Kazamir Rhuul |
Kaz's shopping list:
Custom cane (Now titled "Kazamir's Failure of Persuasion"), with swordcane enchanted to +1 - 4340gp. Not including it in my gear until you tell me it's ready.
+1 mithril chain shirt - 2100 gp
Handy Haversack - 2000 gp.
Should we invest in another group CLW wand?
Zed Ulmin |
How's our current wand doing? Usually doesn't hurt to have another one ready.
Valavastra Cross |
I'll take a look at the party stores and do the maths there this evening when I have access to google docs again.
But, yes, I'll definitely snag some additional wands (in addition to covering Hazel's Con recovery) as Vala will likely be shifting her 2nd spirit away from Life fairly often now that she's got wandering hex. She'll keep her healing hex, but lose her channel ability when she does so.
Hazel Stokes |
Okay, think I got the sheet adjust (again) and also linked in my header finally so it should be easier for people to find and look at!
JZ, Hazel would like to try and find a Cloak of the Night Sky (2500gp). Might there be one available or someone I can commission one from? :)
Also I'm not really sure what other sorts of stuff to save up for for Hazel. I play casters way more than I do melee characters so I'm not as familiar with the 'must haves'. (I realize the cloak I'm looking for might not be the most optimal choice but I like the flavor of it for her).
Vermundr |
Vermundr is looking for the following:
Ring of Protection +1
Ring of Ancestral Blood Magic
Vermundr |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
No doubt the Whispering Way's work. They've cornered the market on rings of protection so they can drive up the prices!
Since Vermundr can't find a ring of protection, he'll invest in an ioun stone. I don't think you mentioned what system you want to use for wayfinder resonance, predetermined or random?
GM-JZ |
No doubt the Whispering Way's work. They've cornered the market on rings of protection so they can drive up the prices!
Since Vermundr can't find a ring of protection, he'll invest in an ioun stone. I don't think you mentioned what system you want to use for wayfinder resonance, predetermined or random?
Ah I see. I actually didn't know there was a difference, I'll take a good look tomorrow.
On a different note, is anyone else having problems where new gameplay/discussion posts are not showing on the game list?
I'm having to go into each thread and check 'manually.'
Zed Ulmin |
Dotting back in.
Constantin Ionescu |
I've felt for a while now like Constantin doesn't really fit well with the group, and isn't contributing anything. I mentioned to the DM that I would probably be quiet for a while because Constantin had nothing to add, but the subplot of Kendra's illness seemed like the kind of thing that would be a notable part of Constantin's history. Since my attempt to slip into that RP went over like a lead balloon, I think Constantin just isn't fitting in.
Since the team seems to be working fine otherwise and has no shortage of good RP, the problem is probably me, and when you have a problem player, it's best for the health of the group for that player to go.
Don't get me wrong, I really like this game and I wanted to contribute, but it seems like I'm not really bringing anything to the table.
Vermundr |
I'm sorry you feel that way. I can't speak to your concerns but, mechanically, I felt Constantin was an important member of the team. He's our only full 'arcane' caster.
Were you going to bring a different character in?
Vermundr |
Like I said, I can't speak to your concerns about fitting in persona/RP-wise.
Mechanically, Constantin is hugely important. He (and Vala) are our only full progression casters and being a shaman Vala doesn't have access to the full gamut of spells. When we start needing things like fly or haste, we're going to have to live without or start investing heavily in consumables. The higher level the game goes the more important full progression spellcasters become. The physical-type characters will always be the workhorses but spellcasting is what solves problems. I don't know what your future plans for progression were but I definitely wouldn't sell Constantin short.
Valavastra Cross |
I thought your contribution just now was great, dude. Good role playing isn't just being bff's with everyone. Conflict and drama add depth to the game and enrich it. Playing off how others react to what is said and done is what makes this game so dynamic and fun.
If Constantin feels like an ill fit to you and your not enjoying him, that's understandable. If that's the case though I hope you'll consider staying with us and bringing in a replacement rather than retiring from the game outright.
Kazamir Rhuul |
I certainly don't feel that Constantin has not been contributing, either RP or mechanically. Personally, I was looking forward to exploring the eccentricities and burdens of being psychic with Con and Kaz. I had hoped to settle into a role where Constantin serves a a sort of mentor and/or lifeline to Kaz. He is certainly not redundant, and the differences between he and KAz, for instance, will only grow as the full-progression caster moves past the skill-monkey part timer. I know Kaz has been kinda hogging the spotlight on this module: again, sorry, it just became a good coincidence of build versus circumstance. I expect Kaz to far less prominent in the future, and the differences between our characters will continue to develop.
I also think the interaction over Kendra's illness was an excellent bit of RP, especially because it was not smooth IC. As Vala's player said - it's all IC, and that's just opportunity.
IF you are not having fun playing the character, of course do what makes you happy. But please consider sticking with us for a bit, see if it gets better. Kaz is going to respond in-game (probably in the RL morning - I am beat right now...), you can let us know what you think.
Ultimately, if Constantin is not working for you, would you come back with another character?
Hazel Stokes |
For what it's worth, I've always liked Constantin and I've never seen him as redundant either mechanically or RP-wise. I did sense that you were having some issues when we had our fight in the chymic works, but I had no idea it was anything that had been building up. Also, it wasn't much, but Hazel was hoping for more elaboration from Constantin about Kendra's illness even though he said that he hadn't felt it was his place to really talk about it until now.
I guess trying to figure out how and why you've been feeling redundant is the first step to deciding whether bowing out entirely is a good idea or whether the issue could be solved by introducing a new PC. Do you feel that psychic magic doesn't integrate as well with the older material (despite JZ being happy to adjust things as needed)? Does Constantin feel too similar to Kaz, whether mechanically or personality-wise? Does it seem like the rest of us haven't been interacting as closely with Constantin as we have with each other or with the NPCs? I've really enjoyed getting to sit on the same side of the screen with you as a player here and I hope we can figure something out that would work for you and enable you to stick with the game - whether with Constantin or a new PC.
GM-JZ |
I just want to echo everyone's sentiments really.
Because of the time difference, I woke up to these messages and am just getting caught up now.
I fully understand your concerns Constantin but want you to know that I've always enjoyed the character and think you have a lot to offer with him both from an RP and mechanical perspective.
I know some of the recent combats and events (which admittedly have been a long time in this book which is probably my fault in terms of pacing) haven't been enjoyable for you but there is a long way to go with this and a lot more to come.
If however you feel the character is not in a good place to continue with the party then that's fine too and I hope you will consider staying on as a player. Again, this is also your choice, and I'd respect your decision either way =)
Constantin Ionescu |
Well, overall I feel like Constantin has nothing special to contribute, and worse, like my RP has been detrimental to the party.
While inter-character conflict is OK, my experiences have been best when it comes from characters staking out a particular moral ground and having to work through ideological differences. I had such a clash in another game where my Chaotic Good rogue and a Lawful Neutral inquisitor butted heads because of their extremely different moral outlooks. This event exposed what they believe and why, which was a great opportunity for the characters to explore approaching their lives from an opposing viewpoint and a lot of tense RP back and forth as they angrily set down the reasons for their beliefs. While they didn't change their moral and ethical stances, they did come away with a better appreciation for the events that shaped each of them and this helped them to cement ideas about how certain things can relate to the other character's life experiences. This tension created a great scene that will continue to pay dividends.
With Constantin by contrast it's mostly about getting dumped on because of things over which he has no real control (as an empath he "hears" feelings just as easily as other people might hear a conversation while passing by), or because he said something. The result of this has mostly been to push him into being more and more distant and to speak up less and less, which is an unsatisfying way to RP ("rich inner landscapes" are pointless if other players never experience them).
By way of recent example, after we won the trial, Constantin suggested that he wanted to help take care of Bland. The thought process here was that Bland has the mental faculties of a child - maybe an early teen, but still not competent to make significant life decisions, just like a real minor. He needed help to keep from being exploited or hurt, and since he'd already been cast out by his father, it would be more reliable to help him ourselves rather than to try to just send him back to his estranged "relatives" and hope for the best. This was immediately shot down and even an NPC said "Why don't we let Bland decide?" when Constantin's whole point hinged on the fact that, with the mind of a child, Bland is not competent to make those kinds of life-and-death decisions without help from his guardian. So the feeling is that Constantin tries to approach situations from his best moral perspective, looking at the consequences of results, and that just gets pushed aside, as when he tried to reassure Vala that defending someone for justice is something you do because it's right and all people deserve justice, not because it's something you do to look good ("performative" justice) - and he was berated for that, too.
Mechanically, the psychic spell list is a pale shadow of the sorcerer/wizard list. As far as I can tell the first AOE available is explode head as a 5th level spell, so that's not available until psychic level 10, and it only has a 10' blast for a whopping 2d6 damage and only if used on someone with 20 hit points or less (or if you get lucky on someone slightly tougher). (There's shout on the 4th-level list I suppose, as a 30' cone. Not really a fireball.) There's basically no battlefield control (no walls except wall of bones, no black tentacles, no move earth) and the debuffs are generally mental effects that either penalize your mental skills or cause very brief confusion or charm-type effects. Basically this means I'm limited to single or duo target direct damage (magic missile and mind thrust) and utility effects.
I have never successfully used a psychic skill unlock for any useful purpose - phrenology worked and gave us information that was completely useless, hypnotism succeeded and then Bland failed his Intelligence roll so it was useless, and I flat-out failed aura reading in the trial of Bland.
I have used one of my psychic Lore discipline features exactly once (mnemonic cache), by memorizing facts for the trial, which had no benefit and did not come up.
So I feel like Constantin has minimal contributions to make and in RP he seems to make the party situation worse and either suggests ideas that are immediately shot down or just makes other party members mad at him. This is a bad dynamic to be in.
With regard to Kaz, I don't think Constantin has anything to offer as a mentor. Falling under the "rich internal landscape" - though I hinted at it back when the spirit was trying to possess him and Vala slapped him - I've been playing Constantin's psychic powers according to the horror motif; as he becomes more powerful, he becomes more vulnerable, because his mind is becoming aware of more things. Once you become open to the supernatural universe you see and experience things that are dangerous and you can't always lock them out. So he can't help picking up on people's emotions, he's sensitive to things like ghosts and spiritual vibrations and the leftover traces of gruesome deaths, and it gets worse as his powers grow. This means he can't make things better for Kaz because he can't even make them better for himself.
Extradiegetically, Constantin feels like a freak, much like the circus mongrelfolk, except he's not someone who just looks like a freak. He looks normal but when people find out about his psychic powers they become frightened of and repulsed by him. Could he be reading my mind right now? Does he know all my shameful secrets? And he is just wandering around doing this all the time and nobody can stop him? He's a monster! He's invading everyone's most personal space! And he can feel every one of those emotions from people who learn of his powers. He certainly felt it from Vala when she read him the riot act about sensing people's emotions right after he explained that it's like hearing someone screaming on the street corner - something he can't stop or shut out.
Unfortunately this means I pushed the horror theme of isolation too far and Constantin just doesn't really seem to have any way to fit in. My mistake.
Anyway, if you guys want me to try to stick it out I will, but I just want to be keenly aware if I'm being "that guy" at the (digital) table and remove myself from the party dynamic rather than contributing nothing and just clogging up the PBP by making people have to wait for me to take turns or having to sift through pointless posts.
Valavastra Cross |
Just to clarify, Vala's negative reactions to Constantin that you mentioned weren't because what he said was wrong or incorrect, but rather because of how it was said.
The justice is done because it's right, not for what we get out of it example was poorly received not because it was wrong, but because she was deeply hurt at the time and wrestling with sending her professional and social standing in her home into the latrine. Pain and fear have a tendency to makes truths ring hollow and be cold comfort, you know?
This most recent instance was similar. Vala would have responded much different if Constantin had sat down next to her and said something to the effect of "So you know about Kendra now. How are you doing?"
---
I get all that you said though, dude. Personally, I think emotional conflict can be just as illuminating as ideological conflict, but if it isn't your bag then it isn't your bag. Sorry if I exacerbated it at all =(
Hazel Stokes |
If you're certain that Constantin leaving the party is what would be best for you as a player, then I understand and will say that you have to do what you have to do if you're not having fun. From an IC standpoint it seems to me that everyone more or less gets on well enough aside from occasional disagreements and misunderstood words. For her part, Hazel likes Constantin just fine and is, to be honest, a little in awe of him as well as of Kaz and Vala due to their general life experiences and capabilities.
As Vala said, emotional conflict isn't for everyone but I think that this could lead to some great character moments for several of the PCs if Constantin and some of the other PCs are willing to open up a bit to each other. Constantin's feelings are perfectly valid; he's feeling useless and misunderstood right now. Vala's feelings are valid; even if she knows it was the right thing to do it has to hurt to basically sweep away a lifetime of personal accomplishment and upstanding reputation among one's peers. Everyone is likely to be worried and stressed about Kendra's condition now that it's more or less out in the open. Zed's been struggling with his own issues relating to his faith and Bland's place in the greater scheme of things. Lots of conflicting and turbulent emotions right now so it's not surprising that things are boiling over a bit. It's not in every PC's nature to be open but I think if our PCs are willing and able to talk with each other then maybe things can be worked out. If nothing else, it might at least offer Constantin a smoother transition out of the party if that's what he ultimately decides to do.
GM-JZ |
Constantin, I think it's a decision you have to make and we'd support and respect that either way.
I'll be looking to move this on in the next day or two though. I know things have obviously got to the point where you are unhappy with your character, aspects of the game or both. But in the interest of keeping things moving and being fair to everyone I'd like to progress pretty soon.
It's what's right for you as a player that's important. Pbp is quite time-intensive hobby and if it isn't fun it isn't fun.
Zed Ulmin |
My sentiments are echoed in the words of the others.
Constantin Ionescu |
I apologize for bringing things to a halt. Mostly I wanted to discuss the problem to make sure that Constantin's problems are not a result of me being a bad/confrontational player.
I'll see what falls out of the scene with Kaz and go from there, I suppose.
Thank you for your patience, everyone.
Vermundr |
That's fine. I agree that predetermined is a lot simpler.
In that case, before leaving town Vermundr was going to do a bit more shopping.
He's looking for the following:
cracked dusty rose ioun stone
cracked incandescent blue
cracked pink and green
Vermundr |
Of course! =(
Do you care to roll for resonance too? Unless you want me to do it.
Vermundr |
Yeah. Perfect ioun stones have a 75% chance. Flawed ones are 25%.
1d100 ⇒ 3
1d100 ⇒ 77
I'll take it! Vermundr will be selling the other one back for half.