[Retrocon] GM Blazej Cosmic Captive 1-2 CORE (Inactive)

Game Master Zynete

Welcome to the game! I'm hopeful for an exciting run through this. I'm curious to know if anyone of you has already played or run this before.

As this is a special I will be always trying to keep this game moving forward, I will be more aggressive botting characters than I might normally be in other PbP games just to keep a good pace for the special.

Looking forward to the game start!

Howdy! Thanks for running it.

Was there a roll-call I missed somewhere by any chance?

I have not played nor run this in any format, looking forward to it!!!

Khargrom should be updated and does have botting instructions in his profile (spoilered at the bottom).

A call went out a couple of weeks ago. I was going to do a check in a coiple days and round up any stragglers.

Ironshanks here. Missed that first call apparently.

I have played this in regular, I think it was the 7-8 level.

You hadn't missed that roll call. I just posted the initial one just a bit ago. Been taking a bit long of a break from the forums as the holiday's moved in and I've been a bit slow to check everyone in here. Apologies for that.

I've posted a roll call for the list I have in the recruitment thread and I'll send PMs next couple days to make sure I signal everyone and get everyone settled before the start date of January 14th.

I'm looking forward to running this as well. I do hope you all enjoy this adventure.

I've also played this in classic (non-core) mode, but I was much higher level. Fun fact: Ironshanks and I played in the same party.

Ietsuna putting Bemmer forward. In reviewing him to make sure he is up to date I see he has Guardian of the Forge trait. Is that core legal? I am looking into it.

*edit* It would appear not. I will fix it up. Sorry all.

Ny'a is here and ready to go! I have played this before, same tier, in classic/standard mode.

Looks like we have a bunch of frontliners, this'll be fun! Do we wish to talk tactics here or in game or just go as we go?

Sounds like I will use my inspire courage liberally...

Do we have 5 or 6? Maybe the 6th is an arcane caster.. otherwise yes very much a bunch of mashers.

Ironshanks is built for high AC and sundering.

I actually have to replace Ny'a; she's currently committed to another game that I just learned won't be finished in time for this. Unless that changes, I'll be playing Nahko instead.

That sounds fine. I'll read over the character sheet for N'ya still just in case that game ends early.

Right now we have five players reported in out of the six registered. Right now we are just looking for the player of Pavo and I sent a PM to them to let them know the location of the table

The Party
Khargrom Shadowband
Ironshanks Magee
Bemmer Anvilbrow
Agon Abstruss
Nahko Bear
Pavo: the Crimson Nuthatch

Checking in :)

Full disclosure: I played through Subtier 1-2 on Standard PbP (ice path, I think) a couple years ago, but we missed a lot as the tables moved much faster than our table. So I do have kind of an idea of what's coming up on that path, at least.

Yay full group!

/waves at Nahko

"How is Kuti*?

*technically I only GM'd for Nahko and Kuti, never played with them. But essentially the same! :P

It is looking pretty good. I'm happy to have a full table.

Right now the way the plan for the special is to begin in full force at the start of the next week on the 14th, but when that happens it will be moving full force to into the meat of the adventure. Go ahead and post in Gameplay when you are able, banter, make any purchases, or anything else you want to do.

As I mentioned in the top I do plan to be a bit more aggressive about botting during this special to keep a solid pace. That does mean I may bot you even if you have had less than a day to respond when doing otherwise would slow down an encounter a lot for little gain on your end. Specials on PbP are odd issues of pacing and this special itself is a special case unto itself. If anything I'm doing is making this less fun, don't be afraid to shoot me a message in what ever way you prefer.

The next question I have is regards to the paths you have this adventure. Most of you have seen this adventure in some form. While Khargrom hasn't seen it, it is fair to say that, like many specials, there will be a number of options leading to different areas. Is there any special way you all want to handle that? Do you want to make those decision points when the party come to the choice in the path? While not naming areas or encounters right now, do you want to make sure you explore new encounters rather than jump into things you did in your previous playthroughs?

/waves at Nahko

"How is Kuti*?

*technically I only GM'd for Nahko and Kuti, never played with them. But essentially the same! :P

Good thing you mentioned that last bit; I definitely didn't recognize the profile. :)

I've also played with your Hamish and Kaya in various games. Good to see you again!

Do you want to make those decision points when the party come to the choice in the path? While not naming areas or encounters right now, do you want to make sure you explore new encounters rather than jump into things you did in your previous playthroughs?

At this stage, I don't remember enough of my first runthrough to say; I think I'll need to weigh in more in-the-moment when my memory is jogged by the current action.

Because I'm not 100% certain about playing Nahko or Ny'a, I'm going to hold off on making any IC posts in Gameplay for the time being.

I know we'll have to choose different paths when the time comes. I'm a big fan of rule of 2: As soon as two people agree on a direction, we go there.

It's been long enough I don't remember the exact details of each path, so it's like I'm playing fresh all over again.

Ya I don't remember too much of it either and it'll probably be quite different going from tier 7-8 to tier 1-2.

My character before was an arcanist, going now to Ironshanks... its like a whole new ride. I'm happy to just decide as we go and let the rule of 2 win out.

Wowsa, 3 dwarfs. Huzzah!

Rule of 2 is fine, Khargrom will do his best to scout and liberally give his opinion as to what should be done but is old enough to not care if it isn't followed.

I just noticed an accounting error: Pavo is actually level 3.

I had misfiled two chronicles before this past GenCon.

Since there is no Core 3-4 table, I believe this is still legal (subtier +/- 1 level for specials, as I understand it), but I wanted to bring it up in case it is a problem.

Ya Ironshanks is also lvl 3 and I assumed that was fine for the same reason.

That looks to be fine for this event. You both are fine at this table.

I've posted a slideshow with the maps and icons at the top of the thread. There are a couple spoiler blocks for general initiative in for the party as well. Let me know at any point if anything is inaccurate.

When there is an active map where the party is present, I'll be keeping that as the first slide and have the party and other handouts below that one.

Maps and Handouts Link

Corrected Pavo's perception on the slide to +6.

Looks good to me. Let the party commence!

I updated my perception bonus to +9, sorry about the typo on my character header.

Keeping you updated, the next part of this adventure is still set to start somewhere in the next day.

Unless there's an outside factor that I'm unaware of, Pavo's init is 19, which puts him above Nahko and Kuti as well as the elementals.

To keep things moving, I'm going to assume the dice are correct and post my action before I hit the hay.

No, you are absolutely correct. Thank you for catching that.

I would love to try Area F, as I didn't get to when I played this in Classic mode.
There is no atmosphere there though. Did everyone get an air crystal?

I'm fine with that. All the areas would be new but I'm happy to let those doing replays take new paths for them.

I got the air crystals, I have no clue about anyone else. I think we all took the 1 prestige point spell as well.

Everyone got the package whether or not you took the spell, I believe, but I also think everyone took the spell.

7 charges remain on the party wand of Cure Light Wounds.
Jeez, I rolled two ones on a 2d8.

I would love to try Area F, as I didn't get to when I played this in Classic mode.

There is no atmosphere there though. Did everyone get an air crystal?

Sorry for the confusion. There is a limited amount of atmosphere in this encounter. I'll let you know if that changes. There are some situations where the lack of air may come into play (like going up a few hundred feet into space), but for now this is not affecting you even without the planetary adaptation.

Each PC got a package of two air crystals, potion of endure elements, and snapleaf whether or not they took the spell.

The only item the party received one copy of was the wand of cure light wounds.

I believe everyone took the spell, correct me if I'm wrong.

Oh, Okay. I vote for Sea of Light, by the way.

I honestly don't remember which areas we did in classic.. one was the cold side is all I remember.

Apologies for the delay, I misread one of the posts and I didn't get my response out as quickly as I wish I had.

Also as we head out of this encounter I wanted to share a few of the bits of global information.
Aucturn's Tear: This is a map of the asteroid and the known areas of it. You are currently on the Sea of Light section.
Cosmic Captive Successes: This is the information on how successes are building up with the scenario in the case you want to know how well the rest of the house is doing or if there is a particular area that no one is exploring.

I'll be putting this next to the maps link in case you ever want to check them out.

Thanks for the added info Blazej.

Regarding the endure elements, it was pointed out to me that the interplanetary adaption spell you all paid for also protects against extreme temperatures. I had missed that, so none of you need to have used the endure elements potions yet if you do not wish to. The current spell you have only already protects you just like endure elements would.

I hope that Ironshanks and everyone else that might be dealing with the storm is well. Let me know if there is anything I can do on my end to help here.

I also wanted to take a moment to mention the areas again. To keep things moving I haven't brought up the idea of changing which area you were exploring after each encounter, but you do have the option to go to one of the two other areas that are open to you.

1. Sea of Light (The area you are currently in)
2. Frozen City
3. Vault Entrance

The Crater has been cleared opening access to the Vault Entrance (much like the crater descent will be swarming with defenders and force you into combat).

Right now the bulk of other Pathfinders seem to be focused on the Frozen City and the Vault Entrance. The Sea of Light hasn't been claimed yet, but you do have the option to go to one of these other areas if you would like.

So far so good here on my end. I'm good stayin here with what we're doing, especially if most of the other groups aren't.

As far as what to do, Ironshanks is all about combat, but if you all want to do something different we can always fall back on his more direct approach.

A few more notes. As mentioned in the announcement the Sea of Light has been claimed opening the Labyrinth of Flame.

The Earth focused areas have been cleared, but the Icy Reservoir is still open, but has some progress toward clearing it already done.

The post I just put up is for the Labyrinth of Flame that you can opt into, ignore, or take the moment to head back to the Icy Reservoir. Or you can make that decision again after this encounter.

-

Second, I know it is likely none of you are particularly interested in the gear from the crashed ship, but I wanted to make sure rather then omit it just because I didn't give it a larger spoiler box. You did find a metal firearm in the ship. No one mentioned it one way or the other, if any of you wish to attempt to make use of it, let me know and I'll get you a spoiler box for information on what happens after you first fire it. There will be the normal -4 non proficiency penalty for use, I understand if that makes it a non-viable for this largely melee specialized party.

A boomstick? I'm sure Ironshanks would test fire it once just to be able to retell the story a few dozen times.

Alright, here is a spoiler for when you (or anyone else) decide you are going to fire the weapon to help resolve that turn.

It is a one handed ranged weapon that you aren't proficient in (-4 to non-proficiency penalty to attacks).

To elaborate on what I posted in gameplay, you are ahead of schedule and have completed a large number of encounters. I'm still happy to run as many encounters as you all desire (and they do still progress the goals of the special), but I want to make sure you know where you stand for the pacing of your resources. You are in the first half right now. While you may find more resources and gear, I can't guarantee you will be fully restocked at any point.

GM: Nice work on your monster/NPC dialogs, really enjoying them. Especially the telepathic monster and this skeleton priest. Also your pace is nice and quick. Good work.

*Edit: Also appreciate your explanations and updates, etc in discussion. Helps explain what is going on. Some games can really stall when people just don't know their options so they just avoid posting.

We can call upon a Small Water Elemental for help.

Adventuring gear
air crystals, a potion of endure elements, and one snapleaf.

From the Gnome and Akiton Woman: 2 potions of Cure Light Wounds

From the dedicated skeleton two potions of endure elements, 2 potions of cure light wounds, and a potion of remove disease.

Here's our remaining resources, btw. At least as far as I can keep track off...