The Academae

Game Master Shane Gifford

Play the life of a student at the Academae, a school for wizards.


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WS 40, BS 20, S 35, T 35, Ag 35, Int 30, Per 30, WP 40, Fel 43, Wounds 14/14, FP 1/1

....oh dear - I hadn't thought of that...

Afrikaans is fairly easy as it's one of the google translate languages, but go ahead and use spoiler tags if you feel like it.


Male Dwarf Wizard (Abjurer)-9 (Mythic Archmage 2)(Current HP 54/62)
Shane Gifford wrote:

Firtly, that is an awesome accidental name. That it would tie in so nicely is pretty wild.

Secondly, you should roll 1d10x2 for each week that you worked.

Thanks. I better do that now before I forget. Wizards may have good memories, but mine is terrible ;)

work week one: 1d10 ⇒ 2x2
work week two: 1d10 ⇒ 6x2

I'll cut and paste results onto my profile


Any idea what would be good to use for Infernal? I've always been partial to Irish for Sylvan myself.

I'm almost 90% certain there's some method for forum moderation that detects non-English characters. So I've got this weird fear of drawing admin attention by posting too much in a non-English language due to Paizo's concern of lengthy non-english posts.

Mostly just one of those irrational fears that the authorities are going to bust in my window and do crazy stuff.


Male Dwarf Wizard (Abjurer)-9 (Mythic Archmage 2)(Current HP 54/62)
Waltz wrote:
Any idea what would be good to use for Infernal? I've always been partial to Irish for Sylvan myself.

Lawyer talk ;)

I keep thinking Latin for Draconic, but it might also work for Infernal. Whatever you use, it might help if instead of translating words like 'love' 'hope' etc, you used less flattering words and THEN translated. Lust for Love, Weakness for Hope, etc.

But that would be extra work for you


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

I don't think it'll be a big deal; even if they did bust up in here, they'd take a look at why we're posting in other languages and hopefully be fine with it.

Personally, I think Irish looks a bit too harsh for Sylvan, which has always been portrayed as a soft and lilting sort of language (speaking of which, we need Elven too). I might suggest Hindi; though the way it sounds isn't quite right, it looks very flowy and pleasant, which is what we need.


Male Dwarf Wizard (Abjurer)-9 (Mythic Archmage 2)(Current HP 54/62)
Hathin De'Lark wrote:

....oh dear - I hadn't thought of that...

No harm done at all. Like I said, it gives me a bit more background for my character


Male Human Wizard 1

Elvish for Elvish, of course :)


Shane Gifford wrote:
always been portrayed as a soft and lilting sort of language (speaking of which, we need Elven too).

How about Gaelic for Slyvan? Sounds about right to my ears.

Source - Crovan's Galley.
Source - Mozarts "Voi Che Sapete" in Gaelic.
Source - St Kildans Song.

I second the motion for Elvish for Elvish. :)

Pakak wrote:

I keep thinking Latin for Draconic, but it might also work for Infernal. Whatever you use, it might help if instead of translating words like 'love' 'hope' etc, you used less flattering words and THEN translated. Lust for Love, Weakness for Hope, etc.

But that would be extra work for you

English is already enough work for me I don't mind the extra work. I always thought of both Infernal and Celestial as the same language with words and sentences simply inverted and accents on different syllables. I do like the Urdu better, though.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

Gaelic sounds good for Sylvan. Just to reaffirm, you guys don't have to translate if you don't want to. It's something I like to do, but I don't mind simple spoilers at all.


Male Dwarf Wizard (Abjurer)-9 (Mythic Archmage 2)(Current HP 54/62)

Hope Pakak's insisting on seeing the inside of the warehouse and the pseudoes isn't too big a pain to our gamemaster. So much potential for things going wrong, ambushes, and intrigues that Pakak is getting a wee bit paranoid.


Mael: "Yeah they totally left....."

*we walk in*

*dozens of dead Pseudodragons*

*Mael nowhere to be found*

ಠ_ಠ


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

That's why I was cool with Pakak checking out the interior. I could see Mael's actions as being shifty, with him going, "Don't worry, it's done. No need to go in," while standing outside. :P


WS 40, BS 20, S 35, T 35, Ag 35, Int 30, Per 30, WP 40, Fel 43, Wounds 14/14, FP 1/1

Just a quick FYI - I'll be out of town and away from the internet for about 48 hours from the time of this post. Disappearing into the suburbs for the weekend.

Please take any DMPC actions required to keep things moving along - I don't think there's much for Hathin to add right now.

In case Cezar is wondering, the charcoal drawings are Hathin planning out his first tattoo.


Male Elf (Kyoni) Wizard (Banisher) 1

یہ استعمال کرتے ہوئے گوگل کے اردو / مرحوم بنانے کے لئے ترجمہ کی ایک امتحان ہے.

Celestial:
This is a test of using Google Translate to make Urdu/Celestial.

I figure I might need it eventually...


Shane Gifford wrote:
I'd like to remind you, you'd be setting a funeral pyre in the middle of the streets in downtown Korvosa.

We're at a shipping warehouse in old Korvosa correct? I assumed the warehouse wasn't remotely landlocked so there should be some rocky moles/jettys along the waters if the warehouse is near the docks breaking against the sea.

Does it have a loading yard? That would be large with flat ground/cobblestone and private gating.

An adult Pseudodragon is only 7 pounds and stands 1ft with a flimsy 2 ft long tail so the fire/pyre shouldn't be larger than a very small campfire if that's a concern.

If there's no real viable option I guess we'd either need to travel outside of Korvosa's gates or to the gray district? I thought 'we don't set fire in the middle of a crowded street went unsaid', but if we need to make rolls or find some place just give me a heads up if there's no obvious socially acceptable or reasonably safe solution within arms reach.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

Yeah, I figured you wouldn't be setting fires in the streets, I guess I was just asking where you wanted to do it. The most appropriate place in Korvosa would definitely be the Grey district, where the graveyards and priesthood of Pharasma are at.

Besides that, you could go outside the gates if you wanted to. There are loading docks nearby, but they're mostly busy during the day and making a fire on one would be frowned upon.


WS 40, BS 20, S 35, T 35, Ag 35, Int 30, Per 30, WP 40, Fel 43, Wounds 14/14, FP 1/1

Shane - just wanted to confirm tattoo costs before the week 3 update is needed.

PRD states that a hand-sized one in black ink that won't fade costs 1 sp and that each extra colour costs the same. So a hand sized tattoo in three colours would be 3sp.

Can I get that discounted by doing it myself?


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

Sure, we can say the cost of the inks is 2 sp. The tools are still needed to do it though. That's one instance where improvised tools would definitely not be recommended. :P


Sorry for the slow down in posting, been a little busy.

Shane beat me to the wiki link. I'm not advocating working around IP rights, but I'd wager there is a map of Korvosa on Google image search that could also be helpful.

I don't have a copy of guide to Korvosa on hand, but someone in my regular gaming group does and I've read through it and have a semi decent working knowledge of the city's layout.


WS 40, BS 20, S 35, T 35, Ag 35, Int 30, Per 30, WP 40, Fel 43, Wounds 14/14, FP 1/1

DM Shane - just a note that I've put down Mael as a 'friendly' relationship for now. What was my starting score with Rita (Tattoo Artist)?


Questions for Shane: You said we might skip ahead about a month after the quest are we still planning on doing that? I'll post Silyph's week 3 actions in any case.

You said we can make spellcraft checks to learn new cantrips correct? I assume unless it's specifically given in class it consumes a weeks worth of free time, but I'm unsure on the matter. Any clarification? I'll add trying to learn a new spell to Silyph's routine, but if it takes up free time I'll forgo the attempt.

I'm running off the assumption that things that effect stress for a given amount occur the week after they occur. For example Relaxation in week 3 would impart a bonus for weeks 4 & 5. Likewise, failing a job in week 3 would impart a penalty for weeks 4 & 5. Is this a correct assumption?

Do we still need to make stress rolls during week 4? Will we be needing to make stress rolls in week 6 or week 8? I'd like to keep a semi regular schedule of relaxation to manage Silyph's studies.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

@Hathin: Your relationship with Rita is 2.

@Waltz: When I said skip ahead, I meant we're just going to do weekly actions one week at a time, and not pause each week for side events.

The checks for cantrips don't take up any free time; so long as you keep passing the checks, you could make one every week. This will be an exception to the norm, as right now your only doing one class, it's really easy, and you aren't learning spells in class. Once we get to semester 2, if you want to learn spells outside of class, you will need scrolls to do so.

Stress checks will be made every other week, starting week 4. The stress penalties will apply starting the week the bonus/penalty is gained. Thus, resting in week 3 gives a bonus in week 3 and 4. Think of the stress tests as being made at the end of the week, so that stuff that happens during that week affects it.

Yes, stress checks will be needed in weeks 4, 6, and 8. Actually, since your 1st semester is so easy going, I've decided everyone is going to get a +2 bonus on these checks made in this first semester.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

So, thinking about the skill check jobs, I've decided they make too much money. Starting week 4, skill check jobs will only give 2d4x4, with failure for everyone only granting 2d4 gold (Vasile, you won't take a stress penalty). This would give incentive to going the "safe route" if you think you'll fail too many checks, because as it is even failing a check gives you better money.

I'll put these changes in the campaign info. Don't worry about this change for checks before week 4; you can keep the money you've already got.


Right on I figured they made a little too much money, but the character is much more taken to working for herself. I was a little worried about the inevitable retribution of those with real jobs getting promotions.

I was in the middle of posting when I refreshed and saw this. So I assume it's still kosher by the old rules? You could always bump the DC as well if it needs further nerfing.

Had stress rolls worked opposite than I had thought I wouldn't bother with it this week.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

I definitely think Spellcraft won't be allowed as a "job skill", as I already told everyone to get that high, so it's kinda too easy of a choice.


I'm comfortable with that. I was just looking for a job that Silyph could do well on her own. I couldn't think of anything particularly good with diplomacy... so I went with identifying magic items with spellcraft.

Would you mind if I reallocated my 1 rank in bluff over into appraise? I don't think I've used it for anything that 1 rank would've made a difference on and bumping up appraise would allow for her to do essentially the same job with a different skill check at a -2 due to losing out on elvish racial bonus.

What do you think?


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

I'm okay with you moving around your skills a little bit at this point.


Duh, I'm an idiot. With Inner Beauty, Suleiyel can make an untrained Craft check with improvised tools at +5.. the same as his trained Profession (librarian) skill. Buy some tools and train a craft, and he'd be at +11. If it's kosher, it wouldn't take much for me to adjust his background a little -- while spending all that time researching in a Kyoni library, he discovered a talent for repairing books, not managing a collection or answering questions -- and then swap out his unused Profession skill for a Craft (books). It would be more in keeping with his actual abilities, and wouldn't change anything that's happened so far.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

I'm fine with that change as well.


Male Elf (Kyoni) Wizard (Banisher) 1

Since all four of my games were dead this weekend, I put Suleiyel in Hero Lab, just for kicks -- and discovered that wizards are not proficient with slings. I thought everybody was! Oh well, now I know.


Female Human Wizard(Evoker) 1

Nope, they have a specified list.

Slings are too physically complicated, and tiring. :P


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

Adjusted one modifier in the stress section; the section where it said "failed a job" should only have applied to quest jobs. I also increased the penalty for doing so. There is no penalty to stress for failing a skill job roll.

I changed relaxing and studying; relaxing is less effective, and studying is more effective now. As it was, relaxing gave all the benefits of studying and more, and though I was tempted to leave it that way, I conceded to reason :P.


Male Elf (Kyoni) Wizard (Banisher) 1
Vasile Liviu wrote:

Nope, they have a specified list.

Slings are too physically complicated, and tiring. :P

Since it's just a matter of money until I have a longsword and a composite longbow, I'm going to have to go with "too physically unattractive, and inefficient" for my reasons for not learning how to use a sling. :p


Female Human Wizard(Evoker) 1

That works too. :P


Male Elf (Kyoni) Wizard (Banisher) 1
Cezar Razvan wrote:

Week 3 and 4 non-specialized work:

2d10x2 for 36g
Somebody come up with a way for me to use Kn. Engineering...

How about combining it with Cezar's knowledge of arcana and talent for illusions? Nothing magical; just offering to show property owners how they can make it *look* like their buildings are better protected. Alterations that experienced burglars would take as signs of traps, both magical and mechanical, to discourage them at a fraction of the cost of the real thing. It wouldn't stop the dummy who doesn't know any better; but then, that guy will eventually be stopped by somebody else's real (and much more expensive) trap.


Male Human Wizard 1

What about...a building designer, doing designs and layouts via drawings, and Cezar offers Silent Image as a 'preview' service for the designs? :P
In reality, he'd need a hell of a lot of connections, but I think that would be a very interesting use of his talents.
If not designer, perhaps he can be a part of a company that does that sort of job, offering his minor knowledge and abilities as an apprentice.


Male Elf (Kyoni) Wizard (Banisher) 1

Or, he could be a freelance draftsman using silent image while talking with designers and architects, to make sure that he understands the whole building or machine before he puts pen to paper; prestidigitation to make sure that the plans he turns in are clean; and arcane mark to make sure that no one else can take credit for his work. Even that would all be pretty precocious for 13. ;)


WS 40, BS 20, S 35, T 35, Ag 35, Int 30, Per 30, WP 40, Fel 43, Wounds 14/14, FP 1/1

Should we be posting week 4 summaries?


Male Human Wizard 1

Sounds like an awesome idea, Suleiyel. Now if the DM approves and allows the child to go for this sort of thing....


I was thinking babysitting would work for a diplomacy skill job before I realized that would probably fall more under the purview of handle animal.

*Buh-dah-dum-sha*

Anybody have any creative ideas for diplomacy? ;)


*snicker*

Why yes, I do have a creative idea for diplomacy. Combine it with a stellar Knowledge (Planes) and a city beset with imps, and offer to mediate disputes between mundanes and the frighteningly-powerful minor devils that they have to deal with. "Can't live with 'em, and can't kill 'em," as the saying goes.


WS 40, BS 20, S 35, T 35, Ag 35, Int 30, Per 30, WP 40, Fel 43, Wounds 14/14, FP 1/1

Technically I think that probably falls under Profession (Lawyer) for infernal contracts and the like.

Diplomacy at 1st level could be - Barker for a store, going through the city with flyers and earning commission off sales brought in.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

Hmm, those are rather creative uses for your skills. I'd be happy to allow these uses of knowledge (architecture) and diplomacy.


Male Elf (Kyoni) Wizard (Banisher) 1

I did some math, and two 20-week semesters with two 1-month breaks in-between adds up to about 49 weeks. That implies a 1-week break in the middle of each semester (kind of like our Spring Break), with a few holidays sprinkled throughout. I checked the ISWG for some likely candidates.

ISWG wrote:
Calistril (Feb.) 2nd. Merrymead: Commemorates coming Spring with the distribution of the last of the previous season’s alcohol.

If I were faculty or staff, I wouldn't want to start classes right on Calistril 1st or even the 3rd; I'd start it on the 4th, so that I could have my adult indulgence and not deal with kids the next day. Of course, we need a few days to give new students an orientation, get them situated, sign them up for classes, etc.; there are always good reasons for those smart enough to find them. ;)

ISWG wrote:
Pharast (March) 5th. Day of Bones (Pharasma): Pharasmins parade the recent dead in a procession, then inter corpses for free.

It is a day of celebrating life, due to being reminded that it is short (like the Mexican Dia de los Muertos). You could also take it as a motivational reminder to buckle down, study hard, and hope to someday learn the secret of immortality (Ultimate Magic, p. 86). It would've happened in week 5.

ISWG wrote:
Gozran (April) 15th. Taxfest (Abadar): Clerics accompany tax collectors on their rounds, then host a public feast for all citizens.

It is a day of mourning for the faculty and staff, to grieve their lost monies. It is also a day of learning for the students with off-campus jobs, that the benefits of civilization are not free.

Taxfest is about half-way through the semester; but those holidays are front-loaded, so the week-long spring break could happen later, in the third or fourth week of Desnus (May). That's the spring semester. The fall semester:

ISWG wrote:
Neth (Nov.) 8th. Abjurant Day (Nethys): A day of working together to shore up mutual defenses and train children in magic.

I imagine this to be a good choice for when the annual Breaching Festival happens. (It doesn't say in Guide to Korvosa or Inner Sea Magic that I can find, and I don't own Academy of Secrets.)

ISWG wrote:
Neth (Nov.) 18th. Evoking Day (Nethys): A day of fireworks displays and magical duels (both mock and real).

Well, your demiplane with a spell dueling arena should make *that* more interesting. ;)

ISWG wrote:
Neth (Nov.) 28th. Transmutatum (Nethys): Self-improvement.

Any description that short is just begging for expansion.

Those holidays are back-loaded, which is what happens at a wizard school when there's a month named after the god of magic. So, it might make sense to have the fall break earlier, in perhaps the third week of Rova (September). There are at least two other important holidays that I can see:

ISWG wrote:
Erastus (July) 14th. Founding Festival (Korvosa, Varisia): Festival featuring magical light shows celebrating the founding of Korvosa.

This happens in the middle of summer vacation. School will be out, but our characters will still be on.

ISWG wrote:
Kuthona (Dec.) Second Week (Sunday to Starday). Winter Week: Traditional feast; time for courting and spending time with friends.

This happens with a few weeks left to go in the second term. It might seem like a natural choice for the semester's week-long break; but if I were faculty or staff, I'd rather deal with a week of students slacking off near the end of the year, when the alternative is to go over three months without any break at all for myself.


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

I'm gonna say that spring break will occur on the second week of Desnus, not for any holiday but to break up the exam time from the rest of the semester. For the fall semester, the break is held off until Winter Week for a similar reason.


WS 40, BS 20, S 35, T 35, Ag 35, Int 30, Per 30, WP 40, Fel 43, Wounds 14/14, FP 1/1

I think Hathin will probably get into a fight in Week 7... just because ;)


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

Owait, I meant the second week of Sarenith, not Desnus. The break leaves two weeks at the end of the semester, for exam time. Thanks for catching it, Suleiyel.


Male Elf (Kyoni) Wizard (Banisher) 1

No prob. ;) Also, Cezar and Pakak haven't rolled for gold for week 6.

Week 7 is the first time that I'll be devoting my time to something else. The campaign info doesn't say how much you get for non-dedicated work, but since I read the spoilers when I was just an audience member... I assume 1d8?


Male Half-dork 5 Nerd (universalist)

Yeah, I forgot about that since everyone's just been doing work every week, but even in weeks you don't dedicate time to working, you still work, you just 1d8 gold pay instead of the norm.


Male Dwarf Wizard (Abjurer)-9 (Mythic Archmage 2)(Current HP 54/62)

Just curious... but what churches/temples are in the city?

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