Council of Thieves - Westcrown Lives! (Inactive)

Game Master dickie

Use this space to tweak characters and party. You know that already though.

Google Folder is here. I may need to tweak the share settings for individual files when they're created as the settings for folders and files are slightly different, so if you have any issues please let me know. I will be populating it with some images/maps/handouts throughout the weekend, so I won't post an announcement every time I add something new until the game starts proper.

Additionally, I believe people can create/add their own files to the folder. That should allow you to choose alternate portraits, shared party loot, individual journals, and so on if you desire. I may try to find or build a spreadsheet for downtime tracking as well. I know that I'll have to decide how to handle that in a couple of cases where backstories mention ownership of businesses already (I believe only one is specifically mentioned, and another is family owned over character), but that's one of those details that I hope will ensure that characters have a stake in keeping the city safe and making it prosperous.

Roll20 Link

I won't require Roll20 simply because some poeple use mobile devices exclusively and the screen size can be a pain, but I highly encourage it. I have created the campaign using the character sheet function.

So, just to be clear, once you get the PM about the starting scene, you're free to post in gameplay? I just don't want to jump the gun, is all.

That is correct for the most part, except that I haven't created the official thread just yet! I can do so after I post this. I'm sure some of the characters have actions they will want to do before arriving at the meeting and once there you will have some time to do the chatting it up with everyone before things begin.

At the moment I have three of the custom scenes/invites sent out, one more that should be fairly easy, one that I'm not 100% sure how I want to present and one where I just need a touch more information to ensure the proper hook. :)

Alright, I think I'll wait for the others, since I don't really have anything I need to do before arriving at the meeting, other than maybe cast Disguise Self as a Halfling, just to make sure I'm not harried by anyone when I get there. Debating on whether or not that's necessary right now.

By the way, I got the silly idea to put some clever titles on the scenes I sent out after I did yours. The missing title would be, "A True Fan." :P

Ha, nice. I guess there's a little bit of foreshadowing there, maybe. In any case, though, I get the feeling that starting on the 4th of July may not have been the best move, though; I think a lot of people will be spending time with family/friends tonight. Not that waiting another day is a problem for me, and I hope not for the others that made it in.

Checking in! I've updated my sheet to include gear, dropped back into medium armor since I can't quite afford heavy yet, and traded out a feat for another (looking into getting the Imperious Eldritch Heritage line). I'll post up in the gameplay section, but likely will be out for most of the rest of the day.

Sounds good, and your profile line reminds me that I will need to post a few notes about mechanic preferences and such. So much to do, so glad I have had the time to do the hard work the last few days.

Everyone should have received their brief scene, I promise that is the only time you won't get to react to something going on: they're merely hooks intended to get the characters to the meet.

I've uploaded an alternate portrait of Martino to the Google drive. Someone created it as their character for EVE Online. The avatar generation system for that game is fantastic, and I saved a couple of hundred portraits while I played EVE. (Many of them aren't perfect for Pathfinder, because they contain sunglasses, cybernetic eyes and logo T-shirts from in-game companies, but that still leaves tons of useful portraits.)

I've received the info and I'm ready to go.

DM Dickie: I've introduced Martino's mother in the Gameplay thread, and established that she refers to Martino with the diminutive Marti (which embarrasses him to no end). With that done, I'd be happy to stop speaking for Mama Barzelli, if you'd prefer to be her voice from now on.

I took the Family Ties disadvantage, and I'm confident that in return, Mama Barzelli and the rest of the family will have expectations of young Martino. If you'd prefer to avoid those complications, I'm also willing to drop the disadvantage and the corresponding trait, Talented Organizer.

If you believe we have too many characters with the Westcrown Firebrand trait, I think Shadow Child would also be appropriate for Martino. Pathfinder's Exile is a little more of a stretch, but I could also switch to that one.

Edit: Everyone will probably notice soon enough that I'm a serial post editor. I'll try hard not to change the core content of my posts within the hour that they're edit-able, but I know I'll frequently be compelled to touch up the wording while I can.

I love drawbacks, and PbP makes that particular sort of drawback perfect. Characters don't exist in a vacuum and family drama is likely to influence a couple of others as well. :) I get the feeling the Barzelli family takes the somewhat Italian flavor of Cheliax to heart.

Changing the campaign trait to Shadow Child wouldn't alter that intro as that particular scene easily works both ways, but it is totally up to you. Other than helping define the character's interest in protecting the city, they're still just traits.

Speaking of the intro scenes, if folks wish to share them that's on you, though I have a feeling that at least part of those brief stories will come up at that meet.

The key thing about character tweaks at the moment is to make sure they're done before the first real combat encounter occurs. After that, you're pretty much locked in and the retraining rules will apply instead.

And that portrait does look great, I will end up sliding it into the Roll20 character sheet when I get back there to update it further.

I love drawbacks, and PbP makes that particular sort of drawback perfect. Characters don't exist in a vacuum and family drama is likely to influence a couple of others as well. :) I get the feeling the Barzelli family takes the somewhat Italian flavor of Cheliax to heart.

Yes, I definitely had the "big Italian family" trope in mind for them.

Changing the campaign trait to Shadow Child wouldn't alter that intro as that particular scene easily works both ways, but it is totally up to you. Other than helping define the character's interest in protecting the city, they're still just traits.

In that case, I'd like to keep Westcrown Firebrand.

And that portrait does look great, I will end up sliding it into the Roll20 character sheet when I get back there to update it further.

Thank you. The full folder is 92.7 MB and 957 files. If you'd like, and have room, I'd be happy to upload it to the Google Docs folder for allies, adversaries and random Westcrown citizens.

As an aside, I also run a PBP campaign on the boards with Roll20 linked for maps, and I put an invite link to the Roll20 page at the top of the short description for my campaign. That way any time players go to the campaign summary page they can just click that link and BAM, they're on the Roll20 page.

Thank you. The full folder is 92.7 MB and 957 files. If you'd like, and have room, I'd be happy to upload it to the Google Docs folder for allies, adversaries and random Westcrown citizens.

I have a few gigs still free on my drive, but may not be able to hold it up forever. ;) My Drive space is actually fairly packed lately, and that's after I did a thorough cleaning a few weeks ago. Alternatively, if you have drive, you could just set it to share with link and post that.

As an aside, I also run a PBP campaign on the boards with Roll20 linked for maps, and I put an invite link to the Roll20 page at the top of the short description for my campaign. That way any time players go to the campaign summary page they can just click that link and BAM, they're on the Roll20 page.

I thought I had done that, but I'm not sure it is the right link now that I check the URL again. My clipboard may have been stuck. I will make a note to double-check in the morning since I'm just stopping in briefly right now.

Since folks are more or less just heading to the Tavern, I'll post a brief description and allow everyone some time get to get to know, or maybe stare suspiciously at, each other.

EDIT: Forgot a close tag so that was a mess!

Alright, I'll need to post my introduction, then, in some odd amount of minutes.

Damn, didn't notice the post Dickie made when I made mine; want me to edit it so I actually do something productive when in the bar? It depends if the woman behind the counter is the only person in there that he can see that will determine his actions after that stealth check.

And I didn't notice this post until I updated the Gameplay :P She is the only person you see in there at the moment as far as you can tell. I might check back in before I pass out, but you can otherwise assume things are the way they are for the moment.

Martino Barzelli wrote:

Thank you. The full folder is 92.7 MB and 957 files. If you'd like, and have room, I'd be happy to upload it to the Google Docs folder for allies, adversaries and random Westcrown citizens.

I have a few gigs still free on my drive, but may not be able to hold it up forever. ;) My Drive space is actually fairly packed lately, and that's after I did a thorough cleaning a few weeks ago. Alternatively, if you have drive, you could just set it to share with link and post that.

My Drive is basically empty, so I could do that.

So, great player interaction, yeah? lol. I thought that trying to get everyone to introduce themselves would work.

I think there is a lot of suspicion and questions so far. Everyone has their own reasons for being there, and so far no sign of whoever is running the show. As soon as Cato shows up, it will be time for some answers! :D

Whoops! Had to finish up a paper for a summer class I'm taking; almost forgot this started yesterday!

No worries! Those answers may actually come in the morning since I'm up a little late right now, but they'll be coming soon. 3:)

Calling a cutoff for character tweaks as action will be happening shortly after any last-second Q&A.

If you have not yet done so, please include: Race, class (any archetypes), level, hps, AC/FF/Touch, CMD, saves, init, perception and sense motive, and any special senses in your profile line for at-a-glance value. The exact format is up to the player, but please make sure you have these details to make my life a little easier!

In general, when initiative is needed, I will be using a simple "you/them" system so that combat isn't slowed to a crawl. Sometimes individual initiative is needed, usually for surprise rounds and the like, but that will be noted during an encounter.

Sorry, I got called into work, so I'm going to have to respond either late tonight or tomorrow morning. Try not to proceed too far without me, if you can.

I have a distinct feeling that things are going to slow down a touch very soon *coughactionsequencecough*, so no worries 3:-)

I have some minor work to do on setting up maps and updating characters on Roll20 and such, but that shouldn't stop anyone from proceeding. There isn't a sewer map, it is more of a "You get there when you get there, don't get lost!" deal, so you don't have to wait for one.

When everyone has a chance, I need to know who is who on Roll20 to allow characters to be assigned properly. When you log on next you should see a small map where you're currently located.

Hm, not letting me post in the gameplay thread; it just keeps going as if I hit "Preview" and won't post. Paizo forums glitch...?

At any rate, I got a 5. So I won't likely be moving before anyone.

close the page? maybe reboot?

added myself to game and posted on roll20 Tanrov name.

I'm away from the house, so I can't get on Roll20, but it'll be one of the first things I do when I get back in about five hours.

Thanks for the move im on phone atm and it doesn't deal with roll20

Made it back home, but I'm wiped out, so I'll get back to things in the morning, if I'm up in the initiative. Not sure what Mimazaran can do against skellys, though.

So, am I up in initiative? I can't see a list of of it anywhere.

DM Dickie, I uploaded my EVE Online portrait gallery to my Google Drive. Here's the link.

So, am I up in initiative? I can't see a list of of it anywhere.

It's an us vs. them initiative block. So as soon as the enemies (the skeletons) move, you are free to move.

Did Mim want to do anything before the skeles take their next turn?

Move closer to the middle of the group at least so that I can get closer to Cato.

Mimazaran wrote:

So, am I up in initiative? I can't see a list of of it anywhere.

It's an us vs. them initiative block. So as soon as the enemies (the skeletons) move, you are free to move.

Okay, I didn't quite understand that. I've never done anything like that before. I guess I should do something, though he can't really damage the skellys.

Stick your head out around Cato and make an active perception check. We know we're being followed and you know humans don't see so well in the dark and then fall back into the middle of the group.

I did that, didn't get a good perception check (low WIS does that), so just sent the Dancing Lights to try and lead the Dottari in the wrong direction, if it's possible. Kicking myself because I didn't give Mimazaran Goblin as one of his languages; I thought that the more demonic languages would've fit better.

The perception check wasn't great, but it was twice as good as Cato's check and the red herring was a good touch.

Mimazaran, can you move 5 ft left so I can be adjacent to cato.

I'm going to be out camping this weekend, and home Monday. I will try to check in via remote device but I don't know if I'll have reception!

Bot if needed!

No worries, I'm not keeping you guys in these sewers quite as long as I might for a standard game anyway, so you'll be facing some exposition soon enough.

It will be a couple of levels before this comes up, but I've noticed a potential issue for Martino, based on his Urban Ranger archetype.

Ordinary Rangers get Favored Terrains. Urban Rangers get Favored Communities.

For a campaign occurring primarily in a single, large city like Westcrown, some GMs prefer to designate each major district of the city as a separate "community" for purposes of the Favored Community ability (such as Parego Regicona vs Parego Spera, or even Rego Corna vs Rego Laina). This makes sense at first blush, but it raises some serious concerns.

The first concern is that an Urban Ranger doesn't gain Favored Communities very often (1st at Level 3, 2nd at Level 8, etc.). If each Parego is a separate community, then Martino will be Level 13 before he has familiarity in all three Paregiones. If each Rego is a separate community, then Martino will never be able to achieve familiarity with the entire city (eight Regiones in Westcrown, only five Favored Communities by Level 20).

The second concern is that if Westcrown is considered to be three or five separate Favored Communities, then mechanically, Martino might be better off not taking the Urban Ranger archetype, and just choosing Favored Terrain: Urban at 3rd Level as a regular Ranger. There are some corner cases where Favored Community is slightly better than Favored Terrain. It allows the Urban Ranger a bonus on Knowledge (local) instead of Knowledge (geography). Also, the flavor text for the Urban Ranger very strongly suggests that the sewers under a Favored Community are part of the community, whereas with Favored Terrain, the city would be Urban and the sewers would be Underground. In most cases, though, Favored Terrain is better because it applies to all parts of every city, not just one city (or part of one city).

DM Dickie, this isn't urgent (since we're still 1st level), but please look into the differences between the two abilities and start thinking about whether you'd like to rule that Westcrown is one Favored Community, three communities, or eight communities.

I'm actually debating a similar issue with the NPC Penumbra and some of her abilities, though I haven't pulled down the most recent update to the Vigilante class, so that may be addressed. I'll keep this in mind with you as well. As you said, it won't be an immediate concern, but would be by the end of the first book of the AP, as it is structured to end about 3rd level.