That's okay, everybody but you is at the Apothecary, so I'll have to work you in, but I already have a plan on how to do so.
I hope it's not too late to discuss set up but I gave Sevrin Craft Alchemy. Can he use his starting gold to start with a few self-crafted items? Also I forgot to pick starting languages so that's coming up too. I'm reasoning that the languages he knows are the result of his patron's influence.
Also if my posting times seem odd, I'm on Korea time. I'm generally most active between 9:00 pm and 12:00 am EST.
I would have to say no to crafting with starting gold, as it more represents the value of items you already had by the start, as opposed to literal coin to buy stuff with.
Don't worry about posting times, that's the magic of PbP, being able to post on your time as opposed to having to meet at a set time on a set day. I work shift, so my schedule is always changing.
Okay, I went and put in everyone's starting gear in the loot tracker. Don't forget, everyone gets a free outfit of up to 10 gp value, that also counts as no weight. I always just count whatever set of clothes you are wearing as weightless.
@Thalin, I didn't know how much you paid for your Holy Text, since the price is just a range. Even without that I found that you are 11 gp and 7 sp over your starting cash.
I will go back in and do an inventory purge, as I thought I was subtracting everything the right way. Sorry about that!
Edit #1: If I remove/swap I think it will clear up my cap space:
Wooden Shield - 13gp savings
Light Hammer - 1gp savings
2x ink - 16gp savings
That should net save Thalin 30 gp and put him back in the black.
Work is keeping me slammed. I will get a post up as soon as I get home today.
Okay, we don't need to play out the gear prep/purchase aspect, just let me know what you plan on buying if anything. When you're ready to go, also let me know.
As an aside, I would ask that everyone add an info bar to their title, much like Sia, Thalin, and Thanion. It can go in either the Gender, Race, or Class block (or you can put those three in Gender block, and all the info in the other two). No particular format, but I would like to have HP, AC, Saves, CMD, and any special modifiers to those included at a minimum. This helps me, when posting my actions, to not have to delve into the profile to look up such things in determining results.
Also, I ask that you maintain it with changes that happen, HP loss, status effects modifying saves, or the like.
EDIT: Bear in mind, Tessa's reluctance isn't unwarranted. She's basically giving away 10 months worth of rent for an average lifestyle in hopes that you can rescue a noblewoman from out of town. Other than the hyperbole of the druid, no one really knows if the bad weather is cause for greater concern, or if it even is related at all.
Oh, one more thing. Aavelixia, Braham, and Thanion still need to have picked out their starting set of clothing (for free, up to 10 gp in value, and is weightless when worn).
OK, I've added the infobar, as well as picked out a cold-weather outfit. Ready to go now!
Poor Tessa...
I looked up cold resistance and environmental damage yesterday and it appears there is a debate. One side says cold resistance applies to the damage from cold weather and the other says that it doesn't because cold environment damage is untyped non lethal. Where do you fall in this argument?
I am ready! I made a purchase for a MW backpack. I reduced my gold, but I still need to fix the sheet and weight.
Oh, one more thing. Aavelixia, Braham, and Thanion still need to have picked out their starting set of clothing (for free, up to 10 gp in value, and is weightless when worn).
If my cold resistance applies to damage from cold environments, I'll go with an explorer's outfit. Otherwise, I'll go with a cold weather outfit.
The debate is ridiculous, as far as I'm concerned. Some people are so devoted to the exact word of RAW, that they throw common sense out the window. There is no need to declare that it is cold damage, because the whole section is talking about what happens when you are exposed to the cold. To quote my tabletop friend, if it didn't count, all frost giants and white dragons would die from hypothermia and frostbite just sitting in their homes.
I'll look it up. I know I can't wear metal armor.
I thought that being an elf I have the proficiency. I'll double check.
The metal limitation is only on armor (which I'm not sure I get the reason for the distinction). Normally, as a druid, she would not be proficient with the weapon, but as an elf she has proficiency.
Real quick, I wanted to mention it now that it happened. We see one of my houserules in play.
Thanion rolled a 1 on a skill check, which adds an additional -10, making his result a total of -5. There is no added ill effect, like a fumble, just that he did especially poorly on the perception check.
Thanion, you are not dazzled or anything. I just used your racial hindrance to apply the flavor as to why the result was what it was.
This encounter reminded me of a rule that I don't know if a lot of people know or take advantage of.
Technically, Knowledge skills cannot be used untrained, except they can as long as the DC is 10 or less. So, any knowledge with a DC of 10 or lower can be attempted without ranks in that particular knowledge skill. You can get above 10 untrained, with 1d4 hours in a library big enough to have information in the field you are doing a check in.
Hopefully my take on the Knowledge roll got the point across for the group. It is easy to think of how Thalin could break down what he knows of zombies after the fight is over, but keeping it in a short burst is a lot harder to pull off and still feel like you are staying true to that little bit of time you have in a round.
Besides Braham's axe and the cold iron sword, do we have any other good hacking weapons? Thalin is going to use his Channel Energy to try and soften the group of them up starting next round, but will have to use his hammer soon to ensure we have healing left for the group if someone does get caught by a stray punch/bite.
Question: Since Aavelixia's crit is (1d6+1/×3), shouldn't her damage be 9+5, as opposed to just 9?
On a more important note: I'll be going on holidays for a bit over 2 weeks, and I probably will have very bad internet, if any internet at all. So, feel free to take over for me if required, but try not to get me killed :-)
Anyway, excited to see how the story will unfold!
Braham, yes it would normally, but the descriptions I included, and the numbers showing they were 5 less was how I narratively tried to convey that the zombies have Damage Reduction.
Zombies have Damage Reduction 5/slashing. So, that means that they take 5 less damage from any weapon source that isn't slashing.
A lot of GM's will come right out and say DR 5/slash or keep it all in mechanical terms. I like to try and convey in a way that divorces the mechanics from the narrative.
@Thalin, I'm looking at your actions this round, and wanted to be clear. Making a knowledge check takes no action, nor does sharing the information you did. You mentioned channeling, next round, but you haven't actually taken an action this round (Standard, Move, Swift, or even Immediate).
Sorry, I thought securing my weapon counted as a move action and drawing my holy symbol counted as a full turn action.
If I am able to secure hammer, pull my holy symbol and channel this round, then I would love to do that.
So, using a holy symbol, it needs to only be prominently displayed and accessible. Most often worn around the neck, out of the armor, and the cleric must be able to interact with it. They do not require a free hand, or to spend an action to make it 'presented' unless they have it hidden or inaccessible for some reason. (Did a quick search to make sure I was not giving wrong information.)
Nice. I will have to bring this up to our DM to see if we can get that rule applied to us. He reads the presented rule as being held dominately in your hand, unless your shield/weapon also doubles as the symbol.
Will post my action up now and sorry again for the confusion on that.
After my attack, Thalin will take a 5' Step away from the creature trying to keep with the stick and move pattern.
So, in case I didn't mention it, I am a stickler for using the game's included identification methods. I don't just hand out the loot, and say exactly what it is, or what it's worth.
Appraise is used for most mundane items: special materials (silver, cold iron, mithril, adamantine, etc..), Masterwork quality, alchemical items (Acid, Holy water, Antitoxin), and art objects (gems, jewelry, statutes, painting, etc), to determine the value/material/quality.
Perception can be used to identify potions (via taste and smell).
Spellcraft can be used to identify scrolls (or read magic).
All magic items require Detect Magic to recognize as magic, and Detect Magic for 3 rds of 'close inspection' (per RAW) and a Spellcraft check to identify. Each item can be checked once/day (in the case of failures).
All items will be listed in the loot list as the value/quality you guys determine it to be. If it is found to be magic, but unidentified, it will be highlighted in light blue.
Okay, I'm not going to request a marching order, but I will say that those that are faster have the ability to better input themselves wherever they want in the order. As such, they have priority when deciding starting positions on battle maps (unless of course the group makes preparations before an expected fight).
While moving through the snow, the speeds are as follows:
Sia 30'
Thanion and Thanion 15'
Aavelixia, Braham, and Sevrin 10'
Okay, since it came up, how many rolls are you guys as players willing to allow me to roll for the sake of time-saving? It would mostly/only come up if/when the results modify the following actions. Or if it is for the group as a whole.
Are you okay with:
Me rolling saves when it affects the whole party (like the Fort save for cold, or maybe an AoE that catches everyone)?
Me rolling the groups' Perception checks to determine surprise in combat?
I already roll initiative for the group, again as a time-saver, but would you all rather I ask for it and let you all roll your own?
No objection to any rolls you'd like to make.
Sevrin, I didn't realize until I put together my save and perception macros for easier posting, that I don't have any stats for your familiar (or a name).
I'm all up for the GM to make rolls to save time.
Trying to keep up but I'm out of town for a the next couple days.
No worries, Sevrin, thanks for the heads up.
Sadly, I think we may have lost Thalin along the way, as he hasn't posted in 17 days. I will try to NPC him for a bit, but if he doesn't return, I will try to find a way to work him out of the story.
Adding this for clarity across all my games, as the question came up in another. I will be adding it to the house rules.
Okay, not sure where all I've mentioned it, as I know I might have touched on it in at least one of my games. I really should add it to the house rules.
I put a LOT of stock in the identification of treasure, to include the appraise skill. The methods exist, and should serve some purpose. RAW you may also ID potions with a perception check, and Scrolls with a Spellcraft. I personally, even as a player, dislike the handing out of a list of fully identified treasure.
By RAW, it takes a DC 20 appraise to determine the value of a 'common' item. Yet there is no real clarification of what equates to 'common'.
The way I do Appraise is based on the value of the item. The DC is based on the number of whole numbers in the real value.
For example:
1-9 gp items = DC 5
10-99 gp items = DC 10
100-999 gp items = DC 15
1,000-9,999 gp items = DC 20
Etc...
Keeping to RAW, if you beat it by 5 or more, you determine if it's magical.
If you fail by less than 5, I randomly determine the value up to +/- 20%
If you fail by 5 or more, I randomly determine the value up to +/- 80%
Common weapons, armor, and the adventuring gear portion of the CRB do not need to be identified. However, special materials items (Mithril, Silver, Adamantine, etc...), stuff like Alchemical items (Acid, Alchemist's Fire, Hol/Unholy Water, etc...), and Masterwork quality gear (to include tools), needs to be identified to be recognized as such.
This all may seem like a hassle, but I still think it's better than the two alternatives...
Knowing the value of everything automatically and making all the skills and spells useless
-or-
A DC 20 to determine the value of a common item. Longswords are pretty common.
How long does the berries last?
The duration of the spell is 1 day; 24 hrs. So, I should have some berries left over for the following day towards the evening?
Am I reading it right?
As far as my spells, just wanted to mention that I only have 2- level 1 spells. I will be using those slots for endure elements spells for Suzy and Sevrin.
In regards to watch, there are a few things to consider.
How long is each shift, how long do you all sleep?
The Arcane Casters' need for 8 uniterrupted hours.
Low-light/Darkvision.
For six people, with 2 hour shifts, that is a 12 hour night, with everyone getting 10 hours of sleep. If you go hour and a half shifts, that's 9 hours, but no one gets 8 hours.
Arcane Casters (Sevrin and Tanion) "must first sleep for 8 hours" and "If his rest is interrupted, each interruption adds 1 hour to the total amount of time he has to rest in order to clear his mind, and he must have at least 1 hour of uninterrupted rest immediately prior to preparing his spells."
Meaning after 1 interruption, they need 9 total hours, a second interruption, 10 hour total. Generally, to avoid this, they tend to get put on first/last watch.
For the sake of vision, often it is best to put those with total darkvision (Thanion and Thalin) in the middle of the night shifts, and those without any special vision (Braham and Sevrin) on the First/Last. It all depends on what the priority is during sleep.
This decision only really needs to be made once, and then can carry over to every night on watch. It does matter, maybe not necessarily for tonight, as there is a random encounter chance after certain amounts of time within the area.
@Aavelixia, they last for 24 hours so you will have some tomorrow.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe non spellcasters only need 6 hours to avoid fatigue and it doesn't have to be continuous.
So what about this
Aavelixia goes first for 2 hours
Thalin goes second for 2 hours
Sia goes 3rd for 2 hours
Braham goes last for 2 hours
No shift for spellcasters
This would have us sleep for a block of 8 hours with non spellcasters getting 6 and spellcasters getting 8.
Another option since I think you need 8 hours to recover hp, since braham is the only person still wounded (I think).
Sia goes first for 3 hours
Thalin goes next for 3 hours
Aavelexia goes last for 2 hours +1 hour for spells
Braham covers 1 hour while spellcasters are prepping
Everyone still gets 6 hours. Braham gets 8 to heal. The spellcasters get their 8 hours + 1 for study
I'm sure there is something I'm forgetting in there.
I would suggest that you plan a way that everyone gets at least 8, since that is required for natural healing, and that way you don't have to modify it any time that different people are down HP. Also, recovering from any fatigue or Ability damage requires 8 hours of rest as well.
I can do watch at any time, so put me in whatever shift works best for everyone. I think that we do need to plan for a 9 or possibly 10 hr sleep shift. We will, at some point, need the rest for healing and the random encounter in the middle of the night. This will affect the casters most of all.
I don't think Suzy needs any sleep, if this is the case, she can help guard during all shifts.
Ok, here is what I came up with.
Each watch is 1 hour 36 minutes (1.6 hours).
Severin gets first watch
Aavelixia gets second
Thalin third
Sia fourth
Braham fifth
Thanion sixth
Each character gets 8 hours sleep. The two arcane spell casters bookend the watch rotation so they get their uninterrupted sleep. All spellcasters that need to then spend an hour afterwards prepping spells.
Sevrin gratefully accepts Aavelixia's help.
"Ok, I can take the first watch. I don't think I could sleep yet any way."
Ok, here is what I came up with.
...
Going to take a look at the treasure list. Not sure yet if I am taking anything.
Just for my own education about the rules, why did Braham's attack cause the enemy to be grappled? Or is there a small bug in the status list and is it Braham that should be grappled?
I forgot to put the status in the first time. When something grapples, they also become grappled themselves. It should have just been on the first post of the fight.
I will be posting either later tonight or early tomorrow morning. I have some mechanics that I need to figure out.
BTW, since we seem to have lost 40% of our playerbase, will we open up recruitment again, or wait a bit longer for them to come back?
Normally, I like to give a little opportunity before I replace a player. I sent a message to Thalin a while ago, and heard nothing back. So, I feel safe in assuming he's not returning. I will send a message to Sevrin today, in hopes that I hear back.