Attack rolls of 8, 19, 5, 4, 5, 3
Qhude seems intimidating enough... but somewhat lacking in the ability to punch things in the face this combat.
Qhude's Shopping List:
Belt of Giant Strength +2 - 4,000
Upgrade Guisarme to +1 - 2,000
2 x CMW Potions - 600
Armbands of the Brawler - 500
Leftover (in gems) - 2,400gp
Doesn't seem like it.
Ooooo Jakob actually has a decent chance to hit right now.
I just hope something is foolish enough to provoke.
Ansha has it right, and I just haven't updated my profile... off to do that now.
Did you ever update your profile, Qhude? The guisarme is +1 now rather than MW, so wouldn't damage be 2d4+8?
Not to mention the site going blezerb a few times.
No rush and best of luck.
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I hope the NPC VS NPC fight going on in the background isn't too boring to read?
I'd rather actually play it out than hand-wave it with brief description in the background. I favor a sandbox approach to such things. And its a very real reality that these attackers might wipe out the camp.
Feedback appreciated.
I'm personally cheering the soldiers in the camp on between my own action posts. I like the sandbox-y approach.
I think it adds real tension.
We have the feeling our actions will matter. Last turn for example I was torn between moving up to support Kieran/Qhude and summoning a few Eagles to slow the baddies.
I know that the narration of the soldiers is a hell of a lot of work, but it does definitely add to the gravitas of the situation.
A part of me wants to run off to rescue the horses.
I plan on leaving who/whatever is in the Kitchen tent to Qhude and Kieran's tender mercies and bolt through back to see what remains of the fleet four footed.
Well Qhude is about to drop thanks to the tender mercies of the ape in front of him... so whoever is in the tent is Kieran's problem :P
Thanks to the ape and pathetic channel rolls.
He's Superstitious now, too, which means I can't cast cures on him while raging. :P
Too many bad memories of all those hastes Nuveril saved against. ;P
I'd blame Qhude's missed fist before the bad channel roll :P
Forgot bless, but I'm hoping 25 hit anyway.
Pretty sure the apes' AC is 15, so I'd hope so too. Unless we've got a high-level monk ape here or something.
Actually, I think it is 14, though I could be mistaken.
As for the kitchen situation, I am toying with the idea of having Kieran bypass the apes via Acrobatics and bring the fight to what appears to be their summoner. But that is quite risky, methinks...
Just waiting on N'bellocq's botted action before I post Ansha's action for the round.
Hope it goes well!
Ook? Hmm, we are being attacked by the Librarian then? ;-)
That sounds a lot more worrisome than it should.
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Its that Capital L that does it.
I'm worried for the IC future of the group, guys.
Firstly, N'bellocq is obviously very attached to the party, with a strong tie to Tebati. I'm struggling to think of an out for him.
Conversely, i'm struggling even more to think of an "in" for Okoya. Your group was assigned this mission specifically after quite a gruelling test; and trust is not a commodity you have in abundance.
I'd appreciate as much insight, opinions and ideas as possible. And thanks for the feedback on the combat, was considering scrapping it in favor of narration but it was not my preferred option.
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Greetings everyone. I am super pumped for a chance to join the game. :)
If I may be so bold, an idea that I floated to Alex in IM, given the trust and other issues, was that my character could be summoned by a magical item you find in your explorations. Something along the line of a genie's lamp, that releases my character from a long suspended animation, and requires my character repay the act of freeing me with a compulsion/geas to serve the one doing so for a specified amount of time. (could be lengthy)
While not entirely removing free will, my character would be compelled by powerful magic to aid my rescuer to the best of my abilities. This should help to reduce trust issues. Being in a lengthy suspended state would leave my character with little knowledge of the world today and therefore no agendas to serve outside of the party's.
The exact details would be worked out by Alex and myself should you believe it a tenable solution.
What do you think?
High rolling gorilla's are high rolling. Need to take this act to Vegas. 18, 17, 18, 20, 17.
The only good news is that one of those rolls was for Jakob's bloodthirsty monkey. I think he might be the Ape's MVP thus far- two foes downed and not a scratch on him!
I think I'd prefer a more conventional entrance for any incoming characters, though I'm not opposed to it. The genie's lamp approach seems to work best with either an Outsider or a Mwangi human (and I'd really hope we kept the character generation rules within the Core races--not a fan of parties that end up looking like a menagerie). Other ideas, depending on the character, might be that s/he is a tribal emissary from the Songo halflings or Ekujae wild elves (I'm always a fan of more elves ;P), sent because the tribe has seen ill omens about this pyramid or something. The character could also be part of the mercenary company guarding the caravans for us, detached to join us for some special expertise, or one of Arkus' scribes.
As for an exit for N'bellocq, perhaps Morvius requests he remains behind to scout for the camp while we make the next foray? It's a short-term solution, anyway--but we'd still have to figure out how/why N'bellocq removes himself from the group entirely once we re-emerge from the next delve inside the ziggurat. The simplest solution is that he gets killed or goes missing.
By the way, did the forums eat a post, AK, or are you talking about last round's ape-actions? I'm confused.
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I am leaning elf ranger (archer/switch hitter) at the moment to replace abilities similar to N'bellocq's. Of course I am willing to play whatever the party feels it needs.
The issue with a conventional character introduction, as I understand it, is one of trust primarily, coupled with additional wrinkle that my character did not participate in the trials. I think my suggestion has the advantage of addressing both issues fairly neatly.
Another option is to make my character a close family member to Ansha or Kieran but that seems fairly forced as well. And doesn't fully alleviate the trust issues especially if the relation is to Ansha. ;)
As far as N'bellocq's exit goes, while I have little weight here I understand, my preference would be something other than the finality of death. I like the missing option. Given the settingit seems appropriate that he might be "Lost". :)
A childhood friend to Ansha might work. Her childhood friends are why Ansha isn't already Chaotic Evil (assuming that she isn't...but she's not a very destructive one if she is). ;P
By the way, did the forums eat a post, AK, or are you talking about last round's ape-actions? I'm confused.
I was midway through crafting my post.
The issue with a conventional character introduction, as I understand it, is one of trust primarily, coupled with additional wrinkle that my character did not participate in the trials. I think my suggestion has the advantage of addressing both issues fairly neatly.
Bingo.
But Ansha's suggestions do have some merit. Especially on the subject of N'bellocq's exit.
This should help to reduce trust issues. Being in a lengthy suspended state would leave my character with little knowledge of the world today and therefore no agendas to serve outside of the party's.
It would also give him access to all kinds of ancient lore that we don't know about (What was known about the pyramid a few centuries ago? About the Order?), possibly turning him into Info-Dump Guy.
Honestly, I'd far prefer one of the elite of Morvius's men joining us, although it might be hard to explain an elf being in the Sargavan army.
...Oh no, an elf? :P After Freehold, we don't trust elves on principle. And if he's a childhood friend of Ansha, we definitely wouldn't welcome him. Qhude doesn't even trust Ansha at this point.
As for N'bellocq, as the the player of the PC closest to him, I'd prefer a happy ending for him, assuming he survives the battle we're in right now. Maybe he marries Bethany and stays behind in the camp where she can cook for him? If he disappeared, finding him would instantly take precedence over the actual plot for Tebati. Alternatively, if he died, she'd be devastated but could move past it and get on with the storyline. Whether happy or tragic, I'd like his disposal to be not-vague, to keep it from being an ongoing distraction for her.
But on the other hand, Albert's hardened squad had yet to emerge from the barracks as well.
Also, in game-related news, Albert's hardened squad need to get it in gear. How many people are dying while Unwe puts on her makeup? ;P
Honestly, I'd far prefer one of the elite of Morvius's men joining us, although it might be hard to explain an elf being in the Sargavan army.
I don't know that it would be all that much of a stretch. Sargava does have a small minority of elves (there were even a handful--besides Zesaste--in Freehold), so it wouldn't be unheard-of for an elf to join the army. S/he could also be a member of the aforementioned mercenary company.
...Oh no, an elf? :P After Freehold, we don't trust elves on principle. And if he's a childhood friend of Ansha, we definitely wouldn't welcome him. Qhude doesn't even trust Ansha at this point.
Who's this "we"? ;P
The dysfunctional personality and racial dynamics of this group mean that there will likely be several people who distrust the newcomer regardless of what race and background he ends up with. Tebati and Qhude wouldn't trust an elf, Jakob likely wouldn't trust anyone, Ansha would only trust an elf. If the character were Mwangi, it would just add to the already-weighted dynamic of the Mwangi faction in the party. If the character weren't Mwangi, I imagine there would be at least one Mwangi supremacist who wouldn't trust him; but as someone whose character isn't Mwangi, it can feel like the Mwangi characters in the group often act as a bloc.
Also, remind me to pick up Persistent Spell next level. High-rollers on save-or-suck/save-or-die effects, well, suck.
The dysfunctional personality and racial dynamics of this group mean that there will likely be several people who distrust the newcomer regardless of what race and background he ends up with.
Honestly, this is one reason why I'd prefer a new PC be *assigned* to join us rather than already having an ally in the party. We might suspect him of advancing Morvius/the Custodian's interests, but at least we wouldn't feel like the "other side" was being reinforced to our detriment (whichever side "we" may be).
Remember we're losing a Mwangi from the 'Mwangi bloc,' which will likely only make Qhude and Tebati more defensive.
From a fair-group-dynamics standpoint, Jakob's really the only PC who doesn't have a natural ally in the group so maybe Okoya's character's tie should be to him.
From my perspective, there really isn't an 'opposite side' to the 'Mwangi bloc.' There's just a couple of more-or-less isolated individuals, plus the Mwangi.
Ansha's connection to Kieran is kind of overshadowed by his connection to Tebati, so I tend to put Kieran in the 'Mwangi bloc,' as does Ansha--after all, there's already a trust issue between the two of them from their shared backstory. But he is one of the characters that bridge the intra-party factions, though, so the character often ends up moderating disputes and being the voice of reason.
Jakob does seem the most isolated in the group, but part of this is that the character and Qhude had a parting of ways, and Jakob seems inherently paranoid. As a result, I have a hard time imagining a positive connection for an incoming character to Jakob. Maybe a friend from his days in Absalom, but it seems like Jakob has little good to say about anything or anyone Sargavan, so it's hard to see a childhood friend or family friend or anything like that.
From inside the tent, Ansha can be heard to yell, "A bit of help in here, please!"
Tebati's at 11 hp, and Qhude's at 6 (-2 if he stops raging). You're telling me it gets worse inside the tent? :P
This whole OOC conversation becomes moot if we're all rolling up new PCs.
I wasn't going to ;P
But I figured if she yelled, it'd at least be heard outside.
Unless the tent is secretly some kind of demiplane or extradimensional space from which sound cannot exit.
Only gorillas.
In the Kitchen Tent, no one can hear you scream?
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It would also give him access to all kinds of ancient lore that we don't know about (What was known about the pyramid a few centuries ago? About the Order?), possibly turning him into Info-Dump Guy.
This is not necessarily the case and not something I am proposing. There are many solutions/explanations possible.
The magic item housing my character need not have any ties to the temple at all. It may have been carried there by someone. It can be found outside of the temple (sticking up out of the dirt in the surrounding jungle). My character can have been in suspended animation for tens of thousands of years, predating the temple even. His memory could be completely wiped by the length of his time spent suspended. Or his summoning could result in him being "born" anew each time with no previous memories.
Just to name a few. :)
Honestly, I'd far prefer one of the elite of Morvius's men joining us, although it might be hard to explain an elf being in the Sargavan army.
...Oh no, an elf? :P After Freehold, we don't trust elves on principle. And if he's a childhood friend of Ansha, we definitely wouldn't welcome him. Qhude doesn't even trust Ansha at this point.
I am not married to the elf idea. I could go human. My preference is for the former I will admit. :)
I can fluff him to be less elf and more really damned ancient prodo-elf who just happens to share the mechanics of an elf. :)
As for N'bellocq, as the the player of the PC closest to him, I'd prefer a happy ending for him, assuming he survives the battle we're in right now. Maybe he marries Bethany and stays behind in the camp where she can cook for him? If he disappeared, finding him would instantly take precedence over the actual plot for Tebati. Alternatively, if he died, she'd be devastated but could move past it and get on with the storyline. Whether happy or tragic, I'd like his disposal to be not-vague, to keep it from being an ongoing distraction for her.
Works for me. :)
The dysfunctional personality and racial dynamics of this group mean that there will likely be several people who distrust the newcomer regardless of what race and background he ends up with. Tebati and Qhude wouldn't trust an elf, Jakob likely wouldn't trust anyone, Ansha would only trust an elf. If the character were Mwangi, it would just add to the already-weighted dynamic of the Mwangi faction in the party. If the character weren't Mwangi, I imagine there would be at least one Mwangi supremacist who wouldn't trust him; but as someone whose character isn't Mwangi, it can feel like the Mwangi characters in the group often act as a bloc.
And this is the thrust of my proposal, my character will hold no allegiances. He will will essentially be a "new" being or an old one with no memory and no personal agenda outside of serving out his repayment. Perhaps there will be character development opportunities as he explores the nature of his being, but he will be as trustworthy as any other summoned creature compelled by powerful magic to fulfill his geas. :)
I certainly have no intention him of taking sides in the party's internal struggles... he would be, at best, a disinterested observer. ;)
Think possibly something akin to Data. :P
Honestly, this is one reason why I'd prefer a new PC be *assigned* to join us rather than already having an ally in the party. We might suspect him of advancing Morvius/the Custodian's interests, but at least we wouldn't feel like the "other side" was being reinforced to our detriment (whichever side "we" may be).Remember we're losing a Mwangi from the 'Mwangi bloc,' which will likely only make Qhude and Tebati more defensive.
From a fair-group-dynamics standpoint, Jakob's really the only PC who doesn't have a natural ally in the group so maybe Okoya's character's tie should be to him.
I'm not too tickled with the idea creating and adding another character who is immediately distrusted and shunned by some or all of the rest of the party.... no matter what race/gender/ethnicity/background/etc/etc I come up with. :P
From my perspective, there really isn't an 'opposite side' to the 'Mwangi bloc.' There's just a couple of more-or-less isolated individuals, plus the Mwangi.
Ansha's connection to Kieran is kind of overshadowed by his connection to Tebati, so I tend to put Kieran in the 'Mwangi bloc,' as does Ansha--after all, there's already a trust issue between the two of them from their shared backstory. But he is one of the characters that bridge the intra-party factions, though, so the character often ends up moderating disputes and being the voice of reason.
Jakob does seem the most isolated in the group, but part of this is that the character and Qhude had a parting of ways, and Jakob seems inherently paranoid. As a result, I have a hard time imagining a positive connection for an incoming character to Jakob. Maybe a friend from his days in Absalom, but it seems like Jakob has little good to say about anything or anyone Sargavan, so it's hard to see a childhood friend or family friend or anything like that.
See what I mean? You guys can't even agree who my character should be tied too. :)
That is why I propose I am tied to none or all. Barring that, Jacob can be the one to find my container. :P
Ansha in the kitchen with ????? You are a full caster. Pride alone should keep you from calling for help for at least one round. :7)
Btw I expect help is on the way.
RE New Guy: Suspended man would likely be swept back to civilization for extensive dissection debriefing. So a no go there.
Having Morvius add a soldier (you were planning a martial type right?) to the team after N'bellocq vanishes seems logical.
We would trust morvius's ringer no more or less than anyone else but I do not see a huge problem there. We have to work together to survive, liking each other is optional. (insert metaphor for Sagrava here)
I think the real problem is N'bellocq's exit. I cannot think of a reasonable exit path that does not send Tebati racing off after him.
{EDIT: Except for this one, Well done Tebati!}
Maybe he marries Bethany and stays behind in the camp where she can cook for him?
{EDIT: and he can teach the general how to run a camp in hostile territory.}
This could be used as a pull to get her and therefor us to go where you want us to go but that is a tad heavy handed.I am actually recommending we just remove N'bellocq from the script and never refer to him again. It is ugly but at least it is quick.
{EDIT: Backing The married idea, it works.}
Alternately we could Bobby Ewing the whole thing. There never was an N'bellocq. Tebati is now Qhude's (distant?) cousin and the four of us (plus Picklebeard, I miss Picklebeard) did the trials etc.
Also an ugly solution but also quick.
Oh and Welcome to the fun-house oKOya
{EDIT: Family friend to the Mulle clan! Oh yeah real trustworthy mob they are. Bad idea. A marriage prospect sent by Lady Madrona Daugustana would get a better reception.}
I miss Picklebeard, too.