DM Alexander Kilcoynes Serpents Skull PbP- Chapter 2, Racing to Ruin (Inactive)

Game Master Alexander Kilcoyne

Alex, I won't be able to post today, I'm taking my daughter back to Uni and have a lot to get through, including prepare for my RL group. So please bot Chi today, so she doesn't hold up the game. cheers.

OK, who's gonna get the 1,000 post prize on the main game thread??? only 2 away as I write this....wheeee!!!

Sorry about last night, guys - I had a 2-month old and a 2-year old to look after by myself, with the 2-year-old being sick.

Safe to say it was not a happy, peaceful evening.

I just wanted to pop in and say congratulations on passing the 1000-post mark! I've been following along and enjoying it. You've got a good group and a good DM!

My own Serpent's Skull game is approaching the 1000 mark as well. We're just shy of 900 right now, and I hope to reach 1000 sometime in the next week.

Thanks buddy :) been reading yours too and staying wary of your games post count- which is creeping towards ours :O

We started out at a torrid pace, and have moved over to a "still faster than normal but slower than we were" pace.

Regardless, I feel like this is one of the best games I've ever been in, Real-life-pen-and-paper or PbP.

You bastards!
A thousand posts in a month and a half?

... bastards!

Agreed, I'm having a whole lot of fun.

You bastards!

A thousand posts in a month and a half?

... bastards!

Five hundred in 5 days.

It was insane.

Quick opinion poll for the rest of the group. I will at sometime in his career take a one level dip into barbarian. Should I do that now or upon achieving 3rd or 4th level (assuming Tun'ada lives that long).

I'm leaning toward taking my 2nd level of Ranger for this level.

I would be inclined to agree with you, a 2nd level of ranger would be more advantageous at this point, what with the skill points and bonus feat.

Perception and survival went up by one, third rank put into climb. Rage Power chosen was Animal Fury. BAB and fort save went up.

HP: 1d12 ⇒ 12

:DDD

2nd Level Changes:

2nd level Ranger
Combat Style: Natural Weapons, Feat taken = Aspect of the Beast (Claws of the Beast)

HP: 19 (Added 1/2 die + 1, plus Con mod, + 1 Favored Class)

Saves: Fort: +4, Reflex +6, Will +1

Skill Changes:
Acrobatics +4 (+3 w/shield readied)
Heal +5
Intimidate +4
Perception +9
Stealth +8 (+7 w/shield readied)
Survival +6 (+7 when Tracking)

I imagine (should Tun'ada live that long) I'll stick with Ranger for next level and then take a dip into Barbarian for 4th.

Just out of morbid curiosity...1d10 ⇒ 3...Looks like I chose well.

Ah, levelling... as much as I'm enjoying playing a Life Oracle, levelling up just isn't too exciting. I'll drum something up in an hour or so.

Eh, I'll roll for HP, what the heck. It's not like I have much chance to get substantively better this level anyway... 1d8 ⇒ 5.

So, adding 8 (5+3 from CON) to HP, for a total of 19.

Will Save rises by one to a total of +4.

5 Skill points to allocate (4 +1 Favored Class):

+1 to Heal for a total of +7.
+1 to Diplomacy for a total of +8.
+1 to Survival for a total of +6.
+1 to Knowledge (Religion), from those late-night talks with Jask, for a total of +4.
+1 to Spellcraft for a total of +4, (+6 on Concentration).

...and yay, oh boy oh boy, I get to choose an extra Orison! I guess I'll take Stabilize.

I get Detect Undead as a first level mystery spell!! How useful! Sike!

Will edit as I think of all the other exciting benefits that come with being a level 2 Oracle (yawn).

Edit 1: Boosted Spellcraft instead of Sense Motive.

Morningstar attack (yes, I actually have one of those) to +0, Light XBow attack to +2, CMB to +0, CMD to +11.

Most boring level-up I have ever encountered in my 15+ years playing.

Perception = 7
Survival = 0 (+2 to find food)
Init +4

Would like to take the concentration bonus +2

With Chi's speedy learning from Ishorou, I think going for a Rogue at 2nd level is the thing to do, I'm thinking it would go with the concept of her stealthiness and stuff and fills a gap.

HPs +5 (4 + Con)
Gain
Sneak Attack
Trapfinding (+1 perception to find traps?/disable)
Proficiency with the hand crossbow, rapier, sap, shortbow, short sword and light armour.

+2 Reflex
+1 Will bonus vs Enchantment (Compulsion)
Fort 2, Reflex 5, Will 2 (+2 vs enchantment, +1 vs enchantment(compulsion)

So skill changes...8 rogue + 4 int.
7 Acrobatics = 3 + 1 + 3
8 Craft(alchemy) = 4 + 1 + 3
8 Craft(bows) = 4 + 1 + 3
8 Disable Device = 3 + 1 + 4 (+1 rogue level)
7 Escape Artist = 3 + 1 + 3
9 Knowledge(arcana) = 4 + 2 + 3
8 Linguistics = 4 + 1 + 3 (new language Infernal)
7 Perception = 0 + 2 + 5 (elf)
8 Perception = 0 + 2 + 6 (to find traps, +1 rogue level)
9 Spellcraft = 4 + 2 + 3
10 Stealth = 3 + 1 + 6 (Cat) (+2 Alertness, when near cat)
11 Stealth to find food = 3 + 1 + 7 (Cat,Trait)
5 Swim = 1 + 1 + 3
4 Use Magic Device = -1 + 2 + 3

Hope this is all correct, I'll update the character sheet later.

Vague possibility I'll head for an arcane trickster.

Jesus christ... I have 36hp at second level, with DR 1 too. 42 when raging... that's obscene.

Jesus christ... I have 36hp at second level, with DR 1 too. 42 when raging... that's obscene.

You wanna lend me some....I've only got 13....you just have to blow at me and I fall down

*stands in front of Chi like a big man shield* ???

2nd level - Monk

+1 BAB
+1 Fortitude
+1 Reflex
+1 Will

+1 Flurry of Blows attack bonus
Evasion
Dodge

+1 Acrobatics
+1 Perception
+1 Sense Motive
+1 Stealth

1d8 ⇒ 7

Any idea if Savarends archetyping or anything Tanner?

Group Survival Rolls (Level 2)

Chi-1d20 + 0 ⇒ (16) + 0 = 16
Savarend- 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
Ambroze-1d20 + 0 ⇒ (6) + 0 = 6
Tun'ada-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7 (+7 when tracking)
James-1d20 + 7 ⇒ (12) + 7 = 19
Gwyneth-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Group Perception Rolls (Level 2)

Chi-1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Savarend- 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (15) + 8 = 23
Ambroze-1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18
Tun'ada-1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18
James-1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
Gwyneth-1d20 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9

Group Initiative Rolls (Level 2)

Chi-1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19
Savarend- 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Ambroze-1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8
Tun'ada-1d20 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8
James-1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 13
Gwyneth-1d20 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 2 = 11

Please check over the rolls I have for your character and point out any mistakes. Also, remember BAB increases contribute to CMD/CMB. Thanks.

Yep, that's accurate.

I'm just going to go straight Monk, using the Hungry Ghost variant abilities.

Savarend's initiative should be +3.

Yeah, Gwen's rolls look great there.

I'm just going to go straight Monk, using the Hungry Ghost variant abilities.

Savarend's initiative should be +3.

Noted, thanks.

Yeah Level 2 of Oracle is usually a bit painful. +1 BAB, +1 Will Save, Skill Points, an Orison, a bonus Spell and an extra spell per day ;).

2nd Level Changes:

2nd level Ranger
Combat Style: Natural Weapons, Feat taken = Aspect of the Beast (Claws of the Beast)

HP: 19 (Added 1/2 die + 1, plus Con mod, + 1 Favored Class)

Saves: Fort: +4, Reflex +6, Will +1

Skill Changes:
Acrobatics +4 (+3 w/shield readied)
Heal +5
Intimidate +4
Perception +9
Stealth +8 (+7 w/shield readied)
Survival +6 (+7 when Tracking)

I imagine (should Tun'ada live that long) I'll stick with Ranger for next level and then take a dip into Barbarian for 4th.

Crap. Forgot my extra 1 skill point for being human. It will go into Handle Animal, which will now be +5.

Tanner Nielsen wrote:

I'm just going to go straight Monk, using the Hungry Ghost variant abilities.

Savarend's initiative should be +3.

Noted, thanks.

Yeah Level 2 of Oracle is usually a bit painful. +1 BAB, +1 Will Save, Skill Points, an Orison, a bonus Spell and an extra spell per day ;).

Which would be fine if the Bonus Spell wasn't Detect Undead, the most useless spell in D&D history. By the time I've confirmed their existence, James will have already destroyed them all.

><

Thanks for the vote of confidence Gwen. ;)

Alexander Kilcoyne wrote:

Tanner Nielsen wrote:

I'm just going to go straight Monk, using the Hungry Ghost variant abilities.

Savarend's initiative should be +3.

Noted, thanks.

Yeah Level 2 of Oracle is usually a bit painful. +1 BAB, +1 Will Save, Skill Points, an Orison, a bonus Spell and an extra spell per day ;).

Which would be fine if the Bonus Spell wasn't Detect Undead, the most useless spell in D&D history. By the time I've confirmed their existence, James will have already destroyed them all.

Could be useful when approaching a shipwreck.

Meh.

Gwen: Hey guys, there are undead in there.
Team Shipwreck: Good to know. *SMASH!* *POW!!* *KA-BLAM!!* Not anymore.

I've used it one time, and that was as a Cleric in a game with a Paladin, so that he knew the right Smite targets. I'd honestly rather have Dispel Fart. But, I'm just whining, don't mind me - I knew about 2nd Level when I chose the class :-p

I'd honestly rather have Dispel Fart.

Hmm... does Golarion have late-night infomercials? If we could put this in a wand, I smell a fortune to be made.

I will be traveling for work the next few days (until Friday), so my posting frequency will likely be lower than usual. I will still post, it will just be in the late evenings (US Eastern)

Ambroze is updated. Changes made:

Second Bard (Archivist) level gained.
7 hp gained total - (half d8 + 1) + 2 CON.
Reflex and Will saves increase +1.
New 0-level spell: Mage Hand; New 1st level spell: Vanish (APG p253).
Skill points = 9 (6 + 2 [INT] + 1 [favored class]):
-- +1 rank Acrobatics (+6 total)
-- +1 rank Escape Artist (+6 total)
-- +1 rank Knowledge (engineering) (+7 total)
-- +1 rank Knowledge (local) (+7 total)
-- +1 rank Knowledge (nature) (+10 total)
-- +1 rank Linquistics (+7 total) [2 new languages (Gift of Tongues): Azlanti, Infernal]
-- +1 rank Perception (+6 total)
-- +1 rank Spellcraft (+7 total)
-- +1 rank Stealth (+10 total)

New Abilities:
Lore Master (Ex): At 2nd level, an archivist may take 20 on Knowledge checks once per day, plus once per six levels beyond 2nd. This ability replaces versatile performance.
Magic Lore (Ex): At 2nd level, an archivist gains a bonus +1/2 the bard's level on Spellcraft checks to identify magic items or decipher scrolls and may take 10 on such checks. An archivist can use Disable Device to disarm magical traps as per a rogue’s trapfinding ability and gains a +4 bonus on saves against magical traps, language-dependent effects, and symbols, glyphs, and magical writings of any kind. This ability replaces well-versed.

Plus boons from Aerys and Jask:
-Will bonus +1 vs. Enchantment (Compulsion) effects
-Concentration check bonus +2

Gwenyth wrote:

I'd honestly rather have Dispel Fart.

Hmm... does Golarion have late-night infomercials? If we could put this in a wand, I smell a fortune to be made.

If there's a dispel fart, there has to be a create fart, obviously a su ability of orcs and half-orcs, only really effective in confined spaces like lifts, tents and can be accumulated in sleeping bags for maximum effect.

Hahaha.

Awwww, Ambroze you took vanish!!! Love that spell, it'll work wonders on Chi.

Awwww, Ambroze you took vanish!!! Love that spell, it'll work wonders on Chi.

My thoughts exactly!

I apologize for the relatively comic nature of my last post, I can edit it if necessary.

AK, all -

Today is my three-month-old daughter's baptism. It's pretty much an all day event for me, so I'll be out of the loop. Please feel free to bot me, AK - I think you know my playstyle with this character by now :)

Also, please don't kill me. Thanks! LOL

Jeremy

AK, all -

Today is my three-month-old daughter's baptism. It's pretty much an all day event for me, so I'll be out of the loop. Please feel free to bot me, AK - I think you know my playstyle with this character by now :)

Also, please don't kill me. Thanks! LOL

Jeremy

Hope you and your family have a wonderful day.

Perception and survival went up by one, third rank put into climb. Rage Power chosen was Animal Fury. BAB and fort save went up.

HP: d12

:DDD

With my keen eyesight and close-to-anal character sheet combing over I noticed you said in this post above that the 'third rank put into climb'. As a Barbarian, you do indeed get 4+Int modifier skill points, so three in your case.

But as you didn't mention it I thought i'd ask- you remember you got a fourth skill point from being human right?

However, since I took the Heart of the Wilderness racial variant, I lose the skilled trait in exchange for plus half level to survival and death score. ;)

I'm more anal. :P

Lol, I expect that particular one will throw me for quite some time, its so strange to think of something replacing the human skilled trait as its so iconic!

Just an FYI, me and Kyle are in a RL game tonight i'm running so posting will be limited- i'll update when I get back. From what you can tell, the only exit from the pit is to swim down underwater and investigate...

Alex, it's against my better judgement...but I feel the need...

I'm thinking of running a short game on here, a GameMastery Module rather than an AP, but before I start I wanted to get some advice on the creating the maps you use, or any other tools you find useful to keep the game going. What I find very good are your maps used in combat, so any help to get me off in the right direction would be really appreciated.

I already have a game on another site, which provide some nice mapping capabilities, but I'd like to have a go on here.

Google Maptools and Tokentool, you should be able to download them both from the same site.

With Maptools, the more you fill up your library the easier it becomes. I have tens of thousands of images in mine from various sites, and onthe rare occasions I have to draw something I have an army of textures to choose from- I made the map for the treasure pit encounter in about 2 minutes.

Could you/would you share your library, if I gave you a site to upload it to?

I could but it would take me forever, and i've already had a warning from my ISP this month about upload/download.

To get you started, here are some great links. One is a huge torrent which will help you a great deal.

Link

The CSUAC stuff was nice too so its a shame its not up currently, but the page I just linked has links to other good sites. Be prepared to spend hours adding images you may never use to your carts- it does pay off in the long run. The shipwreck maps on both the main smugglers map and also the battle maps i've used for ships were drawn from my 'Shipwreck' sub-folder.

Also, create an organised folder for all of your images or it becomes very bloated very quickly.

My sub-folders along the left in maptools are...

Creatures
Default
Devin Nights Tokens (go to file, add resource to library, and click on the red symbol- there are a few nice resources in there)
Dorponds Generic Town
Furniture
Large Mapping Torrent (I have given you the link to find this, its a hefty 2.7 gigabytes and is well organised so let it be a sub-folder in itself)
Maps
Objects
Pathfinder
Player Tokens
Smugglers Shiv
Structures
Vegetation
Vehicles

^ This is AFTER organisation, so you can see its hard to keep bloat down.