Ansha's page

[dice=AoO]d20+4-4+4 more if the katana is masterwork or better

18 on the die with a katana is a critical threat, if you want to roll that.

Could the familiar ready action to teleport Aoi and itself out of the sphere/out of harm if Aoi detonates the Fireball inside the sphere, in a way that Aoi and the familiar is not hurt?

Although the idea sounds cool, I really have no idea how to implement that. By RAW, the familiar’s readied action would end up preempting the fireball, which means that by the time Aoi cast the spell, she’d no longer have line of effect to the inside of the force sphere.

Are any of the guards targetable with a composite longbow at the moment? If so, he targets them with a full action. If not he readies an action to fire when one comes within 110 feet (range increment) and sight with the first attack below.

The trees and smoke from the blight fire probably made it impossible to see the two honor guards at this point, so I’ll assume the readied action here.

You're the last one left...surrender...there is no point for it to go on any further... Goran pleads with the last remaining warrior.

“Ph'nglui mglw'nafh qlippoth wgah-nagl fhtagn!” is Riko’s only reply. (Confused Abyss-corrupted gibberish for “no thank you,” you guess.)

GM Ansha,

I understand that as the GM you have the final say at the table, but the rulings made in that fight felt inconsistent and punitive — especially after round 3, where my entire planned turn was nullified by an after-the-fact reinterpretation of the rules.

If it has come across as inconsistent or punitive, I do apologize. This is as high-level a game as I've GMed in quite some time, so I feel like I'm having to track down all sorts of rules on limited time, and then finding that I missed a key point. (For example, I just now noticed that your Misfortune lasts 2 rounds as a level 8 witch rather than one--although this wouldn't have changed anything.)

Then, you ruled that the longspear couldn’t be used inside the Emergency Force Sphere because it was “too long for the space.” The official description of the longspear states that “a longspear is about 8 feet in length,” which clearly means it fits within the 10-foot diameter of the sphere.

For the record, I allowed your familiar a saving throw against your Emergency Force Sphere's DC to retain its grip on the longspear, though perhaps I should have allowed you to roll the save rather than roll it myself in the interests of keeping the game moving. The height of the force sphere is also a relevant consideration, and I was interpreting it to be only slightly taller than your character, and definitely less than 8 feet. Given the actual space inside the sphere, it seemed highly likely to me that it would interact with the force sphere itself negatively, especially when it sprang into existence instantaneously in order to block the attacks of opportunity the coup de grace attempt triggered.

That ruling effectively made my declared actions impossible to execute, not because of any rule, but because of an arbitrary restriction introduced mid-resolution. When a GM changes or reinterprets a rule after a player has already declared their actions, the fair procedure is to allow that player to retcon or adjust their actions based on the new interpretation. That’s a basic courtesy in both Pathfinder and Organized Play; otherwise, it punishes the player for following the rules as written.

I'm not sure how you would have wanted to adjust your actions in that particular instance, given that without the force sphere, your familiar would have been knocked out and you'd have been seriously injured.

Instead, my turn was completely wasted. Then, in round 4 when I switched weapons to comply, the same pattern repeated: my familiar was ruled unable to perform the coup de grâce, and the Misfortune timing was selectively delayed so that it expired before I could act again, once again denying me any chance to re-specify my actions. I could have instead split the coup de grâce into two standard actions, used a move action to Cackle, and a swift action to boost Strength, but I wasn’t allowed that opportunity.

It seemed fair to me what you suggested--that the familiar handed the katana to Aoi, who executed the coup de grace attempt. Although, it actually had not even occurred to me that someone might want to try to start/complete a coup de grace over two rounds. Nor, for that matter, using a move action to perform what is ordinarily a swift action.

If you’re a player at my table, your character will be treated with the same level of courtesy and consideration that you’ve chosen to extend here.

As I am a player at one of your tables currently, I don't think this was a particularly productive or necessary comment to make.

To some degree, I feel a bit rushed with this being a GameDay table as well. But again, if I've come across as inconsistent or punitive, chalk it up to me being a relatively-new PFS GM.

For now, I don't want to retcon a bunch of things, so let's just move forward from here. I don't expect this encounter to last much longer and you have one more left (although the two fleeing deserters still have 5 rounds of panic left, and they're all "fight to the death" morale, so they'll be back).

I’ve only been here since the beginning of Book 4, like, 5-6 years ago xD

Iirc, Variel is the only one who’s been here since the very beginning of the game.

Surge: 1d10 ⇒ 8

Well, we lucked out there!

With a flash of insight, Ansha exclaims, “Oh! If I remember right, in this layer of the Abyss, there’s a particular type of moss that grows on the south side of trees.”

Knowledge (planes): 1d20 + 31 ⇒ (17) + 31 = 48
Knowledge (local: 1d20 + 30 ⇒ (12) + 30 = 42

Ansha looks the cliff-side "town" over with a dubious eye as the party nears. "I wouldn't expect much in the way of civility if we feel the need to get closer to that place. Echostal's not got much in the way of rules--especially not compared to where we were a few weeks ago," she says, referring to the Midnight Isles obliquely.

Meanwhile, my AC is 11.

“ All happy in its own, you'll never be content. He sun, you long not to look for perfection, trying not to looking. All happy families are the saw he sun, trying at he were the saw he saw he sun, trying. All neven way. If you'll happy families are the stepped down, yet her, like; each unhappy families are the were alike the were the sun, trying not to long at he saw he sun, trying. All happy families are the were alike the were the saw he saw her, as if she were the were alike the stepped down way!”

Lara babbles incoherently.

Sense Motive: 1d20 ⇒ 3

Lara furrows her brows at the automaton. “Wait…What colonists did we kill in the other room?”

Or did he mean the mutants? She was pretty sure that those didn’t count. Not to her, anyway. They did try to kill her, after all.

“Anyway, yes, we are. No, we won’t unless they try to hurt us. And how do we get authorization to open this locked door?”

Kiyoko patiently ignores endures Aylanna’s ranting until they arrive at a food stall, offering occasional noises like “Mmn,” “Uh huh,” and “Nn” as appropriate. She then buys Aylanna a taiyaki cake, shoves it into her hands, and revels in the silence.

By the kami, it is like having a kid sister.

Can I take 20 on the Perception check? If so, I can hit a 41 after casting Heightened Awareness on myself.

Last round:Lara advances closer to her comrades.

This round: Lara burbles out another haste spell, and Lolito, Kragg, Alyn, and Trick all feel much lighter on their feet.

Okay, I believe Lara is leveled up.

Level 8: bard (archaeologist) 8

HP +6
Stat increase +1 CHA
rogue talent (canny observer)
+1 BAB, +1 Ref, +1 Will

+9 skill points (acrobatics, climb, disable device, knowledge [dungeoneering], knowledge [religion], perception, stealth, 2 ranks in swim)

background skills: Knowledge (history), Linguistics

added spells known: heightened awareness, haste

I suppose since Lara was handed a box, she should be next to Kragg in the room.

Lara nods in agreement with Kragg. "Best not to leave anything unexplored behind us," she says, following after him to the double doors.

Lara raises an eyebrow at Lolito as he tries to force the lockbox open.

“It does look like someone may have tried the same thing already,” she says to Kragg. “But no reason to break things if they haven’t already been broken.”

She takes out her lock picks and gets to work.

Disable Device: 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (17) + 18 = 35

Lucky Deadly Aim Focused Point Blank Precise Shot: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (20) + 12 - 2 = 30
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 12 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 2 = 24
1d6 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
Crit dmg: 2d6 + 22 ⇒ (2, 3) + 22 = 27

Lara takes careful aim at the sonic lizard and sends an arrow streaking toward its eye.

I’ll just take the retcon at this point, on both Sarenrae as deity and on Cael’s actions. We’ll see how things go from here with Caelreth continuing as a proper paladin. ;)

Actually, now that I can look at the map on my laptop, I don't think I can make it to the yellow one and attack this round, so just a double-move.

Oh, don't worry about the 'Wow, harsh xD' thing. I was laughing irl when I typed that, though I realize that wasn't obvious from just the text I typed. Caelreth is level 1 still, so it's not a big blow in the long run if he did lose his paladin powers. I'm not sure if you can do a level 1 rebuild from fallen-paladin to paladin again, but there's always rebuilding as a proper fighter (and then possibly back to a proper paladin as of level 2).

Noted about Shelyn's code of conduct, and I'll have to see if I can find a different one, because I don't like playing never-strike-first characters. Maybe Sarenrae.

It's probably worth pointing out that mechanically it's inspire courage and not bless. Adds a +1 to damage that bless wouldn't, gives a bonus to saves against charms as well as fear effects--and isn't dispelled by bane.

Caelreth draws his own longsword and moves to engage the sentry.

1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 1 = 24
1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 + 1 = 8
Crit confirm: 1d20 + 3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 1 = 7
Crit dmg: 1d8 + 1 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 + 1 = 5

AC 17

Lara moves to the first door to the west. “May as well take it one at a time,” she says, and opens the door, an arrow nocked and ready.

"If there are no objections, I will handle the strong box," Caelreth says. Mainly just to keep things rolling.

Readjusting his equipment, the elven paladin takes the strong box in hand and accompanies the group as it makes its way to the Cathedral of Abadar. Once inside, he casts around to see if he can find someone who looks like a proctor (or 'the Proctor,' specifically).

I don’t think it’s ever been an issue- but then again, I don’t usually play a paladin.

Looks like a number of the tattoos are PFS-legal, according to the AONPRD. Doesn’t look like shadow piercings are, though.

See also here for the tattoos, and here for the no-go on shadow piercings.

One of my absolute favorite games I've played in was a standard Race For the Runecarved Key a few years back, here on the Paizo boards. I've got high hopes for this one too.

Player: Ansha
Character: Caelreth Durothil
PFS#: 16188-6
Faction: Silver Crusade
Slow or Normal Track: Normal
Day Job: none

I’m pretty sure the stalkers’ weapons were shapeshifted parts of their own bodies.

Lara pokes her head into the tunnel. “You may want to let me check the way for traps, Lolito,” she says. With that, she starts searching the walls and floor for any tell-tale wires or pressure plates.

Perception, Trap-finding: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25

Since it's "6th-level or lower", I should be able to cast it off of the sorc/wiz list as a 4th level spell, too.

“Oh, so that’s how we’re going to play it, huh?” Ansha says, recognizing the spell immediately.

As Ansha speaks, she throws up her hands in an exasperated gesture. Hidden behind her words and gestures, a spell forms and afflicts the ghost-women.

Threnodic confusion, DC 22, centered so that it affects the Black, Blue, and Green ones. Covert Casting and Subtle Enchantments apply.

Charisma check, DC16: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Covert Casting Bluff: 1d20 + 26 ⇒ (6) + 26 = 32
Covert Casting Sleight of Hand: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

It looks like you never applied the 5 hp of healing from this post, Nowruz. So the attack that put Toto unconscious would have left him at -3 hp rather than -8. He should have a total of 23 damage taken, 24 after the failed Stability check.

Diplomacy, shaken: 1d20 + 13 - 2 ⇒ (11) + 13 - 2 = 22

"We're here because we defeated a mimic, a thing that took the shape of a table and attacked us, in a tower on this island's coast. There was a map in that tower that said there were 'enemies' here, and we are also enemies of the aboleth and its minions. There is an old saying in Taldor, where I am from, that 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.' If you are the aboleth's enemies, then we want to be friends," Lara says, forcing herself to speak in spite of how shaken the last attempt at diplomacy had left her.

Ansha shrugs nonchalantly at Rakesh. The rambling Irishman drunk gnome was incomprehensible at the best of times. Besides, she already knew what she needed to know about the situation and the locale. ;)

" We can even take the rowboat out for 2 hours then have Lolito carry Lara from there. That will give him plenty of time to cover the rest of the distance. However the 2 of you will be split from the rest of us should anything happen to you."

Lara looks at the old man dubiously, then looks back to Kragg. "I think we should stick together. The last thing we need is for half of us to get captured and replaced by faceless stalkers now, of all times."

Very reluctant to get close to the moving sculpture, Ansha nonetheless flies closer to Rakesh and retrieves the wand in question from his pack.

Move action to fly closer, move action to retrieve a wand of lead blades from Rakesh's pack.

Lara nods. "Carver Hastings. It was probably his."

Lara shakes her head. "I'm fine," she says to Kragg. "I should probably see how many arrows I can scrounge up, though."

She looks at Thanaldhu, though she speaks to the others instead. "It's a shame I never met the real Carver. We may have had interesting findings to share."

Knew Lara should have taken ranks in Profession (bookbinder) or Craft (book). I could be raking in the money selling blank spell books to the *counts* two people on the island who use them!

Lara remains quiet throughout most of the interrogation, though a grimace crosses her aristocratic Taldan features when Eliza says that she herself was a potential target for 'replacement' by a faceless stalker.

Finally, she speaks: "Perhaps you two should consider the position you're in. You're not in Ontooth's hands right now--but you are in ours. You can make things a lot easier on yourselves by making things easier for us."

Diplomacy: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (20) + 12 = 32

No, you drank it. And here's the post where we found potions of resist energy (fire).

Derym, I just want to say that I love the internal dialogues between Derym and Antipatharian. Don't think I could pull off RPing an intelligent weapon nearly as well.

愛人? She's having an illicit romance with her no-dachi? xD

I wish you had put something in ooc brackets like, "Seriously, guys. I have a special ability that makes enemies explode in a large radius for a lot of damage!"

I can just see Ansha getting blamed for all of this property damage (plus all of the property damage three bomb-lobbing alchemists had already caused). Better make sure I cast Deflect Blame before things get out of hand.

...Actually, I could probably Deflect Blame to one of said bomb-lobbing alchemists pretty convincingly.

Ansha sighs and yells, "I warned you!" She keeps an eye on the now-not-invisible leader for now. Ready vs any action other than hurting himself.

Derym nods, then shrugs, "Wel, yes and no. To date, my experience with artefacts has been generally more inreclamation and salvaging from caves and temples -- nothing like a careful dig."

"Careful digs are over-rated anyway. Especially when you're being chased by plant-zombies or the local fauna is trying to kill you," Lara says to Derym, straight-faced.

"And welcome to the fun, all the same."

Lara already has a mithral chain shirt +1, so it wouldn't be if use to her either. May as well sell the generic chain shirt +1.

For the record, Lara's Fortitude save is +3, and her Archaeologist's Luck/Fate's Favored gives her another +3 luck bonus. I'm assuming a 19 is still a failure though.

Lara shudders involuntarily, then nocks another arrow to her bow and snaps off a shot at one of the two mists.

weakened Lucky Deadly Aim Precise Point Blank Shot: 1d20 + 12 - 1 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 1 - 2 = 23

1d6 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 = 13

Done.

Hey, Lara finally has a rogue's trapfinding/disarming abilities! Will try to get to leveling-up in the next day or two.

Be happy to, when I'm not stunned!

The charm person save would be at a +5 bonus for the hobgoblin since we would have attacked it with the color spray first, though.

No problem. Also, Lara has a Drawback that means she is Shaken for the next hour after failing a Diplomacy check.

Lara facepalms at both Lolito and Thame's answers. "Remind me to keep my cabin door locked and barred," she mutters. "I am also not a faceless stalker."

Fortunately, Kiyoko has torches.

Like a properly-prepared adventurer. ;P