Players from the recruitment thread can post here!
Hopefully it won't take us very long to muster. It's awkward because I need to get the mission briefings out before we really get started and for that I need to know who everyone is for sure.
Dotted in. I’ll have the stat block and tagline up by mid-day tomorrow.
Checking in - stat block in progress (thanks for the clarification GM - sounds like we’re treating her weapon focus in kukri as opposed to the written scimitar and keeping the same damage dice (d3) for the kukri in her stat block). Should be up later tonight.
Is it odd that 322 has no mundane gear at all, other than her daggers? Not even a backpack?
Is it all right to use her gold to buy her some gear - maybe a Pathfinder’s Kit, just for the irony - while we’re getting started?
I just made an alias - easier to have everything in one place, and also easier to not have to change names mentally because the posting name is different from the character’s.
Same here - new (non-PFS) alias.
If you did change the alias of the character you are applying the credit to, I suppose you could just change them back later. That would mean that this thread would look weird to anyone who came by to see the archived game, but I don't know that it's a huge problem.
322 - yes, you can spend the pregenerated character's cash on hand.
Character-specific mission briefings should be out to everyone that's in the discussion thread so far.
i'll be using this profile...just have to change the info around....doing that next...
Waiting a bit longer to see if we hear from Knight of Rust / Zurnzal.
Thursdays are when my face-to-face games mostly happen, so I may be somewhat inattentive on Thursdays. I'll try to keep up where I can though.
Let me know if you have trouble accessing or editing the map. If you can find the time, now would be a good moment to make a mini graphic for yourself. You could place them on the right-side map to note which areas your character is investigating if you want, though that may not be necessary.
Grimdog, if you could put your character's name on the first part of your subline (where male human slayer 7 is now) that would help me out since the character name doesn't say Marnarius.
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I'm very, very sorry for the delay. I'm here for the long haul.
No problem. I'll send Zurnzal's briefing to you soon.
Is the Antarnicus Wing in one of the other buildings? Or is it just not a place we can go yet?
That's inside Skyreach. Broadly speaking, your personal objectives should include one that you'll want to try to achieve before you go into Skyreach (now) and one that you'll want to try to achieve after you enter Skyreach (after the speech begins).
Got it, thanks.
I just got word from grimdog that they're choosing to drop from this campaign. They assured me that it was the scenario and not the players involved. So I'm going to re-open recruitment for a little bit to see if we can get another Marnarius.
Let's keep moving forward with the scenario while the recruitment goes. A potential complication, though, is that Zurnzal & Joliryn are listed as the less integral characters in the scenario. I don't think that means anyone has to switch if we fail to get a new Marnarius, but the scenario probably does assume that Marnarius is present.
My apologies, all - family obligations on Monday and an unexpectedly long travel day for work today. I’ll try to post later tonight, otherwise first thing tomorrow morning.
We have a new player & the current investigation section is bogging down in a way that probably wouldn't happen at a live table, so I'm going to do a little review to help bring people up to speed and/or clarify my view on how things are going.
Phase 1 concerns:
I think all we have left is the investigation/plot action for Rataji and 322. 322 has an obvious course of action open for themselves to attempt at the statue. I don't think Rataji has the skills to pull off a menagerie plot on his own, nor do I think Marnarius has shared what his goal there is (although I could be wrong about that). Gathering information might be his best bet.
Phase 2 concerns:
Overall - the big problem the group has is that they failed a number of gather information checks in phase 1. This has left them a bit short on both actions and information. You haven't failed yet, but probably need to plan carefully. It's probably fair if the party meets up at Southgrove again before they start phase 2.
Rataji - has expressed that he doesn't have any personal goals to pursue at the moment and is here to help. Anyone whose goals are at risk might want to get some help from him.
322 - if they succeed at their plot in the first phase, they'll probably be available to help others.
Shohiraj - is facing down some difficult checks trying to get keys from Janira and could probably use some help.
Marnarius - He's located his plot area. I'll let our new player catch up and decide whether they need to ask for help at all.
Joliryn - has an appointment to keep that they haven't gone to yet.
Zurnzal - he's probably in the most trouble since he attempted to gather information on his objective in phase 1 and failed. I don't think he's told anyone about his objective yet either. He needs to both find a valid target and to enact his plot in one phase.
Ever should have their character sheet now. Let me know if that isn't correct.
I have the character sheet and finished creating my alias. Should I have more information about the plot I'm working on? I read the character spoilers in the gameplay thread, but they didn't really contain much information.
Yes. I forgot about that part. I'll send a private message for it.
Marnarius - I was focused on responding in character and didn’t even see your OOC note at the end of your post. Sorry about that! First time playing chaotic neutral and I may have gotten carried away.
I don’t know what Joliryn’s mission is, so I don’t know whose mission is most important. I’m also uncertain whether to animate the Durvin Gest statue to help now during the second phase to get the benefit of that distraction on whatever other tasks people have, or hold it for the main event. I’m inclined to hold it, but that may depend on your success releasing the animals.
Anybody else want to chime in? 322 isn’t committed (although perhaps she should be), but absent a good reason I think she’d be more likely to assist one of the people who helped her with the statue.
Although, I do have an idea...
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Oh my goodness 322, I loved that post! And I’m sorry for my divisive actions (not that Joliryn is). #TearingThisFamilyApart
And if you can make a distraction to help Shohirajj with the keys, that might be the most help. Not that I don’t want to have you along for the Wall of Names!
EDIT: Hmm, Zurnzal needs someone to impersonate? Does it have to be him doing the impersonating? Because we do know where a certain halfling bard is, and we do have another halfling woman in the party...
RE-EDIT: Hah! Great minds run in small circles!
No problems here, especially given that I didn't see your addition until right after I typed up my own in-character response and posted it. I do think, for the sake of the mission, it might be best for 322 and Marnarius to leave it there. (Although I am loving the roleplay, it's great!)
Just to make sure I'm clear about the missions on the table:
Zurnzal: Find someone to take the blame for whatever we do here. Is this a Disguise check, Gather Information, or something else?
Shohirajj: Steal Janira's keys. Stealth or Sleight of Hand, some kind of bonus for a distraction.
Joliryn: Unknown (at least by me), requires going to the Wall of Names.
Marnarius: Release the hounds (or whatever's at the zoo)! Any idea what kind of check or action this will take?
Rataji: None? Complete? Not sure about this one.
322: Complete, for now.
Everyone: Gather Information - only Rataji has succeeded at this, right?
Corrections, comments?
Zurnzal: target selection is the first part. Either you can choose a specific person or you can make check (Knowledge (Local) or Sense Motive in this case) to determine a random Pathfinder to abduct.
Once a target is located, you'll need to persuade them to go to a secluded location in order to abduct them, which requires a Bluff, Diplomacy or Intimidate check.
Then someone needs to disguise themselves as that Pathfinder (Disguise check) and fool everyone at a location inside Skyreach, convincing them that the abducted Pathfinder was involved in the attack.
Shohiraj: basically steal the keys. The short version of this is that it requires a Sleight of Hand check, beating both a static DC and Janira's Perception check. Janira seems to have the keys in the inside pocket of her jacket, however, which raises the static DC of the Sleight of Hand check substantially. Causing a distraction or especially getting her to remove the jacket would reduce the difficulty of the Sleight of Hand check.
Marnarius: in order to release the animals, someone can pick the locks on the cages (Disable Device) or locate a zoo keeper with a key ring (Perception) and steal the keys (Sleight of Hand).
If an animal that is being set free notices the action and makes a commotion, a zoo keeper will come over and just lock it up again. Getting it to stay calm for the time being requires a relatively easy Handle Animal check. (Note: Handle Animal is listed as Trained only in the Core book, but that is only for the purpose of training animals. Anyone can handle them without being trained)
Tampering with a lock (unlocking it or disabling it) will also require a Stealth check to avoid notice by the zoo keepers and passers by.
Joliryn: hasn't been telling anyone about her mission
Rataji: has said he doesn't have a mission to complete right now
322: their current objectives are complete
Gathering Information:
And 322 can essentially activate the statue as a free action? So she could use it to create a distraction for Shohirajj while helping someone else or gathering information?
When 322 installed the device, the words "The Stars command you, Durvin Gest" appeared on its surface, which is the command word to activate it. Doing so is a standard action. 322 can activate it while within a mile of the statue.
Doing so would count as participating in a plot to steal Janira's keys, though. Causing a panic at the site might be the sort of distraction that would put Janira more on her guard rather than less, as well.
In case there is confusion on the point, Janira's key isn't to get into the building of Skyreach. It's to use inside.
Got it. Sounds like it’s something best held for the main event.
322’s potentially relevant skills:
- Disguise +11
- Intimidate +14
- Know (religion) +11
- Stealth +14 (with Cloak of Darkness active)
It’s easy to see how she could help Zurnzal or Shohirajj even without going to her spells. I’m not sure what Joliryn needs so I don’t know if 322 can be useful, but presumably successes at any of these tasks helps the primary mission.
We have 4 tasks left, plus we could potentially more gather information. Our options are:
1. Maximize the number of possible successes by attempting all 4 remaining tasks. Only two of the primary actors can get any assistance from another PC.
2. Maximize our chances of getting 3 successes by only attempting 3 tasks. Everybody gets a buddy to aid.
3. Fewer people get help or attempt their primary tasks, and we divert those actions for this phase to gathering information, which will probably have its own benefits.
4. Everyone - or almost everyone - descends on Janira, and we focus all our attention on her. Shohirajj gets the keys, Zurnzal plants suspicion about what that braggart Janira is up to (or whatever), and Joliryn is disguised as Janira and does something shady. Rataji and 322 help. We may only get 2 successes out of it, but we should have a really good chance of getting those 2 (and maybe we can still get 3 if Joliryn can accomplish something in disguise or if Marnarius can manage his task solo). Also, it would be epic, which has to count for something.
Joliryn's just collecting information at this point - I'm sure she doesn't need help until after that point. Perhaps others want to wait to hear what she learns in case it gives them other avenues of action?
I've been waiting to run Joliryn's scene until after others start making their own moves, but if you guys want I do so now. I'm not certain that anyone would wait around to hear from her after she jetted off on her own, but that isn't my call.
Got it. And just to be clear, if Joliryn goes to gather info, she can’t then be disguised as Janira, correct?
Marnarius probably can deal with the animals solo; he has decent scores for both Disable Device and Stealth. The handling them part is more problematic, but some of the animals are intelligent so Marnarius is hoping to convince them to cooperate.
He isn't going to wait for Joliryn before taking his actions. Right now all he's waiting for is an agreement about when to release the animals.
The disguise check actually happens when you're in Skyreach. I think that would fall outside of this early investigation/plot section. She also isn't one of the better Disguisers in the party.
And at this point Zurnzal only has enough actions to figure out someone who could be a traitor, but not invite them anywhere to take their identity, right? Not sure on if I blew it with needing two actions.
Zurnzal hasn't blown it at all, but he does need some help at this point. His helper needs to either locate the target for him or do the abduction after Zurnzal finds a target.
The exception to what I just said is if you guys decide to abduct a prominent Pathfinder. That takes out the step of having to locate one.
This isn't really different in the plan Marnarius laid out in the gameplay thread, since he's talking about having Rataji persuade Janira to leave her storytelling, which would take a second Pathfinder's action anyway.
Since it’ll take actions to both get her information and get disguised (which I believe other folks could help with, potentially with enough time for a Take 10), Joliryn has to meet her contact this phase if she wants to do anything next phase. Sorry, folks - I didn’t understand the mechanics (thought the perception was a “free” action) well enough and had thought to do the Wall of Names last phase.
It looks like there is a pretty broadly agreed-to plan taking shape. I'll plan to start moving things along tonight. Unless the party's plans change, we'll begin with the Wall of Names and the Menagerie. Characters that at least travel to those locations will be able to see some of what is going on. Remember not to make checks or cast spells to try to help out a plot if you aren't wanting to use your action there this phase, though.
Joliryn: there is only enough time before the speech for two phases, so this phase is the last one. Disguising yourself as Janira (assuming that abducting Janira is what the party does) is something that doesn't have to happen in these investigation/plot phases though. So you are fine on that count.
Shohirajj - you’re still planning to use your one action this phase to take the key from Janira, right?
...there is only enough time before the speech for two phases, so this phase is the last one.
Since this phase is the last, we're hoping to combine the "steal the keys" and "abduct someone to frame" plots into one. You shouldn't need to help Zurnzal find a target if we're able to grab Janira.
I guess I misunderstood. I thought the plan was for Zurnzal's target to be Janira, same as yours, and we were all just going to meet at the statue, Rataji would talk her into a dark alley, Zurnzal would knock her on the head, and you grab her keys. I don’t think there is a third phase for the prep work.
Edit: ninja’d!
Anyway, the rest of us will assist as needed.