(PFS2) GM Round Robin: Into the Year of Shattered Sanctuaries

Game Master Farol

Woo, thanks!
*Goes to edit post.*

For anyone interested: I've decided I'm crazy enough to run an entire AP through play by post, and I'd like to run Abomination Vaults. If anyone isn't sick of me yet and wants to play that as well, feel free to sign up here!

I would jump, but recently joined an Abomination Vaults game.

You all have fun though!

I would love to, but I'm unconvinced that I'd be able to fulfill a commitment to a full AP by PbP.

After Gameday, I am likely to recruit for an Adventure.

Tempting, but I'm afraid I'd better try and keep my PbP activities to a dull roar, especially now that we're going into fall and, soon, winter. Thank you for the invite to apply, though! :)

I'm interested. An AP is long but I'm in a PACS game that will probably take as long as an AP to complete.

For anyone interested: I've decided I'm crazy enough to run an entire AP through play by post, and I'd like to run Abomination Vaults. If anyone isn't sick of me yet and wants to play that as well, feel free to sign up here!

Hey, thanks for letting me know. Unfortunately I am already playing the abomination vaults :( But good luck with that! It is a great AP (so far ;))

Hey folks, work was kinda rough last night (emotionally) and I've sadly got a funeral to attend later today so I'm going to take a rest day from PbP and anything else that requires creative/cognitive effort. Please feel free to bot/delay Corona as necessary and I'll hopefully catch back up with things tomorrow.

Ouch, good luck and my condolences. Take as much time as you need.

If you need more time than that, please take it.

My condolences too. Take care of yourself.

Okay, ready to get back into the swing of things!

Thank you for your patience <3

We're nearing the end of the scenario, there's basically a few wrap-up scenes and the final conclusion to go, so that'll probably take a few more days. I'm not sure who was going to do the next scenario, but I think you can start prepping.

In retrospect I think I rushed a few scenes a little too much (mainly meeting the iruxi and Rain), as we basically did this adventure in a single month. I hope you still enjoyed yourselves, though.

For the next GM: I was planning to make an iruxi and flavour it as if he'd come from this camp, but that might conflict with the storyline. If it does, he'll come from elsewhere, but I liked the idea of a tribesmember tagging along with the next mission.

From what I Recall it is Lady Ladile with Intro 2: United in Purpose.

I also don't feel like the scenario was rushed, you updated the game through the weekends which tends to speed things up.

It felt fine to me. It's been 4-ish weeks which is pretty normal for consistent posters. Several of my Gameday games (this game started around Gameday, right?) are finishing or in the final combat.

One just started the first combat ... :(

@Farol Swashbuckler can’t attack after a finisher.

Concerning the pace, that was quick, close to too quick for me. As a GM, when I was running live (I haven’t run a pbp game yet), I tended to be too slow; so take that with a grain of salt.

For the next GM: I was planning to make an iruxi and flavour it as if he'd come from this camp, but that might conflict with the storyline. If it does, he'll come from elsewhere, but I liked the idea of a tribesmember tagging along with the next mission.

Nope, this shouldn't be a problem! Unless you're unsure/want it to be a surprise, feel free to PM me with a little bit of his history if you like and I'll see what I can do to incorporate it in with the scenario :)

Pace was fine with me; I've played in a few games that went a little faster, some that went about the pace that we did, and many that operated more slowly.

As a GM, I'll be up front that my games tend to run on the slower end. I generally try to at least keep to a 1/day pace (sometimes a little more during combats) but I do work 12 hour night shifts; sometimes I have time to post at work and sometimes I don't.

I was planning to make an iruxi and flavour it as if he'd come from this camp...

I really like this idea!

If you want to "introduce" your character during the post-mission festivities, I will bite.

Merian will continue, but she will be level 2 woth a Bastion dedication.

Concerning the pace, that was quick, close to too quick for me. As a GM, when I was running live (I haven’t run a pbp game yet), I tended to be too slow; so take that with a grain of salt.

Okay, good to know. Too bad you only mentioned it now, I could've slowed down. Sounds like a big post ever 30-36-ish hours would be better?

Glad to hear the pacing was fine otherwise. I'm confident in my GMing skills, but without any direct feedback, this is one thing I'm not so sure about.

GM Ladile, I'm bringing an Eldritch Trickster Rogue. Maybe a shaman's apprentice or something, eager to prove himself and learn new spells. Backstory's not that deep, I usually find my character's personality (and background) as I play him.

I'd like some help finalising this character's build. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

An Eldritch Trickster picks up a multiclass at first level, and gains some spells from it. They can eventually sneak attack with it. I thought the Druid would be pretty cool, then I get Gouging Claw and Produce Flame. But that also means I can't wear metal armour, leaving me with either Leather or Padded armour. With my DEX currently at 16, I won't have the greatest AC. Is this doable, you think?
I could throw my stats around and switch to Sorcerer (which would actually be better, 'cause I have an Intimidate thing) and pick up either Elemental or Draconic bloodline, but fits my flavour less. Also, I kinda like being WIS-focused. But it does mean I can increase my AC by 1.
(Currently also have Battle Medicine as my skill feat, which could come in handy.)

What do you think?

How would switching to sorcerer increase your AC? You won't be able to wear any armor, you'll end up with AC 16 at best.

Mechanically, with Eldritch Trickster, you can still Sneak Attack with finesse weapons, right? You just can't sneak attack with spells until 4th? Because if you can't sneak attack at all, that seems really bad.

Druids are cool, and I think thematically they're very much on target (from #1-22 [no spoilers] there are quite a few environmental problems in the Cassomir area). The AC problem is always solvable in-game by being more careful. Basically, you'd have a -1 relative to martials when we get surprised; otherwise, you're hiding behind the Merians and Ghuls of the world, so your AC won't be a huge issue.

DX 16 w/ Studded Leather (Rogue) puts you at AC 18 at Level One.

DX 16 w/ Unarmored (Sorcerer) puts you at AC 16 at Level One.

Both of those are perfectly fine for their purposes.

To me the question is do you want a wide breadth of skills and skirmishing to be your character's focus, or do you want to build up a powerful repertoire of (fire) spells?

Sorry, should've specified. Same Rogue, but with Sorcerer Dedication instead of Druid, so still proficient in armour. But it's moot, I tried rebuilding the character to be Charisma-based, and the stats just don't work out on an iruxi. So it'll just be slightly underoptimised. But I took Nimble Dodge, which should help.

勝20100 wrote:

Concerning the pace, that was quick, close to too quick for me. As a GM, when I was running live (I haven’t run a pbp game yet), I tended to be too slow; so take that with a grain of salt.

Okay, good to know. Too bad you only mentioned it now, I could've slowed down. Sounds like a big post ever 30-36-ish hours would be better?

If it was a problem, I would have said so, don’t worry.

Concerning the character, I also think introducing them during the game would be great.

I thought everyone had played the intro scenarios already, so did not mention it, but since I’m seeing some of the messages there, I must say I’ve already played them. If you want me to switch running the intro instead of having someone run it without having played it first, that’s fine with me.

I don’t think you need the most optimal AC, especially as you probably will have ranged options, either spells, or ranged weapons. A wooden shield might boost your AC, but I guess you will need your off hand free to cast spells. (I haven’t looked that type of rogue too much)

Re: GMing my turn.

Before I stepped down then back up, I was on track to GM #3-01.

I am flexible running anywhere in the sequence starting OCT 22nd at earliest (after I finish with the Gameday Special).

Mechanically Eldricht trickster gives you the casting archetype at LVL 1 even if you don't meet the prerequisite, so you can take Wizard archetype having less than 14 INT. It lets you take a feat that allows you for trick attacks with spells at lvl 2 instead of 4. But those have to be AC targeting spells, and you need to find a way how to make the target flat-footed against your attacks from afar (not that simple :() But yeah you can do trick attacks normally with weapons. And some people believe that it is better to take another rogue speciality, take archetype normally at lvl 2 and spell trick attack at lvl 4, with mastermind you can make the enemies flat-footed doing recall knowledge.

Anywho ;)

Just FYI: I did not play intros nor did I play 3-01 so all of this is new to me, I did not mind the paste, but I found it harder and harder to post during the weekends (when the Fall has started):(

With regards to ordering of GM'ing. WaterySoup when drunk in a tavern signed up a deal to join for 3 games (he was lucky to not get listed as a sailor, instead he got a nice GM gig) with a clause: We will revisit after the 3 games time. So we made him run 3-01 as a third person. If he leaves after that, we just need the '5th player' or we do not bother looking and just run for a team of 4.

So the most natural would be for you (rainzax) to be in the 'second group of magnificent three'.

@Farol Swashbuckler can’t attack after a finisher.

Yeah, completely forgot that one. My first Swashbuckler so still learning the ropes here. Thanks for the hint, fortunately it did not have impact on the outcome. Huh!

The Trickster racket says I can skip the level prerequisite, but I must meet its other prereqs. That means 14 INT on an ancestry that has a penalty to it.
Thanks all for the input, but I'm gonna stick to the Druid dedication, that seems to fit the flavour best. :) I'm sure that 1 AC is survivable. :P

Regarding who GMs what, I'm fine to go ahead and run Intro #2 - especially since I've already got it prepped anyway :)

Though I do prefer to play things first before I GM them, the realities of primarily doing PbP make that a tall order sometimes and I'm okay with that.

Re: GMing my turn.

Before I stepped down then back up, I was on track to GM #3-01.

I am flexible running anywhere in the sequence starting OCT 22nd at earliest (after I finish with the Gameday Special).

While you were out, I had volunteered to run #3-01 in the third slot.

I'm only committed to the first three, although it is possible and actually likely I would ask to continue with the back half at some point.

If you're flexible on time, I'd like to take slot #3 (I'm flexible on the scenario) just so it would be less disruptive if I don't join the back half.

If people could roll their downtime rolls, I'll have the chronicles available ASAP. Rawiri is the only person at second level, right?

Hey just a head's up. From 13th-20th (wednesday-wednesday) of October I will be on vacation with limited access to the internet. I will try to log in and post but if that will not happen please bot Rawiri

I will make sure that botting section is filled.

Downtime (Earn Income; DC 14): Cooking Lore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
______________

Though I've got Intro #2 prepped, I'm working tonight and tomorrow night and I prefer not to start new games on work nights. Depending on how much character adjusting/tinkering people need or want to do, would everyone be okay with a tentative start of Thursday? Or would Friday work better?

Merian goes back to help fix the Opportune.

Crafting: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13 vs DC 14

The hole is above the water line and Merian can't reach.

---

Any time is good. Merian's updated on Pathbuilder, I'm just waiting for my Chronicle to get my ITS squared away.

Either day is fine with me, no worries. :)

I’m in no rush to start, so as you prefer.

Concerning adjustment of the character, I’m going to replace the Gale Blast cantrip by Produce Flame. Smell of the Pines is still level 1.

Downtime: Earn income, 8 days of writing a nice story for the Chronicles, Pathfinder Society Lore: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Critical Failure, earn nothing.

Flexible with GMs needs!

Ghul's Downtime is Here.

Performance to earn income, task lvl 0: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9 That is a fail => 8cp :(

I am fine to start whenever GM needs to. Rawiri is lvl 2 so no changes there.

Chronicles can be found here! I'll keep them uploaded for a while, at least until the next time I GM online, so they should be there for a while.

Smell of the Pines: I notice sometimes you switch between masculine and neutral pronouns. Is there a pronoun you prefer?

EDIT: Upon reporting this, I see I already asked for day job rolls before. I took the second set of rolls, which coincidentally means more people succeeded at their day jobs. :P

EDIT THE SECOND: I noticed I blindlessly gave you 15 GP instead of 14. I corrected it, but if you were quick, you might've downloaded the wrong chronicle. Please redownload if you got 15 gp as your base reward.

Chronicle downloaded and saved. I imagine that you did not fill the PFS number and such and left it for us to do right? (I totally don't mind doing it)

Yeah, I'm a lazy GM. Plus, as you can see, I easily mess up the paperwork, so the less I have to do, the fewer mistakes I make. :P

Got it, thanks!

Got mine, thank you!

I should have used neutral all the time, as leshy don’t reproduce and Smell of the Pines does not identify to a particular gender. Using masculine is just me not paying enough attention to what I type; I’ve caught myself making the mistake a couple of times and fixed it, but apparently not every time.
I’ve probably done the same error with Resinosa. I remembered some trees have both sex, but I’ve just looked and that’s not always the case. Apparently conifer usually only have one.

Also got the chronicle, thank you.

We're continuing in this thread, right?

^Yep! Figured it'd be much easier, that way.

I'll aim to get the opening post up for Intro #2 up tomorrow evening after I've had some sleep :)

^Yep! Figured it'd be much easier, that way.

I'll aim to get the opening post up for Intro #2 up tomorrow evening after I've had some sleep :)

@GM Ladile - If you want to use your presentation just post a link somewhere and I will update the link at the top of the campaign. You could also use the existing one (I believe it belongs to rainzax ;)

Just so you know, Merian's hydration trait isn't something I consider a huge problem.

My -2008 (kayal / "fetchling") and -2009 (azarketi / "gillperson") are both ancestry-based builds - I built the characters long before the LOAG came out, waiting for the day that kayal / azarketi would become playable PCs. The two ancestries appeal to me because of lore reasons - in their own way, they consider themselves to be the true heirs of humanity, and have a proud history of surviving Earthfall.

I wasn't sure PFS would sanction any azarketi heritage besides Mistbreath, and I was prepared to build her and decline inland missions that lasted more than 48 hours. I didn't know that Merian's hydration was going to be so "easily" solved.

So, in that context, "all you have to do is carry a barrel" is pretty good in my opinion. It's a good reminder she's not human and thinks/acts differently than humans, and all it really costs her is her Exploration activity and being clumsy 1 until her turn in combat.

If it comes up often enough to the point that it starts hurting the group, I'll just buy a mule. Or, I can retrain into Hefty Hauler. Either way, there are pretty easy solutions that I've just declined for the privilege of carrying a barrel around. :)

Hey folks, I've not forgotten you but some stuff came up this evening and now I'm out of time for the night. I will get us rolling tomorrow though, come hell or high water!