GM: is talking a free action, meaning Ussaile can tell whoever it is where to cast the Glitterdust spell? Or do we have to wait another round for that?
Ussaile can tell everyone where Ilquis is as a free action. I'm assuming Noctifer will use that information to cast Glitterdust on his turn (initiative 11). Everyone else can either take actions as normal or delay/ready actions for after the Glitterdust spell has been cast.
Understood, thanks :)
For Xanther's question, I'm genuinely not sure whether it would be Spellcraft, Knowledge Arcana, or not require a check at all since both Noctifer and Ussaile have Dominate Person on their spell lists (even though it's too high level for them to cast). Anyone have any thoughts?
As for the answer, Dominate Person doesn't say it ends if the caster dies. The victims would receive a new saving throw every day since Ilquis could no longer concentrate on the spell, but I believe until succeeding they would continue attempting to carry out his orders. However they aren't suicidal. I'll go ahead and tell you now they'll surrender and stop fighting if reduced to [X] hit points.
Just to reassure you that I'm still here - I'm going to delay my action in the hope of a glitterdust to reveal this annoying opponent.
For Xanther's question, I'm genuinely not sure whether it would be Spellcraft, Knowledge Arcana, or not require a check at all since both Noctifer and Ussaile have Dominate Person on their spell lists (even though it's too high level for them to cast). Anyone have any thoughts?
As for the answer, Dominate Person doesn't say it ends if the caster dies. The victims would receive a new saving throw every day since Ilquis could no longer concentrate on the spell, but I believe until succeeding they would continue attempting to carry out his orders. However they aren't suicidal. I'll go ahead and tell you now they'll surrender and stop fighting if reduced to [X] hit points.
My thought is Knowledge (Arcana) to know the mechanics of the spell in question. Spellcraft could also work but I've always taken that to be identification of spells and learning them from a written source (scroll or spellbook).
As for what happens when the caster dies, by RAW, it's worse than that.
Specifically this part:
"Timed Durations: Many durations are measured in rounds, minutes, hours, or other increments. When the time is up, the magic goes away and the spell ends. If a spell’s duration is variable, the duration is rolled secretly so the caster doesn’t know how long the spell will last."
and this part:
"Subjects, Effects, and Areas: If the spell affects creatures directly, the result travels with the subjects for the spell’s duration."
So the spell continues after the caster dies since the duration of the spell is set and still in effect. As for "not being suicidal" actually they might be. The spell description states the subject still gets to eat, etc. but other than that it is a compulsion and they'll continue to perform the assigned task to the best of its ability. So if Noctifer is Dominated and told to attack the Tarrasque, he'll get another save with a +2 bonus to avoid following the order but, if he fails that 2nd save, he's going to attack the Tarrasque.
In this case the module specifies that they’ll surrender if reduced below a certain amount of hit points. One could argue that attacking at all is suicidal, but they’re not going to force you to kill them. I like your point about Knowledge Arcana so I’ll roll in-game to see if Noctifer and/or Ussaile know the answer.
FYI you can post out of initiative order; I’ll just try to resolve things in initiative order whenever possible.
Can Marcus change his action when he is attacked, keep the same attack roll and use his wave blade against the invisible enemy? If so, I will make a percent roll and wave blade damage roll in the gameplay section.
Yes that’s fine.
I think that Fey might be very dead due to critical Smite anyway.
From the looks of it, a glitterdust would hit either Jassminder or Marcus.
Could Noctifer cast the spell with a lowered DC to highlight the Lurker, without blinding his allies?
From the looks of it, a glitterdust would hit either Jassminder or Marcus.
Could Noctifer cast the spell with a lowered DC to highlight the Lurker, without blinding his allies?
The player forgot Glitterdust is 10' radius and not 10' diameter but the PC wouldn't. There's nowhere to put the spell that it isn't going to hit one or more PCs. And the choice is either 'just Marcus' or just about everyone else so Marcus it will be.
GM: Moved the lightning bolt icon to the upper right corner of the square.
If it matters, Jass moved on the map *after* the spell was cast.
From the looks of it, a glitterdust would hit either Jassminder or Marcus.
Could Noctifer cast the spell with a lowered DC to highlight the Lurker, without blinding his allies?
No. However with the way people were set up at the time of casting Noctifer could have hit Ussaile rather than Marcus. I'll allow a retcon for that if Noctifer wants.
I've also made the executive decision that Xanther delayed his turn until after Jassminder's. Otherwise he couldn't have stood in the doorway (since Jassminder was originally in that square) and the wax golem would have been able to enter. It wouldn't otherwise make a difference since Jassminder's crit confirmed with or without the Bless spell.
I've got a busy day so I'm posting now (out of initiative order) as I don't know when I'll next be able to. I trust the GM to sort it out :)
From the looks of it, a glitterdust would hit either Jassminder or Marcus.
Could Noctifer cast the spell with a lowered DC to highlight the Lurker, without blinding his allies?
No. However with the way people were set up at the time of casting Noctifer could have hit Ussaile rather than Marcus. I'll allow a retcon for that if Noctifer wants.
I've also made the executive decision that Xanther delayed his turn until after Jassminder's. Otherwise he couldn't have stood in the doorway (since Jassminder was originally in that square) and the wax golem would have been able to enter. It wouldn't otherwise make a difference since Jassminder's crit confirmed with or without the Bless spell.
Also, looking at the map, Noctifer would've taken a 5' step back to make sure he didn't dust himself.
If the GM is okay with it at an in-person table I ask the players whose PCs would be effected to sort it out. Failing that it's a random die roll.
Since Marcus already posted under the assumption that he was the one blinded, I'm going to say that it hit him. (It also makes more sense from an in-character perspective for Noctifer to have aimed the spell further away from the party.)
For both Noctifer and Xanther, I requested that the Will save happen before the Spellcraft check. Noctifer, you would have rolled a 13 on your Will save and therefore did not need to use Inspiration to succeed. Since inspiration is added after the roll you may have those two uses back. Xanther, you would have rolled a 2 on the Will save and therefore failed. You are blinded and stunned for 3 rounds, then stunned for 1.
Sorry to be a stickler about this, but since I said things should be rolled in that order I'm sticking to it.
My apologies. For some reason, my brain hiccupped and processed it as the other way around.
No worries, both you and Noctifer read it that way so I should have been clearer.
Yeesh. How many hitpoints does this thing have?!
A lot, but not enough to survive Jassminder's insane luck. Your second shot killed him :)
Thanks Ussaile for the reminder about the Bless spell; I was still able to edit so I edited in the +1. It did not however make a difference.
The wax golem is still technically a threat, and who knows what the other woman is up to...
Remind me never to be smited by Jassminder.
Do we have a way to remove blindness?
Well, good luck team. Xanther has been demoted from ineffectual to useless. It's up to the rest of you now.
Remind me never to be smited by Jassminder.
Do we have a way to remove blindness?
Not in party. Yet. It is L3 on the Oracle list. Give Xanther about 2 levels. Or a scroll.
Most likely, We have to ask Master Miklos, who will probably torture us first.
Since Marcus already posted under the assumption that he was the one blinded, I'm going to say that it hit him. (It also makes more sense from an in-character perspective for Noctifer to have aimed the spell further away from the party.)
For both Noctifer and Xanther, I requested that the Will save happen before the Spellcraft check. Noctifer, you would have rolled a 13 on your Will save and therefore did not need to use Inspiration to succeed. Since inspiration is added after the roll you may have those two uses back. Xanther, you would have rolled a 2 on the Will save and therefore failed. You are blinded and stunned for 3 rounds, then stunned for 1.
Sorry to be a stickler about this, but since I said things should be rolled in that order I'm sticking to it.
Not trying to nitpick but wouldn't the Spellcraft check come first? This is in the CRB under the Spellcraft skill:
"Action: Identifying a spell as it is being cast requires no action, but you must be able to clearly see the spell as it is being cast."That's why I put the rolls in the order I did.
Remind me never to be smited by Jassminder.
Do we have a way to remove blindness?
No. Unfortunately buying 3rd level scrolls is onerous for a single PC at this level.
Given that the module is for 4th level PCs who don't have access to 3rd level spells, I would imagine there is some means to remove the blindness. I sympathise, Xanther - save or suck spells are sucky when you fail the save. But there'll be other fights.
Not trying to nitpick but wouldn't the Spellcraft check come first? This is in the CRB under the Spellcraft skill:
"Action: Identifying a spell as it is being cast requires no action, but you must be able to clearly see the spell as it is being cast."
That's why I put the rolls in the order I did.
You are correct, but I've had PBP GMs swear by the order I'm using. (Saves first, then checks to identify whatever you saved against.)
The reason is because it's very easy to conveniently "forget" about that Spellcraft/Knowledge check if you preview the post and see your first roll will be high and your second low. Having "always roll saves first" as the standard practice removes that temptation. (To be clear I'm not saying any of you would intentionally do this, but I've seen it happen in other games.)
In other news: Noctifer Ilquis was technically still alive on your turn since you go before Jassminder. I don't think it'll matter much because the golem is well and truly entangled and I expect you to kill it within a couple rounds.
Miklos can cast Remove Blindness but will charge a fee in either coin or pain. There's also Eugenia, the ghost cleric back at the manor. If, (and it is a big if), you can convince her to help you she won't charge you anything. The module made sure to include a couple different 5th level clerics (with different methods of getting their assistance) before having you fight a creature with blindness/deafness as an SLA.
You are correct, but I've had PBP GMs swear by the order I'm using. (Saves first, then checks to identify whatever you saved against.)The reason is because it's very easy to conveniently "forget" about that Spellcraft/Knowledge check if you preview the post and see your first roll will be high and your second low. Having "always roll saves first" as the standard practice removes that temptation. (To be clear I'm not saying any of you would intentionally do this, but I've seen it happen in other games.)
Oh okay I've never heard anyone using this order before but I can learn. :)
To me it would depend on the order of actions and then making the rolls in order but I can roll them however you want. Kind of like how if I'm asked to roll different saves I always roll them in the same order on the character sheets: Fort, Reflex, and Will.And if you keep rolling well for Noctifer's AoOs I'm going to make you roll all of his attacks! 8)
In other news: Noctifer Ilquis was technically still alive on your turn since you go before Jassminder. I don't think it'll matter much because the golem is well and truly entangled and I expect you to kill it within a couple rounds.
That's why I put it in the generic attack post. He was standing next to Ilquis but the golem was only a 5' step away so he could use his Studied Combat/Studied Strike combo on either one.
The module made sure to include a couple different 5th level clerics (with different methods of getting their assistance) before having you fight a creature with blindness/deafness as an SLA.
I figured as much which is why I'm not that worried.
Noctifer is up.
For what it's worth I'm not trying to hint you should stabilize Judy. She might stabilize on her own without PC intervention, she might not. I was just trying to be transparent about how I was handling that situation.
Drama!
Drama!
Yes!
@GM:
I was hoping to hear some votes from the sight-challenged among us. Noctifer can try to chase down the escaping woman but that leaves 2 blinded and 1 blinded and stunned PC to 'help' Ussaile with the wax golem.
I only have one more round of blindness so I should be able to help with the golem in a moment. I'm a little torn between saving Judy and catching the escaping woman but the escapee could provide needed info.
I don't have Survival but if someone does we can always track her later.
P: Bounty Hunter doesn't help in this case.
I have Survival. Plus, we got a good look at her and there can't be too many people in this town who would shelter her once word gets out about what she was doing to their children. And with the bonfires and guard on the perimeter, she's not getting very far unless she can teleport.
The Lurker would not have sent a potential combatant away, unless it was important.
My best guess is that the runner is going off to call reinforcements. Probably to the Baron, since the Lurker claimed he was doing this under the Baron's instructions.
Ussaile seems to have the golem wrapped up.
For stabilizing Judy, Jassminder has lay on hands and could do it now. Or Xanther could help once he's recovered.
Sorry, Jassminder can't LoH on anyone but herself.
There is the Wand of CLW, we never actually specified who got it. I would assume Xanther.
There is the Wand of CLW, we never actually specified who got it. I would assume Xanther.
I made the same assumption which is why I selected CLW for one of Noctifer's 1st level spells. He also does not have Survival and my spidey old geezer gaming sense says that he won't be able to find the runaway.
Still he'll give it a shot since it seems the group is confident it can save Judy and melt Waxy.
I have a back up wand, wanted to have something to use my UMD on.
@GM: Do you have a preference for how Critical Confirmations are rolled? Right after the Attack or at the end of the block?
Right after the attack is fine. Also congratulations! The wax golem is dead. As for the woman, she’s completed her mission and isn’t going to move. With Judy stable and all combatants either dead or no longer fighting the combat is officially over.
FYI this combat has a reputation for being particularly deadly. However the combination of Xanther’s knowledge roll, Ussaile’s See Invisibility, and Noctifer’s well-aimed Glitterdust deprived Ilquis of his most potent ability. Great use of teamwork :)
Don't forget the meat shield who absorbed the first attack.
And Jassminder and her high DPS and incredible luck.
FYI this combat has a reputation for being particularly deadly.
I can see why. Glitterdust is essential to engage the Lurker. And if the Lurker had disabled whoever had Glitterdust with Blindness/Dominate first, it would likely end in TPK.
Although I do wonder why he didn't try to dominate any of us.
Anyway, next step: Who should stay and search the place, and who should go help Noctifer?
Noctifer can head back to the chandlery and rejoin the group without any problems. The woman was told to run to the river and use the bottled sunlight. She wasn’t told to fight and so she won’t.
Do we need to roll anything to dig the children out of the wax?
You can either pull them out or cut them free using a slashing weapon. No need to roll anything; the assumption is you’re taking the time to do it safely.
You can either pull them out or cut them free using a slashing weapon. No need to roll anything; the assumption is you’re taking the time to do it safely.
A dagger will take a while but it's still a slashing weapon!
I take exception to that: Jassminder isn't especially greedy.
As I see it, we have the following tasks:
1) Dig the children out of the wax.
2) Search the other rooms for valuable treasure evidence, including the corpse pile in the west storeroom, and the storefront upstairs.
3) Heal the children/party/Judy. Xanther can Channel Positive Energy for this
4) Question the dominated trio to see what they know
5) Finally, report this to the guard.
Am I missing anything? If there are no objections, Xanther can go searching, while the rest of you dig up the children. Then we can proceed to 3 & 4.