GM Euan's Rise of the Runelords (Inactive)

Game Master Euan

Well met and thanks for playing! I think this is going to be a lot of fun. A few things to get out of the way as we begin.

Characters
We have the following fine folks starting this campaign:
Izomandakus
Kast Phaer
Qetsiyah Kizzy
Margareta ‘Meg’ Alekto
Seamus Passeri

Please finalize your Characters and let me know if you’re planning any major changes from what I’ve already seen. I don’t care about equipment for example, but let me know if you’re changing your class. :) Feel free to coordinate with the other players, but I prefer you do as much of that in character as you can - there will be opportunities in the Gameplay thread and I won’t expect your final characters right away. Naturally, if you want to have some sort of prior relationship with another character or some other complicated construct you’ll need to have those conversations out of character to save time.

Sub-systems
There aren’t really any major subsystems to this AP to worry about. That said, I will be tracking your sinful and virtuous acts throughout the campaign, which will have some effect near the end as you are, to a degree, judged on your actions.

Contact Me
I find the game to be more enjoyable, and faster paced, if there’s an outlet off the boards for discussion of minor points, or even character details you’d rather not make public. If you are willing, please send me a PM with an email address. I’ll reply with my own and will invite you to the Slack channel for the campaign. If you don’t want to share that information, I respect that. No problem. We’ll manage without it through PMs and the Discussion thread - though you’ll miss out on a lot of side chatter.

Tracking Sheet
Finally, I need someone to assist me with the Tracking Sheet (link). I’m fine if one of you prefers to handle it, or if you rotate the requirement. I’ll teach the person(s) doing the sheet, but it’s really less complicated then it looks. My helper on this will enter the treasure as you find it (if I don’t first), and may add NPC data as well. Initially at least I’ll be doing all the NPCs. I’ll likely add them all initially, but you’ll be able to edit for your own notes. Discuss it among yourselves and let me know who you pick.

Wow, thanks GM Euan, I got nervous that Seamus may be to simple with my desire to play a young character starting his journey...

Ok, now I need to calm down and go back and actually read the first discussion thread post...

edit: I am so stoked to be playing with Meg and Kizzy...

Congrats everyone! I'm so happy to see all of us in here and am looking forward to this journey :D

I am actually super happy about Meg's build and class and plan to keep that all the same. I do think I will change out one of her spells known but no other majorly important things of note!

I really liked how her character explorations during the recruitment RP went so I think I'm going to treat the details as canon for her character. I'd like to have the character interactions also be canon at least for her. If anyone is doing major changes on their end we can just say that she misremembers due to her drinking problem.

I'm about to go out and move more stuff to the new apartment but I'll be back soon!

edit: I am so stoked to be playing with Meg and Kizzy...

I see how it is. Uh huh. ;)

I’m excited for this too. I’ve played with (the players of) Izomandakus and Meg before, and know they are quality, and look forward to meeting Kizzy and Seamus.

I’ll be getting some Kast posts up tonight as I try to polish up his voice and character. He is a bit behind as he didn’t participate in the delightful RP recruitment.

I hope all y’all will join me/us on the Slack. It’s a good tool for talking and discussing.

*squee!*
Just so you know, that was me, not Qetsiyah. Kizzy does not squee. XD

But I totally do and am super excited to be here and see all of you as well! Like Meg, I am pretty happy with my character as she stands and am also good with considering all our recruitment RP to be canon.

The only thing that might be worth discussing is her Teamwork feat, since she will be doling it out to the party as per her Tactician class feature:

Tactician (Shake It Off) (Ex) A cavalier receives a teamwork feat (Shake It Off) as a bonus feat. He must meet the prerequisites for this feat. As a standard action, the cavalier can grant this feat to all allies within 30 feet who can see and hear him. Allies retain the use of this bonus feat for 3 rounds. Allies do not need to meet the prerequisites of these bonus feats. The cavalier can use this ability 1 times per day.

You support your allies and help them recover from crippling effects.

Benefit: When you are adjacent to one or more allies who also have this feat, you gain a +1 bonus on saving throws per such ally (maximum +4).

Granting bonuses to saves seemed a pretty compelling ability but we could potentially go another way with it. Any thoughts?

PS Will edit her stat line soon too. That's from her old fighter build.

Shake it Off is hard to go wrong with. Since you are a sister in arms, I might suggest looking into the Sisterhood Style feat chain, as it intentionally synergizes well. I have a character with that combo in pfs and love her.

I bring this up because they require the Shield Wall teamwork feat, and getting it with your free teamwork feat saves a slot. I plan on getting a masterwork buckler as soon as possible so that would be at least one other person with a shield, too.

Hi all! I am thrilled by the opportunity to play side by side with you all :)

As for Izomandakus, he will probably suffer some small adjustments, as I like to end up shaping characters on the go as I find out what is more entertaining for me and the rest of the party.

This is the first time I try to shape a transgender character, and I know the cultural distance in this topic between the States and Spain might be shocking at some points. Thus, do not hesitate to reach me out if you find something out of place, offensive or just not fun. Likewise, do not hesitate to play with this trait of my character, as long as it is kind and good willed confusion and misconceptions can be fun I think, we will find out the right point together.

If possible I would avoid picking up the treasure tracking, I already do it for many of my games and I find it time consuming and not fun. I do not mind tracking notes about NPCs, I always do it to some extent for all my characters to avoid getting lost through the years.

Thanks a lot for the game Euan!

@Meg, I will have a look at the feat chain.

I can potentially take on the tracking sheet. I'm a detail oriented person but spreadsheets give me the willies. XD I should improve in using them, though. I want to provide this service for one other game as we try to implement a "party loot" system.

As for the transgender aspect, I'm a very progressive person living in a very conservative area (East Texas). My only triggers involve themes of abuse and the harm of children. Even though Kizzy might seem a little confused by it, she won't be intolerant.

I myself am transgender (albeit a trans woman and not a trans man like Izomandakus), so I’m always happy to give feedback, either in public or DM! I know all kinds of trans people irl if you’d like me to ask someone of more similar experience about something, too :D

I shall ask for forgiveness beforehand then, for getting myself into something I do not fully understand. Guidance and warnings are well welcomed and I will probably reach you for feedback at some point or another!

As for the sheet GM Euan is a master of it, and I can also try to help if you have any doubt Kizzy. Thanks for taking on the effort.

You sound like your intentions are good and that’s more important to me than you getting all the terms and such exactly right. It is still great if people can do both, of course, but I’ve been out long enough that I am pretty relaxed about it. I have no complaints with your depiction so far and I will let you know if anything comes up. Also feel free to ask questions. I really don’t mind and am happy to answer them!

Basically, I am trying to say that you should just relax and I trust you will do your best :D

oooohhhhh, never seen the hinterlands map before :)

So the status spoilers are for combat only correct?

Shake it Off is hard to go wrong with. Since you are a sister in arms, I might suggest looking into the Sisterhood Style feat chain, as it intentionally synergizes well. I have a character with that combo in pfs and love her.

I bring this up because they require the Shield Wall teamwork feat, and getting it with your free teamwork feat saves a slot. I plan on getting a masterwork buckler as soon as possible so that would be at least one other person with a shield, too.

I like this feat chain on general principle, but Kizzy does not have the Charisma required. I did slot in the 11 to put her in shooting distance of a 13 in case we wanted something that did require it. But I'm not sure I want to plan on a stat increasing item to make my build work.

I could potentially swap the Int and Cha, but then I give up Combat Expertise and all of it's goodies like Gang Up, Team Up, Got Your Back and Swift Aid. This is an Aid-focused build so I'm not sure I can give C.E. up.

I'm not super familiar with the 'teamwork feats' obviously Seamus plans on doing a lot of flanking, and will go two weapon fighting. So don't worry about him too much. As long as he can come hide behind you if he gets too low on HP :)

Margareta "Meg" Alekto wrote:

Shake it Off is hard to go wrong with. Since you are a sister in arms, I might suggest looking into the Sisterhood Style feat chain, as it intentionally synergizes well. I have a character with that combo in pfs and love her.

I bring this up because they require the Shield Wall teamwork feat, and getting it with your free teamwork feat saves a slot. I plan on getting a masterwork buckler as soon as possible so that would be at least one other person with a shield, too.

I like this feat chain on general principle, but Kizzy does not have the Charisma required. I did slot in the 11 to put her in shooting distance of a 13 in case we wanted something that did require it. But I'm not sure I want to plan on a stat increasing item to make my build work.

I could potentially swap the Int and Cha, but then I give up Combat Expertise and all of it's goodies like Gang Up, Team Up, Got Your Back and Swift Aid. This is an Aid-focused build so I'm not sure I can give C.E. up.

Makes sense to me! I just figured it was worth bringing up now. I certainly won’t complain about Shake it Off :D

Hey Painlord, would Seamus know Kast from around town? Do you want me to roll knowledge: local like I did for the others? Do you want to put them in a 'same place same time' situation so they would have recognized each other? Or would you rather be the 'unknown stranger' we meet at some point in time?

Semus plays regularly at the market on market days, Cracktooth's Tavern late in the evening (so he's not around the Pixie's kitten during rush hour) and works odd-jobs non market days at the Pixies Kitten. Kast might know him from any of those three places. Or someplace else you may recommend.

Hey Painlord, would Seamus know Kast from around town? Do you want me to roll knowledge: local like I did for the others? Do you want to put them in a 'same place same time' situation so they would have recognized each other? Or would you rather be the 'unknown stranger' we meet at some point in time?

Kast might know him from any of those three places. Or someplace else you may recommend.

I would think so. :) I think you would know him. Heck, I may even ping you in the Slack about it.

I was going to include a knowledge roll and his description in his next post as he drags himself back to town.

I think it is better to leave talking with the Sheriff for after we have discussed the topic between all of us, so we have a better discourse of what happened.

Izomandakus does not need more weapons, but he will go to the smith if Kast is interested to buy.

If the sheriff sends you folks on a mission, Seamus is just a block north of you playing his lute....Loudly

Level Up!

I do believe you should now be level 2.

Please note the things that have changed or been added, and put it all in a spoiler so those who don't want to know your build can remain in the dark. For those of you with character sheets off site, please send me your updated sheets for reference if applicable. If it's the 'same' sheet, no need, just let me know when you're done updating it so I can give a once over. Thanks.

You gain all of your new abilities right away, including new spells and the like. However, you do not regain what you’ve already used/cast for today. It’s not a rest exactly, just a gain (although you did just spend the night, so everything should be at max).

OK, I meant to do this when you leveled up, but I wasn’t quite prepared, so here it is, late. Each level I’ll be examining your characters for sins and virtues that you might exemplify for that level. Just things that struck me as, well, perhaps a little heroic, or selfish as the case may be. There is no specific gain or loss for this tracking until very late in the game, and then it’s more a question of how you’re treated. So having a lot of any particular virtue or sin shouldn’t concern you, or even give you hope.

Izomandakus gets a generosity for providing breakfasts and bringing fireworks to the party. Kast gets a temperance, for avoiding drink while the rest of the party bar-hopped. Kizzy gets a generosity for tipping a full gold crown to Seamus when such wealth was scarce, and of course defending the party with her skills and feats. Meg gets an envy for taking on the persona of another and living her life instead of her own. Seamus gets a greed for ditching his new found friends to make a few coins at the festival (which isn’t quite fair, as Meg is the one way ahead in wealth).

You should also all get a charity for the wonderful help you gave to the wounded of Sandpoint the night of the raid, but I’m not that nice.

If you feel I’ve missed something - not captured some event more significant than the one I have - please let me know. This is pretty subjective, and I’m not always grabbing something obvious, but it’ll help me keep on the lookout for things I might have otherwise missed. This process will occur each level and is a fluid thing.

Seamus gets a greed for ditching his new found friends to make a few coins at the festival (which isn’t quite fair, as Meg is the one way ahead in wealth).

Curious, I never thought of it as greed. Just that it was a day he had to work to make ends meet. I based it on entertainers and artists who prepare their wares to sell or entertain at festivals where normal people celebrate. Like the guy in the mickey mouse costume at Disneyland.

I was trying to give more of a 'pride/proud' vibe... greed's fine if that's how you read him. Besides, how many of us really truly recognize all of our vices :)

Kast gets a temperance, for avoiding drink while the rest of the party bar-hopped.

Lol. This is good.

It’s funny too, because according to Kast, he’s been the opposite, I think having 3 whole drinks over 3 whole days, which is practically next to bar drunk besotted alcoholism. But sure, comparatively (/me glances at another party member), it’s temperance. =)

It’s kinda perfect that Meg would get pinged for Envy when she believes she isn’t guilty of it at all.

I think that’s a pretty solid choice and definitely the most prominent sin she’s committed at this level.

Sins tracking, seems fun. We will need to behave :)

GM Euan - Rise wrote:

Seamus gets a greed for ditching his new found friends to make a few coins at the festival (which isn’t quite fair, as Meg is the one way ahead in wealth).

Curious, I never thought of it as greed. Just that it was a day he had to work to make ends meet. I based it on entertainers and artists who prepare their wares to sell or entertain at festivals where normal people celebrate. Like the guy in the mickey mouse costume at Disneyland.

I was trying to give more of a 'pride/proud' vibe... greed's fine if that's how you read him. Besides, how many of us really truly recognize all of our vices :)

While greed might seem natural for a rogue, I'd like to second that Seamus has an excess of pride. He gave the coin back, citing that he wouldn't accept charity and suspected Kizzy gave it out of pity. Which offended his pride.

Also, when the fighting broke out during the festival he abandoned his hat which held his collected coins and stepped in to save the boy. That moment was pretty significant too, but then later he bragged about having drawn first blood on the boar. So yeah, I think pride fits him best. ^_~

Level Up!

I do believe you should now be level 3.

Please note the things that have changed or been added, and put it all in a spoiler so those who don't want to know your build can remain in the dark. For those of you with character sheets off site, please send me your updated sheets for reference if applicable. If it's the 'same' sheet, no need, just let me know when you're done updating it so I can give a once over. Thanks.

You gain all of your new abilities right away, including new spells and the like. However, you do not regain what you’ve already used/cast for today. It’s not a rest exactly, just a gain.

Each level I’ll be examining your characters for sins and virtues that you might exemplify for that level. Just things that struck me as, well, perhaps a little heroic, or selfish as the case may be. There is no specific gain or loss for this tracking until very late in the game, and then it’s more a question of how you’re treated. So having a lot of any particular virtue or sin shouldn’t concern you, or even give you hope.

Izomandakus: Zeal - This is really Pachemu's award for failing to intimidate the opposition in every combat... until the last!
Kast: Pride - Extremely proud of being 'the watch'.
Kizzy: Charity - Aiding the party to avoid damage, while putting herself in front to soak it.
Meg: Wrath - Her anger at Tsuto and even turning invisible to confront him separate from the party.
Seamus: Zeal - Investigating every door and opening every one!

If you feel I’ve missed something - not captured some event more significant than the one I have - please let me know. I didn’t change my mind last time, but I plan to be more flexible going forward. This is pretty subjective, and I’m not always grabbing something obvious, and it’ll help me keep on the lookout for things I might have otherwise missed.

Will hold off on updating sheet until we buy new gear as well.

...23.0 gp starting monies
+1387.0 gp first disbursement
-----------
.1420.0 gp to spend
-.326.0 gp mw cold iron bardiche
-.100.0 gp 2x potion CLW
----------
..994.0 gp to spend

Sheet updated with Level up and Purchases now! ^_^

Hadn't bought much since the beginning, so had 150 gp to begin.
150 gp + 1387 gp = 1537 gp
Added Composite Shortbow +1 STR with arrows, MW Thieves tools, and Cloak of Resistance +2 claimed from loot.

Purchases:
Arrows (20) .9 gp
Blunt Arrows (20) 1.8 gp
Healer's Kit 45 gp
Masterwork Backpack 45 gp
Cold Iron Masterwork Guisarme 286.2 gp
Masterwork Tatami-do 1035 gp

Hopefully I got my discount figured right, using PC Gen to build out my sheet.

Edit for mistakes.

...23.0 gp starting monies
+1387.0 gp first disbursement
-----------
.1420.0 gp to spend
-.294.0 gp 326.0-10% gp mw cold iron bardiche
-.100.0 gp 2x potion CLW
----------
.1026.0 gp to spend

.1026.0 gp to spend

.1026.0 gp to spend

..925.2 gp to spend

..925.2 gp to spend

Level Up!

I do believe you should now be level 4.

Please note the things that have changed or been added, and put it all in a spoiler so those who don't want to know your build can remain in the dark. For those of you with character sheets off site, please send me your updated sheets for reference if applicable. If it's the 'same' sheet, no need, just let me know when you're done updating it so I can give a once over. Thanks.

You gain all of your new abilities right away, including new spells and the like. However, you do not regain what you’ve already used/cast for today. It’s not a rest exactly, just a gain.

Each level I’ll be examining your characters for sins and virtues that you might exemplify for that level. Just things that struck me as, well, perhaps a little heroic, or selfish as the case may be. There is no specific gain or loss for this tracking until very late in the game, and then it’s more a question of how you’re treated. So having a lot of any particular virtue or sin shouldn’t concern you, or even give you hope.

Izomandakus: Zeal - For turning into a charauka in order to advance on the goblins at Thisltetop on their own terms.
Kast: Zeal - It should be shared with Seamus, for convincing the sage to descend into the blood-soaked caves to examine the Thasselonian ruins.
Kizzy: Greed - The first to the treasure, Kizzy grabbed what loot the goblins had at the top of Thistletop.
Valena: Wrath - For summoning sinspawn through the runewell.
Seamus: Wrath - Succumbing to the rage within the runewell.

If you feel I’ve missed something - not captured some event more significant than the one I have - please let me know. This is pretty subjective, and I’m not always grabbing something obvious, but it’ll help me keep on the lookout for things I might have otherwise missed.

Also, let me know what you think of picking these yourselves. Might be more accurate to have you each think back on your last level and match sin or virtue from the chart - modified by me naturally. But I’d likely take your recommendation as there is little in game affect for this, but some.

Level up is done, just need a minute to edit it all in on the main computer later. I'm good with her sin, she did snarf up some good loot and stay focused on gathering stuff to haul back and sell.

I thought her moment with the horse was particularly nice, though. ^_^

I fear Izomandakus also gets constrict damage once. On the bright side, as the crab is grabbing without the -20 penalty, he gets the grappled condition itself and cannot AoO acrobatic flying half-elves :D

Yeah, you are correct, I did the constriction incorrectly on the first round, but I'm not going back. My errors are my own. :)

One grapple, one constrict damage at least.