GM Sphen Rise of the Runelords: (Clever Subtitle)

Game Master Sphen86

I'm looking forward to the first time you heal Sherman with your fire. He's going to take that SO well.

Wounds healed but scarred for life :D "I'll do my own healing thank-you-very-much..."

Plenty of healing, then. I could change my spirit guide spirit to something else.

Also, I gathered the loot discussed before going to the clocktower to a google sheet (the old one in the campaign description doesn't work).

The deed for the Foxglove manor could have some value, but wasn't listed. And there was a painting worth of "several hundred gp", but without any numeric value I didn't count it.

Assuming all the stuff not in active use was not carried by our fallen comrades, and stashed somewhere where we could access it, the potential gold value for all the stuff is 48654.9gp. But what ever will be the sale value of evil cultist masks..?

Evil items that we turn in for destruction at a temple might get us some compensation either in the form of money or future (healing) services. As a player, selling them anywhere else for any other reason feels wrong.

As a character, Tarphrex has never been good about money, so...

I do believe the painting was claimed by Loth. It would make sense that he stashed it with his family. Likewise, Zenaida may have left things in her family home - I suspect either family might have the connection necessary to find good buyers for the more traditional items.

I have no idea what to think about the deed for Misgivings.

Just want to say real quick that I'm really loving the new party makeup. I think this'll be a fun time :D

As for the deed, I do feel that after our jaunt there, the evil/hauntings inside the house are now just gone. That just makes it an abandoned house with a dubious history, but in a pretty nice neighborhood if I'm not mistaken. Maybe sell it to a contractor as a fixer-upper, if we wanna get some gold from it? With full disclosure, of course.

I suggest turning the masks in to either the temple of Iomedae or the temple of Shelyn. The Shelynites will want to know about Alain’s death and Chaplain Tira will want to know about Zenaida. Of the two, the Iomedaeans are more likely to have spells, potions, and/or equipment oriented toward battle.

@Sherman: I updated the link to the new loot sheet. Thank you Sherman for that service.

@Tarphrex: The City of Sandpoint (ie the office of the mayor) would be a good place to start with that. The manor is in a good area, other notable families have manors in the area. But just having the deed isn't going to give you legal ownership. That would be wild.

RE: Evil items: Elisani's suggestions are sound. A temple of Abadar would give you straight cash as a bounty. Especially for cultist items.

I just want to ask, how much RP do Sherman and Tarphrex want to do before we start introducing the new characters? I'm willing to role play each and every scene if you'd like. Or I can narrate out the happenings.
Or a mix of both.

To those new players, do not rush your characters. Even if you're introduced, your character doesn't need to be finished on paper.

Well, with the knowledge that the snake lady's spear might be a good fit for Estella, please don't mind if I swap out my Heirloom Weapon trait, haha.

Thing is, I'm not sure about any good traits that fit my build. For flavor-purposes I was looking at Regional Influence, but Ain already knows Infernal so its usefulness is a little limited. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

My whole sheet is undergoing maintenance so while ill have plenty of languages, the regional thassilonian may be helpful if possible

Well, with the knowledge that the snake lady's spear might be a good fit for Estella, please don't mind if I swap out my Heirloom Weapon trait, haha.

Thing is, I'm not sure about any good traits that fit my build. For flavor-purposes I was looking at Regional Influence, but Ain already knows Infernal so its usefulness is a little limited. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

When in doubt about which trait to pick, Reactionary is always a good bet. There is no such thing as too much initiative.

Reactionary and Indomitable Faith are my two go-to traits.

Ooh yeah, Indomitable Faith is a good one. You know the saying: failing a Reflex save will hurt you, failing a Fortitude save will kill you (Exhibit A: Zenaida), failing a Will save will kill the whole party.

@GM: Resonating ioun stone, yay or nay? I'm really trying not to lose another character to a failed save, lol. Also, can her cloak of resistance come in the form of her signature duster coat? I figure it would still take up the shoulder slot since both a coat and a cloak are outer garments.

Looks like I'm stuck with Multitalented, sigh. So Elisani's two favored classes are Inspired Blade Swashbuckler and Empiricist Investigator.

Finally i have the full backstory done. enjoy. mechanically im still working but thats getting done sooner or later. The Fluff was more important

I just want to ask, how much RP do Sherman and Tarphrex want to do before we start introducing the new characters? I'm willing to role play each and every scene if you'd like. Or I can narrate out the happenings.

Or a mix of both.

I don’t want to delay progress on the game just so my favorite dragon gets screen time. If it has value to the story and especially if it allows us to meet new friends, I’m down for it. If it’s just story while people wait to play, I am fine hand-waving it. But Tarphrex absolutely will stand on trembling knees and stammer through telling Zenaida’s parents. He definitely owes her that. He will insist on doing the same for Loth’s family, but the terror is not as great. Other than that, meeting with the people at the temples that we have met would come next.

If we do role play any of those four scenes. That’s the order of importance for my tastes. But I am not going to be heartbroken to have it handled via DM prose.

@GM: Resonating ioun stone, yay or nay? I'm really trying not to lose another character to a failed save, lol. Also, can her cloak of resistance come in the form of her signature duster coat? I figure it would still take up the shoulder slot since both a coat and a cloak are outer garments.

I'm fine with resonate powers, as long as you can explain why she has a Wayfinder to begin with.

As for the cloak, I am fully willing to reflavor magic items in almost any way, becuase it won't affect the mechanics of it (like what slot it takes up). And dusters are cool.

I'm fine with resonate powers, as long as you can explain why she has a Wayfinder to begin with.

According to the books, wayfinders aren't exclusive to Pathfinders. Either her mom ordered one special from Absalom or whatever, or Elisani found one on the gray market in Magnimar. Heck, maybe she found one on a Very Bad Person who got a rapier through the heart because they were doing evil things in a part of the city that the guard doesn't care about.

And dusters are cool.

Ah, a fellow person of taste and refinement!

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll nab Indomitable Faith.

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll nab Indomitable Faith.

And if you ever plan to take the bodyguard route, Adopted->Helpful is a crazy good option. Might need to massage your backstory somewhat (or quite a lot).

But other than that, bonuses to will save or initiative are always good options as pointed out by the others.

I just realized the irony of Estella leaving to find adventure when such a big adventure will be unfolding in Korvosa in the next 2 years. Maybe she will return just in time to help.

Also, looking at one of the benefits to a play-by-post. I don't have to pronounce 3 different E names and constantly get them confused.

Let's set a hard date of March 25th to get the characters done. Next week, I'll start working with you on how to introduce your characters. I have a fun idea for Estella and Elisani.

Two years from now this exchange will take place on Golarion twitter.

Looking forward to seeing our new characters come to life :)

While you are all perusing options for characters, please let me know if you find anything intriguing for a certain three-foot-tall dragon. Not that I'm leveling up soon, but I'm kind of at the end of my very preliminary plan of how he would develop over time.

EDIT: Ok, asking the question got me to thinking and I did some experimenting. I have been thinking all-sorcerer for Tarphrex because the potential combinations of level-dipping exhaust me to consider, but now I'm wondering about a level-dip (oracle) and then Dragon Disciple might be apropos. It could not come online for a few levels, so there's time to see if it has potential, but it was a fun experiment to consider.

EDIT 2: I totally see him 'getting religion' in his sorrow over losing Zenaida and having her spirit haunt him a little bit... he might have to learn about Apsu and Falayna.

Re: getting religion, that’s why I suggested that Elisani tell Tarphrex about Apsu. She sees a lot of terrible things in her line of work, and her faith in Zohls helps her cope. Tarphrex thinks he’s going to be a dragon and he clearly respected Zenaida with her lawful good ideals, so… Apsu. It’s her bookish, socially awkward way of trying to comfort him.

While you are all perusing options for characters, please let me know if you find anything intriguing for a certain three-foot-tall dragon. Not that I'm leveling up soon, but I'm kind of at the end of my very preliminary plan of how he would develop over time.

EDIT: Ok, asking the question got me to thinking and I did some experimenting. I have been thinking all-sorcerer for Tarphrex because the potential combinations of level-dipping exhaust me to consider, but now I'm wondering about a level-dip (oracle) and then Dragon Disciple might be apropos. It could not come online for a few levels, so there's time to see if it has potential, but it was a fun experiment to consider.

EDIT 2: I totally see him 'getting religion' in his sorrow over losing Zenaida and having her spirit haunt him a little bit... he might have to learn about Apsu and Falayna.

What would the oracle dip be for?

Dragon disciple is always cool and thematic, but I think it's mainly good for melee/caster hybrid.

Mystic Theurge? idk oracle usually does the dipping ....unless he wants one of those charisma to ac things

@Tarphrex: Have a look at this sorcerer guide for inspiration on what to do next. I particularly like their suggestion for Trap Rune shenanigans. Oh, and Craft Wondrous Item is always a good idea, hint hint...

There is a feat that plays well with dragon disciple but requires spontaneous divine casting. Thus the oracle dip.

But the best way to develop a sorcerer is to stay the course as a sorcerer. I’m just daydreaming about character changes because everyone is building characters.

i tried man, that feat is really hard to make work properly. like i have 5 different Kobolds of my own

After consideration, I realize that it's not meant for sorcerers so much as oracles. A base oracle could go directly into dragon disciple with that feat and be as viable as a sorcerer in that scenario.

I guess you mean this one? Yeah, looks like it's meant to enable oracle-based dragon disciples (which could be a cool build).

But yeah, the sad part of surviving an almost-TPK is that you only get to watch from the side while others are building cool new characters...

Travelling again until Sunday. Might not have the time to log in this time.

Have a good time wherever you're going, Sherman!

@GM: Elisani's sheet is done in my profile. I'd appreciate it if you could look it over and see if I did anything wrong or forgot something. Also, I modified her Personality blurb to account for dropping the Orator feat.

Mostly done, picking traits and filling out the statistics bar. doing some minor reviews, otherwise Ain is basically done

the idea is 1 level crossblooded to help blast damage

oracle after that until i go into the Stargazer prestige class

Have a good time wherever you're going, Sherman!

@GM: Elisani's sheet is done in my profile. I'd appreciate it if you could look it over and see if I did anything wrong or forgot something. Also, I modified her Personality blurb to account for dropping the Orator feat.

I haven't had time to look over the whole sheet, but so far it looks good.

However, your HP is wrong. I have you at 47 with taking full at level 1 and then average. I'm guessing you rounded down to 4 instead of up to 5 on your d8 for Investigator levels.

I'll try to look more into it as I have time. I do need to know hwere you put your favored class points.

If anyone else wants a character review, please let me know.

____

As far as introducing the new characters: If you don't say otherwise, I'll start posting those bits in the gameplay thread. If you'd prefer some mystery to your background, say so by tomorrow and I'll put them in spoilers.

I knew i forgot something, hp. I'll just do average

Also if it helps as a follower of Pulura being in a Desnan church is fairly normal per lore. Apparently Desna calls on Pulura for counsel.

If you could check my sheet, that'd be great. It should be up to date except it still uses the heirloom weapon trait.

If you could check my sheet, that'd be great. It should be up to date except it still uses the heirloom weapon trait.

As soon as I can. I will ask now, where did you put your favored class bonuses?

Every single bit has gone into HP!

Favored Class Bonuses:
Swashbuckler 1: +1 skill point (Stealth)
Investigator 1-4 (half-elf): +1/4 x 4 = +1 bonus on all inspiration rolls
Investigator 5 (human): +1 formula in formula book, must be at least 1 level lower than the highest you can prepare

Mine is in hp as well

Poor Tarphrex. T_T

I’m trying to portray just how pitiful he is at this point in his life.

This is honestly the worst part about PCs dying off.

@GM: Did we lose Quinn/Enano?

Well...uh... if the statue is still present it could be de petrified. What evil creature wouldn't keep a trophy

@GM: Did we lose Quinn/Enano?

I'll check up on them. But I'm obviously not waiting on them.

I'm still here been a rough week. Sorry for any delay I've caused.

Was gonna get a post up last night at work but didn't get a chance. Will get something up today

No worries, no delays have been had, just concern for our fellow player :) Hang in there!

Precisely. The GM is creatively slow-rolling the new characters into the story, so I imagine they will do the same for you when you are ready. We were just concerned about radio silence.

Be well.

I am so loving the story of introducing these characters, y’all.

If you could check my sheet, that'd be great. It should be up to date except it still uses the heirloom weapon trait.

Looked over your sheet. Only thing I saw was that you didn't hae your rage songs listed and your HP should be at 50 (presuming you took the average).

Been in contact with RePete about getting his character introduced. He's been swamped IRL, and we've agreed to intro his character when he is ready.