GM Trevor's Skull & Shackles

Game Master Trevor0828

Is there anything preventing us from taking 10 on the day jobs?

Yes, the fact that you are constantly harrassed and hurried by Scourge or Plugg.

Would Hraak think it possible to quietly pray for and prepare any of his spells while working, or would need to be something that he has to do on the next morning when he wakes, but before he starts his duties?

My assumption is he should be able to channel and have his domain abilities, but nothing more, but figured that I'd check.

You can do it in the morning or the evening. You are at full spells for today.

Nivian Mazu wrote:

Is there anything preventing us from taking 10 on the day jobs?

Yes, the fact that you are constantly harrassed and hurried by Scourge or Plugg.

Haha, got it. Albeit that will really make the stealth check difficult :) I suspect either of them is simply sneaking nearby and complaining via sign language.

Hraak Rhegnaz wrote:

Would Hraak think it possible to quietly pray for and prepare any of his spells while working, or would need to be something that he has to do on the next morning when he wakes, but before he starts his duties?

My assumption is he should be able to channel and have his domain abilities, but nothing more, but figured that I'd check.

You can do it in the morning or the evening. You are at full spells for today.

Awesome! I was concerned that due to the seasickness, he might not have gained them. I'll just assume he was praying for mercy between getting sick and passing out. lol

My apologies. I saw early yesterday what was going on and what I should be posting about, but by the time I was at home last night I forgot to look here and there were no new posts because you were already waiting on me!

I realized what had happened while at work today, and have remembered to come post like I should have last night.

My apologies.

@ Onnello - you get a +2 to influebnce him, your roll will determine how he answers you.

I added the + 2 to my roll, is Nivian going to the 'store' something we all are aware of or is Onnello too far away to take advantage of that?

is Nivian going to the 'store' something we all are aware of or is Onnello too far away to take advantage of that?

Good question, I assumed that she let you know of her plans, but I just realized she never actually said that, so it's up to her. She will do the shopping after lunch.

Onnello rolled a 21 on a sense motive for Ratline, any info to help us build relationship with him? I think I ninja'd your post where you said:

@ Onnello - you get a +2 to influebnce him, your roll will determine how he answers you.

Onnello rolled a 21 on a sense motive for Ratline, any info to help us build relationship with him? I think I ninja'd your post where you said:

Trevor0828 wrote:

@ Onnello - you get a +2 to influebnce him, your roll will determine how he answers you.

Answered in Gameplay

@ Onnello, the +2 is to influence, not gather information. You didn't get a +2 to your Sense Motive, your Sense Motive check was high enough to give you a +2 to influence him (either Diplomacy, Bluff, or Initimidate; based on your dialogue It looks like you are using Diplomacy or Bluff).

You can use Diplomacy to gather information about crew members or Sense Motive when trying to influence them to get information that may help you influence them.

As the group of new folks start to move about the ship, Onnello intentionally starts working on a rope near the other new rigger, a handsome gnome in a purple hat. "Afternoon, seems like were the new riggers. Names Onnello, originally sailed out of Ilizmagorti. Where do you hail from?"

Onnello Ustradi wrote:

As the group of new folks start to move about the ship, Onnello intentionally starts working on a rope near the other new rigger, a handsome gnome in a purple hat. "Afternoon, seems like were the new riggers. Names Onnello, originally sailed out of Ilizmagorti. Where do you hail from?"

You sense that if you were a woman, you would more easily influnce him.

"I'm busy. mind your own business." The foppish gnome says with an irritated voice.

Which gave us information for someone to approach him later.

Is Onnello allowed to get information about Ratline that will help us later or not? Or can someone else use the + 2 influence later, Onnello will be asking questions and trying to use 'sense motive' but he will not be making diplomacy, bluff or intimidation rolls.

Helgash, you find 6 bottles of Chelish brandy, worth 20 gold each, lost in the clutter of the galley.

And don’t worry you scurvy landlubbers - the next bottle of brandy will be to split with you all, for sticking together when those idiots tried to jump us in the morning. And one extra for Onnello for getting me a blade. Helgash does not forget ;)

Onnello, if you look where he described the influnce another action he said you can use Diplomacy for Gather Information and use Sense Motive when you try to influence them to get information that gives you a bonus to influence them. But the actual act of influencing them is done by a diplomacy, intimidate, ot bluff check. He also said that two people can work togethjer. That's what I plan to do for the evening with Rosie Cusswell, I'm great at Sense Motive, but abyssmal at Bluff and Diplomacy. I am good at Intimidate, but I don't want to use that except against maybe some of the less savory crew members.

Onnello, if you look where he described the influnce another action he said you can use Diplomacy for Gather Information and use Sense Motive when you try to influence them to get information that gives you a bonus to influence them. But the actual act of influencing them is done by a diplomacy, intimidate, ot bluff check.

That's not what happened the first time Onnello used 'Sense motive.' The first time he used Sense motive the GM informed Onnello that 'Conchobhar' would be more receptive to a woman.

The quote I listed above said:

You can use Diplomacy to gather information about crew members or Sense Motive when trying to influence them to get information that may help you influence them.

Which does describe what Onnello experiences when he used sense motive on Conchobhar.

The sense motive is for information. That information should be able to be passed on to someone who will be good at influencing folks. Which was what happened the first time Onnello used sense motive, later one of the women in the group went to speak with Conchobhar and he was receptive. Now if the 'information' is a + 2 to an influencing roll that's fine. I'm just asking to make sure the 'information' can be passed along, as was permitted the first time Onnello used 'Sense motive.'

Also, no offense, the question was for the GM. I'm trying to gauge the level of communication we'll be able to establish, since many of my questions or posts have been overlooked.

Onnello Ustradi wrote:

is Nivian going to the 'store' something we all are aware of or is Onnello too far away to take advantage of that?

Good question, I assumed that she let you know of her plans, but I just realized she never actually said that, so it's up to her. She will do the shopping after lunch.

Ah, sorry, I thought I responded to that but seems it didn't post.

As for the actual store visit, I am waiting on a prompt, as I am unsure how exactly you want to handle this. Is this like a market stand, where I just walk up and browse? Or like knock on her room, then tell her what I'm here for? Can I try and bluff her similar to Sandara? (I am a spooky witch and following Besmara - and I certainly do curses better than her.)
Does she realize that Nivians crossbow is actually an Underwater Model?(or just think it's a regular?)
Are there normal shop prices, or is there a discount for crewmates, or for the stuff they took from us?
(I don't need all of that answered, just saying there's plenty of open questions so that I'd rather wait for an initiation/prompt rather than make assumptions myself. Once we know how it works we can do it more independent, I guess.)

@ Onnello - what Sebastion said is correct. And yes, if you choose to not influence them, you can pass the information off to another. Also, the regular crewmembers are not as detailed as the others, that's why it's just a generic +2 to inlfuence if you pass a DC 15 Sense Motive or Gather Information(Diplomacy) check.

@ Nivian - Grok would recognize that your crossbow is a special type. All prices for equipment is standrad, no discounts for crew.As for trying to pull something off like Sandra did, yes you can try and bluff her and you get a +4 if you play upon her superstitious nature. And I haven't overlooked any of your post, you have to give me at least 24-48 hours to answer because I will sometimes have to skip a day for work.

Here is the post I referred you to, it describes how influencing and getting information about an NPC works"

OK, I misspoke. The Sense Motive means you engage in conversation and cannot take another action, but you can choose not to risk trying to influence them. The Gather Information check is something you do throughout the days and evenings and does not commit you to any action. Also, two people can try to influence the same person together. One acts as the primary, the other assists under the normal assist other rules. You can choose who is primary after the Diplomacy and Sense Motive rolls.

In addition, you may use Bluff (pretending to be their friend), Diplomacy (as normal), or Initimidate (normal for pirates) to influence. No matter which actual skill you use, it follows the normal Diplomacy rules for changing an NPC's attitude towards you.

Onnello, So you are not going to try and influence him, correct?

At - 1 Onnello isn't planning trying to influence anyone. That's why I'm asking about passing off the + 2 to figure out how to benefit the group the most. Once nightime begins he'll 'talk to someone about Ratline and hand off the + 2.

OK, that's fine. So, Onnello has the + 2 on Ratline can he pass off that + 2 to someone else later? Or does that person have to be with him when he does the 'sense motive'?

The reason I ask is he's the only 'rigger' so if the person must be with him then trying to get a sense motive on someone during the day shift will be pointless. If he can have a conversation with another character at the end of the day and pass off the 'information' (+2) then he'll keep doing it.

No, the +2 is from info you get from him, in this case, you realize that he is more friendly towards people that pull their weight as part of the crew. So, you can give that to anyone and if they are doing well on their job rolls they get the +2. And they can do it as a daytime action because even the riggers spend a fair amount of time on deck and everyone is together for lunch. Once you make a crewmember helpful, they can give one of the PCs a +2 to their job roll, but they must be in the same section (rigger or swab).

@ Nivian - Grok would recognize that your crossbow is a special type. All prices for equipment is standrad, no discounts for crew.As for trying to pull something off like Sandra did, yes you can try and bluff her and you get a +4 if you play upon her superstitious nature. And I haven't overlooked any of your post, you have to give me at least 24-48 hours to answer because I will sometimes have to skip a day for work.

No worries on overlooking. I just meant to make sure you were not waiting for me - if it takes some time until you get to things that is perfectly fine. But I didn't want to get botted and end up losing my action because I waited when I should have been proactive.

@recognize crossbow: Specifically I meant that "An underwater light crossbow functions like its normal counterpart above water, and can be used underwater." since it operates normally if she tests it, she may just think it's a custom fancy build. Hoped to just have it priced at the regular 35 gold rather than the 70, in case she never saw one, or is simple not very familiar with special aspects of weapons. I suppose some familiarity with them is expected, though, by a quartermaster.

Thank you for the clarification, I was jumping between posts and should have paid better attention to your original post because you did make it clear there. So, with that info Onnello will keep doing 'sense motive' with the riggers and passing on info to the 'characters who are swabs' to get the diplomacy check

Quick update, Grok is helpful to Helgash, anyone that tells her that they are friends with Helgash improves attitude to friendly to them (this affects the DCs of any Diplomacy checks). All other PCs can still influence her to make her helpful to them too.

Getting your starting gear: Anyone can attempt to get their starting gear back by making a diplomacy check (for helpful the DC is 0 + her CHA modifier (+2), for friendly the DC is 5 higher). And the "playing upon her superstitious nature" bonus still aplies (+4).

Guess I know what my night action will be (if Grok is around) :D

With that information about retrieving the Gear with such a check, I'll not spend any money given to me for the time being.
I'll let people attempt to get things back like that, if it fails, we can still buy it(and I'll volunteer to do that next time it is opportune) - but I think spending money to buy other people's gear that they COULD get back for free is inefficient.
If someone still wants me to try right now, do tell, otherwise I'll just go for my own stuff and let you know that she's fond of Helgash :D

...aaaaaaand that's when Hraak gets whipped again for insolence. LOL

Just realized that I screwed up and Ioney went last, not Hrrak. In any event, Hrrak would have waited until everyone getting punished was done before Channelling. I'd edit it if I could, but can't any more.

…she's fond of Helgash :D

I knew you would warm up to him!

...aaaaaaand that's when Hraak gets whipped again for insolence. LOL

Worth it! :D

Hraak Rhegnaz wrote:

...aaaaaaand that's when Hraak gets whipped again for insolence. LOL

Worth it! :D

Absolutely!

Might be kind of a dumb question, is 'shop' a potential nighttime action like daytime? Or can we do a 'Nighttime action' and shop? Planning on trying to butter up Grok to let Onnello get his gear, just need to know if he gets the nighttime action as well or if 'shopping' is the 'nighttime' action.

Shopping is a daytime action only, it gives you a -2 to your day job rolls. Currently Grok is friendly to each of you and helpful to Helgash. You can still inlfuence her to change her attitude to you to helpful.

Nivian Mazu wrote:

…she's fond of Helgash :D

I knew you would warm up to him!

Unlike that soup you serve? :D

Nice try, but Nivian is fond of ALL our prospective team members, of course.

...aaaaaaand that's when Hraak gets whipped again for insolence. LOL

Haha, and my hat off to you - I tried to post on that day but it didn't get through - either way, that passage pre-dated your action:

Helgash wrote:

Nivian Mazu wrote:

…she's fond of Helgash :D

I knew you would warm up to him!

Unlike that soup you serve? :D

Nice try, but Nivian is fond of ALL our prospective team members, of course.

Damn! :D

Does that mean you will be joining on the brandy sharing?

And Helgash hasn’t cooked yet, so…. No badmouthing his soup please.

Damn! :D

Does that mean you will be joining on the brandy sharing?

And Helgash hasn’t cooked yet, so…. No badmouthing his soup please.

I'll definitely partake in the brandy party.

As for your cooking. I literally KNOW you can't cook.(as that's a trained only skill in which you have no ranks) - you can maybe mash something edible together with your survival, but to be called a proper cook, there's quite some room to grow :D

And I'm not badmouthing your soup - not getting that anywhere near my mouth - just teasing Helgash a bit.

Well you know Helgash is not a cook, but Nivian does not :)

And I just need a level! Soon I will unleash the power of alchemical cooking...

Um, I don't understand what the big deal is, I mean she's a witch, have you seen what the put in their caldrons? Yikes!

Aye, and I'm teasing you, IC Nivian never did :D
And I totally feel you. Totally forgot about all the crew influencing and didn't invest in any social skills -_-

Um, I don't understand what the big deal is, I mean she's a witch, have you seen what the put in their caldrons? Yikes!

Hahaha true. Eye of a newt anyone? :)

Aye, and I'm teasing you, IC Nivian never did :D

And I totally feel you. Totally forgot about all the crew influencing and didn't invest in any social skills -_-

I kinda like that actually. I think at least some of the players are supposed to NOT have social skills. It is all part of the fun of Skulls and Shackles I think.

S&S was one of the first games I ever played on these boards some years back. It never went past level 1 or 2 if I remember correctly, but my character and most others had no social skills, no Profession (Sailor), no nothing apart from an half decent Climbing and Swimming in some cases. And it turned out to be a great experience, with failed tasks, punishments, beatings, the whole shebang. Felt... Real! :)

I'll confess, I'm in another (solo) S&S game and the character totally rocks social skills. So, I wanted to play a character who wasn't. I had created this iteration of Onnello a couple years back when I was binge watching 'Black Sails'. He's an introvert who likes being aboard ship and is good at it. But he's not good with people.

* slaps forehead * Ah. Having never played this AP, I hadn't realized we're not supposed to be any good at this stuff. Apologies. I'd say I'll try and have Hraak do worse...but he's already been seasick for an entire day and then flogged, so...

LOL

But Helgash and Ioney have been slamming the Diplomacy rolls!

Onnello Ustradi wrote:

Um, I don't understand what the big deal is, I mean she's a witch, have you seen what the put in their caldrons? Yikes!

Hahaha true. Eye of a newt anyone? :)

Oh, that would be neat, hu? Cauldon into Child Scent, then Cook People.

Nivian Mazu wrote:

Aye, and I'm teasing you, IC Nivian never did :D

And I totally feel you. Totally forgot about all the crew influencing and didn't invest in any social skills -_-

I kinda like that actually. I think at least some of the players are supposed to NOT have social skills. It is all part of the fun of Skulls and Shackles I think.

Oh, don't worry, "old" Nivian had VMC bard and diplomacy via trait, more Charisma and she was good at entertaining and talking.

I think I will try Diplomacy with those more ‘indifferent/friendly’ and Intimidate with those more hostile - should make for some fun interactions :P

So… Banter and stuff.

What a pain, all three of my posts from yesterday are missing? Is this a common occurence?

Sometimes, if the systems having issues. Normally when I'm missing posts it's because I hit preview and never submitted. But I have learned to type my posts on a different sheet, either word or a 'sticky' note, then copy and post and refresh the page until I'm sure it's there :(

Edit

@ Nivian and Onnello - neither of you gained any useful info, I'm guessing neither of you try to influence?

Onnello didn't, can one character do both a sense motive and an influence? I thought it was one or the other.

Hey Trevor, any results from Helgash’s influence attempt on Shivikah?

Sometimes, if the systems having issues. Normally when I'm missing posts it's because I hit preview and never submitted. But I have learned to type my posts on a different sheet, either word or a 'sticky' note, then copy and post and refresh the page until I'm sure it's there :(

Edit

Trevor0828 wrote:

@ Nivian and Onnello - neither of you gained any useful info, I'm guessing neither of you try to influence?

Onnello didn't, can one character do both a sense motive and an influence? I thought it was one or the other.

Ah, your preview comment may be what I did as I have been trying to limit my typos (I suck at typing).

No, the Sense Motive check is after you decided to try and influence as a way of finding out anything useful through conversation. If you don't find anything, you can decide not to risk trying to influence, but your action for that period is still used. The Diplomacy checks are just a Gather Information roll that represents you asking stuff throughout the day so it doesn't commit you to any action, nor use any action. So, you can both Sense Motive, and then try to influence as well.

Hey Trevor, any results from Helgash’s influence attempt on Shivikah?

I told you that you get a +2 to influence her, but I don't see any rolls to influence.

Btw, just so everyone is aware, for the regular crew memebers, the gather information just gives a generic +2 to influence. I only have special information for the four new crew members and certain ship's officers.

@ Nivian and Onnello - neither of you gained any useful info, I'm guessing neither of you try to influence?

Actually:

Evening action, she would like to try and learn more about Giffer Tibs.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 3 (Guess not)
Later that night, she would like to try and talk to Giffer Tibs regardless.

I backed away from Conchobar previously because he was already unfriendly and I did not want to push him to hostile by a botched attempt(against a higher DC).