Hmm's PF2 #1-07 Flooded King's Court and Other Tales (Inactive)

Game Master Hmm

Hello Everyone!

I'm GM Hmm, and you're all here in this invitation-only game. I know that some of you may be making characters for this, and that is okay. You can discuss those characters here! I look forward to playing with all of you!

Here's the information the information I will need for your chronicles:

Player:
Character Name:
OPF Number:
Faction:
Downtime (usually earn income):
Current XP: This will be zero on a beginning character.
Current Fame: This will be zero on a beginning character.
Reputation with current faction:
Reputation with Vigilant Seal:

Also, can you select your Pathfinder Training and tell me what items you are borrowing from the Grand Lodge for this mission? Conversely, you can tell me that you are a field agent who got no training but earns more income during downtime!

Hi, everyone! I think I've got my character down for this: She's a mountain dwarf fighter who's very excited to be going on her first mission. I'm hoping to have her character set tomorrow; I just need to figure out her name (as usual, one of the last things I manage to do with my characters...).

I don't know if my friend is on board yet. I'll ask him.

I am still brand new to PF 2e, and I'm working on a character. A goblin sorcerer (who thinks she's a halfling?).

More Dwarves are good!

The two characters I have that I'm interested in the most in getting levels on are Klank here, 9xp shield based dwarven fighter, who's currently idle.

And

Junior Peppers (Hails from Saringallow...) Half Elf Elemental Sorceror, currently at 10xp but is somewhere in the second half (I assume) of Trail Blazer's Bounty.

So if you are looking to start in the near future then Klank is your man. If this isn't going to fire off for a while then I may bring Junior.

**Also, as far as field agent goes... really disappointed in the mechanics of that at level 1. You earn very little extra $$ at the expense of TWO consumables. Harsh!

I honestly think that Pathfinder Training is the better deal, but I know some people who are really loving that extra income.

As for timeline, I am guessing a few days to allow people to build characters? How much time will people need?

I don't know if my friend is on board yet. I'll ask him.

I am still brand new to PF 2e, and I'm working on a character. A goblin sorcerer (who thinks she's a halfling?).

This sounds ABSOLUTELY perfect for this adventure. Go for it.

Hmm

Hi everyone! I'll be brining Iqu, my Varki fighter.

Player: meloriel
Character Name: Iqu
OPF Number: 276820 - 2003
Faction: Envoy's Alliance
Downtime (usually earn income): Scouting Lore: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 3 = 23
Current XP: 4
Current Fame: 4
Reputation with Envoy's Alliance: 4
Reputation with Vigilant Seal: 0
Training Swords 3
Free Items: minor healing potion (2)

I'm hoping to have my character done tomorrow. I need to decide on a background, and then she should come together pretty quickly.

I'm working on my character now. I will be posting below some question that I am facing.

My friend is on board, but we live in different cities. I'm trying to get him up to speed. I don't know how much time that will take. (In part because I'm not up to speed.)

Being in different cities is not a problem in PBP. Just bring him into this discussion, and we can all help you build your characters!

Ok, I think I have a start on my character. @GM: If you don't mind, would you please look this over to see if I've missed anything? I also have a couple of questions in there. Thanks! This is what I've got so far:

Concept: Gralla (Copper) is a goblin who was adopted by the Berrythwaite clan of halflings in Absalom, partly because of her draconic bloodline and that clan's strong affinity for both dragons and orphans. She admires her "Aunt" Juniper Berrythwaite.

Ancestry: Goblin (+Dex, +Cha, –Wis)
FIRST QUESTION: If I want a Voluntary flaw, is this where I add it, and can Wis be one of the scores that I reduce again?

Background: Barkeep (+Cha, +Dex), Diplomacy, Lore (Alcohol), Hobknobber feat.
Class: Sorcerer (+Cha), Draconic (Copper)

Boosts: +Cha, +Dex, +Str, +Con

Abilities: If I can drop Wis farther, then I will do so, and drop Str and boost Dex to get
Str 10
Dex 18
Con 12
Int 12
Wis 6
Cha 18

Otherwise they are
Str 12
Dex 16
Con 12
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 18

hp: 13 (6 goblin plus 6+1 sorcerer)

Trained Skills
Background: Diplomacy, Lore (Alcohol)
Sorcerer: Perception
Bloodline: Arcana, Intimidation
Other (2+Int): Deception, Stealth, Lore (Dragons)

Saving Throws
Trained in Fort, Ref
Expert in Will

Sorcerer Class Features
Spell List: arcane
Bloodline Skills: Arcana, Intimidation
Bloodline: Draconic (Copper)
Granted Spells: Cantrip — shield; 1st — true strike
Bloodline Spells: dragon claws
Bloodline Magic: draconic scales grow briefly on you or one target, granting a +1 status bonus to AC for 1 round.

Spell Repertoire:
Cantrips (5): shield, 5 more...
1st (3): true strike, 3 more...
SECOND QUESTION: What are some good recommendations for spells? I want to leverage my Dexterity and Charisma, and I want to do direct damage or deception, because that seems to fit with Copper's personality.

Going back to Ancestry...
Languages: Common, Goblin, Draconic
Traits: Goblin, Humanoid
Special Abilities: Darkvision (You can see in darkness and dim light just as well as you can see in bright light, though your vision in darkness is in black and white.)
Alignment: NG
Heritage: Razortooth. (You gain a jaws unarmed attack that deals 1d6 piercing damage. Your jaws are in the brawling group and have the finesse and unarmed traits.)
Goblin Feat: Very Sneaky

I am also entertaining other ideas for her first name. I want something cute and goblin, even though she will usually go by Copper.

If you want to change her name, I'd post as the Fox in discussion so you don't lock it in at 10 posts. Names... If she was adopted by Berrythwaite perhaps she would have a plant name like her Aunt Juniper?

The other consideration would be if your name rhymes with something that you like to do, so that you can make a goblin song with it. Performing is totally a thing with goblins! And goblin consonants tend to be harsh...

How about Zyte 'Copper' Berrythwaite? Zyte rhymes with fight, bite and night -- all things that goblins welcome. Copper rhymes with 'chopper' so it works too.

I don't recommend reducing WIS any more than you have to -- Will saves are important. Dropping wisdom will not get you extra points to use elsewhere. If you are planning on fighting up close, your damage will be strength based.

Hmm

Thanks, Hmm... I like the name Zyte a lot. Rhyming is really good consideration.

For the Berrythwaites, the naming convention for men is that it must end in an -o. For women, the restrictions are looser, and they just need to have something to do with nature, not necessarily plants. I mean, sure, Juniper, Willow, and Maple are the three that are already established in my headcanon, so maybe they do need to be trees.

I like Copper because of her draconic heritage. She probably wasn't named by the Berrythwaites. They love her and have taken her into their clan, and she uses the clanname, but they wouldn't give her a new first name. I think even her nick name predates her adoption.

Maybe I could combine the two ideas though? Ideally, her name would be (1) goblin-sounding, (2) rhyme with things she likes to do or aspects of her character, and (2) refer to trees or plants.

======================

Regarding WIS, I don't need her to be optimized, and I kinda prefer that she isn't. That said, if you think Wis 6 is an absolutely terrible idea, I will listen to you. :) My thinking about Str is that, as a sorcerer (who might take a Champion archetype later), she will primarily be at range, where Dex is likely to be more important; and in melee, she can fall back on her claws which deal 1d4 plus 1d6 and are finesse weapons. So maybe Str is not as important?

I just noticed that I had accidentally boosted Int in the above array. That was a carryover from a previous iteration. But now I think I want the Int more than Str. So, I'll abandon the idea of tanking Wis and Str. Then the scores would be:

Str 10
Dex 16
Con 12
Int 12
Wis 8
Cha 18

======================

What about spells for 1st level? I don't know what is good in 2e.

Thank you again for your help! :)

Grams, reporting for duty! (Will post in the game thread shortly.)

(This is motteditor/Jacob)

This is what I'm thinking for spells. (I think I've figured out spell slots and such.)

Spell Repertoire
Cantrips:
◕ acid splash
◕ daze
◕ message
◕ read aura
◕ shield (B)
1st:
◕ burning hands
◕ charm
◕ true strike (B)

Focus Spell: dragon claws

Ok, I think I'm mostly done with my character sheet, other than buying equipment. I might still be a bit confused about feats also.

@GM Hmm: When you get a chance, would you please look at my sheet (in her profile) to make sure I am calculating things like AC, attacks, saves, and skills correctly? I think I understand how they work, but I just want to make sure. Thanks in advance. :)

Seeing as we already have two fighters, and I'll have a chronicle from Plague Stone to apply to someone soon, I'm going to make the character that will get that chronicle anyhow and just rebuild him later on.

So once we know what we've got I'll try to fill in a role/void.

Right now we're at 2 fighters, and a sorcerer? Are there just the four of us?

Ok here's Scratch. I've gotta adjust him down to level 1 with some changes. He'll be a fresh level 1.

Are there mechanical effects to being size Small? I'm not seeing it anywhere.

There are not (at least none that I'm aware of), The Fox.

Player: Jacob W. Michaels
Character Name: Brynsil "Grams" Lustershale
OPF Number: 83959-2002
Faction: Horizon Hunters
Downtime (usually earn income): earn income
Current XP: 0
Current Fame: 0
Reputation with current faction: 0
Reputation with Vigilant Seal: 0

My question: Can you have rep with more than one faction? Is that only if you switch factions?

Player: The Fox
Character Name: (???) Copper Berrythwaite
OPF Number: 75958-2001
Faction: Radiant Oath
Downtime (usually earn income): Earn Income (Lore, Alcohol +7)
Current XP: 0
Current Fame: 0
Reputation with current faction: 0
Reputation with Vigilant Seal: 0
Training: Spells 3
Free Items: scroll of burning hands, minor healing potion

So we have one more person who is supposed to show up, along with your friend. We have two fighters, a ranger and a sorcerer currently.

If it helps, Scratch is built for ranged combat with a crossbow. Also is very well equipped on the skills front and is a former Dwarven Infantry Battle Medic. Now he's just a crazy old coot that belongs in the woods more than civilized society. You'll love him.

Once I get the last of his training/affiliation set I'll post his important details HMM.

(Also, FWIW, I meant to say I thought Gralla was a fine name. I felt like it had both a goblin and halfling feel, and that works.)

Despite my suggestions, Gralla works for me too.

And yes, you can belong to more than one faction. It's like Starfinder where you can pick up different faction boons. Although it pays to specialize, often people will dip for different faction boons.

So we have one more person who is supposed to show up, along with your friend. We have two fighters, a ranger and a sorcerer currently.

My friend has created a Half-Orc Shoanti Druid. He should be posting in here soon. :)

I will work on getting a profile built for him.

Ok, I think I'm mostly done with my character sheet, other than buying equipment. I might still be a bit confused about feats also.

@GM Hmm: When you get a chance, would you please look at my sheet (in her profile) to make sure I am calculating things like AC, attacks, saves, and skills correctly? I think I understand how they work, but I just want to make sure. Thanks in advance. :)

I am really terrible at doing calculations. Math is not my strong suit. (Ask Massee about this.) You may want to have another player double check your math. On the other hand, I really like the clarity and readability of you layout. On spells: I think Burning Hands is very appropriate for a goblin. Magic Missile is as good as ever. And I think that I need to steal the diamonds you are using in your sheet -- they look better than the ones that Pip was using!

For equipment, take a look at the starter kits that are available in the CRB! They provide an excellent initial outlay.

Hmm

I'm happy to take a look this afternoon.

... On the other hand, I really like the clarity and readability of you layout. ... And I think that I need to steal the diamonds you are using in your sheet -- they look better than the ones that Pip was using! ...

I stole my format from Pip, so I guess it's fair you steal my diamonds. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And you have convinced me to take magic missile. :)

When it comes to choosing spells, especially on a sorcerer, I tend to start with character concept compatibility and then move on to situational diversity.

-Does the spell fit the character?
-Do you have a variety of options to cover different situations?

When it comes to the cantrips this is really helpful. Also, for damaging ranged cantrips check on the ranges. Most are short.

**HMM hates math but makes characters that add lots of helpful bonuses!

The Numbers all look correct to me on Copper.

The Numbers all look correct to me on Copper.

Thank you! :)

Question Why are there Level 1 Sorcerer Feats if Sorcerers don't get feats until Level 2?

Some ancestries allow you to pick a class feat, like humans.

GM Hmm wrote:

... On the other hand, I really like the clarity and readability of you layout. ... And I think that I need to steal the diamonds you are using in your sheet -- they look better than the ones that Pip was using! ...

I stole my format from Pip, so I guess it's fair you steal my diamonds. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

And you have convinced me to take magic missile. :)

Thanks! The diamonds look good on me! I'm glad that you found Pip's character sheet helpful.

HMM hates math but makes characters that add lots of helpful bonuses!

I like helping out the entire team.

As for the math involved, I can usually set things up so that things total for me. My botting spoilers include Inspire Courage, and I use Bret's ITS spreadsheet to track XP, factions, money, reputation and all those other math bits.

(The link above is to a blank ITS that you can copy for your own characters.)

Pip has her ITS linked to her character sheet, along with copies of her scanned chronicle sheets.

Ok. I've settled on Loola, and I changed her bloodline from copper dragon to blue dragon, and adjusted her name accordingly. I really like the idea of a goblin named Blue Berry (something or other). I've also changed her cantrip from acid splash to electric arc to match.

How long do we want to wait for our last two members? Simone and Fox's friend, can you post in here so I know that you are coming?

How long do we want to wait for our last two members? Simone and Fox's friend, can you post in here so I know that you are coming?

I've sent him a message. :)

Player: Massee
Character Name: Scratch Steeltoe
OPF Number: 202046-2002
Faction: Vigilant Seal
Downtime (usually earn income): Craft Traps: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 5 = 18
Current XP: Zilcho
Current Fame: Zilcho
Reputation with current faction: Zilcho
Reputation with Vigilant Seal: Zilcho

Trained in Swords III. My default free consumables and slotted boons are:

Vigilant Seal Boon
Potency Crystal (Crossbow)
Minor Healing Potion

I reserve the right to change those up after the briefing.. unless that letter IS the briefing, in which case I'm happy with those choices.

I do at some point need to get more literate on the faction stuff. I've always really like the RP value of the factions. So far I've only used the hireling for Klank. He needed a 'front man'. Scratch might get a similar NPC for a CHA based skill. I'm also pondering Arcana. Or perhaps later I'll adjust his INT for that extra skill point.

**HMM: Please remove Klank from the character list on the thread. Thanks.

I'd say let's give them until the end of the day and then move on (if they check in but still need a little more time to get their character together, I'm fine with that).

Hi all! This is my first PbP campaign, my first time posting on the Paizo boards, and my first 2e experience, so... please bear with me :) I'm still working on my character but am super excited to be here! I finally have a free night tonight and hope to share a more robust update then. Thanks for your patience as I get up to speed!

(Also, I clearly need to edit my profile or something, because I don't plan on playing a druid (this time!) — must be a relic from long ago.)

Ok, hi all, I'm Fox's friend. Thanks for your patience with the delay; yesterday was the #Strike4BlackLives and I had some work to do.

Flavor-wise, this guy is a half-orc druid of the red rocks. He does not remember his childhood, only things that have happened since his Awakening in the desert.

I'm copy-pasting here the thing that Fox wrote for me. I left some stuff as question marks because I'm not sure how they work and wanted to ask.

Some stuff I probably have but I’m not sure how the statistics work: a gnarled and obviously hand-crafted wooden shield, piecemeal and obviously hand-crafted leather armor.

I’m not sure about attack rolls because I’ll probably use Wild Morph, which makes my unarmed attacks into finesse weapons, and my str and dex are the same currently.

Nationality Shoanti
Birthplace ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ - Somewhere near Urglin
Age mid-20's? early 30's?
Gender/Pronouns Male / he, him
Height 6’3”
Weight 200 lb
Physical Appearance Windswept and gaunt. Strong but not muscular. Marked as clearly by the desert as by his half-orc ancestry.

Ancestry Human (Half-Orc)
Background Herbalist
Class Druid (Wild); Level 1
size Medium; traits[b] human, humanoid, orc
[b]Alignment chaotic good; deity the spirits of the red rocks
Languages Common, Druidic

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SENSES
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Perception +7 (+1 level, +2 trained, +4 Wis)
Special Senses low-light vision

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DEFENSE
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hp 19 (8 human, 8 druid, +3 Con)
AC 15 (+1 armor, +1 Dex, +1 level, +2 trained)
Armor Proficiencies Unarmored [T], Light [T], Medium [T]
Saves (Fort +6 [T], Ref +4 [T], Will +9 [E])

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OFFENSE
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Class DC 17 (+4 Wis, +1 level, +2 trained)
Speed 25

Weapon Proficiencies Simple [T], Unarmed [T]

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MAGIC
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Magic Tradition primal
Spell Attack (arcane): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Spell DC (arcane) 17 [T]

Focus Points 1
Focus Spells
◈ wild morph (V)
◈ wild shape (V)

Typical Spells Prepared (primal)
1st Level (2/day)
◈◈ heal (S,V)
◈◈ gust of wind (S, V)

Cantrips (5/day)
◈◈ dancing lights (S,V)
◈◈ produce flame (S,V)
◈◈ know direction (S,V)
◈◈ stabilize (S,V)
◈◈ guidance (S,V)

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SKILLS
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Athletics (Dex) +4
Herbalism (Int) +3
Intimidate (Cha) +3
Nature (Wis) +7
Stealth (Dex) +4
Survival (Wis) +7

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ABILITIES
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Str +1, Dex +1, Con +3, Int +0, Wis +4, Cha +0

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FEATS
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Ancestry (Half-Orc) Feat Orc Ferocity
Background Feat Natural Medicine
Druid Feat Shield Block
Order Feat Wild Shape

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ABILITIES
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Wild Empathy You have a connection to the creatures of the natural world that allows you to communicate with them on a rudimentary level. You can use Diplomacy to Make an Impression on animals and to make very simple Requests of them. In most cases, wild animals will give you time to make your case.

Anathema As stewards of the natural order, druids find affronts to nature anathema. If you perform enough acts that are anathema to nature, you lose your magical abilities that come from the druid class, including your primal spellcasting and the benefits of your order. These abilities can be regained only if you demonstrate your repentance by conducting an atone ritual. (See Druid for more info.)

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EQUIPMENT
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Bulk See Chronicles and ITS

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CHRONICLES
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Chronicles See Chronicles and ITS

Welcome to both of you!

This morning I created a LEGO Brickheadz version of Loola, and I wanted to share. :)

H'lo all! Welcome, and please don't worry about asking questions.

Virsa, This post has a lot of the very basics of PBP (such as when to use bold, italics, etc.).

This post is one of my favorites on the entire forums. It goes into more detail about how to be awesome at PBP. The big one is make sure you're doing "pushing" posts.

--

Nice, Blue!

Virsa -- you can create a separate alias for the character you're creating! That means your main alias can be all druidy, and you can have a separate alias for your PF2 character! If you go to your account, you should be able to start up a new PF2 character there!

Druific Temp -- your character sheet looks great! Can you post it into your profile? If you click Loola's avatar, you can see that her character sheet is set up in her profile. If you click on your own avatar, you should see a link to edit your profile, and you can post that groovy sheet there.

Some thoughts:

Skills If you are planning that you are crafting your own equipment... perhaps you should have crafting? On the other hand, I really like the skills you have chosen. It's a pretty good idea for most characters to have athletics or acrobatics. Maybe your stuff was made by a friend or mentor. You can always fluff this until you pick up your next skill feat.

Gear As for equipment... I am going to point you to the same place I pointed Loola. There are class kits on p 289 of the CRB. You don't have to take everything there. Folks with dark vision may decide to eschew the torches, for example. Or pick different weapons than the ones suggested. Pip hated the sling, and had some extra money from me GMing Absalom Initiation, so went straight to a short bow. Still, this can give you a starting point to look at when considering beginning gear.

One thing that may seem overwhelming is looking at weapons. Still, I recommend taking a look at some of the options for your class and seeing what their properties are. In PF2, the designers had fun with making all the weapons have different properties, so they have different feels in battle.

Origin Story My favorite place for a half-orc to be from is Averka in the Ironbound Archipelago (ask the Fox about that charming little warrior fishing village) but for an amnesiac who woke up in the desert, Urglin is fine.

Name Druiffic Temp doesn't work for me. It's kind of like Bardy McBardface. On the other hand, you could have a name like Dru Dustborn that might evoke your origin story. I'll let you think on it.

@GM Hmm: Druiffic is experiencing connection difficulties today. He has a work meeting to attend this morning and will attempt again this afternoon.