Strength and Fear: An Ustalavic Kingmaker Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master vayelan

If you don't mind my adding Valeska, problem right now is half the party can't get in to help because of the corners in the space (which prevent moving through friendlies to some degree) and causes line of sight/effect blockages.

If the existing three folks in the corridor withdrew to draw the ghouls forward, more of us could assist and/or heal the injured.

Mind, I'm fine with y'all doing as you would do, just noting what I am interpreting Valeska's command to be.

I would withdraw, but the ghouls will get to act before Leta's turn comes around again, meaning she would probably get flanked and trapped. Didn't want to leave her to that.

If you don't mind my adding Valeska, problem right now is half the party can't get in to help because of the corners in the space (which prevent moving through friendlies to some degree) and causes line of sight/effect blockages.

If the existing three folks in the corridor withdrew to draw the ghouls forward, more of us could assist and/or heal the injured.

Mind, I'm fine with y'all doing as you would do, just noting what I am interpreting Valeska's command to be.

All true. I don't mind.

As to order of withdrawal, then you give to tell the others they need to withdraw first... But, you seem hardest hit so leaving you behind sucks too.

Miruna has a decent AC... fight defensively (full defense) as the others back out? These are just ideas. Not telling anyone what to do as a player.

Indeed all fair. Can delay actions if needed as well.

I was planning on withdrawing next round anyway. I was just hoping Miruna and I could finish that one off, but seemingly not. My next action with be a full withdraw.

As a side note, I believe since it's a full-round action I'll have to interrupt my Inspire. Can I get a second opinion on that?

No, that is not the case.

Starting a bardic performance is a standard action, but it can be maintained each round as a free action.

You can always take as many free actions as you like regardless of other actions taken.

I can't act before the ghoul antipaladin goes again, but I'm intending to help put it down with a kinetic blade; we've done 86dmg, surely we're close. Then Bashuk can rearguard while the Leta & Miruna pull back.

No, that is not the case.

PRD wrote:

Starting a bardic performance is a standard action, but it can be maintained each round as a free action.

You can always take as many free actions as you like regardless of other actions taken.

Even better, thanks.

Okay, so the party is withdrawing from the hallway.

Should I post the actions for the remaining ghouls, then?

I think we were waiting for Valeska to act and then it was the Ghouls' turn.

I think we were waiting for Valeska to act and then it was the Ghouls' turn.

Nope, she's good.

I mean, I suppose I'll prepare to attack if an enemy advances.

Here's hoping I don't die! lol

Alright so while Leta is paralyzed this is salvageable--I don't know if Bashuk hit with her kinetic blade, or if an extra 24dmg will kill the commander (though I sure hope so!)

If so, Miruna can drag Leta away--an AoO is much less bad than leaving her there for a coup de grace. So the pair of them move back behind Bashuk, Kain moves up ahead of Bashuk, and we finish off the last ghoul...or they run away. Either way we get some breathing room.

Yeah, that's my plan as well, but if the commander is still up there's a decent chance he'll knock me down before I can get Leta out, and then there will be two people who need rescuing.

Now, I know that Bashuk's kinetic blasts target Touch AC. Does that also apply to kinetic blade?

If her kinetic blade also targets Touch AC, then it hits and takes out the ghoul commander. If it targets regular AC, then it does not hit.

Since it's derived from an energy blast, the kinetic blade is a melee touch attack. Fire/Cold/Lightning etc all those attacks are touch; the physical blasts & blades target normal AC but also deal significantly more damage.

@Kain unfortunately Bashuk can't move this round, she Gathered Power on that kinetic blade. I had to make a call and prioritized killing the ghoul commander, sorry.

You can still 5-foot step, unless you already did that and I missed it.

I think it would block you from being able to move with Leta if I did though (it would be 15ft already to get both of you past my current position, I don't want to make it harder on your than necessary) and I can't 5ft through the hard corner.

To avoid cluttering up the gameplay thread I'll try answering Nadiya's question here:

The ghoul commander is dead, which frees up Miruna to pull Leta to safety (which is why they asked, I believe)
Bashuk and Nadiya have acted; Leta is paralyzed for a currently-unknown duration; everyone else still has their actions for the round.

leta is paralyzed for a currently-unknown duration;

5 Rounds per the DM

Leta is paralyzed for 5 Rounds

Where are we in initiative? Or is combat over?

The last ghoul creeper will withdraw on its next initiative turn. I believe Miruna still gets to act before that, though.

Dibs on the Potion of Inflict, and the Scroll if I can cast from it. My own bow is magic +1, so I'm good there.

Pasting the loot here so it's easier to discuss OOC.

MWK Light Crossbow w/ 12 bolts
Leather Armor
Potion of Inflict Moderate Wounds
Tanglefoot Bag
Scroll of Inflict Serious Wounds
MWK Breastplate
MWK Composite Shortbow (+4 Str) w/ 14 arrows
MWK Greataxe
Belt of Giant Strength +2
283gp

@Leta, I'm fine with you getting the potion. I'd like to make a case for giving Nadiya the scroll because she could use it to learn the spell. The risk is the learning process destroys the scroll and there's a chance she doesn't actually manage to learn it if she fails her Spellcraft check. The benefit, however, is that if she learns the spell, she can not only use it to heal you (as well as harm enemies), she can make potions of inflict serious for you during downtime.

The only other item I'm interested in is the tanglefoot bag. If no one else uses a crossbow, I'll take the bolts (but I have a magic crossbow).

For gold I defer to the longer-standing party members: are you gathering gold collectively as a party pot, or divvying it up evenly?

I'd like to make a case for giving Nadiya the scroll because she could use it to learn the spell.

Sounds good to me.

I agree on the scroll.

For gold I defer to the longer-standing party members: are you gathering gold collectively as a party pot, or divvying it up evenly?

Was never really a loot/gold focused campaign. I think we've seen more loot since you've all joined than before (in total).

Sure. We should still track it in case we need it--especially if we want to outfit additional guards or something.

I'd say let's track the gold collectively then; if we need to buy something for one person, I find it's still tactically for the whole party's benefit, and otherwise it can go into Canterwall's coffers.

The Rulership Tracker spreadsheet has two Treasury tabs: one for loot and one for currency. Although it hasn't been updated in a while, we could record the collective funds there.

Also, there are still items there that can be claimed or sold.

Looks like a spare Ring of Protection on that Loot tab. I wouldn't mind snagging that at some point; my AC is a bit wanting.

Y'all just left a rope of climbing sitting in the treasury? Those things are useful as heck! I also wouldn't mind grabbing the +1 mithral dagger to replace my masterwork one. Buuuut I am a new character with gear to WBL so we need to be sure the original crew is caught up.

Where's Kain? Would he want the belt of strength +2 or does he have one?

Anyway for now I'll mark the scroll of inflict serious on my charsheet.

To help facilitate RP and the game momentum, loot distribution, etc...

I don't even recall a Rope of Climbing... LOL (aside)

Valeska, you will notice or eventually notice, more likely as game time progresses... will NEVER claim anything unless it's so unquestionably meant for her (like that starknife), never ever...

I typically pick last as a player (all my characters) and as a "ruler" she won't have even the semblance of impropriety.

That's the "me" of it.

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Now, I find some players - as I've been on this forum for about 12-13 years are a bit touchy for lack of a better term. So, I've tried to stop suggesting what folks do regarding loot/items.

Tactics, both in and out of character I'll spew... because I want everyone to survive.

Ultimately, I'm more about the RP than the loot.

Where's Kain? Would he want the belt of strength +2 or does he have one?

The closest thing he's got is a Belt... Pouch.

I was not an OG member of the party, and since I was allowed to come in with full character wealth I didn't feel any strong need for any of the loot (My ability to short-term fly obviates the need for the rope, for example). I'm more than content for Leta to have the Ring of Protection though!

Also, would anyone like to volunteer for the duty of updating the loot log?

I've fortunately never had the problem of being in a group where there was contention over the loot. Quite the opposite problem: people forget to track it, then we're behind where we need to be power wise, and then we get screwed over because we don't have the resources we need for encounters appropriate to our APL. Anything that helps one another survive is a good thing to pay attention to (why it was important to me, for example, to grab that scroll, because I knew I could use it to make Leta potions later). I don't care about "equal shares" and whatnot, I want to be sure everyone can survive and also help each other be their best. Plus some magic items can be plain old fun to use in creative ways (rope of climbing being one of them) and add to the joy of the game. I discus any of this at all to encourage fun and PC survival and nothing else.

As for updating loot, I will defer to any first takers as I've already taken this on with another game, but if no one really wants to do it, I will.

In other news, I will be slow over the weekend. Got a lot going on! Please bot Nadiya; she is ready to move on.

I can update loot.

Thanks, Valeska! These last couple weeks I've been doing a ton of billing stuff at my actual job and working through even more spreadsheets has not exactly been what I want to do when I get home, lol.

OK, loot-wise... I'll get started on this today.

What's the name you want used for the location, DM Vayelan?

Clover's Crossing Catacombs?

Yeah, the general location can be described as the Clover's Crossing Catacombs.
If you want to be more specific, this is the Catacombs Chapel.

Yeah, the general location can be described as the Clover's Crossing Catacombs.

If you want to be more specific, this is the Catacombs Chapel.

I'm probably overthinking it... was wondering it would be the location vs. the encounter (in this case "Part 1") and whenever we see them again, Part 2, etc...).

First time ever being the "treasurer" so feel free to look over my shoulder and suggest improvements.

Leta didn't seem to find the shadows daunting, is all. Didn't mean to presume. Valeska knows nothing.

Anyone can find traps with a successful Perception check. You do not need trapfinding to do so (it just gives you a nice bonus to the task).

As an FYI, anyone can also attempt to disarm mechanical traps as long as they have trained Disable Device. Only someone with trapfinding can use Disable Device to disarm magical traps.

Anyone can find traps with a successful Perception check. You do not need trapfinding to do so (it just gives you a nice bonus to the task).

Cool thanks for the reminder. Crappy roll anyway, but oh well.

I can take the belt. Sorry for my time away. Been a rough one lately.

I've added a token for the statue, outlined in yellow. Thank you for reminding me to include that.

Apologies, I have been really sick and then had a lot of work that was all due the moment I came back to work. I thought I'd posted in all my games but I did not.

Work very busy so may be slow for a few days, please bot as needed.

Important message to all my games:

My wife tested positive for Covid yesterday. I'm taking some time off work to look after her and our two-year-old daughter. All three of us are vaccinated, so hopefully we will get through this soon.

In the meantime, my ability to post will be severely compromised. I will try to update when I have time (such as when my wife and daughter are both sleeping), but I can't make any promises.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.