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Hey Kajar, PM me if your GM is interested in a Google Spreadsheet for all the kingdom building. I did one for my Skype Kingmaker game - it was invaluable for sharing all the info and planning the kingdom out. We did use the Ultimate Campaign rules, but it could easily be reverted back to the Kingmaker AP rules.
"'Gavix Caverns' gets my vote, *squawk*," adds Nbu T'ka, displaying his wayfinder proudly, "Sorry, Shuo-san. "It was a pleasure to be on this Confirmation with you all. Thank you, and I will miss all of you," Nbu T'ka's beak drops to his chest and he shudders a little in sadness, "Perhaps we will adventure together again soon." Nbu T'ka gives everyone a friendly hug - lingering well beyond the comfortable, socially accepted three seconds when he hugs Nella. "Farewell!"
"*Screeeeeeeeee*!!!!" screeches Nbu T'ka exultantly. Caught up in the moment, he rushes over and gives Nella a big, feathery hug. "*Squawk* well done everyone," says Nbu T'ka, with feathers fluffing out, "So that minotaur reminds me of a joke that I heard back in Sandpoint: Why do cows not have any money?" Nbu T'ka waits but a fraction of a second before blurting out, "Because farmer's milk them dry."
Sense motive, DC 4 (so everyone just open):
Nbu T'ka genuinely believes this might be a reason, though he does think that a more compelling reason might be that cows have animal intelligence and therefore no appreciation of the monetary system. "I mean, we'd have to assume an awakened cow here, but if the farmer took all the milk then it wouldn't have any to sell. We'd also have to assume that the cow couldn't think of another way to make money."
GM Steve, you did a great job! Can't wait to play under you again, mate. Lissa, I think the missing data was we players' faults (3 of us in and it just happened to be the 3 who were holding back due to replay, I think). We needed to give the rest of you more info. Also, as I noted in my game - that puzzle (and many to-and-fro roleplaying situations) really suck hard over PbP. Things that can be resolved in 5-10 minutes on the gaming table can chew up a week or more in PbP if a lot of clues and interaction is required. Depth of roleplaying on PbP? Awesome. Time of response? Expect lag.
You can't horizontal jump during a charge action (or you could just jump over difficult terrain). Covered under: "You must have a clear path toward the opponent, and nothing can hinder your movement (such as difficult terrain or obstacles)" and "If any line from your starting space to the ending space passes through a square that blocks movement, slows movement, or contains a creature (even an ally), you can't charge."
Seeing Lissa and Nella bravely face the Minotoar (and perhaps forgetting that they are doing so from the safety of the River), Nbu T'ka notes that the Minotaur has looked away from Janira and is currently trying to figure out what Nella is doing to it. From deep within himself, the tengu occultist finds a well of courage and charges the beast. "They are not the ones you want, get me instead! *SCREEEEE*!" Nbu T'ka punctuates his challenge with an eagle's cry that he didn't even know he had in him.
Nbu T'ka moves towards the minotaur as far as he is able and calls upon his walking stick's energies to transform it into a mighty magical weapon.
"Worry not, Janira!" the tengu cries, "We will *squawk* be victorious!" Nbu T'ka isn't sure he believes his own words, but he and this band of Pathfinders had proven very effective against all opponents they'd faced thus far... except the Aspis Consortium training dummy.
I told Steve, but I forgot to let you all know... I'm going to Minneapolis (from Houston) this weekend to play in a friend of mine and Steve's 150th table (which bumps him up to a 5-star GM). It's a big event with his Venture Captain there, and there will be much libation. So, I can't speak for my posting speed while it's happening. This is my only active table that I'm playing in, so I'll try to check in on my phone and post as needed, but I'll be much slower to respond than my usual. Regardless, this will be my last post for today. Have a good one all!
Nbu T'ka advances into the tunnel and around a bend, "That's it, hit it with whatever *squawk* ranged attacks you've got! It looks like it's too big to fit down here anyway. *Squawk* I'll stay here just in case it tries to get past." If the thing comes within melee range: Nbu T'ka lashes out with his walking stick, trying to repeat the success he had against the centipede and mites.
Nbu T'ka cheers as the mite goes down. The "spider swarm strut" is definitely evident in his stride as they progress further into the cave complex. "Look out for that green stuff!" he warns, readying his walking stick of vermin and fey slaying, "It isn't what it seems." Nbu T'ka waits for someone else to take charge here.
Nbu T'ka feels doubt creeping into his bones as the creature makes him wonder if Nella truly did single him out for attention because of love. Maybe she didn't have confidence in his abilities... Shakily, Nbu T'ka steps up and lashes out with his walking stick.
"She does love me..." he whispers to his diminutive opponent.
Seeing his opportunity to shine here, Nbu T'ka wants to prove he's equally unafraid of the big centipede as he is of the smaller, more tasty (probably more tasty) ones. He pulls back on his iron-shod walking stick and has a quick glance Nella's way before rushing across the shallow stream and towards the many-legged monstrosity.
Nbu T'ka's weapon smashes the centipede, hard, upon its outer casing. The walking stick - as he calls it - sinks deep within is carapace. There is a small delay before the additional pressure on the creature's insides is too much for its shattered shell and it explodes outwards. Chunks of centipede fly outwards. Nbu T'ka, with mouth open as this happens, confirms to himself that the smaller variety of centipede is indeed tastier.
Hey Nbu T'ka - In all the shuffle I never got your PFS Info from you at the beginning of this thread... Whoops! My bad. Here you go. Player Name: Damien
Edit: Nice! Shuo and Nbu T'ka - I will PM you some information, and I will need your email addresses. Yeah baby! Thank you Steve! Nice rolling buddy.
"Great descriptions Luthor! Hmmm... so we need to show our understanding of Aroden's teachings using the city... *squawk* what can we do?" Nbu T'ka seems oblivious to the fact he has accidentally triggered a ritual, "The Artist, eh? Can anyone paint? Maybe we could paint some of the city nicely like the artist is doing int he carving. I don't have any paint's though..." The tengu pulls his beak down all the way to his chest and thinks deeply. "Farms don't exist in cities, but just outside of them. Maybe we could till the soil and sow some seeds. I don't have any seeds, though... and I don't particularly relish the thought of *squawk* going back to the forest to find some," Nbu T'ka pauses for a moment, "But I have no idea how we might shepherd animals out of the city. Does anyone have a familiar they could put inside and lead away from it? Or maybe we could find a wild animal here and *squawk* do the same." Nbu T'ka turns to his companions to make sure the Gillman cannot see his face - in case he has learned to read beaks - and says, "For the thief... well, I guess we need to steal something from the city. I imagine we can't do so with permission, though, or it's just 'removing' not 'stealing'. Hmmm. If someone can distract Uori's attention, I'm sure one of us could nab something from the City... though it seems a shame to disturb it."
Nbu T'ka continues to crunch on centipedes as he wanders around the miniature city. He notices Nella looking at him sideways. Oh dear, she must think I'm a terrible pig, eating all of these. Nbu T'ka places the last of his centipedes absentmindedly in the city. GM: This completes the 'hunter' ritual by the way. I know we didn't find that carving, but I thought this might be a fun way to kick it along again. You're allowed to give clues, too (something that I missed) from the first sentence about "how to complete the ritual. I thought that was the parable, but it says 'parable's image and a clue'. I just gave up. This is awful over PbP.
Suddenly, Nbu T'ka seems interested in what is going on. He is eager to nod along with Nella. "Yes, yes! Tell me, Uori, do you know anything of how that might work? Uori? Are you paying attention to me? Oh, right. Nella, would you mind please *squawk* repeating what I say so that he may read your beak." Nbu T'ka does not realize his slip until about an hour later.
Happy to keep my beak out of it for now. GM: The only way, really, to know about this is to get a 20 on diplomacy (to increase Uori's attitude to helpful) or to beat the encounter at B4 or B5 to increase his attitude to helpful. If Lissa gives him the cloak, that beefs up any diplomacy roll by +8 and will probably change him to helpful. You're doing it right, and there really is no way to know that you need to perform a ritual here except by making Uori helpful or by accident.
Nbu T'ka calms down, but still refuses to face or speak to the gillman. He instead wanders into the waters to inspect the model city of Absalom. He quickly grows bored, but pretends to take great interest. He even pulls out his journal and draws a picture of it as best he can.
The focused tengu creates a drawing that is better than an untrained hand has any right to make.
Nbu T'ka looks insulted, 'Lips! *Squawk* well, I never!" The tengu struts off. It must be hard for a deaf man to understand me with my beak, but still... 'lips'!* * FYI:
Some tengu are very proud of their beaks. Nbu T'ka has a slightly strange one, curved down as it is. He may be self-conscious about it... or especially proud. It is unclear. "Lissa," begins Nbu T'ka, deliberately facing away from the gillman, "He's wearing clothes that look like the cloak you're holding. I wouldn't give it to him, though! Did you hear what he said? 'Lips'!"
"We are Pathfinders!" Nbu T'ka declares when he finally swallows the centipede with a loud *gulp*, "And *squawk* we are here to discover more about these caves - and why you and your fellow gillmen are here. Ooh, that's a pretty diorama. Do you *squawk* know anything about it?" The unarmed, aged gillman doesn't seem to scare Nbu T'ka like the spider swarms, minotaur or even the pit did. "That's also a strange speech impediment you have there," Nbu T'ka bows his head in the tengu fashion to indicate that he is not trying to be rude, "If I don't *squawk* miss my guess... I'd say you had trouble hearing your own words."
Nbu T'ka picks up one of the fluffy centipedes and flings it into his beak. There is a *crunch* followed by a ripe *pop* as the thing explodes inside his mouth. He looks up at Nella's expression. Why is she looking at me like that? Oh, I am being rude. Nbu T'ka offers the cleric some still-wriggling centipedes. "Would you like some? They are *crunch* delicious!" All the while, Nbu T'ka fails notice that he has managed to spray Nella with bug juice.
"Someone who is better at throwing than me," Nbu T'ka begins, despite his lucky success against the spider swarm, "Should *squawk* grab the holy water, thunderstone and tanglefoot bag. You never know when those items might *squawk* come in handy." Nbu T'ka looks over the items, but sees nothing that suit his particular skills.
Nbu T'ka considers also getting out his journal, but decides that enough Pathfinders are already doing that. Instead, he continues to inspect the eight carvings that they didn't identify, looking for some more clues. The tengu *clucks* proudly a few times when Nella calls out to the group that he was right on target, but he doesn't fan out his feathers or cluck any louder than when Luthor also encouraged him.
Nbu T'ka *clucks* excitedly along as he studies the carvings and reliefs in the large cavern. He makes a few passes around three of them in particular, "mmmmm" he notes, "aaaah" he continues. "Well, this is most interesting!" he declares at last, "We have here what I am assuming are the twelve guises of Aroden. I have identified three: the artist, the farmer and the shepherd. What's more, the text here is very old and differs from what we know as the current version of the History and Future of Humanity, Aroden's holy book. This is most exciting! Perhaps we may even be able to correct the current text! Such a rare find, the Pathfinder Society will be pleased." Nbu T'ka sits back a while, still *cluck*ing quietly to himself, to allow the humans to describe the significance of each of the carvings they have recognized.
For trivial bits of information, "secret" spoilers can slow things down. Sometimes it is best to just let everyone know. Same for time sensitive stuff (eg. combat). Feel free to roleplay what your character says, but sometimes it's just best in PbP if we push the story along. This is entirely up to GMs and players. I actually run games both ways. It really depends on player posting frequency, and the type of info going into the spoiler. I trust Steve's judgement... and I would always defer to a player if they wanted their knowledge checks (etc) to be spoilered (as Shuo has requested), but only for that player (unless everyone else were asking for it also).
Nbu T'ka proudly places the plank over the pit, puffing his feathers up a little more than usual. "Here you are, Nella," he begins proudly, before quickly catching himself, "And Shuo-san and Luthor and Lissa and Kajar." Phew. I don't think anyone noticed.
Everyone sense motive DC 9 (hint, take 10): Everyone noticed.
Some skill checks don't allow a retry (like knowledge) so you can't just have everyone take 10 all the time on them. For stuff that is DC 10, I just hand wave it for someone with ranks in the skill (because, as a GM, I know that taking 10 does so easily pass it). In PbP it's harder and more time consuming to give out hints like that, so I just hand out the info. For S.O.P, though, we need to be cautious about taking 10 that we don't break PFS rules. Other than that, go for it. I'm happy for you to have Nbu T'ka take 10 on whatever you like him to... just tell me when it happened. ;-) Oh... and not everyone can succeed at DC 12 acrobatics by taking 10. Luckily, the dice were with me. No fun stealing, but this is an example of a time when PbP is inferior to face to face. Little things like this need a bit of back 'n' forth between GM and players, and that's time consuming when posting rather than just chatting.
"Perhaps someone is already inside the cave," suggests Nbu T'ka, "And has *squawk* taken the plank with them farther inside the cave." Thinking he may very well be onto something here, Nbu T'ka decides to take his armor off. With a few practice flaps of his feathered arms, he gets a running start and attempts to leap the pit. Someone has to be bold... I just wish it wasn't me.
"*Squawk!*" he cries, and with a single flap of his arms, clears the former pit trap. Once over the other side, Nbu T'ka has a look around for the phantom plank.
Nbu T'ka looks around curiously. "Gillmen can't fly *squawk*. If this is a favorite destination for gillmen, surely they don't have to leap or climb over this pit *squawk* every time. Maybe they don't even go this way. Maybe we missed a passage *squawk* or a ladder. Let's look around for an alternative to jumping while Lissa fishes for cloth." The tengu the proceeds to check around for secret passages, ladders or even gillmen prints: any clue as to how they usually cross the pit.
"It would be handy, but the mage hand can't pick it up," notes Nbu T'ka, oblivious to the joke, "I'd say that item is likely magical! It's probably worth going down and picking it up. We've got enough rope that at least three of us should be able to do it simultaneously, allowing some back up in case of something nasty down there. Those with ranged attacks can stay up top." Finding his curiosity overwhelming his sense of caution, Nbu T'ka pulls his silk rope from his pack and begins looking for somewhere to tie it up.
"Let me..." Nbu T'ka walks over to the edge of the pit and waves his hands about. "Mage hand," he chants, and attempts to lift the fabric up and out from where it is sitting.
"...it seems to me that these missions would be made that much easier if you can be friends with your fellow companions, not just coworkers, right?" "Quite right, *squawk* Nella," Nbu T'ka agrees, puffing up to his fullest extent, "I am glad that we are *squawk* friends." The implication of friendship, as opposed to anything more intimate, is lost on Nbu T'ka. Friendship is definitely a step up from where he was, in his estimation.
"Very well, you all make *squawk* compelling arguments," Nbu'Tka acquiesces at last, "Let us complete our Confirmation and hope Janira knows something we do not about how to outrun a minotaur. When you have done with your trap - something I know little about - let us go into these caves and see what we can find."
"Attempted Murder" "Well, yes, two crows is not quite enough for a murder," Nbu T'ka agrees, "But we cannot for sure *squawk* say that they were actually try..." the tengu catches himself when he realizes Janira is chuckling, "Oh... ha, ha, ha."
Sense motive, DC 11: Nbu T'ka does not understand the joke at all. The double entendre with the crime is completely lost on him and he is fixated on trying to figure out the humor hidden within an attempt to gather crows together in sufficient numbers to form a murder. Perhaps it has something to do with the log...
"Heh...that's a good one. I've always heard that chickens aren't exactly the smartest things around, but maybe there's some wondrous breed out there blessed with the intelligence and self-awareness to cross roads just because they can!" she adds, lamely. Nbu T'ka stands straighter, and his feathers stick out on end as much as possible. This makes him look bigger than he really is and it is typical for a tengu to do this when attracting a mate. It is also can happen involuntarily when they are attracted to anyone. "A kindred spirit..." he says softly, though probably still loud enough to be heard, "She is amazing, and she gets me, she really gets me." "And what do you call two crows sitting on a log, Nbu T'ka?" "Hmmm. Two is too few to be a 'murder'," Nbu T'ka muses, treating the question far too seriously, "You could call them a pair of crows, I guess, but that would be assuming something about their association with one another. Perhaps they want nothing to do with one another and there are subspecies of crows to consider, so that you would not even know if they were... *squawk*" Nbu T'ka does catch Janira's look of amusement. He grew up in monastery, true, but before monks were monks they were children. Nbu T'ka knew what being made fun of looked like, and he did not enjoy it .
"*Squawk* a m-m-m-minot-t-taur?!?!" Nbu T'ka's feathers ruffle constantly as he trembles in fright, "Sh-sh-shouldn't we be *squawk* helping J-j-janira instead of fl-f-fl-f-fleeing? She *squawk* c-c-cannot possibly run as f-f-fast as a *squawk* minotaur c-c-can!" Nbu T'ka puts his iron-shod 'walking stick' (as he calls it) in both hands and tries to stop them from shaking as he unconvincingly tries to appear as though he'd prefer to stand his ground.
"You are welcome fore my tips about ice, Nella," Nbu T'ka says, just before swallowing his potion in one big gulp.
"So, why did the chicken cross the road?" asks Nbu T'ka during a lull in the conversation, "To get to the other side." He answers awkwardly.
Sense Motive, DC 10, just take 10 if your wisdom is 10+: Nbu T'ka is deliberately lying. There is no way of knowing why the chicken crossed the road and he knows it. Nbu T'ka is saying the chicken intentionally crossed the road in such a fashion. However, reaching the other side of the road may well have been a coincidence. Also, the existence of a road-crossing chicken - the premise upon which the joke is built - is dubious at best.
"Who *crunch* knew that cold would be more effective at killing spiders than fire?" asks Nbu T'ka, happily snapping at spiders then tilting his head back to allow them to slide down his gullet after a few bites, "They are *crunch* quite tasty this way, too! No tang *crunch* of burnt oil. The vial in question is called liquid ice. The quartermaster at the Grand Lodge *crunch* always keeps a few on hand, you should have a chat to him when we get back to Absalom!" Nbu T'ka looks pensive for a moment. And grows a little furtive, "*Squawk* Ummm... did we ever find out what that 'WOOMF' sound *squawk* was? Maybe we'd best make for the caves *squawk* quickly."
Oh, and the ice grenade is 'liquid ice' from the APG! Ultimate Equipment was so awesome, that many people forget that the APG had an equipment list. Liquid Ice was introduced a while back to balance the scales for accessible AoE damage for when creature were flame resistant. The scales aren't quite balanced though, at 40gp it's more expensive than the flaming option. Situationally, though, it's totally worth it. Or... as a pricy backup when you've just thrown your only vial of fire and missed.
In general, I would say absolutely hold off - yes. Unless you are certain you won't get any utility out of your channels for the day (ie. if this was an ambush at night and we're about to go to sleep) then hold off. AoE that damages demons and undead is amazingly good in the right situation. AoE that heals all your friends at once at 1st level during combat, that doesn't provoke AoO, when you have 6 friends all fighting at once... (assuming you have selective channeling or can otherwise avoid the damaged baddies with the burst) that's fricking priceless. I'll happily squeeze off charges from my wand so you don't have to use that precious resource. The precedence for healing resources out of combat in the PFS games my regular group plays (and many that I've joined) seems to be:
During combat, it's whatever works best to help the group survive. Most folk tend to (rightly, mostly) believe that healing during combat is a sub-optimal strategy. That is generally the case - mostly, you can do more HP damage than healing, and downing the enemy is preferable to fixing your fallen comrades - unless they're about to bleed out. Of course, those players haven't seen Lort drop below 0hp use orcish ferocity to stay conscious, then his med-lance and spring-loaded wrist sheath to produce and deliver a potion of cure serious wounds as a free action & move action before then cleaving the enemies who surround him. I tell you, the look on the GM's face when I did that was worth every gp I spent on that combo!
"Before we move to the caves, we should tend to our wounds," Nbu T'ka notes, looking down at his own spider bites, "I have a wand that I can use - unless Janira has something from the Society for us to use instead..." The tengu manages all this without a single squawk. His walk has just a little strut to it. Clearly, single-handedly destroying one of the swarms has done wonders for his confidence. Nbu T'ka leans down over the flash frozen spider swarm and picks up a few chilled spiders. He eyes them off briefly before popping one in his mouth. He gives it an experimental crunch, nods his head approvingly and then throws the rest of the handful into his beak. He scoops up a few more and drops them into a belt ouch for snacking on later.
Swarms always have "pucker factor" for level 1 characters! Luckily, my low-level dudes always pack some AoE stuff - except my rogue, who just has vermin repellent! ;-) Thank you, Adventurer's Armory. It may have cost me $7 for the PDF, but spring loaded wrist sheaths and vermin repellent make it a great investment. Those links Steve talked about: Also... for GMs... PFSPrep.com
Nbu T'ka steps out of the blue swarm, shaking himself to get the spiders off his body. "If fire didn't work, *squawk* perhaps this will..." he postulates, and draws out a vial of blue liquid from his bandolier . With determination despite his fear, Nbu T'ka flings the vial into the center of the swarm.
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