I'm posting this on all my PbPs, as player or GM - I had a family emergency last Monday, due to an accident, and had not been able to post or even communicate of my absence. In parallel, as a consequence of the situation not improving, my undivided attention on such matter will be required on the months to follow and, therefore, I'm stepping out of most of my activity online. I apologize for the inconveniences it might cause and I wish you all the best, and fun on your games. Thanks all for the understanding and for the opportunity to play with you.
I don't recall... Tall, dark? I didn't look much, sorry.
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As the group is walking through the streets and talking about their investigation, they're interrupted by the sounds of bolts crossing the air - almost at the exact moment Hastard mentions the possibility of the arrow being poisoned.
Dusklord, E'li and Starling were the targets of the coward crossbow attacks, and coincidentally they were the three that noticed it the quickest - allowing them to act on the same surprise round. Five thug-looking men are across the narrow alleys and roofs, apparently waiting for the pathfinders to cross a specific point to attack the least armored members. One of the thugs holds the collar of a fairly menacing dog.
There's a map on Google to give an idea of the situation. If anyone has anything special about surprise rounds, poison, etc., let me know please ;)
I... I don't know anything else, I'm sorry. It's just...
She stops for a moment, as if looking around, then she speaks between her teeth, whispering in barely hearable volume.
According to what I learned from Berntuck, an injury like that shouldn't have killed your friend so quickly. Berntuck said gut wounds are a long slow death. I'm... I'm not sure what happened. I meant to ask the Graycloak about it, but by the time I thought to ask her, she was already gone.
Cody can't find anything special about the spot where Rialla took care of the victim - apparently it had been cleaned already. The shop had been working and is kept in a fairly good organization state.
Yes... - she answers Cody, a little morose. The Halfling gives a half smile to Hastard, then replies him as well - I didn't see anything. He was already shot when he came in stumbling through the door.
Rialla now seemed more quiet, as if regretting that her tale was all she had to offer.
Sense Motive 20:
She seems to be withholding a small bit of information.
Do you guys know what happens with the faction missions nowadays, and the prestige points, etc.? I noticed people don't bother with them anymore on the PbPs so I was curious - especially for adventures like that, that happen before the factions changed.
Oh! Are you Pathfinders? I didn't see exactly the mugging, but tried to help the victim...
Rialla quickly jumps off her stool to show exactly where the victim collapsed. Barleyhusk’s excitement is palpable, and she rambles everything in one long, breathless speech.
That poor man you asked about who was attacked, he looked a right mess, he had an arrow in his side, and he could barely walk. I sat him down and started to bandage him up. Then all of a sudden the Graycloak was there and asked if I had a potion to fix him up. I said I could patch him right up because I took a class from Berntuck's Fine School of First Aid. That Graycloak gave me the nastiest look and said the Graycloaks would pay full price for the potion. Well, I knew the master had some peppermint-flavored healing potions that weren't selling very well, so I ran back to get the potions and before I could even get to them, I hear the injured fellow gasp really loud. 'Hurry!' the bossy Graycloak said, so I ran back as fast as I could, but when I got there, he was already dead.
The halfling quietly sobers up as she finishes her story, and walks back behind the counter and climbs onto her stool.
By the way, I put a link on the top with the Maps etc. and I'll try to paste the pictures of the people you're meeting. Let me know if you can see it! I copied from the PDF.
Let me know on the Discussion Tab if you want to buy anything on the market before the adventure (following the same usual rules for PFS).
Last but not least: you can also try to gather other information on the Market. Just let me know what, if any.
The Pathfinders leave the meeting and get to the God's Market to seek the witnesses. It doesn't take long for them to gather information on where to find the first one: Rialla Barleyhusk, who works in the shop across from Cayden's Hall.
This brick building is fronted by two large, many-paned glass windows and a large sign that reads, "Mercantile, Curiosities, Unique Items, and Magic—Bought and Sold Within." Inside the store, the shelves are lined with all manner of goods, crafts, and artwork both domestic and foreign. A halfling clerk sits on a large stool behind a human-sized countertop.
I love the conversation and RP between the group, but feel free to tell me if you guys want to advance to seeking the witness, or if you have any other questions for Kreighton. If three people want to advance I'll push it. :) If you prefer a little more talk between the characters to get to know each other, please be my guests!
Yes, this mission is right here at the God's Market. Currently the Graycloaks are investigating the muggings, but seem to treat this as a relatively low priority. Apparently they feel these stolen treasures are "mere curiosities" of no consequence. - says the Elf - About the couriers... We have a survivor. Ferran is recovering with Grandmaster Torch. Torch said she is still recuperating from her injuries and you should question the others first. He has recorded much of the information he acquired from Ferran in the letter I gave you.
Alright guys, we're ready and kicking in :) Does anyone have any idea on how do I get maps etc. out of the PDF and into Google Maps or similar as so we can move our peons etc.?
The summons from Drandle Dreng is brief and a bit odd: "Meet Kreighton Shaine in the stables to discuss missing artifacts". Aside from some briefings during training, few Pathfinders deal with the Society's Master of Scrolls. In the muddy stables, Kreighton's scholarly robes drag through the muck, and his soft shoes are clearly soaked through, though he doesn't seem to notice.
I've been working on an extensive study of religious relics, trying to ascertain whether items gain a certain aura of divinity that cannot be detected through normal means. I've been collecting these artifacts through a series of well-known dealers in the God's Market. We've never had any trouble before, but recently several of our couriers have been waylaid by a particularly elusive bandit.
Kreighton pauses briefly as his mud-soaked robe snags on a nail and he nearly falls over, but a stable boy catches his arm and steadies him.
As they were headed through the Ascendant Court, he continues, a group of thugs ambushed our couriers. The first time I thought it was a coincidence — a random mugging. After the second time, however, Grandmaster Torch had some harsh words with me. He suspects someone has targeted our couriers specifically. The Drandle boy suggested I have you investigate the disappearances.
There is a long, uncomfortable pause and for a minute it seems the elf has completely forgotten he was discussing something. Finally, he glances up with a sort of stunned look on his face.
Oh yes, here, this list will help you. The Grandmaster has helpfully provided it as a starting point.
The elf hands a letter to the pathfinders.
Letter from Grandmaster Torch:
Pathfinders,
I’m sure that daft elf has thoroughly confused you by now, so hopefully this note will help set things straight. Someone has been preying on your fellow Pathfinders and stealing important relics from the Society. We need you to discover who is behind these crimes. The Graycloaks have found scant information. They did recover the Shard of Iomedae's Lance, but the details about the recovery are scarce. My contacts have provided me the names of some of the witnesses to the muggings, which I have included below.
Rialla Barleyhusk: Witnessed the first mugging; works at the shop across from Cayden's Hall.
Friar Horace: Witnessed the second mugging; is the master brewer at Erastil's Alehouse.
Jarid Moltwin: Was caught selling the Shard of Iomedae's Lance; owns a private stall in the God's Market.
The Pathfinders' reputation with the Graycloaks is tenuous at best, so try to work with the Graycloaks and don't leave a trail of bodies behind you.
Thanks. I've been keeping an eye at the recruitment post and Flaxseed, and using the extra time to read more on the adventure. I'm holding to start until we select one or two more people.
I will create a different thread (because my recruitment one for the other game already says it's closed, so people won't chime in). Maybe we could try to post just that you mentioned on the Flaxseed PFS topic. Where do I link it to?
I will wait to see if anyone else wants me to recruit one more person, then I'll post on the recruitment. We probably should write up something explaining the idea of our group, the rotation, etc. ;)
Your call, guys. I can put up a small recruitment, but usually things move faster with smaller groups. Regardless, you might want to have the reinforcements anyway :) (even though PFS is usually fairly calm!)
I will close it in a couple days - just going to give time to the others to see things here. If I ever get another game going, please count that you guys will have half way to reserve a spot already.
For now, I think I will really leave the PbP alone. If I ever decide to GM again here on the forums, either I'll do some PFS or a much easier homebrew.
Apologies again for wasting your time, but I'm not in the mood of going through frustratingly selecting more people at the moment.
Unfortunately, no - I'm still calling it. I went through the other applicants and most of their stuff is so out of order that I don't want to put myself through it. It gives me way too much work to keep stuff organized for this game due to time traveling and whatnot, and I don't want you guys having to deal with this adventure (way too tough) with three people only. :(
Guys: I think I will call this game a failure, unfortunately. I just read in some other games that Jereru (Kejak) is sick and leaving games.
Mladris/Anderlorn: you had the perfect idea; that's exactly my line of thought. Part of the fun of this game was, exactly, finding out certain things wouldn't work.
And Nesipho, to your point: yes, retraining was one thing that I had on the rules (it would actually be a little easier than the official rules - you'd simply "learn" certain things overnight replacing others that wouldn't work). For instance, Abjuration simply doesn't work at all. Anyone focused on it would be able to do the proper replacements as you test it the first time.
The same would apply to Kejak's teleportation thing too - although short ranged teleportation method actually work most of the time (contrary to long ranged), if he felt the character was affected somehow we could reorganize it accordingly.
Anyway - sorry it didn't work out, my friends. If I put another campaign together, I'll use something simpler and easier, as much as it doesn't attract me as a GM or player. If it ever becomes the case, just PM me and I'll sure reserve you a spot.
@Kejak and Nesipho: please give me your thoughts. I can keep calling more of the people on the wait list, but first I'd like to hear from you if you will change your mind on the next action or two. I opened the opportunity of answering questions to avoid having to deal with more people dropping (like Lyra now) - we still have quite some people I can call, but if any of you two drop, I won't waste my time (or Anderlorn's, who just joined us).
Nesipho feels something is amiss, and quickly stands up and draws his weapon. Kejak, connected to him, is even faster to act, casting Arcane Sight and entering his fighting style.
The monk feels a little delay on the onset of his spell, but finally his eyes shine and he sees himself surrounded by magic auras to every side. The dwarf might be the only one not shining at all, but there are auras around him.
He's shocked - as his companions - when the head of the dwarf flies. Kejak didn't see much of how it happened, neither Nesipho.
For Kyra, however, things are different. She sees the creature - a kobold - behind the dwarf, clearly now, as he swings his tail, equipped with some sort of weapon, across the humanoid's neck. The creature looked like either it perfectly studied the target, or had an inhuman level of precision. The kobold becomes immediately visible to the other party members.
GM:
1d20 ⇒ 6 1d20 ⇒ 7
He starts immediately laughing as Kyra's spell works. It's now prone and laughing maniacally. For her shock, however, she felt for a moment the spell could turn against herself, as if it had a chance to do so.
Kyra:
For certain enchantments, roll a d20: a 1 means you become the target of it.
Kyra sees other figures - kobolds, she imagines - invading the room. There are five of them, besides the laughing one. One moves and positions himself around 10 feet behind her; the other two pairs surround Kejak and Nesipho. The kobols are probably all invisible as well, given the confusion of Kyra's companions. They're coming through the door as if the door wasn't there.
Roll a Will Save, please
Kejak:
Kejak smells something passing near him, and sees the very fast movement of magical auras across the room. Kejak now also smells very strong, aged dust coming from the dwarf.
The entire thing happens so fast that, by the end of the round, the party members see themselves in the strangest of situations. The body of the dwarf stood there for some seconds in place, until it finally collapsed on the floor.
Some sort of muffled sound comes from a barrel on the far corner of the room, as if someone pushing at it.
Actually here's a quick Map to give an idea of the situation... Please interpret accordingly, and ignore the "?" unless you were told what they represent. :) Let's play the trust game!
Heads up guys: we have a potential fourth joining us. He's making changes this weekend to the sheet, and hopefully will be with us this upcoming week. :)
On a side note: do you guys want to roll your own init or can I do it to speed up things? It was good Nesipho reminded me of his capability of acting on the surprise round, btw.
There is something or someone else here. You noticed a shadow moving through the door running towards the dwarf; as if someone small, in sturdy clothes, with an excellent stealth and invisible.
Kejak:
There is something or someone else here. You smelled it - the direction is something towards the door. You know whatever it is, knows how to hide its steps very well.
A hard "knock"-like sounds comes from the direction of the door, from outside, although it didn't exactly sounded like someone knocking at it. The dwarf turned his back to the group, looking again to the door and getting his weapon ready.
Well, gents, this is it. I'd tell ya to remember me, but I guess you will do it if ya can. As always, a pleasure fighting by yar side.
The dwarf speaks on his same deep tone and heavy accent.
I dunno much about tha entity or entities themselvah. Each different dimension, or realm, ya're into, it's a different all-powerful thingie. As far as I know, the only schools that work like that, like a personal authorization thing, are divination and the teleportation subschool of conjuration. The difference is that while divination seems to work most of the time, I never saw teleportation work. Conjuration is all types of mess!
He continues, now looking at Lyra.
I believe ya'r right, young one. But see, it seems these entities always existed, but their power and dimensions were never like that - until the Vonn and Novo thing kicked, and the spiral of waves came carrying us. There's much, much more to know... About evocation, abjuration, healing, emotions, whatnot. But I dunno much ta be sincere - I never went too far!
Please let me know your active senses at this moment, and their origin
Hey guys! I'll bring a new guardian, hierophant or marshal to the mix. Please pm me if you have suggestions or comments based on our list of applicants. I have a couple people in mind.
Most occult powers and emotion-based powers are very intense and strenuous tasks on this setting - they require concentration and focus. You don't require it while using the lash - just to summon it. It doesn't stay out of combat, though, and while it's active, you keep taking 1 point of nonlethal damage every turn (as the other occult powers). If you're immune to nonlethal damage for whatever reason, you don't take this damage but the lash still doesn't stay out of combat or while you're not actively keeping it up (for example, you can summon it to manipulate objects in a distance even out of combat, just dealing with the nonlethal damage)
Lyra shifts without issues. If there's an effect to her shift, she didn't notice.
When Nesipho casts, however, he feels as if the spell had a slight delay before he started seeing magic auras around him. He finished the words and hands movement, and it didn't - happen. Until it finally happened.
The magic auras were there - and as he focused, his gloves became obvious as well. The dwarf, curiously, didn't seem to have anything magical about him. Still afraid, he approached them a little more and spoke.
We don't have much time before they get here. They're moving faster than before, but then again... It wouldn't be the last and most incredible attempt if things weren't harder, would it? - he says, and then touches Nesipho in the arm - Aye reckon ya spell, boy. These will work, most of the time.
He moved now closer to the door, aiming his weapon as if preparing himself.
Divinations seem to be influenced by the decision of... Someone. As if every time ya'r trying to see or understand beyond normal eyes, ya have to be allowed. This... Place... You're now is essentially part of someone, or something, and this entity seems to have power ta say yay or nay for whatcha can see, and I'm pretty sure it can see ya everytime ya cast this type of spell.
What about that: I offer to each of you an answer, about a certain effect or power. The more specific you are, the more precise I can answer. I'll answer all of the question in spoilers - whoever doesn't want to know, or want to find in game... Don't read it. I'll ask that knowing or not the effect, to please interpret it the first time you see/use, regardless. I'll give one here already, for free.
Mythic powers/surge:
Despite the origins, most mythic powers and abilities work normally for reasons you'll find out. Surge works fine. The noticeable difference, however, has to do with economy: besides surging and abilities that work as immediate actions, per round you can only use a single ability/power that consumes mythic points, regardless of how many points or what type of action they would cost you. Reason also to be found in the future. If you have questions about specific powers or abilities, throw them away.
I haven't been picturing anything like abilities don't work at all. I think that would be silly and a waste of everyone's time. Rather there are unexpected side effects to using them. But only one way to find out for sure what is up - play the game and see what the GM does with it :).
That's how it goes ;) let's first see, then decide, right?
I'll have a post tomorrow morning to follow the action.
Don't worry - it's still a world of magic, and still pathfinder rules. It's not "nothing supernatural, spells or sla don't work", and you'll quickly notice it. I'm waiting to see if Pakiruis still with us before continuing.
