Ruins of Azlant

Game Master Aldizog

Thanks everyone. Post is up.

Since Malakar mentioned it, there does seem to be a lot of combat recently. Part of this is on me. I added a few extra nymph ankhegs to attack the colonists thinking this would make sense with their tremor sense and all of the movement on the beach.

If you all want a break from combat, I could make some tweaks to the AP. I do not want to give anything away, but the colony might still hold some surprises. I have, except for some minor indulgences, followed the AP and want to give you the experience of the full AP, but I am open to thoughts if the game is lacking something that you enjoy in your other games.

You are close to some downtime, but not there yet. If you feel a combat break is needed, let me know. I can always make some adjustments and use the encounters later in the adventure.

This is our game, and I really want everyone to be enjoying themselves.

I have my Zoom TT Game tomorrow, but I will try to check in later tomorrow evening.

Still playing 3.5 and my Dwarven Cleric of Moradin just leveled up to 15. Looking forward to casting new spells and hopefully destroying some undead.

Stay safe everybody!

I think it's been an excellent and well-rounded game so far.

A good mix of exploration, RP, combat, and problem-solving.

I am a little concerned about these Ankhegs. If the nymphs are going to grow into adults then they will be a recurring danger as long as there are any left alive. I don't know how our colonists can build to defend against underground threats.

So hopefully we can finish them all here and now. But very happy with the game!

Well, speaking of that strategic thought, we have no idea if these are just a part of a larger colony who were just sent to "defend."

And agreed, I think this has been a well-rounded game. We had a section of heavy RP at the beginning, particularly on the boat. The combat on the island hasn't been overwhelming and it has all felt purposeful or advancing of progress is *some* way. I'm happy :)

Korwal seems to be in a bit of a bind atm. I can CLW him but than I would take aoo's. I can try and take out green to lower threats or I can Aid another to boost his AC. Not sure the best option.

I think everything is going swimmingly Mioki, no need to worry about making changes or rebalancing.

Sorry for my inactivity recently, my parents decided to move suddenly and asked for my help, I’m not quite finished yet so I may still be sporadic for a week or two.

No worries Kowal. Thanks for letting us know. Hopefully you're getting some pizza from of your effort.

I have a good snow storm coming my way. Might be busy with snow removal. Could also lose power. Also, might head to the mountains this weekend to play in it.

If you don't hear from me , I am working on my Craft: Snowman skill.

Oh, are you in Massachusetts?
We have a big storm coming today.

<Sigh> I wish we still got snow here.

Oh, are you in Massachusetts?

We have a big storm coming today.

Pennsylvania.

You folks get hammered a lot in Mass. You'll get hit after us. Stay safe.

This is our first big storm in several years. Kind of pumped.

<Sigh> I wish we still got snow here.

you are welcome to visit. I'll leave the light on for you.

I could mail some. :)

Mt. Hood is only about 45 minutes away so I could always drive up there and fill up the car. But it's just not the same.

Back 10 years+ ago we'd get one or two decent snowfalls. They didn't stick around too long, which as perfect. Now we're almost snowless. None the last couple of years, maybe a slender chance in January.

Fenna, I would like to award you a Hero Point for your creative use of the Grease Spell.

I put a post up then reread Vexas's post. I missed the crit damage which kills the creature holding the guard.

Fenna, did you want to keep your action?

Well, since I'm getting a hero point for it, I think I should go ahead and keep the action. Fog of battle and so forth.

Thanks for the hero point! But I can't claim using a Grease spell that way is my own original idea by any means.

I do NOT miss snow. Used to have to shovel it all the time (3 hours at a time, for any hope of getting to work) in the midwest, now it's a rare welcome (and brief) appearance in Seattle.

I do NOT miss snow. Used to have to shovel it all the time (3 hours at a time, for any hope of getting to work) in the midwest, now it's a rare welcome (and brief) appearance in Seattle.

and this is why Vexas chose to move to Azlant. Kind of like Seattle, without the rain.

Sho, I am going to have AC/DC in my head the rest of the day.

Not that that is a bad thing. Thank You!

Was that a dirty deed done dirt cheap?

Is red still up? Or are all obvious enemies gone?

Is red still up? Or are all obvious enemies gone?

no more obvious enemies

I would like to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I hope Santa, The Holiday Armadillo, and/or Superman (whoever you want to believe in) delivers many Natural 20's to your stockings and under your tree and Oil of Everlast Burning for your Menorah.

Best wishes.

I'll post again on Saturday.

Merry X mas to all!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Happy Holidays!

I hope that all those who celebrate it had a Merry Christmas, and that we all have a great New Year!

Sho inspects the sandy hole by palming and digging around its edges. Her index finger brushes something hard. Digging a bit, the Ranger finds a golden kettle. When she brushes off the sand, a bluish mist steams from the spout. A small figure floats inside the mist. "You rescued me from the sands. You will each receive one minor gift of your choosing.".

After each of you has a chance to relay your wish, the kettle vanishes.

You may pick an item up to the value of 1000 gp as a gift.

Happy Holidays!

Hmm, given the extensive exploration I expect to occur, this seems useful: Bag of Holding (minor)

I think a +1 Cloak of Resistance is a pretty necessary item that I would get as soon as possible.
To make up for picking such a pedestrian item, I have a cool idea for it that I will post in Gameplay.

Awesome way to add to Brannart's story. It deserves a Hero Point.

I wish to never lack of arrows in my time of needs...

A quiver of Abundant ammunition maybe? (normal arrows only. I know its not a sanctioned magical object, but it makes sense for Sho)

I wish to never lack of arrows in my time of needs...

A quiver of Abundant ammunition maybe? (normal arrows only. I know its not a sanctioned magical object, but it makes sense for Sho)

I spent some time considering this. Since a quiver like this is probably in the 4000 gp range, I have a compromise.

Sho will gain the spell Abundant Ammunition as a special ability. This can be cast as a Swift Action 1x/per level / per day. This will effect normal arrows only.

How does this sound ... ?

"I wish to resist the magics of my foes."

Similarly boring but a +1 Cloak of resistance is the best 1000g that will ride with me all campaign.

Souds great! Thanks!

"I'd love to be able to sit back and have a drink with my friends right now."

A Spell Lattice containing Tears to Wine

"This spell turns nonmagic liquids—including spoiled, rotten, diseased, poisonous, or otherwise contaminated drinks, tears, seawater, and similar fluids—into mead or wine of average quality. This spell does not prevent subsequent natural decay or spoilage. Unholy water and similar liquids of significance are spoiled by tears to wine, but the spell has no effect on creatures of any type or on magic potions.

Creatures that drink the mead or wine created by this spell become sharp-witted and clear-minded, gaining a +2 enhancement bonus on all Intelligence- and Wisdom-based skill checks (duration 10 minutes)."

Because the holidays are a time for sharing, and this is a neat little spell that shares out its benefits.

I should largely be back to normal posting rate now, I may miss a day or two in the next two weeks or so due to spotty internet connection at my parents' house but after that will be fully back in it.

Wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Separately, since I suspect that we have ample time to do so, I've started building a vague idea of a character for the Giantslayer AP.

I'm currently imagining a Shoanti man who enters Belkzen to free members of their people who've been enslaved by giants. From reading so far, I understand this is largely done by the fire-giants, so I don't know how well that works with the AP. It's likely not unheard-of amongst the other varieties, but I'm playing with ideas of specific individuals from their clan who were kidnapped and the long-odds that they could ever find and save specific friends, vs. it morphing into a more general life purpose based on that experience.

Another twist is potentially having the character be of a mixed ancestry and how this causes suspicion within their clan (e.g., perhaps an Oread, or rumors of lineage but no mechanical consequence). Perhaps those to be saved even shunned the character based on this, and the self-given quest is a way to gain redemption in the tribe (or eventually realize this isn't necessary).

I do have a class in mind, but I don't think it's strictly required by the backstory so far (so, the character is flexible on class). Not nearly as fleshed out as the others, I know :) More to come later.

@Vexas

You still have time. I am still reading the AP and need to flesh out the major NPCs. I also have Towns of the Inner Sea in my side cart. I should get this with my January Subs. but probably will not come until late January There is supposed to be a section of Trunau in the book. My hope is to get the lore down and make this feel real and gritty.

Cant get too much more gritty than Shoanti. We can make something work with the backstory. If Fire-Giants took the clansmen, and that does not fit, maybe they were sold to another clan or something. I am happy to work with you to flesh out the backstory and make it work.

@ Others interested

If you are still in, this gives us four. Thoughts on adding a 5th maybe a 6th player?

I am still in for Giantslayer.

Six PCs is working well here but has it required you to do work in modifying encounters?

Five PCs seems a good number.

Doing an AP with 4 PCs generally requires a higher level of optimization than I like to use. For this AP, it would mean eschewing fun/quirky ideas in favor of boring overpowered stuff.

If you wanted 1 or 2 more, I might suggest taking recommendations for reliable players from the rest of us rather than doing an open Recruitment.

Brannart, you are wise my friend. I really like the idea of referral-based recruitment. Since you know my GMing style by now, if you know any interested players that would be a good fit, feel free to mention the game to them.

So what kind of characters do we have for Giantslayer? I know I have a fighter, but I can switch to something else

Brannart has a sword binding wizard. Do not know much about this class other than he throws swords. Similar to a Magus?

Fenna has a Bloodrager fleshed out. Also considering an Oracle.

Sho, you had the Fighter and you also had a Dwarf Wizard you were considering.

Vexas is considering a character of Shoanti ancestry. Class tbd.

Play what you want. I want you to be vested in your character. At least until a giant chucks a boulder on his/her head.

Sword Binder is a regular wizard (1/2 BAB, d6 HD) who specializes in a variant the Hand of the Apprentice weapon-throwing ability. Though he can also use it in melee. Not as tough as a magus, and more range-focused.

It's not a super-optimal archetype - seems quirky and fun - but he's still a wizard so should still pull his weight for the most part.

For transparency, my initial thought for the the character sketched above was a Shaman, but definitely want to emphasize it's not nailed down.

I'm still in! I have a Bloodrager ready to roll. If there's no divine caster otherwise I could finish up an Oracle instead. While it's often the case a divine caster isn't needed because healing can be farmed out to wands and so forth, I think in this case it would be best not to count on that. Giants hit hard!

If we're still short a person when the time comes, I could ask around among the people I know. I'm sure someone will be up for it.

Well, the shaman isn't the best healer but is one, I *could* stick with that (or convert him to a plain oracle as well).

Well, the shaman isn't the best healer but is one, I *could* stick with that (or convert him to a plain oracle as well).

Play what you want. You definitely do not have to create a character to fill a role. I want you to be happy with a character you will play through 6 books of an AP. If a healer is missing, we'll figure something out.

Oh, I will. In this case that really is less about the class so far (so, I'm really not married to shaman, it was just one natural possibility for the backstory).

OK Folks,

Want to make it official and set a deadline for myself to be ready.

Below is the link to GiantSlayer:

GiantSlayer AP

I hope to start a short Prelude (nothing to the extent of Azlant) by 2/1/21.

If you can have characters completed by 1/25/21, this will give me time to work your backstories into the game and create encounters for PC introductions.

My goal is to start with 6 PC's. If you want to put out some recruitment feelers, we'll have room for 2 more players. They can PM me or submit ideas in the GiantSlayer Discussion thread.

Character Creation guidelines are posted in the Discussion Thread. If you have questions or if I missed something, let me know.

Cheers!