GM Knightmare's Therapy Sessions [Strange Aeons]

Game Master TheChelaxian

If Iosif was using a pistol I'd equip him with the short sword, but he only has 2 arms. No Kasathas here.

Btw DM I lol'd when you added 10 years to Ethyl’s age.

Scrap. I'm numerically dyslexic, my bad, lol.

Naw it's cannon now, lol. That's the sort of thing that she would lie about.

To save time, y'all can ready actions or whatever you'd like and I can have the Apostles act.

With her new phobia Ethyl isn't going to enter the cloud willingly, even if she made her save.

Pyrotechnics only lasts 2 Rounds at this level, so just waiting....

Alvar will hold their action again. They feel somewhat useless in combat, and want to rectify that.

GM, can I assume the mumbling person we have found earlier, the one tied to the piping before we got to the chapel. Can we safely assume they are a cult member, or is that just some sort of derangement?

I believe that said person was definitely confirmed to be a cultist - they mentioned Zandalus, and I think Winter may have called them out as one of the Cultists in Orpiment.

Also, I sense a sanity check behind that blood-swollen door, honestly.

Honestly a blood-swollen door seems like a sanity check in itself.

Honestly a blood-swollen door seems like a sanity check in itself.

Tempting, but without interacting with it from much closer or attempting to open the door I'm not gonna force a Sanity check. Of course, if you want to roll one yourself if you feel your character would react poorly to that...

As for Nyarai, the mumbler from before now under the camp's watch is wearing the same shade of yellow and similar chalk symbols drawn onto the face. Even if Winter hadn't IDed the man you have enough high Int characters you'd come to that conclusion.

Cool, cool. Was just wondering whether to initiate a "maybe leave one alive for questioning" conversation.

Are y'all waiting on me? Or are you still making a decision?

I think we're in the process of deciding on where to go.

I will also say that the oil should probably go to Enoch or Iosif, since those are the two who do the most hitting stuff. That said, I'm not sure whether tortured crusaders have smite evil, which can bypass DR on evil things, and thus reduce the usefulness of aligning a weapon, and/or whether any of the warpriest blessings let you infuse your weapon with an alignment. It might end up selling fodder.

We can say that Enoch holds it just in case but I want to sell it since Enoch can use smite to overcome difficult DR.

@GM I made an assessment. At first I was going to side with Enoch but Ethyl is transformed so she's in yolo mode.

I am here, I am just finding it challenging to play a less verbose character in this medium. While maintaining a presence, that is.

Heads up and apology, I've been traveling and Assorted delays and a power outage is going to delay my update. Hopefully I'll have a post tomorrow morning

Understandable. These sorts of things happen, alas.

Heads up and apology, I've been traveling and Assorted delays and a power outage is going to delay my update. Hopefully I'll have a post tomorrow morning

No worries!

Sorry for my lack of posts, folks. I forgot to mention I'd be busy these past two days. Resuming as normal once again.

Apologies, everyone. I was away for a few days. Last-minute decision, so I didn't update you. I'm back now.

CRIT! Finally, sweet x4 firearm crits.

I have the loot logged. Did anyone want one of the potions?

I want the healer’s kit. Next level Ethyl will be a proper doctor with all the tools needed for vivisection surgery.

It's funny to me seeing a vivisectionist that is a proper vivisectionist. The one in my first game ever was a beastmorph vivisectionist who went heavier on the bestial transformation, and my eventual vivisectionist is uh... how do I even begin to describe Juriya, haha.

With sufficiently high heal score healer’s kits become more cost effective than CLW wands. I forget when the break point is.

The best way to achieve that is probably vivisectionist-mindchemist, in all honest. Absurd Heal scores :3

But regarding your character, there's probably a guide on how to get your skill high enough.

Letting y'all know I've got a pretty terrible cold so bot me if needed.

North or south, y'all?

I don't mind either way, but Alvar votes south.

N/S: 1d2 ⇒ 1

North.

1 - north
1 - flexible with south preference
3 - undecided

Going down. (south)

As a side note, I will be leaving for two weeks starting June 19th. I will be back on Treason Day, though I might need a beauty sleep to kick back into gear.

Stats for skill checks are in the profile if needed.

Combat botting is simple: Protective Luck, Cackle, potentially 5ft step if I need to move.

If everyone has protective luck on (4 rounds needed), just cackle and activate Ghostwalk after each cackle.

Ghostwalk (Su): Starting at 2nd level, as a move action after using a hex, an ashiftah can become invisible as per vanish and can then take a 5-foot step. Using ghostwalk doesn’t provoke attacks of opportunity.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If I am able to post, I will let you know once I sort out a working internet connection. No promises.

South sounds fine since we probably will go North eventually....if we live....

I actually should update my mage armor's duration. I don't think I have for a few combats - possibly since we left the archives. What do you think I should put it at, GM?

Since leaving the archives? Ten minutes tops, including combats, searching rooms, etc.

Good news, everyone! I may be able to post depending on local network coverage. If you'd be waiting for me for an extended period of time, however, please bot me as reception may be iffy. Let's say 24-48 hrs?

Duly noted, Nyarai

Adding a note, you can use your hero points to have me reroll enemies attack rolls or saving throws.

Ah yes, I'd like to reroll their miss (jpking)

Good to keep in mind.

I was thinking about the same thing....hehe

I think my R20 is bugged, I see no enemies.

Anyways, I rolled, direct that attack how you wish while I try to fix everything.

They are the very tiny blue and orange blobs next to Alvar and Nyarai. Took me a minute to find them.

Sorry about that. Trying to find out how to make Tiny tokens.

HP: 1d8 ⇒ 8

Ok then... I'm going to be punished for this later I can feel it.

Will work on level up soon. Not sure what feat.

HP: 1d10 ⇒ 9

Same here, though the feat, for now, is going to be the mandatory feat tax of "Burn through DR/good".

It would fit the Tortured Crusader motif if he doesn't get to level up because of dying...lol

1d6 ⇒ 1

Gottem! Can I use hero points to reroll that?

HP: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (5) + 2 = 7 Hey, pretty good.

Let's see what I can get next... I also get 2nd level spells, so that's fun! And I'm almost certainly going to need a new spellbook soon, because this one's basically full...

Other things:
Saves: +1 to both Fort & Reflex (Yay!)
Favored Class Bonus: +1 Skill Point
Skills: Knowledge (nature, local, arcana, planes, dungeoneering, & religion) +1 rank. Spellcraft +1 rank; Background skills: Knowledge (history) +2 ranks
Spells: Putting warding weapon and blur as the new spells.

New spells' extra pages:
2d6 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 Could be worse.

@Nyarai, sure you can reroll that.

Things look great, Supreveio. You should have one more trait since you took a drawback (4 traits w/ a drawback). Also, you aren't too far off with your "How She Got Here", without spoiling too much. I'll take your concept into account for the official write-up should I pick Seoli.

Added Magical Talent to give her Ray of Frost.

Nothing too major. Just flavor stuff.

(Also, if you do choose her, I feel like she'd start the game believing she's a normal human and not a kitsune.)

I was thinking about that, but I didn't want to force it.

Okay, a few things I realised.

1 - I can go for Stigmatised drawback, since I am kind of already doing that without the actual mechanic.

2 - that opens up a trait slot for the Bastard trait.

3 - I can not put points in the fly skill just yet, so I am instead slapping that one into sense motive skill, which would change my skills to the following:

Knowledge (arcana) +9; Knowledge (history) +9; Knowledge (nature) +9; Knowledge (planes) +9; Linguistics +6; Perception +7; Sense Motive +7; Spellcraft +9; Stealth +8; Use Magic Device +9;

On an unrelated note:
I have also been doing some reading. I plan on portraying a character undergoing a gradual descent into delirium and psychosis (though still work with the team ofc).

That said, I feel like I should ask if that is okay for everyone involved.

It is that kind of AP (or so I hear, at least), but I just wanted to make sure.

Of course, no players/characters have been picked yet, but I wanted to check in advance.

I'd be okay with that, personally, if I were in the party. Sounds like an interesting challenge to roleplay.

Had a long simmering character concept that I've considered for Strange Aeons in the past... Let's see if I can shake of the 1e rust enough to build them into something coherent...

Stat Rolls: 4d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 6, 2) = 12

Deciding to go with a mutation warrior instead of barbarian

Stat rolls: 4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 1, 4) = 13
Str=18
Cha=8

Con 16
Dex 14 +2 race bonuses=16
Wis 12
Init 11

Phillip Gastone here with my mutation warrior. Soft talking and hunched over, he is very nervous about his new location

Here's my submission, a Half-Elven Cleric of Desna, Ecclesitheurge and Varisian Pilgrim archetypes. She can only fight from range, starknife and crossbow, but she can throw out lots of buffs.

I was working quickly, so I'm sure I need to do some editing still here and there. This is build only so far. I'm still thinking some about background, etc.

Oh boy. I haven't read the player's guide yet, but I want to roll before I do.

4d6

Interesting.

Ok, I know there are already 3½ arcane casters already submitted with one more in the under construction section. But after my ability rolls and reading the player's guide, I could not for the life of me think of another character that's not this sorcerer. So here is Cladon Kullscar, Warped Sorcerer. Although he is a sorcerer, his presence exudes an alien feeling. He randomly has the Handle Animal skill, I hope this integrates with his unknown background well.

I have 2 questions to the GM:

- Since we have Elephant in the Room, I am considering Dex to hit a Melee Touch attack. Is this ok?
- Is it possible to go for Dazzling Display using a touch attack? I mean, it requires a weapon focus, which you can select a touch attack for. Would it extend to Dazzling Display, or does it have to be a physical weapon that can be... you know... displayed?

I have 2 questions to the GM:

- Since we have Elephant in the Room, I am considering Dex to hit a Melee Touch attack. Is this ok?
- Is it possible to go for Dazzling Display using a touch attack? I mean, it requires a weapon focus, which you can select a touch attack for. Would it extend to Dazzling Display, or does it have to be a physical weapon that can be... you know... displayed?

- Yes, that is fine.

Cheers.

Phillip Gastone here with my mutation warrior. Soft talking and hunched over, he is very nervous about his new location

Remind you of another scary, lonely, Wicked beginning to you too?

Trevor Culexis wrote:

Phillip Gastone here with my mutation warrior. Soft talking and hunched over, he is very nervous about his new location

Remind you of another scary, lonely, Wicked beginning to you too?

Could be. *Spooky laugh*

Great character submissions so far. Sadly, I need to retract my bid for this campaign.

Thank you, GM Nightmare Knight.

Great character submissions so far. Sadly, I need to retract my bid for this campaign.

Thank you, GM Nightmare Knight.

It is my pleasure, thanks for your interest, best of rolls elsewhere.

Should we keep our character profiles free of any background information due to the amnesia thing, or put in what we have?

Gm, do you know if this campaign is focused on the Carcosa (Chambers, Bierce, etc.) Mythos, or the Cthulhu (Lovecraft, Blackwood, Derleth) Mythos, or both?

Great character submissions so far. Sadly, I need to retract my bid for this campaign.

Thank you, GM Nightmare Knight.

Sorry to hear that. Good luck!

Should we keep our character profiles free of any background information due to the amnesia thing, or put in what we have?

If you have a concept you are really attached to, or an idea for a character arc, you can submit it. What is going to happen is your characters will wake up with amnesia with at least the last few years made up by me. Up to that point you can write as much as or as little as you want.

I would like at least a 'vibe check' to give me an idea of what your character was like before being admitted to Briarstone. You won't know how or why your characters were submitted for some time, but you will learn. Again, the last handful of years are going to be a mystery to the players for almost half the AP, with the mystery pushing them forwards.

Gm, do you know if this campaign is focused on the Carcosa (Chambers, Bierce, etc.) Mythos, or the Cthulhu (Lovecraft, Blackwood, Derleth) Mythos, or both?

Yes. Both and then some.

Gm, do you know if this campaign is focused on the Carcosa (Chambers, Bierce, etc.) Mythos, or the Cthulhu (Lovecraft, Blackwood, Derleth) Mythos, or both?

I was thinking I should make my character more Lovecraftian, I just didn't know which way to go.

Milica Agolli wrote:

Should we keep our character profiles free of any background information due to the amnesia thing, or put in what we have?

If you have a concept you are really attached to, or an idea for a character arc, you can submit it. What is going to happen is your characters will wake up with amnesia with at least the last few years made up by me. Up to that point you can write as much as or as little as you want.

I would like at least a 'vibe check' to give me an idea of what your character was like before being admitted to Briarstone. You won't know how or why your characters were submitted for some time, but you will learn. Again, the last handful of years are going to be a mystery to the players for almost half the AP, with the mystery pushing them forwards.

Malachus Schmid wrote:

Gm, do you know if this campaign is focused on the Carcosa (Chambers, Bierce, etc.) Mythos, or the Cthulhu (Lovecraft, Blackwood, Derleth) Mythos, or both?

Yes. Both and then some.

Ok, thank you!

Welp, here's Iosif. I'll probably look over the sanity rules later, I know the Research rules from my first campaign but, without further ado:

I got tempted to do this when I saw we were in Ustalav post-IG and post-RoW. Iosif isn't much of the old-west type of gunslinger at all, that would probably detract from the Lovecraftian atmosphere of the thing... an innovator that tries to grounds himself in reality, only to get met with literal Lovecraftian Horror, feels much more appropriate to Strange Aeons, though.

And once I saw you'd be okay with Evil characters, I admittedly jumped at the chance for a reroll on a musket. The plan is to take a Warpriest level at level 2 for the Weapon of the Chosen feat line, then continue taking Warpriest levels after level 6 where we get +DEX to damage. The character himself isn't outright evil but. Well. Cixyron.

@ GM Nightmare Knight

I really think this Campaign Trait fits....but...

Considering that I am going Tortured Crusader, may he use Wis for this as his Smite Ability does?

If not, no worries. Extra damage is extra damage...lol.

@ GM Nightmare Knight

I really think this Campaign Trait fits....but...

** spoiler omitted **

Considering that I am going Tortured Crusader, may he use Wis for this as his Smite Ability does?

If not, no worries. Extra damage is extra damage...lol.

Eh, sure thing, why not?

Just out of pure curiosity...

Delmoth's Dr Ethyl Ermengarde, half-elf vivisectionist alchemist with the 'methodical mind' campaign trait.

Vellimir's Malachus Schmid, human invoker witch with the 'ritualistic' campaign trait.
NotEspi's Nyarai, sylph ashiftah witch with the 'sensitive mind' campaign trait.

Grumbaki's Bolkvar Stonebeam, dwarf gloomblade fighter with the 'pugnacious' campaign trait.

Supreveio's Seoli Snowtail, kitsune brawler with the 'pugnacious' campaign trait.

Delightful's Elyssa Volgori, human psychic with the 'driven by guilt' campaign trait.

Andrea1's Trevor Culexis, Half-Orc mutation warrior with 'twitchy' campaign trait

rdknight's Milica Agolli, Half-Elf Ecclesitheurge / Varisian Pilgrim Cleric with the 'sensitive mind' campaign trait

Veniir's Cladon Kullscar fetchling warped sorcerer with the 'enduring stoicism' campaign trait

Violant's Iosif Formicidescu Human musket master gunslinger with the 'methodical mind' campaign trait

Rosc's oozemorph shifter or synthesis summoner
Critzible's changeling spiritualist
Dorian 'Grey's tortured crusader paladin
TheWaskally's wizard
Luke_Parry's half-elf amnesiac psychic
Veltharis Cabalist Vigilante or Dark Tapestry Oracle
Javell DeLeon's half-orc unchained barbarian

And Javell DeLeon's half-orc unchained barbarian

I accidentally missed it the first time around.

Added

Might as well get this alias up and running.

Seoli's starting to feel a bit out of place with all the horror and supernatural-themed characters. But I think having at least one person who isn't accustomed to some sort of horror can be fun as well.

Like the choice of Kitsune in this specific campaign, given the memory loss. Would have gone with a Kitsune Trickster / Arcanist / Arcane Trickster myself if I had better rolls that could be allotted to three different stats. Good luck to everyone!

This is Dorian Grey's work in progress....

Something feels off....

The image in Profile is a prophetic promise from Pharasma...lol.

I'm changing this profile to a Brawler with the intent of adding a level or two of Urban Ranger. Should have it done in a day or so. I've been really busy so maybe not until Sunday evening.

Will update the submission tracker when we get to the next page. But just wanted to say…Dorian Grey, I love the profile picture. It is really fitting for this type of campaign, and for a tortured crusader in general.

Reminder, recruitment will be open till the 16th. I am out of town for language school for that time, so the day after I get back home - the 17th - I'll announce my picks. No rush for now, y'all have time to polish submissions, ask questions, mingle, etc.

Exquisite submissions thus far, y'all ain't making this easy.

The oozemorph would be a challenge to RP, especially early on, but it does fit thematically. I'd allow it, but be aware NPCs will react poorly early on, due to circumstances - perhaps don't dump Cha?

The shifter's alt rules you suggested would work for me in regards for balance. If you think that'd be better for the prospective party, then go for it.

Okay, what if I did both? Maybe start with an oozemorph dip, and maybe bonding with some kind of monster acts as the "cure" to the condition? I'm imagining something like the Venom symbiote...

Only question is how oozemorph weapons and polymorph would interact with the synthesis form.

You'd need to verify Oozemorph works on total levels or... bad things happen.

This weekend got busy, we had high winds last week and had to deal with a leaning fence that was threatening to destroy my neighbors garden.

And Javell DeLeon's half-orc unchained barbarian

I accidentally missed it the first time around.

No worries!

@Grumbaki: Thanks!

Oh, interesting!

stats1: 1d6 ⇒ 5
stats2: 1d6 ⇒ 5
stats3: 1d6 ⇒ 1
stats4: 1d6 ⇒ 1

so, 18/15/15/11/11/8

Bloodrager with a dip in fractured mind sound interesting, I also have a funny idea on how he got it.

Oh, interesting!

[dice=stats1]d6
[dice=stats2]d6
[dice=stats3]d6
[dice=stats4]d6

so, 18/15/15/11/11/8

Bloodrager with a dip in fractured mind sound interesting, I also have a funny idea on how he got it.

Throw in a pet hamster and you have a beloved character.

Alright, everyone, I have set up a profile for this, but will not commit to posting with it yet, in case I need to repurpose/rename/remove it.

That said, I think this is done? Unless there is something else to add that I have missed? The original submission is in this post.

I picked the level 1 spells that fit the theme, I think. Flavouring the abilities and spells as the character's delusions materialise and interact with the environment and/or characters. So I plan on using a lot of divination, enchantment and necromancy stuff. As witches do.

On that note, I didn't really do gear just yet, but we are starting with nothing but rags. Are prepared casters allowed to purchase spell scrolls with the starting gold and adding them to the list?

And since a witch is nothing without her familiar (or in my case, without the veil), are we even allowed to have spells prepped?

If there is more information required, I'll keep an eye on the thread, so just ask.

Anyway - good luck, everyone!

Will update the submission tracker when we get to the next page. But just wanted to say…Dorian Grey, I love the profile picture. It is really fitting for this type of campaign, and for a tortured crusader in general.

Much appreciated! Really was looking for someone a bit... pathetic...lol.

Alright, everyone, I have set up a profile for this, but will not commit to posting with it yet, in case I need to repurpose/rename/remove it.

That said, I think this is done? Unless there is something else to add that I have missed? The original submission is in this post.

I picked the level 1 spells that fit the theme, I think. Flavouring the abilities and spells as the character's delusions materialise and interact with the environment and/or characters. So I plan on using a lot of divination, enchantment and necromancy stuff. As witches do.

On that note, I didn't really do gear just yet, but we are starting with nothing but rags. Are prepared casters allowed to purchase spell scrolls with the starting gold and adding them to the list?

And since a witch is nothing without her familiar (or in my case, without the veil), are we even allowed to have spells prepped?

If there is more information required, I'll keep an eye on the thread, so just ask.

Anyway - good luck, everyone!

Yes, you may purchase spell scrolls with starting gold. I'm not sure about spells prepared yet, I want to say you would have them prepared. However, I also am teased with the idea of not having them yet to ramp up the desperate start to the game.

I'll ask the prospective spellcasters if they want to start with or without spells prepared. It may hinder your initial encounter(s), but it would also add to the horror of this AP and your situation.

As a Sorcerer, I'd say it's all the same to me ^^

Alright. Here comes the money!

Starting Wealth: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) = 15 x 10 gp

So 150 GP. I'll go work on the gear list.

As for spells, I honestly wouldn't mind starting without level 1 spells. No cantrips seems a bit harsh. On prepared casters, that is.

I assume spontaneous classes would have their spells available either way.

For the record, with Bolkvar I'd be very happy to do this:

He doesn't start off with his shadow weapons, which would greatly help with the desperate nature of the start of the campaign. Rather, they 'come back to him' around the same time that the party finds their gear. He is more than capable of being useful without the class feature. And given that we start with amnesia, it makes sense to me that he wouldn't know that he has that ability.

Plus, it would be fun for him to realize that he has that power all over again. Would make for a great scene. :)

Liliyashanina wrote:

Oh, interesting!

[dice=stats1]d6
[dice=stats2]d6
[dice=stats3]d6
[dice=stats4]d6

so, 18/15/15/11/11/8

Bloodrager with a dip in fractured mind sound interesting, I also have a funny idea on how he got it.

Throw in a pet hamster and you have a beloved character.

The spiritualist phantom can totally be a giant miniature space hamster of dedication to continous self improvement indeed.

I'll ask the prospective spellcasters if they want to start with or without spells prepared. It may hinder your initial encounter(s), but it would also add to the horror of this AP and your situation.

I find it hard to justify having extracts and mutagens prepared if we have no equipment at the start. But it would be easier to justify more traditional spell casters having spells prepared.

NotEspi wrote:

Alright, everyone, I have set up a profile for this, but will not commit to posting with it yet, in case I need to repurpose/rename/remove it.

That said, I think this is done? Unless there is something else to add that I have missed? The original submission is in this post.

I picked the level 1 spells that fit the theme, I think. Flavouring the abilities and spells as the character's delusions materialise and interact with the environment and/or characters. So I plan on using a lot of divination, enchantment and necromancy stuff. As witches do.

On that note, I didn't really do gear just yet, but we are starting with nothing but rags. Are prepared casters allowed to purchase spell scrolls with the starting gold and adding them to the list?

And since a witch is nothing without her familiar (or in my case, without the veil), are we even allowed to have spells prepped?

If there is more information required, I'll keep an eye on the thread, so just ask.

Anyway - good luck, everyone!

Yes, you may purchase spell scrolls with starting gold. I'm not sure about spells prepared yet, I want to say you would have them prepared. However, I also am teased with the idea of not having them yet to ramp up the desperate start to the game.

I'll ask the prospective spellcasters if they want to start with or without spells prepared. It may hinder your initial encounter(s), but it would also add to the horror of this AP and your situation.

I'd say, for me at least, spells not prepared. Malachus has the quirk that he needs to invoke his patron's name to gain spells, and I was thinking that he forgot the name Samael, he just remembers being frightened of sounds like it.

Maybe Samael is a facade for an outer being, but it gave Malachus a term in its contract, and may be coming to extract its due. That's why Malachus fears it, he doesn't know what the due will be.