Here there begins , Metagame coordination, real-life updates, and miscellaneous Gameplay explanation. The more we use the Discussion Thread for these essential parts of the gaming experience, the more we can stay in character in Gameplay so that it reads more like a story.
I will open Gameplay in a day -- for now we can begin our campaign Discussion!
Firstus:
Where is everyone from?
I am in south Florida (Sarasota), but am originally from north-central Minnesota and have been all over the country, especially the East and Midwest. Philly was my favorite place to live. So, having turned a short-story long, I'm Eastern Standard Time Zone (GMT -5).
With the exception of our Kellid Battle Oracle everyone is a pretty long-time Pathfinder. As such, you guys would be at least familiar with each other's Chronicles and reputations. And there's an extremely likely chance you have bumped into each other at Sheila Heidmarch's Pathfinder Lodge in Magnimar. So when you see the others who have been called for this emergency PFS quest, it likely won't be a meeting of complete strangers. At least, that makes sense to me. As such, taking a gander at everyone's character makes sense. And from a Metagame standpoint, it's good to know what y'all can do as a group. And of course, as a group on an important adventure, y'all would discuss with each other what you each can do really well.
I recommend spending a few posts here in Discussion figuring out everyone's Perception check bonus. Hopefully there are a few with a +15 or higher.
Who can heal wounds and afflictions? I saw a few Happy Sticks on Character sheets! You know the maxim in PFS, 'Get your own Happy Stick!'
It's a really smart idea to see what Languages we all have. It'd be nice to communicate among yourselves in front of strangers without being understood. If Taldane is the only language everyone shares,-- Also, it's a good idea to see if there is indeed a variety of languages as opposed to the same four or so that are the most common. Good news is, it looked pretty good as I was looking at everyone. Nonetheless, may wanna check it out.
Are there any Skills that No One has a +14?
Who has the best Sense Motive? Hopefully a couple are a good +14, maybe even someone close to +20? But as long as the group can rely on someone that's good at catching a villain in a lie,--
It may be a good idea to check to see if anyone has a Disable Device of +14.
Who has the Worst Stealth? LOL
Who likes to Intimidate; who likes to negotiate; who likes to Bluff, and who likes to Charge?
It sure looks like five front-line melee fighters, all Very different and with quite a tonnage of non-combat utility. Which is Great! And then we have two very different Wizards in the back, handling the major spellcasting. (Of course, one of our front-liners is a Wizard-5!)
And here follows our cast of characters (some of the info may be edited in the next day or so):
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Mishanter
big/ugly Tiefling, LN Investigator; morningstar-frontliner with a host of Skills –
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Par Joakimson
big Kellid, CN Oracle of Battle; full-plate & greatsword-frontliner –
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Artemisia Burningleaves
lady Elf, NG Eldritch Knight (Swashbuckler / Divination WIZ); quick with her adamantine rapier that always Crits
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Lady Imperia Valeria Thrune
lady Chelaxian, LG Paladin of Shelyn; full-plate & falchion-frontliner –
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KTak'Ktah 'Hal
big Dineh, LN Skin-Changer; animal-form & natural-attacks-frontliner –
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Lady Sabella Arvanxi
lady Tiefling, LN Arcanist; spells for control and artillery –
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Muziel Moreau
curious Dwarf, CG Wizard of The Earth; spells for control and artillery –
I'm from basically the Greater Kansas City Area in Missouri. Its Central Standard Time
I have Lay on Hands and Channel Energy. Also can use mercy to get rid of Disease.
Langauges are Common, Infernal,Orc and Halfling, Need a different Language then Celestial. Thinking Cheliaxan or Thassilionian.
As for skills I have none at +14
My Stealth +1
Tri-State area, EST.
Languages will be many and varied(I think 8 or 9 total), I have to figure them all out.
Diplomacy is +16, Bluff and Planes are +15, Arcana and Spellcraft are +14.
Sense Motive is +6, and while I don't have any ranks in Stealth, I do have a +3 from Dex, lol.
As for spellcasting, lots of summoning, and calling(I get the Planar Ally spells from the Occultist archetype).
However, I also bought a Blessed Book, which means I *think* I can basically have any amount of spells(up to the 1000 page limit, lol) as I don't need to pay to add them to my spellbook.
Hello all,
I am looking forward to playing with you all. I live close to Indianapolis, Indiana (originally from New York) and I am on eastern standard time.
Skills: Diplomacy (gather info only)+16**, Disable Device +21, Knowledge (Arcana, Planes, Dungeoneering, Local) +16**, Perception +16**, Sense Motive +16**, Use Magic Device +16, Craft (Alchemy) +18, Linguistics +16**, (**add 1d6 to all rolls).
Stealth +8 (can be mitigated with spells), Bluff +11
Languages Common, abyssal, infernal, draconic, elven, giant, undercommon, goblin, thassilonian, ancient osiriani, ancient azlanti, varisian, Napsu-Sign language, shoanti, necril
I have a wand of CLW and a high use magic device for healing.
He will self buff prior to combat.
Winnipeg, MB, Canada = Central time zone.
Skills of note:
*Stealth +13 = 8 ranks +3 trained +2 dex
*Perception +13 = 8 ranks +3 trained +2 wis
Also Uncanny Senses (5/+10) + Trapfinding (+4)
*Survival +13 = 8 ranks +3 trained +2 wis + Track
**Heal +15 = 8 ranks +3 trained +2 wis +2 Healers Kit
Disable Device +16 = 8 ranks +3 trained +2 Dex +1 Trait +2 MW Tools
Also Trapfinding (+4)
K nature +11 = 8 ranks +3 trained
Swim +12 = 3 ranks +3 trained +6 str
Climb +18 = 1 ranks +3 trained +6 str +8 racial (Climb speed)
*K Geography +11 = 8 ranks +3 trained
*Favored Terrain (+2 Urban / +4 Underground)
** Nature's healing = +2 in favored terrain and other benefits (see character sheet)
Languages: Common, Draconic, Osirian
Healing is limited - Nature's Healing ability. (I would have taken Healer's Hands but it's not on the valid source list... After we've started the planar stuff, maybe DM Ray will allow Planar Adventures?). I have 247 gp left that I would happily throw into a CLW wand fund.
@Lady Imperia : "Are you a good rider? How do you feel about giant lizardth?"
@ DM Ray, I think you missed my suggestion in recruitment. What did you think of the idea of everyone putting a spoilered set of D20 rolls at the bottom of every post for you to pull from as needed?
@ K'Tak'Ktah'hal "I avoided a lot of my equestrian duties, which earned me more than enough whippings, that when I am now on the saddle I pretty much hang on too the bare minimum of what is required to not fall off."
I have a Diplomacy of +12, Perform skills are all at +12 with Oratory at +13, But I use all skills untrained and any skill I do not have points in I get a +4 to aid in using them. Also lowers my non-weapon and Armor proficiencies too.
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I'm in CST (GMT -6).
Skills - Know(Arcana) +19, Spellcraft +17, Linguistics +17, Acrobatics, Escape, Fly +15, Perception, Stealth, Know(other) +12
Languages: Yes. (Between tongues and other div, int, and linguistics)
I might rejigger my skills to drop stealth and pick up UMD for self healing, that's a good point Mishanter. I have a CLW wand.
In combat she's going to cast haste on people, supplement with some battlefield control if there's a crowd (or a fireball), and then probably fall back on the bow or the rapier as needed for the cleanup portion of the typical encounter. We'd absolutely be more powerful as a full wizard, but that isn't as fun for everyone else. Augment summoning will have to ride the bench this time around.
Out of combat, we took both of the obviously good crafting feats (wondrous/arms&armor) and have enough ranks in various craft/profession stuff to make most mundane weapons/bows/items that are not armor (sorry I ran out of skill points) Some of that is more laborious than others, if there's a clear demand from the group for one thing I'll specialize as we level up ahead of the abyss.
@Rey Is Aram Zey's Focus a thing since it's in the PFS guide or not? If it is, we'll scribe some scrolls of it to hand to mishanter since it's pretty firmly in the land of "useful divinations" which are on brand.
"Are you certain we cannot wait long enough even to consult the seven partial derivations of fortune before we take any action so rash as a midnight teleport? It would take but the course of an hour, and surely any difference an hour makes cannot be considered? Tsk. You humans are so hasty, but you certainly have cause if it is as you say a relic. Hrm, I wonder if we could abridge the augury..."
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@ 'floating' Dice Rolls,
Sorry about the delay -- I remember thinking about it but then never posted. (Despite that, you can still consider me to be perfect ;)
At the base of it, I like the idea of y'all having a d20 roll in a Spoiler Tag at the bottom of a post so that, if needed, I can grab it. However,... The more I think about what could happen, the less I like it.
(I need a Ref Save from everyone and, a few hours later I look at your-most-recent-unassigned-roll and apply it. And then 10 minutes later you post a d20 roll and we have a disgruntled player. .... Or, you have an unassigned roll, floating in the Posts, and know -- cuz of course who can resist looking under that Spoiler Tag -- that it's a nat 20 or nat 1. And then things could become awkward: A situation pops up and you need to attempt a Perception, and Initiative, and a Fort Save -- and we all know that you have a nat 20 in one unassigned Spoiler tag, and a nat 1 in another unassigned Spoiler. It just looks too scary.)
So I am not going to go with the unassigned d20 rolls under Spoiler Tags. Thanks for the idea -- I really thought about it and am still certainly looking for ways to make gameplay go smoothly with SO many PCs. Keep the suggestions coming!
@ Monkeygod,
Lady Sabella Arvanxi could indeed have finished a quest into The Lady's Light for missions from Sheila Heidmarch -- or The Darklight Sisterhood in Korvosa. PCs in my homegame went WAAAY off the rails for that adventure -- they actually joined forces with the Gray Maiden and helped her start a Temple of Sorshen in Korvosa. So if Your Pathfinder went back to The Lady's Light on behalf of either Sheila Heidmarch or The Darklight Sisterhood after my PCs totally screwed up Sheila Heidmarch's plans, ...that's 'A' okay. (And I skipped most of the volume 1 adventure in my homebrew so it's easy to have Lady Sabella have brought all three Shards to The Pathfinder Lodge in Magnimar or to Portia Porphyria-Jeggare in Korvosa.
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@ Ash,
your dialogue to Sheila Heidmarch at the Pathfinder Lodge in Magnimar works fine -- she even has a response for when Gameplay opens!
....Aram Zey's Focus won't be allowed, alas.
To everyone:
If there are any APs that you are desperately avoiding spoilers on -- please let us all know.
For me, I am still trying to avoid Spoilers for Wrath of the Righteous volumes 4, 5, & 6. I managed to get someone to DM the first two volumes for me -- then he moved to Portland. And I got someone else to DM and we got through, I think, almost all of volume 3. Every few months or so I either look at the Recruitments to see if any WotR games finishing vol 3 or beginning vol 4 need a PC. And every few months or so I think to myself, 'Ah to Hell with it; I'm just going to read vol.s 4, 5, & 6. But then instead I do a bit more prep for my homegame, or read something else. [i]Just In Case -- One of these days... I have heard what I think are the two big conclusions of the AP. Damn it all.
Ok, by my count,
1) no one has K Religion at any significant level. The "easiest" fix to my eye is that Mishanter drops either Arcana or Plane for it, as Sabella and Artemisia both have Arcana and Sabella has Planes as well...
2) I have K Nature at +11, and that seems to be the best available... which probably doesn't cut it. Artemisia could take it as her unspecified K +12 (which might not cut it either), or perhaps Mishanter drop both Arcana and Planes (to take Religion and Nature)
Also, "Tho we are dealing with Devilth are we? I needed thilver to hurt the bound daemons at that temple complex. What do I need to hurt devilth?"
I do have Knowledge (Nature, Religion) +10**, Knowledge (geography, nobility ) +9** Knowledge (engineering) +5, Knowledge (history) +12**
Now they aren’t Uber high but I get to add 1d6 to all of them (except engineering).
If we feel we need more ranks in these knowledge skills I can put more ranks into them when we level up.
You'll want, perhaps, the Knowledge for Crunch reasons -- but for Flavor much of this will be introduced through roleplay and expedition.
For example:
You get into a fight with a Vampiric Glabrezu when you first arrive in Kabriri's Layer of The Abyss. It'll be good to have Knowledge: Religion or Knowledge: Planes to get an idea of the Crunch of what that monster can do so you can choose your tactics accordingly once we roll that Initiative. (Planes will get you some of its more Outsider-like strengths-&-weaknesses; Religion will get you some of its more Undead-like strengths-&-weaknesses.)
Whereas....
You first arrive on Kabriri's Layer of The Abyss and, instead of you just rolling your Knowledge: Planes (Abyssal Layer) and/or Knowledge: Religion (Undead Theme), I give some exposition that allows you to immerse into the Undead Planar Theme and we roleplay toward getting y'all Flavor information.
I moved my points from acrobatics to Knowledge (Nature, Religion). They are now +14+1d6.
Lesse,
1) NY sports fan here: Yankees, Giants, Rangers, Knicks(in that order).
2) Despite playing Pathfinder since the alpha playtest, I haven't ever finished any AP. Which is super massive sad times.
That said, I know how every AP ends due to researching them for my homebrew Broken Golarion setting.
However, I don't know the detailed specifics of any of the APs, so would be nice to not have those spoiled.
3) Have I mentioned how much I *hate* classes that only get two skill points per level? I've already stretched my points as far as I as I was comfortable to get to where I am with them now.
Holy Moly, Holy Moly -- I always forget!
If you have a Headband of INT you get your Level in Ranks to a Skill. I'm supposed to pick those Skills, typically a Knowledge Skill.
If you already did it (you tricky-Dick, you sneaky-Pete), let me know. But hopefully you did not.
I'll go through your Skills and backstory and get you something I think you'll like, perhaps even a Lore background Skill specific to what I think you'd appreciate.
Ray, since Queen Ileosa is apparently back on the throne in Korvosa, what's the status of the Gray Maidens as a whole? Along with splinter groups like the Eyrines Company, and the Scarlet Rose? Also, you said your PCs helped Oriana and the Maidens of the Lady’s Light establish a church to Sorshen? Have they returned to the fold, so to speak, or are they a fully separate group? Is Sorshen divine at all in your/this setting?
Sorry for all the questions, working on ideas for my backstory.
The Gray Maidens are completely disbanded. All the individuals have their own things going; a very large number are published.
I did not pick the extra skill for my headband (I always forget about it).
Also, I’m a Yankees fan but haven’t followed any other professional sports in years.
As far as spoilers go I’m not concearned.
@ Mishanter
Your Headband of INT has max Ranks in Lore: Rubicante, the Malebranche of Hell who once had a vast network of cultists and conspiracies in the Thassilonian Empire. You purchased it from Devargo Barvasi in Korvosa a year or so before leaving for Kaer Maga.
@ Artemisia Burningleaves
I have no idea where you're from; I need some kind of background. Then I can make sure your Headband has a cool associated Skill.
@ Muziel Moreau
Your Headband is linked to two Skills, with Ranks equal to your Level: Lore of the Drow House Vonnarc, and Stealth. You purchased this from Eviana.
Just checking in! I'm on vacation this week but will try to keep up.
I'm from San Francisco, Pacific time zone.
I totally picked my own skills (used to doing it that way in my games), but will instead take your very interesting selections!
Muziel the character has a high K. Religion and K. Planes (+21 each). As a player, I know shockingly little. Please forgive me for any lapses in lore!
@ Muziel Moreau
In Pathfinder, the Drow House Vonnarc is similar the the Forgotten Realms Drow House Shobalar. Super famous for being Wizards. In fact, legendary FR Drow Archmage, Gromph Baenre, sends his daughter Liriel Baenre to study magic under the tutelage of the House Shobalar Archmage. In Pathfinder, since they can't use Lolth, each Drow House has its own Demon Lord Patron. House Vonnarc worships Areshkagal, Demon Lord of Portals and Riddles, 'The Faceless Sphinx.'
I figured the Drow House of Wizards, strongly associated with a Demon Lord, would be a great choice for your Dwarf. And Stealth -- you got a solid DEX and no armor to deal with -- I can see Eviana deciding it's a good choice.
However, if you were relying on those Ranks for your Perception or Knowledge Planes, or something -- and you want to change out one of these, that's fine. Eviana could have gotten you a slightly different Headband.
Artemesia Burningleaves was able to purchase her Headband of INT from an Agathion-friendly merchant in Katapesh and it has max Ranks in Lore: Sifkesh, the Demon Lord 'arch-nemesis' of Korada -- so that you may more easily recognize her Cultists and Taint, and better defend against them in the pursuit of Peace and Enlightenment.
GAMEPLAY is OPEN!
I edited the entry post from Sheila Heidmarch; I think it reads a bit more smoothly.
If your PC has a question for Sheila Heidmarch, go ahead and ask -- or comment or give concern -- in Character.
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It is late in the day by the time everyone has arrived -- approximately one hour until dusk, two to complete sundown.
Mishanter, the 'Debbie Downer'!
;)
Hey, another way to look at it, rather than 'expendable and deniable,' is that Sheila Heidmarch sent word to two Paladins -- Valeria of Shelyn and Ollysta Zadrian of Sarenrae -- it's just that Zadrian is dealing with some RuneLord Krune stuff outside-the-scope-of-our-game and so sent a veteran of The WorldWound Crusade in her place!
If your character doesn't have a question or comment for Sheila Heidmarch, no problem, just mention here that you're ready to go and we'll Teleport to Korvosa.
I'll post for Sheila Heidmarch to Teleport the group -- whoever is here -- Wednesday evening or Thursday early morning. All aboard! We're moving Gameplay forward.
No more questions from me :)
Sorry I haven't posted in game yet, been tryin to figure out Sabella's appearance/look, and doin a bit more reading for her backstory.
Ray, I decided to get a Headband of Int too.
Also, here's my complete list of languages: Abyssal, Ancient Azlanti, Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Giant, Gnome, Goblin, Infernal, Orc, Thassilonian, and Undercommon.
Finally, any good suggestions on wands? I have like 16k left to spend atm, though I might get a ring of prot +2. Sadly didn't have the extra skill points to put ranks in UMD, so for now, they gotta be ones an Arcanist can cast.
Here are some wand ideas (in no particular order):
1. Shield
2. Long arm
3. Infernal healing
4. Enlarge person
5. Protection from evil
Not 'Infernal Healing' -- it's some Cheese that is not legal for play, thank goodness!
Whoops.. I should have checked what books they came from.
I was about to sperg what could be bought, in terms of interesting (as in not big 8) items but noticed that most of them are ultimate equipment or non allowed source books, ultimate equipment, inner sea gods, champions of balance, etc. .
Ion Stones are also mostly seekers of secrets hmmm...
Hat of disguise is a good nice item from core.
Pearls of power are a good choice as well. More spell slots are more spell slots.
Eyes of the eagle of a pretty cost efficient +5 to perception.
Note:
The bridge leading from the 'shanty-town' of Thief Camp into Korvosa proper has been dismantled. Obviously I couldn't find a published map of that so, as you look at the image it looks like it's still there. You can still see the pilings of what used to be the bridge, and can ask. Of course, its being gone may startle Mishanter, who is originally from here and is used to seeing a bridge going from Thief Camp into Korvosa.
As it is now, though, the only bridge crossing the Jeggare River into Korvosa is safely behind the walls of East Shore, the district on this side of The Jeggare River, and in which you have just entered.
LOL
Yeah, seven-foot-tall rattlesnake-man in a trench-coat trying not to draw attention to himself -- guards won't notice that! Not when he's in This group.
This is a D&D world. You're not the first non-human Humanoid to walk through these gates!
People in Korvosa who don't have Knowledge Skills will probably just assume you're a Tiefling. They see a whole bunch of those (compared to other non-humans).
But Sheila Heidmarch knows y'all aren't going to be able to disguise yourself.
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Evil DM thought:
It just occurred to me that Jarme Loveage and Par Joakimson, to the uneducated people of The Styes, probably look quite alike. Par is a 6'4 Kellid, kinda wild-eyed. This could get fun! Villagers with torches and pitchforks chasing Par Joakimson thinking he's The Lantern Man!
Hello--I am here, just a bit behind due to vacationing. Filled out the rest of my gear and will post!
That is downright Evil DM Ray, to do such a thing with no Bard is Sight!!!!
Yes, clearly I am a mass murdering Fishermen, as is evidenced by my oversized greatsword, my heavy plate armor and my "My Blade in your Ass Baphomet" Tatoo. Pärs says to the possibility.
Kill them and bill he darklight sisterhood for improving the average intelligence quotient of Korvosa? His copilot chirps in
In my experience, most ruling organizations prefer their leading population to be massively dumber then they are. Yours included. He thinks back at her.
Sorry about any confusion regarding Jarme Loveage's sister. I thought of that design last minute and threw it in there. In the published, Jarme's sister goes to Refrum; Refrum goes to the PCs (no Atoka, he was a PC in one of my old campaigns, not a published character) On a last-minute whim I decided that Refrum could have known Jarme's sister because he was her mentor. Anyhoo.
(Also, Pythoness House is published, too, though from a Third Party company from the early 3.0 days.)
A question is the th for s thing annoying everyone? If it's making things hard to read I can quit it...
I don't know if Valeria is 'Val' or 'V' or 'Valeria' to her friends, or how she introduces herself. I remember a very early post in Recruitment when she said she goes by 'Val.' But it was a very early post in Recruitment and the Profile says something different. I figured I'd roleplay it first chance I got -- which was with Atoka.
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@ Lady Sabella Arvanxi,
The soone I get your background the sooner I can make a good choice as to what Lore your Headband of INT would be.
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The Styes,
Y'all can absolutely buy a map of The Styes, but I don't have one I can show you if you do -- thus I wouldn't (for those metagame reasons) charge but a few Silver. Best I can do is give you a good breakdown of the what's where.
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The 'th' for 's' is not a problem for me, so far. in creative writing the common trick is to go overboard with something like that at the beginning, then pull it back because it is by then well ingrained in the readers' minds. YMMV
Stupid rules clarification if you please, the Skin-changer Animal Shape ability specifically says "take the form of an animal" a lot however, it also says things like "Functions as Beast Shape III"... Beast Shape III allows magical beasts of size small and medium... Can I use magical beast forms or am I restricted to animals?
Animals -- no Vermin or Magical Beasts.
A few years ago we went through this, Michael Johnson and I (He actually played a Skinwalker Skin-Changer, both Race and Class) and we were pretty confident we were correct with Animal Only. But I also went ahead and contacted Marc Radle and he confirmed it for me.