Welcome!
I always do my best to run a friendly game. I want people to have fun and everyone to be able to laugh when something crazy happens.
I will be running the first adventure, A Foul Breed, from the Gallows of Madness. After that is complete we can discuss if I run the other two connecting adventures.
I would like it if everyone can post at least once a day. If you are going to be away from the game for a short period (such as attending a convention, on a short vacation, or needing to do some business travel), I would ask that you please post that here so everyone involved knows.
Acceptable characters
This adventure is being run in Campaign mode with the credit applied to any Pathfinder Society character of third level or less. The chronicle is applied at the end of the adventure so the character you are applying credit to is not locked out of other games. That said, they still need to be 3rd level or less when the chronicle is applied.
The chronicle grants 3 XP and 4 Prestige in normal advancement. Please keep this in mind if you plan to get the other two parts of this module on the same character.
I will allow you to play either a copy of the character you will be applying credit to or a new first level character with 150 gp in equipment. As this is in campaign mode, any expenditures or effects are not carried forward to the character receiving credit. They are two separate entities.
As a special rule for this run, I am allowing a starting Orc character that (other than race) abides by the normal restrictions of a society character. Any Orcs must be from either the Mwangi Expanse or the Burning Sun tribe in Belkzen. I am NOT allowing Orc feats that are not already available to half-orcs.
Character Profiles
Please have a profile header displaying a brief overview of your character's current status. At the least it should include current/maximum hit points, AC (including flat footed and touch), saving throws, and any pools of expendable resources such as panache, grit, arcane pool, rounds of rage, rounds of bardic performance or other things that get expended as you use powers.
In the character profile, please include a complete stat block. You may put it under a spoiler if you wish, but if you do so please put it under a single spoiler. I do not want it split across multiple spoilers.
If you have your character sheet on a different site, please have a link to it in your character’s headers. This allows me to pull it up from any post by the character, rather than having to go to the profile and from there to the external sheet.
If you want examples, the PbP GM Kit has the pregenerated characters done in BB Code. Use those as a general guideline.
Botting
Botting is when someone else makes a roll or otherwise does something on behalf of your character. Bot is short for robot.
Please include botting instructions in your profile and a general tactics in case someone else needs to bot your character. It is alright if you put this in a separate spoiler from the stat block, but once again please don't split it over multiple spoilers.
If there are resources you don’t mind being used up by botting, please say so. If there are resources you never want a person botting using, it is alright to say that as well.
If it makes you more comfortable, you could specify who you want to run your character when you can’t post.
If your character has any abilities that interrupt play such as Swashbuckler Parry and Repost, Dual Cursed Oracle’s Misfortune Revelation, the Bard Spell Saving Finale or anything else that would interfere with resolving a check, I ask that you have something at the start of your Botting instructions about when you want this used. The reason is that it can really slow down a PbP if every action is serialized.
In my experience, creating a bot structure can help with your own posts as well. Assuming you put complete dice expressions in the botting directions, it makes it easy to cut and paste.
Initiative in PbP
I will roll all Initiative checks for PCs and NPCs, sort them, and organize them into blocks. I will bold the names of characters that should act. I will take the NPC actions in order and reserve the right to delay an NPC in order to make them act with a group of other NPCs.
When it is your turn to act, please post. Do not wait for someone else to post just because they had a higher Initiative. If you know what you want to do but want to wait for someone else’s action to go off first, just say that.
Here is an example of how you could post before another player but have it go off after another player:
Sir Cumference waits for the elven archer Mister Oakleaf to get done firing his arrow before charging the Wily Snark.
I (and many other PbP GMs) do grouped Initiative in order to keep the adventure moving. In PbP people will have different posting schedules and often live in different time zones. Waiting for everyone to post in exact initiative order could make a single round of combat take days to resolve.
Within the rules, it is as if everyone within the same Initiative block delayed until they could post.
Chronicle information
I will be using RPGChronicles for the sign in and chronicle generation. If someone would rather not put their contact information in there, send me a private message and we can work something out.
Other character information:
I would like to know if you have a wayfinder, holy symbol, banner or other identifying iconography visible.
Rules Questions
If there are rules questions, please post them in the discussion thread rather than interrupting the gameplay thread with rules debates.
In Closing
Come join me for a fun game!
In case it wasn’t clear, this game will be part of the Outpost VI convention and sign up will start on Feb 7th for GMs and Feb 10th for everyone else. Recruitment is via the Outpost VI Event Listing.
The actual game will not start until March 6th.
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That said, they still need to be 3rd level or less when the chronicle is applied.
Clarification: Does that mean 3rd level before applying the Chronicle? The word "when" can be a bit slippery in how it's interpreted.
Thanks! :)
This sounds like a fun module. I hope I can get a spot when general sign ups start tomorrow.
Yes, 3rd level or less before applying the chronicle.
I have played it once and had a lot of fun with it.
There are three parts to Gallows of Madness. It is replayable at 1st level. If you apply all three chronicles to the same character, there is a bonus chronicle.
Currently I’m only committed to running the first section as part of Outpost. Once it is done my plan is to have a group discussion about if people wanted to continue with the other sections or not. We will reach a decision before I send out chronicles in case it affects anyone’s decision of how to apply credit.
If you start with a first level character, it would be 3rd level for the last section.
If you start with a second level character and apply the first two chronicles slow track, it would also be 3rd level for the last chronicle.
If you start with a third level character, you are not going to be able to apply all three chronicles to the same character. There is no reason that you couldn’t apply them to a different character though if we continue the adventure.
Let me know if you’ve other questions.
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This is the PC I registered for the adventure but I see we currently have 2 clerics and a sorcerer signed up. Hopefully we can get some melee muscle in here; they're usually very important at low-level scenarios.
I'm also not sure where we are skill-wise.
For the GM: Gaius has both his Wayfinder (from 'Confirmation') and a holy symbol (of Hathor no less!) visible.
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Will set up my character profile later today.
Furen is a melee cleric, albeit she's only lv1 so not as good as the dedicated melee class.
And I'm still comfused about how this module being a level 1 evergreen while having 3 parts work. Does it means that only one of the chronicle sheet is evergreen-able when applying to lv1 character (or two, if slow track)?
And I'm still comfused about how this module being a level 1 evergreen while having 3 parts work. Does it means that only one of the chronicle sheet is evergreen-able when applying to lv1 character (or two, if slow track)?
You can apply each part on as many different first level characters as you want. Once you apply a part on a character of second or third level, you can not play it on any other characters of above first level.
You could play all three parts on up to three different characters, but it would require that you change what order the sections are played in and that you slow track the first two parts on each of those three characters.
I don’t recommend it.
Since there have been a few private messages asking about the scenario, I thought that I should give you a little more detail about what to expect.
I will be assuming you are all Pathfinder agents.
I am still debating who I will use as the original quest giver, but they will be someone from within the Pathfinder Society. It will then shift to the mayor giving you the quest details.
I will expect players to follow the Society motto of Explore, Cooperate, Report. You should work together as a group.
This will start as a mystery to be solved so there will be a fair amount of NPC interaction. That said, the ending encounter is a significant combat. I like that this adventure is a mixture of skills and combat.
Alright, we have six people signed up.
Does everyone intend to play it with the character they are applying credit to? If not, please tell me about the character you will be playing.
Once you’ve decided on which board alias you will be using, go ahead and Dot & Delete in gameplay.
I look forward to running this for people!
As long as the character is third level or less, I’m fine with it.
We will need to figure the APL before starting so as to adjust the difficulty.
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Alright, we have six people signed up.
Does everyone intend to play it with the character they are applying credit to? If not, please tell me about the character you will be playing.
Once you’ve decided on which board alias you will be using, go ahead and Dot & Delete in gameplay.
I look forward to running this for people!
If I remain I will be applying the Chronicles to this PC.
I have an in person convention this weekend that I am preparing for.
After that, I would like to get everyone ready with character profiles, Botting spoilers, and such.
As I’ve said, you have two choices for this adventure, play a starting first level character or play a clone of your PFS character. The chronicle gets applied at the end, so if you are planning to play your regular character someplace else you will need to use a separate avatar.
Please do let me know here with a posting when your character profiles are done. I will need to adjust the adventure based on average character level.
Thanks so much for joining me for this adventure. I hope all of you will have as much fun with it as I did when I played it.
Feel free to ask questions here. I may be slow to answer but should still have net access through the convention.
I will be bringing a level 1.
I am unlikely to chime in over at least the next 3-4 days. My mom went to into hospital last night. Her prognosis is very poor.
I will be bringing a level 1.
I am unlikely to chime in over at least the next 3-4 days. My mom went to into hospital last night. Her prognosis is very poor.
I’m sorry to hear that Lysle. Best wishes to you, real life comes first.
My condolences to you Lysle. It is hard when a parent dies. I hope you at least were able to visit with your mom before she passed on.
May your fond memories of your mother stay with you.
——
I am sort of surprised no one has taken me up on the offer of playing a 1st level Orc.
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Thank you all for your kindness and understanding. Unfortunately, my mother did pass away. Needless to say, I am looking forward to some "healthy escapism".
I am thinking of bringing this half-orc barbarian with 1 XP to the table.
I'm very sorry to hear that your mother passed. It's never easy.
As for healthy escapism a damage dealer would be greatly appreciated at the table.
I am sort of surprised no one has taken me up on the offer of playing a 1st level Orc.Someone quicker than me will have to look up the post but it was clarified that the Orc race is *NOT* open for PFS1.
That is correct for PF1 scenarios and modules run in normal mode.
However, this is being run in Campaign Mode. In that case, the GM is allowed to modify the normal rules.
In Campaign mode, GMs can use their own rules for character creation and running the presented content (the entire book or series). They are not even required to use the Pathfinder RPG rules, but they must run the adventure using a tabletop roleplaying game and use the Adventure Path or Pathfinder Module as the primary source for the adventure content.
I am using normal Society rules with the exception that I had mentioned in the first post.
As a special rule for this run, I am allowing a starting Orc character that (other than race) abides by the normal restrictions of a society character. Any Orcs must be from either the Mwangi Expanse or the Burning Sun tribe in Belkzen. I am NOT allowing Orc feats that are not already available to half-orcs.
In that case, it also has to be a first level character.
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I am sort of surprised no one has taken me up on the offer of playing a 1st level Orc.Someone quicker than me will have to look up the post but it was clarified that the Orc race is *NOT* open for PFS1.
That is correct for PF1 scenarios and modules run in normal mode.
However, this is being run in Campaign Mode. In that case, the GM is allowed to modify the normal rules.
In Campaign mode, GMs can use their own rules for character creation and running the presented content (the entire book or series). They are not even required to use the Pathfinder RPG rules, but they must run the adventure using a tabletop roleplaying game and use the Adventure Path or Pathfinder Module as the primary source for the adventure content.I am using normal Society rules with the exception that I had mentioned in the first post.
As a special rule for this run, I am allowing a starting Orc character that (other than race) abides by the normal restrictions of a society character. Any Orcs must be from either the Mwangi Expanse or the Burning Sun tribe in Belkzen. I am NOT allowing Orc feats that are not already available to half-orcs.
In that case, it also has to be a first level character.
Then what would happen, apply the CS to a PFS character?
Correct.
Even if you play your own character here, no changes other than applying the chronicle will happen to it. You do not use up ammo or other consumables.
There is a reason that I stated it as a clone of your character. Basically what happens here is separate from what happens to the character the chronicle is applied to. The character receiving credit gets what is on the chronicle, nothing more or less than that.
This also means that characters can be more generous than normal since the gold spent in this module is not deducted from the character nor does it reduce the amount earned in the chronicle.
Please, if you have more questions about campaign mode ask them. I don’t want anyone surprised by it.
So for this adventure, it looks like we have:
Cracking" John: male half-orc unchained barbarian (invulnerable rager) 1
Mallycorn Tavee: male human Cleric of Pharasma 3
Azalmak: male half-orc slayer 1
Furen E Lustario: female undine cleric of ? 2
Gaius Marius: male human inquisitor of Hathor 2
Relgar: male gnome tattooed Draconic sorcerer 3
APL = (1 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 3 ) /6 = 12 /6 = 2.
@Furen, could you please let me know what god or goddess you worship?
Mallycorn,
Please make a post in Gameplay and then delete it. That way your character will show up on the list of characters and this will show on your campaign page.
Thanks!
It is fine with me. I think both gods can be interesting choices.
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If someone could copy Relgar (and Gregor, his familiar) avatar over to the slides it would be appreciated.
Desna has insanely powerful domains and CG is a good alignment aura for your cleric to be able to call in help at latter levels. Relgar's choice of deity is much more questionable although being a sorcerer it is unlikely to come up in game often, at least publicly. :)
If someone could copy Relgar (and Gregor, his familiar) avatar over to the slides it would be appreciated.
Done.
@GM Bret - Thanks. Whilst adventuring Relgar will ride his mauler familiar (who flies). In an urban environment Gregor will mostly be completely out of sight in tattoo form. :)
I hope you aren’t thinking you are riding the familiar as it flies.
Even in Mauler form, the familair doesn’t have enough strength to carry you and your equipment.
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Sure he does. Gregor's light capacity is 50 pounds(Strength of 13). My character's weight plus equipment comes in at 48-49 pounds. He is riding the familiar bareback (so -5 on his riding checks).
By RAW it works out just fine but if you have issues with it then my character can just buy some scrolls of Ant Haul which would triple Gregor's carrying capacity. Let me know how you would like to proceed. :)
I get a different value. Please either show your math or correct mine.
Your familair starts at Str 6. The Mauler increases that by 1 to a 7 at 3rd level, which you are.
In Battle Form it increases in size (gaining +2 Str) and gets a +2 size bonus, making it a total of 11 Str in Battle Form.
Carrying Capacity in Medium battle form:
11 38 lbs. or less 39–76 lbs. 77–115 lbs.
You plus your equipment is a total of 48-49 pounds, which is clearly in Medium encumbrance for the familair. It can’t carry Medium encumbrance and fly.
You can ride it while it is encumbered, but it can’t fly while encumbered.
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To calculate the change in size we need to check out the handy transmutation chart on page 212 of the Core Rule Book. Now to change from Tiny to Small size it will be a +4 Strength, -2 Dexterity adjustment and there is no change from Small to Medium size according to this chart.
I just checked my sources (Ultimate Wilderness and Familiar Folio) and Ultimate Wilderness does expand on the text in the Familiar Folio entry and explicitly tells you to use this chart in Core Rule Book.
Pathfinder Math is now in action. :)
Alright, that does explain the difference in our values. I will need to figure out where I got the +2 from, but reading that chart it does appear to be +4.
That would give it the total 13 Strength you stated.
13 50 lbs. or less 51–100 lbs. 101–150 lbs.
Provided you don’t pick anything up of a pound or more, it looks like you are within the weight capacity. I will spend some time later going over this more to make sure nothing is missed.
It is good that you have ride skill, but did you include the “If you attempt to ride a creature that is ill suited as a mount, you take a –5 penalty on your Ride checks.” Tiny dinosaurs are not typical mounts.
Alright, took me some digging.
Looking in the 1e FAQ for [Character Companions] Can my familiar wield weapons? Can it wear or use armor or magic items?
Avian* (armor, belt, eyes, headband, neck, ring, saddle, wrist): Archaeopteryx, arctic tern, bat, chicken, clockwork familiar, dodo, dove, flying fox1, hawk, kakapo, mockingfey, nosoi, osprey, owl, parrot, peafowl, penguin, pseudowyvern, ptarmigan, puffin, raven, rhamphorhynchus, snail kite, snark, snowy owl, thrush, toucan
Looks like they have decided it can take a saddle. Since it can take a saddle, at some level someone thought it works as a mount.
I would not have gotten that from the description of the animal.
This creature looks like a cross between a bird and a reptile, sporting leathery wings, a beak filled with needlelike teeth, and a long tail ending in a diamond-shaped vane.
I have trouble imagining a saddle or rider on something like that, but the FAQ indicates to me that it works.
Given it can take an exotic saddle, I will consider it suited as a mount.
So I haven’t really looked at the Mauler archetype. How long does the Battle Form last? I didn’t see a duration directly listed and have already done more research into this than I really care to. Please save me the research time and point me to an answer on this.