BWatford's Mummy's Mask Table #1 (Inactive)

Game Master bwatford

You guys don't like Terry Goodkind? I love the Sword of Truth series. Granted, I think I prefer A Song of Fire and Ice over the former.

I don't have an issue, I've read up to the 5th or 6th book I think. I absolutely love DragonLance. I was just saying that the names already belong to someone else, from some other story. I would prefer this be our story with our own distinctive name.

If The Five Signs was added to the list, and therefore took Alexander's and Nulyth's votes, then the tie break would be from Nefer between 'The Five Signs' and 'Savant Guard'. If that's how you all want to do it, we can make that change real quick.

It's just in character, it was given to holbrecht as a default name in case of a tie, and that disagreed with the rules of voting, and therefore didn't have validity. If it was added to the list, as Nulyth's choice (as he allowed time for he and Lin to offer a name), then tied, it would work within his structure.

He's LN, some things have to work a certain way for a reason.

I read Terry Goodking's sword of truth-series, and I loved it at first. But gradually, it just became this huge, thinly disguised objectivist / political rant to me... That, and it got so dirty. It seemed as though Goodkind was doing his level best to tread his own creation into the mud. The real kicker was the conclusion of the last volume. I didn't even buy that sucker, I just saw it while looking through the book in a store, and my brain went: CHECK, PLEASE!

Dragonlance, I have no problem with. ^^

With Goodkind, I ran into the issue that I was alternating between Sword of Truth, and Wheel of Time as the books came out. It became very apparant that they had way tto much in common. To the point I couldn't tell one story from the other. They write much the same way as well, 700 pages covers 2-3 days of time, then seems like they realize they are running long and wrap up 2-3 weeks in the last 100-200 pages.

I just stopped reading both series around the time the 9th or 10th Wheel of Time book came out.

Yea, I read the first Terry Goodking's book and thought "Lord of the Rings, light". I have to admit to not giving Dragonlance a chance because it was all part of AD&D Second Edition, which I disliked so much that I quit playing for a while.

I liked the Wheel of Time much better. It remained consistent to its own mythos throughout, although there were some changes to the general tone after Robert Jordan died and his successor took over. Also, when WoT characters act like ***holes, at least everyone realized it and treated them accordingly. They didn't pull a pseudo-philosophical ******* to somehow make it seem like they were in the right and everyone who disagreed with them was wrong.

The first 3-6 books of DragonLance were before 2E. In fact there was an AD&D 1E (orange-bound) sourcebook for DragonLance. Regardless, they were novels so didn't really match rules.

I like the pair of Weis and Hickman for their other novels as well, like Rose of the Prophet and Death Gate Cycle.

You know... I definitely can't argue with the last few books in the SoT series getting very preachy. I agree that towards the end it was less the story of Richard and Kahlan and more Goodkind showing how terrible socialism is compared to a Free Market economy.

I can't say anything about WoT, never had the chance to read it.

Dragonlance though... specifically the War of Souls I did read. I thought it was excellent, especially the lore of Dragonlance.

OK. So when I have the chance I'll pick up Dragonlance. :)

At least the first 6 books. Granted, they are written for a younger audience (as I think most of the TSR era novels were, for the sake of their general audience), but I love the characters in the stories.

So, tomb exploration gear:

Neferteri is not so well equipped, but has 13 gold remaining. However his rent of 5 gold is due in a week and so would prefer to prepay for the coming month before we all embark (We could be gone for more than a week). This still leaves him 8 gold he can offer to better equip the group with rope, food, water, etc.

In addition to his weapons and armor he does have a backpack, thieves tools, and one alchemical fire. He currently has no food to take with him and is pretty much at his carrying capacity anyway.

He will offer the use of his place as a base and HQ if it is deemed useful. It is mostly secure (watched by neighbors) and likely safe for mundane items. It is only two rooms with shared access to some common areas but could be upgraded slightly with some additional furnishing so that we could all sleep there and save a few silver. I think it would be handy to have a place to plan, stockpile some gear, put maps on the walls, etc.

Thoughts?

I already have a rope for emergencies - 50 ft. of silk - so no worries about that. ^^

So do you want me to go ahead and deduct your rent Nefer?

Nulyth also has some rope as well.

As far as Nefer's residence, I think that sounds like a great plan. Nulyth would gladly offer some of his own money to help provision the residence to allow the group a consolidated area for them to rest/resupply as necessary.

So do you want me to go ahead and deduct your rent Nefer?

Sure. Neferteri will make a habit of paying rent early as one more way to make a friend in this city.

bwatford wrote:

So do you want me to go ahead and deduct your rent Nefer?

Sure. Neferteri will make a habit of paying rent early as one more way to make a friend in this city.

Rent paid, -5 gold deducted.

As far as your place goes on the security of it, it is on the second floor, has a poor lock and the window has no glass in it. Most mundane items would probably be ok there, but I wouldn't store anything Masterwork or above there.

Check.

Second floor is a plus. Add upgrading the lock to my "things to do" list and look at bars over the window for some future upgrade too. :)

I'll make sure to take Alarm at next level. ^^

bwatford, question for you. How do you handle racial energy resistances as it relates to environmental conditions? Specifically fire resistance in relation to high temperatures and cold resistance to low temperatures?

I have always wondered about that, but can never seem to find any actual rules about that.

If you have Fire Resistance of lets say 5 then any non-lethal or lethal damage you would normally take because of heat would be reduced by 5.

Holbrecht will buy Hot weather clothes and a crowbar. Should be 10 gp.

Remember, for carrying stuff, both Nulyth and I can carry our medium loads without it affecting us. He's already in medium armor so already suffers the penalty, and I'm already at my medium load (as a dwarf) so my only penalty is -1 more ACP than I was under light load.

Changed out Guidance for Create Water.

...g$$$#~it, stop doing all this posting when I'm asleep! Just shift your timezones already, i'm sure you're just being lazy if you haven't done it already.

I kinda wanted to be spokesperson but eh fair enough I was afk.

I understand, but even were you present, we may have balked IC at you doing so. Not knowing each other well, we went with a self-proclaimed local guide and paladin of Sarenrae as our spokesman as the type to best represent both us and the locals.

Even still, once we see your talents, we would likely use your gift for talking our way out of things, and bartering for whatever goods we return with.

Mmm I was anticipating there would be a bit of IC argument, but thought that could be fun RP. Ah well, see how it goes.

Holbrecht: Hot Weather Outfit and Crowbar Purchased. Changed out Guidance for Create Water confirmed.

Please note that with armor any heat check needed will be at -4.

Also everyone let me know when you are ready to proceed and I will move to the next scene which is at the lottery the next day at noon.

I'm ready to proceed.

I am ready as well.

For any of the others, Holbrecht will carry up to 25-30 more pounds of your stuff (total) if you need him to do so. Not an ounce more.

I can't seem to access the picture of the Grand Mausoleum, or the Environmental rules in the campaign tab.

Should be fixed now.

Nefer has a little over 8 gold to spend.

He buys a waterskin (1 gold 1 lb), 20 servings of Wandermeal (2 silver, 2.5 lbs), Bread and cheese (1 silver, 1 copper and 1 lb total), and a jar of honey (1 gold, .5 lbs). he puts all this in his backpack and gives the thing to the Holbrecht to carry. Should be 7 lbs total, including the small pack.

He will buy himself a belt pouch, some chalk and a signal whistle.

Nefer has a little over 8 gold to spend.

He buys a waterskin (1 gold 1 lb), 20 servings of Wandermeal (2 silver, 2.5 lbs), Bread and cheese (1 silver, 1 copper and 1 lb total), and a jar of honey (1 gold, .5 lbs). he puts all this in his backpack and gives the thing to the Holbrecht to carry. Should be 7 lbs total, including the small pack.

He will buy himself a belt pouch, some chalk and a signal whistle.

Done.... will update everyone's online sheet later tonight.

Ok, everyone is updated. Please make sure you are using links to your official character sheets from the links below or off the main campaign info tab.

Official Character Sheets
Alexander Pierpoint Official Character Sheet

Nulyth Shenir Official Character Sheet
Nulyth Shenir Official Character Portrait

Lin Zi Official Character Sheet
Kachu Official Character Sheet

Holbrecht Bastionne Official Character Sheet

Neferteri Sandyfoot Official Character Sheet
Downtime Capital: Goods = 0 Influence = 0 Labor = 1 Magic = 0
Contacts Made: Groups = Dog Soldiers

I am about to official move the thread to the next scene. It will actually be the "Official" beginning of the campaign. If you still had stuff you wanted to do at the T&H then you will have another opportunity prior to going to your first site to explore.

It also will give Mr. Pierpoint some time to examine his box.

Sorry if today's post seemed a little rushed.... wanted to move things forward to the actual start of the campaign, which is at the lottery.

I will relax now and let the story develop itself. Once the lottery is concluded then we will have another scene at the T&H the evening after the lottery for final prep and roleplay before we head to the first assigned site.

Once your character is pretty much done in a scene and is ready to move on put a OOC tag in one of your post that indicates such. That way I don't jump from a place that your character still wanted to do things at. Once I get a confirm from everyone in a scene then I will know it is ok to move the story along.

Example: In the current opening official start scene we know that Nulyth needs to go up now and get the assignment, everyone else can interact with each other and the crowd while this plays out. Once he is back then I'll start looking for the tags to show that each of you are none with the scene.

I also realize that the opening scene is a WALLLLLLL of text, but I believe it necessary to properly set everything up. You may get a few of these during scene openings. Reading is good for ya.......:)

My thoughts on the daughters of the desert are that their group and ours could help each other when we are both back from a foray into the tombs in such things as knowledge checks and appraise checks for items found, offering to sell items one group does not need (for half price) to each other before dumping them on the market, and even in some spell casting for healing and the like. I see this as win/win with no down side. Thoughts? Of course I'd also like our paladin to detect evil on them just for insurance, before we get too trusting with them. :)

I think those two veiled women might be witches of Sivanah. Which could be interesting. ^^ I rather like her, among the Golarion pantheon.
And sure, it's a good idea to make friends and allies. Beats making enemies right off the bat!

Here you go Alexander.

Thank you. ^^

Lets take a moment to clarify detect magic and stealthy spellcasting.

If you want to cast a spell undetected then you need to make the appropriate check because if another spellcaster is around they may catch what you are doing and have a chance to determine the spell.

It's a Bluff to conceal the V(Verbal Component) versus any nearby casters Sense Motive, Stealth to conceal the S(Somatic Component) versus any nearby casters Perception, and Sleight of Hand to conceal the M(Material Component) versus any nearby casters spellcraft.

I will determine any bonuses you might get based on anything that might benefit, like the crowd in the market square or the book that Lin just used to hide the message spell.

So let me give you an example of hiding detect magic.

Detect magic has both a Verbal and a Somatic component. So you would need to use a bluff check to hide the verbal (Disguise the arcane words as a cough or something similar) and a Stealth check to hide the hand gestures of the somatic component. Now only trained spell casters of the appropriate school (Divine or Arcane) get a chance to catch a spell being stealthily cast.

So lets test this using Alexanders stats.
He cast Detect Magic and tried to do it stealthily and we will say that Lin Zi was trying to catch him since they both use arcane spells.

Alexander Bluff For Verbal: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
Lin Zi Sense Motive To Detect: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (10) + 1 = 11

Alexander Stealth For Somatic: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (12) - 2 = 10
Lin Zi Sense Perception To Detect: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

BUSTED!!! Lin heard a arcane word and knows that a spell may be being cast but did not see the Somatic part of the spell.

Lin doesn't have spellcraft so she can't determine the spell that was cast. If she did have spellcraft she would make her normal dc check versus DC 15. I would also have given her a -4 since she didn't see one part of the spell components.

Also when using detect magic, it gives you the number of auras present and their strength. If the object is in line of sight like a wand in a belt then a knoweledge Arcana check is required to identify its aura. Items in a pouch, pocket extc can not have their aura type determined because you do not have line of site. You also can not identify a item using spellcraft without being able to fully examine the object.

Alexander, I know I gave you a big gimme on your detect magic check, but sometimes I will depending on the situation

All this sounds very reasonable. I would not limit it to divine noticing devine or arcane noticing arcane even. And there are classes that do not cast spells that have knowledge arcana and spellcraft that depend on noticing casting. So maybe ranks in these skills should also serve?

What you did not cover was the general effect of being busted. I know its situational but also gets to how rare is it for someone to cast a spell in an open crowded market? Maybe people are casting cantrips all the time. Maybe its very rare and considered rude. Maybe its illegal. Can you give us a hint at how common/accepted it is on the street to cast a simple spell on yourself (Not on a stranger)?

I'm fine with this system. ^^ If I want to go completely unnoticed, I'll have to invest in Silent and Still Spell -- which I probably won't, due to my plans for advancement. Item creation feats, hmmm...

I agree with Neferteri that it shouldn't just be divine to divine and arcane to arcane; anyone with the appropriate training should be able to identify spellcasting. The spell lists overlap in quite a few spells, after all.

I think Osirion might be a bit less sensitive to public spellcasting; it's the birthplace of Nethys, Golarion's primary deity of magic (since the death of the Azlanti deity of magic, anyway), and his influence is strong there.

I agree cross source should be allowed, as anybody can train Spellcraft even as a non-caster. Maybe assign either a penalty to cross noticing, or a bonus to like noticing, much like specialist wizards get for their schools or opposed schools. By RAW though, spellcraft has no penalties based on source, allowing anyone trained in Spellcraft to ID a spell being cast.

The problem with the idea of magic being common, however, you have to realize that only a small section of society actually can cast spells. Even less actually have spellcraft trained. So you would think on average, most people would be as wary of someone casting a spell in public as they would of someone just randomly swinging a sword (not at someone specifically, just swinging it around out of say boredom).

Maybe just a penalty to recognizing the specific spell being cast, rather than the act of spellcasting.

Actually, Spellcraft is supposed to already factor in all the perception modifiers. It is oft overlooked, I recently became awar of it myself a couple months ago.

Action: Identifying a spell as it is being cast requires no action, but you must be able to clearly see the spell as it is being cast, and this incurs the same penalties as a Perception skill check due to distance, poor conditions, and other factors.

All of you have valid points.

The common spells used in everyday life such as mending or prestidigitation are common place for spell casters in a city and are used often, most people that have ever been around a wizard have seen these done a few times and don't stir up much fuss. Even common folk may confuse a different spell for prestidigitation or the like if untrained.

However the checks still need to be made when attempting covert operation, the reason I spread it across three skills is so that the more complex a spell is (Having all 3 components) would be harder to pull off than one simply with a one component.

If detected then spellcraft could be used to try and identify, in cases where someone detects you that may not be trained in magic he would just detect that something is off.

Penalties to checks to discover it would be between -1 and -20 situational modifiers. The main one being distance -1 per 5 feet away. The second being partial cover such as Lin's book adding a -2, full cover like hiding behind something would be a -4.

In the case of Lin casting message from where you guys were studying and she was in a chair was about 60 feet from the target, she also was using partial cover to conceal her hand motion.

So on the bluff part is to hide the verbal She is 60 feet away so that's a -7 but since she has to actual whisper the message as well I would say that it is just a -5 to the detection check.

It also has a somatic component, so she is 60 feet awat so that is -7 plus she used partial cover to conceal the hand motion (The Book) so that is an additional -2 for a total of -9 to spot the somatic component of it.

The spell has a focus which might come into play but it won't in this case because it is just a small copper wire.

I also would agree that anyone with spellcraft would get a shot at it to know it was spell related.

Okay, I'm tracking on the SLA's. I finally found the explanation in the Bestiary. I hate when the same things are in different books, and have different information in them.

Moving the trap check mechanic discussion here.....

Ok the mechanic I mentioned is something I use in my home games to keep from spending a ton of time rolling dice outside of combat for perception, climb etc.

If you want it to take a standard action then it requires a dice roll because checking a square in less than 6 seconds has a chance of failure. If you want to go that route you can roll for the check.

If you want to take 10 I assume you are spending more time to be more thorough in your search, climb or whatever. So it takes 1 minute and no roll required. It also explains time passing and helps when to make those wandering monster checks.

Taking 20 is similar but you are doing it at your best, really studying every crack and cranny of a surface or really taking your time climbing the rope to make sure you don't fall etc. It takes twice as long as taking 10 but if it is there then you have done your best to find it. My home players usually only go this route when they are very suspicious of something or believe there to be a hidden door etc at that location.

Again it is a house rule since core doesn't cover it, but how else you explain running through 3 rooms in under 15 minutes and have checked everything? Then we get the 5 minute adventuring day creep.

So you can use whatever about of time you want, 6 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes depending on how careful you are being.

Also with Neferteri, after giving your pack to the dwarf you are at 24.505 pounds of carrying weight out of a maximum of 26 for a light load. So mostly anything will throw you over at the moment.

Also to note, since we are now no longer in a social (safe)setting then I will resolve actions once everyone has a chance to post since everyone can be effected by other actions, etc.