Written in Blood PFS#2-15 (Inactive)

Game Master lucklesshero

Ok, so now we're at the top of round 12. Thug is still standing and fighting, flanked by Torvald and Craggark. Here's how it plays out, as far as I can tell.

Option 1: Jamir pours a potion into Jawhar. Thug does not threaten Jamir and therefore could not make an AoO against Jamir. But pouring a potion into an unconscious character is a full-round action, which I think may mean that Jawhar could die by failing his stabilize rolls based on the initiative order even while drinking a potion of CLW. I would be ecstatic to be corrected on this point. If Jawhar's initiative has shifted to be after Jamir's due to the way he has been woken open to channel twice before, then the potion should work.

Option 2: Jamir wakes up Jawhar again to channel, then crosses through his square and the thug's square to H-3, hoping to draw Thug's AoO for the round the way he did in round 11. This would leave Craggark and Torvald free to act without interruption again.

Option 3: same as option 2, except Jamir walk around Torvald to get to H-3, so as not to draw the AoO.

Option 4: Jamir goes to H-3, with or without drawing an AoO, but uses his action to attack Thug instead of waking up Jawhar. This avoids making Jawhar a target, but makes getting him healed that much harder.

Whatever happens during Jamir's turn, though, Thug goes next. Our best hope for Jawhar is that Thug, threatened by 2 or 3 live, upright combatants, targets someone who could do him immediate damage rather than prone, helpless Jawhar.

Craggark is next. Two options: attack the thug, move action to retrieve the wand - which draws an AoO that could drop you if Jamir hasn't drawn it already, 5-step to J-3 to get closer to Torvald; OR skip the attack, move to H-1 (again, drawing an AoO if he hasn't already gone), the use your standard action to retrieve the wand.

Then Torvald, 5-step to I-1, take the wand (assuming Jamir isn't there anymore, otherwise stay put and possibly draw an AoO), and cast CLW on Jawhar (no AoO). There isn't time for a heal check to stabilize.

Any thoughts? I am leaning to options 2 or 4, in either case drawing the AoO if possible so Craggark and Torvald can act freely.

I won't post my action for a couple of hours yet.

I delayed to channel after you woke me up. That moves me later in the initiative order.

When you delay, you voluntarily reduce your own initiative

result for the rest of the combat.

Edit: Although, I really don't think an unconscious character would be able to delay, so I really should still be at the top of the initiative order...

I don't like my chances anyways, but I think the best bet is for you guys to kill the Thug as quickly as possible.

If I die, so be it. I can create a new character for the next mission. It would pretty much screw you guys for this coming mission though...

I delayed to channel after you woke me up. That moves me later in the initiative order.

Quote:

When you delay, you voluntarily reduce your own initiative

result for the rest of the combat.

Luckless, do you agree?

I edited that quoted post while you were typing.

Your revision is what I'm worried about, yes. First level characters are weak, but dang our dice rolls have been awful.

!!!!!!!!

This changes EVERYTHING.

New plan, only one option:

LIGHT HIM UP, BOYS!

Heading out for a bit, will post Jamir's turn in a couple of hours.

If Jawhar's initiative has shifted to be after Jamir's due to the way he has been woken open to channel twice before, then the potion should work.

That's the way herolab works initiative and the way I've always played it. Jawhar is now behind Jamir in initiative ...

But we're taking the stabilization roll, yes?

couple of clarifications

Thug get's one AoO a round but it resets at the beginning of his turn. ( Craggark moved to K-3, Jamir moved I-2 provoking AoO from thug(hits 7hp dmg.), Jamir tries to stab thug misses, Jawhar tries to stabalize fails,Now Thug's turn (his AoO reset) Thug swings at Jamir hits again (2hp dmg), it would now be Torvald's turn (which I'll reslove the AoO in a few minutes), Then Craggark (he missed too), Then Jamir(new round for Jamir), and finally Jawhar will stabilize before the thug gets his turn again (if he's still standing)

Ok, not posting what I had written. Will check back later.

Is Torvald still prone as well as disabled, then? And did he get to drink the shield potion?

Is Torvald still prone as well as disabled, then? And did he get to drink the shield potion?

One more question, to make sure I understand the cover rules - if Jamir steps into Jawhar's square and stays there, would he provide soft cover to Jawhar (+4 to AC, negating the penalty to AC for being prone)?

So, does getting hit while standing prevent me from drinking a potion or throwing a bomb? I understand that I'd fall unconscious, but since I got hit for 6 I'd like to throw my bomb at H4. 5 fire damage from splash (or 2 on a Ref13).

Is that alright?

EDIT: after re-reading GM's post it says he hits me while I'm on the ground, but it would have been my standing up that provoked the AoO. So I'm fine with getting hit and all, but then since Thug's already used it up I'd like to use my bomb (no sense in using the Shield extract since I'd fall down doing so)

Torvald, I'd PM the GM to get your clarification.

Jamir, I think, since Jawhar has stabilised, that we full-out attack this jerk.

I will be.

Torvald, I'd PM the GM to get your clarification.

Jamir, I think, since Jawhar has stabilised, that we full-out attack this jerk.

I will be.

Probably? Depends on what happened on Torvald's turn, I guess. And the answer on cover.

Jamir "Hamstring" Montajay wrote:

Is Torvald still prone as well as disabled, then? And did he get to drink the shield potion?

One more question, to make sure I understand the cover rules - if Jamir steps into Jawhar's square and stays there, would he provide soft cover to Jawhar (+4 to AC, negating the penalty to AC for being prone)?

I would say yes to this question because that's exactly what happens when you use the underfoot assault ability ..I don't see any difference do you? (one character's body is straddling/standing over another character offering them cover...just remind me of the cover bonus if I make an attack against Jawhar.)

So, does getting hit while standing prevent me from drinking a potion or throwing a bomb? I understand that I'd fall unconscious, but since I got hit for 6 I'd like to throw my bomb at H4. 5 fire damage from splash (or 2 on a Ref13).

Is that alright?

EDIT: after re-reading GM's post it says he hits me while I'm on the ground, but it would have been my standing up that provoked the AoO. So I'm fine with getting hit and all, but then since Thug's already used it up I'd like to use my bomb (no sense in using the Shield extract since I'd fall down doing so)

So here's the general problem with block initiative as I see it. You have multiple players acting in different order and often a player that's already acted out of turn will want to change their action based on what other players intend to do..an example is here..the thug moved into a position that offers him opportunities to AoO Torvald. ..Torvald had already declared his action before he saw the thug move..

but Torvald was acting out of turn as per the block initiative structure. So now that he knows his intended action would have made him vulnerable he naturally wants to retcon and do a wiser or more optimal choice with the reasoning that, if my player had know the thug would have moved there there's no way he would have taken that sub-optimal action which is a totally reasonable line of thought..

My issues are simple
1. How does this make PbP faster? (we're literally writing twice as much for the same action)
2. Doesn't all this ret-coning make things more confusing to find for you guys? (it does me..)
3. exactly when does the ret-coning stop? now that Torvald is changing his action can Craggark change his? can the thug change his?
4. Would Torvald even want to change his action if the Thug missed?

I'm not going to rule on this...rather I'm going to ask you all (all 4 to rule on this and give me one or two sentences of why you ruled the way you did...we will go with the majority..)

The thug was already in place and threatening Torvald when Torvald made the decision to stand and drink the shield potion.

The GM's post clearly states that it was the drinking of the extract that led to the AoO and not the standing. GM muddied that picture by claiming that Torvald was still prone. However, the strike would hit Torvald anyways, so that issue is moot.

As I see it, Torvald stood, the Thug declined to AoO. Torvald started to drink the extract, the Thug took his AoO.

I don't see any opening for a RetCon.

As I see it, Torvald has taken his full round and is now under the effect of Shield. He is reduced to 0 hit points and is now Staggered. Next round he will be able to take 1 Standard Action of his choice.

I'd agree with Jawhar here. I'd avoid theoretical discussions of block initiative until after Craggark gets a chance to urinate on this thug's corpse.

"Craggark's here to chew gum and piss on the corpses of his enemies. And he's all out of gum."

Don't have enough experience with PbP to have a strong opinion, except to that block initiative is what seems to happen naturally anyway, due to the time zone differences making people want to jump in when they are available. On the other hand, our group does post more frequently than most, so maybe keeping to strict order would work. Puts a burden on the GM to resolve each attack quickly, though.

OK so there's a really important post I missed in my absence that's making Torvald's action seem arduous ..

Oh no worries GM, I've been obsessively lurking. Good morning everyone!

Groaning as he blinks open his eyes, the dwarf rolls his head to the left to see the fight down to just Jamir and an injured thug--wait, no, there's Craggark over there climbing back to his feet.

To his own mild surprise, the healing draught is still in his hand, and so with a mental shrug he takes a gulp. Heals!: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6 "Keep on yer feet, Mon'a'jay," he mumbles and the warm sensation of the potion spreads through him. "Imma light 'em on fire..."

The villainous and stout thug sees Torvald try to swallow some kind of concoction and takes a swing at him while he's on the ground nearly helpless

(I really do try to read all the post I just missed this one and dismissed the part of the next one where it says he got up knowing he was only allowed one action while disabled)..

However, I'm still not a big fan of putting in your action out of order for most the reasons I stated above but, I agree we can save that debate for later...Torvald sorry missed that one.. bombs away!!!

Got it. So I am holding off posting my action until Torvald reposts his, and the GM posts the result (if it's an attack on Thug).

just to be clear Torvald had already stood ( I believe) before the thug moved into position to be able to AoO him right? Because, I blew an entire post here what's to prevent Torvald from taking a 5ft step out of AoO range and throwing the bomb?

I don't want to suggest tactics, but I've considered that you guys might think I'm more than a little defensive about rulings/clarifications ect.. and perhaps I am ..(kinda for you to judge). This might lead you to believe that if you do anything in retrospect that, is advantageous for your character, you'll have me call you out on it ( I don't want this to be the case but, perhaps your perceptions of me have become such). In any case: Torvald is totally within his right to do whatever he wants here, even though there was a suggested action before. I don't want you guys purposely doing foolish things just to avoid the wrath of a petty and juvenile GM... Again sorry for missing your previous post.

PS. to be extra clear..if Torvald 5ft away then throws his bomb...The AoO never happened..we'll wait for Torvald to roll his attack roll to the appropriate grid square..and play it from there..

GM, your first statement is, I think, incorrect. Torvald started his round prone. He stood (while threatened by the thug) and drank his extract (also while threatened). We are assuming that he took his AoA on Torvald standing.

Craggark pretty much got it. My understanding of the event order:

1. Thug takes his turn, including a movement over to the square where he now threatens Torvald (between dwarf & half-orc)

2. Torvald on his turn stands, provoking the AoO (smidgeon of confusion here as I was described as still lying down but it looks like that's been figured out)

3. Had the hit done 5 damage or less I'd have drunk my potion of Shield, but since I'm now disabled I'd like to gamble on a bomb instead, then promptly fall to the ground at -1 and dying.

Apologies for the confusion, I should have placed conditions on my actions in spoiler boxes, i.e.

Does that seem better going forward?

Man I am so confused!! LOL ok assume the thug took the AoO at any opportunity Torvald presented . If it didn't drop Torvald; Torvald can continue his actions remember you must be at negative hp to be dropped.. so I think Torvald is still standing to complete his action. Craggark already went (correct?) so Torvald needs to throw his bomb (he is at 0 hp) then he drops. So Torvald roll to hit the square next to the Thug I'll roll reflex in the game thread, then it will be Jamir's turn.

Based on the last bomb Torvald threw, reflex DC is 13, splash damage is 5, half after the save. Torvald, please confirm your position on the map when you have a moment.

Craggark hasn't gone this round yet. I believe I go after the thug. If you're talking about last round, yes I went before Torvald.

Sigh. Passing to you, Craggark. After the Thug takes a whack at Jamir (I hope).

Man I am so confused!!

You and me both!

lucklesshero wrote:

Man I am so confused!!

You and me both!

I'm not surprised you're confused, Jawhar. You've been hit on the head with an axe 3 times in the last 72 seconds.

Ok, now I feel like I could sleep for a week.

F*~! this s!+~.

*flips the table*

Craggark's player collapses, exhausted.

OK Craggark ,or Jamir..could one of you give me a condition report of your group after Jawhar's healing? Also section 2 of this adventure is notoriously hard to pick up the prestige point because of a limitation they set in the secondary conditions document. However, the way I read it: it doesn't say when section two is exactly suppose to start, so I'm ruling it starts as soon as this party is fully healed and rested.

So here's what I'd like:
1. I want you guys to roll play up your recovery (including naming the inn you stay at ect..)
2. spend the necessary gold for lodging, food, healing, ect..(keep a running list of what you buy well deal with it after the adventure)
3. Go shopping if you want to replace items you've used (smelling salts, potions ect,..)
4. Roll play a little of the discussion of "what now?"(knowing the info/names you now know from the notes you discover)

Try to keep the recovery to and shopping to no more than 2-3 days. I would think not knowing what actually happened to Skagni and the ordered murder of Pathfinders (namely you guys) would create some sense of urgency (while using enough common sense to prepare for whatever might lie ahead)

I'll check in later Monday afternoon(4/17/17) and catch up on all your post.Make a list of anything you buy or any resources you use that would cost gold and we'll settle that up later..

Sounds good - I was putting together a shopping list last night. Will post detail this morning.

Here is my first pass at Jamir's shopping list - as you can see, it is focused on the fact that we did best when we targeted touch AC. If these guys have crazy good armor class, we need a way around it.

- bandolier - 1gp
- alchemist's fire x4 - 80gp
- acid x 3 - 30gp
- scroll of ant haul (Jamir's class abilities only work when he is lightly encumbered - he will ask Jawhar to cast this on him when they are ready to strike back at this "Runa") - 25gp
- bag of caltrops x2 - 2gp
- bag of marbles x2 - 2gp
- spring-loaded wrist sheath (loan to Torvald if he doesn't have Adventurer's Armory, for Craggark's wand of CLW - retrieving wand now a swift action) - 5gp
- spring-loaded wrist sheath (loan to Jawhar for Jamir's wand of Protection from Evil) - 5gp
- tindertwigs x 5 - 5gp
- oil x 3 - 3sp
- torches x 3 - 3cp

Total: 155.33

Happy to use some of the thug's cash for this if there is any left over, but Jamir has enough cash to pay for it all. I don't know how pressed the rest of the group is, but Craggark has to have a potion of CLW when we next get into a fight; Jamir already has one, Jawhar can cast, and Torvald will have the wand.

I love the idea of asking for lodging recommendations at a Sarenite temple. Absolutely perfect. If we can find one, that's what we need to do.

The Desna priest suggest a relatively small inn that local wood cutters use called the "knot head" he directs your group to one of the outlying districts and tells you to look for a sign with the picture of a wood giant on it. inn stay common +1sp with one hearty meal provided per day: i.e. You won't have to worry about rations as long as you pay the 6sp per day. For an extra 2sp per day/per person..(8sp a day x4) you'll get a common private room with 4 bunks and an avg. lock. It's no cost to stable the donkey as long as 4 or more of you are staying at the inn

A common room with a lock sounds good to me.

2.4 gold per night, assume 2 nights = 4.8 gold deducted from the goon's purse.

Leaves 45.2 g for expenses.

I think Craggark used up 2 Alchemist's Fire?? I say give him 40 gold to compensate for those. (Or less, if Torvald has time to brew some more).

We may need some funds to find information on these two names.

I think it's 3.2 gp per night total for the room for 4 with a lock.

Regarding alchemist's fire, Craggark used one and Jamir used one. Whoever ends up with them, I approve of using the money to buy more. Targeting touch AC, knocking them down, slowing them down, buffing us and debuffing them - my vote is to prepare for anything but a fair fight, because the author isn't going to give us one.

An additional item to consider: a scroll of Bless might be a good use of the boss's funds as well, or joint party purchase, especially if Jawhar has other ideas for his spell slots, or even as a back-up to be used in a second combat of the day.

Jawhar, as far as healing goes, please use Craggark's brand-new wand of CLW, and he will give it to you to carry for the remainder of the scenario.

Just woke up here in New Zealand. I'll take care of reading all posts a bit later today and replying.

Craggark would like a potion of CLW.

Also, some hex nails would be a good idea. Trollheim would likely have them. 'Runa' sounds like a female name - makes Craggark itchy.

Craggark would like a potion of CLW.

Also, some hex nails would be a good idea. Trollheim would likely have them. 'Runa' sounds like a female name - makes Craggark itchy.

I looked at hex nails when we between scenarios, but they aren't available without a chronicle sheet unless you have 5 Fame or more, which Jamir does not have.

Right. I knew there was a reason we hadn't bought them yet. One potion of CLW over a replacement alchemist's fire, then.

I will post Jamir's final shopping list in the discussion thread later this evening, and send an inventory tracking sheet to lucklesshero, along with an updated HL portfolio. I'm glad I left Jamir with some cash after the last scenario. Jamir pays the innkeeper for all four members of the group for the first night, and will do the same on the second night if needed. He also puts a gold piece back into the pouch as reimbursement for the 1gp he took out to buy the marbles, so there will be exactly enough for Craggark to buy a potion of CLW.

I don't want to wipe out our party funds just for a simple potion of CLW - if people would like to use it for something else...

Ok guys it appears that Jamir has started the investigation while out shopping. This activates a kinda of meta clock as it were. Without totally blowing immersion ...I'm going to encourage you all to investigate just who these people are.. and why are they trying to kill you? There are three choices for your group.

1. Do the investigation together (ie. with Jamir all of you may aid each of his diplomacy checks by making a DC10 diplomacy check)
2. Pair off one person leads with diplomacy or knowledge local and the other can aid every check (must have knowledge local to aid knowledge local)
3. spread out everyone give me a series of knowledge local or diplomacy checks..

There is a time mechanic involved so it's important for you guys to let me know how you're going about this. Please make at least 5-6 checks per lead person... (those who wish to aid can make the same 1 for each attempt; remember to specify who you're aiding)
For this section don't worry about roll-play until I have a good amount of rolls to work with. (If it's just Jamir rolling let's start with 8 rolls) I'll look at the results once everyone has decided whether to aid another or investigate themselves..

Jamir's first 3 rolls have been noted and recorded..( 1 or more players can retro actively aid him [you'd roll 3 times your first roll corresponding with his first ect..]) Or you can let them stand and do your own thing..

So go ahead and give me some rolls and a brief description of how you're helping the investigation, what kind of questions you're asking , and to what kind of people...

I'll proceed once I seen the game-play thread populated with rolls and brief descriptions of behavior ..

PS. you can do your shopping while investigating .. also Craggark gets a +1 on knowledge local checks and diplomacy checks for being somewhat familiar, with the city.

That gives me a +8 for both Knowledge Local and Diplomacy checks. Any better than that?

I'm happy to take the lead on the last 5 checks if I've got the best modifiers.

That gives me a +8 for both Knowledge Local and Diplomacy checks. Any better than that?

I'm happy to take the lead on the last 5 checks if I've got the best modifiers.

Craggark you've already made one of the checks in essence. It's very important I hear from everybody of how you guys are going to proceed in the investigation (together or not) and who, what , and how you're investigating.

you can start by telling me were you with Jamir this morning when he was shopping? Do you go to the smiling pig alone or ask someone to accompany you..what time do you go..what do you do before/maybe after? (remember please don't read the spoiler until you've settled this with the other players)

If you just plan to investigate/shop on your own however, ..you can roll 6 diplomacy or knowledge local checks (don't want or need both) then offer a brief description of what you're doing , what kind of people you're talking to, ect...

If you take someone with you or you are with Jamir..you'll need them to support your rolls or you support their rolls before we proceed..

Again really important that everyone explain what they are doing and who they are with...

there's a certain amount of time it takes to inquire (roll for knowledge local/gather info diplomacy) each time. Jamir has already used a certin amount of time with his inquires and shopping. Anyone with him has used the same amount of time. If you're alone you're vulnerable to ambush. If you're spread out you can cover a wider net of people faster. You'll need to decide the way to proceed as a party before I can resolve some things..

The visit to the Smiling Pig will need to take place on the day after the massive battle we just had - Craggark isn't going anywhere until he has a nice long rest.

I'll await everyone else's posts here before moving forward with the morning after.