hopeless's page

Still wondering how long before I get cut off, but anyone know why Eli didn't just have those on the ship try and reach them?

I mean they did have the people to try after all?

Is it worth spoilering this bit?

Liked it too, anyone notice...

Spoiler#1

Spoiler#2

Regarding the ending scene

Still not bad at all!

Where is the PDF?

Danubus wrote:

Watched the premiere on Syfy and I thought it sucked. It was slow, I couldn't get into any of the characters, and it's basically a rip off of Voyager, but set in the Stargate universe. Was lame.

Voyager was a rip off of Lost in Space which was a rip off of the Odyssey.
Yes the background situation has been done before but focus on the emerging story and future character development before you condemn it as a knock off.
One episode is not enough to call it crap, if it was then the first episode of ST:NG would have doomed the franchise.

Aah the Hoth sequence from the trailer, yes he certainly seems to have the comic relief down pat.

Makes me hope this will only get better!

Apparently the pilot for this series was aired on Friday, over here in the UK however...I did stress over here in the UK didn't I?

Sorry just to make that clear its being shown this Wednesday at 9pm on I believe Sky One, please correct me here I don't want anyone missing this as from what I've seen this is very interesting!

By the way do I need spoilers at this point?

Spoiler#1

Spoiler#2

Spoiler#3

hopeless wrote:

Of course there's nothing to say it needs to be used out in the open to prevent this from being blocked, its a lot harder to nullify this power if its say a bright sunny day with little or no clouds meaning as long as they're careful it isn't going to be nullified that easily unless they don't take precautions, I'd say if they do overuse it let them find out when they're facing something not that overwhelming so they understand it does have restrictions even if it gets their dm called names since some players might find this a mite objectionable.

I'm not really following your train of thought. I think we might be talking past each other. Essentially my problem with the power is that it forces the DMs hands. Its so powerful that its an auto-win every time it is successfully used. Thats bad in just about any encounter as the players will only use it if they are feeling heavily challenged but it turns all those really tough and challenging encounters into lame pushovers.

Serves me right not to read what I type more properly!

Shroomy wrote:

hopeless wrote:

Correct me here its limit is line of sight?
So what would happen if someone dropped some kind of obscuring mist, fog or whatever ability that covers the area its in thereby blocking all visible sight of said pennant, wouldn't that neutralise its effect?

Yes it would. So dousing the torches would nullify its effects.

Still bad at the game table - here we end up with either the DM totally rips you off for your daily (and every BBEG is designed to be able to nullify this power) or you auto win.

Of course there's nothing to say it needs to be used out in the open to prevent this from being blocked, its a lot harder to nullify this power if its say a bright sunny day with little or no clouds meaning as long as they're careful it isn't going to be nullified that easily unless they don't take precautions, I'd say if they do overuse it let them find out when they're facing something not that overwhelming so they understand it does have restrictions even if it gets their dm called names since some players might find this a mite objectionable.

Correct me here its limit is line of sight?
So what would happen if someone dropped some kind of obscuring mist, fog or whatever ability that covers the area its in thereby blocking all visible sight of said pennant, wouldn't that neutralise its effect?

Trogdor T. Burninator wrote:

Here4daFreeSwag wrote:

Currently on their 4th episode, if anyone out there cares. ;)

I do! :)

Scott Kurtz wrote:

The Ambershards are here, in Hammertime!?

In that case, they're now taking the fifth. ;)

Because I'm moving home around the 19th of October I'm letting you know now as it will probably mean I won't be able to post for a couple of weeks until I can get back online. This is so you know I'm not prematurely ending this game thread

Reg: I'm not trying to be a PITA with the marshal and kessel, but I think of Keen as being a teenager. So he's supposed to be a bit rebellious and reckless. The fact that he wasn't in the middle of things during the riot was a bit surprising actually.

Hopeless, as Val's seems to be away for an unknown length of time, maybe for now you could have Tenna take Dale and Jonas back up to the Ogre's lair at least? With instructions that if we don't return soon she's to head back to town with all speed and let them know what's gone on here?

The Corridor

The Corridor

The above are links to the same map but the first is mediafire the second is photobucket so let me know if you can see either of these

The corridor stretches ahead and you can barely see the alcove your captive indicates where the secret door that leads to the surface is hidden however beyond the alcove to the left hidden from view is the double doors marking his Boss's inner sanctuum where the last misisng captive might be being held and quite probably where he was exposed to whatever ailment the others had witnessed.
He also points out that the quarters to the north are the imp's where the broom Herve fought had been left on guard.

Working on the treasure list as requested

Any idea when the pdf might be released?

So the group have found and rescued the captive villagers from the waystation, a captive guard willing to lead them out and a lab that has yet to be fully searched as well as the other room you haven't looked at yet unless you want to head out of here asap?

It certainly seems to be as good as you say.

Here's hoping they do even better!

Taking a long look at Dale and realizing that, no matter what, he cannot bear the idea of putting her at risk just after going through so much to rescue her, Bogorin says "Well, me minds made up then, I do no claim the right tae speak fer the rest o' ye, but I'm fer takin' mi dear Dale back home tae saftey. Yer welcome tae come wit me, but if the rest o ye wish tae go after the boss man, I'll join ye as soon as I able. N' I kin take the rest of the treasure back tae town n' ye can be sure on a Rockstomper's Word that ye'll be gettin yer fair share." And with that speech, he motions for the guard and Jonas to begin walking ahead of him (back towards the lab) and for Dale to fall in behind him.

"Okay let's see whats kept our erstwhile leader so busy then!" Tenna nods in agreement as she moves ahead with her bow drawn and an arrow notched clearly expecting trouble, but as you move into the lab its to see Herve standing by one of the lab tables with the remains of a broom at his feet looking nonplussed as he shuts a small chest on the table before looking towards you.

Okay Herve, Willy and Leafy?

Okay I assume you'll meet up with Herve back in the lab?
Will wait for Herve to respond before proceeding

There's a trait that allows for metamagic enhanced spells to be cast at 1 level lower than they'd normally be, I also remember an old feat called Slow spell where you'd do pretty much the same but at the cost of making it a full round action to cast either way an extended Daze cast by either a sorceror or wizard with that specific trait could theoretically cast it as many times as necessary as long as it doesn't take up a 1st level or higher level spell slot if what was said in the opening message is accurate.
By the way Eschew Material was a metamagic feat at one time but I suspect any metamagic enhanced spell would need to have at least a +1 level modifier before that trait would effect it, otherwise an interesting thread.

Will have to reread tomorrow when I'm not half asleep!

Take care and all the best!

I love Savage Worlds! Let me know how Savage Tide goes. I ran it up until after the pirates attacked the colony using D&D 3.5 and it was horrible. The rules totally broke down and the players became uber super heroes that even high level NPC's couldn't touch. Very boring to play.
It would have been a much different story in Savage Worlds.
I've run a couple fantasy games in Savage Worlds, Burnt Offerings and some Conan stuff, so I can help out with any tips or questions you may run into as you play.
Cheers.

Have run a game where the pcs are survivors of a plane crash ala Lost except they learn they're effectively stuck in hell courtesy of the Sundered Isles setting and was wondering whether Golarion would work well with savage Worlds and whether the Fantasy Companion would be a good addition to running Pathfinder in SW.

How long would the trip to the village and back take Hopeless?

All you know so far is that some imp has exposed a charmed dwarven prisoner to some hideous disease that has even scared the chelish guards enough to keep him out of reach of the other prisoners although apparently didn't stop Dale from talking to him.

I'm designing a wizard with an arcane bond to her quarterstaff so I'd say he'd be penalised until your character picks up the relevant martial proficiency or picks up a level in a class that can use it without penalty.

Drat my spelling is getting worse!

Ever thought of picking up the Focused Mind trait to go with Combat Casting?

That looks an interesting match.

Also had a dwarven transmuter but his arcane bond was his battle axe but being a dwarf back in beta he got that as a free weapon proficiency haven't check to see if that still applies though.

Still what are your thoughts on losing your bonded weapon and the subsequent need for concentration checks to cast spells whilst this is in effect?

"Actually you head the opposite way until you reach the shrieker, I know how to open the door but once I do we need to rush up to the surface as you'll need to get as far away from the other exit before the guards over at the camp see us," the chelish captive advises.

"Unless you want to find out what the boss is up to?" he asks a little hesitantly.

Each of the guards had three potion vials on them, one you have used on Willy which means there's now 2 potions of Cure Light wounds, 3 potions of cure moderate wounds and three potions of lesser restoration and the Chelish Guard you are holding captive will have told you that anyway

Basilforth wrote:

I am interested! I have a beta half-orc barbarian that i can adapt to final rules, or I can generate a different char if that doesn't seem to fit in. Perhaps a Ranger?

A ranger might make more sense for the area where the adventure takes place, but it is more about playing something you haven't played before. If you'd like to use the Barbarian, please convert to final rules.
-JL

I actually find the idea they get to select their own treasure a little troubling but in the games I am playing or was playing in we were asked what magical items we'd like at certain levels sort of for 1st through to 5th, I replied I didn't mind what item but mentioned magical armour, sword, etc.

In the game I'm running I pretty much used the eberron dragonshards as a means of letting them decide by simply saying they functioned as residium which could be fixed to armour, weapons, equipment and gave them limited abilities which could be enhanced by gathering more.

Of course I still included magical items I selected or thought would work well such as a mirror that functions like a bag of holding based on a story I read about a Tapestry that works the same except if it was take down and moved anyone inside was kept in stasis until it was put up again.

Anyway maybe you should ask them what kind of magic they'd like to find at these levels and then perhaps give them the opportunity to find them whether as a result of completing a mission say a wizard crafts the item as a reward for example.

What have they been asking for by the way?

As Jonas' role and connection to these events is beginning to be revealed, Bogorin slowly turns towards the Gnome. He is gripping his warhammer so hard that his knuckles turn white and there is nothing but the promise of gruesome death in his eyes if the Gnome does not begin speaking the truth, Now. In a low and terrifyingly monotone voice he grates "Tell me ye had aught tae do with me Dale being taken by that now dead Ogre Jonas..." his eyes boring deeply into the greedy merchant, trying to discern the Gnomes lies (1d20+7=11).

"Drat they're going to kill me..." he sighs dropping his arms and hanging his head in shame.

"I didn't know about the Ogre, I swear, I know someone in the Consortium was supplying somebody out here but I didn't know they were Chelish its pretty much common gossip that the Consortium is trying to monopolise the trade route from Falcons Hollow through to the South of Andora. I really didn't know about all of this..." he sighs raising his head to glance at Dale who gives him a dark and foreboding look.

"Those blades were found in a ruined monastery up somewhere near Falcons Hollow, I didn't know they were sidestepping the waystation only that the Consortium had done something similar to secure the route down south," Jonas finally explains.

"The other way out is down the other corridor leading out of the lab, there's a shrieker marking the spot where the secret door is, its amazing what they can do with that shrink spell of theirs you know," the guard mutters.

"So where did you say you found those bracers?" he asks Tenna curiously.

"You do know the boss is some kind of devil, don't you?" he asks after a moment.

"This place was built for the boss's slave by some giants, somehow the boss took over and expanded on the operation, don't know what he has planned but that poor sod should have been back here by now," he mentions looking alarmed.

Looking over at the glaring merchant.
"I don't know what you're so mad about, your people have been accepting those bribes to keep quiet about that camp out there for at least three years now," he quips.

"Shut up! Thats a lie!" Jonas blusters back.

"Oh right? So who did those blades belong to? They were brought in with your wagon after all, strange I remember them hauling in that halfling but it was the ogre that brought you and the girl over there," he belts back.

I'd say run them through a few sidequests to work out how you can adapt to their style if they can't adapt to yours.

Remember its a game for everyone to enjoy so if they'd rather play an evil campaign go ahead give them what they want!

Personally I'd throw in an npc who has a personal grudge against that rogue having suffered from his antics prior to the game start and have the rogue eventually learn he has a nemesis who has decided to make things nasty for him maybe even informing the group of some of the things he has pulled off where it can be explained off as him apparently working for the opposition!

Have they given you their character backgrounds?

We can continue to RP this if you like Hopeless but basically there is simply no way Bogorin is going to let Jonas walk out of there with anything he can't prove was already his. And he Will follow up on any of his threats. He never liked that sneaky Gnome much anyway. ;-)

Okay the guards were wearing scale mail and were using standard weapons meaning there's now two longswords, two shortswords, a crossbow and four daggers, Dale has one of the longswords' the pile seem to consist of about a dozen sets of clothing, four complete backpacks with assorted equipment (see avatar for standard stuff in backpack), the goblin had the wand and three gems of various types similar to the ones he threw on the ground during the fight. Each guard is carrying three vials so each had at least 1 of those the guard mentioned when he handed over his belt pouch, there is a mastercrafted dwarven war axe which bears the family mark of a dwarven clan Bogorin has heard of which he would assume to be Tordred's but no sign of his armour. Money wise each guard had about 2gp and 3sp each with the goblin carrying 3 platinum bearing the Chelish bankers' mark.

Meanwhile: Herve

"Mr. Scruffy calls dibs on the string!"
Also, go Haley!

Herve finishes the broom (att 24 damage 9)

Herve finally manages to catch the already shaky animated broom with a blow that sends it backwards where after a few moments of shredding itself apart it eventually stops moving.
The sounds of battle from the prison cells has also ended as you take stock of whats around you.

What do you want to do know?

I thought this one was great, it's funny how between the three podcasts it's shifted more and more about roleplaying which is great! I can't wait to see what they get into!

I'm envisioning a series that goes in and out of the game table - so most of the time the story is told in character but moderately often the action shifts back to the actual game table or you just here the actual players in the background - this is done mostly for laughs.

Think DM of the Rings.

Opening Sequence

"It's Fallcrest, midwinter, and snow has settled over everything. Acquisitions Incorporated has been holed up in their favorite sanctuary, The Silver Unicorn, enjoying the warmth of a fire. All is calm… until they meet their old acquaintance, Nathan Farringray—looking troubled and with a tale of woe that can only be solved by Acquisitions Inc.

Over at Five League House, Farringray's companion, Barton has been keeping on eye on local bandits. A number of merchant wagons have been besieged in recent days, and the trade route has become jeopardized.

Acquisitions Inq. agrees to perform this small favor, checking on Farringray's friend… with the assumption that adventure will soon find them!"

Link!

Much obliged!

So no takers then?

How about a series based loosely on the original d&d cartoon series where the cast consist of;

Varla the illusionist supposed to be Presto's soulmate?
The guy who befriended Eric in the Twelfth talisman?
The son of the knight in the Beholder story in the first season?
and maybe even the daughter of that desert king who was held captive in the city at the edge of midnight with say Venger's sister as an occasional patron who is looking to solve some of her brother and maybe even her own secret projects that have come loose...

Of course my favourite for the eventual bad guy is the queen who was half demon being returned to the realms by Venger being redeemed by virtue that the prophecy wasn't fulfilled properly maybe even have them fail to stop her being returned as the cliffhanger at the end of a proposed first season leading to a second season where they're barely trying to keep up as she is conquering the realms!

Oh well its an idea at least!

Looking somewhat confused Bogorin answers "Hmm, I think I knows the Dwarf yer talkin' about...don't right now what happened tae him actually..." as he pauses for a moment wondering where that Dwarf, and that uppity lordling for that matter, have got to. Shaking his big hairy head though he roars "But enough o' that girl! Come give yer Ole Boggo a HUG!" and with a wide grin bursting through his significant beard the old dwarf picks up the girl he had come so far and fought so hard to rescue, not caring who sees his genuine love and affection for her. He couldn't love her more if she was his own daughter.

Dale returns the hug.

Bogorin only:

Leafy:

"We need to get out of here, before too long there's going to be reinforcements coming let alone what else is down here!" Jonas grumbles as he moves towards the exit of the prison chamber pausing by Willy not trusting to get any closer to the Chelish captive.

Dale having managed to grab the keys off of the goblin unlocks her cell and is slowly scooting her way around the back.
The gnome merchant delays her as he is trying to make a note of what he has stored in his bags but she manages to get past him and pauses only long enough to grab some clothing from what remains in the pile to cover her torn clothing before moving towards Bogorin.

"Have you seen that other dwarf on your way in here?" she asks looking a mite better since the fight ended.
"I think he under a spell or something because they led him around literally by the nose and the last time he was resting in here he looked like he'd been exposed to something nasty!" she explains shifting her belt with its newly acquired scabbarded longsword.

sorry for the delay but i lost my internet access for some days there (:. And to continue with the sad news , tomorrow is the beginning of my holydays in Sweden so my posts will be few till the end of next week . And since Herve missed his last attack , he is waiting for the Brooom's turn

Seeing that the battle is over and the last remaining guard stripping down out of his armor, Leambo decided it was time to go get dressed and get the rest of his gear together and squared away. As he approached the pile of gear he noticed the Gnome named Jonas putting things in bags and getting his own gear. "I hope that none of the things you are putting in those bags is mine, Jonas, or there will be problems. I apologize for not getting you out sooner but I was a bit preoccupied trying to get rid of our jailor.", he said,"By the way, is this weapon yours?", as he handed the Scimitar to the Gnome.

Ran the first part of a savage worlds game using the sundered isles as the backdrop, okay Sundered Isles meets Lost with the Pcs believing they've been sent literally to hell with zombie vikings on the loose and their only protection is a cave whose mouth was engraved with kanji carvings that protect it from evil spirits, mind you they now wondering whether it was actually to keep them out or keep them inside the cave!

Still getting used to the system, let us know what you think about the Fantasy Companion have to admit I have wondered about using the Pathfinder stuff with SW since one of the players has an open dislike of d20.

Now as to what AP so what picks your fancy?

How about the free adventures you can download regarding Falcons Hollow?

There's quite a few adventures you can use which don't necessarily require your players to have extremely powerful characters like rise of the runelords and so on, am running "legends are made not born" with the intention of using those Andoran based modules using Pathfinder Beta so it might prove helpful.

Remember last year when there was talk about Scott Rouse taling to Times Warner about a new D&D series?

I've been wondering if they ever get that off the ground (thats if it was ever serious in the first place) what would be the basis of this new series?

For example the show opens with a group arriving at a house and settling around the table with the dm as part of the opening intro explaining the backdrop with the possibility of a little alteration as the series goes on.

Of course the players would have their characters introduced say in the usual tavern or they're part of the opening scene where they get to introduce their characters to each other before going into the first episode perhaps having it end at a suitable flash gordon/buck rogers old cinematic series cliffhanger to make the viewer want to watch the next episode to see what happens next.

The idea being even if a character dies they can introduce a new character and expand on whats involved in the series perhaps having a dm and the players sequence for the entire episode to highlight how it is a social hobby to offset all that negative publicity d&d used to get and maybe a character only multi-episode to advance the story when necessary.

Even have the season end in a cliffhanger to keep the interest and perhaps throw in game related info via a forum set up to facilitate chats on it maybe even test the waters for new ideas even if its just kept as slight as possible to maintain the game and introduce it to newcomers.

So what would be your view on this?

How and what would you want the new D&d cartoon series to be?

And maybe even suggest your ideas for the group whether their characters, the players dynamics and maybe even which campaign setting should be used?

And most importantly have fun!

Moving to place his thick form between the guard and the exit, Boggo keeps a close eye on the man as he comes near Tenna. When the guard appears to truly have surrendered and proceeds to finish undressing, the old Dwarf nods once grimly.

Sparing a glance towards Dale to see how she's doing with the lock Bogo shouts "How are ye doin' lass? Git yerself free already and come give yer ole Boggo a hug!"

His new position alloying him to see the avaricious Gnome frantically going though all the gear Bogorin scowls and shouts angrily "'N ye better stop that right now Jonas ye greedy little goblin ye! If ye think I'm tae be lettin' the likes o you out o' here without first goin' through every one o yer pockets first yer daft! You try and leave here with one penny more'n ye came with n' I'll hold ye up by yer ankles and shake ye till yer brains fall out if I have tae!"

Then, watching the girl...Tenna, tend to Willy, and seeing her hesitate, he gently gives her some tips while he whispers "I think it's ok tae give the lad the potion lass, that Guard wouldnae risk 'is life by givin' us something bad likes. Tae my thinkin' anyway."

Suddenly though as he's speaking a look of awe comes over the old Dwarf's face. Seeming to be acting not entirely of his own volition, Bogorin lowers to one knee beside Willy and closes his eyes as he places his hand on Willy's chest. Suddenly a warm golden burst of energy flows though...

On today's update for the penny arcade website Tycho mentions:
"We're about to record the next D&D podcast, if you're interested in that kind of thing. If the last session was any indicator of future performance, wish me luck."
Very exciting!

On that note has anyone used the Storm Tower adventure from the D&D website in their own campaigns? If so, how did you like it? I'm giving thought to incorporating it into future sessions.
Wizards

"Good on you, Dale!" Tenna grimly cheered.
She had kept her aim and her eyes on the last remaining guard as he tried to parlay. She didn't trust him one bit, and was tempted to put an arrow in his knee out of spite for what he and his friends did to Willy.
It wasn't until Bogo yelled for her to check on the lumberjack that she snapped out of it.
"Y-yeah!" She kept her eyes on the guard as she crouched over Willy and fished the healing packets out of her pouch again. "W-wait. Is it safe to use 'em again so soon!"
I guess the heal check will depend on whether we can level right this moment or not. I should have taken Heal a long time ago. :)
(please hang in there Rimrock!)

"Er where exactly did you get that set of bracers?" he asks gingerly.
"Its just that only the officers' are supposed to have them and none of them were stationed in here," he explains as he finally manages to start removing his scale mail.

Calling over his shoulder, his eyes still on the guard, Boggo says "Dale, ye all right there lass? Can ye free yerself?" then, looking back at the guard Bogorin continues "n' who's this Boss o yers? We'll be needin' tae hear more about him. All a 'bout him. Oh, and meanwhile, ye kin drop all yer weapons n' kick them over tae the girl with the bow there. Then remove All yer clothes 'scept fer yer skivies as thar's ladies present."

The look in the old Dwarf's eye makes it clear he expects immediate obedience and is on no mood for any objections or back talk.

Please feel free to pitch in anyone. Don't wanna seem like Boggo's trying to hog the limelight, he's just in the right position at the moment. Oh hey and Leafy, while the guard's getting undressed, maybe you want to go over to your stuff and dress and reclaim it all? Just a suggestion. Also Hopeless, what's the other prisoner doing and what's he look like etc.? Finally can Tenna and Boggo level now?

And yes you can level up now, Herve only has to survive his battle before he can too

HErve overextand and completly miss Att 8

It misses just as wildly.

Back to you Herve by the way once this fight is over you can update your character to the next level let me know if you want to continue as a Aristocrat or want to pick up a PC level

His glare not changing one whit, Bogorin simply continues to stare at the man for some time, the only sound emanating from him the meaty thump of his hammer thunking into his think palm, over and over again. Finally,
the old dwarf calls out "Tenna! Kin ye see tae the lad! Is he still breathin'? Kin ye help 'im?"

Then, extending his hand palm up, he speaks one brusque word to the guard "Keys!"

"There ye go lass, free yerself and stand behind me." although all he wants to is hug his dear Dale and make sure she is alright, his renewed warrior spirit knows such things are best left for when the danger is well and truly past.
"Death trap? What mean ye dog? Explain yerself and be quick about it! 'N funny it is that ye mention yon camp too as we was wantin' tae ask someone more about it, nice of yeh tae volunteer." he says with no humor or kindness whatsoever in his voice.

By the way since you've found the villagers you've gained a 1000xp bonus and the xp has been updated so Herve, Tenna and Bogorin have gone up a level by my count, Willy and Leafy are just short by about a 100 xp from doing the same. Now I'll finish up with Herve so when you're ready I'll need another fortitude save from Willy and if you have any ranks in the Heal skill you can help him