I've been toying with the idea of trying out PFS play-by-post. Has anybody here any experience with that? I would expect that the shorter scenarios are maybe better suited for such a drawn out thing as PBP.
Search Posts
Oh, that's sad. All the best to you and your family. It has been a pleasure gaming with you (and all you others of course).
STR Ranger, it has been a pleasure. I seriously admire the effort and depth you put into Marcus and it was great fun to play that little romance between Marcus and Ascaria. I'm really sad to see you drop but but life is life and always takes precedence over gaming. I totally understand. Waife, sure thing. I can't get around how you kept this running in this detail up to this point in the first place. Take your time. Also, if you'd like to scale back on the detail (veeeery involved maps, lots of side plots, all those character pics on Flickr, ...) I'd be totally ok with it. If you manage to get this running again, it'd be great. If not it was still a big fun ride!
Ascaria wakes from Marcus' shaking her. Still drowsy, she helps him into his armor, fiddling straps into buckles with clumsy movements. She makes a mental note that Blacky is still perched upon the chair, oblivious to all the ruckus in the room. When Marcus finally manages to get Apollo to do his will - the dog seems to be at least as tired as Ascaria herself - she bites her lip. Should she let Marcus set out on his own? No, she decides, grabs her sling from the table, and follows him out of the room, always a good ten meters behind. Perception
Another lengthy business trip coming. I should be able to find me some Wifi everywhere but I can't guarantee it. Please NPC Ascaria if I don't respond for some time.
*rolls for DM Waife*
Here, you can use that one next. :-)
Oooh, this is getting messy. At least the notion that someone may have be fudging the dice rolls should be off the table now ;-)
Perception:
Ascaria gives Hans an irritated stare as the guard turns his back on them. "I did imply nothing. Just wanted to make sure everyone's alright.", she mutters under her breath and then is overwehlmed by another yawn. She gives her companions a forced smile. Well, I guess we're all a bit tired, aren't we? Time for bed. She takes Marcus's hand, gives it a light squeeze and then heads for her room.
Although Ascaria is dead tired from the long and eventful day, somethings about Hans's account gives her goosebumps. "Passed out? But you are sure that he is ok? I mean with all the Zincher business in the last days..." Stifling a yawn, she looks warily at the others. "Maybe we should check on him... Or am I just a little wound up?"
Ascaria works her shift quietly and attempts to avoid conversation with anyone unless it is absolutely necessary. However, a vigilant observer might notice the genuine smile that creeps onto her face every so often. She obviously is occupied with her own thoughts tonight ... and those thoughts seem to be of the good kind.
** spoiler omitted ** DM Waife: Although it would be realistic to consider this, I'm not sure I would be comfortable with it. Aside from possibly removing Ascaria from the game due to pregnancy, it raises a whole lot of rules questions. Would the condition change her stats? Lower her Con, for example? Would she heal the same amount of HP every night? What if she died and would be subject to a raise dead or similar? I think there is a reason why the PF rules do not touch that subject... ;-)
Ascaria wakes with a start from Marcus banging on her door. A little confused she gets up, smoothing down her tunic (to no avail) and opens the door. Only now does she realize that it was Marcus's voice which had called her. She stands there for a moment, staring at the ranger as if she was still dreaming. Then she flings her arms around his neck, hugging him fiercely as if she never wants to let him go again. "Oh, by the gods! I thought... I though you were..." She dares not speak the words and her voice breaks into a quiet sobbing though the tears come from joy and relief. She kisses him not caring about anything else in this world...
Ascaria does not hear Marcus calling at her door. If Saul sends someone to summon her however, she will probably wake and join the others in the common room.
Every breath stinsg like a dagger in Ascaria's lungs as they are running through the crowded streets. Tears are welling up in her eyes, she could not say if from exhaustion or from the pictures that are forming in her mind. Marcus, fighting bravely against an overwhelming force of watchmen. For every foe tat he cuts down to more appear around the next corner. A blade exploding through his chest... She just keeps on running, the tears now running down her cheeks. When Tam finally slows down and signals that they have probably escaped their pursuers, Ascaria nearly collapses where she stands, her breath a ragged mix of panting and sobbing. She does not have a clue where they are, everything around her is shrouded by curtain of tears. She does not resist as the others drag her along through the city, this cursed city. She only realized that they are back at the Golden goblin when she stumbles into her room, Blacky fluttering in behind her. With an empty feeling she slumps onto the bed and falls asleep immediately.
That's when the big strong guy stops a moment to ponder if it is a wise idea to take on a whole gang of bandits in broad daylight :-P
I'm loving this. It's challenging to GM and I hope it's rewarding for you also. Forcing the story on after this though. I totally dig this! I don't know if this is a story encounter, a random encounter, or GM-crafted add-on but it's really cool. On the one hand I don't have a clue who these guys are and what they want from us and that makes it feel that there is something bigger going on that we don't know yet. On the other hand I love battles that last for more than three rounds. That's when tactics start to really matter.
Ascaria is completely torn. With all the adrenaline from the fight she feels like she could rip the gang leaders head off. But the arrival of the gendarmes has given things a different spin. Marcus will be fine. They may take him to the watch and lock him up but at least he won't be killed. Be a wise woman for once and get out of here. You're more use for him if you do not sit in a dark cell beside him. Maybe Saul can be of help, too. Ascaria will make a run for it heading for the small alleyway to the northwest.
Sorry guys, I'm a little in over my head ATM. In addition I'll be on a trip to Vienna from tomorrow. Could you please npc Ascaria for that time? I hope everyone's still alive when I'm back :-)
Ascaria screams out as Marcus heads back trying to save Andrezi. She knew it was a noble and righteous thing to do... the right thing to do. But she also knew what else it meant. When he runs away ordering Tam do get the others out of here, she screams after him with tears welling up in her eyes. "Don't you dare leave me like that, Marcus Whiteshae! If you get yourself killed I will never forgive you!" She sees Tam and Tippy joining in with Marcus' frantic rescue attempt. A rougish smile creeps onto her face beneath the pain and the tears. "Oh these guys. What did I get into here? And to think that I care the most for the worst one in the lot... Desna, save us..." Initiative:
Ascaria follows the others. "When we reach the docks, turn right, after Blacky!" She points to the raven who flutters away towards the north. "We would be trapped in the other direction." Perception:
"You're right, Tippy. They can't be so stupid and try to get us at the docks with all the people there. Even in Rotgut you can't just attack a group of people in plain daylight..." Ascaria's voice however betrays that she is not so sure about that last part.
From Ascaria's perspective, she won't be excited about taking revenge on a horde of pauper's who are bullied into attacking us. It would take something really serious to make her go along with such a plan. From a player's point of view, I'm ok with anything. I would however also like to see a little meat on the story...
Ascaria flinches as Marcus smashes the window but is far too anxious to start a debate about that right now . She stays right behind the ranger while reaching out mentally to her familiar. "Stay away Blacky, find some high place, wait till I call you!"
Ascarias whispers her idea, barely audible even to herself, knowing that Marcus would hear her clearly. Marcus: "Going south will lead us nowhere. Maybe we should try the Gas Forges..."
Sorry for the silence, I'm still with you. :-)
Ascaria tries to stay close to the others, keeping up as good as she can. Then an idea comes into her mind. She reaches out mentally to Blackbeard who flutters along with a the group. "We need to know where the enemy is... We need to know if there is a way out of this quarter or if we are surrounded..." Hoping that he understands, she watches how the black bird ascends into the air and circles a few meters overhead.
Knowledge (local):
Ascaria is visibly relieved when Marcus orders their retreat. She will try to stay as close to him as possible, trying to keep up with the rest of the group.
Perception:
Ascaria moves to the corner of the building and looses the sling from her belt. Then she points her finger at Marcus and mouthes a few words, inaudible to the others.
Message to Marcus: "Maybe we should run for it. I don't intend to depopulate the whole quarter. Nor do I think we can hang on much longer..."
Ascaria places the fortune hex on Ethaniel who comes running down the street. Then she moves across the alley peering down the way to the north to see if any more goons arrive.
Perception (if needed):
With Tam obviously in control of the situation, Ascaria whirls around and sees Apollo attacking another of those unwashed bandits. She moves a little closer , careful to stay in a relative cover, and casts daze on the thug .
Perception:
Wow, can't believe we're already nine months into the campaign. Pretty cool! :-) I'll be here when you guys have the time to continue.
Seeing that the fight is practically won, Ascaria will cross the street and cast daze on Tippy's opponent. "Tippy, try to knock him out, maybe he can tell us who sent him!"
Seeing that the fight is practically won, Ascaria will cross the street and cast daze on Tippy's opponent. "Tippy, try to knock him out, maybe he can tell us who sent him!"
Well, I guess Stealth has always been an issue even back in the old D&D days. The new playtest rules show that even Paizo couldn't really nail it in spite of all their marvellous work. To be honest I can understand both sides. The stealth-using characters wanting to get the most out of their vision and the poor GMs who have to prevent their players from killing everyone without ever being seen. I think Waife struck a pretty good balance so far...
Waite is using the current CRB Stealth rules, not the play test Stealth Rules. As soon as you leave cover, you're exposed, and everybody automatically sees you. Yes, you can restealth if you end up behind cover, but everybody will know which square you're in, so won't be flat-footed against any attacks. ...which sounds like a perfectly reasonable ruling to me...
Although Tam's threat gives even Ascaria a light shudder, she grins as the boy darts away. "Well done. I would have hated to see that kid get hurt. May Desna continue to watch over you", she says as she makes a gesture in the air. Then she carefully glances around the corner of the hut, seeing what her other companions are up to. She decides to help them and hustles taking cover behind Andrezi.
I added Ascaria's load to the character sheet. I used PCGen to calculate it. It may be off by a few pounds but should still be a light load only.
It's so cool to be the damsel in distress for once and see all you strong guys trying to protect me! From now on I'll only play young, attractive, helpless girls! :-p @Twigs and Waife: Hope you get better soon!
Although Ascaria had expected something to happen, she is still startled as the combat breaks loose like a sudden thunderstorm. One moment she was calming Blacky, the next thing she knows is arrows flying around and everyone shouting at her to finally find some cover. Ascaria breaks from her inactivity like suddenly waking from a bad dream. She hustles into a nearby alleyway seeking cover behind a barrel there. Getting a momentary respite from immediate danger, she casts mage armor on herself.
Perception
Ascaria feels more and more uneasy. Blacky, perched upon her shoulder, is also getting restless, ruffling his feathers and cawing nervously. Although she had been in similarly run-down parts of Riddleport or other towns, their little group seemed to get an extra portion of hostility and ill attention. The young girl takes care to stay at Marcus' side all the time.
Ascaria had noticed the shadowy figure stalking their little group but so had Tippy and before she can even decide if she should react on that, Tippy disappears into a doorway as the alley makes a slight turn. Confident that the halfling knows what he is doing she continues without so much as a blink. Tippy had pulled such things before, after all. When Iscarel falls in beside her, the young witch makes a face at his jape. She answers in a low voice, not exactly secretive but neither easy to perceive for the others. Iscarel:
"While I appreciate your concern, you really shouldn't tease Marcus like this." She grins. "Now, if you don't close your rathole, the cutpurses here are the least of our problems. Apollo's already licking his lips." She gives him a friendly push after which the elf begins his loud tirade about shedding blood. Ascaria rolls her eyes. Someday, I'm gonna wish that Apollo really eats this lot for breakfast...
|