[PFS2e] GM Dinketry and Balancing the Scales (02-05) (Inactive)

Game Master dinketry

My last words are going to be "This could be bad... if I were not here, that is"? That is just typical Kornel.

Everyone else may act, including Kornel and his flat save vs death (DC 15) unless someone heals him before his new spot in the initiative order.

DC 15? Isn't the usual recovery DC 10 + dying value?

Kornel, as a proud owner of the Toughness feat, benefits from lowered recovery check DCs — they are 9 + dying value for him.

GM Dinketry, I'm sorry if I came over as argumentative. That wasn't my intent.

When I read your initial post on Drazzel's use of a chunk of stone, I assumed that you meant that stones could only do bludgeoning damage and not slashing damage. Since I was so used to being able to select my own type of damage for that spell, I took that to mean that I would need to select a different object to throw that could do slashing damage, thus the rusty knife blade.

Your subsequent post then made it clear that you meant that there are no freely available objects in the sewers that we can use for Telekinetic Projectile that will inflict anything but bludgeoning damage. This is what prompted me to mention that Haechi would then carry in hand his own such object to use for such purposes in the future. But it now seems that even with such a handy dagger, the best Haechi can expect is to do piercing damage.

At no point did I mean any disrespect. I'm quite happy to go along with any GM limitations on my play as long as I am clear on what they are.

Is Kurvok currently wielding a weapon? If so, we should be flanking the zombie now, I believe.

He is, indeed :-)

Kornel, you are correct about recovery rules! I will need to flagellate my self to get my PF 1st edition tendencies out of my head. It looks like Haechi is healing you though, so I'll rule that you didn't need to spend your Hero Point. Also, I don't understand where you're getting the +2 to your negative energy (harm) spell. It should be only 1d8+8.

Haechi, it's no worries. I just thought that I needed to clarify my ruling. I don't feel disrespected. Also, I love that 2nd edition contains rules for crawling, finally.

Go get 'em, team!

Kornel... Also, I don't understand where you're getting the +2 to your negative energy (harm) spell. It should be only 1d8+8.

It appears that Kornel first cast Undeath's Blessing on himself before casting the Harm spell. My guess is that the +2 was from Undeath's Blessing which reads in part: In addition, harm spells gain a +2 status bonus to the Hit Points restored to the target.

Yup, that's it, Haechi. I missed the +2 text. In that case, Kornel wasn't harmed at all by the searing burst from the cyclops zombie as it perished, and doesn't need to heal himself...though he still needs a 10-minute rest to lose the Wounded condition.

Noted; I'm at 17/17, then.

Kornel, your undead sorcerer bloodline doesn't exactly say when your temporary hit points go away, does it?

Kornel, your undead sorcerer bloodline doesn't exactly say when your temporary hit points go away, does it?

They last 1 round.

EDIT:

you gain temporary Hit Points equal to the spell’s level for 1 round

?

I couldn't find that anywhere, but I'll take your word for it.

I couldn't find that anywhere, but I'll take your word for it.

It's in the "Blood Magic" section for each bloodline (Link).

Ugh, reading. Amiright?

It was right in front of my eyes.

Thanks for pointing it out, y'all.

@Darlann,
You should _always_ have your Glimpse of Redemption redeemer reaction ability going. A lot of damage could have been avoided in the fight. (I noticed you don't have Glimpse of Redemption in your stat block.)

For my Redeemer of Iomedae, I always put it in a spoiler tag at the end of each post.

Here's a sample post after my description for my turn:

◆ strike.
◆ cast true strike.
◆ strike.
Will use shield block if an attack hits Franzine or Glimpse of Redemption for anyone within 15 feet of her.

I did always have Glimpse of Redemption going, but it only got to fire once. It might not have felt like it, but this combat was only three rounds, with the Cyclops zombie getting to act merely twice. For my first reaction I used Shield Block because I didn't realize the zombie could attack more than once, so for the second round I successfully used Glimpse to try and protect Kornel. Glimpse of Redemption wouldn't have worked on the death explosion because it's not an attack, and unless I'm wildly misunderstanding the rules, I only get one reaction a round so I couldn't Glimpse the fire eyes.

I did always have Glimpse of Redemption going, but it only got to fire once. It might not have felt like it, but this combat was only three rounds, with the Cyclops zombie getting to act merely twice. For my first reaction I used Shield Block because I didn't realize the zombie could attack more than once, so for the second round I successfully used Glimpse to try and protect Kornel. Glimpse of Redemption wouldn't have worked on the death explosion because it's not an attack, and unless I'm wildly misunderstanding the rules, I only get one reaction a round so I couldn't Glimpse the fire eyes.

Ahh! Ok, cool. I missed that you used Glimpse. That combat felt like a lot longer then just 3 rounds to me! Seeing PCs get clobbered and all. ;)

GM, I must compliment you on your usage of google slides. The images of the setting and the character pictures are most pleasing to the player.

You're welcome! I take pride in weaving a visual story for the player inasmuch as I can do so. SPOILER: I take creative liberties with some of the images, so you'll find that some of them aren't necessarily a part of the original adventure.

Awaiting Erathiel.

"Oh, and one more thing." He then beckons to whomever has the picture of the obelisk that they found on the undead cyclops, and unfolds it so that Shristi can look at the image.

Not so fast, Columbo! You don't have that feat!

Sorry I've been absent. Lots of stuff going on and I've been sick too.

Haechi wrote:

"Oh, and one more thing." He then beckons to whomever has the picture of the obelisk that they found on the undead cyclops, and unfolds it so that Shristi can look at the image.

Not so fast, Columbo! You don't have that feat!

Hilarious! That brings back memories. That was a favorite show of mine back in the day.

Ack! Just realized I forgot to ready my Glimpse of Redemption in my post, but neither Erathiel nor the Skeleton were within its range so I couldn't have saved him either way. Gotta remember that for the future, though!

So, uh, Erathiel, Kurvok: were you emotionally attached to these characters...?

So, uh, Erathiel, Kurvok: were you emotionally attached to these characters...?

Heh. To be honest, not as much as others, though I was enjoying his banter with Drazzel.

HAHAHA it's fine if I die. We're only level 1 and I have another rogue I'd like to try, but not enough to have two parallel rogue builds.

This all seems a little premature, no? You guys are only at dying 1 with a Hero Point each. Heck, I've got one PC that regularly goes to dying 3 and he's still adventuring. He's also the PC that I would be happiest to lose, but that's beside the point.

I wouldn't bother with using your Hero Points to stabilize yourselves until you are about to go to dying 4. It won't put you back in the fight; you still need someone to heal you to get you conscious. Do try and make your dying recovery rolls on the first try; it will make everyone's life a lot easier (ha ha).

Once the white skeleton is out of the way, I'll have Haechi come over and heal you.

Crud, I just remembered! I have a scroll of heal as my bonus consumable! Could be a nice use of action economy to spend 3 actions and get 2 unconscious PCs back on their feet.

Crud, I just remembered! I have a scroll of heal as my bonus consumable! Could be a nice use of action economy to spend 3 actions and get 2 unconscious PCs back on their feet.

Plus some extra positive damage to the skeletons for the trifecta.

Crud, I just remembered! I have a scroll of heal as my bonus consumable! Could be a nice use of action economy to spend 3 actions and get 2 unconscious PCs back on their feet.

I just realized I have one, too. I don't know why I chose it since I'm an arcane caster and can't use it myself. Drazzel could use his turn to give you his. I don't know what else to do.

Sorry for the delay, had an emergency at work yesterday and ended up just crashing into bed as soon as I got home.

@Dink,
Detect Magic is a 30' burst, btw.

I assumed that someone was going to have a light source out for those who don't have darkvision for the combat, but no one stepped forward to say that they did.

Who has a light source? Otherwise, I'll roll for Erathiel tripping and falling over himself.

I have a torch in my Adventurer's Pack we can use.

All good, Darlann. However, with your sword and your shield, how was that torch used during the combat?

I guess, in retrospect, I should have insisted that someone indicate a light source prior to the combat. Someone needs to have had a light source for the combat. Darlann, it could not have been you holding the torch because both of your hands were occupied in the battle.

I am waiting with bated GM breath.

Ah yes, I meant if missing a light source was a problem, then I have one we could use. I'm aware I couldn't have been the one holding it.

With Kornel's burst of positive energy from the scroll, Kurvok revives with a wicked headache (WOUNDED 2). Both Drazzel and Erathiel feel a bit worse-for-the-wear from the brutal combat as well (WOUNDED 1).

Why is Kurvok at WOUNDED 2? Did he go in and out of DYING more than once?

The DYING rules state that Anytime you lose the dying condition, you gain the wounded 1 condition, or increase your wounded value by 1 if you already have that condition. Not that it matters; once he's healed back to full HP, he'll lose the WOUNDED condition 10 minutes later.

I assumed that someone was going to have a light source out for those who don't have darkvision for the combat, but no one stepped forward to say that they did.

Haechi has a Wayfinder that he can activate to cast a bright light in a 20-foot radius (and dim light for the next 20 feet). Given his darkvision, I usually don't need to worry about such things for him, but if one of his colleagues stated that he could not see in the light, Haechi would definitely have activated it.

I assumed that someone was going to have a light source out for those who don't have darkvision for the combat, but no one stepped forward to say that they did.

Who has a light source? Otherwise, I'll roll for Erathiel tripping and falling over himself.

Kornel has had a torch this whole time; I don't use weapons for anything, and I'm pretty sure I can store scrolls on my person such that I can retrieve them with one hand.

Kornel, torch in one hand, descends into the soot-covered chamber. The next thing he knows, he's face-to-face with yet more undead monstrosities. ...

Very good. We can assume that Haechi had his wayfinder activated. Kornel, I don't think you can use scrolls one-handed. Have you ever tried to open a scroll? Not a one-handed task.

Haechi, you are correct. It is my mistake. Kurvok went to DYING 2 during the combat, but since he didn't have the WOUNDED condition already, as you've quote, once he loses the DYING condition, he returns to WOUNDED 1 (the rule is specific about this value). I also realise now that a character can have the WOUNDED condition and the DYING condition at the same time. That's a new concept.

Nevertheless, Haechi, take a Hero Point for helping to clarify the rules!

Kornel, I don't think you can use scrolls one-handed. Have you ever tried to open a scroll? Not a one-handed task.

If this were an IRL table I'd bow and nod and move on, but luckily we can discuss rules a bit in a PbP game.

Actually, "to open a scroll" is not needed when casting a spell from a scroll. The rules make it quite explicitly clear that it only requires one hand.

Casting a Spell from a scroll requires holding the scroll in one hand and activating it with a Cast a Spell activity using the normal number of actions for that spell.

And before you ask, no, somatic components don't require a free hand either.

A somatic component is a specific hand movement or gesture that generates a magical nexus. The spell gains the manipulate trait and requires you to make gestures. You can use this component while holding something in your hand, but not if you are restrained or otherwise unable to gesture freely.

Well now, that's just kinda silly. There's no way that you can open a scroll with one hand, but I'm not going to argue with RAW (rules as written). Kornel was able to use his torch as well, then. Thanks!

If it helps you visualize it, maybe the scroll-user doesn't need to read the scroll. They already know how the spell works, after all. They don't need to open and read the scroll, they just need to use the magical parchment as a catalyst in lieu of a spell slot.

That sounds better, for sure.

If it helps you visualize it, maybe the scroll-user doesn't need to read the scroll. They already know how the spell works, after all. They don't need to open and read the scroll, they just need to use the magical parchment as a catalyst in lieu of a spell slot.

I envision a user of a scroll just holding one end, then quickly snapping their wrist to unfurl it.

That's not going to keep it unfurled in order to read it. I like Kornel's thoughts, though.

Kornel Pastovic wrote:

If it helps you visualize it, maybe the scroll-user doesn't need to read the scroll. They already know how the spell works, after all. They don't need to open and read the scroll, they just need to use the magical parchment as a catalyst in lieu of a spell slot.

I envision a user of a scroll just holding one end, then quickly snapping their wrist to unfurl it.

Maybe the bottom edge is attached to a pencil-thin dowel, which holds it open for one-handed usage?

Very good. We can assume that Haechi had his wayfinder activated. Kornel, I don't think you can use scrolls one-handed. Have you ever tried to open a scroll? Not a one-handed task.

Haechi, you are correct. It is my mistake. Kurvok went to DYING 2 during the combat, but since he didn't have the WOUNDED condition already, as you've quote, once he loses the DYING condition, he returns to WOUNDED 1 (the rule is specific about this value). I also realize now that a character can have the WOUNDED condition and the DYING condition at the same time. That's a new concept.

Nevertheless, Haechi, take a Hero Point for helping to clarify the rules!

Yay! Thanks for the Hero Point.

I have a PC that has the nasty habit of dying whenever he's in any sort of serious fight. The first time, I panicked and did a deep dive into the dying and wounded rules. It turned out not to be a big deal... as long as you are not suffering from any persistent damage (especially bleeding). If you're bleeding out, then you are taking damage while dying and things get serious quickly. I don't recommend it.

I have a sorcerer that has all her scrolls folded up into small squares that are stored in pockets lining her coat. She reaches in, grabs one of the folded squares and casts the spell. No need to open or read the scroll. Similar to pulling a potion and drinking it.

As Kornel mentioned, the idea is that the scroll is basically a portable spell slot for the caster. All you need to do is spend an interact action to grab it from your person (if worn) and you can then cast the spell.

When I play in face-to-face games, I make sure and hand out 'X' cards - one each - to all the players at my table. This 'X' card allows a player to silently and definitively tell me that something that comes up in the game is not OK with them. If I see it, I re-direct and move forward improvisationally. Its what I do.

I recognise that the scene that has just unfolded in our scenario may trigger some feelings. I don't have the luxury of 'X' cards in PbP (play-by-post) games, but if you'd like to send me a private message to let me know, then by all means do so, and we can work things out. I apologise for the intrusion into our world of fantasy, and I especially want people to feel safe at our table, virtual or not.

Thanks.

-Dink

Shoot. I just noticed that I posted my scroll post to gameplay instead of discussion. I hate it when that happens. Sorry for cluttering up gameplay with that sort of thing.

I take it we're talking about the opening Museum scene here rather than the skeletons. Personally, I do not have a problem with the scene, but it is good to know that if it were a problem that there's a mechanism in place to deal with such things.

What skills can we use to fight the strong wind?

Your choice! You can try whatever you’d like.