Chaos in Sarlona (Inactive)

Game Master 137ben

Posts that are mostly or entirely out of character should go here. The only exception are certain mechanics (e.g., attack rolls), which can go in the main gameplay thread.
I expect you to be able to post at least once every 24 hours. That doesn't mean you actually need to post every day, but it means we shouldn't need to wait more than 24 hours for you to respond to something directed at you or for you to take your turn in a turn-based combat.
Exceptions for real life issues can be made, of course. If you know you will be unable to post for a certain amount of time, please try to tell us ahead of time in this thread.

Checking in, I'll set up an alias for Haazek tonight. Looking forward to it!

WWWHHHEEEEEE!!

Ahhem... I mean, Yes, Sir. Every 24 hours will not be a problem. :)

Thanks for nod Ben! I'm glad we get to play together Helac. I regretted not picking you in my Eberron game.

That's ok, Mason... and fair. There are a lot of good players and submissions. It's kind like interviewing in a competitive market.

And I make it my goal (in part) to provide hit point absorption (collective + vigor) rather than healing (natural healing and/or heal skill)... so that hopefully your infusions will be often used for other things. :D

Ben: Should I add disable device for the group and pick up the trapper trait?

Ben: Should I add disable device for the group and pick up the trapper trait?

This is also on Haazek's to-do list, but I won't be getting that until I hit Slayer level 4 (probably character level 6; soonest I have an open spot for it).

Ben: Should I add disable device for the group and pick up the trapper trait?

It probably won't be necessary, but it wouldn't hurt either.

Checking in. I think I have just about everything I can think of for Revion. Should anyone have any feedback I am open to such. I will finalize the character tonight once I get home.

I have looked over everything and made any final purchases of gear and such. I am now ready and await the gameplay thread. :)

Greetings all! Thanks for selecting me Ben. So I do believe that I am all set to go.

Hello! I've got Haazek posted, but I haven't actually geared him up beyond armor & weapon. I'll get to that immediately.

Ben: Should I add disable device for the group and pick up the trapper trait?

I took care of this best I could for now, but as previously stated, I will not have DD as a class skill, or the Trapfinding/Trap Sense abilities until I get Slayer level 4.

Esmeralda d'Vown wrote:

Ben: Should I add disable device for the group and pick up the trapper trait?

I took care of this best I could for now, but as previously stated, I will not have DD as a class skill, or the Trapfinding/Trap Sense abilities until I get Slayer level 4.

Perfect!

I started the gameplay thread. I don't want to go too far until Acorn/Zayne has checked in, though (I'm guessing he's at work).
Since two of you are from Sarlona and the rest are just arriving, you are starting out in different locations.

I am actually at Gencon. Unfotunately that means have to post from my phone and i won't be able to add items as our hitel has shody internet. I will do the best i can until then. I have a few questions about build any way.

First if i am using a level adjustment i need more info like what is the racial hit die, skills, saves, etc.

Two to make it simpler can i just lose or change a racial trait or two to get rid of the level adjustment.

I am actually at Gencon. Unfotunately that means have to post from my phone and i won't be able to add items as our hitel has shody internet. I will do the best i can until then. I have a few questions about build any way.

First if i am using a level adjustment i need more info like what is the racial hit die, skills, saves, etc.

Two to make it simpler can i just lose or change a racial trait or two to get rid of the level adjustment.

I thought about it some more and I don't think the oakling needs a level adjustment, it can just be a standard race.

I hope you are having fun at GenCon.

You can advance Acorn to third level when you have time/better internet connection.

I hope you are having fun at GenCon.

Woohoo! Go Seed Boy! Ditto on enjoying GenCon!

. . .

Tricky. I like it. I may start doing that if I spend too much time in mental conversations to cut down on the clutter.

** spoiler omitted **

[/spoiler]

Weird, it never occurred to me because I usually only use spoilers with titles.

Maybe I should have my psicrystal start performing the Aid Another skill action with regards to perception checks rather than rolling separately. That may be simpler.

Wait... that would still be two rolls. :D ...I am a goof.

Yes, two rolls for you, but only one result the DM has to check, so I think there is a net positive streamlining effect there. :)

That's fair. I think I'll probably start doing perception and knowledge rolls that way. Yay for shiny rock familiars. :)

The final word is probably Ben's to issue, I just figured I'd throw my two cents in. :)

Then allow me to rephrase, kind Sir. I plan to roll that way unless the Goodly DM decrees otherwise.

That is a perfectly fine way to roll:)

Then allow me to rephrase, kind Sir. I plan to roll that way unless the Goodly DM decrees otherwise.

Of course, I was just doing my usual overanalysis and stating the obvious. :)

I want to apologize to all... this is my first play by post and the fact that I have posted twice already with the wrong avatar, and noticed only after I could not edit, is both annoying and embarrassing.

If anyone has any suggestions about pbp etiquette or habits and behaviors they have found useful, feel free to let me know and/or offer advice. I am hoping to improve my presence and performance.

I'll get a post up in this thread tomorrow (actually later today) which will have links to threads with PbP details. This will give you a good idea on how to initially approach this format of gaming. There will be things you learn along the way as you gain experience. If you have any questions beyond what you see, let me know.

Thank you, Grand Moff Vixen. That would be most helpful.

Down at the bottom of the Guide to Guides are two guides on PbP. I don't know if these are the ones Vixen was going to link to, but I've already found them valuable.

And FWIW, my capacity for outrage at a posting mistake like that is astonishingly small. :)

As fun as my concept was to create I think I am going to be lacking in combat. The forums seem to agree that the treesinger is sub-par, plant shape is too, and I have spread myself too thin across too many areas. And I didn't take the take an animal companion which are lack luster as well. Any improvements you guys can think of while my character isn't fully solidified would be helpful.

Down at the bottom of the Guide to Guides are two guides on PbP. I don't know if these are the ones Vixen was going to link to, but I've already found them valuable.

And FWIW, my capacity for outrage at a posting mistake like that is astonishingly small. :)

Thank you and thank you.

I've read both guides now (but not necessarily all the responses... which a few of those are very helpful as well...). The "steal what you like" suggestion reminds me of the expression "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." :D

I'm glad you feel that way, b/c I need to reformat Haazek's profile when I get home tonight, and I just might imitate the bejeezus out of you're layout. :)

As fun as my concept was to create I think I am going to be lacking in combat. . . .

Hmm... I'd say right now your character functions like an eldritch knight or magus. You have a race that will benefit from a lot of the buffs a druid can put down, and you will have decent crowd control and some damage as we level depending on spell choice.

If the complaint is that your wildshape will be weaker than a standard druid, I'm not sure if that is a problem. You are still a full caster with two good saves, armor, average hit points, and an average base attack. Lacking a beefy animal companion means you'll tend to flank less and get hit more (less targets obviously) but a spontaneous summon here and there covers that need if you really want to give the enemies something else at which to aim (it's even a disposable target as summons don't really die if killed... but if you want to roleplay not wasting nature's gifts, it makes summons a bit different...). Summon Nature's Ally is a close range spell, so you could conceivably drop the summon behind an enemy and meet in the middle making single enemies a screwed sandwich.

I'd also say if you are worried about your number of spell slots at lower levels (which I usually am when playing Vancian casters), invest in the scribe scroll feat for low levels then retrain/reform it away after you feel you have enough slots. More buffs balanced against the rounds necessary to buff equals more combat power. This is, of course, based on the short time buffs, like per round and per minute. As you level, the per 10 minutes and per hour buffs run long enough not to worry (usually).

Though it's 15' range is nice, I'd say worry/plan ahead for the AoO that the whip may trigger.

I want to apologize to all... this is my first play by post and the fact that I have posted twice already with the wrong avatar, and noticed only after I could not edit, is both annoying and embarrassing.

It's not a big deal, it happens to everyone occasionally.

Holy crap. Plant Shape is confusing. Things are going to be a little hectic the first time I use it.

How is it so many of you from Khorvaire know Reidran already?

How is it so many of you from Khorvaire know Reidran already?

Uhhmmm... It's the Reidran outreach program? Different houses make sure that at least 2 out of 5 of their people know Reidran to try and facilitate trade opportunities...

How is it so many of you from Khorvaire know Reidran already?

Out of character, it is because I allowed it as a choice for a language gained from a high intelligence score, and the players knew it would be useful.

In character, it is because the Khorvairian PCs in this group are, by definition, people who planned on coming to Sarlona. It's a long journey, so all the characters decided to come well in advance. Given the long history of trade between Sarlona and Khorvaire (mainly from Reidra and Syrkarn), there are opportunities for people to learn Riedran on Khorvaire. Hence, people with the capabilities to learn Riedran who plan on traveling to Sarlona made the decision to learn Riedran:)

Holy crap. Plant Shape is confusing. Things are going to be a little hectic the first time I use it.

Nah. It won't be too bad. After a little reading... :D ...I recommend making a second alias with Almost the same name like "Acorn!" or "Acorn the Oak" and having all the things plant wildshape does already calculated and plugged in... or even easier, just create an alternate stat block and have it in a different spoiler on your alias.

Now that I think about it, I'd recommend the second rather than the first, though the first has the option of having a different picture, which could be fun when you Green Out.

. . . Given the long history of trade between Sarlona and Khorvaire (mainly from Reidra and Syrkarn), there are opportunities for people to learn Riedran on Khorvaire. . . .

Hey... well, I was accidentally, kind of right.

That diminishes the utility of Spirit of the Many/Telepathy for my character, but not much. I pretty much already assumed most, if not all, of the PCs would have access to the common languages of where they go, or at least a few scrolls of comprehend languages, before things get up and running.

Now everyone having giant when being captured by giants is a different story. ;)

I had figured if I am going to another continent I should learn to speak the language or else doing anything simple like buying food would be difficult much less trying to do something complicated like adventuring. So I figured he learned it on the ride over thus the 1 rank in Linguistics.

Yeah, i'm stuck with what I got. Its pretty cool I have 10 int but 4 languages though. Plant and Sylvan should come in handy. And Plant Shape will probably be my go to ability now that I think about. With a 16 in strength it makes it much more viable as a combat option since wild shape no longer gives you the physical stats of the creature. I really wish I could gain flight but you can't win em all. Ben, would be willing to add a few abilities gained when in wild shape to get closer to the power of straight druid's beat shape? At least some extra senses or mods of transportation.

And I think I am finally done with my character.

I am on a leadership retreat in the mountains without internet access until tomorrow. I didn't realize we would not have it beforehand. I will catch up then. Sorry.

No problem, thanks for the heads up.

Hey guys. Thank you for being patient. The leadership team meeting was unexpected and I had no cell or wifi service. I will be back to normal posting tomorrow. I apologize for the weird start. The past two weeks have been overwhelming at work. We had a restructuring. Luckily, I have been retained; but have taken on extra responsibility.

Hey guys. Thank you for being patient. The leadership team meeting was unexpected and I had no cell or wifi service. I will be back to normal posting tomorrow. I apologize for the weird start. The past two weeks have been overwhelming at work. We had a restructuring. Luckily, I have been retained; but have taken on extra responsibility.

It's fine, real life is important.

...
...
So, since you might have a combat encounter soon, we need to decide how to handle initiative in this game. A few possibilities are:
a)Have everyone roll their own initiative, each person only posts actions on their turn? This is closest to how live groups handle it, but it can make combat go on for a long time.

b)As (a), but I roll everyone's initiative? This speeds the start of combat up a little for no loss in agency. It might cause a bit of complications if you have a limited-use ability which can boost your initiative, although not something that couldn't be worked out.

c)Allow people to post before their turn, and to post contingent actions. Players can post their tentative actions at any point before their turn comes up. If the situation in the encounter changes considerably between the time you post and when it is actually your turn, you can amend your action. You can also post contingent actions, (e.g., if any of my allies are in negative hit-points on my turn, do X, otherwise do Y) which can speed things up even if you can only post at one time during the day.
This does have the potential to get confusing if people aren't paying attention, though.

d)Combine (b) and (c): I roll initiative for everyone at the beginning, and then we proceed as in (c).

e)All PCs have a single initiative count, determined by the average of each of your initiative modifiers. Within the players' turn, you can post actions in any order. At first this appears simpler than (c) and (d), but it becomes more complicated if people start holding actions.

Personally my preference is for either (c), (d), or (e). Both a and b tend to drag out a lot (one person posts their action, then everyone waits most of a day for me to log in and post whether the action succeeded, then everyone waits a day for the next person to log in and post their action, and each round of combat ends up taking a week of real time.) I'd like to hear your preferences, though.