Tanaka Ryū's page

Looks good to me, thanks again.

My apologies that the game took so long... it is a pretty clunky scenario for play by post, and I wouldn't do it in this style again. Face to face, or with a VTT, it takes only about 4 hours, even with a lot of RP... but Play-by-post can bog down a lot with this style of play.

No worries, it was worth it. A bit hard to maintain the focus due to forgetting what had happened thought.

If you have suggestions on how to run scenarios like this more smoothly, I would love the feedback (either here, or by PM).

I have only GM live games so far and I have a tendency to have games take too long…

Champion is a nice class, but I did not feel it was the right class for Tanaka. I played him as a ranger the first time and it didn’t feel right either. I think I’m going to try him as a fighter instead, or maybe as a swashbuckler.
I’ve also been unhappy about the Ride feat, mainly because it seems useless in PFS. I might keep it anyway.
Same for Cooperative Nature, as it does not seem to work in PFS scenario. As an ancestry feat, I do not think it really useful. I might just grab another.

Earn Income:

Scribing Lore: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Checked, everything seems OK.

With a look of worries on his face, Ryū looks at the people trying to flee the country. He sights and move in with the team to get on the boat.

Trying to reinforce Fortiva’s bluff, Tanaka adds “There was an issue with his name being incorrectly spelled then there was an issue with something else, and during that time it was getting quite late so maybe something was left off incorrectly?”

Deception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16

Reflex: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (12) + 4 = 16

Seeing the papers fly off, Tanaka points to one of them saying “I’ll grab that one!”

As Fitch is getting nervous to the point of causing trouble, Ryū is pretending to have lost handkerchief. He gets down his horse, and asks for help to search it, in particular to the guards.

That’s for the deception to create a diversion.
Deception (untrained): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Well no hero point to reroll that…

As the fight is over, Ryū puts his short bow down, getting back on the oars, moving his boat closer to the others. While rowing, he asks “If you are wounded, I can help a bit.”

As Erryn is patching her, and no one else seems hurt, he just take a look at the boat. “Sorry about the damage, I was only trying to avoid being next to the creature as it could try to drag down one of our charge.”

Seeing that the creature is not following his boat and worried to hit more crystal, Ryū is going to put the oars down, draw his short bow and take a shot at the clawed beast.

<1> Interact to put the oars down
<1> Interact to draw the composite shortbow
<1> Strike Composite Shortbow: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Hero point to reroll that 3 on the save!
reflex #2: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Tanaka winces at the sound of the wood giving in.

He spends some time trying to look ahead to see if there is more of those in the direction he was going.

Go on with the movement 5 foot more (to be on top of one of the shard)
<1> Seek for objects at the 10-foot square on our left.
Secret Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10
If the area is clear, row ahead and If the boat is badly damaged, only 10 feet.
If the area is not clear, spend another action to seek, up.

To Erryn, Ryū shouts “Understood!” He looks at Vurna “Take cover!” To Highwire, he asks “Want to punch it before I move us away?”

Once he has his answer, he will row the boat toward the upper left at full speed, while looking at his shortbow, wondering how fast the creature is and when he could try to take a shot at it.

Spending 3 actions to row.
I guess that before drawing a weapon, the oars needs to be put on the boat with an action? (dropping them would mean they go into the water is what I’m thinking)
Ryu uses his Retributive Strike if Highwire is getting hit, or anyone in 15 feet.

Knowing the party was going over some water, Ryū left his metal armor at the inn.

Once past the sewers, Mr Tanaka takes the oars and starts rowing.

Athletics: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

Tanaka is trying to do one for Daffrid’s spouse, then another for the giant.

Ryu adds “I don’t think we have papers for everyone. I can write more, or, if unneeded, I could help find someone who’s renting boats.”

Ninja’d by the GM. I guess Tanaka will just go write those papers at the inn.

“Themolin offered to help about the boat. But I agree that renting or buying a couple might offer better results.”

Seeing Kain also do papers, Tanaka asks who is left. If Kain or anyone else thinks a separate travel document is needed for Yuleg’s daughter he will start with that. Then he will consider Daffrid’s spouse, if needed, then Flitch then the giant.

With no one to help, Tanaka starts doing some forged paper basing them on what the group has. He asks Themolin for help as he does not speak the language.

Society +4, Tanaka also has Scribing Lore at +4 in case it helps

Ryû gives a gold piece to Themolin for the writing kit.

While Themolin is out to get the writing kit, he indicates to his companiion “He could also take a leave of absence, invoking family matters, or just pretend he is ill. What was the name of the disease the daughter of the tavern owner caught? It is an infectious disease, it makes sense for him to be in quarantine.”

Replying to Themolin, Ryū says “I would like a writing kit please.”

Assuming Aid can be used to help forge the document, he will help whoever does that. (most of us have a +4 Society but as he has a +4 to aid, that makes more sense for him to help. So +8 at the check to help, but it is a secret one.

Lay on hands at 1st level heals 6 HP.

Ryū’s listening to every side of the conversation thinking it might be best not to stay there due to the fight. “I’m not worried about getting in a fight in the sewers, but rather to get lost in them.”

He’s also thinking about the nearby warehouse, maybe the fight was overheard. He asks Themolin “Are the closest buildings occupied? Could we have been overheard?”

As the battle end, Tanaka clean his katana then sheathes it.

While Erryn is patching people, Tanaka will be praying to Shizune and laying on hand to anyone not completely cured.

So use lay on hands on Themolin if needed, then spend 10 minutes to refocus, then lay on hands on Fortiva, then spend 10 minutes to refocus.

<1> Stride 20
<1> Strike Barrablu with katana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15 for S: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 (probably misses)
<1> Strike Barrablu with katana: 1d20 + 7 - 4 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 4 = 21 for S: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12

Hearing the sound of spellcasting, Ryū charges forward trying to take down the caster.

It’s PaizoCon Online, so I have live games, I forgot to ask if we would take a break. Otherwise, you’ll probably have to bot me.

Fortiva is right, Ryū used his Retributive Strike reaction, both are in 15 feet and as the guard is within melee range, he also gets a Strike.

Seeing Fortiva targeted, Ryū shouts a word of warning and attacks the guard that is trying to get her.

Strike at the blue guard: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 for Slashing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

He then tries to get rid of the other guard.

If red guard goes down, Ryū takes a Step to take his space.
<1> Strike at the red guard, vs FF: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17 for Slashing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
<1> Strike at the red guard, vs FF: 1d20 + 7 - 5 ⇒ (18) + 7 - 5 = 20 for Slashing: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13
<1>Strike at the red guard: 1d20 + 7 - 10 ⇒ (2) + 7 - 10 = -1

Use Retributive Strike reaction during any guard attack that hits as that would give an extra attack at them.

Nice use of a hero point Fortiva, turning a 1 into a 20.

I remember having a conversation about that particular point (needing the required level indicated to even attempt the skill) with other GM. We agreed that it was only indicating the difficulty to be found in the DC tabel, not the required proficiency. It would have been clearer if they had used different terms to differentiate proficiency and difficulty.
(Also tell me if you find rules indicating that it should be the minimum skill level)

Katana in both hands, Ryū is moving forward and slashes at the first guard.

<1> Stride 20, <1> Stride 15, <1> Strike at Red Hungry Blade Katana: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16 for S: 1d10 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
Use reaction if Tanaka gets an opportunity:
<Reaction> Retributive Strike
Trigger: An enemy damages your ally, and both are within 15 feet of you. You protect your ally and strike your foe. The ally gains resistance to all damage against the triggering damage equal to 2 + your level. If the foe is within reach, make a melee Strike against it.

I have no problem with secret rolls, whatever the system. I do not see it breaking any player agency.
I also tend to only roll skills when asked by the GM. That’s something that is less done in PbP, it has a tendency to speed up gameplay while I think it is the other way around in face to face games.
I think having secret rolls also helps avoiding metagaming. I remember a session where a player had a critical success but the information was so peculiar that the other players thought it was due to a critical failure. Had they known the rolls, they would have reacted very differently.

I avoided Playtest because I didn’t want to try to learn a system for a year; it would have also probably confused me with 2e rules.

Tanaka draws his kanata and tries to catch up.

<1> Interact, <1> Stride 20, <1> Stride 15

Tanaka is waiting trying not to be too noisy, listening to the voices and waiting for his more stealthy comrades’ scouting.

“I don’t think any of us can speak Thassilonian, so it is going to be hard to give you an opinion about the papers. Having them for every one of our guests is probably a good idea.”

In the sewers, Tanaka uses his wayfinder to cast light on itself. He’s just looking around wary of any danger.

Replying to the man Tanaka shouts “Your uncle’s been asking about your slippers!” while thinking if that is not Fitch, that seems like what a lunatic would say.

Following the others outside, Tanaka listen to the conversation.

Once the team is on the move and somewhere where there is few people that can overheard, he mentions “Maybe we should take a moment to lay out our plan so everyone is aware of it. I know that we need to see Fitch too, so maybe it will change.
Also we should try to know if that bay is dangerous in any way.”

I’m also starting to get confused to who gets in which boat, and where those boats will be. I didn’t think we’d have to help some of them cross the bay.

He bends down to the children to speak to them. “Indeed on an adventure. The sewers is indeed a possible route we will take.” And with a smile he adds “Do not wear your best clothes at that time!”

A look of worries was visible on Tanaka’s face when he heard about the stone man, but he seems reassured by Daffrid.

Tanaka, wanting to reassure them in case they heard about dangers in the sewers “Do not worry, we will not let you go through the sewers alone, we will be there to guide and guard you.”

If necessary I’ll aid Fortiva’s Diplomacy check, got +5 Diplomacy, and a +4 circumstance to aid.

Tanaka is in the room to, as I wrote he’s looking at the family. Are the children speaking in Taldane too?

As the children do not seem to be very discreet about their questions, and hoping they do not know of their plan to move, but he’s looking around if anyone could hear the conversation.

Ryū’s just looking at them, trying to find out how old the children are, and well fed and clothed they seem to be. He’s also wondering if Daffrid would be interested in working for the Pathfinder Society, having someone like that teach at the Grand Lodge would probably be good for the organization.

Ryū adds “When asking Fitch about the sewers, we can also ask about any patrols there, enforcing the curfew.
Maybe we should try to find another place to spend the night closer to the meeting?”

Ryū adds “I’d rather follow than stay here. If it’s best, I can wait outside.
Note that we’ve been seen together at the ministry, I’m not sure how much of a problem it would be to be seen together again.”

When hearing that the girl is getting better, Ryū is clearly relived.

“As everyone said, let’s get to that meeting first.”

Once at the inn, Tanaka puts his horse back at the stable. He will then get in and asks how the girl is doing. He will ask the owner “Can we do anything to help you, like preparing the meal or the room.” while it can be seen that he is a bit tired of the long day.

Whatever help is needed of him, he will also go to the stable to take care of his horse.

Tanaka pauses while thinking about it. If no one else says something, he will accept the appointment. “Yes, thank you that will do. Have a nice day madam.” He bows down a bit and get out of the place.

Once the group is outside the ministry of tithe, and probably going back to the tavern, he will mention. “I hope this will do. If we’re in hiding at that point, meeting him will probably be quite difficult. We could try to see him outside of his work but that means trying to wait for him to get outside of the place. With the curfew, that might cause trouble.”

Just to be clear, anyone in the party is free to interrupt Tanaka if you have a better idea on how handle the situation. He’s not too bad at talking to people, put lying is not his thing.

I have not mentioned it before, but Tanaka has the human heritage Cooperative Nature that gives him a +4 to aid. Some out of combat, in most cases, he will try to help as he will only critically fail on a 1 if he has a +5 bonus, like in Diplomacy or Intimidation.

Seeing the book, Tanaka tries to insist a bit. “Please Madam, it would only take a moment of your time.”

He then approaches closer to say a bit more privately “[b]I’m sure there’s a way to squeeze in a quick appointment with him between two others. I’ve been told that using time of a public servant here require payment, what would the fee be for this service?”

Tanaka is trying is best “Themolin is the one who did the tax sheet and I’ve been told only him can review that sheet. One thing is for sure, he knows that case very well. Couldn’t we meet him quickly to see if there’s a chance for him to listen to us in a full review? I do not think he will be happy if we take an appointment and it is not even possible.”

Once he gets a denial of his request, Tanaka will asks “Can you just give him a letter instead?”

I’m also wondering if a bribe is in order, is there a way for my character to know that is something commonly done in this country/place?

Tanaka approaches a bit more, in common he says “Excuse me for interrupting. I am looking for Themolin.”

Should they inquire about the reason he’s looking for him, he will mention that they are merchant from abroad and are looking for his expertise as it was recommended; but if they don’t he avoid lying too much, as he knows he is not too good at it. He thinks being polite and nice to people always works best.

While getting off the saddle, Tanaka says “We probably want to try to invite him to speak elsewhere unless he has a private office in there.” says Tanaka.

---

Tanaka approaches enough the two persons so he can hear what the conversation is about, if it’s not in Thassilonian, but far enough so it looks like he’s letting them finish their conversation.

Ryū starts going for the woman who bumped Bazerofan, but his componion reacted quicker. He is relived the message was given before he got a chance to do something foolish in public. He backs down.

Ryū watches Bazerofan go to the guardhouse with apprehension.

“The sewers? Let’s hope he didn’t catch that fever too.”