DM Salsa Presents: The Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master AdamWarnock

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And which the GM may or may not be grinning evilly about. >:D


Female Ulfen Human Holy Knight 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 17 (T: 12, F: 15) | CMB: +4, CMD: 16 | F: +4, R: +2, W: +1 | Init: +2 | Perc: +0, SM: -1 | Speed 30'
Soliana of the Rose wrote:
....or even have witch powers manifest on down the line (which I'm aware is very much not optimal to pair with a paladin but I thought it would be kinda cool with the potential 'was her mom really a witch or not' part of her background which I intentionally left vague).

Having played around with some of these ideas when making Laufey, Soliana's grayer "sister", I think if you wanted to do something with this, oracle or eldritch heritage with a witch patron matched bloodline would be the way to go. If the idea was to enhance magic through "breeding" then spontaneous magic seems the more likely result.

I know this is a terrible ideal mechanically, but since the campaign is using fractional advancement, I think a paladin/oracle that alternated each level would be awesome. Chosen One archetype for paladin and a witchy themed mystery. A powerful goodie is playing tug-o-war with a powerful baddie and using Soliana as the rope. :)


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HP:112 | AC:28 ; T:27 ; FF:22 ; CMD:38/32 | Fort:+7 ; Ref:+12 ; Will:+12 | Init:+9 ; PER:+15 (Low Light)
Emiliana Vasilescu wrote:
yeah, goblinatrix was a portmanteau...

*ears perk up* Portmanteau? Do I smell another Lit major in the house? :D

Soli wrote:
And uh, depending on your relationship with Shalelu she might just have another reason to find excuses to come talk with you ;)

Apologies, Soli, I totally missed that you were... well... you aka Hazel. I'm delighted we get a chance to play together again! I'm not real clear if I have an actual relationship with Shalelu - but I'm more than willing to try to get you into her orbit. :)

Related to that, Emi, I totally missed that you are Ameiko's BFF. And since Reiko is aching for some Tien bonds, well, she would be very interested in getting in good with you - both from an "oh she's interesting" POV as well as "she could get me a step closer to speaking Tien on a regular basis".
Salsa, how are you planning to play Ameiko? I've been in a couple Runelords games and Ameiko has been played very differently. In one, she is pretty much Tien by blood but rejects her culture totally and in another she is very 'distant' and really doesn't want to get friendly with the PCs. I guess I'm wondering if, through months of observation, Reiko would have a feel for whether Ameiko is (a) approachable, and (b) be interested in 'Tien-ing it up'?

Jerukh - as the other quiet PC, Reiko would be curious to get your story, like attracts like.

Vigny wrote:
@Reiko: That would make it more likely that Reiko and Vigny would run across each other. They're also the two characters that are at a bit of a loose end in Sandpoint. Vigney isn't the sort who lights up the room. She's easy company, approachable and friendly. Reiko shouldn't be too intimidated by her.

Vigny, that works for me. Reiko isn't shy, per se. Or maybe I should say she isn't 'shy' with all that word conveys. She is trying to navigate a culture she doesn't quite understand yet that is very different than her own. So, to Avistani eyes, she will seem incredibly prudish in some ways and utterly brazen in others. I'm looking forward to exploring those kinds of things as opportunities arise in the game. But like Vigny, Reiko works from a core of profound faith... which I think could be something they bond over once they have a chance to really get a feel for each other.

Of course, whether I have the skill/writing chops to pull that off is a whole other matter. :)


Inactive

@Salsa - Oh dear. Well, don't say I never gave you any good ways to torment my PC :)

@Vigny - I love that idea! If Salsa and everyone else doesn't mind me changing things up a bit I may just go with it, too. Doesn't hurt that Oracle is probably my favorite class either :)

@Jerukh - Speaking of oracles...this is Marigold in case you hadn't noticed :3

@Reiko - Haha no worries! I did sorta wonder but I forget that not everyone likes to rifle through people's profiles like I do. I'm glad we get to play together again as well :D


HP:112 | AC:28 ; T:27 ; FF:22 ; CMD:38/32 | Fort:+7 ; Ref:+12 ; Will:+12 | Init:+9 ; PER:+15 (Low Light)
Soliana of the Rose wrote:

Reiko

Soli would also know who you are as your arrival and the circumstances (plus it being so recent) would've probably been talk of the town for awhile. She'd be curious to know more about your culture and have a great deal of respect for your dedication to your code, assuming it's something Reiko would be willing to speak about.

The only thing Reiko is hesitant to discuss is her childhood. But swords, codes, her culture, her homeland, and especially what she sees as the peculiarities of Avistani culture are all things she'd be happy to discuss. I expect she loves being at the Rusty Dragon because it is a constantly bewildering and O.O experience for her.


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

Play (and develop) Soli however you want, but I will point out that if the goal is to add a full caster to the party then half paladin/half oracle isn't going to work- that's actually a worse caster than a warpriest... In fact, you'd probably be better off as a champion of the faith warpriest or a zealot vigilante (though I think a fair number of vigilante things won't really work in a caravan...)

If we really want more casting I could potentially switch to a sorcerer, or ley line witch (which is Cha based). This would be especially enticing if GM's open to possibly working with me on a custom archetype to preserve some of the kapenia dancer flavor...

edit: that said, I do think that a magus with some alchemist support, and a warpriest with some backup from both a paladin and an alchemist should be able to get the job done.


Male Probably human Computer Scientist 1/ Character Synthesizer 20/ Crazy 99

The whole reason I'm not starting yet is so you guys can make adjustments and I can get things ready. I don't mind if you want to change things mechanically, but I do ask that it's not too drastic (like switching to a necromancer when you submitted a paladin) or that the character's personality changes too much. I obviously didn't pick to fill the roles so if you want to change something to fill a gap you see, I'm okay with it. Now once we get going, that's a little different. :)


Half-Orc Alchemist Chirurgeon 3 | HP 2/25 | AC 16/12/14 | F+5, R+6, W+4 | Perc +8, Darkvision 60ft | Init +2 | Move: 30ft. , Hero Points: 1
Daily Alchemy:
Bombs: 3/5; Extracts 1st Level: 3/4

@Soliana: Yeah knew it was you LL - apart from Salsa was also jumping at the chance to play alongside you again... Jerukh will be very different from Maxim! Like the notion that she is conscious of the half orc's introverted gruffness but is concerned that she might add to it.

@Reiko: Sounds a plan. Both of us quietly curious but neither having the confidence to ask or speak other than awkward pleasantries lol.

Think from a healing standpoint we'll be fine - like was touched on above - Crafting will be important - have taken CLW as one of my formulae so he can produce potions for us all. May be we are using disposable healing more intensively but that'll be half the fun (and battle).

Being a hard hitting crew we'll hopefully take down foes quicker to minimise the knocks we take, but I think we're in a good place with a lot of synergies across the board.

Speaking of formulaes I'll likely pick them based on the needs of the group and environment we are facing/adventuring in... My initial picks are very much "character/background driven" - Comprehend Languages/Cure Light Wounds/Heightened Awareness... but again I'm open to comments and suggestions.

@Salsa: How will "downtime" for crafting be handled - is it something we'll be able to do "on the road" or only when we arrive at settlements and the like? (only ask as this might also affect Formulae choice etc)


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I'll have to double check but I think it's half as fast while traveling, but if you stop, you go full speed with crafting as long as you have the tools to do it. Some things won't be possible due to size constraints, but I'm open to creative solutions.


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

typically crafting while traveling is effectively 1/4 time- RAW allow for you to work for 4 hours on days when you're traveling (or working a job, or whatever), but you only accomplish 2 hours worth of progress (I think to take into account all the extra set-up/tear-down time working in chunks like that).


Inactive

Truth be told my thinking on that idea shifted some from 'maybe be a better backup healer' to 'indulge my own whimsy with a cool idea'...which is why I'm glad I've had the benefit of sleeping on it for a bit. Still think the idea is really cool but I realized it would also mean that Soli might end up with a lot of extra 'stuff' going on compared to everyone else, which I don't think would be appropriate. And that's not counting Salsa's point about not changing mechanics *too* much - after all he did pick Soliana the Paladin, not Soliana the Indecisive :)

That being said I still might look into taking a few oracle levels at some point (Winter mystery perhaps?) but I'll probably just leave her as is for now.


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Sorry I missed answering your question earlier Reiko, but I see Ameiko as more of a trickster. She's a good natured sort, but a little capricious at times. I had her playing pranks and jokes on the PCs in the Rise of the Runelords game.

I also had a rather vitriolic relationship between her and Shayliss over the rumors the latter spreads and a noodle incident involving a bunch of sailors (and in need of a few more details to be really interesting) which got Shayliss banned from the Dragon, but that's my headcanon and not anything official. That may or may not be relevant to you guys, but I figured it couldn't hurt.

I've updated the campaign tab with the NPC Policy and a list of languages for when we are all talking in different tongues. I'm pretty sure that Thassilonian and Celestial are different in the Shattered Star game, and I'm open to suggestions, so if you want to swap some stuff around on that list, now's the time.

Also, can I get a guess as to how ready all of you are? I'm going to give you as much time as you need, but I also don't want you guys waiting on me. I'm still working things out, but I figure getting to Brinestump will give me enough time to nail that down well enough that we could start tonight if we wanted.


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Forgot to comment on this.

Soliana of the Rose wrote:
(Winter mystery perhaps?)

That would be an excellent choice for reasons that I can't get into cuz spoilers.


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

Unless there's a real strong push for me to switch to a full arcane caster, I think I'm ready anytime.

I did have one question, or request maybe, for everyone... I'm planning on using an accent when I write my speech- it should be fairly subtle but is anybody really opposed to that? If it gets annoying or distracting in gameplay please let me know.


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"Dot iz a goot point. Iz dis gonna git too annoyink?"

One the NPCs I plan on tossing into the mix has an accent that's anything but subtle. It is fun to write though.


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HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

I play a pirate in another game who drops letters a lot... I've never used so many apostrophes before, lol. And the autocorrect on my phone hates it! I haven't gotten any complaints on that yet and Emi's accent will be a lot more subtle than that.


Inactive

Accents aren't a problem for me at all. I've got a monk in one game that speaks with a Southern/hillbilly accent and a stuttering oracle in another so I can't say anything, hehe.

And I think Soli is pretty much ready to go whenever. Also, cool beans re: Winter mystery; it will probably show up in a few levels then!

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Soliana of the Rose wrote:
I've got a monk in one game that speaks with a Southern/hillbilly accent

Wow, did you by any chance look at the recruitment I just opened? (I stuck a link in the recruitment thread of this game because I had mentioned it previously)


HP:112 | AC:28 ; T:27 ; FF:22 ; CMD:38/32 | Fort:+7 ; Ref:+12 ; Will:+12 | Init:+9 ; PER:+15 (Low Light)

I'm not against accents provided they aren't so thick and confusing that I have to read a sentence three times to understand what the character is saying. :)

Salsa I'm ready to play whenever you want to launch! But *ahem* there is a question you haven't answered yet (unless I missed it)... does my revised background pass the muster, mister?


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A southern-fried monk.

I am regretting not being in that game right now. That sounds like it'd be fun to play with, or just play. :)

@ Reiko: Sorry, yes it does. I didn't have a chance to read it until a few hours ago and I'd forgotten about the question by then. :oops:

Okay, just waiting on Vigny and Jeruhk to chime in. I'll be continuing to work on things to come.


Female Ulfen Human Holy Knight 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 17 (T: 12, F: 15) | CMB: +4, CMD: 16 | F: +4, R: +2, W: +1 | Init: +2 | Perc: +0, SM: -1 | Speed 30'

I'm good to go whenever you're ready. I don't think I'll be making any changes at this point. I did briefly think that maybe I should trade out a trait to get UMD in class, but Vigny will have so few skill points I doubt there's any point.

I think we're in fine shape as we are. AP's are pretty forgiving generally and can, with a few exceptions, be played without perfectly balanced parties with their requisite 9th level casters.

Accents are fine with me.


HP:112 | AC:28 ; T:27 ; FF:22 ; CMD:38/32 | Fort:+7 ; Ref:+12 ; Will:+12 | Init:+9 ; PER:+15 (Low Light)
Jerukh Hörnungr wrote:
wow you lot have been chatty o'er the night (I'm in Bonnie Scotland so GMT)

Jerukh, if you don't mind me asking, from where in Scotland do you hail? I was out there last year.


Female Ulfen Human Holy Knight 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 17 (T: 12, F: 15) | CMB: +4, CMD: 16 | F: +4, R: +2, W: +1 | Init: +2 | Perc: +0, SM: -1 | Speed 30'
Soliana of the Rose wrote:

Truth be told my thinking on that idea shifted some from 'maybe be a better backup healer' to 'indulge my own whimsy with a cool idea'...which is why I'm glad I've had the benefit of sleeping on it for a bit. Still think the idea is really cool but I realized it would also mean that Soli might end up with a lot of extra 'stuff' going on compared to everyone else, which I don't think would be appropriate. And that's not counting Salsa's point about not changing mechanics *too* much - after all he did pick Soliana the Paladin, not Soliana the Indecisive :)

That being said I still might look into taking a few oracle levels at some point (Winter mystery perhaps?) but I'll probably just leave her as is for now.

Yeah, I think what I suggested is a neat concept, but the build would be a flaming mess. I just like the idea of pitting a patron something something against a celestial something something in the fight to control the characters destiny.

Baddie: "I've invested in you and you are mine! I will not let you go!"

Goodie: "You are tainted, but you can be redeemed." (Thats how the Chosen One archetype fits)


Inactive

^Maybe a concept that's a better fit for an AP like Wrath of the Righteous :)

@Emi - I did look at it and the concept sounds really cool but I'm not sure how well I'd do with trying to make/play a character for such a setting! It's a shame the PCs won't be sticking to the same town(s)/area(s) very much because I bet a person could do some sort of take on a Zorro-like character using the Vigilante.


Half-Orc Alchemist Chirurgeon 3 | HP 2/25 | AC 16/12/14 | F+5, R+6, W+4 | Perc +8, Darkvision 60ft | Init +2 | Move: 30ft. , Hero Points: 1
Daily Alchemy:
Bombs: 3/5; Extracts 1st Level: 3/4

@Emi: No issues with accent whatsoever... I'm in a Way of the Wicked game where I play a germanic B-movie vampire anti-pally... A vampanzer if you will. His accent is super-sterotypical - Hans Lander meets The Red Skull lol. I've a russian/slavic speaking Ranger in a KM game here and I've a plethora of Norse themed characters over the years. All good with me. On that note Jerukh will be rocking a Jamacian accent...

De Accent...:

... I jest :)

@Soliana: On the Pally/Oracle mix I agree with Vigny that it is a cool concept that would be a royal pain to manage.

@Reiko: I'm in Aberdeen - The Granite City (well just south of the city in the country sticks to be fair). I'm in Oil & Gas so its what we Aberdonians just do as a local industry - well at least until the arse fell out of the industry last year.

@Salsa: I'm pretty much good to go. Equipment finishing up this afternoon, so I'll be ready by the evening.


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

@Soli- I wasn't trying to encourage you to apply (though you're more than welcome to), I just thought it was really funny that you were talking about a hillbilly monk while I'm recruiting for an Asian western.


Inactive

Oh okay, understood! And yeah, I rarely make intentionally goofy/silly characters but Calli is one of them :)


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Okay, It looks like we're mostly ready to go. I'm not going to throw you straight into combat so Jeruhk's got time to finish getting his gear.

I'll try to have things going in a bit, but it maybe later tonight before I have the post up. I'm going to be watching football (the 'Murican version) with my mom and sister for most of the afternoon and evening, so I'll be gone most of the day today.


HP:112 | AC:28 ; T:27 ; FF:22 ; CMD:38/32 | Fort:+7 ; Ref:+12 ; Will:+12 | Init:+9 ; PER:+15 (Low Light)

Evil DM, railroading us into a non-combat situation! Oh the humanity! :D
My first action will be to punch Jerukh in the liver to protest all railroadynessisms.


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Hey, I could have actually put you on a railroad. That would have been so meta. :P

So, first game post is up. I'm trying something different with this game and I hope you guys like it. Now, I've got to get ready to go to my mom's.


Female Ulfen Human Holy Knight 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 17 (T: 12, F: 15) | CMB: +4, CMD: 16 | F: +4, R: +2, W: +1 | Init: +2 | Perc: +0, SM: -1 | Speed 30'

So, since there's going to be a little time yet before the start, I have a question to throw out for you all.

When it comes to making more martially focused characters, especially those that have several feats to work with, I get hit with choice paralysis. In part this is because I don't have much experience at all with higher level play, past about 10th level it's all theory to me. In part it's because feats interactions and mechanics in combat are difficult to project forward for me. Something that sounds good may not be good at all. This is especially the case with feat chains and figuring out what is and isn't a good investment.

Most of my experience is with support classes and arcane casters so just the simple straightforward combat stuff.

So finally the question. Vigny will be starting out using longsword and buckler. She will have the flexibility to switch to two-handing the sword easily if she needs extra damage. And warpriest's Sacred Weapon feature makes weapon damage not much of an issue. Anyone have any ideas how I could keep such a thing viable going forward? Right now I'm just accepting that Vigny will be a lesser damage dealer when using the buckler and looking at intimidation options. She's taking Dazzling display at 1st level so far.

The Blade and Tankard divine fighting style is thematic, but it's meant for two weapon combat and a finesse build. I'd rather keep Vigny as a strength build, her relative lack of grace is a RP element. I've used a dash of Daphne Blake (Scooby Doo) in my character concept and that seems to run a bit counter to finesse. (By the way Salsa, I was COMPLETELY misunderstanding Blade and Tankard and it's much better than I thought, although still feat intensive).

Any thoughts anyone?


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

Damage is always going to lag in a 1-handed combat style (unless you're a swashbuckler). Grabbing your longsword in 2 hands will help when you're not worried about the extra 1 AC, but the -1 to hit from the buckler isn't great with a 3/4 BAB. Power attack will be worth the investment (although, again, you'll have to be mindful about your bonus to hit). The biggest things for you will be using the enchantment ability of sacred weapon and divine favor to boost both attack bonus and damage.

If you want to optimize a bit more, it may be worthwhile for you to switch to the scimitar. Sacred weapon will have it up to longsword damage pretty quickly and with keen you should be scoring a fair bit of extra damage from crits.

Looking at feats beyond that- shield focus will make your buckler more effective when you use it. Most importantly, you can take fighter only feats with your warpriest bonus feats so things like weapon specialization and greater weapon focus will just always make your attacks better. If you want to make use of intimidate in combat there are whole threads about it in the advice forums, but feats like intimidating prowess or skill focus will certainly help.

Hope that's helpful, if you have any more specific questions feel free to ask (or PM me).


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Pretty much what Emi's said. :)

I was going to respond earlier, but then the cable went out and took the internet out with it.


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

I thought it was Galduria... are we doing that wrong in our Shattered Star game? Or was that a typo here that we're rolling with?


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Pretend I used the right spelling. I knew i should have double-checked that.

Sorry, I need to work on reducing the number of typos I make. :(


Inactive

I'm going to be taking some notes re: combat styles/feats as well since I don't often play primarily melee-focused characters. We can learn together!

(Also will get up a Gameplay post soon, hopefully.)


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No rush, Just giving everyone a chance ot get into character. :)


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

Soli- was that commiseration or a request for some advice?


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If it's the latter, I'm sure we can come up with something.


Inactive

I guess a little of both? As you might've guessed from her archetype and background/personality, I'd like to play her as more of a defensive and protective warrior than one that's focused more on bringing the pain. Admittedly I also wanted to do something a little different than being a glaive fighter, though she does carry one of those as well.


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I'd look at getting a heavy shield and Shield focus then. This will add +3 to your AC. A Tower Shield opens up other possibilities, and would give you a whopping +5 to AC, but Paladin's aren't proficient with them.

Next are feats that allow you get attackers to focus on you or allow you to take hits for your allies. I'm not sure what those would be, but I can look through the list if you'd like. (I can also do the same for you, Vigny, if you want.)


Inactive

Nah, you've got enough to do Salsa; I'll definitely look into the heavy shield and the Shield Focus feat and then go from there - thank you for the offer though! Sounds like even if we end up with two sword-and-board fighters the styles and focus for each will be fairly different :)


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

Ok, you're in a pretty atypical paladin build... Pallies are feat starved so you'll have to think about what feats you want when. Power attack will help with your damage (especially when using the glaive), but you're so tank oriented with your stats and archetype that you might need some way to keep things from going around you to kill the rest of us (sometimes that can be done with the environment, but sometimes you'll need help)- step up and it's chain could be useful. Down the road the stalwart defender prestige class might be worth looking at- among its interesting abilities is one that lets you stop people when they try to move past you.

edit: don't switch to a large shield- you can still use Lay on Hands while wearing a light shield and using a weapon, but if you switch to a large shield you have drop your weapon to use it.

re-edit: the feat that lets you take hits for others is in the bodyguard feat tree (I'm not sure if you can take it with your Dex).


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Really? Then I've been playing Jo wrong this entire time. She uses a heavy shield, and I've never had her drop her sword to use Lay on Hands.


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

Lol- I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that. RAW you need a hand available to touch yourself, a light shield lets you use your hand but a large shield doesn't; some GMs just handwave that because in a certain sense you're always touching yourself...


Inactive

After a bit of perusal, it looks like there's no Dex requirement on the Bodyguard feat chain so there's an idea right there...even though Combat Reflexes is kinda silly when you've got no Dex bonus to take advantage of; I thought the 'clumsy Shelyn paladin' angle would be fun but maybe I should've put more emphasis on her Dex and lowered Str a little more for a 'not the strongest of fighters but pretty damn tenacious' feel. This is what happens when I don't plan my 'builds' ahead of time :\

I took a glance at the Stalwart Defender and that does look promising! And all the required entry feats aren't too terrible to have anyway.

Also I actually already took Shield Focus so there's that, derp.


HP 19/30 | AC 17 (t16/ff11) | F +5, R +4, W +4* | Perception +1 (lowlight vision), +3 initiative | hero points: 3 | active effects: --

If you're going to shift your stats at all I'd suggest keeping Str and lowering Con to up Dex... You need Str for hit and damage but most of your survivability comes from swift action lay hands. Dropping Con from 16 to 14 would cost you 10 hp at 10th level, but by then you can swift action heal yourself at least 8 times for 5d6 each time (suddenly those 10 don't seem like very much). I just picked 10th as an example, that plays out at every level from 2nd on though (2hp vs 1d6 four times).


Female Ulfen Human Holy Knight 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 17 (T: 12, F: 15) | CMB: +4, CMD: 16 | F: +4, R: +2, W: +1 | Init: +2 | Perc: +0, SM: -1 | Speed 30'

I haven't had an opportunity to post most of the day, but I did get a chance to read along here and there about Soliana's and my combat builds. Since we're a rather non traditional party in some ways it might be helpful to think about the group capacities in sum and go from there.

One thing that stands out for me is the question of who needs to be defended. Without the standard arcane caster in the group, and with everyone having some combat melee capacity, we aren't going to have a typical frontline and rear situation. One way of looking at our group is by relative melee damage/durability and figuring out how to let Emi, for example get close to opponents to do her damage, while not taking on too much risk of getting beaten down. Reiko and Jerukh are harder for me to read since alchemists are so variable and I'm not familiar with the duelist archetype for samurai. Whether they are more standard front liners or more glass cannons, or something else entirely they would have to say.

I did go back and scan through the old classic "Forge of Combat" to get some feel for how we stacked up there and it was... weird. All of us can potentially fill more than one role: hammer, anvil, or arm I think, but none of us are perfect for any of them. At least it seems that way given no combat testing yet, and lack of good familiarity with everyone's future plans.

Maybe if everyone said something briefly about what they see their characters fitting in and what their future plans (if any) are, we'd be better able to see how it all fits together?

For example I'd identify Vigny as a primary hammer and secondary anvil. She may or may not be the most consistently effective damage dealer, but she should be solid in combat. She'll have some ability to debuff if she pursues intimidation, and she'll have some spells that can help in that area as well. However, if needed, she does have the whole cleric spell list available and could instead buff the party if that's more desirable. She won't do this as well as a regular cleric though. I can work toward being good at a couple of these things if they are otherwise going unfilled, but right now I don't have a solid idea of what we'll need.


Female Ulfen Human Holy Knight 1 | HP: 13/13 | AC: 17 (T: 12, F: 15) | CMB: +4, CMD: 16 | F: +4, R: +2, W: +1 | Init: +2 | Perc: +0, SM: -1 | Speed 30'

One thing about Soliana's plans to go defensive and maybe take the bodyguard feat chain is that it seems to me using the glaive would really help you there. It gives you more coverage despite your reduced movement, meaning you'd protect more space just standing still. A better DEX for AoO's would help of course, but at least you'd still not be having to run around as much.

A potential problem I see with a very defensive build is that if you plan to take oracle or other levels, you'll be reducing your offensive effectiveness by that as well. I could become hard for you to remain a credible threat, even if you can't be hit. I'd say a more balanced build would be better in that case.

This might sound wacky, but in my head it makes some sense. What about a buddy type system that pairs characters who compensate for each other? For example, if Soliana is the anchor, or keystone, with or without reach, Reiko and Vigny could operate just outside her zone, sort of orbiting her to keep anyone from coming around her sides. Vigny will have swift action healing with fervor, and between that and Soliana's lay on hands, they'll be able to stay up for a long time without assistance. Reiko and Emi and make attacks when there are good openings and back away behind Soliana and Vigny's zone for protection if needed. Jerukh can bomb or melee or support as he sees fit.

We could switch to fight in most any direction as needed and be nimble in shifting attention from one place to another as needed for greater and lesser threats.

Crazy? Anyone ever seen that sort of thing tried?


BattleMaps | Chronicles of Kassen | HeroLab Files | Loot Sheet

Yeah, and I'll let ya'll tweak things until the first combat if need be. That's probably not going to happen in the next day or three, though, so you should have plenty of time to hash things out. Have I ever mentioned that I'm a nice GM? :D

As for what I said about Jo, it never happened.
>_>
<_<

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