GM Doug's Sky Key Solution (Inactive)

Game Master Doug Hahn

WELCOME TO THE SKY KEY SOLUTION!

My goal is for you to have fun while playing a balanced Pathfinder Society game.

Please review my table expectations. I will be posting scenario-specific considerations as we approach the start of Gameday.

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TABLE EXPECTATIONS

Post Frequency

Be ready to post at least once a day. I am more active than many other PbP GMs and am willing to post more than once a day to keep things moving at a good clip. Since this is a special, I will bot you if you do not post once every 24 hours.

Maturity and communicativeness go a long way! Please post here or in any supplemental channels, the group decides to use (Google Hangouts, Slack, Discord, etc).

Botting

Include botting instructions in your profile. If you have a preference for who runs your character, write that down too. If you or your preferred botter have not posted in more than 24 hours, I will bot your character to keep the game moving.

Marching Order & Maps

To speed things up I ask the group for a marching order at the beginning of the adventure. Unless otherwise noted I will begin your PCs on the map in this order, where the scenario says to.

Initiative

I will roll all Initiative checks for PCs and NPCs, sort them, and organize them into blocks. I will bold the names of characters whose turn it is to act. I will include the status of HP, etc.

When it is your turn to act, post. Do not wait for someone else to post just because they had a higher Initiative inside your initiative block. If you know what you want to do but want to wait for someone else’s action first, just say that. To encourage timely posting and avoid unnecessary delays, I will retroactively include bonuses where it makes sense for allies who are in the same initiative block, even if one player posts before getting that bonus. For example, if a fighter posts right before the bard, and the bard always Inspires Courage, I will include the inspire bonus in the fighter's attack and damage rolls even though the player didn't do so. Where possible, I will update initiatives and note the bonuses each player is receiving.

Rolling Saves

When asked to roll a save, it must always be the first dice roll on your next post. If you do not do this and/or if you are not consistent about the order of operations, I will roll the save for your PC.

Character Taglines & Profiles

Put your character's gender (so we know which pronouns to use), race/class (optional), and their status in the fields labeled "Race" and "Class."

"Status" usually means current/maximum hit points, ACs, Saving Throws with modifiers, Spells or spell slots, and other resources. The status tagline might look like something this (copy/pasted from my oracle) — note that I have not only included spell slots and spell-likes, also important consumables (albeit abbreviated) such as the once-a-day mnemonic vestments and the character's current disguise (which might have an impact on how NPCs interact with them):

Gender Neutral Oracle (they) | HP 56/56 | Init+ 5 | F:+9 R: +9 W: +10 (+18 vs chm/compul.; +12 vs illus/fear/desp.) | AC 21 T 16 F 19 | CMD 14 | Speed 20(30) | M. Bridge: 7/7 | Etern. Hope: 1/1 | Vest. 1/1 | V. Pool: 9/10 | Spells: 1: 6/8 2: 6/8 3: 6/7 4: 3/4 | Current disguise: Vonner Flay, Dogcatcher | Rerolls: 0/1 | Active: Siv. Veils, Longstrider, Heroism, 6 Mirror Images, Shld. Faith, Death Ward

In your character profile, please include the complete stat block as well, so the GM can audit your character. Be prepared to scan or take pictures of any chronicle sheets or boons upon request.

Chronicle Information

In order to be able to generate a PFS chronicle, I ask that each character please provide me the following information here, in the discussion thread.

Player Name:
Character Name:
PFS & Character Number:
Faction:
Day Job Roll:

Rules Questions and OOC Information

Please post rules questions in the discussion thread. Try not to interrupt the flow of narrative gameplay. I am also happy to start a hangout on google hangouts, or a channel in the Bay Area Pathfinder Slack or Discord for ooc conversation.

Looking forward to playing.

Below is the info for my Chronicle Sheet -

Player Name: EbonFist
Character Name: Kahwen
PFS & Character Number: 143948-9
Faction: Grand Lodge
Day Job Roll: Profession (Sailor): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Looking forward to it!

Player Name: GM Aarvid
Character Name: Roderick
PFS & Character Number: 9884-9
Faction:
Day Job Roll: 1: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Player Name: Aaron
Character Name: Theo 'Little Foot' Rosevale
PFS & Character Number: 84637-1
Faction: The Exchange
Day Job Roll: Survival: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20 (might forgo this for a faction card item)

Theo has a large sized axe beak animal companion, if it matters.

Player Name: Auke Teeninga
Character Name: Lilybeth Zey
PFS & Character Number: 710-18
Faction: Dark Archive
Day Job Roll: Craft Alchemy: 1d20 + 21 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (7) + 21 + 4 + 1 = 33 (Might reroll if I don't use my reroll during the adventure :-) )

My timezone is Amsterdam, which differs 9 hours from SF, so I would appreciate it if the GM would roll saves for me when needed (it's the same virtual dice anyway :-P )

We begin in a week! Hopefully, we can get a couple more players. In the meantime, I have put together a Slide Deck for us.

Please check that the info is correct, fill out any areas that are missing (or add notes), and add your own tokens if you have 'em. Make sure to delete any chronicles that you don't have on this character from the "Chronicles Reference" section, too.

Thanks for the heads-up about the Axebeak, Theo. Animal companions should usually go on their own initiative (I am fine if it delays until you go or vice versa, whatever your usual M.O. is). To that end, I added Fairbeaks into my initiative block macro.

Noted about saves and the time difference, Lilybeth. Thanks for letting me know in advance!

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

— Doug

Lilybeth forgot to mention this, but she has a very powerful dragon familiar, who will be actively participating in combat.

Excellent. I added Inkwell Pendragon's token to the slide.

I also added an optional "Summons Tokens" slide. You can drop in any additional artwork for the summons that you commonly use there. If not, we can just use the generic tokens.

Excellent. I added Inkwell Pendragon's token to the slide.

I also added an optional "Summons Tokens" slide. You can drop in any additional artwork for the summons that you commonly use there. If not, we can just use the generic tokens.

Looks like Kahwen was removed from the sign up sheet.

Looks like Kahwen was removed from the sign up sheet.

I just noticed that myself.

If anyone needs to drop at this late stage, please let us know publicly in this thread as a courtesy to the GM and fellow players. (Or just PM me).

I assume you all want to continue with a group of 3 and a level 7 pregen — let me know who you want to use and who will be responsible for running them (I'm fine if it's a collective effort too!).

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Roderick, Theo, can you finish filling out the sign-in sheet? There's a section about scenarios you played before.

Thanks,

Doug

multi table specials don't usually have a 4 player adjustment, do they?

we'd be going in as is, for the full brunt of it.

multi table specials don't usually have a 4 player adjustment, do they?

we'd be going in as is, for the full brunt of it.

That's correct. I think you will be OK, but if this is something you are not comfortable with, please let me know! My goal is for us to have a good time here; part of that is being comfortable with the level of challenge.

We start tomorrow!

Please let me know what pregen you want to use.

We start tomorrow!

Please let me know what pregen you want to use.

Seelah is my go to pregen as she is quite decent and versatile. As I already have my familiar and my summons I think it would not be wise for me to also control the pregen.

I've asked some PbP veterans if they want to join, as I'd prefer "real characters", so I hope one or more of them are interested.

I've poked around for more, too. Thanks!

I believe there are pbp-ready pregens out there, so if needed we should be able to bootstrap one pretty fast. Overall, I want to work together to make this fun without putting an undue burden on any player — thanks for being clear about your preferences!

I believe we have at least one more player coming in!

The con starts tonight at 5 PM Pacific (midnight UTC); as far as I understand it, our overseer Dennis plans on kicking things off around 9 PM Pacific (4 AM UTC) tonight.

ow ow the arm twist... i've been recruited

Player Name: AJ Torgerud
Character Name: Lya
PFS & Character Number: 824-4
Faction: Exchange
Day Job Roll: 600 gold. take 10, lots of exchange shenanigans

I hope your arm feels better soon. :)

Welcome!

Player Name: Jack Brown
Character Name:
PFS & Character Number: 788-6
Faction: (Asmodean) Silver Crusade
Day Job Roll: Profession: Auditor: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

While I did the arm twisting, it was our GM that pleaded

Turns out, Asmodean inquisitors are good at twisting arms. Who'd have thought…

Thanks for the assist & and last-minute join! You've helped bring this game back from the brink.

back from the brink? the game is yet young. just give us time :D

"Technically it hasn't started yet."

Are we still at 4 players?

Are we still at 4 players?

We are at 5 as of now.

Overseer Dennis will be posting the official kickoff in about 3 hours, after which I will post a character intro prompt along with some knowledge check DCs that you can roll.

I am in favor of any and all RP beforehand (however we don't officially start until Dennis posts), and there are some fun intros happening in the gameplay thread now. So if it works for you, please go for it! (Right now your characters are in a field outside Absalom with a lot of other Pathfinders. Kreighton Shaine is about to give a big speech.)

We should aim to finish all character intros and knowledge checks by about this time tomorrow.

Hi, I literally just signed up.

Fung is an aerokineticist. Still need to update his profile page and hope to get to it in a few hours' time.

Hope it's ok that he inserted himself somewhere in the middle of the rank. But since Fung permanently flies and either attack from range or reach, it think it doesn't really matter so please move him if you prefer another position.

Sounds great, and welcome!

I believe I played a special (Solstice Scar D) with you on Sir Ibb, my fighter. Good to see you again.

We're officially underway. I want to make a couple of notes.

Tokens
At the start of this game, the Overseer distributes a number of Aid Tokens equal to one-third the number of tables. There is no way to generate aid tokens; they can only be used and then passed.

Once per encounter, any character at a table can use an Aid Token. I have the descriptions of these tokens on the google slide under "Token Reference." Once a table uses an Aid Token, the token grants no further benefit until the end of the encounter, at which point one of the players can pass the Aid Token to a neighboring table for them to use. I can handle deciding who to pass the token to (the special’s GM’s Discussion forum can give me context on who needs it and who doesn't), but you are also free to tell me where to put it if you have strong feelings about it.

It is very important that the players remember that there are a limited number of Aid Tokens, and hoarding one means that somebody else doesn’t get to use it!

I will put your current aid token at the bottom of the character reference sheet; GMs will post in the discussion thread when they pass one our way.

Google Hangout
I have also created a Google hangout Group. I check threads often, but you can also reach out to me there if needed.

In the past, this has helped facilitate teamwork at my tables, so I want you all to have the option. It is 100% optional.

As always, let me know if you have any questions.

— Doug

Huh. I was going to use one of my replay credits for this game (played this four years ago so that's long enough that it would effectively be a brand new game for me). However, GM/Event Coordinator page no longer lists the number of replays I have. Is replay no longer an option?

Whatever the case is, no biggie as I can burn one of my GM star if needed, but just wondering what's the status of the replay option.

Player Name: kuey
Character Name: Xuan Fung
PFS & Character Number: 215076-4
Faction: Grand Lodge
Day Job Roll: Profession(Herbalist): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25

Huh. I was going to use one of my replay credits for this game (played this four years ago so that's long enough that it would effectively be a brand new game for me). However, GM/Event Coordinator page no longer lists the number of replays I have. Is replay no longer an option?

Whatever the case is, no biggie as I can burn one of my GM star if needed, but just wondering what's the status of the replay option.

I believe your replays still exist, they are just having display problems right now.

Thanks, Dennis. My replays are not showing up, either. It's almost certainly a paizo display problem.

Roderick and Theo — we will be moving on from intros tonight (the special schedule is pretty tight on time for intros). Please try to introduce your characters by tonight. It doesn't have to be anything huge, at least dot in if you're busy!

If you need more time please let me know.

Faustus — just saw your question on the reference sheet. Only chronicles you've played on this character count. If you played them you get extra treasure, like the elixirs od comprehend languages.

I will move us on in the morning; trying to give Theo and Roderick a chance to post an intro or dot in (PMs have been sent). We will keep pace with the con, but I also do not want players falling behind or having to cope with a mountain of info from the get-go and feeling like they can't catch up.

I also want to respect time zone differences; I know for some of you it's 3AM or something when Dennis rolls through with his overseer posts. We can establish a good rhythm keeping this in mind.

Looks like it'll be the Cavern unless someone really has a strong opinion otherwise. The caverns are dimly lit and rather tall, as if huge creatures move about inside. And it smells like a zoo…

Ya, sorry for the late arrival.

Just as an FYI, Fairbeaks does have the Narrow Frame feat, so doesn't take any penalties in tight spaces.

Not sure if I'd have him leading the way either... but can work with it.

No worries! We can move him back a bit.

I adjusted the order to put Faustus in front. I dont think anyone else really wants to be there so Lya will march with him when 10ft wide.

So that she can act ominous with her unused glaive?

or heal you when you get your butt kicked.

Fung I put you at 5' up, but whatever your default is that's fine (ifI missed that, sorry!) Anyone else with always-on flight can adjust as needed.

You can roll knowledge checks on your turn and read the spoilers. If more than one person beats the DC they can read the next highest spoiler. I try to front-load the checks with the most useful info but if you have a shtick that a knowledge check will always help, let me know.

or heal you when you get your butt kicked.

"When has that ever happened."

"Of course, having the two trained diplomats up front will help as well, I am sure... to try and defuse any situations that don't have to be combat."

With Narrow Frame, Fairbeaks can move along in a 5' section, so not necessary to take up a 10x10 space with him, if it helps.

With Narrow Frame, Fairbeaks can move along in a 5' section, so not necessary to take up a 10x10 space with him, if it helps.

The feat doesn't say he takes up less space... just that he can squeeze without penalty to attacks or AC. In fact, it still takes 2 squares of movement to get through.

You do not take penalties on your attack rolls or to your AC for squeezing through a narrow space that is at least half as wide as your normal space, though each move into or through a narrow space still counts as if it were 2 squares.

Theo — I also noted knowledge rolls stuff above:

You can roll knowledge checks on your turn and read the spoilers. If more than one person beats the DC they can read the next highest spoiler. I try to front-load the checks with the most useful info but if you have a shtick that a knowledge check will always help, let me know.

I'll keep DR towards the top for you! My usual order of operations is awful stuff like drain, then immunities/sr/dr.

Also: I want to say that this first encounter isn't going to be that challenging at this point and is a good opportunity to work out your teamwork and needs, such as "I need a light source" or "My animal companion needs a charge lane."

I assume Theo is delaying until after Faustus?

I am happy if you post your action in advance, and we can resolve it narratively after the person you delayed for goes.

This can help keep things moving!

Nah, I was crafting a post, then got a work-related phone call... so got distracted.

Working on finishing said post now =)

eventually Lya will realize they speak draconic. :D Then they will understand.

Somehow they speak common too. According to their statblocks. That cannot be quite right (If anything, "common" is not a language but it's relative to the time and culture; in this case, Taldane might at best share a few common words that have Azlanti origins).

It's also likely they would have tried yelling at you "mamillians" in Draconic; (you will find out why later). In fact, I might have flavored their words like that but didn't think it would matter at this stage. Isn't that how it always goes :)

Anyway, I think there's enough to justify language-based diplomacy here. (Honestly… I also enjoy exploring non-combat solutions in PF).