1-01 - The Round Robin Absalom Initiation (Inactive)

Game Master Tyranius

Kyra puts up a discussion board outside Skyreach's "New Pathfinder's Orientation Office":
"Welcome, companions!"

All can dot & delete here or in Gameplay, if needed.

The "To the slides!" link on the top left of all pages leads to the... slides (where we'll have all the info', images, maps...).

Slide 1 will change when we switch places. I will use it to duplicate info'/battlemap etc. of your current location (for ease of access) - but everything on it will also be found on its own slide, further down the thread, in its chronological order)

On slide 2 can you please input your PC's Name ; Your Name you want to appear on your Chronicle ; your PFS# w. PC's number ; and your slotted Faction, as well as dropping you avatar there
Sorry about asking for this again, but there's a new player and at least one PC switch
Thanks!

re. init' rolls & secret skill checks etc., I'll try to use that sheet we filled out-- if it does not work (new/changed PCs) I'll just add something for this game.

I have a single hero coin to hand out.

I can't bring Dyner to this table as she's already played this scenario before and I wanted to see the Secrets of Magic before I play her at level 2.

So, I could bring a level two goblin champion (this avatar) or a medium armor wearing melee support bard (a brand new level 1 and needs a character sheet made for him.) Any preferences?

I have 2 glyphs to pass out that I will give to Jaxon and Isurus

Hello and welcome Ilmryn!
And Ogren-- or the bard (I have no tip or hint re. one or the other character)

Hero Points:
+1 for Jaxon
+1 for Isurus
Alaric gave
Ilmryn has 1 to give

re. the Character macros page:
• Samna, Jaxon, Isurus, Alaric - if any changes to be made, remember to update
• Ilmryn, you can just replace Kyra, taking up her line (since it has been determined we cannot add a 7th line, correct?)
• re. Dyner, just replace 'your' line with Ogren or the bard

• Ilmryn, you can just replace Kyra, taking up her line (since it has been determined we cannot add a 7th line, correct?)

Oh we can, I just need about 5-10 mins of unprotected access to the second page where the dice roll functions are displayed. The page is protected and thus I can't edit it to display the seventh person. If you want, there's a few rows hidden at the bottom of the page where the expressions are actually laid out, I've added a seventh to it already.

And I think I'll just bring Ogren. We're losing the two people best at healing and Ogren can tank damage and heal people on the verge of going down as well.

I am fine w. adding a 7th line if you want to see about changing the 2nd page if possible to get access.

I copied the page to a third page and edited it instead.

Cool!
Thanks a lot.

So all should be good w. the info' in the Google Sheet?
Except for Alaric-- who is going to be level 2?

All updated on both forms.

@Ilmryn: you gave your Glyph/Hero Point to Alaric?

I said it was up for grabs. If Alaric wants it he can go for it.

Alaric has 2 Hero Points noted on the Slide-- so, let's go for that.

No other Glyphs or such to distribute?
And remind me if you have slotted any special Boons...

Wishing us a good game!

Since it's been a while w/o GMing PFS, I am checking that I am not missing new rules, or that I did not forget something.

This is a 1-4 adventure, so w. 4 x lvl 1s (giving 8 CPs) and 2 x lvl 2s (giving 3 CPs) that is 14 CPs, so lower level since under 15 CPs.

But-- since this is #1-01 and there is no CP scaling I check how to convert it (early scenarios) and 14 CP --> 5-player adjustment AND 1 level bump.
5 player adjustment means that if the scenario has stuff for more than 4 PCs, I adapt as if the group was a group of 5, correct?
So, when Scaling Encounters, things like "For each player beyond four, add one X" mean that I only add 1, not 2 (re. 5-player adjustment, and not 6 PCs)
1 level bump is increasing DCs, attacks etc. by 1 and HP by 10 (hopefully not 10%, but if you face a 120 HP Goblin, I'll bump her to 132!)

Finally-- since the scenario does not always give DCs (sometimes just saying to roll and see if success/failure etc.), in those cases I go w. DCs by level, and level 1 (not level 2, even if it is 1-2).
Thus DC 15 base, meaning 16 w. the level bump (and not lvl 2 DC of 16+1 from the bump = 17).

Oh. Never checked this tab.

I have 1 GM Glyph to give out as well. Give to Ogren if he doesn't have one yet. Else whoever still open.

Isurus isn't making a Society check at +0 about surface dwellers. ;)

Added a Hero Point to Ogren.

Since it's been a while w/o GMing PFS, I am checking that I am not missing new rules, or that I did not forget something.

This is a 1-4 adventure, so w. 4 x lvl 1s (giving 8 CPs) and 2 x lvl 2s (giving 3 CPs) that is 14 CPs, so lower level since under 15 CPs.

But-- since this is #1-01 and there is no CP scaling I check how to convert it (early scenarios) and 14 CP --> 5-player adjustment AND 1 level bump.
5 player adjustment means that if the scenario has stuff for more than 4 PCs, I adapt as if the group was a group of 5, correct?
So, when Scaling Encounters, things like "For each player beyond four, add one X" mean that I only add 1, not 2 (re. 5-player adjustment, and not 6 PCs)
1 level bump is increasing DCs, attacks etc. by 1 and HP by 10 (hopefully not 10%, but if you face a 120 HP Goblin, I'll bump her to 132!)

Finally-- since the scenario does not always give DCs (sometimes just saying to roll and see if success/failure etc.), in those cases I go w. DCs by level, and level 1 (not level 2, even if it is 1-2).
Thus DC 15 base, meaning 16 w. the level bump (and not lvl 2 DC of 16+1 from the bump = 17).

You have it correct, so if the scenario says for each PC beyond 4 add 1 more enemy then you would only add 1 more as it treats us as if we had 5 players and not the 6 that we actually have. This method is used to help adjust encounters throughout the whole scenario to still be a challenge but not wipe entire groups.

Oh. Never checked this tab.

I have 1 GM Glyph to give out as well. Give to Ogren if he doesn't have one yet. Else whoever still open.

Isurus isn't making a Society check at +0 about surface dwellers. ;)

Thank-you! I'll try to make sure to use it well.

Thanks a lot!

And when the scenario does not give DCs, I go w. DCs by level--
--but level 1, DC15
--not level 2, DC16?
(I imagine, since it is a 1-2 I go w. the lower of the two)

There is a DC-by-level chart somewhere in the core rulebook. It is like 15 for lvl 1 and 16 for lvl 2 IIRC. You could use that.

Yes, that's what I am using.
I imagine that it would be the lvl 1 DC (15). And I have been using that (DC15+1 from the level bump).

But I did not know if there were specific rules, and since it is a 1-2, it could be lvl 2 DC (16).

Perhaps unsurprisingly given his actions, Ilmyrn has no ranks in any social skills (I plan to eventually get courtly graces so I can at least interact with nobles.). So unless someone needs library lore or Athletics, I doubt I can help much here.

I also looked at this up on the forums before and the scenario designer has posted here that it should be DC 15.

Yup, it is generally on the lower end of the spectrum if not listed directly.

I find this scene runs off the rails pretty easily if you split up and especially if you don't list the skills (as instructed in the scenario).

re. DCs, thanks, I thought it'd be the lower (DC15), just wanted to make sure.

I find this scene runs off the rails pretty easily if you split up and especially if you don't list the skills (as instructed in the scenario).

Okay, then. Sorry. I will change the way of presenting things.

Okay, I might be getting this mixed up, but who's talking with who? I get where the PCs are, generally, but the NPC pairings seem to be switching? Benarry and the halfling are a pair and Valais is talking to Eando, right?

Alaric is with Eando Kline who is speaking with Valais Durant (Asimaar female).
Skill Check: Crafting, Medicine, or any Lore skill as long as the PC uses it to present a plan to assist those in need.
Alaric rolled here.
1 Attention Point earned.

Ogren, Ilmryn and Jaxon are with Calisro Benarry who is speaking with Tamrin Credence (Halfling male).
Skill Check: Deception, Stealth, Thievery, Legal Lore, or Underworld Lore.
Jaxon & Ogren rolled here.
1 Attention Point earned.

And remind me if you have slotted any special Boons...

Only boon I have of significance is Infernal Detonations. It is a reaction he will have. Spoiler for it is in his profile.

Infernal Detonations - okay, I will try to remember.
I imagine you have no other reactions so--
--do you prefer I assume you use it each round vs. the 1st attack?
--or do you want to choose each time?
Your DC is 18, correct?

I have no other reactions and I will post a spoiler with it each time I use it. The DC is indeed 18.

Isurus wrote:

I find this scene runs off the rails pretty easily if you split up and especially if you don't list the skills (as instructed in the scenario).

Okay, then. Sorry. I will change the way of presenting things.

Thanks. I found the scenario confuses the players with how this section is set up. They tell you to mingle, and they put some important figures (faction leaders) there to go talk to, but who you're really supposed to talk to are the people next to them. You distract those people with skill checks so the faction leader can talk to the other PCs and give them a mission, which means there have to be other PCs there to listen to the faction leader.

Thanks for the lesson.
But it seems to me you are indeed confused!
Because I do not believe that it works that way.
Maybe I have a different scenario, but what I read in the version I have is that the only people you have to talk to are the "important figures (faction leaders)" who each give you your mission w/o need for any skill checks.
You do not even need to speak to the people next to them at all.
If you do speak to the people next to them you might get some extra information or minor assistance by drawing the interaction out a bit.
To draw the interaction out by speaking to the people next to them, you can, but do not need to, distract them (that is just one of the options).
Thus it does not mean, nor say anywhere, there have to several PCs there to be able listen to the faction leader.
And, I repeat, the faction leader giving you the mission has nothing to do w. speaking to the other people next to them, nor is linked to any checks.

Also, per your first intervention above: the scenario I have does not instruct to list the skills.

Also, per your first intervention above: the scenario I have does not instruct to list the skills.

It should be on the bottom of the first column on page 8, if I recall correctly.

As for the rest of your response: Yes. I apologize because I know there's a language difference, and I was being lazy and rushed with my grammar and word choices. However, you are correct that we are not required to speak with the distracting NPCs.

In order to progress the story, we are required to meet the faction leaders.
The game (or mechanical) part of this section requires that we interact through skill checks with the distracting NPCs.
Many players I encounter expect that you should split up (mingle), but that could leave one person interacting with one NPC and unable to achieve the success threshold for the distracting NPC.
Many players I encounter also expect that it is the faction leaders that must be influenced with skill checks.

Splitting up also has the risk of making the scene even more confusing for the players and GM to follow. The post where Tamrin is suddenly talking to Eando and Ogren's (and my own) confusion as to who was where for example.

Yeah, it does seem like sticking together to have the numbers on the skill checks seems the best strategy.

So far you succeeded twice w. only 3 people out 6 rolling, each time. So does not seem hard... yet?

You do not have to be at any place at the same time, and anyone can go from any one place to any other place to roll in whatever order you want. No time constraints or order or anything.

If you stick together you can always aim to Aid someone (though it is probably easier to hit the skill's DC than the Aid DC).

And Janira told you that you can call upon her if needed, so she might answer with some help in these situations?

Aiding at lower levels is extremely difficult. And could cause more harm than good if you crit fail. On top of that Aid does not stack in 2E so you can only benefit from it once per check.

As I just noted, the scenario says the GM can reduce the DC by 2 for "effective roleplaying"-- since things seem to be going quite successfully so far I thought I'd wait on doing that, but all are nicely roleplaying so I was going to use it if needed.

Alaric & Ilmryn are up for "heading to the Petals District, then to the Flotsam Grave and finally to the Precipice Quarter for the evening"
Any other ideas, or is that a good enough plan for all?

I have a summary of things (Missions/Aids/TBs etc.) on the last slide (right now that is slide 15) if you need to check things.

w. Samna, that makes a consensus, so I'll start you off on that path.
If anyone wants to voice some other plan, please do and we can see what you do.

Off to the harbor then?
No one against that?

The plan to then come to the museum after hours.
Before going to the old haunted house.

Remember that you have not been giving any timeframe for all this.
You do not have to do all in one day.

To the harbor it is...

@Ogden: if you have anything to do or purchase or such before leaving, please do.

@all: I have been moving things along before all had time to post at each stage, since so far it was the Gathering Information stage and such, and it seemed okay to do so (all information from the scenario having been gathered etc.).

I'm traveling this weekend, so posting may be delayed.

Enjoy your week-end!

Sorry for the lack of posting and possibly holding things up. I hit a swirl of real life, second Covid vaccination and general lack of motivation for a few days there. I'm feeling better and should be good for keeping up with posting!

No problem and no holding back... hope you feel better!