Nocticula’s Boon — the Good, the Bad, and the Repercussions (a PF1e discussion)

[Tacticslion]

Hello! Running this again and struggling to find all the references to things discussing Nocticula and how she handles people accepting, rejecting, or otherwise to her offered gifts.

Obviously there are strong feelings about RP and specific table expectations. I’ve read those—I’ve found it more difficult to find the exact mentions in-AP.

I am curious:

1) how many times is it mentioned afterwords, and what benefits and drawbacks does it give you?

2) outside of nebulously not “owing Nocticula an ill-defined favor,” what is the benefit for turning her down? What is the downside other than “not having a nifty thing?”

3) what has been the results in your campaign afterwords, and why? (I admit, ten years and a whole other edition later, not to mention the CRPG literally taking up practically every online space discussion, might mean this is a tad late for asking people how it went in their 1e game, but… eh, we’ll see who find this)

[Tacticslion]

(And, yes, my search-fi is weak: it always has been. Feel free to point to other discussions, though I’d appreciate personal takes and input or full information here as well, should that not be entirely disagreeable.)

[treblignotrub]

I know it has been awhile since you posted this , but the group i'm GMing has just reached the Midnight Isles. I think a lot will depend on your group. During the interaction with her, I will be describing all communication with the PC's as telepathic in their native racial tongue, while she lounges on her thrown looking disinterested. Most of this interaction will be heard by all, but at one point she will make her offer to each individually. Since we are gaming online I will be setting up a private message to each PC that they will read in real time with the custom offer to each. most of the PC are good alignment and it is not a real offer. there is one PC who is evil who might actually accept and I will be talking to him GM/Player in advance. there is a second PC that through RP in prior book might be susceptible to an offer also. We will see if any one takes it. As a gm i will not confirm who does or does not.

but to answer your questions.

1.) there is mention of Nocticula joining the fight vs Baphomet in Book 5 pg55 if she is called on by the boon pc if they make a successful roll. this looks to be detrimental to that PC. If things are going badly for the PC you could have her show up anyway just as they are about to fall.

Book 6 has some interaction listed on pg 21,23,24 . looks like not directly, but to provide info. and possibly if called to join campaigns ultimate fight vs deskari.

2.) not accepting the offer losses a potential powerful ally(shinny thing) as you mention. As a GM you lose a source of dropping hints to the players and get out of jail free card if you are looking at a TPK.

3.) yet to be seen what the end result will actually be. if one of the possible two pc does accept I will mention it when they meet Iomedae during book 5. She will ask them If they are Nocticula's "Mortal Herald" unintentionally. Only gods have mortal heralds. in my head cannon a god (iomedae) just recognized nocticula as a god. one of many steps Nocticula needs to become the Redeemer Queen of PF2. My intention during the wrap-up once we finish is to state the the PC is raised by her to immortality as her herald.

[treblignotrub]

So just to update. last night we had the session were the party meets Nocticula. It went very well. some good RP. Our oracle of Serenrae suggested she is on a redemption path like Arushalae, She laughs and says this is all about power. then she makes the offer. I customized the wording of each offer to the specific PC's and they were give directly to each player. I told the players to let me know by email after the game. we game online with Foundry so I used a Private Journal enter only the player could see. this, i think, enhanced each individual players RP experience. I got two player to bite. One I expected and one I did not. The players reasonings for taking the offer were both in line with the way they play the character and the story background of each. we will see how it goes from here.

[Stip]

i think in book vi they get an iomedae buff if they didnt side with Noc

[treblignotrub]

Prepping for Book 5 now. Iomedae will offer her boon to the Party Paladin during that meeting.

that will give 4 out of the six PC's with boons

1 PC has bond with Arushalae