Opening the Discussion Thread to Invited Players.
I saw some cool back story ideas in Recruitment. This Adventure has a bit of an Origin Story theme to it, which will significantly impact who your characters are, and why they have spent the last couple years trapped below the surface as the Gravelands took over Lastwall in 4719. The current year is 4725. Your characters begin the adventure not yet fully knowing the extent of the above-ground transformation of the land!
As mentioned in the Recruitment for this game, “battling zombies“ and “wasteland survival” are among the themes this adventure will explore, and so character choices that anticipate that should be rewarded!
I am slowly putting the Campaign together, so if you seek to complete these steps early, wait until you see links posted in the Campaign Tab, and until I get my first Gameplay post up. Don't worry, I won't lose you, so long as you check your PMs and/or the Cottonseed Lodge Recruitment Thread.
☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠
Cheers!
GM Style
As your GM, I have three main Requests. Before committing fully, please let me know if you can easily comply. As your GM, I will lead by example and make the same commitment.
0) Have Fun
1) Post Daily
2) Show your Math
3) Communicate Game Mechanics (◆◇↺)
Once on weekends is okay, as is pretty standard around here. But yes, do your reasonable best to post daily. I will do my best to do so too, as well as to compile larger sets of info (say, for a skill challenge) into longer "anchor posts" with shorter updates cross-linked backwards. This "longer / shorter" format is a sustainnable way I can keep up on the GM side of the screen. Check out any of my DM/GM/QM aliases to see examples.
Note: I do not bot players. Part of posting daily is also making sure that, in your absence, the action keeps moving even as it hinges on your character. Good practices include keeping "botting instruction" in your profile, and/or adopting a "buddy botty system". GMing becomes an easy joy when the players pitch in to cover for eachother.
When using dice expressions, I ask that you represent your dice as sums seperated by +1s and -1s to show circumstance and status bonuses ~ or other temporary bonuses including Multiple Attack Penalty ("MAP": -5, -10, or -4, -8 for agile etc). Perhaps this is better explained by example.
Bad Examples
Good Examples
Pathfinder is a crunchy system, and the greater effort you make to be clear with your dice expressions or other math, the less scrolling I have to do to post the outcomes of your efforts. As I believe the effort I put in to craft GM posts is evident to you, I am asking for reciprocation.
I will post the prominently in multiple places. Please use them for every action you take during encounters, even if you think it is obvious.
Similarly, when you use abilities for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd time, please either post a link to that ability / skill feat / spell, or post it's actual text. For very common actions - things like Reactive Strike and Shield Block - this restriction is relaxed. But if you are unsure, post it.
A Note on Reactions: Reactions in PbP can be messy. Either slowing the back-and-forth to a crawl to elicit input, or posting with system-shattering hindsight. To strike the middle ground, if your character has a crunchy reaction, please leave short instructions about under what circumstances it will be used. For an example, if you have the Shield Block reaction, choose a threshold ("if a hit would otherwise fell me" or "if the hit is 13 damage or less"); if you have the Reactive Strike reaction, choose a scenario ("If anyone moves past me" or "Saving it for Red Foe if he moves"). Reactions are powerful abilities, and in this medium, require a little more care.
☠☠☠ ☠☠☠ ☠☠☠
Cheers!
I have an idea of Red Agnes's origin but I need some confirmation of timing of the undead invasion to make it work properly. How close is Yua's Hope to Vigil and did Vigil fall Yua's Hope. It also seems that Vigil was destroyed in the explosion that freed Tar-Baphon and not by undead attack, is that correct?
Essentially I need to figure out roughly where in relation to Yua's Hope The Bearded Goose would have been when it was overrun by undead. If all that is too complicated it might just work out for the inn to have been on the outskirts of Yua's Hope itself rather than on the outskirts of Vigil as I had originally intended.
I don't have a character ready yet, but I like to fill gaps in the party. I don't want to necessarily make the "optimal" party, but I do want ot make sure we've got our bases covered. I see a Barbarian, an Alchemist, and a Thaumaturge. Given the theme, a divine character seems appropriate. I think I'll whip up a Cleric of some kind, maybe an Animist, to fill the Wisdom-part of the party.
I like to go mechanics first, flavour later, so I'll come up with a backstory when I have a feel for what the character does.
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The setup of the adventure seems really cool! Interested to see how things develop. :)
Definitely think that someone with divine (holy) magic would be good in this adventure.
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Marius is a warpriest of Iomedae if that helps narrow down your character choices.
Don't let me rush you all, I craft Anchor Posts when I have chunks of time so that it gets done.
Our "official" start date is still September 4th.
Unrelated, you all start the game with 5 Hope Points, and that will probably be it!
Alchemist (Chirurgeon)
Barbarian (Spirit)
Cleric (Warpriest)
Thaumaturge (Amulet)
Our party so far.
I don't have a character ready yet, but I like to fill gaps in the party. I don't want to necessarily make the "optimal" party, but I do want ot make sure we've got our bases covered. I see a Barbarian, an Alchemist, and a Thaumaturge. Given the theme, a divine character seems appropriate. I think I'll whip up a Cleric of some kind, maybe an Animist, to fill the Wisdom-part of the party.
I like to go mechanics first, flavour later, so I'll come up with a backstory when I have a feel for what the character does.
Oddly enough, the very rotund Barlespin has not been sneaking extra food. Must have a thyroid condition or something.
I'll try to get some more information up soon. I'm running the PFS portion of ReaperCon from Thursday through Sunday so I'll be a bit busy. Worst case scenario I'll have character connections up on Sunday evening.
Should The Bearded Goose be in the town of Yua's Hope or should it be located elesewhere?
If that is something you made up entirely, it is welcome in Yua’s Hope
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Quentin here. I'm using the name of an old PF1 character so I don't have to make a new alias. The name fits, anyway.
I'm a Mastermind Rogue and I have the Forager feat from my Scout background. If that's game-breaking feel free to say so, and I'll choose something else. Or I'll just "forget" that I have it.
(Updating header and profile now, so it might not be 100% accuate just yet.)
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To aid character creation, themes this adventure entails are inclusive of “battling zombies“ and “wasteland survival”.
I'm a Mastermind Rogue and I have the Forager feat from my Scout background. If that's game-breaking feel free to say so, and I'll choose something else. Or I'll just "forget" that I have it.
No nope, the reason I am telegraphing what Themes the campaign will have is so that we can tell the story of "the Ones who (Didn't?) Survive".
Forager is an excellent skill feat for “wasteland survival” - working as intended! - we welcome Malendyl Sarmaris, Rogue Scout, into the fold.
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Just for mechanics for the GM and everyone else: I'm a Mastermind Rogue, which means I can get sneak attack off when I identify creatures. For play by post, I'll make a guess at what type of identification the creature might be and roll an open check (all identification checks are at +5 anyways), so I know if I can get an enemy off-guard or not. Because depending on that, I might do something else. Does that seem reasonable, GM? Otherwise I have to Recall Knowledge and delay my post to know the result of my check.
Also, I had enough money left over for a lesser alchemist's fire and one minor elixir of life.
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Do you one better!
I'll supply the ID skills upon encountering a creature in my Combat Tracker. On good days, I'll also include a Success Spoiler as well. If you don't see a Success Spoiler, go ahead and include a Question about the monster in question ("special attacks" or "weaknesses" etc). Most of the time (but not all of the time), I will provide the DC as well. If I do, please roll your own Recall Knowledge check. If I don't include the DC, please roll your own Recall Knowledge check but lock it behind a spoiler (to preserve Secret trait). In this latter case, as long as your Sneak Attack damage is clearly labeled, it should be easy enough to apply or remove.
Lastly, we need to discuss repeated DCs for re-identifying a creature during the same encounter, for the purposes of triggering your Racket repeatedly. I'm currently stewing on that, and will get back to you with a proposal soon.
=)
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If that's not too much work on your end, that'd be awesome! :)
As for re-triggering, that's only if I don't flank. I hope that won't be an issue, but we'll see. :)
Normally, by the rules, you can re-identify a creature with a bump in DC until you fail. See here for RAW:
Sometimes a character might want to follow up on a check to Recall Knowledge, rolling another check to discover more information. After a success, further uses of Recall Knowledge can yield more information, but you should adjust the difficulty to be higher for each attempt. Once a character has attempted an incredibly hard check or failed a check, further attempts are fruitless—the character has recalled everything they know about the subject.
I mean, that's all RAW, I'm happy with anything else you come up with.
Sometimes a character might want to follow up on a check to Recall Knowledge, rolling another check to discover more information. After a success, further uses of Recall Knowledge can yield more information, but you should adjust the difficulty to be higher for each attempt. Once a character has attempted an incredibly hard check or failed a check, further attempts are fruitless—the character has recalled everything they know about the subject.I mean, that's all RAW, I'm happy with anything else you come up with.
I was going to cosult the text, yes, thank you for supplying that. I'm thinking, as a general practice (where I reserve the right to make a specific exception / judgement call), using the Adjusting Difficulty table:
Attempts
1st @ DC +0
2nd @ DC +2 (Hard)
3rd @ DC +5 (Very Hard)
4th @ DC +10 (Incredibly Hard)
Do you think that, balancing being able to reliably obtain ranged sneak attack against having to prioritize "non-combat" attributes and skills, this is a fair progression; or overly harsh; or too easy?
(And no, it's not too much work, so long as players are doing their part. I am passionate about RK being a worthwhile even tactical skill to invest in for my games, so it is my pleasure)
Heads up: I have a busy Labor Day weekend with the family. I hope to make time to get to this game but might not be able to. I'll be sure to get my PC's introduction completion before the 9/4 start date.
Enjoy the weekend, folks.
In addition to PC Introductions, I will also require your Acceptance of my Requests prior to moving forward. If these are not amenable to you, I will politely suggest that this game will not be a good fit for you. And that's okay!
=)
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Yes, those seem to be reasonable requests.
Players, let's aim to have all 5 steps completed before Gameday begins, September 4th.
⚔ Character (including character bar)
⚔ Slides (token in marching order)
⚔ Macros (full sheet completed)
⚔ Backstory (including first post w/ checks)
⚔ Commitments (acknowledgement of requests)
1) Finish Character
☑ Barlespin
☑ Malendyl
□ Marius
□ Red
☑ Squishy
2) Slides
□ Barlespin
□ Malendyl
□ Marius
□ Red
□ Squishy
3) Macros Sheet
□ Barlespin
□ Malendyl
□ Marius
□ Red
□ Squishy
4) First Gameplay Backstory Post
☑ Barlespin
☑ Malendyl
□ Marius
□ Red
☑ Squishy
5) GM Style Commitments
☑ Barlespin
□ Malendyl
□ Marius
□ Red
□ Squishy
I'll definitely have everything ready by the 4th. I just finished running/coordinating PFS at a 4 day convention so I've been very busy for the last week making copies, prepping adventures, wrangling GMs etc.
Daily posting is quite acceptable, indeed even welcomed. The requested style of posting is more or less what I do already.
e.g.
Meadow chooses her target and fires
I have an outline of Red Agnes's connections in the crypts. I'll compose posts in the next couple of days. Here is a preview.
Dame Talia prevents a despondent Agnes from leaving the crypts on a suicide mission to kill as many undead as possible before they take her down in turn.
Sometime later Alyzo comes across Agnes softly humming a sad song. He sings the actual words and tells her how its really a happy song.
Garaag eventually confronts Agnes, claiming she is useless and undeserving of Sir Karl's sword. Some shoving ensues. Afterward Agnes begins to occasionally show some signs of her former lively self, though tinged with a new bitterness.
It might not be until my day off on Wednesday that I get the mechanics of Agnes's profile/tokens/macros finished.
Did a slight update on the character (changed Background to Merchant, since Curse Lore & Esoteric Lore were redundant). Filled out the macro sheet and placed myself in the marching order.
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I was going to cosult the text, yes, thank you for supplying that. I'm thinking, as a general practice (where I reserve the right to make a specific exception / judgement call), using the Adjusting Difficulty table:
Attempts
1st @ DC +0
2nd @ DC +2 (Hard)
3rd @ DC +5 (Very Hard)
4th @ DC +10 (Incredibly Hard)Do you think that, balancing being able to reliably obtain ranged sneak attack against having to prioritize "non-combat" attributes and skills, this is a fair progression; or overly harsh; or too easy?
That's exactly what I had in mind, so I agree. :) I don't want to rely on ranged sneak attack, but it's a cool way to get it off in case I don't have a flanking buddy. I don't expect to use it after DC+2.
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I agree to the commitments. I've also filled in the macros and the slides.
I also realised I don't have healer's tools, so I traded in my elixir of life and alchemist fire for one.
Done with Macros and Slides. I acknowledge and will comply to GM Style commitments.
That took longer than I thought but Dame Talia's interaction is up. I'll get Alyzo and Garaag tomorrow and Agnes's stats soon after.
For future reference The Bearded Goose is indeed in Yua's Hope and the bodies of Papa (43), Mrs. Orzist (32), her children Willem (9) and little Gerta (4), Sir Karl (64) and Mrs. Beimler (81) all remain unaccounted for.
Gotta love Paizo's website. For some reason I cannot access "Red" Agnes in order to make a profile. I was able to make an alias "Red Agnes" and make a profile so I will henceforth be posting as "Red Agnes". Red Agnes with no quotations is my PFS character and unavailable.
Awaiting Marius Tanar's rolls.
Are you with us?
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Hey, I'm still here. Unfortunately, I greatly under-estimated the time and brain power required to come back to work after a month-long sabbatical. I'm working on getting Marius setup this evening. I understand that's cutting it close to when you'd like to start the game. Hope it works out.
As for agreeing to the GM requests, I'm definitely onboard.
Nope, that's all good!
Let me take stock of intake chores...
⚔ Character (including character bar)
⚔ Slides (token in marching order)
⚔ Macros (full sheet completed)
⚔ Backstory (including first post w/ checks)
⚔ Commitments (acknowledgement of requests)
1) Finish Character
☑ Barlespin
☑ Malendyl
□ Marius
☑ Red
☑ Squishy
2) Slides
☑ Barlespin
☑ Malendyl
□ Marius
☑ Red
☑ Squishy
3) Macros Sheet
☑ Barlespin
☑ Malendyl
□ Marius
☑ Red
☑ Squishy
4) First Gameplay Backstory Post
☑ Barlespin
☑ Malendyl
□ Marius
☑ Red
☑ Squishy
5) GM Style Commitments
☑ Barlespin
☑ Malendyl
☑ Marius
☑ Red
☑ Squishy
So, unless I'm missing something, I need everything from Marius except #5!
Once I got that, we are ready to roll.
"Campaign Coins" to Barlespin, Malendyl, Red, and Squishy for having everything before start date! (A Hero Point you can use on behalf of another character, just like vets around PFS in these parts)
☘️ @ Barlespin (□□□□□/□), Malendyl (□□□□□/□), Marius (□□□□□), Red (□□□□□/□), Squishy (□□□□□/□)
I didn't realize that was how the campaign coins worked. Excellent.
Quick update on my progress.
☑ Character finalized - may still update spell preparation
☑ Image added to slides (I'll try to update to a token yet tonight)
☑ Macro sheet filled out
□ Gameplay post written w/ one roll; will get to other two connections later tonight
☑ Commitments already done
It's 2x the Scenario length!
We will probably have time for 1.5x of 1.75x depending on post speed and meeting the closing window for Gameday XIV.
I believe I explained that in Recruitment.
Question for the GM (or anyone with experience on thaumaturge): Reading the Exploit Vulnerability description, it says I can perform the action once per round, but I don't see any limit on how long the effects last. Do I get the benefit just for my next attack, or does it stick around for the remainder of the combat?
Can you link the ability in question (or provide full text)?
Per these requests (#3 specifically): LINK
For any new ability used during encounter mode - and multiple if using multiple.
(Barlespin, I see at least 3 abilities casually referenced in your post)
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Apologies. I thought I provided enough detail, but didn't explicitly provide the full text or a link ... Here you go (and now that I'm copying/pasting it, I do see an "until you Exploit Vulnerabilities again" before the list of roll effects, so that would be the duration ... I was looking for it down in the effects themselves).
Exoterica, Manipulate, Thaumaturge
Frequency once per round
Requirements You are holding your implement
You scour your experiences and learning to identify something that might repel your foe. You retrieve an object from your esoterica with the appropriate supernatural qualities, then use your implement to stoke the remnants of its power into a blaze. Select a creature you can see and attempt an Esoteric Lore check against a standard DC for its level, as you retrieve the right object from your esoterica and use your implement to empower it. You gain the following effects until you Exploit Vulnerabilities again.
Critical Success You remember the creature's weaknesses, and as you empower your esoterica, you have a flash of insight that grants even more knowledge about the creature. You learn all of the creature's resistances, weaknesses, and immunities, including the amounts of the resistances and weaknesses and any unusual weaknesses or vulnerabilities, such as what spells will pass through a golem's antimagic. You can exploit either the creature's mortal weakness or personal antithesis (see below). Your unarmed and weapon Strikes against the creature also become magical if they weren't already.
Success You recall an important fact about the creature, learning its highest weakness (or one of its highest weaknesses, if it has multiple with the same value) but not its other weaknesses, resistances, or immunities. You can exploit either the creature's mortal weakness or personal antithesis. Your unarmed and weapon Strikes against the creature also become magical if they weren't already.
Failure Failing to recall a salient weakness about the creature, you instead attempt to exploit a more personal vulnerability. You can exploit only the creature's personal antithesis. Your unarmed and weapon Strikes against the creature also become magical if they weren't already.
Critical Failure You couldn't remember the right object to use and become distracted while you rummage through your esoterica. You become flat-footed until the beginning of your next turn.
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You can attempt to Exploit Vulnerabilities in one of two ways: either by invoking properties that repel that type of creature, or by attempting a more improvisational, ad-hoc method with your esoterica that can impose a custom weakness on any creature, albeit one that usually isn't as dire as a creature's existing weakness.
Mortal Weakness After identifying a creature's weakness, you use a thematically resonant bit of esoterica to attune your attacks to your discovery. Your unarmed and weapon Strikes activate the highest weakness you discovered with Exploit Vulnerability, even though the damage type your weapon deals doesn't change. This damage affects the target of your Exploit Vulnerability, as well as any other creatures of the exact same type, but not other creatures with the same weakness. For example, when fighting a pack of werewolves you might use silver shavings or crushed moonstone to deal damage that applies their weakness to silver to your attacks against any of the werewolves, but you wouldn't apply this damage to any other monsters with a weakness to silver.
Personal Antithesis You improvise a custom weakness on a creature by forcefully presenting and empowering a piece of esoterica that repels it on an individual level; for instance, against a tyrant, you might procure a broken chain that once held a captive. This causes the target creature, and only the target creature, to gain a weakness against your unarmed and weapon Strikes equal to 2 + half your level.
Thaumaturge
Your wandering studies mean you've heard rumors or theories about almost every topic... though admittedly, your sources aren't always the most reliable. You can take a –2 penalty to your check to Recall Knowledge with Esoteric Lore to Recall Knowledge about any topic, not just the usual topics available for Esoteric Lore. Additionally, when you succeed at your check to Exploit a Vulnerability, compare the result of your Esoteric Lore check to the DC to Recall Knowledge for that creature; if that number would be a success or a critical success, you gain information as if you had succeeded at the Recall Knowledge check.
And, for context:
Esoteric Lore
Your experience with the unknown, as well as the tales you've exchanged with other thaumaturges, has taught you about strange phenomena of every kind. You become trained in Esoteric Lore, a special lore skill that can be used to Recall Knowledge regarding haunts, curses, and creatures of any type, but that can't be used to Recall Knowledge of other topics. Unlike a normal Lore skill, you use Charisma as your modifier on Esoteric Lore checks. You also gain the Dubious Knowledge skill feat.
At 3rd level, you become an expert in Esoteric Lore; at 7th level, you become a master in Esoteric Lore; and at 15th level, you become legendary in Esoteric Lore.
Abjuration, Magical, Manipulate, Thaumaturge
Trigger The target of your Exploit Vulnerability would damage you or an ally within 15 feet of you.
Requirements You're holding your amulet implement and are benefiting from Exploit Vulnerability.
You forcefully present your amulet to turn away harm. You or a target ally within 15 feet gain resistance to all damage against the triggering damage. The resistance is equal to 2 + your level.
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I like to think of it like you are (re)-teaching me and the other players (and yourself?) how your character works.
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Do we get the chance to do Daily Preparations before the meeting?
If yes,
Versatile Vials: 2+INT = 6 [][][][][]-[] (regains 2 vials every 10 minutes in Exploration mode; doesn't prevent from participating in other Exploration activities)
Familiar
Extra Alchemy: [] Cognitive Mutagen
Extra Vial: []
Invested Items (0/10): ---
Worn Items: Bomb, Sickle, Crossbow, Arrows (20), Compass, Healer’s Toolkit, Alchemist’s Toolkit, Backpack
Stowed Items (in Backpack): Basic Crafter’s Book, Bedroll, Chalk (10), Flint and Steel, Rope, Rations (2), Torch (5), Waterskin, Soap
Yes - Daily Preparations for a "regular day".
You are a helluva catch-upper, Marius!
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You are a helluva catch-upper, Marius!
I think that's a compliment, so thanks! :)
Barlespin, please read "Communicate Game Mechanics" once more and give us some guidance about how to conduct your character off-turn through PbP.
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Barlespin, since your reaction isn't blanket effect, and only affects your current Exploit target, if you would kindly remind me who your most recent Exploit target is in your posts, that would help me craft those GM posts.
Dame Talia this time, yes.
I fused your Tokens, Malendyl.
Your options are to carry him out, use one of the other checks, or hope he passes his flat check on the "Lair" turn!
(Does that answer your question?)
@QM rainzax: just edited in my Call to Flee roll. Thanks for noticing that I forgot to add that! My bad.
All good!
Three of us posting near-simultaneously... ...I noticed and edited the edit!
=)
And hold off on your Stabilize check until your next turn comes around (don't "pre-roll" it - doing so might change how people act, etc)!
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Those zombies pack a punch!
BTW, the antiplague was given to Agnes if I read that correctly.