This will be the spot for us to hash out character details, mostly. Post away, fellows!!
Xorn here. Just brushed up on the campaign setting and beginning to review character info.
One down! . . . . . and only six to go. :D
Wanna open the group here, or are we still waiting?
I'm gonna give the crew more time. I may start another line of play, though. Lots to do. Lots I want to do, anyway.
Wanna make another character?? lol
One thing, for everyone: notify me that your alias is ready for review so I can confirm you've got everything in place. Here's an example of a completed alias.
Once I reiterate Shepherd and his effects, he will be ready to wrassle.
Huzzah!! 2 of 7!! We're getting there!
Xorn: how goes the sphere selection?
For the benefit of myself and any other double casters about, please remind me and clarify how we are delineating caster levels from either class in relation to the talents selected for either class.
Example: Shepherd the Yamabushi (A low casting class) would like to take all of his Life talents in place of many of his ki powers and with a few of his level based talents gained as a Yamabushi. Shepherd the Incanter (a high casting class) would like to use his higher caster level to dictate the numerical variables inherent in his talents from the Life sphere, but isn't sure that his expertise as a mighty, spell chucking Incanter would apply to talents gained from another source of power.
An excellent question! And the answer pertains to Xorn Terel's character, as well -- take note!
Here's the deal: in the case of characters that have a split between either side of the build on the High/Mid/Low axis, your Caster Level for a given sphere will be determined by the caster level of the class with which that sphere was gained. It therefore logically follows that . . . .
Hmmm.
I was going to say you should commit all talents taken in a given sphere (and the sphere itself) to one "half" of the build. (My Theldran alias will be linked here soon to illustrate part of that, by the way.) That makes sense.
And then . . . .
Then we get back around to ol' Xorn Terel. Being a cleric/warpriest, he's supposed to use the blessings and domains that match. Though that inherently assumes a single-class build . . . . But dismissing that requirement feels like a "flavor-fail", which I cannot abide.
Hmmm, hmmm, hmmmm, indeed.
Gimme a few minutes . . . .
EDIT: Or weeks, maybe . . . .
Jace here.
Huzzah!! Another step closer!
And I heard from Chavez this morning, so we might get to four out of 7 before the week is out!!
Jace, are we still a "go" for tonight?
yep let's do it!
Until such a time as the question of relative caster level is answered, I'll just operate under the assumption that the source of the sphere is my only access to that sphere and thereby the only class with which I can gain associated talents.
Makes sense that way, at any rate.
Another option for consideration is home brewing a feat or two as an answer. One that is tailored to making two classes mesh a little more organically while still requiring commitment of resources to do so.
There's already the feat in SoP that lets you boost CL toward the upper limit of your HD . . . .
But on that note, Shepherd, I do think the yamabushi sphere abilities should (and will) be at low-caster CL. But I will get a definitive answer ASAP.
EDIT: Well dangit!! Non-caster to low-caster on that feat. Crap. Might adjust the 3.5 feat that boosts CL . . . . 'Cause that's the right idea -- allow the option, but require the cost.
Oh, there is a trait for that. Magical knack. +2 CL up to HD. It's half of Practiced Spellcaster. It would stack, too, since it's a trait bonus and the other is a feat bonus...
16 CL in Nature and Life ain't nothin' to sneeze at...
'Cause the prescription is, obviously, more cowbell CL . . . .
EDIT: And I'm really starting to wonder why you wanted monk levels at all . . . . :D
The whole concept is patently about a guy what blows things up with his fists. I think it speaks for itself, really.
Meh, incanter/neg cleric. lol
Okay. Let's hash out a bit more about the CL disparities between classes.
I recently started a thread asking about the means others had used in unifying the gestalt and SoP playstyles in an effort to prepare for this question. I had a good amount of solid feedback.
This is how I want to do this: whenever a character gains a sphere, that sphere will have a base CL progression determined by the high/mid/low-casting indicated by that class's SoP conversion/rules text, whichever class was used to gain access to that sphere. It therefore follows that you should limit the talents you take for that sphere to one "half" of your build. This is the general rule, henceforth.
This also begs another question: what if a character wants to use the Spellcrafting feat to produce an effect that incorporates spheres with differing Caster Levels?
In the case of my "ubercaster", Theldran, the disparity will usually only be brought into focus where Destruction and Weather abilities intersect. Because of the Focus Sphere class ability, at 20th level, he will cast as a 21st-level caster with Destruction effects; as the feat Sphere Focus (Weather) is unlikely to be part of the build, Weather's CL will be 20 at 20. A 1-point difference isn't much, so tying Destruction to the lower Weather progression won't seem a huge loss.
On the other hand -- Evarias (and Xorn, to a lesser degree) would find the drop-off between his Nature (low-casting) and Destruction (high) pretty extreme: 10th/20th, or a loss of 'half' his power in such a case (Xorn's breakpoints would be 15th/20th, or a 'quarter' loss). It would be very easy to mandate that all such "cross-class spellcrafting" be done using the lowest progression, but y'all know me a bit better than that.
Here is my tentative -- TENTATIVE -- proposal: a multi-CL spellcrafting combination will function for all spheres/talents in it at a CL bonus equal to:
+({highest CL - lowest Cl}*.33), rounded down to the nearest whole number value. By increasing the casting time and spell point investment at the time of casting, you may "buy" a higher caster level for the effects produced at a cumulative rate.
. . . . . .
£^(× math. In its goat-ass. With a shattered axehandle.
Okay. Let's try it again:
Cross-class Spellcrafting
Use your highest-CL sphere as your base sphere for a Spellcrafted effect (out of the spheres your character has, of course). This will help with MSB/MSD, SR, and range/area concerns. But when and where your Spellcrafting incorporates a lower-CL sphere with a higher, use the lower-CL mechanics. That's our baseline. I will be happy to review specific cases, though.
TL;DR
Use the CL progression for the class in which a sphere is gained to determine its scaled effects, whether Spellcrafted or not. Feats, traits, and items that modify your CL with a given sphere will function normally.
I am going to be putting up some "recap" posts in the gameplay thread over the next few days. Please post no responses in that thread until I indicate it is time for us to move forward there. Do read over them so that you can refresh your memories regarding what has happened so far. There will very likely be a certain amount of "retconning" involved, but I will try to communicate individually to smooth any and all of that over. Expect text messages in the near future.
Groovy. To all of that.
Stupid computer!!
Okay . . . .
Maybe I won't be posting in the Gameplay thread . . . .
More hurry up and wait.
9 Seedsowing, KY 187; Greenstone, Barony of the Eastern Reaches, Tyredor
Day's last light is slowly fading over the western plains as two weary travelers finish the trek over the Malachite Pass into the vale. A "wrong" turn leads them away from the city proper and its outlying districts, but they come to a two-story stone house, in need of much repair, that overlooks forested hills. A man with a shouldered pickaxe and a low-held lantern, headed southward, greets them in passing. There is no response, exhaustion and altitude having taken a heavy toll. The pair push through the broken door and stagger to mostly-clear spaces illuminated by sunset's last rays, and with a brief burst of clatters, clangs, and thumps, they collapse to the floor. Stars' first glimmers faintly stream through a hole in the foyer roof as sleep overtakes.
________
Nearly a mile away, down the "right" turn (not a turn at all, truly, but the path most would say was best), business at the Broken Bow Tavern and Inn is swift. Eben Forgall shows his last rush of patrons to seats in the common room for their late suppers, having made arrangements for the last four available rooms in his establishment. His daughter Christine is whisking clear plates and full to and fro from the kitchen; Yrek, his adopted half-orc son, stands near the double doors, keeping an eye on everything at once; the wife and son keep a steady supply of wholesome fare coming to the customers. All is well.
Soon after, Lord Berek Thragen of Thragencral and his bodyguards come down from the master suite and its adjacent rooms to take their meal. A specially-made table and chairs are set up between the bar and the human-sized tables and booths. The best meal that Eben has served in months is set before the dwarven company, but his family, as usual, have outdone themselves. Lord Thragen and his men are impressed, and filled, and still fine food remains -- given out to the other guests at Thragen's bidding. Food and fellowship are enjoyed, glasses raised in honor of one another, and supper is done. The dwarves retire for the night, citing an audience with Baron Wikark early the next morning as excuse. The supper crowd thins out as miners, haulers, and masons head home, leaving the hardiest drinkers, those awaiting the musical entertainment, and the four late arrivals in the wide, warm room.
9 Seedsowing, KY 187; Greenstone, Barony of the Eastern Reaches, Tyredor
The amiable lull is broken mere minutes later by cries of "Fire! Fire!!" in the street. A tall man seated near the back wall stands, sighing with regret over his now-abandoned meal, but moves toward the door with the quiet confidence of one who enjoys his work, and is good at it. When one of the newcomers, dressed in the heraldry of a Knight of the Crown, begins to rise and follow after him, the guardsman turns with a placating gesture and says: No. Eat. We'll take care of it; I'll send a runner to you if need be. He flips a copper coin to a youngster hiding in Yrek's shadow, whispers a series of intense words to him, and both exit.
The brief furor dies down as the on-duty guardsmen, a few public service workers, and a host of volunteers move off toward the burning building. The hubbub of conversation resumes in the common room, and the ale flows. A minstrel makes his entrance a short time later, and passes along bits of rumor about the fire as he tunes his lute. A warehouse of cut stone put to the torch. No witnesses. The whole building engulfed in flame in mere minutes. Puzzling, indeed.
Shattering glass, breaking wood, piercing screams announce danger. Through the double-door and two windows along the storefront, large red-skinned things with too-large claws and fangs break in and begin ravaging anyone within arm's reach. Blood flies. Diners fall. Drink spills.
A clear, ringing voice breaks through the din and directs the patrons to clear the floor, and a blast of vivid green energy lashes out at one of the assailing "gorilla-demons". As the panicked folk scatter as best they can, it becomes clear that the four newcomers are prepared for combat. Each one glancing at the young man of proud bearing who still has a fist wreathed in viridian destruction, they turn to meet the threat.
The Crown Knight draws his warhammer and moves to engage the monster menacing Yrek and Christine. A lean westerner readies his rapier and begins weaving through the overturned chairs toward the fray. Near the foot of the stairs, an earnest-looking studious type launches his own magical blast at the first-targeted monstrosity. Last to rise, one with a dour bearing and unfamiliar fashion unfurls a large, two-handed flail from beneath his cloak.
The battle is ended in under a minute. A total of seven of the crimson beasts are slain, and their lifeless forms quickly dissolve into cloudy purple goop that gradually vanishes away. Lord Thragen’s group finished tipping the scales against the brutes; a barbarian from beyond the Malachite Pass slew one unaided; the man of commanding presence hints at taking on new blood for his mercenary company, impressed by the efforts of the four new arrivals.
But the price is high – nine patrons dead, dozens injured, one of Thragen’s guards gravely wounded, and the flail-wielding foreigner lies at death’s door. The foul-smelling ichor oozing from the bite at his collarbone bodes worse. The dead are carefully loaded into a wagon and carted south on the Mountain Road to the temple of the Grey Watcher. The injured are found to be untreatable, until attended on consecrated ground; the “pilgrim” and dwarven warrior are given beds at the Shrine of Light mere yards across the roadway.
. . . .
Perhaps I just need to post a lot with this alias to get the gameplay thread "unstuck" . . . .
so here we go
with a host of random nonsense for the purpose of moving past 10 posts.
The aggravating part is that I emailed the moderators / community supervisors last week, and have gotten zero feedback . . . .
For what it's worth, I hate even trying this, but if this Saturday goes even remotely according to plan, we're gonna need a Gameplay thread by the end of next week.
Okay. Last one. Gonna try a copy/paste, see if that helps.
And it didn't work.
I am almost done building Xorn to 20th. Really close to ironing everything out. My deadline for completion is end of the month but hopefully will be done sooner. May the best Cleric/Warpriest win!!
As long as he's set for 3rd, we're great!! Update your alias profile and let me know when it's ready for review! Hopefully we'll have Vic and Chavez ready to roll by next weekend. Got a meet planned for tomorrow to start getting the finer points hammered out.
Alrighty! I'm here, at last, but just trying to figure what I'm needing to get done.
Sweet! We can work through what you need right here, man.
Granted, we've had you slated as a swashbuckler/rogue for a long time, and we can revise however you like.
Sweet! We can work through what you need right here, man.
Granted, we've had you slated as a swashbuckler/rogue for a long time, and we can revise however you like.
That class works for me, but there are a few things I've thought about changing that we can go over on in working with backstory and personality.
The campaign info tab has a fair bit of info to help, but the biggest question really is: do you want to keep Kingstain as conceived? If so, I think I have a copy of the old character sheet, and can send the info to you so you can update your alias with it.
The campaign info tab has a fair bit of info to help, but the biggest question really is: do you want to keep Kingstain as conceived? If so, I think I have a copy of the old character sheet, and can send the info to you so you can update your alias with it.
Yeah, pretty much same guy just the change I messaged about.
Okay, gang. I still have not received any further word from the forum moderators, so I think I'm gonna have to try to start another thread. I'd like to hear back from each of you here in the Discussion thread just to confirm how many we have on board with this.
I know that Shepherd, Xorn, Jace, and Vic (who has yet to set up a profile here, but that should come together this week) are pretty much good-to-go; Kingstain, did you have a copy of your character sheet? I haven't yet found it in my game folder.
Okay, gang. I still have not received any further word from the forum moderators, so I think I'm gonna have to try to start another thread. I'd like to hear back from each of you here in the Discussion thread just to confirm how many we have on board with this.
I know that Shepherd, Xorn, Jace, and Vic (who has yet to set up a profile here, but that should come together this week) are pretty much good-to-go; Kingstain, did you have a copy of your character sheet? I haven't yet found it in my game folder.
No, I don't believe I do have a copy. You said you and Grandpa kept all that with you. It has been awhile though.
Jace on board. Let's do this thang! Who's with me!?
Well. If any of you are checking in . . . .
I have opened a new thread for this campaign, since I've received no additional info from the moderators/customer service. Here's the link.
I hope each of you contact me there (if you haven't already), and that we can actually begin gameplay early on in the coming year.
Contact me via text, PM, or Discussion thread posts!
And here's an addendum:
This is a link to Kairon Daaltin's post history. The posts are presented in reverse order, so to get a more consistent feel for the narrative, you'd have to go to page 5, start at the bottom, and work your way back to see how I'd like your in-character posts to look.
Also, this is a link to the Gameplay thread for that campaign. It picks up in the middle of some of the action ('cause we cheated and used the Recruitment/Discussion thread to get it rolling), but it's very consistent from that point forward. I can honestly say that this campaign is solid enough that I'd like to aim for a collective narrative at least on par with it in our own efforts.
I'm gonna repost this on the new thread, too; here's hoping y'all are out there.