GM Trevor's Skull & Shackles

Game Master Trevor0828

Quote:

"No surprise round so everyone except Ioney and Nivian go, then the creatures, then Ioney and Nivian. Also, Onnello still has 1 CON damage."

I'm still here. Just waiting my turn. I'm after those things in Init, so there's that.

I think Hraak is missing before the enemies act, then I can do something.

Hraak did have trouble with his connection. So I would respectfully suggest maybe botting him with a readied attack or something - it's been 4 days.

Sorry Nivian I should have paid better attention. I read Hraaks last discussion post, I guess the plan was to get the internet repaired, but he never verified did he.

No worries :)
But didn't want to just empty-post for postings sake in a combat.

No worries :)

But didn't want to just empty-post for postings sake in a combat.

yeah, I've stopped doing that myself.

I'm HERE.

Got the internet cables run, later than planned due to issues with the repair guy, and then had some unrelated family stuff go sideways on Sunday.

Honestly, that should be the sum total of delays scheduled for me by the Universe for the forseeable future...I hope.

Big apologies. Seriously, I'm back and here now for daily posting.

* stands with his nose in the corner for punishment *

So......

Also, before we end this scene - we are all locked in the bilge to deal with this problem with no Scourge watching us.

I think I'll take the opportunity to introduce Carth, who was hiding in my clothing because I think people might not react well to my "poison snake pet" on the ship.

Alas, he IS a protector archetype familiar and would help out in such a situation(that latest hit would have not hit me even if Sebastion had not taken my place if Carth managed to assist my AC(with a roll of 5+ on d20))

But I didn't want someone to see a viper on my and try to "help" me violently by assuming it's another critter living in the bilge water, so he's kept a very low profile, until now :D

I hadn't really paid attention, but, that makes at least 3 of us who can cast CLW!

Bard, Cleric, Witch.

Thanks for the heads up, Niv!

And I hadn't caught that, Ioney. Hopefully it won't be necessary for us... lol

Does anyone want to do a loot sheet?

I guess that means no Onnello :)

@Onello: Starting attitudes of the crew are listed in campaign overview - and the associated DC's are in the diplomacy skills page - it's why I've been trying my luck with the indifferent ones and those I managed to make friendly. (Attitude worsens on a fail of 5+ - so with a +1 mod I had a ok chance of not making them unfriendly - been quite lucky with the rolls, so far.)

Starting Attitude Diplomacy DC
Hostile 25+ creature’s Cha Modifier
Unfriendly 20+ creature’s Cha Modifier
Indifferent 15+ creature’s Cha Modifier
Friendly 10+ creature’s Cha Modifier
Helpful 0+ creature’s Cha Modifier

So, all in all, your chosen target was really sub-optimal :D
As skills don't have auto-success or auto-failure, you would not have been able to reach the 25 DC regardless.

ಠ_ಠ

Ok, I'm sad I have to say type this out loud in discussion. I know how 'diplomacy' works.

I Intentionally picked an NPC that was Hostile so Onnello wouldn't muck up someone else's chance to influence an indifferent or unfriendly NPC. The reason I did this was because I wanted to post an action, but I didn't want to try and sneak around or open anything. The last time I did so slowed the overall posting rate down, which I feel is unproductive in the long run.

Onnello was built for fighting, sailing and dealing with obvious traps, not diplomacy or sneaking about. He will have other times to shine, but I wanted to post something. Offending NPC's we'll never turn seemed like a good time. The worst thing that could happen was some RP and maybe it would lead to fisticuffs.

Hey, a fight might have actually been cool.

These waters are too stale anyway... :P

I expected as much - but did you also know that you won't "muck up" someone else's chance, either? Because the attitude is per person, not towards us as a group.
So you can individually attempt to influence someone you actually have a chance of chatting up, and not worsen anybody elses chances. :)
(It's what Nivian's been up to, and with quite some success despite only slightly better chances).

But if you are trying to provoke a fight, I'm all up for that, but maybe don't pick Scourges lapdog, or we all will have a bad day for it :D

I expected as much - but did you also know that you won't "muck up" someone else's chance, either? Because the attitude is per person, not towards us as a group.

I did not know that! 'Don't pick Scourges lapdog?' LOL,

Just an FYI, Onnello, your late night attempt at the store didn't slow things down much and there are good things to be had there. You attempted to open the toughest lock..

Just an FYI, Onnello, your late night attempt at the store didn't slow things down much and there are good things to be had there. You attempted to open the toughest lock..

If there's a group that would want to attempt it, I'd give it a go again. But I'll pass on a solo thing.

So, do we have any missing actions from players, or...?

It seems Hraak did not post his night actions, but perhaps a DM bot would be appropriate? It has been a week, and it feels like the game pace is slowing down dangerously to a crawl.

Usually PbP players tend to get detached when nothing happens for long periods of time. Not many games live past that.

I was in Orlando for the weekend, had a hearing on Friday and spent the rest of the weekend decompressing from that.

There are a few story support bits for the dice chuck exercise. Get us to hate the establishment for overly harsh punishment, primarily, I think.

Skipping dice chucking that has minimum story impact is always preferable to me.

After some thought, I am considering skipping the day job stuff and just doing the event days. This part doesn't seem to translate well to PbP, and after the first few times seems to be a bit tedious. Let me know if you are OK wiith this. If so, I will change the day/night action sequence to take it into account.

I'm ok either way, I agree some of the stuff seems tedious. I like the Idea of what the writer was trying to do with the crew, but I don't think it translates to PBP well.

As I commented earlier, I'm in a S&S solo game where my player's goal is to be 'the Captain' so the diplomacy/intimidate thing was super important. Here, Onnello just wants to be part of the 'Vanguard' (yeah, I was watching 'Black Sails' when I created him) and a valuable crewmember on a ship with a likeminded crew.

Anyway, do what you will,

Personally I would rather not skip it, as I think it is a different and interesting part of this AP, but it needs to be roleplayed somewhat, there needs to be dialogue and interaction between players and NPCs, and stuff like that. Otherwise these are only rolls, and yes that is tedious.

In our case, and since the pace is quite slow (not saying it is good or bad, just a fact), the dice rolling becomes even less motivating. So for that reason, I think we best do as you suggest Trevor0828, and focus on the event days.

I think it would be very hard to RP all of the crew for the DM. The main characters are one thing, but having to create personalities and RP the other twenty or so other NPCs is a bit much.

I think the idea of streamlinimng the day jobs and just highlighting the event days is best for this format.

I'm really sorry for delaying the game. We had some real life drama over the last week which took up a huge ammount of my attention and greatly complicates my life at this time. I am afraid I must at this point withdraw from the game, with nothing but well wishes to all of you and the most sincerest of apologies.

I am sorry to hear that Hraak - no need for apologies as far as I am concerned. RL is just like that. Wish all the best to you and yours.

I concur...the "filler" days are there to give a thematic "surrounding", to keep us on our toes, to establish a daily routine. But I think that works better in a table game.

Focusing on the "event" days and just assuming we'll get some things done on the days between would likely lead to a better pacing for pbp.

Excellent, I got caught up in the details and forgot the advice I got about fillers. Going forward, everyone can do a single influence action for each non-event day. In addition, anyone that wants to do any late night stuff, like taking another shot at the ship's store or exploring certain areas, can just let me know and we will take care of those as well. I think this will speed things up and get us to the more meater portions of the AP.

So much meta flying around it makes my head hurt :P

@Onnello: Just get out there and hurt him!

So much meta flying around it makes my head hurt :P

@Onnello: Just get out there and hurt him!

I DO try and avoid previous knowledge. -_-

So much meta flying around it makes my head hurt :P

@Onnello: Just get out there and hurt him!

Yes, please don't make rolls until requested (not you Helgash). Also, I think it's a toss up between Onnello and Sebastion. Onnello does slightly more damage, but Sebastion has a slightly higher AC and a better Acrobatics skill.

Why is it a toss up between Onnello and Sebastian? Why would Helgash not be included in that list? :/

ninja' by Helgash, will edit:

Before deciding, I should point out that not only are no weapons alloed, but no armor as well. Another thing, I don't think anyone has the Unarmed Combatant feat. If Owlbear does have that feat, then your unarmed attacks will provoke AoOs from him, if not, then everything will be equal. Also, Onnello, your tag line says you have 17 hp? I think that is a misprint?

Sorry, sort of figured a perception check to inspect the enemy was the natural progression, sort of like a knowledge check. Clearly didn't mean to meta.

Ok, Hp is 13, it appears I copied the AC to the tag line instead of the HP, that has been fixed.

I figured no weapons, but no armor? Onello lives in his armor, basically wears it like someone would a vest. Do you want to tell him in character?

Onnello's acrobatics check sucks so if Sebastion wants to fight him that's fine as well. I'd rather sort it out 'in game' having conversations, but happy to let Sebastion fight Owlbear either way.

edit: Happy to let Helgash have a crack at him.

I figured Onnello would be our 'bone cracker', but hey... No need to dismiss Helgash. Even worse, dismissed by the DM... *shakes head*

I figured Onnello would be our 'bone cracker', but hey... No need to dismiss Helgash. Even worse, dismissed by the DM... *shakes head*

Onnello is happy to crack bones. But apparently 'pugilism' is a quick mans game.

Have at him. I'm just not sure if Onnello should 'meta' that he'd have to take off his armor or if I should wait for someone to tell him...

However, when the truth comes out, Onnello will happily let one of the two 'quicker' members of our little party have at him.

It appears Sebastion will also have to remove his armor, whereas Helgash will not...

Edit: OK, posted the question in game, we all know the answer but sadly Onnello doesn't. When they say 'no armor' Onnello will infer Helgash isn't wearing any so he should fight the big man...

Now I really want to see a young female halfling monk in a Skulls and Shackles game that volunteers for this fight :)

Why is it a toss up between Onnello and Sebastian? Why would Helgash not be included in that list? :/

Sorry, Helgash, I wasn't inferring that you weren't in the running too, I was responding to your post that seemed to indicate that you were only considering Onnello.

Ok, Hp is 13, it appears I copied the AC to the tag line instead of the HP, that has been fixed.

I figured no weapons, but no armor? Onello lives in his armor, basically wears it like someone would a vest. Do you want to tell him in character?

I figured that was the issue, but I wanted to make sure I didn't miss something.

As for living in your armor, for this type of event, the particpants are expected to fight without it.

cool, if you'd have Plugg put that in game in response Onnello will defer to one of the players without armor.

Just a heads-up - I will be gone for a vacation for a few days. Should be back in 3-4 days.

Enjoy!

No prbolem, if necessary I'll do any rolls.

Told you not to mess with the cook! :D

Btw, I think it's hilarious that Onnello has decided to atangonize the psychotic murderer, Lonegan. Helgash, you now have a permanent +2 to influence any of the crew.

Hey he's from Ilizmagorti, she seemed normal...

I'm very confused

Asking around, you find that no one carries a sword while working (except officers), but every one is expected to have some sort of knife as it is practically required for work. Some of the crew actually carry several small blades. Swords and such are stored in lockers or the armory to be handed out for boarding actions.

You have little time to loot the unconscious pirates, but you do come away with 2 culasses and 3 daggers,

I believe the conversations about carrying swords came after that? If Pluggs people are carrying swords (which clearly they are) I'm figuring Onnello will too, since he's in the rigging with most of them.

Also, three influence attempts may be made by each of you if you choose. Just let me know who.

Can they be on the same person? The two riggers who aren't hostile are Barefoot Sam and Ratline.

Hmmm, I see that. Let me amend, except for a very select few of the crew (Plugg's cronies), no one carries a sword while working. Also, the group that accosted you before was still in the sleeping area, they hadn't gone up yet.

Trevor0828 wrote:

Also, three influence attempts may be made by each of you if you choose. Just let me know who.

Can they be on the same person? The two riggers who aren't hostile are Barefoot Sam and Ratline.

Yes, you can use them any way you'd like, all on one, split up, however.

Hmmm, I see that. Let me amend, except for a very select few of the crew (Plugg's cronies), no one carries a sword while working. Also, the group that accosted you before was still in the sleeping area, they hadn't gone up yet.

Yeah, but they needed to be above decks quickly as well, so they wouldn't have had time to put them up, would they?

Still not sure, if Plugg's pet around him are armed, I think that Onnello still would carry his to make a point.

Let me think about it. In my mind's eye, he was carrying the cutlass since he picked them up, then traded them for his swords. Having stopped wearing them when you said to but got them back out for killing the rats.

Now that he's pissed off Syl, I'm not sure he wouldn't wear them, just daring someone to say something.

Would that be too disturbing to the game?

Naaaah, keelhauling is not as bad as they make it to be :D

lol