Because this is a PbP, we have the opportunity to use neat scripts and that sort of thing for different languages. For this campaign, we will use those languages that can be found in Google Translate. When doing so, for audible speech, use the Latin-alphabet phonetic translation (typically found underneath the box in which the script translation appears) so that we can read what it sounds like. If, however, the conversation is telepathic, mental, or if the words are physically written down, use the language's own script, if it has something else (Arabic, the Cyrillic alphabet, etc.), which is usually found inside the translation box.
Taldan is the 'Common' trade tongue, pretty much everyone uses it, therefore we use English.
Azlanti ==> Latin
Varisian ==> Spanish
Chelaxian ==> Italian
Garundi ==> Hebrew
Keleshite ==> Arabic
Hallit ==> Russian
Mwangi (Polyglot, I guess?) ==> Sesotho
Mwangi-related ==> Igbo
Shoanti ==> German
Ulfen ==> Norwegian
Vudrani ==> Punjabi
Osiriani ==> Amharic
Skald ==> Icelandic
Tien (Tian-Shu, Lung Wa)==> Chinese Traditional
Dan (Tian-Dan, Xa Hoi) ==> Myanmar
Dtang (Tian-Dtang, Dtang Ma) ==> Vietnamese
Hon-La (Tian-La, Hongal) ==> Mongolian
Hwan (Tian-Hwan, Hwanggot) ==> Korean
Minatan (Tian-Sing, Minata) ==> Indonesian
Minkaian (Tian-Min, Minkai) ==> Japanese
Dealing Minimum Damage: You can attempt to do minimum damage with your weapon by taking a -3 (vs -4 to turn it into nonlethal damage) penalty to your attack. If you succeed in hitting but only just (i.e. 'right on' the number you need to hit), you do your full standard damage; if you hit by more than that, you do your weapon's minimum damage. While this is usually 1 hp, in the case of a multi-die weapon (2d4, 2d6, etc.), it may be more. You may not add anything extras (strength or dexterity, sneak attack, precision, etc.) in order to increase your minimum; you will do (generally) 1-2 hp and that's all. (This is best used as a show of skill, nicking someone enough to draw blood but not do any real damage.)
Wild Shape: Druids will be familiar with all creatures of the type(s) they can wild shape into that exist within their home domain (that being defined on a standard 12-mile-hex area map of a five-hex diameter circle, or as close to it as is reasonable considering terrain, e.g. one side of a mountain rainge, with a maximum of 19 hexes); this includes subtypes that are in the area. . . . For creatures outside of their home range, they must make a KS: Nature roll with a DC equivalent to 10 + (Creature's CR) + (1 per 50 miles beyond the druid's home range) to know enough about the animal or plant creature to wild shape into it. If the druid has been familiarized with a creature despite it being well outside his home domain or the creature's natural range (e.g. a tiger in a sideshow, the druid's extensive traveling), familiarization being able to take at least three hours studying and interacting with the creature(s), he may add that creature to his 'familiarity list' for which no roll is required.
Male Human Paladin of Apsu 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC 18 TC 11 FF 17 | Fort: +4, Ref: +1, Will: +1 | Init +1| Per +3 SM -1 | 20 ft. speed | +5 CMB | CMD 16| Resist Fire 1 Smite Evil 1/1
Nah. Perhaps in the future, but right now, not so much. He couldn't even communicate with it at this point from my understanding, given Vetia would be the one bonded. In fact, the biggest benefit I would get from it won't come for quite a while (the possibility of having an extract, such as CLW, ready to inject with a clockwork on Darivan's shoulder), namely follower level 3.
One:
Remember the restrictions of time and space when it comes to your posting. The duel scene has basically been only two or three rounds - 12-18s - long so far. The duelist asked William if he was challenging; William said 'yes'; the two were asked to keep it verbal. William said no, the duelist shrugged, agreed, and turned to talk with his second, and William has spoken with his second, about terms; that's where things sit right now. The squares are the typical 5' square, so the main area of interaction stretches 27" (135'), and from where they are to the far corner (behind Aramil and Nymaah) is 30" (150'). Though this place is big, there are well over 500 people in it; while you can move your way through the crowd, the entire area inside the black lines is considered difficult terrain (as per the rules about crowds), so most everyone - without having a reason to have to really push through it, i.e. double move - is going to be limited to 3" (15') of movement, so it takes time to get across the space.
Second, please let me play the crowd. While there are thirty or so people close to these guys, because they haven't made a production out of it even amongst those thirty there's only ten or fifteen that have gone 'oh, hey, look, possible duel' - and those are most likely the ones closest to them. Nothing is happening (yet) to really pull people in, no commotion; the commotion that's happening is the drinking contest down in the lower right-hand corner, in the area of L16.
Last, and metagamely, understand that not everyone - and actually, relatively few people, the two involved plus another one or two of you - are going to be able to participate in The Duel scene's entirety. This is for any number of reasons, but the most significant IC ones are that neither the king nor the Lord Mayor is going to want to interrupt the social and political maneuverings, meet-and-greets, tentative agreements, and other such goings-on - goings-on which, if done properly, might well prove critical to the success of the new kingdom, gaining Restov as an ally, and preserving the peace in Brevoy.
Two:
If you use the translation substitution thing (thank you, derpdidruid, for doing so with the Hallit) please spoiler a translation for us. I like using the translation thing because it looks cool, and it gives the game a feel of foreign-ness when those elements are introduced. Not giving a translation, however, makes the game more difficult, because we then have to copy/paste the thing into the translation site, and sometimes parse the translation (which is necessary, it seems, about half the time). Just remember to add it...
Female Half-Elf Arcanist (Brown Fur) 4 | HP 32/32 | AC13 T11 FF12 | CMD 16 | F+4 R+4 W+4 (+2 to all saving throws against enchantment) |Init +2 | Perc +2 | Senses: Low Light Vision |Spells 1st - 6/6 2nd - 2/3 | Arcane Reservoir 4/11
Read and Understood.
OOC though, I kinda like how it evolved because it suddenly drew a bunch of PC's and conversations together without awkwardness of PC's randomly appraching other PC's and saying "hi, hows the weather".
Well, yes, which is one reason why I'm letting those who have already posted as being there, well, be there. And it isn't as though there won't be commentary going around, or time to get over there; the third guy will need to find the mayor, and it's only 150', rumor can cross that faster than a 20th level hasted monk. ;)
Hey GM can I have Amavin wander over to the drinking area of the party? She's not really a massive drinker herself, but she might want to see who is there / drunk etc etc.
Right now, Amavin can be anywhere - the drinking contest, the gnome moot, by the Aldori, near Amaril and the bleachling (Amaril might be able to use the help there), talking to the Lord Mayor ...
Human Conjurer Wizard (Teleportation) 5 Leader: Darivan Orlovsky, Familiar
Gwaihir:
Init +3, Per +18
HP 40/40, Init +7, Per +4 (+3 in bright light, +2 with familiar), AC 12/12/10, Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +4; Effects none
::Lyda::
Psst. Remember the spoilers. You don't want to have the Wyrm angry at you.
Also, thanks! It's kind of tricky.
To be honest, the only reason Sylvia didn't try touching Lyda's horns or tail was because I didn't think of it. I suppose she didn't either.
Doesn't have to be 'OOC'. Can be 'rolls', or like I put in one of my other games, 'I opened my mouth again', 'yammer yammer yammer', that sort of thing. ;) I just have it as 'OOC' because I have a base setup for it that I just copy/paste for a new post.
Male Human Paladin of Apsu 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC 18 TC 11 FF 17 | Fort: +4, Ref: +1, Will: +1 | Init +1| Per +3 SM -1 | 20 ft. speed | +5 CMB | CMD 16| Resist Fire 1 Smite Evil 1/1
Forgot to mention languages:
Here's what Darivan and Sylvia have that don't already have counterparts: Aklo, Celestial, Halfling, Skald, Sylvian, and Terran.
Also, out of curiosity, don't both Fey and first-worlders speak Sylvian as their primary language?
Yay, more languages. Will get them put in a little later tonight.
First-worlders do not speak Sylvan as their primary language; they speak First Worlder. Sylvan (and ... I don't recall what the other one is, it's the Tian 'spirit' language) is a derivative, arguably a debasement, of First Worlder; either of those two can usually make themselves understood to someone who only speaks First Worlder, in much the same way as a French speaker can make themselves more-or-less understood to a Spanish or Italian speaker.
Golarion-originating Fey speak Sylvan as a native language, though, and (IMO) must learn First Worlder just like everyone else.
Thank you kind sir! Order of the flame is sort of a thing William will have to work off, as you can see by Winnies reaction, his tenets aren't well suited to a married man with children. I'm also kind of hoping i can end this in a single blow, skill focus intimidate and cronugon smash ftw.
Sorry about the long delay in responding, TWO. Had a bad case of the crud for much of the past week, and that pretty well killed my energy for anything requiring complex thought.
Male Half Elf Druid (Treesinger) 7 | HP:84/84 | AC: 17; T: 13; FF: 15 | Fort: +8; Ref: +4; Will: +10 (+4 vs Fey, +2 vs Enchant.) | Low-light Vision; Init: +2; Perception: +13 | Cohort: Tai Reen
Don't think Acaciano ever established that Deneb was himself a Druid, but he's pretty nature-oriented and has a big Roc, so this seems like as good a litmus test as any.
Casters was probably a poor choice at the time but I think it could still work (meant just wizards). I think Sorcerer's are supposed to be rare so she wouldn't have met many, if any. And she'd not consider divine casters as "casters". She has met all three main divine types (druid, hunter, cleric (this would include warpriest)) so they'd be whatever type they are. That leaves bard's and wizards as "casters" to her. Both can be equally reckless in her experience. One in the pursuit of knowledge and the other in pursuit of a good adventure. So that is what casters means to her. Not that you'd know right off the bat but I thought I'd explain for everyone's benefit, including mine.
I will admit I didn't originally intend to have Amavin interact with Lyda, Sylvia, the princess, etc.; as set up on the map, they encountered the princess only a third of the way to the 'drinking contest' where Amavin was. However ... this will work, especially with the king heading to the right, which will let him go bump into that group.
As fun as this is (not sarcasm, it is helping me get a feel for my character and others), I would like to get to the AP at some point. I think we have hit maximum attrition anyway. Those that are left are probably the ones that will stay through thick and thin.
Male Human Paladin of Apsu 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC 18 TC 11 FF 17 | Fort: +4, Ref: +1, Will: +1 | Init +1| Per +3 SM -1 | 20 ft. speed | +5 CMB | CMD 16| Resist Fire 1 Smite Evil 1/1
I do rather agree. While I am enjoying this, it has been two months since we started the game, and we're still in the "prologue," as you called it in the recruitment thread.
Perhaps we could create a separate thread, where we can RP as much as we want, with the assumption it takes place at some point after the current event is happening, where we can interact IC, while still not having the actual game take months and months to go through a three-hour period? I believe there are a few campaign on the boards that take that approach.
Male Half Elf Druid (Treesinger) 7 | HP:84/84 | AC: 17; T: 13; FF: 15 | Fort: +8; Ref: +4; Will: +10 (+4 vs Fey, +2 vs Enchant.) | Low-light Vision; Init: +2; Perception: +13 | Cohort: Tai Reen
I wouldn't stress about it, William. This was advertised as a politics-heavy game. And I think Lyda's 100% right about attrition. I'd rather there be attrition NOW than after a bit when it would affect the story more.
Once the duel is finished, I will jump ahead. How far ahead is, actually, available for debate. We can go straight to the oaths, essentially skipping the third hour as basically being 'more of the same', and you can post your character giving oath to the king. Or, since oathtaking is a very formal, somewhat stylized event, but one which follows a very specific formula, we can skip to the dinner - or even to the part where the king, and therefore his new nobles (i.e. you), are cajoled into getting into your stuff, and then mayhem can ensue.
So 1) oathtaking, 2) dinner, or 3) mayhem. Thoughts?
We could probably just do the oaths by posting a small descriptive scene followed by us all posting a similar oath. They are pretty important for anyone reading to catch and it'll probably only take one post. Dinner, however, I do feel would be more of what's going on here. Fun but very slow role-play.
Male Human Paladin of Apsu 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC 18 TC 11 FF 17 | Fort: +4, Ref: +1, Will: +1 | Init +1| Per +3 SM -1 | 20 ft. speed | +5 CMB | CMD 16| Resist Fire 1 Smite Evil 1/1
Agreed. No more than a few posts covering the oaths. And preferably not more than a week on dinner. Just enough so that we can get an idea of what's going on, perhaps figure out what's about to happen (murder-mystery style, if that's your idea) and then move on to the mayhem. But that's just me. I'm flexible.
I'm with William and Darivan here. A short sketch for the oaths and dinner, enough to give us any necessary story bits (and/or GM hints for the observant) and on to the chaos!
Male Half-Elf Ranger 7 | hp 77/77 | AC 19; t 14; ff 16 | Fort +7, Ref +9, Will +6 | Perception +17 | Init +5 | Cohort: Sylvara Amalur | Effects: Haste (+1 attack, +1 dodge AC & Reflex, +30 ft., 1 extra attack)
I agree with summarizing the oathtaking. Presumably, those of us still here have no intention of derailing that part (otherwise we wouldn't be here in the first place! XD), so I think it's fair to say that part goes smoothly and without any additional incident from us players.
We can play out dinner, where I'm guessing we have the opportunity to alter relationship dynamics or establish new ones that will impact how the politics further on. I agree with not letting it on too long, I think we're all eager to get to some action. :)
Male Human Paladin of Apsu 1 | HP: 12/12 | AC 18 TC 11 FF 17 | Fort: +4, Ref: +1, Will: +1 | Init +1| Per +3 SM -1 | 20 ft. speed | +5 CMB | CMD 16| Resist Fire 1 Smite Evil 1/1
I can only think of poor Ardafax, who hasn't been used in almost a month (in-game), ever since Darivan arrived in the city. He's ready for some action!
Male Half-Elf Bard 4 | AC 20 | HP 44 | Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +8 | Perception +8, low-light vision | Focus Points 2/2 |
Spells:
1st - 3/3, 2nd - 3/3
| Reactions: counterperformance
Aramil is pretty well removed from the duel, as well. I'd be in favor of summarizing dinner and the oath taking, with each of us posting the oath in the proper format. Then, we move to the equipment gathering and mayhem - which I believe was supposed to be a group portrait of all of us and the king?
Male Half Elf Druid (Treesinger) 7 | HP:84/84 | AC: 17; T: 13; FF: 15 | Fort: +8; Ref: +4; Will: +10 (+4 vs Fey, +2 vs Enchant.) | Low-light Vision; Init: +2; Perception: +13 | Cohort: Tai Reen
I'm down for skipping dinner and more conversation. There's only so much polite small-talk RP one can do before running out of things to say. I think the things that need to happen, at least from my unenlightened perspective, either are happening currently or have happened already.
I would, however, like to get our oaths down in writing, as it were.
Male Half Elf Druid (Treesinger) 7 | HP:84/84 | AC: 17; T: 13; FF: 15 | Fort: +8; Ref: +4; Will: +10 (+4 vs Fey, +2 vs Enchant.) | Low-light Vision; Init: +2; Perception: +13 | Cohort: Tai Reen
On an unrelated note (hence the second post), GM, what's Acaciano's initial reaction to Deneb's statement regarding Lyda's father sharing the Druidic language with her. I've always played that such a thing is VERY frowned upon, but I've never actually came across it in a game.
Male Human Inquisitor 7 | Per: +16 | Init: +8 | Cohort: Milo Orgulas
I'm still around, even if I haven't been actively participating. Sorry about that, by the way. Kinda got sidetracked early on, and haven't reinserted myself. For what it's worth, I agree with getting to mayhem soonest.
Acaciano - I personally view Hunters as having 'Druid Decoder' from Faiths & Philosophies as a bonus feat, but that they don't start with Druidic as a free language, so I bumbled right over Lyda having it. I can see druids viewing Hunters as a borderline case; some might think it blasphemous (and possibly try to raise the literal countryside against her), while others might see a hunter knowing the language as being acceptable - perhaps so long as the hunter were willing to be guided by the local druids, something along those lines. Thoughts?
dwilhelmi - Get. Involved. Do so by Sunday, or you will be dropped along with the other three in that quartet, none of whom have made an IC post since late January. I'm lenient, but a month is severely out of bounds.
On a sadder note, we have lost JAF0, aka Azrael the Avenger, to lots of uglybadnasty RL. I hope things get better for him, 'cause they ain't been good of late.
On a happier note (... per se ...) the people who'll be gone will at least die a champion's death, taking many enemies with them. :P
Hey, GM! Just going to say, This is probably my favorite game in a while so far. You're an exceptional writer and have made this whole party read like a novel! Hope we can all carry this through to the end!
By the way, how many people have we lost so far? just those three + the guy that left about a month ago or more?
I guess technically we lost three, then? Since everyone carries two PCs...
What I can think of right now are the guy who tried to sneak in something and Azrael. Then there are the others who don't speak, but they technically still in.
Male Half-Elf Bard 4 | AC 20 | HP 44 | Fort +7, Ref +10, Will +8 | Perception +8, low-light vision | Focus Points 2/2 |
Spells:
1st - 3/3, 2nd - 3/3
| Reactions: counterperformance
Two definitively lost, both of them from the first iteration of the game. Plus four who have been silent for a while and may be out if they don't post by the time the mayhem starts.
Yeah, this is still massive. And I think TWO has been doing a little recruitment for replacement characters, too.