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what?
coolio - have fun, be safe.
Damn! What now? - That thing gets around! What do you say Torgan? Stay here? He also fumbles in his pack for a potion of healing and drinks it.
I'll stay with Torgan, the dwarf says, wheezing heavily. The poison from the fungus is still affecting him and that last blow from the spider was a doozy.
Hal curses and uses a withdraw action to move back so the range to spider is 30ft
congrats
coolio
The dwarf reloads his crossbow.
Happy to be free the dwarf follows in the elementals wake and then lines up a shot on the spider.
Shoot
Rawr
Break free
Hal struggles again against the webs.
Fire? Oh this is going to hurt, moans the dwarf.
The dwarf panics... not wanting to be burned. He tries desperately again to free himself. CMB
Hal tries to shake himself free. CMB (minus strength mod due to poison) +2
I was more talking the other players.
Seems like the game is stuck
But Hal did get stuck :) Waiting on the others to throw their posts up.
Well I did my move and failed again.
Get up here team! The dwarf moves through the webs 20 feet. Trying to be careful. Ref
The dwarf attempts a strength check to get free. Str + 0 Having gotten free he is careful to stay still and extends his crossbow, ready to fire.
great idea
Cool.
I for one am very confused as to where Hv is meant to be on the map. In the interests of clearing it for me, can you place me in the location I am in. Happy to accept the DM ruling on specific square.
The dwarf lines up a shot and pulls the level of his crossbow.
Team 2 got... some eggs. :(
Good call... lets do that, the dwarf reloads his crossbow with effort and some discomfort.
At one stage I thought team one saw better action and posting rates but our team has firmed up nicely. I'll stay with my crew - that said, we are virtually out of spells, summons etc and I am not in a good state. Pushing on is asking to be punished.
loving the game
I am for resting. The worker is dead, like as not, and we are pushing our luck now. I for one need a full day or more of rest if not magical aid.
Bastard, the dwarf spits, in a very bad way and heavily encumbered now.
I am voting for a day of rest people and then coming back day 3. So head up now, rest (under Heal skill, full day of rest) and memorise spells, cast restore spells, rememorise spells then come back in.
I ran in because I figured I'd just bounch bolts against a DR5/slashing creature all day. I thoiught defensive fighting, couldnt hurt? It didnt as much as it could and thought acrobatics +8 right? rolled a 4. Dice just loved me.
Hal screams in pain but swings again. + bonus for prone target
Hal drops his crossbow and runs in to belt it with his axe but his posture is defensive as is the way he moves his axe. Fighting defensively -4 to hit. +2 AC Axe
Edged Weapons are best friends but hit it vit vhat you have TWANG!
Business travel, wife hieing off to Europe and sickness caused a drop in posting. Will be online again soon.
Guddammit! We have to get away from this thing - it has a terrible reach but it moves slowly
Blue Coat Adventurers? Oh, Adam. The Order missed a golden opportunity to drop an epic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension reference by calling themselves the Blue Blazer Irregulars. 50dkp minus. As for the maps, you know I am a huge fan of hand-drawn maps, something I haven't done in almost 3 years playing digitally. I know you don't reveal a section until the players enter the space, but how do you handle players seeing the Secret Door notations (from your IG post Level 3 Library Level)? --Vrock, Stock, & Two Smoking' Barrels
This is my group's 3rd mythic campaign and I definitely learned the lessons of book 6 of APs from Wrath. Lots of encounters for XP sake. Since I use a step system of advancing (like unchained staggered advancement) I can forgo the CR budget of encounters. Early on the Advanced simple template is great for boosting monsters and in the last few books the Mighty template is even better! Still deciding if I want to drag my players through Hammer Rock or take them at Level 16/tier 4 straight to the Cairnlands as the 2 level deficit balances out the 4 mythic tiers for the final ending. Even so, I need to bolster the Tyrant as well. The warpriest /guardian dropped a 700+ point critical mythic vital strike w/power attack and the paladin's shared smite on Istravek basically one shotting my CR 20/MR 5 Ravener. I'd have to repurpose Ceto Malderra and Gildais to be relevant commanders of the WT forces outside Absalom.
In my campaign, we will be going to Mythic tier 4. The break down of when is as follows. Receiving the obols in the initial blast in Roslar's Coffer awakens the PCs mythic potential. After returning to Roslar's Coffer they need to be exposed to a significant amount of energy tied to the Whispering Tyrant and the destruction of the Fetoring Maw provides that for Tier 1. Tier 2 comes when the PCs defeat Yosiduin as their Mythic Trial and the Radiant Fire goes off in the city above. I gave the elf the Incinvible mythic template. Tier 3 comes at the end of Book 4 when the Tyrant and Arazni fight and he uses the Radiant Fire on her. The PCs have at this point defeated 2 mythic trials, Ameratos Manslayer with the Agile simple template and a much more difficult encounter with Ulthun and the Knights of Ozem using the Ultimate Intrigue rules for a Social Event with the DC around 40 before Aid another, influence and discovery checks on the Watcher Lords aides, and the boons granted in the adventure. Tier 4 comes from the simultaneous events of Hammer Rock being destroyed at the same time Miraina reverses the Obols and the Kumaru seedlings taking root. The PCs will have defeated 3 mythic trials, a Savage template Ypotryll, an MR 5 Istravek, and an MR 8 nightwalker (using the stats from Khorramzedeh reborn from WotR). Finally if the PCs sacrifice themselves against the WT at the end and forgo their mythic tiers they can save their souls in the Kumaru tree for later reincarnation instead of being wiped from existence. --Vrocky Horror
So I noticed no one has made a post about using the pest drake swarm in an encounter. So as the Whiteblade festival is happening it makes sense there would be some sort of citywide entertainment. Cities of Golarion mentioned Sophronia's Steeplechase during midsummer, so why not a Rainbow Race in the spring when pest drakes are about to mate, and what better display for mates than a race! So the players can watch this event happen on day 2 of the festival, probably at noon. Cool bit of colorful fluff. But the roughly dozen to a score of drake keepers are being housed in the area around the Hounds Glory, it is closed after all. So I'm using this to add the swarm to my part D. Alley Ambush encounter as my players are mythic tier 1 and need the challenge. Kilibrandt sends the forged letter from Evni Zongnoss to them written in ink made from a lasting dose of terinav root poison. A great way to use the long onset time and long duration to possibly weaken up to 2 party members. The tube the message comes in is dosed with pest drake pheromones. When the fight in the alley occurs, Kilibrandt uses her mage hand SLA to open the cages of pest drakes lining the alley (the green covered stalls). --Vrockroach swarm
Outsider is no longer game terminology. The creatures that were formerly in it are now fiends, elementals, celestials, etc.I was confused and thought the crusader was an aasimar or other type of outsider, but finally realized he's just a regular community outsider not plane-touched etc. :-)Incidentally, that's why the term "outsider" for those extraplanar creatures is particularly thorny. Guess I should take a closer look at the glossary! --School of Vrock
I was confused and thought the crusader was an aasimar or other type of outsider, but finally realized he's just a regular community outsider not plane-touched etc. :-)Incidentally, that's why the term "outsider" for those extraplanar creatures is particularly thorny. Might want to encourage using outlander instead to keep away from game terminology. --Vrockabulary
Well they've already had their spies get a full map of the Opera House, and one PC's backstory involved his parent's being performers. They don't have a team of saboteurs so that's the extent I think the teams themselves should be involved. NPC Allies and the minor named NPC friends/rivals to score masque points are what's left. I will probably leave the Aid Token options open to be any of the Allies present rather than a specific one per. That way if I have to sacrifice one to save a PC I can choose which for dramatic effect. --Vrock Opera
Here's a thought about bringing Allied NPCs with the PCs to the Ruby Masquerade. As I have a larger than normal group (6) with a stronger than normal builds (25pt buy) I'm thinking rather than handing them NPC statblocks for which ever Allies they choose to bring, to instead give them the equivalent of a Pathfinder Society convention special Aid Token. As we don't use experience, the 3 times the players have been able to gain XP bonuses from the Rebellion mechanic have been empty levels so to speak. Instead they have have 2 "Ally Tokens" to use during the Massacre. Here's the options (Tier 7-8)
PFS Aid Token: Allied Offensive: Octavio Sabinus An NPC ally aids your attack, increasing the damage dealt on one attack by the following amount: 1d8 in Subtiers 1–2 and 3–4, 2d8 in Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, and 3d8 in Subtier 10–11. In addition, after the attack,
characters attacking the target are considered to be flanking it until the beginning of the attacker’s next turn. Burst of Healing: Zachrin Vhast An NPC ally heals all of the PCs for 1d6 points of damage in Subtier 1–2 and 3–4, 3d6 points of damage in Subtier 5–6 and 7–8, and 5d6 points of damage in Subtier 10–11. Coordinated Maneuvers: Laria Longroad An NPC ally assists a PC in performing a combat maneuver. The PC must choose to use this Aid Token before rolling; they may roll twice and take the better result. Provide Spellcasting: ? Gain the benefits of a beneficial spell cast by an ally as listed on the Aid Token (lesser restoration, neutralize poison, remove curse, or remove disease) only these spells may be granted. Share Knowledge: Rexus Victocora Gain the benefit of a Knowledge check or a Spellcraft check to identify a magical item. Timely Inspiration: ? An NPC ally provides the effects of a bard’s inspire courage bardic performance for 3 rounds, with +1 bonus in Subtiers 1–2 and 3–4, a +2 bonus in Subtiers 5–6 and 7–8, and a +3 bonus in Subtier 10–11.
Don't add them as bonus teams, have the PCs spend resources and use the Recruit Team activity. My group recruited Forvian Crow from the Salix Salt Works and the other prisoners as a Rebel Team. They recruited a random street encounter of cutpurses to become an Outlaw Team. I've tried to use any minor NPC they run across that isn't named in the gazetteer or as a major encounter enemy as potential members for Teams. Through Book 1 and 2 I tried to highlight at least 1 named NPC from the gazetteer as they travel from point A to point B in the city. Once they interact with them either favorably or not, I have that NPC make a cameo now and again to reinforce the relationship as it becomes more purposeful at the Ruby Masquerade. Minor roleplaying opportunities become major plot devices later. --Vrockatrice
So I'm looking at the stats for Balgorrah and I'm trying to figure out if the PCs get saves against its Bleed and Death Knell. If so, how do I determine the save DC for those abilities? The book doesn't specify. Both bleed(0 level) and death knell(2nd level) are cleric spells, so I would use Balgorrah's Wisdom score of 14 to determine the save DCs of 12 and 14 respectively. --School of Vrock
I really, REALLY tried to give Druma and the Kalistocracy some love in my 2013 RPG Superstar final's adventure pitch, The Scrollmaster's Ransom. Looking forward to seeing what the Blackjacket's of the Mercenary League are up to! --Vrock Market Crash
Unfortunately, Mythic Haste does nothing to augment the additional action granted by Amazing Initiative. While Mythic Haste grants you another move action during your normal turn and Amazing Initiative gives you a bonus standard action you can't combine the two to make a Full Round action. They are separate and distinct actions. To gain a second full action in your turn you'd need an ability like Dual Initiative. --Vrock and Awe
Unfortunately, multiclassing in PF1 often lead to characters that could not stack up to single class characters in terms of relative power compared to the APL, just like Prestige classes weakened a character. Hopefully, the archetype system in PF2 allows for abilities that are in line with single class options in terms of usefulness at their given levels. At least I think that's what the designers are looking for. And does anyone else now have "Leeloo Dallas Multi Class" stuck in their heads now? --Vrock & Load
Exploding freezing ice traps could easily be made without magic. Niter, or ammonium nitrate, is readily soluble in water and creates an endothermic reaction (extreme cold). Niter is also a component in many explosives used for mining. So explosive freezing liquid trap... totally doable via mundane means. --Schoolhouse Vrock
I think I'm going to enjoy how modular the new system is. My players and I were talking about the switch from 2e to 3.0 and how it took us a minute to understand what feats were and how they worked. Now everything is a feat it seems. Interesting how the game changes over time. --Vrock, Paper, Scissors
Actually, if you remake the Condition Cards for PF2, you really should include Poisons, Diseases, and Curse. I know they're afflictions now, but they happened enough that having a Card for a player under their effects would have been super useful. I mean my table uses the Condition Cards so much I need to buy a new deck already! --HemVrock
And as humanoids, goblins aren't evil to the their very essence like a demon, devil, or daemon is. They can make choices and are just as capable of being good or evil, same as humans. Humans, being the default or dominant ancestry on Golarion currently are rife with individuals and groups of all alignments. The Thrunes are dispicably evil as are the Umbral Court, the Blackfire Adepts, the Whispering Way, the Aspis Consortium, etc. Do you not allow humans into your adventuring parties? --Vrock, Paper, Scissors
They say other Monsters will have AoOs as well... and if those orcs are fighters, they'll definitely have it. --Vrock the Casbah!
I think everyone needs to be a little more patient when comparing PF2 feats and class abilities to PF1 versions. We don't know the underlying math of the system to be able to calibrate bench marks. Paizo has said they've rebalanced the numbers across all levels, 1-20. I love the new design space the action economy has opened up. As soon as a saw some of the class features like Sudden Charge I knew the feats would cost actions. Same with the Reactions, you could choose ones that thematically fit your class or role. --I wanna Vrock
Other than AoOs most immediate actions now are class based. Immediate action spells require you can cast spells which are a class feature. Several of the Swashbuckler deeds are immediate action and no other class has those options. So this is nothing new, it's just wrapped in a different package that is hopefully easier to open. --School of Vrock
It just hasn't felt like the holidays since RPGSS has been gone. I think Wayfinder running a contest would VROCK! Count me in for whatever support you guys need. I'm down for shouting it out across the multiverse with a Stunning Screech. I sympathize with DQs take on the stress of the competition, it definitely consumed all of your attention. I loved it! --So you wanna be a Vrock superstar
Wow, that's trippy. I'm a big fan of Cryo Chamber for ambient themed soundtracks. They do a lot of Lovecraftian themed albums. --Vrock Lobster
I'm definitely paying attention to the Azlant Odyssey for when I run this... being part fiendish seagull (certified diver) means I want to bring in the claustrophobic feeling of being underwater with its muffled sounds and distorted optics. Playing on the beach is a brilliant idea! The sound of actual surf beats any soundboard or playlist for ambiance. --Vrock the Boat!
Well short of Paizo doing an errata, Legendary Games has Mythic Solutions that really does a great job of fixing the most troubling aspects of the ruleset. Having just finished WotR playing by the book I found challenging the PCs pat tier 6 to be very difficult with non-mythic encounters, and nigh impossible past tier 9. Only custom mythic bosses and sub bosses made any dent in my group. I will offer that my group did not fit the core assumption. They started with 7 PCs 20 point buy, but by the end were 4 PCs w/ NPC help (advanced Arushalae per cover). City of Locusts was a bit of a disappointment due to the bad encounter structure. I skipped most of them as I don't use XP so they were merely speed bumps that ate away at precious game time by forcing useless fights. I for one would love seeing Mythic 3pp adventures. --Vrock & Awe
Congratulations on your new adventures Wes. You've been a fixture at Paizo for so long it's hard to know what you've done that I loved the most, though I fondly remember a hag themed Bazaar of the Bizarre and a fantastic article about power components. Can't wait to see what projects you're going to work on in the future. --For those about to Vrock, we salute you!
You're going to find that the this problem continues as the party gains more mythic tiers. As written they will begin to blow though listed DCs and encounters without breaking a sweat, especially non mythic ones. I knew this going into the AP and we decided to run mythic as is fur the PCs to find the breaking points. My advice is to pick up Legendary Games Mythic Heroes Handbook and look at the suggestions to fix the mythic rules before you get too far. It'll save you a ton of headaches -Vrock and Awe!
As a GM with a group that fluctuates between 4 and 7 and one whose run several campaigns to 15+ in 3.5 and PF, both Epic and currently Mythic I understand your frustrations. That being said as a GM who also works full time you're going to have to learn you aren't exactly beholden to the RAW. You can and should break them now and again to adequately challenge your group. Now I'll make some assumptions seeing as you have a laundry list of houserules, that your players are experienced with not only the rules, but with playing with each other. Nothing wrong with that at all, but it does mean the core assumption (15 pt buy, 4 player, 4-5 APL encounters per day) isn't going to be a good fit for your table. So here are just a few tips I use to challenge my group. In a given encoutner for every factor of point buy above 15 I add +1 CR. For groups of 6 or 7 I also add +1 CR. Larger groups also face 50% more minions and Named NPCs with max hp. Past 10th level I add double max hp to named NPCs and max hp for minions. I use the Advanced simple template liberally. High level play is an area where few groups regularly congregate so there has not been the rules guidance or support from either Paizo or 3PPs (that I know of) that specifically address High Level encounter design. The abilities you mention like nondetection/mind blank, access to teleportation, flight, scrying are things that you not only have to be mindful of... you have to actively include them as assumptions in your encounter design. Make it so your players have to teleport several times in order to even come face to face with the villain. This game is all about resource management so you have to force them to drain power. If you can use more encoutners per day, 5-6 is a better number. Don't allow them the 15 minute adventuring day. Force them to continue moving when low on resources. BBEGs should have defenses against common high level tactics because villains shouldn't be stupid. As PCs get more powerful their abilities should become more common knowledge and you can use your GM metagame knowledge to gameplan for your group's common tactics and abilities. Now I'm not saying to constantly use this to ignore your players strengths and/or exploit their weaknesses, but do so in key moments of the story. No one enjoys having the main villain one-shotted before they can act. Limiting buffs is a common houserule, one I know my players would object to. But it does take some of the math out of Mathfinder! My players routinely forget bonuses they have up, so limiting them make it easier on both sides of the screen. Don't make it too complex. You can handwave the school interactions as "that's just how the magic works." --Vrock & Awe
Liz Courts you are a Vrockstar and it's going to be weird having a Paizo without you. But I'm happy that you are moving on to something bright, shiny, new, and exciting. So I guess we can only say, so long and thanks for all the cookies! I will cherish my baked treat buttons forever.
Us the effects from the maw of chaos spell in the Wages of Sin article in Sword of Valor. It increases the power level of the ability (which as written is super weak vs mythic heroes). Maw of Chaos:
MAW OF CHAOS
School conjuration (teleportation) [chaotic]; Level cleric 8, sorcerer/wizard 8 Casting Time 1 standard action Components V, 5, F/DF (a gold-plated, cold iron ring that was forged in the Abyss) Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Area 5-foot-radius spread Duration concentration (maximum 1 round/level) Saving Throw see text; Spell Resistance yes; see text This spell creates a rip in reality that plunges into the interspatial vortices that constantly churn with the raw destructive chaos of the Abyss. Each round at the beginning of your turn, the maw of chaos attempts a drag combat maneuver check against every creature within 40 feet, using your caster level plus your primary spellcasting ability modifier in place of a CMB. If a creature is dragged into a maw of chaos, the area erupts in a surge of chaotic energy and the creature
Creatures dragged adjacent to the mow of chaos become entangled by the frayed strands of reality being torn apart at the rim of the maw of chaos. Escape requires a successful Escape Artist check or grapple check against a DC equal to 10 plus the spell's save DC. Every creature without the chaotic subtype that ends its turn adjacent to a maw of chaos takes 2 points of damage to each ability score. Creatures with the lawful subtype take double this amount of damage; creatures
Calling, summoning, and teleportation effects used within 30 feet of the maw of chaos or that cause a creature to appear within 30 feet of a maw of chaos are redirected, causing the creature to arrive adjacent to the maw of chaos rather than at its intended destination. Unattended objects (including dead bodies) adjacent to the maw of chaos are drawn into it and affected as by disintegrate at the beginning of the caster's next turn. --Vrock and Awe
And then I'll attack Drezen. In the "all out assault" way that the module mentions. So I need to find monsters that are on theme for 4 Level 11/Tier4ish PCs. So 3-4 encounters of CR13/14, if I go with the module recommendations Use this monster, The Mountainous Feaster and use several armies of dretch to simulate this thing spawning mobs of them constantly. You'll bring the whole Attack on Titan vibe to the assault! If there are any named NPCs from Drezen that escaped, like the incubus Exorius, the succubus Kiranda, or the tiefling Chorussina use them as army commanders. --Vrock the House!
Alushinnyra is a city continually cloaked in darkness and shadows. It's also called the Porphyry city due to the stone used to construct many of its buildings. It's also home to incubi, succubi, shadow creatures of all types, and lots and lots of cambions (think 7 deadly sins). Look at the districts and you'll have some guidance on naming conventions. The Fleshmarkets for example could have a slave trading auction house called The Dark Lady's Thrall Emporium or a brothel called The Perilous Embrace. I rolled a random encounter of the adult umbral dragon pop up in concert with the PCs hunting down a certain disgraced lilitu and they faced her and the dragon in it's underground lair/ apothecary shop called Penumbral Potions & Poisons. When I rolled the Drinker of Thoughts encounter I had the Oolioddroo run an inn and tavern near the Gates of the Moon called The Thirsty Dreamer. As my PCs searched out magic items in the metropolis I made a tailor shop selling clothing based wondrous items called Nightblade's Needle run by a drow blackblade magus. --Vrock the Casbah
Re-writing the adventures to fit your party is always going to be a given since the designers and authors can't anticipate every hiccup we experience at the table. In my group we have a long history of planar adventuring from 2e Planescape and our group is a Golarion reimagining of that group of adventurers. The paladin from the old campaign met and fell in love with a demon (alu-fiend) and even though the current paladin (same player) has the Touched by Awfulness trait I re-wrote the mythic trials so rescueing Arueshalae was his campaign mythic trial (and the falling in love option of the succubus's redemption) and the rescue of possessed Jesker Helton was the trial for our tiefling inquisitor of Erastil because of shared god and the theme of an inquisitor casting out the demon from his fellow priest. We're on the last set of encounters in the Ivory Sanctum and defeating Jerribeth will make up for our dwarven barabrian champion missing the night they faced the Woundwyrm. The glabrezu has not only already killed the dwarf once in the Sanctum, but it was her blood that gave him the stolen fury trait. --Vrock and Awe
My party fluctuates from 4-7 players, 20 pt buy, and they're all veteran players so the stock adventure is not going to challenge them. I have really enjoyed using sc8rpi8n_mjd's statblocks for the BBEGs and sub-boss monsters. I've also liberally used the simple advanced template on all the mooks to make them more than just a speedbump. As you're still hexploring, I recommend using 15% per hex entered and 45% per day exploring or resting for random encounters, as well as using the weather (and tables) from the Worldwound setting book. I do not use straight xp (use SKR's step system, similar to Unchained staggered advancement rules) so I don't worry throwing to many or too few encounters. I really enjoy using the extra enemies in the bestiary of each adventure somehow. --Vrocktober
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