paizo.com Recent Discussion Posts for GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestonepaizo.com Recent Discussion Posts for GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone2020-05-01T03:24:41Z2020-05-01T03:24:41ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionGM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#92020-05-01T03:13:32Z2020-05-01T03:03:07Z<p>Chronicles! <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pP0R3CUWC18R-JcgMT7EzSwAqoPVhafJ?us p=sharing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pP0R3CUWC18R-JcgMT7EzSwAqoPVhafJ?us p=sharing</a></p>Chronicles! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1pP0R3CUWC18R-JcgMT7EzSwAqoPVhafJ?us p=sharingGM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)2020-05-01T03:03:07ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionFarzin Maaravi (alias of Fiasko)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#82020-04-30T23:20:21Z2020-04-30T23:20:21Z<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Underworld Lore:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21</span></p>
<p>I’ll apply G’nak’s chronicle to Farzin!</p>[dice=Underworld Lore]1d20+4[/dice]
I’ll apply G’nak’s chronicle to Farzin!Farzin Maaravi (alias of Fiasko)2020-04-30T23:20:21ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionGM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#72019-12-24T15:07:39Z2019-12-24T15:07:39Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>We are now on break until the 26th. You will get moving on these side quests that morning!</span></p>We are now on break until the 26th. You will get moving on these side quests that morning!GM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)2019-12-24T15:07:39ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionPlummeting Eagle Cai Fen (alias of iosokine)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#62019-12-02T22:12:23Z2019-12-02T21:23:58Z<p><span class=messageboard-ooc> Test post to make sure all the settings work. </span></p>Test post to make sure all the settings work.Plummeting Eagle Cai Fen (alias of iosokine)2019-12-02T21:23:58ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionGuyzer (alias of Nick the Knife)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#52019-12-02T01:53:39Z2019-12-02T01:53:39Z<p>.</p>.Guyzer (alias of Nick the Knife)2019-12-02T01:53:39ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionGM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#42019-11-18T22:02:53Z2019-11-18T22:02:53Z<p>Yep. Just pre-emptively roll 'em and let me know when you are doing so, in that same post. For the sake of consistency I prefer the reroll comes on the next d20 after what you rerolled.</p>Yep. Just pre-emptively roll 'em and let me know when you are doing so, in that same post. For the sake of consistency I prefer the reroll comes on the next d20 after what you rerolled.GM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)2019-11-18T22:02:53ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionCai Fen (alias of iosokine)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#32019-11-17T23:59:29Z2019-11-17T23:58:50Z<p>For hero points (assuming we are using hero points), would it be ok to pre-emptively declare something like:</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Trip, Althletics, Panache:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 6 + 1 = 13</span>
<br />
If the D20 roll is <10, expend hero point and take the second roll.
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Trip, Althletics, Panache:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 6 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 6 + 1 = 18</span></p>For hero points (assuming we are using hero points), would it be ok to pre-emptively declare something like:
[dice=Trip, Althletics, Panache]1d20 + 6 + 1[/dice]
If the D20 roll is <10, expend hero point and take the second roll.
[dice=Trip, Althletics, Panache]1d20 + 6 +1[/dice]Cai Fen (alias of iosokine)2019-11-17T23:58:50ZRe: Forums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionG'nak (alias of Fiasko)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#22019-11-17T22:00:05Z2019-11-17T22:00:05Z<p>Thanks Doug for your clear directions.</p>
<p>Do we need more heals? I’m planning to go full damage, but I may be foolish. I’ve only played 2e twice.</p>Thanks Doug for your clear directions.
Do we need more heals? I’m planning to go full damage, but I may be foolish. I’ve only played 2e twice.G'nak (alias of Fiasko)2019-11-17T22:00:05ZForums: Play-by-Post Discussion: GM Doug's The Fall of Plaguestone DiscussionGM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivkta/discussion#12019-11-15T20:18:26Z2019-11-15T19:37:20Z<p><b>Welcome!</b></p>
<p><b><span class=messageboard-bigger>Posting Expectations</span></b>
<br />
Post at least once every weekday and once on weekends. I am more active than many other PbP GMs and like to to keep things moving at a good clip. If we're roleplaying, I may be posting multiple times a day as PCs interact with NPCs. </p>
<p>I don't want to have this game take time away from your friends and family, so during the holidays we'll have a couple short hiatuses. Please communicate in Slack if you have availability issues or questions. </p>
<p><b>Character Taglines & Profiles </b>
<br />
Put your character's gender (so we know which pronouns to use), race (optional), and their status in the tagline area of your profile that is labeled "Race". "Status" usually means current/maximum hit points, AC, Saving Throws, Spell slots available, and Focus Points. A status tagline might look like this:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Brock Enroll wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Female goblin bard | HP: 14/16 | AC: 14 | F: +2 R: +4 W: +0 | Spells: 1: 2/3 2: 2/2 | FP: 1/1 | Active Conditions: None
</p>
</blockquote><p>When you use these resources, update the tagline or write a status in your post (for example: "Raging: -1 AC").
<p>In your character profile, please include the complete stat block as well, so I can audit your character.</p>
<p><b>Botting </b>
<br />
We'll use Slack to discuss any botting. Feel free to ask for help or put out a directive if you cannot log in and post!</p>
<p><b>Marching Order & Maps</b>
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To speed things up I ask the group for a marching order at the beginning of the adventure, as well as the tactics each PCs typically uses when in Exploration Mode. </p>
<p>Unless you let me know that you're doing something else ahead of time, I will use this info when rolling initiative.</p>
<p><b>Initiative </b>
<br />
I will roll all Initiative checks for PCs and NPCs, sort them, and organize them into blocks. I will bold the names of characters whose turn it is to act.</p>
<p>When it is your turn to act, post. Do not wait for someone else to post just because they had a higher Initiative within your initiative block. If you know what you want to do but want to wait for someone else’s action first, just say that. For example,</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mete Sheeld wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Mete Sheeld knows it's best to stay out of Brock Enrol's way when she's grumpy, so he'll attack after her. He bides his time, then strides up to Dee Monic and Strikes twice!</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Club, Strike 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Club, Strike 2:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 - 5 ⇒ (7) + 2 - 5 = 4</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Bludgeoning, Strike 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Bludgeoning, Strike 2:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8</span></blockquote><p>To encourage timely posting and avoid unnecessary delays, I will retroactively include bonuses for allies who are in the same initiative block, even if one player posts before getting that bonus. For example, if a fighter posts right before the bard, and the bard uses the Inspire Courage cantrip, I will include the status bonus in the fighter's attack rolls even though the player didn't do so. Where possible, I will update initiatives and note the bonuses each player is receiving.
<p>That said, if you want to change your initiative to another block (for example, going after a monster or after an ally whose in a different initiative block), you will need to tell me your are <a href="https://2e.aonprd.com/Actions.aspx?ID=77" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Delaying</a>. You can then come in as a free action wherever you want. (Remember, too, that <a href="https://2e.aonprd.com/Actions.aspx?ID=82" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Readying</a> costs two actions and gives you a single reaction, so we move around a bit less often in initiative in 2E!)</p>
<p><b>Formatting Dice Rolls </b>
<br />
Let's look again at the post above. Perhaps Brock Enrol is a bard, and casts the Inspire Courage cantrip before Mete Sheeld strikes Dee Monic. Mete Shield knows the best way to format this — by noting the buff separately in both the roll description and the modifiers:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mete Sheeld wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Mete Sheeld strikes twice, with even more enthusiasm than normal! He's so inspired!
</p>
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Club, Strike 1, Inspire Courage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 2 + 1 = 12</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Club, Strike 2, Inspire Courage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 2 + 1 - 5 ⇒ (8) + 2 + 1 - 5 = 6</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Bludgeoning, Strike 1, Inspire Courage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 2 + 1 = 8</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Bludgeoning, Strike 2, Inspire Courage:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 2 + 1 = 9</span></blockquote><p>Mete Shield wrote Inspire Courage in both his attack and damage roll descriptions. He also included Inspire Courage's +1 bonus in the attack and damage rolls separately from his normal bonus of +2. In his second Strike's attack roll, he even included the -5 for the Multiple Attack Penalty.
<p>This is excellent! Every bonus and penalty to the d20 roll is clear, and we can understand how each total was achieved. Mete shield thought of all the details, and even included the damage type in his damage roll, earning maximum style points!</p>
<p>This is my preference for how players roll attacks, but if you have your own way that's fine — so long as I can understand where the bonuses and penalties are coming from.</p>
<p><b>Rolling Saves </b>
<br />
When asked to roll a save, it must always be the first dice roll on your next post.</p>
<p><b>Rules Questions and OOC Information</b>
<br />
Please post rules questions in the discussion thread or Slack. I use Slack for work, so I'm always on. </p>
<p>Clarity is important, but so is flavor and roleplay! You can use OOC text to highlight game mechanics while keeping things flavorful in narrative text. This is subjective, but my preferred way to read the action is something like this:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Brock Enrol wrote:</div><blockquote>Brock Enrol warbles an arcane word and flicks dollop of butter at the aberration. The floor below its tentacles suddenly becomes slippery as a skillet full of bacon! <span class=messageboard-ooc>Grease (V, M); DC 16 Reflex save.</span></blockquote><p>This is both flavorful from a story perspective, and clear from a mechanical perspective.
<p><b>GM Rolls</b></p>
<p>I prefer to roll d20s without revealing modifiers for enemies. I include penalties, but not bonuses. I believe this helps create a sense of narrative tension in combat:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Dee Monic wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Brok Enrol's Dirge of Doom doesn't stop Dee Monic from lashing out thrice with her agile claws!</p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Claw, Strike 1, Agile, Frightened 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 - 1 ⇒ (15) - 1 = 14</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Claw, Strike 2, Agile, Frightened 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 - 4 - 1 ⇒ (9) - 4 - 1 = 4</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Claw, Strike 3, Agile, Frightened 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 - 8 - 1 ⇒ (5) - 8 - 1 = -4</span></blockquote><p>However, we're all learning the system so if this becomes unduly confusing, I'll change it.
<p><b>Critical Hits</b></p>
<p>Players do not necessarily <i>know</i> when something crits. To save time, we'll double the first dice roll instead of rolling twice (this goes for monsters too: even though I will know if something crit enemies should follow the same rules). If you have deadly or something similar, and think you might have crit, go ahead and preemptively roll it:</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Mete Shield wrote:</div><blockquote><p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Rapier, Strike 1, Inspired:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 9 + 1 ⇒ (13) + 9 + 1 = 23</span>
</p>
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Piercing, Inspired:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 4 + 1 = 11</span> <span class="messageboard-dice"><b>deadly:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d8 ⇒ 7</span></blockquote><p><b>Reactions</b>
<p>I recommend that if any character has multiple reactions that require a roll, the player should roll one d20 and list the modifiers in the individual reaction sections rather than rolling for each variation of reaction that requires a d20. Also roll damage, if applicable.</p>
<div class="messageboard-quotee">Brok Enroll wrote:</div><blockquote><p>Brok the Fighter strides forward, bringing his rapier to bear against the goblin dog, and then raising his shield defensively.</p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>Stride, Strike, Raise Shield</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Strike 1:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Piercing:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10</span></p>
<p><span class=messageboard-ooc>If the Goblin Boss hits Brok he'll block with his shield. If he has a reaction left after the Boss goes, he'll take an AOO on anyone trying to get by.</span></p>
<p><span class="messageboard-dice"><b>AOO:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10</span>
<br />
<span class="messageboard-dice"><b>Piercing:</b></span> <span class="messageboard-dice">1d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9</span></blockquote><p>It might be good to create a macro or include these attack patterns in your profile. That way you can drop them in whenever necessary instead of having to type them out.
<p><b>2E Skill Checks</b></p>
<p>I'll roll secret skill checks for you, behind a spoiler. I will always roll for your trained skills. If you want to RP someone who just rolls on everything, let me know and that will be my normal M.O. I may randomize or code these rolls if you have problems reading spoiler text or RPing with something you know you failed. </p>
<p>I'll post the results of your checks after the spoiler, in a spoiler for your character if the results conflict with one another, or might need to be secret due the context of the situation (for example, one PC succeeding at a Perception to Sense Motive during a social encounter).</p>
<p>In combat, you may roll for knowledge checks for yourself and I will post the info you get afterwards. This might slow down combat a bit, but we have Slack to bolster info and I'm pretty quick about responding to these things. I strongly prefer not nesting spoilers. </p>
<p><b>Questions?</b></p>
<p>Post here or in Slack! We're all friends, so this is a great opportunity to refine our collective understanding of 2E, the new material, and PbP in the context of 2E.</p>Welcome!
Posting Expectations
Post at least once every weekday and once on weekends. I am more active than many other PbP GMs and like to to keep things moving at a good clip. If we're roleplaying, I may be posting multiple times a day as PCs interact with NPCs.
I don't want to have this game take time away from your friends and family, so during the holidays we'll have a couple short hiatuses. Please communicate in Slack if you have availability issues or questions.
Character Taglines &...GM Doug H (alias of Doug Hahn)2019-11-15T19:37:20Z