Xanos |
Sometimes bad luck can be completely awesome. A couple examples from games I've been in-
One player, renowned for their abysmal luck, decides to make a character based around the idea of never having to actually roll dice. He makes a wizard and only picks spells that make other people have to roll stuff, or simply work automatically. For 5 game sessions in a row, nothing even made a single save against any of his effects, and he never had to roll anything other than an occasional save.
A group of adventurers are fighting an Avatar of Vecna- It's about to go down and in it's death-throws it releases and effect that makes everyone roll against being cursed. All three players roll natural ones. Everyone decided that was the end of the game. Those characters have been alluded to in other games since as people suffered terrible, indescribable punishments for defying the gods.
Cain... |
• 2x Chain Shirt
• 2x Heavy Steel Shield
• 2x Longsword
• 2x Cudgel
• 2x Longbow
• 40x Arrows (in 2 quivers)
• 2x Empty Coin Purses
• Signal Whistle
• 2 keyrings, each with two keys (each ring has a key that matches one on the other ring, each ring also has a unique key)
• 2x Empty Belt Pouches
• Mostly empty flask of bad smelling liquor
• Set of 5 dice
• Folded hand-drawn picture of a dwarven woman with the name Bazlin written on it
Okay, one question and then my thoughts.
DM Mark: Is the cudgel a one-handed or light weapon?
My goal here is to suggest things that will maximize the gear based on the best use of every member of the team… not necessarily worrying about equal gear distribution. Given that, I don't really se anything here worth leaving behind.
Here's how I suggest we'd use the different party members best (and feel free to offer other opinions or strategies). Gwyn and Cain are the best candidates for scouts; Price could also fit the bill but -- as she's our only current healer -- I'd prefer to keep her safely tucked away with Kalina and our mage as much as possible. Kalina and Cain are our strongest front-liners. I say we boost Kalina's AC as high as possible and use her as the primary, and let Cain be the fly-man, moving to support Kalina and the group wherever is necessary so we can keep pressure off our support members. Gwyn is tricky. She is our primary scout (supported by Cain), but once the blades come out, she needs to be careful where she positions herself. I'd suggest she let combat start, let our opponents rush in to their spots, and then find the safest spot to try to get sneak attack from. I think she needs to be smart about when she does that, though, because if she gets too separated, and a guard or two take a swing at her, she could go down fast. I'll do my best to help provide support for her when I can with Cain. Price: Much as I'd love to see our seeming-seamstress mix it up in melee and break some heads (and as much as she's capable), the fact that she's our only healer at this point means she needs to be careful with when/how she steps up into the fray. I'd suggest she act like Gwyn does. Let the combat develop, then step in only to overwhelm the engaged forces. Xanos… well, Xanos is as Xanos does. Stand back, let the thugs thug, and throw around any arcanery you have to make sure we can stay on top of fights.
Generally, though, our priority should be to avoid direct confrontations. And if/when we have to, make sure we hit and overwhelm them quickly.
Okay, all THAT being said, here's my thoughts on gear.
Chain Shirts - Kalina is obvious, as our front-liner. I'm kind of waffling on the second one. My first thought (at the risk of sounding selfish) is to give it to Cain. I'm going to try my best to put him in places to risk more incoming attacks - he's got the hp's and damage out-put to be our second meleer. As much as I want to get our softer (and more tactically important) members of the party to have higher AC's, the best way to do that may be to make sure that they don't have to step into combat much. Price is my second choice for it, so she can keep her AC up so she can be available to give out Cure spells as needed.
Shields - These are tricky because only a few of us can even use them. Kalina, Cain, and Price are the only options. I'd suggest Price go ahead and take one. She can have that and a cudgel, which should give her an okay AC with the ability to drop the weapon to cast when necessary. If we decide Price should have the Chain shirt instead of Cain, then Cain will take the second shield.
Longswords - Kalina and Cain. I don't believe anyone else can even wield them, right? If Price can use one, then she would be a good option - leaving Cain to fight with either a shield or any improvised weapon he can get his hands on.
Daggers/Cudgels - If the cudgels are light, then let Kalina wield longsword/cudgel, leaving Gwyn two daggers. If cudgels are one-handed weapons, then maybe Kalina can boost her AC up even higher and sword/board it until we can get another light weapon?
Lonbows/arrows - Price, Cain, and Kalina are the only ones proficient, i think. These could go anywhere, really. Interesting thought, though, if Cain has one, he can fire it at range then immediately turn around as use it as an improvised melee weapon without taking penalties. :D
The rest - This can go anywhere, but we really shoulnt' leave anything behind. "Waste not, want not." i do think Gwyn should have at least one set of keys. Could come in handy if we have to go a'scoutin'.
Guards' clothes - we should take these as well. Dress a few of us up, might make a decent disguise to fake our way past a checkpoint or two.. or at least set up another ambush at some point.
Kalina Jakes |
Can't disagree with anything you put forward - thanks for getting all your thoughts down, very helpful.
I'm still new to the game system, so you vets please keep sharing tactical insights as they come up - and point out my mistakes! Though I'm thinking a straight forward tank is a bit less tricky than, say, Price's build.
Price |
Dude, stop reading my mind! Here is kinda what I was thinking...
- Chain Shirt - Jakes
- Chain Shirt - Cain
- Heavy Steel Shield - Cain (if he wants it since Jakes is 2-weapon girl)
- Heavy Steel Shield - Price (worn as a turtleback while using bow)
- Longsword - Jakes (as front line)
- Longsword - Cain (as front line)
- Dagger - Gwyn
- Dagger - Xanos (Price can do lethal bare-hand damage which is only a point less)
- Cudgel - Jake's second weapon?
- Cudgel - whoever (backup)
- Longbow - Price (if she's staying back - the bow is good)
- Longbow - Jakes/Cain - both have good DEX for it
- 20x Arrows (in quiver) - Price
- 20x Arrows (in quiver) - other bowmen
- Empty Coin Purse
- Empty Coin Purse
- Signal Whistle
- keyring with two keys - Gwyn
- keyring with two keys - ?
- Empty Belt Pouch
- Empty Belt Pouch
- Mostly empty flask of bad smelling liquor
- Set of 5 dice - Gwyn (to keep her luck going)
- Folded hand-drawn picture of a dwarven woman with the name Bazlin written on it - Xanos... he clearly needs a girlfriend :)
Kalina Jakes |
Let me retain the second dagger as my offhand then, as I am most likely to be stuck in the thick of it and able to pull of Full Round double attacks. Gwyn will need her mobility, I'd assume. Xanos can beat people off with a club if it comes to it, but in that case we're doing something wrong.
Best wishes on your journey, Price.
Cain... |
Okay, so here's the breakdown. If everyone agrees, go ahead and move the designated items to your character sheet. Obviously this stuff is open to anyone's suggestions.. .i'm just trying to keep the ball moving forward.
Also, Gwyn, it looks like you're getting the short end of the stick. I'm definitely going to try to change that as we (hopefully) acquire more gear on our way out. Gotta get you some armor and a second weapon.
Gwyn Dagger, Cudgel (in case you get disarmed - i realize it's not you optimal weapon), belt pouch & coin purse (including MW thieve's tools), Signal Whistle, Key ring w/ two rings, set of 5 dice,
Jakes Chain Shirt, Longsword, Dagger
Xanos Cudgel, coin purse (impromptu spell pouch if necessary?), Dwarf-porn (Price's idea.. don't shoot the messenger)
Price Heavy Steel Shield, Longbow/20 arrows, key ring w/ two rings, empty belt pouch (veil?),
Cain Chain Shirt, Heavy Steel Shield, Longsword, Longbow/20 arrows, Manacles, nearly-empty flask of bad-smelling liquor (improvised weapon #2),
So, then are we taking the prison guard clothes? Could come in handy. ("Oh, what I wouldn't give for a holocaust cloak.") Could be useful for taking out lone sentries or something.
Price |
I'm good with that breakdown on items and hell yes Gwyn gets the first set of leathers we find. Also, yeah, whoever we can dress as a guard, we should. Even if Gwyn wears an outfit so when sneaking around, at a glance, she could be mistaken for someone who should be walking around.
The only amendments I might make to the list.... if we can get Grumblejack to help us - giving him Price's shield might be good. Also, I'm debating whether I should use a spell to heal him. If he's with us - he'll be a hell of a battering ram and I'd like him in top condition. :)
Something for you guys to decide since I'm likely to be out of the picture in just a few hours.
Grumblejack |
Just as a bit of a heads up, Ogres don't have any natural attacks, his unarmed strike deals 1d6 and provokes. In fact you can use Ogre for what you know about ogres in general. Most of this applies, except Grumblejack is abit smarter and more charismatic in general, plus he's injured and poisoned at present. He could use a longsword, but would have a -2 to hit with it due to size penalty.
Xanos |
Realized that I might still need a craft check even though it's really just clicking locks and chains together, but it was too late to edit.
craft: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
Cain... |
Just a heads up. My family and i are heading out of town for an extended weekend. Be out of pocket tomorrow morning through some time wednesday. Not sure if I'll be available to post or not, so feel free to NPC/play Cain if it needs doing.
Definitely don't want the game to slow on my account, especially this early. I'll check-in when i can.
Price |
- Chain Shirt - Jakes
- Chain Shirt - Cain
- Heavy Steel Shield - Cain
- Heavy Steel Shield - Price
- Longsword - Jakes
- Longsword - Cain
- Dagger - Jakes
- Dagger - Gwyn
- Cudgel - Xanos (used for flail)
- Cudgel - Gwyn
- Longbow - Price
- Longbow - Cain
- 20x Arrows (in quiver) - Price
- 20x Arrows (in quiver) - Cain
- Empty Coin Purse - Xanos
- Empty Coin Purse - Gwyn
- Signal Whistle - Gwyn
- keyring with two keys - Gwyn
- keyring with two keys - Gwyn
- Empty Belt Pouch - Price
- Empty Belt Pouch - Gwyn
- Mostly empty flask of bad smelling liquor - Cain
- Set of 5 dice - Gwyn
- Folded hand-drawn picture of a dwarven woman with the name Bazlin written on it
OK, guys, here is the updated list I think. As the chief door opener - I was thinking Gwyn should hold all the keys. If we are good with this breakdown, let's transfer it to our sheets.
ALSO, let's not forget the stuff from the veil we should probably pull now. If we are lucky, the potions will have tags:
- A small sack with an arcane rune on it (spell component pouch?)- Xanos
- vial with draconic rune for life (CLW?) - Jakes or Cain
- vial with wolf's head (Unknown)- ?
Xanos |
I was planning on giving the flail to Cain as a secondary weapon, and arming Grumblejack with the heavy flail.
Xanos doesn't really need a weapon right now. I'd rather the melee types be well armed. I'll pick something up later.
Xanos |
Yeah. I did say I was working on both in my post right? I took a look and didn't see anywhere in game where it said either of them had been picked up, so I assumed they were both still in the pile.
Xanos |
Works for me. Consider them added to the pile and up for grabs. I figured the heavy one could go to grumblejack if he joins us.
Xanos |
Yeah, I noticed that. He's posted a couple times since but hadn't mentioned anything about the makeshift flails.
Just so we're clear, Mark, can we get a ruling?
King Markadian V |
Sorry about my bad posting schedule this weekend. Worked the weekend plus prepping for an audit next week, been hectic. Been trying to post as able but not much luck. Tonight (probably 3-4 hours from this post) I'll get a post up.
Also learned more about google docs and should have better utility with the maps now. I didn't think to upload them as a drawing instead, but that way we can move the tokens around. I tested it and it seemed to work fine.
Xanos |
Talking about spell components made me remember I had a question for the GM
King Markadian V |
Sorry for delays, these next few days I'm under abit of pressure. At work our corporate audit is 3 months early, and my new boss's first one, so it's a tad fun. Plus some family health problems. Just an FYI why it's sporadic. This Friday is a cooldown day, so posts should pick up this Saturday.