GM_DBH's Shattered Star

Game Master DBH

Indeed, thanks for looking through things. Bharak took the potion of invisibility, as it could come in handy when scouting.

Hey, folks, my Dad's in hospice care so the bulk of my time has been spent with him. I've barely been home. Pretty much only to sleep. About to head back to the hospital after I grab some breakfast.

He's been asleep since last Saturday so he doesn't really have much time left.

Just giving you all a heads up for my absence.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Javell, take the time you can with your dad. I believe even asleep your voice will bring him joy. If you need a break from the real world for a bit come see us.

Thinking of you, Javell. I hope your dad is comfortable.

I have a question about this stuff found in room A13 under the "Perception DC15" spoiler:

A search with a successful DC15 Perception check reveals a cache of pornographic poetry on a bottom shelf, along with a flipbook in which several animated clay golems couple with their creator-a handwritten note on the back reads: "Copied from a student at the Arcanamirium-quite diverting."

The flipbook is worth 50gp. The collected books in this room are worth at least 5000gp as a whole, yet unlike most of the possessions in this house, these are claimed by the Ardoc family as a whole, and the brothers take exception to anyone refusing to turn them over immediately.

One particularly valuable item they don't know about is hidden behind the poetry cache: a clay Golem manual.

Did we take any of this stuff?

EDIT: Never mind, I'm just assuming that we are since we are looting the rest of the mansion.

Okay new loot list, which includes everything since we entered the mansion, including the last loot list I posted. Anything I've marked as claimed won't go onto the loot list later this weekend, so let me know if you're just carrying it but not claiming it.

Loot
Injection spear +1 - Claimed by Elathras
Adamantine dagger - Claimed by Elathras
Halberd +1 - Claimed by Elathras
Halberd +1
Composite longbow + 1
short sword + 1

Mithral chain shirt
Leather armor + 1
Leather armor +1

Ring of protection + 1 - Claimed by Axton
ring of protection +l
- Bharak, Elathras, and Elena already have one of these. So Axton can take one and Umazara can take one.

amulet of natural armor +1
- Bharak, Elathras, and Elena already have this. Umazara, can Axton have this since you're retiring your PC soon?

Clay golem manual worth 12,000 gp
3 x universal solvent
Golembane scarab
potion of invisibility - Claimed by Bharak

pornographic poetry and other books worth 5,000gp
Flipbook about golens woth 50 gp
Carpte from Kelesh worth 1,000gp
2 x schematic drawings worth 2,000 gp each
Clockwork parts worth 200gp
Perfumes woth 50gp
Materwork ukelele\
Magical mirror that only looks out onto A1 worth 2,500 gp
1,240gp

Quest items
Parts and scrap for Morgamer Pug

Loot

Injection spear +1 - Claimed by Elathras
Adamantine dagger - Claimed by Elathras
Halberd +1 - Claimed by Elathras

He also picked up the: Composite longbow + 1 and short sword + 1

I don't know that he'll keep any of it once we actually get out of the house or Kaer Maga.

I'm so sorry, Javell. My thoughts and best wishes go to you and your family :( I hope he still recovers.

On the loot discussion, I'd suggest we sell most of this stuff to get everyone suitable gear. I bought my own rop and amulet last time. If anyone still needs either of them at +1, feel free.

Really sorry to hear it. As the others said, I wish all the best to you and yours.

All my sympathy Elathras, my Father was in a hospice a couple of years back so I know how it feels for you.

Take all the time you need we'll be here for you.

@Everyone regarding what to do, does everyone agree to a setup where Bharak stealths to see if the door is open, then if it is open, Umazura casts Haste on us and we all storm into the room?

Also, a ballpark figure of the loot value in this mansion thusfar without Berkanin and the shed outside still unexplored is around 37500 gold. So 7500 g each thusfar assuming we sell everything except the ring claimed by Axton and consumables. A pretty good haul for how quick and easy this was thusfar!

That plan sounds fine to me.

I'm good with that plan

As am I. I’ll get a post up tonight or tomorrow morning

Okay, I've added everything to the loot sheet that hasn't been claimed. It starts on row 140. I included a line for "1,240 gp" in that list because I couldn't tell if the coins at the very top of the sheet in columns G and H have been distributed to the party yet.

@Umazura: When you get a chance, you can add a Ring of Protection +1 to your character sheet.

This is a deflection bonus, so in addition to increasing your AC, it increases your touch AC and your flat-footed AC as well. Assuming you're not getting a deflection bonus from somewhere else, that is.

I want to thank you all for your kind words. I really appreciate it.

About a couple of hours after my post, we - I've a brother and a sister - lost our dad. He suffered from dementia and lost so much weight and muscle mass, he could no longer walk on his own. Unfortunately, that did not stop him from trying to walk and he wound up falling twice within the last month/month and a half, both times hitting his head and causing bleeding to the brain.

He managed to recover from it the first time, but the second time - which was just a couple of weeks ago - was just too much.

You know, even when you are expecting it, it still doesn't make it any easier. You'd think it would but it doesn't.

Anyway, will get something out there tomorrow or the next day. This whole weekend has been tremendously exhausting and I just lack any real energy.

Thank you, all, once again.

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@Axton: Will do. Thanks.

Javell. Take all the time you need. My deepest sympathy to you and your family.

Sorry, busy day so no update.

Condolences. I've also gone through hospice with my dad, so I understand how you feel at least a little bit.

If anyone wants to be invisible or enlarged before we head in, let me know.

Dude, normally fighting human sized stuff I'd beg for enlarged, but with Elathras using a reach weapon, I don't even think there would be room to use it. But I appreciate the option.

My condolences for your loss.

Axton Vendian wrote:

If anyone wants to be invisible or enlarged before we head in, let me know.

Dude, normally fighting human sized stuff I'd beg for enlarged, but with Elathras using a reach weapon, I don't even think there would be room to use it. But I appreciate the option.

I figured, especially since we're in a house, but it's always an option.

hmmm the fellow is wearing wings, anyone else think Elathras should grapple him?

hmmm the fellow is wearing wings, anyone else think Elathras should grapple him?

I like that idea.

I wish that ghoul touch didn't have the sickening stench. Otherwise, that would seem like a good opener for an invisible Axton.

Can we assume that we get a surprise round? As I don't see any charge lanes, Bharak would use it to just move into position, but I don't want to assume.

My condolances for your loss as well, Javell :( I thought I'd already done so but apparently I forgot, that was thoughtless of me.

Yes, you can have a surprise round.

Thank you, all. It is appreciated. And no worries at all, Elena. Not in the least.

Will catch up in the gameplay and hope we're still winning... as usual. ;)

Instead of readying a ghoul touch spell, I initially had Axton ready a black tentacles spell, hoping DBH would let me cast it from the ceiling. The spell effect is a 20 ft. radius, which would have covered the entire width of the ceiling, covering the five foot gap between the walls and the ceiling, and I loved the visual of these Lovecraftian tentacles suddenly looming down over everything. But then I realized that the tentacles would have reached the floor, ensnaring us all, so with a heavy, belabored sigh I switched to boring old ghoul touch.

Probably a good thing, because if Berkanin does fly away, he'd beat the DC of the tentacles due to my poor roll, and then he'd be out, and we couldn't fly after him without first dealing with the tentacles.

Sorry for no update today. This week has been a pain. I keep getting called away all day for various problems.

Logged in at work today and in short order I discovered that Paizo.com has finally made it onto my company's blacklist. If anyone notices that my posting rate has dropped, that's why. I'll really only be able to post in the evenings until I figure something else out.

She then quickly hands over whatever she believes to be essential for the group from her pack. "I think that's everything."

I assume that this includes the Sihedron Shard of Lust, right? Do we want to debate who carries it, or do we just want to handwave it and assume that we will eventually decide that Lt. Vhane will carry it for offscreen reasons at some point in the near future? Essentially just keeping it with the player.

Been somewhat low on time for posting, but wanted to pop in and say I enjoyed Umazura's exit and Vhane's entrance. It was well done.

Yeah, I wanted to make sure she gave y'all everything that is important.

By the way, I tried to get on here last night (around 10 pm CST) but I kept getting that "504 Gateway timed out" error. Or whatever it says. I tried several times but eventually just gave up because I was too dang tired to keep trying.

@Bharak: Thanks!

I have to say it's a great character swap. Certainly beats the usual player goes missing and the new character takes their place without comment. :)

Yeah, definitely. The swap was well done! Props for that. Makes me miss uma even more now.

On the shard, I wasn't sure who had the shard of lust tbh. But game-technically it's good for anyone. Its main draw is +4 initative and +2 saves vs enchantment effects. The suggestion spell daily is a bit meh but w/e. I'm just happy we don't *have* to roleplay out any negative quirks (genated by the Ioun stone, which was... +2 cha from this one?) negative effects as a lustful 6 cha dwarf sounds like a disaster waiting to happen :)

I'm fine with Vhane having it so long as its equipped by someone.

Actually, which ones do we have on who atm?

-Mine is the shard of pride, which grants +2 int and +2 on skill checks mostly.

-The shard of greed is on Bharak I believe? Which mainly grants +2 str through the ioun stone and the ability to cast haste once per day.

-The shard of lust, grants +4 init, +2 saves vs illusions and suggestoion once per day.

I dont think we have any more shards at present.

I feel like I'm chiming in late, but the transition did go very smoothly. Well done Javell.

As for the shards, Elathras doesn't have one, but I don't see any reason for Javell's character not to get to keep it if they want it.

I have to say it's a great character swap. Certainly beats the usual player goes missing and the new character takes their place without comment. :)

Thanks!

And you ain't kidding about that. That's typically what happens when new characters roll in.

Yeah, definitely. The swap was well done! Props for that. Makes me miss uma even more now.

Thank you! I gotta confess, it makes me miss her too.

I will say, I do like Umazura. I think she's a good character with some good potential. But mechanically, it just wasn't working. As a player, I've GOT to contribute something more than Know skills. And heck, most of y'all had those covered pretty well as it was.

So, to be honest, it was disappointing to me that it didn't work out.

Looking back on it, I think if she was a different class, maybe it would've panned out better. *shrugs* Heck, I don't know.

I feel like I'm chiming in late, but the transition did go very smoothly. Well done Javell.

As for the shards, Elathras doesn't have one, but I don't see any reason for Javell's character not to get to keep it if they want it.

Thanks!

And as far as the shard is concerned, Vhane will snag it if y'all don't mind. BUT, having said that, you can take it if you want it, Elathras. It really doesn't matter to me. I'm good either way.

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On another note...

I'm just happy we don't *have* to roleplay out any negative quirks (genated by the Ioun stone, which was... +2 cha from this one?) negative effects as a lustful 6 cha dwarf sounds like a disaster waiting to happen :)

Lol! Not gonna lie, I think this would've been quite the challenging FUN! Lol!

Of course, it is a bit extreme on the curse side of it. If that could be reworked into something that was a bit more tame, then I think the curse would've had some fun potential to it. But as it is, it is just far too 'graphic'.

So...what kind of gold are we looking at for purchases as we gear up for the next adventure?

Do you want to do some shopping for gear?

It is easy to pause and get some buying done here.

I did some calculations. Assuming we give Umazura her share of loot before she leaves, everyone except Vhane technically has 11651 gold to spend (see excel). If Umazura leaves immediately before we get to sell things, without taking her share of loot, the other four each have 25% more, or 14563 gold.

This assumes we sell everything. I found a lot of items previously on the list missing and I'm not sure what happened to those as we didn't leave the mansion yet so I re-added them. If you want something, please mark it off. I think most items aren't that useful and are best sold off. The items of most note here seem to be the +1 ROP/amulet of nat armor if anyone doesn't already have them, the Adamantine Dagger and the Lesser wings of Flying.

The wings of flying offer passive flight at clumsy speed, but take up the shoulder slot. So you can't use them while also wearing a cloak of resistance. The wings of flying are also hugely valuable at 22000 gold, by far the most pricy item we found. Passive flight is definitely useful but maybe we are best off selling this one and getting different flight abilities so our super lethal frontline doesn't get dominated? Just my two cents. If any frontliner really wants the wings I'm fine with them using it too ofc.

At quick glance Elathras has 61,000 gp. in just magical gear/enhancements that he's wearing or carrying. So he will not keep any of the items we just found.

I'm good with splitting it however everyone sees fit. Also, I assume Vhane started with the 33,000 gp. @ 8th lvl. so, I'm ok with the idea of him getting Umazura's cut of 11,651 gp.

That's fine by me. One hell of a fortune to keep a mercenary enticed for more, I'd wager!

I need to think a bit on what to get. High on the list is the +4 wisdom headband, a metamagic rod of encouraging spell, a shield and an upgrade to her con. Elena is pretty fragile compared to most in this group. Especially since massive damage death is a thing, the most likely way for her to die is a big crit from a monster or a mind-altered Bharak or Elathras.

I guess the headband can wait a bit since it is craftable and only comes into play at level 10.

I can see two ways to greatly improve her survivability; one is the Saltspray ring combined with the ashen path spell and an extend magic rod.

The other is the more mundane +1 shield and cloak of resistance/belt of con upgrades. 10 k gets a +1 buckler, a +2 cloak upgrade and a +6 con upgrade.

@GM, before I puschase anything, is the Saltspray ring allowed? Combined with Ashen Path, while it lasts, it essentially gives everyone in the group lesser or total concealment at no penalty to us. It's extremely powerful for its cost, probably. Some view it as cheesy.

I’m fine with Vhane getting a cut. It’s his payment for joining up, right?

Sure, that works. Good potential follow up to my last post. It'd be another polite 'screw you' from Sheila to Elena I suppose, after already notifying Bharak she was expendable. Now I/we get to pay the mercenary instead of her.

Hi, storms in the area have knocked out power and cell service. Authorities are saying that these outages could last for days. I’ll chime when I can post again. Feel free to bot me if needed.

If Umazura leaves immediately before we get to sell things, without taking her share of loot, the other four each have 25% more, or 14563 gold.

This. Yeah, there's no reason to include Umazura in the cut.

Are you sure? We have a lot more gold valule on our characters than Vhane seems to have.

That aside:

"You say the Pathfinder gave you the 'option' to stay and travel with us? What does that mean, exactly? Are you a mercenary? Were you hired by a lodge? Are we supposed to hire you? If not, what's in this for you?"

Crossing his arms as he stares at her stoically - for what probably feels like forever to the cleric - he leans in and says under his breath, "Okay, lass, how about this? You don't ask me questions and I won't give you answers ya don't like, m-kay?"

Lol XD He's not exactly making the best case for being trustworthy.

@Elena, yes you can have the Salt spray ring. Combining it with the Ashen path spell is a bit cheesy, but there are other magic items that do much the same anyway.

From memory I once ran a Sylph bard with the ability to see through smoke, fog & mist. She had a lot of fun with a Horn of fog. :)