The minis is indeed miniatures but I don't own any D&D minis. Shhh!
I paint and collect metal and resin miniatures. I have a gallery up but the pic quality doesn't reflect what they're like in real life.
I keep meaning to paint "Ehlissa".
OK, shameless plug time...
I don't know the entire plot of the module, but hanging around these boards, one can't help but pick up spoilers; thus I'm trying to figure it out in character as well as for myself. I honestly don't know what happened, but with Rags' diligent fact sifting it would be an obvious conclusion to suspect something weird went on in that fire.
Ditto here,
What little I read from the module before we started this thread has been long overshadowed by the spoilers picked up by reading these threads!
It's easier to 'play dumb' (and pretend I don't have a clue) than to 'Play smart' and figure out things you don't have a clue about!
I'm TRYING (VERY trying, I know!) to not let Slidell be TOO knowledgeable. BUT he is a smart cookie, and once he gets the clues he shouldn't have too much trouble putting the pieces together!
Thanks guys! I'm having a great time! Just don't let me make this 'The Slidell Show". I know of one armored female who wouldn't have TOO much trouble putting him in his place if he needs it! ;P
Happy Holidays everybody,
Merry Christmas and God Bless!
Ehlissa is smarter than the average person, so I'm playing her as someone who can pick up on others ideas and run with them (high Wis and Cha)
She might not have the patience or logical faculty to piece together a mystery, but she does understand people and their emotions.
Hope everyone is happy and well.
Rags
Fabes
Sorry, I didn't mean to cause a problem! I was just referring to the Holiday Break, I meant that IT would be dragging this out!
LOL, Don't worry Fabes, I'm sure it will be worth the wait!
Merry Christmas! :D
Momma wants a cold-iron longsword.. oo yeah.
Momma wants a cold-iron longsword.. oo yeah.
Thank you SOOOOO much, as if I didn't have enough to do with the holidays, NOW I have to clean COKE off my keyboard! (LOL'd a lil' too hard)
:P
Hey I could've been the Kool-Aid Man... (yes, I had to have that explained to me when I worked in NY this summer)
OHHHHHHHHH YEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Psifox's last post was at 3:32 PM, December 3rd.
I say we give him a little while, he may have gotten caught up in the Christmas rush. I think that if he doesn't post by the first week of January or so, then we should talk about replacing Nealah.
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I've been looking for him on the Gamer Connection thread to no avail.
I think that we need to come to terms with the fact that Psionic Fox is no longer posting (as Arctaris points out, he hasn't posted since December 3rd). This really bums me out, especially when I think about all the inner conflict Naelah was causing for Vesh (young and hormonal as he is). Her steady and quiet demeanor was a good counter to Slidell's more outlandish style. She was also a pivot around which both Slidell and Vesh not-so-subtly danced. All good fodder for role-playing and cutting the ol' creative writing chops. But, Naelah ain't here any more, so we've got to decide what to do.
In terms of party role, I've been flirting (as you all know) with the whole Vesh/Desna thing. I could pull the trigger and take a level or two in Favored Soul, thus taking on some healing ability. This could lead to some interesting RPing turns for Vesh and could serve to distinguish Vesh's rogue-ness from Malcolm's rogue-ness. On the other hand, I've got two hesitations: I don't want to dilute Vesh's role as the trap-finder, sneak-arounder, backstabber person (and his as-yet untapped potential as a spell taker). And, I think favored soul--as fitting and interesting as it could be to roleplay--is a pretty uninteresting class otherwise.
So, all of that to say, I think we should probably look into recruiting another player willing to take-up Naelah's role as healer/secondary spellcaster. Any other ideas?
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I don't have my books with me, but if IIRC Fav Soul is basically Sorcerer casting off of the Cleric spell list, right?
Yes, that's a good way to describe it. I've never been a huge fan of Sorcerers, so you can see where my bias is. Favored Soul suffers from being in one of the early 3E "Completes" book before they started experimenting with the more 4E flavored design style of the later "Completes" book, of which Spellthief is a good example. There is a new class ability gained with each new level of Spellthief. Makes it harder to walk away from.
I understand what you are saying about not wanting to dilute the Spellthief class - this sounds like a common 4E talking point re: multi-classing. You'd be exchanging the high-level spell thief abilities for low-level spell casting that will eventually no longer serve you well.
Yep. Plus, from a purely RPing standpoint, there's a lot to the Spellthief class that informs Vesh's motivations and personality that have only been hinted at in his background. I'd like to flex some of that in-game before walking down another path.
Is there a way we could spice that up as they've done for Sorcerers with Heritage Feats or something similar?
Alternately, I'd be willing to work on a "Divine Training" feat in the 4E vein that would allow access to a limited subset of spells/abilities with capability to imrpove them and keep them useful without multi-classing.
I would actually be more open to either of these possibilities. I'm not familiar with either option, though. The Heritage Feats sound familiar, but what book are they from? The 4E "Divine Training" thing sounds even more intriguing as it doesn't seem as static as a straight-up Feat. Is it kind of like in Eberron with the whole "monastic/knight training" thing that allows greater options for multiclassing for Monks and Paladins? It doesn't sound the same from how you're describing it.
In many ways, I'd be fine taking on some of the healing role. We'd still have Ehlissa and Corran as our frontliners, Slidell as the artillery/brains, Malcolm as a utility fighter/rogue, and me as a spell-sucking rogue/mini-divine caster. I don't think that it makes up for the loss of Naelah (and Veren, remember!!), but we could probably get by.
Whether or not Vesh takes up some healing slack, I still think we'd ultimately be better off recruiting a sixth player to play a divine caster. I'm not saying that recruiting is without its potential drawbacks, but I think the party would be better off. Especially with a martial cleric of some sort. We've got a funny party in that no one is a straight-up brawler. Ehlissa and Corran obviously are the closest, but even they are more "nuanced" than a greatsword-wielding fighter or barbarian. A martial cleric could help them out on the frontlines--both for fighting and for being positioned near the both of them for healing purposes.
Of course, these are all of my rambling thoughts on a slow Thursday at "work." Please read and discard as appropriate.
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Couple of things. It seems like it should be WIS 13+ instead of 11+. Someone with a WIS of 11 couldn't prepare any spells at all. I also don't know if it's a good idea to allow bonus spells for high Wisdom. Might have to be play-tested.
I also agree that the requirements should not be changed for Vesh's sake, not only because of his lacking WIS score, but because nothing about him is Wisdom-based. The idea of preparing spells seems to run counter to his style.
I wonder if a charisma-based feat could be similarly created:
Divine Calling (General)
Requirements: Cha 13+; Minimum Class Level 3; Worshiper of a god or higher power; alignment the same as deity's alignment.
Benefit: You gain the ability to spontaneously cast a limited number of divine spells from any of your chosen deity's domains. You can cast a number of spells per day equal to your Charisma modifier (NO bonus spells for high Charisma, however). The maximum spell level you can cast increases by one for every class level beyond 3rd (so 2nd level spells at 6th level, 3rd level spells at 9th, 4th level spells at 12th, etc.). Your caster level is equal to your character level. You can choose to cast spells from any of your deity's domains (you do not choose two domains as a Cleric). You do not gain Turn Undead, Aura, Spontaneous Casting of Cure or Inflict Spells or any other Cleric abilities.
What do you think? I think that this is pretty balanced. It keeps a character firmly in their own class, but adds a little divine flair on the side. Good for the kind of thing that I was thinking for Vesh--he remains a Spellthief, but has a calling from Desna or somesuch.
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The progression above is sticking in my craw (it's not very elegant), but I still think it's a good way to go without creating a specific spell progression for the feat. At sixth level, the ability for Vesh to cast either 3 first level spells or 3 second level ones (or a combo from either spell level) doesn't seem too ham-fisted or too powerful.
You could even have a "minor divine calling" as written and then an "improved divine calling" with a 6th level min./15+ CHA. that then allows the bonus spells for a high charisma. I don't know. Compare it to a Ranger's spellcasting ability and see what happens.
I did at one point contemplate multi-ing into Cleric with Ehlissa.. wouldn't be much use now. Sorry!
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This is a helluva time for Rags to be diligently working (or on vacation or whatever)!!!
Just kidding. I work at a place with about 250 employees. I think that there are, maybe, 25 people in the building and most of that is probably administrative or IT staff! Yawn. Thus I find myself able to Delete|Edit|Reply to about five posts at a time today.
Speaking of EDIT. The feat above should read "The maximum spell level you can cast increases by one for every three class levels beyond 3rd."
Alternatively we could find a player who was comfortable with Naelah as a character and they could take Naelah on as their own character. That way we could keep our healer without messing up anyone's intended progression and we could keep the interesting RPing. As long as we could find someone both willing and capable of taking Naelah as their character it could work.
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Alternatively we could find a player who was comfortable with Naelah as a character and they could take Naelah on as their own character. That way we could keep our healer without messing up anyone's intended progression and we could keep the interesting RPing. As long as we could find someone both willing and capable of taking Naelah as their character it could work.
That's an idea. I don't know how either the prospective recruit or PsiFox would feel (should he want to come back in the future). Hmm.
I think I'd rather have Naelah go off somewhere and have a new character come on the scene for two reasons. First, the new player would have more of an interest in playing a character they created--we'd already be asking for someone to be playing a divine spellcaster, after all. Second, it would give PsiFox the option of returning later on. Could present some interesting plot twists (Naelah returns to the group pregnant; Vesh looks and Slidell; Slidell looks at Vesh; hilarity ensues).
I also don't want to get too attached to any one character, or group of characters (my own included). Don't get me wrong, I love playing Vesh, but I've already thought about what I'd play if Vesh bit the bucket. Fun thought!
Alternatively we could find a player who was comfortable with Naelah as a character and they could take Naelah on as their own character. That way we could keep our healer without messing up anyone's intended progression and we could keep the interesting RPing. As long as we could find someone both willing and capable of taking Naelah as their character it could work.That's an idea. I don't know how either the prospective recruit or PsiFox would feel (should he want to come back in the future). Hmm.
I think I'd rather have Naelah go off somewhere and have a new character come on the scene for two reasons. First, the new player would have more of an interest in playing a character they created--we'd already be asking for someone to be playing a divine spellcaster, after all. Second, it would give PsiFox the option of returning later on. Could present some interesting plot twists (Naelah returns to the group pregnant; Vesh looks and Slidell; Slidell looks at Vesh; hilarity ensues).
I also don't want to get too attached to any one character, or group of characters (my own included). Don't get me wrong, I love playing Vesh, but I've already thought about what I'd play if Vesh bit the bucket. Fun thought!
I agree with having a new recruit (if we do decide to go with that option) creating a new character, rather than play Naelah.
*And I'm back from Christmas insanity, so I'll get caught back up and be posting later on today.
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All dressed up and ready to go...
Divine Calling (General)
Requirements: Cha 13+; Minimum Class Level 3; Worshiper of a god or higher power; Alignment within one step of deity's alignment; Epiphany (see below)
Benefit: After having a religious or spiritual epiphany, you gain the ability to spontaneously cast a limited number of divine spells from any of your chosen deity's domains. The epiphany can take the form of a dream, a visitation by a of messenger of the deity, or any other appropriate encounter or event as determined by the Dungeon Master.
You can cast a number of spells per day equal to your Charisma modifier (but you get NO bonus spells for high Charisma, however). The maximum spell level you can cast increases by one for every three class levels beyond 3rd (so you can cast 2nd level spells at 6th level, 3rd level spells at 9th, 4th level spells at 12th, etc.). Your caster level is equal to your character level. You can choose to cast spells from any of your deity's domains (you do not choose two domains as a Cleric). You do not gain Turn Undead, Aura, Spontaneous Casting of Cure or Inflict Spells or any other Cleric abilities.
...if Vesh bit the bucket. Fun thought!You're mixing metaphors, BTW. There's 'bit the dust' and there's 'kicked the bucket' but I've never heard 'bit the bucket'.
So we're recruiting? I wonder what we'll get...
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You're mixing metaphors, BTW. There's 'bit the dust' and there's 'kicked the bucket' but I've never heard 'bit the bucket'.
So we're recruiting? I wonder what we'll get...
Ha! Didn't even see that.
JSL: I'm finding things that need further hammering out in the feat above. Vesh could (at 3rd level) choose to cast from the following Spells:
Protection from Law
Protection from Evil
Remove Fear
Entropic Shield
Longstrider
Here's my question. Should spontaneous casting of heal/inflict be added back into the mix? Seems like a pretty limited list, but I'm still inclined to say no. It is just a Feat after all, and when compared to other feats, it's pretty powerful(even with the requirements). If someone takes this feat and is devoted to a god with the healing domain (Sarenrae for example), then having the ability to spontaneously cast heal spells kind of waters-down the feat for them. Just some things to think about.
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Do we have any kind of consensus of opinions on whether or not to recruit a replacement character for Naelah in the Gamer Connection thread? I'm thinking that the sooner we post, the better as it will take some time for a player to generate a second level character. I also suspect that this lull in the action is coming to an end soon.
Maybe it is better to ask if anyone thinks we should not recruit another player.
Alternately, maybe one of us has a friend that would be interested in playing? Someone we already know? I thought that a while ago Arctaris mentioned something about a friend of his that might be interested in playing.
Or, perhaps one of our spouses/girlfriends/significant others? I can already answer in the negative for my wife, but I understand that some girls actually play D&D.
I would love to keep Naelah around, she added a calming spirituality to the group that a nice counterpoint to Slidell's mania, Ehlissa's gushing, and Vesh's self-doubt. Corran and Malcolm are also good with their good humour and dependability.
but it wouldn't be fair on anyone to just get someone in to play her. We do need someone who will fit well with the group however. (Ack, how pretentious does that sound?)
It would definitely be a good idea to ask them to read the game thread to see if they like the style of things. A cross between Wheel of Time, Song of Ice and Fire and old-fashioned D&D to my mind.
No, the person who I thought might want a slot has since then joined another RotRL PbP, so that wouldn't really work out.
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I'd love to keep Naelah as well, but I'm not up for ghost-writing her until PsiFox can come back (if he comes back at all). If I don't hear any out-and-out objections between now and Monday, I think I'll do exactly as Fabes suggested and place a post in the Gamer Connection thread. That'll give Rags and Talion some time to chime in.
In the meantime, I'll check in with a few friends of mine who might want to play. Two are in the Portland area and the other is in Minnesota. I don't know what their availability or interest is, but any of the three are good writers and would fit in well, I think. We'll see.
Have a good weekend, all. I don't know how often I'll be able to post this weekend. Maybe a lot, maybe not. Either way, I'll check back here on Monday.
WANTED: One (1) healer PC for party of 5 humans. We are a non-discriminatory employer but preference will be given to PCs of the human race. ESSENTIAL - good or neutral alignment (good preferred), cure spells; DESIRABLE - sense of humour, buff spells, liking for characters with interior monologues of self-doubt. Preference will be given to females (women).
Well maybe not quite like that! ;)
WANTED: One (1) healer PC for party of 5 humans. We are a non-discriminatory employer but preference will be given to PCs of the human race. ESSENTIAL - good or neutral alignment (good preferred), cure spells; DESIRABLE - sense of humour, buff spells, liking for characters with interior monologues of self-doubt. Preference will be given to females (women).
Well maybe not quite like that! ;)
WANTED: One (1) healer PC for party of 5 humans. We are a non-discriminatory employer but preference will be given to PCs of the human race. ESSENTIAL - good or neutral alignment (good preferred), cure spells; DESIRABLE - sense of humour, buff spells, liking for characters with interior monologues of self-doubt. Preference will be given to females (women).
Well maybe not quite like that! ;)
Works for me!
I'm on vacation, checking in when I have the chance.
I will miss nealah if she doesn't return, but I also agree that we shaould ask allow a new player to play thier OWN character, and not force one we like onto them. Also leaves Psifox the opportunity to return if possible. I would like to leave that option open.
Check back in when I can, should be getting back to normal by the end of next week!
We should get a Paladin.WANTED: One (1) healer PC for party of 5 humans. We are a non-discriminatory employer but preference will be given to PCs of the human race. ESSENTIAL - good or neutral alignment (good preferred), cure spells; DESIRABLE - sense of humour, buff spells, liking for characters with interior monologues of self-doubt. Preference will be given to females (women).
Well maybe not quite like that! ;)
Next level for me.
Ehlissa will lay hands on anyone who needs it.
... for healing purposes.
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My wife has expressed interest in playing if it would not be considered a conflict of interest. She is relatively novice, but would be willing to play whatever the party needed -I'm thinking Cleric of Sarenae or Iomede (sp) - probably starting around 1/4 or 1/5.
Also, tomorrow is a travel day for me, but I'll be online today and Monday.
I think if your wife wants to play, that'd be great. I'm all for keeping it in the family. That wasn't intended to be as sinister as it sounds. You know what I mean. Go cleric, go cleric!
Go Team Cleric!
Sarenrae would add another element to our polytheistic band, since we already have two Iomedae followers and our resident Desna boy ;) but Iomedae of course rocks (even more so when I read a couple of the Paizo blog entries about her).
To: JSL's Runelords Players
Re: "Player Wanted"
JSL said you were looking for a new player. I'll admit I've been following the story, and really quite enjoying it. I commend you all for your story-telling and -playing ability, and for the way I've been able to vicariously watch you come together as a group. I certainly don't want to step on any toes or come to a party where I'm not invited, but if you would have me, I would be interested playing on either a temporary or permanent basis, as per the needs of the party.
JSL told me about the character creation/selection process, and I'm very aware of his philosophy of game balance and having fun while telling an engaging story. I would be happy to play a paladin/cleric of Serenrae once we're done travelling and I've had a chance to peruse the player handbook.
I await your replies.
- Dreamer
To: JSL's Runelords Players
Re: "Player Wanted"JSL said you were looking for a new player. I'll admit I've been following the story, and really quite enjoying it. I commend you all for your story-telling and -playing ability, and for the way I've been able to vicariously watch you come together as a group. I certainly don't want to step on any toes or come to a party where I'm not invited, but if you would have me, I would be interested playing on either a temporary or permanent basis, as per the needs of the party.
JSL told me about the character creation/selection process, and I'm very aware of his philosophy of game balance and having fun while telling an engaging story. I would be happy to play a paladin/cleric of Serenrae once we're done travelling and I've had a chance to peruse the player handbook.
I await your replies.
- Dreamer
Sounds good to me.
To: JSL's Runelords Players
Re: "Player Wanted"JSL said you were looking for a new player. I'll admit I've been following the story, and really quite enjoying it. I commend you all for your story-telling and -playing ability, and for the way I've been able to vicariously watch you come together as a group. I certainly don't want to step on any toes or come to a party where I'm not invited, but if you would have me, I would be interested playing on either a temporary or permanent basis, as per the needs of the party.
JSL told me about the character creation/selection process, and I'm very aware of his philosophy of game balance and having fun while telling an engaging story. I would be happy to play a paladin/cleric of Serenrae once we're done travelling and I've had a chance to peruse the player handbook.
I await your replies.
- Dreamer
Shiny, sounds good to me.
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To: JSL's Runelords Players
Re: "Player Wanted"JSL said you were looking for a new player. I'll admit I've been following the story, and really quite enjoying it. I commend you all for your story-telling and -playing ability, and for the way I've been able to vicariously watch you come together as a group. I certainly don't want to step on any toes or come to a party where I'm not invited, but if you would have me, I would be interested playing on either a temporary or permanent basis, as per the needs of the party.
JSL told me about the character creation/selection process, and I'm very aware of his philosophy of game balance and having fun while telling an engaging story. I would be happy to play a paladin/cleric of Serenrae once we're done travelling and I've had a chance to peruse the player handbook.
I await your replies.
- Dreamer
Willkomen, Bienvenue, Come-on in! (all: name that movie.)
It think it would be great for you to join us. Welcome.
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On a different note. I think this spot in the game thread (actually, just before this spot) would be a good place to insert a exit speech for Naelah. I think the order of events would go something like this: party presented with gifts, party asked to stay, Naelah refuses the gift and gives an enigmatic reason as to why she needs to move on, She and Veren exit stage right, we move on with the spat between the mayor and Sheriff, and then have the private meeting we're about to have.
Since I have the SUB_Naelah profile from before, I'm happy to cook up a little exit speech on PsiFox's behalf. I'll wait until tomorrow, however, just in case one of you all would prefer to do it or disagrees that it needs to happen now. I think there needs to be some closing in homage to Naelah rather than have her simply disappear.