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Just a quick note to potential DMs about a minor error in the mod:
In order to take Improved Trip, both of the Gnolls at the end of the mod need an Intelligence of 13 and Combat Expertise.
I recommend increasing the Gnolls' Intelligence score to 13, add 2 skill points into Profession Sailor, decrease the attack bonus for the Whip to +7, and replace Weapon Focus Whip with Combat Expertise.
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Two questions about this scenario:
1) I can't find locations for Needle and Fredrik on the tavern map on page 5. Am I just being dim? I assume from the text that Fredrik is on the table with three thugs around it and Needle is lying in the corner but as they are listed in the key for the map then I'd expect to see them on the map.
2) If the Taldor faction conceal the name of Renmil then does that mean that the Osirions don't gain their prestige award as they don't have all four names?
Contributor
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Two questions about this scenario:
** spoiler omitted **
I'm also very interested to hear how that particular Taldan mission plays out for you. It's designed to keep players focused on each other and 'in' the scenario. It's also designed to be fun (even comical), of course, and it was in my home play-test. Would love to hear how it works for you, Wintergreen!
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I'm also very interested to hear how that particular Taldan mission plays out for you. It's designed to keep players focused on each other and 'in' the scenario. It's also designed to be fun (even comical), of course, and it was in my home play-test. Would love to hear how it works for you, Wintergreen!Two questions about this scenario:
** spoiler omitted **
It does sound fun and I wanted to be sure about how it works hence the question. I'll be running this on 16th November and have a mixed faction group. I'll be sure to post on the messageboards afterwards to let you know how it goes.
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Hey Hank,There seems to have been be a versioning error. Not sure how that crept in. Your solution is certainly workable.
- Lou
I swear I'm not a pedantic rules lawyer. Most days I'm lucky to spell my own name correctly. I was reviewing Improved Trip to refresh my memory on how it works when I caught the oversight.
BTW I loved your mod! I'm a total sucker for most of the elements you put in your scenario. I'm hoping you plan to write more.
There seems to have been be a versioning error. Not sure how that crept in. Your solution is certainly workable.
Would it be possible to acquire the newest version? I just repersonalized my copy, and the error is still there. Not only that, but the majority of the stat blocks are incorrect.
I've rewritten Snarl's stat block (as it happens to be the most relevant to combat) below to help GMs who might not have as much free time on their hands as I do. ^_^
Details:
Init: +4 (Dex +1, no II) --> Init: +1
AC : 17 base (Dex is +1 not +3) --> 15 (+1 Dex, +1 Nat, +3 Arm)
14 touch (Dex is +1, Nat should NOT count) --> 11 (+1 Dex)
14 ff --> 14 Correct.
HP : 37 (2d8+3 + 2d10+3) --> +3 over 2 levels is impossible.
I don`t know how the HP was calculated, since typical NPC hit points would put him at 26 with the +3s, but the +3s should be +6s. My suspicion is that this gnoll was built with character hit points (max at 1st and half+1 after) and the +6s were added but written incorrectly, because then it adds up. So... leave this alone.
Fort: +8 --> +9 (+3 Con, +3 Fighter, +3 Gnoll)
Ref: +1 --> +0 (+0 Dex, +0 Fighter, +0 Gnoll)
Will: +0 --> +0 Correct.
Melee: Whip +8 --> +9 (Str +4, BAB +3, Mwk +1, WF +1) d3+4* nl
Greataxe +7 --> +8 (Str +4, BAB +3, Mwk +1) d12+6*
Note here that Snarl's Strength is 19 (+4) and that Greataxes are 2HW and thus add 1.5x Str bonus to damage. Also, it looks like the Mwk bonuses were not applied.
The tactics are cool, but Trip can't move people from the square they're in, and thus can't actually dump people in the water. I'm planning to get around this by saying the many plank bridges between the ship and the dock are very shaky and unreliable looking, so if a character falls they might take out that section.
Grapple check: +8 --> +7 (Str +4, BAB +3)
Feats: EWP(Whip), Improved Trip, Combat Expertise*, WF(Whip)
Hank wrote that the feats should be rearranged, but actually, Snarl should have an additional feat.
1st (Combat Expertise) --> Note! Req Int 13+
1st Fighter (EWP[Whip])
3rd (Improved Trip)
2nd Fighter (WF[Whip])
The above, with the suggested raise of Snarl's Int to 13, fixes his complaint.
Skills: Listen +5, Profession(Sailor) +4, Spot +5
With Snarl's new Int bonus, he should have 4 more skill points. I recommend Climb, Balance, or Use Rope, since those seem to me to be appropriate sailing skills. I'll use Balance +3 (4x0.5 skill, +1 Dex) He should also have an additional language. The sailors speak Katapeshi, so that makes sense to me.
Snarl's new stat block (according to me) looks like:
Foreman Snarl Sorehackle
Male gnoll figher 2
LE Medium humanoid
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +5, Spot +5
--
Defense
--
AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14
(+1 natural, +3 armor, +1 Dex)
hp 37 (2d8+6 plus 2d10+3)
Fort +9, Ref +0, Wil +0
--
Offense
--
Spd 20 ft. (Medium armour)
Melee
Mwk Whip +9 (1d3+4/x2 nonlethal; 0 vs armour bonus >= +1)
Mwk Greataxe +8 (1d12+6/x3)
--
Tactics
--
*Unchanged
--
Statistics
--
Str 19, Dex 13, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 10, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; Grp +7
Feats: Exotic Weapon Proficiency (whip), Weapon Focus (whip), Combat Expertise, Improved Trip
Skills: Listen +5, Profession (sailor) +4, Spot +5, Balance +3
Languages: Common, Gnoll, Katapeshi
Gear: hide armour, masterwork greataxe, masterwork whip, 25 gp
Combat Gear: potion of cure light wounds
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Contributor
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Hey Hank,There seems to have been be a versioning error. Not sure how that crept in. Your solution is certainly workable.
- Lou
I swear I'm not a pedantic rules lawyer. Most days I'm lucky to spell my own name correctly. I was reviewing Improved Trip to refresh my memory on how it works when I caught the oversight.
BTW I loved your mod! I'm a total sucker for most of the elements you put in your scenario. I'm hoping you plan to write more.
Thanks, Hank. I'm glad you did! Josh Fost deserves a ton of credit as he did some pretty exacting development work on this one. Nick Logue too as he set out general guidelines for the piece.
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Contributor
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There seems to have been be a versioning error. Not sure how that crept in. Your solution is certainly workable.
Would it be possible to acquire the newest version? I just repersonalized my copy, and the error is still there. Not only that, but the majority of the stat blocks are incorrect.
I've rewritten Snarl's stat block (as it happens to be the most relevant to combat) below to help GMs who might not have as much free time on their hands as I do. ^_^
Yah. This is definitely the wrong version. Speaking to how I make them, I use NPCDesigner from RPG Attitude, manually review, then send them off. If I want the extra hard version of a monster, I like to go with 2/3 total possible hp. It's within the realm of possible rolls, just at the high side. Otherwise, average hp.
I plan to update this scenario in the next week or so to fix these errors. Thanks to everyone that caught them.
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Contributor
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It does sound fun and I wanted to be sure about how it works hence the question. I'll be running this on 16th November and have a mixed faction group. I'll be sure to post on the messageboards afterwards to let you know how it goes.I'm also very interested to hear how that particular Taldan mission plays out for you. It's designed to keep players focused on each other and 'in' the scenario. It's also designed to be fun (even comical), of course, and it was in my home play-test. Would love to hear how it works for you, Wintergreen!Two questions about this scenario:
** spoiler omitted **
Awesome! Can't wait to hear how it went. Is Taldan player RP oriented, combat oriented or enjoys a mix of both?
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Contributor
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BTW I loved your mod! I'm a total sucker for most of the elements you put in your scenario. I'm hoping you plan to write more.
I meant to ask, which parts did you like? Which elements stood out for you? Obviously, if you share, you should probably spoiler the discussion, but I'd love to know what jazzed you, because that helps me become a better writer.
As for writing more for Paizo, I'd love to. I've work out with other publishers of which I'm very proud, and they're great publishers...but Paizo is the dream-come-true publisher for me. The editorial staff and production values here at Paizo are just teh bomb. Not to mention the Paizoans!
teh bomb? I think I just mixed web metaphors.
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I meant to ask, which parts did you like? Which elements stood out for you? Obviously, if you share, you should probably spoiler the discussion, but I'd love to know what jazzed you, because that helps me become a better writer.
[/smaller]
I also like how involving rescuing slaves tends to motivate my players. Even if a character is neutral, the players seem to take a bit of joy in releasing the slaves.
And lastly I enjoyed the halfling street gang, especially the snipers -- which make the combat more tactical and gives a monk an excuse to use his ranks in jump and provides a ranged support character satisfaction when a well aimed shot knocks the little buggers from the roof, screaming as they fall to their death or when they die instantly and tumble forward down the roof into the street like an old western movie.
The whip specialist gnolls definitely were an interesting and exciting combat choice!
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Contributor
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Awesome! Glad you had fun with it.
I tried to mix it up by giving one focus on tripping and the other on disarming. I think those are under-utilized fight techniques, especially disarm. Sunder is another, though I got to highlight that in a different piece.
I'm gald you enjoyed the Puddlejumpers. I'm a big fan of stationing different categories of threats in difficult to reach locations, forcing the party to choose between suffering the -- in this case -- ranged assaults or moving apart a little. It mixes up the terrain, creates interesting tactical challenges, prevents gang-up syndrome (where the party all pounds one enemy before moving on to the next)and generally just adds some fun.
At one point in development, the Puddlejumpers attacked in an alley. That let them get all acrobatic but it wasn't as much fun for the PCs, since they couldn't use special skills like jump, etc. to counteract them.
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right now Louis i am working to get a swashbuckler campaign where one of the characters is going to work directly against slaving in Absalom...
i felt this story was eprfect for the mood of my game, i downleaded it and i am still reading it...
i do love what i have read... and i must say... grit is horrible... i hate grit... i have to use it on my players :D
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Contributor
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right now Louis i am working to get a swashbuckler campaign where one of the characters is going to work directly against slaving in Absalom...
i felt this story was eprfect for the mood of my game, i downleaded it and i am still reading it...
i do love what i have read... and i must say... grit is horrible... i hate grit... i have to use it on my players :D
Awesome -- really glad you're enjoying it! Grit is Josh Frost's invention, so tip your hat that way.
Some of us were talking about the piece over here, and Chris Mortika asked me for some thoughts on integrating this into his home campaign, and I posted them on my blog, here. You might find it useful -- or at least, interesting.
I might post some additional support for home campaigns if people want it, so keep an eye out. :^)
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Awesome -- really glad you're enjoying it! Grit is Josh Frost's invention, so tip your hat that way.
Some of us were talking about the piece over here, and Chris Mortika asked me for some thoughts on integrating this into his home campaign, and I posted them on my blog, here. You might find it useful -- or at least, interesting.
I might post some additional support for home campaigns if people want it, so keep an eye out. :^)
thanks
i willthis campaign will take a bit to begin... well fully begin, i have been exploring a few issues with a lone character which sent us toward the slave combat area... the swashbukcling is the premise
still i need to finish another campaign first (WoD D20) and get Guide to Absalom :D
but i will be pestering about a few questions :D
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Contributor
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Awesome -- really glad you're enjoying it! Grit is Josh Frost's invention, so tip your hat that way.
Some of us were talking about the piece over here, and Chris Mortika asked me for some thoughts on integrating this into his home campaign, and I posted them on my blog, here. You might find it useful -- or at least, interesting.
I might post some additional support for home campaigns if people want it, so keep an eye out. :^)
thanks
i will
this campaign will take a bit to begin... well fully begin, i have been exploring a few issues with a lone character which sent us toward the slave combat area... the swashbukcling is the premisestill i need to finish another campaign first (WoD D20) and get Guide to Absalom :D
but i will be pestering about a few questions :D
Cool - I'll be here.
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one question comes to mind Lou
thanks
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Contributor
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one question comes to mind Lou
** spoiler omitted **
thanks
Well, actually...
The original bodyguards were two sisters, vudrani monks, actually. Think veils and flying hands and deadly kicks.
I'll try to get around to posting some thoughts and stuff on them at my blog, and will let you know here when I do. Don't want to post any details in this thread, because I don't want it mistaken for real Pathfinder Society material.
Glad you're liking the piece!
RPG Superstar 2013
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Lou also wrote Blood on the Waterfront, available for download here somewhere. I am also planning on starting a new Rokugan campaign upcoming Spring and using BotW as my first encounter.
Check it out, and visit Sinisteradventures.com, where we anxiously await the release of Cold Black!
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Contributor
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Lou also wrote Blood on the Waterfront, available for download here somewhere. I am also planning on starting a new Rokugan campaign upcoming Spring and using BotW as my first encounter.
Check it out, and visit Sinisteradventures.com, where we anxiously await the release of Cold Black!
Hey ancientsensei! Thanks for mentioning it.
The SAW stuff, like Blood on the Waterfront, is a very particular beastie. The publisher wanted a "Transporter" like experience -- one fast paced, no break, no real story, encounter after another that can be used alone or as part of a series. Publisher ask, publisher get, and I added a little tongue-in-cheek; so its not for everyone. To tell the truth, I'm much more pleased with my work on the last episode of that series, #12 An Uncertain Jungle Extraction; although I did need to issue a rules correction for my
mechanic. Stil it's awesome to see the PDFs and their encounters get mined for home campaigns. Make sure you let me know how that goes!
In some ways, the Pathfinder Society adventures were more challenging than the SAW work. In SAW, werecabbages collaboratively produced our own, quirky world with dinosaurs and transplanar gates. For Pathfinder Society we write to the setting and I, at least, am very nervious about not messing up canon. Having editorial catch your canon mistakes? Gah. Sooo embarrassing!
Also, the PFS requires the same encapsulated, break-neck, kind of 4 hour play pace BUT this is Paizo, for crying out loud -- it still has to have (at least a little) story, pathos, and meaning for the setting. Otherwise, it won't be worthy of the brand.
Hey - you've got your own PFS coming out soon, right?
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one question comes to mind Lou
** spoiler omitted **
thanks
Well, actually...
** spoiler omitted **
Glad you're liking the piece!
i liekd it very much
i will have to add your bodyguard option... it will increase the trouble for my players :)unfortunately i had to pass my game for the next week, i will keep you posted
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Contributor
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one question comes to mind Lou
** spoiler omitted **
thanks
Hey Montalve,
I posted the bodyguards for you with some encounter context on RPGAggression. If you've any problem downloading it, let me know. Hope it proves useful or at least interesting. Enjoy!
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one question comes to mind Lou
** spoiler omitted **
thanks
Hey Montalve,
I posted the bodyguards for you with some encounter context on RPGAggression. If you've any problem downloading it, let me know. Hope it proves useful or at least interesting. Enjoy!
no problems at all, i cheked it quickly yesterday
i will have to see how thatissue is going to escalate :P
I responded here.
We should have a new PDF uploaded today with corrections. Thanks everyone for the feedback. Watch your email for an update.
Chief Technical Officer
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This scenario lists the Gamemastery Flip-Map: Tavern as a playing aid, but I have searched both the FLip-Maps and the Map PAcks and cannot locate this item. Is it out of print or a typo?
It's out of print. You can see it if you click "show unavailable products" in the product area (or just click here).
We'll have to make sure that it's at least findable with search in the future...
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Hi Lou,
Great mod. This was my first PFS session and I am in turn running it for our regular game group tonight. You asked about the Taldan faction mission. This remains to this day my favorite faction mission ever. I love the fact that two PC's are working at opposite ends of the problem. While i can see that i would lead to party infighting among some groups, i would like to see more modules where not everyone could necessarily accomplish their faction mission.
Here is how it went down for my 1st level halfling rogue. After picking the lock and getting inside, the rogue draws his rapier, jumps up on the desk and brandishes it at Pardu, demanding he spill everything he knows about Lady Anilah. He rolls well on his intimidate (the half orc barbarian standing behind him didn't hurt) and Pardu begins to babble. "I didn't know, i swear, i bought her from Fredrick, when i found out who she was and that Ren..." The second syllable never left his lips. The rogue plunged the rapier into his gut, crit, confirm + sneak - Pardu was done. "He was lying, i could see it in his eyes" the halfling says to the barbarian nonchalantly wiping his blade clean.
Every so often in this game the roleplay and the dice work together to let you have a perfect cinematic moment. Thank you for that one!
Arnold
PS - The barbarian later fell to one of the gnolls, the last fight was indeed deadly, the halfling barely squeaked away with his life.
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It is for PFS. Although I know the players are capable of getting in Pildapush's place unnoticed, they are also capable of causing a big disturbance. And the player's have gotten in the habit of throwing their weight around and I can't imagine them backing down from a fight if they end up getting the guards there. So when it says to bring the entirety of the Token Guard down on them I'm just trying to get a grasp on what an appropriate number would be.
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Developer
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Hey Conman,
The scenario (admittedly developed before my time) frames calling the Token Guard as a hand-wave, "the PCs lose" level of competition. I've had this happen once when running the adventure, and I brought in roughly a half-dozen guards (NPC Codex 267) as the first wave while informing the PCs that massive reinforcements were rapidly closing in—implying that even "winning" this fight would just result in the PCs' losing very soon after. What this does is provide the PCs a way of performing a fighting retreat as they flee the scene, so they can back out of their failed break-in without permanent ramifications.
Otherwise, the scenario is pretty clear on what happens if they stick around. The next wave could be as large as you have minis. If the PCs want to fight Absalom, they're going to lose.
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Thanks Louis and John. That's pretty much what I was preparing to do, fortunately it didn't come down to that. I never know with this group. One week they'll take on some guards just doing their jobs and the next week they'll ignore a dozen feeding ghouls and search for secret doors because they haven't acted yet.
After making their way to the docks they ended up drawing both encounters due to the Swashbuckler running right up onto the ship. She then ended up doing shots with a couple of the gnolls on the other side of the ship while everyone else fought. And then offered the rest of the bottle to whichever one could beat the other one so one ended up in the drink. They tried taunting the captain up into the fray, but he waited patiently for them to drop below, where he put some fear into them.
Good times.