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Hey team. Welcome to my Thornkeep Series!
Thank you all for signing up to my first pbp game. So this dungeon was written for 4 players in mind, however as we are doing this in core, adding a layer of difficulty I want to account for. For anyone who knows about Thornkeep, this isn't the easiest series of adventures, and I want to give you the best chance. Having said that, I won't be nice by any means. You all know what you've signed up for.
Your Characters
To get things under way, would everyone like to introduce their characters, and ask any questions they have. I would also like to ask for you all to get your tokens and other information ready for the game on the Thornkeep Maps! Let's try to roleplay as much as we can to make this as entertaining for each other as we can. Feel free to interact with as much of the environment as I describe to you, as well as each other.
Door Sequence
Since this will be a dungeon crawl, to make things go a little swifter, I would like us to get a simple door sequence of events which you guys all do before opening the next door, or walking into the next room. Something like this: "you stand in marching order, cleric casts guidance, rogue detects for traps, ranger rolls perception for noises behind, fighter looks pretty with sword in two hands." So to get us ready for this, after your character intros please add what your character would like to do before knocking down the door.
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Picture a younger version of baby hill giant-sized English actor Brian Blessed. Now Picture him as a cleric of Cayden Cailean.
That's really all you need to know, besides the fact that he often talks with the cap locks on.
"Hmm.... THE WISP? That place is an absolute DIVE!! Ah well, who wants to live forever? Hahahahah!" ~Pietro, upon being told he would have to go to the Wounded Wisp.
As for door drills, Pietro's typical way of dealing with anything that gets in his way is to bellow and then smash it with his hooked morningstar. This works for doors, people, whatever.
Pietro has a -5 modifier on stealth checks which he cranks up to -25 whenever possible.
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Roran is a human male of average height, 5'8-6'1, and athletic build, not too big, but still muscular. His close hair cut shows his upbringing in a paramilitaristic environment.
He carries a sword and shield, which depicts a crusaders cross. His chainmail armor stops mid-thigh and shows some marks of repair. A silver holy symbol of Iomedae hangs loosely from his neck, outside of his armor.
As far as door sequence, he does not really do too much out of combat. He has a perception modifier, but barely. But he will be more than happy to be the first one through the door.
I will most likely be making last minute purchases and assigning a chronicle to him prior to the start of this. I will update as I go along.
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Naneryn does not strike you as a normal elf. His close are ragged, his shoulders are slumped, and he smells bad (OK, everyone smells bad, but he smells worse). Everything about him seems grey and dull; lacking energy and life. His movements and speech are slow. And he says the most depressing things, always focusing on the worst possible outcome.
But those who know him have seen his other side. Behind those dull eyes is a sharp mind which is always racing. When driven to action, he springs to life and moves like an elf should. His hands are a blur when he works his trade.
He fascinated by mechanical traps, illusions, shadows, and any other way you can find to catch someone off guard. He grew up with several practical jokers who were always laying some kind of trap for him. He swore that he'd never be surprised again. Actually, he swore that repeatedly (each time he fell victim to their schemes again). He took each instance as a personal failure and it has driven him to an odd state of depression and mad obsession.
So why on earth is he a Pathfinder and not curled up in a hole somewhere? Because he must learn! Pathfinders are always delving into dangerous places. Where better to pit himself against the most devious traps in all creation? Of course, though, this means that he will one day miss an obvious trap and get everyone killed. That his the demon he lives with
For doors, yes, he wants to be up front and checking for traps. Yes, he would love to get some Guidance, if there is any to be had. If there are traps, he will IMMEDIATELY (after another guidance) set about disarming them as if he were afraid someone else would steal the opportunity from him. When we get around to opening the door, he'll be back with the squishies.
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A youthful, lean halfling appears before you. Or maybe you didn't notice how he entered because he is, after all, a small halfling. He doesn't seem as "well fed" as others of his ancestry, and if it weren't for the pointed ears you might mistake him for a young human. However, as soon as he opens his mouth you become instantly aware of a self-assuredness (ego?) that would seem to not fit in the small package.
Greetings all! Telos Downshot, professional pathfinder mage at your service. Luckily for you, when your foes "call down the thunder", they will get it, literally, from me. He makes no effort to hide how much he thinks of himself. If he has any darker personal demons, he will take great effort to conceal them...
He winces a bit when Pietro begins to sing. He has an almost-abrasive reaction to another large presence in the room.
Whooa. That's quite a song! Hey, also, you don't have to yell so loud, we're all right here! You seem like a fine fellow to drink with though, I look forward to it!
He whispers to Roran. He doesn't sing all of the time, does he? That could get old...
The young halfling then more carefully sizes up who he's addressing. Hmm, you seem like a serious type. Crusades and inquisitions? Is my type on your list? Fear of arcane magic? Are we good?
When the languishing elf approaches the group, Telos just stares and blinks expectantly, waiting for some introduction and... explanation?
Hey there... you gonna make it? Seems like you should take a sick day. I think we get so many a year with the society. Oh, you've used yours up... okay.
DOOR SEQUENCE
- Before opening the door, when the rogue searches it for traps, Telos will scan it with Detect Magic (e.g., for magic traps, hold portal, etc.).
- Telos, being the "mage", is obviously last through the door.
- If there are no foes, he will scan the room with Detect Magic, looking for auras while the rogue searches for traps in the new room.
- When there are foes, he may first cast (or use his wand of) mage armor on himself or allies (e.g., if Naneryn wants to safely approach enemies for sneak attacks).
- From there he sits just behind the front line range-striking with his elemental ray, magic missile, disrupt undead, ray of frost, etc.
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"I guess you don't know any silence spells, do ya?" he asks the bouncy mage in his slow drawl. But then his head tilts to the side and his eyes light up (metaphorically). His mind is clearly racing and he blurts out, "Or maybe you could just use Ghost Sound to generate an inverted set of waves to cancel, or at least dampen, his voice?" He continues in a rushed whisper, "No, wouldn't work. You'd need to know what he was going to say before he said it." His eyes begin to loose focus and you can almost see him slowing back down, but then he snaps back jerks his head toward Pietro and then back to Telos. Suddenly, he reaches out and grips the halfling's shoulders in excitement, "But it might work for a song! If you know the words, then you know what he will say and how he'll say it!"
And then, like a sudden gust of wind blowing out a candle, the smelly elf's energy is gone again. His hands release Telos's shoulders and flop back down by his sides and the slow, lifeless monotone returns to his voice. "Doesn't matter anyway. We'll all be dead before you have a chance to try it out."
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I genuinely hope I haven't made the google sheets file too large so people can't access it. So the maps are all backgrounds so don't worry about moving them, just move your own tokens. Regardless, I am done working on the slides now. Going to start playing a little earlier starting this week at some point after I start posting the intro. Look forward to seeing you all there!
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Speaking as the primary healer here, I don't mind if Pietro has to bear the load when it comes to healing--that's sort of the typical cleric's job. I'm not exactly sure why every other wizard and barbarian seems to feel compelled carry a stick that they can't use (and if they ever want to do so have to invest so much into it). Most of the time I would rather such characters got a wand of disguise self, or vanish or a masterwork weapon made of silver or cold iron or for a better pull on their composite bow. It is not like everyone carries a wand of magic missile, a bundle of magical scrolls, a lock-pick kit, or a greatsword just in case someone else needs to use them.
Now this varies of course. You can build nearly any class into anything including a healer, but if you are not a healer you probably can make do with a couple of potions (that anyone can use easily) and call it good.
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Sorry, that is not what I meant. I already have a CLW wand to toss at you before we start :) . The potion is for when there are several monsters cutting me off from the healers. Normally I would assume it was enough (and probably never get to use it), but Thorn Keep has me a little jumpy.
Naneryn already has a cold iron short sword, masterwork silver dagger, 2 acid flasks, 3 alchemist fires, and 2 holy waters (it was three, but I used one last adventure). Plus masterwork thief tools and an everburning torch. (At least one of my characters had to invest in a vanity porter to hold excess stuff. This one might too, when he can, to keep his load light enough. The trick is making sure the porter only carries stuff you don't expect to need after the initiative dice have been rolled)
I was tempted to replace his padded armor with leather or studded, but I might have to sell it again when I start taking levels in wizard.
Oh! I just noticed he does not have a rope and grappling hook. Those are heavy :(
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"Here you go you small sickly-smelling elf, take one of mine." hands Naneryn one of his potions of cure light wounds. "You seem scrawny enough be able to move about quickly, and unsavory enough that nothing will want to bite you when you do. Therefore you can serve as our back up medic. One dose of this should do the trick--or at least stem the bleeding a bit. HAHA!!" He slaps Naneryn hard on the back.
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Speaking as the primary healer here, I don't mind if Pietro has to bear the load when it comes to healing--that's sort of the typical cleric's job. I'm not exactly sure why every other wizard and barbarian seems to feel compelled carry a stick that they can't use (and if they ever want to do so have to invest so much into it). Most of the time I would rather such characters got a wand of disguise self, or vanish or a masterwork weapon made of silver or cold iron or for a better pull on their composite bow.
Thank you for this. Finally, someone who has the same mind set on this. As for resource, I have two acid flask and a single holy water.
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Speaking as the primary healer here, I don't mind if Pietro has to bear the load when it comes to healing--that's sort of the typical cleric's job. I'm not exactly sure why every other wizard and barbarian seems to feel compelled carry a stick that they can't use (and if they ever want to do so have to invest so much into it).
Because the cleric often runs out, and *they* can use those sticks being carried around by others; folks are simply trying to put in their share of the resources.
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From my own experience, when it comes to core, players don’t have access to the plethora of equipment available in the entire game. Many of the more useful consumables and magical items are found in the extended books, so you’re going to struggle. I encourage everyone to use resources and spells very expressively. Think outside the box, don’t follow the status quo. Be as crazy as you want within the rules. You’re going to need creativity and to work together to survive Thornkeep.
I look forward to challenging you all.
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Speaking as the primary healer here, I don't mind if Pietro has to bear the load when it comes to healing--that's sort of the typical cleric's job. I'm not exactly sure why every other wizard and barbarian seems to feel compelled carry a stick that they can't use (and if they ever want to do so have to invest so much into it).Because the cleric often runs out, and *they* can use those sticks being carried around by others; folks are simply trying to put in their share of the resources.
That's fine, I'm just saying it's primarily this cleric's concern (in this case) to worry about healing people. We're all part of the same party and I already have a wand and even in the worse case scenario I doubt I will use all 47 remaining charges and all of Pietro's intrinsic class healing before we have time to resupply--and if I do that's probably not a problem with character resources. When it's done I'll go buy another. I'll use any wand or stave as needed but nobody else really needs to think about carrying one that they can't normally use. I don't want anyone to put too many resources into healing hp and not enough into covering their own particular strength in the party. Like I said, I never expect to see standard clerics buying scrolls of levitation and knock, or deal the most damage or do other things which can be just as important.
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Not really. That and I figure you probably used it all on the best thieves' tools you could afford. It looks like you've got most of the rogue skills and mobility abilities down, sans perhaps climb (maybe a climber's kit when money and weight allowance allows), though if you are going wizard eventually that won't be a problem.
Depending upon how deep the dungeon is and long we all last as our current characters (some of us I think will have to get an adventure or two in in-between dungeon levels because I think the dungeon expects you to start out at level 2 and then gain a level every level or more thereafter so some of us might fall out-of-tier before the third or fourth floor).
You might be able to pull off arcane trickster levels if that's what you are going for. As it is I am sort of guessing that Naneryn is planning on using his arcane skills to supplement his mobility and thiefiness with spells like invisibility, knock, jump, spider climb and so on and some other more magic-usery staples, solid spells that perhaps that Telos might not have space for among his spells known (see invisibility comes to mind as a good pick up), but that's all down the road a long ways away.
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Yeah, 2nd-level spells are a ways off. Telos will focus on evocation, but I expect to do a lot of supplementing with arcane wands as well. Currently he has supplemental Mage Armor, so I do intend to use that to help as often as possible. Since most in this group have armor and it wouldn't stack, I think Naneryn would be the best recipient.
I could pick up a wand of True Strike if folks think they would have me make use of it for them. It could be nice when we pick our spots against a tougher foe.
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Late to the party is a Halfling, seemingly a bit wild but with scars that indicate a past and an age that his otherwise youthful countenance and colorful rainbow silks and furs.
Hello all, my name is Seward Sodalug, I am a halfling from the Shoanti tribes and let's just say my people have seen some stuff. I hear Kreighton was looking for world weary specialists into a grinder and I am just crazy enough to come here and try to bring honor to my people by answering this challenge. the young man smiles and shakes hands with everyone before butting heads with Telos who happens to be the same size.
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I am happy to be here with you all - I find being an archer far more interesting in Core where you don't have all the toys necessary to overwhelm every problem.
I do know by reputation that there is a bunch of undead in this so I did cheese out a little by grabbing favored enemy undead.
I have a small number of toys to help the group
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So guys, I will be writing up the start of the action part of the adventure tonight. As discussed, we will be doing the following Door Sequence to keep things rolling.
I will use this from time to time depending on when appropriate. I will be assuming that this is what you'll be doing when we enter new rooms, so even though I might not roll the entire thing, I will keep it all in mind. Let me know if you have any problems with this.
First
Roran - Human - Level 1 - [dice=Perception]1d20+3[.dice]
Pietro - Human - Level 1 - [ooc]Cast's Guidance very loudly![.ooc]
Naeryn - Elf - Level 1 - [dice=Perception]1d20+6+1[.dice] and [dice=Disable Device]1d20+11+1[.dice]
Seward - Halfling - Level 2 - [dice=Perception]1d20+8[.dice]
Telos - Hanfling - Level 2 - [ooc]Cast's Detect Magic![.dice]
Last
For any directional choices of where to go, I will go with the rule of three, so first couple of people to respond will decide. Obviously, more serious situations we will wait for everyone to be on top of everything before going forward.
I hope everyone has enjoyed the week of strange information I have been giving. Funnily enough, it's all cannon, so hopefully you're all interested. I look forward to seeing how this will all play out!
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So guys, I will be writing up the start of the action part of the adventure tonight. As discussed, we will be doing the following Door Sequence to keep things rolling.
I will use this from time to time depending on when appropriate. I will be assuming that this is what you'll be doing when we enter new rooms, so even though I might not roll the entire thing, I will keep it all in mind. Let me know if you have any problems with this.
First
Roran - Human - Level 1 - [dice=Perception]1d20+3[.dice]
Pietro - Human - Level 1 - [ooc]Cast's Guidance very loudly![.ooc]
I would add the provision: "When asked." A +1 is not always worth a failed stealth check. That and Pietro would probably turn into a drinking game. Every time he casts guidance on you you have to take a drink.
"Oh look! I see double doors ahead. hic."
"Oof. 'Dumbledore'? You mean like the wizard? hic."
Back later today.
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Why not this way?
Have all 3 perceptions and detect magic before trying to undo any traps.
I was tempted to say have Roran and Naneryn both assist Seward on the perception, but maybe 3 separate rolls is better?
first
Roran - Human - Level 1 - [dice=Perception]1d20+3[.dice]
Seward - Halfling - Level 2 - [dice=Perception]1d20+8[.dice]
Naeryn - Elf - Level 1 - [dice=Perception]1d20+7[.dice]
Telos - Hanfling - Level 2 - [ooc]Cast's Detect Magic![.dice]
If trap found
Pietro - Human - Level 1 - [ooc]Cast's Guidance very loudly![.ooc]
Naeryn - Elf - Level 1 - [dice=Disable Device]1d20+11+1[.dice]
last
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At the risk of beating a dead possum, I (suddenly) feel compelled to mention that I just thought of another reason why I bring my own wand of healing. Mainly, when I do stupid stuff like trying to stealth into a room while holding a torch (LOL!) and get (rightfully) smacked down for it. I don't have to feel bad about using up someone else's resources unnecessarily. It is all good fun. :)
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I don't mind the pace so far. To be clear, are you asking because you're concerned with any of the player posting rates? I can always get in one a day. Sometimes I have a good day and get in 2-3, some days I'm slammed at work and cannot even look to catch up until late at night (I imagine as it is for most people?)
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Back when I played pen and paper for advanced Dungeons & Dragons I used to DM a lot. I've been thinking about dming the play by post, but I'm worried about how much extra work it will require and what happens if I get bogged down and I have five or six players waiting on you wanting to finish their game.
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I sense the hand of Cayden! Hopefully you meant to get engaged.
No fortunately not. I am still too young for that level of dedication. My partners brother was the one getting engaged. It was a great party.
Sorry for the lack of posts, i will be back on full throtle now. I love the banter in the group by the way - you are all really fun to gm for. Also, we are basically half way done with the first floor, so yay!