[Retrocon][ACG] BR skizzerz's Cosmic Captive (Inactive)

Game Master skizzerz

Discussion thread. Game runs from January 14 to March 8.

Some of you are coming from other tables I ran, whereas for some of you this is the first time I'll be running a table with you :)

Some ground expectations:
1. Pay attention to everything that the Overseer GM says. If they announce a condition of some sort without describing what it does, check for my follow-up post to describe what the effects of that condition are. I'll try to get those follow-ups out as soon as possible after the Overseer post.
2. Try to post at least once a day in order to keep things moving. If you are going to be unavailable for an extended period of time, please ensure that your deck handler is linked and available for other players, and provide instructions so that other players can bot your turn. I recommend putting the link in your alias Profile (put it in the Class line, and wrap it in the url tags so it turns into a link -- see "How to format your text" below the reply box for details on how to do that if you aren't sure)
3. Do not wait around for my scenario update posts, just base your turn around the most recent update plus what other players have done since then. I'll get a scenario update out once per day unless there is nothing to update. I'll have other (non-update) posts interspersed throughout the day as needs require.
4. There are no take-backs or retcons, with exception of invalid plays/turns. Use resources wisely, and keep in mind the other perks you get in Organized Play such as accessory re-rolls and die bumps.

Things that make gameplay smoother:
1. If a location is shuffled, you can continue to examine or explore cards in it by rolling a die to see which card you examine/explore. No need to wait on me to post an update first with the shuffled deck.
2. When encountering a card, be very explicit in what card you are encountering. This helps other players at the same location know where you left off so they don't accidentally encounter the same cards that you just got through and have to re-do their turn.
3. Use your Notes section to describe any cards or powers that can be used to assist other players on their turns and that you are willing to use. If you post that certain cards are available for use, state what the card does as well.
4. When something impacts another player (a power that affects all characters at your location, or you're playing one of their cards), bold that thing so that it stands out.

Things that make deck upgrades smoother:
1. Write a list of your 2-5 most desired deck upgrades, in order, and roll 1d1000 for each of them. If you have any conditions on the upgrade, such as "I'll take this only if nobody else wants it or if my planned card X is better than anyone else's planned card" make a note of those as well.
2. That will let us look through those lists and see how we can get everyone their #1 preferred upgrade without lots of times lost in back-and-forth. If people are fighting over an upgrade, the d1000 roll is used to determine who gets it (highest roll wins).
3. You are free to disregard this and discuss upgrades normally; but try to keep discussions to 2 days at most so that we can move on to the next scenario in time.

Hangouts/Discord:
I'd like to start either a hangouts or discord chat for this campaign if everyone is on board (I have a slight personal preference towards discord but am fine with either). You don't have to do it if you don't want to, but it typically speeds things up. Please post and let me know if you'd be interested in joining it and which chat program you prefer.

Additional details will be forthcoming as the event draws near.

We'll be getting started in a bit over a week! Feel free to use this space to discuss overall strategy, and introduce yourself. Feel free to RP in the gameplay tab as well while waiting for everything to start :)

Hi everyone,
I’m Vincent, also know as masaru (勝). I’m mainly a RPG player, but I’ve started PACG with the tablet/PC game, then continued to play online my first Org Play character. Both hangout or discord are fine with me.
Feiya will be my character. She’s an arcane caster with a bit of diplomacy. Her main ability will allow to reduce difficulty vs barrier and ally by 1 by recharging a card.
I picked a couple of combat spells (enough I hope) and as the party only caster, I also grab Steal Spell that will allow me to get spells instead of other characters.

I've spun up a discord server here. Click the link to join it.

For now we'll just use the general channel. Eventually (maybe) other tables will use this same server and there will be per-table channels, but that won't happen until sometime after the special is over.

Ahoy!

I've been shuffled to your fine table (by my request, my T5 character ended up at a table that isn't stopping for the special)!

Have flexibility in what to bring; was thinking of playing Seoni or Hatyo, or I can roll with an Alchemist/Ranger/Cleric to bring some healing to the party?

So, I'm rockin' Mother Myrtle. Eat your mushrooms, children! :)

I'm GMT -4, in case that matters for turn order.

Link to spreadsheet, in case I need to be botted: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bRuTfTnCR6B9GylqGOKmzSWzD6FD_6ldWyT heDEj79U/edit?usp=sharing .

Please get everything prepped to start (I.e. create your starting deck, set up your deck handler sheet, and link it here) and determine your turn order. If you’re having any issues, poke here or on discord and I’ll be happy to help out.

For the ACG, part 1 of the special (happening now) is mustering and getting everything prepped. Part 2 starts later this evening or early tomorrow and I want to jump into gameplay ASAP, so make use of this time to be fully prepared before that happens.

Got my spreadsheet set up and ready to roll. Looking furward to getting this going!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1PFTUS19U0Rd3rz7-213axWNA1nbREdR5SDr R_ZFFoIk/edit?usp=drivesdk

Here is my deck handler sheet.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kwgYuUpgwazfG8Hrh5ZYlAqFGYIcxo8D1yI DwtUQSYc/edit?usp=sharing

As per the suggestion of Redgar to set the turn order according to the time zones and preferred posting time, I think that it would be the following:

1. Redgar
2. Elf olic'lo
3. Izdrix
4. Masaru

This is supposing a response time of a couple of hours. What do you all think?

I went with that suggested turn order for now, we can always change it up next scenario if it ends up not working out too well.

Please determine your starting location and draw your opening hand. Post both your starting location and opening hand in the Gameplay thread (using the post format at the bottom of the deck handler sheet). Once everyone sets their starting location, I'll post the full update including all card spoilers, and we can get going!

In the Discussion thread, state whether or not you will be counting these scenarios for tier advancement. You should plan on there being 4 scenarios in this adventure, although if you play very quickly there is a chance that there will be up to 6. I personally wouldn't count on that, however. If you count it for tier advancement, you will earn feats as specified in the Guide to Organized Play. If you do not play for tier advancement, you will not earn any feats except those that the scenarios or adventure explicitly hand out as rewards.

A brief overview on card spoilers, for those new to my table or PACG PbP in general:

At the top of each update there will be a number of spoilers. Some of these aren't shown in the initial update to choose starting locations, so don't worry if you don't see them all right now.

The Additional Rules spoiler will contain any set-specific rules as well as the rules for any announced conditions in the special. Right now it just contains a basic glossary of terms to help you translate Rise of the Runelords card text into what you're used to on more modern cards. As the special progresses, additional things will be added in following an overseer announcement of some condition.

The Reference Cards spoiler will contain any specific cards that you may be required to summon and encounter over the course of the game. If you unlock any loot cards, these cards will be present in there as well. If you are coming from one of my other tables, you may recall that the scenario's villain and henchmen were listed in this spoiler too. However, this special forbids you from reading those ahead of time, so it'll be a surprise when you encounter the villain/henchmen :)

The Acquired Cards spoiler will contain any cards that you've acquired over the course of the scenario, in alphabetical order.

The Random Monsters (and Random Barriers, Random Weapons, etc.) spoilers contain 5 cards of each type that are pulled from the box. If you are told to summon a random card of some type, grab the first unused card from the spoiler and use it. If there is a restriction on the card you grab (for example, a random non-basic card), keep going down the list from top to bottom until you find a card that meets those conditions.

The blessings deck spoilers should be self-explanatory. Each card in the blessings deck is tagged by the turn number and whose turn it is, so you can easily find your blessing in case it's been a couple of turns since the last scenario update.

The location deck spoilers should be self-explanatory.

Don't open any spoilers from the random cards lists or location decks unless you are actually summoning, examining, or exploring that card. Play-by-post operates on the honor system, and it'll be way more fun if you don't ruin the suspense for yourself and others by peeking ahead.

I'll be playing for tier advancement.

Same here, going for tier advancement.

I won't be worrying about tier advancement for this character.

Myrtle will tier advance!

It seems I misunderstood tier advancement, it's been a while since I've last played. So I actually will be playing for tier advancement!

Are we falling behind due to our play style or our posting speed?

I’ll choose to add a spell for the reward, obviously.

Ditto on choosing Spell!

(For Tier Reward, I'll snag a Wisdom upgrade to +1.)

Assuming that Tontelizi and Rooboo want weapons for the reward. I can update if that's not accurate.

8-00A Reward
Each character chooses weapon or spell and adds a card of that type from the game box to the cards acquired during this scenario. Adventure Card Guild characters may choose a bonus deck upgrade.

Tier Reward: since this is the first scenario in the tier everyone's completed, everyone gets a Skill Feat

8-00A Acquired Cards
(* = Drawn from reward)
Blessing of Shelyn (Blessing B)
Blessing of the Gods (Blessing B)
Deathbane Shield (Armor 2)
*Dogslicer +1 (Weapon 1)
Enfeeble (Spell 1)
*Levitate (Spell B)
*Lightning Bolt (Spell 2)
Longbow (Weapon B)
*Longbow +1 (Weapon 1)
Potion of Energy Resistance (Item B)
Short Sword (Weapon B)
Standard Bearer (Ally B)

2x Weapon 1
1x Weapon B
1x Spell 2
1x Spell 1
1x Spell B
1x Armor 2
1x Item B
1x Ally B
2x Blessing B

Remember that since everyone here is Tier 1, you can't take any AD2 cards as upgrades. You can grab an AD2 card from the list above, but you'll need to choose either an AD0 or AD1 card to add to your deck instead (you're always allowed to downgrade a card from the pool).

I assume mother myrtle will want some formula (Spell) so I won’t try to get both spell 1 and 2. If she passes on them, I won’t let them go to waste.

1. Spell 1: 1d1000 ⇒ 314
2. Ally B: 1d1000 ⇒ 903
3. Item B: 1d1000 ⇒ 38
4. Spell B: 1d1000 ⇒ 890
5. Blessing B: 1d1000 ⇒ 413

The only thing of note for me is the weapon 1, but I don't particularly mind and will defer if multiple other people would really prefer it. Otherwise, I'll pick from whatever is left.

I don't particularly care for either of the ice or fire paths strongly so I'm happy with the consensus for ice!

Rooboo would like to have the Potion of Energy Resitance and one of the Weapons 1. It doesn’t matter which weapon so I’ll let Izdrix pick and I’ll take the other one.

@Elf, as a note because I read your post as implying you wanted to actually take the Potion of Energy Resistance / one of the Weapon 1's, thought I'd note that you'll be upgrading from your Class Deck Box (or Ultimate Box) with one of your own Item B's and one of your own Weapon 1's.

I'm probably misreading your post "doesn't matter which", which was probably just a shorter way of confirming the above. But thought I'd mention, because this was something that threw me off when starting ACG play.

As Feiya surmised, I'll gladly snag the other spell (Spell 2 = 1 = Life Drain).

Since it seems no-one else is looking for the armour, I'll then snag the Armor (Armor 2 = 1 = Lab Coat)

Wisdom +1 skill feat, per above.

@Redgar, you correctly understood that I misunderstood how to upgrade. Now it’s clear. So I’ll pick Weapon 1 and Item B. I think this settles most of our picks.

8-00A upgrade recap. Please let me know if any of this looks wrong ASAP. If you see a "???" next to your name, it means I need additional information from you, get that to me ASAP as well.

Feiya: Spell 1, Ally B
Mother Myrtle: Spell 1, Armor 1
Rooboo: Weapon 1, Item B
Tonetelizi: Weapon 1, ???

Remaining (unclaimed) cards:
1x Weapon B
1x Spell B
2x Blessing B

I'll also take the blessing B then, sidegrading a blessing of the Gods to gorum.

Not sure what upgrades/rewards are, but in the interest of moving things along, my Tier reward choice is:

You may use your Wisdom for your Arcane ([x] or Divine) check.

8-00B1 Reward Recap:

Choose a card from your class deck box (B/C/1 only) that will be used as a bonus upgrade at the end of the next scenario (you don't get it right away).

Everyone gets a Power Feat for their tier reward.

Everyone (players and BR) each rolls 1d20 for a chance to win the Amateur Swashbuckler boon. A result of 1 or 20 wins. You can assign the boon to any PFSACG character you want, or bank it for later (you don't have it assign it to the one you're currently playing).

Amateur Swashbuckler
☐☐☐☐ You may check an unchecked box that precedes this reward to add or remove the Swashbuckling trait from your check. If your character has the Swashbuckler trait, you may add an additional 1d4.

Upgrade pool:
1x Weapon 1
2x Armor B
2x Item B
4x Ally B
1x Blessing B

Next scenario will be up momentarily, I recommend discussing upgrade choices in discord to make it go faster as we're behind on time. Once you determine your rewards, post here in the Discussion thread 1) the card you're taking for the scenario reward to use as an upgrade next time, 2) Your power feat, 3) Your 1d20 roll for the boon, 4) your deck upgrade.

--------------------

BR roll: 1d20 ⇒ 20 Neat!

I'll take a spell 1 for next time.

I'll take ally or item this time, I don't care which.

Power feat above.

1d20 ⇒ 9

1d20 ⇒ 14 for first scenario

Only one boon roll. It’s not every scenario this time (it’s every other scenario, so you’ll get another shot at the end of 8-00D).

Ah, boo. :( noted, thanks.

My Specific Upgrade for next time is actually going to be Stained Glass Elemental, please and thanks!

I'll take Weapon 1, upgrading Mace to Lucerne Hammer!

Power feat is +1 hand size.

1d20 ⇒ 20
woooooooooooo

edit: I'll take Item 1 for next upgrade, staff of minor healing.

Reward for next scenario: Ring of Wave Walking

Deck upgrade: Item B

Power feat: When you attempt a check before you act ([X] or a check to acquire an item), you may use your Dexterity skill instead of any listed skill.

1d20 ⇒ 9 Now that I needed the 1's they don't show up.

Boon roll: 1d20 ⇒ 18

Next scenario extra deck upgrade: need to look at my cards, won’t be home until late tonight.

Deck upgrade: need to look at deck too. I had banished the fox, so I need to see if I can grab an Ally B or a Blessing (to replace Blessing of the Gods).

Power feat: When a character at your location attempts a check to acquire an ally or defeat a barrier ☑ or a monster, you may recharge a card to reduce the difficulty of that check by 1 plus the card’s adventure deck number.

Just thought of looking at pacg.wikia to look at available cards in my deck.

I’ll get Blessing B as the deck upgrade, using Blessing of Pharasma instead of Blessing of the Gods.

Extra deck upgrade will be Staff of Cackling Wrath (Item 1).

Looks like I didn't actually post from the discord. :( To keep things moving, my upgrade was "Apprentice", replacing "Researcher". (Since there were four Ally B's, if memory serves).

8-00B2 recap:

1x Weapon 2
1x Weapon B
1x Spell B
1x Armor 1
1x Item B
2x Ally B
4x Blessing B

Please get upgrades to me ASAP, part 3 will be starting very soon.

If no-one else wants the Spell B, I'll upgrade from Lighting Touch to Acid Splash.

It's not much of an upgrade (more of a side-grade, really). If someone else would like the Spell B, please take it!

(Stained Glass Elemental from last scenario will replace Clockwork Butterfly).

In terms of Loot upgrade, is the Skill Feat from Zhaleh permanent? If so, I suggest we take her. If not, then the other benefit seems better? (Dial-a-Cure?)

I’d like the Spell B to change Steal Book (not used once in 3 scenario) for Good Omen.

In case someone else is interested:

1. Spell B 1d1000 ⇒ 935
2. Blessing B (enough for everyone)

From last scenario, I will get Staff of Cackling Wrath, replacing Bestiary of Garund.

The skill feat is permanent. That’s very good, we should take her.

In terms of Loot upgrade, is the Skill Feat from Zhaleh permanent? If so, I suggest we take her. If not, then the other benefit seems better? (Dial-a-Cure?)

The skill feat from Zhaleh is permanent. However, only one character can ever benefit from it, because you have to remove her from the game to get it. Once a card is removed from the game, it is no longer in the box, which means nobody in the party could take Zhaleh in a future scenario (in the unlikely event that we end up replaying one... the next scenario is the final scenario in the adventure anyway).

Excellent! I will defer on the Spell B, then.

I'll also defer on Zhaleh, unless no-one else wants a free skill feat... ;)

I’ll pick an Item B, looks like no one wants that.

About the other reward, I’m fine with whatever the team decides.

I'll take the weapon 2 if no one actually wants it, upgrading Ranseur to a Scythe +1. I'll also take my upgrade chosen last time, changing Signal Whistle to a Staff of Minor Healing.

I agree that we should probably take Zhaleh, as the permanent skill feat seems to be stronger. If no one actually wants to be the person to take it, I think we should roll off; however, if someone wants to just take it I have no problem deferring as well.

1d1000 ⇒ 489

Woops, messed up thinking adventure deck number and character tier were the same thing, so I can't take the Scythe +1. I'll instead take the armour 1, and replace Chain Mail with Elven Breastplate.

Trying to get the new ally for Feiya: 1d1000 ⇒ 281