utopianGM_A's page

ALLCON -

First - rumors of my demise are greatly exaggerated. I'm not dead - simply being eaten alive by new job and new commute. Please accept my sincerest apologies for the dead air, I really hadn't anticipated the impact of the changes on my free time.

The good news is... I believe once the initial shock and awe have subsided, I'll be able to achieve a better balance, and get back up to my prior posting rate. I currently plan to do initial catch up to all my groups this Sunday (2/9). Thereafter, I'll be back up to speed.

cheers!
utopia27

Several pairs of heavy footsteps enter the dark room, and the harsh light of a lantern painfully spears through the murk. A familiar thin figure leads down the ladder, gold teeth gleaming in the painful light of a bright torch. He is followed by six burly pirates, each brandishing a sap in a manner indicating some familiarity with their use.

An expression that might be mistaken for pain but which is clearly an attempt at a smile bruises Scourge’s face as he cracks the whip in his hand and screams at the PCs.
“Still abed with the sun over the yardarm? On your feet, ye filthy swabs! Get up on deck and report for duty before Cap’n Harrigan flays your flesh into sausage skins and has Fishguts fry ye up for breakfast!” Aside to the pirates, "Get this lot up on deck first, then haul up the theiving trash."

It occurs to Traceni that it's fortunate the spider's venom only works when injected, not when ingested. And that she doesn't have any cuts in her mouth.

Magpie smiles at Jeffrey, "Why, your gear is in the quartermaster's store, along with mine. I can't say I recommend getting caught retrieving it."

Jake Magpie gives you all a rueful smile, "Welcome to the Wormwood. You're all about to see an object lesson in shipboard discipline, featuring yours truly. I'm in for the unforgivable crime of attempting to pilfer the ship's quartermaster - punishable by keelhauling. For those of you not familiar with this particular shipboard festivity, it's a pretty definitive discouragement to future misbehavior. There's plenty of ways, on this ship, to draw a keelhauling - three biggest, striking an officer, stealing from ship's stores (that's me), and killing a fellow crew member. You'd do well to remember those, because Master Scourge - skinny bloke with gold teeth, maybe you met him - surely enjoys the role of master-at-arms. He's a real blighter, and would as soon peel you like a grape as look at you."

"As for what's in store? well.. you've been signed up for the Sweet Life, shanghai'd aboard a proper pirate ship. Captain Harrigan's out to make a name for himself, and has used up most of a crew to do it so far. He needs hands to man stations, and as long as ye all are useful, and don't force Harrigan's hand by blatantly breaking one of the major rules, you'll work hard, fight hard, and earn a share of booty."

"and I'm sorry master gnome, we're fresh out of hangover cure here. Unless the spiders," pointing up towards the thick spider webs, [/b]"have something of use to you."[/b]

mwaha ha ha ha! <rubs hands together gleefully>

Our heroes wake up the following morning in the dark hold of large-ish ship. They all remember the night before—the ringing laughter of a wild night, the heady joy of excess, the scents of rich stewed meat and perfume lingering in their nostrils. Some indulged more than others, some resisted. All have been brought to this dank hold, with water lapping about in the bilges. Our heroes feel a pounding headache, the sickly taste of cheap wine in their mouths, the hard floor, a rhythmic creaking noise, and the feeling of the room swaying, as if still drunk.

A quiet voice issues from across the bilges, "Well good morning to you all. You appear to be stirring just in time for me to introduce myself. I'm Jake Magpie. The late Jake Magpie - though a bit early for all that." The laugh that follows his introduction is brittle and sharp.

Our heroes are scattered fairly evenly around the oblong-shaped hold. They have been stripped of arms, armor, weapons, and all sundry gear - all now just whatever basic clothing was underneath all the accouterments. Unlike our heroes, Magpie has been secured in the bilges by a set of shackles set several feet up the inside of the hull.

the bilges are a foul, damp place with thick cobwebs above and 1–2 feet of dark, brackish water that stinks abominably below. A ladder leads up to a trap door, and a single bilge pump rests near the stern. The bilges also double as the ship’s brig, and six sets of manacles with locks are fixed to the bulkheads in the forward portion of the deck. One of these is occupied by Jake Magpie.

I believe, I believe.. I have managed to 'recruit' everyone adequately at this point. Consider yourselves shanghai'd!

Later that evening, the tall thin pirate officer exits the bar. He leaves a small purse on the counter, "Thirty silvers, as agreed. And Master Barkeep, your daughter is sleeping safe a-bed. We'll not be back this way soon again, but when we do, I'll remember well how little cooperation I received from you and yours. And after I swore an oath not to recruit your regular customers - such a pity we had to be more forceful."

He steps out into the night, "Come Peppery, Fipps, gather the others, and our take, and let's not foresake the tide."

"If you just sit a spell, and lift a cup, all the world will come to you sooner than you'd think."

@Zera - "Your drink is paid - though your fate may lay with him" says the bartender, nodding his head to the thing, gold-toothed pirate officer at the back. "A glass for you, and a pitcher for that table. Would you be so kind as to take the pitcher to him?"

@Traceni - The waitress, Reffa, smiles at Traceni and says, "Eat up my dear. There may be mouse in it by tomorrow's lunch. Her smile is warm and kindly, though with a trace of concern in it.

@Tsadoc, Santorin, and Waltz - The drink here seems exceptionally strong. Or the air very warm and close. Or some combination, because your equilibrium seems to have sustained far more damage than you'd expect. You arms and legs are heavy, and your heads are spinning.

@Jeffrey - the pirate officer seems to hear a buzzing. His head turns, and he inspects the person before him like an exotic insect. His gaze is piercing and weighing, but also somehow dismissive. After a long moment, he breaks into a grin, highlighted by the gold in his teeth. "I don't know anyone of that name. Sit and tell me about him." He produces an additional flagon, and pours from a stoneware pitcher, emptying it. "I'd warrant it's a thirsty tale."

updates tmw afternoon - promise. Sorry for a bit of lag, some Real Life interference...

BTW, I've put out an APB on Thaurux and Walz. I've warned them their characters are about to do embarassing and memorable things in a bar.

The dark-skinned elf makes her way out into the night, followed immediately by a fat, bald-headed and thoroughly disreputable looking fellow. Before any of our heroes have an opportunity to pursue them, two young ladies from the bar (the black one with the feather cloak, and an athletic-looking varisian young lady) go in pursuit. The fat man reappears and tries to block their way. The gal with the feather cloak drops him with a prompt and decisive kick in the crotch. As she balances, it becomes apparent her cloak is actually a stunning pair of wings folded on her back. As a collective groan goes up from the crowd the two young ladies exit, though also somewhat unsteadily.

The room is growing somewhat rowdier - spurred along by a thoroughly intoxicated gnome, dressed almost as a parody of a pirate, who has been perched atop a table near the card tables. Although a comic figure, he can hold a tune, and seems to command a pretty broad repertoire of popular tunes, ballads, and sea chanties. Another gnome (@Walz !) has joined in the fun, with some of the First World native magics, causing fizzy-bubbles to spring from the singer's tricorn hat, and providing some floating globes of light to provide spotlight illumination.

A half-orc, obviously in frustration at not meeting immediate success, stands up and shouts, "Is anyone recruiting for a ship!?". He, and a tian woman make their way over to a back table, meeting a tall, thin man with a braided beard, a mouthful of gold teeth, and a coat and hat proclaiming him a pirate officer. In a few moments, the half-orc and tian are no longer in evidence, but the pirate officer remains.

A large, weathered looking human in a worn military uniform (@Thaurux!) sits at the bar with a large tankard of a sharp-smelling ale of some sort - he is casting his eyes toward the tall, thin pirate officer in the back, as though pondering a major life step.

Service is brisk. The beer, grog, and wine are cold, if a bit thin. The stew is warm, and softens the stale bread well. The waitress, Reffa, appears to have successfully ensured that the fish stew contains only fish.

The grape juice appears to have sat in casks for a while, and gone 'hard'.

An interesting pair of ladies sits at the end of the bar - one is very black, though with features atypical of Mwangi, and what appears to be a voluminous black feathered cloak. Her companion hailing from an obviously eastern port. A black-skinned elfen woman stumbles - apparently very drunk - into the night. But the black-skinned elf seems the exception - the crowd is getting rowdier and more excited - except the half-orc slumped over his drink in the corner.

@Zera - this is the PFS-tight group, so... no drawbacks, 2 traits, no requirement for SnS traits, 150 gp startup (including equipment, except as granted through feats or traits). More specifically, once we hit the first 'lock in' period, I'll be calling for square-up to PFS standards, including any external Chronicles applied to these characters. Part of my challenge as GM is ensuring that those constraints tie in with the broader story-line, without being too artificial. At least for the first few chunks of sanctioned content, I've got that pretty well figured out. Y'all will have to let me know how well that's worked, and we'll see if we can improve it as we move forward.

But don't get too attached to the initial resources for now. Really - not too attached. <evil grin>

"Grape juice, sugar water, or juiced barley grass and hops. I'd offer you mouse juice, but I think you'd have to arm wrestle Larana for the privilege." She reaches over very deliberately, and wipes a hand on your shoulder, then dips her fingers into a gent's pint of beer, flicking it at you. "So, smelly, juiced barley grass?"

The waitress (actually quite attractive, if somewhat harassed and harried-looking) actively beckons you inside, "The beer is fresh. The fish stew is only fish tonight - and it softens up the bread nicely. Horace over there has got a card game going. The knife-toss over there that Larana is running is popular, but you have to bring at least a two-mouse ante. Rats are no good - too easy to hit. Here, hustle up to the bar for a moment - I'll be right back to get you something."

A rapidly terminated 'squeek' comes from Larana's corner. A small bundle of fur flies through the air at the far end of the bar. A whip lashes out, knocking the dead mouse to the side, and a harsh voice rumbles, "Only fish in the fish stew tonight!". Back in Larana's corner, a small metal cage clanks shut, and it is set to swinging on a chain in front of a ringed target-board.

ALLCON -

Weighing anchor sometime late tomorrow evening. For now, please feel free to interact in gameplay in the Formidably Maid, where you all have found yourselves gravitating to in Port Peril.

'Two adventurers walk into a bar...'

ALLCON -

This is a very high quality field. If I had more bandwidth, I'd open another table or two, because I'd really like to see more of these characters have space to breathe and grow.

For right now, however, I have to decide on a party to set sail with. Please find below a list of those selected, who should report to the gameplay and discussion threads (now attached), and make their introductions.

• Tarondor, Santorin, Inquisitor (spellbreaker) Human (Mwangi)
  
• Farmer Mo, Waltz Danuben, sorcerer gnome
  
• Cuirragh, Effan, Shark Shaman, Half-Orc
  
• Apocalypso, Zera, Inquisitor Plumekith
  
• StephNyan, Jeffrey, fighter human
  
• Wix Leborgne, Thaurax, babarian human
  

For all the rest, may Besmara keep your lives exciting! I will be certain to keep up with you, and I hope to see you out among the high seas.

Welcome to Formidably Maid - one of the more vile collections of scum and villainy in Port Peril. It's nine o'clock on a Saturday. The regular crowd shuffles in. There's an old man sitting at the card table, making love to his tonic and gin. It's a pretty good crowd for a Saturday
And the waitress, she gives you a smile.

@Curaigh - if you did, I missed it. Kinda lookin' for it. :)

opening discussion

Opening discussion thread.

@Cuiragh - go ahead and get the submission in. there will be opportunities to 'swap out' if you're interested, though I'd like to see continuing characters. Looking forward to a final submission.

With the exception of Cuirragh's anticipated submission - recruitment is closed. Submissions I have are:

• Tarondor, Santorin, Inquisitor (spellbreaker) Human (Mwangi)
  
• Paul Byers, Jai, Inquisitor (Immolator) Ifrit
  
• chillblame, Vladlena, sorcerer (stormborn) Human
  
• Escharid Blackrose, Cadj, wizard (evoker) human (Chelaxian)
  
• Wix Leborgne, Thaurax, babarian human
  
• Farmer Mo, Waltz Danuben, sorcerer gnome
  
• Wrong John Silver, Traceni, nature oracle human
  
• StephNyan, Shayla, ranger elf
  
• StephNyan, Jeffrey, fighter human
  
• cuatrespada, Gil, Magus (Bladebound Hexcrafter) elf
  
• vuvu, Balthe, fighter (?) human
  
• Apocalypso, Zera, Inquisitor Plumekith
  
• Cuirragh, ??, Shark Shaman, ??
  

right. I'm going to summarize submissions-so-far sometime this weekend.

@cuatroespada - absolutely. The PFS-only game will run as a campaign, rather than a series of disconnected adventures. As GM, I'll also be aware that the characters are available for 'off-camera' activities as well. As I said earlier, as GM/player we can decide case-by-case whether to ignore those, or patch the story to accommodate. One example I was considering was specialty equipment on Chronicle sheets (I've got a character with a 'mask of intimidation' from one PFS game..) - or conditions, or boons, or whatever. But in terms of additional character story-line elements - woo hoo! I look forward to weaving stories with PFS-legal/capable characters.

@Curaigh - there's time. I intentionally left the recruitment open across the holidays so people could hit it at their own pace.

The intention is to start at level 1, but since I'm running this on a PFS basis, and the first sanctioned content is tier 1-3 (dragon's demand part 1), as long as your character isn't out-of-tier by the time we hit the sanctioned content, I'm good with that. :) Them was the ground rules, matey, and I'll stand by 'em. :)

I was leaving it open pending the PFS submissions from the overall event - but if it's convenient for all...

@Gian - there is substantial time yet :)

Inspiration? Inspiration?!?

Pirates!

:)

@Torean - yah, same mechanic as you'd apply for running a pre-gen character. For example, I played in a 5-7 tier game in Gamesday. I haven't got any characters in tier, so I played the pre-gen thief. Now I've got a 7th level chronicle sheet that's going to apply to my character Kort (58034-3) when he reaches 5.

For the APs, there are sections of the AP that are 'sanctioned content', and gain credit like a module. It's a little more work for the GM to register the game, collect up PFS #s, determine target characters, etc. But since I'm already going to be doing it for one table, 2 tables is much less than double the work.

ALLCON -
plug and recruiting - I'm starting up some PFS-credit Skull and Shackles campaigns in the new year. These will be long (long) running campaigns. One is for PFS-legal characters. The other is for non-PFS characters, with PFS credit.

Ambitious and long term undertaking.

I will be running a full Skull and Shackles campaign with PFS characters. S&S itself is not self-sufficient for advancement of PFS characters within the framework, so I'll be weaving in Dragon's Demand. Between the two, there's enough to maintain advancement at least through level 8 (with one hole I'll plug with either another module or several scenarios).

I will be looking for participation by characters through the entire campaign (not drop-ins only for sanctioned content). With that said, I will also be signaling when characters are 'locked' (currently within PFS sanctioned content) and when they are 'free'. At the beginning of each 'locked' section, I will be asking players to ensure their characters are both PFS-legal, supported by Chronicle sheets, and remain within subtier constraints. After each section of sanctioned content, I will be providing Chronicle sheets, and doing the registration with PFS.

When characters are 'free', players are encouraged to take 'em out for a spin in other sanctioned play - games days, home games, whatever. Just get me a copy of the Chronicle. As long as the character remains 'in tier', that's great.

Expected posting rate will be roughly one post per day. Communication about lags or breaks is encouraged and expected (real life happens to all of us). Communication is important - that's what the discussion thread is for.

So - I'm looking for six scurvy dogs with some reason to be in Port Peril. I'll be accepting submissions through 1/11. Questions/clarifications/setup for several days, then setting sail 1/14. All characters must be PFS legal. In campaign, characters' faction alliances will be discounted (more than ignored - 'retconned' out of existence..). For PFS purposes, faction declarations will be recorded and credited. Players that have not received credit for any of Dragon's Demand or S&S will be given strong preference.

So down your cup of grog, hoist the sails, and set a steady course for the Shackles, where plunder and infamy galore await those who can seize it!

working the event # for reporting. I'll let you know when I've got revised chronicles out.

....and... revised sheets up. Event reported to the VO/VCs. I haven't seen electronic. I think that may come around in January. I may be pleasantly surprised if it pops up faster. New event # 32688.

Chronicle sheets available here. Please let me know if there's any issue accessing them, anything I've missed on them, or updates/corrections.

I'd also like to ask y'all to provide me some feedback in PM. This is my first PbP GM game, and also my first official PFS GM'ing experience. Please let me know what went well, what should have gone better, and how I can make this a better experience for players. Thanks!

Further exploration reveals Morileth's bedroom, immediately behind the throne. It contains a variety of luxury goods, and also an escape hatch that leads to a HUGE cavern, leading off into the underdark. Backtracking through the complex reveals the kitchens - now hijacked as a brewery for a disgusting fungus-based intoxicant for the dark folk (plenty of pitchers of it abandoned around the ballroom), and a chapel, largely undisturbed by the dark folk.

Once the PCs emerge from the caves, Torvic leaves to return to his home and spread word of his discovery among the dwarf kingdoms. Other dwarves soon join Torvic, eager to reclaim the Gallery of Wonders. Eventually, because of the party’s discovery, dwarven craftsmen in the Five Kings Mountains rediscover some of the techniques of their lost master artisan. This gives the PCs a small bit of celebrity with the dwarves of the Five Kings Mountains.

The PCs soon discover that Lyrehawk has influential friends among the Andoren Eagle Knights in Almas. The knights offer the PCs a lavish feast and gift them two +1 fey bane arrows.

Particularly apt for our two dwarves... But note also the in-character connections to the Eagle Knights, if anyone is looking at eventual prestige class entry...

Lady Morilaeth was rockin the DR 5/silver or good; regen 5/silver or good. Also.. protection from good, for +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves against attacks by good creatures.

and Little Foot's 'thoroughness' is warranted. Morilaeth also has 'feign death' (as a bluff-based talent...), with specific GM notes that she'll play possum, then pop back after fully regenerating. Not an issue here - she's not regenerating from -13.

<doh!> and Little Foot too - need your PFS#

K - this one's about a wrap. I've got some area descriptions outstanding, but no more significant threats. With your attack on the ball room, all of the underlings fled, spreading panic and retreat throughout the facility.

Does anyone have anything that needs doing before I put up the wrap-ups?

Cesare: 'Silver! <doh!> why didn't I throw the flatware at her?'

BTW, Cesare, can I get you to PM me your PFS #?

Round 6

As Lady Morileth flies up to escape the slick floor surface, Little Foot connects solidly, though others have difficulty tracking her movements. Faeranduil's cone of fire causes her to dodge directly into Torean's felling axe blow. A small cloud of arrows rains around her, as she falls smoking, bleeding, and ultimately unmoving to the floor.

And that.. is her done. She only had 16 hp - a decent sequence of hits all at once was really needed to swamp her regen. The grease spell allowed several additional attacks, and the debuffs let the melee and ranged combatants get past her high AC. Well done all - and really solid teamwork!

So... anyone up for some looting?

@Rowana - the last hex didn't stick (so no -2 to attack..)
@Faeranduil - not a bad question, but Morilaeth has a 'fly speed', without reference to a spell or spell-like ability. Just flies. Just like that.

Round 5
@Torea - it's a team sport.

Torean and Little Foot tag-team Morileth again, with a further staggering blow - which slides her back slightly on the greased floor. Morileth loses her footing and slides under Falksat's arrows. Morileth hisses in annoyance at the indignity of her position. "Have you never had a flying dream?" she asks, as she rises 10' directly off the floor. She brandishes her holy symbol and emits dark energies again, "Deliver them to me, Lamashtu my Mistress, take their lives and deliver me their dreams!"

AoO for both Torean and Little Foot
'channel energy' damage: Torean 1, Little Foot 1, Cesare 1, Rowanna 1
Falksat 2, Faerunduil 2

Round 6 - everyone's up, don't forget the AoO's.

@Little Foot - yes, you'd be aware of the area. More (and more annoying) to come. No... they really shouldn't give me fey to GM... nope.

@Cesare - just a preview, your arrow will strike home, but it's going to be subject to DR. good thought, but you might take note that she's weilding a cold iron rapier. good for mites and deros, but not so much for Herself.

Round 4

Torean and Little Foot catch Lady Morileth in a viscous high-low flank, allowing Little Foot to land a solid blow. A combination of luck and Cesare's inspiration ensures that the blow actually connects with the fey lady, rather than the dodging image, which coincidentally flickers out as Morileth staggers back.

She steps back, and unleashes another torrent of negative energy.

Round 5 - go! Everyone is placed on the map, and good to go for this round.

Round 3
Little Foot smashes one mite, and advances on Lady Morileth. Torean likewise smashes a mite. Cesare's sword sings through the space vacated by the Torean's mite, as Cesare maintains an ongoing patter of inspirational oration. The other members of the party collect themselves, and begin to rejoin the fray.

Lady Morileth, seeing her attendants smashed to paste, screams in rage, "You will see me in your dreams forever! My servants will haunt you endlessly, tormenting your nightmares!" She draws back a space, and unleashes a torrent of cold hatred, manifesting as pure negative energy.

Round 4 - Faeranduil and Falksat will be back at the doorway at the end of this round. Everyone else - Go!

@Cesare - apologies, I 'bot'd you for a round to move forward over the weekend. Cesare resisted the fear, started a bardic performance, and advanced through the frightened crowd of dark folk, grabbing a bit of cover. The mass of bad guys ran in panic when Herself got very scary all of a sudden (they're explicitly drug-addled, cowardly, and non-combatant), except for her two attendants (who apparently are used to Her Scariness), both of whom made their will saves. Swinging at the mite this turn misses, because one or the other of the dwarves pounded it into the ground like a nail.
@rowana - roger that. figures in the middle of the floor are human corpses, looking very similar to the catatonic merchant that was chained to the wall. A very Chellish assumption would be that these are his compatriots that didn't survive long enough to be catatonic.

I'll advance the action in a few moments...

edit: wow, my damage rolls have been awful all scenario. 8(

The to-hit rolls need to step up as well...

Round 2
The dwarven stalwarts step forward and strongly attack the dark fey Lady. Their success is very limited - perhaps hampered by the two mites swarming around and trying to bite the dwarves' ankles.

The mites swirl around, seeking some position of advantage, however their small daggers do not find any purchase. Lady Morileth attempts to make use of their distraction, leveling her cold iron rapier at Torean - an attack deflected by his gorget only at the last moment. Lady Morelth also moves around the fight, freeing space behind her, and placing Torean between herself and Little Foot.

As Rowanna flees, she finds herself caught in the panicked swirl of derros and mites. Although she ignores them, and they ignore her, there is a mutual awareness of shared terror. As Rowanna's intellect wrestles with that impression, she finds herself climbing her analytic process out of the depths of terror. She sees that several of the dark folk who she overtook in her headlong flight continue to stream out of the great hall, and continue to ignore her.

As Faerunduil and Falksat recover their senses, they find themselves back in the forge room (two rounds' travel away from the Great Hall). Some of the dark folk fleeing the Great Hall have come the long way around through the processional stair, and are passing through the corridor to the north, or short-cutting through the forge room. At least one has impaled itself on a protruding metal pole in its panick. They are all passing away to some destination on the east end of the nort corridor. (I've marked the flow of traffic with BIG arrows)

@Little Foot - very theatrical, swashbuckle-y. 5' "step" over the arm of the throne. Hammer swings, dwarf plunges down towards wicked dark fey. The crowd goes wild!
Absolutely - works for me. :)

ah - no apologies! Let me try again. For those not running, I have checked, and they do not know/infer much about this dark fey based on their interactions so far. The rest of the party (those running) can make a know(nature) check @DC20 ('give it a whirl') to see if they know anything useful about this fey.

All of the folks that are afear'd need to continue running this round (Round 2), and will automatically recover then, and can come slogging back.

Lady Morileth is quite ugly enough - but most/all of her fear effects are DC14 - as I said, ugly enough already.