Sethious has played 1 and 2. I have played only 2. I do think that he was also considering dropping some groups due to job overload, though I'm as good as ever at being wrong.
Honestly, I thought half of you were going to opt a pause to focus on the Siege event. Tomorrow, my Data Plan resets so I can scan more without risking a paltry $15 that I really don't want to pay only because I know Verizon is getting it, do ho ho. If anyone has any preferences, my Excel is only somewhat out of date (and GMing things never mattered to me if I ran it before.)
"Ser Muesello, we have notes of a number of things. We learned of their tactics."
Notes for VC wrote:
Encarthan Maps
These maps depict Lake Encarthan, the Isle of Terror, and the nations that surround it. Of particular interest are the hundreds of hand-drawn notes and lines showing troop movements, preserving the changing plans of the brilliant generals who orchestrated the Shining Crusade.
General Logbooks
These journals record the perspectives of Taldan generals that led various phases of the Shining Crusade. Collectively, they provide valuable insight into challenges the crusaders had to overcome.
~~~
Wadsworth saves the following bit for the faction leader, unless Musello is unhappy with a lack of info provided (or Tim anyone mentions the Horn.
If this is needed to add: "Additionally, we learned of something that may help with the combat."
Quote:
A Silver Horn
This text describes in detail an enchanted silver horn capable of granting courage in times of need, which Taldor used for the fifth Army of Exploration and much later during the Shining Crusade, when it was shattered into several pieces. A priest of Aroden prophesied that even if re-forged, the instrument would never sound again, and it was given a hero’s burial. The text mentioned nothing of the horn’s present location.
Was the Shield magic or just really, really fancy with a lion face? In any case, it'll have to do for our Lion friend..
"Sirs, I do believe it is time to leave," Wadsworth notes, ensuring the shield is in tow. "I do insist we retrieve our lion acquaintance before exiting entirely, however."
Sleight of Hand for librarians or whatever...?:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23
Ha, no worries on my end; I'm running on "Oh God Why All This Snow" sleep levels. This morning, my alarm going of the first time and the time after the snooze button literally blended into one string of ringing.
Sleepy not-reading, go! So far, the only painting clues have been “Our monarch’s virtues are our own.” and "Preserve, Preserve, Preserve!" The last two, I did not see in any spoilers privy to my own eyes.
Wadsworth approaches Henry, "This horn may be a proper route to take for our request from the crown. If there's one set of clergy I would expect to get an appraisal wrong, it would be one of Aroden's."
"Lord Timothy," Wadsworth states, drawing his more mundane violin, "I do believe some literary pun involving tomes is in order, yes?" He puts the instrument to his chin and begins to play.
Begin Inspire Courage and draw a Violin (not the expensive one.)
"Indeed, Ser Glorymane also expressed interest in relics through which he might aid the cause. Perchance there may be references for such things back here as well?"
"Indeed, we have spoken to the Lion, and he sent us here. We work for the betterment of the world under Taldor's banner. Is that not the most glorious of motives?"
Diplo aid if not a 1, adds +4:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25
"Magic Lion can come fight with Tim if he wishes. Tim has strong magic book you could join with." The large man offers the lion.
"It is like Mother always said, "When you're magically beholden to the truth and all you have to say are mean things, it's best to say nothing at all."
Wadsworth looks to the Lion and bows, "Indeed, Ser Glorymane. We are most thankful."
"Indeed, Ser Lion. We may very well be one akin to those who established the first Shining Crusade. Should you be able to help, we would be most grateful."diplo aid (+4):1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19
Fun (probably a) fact: In PFS, the lowest level one can be to enter the Lion Blade prestige class is 7th level, either by being a rogue 3/Bard 3 or (my favourite) a bard (sandman) 5/Rogue 1. Because Acute Senses.
Disappointed at the lack of musical attempt, Wadsworth finds the other group mid search. "Did you find anything, Ser Henry? Any lead on our mission to the Crown, perhaps?"
"Very astute of you, milord." Wadsworth looks through the papers, looking for any trend between music sheets. He takes out both his incredibly expensive violin and his backup. "Lord Timothy, perchance you recall any of the musical lessons I taught you last month?" He gestures to the instrument that came with the Bard's Kit.
"Hmm, yes, we've been quite successful. Perhaps Lord Timothy and I should search a separate location whilst Ser Henry and Ser Nikomedes should search elsewhere..." Wadsworth states, unsure of himself.
There's no REALLY GOOD split (since I'm only really good at aiding, but lumping the two combat lessers together seems pike pure trouble.
I'm not sure about individuals searching rooms alone. The increasing reduction on time, plus less variance in die randomness AND scaling benefits seems like a multiple benefit. If we do split to cover more ground, I suggest we do so as per Scooby Doo; Pairs of people, unless forced otherwise.
Wadsworth keeps an eye out for any banners or nice-looking swords or something, as per Faction Mission. Are all these clue boons 1 use or just as read?
"Lord Timothy, as I have stated last week after your sudden intrusion of your mother's Literary Club Meeting, that your Tome of Big Strong Power does not have the ability to detect or read magical auras..."
Wadsworth can provide Detect Magic, however, and will do so at the request of his colleague.
You mentioned 2 hours earlier, DM. If this is another timed mission, could we perhaps have an excel file or something tracking how long we've spent so far? Wanted to make sure I ask before the T20s are tossed out there.
"Mr. Tobias, I mean no offense, but I ask if would you deny any full man his aide beast? Ser Henry's height deficiency is one that I believe will affect the quality of our visit, as he will be unable to reach the higher shelves without his companion. I trust him to be a well-trained beast, lest the Crown would not have let him into the country, would it have?"
Diplo:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20Could be Bluff at the same modifier if needed, but failing a Diplo is far better than failing a Bluff, do ho ho.
"Greetings, Mr.* Tobias. We have prior arrangements to view some of the literature inside." He will present our golden ticket in, courtesy one Princess.
*: Either Mister or Ser, depending on whether or not he is among the Bearded.
"I doubt they will, ser, though please do save your knowledge of the literary arts from the librarians; I fear the depth of your intellect may be too much for them and may jeopardize the mission."
"There are many ways a family can steal its own holdings, my lord. A very simple practice of tax dodging." Wadsworth states, waiting to see what these parcels are (unless they're irrelevant.)
A Mwangi (Bekyar, to be exact) follows behind him and comments, "Lord Timothy, I believe Mr. Muesello may be referring to other skills with literature." His clean-shaven face shows signs of age, including balding, half-closed eyes, and a few wrinkles. He adjusts his gloves of his semi-formal travel-ware and his two violin cases as he redirects his voice back to the venture-captain and his guest. "Good evening, Mr. Musello, Lady Morilla," he says with a bow. "This is Lord Timothy Davoker, and I am his humble servant, Wadsworth." He raises from his bow. "What should we expect in the Kitharodian?
That said, I kinda do want to play some Taldans in this, given Taldor's lack of representation (and the thought of putting Tim in a library is amusing.) If Seth wants to play the ninja pair, I will for not-dragging-the-party bits, but it seemed like above that he was only playing the ninja on the assumption of high tier. Could be wrong, as always.
We have a lot more options without the level 5 lock in. All combinations assume Henry at 4.
The highest math puts us at a 3.75 AVG, with the soracle, and the two ninja/fighters. Solid round up high tier.
Any combination involving any mentioned tektite characters plus me and Seth's level 2s caps out at 3, and low player count pushes us to low (I'm pretty sure.)
At that point, I believe it goes down to how many players we have, but I'm not sure. The decision-less rules I've been both confused about and enjoying, simply because I hate making decisions. If the ninja is dropped for the level 2 "not-a-wizard", then we drop a little farther, too.
"Of course she tells us now... Thank you, madame!" Wadsworth states from the hall at the bottom of the stairs. "Say we needed to investigate said trap. How would one go about that?"
