Tower of the Last Baron [Fizzled...] (Inactive)

Game Master mishima

It's a link from the "Pathfinder Design Team Official Rules Response" account, but the FAQ can be linked directly

http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9tza

What exactly do I identify when I’m using Spellcraft to identify a spell? Is it the components, since spell-like abilities, for instance, don’t have any? If I can only identify components, would that mean that I can’t take an attack of opportunity against someone using a spell-like ability (or spell with no verbal, somatic, or material components) or ready an action to shoot an arrow to disrupt a spell-like ability? If there’s something else, how do I know what it is?

Although this isn’t directly stated in the Core Rulebook, many elements of the game system work assuming that all spells have their own manifestations, regardless of whether or not they also produce an obvious visual effect, like fireball. You can see some examples to give you ideas of how to describe a spell’s manifestation in various pieces of art from Pathfinder products, but ultimately, the choice is up to your group, or perhaps even to the aesthetics of an individual spellcaster, to decide the exact details. Whatever the case, these manifestations are obviously magic of some kind, even to the uninitiated; this prevents spellcasters that use spell-like abilities, psychic magic, and the like from running completely amok against non-spellcasters in a non-combat situation. Special abilities exist (and more are likely to appear in Ultimate Intrigue) that specifically facilitate a spellcaster using chicanery to misdirect people from those manifestations and allow them to go unnoticed, but they will always provide an onlooker some sort of chance to detect the ruse.

posted October 2015

Spells with no component are still identifiable with spellcraft, but this generic guard certainly has no ranks there. From the FAQ:

What exactly do I identify when I’m using Spellcraft to identify a spell? Is it the components, since spell-like abilities, for instance, don’t have any? If I can only identify components, would that mean that I can’t take an attack of opportunity against someone using a spell-like ability (or spell with no verbal, somatic, or material components) or ready an action to shoot an arrow to disrupt a spell-like ability? If there’s something else, how do I know what it is?

Although this isn’t directly stated in the Core Rulebook, many elements of the game system work assuming that all spells have their own manifestations, regardless of whether or not they also produce an obvious visual effect, like fireball. You can see some examples to give you ideas of how to describe a spell’s manifestation in various pieces of art from Pathfinder products, but ultimately, the choice is up to your group, or perhaps even to the aesthetics of an individual spellcaster, to decide the exact details. Whatever the case, these manifestations are obviously magic of some kind, even to the uninitiated; this prevents spellcasters that use spell-like abilities, psychic magic, and the like from running completely amok against non-spellcasters in a non-combat situation. Special abilities exist (and more are likely to appear in Ultimate Intrigue) that specifically facilitate a spellcaster using chicanery to misdirect people from those manifestations and allow them to go unnoticed, but they will always provide an onlooker some sort of chance to detect the ruse.

Another place to look is the Conceal Spell feat (ultimate intrigue), which builds on the above by separating verbal/somatic components with the "manifestation".

That said I dont really care that much, its more "cool" to use charm person in that way. That guard knew screw all about magic and even if he did, the fact that he failed the check and was insulted matters more than some flashing lights he might have thought he saw.

Well, "Whatever the case, these manifestations are obviously magic of some kind, even to the uninitiated" -

But if the DM is ok with it everything is cool.

Well, at least I wasn't ninja'd by the actual ninja.

Long story short I'm going to let Virgil play his character how he wants. If he starts drinking tea in the middle of town while killing everyone, I'll adjust some stuff. If he faces someone trained in magic (but not psychic magic), they will get a penalty to the spellcraft check to identify at -4.

For the scene at hand, those of you who saw what happened and didnt get distracted by emotions like this guard could tell Virgil was manifesting a truly exotic form of energy. Or at least you think so. Without a spellcraft check though you really dont know much more than that.

Sorry to go back to gear, but does the module cover 2 levels of progress or only one? If the former, perhaps 2 cure wands are in order. I am willing to pay for a whole one myself if that makes it easier.

I'll level you guys up to 6th before the end. There are some radical things that could happen to change that, but I emphasize radical (like if you come up with the most creative wtf genius plan of all time).
Honestly you'll have a chance to buy/find stuff once in side the gates, and combat is less of a focus in this module (for example there are no "filler" encounters), but of course totally up to you. Things will likely hit the fan eventually. :)

Also unless I am missing something Virgil is the only one who can attempt to use a CLW wand with UMD.

Apologies if I seem confrontational. I choose Virgil bc i think he is perfect for this adventure bc of him being a Psychic Magic user (plus its what he would do...lol).
I just hate it when they change rules bc of board discussions.
I did research this using the available books but i didnt use the boards.

Also, Virgil does have a wand of clw and also went in on a party wand. I am willing to get another also.

I guess is one of those things that they thought was crystal clear for everyone. It certainly isn't from reading the book. Though in their defence the spell manifestation thing was always their "unofficial" stance on the matter.

GM: 3d4 ⇒ (4, 2, 2) = 8
GM: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Apologies for lack of post here yesterday :/ Guess I went to sleep without realizing it.

Sometimes a GM needs a nap...

Any chance I could get more info from either the barmaids or Lucky Ben Willhuff?

Noya, the main nugget from that roll was the baron's 2 secret undercover guards sitting there. Lucky isn't happy about them being there. Perhaps he could be persuaded to help in some way.

Derek, if i am pushing you, i apologize. Just think that its a good in for Garan.

@GM
I think you blended two replies together
Nysha was asking about the wine, not Noya.

Ah, thanks. I wrote Noya instead of Nysha.

Derek, if i am pushing you, i apologize. Just think that its a good in for Garan.

No worries! I don't feel pushed - and it's good to have a bit of direction on how to proceed.

So...I'm really not sure how to react here. Offer Blacklock a word of encouragement? "Stand up" to the General?

Offer to covey terms of a challenge?

Well it seems (from Gm post) that Blacklock isn't a fan of Nobility or Cheliax (infered).
I suggest siding with his views to help him settle this thing in the name of Andor.

Virgil plans on doing the same with the Baron.
We should have both heads of their respective ideals ear.

What do you think?

To be honest, I wasn't expecting you guys to come out here, but that's ok its a sandbox. Your goal was to see what was happening and you succeeded in that regard. There isn't a clear cut opportunity here, but you could possibly try to commit some of the baron's listed assets to memory to get an idea of what would hurt the worst for him to lose, say in a terrible explosion or other act of sabotage.

As you know, and even Blacklock is getting the hint, Dakovya doesn't give a damn about these negotiations and is waiting for your team to either succeed or fail at assassinating the baron, at which point he will either not completely raze the town, or will, respectively. Still, you could play up to Blacklocks side to solidify your relationship, perhaps. Surely the captain of the guard would have many details about how to get into the keep and assassinate the baron.

So I had exactly the opposite impression of Blacklock. I thought that he, like his lord, are sympathetic to the Chelish side, especially given that it is the Andoran army on the doorstep. I may just try to stay more neutral a bit longer. Thinking it over and will post tonight.

Good Ideas are hard to come by, but I did think of something that won't raise the alarms. Pickled Eggs....
But Extra Special Pickled Eggs Slight evil grin

Hahaha, yes, they seem such a good idea/so tempting when so drunk at 5 am...but no, pickled eggs always a bad idea.

That's a pretty creative solution, there is an alchemist and apothecary in town if something there might help.

Hahaha, yes, they seem such a good idea/so tempting when so drunk at 5 am...but no, pickled eggs always a bad idea.

That's a pretty creative solution, there is an alchemist and apothecary in town if something there might help.

Nuts, but glad you like the creativity of the solution.

Oh no, don't misunderstand, I was saying they are always a bad idea in real life. Full speed ahead in game. :)

Update to all my games:

I will be moving tomorrow. I will shut down my PC sometime tonight, and with luck will be back up running by Saturday (Sunday at the latest).

If my home internet goes sideways, I will try to keep up via the Wayfinder app on my phone

Please bot me as necessary.

Thanks for the notice, combat unlikely before that time.

Notice that he said "unlikely"....

Things that would increase likelihood of a fight (non-exhaustive):

-trying to burn something down
-punching anyone in the face or neck
-openly stealing dogs from the dogyard
-miming in public
-shouting "fatty" at someone who is merely chubby
-rolling melons into human beings

So, miming rolling a melons into fatties, is not ok?

Oh no, don't misunderstand, I was saying they are always a bad idea in real life. Full speed ahead in game. :)

So your OK with the Pickled Egg idea in game?

otherwise I could use the other idea.

And I did think of another, but Holy crap, it has potential to cause some strong trauma for the poor guards, and would possibly even cross some ethics of good characters.

Yes Noya, ok with that in game.

Yeah, posting rate here is pretty snail slow. Are you guys still down with playing this? I'll admit its tougher to run a sandbox style module like this on PBP compared to a railroad where I just describe scene after scene. I'm kind of waiting to react to you, instead of vice versa.

I would like to continue....

Sorry, I've still been dealing with unpacking and holiday-related commitments. I would like to keep going, and I should be able to pick up the pace again now.

No problem, just wasn't sure if I was being boring, or not offering much or what.

The recap of intelligence gathered is much appreciated GM!

Sorry, I didn't quite realize that Noya and I had the same destiantion in mind. I'll stay out of the way for the discussion of alchemical agents and wait for a chance to drop a comment or two about "good old Andoran".

Trick no good, sir?....lol.

I will try another tatic.

I am playing Bonekeep 1 Core today, so will respond later tonight.

Well, he definitely believed you instead of thinking you were someone suspicious...its just that he wasn't selling.

I mentioned air spores are 1st or 2nd ed DnD, so you'll likely not find them in any 3.5 or OGL books.
And I only found out about air spores from an AD&D practical joke list.

Ah thanks for the reminder, even if I can't find it we'll make it work

Actually it wasn't too hard to track them down, it sounds identical to the air crystals of pathfinder. :)

Guys just a heads up I'll be travelling the better part of tomorrow and start a grad class that will last the next few weeks. My posting will be limited to early morning, lunchtime, and evenings instead of refreshing every 30 minutes. Hopefully not much impact. :)

Hi. Sorry for the low rate of posting but The defense of my Ph.D thesis is in 14 days, so, DM, are you ok with a daily small post until then?

No problem Nysha, thanks for sharing, totally understandable, and good luck :)

Good luck Nysha and congrats!

Sorry for not posting had a very busy couple of days as my little sister's wedding with her fiance was this weekend.

Good late/early evening to you all.

Apologies but work has been crazier than a goblin Alchemist thus week. Will post after...