Actions: ◆◆
Requirements: Students are present to witness your attempt to communicate and there are appropriate means of communication (such as items of negligible Bulk to manipulate, powder to write in, or lights to make a pattern).
You try to communicate a simple message to the students. Attempt an Athletics, Diplomacy, Occultism, or Thievery check with the following results:
Critical Success: You communicate a phrase of up to 10 words.
Success: You clearly communicate one word to the students.
Failure: The students cannot understand your communications.
Critical Failure: The students misinterpret your message, gaining incorrect information determined by the GM.
Areeza's punishing blow has as much force behind it as she can muster - so much so that she can't control the blade's arc.
Areeza Will vs DC 16:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
She shakes off the confounding effects of the serpent's tail, then steps around it to pinch it between her and Yakuthiel before swinging her scimitar again!
But even with Zug's encouragement, she can't quite control the force she puts behind the weapon. The creature giggles, then turns its attention to the newcomer - Yakuthiel.
Out of Initiative! Damage Report:
Termia (-4)
Yakuthiel (-2)
Areeza (-12)
Go ahead and include any restorative actions you want to take in your next post.
Vim cheers as the last attacker falls, startling Tels into dropping the sword he just finished removing from its rack. The students both jump back as the blade hits the padded floor with a clunk not unlike Zug's cowbell, then peer at it in confusion. "Did... Did it..." Tels asks slowly.
"Where did it go?" Vim starts cautiously patting the floor, her hands passing right through the weapon as if it were a ghost.
"I... uh... Maybe we should just go share our report with everyone else?"
"Yeah... That sounds like a good idea." The students both gather their notes and head back to the common room.
Issil shouts triumphantly. "Ha! No colorful fish will overwhelm the great Carnelian- the great Issil Telfae!" She looks about- it's so hazy- and bids anyone injured to approach her. "Let's quickly get rid of those wounds." She raises her hands.
Heal:1d8 ⇒ 7
Everyone feels the warmth radiate from her. Termia and Yakuthiel see the bite wounds revert completely while Areeza still has a few marks remaining. "I'm not sure how much time we can spend sitting here and patching up while the children are running amok. Grandmother had to practically lock me in my room when she needed some peace and quiet." She rolls her eyes.
"I'm going to return to the main room and see if the children sit still long enough for me to take a break." Issil returns to the common room and tries to spend 10 minutes Refocusing.
HP 34/34 | AC 20 | Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5 | Perc +7 | Hero (3/3) | Exploration: Search for hazards
"Squad leader, the hostilities seem to have ended for now, but this lodge may still be dangerous," Termia reports to Areeza, saluting. "We cannot guarantee the students' safety if we linger here. What are our plans of getting out?"(Vander, Yakuthiel, is there something you'd like to share?)
Issil's restorative magic mends Termia's injuries, but there is little change in the soldier's expression or posture. "Thank you, colleague."
Human Fighter 7 | AC 25 | HP 106 | F +15, R +13, W +13 | Initiative +17 | Perception +15 | Athletics +18 | Performance +12 | Acrobatics +11 | Intimidation +10 | Crafting, Sailing Lore +9 | ◆
"Ummm. We found something in the southern room. It was a piece of paper. We were able to get the kids' attention to it."
Yakuthiel will attempt to let them know what it said.
The paper read:
In Case of Planar Emergency wrote:
Reminder! Arcanists from the Grand Lodge have warded the entire grounds with a Material Failsafe ritual in order to contain possible damage from extraplanar anomalies related to the Maze of the Open Road. Triggering the protections of the ritual is a straightforward process, but requires the following focus items:
• A pitcher of water
• A steel shield
• A large lodestone
To achieve maximum ritual potency, bring the focus items as close as possible to the center of any extraplanar disturbance. Grasping the focus item firmly, speak the activation word, "Narven." To avoid accidental triggering of the ritual, simultaneous activation of all three focus items is required, so please coordinate carefully with fellow staff members. Focus items may need to be activated as many as three times to firmly re-anchor the area to the Material Plane.
I have stored the lodestone in my quarters so it will not be misplaced. ~A.J
CN Human Male| Psychic 1| HP 15/15| AC 15| F +4, R +5, W +7| Perc +5| 25 Feet| Exploration Activity: Search| Hero Points 1/3| ◆◇↺
Vander quirks a brow at Issel's outburst, and is about to say something before Termia reports in and brings up the question of what to do next.
One gain he begins to say something before Yakuthiel gets right to the point.
"Yes, we found this earlier and the little rug rats know about it. I think this may be a cure to what ails us, namely being invisible. Any thoughts as to how we can acquire what's on this list?"
In the common room, Issil watches as Tels and Vim explain their notes to the rest of the class. Vim acts out some of the more impressive moments - like Yakuthiel's snake-skewer and Areeza's final chop - while Tels likens the combat to a ruk scrum. The other students cheer and applaud appropriately, but not loudly enough that it distracts the Pathfinder from her meditations.
Termia looks at the mirror, but only sees the same target dummies and racks of weapons in the reflection as Yakuthiel and Vander explain their findings.
Perception DC 15:
The practice equipment includes both wood and metal shields in addition to the blunted weapons.
Areeza and Yakuthiel notice the rack of shields almost at the same time and walk over to collect one. Unfortunately, they find their hands passing right through each and every piece of equipment, save for one - the sword Tels dropped, which Yakuthiel nearly trips over.
As a reminder, @Areeza is still down 5 hp. If you want to do something about that, include it at the start of your next post!
In the common room, Issil hears voices from the eastern hallway. "...should stay outside. We're not chefs. We don't belong in here." It sounds like Hari.
"...we find the secret ingredient without going in, Hari?" Geltra answers before yelping. "Ow! Stop it Ruffles!"
Issil hears the children mumbling to the east. There's still a smoky mist in front of her, but she's used to it.
Children sneaking off? Unsurprising. She stands up and returns to her allies. "The children in the eastern hallway are getting into the kitchen. They're looking for a secret ingredient of some kind. I suggest we go there next."
She looks about. "What's going on? Are you looking for something?" She slowly moves through the fog towards Tels's sword.
Assuming someone tells her about the note, she grins. "Finally. A way out of this purgatory. And that's the shield? Maybe we can ask the students to pick it up."
CN Human Male| Psychic 1| HP 15/15| AC 15| F +4, R +5, W +7| Perc +5| 25 Feet| Exploration Activity: Search| Hero Points 1/3| ◆◇↺
"Nice find Areeza. I am shocked I didn't see it there." Nodding to Issil "Let's hope so. I agree, let's see if we can motivate these students to gather what is needed."
HP 34/34 | AC 20 | Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5 | Perc +7 | Hero (3/3) | Exploration: Search for hazards
"Roger that, colleagues," Termia salutes at Issil and Vander's suggestion. She marches over to the drouge tile set, and, through great effort, spells out the words, "shield in training hall".
"Of the three ingredients, I suspect a pitcher of water will not be hard to come by. Next we should look for this lodestone." After a brief pause, she adds: "Did some of the students say something about a 'secret ingredient', just now? Permission to investigate?"
"Shield... int... rain... in... ghall?" Vim thinks for a moment before her red eyes widen. "Oh! The training hall! Yeah, there were shields there! Do you want one? I'll go get it!"
When Termia investigates the kitchen, she finds a wide variety of chopped herbs and ground spices sitting out in small bowls on a wooden island. Cookbooks lie open on the island as well, and a dusting of flour coats the work surface. Everything seems to be in place for the cooking of a delicious meal, and it appears that at least four dishes are cooking simultaneously. But things are getting out of hand on the large oven and cooktop along the western wall - pots are on the verge of boiling over, and hot oil sputters in frying pans. Termia's practiced threat assessment informs her that the cookbooks are in danger of being ruined if something is not done, and her common sense tells her that the secret ingredient the students need is likely recorded within one of them.
"I can smell food cooking, but where is it?" Geltra stands in the doorway and keeps a tight hold on her pigeon Ruffles, who flutters energetically in her arms and has his eyes locked on some spilled caraway seeds.
For ease of keeping things moving, I will assume that everyone wants to come help with this and thus starts this encounter in or near the kitchen.
Zug arrives at the scene and quickly assesses the situation. The most direct approach would probably be to finish cooking the food (Cooking Lore or Crafting). Alternatively, the students might be able to help - if someone can communicate to them what needs to be done (Diplomacy or Occultism). (Given that the students can also help, you can also attempt to Aid using the Communicate from Beyond activity.)
Each attempt to disable the hazard requires two (2) actions spent inside the kitchen to make the check. Multiple successes are needed, and a critical success counts twice. A critical failure, however, removes one success.
Botting Zug
Zug fearlessly rushes into the kitchen and starts writing instructions in the flour. Hali... Stir... Pot
Zug Diplomacy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 11
Hali tries to help, but picks a different pot than Zug intended. A foul smell like curdling milk bursts from the liquid...
Zug Fortitude:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
...but the Pathfinder has smelled worse and is unbothered - at least until everything in the kitchen starts splattering and spraying hot grease and boiling water everywhere!
Targets:5d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 4, 2, 2) = 16
Splatter vs Yakuthiel AC 20:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Splatter vs Areeza AC 18:1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 5 = 17 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Splatter vs Termia AC 17:1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (16) + 9 - 10 = 15 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Splatter vs Issil AC 19:1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 10 = 12 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Splatter vs Issil AC 19:1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 10 = 12 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
Hot grease sizzles on the floor, but the Pathfinders manage to avoid getting any on their skin. "Do you smell something burning?" Geltra asks worriedly.
Active Conditions:
- Hazard can be disabled as a 2-action activity to roll a Cooking Lore, Crafting, Diplomacy, or Occultism check while in the kitchen
- Communicate from Beyond can be used to Aid
Issil comes to her senses. There is still smoke everywhere. And the kitchen has even more! Ooh!
She looks at the cooking pots. "I have no idea how to help this. Usually my assistants do the cooking."
She dodges and sidesteps the boiling liquids. "With so much fire... I see."
She looks at the team. "I can help one of you >Resist Energy<. Fire, in particular. Who is good at cooking, or talking to the students?"
◆◆ Issil will cast >Resist Energy<, for 5 Fire resistance. The first person to speak up gets it. If no one wants it, Issil will use it on herself. ◆ Issil will cast >Shield< for AC 20. I'll Shield Block for Hardness 5 if I get hit.
CN Human Male| Psychic 1| HP 15/15| AC 15| F +4, R +5, W +7| Perc +5| 25 Feet| Exploration Activity: Search| Hero Points 1/3| ◆◇↺
Vander jumps as he is nearly splattered with how grease. "Ah! Well, I was never any good in the kitchen, but there is a first time for everything right?"
Vander tries to guide the action as best he can.
Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (2) + 7 = 9
HERO POINT! Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Had to burn a HP there, my dilpo rolls have been downright awful!
The Pathfinders struggle with the unexpected task of cooking without any cooking utensils or other equipment. Each of them strives to bring the kitchen back under control. Each of them only succeeds in releasing more noxious bubbles from the rapidly-spoiling food.
Yakutiel, Termia, and Vander each need to make a DC 17 Fortitude save or become Sickened 1.
Botting Areeza
Areeza joins her companions in the kitchen and tries to help Geltra understand what needs to be done...
Areeza Diplomacy:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
...but the poor confused student only delivers another gas bubble.
Areeza Fortitude vs DC 17:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Botting Zug
Zug continues to draw in the flour, though the powder seems to be disturbed somewhat by all the movement going on in the room.
Zug Diplomacy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Hari nods confidently and grabs the handle to one of the skillets with both hands. They begin to gently swirl the pan, releasing the bubbling air trapped beneath the thick sauce inside in a controlled manner. It's only a small island of calm in the sea of smoke and spattering though.
Targets:4d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3, 5) = 15
Splatter vs Yakuthiel AC 20:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
Splatter vs Issil AC 20:1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (13) + 9 - 5 = 17 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Splatter vs Areeza Sickened AC 17:1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (9) + 9 - 10 = 8 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (3) + 3 = 6
Splatter vs Yakuthiel AC 20:1d20 + 9 - 10 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 10 = 16 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Yakutiel is caught in the crossfire and gets a nasty burn on one arm from some hot grease. It might be a while before the smell comes out.
Active Conditions:
- Hazard can be disabled as a 2-action activity to roll a Cooking Lore, Crafting, Diplomacy, or Occultism check while in the kitchen
- Communicate from Beyond can be used to Aid
The Pathfinders are made of stern stuff and push through the vaporized combination of vinegar and honey to continue their work. Yakuthiel almost slips and falls through the table while trying to shake an empty mixing bowl to catch Hali's attention (failure to Aid does not provoke need for Fortitude save), but Termia somehow finds her face inches from a tomato-and-vodka sauce when a big bubble filled with alcholhol-ized garlic fumes pops free of the mixture.
Termia, that'll require another Fortitude save (DC 17) to avoid becoming Sickened 1.
Geltra nods as Issil finishes communicating and grabs a ladle from its hook on the wall with one hand (the other still being occupied with holding her pigeon prisoner). She puts the spoon into a pot of thick bean soup and pantomimes stirring, allowing the sticky-sweet mixture to settle back down. Success!
Bubble Bubble, Toil and Trouble
Round 2! Bold may act!
Cooking Disaster (2 successes)
Issil
Areeza (Sickened 1)
Termia (Resist 5 fire, Fortitude save DC 17 needed)
Yakuthiel (-5)
Vander (Fortitude save DC 17 needed)
---------- (Round divider)
Zug
Active Conditions:
- Hazard can be disabled as a 2-action activity to roll a Cooking Lore, Crafting, Diplomacy, or Occultism check while in the kitchen
- Communicate from Beyond can be used to Aid
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
Diplomacy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Zug gives up on the flour-writing, finding it inefficient. Instead, as there are now flour all over, the goblin starts drawing arrows from ingredients to pots. Soon the floor is covered with a spider-web of arrow-patterns.
Geltra does her best to follow Zug's directions, but ends up using the same spoon for both the alfredo sauce and the tomato-vodka sauce and creating an odor that can only be described as... awful.
Zug will need to make a DC 17 Fortitude save to avoid becoming Sickened 1.
On the other side of the kitchen, Vander guides Hali through flipping balls of twisted dough in a hot skillet. The bottoms are a bit burnt at this point, but perhaps they're supposed to be that crispy? In any case, the kitchen is now more calm than chaotic.
Botting Areeza
Areeza tries to clear her stomach of nausea...
Areeza Fortitude, Sickened vs DC 17:1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 6 - 1 = 9 Areeza Fortitude, Sickened vs DC 17:1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (2) + 6 - 1 = 7 Areeza Fortitude, Sickened vs DC 17:1d20 + 6 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 6 - 1 = 20
...and eventually gets the smell out of her nose!
Targets:2d6 ⇒ (4, 2) = 6
Splatter vs Termia AC 17:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (1) + 9 = 10 Fire damage, Resistance:1d6 + 3 - 5 ⇒ (1) + 3 - 5 = -1
Splatter vs Issil AC 20:1d20 + 9 - 5 ⇒ (17) + 9 - 5 = 21 Fire damage:1d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4
Issil doesn't pay attention to the pot next to her until it suddenly boils over, splashing hot water onto her leg!
Bubble Bubble, Toil and Trouble
Round 3! Bold may act!
Cooking Disaster (3 successes) Issil (-4)
Areeza
Termia (Resist 5 fire)
Yakuthiel (-5)
Vander
---------- (Round divider)
Zug (Fortitude save DC 17 needed)
Active Conditions:
- Hazard can be disabled as a 2-action activity to roll a Cooking Lore, Crafting, Diplomacy, or Occultism check while in the kitchen
- Communicate from Beyond can be used to Aid
Issil sacrifices her Shield to absorb all of the burning grease.
"I can barely see anything in this smoke!"
Diplomacy:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23
"Come on students. Mix the... uh... flour... into the... oil. To make the... er... dumplings?" Issil tries to remember the few lessons her manor's assistants have mentioned before.
HP 34/34 | AC 20 | Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5 | Perc +7 | Hero (3/3) | Exploration: Search for hazards
Fortitude:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14
A tomato-ey explosion splatters on Termia's face, spitting searing-hot sauce down her throat. Still there is barely a change in the stoic soldier's facial expression.
"Do not falter, colleagues! Order will be brought to this kitchen!" she yells, her voice hoarse from the earlier sauce incident.
Crafting:1d1 + 4 - 1 ⇒ (1) + 4 - 1 = 4 (Uh oh. I hope the crit fail isn't too detrimental.)
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
"Noooo, the other left!!!!" Zug tries to warn, but too late. The tomato-vodka sauce bellows a thick smoke, enveloping the goblin.
Fortitude:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (18) + 5 = 23
Zug tries his instructions again, improving them so that even a student should understand the process.
@Issil - unfortunately, Shield Block can't be used to prevent energy damage (only physical like Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing).
@Termia - it looks like you accidentally rolled a d1 rather than a d20. XD Termia d20 Roll:1d20 ⇒ 8
Under Issil's watchful eye, Hari alternates between and pouring the hot oil and water with mixing in flour and seasoning with a wooden spoon. Success! A thick, stiff pastry dough forms that will need to rest for a while before further handling. Termia's call for order only elicits ideas of cooks calling "Order up!" at a restaurant kitchen - but the warrior suppresses her gag reflex, so it's not all bad. The hazard can only make you Sickened 1 on a failed Disable attempt, so I'm resolving that Fortitude save as a successful action to recover from the Sickened condition instead.
Yakuthiel and Vander continue working together, the former pushing small jars of various spices across the counter to Geltra as the latter talks the student through which one to add next to the tomato-vodka sauce. Once all of them have been added, the pan is removed from the stove and set onto a folded towel next to Ruffles the pigeon. Crit Success on the Aid and Success on the check!
Out of Combat! Damage Report:
Issil (-4)
Yakuthiel (-5)
Go ahead and include any restorative actions you want to take in your next post.
The kitchen at last is calm - and the smell, while not amazing, is at least appetizing. (Collectively, the food functions as 2 minor healing potions and an oil of weightlessness.) Geltra and Hari ignore the fruits of their labors and instead leaf through the books on the table until the half-elf shouts triumphantly. "Hah! Woodsedge Tart recipe right here! And it looks like the secret ingredient is... cinnamon, from Minata. That's a country in Tian Xia, right?"
Geltra nods as she writes, trying her best to copy the illustration in the cookbook onto her own page. When she finishes, she plucks Ruffles off the counter (he squawks indignantly) and motions back to the common room. "Let's tell everyone else, right?"
"Right. And thank you for the help, Pathfinders!" Hari looks around for a sign of the chaperones' presence, then settles on bowing to the empty kitchen in general. With that, the two students head back through the meeting room to the rest of the class.
Perception DC 20:
As the two students leave the kitchen, one of the dirty pots in the sink rises up into the air as if being lifted by invisible hands. It doesn't stop as it reaches the ceiling, but passes right through the wood without making a sound or leaving a scratch.
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18 "What? Where? Me see nothing!"
HP 34/34 | AC 20 | Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5 | Perc +7 | Hero (3/3) | Exploration: Search for hazards
(Wow, I genuinely don't know how I rolled a d1 by accident.)
Termia looks around the pacified kitchen, her eyes scanning each pot, pan, cooking utensil, ingredient, and spice dispenser. "It's a start. We shall return here to clean up thoroughly once we have a more tangible effect in this reality."
Perception:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Something catches Termia's attention. "You there!" she yells at the ceiling. "That pot is the legal property of the Pathfinder Society Woodsedge Lodge! Return the stolen good immediately!"
When she receives no answer, she turns to the other agents. "We are now witnesses to a crime. Our duty is to chase after the thief. To the upstairs!"
"Sounds like Termia saw where they went..." Issil follows closely, as smoke obscures everything outside her immediate view. "Shall we follow? I do like a chase."
Termia and Issil (and anyone else who wishes) follow the students out of the kitchen, but leave them behind in the common room as they ascend the staircase to the upper floor. There, they find the environment decidedly more chaotic than below - shifting patterns in the carpet constantly change colors, strange smells of ocean, swamp, and desert all mix together, and odd noises of all types ring through the air in a nearly-silent cacophony. Closed doors lines the outer walls of both landings. The pot is nowhere to be seen.
Areeza finds a quiet place in the common room to pray, but she can't stop the nagging sensation that someone is up to something... questionable. Someone... in the library.
"Ah, Areeza. Did you find any leads?" She turns to the goblin and smirks as she hears library.
"I'm not too surprised. Someone was sticking his nose in too many curious books." She turns to Termia. "Sounds like the party leader wants us to investigate the Library. This room will take time to look through, anyway."
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
"Library... ok..." Zug mutters, and follows reluctantly. Years of travelling has made him used to all kinds of ideas, but the hatred towards written word sits deep in his goblin blood.
Best to deal with this quickly, the goblin storms into the room of soul-stealing books.
The Pathfinders return to the library to find Alec Gracekin no longer sitting with his feet on the table, but instead kneeling in front of the hidden door hard at work with a set of thieves' tools. "The good stuff must be in here," he mutters to himself as he works.
If you wish to distract him, remind him of the field trip rules, or otherwise communicate, it will require the Communicate from Beyond activity.
"Now now. Reading is quite exciting, especially when you have a hot bath, a nice cup of tea, and a few drawings to get your-" Issil catches herself as she sees Alec fiddling with the locked door. "Reading AND Thievery? Daring, aren't we?"
She returns to the bell.
Performance:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
"Now, now Alec. You're not supposed to enter there. We'll let you in when you're older..."
Alec startles at the sound of the bell right above him and loses his balance. He puts a hand out and catches himself on the door - but as his fingers touch the wood, distorted sigils light up in greens and reds as if in response! Across the library, similar glyphs activate. Within moments, the room is crowded with tiny pig-snouted creatures that gleefully turn their attention to the Pathfinders.
First off, thank you all for being willing to come on an adventure with me! Now, to business.
Expectations
- I will post every day. I hope everyone can post every weekday and at least once over the weekend, but stuff happens - which leads me to:
- I will bot you if we haven't heard from you in 24 hours. Please include botting instructions in your character profile, or I will have to get creative in the most entertaining (for me) way possible. Please also let me know if you are expecting an extended period of absence so I can PM you and preemptively hash out major decision points to keep the story moving. On a related note:
- I will make "reactive" rolls to keep the story moving along. If you want to make a roll as part of an action/decision/etc, please do so. I might modify the skill used or add circumstantial bonuses/penalties based on circumstances. Which brings me to my final point:
- I will happily add circumstantial bonuses (or penalties) for roleplaying. I hope, for example, that you will accompany your diplomacy check with what your character is actually saying. It makes it so much easier for me to respond if you give me material, and we make such a more fulfilling and exciting story together.
If you're worried or concerned about any of these expectations, or about anything related to this game, post it here or PM me. We can figure something out so you have a good time.
In addition to making “reactive” rolls for characters, I also like to roll Knowledge checks for players so we don't have to wait for a back-and-forth between player and GM. To that end, I tailor what a character might remember about a creature. (For example, a fighter will probably care more about a golem’s DR while a wizard would remember that it’s immune to spells and an alchemist is super excited that it blows up when it dies.) Let me know what your character is most concerned about with an opponent - otherwise, I'll use my best judgment. If this will be a problem for you, let me know (either here or via PM) and we’ll work something out.
We’ll be using block initiative during encounters. Actions will be resolved in the order that they were posted in. While this can do some weird things with a single character acting "twice" before another, it is easier for both players and GM to track the sequence of events this way. I highly encourage tactics such as:
Example wrote:
McSwordFace waits until her friend Blessings Galore has a chance to cast a buff before she attacks the horrible people kicking puppies.
Sword of Justice:1d20 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10(+ buff if applicable) Justice damage:1d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10(+ buff if applicable)
I will happily calculate the final result in these cases. This helps us work effectively as a team even if posting schedules don’t line up in a beneficial way.
If your post is entirely out of character (OOC), let’s put it here instead of in the Gameplay thread.
About Me: I’ve done a bit of PFS and PbP GMing, but I am certainly not perfect. If you have ideas for how I could do something better, a disagreement with a decision, or confusion over what I’m saying, please let me know via the Discussion thread or PM.
For your first post here, please use the Reply option on the following post, delete the [quote'] tags, and fill in the provided fields. And be sure to pop over to the Gameplay thread and introduce your character!
Player Name: Character Name: PFS Number: Faction: Slow Tracking? (Y/N): Downtime (please roll now): Special Notes/Abilities:Please replace this text with anything unusual about your character here, such as "I've got Dubious Knowledge" or "I've got That's Odd". This will help both you as a player not have to type the same thing over and over again and me as the GM prepare so the game runs more smoothly.
Player Name: Chadius
Character Name: Issil Telfae
PFS Number: 133608-2005
Faction: Envoy's Alliance
Slow Tracking? (Y/N): N
Downtime (please roll now):Performance:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24 Special Notes/Abilities: I have the Vigilante Dedication.
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
Player Name: -Karma-
Character Name: Zug Cowbell
PFS Number: 96960-2002
Faction: Envoy's Alliance
Slow Tracking? (Y/N): N
Downtime (please roll now):Performance, accompanist:1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20 Special Notes/Abilities: Familiar Master dedication, but that's not very special...
Thank you to those who have posted their info! I've got more things for folks to fill out - some tools I've shamelessly copied from other GMs to help the game run smoother. You can also find these links in the Campaign header.
RPG Chronicles - This does ask for a lot of the same information as my second post (and I was planning on just copying folks' info into the tool when the time came to make chronicle sheets), but there's a possibility for boons!DOOR PRIZES! in the form of Paizo vouchers. But! The convention organizers have to email them out to winners (drawn from GMs and players of reported games), and RPG Chronicles lets your email not be visible to everyone on the internet while also getting it in one place for my ease of sending them to the convention organizers. Bonus! It also lets me send out that chronicle sheet to your email inbox with the click of a button! Woo! XD
Macros - This streamlines the process (for me) of things such as rolling initiative, saves, or other exciting things. It's also a great way to give me a reminder of fun stuff like Darkvision, Glad-Hand, and other great exploration/saving throw/skill things. Give a holler if you have questions or concerns while filling it out, and check out that Example sheet if you want a demo.
Slides - Put your tokens in marching order, show us which face goes with which name, and distribute any hero points from GM glyphs or Campaign Coins.
If you haven't already introduced yourself in the Gameplay thread, this is an excellent opportunity to do so before things start happening in a few weeks. Thanks again for all your work ahead of time to help this game run smoothly! (Or, at least run like a delightful disaster! XD)
CN Human Male| Psychic 1| HP 15/15| AC 15| F +4, R +5, W +7| Perc +5| 25 Feet| Exploration Activity: Search| Hero Points 1/3| ◆◇↺
Player Name: Wicked Brew
Character Name: Vander Kai
PFS Number: 70501-2003
Faction: Grand Archive
Slow Tracking? (Y/N): N
Downtime (please roll now):Performance (untrained):1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18 Special Notes/Abilities:Telekentic Rend
HP 34/34 | AC 20 | Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5 | Perc +7 | Hero (3/3) | Exploration: Search for hazards
Player Name: Mighty Glacier
Character Name: Termia
PFS Number: 150675-2004
Faction: Vigilant Seal
Slow Tracking? (Y/N): N
Downtime (please roll now):Earn Income, Warfare Lore:1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21 Special Notes/Abilities: As a fighter, Termia has Attack of Opportunity. If it matters, Termia (together with Chadius's PC Issil) has completed a previous Dacilane Academy scenario, #2-09 The Seven Secrets of Dacilane Academy.
With our current spread of characters, we'll be playing in the lower subtier. I don't expect this to cause problems for anyone, but please let me know if it does and we'll try to find a solution.
@Vander Kai, please fill out the RPG Chronicles signup sheet and the remaining tab in the Macros spreadsheet as soon as possible. Links are available here or in the Campaign header.
HP 34/34 | AC 20 | Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5 | Perc +7 | Hero (3/3) | Exploration: Search for hazards
Quote:
"And where are the chaperones?"
I'd like something clarified. I was under the impression that we the PCs are the "chaperones" for this field trip. Should we interpret this statement to mean that the children somehow can't see us?
By the way, I just remembered that I have indeed completed scenario #3-99 Fate in the Future, although with a different character. Shall I read Yakutiel's spoiler in this post?
Female goblin paladin 2 | HP 28/28 | AC 19, resist fire 1 | F:+7, R:+6, W:+6 | Perc +4
I'm partly back, but unfortunately still need to be botted for a little longer in this game. Still not completely better, and can't deal with a game where I'm still learning the rules.
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
Hi, I'm travelling Thu-Sun, and most likely will not get a change to post. Please bot Zug while I'm away.
Inspire courage and tk projectile should be a good option for combat.
Heads up folks - our household has come down with the plague (covid) and my posting might become spotty over the next few days. I'll do my best not to leave everyone hanging!
Female goblin paladin 2 | HP 28/28 | AC 19, resist fire 1 | F:+7, R:+6, W:+6 | Perc +4
I think I'm in bad health, but need to figure out how to heal myself. I'm down 5 from the first combat, and then I took 7 fire damage from the cooking mess (GM rolled 8, but I have fire resist 1). I need to look up the options, unless someone can provide ideas. I do have the class ability to lay on hands, which might be what I want to use...
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
The food counts as minor healing potion, so that should help. But I don't think GM counted any damage for you from the cooking mess?
From the first combat:
GM Hawthwile wrote:
Out of Initiative! Damage Report:
Termia (-4)
Yakuthiel (-2)
Areeza (-12)
Cooking mess:
GM Hawthwile wrote:
Out of Combat! Damage Report:
Issil (-4)
Yakuthiel (-5)
Lay on hands is a wonderful spell for healing - given enough time to Refocus (a 10 minute process) after each casting, a champion can ensure that all of their companions are at full health after every encounter. And unless stated otherwise, in this adventure we can assume there’s not a time rush.
And Zug is correct - the splatter missed Areeza in Round 1 of the kitchen encounter, so no damage was taken.
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
Should we focus on guiding the students or taking down the creature? I'm not sure if we can do both very well.
Also, @GM: Does one successful Communicate from Beyond mean the student can activate the focus. Or do they need to stride into the room and maybe not have actions to active etc.?
They’ll take care of any Striding or whatnot that needs to happen to activate their Focus if they’re directed to activate it - though there’s no harm in roleplaying out directions to walk inside too.
Areeza moves forward (one action) and swings her scimitar at the snake thing.
[dice=attack]1d20+7
[dice=damage]1d6+4
[dice=attack]1d20+7 penalty for second attack?
[dice=damage]1d6+4 bonus for forceful weapon trait?
The second attack penalty is -5 unless you have something that changes it (like an Agile weapon or a Flurry Ranger's attacks against a hunted prey). A third attack takes that penalty again cumulatively (-10 in total usually), but it doesn't increase further than that if you have a way to make even more attacks in a round.
And yes! The second attack gets extra damage from Forceful. It's 1 extra damage per weapon damage dice, so right now that's 1 extra damage. When you get get a Striking weapon rune, it'll increase your scimitar's base damage to 2d6 - and that'll then increase the Forceful damage to 2. And then when you're making a third (or higher) attack in a round, the Forceful damage doubles (so 2 at the moment).
Let us know if there's other questions we can help clarify!
We are wrapping up this adventure! Please take a moment to ensure that your reporting information is correct both here and on RPGChronicles. (I am having difficulties logging into RPGChronicles at the moment, so I can't verify whether folks have filled out everything or not.)
Remember that everyone is eligible for door prizes (vouchers), but I need to have your email address so if you win one the convention organizers can get it to you. Email addresses can be either entered into RPGChronicles or sent to me via PM.
Issil, it looks like you already rolled a check to Earn Income here. Are you a field-commissioned agent? If not, I’ll use the first result - if yes, I’ll use the second check for the last four days of downtime.
Chronicle sheets can be downloaded HERE! Please let me know when you've gotten yours and if you need anything corrected on it.
Additionally, I'm always looking to improve my GMing. I'd love to hear (either here or via PM):
- What was the funnest part of the game for you?
- What was the most frustrating part of the game for you?
- What was something you wish had been done differently?
- What would you love to have happen on every table you play at?
Take care of yourselves, and I'm sure we'll see each other around the forums again sometime!
HP 34/34 | AC 20 | Fort +9, Ref +6, Will +5 | Perc +7 | Hero (3/3) | Exploration: Search for hazards
Thank you for GMing!
My favorite thing in PbP games is the opportunity to engage with the game in a textual format. In this regard, you have done commendably! Your English is very pleasing to read.
Thank you for the great game, GM. It was fun for me to a) post as Issil instead of her alter ego and b) to guide those kids around. Issil is not the motherly type.
(Also it was fun to be the chaos vs Termia's Order again.)
Male Unbreakable Goblin Bard 3 | HP 37/37, Focus: 2/2, Hero Pts 1/3 | AC 20 | Saves F +6 R +10 W +7 | Darkvision Perc +7 (init +2), Lore: Music +6, Occultism +6 Spells 1st: 2/3 2nd: 2/2 | Active conditions:
It was a fun game, kudos to GM and everyone else!
It was very smooth, so nothing to criticize.
Fun: trying to guide the students
Frustrating: my dice rolls (not something you can fix unless you know some secret paizo messageboards code)
Also, making decisions where to go on quite open map in PBP is always a bit slow - but that's an issue a feature of the scenario and used medium.
Dungeon navigation is usually difficult in PbP. Sometimes when I GM I will get the party to agree on a Standard Operating Procedure, or I'll wait for 2 PCs to pick a direction. Or I'll just go for the nearest door relative to the party. It's hard for players to understand which room is important if they don't know what's behind there first (and they shouldn't know what's behind the door, that's the point of a dungeon crawl.)
Female goblin paladin 2 | HP 28/28 | AC 19, resist fire 1 | F:+7, R:+6, W:+6 | Perc +4
Chronicle sheet looks good.
Thank you so much for running this, and for your patience and understanding as I struggled with overwhelm.
From that perspective, what I can tell you is that you did an amazing job of making the main story crystal clear, even for someone who was rather disengaged from the detail.
Thank you, fellow players, for a game that was fun despite my brain fog about the game.
