The Mad Poet's page

-4 for flurry of blows? Back to flurry of misses. Also no wisdom to AC? How on earth is an unarmored monk supposed to survive? Why then would a monk ever pick strength?

I'm having a little trouble determine DCs from template grafts. For instance, the Nihli on page 82-83 get the decompression gaze and gravity well abilities at cr-2, plus 2 to the DCs as part of their graft. How would I determine the DCs? It isn't explained in the book, at least not that I saw

"Woah!" one of the guards shouts in surprise, and a couple of crossbows whip up menacingly. The stout guard curses again, putting a hand on the arm of one of the jumpy guard's and forces him to lower his weapon. "Hold yer fire, damn you! Hold. Yer. Fire!" After everyone calms down, he turns to address the newcomer. "I'm gonna give these here heroic strangers the benefit of the doubt and trust that ya' aren't going to turn into a crazed monster at the first chance. Oh, and you found a child? How in the bells did you manage to survive out there, little one?"

"I ran and hid," she says proudly, and the guard chuckles. "Smart. And lucky. Well come on, I'll take you lot to Winter." Woth that they make space through the makeshift barricade and turn to walk down the hall with the expectation you will follow.

Sara seems greatful for Mara's offer to walk with her. She reaches up to grab her hand but, oddly, misses it two or three times. She stamps her foot in frustration before finally snatching Mara's hand in a death grip.

When Julius and Dervak come in visible range of the barricade, they might be surprised to find four armed crossbows pointed at them, and trembling slightly in what might be fear. The stout guard curses when the pair get close enough and shouts at his men,"Stand down, stand down you twitchy fools." They slowly lower their weapons.

"Hey I'm sorry about that. We heard a lot of commotion out there, even a shout for help. We were just getting ready to send out a few men..."

She doesn't reply, and looks really uncomfortable at the attention.

Standard HP

When Mara gets close to Sara, there is a moment where she can almost hear whispers; the sound is more like a memory, barely perceptible, difficult to distinguish.

Sara looks up with large scared eyes. "When is use it, the whispers start, and stuff moves around. It scares me like it scared papa."

I think you can assume that you have gathered rudimentary materials to copy formulae onto. Once you have the opportunity you can get a proper book for a pittance and copy them over, and yes avg. HP

Sara blushes at the attention, wincing when her hair gets ruffled. Her eyes dart around from time to time, as if something is spooking her, but she doesn't say anything

Mala's envigored attack rips into the creature with a gory spray of blood and viscera, and it falls unconscious!

After such a difficult, strenuous combat, you all feel more confident in your abilities. Level up! Yay!

Once disposed of, the corpses don't contain much of significance. One is wearing studded leather, the other regular leather armor, and there is a heavy crossbow and a longspear on the ground. Each had a pouch with a few coins that equals a total of 40gp.

Once Sara sees that it is safe, she hustles over to Julius to heal him.

cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (4, 8) + 4 = 16

She looks tired after, and her eyes start glancing around in a haunted, furtive manner.

bless is a burst, which means it hits everyone applicable in the radius, and goes around corners and through doors/windows, like channel

Oscar's arrow glances harmlessly off of the creative's leather armor.

The creature screams in pain as the creature it thought was finished comes back and slices into it. "No!" it cries out. "I.. I killed you. I gave you such pain, felt your body come apart in my claws..."

It attacks Dervak with one claw and Mala with another.

Claw to Dervak: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (16) + 8 = 241d8 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7
Claw to Mala: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 131d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Sara, on her turn, takes a five foot step and places another glowing hand on Dervak's back.

cure light wounds: 1d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Daddy said I shouldn't use it, but Mommy always said it was a gift. I don't know what it is, but maybe it can help.. Oscar hears the tiny voice of Sara whispering as she kneels down and touches Dervak with a glowing hand.

cure moderate wounds: 2d8 + 4 ⇒ (3, 3) + 4 = 10

She looks towards Oscar with a look of fear in her eyes, as if she's afraid he might slap her for using her to gift.

Dervak may act. Will bot for him if needed

The remaining creature carelessly steps over the bleeding body of it's ally and attacks Julius.

claw 1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 191d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
claw 2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d8 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (3) + 8 = 111d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

I will allow you to attempt a parry or dodge against the first attack, Julius

Top of round 5, Julius, Dervak, Mala, Mara, Oscar

Mala's slash is dodged easily by the grinning creature.

The mumbling, wounded creature crumples under Julius' pierce, and behind bleeding out on the floor. Julius you may take a move action if you wish. Note that you may stand in a square occupied by helpless or unconscious creatures without penalty.

Last up, Oscar

Noted!

We'll never know :D

Oscar has a difficult time aiming over Dervak's shoulder, and estimates on the side of caution; the arrow thwacks into the paneling around the inside of the door. A closet really is no place for archers.

The first monster (crossbow) hisses in frustration that it can't quite get at Julius' nimbly flesh. It shifts over a few feet to protect it's vulnerable friend, and rakes at Dervak.

claw1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 161d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
claw2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 141d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Top of round 4. Julius, Dervak, Mara, Mala, second monster (is stunned) then Oscar.

Hope you all had a nice weekend. Oscar, waiting on an action from you to start the new round. Will Bot him by 6pm CST if necessary.

Good tips. I don't want to post the monster's total damage for the sake of mystery, but I can post in the initiative spoilers who took what, even brief action descriptions.

Agreed. This is just a lot of misses, on both sides. Normally these guys are lethal but I keep rolling 8s and lower, except for all those times I bungled the action, lol. Also: Mara, your color spray is going to hit Dervak and he will have to make a throw. I tried drawing the burst in multiple ways but the only one that hits would include Derv.

Noticed on review that Derv had acted so I edited this post to reflect.

M1 Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
M2 Will save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

The creature to the side of Dervak manages to shake off the effects of the spell, but the wounded creature manages to glance up just in time to get an eye full of strange, colorful lights. It is so distracted, it doesn't even react to the nasty gash Mala gives it.

Blind/Stun: 1d4 ⇒ 2

ZandalousknowsZandalousseesPainandfleshandterror... it begins to mumble in a daze.

Dervak will need to make a will save. Oscar is after the stunned creature, then top of the round.

Posted a combat review in the gameplay thread. Thank you all for your patience and help.

My apologies for the extremely confusing and badly managed combat. I am changing up my methods and using a tablet instead of my phone so going forward, I should be much more on top of it. The following spoiler is a review of combat. Note that pretty much all the damage to the PCs has been rewound thanks to my poor attention to details there, and the only damage that landed has been on the second shapeshifter (the one that had the spear). Please forgive me and don't give up, this is my first PBP experience. Thank you for your patience everyone!

The arrow lands true in the creature's shoulder and it screeches in pain.

The second guard takes a five foot step, then strikes out at Julius.

[Dice=claw1]1d20 + 8; 1d8 + 4
[Dice=claw2]1d20 + 8; 1d8 + 4

The thing grins as it takes a chunk of Julius' flesh with it's second claw. "You thought you were so clever, knocking that rickety crossbow out of my hand!" it taunts Julius, and cackles.

Top of round 3, Julius up, followed by Dervak then Mara, then Mala

** spoiler omitted **

Anyone else getting a lot of fail goblins on the Paizo site today? Tried to post 3 different times with no success

Note: this is the first guard, with the crossbow previously. The first attack hits Mala and staggers her. The creature will then take a 5' step and send the second attack at Dervak. Attack 13, a miss. Still taunting Julius over there. The creature seems frustrated it can't take it's claws into Julius' nimbly flesh.

Could have sworn Julius was where Mara is, and that Mara was in the closet :/

Oh! Yes. I didn't notice that Julius had gotten over to the other side somehow. Yes you took the damage.

How do they handle it in other games? My instinct would be to just post it ASAP; if an action or 2 has to get rewound, well that is just what we have to work with PbP style. Only other thing I can think of is set conditional immediate actions up in your regular post, I.e. "Will parry 1st attack (dice roll)"

Black letter text of P&R says "if your roll is greater" than the enemy's attack. A tie does not beat the roll, unfortunately. So close!

Yes, I will allow you to attempt a parry in your posts if you like, Julius.
But in true swashbuckler style, if you are successful you must snark the enemy!

The arrow lands true in the creature's shoulder and it screeches in pain.

The second guard takes a five foot step, then strikes out at Julius.

claw1: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 101d8 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12
claw2: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 211d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

The thing grins as it takes a chunk of Julius' flesh with it's second claw. "You thought you were so clever, knocking that rickety crossbow out of my hand!" it taunts Julius, and cackles.

Top of round 3, Julius up, followed by Dervak then Mara, then Mala

Anyone else getting a lot of fail goblins on the Paizo site today? Tried to post 3 different times with no success

The nimble creature writhes around the attacks, but manages to twist right into Mara's grasp. The weird attack dazzles the creature just long enough for Mala to take off a significant chunk of it's flesh.

It screams in pain and then lashes out at Mala in retaliation.

claw1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 151d8 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
claw2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 81d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Next up, Oscar, then top of the round!

I don't mind, truly. I'm very sarcastic!

Oscar's shot goes wide, bouncing harmlessly off the wall above the second shapeshifter's head.

The "guard" who was holding a crossbow looks completely stunned to find herself disarm. She recovers as her partner growlw and begins to transform, and does the same herself. Full round action to shape change

Top of the round. Julius up, then I'm assuming Dervak comes out of delay.I have revised the initiative order based on this assumption.

Sorry for the rewind. I have been preoccupied with GenCon prep and have not been paying attention to my games. Luckily Dervak is here to call me out :P just kidding,I do appreciate it

True. Ugh i have not been on point this week, had problems at my live game on the weekend too. Anyway, let me see.
We will have to rewind the action a bit.
The "guard" drops his spear and begins changing. No claw attacks, which means no damage, but also unfortunately no chance for dodging panache. Many apologies for the derp.

So it would seem! Yikes.

Botting for Mala to move action along.

Mala sees trouble brewing and hustles up to try and help diffuse the situation. "Woah there now, don't be hasty. We were just resting before continuing the mission you guys set us on."

diplomacy: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (10) + 8 = 18
sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (2) + 4 = 6
perception: 1d20 ⇒ 14

Mala doesn't detect anything amiss and has no reason to doubt these are part of the guard team protecting the other survivors.

The guard with the spear makes a low growling noise and drops the spear, since he is surrounded. He then, in a desperate move, drops his disguise, his skin shifting quickly from the Human tones to a pallid, familiar grey. In the middle of his form shift he lashes out with claws, one to Mala and one to Julius.

claw to Mala: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 201d8 + 4 ⇒ (7) + 4 = 11
claw to Julius: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 281d8 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9
confirmation: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 171d8 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Close but no banana!

"Zandalous promised us flesh!" it bellows. "We saw it in our dreams!"

Next up, Dervak then Oscar, then top of the round!

I think I must have goofed somewhere. My bold text in who is next is wrong but the initiative spoiler is correct. I'm going to bot Mala to get the action going.

I tried :)

I'm not sure where everyone went. I'm going to do some botting to move the action along.

Mara's attempts to diffuse the tension don't seem to have much effect. As she observes the first guard, she gets the feeling that the guard is lying about something, that something is not right with her.

I couldn't help myself :D

First up, the first guard and then Julius

The guard that fired the crossbow glares at Julius, and begins loading her crossbow. "You shouldn't be here!" she snarls at him.

"Hey! You almost shot me!" Julius cries out. He tries to assess their intents and the situation, rapidly evaluating all of the facts in front of him.

Sense motive: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15

Julius then takes a five foot step up and angles his sword at the guard's crossbow, trying to knock it out of her hands.

Disarm check: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20 Success! Initially I thought it said "11," but I changed some text and it must have changed the roll!

The crossbow clatters to the ground. "Ha!" Julius taunts. "That's what you get for firing first and asking questions later, right Oscar?" he shouts.

Next up, Mara then Oscar

Mara hears only what she heard earlier, very quiet rustling of footsteps in the hallway. Julius draws his rapier and whispers, "Alright, I'm gonna open this door. Based on the evidence, I think we should assume these guys out here are not here to welcome us..."

He motions for Mala to switch him places and then flings the door open.

Outside are what appear to be two very surprised looking guards, one gripping a spear at the ready, and the other launching a crossbow bolt at the door as it open. "Die!" she snarls as she does so.

Heavy Crossbow: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (11) + 5 = 161d10 ⇒ 7

"Woah!" Julius shouts as he ducks, the bolt whizzing over his head to smack into the back wall of the closet. When he looks up, he sees the two very angry guards readying to attack.

Sorry guys, I had to finish that stupid project. But it is done, and now I am well rested! Huzzah.

I'm going to work with the assumption that you've all closed the door in order to try to keep from drawing attention.

Towards the end of the conversation, Julius furrows his brows and glares at the door. He interrupts Oscar to say in a hused voice, "Hey.. I think I hear a couple of somethings moving out there. Does anyone else hear that?" Anyone who rolled above 12 can hear the quiet footsteps shifting around outside the door. Only Julius rolled high enough to differentiate the number of creatures

I apologize for the slow posts on my end, I got saddled with some projects that are taking a lot of my brain power and time. I will try to update more frequently.

Sara shrugs. "Is it.. Is it safe there? I just want the bad things to not hurt me."

is everyone in the room? Please position yourselves on the map. I've positioned you as I assume you would be but you can change it. Also, an hour has gone by and spells are available.

Julius interrupts: "My friends! We should not be arguing about this right now. Here are the facts as we know them: this hallway is dangerous, but there seems to be some kind of protection behind that barricade. Making sure that the girl is safe is important, but so is making sure the survivors behind that barricade don't have anything to fear from this area. I think, since those guys back there haven't stuck us full of crossbow bolts, that they can be trusted. But if you aren't comfortable with that Mara, maybe you can protect the girl as we seek out the last few shapeshifters in this area, and we can bring her with us. Not my favorite idea, but I can live with it. None of us want to see her harmed." At that he flashes the girl his winningest grin, and Sara giggles from behind Mara's legs.

"There are nice people here. And some children, like me," she says. Her lip begins to tremble a little. "What if the bad things hurt them?"

For some clarity: as time goes by, more of your long term memory begins returning. You can remember your lives up until just after you recently left to travel in the general direction of Ustalav, though like Mara your ultimate destinations could have been different. The AP specifies the last two years as lost, for frame of reference. You don't know how long between when you started traveling and lost your memories to now.

Sara shakes her head when asked direct questions.

Julius grins at Dervak's explanation and claps him on the shoulder. "Couldn't have summed it up better myself. I think, from what Sara here has managed to tell us, and from what little we've learned, we seem to be in some sort of hospice. Sara here seems hale enough, so I'm guessing this place isn't housing the physically ill." He grimaces at that. "I do not relish the thought of being in a sanitorium, but at least I don't remember the experience."

That is specifically called out as one of the challenges to overcome in the AP book, so I can't give you too much. Only your interactions at this point can help you determine weather your fellows are trustworthy.