Aubrey's Eberron campaign. (Inactive)

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

According to the DMG you can add magic later, and even enhance existing magic later still.

However, i think the cost to master work armor is 250gp + the cost of the armor. Either of us could be wrong, so double check.

Ha! You show your fallibility, my scaly nemesis.

The Player's Handbook states that masterwork weapons are standard cost +300 gp, and masterwork armour is standard cost +150 gp.

I was pretty sure I was right, and now I see that I am. :)

I'll be honest, I thought one of the interesting things about playing in this campaign was going to be seeing the differences between 'English-English' and 'American-English' but, besides the way Aubrey spells 'programme,' I haven't noticed any significant differences. I don't know if British English is really THAT similar to American English or if Aubrey is intentionally 'Americanizing' his posts to make it easier for us folks west of the Atlantic.

Oh well, it's still a great game! ;)

I haven't been Americanising (note the "s", not the "z") - this is pretty straight "English" English. I suspect there are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly, we are tending to use the standard tems in the D&D rulebooks, so the "jargon" is the same in both languages. Also, the things we are talking about probably don't highlight the differences - we are in a sort of renaissance/medieval set-up, so a lot of the everyday differences (cars with boots, pavements and sidewalks, paying a check/cheque instead of a bill at a restaurant) probably are less prevalent. And, frankly, the posters on this site are almost all well-educated and elegant writers, so the prose flows well on both sides of the Atlantic.

That said, I am sort of avoiding words which might highlight the difference. On the walk across Dura Bridge, I wanted to say pavement (which = sidewalk in American) but thought it might confuse (since I was specifically NOT talking about the main road surface). I then thought about calling it a sidewalk, but didn't really feel comfortable with that. So in the end I think I went with walkway, which is a pretty neutral term in both "dialects".

The main differences will probably boil down to spelling, rather than actual use of words: programme, Americanisation, armour; that sort of thing. A good one is manouevre - I'll have to use that soon....

EDIT: Oh yes, and we never say "gotten". I remember reading Declare by Tim Powers where most of the character are British, but the author is American. He had characters saying "gotten" from time to time which demonstrated his American-ness. And they also said "sidewalk" too, which we never do.

Something else of note, in the city of Sharn there are two adventuring guilds. Clifftop guild, located in clifftop, and Death's gate, located, oh come on, gues, that is right, death's gate.

Clifftop is generally the "good" adventurers amd death's gate is generally the "bad" adventurers. Not necessarily good vs evil, more altruism and explorers versus mercenaries and cutthroats.

Membership in either is listed as 5gp per year in the Sharn book, this is rediculously cheap. Aubrey I recommend changing it to at least 500 gp. There are some fringe benefits to each, mostly being able to be put in touch with known hirelings and buying more escoteric adventuring equipment.

Clifftop also rolls in a 5% deduction on wonderous items bought from the magic store also located in clifftop. not a big or wealthy store, fairly minor items only, but still a worth while discount.

There are also 2 magic guilds, the escoteric order of aureon, and... um... um... the other one. EOA is mostly for wizards and lawful casters, the other mostly for sorcerors and chaotic casters. Both have membership costs of 1000gp per year, but give access to spells and spell training as appropriate.

I wasn't really planning on worrying about any of the adventurers guilds too much at this stage, unless someone specifically asked. There are various rules about the costs of magical items and services in Eberron, which are impacted (i.e. undercut) by the dragonmarked houses. But as most of this goes on at work, and I can't really remember the rules, I simply tend to ignore them.

Gamewise-
Loving it. It's great to play with a group that enjoys writing and a dm who spins out the detailed descriptions. I was randomly looking around for an Eberron pbp and happened by just in time. As much as I like the setting I've never had the opportunity to play in it until now. Nice job of highlighting the things that make Eberron and Sharn unique. Also, pacing of the story is great and we aren't even moving that slowly for a pbp.

So that's my 2 cents.

I may follow Trose's example and hold on to the discount token until I can afford something more useful and a potion or scroll.

Ok. Got a question.

Scribing any scroll takes 1 hour minimum? It seems like bits and pieces of these rules on crafting are scattered in different sections and this is my first chance to play a caster in 3.5. (e.g. The scribe scroll feat doesn't mention that you need to actually expend the spell when scribing it into the scroll, but apparently this is covered somewhere else.) So a first level spell cast at first level... is 12.5 gold and 1 xp, but checking around I see people mentioning that it takes 1 hour minumum to craft any scroll. Anyone know where that is?

Actually, I thought it was a day minimum. My understanding is this, based on the details at the end of the Magic Items chapter in the DMG. The cost of buying a scroll is 25gp x spell level x caster level. The time it takes to create is 1 day per 1,000gp of cost, and the cost to create is half that to buy in gp and 1/25 in xp.

That said, I'm willing to go with: if a scroll costs 500gp, say, it takes half a day to scribe, and so on.

Dragonmann wrote:

According to the DMG you can add magic later, and even enhance existing magic later still.

However, i think the cost to master work armor is 250gp + the cost of the armor. Either of us could be wrong, so double check.

Ha! You show your fallibility, my scaly nemesis.

I am defeated! At least I know better than to stomp around saying I am right when I am not sure.

Actually, I thought it was a day minimum. My understanding is this, based on the details at the end of the Magic Items chapter in the DMG. The cost of buying a scroll is 25gp x spell level x caster level. The time it takes to create is 1 day per 1,000gp of cost, and the cost to create is half that to buy in gp and 1/25 in xp.

That said, I'm willing to go with: if a scroll costs 500gp, say, it takes half a day to scribe, and so on.

According to the RAW, it is a full day per thousand gp or part there of.

The best official work around is to remember that a scroll can have up to 3 spells on it, and do your best to hit the 1000gp mark, so you aren't wasting time.

There is a magical alternative somewhere, a quill that works while you aren't around... have to dig to find it

However, I have never played with a DM who has enforced this bit of RAW, because, well because it is dumb.

Well, seeing as Fatespinner at least is projecting several levels ahead for his character’s development, and based on the good sign that Aubrey is handing out xp (which must be almost a first for these Paizo pbp games!) I thought I’d speculate on Lightbringer’s possible future development.

First of all, I really don’t like the image of a warforged paladin summoning a heavy warhorse as a steed. Aubrey, with your permission I’ve been thinking of swapping out that class feature (if and when we reach that level) with something else. I think PHB2 has some sort of “Smiting Charge” class feature to swap out with the steed, I don’t own the book but I can get my hands on it for more detail. Sounds like a reasonable idea.

I’ve also been toying with the idea of picking up the Exorcist of the Silver Flame PrC for a bit of extra Eberronny flavour. Given Lightbringer’s average intelligence, and the cross class skill requirements for that class, it might be a bit tough, but I like the idea of taking on an Eberron specific PrC.

Anyone else got any suggestions I might like to consider in terms of character development, as a novice paladin, Eberron and warforged player?

I certainly agree with an alternative to the Steed class feature - it isn't much use to a normal paladin, let alone a warforged one. I'm not actually aware of the Smiting Charge alternate class feature, but I'll check it out tonight (and urgency isn't a particular problem, yet). There might also be something in the Races of Eberron book, though that would probably be a substitution level rather than an alternate class feature (though the difference is somewhat moot). I'll check that out and update you.

In terms of an Eberron-y PrC, there is one which might be useful, namely Warforged Juggernaut. It may not be entirely appropriate in terms of character development, in that it effectively turns you into more of a construct rather than a living construct through emphasising your manufactured origins. That said, I see nothing intrisically antithetical to a warforged juggernaut paladin, but it would mean that you become less human. On the plus side, you would become something on a melee monster with improved DR, d12 HD and so on, on the negative side your paladin spell and power progression would suffer. The PrC is 5-level, and I don't know what the requirements are (though Adamantine Body is one, if I recall correctly).

Failing that, you might consider anything from the Complete Divine. And I wouldn't worry too much about going for Eberron flavour as the primary issue - as a warforged, you are already walking Eberron flavour.

I'm not actually aware of the Smiting Charge alternate class feature

I'm not quite sure if I've gotten (americanism) the name correct, but I think it's the only alt class feature for paladins in the PHB2, so it should be easy to find!

There might also be something in the Races of Eberron book, though that would probably be a substitution level rather than an alternate class feature (though the difference is somewhat moot). I'll check that out and update you.

Cool, thanks Aubrey.

Lightbringer's CS, updated.

I wasn't really planning on worrying about any of the adventurers guilds too much at this stage, unless someone specifically asked. There are various rules about the costs of magical items and services in Eberron, which are impacted (i.e. undercut) by the dragonmarked houses. But as most of this goes on at work, and I can't really remember the rules, I simply tend to ignore them.

I only stuck it in because I figured it wasn't common knowledge, and some adventuring gear just isn't "I'll pop on down to the local shoppe"

Buying thieve's tools in Dura means your a thief, buying thieve's tools from the Clifftop Guild where you are a member in good standing, well obviously your a treasure seeker.

The currently available Prestige Classes specifically for Warforged (from memory)

Warforged Juggernaut - lose humanity for constuctity (yes I made up that word)
Reforged - the opposite of Juggernaut, at level 3 your armor (read body feat) falls off
Spell Carved Soldier - Attuning magic to your body, I am pretty sure it is specifically arcane... stupid not bring D&D books to work...

The exorcist PrC works alright with a Paladin, although amusingly enough they suck at Exorcisms on less you multi-class with Cleric

Racial substitution levels exist for warforged artificers, fighters, and PALADINS although personally I am not too fond of the paladin changes

The warforged paladin in my real world party had smiting charge, and it was pretty cool for him... now if only i remembered what it does

If you want more Eberron flavour, without the PrC or substitution levels, pick up some of the warforged feats. Also there are specifically warforged magic items which are worth looking into as well.

Feel free to ask for more info on anything in particualr, and I will dig it up when I am near my books but away from the wife and kids

Yes, that's a good point, which I had forgotten - there are quite a lot of good warforged feats, in the basic ECS and in Races of Eberron (a book I really like, in what appears to be a slightly minority view), mostly around being (as we like to say in this country) "well hard". And warforged can get components which "plug in", like weapons and a few other nice things - though these are a bit out of reach at the moment as they are moderately (or in some cases, extremely) expensive magic items.

Question about warforged in Aubrey-ron

A warforged has a natural slam attack. Do you allow them to take it as a natural attack, that is 1 extra attack during a full attack with a -5 to hit, but no effect on the main attack, or do you read it as an or.

I personally let it slide as a natural attack in my own campaign but I was never sure I was right.

It's never come up, but it is a natural attack from what I recall. As such, your version would be reasonable (assuming that the warforged in question has a free hand). Although unclear, I presume a full natural attack by a warforged would be two slams.

The second slam requires the feat Second Slam. Clever these games writers.

There is also a feat that allows a warforged to bite people.

The scary thought is the warforged monk with flurry, slam, slam, bite.
Toss in the double-sword monk style, and you are staring down some pretty scary attack iterations.

Yeah - not sure how that would work: hurts the brain slightly. I certainly wonder if you can get the slams as well as the monk attacks - maybe one for the Sage. I thought the bite attack was an item, but again my memory is a bit hazy.

Oh and I been meaning to say, the game looks awesome. Your doing as wonderful a job as many of the better eberron novelists at bringing the setting into every scene, and I am way jealous that I missed out on jumping in.

BTW, Aubrey, I am considering whether or not to try my own hand at running a PbP Eberron game of my own. If I decide to do it, would you be interested in a seat?

I am hard pressed though because I mostly post from work, and have no book access here.

I would be delighted to take part - very kind of you to offer, and thanks for the very kind words.

I mostly post from work too - and here is a hint to avoid getting caught. I write out what I want to do in Word, and then cut and paste it into the website when no one much is looking. That way you don't need to have the site open all the time, and it looks like you are working (I also use a small font, so no one can breeze by and casually read it). I might do a little research at home, but most of what I am doing is improvised, after a bit of forethought maybe on the train in, at work. I obviously have a plot line running (and am fortunate in that it has been at least partly explored, in a very different version, by my real world group) but the actual prose is composed on the spot.

The other major advantage of PbP is that it gives a DM LOADS of time to think. At a table, you are there with the guys and you have a few seconds, maybe, in which to adjust and adapt to what they are doing. Here, you have hours - and it means you can ruminate and come up with a better outcome. I am wondering if I actually prefer the PbP format - I am much less cinematic and descriptive in the flesh, I can assure you.

Well the thread is up now.

And I will probably stick my highly illegal pdf copies of books i own on to my USB drive and keep it in my pocket for reference as necessary.

The currently available Prestige Classes specifically for Warforged (from memory)

Warforged Juggernaut - lose humanity for constuctity (yes I made up that word)
Reforged - the opposite of Juggernaut, at level 3 your armor (read body feat) falls off
Spell Carved Soldier - Attuning magic to your body, I am pretty sure it is specifically arcane... stupid not bring D&D books to work...

The exorcist PrC works alright with a Paladin, although amusingly enough they suck at Exorcisms on less you multi-class with Cleric

Racial substitution levels exist for warforged artificers, fighters, and PALADINS although personally I am not too fond of the paladin changes

The warforged paladin in my real world party had smiting charge, and it was pretty cool for him... now if only i remembered what it does

If you want more Eberron flavour, without the PrC or substitution levels, pick up some of the warforged feats. Also there are specifically warforged magic items which are worth looking into as well.

Feel free to ask for more info on anything in particualr, and I will dig it up when I am near my books but away from the wife and kids

Cool thanks Dragondude. I was looking at juggernaut, but doesn't quite seem to sit with the paladin look and feel. Reforged's probably out - I didn't spend a feat on Adamantine armour just to have it fall off!

Yeah, from a mechanics point of view the silver exorcist may not be the best path to go, and really depends what sort of threats we'd be facing, but I like the flavour, so.... Anyway, I'd need to take 6 levels of paladin before I qualify, so it's a way off...

I just wanted to say I read the first page or two of Aubrey's game.
All I can say is: wow. I hoist a frothy to you, dude.
Note to self: next time Aubrey says he's running a game, jump in.

You are too kind - much appreciated.

Hey, Aubrey in like two or three weeks I am going to start working full time in counstruction so I will not have access to a computer throughout the day, I will be able to post in the morning and at night, and I will probably have a couple days off a week, I will stay in the game for a couple of days during this schedual but if it starts bogging you guys up I am afraid I will force myself to drop out.. but right now and hopefully in the future I will remain in the game, sorry about this but I though I might as well give you a fair warning.

Thanks for letting me know - let's try it and see. I'm going to be effectively out of commission for two weeks after Friday, unfortunately, so you might not get much in before you start your new job. Hope it all goes well, by the way.

With regards to our plans for finding the Karrnathi defector and the "halfling": There is some comfort to be had in playing a character with low Intelligence who abhors acts of cowardice and deception. Bullheaded confrontationalism is the best way to solve anything. Yup. Absolutely...

Yeah, I kinda like your plan...

Oh sweet if you are going to be gone for a couple of weeks that should give me plenty of time to work out my schedual and see if I will be able to stay in, sounds good and have fun. Ohh and thanks

I also agree with ur plan...as long as i dont have to fight to much...

Guys, as of about an hour or so I'll be off the boards for three days or so. Feel free to NPC Lightbringer if its required.

Now Aubrey, is it this Friday (as in tomorrow for you by now I think) that you're getting married?

If so, I hope the big day goes really well, and you have fun with it. And I hope the bucks night tonight likewise goes really well (unless of course you were "sensible" and did that already in weeks past...)

Either way, I'll raise a glass in your honour tonight ... maybe even order my beer at room temperature to make it more british-like ... ;-)

Thanks, Mothman. I get married on Saturday, and should be around online on Friday. After that, see you all round about June 2nd.

Gongratz!!!!!!!

Cheers, Jakers. :-)

Just to let you all know, I'll be able to post on Sunday.

sorry for the point form type post on the game thread, ive only got a few minutes on line, then off for the rest of the weekend.

Aubrey, you'll be posting to a D&D message board the day after your wedding? I have a whole new level of respect for you man ;-)

Mrs Aubrey-to-be must be pretty cool too

Well, we don't go on honeymoon until Monday. :-) But yes, she is pretty cool.

This is the malformed one signing off for a couple of weeks. Should be back online the Sunday after next. Best wishes to everyone, and hopefully we can pick up and get going again in a fortnight. Cheerio.

have fun dude

Its a little late but party ur bum off dude!!!!!

So Jakers, hope you'll still be able to post once you start your new job ... when do you start again?

Actually I have plenty of time to post, way more than i thought i would, so how is every one spending the time that they would spend on this campaingn??

Actually I have plenty of time to post, way more than i thought i would, so how is every one spending the time that they would spend on this campaingn??

Playing it, hopefully. The malformed one returns to the fold. I'll read up on the progress while I have been away and post there. Oh, and glad to hear your schedule doesn't preclude you playing, Jakers.

Welcome back sir and a belated congratulations. How was New England? Crabcakes for everyone! (I think crabcakes and long winters are about all I know of New England other than historical events and the like.) Your trip was almost perfectly timed with my girlfriend's stay in brooklyn, so that worked out nicely on my end. Her last night in town today and then with work tomorrow, any post I might put up will be of the short-short nature until (early like 5am) Monday morning.

*Excited to be back in action.

New England was good - and we had very nice weather too. Got a little tired of hearing how the tyranical the British were in Boston and the environs (and about Paul Revere - "not famous in his lifetime, inescapable following Longfellow's poem"), but overall an excellent trip. Bit of a blow to be going back to work..... But at least I have Paizo.

Welcome back, and another congratz from me!!!!!!

Yeah, glad to have you back Aubrey. Good to hear you had a good holiday.

Thank you, chaps.