GM Captain Trips |
Greetings and welcome to everyone. I wanted to take a few minutes to say hello as well as to spell out some guidelines for the game that I feel will be instrumental to the tempo and feel of the adventure path as well as some of my own custom ways of handling specific things within the game.
I will be handling tactical movement in Roll20. I feel this will be the simplest way to allow scenes to evolve without me constantly updating images in a Google doc or other such tool. It also allows me to use some line of sight tools and the like as well as show off pretty maps! I ask that everyone maintain a level of honesty when using this tool, and not to move unless otherwise told to. I’d prefer to keep some things secret and peeking around corners can spoil surprises! If it turns out that Roll20 becomes too difficult for everyone to use, as I know some places of business block it, we can look at other alternatives. I've seen some clever use of Google docs in the past for maps, but I haven't really messed with that too much.
Campaign details will be kept on my wiki site that I try to use to organize details of games. I will post maps, handouts, NPC details (for easy tracking and referral later), and other such things here. When required in a post I will typically link back to the respective page, but you should feel free to check the site whenever you need a refresher on something you have discovered or someone you have met. If something is missing, let me know or feel free to add it yourself. It’s in Wiki format so adding content is very simple. There are several areas where the responsibility of keeping the data updated will fall on the players, so hopefully a few of you are able to take the lead on that. You will find that having a resource like this does add another layer of depth to the game that you won't find in many PbP opportunities. The more we all use it, the better it will be.
Once the wiki is ready I will post the link in the campaign details and it will appear at the top right corner of every page for the game.
For ease of play I will always assume that you are taking 10 or 20 when possible. As experienced players I assume everyone is familiar with how this works, but if not you can do a quick Google search to find the answers. If you are in a situation where you can take 10 or 20 and you are performing an action that would allow so, simply give me the result in a format like Skill Check – Take 20 – Perception = XX where XX would be your result. Remember you can almost always take 10 on most skills, with very few exceptions (Use Magic Device being the primary one). Taking 20 is reserved for those instances where you have plenty of time and resources at your disposal. Most commonly taking 20 is used for things like Perception checks. Remember that in combat you cannot take 10 or 20, and if the result of a check could result in a negative effect for your character you cannot take 20. If for some reason I determine that you cannot take 10 or 20 after you make a post I will let you know so that you can roll your result.
On the subject of rolls, I will be rolling for any of the typical stuff that you shouldn't know the result of. Disable device, trap-finding activities, etc. I will also be rolling these in person with real dice. So yes, that means you truly will not know the result, even if you find yourself tempted to peek at a spoiler. :) This will go the same for typical checks hidden from the party like Stealth and the like. Just be forewarned on this. Just because you don't see the roll doesn't mean it didn't happen. This will not only remove excessive spoilers from posts but should lend more of a storytelling feel to the game.
I handle combat in a journal style of format. I feel that this method leads to a more vivid and interesting feel, as it plays out more like a story than a random set of rolls. Because of this method I use party initiative for combat. Everyone will get a roll, with those beating the combined roll of the enemies getting a "Free round" of attacks. My initiative style almost always favors the party, since you have more chances to get the jump on the bad guys. Once the high initiative characters act, the enemies will act in concert, then the party takes its turn. Because of this style of combat, its important that I have everyone's actions before I do an update. I will usually wait a reasonable amount of time, but if you are the last one we are waiting on to post, and an hour or so has went by, I will try to determine an appropriate action for your character to move combat forward. When doing this I will never expend your spells or items unless the situation involves the potential death of a party member. If you want to give me a running list of options you might take in the event I need to GMPC you, just place those in your profile under a "GM Instructions" spoiler.
How you all choose to handle loot, gold, etc will be entirely up to you. I leave that for the group to figure out. There is a section for this on the wiki, and will be where I post loot for the party to divvy through. From there you can use whatever method you choose. When it is time to level up I will let you know. When leveling up be sure to run any feats or choices by me that do not appear in the Core rule book so I can approve them for play. I’m sure I won’t have a problem with this but I want to make that part clear. I will be keeping a page on the wiki for each of your characters, and will update it when you level. I use Hero Labs for this to make things easier on me, so if you are also using that software you can either paste the info in yourself, or send me a .por file if you choose. When you level you will also have the choice to add (HD/2)+1 in hit points (Just like Pathfinder Society) or tempt fate with having me roll the dice for your HP. In either case the choice will not be reversible.
I will not make you track mundane items like food and water, but anything else must be on your character sheets. I will maintain a copy of these on the Wiki site that will update as the game goes on. If you use expendable items I expect those to be adjusted there when you have a chance. You should be tracking encumbrance but you can ignore coin weight unless it is due to loot gained during an adventure. I will assume cash on hand has been exchanged for high denomination coins or trade-able gems.
When you are in a city and there is downtime announced you are free to shop, create items, and so on. I will generally announce how much downtime will be available before the next plot hook takes place and will allow you all some time to handle housekeeping activities. This is also typically when you will be leveling up. Cities will have limits to what can be purchased, so keep that in mind when planning your shopping. You won’t just be able to waltz into a shop and pick up a +2 Giant Bane Greatsword. On the wiki there are explanations of downtime activities as well as a listing of discovered shops that you can use for purchases. Their stock will rotate somewhat randomly, but they will have fixed items. If there are specific things you want, crafting is going to be your easiest, and cheapest, solution.
In the event that a character dies, and you do not have the means to bring them back to life, that player may choose to create a new character for the game that must adhere to all of the rules I set forth during recruitment. That character will start one level behind the existing party in terms of experience and will at some point catch up and be equal to the party.
With that I will turn it over to the group. Now is the time to work out any adjustments you might want to make. While I don't want people rebuilding their characters, you might give some thought to seeing what your other party members have in terms of abilities and skills and work to make sure you have your bases covered. This will be a long and detailed campaign, and you will be challenged at every opportunity, so the better you can work together as a team the better your chances are.
Before we start I will need to know where each of you spends your nights while in town. The inn of choice for this campaign will be "The Murdered Mare", an inn in the Coins district, which is where many of the beginning stages of the campaign will center around. As cliche as it is, every good adventuring group gets their start in an inn, this is an RPG fact. :) However, your character is free to live wherever they choose, as long as it is within their means. See the Lodging area on the wiki for upkeep costs. The Murdered Mare offers both poor and average lodging options.
Good luck and I look forward to the upcoming adventure!
Quarick Frezhal |
The small gnome doffs his hat with a rippling flourish. "Quarick Frezhal arriving for duty!" he says in a high but strong voice.
I can see the bright little gnome staying at the very Inn. He still has a bit of cash leftover for nicer Inns (in the Coins instead of say a groghouse at the Docks or some slum in the Puddles).
I'm not crazy about the avatar but the choices for gnomes are limited...
GM Captain Trips |
Ok, so working on getting your character imported into my copy of Hero Labs for tracking and such. I noticed a few things
1. You need to pick an additional starting language.
2. What skills are you putting your free background skill points into? It looks like you spent your starting 5 skill points, but you still have those to assign. See the recruitment thread for where you can spend those.
3. Convincing Liar requires you to be a member of the Bellflower Network to take the trait. I might have missed that in your application, but was that your choice for faction? Also I am assuming you are applying that +1 to bluff?
Quarick Frezhal |
1. You need to pick an additional starting language.
Do I? With 10 Int.?
EDIT: Ah, I have 11 Int. Will add one!
Edit 2: Went with Varisian, given his background
2. What skills are you putting your free background skill points into? It looks like you spent your starting 5 skill points, but you still have those to assign. See the recruitment thread for where you can spend those.
I have it marked on 'my' sheet as put into Sleight of Hand. Does it not add up?
3. Convincing Liar requires you to be a member of the Bellflower Network to take the trait. I might have missed that in your application, but was that your choice for faction? Also I am assuming you are applying that +1 to bluff?
Ah, I didn't see it had a faction requirement. Will have to re-do that one then. Bellflower doesn't quite fit Quarick.
GM Captain Trips |
Your character has a 13 int based on your character sheet in your alias :)
Skill point breakdown:
4 for swashbucker, +1 for 13 int, +2 background skills. So you should have 7 skill points to spend. I think you either missed that you have a 13 int or didn't spend both of the background points.
Just let me know what your replacement trait is.
GM Captain Trips |
One other thing I noticed, you had been applying your dex bonus to damage. You won't be able to do this until you pick up an agile weapon or have a chance to grab the Fencing Grace feat.
Because this is a two feat setup, you wouldn't be seeing this for a while. If you want to swap out Dodge for Weapon Focus (Rapier) to get started on that a little earlier, I'm ok with that.
F. Castor |
Hello there. Glad to be here and I hope that the time difference will certainly not get in the way of what I am sure is going to be an awesome game. I shall certainly strive towards not letting such a wee detail plague us.
I will get to work to making a profile for Jonas and post here again once it is done. It should not take too long.
F. Castor |
Tsura Vhiski |
With that I will turn it over to the group. Now is the time to work out any adjustments you might want to make. While I don't want people rebuilding their characters, you might give some thought to seeing what your other party members have in terms of abilities and skills and work to make sure you have your bases covered. This will be a long and detailed campaign, and you will be challenged at every opportunity, so the better you can work together as a team the better your chances are.
At a cursory glance, the first thing I noticed is...
Melee - Quarick Frezhal [Dex-based w/ Weapon Finesse]
Melee - Tsura Vhiski [Dex-based w/ Weapon Finesse]
Ranged - ???
Skill - Jonas Crow [Dex-based w/ Weapon Finesse]
Divine - ???
Arcane - ???
...that our accepted characters thus far are all Dexterity-based with the Weapon Finesse feat. The ranged character submissions are S14/D18 and S14/D16, and one of the two divine character submissions is S10/D16. The other divine submission is S16/D10, but that is the GM's call. If the high Str character is not chosen, we likely need our spellcasters to be prepared with utility or buffing spells. We wouldn't want our fast and lethal SWAT team being defeated by a nefarious stuck door.
@Quarick
"Melee mwk rapier +3 (1d4+3/18-20 x2)"
Your attack modifier should be +6, right? (BAB +1; Dex +3; Size +1; masterwork +1)
Tsura Vhiski |
You see a well-groomed Varisian woman with chestnut brown hair tightly gathered under a bandanna. Her eyes are the color of the sky, with small flecks of silver near the iris. Her skin is fair with small freckles on her nose and cheek bones. She is dressed in a courtier's outfit - a tan three-quarter length coat trimmed with blue, green, and red. She wears loose leggings under the coat. An iron holy symbol of Sarenrae hangs prominently around her neck. She is medium-height, with a solid frame and straight posture. She bears no visible weapons.
"Hail! I am Sister Tsura, a humble templar of the Dawnflower. How does the day greet you?" Her alto voice is warm and confident.
Tsura shares a modest room with her sister at the temple of Sarenrae. They live communally with the clergy and monks, with the cost of their room and board deducted from their wages.
GM Captain Trips |
Yea, the Dex based thing was never planned to be sure. However, you have a rogue, so you shouldn't need to bash doors! :)
However, trust the GM to have a plan. It may seem like madness, but it will all make sense in the end.
Ok, now back to reviews. On to Tsura. One thing I found is your feats seem out of whack. Where are you getting TWF? I have Weapon Finesse as your Soulknife freebie, Weapon Focus - Mind Blade as your racial, which leaves you one additional feat. You have Slashing Grace and TWF. You had TWF listed as class, but Soulknives don't get this for free and neither do Nimble Blades. Nimble Blades also give up their bonus feat at level 1 for Weapon Finesse.
Guide me grasshopper :)
Quarick Frezhal |
@Quarick
"Melee mwk rapier +3 (1d4+3/18-20 x2)"
Your attack modifier should be +6, right? (BAB +1; Dex +3; Size +1; masterwork +1)
I forgot the Dex bonus somehow.....Thanks!
Edit: Ah, I was adding it to damage instead of 'to hit' for some reason. All fixed now.
Tsura Vhiski |
Ok, now back to reviews. On to Tsura. One thing I found is your feats seem out of whack. Where are you getting TWF? I have Weapon Finesse as your Soulknife freebie, Weapon Focus - Mind Blade as your racial, which leaves you one additional feat. You have Slashing Grace and TWF. You had TWF listed as class, but Soulknives don't get this for free and neither do Nimble Blades. Nimble Blades also give up their bonus feat at level 1 for Weapon Finesse.
Guide me grasshopper :)
...oops.
"This replaces the bonus feat normally gained at 1st level."
There is my problem. I fixed it. I suppose I will have to wait until level 3 to be a human blender.
GM Captain Trips |
Quarick, you might want to give serious consideration to Fencing Grace, which I linked earlier. It will make a huge difference. You won't be able to get it till 3rd, but dex to damage for a character that is dex based cannot be overlooked! :)
@Tsura - I figured that was the issue. :)
And now you have your 4th. And you can see that the madness is really quite out of control.
Quarick Frezhal |
My lord, that is the most complicated trait I have ever seen!
I'm fine with it if you want to take it, but keep in mind that you are looking at a devoted of Sarenrae and now a paladin in your party. Not saying it wouldn't have its place, but it could be problematic. :)
Good point.
I WILL take your advice on Feats however. That extra damage is just too much to pass up, at lvl 3.
Tsura Vhiski |
Are you sure that trait isn't a racial ability for kenders?
For Tsura, the L in LG stands for duty, honor, and sacrifice. As long as you are stealing from evil people, she won't raise a fuss. Stealing from neutral people, however, will result in long stares heavy with disappointment.
F. Castor |
Kender was the first thing that crossed my mind as well.
Hmm... A swashbuckler with perhaps a penchant for... borrowing things and a rogue in the same group with a follower of Sarenrae and a paladin. This has the potential for much amusement, if not hilarity. Besides, both the aforementioned follower of Sarenrae and the paladin are women and... well, Jonas -you may call him Jon, by the way- does like a challenge. :-P
Quarick Frezhal |
Might be boring and just go with social party face- http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/social-traits/fast-talker
or is the flavor from Unabashed Gall, worth it?
This parts cares me- "Regardless of whether your Bluff check succeeds, you and any allies willfully taking advantage of your unlawful deed treat your initiative checks for the duration of combat as though you had each rolled a 1."
Tsura Vhiski |
The Guide to Traits is an excellent resource.
If you don't mind worshiping a halfling god, Chaldira Zuzaristan is a goddess of mischief and battle.
Lessons of Chaldira (Chaldira Zuzaristan) - Once per day, when you fail a saving throw, you can reroll the saving throw. You must take the second result even if it is worse.
That's a crazy good trait.
Quarick Frezhal |
The Guide to Traits is an excellent resource.
If you don't mind worshiping a halfling god, Chaldira Zuzaristan is a goddess of mischief and battle.
Lessons of Chaldira (Chaldira Zuzaristan) - Once per day, when you fail a saving throw, you can reroll the saving throw. You must take the second result even if it is worse.
That's a crazy good trait.
Awesome trait but no halfling connections in his backstory. Would be quite gamey to choose that one.
Tsura Vhiski |
This parts cares me- "Regardless of whether your Bluff check succeeds, you and any allies willfully taking advantage of your unlawful deed treat your initiative checks for the duration of combat as though you had each rolled a 1."
But remember, we're doing party initiative! So even if you automatically roll a 1, you can bum off of someone else's initiative roll.
Quarick Frezhal |
Quarick Frezhal wrote:This parts cares me- "Regardless of whether your Bluff check succeeds, you and any allies willfully taking advantage of your unlawful deed treat your initiative checks for the duration of combat as though you had each rolled a 1."But remember, we're doing party initiative! So even if you automatically roll a 1, you can bum off of someone else's initiative roll.
Reading it, it looks like we would ALL get 1s?
Tsura Vhiski |
"Whenever you commit an unexpected and outrageously unlawful act (such as knowingly destroying or stealing something) that would elicit a hostile response from another creature, you may attempt a Bluff check opposed by the opponent's Sense Motive check. If you're successful, you and any allies who were willfully expecting your unlawful deed may act in a surprise round. For each ally willfully expecting your unlawful deed, you take a cumulative –2 penalty on your Bluff check. If your Bluff check fails, there is no surprise round. Regardless of whether your Bluff check succeeds, you and any allies willfully taking advantage of your unlawful deed treat your initiative checks for the duration of combat as though you had each rolled a 1."
So the trait only affects you and any party members who are anticipating and capitalizing on your ploy.
Quarick Frezhal |
Ah forgot you already had an initiative bonus. Trait bonuses don't stack, so that one is probably not worth taking.
For a character with a high charisma and a low wisdom, Irrepressible is pretty awesome.
On GM advice I am taking the http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits/faith-traits/irrepressible trait. Consider it done!
So who is the next person?
GM Captain Trips |
I'm off for the evening. This is usually later than I am normally online, but I wanted to get everything wrapped up as far as selections went tonight so we could start to hammer out all the little details tomorrow and going forward.
Please note, as I mentioned in the recruitment thread, I'm still a week or so from being ready to kick this one off. But that should give us plenty of time to get everyone in line, allow me to answer questions and explain a bit more of how I run things, and so on.
So for those still awake, and looking for something to chew on, the link to the wiki is below. Feel free to browse, familiarize yourself, and ask any questions you might have. I'll answer them at first light tomorrow!
Penka "Prebleached" Bashment |
Wow, lots of posts already!!!
Hi everyone, I'm Cartmanbeck aka Penka. I'm very excited for this game, as Trips has proven to me through the goblin-themed game that I'm in to be a seriously excellent GM. I look forward to getting to know your characters and nurturing relationships with them!
Penka "Prebleached" Bashment |
Oh, and i haven't spent a cent of my gold yet, still deciding what I want. Definitely a few 1st-level scrolls. Any major suggestions?
Hanz Deadshield |
Hello all! This is the Norv, aka Hanz Deadshield checking in. I was delighted to realize that the only artwork of a Pahmet dwarf actually features a facial scar, so getting this avatar set up took almost no time at all. I can't wait to start playing!
I don't have time to read back through everything already posted tonight, but I will get a fuller introduction up tomorrow after I've had a chance to look at everyone else's info. Very excited for this game!
Elxurian |
Well met, everyone! I'm here at last. Although I got here 1 minute after Trip's last post I took some time reading the final part of the recruitment thread and this one too.
Funny thing is, after the third choice (Tsura) I was kinda sad, because I saw two melee characters there already, so I hoped I could still be the sixth member chosen, but then when I came back I saw my name as the fourth selected, and well, I'm happy to be here.
Now, let's get down to business! My second language is celestial, it's in the sheet but it's close to the header, beside Aura and below Perception. Impressively enough no one else has it in this campaign.
Irrepressible is indeed one of the most powerful traits, and Elxurian would also have it, but since I couldn't let her wisdom on 8 it would not make much of a difference, so I took a more flavorful option.
She will be staying at the "Murdered Mare", in the cheapest room. Unless she can take residence in the church or paladin quarters, if any of those are available. Eventually if situation demands she will move to the inn in any case.
Oh, and i haven't spent a cent of my gold yet, still deciding what I want. Definitely a few 1st-level scrolls. Any major suggestions?
Elxurian would suggest buying 6 scrolls of Protection from Evil, if you knew her.
@All I'm not gonna look at your backgrounds, as I think it spoils all the fun, so anything Elxurian and I know about you is what you told us (aside from some things we read in the recruitment thread, of course).
F. Castor |
I will be changing Jonas' starting gear just a little to both have him start the game with a gold piece or two more in cash and to drop the medium encumbrance down to light. Granted, the latter point is not always relevant as he is not always carrying his backpack, but it will make things a tad simpler if I can manage it (Hero Lab also seems to add the worn clothing's weight if it is anything other than what it lets you choose as starting clothing, which it should not do as far as I know; Jonas has bought and is wearing a pickpocket's outfit and has gotten rid of the free starting outfit).
GM Captain Trips |
@Jonas - Based on your initial listed purchases I actually have you at 12gp remaining, so I'm not sure where the error might be. I've already converted your character to my hero labs format for the wiki so you can check the site to see if I mucked anything up.
@Elxurian - A couple notes. You had "Arcane Dabbler" as one of your traits. Thats actually an error on the d20pfs site. Arcane Dabbler is indeed a trait, but its elf only. However, "Wealthy Dabbler" is the same trait, which requires you to be from Taldor, and can be human. I'm willing to give some leeway here and remove the Taldor requirement, so no real problems there. The "Fanatic" trait is "Azlant Fanatic", d20pfs has to remove the Azlant part since it isnt open license and is specific to Golarion.
I've got plenty of other stuff to post today, but it will need to wait until I'm at work, have updated my other PbP games, and get settled in a bit more.
But now that the gang is all here I wanted to welcome everyone. I have a feeling this will be a great group and I'm looking forward to it!
F. Castor |
Yeah, I noticed the money thing. I am currently at the hospital and will be until tomorrow, and while I do have computer and internet access, I do not have Hero Lab. I will give it a look regardless though and see if I can get to the bottom of it the old-fashioned way.
Edit: After a look, it seems your calculations are probably correct. I will use Hero Lab tomorrow to double-check, as well as make a couple of wee changes, and I will post again to let you know.
Penka "Prebleached" Bashment |
And now I've spent most of Penka's gold on some buff scrolls and a summoner's kit and melee weapon. :)