[PFS 1e Menagerie] Day of the Demon (Inactive)

Game Master Lady Ladile

Where OOC Discussion lives!

I've been playing 2e so much that I forget there's a whole general feat track separate from what the class details give you.

Are you enjoying 2e? I have yet to really make the jump. The new system just feels weird, and combats seem to be more of a slog.

I am. I think the combat depends on the encounter design. If you've been playing 2e vua PFS, the challenge point scaling introduces imbalances that make every enemy feel like armored bags of HP, especially lower levels. However, going back and forth between the two, 2e's combat definitely feels more dynamic. There are some hero tropes/mechanics I can pull off better in 1e, but there are others that 2e does better, too. The secret check mechanic does take some getting used to.

But since the roleplaying part is equal, the more dynamic tactical side of the game makes it more fun for me.

I like that they streamlined and simplified some of the rules from 1e. It's so much easer to track *one* AC value for everyone and to not have to worry about juggling action types (standard, move, free, etc.) during combat as much, for example. Even at low levels combat feels more dynamic since you've got a lot more freedom with how you spend your actions and you can generally move around much more freely since not everyone and their dog can take AoOs.

Secret checks are definitely still taking some getting used to.

I've seen some complaints about characters and character builds feeling 'samey' in the system but I expect that diminishes as characters level up a bit and more options open up. And of course as Paizo adds more classes and such.

Aside from a couple of special-case setups with forum/Organized Play friends (like this one), I've largely opted to move on from 1e and focus more on 2e going forward. I'm finding I just don't have the brainpower to really focus hard on more than one game system at a time, haha. It's partly why I generally don't play SFS, either.

Okay, opening post(s) are up! Links to the maps and handouts can be found at the top of the campaign page as well as in my GM header. When you get a chance, please add your information to Slide #2 and your tokens in your preferred marching order on Slide #3.

As I've mentioned elsewhere work has been kind of nuts for Felix and myself of late so please bear with me a bit in regards to the posting pace.

day job, perform (sing): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

I've put Aurora in the middle of the marching orders, but as long as she's not at the front she's okay.

For overland travel Aurora will be mounted on her large horse.

Yeah. I had to give up SFS. I've got one last campaign where I'm finishing GMing the last book, and while I like the setting, the rules are too-clise-but-too-different to keep it straight between 1e and SF while making an effort to gain 2e mastery.

Also, I found something cool and will be redoing my 3rd level I just got done doing real quick.

Oops. My cool idea was an illegal multiclass. Alas. I could spend a rebuild to pull it off, but it's probably not worth the hassle of learning all those polymorph nuances.

Food Critic: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20

Oops. My cool idea was an illegal multiclass. Alas. I could spend a rebuild to pull it off, but it's probably not worth the hassle of learning all those polymorph nuances.

Oooh, what were you looking at? I love shapeshifting builds.

This mission provides the possibility to learn and earn!

Djahan Ruuh, the Youth Training Scheme paladin :)

I'm showing my age here; "learn while you earn" was the YTS 'sales pitch'.

Onye Dawon wrote:

Oops. My cool idea was an illegal multiclass. Alas. I could spend a rebuild to pull it off, but it's probably not worth the hassle of learning all those polymorph nuances.

Oooh, what were you looking at? I love shapeshifting builds.

So the Prowler at World's End grants catfolk the Medium Spirit Surge ability while channeling the "spirits of creation" (represented as Lion, Tiger, Cheetah, and Leopard) and eventually to turn into them (Beast Shape 4 at 11th). I figured I was never going to make it to 11th and/or be there long enough to enjoy it, which is why I had multiclassed into Brawler. I was doodling around, looking at other full BAB to see if there was anything interesting and eventually stumbled upon the Mooncursed barbarian archetype that changes Rage into a single-form short duration Beast Shape I at 1st level.

But you can't multiclass Bloodrager and Barbarian, the former being a hybrid of the latter.

I could rebuild into Barbarian (mooncursed) and Medium (relic channeler) for the same and potentially more powerful effect, but I'm not certain I'd like all the hoops you need to jump through to make a Beast Shape build stay relevant. That concern is why I also didn't multiclass into Shifter and wait the 4 levels for wild shape.

You can indeed multiclass barbarian and bloodrager. I'll dig out a reference for you.

ETA: here you go

Parent Classes: Each of the following classes draws upon
two classes to form the basis of its theme. While a character
can multiclass with these parent classes, doing so usually
results in redundant abilities. Such abilities don’t stack
unless specified. If a class feature allows the character to
make a one-time choice (such as a bloodline), that choice
must match similar choices made by the parent classes and
vice-versa (such as selecting the same bloodline).

If I remember correctly, the playtest versions of the hybrid classes in ACG precluded multiclassing with the parent classes, but that prohibition was removed in the final publication.

Ooh... well, now I need to hurry up and make a choice!

Thanks, supervillan. I am now on the expensive path of fighting with natural weapons in tiger form.

...though if my table is willing to give me a little re-skinning leeway, since the transformation is measured in combat rounds, I'd like to manifest the shifting rage cosmetically as the type of great cat that he's channeling that day.

I don't know if I got an answer to this. Would we have had an opportunity to memorize different spells, or did we leave immediately after the briefing?

Yes, it took days to get here so you've had plenty of time.

Demm dumped Burning Hands and Snowball, swapping them out for another Toppling Magic Missile and Thunderstomp.

I'd like to put in a service order on this dicebot, it seems incapable of rolling above a 7. Surely this is a performance error!

Me as well. I've been having exactly the same problem :(

You are clearly not rolling correctly. ;-)

Well, with 8 or 9 games on the go including those I am GM'ing it is probably just a quirk and will even out over the long run.

Just scored a 17, average is looking up!

Again, Demm is having a bad day, not the player. I just though his outburst would be kind of (completely?) on brand.

I laughed. ;-) But I am the whimsical spirit and have to laugh. :-D

Can't edit the slide on mobile, but he moved 5ft step diagonally down towards orange.

I got you.

Appreciated! I probably *can* edit on mobile with a little experimentation but I didn't want to accidentally mess something up by just tapping and dragging willy-nilly.

I never attempt editing slides on mobile or tablet - I've messed it up too often :o

Lawdamercy :O

What other point is there of being a Dex-based polearm wielder in PF1 than Combat Reflexes? ;)

...you know, since PFS didn't allow the super awesome Shelyn's Bladed Brush feat. Oh, I had such a character in mind. Alas.

What other point is there of being a Dex-based polearm wielder in PF1 than Combat Reflexes? ;)

Looks at his carefully crafted and planned out Spear Fighter/Spear Dancing Style build

Yeah who would do that amirite?

Disclaimer: This is just a joke >.>

(legit question, am I not being clear enough when describing enemy movement?)

On my brightness/contrast settings, OOC is very faint. When I'm reading text and you insert an OOC in the way of my scanning or if there's a whole sentence or paragraph, I see it (usually).

However, the little altimeter next to the creature in OOC format gets missed. Sorry. :(

I'd leave it regular text, bold it, or both to increase chances of me seeing it, at least.

Quote:

(legit question, am I not being clear enough when describing enemy movement?)

On my brightness/contrast settings, OOC is very faint. When I'm reading text and you insert an OOC in the way of my scanning or if there's a whole sentence or paragraph, I see it (usually).

However, the little altimeter next to the creature in OOC format gets missed. Sorry. :(

I'd leave it regular text, bold it, or both to increase chances of me seeing it, at least.

I admit I didn't consider that individual contrast settings might be part of the issue - I'll try and remember to bold my OOC text and see if that helps!

Onye gets an AoO against Blue, who failed his acrobatics check to avoid it. If he lives, he moves 15 ft. up again and over to his current map position.

And here, it's just a reading comprehension fail. I read as far as "he moves 15 ft" and was off to post quickly to keep it moving. Then Djahan probably just followed my invalid action. :)

Just an FYI, I'm heading out on a cruise tomorrow afternoon and won't be back till the following Sunday. I bought the streaming package so I'll try to post once a day/as needed...but I also bought the drink package so if my posts turn out not very coherent, I'll blame it on Data's over-oiled circuitry... ;)

Hey folks, I know I've not been very responsive here or in my other games lately. Life has actually legitimately been a little busy the past few weeks between work and needing to get things done on my days off. But on top of that I've also been struggling a bit with a waning interest in PbP. Not actively avoiding posting but meaning to get to it after doing X or Y and then running out of time for the day/night or just never getting around to it. I've done a little better about keeping up with games where I'm a player (as some of you have surely noticed) but even those have been a bit hit or miss lately.

While this doesn't *feel* like burnout as I've experienced it in the past I suppose it still is, just manifesting itself in a different manner than I'm used to. I know that I definitely don't want to give up PbP entirely but I think I'm reaching or have reached a point where just a couple of games at a time is enough to suit me - and I actually have been acting on this, opting to not sign up for new games when current ones wrap up.

But all that said, I'd still like to continue with our group here. I'm heading out on a short trip with my folks tomorrow morning and look to be back early to late Tuesday afternoon. If you're all willing to bear with me just a little bit longer, I'll look to get us going again when I get back.

No worries, m’Lady, take your time…

I completely understand!! ;-)

We can really take a pause or just take it slow!

Just post whenever you feel like it. I have no expectations regarding pace.

All the best to you guys!!

Gaming is supposed to be fun, not feel like a chore. I have been there. (Maybe we all have?). No worries or hurries.

Onye will not object to Aurora CdG-ing such a horrible villain. :)

Coup de grace vs a helpless opponent is always a moral quandary. Paladins are almost never going to be in favour, unless the helpless foe is obviously an evil fiend (and even then some redemption focused paladins might say no).

Aurora has no such qualms.

Hey folks, I'm still alive and well but I had several busy work days in a row and then more or less immediately headed out to PaizoCon after that. I'll do my best to get a post or two in while I'm out here but no guarantees!

Please don’t worry! Have fun!! :-D

No worries, m’Lady, take care, and have fun at Paizocon!

Posting from the airport lounge, waiting to fly home from my trip. PaizoCon was lots of fun, even in a reduced capacity! I'm hoping to get to go back next year.

Once I get home my posting should more or less return to normal. That said, I *also* get to come home and pretty much go right back to work so I may be a bit slow for a few days if things are busy at work.

Take your time!! ;)

I’m glad you had a great time!!!

You witness that the ghostly form burst into emotions of shock and fear … the translucent creature twists it’s visage, mannerisms, and even personality in anger!!

”STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!!!“ the phantom shouts.

”Please … “ the young Djahan says with a pained expression, ” … please don’t talk about it… “

@Djahan Ruuh: Wow! That came out of nowhere. Loved it. Great character development for Djahan (and his menagerie of consciousnesses).

Well played.

Thanks. ;)

It’s so great that we can really build a history together as characters.

Really enjoy playing with you all!! :-D

Sorry, I did see Aurora cast Unbreakable Heart just before dinner so I should have fixed it myself, but both kids now have COVID so am distracted. Consequently, Onye's turn 2 got skipped and Felix is in my spot.

All the best! I hope your kids recover soon!

Thanks. *sigh*

Dang, I totally *did* skip Onye - I'm sorry! Normally I'd just let you take your Round 2 & 3 actions all at once, but, uh...Data's managed to finish the fight so it's kind of moot now :\

I'm also sorry your kids are sick. I hope they feel better soon!