Since Stan and Gé are bonded, you may use Gé in place of Stan.

How are you doing? Need some help?

I'm fine. Just busy keeping strippers out of jail. (True story.)

Sha-whaaat? That's awesome! Anything you can talk about?

Not really, it's mostly privileged. That's the tough part about my job, I'm not really allowed to share the dramatic moments - good or bad.

I understand completely. I work in Reinsurance, which is insurance for Insurance companies. I work with a lot of Privileged information.
No worries. :-)

How are you liking the game this far? Are things progressing too fast? Do you feel you have enough freedom?

I think I will sound ungrateful no matter what I say, and it's kind of in my nature to complain about my lot even if I am getting exactly what I asked for.

For example, when we were in Sasserine doing talking and intriguing and setting up, I felt like there was not enough guidance and not enough combat. And now that we're on the mission, it feels like a series of railroaded combat encounters. I asked for the opposite of Sasserine and I got it, and now I kind of miss the Sasserine style of roleplaying.

I think you strike a good balance overall, but it might be good to switch more frequently between heavy roleplaying and combat. This lair has been several fights in a row. Maybe that's how Paizo wrote it, but I'd like some meaningful out of combat choices to spice things up.

Part of the problem is definitely my character build, too. A scholar going up against a bunch of crazed cultists and monsters? Sometimes I feel like Deckard Cain trying to take on Diablo single-handedly. I know the NPCs are here, and they're a huge help, but it doesn't always feels heroic to let them handle every fight.

If I didn't have to worry about blowing my load of spells each day, I would be more open to an epic/heroic mode of combat. I'm not sure if you'd be open to some kind of recharge magic variant or something else that takes some of the worry out of spell use. As it is, I try to stay out of the way, hide, and only use spells if I can justify the expenditure.

You don't sound ungrateful at all. And I appreciate the feedback. When I ask for it, I'm not looking for any confirmation that you love what I'm doing, but real, honest criticism. I can definitely use what you've given me here.
It is true that this section of the adventure is a bit of a railroad, as I have had to streamline the dungeon crawl a bit, and it's very combat heavy. Even as the Savage Tide adventure path is written, there will be heavy combat sections and heavy roleplay sections. However I don't want Paizo to be the final word on the campaign. It's very easy for GMs to say, the adventure is just written that way, there's nothing I can do. But I say, bullshit.
The adventure path is only a guideline, and I can (and will) make changes to anything I feel necessary to keep my players engaged.
Honestly, I didn't know you wanted more combat while in Sasserine, and the events in this adventure thus far probably would have happened as they did anyway for reasons that will be revealed to the characters shortly. However, you've given me some advice that I think I can use to make this better. I'm going to try something else for the next dungeon crawl and see where it goes.

In the meantime, don't worry too much about your character build. I want you to play the character you want to play, and am willing to allow changes as issues come up. If you want to make a change, just let me know. In my opinion, you shouldn't need to though.
I have been thinking about incorporating some kind of way for spellcasters to regain spells throughout the day without undermining existing items and class abilities, and without overpowering casters.

I'll kick around my ideas a little more. Thanks again for the feedback!

If I were to put up a quest-tracker or a points-of-interest thread, do you think that might help combat the sense of guidelessness that sometimes occurs in the game? Or might that fell too video gamey?

I think that would be a big help.

I put up a preliminary Points of Interest thread that we can use to track plot points and other stiff. Let me know what you think, if I missed anything, or anything else.

It looks really good, and it has already improved my handle on what's going on. Also glad to see you are embracing table code.

Is it possible to make things worse by trying to aid? If not, I see no reason not to try.

Thanks! I used to try to make shit look pretty years ago, but since I post 99% off the time from my phone, coding becomes that much more difficult. But, for you, Stan, I'll do what it takes to host the best possible game.

That being said, I really like the tracker too. In putting it together, I was forced to get my notes together and I realized that I had been neglecting to reveal some of your earned boons and other rewards (like Clementine's profane gift, which she would have given Stan everyday, whether he asked for it or not). I still have some work to do in there, but I think it's a great start.

If you try to aid, the absolute worst you can do is +0 to Brogan's check.

You may notice some changes/updates to some things. As the game progresses, things will obviously need updated; and I've also implemented a new Reputation system, which you will see added to your character sheet (just under your Languages).
This number should never be displayed on the Tracker thread as it pertains only to the characters (a lot like one's skills). It will also fluctuate as the game progresses, largely in line with the choices you make. Rarely you will be asked to roll a Reputation check, as most of the time I will roll them in secret to determine how those around you perceive your characters. However you should be aware of your character's score, as it represents their fame/infamy.
A positive score indicates a level of fame, whereas a negative score illustrates infamy. A score of 0 represents zero notoriety.

Further, you will see Relationship has been added to the Points of Interest thread, denoting the current relationship held with the NPC. These relationship labels reflect the best possible level with a given member of the party. For example, Clementine is Devoted to Stan but not Brogan or Sawyer, however because of her relationship with Stan, she can grant her Profane Gift to any member of the party--or even an NPC.
These Relationship statutes can--and will--change as the game progresses, largely driven by the choices the PCs make, but may also change due to outside forces or events. Pay close attention to these relationships, as they can provide the party a needed edge as you progress through the story.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or comments concerning these updates, or updates you'd like to see.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:34, Wed 30 Mar 2016.

This new twist is fun. I have always wondered if you would find a way to use Clementine as a challenge.

It seemed to me like she was too devoted to ever present much of a plot hurdle. It was nice to have an NPC who was just always there, but it also made me curious if the status quo would change someday. My worry was that it would seem forced.

By taking away her memories and devotion, you've found a way to stay true to her character but still leave room for personal conflict.

Bravo, sir, bravo.

Thank you. I had actually planned this from the beginning, at your first character pitch. Initially, I was going to have you adventure more before having Demios seek you out, and then the actual rescue in the Abyss was supposed to be much, much longer. And then, after all the trouble, I had planned on having her suffer from amnesia after you removed her dampening collar; but what with the way players were dropping out and with the our decision to pick up Pathfinder, it seemed artifical and more than a little punitive to hit Stan with it at that time.
Correct me if I have it wrong, but Stan's chief motivation is his wife. Your interest in my game would dry up fast if I kept withholding progress from him, especially if for no other reason than to do it. You're a really smart guy, and I know you'd see through that shit.
When we transitioned to Pathfinder and Savage Tide, I knew there would be a need for NPC companions. Plus, you have no knowledge of what my original Pirates campaign was about, unlike Brogan and Sawyer's players. So it seemed like the right thing to do when bringing you into the Pirates sequel, allowing you to bring in some demonic heat, so to speak.
However, what story gets better when the two lovers are allowed to be together during the other events driving the plot? None. Hell, even Gomez Addams had to fight to keep his family together.

I what to continue developing her as a character, and I thought this was a neat way to do it from the jump. Albeit, a bit clique (Overboard, anyone?). I'm glad we've made it this far. It's been a long time coming. Just you wait to see what I got cooking up for later...

Lol, I've never actually heard of that before. If anything, this twist made me think of a Magic: The Gathering article from awhile back. (Maybe because we're on ships, and this MTG story also took place on a ship, with a blonde hottie):



http://magic.wizards.com/en/ar...ht-report-2007-12-03
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:32, Thu 31 Mar 2016.

That's awesome! So you read the MtG books? I'd like to get into them, but don't know where to start.

Overboard is a 1980s movie with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Goldie is a rich brat and gets amnesia after falling off her husband's yacht. Kurt (a single father of four) tricks her into thinking that they were married to each other.
It's a chick-flick.

Yeah, I looked it up on Wikipedia.

Since we're talking old movies and geek stuff, I should point out that there's an episode of Xena: Warrior Princess where Gabrielle wakes up underwater with no memories, and this nerdy guy from the show convinces her that they're married. For some reason this whole episode takes place in a weird mermaid world where everyone lives inside seashells and can breathe underwater. I dare you to use that for inspiration!

http://hercules-xena.wikia.com...ried_with_Fishsticks


That MTG stuff wasn't from the books, it's just from the backstory to the cardgame. Back in the day Wizards of the Coast was a lot more specific about the storyline shown on the cards (Specifically during the Tempest and Weatherlight sets.) It seems like they are going that way again now, actually. But anyway, Tempest was the most extreme in its use of game-as-story. Every card was basically a panel in a storyboard, so if you collected them all and put them in the right order (The order was not indicated on the cards), you would basically have a comic made up of Magic cards.

I hear the MTG books are crap though, so I'd stay away. I also hate other acclaimed Wizards' productions, like Ed Greenwood's books, so your mileage may vary.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:15, Fri 01 Apr 2016.

I just read the link I posted in the last post, and it says that episode of Xena was actually based on overboard. It's a powerful testament to the movie's plot that I recognized it from your brief description without ever having seen or heard of the film before.

I've long ago given up writing Xena/Gabby slash fiction. If the AoL moderators ever find me, I'll be in a world of trouble.
But rest assured, there will be a lot more seafaring adventures in Stan's future.

I guess I never realized how influential Overboard was on so many seemingly unconnected things. Perhaps I shouldn't judge my mother too harshly about making me watch it anymore.

I've also heard mixed things about the MtG books. That's why I don't know e where to start. I tried reading an Ed Greenwood book once, and couldn't get into it. I do like his short stories in the Realms of series of anthologies.
I've played MtG for years, and played the digital games in 2015 and 2016, and I like what they are doing with the new iconic characters.

---

Edit: Also, congratulations are in order. Fetchin Estate has made it onto the Sasserine and Surrounding Environs thread! I meant to do this after Adoward presented Stan with the deed to the property, but I suppose it got away from me. Let me be the first to officially welcome the Fetchins to the noble elite.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:25, Fri 01 Apr 2016.

So I've been re-reading the Savage Tide adventure path, and updating my notes as to better prepare for what's ahead, and I'm super excited about this game! I really appreciate the work we've put into it. Yes, it is a pre-written adventure path, but I have implemented my own works and flavors, and so have you.
No mistake, we still have a lot of adventure ahead. The Bullywug Gambit is only the 2nd of 12, and each module will become more and more involved.

I remember I accidentally read a showdown with Malcanthet and/or Tasha from one of the last episodes.

I should do an IC update tonight.

Meh, don't think of it as a spoiler. I'm making changes to the Adventure Path as we go with consideration to your PCs' back stories, their in-game choices, unresolved plots in the original Pirates campaign, and other things that I simply think are cool.

Slight digression, I listen to a lot of podcasts while at work and one of my absolute favorite casts is a D&D real-play podcast. I really like the show because it began as a one-off episode once one of the hosts admitted he hadn't played before, so the initial premise was to teach others how to play. The show caught on and is now several seasons into a dynamic story with vibrant characters and interesting sub-plots.
As it is a weekly cast, in between seasons, the main characters take breaks; and it was during one break that one of the usual players was asked to run a popular 5e module. Up to this point everything they've done has been completely homebrew, and the majority of the personalities hold passionately unfavorable views toward "pre-packaged boxed adventures."
It was clear the DM ran the game without a working knowledge of the adventure, and was unwilling to do anything not published in it--even when the players would do something the publisher hadn't accounted for. I get that they preferred to run their own games and were trying to show the limitations of modules have as they are written, but I remember nearly screaming into my phone that they could still deviate from the module. WotC wasn't sitting at the table with them, threatening to hurt them if they didn't follow the module script.
In my opinion, modules and adventure paths are guidelines and adventure inspiration material. Sure they can be played as they are written, but I don't believe they have to be. That's basically against the whole spirit of the game we play.

So in short, nothing is really spoiled. Will Malcanthet and/or Tasha/Iggwiliv make an appearance in the game? Maybe. But by the time they show up, you'll be asking a dozen other questions, it doesn't matter.