DM Salsa Presents: The Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master AdamWarnock

So, I've been away for a little bit and figured I should remind myself what everyone does to see where we could use a little bolstering (to help pick my arcana). Here's what I came up with...

Reiko- melee damage
Vigny- tank, 2ndary divine caster (heals/buffs)
Soliana- off tank, off heals, 2ndary melee dmg
Jerukh- skills, 2ndary melee, 2ndary ranged dmg, off heals

That leaves Emi to mostly be the controller (maybe add some blasting eventually for ranged damage), which makes sense with her spell selection and special abilities... none of the arcana really help with that though, sadly. Getting a faerie dragon would (because it can use wands), but I can't do that until 7th (so that arcana makes more sense for 6th level). I think maybe increasing my defense makes the most sense (since that's usually controllers' weakness) but I'm a little worried that my attack bonus might not be high enough to really benefit from parry and riposte... of course, we already have a lot of melee too so I'm not sure something that increases my chance to hit or my damage is really necessary...

I guess right now aside from fire (from Jerukh's bombs) we have no means of dealing elemental damage... we could pick up a couple blasting scrolls to help with that eventually but I think I will take 'pool strike' for my arcana to shore that up.

edit: oooooh... wait... I don't get a feat at 7th level because of my variant multiclass... so, if I want to get a faerie dragon before 9th it's familiar now, improved familiar feat at 5th... salsa, is it going to be ok for me to be changing out familiars every other level for a little while?

@GM- I just had a thought... what if for my familiar I start with a bird that can't speak (like an owl maybe) and give it the figment archetype (which makes it a manifestation of your mind, or of a dream typically... fitting maybe for a Desnan just awakening from a days long slumber), only instead of skinning it as a bird it looks like an ephemeral, not-quite-real faerie dragon? (Still using all the normal stats though). Then, at 5th, I take improved familiar and it becomes a small air elemental... still skinned basically the same but now it seems more present, more tangible (and uses all the normal air elemental stats), and when I hit 7th it fully manifests as a faerie dragon?

I have an idea, but writing out on a phone is going to be an exercise in frustration. I'm probably a little overly generous as a GM, and the idea of a fair dragon hanging around is an amusing one. I'll elaborate further when I get home.

Also, Jerukh? Are we still going through with that thing we talked about?

Reiko - melee damage, poetry
Vigny...

Fixed that for ya.

@GM- I look forward to hearing your crazy plan, lol. I'll record 'familiar' for my arcana in anticipation. Also, my last post was kind of waiting for a reply from Koya that never came... it certainly wasn't anything important but that kind of brought the scene to an abrupt close; I don't mind moving on to the next scene but I'm not entirely sure how the timelines line up... I think Soli and Shalelu are about in line with Reiko and I... Vigny was talking about being on the road it sounded like, is she ahead of us or are we all moving right now (or did I completely miss something)? Jerukh is engaged in some kind of hot orc-on-orc action that apparently nobody thought I might like to watch, but I have no idea how many rounds that actually will last, nor whether it's before I woke up, current, or something I have time to stumble across...

It's my own fault for being gone so long, so if I end up a wall flower until the next plot post so be it, but I'm more than willing to do some more posting if my scene resumes or I get enough guidance to insert myself elsewhere.

@Reiko- uhh... well, perhaps I'm just more qualified to be critical of poetry than of combat prowess, but maybe we could compromise as "Reiko- melee damage, 2ndary poet"? I mean, Ameiko does have like 5 bard levels... also, you've killed more things than you've written poems...

I blame the DM for throwing more monsters than poetic opportunities in this adventure! ;P

Timeline-wise... we are relatively equal with Soli. I don't recall when Jerukh took off so I'm not sure about him. I went silent because it seemed like you were working an angle with Koya. I can certainly continue on with the previous convo, if you like.

Well, now I don't know... is it just going to be one long attempt to convince me that you're more poet than warrior ;)

I have no objections to continuing to talk in the wagon. Or, you could help me head out looking for Ameiko and some breakfast?

Hey! I can do both!

Sorry, I made that post for the fight between Gkirkhan and Jerukh this morning before work, and I got home just a little while ago, so I haven't had a chance to post the followups for all of the threads I'm juggling.

Vigny's actually behind everyone at the moment. Soli, Reiko and Emi, and Jerukh are all doing stuff at the same time.

I really hope that helps settle the timeline issue. I'll have a gameplay post up soon that should keep things moving forward.

===

As I said earlier, I tend to be an overly generous GM. I really don't see that as a failing since I like for PCs to have cool stuff and do cool things. A faerie dragon familiar is one of those things that I think is cool, and I don't mind throwing out a boon here. If you take the Improved Familiar feat, you can have the faerie dragon right now, but there'll be a bit of wait before I introduce him/her, kinda like how GM Zed handled Joanna and Halli. I can't say more than that without spoilers, but I think it'll be more fun this way.

Now, Reiko is going to be getting something awesome in the next book (though I can't say more without spoilers) and she already has the Whispering Shrike (which still whispers in Haiku to her on occasion. I just need to use it more.) If Vigny is going to be sticking with sword and board, I have an idea for her as well. Which brings me to Soliana and Jerukh. I don't know what might fit them, nor am I sure of what they'd want, or rather, what they'd want that wouldn't sacrifice RP opportunities. I'm all ears, and if any of you have an idea of something cool that you'd want, feel free to post it here.

Now, off to write that post. :)

One problem... I actually can't take improved familiar yet because I don't get a feat at 3rd level (because of VMC sorcerer, which I've had since 1st)... if you want to make my boon a bonus feat I'd be glad to spend it on improved familiar? Or, I can promise to take it at 5th when I get a feat?

Actually, don't worry about the feat. I'd forgotten about the VMC you were doing.

Hum...I'll give some thought as to a cool item/weapon/whatever that Soli might like to have :)

Also work comes early so back to bed; I'll catch up again tomorrow evening!

I think Soli needs a run-in with a hag with the gift of Sight... so she can get some details about her mother and father. Unless, of course, you are enjoying the angst of the unknown.

Angst is good for a little while longer but for the most part Soli does pretty good at being able to put it aside when it matters :)

Also, thanks for bearing with me as I know I'm on the slower side of posting and it can make having a good back-and-forth conversation difficult. Largely it's work timing as I've been getting up early, not being able to post for 10-12 hours and then getting home and having enough time/mental energy to make maybe 1/post per game before I either need to go to bed or start to crash. Meh.

It's fine. I think we've been maintaining a good pace and that's going to be handy when we finally get to Brinewall.

Also, I think I may have an idea for Soliana, which leaves Jerukh's boon. Honestly, the fact that he's going toe-to-toe with a Barbarian 4/Fighter 2 and holding his own is pretty impressive.

Actually I may have an idea for that as well.

Yes, even if Vigny doesn't finish the campaign sword and board, it will be a good long time before anything changes.

By the way folks, my posting *might* be a little slower than usual for the next couple of months as PbP Gameday VI kicks off this Friday and I'll be running a PFS scenario for each session as well as playing in a few games. Since those games will be on something of a timer, I'll be giving them higher posting priority until we're done - especially the games I'll be GMing. So while there shouldn't be a true interruption of service on my end, it might be a little slower here and there :)

Buuuut...since we're just now really getting rolling again with plot stuff, I'll do my best to get posts done in a timely manner so we can pick up some steam again!

Sorry, no update tonight. My grandmother on my mom's side of the family has been put in the hospital for the second time this month. I've not the muse to write an update tonight.

On a side note, do you guys like the vignettes I've been doing at the beginning of each part?

No worries Salsa and I'm sorry to hear that; I hope she feels better soon!

And yes, I enjoy the vignettes :)

Sorry to hear - hope all goes well.

Vignettes are great - definitely add some intrigue to collective tale we're crafting.

I like them too. It is a weird feeling to be getting information that isn't pried out of the DM with multiple knowledge and perception checks though. :)

Just got home from an unexpected work shift after having also been up all day yesterday, so I'm pretty dang tired. Post to come either later today or tomorrow.

First, I know that some of you are in other games that I am posting/have posted this notice, some as the GM, but I want to make sure that I get everyone in these games, so apologies for spamming your campaign tab and repeating myself. Poor Lady ladile, Zed and Nate are going to be seeing this three times.

Second, the reason I am posting this is because I enjoy the roleplay and interactions have been going in these games. I love the stories that we've been telling together. I would love to GM a game with anyone of you (and I'm GMing a game with some of you already.)

So, I would like to ask if any of you would be interested in playing in a game I'm currently working on? I need player input in order to proceed and I'd love to be able to build parts of the world around your characters. You'd be part of a crack team that handles different missions that are delicate and require skill and finesse in a space setting. Think something like a cross between the A-Team and Cowboy Bebop, or just think the A-Team in space if you've never seen or heard of Cowboy Bebop.

If I haven't made a total hash out of my explanation and this sounds like something you'd be interested in (or if you'd like to play a Sci-Fi game in general) go here and dot both the gameplay and discussion threads. You can also ask me questions and collaborate on characters or parts of the world there so I'm not hijacking all the threads. I know that things are busy, but I'm not going to be starting right away, and this is a cool opportunity to work on some concepts that you might not try in PBP because they might not pass the recruitment for a game.

Back to our regularly scheduled program.
@Emi: Did you take the familiar Arcana? I have a plan for their introduction, but I would have to wait until we finish Brinewall. Is that okay?

I did take the familiar, yeah. I can wait I suppose... would you mind if I did the figment thing until you're ready?

Yeah, that works. I even have an idea for when it happens. :)

For when the figment shows up, or for when the other does?

Oh! Emi, in our divine ROTRL campaign there's a Desnan character with a figment butterfly familiar. Hijinks ensue. The character is a semi-coherent seer type and the butterfly is her voice of reason. Very fun stuff.

For the fairie dragon. Sorry that was unclear.

@Vigny- lol, I completely forgot you were in the other table of that. How's it going? How far are you guys? IIRC, we were ahead of you guys before my break... I'm guessing you passed us?

@Emi: It's going very well! Unlike you guys We lost several players along with way, only three of the original group left. But we're now going strong with their replacements. We update more slowly than you, and we've had a couple of short breaks as well so we're almost precisely in the same place in the campaign as you are: heading to Thistletop!

@Salsa: I'm also too short of time to take on anything new right now. In fact I had to trim a couple of campaigns recently due to not having the time for them. I changed jobs just recently and the new one is a busier situation. That said, I may tentatively dot in to keep on eye on what's up with it.

Please do. I'm not starting the game just yet. I wanted to see who was interested and get started on characters.

I've got some GURPS reading to do, but I'd be willing to take a whack at it.

Cool! Glad to have you come aboard. :)

sorry for the delay- grad school started back up and its kind of kicking my ass

I'm sorry guys, but I need a mental break. I'll try to pick this back up on Monday. Sorry. :(

No worries DM, we'll be here. Rest up, okay? I can also bot Dalen for you in PP if you'd like to take a break from there as well.

Dalen kinda writes herself. :)

But yeah, I'll let you know if I need to take a break and for you to bot Dalen.

Okay, no worries - just thought I'd check :)

It's cool, sometimes I need checking up on. :P

No worries chief - as/when.

Cheers

Sure. Take your time and we'll be here when you're back.

First, I want to apologize for how long this break has gone on. I am going to be coming back, but I need to do some reading first because I have a new technique I want to try and I figured that all of you would be okay if it would up crashing and burning on me.

Second, I want to thank all of you for sticking with me this past year. You are amazing players and deserve a much more awesome GM. :)

Here's to another great year and more fun in this game. :D

Happy to see you check in DM and don't worry about the extended pause - it's actually worked okay since I've been busier than usual lately. Curious to see what you have in mind and looking forward to starting up again soon :)

No worries Salsa - take your time chief, we'll keep.

Think I'll pass on the more awesome GM offer tho... one I got here is plenty good enough ta :)

I'm kind of the queen of the long break at this point, lol, so don't sweat it. Of course, now that you've teased something new patience might be a little tougher...

No worries. Yeah, I'm very curious now!

Hey folks,

Sorry for unexplained absence. I got dragged into an unplanned business trip that went far longer than advertised. I'll catch up and post as soon as I can - most likely tomorrow. If you've had to replace my character in the mean time, I understand.

@Reiko: Games been on a mini-hiatus so all good.

We're waiting on Salsa to jump back in - has some cryptic input onto a "new technique" that he's mulling...

Yup. Rereading the part we're in and planning on how things will be going. I also need to refresh myself on where we are. We're celebrating my momma and my aunt's birthdays this weekend, so going to be busy getting ready for that.

Don't worry though, Reiko hasn't been replaced by a mutant android, I swear!

Sweet!