Rúnar Arnasson's page

Runar here (just level 1.1) is a sorcerer from Magnimar, where I felt his empryeal bloodline (which bases his class abilities on Wisdom rather than Charisa) made good sense given the locals' worship of the "Empryeal Lords".

There's a player at our bimonthly game who plays a dwarf paladin too.

Gabriel, if you were commenting on the slowness of the boards, Vic Wertz has said that they are switching ISPs soon which should help with that. Although I don't know how soon soon is...

OK, here are my other details for the chronicle sheet. Maybe you were just going to have us add them, but I thought I'd share for clarity.

(1) Day Job

profession(brewer): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 15

So that's 10 gp

(2) Items Sold/Conditions Gained

Light crossbow - 17 gp 5 sp (50% value)

(3) Items Bought/Conditions Cleared (total 395 gp)

Mwk light crossbow - 335 gp
Rope, hemp (50') - 10 gp
Mwk tool (profession(brewer)) - 50 gp

(4) Total

Starting gold: 42
Earned: 417
Day Job: 10
Item sold: 17.5
Subtotal = 486 gp 5 sp

Items bought: 395 gp
Total = 91 gp, 5 sp

I want to reiterate that I'd have been happy to have kept on with this group if I hadn't decided to cut back on pbp (I'm in a Skull & Shackles adventure path that I will keep on with, but that'll be it).

If any of you ever find yourselves in the Hudson Valley of New York State, come play PFS with us at October Country Comics in New Paltz (1st/3rd Fridays)!

Ygdnur, it was fun gaming with you - glad you're enjoying all the Pathfinder goodness. Your posts made me laugh a couple of times!

Thanks for running this, GM Tektite. It's been fun. I ran this live two Fridays ago and it was a good time. The halfling barbarian leveled a dwarf paladin in one blow (down to -3 or so).

My PFS character number is 57026-2. I don't know about gear yet, but I will be picking up a wand of CLW with my first two prestige points.

The game took a few weeks longer than I think we assumed it would. But it wasn't significantly slower than other pbp games I've been in. It might help to set some ground rules ahead of time in terms of posting expectations (how frequently). I've been in a group where that was taken to the extreme (post by 10 am and 2 pm and 7 pm, something like that), but it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask people to post 1x per day. During combat, you might also have people post their actions in groups (perhaps not the entire party, but maybe players 1-3, then players 4-6) and each person has a default action they want their PC to do in combat if they don't post in time. Just some possibilities to consider.

I won't be continuing on for Part II and III as I've decided that while I enjoy play-by-post, it is too much of a time-suck for me. I hasten to add that this decision has nothing to do with this particular experience or how you GMed, which I thought was just fine. When I add up all the time checking the boards, crafting posts, reading other peoples' posts, I think it ends up being quite the time investment (though it's sneaky because it's broken into tiny chunks). I'm guessing that each time I do PFS play-by-post, it is time equivalent of 2 or 3 in person PFS scenarios, at least.

I enjoyed gaming with all of you and maybe we'll run into each other in person sometime or on the discussion boards!

Rúnar curses as his ray shoots wide, then focuses his attention on the redhead as the blonde drops, lashing out with another bolt of celestial energy.

heavenly fire (ranged touch): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

He then stoops quickly to pick up the crossbow he had dropped half a minute ago.

Gwion wouldn't know, but Rúnar is out of 1st level spells for the day, so no color spray. I'm just waiting to see what happens with our enemy "Hal." before I post my action.

Here's my action, in the hopes of moving things along, so long as the blonde is still up.

Rúnar sees another companion drop, and based on the success of his last attack, lashes out again at the blonde.

heavenly fire (ranged touch attack): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (4) + 1 = 5

Well, not with that roll!

Rúnar lashes out at the blonde woman with a ray of heavenly fire.

heavenly fire (ranged touch attack): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19
damage: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Note: Heavenly fire will only do damage to evil creatures.

Too funny, Ygdnur!

Rúnar grunts in response to Gwion's call and fires a magic missile at their small foe.

magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

Oh, yeah. The "touch" part of "ranged touch attack". Turns out it's fairly easy to hit unconscious armored fighters with a ranged touch attack! Not that it did you much good in this case. At least you're stable, though!

Oh, sorry, it looks like it's my turn... I was under the impression that when I enacted my readied action, I would move down the initiative order.

Rúnar drops his crossbow and fires a bolt of celestial magic at Ygdnur.

This is a ranged touch attack that will heal 1d4+1 hp for good characters. In my rolls below, I'm assuming Ygdnur is not "in melee" any longer, and since he's unconscious (helpless), he has a -5 Dex modifier vs. my roll. Based on his stats, that would bring his AC down to 11, so I think I hit.

ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
healing: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

No worries. Life comes first, and sorry if my post came off as me complaining, which I didn't intend. I was just alerting you of my need to start reading through the scenario. I'll focus on the four tasks we've already completed first.

Hang in there, Ygdnur! Now I'm wishing I hadn't readied that action (especially with the roll) but assistance is on the way!

I'm GMing this scenario (live) on Friday night at a local comics store and so I'm going to have to start preparing by reading the scenario. It's taken a little longer for us to finish here than I thought, and I need to make sure I'm well prepped for the game Friday. I'm pretty sure I'll be able to keep it from tainting Runar's actions for the remainder of our play-by-post, but in the spirit of openness I thought it would be best to let the GM know.

On a completely unrelated note, I've just started at Pathfinder Society blog in case any of you are interested: Delver's Diary

Rúnar follows Gwion's lead and loads his light crossbow, ready to fire at anything that emerges.

In case Rúnar saw someone casting a spell, he will attempt to determine what it was

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Rúnar points to the copper-banded chest. "A figment. Tricky. I guess we're done here."

Rolling up the map, he manages a small grin and says, "Well, that's that then. Let's head back to the Grand Lodge."

The task list mentions an "official charter and detailed maps" - I'm assuming we have everything we were supposed to get here? Otherwise, we wouldn't leave just yet.

Rúnar stows the wand and grabs the map of the Salhar burial grounds, but pauses at the dark wooden chest with the copper bands. "We haven't opened this one yet." With his left hand, he touches the side of the chest far away from the lock, and, recalling that there was an illusion aura, attempts to see through any illusion.

I think I get a Will save to disbelieve, if the chest itself is under some sort of illusion effect (rather than something inside it). Also, is there a typical lock on this chest?

Will (disbelief): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (12) + 6 = 18

"Gabriel - can you speak?" He shows him the wand. "Do you know what this does?"

Rúnar also examines the keyhole in the door that they came through and tries to determine whether the key at the end of the scepter seems to go to that lock.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Rúnar picks up the wand and examines it. "Hopefully this will help with the... purpleness."

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Will: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (19) + 6 = 25
Also has the +2 on poison, spells, and spell-like abilities

"Let's get on with this, then."

Rúnar picks the gold key off the floor and attempts to open the steel chest with it.

This may be a bad idea, but since we have no rogue in the party, what the heck!

Rúnar examines the keys and the keyholes to see if it's clear which goes to which.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23

Is the key fused to the scepter usable as is (that is, is the business end of the key poking out of the end of the scepter so that it could be put in a keyhole)?

My suggestion was Crondor on Horvon's back. Horvon hasn't responded but he hasn't been on much. If that's not enough reach, then it sounds like Gabriel will get on Crondor's back and use his flail, though it would make sense to have him give it to Crondor first, as I'd imagine three people stacked up together would be pretty heavy and unstable!

[b]"Not me. How about Crondor gets on Horvon's back and tries to reach it?"[b]

He looks at the runes, trying to decipher something.

Cast read magic. Also, Rúnar doesn't yet have ranks in Knowledge (arcana) but perhaps Spellcraft?

Spellcraft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13

Is the key that dropped from the ceiling suspended on a string/thread, something else, or is it hovering magically?

Rúnar makes a sound that resembles a chuckle at his kinsman's comment. He takes a step forward to look at the dead viper, crunching on the cold, icy floor-stones left in the wake of his cantrip, and then casts detect magic again, this time on the snake and the basket separately, to determine the origin of the transmutation magic.

Rúnar will attempt to hit it with an icy ray.

Ray of frost, with Point Blank Shot

ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 2 + 1 = 13
cold damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Rúnar jumps back from the containers as Gabriel pokes at the basket with his weapon. "A little warning would be nice. And by the way, don't do that with the glass jar. It's likely acidic."

Rúnar considers Ygdnur's question while staring at the containers in front of them. "I have no such spells. The basket seems to have something moving inside it. Maybe we should start with that. And this liquid..." He peers into the glass jar. "I don't think it's magical. Hmm..."

Using Knowledge (religion) to see if I can tell if it's holy water, regular water, or something else entirely

Knowledge (religion): 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

"At least three of these..." He points to the wicker basket and the copper-banded and steel chests, "...are magical or contain something that is. The copper-banded chest may not be as it seems." Rúnar shares everything else that he's learned with the others as well.

"Any ideas?"

Rúnar scratches his chin. "This is different..."

He will begin by casting detect magic on each of the five containers, as well as trying to notice anything (sights, sounds) about them, without touching anything.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (20) + 4 = 24

Woot! Natural 20!

Rúnar will allow one or two of his more brawny companions to move ahead of him before following them into the chamber.

Perception, additional +2 vs. flying: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

Rúnar stands with the others while they listen to the old man, then nods wordlessly as he gives them their directions, and follows the behind the servant toward the basement.

Thanks for moving that along, GM. Face to face, it would be more fun to do the back-and-forth, but that could've dragged out for a few more days! :)

Rúnar nods at Ygdnur and grabs the mahogany box and stuffs it inside his backpack. "This is what he wanted. Let's get back to his shop and deliver it, then we can head to the Wise Quarter." He follows his fellow dwarf toward the exit, leaving the rest of the crate's contents where he found them.

Int check: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

"If anyone but the halfling goes out on those planks, everything's going to tumble into the sea, I wager."

Does it look like the crane could be moved closer to the hole? And is there a hook or pulley at the end of the crane that we could use to throw the rope around so we could hoist the crate up above the hole?

1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

If the answers to the above are yes...

"Let's bring the crane over, throw the rope over it, and pull the end of the rope to hoist the crate off the planks. Then we could move the crane until the crate is over more solid wood. Having the boat or a net underneath the hole isn't a bad idea just in case." Finally, he adds, in case someone was wondering, "...I'm no expert climber."

Rúnar looks around at the others to see what kind of state they are in. "Well, that was fun." It's hard to tell if he's being facetious.

Regarding the crate sitting on the planks, he adds, "It's likely to plunge through the hole once we move it, depending on how heavy it is." He asks Ygdnur and Crondor, "What about that crane? Any use to us here?"

Rúnar will cast detect magic on the crate, just in case there's something of interest.

Rúnar edges around the crates at his back to get a better view of the last remaining rat-like creature. He fires a ray of icy cold at the thing, attempting to avoid his companions on either side of it.

Ray of frost, plus Point Blank Shot, minus penalty for shooting into melee

ranged touch attack: 1d20 + 2 + 1 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 2 + 1 - 4 = 17
damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Rúnar moves behind Crondor, then takes a step back so that he can better see the two rat-like creatures that are attacking Gwion. He releases a blast of arcane force at the one directly in front of him.

magic missile: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

I think at this point, Crondor releases his ready action.

"Look out! Rats! ...or something."

Rúnar hones in on the pair of creatures to the south and brings his hands together, chanting as a cone of arcane light paints their corner of the warehouse in garish color.

Cast color spray, Will DC 15 to negate

Acrobatics: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Not awful for a dwarf, but below 10... For the crane, I'm guessing that's Knowledge (engineering), which I don't have ranks in

Rúnar slowly approaches the edge of the hole at the far end of the warehouse, trying to ascertain how sturdy the floorboards and planks are (or if are partially rotted through). If the boards beneath his feet become suspect, he will stop and back up a few feet.

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Well played! Time for a swim, perhaps? ;)

Rúnar shakes his head. "Not me. But it can't be that tough to get it under the hole." He looks at the crate and the sea beneath it, then turns back to Gwion. "Probably best to have you on the planks. The rest of us are too heavy. Who's got rope?"

Rúnar spares a moment to approach the stores of beer, not with the intent to take it or drink it, but out of vocational curiosity of its quality.

profession(brewer): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

He then regards the crate of interest, scowling. "Of course... perched on rickety planks over a big hole. We may want that boat after all."

perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10

GM, how far is it from the floor of this warehouse to the water below?

Rúnar rolls his eyes, but says nothing. He peers inside the warehouse before entering himself.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13

Rúnar scratches his beard in thought, then points to the empty boat. "We get in there and check the floor of that warehouse, I'm guessing we'll find there's a way in from underneath."

Overall, it's been a good pace. I've been in PbP where nothing happens for days, and others where we were expected to post three times a day. I like the pace of this one. Seems it will end in time before I GM this same module live at a store in mid-March.

My only suggestion is to consider ground rules for combat in terms of who rolls initiative, whether you will wait for each player to post when its their turn or have everyone post round-by-round and they you work it all out in initiative order, things like that. We've figured it out just fine after the combat with the imp, but it would help players at the beginning of the scenario to know how that will work.

Good work so far! I'm having fun with it.