Agender Sandkin Metamorph 5 | HP 38/38 | AC 19(21), T 12, FF 14(16) | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechanger 2/2
Shabah dresses in loose-fitting robes of light color, ideal for keeping safe under a hot sun. Their clothes make their precise physique difficult to ascertain, but they are presently about the same size as Dasus, though perhaps a shade more slender. Muted sounds of metal on metal sound from beneath their robes, joining the unornamented, but razor sharp falchion on their back as a warning that they should not be mistaken for a helpless traveler.
As the party enters, Shabah gives a small quirk of their lips to the other alchemist. "Ms. Yanda. It appears I have the honor to serve at your side once more." Turning towards the others they continue, "I am Shabah Al'Quna of the Susianam. Though I am in service to His Imperial and Royal Majesty the Padishah Emperor Kalish XXII, I take my obligations to the Society equally seriously. My skills and blade are yours; if need be, I will take great harm to see that you return safely. I hope that I can expect the same of you."
A slightly exasperated look crosses their face. "Ah, and when danger draws near, should I exhibit certain changes, rest assured that is is quite likely to be intentional. In fact, from my briefings as to this undertaking to date, I feel I should ask. Is there any reason to assume danger is not what will await us straightaway in the Fifth Deep?"
Yanda is uncharacteristically happy on the way back from the fort, her surprise - and delight - at their avoidance of the odious commander of the fort evident. During the trips she swaps stories and tips with the other alchemist, amazed at the different ways their science/art may be used.
"Good day, Slaugh, good day. Of course we will take some of your nourishing food with us." Though she seems quite enthusiastic about the food, it comes nowhere near her mouth and she makes darn sure she stows it someplace where it will not spill on anything.
When confronted with the unfriendly water folk she responds cheerfully, her good mood still buoying her up.
Aquan:
"Now cousins, that is no way to greet a friendly traveller. Whyever would you want to keep us out of your damp domicile? Surely you would welcome one with roots in the elemental planes like myself!"
"Well...the last level was filled with rather polite troglodytes! That was nice change of pace...but I do not expect it to last." Altovin muses as they walk wondering now who he should protect with his divine powers.
If only I could protect more at once!
His face takes on a look more worried than usual (somehow) as the creature speaks in a foreign tongue but he sighs with relief when Yanda begins to converse.
"Oh joy! You can understand and even reply to him. Let us know if we should do anything."
Male Human Bard 4 hp 27 (4d8+4) AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic +8 Perception +2 Int
Romulus speaks gently, though he doesn't speak aquan, and taps gently on his drum.
Come now... I'm sure we might be able to talk this out? Maybe?
Yanda (and everyone), my approach is to treat actions that appear hostile as the trigger for rolling initiative, not as something that happens *before* entering initiative. As it happens, though, Yanda you beat them in initiative, so drinking your mutagen is your round 1 action. Let me know if this is unclear or seems unfair and I can explain it further.
As Yanda begins to reach for her flask, it's clear to everyone that hostilities are about to begin, despite Romulus' earnest efforts to bring peace.
Male Human Bard 4 hp 27 (4d8+4) AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic +8 Perception +2 Int
Romulus is unhappy about the starting hostilities, but it's not his place.
As the battle hym beat
to the sound of enemy's retreat,
the people gathered round and fought
together even though it was for naught...
Battlehym giving everyone "Covering Fire". Now anyone using "Aid another" to boost AC can do it with a range attack, and it covers everyone in the party... obviously, i'll be doing this on my turn, but I gotta get it started
Male Half-orc Paladin 4 (Redeemer) AC 23, T 11, FF 19 | F +10/R+6/W+6 | HP 16/36 | CMB +6, CMD 18/17F | Init +1 | Perception -2 | Condition: None
Back at the Fort, Dasus smiles at the introduction, and says, "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Dasus."
--
At the Spire, he frowns a bit at the unfamiliar language, but when it becomes apparent that there's going to be a fight, he steps forward past Yanda as he says to Altovin, "I agree. But thank you!"
Still, with the hostilities clear, he doesn't hesitate to strike first. As soon as he's in position, he swings his greataxe down at the crab-like creature.
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 26 dmg; blind (1/?);
Romulus - dmg; blind (1/?);
Altovin - 5 dmg; life link (Dasus); blind (1/?);
Courage - dmg; blind (1/?)
Yanda - dmg; mutagen (00:50); blind (1/?);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - dmg;
Orange - dmg;
Shabah - dmg; blind (1/?);
Romulus starts a stirring hymn of battle for the group to fight along to.
Altovin draws his weapon and reestablishes his mystical life link with Dasus.
Dasus swings his axe down upon the crab-like creature, but even flat-footed, its shell is simply too hard and the axe skitters harmlessly off its carapace.
With hostilities breaking out, the small winged creature quickly flies off down the corridor, disappearing out of view.
The angry blue-skinned fellow casts a spell and suddenly a burst of shiny particles descends upon the group...
Will Saves:
Altovin Will:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13+2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. death Courage Will:1d20 ⇒ 3Insert conditional modifiers here Yanda Will:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4+2 vs. poisons, +1 vs. water/cold Dasus Will:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12Insert conditional modifiers here Romulus Will:1d20 ⇒ 5Insert conditional modifiers here Shabah Will:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
... blinding all of the pathfinders! You can make a new Will save against this blindness each round at the end of your turn.
... which it does with deadly effectiveness. It seems to be a very hungry crab-creature!
Yikes, that was a natural 1, followed by 3 nat 20's in a row! Sorry, Dasus, sometimes the dice are cruel. You're not dead yet!
Fortunately, Altovin's lifelink with Dasus now triggers, healing Dasus for 5, and giving Altovin 5 dmg.
Pathfinders are up! The bold may act. Note that you are all blind from glitter, and may make new Will saves against the blindness at the end of your turn.
Agender Cecaelia Metamorph 5 | HP 37/38 | AC 21, T 12, FF 19 | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechange 0/2 | Mercurial Oil 3/7
Tsk. Careless of me. Well. No need to strike while unprepared.
Concentrating Shabah called up strange forces from within themself, layering muscle and thickened skin atop their already powerful frame, drawing away whatever flesh could be spared to build new limbs and senses, even as the humanity in their features swiftly turned monstrous. Finally, their eyes merged into a single cyclopean one, and just like that, Shabah could see.
How unfortunate for them.
Will:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22
Shapechanging is tiring work, so Shabah's fatigued until the beginning of their next turn.
Agender Cecaelia Metamorph 5 | HP 37/38 | AC 21, T 12, FF 19 | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechange 0/2 | Mercurial Oil 3/7
Shapechanger:
Shabah has the ability to transform into another form. This ability functions like alter self or monstrous physique I, except as noted here. The effect lasts for 1 hour per metamorph’s alchemist level (5 hours), or until they change back. Changing form (to another form or back) is a standard action that doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity. Shabah is fatigued for 1 round each time they change shape.
I just happened to also save against the blindness (I'm guessing), which is why Shabah didn't move into melee before finding out if that would be the case.
Battlehym giving everyone "Covering Fire". Now anyone using "Aid another" to boost AC can do it with a range attack, and it covers everyone in the party... obviously, i'll be doing this on my turn, but I gotta get it started
Does any attack bonus come with this version of inspire?
Since she is blind, Yanda drinks an extract of shield and tries to back away a step but finds the way blocked. So she moves to the side instead.
Will ST:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6 Poor Yanda, so weak willed.
"Ow! Are you okay Dasus? I am already feeling out connection pulse." Altovin says unsure of what step to take next. He prepares for any attacks coming his way while fighting the effects.
Courage hops on his shoulder helping him along.
Courage: Guidance on Altovin. Will Courage:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 26 dmg; blind (1/?);
Romulus - dmg; blind (1/?);
Altovin - 5 dmg; life link (Dasus); blind (1/?); total defense;
Courage - dmg; blind (1/?)
Yanda - dmg; mutagen (00:50); blind (1/?); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - dmg;
Orange - dmg;
Shabah - dmg; Shapechanged (05:00); fatigued (rnd 2);
Shabah transforms himself into a horrid monstrosity. It's a tiring effort that leaves him gasping momentarily for breath, but also somehow helps him to shake off the blindness.
Yanda blindly drinks an extract to bolster her defenses but is unable to shake off the blindness afflicting her.
@Yanda, as far as I understand this is not Inspire Courage that Romulus is doing, so no attack bonus
Altovin and Courage both struggle to resist the blindness but are unable to overcome it.
Male Human Bard 4 hp 27 (4d8+4) AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic +8 Perception +2 Int
Correct, sadly, no attack bonus, it's a defensive trick. But anyone can activate it by doing a aid another to AC using a ranged weapon, than it covers everyone for the first attack on them for the round.
Romulus keeps the beat of his drum steady... blind, he can't do much of anything, so he prays he can beat the blindness and does his best to concentrate on dodging any incoming sounds...
Total defense will:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8
Male Half-orc Paladin 4 (Redeemer) AC 23, T 11, FF 19 | F +10/R+6/W+6 | HP 16/36 | CMB +6, CMD 18/17F | Init +1 | Perception -2 | Condition: None
Dasus grunts as he's blinded, and again as he's hit so successfully. Still, he replies, "I'll be fine, but I'd someday like to make a complaint to whoever invented that spell!"
Praying for health, he then again swings his axe, at where the crab creature sounds to be.
Lay on hands:2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6
Attack:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
Miss chance:1d100 ⇒ 22
Not sure if I'm aiming for higher or lower, so I'll roll damage anyway just in case.
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 40 dmg; weapon dropped in square; unconscious; prone; stable;
Romulus - dmg; blind (2/?); total defense;
Altovin - 10 dmg; life link (Dasus); blind (2/?); total defense;
Courage - dmg; blind (2/?)
Yanda - 4 dmg; mutagen (00:50); blind (2/?); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - dmg; casting ?;
Orange - dmg;
Shabah - dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
Romulus adopts a defensive posture while struggling and failing to throw off the blindness.
Dasus heals himself and then swings blindly at the crab creature but fails to hit it. With miss chances etc. I generally go with: high is good for the one who is rolling, but you can use something else if you prefer as long as you declare it. He does, however, manage to fight off the blindness.
Shabah and Dasus now see - and everyone else hears - the angry blue-skinned man beginning to cast a spell.
The orange crab thing renews its assault on Dasus.
bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 dmg:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7 claw1:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28 dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9 claw2:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 claw1 CRIT CONFIRM?:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 27 CRIT dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
... after a successful bite and a savage claw strike, the brave Paladin collapses to the ground and the orange juggernaut steps forward 5' and makes its final claw strike against blind Yanda. Yanda, I believe this hits you due to being blind, yes?
Dasus, whew, my dice are on fire! I feel like this is right back to where we finished with Splinterden. I promise I'm not picking on you!
As round 2 rolls into round 3, Shabah is no longer fatigued; Altovin's lifelink triggers, healing Dasus and stabilizing him, though he is still unconscious.
Agender Cecaelia Metamorph 5 | HP 37/38 | AC 21, T 12, FF 19 | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechange 0/2 | Mercurial Oil 3/7
The misshapen beast in Shabah's armor lunges for the crab monster, smashing into it with nearly every appendage available, but continues to speak in their cultured tones the whole way through.
"I will tend to this creature. However, its master has just withdrawn down a nearby hall. It will be greatly to our advantage if we can discomfit him before whatever spell he is working is completed!"
*Gore is from a Spirit Oni Mask that Shabah wears, rather than from the polymorph effect.
Also, iirc total defense is a dodge bonus, so you might be better served by a different blinded tactic going forward Romulus.
Yanda is AC 21 due to losing her dex bonus so she takes 29 points of damage.
Ouch...Ouch, ouch!
Yanda decides to try to interrupt the spell and tosses an explosive vial at the sound of the casting. She doesn't trust her aim while blind so she aims for the wall near to the caster and the crab (as marked on the map). As she does so bushe quickly jerks to the side and keeps dancing around to try to avoid being hit (fighting defensively).
to hit ranged touch, point blank, evfensive:1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (13) + 7 - 4 = 16(ignore allies in splash due to Precise Bombs)
Damage: 10' radius 10 damage splash, DC 15 Reflex save for half
Male Human Bard 4 hp 27 (4d8+4) AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex) Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +6; +4 vs. bardic performance, language-dependent, and sonic +8 Perception +2 Int
Ugh... drat. Well then i guess...
Feeling very vunerable, Romulus waves his hands and mutters arcane words into to air before splitting into Mirror image:1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 +1 copies! The three copies hope that they'll be able to see....
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 36 dmg; weapon dropped in square; disabled; prone;
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3);
Altovin - 10 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 4 dmg; mutagen (00:50); blind (2/?); shield (00:05); fighting defensively;
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - dmg; casting ?;
Orange - 24 dmg;
Shabah - dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
Shabah, doesn't your Spirit Oni Mask meld into your form when you shapechange, per the polymorph rules? Also, help me understand the breakdown of your attacks - why do they each have a -1 on the attack roll and a +2 on the damage roll? Also, six attacks at level 5! Yikes. My poor monsters!
Shabah unleashes a dizzying array of attacks on the poor crab, though only his bite and a single talon manage to strike home. The creature still stands despite its significant wounds.
Yanda, only the last of those attacks was directed at you - the first two were against Dasus - so you only take 4 dmg.
Before resolving Yanda's turn, some issues: first, you can't use Precise Bombs to select out your friends since you are blind and can't see them; second, I'm inclined to impose some additional penalties/randomness on your bomb throwing since a) you don't have his square pinpointed (he's moved since you were blinded) and b) there is a wall partially blocking where you want to throw to and c) you are blind. Do you still want to proceed?
Both Courage and Altovin manage to shake off the blindness, while Altovin also gives Dasus some badly needed healing. The half-orc paladin's eyes flutter awake, though he only barely so. Dasus is now conscious, but disabled
Meanwhile, Romulus creates some illusory versions of himself to bolster his defenses. Romulus, why 3? Shouldn't it simply be 1d4+1, which would be 2? Then, he too manages to fight off the glittery blindness.
Dasus, you may act - note that you are awake but disabled (i.e. any standard action will cause you to fall unconscious again until you raise your hp above 0), also prone and with your weapon dropped in your square.
Yanda, let me know if you want me to proceed with the actions you posted.
Agender Cecaelia Metamorph 5 | HP 37/38 | AC 21, T 12, FF 19 | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechange 0/2 | Mercurial Oil 3/7
It's an actual factual mask, and like my armor, weapons, and other equipment it's only "[when] you cast a polymorph spell that changes you into a creature of the animal, dragon, elemental, magical beast, plant, or vermin type, all of your gear melds into your body."
The -1/+2 is from Power Attack (or PA, though I was inconsistent about labeling, sorry). Also... once I drink my feral mutagen... there's gonna be claws too...
Male Half-orc Paladin 4 (Redeemer) AC 23, T 11, FF 19 | F +10/R+6/W+6 | HP 16/36 | CMB +6, CMD 18/17F | Init +1 | Perception -2 | Condition: None
Dasus groans a little as he wakes up, but then focuses as he becomes more aware and sees the crab creature above him. He prays for healing, as he reaches for his axe, and then does the first thing that pops into his mind: he swings at the creature, even from his prone position.
Lay on hands:2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9
Attack from prone without power attack:1d20 + 8 - 4 ⇒ (7) + 8 - 4 = 11
Before resolving Yanda's turn, some issues: first, you can't use Precise Bombs to select out your friends since you are blind and can't see them; second, I'm inclined to impose some additional penalties/randomness on your bomb throwing since a) you don't have his square pinpointed (he's moved since you were blinded) and b) there is a wall partially blocking where you want to throw to and c) you are blind. Do you still want to proceed?
I do because I fear the spell more than anything else. But I'd be happy to smash it against the far wall a little more to the left if that makes it easier. I'll take the chance of splashing the PCs but a wall is a pretty easy thing to hit, even blind.
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 33 dmg; prone; weapon dropped in square; blind (1/?)
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3); blind (1/?)
Altovin - 15 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 14 dmg; mutagen (00:50); blind (3/?); shield (00:05); fighting defensively;
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg;
Orange - 24 dmg;
Shabah - 14 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
Ok, I hope this manner of resolving Yanda's blind attack is fair. I consulted with some more experienced GMs who had some good suggestions but all agreed that this is ultimately one of those GM adjudication situations.
Yanda attempts to throw a bomb at a square near the caster, in hopes that its splash will disrupt his casting. But, being blind, it's not easy for her to know where he is, especially since he has moved (slightly) since she could last see.
Yanda Perception:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
... but her keen senses manage to hear his chanting voice amidst the din of battle.
She takes aim at a spot near where she hears his voice, hoping to hit him with the splash from her bomb.
The crab responds by savagely biting her but she still manages to send a bomb blindly arcing through the air towards the spot she thinks the undine man is.
I'm going to use the attack rolls that Yanda made earlier, but adding a 50% miss chance due to blindness
Miss chance, high is good for Yanda:1d100 ⇒ 63
Her long hours of practicing with her bombs have clearly been worthwhile as, even sightless, Firewarden Yanda lands her bomb exactly where she wants it.
GM screen:
Blue Reflex DC 15:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 1 = 8 Orange Reflex DC 15:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26evasion Blue Concentration check DC 20:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (4) + 8 = 12
In the darkness, Yanda hears cursing in the Aquan tongue, as the caster's magical invocation is abruptly cut off. Meanwhile, those members of the group who can see, note that the orange crab thing deftly avoids the splash of Yanda's bomb and seems unharmed by it.
Meanwhile, Dasus awakens from his near-death experience, quickly calls some divine healing into his body, grabs for his weapon, and strikes at the creature from the floor, but unfortunately to no effect.
The orange crab-monster now tries to finish what it has started with Dasus, who is unfortunately now prone before it.
bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 dmg:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
Its bite once again knocks brave Dasus back towards Pharasma's realm!
With its first foe unconscious, it now turns towards the monstrosity before it - the creature formerly known as Shabah!
claw1:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5 claw2:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
... both of its claws take chunks of monstrous flesh from Shabah's transformed body.
Then - seemingly at the bidding of the blue-skinned fellow - the creature takes a step back.
The angry undine pauses his cursing just long enough to step forward and throw out another spell - this time, one with a shorter casting time - and once again a storm of glittery particles swallows the pathfinders.
Will Saves:
Altovin Will:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16+2 vs. illusions, +2 vs. death Courage Will:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27Insert conditional modifiers here Yanda Will:1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19+2 vs. poisons, +1 vs. water/cold Dasus Will:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11Insert conditional modifiers here Romulus Will:1d20 ⇒ 3Insert conditional modifiers here Shabah Will:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17
Most of the group manages to fight off the glittery effects, but Romulus and Dasus are not so fortunate and are both once again blinded. (Don't ask me how someone who is already unconscious and dying gets blinded by glitterdust!)
Once again, Altovin's life link mystically heals some of Dasus' wounds, bringing him - barely - back to consciousness. Unfortunately, he is blind, prone, and weaponless.
Pathfinders may act! Note that Dasus, Romulus, and Yanda are all currently blind and may save again at the end of their turns.
Crabby's clearly got some AC, so I'm gonna start with my secondary attacks before turning on Power Attack this time, since they don't get as much benefit anyways.
Oh, and just so I know, how high is the ceiling here?
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 26 dmg; prone; weapon dropped in square; blind (1/?)
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3); blind (1/?)
Altovin - 15 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 8 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg;
Orange - 24 dmg;
Shabah - 14 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
Altovin provides some further healing to Dasus.
Shabah unleashes an amazing array of natural attacks against Crabface, but all of them miss the nimble creature. Incidentally, Shabah, I may be wrong - don't have time to dig around in the rulebook right now - but I believe a) you must make your primary attacks before your secondaries and b) you must choose whether or not to use Power Attack for the round as a whole - it's not something that you can turn on part way through your turn.
Yanda heals herself and finally manages to get the last of the glitter out of her eyes.
Dasus and Romulus are up!
Edit: Shabah, unless stated otherwise, the ceilings of all rooms and corridors on this level are 7 feet high.
Agender Cecaelia Metamorph 5 | HP 37/38 | AC 21, T 12, FF 19 | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechange 0/2 | Mercurial Oil 3/7
No worries at all GM, happy to show my work :-)
You choose to activate Power Attack before a given attack, and once you activate Power Attack it definitely has to stay on until the beginning of your next turn, but here's my source on being able to turn it on partway through a turn.
As for secondaries before primaries... the relevant rule (as far as I could find) is "If you get multiple attacks because your base attack bonus is high enough, you must make the attacks in order from highest bonus to lowest. If you are using two weapons, you can strike with either weapon first." This doesn't weigh in on Natural Weapons specifically, but there's not any rule I could find that forces any order for them, and I think it's more analogous to deciding which weapon to swing with first in any case.
Interesting. Ok, both of those interpretations seem legit to me. What creature are you polymorphing into that has that many attacks?
Edit: ok, I just noticed that Power Attack includes this language: "You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn." That seems pretty plain that you decide whether or not to use it at the beginning of your attack series, and then it is "on" until your next turn. Thus, for example, if you wanted to do a combat maneuver as your first attack of the round, you couldn't choose to leave Power Attack turned off to boost your chances of success with the maneuver (since the bonus damage doesn't do anything for your maneuver anyway), and then turn it on for the following attacks. Similarly, it seems like if you have a number of attacks on your turn (whether from multiple natural attacks, or from iteratives, or haste, etc.) Power Attack applies to all of them or none. I would also read this as meaning that if you "turned on" PA on your turn, it is automatically in effect for any AoO you may take before your next turn. However, I would interpret this as meaning that if you DID NOT use PA on your turn (either because you chose not to, or you had no attacks, or whatever), that you still have the option of deciding to use it if you take an AoO on your off-turn.
Male Half-orc Paladin 4 (Redeemer) AC 23, T 11, FF 19 | F +10/R+6/W+6 | HP 16/36 | CMB +6, CMD 18/17F | Init +1 | Perception -2 | Condition: None
Being blind, Dasus can't spot where his weapon landed. Rather than grope around blindly, he prays for healing again then reaches for his backup weapon as well as his shield. By the time he has both ready, however, he doesn't have much time to react more.
Lay on hands:2d6 ⇒ (5, 1) = 6
Beneficent Touch to reroll ones 1/day:1d6 ⇒ 1
Well, that was a waste of a daily ability. ;-) Equipping both battle axe and shield with remaining actions.
Agender Cecaelia Metamorph 5 | HP 37/38 | AC 21, T 12, FF 19 | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechange 0/2 | Mercurial Oil 3/7
Okay, I would say that choosing to activate Power Attack before 'an attack' and before 'the beginning of your attack sequence' is different enough to merit them saying the latter if it's what they meant, or just before 'your first attack' to save wordcount :-p
I think the alternate reading requires adding text like 3.5 had, but that's why I linked to designer commentary on it :-)
Either way, it's a very marginal difference on my two least important swings, so happy to abide by a table ruling.
Also, Shabah is currently a Popobala. Should that change (can't help noticing that the map is labeled 'Drowned' - so an aquatic form may be a better choice later on), I'll make sure to edit it where it's listed in their header.
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 15 dmg; prone;
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3); blind (1/?); on delay; Altovin - 20 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 8 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Orange - 24 dmg;
Shabah - 20 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
Putting Romulus on delay.
The crabthing now turns its attention to Shabah...
bite:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21 dmg:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6 claw1:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4 claw2:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 dmg:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7
... its bite manages to tear away some of Shabah's flesh.
The blue-skinned caster draws a scroll from his pouch, reads it aloud, and disappears from view! Everyone can hear the sound of a splash from the corridor where he was last seen.
Altovin's life link once again triggers, healing Dasus.
Pathfinders are up!(Romulus, go ahead and roll your Will save to see if you are unblind at the end of your round 4 turn; if so, you can now act normally on round 5).
Agender Cecaelia Metamorph 5 | HP 37/38 | AC 21, T 12, FF 19 | F +8, R +9, W +5 | Shapechange 0/2 | Mercurial Oil 3/7
Growing frustrated with the crab-thing's incredibly tenacious armor, Shabah foregoes some of their previous savagery in place of more surgical strikes.
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 15 dmg; prone;
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3); blind (1/?); on delay; Altovin - 20 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 8 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05);
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Orange - 29 dmg;
Shabah - 20 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
Shabah unleashes a whirlwind of attacks on the poor crab, only two of which hit it. At first, it appears that this will finally be enough to lay the creature out, but then something strange happens, and its wounds no longer appear as severe as before, and it seems ready to fight on...
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs Dasus - 15 dmg; prone;
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3); blind (1/?); on delay; Altovin - 20 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 13 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05); standard action still available;
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Orange - 29 dmg; AoO taken;
Shabah - 20 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
As Yanda moves past the wounded crab creature, it tries to bite her...
The stairs from the landing lead down about 10 feet into a wide hallway filled with murky water.
There are two hallways on the south wall and one on the east. As soon as she steps into the water, Yanda can feel that - at least here - the water is about 2 feet deep (and counts as difficult terrain)
Yanda, please show the path of your movement, taking into account that the squares after the stairs count as 10' for movement purposes.
Yanda's AC is 26 now that she can see again and has the full bonuses from her dex and mutagen. Her path is marked in green. I just noticed your explanation of the terrain and adjusted her movement.
Conditions: Covering Fire feat granted to all PCs; squares down the stairs are difficult terrain (water at least 2' deep); Dasus - 15 dmg; prone;
Romulus - dmg; mirror images (3); blind (1/?); on delay; Altovin - 20 dmg; life link (Dasus);
Courage - dmg;
Yanda - 8 dmg; mutagen (00:50); shield (00:05); standard action still available;
Green - dmg; moved away down the corridor, no longer in view
Blue - 10 dmg; no longer in view;
Orange - 29 dmg; AoO taken;
Shabah - 20 dmg; Shapechanged (05:00);
Retcon: the crab's AoO against Yanda missed.
Yanda steps into the murky water, noting that it is cold yet bearable, and gazes down the corridor ahead of her. There is no sign of their foe.
Yanda has leveled up. She took concussive bomb so that she will stay relevant during combats with fire resistant opponents, but other than that there is not much change. Is there any magic item or spell that would allow her to damage incorporeals? I'd rather not use a discovery.
The Drowned Level (Emerald Spire 5) has been reported and chronicles are available here. Please let me know if you run into any difficulties or see any mistakes.
Shabah and Altovin, all the best with your future paths and I hope to adventure with you again somewhere down the road.
Thanks to everyone for your patience with me during this very difficult past year.
And, for the new players, welcome! I'll post some instructions soon.
For those planning to play Emerald Spire 6 The Clockwork Maze, please give me the following information:
Player Name
Character Name
PFS #
Faction
Normal/Track
Day Job
Please also take a look at the slide deck (here). Add your token on the map (slide 1).
On slide 2, add your initiative, perception, fort, reflex, and will saves, along with any conditional modifiers (e.g. Perception +7 +2 unusual stonework). Please also add a larger image of your token at the top of this slide.
On slide 3, add the relevant information that will help me to fill out your chronicles later.
On slide 4, note the acceptable level ranges for the various levels of the Emerald Spire - in order to stay in tier (if you wish to play through the whole spire), some levels need to done slow track. This level is tier 4-6 and the next one is 5-7, so there is no need to slow track on this level but just fyi.
If you have not already dotted and deleted in the gameplay thread, please go ahead and do so.
|AC 20, T 15, FF 16|HP: 57/57 (12 nl)|F +9, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs shadow/MA/emotion, +1 vs reptilian EX abilities)|Init +4, Perc +8|CMB +1 CMD 15|Burn 2/7, Buffer 1, Light and Dark 1/1, Voices Say 1/1, Shadow Speaker 4/4
Player Name: I'm Hiding In Your Closet
Character Name: Black Sun
PFS #: 40025-23
Faction: Dark Archive
Normal/Track: Normal
Day Job:Craft (Calligraphy), Faction Pin:1d20 + 16 ⇒ (14) + 16 = 30
She will be taking land parcel D1, recovering 2 PP, buying air crystals for 50 gp to replace the ones she used, and a belt of incredible dexterity for 4000 gp.
Starting gold is 2995 so she should have enough.
She also bought a bunch of odds and ends alchemical items. Seemed fitting. but I suspect you are not one of those GMs that want the onerous burden of tracking inventory so would you prefer I not post the purchases?
Male Human Swashbuckler(rondelero)7 HP 67 AC 27, T 19; FF 18, F +7, R +13, W +9, Init +7(+9), Perc +11
Player Name Paul McCrory/grimdog73
Character Name Patros Therinor
PFS # 125049-08
Faction Grand Lodge
Normal/Track normal
Day Job none...he's a slacker
She will be taking land parcel D1, recovering 2 PP, buying air crystals for 50 gp to replace the ones she used, and a belt of incredible dexterity for 4000 gp.
Starting gold is 2995 so she should have enough.
She also bought a bunch of odds and ends alchemical items. Seemed fitting. but I suspect you are not one of those GMs that want the onerous burden of tracking inventory so would you prefer I not post the purchases?
I don't mind if you post them but you don't need to - I don't write those things on your chronicles, leaving it to players to manage themselves.
Character Name: Black Sun
PFS #: 40025-23
Faction: Dark Archive
Normal/Track: Normal
Day Job: [dice=Craft (Calligraphy), Faction Pin]1d20+16
Black Sun, kineticists are one of those classes that I've never really been able to wrap my head around, mechanically. I'll trust that you know how your character works, though I may ask questions from time to time just to satisfy my curiosity.
|AC 20, T 15, FF 16|HP: 57/57 (12 nl)|F +9, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs shadow/MA/emotion, +1 vs reptilian EX abilities)|Init +4, Perc +8|CMB +1 CMD 15|Burn 2/7, Buffer 1, Light and Dark 1/1, Voices Say 1/1, Shadow Speaker 4/4
GM Abraham wrote:
Black Sun, kineticists are one of those classes that I've never really been able to wrap my head around, mechanically. I'll trust that you know how your character works, though I may ask questions from time to time just to satisfy my curiosity.
Mechanically, you can start by thinking "3.5 Warlock" (even though it fails to deliver for us true fans of that class), then departing from there.
Black Sun, kineticists are one of those classes that I've never really been able to wrap my head around, mechanically. I'll trust that you know how your character works, though I may ask questions from time to time just to satisfy my curiosity.
Mechanically, you can start by thinking "3.5 Warlock" (even though it fails to deliver for us true fans of that class), then departing from there.
Alas, that means nothing to me. I played a lot of D&D 1st and 2nd ed (I think? there were no feats or any of the things that we think of in the modern game) in the 80's and then didn't play at all for 30+ years until discovering pathfinder about 5 or 6 years ago.
On behalf of I'm Hiding In Your Closet, at his request, i'm giving a heads up.
He has been having login problems, and the solution provided on the board has proven ineffective. He has no estimate of when he is able to, awaiting further tech support, but will rejoin you as soon as possible.
The kineticist, at heart, is an elemental blaster. As they progress they can add utilitarian abilities like senses and such, or they can add special abilities to their blast attack like area affect or trip, etc. When they use their abilities it costs NL damage which the rules have made non-recoverable until after a rest. It would be no fun if they could just use a heal stick to regain their expended resources, now would it? The primary stat for a kineticist is con. There are things they can do to reduce the cost of an ability (like spend an action) or add ons they can put on the ability that cost extra damage. But the core vanilla blast is spammable since it is not all that difficult to get the cost down to 0. The blast is a lot like the alchemist bomb in that it gets bigger and better and more versatile as they go up levels. In fact, the most comparable class to the kineticist is the alchemist that specializes in bombs (like me).
The chaokineticist's element is 'void' which does gravity or negative energy damage and who's special abilities are based on those effects. Like flying if they go the gravity route.
From the character sheet I see these choices:
Basic Chaokinesis
Gravity Blast
Pushing Infusion
Emptiness
Skilled Kineticist (Void)
Pulling Infusion
Greater Skilled Kineticist (Stealth)
Weighing Infusion (DC 17)
So this character went the gravity route and looks like she likes to yank her opponents around a lot. Expect to see the NPCs get slammed into things and pinned.
Just waiting for 1 or 2 players to check in. I know that I'm Hiding in Your Closet has had difficulties logging in and phaeton_nz has told me that they want to join but haven't actually shown up. Between now and Wednesday is pretty hectic for me irl anyway, so I may or may not post the first room before that. Please enjoy the tavern banter until we dive in.
Just to get a few things about Uhvat out of the way first.
1. Uhvat's ectoplasmic tendril has reach of 10ft, but it can also be used to attack a target adjacent to him.
2. With combat reflexes, he can make 3 AoOs per round. Once in combat, will likely place 3 AoOs every round in spoiler in case something within range provokes. So please try to trip as many things as possible within his range. :)
3. His default marching order will be near the front to maximise the possibility of AoOs when enemies attempt to close in.
4. Spiritual combat allows him to deliver touch spells through his ectoplasmic lash. He usually combines this with chill touch, effectively allowing him to do an additional 1d6 damage for 5 strikes per casting.
5. His ectoplasmic lash can also manipulate objects 10ft away. Haven't found a use for that yet, but maybe in throwing one of the levers?
Yeah but I've seldom, if ever, used the part of spiritual combat to cast a spell with one hand and attach with a one-handed lash with the other. I usually go for two-handed lash to deliver touch spells. Does more damage and I can technically cast chill touch way before I enter combat and not worry about defensive casting.
Vampiric Touch is a nice one to cast in combat after you have taken damage. Preferably when you down one opponent and are moving to another and need healing. Once you get to 7th level, of course.
Just a quick note everyone: I've heard from Grimdog (aka Patros) that he is feeling like he needs to take a step back and has decided to drop from the game. I left his stated action in place (especially since it moves us forward) but will assume that once the corridor opened up, he realized that he had forgotten his lunch back at Fort Inevitable and ran back to get it.
That leaves you with a party of 4 - which is fine with me - the Emerald Spire was actually written with parties of 4 in mind and personally I think it's often too easy for your typical 6 person group - but let me know if you all would prefer to pause the action and see if we can recruit a replacement.
Zenae, when you get a chance please add common stats (e.g. hp, AC, saves, etc.) to your tagline and a copy of your full character sheet linked somewhere that I can see it when/if needed. Thx.
|AC 20, T 15, FF 16|HP: 57/57 (12 nl)|F +9, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs shadow/MA/emotion, +1 vs reptilian EX abilities)|Init +4, Perc +8|CMB +1 CMD 15|Burn 2/7, Buffer 1, Light and Dark 1/1, Voices Say 1/1, Shadow Speaker 4/4
More = merrier, is my inclination!
We could use some kind of proper mage...arcane OR divine, if not one of both!
Yanda, would you object to learning the Infusion Discovery going forward (I always thought it was stupid that Alchemists had to take that just to share their 'potionettes' with others, but oh well....)?
I always thought it a pain in the butt for those trying to figure out who would need what and distributing them. I was planning on splash weapon mastery but I could take the infusion discovery. The other nice one is the ability to split a potion in two, basically providing an extra 'spell' per day.
So, one vote for more players, one stated preference for another player, and no comment so far from Zenae or Uhvat. I'll go ahead and post in the recruitment thread for one more but I'd like to keep us going rather than stopping to wait. I don't want to get bogged down again. If someone responds they can just jump in.
Hey Noral, great to see you and welcome back - this is the same Spire journey that you were briefly on with Tabar way back when. Sure, post your details when you get a chance - we are just starting the level. Hope you are well.
|AC 20, T 15, FF 16|HP: 57/57 (12 nl)|F +9, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs shadow/MA/emotion, +1 vs reptilian EX abilities)|Init +4, Perc +8|CMB +1 CMD 15|Burn 2/7, Buffer 1, Light and Dark 1/1, Voices Say 1/1, Shadow Speaker 4/4
GM, should I just post or will you make an introduction? I am going to bed now (Germany) but I'll post in the morning!
Also, could you please activate me as a player in the campaign tab?
I am still inactivated because I left with Tabar. :-)
Thanks!
Sure, go ahead and introduce your character when you have a chance. The whole group has actually only just come together (only 1 who is continuing from the previous level) and the adventure has just started, so you really haven't missed anything.
And yes, I've reactivated you.
I can't quite remember what adventure I played together with Jang - was it with Vinnie (my Vanara shaman/monk)?
|AC 20, T 15, FF 16|HP: 57/57 (12 nl)|F +9, R +9, W 0 (+2 vs shadow/MA/emotion, +1 vs reptilian EX abilities)|Init +4, Perc +8|CMB +1 CMD 15|Burn 2/7, Buffer 1, Light and Dark 1/1, Voices Say 1/1, Shadow Speaker 4/4
