Venture-Captain, Ohio—Columbus
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*reads scenario*
No! It's not true! He was framed!!!
(Great scenario, going to be a lot of fun and excitement on Friday night. Also, thanks for the bestiary entries at the back of scenarios. It's so much easier to prepare knowing that I don't have to add templates to things myself, or search through page after page for statblocks, since they are all nicely arranged in one place, by tier.)
Pathfinder Society Lead Developer
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*reads scenario*
No! It's not true! He was framed!!!
(Great scenario, going to be a lot of fun and excitement on Friday night. Also, thanks for the bestiary entries at the back of scenarios. It's so much easier to prepare knowing that I don't have to add templates to things myself, or search through page after page for statblocks, since they are all nicely arranged in one place, by tier.)
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Let's say that the PCs fail the skill checks in Encounter H and need to fight the aquatic creature(s). Is the intention that unless the PCs choose otherwise, they should be on the Hippocampi? Can they use their swim speed/attacks during the encounter? Or should we assume that they dismount and are swimming for the whole encounter?
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Pathfinder Society Lead Developer
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Let's say that the PCs fail the skill checks in Encounter H and need to fight the aquatic creature(s). Is the intention that unless the PCs choose otherwise, they should be on the Hippocampi? Can they use their swim speed/attacks during the encounter? Or should we assume that they dismount and are swimming for the whole encounter?
Mounted on hippocampi is the default status for as much of areas H and I as the PCs care to manage. As I write that, I realize that I did not include hippocampus stats (see Bestiary 2) in the adventure, so please see the Pathfinder Reference Document entry. If the PCs want to fly, use their own swim speed, or the like, that's entirely fine.
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Pathfinder Society Lead Developer
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So we get to see what Big G looks like (twice, actually), but what about his foe? I can't find any description, and the name is so unique Google told me to buy the info from a certain information broker...
As I recall, there should be a description in the Part 3 Overseer GM announcements.
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Venture-Captain, North Carolina—Central Region
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So we get to see what Big G looks like (twice, actually), but what about his foe? I can't find any description, and the name is so unique Google told me to buy the info from a certain information broker...As I recall, there should be a description in the Part 3 Overseer GM announcements.
That was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!
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Pathfinder Society Lead Developer
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I love the Scarab Sages mission briefing. The Diamond Sage has always seemed so serious in other scenarios, this paints her in a new light for me.
The reveal at trend of that same mission made me audibly gasp... I never gasp.
The opportunities in scenarios to convey the personalities of major NPCs can be few and far between, so Linda and I really strive to include what we can in the read-aloud text and personal correspondence. Sure, there are great aspects we can express through what an NPC says, but the most fun for me is showing how others in the setting respond to these NPCs. Some of my favorite moments in this vein are Zarta and Kreighton in #6–15; Ambrus and Nigel in #8–99; and the uneasy truce between Aaqir al'Hakam and Guaril Karela (particularly in #8–09).
I've found that despite Tahonikepsu being the reigning leader of the Scarab Sages, Amenopheus tends to get more screen time. For the briefing in #9–00, I wanted to capture some of that same NPC interaction magic between these two, showing that even upstanding sages of potentially limitless longevity can show cracks in their stoic exteriors—especially when presented with news that feeds their respective obsessions.
Compliments to Thurston Hillman for helping brainstorm the details in this interaction.
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I just wanted to pop in to say that I'm really enjoying reading/prepping this! Also, no matter how neat I find specials that have the "progress maps" for Overseer GMs to reference and for the House to look at, it's nice to have one that doesn't require those after several years of having them in a row.
I'm also super excited that I might get to use my
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Part 2, Mission 3:
At the end of the turn, use the highest check result, and treat any other checks with a result of 10 or higher as though that PC had instead used the aid another action.
Should we also do this with the obstacles that require saves or initiative rolls etc. rather than skill checks? (Of course, Aid Another doesn't usually apply to these things.) Or, should we only do this for the skill checks, where Aid Another would apply?
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Part 2, Mission 4, Crime Scene:
As a result, the PCs can only investigate five out of the six pieces of evidence described below.
Does the group choose give pieces as a whole, and does every PC get a roll for that piece of evidence, using the best roll for the result? Or, must PCs choose which piece of evidence to investigate, and only the PCs on that piece of evidence can attempt the roll?
Contributor
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Part 2, Mission 3:
At the end of the turn, use the highest check result, and treat any other checks with a result of 10 or higher as though that PC had instead used the aid another action.Should we also do this with the obstacles that require saves or initiative rolls etc. rather than skill checks? (Of course, Aid Another doesn't usually apply to these things.) Or, should we only do this for the skill checks, where Aid Another would apply?
Yes, initiative checks, saves, etc. with a result of 10 or higher count as aid another actions even though aid another normally doesn't apply to these checks.
As for the investigation encounter, the party chooses 5 of the 6 pieces of evidence and investigates them as a group, so yes, everyone can roll.
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
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This is just a note to correct something in the aid token text for future specials.
On page 6 the Burst of Healing aid token effect says:
To Boost: Expend one use of channel positive energy or cast one spell with the (healing) descriptor...
(healing) is a subschool, not a descriptor. Subschools are in parenthesis (subschool), descriptors are in brackets [descriptor].
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This was going to be what I used for Atalazorn unless I or someone else can find something better.
For the Silver Crusade mission, should we assume that the Abyss planar traits are in play once the PCs step through the portal to the Ivory Labyrinth?
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Stat Block Documents are up on PFSPrep. You know... just in case anyone needed them for any big events in the near future.
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Stat Block Documents are up on PFSPrep. You know... just in case anyone needed them for any big events in the near future.
You're the greatest! Thanks for sharing all of your work with the rest of us!
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Thanks for the awesome statblocks, Iammers! Huge time-saver.
I am making a Dundjinni file of the custom map for our Convocation event the weekend after GenCon... I'll post it as soon as it's done in case anyone wants it for the big show.
For the big constructs, I'm thinking about moving away from standard Pathfinder minis and using action figures or something instead, to get the scale right... anyone more familair with what's out there have any recommendations?
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
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Should the attack bonus on Gulgamodh's arcane cannon be so low (only +4)? Its BAB is +18 and its Dex is 10, so shouldn't the arcane cannon's attack bonus be +18?
If the listed attack bonus of +4 is correct, should it be a touch attack? As written it targets normal AC.
What is the range increment of the arcane cannon?
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Contributor
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Should the attack bonus on Gulgamodh's arcane cannon be so low (only +4)? Its BAB is +18 and its Dex is 10, so shouldn't the arcane cannon's attack bonus be +18?
If the listed attack bonus of +4 is correct, should it be a touch attack? As written it targets normal AC.
What is the range increment of the arcane cannon?
+4 is correct. There's a size modifier and some (custom) penalties that aren't really explained in the adventure. Handout #5: Gulgamodh's Gun on page 47 mentions that attacks within 100 feet resolve as touch attacks. (Atalazorn's touch AC is 10, so the low attack bonus is fully intentional, otherwise it would miss only on a nat 1.) You can use 100 ft. as the weapon's range increment if necessary, but I guess it's quite unlikely that Gulgamodh would be using the weapon at a distance greater than 100 ft. in the encounter.
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Contributor
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This was going to be what I used for Atalazorn unless I or someone else can find something better.
For the Silver Crusade mission, should we assume that the Abyss planar traits are in play once the PCs step through the portal to the Ivory Labyrinth?
That's a very good question and something I totally forgot to think about while writing the adventure. I see no reason why the planar traits wouldn't apply because the PCs actually travel to the Abyss. And as far as I can tell, the enhanced and impeded magic traits won't make the encounter drastically more difficult, so it shouldn't be a major balance concern either.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your prep materials, Iammars!
I hope the special won't be too much work to prep, and I hope everyone playing at your tables will enjoy it! Keep the questions coming! I'll keep an eye on this thread and try to answer all your questions.
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
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+4 is correct. There's a size modifier and some (custom) penalties that aren't really explained in the adventure. Handout #5: Gulgamodh's Gun on page 47 mentions that attacks within 100 feet resolve as touch attacks. (Atalazorn's touch AC is 10, so the low attack bonus is fully intentional, otherwise it would miss only on a nat 1.) You can use 100 ft. as the weapon's range increment if necessary, but I guess it's quite unlikely that Gulgamodh would be using the weapon at a distance greater than 100 ft. in the encounter.Should the attack bonus on Gulgamodh's arcane cannon be so low (only +4)? Its BAB is +18 and its Dex is 10, so shouldn't the arcane cannon's attack bonus be +18?
If the listed attack bonus of +4 is correct, should it be a touch attack? As written it targets normal AC.
What is the range increment of the arcane cannon?
I hadn't yet read those handouts and was only going by the statblock in the encounter. IMO if it is a touch attack that should be specified in the statblock.
Thanks for clarifying!
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Venture-Captain, North Carolina—Central Region
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I updated that thread with some handouts to make running the game smoother.
These will make remembering everything super easy for players. Thanks!
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Has anybody come up with an image appropriate for the Implacable Beast?
I'm using the art from this magic card. It seems close enough.
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Ooh! I know this one. Those replace the spells from the normal Prophet of Baphomet stat block from the Inner Sea Monster Codex. They are listed there in case you pull up the Inner Sea Monster Codex to use the statblock, you noted the changed 3rd level spells. The statblock in the appendix has the fix for you, so you don't need to worry about it if you're just reading it from the back.
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You know, it occurs to me that I have one complaint* with this scenario...
There are tons of really awesome enemies in it...including two that have really amazing minis...but those don't come out until November!!!
*
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
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This was going to be what I used for Atalazorn unless I or someone else can find something better.
For the Silver Crusade mission, should we assume that the Abyss planar traits are in play once the PCs step through the portal to the Ivory Labyrinth?
Also, is this section of the Ivory Labyrinth open to the sky, or enclosed? If it is enclosed how high are the ceilings?
This maze of twisting walls and floors was built at the order of Asmodeus, and intended to be an eternal punishment for upstarts better left forgotten. Originally a perfectly ordered “unsolvable” puzzle-path, the maze became infused with chaos after Baphomet dragged it to the Abyss, and now pulses and contorts like the intestines of a living thing. Vast enough to be a world unto itself, the maze is often enclosed, its pale corridors and secret passages crawling along for thousands of miles before opening to the Abyssal sky, reaching upward hundreds of feet with walls topped by the teeth, claws, and bones of immense beasts.
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Contributor
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| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
This was going to be what I used for Atalazorn unless I or someone else can find something better.
For the Silver Crusade mission, should we assume that the Abyss planar traits are in play once the PCs step through the portal to the Ivory Labyrinth?
Also, is this section of the Ivory Labyrinth open to the sky, or enclosed? If it is enclosed how high are the ceilings?
This maze of twisting walls and floors was built at the order of Asmodeus, and intended to be an eternal punishment for upstarts better left forgotten. Originally a perfectly ordered “unsolvable” puzzle-path, the maze became infused with chaos after Baphomet dragged it to the Abyss, and now pulses and contorts like the intestines of a living thing. Vast enough to be a world unto itself, the maze is often enclosed, its pale corridors and secret passages crawling along for thousands of miles before opening to the Abyssal sky, reaching upward hundreds of feet with walls topped by the teeth, claws, and bones of immense beasts.
Enclosed, 60 ft. high ceiling.
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Contributor
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That part was changed in development, so I'm only guessing here (John, correct me if I'm wrong). I think it means "double the demons of either the ballista encounter or the ritual encounter" (not both). The PCs in Subtier 5-6 don't actually shoot a ballista or disturb a ritual, they just fight 2x the demons from one of the options.
I hope that answers your question!
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RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
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Just a note.
Admiral Pythareus can resolve his crossbow attacks as touch attacks. Crossbows don't have the special provision that guns do which allows Deadly Aim to apply (the general rule is that you can't Power Attack or Deadly Aim with touch attacks). So even though he has Deadly Aim he can't use it.