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Within the Circle 1st-3rd issue 130

First one I played in was Keep on the Borderlands.
First I DMed was the same.

My group (playing SCAP) is considering starting an 'adventurers Guild. They want to offer varous bonuses for others to join and in exchange have guild dues and everything from money lending to equipment for sale to training and on and on...

An article detailing how other guilds and shops might react or even fluff about other guilds that i could draw on or use as a mold or template of sorts would be great. Also taxes and billing and what not: cost of the building, upkeep..

If anyone knows of a resource I could use, I'd much appreciate the info.

Thanks.

This was a great issue. The whole magazine is useful. I really enjoyed Impiltur by George Krashos, more articles like this one would be welcome. Also core beliefs was great any chance of Fharlanghn or Wee Jas getting a treatment and time soon?

Three Dragon Readings was inovative. I'll be trying it out later today(my day off) to help create afew NPC's.

Thanks for the great work, just keep on doing what your doing i wouldn't change anything.

Our game sessions last roughly 7-8 hours, once a month on Sundays. 1 ish to 8pm or 9pm.

Rat punk could you send one to me also, oit occurs to me that it would be nice to have when my party is ready to play AOW. We aren't there yet, but eventually.

givemegoodnews@hotmail.com

Thanks.

What if this sword with its incredibly high intelligence and evil machinations manipulates things so that the PC’s found it and rescue it from its prison within the body of the dead Paliden. It chose the PC’s as its group because of X and is sure it can manipulate them into helping it return to its master. I love the whole tree hugger/spider hugger angle.
The rest of the party was recruited because the sword knows the dangers and traps inherent in retrieving it and so put together what it believes is the perfect group for its purposes. Depending on what characters the others (including your wife) play, insert various plots here.

The idea of the sword advancing in power over time sounds great to me too. What if every X experience certain powers are revealed. You could make up a whole level progression for the sword and its powers.

My $0.02 for what its worth :)

5.5-6hrs. I try for more, but between work, play, family and life, there just isn't enough time in the day.

Thats an awesome looking worm Lilith. If I was a character in that campaign, I'd run upon seeing that!

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What I've come up with so far is a game of 9-ball (to reduce the amount of time needed to play a round).

A Spot check is made to find the best shot available, the higher the Spot check roll, the easier it is to sink a ball.

In my opinion,after the first shot its all about where you leave the cue ball, especially in 9 ball. Its a game of setting up the next shot. In keeping with that maybe the difference between the number needed to hit and the actual roll can somehow be used. This could give you how well your leave was, making the next shot easier by that much.

Same mechanic could be used for hooks i'm guessing

Sounds like you have a good thng going, best of luck.

Thanks for the info, feedback and great ideas everybody. You guys(and girls) really came through, i have everything i need to make this a memorable event. Thanks again.

I'll post the outcome in a couple weeks after our next game night. Playing once a month bites! Work... Grrrr!

Also one other thing you might want to note is that according to the info given in the AP Phyl isn't looking to stay and fight so he is going to take his first chance to escape(probably through the north doors if possible to make his way to his room and then return to the underdark).

Yeah, i put him in the initiative order to, but i don't see him fighting or even helping. I see him hanging around, if Kazmojen starts loosing taking the kids with him.

The Paliden kicked in the front set of double doors with a 20 so leaving that ways out, but he probably knows his way around.

When I ran this, the group came through the side door from the kitchen area. Kaz said something like, "Ahhh, it looks like the second group of bidders has arrived." He said this a) hoping that the characters might actually buy the children as opposed to fighting him...he is in the business of selling afterall and b) he was hoping that it might put pressure on Pyrl. to up his offer.

-Lisa

This is kinda what I'm hoping happens, what did bidding start at per child? Pyllrak has 180 gp on him, so I'm assuming 40-45gp each? Sound fair?

"Oh, yeah, and you owe me 20 gp each for the guards you killed. You know that training isn't cheap." For some reason, that set off the fight. :)
-Lisa

how did the fight go?

Thanks for input.

...or they'll need to run like bunnies.

Great visual!lol

Oh, and... "although heavily wounded from previous battles, Dirkta refuses healing, saying magic’s for wimps!" ... this will end well...

Yeah, the party purchased the wand of healing from Skie, but he won't let them heal him. They used it on him once when he was unconscious.

*Secret DM mojo trick to have Fario and Felian 'help' the party without having to 'save' them*

In the process of tailing the group, you could presume that they "lost" the party in the Fortress and then have them be discovered by the residents of the fortress (Prickles could smell them, perhaps)...

The party will:
1. Be warned of hostiles ahead by the commotion;
2. Kazmojen will be distracted by an alternate target;
3. Fario & Felian can add to the party's strength in the climactic battle by having the party 'save' them, not the other way around.

Alternately, you could delay the entry of the Hobgoblins or reduce their overall numbers, if the fight is going tough on the party; since the players are unaware of any of these variables, you're free to tweak them as DM until they become reality in game.

M

The Paliden already kicked the door down and i gave them a breif room description, so Fario and Felian being there won't work. Good idea though.

I have delayed the enterance of various Hobgoblin groups, if and when they are called. The two that were in the room have just run out of it moments before the door is kicked in so right now its just 4 of 6 members of the party at the door VS. Kaz, Pickles and Phyl.
Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

"It's polite to knock. Now I'm gonna have to charge you double, so get in line and wait your turn."

"Who ordered the Paladin?"

"I'm hopin' you've got the gold to pay for my guards you just killed."

I like all of these! Really made me laugh, thanks. Given that I'm hoping to create an atmosphere for conversation, which would you guys think best? 1.Polite to knock... 2.who ordered... 3. gold to pay... Thanks for the feedback

Anyone else have input?

If you get the chance though, I would try and make Kazmogen talk to the PC's rather then having him rush headfirst into combat against them.
Yes, i agree the chance for a great conversation is to much to pass up.
Perhaps using them as bargaining chips the entrance of a new group would be an excellent time for him to gesture towards them and imply they are another interested party. He could simply make them an offered price that is above what Phyrlak was going to give and see if they are willing to meet it.
Great idea! Whats the going rate for an orphan? Anybody.
The hardcover version of the book has some ideas about how you can play Vhalhaltrus appearance if Kaz is still alive.
I think i'm going to save that for later, I'm thinking when they are headed for the elevator to leave.

As for Fario and Fellian I gave alot of thought about bringing them in, as sort of a reserve for the party because its a small group(just 4).
I did up the initiative order yesterday afternoon, I have them slated to arrive in round 8 with an increasing chance of arrival every round after that. But they will only enter combat if it looks like they could make a difference. The party seems like a bunch of good guys but theres no sense in dying with them.
so they came in prepared...
My group has no idea, they pretty much went right to the room, i think it could get ugly...

Good ideas, thanks for the feedback

My campaign will have a final timeline of about 3 years.

Hi evilash,

I was thinking about expanding the timeline myself, i've added a couple side adventures and what not. How did you work elapsed time? Fade in/fade out? Ex. After chapter two... 'Okay, so 4 months has passed in game time, what have your chaacters been doing?' Or have you came up with a better way? Thaks.

Of the 5 PCs in my group, 2 took nobility.The Paliden and the bard.
In our game, Cauldron is a border town on the fringes of the settled realm. The paliden of ST. Cuthbert was sent to Cauldron to do his time away from home, on a pilgramige of sorts. He has been a follower of St. Cuthbert since he was young, his family sent him to the Monastery to increase the family influence in there home area(away across the sea, off map) hoping he would become a fine upstanding priest in the local area. Instead, when he recieved his calling, it was as paliden, the Holy militant arm of Cuthberts will. His first mission, a vision sending him on his path to Cauldron, where he knows he is needed, but not why.
I've set up Bluewater Academy as a 'college for adventurers' of sorts. The bards family sent her there to learn her craft because some of the best teachers in the realm reside here in Cauldron. She started the campaign as a friend of the stormblades, but they have been giving her a hard time about choosing to hang out with her adventuring company instead of them.
As nobles both have access to parts of society that the rest of the group doesn't as of yet.
Hope this helps, have fun.

Hello all. I’m currently running my players through the SCAP and am seeking the advice of the various GM’s who frequent this site, I lurk here often and have found that a great many of you have much knowledge and are very meticulous and concise in your answers. Having said that, I thank all of you for any help, in advance….
Sitting at computer, incense burning; begins to chant, rolling various dice, ’Uber GM’s here my call…’
Spoiler Alert players stop here
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The set-up
Party consists of: Vadania Liadon Elven Ranger L2
Fae Human Monk L2
Aurora half Elf Bard L2
Galthas Steele Human Paliden L2
Dirkta Dwarven Fighter L2
NPC Keygan Ghelve-Talked into coming with the party by Galthas to atone for his part in the disappearance of so many citizens.

The party had made short work of the hobgoblins in M22 guarding the double doors to Kazmojen’s lair, but not before the iron bar was slid across, reinforcing the door. Players noticed door to M26 ajar and visibly move slightly. Vadania goes to check it out, with the Fae hidden in shadows close behind.
Galthas decides to try battering down the double doors with one of his heavy boots. Chances are slim, but I don’t like saying ‘you can’t do that’, so with the door reinforced as it is, plus the iron bar that the PC is unaware of, I tell him only a 20 on d20 is going to do it. Galthas rolls a 20, there’s much excitement, and arms shoot into the air in victory! I describe the room, its content and the people in it and we leave our adventurers here, to be continued next session.

From the other side: Kazmojen and Pyllrak are negotiating over the sale, most of it is complete. Kazmojen isn’t happy; Pyllrak has dropped the price he is willing to pay, from what was originally negotiated. His reasoning is that he has been forced to wait for days while Kazmojen’s people filled his order, he should already be on his way back, time is money, and next time Kazmojen should deliver on time. Upset with the situation, but unwilling to push things (Pyllrak is an emissary for something bigger) Kazmojen has agreed. *Sounds of combat in the next room* ‘Crolecks!’(Up till now PC’s have remained undetected) Through the eye hole obvious trouble the guards put the bar in place. Kazmojen tells them to deal with the intruders. Guards leave to m27.
WHAM! One heavy kick and the hinges on the doors give way, the doors drop to the ground sending dust into the air as splinters and shards of wood enter the hall. Standing in the center of the door a holy warrior of one god or another, surrounded by a ghostly light (Nimbus of light) clad in scale mail, greatsword in hand. Beside him a Dwarven hero, obviously wounded, his skin a sickly white color (although heavily wounded from previous battles, Dirkta refuses healing, saying magic’s for wimps!) Behind them several other adventurers can be seen moving about.
Kazmojen’s day is going from bad to worse, but maybe some of it could still be salvaged.

What I need
What I really need from you guys is something really cool for Kazmojen to say. He knows that if things go sour prickles call will bring help quickly. He’s already having a bad day and could either bargain with the party or attempt to capture them. Alternately killing them might make him feel better. There’s been talk that the paladin’s nimbus of light should evoke fear, I don’t really know.

What I do know is that if it gets ugly I’ve got a potential party killer on my hands, with the number of hobgoblins that prickles howl will bring.

I’ve got an escalating % chance for Fario and Fellian to arrive starting at round 8; they’ve been tailing the party. They will arrive invisible and buffed they will only act if it looks like their actions have a chance of swaying things, but I don’t want the players to feel robbed by Npc’s coming to the rescue.

So? Thoughts, opinions, fire away. We play once a month (scheduling issues, family, etc.) and I really want this to be a memorable encounter. Please help.

…Comes out of trance like state, wondering where he is…

I'm not currently running AOW (patiently waiting for hardcover) but i can tell you that in any campaign i've ever run, i tend to use the method mentioned above: leveling up after a nights rest. Characters are free to add points to any skill they already have, for new skills however they must seek training. Using swimming as an example, someone who doesn't know how to swim needs lessons to start. When they take the lessons, before or after leveling doesn't make a difference.

I also have a system for training. Basically xp for time and money spent. How does yours work?

Currently running SCAP, party includes:
Human lv 2 Paliden
Human lv 2 Monk
1/2 elf lv 2 Bard
elf lv 2 ranger
Dwarf lv 2 Fighter

Npc Keegan Gelve

They are adventuring in Jzairdune(sp?) currently.

I was in public school, grade 4 or 5 I think... My best friend Steve got the red basic set for his birthday and talked me into playing. I was an Elf i remember that, but I've forgotten his name. Steve ran me through Keep on the Borderlands and I remember having alot of fun. I ran away from the minatour. Even lived to fight another day.

Later we talked our friend Craig into playing in our group. I remember him saying that he would give up any share of treasure if the party kept him alive. I think Craig was a Cleric.

Anybody else remember coloring in their dice with a crayon that came with the red set? Bad blue/purple dice.

I'm considering revamping the original Temple of Elemental Evil supermodule (inc. Village of Hommlet), and I thought I'd share some of my ideas.

The original module did not have any real hook to start the game other than "hey, there's this place you can go to to beat down on some bad guys." which has its place as a hook, but, well... come on.

Rather than assuming the PCs are one of a growing horde of adventurers going after this random bandit hideout in the boondocks of nowhere, I am going to assume my players live in Hommlet.

The village is getting tired of all the recent bandit raids, and has received no real relief from Verbobonc or Enstad.

That's what I've got so far... thoughts?

what if Hommlet had requested help from Verbobonc? They party could be part of a platoon sent to 'root out evil' in the local area. This would allow Hommlet to remain defended and keep their militia (mostly farmers from local area) alive to tend their crops, while still allowing for the large combat before the moathouse.

It would also allow you to develop Verbobonc as somewhere the characters could goto for training or upgrading equipment beyond what is available in hommlet or Nulb.

I'd be interested in what you come up, please keep us posted.

What are you doing with the Nodes?

Thanks everyone. Your comments enforce what I was thinking-that it would greatly slow down the game and I really like the indiana Jones example. Thank-you again, good comments all.

Hi everyone. My players have expressed that they would like me to add to combat a where you got hit rule.
Basically I was thinking 1d8 for location then role for damage. They say it would help them to see combat. My problem with this is if someone (or thing) takes 30 points to say there arm I can see the players next thought being well didn't I lop it off. Does anyone have or use a rule like this? am I creating a whole can of worms to deal with?
I've always thought that hit points don't always mean that the big bad guy can take more actual hits(sometimes thats the case with say a dragon or something) mostly more hit points on higher level creatures mean, to me, more experience dodging blows. So 10 hp damage to the 8th level whatever might mean a close call but no actual sword sticking out of abdomen. The final hit that reduces you to negatives is probably the only actual sword hit taken. Is anyone else thinking this way? It kinda explains why you could take 20 punctures from a dagger.

I'm with Utak, whatever it costs!

Bree-Yark indeed! I'm part of that 30 something group you mentioned. Keep on the Borderlands was the first module I ever played. I'd love to see some of those out of print modules revamped for 3.5. A hard cover is a great idea.

Thanks alot Bumamgar your help has been much appreciated, I think there's hope for me playing soon yet!

I recommend Fantasy Grounds (http://www.fantasygrounds.com)

Bumamgar, I was just looking the sight over and it looks terrific! Is there a monthly cost to use the sight? I am aware that there is a cost for the downloaded version. Thank you for your help.

Hello all, I would greatly appreciate any help in finding a good pbm(mail or email) sight. My situation is as follows: 30 something years old, played previously for years, have kept up with the game through magazines(Dungeon/Dragon) as well as 3.5 core books but had little to no time to play, now I have more time but my old group of players does not. I'm a dm although probably a little rusty, currently I'm just looking for a way to play.
Any suggestions for me people, I feel I'm running out of options.