Welcome to PaizoCon 2022! This thread is for out-of-character discussion of a Play-by-Post run of an author's table of Pathfinder Society Scenario: #3-09 The Secluded Siege.
Sign-ups for this scenario must done via the PaizoCon page on Warhorn, which can be found here.
This is a Pathfinder Society Scenario designed for levels 5-8.
Game Start Date: Friday May 27, 2022 (I will post the initial briefing handout and beginning information at that time; I anticipate that the game will not begin advancing in earnest until after the live convention concludes.)
Game End Date: Monday July 11, 2022 (PaizoCon requires that the table be completed and reported no later than July 12, 2022.)
PLEASE NOTE: This scenario will be run in accordance with PaizoCon's mandatory timeline above, which is shorter than most tables run on these boards. To ensure completion within the required time, I will be modifying and using several play-by-post conventions to facilitate a quicker pace, intended to maintain player engagement and faster rate of play than usually seen on these forums. These conventions include:
• Using block initiatives for all opponents with the same Initiative modifiers;
• Foregoing the use secret checks;
• Posting the DCs of certain skill checks and providing the results beforehand under spoilers;
• Calling for the posting of multiple rounds of skill checks to speed along skill challenges; and,
• Requesting that players provide "botting" information and/or designating another player to "bot" a PC in the event that the PC cannot post within a 24 hour period. Absent such instructions, I will "bot" players that have not posted within 24 hours of a request for action. In most instances, those PCs that I "bot" will be put delay, so it is often advantageous to the players to make arrangements beforehand.
Even with these conventions, I anticipate that a posting rate just shy of once per day may be required to ensure timely completion. Please make plans accordingly. I realize (and expect) that real life will get in the way of the game at times and that adjustments will inevitably have to be made. Real life concerns, of course, must come first. Nevertheless, the more that can be arranged beforehand, the smoother the run and hopefully the more fun can be had by all.
Chronicle Information
Please provide the requested chronicle information for your PC on the RPGChronicles page set up here.
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Signed up!
Fen is an warrior and a healer from Tian-Xia. She is a fervant worshiper of Tsukiyo, and follows the path set for her by her ancestors, mainly because their meddling spirits speak to her constantly and pull her in different directions.
She's an ancestors oracle with the champion dedication, and though she fights with her katana her main role tends to be support and healing (she has Heal as a signature spell and lay on hands)
Please finalize PC choices (including the pregen for the 4th) and then go ahead and post a PC introduction in the Gameplay thread.
Slides are now up here. Please provide a token for your PC, the requested modifiers, and a marching order.
Also, please provide the information for the chronicle sheet for your PC at this link.
I will post the initial "briefing" message tomorrow after the con and provide the results of initial skill checks to recall/gather information regarding the "briefing".
PaizoCon requires that the table be completed and reported no later than July 12, 2022. If PCs do not complete the full adventure by that date, they will receive 1 XP per "hour" played for scenarios (which equates to roughly 1 XP per substantial encounter). They receive any reputation rewarded for the tasks the party has completed up to that point, as well as any treasure bundles found, and any items found that were listed on the chronicles.
I am looking forward to running this table for you!
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I'll be traveling until Sunday and won't be able to post my PC details (or likely post much or anything in gameplay) until then. Don't have my computer with me and have a 5 year old who keeps me busy. Hope that will be ok.
I'm bringing a level 6 Bard - definitely support - inspire courage and healing via the Medic archetype. A caster not a fighter.
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Oskar has Inspire Competence, which lets him roll Performance (+15) with Cooperative Nature (+4), to Aid, and a failure counts as a success. So basically when making skill checks out of combat: roll a d20 - a 1 is still a crit failure but a 2-10 gives a +1 to your check and a 11-20 gives a +2 to your check. Please feel free to roll this yourselves for your exploration mode skill checks since Oskar can basically do it at will (it's a composition cantrip) though of course the GM may rule that it may not apply in some instances.
It can also be used in combat but it's a bit tricky in PbP since I have to use a single action on my turn and then a reaction on your turn (and be within 60' of you). So if you think you might want to use this on your turn (e.g. say you want to trip someone, or tumble through, etc.) if you give me a heads up beforehand I can try to use an action on my turn to prepare the reaction for your turn.
I still need to update Oskar's PbP profile to level 6 but won't be able to do that until I get home on Sunday.
I'm bringing a level 5 barbarian so frontline melee. Drkynbrakal is a bit odd in that ae can be an emergency face though uh. those skills were honed in the courtroom so I can't recommend it most of the time. Ae is quite good at Intimidation though! (in theory).
Ae fights with a greatsword—explainations as to just how the former barrister learned to use it aren't forthcoming. Pathfinders who attended the academy, or have just been around a while, may have heard a few rumors about aer. These rumors include (but are not limited to) ae was disbarred in Cheliax after attacking a judge, ae once ripped into Master Westyr over the proper preservation of ancient tomes, and, despite aer reletively young age, ae is already subject to the bleaching.
Ae's happy to serve as both meatstick and meatshield though ae's a bit short to serve as a meatshield for most folk. Kal'll seem a bit prickly at first, but will mellow out some once ae gets used to you. Please do let me know if I'm being too mean, this is Kal's first trip outside our (tiny) home lodge.
I am new to PbP so could use some guidance before we start playing in earnest. I have experience with text-based RP and have done some play by discord but if someone could direct me to or provide me with instructions for forum based PbP that'd be appreciated.
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So I'm all caught up and have posted in the gameplay thread with not very good rolls I'm afraid.
It looks like we are still waiting for one PC to check in? And do we need to choose a pregen for a fourth?
Incidentally, GM, my profile was previously still at level 5 but it has now been updated to level 6.
It looks like we are still waiting for one PC to check in? And do we need to choose a pregen for a fourth?
Incidentally, GM, my profile was previously still at level 5 but it has now been updated to level 6.
Unfortunately, we can't wait much longer for the third PC and we need a fourth pregen regardless.
Within the next 24 hours, I ask that each player please give me two choices of pregens: a primary and a backup (in case our 3rd does not join us).
Otherwise, I will select likely select Valeros and Merisiel as healing seems covered. If our third does not post within the next 24 hours, I plan to proceed with 2 pregens (if a third appears, we can always switch one out, but I don't want to delay our start any longer). If one of you does not wish to play with only two players, please let me know.
The guide requires we go with 5th-level pregen(s).
With a level 7 (Zhao), a level 6 (Oskar), and two level 5s (Drykynbrakal and/or pregen(s)), we are at 11 Challenge Points.
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I'm ok with playing with only two players if the 3rd person doesn't show up, and I'm also ok with controlling one of the pregens (but would not want to control both of them).
Those choices (Valeros and Merisiel) seem fine to me. Oskar is definitely a squishy support character: spells and Inspire Courage in melee, with good healing abilities. And it sounds like Zhao is also a support character so having two PCs who can stand on the front lines seems like a good idea to me.
Apologies, I had a minor personal emergency come up. It should be addressed now.
This is my first time doing PbP via the forums so if any of y'all can point towards a thread or give me a run down of standards set-ups/courtesy for it that'd be appreciated.
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Welcome aboard!
There are some decent basics on paizo board conventions and tips on the flaxseed lodge page. That's for 1E but most of it is applicable.
Then there are some 2E pregens formatted for the forums available here. What I would suggest is grabbing one of those and copying your character details in. You can then put that in as your character's profile and post as them.
@epicmusic42, I am glad that you are with us! And welcome to your first PbP via the forums. I hope you enjoy it. It looks like you know how to roll dice and post on the forums, so you've got the essentials. We can work with everything else.
I am sorry to hear that you had to deal with an emergency. I that things are now doing well and I appreciate the post. Real life always take precedent and I realize that circumstances can keep one from posting. All I ask is that you please let us know if you think you won't be able to post for a time, so that we are able to continue and cover for any absence.
As I've noted, this game will need to go at a much quicker pace than most I've run due to the imposed deadline for reporting. So, things need to keep moving. The more information provided about your character and posting status, the easier it is to do so and try to get all of the players their maximum obtainable rewards.
I believe you will find (or have found already) that the players at this table, like most folks on these boards, are very helpful and I expect you will do just fine.
Beyond your posts, the most useful thing you can provide is your player information. If you could post a link to a copy of your character sheet in this Discussion thread, whether an electronic copy or even a photo, then we can keep moving and then backfill the "standard set-ups" as we go.
I don't want to overwhelm you with too much information, but if you want to get started on a PC alias for posting, a guide to doing so can be found here.
We have our 3 players, just need to choose a pregenerated character to round out the party.
As epicmusic42 has brought the mighty Drykynbrakal to the table am I correct that that party is opting for the rogue, Merisiel?
I have added Merisiel's stats to Slides. I request that the players control her actions and make her active rolls.
Also, every one starts with at least one Hero Point. It looks like there are two more than can be rewarded due to glyphs. Please assign them on this Slide.
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Then there are some 2E pregens formatted for the forums available here. What I would suggest is grabbing one of those and copying your character details in. You can then put that in as your character's profile and post as them.
Thank you! That's actually super helpful!
Beyond your posts, the most useful thing you can provide is your player information. If you could post a link to a copy of your character sheet in this Discussion thread, whether an electronic copy or even a photo, then we can keep moving and then backfill the "standard set-ups" as we go.
I don't want to overwhelm you with too much information, but if you want to get started on a PC alias for posting, a guide to doing so can be found here.
Of course! here is a copy of my character sheet in Pathbuilder. Everything should be up-to-date on it. If not, I can either update or run with it as is per your preference.
Thank you very much for the guide. Between that and the the pregens that Zhao shared, I think I should be set.
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Thank you! That's actually super helpful!
Yay I'm glad it was helpful.
Ancestral Touch only targets a living creature, so the spell has no affect.
Whoops, sorry about that. She casts that spell a lot and apparently I never noticed the target restriction.
@Drkynbrakal - Looks good! Sorry I had to delay you, but I think you guys are going to get out of this fight okay (although drained lasts until you get a full nights rest so you may want to make those saves--and don't forget Hero Points!)
@Zhao - I assume she doesn't fight undead or construct every day. If we had more time or if I thought it would affect the outcome of the fight, I would have given you a "do over", but as it is, I think you have this fight in hand.
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@Drkynbrakal - Looks good! Sorry I had to delay you, but I think you guys are going to get out of this fight okay (although drained lasts until you get a full nights rest so you may want to make those saves--and don't forget Hero Points!)
No worries! I completely understand, been there myself a time or twenty.
I looks like you went ahead and rolled the fort save for me with the end of the round. I assume I'm good since it was a crit success?
@Drkynbrakal - Looks good! Sorry I had to delay you, but I think you guys are going to get out of this fight okay (although drained lasts until you get a full nights rest so you may want to make those saves--and don't forget Hero Points!)No worries! I completely understand, been there myself a time or twenty.
I looks like you went ahead and rolled the fort save for me with the end of the round. I assume I'm good since it was a crit success?
Yes, all good. No drain.
As this table is part of PaizoCon, all participants (players and GM) should roll a d20. If someone rolls a 19 or 20, they have won a $15 paizo.com gift voucher. If you are a winner, please PM me with your email address so I can report the reward and indicate that a voucher should be sent to you.
No word from Drkynbrakal and I need to submit vouchers soon, so:
Yes! Drkynbrakal, please PM me with your email address so I can notify the powers that be about your voucher.
@Drkynbrakal I just saw that you have not set up the Private Message feature for your account.
@ Drkynbrakal - PLEASE NOTE I must submit emails of voucher winners by June 17th. If you want to receive the voucher, please provide an email address either posted here, via PM (if you set it up), or you can email directly at this address.
As a head's up, I will be traveling over the next week and do not anticipate posting at my usual rate and when I do, it may be from my phone.
That being said, you guys have been crushing it, so I think now (even with a some slow down in posting) that we won't have much difficulty making the deadline.
I am willing to give Drkynbrakal some more time, but, if necessary, I will bot them and move us along within the next 24 hours.
Usually one week is the amount of time that needs to pass before a player is considered to have "abandoned" the table. Although we are close to that, if necessary, I will bot Drkynbrakal through the current encounter. If they do not post during that time, we will have to bring in a pregen (Amiri?) to finish the adventure.
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Apologies all, I just discovered that it's been. considerably more than the day or two I thought it had been since I checked forums. My work campus is currently on quarantine and due to the shuffling of staff as a result I've basically ended up in change of my building for my entire shift. This will likely last for another week (I'm supposed to be getting normal staff back from the isolation building throughout next week).
I've set some alarms that will, hopefully, help with remembering to at least check in on the forums until I get normal staff back. @GM Valen, I believe you found me on discord. If need be, feel free to repeatedly poke me there. It goes directly to my phone so is a bit easier to notice when dealing with stuff I don't normally handle.
Again, you all have my apologies for the radio silence. Even if I've got stuff going on, it isn't fair to y'all to hear nothing.
GM, just confirming that Merisielbot's first strike was not a crit? (I'm asking since it was attacking vs flanked AC).
Correct, not a crit. Flat-footed AC higher is than 20.
Please post Earn Income rolls if you want them included on the chronicle sheet.
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Confirming that the chronicle details I entered are correct. Oskar has 0 reputation with Radiant Oath because he's just starting to work with them after spending a bunch of time previously with the Horizon Hunters.
For downtime, Oskar will use 7 days to retrain True Strike (due to now getting it from his staff) to Liberating Command.
This leaves him with one day of downtime to earn income. He has the Storied Talent boon so he attempts a task of his own level: 6.
Thanks for running, GM! I really enjoyed this one - that last fight had me sweating!
The game has ben reported to PaizoCon, so you should see your ACP in the next few days.
Chronicle sheets are here.
Please let me know of any corrections or revisions.
I will mark this campaign inactive once I have confirmation of receipt from each player of a chronicle sheet or after one week, whichever occurs first.
Thank you all again for a great game. You did very well! It was a lot of fun, I enjoyed each of your characters, and I look forward to sharing a table with each of you in the future!
Happy Gaming!
@ Oskar & Zhao Fen - I am glad you both enjoyed the adventure! I encourage you to seek out 3-14 as well. I had a blast playing that one!
Thank you for the kind words. I'd love to hear how your tables go in the future. Feel free to drop me a PM or post a review afterward, if you are so inclined.