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Alright, my first-ever campaign journal. Given my penchant for long posts, this will be quite long-winded in parts. Given how much I'm reassembling from memory, though, I'll probably be able to summarize Books 1 & 2, and parts of 3.
First, the PCs. Build constraints are:
15 point buy
2 traits (1 campaign, 1 other)
All Paizo material legal until otherwise noted. I'm a big fan of using anything I can find to refine a character concept, and of helping others do so. In particular, Leadership plays a part in the campaign.
Medium XP, trying to stay to the books' progression rate. While there are 3 PCs, I count the two cohorts as a PC for encounter building and xp division, and NPC companions can alter this as well.
No major houserules (yet - Mythic needs some). I did allow the tiefling PC to select abilities from the table in Blood of Fiends, under discussion. We houseruled her rage SLA to be a free action that affects herself only.
Raziel, male aasimar inquisitor of Iomedae, cold iron warden, and mythic hierophant: Found on the church's doorstep with only a beautiful longsword to know his parents by, the party's inquisitor and primary caster is an extremely harsh moralist, in the image of Lord Hulrun. He frequently berates tieflings for their demonic heritage. In combat, he focuses on Channel Smite and bane to pile d6s onto his longsword strikes.
Ty-ryl Bluestone, male destined bloodrager, mythic trickster, and alleged dwarf: Ty-ryl woke up behind enemy lines, with amnesia, two weeks before the start of the campaign. A beautiful dark-haired woman saved him and guided him to safety, giving him a holy symbol of Desna, but that's all he remembers before a fellow dwarf found him and took him to Kenabres. He insists that he is not a spellcaster, makes frequent use of mythic enlarge person, and refuses to at any point don any armor. (Unknown to him at the time, he is actually half-elf/half-duergar. The player wrote a brilliant story and I'm rolling with it. As to how that happened, there's a reason, although it's my own. He doesn't know everything yet.)
Annabeth Harnaste, female half-elf ranger and mythic marshal: The most generic of the group. Archer, intense nonlethal master, distributor of favored enemy, and Vital Strike specialist. Has since left the group.
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Book 1 - The Worldwound Incursion
At the start of the campaign, I intended to run the Path as written. (That is no longer the case.) So, most of Book 1 tracks directly to listed NPC foes and tactics. The most likely changes were to the specifics of enemy stat blocks.
I didn't set up Kenabres before the Fall - a decision I deeply regretted, since a lot of great moments were lost. I would have loved to see some pathos around the inquisitor and Lord Hulrun's body, for example. Ah, well. Hopefully others can learn from my mistakes.
I had a little trouble portraying the three NPCs at once. This theme will recur.
The underground portions went pretty much as written. Notably, the party took every single mongrelfolk traitor alive, including Wenduag. Use of alter self to disguise Ty-ryl as Wenduag got the party to Hosilla without incident. Hosilla and her tieflings were less lucky, as were the cultists - glaives and tight rooms go poorly together. One of Hosilla's tiefling friends did critically sneak attack Ty-ryl right in the throat, though.
New Friends
The PCs didn't aggressively try with any of the three, who are pretty much as presented in the Path.
The city was more-or-less as written. The party took Chaleb alive and later redeemed him; he is now Drezen's warden. They also stopped the virgin sacrifice, the besieged shop, and the quasits' play. The battle with Vagorg was one of the first clues that "run as-written" had to go. (Silent-summoning fire beetles is no way to go through life, son.) Faxon did curse Xemna to the point that her armor was too heavy for her to move - that was a little amusing.
They ran into multiple groups of tiefling looters, who were pretty easy prey. One of the random tiefling looters, a saucy young thing, did critically sneak attack Ty-ryl right in the throat, though. After the battle started to turn, she fled. Ty-ryl, undaunted, used his scale's alter self and some mundane disguise elements to become a tiefling, then tracked her down. He was a bit less than vengeful, it turned out; when the rest caught up, the two were full-on making out in an alley. Hell of a way to meet. They captured her without further incident.
I mentioned that Ty-ryl was a Trickster. He was also the party's scout. At one point, he encountered a cultist of Baphomet. With a staggering display of Bluff vs. a very poor Sense Motive, he actually convinced one that he was under cover, luring her all the way to Defender's Heart. She was captured as well.
New Friends
Helkrix, pitborn tiefling rogue: Xemna went out of her way to talk to the nomadic tiefling, which proved to be quite educational for both the amoral girl and the sheltered Taldan. Helkrix was used to following the cultists' camps and doing whatever was necessary to survive, and viewed the looting of the city as nothing less than her due. At first, she took pleasure in teasing Xemna, and even now, she retains a streak of that. She is also blatantly of succubus descent, and remains an incorrigible flirt, despite later events. She experienced a vision of Iomedae after the wardstone event, which did much to push her toward redemption. More on her later.
Lesit Devimai-Windstep, human cleric of Baphomet: A native Kellid, Lesit has a strangely trusting streak. Even after her capture, she remained at least partly convinced of Ty-ryl's aid in her "infiltration". More on her later.
Chaleb Sazomal, human cavalier: Xemna guided him onto a more righteous path, but because of NPC overload, I haven't done as much with him as I'd like.
The Grey Garrison was pretty much a slog. Lots of fights, nothing really exciting. Instead of a multitude of mongrel men, I added Wenduag to the group as the reward for that alliance. I dropped enough hints about cleansing the place that they did so, allowing them to earn all the rewards. I added some stuff to the Wardstone and their mythic ascension, though...
I'm running all the Adventure Paths in a shared world, which means this is happening simultaneously with Carrion Crown to the south. So, I tied the Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye into the wardstones, showing a vision of them using their studies of Tabris to help the Herald create the wardstones. This led to an event during the wardstone blast.
As the wardstone fragment shattered, a rift opened to an impossible tomb, where a dessicated angelic figure spoke in a tongue ancient even by celestial reckoning. At his words, a host of golden spirits poured forth, and in the visions, they saw that Celestial Host assail Baphomet in his Ivory Labyrinth. The spirits might have slain the minotaur lord, but using a potent scroll, he turned them on his servants instead, sacrificing countless Templars to the celestial curse to save himself. As a result, any Templars in the wardstone blast zone were transformed and marked, becoming more bovine in aspect ("cowgirl" has become standard nomenclature) and rendered useless as sleeper agents. While there are still many unmarked Templars ready to serve, this revelation (along with certain gathered intelligence) was a great boon to the Fifth Crusade as it formed. This also included the eight or so cultists the PCs had captured; Ty-ryl has taken it upon himself to seek their redemption (herd jokes nonwithstanding).
So ended Book 1.
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Book 2 - Sword of Valor
Some GMing recommendations - I don't know if I can recommend the "XP for medals" system. Some are too hard to get by random luck, and the medals themselves are a bit overcomplicated for an already overcomplicated Path. I'd cut them.
The mass combat can also be problematic if the group isn't apt to it, since the Path puts it all on one player and gives the rest nothing to do. You could try creating additional armies, or cut the section entirely. If the group will be fine with it, though, go ahead. :)
As for my group, the army did not include Horgus Gwerm, due to a mistake on my part - I was under the impression that he wasn't Helpful. So many NPCs. :(
The PCs did get a scare when Exorius teleported into Xemna and Helkrix's tent at night - only the wild tiefling's Perception saved Xemna from a horrible fate.
The Lost Chapel was amusing. On one side, the mythic heroes of the Fifth Crusade. On the other, a few CR 1 ghouls and a couple of babau. The PCs barely won. Also, nabasu are hardcore dudes.
Regarding the vescavors - my PCs had nothing for swarms. This turned out to be pretty challenging as a result. They have since invested in swarmbane clasps.
New Friends
Aron Kir, human rogue/low templar: Given both his Taldan heritage and past, he was drawn inexorably to Xemna, who frequently caught him staring from afar. Eventually, she took him aside and got the full story. More on this later.
Sosiel Vaenic, human cleric: As written.
Nurah Dendiwhar, halfling bard: The party rather took to her, with her clipboard and air of authority. They never suspected a thing. More on this later.
Arles Jhestander, human ex-paladin: As written. Raziel took the man under his wing, although like so many others, time was shorter than I'd like. Not enough attention has been paid here as a result. This will be a theme.
Soltengrebbe was suitably challenging. That is all I remember about the fight.
Barrid got away at the bridge - I still haven't done anything with that. Might have to look into that...
The party had an interesting random encounter - Talathal Harnaste, a lone elvish paladin of Erastil and cousin to Annabeth, who they eagerly welcomed among their number. She proved very helpful at eliminating the brimoraks on the towers. Afterward, they returned to the camp to celebrate - in the case of Ty-ryl, Lesit, and the newcomer, in his tent. This proved to be a mistake.
The others arrived at the fallen tent to see a black shape emerge. Xemna immediately recognized the shape of an invidiak, which she went into battle with. Ty-ryl soon emerged to aid (distressingly kiltless). The shadow demon put up little fight, seeming strangely lethargic, and almost affectionate towards Xemna. As she slew it, it seemed to be drawn into her, which gave her great concern.
Talathal was given a place in the medical tents to rest, her faith ravaged and her spirit traumatized. Ty-ryl was wracked with despair at his actions as well, and forswore hard drink for the rest of the battle. While she made it clear that she didn't want to see him after what had occurred, she also told him not to despair; he needed to do better, and to be strong for what lay ahead.
Other news emerged as they prepared to enter the Citadel, though - Aron Kir had deserted, and tracking him led them to the Citadel's gates. The empty vials were found among his things, and Sosiel immediately identified them for what they were. He decided to accompany them into the Citadel.
The party as it entered consisted of Xemna, Raziel, Ty-ryl, and Annabeth; Sosiel and Nurah; and Helkrix (now romantically involved with Xemna and on the cusp of achieving paladinhood herself) I gave her ex-paladin levels to represent this.
They went in via the front door. That makes two, Seannoss. :)
The brimorak fire brigade are pretty nasty. That is all. Such fireball.
After the vision of Iomedae in Book 1, the party accepted events in the Inheritor's Chapel with only moderate suspicion. Annabeth was actually more worried about her faith in Shelyn than the possibility of deception. More on this later. She then commanded the crusaders held there to cast off their chains and aid the heroes.
Nurah deserted them, locking them in the secret vault. They still had the adamantine morningstar from the Gray Garrison, though (aka the "Skeleton Key").
They took Jestak alive. I believe she's still locked up in Citadel Drezen's dungeons. So many NPCs.
Xemna fell head over heels for Maranse. Whee! See "New Friends". :D
I actually straight-up forgot both the thoxels and Vhane's two minotaurs.
They totally took Joran alive. So many NPCs, seriously. Not even kidding.
When it comes to Staunton Vhane, rather than recap the recap, I'll just leave this here. It does include some minor spoilers for the dungeons as well.
New Friends
From the other thread:
"Maranse Delaskru", succubus duelist: The party fell for every deception in the book. Literally. There was poor Talathal. They didn't suspect Nurah of a thing despite running her as a bossy control freak; in fact, the inquisitor usually backed her up. And when a Protection from Evil "freed" the captured swashbuckler, he immediately went full Taldan gentleman on Lady du'Courcel, who blushed like a milkmaid and brought him along. In many fights, he was at her side, parrying blows against her and quickly seducing her. He was aiding in several fights, including this one, and even took an action which ended up blowing his cover... eventually. (Interestingly, Xemna went out of her way to find the body of the real Maranse, still here in the torture chamber where she slew Kiranda, and resurrect him at her own expense. So he's now in Drezen too. So many NPCs.)
Joran Vhane, dwarf cleric of Droskar: As written.
Annabeth had to leave the group for out-of-game reasons around this time.
The party celebrated again with the army. Vhane's body had been dragged back. During the celebration, however, Maranse was rebuffed by Xemna. He wandered off. Unbeknownst to the crusaders, he seduced Sosiel, drained him, and then snuck back, retrieving Staunton Vhane's body and taking it back to the Citadel for resurrection. She also took Nurah.
Given what Joran Vhane and his brother's journal said about Eustoyriax the Many, Talathal was convinced to accompany them - an opportunity to literally confront her demons. They gave her a suit of ghost touch armor they'd acquired.
Weirdly, the party all buffed with a wand of nondetection. This turned out to bear some dividends, though. Instead of dimensional anchor, I tied a detect good to the unhallow. Every few rounds, Eustoyriax would summon shadows and send them out looking for anyone who detected as good. So occasionally, some shadows would wander by the PCs, ignoring them completely. :)
I didn't have a lot of use for the vampire - I replaced him with Kiranda and a pair of incubus torturers, who were working Nurah over when the PCs arrived. Xemna got her revenge on the deceitful succubus. :)
Instead of the demonic ritual, I had Chorussina (in songbird form) invisibly buffing a resurrected Staunton Vhane (to make up for the loss of most of his equipment). She enlarged him... so Ty-ryl showed off his mythic enlarge spell. The Giant Dwarf Wars were on. It took them a long time to kill him; Xemna's player complained about deathless, saying it reduced a fight to a casting of dispel magic. Don't know what to do about that. :/
(On the plus side, they didn't notice that Vhane's armor was missing on their way back...)
When Ty-ryl examined the axe Vhane had been wielding, he found it rather suited him - especially the blue stone on its haft, which seemed quite familiar. He's still trying to determine all of its properties.
Chorussina fled, warning Eustoyriax the Many... who promptly killed her for her failure and cast her body into the slime pit. (They eventually got her ring of many colors, though. Helkrix enjoys watching over Drezen and ferrying messages in that form.)
The battle with Eustoyriax is a bit hard to remember. At points, I was making things up. They found Aron Kir there, still alive. Eustoyriax tried to possess a couple of them - I described him as a conglometare mass of shadow demons. He trapped the inquisitor with a create pit spell via shadow conjuration. They didn't touch the Sword of Valor during the fight, fearing another trap. After the fight, however...
Iomedae appeared to the PCs again to congratulate them. However, this time, the party had had some time to reflect on the previous meeting, as well as on the mental orders they'd been receiving from "Iomedae". When they called her on it, detecting evil, she revoked the profane gifts. Ty-ryl immediately dropped (Cha 0), and Xemna's paladin powers were crippled. As the succubus got ready to take them on, however, one of them touched the Sword of Valor. There was a blinding flash, and the dark room was illuminated by a bright light as a gate opened. Stepping into the dungeon chamber, the Hand of the Inheritor struck down the succubus.
He stayed long enough to restore the PCs' Charisma and speak with them on their accomplishments. They'll see him again in Book 3.
So ends Book 2.
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I still have to write up the parts of Book 3 we've been through. Other than that, I welcome questions and discussion, and I hope this is helpful! :)
I do ask that people spoiler-tag their questions as necessary, though - I'm trying to keep this more player-friendly than most such journals. Thank you! :)
Love the AA name drop :-)
I do have one question tho
Took me a bit to read that, but thanks for sharing Kalindlara! Out of an abundance of caution I'm going to spoiler the rest.
I was so nervous when I heard that Aron disappeared before you group entered the chapel. I think of the new NPCs, he's my favorite. Out of curiosity, was there a reason you didn't have Eustoryiax already possessing him? My group was down to the wire with him. Literally the night before they cleared Drezen's courtyard they found out what was going on, but as I noted in my journal hadn't found out about Nurah.
Eb in my group still wields that particular Adamantine Morningstar (or Skeleton Key as you call it). But you should be aware of the following:
Ineffective Weapons: Certain weapons just can't effectively deal damage to certain objects. For example, a bludgeoning weapon cannot be used to damage a rope. Likewise, most melee weapons have little effect on stone walls and doors, unless they are designed for breaking up stone, such as a pick or hammer.
I enforced that here in Drezen because these doors were specifically designed to withstand a siege. The worst was I had already said that, and I was afraid Nurah was going to lock them into the Vault with no means of escape. I'm rather glad that didn't happen!
Lastly, I applaud how you ran that Iomedae encounter. I can only wish it goes that well for me. Seriously that should live on in the annals of WotR games forever. I wish I could've seen how you ran that, I really don't think I could with a straight face!
Love the AA name drop :-)
I do have one question tho ** spoiler omitted **
Argh! NERDWORDRAGE!!!!!!!!!! HOW COULD I PUT A TYPO IN MY OWN JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i'm going to go cry in the shower like Tobias Funke =(
