Choamski's page

So I run grab rules differently; this is the first time I've encountered this particular interpretation.

Looking at the previous DM rolls, the attack-grab-constrict (or sneak in this case)-free action release repeated once per attack puts the damage well above what an equivalent CR critter can do. If you do some back of the envelope calculations, you'll see a CR 6 base Mi-Go is doing more damage (by roughly 30% or so) than a CR 8 dragon - and CR 8 dragons are theoretically supposed to be scary murder machines if they can full attack.

While I agree the interpretation of the rules is completely correct RAW, I don't find it to be RAI. Unfortunately, it is (from my perspective) a grey area and open to DM fiat. I prefer the multiple grab attempts with only one constrict. Additionally, personally, if I choose to grab someone with a monster I always maintain the grapple until next turn - a usually suboptimal choice, but in keeping with the spirit of monster attacks.

Which is not to say that this particular fight wouldn't still have been a cluster-f**k for our party - but it might not have meant the gloriously bloody death of a high AC, 18 con fighter a basically 1 round. Our tactics and damage potential was suboptimal, for certain.

The way things went down, I must say was quite thrilling.

Tier 4 actually But, yes, APL+4 is troublesome.

Blame the author of the particular section, maybe, not paizo?

Yes, he said 3

You guys let me know what you want me to run. I promise to keep it shorter then Midnight Mirror :P

I'd rather see a new PFS player have a chance to shine without being too handicapped. I've got characters and concepts to spare - no regrets!

I might suggest playing something other then Thornkeep for the rest of Chasik's career - at the very least, you'll get a chance to RP the character a bit more. I recommend Frostfur Captives, Quest for Perfection series, Midnight Mauler, Goblinblood Dead from year 3. Year 4 has a few fun social ones, and you do have a fighter with a positive Charisma ;)
Blakros Matrimony, Disappeared, Fortress of the Nail was fun - I don't remember the precise arc. You should check out this awesome thread

Oh, I didn't say I needed to cut back. I just need a second hobby ;)

Lets see ... in PFS I have a 16, 12, 7, 11, 1, 9, 6, 5, 3 (Choamski), 1, 1. Also, a level 6 in a home game. I have a 2 year campaign I've been running (book 5 of Kingmaker) and just started playing a level 1 in RotRL.

I probably need a second hobby ;P

I am new to PbP, I used to do a fair amount via maptools.

Well this was PFS character 9 for me, and I'll be starting 11 next week. I think I'm calm about the situation. ;)

I've only played him in three adventures. When you get to two year campaigns, or 100+ tabletop hours ( plus another 100 hrs in messing with stats) then one feels invested. I'm sure you feel that way with Avoreal, for instance - I do with Lithuan.

The other half of that paragraph is that players can't pool PP for more expensive services - that we cannot do.

I'm ok with letting him go. He's actually ending up a bit too much like my (nearly retired) gnome archivist. Anyways, he'll always keep a place warm for you in the scrolls section, if Knorrin chooses to visit Absalom.

We may have recovered some minor gear from the cultists we fought, although strictly speaking you hand waved that activity.

There is also the matter of negative levels; two of them need to be removed. That is either 2560 or 8 PP (or 1280 gp and 4 PP)

Choamski will contribute to Chasik's recovery, selling all his gear and taking up a hermitage in the Grand Lodge. He will obsessively study the Mi-go and other creatures from the dark tapestry (as is the gnomish way), but he will never return to the adventuring lifestyle. (For all intents and purposes, you can mark him as dead for recording the adventure - it might help for their tracking purposes to understand the killer nature of the adventure.)

That's 2953.72 from myself.

If the DM will allow me, I will spend my prestige to pay for Chasik's restorations as well. I currently have 8 (10 including this adventure). The guide says: "As a general rule, Prestige Points are designed to be spent by characters on themselves." - so this would be GM fiat.

If Broken Prince (Rellen) was willing to pay for body recovery and allow us to strip his corpse of gear he and I could probably fund the raise dead (5450) without paupering Knorrin, Chasik and Floggentop.

Well, I'm the one who suggested it, so it works for me.

I believe this was Chasik's only high.

1/4? I joke...

2/2 I think. We did 6 encounters successfully (2 chronicles worth) and reported back. We did not quell the threat or show exceptionalism or bravery (excepting Chasik, who should possibly get a 3rd point.)

Thoughts?

Strictly speaking, if we receive less then full gold, it is in the favor of the characters to receive less then full XP/PP, given that a failure of this magnitude is akin to failing 3 scenarios. It would give us a chance to "catch up" again in XP, PP and Wealth.

However, I am ambivalent to the decision that is made - merely an observation.

Once they have a chance to stop running, Choamski sits down and rocks himself a bit.

"I thought I had seen it all in Kaer Maga - but that thing - that Mi-go. Creatures from the Dark Tapestry shouldn't be here. Poor Chasik... poor Rellen. The mad designs of a wizard from five thousand years past has left them dead. I must tell the lodge about that thing - the Black Goat, the slaves to that creature."

He looks up at Knorrin and Floggentop. His hair has been shot through with streaks of white.

"I don't know if I can do this anymore. Irez has called upon me to spread knowledge... but I don't know if I can do it anymore when things like that exist. I just want to hide away in a library, hide behind the books. Maybe they would have a place for me in the Scrolls..."

Uh... I start playing some Modest Mussorgsky pieces to set the mood.

1d13 + 666 ⇒ (12) + 666 = 678 ... how did I do?

I suddenly had a shift in understanding. We are no longer playing Pathfinder! We're play Call of Cthulu!

The ones that make it out are insane, some are captured for a far more sinister purpose; those that merely die are the lucky ones...

Happy Friday! Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Lacking addition means to secure the door... or the strength to hold it closed... Choamski moves out of the way and reads the scroll proffered earlier.

"Uh, I hope somebody has a clever plan...

Choamski slams the door shut!

Choamski moves behind the door and readies to close it after the last of his allies is through.

Just to be clear, we're going with the running away option still, right? I'm fairly certain death is still imminent for Chasik, just delayed.

A nat 20 does succeed on a CMB, as a nat 1 fails. It's a combat roll.

If he doesn't die before the next round, yes he stop the grapple and withdraw as a free action, or 5' back and close the door (anyone have a hold portal :P )

Nah, natural 20s happen. :)

It can make full attacks while grappled, albeit with a -2 penalty.

I thought you could only do one option with grease? Cover an area; or cover a held or worn object. Am I wrong?

Options: You can attack with a -2, roll a CMB vs. it's CMD to escape, or roll a CMB vs. CMD to reverse the grapple.

Honestly, trying to reverse the grapple might be the best option. It forces it to focus on you. Getting released just means it gets free grab attempts on you (multiple grapple checks around.) You have a +1 from song and bless to that check, on top of your normal CMB check

Well, if we live we'll have to keep that in mind.

The thing is doing sneak on every attack, which blur denies (barring the right feats), so yes that certainly would have helped.

1d20 + 6 + 3 + 2 + 5 ⇒ (13) + 6 + 3 + 2 + 5 = 29 - knowledge check on the creature before I run

Choamski double moves.

Ah, my mistake. I thought it was further away.

"It just cast barkskin on itself!"

Choamski lands a well placed shot into the wretched Dretch north of Chasik, despite the cover.

Thornkeep is definitely "hard mode", and we below suggested tier.

It's 16 PP for the Raise Dead.

Rellen's AC is 17, +2 PfE,-2 rage if I'm not mistaken.

Ah, ok. Never hurts to ask, in case something was missed.

PFS salute to fallen heroes!

(I suppose it behooves me to ask if the prot vs. evil AC made a difference, but probably not. That was a fair number of bad guys...)

Choamski loads a cartridge of cold iron bolts into his repeating crossbow, not yet in a position to see the new foe or the death of his companion.

Rellen, they had errata for the combat scabbards. You might want to grab the latest Adventurer's Armory. No longer 18-20

Combat scabbard, sharpened 10 gp 1d4 1d6 ×2 — 1 lb. S see text

Bard song to hit: competence. Bless&heroism to hit: morale

I would like to use one of the boons when we start the fight - "You gain a +5 bonus on a Knowledge check to identify a creature" - once I have a chance to do so.

I'll forgo the message and spend round my 4th round doing magic weapon instead for Rellen.

That sounds about right; then Rellen or Chasik kicks in the door.

I don't know if Chasik or Rellen have potions they want to take.

"I think perhaps our foe is preparing wards in anticipation of our coming; I hear spellcasting."

1) It it's been less then 4 hours, my alchemical stuff is still in effect. If not, I'll apply another round (which I already have) These include: clear-ear and alchemical grease.

2) Short term:
message
remove fear scroll on Rellen (10 min)
magic weapon scroll #2 on Chasik
bless scrolls (#5 of 6 between Knorrin and myself, I think)

Ok, so we're back to plan (A) at least one restoration for everyone who needs one, with minor changes to payment.

Choamski and Floggentop will split the 180 cost - 90 gp each. Beware the Gnomes of Zürich! Maybe 2-3 hrs have passed in the meantime, between hiking, healing, and hiking back?

Now we press on! I think we should try the unexplored room first in the upper left first; given the high likelihood the "Visitant" may be in there, short term enhancement spells mights be in order.

Sound like a plan?

Also, lesser restoration take 3 rounds - hardly an in combat activity. Choamski is a trained physician, and will dutifully rap Rellen on the knees until he submits to good advice.

I guess by process of elimination we know what room he (was) in... unless it involves going through the "outer space" door.

In the interest of moving things along, Choamski will fund Rellen's lesser restorations out of his personal funds

Wis: 1d4 ⇒ 2
Cha: 1d4 ⇒ 4

That leaves me with 140-ish gold left over.