(PFS2) (#2-00) "The King in Thorns" Gameday X (Inactive)

Game Master rainzax

You know you can play this scenario more than once, as long as you do it in a different tier each time. I played it in tier 1-2 but not 3-4.

Need clarification before I go further. I though it was playable in 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 once. But the discussion in Cottonseed said it is playable once in 1-4 and once in 5-8. Makes a difference, cause if so I'd be forced to drop.

I did not play 1-2 tier with this character.

Sorry, I forgot to answer. I haven't played any of the listed scenarios either.

What's the deal with these Aid Tokens? I've never run across them before.

James T Crusher 2 wrote:

You know you can play this scenario more than once, as long as you do it in a different tier each time. I played it in tier 1-2 but not 3-4.

Need clarification before I go further. I though it was playable in 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 once. But the discussion in Cottonseed said it is playable once in 1-4 and once in 5-8. Makes a difference, cause if so I'd be forced to drop.

I did not play 1-2 tier with this character.

Looks like the tiers are 1-2, 3-6, and 7-8. You can apparently play this scenario once at each of those tiers with a different PC.

Aid tokens are a common device in the Multi-table specials. Basically, they allow tables to assist each other, usually through some sort of extra combat damage or healing. You usually boost an aid token by expending some resources on it. For example, an aid token may allow you to use an event like "A cleric from another party comes by and channels to heal everyone in your party with 1d8 hit points" but if we boost the aid token before we send it to the other table, that healing may increase to 2d8. NOTE: I have not see the actual Aid tokens in use here, so this may not be exactly accurate, but should be close.

Getting caught up so I'll try and consolidate replies :)

Paizo Handle: Ozone77
Character Name: Thellira Daybreaker
PFS / Character Number / Faction: 153853-2001 / Horizon Hunters
Character Ancestry / Background / Class / Level: Press-ganged Dwarf Barbarian 3
Downtime Skill / Task Level / Task DC / Die Result / Outcome: Sailor DC 15: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11   16cp

School Items: Swords for a potency crystal
Daily Preparations: None
Final Purchases: None

Achievement Boons: None yet
Chronicle Boons: Devil's Keep, Experienced Mountaineer, Touched by the Storm

I have not played any of those scenarios.

Aid tokens are a common device in the Multi-table specials. Basically, they allow tables to assist each other, usually through some sort of extra combat damage or healing. You usually boost an aid token by expending some resources on it. For example, an aid token may allow you to use an event like "A cleric from another party comes by and channels to heal everyone in your party with 1d8 hit points" but if we boost the aid token before we send it to the other table, that healing may increase to 2d8. NOTE: I have not see the actual Aid tokens in use here, so this may not be exactly accurate, but should be close.

This is my understanding as well.

I have re-formatted our current Aid Token status is "Campaign Info" tab: Check it out!

One table (GM Sedoriku's) has already sent one TO this table - you all now have access to the "Timely Inspiration" Aid Token (useable once this adventure).

I would like us to send another FROM this table before we proceed to the next part of the adventure: Would someone be willing to try their hand at sending Aid?

good, glad I'm safe for playing this.

This"listed DC" isn't listed. Or do we not get to know that? Can someone with Natural Medicine check use Nature instead of Medicine?

Haechi picks the following resources:

- Lesser Antidote
- Lesser Healing Potion
- +1 circumstance bonus to one check this adventure
- Automatically succeeds at Recall Knowledge once this adventure

He can't use the Cold Iron ammo (x10), but anyone who can is welcome to Haechi's share.

Siddhartha takes
-Lesser Antiplague
-Lesser Healing Potion
-+1 circumstance to one check 1/adventure

Siddhartha does not have a weapon that uses ammunition either, so his ammo is also available to be claimed
one set of Cold Iron ammo (x10)

Housekeeping

I know this Scenario is a lot - especially if you arrived late - but I assure you we will get into the groove - here is a checklist for people, in rough order of importance.

1) Map Tokens
2) Preparation Mission Resources
3) Boosting Aid Tokens

1)
We are currently 4/5 on this - this is a requirement for engaging through this interface. Please tend to this as soon as possible. Instructions in Opening Post.

2)
We are currently 2/5 on this (see above two posts) - in order to use these resources later, you must claim them now. Some are "one per player", others are "one per party" - please read the descriptions to determine which is which. Yes you can "give" your x10 ammo to someone else (and they must claim it as above). Descriptions in Campaign Info.

3)
We are allowed to Boost one Aid Token per "Part" of this adventure. Haechi Boosted one Aid Token which I have sent to another table during "Introductions". We are now in "Phase One" meaning we can Boost a second (different) Aid Token to another group. I am working on recording which have been Boosted to our table in my DM Alias - so expect that forthcoming. Further instructions in Campaign Info.
EDIT: Second Attempt to Boost has been Made - Please wait until Phase Two/Three!

...

This"listed DC" isn't listed. Or do we not get to know that? Can someone with Natural Medicine check use Nature instead of Medicine?

Fixed. Yes.

Possibly too late to roll?

Not too late, but your rolls unfortunately didn't change any outcomes this time around.

James said he will take the lesser healing potion, as many as possible and Cold iron arrows as many as possible. I got four success, so I get 4 of each?

Paizo's eating posts again. I just replied 5 minutes ago!

Thellira will take:
- Lesser Antidote
- Lesser Healing Potion
- +1 circumstance to one check 1/adventure
- Cold Iron Ammo of whatever type benefits another party member
- automatically succeeds to Recall Knowledge

James will vote river when we make it through this, River would be safer, please sea creatures will be more fun to fight.

+1 to the River.

On the tracker, you have "Holding ???" Do you mean that literally or did I miss a post? Thellira almost always has her meteor hammer in hand - it's not a weapon she can easily stow.

If Haechi is expecting trouble (which is most of the time), he tends to hold a minor healing potion in one hand.

Sure, but I'm not sure I understand the system you are using.

As an FYI, here are some standing operating procedures for Anjo in case I cannot post between scene changes.

1. Anjo will alway designate any creature (friend or foe) the party meets as his prey. if there are more than one, he designates the closest.

2. After any battle, Anjo will Refocus all his lost points.

3. During exploration, Anjo will look for tracks. If he finds them he designates the owner as his Prey and then will use Survival for Init. I believe that per Hunters Edge, Anjo gets an additional +2 on Init when doing this. So that's a possible +15 on Init.

4. If Anjo can't find tracks or it's obvious there is no way to track something, then he will Scout, or Search (if someone is already scouting).

which spell? Gravity weapon?

https://2e.aonprd.com/Spells.aspx?ID=770

Hmm. i guess the damage bonus is +4.

Housekeeping

1) Announced Conditions
2) Aid Tokens (Update!)
3) Exploration Modes
4) Formatting Posts

1)
I have reported our two successes so far!

As the multiple tables continue to report more, eventually the House GM will begin posting Announced Conditions. Until it comes up, you don't need to worry about it, but I want to put it on your radar now.

But if you want to know: They are yet another system of benefits the party can use to assist themselves through Phase One. You can read more about it in "Campaign Info" under "Story Benefits" (but do not open the spoiler!)

2)
Turns out those Aid Tokens we used but failed the check on are actually useable! (Just, in a lesser version). We will have to hold off on our last Aid Token until Phase Three - that said, Sid, the team that requested support was able to receive it - if you want to "conclude" that little side story here (going to hep them but failing) into a "success", feel free to share that here and I will run it along to them in their Discussion!

3)
We are currently 4/5 using Exploration Modes. You can read more about clicking the links in my DM Alias. I'll ask that you track them on your Character Alias, as well as on the Slides.

4)
Your own syntax in posting can greatly assist my running of the game. Here are two examples:

My current problem is that I am not trained in any of the skills listed, and the way I gave been rolling I can feel a Critical Failure in my near future.

How do you feel about substituting skills, possibly using Warfare lore or Scouting Lore instead of Forest Lore, or Survival instead of Nature?

How do you feel about substituting skills, possibly using Warfare lore or Scouting Lore instead of Forest Lore, or Survival instead of Nature?

Negative. Going to stick to the skills as listed. You can always talk and just not roll, however. Up to you.

But to Aid? Depends on the post...

So does my the increase in DC now make my deception a failure, or is that not retroactive? Didn't know we can opt out of rolling either, I got lucky there.

There is no way the NPC knows they are being targeted by Hunt Prey. There are no auditory or visual traits. It's purely internal to the PC. Rangers can hunt prey on tracks or on sound alone, so Anjo can close his eyes and designate the prey.

Hunt Prey is no more discernable than Recall Knowledge.

I made my post more general but didn't change the roll.

Hey gang - at this table, "I hunt prey" and "I intimidate" are both hostile actions!

=)

I should be at 41, not 38, I did take 15 damage, but I was also raging so I had 3 temporary hit points which were lost first, so 41.

5 temporary hit points - so 43/53 by my calculations...

Not that it matters, but the Intimidate was 24 and SM was 21. Editing to add the Sense Motive at the top changed the rolls - oops.

Calculated risk - was (IC) going for acting out an intimidating pose (OOC) knowing I'd probably fail the Performance aspect :)

Thellira doesn't have any place to stow her weapon, and would have been using it as part of her acting. I can burn an action though.

Thellira has Rock Runner - does that affect any of the difficult terrain here?

Hey gang - at this table, "I hunt prey" and "I intimidate" are both hostile actions!

=)

You're using 'quotes as if to suggest that's what I typed. I did not write it that way. I designated the target as my prey. Once gain, there is no visible action for anyone to know they've been targeted as prey. The only trait Hunt Prey has is Concentrate and Ranger. I feel like you're ascribing some kind of demonstrative act with designating prey.

I'm not sure if you're being serious or joking, but Hunt Prey is nothing close to Intimidate. Yes, if a n NPC knew they were Prey, it would be hostile, but there's no way for an NPC to know this.

Allowing an NPC to know they've been targeted would be metagaming. Ruling that all NPCs know when a Ranger is using Hunt Prey would dramatically change a Ranger's ability to deisgnate Prey in social encounters.

I don't have any issue with Intimidate trigging combat.

Not that it matters, but the Intimidate was 24 and SM was 21. Editing to add the Sense Motive at the top changed the rolls - oops.

Calculated risk - was (IC) going for acting out an intimidating pose (OOC) knowing I'd probably fail the Performance aspect :)

Thellira doesn't have any place to stow her weapon, and would have been using it as part of her acting. I can burn an action though.

Thellira has Rock Runner - does that affect any of the difficult terrain here?

We are all still learning the dice roller - looks like you learned today that "order matters"!

Click on my DM Alias to learn more about "Equipment and Gear" - I have a summary and links.

And yes, Rock Runner applies here - Thellira can ignore Difficult Terrain by Rocks!

=)

So if I'd listed performance first, it would have a different result? I'll adjust the flavor text going forward so it's clearer I guess.

According to that, Thellira's weapon is held. I was planning to use a "change grip" to burn an action even though nothing would actually change.

You said you edited your post after-the-fact, adding a new die roll before ones you had already rolled, and saw all the die outcomes shift correspondingly.

That is what I am referring to.

Gotcha - yeah Paizo can be wonky with that. I forgot that if you add another of the same die (d20 before d20 or d8 before d8) then it shifts just the result for that die. I almost always add to the bottom as a result, but had forgotten the SM check.

Housekeeping

1) Announced Conditions
...

1)
I have reported our two successes so far!

As the multiple tables continue to report more, eventually the House GM will begin posting Announced Conditions. Until it comes up, you don't need to worry about it, but I want to put it on your radar now.

But if you want to know: They are yet another system of benefits the party can use to assist themselves through Phase One. You can read more about it in "Campaign Info" under "Story Benefits" (but do not open the spoiler!)

Looking back, you see many other disparate groups of Pathfinders both Charting Courses and Fighting Shapshifting Fey - as overall, these operations conducted by the whole Society look to be bearing fruit soon!

50% completion on each of those - expect an "Announced Condition" of one or the other maybe later this week!

Yeah, order matters, Although, if you would have added a d12 or anything but a d20 before the d20, it would not change a thing. Don't want to go into detail too much as to how the dice roller works, because people reading even those not in our group this could take this as an invitation to cheat.

Rainzax,

I do not understand what basis you have to insist we put away our weapons? GMs do not control the actions of the players.

Also, apologies for posting out of order. I didn't see the init order and missed the text that only Sid was up.

As an FYI, Ajax used Hunted Shot, which is one action for two shots. It looks like you only counted one of the attacks?

https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=492

N N 959,
I am open to discussing this with you after our game. I will keep us moving for now. I am fixing the second shot now (my mistake!)

...

Players,
Syntax for targeting Hidden creatures - so there is no "order of operations" confusion:

1) Roll to Strike
2) Roll to Damage
3) Roll to Flat Check

Cheers.

Hopefully this won't come into play (fingers crossed), but just as an FYI, Haechi has the Cringe feat.

It is a reaction triggered by: A creature you are aware of critically succeeds on a Strike against you and would deal damage to you, and which reads in part: The attacking creature takes a circumstance penalty to the damage of the triggering Strike equal to your level + 2. This penalty applies after doubling the damage for a critical hit.

Thellira has a once per scenario boon reaction too that will kick off the next time Leader attacks anyone within 30' of Thellira

You are the rightful master of the infernal keep known as Diggen’s Rest. Once per adventure, you can use the following reaction.

Infernal Detonations [reaction]
Trigger: A creature within 30 feet of you targets you or an ally with an attack
Effect: The creature takes fire damage equal to 1d6 + your level (basic Reflex save). The DC of the Reflex save is equal to your spell DC or your class DC, whichever is higher.

So that should be 1d6+3 with DC 19.

She also has Deny Advantage in case that factors in:
Your foes struggle to pass your defenses. You aren’t flat-footed to hidden, undetected, or flanking creatures of your level or lower, or creatures of your level or lower using surprise attack. However, they can still help their allies flank.

@GM - Can we speak out of turn?

I also have the Infernal Detonations, thought I am no triggering it yet.

@GM - Can we speak out of turn?

Yes - keep it semi-"realistically" brief?

GM Glyphs: None that I know of

School Items: What am I entitled to at lvl 4? If just potions, then antiplague and toxin
Daily Preparations: Not sure wha this is?
Final Purchases: I purchased a Striking ruin and some thieves tools

Retired Boons: No idea
Achievement Boons: I'need to check on boons...
Chronicle Boons:

I have all kinds of boons, I don't really understand how they work now. I feel like it's like ten times more complicated than it was in PF1.

Anjo - can you list your Boons here?

I don't normally use the shield block, as I would rather have the extra AC, especially if it seems like I might be subject to attacks from multiple attackers.

Would you use the reaction if it would save you from going down?

PFS (2ed) Scenario #1-01: The Absalom Initiation Boon B
PFS (2ed) Scenario #1–06: Lost on the Spirit Road
PFS (2ed) Quest #4: Port Peril Pub Crawl Boon A
PFS (2ed) Scenario #2–03: Catastrophe's Spark
Rewrite History
PFS (2ed) Scenario #1-04: Bandits of Immenwood Boon B
PFS (2ed) Scenario #1–01: The Absalom Initiation Boon A
PFS (2ed) Scenario #1–11: Flames of Rebellion Boon A
PFS (2ed) Quest #6: Archaeology in Aspenthar
PFS (2ed) Quest #2: Unforgiving Fire Boon B
PFS (2ed) Quest #2: Unforgiving Fire Boon A

At one time I understood how boon slotting worked, now I have no idea if we are limited or we can use them all.

Players,

Syntax for targeting Hidden creatures - so there is no "order of operations" confusion:

1) Roll to Strike
2) Roll to Damage
3) Roll to Flat Check

Cheers.

Would you mind if we just rolled the flat check first and then only roll attack and damage if we succeed on the flat check? It would save a lot of time.

At a high level, my understanding of boons is:
1 Advanced
1 Promotional
1 Hireling

So Devil's Keep could be your Advanced from Flames of Rebellion.
Port Peril A is a General that you could always keep slotted. (I have B so not sure what A says).

To be honest, I don't think I have been in a situation where the shield block would keep me from going down. I will say that I will only use the Shield Block if it keeps me from going down, other wise the extra AC goes to helping prevent Crits.

The tracker says water is normal movement. What am I missing?

@Anjo - what is your Speed?

Speed is 30.

Players,
Tomorrow (today) is a long work day for me - I likely won't get to posting our next encounter until late in the evening - please bear with!

Siddhartha also heals 10 HP from his pearly white spindle aeon stone during the 10 minutes, bringing him up to 49/52 HP.

I hadn't seen that one before and will definitely be picking one up before my next mission - thanks for the idea.

Treat Wounds on Haechi:

@Haeichi, GM says we only get 10 minutes, so I don't know if Anjo can treat two people. However, i can roll now and we can use the outcome when Anjo has time.

Natural Medicine to Treat Wounds DC15 - add +2 if herbs were found: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23 This will be a crit success with herbs

Heal: 4d8 ⇒ (6, 1, 2, 1) = 10

Thanks Anjo. With only 10 minutes to spare and Siddharta being the priority, Haechi's healing will have to wait. He's not that badly hurt and not being in the frontline I think he'll be ok.

Just in case though, Haechi's default exploration mode is Detect Magic with a minor healing potion in one hand. This is so that he can quaff it in one action if things get ugly.