The Emerald Spire

Game Master Stormstrider

Yeah I'm excited to get going too!

Just so everyone knows, I got good news/bad news yesterday. The good part is I've been cleared to go back to work full time. This is especially good since I need to save money to buy a car.
Badnews, lot less time for my gaming!!! Which also means less time to monitor the situation here. I will still check in at least once, most likely twice every day, just going to need to adjust my routine.

More to come this evening.

That's awesome Stormstrider! No worries about your posting frequency!!! This medium is designed to fit into regular life schedules. So you focus on getting back to financial stability, and we'll enjoy reading your posts whenever you have time to post.

If the game goes more slowly I won't be offended. Earning a living is certainly a good enough excuse. :)

BTW, Aldhranhald:

Did you plan on taking the Irori Deific Obedience feat? I assume so but if you hadn't heard of it it's really great for the "smarty-pants" build you are going for.

There's also Breadth of Experience, if you are 100 years old or older.

"Brother Guiness, as you step into the room, you see the goblin and this tall construct turn to face you. You are quite surprised to see your old friend Tamlara across the room obviously about to engage in combat. She is looking at you somewhat strangely as well as surprised."

To avoid cluttering up the gameplay thread with an additional flashback, here is an action that Guiness was planning to take in town that may have bearing on his reaction to seeing Tamlara.

While in town, Brother Guiness' major activity was sampling enough Dwarven Stout to be able to ensure he chose just the right batch to use in refilling his "travelling cask". Taking a 20 on Profession/Brewer to get a 26.

In addition, he did ask after Tamlara with a few likely people.

BG Diplomacy: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12 Gather information DC 10

He was able to find out that a young girl by that name and matching her description was in town until recently, but nothing more than that. Feel free to expand on this Stormstrider if you would like to give more detail, but I expect that only beating the DC by 2 is not going to give me detailed information about her joining up with an adventuring group and heading towards the spire, unless you consider that common knowledge...

Fun factoid: When I was building Sama, I noted that one of the major weaknesses of an air (lightning) blaster is that they are really bad against constructs, since constructs are often immune to any magic that doesn't also affect mundane objects or allows spell resistance, and the only spells that tend to get around that are acid spells like acid splash - which are in the earth specialty, opposing air.

I figured "We'll probably run into constructs later in the dungeon, so by then I should be able to prepare some alternative spells for buffing the party or locking down the enemies. Who runs into constructs on the first level of a dungeon?"

Who indeed!

I'm glad you got good news, Stormstrider. I'm fine with a slow but steady paced game. I will admit that my patience is low with games that spurt off and on.

...and the only spells that tend to get around that are acid spells like acid splash...

There's always debuff conjuration spells like grease and glitterdust. Good in most situations.

I'm not sure what's going on here folks?!? Again the current initiative:
Round 1
Block 1: Aldhranhald, Tamlara, Sama
Block 2: Goblin
Block 3: Boudacia, Gansu, Tangar, Brother Guiness
Block 4: Construct (?)
Block 5: Alex, Kessa

So we are waiting for Aldhranhald, Tamlara, & Sama to take their turns. Again, it does NOT have to be done in that order. Any of you three can post when you want and once all 3 have posted, then the goblin will go.

And I have seen two of these people post in discussion, but no action in game-play?

Trying to figure out what to do - not sure what will work on the construct.

Also, I currently have a fever of 100.6.

... Who runs into constructs on the first level of a dungeon?"

Who indeed!

I aim to misbehave!

(The third level of the dungeon has a few potential character killer encounters, possible TPK's! Well, for that matter the 'boss' encounter for this level is a potential character/party killer! Is this room your in now the 'boss' encounter? ? ? ? he, he, he, he - evil laughter fading into the distance.)

Trying to figure out what to do - not sure what will work on the construct.

Also, I currently have a fever of 100.6.

OH MY!!!! Sorry to hear that! I hope you get better soon!

And don't forget, there is a goblin that looks like he could be some sort of spell caster?

... While in town, Brother Guiness' major activity was sampling enough Dwarven Stout to be able to ensure he chose just the right batch to use in refilling his "travelling cask". Taking a 20 on Profession/Brewer to get a 26.

When Brother Guiness asks for good Dwarven stout at the first tavern he comes to, he is told to go to The Helmed Lady and is given directions location # 38 on the Map of Fort Inevitable.

In addition, he did ask after Tamlara with a few likely people.

Brother Guiness has not had much luck around town asking for Tamlara, but when he asks Mistress Kagnin she clearly knows who he is asking about! "Tamlara you say? Bright red hair? Bluest eyes I ever did see? Yae I know her! She was working for me servin' tables, doin' fine she was, mindin her own business, causin no trouble 'tall, 'til one of those groups of adventurer types showed up in here one day. Mind you they were obviously no nearly as talented as me three boys of course! Just look at all the fine trophies me boys ha' brought me back!" As she waves her arm around the room in general, and as you look around you realize there are various creatures heads mounted on the walls, and a variety of weapons as well. "But ya that lot was one very mixed-up combination! They had a great big huge northener with a mighty fine looking axe, a woman that walked around with a bat on her shoulder - and I swears she talked with it in its own language! - also, on of them fancy, snobbish, highfalutin elves, some other gentleman human that was nice & polite, but there was something strange about that one, don't know what it was 'xactly, some silly lil girl carryin pokey sticks as tall as that northener! - no idea what she was planinn to do wi those! And she had this cute beast with her, no idea what it was, but mighty protectiv o' her! It was cute in a sense, but gave me the hibby-jibbies if ya know what I mean? There was another elf also, though not quite so highfalutin as the other, but he carried this r'diculously huge sword! As broad as he was wide! No idea how he thought he was gonna swing that thing around! Think that was all of dem. - Well, anyhow, that lil gal Tamlara she got herself mixed in wi' dem! And last I herd dey was headin off to the Spire! Probably the last I see of them! What will I do with the bedroll she left in my care if she don't comeback?"

And yes, that happens to be a true story! Tamlara was working for the only female Dwarf in town! Quite a coinkidinky that another Dwarf comes looking for Dwarven stout and Tamlara!!! Hahahaha!

Lost my post to messageboard goblins for a minute. Let's try again.

GM Stormstrider:

Any chance I can make a last minute change to my gear?

I'd like to make my sword a Consecrated Weapon. This costs an extra 150 gp.

A Consecrated Weapon allows me to spend a use of channel energy (don't have that yet, but I will) to "charge" the weapon. The next time it hits something the energy discharges on what I am hitting. So it would do damage as if I had used channel to harm that creature, but only 1/2 the normal amount. Since I will be channeling positive energy this will only affect undead. Since I can't choose for the energy not to discharge on a hit, I pretty much have to know that my next enemy will be undead for it to be worthwhile.

It's not an amazing ability but it doesn't cost that much, and I don't think you can add it later, so I'd rather do it now.

To pay for it I would switch from an agile breastplate to a normal breastplate, which saves me 200 gp.

That leaves me 50 gp extra. So I would get two scrolls of cure light wounds as backup healing.

Would that be all right?

BTW, Aldhranhald:

Did you plan on taking the Irori Deific Obedience feat? I assume so but if you hadn't heard of it it's really great for the "smarty-pants" build you are going for.

There's also Breadth of Experience, if you are 100 years old or older.

I will definitely be thinking about Breadth of Experience. Thanks for pointing that out. :)

Also, I currently have a fever of 100.6.

I thought you looked hot.

That sounds serious so I should not joke. Get well.

Sama Kattan wrote:

...and the only spells that tend to get around that are acid spells like acid splash...

There's always debuff conjuration spells like grease and glitterdust. Good in most situations.

Glitterdust is one tremendous spell. Blinds opponents, makes them visible or both. Only level 2. It is great.

I just got home a lil bit ago, about 10pm. I'm exhausted, sorry. Was falling asleep at the tabletop game! I'll get to some things tomorrow evening.

Tamlara sent me a PM, due to some bad RL she is going to be out 2-3 days +/- so she told me to bot her as needed. She didn't feel like sharing right now, but I know she could use some love/well wishers.

Tamlara, my dearest of friends, I truly wish you the best and a happier life! :D I wish I could be there for you.

Tamlara, this is me sending both love and well wishes from across the digital miles. Look forward to having you back whenever your circumstances are conducive.

Your friend,
MW

So, it's about time I get around to trying to answer some more questions. Sorry it has taken me longer than expected! RL sucks sometimes!

Gansu, you are good to go with your double-curse plan! i'm also fine with the Consecrated weapon.

Somebody asked what I consider a full rest. That would be 8 hours of inactivity or minor activity as per the RAW of Pathfinder.

My tabletop group tried to pull taking a 'full rest' after they had only been up about 2 hours because they had a large encounter and used up spells. Care to guess what happened? Another decent sized encounter! And if the watch duty had failed their perception checks, some characters might have died in their 'sleep'! After all, 5 rogues sneaking into your room while you are asleep! But luckily for them two of the rogues rolled Nat 1's on their stealth checks! Hahahaha! Lesson? I don't recommend trying to sleep every 2 hours just because your spellcaster/healer ran out of spells/cures! Play smart!

???My gut tells me there were more questions to answer, but my aging memory does not recall any? I have updated the House Rules doc slightly. If anyone has any other questions or suggestions, please let me know! OH!!! taking 10 and taking 20!!! I completely forgot to research it! Anybody who wants to, share your thoughts on what the proper rule is!

Your ruling on lay on hands and a dhampir? It probably doesn't work as the rules are written, but I wanted your ruling on it.

Your ruling on lay on hands and a dhampir? It probably doesn't work as the rules are written, but I wanted your ruling on it.

WOW! QUICK!!! And your right! I forgot! Sorry! I do remember now!

Yes, I would have to say that it does not work on Dhampir. But we should be ok because Aldhranhald took ... inflict? or something or other that he can use to heal the Dhampir. So keep him alive and he will keep the Dhampir ... alive? ;)

Gansu, you are good to go with your double-curse plan! i'm also fine with the Consecrated weapon.

Great! Almost forgot I had asked about those things. I will update shortly.

Next level I get mercies, which remove negative conditions, added to lay on hands. Can I use up a use of lay on hands to apply a mercy without healing on her?

Kessa: To lay on hands negative energy, just multiclass into Antipaladin!

Wait, maybe not... :)

GM: Heal skill still works on a Dhampir, right?

Gansu is supposed to have mastery of healing arts through herbalism (according to the fluff of the Archetype, anyway). Any chance I can use that instead of heal skill? What could I do with it?

And you don't get any benefit from weighing the same as a duck. Ho hum.

Alrhranhald- Boudacia asked you in character if you knew how fast the construct could move. I don't think you spotted it.

Next level I get mercies, which remove negative conditions, added to lay on hands. Can I use up a use of lay on hands to apply a mercy without healing on her?

Yes, I see no problem with that.

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GM: Heal skill still works on a Dhampir, right?

Yes, heal skill still works on Dhampir.

I didn't see this "mastery of healing arts through herbalism" part? Can you tell me, or better yet give me a link, to any info on it?

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Alrhranhald- Boudacia asked you in character if you knew how fast the construct could move. I don't think you spotted it.

Aldhranhald is 'out-for-the-weekend' 'til Sunday night at least, and since I never provided him that info, I'll give the answer. Speed for the Construct would appear to be average/normal movement speed. (Yes, 30 ft.)

And Boudacia? There you go again? Posting in the Discussion tab while it is is your turn in the game-play, and not posting any action in the game-play?!?!?! This is not the first time you have done so. WE ARE CURRENTLY WAITING ON BOUDACIA SO WE CAN PROCEED.

Sorry.
My last post was made at 4.39 am local time when I was up because I could not sleep. It is not surprising I was not at my most alert.
It is good to hear you have been medically cleared to return to work Stormstrider, even if you are grumpy :P. Your health and finances have both been a cause of concern.

I didn't see this "mastery of healing arts through herbalism" part? Can you tell me, or better yet give me a link, to any info on it?

Here's the fluff text from the archetype:

In distant Tian Xia, herbalists practice an obscure alchemical art known as Pei Zin herbalism, which involves medicinal and restorative techniques that are used throughout much of that continent. A few practitioners develop a talent for Pei Zin that transcends ordinary alchemy, allowing them to blur the line between applying alchemical medicine and coaxing divine miracles.

Link: Pei Zin Practitioner

The Alchemy Manual goes into more details in their "Pei Zin Herbalism" article:

The term "Pei Zin" translates to "The Process" in the Tien language, though the expression is most often used in reference to the traditional Tian medicinal and restorative practices. Pei Zin herbalism is a means of creating medicine and other useful alchemical items from a precise combination of plant-based and chemical reagents. It is said that the Tian god Qi Zhong, Master of Medicine, first taught the art of Pei Zin herbalism to Irori during his years as a mortal.

Pei Zin herbalism is now practiced by countless Tians and others, though its most prominent practitioners are still centralized among the Enlightened Peaks in Zi Ha - hence its nickname, "enlightened alchemy." Its practitioners emphasize the connections between alchemical processes and the currents of life energy in the natural world.

With the term "medicine" it sounds like I ought to be able to do things like treat disease and poison with the skill. But in game terms it allows me to analyze potions and make alchemical items that include a plant ingredient. Not that I expect to ever have time for that.

Oh MY! The 'tricks' our sub-conscious can pull on us! I was glancing through a character's gear (The character shall remain nameless!). Fist I saw, water skin, then shortly there after, bedroll, then waterproof bag. All this was within the same second or 2 as I was skimming through the list ... but somehow suddenly my mind was saying ...
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'bed-wetter'!

WOW!!! I can't believe it myself! No idea why that! came to mind!

Now mind you, I usually don't appreciate/approve of posts purposefully leaving a huge blank space like I just did! But I am the GM! :P ;)
So do as I say and not as I do in this case. ;)

... Gansu is supposed to have mastery of healing arts through herbalism (according to the fluff of the Archetype, anyway). Any chance I can use that instead of heal skill? What could I do with it?

I have no problem with you being able to attempt both! A herbalism and a heal check, though you could only apply the benefits from one or the other. This just gives you more chances to get a successful check. Fair warning though, due to the environment we are in, I'm not sure that your going to get to use herbalism much for other things. If you feel there's a chance it may apply to some situation, feel free to ask! That said there is a much later level that will have a LOT of plants! Natural plants? Plant creatures? Exotic plants? Flowers? ... ?

The party certainly doesn't know! :D

By the way?

3 people have posted since I asked:
QUESTION? For future reference, does anybody mind if I go ahead and roll everybody's Reflex saves to save time and the hassle of multiple posts?

And only 1 of those 3 responded!

GOOD JOB BOUDACIA!!!

Brother Guiness is fine with Stormstrider rolling the saves, especially if they occur during someone else's turn and will speed up play.

I am fine with you rolling saves. Please be aware that as Kessa levels up there may be bonuses to saves of those near her due to auras.

GOOD JOB BOUDACIA!!!

At your service your Stormyness.

Roll whatever you need. That's the DM's province, after all.

QUESTION? For future reference, does anybody mind if I go ahead and roll everybody's Reflex saves to save time and the hassle of multiple posts?

Sorry, meant to mention that but was really tired (pulled an extra shift at work last night) and forgot.

When I joined the game I actually assumed you were already doing it this way because you had us fill out the Google Doc with our saves and knowledges on it.

So yes, I'm cool with that. I do it in the games I run. You need the GM's input anyway for what happens even if you roll the save yourself.

GM: Is there a herbalist in Fort Inevitable from which herbal medicines can be bought? Or perhaps a more general magical reagent dealer of some kind?

I had envisioned getting a "herbalist's kit" which would work like a healer's kit for the heal skill. Though I didn't have enough money at this stage anyway.

Kessa wrote:

Your ruling on lay on hands and a dhampir? It probably doesn't work as the rules are written, but I wanted your ruling on it.

WOW! QUICK!!! And your right! I forgot! Sorry! I do remember now!

Yes, I would have to say that it does not work on Dhampir. But we should be ok because Aldhranhald took ... inflict? or something or other that he can use to heal the Dhampir. So keep him alive and he will keep the Dhampir ... alive? ;)

Yes, I am alive. :) I'm just healed by negative energy intead of positive.

Biscuits! This group is obviously active on weekends. I hope I don't end up holding up the show in the future, as weekends are usually harder for me to find time for the boards.

@Boudacia, I did see your question about how fast the construct moved, but it wasn't something Stormstrider told me, and I didn't want to just make it up on the spot. Then, after just a few posts, it was irrelevant! :)

@Stormstrider, please feel free to roll whatever you need to to make things go smoother and faster. I trust the dice algorithm in your hands about as much as I trust it in mine, which is to say, not at all. :D Also, the idea of a touch attack with a disable device check sounds like a great idea for the purposes of disabling the constructs. Since Aldy's fists are considered weapons, by Irori's blessing, I'm hoping he could even do that without provoking an AoO???!

@Everyone: Aldhranhald did in fact take the spell inflict light wounds, which, when applied to Tamlara will heal her because it invokes negative energy. :) Did that specifically to heal her, but Aldy can only cast three first level spells a day, so keeping those slots available to heal her means that his use of magic will be limited. Which, really, is fine because Aldhranhald is much more designed to be a knowledge/puzzle/traps think-outside-the-box kind of adventurer, the most recent two posts in combat should have made that pretty clear, since he was: 1) trying to explode the goblins makeshift alchemy lab, and 2)trying to disable the construct instead of punching it until it stopped moving. :D

Tamlara, this is me sending both love and well wishes from across the digital miles. Look forward to having you back whenever your circumstances are conducive.

Your friend,
MW

Thanks a bunch Mended. I'm doing a little better now. It wasn't anything serious as far as my health, just emotional. Anyone who knows me in rl will tell you that I am a druid at heart and my animals are my babies. I lost one on Wednesday, and needed some time. I appreciate everyones patience, and am looking forward to getting back in the game.

Very sorry to hear that. We have a different kind of closeness with animals and it can be devastating.

Very sorry to hear that. We have a different kind of closeness with animals and it can be devastating.

Thank you, and yes, it can be devastating. I've had pets alll my life, and each one holds a special place in the heart.

Oh, btw, does anyone here have 3rd edition d&d books? I'm looking for details on a specific feat and spell, but can't find them online anywhere.

3rd or 3.5? Which feat and spell?

Hahahaha! Tamlara I REALLY LIKED that in-game post! This could get fun! :D

And yes, if you can tell us what feat and spell there will be a MUCH GREATER chance of success! And I say that seriously! I know sometimes I can be a SARCASTIC DONKEY'S HOLE! But I do not mean it that way this time at least! You'll know when I do! Or maybe you should just ask Ozzy-know-it-all? That one is partially sarcastic, partially truthful ... about asking him or about being a know-it-all? BOTH! :D

And BG just so you know, after everybody leaving Mistress Kagnin's tavern, then the Elf with the ridiculously wide broadsword that wasn't supposed to be a broadsword(?) and the lil girl Ozzy with the 'strange beast' did ... um? ... 'choose?' to go their separate ways. I hesitate because in the case of Ozzy ... Let's just say we agreed to disagree? And I'm not sure we ever agreed on even that? That said, I'm in another game with him and Aldhranhald is our DM and Boudacia plays in it as well, and in that game I am getting along fine with that version of Ozzy! - See Tamlara? At times I'm amazed!

Stormstrider,
Actually, I already knew about the two party members dropping off by reading the posts, but in-game BG didn't--his only information was from Mistress Kagnin. I surmised he would be suspicious of the new group if members Kagnin said were with the group were unexplainedly missing.

On a personal note, I have a favor to ask of any willing participants please. A little quite a bit of backstory/info first:
In a tabletop game where I'm playing an Efreeti/Aasimar Pyromancer Sorcerer (Just went up to level 12!), we are on a MAJOR quest. There is an ... entity? A Demi-god, a son of a god, a god? or something along those lines, intent on ... ? not totally sure either? but seems to be: destroying the known universe and more?!? And of course our party is on an EPIC quest to stop it! A Mystical Sphinx (All Sphinx's were thought to be extinct!) Has sent us to find these various 'artifacts/relics'? There is supposed to be one for each party member (Nice coincidence huh?!?!) The DM has taken time to forewarn me, my relic will be some sort of staff. Once I acquire it, it will grant me access to ALL THE SPELLS KNOWN IN OUR WORLD!!!!! Yes, you read that correctly. ALL THE SPELLS KNOWN IN OUR WORLD!!!!! I thought it beared repeating. :) Mind you, that is NOT all the Sorcerer Spells. NOT all the Sorcerer/Wizard Spells either. ALL THE SPELLS, ANY CLASS, ANY LEVEL!!!!! "Wow?" - Don't even begin to cover it!

So, he told me I should become "familiar with all the spells" Just ... what does one say to that? I'm fairly certain that is an impossible task for any human? And I most certainly/definitively KNOW it's an impossible task for my mind! I can't even remember all the spells I have on my character Sheet!!! :D

Some of the others have suggested I make 'Flash' cards of the best/most useful/interesting spells. I like that idea and luckily I happen to have MANY Index cars.

I plan to AVOID any wish spells or similar. Our DM is just too Evil for that.

So, the question/favor is: What spells (any class/any level) do you recommend as best/most useful?

Oh, and it will technically be the staff casting the spell so technically none of my caster's info matter's?!

3rd or 3.5? Which feat and spell?

It is 3rd edition. My husband and I have just about every 3.5 book there is, except Grayhawk, or whatever that one is.

Yes, I understand the need for details, just didn't want to put that out there in case no one had access to 3rd edition. So, the feat is Companion Bond and the spell, Animal Friendship. I'm wanting to use a prestige class for my druid in a rl game that requires these, but I know nothing about them.

Thanks for all the prompt support guys!

I will have some time over the next couple of days since I hurt my back & can't go back to work til Thursday. Yippee.