Eldon García's page

Got it! Very much appreciated! :D

Thanks!

Thanks for the game DoubleGold!

I failed to point out I do level up Eldon on SLOW mode. It would be great if you could adjust the chronicle, but I can try to fix it myself otherwise.

Eldon is blessed with a high reflexes and manages to dodge the ray, but nevertheless he does not like the look of it "Kick that witch out of my toes please!"

Hoping the good archers of the team can deal with her, he focuses on finishing the last guard, stepping around the table to flank it with Zornesk.
+1 cold iron rapier+flank: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 11 + 2 = 25
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+sneak attack: 1d6 + 7 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (5, 5, 3) = 22

HP 17/41 AC 23 TAC 17

Ref DC 17 (evasion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (15) + 10 = 25
After taking a bad hit from one of the guards, Eldon reflexes kick in, putting away from the danger of the bolt that strikes true on the guard behind him "Oh, sorry with that"

The elf quickly attempts to fall the nearly dead guard flanking with Zornesk.
+1 cold iron rapier-Spell combat+flank: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 - 2 + 2 = 20
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+sneak attack: 1d6 + 7 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (2, 6, 1) = 18

Then he turns against the black guard saying words of magic that overload his rapier with a shocking grasp spell "Now, take your own medicine!"
Concentration DC 17: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
+1 cold iron rapier-Spell combat+shocking grasp: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 11 - 2 + 3 = 18
Spellstrike: Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+shocking grasp: 1d6 + 7 + 4d6 ⇒ (3) + 7 + (2, 2, 2, 1) = 17
7 is electrical damage

He ends stepping south-east, out of flanking.

HP 25/41 AC 23 TAC 17

The 16 damage attack is against Eldon, isn't it?

The 23 hits his normal AC even before flank, ouch! I think the elf recklessness got him into danger xD

Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

Fast like a bolt, Eldon advances himself to attack the witch or whatever poorly armored enemy is at reach "You do not belong here!"
+1 cold iron rapier-PA: 1d20 + 11 - 2 ⇒ (2) + 11 - 2 = 11
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+PA+sneak attack: 1d6 + 7 + 4 + 3d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 4 + (4, 6, 3) = 26

HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17

"So weird... something is going on..." Eldon looks back to his companions confused, then opens the door and steps in "Hello, is there anybody?"
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

Eldon knocks at the doors of the History Museum "Hello there! We are here with some materials of interest. Is there anyone there?"

"Well, it seems we found the relevant knowledge here. Let's put all these tablets on a dimensional bag" Eldon helps secure the room, checking carefully for traps all around.

Then, he explores the non-collapsed staircase ascending to the east.
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Hi, I sent you a PM with my email!

"What a strange place, to whom do you think they wanted to honor?" Eldon searches the pool, then the statue, then the rest of the room on search of any antiquities relevant to the Society.
Perception (pool): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
Perception (statue): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Perception (rest of the room): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27
+1 vs traps

The shield of force surrounding Eldon fortunately comes to help manifesting its strength against the snake's bite "Uf, these creatures are hard!"

The bald elf keeps his attacks, trying to finish the construct before it can attack again.
+1 cold iron rapier-PA: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 1 = 14
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+PA: 1d6 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 = 15

HP 41/41 AC 27 TAC 17
arcane pool 3/5 1 min
shield 1 min

"Uh! Careful!" Eldon jumps to the side just on time to avoid the fire. The elf quickly surrounds the pool and attacks the snake there from the back.
+1 cold iron rapier-PA: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 11 - 1 = 17
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+PA: 1d6 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 7 + 2 = 12

HP 41/41 AC 27 TAC 17
arcane pool 3/5 1 min
shield 1 min

I am not interested on more boons, but here is my roll in case someone wants it.
1d20 ⇒ 13

"What kind of serpent is this?" Eldon darts in, stabbing the closest serpent with his rapier while it is still surprised, as he advances his blade crackles loading with arcane magic.
+1 cold iron rapier-PA (flatfooted): 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (18) + 11 - 1 = 28
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+PA+sneak attack: 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + (4, 6, 4) = 29

Critical?: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (16) + 11 - 1 = 26
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+PA: 1d6 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 = 11

HP 41/41 AC 27 TAC 17
arcane pool 3/5 1 min
shield 1 min

Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14
Eldon steps into the room and looks around for danger "Be careful with those vines, I do not like the look of it. Neither with the red marks on the tiles" the elf makes sure not to step on them.
K. nature: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 16
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (14) + 9 = 23

Meanwhile, he activates his shield wand and puts it back to his belt.

HP 41/41 AC 27 TAC 17
shield 1 min

Eldon makes it to the forge and makes his best to fix the baton. When finished he offers the rod "Who wants to carry it? If you point it towards a construct like this, it can disrupt its actions."

As they reach the stairs corridor, Eldon raises his hand asking the party to halt "One second. This place looks like a dangerous trapped corridor. We should be very careful." pointing the figures of the animals he adds "It looks like some kind of puzzle, we perhaps need to put the figures in that order."

Anyway he tries to solve the puzzle and disable the trap before advancing.
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (5) + 10 = 15
Disable device: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (13) + 17 = 30
K. planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
K. planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
K. planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (4) + 9 = 13
K. planes: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

"Let me open the way for you" Eldon ties himself a rope around his arm and leaves the other side to the team.

Then he hops to the first pillar, attempts to tie and tense the rope around, then hops to the second and third, setting a railing for people to cross with more ease.
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (5) + 13 = 18
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Acrobatics: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21

If he manages to reach the other side, he secures the rope railing, then draws his rapier and checks the area to make sure it is safe for the rest to cross.
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22

Eldon helps identify the stucco, clay and other paintings, and is able to quickly get the dagger down and deciphers the scroll.
Climb: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (18) + 7 = 25

"Be careful with this stone slab, I do not like the looks of it..." Eldon approaches slowly to examine the piece, taking care with any trap there.

Checking the statues he helps the others date them "So many forgeries... what interest did they have on simulating this to be older?" the elf is a bit confused about the purpose of all the fake work.

Taking the baton, Eldon tries for an easy fix "I think I can try to activate this if we can manage to fix it"
Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (10) + 10 = 20

After all this, the elf climbs up the stairs, only halting at a room that seems filled with water "What the? Tsk!"
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Eldon picks up the potion and the coiled rope "You never have enough backup rope" he says with a smile, and marks the fine swords to collect them as valuable loot during the group's retreat home.

Descending the stairs in the shaft, the elf examines carefully the area.
K. engineering: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
"This collapse has been recent. And not an accident. Someone has produced this." the bald one explores around, drawing back the rapier to his hand "Let's be careful... it seems like the researchers here have been attacked by... something..."

He then goes up the southern stairs and has a look at the rooms there, making sure to have a look at traps.
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19

"Well done. You could have done good elves." Eldon pushes the bones aside and searches the tents.
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

The elf then descends to the next ledge and searches there too.
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

Then, he casts dancing lights and sends them through the rift down to see what is there below.

Eldon keeps maneuvering to ensure he holds a flank to the remaining skeleton, and when he sees a chance, he attacks to the thing's femur "Let's be done with this!"
arcane pooled cold iron rapier-PA+flank: 1d20 + 11 - 1 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 11 - 1 + 2 = 13
Magical/Cold iron/Piercing damage+PA+sneak attack: 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 2 + (6, 3) = 24

But as he dodges the skeleton's attack, he loses sight for a second and ends entangling his rapier with the tent "Tsk!"

HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17

Eldon switches targets, clicking his daredevil boots to perform a darting movement around the other skeleton.
Acrobatics to tumble (daredevil 9/10): 1d20 + 13 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 13 + 5 = 23

"Yes, let's work together on this one Zornesk!" the bald elf strikes with his rapier once he has gained the skeleton's back.
arcane pooled cold iron rapier-PA+flank+daredevil: 1d20 + 11 - 1 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 11 - 1 + 2 + 1 = 17
Magical/Cold iron/Piercing damage+PA+sneak attack: 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (5) + 7 + 2 + (2, 3) = 19

HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17
Arcane pool 4/5
Daredevil 9/10

Init: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (20) + 7 = 27
Eldon is a dungeon dweller, when he smells skeleton, he is already with his rapier ready at hand "Undead!"

He steps forward, loading the cold iron weapon with arcane magic and stabbing with as much precision as he can at the skeleton's right leg.
arcane pooled cold iron rapier-PA: 1d20 + 11 - 1 ⇒ (14) + 11 - 1 = 24
Magical/Cold iron/Piercing damage+PA+sneak attack: 1d6 + 7 + 2 + 2d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 2 + (4, 5) = 20

HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17
Arcane pool 4/5

This is terrible, as a group, you failed all 2 out of 3 checks, and mostly cause you are in high tier. But I wonder if Brian is still playing, I messaged him. That bad thing is, he could fail first check and cause all three failures. Even taking into account the secret bonus you got from the passed survival check.

1st check: Pass, Pass, Failure, Failure Radiarch and Eldon steer the horses the right way nice and easy, the others steer them the wrong way or too aggressively.
2nd check: Pass, Failure, Failure, Failure Radiarch says easy boy, the others push them too hard or whip them too hard.
3rd check: Failure, Failure, Failure and all of you are too panicked to see what you need to see

And there is why I think skill challenges are such a flaw on adventures that PFS regretfully include in so many of the late seasons.

If you reduce them to rolling and you fail the checks, you are faced with the group and GM having to come up with an alternative creative solution to keep going with the adventure. And creating alternatives/new content does not work well with PFS rules.

If on the other hand the checks are so easy or the effects of failing them so negligible, then why at all to bother with them?

Plus where is the fun to just make a few go/no go rolls? The skill checks should only give a frame for roleplaying and change the tactical approach and opportunities of where the adventure goes. But if only thing you do is to throw your die on the table, shouldn't we just play a gambling game?

That's just my rant on how some scenarios are designed, nothing against you GM :D

Now, to the practicality of this situation. I am ok to spend a few Prestige Points to keep us moving. According to the PFS guide, you can spend 1 PP to get "+4 on any one skill check" except the Day Job roll.

I am also ok, to spend my Character Portfolio scenario reroll on a check.

Also, Eldon has a +1 on Perception if that is a trap.

"Everyone! Quickly! Through that path!" Eldon sees Lara taking the lead through the sandstorm and pushes his mount to follow to safety. Luckily, his natural agility makes it a bit easier for him to maneuver, while covering his eyes with a hand to try see the camp through the flying sand "Does anyone see the camp!?!"
Ride: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18
Ride: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13
Perception (low-light vision): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16

Survival: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (2) - 1 = 1
More used to the wilderness of the streets, Eldon does not find himself comfortable in the middle of the plateau, specially when a tempest of sand is looming over the group "I certainly preferred when we were playing Siege with Mavius. Why would he not allow us to travel to Ibhir?"

The elf tries to cover himself the best he can, following for the rest Lara's lead.

"Zuhriga the Mighty? I heard that story. It has gone through the Lodge for a while" Eldon nods and smiles admiring Radiarch with new eyes "I feel reassured to party with Zuhriga's slayer. This mission is going to be a success. It cannot be in another way"

The bald elf gets an extra drink and hands it to the aasimar offering a toast to the slayer of the mighty dragon!

Int DC 12: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Eldon observes a bit of Zornesk play, and soon he comes to help suggesting some better strategies to win the game.

The bald elf leaves the talking about the expedition to Zornesk and Lara as it seems they give conveying explanations already.

"Oh! Let me explain you how we had to step up to save one of the Blakros daughters that had been offered to the Shadows as sacrifice. We entered the Blakros Museum and found a terrible skeleton that came from the Shadow Plane. I jumped like this to surround him" Eldon jumps to one of the walls, then changes position bracing around one column to finish with a gesturing attack of his rapier "And struck like this! We registered the chronicle with the name of the Penumbral Accords"
Acrobatics (tumble): 1d20 + 18 ⇒ (16) + 18 = 34

"It is good to see the taste for food and drink rivals the fame of the magistrate" Eldon smiles while taking a bunch of grapes and eating them one by one. He then follows up with some roasted meat or the most similar and drink a single cup of wine "Maybe we will have the chance to talk business during the night"
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18

Player Name Balacertar
Character Name Eldon García
Faction Grand Lodge
Level 5
PFS Number 134452-1
Day Job Craft weapons: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (3) + 9 = 12
Any boons All are in Eldon's "PFS Chronicles" spoiler.

Thanks for the spot! :D

On the first rolls...
K. history: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (20) + 9 = 29
K. local: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (18) + 9 = 27

A late addition is sent to reinforce the team. A bald elf with two rapiers, one at each side, smiles as they are offered a meeting with the magistrate "I guess we are going to need our best clothing"

Once he has secured some fine cloths, Eldon will be ready for the meeting.

I played 1st part 6 years ago, thus I barely remember any detail.

It was a Core game, which means I cannot play here with the same character, but Eldon will do I guess, he is level 5.

Hi GM WS! I will join with Eldon, but if allowed to bring a level 7 I would prefer to play this one with Xien. I have been able to play him only once in the last 3 years and I would love to fix that.

Besides I would prefer to leave Eldon at level 5 for now.

Or course, let me know in the future!

I am happy to join you in Cairn of Shadows. Many of the others are equally fine for me. I could join either with Eldon (elf rogue/magus 5.84) or Xien (nagaji paladin 7.16). It is no problem if it extends past Gameday start/end.

Besides I was thinking to GM a scenario before holidays and what better way than GMing for someone who is GMing me?

I own all of season 0, season 5 and season 6 (got some season bundles at cheap price some time ago). I also own some of season 4. Let me know which one would you like most to play.

The #6-11: The Slave Masters Mirror is particularly interesting, because I played the first part with the creator of the adventure and GMed it twice, but never had the opportunity to play the second part or GM it.

The Tancred Desimire story arc is an option too, I own #4-09 (have GMed), have played #4-11 and own all of the season 5. I would only have to buy #4-11 and #4-13 but that is fine with me (I have a loose goal to run all season 4 at some point).

I am also interested to play/GM Core campaign if that's an interest for you too.

This scenario has suddenly brought sense to Blakros Matrimony. Thanks for running it!

"It is our duty. We managed to learn a lot about the Shadow Plane on the way. By sure we can have our favor repaid in the future" Eldon is happy to be back to the Lodge "Well friends, if any of you want to have some mead at the lodge's canteen, it would be great to review our deed and brag about it to the losers that managed to sleep the whole night"

Thanks GM! It is all good, but Downtime rewards (including day job) is not halved.

Slow Advancement: For every adventure that your character successfully completes, you receive half the XP, gold piece, and Prestige Point awards.

Regardless of whether you choose standard or slow advancement, you will receive full Downtime awards. The choice of advancement is personal to your character, so it is entirely possible to have characters in the same adventuring party advancing at different rates. You can’t continue to play your character at the lower level once he has earned enough XP to gain a level.

You are playing more adventures, which on the long run means more money spent on consumables and clearing bad states, and less money available for equipment.

No need to edit the chronicle though, the 5 gp are not worth your time :)

Hi! Thanks all, it was a fun game!

I have GMed Kalkamedes twice (on PbP and on real life). It is a fun one. I have never played it though, thus I would be able to play if the GM feels comfortable about it.

I am interested on Dragonskull, never heard about that one before.

About season 0:
I have already played #0-02: The Hydra's Fang Incident
I have played and just finished GMing a PbP run through #0-13: The Prince of Augustana <- super fun!

I have a list of all the scenarios I have played or GMed in my profile.

Summary
- Dragonskull is my best fit
- Kalkamedes I could play but I have GMed it twice
- Season 0: I have played the proposed ones but many others I can still play
- Eldon can still play another 5 level scenario in slow mode before hitting level 6

The scenarios before season 4 where designed only for 4 characters, thus they run fast. Also earlier seasons' scenarios are written in a more general style which makes things more easy-going (which I prefer) and speed things up without making the game feel too mechanical or clunky.

As Uthil Mak falls skewed in arrows, Eldon quickly approaches to remove the knife from him, to make sure it is not a problem if he recovers "This should be a clear message that the Blackros want nothing else with their previous allies"

Noticing Xiao's proposal on how to finish the ritual, the elf approaches to help "Let me try, I have a swift hand"
Disable Device: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (5) + 17 = 22
With a quick succession of hits from his rapier, Eldon makes the stones to jump out and fall of the pyramid into the room's floor.

Arin you might want to change your action as hold person only works on humanoids

"We command you to end this ritual immediately and deliver all the slaves including these twins!" not trusting on the shadowy figure surrender, Eldon loads his blade with magic casting shocking grasp on the edge and moving forward to take profit of the flatfooted enemy delivering the spell with a spellstrike.
+1 adamantine rapier+shocking grasp (flatfooted): 1d20 + 11 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 11 + 3 = 21 I added the shocking grasp +3 assuming the knife is metallic
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+sneak attack+electricity: 1d6 + 7 + 3d6 + 4d6 ⇒ (2) + 7 + (1, 3, 5) + (6, 4, 1, 3) = 32

HP 41/41 AC 23 TAC 17
life link
arcane pool 1/5 (swift action)
shocking grasp (standard action)

"Let's see if there are any more clues about the shadow plane and the Blackros daughters" Eldon also helps registering the room and the fallen guards.
Perception (+1 vs traps): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (2) + 9 = 11

Before moving into the last room of the museum, the elf activates his pearl of power to recover grease.

Eldon casts arcane mark trying to leave his personal E mark on the blue guard with his rapier, using spell combat to deliver a second attack afterwards.
Cast defensively DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (13) + 9 = 22
+1 cold iron rapier-PA+IC: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 25
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+PA: 1d6 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 18

+1 cold iron rapier-PA+IC: 1d20 + 11 - 2 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 11 - 2 + 1 = 15
Cold iron/Piercing/Magical damage+PA+IC: 1d6 + 7 + 4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 7 + 4 + 1 = 14

HP 41/41 AC 27 TAC 17

Eldon has light-low vision, which allows him to see properly on dim light.

Before Nali opens the next room, Eldon renews his shield magic using his wand.

Quickly, the bald elf enters the room and moves forward, while leaving an uncovered line of shot for the half-elven woman. Unable to reach the enemies, Eldon uses a trick to try daze the red guard from distance hoping Nali can manage green.
Will DC 13 or be dazed 1 round

ID: k. planes?: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17

I totally agree with that. For all complains about PF2 traits, that is a great improvement to avoid this kind of endless/pointless discussions :)

What type of spell it would fall in if not a ray spell? If the SLA falls exactly on the same rules of a ray (see effect on magic chapter), why would you not consider it a ray spell? There are only two effects with special rules, ray and spread.

Even then, why would the inspire courage would apply to a scorching ray but not to a missile of acid like the one created by acid splash for example?

Just calling it a bolt instead of a ray is fluff to the end of my understanding, as there are no different rules for bolts than for rays.

Eldon is happy enough to have Xiao's luck by him. The elf falls back and one of the armors fall over him protecting him from the burst of ice.

As things go calmer, Eldon stands up and approaches the other Pathfinders to make sure they are ok "I can't even believe I survived that burst. I went all this alchemist and ice golem fights unscathed" turning up to Xiao with a charming smile he adds "You truly are a talisman of luck Xiao. It is going to be difficult to work with other people after this"

Examining the frozen corpses... "It seems like someone has been experimenting with material plane creatures... this is... unsettling"

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (2) + 10 = 12

Unable to find out what the wand might be, Eldon examines the aura of the wand with detect magic.
Detect magic + K. arcana DC 15: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (11) + 9 = 20

"Have you seen the black rune on all their fronts..." Eldon tries to identify what the rune might be related to.
Linguistics or K. history: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (12) + 9 = 21

Ref DC 13 (evasion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Eldon is definitely not expecting the golem to explode in a myriad shards and eats it full.

4 most likely affected items after rolling a natural 1 (from those carried by Eldon):
1 - Armor
2 - Item in hand (including weapon, wand, or the like)
3 - Magic cloak
4 - Stowed or sheathed weapon
1d4 ⇒ 3

Cloak saving throw (because it is magical) DC 13: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16
Energy attacks deal half damage to objects, as well as ranged attacks, with the +1 cloak having hardness 0 and 2 hit points, 2 taken from cold and 3 for the slashing shards, 5 damage
While Eldon tries to turn, his cloak takes the blunt of the shards and does not protect him, ending with the elven silken cloth completely ruined.

End result:
Eldon: -21 hp
Cloak destroyed

Can I have a character folio reroll instead?
Ref+GM stars DC 13: 1d20 + 10 + 3 ⇒ (20) + 10 + 3 = 33

All the APs published here in Spain are still PF1. We still do not even have the PF2 manual translated. Thus, all my campaigns are PF1. And we still have material to have our hands full for at least a couple of decades anyway.

As for descriptors. They appear next to the spell school name between parenthesis: shocking grasp

The magic chapter has a list of all the descriptors available.

For SLA it is more tricky indeed as commonly descriptors are not listed. But often it should be easy to judge from what the spell is doing, or if the ability resembles an existing spell.

Hope that helps!

This is exactly why I wanted to GM a high tier game. I think I have this down but it's not automatic. I'm going to dig around in the rule books for a bit.

PbP is a great medium for this. My knowledge of the rules really started to spike when I started GMing games in these forums 5 years ago. Being able to stop and look at the rulebooks, faq, prd and rules forums is just great if you want to make sure you adjudicate rules consistently and fairly. With time that self-confidence starts to flow easily and naturally to face2face games too.