DM J's Company of The Glade


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Hello, and welcome. I'm thinking we're going to have a good group here! Let's get down to it.

Character Generation Guidelines:


  • 20 point buy, no dumping below 8, and only one 8.
  • 2 traits from the APG (they're on PFSRD.com if anyone doesn't have the APG), max of one from each category (Magic, Social, etc.). No Rich Parents. If you have an Heirloom weapon, please explain it in some detail and be advised that Sundering happens (I'm not going to go out of my way to sunder your weapon, but neither will I go out of my way to avoid it).
  • Max HP at level 1, rolling at level-ups. You'll have the option to take what you roll or, if you don't like that number, I'll roll at your request. If you ask me to roll, you keep my number, even if it's lower.
  • Average starting GP.
  • No UM Antagonize feat.
  • Please leave your email address on your profile or simply email me at jeremymillzz {at} {gmail} {dotcom} and let me know who you are :-)

You have awhile to do this. I am going to PaizoCon, and will be visiting the Seattle area for about a week afterward. I don't plan to really start the proper part of the game until Monday, 6/20. However, once everyone's character is together and approved, I'll put together an in-game "Campfire" thread where you all can interact with each other and several other members of The Glade over dinner one night as a sort of "getting-to-know-you" excercise. I'll pop in and post as frequently as I can while I'm away, and when I get back we'll really start cooking with gas.

Any questions/concerns, please let me know! Woohoo let's have fun!

J


DM J wrote:

Hello, and welcome. I'm thinking we're going to have a good group here! Let's get down to it.

  • No UM Antagonize feat.

    J

  • Aw but it is perfect for my Wizard!

    Have fun at Paizocon.


    Male Orc Expert 5

    Okie dokei I'll take my time then. Shouldn't take terribly long really


    Male Half-Orc Fighter/Level 4/HP:36/36 /AC:17 /Init: +2/Perc:+2/HD: 4/4

    Enjoy Paizocon! I will get the Hero Lab profile up in a couple of days!


    Init 8, HP 56/56, Speed 30 AC 20, Touch 13, Flat-footed 18, CMD 19, Fort 6, Ref 10, Will 7

    Just though I'd share the inspiration for Telias. Popped in my head when I read up on the place this game is set in. :)

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/4/26/

    Cross this with a touch of Bear Grylls and Aragorn's fighting style and you get a rather amusing image.

    Do wish I had like two more points though. Rather want to get that int up to 14. :\


    Telias Markan wrote:

    Just though I'd share the inspiration for Telias. Popped in my head when I read up on the place this game is set in. :)

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/4/26/

    Cross this with a touch of Bear Grylls and Aragorn's fighting style and you get a rather amusing image.

    Do wish I had like two more points though. Rather want to get that int up to 14. :\

    Give it a bit. I'll build you a headband.


    Init 8, HP 56/56, Speed 30 AC 20, Touch 13, Flat-footed 18, CMD 19, Fort 6, Ref 10, Will 7
    Poor Wandering One wrote:
    Telias Markan wrote:

    Just though I'd share the inspiration for Telias. Popped in my head when I read up on the place this game is set in. :)

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/4/26/

    Cross this with a touch of Bear Grylls and Aragorn's fighting style and you get a rather amusing image.

    Do wish I had like two more points though. Rather want to get that int up to 14. :\

    Give it a bit. I'll build you a headband.

    How do you "build" a headband exactly? I mean it's a strip of cloth you wrap around your head. Characters done by the way.


    Init 8, HP 56/56, Speed 30 AC 20, Touch 13, Flat-footed 18, CMD 19, Fort 6, Ref 10, Will 7
    Poor Wandering One wrote:
    Telias Markan wrote:
    Poor Wandering One wrote:
    Telias Markan wrote:

    Just though I'd share the inspiration for Telias. Popped in my head when I read up on the place this game is set in. :)

    http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2010/4/26/

    Cross this with a touch of Bear Grylls and Aragorn's fighting style and you get a rather amusing image.

    Do wish I had like two more points though. Rather want to get that int up to 14. :\

    Give it a bit. I'll build you a headband.
    How do you "build" a headband exactly? I mean it's a strip of cloth you wrap around your head. Characters done by the way.

    Sorry bit of a joke. I am playing the wizard. I expect to take the "Create Wonderous Item" feat. This will allow me to create INT boosting headbands.

    But don't get too excited. All this is several levels away.

    I expect to be identifying the fifty varieties of hoary marmot in the woods. And also hurting people. Alot.


    Male Half-Orc Fighter/Level 4/HP:36/36 /AC:17 /Init: +2/Perc:+2/HD: 4/4

    Character Profile up! Ready to rock and roll!


    Hi all. Glad to get in on this.

    I have my RL Pathfinder game tonight, so probably no avatar creation. The character is already created, however, so it will only be a matter of inputting the information. Hopefully Thursday, if that's not too late.

    Edit: Wait, I see you want to start a campfire thread for character interactions. I'll try to get the avatar up tonight after my game.


    There's really no rush, Nazard. Take your time. I will have internet at PCon/afterward, just not a ton of time to post in detail. I'll be able to get the campfire thread up soon enough.


    Getting Ryarg together.

    Rolling for Bern's second hit die. 1d8 ⇒ 2

    DM J, I will take your roll for Bern's second hit die.

    Edit: Ryarg is now set. Question, however, as I am new to druids and animal companions. Does Bern have to take Armour Proficiency (light) to wear leather barding, or does he get that ability by virtue of being combat trained?


    Male Half-Orc Fighter/Level 4/HP:36/36 /AC:17 /Init: +2/Perc:+2/HD: 4/4

    @Ryarg: I know that my tabletop game Horse for my Cavalier came with Light Armor Proficiency because he was Combat Trained...not sure about Bern, but it would make sense. Just my 2 cents. :-)


    1d8 ⇒ 4 HP for Bern the Bearcub.

    The FAQ has an actual answer regarding Armor Proficiencies:

    Does training an animal using Handle Animal to be Combat Trained (pg 98 in the Core Rulebook) grant it Light Armor Proficiency?

    No, using Handle Animal to train an animal, or mount, in this way does not grant it a free bonus feat. It is not unreasonable, however to assume that an animal specifically designed to be ridden (such as a horse or dog) could be purchased with Light Armor Proficiency as one of its feats (swapping out Endurance or Skill Focus respectively) for the same cost.

    —Jason Bulmahn, 10/21/10

    So, you've got to take the feat (which it appears that you've done).

    Ragar, don't know what happened in your home game, that must have been some schmuck call by the GM*.

    *Ragar and I are co-GM's of the same home game. It may have actually been me that made that call.


    Male Half-Orc Fighter/Level 4/HP:36/36 /AC:17 /Init: +2/Perc:+2/HD: 4/4

    I think that I purchased the mount in my home game with the swap out on the skill focus, if I remember correctly. In any event, it was probably the OTHER GM's fault...;-)


    So, as soon as PWO gets his wizard going, I'll start up the "Campfire" thread. I haven't gone over Ragar, Ryarg and Telias with a fine-toothed comb, and I probably won't until I get back from Seattle.


    Male Half-Orc Fighter/Level 4/HP:36/36 /AC:17 /Init: +2/Perc:+2/HD: 4/4

    @DM J: what is the progression/XP for 2nd level?


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1

    Sorry for the delay. RL was drinking my milkshake foa a while.

    I expect Tom will be up and running sometime tonight.


    No problem, man, I spent all day travelling across country, so no worries at all.

    In a homebrew game, I can't see why we wouldn't be on the Fast xp track, so we'll go with that. I plan on giving fairly extensive RP rewards, too, so...there's that. i'll get the campfire thread up at some point soon...tomorrow, most likely.

    Liberty's Edge

    Male Rat Editor 3/Grammarian 3

    Guys, I'm sorry - Had an incredible day at PaizoCon, but the thread obviously didn't go up. Tomorrow, for sure, k?

    J

    I posted some of the seminars in the PaizoCon section of the forums, if you have any interest.


    When you're ready, join the campfire!


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1

    Tom Is up. I'll wander over to the camp fire in a bit wanted to let you get a look see first.

    So who's making smores?


    Tom, Re: Arcane Bond:

    I'm of two minds on this. You're right that Universalist is easily the weakest wizard specialty, but it's also true that even so, they're still wizards. Still, I think we can work something out.

    My problem with the mechanic you suggested is the time/gold requirement. I don't relish the thought of the party potentially doing nothing for 8 hours while you work the Focus-changing mojo, especially if it's done with any frequency - and it could eat up a fair amount of gold, too.

    So, with that said, I'm designing around a desire to shift focuses fairly rapidly/inexpensively, which I think is of a decent power level. It could be extremely useful under a lot of circumstances.

    The solution that keeps springing to mind is an archetype for a Universalist Wizard. My brain is still wrapping itself around the idea, but I think Hand of the Apprentice will definitely get replaced with a focus-shifting ability, and (because the ability to shift your focus is pretty strong) something might change with Metamagic Mastery as well. How attached are you to Metamagic Mastery? It's pretty useful, I know, but the more damage I can do to it, the cooler I can make whatever I come up with for Focus Shifting.

    I'm confident that we'll get something sorted out.


    DM J wrote:


    I'm confident that we'll get something sorted out.

    As am I.

    I do like Meatmagic mastery. One of the reasons I chose a wizard was because I do not have a clear grasp on how well meta-magic actually works so I wanted to dive in and see what I can do with it. That said I am not wedded to the idea and could survive seeing it hacked to ribbions. Maybe shove it to 10th level and allow it to only apply to single level increasing feats?

    Maybe only allow the bond change once per level?


    Poor Wandering One wrote:
    I do like Meatmagic mastery.

    Mmmmm, meatmagic.

    All of those things you mentioned are decent options. Let me see what I can come up with...I'll have all afternoon to do so, so look for something tonight, for sure.


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1
    DM J wrote:
    Poor Wandering One wrote:
    I do like Meatmagic mastery.

    Mmmmm, meatmagic.

    All of those things you mentioned are decent options. Let me see what I can come up with...I'll have all afternoon to do so, so look for something tonight, for sure.

    No troubles. Tom has an arcane bond for now as a place holder. If this idea falls through I can flip a coin and say the familiar was off wandering the woods until I needed it.


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1

    Oh, forgot to ask.

    As a wizard I speak about a bazzillion languages. Any suggestions?


    Male Orc Expert 5
    Tom of Redfield wrote:

    Oh, forgot to ask.

    As a wizard I speak about a bazzillion languages. Any suggestions?

    All of them. Particularly the languages of things you summon. Soemthign I've learned the hard way with Tarrana is you can never have enough.


    Male Orc Expert 5

    I recently put out two resumes for freelance work to LPjr Design and Gamer Ingenuity. Within hours of each I was offered work. Work that will keep me busy through the next year or so.

    This means that for all intents and purposes my posting might be a bit spotty here and there as I'll have some rather painful deadlines I have to meet for pathfinder work.


    No problem, Tark, we'll see how things go. If you want to drop, let me know - there won't be any hard feelings. It would be vastly preferable to you simply not showing up any more!

    @Tom: I haven't forgotten about your archetype - I'm just on Vacation with the family, and designing something that big (even if it's not huge) is a bit difficult right at the minute. I'm getting home late Friday night, and will have plenty of time to tinker around this weekend. Until then, I've got some ideas swimming around.

    As to Languages, the standard "Foresty" languages will probably be of the most immediate use to you - Elven, Sylvan, that sort of thing. And, as Tark said, anything you want to summon at some point. Beyond that, I don't really have any suggestions...anything and everything comes in handy from time to time.


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1
    DM J wrote:


    @Tom: I haven't forgotten about your archetype - I'm just on Vacation with the family, and designing something that big (even if it's not huge) is a bit difficult right at the minute. I'm getting home late Friday night, and will have plenty of time to tinker around this weekend. Until then, I've got some ideas swimming around.

    As to Languages, the standard "Foresty" languages will probably be of the most immediate use to you - Elven, Sylvan, that sort of thing. And, as Tark said, anything you want to summon at some point. Beyond that, I don't really have any suggestions...anything and everything comes in handy from time to time.

    No problem. Have fun with the family. I'll nail down the languages soonish.


    Tom, what do you think about this for the archetype?
    .
    .
    .
    .
    -------------------
    ARCANIST
    The arcanist is a universalist wizard who has dedicated himself to mastery of the arcane bond. Through careful reflection on the nature of the bond, the arcanist can gain a realization that it is not the form of the bond that matters, but instead the relationship between the wizard and the bond.
    Bondsman: At 1st level, an arcanist gains a heightened understanding of the arcane bond class feature. Each arcanist begins play with one object suitable for bonding at no charge. This object incorporates the likeness of a creature of a type chosen from the familiar list by the wizard. Each day, when the wizard chooses spells, he must declare whether he wishes his bond to be applied to the object itself (granting an extra spell as the standard object bond) or with a familiar (as the standard familiar bond). If the arcanist chooses to bond to a familiar, the object transmutes into a standard familiar of the type chosen for the object. This ability replaces hand of the apprentice.
    -------------------

    I'm kind of torn, I sort of want to make a second part to this that totally swaps out Metamagic Mastery, but I don't want to quash your enthusiasm for it.

    If I did add a second part, it would be the ability to call a familiar mid-day, as long as the extra spell gained from the Arcane Bond hadn't been used already - but more importantly, the ability to call any animal from the familiar list. Would you be interested in something like that, or should I just leave it as-is?


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1

    I like the Arcanist.

    Frankly after poking around at the metamagic rules I find myself less than impressed. So PLEASE continue with this lovely idea.

    Some questions.

    How will this interact with advanced familiars?

    How will this interact with enchanting the bonded item?

    How will this interact with choosing an existing enchanted item as a bond item? Would hate to loose access to the few universalist only items.


    How will this interact with advanced familiars?

    A: I'm fine with it working with improved familiars, as long as you take the requisite feat. It just gives you more versatility with your familiar at higher levels, which I'm not convinced is a very significant advantage. Even improved familiars are rarely huge players in combat, and let's face it, by the time improved familiars are running about firing off wands of this or that, I've got bigger problems in the person of the actual wizard himself, right? So, yeah, improved familiar is fine. Should you wish to craft a homonculus, the standard creation costs will apply.

    If, for example, you use a hawk for levels 1 and 2, you could get a celestial hawk using the same item. If you wanted a Dire Rat, though, you'd need to somehow get an item fashioned with the likeness of a rat. All this becomes moot, of course, at 8th level, when you're able to call forth any familiar (or improved familiar, assuming you have the feat) from the bonded object.

    How will this interact with enchanting the bonded item?

    A: The enchanted item will only provide whatever enchantment you're giving it while it is in item form.

    How will this interact with choosing an existing enchanted item as a bond item? Would hate to loose access to the few universalist only items.

    Good question. A craftsman (or you, should you be feat-invested in the necessary feats) could fashion the existing item into an item suitable for your needs at low levels, and at level 8+ this will be a moot point.

    Does that answer the questions? I'll try to get the second half of this together ASAP then.


    DM J wrote:

    How will this interact with advanced familiars?

    A: I'm fine with it working with improved familiars, as long as you take the requisite feat. It just gives you more versatility with your familiar at higher levels, which I'm not convinced is a very significant advantage. Even improved familiars are rarely huge players in combat, and let's face it, by the time improved familiars are running about firing off wands of this or that, I've got bigger problems in the person of the actual wizard himself, right? So, yeah, improved familiar is fine. Should you wish to craft a homonculus, the standard creation costs will apply.

    If, for example, you use a hawk for levels 1 and 2, you could get a celestial hawk using the same item. If you wanted a Dire Rat, though, you'd need to somehow get an item fashioned with the likeness of a rat. All this becomes moot, of course, at 8th level, when you're able to call forth any familiar (or improved familiar, assuming you have the feat) from the bonded object.

    How will this interact with enchanting the bonded item?

    A: The enchanted item will only provide whatever enchantment you're giving it while it is in item form.

    How will this interact with choosing an existing enchanted item as a bond item? Would hate to loose access to the few universalist only items.

    Good question. A craftsman (or you, should you be feat-invested in the necessary feats) could fashion the existing item into an item suitable for your needs at low levels, and at level 8+ this will be a moot point.

    Does that answer the questions? I'll try to get the second half of this together ASAP then.

    One tiny question. Say while walking back to the tower I find a ring of wizardy lying under a tree. A normal bonded item using mage could discard their current bonded item in favor of this ring. There is a gp and time fee to do so but it is not severe. How would an Arcanist manage this trick? They kind of have to be able to as their whole bag is being better at arcane bond than the run of the mill wizard.

    Can't wait to see the second half!


    PWO wrote:
    One tiny question. Say while walking back to the tower I find a ring of wizardy lying under a tree. A normal bonded item using mage could discard their current bonded item in favor of this ring. There is a gp and time fee to do so but it is not severe. How would an Arcanist manage this trick? They kind of have to be able to as their whole bag is being better at at arcane bond than the run of the mill wizard.

    Yep, I agree. If that situation arose, the process would vary slightly by level:

    1-7: The caster pays the 200gp/level and conducts a ceremony for a week, as per the "item loss" rules. Within this ceremony, the unique bent of the Arcanist's bond fashions the ring (or whatever) in a way that incorporates the likeness of the wizard's familiar.

    8+: 200gp/level and ceremony, no need for reshaping of the ring, as you'll be able to call different types of creatures out of the bonded item anyway.

    So, it's basically a cosmetic issue. I don't want to make it too complicated.


    ARCANIST
    The arcanist is a universalist wizard who has dedicated himself to mastery of the arcane bond. Through careful reflection on the nature of the bond, the arcanist can gain a realization that it is not the form of the bond that matters, but instead the relationship between the wizard and the bond.
    Bondsman: At 1st level, an arcanist gains a heightened understanding of the arcane bond class feature. Each arcanist begins play with one object suitable for bonding at no charge. This object incorporates the likeness of a creature of a type chosen from the familiar list by the wizard. Each day, when the wizard chooses spells, he must declare whether he wishes his bond to be applied to the object itself (granting an extra spell as the standard object bond) or to a familiar (as the standard familiar bond, or as an improved familiar if the improved familiar feat has been selected). If the arcanist chooses to bond to a familiar, the object transmutes into a standard familiar of the type chosen for the object. This ability replaces hand of the apprentice.

    Bond Mastery: At 8th level, the arcanist enjoys a complete mastery of the Arcane Bond. As a full-round action, the arcanist may alter his bond, choosing either a bonded object or any familiar from the familiar list (or the improved familiar list, if the improved familiar feat has been selected). You can use this ability a number of times per
    day equal to 3 + your Intelligence modifier, but can only use it if the extra spell granted by the bonded object has not been cast. Once the extra spell is cast, the bonded object can not be altered until the arcanist memorizes spells on the next day. This ability replaces metamagic mastery.

    Any major problems with this?


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1

    No it is quite god and might well be superstar material.

    A small tweak for the 8th level ability and some possible higher level abilities. Just looking at edge cases really.

    8th: Continous enchantments made to the bonded item will effect the familiar when the bonded object is in that form. For example a ring of feather falling that the arcanist has made her bonded object will prevent her toad familiar from taking falling damage when the bonded object is in that form. This uses the same rules as magic items used by a polymorphed sybject.

    10th. The bonded object can assume any allowable form so long as its power has not been used that day. When an enchanted item is in an unusual form, a bonded staff of the magi in the shape of a ring for example, only it's constant abilities will function. Again as if the item were used by a subject under a polymorph effect. The items aura is unchanged reguargless of its current form.

    15-17? The arcanist can alter the form of the bond even if the bonded object power has been used.

    now to choose the form of the familiar.


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1

    A fox familiar I think. Named Aesop.

    Possable 10+ ability. The arcanist maintains the bonus granted by their last familiar until they choose a new one. This at its cheesiest would allow an arcanist to have any bonus on the familiar table while maintaining a bonded object at the cost of two uses of the ability per day.


    I'm a little hesitant, actually, to apply additional abilities at levels higher than 8th, because I'm now out of things to replace other than (essentially) spell slots, and I really don't want to mess with those. Additionally, I have concerns about allowing enchantments laid on bonded items to affect familiars at any level, because honestly I think an invisible familiar for the cost of a Ring Of Invisibility is a little much. The feather fall is an example of something I think would be harmless, but I think there are some openings for abuse in there (not that I think you'd do so, I just don't want to get into a situation where I've created an action economy issue, honestly). So, I think for now I'll leave it at what I wrote above, if that's alright with you. Of course, you don't have any obligation to use it - but it's there if you want to.


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1
    DM J wrote:
    I'm a little hesitant, actually, to apply additional abilities at levels higher than 8th, because I'm now out of things to replace other than (essentially) spell slots, and I really don't want to mess with those. Additionally, I have concerns about allowing enchantments laid on bonded items to affect familiars at any level, because honestly I think an invisible familiar for the cost of a Ring Of Invisibility is a little much. The feather fall is an example of something I think would be harmless, but I think there are some openings for abuse in there (not that I think you'd do so, I just don't want to get into a situation where I've created an action economy issue, honestly). So, I think for now I'll leave it at what I wrote above, if that's alright with you. Of course, you don't have any obligation to use it - but it's there if you want to.

    Cool. I am happy with things as they are. This is a very good varient and you should consider it when the next superstar rolls around.


    Should I make it past the first round, I may in fact do so :-)


    Hi, gents -

    A few things to touch base on real quick -

    Telias, I'm not seeing your HP on your sheet, either max or current. Could you add those in?

    Tom, did you get those languages straightened out?

    Nothing for Ragar at this point.

    Nothing for Ryarg - yet.

    This delay is being caused by me finally getting all you guys entered into Herolab (and thus, Kyle Olsen's Combat Manager, which makes my life easy). So, this will only need to be done once.

    Finally, I want to make you guys aware of my upcoming schedule. 7/2 - 7/4 I will be camping, and will have very limited access to the intertubez. As such, you guys are welcome to chat in-character, but I wouldn't expect a post from me over that period. If I can get one in, I will. From 7/5 - 7/8 I will be travelling on business (to Atlanta). I will only be posting in the evening - so whereas I'm usually active in the morning and afternoon, that won't be the case there. After that, I will resume my regular schedule.

    Please, nobody think I'm disappearing, I'm not. :-)

    Thanks,

    J


    Male Universalist, arcanist. 1
    DM J wrote:

    ....

    Tom, did you get those languages straightened out?
    ....

    Please, nobody think I'm disappearing, I'm not. :-)

    Thanks,

    J

    Yup they are on the profile, Common, Draconic, Sylvan, Elven, Auran, and, Terran. The last two are from the Cosmopolitan feat.

    Have fun, where are you camping?


    I'll be at Lake Pymatuning in Northeastern Ohio. My brother-in-law has an RV, so it's not really camping. But it is fun!


    Male Orc Expert 5

    I've been meaning to ask how we do hitpoints. Max at first and then?


    TarkXT wrote:
    I've been meaning to ask how we do hitpoints. Max at first and then?

    Max HP at level 1, rolling at level-ups. You'll have the option to take what you roll or, if you don't like that number, I'll roll at your request. If you ask me to roll, you keep my number, even if it's lower.


    Fm J, what is your take on the entangle spell? Does it attack allies as well as enemies, or only "foes"? I'm fine either way, but I'd rather not find out after casting it the first time.


    Naz, I play a druid in my home game and I have to say that the only thing that makes Entangle balanced as a first level spell is if you consider it as effecting everyone equally. Otherwise, I'd have to think that it would be about a third level spell. So, I'm going to say that it effects everyone and everything in the area.


    Male Orc Expert 5

    General warning to all my games.

    I will be out of touch for a week as I will be going to a place with no internet connection. This is a drive I do not wnat to make, with people I don't like, to stay with them for a week in a place I dont want to go for a time I cannot financially afford. If you do not hear from me in a week check the news for a mass murder. That is all.

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