[Outpost] Siege GM Discussion (Inactive)

Game Master Dennis Muldoon

Use this thread to discuss, share materials, etc.

GM Hawthwile checking in! 10-11 Soldier looks good!

Query: where are we sticking lvl 14 characters? Out-of-Tier in a 12-13 or 15-16 game?

Hi there. 10-11 Champion it is.

Dotting in

Hi all!

I’m good with 12-13 soldier, but am flexible.

I have purchased the scenario, so I can do up some map slides in the next few weeks if you like, Dennis.

Just to confirm start and end dates:

March 30 - May 18, 2020

Dennis, are you planning on having back-up/relief GMs? I am on vacation from May 10, and while I still plan on posting at least daily, it would be nice to have some coverage while I am travelling.

Any thoughts on this?

Tier 15-16 Soldier.

Will a level-14 PC be able to play up (15-16) or down (12-13)?

*EDIT* According to a post in the product discussion thread on the product description page:

Characters at level 9 and 14 may play in either the sub-tier below or above. For this scenario, it is recommended that they play in the sub-tier below given that Soldier is slightly harder than normal and Champion is effectively hard mode.

Save a spot for me, YiM, please.

Brew checking in.

Save a spot for me, YiM, please.

Ooo, save a spot for me too! Glad the GMs have early access to the signup sheet.

GM Hawthwile checking in! 10-11 Soldier looks good!

Query: where are we sticking lvl 14 characters? Out-of-Tier in a 12-13 or 15-16 game?

As several people have said, level 14 can play up or down. Same for level 9. We may have to make that decision based on other signups, too (i.e. moving level 14s to 12-13 if there's a long waitlist of level 16s or something).

I have purchased the scenario, so I can do up some map slides in the next few weeks if you like, Dennis.

Sharing prep work is great, and one of the reasons for this thread, so go for it! I'm curious how you were able to purchase this scenario, though, since it's a special and shouldn't be available for general purchase.

Just to confirm start and end dates:

March 30 - May 18, 2020

I hope so, those are the dates I have. The ending is a little flexible, depending on how things go, but I would expect us to be done with the special more like the 15th.

Dennis, are you planning on having back-up/relief GMs? I am on vacation from May 10, and while I still plan on posting at least daily, it would be nice to have some coverage while I am travelling.

We will have backups. EvilMinion will be our primary backup, with Mike Hallet as a second backup for RPGG/Mythweavers.

I'm curious how you were able to purchase this scenario, though, since it's a special and shouldn't be available for general purchase.

I didn't do anything *ahem* special. Just went to the product page and added it to my cart.

If I'm not supposed to have it -- I wish them luck getting it back off me :Þ

☘

If it’s possible, I am certainly happy to ‘pre-muster’ GMs Lorenzo and Hawthwile to my table.

You guys know this thing is supposed to be deadly, right ;)

GM Dennis has approved the map slides and some prop pictures I’ve knocked out for sharing with Table GMs for the Siege of Gallowspire Special.

All the prop pics are from the Scenario.

Dennis suggested splitting the Custom Dungeon Map into 3 parts, because it is so large. I’ve done that (with the original map included for reference). But it’s still pretty big, and I encourage each GM to scale/re-size any of the maps to suit themselves (After taking a copy of course!)

Siege of Gallowspire Maps are here!

Prop Pictures are here!

GM Dennis wrote:

I'm curious how you were able to purchase this scenario, though, since it's a special and shouldn't be available for general purchase.

I didn't do anything *ahem* special. Just went to the product page and added it to my cart.

If I'm not supposed to have it -- I wish them luck getting it back off me :Þ

...Huh. Looking at the thread, it sure sounds like that's intentionally allowed. That's an interesting departure from previous specials.

Checking in for the Myth Weavers table.

So far, we've had four people express interest, with levels of 7/9/9/9 or thereabouts. Might be champion, but I'm guessing soldier.

...Huh. Looking at the thread, it sure sounds like that's intentionally allowed. That's an interesting departure from previous specials.

Specials tend to become purchaseable a couple of years after release. Given this is the last ever PF1E one I suspect they decided it didnt make any sense to leave it unavailable.

When do GM and/or normal signups begin?

Tomorrow (Monday) I believe.

Checking in and excited!

In case you missed it, GM early signups are now open! For now you're limited to signing up for one of the specials and three total games.

Thanks for the heads-up!

My scenario just dropped

Aye, I see it in my downloads as well.

Awesome. That's much sooner than I was expecting. That's good, and I would encourage you all to start reading it soon. This one is complex, and it will be good to have lots of time for questions and collaboration.

Something worth noting: there are NO four-player adjustments.

Which scenarios is Shevar Besnik in? I didn't recognize him when I played this at GenCon, and it seems like you're supposed to. Might be nice to be able to remind the players who this guy is and why they should care.

On page 26, under Table GM Instructions:

This scenario assumes that players who chose
the Soldier difficulty at the beginning will proceed to the
Black Caverns (area D), and players who chose the Champion
difficulty at the beginning will proceed to the Pillar (area E).

The scenario assumes it, but I'm not seeing any requirement. This implies that Soldier tables may attempt the Champion-level area. Is this intended?

Which scenarios is Shevar Besnik in? I didn't recognize him when I played this at GenCon, and it seems like you're supposed to. Might be nice to be able to remind the players who this guy is and why they should care.

He is the VC from Tome of Righteous Repose.

So I'm making drag-and-drop token slides to accompany Yours is Mined's map slides, and I found something curious. Optional Catacombs Encounter 2: Bones! has two gakis for the Tier 10-11 encounter, with a CR of 13 (which is rather impressive for two CR 7 creatures). Is this a misprint? If so, where can we find what to replace them with?

So I'm making drag-and-drop token slides to accompany Yours is Mined's map slides, and I found something curious. Optional Catacombs Encounter 2: Bones! has two gakis for the Tier 10-11 encounter, with a CR of 13 (which is rather impressive for two CR 7 creatures). Is this a misprint? If so, where can we find what to replace them with?

That question was also asked a month ago in GM Prep, and hasn't gotten an answer. If we get an answer here, it should probably be copied over there as well.

Well that's a bother.

In the meantime, we have tokens! Feel free to update the pictures if you have a better image, but please don't delete any tokens (use the 'Replace Image' option from right-clicking a token).

To Use:
- Copy the map you need over to your own slides
- Copy the tokens for your encounter and tier over to the map
- - (Dashed outlines are for Champion-only opponents)
- Resize tokens as needed
- ???
- Profit!

On page 26, under Table GM Instructions:

Quote:

This scenario assumes that players who chose
the Soldier difficulty at the beginning will proceed to the
Black Caverns (area D), and players who chose the Champion
difficulty at the beginning will proceed to the Pillar (area E).

The scenario assumes it, but I'm not seeing any requirement. This implies that Soldier tables may attempt the Champion-level area. Is this intended?

The instructions we were given by Linda when I GMed this at PaizoCon last year was that only Champion tables should go to the Champion-level area at the end, so let's stick with that here.

I am prepping this at the moment. the scenaro says that if you gain th trust of the orcs they come with you but this seems to have no effect. It also says they show you an easier way into the crater but this also is never referenced again.

Regarding aid characters:

If an aid character dies, what does it take to bring them back? Raise Dead?

If the aid character hits the 11-19 result (perilous success) and the house fails the mission, it costs 8pp to fix that. If they don't, do they die? Can that be paid with gold instead? Is it subject to the half-price spellcasting like a "dead-dead" aid character is?

If an aid character attempts heroic aid and rolls less than 16, he's injured and must spend 8pp. Same questions here as above - can this be paid in gold, is it subject to the half-price spellcasting, and will they die without spending this amount?

If an aid character is injured performing heroic aid, they can't participate in the mission later. But what if the mission is already over, and they were injured in the mission? In that case, can they attempt heroic aid?

Please disregard the final question in my previous post. Heroic Aid is attempted at the beginning of the scenario, rather than when the token is used.

When discussing the difference between Soldier and Champion, can we say things like "some of the CRs are 2 higher, but there's a boon at the end"?

How are we going to handle passing the aid tokens to "nearby tables"?

When I played at GenCon, it was unclear which tokens get used. Can players use "their" aid tokens for in-game benefit? Or do they need to wait until other tables pass them a token, and use that?

One used for an effect, are Aid Tokens removed from play? Or are they simply passed to another table? Again, this was unclear at GenCon.

Given that each table might generate up to 18 aid tokens I can only assume they are intended to be one use. I assume you cannot use your own tables but clarification would help.

Another question that just came up:

If a player markes one of his PCs as an aid character, is that PC forbidden from playing other games until the special is finished?

I would assume so, since aid characters run the risk of death and/or prestige expenditure.

EDIT: Looks like the player in question also asked this question on the announcement thread.

When discussing the difference between Soldier and Champion, can we say things like "some of the CRs are 2 higher, but there's a boon at the end"?

We're generally discouraged from discussing boons on chronicle sheets, though I think it would be fair to say that both the risks and rewards are higher for Champion.

How are we going to handle passing the aid tokens to "nearby tables"?

We can discuss specifics as we get closer, but I don't see any reason not to use the same method we have for PbP Aid Tokens in the past: post here in the Recruitment thread and in the Discussion thread of the receiving table. Because we're all playing online, all tables are equally 'nearby'.

When I played at GenCon, it was unclear which tokens get used. Can players use "their" aid tokens for in-game benefit? Or do they need to wait until other tables pass them a token, and use that?

I don't believe you can use your own Aid Tokens. That certainly wasn't how we did it at PaizoCon, so let's go with you can't use your own.

One used for an effect, are Aid Tokens removed from play?

Yes, one-time use.

Regarding aid characters:

If an aid character dies, what does it take to bring them back? Raise Dead?

Yes, I believe normal dead character rules apply in that case.

If the aid character hits the 11-19 result (perilous success) and the house fails the mission, it costs 8pp to fix that. If they don't, do they die?

I don't think they're dead, but can't be used until their wounds are healed.

Can that be paid with gold instead? Is it subject to the half-price spellcasting like a "dead-dead" aid character is?

I don't know. I'll have to dig into this.

Another question that just came up:

If a player markes one of his PCs as an aid character, is that PC forbidden from playing other games until the special is finished?

I would assume so, since aid characters run the risk of death and/or prestige expenditure.

EDIT: Looks like the player in question also asked this question on the announcement thread.

That's I'm going with for now. I'll see if I can dig up an official answer from Tonya/Linda, but I think that should be our assumption until we hear otherwise.

shaventalz wrote:

When discussing the difference between Soldier and Champion, can we say things like "some of the CRs are 2 higher, but there's a boon at the end"?

We're generally discouraged from discussing boons on chronicle sheets, though I think it would be fair to say that both the risks and rewards are higher for Champion.

I know we're not supposed to talk about what you can get on chronicles (especially boons), but wasn't sure if "this sheet has a boon of some kind" was fine.

shaventalz wrote:

If an aid character dies, what does it take to bring them back? Raise Dead?

Yes, I believe normal dead character rules apply in that case.

But how dead? Death effects, for instance, require a more-expensive spell to fix.

I didn't see anything in the aid missions that looked like it would prevent Raise Dead from working, but wanted to be sure.

GM Dennis wrote:

shaventalz wrote:

If an aid character dies, what does it take to bring them back? Raise Dead?

Yes, I believe normal dead character rules apply in that case.

But how dead? Death effects, for instance, require a more-expensive spell to fix.

I didn't see anything in the aid missions that looked like it would prevent Raise Dead from working, but wanted to be sure.

There's nothing that makes it more expensive than normal, as far as I've seen.

shaventalz wrote:

GM Dennis wrote:

shaventalz wrote:

If an aid character dies, what does it take to bring them back? Raise Dead?

Yes, I believe normal dead character rules apply in that case.

But how dead? Death effects, for instance, require a more-expensive spell to fix.

I didn't see anything in the aid missions that looked like it would prevent Raise Dead from working, but wanted to be sure.

There's nothing that makes it more expensive than normal, as far as I've seen.

Good. Wanted a second set of eyes on that, just to make sure of my reading.

Or "eye" in this case, I guess.

*****

shaventalz wrote:

If the aid character hits the 11-19 result (perilous success) and the house fails the mission, it costs 8pp to fix that. If they don't, do they die?

I don't think they're dead, but can't be used until their wounds are healed.

My problem with this is on page 17 of the Guide (latest version.)

Note: Any affliction that would result in an unplayable

character must be resolved at the table once the game
ends as explained in Chapter 4 of this document. If the
character cannot resolve an affliction that would render her
unplayable, mark the character as dead.

It seems like this is just death by another name. Death-by-OP-rules, rather than death-by-box-text.

It's effectively the same. I think the intention is that you can flavor it as 'I used to be a Pathfinder, but then I took an arrow to the knee' instead of death, but either way you can't play that character any more.

If someone brings a level 4 pregen for an aid character, does that get tied in any way to a "real" character? Specifically, for risk of death and boon purposes.

Just double-checking here, since I've got a couple players asking about the death thing. I don't see anything in the scenario that would link them like that.

Didn't look like the lvl 4 pregens were tied to anything, so they should be safe for players who are feeling antsy!

Level 4 pregens can’t attempt to grant Heroic Aid, so that’s one method of death off the table. They can, however, participate in Aid Missions (albeit at a very high chance of death). I am not finding any information on tracking that death for pregen characters though.

They don't map to any character, so no real risk except that they have very little chance of helping, so doing so puts all the real aid characters at every table at greater risk of the mission failing (as aid mission successes are tied to the total number of cumulative aid successes across the whole house).

Vetted this with Dennis first; I put up a spiel about Champion difficulty, and Aid Characters and tokens. Getting this info up sooner rather than later might be useful to players choosing characters for the con.

If anyone wants top copy/paste what I have (which is mostly copied from the special itself), feel free: https://paizo.com/campaigns/v5748p75ivl04/discussion#1

Totally stealing that Doug, thanks. Anyone have the slides made?

Siege of Gallowspire Maps are here!

Prop Pictures are here!

Brew, try these.

Trust Heccan is staying out of trouble?

Hey Schiavo! Thanks for the link. Exactly what I was looking for. Hec is stuck in a mod atm, but still raising hell!

Rather than putting the aid token rules on a tiny google slide I have out mine into a basic google doc which I find far more readable. Feel free to point people at it if you want to.

Aid Token Effects