GM Xavier Kahlvet's Strange Aeons 2e

Game Master KingTreyIII

Jevar tries a lie that might heighten tensions :grimacing:

GM For clarity, Jevar took the Skill Mastery feat from the rogue archetype to get the extra bumps.

At 11th level we should have 5 skill increases.

Levels 3 and 5 to expert

Levels 7, 9, 11 to expert or master

Skill mastery adds one to expert, one to master

Total: 3 up to expert, 4 more up to master (but really only 3 can get to master).

Arcana, Crafting, and Thievery to Master
Stealth to Expert

Ahhh. That explains a lot. It wasn’t that I didn’t trust you, it was more that it kinda came out of nowhere from my perspective.

Nah, I didn’t detect any trust issue. But it’s ambiguous enough to be worth a clarification.

GM Xavier Kahlvet wrote:

Technically Jevar has cone of cold, which is the pre-Remaster version of howling blizzard; I’m just kinda assuming that was something the player missed when we did the remaster stuff.

Yup, definitely missed that. If allowed, Jevar would counterspell that with his prepared Cone of Cold.

Well, that depends on if you actually had the intention to USE the remastered version of the spell.

I intend to use them when they exist yes, I definitely missed that one.

From Shohreh’s player:

“…work has been batsh*t this week and I am having to help someone move across the country this weekend…[I’ll need to be botted] until Tuesday.”

I'll make a bot post tonight.

Doh, scratch that. I see you already did.

Hero Points have (technically) reset

From Boodiddly:

"I'll likely need Boodiddly to be botted for the next couple days. Cat's condition has taken a turn for the worse."

I too have been a bit busy today (and will be again tomorrow), sorry. I will definitely be able to post something more substantial on Thursday, maybe even tomorrow.

Jevar Shadowmantle wrote:

Jevar thinks its worth looking behind the three doors that remain from the center of the floor.

Kolgradd Thunderiron wrote:

After the rest he'd definitely advocate for clearing this floor before moving on

2 votes to finish this floor seems reasonable to proceed.

Completely missed what Kolgradd said there; my bad.

There's a little time before this occurs, but it's a longer time away so I didn't want to spring it at the last moment.

I've got a trip from 7/31 to 8/12, and for much of it I won't have internet access.

(not sure if this game will end before then or not, but in case)

If Shohreh were to cast revealing light, it would impact Kolgradd too, wouldn't it?

For the record, I will be out of town from 7/10 to about 7/15. I will have SOME internet, but not enough to justify posting with any kind of consistency.

A round or so ago Jevar suggested we unblock the doorway so that they can choose to come out of the room and face more of us. Thoughts?

Sorry I misunderstood that! I'll have Kolgradd move out next

No worries. If Kolgradd’s appeal to talk it out works, maybe it won’t matter?

There's a little time before this occurs, but it's a longer time away so I didn't want to spring it at the last moment.

I've got a trip from 7/31 to 8/12, and for much of it I won't have internet access.

Reminder

Sorry about that. I thought there was a marker on the map for it specifically (the wide radius) and then it was gone.

That was for Shohreh’s divine immolation when I botted her.

There's a little time before this occurs, but it's a longer time away so I didn't want to spring it at the last moment.

I've got a trip from 7/31 to 8/12, and for much of it I won't have internet access.

(not sure if this game will end before then or not, but in case)

Final reminder. It's a bit of a long one.

Hero Points have reset

Okay, today is going to be really busy for me, so I’m not sure if/when I’ll get to posting today.

Also, Shohreh’s player has been going through some weird medication stuff that’s been messing with their ability to focus, so I might have to bot them for a bit while they get that sorted out.

ALSO also, Kolgradd, could I get you to bot Jevar while he’s away on his trip?

ALSO also, Kolgradd, could I get you to bot Jevar while he’s away on his trip?

Sure!

Jevar, I am giving you an opportunity to rebuild your character with the release of Player Core 2, since that book completely overhauled the alchemist archetype.

Ah, looking at it tonight and tomorrow.

I'd like to keep as much of Jevar's build as is reasonable, as he general achieves the goal of being a mage with a deep toolbelt.

Oreb tends to fall to the background a bit, so I could keep her as a familiar but change arcane thesis to something more beneficial.

There will be a mass spell replacement for sure.

Remaster/Rebuild Updates (still level 11)

Familiar "Master" Abilities
- Familiar Focus -> Cantrip Connection
- Extra Reagents -> Extra Alchemy

Feats:
- 4: Quick Alchemy -> Advanced Alchemy
- 6: Expert Alchemy -> Voluminous Vials

Spells
- Acid Arrow -> Acid Grip
- Black Tentacles -> Slither
- Blink -> Flicker
- Cloudkill -> Toxic Cloud
- Cone of Cold -> Howling Blizzard
- Crushing Despair -> Wave of Despair
- Flaming Sphere -> Floating Flame
- Feather Fall -> Gentle Landing
- Ghost Sound -> Figment
- Invisibility Sphere -> Shared Invisibility
- Mage Armor -> Mystic Armor
- Magic Missile -> Force Barrage
- Meld Into Stone -> One With Stone
- Nondetection -> Veil of Privacy (uncommon)
- Produce Flame -> Ignition (been using the new one anyway)
- Prying Eye -> Scouting Eye
- Ray of Enfeeblement -> Enfeeble
- Shocking Grasp -> Thunderstrike
- Stoneskin -> Mountain Resilience
- Tanglefoot -> Tanglevine
- Unseen Servant -> Phantasmal Minion

Honestly I could/should have swapped most of those when Player Core 1 came out, but better late than never.

Removed
- Chromatic Wall -> [REMOVE pick a replacement]

Tradition change?!?
- Enervation -> Whispers of the Void (hrm, this is divine and occult now...??!)

Spells that are marked as "Legacy" on AoN, but have no replacement. I think they stay?
- Blazing Fissure
- Ice Storm
- Vomit Swarm

A couple of interesting things came up while levelling up.

1) While I had intended to get the Expert Spellcasting benefits for the Wizard Archetype at this level, I'd forgotten I need Master Arcana. Doh. I took Tactical Reflexes instead as two Reactive Strikes sounds very useful

2) My attack bonus is now +25 (+2 Item bonus, +18 Master proficiency, +5 STR), so I suspect my attack bonus should have been +24 for the last level. Maybe I didn't factor in the extra Item bonus when I upgraded to the Long Hammer. I'm not sure where I went wrong, but it seems like it's been wrong for a while. Sorry, and ooops!

Tradition change?!?

- Enervation -> Whispers of the Void (hrm, this is divine and occult now...??!)

That is correct; it’s no longer an arcane spell.

Spells that are marked as "Legacy" on AoN, but have no replacement. I think they stay?

- Blazing Fissure
- Ice Storm
- Vomit Swarm

Yeah, those spells are still good; I’m not adamant about “you can only use Remaster stuff,” since not even Paizo is that adamant. And side note, vomit swarm was reprinted into Player Core 2; AoN just hasn't caught up yet.

I'll simply pick a replacement for Enervation then: Sanguine Mist (Secrets of Magic, may still get remastered but until then...)

Level 12

Skill feat Automatic Knoweldge (Arcana)
Class Feat Alchemical Power
Master Ability Share Senses
Spells 6 Cursed Metamorphosis, Never Mind

Clarification about Alchemist archetype: as far as I can tell, the archetype no longer limits the level of items you can create?

Clarification about Alchemist archetype: as far as I can tell, the archetype no longer limits the level of items you can create?

Yes and no. You are limited by your character level, but you otherwise have free reign.

Side note: There is some discussion about the clause “You can store all your versatile vials within your alchemist’s toolkit, with no increase to its Bulk.” Some argue that because they’re part of your toolkit, they are then subject to the separate clause “This easy access allows you to draw and replace the tools within as part of the action that uses them, rather than needing to Interact to draw them.” The consensus among PFS folks is that that is NOT the case, because it wasn’t explicitly spelled out. Now…I disagree with PFS’s consensus for a number of reasons (most obviously that that reading makes mutagenists “too bad to be true”), so I’m just gonna ignore PFS’s consensus. As long as you are wearing your alchemist’s toolkit (which, as an alchemist, you should always be), you can Interact to draw a versatile vial as part of the same action to Activate it.

Yeah sorry, I mean "no further restricted than just by character level." The old archetype limited me to level 1, then level 5 with expert alchemy (raised at higher levels). I'll upgrade his concoctions to "greater" ones soon.

Ack on the action economy for versatile vials. Interesting on the PFS consensus, that will certainly affect my PFS alchemist.

Also, you only need one formula for all versions of an alchemical item (e.g. there isn't a separate formula for a [b]moderate[/i] elixir of life).

Woo, level 12!

Feats:
Class: Replenishment of War
Skill: Holistic Care

Should probably look for a +2 potency rune to get the best use out of this. And maybe a holy rune to go with it.

Skill: Holistic Care

So, you should already have that feat. It might've gotten lost during the whole Remastering process, but each PC got a bonus archetype feat when y'all regained your memories: Boodiddly from Ritualist, Jevar from Alchemist, Kolgradd from Eldritch Researcher, and Shohreh from Medic.

And I remember very explicitly saying something to you, Shohreh, about you having to take Holistic Care for that bonus feat, since it was the only one you COULD take at the time; I went back through my PMs from March 2023, and that was indeed the case.

Level-up summary:
- Class feat: Enigma’s Knowledge (functions as Automatic Knowledge for any skill, most likely used with Bardic Lore unless another skill would be more effective at that time)
- Skill feat: Root Magic (+2 bonus currently)
- New spell: Pocket Library
- Swapped spell: Slow -> Protection

Shohreh Kassar wrote:

Skill: Holistic Care

So, you should already have that feat. It might've gotten lost during the whole Remastering process, but each PC got a bonus archetype feat when y'all regained your memories: Boodiddly from Ritualist, Jevar from Alchemist, Kolgradd from Eldritch Researcher, and Shohreh from Medic.

And I remember very explicitly saying something to you, Shohreh, about you having to take Holistic Care for that bonus feat, since it was the only one you COULD take at the time; I went back through my PMs from March 2023, and that was indeed the case.

We changed it back in November when Player Core 1 came out, and it was replaced by Doctor's Visitation.

I just grabbed the Greater Armory Bracelet, thinking that it might be useful to have a decent alternative weapon if we come up against something with a weakness to axes or something.

That said it will always be a -2 for Kolgradd to hit with such a weapon (unless we come across something with a weakness to a different type of hammer). If you didn't want to shell out for a rune Shohreh you could use it to get a +2 starknife all day every day I think, Greater Striking for the first minute. I'd happily give it up if you wanted to do that.

To be clear I think Jevar has his fair share (or more) from the inventory sheet. I'm ready to sell the rest.

"rank 7 teleport"

"10 days of downtime"

I take it then that the distance is significantly above 1000 miles (or 10 castings of the base spell)?

"rank 7 teleport"

"10 days of downtime"

I take it then that the distance is significantly above 1000 miles (or 10 castings of the base spell)?

That's not the problem. The problem is the spell requires familiarity with the destination. I mentioned that I ran this wrong a while back during the travel from Cassomir to Katheer. Teleport isn't just blindly going "56 miles south-southeast from our current position." You must have a proper destination in mind and "can identify the location precisely...by its appearance (or other identifying features).

So, y'all would need to find someone who's 1) a level 13+ spellcaster, who's 2) capable of casting teleport, 3) has access to teleport, is 4) familiar enough with the city of Okeno for a teleport there to work, and 5) is willing to cast teleport FOR y'all.

The lynchpin here is that Okeno is primarily built on the slave trade, so it's really unlikely that you'd be able to find someone, even in a city as massive as Katheer (needle in a haystack problem). There are options to, say, teleport to a more well-known city in Katapesh and then go from there, but I'm basically just arbitrarily choosing the 10 days from Katheer to Okeno to save y'all some money and headache.

EDIT: Also, if you chose to go to Okeno 100 miles at a time, you'd eventually end up in the middle of the Inner Sea for a good chunk of the time.

This is downtime, correct? Who wants to burn some incense and ask some questions with commune? XD

That sounds like a good idea.

Done! Not much stuff for me, unfortunately, other than the clarity goggles. Which are pretty nice. Also don't really have any downtime activities to do, lol. I'll try and figure out what to buy for myself.

Alright, after selling stuff, each PC gains 183 pp, 1 gp, 2 sp, and 5 cp (1831.25 gp) Lemme know what you buy in Katheer (if anything) prior to y’all leaving for Okeno.

Inventory Updated

This is downtime, correct? Who wants to burn some incense and ask some questions with commune? XD

You just barely got that from Ritualist Dedication, yes? It will require 150 gp per attempted casting, so I just wanna know how often you would WANT to try to cast commune? If you do choose to go through with casting commune for some of that downtime, I’ll just do everyone’s rolls so we’re not waiting on, say, Jevar to do an Arcana check for 24 hours.

Otherwise, I’m just gonna pause here to see if anyone has anything else they’d like to do during that downtime before I proceed with the story.

For downtime, I think Kolgradd will just buy a book of Dwarven histories and read it on the boat. Maybe some nice pipeweed and a bottle of Janderhoff Whiskey, if he can find any in Katheer.

He will buy a few items while out shopping:

- Greater Endless Grimoire. An extra 3rd level spell will be nice.
- Wand of False Vitality and a Wand of Longstrider. These are both 8 hours so I imagine he'd just cast them as part of his daily preparations and GM you can tell me if we're doing an encounter without them (the Temp HP will probably be gone fairly quick to be fair)
- He'd like to learn some new spells. Is there somewhere he can pay for access and copy them? Alternatively he can buy scrolls and do it that way.
- 2nd level : Enlarge (let's make the most of that extra Reactive Strike with a big reach!). It looks like Jevar has a scroll of this so if he'd lend it I wouldn't need access for this one.
- 3rd level : Wooden Double, Blazing Dive

Learn Enlarge DC 16, Item: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 20 + 2 = 31
Learn Wooden Double DC 20, Item: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 20 + 2 = 32
Learn Blazing Dive DC 20, Item: 1d20 + 20 + 2 ⇒ (18) + 20 + 2 = 40

Oh and I'm happy to contribute with skills and gold to castings of Commune (especially via Occultism) if we can think of some good questions. I can only really think of "Is Lowls in Okeno", and I'm expecting the answer to that to be quite obvious when we get there

Jevar will always lend Kolgradd any scrolls, and if Jevar has them transcribed to his spellbook he would give them freely as well. He's happy to offer teaching from his spellbook as well.

Jevar has collected a lot of things towards the goal of expanding his spellbooks/formula books but he isn't strictly attached to the physical goods otherwise after spells/recipes are permanently captured. He's pretty happy to pass things around.

Purchases:
* Upgrade +1 resilient leather armor to +2 resilient (1060g)
* Ring of Wizardry II (may as well work to complete the set, having a I and III already)

Might add one or two more later today.

Hero Points reset in a week