Angels Fall: A Hells' Vengeance Campaign

Game Master bluedove

Hey folks, I'm going to step back from this one. It's no one thing, and no one's fault but mine, but I've been busy lately with other commitments and just become really detached from this game, and as I looked for a way back in, I just...couldn't get into the character anymore either. Better for everyone if I just step away. Go ahead and remove me from the game.

Hey guys, thought I'd say hi.

Just a little primer on how I conduct my own games.
I'll roll initiative and put up skill check spoilers.

I use a status tracker during combat with all of the PC's vitals and status, as well as the adversary's.

The monsters will show AC as a ? at first, then with the lowest roll to hit. HP will like wise show ?/?. with the accumulated damage on the left such as 14/??.

Sorry to see you leave, Guillaume. It wasn't me was it? < sniffs armpits > :)
If you feel like returning to exercise your evil mind muscle, let me know.

Do you guys have any questions for me?

Al

Hello again, GM Spazmodeus! (I'm in your WFRP game as well)
Welcome onboard! No questions right away, but perhaps they'll come up.

@Guillaume: I'm sorry to see you leave, but I wish you best of luck in your future adventures elsewhere.

Although that brings up the question: do we have any frontliner now? And if we don't, do we need one?

Hello!

Hey folks, I'm going to step back from this one. It's no one thing, and no one's fault but mine, but I've been busy lately with other commitments and just become really detached from this game, and as I looked for a way back in, I just...couldn't get into the character anymore either. Better for everyone if I just step away. Go ahead and remove me from the game.

Sorry G, I know the tactical shift wasn't fun for you and the flagging momentum just made things worse. Hope you find some joy in gaming again wherever you land. ^_^ (I'll wait a day or so before I remove so you see your goodbyes.) Would you like for Guillaume to head back to Westcrown with Cimri?

Although that brings up the question: do we have any frontliner now? And if we don't, do we need one?

There is a Hellknight conveniently tucked away, though that may depend on how GM Spazmodeus feels about running allied NPCs in combat...

@GM: Are you still catching up or are you ready for me to hand over the campaign reins?

Guillaume Coeur-de-Lion wrote:

Hey folks, I'm going to step back from this one. It's no one thing, and no one's fault but mine, but I've been busy lately with other commitments and just become really detached from this game, and as I looked for a way back in, I just...couldn't get into the character anymore either. Better for everyone if I just step away. Go ahead and remove me from the game.

Sorry G, I know the tactical shift wasn't fun for you and the flagging momentum just made things worse. Hope you find some joy in gaming again wherever you land. ^_^ (I'll wait a day or so before I remove so you see your goodbyes.) Would you like for Guillaume to head back to Westcrown with Cimri?

-The Shrike- wrote:

Although that brings up the question: do we have any frontliner now? And if we don't, do we need one?

There is a Hellknight conveniently tucked away, though that may depend on how GM Spazmodeus feels about running allied NPCs in combat...

@GM: Are you still catching up or are you ready for me to hand over the campaign reins?

Yeah , I'm still doing some catchup and prep on my end. So feel free to get some posts in :)

On the question of the frontliner, I didn't really notice the character composition, just that you had 5 left.( not accounting for Giuliano's split personality :)). If you guys see the need for the frontline Hellknight to join up, I can run him for now, and we can recruit someone in later.

Guillaume Coeur-de-Lion wrote:

Hey folks, I'm going to step back from this one. It's no one thing, and no one's fault but mine, but I've been busy lately with other commitments and just become really detached from this game, and as I looked for a way back in, I just...couldn't get into the character anymore either. Better for everyone if I just step away. Go ahead and remove me from the game.

Sorry G, I know the tactical shift wasn't fun for you and the flagging momentum just made things worse. Hope you find some joy in gaming again wherever you land. ^_^ (I'll wait a day or so before I remove so you see your goodbyes.) Would you like for Guillaume to head back to Westcrown with Cimri?

Sure, that's fine.

I can kind of frontline, my ac is decent and I self heal.

I can even, once a day, be like "haha you no smite be", but I am also slow as a molass.

Plus, since APs are designed with four characters in mind, with 5 you're ahead of the game, even if you don't have a full BAB character.

We can see how it goes....

While I am not unwilling, does anyone else want to put their hat in the ring to be the Alchemist’s apprentice? He specifically mentioned wishing he had an apprentice. That is probably our best in.

Hey there, still wrapping my head around the adventure and campaign events so far.

Hello everyone,
I hope that you’re well.

I do not know if you all remember, but my character was part of the original crew assembled for this game. I had to step back from RPG for a while, but I’m now coming back and seeing the change in guards, I was wondering if you GM Spazmodeus as well as you players would feel comfortable with me coming back into the game?

I hope you have a great weekend!

*thumb up*

Fine by me. Welcome back! (If everyone is ok with it, ofc)

Thanks a lot for the feedback so far. I’ll await GM Spazmodeus‘ decision as they might see six players as too much.

Have a great week everyone!

In that case, I will step out of the game.

Have fun, Noral :-)

In that case, I will step out of the game.

Have fun, Noral :-)

I am super sorry! In that case please let me withdraw my request. I definitely don’t want you to feel uncomfortable with me potentially joining!! Very sorry for any inconvenience caused!

Please don't - that was definitely not my intention - I just figured you had far more claim on the game than I did, so was happy to step away :-)

After all, I joined the group in the first place mostly because Bluedove invited me.

Hey guys,
Sorry for the radio silence, got a bit busy with work and then our thanksgiving weekend.

Getting back to familiarizing myself with the ap etc.

Well, Amala's return takes care of any concern with our departing front-liner.

Charles, no issues with you staying, should you decide to.

thanks
Al

Still there, this area we are in right now is hard to play by post imho, as it is fairly open ended and free form.

Hello everyone, thanks GM, I am definitely interested and willing to jump in, but I really don’t want to push out Charles, who really is a great player and GM! :-D

Lots of room in the evil boat for everyone!

No need to fret, Charles' player stays busy and was very gracious to help me out with a charming rogue. Hopefully it's ok to just have him play house with Loredana so the party doesn't lose the benefit of his charm, Luke?

Hi Amala, I did read all of the gameplay backlog when I took over, so I'm familiar with your character. You will need to advance to level 4, we can assume you have continued to work for Fex and he will recall Guillaume and teleport you to replace him. We are still in the 'under-cover' portion of the story, so you will need a cover story. Feel free to work with the characters to synergize. IIRC, you have an association with Aurelius?

Moving forward, your options for usurping the cache of healing potions are to spy/stakeout/schmooze the Alchemist to learn the time/place of the delivery/pick-up. Possibly insert yourselves into the equation somehow. Maybe break into his shop. Other options you can think of.

I will save some time and say that if anyone were to offer to help him craft the potions, they would need to back that up with a solid Craft(Alchemy) skill. Also, while this is a nice segue into more active fomenting, it is not required. I can have Razelago bring you another lead.

Thanks! That makes sense to move into the undercover story.

Do you believe that it is possible to spin the story with the Alchemist so that Amala rather charmed, bluffed and stole (so using diplomacy, bluff and disguise or sleight of hand) instead of leaning into the Alchemy expertise?

I can level up to 4th in the next days of course!

Hello GM, I thought again about the possibility to interact with the Alchemist and I’ve been thinking about taking a level to gain access to a firearm with the Gunsmithing Feat so that taking Craft Alchemy for crafting bullets / cartridges etc would make sense. What are your thoughts about firearms in general for this campaign?

For what it is worth, I am willing to step in with craft alchemy if no one else does.

Well, Amala's return takes care of any concern with our departing front-liner.

Hello GM, I thought again about the possibility to interact with the Alchemist and I’ve been thinking about taking a level to gain access to a firearm with the Gunsmithing Feat so that taking Craft Alchemy for crafting bullets / cartridges etc would make sense. What are your thoughts about firearms in general for this campaign?

Hi GM, please ignore my request above about the Gunslinger as I did not realize that we are missing a frontline character.

I gave some questions to the GM in that context:

1. Would it be possible to apply the benefits of the ‘Boon Companion’ feat also to the ‘Fiendish Boon’ class feature to gain a fiendish servant, i.e. to negate the levels lost from multi classing when the Antipaladin gains the Fiendish Boon at 5th level?

2. Even though Secrutio offered to take over the craft alchemy part, I’m still thinking about the option to also invest into the craft alchemy skill, as I noticed that there many alchemical remedies as stated here which I find interesting to craft in case Amala would invest in Craft Alchemy. So I just wanted to confirm that you would be comfortable with these crafting rules and alchemical products?

3. Lastly, what is your view on the Antipaladin and certain feats or items that affect Smite Evil and of course not the variant Smite Abilities of the Antipaladin. So for instance Smite Evil Magic or Righteous Orator or Tea of Transference or Silver Smite Bracelets etc. … so is it okay to assume that these feats, items etc can also be taken/created with the Smite ability of my Antipaladin instead of “Smite Evil”?

There are still multiple ways to learn what you need to know from the Alchemist. Spying via stealth, helping him craft (which will require the Alchemy skill), social manipulation, just to name a few.

I can't speak to what GM Spazmodeus will or won't allow but generally the specific terms of "Smite Evil" are not interchangeable with that of "Smite Good". Similarly a Fiendish Servant is neither an animal companion, nor a familiar... The implication is that they don't intend for what works for a paladin to work for an antipaladin... (And actually, I don't think Boon Companion works for a Paladin's Mount either.)

That said, if you ever wanted a campaign where Smite Good is frequently useful, this is that campaign! Good clerics and outsiders are everywhere!

For clarity, Craft Alchemy is a skill that can be attempted untrained, right?

For clarity, Craft Alchemy is a skill that can be attempted untrained, right?

Yes, that's correct. I suppose without the Brew Potion feat, a bonus high enough to consistently aid another would be sufficient for our purposes. Sercrutio should be able to pull that off without training. Note that you cannot take ten when aiding another, though you could if making a crafting check yourself.

But, if my bonus is +11, that would be sufficient to consistently aid another right?

I don't have Alchemy, but I can cast CLW. Does that help any?

Also I can bluff that we will handle the delivery to the buyer.

Sorry guys, buried under work the last several days...I'll get back at it soon.

I have no issue with re-skinning the smite evil feats etc with Smite good.

I second Bluedove's opinion on the fiendish servant, she's right Boon Companion is useless for the Paladin's Mount, as it already shares the same level as it's master.

But, if my bonus is +11, that would be sufficient to consistently aid another right?

Yes, since even a roll of 1 does not necessitate a failure.

I don't have Alchemy, but I can cast CLW. Does that help any?

Also I can bluff that we will handle the delivery to the buyer.

I think a pick-up would make more sense given that Linton is on the ruling council. So staking out and following those who transport the order is an option.

How about I apprentice/assist and then get the info of when it is ready, then we sneak in and taint the supply before it is moved for delivery?

How about I apprentice/assist and then get the info of when it is ready, then we sneak in and taint the supply before it is moved for delivery?

That is possible. You would likely need to use poison to do so which would involve acquiring some.

I'll try and outline some pros and cons as well as remind you of information and resources available to you.

Linton Demeer is influenced to be friendly toward the party. His association with the Glorious Reclamation seems business oriented. He does not appear to be a follower of Iomedae so much as a general opportunist who seeks a mutually beneficial arrangement with whomever is in power. The party has picked up that something is off about the alchemist but not the details of what that something is. He freely treats the sick and injured but there was that little detail about some potentially excessive bloodletting with the man who was bitten by the Centianima. He was ultimately fine, just a little weak and woozy while he recovered.

Stealing the potions will add them to your resources as well as withholding them from the enemy. This will likely require a combat and may risk your covers. But you're probably overdue for a little dustup with the GR lackeys by now.

Sabotaging the potions will possibly avoid combat, though you risk being caught by Demeer himself. It could add a random element to future combats where an enemy's use of a healing potion could result in poison instead. It may also cast aspersions on the Alchemist's reputation and damage his relationship with the GR. That could be benefit or consequence depending on your goals.

You have the Discord Bottle and Brextur the ukobach (tinder devil) available to be utilized as well.

Hey guys....sorry to disappoint, but I'm not going to be able to take on your game at this time. A bit too much going on in RL, and I'm having trouble keeping up with my current games.

Happy Gaming.
Al

Amala, are you still joining?

Hey guys....sorry to disappoint, but I'm not going to be able to take on your game at this time. A bit too much going on in RL, and I'm having trouble keeping up with my current games.

Happy Gaming.
Al

Real life always first. So I completely understand!

Amala, are you still joining?

Yes, of course! I have three different character sheets as I really have analysis paralysis on how to move forward! :-)

I cannot decide ... go full Antipaladin ... or multiclass?

But who would continue GMing?

Have a great weekend everyone!

I may actually enjoy gming this more then playing it, but I already run a game hmmm.

I will endeavor to continue. I do apologize that my schedule reduces our pace. These days I'm most busy on weekends and I may have a little more time than usual M-Th this coming week.

Sercrutio, you are cleared to assist Linton while he completes the order and we can assume you glean that the pick-up time is just before sunset "tomorrow". You guys can still decide on how to interfere with the pickup here on discussion.

@Amala, I will ok the use of Tea of Transference for use with your Smite if you choose to add the Ninja class.

I will endeavor to continue. I do apologize that my schedule reduces our pace. These days I'm most busy on weekends and I may have a little more time than usual M-Th this coming week.

Sercrutio, you are cleared to assist Linton while he completes the order and we can assume you glean that the pick-up time is just before sunset "tomorrow". You guys can still decide on how to interfere with the pickup here on discussion.

@Amala, I will ok the use of Tea of Transference for use with your Smite if you choose to add the Ninja class.

Wow! You are too kind to continue GMing for us!! Thanks a lot!

I would then really move to create a Paladin 2 / Ninja 2 and level up Craft (Alchemy) to 4. Give me another day and I’ll have my character sheet ready in my profile.

I too am glad you can continue running this for us. I like your style.

Fellzir will volunteer to help with a secure delivery of the potions. If there are enough enemies present and in an unobserved area, he might place the discord(?) bottle among them and see what happens. I think you said we can use it more than once.

Hello GM, so I have decided to just go pure Antipaladin after all. I think it is a better fit for the campaign and the background.

Rolling for level up hit points: 3rd and 4th level: 1d10 + 1d10 ⇒ (9) + (8) = 17

My character sheet should be updated in a couple of minutes.

I am here

Boards are back!

Yay! I will try and get an encounter post ready over the next day or so.

We still seem to not be in full agreement as to how to resolve the potion order situation. Sabotage via poison is certainly an option. Loredana could reasonably provide you with arsenic given that an Inn owner would likely use it in pest control. Adding in an anesthetic from the alchemist's store could potentially influence a combat without clearly revealing that anything is off about the potions.

Sercrutio, would you add the poison yourself during the crafting process or would the group break in after hours to make the alteration?

Thanks a lot GM!

Now that I have finished the char sheet I revisited your initial suggestions below.

Hi Amala, I did read all of the gameplay backlog when I took over, so I'm familiar with your character. You will need to advance to level 4, we can assume you have continued to work for Fex and he will recall Guillaume and teleport you to replace him. We are still in the 'under-cover' portion of the story, so you will need a cover story. Feel free to work with the characters to synergize. IIRC, you have an association with Aurelius?

Moving forward, your options for usurping the cache of healing potions are to spy/stakeout/schmooze the Alchemist to learn the time/place of the delivery/pick-up. Possibly insert yourselves into the equation somehow. Maybe break into his shop. Other options you can think of.

I am very happy with the approach that Amala continued to work for Fex and that she was teleported recently into the city.

As a cover story, I’d like Amala to act an aspiring perfume designer maybe, eager to learn the alchemy of fragrances?

She has very high bluff and diplomacy and potentially by flirting just enough to appear harmless and enthusiastic, she could convince the alchemist to take her on as an informal apprentice so she can understand scents on a deeper level?

I imagine that this could potentially allow access to the workspace, tools, and routines? From this position, Amala can plausibly take actions that push the story in the right direction?

Any feedback welcome!

My thought was thinking that Sercrutio would facilitate a break in after hours.

We could vote.

I vote that stealing them and having them is better than poisoning.
Sercrutio votes for poisoning.

What say you others? Amala, Aurelius, hopefully Charles...