Just a general point of information since Vesh's "Chelaxian shadow" has come up in the campaign thread. I have been using the word Chelaxian to describe anyone who is not Shoanti or Varisian. It is not meant to imply that they actually hail from Cheliax. In fact, they are most likely native Varisians descendant from Chelaxian immigrants. They may even have some Varisian blood, although they are probably not as dark as full-blooded Varisians.
I just don't want Vesh thinking someone cares about him enough to come all the way from Cheliax to kill him. :)
Glad you mentioned that! I have been playing Sly as "FROM Chelax", I forgot that there are a lot of descendants from the same.
(Sigh) makes his 'shadow' that much harder to spot too,... :)
We just finished the Swallowtail battles. We had a pretty good time. I was running it for a three person party with no cleric so I had to have an NPC cast CLW on them a few times. The second and the last fights were pretty difficult for them.
Yeah, some of the villans are kind of pushovers (something I'm going to change)
@JSL-
I love your descriptions of what is happening.
I like your writing style in general, so much more 'accurate' than my own verbose prose. ;P
Question-BEFORE we get too far into battle.
I have the metemagic feat Alter Energy (Acid), because I liked it best of what was available. BUT, in the ORIGINAL feat description (Tome & Blood, 3.0) it listed not the 4 we have now (Fire,LIghtning, cold & acid) but 6 (originally included force & sound).
May I trade my alter energy (acid) for (sound)? I like it because the ability to cast spells that make a lot of noise goes with my "Stormraven" moniker.
I'd consider "sonic" a valid energy choice, but not force. Since force affects incorporeal and ethereal targets, that is a bit more than simple energy substitution.
That's fine, I already have the "Transdimensional Spell" feat, figured that was better since I'm planning on going with Ultimate Magus.
OK, switching out (Acid) with (Sound)
Thanks!
I'm worried that the crew we have might be a fighter short. I guess we'll see in a couple of days.
The good news is, Naelah's 'friend' is pretty much as good as a 2nd lvl fighter to a group of first lvls. That should help.
The bad news is, I'm going to run out of (useful) spells pretty quick, then I'm just a geek with a stick and a crossbow. And a few HP's. (VERY few HP's!)
:P
If there were ever a time to prove the 'Brains over Brawn' theory, THIS would be it!
I keep meaning to ask this, JSL, but what's your stance on paladin multiclassing? Do you go 'by the book' or do you allow characters to multiclass normally with it (i.e. drop in and out).
If Ehlissa survives that long... I'll take the next level in Fighter in any case I think to get Weapon Focus.
Yeah, that pretty much sums up my group. The campaign has slowed down recently because I've been too busy to right up the speeches (I'll probably use some prewritten ones I found here on Paizo).
Rags, what book is the Alter Energy feat in?
BTW, JSL, I'm really enjoying the campaign so far and I think you have a great style. You manage to make it a lot of fun even though I more or less know what's going to happen. I like the group a lot too, especially Slidell.
Rag's, Stormraven's post regularly crack me up.
Rags, what book is the Alter Energy feat in?
BTW, JSL, I'm really enjoying the campaign so far and I think you have a great style. You manage to make it a lot of fun even though I more or less know what's going to happen. I like the group a lot too, especially Slidell.
Rag's, Stormraven's post regularly crack me up.
Ditto @JSL, I really think you have a great writing style. You should SERIOUSLY think about trying to write and publish. I'm a big (Read=GEEK)sci-fi and fantasy nut, I have devoured several authors worth of material, and your prose is among the best I have ever seen. AND I was reading Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan) in second grade. True story. So I know what I'm talking about.
Arc, I believe the actual feat name is "Energy Substitution", and it first appeared in Tome & Blood, 3.0. The 'updated' feat is in either Complete Arcane or Complete Mage.
Heh, Thanks Arc. I really enjoy this type of character, but I know it's not for everybody. I'm actually TRYING to tone him down a little. (Not much.)
My Ragadolf persona is actually from my favorite game ever. Same type of character, but WAY over the top. Where I'm trying to play Stormraven as eccentric, Rags was the ultimate insane mage. I may find a way to work in his (and my DM's) favorite quote. We'll see.
I'm glad you are laughing, let me know if it ever deteriorates into groaning or crying, and I'll try to rescue it before the party 'accidentally' lets me fall into the spiked pit!
;P
Don't worry. I like insane/weird/annoying characters (I often play insane/weird/annoying characters). I won't let* him fall into a spiked pit.
I figured that thats what the feat was. I'm afraid that I must point out that one of the prereq is Know (Arcana) 5 ranks.
*If possible while presenting sufficiently low risk to my (Malcolm's) life. He isn't really a hero.
Don't worry. I like insane/weird/annoying characters (I often play insane/weird/annoying characters). I won't let* him fall into a spiked pit.
I figured that thats what the feat was. I'm afraid that I must point out that one of the prereq is Know (Arcana) 5 ranks.*If possible while presenting sufficiently low risk to my (Malcolm's) life. He isn't really a hero.
5 ranks huh?,...Well,...Crudmuffins,...
(sigh)Maybe JSL will let me get away with saying that I got it to work (ONCE) before, but haven't been able to duplicate it since. Then when I level, (assuming I live that long!) I'll have the ranks to 'suddenly realize what I've been doing wrong!?!?' (Actually, that would go along with my character concept & plans.)
What do you say JSL? Or do I need to go and pick another feat? (And I actually THOUGHT out this guy's feat progression too! Can't BELIEVE I missed that! Grrr!)
Hmmm, Personally, I think they OVERthought some (IE=a LOT) of those pre-req's. 'Transdimensional Spell' (Which I also have) is much more powerful (I think, it basically makes any spell a force spell,) And it has NO pre-req's!
(DON'T even get me STARTED on my friend, who thinks it's great that a character can wield a bastard or Great sword one-handed if he's strong enough, and with cleave & great cleave can take out an entire Orc Horde by himself in just a few rounds, but wants to remove fireball & lightning bolts from the spell lists because 'they aren't realistic' and they 'make mages too powerful')
sheesh!
;P
Hmm.. it wasn't me talking about turning feats.. you must have your paladin-wannabees mixed up! ;)
My goal was to go Knight 2/Fighter 2/Paladin 2 into Kensai from Complete Warrior (if allowed) - dedicated to Iomedae.. as her faith is very heavy on the 'crusader' archetype. Of course that's a looong time away.
Oh...I kind of saw fighter as less of a career definition and more of a skill sset. I'm really going to be concentrating on the weapon skills rather than the undead turning, spell casting thing. Those two levels are to get the feats to qualify for kensai (if we get that far) - I see her not as a divine spells and turning character, but as a blade, honed to cut down the enemies of light in direct confrontation.
But... she might of course die an embarrasing death at the end of a dog-cutter ;)
(sigh)Maybe JSL will let me get away with saying that I got it to work (ONCE) before, but haven't been able to duplicate it since. Then when I level, (assuming I live that long!) I'll have the ranks to 'suddenly realize what I've been doing wrong!?!?' (Actually, that would go along with my character concept & plans.)
What do you say JSL?
I agree that requiring 5 ranks is kind of silly when you typically get your 5th rank at 2nd level and get a feat at 3rd level.
On the other hand, I'm not convinced that Transdimensional Spell is more powerful. I'll have to dig out the book and review it, but my impression was that it doesn't actually change the energy type of the damage - only that it allows it to affect incorporeal creatures. Therefore a Transdimensional Fireball still does fire damage, which can be negated by Resist Fire. Also the +1 level for Transdimensional Spell is quite a penalty for a feat that has very situational utility.
Energy Substitution is a pretty useful feat, however, since a number of creatures have energy resistance. Basically it gives you two spells for the price of one for each energy based spell you learn.
I am also weighing some top secret DM knowledge in this equation and the fact that I'm as unsure as one can be about whether this campaign will have legs beyond the first module. That's not to say I'm not enjoying it; I am. It is just a very long term commitment for 7 people to make.
I think what will be the deciding factor is your full feat progression and how it would be impacted if you couldn't take Energy Substitution until 3rd level. As the DM I am confident that I can challenge you individually no matter what you do, but I need to be mindful of party balance. That's not to say I think WotC is right or has even thought this through. In fact, I assume they pulled the 5 rank thing out of their shorts. But I want to make an informed decision. Allowing Energy Substitution (Sonic) is already giving you a powerful toy since very few...
I'm willing to accept all of your above arguments, Though I hope that this group continues, as I am having a LOT of fun! (And my plans for this character are long-range, the longest I've ever actually made, ULTIMATE MAGE, work with me here!)
In short, how is this solution, I will willingly trade Energy Sub. for the feat I was going to take at 3rd lvl (Practiced spellcaster) since that feat SPECIFICALLY says that you can take it before you can actually use it. (I think) Then I will take Energy Sub as my 3rd lvl feat instead.
All up to you of course, but that wont really throw off anything I had planned, and I wouldn't argue with it, since I really not planning to use eihter of those much until 3-4 lvl or so.
Let me know what you think! THX!
Yeah, I hope this group continues too. I'm having a lot of fun so far.
I'm going to replace the Bruzthamus (or whatever) with a more interesting homebrew villian that'll have a side quest attached. I'm also thinking about making the wizard an archivist (Heroes of Horror), although I need to look over the class again.
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That's not to say I'm not enjoying it; I am. It is just a very long term commitment for 7 people to make.
I know what you mean. Commitments can change based on circumstances, and advancing through one adventure is going to take some time, let alone the whole campaign arc.
I'd just like to say, that if you're open to brewing up challenges as a DM week after week, then I'm committing as a player for as long as I can. As a working dad of two, this (and one other PbP I'm in) are the only role-playing opportunities that I have. I simply don't have enough time right now to be a good husband and dad, and play a tabletop game on a consistent basis, especially when posting from home or work is so easy. Plus, I enjoy writing (and reading for that matter), so this kind of game really fits.
Whatever happens, I'd like to thank you for being willing to DM. No matter what kind of game it is, being a DM takes so much time and prep. I really appreciate it.
That's not to say I'm not enjoying it; I am. It is just a very long term commitment for 7 people to make.
I know what you mean. Commitments can change based on circumstances, and advancing through one adventure is going to take some time, let alone the whole campaign arc.
I'd just like to say, that if you're open to brewing up challenges as a DM week after week, then I'm committing as a player for as long as I can. As a working dad of two, this (and one other PbP I'm in) are the only role-playing opportunities that I have. I simply don't have enough time right now to be a good husband and dad, and play a tabletop game on a consistent basis, especially when posting from home or work is so easy. Plus, I enjoy writing (and reading for that matter), so this kind of game really fits.
Whatever happens, I'd like to thank you for being willing to DM. No matter what kind of game it is, being a DM takes so much time and prep. I really appreciate it.
I love it when others only take a paragraph to say what would take me a page and a half!
I am also a working dad w/2 kids and wife who teaches. (And ANYbody who thinks teachers have an easy job[including my mother] don't have a friggin' clue!) I have just moved for the 3rd time since Katrina, yadda, yadda, etc. ANyway, this is also the only opportunity that I have to actually play a game. And JSL has made it so enjoyable, I may try to get into another PbP!
I wish to echo the above, I know that time will make some of us more and less available, but that as long as you have the time & willingness to continue this game (and future story arcs) You can count on me being a part of it!!!
I was following 3 other PbP's (getting my gaming fix vicariously),when I saw the add for players here. The others are enjoyable, but I still think that this is the best one I've seen so far! (Apologies to Arctaris, I haven't read thru any of your games yet. But you can bet I will when I get a chance!)
Just wanna make it clear that your appreciated, In case we get so into the game later we forget to mention it! heh.
I was following 3 other PbP's (getting my gaming fix vicariously),when I saw the add for players here. The others are enjoyable, but I still think that this is the best one I've seen so far! (Apologies to Arctaris, I haven't read thru any of your games yet. But you can bet I will when I get a chance!)
Just wanna make it clear...
I get to play about once a month and I live an hour and a half away from my gaming group so I wouldn't be able to play much were it not for PbPs. As long as I have the time count me in for the remainder of this story arc and any future ones you decide to run here.
Rags, which ones do you follow? Do you read any of the Campaign Journals? I'm not quite as good a DM as JSL but you might find grimmbold Manor an interesting read (It is evolving into a horror campaign).
I get to play about once a month and I live an hour and a half away from my gaming group so I wouldn't be able to play much were it not for PbPs. As long as I have the time count me in for the remainder of this story arc and any future ones you decide to run here.
Rags, which ones do you follow? Do you read any of the Campaign Journals? I'm not quite as good a DM as JSL but you might find grimmbold Manor an interesting read (It is evolving into a horror campaign).
Heh, I wish I only lived an hour from my old group. More like 12-14 hrs now. (We actually USED to play almost weekly, My friends around the table in OK, and me via webcam from New Orleans. [You know the Aaron Williams (Nodwick) webcomic Full Frontal Nerdity? I am the webcam guy!] But it fell apart after Katrina.
I actually First found Aubrey's campaigns, then started looking at a couple of others. I JUST discovered the Campaign Journals (thanks to a comment by Naelah), but haven't actually read any of them yet. Thanks for the tip.
This group is so much fun, maybe we could/should start a campaign journal? Is my understanding correct, It's usually the player's making entries of the events, without all of the "game mechanic" & discussion of the actual game boards? As good as some of these writings are. ( I can pretend I'm one of them!) we could/should seriously compile this and write a book!
I might be just a LITTLE ahead of myself here, just a thought. ;P
I've considered writing a campaign in book form before, although with pathfinder there're copyright issues.
I'd suggest 'Jason Buhlman DM's Eberron' (unfortunately this one hasn't seen an updaye for a while), 'Killer GM Runs Age of Worms', 'A Madman runs the Savage Tide'.
Don't know if i said this before but sorry about Katrina. I can't imagine what that kind of thing would be like (there aren't that many possibilities for such a major natural diasaster where I live).
I've considered writing a campaign in book form before, although with pathfinder there're copyright issues.
I'd suggest 'Jason Buhlman DM's Eberron' (unfortunately this one hasn't seen an updaye for a while), 'Killer GM Runs Age of Worms', 'A Madman runs the Savage Tide'.
Don't know if i said this before but sorry about Katrina. I can't imagine what that kind of thing would be like (there aren't that many possibilities for such a major natural diasaster where I live).
Yeah, I thought about the Copyright issue after I posted that. But hey, Paizo has it's own book publisher now, maybe they're LOOKING for a good adaptation of thier modules to publish?!? (Ok, now I'm just dreaming!)
Thanks for the tips on which Campaign journals might be a good read. I'll be sure to check them out in my copius spare time. (MMmmmphhh! ALMOST said that with a straight face!)
Thanks for the sentiment. Actually, we made out better than a lot of others. We tried moving to Oklahoma (my old stompin grounds), then I got a gig in Florida, (but they have thier OWN issues, none of which has to do with weather,) So now we're back in LA, close enough for the better half to see her family without a plane ticket, far enough out that we don't need to worry about the next time the bowl fills with water. Heh.
Actually, we've pretty much recovered in all ways except financial, (and we're working on that) we're just tired of MOVING!!! I've decided the next time we move, it will be into a house we BUY, and then I'm not moving for at LEAST 10-20 years. If ever. Period. End of discussion. :P
I was just thinking to myself that there are a lot of them for 1 encounter... but that's good! I like the old-school (new-school now as well) gangs of foes. It makes more sense to have more of them if they're supposedly gate-crashing the festival. 3 seems a bit silly for that. I like it! As you say, there are 6 of us, and they're not smart - it'll be tough but worth it.(you play them hilariously)
Its fine with me. I like challenging encounters. I'm going to have to up the numbers as well (probably to eight or nine) since me RL group of three plowed through the as written encounters fairly easily.
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I think that this encounter is great (both in number and kind of gobs).
One thing I just stumbled across: I was transcribing the steal spell rules onto Vesh’s character sheet for ease of reference (sorry Wizards) when I came across an issue that I’d like to sort out.
Vesh has to supply material components for the stolen spells he casts. I’m fine with that on one hand, but it doesn’t really seem to be in keeping with his character to carry around a bunch of material components for every spell he might steal. So, I’m considering taking Eschew Materials as a feat and chucking Dodge.
Does anyone have any feedback on this regard. From a game-knowledge/ min-max standpoint, Dodge is a way better feat for Vesh than Eschew Materials. From a what-would-Vesh-really-be-like standpoint, Eschew materials makes perfect sense. Comments? Thoughts?
Just buy a spell component pouch. That way you're deemed to have any material component you might need, bar ones that cost an actual gp price (which seems only fair).
Aghh, sorry I DM more than I play, so I have a tendancy to chime in on stuff like that. Feel free to slap me down if necessary. :)
But glad it helped. ;)
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Just buy a spell component pouch. That way you're deemed to have any material component you might need, bar ones that cost an actual gp price (which seems only fair).
Yeah, I think that I'm over-thinking this. Or, under-thinking it perhaps. Spell component pouch it is!
I just realized that I hadn't purchased thieves' tool either. I always forget those when I make a rogue! Are there any objections to me making some minor adjustments to my equipment list (most of which is at Ameiko's anyway)? I'd prefer not to take role-playing time having to purchase a spell component belt and thieves' tools. Neither of which I have the money to do without shifting things around some anyway! I'm fine with whatever JSL decides either way.
Though, I guess we could all go shopping together! Vesh: "Slidell, does this component pouch make me look fat?"
Just buy a spell component pouch. That way you're deemed to have any material component you might need, bar ones that cost an actual gp price (which seems only fair).
I agree, since the Eschew Materials feat (If my memory is right,) still requires you to buy materials that cost more than 1 GP (or something) Seems silly to waste a feat on that when you can just buy a spell component pouch for a few GP and refill it every so often.
Though, I guess we could all go shopping together! Vesh: "Slidell, does this component pouch make me look fat?"
Careful there, No stealing my one-liners! Lol!
@Rags: I don't see any problem with you leaving Slidell's feats as is. The energy substitution is probably not going to be make-or-break in this module.
Cool, leaving it alone (at least for now!) ;)
Yeah, that's the way lil' critters are supposed to be, annoying in small numbers, then comes the swarm of them, (Jurrassic park II anyone?!?)
Though, I guess we could all go shopping together! Vesh: "Slidell, does this component pouch make me look fat?"
LOL! Don't worry Ehlissa will tell you the truth, "Oh no, Vesh, you really need to pull this waist in and add a dash of colour"
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LOL! Don't worry Ehlissa will tell you the truth, "Oh no, Vesh, you really need to pull this waist in and add a dash of colour"
Vesh: "Oh, so now I'm fat AND drab!" *storming off*
Wait, this conversation is sounding familiar! Except it's my wife, not Vesh, say these things. *santinj@ rolls reflex save to avoid conversation and only take half damage.*
Edit: It's 10:04 AM in Australia. Do you know where your wolves are? (Okay, the probability of this referential joke falling flat is quite high, but I've never been one to shirk a joke just because it wasn't funny!)
I finally updated my character to reflect the change for Perception and Stealth.
Quick Question: Are we posting out of order again for the 2nd round of the combat? (And JSL will put it all together in proper order at the end)
Or are we going through the initiative order?
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I don't get it. We don't have wolves. Well, we might, but they're not native.
When I was growing up, there would be these weird public service announcements on the TV that said, "It's ten o'clock . . . do you know where your kids are?"
I was reminded of it as I checked what time it was in Australia this afternoon. It still trips me out that you're in my tomorrow already while I'm still in your yesterday.
Oh, and you're up next in initiative order. Flame on!!!
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@Rags: nice post! Good action.
When I was growing up, there would be these weird public service announcements on the TV that said, "It's ten o'clock . . . do you know where your kids are?"
I don't get it. We don't have wolves. Well, we might, but they're not native.
I remember those! The joke in my school was "Do you know where your PARENTS are?!?"
I was reminded of it as I checked what time it was in Australia this afternoon. It still trips me out that you're in my tomorrow already while I'm still in your yesterday.
I hate time travelling,...without my TARDIS! :)
Seriously, that's just ,...wrong. And confusing.
Oh, and you're up next in initiative order. Flame on!!!
Heheh, "Go Go Gadget flamethrower!"
Hm, between your produce flame, and my ray of frost, I'm thinking this is gonna be one very confused (and dead) Goblin!
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@Rags: nice post! Good action.
Thank you, I work with what I got. (And as a first lvl caster, that ain't much!)
Can you tell I'm a frustrated performer who's too busy with real life to actually make it on stage?!? I have to get my HAM-itus out of my system somehow! ;)On with the show!!!
Don't lament. I don't think that I'll be stealing spells from goblins!
Thank you, I work with what I got. (And as a first lvl caster, that ain't much!)
I'd agree with you, BUT, remember that these are "@JSL" goblins, they may have spells.
If not, can you "borrow" spell-like abilities? or just actual spells?\???
Just a note to all (but especially to Arctaris & Fabes, you guys seem to be EVERYwhere I look on the boards.)
I am having so much fun with this, that I am now looking to get into another Pbp as well.
But, well, trying to find if there are any new games starting up by checking the forums seems, half hazard at best. (Not that I'm not trying!)
So, if anybody happens to notice a post(s) for new Pbp starting, or Pbp's looking for new/replacement players, can you post a link here?
THX!