[RetroCon] Siege of the Diamond City - GM Thread (Inactive)

Game Master Nik B.

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| Extinction | url= |

I thought I was going to... but Silbeg's balor tactics are kinder than mine, so it looks like I'll be doing twin meriliths.


he/him

This is what I get for misreading my calendar: the all day event is NEXT Saturday, not the upcoming one. Sounds like it's taken care of.


VC - Sydney, Australia

LOL


| Extinction | url= |

I think my back-up duties just got a lot lighter, unless the paladin is going to solo the meriliths.

Grand Lodge

Slides

Alright Shifty / low-tier GMs.

Does anyone have a good profile for the NPC artillerists? Because the my remaining two just caught caught in a Brimorak's Fireball for 21 damage... I'm sure their Reflex save would be low... (+1?) And their HP would be somewhere in the low teens.

It feels deeply rude to kill the two NPCs that make the huge ballista feasible, but cheesy to move the Fireball so it misses them and the two PCs next to them.


VC - Sydney, Australia

[url]https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/npc-s/npcs-cr-0/foot-soldier-human-warrio r-1/[/url]

That's gonna hurt.


Spell Templates | Dwarf Info | Dwarf Maps | Quah | Trouble in Otari

I’m in a similar pickle, though I’m only in the planning stage for a possible fireball and haven’t actually cast it.

The artilerists only need to be adjacent so maybe they moved to the other side of the siege engine?

Maybe the brimorak (assuming this enemy) already used their 1/day spell for something else?

Lantern Lodge

SFS 05-99 BftB

They are not quite so squishy. They are actually sappers (look at the bottom of page 32)

Sappers


You might want to make them not Evil though.

Kinda doesn't fit the scenario =)

And the demons are specifically trying to stop the siege engines from firing, so makes sense they'd try to include the artillery teams in AE's and such.

So the dretches should be dropping the stinking clouds on them if they can.
The brimoraks should be including them in the fireballs
Or the unholy blight from the half-fiend.
Let the vermleks catch some in the mass inflict light wounds (its a 3 target max, and one is them probably healing themselves)
Hell, the two that died to the Lucky Shot, their bodies are still there, let one of the vermleks inhabit one of their bodies in a pinch (after abandoning their previous one as a swift action, for the heal of course)

Adds to the tension, and forces the PC's to try to prepare for such tactics.

Wouldn't target them specifically, but they should be happy to catch them in the area stuff!

Grand Lodge

Fate in the Future ||| xxx2 ||| xxx3

@GM Top Don't go easy on your players, SLAs written in that format are 1/day for each spell like ability per this


Spell Templates | Dwarf Info | Dwarf Maps | Quah | Trouble in Otari
GM Erich wrote:
@GM Top Don't go easy on your players, SLAs written in that format are 1/day for each spell like ability per this

That is an interesting and annoying way to format SLA’s. Learn something new everyday I guess.

But a simple addition of the word ‘each’ would have probably been really helpful to clarify that stuff. :(

Also, I can’t go easy on my PC’s, my monsters are dead before I get the chance.


| Extinction | url= |

The question of spellcasting services at this point in the special has been raised (specifically raise dead, restoration, and freedom of movement).

The Seeker table lost 2 (or 1, if I'm missing something one one of the characters) to the balor's death throes and will unlikely be able to proceed without raising their dead.

Grand Lodge

Slides
GM Aerondor wrote:

They are not quite so squishy. They are actually sappers (look at the bottom of page 32)

Sappers

Thanks for the help, everyone! The encouragement to not pull punches makes me feel better. Also the fact that the artillerists are CR 3 will make them much more hardy.


The Midnight Mirror

My group finally got through their first fight and got the ballista fired. I rolled Ladders for their first encounter, and they ended up with a minotaur on the wall and the brimorak and 3 cultists on the ladders. I dropped two front liners before the bard and the sorceror got the small ballista fired to finish the minotaur off. :-O

Silver Crusade

Venture Lieutenant, Play by Post (online)

Sigh. Why does everyone always use such derogatory language for one valid GM style, but not for the opposing one?

'pull punches'
'take it easy on them'
'hold back'
and similar terms are all rather negative.

I never hear people use the following corresponding terms for the opposite
'go for the throat'
'out for blood'


| Extinction | url= |

Possibly because the former implies mercy or, at the most negative, timidity, while the latter implies malice. I have never, in any setting, considered the former phrases to be negative.


None of those terms are negative, IMO.
They are encouraging the GM's to play the creatures as written, so the players get the appropriate challenge out of it.

The final two terms you used, are negative, as those are saying to try to kill them... and no one's saying that.

Silver Crusade

Venture Lieutenant, Play by Post (online)

Playing a monster as written, unless the tactics are very specific, is completely consistent with a wide range of 'lethality levels.' As an example, if a monster has 3 attacks, unless the monster's tactics as written specify, it is just as valid to 'run as written' to spread the attacks around or to concentrate on one PC. It's a matter of the GM's choice which someone does.

edit: Sorry Shifty, I'm being disruptive here, and will drop the topic. I would delete my posts, but that would create really weird results because there would be replies that would make no sense.


| Extinction | url= |

Reiterating my question since it's in a small post sandwiched between the other conversation:

Are spellcasting services available during this phase of the special?


Oh, and thanks for mentioning that you got the Balor!

I added a small descriptive note of the explosion in my team's table.
Since it seemed like something that would stand out from the wall.

As for the question, I thought the entire act was supposed to be one big fight, without any pauses in there.

Not sure what the casting times for the spells are, but seems like a bad time to be taking the time, if you will. Though the balor exploding does clear a little breathing room, I suppose =)

Not sure what the official response is though.


| Extinction | url= |

Yes, I believe a 100 ft radius explosion would be noticeable. :)

My assessment in preparation was that it is one big battle and retreating back behind the walls would be a one way trip. Also that anyone powerful enough to cast raise dead would be out casting dispel evil. However, it is theoretically possible that they could withdraw behind the walls to a theoretical medical tent.

Silver Crusade

Venture Lieutenant, Play by Post (online)

I can easily see an argument either way on the spellcasting services, especially after reading through the season 10 guide section on purchasing spellcasting services. I think you're going to need to wait for Shifty on this one, rather than anyone else being able to help.


Spell Templates | Dwarf Info | Dwarf Maps | Quah | Trouble in Otari

The only info I can add is that Low Tier and Mid Tier are specifically allowed (with consequences) to run away and then come back.

That won't answer your question, but may provide some battle context at least.

Grand Lodge

GM

During specials I usually say that 'spellcasting services' are spending prestige to get another seeker table to swing by your area. Or in this case... Queen Galfrey and her retinue? She is a 15th level Paladin and has Restoration on tap.


VC - Sydney, Australia

On one hand, no, they are pretty much out of the fight then. In the middle of the pitched battle, most people would be busy battling back the hordes. Raise dead is a minute to cast, so even if the cleric was 'relatively near-by' you are looking at being out of the combat for around 20 odd rounds.

On the other, a bunch of Seekers are a force multiplier that the locals would have a real interest in getting back into the fight, so a lot of effort would be made to get them up and running again.

On a player level, having to concede and sit there for two weeks in PbP land kinda sucks. At a local game day they'd just concede now and have a few snacks and see what the other tables are doing, but that doesn't work here.

***

They can purchase one spell each, which represents a Pathfinder group being sent to rescue before getting back to the battle, or a couple of Clerics running out to help before heading back to the Spire or something. The idea being it is emergency help, not someone setting up a ye olde buff shoppe.

Grand Lodge

GM

I might recommend having them triage back behind the walls so they are considered 'out of combat' and probably knock off any minute/level buffs while you're at it.

That being said, from an availability perspective, I have a Paladin with Ultimate Mercy at my seeker table who is probably reading this thread and would probably be willing to high five a dead pathfinder, and while that is definitely out of scope for this it is a good indication that these sort of services are 'available' in this sort of siege. Nerosyan has a population of 67000, which is well in excess of the 5000 requirement, and per the guide "You can hire a spellcaster to cast a spell for you at any time during an adventur eas long as you're in a settlement or have access to a temple, shrine, or wandering mystic at the GM's discretion." So I see nothing by RAW precluding availability of a purchased raise dead so long as it can be adequately worked into the narrative.


| Extinction | url= |

Thanks, Shifty.


VC - Sydney, Australia

Geez, that unrelenting rate of successes seems to have slowed down.

High tiers are humming, but the others are still not across their triggers yet.

Legit surprised! :)

Grand Lodge

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GM

Have not had much movement at my table in the last day, partly due to site issues.

Lantern Lodge

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SFS 05-99 BftB

The weekend slows everyone down.

I added an autocalculate column to your spreadsheet.


The Midnight Mirror

Not only a normal weekend, but one where the site was yo-yoing. I tried twice to post and had the site crash and eat my post both times.


| Extinction | url= |

Mariliths vs. Celestial Tyrannosaurs has been a godzilla like battle (that put none of the PCs in danger) and very entertaining, but I wonder if the Seekers will cede or attack the Shemhazian despite having used the last of their SM8s?


VC - Sydney, Australia

We're just short of complete victory.

I am anticipating once we get over that line there will pack up and call it a day. It is Tuesday morning here, so I think by around Friday morning (72 hours) we will probably draw a line under it. That allows people time to wrap current encounters etc.

If people have to withdraw or flee, then they need to withdraw or flee. They might lose a battle, but overall the war will be won - and some bruises and a hit to pride is better than a TPK :p


how high are the battlements? (should one fall of them, of course)


VC - Sydney, Australia

Not specified, but the average height of a curtain wall was 30’, so probably that.

Liberty's Edge

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OR || OR2|| HJC||Glass River Rescue

Question to the leadership team, not necessarily scenario related but was brought to my attention during the scenario.

A player has an illegal purchase. As the local venture rep where I'm from I typically force resale of full price. But that's also cause with a young PFS community, low level purchases seem inconsequential. Also since I'm one of two authority figures, most question are directed to me so I catch it on early.

This current player bought an ~18,000gp equipment and has used it for almost 5 scenarios. Having note that equipment used in advantage for high level scenarios, I'm almost inclined to think it be sold back at half price, but it was an honest mistake so half price is a big loss.

What do you guys think?

Alternatively, I could post this on the fb asiapac venture group if that's more appropriate. But Shifty will still see the question XD

Lantern Lodge

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SFS 05-99 BftB

Genuine mistakes happen. Especially with Core people. Heck, I found myself with an illegal item that I'd had for several scenarios.

Were it me (and I am not a V-anything) as the GM, I'll just have them sell back at cost.

Grand Lodge

GM
EM±GM wrote:
how high are the battlements? (should one fall of them, of course)

How does APL x 10 ft sound?

Anyhow, question for leadership that isn't at my table right now.

Hania don't look:
The Cavorting Court is described as wandering around offering wishes to raise fallen soldiers... promptly returning them as undead. I had my party encounter them during one of these... episodes. Would it be in the scope of the adventure to actually have the demon carry out the corrupted wish should the PCs fail to dissuade the fallen crusader from answering?

Batpony: What was the item in question?


VC - Sydney, Australia

@GMBP - lets go with the benefit of the doubt, full resale.

Liberty's Edge

OR || OR2|| HJC||Glass River Rescue

Fleshwarped scorpion tail, for a natural attack build is a really good advantage.

Thanks Shifty, I'll go with that then.

hania don't look:
makes sense to me that it would happen based on the limited knowledge I gave from reading what you've explained.

Dark Archive

Fury's Toll | MotD
The Man Behind the Curtain wrote:
EM±GM wrote:
how high are the battlements? (should one fall of them, of course)

How does APL x 10 ft sound?

Anyhow, question for leadership that isn't at my table right now.

** spoiler omitted **

Hania don’t look:

I don’t read it that they are brought back as normal, but that the corruption is that they come back evil, and an enemy of the party. It is more than a compulsion, it is a corruption. They are changed.

Wish is a standard action, so they should bring the PC back immediately as an enemy.

I would contact the PC through PM and tell them. I would have them act it out, attacking the party.

Lantern Lodge

SFS 05-99 BftB

Silbeg:
Remember if they are brought back, they know the alignment of the person bringing them back, and don't have to come.


”Doc Featherton” | Female CN Medium Human Gunslinger (Way of the Drifter) 3 | HP 32/32 | AC 20 | F +7 R +11 W +9 | Perc +9 | Default Exploration (????) | Speed 25ft | Active Conditions: None
GM Silbeg wrote:
The Man Behind the Curtain wrote:
EM±GM wrote:
how high are the battlements? (should one fall of them, of course)

How does APL x 10 ft sound?

Anyhow, question for leadership that isn't at my table right now.

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Spoiler:
Not a PC. Just a random crusader. Using Create Undead... Cinematically.
Lantern Lodge

SFS 05-99 BftB

By the way, is there a special reporting code for this event?

And do we report individually, or to the convention somehow?

Lastly, was there boon support that I should be rolling for my table?


| Extinction | url= |

@ Batpony re: correcting illegal item

The closest corollary is what to do when the price of an item changes to be too expensive. In that case, the player may sell it back at full price.

Given that the item in question could never have been purchased in the first place, it technically can't be "sold" back, so I would strike off the illegal item and restore the full cost. Same as if they had purchased something above their fame limit.

There isn't a "sell back at half-price as punishment for cheating" rule. You just assume they made a mistake and make the corrections.


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VC - Sydney, Australia

Event Reporting

Event name: RetroCon

Event number: 686,721

Boon rolls: each player (including each GM) rolls 1d20, 19 or 20 wins a boon. Each boon winner rolls 1d4 to see which boon. GMs need to include an email address for each boon winner in their reporting. Overseer and Backup GMs can roll in this thread.

Reporting: We will report through a new reporting portal. Details will be provided soon.


VC - Sydney, Australia

Boon 1d20 ⇒ 18

Dark Archive

Fury's Toll | MotD

Are there then also GM boons? :D

Silver Crusade

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Venture Lieutenant, Play by Post (online)

Wait and see if something fun arrives in your email inbox. :)


| Extinction | url= |

Boonification?: 1d20 ⇒ 2

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