Dementrius's page

Arrgh, yesterday I had a look at one of our clients' warehouses and their OH&S was a bit "Fork Lift Driver Klaus".

My two sons (5 and 4) played with me again last weekend and had a blast. My 4 year-old was especially good as Kyra, becoming a protectin', healin' machine. Discretion was the better part of valour however, after Black Fang chomped down on his big brother.

They've already vowed revenge.

Brand of the Amaranthine Cadre
Aura moderate varied; CL 9th
Slot -; Price 54,000 gp; Weight 1 lb.
Description

This 3-foot-long branding iron is crafted of three entwined, blackened rods set into a yew handle. When grasped by the handle, the rods writhe to form a symbol of the bearer’s choice. Up to four times per day, on command, the head of the brand of the amaranthine cadre grows incandescent, allowing the bearer to brand a willing or helpless creature, inflicting 1d6 points of fire damage. The brand lasts until the marked creature receives magical healing, recovers hit points naturally, or the brand is dispelled. A creature unharmed by this fire damage does not receive the brand.

Creatures marked by the brand of the amaranthine cadre experience a powerful synergetic link with others bearing identical brands, manifesting their allies’ shadows and voices in unison with their own. Allied creatures bearing identical brands receive double the normal bonus granted by teamwork feats when working cooperatively. If the teamwork feat grants an additional attack of opportunity or immediate action, an allied branded creature receives a +2 morale bonus to the roll.

The bearer of the brand of the amaranthine cadre treats branded creatures as within 5 feet when determining the effects of its auras and emanation spells. This ability functions while the creatures are on the same plane of existence.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, arcane mark, heat metal, heroism, telepathic bond; Cost 27,000 gp

My eldest's first day of school today. He was as excited as a tree full of monkeys on N2O.

Taig: In honor of Dementrius joining us, your monster should be a kanga-eel.

Taig, honestly anything with tentacles will be fine. Grasping, grasping tentacles.

The Parramatta Eels are a very old team - the Parramatta river was full of eels and they were slippery vicious bastards by all accounts. When the game became professional and the new owners were looking to change the name they were told by the fans that they would not make it out of the club house alive.

"Parramatta" in the tongue of the Darug peoples literally means "the place where the eels lie down".

Welcome, Dementrius. Hasn't it been a long time since you stopped in FAWTL? Aren't you also an Aussie?

Thanks man. I'm a habitual lurker and derive huge entertainment from the FAWTLies.

My Aussieness has been critically acclaimed by a panel of international jurists.

That's no good mate, is s/he (sorry, can't remember) doing better now?

He's doing fine. After each one he said "Ah, that's better!" and went back to sleep. The rest of the household is sleep-deprivation-zombified.

Our baby’s first day of childcare today ... as if in anticipation she didn’t sleep last night, and spent from 8pm until 2am crying anytime she wasn’t being held.

She cried again on being given to the carer this morning, but not as badly as we might have thought. I am so tired today though, and ache all over. Ugh. I don’t feel this bad when I get to bed at 2 after playing Pathfinder, but then I don’t spend most of the night walking around holding a baby, or have to work the next day generally.

Our eldest had the chunders all last night, so you get both sympathy and empathy from me today.

Still sitting there, awaiting Christmas morning...

Same here!

Celestial Healer wrote:

The 8th Dwarf wrote:

Do you guys in the US have a tradition of the long work lunch. At the end of the year as projects wrap up, our boss takes us out for "lunch" (starts at 12:30 and finishes when we go home).

The boss took us out for Brazilian - fantastic food and beer, we are now on our way to the pub.

I would love to work at a place like that.

It's a hard slog through the year.

Hey Dem are you in the public service or a Developer?

Management Consultant.

Do you guys in the US have a tradition of the long work lunch. At the end of the year as projects wrap up, our boss takes us out for "lunch" (starts at 12:30 and finishes when we go home).

The boss took us out for Brazilian - fantastic food and beer, we are now on our way to the pub.

Where I work we call that "Friday".

Christmas carols while putting up the tree.

Australia also has one of the largest collections of deadly creatures on the planet.

Snakes: you have to get to number 5 on the World's Deadliest list before you leave Australia. Plus we have a good many Sea Snakes as well.

We've a snake called the death adder.

It comes in at number 7 on the list.

Boy and Bear - Feeding Line

Like it, but I can't work out why. Must be one of those durn ear worms.

Doodlebug Anklebiter wrote:

Mothman wrote:

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit

20 years old this year! Aaargh! I'm old!

I know right? I felt even older when I got only one reply to my thread on the subject a couple of weeks ago.

*Gives Mothman a sad, slow fist bump*

Can't leave a mate hangin' in a one-post thread.

Note that the plan was defensive in nature, in case Commonwealth imperial designs threatened American security. Here's a little secret, we have planned for the possibility for war with Oz, both the nation and the Emerald City, as well. One of my training instructors favorite scenarios was a surprise attack by Klingon Forces.

We had a lot more color plans than just Red.

If D&D has taught me anything, only the metallic colours are good ones.

Nirvana’s Nevermind was released 20 years ago this weekend. Man I feel old.

I never heard Bleach prior to Nevermind’s release, being pretty young / on the wrong side of the world. I first heard Nevermind when I was 14, it must have been late 1991. Prior to that my musical tastes varied mainly between mainstream radio friendly pop, and older stuff my parents listened to (The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkle, Chris de Burgh ...)

We had some distant relatives from the US staying with us, I came home one day and this music was playing – Nirvana’s Nevermind, my American uncle had brought along a copy on cassette tape. I was fascinated, this music spoke to me. Totally changed my musical tastes and opened me up to a whole world of music I had never before explored.

Some 21-year old is walking around saying "I was on the cover of that album. Haven't seen that dollar since."

I say COOL because I am into Blood Bowl.

That's a sport right?

Any forms of Sport/Murder hybrids are approved for discussion in this thread.

Watching the cricinfo updates on the 3rd Test in Colombo. Looks like the boys will hold on for a draw there.

Well played by Ireland.... argh I think we are looking at 4th or 5th now.

...if we're lucky. Someone needs to cuff Quade about the head any time he attempts a "miracle" pass.

Also - sports forum good.

Random thoughts:

If I was building a SM, I would try to get the Advanced creature template (+4 to all stats, +2 natural armour) with 1 level penalty.

If you want to be authentic, you gotta have a couple of ranger levels to denote all those years bumming around as a scout in the 10th Company.

Dementrius wrote:

As for Pathfinder playdates - I think they should be introduced as part of the kindergarten curriculum. *Writes to Minister for Education*

I propose a teacher's strike for tomorrow to demand this!

My wife's out there right now fighting for your right to (form an adventuring) party.

Dementrius wrote:

Mothman wrote:

It seems like a lot of people (including myself unfortunately) are dropping their Pathfinder RPG subscriptions for the Beginners Box. It is a real pity, as it is a great looking product, but I don’t really *need* it right now, and the postage out to Australia for a box like that is killer.

My five-year old's getting one for Christmas. It can't be that much, it's priced in American dollars ;).

Heh. Although I think we’re pretty close to parity again now.

Honestly I was considering doing the same for my son, but I don’t think my partner would be all that thrilled (hard to say if she would be more or less impressed with that than with the Lego AT-AT I was also thinking of getting him ...)

Hmmm ... Pathfinder playdate? ;-)

I looked it up. It's about $A45 including postage, which is less than we paid for the 3rd Ed. PHB.

My son got the Lego space shuttle for his last birthday, and it fell to me to put the thing together. As for Pathfinder playdates - I think they should be introduced as part of the kindergarten curriculum. *Writes to Minister for Education*

It seems like a lot of people (including myself unfortunately) are dropping their Pathfinder RPG subscriptions for the Beginners Box. It is a real pity, as it is a great looking product, but I don’t really *need* it right now, and the postage out to Australia for a box like that is killer.

My five-year old's getting one for Christmas. It can't be that much, it's priced in American dollars ;).

Let me know a place / time and I be both there and square.

Shifty wrote:

Was wondering whether this ever resolved...

Hey Shifty, the Big L just emailed me tonight so we'll see how it goes.

How are things going with the rest of the Sydney gamers?
Reebo

I've still been short of a regular game, with our Rise of the Runelords campaign grinding slowly along, but [self promotion] I've been keeping myself busy.[/self promotion]

Don't know if you have heard/seen this one Mothman. Turns a crap song into something wonderful

Finally, did you no wrong

very fun vid

Nice!

Normally Cooper's Pale Ale, but down at the Lord Nelson I'm partial to their "Three Sheets".

Good morning all, its a warm winters morning here in Sydney. Next week will be wet and cold :-(

What is it, 25 degrees C today? Worst attempt at midwinter ever.

I thought this was pretty cool.

The Ship Song Project

@Dementrius -- apologies. I should have emailed you long ago. I had to stop work on Fire as She Bears when Sinister's future grew uncertain. I put substantial effort into revising and expanding the FaSB rules, including synthesizing them with the entry of the runner up. I also brought in an outside specialist who as a favor to me developed it further. Ultimately I just couldn't put more time into a project that might wind up owned by Sinister but take a back seat to so many other of Sinister's commitments.

I'm sure you figured that out for yourself, but I really should have let you know before now. Very sorry about that.

That was my guess as to the state of play. No hard feelings, it's just so... *sighs* disappointing I guess.

They'd even done a special appendix on sea warfare (or something like that), but this was still to be completed and was going to be released seperately.

Just for clarification, I submitted the final 24,000 word draft of the "Fire as She Bears" rules in July 2010. It still needed final editing, approval and layout at that stage.

Spanky the Leprechaun wrote:

What can we know about "Skull and Bones?"

It's about pirates, it won't be an easy Adventure Path for paladins who aren't willing to be flexible, and will have a lot of naval stuff and even some Kingmaker style elements in it.

More information will be coming in the blog in the days to come.

James, you could save yourself some development time in Skull and Bones by talking to Lou Agresta, using the secret phrase "'Fire As She Bears' naval combat system".

I'll tell you what, if I have to listen to "Aliens in Underpants Save the World" (as read by Rik Mayall) one more time....

Dementrius wrote:

Ran over a nail on the drive to work this morning.

Pffffftt. Flappita. Flappita. Flappita.

Hey, I got a flat tire too! LET'S BE FRIENDS!!!!!

*Giggles like a school-girl and buys matching set of bracelets*

Moorluck wrote:

Dementrius wrote:

Moorluck wrote:

Why is it that as soon as I get the kids to bed all I want to do is sleeeeeeep....?

A book to help get the kids to bed.

Nice! >:D

You going to buy it?

I think it'll give my wife a nice chuckle on her birthday.

Dementrius wrote:

Ran over a nail on the drive to work this morning.

Pffffftt. Flappita. Flappita. Flappita.

Doh! How far do you need to go for work?

Work at St Leonards, so about a 40 min drive.

The NRMA guy was there within 15 mins, and took about 5 mins to change it over with the spare. Then I hit all the school zones going down the Pacific Highway, so the drive took me about 30 mins longer than ususal.

Why is it that as soon as I get the kids to bed all I want to do is sleeeeeeep....?

A book to help get the kids to bed.

Dementrius wrote:

Ran over a nail on the drive to work this morning.

Pffffftt. Flappita. Flappita. Flappita.

That blows.

Ha!

Ran over a nail on the drive to work this morning.

Pffffftt. Flappita. Flappita. Flappita.

The Beards - If your dad doesn't have a beard, you've got two mums

Obi-Wan Kenobi Is Dead, Vader Says a story from the Galactic Empire Times.

I like these comments

Jedi4Lyfe · 19 hours ago
Why won't Lord Vader show us the body?!

Steve C. · 7 hours ago
I love how the liberal rag GET keeps referring our Defense Star as the "Death Star". Take that propaganda back to Courescant, Nerfherder!!!

StormedTrooper · 7 hours ago
Why are we still giving aid to Tatooine? They probably knew of Kenobi's existence the whole time and even helped him! That whole planet is just a big hive of scum and villainy.

R2FAR2 · 9 hours ago
There's a lot going on here that we aren't being told. Has anyone ever actually seen Lord Vader's birth certificate? I bet that could tell us something.

On a related note...

Mothman wrote:

Dementrius wrote:

Do not EVER listen to Miley Cyrus doing a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit.

NNNNnnnnnnnoooooo........

This'll fix your wagon.

I f+@#in' love that song.

That's the best thing I've heard since the greatest discovery of the 20th century

I went and saw him about two weeks ago at the Sydney Opera House, and they've now released the full interview.

Sir Terry Pratchett is best known for his Discworld series of comic fantasy novels that have been translated into 32 languages and sold 65 million copies. In 2007 he was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and subsequently began a public discussion about the disease and physician assisted suicide.In his only Sydney talk he took part in a lively discussion about his life and work.

Enjoy!

Do not EVER listen to Miley Cyrus doing a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Mothman wrote:

My almost-five year old spent last night flipping through the bestiary, rolling polyhedron dice and doodling on a bit of paper because ‘I want to be like daddy’ (gods help the kid).

I’ve been thinking of running a game for him but not sure when is the right time. That’s some good advice though Dementrius.

My 6 year old asked me how we play the game (when I was putting all my dice and books away from the previous nights game)... I scratched my head for a moment and said Ok....

You are a princess and one morning you wake up and find your crown is missing ... What do you do...?
She said she looked around.
I said you can see a goblin running into the forest from your window at the top of your tower.
She said that she ran down the stairs to catch the goblin. I said that she had a skill of 5 at running and that she had to roll a 20 sided dice and add 5 and if that was more than 10 she would catch up to the goblin.
That way I got her to do some adding.
It went well but we were supposed to be tiding up so she got to catch the goblin and made him promise not to steal any-more.

I can wholeheartly recommend Enid Blyton's "The Enchanted Wood", "The Magic Faraway Tree" and "The Wishing Chair" (plus sequels) as good precursors to getting your kids into the hobby. There's pixies, goblins, giants and other crazy world-hopping, teleporting fey s--t going on, plus as a bonus, all the magic depicted has verbal, somatic and material components.

And Dame Washalot is hawt.

Dementrius wrote:

*lurks*

Well long time no see!

Thanks for dropping Stealth Mode, even if just to say hi :p

How you finding running stuff for a 5yo? My resident housemunchkin is 10 and has expressed a desire to play, though I have sort of fobbed the idea off.

I'd have entertained the idea of running something for these guys (they are only down the road) but I'm already GMing a campaign and playing in one, I like that balance! Too much GMing is what had me stop gaming back when.

Gaming with 5 year olds advice:

1) I lined up all of my "good guy" miniatures from when I painted Warhammer Fantasy Battle stuff and said "Which one do you want to be?". To which he replied "The guy with the bow so I can shoot arrows at people from far away". Sound tactical mind already.

2) Name - I let him choose whatever name he liked - it came out as "Arraman" which was a modified "Arrow Man" i.e. the guy with a bow that shoots arrows.

3) Limited stats to start with: AC, HP, Attack Mod, Damage. That's all they really need to know to start with. The math is still a bit hard, but we "count on" from the dice roll to get to the result.

4) I've basically started him on a simplified "Pools of Radiance" campaign from the 1986 computer game. Remember that all the cliche stuff you've played is new to them, so don't sweat coming up with super elaborate story lines.

5) Three encounters is about his attention span for a session (about 45 mins).

6) I only give him two options at any point (do you want to do this or this?). Anything more just gets too confusing.

7) Cool treasure and level up in the first session (3 arrows that burst into flame? Wow Dad!), and generously sprinkled throughout.

His three year old brother sits at the table and draws while we play, but is obviously watching intently because he interjects with advice all the time (mostly to do with stabbing things). I think I've got the little buggers hooked...

Will keep an eye out for sure.

Dementrius hasn't been on the boards for a while by the looks.

Not sure my gaming group would be happy with meninja'ing off, and not sure the house Ogre would appreciate me picking up another game session each month (despite that I would like it :p)

Just quietly lurking mate. And DMing my 5 year old son's first game.

*lurks*

Poppycock, balderdash and absolute piffle. The Sun shall never set upon the British Empire. We are simply letting the colonials have their day in the Sun before we retake them. We'll be coming for you soon, Auzzie.

"The Sun never sets on the British Empire because not even God would trust an Englishman in the dark."