If only these were CR3-4 or using standard combat rules.
TORCH AGENT GROUPS (3) CR 13
Effective HD 8 HD
hp 325 each
Fort +10, Ref +12, Will +10
Damage 5d8
Mechanics:
individual humanoid creatures, though the statistics
present the group as a unified force. PCs might disable
these groups by using mass enchantment magic or by
dealing the appropriate Hit Point damage to disperse
the group. For a more narrative combat between the PCs
and these groups, allow each PC and companion creature
the opportunity to take one action against the group—
such as using an ability, casting a spell, or making a
single attack. Once all the PCs have acted, if the group
hasn’t been subdued, the group deals its listed damage as
bludgeoning damage to all PCs and companion creatures
who took actions against them. After inflicting damage,
the group separates and runs before the second round
begins and the PCs can effectively subdue them.
Alright, we can move along then.
Checking in with the table, do we need any changes going forward? I’m not sure if a different GM will be better received but I am willing to put out the call if needed.
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I apologize for my part of the problem. I think I've just been really discouraged by the nature of this adventure so far, in particular the way it's been set up to ignore normal rules. If we're done with that part, things should be much better going forward.
Can you please clarify what damage has already been taken? Tad would heal up before we moved on, but it was unclear to me who needed healing.
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You’re doing fine, GM, no worries here. I was hoping Quenly would rejoin us so I wasn’t pushing my posts as I normally am…but he hasn’t responded since I last checked in on him, so I’m guessing he’s not to a point where he feels able to, hope he’s OK…I’ll pick up my posting pace…
Colin, glad to hear you’re OK…seems like traffic and accidents are getting more common everywhere..
Yeah, I was really hoping that last group would just fail the save. Hopefully Quenly's situation improves for the second half now.
Saw a rear-end happen over the weekend two lanes over, glad to hear that your incident was as minor, Colin.
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Unfortunatly my car was rather heavily damaged in the collision and I can't drive it anymore. Luckily, my parents can spare a car for me for a while. Insurance is, of course, the most difficult battle to fight, as usual.
Seeker scenario often includes part where it gross over some minor encounter and be honest about it being a simply resource drain for the PCs and the seeker will have no problem dealing with it anyway. And the instructions for these parts are simplified as well.....
Can you please clarify what damage has already been taken? Tad would heal up before we moved on, but it was unclear to me who needed healing.
Apologies, Flyn participated in both failed attempts, so 30 damage that he has already healed. Colin participated in one attempt, so 15 damage that he has already healed. Tad and Quenly only participated in the one attempt as well, so 15 damage each remaining to be healed.
Does the admixture?
In any event, go ahead and roll the reflex save to see if the answer is relevant.
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Does the admixture?
In any event, go ahead and roll the reflex save to see if the answer is relevant.
That is some cool stuff that I never encounter before. Upon close reading, it indeed does not mention save of any kind. 16th level stuff(6th lvl extract) being more ridiculous than 13th level stuff(7th lvl spell) make sense, putting it to similar territory to Maze or Word of XXX series of spells.
Alas, my alchemist is of Gun Chemist archtype and I don't think the Bomb Admixture series works on Alchemical Ordnance.
We will pause here to give time for Tad and Quenly. I will not be able to finish up this scenario myself and will put out a call for a replacement GM. I’m sorry for the difficulties but I believe we should be able to get someone that can complete the rest of the adventure for you all.
Hey guys, I'll be stepping in to take over for TOZ.
I hear that we're waiting on a couple of the players to be ready to resume.
Can everyone let me know their readiness level, please?
When we're ready to resume, we shall. In the meantime, I'll catch up on where we are.
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This is what happen when we have to BOT in a seeker game, there's no reason Quenly wouldn't have Air Walk going at all time and be out of reach for non-flying melee foe, when a single casting last more than 2 hours.
When he and my investigator/Colin's son hunt down Thurl, the whole team was flying/air walking for most of the time. He also kept a pseudodragon from Shadow Conjuration->Draconic Ally up and use the dragon as a warning system with its 60ft blindsense, and telepathic comm relay.
Thankfully, Zurnzal prepared for that with a potion of fly.
I'm going under the assumption that you guys are using the first two agreeing opinions rule.
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Hey GM, just checking. Flyn has the Clustered Shots feat (it may not be easily seen the way I have things listed, my apologies) where DR is only deducted once out of the total damage dealt. As I’m not familiar with this type of Nightshade (Flyn was ‘killed’ for a few seconds by a Nightwing before being revived with Breath of Life in an earlier mission), I might be ignorant of its other abilities, so forgive my query if so…
ETA: On another note, I’ll bot Quenly after Tad posts, if that’s OK…
At the start of a battle, before you have had a chance to act (specifically, before your first regular turn in the initiative order), you are flat-footed.I'm merely making observation based on what's written on the rule.
Don't. Also don't look up monster stats.
If you think I've misinterpreted one of your character's abilities (like Flyn's clustered shot) please point that out.
If you think I've misinterpreted a monster's abilities, keep it to yourself.
That all being said, between the adjusted value for Clustered Shots and Tad's Sunbeam, the monster is dead. I will post the aftermath later.
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Just to clarify, by "Keeping to yourself" you mean private message instead? Or do you mean that players just have to suffer from a GM's mistake without saying anything?
A nearly 60 point of damage difference is not insignificant even at this level, and such mistake could lead to more unnecessary resource expenditure now that will make later encounters unnecessarily more difficult. I'm sure a experienced GM like you know the importance of providing a fair gameplay experience, and why this would be a concern due to our party composition.
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Just to clarify, by "Keeping to yourself" you mean private message instead? Or do you mean that players just have to suffer from a GM's mistake without saying anything?
I mean suffer.
And trust that I have enough experience to know when that sort of difference is going to make a difference.
The difference between a one round kill and a two round kill isn't going to make any difference to characters of this level.
I will be on vacation starting tomorrow and will return on Tuesday. I will not post in that time.
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Have fun on vacation, GM!
ETA: Colin, EF has GM’ed my PCs for 6 or 7 games, I think I’ve GM’ed him at least once, and I’m playing in an AP with him now. He’s fair, he knows the rules far better than I, and I trust him. Since TOZ had to bow out, I was happy that EF was able to step in and take us to the finish line, we’re in good hands…
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I think it's being really melodramatic to talk about 'suffering' a GM's mistake. Even if a GM makes a mistake, it's very rare for that mistake to cause any kind of suffering, or even any kind of fun reduction, unless the mistake makes an encounter far too deadly.
What it comes down to is what is it that you think we need to trust a GM to do. If I don't trust a GM to run a fun game, I don't sign up with that GM. I don't think any other kind of trust is needed.
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Technically, I signed up for TOZ's game, and I'm grateful to EbonFist for stepping in to run it.
In hindsight, I agree that the word I used was strong in a general sense. However, given a few unfortunate past experiences, I felt it was warranted at the time. That said, I was by no means referring to this game. I've played with everyone at this table before, and I have full confidence in our team.
Alright, I appreciate everyone's understanding and faith in me. I shall do my best to live up to it.
Again, if I miss anything about your character, their defenses, senses, the details of their abilities, feel free to call that out. No one knows your character better than you do.
I am back from vacation and working through my work back log but I should have a post moving us forward up, soon.
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Flyn has a potion of fly he could use…
Colin, how long does Extended Barkskin last? Is it still current?
Also, as for Quenly, I know he can take dragon form; would that be a good thing for him to do? He could fly up and some undead are vulnerable to fire…
Duration: CL14 x 10min/CL x2 = 280min = 4 hours 40 mins. It will probably last till the end of our mission. The Communal Air Walk also last this long if I cast it on a single target (spell split duration between target)
Preferrably we use free spell instead of comsumable.
I will look up what Quenly could do when I go home.
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Since Quenly would be our only front-line melee, I believe Sleipnir form is actually a better choice for a balanced option between attacks, AC, and HP. Since his damage will comes from spell's static damage mod (Divine Favor, Hunter's Blessing, etc) anyway. However, it's only 17 min per day so he shouldn't hang out in that form. Wing of Darkness gives him Overland Flight as well so we don't have to worry about that.
I would recommend putting up Freedom of Movement, Bull Strength, and Shadow Evocation->Ablative Barrier for Quenly, and Shield of Faith +4 on everyone.
Looks like Tad does not have Air Walk prepared, so Let's go with Communal Air Walk on Tad and Flyn.
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I’ll defer to you on Quenly as all my characters are primarily martial…
With Extended Barkskin still active, Flyn will tap himself with his Mage armor and Heightened awareness wands…and then cast Gravity Bow just before they reach the top…
Are we ready to roll? Might wanna wait till Tad pipes in as he might have some ideas for buffing too…
ETA: If we’ll have Shield of Faith cast, I’ll remove my +4 Ring of Protection (since both offer +4 deflection AC bonuses) and replace it with Ring of Feather Falling and keep the same AC…might not make a difference, but since we’re fighting at elevation, can’t hurt…
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Tad would be happy to cast life pact and communal protection from evil if anyone thinks those would be helpful.
He also has his bonded item spell, which can be any spell of a level he can cast on the cleric list, if there is something the group really wants.
I'm find with whatever the group decides in terms of botting Quenly.