Just as an addendum, I thought I'd share that my name is Lee, I'm in my late thirties, and I am actually a librarian (though not for the thieves of Anaphexia). ;) I kept a certain administrative game face during the campaign, but I thought I'd like to just say hi as myself. At the gaming table in my other life, two of my favorite classes to play are the cleric and gunslinger. I am not the strongest RP-er face-to-face (not to talk myself down too much, I'm pretty decent), but it's been really rewarding to have this written format to develop story and play the game. I'm able to write NPCs and story better here for some reason.
I am glad you enjoyed the game. I did too! I'm taking a break for now, but I too hope to play with some (or all) of you again later.
Sandru – Thank you for taking the role of the fighter in the party. Your character concept (created by Nym) was cool and fit very well into the campaign. I like that Sandru was simultaneously a dark character but also young and heartfelt. I appreciated his protectiveness towards Phoebe. In his own way he was the heart of the party (raw emotion), so it was nice to see his journey of personal growth, and you ended his story on a poignant note. I always enjoyed the mechanic when you raged, and eagerly anticipated what you'd do in battle. It made melee sequences very cinematic. What stands out for me was Sandru learning Undercommon, when you crashed the dirigible to save the orphans (hooray!), and when you laid the smackdown on various baddies (great job against Hareton!)
Caromarc - You were down with the aesthetic of the story from the start, and it was very fun that we were able to play a campaign with the Mechanical Manservant, a cool twist on the traditional wizard (and at least for me a new aspect of the game re craft construct rules, etc.) I think Elspeth was the best familiar ever...I want one as a souvenir. :) Your characterization of Caromarc was superb, a powerful wizard, but so close to and open about his demons and foibles. What sums him up perfectly was the doll to Phoebe (caring, yet eccentric and always looking to make new constructs, lol!) My big thanks that despite the time zone difference, you were always with us and helped along the momentum of the adventure. Many memorable moments, some include any time Caromarc cast magic missile (in the blizzard...awesome), teleports, and MM finishing off the dragon.
Quinn – You joined our adventure a short ways into it, and we were really fortunate for your addition to the party. Thank you for allowing me to write you into the story with Hergelund - a relationship that provided many good plot points. I admire how you and Blackacre both played lawful good characters that were unique in their own way, e.g. in your case, Quinn’s guilenessness. For me, one of the most memorable moments of the campaign regarding your PC was his battle in the hallway of the Salon with Paige Carlisle. Quinn’s ability to go from chivalrous to official cop ‘taking down a perp’ was well-written. I wish Acrietia had been around a bit longer, but you probably wouldn't have liked her, lol. Damage was impressive, and you rocked the Zen archer. "Kill-shot Quinn, ftw!"
Blackacre – My thanks for playing the inquisitor class and so entertainingly! You created a dark horse character that, I don’t mean to speak for everyone, but I'd say he became sort of a fan favorite. You also introduced Volst, who ended up being a great story tie-in for Act 4. As the campaign proceeded, I kept in the back of my mind how Blackacre and Volst played off each other. Where Hareton was usually serious, it was nice to have Volst who we could write with a dose of comedy. The Volst--hand--forehead scene was quite memorable, and another moment that stands out to me was when you blasted the frost drake. You were a great team player tactically in battle (flanking, close combat with Harbinger, etc.) My thanks for being such a valuable member of the party, and thanks for letting the medusas petrify you. :)
Ianez – You rocked a bard. And you rocked the archaeologist archetype. Some of everything - damage, knowledge checks, utility. Your PC was the gentle force in the background always maintaining his cool, offering encouragement, and nudging the party forward. Thank you for letting me sacrifice Ianez's poor relatives, that was a great springboard for the opening zombie scene. A couple memorable scenes for me were the zombie infection, your excellent uses of the shatter spell, and of course the Osirion pharoah (an unexpected, yet perfect subplot resolution...I choked up). Your characterization of the scholarly-advisor type is one of those things you think about for stories, but don't really 'get' until someone writes it with such imagination and depth and it comes alive. You made some great choices during the story. My kudos and applause.
La Siréene – You took on the challenge of playing an unusual PC…a loveable psychopath aasimar :)…and you had a clear vision of your character and knocked it out of the park. I’m glad you balanced the party out with a (in later incarnation) female PC. You brought a fresh take on the druid class and your archetype too. As far as improving my GMing skills, it’s appreciated that you’d kindly remind me of what shall later come to be remembered as my patented ‘the-monster-took-too-many-actions-maneuver’, lol. Thanks for agreeing to summon the Void Creature and Giant Dragonfly, etc., that was very fun! Memorable moments for me are when La Siréene caught the hellhounds in the aqueous orb, bluffed her way into the Salon as Paige’s friend, and when she intimidated the thief in the library. Very well-written, fun to read, and a great character in the campaign.
Also, because you asked for a merchant early on in the game, Sabina was created!
ed. - Due to the unstable arcane energy of that evening, plus ectoplasmic/psychic residue on the Olivia's Heart pendant, the replacement into the Manservant's chest resulted in...not Olivia (well, Olivia is there, just not where expected)...but a surprise reappearance!* :)
And so, new relationships forged, old ones ended...the story of the six adventurers marches on.
La Siréene informs Caromarc that she will take care of Olivia to the best of her ability, but a short while later she hears in her head a polite, feminine voice...not her own...remark, What was that? You'll take care of me, La Siréene? Why, of course I don't mean to be much of an imposition, and I thank you most gratefully.
But...is Olivia's personality now in her head? Before she has time to react or consider the implications of this, La Siréene looks over to the construct, the former Manservant, where it traces invisible letters on the ground with its scythe. She observes only a moment, and doesn't realize that the construct is tracing the words NOT OLIVIA, NOT OLIVIA...
The construct turns away from La Siréene for just a moment, pleased with its ruse. In the machine, Maria smiles to herself. I'm back! An interesting body for right now. La Siréene doesn't suspect a thing. Good...good... She waves at La Siréene, and hefts the scythe.
I know! I knew it was coming, but today I've been a little down. It's like I just sent a kid off to college or something, lol. :)
Thank you very much. I'm glad to be part of GMing resource-share. :) I am complimented. You guys have taught me many things about GMing too and helped me develop my skills.
I don't take your question as pushy. I'm pleased you'd ask. My creative well is depleted after this adventure, so I have to recharge my batteries before coming up with new material or running another game. I outlined the story, and what we ended up playing was some pre-structured, and a bit on the fly. A big undertaking for me, and I have some other life things that need attention now. But I'll definitely run more games in the future. Maybe first I'll try playing a PC on these boards in a game, just to switch things up and see it from that side of things.
I have more thoughts I'll write after everyone does their final posts. But I will say I feel really, really lucky that the stars aligned and I got such six amazing and perfect players for this game to come together...and stay together all this time...as this adventuring party and breathe life into this story and completely rock it. It's been an incredible, memorable experience. I can't begin to say how grateful I am for your time, commitment, patience, and creativity. I know most everyone had other major events happen in their lives while we played this game, and so please know I appreciate it even more because of that too.
Thanks Ianez for posting, and it would be great if everyone can also do a wrap-up post regarding the end of the adventure please (which I assume you'd do anyway, but just for clarity sake then it will be officially completed).
Then, I will post at length my thanks to all of you, and thoughts about the campaign and stuff. :)
La Siréene - The construct that was formerly Caromarc's Manservant shadows your step. It practically trods on your toes as it gets used to its new body. It hears what you say and follows instructions, and yet it remains mute.
Blackacre - A young herald stumbles into the square. He skids to a stop, and leans on his knees, panting and out of breath. "My lords, my lords!" he cries. "A great emergency has arisen in the next town over! No sooner did the undead attacks cease, than a great lich necromancer arrived and began looting the citizenry! He is committing murder...all manner of crimes most foul...and needs to be stopped. He's too strong for us to defeat on our own. Are there any adventurers you can spare to lend a hand?"
Ianez - Ianez is approached by distraught administrators of the local museum. "Mr. Gastnicht, we have heard you're an expert on Osirion, and have need of your help." They invite Ianez to oversee the restoration of the Library of Anaphexia, and also serve as a diplomat regarding Ustalav-Osirion relations, with an anthropological focus on shared worship of Pharasma.
The surviving citizens of Ustalav come out from the rubble and their hiding places. They tentatively step forth and approach your party. Men, women, children, mothers with babies, the old and infirm, young lovers, doctors, nurses, people from all walks of life whom you have saved. They surround you with cries of joy and tears of gratitude. What help they can give you to rebuild, they enthusiastically offer. What treasures remain, they gladly reward you (to richly supply you for further adventures). They will carve statues to memorialize you! They will compose lyrical ballads to sing of you with praise!
The Tower Out of Time breaks apart. The laboratory topples, sending everyone plummeting through the sky. The hosts of Pharasma catch you and transport you safely to the ground.
The Avatar of Urgathoa prepares to radiate a death-pulse, immediately destroying everyone and turning you into undead. However, at that moment, ghostly entities appear in the room with you. The Osirion Pharoah...the officers of the Swamplights...Caromarc's colleague, Sandru's creator, and Olivia's uncle, Dr. Fennick Nym.
The Pharoah raises his hand in a commanding gesture to Urgathoa. "Stop, you cretin! Do not presume you rule the rest of the dead." With that the Swamplights close in and surround her. Nym approaches her and dispatches her with an ethereal, glowing dagger.
The avatar screams a banshee-like wail and disappears!
Nym smiles knowingly at Caromarc and Sandru. The Swamplights salute Quinn. Then, the ghostly entities fade away.
Avatar of Urgathoa is dismissed back to the Abyss.
The avatar sees the shadow beast rush towards her. In darkness created, in darkness known, by darkness hidden, she croaks. Inexplicably, the image of Urgathoa disintegrates into a wall of smoke, then reknits back together again.
The Avatar of Urgathoa pushes aside Blackacre's sword, struggling with him in divine battle. The horrific creature with her ragged, hanging torso snaps and bites at the inquisitor, and swipes at him with her claws. But her attacks miss and can't get through his armor.
A series of explosions rocks the lower levels of the Tower Out of Time. The entire edifice shakes. There is not much time.
Outside the windows, far down below, skeletal ogres and zombie ettins crash to the ground. Seige engines and catapults fall apart. The apocalyptic fires all over Ustalav dampen and extinguish. The torrential rains begin to subside. The dark clouds begin to part.
You see hosts of supernatural beings winging their way up from the battlefields to the pinnacle of the Tower, where you are. Some are dark angels with ashen-colored skin and white hair. Among their number flies a linked pair of ghaele-like beings. One of the pair gleams white and blue, while the other gleams a bright orange and ebony.
Pharasma's servant...the Steward of the Skein.
Also, there approaches a creature named Birthed-in-Sorrow. This servant of Pharasma is a ravid, a planar outsider creature, with clerical powers. Additionally, arrives the Echo of Lost Divinity. This minion is a spectral warrior bedecked in expensive dress. It bears an uncanny similarity to known renderings of Aroden.
And far down below, even attends the Endless Gravestone, which appears to be an animated, wheel-like being composed of rock.
The hosts of Pharasma.
Glory to Pharasma! Our Lady of Graves has returned!
Blackacre's sword dazzles, strobing with a borealis of blue, white, and yellow light, a glorious aura of electricity and holy energy. He arcs it like the fist of Ragathiel, bringing the pain onto the bat-winged demoness. They clash against each other, two avatars of their respective faiths, dauntless good versus immeasurable evil! Urgathoa is beaten back.
This avatar of the goddess of undeath is only a fragment of her energy, yet potent and dangerous. She takes the form of a Manananggal, an exotic vampire native to Eastern lands. In this form, Urgathoa can attack with claws and cast spells, but has light sensitivity and is vulnerable to attacks with light blades. She can also be dismissed by damage to her lower body, which she has likely hid elsewhere in Hareton's lair.
The squadron of glowing lanterns circle dizzyingly around Urgathoa, shooting her with their rays (placed on map). She growls and tries to shield her eyes, but is unaffected by their aura of menace.
In the center of the room, there's a burst of blood, and an avatar of Urgathoa appears (at M-13). Not the goddess herself...she would never appear just for the sake of a lowly minion...but a manifestation of her energy concerned with her plan. The porcelain face, the skeletal legs...all drenched in blood. The strange croaking voice. NO! This can't be! I won't let Pharasma win! This world will be MINE!! Her torso separates from the lower half and flaps through the air on batlike wings, her fanged face a hateful mask. The hips and legs disappear, leaving only the disembodied upper half from the waist up.
You may have killed him, but you won't leave alive! With a shriek, she swoops through the air and attacks your group.
Avatar of Urgathoa will take its turn after Blackacre. PCs can make a Knowledge religion check.
@Caromarc - 'Both' Elspeths are in the splash radius. Elspeth (shadow projection, in statue at F-12) statue takes no damage due to the statue's hardness of 8. If Elspeth's body (which was in MM, and would be at H-14) takes damage (which seems possible similar to magic jar), it takes 4 cold damage.
I think I get what you mean. I forgot Elspeth was still in the Urgathoa-as-vampire statue. In that case, I put Elspeth back on the map where I had her before (F-12), which was standing between Caromarc and Quinn. Still in splash damage range, but incorporeal, so only took 2 damage. Is this right?
(re: Knowledge arcana) - You recall what you've studied about constructs, particularly alchemical ones (the most recent being your "autopsy" of the dragon, Harbinger). This proxy body of Hareton's can inflict very strong slams, and mix and throw bombs. The animating force is a curious combination of alchemy and elemental spirits bound into the fluids and metals of its body. The alchemy swirls and transmutes with different energies that splash random types of energy damage or conditions. The golem is hardy and resistant to damage, except from adamantine or bludgeoning weapons. An alchemical golem is immune to spells or spell-like abilities that allow spell resistance (including lightning), except for spells with the sonic descriptor. Shatter and similar spells damage the golem as if it were a crystalline creature.
It occurs to you, however, that if you wanted use a spell like lightning bolt...Phoebe has set fire to the room, and manipulating the surrounding environment of the burning lab might be useful.
@Caromarc - Regarding Elspeth, I suppose she's not under the effect of the shadow form spell right now? If that's the case, then she took 4 cold damage from the bomb. (I also moved her on the map to indicate where she fell out of the Manservant).
The construct falls silent. The lamps in the eyes go out completely, then turn back on with a different light, indicating a switch to running only core power circuits. Gears turn, clicking orderly in the chassis. It's almost as if the machine appears to be slumbering.
But, of course, he isn't. The Manservant as you knew him is no more.
With the exchange of the heart, the Mechanical Manservant's shoulders slump forward and it bows its head. The light wanes from its eyes, as if the construct is relying on a back-up battery mode. The systems are recharging...
You know a little bit about alchemy due to conversations between nurses you overheard while in the hospital...in that life before now...in the days of Nameless. When Quinn's arrows miss, you accurately guess that Hareton has imbibed an extract of displacement. He is probably 2 feet away from where he seems to appear...in some direction (at any given moment).
Which, combined with good fortune, he was able to avoid the attack.
You have a working knowledge of alchemy due to your association with the Mechanical Manservant. When Quinn's arrows miss, it becomes clear that Hareton has imbibed an extract of displacement. He is probably 2 feet away from where he seems to appear...in some direction (at any given moment).
It was enough to confuse and evade the monk.
Agnes appears with Caromarc away from the table, her body limp in his arms. She's saved from immediate danger!
@Caromarc - Agnes is about 30 ft away from you. Unruhe is levitating another 10 feet beyond that. If you want to teleport her to safety, since Unruhe is aware of you, we will roll initiative first.
(re: Knowledge engineering) - Hareton's machine is complicated-looking. The risk to Agnes is unclear, whether Hareton knows what he's talking about. Are you willing to take that chance?
(re: Knowledge nature) - Oracular mysteries are just that...mysterious. The source of Agnes's power could reside within her brain. Your guess is as good as Hareton's.
@MM:
You are bluffing. A very good bluff, but the nature of oracle mysteries are beyond most medical understanding.
You inspect the machine from a distance. You can tell that it's a mundane contraption, unguarded by magical wards. It is probably controlled manually, or if Hareton's threat has any teeth to it, remotely by a device in his possession. While it would be hard to save Agnes at this moment, in the event of combat, Hareton would be distracted enough that one of you might be able to sneak Agnes away from the operating table and out of harm's way.
