Unbinding the Fetters - Disciples of Master Gond (Inactive)
Game Master Mark Sweetman

I'm so sorry for dropping off the radar, people... especially to you Voice and the new guys. Work has become ridiculous, and I have't had time to do anything else.

Don't let the game stall out because of me. If that means npc'ing or dropping Javi, I"ll understand. I'm still enjoying the game.

Javi - work explained absences are fine, so don't stress out. Just let us know when you can step back in more reliably and we'll pick it up from there.

Gorak - polymorphing is a lot different in Pathfinder. Basically you keep your own stats, with a slight adjustment depending on the animal you change into - as per the spell beast shape I. You also get to assume some abilities (such as fly 30ft average) and the natural attacks.

With that in mind, I have no issues of you changing into a medium sized bat. In your wildshape form you would have: +2 Strength, +2 Natural Armor, Fly 30ft (average) and a primary bite attack for 1d6.

Javi - work explained absences are fine, so don't stress out. Just let us know when you can step back in more reliably and we'll pick it up from there.

Gorak - polymorphing is a lot different in Pathfinder. Basically you keep your own stats, with a slight adjustment depending on the animal you change into - as per the spell beast shape I. You also get to assume some abilities (such as fly 30ft average) and the natural attacks.

With that in mind, I have no issues of you changing into a medium sized bat. In your wildshape form you would have: +2 Strength, +2 Natural Armor, Fly 30ft (average) and a primary bite attack for 1d6.

I know the polymorphing stuff. It's one of the reasons I didn't dump my physical stats. ;-) I'm just looking over possible animals to turn into.

Some on the boards have suggested various dinosaurs. Unless we find ourselves in the land of the lost I assume I'm not familiar enough with dino's to turn into one. Besides, seems kinda cheesy. Now, giant subterranean lizards, perhaps another story. ;-)

All - I'm finding it a bit of a struggle to frame my narrative at the moment, which is 100% my fault. I love the concept of the martial fighting school, as well as the characters that you have come up with - but It's been difficult to come up with a cohesive enough plot for you to follow along with. And I've not really given any reason for your characters to gel and get along with one another.

I am still committed to the PbP, but I am suggesting a bit of a re-shuffle of what is happening in character. Rather than spring that on your guys in thread, I've put it up here so we can discuss OOC before making any IC changes.

With that in mind I've a few suggestions to basically jolt the narrative back into focus:

1. Wipe away what is currently happening and re-jig the application process as a tournament style competition. So you would be competing against other applicants for the limited positions available.

Trial by combat, chase scenes, skill challenges, etc

2. Get you sent away on a shared mission by Master Gond, so that you can bond over the course of that and give you a targeted focus of what you need to do.

Would play as a conventional 'go find the macguffin' story, albiet with the usual twists and turns along the way.

3. Toss out the monastery idea all together and do something else - like an AP, or modules, etc. Keep the same characters, just re-jig for the new story angle.

What are your thoughts? - which of the options do you find most attractive / believable.

Number 2 would be my preference. We do stuff as a group to prove our worth to the school. And over time master gone shares martial secrets. Etc.

One idea for a number 2 style adventure would be to send you off to Jalmeray for the Challenge of Sky and Heaven

One idea for a number 2 style adventure would be to send you off to Jalmeray for the Challenge of Sky and Heaven

I'm not familiar, but it sounds cool.

From the Inner Sea World Guide:
Once per decade, the three Houses of Perfection meet in friendly competition. Their best apprentices, students and masters test against one another in a grand tournament that measures knowledge of history, swordplay, unarmed fighting techniques, archery, mastery of the self, arcane ability, and more esoteric strengths. The three monasteries each give tests of cunning, speed and skill at all tasks, while the thakur and his Maurya-Rahm advisors sponsor many more, including the Solemn Sky Duel of Masters.

Jalmeray is full of Vudrani, as well as djinni, efreeti, shaitan, etc. Fun place :)

From the Inner Sea World Guide:

Once per decade, the three Houses of Perfection meet in friendly competition. Their best apprentices, students and masters test against one another in a grand tournament that measures knowledge of history, swordplay, unarmed fighting techniques, archery, mastery of the self, arcane ability, and more esoteric strengths. The three monasteries each give tests of cunning, speed and skill at all tasks, while the thakur and his Maurya-Rahm advisors sponsor many more, including the Solemn Sky Duel of Masters.

Jalmeray is full of Vudrani, as well as djinni, efreeti, shaitan, etc. Fun place :)

** spoiler omitted **

That does ound cool.

The challenge would probably have you accompany the monastic order back to Vudra to compete as a fourth house. Can then have you actually compete as well as have some mysterious goings on around the fringes of the tournament.

Plus got to fit some tiger headed rakshasa in there somewhere....

The challenge would probably have you accompany the monastic order back to Vudra to compete as a fourth house. Can then have you actually compete as well as have some mysterious goings on around the fringes of the tournament.

Plus got to fit some tiger headed rakshasa in there somewhere....

** spoiler omitted **

I think that a combination of 2 and 3 could work as well. Start with being accepted as apprentices - the old crew has essentially already done this. Then get sent to the big competition. Thereafter, we could be sent out on missions which could be of your own creation or using modules. You could use PF modules or just adapt older D&D modules.

I am good either way and it will be interesting seeing if a mostly non-spellcasting group could make it through normal modules.

I agree that 2 seems to be a good idea.

I like Javi in general, but if the concept of the game strays too much, I'd like to re-think his build in order to serve the team and campaign better.

I agree with selection #2 as well, I always like a tournament!

Thought of this idea, what if Master Gond prefers teaching while traveling like the school is more like a caravan then a single school, something like Gond believes teaching through experiences and always trying to adapt to different environments or something like that. Just an idea take it how you will.

Cool - number 2 it is, and it looks like we are back down to 5 party members as Nisk hasn't been around in quite some time - but that is just fine by me.

I'll have something up in the IC thread later today when I've got my head around the short term storyline.

I think that a combination of 2 and 3 could work as well.

I am good either way and it will be interesting seeing if a mostly non-spellcasting group could make it through normal modules.

These were my thoughts also. I always like seeing how a "non-standard" party would do things.

just a quick interruption

Me'mori

Super advance Holiday warning post:

I will be going on a pretty long trip down to Australia between 14th December and 10th January to visit relatives, celebrate Christmas, that sort of thing.

Whilst I will have net access, my available time will be restricted to alot less than I can currently swing; so ability to DM will be virtually nil through that time.

So my initial long range thoughts is to essentially park the PbP over my vacation time, and then pick it back up in the new year.

Anyone have any concerns / issues with that approach?

For clarity - the PbP will keep running as usual right up to December 14 before going on temporary hiatus.

I don't. It'd be cool if we could not have the hiatus hit in the middle of a combat, that'd be good, but beyond that, I hope it turns into an excellent vacation for you. :)

I don't either, as Javi put it as long its not in the middle of a battle or a chase. Anyway have a great vacation!

Grumpy as usual. You guys realize that his vacation to that big island with the funny accents does not start for a month right?

I do... I figure there's no reason not to wish him well early.

I'm trying to get into the holiday spirit early.

Well then, have fun chasin' wallabies VoV.

No worries. I suspect things will get pretty busy for everyone around that time.

This should be interesting. Two LN Monks and 2 CN non-monks. With one N druid in the middle.

This should be interesting. Two LN Monks and 2 CN non-monks. With one N druid in the middle.

Gorak ascribes to the "law of the jungle." concept. ;-)

FYI - I'll be out of town tomorrow, so probably won't get a chance to put in an update until Sunday evening my time (in roughly 48ish hours from this post).

So feel free to take the weekend off, and sorry for the delay in the game.

Despite the rampant confusion and inconsistency that I seem to be throwing up I'm finding this fight quite fun to DM :)

Hope that it's working out ok for you guys as well... you may very well find more of these types in the future - though with a better map background and more twists and turns involved.

I'm certainly a fan. Glad you're having fun, too... nothing brings down a game quicker than burning out the DM.

Any words of advice/encouragement you'd like us to hear?

Damn Elves. She's going down, one way or another.

If i had call lightning I think I'd use it. lol.

Javi - no risk of burnout, though I must admit (as you've all seen) it's difficult to keep track of all the stances and swift action abilities in play :)

If I've made an error - feel free to just point it out and assume that the correct action took place. You don't need to wait for my confirmation before making the adjustment.

I'm trying to work out a concise header for current status, but since I only have limited redirections, and fluid conditions, I'm trying to make it a point of having more IC in my posts than OOC. Just forgot the round Header on my last post. ^^;

Well, if I could ever roll above a damn 3, I could slow down the damn elf. Of course she only has like a 14 strength and is not a monk, so only doing 1-3+2 damage.

Ok folks - as I am now officially on holiday and will be riding metal wings Southward on the morrow, this PbP is officially on soft hiatus. What that means is that while I'll be putting up some responses and closing out the pit fight over time, there isn't any guarantee of schedule or timing - things will probably be quite erratic and sporadic.

So with that in mind - please enjoy your christmas breaks, eat much turkey, or stollen, or whatever your regional delicacy would be.

Come 11th of January we'll get kicked off again and get you over to Jalmeray so we can start the tourneys in full force!

Have a good holiday, Voice. Thanks for the fun so far.

Enjoy

Have a safe trip, the CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD SHALL AWAIT YOUR RETURN!

Have a safe trip, the CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD SHALL AWAIT YOUR RETURN!

And the rest of us will be holding our breath due to the CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD's aroma. ;-)

Torgus"The Brawling Bear"Voss wrote:

Have a safe trip, the CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD SHALL AWAIT YOUR RETURN!

And the rest of us will be holding our breath due to the CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD's aroma. ;-)

And to think the elf thought it was me.

It seems a voice of non-aromad reason may be required here, so you'll all be happy to know that Nisk Son-of-None is back from hiatus. I apologize for dropping off the radar so thouroughly, it's been... a confusing couple of months. Either way having recently reaquired an internet connection I'm good to rejoin the game if everyone else is fibe with it.

Waves to Nisk - we've had a few personnel changes, but there is likely still room for you if you want back in.

Up to the other five players - any issues?

Great, just what I need, more flighty elves that will need saving.

Fine by me.

Nisk coming back is cool with the CHAMPION OF BALLENWOOD!

Good by me.

No complaints here.

No problem by me. :)

So. I got hit by a car...

I'm ok, a bit banged up, fractured wrist, couple cuts. But since I lost a chunk of ring finger I probably won't want to type much at least for awhile. So I guess you don't have your half-elven anger ball back yet lol...

Gotta love life throwing terrible crap at you.

Best few months ever.

Ok - I am now safely ensconced back home in KL after my month break, and will be kicking this Campaign back off into regular service. I'll sleep off the jet-lag and cantankerous toddler torment tonight and get the next in-game post up come morning.

Your short boat ride and mega-tournament awaits ;)