Outpost V - GM Valen's Pathfinder Society Scenario: #3-09 The Secluded Siege (Author's Table)(17 CP) (Inactive)

Game Master Lysle

A thread for out-of-character discussion.

Header and profile updated.
Need to go shopping.

Will add Botting spoiler as well.

How do you want to handle AoOs? Do you want me to pre-roll them in a spoiler when I take my turn or do you want to roll them when they come up?

When Squash crits with his spiked chain, he knocks the target prone and they become frightened 1. This could disrupt actions such as movement when he crits with an AoO.

If Squash is somewhere where weapons would be drawn he will have his spiked chain out and use Grasping Reach to increase his reach to 10 feet but reduce the damage to 2d6+4.

If weapons would be put away, he stores the spiked chain in his gourd which means he can interact to draw the spiked chain as part of the same action he takes to use it.

If Squash makes a second or third attack against an opponent who is grabbed prone or restrained, he will use Advantageous Assault which deals +4 damage on a hit or 4 damage on a miss (but not critical miss). This may come up if the first attack is a crit.

How do you want to handle AoOs? Do you want me to pre-roll them in a spoiler when I take my turn or do you want to roll them when they come up?

Pre-rolling them would seem to be a good idea, particularly given the nature of Squash's attacks. Although, I must admit, I am a bit disappointed that "Squash" doesn't use a bludgeoning weapon. The small, yet persistent Gallagher fan in me is saddened.

~Squash~ wrote:

How do you want to handle AoOs? Do you want me to pre-roll them in a spoiler when I take my turn or do you want to roll them when they come up?

Pre-rolling them would seem to be a good idea, particularly given the nature of Squash's attacks. Although, I must admit, I am a bit disappointed that "Squash" doesn't use a bludgeoning weapon. The small, yet persistent Gallagher fan in me is saddened.

"Ah but Squash makes things into spaghetti squash."

You are the first person to trigger the punchline that I have been sitting on for over a year.

So that I know, how many of you have ghost touch weapons?

I am debating getting the Ghostly Weapon spell or a scroll of it. The thing is it can only be used on a non-magical weapon.

If people already have ghost touch on their weapons, this probably doesn’t make sense.

——

@GM Valen:

I am going to want to learn a few spells from NPCs before the game. Do you want that in Gameplay or here?

@GM Valen:

I am going to want to learn a few spells from NPCs before the game. Do you want that in Gameplay or here?

I am fine with either.

Is anyone here a dhampir? I've got quite a bit of healing potential, but I don't have battle medicine, and have very little to heal someone with negative healing in battle.

Found out the hard way in my last scenario.

Ysoki. No weirdness with healing here!

So that I know, how many of you have ghost touch weapons?

One of Dr. Lazarus' weapons has ghost touch, but others might like that option. Although, if it can only be cast on a non-magic weapon, I'm guessing most level 5 PCs have +1 potency runes on their weapons.

Is anyone here a dhampir? I've got quite a bit of healing potential, but I don't have battle medicine, and have very little to heal someone with negative healing in battle.

Not a damphir. Also, my forensic investigator can help with non-magical healing (Battle Med, Treat Wounds w/ Ward Medic and Continual Healing). And with Battle Med, he gets to add his level to healing, and allies are only immune for 1 hr, not 1 day.

With a cleric and (at least) one Doctor in the house, we'll hopefully be well-covered as far as healing.

Not a dhampir. Don't have ghost touch as I went with a fearsome rune on my spiked chain.

Squash is an herbalist and will make some very minor healing items. They don't heal much (1d6) but they can give you an extra flat check at a reduced DC to end persistent acid, fire or bleed.

I do have Natural Medicine and if I have any unused herbal infusions I could get a +2 or +4 to my Nature checks, but I can only heal you slowly during a rest.

Okay, yes, we have two people with ward medic and continual healing. We should be well well healed in between fights.

Yeah, they changed Magic Weapon but not Ghostly Weapon. It only works on a non-magical weapon. If you don’t have ghost touch and melee, make sure you carry a non-magical weapon you can use,

Think I will try to learn the spell and buy a scroll of it.

Welcome all! Please provide the request information and modifiers on this slide and also a marching order.

You are welcome to post character introductions in the Gameplay thread and roleplay some banter. I will post the initial briefing sometime Monday.

oh, also, I have 2 glyphs to hand out.

I also have 2 glyphs to hand out.

——

Learn a Spell, Arcana +14 E

Base price 16 gp
3rd level Haste vs DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22 success
3rd level Aqueous Orb vs DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (20) + 14 = 34 crit success
3rd level Ghostly Weapon vs DC 20: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16 failure

Base price 6 gp
2nd level Continual Flame vs DC 18: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (16) + 14 = 30 crit success
2nd level Flaming Sphere vs DC 18: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26 success
2nd level Hideous Laughter vs DC 18: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (1) + 14 = 15 crit failure

Base price 2 gp
1st level Alarm vs DC 15: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29 crit success
1st level Mud Pit vs DC 15: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (11) + 14 = 25 crit success
cantrip Tanglefoot vs DC 15: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23 success

Totals: 16 + 8 + 0 + 3 + 6 + 3 + 1 + 1 + 2

40 gp in spell learning.

Guess I will be picking up at least one scroll for the ghostly weapon.

oh, also, I have 2 glyphs to hand out.

I have 1.

I have three Glyphs to hand out, so I think we all start with 2 Hero Points.

I carry a couple of non-magic backup weapons I can use for the Ghostly Weapon spell. I would buy a scroll of it, but am a little short.

Sounds great, everyone being able to start with two hero points.

I have bought some holy water and one scroll of ghostly weapon. Trying to decide if I purchase a +1 staff or dagger. This character really isn’t the type that should go into melee.

Thanks to all for bringing the glyphs! Just noticing that this party is certainly a melting pot of ancestries:

elf, gnome, halfling, half-orc, leshy, and ysoki.

If nothing else, we have a lot of languages covered. :)

We are missing our token human. :)

Technically, I'm a token human. :)

Brekovi, you seem a bit close to the action in the marching order for a wizard. If you want to move back a bit, I'd be happy to swap places with you. We do have a lot of healers, so you're probably OK if you want to stay where you are.

I suppose that is true, but most half-orcs don’t present themselves as half-humans.

I still remember a few scenarios that had encounters specifically targeting the back ranks. As long as I am not in the first or last rank, I am fine with where ever I am. Feel free to move me.

I also have 1 glyph. Can one player get multiple extra Hero Points from glyphs? If so, I'll give it to Brekovi, since he has the fewest hit points.

I have a boon that gives me an extra Hero Point when playing at a convention, so I guess that I will start with 3 Hero Points.

A player cannot gain more than one additional Hero Point from glyphs. Since Convention Hero is a boon I believe you are correct and can start with 3 hero points.

I have a campaign coin as well.

I almost forgot that the Convention Hero boons applies here. That means I start with 3 as well.

Is it too late to make a purchase?

I would like Brekovi to purchase a Pearly White Spindle Aeon Stone to put in his wayfinder.

Is it too late to make a purchase?

I would like Brekovi to purchase a Pearly White Spindle Aeon Stone to put in his wayfinder.

I am fine with the purchase.

Purchased!

GM Valen --

In my previous Gameplay post, I asked a couple questions about the vampire legend:

o If relevant to the scenario, could Lazarus make any Recall Knowledge checks about the incident?

o Is there was enough info on the vampire (vampire spawn) for the investigator to Pursue a Lead?

And ... after peeking at Squash's post after mine ... may we assume we had weapons drawn entering the scary dark area? If so, Lazarus has his hammer in hand.

Squash would have his wayfinder lit as well and weapon in hands.

GM Valen --

In my previous Gameplay post, I asked a couple questions about the vampire legend:

o If relevant to the scenario, could Lazarus make any Recall Knowledge checks about the incident?

Lazarus can confirm the details that Po'ogaat conveyed, but that the details reported are scarce, despite the fact that there is trouble with secrets.

o Is there was enough info on the vampire (vampire spawn) for the investigator to Pursue a Lead?

Sure.

And ... after peeking at Squash's post after mine ... may we assume we had weapons drawn entering the scary dark area? If so, Lazarus has his hammer in hand.

Sure.

What would be the skill to watch out for collapsing areas, assuming we don’t have a lore?

Would that be an Investigate or Search exploration activity?

What would be the skill to watch out for collapsing areas, assuming we don’t have a lore?

Would that be an Investigate or Search exploration activity?

Spotting collapsing areas would be a Search.

I don't think blue would have been able to attack Squash. (I think you meant blue advanced, not red, since red was down).

1st action: Stride. When blue was 10 feet away, his move provoked and the crit knocked him prone ending his action 10 feet away from Squash.

2nd action: Stand

3rd action: Step or Stride next to Squash.

I don't think blue would have been able to attack Squash. (I think you meant blue advanced, not red, since red was down).

I think you are correct. I should, perhaps, reconsider trying to get in those late night posts.

I am attending a live con locally this weekend a, so expect posting to be sparse, if at all, until Monday.

Hey, I woke this morning projectile vomiting, and I'm still feeling queezy. I won't be able to think or post today or tomorrow. Feel free to bot me.

Hope you feel better soon, Phillipton!

Wishing you the best of luck on a speedy recovery, Philipton.

(Next time, use a hero point on that fort save!)

Is it possible to just throw ourselves at the undead by not rolling a check but choosing to take the damage? Squash is bad at all those skills.

Is it possible to just throw ourselves at the undead by not rolling a check but choosing to take the damage? Squash is bad at all those skills.

We are not in Encounter mode, Follow the Expert might be an option. Unfortunately Brekovi isn’t expert at those skills and I couldn’t find anyone that looks to be Expert or Master at Acrobatics.

Assuming that is legal, I think you would be following Dr. Lazarus who is Master in Medicine.

Murph is an Expert in Acrobatics, Diplomacy, Stealth, and Thievery.

~Squash~ wrote:

Is it possible to just throw ourselves at the undead by not rolling a check but choosing to take the damage? Squash is bad at all those skills.

We are not in Encounter mode, Follow the Expert might be an option. Unfortunately Brekovi isn’t expert at those skills and I couldn’t find anyone that looks to be Expert or Master at Acrobatics.

Assuming that is legal, I think you would be following Dr. Lazarus who is Master in Medicine.

I think we might be in encounter mode. You don't have to be in combat to be in encounter mode.

I think we might be in encounter mode. You don't have to be in combat to be in encounter mode.

I am ruling that we are in encounter mode as: 1) the scenario describes this section as "an encounter" and 2) we are in rounds.

Is it possible to just throw ourselves at the undead by not rolling a check but choosing to take the damage? Squash is bad at all those skills.

The scenario DOES allow you to pass on making a check during a round: "A PC can also choose not to act in a round, though they automatically fail (losing 1 Rescue Point) if they don’t act."

HOWEVER, if you want to throw yourselves at the undead AND succeed, then you must first attempt a check: "A PC who fails a check may choose to succeed instead (or fail instead of critically fail) by placing themself in harm’s way to protect another Pathfinder."

OF COURSE, you COULD just throw yourselves at the undead and take damage for no further benefit for the Pathfinders.

The scenario also allows a PC to propose and, possibly attempt, alterative skills to address the challenge of the round: "If the PCs have creative solutions to a task, considering allowing them to use other skills instead, using the listed DCs. A PC can automatically succeed at one check (avoiding losing any Rescue Points) by expending four vials of holy water, by using a spell to redirect the horde or clear a path, or by expending some other appropriate resource, at your discretion."

Quick question on this last skill check.

Are the mechanical results any different depending on what skill is used?

Seems to me there would be a lot more call for the splints from Crafting than the knowledge that Arcana would give. On the other hand, my character is significantly better (difference of 3 in skills) at Arcana than Crafting.

Quick question on this last skill check.

Are the mechanical results any different depending on what skill is used?

Seems to me there would be a lot more call for the splints from Crafting than the knowledge that Arcana would give. On the other hand, my character is significantly better (difference of 3 in skills) at Arcana than Crafting.

The DCs do differ somewhat depending on the skill used. Lowest DCs are for lore checks, moderate DCs for non-lore checks, and highest DCs for Perception checks.

Alright, sounds like it is only a difference in DCs.

Since I specifically mentioned crafting and arcana and you didn’t mention a difference there, I am going to assume they both qualify as non-lore skill checks and do not significantly differ in DCs.

Thanks!

Hey, our illustrious GM was featured on the Know Direction's Presenting podcast today.

I had to chuckle in that I'm kind of the exact opposite situation as our GM. In the last 18 months, my father who's an attorney, was interested in trying to play so I helped him make a character and he's now a regular at our local PFS tables.