Hey everyone, congrats on getting in!
A couple of things before we begin playing:
Mechanics
1. We will use some of the feat tax breaks found if that changes any of your feat choices, please feel free to change before we begin.
-Weapon Finesse
-Power Attack
-Point-Blank Shot
-Deadly Aim
Anyone who gets one of these as a class feature (eg Gudada and Morgana who get weapon finesse) please ask and we can swap but for something sensible. For now, weapon finesse as a class feature will give you weapon focus instead.
2.Can you all please put the following in your aliases so that I have all your character information easily available in every post? I have copied and pasted from my archaeologist bard, so do customise for your own character as needed.:)
In the Race line: |HP: 9/9| | CMB: -1, CMD: 12 | | Init: +3 |
In the class/levels line | Speed 30ft | | Archaeologists Luck (+2 atk/dam, saves, skills): 4/7|
Non-mechanics]
1. Please feel free to do a quick introduction below if you feel comfortable doing so.
2. I am going to aim for 5-10 posts per week, usually at 1 per day but sometimes cannot post on a Wednesday. This week I am on half term break and will be able to post more often. Please can you also all aim for around 1 post a day so the speed of the campaign is viable.
3. TheBobJones - you have 3 traits and 1 drawback - all fine, but none of the traits are a campaign trait. Before you start playing, please can you swap out one of your traits for a campaign trait.
I will put up the first gameplay post later today!
Thanks for the selection oh mighty GM! :) No doubt my excellent sartorial taste caught your eye from afar!
I'll take a new feat to replace weapon focus then - might switch to the 'focused study' racial trait in fact. :) Will update crunch now.
Dotting before I head to work.
Will make adjustments after work. And consider what to request (or not) about Weapon Finesse.
Argh! HeroLab has lied to me. After a brief investigation, the totem spirit - sklar-quah (sun clan) was an adaptation of a Feat that appeared in the 3.5 RotRL Player's Guide.
I have switched to the Monster Hunter trait as that is the only one that could fit into my backstory and not seem odd.
Also, I am unfamiliar with the feat tax breaks. I planned on taking Power Attack next level, and probably Weapon Focus after that. Does this affect my character at all?
Regardless, super excited to start! Congratulations everyone, and a very heartfelt "Thank you, GM."
You dont have to 'take' Power Attack - as long as you have +1 BAB you can 'power attack' as per normal rules. Weapon focus isn't effected so that can still be taken as normal. :D
Meloriel here, checking in!
Thrilled to be here and super excited to get started!
Congrats all!
Morgana Thanks for the clarification - is that a common house rule or is that from a book like Unchained because I have seen it before?
GM Quick Crunch Question:
Currently one of my traits is
Upon reaching adulthood, you received a tribal tattoo, marking you with the symbols of your quah and totem spirits.
Benefit: You gain a +1 trait bonus on saving throws against fear effects. Additionally, you are proficient with earth breakers, klars, and Shoanti bolas.
Would it be possible for me to switch out earthbreaker for Doru?
Confusion - Used one handed - it is an Exotic Weapon. Used two-handed - it is a Simple Weapon. So I can use the doru as a simple weapon two handed which is exactly how I would use it since my build accounts for that with shield brace. But the doru is an exotic weapon if I wield it one-handed - which would only be for odds circumstances or, and this is the ambiguous part for me, if I throw it? Because to throw it would be one-handed, right. Since I can use it normally in my current build without the EWP feat, I just didn't want to burn a feat for the odd time I wield it one handed or throw it, if I ever do and could swap out for a weapon I will never use .
Benefit - thematic as Honani is supposed to be a hoplite and this is the Pathfidner version of a hoplite's spear - according to John Compton
Possible balance abuse - I am gaining a EWP feat included in a Trait.
Totally up to you GM just let me know.
@Honani: re. Earthbreaker/Doru, there's the 'ancestral weapon' trait which EWP with a specific, single weapon - so its not too much of a stretch?
The house rules are taken from here. Inara is only using some of them. :)
Totally up to you GM just let me know.
Its just a common house rule - Morgana was right about the feats.
Honestly, I will rule that, instead of the trait saying that you are proficient with Earthbreakers, Klars and Shoanti Bolas, instead the trait gives you EWP with the Doru only. Would that be helpful?
Everyone together!
@Inara: I've just discovered Gauntlet Fighting which is very cool and stuff. Morgana is proficient with bucklers but not with light shields. Would you allow her to take the feat and its follow-ups anyway or not? :)
I go sleep and come back to this! Thanks for picking me, and I'll try not to die too much :D
GM That is totally fair and reasonable. I need to think if I want to go doru, or use the bolas. Difficult choice since I the doru one-handed might be very situational, and I want to always want to keep my shield, plus bolas gives me a ranged attack with my shield still up. Since I no longer have to take Power Attack next level, I will pencil in Quickdraw which will give me that flexibility. Let me get back to you.
Characters that really care about their outfits Have you considered the Look at my outfit trait?
Tamiko Your fault for sleeping when there is gaming to be done ;-).
You're proficient with the Doru as a martial weapon anyway Honani - you just get a x2 crit mod rather than x3.
Also - been there, got that trait! :P
Well, seeing AP’s are quite long, I am assuming that we will all be sharing a long journey together. I would like to congratulate everyone on being selected and I am looking forward to a robust roleplaying experience with everyone.
I have found that I somewhat enjoy creative writing. That being said, writing has never been one of my strong suits, so I have chosen this format to work on improving the skill. (Go figure, GM is a school teacher…..YAY!)
I generally prefer to stay in character at all times on the play thread, So if something is said on that thread, it is completely in Role Play and not directed at anyone personally. (Basically,) I act, react, comment, and try to perceive things from the perspective of the character and not my personal opinion. Because of the type of work I do, I have a fairly thick skin, so don’t be worried about offending me in any way. I enjoy role play interaction of all kinds. (I’m going to cut this short before it gets too long..LoL) Best wishes to everyone and I’ll see you in game.
1.) Originally intended: A designated location that the crime was allegedly committed. If using this method, Trinity’s father was tried and executed in Magnimar, so that would be the location that would be effected. Because her father’s deeds reached from Varisia all the way to Ustalav I would like to suggest a second option.
2.) Optional: Any diplomacy (Roll) interaction within Varisia or Ustalav has a percentage chance (DM’s discretion on the percent) of recognizing Trinity, which would apply a negative modifier to the roll. That negative could be the flat -4 for all recognition or it could be a -1 to -4 depending on how effected the NPC was by her father’s horrific deeds. This would extend the affected area and open up some interesting role play opportunities for everyone.
Marissia mad props for reading my background. Thank you :)
As for the Red Barrow Run - looking for a partner. My relevant stats:
Climb +5
Strength +4
CMB +5
Bull Rush +5
Sense Motive - terrible
Ah, I should probably introduce myself a bit too - not as much about myself, more my gaming history. I'm a few years out of school - computer science/game design major - where I discovered the wonderful world of tabletop gaming from my roommate and best friend there. Being unemployed and with an unpredictable schedule (as the primary caregiver for two elderly, disabled grandparents), PbP was naturally a better fit than a regularly scheduled game, in person or video chat or whatever. I first started out at Giant in the Playground, but the Pathfinder community there isn't as big and is a lot more opinionated about certain things, so I decided to try here. And so here I am! (Thanks again!)
That said - I doubt it will happen, since the customs of the two forums (fora?) seem pretty similar, but if I do something really strange as far as posting or formatting and you can't understand what's going on, it might be a habit from the other site popping in, so feel free to tell me. And, I sometimes look at things from a more gamey perspective as compared to roleplaying due to my background; feel free to call me out on that too.
Also, I've played through the first day of this AP before, and I know a very rough outline of the plot, but it shouldn't affect me other than allowing me to write posts dripping in dramatic irony. :)
Lastly, @Trinity: Can I say how amused I am that you picked a picture of a runelord (Shorshen) for a Rise of the Runelords character? Thankfully I don't think she's in this one, otherwise that would just be awkward!
Marissia mad props for reading my background. Thank you :)
As for the Red Barrow Run - looking for a partner. My relevant stats:
Climb +5
Strength +4
CMB +5
Bull Rush +5
Sense Motive - terrible
I've done posts for it - so has Marrisia! I went for aiding you on the first 4 checks and rolled really well too! :D
5-7 I can do I think :)
Well, seeing AP’s are quite long, I am assuming that we will all be sharing a long journey together. I would like to congratulate everyone on being selected and I am looking forward to a robust roleplaying experience with everyone.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
I really like the idea of the second option Trinity - Let us go for a 1%-75% nobody recognises it is you and therefore the drawback does not apply. Apart from in Magnimar where this will reduce to 1%-60% of nobody noticing you due to the trial.
bout the clothes,
no fightin!Everyone together!
@Inara: I've just discovered Gauntlet Fighting which is very cool and stuff. Morgana is proficient with bucklers but not with light shields. Would you allow her to take the feat and its follow-ups anyway or not? :)
As long as she takes the appropriate feats etc.
I really like the idea of the second option Trinity - Let us go for a 1%-75% nobody recognises it is you and therefore the drawback does not apply. Apart from in Magnimar where this will reduce to 1%-60% of nobody noticing you due to the trial.Well, seeing AP’s are quite long, I am assuming that we will all be sharing a long journey together. I would like to congratulate everyone on being selected and I am looking forward to a robust roleplaying experience with everyone.
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **...
Sounds good. )
As fare as the ruin lord icon...LOL ....I had no idea! I was pressed on time and couldn't find an icon i liked, so I quickly settled for this one. Oh well, to late now.
Mad props accepted, Honani! It was a good read.
At a quick glance, Weapon Focus as a replacement feat for Weapon Finesse seems a generous trade, as it is also required for the majority of follow-up feats from Weapon Finesse. Not that I was looking at any of them, mind you. <grin> Honest, I wasn't.
I have a problem with active story posts in pbp, because I keep trying to cut my posts down so that others can interact and redirect if they wish, just as if we were around the table. If I believe the risk of interruption is low, and nobody here is pressing on me to be somewhere else, I can make more detailed, longer posts.
Currently, my wife and I have our 26 year-old, his wife, and their infant living with us. Neither his older brother nor his younger sister have threatened to boomerang back home, yet.
Work, Scouts, and family end up pressing me to be somewhere else quite frequently. In the past 4 weeks, I spent all 4 weekends camping with the Scouts. The weekend after this one coming UP, I have 3 possible Scouting activities and a requirement to be available AT work in case the local Air Show goes badly.
Work? My effective title is Deputy CIO for Air Force medicine in San Antonio. The CIO title in the military does NOT come with the authority and responsibility it does in civilian industry. I am a civil servant, though, and not a uniformed military member.
Now, should I dive into the gameplay thread which seems to be seeing activity, or read the backgrounds of the other characters . . ..
Well, I guess I should say something about myself. Hmm...
I'm an at home Mom to early school age children, and I also watch my nieces and nephews who are toddlers and younger nearly all weekdays. I've been playing since 3.5 D&D and have been into Pathfinder since it came out. I rarely get a chance to play, but GM a lot in person, mostly for family. I've only started on pbp a few weeks ago... Two maybe? But I'm really enjoying it, and can't wait to get started.
Which we already did. So, awesome!
Guess I'm last - been gaming on and off my entire life, Red Box D&D to Pathfinder and lots in between. I have a fantastic gaming group that is over 3 years old. We PbP and play via Google Hangout - a lot. We moved off the Paizo boards last year to MythWeavers. And not to worry Marissia I was the new one to PbP in that group and now I count them as some of my closest friends all these years later.
I work full time, and have a very active family life after work, but as you can see I can slide in posting time no problem. At work, my work has Internet filters and I cannot access the Paizo board. I type in a Note app and post via my phone - which is still a pain, but such is life.
Very excited to finally play this iconic adventure and GM and Everyone seem top notch. Here's to hoping I can keep up! ::Cheers::
Technically I'm last - but hey, I was asleep while you lot were posting.
I'm married to Inara - we met through the RP society at university, eight years ago now, and got married this past summer in Italy. Like her I'm a teacher although I started with elementary school kids and am moving up the ladder towards middle/high school kids. I (we) started on Dragonlance in 3.5 and I got the first printing of the Pathfinder rulebook when it came out. We've been playing it ever since.
I've been doing Pbp on here for a couple of years - Inara is a more recent convert. I'm running Ruins of Azlant on the forum which Marissia and Inara are both playing in.
Gameplay: I am going to start wrapping up this prologue in the next day, so when the Red Barrel Run has finished and people are happy with their introductions I will move it onto the main gameplay, hopefully by tomorrow.
Really loving everyone's characterisations so far.
I'm married to Inara
That would have been awkward if Morgana didn't make the cut for this game ;)
Sounds good GM, just trying to formally meet Gudada,Trinity, & Tamiko now that the race is over.
And for the record, Gudada hasn't STARTED hunting yet this day. He hunts purses, BTW.
Thank you, again, for including me. I feel challenged to do better writing among this group than most others I've joined on this forum.
Haven't taken the chance to read everyone's background material, yet, though . . ..
Edit: Oh, and feeling challenged means I don't generally have enough time to post up to the standard before I head out for work. And I'm late already.
Yay! I got a cut-out goblin! :D
And a masterwork longbow covered in dirt - but who's counting? :)
I have a couple couple game mechanic questions for the (GM), assuming its OK to ask them.
1. How do you handle knowledge checks as it pertains to identifying creatures? I have come across quite a few different ways GM's like to handle this, so I figured I would ask this early on.
2. How much information can a player share with others in a combat round? Basically, is their a limit on how much can be said in one round?
Based on how good your IC posts are, I think you'd do an excellent job as a GM! We may have spent the car ride home planning characters...
@ Morgana - Ahahaha. I do GM a lot, just not on HERE. lol And now I am entirely curious what you guys decided on... Haha.
And after all that, my post is little more than a combat introduction.
Not how I wanted to represent, but it is where we are.
And after all that, my post is little more than a combat introduction.
Not how I wanted to represent, but it is where we are.
Plenty of time for awesome introductory posts while standing over the bodies of the goblins you shall inevitably conquer!
Crap, I forgot wakizashi were exotic when I was choosing feats. Can I switch out Eschew Materials for Exotic Weapon Proficiency (wakizashi) (and buy a spell component pouch while I'm at it) or is it too late? I mean, it could fit better if she's non-proficient, considering she learned how to use them on her own, but it's too late to edit the post, and that's not long-term sustainable anyways.
Getting in the quick edit while I can: actually, buying a pouch would put me at medium load which would make the last turn illegal. I'll just have to pick up the proficiency feat later. That's a -4 to attack roll (which becomes 19) and crit confirm (4), which honestly shouldn't change the outcome.
Crap, I forgot wakizashi were exotic when I was choosing feats.
Can I switch out Eschew Materials for Exotic Weapon Proficiency (wakizashi) (and buy a spell component pouch while I'm at it) or is it too late? I mean, it could fit better if she's non-proficient, considering she learned how to use them on her own, but it's too late to edit the post, and that's not long-term sustainable anyways.Getting in the quick edit while I can: actually, buying a pouch would put me at medium load which would make the last turn illegal. I'll just have to pick up the proficiency feat later. That's a -4 to attack roll (which becomes 19) and crit confirm (4), which honestly shouldn't change the outcome.
With GM approval the Heirloom Weapon trait could fix your problem. It would make you proficient with that one (or with GM permission 2) Wakizashi's. If you ever lose them then you cant get a new one without the feat but I get the impression that they are heirlooms so it could be quite fitting!
Hi Tamiko - not a problem, we can easily fix it. I should've noticed when looking at characters also.
Morgana's suggestion is probably easiest. Rules wise, you can take one extra feat without changing any others as long as you take a drawback as well.
It is getting onto midnight here and I just got in, so I am going to get a good night sleep and post in the gameplay thread in the morning.
Have a good evening guys!
Yeah, that trait sounds like a good match, thanks!
How does the Attached drawback sound? It says GM gets to choose the object, so while the obvious choice would be the heirloom wakizashis (bring on the disarm attempts!), maybe you can think of something more creative...
Sounds like a plan Tamiko!
Sorry I haven't posted earlier guys - Paizo has been down for the last 10 hours at least! I will get right to it!
Regarding the site down
This is the reason (primarily) my gaming group left Paizo. It is no fun to wait for 9 AM PST in the U.S. for a Paizo team member to get to work and reboot the server. For a company that is usually spot on with all their decisions, it seems odd to not host their entire web based retail store somewhere offsite and a bit more stable.
Oh, well, I am here once everyone gets back online - curious to know if my 14 hits a lowly goblin ....
FYI -Gameplay info.
I am putting the AC and HP of creatures in the spoilers of a post. Please do read if it helps you write an effective post (eg. how to describe an attack (hit/miss etc). e.g. the current spoilers that say Goblin HP/AC. It just makes the post look neater in my eyes!
If a spoiler says GM, then please don't read. E.G.
If a spoiler has a particular check associated, then only allow your character to have that knowledge/understanding if you pass the check. EG.
If a spoiler has a particular check associated, then only allow your character to have that knowledge/understanding if you pass the check. EG.
Ok, so to make sure I'm understanding this correctly. We are not using Knowledge's to identify creatures unless you have posted a specific knowledge requirement? If I am correct in this, then on cases where there is no posted knowledge check, then we know all pertinent information? Or know nothing about the creature?
Sorry if this seems like i am being difficult. I just want to make sure I don't step out of bounds and assume that Trinity knows something, shout it out, and find out that she is out of pocket in doing so. Like I pointed out earlier, I have had a lot of GM's rule that they wanted this handled in a specific way.
Some have ruled that all information on the monsters page becomes available upon a successful DC knowledge check. Others have posted some information, to include base information and stats, and additional information, to include special attacks/defenses, for every 5 you exceed the base DC. Etc. etc. etc.
GM Well I opened it, but I did not know if Morgana was attacking with a spiked gauntlet or if she was doing unarmed damage - so basically I am not sure if she is dealing Lethal or Nonlethal damage. I think we are all adjusting to our new characters and learning each other's tactics.
On that note, Honani will always rush to the center of the melee hoping to draw AOOs with his Combat Reflexes and reach. If Morgana is going to use her Tactician ability to grant us precise strike, I will also try to move to flank with as many PCs as I can, particularly Gudada.
At this point, I think that all the goblins are dead, Morgana killed red, and I took care of blue, so Trinity should modify her attack to something else.
@ Trinity
I think she was just referring to spoiler. If you see a spoiler with a DC and an associated check, don't peek unless you pass it. You can still roll your knowledge checks (and any other checks) whenever you want, including when you want to identify a creature.
@ Honani
She was using a spiked gauntlet. Which I admittedly did not expect her to own... lol
Thanks Marissia - exactly right.
My apologies, as my post wasn't clear - I seem to be thinking very slowly today! It actually took me around 15 minutes to decide what I wanted for dessert today....I think I need to go back to work!
I was just explaining how I use spoilers in the game as I had noticed some people had not been using the AC/HP goblin information to help themselves post. EG not sure if something hit or not.
If you ever want to assume a character knows something and it is totally reasonable on their build, please go ahead. If you ever want to find anything out (eg about a creature, piece of information, diplomacy etc) then feel free to roll the skill and tell me what you are doing. I do not have to have posted a spoiler for you to be able to do that.
On a personal note I will post if I'm dealing NL damage :) I specifically described the gauntlets as 'studded' (since spikes just don't go with most outfits!).
She was using a spiked gauntlet. Which I admittedly did not expect her to own... lol
Of course not - that would be horribly un-fashionable! But some nice gloves, with carefully weighted studs in the knuckles for extra power - both good looking and effective when required! :D
RE Spoilers:In my games I always post the AC and HP of the monsters the PC's fight - its purely for mechanics sake. That way the PC's know if they've hit or not and can describe their actions properly without needing me to post every 15 minutes. That doesn't mean that the characters know anything about the creatures, it just lets the players write better posts. As I understand it Inara is doing the same.
Can I get touch ACs in there as well? I'll be needing those a lot. lol
Can I get touch ACs in there as well? I'll be needing those a lot. lol
Not a problem, I will post AC, Touch and FF for people's information. Anything else, I will resolve each combat round.
I specifically described the gauntlets as 'studded' (since spikes just don't go with most outfits!).
I am no fashion expert like your PCs but I thought spikes are the new black and DO go with everything. Guess I will have to revisit my choice for causal Friday tomorrow at work.