I just made a recruitment post; that should pop us to the top of the Recruitment forum, right?
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Hello Pathfinders! Our GM has had to abandon our game due to life getting in the way--as it often does. We feel like we've got a good thing going here, and we'd like to keep playing. We've entertained the idea of having a player graduate to GM for this, but would rather try our hand at finding an independent GM first. Please see the original Recruitment post here. We'd like to keep playing (mostly) under the rules the GM Advocate initially set up. (Though, none of us are fans of Wound Thresholds, so wouldn't mind giving that up.) Gameplay starts here, if you'd like to peruse our posting style, frequency, and catch up to where we are in the game. Please post in this thread if you're interested in picking this game up. Please know that we consider this to be a recruitment. As much as we expect you'll want to review our gameplay to make sure you like our game, we will want to review your GMing style as well, to make sure that this is a good fit for all. Thanks!
I would have no problems dropping wound thresholds either. It hasn't come up for Pava in any combat yet, but I wasn't looking forward to when it *did* come up.
Fwiw, if we don't find someone, I think I'd be willing to GM this. It would be my first time doing any PbP GMing, though. While I was planning to GM some PFS scenarios before I attempted anything bigger, it is past time that I do some GMing on the boards.
I agree with the consensus; we should try to recruit a GM if we can find one. I think that's our best solution. If one of us stepped up to GM, I think we'd still need to recruit a new PC, so there will be recruiting either way. Let's shoot for the moon first and see where we go from there. Do we want to formalize any criteria that we're looking for before we "open" the recruitment?
Are you offering? :)
I'm open to trying to recruit a new GM. I mean, we're the best, so the best GMs will choose us. ;)
I can certainly understand burnout, and don't begrudge you doing whatever you need to find your peace. Thanks for the game!
"Could we try to find out who's making the pamphlets? This is a small village; there can't be that many who could make a large quantity of identical pamphlets. They will certainly have some information for us."
"I didn't break in. That was an official government investigation." Pava says with a light smile. Longacre hasn't exactly welcomed me back, but this sure is a good fit. She looks around at the other deputies. This is the crew that can do it. We'll get this town back into shape. When Vicenzo asks about the healing, Pava looks to Cael with interest. "Yes, we need that. We've had too many close calls by far. If we're weak, we lose this town."
My posting may be sporadic from now through Monday. Please bot me if anything critical comes up.
At the mayor's house: Pava approaches Mephistopheles' symbol, studying it and the magical marks with quite a bit of interest. "Mephistopheles, you say? You don't hear much about the big ones except Asmodeus." Kneeling down to examine the circle, she looks up at Melani. "Do you suppose this was worship? Or just an errant ritual for some specific purpose?" She returns to studying the scene, trying to answer her own question.
Pava will also be able to make her contribution.
Pava walks up and down the front of the house, studying the door and windows. "I agree; I'd hate to have to break the door." "Though, Melani, you may want to install a more ceremonial entrance anyway, right?" Pava smiles at the cleric and chuckles. "I imagine that's not going to be in the immediate budget, so let's try another way." She wanders around to the back of the house, just to be sure that they've checked everything.
If there's nothing interesting out back and no other entrance is found: She shrugs, and looks at Vicenzo and Melani. "I think the front door is what it has to be. I'll try to make a clean break."
Pava approaches the front door, plants herself a couple feet in front of it, and braces herself. She launches a mighty kick at the front door, near the lock, kicking again and again if the first kick doesn't break down the door.
"It was the old Mayor's house right? I think it was also outside the walls, so maybe we should leave the body here and pick it up on our way back."
Pava smiles at Ahreni's bad pun. "The weeds have been cleared." She holds out an arm to help her friend up. "I'm glad to see you're going to be okay." "So is this it? Is this the temple? It doesn't seem to be quite what I was imagining." She cautiously approaches the body that had originally been wrapped up in the assassin vine, to see if it is recognizable.
Pava ignores the vines wrapping around her legs and takes steady, slow steps forward until she can strike at the heart of the plant. She swings her sword in a restricted arc, trying to avoid the writhing vines and hit only the center mass of the plant.
Pava exclaims another prayer: "Hell, rise up! Provide me the power to free myself from this murderous plant!", then struggles to free herself from the multitude of small tendrils wrapping around her calves.
Calling:
Calling (Ex): At 2nd level, the cavalier can make a short prayer as a standard action, filling her with confidence in her abilities. At any point in the next minute, she can receive a competence bonus on an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check equal to her Charisma modifier. She must declare that she is using this bonus before the roll is made. She can use this ability up to four times per day, once for each type of check or roll.
Finding herself free of the plant's grip--for the moment, at least--she issues a challenge, feeling a bit... odd... talking to what appears to be an intelligent plant. "And now, you vile thing, you must die."
Challenge:
Challenge: Once per day, a cavalier can challenge a foe to combat. As a swift action, the cavalier chooses one target within sight to challenge. The cavalier's melee attacks deal extra damage whenever the attacks are made against the target of his challenge. This extra damage is equal to the cavalier's level. The cavalier can use this ability once per day at 1st level, plus one additional time per day for every three levels beyond 1st, to a maximum of seven times per day at 19th level.
Challenging a foe requires much of the cavalier's concentration. The cavalier takes a –2 penalty to his Armor Class, except against attacks made by the target of his challenge. The challenge remains in effect until the target is dead or unconscious or until the combat ends. Each cavalier's challenge also includes another effect which is listed in the section describing the cavalier's order. Order of the Star: Whenever an order of the star cavalier issues a challenge, she receives a +1 morale bonus on all her saving throws as long as she is threatening the target of her challenge. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels the cavalier possesses.
Turning to Cael, Pava asks "Just the one set of tracks, not even any of that group? Well, that does seem to free them from suspicion." She kneels down to look at where Cael has pointed at the blood, and studies it for a moment.
"Yeah, that doesn't mean anything to me." She stands. "I agree that we need to investigate. Whether this ends up being a good location for your church," Pava nods towards Melani, "or not, we now have to investigate a crime." "Another crime targetting the Archbaron's authority." She finishes with a hard look on her face.
"There, see? That was helpful, and now we can all talk." Pava approaches the body, leaning down to examine it.
Pointing to one of the men who was dragging the body, Pava instructs him and a couple of the others. "Continue taking the body back to town. No need to stop at the jail; just go straight to Miss Alamar for the burial." She stands and approaches the other man who approached Melani. "What was your name? Why don't you take us to where you found the body, and let's see if we can learn anything else there." She looks to the rest of the people gathered. "The rest of you can run along; try to not make so much of a scene. I know we're outside the gates right now, but you're dangerously close to running afoul of the public gathering edict. Go about your business and be well."
I just realized that we never formally did any healing overnight. Pava would have regained 2 due to rest, leaving her at 12/20. Was there other healing available, other than potions?
Pava draws her greatsword in one smooth motion, the sound of it leaving the scabbard creating a ringing noise that resonates through the area. "Nobody is accusing anyone of anything yet! But if your tempers don't calm down ," Pava—still standing near Ramael, at a short distance from any adversaries—uses the tip of her sword to point at the two or three loudest offenders in the crowd, "everyone here will be arrested for disorderly conduct." Pava continues to hold the point of the sword forward, the threat apparent, but keeps her feet firmly planted, trying to illustrate that she'd prefer not to use the sword. "Devils of Hell, please don't make me use this today," she speaks softly, "more civilian deaths can only make this worse."
Calling:
Calling (Ex): At 2nd level, the cavalier can make a short prayer as a standard action, filling her with confidence in her abilities. At any point in the next minute, she can receive a competence bonus on an ability check, attack roll, saving throw, or skill check equal to her Charisma modifier. She must declare that she is using this bonus before the roll is made. She can use this ability up to four times per day, once for each type of check or roll.
Pava slowly dismounts from Ramael, motioning the camel to stay put. She offers no words, only looking on as others begin questioning the townsfolk. She eyes them with suspicion, keeping her hand on her sword hilt.
Pava hefts her pouch. "I definitely like this." She nestles the small leather bag into an inside pocket of her backpack, then sets the pack in a frayed armchair. Lifting her foot to the chair's seat, she leans forward to tighten her boot laces. "What's our biggest problem--Longacre's biggest problem--right now?" She drops her foot to the floor, standing up straight. "I'm thinking it's the mood. The town is a drag right now, and it's because of the rabble-rousing." "Breaking them means Alamar or these pamphlets. We need to shut down the message. Let's get Iomedae and this Reclamation out of their heads, so they can start to see normal reality for what it is again." "I say we should find out who's responsible for the pamphlets, and see if we can find what else might be going on in secret in this town. That's what really worries me."
Pava beams at Melani's compliment. "I would love to accompany you to investigate both sites. I think getting anything off the ground first is important. We can worry about building a new structure later."
Moving this to discussion, since it'd be all purple-text on the Gameplay thread. Ahreni, I would maybe suggest not getting hung up on where Ahreni is at the precise moment and whether she can share her ideas or not. I know you've sent her off in her Anja costume, but sharing your ideas about the church now, as if it's a conversation that we've had either earlier or later in the day when she is around, will help keep the pace of the game (for all of us as players) moving along. For the most part, unless we're specifically in an encounter, this should apply to all as a way to keep things going. Just my .02
"I agree." Pava concurs with Cael. "We should work on increasing worship of Asmodeus, or any and all devils for that matter, in the town. Iomedae has too much of a foothold already." Pava also addresses Melani. "Would we even need a church, here at the beginning? You could hold services in any public space, no?" Pava considers, and continues. "What if you held services in the square right in front of the Iomedean church?" Pava gets a look on her face as if something has just occured to her. "Have we been monitoring that church for the rules about gatherings? We could make a few arrests there if they've been violating the Archbaron's decrees. And we could make worship of Asmodeus exempt from the decrees; it's Cheliax's national religion and that of the Thrune's, after all. That could help to shift numbers away from the Iomedeans." ---------------------
Before arriving back at the jail, Pava bids her leave of the group at a side street. "My old friend Vernal runs a bakery down this street; his ear has always been close to the ground. He's with us; a strong ally for benevolent order. I'm going to see what he knows of the #$!(%" Pava spits "Reclamation." She wanders down until she finds the bakery, and steps inside.
"Vernal, how are you!" Pava approaches the now-elderly man, coming behind the counter for an embrace. They make their greetings with the comfort and ease of old friends who no longer need to make a fuss. She holds him at arm's length, studying the man. "I assume you know I've been back for a couple of days now. I should have come by before now, I know, but I didn't and that's that." "It was kind of a whirlwind, I guess." Pava sees Vernal start preparing tea and instinctively wanders to the solitary table in the front of the shop to take her old seat, falling into old rhythms without a thought. Her voice raises in volume absent-mindedly to ensure he can hear as he works. "I'm working for the Archbaron now, helping to keep order. You'll know that, of course. What's the word on the street, Vernal? This Glorious Reclamation; what are they really about? More importantly, how can they be hurt? She lowers her voice as Vernal approaches with the tea and cakes. "Tensions are high, Vernal; we need to find an end to this."
"Anarxos, as the new girl I feel like I haven't worked with you long enough to really know you, but I admired your astounding intellect from the beginning." She approaches the man, and gives him a firm, two-handed handshake. "Go take care of your family. Hell's Devils must have foreseen this need. They tried to give us Zaggar and we sent him away, but Hell doesn't give up so easily. Here on the day you receive your letter, we find Cael standing on our stoop. Hell be praised." -------------------------------
Pava remains silent and respectful at the Archbaron's estate, and tries hard to look far more normal and at ease than she feels. Last time it was just that little devil Razelago; I've never met the Archbaron. He looks so…. Confident! I can see why he's in charge; he must be brilliant, too. She nods briefly and tries to suppress a smile when her own name is mentioned. When the Archbaron starts to imply disfavor at Cael's hiring, Pava starts looking uncomfortable. Oh no, what should we do? He's responsible for everything that's going good in my life now. Please, don't be angry with us! But the girl is unable to muster the courage to speak, and remains silent, trying to blend into the background.
"You know, I think I've heard you guys talking about this Angel Knight, but I wasn't around then." Pava glances over at Cael. "If I'm confused, I can only imagine what he thinks." "Maybe the new kids could use a refresher?" Before anyone can really start in, though, she stands and interrupts. "But let's go introduce to Cael to Razelago. We're all agreed, right? He's in? If he's joining the team, he's going to have to earn his sash." "We can talk Glorious Reclamation along the way." Before leaving the jail, Pava seeks out some healing from the Sheriff's locker stash.
I think making Cael official should be a high priority, and it's a good low-risk activity in our current depleted state. Fwiw, from a story perspective, where is Anarxos? He got a letter; has he left the jail? Depending on how long it takes to swear Cael in, I think some recon and assassination planning should also be relatively low-risk activities.
"Agreed; that was nicely done." Pava walks over and grabs a seat at the same table. "It could have been helpful a half-hour ago." Pava steeples her fingers in front of her on the table, and looks up at everyone. "If we were to consider some kind of tactical strike to undermine the Glorious Reclamation, what that might look like? Assassination? Is there some figure we could work to discredit somehow? False actions in their name?"
It seems coup de grace rules would apply. An already dead head must be considered to be a helpless opponent, no? ;) It's not like it can dodge. And if it does, Pava's fixin' to freak out and run. Edit: I guess not, technically. The only ranged attacks allowed to coup de grace are bow and crossbow from an adjacent square. By the book, you're probably attacking AC 7: AC 10, -5 helpless, +2 Tiny = AC 7
Pava considers the head. I did that. Not with my hand, but with my coin, I did that. She smiles. "Zaggar did good. If you see him again, give him our thanks." "His good work here testifies on your behalf as well. I think we will welcome your help here in Longacre." Turning and addressing the whole group, Pava continues. "I think Cael is on to something, and this," she says, gesturing at the head, "gives me an idea. Whether we do it ourselves, or hire out the work, perhaps a strategic assassination could be beneficial to our cause. Can we think of a target that would particularly harm the Glorious Reclamation if they were eliminated? Probably someone from that" Pava spits on the ground as she finishes, "stupid Iomedean church."
Pava looks askance at Vicenzo's sharp reply but remains silent until all are inside. When Ahreni adds on to the harsh interrogation, Pava feels she must interrupt. "Hey, it was only a few days ago that I showed up on the steps of the jail in a similar fashion. I'm sure this is quite simply the Archbaron sending us more help, which we need. He's very wise, he must be foreseeing some trouble that this 'Cael' can help us with." She turns to Cael. "I imagine that you've just come from the Archbaron; if you would describe your encounter with the Archbaron's... friend... then I think we can all move past this quickly and welcome you to the team."
I'll add to the round of welcomes, Cael; looking forward to getting you in on the adventure!
Pava pulls out her remaining potion of cure light wounds and swallows it down. "I hate to waste something so precious, but that little thing ruined me, and it's only the start of the day."
"Should we try to find the old gatekeepers? It seems clear to me that whatever that thing was, it chased them away. They never should have abandoned their post, though; they should have fought the thing off just as we did."
Pava slowly picks herself up off the floor of this open rooftop, pausing a few times as she gets to her feet. "What even hit me?" She looks up and down her body in bewilderment, brushing off ash and feeling the frayed, burnt edges of the shirt peeking out from the edges of her armor. "I saw this flying beast, two flashes, then nothing." She walks up to the creature, sees Ahreni's bloody blade and gives the woman a smile. "Good work. Now what is that thing?" she wonders, as she begins to study the creature.
Pava looks at Ahreni and nods her head, then hurriedly starts scrambling up the ladder, paying attention to the broken rung and focusing on the outer rails as necessary to get to the top. Her armor clamors and clanks as she climbs, tugging at her movements, refusing her a bit of the quickness she desires. Climb check, if needed:
Getting to the top of the ladder, she keeps her head down as she hesitates briefly before thrusting it up to get a good look at the next level, ready to pull back down at first sign of danger. If there is no imminent threat, Pava continues up.
Pava rushes over to Ahreni, following Vicenzo's lead. "I have some potions," she said, digging in her belt pouch and producing one. "It's not much, but it should help."
@Anarxos, I'll be sorry to see you go. I love the Anarxos that you're building, so I'll miss you in the game.
Landing with a loud "Oooooooof!, Pava looks up to the top of the stairs, hoping to get a glimpse of who or what caused the chest to fall.
If it looks like she's in immediate harm, she'll attempt to roll out of the way or otherwise protect herself; otherwise, she stands up and holds her sword at the ready, quickly glancing at her friends. "Is everyone okay?"
Pava sees nothing that would change her mind about Vicenzo's assessment. "An animal? What kind of trained animal breaks into houses and cuts ropes and pulleys? This is exceedingly weird." She returns to the gate, pulling it closed. She pulls some rope from Ramael's saddlebags and quickly lashes the gate shut, intending to return later to tie it more permanently and securely.
Pava portions out two stacks of gold, each 10 high, and leaving them in front of her, she addresses Zaggar. "For the girl." She slowly counts out one more stack of 10 coins. She pushes it forward to join the other stack. Looking at the hobgoblin again. "Take the babe to a church or orphanage, and the third stack is yours too. An orphan's life isn't much, but it's a life. It was good enough for me." When Zaggar reaches to take the coins, she briefly holds her hand in front. "Agreed?" She removes her hand when the hobgoblin gives his verbal assent.
"This was that couple's gate? You think they just abandoned their post?" Pava investigates the gate itself, looking for any signs of tampering.
She then follows Anarxos' suggestion, and leads the way into gatehouse with sword drawn.
Vicenzo nodded, "That's a very good idea. we can task the hobgoblin to bring her back for questioning because she is a prime suspect in an attempted murder investigation. No need to kill her though." Pava's face scrunches with concern. "Do we really need her for questioning? I think it's quite clear that she poisoned our food. She bought the poison, she freaked out when Caggan tried to stop us from leaving with the evidence, and then she ran. Caggan had no idea; this was all her." "I'd rather just have her killed on the road. If she's never seen, there's nothing to question. If we bring her back and then she's never seen, then people wonder what we did with her." "Besides, the hobgoblin is on his way to the Duke. If he takes care of her on the way down, he can then continue on his way to Ramesiana; we're just hiring him for a little side job. If he has to escort her back, now we have to pay him for all that extra travel and time away from the Duke, who is his rightful employer." "She tried to poison us, Vicenzo. Let's just be done with it."
The witch added, "With regards to Caggan, perhaps we can start the rumor that he's not going to Ramesiana but actually went some place else. That should give us more time to come up with a permanent solution." Pava sits thinking, then slowly raises her head. "That hobgoblin, wasn't he on his way to Ramasiana? I know we settled on not hiring him, but how about if we hire him for one job. He overtakes Janiss, makes sure she never makes it to Ramasiana." She looks around at the group. "We don't have to try to spread a new rumor to cover the old one," she looks at Vicenzo in particular, "and the b*!@% that tried to poison us is never seen again." "Is he still in town? Shall we try to hire him for a side job?"
"No, Walton, you did nothing wrong. Keep up the good work." She looks to them both to ask a final question. "Ol' Jan, was that Janiss' mother? Or is the name just coincidence?" After getting her answer, Pava waits to see if Melani has questions of her own. If not, she thanks both guards and heads back to the jail with Melani.
When Ahreni brings up the idea of re-opening Caggan's pub under Anya's oversight, Pava seems excited. "I think that could help the mood of the town greatly, as long as we can keep the food quality up. Nobody likes the Arch and Lark much. Anya will have to get the word out to get as much of the original staff back as possible, and it will be great to have such a good 'ear to the ground.'"
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