second one instead of using her dispel magic on a ankheg. Creating giant insects is not as good as the ones she can summon (sadly). She will then rain down lightning and fire on any threats that show themselves. Her sleet storm is kept in reserve for an escape when needed and protection from energy if some spell-slinger starts targeting her. Contagion is a long slow suffering and she prefers a clean kill (it's really just a preference as she will use Contagion if asked because it does winnow out the weak.......errrrrr naturally).

Orisons:Create Water, Detect Poison, Light, Purify Food and Drink
1st level: Cure Light Wounds x2, Pass Without Trace, Endure Elements, Produce Flame x2
2nd level: Warp Wood, Summon Swarm, Barkskin, Bear's Endurance
3rd level: Call Lightning, Protection From Energy, Sleet Storm
4th level: Dispel Magic, Flame Strike
Domain: Obscuring Mist, Wind Wall, Gaseous Form, Air Walk

P.S. didn't take Shifting Sand only because a friend has borrowed my APG which is where I assume it is from. Just got the Ultimate Magic, Whoohoo!

With all the banter and suggestions and changes of mind, I had to go back a few months to figure some things out.

It appears that I was waiting for the capacity of the bag of holding that Ovirid claimed; does anyone have the information regarding that item?

Did Ixius work on a crossbow for Ovirid? If so, what would its statistics be?

More questions, but they might already be answered, so I will look in the thread some more...

EDIT The cost of the traps Ovirid made, plus half for the failed attempt, would be 3250 gp. How did we want to pay for that? If we didn't want to budget that much, tell me how much I have to work with and I will go back to look at my rolls to see which one failed and figure out how many traps I made.

Did anyone have any interest in a Ring of Feather Falling for half price?

Ovirid, It is a type I bag of holding which should hold 30 cubic feet of matter.

Craft check to make crossbow during the week in Sothis: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (3) + 10 = 13

That was fail, which make sense considering a crossbow is not a bow.

Shifting Sand

Hide Campfire

Completely up to you what spells you choose of course Arioch, just posting these cuz they both could come in real handy in this kind of situation.

I had thought Ovirid was going to go with the ShortBow instead, no?

And do you only get one chance to craft something in the whole week Ixius?

Also, is Ixius willing to use and/or pay for the Hat of Disguise? And had he bought any scrolls in town?

One of my ideas had been along the lines of not really letting them know they were under attack and more scaring them, having things not work, people getting hurt thus giving the idea that their mission was cursed or something like that and making the slaves revolt.

But if we're just gonna do straight out attack, that's fine too, and probably eaiser. So with that in mind, Korian's stratagey is something along the line of:(after Sykala's Buffs)
-Haste on everyone
-Casting Spiked Pit in front of the Ankheg's, hopefully taking them out of the situation for good, but at least 7 rounds.
-Then either Summon Monster, Shifting Sands, Pyrotechnices or Major Image, depending on what else goes down.

Perhaps if everyone else puts down what they want to do, then we can begin?

Ixius is willing to use and pay for the hat of disguise, and in town purchased a wand of grease and a wand of glitterdust.

I was also under the impression we were going to be stealthy about it.

But in a frontal attack, if anyone moves to fight us, Ixius will cast glitterdust, then scorching ray at blinded foes.

Ovirid was considering a shortbow because of the rate of fire. If Ixius fails on the crossbow and decides to stick with what he knows, Ovirid would be interested.

Regarding the caravan, I was thinking sabotage and the much-discussed traps. Broken wagon wheels, reins and saddle straps severed, thinks of that nature. Invisibility would be much appreciated.

Ovirid would be shopping for something that would improve his Stealth checks - assuming he doesn't have to pay for the traps completely himself.

Refina would prefer stealth and subtlty to a more direct approach especially in a situation where the slaves could be caught in the crossfire. However if it does become a full out attack she will do her best to help.

She's not great in the subtle and stealth department but she can fly over at night and try to warp the heck out of their palanquins and contagion the guards while sending in giant scorpions to attack the ankhegs.

OK! Now we're getting somewhere! :)

So how's this as a possible start? We hit them at night, Sykala could warp the wood and help with the 'random' monster attack, an invisible Ovirid could set traps and break things, a disguised Ixius (with an invisibility back-up scroll or something) can give contradicting orders maybe?, perhaps Refina could try dispel magic on the Ankhegs and Korian could try scaring or disrupting the slaves and/or guards with illusions while also adding to the monster attack.

Then we have a back up plan in case we get caught. Something like pyrotechniques, shifting sand, summoned monsters etc. while we make a clean getaway thanks to Sykala's pass without trace?

Any suggestions to these plans to make them better are more than welcome!

PS ya, I know the summoned monsters are more powerful but the Giant Vermin has a Much longer duration, so thought it might add to the whole 'stealth mission/cursed caravan' thiing.

PSS Hey Kevin, just curious, were you still planning to keep that many remove curses, or were you just late getting around to changing the spell list (like I was ; )?

You do realize that casting spells (such as warp wood) isn't exactly quiet. Sure they may not be able to see their assailants but neither would I assume that they are any stupider than we are......oh wait, nevermind... ;)

haha well yes, there is that, but I was assuming that Sykala could be casting them in one of her animal or elemental forms, so that would give her some extra cover. And as for Korian, most of the spells I mentioned have med to long range, so he can cast them from afar, while hiding. :)

So...unless anyone has anything else to add...?

I guess we can begin?

Tarren, maybe you can put us at night, after having chosen an ambush site along the route (and as well a campsite that is some distance from the ambush site. But we can have the our camels nearby for a quick gettaway)

Korian will be hiding behind a dune, within long range if possible or medium range if necessary.

Sykala and/or Ovirid & Ixius can scout out where their guard posts might be and what kind of night security they have

and...anything else folks before we begin? Any rolls necessary DM?

haha well yes, there is that, but I was assuming that Sykala could be casting them in one of her animal or elemental forms, so that would give her some extra cover. And as for Korian, most of the spells I mentioned have med to long range, so he can cast them from afar, while hiding. :)

So...unless anyone has anything else to add...?

I guess we can begin?

Tarren, maybe you can put us at night, after having chosen an ambush site along the route (and as well a campsite that is some distance from the ambush site. But we can have the our camels nearby for a quick gettaway)

Korian will be hiding behind a dune, within long range if possible or medium range if necessary.

Sykala and/or Ovirid & Ixius can scout out where their guard posts might be and what kind of night security they have

and...anything else folks before we begin? Any rolls necessary DM?

At night, the camp forms a circle. At the center of the circle, very close together, are the three palanquin golems. Rope ladders hand down and there is a little traffic to and from. The residents of two of the three palanquins stay within, but one comes down. From a distance, you can only see that he is a particularly muscular man. He summons slaves or guards to fight against in groups or pairs and knocks them flat effortlessly. He does not do enough damage to kill them, but easily could.

Surrounding these palanquins are the ankhegs and then the slaves. The guards camp on the perimeter.

I'll need stealth checks for anyone approaching.

I'm back from vacation and, since class is out, I have more time to devote to this. (Fall will be a bugger though). What do you guys need to make this more interesting?

For me all I need is for there to be regular input from everyone. But as this seems to be happening more often lately, I'm happy ; )

So I don't put this off and forget to do it altogether, I need to let you know that we will be taking our annual fall trip to not-here. I'm not certain how much Internet access I will have, so I may be unusually quiet from Sept 10 through Sept 17. Please feel free to DMPC Ovirid as necessary.

[plug]Award for 30 Haunts for Objects[/plug]

Bravo!

You appear to be the only author that cared to give a speech. That's a shame, but says good things about you. Congratulations!

They invited us to write something, but it was only a few days ago so I can understand not many people getting something in. Mine was a long plug for all the haunt products, but they cut it down to plug specifically the one getting the prize. I tried. ;-)

Hey if there's anyone interested in a Fallout style PbP there's just starting up over here. It's meant to be a BIG game looks like so it will need lots and lots of players. Hope ta see ya there!

Grats Tarren! I feel privileged to be playing in one of your games.

Hey if there's anyone interested in a Fallout style PbP there's just starting up over here. It's meant to be a BIG game looks like so it will need lots and lots of players. Hope ta see ya there!

I'm in about three more games than I can afford already. I _really_ can't get in another that requires me to learn new rules, too. I'll lurk, but I have to pass.

Grats Tarren! I feel privileged to be playing in one of your games.

I feel privileged to have such a great group to play with and am happy you are still here after a slow start to this one. I think things are about to get interesting with this though.

I was at my LGS this weekend for my PFS game and I saw a Rite Publishing book (I forget which one) prominently displayed on the shelf with some other Pathfinder books. One of the authors was none other than T. H. Gulliver.

We're gaming with a Celebrity!

Ha-ha. That's funny Rimrock. Just don't tell anyone how often I have to look up the rules at our own game. ;-)

That would have been "In the Company of Monsters". I did gargoyles for that one. I still haven't seen a print copy but I should ask at my local gaming store.

Hmmm, so summoner or magus or warlock who was cursed to live as a statue until the next living being looked his way?

A greedy tomb robber barbarian or ninja who snuck in by themselves but who now finds themselves in a bit of trouble and could use the help of a friendly party?

So many choices....

Oh, by the way, there's a certain very unhappy wizard spirit floating around right now who's considering haunting you all if he doesn't get raised successfully...

(Korian Here)

Hey gang, if anyone is looking for a great game, come check out the Dwarves vs Elves game I'm in.

There's One spot open on the Dwarf Team (the Best team of course, which is kicking ass)

and there's a few spots open on the wimpy Elf Team (cuz o'course they being so useless n' all keep gettin' kilt so quick like)

You have to pick one side though an ONLY check that link out. There's NO peeking in both threads.

You can also go HERE to the mutual thread to get some info on the game in general.

Can't speak for the Elf thread, but our Dwarven thread has been getting an average of about 15 posts a day for several months now, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down at all. Chainmail is a great DM and all the players are a pleasure to game with as well.

So, the choice is obvious which team to pick.

But if'n yer tha type what likes tae cheer tha under dog, then go wit' tha elves, cuz we don' need ya!

Ok, here's the timeline as I see it...

-Mr.Croc's action does full attack and destroys elemental.

-Sykala's action goes above sandwall and becomes human.

-Mr. Croc's action is to pick up box (move action) and cast spell on Refina.

-Sykala's action is to stoneshape and CRUNCH!

Doesn't seem like extra actions were taken by Sykala or the Croc. The timelines match up pretty well.

No real extra actions in there. However since you said it is a quickened greater teleport (Eek!) than I suppose as a DM I could see giving a reflex save or something to get it off as he wasn't ready for his trap to be turned against him. Just my opinion.

Not that you need to worry, the falling objects rules are quite forgiving (page 443 core rulebook). Personally, I would run the falling object rules according to weight. So, even though a 2600 pound sphere of rock is medium? in size it is huge in weight (many huge creatures weigh in roughly around that weight I think). So it would do 3d6 for under 30' feet, 6d6 for 30' feet to 150' feet and 12d6 after that. If we strictly went by size (medium?) it would be 1 1/2 d6 for under 30' feet, 3d6 for 30' to 150' feet, and 6d6 for over 150' feet.

I understand they may be trying to go for balance so everyone isn't trying to drop objects on everyone else but personally I think I would just stick with the falling rules for people. You take 1d6 per 10 feet fallen. Just reverse it and an object of sufficient size and weight does 1d6 for each 10' feet fallen. In this case 8d6. Maybe give a reflex for half. Of course something stuck in a narrow shaft with a falling object might get a heavily modified reflex or maybe not one at all (nowhere to dodge too).

Well, there you have it. I am good with whatever you decide but interesting topic all the same :)

I hope she pleasantly surprised you all again ;)

Rule wise A quikened teleport is a swift action so If I am not mistaken still has to be done in the crocmans own turn. It would need to be an immediate action for it to be used to escape the damage and falling (Since all that would still happen In Sykala's own turn.

First, I LOVE this plan. Surprised and delighted, that's me! Now, to the crunch, how many actions are necessary to change shape back to human, 'draw' her scroll (move?), and cast the spell (standard). That might be where Tarren is concerned.

But Kevin Mack is correct - a quickened spell is a swift action (expends your swift action per round on your turn), not an immediate action (expends your swift action per round at any time).

Ok, here's the timeline as I see it...

-Mr.Croc's action does full attack and destroys elemental.

-Sykala's action goes above sandwall and becomes human.

-Mr. Croc's action is to pick up box (move action) and cast spell on Refina.

-Sykala's action is to stoneshape and CRUNCH!

Doesn't seem like extra actions were taken by Sykala or the Croc. The timelines match up pretty well.

No real extra actions in there. However since you said it is a quickened greater teleport (Eek!) than I suppose as a DM I could see giving a reflex save or something to get it off as he wasn't ready for his trap to be turned against him. Just my opinion.

Not that you need to worry, the falling objects rules are quite forgiving (page 443 core rulebook). Personally, I would run the falling object rules according to weight. So, even though a 2600 pound sphere of rock is medium? in size it is huge in weight (many huge creatures weigh in roughly around that weight I think). So it would do 3d6 for under 30' feet, 6d6 for 30' feet to 150' feet and 12d6 after that. If we strictly went by size (medium?) it would be 1 1/2 d6 for under 30' feet, 3d6 for 30' to 150' feet, and 6d6 for over 150' feet.

I understand they may be trying to go for balance so everyone isn't trying to drop objects on everyone else but personally I think I would just stick with the falling rules for people. You take 1d6 per 10 feet fallen. Just reverse it and an object of sufficient size and weight does 1d6 for each 10' feet fallen. In this case 8d6. Maybe give a reflex for half. Of course something stuck in a narrow shaft with a falling object might get a heavily modified reflex or maybe not one at all (nowhere to dodge too).

Well, there you have it. I am good with whatever you decide but interesting topic all the same :)

I hope she pleasantly surprised you all again ;)

What I meant is that he would have had time to act after you disappeared in the wall. In case you haven't noticed, he's paid a lot of attention to you and has tried to get you alone. (You're the only one who he needs to worry about as the rest are fireflies.) It doesn't matter, however, as he's withdrawn (using his quickened teleport) and will take another tact.

You are back where you all came from.

Sorry I'm confused does this mean the things actions are being retconned?

No. And I shouldn't jump the gun. Sykala opened up the sandwall at the top so you can all fly up. She's dropped a block of stone toward the thing below. Only Refina has actually flown up so far.

My intention was only to hopefully add some insight to the situation when you asked about the quickened teleport and timing in the main thread. Was just offering my interpretation not trying to run the show. I am perfectly happy with whatever decisions you end up with. I am only saddened that I seem to have caused some frustration. Either way Mr. Croc was never in any real danger...

I thought the scene was neat and cinematic in how it ended but have to admit the wind in my sails is somewhat lessened. I am left with the feeling I have been unreasonably difficult and stolen Mr. Croc's thunder when I was supposed to fight him on his terms or something.