[Outpost VIII]Redelia's Unleashing the Untouchable (Inactive)

Game Master Redelia

Now I see whay you mean; I'll fix it.

Posting shortly. I am based in the UK so am probably in a very different time zone to most.

Funnily enough that's the same time zone as me.

Wow -- opposite side of the globe from me - and in a different hemisphere.

My kid starts her week-long spring break today and we are going to visit Grandma. I'll still be able to post but likely with reduced frequency until after April 13. I appreciate your understanding.

Away for a couple of days--please bot as necessary.

I'm really sorry, team, that I didn't post for several days.

Wednesday I had an issue with a grumpy small child who needed my attention in a way that prevented me from posting.

Yesterday I was so sleep deprived from that same situation that I did not see that my GM games had not been included in my evening round of posts.

I'm working on getting a round of GM posts in now, so you should be able to keep moving forward soon.

I just want to make sure you are all aware that the scenario difficulty is probably going to be a bit high. Your APL is 13.6, which will put you in tier 14-15, and you have 5 players.

Also, I am beginning to doubt that we will be able to finish this scenario during the convention or even soon afterwards. I've discussed this with convention organizers, and they think that it might be best to remove it from the convention and treat it as a normal lodge game. What do you think?

I dont mind but is it worth leaving it as part and see how we do?

If there is an option to leave it in for the moment, and then remove it if it definitely looks like it will overrun, then that certainly sounds like a good idea, but I'm happy to go with whatever makes the most sense.

I'm fine with removing the game from the convention roster. I'm most interested in playing this scenario through to its completion and not feeling rushed. But of course I'll go along with what everyone wants and defer to the GM's opinion.

Also, sorry I haven't posted much the past few days. I've been on vacation with my kid but we are flying home tomorrow and I should be resuming normal posting schedule.

I'm fine either way. I had noticed we'd been going pretty slowly and without a lot of description or flavour of what's happening. GM, if we need to take a break for a bit, that's perfectly understandable too--real life gets in the way sometimes for all of us.

The description was mostly getting crowded out by the rush to try to get through in time. Unfortunately, because of the number of combats still to go, we were losing out on the flavor and details to try to finish on time, and still are very unlikely to be able to finish on time.

If no one needs a character free for an in person convention or anything, I think this game would be greatly improved by removing the time pressure.

The last combat was also really just a filler. I tend to be really annoyed by combats that do nothing for the story.

I'm okay with it overrunning and not being on the convention roster. The next game I'd like to play with this PC is the Passing the Torch duo or Rasping Rebirth.

In terms of upcoming games, the next game I'd ideally been hoping to use Thargash for is the seeker tier scenario at PaizoCon this year on the 25th of May.

What's that one?

What's that one?

It's 9-25: Betrayal in the Bones.

Not played that one. But, according to my records, it's a 7-11.

((Edit)) Nope: 12-15.

In terms of any help with healing wands, I’m happy for anyone who needs help activating their wand to assume that Thargash could help them with it and make any rolls for the amount of healing done themselves.

Its just occurred to me that as a yellow shape has been used for the monster in the fire, it looks like we're fighting pac-man! Especially as it was surrounded by ghosts.

Registered for 9-25 yet Thargash? I have.

Yep, got him registered right after the sign ups opened.

I don't remember very much about this scenario - beyond that I liked it a great deal - but I do remember this particular encounter so I'm going to sit out the discussion. Don't want y'all to think I've disappeared!

Likewise, I shall sit out this encounter. If you need anything identifying or knowledge rolls then I will roll but I leave any decision making to others.

I understand and appreciate you two holding back, but please do jump in with a roll or speech as needed to support what your teammates decide without waiting to be prompted. We don't want to bog down in this encounter.

Just to let you guys know, I'm going to be doing some stuff to my computer tonight. If it goes well, there won't be any changes to you, but if I have problems, I might not be able to post anything substantial for a few days. I'll be able to check in here by mobile to let you know what is happening.

Is this hardware surgery? Or are you rebuilding the operating system?

The hardware surgery was completed yesterday. I'll be changing a Windows 11 only system over to dual booting with Gentoo Linux. I haven't really touched linux in over 5 years, so I know things have changed.

Good luck with it! Computer problems can be so aggravating - hope this goes smoothly.

Sorry for the delay. Things went pretty smoothly, but were time consuming.

Thargash is definitely not the best in the party for any of the required skills. He is trained in knowledge (arcana) and UMD, so can attempt an aid for either of those, if required, in addition to any skills which don’t require training to use.

I’m assuming taking 10 is an option here if we wanted to use that on the main roll for each check?

Aquana has +23 in Know Geography, Know Arcana, and Know Planes, +14 in UMD and +15 in other knowledge skills except K Nobility which is only +12.

She doesn't speak Ignan but has access to Comprehend Languages and Tongues

No fire boons that I am aware of but will check.

Yes, you can take 10 and yes, language magic can add a bonus like knowing the language.

Based on the knowledge skills which a few people posted earlier it looks like Garam is definitely the most skilled member of the party when it comes to knowledge (arcana) and knowledge (planes), so it would probably make sense for him to lead on the checks for the Eldritch Calculus and Metaplanar Engine, with the rest of us (including familiars) aiding.

For the Distillation Capacitor the best skill to use is craft (alchemy), so I'm not sure if anyone is really good at that? Alternatively we could just use knowledge (arcana) or knowledge (planes) again, as it looks like we could get quite a good bonus for those, and accept it will be a more difficult check.

For the Pyroclastic Aperture, it looks like a similar situation to the Distillation Capacitor, either we can use one of the listed good skills (i.e. craft (clockwork), knowledge (engineering), profession (engineer)) if anyone is especially good at those or just use knowledge (arcana), knowledge (planes), or another listed skill we are good at, again and really on our good bonus.

Lastly there is the option of using one of the wishes to fix one of the machines without a check.

What does everyone think?

It's also worth bearing in mind who would be able to aid on any of the checks as a number of the listed skills are trained only skills. Plus anything else like languages mentioned earlier which might help.

Tsrvk and his rabbit familiar have:

Craft Alchemy: none

Knowledge Arcana: +24 and +28

Knowledge Engineering: +13 and +15

Knowledge Planes: +16 and +24

Tsrvk also has a chronicle boon that he can use that gives him a single Knowledge check with a +30 bonus (2 * character level).

Of the substitute skills, their best would be the rabbit's +28 for Arcana.

No Ignan language skill or fire affinity boons.

Including the knowledge skill bonuses which Garam posted here and based on the information everyone has provided so far, it currently looks like our best options with the preferred skills listed for each device are something like this (in terms of base skill with no buffs):

Distillation Capacitor (craft (alchemy) preferred): No one so far.
Eldritch Calculus (knowledge (arcana) preferred): Garam (+31).
Pyroclastic Aperture (craft (clockwork), knowledge (engineering) or profession (engineer) preferred): Tsrvk (+30 with boon, or without the boon our best is +15).
Metaplanar Engine (knowledge (planes) preferred): Garam (+31).

And our best option with the alternative skills which can be swapped in for the checks above is Garam with +31 knowledge (arcana). We also have the wish option if necessary to fix a machine without a skill check.

I've got a wand of heightened awareness that I'm happy to share with anyone making the checks if needed. I don't have Ignan as a language or any fire affinity boons, but of the skills mentioned above I can aid on knowledge (arcana) (+7 bonus), and to a lesser extent on any craft (+1, untrained).

To help keep things moving at a good pace shall we make a decision on who is going to lead on each skill check based on what we know so far and then make the rolls? As I see it our best options are:

Distillation Capacitor - Garam (using knowledge (arcana) as a substitute), or use a wish.
Eldritch Calculus - Garam (using knowledge (arcana)).
Pyroclastic Aperture - Tsrvk (using knowledge (engineering) with boon), or Garam (using knowledge (arcana) as a substitute), or use a wish.
Metaplanar Engine - Garam (using knowledge (planes)).

Anyone trained in the relevant knowledge skill will be able to aid on the main rolls, plus we can also use magic to assist (e.g. heightened awareness, heroism, tongues, comprehend language, true skill etc...). Taking 10 on the skill check is also an option for whoever makes the main roll.

If that sounds like a reasonable plan shall we get started with the skill checks and aid rolls?

Apologies all, I have been violently ill the last few days with the noro virus. I am slowly recovering and should be able to post today.

That sounds unpleasant, glad you're beginning to feel better.

As mentioned above, I'm now off on that training course. Back on the 25th. Please bot as needed, thanks.

We're getting very near the end of the convention.

We are close enough to the end of the scenario that we'll keep this a convention game, although we will need to finish up after the convention end. Thus, I'll need to report the game in the next day or two, even though we won't be done. Please make sure you've provided your reporting info.

Also, please roll to see if you get a boon.

GM boon roll: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Gurkagh-bot boon roll: 1d20 ⇒ 12

Nope.

Boon: 1d20 ⇒ 17

I've checked my reporting information and it all looks good. I'm guessing we are close enough to the end of the scenario that we should be done in time for the PaizoCon game I'm signed up for in a couple of weeks time?

Boon: 1d20 ⇒ 13

boon: 1d20 ⇒ 6

Nope - looks like I'm striking out on boons this convention

Yes, I think it's likely we will be done with the scenario in a few weeks, as long as everyone keeps posting regularly so we don't bog down in the last combat.

Ranginori, the Duke of Thunder, has escaped the Untouchable Opal, but until he can fully recover from his imprisonment and physically manifest, he must rely on your strength. To this end, he has loaned you some of his divine power. How much he can spare depends on how decisively you broke the Opal. As you receive this handout, the GM should tell you how many points of elemental might you have earned. For each point you have, you gain the following cumulative benefits.

• 10 temporary hit points
• +1 luck bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks
• +1 luck bonus to AC
• +1 bonus on caster level checks to overcome spell resistance

You can spend a point of elemental might on your turn as a free action to gain any of the benefits below. You can only spend one point per round in this way, and you can only gain a particular benefit once. Spending a point reduces your benefits above.

• You can perform one additional standard action this turn.
• Choose a PC within 30 feet. You double that PC’s luck bonuses provided by this handout until the beginning of your next turn.
• You can automatically confirm one critical threat.
• You can automatically succeed at one caster level check to penetrate spell resistance.
• You can cause all electricity damage you deal this turn to deal its maximum damage, much as though it were affected by the Maximize Spell metamagic feat.
• Choose one melee weapon made mostly of metal that you wield. Until the start of your next turn, attacks with that weapon deal an additional 5d6 points of electricity damage per hit.

You successfully calibrated/repaired all four devices, so each of you has 4 points of elemental might.

Please keep track of your points and the benefits above, and specify once we are in combat if you spend any points in a round, and if so for which of the second set of benefits.

Any questions about these benefits before I roll initiative?

No questions from me about the benefits.

From a timing point of view would more than a minute have passed between us starting the process of breaking the Opal and the start of combat (Thargash cast lead blades from his wand in preparation to smash the Opal so I was wondering if that would still be active at the start of combat)? Also from a timing perspective, does the combat start as soon as the Opal is broken, i.e. no opportunity for Thargash to draw a replacement weapon or any other action like cast a spell etc...?

When combat does start Thargash will end his heightened awareness to get the +4 on initiative.

I'm so sorry to have dropped out of view for a few days - last week was super hectic and then I was horribly sick for a couple of days. I should be back to normal posting schedule now.

...

boon?: 1d20 ⇒ 12

...

No questions about the benefits...

I've reported the game to convention organizers, so it should be reported on Paizo in the next few days. We will try to get finished up before you need your characters. If everyone posts promptly, I don't think that will be a problem.

Thargash, I do think it is reasonable to say that you have time to draw another weapon before combat starts.

Thinking about options for Isah this round, I guess one challenge he faces is that a lot of his options make use of fire and we know the enemy have fire resistance. One helpful option which he always has available in absence of anything else would be aid another to improve an allies attack or defence. Has he been granted elemental might, or is that just for PCs? If he has I guess that could boost his options.