GM Jhaeman's "Dawn of the Scarlet Sun" (Inactive)

Game Master Jhaeman

Some general notes:

* Please make sure you have a good tagline with character stats. This saves me a lot of time while GMing and makes the game go by faster for everyone. If you're new to PbP and need help figuring out how to format things, just post here and we'll help you. Similarly, keep your tagline updated if you're casting buffs, have ongoing conditions, take damage, etc.

* If you have a really strange or complex build and want to explain anything in advance, please feel free to use this thread. f you want to earn extra GM love, posting a full character sheet in your profile is great. That way I can look stuff up and answer my own "how did they do that?" questions.

* I try to post at least once every day, and it would be good if you aim for the same thing. Real life comes up, of course, so if you need me to bot you, give me instructions or I'll play your character very conservatively (probably doing Total Defense).

* You'll need a picture of your character for the grid scenes.

Finally, role-playing is good! Please give your PC some personality and engage with the other PCs and NPCs. I'll gently move us along if we're dwelling too much in one part of the scenario.
Any questions, ask away!

So Abaal fights.

Everything about him revolves around this, being daring, and his "mystic black blade."

He has studied calligraphy at some very tough Tian Xia schools.

And he is aware of the Great Old Ones.

They may not be aware of him yet.

Weird Stuff: Angoldir is an investigator with a focus in Aiding Others. He has the Adoptive trait, learning from the halfling that took him in many many (many) years ago that the group succeeds together and how best to help (Helpful Halfling lets him give a +4 bonus when Aiding).

He has turned his keen mind to the challenge of assisting others as well, training himself to aid his companions effortlessly. When he really puts his mind to it, sometimes a burst of inspiration can even let him help in the span of a breath. (Effortless Aid investigator talent lets him Aid as a move action, or a swift action with the expenditure of inspiration.

Lastly, Angoldir has a familiar - a whip-or-will (thrush) called Qadar. His familiar can use inspiration in much the same way Angoldir can (though I have yet to do this, lol).

Sounds good, thanks guys. Interesting looking characters!

Everyone, I should probably give a non-spoilery warning that this adventure has a reputation for being pretty deadly to PCs in certain spots. Although it's a "Free RPG Day" module, that doesn't mean it was intended to be easy or new player friendly. And in addition, some of you are on the lower side of the 4-6 tier range. There's not a lot you can do about this risk other than the usual: be cautious, play smart, and don't be afraid to run for your lives if things turn pear-shaped!

If anyone has purchases to make before the session officially starts, you can record them here.

Yaiho is a Damage Dealer. Defensive are mildly weak and he is somewhat dumb.

He does have a permanent Damage Reduction though.
(2/-) & (4/lethal)

He also gets advantages when destroying objects.

Good role-playing so far everyone!

I'm going to be away from the keyboard for the next day or so--keep up the good planning!

Abaal is almost always willing to go, go, go! But he is not foolish (just fool-hardy). Did anyone have any ideas about dealing with flight, silence, and darkness? One idea for darkness (assuming it is not deeper darkness) might be an everburning torch (a 3rd level light spell). Abaal would volunteer to hold it, but he's a 2-handed fighter, and can't really. He is willing to split the bill. Spellcasting types might consider things they can do when not able to make sounds. And as for flight--do we have any archers in the group? Abaal is not.

Pai is a kineticist, so pretty much all she can do is zap things with electricity. She has up to 120' range, though, and the electricity will give off a brief flash of light, so that could be handy. She'd be totally on board with using hand signals to communicate, but will definitely need at least half an hour to practice.

Pai's token is on the map. Her placement can change, but she wants to be somewhere she can easily keep an eye on the most area possible. She probably won't buy anything for herself, but will happily help purchase items for the group.

Does anyone want to use her itty bitty cold iron dagger? ;D

Would like to by a net or two tanglefoot bags.

4 vials of holy water

20 cold iron arrows

and if possible somethink sticky and stinky (so that if our prey escape, we can follow it)

Sure, please include how much you’re spending for inclusion on Chronicles.

Angoldir will grab that potion (adhesive spittle), two tanglefoot bags, and two bottles of holy water as well. Total of 50 + 100 + 50 = 200 gp.

As a side note, is it usual for a GM to record purchases on chronicle sheets? This is the first time I’ve encountered it.

Oh, and Qadar’s profile is up to date! Woo!

So if Abaal begs, buys, borrows, or steals an everburning torch can someone else carry it?

Pai might be able to. She could set it on the ground if she needs to Gather Power (requires both hands free).

just south of pai. Movement help please. This is a double move.

Done. :)

Thanks for the help. I have never seemed to figure out map moving when using my phone.

Often a phone will be able to open a map to view, but if you do not open it with the actual (in this case Google Slides) app it won't allow you to do more tan that.

Excellent role-playing everyone! And bonus points to Pai for showing real depth of character.

Thanks! I had no idea she'd have a problem with that until this situation. I don't think she did, either.

Don't worry Abaal, you can get your rope back next time you visit the Arvensoar :)

Regarding what to do with the Scarlet Son (kill or show mercy), one option I'll just put out there is a "fade to black" resolution in which whatever happens takes place "off-screen" and isn't mentioned again, so there's no need to decide what "actually" happened. I wouldn't do this in a long campaign where it's important for PCs to work out issues going forward to see what group dynamics will be, but for a short one-shot like PFS, it can help avoid the awkward position of strangers understandably not wanting to impose their views on others. Just an idea to move things along, but if folks would like to work through a more traditional resolution, I'm okay with that too.

I agree. That's the essence of Pai's compromise. Say some words about asking questions first, then leave to let the guards do as they please. If she had been within earshot of Abaal's conversation with them, she would've protested when the captain of the guard washed their hands of it. It is their job to deal with this, after all. What kind of guards are they?!

It's not a perfect solution, but it's not a perfect world. It's close enough that Pai can live with herself and only feel a moderate amount of guilt. (...which may or may not lead to some interesting character growth.)

BTW, are the guards really leaving? Are they already gone? Or do we have time to stop them and leave the gargoyle in their custody?

Abaal's good either way but is curious as to the gargoyle's roost.

That also works for Angoldir.

That is fine for me too.

I did not see the GMs post prior to Grunyak's. Hope it is not too confusing. Very happy to be moving on.

Thanks for whoever did the torch-light effect--I've got to learn some of those little tricks!

You can copy it, and keep it if you like. This one is a magical everburning torch in case that wasn't clear. ;)

Cool, thanks!

Everyone, apologies for being a bit slower with posting this week (and next week). Job stuff will settle down soon.

We've still got some adventure left, but you guys have made good progress and it's fair to say we're starting enter the final lap. It would be good, if you get a chance over the next several days, to review the check-in information you gave me for Chronicles in the Recruitment thread and make sure it's accurate. In addition, you have things like Day Job checks or faction card material that I should add to Chronicles, please let me know here. If anyone has or gets a condition that needs to be cleared, we'll need to address that as well.

My check-in info looks accurate.

Should be room now for Pai off the stairs if she has a neat trick to use.

Not really. Pai just blasts things with electricity.

If we have day jobs, do you want them rolled here or in the recruitment thread with the rest of the Chronicle info?

Actually, rolling in the Recruitment thread might be best, so all the info is one area. Thanks Angoldir.

Pai: I like to make people laughs. Hope this made you smile IRL too.

Oh, heck yeah! I'm still not quite sure what Pai's assessment would be. That aspect of her character hasn't come up yet. If I remember, she'll drop that nugget at the end of the scenario.

This summoned Demon is really causing issues. I need a little tactical information before I try some thing stupid.

Does the alter provide cover from the Babau demon's longspear's reach? I.e. if Grunyak were to 5' shift to behind Angoldir, does the alter prevent AO's because it provides cover?

Yes, I'd say so. Or if someone wanted to climb onto the altar by spending two squares of movement, I'd give them a +1 on attacks for attacking from higher ground.

I honestly think we should run away. These monsters are way too powerful for us.

My job is to be a neutral referee on the "fight or flight" question, as it's completely up to you (and your characters' personalities and motivations) what to do. I honestly won't judge either way--it is a really tough encounter, and without a reliable way to bypass DR (like a Paladin's smite) it can be particularly challenging. For what it's worth, PFS groups do sometimes ask me the out-of-character consequences of fleeing an encounter, and I can confirm that you've earned the XP for this adventure but could lose the 1 PP (depending on if your flight is temporary or permanent).

Just looking at the situation, we are better off fighting smart. Grunyak, Pai and Drusilla need to take on the babau. Demons usually can teleport at will. And we are in a long tunnel essentially with one exit easily blocked.

Pai, if willing, could pick up her dagger from under Grunyak's feet where I think Abaal dropped it and join the melee. She has 58 hit points; she is no fragile egg. If possible, she could provide a flank, block the enemy from moving, fight defensively, ready actions to hand people potions, etc.

I think the babau was ordered to kill Grunyak. And others can pound it unafraid of retribution (probably).

We should minimize provoking AO's remembering the babau has reach. That being said, if you can successfully trip or disarm it safely that would be nice. Weapons won't acid up from that I don't think.

Grunyak has a bull strength to give out. And can loose spells to gain healing spells. He has 2 channels left for dire situations, but can't channel selectively, so the demons would benefit as well.

Unfortunately, I am a paladin at heart and built Grunyak as a battle cleric, but poorly. He can do a lot of things but none of them well. I plan to heal from the wand for a few rounds unless things turn ugly.

Well enough of my speculative pep-talk, let's have fun.

Just looking at the situation, we are better off fighting smart. Grunyak, Pai and Drusilla need to take on the babau. Demons usually can teleport at will. And we are in a long tunnel essentially with one exit easily blocked.

Pai, if willing, could pick up her dagger from under Grunyak's feet where I think Abaal dropped it....

He never accepted it. He beats DR through sheer amounts of damage (weapon specialization, power attack)--when he can hit, so a small (penalty to even hold) dagger doesn't mean much to him in a fight like this.

He did drop some trail rations though, for Yaiho since he looked so hungry, or is it thirsty--Abaal isn't up on his slang. Unfortunately rounds last 6 seconds and therefore the 5 second rule does not apply if Yaiho didn't pick it up the round after Abaal threw it. :(

Maybe, Angoldir has Pai's dagger then. I think Pai handed it to him to give to Abaal. I really kind of lost track of it. Well anyway...

Yeah, but what about my trail rations? ;)

The rats appreciate the meal. Although the nasty, heart laden alter might be their first choice for dining.

Crap, sorry Angoldir! I knew there was a good chance she'd knock you into negatives, but I wasn't expecting the crit.

So some thoughts.

First, rest in peace Angoldir, you can have a share of my dough when this is all over.

Without someone to poke her with a stick every round we are at an effective -4 to hit her. Also, she seems to be a finesse sort of fighter rather than strength (touch attack "weapon", babau's are the "assassin" demons, I think they get sneak attack, she's still stuck in the goo, etc....)

Abaal can with a move action summon up an impressive number of combat feats thanks to his Barroom Brawler feat. One possibility might be Improved Sunder. Some of her AC is undoubtedly dex-based, some of it might be magic, but some of it might be armor as well. Abaal could grab improved sunder, get a +11 on the attempt (+4 for the last aid we are going to get, and +1 for bless). If he uses a single overhand chop he gets to add a total of +4 to his usual damage (shattering strike class feature, and overhand chop class feature). That with the fact she's probably not wearing adamantine might give us back some of that +4 Angoldir was giving us, by breaking her armor. Then Abaal could use it on the babau's spear. Or just the babau. The sword can probably withstand the acid damage without breaking.

The other option I can think of is Dedicated Adversary. Basically this feat gives Abaal the first level favored enemy ranger class ability, which would help Abaal hit (and deal damage) but no one else.

The other option is grappling. This would involve one of the big burly fighter types grappling her.... They are going to take some damage going in (Abaal doesn't have the prerequisites to just get it with Barroom Brawler) but that should offset some her dexterity bonus to AC. Then that person just has to hold on and hope our cleric can keep up with the healing.

This might be best attempted after we sunder her armor and/or deal with the babau, just to give follow up attackers the best possible chance to finish her off.

The problem is of course time. After this round of Abaal, and Yaiho we won't have Angoldir's support available. So whatever we do we should decide now before we go.

Thoughts?

Oh! By the way Yaiho, you and Pai can just hang out for a second, and go with the rest of us if you want. The initiative tracker is just a circle after all. It might allow us to maneuver a little easier if we could all decide where we want to be by the end of the round at the same time. Probably makes it faster for the GM too.

No one accepted Pai's dagger, so she still has it. However, her damage is 1d3-1, so that will be pathetic at best. She's about to get desperate enough to help that she'll do it, though.

Sigh. I knew it was a risk, but I was hoping a crit wouldn't happen.

The good news - if we can get Angoldir's body out of there and if folks are willing to chip in a little gp (117 to be precise), he's got the gold and the prestige to get himself back to life (with a few negative levels, but those can be cleared later when some GM credits are applied) before the end of the scenario. If we do it after the end of the scenario, he can cover the cost himself (but no more Aids).

The bad news - this battle's really not going well for us, and we're effectively down two characters now since these demons are immune to electricity. Retreating now seems like the best option since these demons are not likely to simply let us depart freely. We can regroup and then decide if we're going to head back in or not.

#ThoughtsFromTheBoneyard