Misha Keroun |
Thanks!
Regarding the game.
yesterday = daily powers have already replenished = no advantage to rushing headlong downstairs. I say we stick with the 'clear a level before leaving a level".
I'm sorry, but that's a little too metagamey for me.
Misha has generally been a proponent of thoroughly exploring one area before moving on--she's an archeologist, she wants to do things methodically and preserve/get all the detail possible. 95% of the time she'd agree with this for entirely in character reasons.
BUT... we're at a point where there's a terrible creature, already a day ahead of us, who is doubtless going wherever she is going for a reason, and Misha is smart enough to think It Would Be Very Bad if she succeeds in wherever she's going. She is further spooked by seeing Fiall's ghost and thinks they need to address certain dangers sooner rather than later. She is not, however, going to be looking up the efreet's Bestiary entry and counting how many daily uses she has.
Although if you want a further metagame argument toward tracking the efreet, the destroyed ghasts shows she is expending her abilities on other creatures in the area, so may not necessarily be "at full" should we run into her.
Telman Raoul |
I see what you're saying, but I'm not sure id call it meta gaming. with spells and abilities himself Telman knows a little bit about walking into a battle prepared vs getting caught with your resources depleted. At this point I have to imagine that every adventurer knows the strategy of "attack the wizard when they're out of spells" , so if we saw that a battle JUST took place then trying to rush and catch a villain when they're not ready for it is a great reason to press the advantage and charge ahead.
Since the scene clearly tells us that is NOT the case, my only point was that there was no reason to break our normal exploration pattern and charge off after her. The disadvantage of leaving unexplored territory behind us is clear, and there doesn't seem to be a strong advantage to doing it. She's clearly a threat but I didn't get the sense that we were in full "chase her down" mode, just still on the "clear this place and solve the mystery" mode.
Misha Keroun |
You're right about us knowing folks run out of resources -- your wording about daily powers is what struck me -- but I get what you're saying.
I don't think we should "rush headlong" or start a full chase, per se, but I--more to the point, Misha thinks--they should go in the same direction as the efreet, as there may be something timely occurring that if we miss could be bad.
Which is what she suggested IC. And in fact I've double checked and it's what you've suggested last IC as well. :)
We're waiting on Rikar and Therena to report on their findings. If we can presume they have (that yes, the tracks are recent and it is the efreet), then Misha would repeat her suggestion to go down the stairs.
Rikar Sarakin |
Just checked the bonuses for Rikar and Latys.
Rikar: initiative is correct, Perception should be +10, Survival is +12, +3 more when tracking.
Latys: initiative is correct, Perception is +7 and she gets Rikar's favored terrain bonus, Survival is correct.
DM Papa.DRB |
Saw THIS POST yesterday, and wanted to ask youse guys about, especially point 1. Would it be helpful if I post the critters AC / DR / SR for you to see, to help speed along game play and make it easier on you to be more descriptive of combats?
Let me know what you think please,
-- david
Rikar Sarakin |
I'm in favor of having the AC, HP and saves of the opponents out in the open - it does move things along and allow more descriptive flair - Rikar does a lot of "he swings his sword" and I wouldn't mind describing the result a bit. Having saving throw bonuses posted also lets spellcasters do the same thing.
The one game I'm in that makes complete use of this has worked well in resolving combat. That game moves very slowly at times for other reasons, and DQ and the DM of that game had an unfortunate falling out, so I wouldn't necessarily hold it up as an example in general - but combats work quite well.
While we're on the topic of how games can work well, I have one extremely minor point to make, DRB. A while ago you started putting a note at the bottom of your posts for when you would be posting next - and I don't really care for it, for a couple of reasons. You often post sooner than the note says, and it somehow takes away a bit from the story aspect. I recognize you're just trying to let us know what to expect, especially when you're going to be unable to post - but perhaps you could just let us know when you won't be able to post, and otherwise not put anything about your schedule?
If others find the information useful, it can stay - as I said, it's a very minor point. But to me, it adds an element of "The next bus is coming at..." which doesn't fit well with a story of bold adventurers risking all to solve the mystery of the mountain.
Anyway, my 2 cents.
DM Papa.DRB |
While we're on the topic of how games can work well, I have one extremely minor point to make, DRB. A while ago you started putting a note at the bottom of your posts for when you would be posting next - and I don't really care for it, for a couple of reasons. You often post sooner than the note says, and it somehow takes away a bit from the story aspect. I recognize you're just trying to let us know what to expect, especially when you're going to be unable to post - but perhaps you could just let us know when you won't be able to post, and otherwise not put anything about your schedule?
Yea. I have not put that line in for the last couple of posts (on all three of my PbP) as I had the same thoughts. For a while it was to help me more than anything else, but I have my schedule more in control now so I think I will continue to not post that line.
I do thank you for the feedback. Anything to make the PbP better is open for discussion.
-- david
Kreig Ironhand |
I've got similar things going on in the campaign I'm running in another thread. The initiative thing is one I use quite a bit in the boards simply because not everyone can physical post in initiative order. So I'll do a weighted average of the player's initiative rolls (which I roll for them) and then compare the result with the baddies. This way combat flows better and I can take into account those with feats geared towards high initiatives.
For the AC/HP topic, I'm all about the colorful and the cinematic for my posts. It's why I got into PbP in the first place. So if this method is proven, let's do it. My suggestion would be a blend; don't post the info until after the first round of combat. This way there's a bit more tension at the onset.
Rikar Sarakin |
That's a good idea, Kreig, not posting the opponent info until after the first round. I'd like to try that.
One other thing I meant to mention in my post, DRB - what do you think of using Google docs for mapping rather than the Dropbox pic? That lets us move our tokens around on the map, which makes placement much easier to follow as the combat develops. If we're going for an approach that presumes minimal metagaming (i.e., posting opponents' AC and such), we can do the same thing with mapping by letting us move our own tokens. It's probably easier on you too.
Rikar Sarakin |
Sure, DRB, I’d be happy to give some pointers. Google docs is really easy to use for this. Basic steps:
1) Install Google drive on your computer
2) Click on Create, then Drawing
3) In the drawing, select Insert, Image – then upload the same image file you’ve been using as our map.
4) Once you have the map in place, you can use the drawing feature to cover parts of the map you don’t want us to see.
5) You can copy our PbP avatars to use as our tokens on the map, as you’ve been doing.
6) Finally, you need to set the map so we can all edit it. Click on the blue box that says, “Share” then click on Advanced. Change the Access so that anyone with the link can edit and we’ll be able to move our tokens around on the map.
This is a fairly quick and dirty summary of how to do it, let me know if you have questions.
Josef Guardson |
I love the "GM rolls passive rolls" option.
Having a set initiative round and saying "You're up, then X" works so much better than having to roll, wait, sort, then act.
I prefer the standard "everyone acts on their initiative" rather than "pcs act then monsters" but I've seen both work reasonably well.
Re: posting monster ac/hp etc....I am ok with it. I typically post on phone so anything to make my typing easier is fine by me. Metagaming is not my style, and between Misha, Josef, and Therena we have pretty much every knowledge covered well.
Just like to say: this is an awesome game, and I am really enjoying it! Players and gm alike are very fun to play with.
Misha Keroun |
Saw THIS POST yesterday, and wanted to ask youse guys about, especially point 1. Would it be helpful if I post the critters AC / DR / SR for you to see, to help speed along game play and make it easier on you to be more descriptive of combats?
Let me know what you think please,
-- david
I want to be clear I posted that as what I like to do as a GM and it was not a criticism of this game (generally I think this game has run very smoothly and a lot of other things I noted in that post were because of things I saw working well particularly in this game).
However, for obvious reasons, I am for this process. :)
And yes, it would help me be more descriptive, and I'd hope that would save you some work. If it makes MORE work for you (putting lots of stats in the combat summary) I wouldn't want that though.
The one game I'm in that makes complete use of this has worked well in resolving combat. That game moves very slowly at times for other reasons, and DQ and the DM of that game had an unfortunate falling out, so I wouldn't necessarily hold it up as an example in general - but combats work quite well.
The issues I had with that GM had nothing to do with his PBP combat notations, which in fact I thought were a good idea for the most part. I do think perhaps some of the style of tracking got a little too cumbersome (we had to follow a very specific posting style for combat) but the general idea of it worked well.
One of the reasons I've stuck with this game for so long is that DRB has always at least considered suggestions, listens to concerns openly, been transparent about decisions, and treats us all equally and fairly. The fact that he'd go as far as pulling out an idea I put in a general PBP discussion and consider it for this specific game is but one example of that--and it is much appreciated.
Rikar Sarakin |
Nicely put, Misha, all of it.
Kreig Ironhand |
Yup. What other game master would allow a player to run with a down home character like Kreig, whose player hums Born on the Bayou as he writes him?
Therena |
I use this method in my game, and I like it a lot. I also include saving throw bonuses and CMD, and I encourage players to roll the baddies' saves themselves when they cast the spell. Effects that require NpC adjudication are still mine (like a failed save on a charm person), but it doesn't take GM input to tell when a fireball brings down a pair of orcs.
Rikar Sarakin |
Looks like we have assigned some of the magic items we just found, but not all.
+2 shadow chain shirt - Kreig
+2 amulet of natural armor - Rikar
+2 ring of protection - ?
ring of energy resistance, minor, fire - ?
+2 short sword – Misha
Who wants the ring of protection or the ring of ifre resistance?
Josef Guardson |
I would like either ring, with preference for the protection ring
Therena |
Therena is fairly squishy, with just the natural armour amulet and her Mage armour spells, so the protection ring would be nice.
Rikar Sarakin |
I don't have to be the one who gets the amulet, just because I spoke up first. I am always looking to improve my AC, but Josef does get into combat some, and his AC is 8 lower than Rikar's. So if he'd like the amulet, and Therena can take the ring (or some other combination), that's okay with me.
Josef Guardson |
That would help, sounds good to me.
Although I hope to be escalating the old AC up pretty soon....just need that next level for Eldritch Knight
Kreig Ironhand |
.
.
.
Good point on size of garments. How are we treating race-specific armor, etc? Am I even able to wear this shadow chain shirt without it looking like a long coat on me?
Rikar Sarakin |
You're medium, doesn't really matter - I was just having fun with it.
Misha Keroun |
Magic items also resize to their wearer--it's part of the magic, they always fit whomever wears it perfectly.
DM Papa.DRB |
Misha; Thank you for the thoughts. I did not take the post as a criticism, but was following the discussion in that thread and thought it was a good idea.
Yup, magic items reform to fit the creature, within reason. Magical goblin armor will not resize big enough for a medium creature, but any medium creature armor will "resize / reform" to fit another medium creature with the same basic anatomy.
As far as the post, I have created a shortcut key that will define the basic structure of the information:
spoiler=Foe Stats]<name> HP xx/xx AC xx CMD xx ; SR x/x DR x/x ; F xx R xx W xx[/spoiler
and I will remove what is not needed.
I will continue to do initiative the way that I currently do.
Thanks all for the input.
-- david
Rikar Sarakin |
On the loot distribution, I don't believe Rikar got anything from the coffin spoils.
DRB - did you give Google docs a try? Just curious.
Rikar Sarakin |
I guess no one really claimed the ring of fire resistance, so I’ll take it for now – since Rikar got so fried by Saitara last time around. That leaves the distribution like this:
+2 shadow chain shirt - Kreig
+2 amulet of natural armor - Josef
+2 ring of protection - Therena
ring of energy resistance, minor, fire - Rikar
+2 short sword – Misha
Misha Keroun |
Did I cast message, today? I don't think I declared that I did. Damn.
Can we take it as assumed that every day Misha will cast message (recasting it as needed through the day--it's a cantrip so she can do it ad infinitum) so the party can communicate somewhat from a distance? I won't presume it's up now but I'd like to declare this for the future.
DM Papa.DRB |
Did I cast message, today? I don't think I declared that I did. Damn.
Can we take it as assumed that every day Misha will cast message (recasting it as needed through the day--it's a cantrip so she can do it ad infinitum) so the party can communicate somewhat from a distance? I won't presume it's up now but I'd like to declare this for the future.
I had "assumed" that you would cast it every day, and as needed, so go ahead and figure it is up now.
DM Papa.DRB |
Sure, DRB, I’d be happy to give some pointers. Google docs is really easy to use for this. Basic steps:
1) Install Google drive on your computer
2) Click on Create, then Drawing
3) In the drawing, select Insert, Image – then upload the same image file you’ve been using as our map.
4) Once you have the map in place, you can use the drawing feature to cover parts of the map you don’t want us to see.
5) You can copy our PbP avatars to use as our tokens on the map, as you’ve been doing.
6) Finally, you need to set the map so we can all edit it. Click on the blue box that says, “Share” then click on Advanced. Change the Access so that anyone with the link can edit and we’ll be able to move our tokens around on the map.This is a fairly quick and dirty summary of how to do it, let me know if you have questions.
No, I have not yet looked at this, but that is my hobby chore this week, now that Holy Week is over
-- david
Misha Keroun |
Hey DRB, are you going to start posting monster AC like you said? Just wondering.
Misha Keroun |
Thank you!
Misha Keroun |
Having Internet issues -- and I lost track of where we were, sorry guys.
Hopefully home net will be fixed tomorrow.
DM Papa.DRB |
@Misha - No problem, sometimes internet issues just stink.
@Telman - No problem, I saw your post about flanking but not your attacks. Not an issue. We all do it at one time or another.
As for me, the 2nd Monday of the month continues to be my horrible day with staff meeting and afternoon shift at the hospital.
-- david
Josef Guardson |
Well, taking wizard 7.
New spells: monstrous physique 2, dimension door, shrink item.
Skills increased: know (engineering), know (history), fly, spellcraft, linguistics, (Terran & Giant)
No feat, saves stay the same
Telman Raoul |
have to give this level a little thought. Originally I was going to grab Arcane Archer 1 but in looking at the Weapon Master archetype i get another +1/+1 with my bow if I take Fighter 7 instead.
Start down the prestige path or add more static bonuses......hhmmm......
Josef Guardson |
That was my conundrum as well...a combat feat Bab aND d10 hp, or lvl 4 spells????
I think wizard is the better choice here
Rikar Sarakin |
May take me a day or two to level up Rikar, but he'll be taking another level in Ranger.
DRB - any advice on a second favored terrain? I'll definitely be bumping Underground up to +4, not sure what else would make sense.
Misha Keroun |
I am not DRB, but we have also been in mountains, forest, and water bodies (the lake) so far...
Kreig Ironhand |
Ceilings, definitely ceilings. ;)
I'll try and level up tonight.
Rikar Sarakin |
I guess I'll go with Coffin-rooms, then. Seems a safe bet.
Misha Keroun |
Misha should be all leveled. I realized, after all that pointing out that DRB hadn't updated certain stats, I hadn't updated Misha's Perception bonus in her tag line. It is now, including bonuses from Clever Explorer and this level's skill increases, +15, +17 underground.
Other level details:
Stat Boost: Charisma base 14 to 15 (so 17 with the tear she has)
Base stat upgrades: +1 to BAB (yeah +6/+1) and +1 to Ref and Will
Spells: She learns a new 3rd level spell (I picked good hope so she can actually be a bard sometimes and buff y'all) and can cast another one per day.
Favored Class: Bonus bard spell 1 level lower (new 2nd level spell Summon Swarm. Probably not the idea choice but I wanted it for some reason.)
Archeologist Rogue Talent: Positioning Attack. Very circumstantial but could help her create flanking situations for our actual rogue since Rikar's got his own flanking buddy these days.
Skill bonuses: IIRC Bluff, Disable Device, Knowledge Religion, Perception, Stealth
Suggestions, questions, concerns, and corrections welcome.
Telman Raoul |
Decided on the Fighter level, so Sorc 1 / Weapon Master 7
+1 BAB, no change to Saves
Weapon Training goes up to +2/+2
Stat Boost: Con base 11 to 12, nice 8HP increase
Favored Class: yup, another HP
Skill bonuses: craft, perception, stealth (2 ranks)
Therena |
Mystic Theurge 4
+1 BA
+1 Wis
+8 HP
Sorcerer spell: +create pit
Cleric spells: +bless, blessing of fervour, and holy smite
Skills: +1 in Diplomacy, Knowledge Arcana, and Sense Motive