Terion Stoutheart |
Sorry Bizzle, Belrain is packing more hp and more AC than me, that alone is an argument - if it is about the damage, mine is waaaay better from the second line than from the front ;)
I am planning to stay the course, since I have been wanting to try the mettle and options of a sword and board fighter, plus I am a sucker for fighters :D
But I'm just saying that as things currently are, I am more efficient/useful behind the front line is all, in almost every way. Fact is, most of our real fights so far in terms of tanking have been a lot about AC - Terion held his own admirably against the zombies+goblins because of the healing and the defensive fighting - that is simply AC ;)
GM Tribute |
Okay, will move things along. We are at a pivotal decision point, so I will allow a whole day for it to be resolved. Let me know what you think so far about the pace and adventure so far. This module was ranked number 19 on the all time list--but very difficult modules are on the list. I think D&D players have a fascination with killer modules. Finish leveling and pick your spells.
Two weapon fighter build with classic fighter template is very good. Losing armor training with the massive dexterity of the build is often a poor trade many archetypes (which are not options here) provide.
Elgoron |
I wouldn't worry too much about using gear or tactics that lie outside your build. You might lose +1 to hit, but reach gives you a much bigger control zone , and if we're in all the tight quarters anyway, having that reach will allow more attacks instead of waiting for people to drop.
Bear in mind that Bizzle and I are also missing a good chunk of spells, having been set back by losing BOTH our spellbooks (bonus spells equal to starting INT, losing that REALLY hurt.) Opening our spellbooks to each other will quickly make up for that setback, but it remains a setback nonetheless.
My only qualm with Belrain in front is that puts a healer in harm's way first. But I'm not one to quash multi-role action, nor bold tactics, so long as we're all on the same page with it.
Terion Stoutheart |
Okay, will move things along. We are at a pivotal decision point, so I will allow a whole day for it to be resolved. Let me know what you think so far about the pace and adventure so far. This module was ranked number 19 on the all time list--but very difficult modules are on the list. I think D&D players have a fascination with killer modules. Finish leveling and pick your spells.
Two weapon fighter build with classic fighter template is very good. Losing armor training with the massive dexterity of the build is often a poor trade many archetypes (which are not options here) provide.
I gotta say I am also usually drawn to killer modules or dungeon-crawls. I am usually much more into having to cross the deep end to come out the other side covered in blood and traumatic experiences than modules all about dancing in the woods with the fairies :D
So as far as the challenge goes, DAMN! This one is giving us a run for our lives at every turn - I LIKE IT! Don't know if you had to pull many punches so we are not wiped out, but I am really happy that Terion is still alive.
As far as the pace goes, I have nothing to point out - I have seen faster running PbP, and I have seen many that run much slower - I think that the most important here is that we have found a pace that accomodates everyone, which makes me very optimistic for my next point: So we're playing #19 on the all time list, so I am hoping that we still have many more ahead of us ;)
Again, in my opinion, the module is hard, and I guess we are suffering from having entered it slightly light-hearted, with the thought that we were still playing through the introductory encounters so to speak, when in fact we were already being pummeled hard by the bad guys. So, if we improve our game, we should not have such a hard time - but that's how it is - living and learning.
Terion Stoutheart |
Actually, I had to go looking for the list :D
I would play all of the modules there, without an exception but there are a few that I would REALLY like to go into.
Looking up the list:
- Queen of Spiders, 1986 (G1-3, D1-3, Q1)
- Ravenloft, 1983 (I6)
- The Keep on the Borderlands, 1979 (B1)
- Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil, 2001
- Return to the Tomb of Horrors, 1998
- Dead Gods, 1997 (Because Planescape is the best setting EVER in D&D)
- Isle of Dread, 1980 (X1)
- Ruins of Undermountain, 1991 (The classic of the classics)
Looking down the list:
- City of the Spider Queen, 2002 (VERY much so - I am a HUGE fan of R.A. Salvatore)
- The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth, 1982 (S4)
- The Forgotten Temple of Tharzidun, 1982 (WG4)
I could go on forever I guess :D
Magnhlidr Whitescale |
I didn't get into tabletop until April of 2011, so I missed all of those (and most of those are older than I am.) I haven't looked too closely at the modules, since I've been devouring the APs until recently. Even if I never get to play them, I love the stories and background in them.
Belrain the Acolyte |
I think I got my AC correct... +7 Armor from the armor I want to buy, +2 for a shield, +1 Deflection from the ring = 20
As for Belrain in general, well, he's built like my character's character... That is, a teenaged boy who wants to have his cake and eat it too. Hence the Heavy Armor proficiency, and tendency to want to fight in melee all the time, even though he's not as good at it as the full BAB melee class types. He further handicaps himself by only using bludgeoning weapons. Why, you might ask? Because he built the character partly based off the fluff from the old Basic D&D Red Box where Clerics were prohibited from drawing blood. That's become a religious taboo for this character. What this might mean for the party; well, he's a wall at this point. High AC, high HP, not great attack without buffs, and no combat tricks to speak of. His spells are going to be buffs for the most part.
Bizzlemont Blacktop |
Well, I guess it depends on if we have to wait for Rastigan to make the purchases or if we're retconning that bit of detail. He could have bought/sold in the same trip if we had given him a list.
Magnhlidr Whitescale |
GM Tribute |
If you fall, the bad guys get a surprise round. They rolled so low for initiative, I gave it to the party automatically. The encounter was hard enough as is. Not to mention the dim light and the fighters trained to fight in dim light.
Old school module designers were quite sadistic, they never heard of CR balanced encounters!!!
AdamWarnock |
Okay, I think I need to give you a heads up.
I've been having emotional and anxiety issues for a while now. I'm seeing a psychiatrist Wednesday, and hoping that I can get something working out. I'm okay, I'm not about to go kill myself. (I've experienced what that does to family left behind, and why I am very much against suicide.)
On top of this I've been having issues with my faith. I am a Christian, and I've been having a series of crises of faith for the past few months to a couple of years. I'm not like one of the WBC people. I do believe that pre-marital sex, pornography, and homosexuality are sins, but I'm not about to go around saying "God hates F!&+!" He doesn't and neither do I. The only difference between me and someone who's not a Christian is that I have asked for the forgiveness that God has already offered. I've been scared in the past to speak about this on these boards, especially when I see some of the comments in threads that talk about religion. I know I'm most likely in the minority here, but I'm hoping that you see me as the same person now as before. The only thing that's changed is I'm trying to be more honest. I'm trying to open up and let people see the whole picture, instead of the bits I try to keep polished.
I'm telling you all this because I had a bit of breakdown this evening, and an epiphany. I'm using this game, these boards, and my computer as an escape. I've built a wall around myself and I need to start tearing it down. I need to be honest with you and myself. I've done such a good job closing myself off, that I didn't realize what I was doing until tonight when I had to have a heart to heart with my mom.
I'm telling you this to let you know that my posting is probably going to drop, maybe even drastically. I don't want to cut any of the games I'm in, but that may mean the GM has to GMPC my character. I'm going to be going though a long process, and it may mean that I do have to drop games so I'm not crippling myself.
Anyway. I hope that you all understand and can bear with me while I get this mess sorted out. I'm okay. I just need to work through this.
GM Tribute |
Adam, take the time you need. Post when you can.
I am having to get my resume ready and apply for jobs for my second career. Sorry I haven't been keeping things running along. The military still gives me a retirement after 20, so it is not like I am under a lot of pressure, but it is taking some time.
Bear with me, I will get things popping.
Terion Stoutheart |
Just wanted to drop a note to say that it is good that we are managing to keep this up - no ones' life is usually stable enough to manage a complete regularity in posting, but I think we are managing fine.
Wanted to thank GM Tribute for keeping this one running - there are sooooo many D&D modules I would like to play that I am happy to participate in this one. Let us hope for more in the future :D
GM Tribute |
Hope everyone is doing well.
I am on vacation in Boone, NC, but can post quite freely. Today is a rain day, so no hiking or rafting.
Trying to speed through the empty rooms and see if we have still everyone--hence the impromptu roll call. Posting slowed down, and I know attrition is big on the PbP boards. Hope it is still moving fast enough. Map should be updated.
GM Tribute |
Whitewater kayaking today through some big rapids. The rivers here in Boone, NC are the highest in years after all the rain. And Junior Johnson's Moonshine is for sale in the local stores. No way I'm buying Boone's Farm.
Wading, door opening, back to bottom of steps, or slime hunting are the options.
The majority seem up for slime hunting. As Strang, Felgarr, Maggie, and Terion are up front -- would like to hear from them about what way to go.
Bizzlemont Blacktop |
My family lands today and will be with us for a week. I'll try to do a short post at some point, but realistically, I could be out for the entire week. Please run Bizzle as you see fit.