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Sorry to all. Have been working nights and tonight is the last night. I haven't even looked at anything because I have been working 12 hours and driving one hour each way. It was definitely better than unemployment, but it took everything from me all month. I didn't even see my family for Christmas. Will be posting a real post probably Friday after I recover, if you want to still have me.
Fil arises from his trance taking second and third watches peacefully with Braggi. He re-memorizes the same spell list as before. He checked his gear carefully. He will wave off any attempts to heal. Yes, we shall. This place needs cleansed of all evils within. Let is continue the hard work we have started.
Sorry all, adjusting to a new job. Switching from days to nights. I may be having a bit of trouble this week, but I am still here! It's something. Better than unemployment.
Fil coughs as he wakes up, looking at his chest, where the Axe buried itself. Looking over to Navith, he says "Praise Pelor you're alive. Did we get them?" At that point he will stand up, gathering his rapier, bow, and both of the potions of healing from his backpack. He drinks one.
"It's not much, but I have one more. Please, make use of it, I will be careful.
Fil realizes his Gambit failed as he sees the strike coming from the Gnoll brute. He puts up a feeble defense, attempting to Parry with his rapier, but the greataxe is just too much. As the Axe hits his magical wards, the group hears an audible shatter as the Gnoll's hate gets through. Fil crumples to the floor like a pile of rags, bleeding.
Fil, glaring at the barbarian, looks to the others. He knows the danger he is in, and he has to strike. He steps back, recalling the spell he just cast, and releases it again on the Gnoll!
Fil looks at the Gnoll before him. Glowering as he steps back 5 feet, he incants the words to Scorching ray.
If one speaks goblin, the words "you were warned" are in his stream of curses.
I am fine, Priest, take care of your flock! Fil coughs as he levels his rapier at the gnoll before him, grinning the grin of the mad.
Aye, you all as well. Hug your loved ones. Enjoy your food and drink! Watch the sportsball! (This shall be a tough one to get through for me).
Fil drops his bow and draws his Rapier.
Fil continues his firing on Gnoll G, hoping to clear it for Musami.
He mutters several curses about the gnolls' lineage in undercommon.
Fil maintains his ranged attacks. He fires his bow at Gnoll G, missing horribly. "So, you foul muts betray us now?"
Once it is Fil's turn to activate, provided he is not in Melee, he will for his bow at a gnoll with a bow.
"You will get one shot to stop now, or you will burn!" Fil shouts loudly. If this is not an option, he will withdraw to a suitable firing location.
Fil becomes arrogant in demeanor, speaking goblin to the gnolls. Yark?! ti'll het kahl know not just ended ae th'rakat tam sep moathouse. Ear tam ak kahl des
Fil indicates the western entrance and to turn north. He casts light on Braggi's Axe. are we ready?
I smell fish to the east. That seems odd, unless there is an underground stream here. To the middle door there, I believe there is nothing, or the restless dead, and that Northern passage may be our best to find our cultists or the one who locked us here, unless we want to look into the possible stream. He looks to the others. What say you?
Fil finally cyecksbtye Western passage.
"We aren't dead yet, Braggi. Have some faith.". Fil grins as he tugs at the evil eye cloak he is wearing. I hope we make it out. This could be very bad. Fil thinks to himself as he is trying to alleviate the tension of the situation.
Fil will listen at each of the doorways
Fil readies an action to cast charm person on the first human through the door and hope the livery helps them.
"Agreed. Let us prepare for this. If the first person through is a human, though, please allow me to cast a spell on them. I will try to charm them to prevent further violence, perhaps convince them we are cultists."
Fil goes to inspect the remains. I didn't hope we didn't miss anything important in here
I believe the open spell would do so.
Fil shuffles everyone back about 40 feet due to his parents, and prepares to cast scorching ray if anything horrible jumps out of the box.
I am unable to read the writing as I haven't prepared that spell, it is likely some form of trap. I would take caution, Zokama.
He will reveal whatever he determines with the detect Magic, but he doesn't have Read Magic memorized today.
Fil will detect Magic on the symbol, as well as see if he can read it.
Fil is back with Musami. Braggi, do you wish the light source to generate from your weapon? If so, he casts light on Braggi's weapon, otherwise, he maintains it on his bow.
[ooc]Provided Nothing jumps out at Braggi, fil says the following:[/b] well, we know where she slept now. I have a feeling the less-used door leads somewhere unpleasant. I find it unlikely they use this second one, let us move quickly towards the door over there, then we take this secret door
Braggi's words snap Fil out his indecisive torpor. Then let us press on. We were given the authority to empty the Moathouse of any threat to Hommlet by Lord Burne. Let us use that authority. If we run into something awful, I will teleport there to warn of evacuation, and then come back to fight along side you, or die trying to stop them. He puts on a flaming eye cloak, and obtains a dagger and longsword from the armory. Let's do this.
In a metagame way, I think we can take the Moathouse, albeit with difficulty. The problem is that there is something at the bottom of it. That "thing" is the problem. It could be that the thing is the captured essence we have found, or it could be something else. What Fil is worried about is that, and his paranoia is driving him at the moment. He has been quite harmed by the Moathouse, that clouded judgement is frightening. At the same time, what we have found is more than enough to take care of tent town and its rabble rousers.
Fil pulls out a sheet of parchment, as well as his pen and ink. He begins copying the symbols of the banners individually. Navith, that is my fear exactly. I shall teleport to Lord Burne, provide the information regarding the larger, the professional armory, and these symbols.. He says, holding up his drawing of the symbols of the banners. knowing the evil of the banners, I would choose to leave them, lest our presence be revealed too early. On our way back to Hommlet as a group, we should burn them. I would be happy to provide the fire. Since I am no expert on the number of men that the larder would feed, nor the quality of weapons, would anyone like to come with as I teleport to Lord Burne?
After we detect Magic, to ensure safety, Fil would consider the Banners fair game, considering the need for evidence. What say the others?
Fil accepts a cloak. And the headband from Zokama. He can also make use of the wand if she wishes. In our earlier spoils, there are scrolls that I have deciphered to allowe to teleport. I have two. Perhaps I could use one to confirm the information with Lord Burne and then the other to teleport back here? Fil is blissfully unaware of the 'off the mark' teleport results.
I do not know of a spell that could allow that, Braggi. And leaving and coming back at this point could cause them enough alarm to either flee or seek brutal revenge on Hommlet while we are here on our return trip. I believe we are on a knife's edge, so to speak. And, realizing his misstep, especially given the dagger that tried to kill Zokama, My apologies, Zokama. No harm intended with that crass comment.[b] Thinking further on his own words... He bows his head. [B]Braggi, I also owe you a great apology as well. I am so focused on the threat that this horrible place is to Hommlet, my judgement is becoming somewhat clouded and my words harsh. I think I am driving everyone to madness here, but we have our proof that these are not simple bandits.
And we have the room of armaments, which we could use to disguise our warriors. It isn't a bad plan at all, Navith. Good call on splitting up the items, Zokama! Fil says, coming out of his stormy mood for but a moment.
To Braggi:
He pauses here, genuinely uncomfortable with with what he is about to say. What I saw with Zokama... Was genuinely horrifying and would shred lesser minds. The forces at work here are greater than we know. I truly believe them to be from the Dhaerow history. And, if that is true, someone is digging up elven history and knowingly using the most evil part, more evil than the DROW, which will destroy the countryside and more if they aren't stopped. I believe it is our responsibility to get that done. Being an elf, it certainly is my responsibility. I came here seeking ways to stop the Dhaerow, not ways to destroy the world. To Navith:
Fil will wave Musami's offer of aid off. He is happy to have the offer, but it is time to move.
What army, Braggi? That would take months to muster, and I am certain they have something new in the town spying on them. By that time, the cult will have fled. We have a chance to strike decicively and quickly here, Braggi. I would suggest using the the banners as our evidence. Even the glass could be evidence, provided no one touches it. Perhaps someone could even teleport it to a volcano and throw it into the lava. Fil seems genuinely frustrated at the whole situation. There isn't a good way out. And what army would do any good in a half-ruined citadel? One that would need scouted by experts, which we are fast becoming, whether we like it or not. An army would be amazing on a field, but chasing small groups like this is made for groups like us.
Fil stands, groggy from the experience. Zokama, I am sorry to have invaded your mind. Although I cannot say the same for the entity that also attacked you. He frowns. Deeply in thought,rubbing his chest. I believe the slime that burnt my flesh here before was tainted by the entity that attacked Zokama. It was slightly removed from such, and I believe it was what they used to attack the Mayor if Hommlet. We have their banners. We have proof of their treacherous behavior. But we have to eliminate this cult now. His shoulders slump, he is obviously exhausted, but he doesn't want to stop. I believe they are trying to open a portal or summon those demons that the Dhaerow fled from all those years ago. I shall endeavor to get more information on those demons, as safely as possible.. He begins rubbing his head and then his face subconsciously as he says the last part.
Fil casts Detect Thoughts and focuses on Zokama. Can you hear us? Let us get her away from this room, and that glass, quickly. Fil begins dragging her into the prior room's. Speaking as he goes. This cult is dabbling in demons and something that deals in corrupted elements, Or symbols of such. Something that even the Dhaerow were terrified of. I cannot recall the details, but an enclave of the Dhaerow chose to flee the underdark rather than face these demons! We have to help her resist somehow! Musami, don't let anyone touch the glass until I examine it further! Someone give me a hand.. not built for dragging people over ogres. Fil is hoping to confirm that Zokama is still in her head, so to speak, and no additional presences are there from the glass.
Makes perfect sense to me. The reskins, as it were, are not a problem for me. They add flavor to your world.
Fil is looking for any ambient magic or other things that will be jumping out at the party.
All: I am sorry for my disappearance. The past few days have been a one-two punch for me and my family. I lost my job last Thursday. On Monday, my Paternal Grandmother was diagnosed with Terminal bone marrow cancer. So yeah, I have had a bit of a lousy week. My apologies for disappearing. Thank you GM for keeping Fil in place with my plan for his combat. I am helping with care while unemployed, in addition to looking for work.
Fil attends his shock. His utter disbelief. He pulls two silver coins out of his pouch and places them over the dead priestess' eyes. He then casts Detect Magic. And begins scanning the room slowly, taking in every symbol, looking for meaning or a potential way to defeat tye hidden cultists.
If he becomes aware of the cause of the will save
Spoiler: Fil will rush the group out if it is a mind control type effect, then looking through everything personally himself.
Fil casts one of his prepared Scorching Rays.
If this does the Zombie the doorway in:
Spoiler: Get to the one organizing this! They are the threat!
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Confirmation PFS Playtest
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1st Encounter: Swarm
2nd Encounter: Undead
3rd Encounter: Young Gelatinous Cube
4th Encounter: Minotaur
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Additionally, after reading the blog post last week, I looked at the close weapons list. But quite frankly, the close weapons list still contains a bunch of Asian weapons, and is really weak compared to the monk list. Most of them are 1d3 or 1d4 damage, and I'd rather not use them at all. The only exception is using a spiked shield with the bashing property, but even then brawlers aren't proficient with shields as armor :) Perhaps the brawler can use his own unarmed damage when using a close weapon...but then again, I foresee a lot of unintended consequences (read: game-breaking) with that option. I suggest using close, monk AND light blades as options for the Brawler.
Dear Pathfinder Society, Thank you all for an amazing two years. Kyle Pratt and I have had a great time with all of you, both virtually here on these boards and in person at Gencon, Paizocon, and Dragon*con. We are excited to announce the new Venture-Captain of Atlanta, Dan Cornett! He's been an awesome VL for us, and we know he's going to do an amazing job carrying on Georgia Pathfinder Society. I'm also pleased to announce the new Venture-Lieutenants of Atlanta: Carlos Robledo, Andrew Roberts, and Bart Bailey. Congratulations to all!
Congratulations to Venture-Captain Kyle Pratt for earning his 5th star! Kyle has been playing PFS since the Grand Convocation at Paizocon 2009. He is famous for creeping out players so much in a scenario that they ran away screaming, and in another scenario at Paizocon 2013 revealing a plot twist so effectively that players literally dropped their bags in shock and awe. Thanks for being a great GM!
Think you're a hotshot PFS GM? Take Nani's Ultimate GM Test! Please reply with your own questions to this test. They can also include short answer format. 1. You are GMing a game and a player describes his character as wearing full plate painted white, complete with a face helm with breathing slots. He describes his favored weapon as a plasma blaster that makes pew pew noises (but it's actually just a composite longbow +1).
2. Your players run into a town market square and immediately decide to rough up all the little old ladies and hungry orphans.
3. A new player shows up at your table in a 7-11 scenario, as there wasn't room in any other game at the Con.
Origins: So, a 3-star GM volunteered for Dragon*Con, and asked if we would be willing to accept him. This is what I sent in reply.
The History of Tsar:
A century ago, the death of Aroden transformed the culture and politics of the Inner Sea nations. In the distant north in a land once known as Sarkoris, it changed the world itself, knocking Golarion out of metaphysical alignment in the direction of the Abyss, a nightmare realm in the Great Beyond, screaming with wicked souls and vicious demons. While many attribute the Worldwound to the machinations of Deskari, the Lord of the Locust Host, in truth another ancient demon lord was long established in Sarkoris. Tsar, the great temple-city to the Demon Prince of the Undead, stood for centuries as a bastion of evil and hate. Foul beings of all kinds flocked to its mighty walls and found succor and purpose within. At its heart stood the great Citadel of Orcus, the black heart of Orcus worship on Golarion. Countless evils were perpetuated in those corrupt precincts, and equally countless wicked plots were hatched and carried out therein. Far from the reaches of civilization, Tsar flourished unchecked like a great blight on the land. When the Worldwound erupted, Sarkoris was destroyed nearly overnight. As word of Sarkoris's swift and dramatic fall spread, the church of Iomedae was equally swift to react. Still reeling from the loss of their deity's patron, an obvious threat like a demonic incursion was precisely the thing that the Iomedaean faithful needed to stave off true despair—her champions and priests threw themselves into the crusade against the Worldwound with an almost reckless abandon, not only to blunt their own horror at Aroden's death, but also because they believed it was their responsibility to pacify Sarkoris and seal the Worldwound. To this end, the leaders of Iomedae's church and those of several other religions decreed the First Mendevian Crusade, as well as the three that followed. Zealous followers of the Inheritor from throughout Avistan still travel up the Sellen River to Mendev in an attempt to support the crusaders. The first efforts to pacify the Worldwound met with considerable success: the demonic hosts were driven back and the crusaders stood sentinel over the land. Then, the crusaders turned their attentions to the long-standing city of Tsar. This crusader army, raised from all nations and almost every non-evil faith marched for Tsar. In command of this army the church of Iomedae placed the archmage Zelkor. Supported by innumerable knight commanders, wizards, church patriarchs and scores of heroes of renown, Zelkor quickly advanced his army from its staging ground of Nerosyan, through Tsar's outermost defensive positions and into the great plain that surrounded the temple-city itself. Flush with their many quick victories, the First Crusade suddenly found arrayed against itself seemingly endless legions of every sort of vile warrior-race and fell outsider imaginable called up from all over the multiverse and lining the battlements and fields before their redoubt—one of the greatest fortresses and citadels ever erected in that time. The beginnings of doubt seeped into the ranks of the First Crusade. However, hope was not lost as the heavens opened up and flight upon flight of angels and celestial beings descended from on high to swell the ranks of the Crusade. With grim determination in both camps, battle was joined on the plain before the gates of Tsar. The war raged for over a year, the Crusade advancing to the very foot of the walls and then being pushed back by a new surge of demonic power. The disciples of Orcus led by the Grand Cornu, Orcus's single highest-ranking priest on Golarion, threw every vile attack they could at the Crusade in defense of their city. Rains of horrific fire and acid fell from the skies or belched from fissures in the ground, great constructs crushed their foes before them, terrible clouds of poisonous gas choked entire regiments, and heretofore unknown plagues swept through the troops causing thousands of horrible deaths among the Crusade. Nevertheless the forces of the crusade persevered and fought on. Finally, though the battle seemed no closer to victory, the fates seemed to smile on the Crusade. Unexpectedly the city fell. In a single night in 4638 AR the entire city virtually emptied of defenders as they all were magically transported to a point several miles outside the city's walls, complete with baggage train and mounts for many. The magical expenditure necessary to complete this miraculous maneuver cost the Grand Cornu his very life in sacrifice to Orcus, but the legions of the demon prince had broken free from the Army of Light's cordon. They immediately took flight before the stunned Mendevian Crusade, heading northeast towards the Worldwound. Zelkor and his fellow commanders were immediately suspicious of this sudden retreat but could not afford to allow the combined followers of Orcus concentrated in one place to escape and spread their insidious evil again. Then, still with a seed of doubt niggling in his mind, Zelkor ordered his army in pursuit of the fleeing legions. The armies reached northern crusader city of Drezen, which formerly stood within the borders of Mendev. The malign, almost sentient chaos of the Worldwound, however, was not content to stay within its carefully proscribed borders. In an opportunistic counterstroke, the demon-hordes within the Worldwound overwhelmed its guardians and protective enchantments, flowing forth like a black tide. The city of Drezen, caught between the forces of Orcus and the Worldwound, fell under the influence of the Abyss. The combined force turned back upon the armies of the First Crusade. Tens of thousands of pilgrims and warriors drowned in the demonic wave that followed, depleting the armies of Mendev and necessitating the Second Mendevian Crusade.
Venture-Captain Jarina al-Mullam closes the heavy tome with a sigh. The Keleshite woman looks around at all of you with her serene and insightful gaze. "Since that time, staunching the expansion of the Worldwound has been the focus of the crusades, now on its fourth iteration. Tsar was forgotten, and the land around it shunned and remembered only as the Desolation. It is with great gravity that we send you on this mission, Pathfinders. Exploring these ruins and recovering the unimagined artifacts within is of tantamount importance." "But if we were to send anyone into a situation as treacherous as this, I can think of no one else," interjects Venture-Captain Charlotte DesChamps, who peels herself from a shadowy corner of the room. She blinks a little, as if rousing herself from the long history lesson, "You have proven yourselves, ahem, in many ways during your long tenure in the Society. On numerous occasions you have proven capable, flexible, independent, and able to somehow always come back alive. And amazingly adept at getting out of some very strange situations." Behind the desk, Jarina mutters, "Interesting how those always seem to happen..." If she heard, Charlotte ignores the comment and drops a heavy satchel on Jarina's lush Qadiran carpet before sitting on the edge of the desk. Jarina barely conceals a look of pained consternation at Charlotte's impropriety. The younger Taldan woman continues, "Your first stop after Nerosyan is to the southern edge of the Desolation, a small settlement of cutthroats and the worst kind of profiteering entrepreneurs sprang up on the southern fringe of the Desolation. This hole-in-the-wall known simply as the Camp will serve as your staging ground. You'll love it!" Jarina stands and gently moves a chair next to her friend, cringing every time Charlotte's many buckles and weapons scrape the polished wood. "Ahem. Charlotte, we have been going on, but I don't actually think all of our agents have met. Please, introduce yourselves before my fellow Venture-Captain goes on a tangent about the joys of vagabond camps. Please."
Hola! Just getting everything set up.
Welcome to Nani's Slumbering Tsar Campaign!
Hello, welcome to the game! This is the OOC discussion for Nani's game. My goal is to post three times a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I recommend that players post in between each of mine. Posting your character is fine, but not necessary, as I will have a digital copy of each character with me.
(Placeholder First Post)
So, while playing a Pathfinder Society game, our party was involved with some underwater combat, and a few things came up. We were playing tier 3-4, and were of mixed but appropriate levels. We normally steamroll any and all PFS scenarios, but this one particular encounter was INSANELY hard for us. Setup: We were in small boats, with 5 characters and an animal companion. We were attacked by sahuagin who approached from the water and then rocked our boats. On page 432 of the PFRPG it states: "Attacks from Land: Characters swimming, floating, or treading water on the surface, or wading in water at least chest deep, have improved cover (+8 bonus to AC, +4 bonus on Ref lex saves) from opponents on land. Land-bound opponents who have freedom of movement effects ignore this cover when making melee attacks against targets in the water. A completely submerged creature has total cover against opponents on land unless those opponents have freedom of movement effects. Magical effects are unaffected except for those that require attack rolls (which are treated like any other effects) and fire effects." So, basically what happens is that the entire party, if we are attacking from the boats are completely unable to hit the sahuagin because they have a +8 to their AC except for extreme lucky rolls. If we get into the water, because of rough water conditions, we need to make a DC 15 swim check in order to stay afloat/move. We double checked the rules and they are unchanged from 3.5. In addition, if any underwater target is completely submerged, even under ONE INCH of water, they have total cover. Basically, as far as we can tell, these rules seem very unreasonable. By the logic of the RAW, it is nearly impossible to spear a fish on the surface of the water (AC 27 +4 size, +8 cover, +3 dex). And if it's under 1 inch of water, it's IMPOSSIBLE to hit it. How do people spearfish? Seriously? How is it that if I say, throw a harpoon from the boat to hit a sahuagin it gets a +8 to AC, but if I jump in the water to poke it, I only get a -2 to attack? This seems just silly. Has anyone else experienced these ridiculous problems with underwater combat?
Greetings Illustrious Pathfinder Society, I seek to use all the tools at my disposal to further the Pathfinder Society, whether it is a clever lie or a well placed blade from ambush. However, it appears that poisons are not available on the standard list of equipment that I am permitted to purchase. I assure you, I am trained in their safe use, and even know the means to craft them. Will I ever get a chance to use these skills? With great anticipation, Pathfinder Charlotte Deschamps OOC: Hello! Will I ever get a chance to use the second part of the poisoner feat as part of PFS? For the moment, the only good it does is making sure I don't kill myself while Craft (poisonmaking). :-) |
