Hello and welcome to the game! I'm excited to get started with all of you. Take some time to get to know one another here in the discussion thread, before we move to the game.
If you haven't already, finish up your character using the criteria below.
Character Creation:
1. All characters begin at level one.
2. 20-point ability buy.
3. Good or neutral alignments only.
4. All Paizo-created races are acceptable, but core races are preferred. No custom or third-party races are allowed.
5. Paizo-created classes and archetypes only.
6. Two traits. One must be a campaign trait. Try to pick traits that align with your backstory, not just add to your character's stats (or figure out how to add stat-boosting traits into your backstory). I'm fine with flavor tweaks to make traits align better with your character's story, but please let me know that you're making the tweak before you assume I'm ok with it (I probably will be).
8. Average gold for buying starting gear for your class.
9. Max HP at level one, roll or 1/2 HD + 1 thereafter.
10. We'll be playing with the Background Skills variant (thanks for pointing me to that, Amadine!). Please add two background skills to your character, and adjust your current skill selections as needed.
A Couple of Things:
1. Please put the following in the Class area of your profile. Obviously replace the numbers with your information.
Init +3 | Perc +10 | AC 15 / T 15 / FF 11 | HP 11/11 | Saves F +5/R +3/W +6
2. We'll be using Roll20 for combat and maybe sharing some information about the campaign (though most of that can live here on the boards). Please let me know if you have any issues/concerns about that. Please PM me with your email address so I can invite you to the game.
3. When doing a skill check, please roll the dice - even if you don't know if your check is valid or needed. I might ignore your roll if it is unnecessary (or if you do a good enough job roleplaying that the dice check is replaced by your creativity), but it speeds thing up if I don't have to ask for it.
4. This is a big one: I'm not really a rules-heavy guy. I believe the rules are in place to give boundaries to the narrative, create tension, and provide an agreed-upon framework. As such, I won't be checking your character sheets for accuracy. I'm assuming we'll all be honest with stats and abilities. Please don't make an ass out of you and me. ;)
Thanks, everyone - we'll get the game started once everyone's characters are good to go!
Thanks for the selection, DM! Very excited to give this one a try!
Gen is ready to go.
Amadine, I adjusted my background to include our tie in.
Thank you very much for the selection DM Tallgrass!
Finishing character sheet information.
Really quickly, Tallgrass, before I start working on my character, I figure I'd give you a chance to opt out of me playing an Enchantment focused character. Early on it won't be a problem, but as soon as I can cast Dominate person, we'll have a mobile army at our disposal.
I just wanted to make sure that you were okay with that, as there are some GMs who don't want to deal with that sort of thing.
Thank you for choosing me Tallgrass! From what I've seen of it (played to the 2nd social round of the Exaltation Gala) this is going to be a fantastic AP!
I'll get my gear shaved down to match average wealth and I should be all ready to go.
What time zones are we playing from? I'm Pacific Standard, West Coast of U.S.
Thanks for the invite GM Tallgrass, I will adjust Kunala's stats to follow your order.
I'm in couple of other games on roll20 so I'm good with that, Sending a PM with e-mail.
EST or - 4 GMT, I tend to post mostly at night. Though I do check the boards frequently all day long.
Also, contemplating using a 'small shield' instead of a buckler. I'm having trouble picturing someone wearing a buckler on their arm all the time while at court. While a small shield hanging on a belt/frog with the sword, or on the opposite hip, makes sense to me. Any opinions?
Funny you should mention that, I was also considering how appropriate/inappropriate having a Large wooden shield or Longsword would be at court. It doesn't actually feel terribly appropriate to be walking around fully armed or even more than lightly armored, save for during times of war. But that is if you were a typical courtesan. It could just be a quirk you have.
As for the time zone I'm in, it's Pacific Standard for me. I tend to post during the dead of night hours and then again in the late afternoon to evening times.
Oddly, I assumed that weapons and dueling were sort of the status quo. Taldor has the Rondelero Duelist. I just figured it was like carrying rapiers during the renaissance.
Well then, that shows what I know about historical renaissance. Carry on, as you were. As far as where the items should be, I would think a shield on the opposite hip make a little more sense.
Well then, that shows what I know about historical renaissance.
ummm, yeah By the renaissance I meant renaissance....
I'm not sure it counts as "historical"
I’m EST as well. I typically check the boards in the morning before, work and I’m good for posting a few times as necessary in the evening.
EST for me as well.
Excellent! Everyone is checked in. I think we've got a pretty remarkable group here - I'm excited to see where we go!
@Vrog: I'm intrigued by the possibility of Dominate Person in the context of this AP. I need to do a little more research into the spell, as I've never run or been a part of a game that had a enchanter. It should be interesting. Proceed as planned - unless, of course, you want to play something else.
@Kunala: Having a buckler strapped to one's arm during political sessions wouldn't be allowed. Having one at fancy galas would be met with derision and judgement - which in this particular game may be more detrimental than breaking the law. :) People do carry their weapons, but for the most part they're ceremonial or symbols of power. For certain gatherings, weapons are "peace-bound" so as to not be immediately accessible, but still on your person.
@Lucius: What Campaign Trait are you taking?
As for the time zone, I'm CST, but I'll be checking and posting mostly during the day. I'll try to keep things moving as possible, even with our opposing schedules.
Also, I didn't realize I could just share a link to the Roll20 game, so I don't need your email addresses. (I promise to not add the email addresses of those who've already messaged me to some obnoxious sales email list.) To join the game, click here. Initially I'm not planning on using Roll20 for much more than the combat maps, but we'll see how things progress.
@Gen: I'll make the changes to background as well..
Also, I didn't realize I could just share a link to the Roll20 game, so I don't need your email addresses. (I promise to not add the email addresses of those who've already messaged me to some obnoxious sales email list.) To join the game, click here. Initially I'm not planning on using Roll20 for much more than the combat maps, but we'll see how things progress.
I'd out the link to the map in the Campaign Tab thread at the top of the page, it'll be easier to track it moving forward :-)
I don't know why it bothers me so much, but the buckler in Pathfinder is one of my biggest peeves. It' nothing like an actual buckler, which is hand-held, not strapped to the forearm.
It can't be used like an actual buckler, held at about arm's length and used in concert with the sword. It's insanely dangerous, to the point of being worse than nothing. To work, a pathfinder buckler must catch a blow directly and stop it completely. If the strike slides one direction on the buckler, you lose a hand. If it slides the other direction, it goes straight into your upper arm or shoulder.
Here's a video of sword and buckler sparring to see how it really works. It's pretty cool.
Sword & Buckler Fencing with Sharp Swords
It's funny that the iconic swashbuckler is actually drawn with a real buckler, which she never uses. She carries like most probably were, looped over the handle of a weapon (in her case a dagger) but probably the sword hilt was used in reality.
I know bucklers are done the way they are for mechanical reasons, but why not just allow them to be drawn as a swift or free action instead of reworking them into something so ridiculous?
The Roll20 link has been added to the top!
I'm embarrassed to admit this, but I haven't ever thought about Bucklers in any meaningful way before. I'm on board with their being drawn quickly and used more like a normal shield.
@Kunala: Having a buckler strapped to one's arm during political sessions wouldn't be allowed. Having one at fancy galas would be met with derision and judgement - which in this particular game may be more detrimental than breaking the law. :) People do carry their weapons, but for the most part they're ceremonial or symbols of power. For certain gatherings, weapons are "peace-bound" so as to not be immediately accessible, but still on your person.
Ok, so not entirely 'armed all the time' ready to duel, my bad Lucius!
I'm good with that, would knowing when and where appropriate be a knowledge: nobility, local or history?
Also, would there be a form of performance dance where the 'sword and buckler' would be part of the costume or actual dance itself?
I don't know why it bothers me so much, but the buckler in Pathfinder is one of my biggest peeves....
Right there with you, I would have rather 'small shield' be written the way 'buckler' is and vice-versa.
You'd know when it was appropriate or not based on living in Oppara. No need for a check. I'm not sure about the form of performance, but I think a goo charm check against your GM (i.e. give me a good enough description/explanation for why you'd be wearing them) should make it possible.
Also, the gameplay thread is live! I know Vrog is finalizing his character, but feel free to go ahead and check that out as you're able!
I should have an alt up this evening.
Wow, just realized that three of us have the 'noble Scion' feat...
Ladies, would Kunala know either of you? He is assistant to a dancing instructor named Master Archirel Destrie, and an up-and-coming dancer in his own right. He is only 21 and was used by Destrie to teach younger classes and as a partner for private lessons.
I assume there is a possibility they may have interacted, either at the dancing school or at a party of some sort...
Kunala: My friends don't dance and since they don't dance you're no friend of mine.
But you can dance if you want to. :)
It is certainly possible, Kunala. If you want to go with that, it works for me.
Wow, just realized that three of us have the 'noble Scion' feat...
Ladies, would Kunala know either of you? He is assistant to a dancing instructor named Master Archirel Destrie, and an up-and-coming dancer in his own right. He is only 21 and was used by Destrie to teach younger classes and as a partner for private lessons.
I assume there is a possibility they may have interacted, either at the dancing school or at a party of some sort...
Yes for sure Gen would partake in dance and partying :-)
Kunala, no apologies necessary on the intro - it'll be 100 posts before you settle into the perfect persona. :)
Okay, here is Vrog's character. Let me know if you want/need me to make any changes.
@Indir: I don't see a Campaign trait listed. Also, are you human or kitsune?
ok, In game the second task is:
"Second, I need someone to help uncover the loyalty of two specific senators. I despise loose ends, and we don't know how these two will vote. I'll need someone able to set the senators at ease and discern their honest opinions."
Kunala may be able to handle this one instead, if someone feels more comfortable with the first task. I've read the 'intrigue' rules. But still a little fuzzy on them.
He has A + 6 sense motive and + 5 perception. With + 6 in diplomacy and bluff. So depending on the 'influence checks' he may do ok.
I'm a Kitsune. They get the ability to change into the same human form for unlimited duration.
I did miss a campaign trait, so I'll fix that now.
Huh, could be fun to have an invested audience member. I don't see anything wrong with that myself.
Lurking is part of the fun :-)
@Gabrielle: I couldn't possibly refuse, I'm doing the same thing in another campaign. :)
@Indir: Amandine has Sleight of Hand trained and will take care of the artifacts.
@Lucious: Since the "Party Spoiling" mission says "and/or" Disable Device I'm taking it to mean the skill is necessary for the mission. That's why I suggested pairing with Trudeau for it.
@Tallgrass: How will time work at the Gala? Is it possible to work on multiple missions within the timeframe?
Welcome Mattastrophic/Gabrielle. Lurk away!
@Amandine: There is a series of "social rounds" that function similarly to combat. I'll explain more soon, but your tasks will be carried out over a series of rounds with the appropriate checks. That's just the mechanics, though. From a narrative perspective, you'll have plenty of time to do more than just your specific task. Depending on how quickly you succeed (or fail), you would be able to move on assist someone else, mingle with the other influential guests, or just enjoy the festivities.
The mission Gen volunteered for us the only one she may be successful at but she'll do any of them :-)
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I put together a spreadsheet for the Gala missions. I was home sick today so why not right? I figured it might help people decide what to choose. I'm not suggesting that only the person best suited for a mission should take it, but it could help to have all the information in one place.
The missions and associated skills are listed across the top. Skills that require training to use them are in green. Everyone is then listed below with their bonuses in those skills. I didn't dig into character sheets to find all the possible bonuses there, for example skill bonuses from traits and feats aren't included unless they are already totaled into the listed skill bonus. For DEX skills ACP is only included if it was already figured into the bonus total. If a skill wasn't listed on a sheet I gave the ability score bonus only.
Feel free to make corrections to your skill bonuses if they aren't correct or complete. It should be open for editing (I hope). Let me know if it isn't.
One of the missions has an Influence check. Those vary so it has a question mark since we don't know what the check for it would be.
Don't be bummed out if the missions don't align wonderfully with your skills. Like I mentioned, I did play a couple of social rounds into the AP before, and the missions are only a part of what's going on. We'll be making a lot of influence checks, and they use a broader range of skills than the missions.
Here's the link: Gala Missions
I think our currently listed lineup for tasks is pretty good. Let's do an initial pass through completing them and then we'll have the people who succeed at their's go and help the people who didn't.
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I think our currently listed lineup for tasks is pretty good. Let's do an initial pass through completing them and then we'll have the people who succeed at their's go and help the people who didn't.
+1!
Thanks for putting that together, Amandine - you get +200 PbP points!
Amandine, check out my mission spoiler. I think I’m going to need your help on the revenge mission if you are available. I should be able to find the right wine easy enough, but getting the bad stuff into the bottle I’d suspect is a disable device or stealth check, and that’s not great for me...
@Trudeau: Sure, no problem. As long as it doesn't demand that I be in two places at once or something like that I'm in.
Hey GM Tallgrass, so I was wondering about the Young Reformer Trait, can I use it to try and assist one of the other tasks at the gala?
It doesn't seem like it would be terribly useful for my particular task, but I can think of several ways it may be helpful for someone else.
so I was reading in game thread, and I read this quote:
"Lady Genevieve, should I buy a wig for the Gala?" she asks, holding out a sprig of her short her for Genevieve to see. "I don't want to attract any negative attention."
It reminded me of a piece of information that I had read, Back when I first heard about the AP. So I went and tracked down This list.
I don't know if anyone else had seen it, or if they were interested in that sort of thing. but I figured it wouldn't hurt to post it.
That is very neat! I'm definitely going to be using that for inspiration in ways to interact with others when Lucius is going to be using his disguise persona.
Lucius, yes, you can use the trait to aid someone else! The missions can be collaborative, but one individual is “responsible” for ensuring it gets done.
To everyone, I’ll be updating the gameplay thread tomorrow morning! Ideally, I’d like to be moving on to the pre-Gala meet up, as that’s where the adventure REALLY begins.
Oh yeah! I saw that list back when but had forgotten abut it. Thanks, it's very useful. And Taldans love pie so I love Taldans.
Actually there is a a little story about Amandine's short hair that will come out, probably sooner than later.