GM Damo the Fourth's page

John's familiar:

1d20 ⇒ 5

Crow.

Notes on spell casting:

Spell casters must declare spells prior to initiative rolls.

No dex bonus while spell casting.

When not using a weapon to strike a spell-caster, just use initiative determination (ie. attack by their initiative - spell casting time, so if a casting time of 2, you attack simultaneously on 2 initiatives after, once their spell is finished on 3+ initiatives down, and have a chance to ruin it if you act one round after their initiative or earlier).

However, if you're wielding a weapon, use the procedure below...

Weapon factors for spells

When casting a spell, subtract the initiative die score rolled by the opponent attacking next from the weapon speed factor (treating negative results as positives, ie. taking the absolute value of the result), and if it is lower than the spell casting time (in segments) then the attack happens first. If it is higher, then the spell happens first. If they are equal, then simultaneous.

Initiative die, then result:

Speed factor 5 weapon

5 - Weapon first (adjusted roll 0) --> weapon factor - initiative, 5 - 5 = 0
4 - Weapon first (adjusted roll 1)
3 - Weapon first (adjusted roll 2)
2 - Same time (adjusted roll 3)
1 - Spell first (adjusted roll 4)

Speed factor 2 weapon

5 - Same time (adjusted roll 3) --> weapon factor - initiative, 2 - 5 = -3
4 - Weapon first (adjusted roll 2)
3 - Weapon first (adjusted roll 1)
2 - Same time (adjusted roll 0)
1 - Same time (adjusted roll 1)

The adjusted roll needs to be less than the spell to interrupt it (on a successful hit).

Thus, casting spells with a high casting time (eg. 8 segments) is not advisable in combat!

Example of Play #1

The party rounds a bend in the dungeon, coming face to face with Queen Arachnia and her spider horde (a crazed goblin and her two medium-sized spiders).

Roll to determine surprise:

Party: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Goblin & spiders: 1d6 ⇒ 2

Indicates that both parties are surprised... however (!), Queen Arachnia is a thief and has an unusually high dexterity (16), granting her a +1 reaction adjustment, making the NPCs' die roll actually a 3. The Party loses 1 segment (6 seconds) during which the Queen gets to react (but not her spiders).

Since this was a surprise situation, we roll for distance (1-3" for surprise situations).

Distance: 1d3 ⇒ 3

Surprise Round

As a goblin leader, the Queen attacks with two weapons - two short swords. However, that is only during a full round. She just attacks once this round. As she is crazed, it is determined that their reaction is to attack (no roll necessary).

The Queen decides to charge recklessly into battle. She loses her dex bonus to AC (and would suffer a -1 anyway), but gets +2 on her "to hit" dice. She can move up to twice her movement (which is 6", so she can move 12"). The Party is surprised, so they don't get to ready weapons. She decides to attack the magic user (AC 10).

Queen's attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Consult the Matrix for Monsters, HD is 1-1 (second column). She needed a 10+ to hit, and so hits!

Damage (short sword): 1d6 ⇒ 6

Oo! She reduces the magic user to -3 hp. He is now bleeding to death (1 hp / round for 7 more rounds). He will suffer a permanent disability (GM discretion) at -6 hp or less. He will die if he gets to -10 hp.

The Queen only beat the players by 1, so that is the end of the surprise round.

Round 1

Ask for any spells being cast. The cleric declares that he will cast cure light wounds on the magic user.

Roll for initiative.

Party: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Goblin & spiders: 1d6 ⇒ 2

This time, the Party wins. The cleric immediately starts a cure light wounds incantation. However, it will take 5 segments to complete! The speed factor of the short sword is 3, and with a losing initiative roll of 2 (an adjusted score of 3-2=1, which is lower than 5), so the queen gets to attack the cleric first... if she lives!... despite using a weapon. If the weapon's speed factor was > 8, she would have been too slow. The spiders, who do not use weapons, will also act before the cleric gets a chance to finish casting and if they charge they may interrupt the spell.

The fighter and thief, however, first have a go at the queen. They are within 6" now, so easily maneuver into position and lay into her (new round, so she no longer has -1 to her AC).

Fighter to hit roll: 1d20 ⇒ 18 --> The fighter has a 16 strength score
Thief to hit roll: 1d20 ⇒ 2

The fighter hits with his longsword, but the thief's dagger goes wide of its mark.

Longsword damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 --> The fighter has a 16 strength score, +1 damage and no adjustment to hit.

Ooh, not quite enough to kill the queen (who has 5 max hp, now currently on 2 hp).

The magic user bleeds out for an additional 1 hp of damage, putting him on -4 hp (if the cleric had chosen to treat the magic user's wounds instead of casting a spell, he could have stopped the flow of blood and stabilized the magic user at -3 hp).

It is now the NPCs' turn. The queen attacks the cleric, attempting to interrupt his spell, while the spiders attack the fighter for daring to lay a hand on their queen.

Queen attack vs cleric: 1d20 ⇒ 12

The 12 is only enough to hit an AC of 8, not enough to beat the cleric's AC of 5 (he's wearing chain mail).

Spider #1 attack vs fighter: 1d20 ⇒ 5

Spider #2 attack vs fighter: 1d20 ⇒ 9

They are HD 1 + 1, so using the matrix for 1+ HD monsters against the fighter's AC of 3... both miss!

The cleric's spell goes off next, healing the magic user (and stopping any bleeding).

Cure light wounds: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Even though this brings the magic user back to 2 hp, he remains in a coma for 1d6 ⇒ 3 turns. Thereafter, he must rest for a minimum of one week to recover from the internal organ damage caused by Queen Arachnia's vicious short sword... even though he doesn't need to heal any more hp.

Round 2

The GM asks for spell users to declare casting of spells. No-one is casting this round.

Roll for initiative.

Party: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Goblin & spiders: 1d6 ⇒ 4

Party gets initiative again!

....

etc

....

Ages:

Aaron (dwarf fighter): 40 + 5d4 ⇒ 40 + (4, 1, 3, 4, 4) = 56
Chris (halfling thief): 40 + 2d4 ⇒ 40 + (1, 4) = 45
John (elf magic-user): 150 + 5d6 ⇒ 150 + (2, 6, 2, 4, 2) = 166
Ryan (elf assassin): 100 + 5d6 ⇒ 100 + (5, 2, 1, 3, 6) = 117
Steve (human paladin): 17 + 1d4 ⇒ 17 + (4) = 21
Surf (human cleric): 18 + 1d4 ⇒ 18 + (3) = 21

Wrigley, Gwen... this 'un. Only 3, right?

Don't forget, Aiofe's "human". ;-)

So, yeah, it's probably only a Samwise Gamgee poster.

Just quickly...

@Chris:

Halfling Thief!

Hit points: 1d6 ⇒ 5
Starting cash: 2d6 ⇒ (6, 3) = 9 -- 90 gp

So, just waiting on a class from Chris and we'll have a full set!

@Ryan:

My assassin!

Hit points: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Starting wealth: 2d6 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 -- 60gp

@Steve:

Hit points: 1d10 ⇒ 7
Starting wealth: 5d4 ⇒ (1, 2, 3, 2, 4) = 12 -- 120gp

Enjoy! They'll weigh you down far less than spell components will. ;-)

@Chris:

Your stats!

Strength: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 1) = 103d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 83d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5) = 143d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 3) = 103d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) = 163d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 3) = 12
Intelligence: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 1) = 93d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) = 93d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) = 113d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 3) = 103d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 1) = 83d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 3) = 7
Wisdom: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) = 43d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 1) = 43d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4) = 93d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 93d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) = 123d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 3) = 14
Dexterity: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5) = 103d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2) = 133d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 6) = 173d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1) = 113d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 1) = 103d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) = 12
Constitution: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 5) = 153d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 93d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) = 73d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4) = 113d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 2) = 113d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 1) = 6
Charisma: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 93d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 93d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 2) = 63d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 4) = 163d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6) = 173d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 12

Wow. So much for "awful". I think you've got the best of the lot. Just a single point of wisdom away from qualifying to be a coveted Bard!

Strength 16
Intelligence 11
Wisdom 14
Dexterity 17
Constitution 15
Charisma 17

You could also be psionic, with a 16 mental stat (albeit in the charisma department). I'll wait for you to pick a race before I roll. Let me know your class, and I'll roll up your HP. Let me know if you want a comeliness stat, too - you've got a great start there.

We could even have a two-paladin party on our hands! ;-)

Just realized I haven't done the hit points for Aaron's dwarf fighter yet! Can't believe I did comeliness first. Sigh. That kind of game? Heh.

Hit points: 1d10 ⇒ 9 -- Tough, hardy dwarf fighter. Typical.

The eggs are really fresh.

Oh did I forget to mention the disadvantages? They all stem from wily GMs who punish players for their harem of hens:

• Chickens don't move very fast, unless you want to drag them...
  
• ... which would kill some of them, making them stink and spoil.
  
• Chickens need to be fed on long expeditions.
  
• Chickens are noisy, making them poor companions...
  --> Magic users need periods of uninterrupted study. No problems, I'm sure all these chickens are hens... "cock-a-doodle-doo!"... didn't that merchant swear that they were all h... "cock-a-doodle-doo!"... ens. Ah, sh*t. No spells today, boys.
  --> All that noise from clucking and crowing attracts attention, lots of it. Roll twice as often on the wandering monster table...
  

But on the other hand, something I forgot:

• Really fresh eggs.

Oh, and better do starting cash, too:

Aaron's starting cash: 5d4 ⇒ (3, 3, 3, 4, 3) = 16 -- 160 gp

@Aaron:

Actually, since he's human either way, Steve's character's comeliness:

(Str + Con ) / 8 + Cha / 2 + 3d6 / 4

(15 + 12) / 8 + 17 / 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 2) = 10 / 4 = 12.375

Comeliness: 14

Cyrus'd!

Surf's cleric's comeliness:

(Str + Con ) / 8 + Cha / 2 + 3d6 / 4

13 + 12 / 8 + 13 / 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3) = 11 / 4 = 12.375

Comeliness: 12

@Steve:

Let me know, mate.

@John:

John's starting cash: 2d4 ⇒ (2, 4) = 6 -- 60 gp, decent for a magic user!

Please use the PHB to look through your starting equipment (as noted in my email, your initial spellbook is 'free').

@Surf:

Surf's starting cash: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 5) = 14 -- 140 gp, tidy!

@Everyone:

I will be using the full accounting method for material spell components. You can buy any spell component you like from your starting cash. I would like to estimate its weight (in GP weight). I will also be including various spell components in appropriate areas (overland and underground areas), as well as having common ones available for sale at various settlements and with traveling vendors you might meet.

In short, you shouldn't suffer from opportunities to gain components, but you do still need to expend cash, effort in finding / extracting them, and (above all) accounting for them. You can begin play with up to 5 of each material component that does not have a listed cost (eg. mistletoe) and we can say that you scrounged it up during your apprenticeship.

I will also be using rules for encumbrance, so do keep in mind how much your components weigh. Going around with 5 bits of guano mixed with sulphur is all well and good, but after 5 fireballs, you'll need to find more. Going around with 50... and you're going to need to account for how you can carry that much bat sh*t and sulphur. You'll also need to explain why you smell so bad... and may suffer a penalty to your charisma.

Yep, it's gonna be that kind of game... the kind of game where a group of 3 cp chickens attached to your belt by a series of strings has several advantages:

• They can move under their own steam, and thus doesn't count against encumbrance.
  
• They are quite a bit cheaper than trail rations, tastier and less prone to spoilage.
  
• Once left at camp, they can still be summoned to aid you in combat by virtue of a Animal Summoning spell... perhaps further enhanced by Animal Growth to create an army of giant chickens.
  
• Judicious use of Speak With Animals can turn your humble chicken into a decent spy, provided those it was sent to spy upon do not eat it.
  
• Plucking the chicken can provide a good supply of spell components for the Fly spell. It can also be used for the Fear spell if your chicken is white, otherwise the hen's heart will do as a component for that spell.

Comeliness is linked to above and included in my manifesto... but if you're lazy:

HERE

Steve... you don't necessarily know the alignment of those you travel with. They'll likely do their best to hide it from any given paladin. Also, sometimes you have reasons to do things that go beyond your own personal choice... eg. your lord demands it of you and you are required to obey (and as a result, probably have to follow up with a member of the clergy and having them cast atonement spells on you).

Again, though, this is all only required if you know their alignment. It's not exactly broadcast... and provided they 'behave', for the most part, all will be well.

Don't pass on the paladin just because the RP is hard. I find this kind of internal conflict to be quite classic from a D&D perspective. See Raistlin and Caramon's relationship in the Dragonlance Chronicles. Great stuff.

1d6 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 1 -- 7
1d6 ⇒ 11d6 ⇒ 61d6 ⇒ 41d6 ⇒ 1 -- 11
1d6 ⇒ 41d6 ⇒ 41d6 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 2 -- 11
1d6 ⇒ 61d6 ⇒ 61d6 ⇒ 51d6 ⇒ 1 -- 17
1d6 ⇒ 41d6 ⇒ 51d6 ⇒ 51d6 ⇒ 4 -- 14
1d6 ⇒ 51d6 ⇒ 31d6 ⇒ 21d6 ⇒ 6 -- 14

Slightly more varied results! In order, that's:

17
14
14
11
11
7

Enjoy, and let me know when you've got a class and I can do your hit points. If the 17 goes on a mental stat, I'll also roll for psionics.

I should hold off until your race (and thus ability scores) are finalized. I'll roll your hp, too, when it's all decided.

Heh. Nice. Well, your 17 intelligence qualifies you for a 10% bonus to your XP, so that'll help.

As promised, comeliness!

(Str + Con ) / 8 + Cha / 2 + 3d6 / 4

10 + 15 / 8 + 11 / 2 + 3d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2) = 9 / 4

10.875

Your comeliness is thus 10 (we round down). You have a very plain-looking, cocky elf level 1 magic user ("prestidigitator").

@Everyone: If you want a comeliness stat, let me know and I'll calculated it using the above.

Now for psionics! Int 17 means you get +2 1/2 to your roll, aiming for 100. I rounded up for Steve, so I will for you also. That means you need 97+.

Woah! What a d4 roll! I was Linda hoping for your typical 1 hp mage. They're so cute. Cast one spell and then hide, hide, hide... trembling in their boots and hoping they can finally get enough XP to level up.

Some decent rolls there. Just realized that you (prematurely, tut tut) picked a race and class, too. Should get a decent elven magic user out of that.

Hit points: 1d4 ⇒ 4

Let me know when you have them adjusted and arranged and I'll (I'm assuming) roll for psionics.

John's away!

6 scores: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) = 113d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4) = 93d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 3) = 63d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2) = 63d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) = 103d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) = 103d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 93d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) = 103d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 1) = 73d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 6) = 153d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) = 123d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 6) = 17

17
15
12
11
10
10

Ryan away!

Strength: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) = 93d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 4) = 123d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5) = 103d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) = 73d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1) = 113d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 2) = 10
Intelligence: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 6) = 153d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 3) = 133d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 5) = 83d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 5) = 143d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 2) = 73d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) = 8
Wisdom: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) = 83d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1) = 113d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 2) = 93d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 5) = 123d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 3) = 133d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) = 9
Dexterity: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 4) = 103d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 6) = 113d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 6) = 103d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6) = 163d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 3) = 113d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 6) = 8
Constitution: 3d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 2) = 83d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3) = 93d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 1) = 63d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 1) = 113d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) = 93d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 4) = 10
Charisma: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 6) = 103d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 2) = 123d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 2) = 103d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2) = 133d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 4) = 133d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 6) = 12

Strength 12
Intelligence 15
Wisdom 13
Dexterity 16
Constitution 11
Charisma 13

Your thief character of your choosing is ready for race and class, sir!

Hit points: 1d8 ⇒ 5

Enjoy!

Anything for you, Surf! Here we go...

Strength: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 1) = 123d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) = 133d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5) = 103d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 1) = 113d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) = 113d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 4) = 9
Intelligence: 3d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 4) = 73d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 2) = 103d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 2) = 143d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6) = 113d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 53d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 1) = 9
Wisdom: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2) = 133d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) = 83d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5) = 83d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 2) = 113d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5) = 93d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) = 15
Dexterity: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 5) = 103d6 ⇒ (3, 5, 4) = 123d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 113d6 ⇒ (4, 6, 4) = 143d6 ⇒ (1, 5, 5) = 113d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3) = 14
Constitution: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 4) = 113d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 1) = 53d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3) = 53d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 3) = 113d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 2) = 63d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 6) = 12
Charisma: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 123d6 ⇒ (5, 3, 3) = 113d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) = 73d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5) = 93d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 1) = 83d6 ⇒ (4, 4, 5) = 13

Strength 13
Intelligence 14
Wisdom 15
Dexterity 14
Constitution 12
Charisma 13

Not quite as awesome as Steve's scores, but definitely decent enough for a cool character. Let me know what way you want to lean or if you need any suggestions!

Thanks for putting it there for my convenience, and that choice is great. Paladins are hard to qualify for, but hard to play (even more restricted in 1st Ed than other editions).

As for your scores, I just noticed that you have a mental stat over 16. You know what that means? Psionic potential! See Appendix 1 if you're interested in why.

You get a 1/2 point bonus for being 1 Charisma point over 16. No other bonuses from your other mental stats. Because I'm being generous, I'll round up. Psionics on a 99 or 100!

Cool. I should probably also have noted that I will be rolling for you! I note you didn't, which is great, but just in case the email wasn't clear enough.

Strength: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 3) = 113d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 3) = 103d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 3) = 93d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 2) = 93d6 ⇒ (4, 5, 4) = 133d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 3) = 15
Intelligence: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 5) = 93d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 3) = 143d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 1) = 103d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 2) = 73d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 5) = 113d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 2) = 9
Wisdom: 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5) = 143d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) = 103d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 3) = 123d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 4) = 83d6 ⇒ (2, 6, 6) = 143d6 ⇒ (5, 1, 3) = 9
Dexterity: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1) = 73d6 ⇒ (5, 2, 5) = 123d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 4) = 83d6 ⇒ (1, 6, 6) = 133d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4) = 133d6 ⇒ (2, 3, 6) = 11
Constitution: 3d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 1) = 63d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 3) = 93d6 ⇒ (1, 3, 5) = 93d6 ⇒ (4, 3, 5) = 123d6 ⇒ (4, 2, 1) = 73d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 4) = 12
Charisma: 3d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3) = 103d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 2) = 103d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 4) = 83d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 2) = 83d6 ⇒ (6, 6, 5) = 173d6 ⇒ (2, 1, 5) = 8

Strength 15
Intelligence 14
Wisdom 14
Dexterity 13
Constitution 12
Charisma 17

Seems the stats get skewed towards 14ish with this method, but quite a usable character you have there!

You'll note that while the abilities are the same as Pathfinder, the ordering is different. Physical are mixed in with mental. It's the AD&D way (i.e. confusing and apparently without order).

This campaign is CLOSED and will no longer be monitored.

Thank you again to everyone for discussing.

This campaign is CLOSED and will no longer be monitored.

Thank you again to everyone for playing.

"A fine job, Pathfinders! A fine job indeed," Kreighton Shaine beams at the assembled crew, "Well, with a success like this and so many new agents coming in, we may have to make these 'group Confirmations' a more regular thing... after all, it's hard to show an ability to Cooperate without it! Well done again."

A few days later, the Pathfinders are all summoned to Kreighton Shaine's office again. This time, Markos Farabellus (the Master of Swords) and Aram Zey (the Master of Spells) and Janira Gavix are also present.

"Congratulations Pathfinders!" beams Kreighton Shaine, hardly able to contain himself, "You have all been accepted as full field agents in the Pathfinder Society. Please stand up one by one and allow Janira to present you with your new Wayfinders as befits agents of your station. A marvellous effort all 'round! Now, as the current foremost authorities on those carvings, I think it only fitting that you get to name the cave! What would you like to call it?"

The other Masters say little to begin with, but do offer their personal congratulations to each of the Pathfinders - especially those who follow their particular field of study. "We will expect great things," notes Aram Zey to each, and Markos Farabellus cannot help but give everyone a friendly punch on the shoulder with a, "That minotaur would be no match for me! I'd be happy to spar with you any time!"

Finally, Janira gather's everyone together, "I'm so proud of you! Thank you for continuing my work. It turns out, we may end up with a Pathfinder Chronicle from this after all... the most recent copy of Aroden's original work! Ooh! I'm so excited!

"Now, who's up for a drink at the Wounded Wisp? Race you there..."

Thanks again, everyone. I'll close this up tomorrow. Feel free to name the cave for posterity (you can feel free to disagree, of course!). I'll happily mark the name in on your chronicles and re-scan if you like, or you can mark it in yourselves.

I've got my regular two games that I'm still GMing (Reign of Winter AP and a custom campaign based on the classic D&D module: Isle of Dread). Nothing more for the GameDay. Check in with Steve's Table (scroll up a few posts) if you want some more PbP. One of those guys is starting up a game. I'm sure you could PM them for an invite.

Okay, so Paizo has been sapping my PbP time. I had two big chunks yesterday set aside, and a big chunk today set aside for some lovely updates. Unfortunately, the site was down at every single one of those times. I see there are new posts, so I can only assume Paizo had it out for me.

I will post a wrap-up post tomorrow by midday at the latest and then close the thread down a little later (probably Tuesday).

I would apologize for my absence, but it was not my fault. Hope you guys didn't have the same experience.

@Kajar: Read my guide under "Maps". ;-)

"Fascinating!" exclaims Kreighton Shaine, "Thank you for such a wonderful report! Do you other three have anything to say on the matter? I would love to hear more about the carvings... which survived, and anything you can say about the more faded ones? I think we shall have to go there and see if we can't restore them. Aroden can be quite the bore on humanity, but he has left behind some wonderful mysteries."

The Master of Scrolls leans forwards, smiling all the while, waiting for any more tidbits the Pathfinders have for him.

Hey all! Session reported. Thanks for letting me know you've picked up your chronicles - please continue to do so.

Markus, no problems with the faction reward attempt, nothing to note since you had already not taken a day job check (and didn't pass), right?

Now, for the boons and the online reporting... it has typically taken a long time before the sessions have been reported properly and the boons have come out a week or two after GameDay ends. Don't make any plans for your boons just yet! ;-)

Hopefully this time round it will be quicker, but don't rely on it.

On a more positive note, I had a blast. Thank you again everyone for playing... and we've still got wrap-up if you want it!

Hey everyone, your chronicles are here!

Please download them and let me know when you have them. Also let me know if I've stuffed anything up. When you've got your chrons and Brob sends me his email address, I'll get the game reported.

Thanks everyone for playing... and it's not quite over yet. Kreighton Shaine wants his report. ;-)

With her wounds healed...

"You defeated it?" asks Janira as soon as she is revived, "Wahoo! Well done Pathfinders. Thank you so much for coming to save me when you did. I would not have been able to hold out against that thing much longer. Phew. What a run! You will, of course, receive a glowing recommendation from me for bravery shown in the field - and for having the skills needed to pull off my rescue!"

When everyone is ready, Janira accompanies the Pathfinders back into the caves to allow them to fully map the system out. She stays back from the action, though, allowing the initiates to undertake their confirmation in their own way. Aside from a nasty run in with a gelatinous cube and some vicious little mites (and their pet giant centipede), the Pathfinders find nothing else of note. They stay in the caves, and - as promised - help Uori take his deceased fellows back to the sea for a proper funeral. The journey back to Absalom is a most pleasant one, and before sun-down the following day, the group is once again safe and warm within the confines of the grand lodge.

Kreighton Shaine summons them to his room, where they find the elven Master of Scrolls apparently conversing with a capuchin monkey, "... well, yes, I do understand how it must be frustrating that man of all the primates became the dominant species - but I am an elf and don't believe I have anything to apologize for.

"Ah, Pathfinders!" he calls, as he spies the group, "Please sit down. Gilligan here was just leaving..." the monkey blows a sour raspberry at Kreighton Shaine before hopping off, "... excitable little fellow and a good drinking buddy, but his political views are outrageous! Anyway, please, tell me, how did your expedition go? I want to hear all of your ideas, observations and don't spare the details on your notes!"

Congratulations Brob and Jillia!

You get to choose a boon! I will PM you both with the list of choices.

Boon Roll Time!

Using the exact template provided by the online VC.

GM: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Boris: 1d20 ⇒ 13
Brob: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Jillia: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Markus: 1d20 ⇒ 14
rin: 1d20 ⇒ 11
Varus: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Boon of players choice on a natural roll of 1 or 20
**Re-Rolls not allowed on boons**

More on my next post.

Yeah, the last encounter really sucks with slow movement and melee only. It's really designed to take the fighters out of it.

The optimal tactic for your party would have been to hang back and let the ranged guys do their thing while waiting for the minotaur to cross the river. That forgoes the roleplaying bit of wanting to save Janira, of course!

Speaking of, someone should heal her on the gameplay... she's still gravely injured. ;-)

Brob, you've run this too many times! ;-)

Great job everyone. I'll get chronicles out tonight if I can.

Steve and I have often commented during this that you guys (here and on table 2) are playing like PbP pros. You post regularly, everything goes smoothly with the mechanics, your posts are beautifully descriptive and you always move the action along.

It was an absolute dream to run for all of you, and thank you for playing!

Jillia cuts into the minotaur's thigh again, using the same placement as last time. Her blow cuts to the bone and the massive mythical creature howls in pain. Boris follows the minotaur's example and puts his all into a two-handed blow with his scimitar and hacks a chunk out of the thing's side. The wound gushes blood onto the forest floor. Half dead, the minotaur looks up to see an arrow streaking towards its left eye. The missile buries itself in ichor right up to the fletching.

Swaying, the minotaur seems uncertain about whether to die or not... then a quick spell from Markus helps it along. With a thunderous crash, the beast falls backwards and showers everyone with magically conjured butter. Seconds later, Varus rushes up to the scene.

The fighting seems to have driven all forest creatures from this place as silence reigns - briefly - in the moonlit forest clearing.

Combat over! Well done all. See what you can do about healing Janira and a little roleplay together. I'll get a mop-up post in later today. Just a PFS tip, this was clearly the BBEG, so use the consumables from Janira (wand and potions) as well as any spells you have if you want to heal up... but no need to waste any of your own resources at this point. Since you have more than enough free healing at your disposal, I can hand-wave any healing rolls. Just describe what happens.

IC damage applies. I consider a "weapon" to be anything you need to roll an attack with.

The minotaur twitches as the electricity courses through its veins. The smell of singed bull-hide is both foul and distinctive. In light of its new pain, it ignores Jillia and tries to skewer a northerner on its horns. This time, seeing the more lightly armored man - and a bigger target to boot - it goes all out, trying to drop him in one hit.

Minotaur gore vs Boris, power attack: 1d20 + 10 - 2 ⇒ (5) + 10 - 2 = 13
Damage vs Boris, power attack: 1d6 + 4 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 + 4 = 10

In its exuberance, the minotaur goes wide and its horns pass harmlessly inches beneath its target's face. Boris is left to wonder what could have happened had those sharp things entered his body with that much force behind them.

Next up: Varus (Round 4), Brob, Rin, Markus, Boris, Jillia (Round 5).

Ah. I forget just how badly magi suffer until later levels. As you were. Just thought I'd ask. ;-)

Just curious about why you didn't deliver the spell through a weapon! I'm not familiar with the hex crafter... does that archetype do away with the regular magus schtick?

The minotaur grunts as Jillia's blade pierces its lower thigh. His clumsy horns cannot get close enough to return the favor - this time. The other Pathfinders rush in to provide aid, closing in on the massive beast as fast as their legs can carry them.

Adding +1 to Jillia's damage from inspire courage, since this is one case where the order does matter.

Next up: Boris.