GM Xavier Kahlvet's Passing the Torch—High Tier (Inactive)

Game Master KingTreyIII

All of this has been pre-written so that I can just copy-paste it from my GM profile and not have to write all of this out because I'm lazy. If some of the information below doesn't apply (wrong edition, wrong system, etc.) then that is why; just ignore it and move on.

First off, *Inhales!* For some of the NPCs there is sometimes no image given so I have to improvise using Google and my own lackluster editing skills. If there is a discrepancy between the image and what I write as a description then that is why. All credit to the original artists, etc. etc. etc.

Okay, important stuff:

Player Name:
Character Name:
Character Number:
Faction:
Day Job:
Slow Track?:
Notable Shenanigans:
Email (see below):
Continuity Check (see following post):

(Because this is technically for the Online Support Program I need people's emails in order to properly fill that out. Some are not comfortable with having their emails out in the open on the forums, so by all means feel free to PM me your email if that would make you feel more comfortable).

Once again, I expect posts as frequently as possible, but bare minimum of once per day (with some leeway for weekends).

I frequently use spoilers to keep things organized and not too crowded, so for future reference, any spoilers in any of my posts contain public information that can be viewed by everyone with three significant exceptions: Any spoiler labeled with a specific check along with the DC (i.e. "Perception 30"), any spoiler specifically directed toward a particular player, or any spoiler labeled "GM Screen." Additionally, I sometimes put spoilers inside of spoilers, but I have to get creative with the labels for spoilers inside of spoilers (you can't label it normally or else the coding breaks), so I put such labels in bold and ooc; if there isn't such a label directly above such a spoiler then don't open it unless prompted to do so. Example using PF1 skills in the example:

I understand that I must run the scenario/module/whatever as written, but I consider a clear mathematical error in an enemy's stat block (i.e. an attack bonus of +25 when it's written as +23 or a Con-based DC being written as 15 when it's actually 19) to be a typo of the scenario/module/whatever and I subsequently change it to be mathematically correct, whether it's to the players' benefit or detriment; if you feel that's overstepping my bounds as a PFS GM, then by all means report me to a VC and I will happily make my case.

Finally, I believe that Pathfinder is a game of remembering, so if you forget an ability, a bonus, or anything of the like and don't correct yourself of said mistake soon thereafter and I as the GM don't call you out on it, then we continue onward; I'm not going to do a fleshed-out retcon to satisfy a single mistake and if you expect that of me, then I'll shrug and say "Sorry! Remember next time." Likewise, if I make a mistake and am not called out on it in time, then I will say "Welp, the players reap the rewards of my lack of remembering" and move on. There are exceptions to this, such as when a retcon would be simple ("Just heal X damage since you didn't take it because the attack missed.") or if PC death is on the line.

With all that said, good luck and happy adventuring!

Continuity Check

I need to know if any of you have played any of the scenarios in the list below; for those that are bolded I also need to know that boons you got on the Chronicle sheet (in this case I ask that you PM me the boons you got in those scenarios in order to not spoil them for the other players):

Additionally, I need to know if this specific character existed in 2013 and if you’ve played Eyes of the Ten with ANY character (not just this one).

Now, there is one thing...

You see, I’ve asked my IRL VC and unfortunately, Fletch, since he’s already played Part 1, cannot play it again, even for no credit (because he technically has to get a “no credit” chronicle, and one character cannot have multiple chronicles for a single scenario). What this means is that, unfortunately, Fletch cannot play Part 1 with this party, but I am willing to basically give him a rain check until we reach Part 2 and then he can join in.

The problem this creates, however, is that would leave a 5-person party to endure Hard Mode written for six players. However, I honestly believe that you five can handle it. You five have an average of 3.4 GM stars, which makes this by far the most experienced group of players I’ve ever had the pleasure of GMing for; you all know this system inside and out and I’ve looked over your characters’ builds, and it is for that reason that I honestly believe that you all could make it through Hard Mode with only 5 people—it’ll definitely be difficult, but I believe you all can do it!

A quick look Grognar has played:

Silent tide
Rivalry’s End
Destiny of the Sands Part I: A Bitter Bargain
The Wounded Wisp
Assault on Absalom

And I have two characters that have finished Eye of the Ten, 1 Played and one GMed neither are Grognar.

I should have the updated character sheet up today. I do have to GM IRL tonight so it may be late.

Funny, both myself and Xanaphia have an IRL game today as well.

I am totally fine playng on hard mode with only the five of us. I have played this before under the same conditions with a different character so will be taking a definitie back seat on any decision making. I have also run this on regular and had mode. I am in fact currently running Part 2 in PbP here on the forums. Obviosuly I am using a GM star replay option for this.

Player Name: AndrewW
Character Name: Anariel Gallonica
Character Number: 44523-7
Faction: The Exchange
Day Job: Craft clothing: 1d20 + 29 ⇒ (1) + 29 = 30
Slow Track?: No
Notable Shenanigans: High level arcanist, massive spell list, can swop between spells, very high Int due to two different boons. Has many many skills.
Email (see below): watson_andrew1 at sky dot com
Continuity Check (see following post):
Does it magtter which character any of those scenarios were played on? I have played Eyes of the Ten in both core and regular mode and run it multiple times.

I have Confirmation, Wounded Wisp and Deleriums Tangle on Anariel.

I only ask if you've played Eyes of the Ten with any character so I know how vague I have to be about spoilers in those scenarios, not what characters played them. Other than that, I only care about the list of scenarios in the spoiler.

Player Name: into the aether
Character Name: Xanaphia Siannodel
Character Number: 103843-14
Faction: Dark Archive
Day Job: caravan (diplo): 1d20 + 23 ⇒ (3) + 23 = 26
Slow Track?: N
Notable Shenanigans: GM knows this character well but a quick rundown for fellow players: I generally mostly play support and I summon monsters. Besides that I have Spell Perfection: Bestow Curse. I'll tweak my spells prepped when I see our final group composition (including spells known etc.)
Email: (@GM I know you have it)
Continuity Check: This character has played: 2-22 and 3-18. My first chronicle is from 2015.

I have some gold to spend from the module I just finished but besides that and deciding on spells prepped, I'm ready to play.

OH and I can cast heightened continual flame on an item for anyone in the group if they don't already have an item with it.

I can also provide heightened continual flame spells if people want them, provided we have some travel time. I have greater metamagic exploit which lets me pick a different metamagic feat every day. With the orange prism ioun stone and the potent spells exploit I can make them caster level 21.

Anariel provides a wide range of buffs to the group, again depending on travel time. She can swop out prepared spells as a full round action costing an arcane pool point. In general she will cast the following spells on everyone at the end of any day of travel:

Extended Mage Armour in case of incorporeals
Extended Darkvision for anyone who cannot see in the dark
Extended Greater Magic Weapon to make your weapons +5.
Extended Mind Blank
Extended Life Bubble

She has a very large number of spells she casts on herself regularly. She will also generally provide a Magnificent Mansion for us to rest in, Anariel doesn't do slumming it.

I have access to a very large number of spells, if you would like anything in particular please ask. I have started to make use of Mass Fly a lot, extended this can give the entire group a 60' fly speed for over six hours.

Player Name: Grandlounge
Character Name: Grognar the Oracle
Character Number: 156701-1
Faction: Grand Lodge
Day Job: Full-time Pathfinder
Slow Track?: N

Notable Shenanigans: going to layout a lot of stuff most are shenanigans but it will help people know what Grognar does.

Dual Curse call to him before a save or suck spell or if you want a save reroll. (GM we should decide how to deal with this before we start).

Has another set of personal rerolls via a revelation.

Grapples with hands or Blade of Binding has greater grapple.

Surprising charge: some times moves as a swift action.

Can combat medic in emergencies breath of life and inspired recovery.

Hits stuff after buffing.

Like Xanaphia Siannodel miracle so ask for something if you need it.

Battlefield control: With wall spells wind, stone, fire, frightful aspect, antilife shell.

Source severance has been a lifesaver but it works best when other players know the spell.

Email: Will send to GM

A couple of other shennanigans it is worth noting.

Anariel doesnt have an increase in casting time when she uses metamagic on spells as she has the level 20 arcane bloodline ability.

She can activate wands and staves using spell slots using the same ability so if you have any low charge wands you want to keep hold of she can make use of them without cost. She has the UMD to activate any wand.

She has Spell Perfection with Dragons Breath and can easily drop empowered, persistent, intensified Breath along with quickened intensified breath.

Anariel uses shapechange a lot to take different forms, she has both still and silent spell if she takes a form which lacks speech or hands.

Anaiel is normally Mind Blanked and Invisible if travelling anywhere even vaguely dangerous given she is very squishy.

Anariel doesnt have an increase in casting time when she uses metamagic on spells as she has the level 20 arcane bloodline ability.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't the bloodline exploit only give you full-level bloodline stuff if you spent a point in your pool (I'm spacing the name of the pool)?

It isn't the exploit it is the blood arcanist archetype.

I would add that I have to spend 2pp each adventure to avoid turning evil and that I have sold my soul to hell and abbaddon which makes bringing me back really awkward.

Player Name: Erich D
Character Name: Thereus
Character Number: 90808-3
Faction: Silver Crusade
Day Job: Caravan (diplomacy): 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (9) + 26 = 35
Slow Track?: No
Notable Shenanigans: Archer build with the typical feats and reliable strike to reroll twice a day. Rings of Freedom of Movement and Evasion.
Email (see below): rantnrantnrant@yahoo.com
Continuity Check:

0-01: Silent Tide
2-22: Eyes of the Ten Part IV:Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained
5-08: The Confirmation

I'm sorry all, I will have to duck out.

I apologize, Delirium's Tangle is scenario 1-45, not 1-54.

Alright, since most people have checked in (I've already talked with Fletch and am waiting to hear back from the other person who checked in [who will take Sulii's place]), I'm going to to ahead and get the ball rolling.

Sorry, all; today has been insanity. I’ll try to update my games, but I’ve got an IRL game I have to leave for in about half an hour, so no promises.

Okay, so...Apparently you guys are now just a party of four during Part 1.

I just wanted to add, i know Anariels personality can be a little grating at times, feel free to ask me to tone it down.

what about something like:

Medium:

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/manasaputra/ma nasaputra-rishi-manu/

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/psychopomp/psy chopomp-morrigna/

Large (harder to hide):

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/aeon/aeon-byth os/

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/outsiders/sahkil/sahkil- ximtal/

Keep in mind that whether it's planar binding or planar ally, it only lasts so long. And with planar binding, it's the GM that determines whether the fee is halved or even hand-waved, not the players.

Naturally. I am fairly unlikely to do it, I just thought I would flag upp the option since we are playing hard mode.

I though it might be useful to spell out Anariels general buffing regime here as there are a huge number of them. She has the quick study exploit so regularly does not have these spells prepared, instead swopping to them at the end of the day and then preparing her regular spells the following day. Most as cast at CL19 and extended.

Mind Blank on everyone, she can extend 3 of these if she hasnt used her rod and she has 4 level 9 spell slots to do so as well if needed. Basic duration is 24 hours.

Extended Contingency on herself, caster level 21 using potent spells so it lasts for 42 days so she will only cast this once. Normally set to cast teleport when she clicks her fingers.

Extended Life Bubble on herself. At CL19 it lasts for 76 hours per cast. Grognar, could you drop one on everyone else as well please? You are welcome to borrow my orange prism ioun stone for any buffs.

Extended overland flight.
Extended Countless Eyes, makes her immune to flanking, provides issues against gaze attacks.
Extended Rainment of Command, gives bonuses to social skills.
Extended Greater Darkvision, 120'
Extended empowered greater false life at CL21, gives 2d10 + 20 ⇒ (9, 4) + 20 = 33 +50% extra HP for an extra 49HP.
Extennded Ant Haul, 76 hours
At the end of the day she will use Full Pouch to create enough blood boiling pills and clear ears to cover her for the next day.

While travelling she will normally try and maintain extended heroism, see invisibility, investigative mind, echolocation and shapechange. Each lasts for over 6 hours per cast so most days shouldnt require more than two casts. At the end of the day she will create a Magnificent Mansion for us to sleep in. Her Mansion is very much built in the Disney Princess castle style.

If anyone has weapons which are not +5 then she can cast CL21 Greater Magic Weapon to give them a +5 enhacement bonus.

I though it might be useful to spell out Anariels general buffing regime here as there are a huge number of them. She has the quick study exploit so regularly does not have these spells prepared, instead swopping to them at the end of the day and then preparing her regular spells the following day. Most as cast at CL19 and extended.

Mind Blank on everyone, she can extend 3 of these if she hasnt used her rod and she has 4 level 9 spell slots to do so as well if needed. Basic duration is 24 hours.

Extended Contingency on herself, caster level 21 using potent spells so it lasts for 42 days so she will only cast this once. Normally set to cast teleport when she clicks her fingers.

Extended Life Bubble on herself. At CL19 it lasts for 76 hours per cast. Grognar, could you drop one on everyone else as well please? You are welcome to borrow my orange prism ioun stone for any buffs.

Extended overland flight.
Extended Countless Eyes, makes her immune to flanking, provides issues against gaze attacks.
Extended Rainment of Command, gives bonuses to social skills.
Extended Greater Darkvision, 120'
Extended empowered greater false life at CL21, gives 2d10+20 +50% extra HP for an extra 49HP.
Extennded Ant Haul, 76 hours
At the end of the day she will use Full Pouch to create enough blood boiling pills and clear ears to cover her for the next day.

While travelling she will normally try and maintain extended heroism, see invisibility, investigative mind, echolocation and shapechange. Each lasts for over 6 hours per cast so most days shouldnt require more than two casts. At the end of the day she will create a Magnificent Mansion for us to sleep in. Her Mansion is very much built in the Disney Princess castle style.

If anyone has weapons which are not +5 then she can cast CL21 Greater Magic Weapon to give them a +5 enhacement bonus.

I can guarantee that I will never remember all of that, so I'll need you to remind me (likely multiple times) of your buffs.

Certainly, these are also only the long term ones, there are a lot of short duration ones I will use if we enter anywhere dangerous. I will keep my stat line up to date and note key conditions there as well.

However, high level play is often typefied by the use of lots of buffing, especially on hard mode and this group has 3 full casters so there are going to be a hell of a lot of spells floating around.

You might want to consider using a google doc or similar to keep track of things, I have done it before for high level AP play and works well.

Grognar should do this, as well.

Miracle: contingency divine power trigger 'Iomedae grant me your power.'

Extended Greater Magic Weapon on the backup greatsword: Caster level 23 (Karma Prayer Bead + orange prism ioun stone) 46 hours

Three Extended Life Bubbles (CL 23) 92h for the group.

Extended Eaglesoul 46h (GM note: detect evil as a constant spell-like ability).

Extended Encouraging Unshakable Zeal (Miracle) 46h.

Extended Heroes Feast right before bed (I imagine poison might come up).

Extended Hunter's Blessing: Urban, Underground, Dominate Natural Environment. Humanoid (human), Aberrations, Outsider Evil (46h)

or monsters humanoid, magical beast

Optional:

Aroden's Magic Army, if people use backup weapons, I can make every weapon +4.

As we travel Grognar would catch up on the pathfinder chronicle to see the preferred combat styles of the group.

"So, it seems I'm the only one that is most effective up close. Though Thereus you seem capable if needed. With my familiar, I can take the damage of two people. I can make my skin stony which should help to. I do have a more potent tactic..."

I won't do the whole thing in character but I'm thinking of using frightful presence in melee situations but we may want to ensure enemies can't run out into the streets. Just a tactic to think about as it greatly reduces damage.

I'm going to let someone carry on once the Decemverit comes up. I think I have come to the conclusion that all my seeker characters hate them and want to see the disbanded.

Sorry, I somehow missed that we'd already spoken to those people.

I finally just got some time today to sit down and do my PbP games and ... I feel queasy from something I ate, and can't concentrate. I'm gonna see if a nap helps and hopefully post a bit later tonight.

I will have a buffing post up later today.

So what’s your guys’ game plan for the ruins?

I will have post up tomorrow morning got home late from an IRL game.

Sorry about the term confusion. Posted from my phone on the subway. I should have double-checked. Too many systems in my head nowadays.

SUPER slammed at work all day and now I gotta run home and get ready for my home Hell's Rebels group (that our GM here also GMs). If I can I'll post tonight but it might be tomorrow.

Sorry, all; not going to get a post up today. I just don't feel too well. I'll try to get something up tomorrow.

That's ok. Feel better.

In the mountains will post later today.

Hey all, I'm headed out of town tonight through Sunday to hang out with family. I'm bringing my laptop and I'll try to make time to post while I'm gone but I may be a bit slow. Probably won't post on Thursday.

I will have a post up tonight or tomorrow morning.

So I just discovered that ethereal creatures can actually naturally see onto the Material Plane (it was hidden in ethereal jaunt), so...ignore that whole true seeing/mind blank debacle :)

As many of you likely know, today is the U.S. holiday of Thanksgiving. As such I’m basically calling today off—go be with your families, stuff your faces with turkey, and so on. We’ll be here when you get back.

A couple of quick questions. Those spellcraft DCs seem oddly high? Can we see the caster? If not we cannot even roll for it. On the greater dispel, is it removing highest caster level spells, highest spell level or just ones you think are most dangerous/useful? If it is caster level then mind blank, contingency and shapechange are all CL21 and then there are lots at CL19. If it is spell level then it would get Shapechange, Mind Blank, Contingency and one of echolocation, life bubble or overland flight. As a reminder, everyone has life bubble from Anariel.

Normally true, but invisible creatures are the weird fringe case because any penalties to Perception (or increases to such DCs) also apply to spellcraft checks to identify a spell as it is being cast, and invisibility adds a +20 to such rolls. I understand your ruling, I just personally run it as “Because of a weird thing with the RAW you can figure out what’s being cast if you make the stupidly-high DC.” Table variance is all that really is.

As for the greater dispel magic-like effect: I just chose the ones I found most dangerous. Dispel magic lets you pick to dispel a specific effect if you choose (and since it’s a dispel from a god, i.e. omniscient, then the god kinda knows your buffs). Really, it was just a cheesy way of saying “I don’t want to have to deal with that right now.”

[dice=Will]1d20+22

Grognar clicks his boots and tries to kill the shadow beside him.

Quicken blessing of fervor.

[dice=Attack] 1d20+25+ 4 + 2 + 1 +2 +2 attack vs Humans, aberrations and evil outsider.
[dice=Damage]2d6+29+4 +2 damage vs Humans, aberrations and evil outsider.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[dice=Attack Haste] 1d20+25+ 4 + 2 + 1 +2
[dice=Damage]2d6+29+4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[dice=Attack Iterative] 1d20+20+ 4 + 2 + 1 +2
[dice=Damage]2d6+29+4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[dice=Attack Iterative Confirm] 1d20+20+ 4 + 2 + 1 +2
[dice=Damage]2d6+29+4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[dice=Attack] 1d20+15+ 4 + 2 + 1 +2
[dice=Damage]2d6+29+4
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Divine Favor, Heroism, Haste and additional +2 attack and damage vs Humans, aberrations and evil outsider.

Okay, gonna need a bit more explanation on this post. First off, was that Will save at the start of the post the subsequent post provided by the spell or you using your folio reroll on your initial save; if its the former then that's a full-round action so you couldn't take a full-attack. If the latter then you would be staggered, meaning that you can't take a full-attack.

Anariel Gallonica wrote:

Its a full round action to make the save and you take wis srain and are staggered when you come out of it. You also used an immediate so so don't have a swift action this turn sadly.

Thanks. Sorry all I'm on my 3rd 80h week so my brain is fried and I'm missing things. It would have been a full round action to try to make the save. Because it is a second attempt at the save the final score would be.

Will= 31

Wait, where did that last +3 come from?

Encouraging Unshakeable Zeal.

"Whenever the target fails an attack roll, a save, a skill check, a concentration check, or an ability check, the target receives a +4 morale bonus on its next attempt at the failed check within 1 round (this includes attack rolls against the same foe, saving throws against the same ability from the same foe, and so on)."

Encouraging makes it a +5 but that score already has a +2 morale bonus net +3. I technically should have said the roll is two lower but the morale bonus is superseded by the +5.

Hey all, I had a life emergency today and I can't focus enough to post in this complex game today. I apologize and I will post tomorrow.

Holiday travelling is starting I will try to get a post up today.

Alright, Chronicles are up. I'm gonna give you guys 24 hours to update your profiles, etc. before I move on to Part 2.

Three other orders of business: First, we are getting another player for Part 2; we'll still be in subtier 17-18, but you guys will have to deal with 6-player adjustment (which, considering how much you guys curb-stomped Part 1, I think you'll be fine). Second, the transition from Part 1 to Part 2 is really hazy—it seems to be written that it’s the next day, but PFS says that there’s an indiscriminate amount of time between scenarios, so that’s how I’m doing it. As such, even though it’s the same party, you guys technically aren’t able to meet back up until Part 2 actually starts, so Anariel can’t do her “mind blank on everyone” shenanigans that she did in the previous scenario (casting the 24-hour duration on everyone the night before) because all those mind blanks with no drop in resources made my head hurt. And I’m mean; that too. Third, I’m gonna ask that you all roll your day jobs for Part 2 so that I have those on record when I get around to doing the Chronicles.