Nisk - pop back into the thread whenever you feel up to it and can.
As far as re-entry - just assume that you came down from the monastery with the rest and remained with the main group outside the city while the chase and pit-fight occurred.
I've been looking at the way that I've been writing Cassadar, and I'm going to have to branch him into Ranger(Natural Weapon Combat Style), and I figure things will evolve from there.
Did a bit of spring cleaning at home and found a couple of old 3.5 sourcebooks that I'd thought I'd lost. Expect some Magic of Incarnum and Book of Nine Swords type elements to come up in the events to come :)
Awesome!The book of the nine swords was one of my favorites.
Same here. I loved the ideas presented in Bo9S.
That's the one sourcebook I never got to take a look at. Bet it could be torrented... *thoughtful look*
I would claim to have read all the sourcebooks, except I stopped reading somewhere in the early to mid Forgotten Realms era. I still prefer Greyhawk and the old AD&D stuff. Just restarted with Pathfinder a few months ago.
Bo9S is very good. There's the usual 3.5 overpowered stuff in there, but it was a very refreshing take on martial classes.
Specifically I'll be letting you get a limited number of maneuvers that have been Golarionized and allow for minor rules bending.
I'll also be opening up the concept of chakra binding from Magic of Incarnum (again modified to suit).
Will the maneuvers be baked into our classes? Or will we need to take the appropriate feats to gain access?
They will be purely gravy - as in provided outside of your class and for free as part of Gond's teachings. Depending on how this ship to ship goes you might even be getting a preview ;)
I can like that. :)
Chakra binding? I LIKE the idea!
To get ahead of ourselves, and make sure it doesn't slow us down when we get to discuss in game, I'd like you to start thinking about your first chakra binding and maneuver.
Maneuver:
My thoughts for this is to essentially allow for slight breaking of the rules - once per combat / encounter - and you'll start off with only a single maneuver each. Power level will initially be fairly low, and we'll build from there.
I'm thinking of things that essentially allow you to either squeeze a little more out of the action economy (like do a full-round action + a move) - or give you a little boost to a specific combat action (like say if you attack from invisible and hit, you can follow up with a free dirty trick)
BUT - you have to couple it with a decent description of exactly how / what your doing in traditional martial arts movie translation style / give it a cool name.
So - what are your proposed maneuvers so that I can review and see what tweaking is required.
Chakra Binding:
This is intended to be a system in addition to the magic item system that allows for either passive bonuses, or expendable abilities. Think Psionic Focus style - though it takes longer to get your chakra in balance.
So - pick one chakra, and pick one related quality that you'd like to improve. Power level should be about a feat equivalent. You also need to give it an appropriate name.
eg - You choose the Sacral chakra, and use it maintain your focus. So as your emotions are in more balance - you get a +2 against emotion affecting spells / abilities.
Eventually you'll build up a little library of chakra binding options - with the base ability to bind one effect per chakra center.
Questions, comments and criticisms are all welcome :)
Hmm... I'm gonna go with the Third Eye Chakra for Nisk, with a sort of Combat Precognition. I'm thinking something like Dodge plus the old 3.5 Dodge. So a +1 to AC and an additional +1 for one enemy. Thoughts?
Manuevers... I'll have to come up with something later.
Ok, getting way outside of my knowledge here as I have never been involved in any sort of martial arts, or really studied the east/far east in any manner.
I am thinking Solar Plexus Chakra. Skills would be a combination of Natural Armor increases and possibly Increased Critical (19-20 or x3) in some manner. He would be focused on the solidity of his body and the weaknesses in others.
Sorry if my battle descriptions have not been as colorful, but as I said, my background is completely unconnected to martial arts.
Ryuko - I'm aiming to keep the first issuance of the chakra abilities fairly low-key, so at about the level of a single feat. If you like, a flat +1 dodge to AC would be fine. Also, I'd be happy for a second ability tied to it related to expending your focus - like an immediate action to take +4 to AC against a single strike, but then you lose the dodge bonus for the rest of the combat.
Frakdar - don't sweat the descriptions too much. I also have zero experience in martial arts beyond watching kung fu films on TV. The key for me is just basic details:
1. which part of your body are you hitting him with - fist, elbow, knee, kick, headbutt, etc.
2. which part of his body are you aiming for?
3. chuck an adjective or embellishing detail on there if you feel like it.
For maneuver names you can just use German if you want them to sound cool to the laymen - something like "Böse Zwerg Faust" would be fine ;P
Solar Plexus Chakra for natural armor +1 is fine, and how about an option to expend focus to turn a confirmed crit into a x3 hit?
That works - if you want german descriptions, I should be able to do that. I have started using latin descriptives for the last names of many of my characters so I am familiar with it. Just let me know exactly what you want the parameters for using the Chakra feats so that I can get the correctly.
Frakdar: heh - no problems. You can just run with a vanilla description as well if you like, the german / flowery descriptions are there for embellishement.
For clarity, here is what I was thinking for your chakra bind:
Draped in Vyāna (Solar Plexus): when this ability is bound the character gets +1 to Natural armor as the binder calls upon the light of the sun to strengthen his skin. The bind can be expelled as an immediate action to increase the binder's critical modifier on an unarmed strike by 1 step. This manifests as a surge of sunlight bursting forth from the binder's fist / foot to impact the target.
You still have a maneuver to choose as well, if you don't want to custom build - then just let me know what action you want to improve and I can suggest something.
Not sure how powerful you would consider this, but how about something along the lines of: When performing a grapple maneuver, if you beat the opponents CMD by 5 or more, you may immediately make an additional check to attempt to pin the opponent.
Umgekehrt und Merkt
Frakdar - that sounds about right to me for the level I'm looking at.
So, do we have these now - not that I am planning on grappling any fish this round. Or will we get these when we level or at some point in-between.
They'll come in after this combat plays out as part of your first proper official training with Gond and the Masters - so you don't have access right now.
I just wanted to talk through them early so that we didn't need to do it actively later.
Let me put some thought into this. This is a completely awesome idea, Voice. Krazy Kudos on you!
: dumps a bucket of Krazy Kudos on Voice :
Responds while wiping kudos out of his hair - idea was not mine, but shamelessly ripped directly from Magic of Incarnum and Tome of Battle: Book of 9 Swords - so kudos should go to James Wyatt, Frank Brunner, Stephen Schubert, Richard Baker, and Matt Sernett.... coz they wrote the books.
Oh, come now, Voice, just take the credit. Any decent creative knows that most of the time it's just about applying a concept or element in a really engaging way. :)
Maneuver:
The Sting of the Wasp: Any time javi successfully delivers Sneak attack damage, he can -- as an immediate action -- followup with a Dirty Trick combat maneuver. He does not provoke an attack of opportunity when doing so.
Chakra: Heart or Base (depending on how you view it)
Initially thinking either Heart Chakra or Base Chakra (both kind of work so I'd like your input on which is more appropriate) - Javi's story is one of using his own fear and insecurity to fuel his passion and commitment. His fury with -- and passion to bring low -- those who prey upon the weak is fed by his compassion and empathy for the weak (a compassion borne from his own feelings of victimization as a child).
Name?: +1 will saves; spend an immediate action to make a second saving throw against enchantment or fear effects with a +4 bonus.
Struggled with a name on the Chakra. Love some input on that, too.
Okay a few thoughts came to me.
Anja's Awakening: An indigo gleam appears in the binder's eyes, the result of him activating his Third Eye Chakra. The Anja gives the binder almost superhuman perception in combat, including very slight precognition. The binder gains a +1 Dodge bonus to AC. The bind can be expelled as a swift action, the binder using its energy to look further into the future and make a devastating strike, dealing damage as if the binder had the Vital Strike, Improved Vital Strike, or Greater Vital Strike feats (Whichever the binder would be eligible for at the time).
And Maneuver:
Breaking The Base:Nisk strikes low and with precision, coiling his body and aggressively striking toward the legs to break an opponents stance and keep them off balance. When Nisk makes an attack he can make a CMB check as an immediate action to Bull-rush and Trip an enemy.
The maneuvers are a once per encounter deal right?
Brawler's Bark(Throat Wheel): This chakra gives a dark gleam when it shows itself on the binders throat. It amplifies the binders gutteral tone giving him a more intimidating voice. Bonus: it gives a +2 to Intimidate checks. If he expels the power of the chakram as a shift action, when he intimidates a target they are frightened rather then shaken or shaken for 1d6+1 rounds either is fine.
Da Bear Buster(maneuver): After a successful Grapple check, the champion will next round preform another grapple to left up the victim and causing a dazzling display for all those around him dropping the creature with a massive brainbuster causing 1d8+1.5str damage. Or something like this.
I would have thought Torgus' use would have his chakra relase as a bullrush cone made against those he was facing at 1d20+con to save against or be affected by bull rush as per the Combat maneuver. if 2Ki is spent at the release, the DC goes up by +1d4
Cassadar.. I've got nothing that comes to mind immediately, to be honest.
For Cassadar, something flowing, like the ability to make 2 5'steps at one time so as to attack from behind and get a flanking bonus even if there is no flanker. Something of that nature might be interesting.
Sorry that took a while to get up - had a fair bit to frame up in my head before comitting to paper.
Javi Feedback:
Sting of the Wasp: As noted the maneuvers are going to once per encounter - but the power level is just fine. Probably should class as a free action - as it's still on your turn.
Chakra Bind: I'd say Base Chakra for the proposed effect. +1 to Will saves I'm fine with, but the immediate action can be either a re-roll, or a +4 on a result (applied after roll made) - not both, and not a choice. Again this is the first iteration, so want to keep them in control. As a name - perhaps Discipline of the Blue Lotus
Nisk Feedback:
Anja's Awakening: basic bonus is fine - for the expelled strike, is it a swift action prior to attacking or a reactive one?
Breaking The Base: I'd let you choose one maneuver only for the ability, not both - apart from that it's ok.
Torgus Feedback:
Brawler's Bark(Throat Wheel): basic bonus is fine. For the expelled ability - upgrading a successful Intimidate to Frightened seems fine - or would you like something force related like a bullrush?
Da Bear Buster(maneuver): how about - as a full-round action, attempt a brainburster on a grappled opponent. Make a grapple check, which if successful combines 1d8 +1.5 Str damage with the effect of Dazzling Display? - so you can intimidate everyone within 30ft? - bit more powerful, but also a 2 round setup and chance of failing.
Cassadar:
Would any of the following be of interest:
Int to damage on unarmed strikes?
Cause damage on successful Reposition?
The 5' steps noted by Frakdar?
I was thinking prior to attacking, or after the attack but before damage is rolled. Either way works for me. And I'll take trip on Breaking The Base, seems about right for Nisk.
Javi Feedback:
Sting of the Wasp: As noted the maneuvers are going to once per encounter - but the power level is just fine. Probably should class as a free action - as it's still on your turn.Chakra Bind: I'd say Base Chakra for the proposed effect. +1 to Will saves I'm fine with, but the immediate action can be either a re-roll, or a +4 on a result (applied after roll made) - not both, and not a choice. Again this is the first iteration, so want to keep them in control. As a name - perhaps Discipline of the Blue Lotus
Regarding Sting of the Wasp, cool. I had missed that it was once per encounter, but that makes sense. Free action it is.
And Disciple of the Blue Lotus works in both name and the Chakra chosen. Let's go with a +4 bonus as an immediate reaction to a roll against one of those effects. That makes it feel like he's releasing the power of the chakra in response to a threat.
Very cool. I'l update my character sheet.
Would the gap in ships there count as blocking my charge lane? Also, very nice map. Seriously... damn.
Update incoming on thread soon - was a public holiday in Malaysia so have only just gotten online now.
Nisk - lets go with before the attack for your chakra effect.
And the gaps is probably enough of an obstacle, but Dragon style laughs at difficult terrain...
Map is a just a cut-out of the new Gamemastery Pirate ship (and 5 points to anyone who can identify where the 'kraken' comes from) - it is very nice and will come in useful when I launch my Skull and Shackles PbP
Got it, sounds good. Also yes Dragon does laugh... I'm an idiot lol
And I know, but it looks nice with all the pictures and such. I'm just now making maps for my pbps and it becomes a chore.
So I was kind of thinking of taking Urban Barbarian when we finally level. Not sure yet but it does seem to fit Nisk as an angry man who is used to crowds but doesn't lose his control. Thoughts?
My initial thought is why? - apart from just a mechanical dip for the controlled rage?
My next level is going to be - How to Escape from a Kraken's Gut.
Actually it would likely be my continued levelling. I see little benefit in my play style to staying with Unarmed Fighter, who gets a lot of grappling things I really never plan to use. Very annoying.
EDIT: I'd move back to monk but I don't see Nisk becoming lawful anytime soon (he's really more chaotically bent) and Martial Artist doesn't stack with MoMS
This is a personal playstyle issue more than anything else - but I'm not hugely into multi-multi classing. Two is really about my limit without really good reasoning behind it.
As a counter offer - if you don't like the Fighter levels, would you be interested in swapping the two Fighter levels wholesale for two in Barbarian?
Making you a Monk 2 / Barbarian 2 - and free to continue advancing as a Barb?
Int to damage on Unarmed Strikes sounds neat.. and since we don't have any traits.. or at least I don't.. I'll roll with that.
Brow Chakra, it is.
Cool - that sorts the Chakra, any thoughts for your maneuver?
Huh.. None, honestly. I had thought the chakra was all.
I'd prefer if you'd let me stack MoMS and Martial Artist, since the only thing they both replace is Perfect Self at 20, which I won't get anyway, and since I haven't yet gotten anything that Martial Artist replaces yet. Then I can advance as a monk again under Gond's tutelage, but keep Nisk's more chaotic side.
Nisk - I'll look into it and get back to you later.
I've often wondered after the same thing. The common thing among monk archetypes is to replace a few abilities then that 20th level capstone ability. Which means -- in the average game that never reaches 20th level -- the player can't take multiple archetypes but will never see the element that keeps them from doing so.
oh well, maybe it is intended and the dev's didn't' intend for monk archetypes to be meshed together in general.
: shrugs :
Monk's are a funky one. Essentially, you have a fighter who focuses on one, or a few weapons, in combination with skilled unarmored defense. But the weapon limitations are sort of silly. For instance with Crusader's Fury, you can use any weapon with a flurry of blows, even a great sword if that is your deities preferred weapon. But, none of the other required "Monk" feats tie in with this. For instance there is no Weapon Finesse or Weapon Focus available. This despite the fact that many, perhaps the majority of "martial arts" styles involve some type of weapon, frequently a sword or blade of some type.
I think that as long as you really define what type of marital arts you want your monk to focus on, most reasonable DM's can give some latitude in how you modify your monk as long as it does not unbalance things too much. After all, even if you do a flurry of blows with an earth breaker, you will end up behind on damage once you get to the highest levels.
dotting.
Hey, I'm going to be out of town for the weekend. Feel free to NPC Javi or simply let him fade into the background.
I hear that elves make great fish food.