Council of Thieves

Game Master Mug

First of all thanks for your interest in the campaign, and congratulations!

Lets get this part out of the way so we can get started.

I'd like your characters to be fully crunched and fluffed inside the aliases. I'm giving you this time to make minor tweaks (in my mind) in order to align yours characters with the Players Guide if you haven't done so already. When you feel their ready for review then let me know and also please use this time to ask any and all questions about builds or whatever.

After my review is complete we should be ready to go in a matter of hours, not days. Lets this wagon train a'movin!

Checking in. So you decided on a six member party?

Yes, and possibly a 7 character party. So to all, any objections to having 7 in the party?

It increases the likelihood of a slow down, especially in combat, but I think if we keep a good posting schedule it shouldn't be a problem.

GM Mug, it might be good to have players write up a short 'botting script.' That way if someone is taking too long to post, you have some bullet points that describe what a player will do in particular circumstances or tactical situations. Just a thought.

I agree. I was thinking of having people do that, and possibly even roll several rounds worth of actions at the start of combat to keep things moving. I like the suggestion very much.

No problem with 7, there's always a drop or two.

I will get my alias up tonight or tomorrow, I am stuck at a non-pirate themed barbecue for the evening.

@Trajan, what a shame ;)

Average starting gold by class?

If anyone is stuck on a phone, etc, perhaps they can post their actions in ooc mode and have our esteemed GM roll for them.

Indeed, someone is bound to drop out...so, standard binding Chelaxian contracts? P:D

Statted up. All barbecues require pirates by law, don't they?

I'm stuck at work at the moment but I will gleefully post something when I get home this evening

Here. The "click here" link takes you to the paizo home page, fyi GM. Luckily, I am smart enough after 3 tries to click on the tab next to recruitment.

I will stat up my Inquisitor tonight (I left it blank in case I was going to be moved over to TWF or rogue or something.)

Very excited to play this character. HOPE YOU ALL LIKE SHAKESPEARE!!! I am going to attempt to post everything my character says in Iambic Pentameter. Wish me luck! :)

I will add the question from before.

Average starting money by class?

Any restrictions on equipment? (i.e. can we use items from Adventurer's Armory and others)

@Amon, Yes, average starting gold, and what items are you interested in?

@Romeo, how odd about that link! I realized it's cause I changed the name of the discussion thread after making the link. Oh well! I'm glad you're a thinker, and good luck :)

@Enko, If they don't then they should

@Axolotl, The posting in ooc works as well.

There will also be a time limit, probably 12 hours, before I bot you, scripted actions or no scripted actions, if we're waiting on one particular character.

The other character I've asked to join us is; Ringtail - Jaiyana Nejem (Human Urban Ranger). She's been notified and will make her appearance at her leisure. Or knowing my luck she just ninja'd me!

EDIT: Yay! I was wrong.

By the time you're all done fleshing out the characters I should be able to tell how you're tied to Westcrown, and why you care about it. You don't need to post that information here, under your alias is super.
Also feel free to decide if any of you know each other (not required) if you'd like to.

I'm pretty excited folks.

While I'm putting things on forum paper; you're polishing of your characters and presenting them for inspection will also be an indication to me that you have read the Council of Thieves Players Guide and are familiar with the information therein regarding Westcrown.

Just dotting the thread real quick while on D&D dinner-break. My character will be finished off by midday tomorrow, early afternoon at the latest, possibly tonight depending on how late the game goes this evening.

GM Mug, it might be good to have players write up a short 'botting script.' That way if someone is taking too long to post, you have some bullet points that describe what a player will do in particular circumstances or tactical situations. Just a thought.

I'd like to give this a try people, and if doesn't work we'll adjust. I've done it to lesser degrees in other pbp's and was glad that I did.

What I want is a spoilered section in your profile, and inside this spoilered section I would like no more than 5 tactics, or 'botting scripts' as Amon referred to them. These are VERY general statements about your characters goals in combat and are not meant to detail every possible encounter. So for example one 'Tactics' section might look something like:

I feel I should say that I will Always attempt to use your own post, rather than bot your character. This is your game and your characters, the actions should be yours. I think we're all aware that in this medium especially we have some unique challenges and this exercise should hopefully alleviate one of those challenges a bit.

@Ringtail, thanks for checking in and welcome!

While I'm on a roll I'll bring up Spoilered Combat and flex time, you all may know them, or call them something else.

Spoilered Combat:
When combat begins and initiative has been determined, you will post your desired actions in a spoiler to me, labeled appropriately.

Once all seven of you have quickly and promptly posted your Round X actions, I'll let it play out behind the scenes, and then post a large description of that rounds actions, and you can see how they got resolved. There is a 100% chance I will be forced to make changes for you at some point in our adventure, as your character won't know if the guy he was targeting is alive or dead by the time his/her initiative arrives. These changes will be in your favor, I won't force you to shoot at empty air because your target was dead on the floor. So you'll shoot the next guy or flank or ready an action, etc...

Sometimes I may just ask you if you'd like to change, if I'm uncertain enough about a particular action adjustment. Note that it is inside these spoilers that all actions should take place, Move, Standard, Free, etc... It's confusing at times, but it'll all make sense when the rounds resolution is posted by me.

Questions on Spoilered Combat?

Flex-time (similar to retcon)
If the world has moved ahead while you're afk, or sleeping, or whatever, and you really wanted to ask that certain question during the encounter, or talk about how your mother was mean to you as a little Chelaxian baby, etc... You can still do those things, via Flex-Time.

Start your post with the words, you guessed it, "Flex-Time" and then reference the encounter or setting your 'flexing' to. For Example;

Flex Time - Day BEFORE anniversary

Romeo suddenly realizes he had spaced their anniversary, and rushed off to the jewelry stores to find something amazing for the woman he loves, thinking, 'Man I'm glad I didn't forget that! Dinner sure would've been awkward tomorrow! as he trudges happily down the street.
-------------

You get the idea. This helps alleviate the story moving too quickly for the slow-posters out there. Or those who just have different posting schedules, they can utilize this too. ;)

The purpose of this is for more/better RP, and this is a dialogue tool ONLY. This cannot be used to 'Flex-Time - Yesterday. To buy that ring of swimming' when the boat is sinking today.

Last thing about Flex time is that I will occasionally force-stop long running flex time conversations. Too many old conversations can clutter up the gameplay thread and boy do I hate clutter!

Any questions on this one?

Question on spoilered combat: how does this affect the buffer people and teamwork? I'll generally be charging ahead and attacking...er, I mean flowing with the attack and tripping...so it won't affect me as much, but the casters may be handing out Guidance and such. Take it to the discussion section if it starts to matter?

I reckon Enko might know Lucon from the docks, although he hasn't been in Westecrown for nigh five years and has changed quite a bit.

The Viscount is damned familiar...as if we knew each other in another lifetime...

Well you'll be privy to the initiative, so if you've been playing together for a bit, or if you've taken the time to discuss strategy beforehand, Casters can know if they're going before or after the buffer folks and dole out the same 'ol same 'ol. Definitely take it to the discussion board if you feel a situation deserves it, or better yet rp it as time and circumstances allow. Of course I'll be monitoring and organizing them as well and can usually head off any obviously doomed actions.

Is there a specific scenario you're picturing? It's usually worked without too many hitches that I've seen.

Question on spoilered combat: how does this affect the buffer people and teamwork? I'll generally be charging ahead and attacking...er, I mean flowing with the attack and tripping...so it won't affect me as much, but the casters may be handing out Guidance and such. Take it to the discussion section if it starts to matter?

As the party historian/divine caster (aka NERD/WUSS) I will be mostly making you strong guys stronger, and then attempting to heal you when you get blonked.

I have a repeating crossbow for those times when I'm not doing one or the other.

- I am wondering if I would post my aid attempts in non-spoiler format, or if the GM wishes me to post them in spoiler and he will take care of the buffering?

With the exception of a combat script should I unexpectedly disappear, I believe my character's crunch is done. I had a bit more free time than expected this evening so I've had a chance to pop in and out and work on it here and there.

Will you be rolling our initiative, or will we roll it when combat begins (I've seen and used it both ways)?

@Romeo.. no wait, you're not Romeo! In spoilered combat you should specify whether you're aiding another or not in that same action/post. Out of Combat you don't need to spoiler it. Out of combat I'll let you know if I'd like something spoilered or not. I'll leave it up to you for all other rolls.

@Jaiyana, unless there is opposition from an un-silent majority, I will be rolling initiative for the group.

I'll be putting up notes as I find things and have questions about your profiles. Thanks!

Enko Laberan wrote:

Question on spoilered combat: how does this affect the buffer people and teamwork? I'll generally be charging ahead and attacking...er, I mean flowing with the attack and tripping...so it won't affect me as much, but the casters may be handing out Guidance and such. Take it to the discussion section if it starts to matter?

As the party historian/divine caster (aka NERD/WUSS) I will be mostly making you strong guys stronger, and then attempting to heal you when you get blonked.

I have a repeating crossbow for those times when I'm not doing one or the other.

- I am wondering if I would post my aid attempts in non-spoiler format, or if the GM wishes me to post them in spoiler and he will take care of the buffering?

Cool, we'll assume band aiding, then. :) (As appropriate, that is.) And divine casters are awesome!

Say, GM Mug---what about shouting out tactical stuff during combat? It happens. In between quips and cries of "By Crom!"

So just a note that I noticed what sheeting my character up, by taking the Knife Master archetype I lose trap-finding/sense. . . Ya. . . So if possible I would change my sheet a bit to probably a basic rogue. If that is ok, then I will do that but if not I am fine staying as I am.

Say, GM Mug---what about shouting out tactical stuff during combat? It happens. In between quips and cries of "By Crom!"

We'll be using the more 'mechanically correct' method of using free actions on your turn, in the spoilered post. While I do love cries of "By Crom" as much as the next guy, those free actions ought to be limited to their turn, so that's what we'll do.

I have no problem with the discussion thread for cries of "Don't you have a tanglefoot bag... I saw you buy at some point a few towns ago!? That would really come in handy right now!"

Savvy?

@Brayden - For optimization's sake, I don't think you need to divert many resources toward healing. Amon is, after all, an oracle of life. Healing is his shtick. ;)

@GM Mug - I have a template for character sheets. I copy-pasted from another character and am currently filling in the new information for Amon.

So just a note that I noticed what sheeting my character up, by taking the Knife Master archetype I lose trap-finding/sense. . . Ya. . . So if possible I would change my sheet a bit to probably a basic rogue. If that is ok, then I will do that but if not I am fine staying as I am.

@Tavi - No you may not. (see Jaiyana Nejem)

@Amon - Yeah after I thought about things for a minute or two I realized you never actually said you were ready for review. I'm just an over eager son of a gun, sue me!

Also Traits, I don't have them. I thought we were getting assigned some but maybe I'm wrong.

@Tavi - Our Urban Ranger has Disable Device as a class skill, so we're covered there. Also, you need to pick your own traits, since in part it helps contribute to your character's background.

@ Amon - Gotcha. I will tweak a little.

Stats are posted. I will be tweaking a little, based on my mini conversation with Amon.

@ everyone. How would everyone feel about me being a little better ranged attacker, with a pinch of divining on the side, since our WONDERFUL CLERIC seems to have us covered there? Or should I stay as is?

Also Traits, I don't have them. I thought we were getting assigned some but maybe I'm wrong.

No trait assignment here. You need one from the Players Guide and you can pick whatever you want for the other one, and I would hope you tie both in to your characters backstory. Hope that helps!

@Romeo - Sounds good.

Updated with traits, and keeping with the Knife Master.

Hey guys, Luconreporting in from my phone. Thanks for choosing me! I'll try not to dissapoint. I'll fix up my crunch once I arrive home.

I was actually going to suggest a "tactics" section like the ones in the AP writeups, so it looks like folks beat me to it. The AP ones use a "Before Combat" "During Combat" and "Morale" headings that I think work great.

I'm considering having Lucon start the game unarmed or weilding a simple weapon and work his way up as he get's swept up in the trouble. I can't think of an appropriate choice for a carpenter. Any suggestions?

Looking forward to starting! Let me know what more I need, mister GM.

I'm considering having Lucon start the game unarmed or weilding a simple weapon and work his way up as he get's swept up in the trouble. I can't think of an appropriate choice for a carpenter. Any suggestions?

The club is a good all around simple weapon; as a carpenter it could be a board of wood.

@Lucon, good to hear from you. What about a light hammer? Could call it a mallet for RP purposes with the Light Hammer stats?

Maybe with a chisel as well? (aka: punching dagger)

Saw (sawtooth sabre statistics)?

@Lucon - If your character were actually just a carpenter, he would have levels in Expert or Commoner, not Fighter. Perhaps your character served in the town militia when he was younger, but decided to become a craftsman instead. Perhaps you have prior military service and became a carpenter after discharge. Perhaps your father was a skilled warrior who tutored you in combat and left you his armor and weapons when he died, but you chose a different profession. Regardless, I think something has to justify being a Fighter rather than saying, "I'm just a carpenter... with knowledge of the finer points of weaponry and armor for no reason." Does that make sense?

Sorry I'm so noob at not switching my icon. I've only GM'd on the paizo site, and I have 3 games, so I'm very used to not switching it. I'll get it down sometime before 2013...

So who do we have that is full on melee in the group? So far Lucon, and Enko the monk?

I would offer myself up as a finesse fighter if that will help the group... You would be missing out on the "knowledge:everything" skills that I currently have though.

Thoughts?

With 6-7 people in the party, we have a lot of flexibility in terms of party roles. Doubling, or even tripling, on a particular role would still leave us with enough players to fill the other gaps.

@Lucon (et al)---how about an Earthbreaker? Big old hammer. Not to mention, I think it was in Ashiel's guide of adventuring gear where it was mentioned that a character plowed through a foe wielding a crowbar. Useful item, and a good improvised weapon...maybe there's a feat to make wielding one better. Not to mention that iron spikes can also be used as weapons. Earthbreaker plus spikes = scary!

Or have anything, tucked away in a closet. I love the conceit where the simple hermit actually has their war weapons secretly stashed away, or they are a great wizard, etc. (e.g. Gandalf, Obi-Wan)

I am a Knife Master, so I am a finesse melee fighter, focused on sneak attacks.

Oh cool. So it sounds like I might be perfect the way I am, because we have melee, albeit a teensy bit squishy melee (no offense of course. I am -1 STR, haha. I be the squishiest.) So we might be healbotting all over the place.

My domain is "defense" too. So any allies within 20 ft of me get a +2 to their AC once per day. I'm all about the setup, just as long as we get a nice spike in.

Here here is, ready for review.

The only thing that needs special approval is his choice of Oracle Curse. I chose Legalistic, which is described here. It was originally designed to reflect an infernal patron for an Oracle, but it seems to me that having Iomedae as my patron may also fit. She is, after all, a deity of honor and duty, not to mention the patron of paladins. I think this would fit the character well and would require little re-imagining for it to work.

@Romeo - Who is your patron deity?