GM supervillan's high tier mini-campaign Discussion

[Quiella]

I remain nervous that we do not have a coordinated plan for dealing with these leeches. Maybe the plan is "everone but Quiella flies above them," but automatic con+str drain every round is going to make fighting the demon really difficult.

Also, Quiella doesn't have anything to deal with them other than acid flasks.

[Amestra Veen]

I agree, and FWIW Amestra can't fly either. She ran to the far side of that little island to get away from the swarms and see if she couldn't do something about the big leeches. Oh, for a fireball wizard right now.

Once she deals with these three leeches over here, I was thinking that she could take a round to throw her Instant Muzzle at Fihralaz. That'll impede any other SLA's he might have, and remove a bite attack if he has one (I presume he does) for 4 rounds. Unless he wastes his turn removing it.

Then I was thinking she could head into the swamp to deal with the Crysalises which are likely the Uprooters we need to save.

I wonder if maybe the swarms can't go onto the land? IRL they're encountered in water, so maybe getting up on the dark green area might help? I mean, if they were piranha swarms it would be obvious, and I might be wrong, but worth a shot.

@GM: You said "An unnaturally long arm flashes forwards..." He's Large, so are you saying he has an unnaturally long reach of 15'?

[GM supervillan]

Indeed, FihraLaz's arm stretched out farther than it looked like it should have, to 15 feet.

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

@GM sv, I know your policy on answering questions in relation to Monster Knowledge checks is usually to feed ‘pre-set’ information of the kind most adventurers would like to know.

Given how rough this fight looks, I’m hoping you will make an exception and if Gervase has rolled well enough to ask two questions in game play, on her turn she would like to know:

1. What senses does Fihralaz possess (tremorsense, darkvision etc)

2. If one passes the initial Hezrou stench test, does that mean one is immune to the same ability for a period of time (say 24 hours?)

[GM supervillan]

We covered Stench in the Knowledge results that you already got. For clarity, I'll list off that info in game mechanics:

Hezrou: Chaotic Evil Outsider (aquatic, chaotic, demon, evil, extraplanar)
Stench: aura (typically 30'), duration 10 rounds, successful save grants immunity for 24 hours
Nausea: "the noxious vapors and foul fluids that constantly weep and seethe from a hezrou’s body are particularly heinous to those the creature grapples. Each round a creature is grappled by a hezrou, the grappled foe must make a Fortitude save to avoid becoming nauseated. A creature nauseated in this manner remains nauseated until he succeeds on a Fortitude save, or until a minute has passed during which he is not grappled by the hezrou, whichever condition comes first." This is a separate ability from Stench.
DR/Good
Immune: electricity, poison
Resist: cold, fire, acid
Spell Resistance

I rarely cover Senses in Knowledge check results - unless they are an intrinsic part of a monster's tactics or relevant to a particular PC's tricks (such as my dark tapestry oracle Quenly using Darkness and Silence) they're not typically useful to know. However, knowing that Hezrou are Outsiders tells you that they have darkvision.

You may also ascertain that Fihralaz is an atypical Hezrou since it's not common for them to use manufactured weapons, and his Stench aura is larger.

Without having some opportunity to research Fihralaz specifically though, it would not be appropriate to make further Knowledge checks.

[Thoriel Liltamael]

What are the team's thoughts on whether we want to try and get to the chrysalids as a priority, and who might be able to do this? This encounter has a lot of moving parts with the BBG, leeches, swarms etc, just hoping we don't get literally distracted by them and overlook trying to save the elves in the cocoons?

[Nina Brightspark]

We probably should and someone that's got enough mobility to get over there to them would probably be our best bet. Nina's already got her summon in play and most of her remaining spells are utility/buff oriented so maybe she can go see what she can do for them?

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

I was also thinking 'disrupting the cocoon ritual' to save the elves was a priority.

I was hopeful Nina's summons might be able to do this, but if you want to go yourself Nina, I'm good with that ;)

Maybe Amy can also help?? (Keeping yourself alive should be a priority though, bud)

[Amestra Veen]

Yeah, since Nina can fly, and she doesn't need to stay in the immediate area, perhaps she is the best option to go check on the chrysalises. But be careful, as I get the feeling there's something or someone that's causing them to shake and fall.

[Quiella]

Kargen, would you like me to cast Challenge Evil to possibly redirect Fihralaz to Quiella?

I'm inclined to have Quiella stuck on Fihralaz like glue

[Nina Brightspark]

I could certainly have the air elemental go check it out; I was mainly looking for a way to at least keep one or both of the swarms busy and away from the folks on the ground but if we're not too worried about it then I'm happy to switch focus.

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

Nina Brightspark wrote:

I was mainly looking for a way to at least keep one or both of the swarms busy and away from the folks on the ground ... (using the air elemental)

Ugh! Hadn't thought of that, and you're right.

Bah, I never know when to shut up.

Nina, your mind for tactics is awesome -- I say do what you think best :)

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

That instant muzzle is a bit of a find, Amy.

Does anyone have any other useful but unusual items?

I would humbly point out the globe of moonlight

[Kargen Hapspring]

I don't know if the Instant Muzzle will do it, but yes, if you can help get Kargen free, that would be great. He's not going to make any Escape Artist check and with Nauseous, he can't do anything else.

[Quiella]

I changed my mind after re-reading what the GM told us about the hezrou: it has spell resistance, and Quiella only has CL4 as a Paladin

[Quiella]

I should have cast life pact before the combat started. Or as my first round action. I am anxious for Kargen right now

[Amestra Veen]

Quiella wrote:

no, it doesn't make a difference. Though apparently I don't understand the rules... Why would taking CON dmg not decrease your HP? We can cover it in discussion

It's the Rule Of Two. Ability damage only affects you after you take 2 points. 1 point of Ability damage is just a warning shot. So if you have a 14 Con and take 1 point of Con damage, there's no effect, even though your Con technically dropped into the lower bonus tier.

Quiella has only taken 1 point of Strength and 1 point of Con damage, so there's been no effect on her yet. Once she takes 1 more point of Con damage, her max hp will be 1 hp less per hit die, etc.

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

Oh, I didn't realize that.

Seems I have some adjusting to do to Gervase's current hit point total.

☤ 73/114 hp

[Quiella]

Whoops, if it had occurred to me that there were more buffs coming I would have waited to take my turn, haha.

[Quiella]

I love this character so much.

[Amestra Veen]

Quiella wrote:

I love this character so much.

I think I speak for the rest of us when I say we all do, too.

[Thoriel Liltamael]

Thoriel is thinking of flying over to check on the cocoons.

@GM SV: Can we tell if the submerged cocoons are retreivable, or do they look to have sunk deep into the swamp? Are any of them moving?

@team: Is the situation with the leeches under control? Thoriel can instead just focus on helping get rid of them first before we head over to check on the cocoons.

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

Gervase can shoot up the giant leeches with arrows no problem.

I think the priority should be on 'disrupting' whatever is going on with those cocoons, so they don't turn into elf-demons.

I was going to shoot a couple with CI arrows -- bad idea?

[Amestra Veen]

Gervase Goldhawkë wrote:

I was going to shoot a couple with CI arrows -- bad idea?

I think maybe a bad idea, yes. We presume that it's the elves inside the cocoons, but they might be in a wounded/drained/low hp state, and we'd hate to kill them before they either emerge or we save them.

Gervase Goldhawkë wrote:

Gervase can shoot up the giant leeches with arrows no problem.

Amy will have more trouble moving thru the swamp. I'd recommend anyone that can fly go help with the cocoons. Amestra and/or Quiella/Turin can finish off the 2 big leeches, then use the speed boost from haste and her Run Like Hell (untyped bonus to speed) to catch up.

[GM supervillan]

Thoriel Liltamael wrote:

@GM SV: Can we tell if the submerged cocoons are retreivable, or do they look to have sunk deep into the swamp? Are any of them moving?

You can see that the chrysalises that fell dropped into shallow bog - you can easily locate them. They're not moving. They're mostly submerged.

[Kargen Hapspring]

Kargen's confusion about the demon was real. I hadn't been paying close attention while he was grappled and nauseous. I didn't even realize you guys had killed it!

[Quiella]

We killed it in the previous round. That's how Quiella was able to get to you.

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

GM supervillan wrote:

Do you want to do something else Gervase?

Yes, please. I've got a VTT game this morning, but I'll get a post up soonish.

[Quiella]

Sorry everyone, I saw the GM's post a few days ago and then apparently forgot about it because I spent the days since wondering when Quiella's turn would come up.

I will post later today,

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

GM sv, is it possible for Gervase to recover her dropped oil of align weapon and to do a 50-50 hunt for her missing evil outsider bane arrow, please?

If the answer is yes :

Arrow Hunt! High is good in d20 games. 50% chance: 1d100 ⇒ 20 that's a nope.

[GM supervillan]

Yes, no problem Gervase.

[GM supervillan]

Success conditions

You get your first Prestige Point if you rescued at least 7 Uprooters in total. There are 6 in the encounter with the Juggernaut, and 4 with Fihralaz. You rescued 8.

You get your second PP for accomplishing two out of three of the following: rescue Lanverel, recover the cold iron cache, or rescue all 9 of the Uprooters other than Lanverel. Unfortunately you only managed one of these three, so no second prestige (barring boons that might apply).

I'll do the chronicles once the diseases and potential CON drain are resolved.

[Nina Brightspark]

GM:

I've actually got a boon for this from the #4-23 Rivalry's End chronicle.

Unexpected Prestige: You captured or killed Grandmaster Torch in Riddleport, and though he may return one day, word of your deed has spread quickly through the Pathfinder Society. The next time you would fail to gain a Prestige Point for completing a primary or secondary mission, you instead gain the Prestige Point and cross this boon off your Chronicle sheet.

Regarding the disease I'll wait to see if it's something Quiella might be able to help with (after taking care of Turin), otherwise I'll pay the 1 PP for spellcasting services to clear it.

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

GM supervillan wrote:

Success conditions

Unfortunately you only managed one of these three, so no second prestige (barring boons that might apply).

Hi GM sv, I'd like to apply for the second prestige point with the following ...

barred boon (:

Prized Find (Wounded Wisp): If you would fail to earn a Prestige Point at the end of an adventure due to failing a success condition, you may cross this boon off your Chronicle sheet to remind your superiors of your past breakthroughs and earn the 1 Prestige Point as if you had successfully fulfilled the condition.



You may only use this boon if you would also gain at least 1 XP for completing the adventure (0.5 XP if you use the slow track advancement option)

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

Copied from page 1 for the GM's convenience:

Player name Yours is mined
Character name Gervase Goldhawkë
PFS number 69095-6
Faction Liberty’s Edge
Day job roll take 10 Profession (sailor) + Gray Corsair: 10 + 12 + 3 = 25 for 50gp
Slow / normal xp Normal

[Quiella]

Looks like I'll have to spend 1PP for Restoration also

[GM supervillan]

Chronicles are here!

The game is reported.

Next up in this mini-campaign is Where Mammoths Dare Not Tread. Those who previously expressed interest are Quiella, Pai, Nina, and Thoriel - so we could run it with the 4 player adjustment or recruit up to 2 more bodies. Nomadical you're welcome to join.

[Amestra Veen]

Thanks for the invite, but I'll pass on this one.

I've run Mammoths three times, and played it once. Although I have replays available, it's not one that I'd consider replay-worthy.

Plus, I'll be GMing a PaizoCon PBP and playing in one also, and with Lady Ladile's ongoing PF1 game, that's pretty much my limit especially as I head back into a full flight schedule.

Chronicle looks good.

Thanks again for the invite to this game. It was nice to stretch Amy's legs again.

[Kargen Hapspring]

Thanks all, especially for saving Kargen twice in this run.

Yes, I will take a pause for the next game. Good luck!

[Gervase Goldhawkë]

Thanks for the game, everyone, and thanks for running, GM sv!

I am looking forward to returning with Aeliah when Vengeance at Sundered Crag comes up to play :)

Have fun in the Mammoth Lands.

[Amestra Veen]

Gervase Goldhawkë wrote:

I am looking forward to returning with Aeliah when Vengeance at Sundered Crag comes up to play :)

I haven't played Vengeance at Sundered Crag, so if there's room, I wouldn't mind returning to the group if you'll have me. And like YiM, I could bring someone else if the rest of the party is changing up also.

[GM supervillan]

I would be happy to have you, Amy, though I think the docket for Vengeance is full. It's next up in the schedule after Mammoths so I'll let you know when we get to it.

[Nina Brightspark]

Whether we want to continue with just 4 for this next one or recruit more folks, I'm good either way.

I'll try and get some shopping done for Nina tomorrow when I've got a little more free time.

[Thoriel Liltamael]

Thanks again, GM SV! Thoriel happy to either press on with 4 or recruit more for this one.

Will also look at shopping list in the ext day or so, for Thoriel.

[GM supervillan]

I'm attempting to keep the same discussion thread throughout the rest of the mini-campaign. There should now be a new Gameplay thread for Mammoths so I will close down the Entanglement Gameplay campaign thread.

Those of you departing for the while, happy gaming and I'll see you again soon :)

[GM supervillan]

Nina, Thoriel and Quiella please go ahead and dot and delete here.

I'll pm Pai, and then you can decide if you want to recruit 2 more players or go with 4.

[Pai Kromnite PFS]

Hey everyone! Glad to be back! Hope your last adventures have been going well!

[Quiella]

Also, Quiella will buy a couple potions of fly.

[Quiella]

I'm fine with 4. Easier for me to life Link the whole party that way :-)

[GM supervillan]

Okay, looks like everyone's checked in so I'll get us started later today. We'll stick with 4 PCs :)