Hey all, I'm going to be away starting today. Coming back Sunday. So please use Quinn as you se fit. Remember he is LG so he would try to avoid killing any non monsters, if it can be avoided.
@ Network
What about La Siréene's items? Are they on the mutilated body, still? Does La Siréene posses them, currently? I'd like a definite answer to this question, please.
My answer is by no means definitive, but... the (original - torn to shreds) description stated your gear was on the original "form".
La Siréene is wearing the Olivia's heart pendant. The rest of the gear on her mutilated body is still usable, except the chest slot item and the cloak of resistance which are shredded. Paige has identical pieces to replace them hanging in the wardrobe in the other lounge.
On phone. Can't seem to post to game play
If Caromarc is in his purple, does he still have his items? (Especially his book - it does have book ward on it)
Not on phone anymore, so going to try posting to ganmeplay again
Some of this could have been avoided, if people would review and adjust their HP (per Network's prior approval). Eh-hem, Caromarc!
True, true... Network: you mentioned people who rolled particularly badly for HP might be allowed to reroll, or have a minimum... is that still true?
@Caromarc - Yes.
@Sandru, La Siréene - Remember the doors to the other lounge (where the wardrobe is) are currently closed.
@Sandru, La Siréene - Remember the doors to the other lounge (where the wardrobe is) are currently closed.
Yes, that's the ADVENTURE!
I'm going to write the inquisitor as standing guard over Paige to allow the rest of you to leave peacefully. He'll be watching your back for any trouble. He can do clean-up and dispose of the bodies too, if you want. That way, it gives him a break so he can rejoin us when he is ready.
Captain Killjoy, again boys and boys...
When they come back from the... whatever they were. Do they have their full spell compliment? I imagine, they'd have to rest (8 hours) and memorize/recharge/meditate/pray/etc...
Tabula rasa as it were. Also, what about items that attune for 24 hours? Permanent benefits gone until 24 hours later? Different bodies and all.
If the above is true, I'm just thinking if we're gonna RP the extra vulnerable nature of their current state.
It allows those like Sandru & Quinn (the grunts) to shine. Cause honestly, Sandru is feeling rather useless at this juncture.
I don't mind the attunement time - La Siréene did take the items from one body to another, after all - and I don't mind taking on the next encounter with my current spell slots.
The usual rule of thumb is that every spell slot has 50% chance of being used up. If we play by that rule, here is my list of casualties:
1st.
Domain- Charm Person
Summon Minor Ally
Obscuring Mist
2nd
Domain-Persistent Charm Person
Flaming Sphere
3rd
Sky Swim
Stone Shape
Summon Nature's Ally III
4th
Domain-Confusion
Air Walk
Summon Nature's Ally IV
Bah, I lost Confusion. I was looking forward to that one. Also lost BOTH my flight spells. Ah well. I have toys left.
Was just wondering how Network had viewed the "abduction". I've never had to deal with character resurrection of any sort.
Never knew there was a rule of thumb! :)
Was just wondering how Network had viewed the "abduction". I've never had to deal with character resurrection of any sort.
Never knew there was a rule of thumb! :)
Eh, that was badly formulated of me. Both Raise Dead and Reincarnate have that rule. Resurrection and Breath Of Life, however, do not. And this return was very non standard.
Althought, regarding the attunement time - it does get kind of strange, considering how time works in this campaign. So exactly when the items kick in again should be clarified if they are not attuned. When spells are regained next? A set number of encounters?
Does that mean that La Siréene would also lose a 2nd and 3rd level spell, due to removal of the headband?
Using the above method, 3rd level spells are all gone, anywho...
For RP-sake, if the above loss were true... would it make La Siréene, at least temporarily reconsider "superiority", "confidence", etc... and therefore the usefulness of the more common folk?
This is kinda what I meant when I went off on a rant prior to leveling. We never really get depleted. The day is never long enough (enough encounters) that's we're on our last reserve. Spells gone, Bane/Judgments gone... all the fanciness gone. Until it's toe-to-toe, knock down, drag out combat.
Then the worth of folks like Sandru and Quinn can be realized. It doesn't even have to be a Boss combat, just attrition, cunning, stamina... we're always at some intellectual level, smarty pants strata. Where a Knowledge & an SLA or a spell wins the day.
It's demeaning when spell-casters and familiars tank better than "the tank" consistently. Leaves Sandru wondering... why do they need me, I'm useless.
Wow, that heart went right out there... onto the sleeve. Must have made an acrobatics check like a bastard!
EDIT: Ninja'd regarding attunement/spells.
I was considering resting you soon.
Sandru, I don't quite understand. As far as I see, everyone is getting in on battles, damage, kill-shots, etc. I've thought it was pretty balanced. I've thought the weaknesses were balanced too. Spell failure, spells blinking out before taking effect, etc. In the case of this last battle, two PCs were killed, Quinn and MM fought a war of attrition, and even though the others were blinded, you and Blackacre were able to both do meaningful things (kill-shot and debuff.) But I'm not defensive about it. I want to tune the game so everyone feels useful.
But you haven't seen this as balanced. In your opinion, is there a way to do that without depleting the spellcasters? I'm reluctant to do that because it seems like tipping the problem in the opposite direction.
Screen time or camera time has been amazingly balanced. One of the best balanced games I've been in. And, there is pretty much ALWAYS an RP opportunity. Love it.
Also, the high level of intricacy in the campaign setting and plot are awesome.
Likewise I'm not knocking the optimal effectiveness of my fellow players/characters. I think they're quite kick-azz!
It's hard to explain... so I'll just ask.
What has Sandru done, that only he could have done?
It's sorta like that old "defend the magic-user" adage. It's the fighter's job to defend the magic-user. He's not trying to win accolades, kudos, fame or glory (kill-shot). His job is to defend Caromarc and by extension, the more intellectual/cerebral of the group.
They simply don't need defending. Sandru (as a character) is never allowed to fulfill his purpose. It took me the most RP will power I've ever exerted NOT to have him tip that damn urn and follow Caromarc.
So, story-wise... Now, he's a failure.
Now, if the "big guns" were ever forced to operate under less than optimal conditions. He's still at 100%. He hasn't lost a single HP, he's ready to actually do his job. The commando, scouting ahead... finding safety, leading them there... watching the rear.
Maybe I'm over thinking it.
Three things -
He embodies the irony that in a world wracked with horror, he...the supposed monster...is the heart of the team. I can't speak for everybody, but I think you've done something literary there. This inspired me to create a long story arc for him with plot beats that are drawn out. Just something to keep in mind.
On a mechanical note, he tanks using active and passive damage mitigation (his mere existence in the party, given his high HP, forces monsters into tactical strategizing. They don't do things they would otherwise do, that might damage your allies.) Of the three points I mention, given the mechanics of the game, this is probably one of the hardest things to change.
Then, there's of course the element of randomness. He was probably the only character who could have soaked up the HP damage from the haunt scene. But I couldn't control who went in there!
edit: regarding restrained RP, you couldn't know the heightened dangerousness of the sorcerers. But as a rule, this will work best with the adventure...2 things.
1. Work as a team.
2. Take chances.
Does that mean that La Siréene would also lose a 2nd and 3rd level spell, due to removal of the headband?
Using the above method, 3rd level spells are all gone, anywho...
Yes, it would, depending on what Network decides.
For RP-sake, if the above loss were true... would it make La Siréene, at least temporarily reconsider "superiority", "confidence", etc... and therefore the usefulness of the more common folk?
No. Not in any way whatsoever. She considers everyone very useful, and she tried to make Hareton more so. Sandru is her favorite teammate; she could take Quinn or leave him alone, although her recent chance to tease him definitely made her warmer towards him. She is digging the hell out of this "party of adventurers" thing. She just does not consider ANYONE apart from herself "folk" in the first place. This has nothing to do with how powerful she is, how much magic she has. Show her the absolute tyrant of outsiders and she wouldn't change her mind from that power demonstration.
This is a deep-rooted psychological issue, to the point that thinking about anything that puts it into question makes her feel physically sick.
I am truly sorry if her delusional mindset bothered you. I am trying to go somewhere with this, rp-wise, believe me, although I am seriously questioning my ability to do this effectively as a writer. Her opinions are in no way mine, do note that.
I'd also like to point out that she only ever makes a big deal out of her insane will saves, not really the rest of her performance. And this is because she sees this as the world questioning her psyche.
--------
As for Sandru:
I think he is fulfilling his role well. However, what I like most about him is the RP, as with the rest of the campaign. and I agree wholeheartedly with Network. Sandru gentleness is perfect and sells him as the protector he is.
Cool.
Edit: Ninja'd... Delusional mindset doesn't bother me one bit. I like it. Thanks!
Sorry, computer troubles earlier today; incipient hard drive failure on laptop, complicated by failure of the external hard drive I was going to use for backup. I also have a bunch of people coming over tomorrow, so I may not be able to post until late tomorrow night.
Ay! Computer problems. The worst. Sending good computer vibes. :)
Hmmm...
I've seen Sandru dishing out the damage, and you're right, you do protect Caromarc.
A lot of Caromarc's load out is situational. I know there are fights where I've not attacked anyone at all, or done very little damage. Every now and then I hope to have the perfect spell and have it go great...
Giving Elspeth Shadow Form meant she'd be very good against low strength opponents with low touch ACs who did not have magical weapons. This fight was perfect for that, and I think she shone, but it is situational. Half the monsters we've fought are immune to her attacks.
To answer your question... Scene #1 Sandru was dominating the start of the chase scene. If you mean *only* you could have done, I'm not sure that is true of anyone. Most of the time most of us are just doing damage or stopping hits - there's been a few times utility spells have saved someone by granting a huge bonus, or given information we might otherwise not have, but it is pretty rare.
That said, spells do tend to be "bursty" and spectacular when successful. Are you looking for an SLA?
Sandru's niches seems to be what he *doesn't* do. He doesn't get ambushed, he doesn't get surprised, he doesn't go down. Apart from that it's trapfinding.
Not sure if this is helpful...
Network, I recall hearing somewhere that there were meant to be about 4 encounters per day. Given we're doing compressed timescale, if you want to set it up so that spell slots recover (and maybe rest increase to HP) every N encounters, I'm good with that. Means we have to "push through". Takes a way about of the tactical "should we rest now or push on?" decisions, but I'm okay with that given the nature of the "clock" we're against.
@Caromarc - No, far from it... There are and will be things to set him apart, but SLAs aren't one of them. He gets along and will maximize the smaller magicks in items and such.
Thanks all for the kind words and encouragement. Maybe I'm splitting hairs, and trying to explain more sounds like whining (even to me!).
It's good to hear the dm/players/characters' impression of Sandru and his role in the group.
I think it's my own issue. I'll make some minor adjustments/tweaks to RP and actions and it should make the puzzle piece fit better for me.
Love the game, let's keep it going!
Is the plan still max-level 9? as thinking of future character development!
Yep, chapter 4 is at max-level 9.
Back online and soar as hell. Seems like a lot went down in 2 days. Trying to catch up.
Anything happen with Mel's and Dex's gear? Distributed already?
Sandru was planning on starting to rob the place from what I remember. Being the LG guys of the group, I was going to have to do something about it. ;-)
I see there was a change of heart with Paige.
Gonna continue and play along with the storyline.
Sandru claimed not to be a thief and only took what was on Melanie, Dex and Paige's person... as the items will help in on the journey.
There was no time to officially distribute the items, but Sandru put on Paige's Boots of Elvenkind (+5 Acrobatics - big keebler) and Melanie's Eyes of the Eagle (+5 Perception).
He returned Paige's 10,000 in fine jewelry.
Back among the reasonably connected, at least until my boss comes around to find out what I'm doing with my time. I'll work through the backlog of posts and try to get a contribution to the conversation up.
Back in Black!
It took a little while, but it's been fun getting caught up. Thanks for all of the fill-in actions - reminded me that I can use CLW more often.
I may still be sporadic for a bit, but now that we've survived the first week (still feels like it was only 2-3 days ago), I should be able to get back into the swing of things.
Welcome back Gaston
Welcome back! It's a nice day to start again.
Hello guys. Was real busy today. Will have to get a post up tomorrow, way too late tonight I am afraid.
Welcome back!
I take it Endbringer has the memories of the previous body of Nameless, then. He'd recognize La Siréene either way, but he killed La Siréene last time, so he knows. Damn.
Welcome back
Yes, welcome back... May I suggest Angels & Airwaves, "We don't need to Whisper" Tracks 4 & 5.
Did anyone take the bag, the bead and the balm?
No one claimed them, but it can be assumed that your party took them with you.
no problem... just as long as we haven't left them back at the Salon!
Not sure any of them fit Caromarc and crew amazingly well :)
Given C doesn't have a decent attack spell, maybe the bead... but he's probably better calling help.
Please make a claim on any item. Quinn does not need any of them.
Thanks network, loving it :)
Item wise, let's put the salve on MM (It sucks when your anti-petrification cream is petrified).
Anyone want to carry the bag and the bead until we can flog them off? :P
:) Thanks! Agnes and Phoebe rock.
@Sandru - Sure, your Endurance +4 does apply.
@La Siréene - Because Agnes rested you, you can undo having used your Pearl of Power.
Attunement,too? For LS.
I'd be at +14 Fort Save.
Yes, to attunement for LS.
As for Sandru, the Endurance bonus to Fort saves usually applies vs. hot and cold, and to suffocation. It may not protect you from everything you'll encounter, but we can apply it situationally in this context such that when experimenting with time travel, Sandru is a beast when it comes to resisting some of the side-effects.
I was worried about the bends. The physical trauma. Wasn't meaning to metagame, just tabletalk.
I understood.
*passes the Cheetohs* :)
Ugh, noticed I made several typos (skipped words). Was posting at work and kept getting interrupted. And Agnes is so verbose. :P