Oh the crit failure comment was about crit failing exploit vulnerability (as Pirate Rob explained beautifully).
Good point about dubious knowledge - that gets forgotten too often and is a very useful and fun mechanic.
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The way I've played it for my thaumaturge (and those I have GMed) is to use the single roll for both the Exploit Vulnerability and the subsequent Recall Knowledge. So this is a rare case where the risk of a crit fail on the recall knowledge is minimal as they already know the roll is decent if the exploit succeeded. I have had some GMs require the exploit roll to be secret - that's not really stated either way. I go open rolls for EV on my GM tables.
6-00 also has the repeatable tag
I've run the first 5 games of season 6 so far. The War of the Immortals comes out strongly. In 6-02 you get to witness the Godsrain. 6-03 and to a lesser extent 6-04 and 6-05 deal with the impacts of that event. Looking at what's coming in the Year of Immortal Influence there will be plenty more of that story to be told.
Demiplane has the Player Core 2 rules up and available for free - you need to use the "Game Rules" navigation rather that the Library one though to get the free access. The revised classes are included in the >classes< section.
I thought I would pop my feedback for B09 here as I am late and the table has been marked inactive. Firstly, thank-you GM Frost for running the game. It is a fun bounty and I enjoyed the run through. The game was run well by GM Frost, the pacing in the opening scene was great - leaving enough time for characters to interact and the team to form but not too much so that it dragged on. The rules of the competition were explained well and I appreciated the tracking of the character's actions in the previous round when setting out the next competition round. The unusual spells and abilities on some PCs were handled smoothly and this added to the table's atmosphere.
I'll preface this self-assessment by saying that this table was the most challenging I've run in quite a few years. This was down to both the scenario and the PCs. Something I didn't see when running it for a home group is that with religious conflict at its heart the scenario has to be run carefully for a more diverse group. I'll probably not run it again in a public forum. Do you think everyone at the table had "fun"? Why or why not?
What worked well?
What could be improved?
What specific challenges did the adventure/players/format pose to the GM?
How were they handled?
What are other ways that these could have been handled? How, if at all, might those ways have worked better?
Could any of these specific challenges have been avoided? If so, how so?
I'll be a bit slow to respond in detail as I have a full schedule for the next couple of days but will address these on the weekend.
And that about wraps it up for this game. The table has been reported and the chronicles are available here Please let me know if there are any problems. Thanks everyone for playing and for a fun and interesting game. I hope everyone has had fun and hope to catch up with each of you at another table in the future!
So a quick review of what was happening:
The two encounters you skipped:
Kareida listens to the party's words, carefully weighing them up. "Thank-you Navo, I will call them back and we can return with them to the village. Minister, I am glad that you have a less exclusive view of religion in these lands. I will happily tend to these people now." Kareida then sets off after the villagers. She is gone for around an hour but returns with the four villagers as promised. "Very well, let's get back to the Ranch. I think everyone will be keen to be reunited." On the journey back, Kareida pulls Buzzmark aside and says "Yes you would have seen little evidence of the worship of Desna here - it is something people keep well hidden and only share with those they trust. The reasons should be apparent after this latest episode." When you return to town, Rannan is delighted and relieved. After warmly greeting the returning people he turns to you "My thanks for resolving the mystery here and bringing peace back to my village." he hands each of you a pouch with coins totaling 4 gp "and here is your promised reward. You are welcome though to stay here as long as you want, but if you don't I wish you safe travels."
"Ah, yes, dreamers is the name many followers of Desna in this land give to themselves. They are ... more common in these outlying areas than in Pangolais and the other cities. Even in the Atteran plains they are often hunted down as a threat to the rule of the Midnight Lord." she seems about to say more but decides to stop there.
Kareida moves up to the group and also looks down on Teflar's body. With a solemn expression she turns to Vingarrenn, takes a quick breath and responds "I... I have developed a connection with the community here and would like to serve it." she is silent for a few seconds, sighs and continues "I came originally as a spy working for her to root out the dreamers, but the community welcomed me. While I couldn't follow her directive to torture and kill these villagers, I can lead them, rebuild their trust and guide their faith."
Vingarrenn delays.
Teflar fails to throw off the persistent damage and the final mental jolt from the minister's spell kills her. Kareida pulls off her mask and looks on with confusion, keeping her distance and waiting to see what the party does.
Siyokoy moves to the fallen priestess and tends to her Alone now, Kareida watches as Teflar falls but does not intervene. The villagers continue to flee along the cliff face, quickly moving out of sight.
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Then Teflar's spell bounces off the fighter's disciplined mind and he is unaffected by it.
Buzzmark swings his great pick, this time pulling the blow at the last minute. It strikes true and knocks the priestess unconscious. Teflar crumples to the ground and the threat is over.
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Navo runs up to Teflar and strikes with sword and hatchet. The sword pings off her magical shield, but the hatchet slips below her guard and cuts deeply . ↺ Teflar shivers at the blow, breathes deeply, and says "Ah yes that brings things into clarity!" Winter raises her shield and punches Teflar twice, the first hitting her shield and again it is the second blow that lands, winding the priestess The priestess is now looking quite wounded.
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Vingarren lectures Kareida and then returns to Teflar and mentally strikes her.
Teflar flinches from the strike but then smiles "Ah the traditional ways, very good. I shall pass this one on" and turns to the Buzzmark and casts the same at him, then striking him once and calling forth a divine shield. She then takes persistent damage ◆ Savor the Sting for
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Vingarrenn is put off by the mask, despite knowing its nature. Buzzmark strikes at Telfar three times, each time pulling his pick back to make it non-lethal. The first blow strikes hard, but not quite critically , Teflar just dodges the second and the third misses by a mile. Siyokoy moves up and sends a blast of water towards Teflar that gushes past her without effect. He then forms a watery shield. Navo fluidly draws his shortsword and hatchet, leaving his bow on the ground. He focuses on Teflar, designating her as his prey. Behind the scarecrow mask, Kareida is confused by the overbearing adventurers, one threatening her and the other close by but turned away from her. She turns to the villagers behind her and whispers "We can't trust these people, you must flee and find your own safety. RUN!" Then she takes a step forward and responds with a quavering voice to Vingarrenn "I am Kareida, I was ordered by Teflar to kill these villagers but I couldn't, so instead donned this disguise to cover their escape from her tyranny. I will not let you harm them!" and she readies her chain. Behind her, the villagers start racing for the exit, squeezing between the boulder and the cliff face to reach safety.
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Winter's grip fails and Teflar slips free! "Losing your resolve there?" she laughs.
The woman in the scarecrow mask stiffens as Vingarrenn approaches. Teflar grins as Vingarrenn moves off "Yes, maybe there is hope for you - kill the unworthy acolyte and the traitors to our faith." then she turns to Winter and smiles "Now to deal with you - you know why I like this gauntlet? Its perfect for a situation like this" and she tries to strike twice and then escape, but is ineffective in all three. ◆ Strike with the against Winter AC 17 for piercing
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Racing forward, Buzzmark swings his pick twice at Teflar, the first is well wide, but the second only just misses. Buzzmark:
You aren't able to tell much from the masked woman - the scarecrow mask is hiding most reactions Navo lets fly two arrows at the priestess, the first edging past her raised divine shield to ping off her shoulder and the second flying over her head. GM Screen:
The woman with the scarecrow mask keeps her vigil at the cave entrance, facing the fight but otherwise hard to read.
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Winter rushes in and expertly tackles Teflar, who is now restrained. Vingarrenn shrugs off the worst of Teflar's spell. Siyokoy moves up to the clifftop overlooking the path.
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Teflar screams in rage and yells to Vingarrenn "Enough! I've had all I can take of your heresy." and ◆◆ casts Harm on the minister followed by ◆ raising a shield of divine energy. ◆◆ Harm void damage on Vingarrenn
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Siyokoy readies an attack in case he is attacked. The scarecrow carefully steps back from Navo and joins the villagers at the cave entrance. She speaks quietly to the villagers "I'm not sure what is going on but take cover" and they shuffle back deeper into the cave.
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Navo is unaffected by the scarecrow's aura but succeeds in intimidating the scarecrow. She stammers "You mean you are not working with her? You are not dream hunters? Teflar sent me to torture and kill these people, but I couldn't do it. Please defend us"
Navo races up to the scarecrow covering the distance with practiced ease. He looms over the scarecrow and delivers his warning.
Navo: At this close range you realise that you are facing a woman (likely human) wearing a scarecrow mask.
Winter is left on the back foot by the appearance of the scarecrow's face now that she is a bit closer. but draws her shield. Buzzmark draws his great pick (?) and strides forward but fails to make too much of an impression on the scarecrow. It calls back to him "No, I will not let you pass!"
: (aura, mental, visual) 30 feet. Enemies that start their turn in the aura or enter it must succeed at a DC 16 Will save or become flat-footed to the scarecrow and take a –2 circumstance penalty to saving throw DCs against skill checks the scarecrow makes against them until the start of their next turn. On a critical success, the foe is temporarily immune for 1 minute.
Could I get a DC 16 Will save from Winter please? The villagers in the cave look to be tired, grubby but unhurt. They just cower back and look confused as Winter addresses them.
I want to reassure everyone that we are still on track. There are a couple of potential interactions that have been skipped, but that was because the majority were keen to follow the tracks. I'll be recapping the story at the end as I know as a player its always satisfying to know what was actually going on.
Vingarrenn:
Now that you look closely at the figure you realise that it is a woman (likely human) wearing a scarecrow mask. The mask does make it very hard to determine what she is doing and intending though. Teflar stands up from where she was skulking and calls out "You have keen eyes for a heretic. I see you have tracked down my flock, much as I have finally been able to. Perhaps you can redeem yourself by destroying the scourge that has taken them?" and she moves a bit forward but waits to see what you do. ◇ Perception DC 15:
You note that the villagers recoil at the sight of Teflar and appear more afraid of her than the scarecrow.
The tracks are indeed strange. They look like a creature with poles for feet has walked, and at times run, across the ground. As you set off following the tracks, Hektril wishes you good luck and returns to his house. The tracks fade on the harder ground and also occasionally join up with more humanoid tracks. However, Winter and Navo working together are able to follow them into the hills. Winding through the hills you eventually reach a rocky hillside where you see the scarecrow figure with your own eyes. Huddled behind it in the entrance to a cave are four villagers, alive but cowering in fear. The creature seems to have the head of a scarecrow but the body of a human and holds a spiked chain by its side. Spotting you, it calls out in an angry high pitched voice "No, you can't take them away from me!" Vingarren and Buzzmark:
You also see that Teflar is sneaking up the pathway trying to stay hidden. She is in the U part of the path near the middle of the map. The others have not yet spotted her.
GM screen:
Navo:
The tracks quickly fade away but you feel there is enough still there that you could follow them back to where they came from
"These the ones Teflar found? Yeah I can show you those, just follow me." and as he walks he chats a bit "So I guess you know my wife Nema is missing. I was with Teflar when she was abducted. Teflar immediately
As you walk with him you'll notice a small holy symbol of Zon Kuthon visible on a necklace every now and again. "Ah here we are - see there - really strange eh?" and indeed where he points there are strange tracks looking like a series of holes in the ground. Winter:
The tracks quickly fade away but you feel there is enough still there that you could follow them back to where they came from GM screen:
Navo finds the horse challenging, but through his gentle approach is able to calm him down. Then the cool wind from Winter's spell quickly closes up the gash in the horse's side. With the horse calmed and cured, Hektril's temperament also eases, although worry is still etched on his face as he turn to you. "Thank-you friends, I really wasn't in the mood to deal with this one but he needed treatment." and he shakes his head "Its been a rough few days." Then he casts an eye over your group and continues "But enough about me, what brings you to my farm? You don't look like you are here for horse trading or the like?"
You make your way back through the village and take the track that leads east out of Rannan's Ranch. Before long you come to a small holding which has a shingle by the wooden gate announcing Hektril's Horse Healing. The main house is a simple log cabin but a path leads from the gate to a small set of stables to the left of the cabin. In a yard at the front of the stable a tall human male dressed in sturdy working clothes and carrying a set of healers tools faces a wild eyed chestnut horse, one of the famed nidarrmar horses. As it rears up you see a nasty gash on its side and can hear him curse in frustration "Just settle down damn it. Things are difficult enough as it is without damn horses acting up. Why can't you just calm down and let me help you."
"That..." pointing at the spiked gauntlet "...looks very painful." Well, that's the point now isn't it." she says with a worrying grin. "Right, right. Well, I try to stay out of theological conflicts as a rule," Buzzmark assures the agitated priest. "We could help find those missing townsfolk, though. Where did you most recently spot its tracks?" "Tracks? Tracks! That's something worthwhile pursuing." Navo redirects his attention elsewhere. The priestess nods and replies "Well, if you want tracks have a talk to Hektril, the tracks I found were on his land so he will be able to direct you better to them."
"I understand the level of your hubris now" she says nodding again but this time with a grim look "you'd let the following of the Midnight Lord wither and die so long as you are able to indulge yourself. Don't let me stop you, but I have my flock to tend. Goodbye!" and with that she shoulders her pack, turns her back on you all and sets off. You do note a frown of concern as she turns though - perhaps the ominous warning has hit home?
"She had no commitment to the path of the Midnight Lord - disgusting!' she says shaking her head "The scarecrow is probably just some silly story from the villagers. I doubt there is any such thing. I've found some strange tracks sure, but its a big jump from there to some scarecrow monster!" "What does this former acolyte have to do with the scarecrow?" Navo looks weirded out completely by the sight of the spiked gauntlet. "Well nothing. You mark my words though, that silly girl is behind this. She's bent on punishing me and taking it out on the villagers. I won't have it!" then looking back at Navo "And what's that look for?"
"Ah the voice of the self indulgent, never tending the flock, never bringing Zon Kuthon's glory to the unbelievers" and she shakes her head. "But you ask of the very question that vexes the faithful here - the disappearances and the scarecrow. I was just preparing to seek the poor townfolk out." she says gesturing towards an open pack on the table next to her. Then her expression turns serious "And yes I have my suspicions on what is going on. My former acolyte, Kareida, is the culprit I am sure of it." she says as her face twists into a snarl "I sent the silly girl away a month ago because her faith wasn’t strong enough, she couldn't meet the standards I set for her, and she was setting a poor example for the youngfolk of the village. I fear she is seeking vengence for that and taking it out on the poor villagers." she says returning to her former calm expression. She then pulls on her spiked gauntlet and shoulders the pack "Now I must find my missing flock members." DC 18 Perception check: You suspect Teflar’s recounting isn’t fully accurate: Kareida probably ran away from her training, something Teflar didn’t take well. The priestess is most likely looking for her former acolyte instead of the missing people, and certainly won’t let the missing villagers’ safety take precedence over punishing Kareida. Crit success: Spoiler:
You realize that the way Teflar speaks about her standards for Kareida suggests that she trained her acolyte in one of the more demanding doctrines.
You leave the rancher and walk out to the shrine of Zon Kuthon on a hillside above the village. It is a low black building with the symbol of the chained skull above its door. A pale wiry woman dressed in black leather and with many apparent piercings kneels on rocks in front of the shrine, working on a leather gauntlet. As you approach, she speaks without breaking her work or looking at you. "Travellers? May the pains of the road keep you ever alert." but then she puts down her whetstone, stands and looks at you. "Ah a fellow priest, this is an honour." she says in a sharp tone. "I'm Teflar, priestess of this village. Have you come to pay homage to the Midnight Lord?"
"For how long were you without a priest?" "Well as your ah.." and he hesitates as he tries to work out your group "...well as the minister would know, a village like this is not normally big enough to have a priest staying all the time. In the past we've had to make do with hosting traveling holy people when they are able to spend some time here."
Rannan coughs, looking startled at the question "Well, umm she arrived maybe six months ago. We'd been without a priest for a while before that. It might, ah, be best to ask her about the congregation. And she has been out searching for that scarecrow thing a bit from what I have heard."
Could everyone nominate the order (1-4) they'd prefer to visit the various scenes and witnesses please? a) Hektril at his and Nema's horse clinic to the east;
Note the order is not set in stone once decided - it will just help with a smooth transition unless/until you decide to change it :)
"Well, we wouldn't want to pry, but if folks need help..." Buzzmark assures the nervous rancher. "Were there any witnesses?"
Rannan grimaces and lets out a breath "Well, how I hear it no one directly saw any of the folk go missing, just noticed them gone. That even goes for Hektril, Nema's husband. He's right messed up I hear. But if you want to hear from those closest then Hektril is at their horse clinic to the east, and Etendon's parents are likely herding up in those hills there. Oh and Evan here mentioned that it sounds like Litrial and Ruiha are out looking for clues at Lieraka and Maredine's place up behind the village. Litrial is Lieraka's brother." and he points in the direction of each place. Then turning to face Vingarren he continues, "But the other person you could talk to is our local priestess of Zon Kuthon, Teflar. She's been out searching around the plains for a bit since folk started going missing. You'll find her up at the Midnight Lord's shrine up on the hill." and he waves towards a low black building on a nearby hillside. Then he frowns "Now I don't need to tell your minister here, but mind how you go around her though, Zon-Kuthon is the patron deity of Nidal, and your actions in the village could have consequences for everyone who lives here yeah." Navo looks around the area described by Rannan and checks the 'strange tracks' mentioned.
I should have posted this right at the top, but please read over my GM expectations in my profile. A couple of key points Expectations:
I ask that there be no further posts on the current conflict between PCs and we all move on with the scenario. Please be considerate of everyone at the table, particularly as there are some potentially difficult themes to the scenario. As we progress there may well be differing opinions on key decisions to be made but I hope that we can all navigate those amicably and with respect for each other.
I'm going to run this a bit slowly until Frost gets back, as he is the other GM School student. So we won't move off the current scene until Wednesday. After that I'll get back to the normal pace.
"You folk interested in helping out eh? Great!" the rancher says in response to Buzzmark but then looks startled as Vingarrenn steps up. His casual manner evaporates and he seems to be on guard now, perhaps even on edge "Oh minister, sorry I didn't see you there. Well, I ah haven't seen the violence myself. I'm just back from Blake's ranch up the way" and waves vaguely to the west. "I'm just catching up on the news. A few folk have gone missing in the last couple of weeks. First there was Nema, a rancher from up yonder, " and he points off to the east, "then Lieraka and his wife Maredine were both abducted from their home one night, and I've just heard that Etendon, one of my farmers, was taken while working his pasture yesterday. The way I have heard it, they each disappeared but some have seen strange tracks left behind, and there has been a scarecrow figure seen moving from afar through the foothills. Mighty strange and I can tell you my people are scared." Vingarren:
You have heard much talk that the Atteran Ranches act subservient to Nidal’s leadership and Zon-Kuthon, but many shelter followers of Desna, known as Dreamers. You also remember that many Kuthite priests as well as mercenary "dream hunters" try to root out these dissidents. Buzzmark:
You know the Atteran Ranches act subservient to Nidal’s leadership and Zon-Kuthon, but many shelter followers of Desna, known as Dreamers. You also recall that Kuthite priests and mercenary "dream hunters" try to root out these dissidents. GM screen:
The parchment flutters in a dry gust of wind and you can easily discern that it is both a warning and a call for help. All eyes turn to you as your group approaches the square. The man in riding leathers pushes himself up from the hitching post he was leaning against and saunters over towards you. "Welcome to the ranch, I'm Rannan Atteran. What can we do for you folk?"
The road brings you to one of many small villages dotted around the plains. A rough wooden sign on the outskirts tells you that this one is called Rannan’s Ranch. As your group trudges into the village, you spy a short human man wearing worn riding leathers, hammering a piece of parchment onto a post in the village square. He lingers in the square chatting with the half dozen villagers there.
Alright we have a quorum now, and great to see everyone mingling on the road! We still have a few tasks to finish before we can get too far in though: Vingarrenn Stribe, Minister - Marching order on the slides
Also, is anyone openly wearing a holy symbol?
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