Aardvark's "To What Depths Would You Go For Freedom?" S&S Campaign (Inactive)

Game Master Troy Malovich

Sorry for so much down time. I actually entered Superstar this year and have become rather obsessed.

Best of luck, Aardvark. I can't wait to see your entry.

Sorry you didn't make it aardvark, which was your item? Maybe I saw it during voting? - still it's kind of cool that two players in your (awesome) game are in the top 32.?

Thank you Ciera. I made it into the list of top 89 that Clark posted, but I hope I wasn't the number 9 that he said all judges voted no against.

My item was the Glove of Saturation

Don't suppose you could link to it?

Here was my item, as submitted.

Glove of Saturation
Aura faint evocation; CL 1st
Slot hands; Price 2,000 gp; Weight —
Description
This single, supple, leather glove has rough plates covering the palm. These plates often show signs of pitting and burns, but they remain sturdy.
As a standard action the wearer of the glove can cause any container of nonmagical liquid, wielded in the gloved hand, to explode forward in a 20’ line. Objects exploded in this fashion are consumed.
If a splash weapon is used with the glove, those in the area take damage equal to the original item (Reflex DC 10 + the wielder’s Strength modifier for half), but it does not produce a splash effect. When holding a filled waterskin, the stream is able to extinguish any nonmagical fires within the area. Unlike with other containers, only the contents of the waterskin are consumed, but not the skin itself. Lastly, the glove can be used with contact poison, without incurring the risk of poisoning the wearer. When used in this way, however, the DC of the poison is reduced by 4.
Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, hydraulic push; Cost 1,000 gp

Aardvark:

I considering what favored terrain Holgur should take if he survives to third level. Would you consider "water" to apply aboard ships? I would not think it does but I don't want to assume that you feel the same way. Also, would you consider "urban" to apply to ships as buildings? Again, I think there is enough of a difference that this would not be the case.

Finally, if you could provide and hints or advice on what would or would not be good choices I would be grateful.

Holgur,

Water would be the appropriate terrain type for aboard ship. Though you won't be able to affect the tracking part (since the ship leaves a wake, and most sea creatures follow scent or sound for prey.)

Also, considering you guys are in a Caribbean style region, I would figure jungle to be an appropriate terrain. Most of the places you will land will be that or urban. The urban is kind of a small aspect though, tiny ports, or little stop overs.

Sorry for any silence, work decided we needed all our annual training (due by the end of Sep), to be done and turned in by the end of Feb.

On a side note, I have a question for the group.

I have a coworker that is starting to get into the hobby (just got his rulebooks in the mail). I was wondering if you all would mind if I brought him in on this game? He wants to get into PbP, but he wants it to be a game I'm in/running.

If you are all okay with it, is there a hole in the crew (you four) that you guys would like covered by a certain class type? He is interested in some, but he would have no problem playing what is needed by the group.

I 'should' be able to have an update put up tomorrow (15-20 hours from now), as long as work doesn't get crazy.

The more the merrier. I think we have melee covered. Arcane and divine seem to be our shortcomings. Kelly and Balsooma have filled those roles so far but have had to contribute to melee at the same time.

That's fine with me. And I'm perfectly happy for him to play whatever he wants. If he's just getting into the hobby, probably a simpler character might be easier to grasp.

Good point, a full caster might be a bit of a challenge for someone starting out.

Sounds good to me! Whatever most appeals to him.

Well, I'm kind of split on this front, I agree that we need either an arcane or divine caster the most, but, I also agree that a caster may not be the best place to start a new player.

Sorcerer maybe? Sort of a pure caster lite? Same spells but only half the book keeping. I would just recommend against any of the "Hybrid" classes, ie, ranger, paly, bard, and definitely recommend against druid, fun class, but WAY too many mechanics to worry about.

Final thought, this is a PbP so the pace is much slower, and there is a lot more time to look up the rules. So if they have a preference let them play whatever they like and let’s see where it takes us.

Also the rest of us can give advice if it is solicited. I have only played an oracle for a few weeks so I might not be the most helpful in that regard.

No worries about him playing a caster, he has a little tabletop experience so far, and his first PC was a summoner. Since we work together I will be available for most of his questions. Last I heard he was looking into a Stormborn Sorcerer.

That sounds good.

When the new enemy arrived I was concerned that we were attacking the new PC.

Holgur, your crit from your longbow should be a lot more damage than that. It's a x3 weapon, and your +2 damage from Favored Enemy is multiplied as well.

Oops. Let's try this again

3rd damage die
1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

As Balsooma quotes the rules of the universe the arrow burrows deeper into the Rhadoumi sailor's chest. Many thanks!

Dotting the thread. I have the character template and once I am home then I will be able to fill it in with my character information. Should be finished tonight.

Also thanks everyone for accepting me into the group! I look forward to going through the campaign with you all!

Dotting the thread. I have the character template and once I am home then I will be able to fill it in with my character information. Should be finished tonight.

Also thanks everyone for accepting me into the group! I look forward to going through the campaign with you all!

I can't wait. As I said, the more the merrier.

Well I had all the stuff converted over into my own. Then hit preview to check it over and I lost it all. Just my luck. So it might be done tonight...

Yeah, forgot to tell you. Save changes often, and select all/copy periodically, so you can just paste it if it doesn't take.

Welcome to the game!

Aardvark,

What kind of cannon does the Wormwood have? I assume it is fairly heavily armed. This is just for RP considerations.

There are no cannons. There is almost no gunpowder weapons in this game until much later on. Most of the vessels you will be dealing with have siege weapons (ballista, mainly).

Sorry I haven't been posting much as of late. I used to do most of my reading and posting from work, this used to work great, until recently, we moved offices and my new workstation is clearly visibly from basically anyone who walks into the area now, making checking the forums a bit more difficult.

I'm working to set to new routine so that I am posting more regularly. I just wanted to post up and let everyone know.

I wouldn't trust the Belor fellow; he don't look right.

I wouldn't trust that guy either.

I'd put my hand up for a potion of CMW since my acrobatics means that I'm usually pretty mobile in a fight. The others should go to support roles maybe? - Belor and Balsooma? possibly...?

Invis potion to Balsooma so he can potentially heal?

I'm sure that everyone would like the amulet - dice off?

Gear always gets into contentious territory.

Do you dispense it based off in game? "Balsooma got hit a lot, they need more protection."

Do you split it based off greatest need? "Belor has the lowest AC, so he needs it."

Do you base it off role? "Well, Holgur will be the front-liner most of the time, so he will need the most AC."

Dispense it by value? "Well, Kelly found that weapon, so he already has 2000gp value, so who has the lowest."

Or, as Ciera suggested, dispense it by luck? "Everyone that wants it, roll for it."

maybe even some other method I didn't mention

I like the idea of rolling to divide the swag. That seems like the kind of thing that pirates would do.

Whether there is a roll for loot or given out I don't think Belor should be included. He wasn't really there for most of the action.

Sorry I should have read this section before posting, we can discuss future loot distribution, but I kind of hijacked this round of loot. I am not too particular how loot gets handed out, as long as people don't get greedy as players, I don't even care if they get greedy as characters as long as the player isn't being a drag on the party.

Anyway, if anyone wants to change out they way I handed out the loot, we can figure that out too, I just figured since I was "put in charge" of the little raid, that the loot was handed out to me, and it was up to me to hand it out to everyone else.

As it stands right now,

Balsooma: Pot of CMW + Amulet of Nat armor +1
Belor: New guy, was a prisoner during the fight, so no loot handed out, however if someone wants to pass a piece of loot to him, that would be fine.
Cieran: Pot of CMW + Pot of Invis
Holgur: Pot of CMW
Kelly: extendo boarding pike

Finally, I just realized that even with a name that starts with K (fairly early in the alphabet) I am still last in alphabetical order in this party...

I'm quite happy to dice for loot (it makes sense in character for the setting), and people can trade or divvy up as they so desire.

Hmm, I quite like that thought. It's both pratical in a meta-game sense and quite in spirit of the campaign. My only concern is it bogging down play, not that there haven't been dozens of other things to do that for us latley. Next time loot is awarded, I will see about coming with a quick way for us roll for it, while still be in character.

Everyone still here?

Good question. I'm off work this week, and have been real busy.

I would like to see everyone posting more steady before I continue. If you are not able, let me know. If you are no longer interested, let me know. I'd rather not have to recruit more, but if you just can't keep up with the game, or just no longer want to play, I understand but I need to know.

I am still interested. Right now Holgur is fatigued and is not taking a night action. I was waiting to see what the others post before doing something different.

It seems that we have to make a move soon if I am reading the hints correctly. What is the point of playing it safe?

I am still in. It has been a busy week with me as well on top of the fact that trying to get back on a day shift schedule sucks. Aardvark knows this but I will tell everyone else that starting this Saturday I will be off of work for the next 3 weeks. I will try to post as much as possible during those 3 weeks but there might be times where I will need DMPC.

Bump?

I'm still in. It looks like Ciera and Kelly are. Belor, Balsooma, are you still with us?

I sent a PM to Balsooma, the last I heard from him was his internet was down, but that was around the 24th I think.

I think I may need to cut him loose and add another. I was looking at most of our understudies, but I think they've all moved on. I also have a player in my other campaign that has asked to join if I had an opening.

I'm trying to get this thing flowing again, but I can't have the 1/week posting going on. At most 2-3 days should be pushing it, especially without an at least brief post for explanation.

Thoughts?

That sound reasonable, anything less and the game comes to a halt and then dies.

Belor is still with us, but he is on vacation for 3 weeks. That being said, he is still not quite in the fold yet with the group, so he is given a little leeway with his involvement until he is considered more of one of you.

My concerns are mainly with Balsooma and Kelly. Kelly has popped in here and there, but I'm concerned it may be too infrequent leading to a disappearance. Right now I can't really push the story as you guys are all discussing your plans and options, but it consists primarily of just Holgur and Ciera. If I push the timetable, then you guys might not get to perform some of what you have planned.

I would say, since you two are the more frequent posters, to keep the discussion amongst yourselves, avoiding waiting on responses from the less frequent posters. That way I can at least move the events forward.

Well, lately there hasn't been much in the way of conversation. Kelly made his feelings known, if anyone wants to press another point, or plan of action, then that would warrant additional discussion, but since nothing has really changed, neither has Kelly's point of view. Right now, he's more concerned with surviving this voyage, and not being branded a traitor, mutineer, or murderer any one of which would mean forfeiting pretty much any sort of career at sea at best, and being strung up or keelhauled at worst.

Yes life on this ships sucks, but until people are being permanently harmed with for no reason, Kelly will choose to just tough it out. Now if something where to happen to change the status quo, or additional information were brought to light, that might change things.

Finally, yes I do post less often, having changed offices, I get much less opportunity to try and post up, I often check and read the posts, but don't always have time to reply. Since I don't always have time, I tend to only reply when I feel I have something significant to say. Given more access, there would be more banter and more lively in character discussions. I will attempt to post more frequently, but can't and won't promise more frequent posts, I will however at least attempt to be more responsive.

Okay, to try and promote a little more frequency, I will try to ensure I post daily. Even if it's for no other reason than to either ask what you guys are doing, let you know I'm waiting for you to talk amongst yourselves, or even to say I can't make an update. This way the post count begins to build, and there is a little more to react to.

Still unsure on what to do about Balsooma, have had no word from him, but did some post stalking and I haven't seen anything from him on the boards since I last heard from him on the 24th. At what point to we carry on either without, or with a replacement?

Hey guys,

I'm really sorry about the lack of communication on my part. I tend to do most of my posting from work, and that hasn't been feasible lately. I've also been rather busy outside of work as well, so my actual posting time is limited.

I think it's best that I withdraw and let you guys get on with it, as I'm unable to maintain a proper posting schedule. I feel bad for leaving you in the lurch like this, but the campaign will be better off with someone who has the time to be able to post consistently.

I've thoroughly enjoyed it thus far, and I'll be sure to keep tabs on it to see what adventures you guys get up to in the future.

Thats a real bummer to hear, your presents will be missed. I understand your predicament though. I recently had an office move, and since I do most of my posting from work as well, the move made it much harder to post regularly. If things settle down soon, I hope to hear back from you.

We've enjoyed your company.