Ruins of Azlant

Game Master Aldizog

I've posted in a Discord thread frequented by some pretty solid GMs asking for someone to step in here.

I've also posted in the discussion thread of a campaign I am in (and during a previous vacancy I had posted in the discussion thread of some of my other games).

If any of you have GMs that you like, or players that you think would be good GMs, please do try to put the word out.

I am encouraged that you want to see this game continue. And I truly hope it does. I miss it already, but I have a few things I need to focus on.

I have a slew of doctors appointments and tests coming up in the next few weeks. Depending on these results and certain lifestyle changes will determine my next steps.

If I can recover quickly with best case scenarios, I hope to put this past me by the end of July to mid-August. If at this time, no one has stepped in to keep this alive, I will attempt a come-back. (assuming this works for all of you)

Wish you all well and stay cool and hydrated out there.

Hiya Mioki, I hope things are going well and that you get lots of good news from the appointments and tests.

Honestly I think I'd rather wait and consider the game to be on hiatus if there's a possibility you might come back in a month or two. This is really your game, with your touches making it what it is. I rather have it stay like it is if possible than worry too much about an extra month here or there.

It's great that it's possible to replace GMs when it's necessary in PbP, but it does always alter the game in larger and smaller ways.

Hiya Mioki, I hope things are going well and that you get lots of good news from the appointments and tests.

Honestly I think I'd rather wait and consider the game to be on hiatus if there's a possibility you might come back in a month or two. This is really your game, with your touches making it what it is. I rather have it stay like it is if possible than worry too much about an extra month here or there.

It's great that it's possible to replace GMs when it's necessary in PbP, but it does always alter the game in larger and smaller ways.

This is really nice to hear. I did probably have a knee-jerk reaction to the news my doctor gave me. What I will try to do is post when I have the energy and the time. Cannot promise much at this point. If there is the possibility of another GM keeping this alive, you may want to still consider it. I really do not want to let you all down again. In the interim, I'll do what I can do.

Not meant to pressure you at all Mioki. Just saying my preference would be to wait for final word from you before looking elsewhere.

No pressure felt at all. It is nice to hear that you are enjoying the game. I'm optimistic in my recovery, but I also know that I am not out of the woods. Like I mentioned, I think I just had a knee-jerk reaction to the news, but I also know that July and all of my scheduled tests will be a major factor.

I do enjoy this game because of all you awesome players, and I want to see these characters play through to the final encounter. With or without me.

@GM, I would be happy to have you stay on and run this game as your health allows.

I didn't mean to jump the gun on replacing you. I had thought you were rather definitively dropping it, but am glad that is not the case. I agree with Fenna.

@GM, I would be happy to have you stay on and run this game as your health allows.

I didn't mean to jump the gun on replacing you. I had thought you were rather definitively dropping it, but am glad that is not the case. I agree with Fenna.

No jumping the gun at all. I really thought I was surely done. I realize that I overreacted. Your previous post inspired me to keep at it, and for that, I Thank You.

I realize the chances of someone else stepping in are low, and this game helps me keep my mind off of real-world things.

As energy allows, I'll keep at it.

Thanks Everyone!

Take smoe time to rest, and come here when you feel good enough, in mind and body.

I think it's best for you and everyone else. We can wait.

My bad Brannart. I am terrible remembering AoO's.

My bad Brannart. I am terrible remembering AoO's.

As fun as aoo reach build characters can be to play I am glad aoo's got chopped as a default in 2e. The one in person game I run is 2E and it is so nice to see players move without tip toeing around every possible spot.

I like being able to defend allies as a fighter, although many of Brannart's future abilities will only benefit adjacent allies or impair adjacent foes (so reach is of limited value).

Not sure what weapons he will use long-term. The reach AOOs are really good at low levels when they can one-shot incoming foes.

I actually like the "stickiness" provided by AOOs and the limitation on move + full attack. I know that is not a universal opinion. But without it, it seems far too easy to just walk around the front line and attack the squishies in back. Maybe 2E has a new innovation to handle that?

Everyone has more HP in 2E and everyone has 3 actions. It is generally a bad idea in 2E to just stay next to anything martial as they don't have to use actions to get to you. 2E allows for much more movement and tactics. Not having AoO's as a constant thing hanging over your head really opens up the combats for more than just Full attacks.

I'll take a look, but from what I've seen, I greatly prefer PF1.

D20 made a lot of really great innovations over previous versions, and I really do think the inability to move and full attack is one such great innovation. It forces meaningful tactical choices and enables protection of the back lines. I see it as a feature, not a bug.

I like both systems for different reasons.

Wishing everyone Stateside a wonderful Independence Day. And to include Sho, I would like to thank the French people for their role in our freedom and the gift of Lady Liberty.

Cheers to all!

Since I like to offer gifts on holidays:

I reward everyone a 'Freedom Point'.

A 'Freedom Point' will provide the user with 1d4 + 1 Rounds of Freedom of Movement, as if under the spell of the same name.

This could come in handy during future underwater combat.

Nice, thanks! How does it manifest for the characters in-game? I hint of inspiration?

Nice, thanks! How does it manifest for the characters in-game? I hint of inspiration?

I am thinking that this could manifest in many ways depending on the character and the situation.

For example: Vexas, with his new found magic, could sense an arcane tear and use this to his advantage. Or his Rogue's eye along with his magic could find a way through a Web.

Brannart could simply feel an adrenaline rush.

Malakar could feel divine intervention or along with Sho, feel the ebbs and flow of nature (for underwater combat, maybe the natural ocean current) and use this to their advantage.

Fenna, being a Bard, could have a mix of these depending on the situation.

Hopefully, this is what you were looking for.

Yeah, perfect. Thanks!

Fenna, being a Bard, could have a mix of these depending on the situation.

Yes, when you're a bard all things are possible.

I better not find any chewing gum under that bench.

I better not find any chewing gum under that bench.

Or we'll be spanked? ^^

I'll start working on the map for the next scenario tomorrow or Thursday.

Feel free to interact with the Celedons, if you like.

Been a bit run down the last few days, but I am enjoying character building these Celedons. Was not sure how this encounter would play out, but I think it is working nicely, allowing the Celedons to be potential long-term NPC's.

Might try to get out and see 'Black Widow' tomorrow, so I may not get back to the game until Thursday.

Hope you are all are enjoying the summer. For you folks out west, I hope you are finding ways to endure the crazy heat you have been experiencing.

Cheers!

I do like the Celedons quite a bit and hope that they can stick around long enough for Brannart to learn their language. But for the time being, as he can only converse through Sho, he'll be a bit quieter.

I wish I was getting out more this summer... there is still time. I have signed up for a softball league which is something I always look forward to in the summer.

Not much sun in the north of France. Besides, our president just announced new restrictions for August, so morale is a little low.

We're not in the new round of heat just yet. Maybe it won't stretch so far as to include us this time. I hope so, my water bill has really spiked this summer trying to keep my trees healthy.

I think the celedons are pretty awesome. There's something kind of old Disney about them with their synchronization. I can imagine them finishing each others sentences and so forth.

Hang in there Sho!

A softball league sounds like a real good time Brannart.

I hope France sees some sun soon Sho, and I hope those trees see some rain Fenna.

Sorry for the delay. I have had some low-energy days as of late. I have a post partially complete and will get it up as soon as I can.

No worries Mioki. I hope you're feeling better soon!

This is an FYI that I'm going to be traveling and away from computers Aug 1-12. I will be unable to post during that time, so feel free to bot as needed.

Vexas still plays fairly simply, but if there's something you think I could do to ease any bot'ing during that time, let me know.

This is an FYI that I'm going to be traveling and away from computers Aug 1-12. I will be unable to post during that time, so feel free to bot as needed.

Vexas still plays fairly simply, but if there's something you think I could do to ease any bot'ing during that time, let me know.

Sounds like a plan. I hope this is a fun time away. I'll make sure that Vexas charges into danger at all possible opportunities. :)

Hehe. Yeah, it is a fun time away. A longer hike than my usual weekend excursions. I *might* actually have signal at the tail ends, but I'm near certain I won't for 5-7 days in the middle.

Hehe. Yeah, it is a fun time away. A longer hike than my usual weekend excursions. I *might* actually have signal at the tail ends, but I'm near certain I won't for 5-7 days in the middle.

Sounds Awesome! Stay hydrated and don't feed the bears.

It will be a while before they would be available but I want to make sure a source is ok.

I am a big fan of the Iron Gods AP and the technology guide. The Tech Guide has druid spells for use agaisnt technology.

Namely Anti-tech field and circle of protection from technology.

Would those be spells Malakar could use in the future at appropriate levels?

It will be a while before they would be available but I want to make sure a source is ok.

I am a big fan of the Iron Gods AP and the technology guide. The Tech Guide has druid spells for use agaisnt technology.

Namely Anti-tech field and circle of protection from technology.

Would those be spells Malakar could use in the future at appropriate levels?

I have no issues with the spells. It might be fun to RP. Malakar could get a bit introspective. I would thing that technology would be real foreign to a character like Malakar. He might seek guidance from Gozreh, the outcome being the above mentioned spells.

Just suggestions though, Malakar is your character after all.

Swarms are really frustrating to deal with, and I think PF erred by making them even harder to fight than they were in 3.5.

But it seems we have a good option here - well, Malakar does. His wand has 9 charges, and each charge gets 3 rounds of Flaming Sphere, so as long as we can keep elevated and out of the swarm's reach, we can just wear it down. It's going to fail its save about half the time. While I wish there was more the rest of us can do, it's not hopeless.

My point is it's a fight of choice when we could have observed it and prepared to deal with it at a later time.

It was described as moving fast, so I don't think we could outrun it - at least Vexas couldn't.

I do agree that swarms can be annoying. However we have fought a few in this ap already so we really should have prepared for them.

Lesson learned next time we are in town everyone buy a few flasks of acid or alchemist fire and prep at least one aoe spell.

Also each sphere only has 2 rounds not 3 at 1round/level as a 2nd level spell. So two chances to do damage per charge.

Malakar, I think you are the only one who even has AOE damage spells.

Fenna and Vexas don't know any yet.

There is a feat to let you fight swarms with a blunt weapon. Most of my martials take Barroom Brawler as soon as they can to have access to that feat (Rat Catcher) as well as other situational feats like Soulblade, Ghostslayer, and Blind-Fight. Brannart will get it as soon as he can.

And Flaming Sphere lasts 1 round per caster level, not per spell level; as a 2nd-level spell, the wand is minimum CL3.

I mean I can look through the spell list again but I don't think Bards even have a 1st level AoE spell. There's Sleep but it's not a good spell when you're a spontaneous caster.

Chord of Shards isn't bad at low levels, and you can swap it out for a better spell once it becomes obsolete.

Away this week end

And Flaming Sphere lasts 1 round per caster level, not per spell level; as a 2nd-level spell, the wand is minimum CL3.

Fair point, you are completely right I was gimping myself. Can still juggle two at once if need be tho which is fun.

Chord of Shards is tricky to use since its range is a 15' cone beginning at the caster and it doesn't selectively damage only enemies. Color Spray has the same range and effect, and as good a low level spell as it is, it's hard to get the clearance needed to cast it. It's even harder to make it work in PbP because coordination among player is more difficult. Still, at least it isn't a 15' or 20' radius.

It's a moot point though since by 4th level I'll be getting 2nd level spells and can pick up Blistering Invective and Glitterdust. I won't get another 1st level spell until 7th level and by then I'll have 3rd level spells as well.

Vexas hasn't been a wizard for very long. He'll stock up on AoE spells soon.

It seems at least possible that Fenna's plan would have worked, but I can't see a construct swarm giving up the hunt. Maybe I missed some key piece of information?

Oh I don't know. Breaking line of sight might have worked. If it's a sentry bot type of thing it might have a perimeter it doesn't pass beyond. It doesn't climb, maybe it can't swim. I'm just saying making a last stand is always an option after others fail.

Anyway, there's no reason why people always have to take my advice. Fenna is still peeved at Brannart though.

@Vexas: Depending on how far you plan to go with wizard, AoE and battlefield control is amazingly fun. I'm playing a wizard who mostly does those things in Mummy's Mask and it's really sold me on wizard as a class that that's great to play. The only problem with it is that in PbP things move slowly so those sucky first three levels or so can last well over a year.

@Vexas: Depending on how far you plan to go with wizard, AoE and battlefield control is amazingly fun. I'm playing a wizard who mostly does those things in Mummy's Mask and it's really sold me on wizard as a class that that's great to play. The only problem with it is that in PbP things move slowly so those sucky first three levels or so can last well over a year.

Yup, I'm already pretty into that class. 3/4 of my registered PFS characters are either wizard, arcanist, or sorcerer :) I make up for the squishiness of those early levels by loading up the spellbook *as much as is possible with available gold.*