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Sounds good! I'll post in character in the gameplay thread shortly. The only slight modification I'd suggest is that, as part of playing the enforcer, Adonara will scout ahead and stick to the shadows until she gets spotted or it's time to step forward as part of the muscle when everyone else makes their grand entrance. Basically, leaning more into the role of herald or spook as required.
Also, just as an FYI, I'm set to travel a bit tomorrow, so I may only be able to get some time to post late in the evening, if all hell breaks loose and initiative and heads need to be rolled. :)
So I know I have been... kinda approaching a lot of these situations from a sneaky deception angle, instead of trying to hit everything head on with weapons out. It is just the way that I envision a former actor/opera singer turned rebel approaching the situations we are being dealt.
I also realize that I am (seemingly) making a lot of decisions for our group that impact the game. Please let me know if this gets annoying or if you want to go in guns blazing (as it were) in a given situation.
TL, DR: I don't want this game devolving into the "Pellius and his band of friends" comedy hour, and I worry at times that it might be. Please speak up if you think I am railroading the group into a direction you aren't comfortable with.
I am enjoying things so far. I especially like how you have been willing to roll with how we have handled some of the situations we have come across so far.
Oh, and to all I hope you don't mind me sacrificing one of the gilt (read: valuable) pages for the forgery. It just struck me as the kind of paper that the Mayor would use for such an order.
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So I know I have been... kinda approaching a lot of these situations from a sneaky deception angle, instead of trying to hit everything head on with weapons out. It is just the way that I envision a former actor/opera singer turned rebel approaching the situations we are being dealt.
I also realize that I am (seemingly) making a lot of decisions for our group that impact the game. Please let me know if this gets annoying or if you want to go in guns blazing (as it were) in a given situation.
TL, DR: I don't want this game devolving into the "Pellius and his band of friends" comedy hour, and I worry at times that it might be. Please speak up if you think I am railroading the group into a direction you aren't comfortable with.
Well, Adonara has no complaints, being a sneak herself.
And, likewise, I know I’m a chatty poster, so by all means let me know if I’m taking up too much space or when it’s time for the damn elf to shut up and roll the dice already! ;)
Also I would like to ask - how are you generally feeling about the game. I am trying slowly to introduce things from everyone's backgrounds as I don't like to bring everyone in too quickly.
I’m really enjoying it! Thanks for having us all, and letting us try wacky infiltrations and the like! As for introducing things from our backgrounds, whatever you’re happy with seems likely to work for me. I tried to think of a few hooks from which ideas could be hung, but they were meant as much for getting into character and as things that I could play around with in the background, rather than anything that I had my hopes pinned on playing a larger role.
Mind, if anyone’s intrigued by Adonara’s shenanigans, I have no objections to running with them. And I’d be happy to explore the other PCs' side projects and all, if they’d like.
On a related note, as to the latest rebellion phase, everyone…
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The last one didn’t go as planned, so I’m willing to try again and trust the law of averages. We did gain a rank to our rebellion anyway (so a skill point all around, for that!), but I think we could keep on keeping on. Onward, excelsior! and all that.
So I would suggest spending our actions to try to 1) recruit more supporters, 2) upgrade our current team of ragamuffins/“street performers” to “rumormongers,” 3) recruit a new team of “freedom fighters” – since Kira’s our only full caster and that last can eventually be upgraded for some background spell support, I thought that might be a good priority.
Also, if folks want to rearrange rebellion roles now that we're down two players, we could, or we could just keep going with them as background NPCs, I guess?
Thoughts? It’s OK if I’m the only one who’s at all enthused about the fiddliness of the rebellion management mini-game, but I don’t want to assume or be dictatorial.
(And speaking of fiddliness, I’ll try to crunch some numbers on the latest loot over the weekend. I’m not a very math-y girl, but that sort of silliness satisfies the shamefully lawful side of me that occasionally kicks against the chaotic good ideal. :) )
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Hi, folks. Just some bookkeeping. Here are fresh links to our rebellion tracker, in case you're curious, and, perhaps a bit more exciting, the latest bunch of loot.
Feel free to call dibs, I think: we're all civilized people here.
On a related note, does, um, anyone have strong feelings about headbands or pearls? ;)
Oooh. That's welcome.
... the dice gods seem intent on making sure that Pellius stays as far away from melee as possible. Brings me to 22 HP.
Other things gained this level: 1 Stat point into CHA (bringing my modifier up to +4 on related skill checks, which also adds an extra round of bardic performance).
Two more rounds of bardic performance from level (3 more total rounds this level).
+1 to Dex and Will saves.
+1 skill ranks in: Diplomacy, Disguise, Knowledge (nobility & local), linguistics, perception, perform (comedy, dance, oratory, sing), spellcraft, use magic device.
Access to level 2 spells... I learn 2 and can cast two per day. Will work on figuring out which ones tomorrow I think.
Okay, that's +6 HP. Kira also got:
+1 BAB
+1 Will
Attribute increase went to Charisma, bringing her modifier up to a +5.
Access to 2nd Level spells.
Ability to cast 8 1st level and 4 2nd level spells per day.
New Cantrip: Detect Fiendish Presence. (I've never taken this before, but it seems both useful and thematic for this particular campaign.)
New 2nd Level Spells: Boneshaker, Hypnotic Pattern, and CMW.
+1 rank in Bluff, Diplomacy, K. Nature, Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth, UMD, and Handle Animal/K. Geography for background skills.
Sorry about the delay, was a busy weekend. Will get a thoughtful post soon.
OK, got my spells in order. (There were a lot of good choices.)
I picked Raiment of Command (gives a target +5 on diplomacy & intimidate rolls, and if we pick someone we have met <like Nox> we get +10 competence bonus on the Disguise check and any Bluff check related to impersonating that authority figure) and Suggestion (forces a target to carry out reasonable sounding commands for up to an hour, potentially with subsets of triggers, assuming we fit them into about two sentences).
Posting to all my games: My grandmother died Sunday and I'm not in a great headspace for posting. Plus I have to travel home for the funeral, help with arrangements, that sort of thing.
I'll try to get a few posts in, particularly if my character needs to do something in order for the party to move forward, but probably won't manage much in the way of RP or helping with decision-making for the rest of the week. Please bot as needed. I hope to be back in form by next Monday.
As I said elsewhere Kira, please take the time you need and don't rush on our accounts.
As an unrelated, if we do end up recruiting again in the future, we should share with them this video as a primer for how we have been running things so far for the most part.
;)
Thank you all for your patience. It ended up taking a little longer than I'd thought, but for the most part things seem to have settled down. I should be back to my regular schedule.
Glad to have you back, Kira... and don't apologize. You took (and please do continue to take) as long as you needed, nothing to be sorry for.
On an unrelated note... does anyone else kinda feel like we are dragging Lodoro around with a hood over his head... waiting for combat to unfurl him like some kind of attack animal? Or like Jet Lee's character in the movie Unleashed? (The uploader replaced the original music for the scene, but it works.)
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What does one do with paladins other than keep them in back pockets (if one has them), bodices, or other suitable receptacles, for pointing in the right direction when necessary? ;)
Only teasing! Poor fellow, I hope we haven't scared him off with shenanigans. And skullduggery! Bamboozlement! Flim-flammery!
...Er. Well, maybe we'll work our way up to a point that's less sneaking around in the shadows and more prevaricating around the bush, if we ever get invited to (or have occasion to crash) the castle/cathedral/opera house or something. After all, what's an urban campaign without at least one fancy party? Someplace that's more about sparkling than necessarily outright lying our way into someplace we're not supposed to be, and everyone can have a good time even while being on one's best behaviour.
Really am sorry to see you go, Lodoro. Hope that everything goes well for you (in your games and out of them).
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I'm really sorry that I've been absent (again). I thought I had things sufficiently under control to keep playing but, obviously, was wrong.
Its time to officially bow out of the game. Its been a lot of fun but I just don't have time for it right now.
I HATE it when people just drop a game :-). At least this way you KNOW that I've quit. Should have done it awhile back. Sorry for both quitting and not doing so earlier.
Keep having fun. Great group and great GM. The problem, as they say, is me and not you :-) :-)
I just wanted to join the others in their valedictions. It was a joy to play with you, and I know sometimes one just runs out of bandwidth. Maybe our paths will cross again sometime? Anyway, all the best to you, adventuring and beyond. :)
I think you should bot him in the short term, but I also think that we should seriously consider finding a replacement or two. My two cents on the matter. ;)
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Agreed. Could we ask you to bot him just until we sort out this shrine? Or I guess one of us could pull the strings for the interval, if that's OK with you.
Longer term, recruiting another player, especially someone who might be interested in playing a front-line fighter who's comfortable with a chatty bunch of social butterflies happy to talk their way around anything they can might be an idea. I think the three of us are kind of squishy.
Hence me thinking maybe two... a frontliner and perhaps a spare/ranged support.
Also sorry to see you go Lodoro. It's been fun, and I hope everything goes well for you.
Frontliner, reporting for duty!
I've been invited by the GM to join y'all. I'm an avid PbP player and quite excited to play this game! Let me know if you have any questions about me or the character I'll be fielding. I'm happy to provide some RP samples if you like :)
I've never played any part of this AP, so I'll be learning some of the key details as I go/through reading some of the gameplay.
As far as inserting the character, I envisioned Ryker coming in as some hired muscle for the cause. While initially a little distant (based on his views of how best a professional mercenary should conduct himself), he will quickly warm to y'all.
HP Rolls!
EDIT: GM, let me know when you want Ryker to make his entrance.
Welcome welcome! You will notice by reading our gameplay to date that we do a lot of bluffing to get through things... so your main job will be to help get us out of trouble when our luck finally runs out, ;)
Thanks Pellius! :) He's the insurance the group's "paid" for! :P Y'all just keeping doing what it is you do and he'll be there for those oops moments.
GM, no worries, I've dotted in so I'll be following gameplay from this point forwards. Just give me the ooc cue to drop in when you're ready and Ryker shall appear!
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Nice to meet you! I'm your friendly neighbourhood Spider Mantis Wasp-woman and de facto strategist of our little rebellion!
Nice to meet another professional. And a slayer to boot! Flanking buddies! :)
More seriously, feel free to take your time poking about our gameplay and/or asking about the yahoos you've signed up with, of course, so we don't horrify you too badly. Adonara, for example, is a bit of an experimental build that I'm not at all sure how it will work out - what kind of a weirdo tries to make a warpriest into a bit of a stealth/skill character? *Curtseys.*
There's all the time in the world, naturally, but I'm just curious (as someone in thrall to the vice of excessively-detailed backstories), did you have any special directions you were thinking of taking Ryker's arrival in Kintargo and what he might want to get up to when he's off the clock? We're an odd bunch, but I think we try to help each other's characters have a bit of life outside the strictest demands of the adventure, though the others will have to be the judge about how successful (or not) Adonara's efforts at cheerleading are. :)
Yay flanking buddies! :D I've never tried to get skills and sneaking out of a warpriest, but my favorite "rogue" character is in fact one of my clerics!
I see Ryker becoming emotionally invested in Kintargo. He doesn't know it yet, but this will be the beginning of the end for his mercenary career! So any opportunity he has to start building relationships with the people of Kintargo would be prime. Mapping the sewer system, hidden tunnels around the city, etc. would also be something he'd try to do. In terms of what he'll do when he is off the clock, I think making connections around the seedier parts of town will be his first priority (which satisfies both his "just business" mentality and my long-term goals for the character). Considering he is joining a rebellion, the people of the resistance could easily qualify as "seedy." Maybe even training members of the resistance to do something, whether it be to fight or any of the skills he has ranks in.
What directions are y'all trying to take your characters?
I'm ok with or without a 5th player. If y'all want one, perhaps something arcane would be nice, but otherwise I think we have everything represented (more or less). At higher levels, a wizard/sorcerer can be nice, but gold also solves all problems so...
I think a fifth wouldn't be unwarranted. I think a ranged caster or archer wouldn't be a bad idea.
As for Pellius, the dice gods have said that he should stay toward the back. In combat his jobs are mostly just keep singing and take occasional attacks to try and help (or a few spells, but not many).
Pellius does better out of combat, truthfully.
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On a side note, I will try to utilise aspects of players' backgrounds in the game but I am not much good at the creative side but I will do the best i can.
I wouldn’t say that, or, I would say that your best is very nice! You’re more than keeping up with how quick we are to plot, scheme, and otherwise bafflegab our ways into and out of trouble. :)
As to whether we want a fifth player, I’m fine either way – since we seem to be sorting out gaps in our line-up quite handily as we go along – and so I don’t think I have any particular suggestions class-wise.
I see Ryker becoming emotionally invested in Kintargo. He doesn't know it yet, but this will be the beginning of the end for his mercenary career! So any opportunity he has to start building relationships with the people of Kintargo would be prime. Mapping the sewer system, hidden tunnels around the city, etc. would also be something he'd try to do. In terms of what he'll do when he is off the clock, I think making connections around the seedier parts of town will be his first priority (which satisfies both his "just business" mentality and my long-term goals for the character). Considering he is joining a rebellion, the people of the resistance could easily qualify as "seedy." Maybe even training members of the resistance to do something, whether it be to fight or any of the skills he has ranks in.
What directions are y'all trying to take your characters?
Sounds neat!
Adonara’s mainly trying to be social and tactical support: I don’t think the numbers work out to be a complete maid-of-all-work, but Calistria’s favoured weapon should let her do some fun stuff in combat (increasingly so, once she picks up the relevant feats), and she should be able to contribute to diplomacy or bruising/intimidation, though not so much fast talk as such.
In terms of what that looks like more in character, I’ve tended to gravitate towards thinking in terms of The Three Musketeers and “What would Milady de Winter do?” (Dating myself here, but especially the Disney version, although also, for rogue-ish shenanigans, that appallingly silly thing that came out a few omg, has it really been 10 years? – ago, with Orlando Bloom.)
Oh, and we couldn't do it without you, Pellius, whether for various forms of inspiration, or even a few spells at the right moment. It's amazing what one can do with a well-placed ear-piercing scream. :)
I am a player in another one of Penfold's games. I got an invitation from the GM to be your fifth character. I am working on an Eldritch Archer Hexcrafter Magus. Probably an elf. I am pretty sure he hates House Thrune but I haven't decided why yet. That's most of what I know right now.
it will be a few days before I finish reading the player's guide, creating my character, and catching up on the gameplay thread.
= 6
= 5
= 4
ha, exactly average (rounded up) overall
Would you allow wands for level 1 spells to be purchased at a higher caster level? The cost equation is 750gp × spell level × caster level. PFS does not allow it, but RAW does, and higher level wands are frequently found as loot. Follow up question would be: can they be purchased at a discount if they have fewer charges (e.g. a wand with only 20 charges for 2/5ths of the price)
Would you allow wands for level 1 spells to be purchased at a higher caster level? The cost equation is 750gp × spell level × caster level. PFS does not allow it, but RAW does, and higher level wands are frequently found as loot. Follow up question would be: can they be purchased at a discount if they have fewer charges (e.g. a wand with only 20 charges for 2/5ths of the price)
no rush but I do need to know this before I pick my level 3 arcana.
I am caught up through the first prison break. Y'all are impressive! Although the string of good rolls was *also* impressive, haha. I loved the RP, though.
If anyone wants to look over my stat block it is mostly finished. Still need to pick an arcana*, a hex, some mundane gear, and fill out the Bot Me Spoiler.
*I'm strongly considering Wandwielder, with regular castings of Weaponwand it could be pretty good, but if the Wand economy doesn't support it I'll probably go for something else
Rejiggering to focus a little more on spellcasting. I can't remember the last time I felt so overwhelmed with good choices though; evil eye, misfortune, and slumber all look like great hexes, and I'll want flight at level 6.
For now I'm opting for Prehensile Hair hex to go with the Wand Wielder arcana. Between that and weaponwand, Valekar can have two different wands available to use with spellcombat while still shooting his bow every round. Alias should be updated soon.
How soon will Valekar be joining the party in play?
Posting in all my games. Last few days have had some personal issues that I have had to deal with. Hope to be able to catch up and post sometime tomorrow. I apologize for the inconvenience.
GM, due to Valekar's deep interest in his father (who was a Silver Raven) I gave him Lore (Silver Ravens). However, I was reading in the guide that no one knows much about them. Should I do something like Lore (Kintargan Rebel Groups) instead?
Also, I am just past the halfway mark in reading up on the gameplay thread history. Y'all are very verbose so it takes a while to get through a page :)
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I can't speak for the others, but occupational hazard for me: Classics/English major. And to make matters worse, I disagree with Callimachus' dictum that "A big book is a big evil." :)
Per your comment about backstory in the gameplay thread: would Alseta be a good fit? Lawful, elf-y, with an arcane twist, and a portfolio that includes transitions and years might suit folks with an interest in revolutionary history. Might get on well with Irorans of the Sacred Order's stripe?
@Ryker: Relatedly, not to push you, of course, but since we're kind of putting you on the spot with the whole joining a rebellion thing, maybe he could be merc buddies with one of the guys we broke out from an earlier jail? (Longish story.) Another degree of separation, and possibly allowing for the motivation of sticking it to Thrune as a matter of professional pride so you wouldn't have to pivot from a concept that's less true believer than some of us conspirators at the outset?
Naturally, just some crazy ideas that sprang to mind to further integrate the group, if anyone's interested. (We initially had two singers who knew each other, for example, and Kira's background involves the Sacred Order.) Feel free to tell me to clear off rather than commenting on your characters.