[PFS 4-02] In Wrath's Shadow - Speed Mode! (Inactive)

Game Master GM Red

Dotting for now.

Can it be done in 10 days?

I intend on running 4-02: In Wrath's Shadow here. I'm looking for three to five more players, with a preference for a smaller group as it will mean we move faster. The intention is to complete this at a fast pace, with a requirement of 2-3 posts/day, more if it makes sense (i.e. if I'm updating and nothing comes up on my end). Why? Well, I'm unemployed for the next ~two weeks with a bunch of time on my hands, and PbP is one of my favorite hobbies.

As a result of the speed, I expect RP will suffer to some extent, but that's okay. Quality over quantity of words when it comes to our posts!

This is a closed campaign for now, but may open up if my invites don't bring enough attention.

I'm hoping to start tomorrow.

Red

Here's Bash. My first and only Bard. Yes she uses saps for drumming... heads and stretched leather.

I believe we've got 4 players now!

When you dot in, can you please leave the usual info here:

Player name or Alias:
Character Name:
PFS #:
Faction:
Day Job:
Day Job Roll:
Anything I should know about your PC (unusual mechanics, feats, spells, class abilities), if applicable:

Hi everyone!

Player name or Alias: Evie T.
Character Name: Rowena "Black Midknight" Sabelia
PFS #: 99807-24
Faction: Silver Crusade
Day Job: Perform (acting)
Day Job Roll: Perform (acting): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15
Anything I should know about your PC (unusual mechanics, feats, spells, class abilities), if applicable: Rowena is a magical child vigilante, so in addition to the usual vigilante weirdness, she has a pet that has its own vigilante identity: a black cat that becomes a celestial cat. Rowena casts summoner spells and can transform into her vigilante identity in half the normal time (five rounds instead of ten), but it's very loud and flashy. She has my chronicle from the first book of Iron Gods, so she has some technology BS, including a grapple gun and her neraplast armor.

A celestial cat, huh? :)

I recruited two other players earlier today and they should be checking in shortly. Then we'll be off!

Player name or Alias: Blaydsong
Character Name: Solum Akinaces
PFS #: 261876-3
Faction: Grand Lodge
Day Job: Perform (dance)
Day Job Roll: Perform (dance): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Anything I should know about your PC (unusual mechanics, feats, spells, class abilities), if applicable: Solumn is a Dervish Dancer Bard, and as such his Bardic Performace is converted to Battle Dance, which only affects himself. Also, is he not your typical Elf, as he has Envoy (spell-like abilities), Fleet-Footed (Run feat), and Perfect to replace most of the usual racial traits. He is more of a secondary front-liner, than your typical bard. He is working towards the Diva Style feats, but for now he is practicing the use of Feinting normally. He does have Dervish Dance, which allows him to use Weapon Finesse with his Scimitar for both attack and damage rolls, and treats it as a one-handed piercing weapon for feats and class abilities. Lastly, his class allows his to use his Perform (Dance) bonus for use with Acrobatics rolls.

Hopefully that's not overboard. :p

Player name or Alias: Massee
Character Name: Bash Steeltoe
PFS #: 202046-10
Faction: The Grand Lodge
Day Job Roll:Take 10: Perform Drums: 20.
Anything I should know about your PC (unusual mechanics, feats, spells, class abilities), if applicable:

Thundercaller Archetype Bard. Some outdoorsy bonuses at the expense of bardic knowledge and this:

Oooh... I love that concept. Looking forward to running this with you all. :)

A celestial cat, huh? :)

I recruited two other players earlier today and they should be checking in shortly. Then we'll be off!

Just wait until she becomes a silvanshee! ;)

Did we lose our 4th?

Nope. I'm here!

Player name or Alias:Ebon Fist
Character Name: Reggie Bottleberry (and Rowdy)
PFS #: 143948 - 4
Faction: Liberty's Edge
Day Job: None
Day Job Roll:
Anything I should know about your PC (unusual mechanics, feats, spells, class abilities), if applicable: Pretty straightforward cavalier. He just got ride-by attack and cavalier's charge so he'll be using that combo pretty regularly. Although, with this group, I'll likely stick as a frontliner/meat sponge. I use Rowdy's ability to trip pretty often and activate tactician with Tandem Trip to give him a better chance at it.

Looks like we're all here. This should be a lot of fun. The scenario itself is one I've always wanted to run, and has a lot of creepy - and some downright disturbing - elements. Hope that's okay with everyone. Consider it a little Halloween in March. :)

Despite wanting to run this quickly, I know that Bash is going to be away until tomorrow afternoonish, so I won't get us too far ahead.

Apologies for the not-quite-speedy posting rate - still waiting on Bash to make his return. I'd hate to advance too far and have him miss out on most of it.

It's no problem. I was worried that I was going to slow things down over the weekend. I'm ready for the post run, today! (Between searching job boards.)

Ya real sorry guys. Was away on the ice fishing all weekend then got home and woke up with a head cold. Working on a post now.

Thanks for your patience!

No worries! Looking forward to this! :)

FYI GM: I still hadn't taken my 3rd lvl feat. I took improved initiative since I couldn't think of anything cooler. +6 bonus now.

I don't think we decided on a marching order, but I'd think Reggie would be up front. Marcie at back? Solum and Black Midknight in between?

Ya I'm cool with middle or back, whatever works for the others.

That's roughly my thought, but Solumn can be anywhere, as he's fairly mobile.

I'm good with being up front. It keeps a clear path for charging and I believe Reggie is the crunchiest of the bunch.

Sorry guys, but I've started work so I can't commit to speed mode any more. However, this is actually the BBEG and we are nearly through. We should wrap up by end of week if Bash keeps the healing up...

No worries. It's been a great run so far. I'm perfectly okay with finishing at whatever pace is needed.

Dammit Red, I totally want my money back!

Reggie: Isn't there a chance to stay upright in your saddle when you get KO'd?

Look it up, it could make a huge difference here.

You're totally right. And, with a military saddle, the chance is 75%.

Too late to retcon it here, but I'll keep that in my back pocket for later.

@Reggie Wouldn't your challenge add 3 damage instead of 1? I thought it added damage equal to your cavalier level

Sorry to sound nitpicky. This BBEG is just rough and I wanna make sure we get every little bit of damage on it we can.

@Reggie Wouldn't your challenge add 3 damage instead of 1? I thought it added damage equal to your cavalier level

Sorry to sound nitpicky. This BBEG is just rough and I wanna make sure we get every little bit of damage on it we can.

Yes. Sorry guys. It's becoming obvious to me that I haven't been tracking this guy's advancement properly. I blame the fact that I jumped a level by playing a module.

No worries! I was just playing my GM baby sister-in-arms cavalier for the first time last night f2f so it was on my mind.

Hopefully everything is ok, Red.

Yes sorry, everything's fine - I've been at work and then out afterwards, so I haven't been able to update. Will get one in tomorrow. Apologies for the delay!

No worries. Just wanted to make sure nothing went awry.

I think you can use your own danger ward reroll. You are your own ally, after all, according to the FAQs

(Unless you already did and I missed it)

Hmmm...looks like you're right. I was thrown by the fact that it says "allies" instead of "you and your allies."

I haven't used it yet, but I suspect this fight may be over.

GM Red, let me know if this is abusing the system too much or if it is reasonable due to the nature of PbP...

If I didn't know the BBEG was close to dying and it was pointed out that I could use my own danger ward reroll, I would.

Since I know the BBEG was close to dying, I didn't bother since I'm hoping Black Midknight's hit will take it out.

But, I don't want Bash to waste her last spell, soooo...

If the BBEG isn't taken out, can I use my Danger Ward Reroll first and save Bash's spell. And if it doesn't work, use her reroll?

If the BBEG is taken out, Reggie can just be paralyzed for a while.

It's all good. I mean, technically I could have resolved Black Midknight's attack before you rolled that save, which would have ended combat anyway. Good job guys!

Ok I'll renew my 1st level slot then. Good work for sure. Things aren't near as easy with a 4 player group vs 6. Especially if one is a lowly bard!

Make that two lowly bards. ;)

Don’t shortsell bards! I played one in Mummy’s Mask from beginning to end (in a four person group with no full progression arcane caster, and no one died) and have two more in PFS, and I wouldnt trade ‘em for anything

I never play bards, the performance visual just catches me wrong I guess. I don't like how verbal bards are in a better situation with both hands free.

All in all though they are quite good at what they do, not that I'm built for efficiency. I figured I could play a bard that was loud, crass and had some fire power.

I actually have never played a bard before!

I'll update again tonight with the results of what's in this room, but there are still two other barricaded rooms. Your main objectives are complete, however (find Riemme, find what happened to the dig crew, and you also found information valuable to the Society)

The performance aspect doesn’t bother me, but I also just really love the mechanical excuse to ham it up with my characters. That said, I’m always happy to see unique characters, and I’ve never seen a crass dwarf bard.

My most “normal” bard is my arcane duelist that’s just Cobra Commander yelling at people with oratory. The Mummy’s Mask one was an archaeologist (an amazing archetype!) so no performance, and the other is mostly sister-in-arms cavalier (who sings “I’ll Make a Woman Out of You” to the tune of the mulan song for inspire).

The performance aspect doesn’t bother me, but I also just really love the mechanical excuse to ham it up with my characters. That said, I’m always happy to see unique characters, and I’ve never seen a crass dwarf bard.

My most “normal” bard is my arcane duelist that’s just Cobra Commander yelling at people with oratory. The Mummy’s Mask one was an archaeologist (an amazing archetype!) so no performance, and the other is mostly sister-in-arms cavalier (who sings “I’ll Make a Woman Out of You” to the tune of the mulan song for inspire).

Please tell me your "normal" bard hits the ssssibilantsss hard.

I've never played a bard, either. But then, I tend to stay away from the spellcasters. Resource management is not my thing. I'd rather be able to hit someone with a little stick a bunch of times and only have one big stick to use so figuring out when is the right time to use spells is hard for me.

Also, I find Bash highly entertaining.

I think I missed my chance for Reggie to say "Oh, I know this one...darkness imprisoning me, I cannot see, absolute horror, I cannot live, I cannot die, trapped in myself..." because that's how I've imagined what she's been playing this whole time.

Which makes me think I should revisit the shadow of an idea I had for "Trent Razor."

Ahh good old 'Johnny's got his Gun'. Fond of that song.

Glad you are enjoying Bash. Serious characters and me don't get along well.

I was really hoping that maybe the artifact was the cause of the haunt and taking it would dissipate it. Sorry D:

Oops. I don't think I made that clear enough. Sorry. What I meant by the cursing stopped was that the haunt had faded. So yes, it's gone, and Bash can climb back up safely now!

This is why I don't like Haunts. They feel like a trap (literally) where the answer is a riddle without being given a whole lot of clues.

I would have guessed that the corpses wanted to be cut down and given a proper burial, in this case. Or to be avenged.

Maybe in longer format play, or if the point of the adventure was to figure out how to get rid of a haunt I would like it better but it always feels like in PFS the proper way to deal with a haunt is to avoid it instead of solve it.