IC? Dragomir has stated a few times his desire to talk to Father G first and offered his help in the discussion...
OOC? You guys seem ready to go - you are down your BSF muscle (ie Me) to be sure but you guys have magic up the yin-yang before Kendra is added to the mix. If you guys ARE at the square? Go. Don't wait for me.
If you guys are back in the kitchen? You can remember Dragomir was in favour of working with Father G. You guys have my permission to write for Dragomir so that vote is reflected into any post you do on that.
Ooops - FINALLY made sense of Cyn's post. Feeling a bit thick.
Thats what comes of sleeping 2 hrs a night.
Ok - Dragomir would PREFER to tell Grimburrow but one way or another we will be going in there.
Just to clear one thing up, everyone is definitely back at the house.
Suiting action to words, Kendra heads off, and it's not long before you all reach the safety and warmth of the house--where Dragomir has already stirred up the fire.
Everyone's in the sitting room. : )
###
Interestingly, on Raj's observations of happy GM vs. bastard GM: I would view it the other way. In this situation, if I had a happy GM I would wait to talk to Father Grimburrow because I would be confident in my ability to talk the old coot round. If I had a bastard GM I would plunder the tomb now to avoid additional complications. The Restlands is almost half a mile away from town--I don't know why anyone would be wandering around there when all the excitement is back in the town itself.
Then again, if I had a super bastardly GM, I would resign myself to being screwed over whatever I chose, and just pick one at random. : )
Ah ha! But you are not factoring that you have a slew of players here who seem in the mood for some mayhem, trap-finding, and zombie-whacking at this moment. So with a friendly DM, you might actually live through a head-long rush to roll dice and hit stuff. :)
Note) Lem's coin flip is NOT an indication that he thinks you're super bastardly. :-)
What about me, Lem? Am I super bastardy? :D
What about me, Lem? Am I super bastardy? :D
I don't think so, but I've never played in one of your games. ;-)
Hmmm... good point.
I was sorta hoping my innate uber-bastardyness would just radiate out. I see I'll have to put more work into it. :)
Not bastardry... thats a delight in small evils and how you can mess with others. Raj has the beginnings (he's not all the way there yet) of the sort of 'don't **** with me' vibe you get from a 'serious' sort of person. They can be funny, witty and fun to be around... and all the while you are aware of the trigger that is there and the possibilities if its pulled.
Its not completely 'there' yet but you can get a feel of the edges of it. It doesn't come of him being big and bad... it comes across because he's coming across as very competent. As in Spec Ops competent.
I was hoping project that through Dragomir's play but I've been focused on being the 'jolly giant' because, well because its more useful to come across as the jolly giant rather than a 'homicidal manic' (for the moment anyways).
Dragomir is a work in progress I am afraid and I am still finding his voice and stride but seem to be settling on a few quirks and mannerisms as well getting some personality nailed down.
I was just joking around but thanks for the feedback and the perspective on how Raj comes across. I appreciate it.
Hey folks. On a re-read, I concur with Lem's assessment. Unless there's a consensus the other way in the next six or seven hours, I will move you along to the crypt--all of you. Prepared casters can take half an hour or so to renew their spells if they want, or go with what they had prepared yesterday.
If you want to, feel free to make an OOC post here if you don't have time to make an in-character post over in the gameplay thread.
Otherwise, gear up. : )
lol. I think it's no surprise that ether Karrik or karriks' player would love to get into some action.... the Pharasmin's crypt just provided an opportunity.
Player motivation aside, Karrik's really fine with talking to Grimburrow if we think he's likely to agree. If not, he firmly believes it's not worth having the conversation (as was hopefully obvious in that last post i just made in the game thread).
And yah, i only wanted Raj to go because he's the guy Karrik suspects has the skills to get the job done. Wasn't meant to be a slight to you, Theron, but Karrik hans't really seen you in action... he thought you were some flavor of priest. If he should have known otherwise.. sorry... sometimes i suffer from memory lapse and/or reading fail.
I'm flawed. :D
Also, good to see Rose back in action. We heard a lick from Flori?
oh yah, and I can completely testify on behalf of Stormraven's (Raj) DM bastardocity... he's the bastardest bastard that ever bastarded.
In one recent combat, my character got to experience what it was like to:
be a bug on a windshield
be a meat dropped into a series of meat-grinders (some of whom were invisible)
stick your finger in a power outlet while standing in water
be a car driving over invisible, truck-sized pot-holes
be a blind rat trapped in a small, no-door box with a starving, rat-hating, homocidal and remorseless cat.
try to punch arrogant, multi-headed air
and punch an unfeeling, un-caring BBEG into submission as he laughs at our nonlethal damage. <--- okay, fine, this might have been on me. :(
Did I mention this was one encounter?
oh yah, and I can completely testify on behalf of Stormraven's (Raj) DM bastardocity... he's the bastardest bastard that ever bastarded.
*sniff* I love you, man.
You made my bastardy day. :)
Karrik scowls in confusion at Theron, as if he just realized that rabbit that he was studying just turned out to be a sandwich.
Best... line... evah! :D
Karrik scowls in confusion at Theron, as if he just realized that rabbit that he was studying just turned out to be a sandwich.Best... line... evah! :D
Yes it is XD
Did I mention this was one encounter?
And I thought my primary GM was scary... D:
Yah. I dont wanna pimp Stormy's goods in Cyn's backyard, but if you'd like a good read (or to laugh at the futile attempts of me as a player) I can shoot you a link to the encounter.. it is suitably epic. At least i thought it was as I scratched my eyeballs out in frustration.
So if you are pimpin'... that would make me the what in this scenario?
:D :D :D
I'm fairly certain we all know the answer to that.
BAZINGA!
I hear he'll GM for anyone. ; )
He totally went there.
Also, Hey, Cyn... we're actually on at the same time!
Now I gotta go schmooze a potential client.
: puts on haz-mat suit :
(If that joke didn't make sense to you, it's because you don't realize I'm a creative... not a client services bloke)
Hey folks. Hasn't been the best of mornings for updates I'm afraid. Children waking up at the wrong time and malfunctioning laptop. : \
I'll probably not get to post an update until tonight, i.e. in around 15-16 hours from now. Irritating, I know, but life's like that sometimes!
To answer Helaman's question about combat, I know I've mentioned it before but right now can't recall whether it was in this discussion thread or in the recruitment thread. If I have the time later I'll dig up the actual post, but right now I'd better get out of here if I want to avoid the traffic.
I hear he'll GM for anyone. ; )
I'm a DM Ho fo'sho. :)
Just a heads up I haven't been able to access the website since yesterday afternooonish (about 20 hours ago). I can access it here from work, but that's about it. Hopefully Paizo gets this fixed soon (I have confidence in them, they're a good company).
I think more than a few of us are having the same problem. I couldn't get onto it most of yesterday, my time. Raj is having issues too.
I'll move things along a bit, but I appreciate the updates from those who have been able to post one way or another. : )
With talk of encounter balance i'd say we're up for fun. how you gonna do combat Cyn?... one init for party (avg'ed) and one for monsters or individual... abstract or via posted map? lay out your system
Here are the posts I mentioned earlier:
I am also a storyteller before I am a combat simulator. I won’t be using maps, but I will be providing an overview at the beginning of each round of combat that describes the disposition of your characters and their opponents. In addition, I believe PbP lends itself far more to roleplaying and plot than it does to combat, so you can expect encounters to be simplified if they would otherwise bog down in posts like Hang on, where was that table again? And how tall is the armoire in the corner? In general, my philosophy on combat tactics will be along the lines of “if you want to be in charge range, you are unless I specifically say otherwise”.
Combats will tick over at a rate of one round per day. If you're unable to post that day, I will adjudicate your character's actions.
Initiative
I will roll initiative for all combatants at the beginning of each encounter. Rather than having everyone take an action at their own initiative score, I intend to take the average for each side, and then have all PCs and allies go off one initiative step while all enemies go off another single initiative step. If there's ever a tie, the PCs go first. Combat basically becomes a team sport.I will make exceptions for boss battles--I intend to run those like a normal encounter in a face-to-face game, because they are more deserving of grandeur and attention.
The general idea behind this convention is to prevent combat bogging down when someone's unable to take their turn, for whatever reason. All the PCs can attack in whatever order they like when it is the PC Team's turn.
What this does mean is that the initiative steps used--being averaged--are going to skew towards the middle, but the same applies to the bad guys, so I expect it will even out; I will roll individual initiative for each bad guy and then give them an average just like I do with the PCs.
Combat Rounds
Generally, each combat round will last no more than 24 hours real-time. I expect to close off each round at approximately 7am AEDT. If you haven't taken your turn by then, I will take it for you--generally, continuing whatever action you were doing last round. If I take your turn, I will not use any consumables (including spells) or significantly change your disposition (e.g. make you drop your sword and take out your bow).Of course, there's nothing to stop us from getting through rounds faster than one per day if the opportunity arises. I will only close off a round at 7am if a full 24 hours have passed since the round began.
Weekends will be different; I don't expect I will be posting much on weekends and I don't expect you to either. Rounds that begin at 7am on a Friday will most usually end at 7am on the following Monday.
Woot! I'm back and, more importantly, I can post! It's good to see all you folks again. That was 22.5 hours without a Paizo fix and I realise that I am, indeed, an addict.
Here are my suggestions on marching order (from front to back):
If we're not concerned about light (meaning either Theron or Raj can carry a light as they scout):
Theron | Raj
- some space for scouting -
Dragomir | Rose
Flori | Lem | Walter
Karrik
If we'd prefer to "run dark":
Karrik | Rose
- some space for scouting -
Dragomir | Raj
Flori | Lem | Walter
Theron
As much as I hate being in the front, I think for now we'll want someone with crazy perception scores up there.
I guess the fundamental question is - do we go fully lit or stealthy? Clearly someone busted in and disguised their handiwork (the lock)... so are they still in here or long gone? If they are gone, then we're likely dealing with just traps and the dead... and they may well spot us before we spot them. They have better vision in this darkness and we need light so we are broadcasting our position.
I guess I'm in favor of going lit with Raj and X out front - possibly someone with Darkvision or Low Light because they will be able to see further.
Is Kendra coming along or just waiting by the crypt?
I think you're right about going lit, but when why don't we just have Theron at the back to do his archery thing? Either Karrik or Dragomir can be next to/right behind Raj. Quiet? No, but it'll provide you someone to share the brunt of any badness that happens.
They could play the role of the Vanguard Meatshield. :)
Karrik is fine doing this.
Hmm, alright, Theron can stay in the back then. We won't benefit as much from his perception, but he really isn't a front-line fighter, lol.
I also think we're better off going as a group with our light spells and clanking along than stealthily with reduced numbers.
I regret that Raj did not purchase a lantern or anything like that. How many Light casters do we have?
For your consideration if we go 'bright'
Rajuna/Rose <- Scout&Traps / Vision&Fight&Spells
Dragomir/Karrik <- Crunch / Fight&Spells
Flori/Lem <- Spells / Centralized Healing
Kendra/Walter <- Spells / Oracular Goodness
Theron <- Distance Weapon/Rear-guard
Works for me.
Raj's revision sounds good to me too--not that I get a vote.
Kendra is intending to come with you, but then she'll share in the XP too. Still, going from 1/8th each to 1/9th isn't that much of a change!
Also, I will cheerfully put you out of your misery and tell you there are no traps. You would have found out momentarily anyway. : )
And Lem, thank you for all your hard work with your ooc tags back in the gameplay thread; that makes things really easy for me to adjudicate. I should have a new post up within a couple of hours. : )
Don't forget to make your 2×Perception checks and your 1×Survival check when you can!
Here is where we find out that Kendra is some 15th level Evoker who fires 9 Magic Missiles from each hand while composing a sonnet about lost love...
Here is where we find out that Kendra is some 15th level Evoker who fires 9 Magic Missiles from each hand while composing a sonnet about lost love...
Bahaha! You wish. Or maybe not. If she's high level, she might be hiding a lot of other things. ; )
I didn't say WHO she was firing that fusillade of Magic Missiles at, now did I? :)
Here is where we find out that Kendra is some 15th level Evoker who fires 9 Magic Missiles from each hand while composing a sonnet about lost love...
Raj, make a DC 0 perception check by looking at Kendra's avatar. She's a diviner :-)
Kidding, kidding.
Just wanted to point out that I don't get burst healing until level 3, so I'm not much of a healer right now. I'm going to use bardic music to inspire courage while I run around spamming virtue. Between that, stabilize, and my one CLW spell I can get by, but Walter will probably shoulder the bulk of the healing burden for now.
Wait... I thought all halflings were required to be bards or rogues?
That was hideous. Couldn't get on Paizo all day yesterday-- neither could anyone else I knew, for that matter-- and of course there are 1,000 posts to read. :X
Looks like nobody else could either. :(
And most of the posts were about how we couldn't log in.
That's a good marching order.
Here is where we find out that Kendra is some 15th level Evoker who fires 9 Magic Missiles from each hand while composing a sonnet about lost love...Raj, make a DC 0 perception check by looking at Kendra's avatar. She's a diviner :-)
Kidding, kidding.
Even if you weren't kidding, that'd be a totally valid comment. :) But Lem, dear sweet Lem, you were clearly tearing up your NCAA bracket when we were discussing Bastardy DMs. I would absolutely put false info under a character's avatar to mislead players, ergo I assume other DMs (nice or not) are capable of the same dastardly trick. :D
Er... um... Karrik, just ignore that. I would never use misinformation on an avatar. You just go right on thinking that Gnome is a 'Merchant'... yeah, that's the ticket.
Thank goodness we are back... seems some of us had access and some of us didn't.
I've updated Dragomir with some combat stat's in the character line... not the neatest format... will try something else later
Here is where we find out that Kendra is some 15th level Evoker who fires 9 Magic Missiles from each hand while composing a sonnet about lost love...Raj, make a DC 0 perception check by looking at Kendra's avatar. She's a diviner :-)
Kidding, kidding.
Even if you weren't kidding, that'd be a totally valid comment. :) But Lem, dear sweet Lem, you were clearly tearing up your NCAA bracket when we were discussing Bastardy DMs. I would absolutely put false info under a character's avatar to mislead players, ergo I assume other DMs (nice or not) are capable of the same dastardly trick. :D
Er... um... Karrik, just ignore that. I would never use misinformation on an avatar. You just go right on thinking that Gnome is a 'Merchant'... yeah, that's the ticket.
Actually, despite me getting all crazy and picking Southern Miss to go to the final four, I still got 12 of the 16 sweet sixteen teams correct. I actually have a chance (at least) to still win, which is cool considering I never do. I'm much better at Fantasy Football. :-)
As far as this final four thing goes, I really know nothing about basketball at all, but I always end up participating in these pools about it at work (and every other sport). It's pretty great this year though, I'm tied for 2nd place at present (or at least as of this weekend). It gets even better, since people keep asking me why I chose my final teams.
I chose Perdue since it reminds me of 'Pardue, a Holy Man' from Mazes and Monsters.
I chose Baylor 'cause, well, it's a Balor.
And in the end who doesn't want to see a cleric fight a demon.