GM Toothy |
Welcome!
I'm really looking forward to start this campaign, even if, as you know, I'll not be able to start it until 02/29 because of an already scheduled trip.
Meanwhile, we can discuss any connection between your PCs backgrounds as well as a couple changes in your sheets to round any edges or avoid any overlapping in abilities (this is more important in a 4-person game than in a 5-6 game).
For now, I'd like to know about your experience with this AP (Sabrina already started it a couple times but not sure about the rest of you). I think it is not unnecessary to say that for those who have some experience to not ruin it for the other ones, right?
Gameplay is opened for dotting but if you can dot and then delete, it would be nice.
Now I'll take a final look at everyone's sheet just to check if everything is alright and will make another post in a couple hours!
Elriel |
Glad to be here and looking forward to a great game!
I have started this AP with another PC but never got to level 2 so I don't think we went very far. I'll try my best to keep player knowledge separate from character knowledge but don't be afraid to over rule any 'jumps of logic' my PC makes.
I've perused some of your backgrounds before but I'll give it a closer read in the next day or two.
Elriel is a recent arrival to Kenabres; he hails from a small town at the edge of the Tanglebriar, the demon-infested swamp in Kyonin.
Let's make this a great game!
Bertholdt Escheus |
Hello and thanks for the vote of confidence!
I've read the first book only, as I tried to GM it a while back (reached two-thirds I would say). That was a long time ago though and I don't intend to spoil things.
As for background, Bertholdt could be famous in some circles, as the chelaxian who turned to the bright side, to the demise of his family. He spent all his life in Mendev, but not in Kenabres, where he only recently arrived.
And I virtually dotted (deleted it).
GM Toothy |
Right, here are a couple bugs I found... correct me if I'm wrong!
Arrika and Kelumarion
Arrika’s silver battle aspergillum should deal 1 less damage due to silver (also, are you sure about making it silver instead of cold iron?)
Arrika’s Trait is still Touched by Divinity and not Exposed to Awfulness.
Kelumarion’s Perception should be +4 (at the top of the sheet)
Kelumarion’s hp should be 8 (6 hd (average up from a d10), +1 Con, +1 FCB) but go ahead and bring it up to 12 (as if he was a PC)
Arrika’s light wooden shield weights only 5 lbs
Bertholdt
Bertholdt’s Javelin should be +1
Bertholdt’s CMD should be 14
Bertholdt’s diplomacy should be +3 (1-1+3), sense motive should be +6 (1+2+3) and is lacking one background skill
Berthold’s has 2 more gp in his belt pouch
Elriel
Elriel’s damage when dual wielding should be 1d6+1/1d6, 19-20, x2 since the offhand is only ½ Str bonus.
Sabrina
Sabrina is lacking the light spell-like ability from the Chosen of Iomedae trait and her Aura of Good.
Now, a couple suggestions:
@Bertholdt: With your negative Cha modifier and having both Sabrina and Arrika with nice Diplomacy, perhaps it would be nice to change your ranks in Diplomacy to Heal. You lack a background skill point, so putting it in linguistics could be nice, perhaps learning abyssal from your time with the hellknights.
@Sabrina: Perhaps another trait instead of armor expert could be better, like something that gives you Knowledge (planes) as a class skill. Saying this because this will be the most important knowledge in this AP and having two players good at it might be handy (it also works pretty well with your background IMO).
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
Hey everyone - gonna be a great game! :D I've read the Wrath of the Righteous player's guide, and I've gotten a couple tiny bits of lore from random readings, but I have no experience whatsoever with the actual story, so I'm coming in uninitiated and ready for the ride.
----------
Addressing Toothy's concerns:
-The damage decrease from silver is only for slashing and piercing weapons - bludgeoning weapons don't take the hit. Which is part of why I made the aspergillum silver and not the dagger. :) I also couldn't remember if any demons had DR/silver (I'm still new at this), so I wanted to be prepared. And a lot of her equipment is cobbled together from charity donations - a silver aspergillum, sort of a cast-off ceremonial piece, seemed what she'd be more likely to have given to her when she was preparing to go, rather than one of the good cold iron ones.
-Yeah, yesterday was a busy day - me and my husband went out for the first time in a while and spent pretty much the entire day out and about. This is the first time I've gotten on since we messaged each other - the trait and associated background expansion will get sorted in the next day or two.
-I'll make the other corrections. Thanks! I thought eidolon Hit Dice were d8 for some reason - it's what I get for doing it from memory. :)
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As opposed to Elriel and Bertholdt, Arrika's been in Kenabres for near ten years, having been brought to an orphanage here after her mother's execution at the hands of a holdout of the Third Crusade witch hunts. As such, whispers of the "witch child" may have reached the ears of newcomers from some of the more...traditional (read, radical) types in Kenabres. Even if you haven't heard of her, she's pretty hard to miss - while she's very shy and introverted (a direct result of her upbringing), she's rarely seen alone. Her friend Kelumarion is her near constant companion, a mountain cat whose fur scintillates with hints of gold, white, and other hues Taldane doesn't quite have a word for.
It wouldn't surprise me if Bertholdt had at least crossed paths with them, as the orphanage where she lives and works is connected to Iomedae's church. I know a little less about Sabrina at the moment, but since she's connected with Iomedae's church some kind of passing familiarity seems possible there as well. Elriel seems a little less likely, although still possible. For her part, there may be a bit of mistrust between her and Bertholdt/Sabrina to start - she always has to spend her first interactions with southerners (especially obvious followers of Iomedae) gauging whether they're more likely to kiss her, kick her, or kill her; it colors relations a bit.
Elriel |
Thanks for the feedback!
I followed your suggestions.
A possibility: as we have no bard, I could take the evangelist archetype, which provides with inspire courage, but removes spontaneous cure spells and reduces channelling.
if this goes with his personality then go for it. If not, I would not worry about it. I suspect that channeling and healing will be important in this AP. :)
@GM Toothy: I've addressed your comment on the PC sheet.
Anybody up for a little shared (or solo) scene writing to get creative juices flowing and tidy us over to the 29th?
GM Toothy |
@Arrika: I'm not 100% sure but I do not recall any Demon that is vulnerable to silver. If you wish to keep it, no problem at all!
@Bertholdt: Not sure if it is a good trade with your low Charisma since you'd get nothing from Public Speaker and low uses of bardic performance. You also lose one domain, medium armor and the trades of cure light wounds are really poor for this AP. If you are looking for an archetype, Mendevian Priest is really flavorful in this AP.
@Elriel: It is a pretty good idea, just to warm things up!
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
@Toothy - Yeah, I'll probably keep it. The idea of a cast-off ceremonial piece as one of her main pieces of equipment kind of appeals to me.
@Eiriel - I'm up for some collaborative creative-juice-stimulating. Someone propose the locale and topic. :)
Elriel |
Well, from my background...
Elriel is looking for his 'father' (low templar who raped his mother 20 years ago). Rumors said that he has been redeemed and is now an old man 'doing good' (local soup kitchen, low templar retirement home, etc.).
I was thinking Elriel is looking for him and finds Arrika at her place?
If this is agreeable then let me know. I'll start the scene and leave where the two meet.
Toothy: would you rather set up a scene where everyone is involved?
Others: any ideas on shared scenes?
GM Toothy |
Hold on a bit... in a couple minutes I'll make a post on the recruitment thread that will put everyone 'together'... this way no one is left alone (if they wish to participate in this early RP).
Elriel |
Hold on a bit... in a couple minutes I'll make a post on the recruitment thread that will put everyone 'together'... this way no one is left alone (if they wish to participate in this early RP).
Ok, did you mean to say in the Gameplay Thread or are you saving that for the official campaign start?
Bertholdt Escheus |
@Arrika: I'm not 100% sure but I do not recall any Demon that is vulnerable to silver. If you wish to keep it, no problem at all!
@Bertholdt: Not sure if it is a good trade with your low Charisma since you'd get nothing from Public Speaker and low uses of bardic performance. You also lose one domain, medium armor and the trades of cure light wounds are really poor for this AP. If you are looking for an archetype, Mendevian Priest is really flavorful in this AP.
@Elriel: It is a pretty good idea, just to warm things up!
Good points. Let's leave Bertholdt as is.
GM Toothy |
In the Gameplay thread!
Feel free to RP around since the AP really starts at noon, so you all have a couple hours to enjoy yourselves.
Also feel free to create any NPCs and RP their actions for now. I'll try to check in a couple times before 29th but I can't promise unfortunately.
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
Sounds like a plan, man - I think we can handle it. :) Have a good trip!
Elriel |
@Toothy: do you want us to meet during the morning of the festival or do we work out possible connections before then?
I can either way but wanted your opinion.
GM Toothy |
I have no preference but I think it would be easier to focus the bulk of the RP during the morning of the festival, since it assumes that, at noon, you are all 'close' to each other.
Sabrina De'Foe |
ok thanks for the selection... very busy day.
anyway ok will check on the light SLA.
As for knowledge planes. I selected Armor expert after extensive looking for a trait that grants knowledge planes. there are none that make it a class skill.
I would propose a custom trait though:
Fiendish Scholar (regional trait Mendev, Worldwound)
your experience and study of the denizens of the world wound has made you somewhat of an expert in that field.
Gain a +2 trait bonus to knowledge planes regarding evil outsiders and that skill becomes a class skill for you.
The other option is Fiend blood, which gives me knowledge planes but also makes me have fiendish blood (which did not fit the story)
There is also Scholar of the great beyond trait but that is a faith trait and I would loose Chosen of Iomedae
The last trait wold be Forbidden knowledge which allows me to use knowledge religion in place of knowledge planes checks. (this one may work as Knowledge religion is a class skill)
Sabrina De'Foe |
I think I will also be loosing the scion of Humanity alternate racial trait. (this was discussed already via PM
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
You're fine. It's going to take a fair while for Arrika to completely trust you, mind, but I think you're great. ;)
Sabrina De'Foe |
Same for me, if there are any issues with Sabrina please tell me I will adjust.
I am trying to play the fallen knight trying to regain her honor and restore her family name.
Elriel |
I can not speak for the GM but I have played with him before and I think this is exactly the type of game and players that he is looking for, that is enthusiastic players with three dimensional characters.
Just keep it up and don't let the participation/posting diminish as it sometimes happens with these games.
Let's all commit to a great game.
Game on!
Sabrina De'Foe |
I will try my best, but since my company blocked Paizo as a "gaming site" I can no longer post from work and there may be times when I will go over 24 hours with no posts.
sometimes I work a 16 hour day and just want to sleep when I get home.
Elriel |
I will try my best, but since my company blocked Paizo as a "gaming site" I can no longer post from work and there may be times when I will go over 24 hours with no posts.
sometimes I work a 16 hour day and just want to sleep when I get home.
This is unfortunate because I like your character.
Have these couple of days been typical because you posted more than once per day?
Elriel |
I guess we're all on 'waiting mode' for Toothy. :)
If he doesn't show up today, I'll continue roleplaying later.
Game on!
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
Yeah, it seemed like we'd hit on a perfect dramatic moment with the "banner rising once more" bit. It's the perfect moment for something to go horribly wrong at the festival and make it happen. ;)
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
Toothy, a couple of things:
1) I sent you a PM with a question concerning a trait and drawback I was looking at - I can reiterate it here if you can't find the message.
2) Will it make things easier if I use a separate alias for Kelumarion, since he and Arrika are going to be taking pretty wildly different actions, especially during combat? I'm fine with either option, different alias or no, although any lengthy dialogue between them will take place within one alias rather than ten posts of one line each if I do split them up.
GM Toothy |
@Arrika: Completely forgot to answer you about the drawback... You can go with any of the drawbacks but if you choose the Foul Brand on your hands, I'd also apply the -1 penalty on melee weapon attacks. Regarding the separate alias, I really have no preferences but if you choose to keep it in just one, please put in a parenthesis which one of you is making an attack/check/save.
Just to check, is everyone able to move your tokens in the map?
EDIT: Forgot to mention but this first map has a 10ft/square scale (and yes, it bugs me). So bear in mind that it is possible to 'share' the same square and that the spider is large.
Elriel |
Just to check, is everyone able to move your tokens in the map?
EDIT: Forgot to mention but this first map has a 10ft/square scale (and yes, it bugs me). So bear in mind that it is possible to 'share' the same square and that the spider is large.
I can not move my token. I can select it but not move it.
I have sent you an 'edit request'.
GM Toothy |
Fixed! Will wait a little to see if Bertholdt is able to post before moving thinks.
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
I went ahead and took Dependent for my drawback - it's got more impact on me, and Demonsbane Summoner is just so good that it seemed fair to take the more impactful drawback. Also, as you can see, I've made Kelumarion an independent alias - I'll put his stats in his profile as well as in Arrika's.
Sabrina De'Foe |
Sure Sabrina! Sorry for missing your question.
Thanks, updated the character sheet
GM Toothy |
Thanks for letting me know, Fabian!
Also, I should have asked this before... As I said in the recruitment thread, I intend to make this AP as dark as I can, but I'll respect both this community rules and also any personal limit you might have towards any particular topic. What I want to know is if you have any restriction towards any dark topics.
Another point, what are you thinking about the lighting/sight circles in the map? To confusing?
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
I don't have any particular limits when it comes to darker topics - if it falls within the community rules' bounds of good taste, chances are good I'll be just fine with it. I did read the entire Song of Ice and Fire series, after all. ;) But I definitely want anyone else's boundaries on the matter to be respected; if you aren't comfortable bringing something up in open discussion, please PM Toothy.
I like the lighting diagram - it is a tiny bit noisy, but I think it really helps when you have a combination of normal, low-light, and darkvision and you're in a situation where lighting is important (like fighting in a big, dark, spooky cave). I think this is the first time I've actually played in a situation where the GM stuck closely to the lighting rules, especially low-light vision, and it's nice; it adds another layer of verisimilitude. Plus it makes my light cantrip look sweeeet. ;)
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
Side note: I do know a bit about Anevia and Irabeth and how they met - when I was building my half-orc paladin woman for my Rise of the Runelords campaign the topic was unavoidable. :) It shouldn't be terribly spoiler-rific for me, and I'm doing my best to keep mentions of them to what Arrika would know simply from seeing them around Kenabres, since she did pass that Knowledge (local) check.
Fabian Benavente |
Thanks for letting me know, Fabian!
Also, I should have asked this before... As I said in the recruitment thread, I intend to make this AP as dark as I can, but I'll respect both this community rules and also any personal limit you might have towards any particular topic. What I want to know is if you have any restriction towards any dark topics.
Another point, what are you thinking about the lighting/sight circles in the map? To confusing?
BTW, I'm Ok with dark stuff. Just as long as we don't rape innocent puppies. :)
Just kidding. Dark is good.
Game on!
GM Toothy |
@Bertholdt: I have not discussed your Seize the Initiative ability... By RAW it must be rolled before the results are revealed but in PBP it will slow us down if at the beginning of each combat I need to ask you to which one you'll give the bonus so I'll propose two things:
1- You mark a target by default and I automatically reroll for it;
2- You always apply the bonus to the lower result.
Since you can use it 5/day, you'll probably be able to use it at every fight since. If you prefer, I can reserve the last use for a 'big fight'. For this battle, I used the 2nd option and the reroll granted Elriel a good roll so feel free to RP your 'warning'.
Also just noticed your AC should be 16.
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
Just to let everyone know, I'm heading out on a whirlwind big city adventure with the husband in the morning - my posting will be spotty through Wednesday night.
GM Toothy |
Thanks for the heads up Arrika!
Also, sorry for the delay, my internet died in the morning and only returned now... will post in a couple minutes.
GM Toothy |
FYI, even if I do not show you the AC of the enemies, you can generally have an idea about how high it is based on the description of your missed attacks that I'll provide you...
For example, lets take a Taiga Giant. He has AC 26, touch 14, flat-footed 24 (+4 armor, +4 deflection, +2 Dex, +8 natural, -2 size). With it's modifiers I then sort them in a series of limits that determines how he managed to defend your attack:
<8 (Base AC of 10 - 2 size): You missed him completely. If he was a huge rock, you'd have missed him entirely. He did not even have to move.
<10: He evaded your attack. Different from the above, he had to actively dodge, using his Dexterity to avoid the attack. Your attacked was dodged by his Dex modifier.
<14: Some force stopped your attack. In the case of the Taiga Giant, his ancestral spirits guided him. You should have at least connected your blow (you are sure about it) but something stopped it in the last moment. Your attack was stopped by his deflection bonus.
<18: The spirits were not able to stop your attack but his hide armor was enough. Your attack was stopped by his armor.
<26: Your attack bypassed his reflexes, his spirit guidance and even his armor but in the end his thick skin stopped. Your attack was stopped by his natural armor.
I know this looks like a lot of bookkeeping but I'm pretty used to it and I think it gives a good amount of realism.
Arrika Telryn Neverrun |
Cool! I try to do the same sort of thing, but I don't have it codified nearly as well - I may shamelessly steal it in future. :)
GM Toothy |
LOL I start with this after a game I was playing and the BBEG was surrounded by five of us and he managed to block each attack with his shield (as the GM described it)... just to think of him moving his shield around at every possible direction like Captain America made no sense at all!