[PbP Gameday XI] Race for the Runecarved Key - GM Thread (Inactive)

Game Master Lady Ladile

No matter what in the end though if it is going to have a lasting negative effect on a PC. Such as fallen paladin or infamy we just need to let the PC know what their actions will cause.

As a GM all we need to say is hey the action you wish to do will cause you to be fallen or cause infamy due to XYZ. Do you wish to proceed or would you like to retcon your action.

If they want to proceed then it is on the player at that point.

The point, as I stated above, is not what you think. The point is not even what everyone at your table thinks. It's also not whether I think it's evil. The point is that in society, if _anyone_ can reasonably think it's not evil, then you can't punish a player for it. That is particularly true in a MTS.

(points meaningfully at hat on head while speaking)

The player's PC is only first level and they've decided that they're going to do a rebuild when they hit second into something not Paladin. lol.

A ton of thanks for everyone's input. It's greatly appreciated.

Are we keeping track of the Key Points earned during Act One anywhere?

There is now a Key Point Tracker link at the top of the page! Simply enter the number of points your table earns in the relevant box. This will be used to track Key Points across the entirety of the special, including Act One.

For key points, does neutralizing the alarm count as "not triggering" it? I feel like it does not RAW, but since it accomplishes the same goal, it should. My team has approximately all the silence spells.

For key points, does neutralizing the alarm count as "not triggering" it? I feel like it does not RAW, but since it accomplishes the same goal, it should. My team has approximately all the silence spells.

Though an Alarm spell *can* be set up to mentally ping the caster rather than make an audible noise, the scenario specifies that this one makes an audible noise. Given that, I'd absolutely allow neutralization via Silence spells to count! If the bad guys don't hear it or see anyone approach then they're going to assume it's not been triggered or monkeyed with, after all :)

Okay folks, I'll be posting the wrap-up warning for Act Two in about eight & 1/2 hours or so! From there, they'll have 24 hours to finish up their entanglement with the Aspis and then we'll be moving on to Act Three on September 22nd :)

All tables should now have the 24 hr warning post to begin wrapping up Act Two, if you/your group hasn't already done so. Act Three begins tomorrow!

All tables should now have a post that shifts us into Act Three. 20 days for them to complete as many of the missions as they can! Remember that PCs do have a chance to rest overnight between the conclusion of Act Two and the beginning of Act Three so they have some time to swap out spells or pick up additional provisions during that downtime, if they wish.

My table is now fighting 40 enemies in a warehouse, and doesn't have a single evocation among them. I know I can end the fight as soon as they feel overwhelmed, but all the PCs have done so far is pick off a few CR 1/3 creatures...

My table is now fighting 40 enemies in a warehouse, and doesn't have a single evocation among them. I know I can end the fight as soon as they feel overwhelmed, but all the PCs have done so far is pick off a few CR 1/3 creatures...

Yeah, I'm not sure the way this scenario scales the encounter for higher tiers was a good idea for something under a strict IRL time limit.

Mine one-shot one of the were-rats, then dropped a stinking cloud that disabled about half of the enemies. Since they did it while shouting "we just want to talk", I counted it and let them start shouting back and forth across the cloud. Kreesch figures that talking doesn't cost anything and the family was in a bad spot. Plus, talking gives the spell time to run out and clear the air if these intruders insist on a fight.

Can someone cover my game for about two days? I just got hit with a mean sickness while also on vacation out of town. Trying to sweat this fever out.

My table is talking to the curator/doctor for their first one.

Was someone able to cover for GM Eclipse? I did not see a response, but thought maybe a private message was sent. I can cover for a few days if needed.

^Please do, if you're able GM Aarvid. You and Tyranius are our only hope our only backup GMs at this time :)

My table (incorporating a Grand Lodge faction goal), just convinced Rinks to join the Pathfinder Society. That's one way to keep him out of the auction. :)

They made no mention of trying to acquire his funding, though, so they shouldn't get any key points for that, right?

There's a problem or two with the timing of the scenario. Is this all supposed to happen in one day? And if not, where is the break?

The auction is supposed to happen at sunset, according to the summary on page 4.
However, act 2 happens outside of town with people sleeping for the night. Not only that, but these people are hauling gold to be used in the auction, meaning they don't expect the auction to happen for at least another day.

As of act 3, the auction happens "within two hours" (a line which I initially missed)
However, 3C (creating a scandal) says the best time for breaking and entering is after Kaddren left for the night. And then you have to meet up with her before the auction to convince her to not bid. It seems unlikely that you'd be able to break in after she leaves for the auction, find the blackmail, then somehow find and catch up to her before she arrives at the auction.

Just from the descriptions, I've been assuming acts 1+2 are on one day, act 3 on another, and act four on a third, but that doesn't seem to be the intent?

Last time, it was pointed out that act 3 definitely happens the next day. However, that doesn't do anything about 3C's timing issue.

Thank so much GM Aarvid, I ended up bed-ridden for much longer than expected. I should be able to be back on the horse after tomorrow.

Hopefully you are feeling better. Get rest and recuperation.

Just let me know when you are ready. Will plan to cover until Sunday unless you say otherwise.

My table (incorporating a Grand Lodge faction goal), just convinced Rinks to join the Pathfinder Society. That's one way to keep him out of the auction. :)

They made no mention of trying to acquire his funding, though, so they shouldn't get any key points for that, right?

Nice! But yes, since they've presumably let him keep/return his funds instead of acquiring it for themselves, no Key Points.

Last time, it was pointed out that act 3 definitely happens the next day. However, that doesn't do anything about 3C's timing issue.

For 3C, I'd just shift the timing to have her leave her residence in the afternoon to line up with the auction happening at sunset. Perhaps she leaves early to take care of some other business before heading to the auction or maybe so she can have some time to take a leisurely stroll through a nearby park. They probably intended the wording to mean 'after she leaves her home for the auction happening at sunset/that night' but it definitely could've been clearer.

And yep, Acts 1 & 2 happen on one day and then Acts 3 & 4 happen the following day. So the only downtime to rest up happens between the end of Act 2 and the start of Act 3.

Can I get a backup on my table for a few days? I have a sick little one demanding a lot of my time.

I will defer to Tyranius on that highest tier table, if available to cover for Redelia.

My players are now doing the Good Doctor, and one option is waiting the NPC out. That is supposed to consume 5 minutes of game time at a live table. How should I handle it here if they choose that option?

Ooooh, that's a great question! My PCs have chosen that next; paying attention to this answer.

I'm about to start that one, too. I was going to play out the dinner with plenty of roleplaying. I plan to have a servant, or the doctor, pour a glass before each "round" of discussion.

After Elixia has had her 3rd drink (and now a bit tipsy), that's when she spills the beans about her affiliation.

Yes, well, tier 12-15 means never failing a skill check, so they figured it out immediately. They're just discussing how to handle the information.

Apologies for my late answer on this but if any groups wish to take this route, the 5 minutes of real-time *does* take 24 hours in PbP-time. I'd encourage some RP and such while they wait but it's 24 hours before the result is achieved - no shortcuts.

And this is another mission where the timing is weird; it'd make more sense to run with Landis hosting a lunch instead of dinner.
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Also, if you haven't already, please be sure to log the Key Points your group is accumulating! This is important, as I'll need that information for writing up the Act 4 auction post :)

A confluence of things + a very busy work night slowed me down and left me unable to post yesterday evening. But now all tables should, finally, have a warning post from me signaling the wind-down of Act Three (though from my lurking it looks like you guys have already been nudging your groups to start wrapping things up, which is good). Act Four will begin tomorrow evening, October 12th - look for my post around 5 PM CST :)

All tables should now have a post from me that details the auction outcome (based on table successes & Key Points accumulated up to this point) and moves the action to the beginning of section 4B. We'll run until the projected end date of November 1st *or* until we reach 50% successes (so 4 tables) on section 4E, whichever occurs first :)

Hello, I am super sorry but I have an emergency at work and can’t keep the pace up until Wednesday.

Would it be possible to have a replacement GM please for the next week?

This is the link to my table.

Again, apologies for the inconvenience caused. :-(

Development: The PCs need to get past the Lissalan cultists and exit the Cathedral through any broken window or door to chase after the assassin. Should the PCs manage to kill the Lissalan cultists before going after the assassin, the PCs have saved the auction attendees from certain death.

Where are you GMs placing the cultists & the PCs on the cathedral map?

It seems too easy (at tier 1-2 for my table) to get past 4 cultists. Should I have them blocking the door and tell my players they need to get past the cultists and out the front door?

Also, for purposes of buffs... how long is the bidding supposed to take?

Disregard my post above. I placed the cultists/conjurers in the seating area near the center aisle. I then placed the PCs in the decorative circle to the west. Cultists beat everyone in initiative so I had them start flinging spells.

IRL the auction section is supposed to take no more than 10 minutes and that's what I'd run with here in regards to buff timers. I'm also basing this off the fact that real auctions/bidding - for a single item - usually don't take more than a few minutes.

IRL the auction section is supposed to take no more than 10 minutes and that's what I'd run with here in regards to buff timers. I'm also basing this off the fact that real auctions/bidding - for a single item - usually don't take more than a few minutes.

That works. Thanks.

Hello, I am super sorry but I have an emergency at work and can’t keep the pace up until Wednesday.

Would it be possible to have a replacement GM please for the next week?

This is the link to my table.

Again, apologies for the inconvenience caused. :-(

Meant to reply to this earlier as well but working on getting you coverage!

How literally should 'killing all the cultists' be taken in key points?

(is knocking them unconscious enough? what about if some damage was non-lethal? this would be the only place in any scenario I know of where there is any reward for killing an enemy as opposed to knocking them out.)

GM Nowruz wrote:

Hello, I am super sorry but I have an emergency at work and can’t keep the pace up until Wednesday.

Would it be possible to have a replacement GM please for the next week?

This is the link to my table.

Again, apologies for the inconvenience caused. :-(

Meant to reply to this earlier as well but working on getting you coverage!

If you did not get coverage yet I can pick this up later tonight after running errands. My other GM sub table is back on track..,

How literally should 'killing all the cultists' be taken in key points?

(is knocking them unconscious enough? what about if some damage was non-lethal? this would be the only place in any scenario I know of where there is any reward for killing an enemy as opposed to knocking them out.)

I would consider 'render all the cultists unable to continue fighting' to be close enough - whether that's by outright killing them, knocking them unconscious, or otherwise incapacitating them long enough for the innocent bystanders in the cathedral to get away.

Of course I tend to err on the side of player leniency especially since, as you pointed out, this is like the ONE time where the scenario calls out specifically killing foes rather than defeating them (which is much more vague).
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GM Ladile wrote:

GM Nowruz wrote:

Hello, I am super sorry but I have an emergency at work and can’t keep the pace up until Wednesday.

Would it be possible to have a replacement GM please for the next week?

This is the link to my table.

Again, apologies for the inconvenience caused. :-(

Meant to reply to this earlier as well but working on getting you coverage!

If you did not get coverage yet I can pick this up later tonight after running errands. My other GM sub table is back on track..,

Thank you for picking this up, Aarvid!

My PCs are now talking about splitting up and having some people go after the assassin while others clear out the cathedral. This sounds like a bad idea on many levels, but can I start the chase with only part of the party, or do they all have to escape first?

I told my party that the rules did not allow starting the next step until everyone left the cathedral. (i.e. you can't start a chase scene with only part of the party)

I told my party that the rules did not allow starting the next step until everyone left the cathedral. (i.e. you can't start a chase scene with only part of the party)

Why not? The "Development" section for 4C basically says to keep the chase going while faster PCs fight 4D themselves. What's the difference between starting a chase with only some of the PCs and continuing the chase with only some of the PCs?

I suppose there is that bit at the beginning of the chase that determines how far away the runner starts, but that could probably be worked around.

The setup clearly expects you to wait.

'If all the PCs exit the Cathedral of Abadar in 2 rounds
or less, the Lissalan assassin begins the chase only
2 cards ahead. If the PCs take longer than 2 rounds to
escape the cathedral, the cultist assassin begins 3 cards
ahead of the PCs, barely within sight. At this point,
either roll new initiatives or keep the initiative from
the Cathedral.'

If you let one PC start the chase before the others, you won't even know what card to start the assassin on.

I believe that in a MTS, all party members are on the same mission/part unless the scenario clearly makes an exception. The fact that such an exception is clearly made for the C to D transition to me only makes it more clear that they have to wait in the B to C transition.

The setup clearly expects you to wait.

'If all the PCs exit the Cathedral of Abadar in 2 rounds
or less, the Lissalan assassin begins the chase only
2 cards ahead. If the PCs take longer than 2 rounds to
escape the cathedral, the cultist assassin begins 3 cards
ahead of the PCs, barely within sight. At this point,
either roll new initiatives or keep the initiative from
the Cathedral.'

If you let one PC start the chase before the others, you won't even know what card to start the assassin on.

I believe that in a MTS, all party members are on the same mission/part unless the scenario clearly makes an exception. The fact that such an exception is clearly made for the C to D transition to me only makes it more clear that they have to wait in the B to C transition.

Good enough for me. I'd rather not split the party any more than necessary anyway, but I've already had one PC start thinking about moving for the exit. That logic gives a good-enough reason to say no.

^Yep to all of the above. Sometimes you (general you) have to suspend your disbelief a little in the name of not making things too complicated and letting the group split up at the start would make things complicated.

OK, I need help finding a creative way to keep my players from derailing the rest of the adventure. They're fighting the assassin, and have just given her confusion for the next 12 rounds. I don't think that lets her do her curse, so how do I include that?

OK, I need help finding a creative way to keep my players from derailing the rest of the adventure. They're fighting the assassin, and have just given her confusion for the next 12 rounds. I don't think that lets her do her curse, so how do I include that?

I think you're talking about her dying curse (p.44)?

If the PCs defeat the cultist assassin, with her dying breath she spits out an ominous and vehement curse:

If so, I would just give her a moment of clarity as she dies. The curse is required by the scenario, so I can't see any reason to not bend the general rules of confusion to allow it.

Redelia wrote:

OK, I need help finding a creative way to keep my players from derailing the rest of the adventure. They're fighting the assassin, and have just given her confusion for the next 12 rounds. I don't think that lets her do her curse, so how do I include that?

I think you're talking about her dying curse (p.44)?

Development wrote:

If the PCs defeat the cultist assassin, with her dying breath she spits out an ominous and vehement curse:

If so, I would just give her a moment of clarity as she dies. The curse is required by the scenario, so I can't see any reason to not bend the general rules of confusion to allow it.

I'm fine with a moment of Lissala-granted clarity for some last words. But what if there's a silence effect? Or paralysis? Or sleep? Or they do a stupid and plane shift the assassin away? This bit's a little too fragile for my tastes.

GM Ladile wrote:

GM Nowruz wrote:

Hello, I am super sorry but I have an emergency at work and can’t keep the pace up until Wednesday.

Would it be possible to have a replacement GM please for the next week?

This is the link to my table.

Again, apologies for the inconvenience caused. :-(

Meant to reply to this earlier as well but working on getting you coverage!

If you did not get coverage yet I can pick this up later tonight after running errands. My other GM sub table is back on track..,

I really, really appreciate it!! Thanks for everything! I’ll be back on Thursday.

Yeah, now my team is doing nonlethal damage to the assassin.