
taks |

The Player's Guide is up!
Very nice. I've read up to area P3 so far. I like the feel of this. Different creatures, sandboxy, but still an obvious goal (albeit a different one). Not TOO involved with water (which is my concern) so far. This is a serious contender for post-Giantslayer, along with Ironfang Invasion and CoCT. Tough call.
I'll dig into the PG once I'm off work... and sober. Er, not that I'm not sober at work, just that there will be alcohol involved later tonight after I'm off work. :)

nighttree |

Also, skum ain't no 0-hd race.
I would be using the Locathah with some of the alternate racial traits (Deep Dweller and Strong Legs) provided in Blood of the sea.....it more or less creates a 0 HD Skum....
My current plan is that he is a hired contractor of the crew of the ship, rather than one of those chosen specifically to colonize the Island.

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Gorbacz wrote:Also, skum ain't no 0-hd race.I would be using the Locathah with some of the alternate racial traits (Deep Dweller and Strong Legs) provided in Blood of the sea.....it more or less creates a 0 HD Skum....
My current plan is that he is a hired contractor of the crew of the ship, rather than one of those chosen specifically to colonize the Island.
Just out of curiosity, why does it need to be a Skum instead of a Locathah?

nighttree |

nighttree wrote:Just out of curiosity, why does it need to be a Skum instead of a Locathah?Gorbacz wrote:Also, skum ain't no 0-hd race.I would be using the Locathah with some of the alternate racial traits (Deep Dweller and Strong Legs) provided in Blood of the sea.....it more or less creates a 0 HD Skum....
My current plan is that he is a hired contractor of the crew of the ship, rather than one of those chosen specifically to colonize the Island.
I'm actually considering that very question myself :P

Ambrosia Slaad |
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Samy wrote:So, is there good thread somewhere on the forums that really summarizes the different options to get swim speed/water breathing?The Player's Guide has some suggestions on that.
Off Topic:I did a pretty comprehensive search of existing material that involved aquatic options as I prepared the Player's Guide, but I didn't want to saturate that document with all I found, because not all of it fit the flavor of the narrative I had in my head and I didn't want to scare people off from this AP thinking it was gonna be all underwater all the time. If I can catch a breath in the near future, I might just infodump some of that on a thread here or a google doc or something.
Yeah I read the players' guide and wanted some more options. Would love to see your infodump at some point.
That infodump, or at least some the things not in the Player's Guide, might make a good blog post. {again ponders the viability of flumph clones}

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Adam Daigle wrote:Samy wrote:So, is there good thread somewhere on the forums that really summarizes the different options to get swim speed/water breathing?The Player's Guide has some suggestions on that.
** spoiler omitted **
Samy wrote:Yeah I read the players' guide and wanted some more options. Would love to see your infodump at some point.That infodump, or at least some the things not in the Player's Guide, might make a good blog post. {again ponders the viability of flumph clones}

taks |
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Well, I made it into the section that describes the aboleth. I'm pretty hopeful the rest of the books are as good as this one. We're still six months out, which is perfect timing for the rest of the books and the pawns.
I have a player that would totally dig the ruins exploration thing. He was a bard archaeologist in Mummy's Mask before we disbanded last November. The Sunday crew was iffy on the underwater part in Giantslayer, but they didn't dislike it. We did an interim through Ire of the Storm, too, and the swimming parts there were pretty fun overall.

nighttree |

nighttree wrote:At a guess, I'd say he's interested in the Aboleth connection, that might play into something involving the Azlanti.cappadocius wrote:Just out of curiosity, why does it need to be a Skum instead of a Locathah?I'm actually considering that very question myself :P
Correct......I am looking at something that fit's the Kua Toa from 3.5 more closely. That said, the Locathah are described as being very physically diverse.....so that works really well.
I see no reason a Locathah from a deep dwelling tribe that had links to an Aboleth wouldn't fit the idea just as neatly.....

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If you want a race with a connection to alghollthu that aren't so monstrous-looking, have you considered gillmen? I'm not saying it's a great idea, but it's there.

nighttree |

If you want a race with a connection to alghollthu that aren't so monstrous-looking, have you considered gillmen? I'm not saying it's a great idea, but it's there.
I had initially looked at doing a Gillman....but actually wanted to go with something more monstrous looking...not less :P

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If you want a race with a connection to alghollthu that aren't so monstrous-looking, have you considered gillmen? I'm not saying it's a great idea, but it's there.
Since Blood of the Sea isn't in the list, I wanna know your opinion on how fitting locathans/tritons/other blood of the sea races are for the ap? Like, if it isn't plausible they would come with expedition, is it plausible replacement characters in the colony?

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Adam Daigle wrote:If you want a race with a connection to alghollthu that aren't so monstrous-looking, have you considered gillmen? I'm not saying it's a great idea, but it's there.Since Blood of the Sea isn't in the list, I wanna know your opinion on how fitting locathans/tritons/other blood of the sea races are for the ap? Like, if it isn't plausible they would come with expedition, is it plausible replacement characters in the colony?
If you and your players can find a reasonable way to explain fishfolk hanging out in Almas and getting through the application process to join the expedition, then that could work. It feels a bit off to me, but that's just me. I think those races might be better suited as replacement characters.
(Keep in mind, I don't typically play any of the weirder races, so my assessment above is purely personal taste.)

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CorvusMask wrote:Adam Daigle wrote:If you want a race with a connection to alghollthu that aren't so monstrous-looking, have you considered gillmen? I'm not saying it's a great idea, but it's there.Since Blood of the Sea isn't in the list, I wanna know your opinion on how fitting locathans/tritons/other blood of the sea races are for the ap? Like, if it isn't plausible they would come with expedition, is it plausible replacement characters in the colony?If you and your players can find a reasonable way to explain fishfolk hanging out in Almas and getting through the application process to join the expedition, then that could work. It feels a bit off to me, but that's just me. I think those races might be better suited as replacement characters.
(Keep in mind, I don't typically play any of the weirder races, so my assessment above is purely personal taste.)
Hmm, I see.
Well, locathans do kind of make sense in the way book frames them.(rest of new ones? yeah not really) I mean, one of them is in the opening speech by a sailor. Apparently, locathans are friendly, like talking to surfaces(unlike pretty much every other aquatic race) and "Locathahs enjoy meeting new people from all races, often hiring themselves out as laborers, mercenaries, or guides aboard ships". So sure, they apparently smell horribly fishy and surfacers think they look strange, but out of all strange choices, they seem to make most sense due to their personality.
Only reason why I'm not sure if they would fit is that I'm not sure where in the setting they live. Like, do seas near Almas even have them?
Anyway, thank you for giving your take on that, it does help to have second opinion when giving players' answer on whether I let them to pick something more exotic

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Locathahs are certainly friendly and agreeable people who enjoy associating with surfacers, so I agree that they'd make the best choice among those in Blood of the Sea. I'm not certain if we've ever specifically said, but I don't think it would be unreasonable for groups of locathahs to be living in the Inner Sea, so there could be some near Almas.

David knott 242 |

What about Gillmen? They are more likely than the other aquatic races to actually live among humans.
And the GM could certainly enjoy the likelihood of a certain very situational racial weakness coming into play.

nighttree |

Locathahs are certainly friendly and agreeable people who enjoy associating with surfacers, so I agree that they'd make the best choice among those in Blood of the Sea. I'm not certain if we've ever specifically said, but I don't think it would be unreasonable for groups of locathahs to be living in the Inner Sea, so there could be some near Almas.
I'm going to do mine as someone who has done contract work for the crew of the ship from time to time, rather than one of the people chosen to settle the community....then just let things develop as they may....

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Adam Daigle wrote:Locathahs are certainly friendly and agreeable people who enjoy associating with surfacers, so I agree that they'd make the best choice among those in Blood of the Sea. I'm not certain if we've ever specifically said, but I don't think it would be unreasonable for groups of locathahs to be living in the Inner Sea, so there could be some near Almas.I'm going to do mine as someone who has done contract work for the crew of the ship from time to time, rather than one of the people chosen to settle the community....then just let things develop as they may....
I can see where that would work too.

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I'm not certain if we've ever specifically said, but I don't think it would be unreasonable for groups of locathahs to be living in the Inner Sea, so there could be some near Almas.
They appear in the Shackles, where they are on the side of humans vs. the sahuagin.
Book 2 of S&S details them as follows:
"Locathahs
Unpredictable piscine people of
the deep
Favored Environment: Temperate
or warm waters
Areas of Inf luence: Arcadian
and Obari oceans, Inner and
Steaming seas
Allies: Cecaelias, dolphins,
giant moray eels, humans,
humpback whales, some merfolk
Enemies: Aboleths, grindylows, merrows, sahuagin
Additional Information: Bestiary 2 179
Locathahs may be monstrous in appearance, but they are
also inquisitive creatures eager for contact with other
races—though they not are necessarily interested in
maintaining such contact if those they find prove
boorish or have nothing interesting to offer. Stories tell of
whole tribes of locathahs aiding ships stalled in doldrums
and taking on water by surrounding the vessels and
swimming them to shore. In some versions of the story,
though, the fish-folk demand the ship’s cargo after saving
the crew—and when refused, push the vessel back out to
sea to sink. Locathahs actively trade with those plying
their wares through the ocean’s shipping lanes, bringing
up rare corals carved into elaborate pieces of art, and
exchanging such treasures for what their communities
need, not necessarily valuable trade goods. Some
captains seek locathah crew to serve as ship
guards and navigators, granting the captain
awareness of dangers below the surface."

Zaister |
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Zaister wrote:Which was the first time? Farshore?I believe it was in Kingmaker, The Varnhold Vanishing
Ah, right, although with a slightly different flavor. I think. I was reminded of Farshore from Savage Tide, even if there was no vanishing there.

Beercifer |

I'm kinda curious, why some people lose their interest instantly upon hearing word "aboleth"? Were those over used back in D&D days? .-.
The 2nd Edition super boxed adventure, Night Below had Aboleths aplenty. But most DM's never ran it that far, from what I saw. I thought it was an amazing trip for being 2nd edition.

Storyteller Shadow |

CorvusMask wrote:I'm kinda curious, why some people lose their interest instantly upon hearing word "aboleth"? Were those over used back in D&D days? .-.The 2nd Edition super boxed adventure, Night Below had Aboleths aplenty. But most DM's never ran it that far, from what I saw. I thought it was an amazing trip for being 2nd edition.
I've considered running this boxed set over the years but I never could quite fit it into my gaming schedule.

Beercifer |
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Beercifer wrote:CorvusMask wrote:I'm kinda curious, why some people lose their interest instantly upon hearing word "aboleth"? Were those over used back in D&D days? .-.The 2nd Edition super boxed adventure, Night Below had Aboleths aplenty. But most DM's never ran it that far, from what I saw. I thought it was an amazing trip for being 2nd edition.I've considered running this boxed set over the years but I never could quite fit it into my gaming schedule.
I think it would be fine at a fast experience point progression. I don't remember any event or necessity that would require you to get a stronghold's worth of followers or a metropolis to lend you money, so Kingmakering it is out. At the same time, you could totally set this in the Lost Lands of Frog God Games, and tie it in with Cyclopean Deeps Volume 1 and 2, and have a Very Lovecraftian Adventure.

Storyteller Shadow |

Storyteller Shadow wrote:I think it would be fine at a fast experience point progression. I don't remember any event or necessity that would require you to get a stronghold's worth of followers or a metropolis to lend you money, so Kingmakering it is out. At the same time, you could totally set this in the Lost Lands of Frog God Games, and tie it in with Cyclopean Deeps Volume 1 and 2, and have a Very Lovecraftian Adventure.Beercifer wrote:CorvusMask wrote:I'm kinda curious, why some people lose their interest instantly upon hearing word "aboleth"? Were those over used back in D&D days? .-.The 2nd Edition super boxed adventure, Night Below had Aboleths aplenty. But most DM's never ran it that far, from what I saw. I thought it was an amazing trip for being 2nd edition.I've considered running this boxed set over the years but I never could quite fit it into my gaming schedule.
Great suggestions, I'll just note that in case I ever want to come back to it! Thanks Beercifer.

taks |
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CorvusMask wrote:I'm kinda curious, why some people lose their interest instantly upon hearing word "aboleth"? Were those over used back in D&D days? .-.The 2nd Edition super boxed adventure, Night Below had Aboleths aplenty. But most DM's never ran it that far, from what I saw. I thought it was an amazing trip for being 2nd edition.
Keep in mind, the original aboleths had psionics, which was found by many to be a game breaking rules implementation.
I agree with comments on the first page stating their CR is low for their abilities to an extent, but, quite frankly, I find their CR to be lower than it should be in the first place. They dominated all of humanity and caused Earthfall afterall, which seems hardly the machination of a bunch of CR 7 creatures led by a few lowly CR 14 creatures.
I am looking forward to running them, however, perhaps in this AP and certainly in the other one I expect to start next Saturday (my cursed AP... I'm hopeful).

Beercifer |

Beercifer wrote:Have you read Cyclopean Deeps?No, never heard of them before but I am not one to ignore interesting suggestions.
Most of End's reviews are pretty brutal. He doesn't miss much as a critic and professional in the industry. Here is your information, Sir.
http://paizo.com/products/btpy98ko/reviews?Cyclopean-Deeps-Volume-1-Hardcov er

captain yesterday |
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I'd love too!
Chelonidal Agathoin (CR 7) think sea tortoise agathoin.
Azlanti Animals, one picture, kind of messed up, can't really describe it.
Blood Maize - Does NOT look like corn.
Flotsam Terror - humanoid, mostly consisting of detritus, sea weed and old bottles.
Thalassic Architect - big and scary, with red eyes, so, so many red eyes...

Feros |
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Would anyone who has the book mind describing the monsters?
Azlanti Animals: All of these are available as animal companions.
. 1)Enchanter Heron — Heron with a bioluminescent throat sack.
. 2)Gliding Turtle — Like a flying squirrel, this reptile has a membrane from its shell to its legs that allow it to glide down onto its prey from above.
. 3)Sea Crawler — Take a lemur, add a back fin, tentacle like arms ending in claw-like hands and two tentacle legs and tail. Aquatic omnivores. Like this.
Blood Maize — Killer corn. Yes, I am serious. They can disguise themselves as other plants, blind creatures with a pollen cloud, and its slam attacks cause bleed damage.
Flotsam Terror — ship wreck debris animated into small sized roughly humanoid forms by the souls of those who died in the wreck.
Thalassic architect — subspecies of aboleth, called uldraaghus by the rest of the alghollthus. They are large sized like the veiled masters and use telekinetic powers to create, destroy, and manipulate matter.

Xelaaredn |
building up the settlement of Talmandor’s Bounty-"
So... By all means go for it but it's not actually part of the AP and might be a (welcome/unwelcome) distraction. Either way it wouldn't be kingdom building.