The Rahadoumi officer is a Swashbuckler! Let's see how the class works as an NPC.
The Rahadoumi officer is a Swashbuckler! Let's see how the class works as an NPC.
Okay, that's a nice way to slip in some playtesting :)
I hate to nitpick rules, especially when it's to our disadvantage, but John, you and I need to be both adjacent and acting simultaneously for our teamwork ability to work. Adjacent we can probably fudge since we're not exactly working off a battle grid here, but as for simultaneous... I interpret this as meaning we have to go off on the same initiative, which would mean you would have to delay your action to go off onto my initiative---which means she and the sailors act before you give your speech.
Perhaps, however, I am reading it too strictly.
I could certainly use that +2. I was thinking of attempting a dirty trick to blind her, which would lower her AC and deny her Dex bonus until her next turn (and she uses a move action)... useful for everyone who goes before she acts again, and Doran could get his sneak attack against her. The +2 bonus would give it a 50/50 chance of it working, which are about the best odds she's got in fighting.
Yikes. Poor John
WOW... is right:O, This will be interesting to see how this plays out. I cant wait to see the next few posts.
Is it mechanically possible for Vrunyar to move to the square adjacent to the officer and hold/ready an action to interrupt an AoO against Wyn if she pours her vial in John’s mouth?
I think you could at least ready an action to attack someone if they tried to attack me, and visibly make it clear. Do you have Heal? It might be safer to stabilize him but leave him be and save the potions for later. If so you could delay so I could protect YOU while you attend to him.
Of my earlier question -- it was not answered, and now it is further unclear as to whether even if I DO get my +2 from John's Aid if he is unconscious. Of course, it doesn't matter if what I do is use my action to heal him. Could I get the +2 to AC or something (if I ever got it at all) since I am indeed helping John?
Vrunyar's has Heal +7. I guess it does make sense to stabilize him first. Okay, you guard and I'll try to get the dice in my favor.
For this instance, Wyn can have the +2 as long as she uses it against the Rahadoumi officer. I'd say saving John's life counts as a moment of teamwork. Requiring the simultanous action is difficult to adjudicate, so each can AA the other one once per day as a swift action.
She has to somehow prevent her from taking the attack of opportunity on Vrunyar, whether by using Dirty Trick, Disarm, or some other maneuver. Knocking her out would work too.
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So Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I wanted to tell you all that I am thankful to be apart of such a great pbp. I only found this style of gaming last year, and my first few games were so so at best. But the collaboration between players is so wonderful here. I very much enjoy it and want you all to know that.
Cel
I'm confused why Vrunyar's AoO missed the officer. Her AC is 18, she brought it up to 20 with her Recovery ability (I don't know what else this does, so it might have something to do with this). Vrun rolled a 22 - why didn't that hit?
Mobility feat, a pre-requisite for Spring Attack.
Got it - thanks.
Get off that deck and contribute, Rawkins!
Ollivor still has the spell and can attempt to deliver it again next round.
Assuming I'm not skewered dead, I certainly shall try :)
Too bad I can't use Shocking Grasp for emergency healing on John
"CLEAR!" :)
Well, darn it...we've lost some NPCs that liked us and I suspect it's going to be hard to sway the ones that we nearly killed in combat.
Still, that was an awesome combat, a true nail biter!
Really nice post, Ollivor. A lot of thought and effort went into that one, wanted you to know it was noticed.
I'll get one up later (not likely to compare, but...)
What's up with the new avatar, by the way?
Thanks. I sometimes feel I don't carry my weight compared to some of the more eloquent posters here :)
As for the avatar, I'm trying to find something that looks more youthful. This one would would work, except for that darn mustache
I think he is planning on using the newly siezed rapier and changing his name to Zoro and the gay blade.
Have to say TBH I'm not sure the new avatar does it for me... but there are some other "youthful" men... like the Jegare noble. I also liked your other one but I dig wanting to change to something that feels better. I've thought about switching Wyn's a couple times.
Not to pile on, but I'm with Wyn. The new avatar has a slightly smarmy feel to it (it's all about the mustache, as you say), and the old one seemed to match Ollivor's earnest intensity.
But it's your character, and your vision of him.
No worries about piling on, I welcome the input. Any votes on this one?
Better than the dude with the 'stache. If you're going for young and learning his way in the world, I still like the one you started with. But this one has a certain bad-ass air about it, which Ollivor will certainly reach at some point.
On a non-avatar-related note, Doran is considering picking up a couple of levels of bard (Sea Singer archtype, to be precise). Any chance Ollie would show him a thing or two about magic? He can figure out the music side on his own, but the arcane stuff he could use some guidance on.
Mmm, I may yet go back to the original (Now if Only I could remember what 'class' it was to make it easier to hunt down)
As for the training, Ollivor would be happy to share what he knows, though he'd be surprised. For him magic just happened, and the learning the lore of it came later, but he'd be happy to assist anyway he can.
@ Wyn- As for Wyn's current avatar, I rather like it if you're taking votes. She looks defiant and ready for action if that's what you're going for.
Yeah, just be at low hit points and injured. We will get you fully healed in a few days.
@DM - I didn't list Grok as someone Plugg should pick for his crew, as I figured Harrigan wouldn't part with his quartermaster. If there's even a chance that't not the case, Doran will suggest that Grok be added to keep things organized.
Grok's stayin' with the Wormwood.
Oh! I forgot to tell you: level 3!
By the time you hit level 4, you will have freed yourselves or died trying.
Wee! Wyn's goin' rogue! Will update soon as I can.
Since I get Mage Armor as a bloodline spell, I plan on swapping shield for something else when I hit level 4.
For now, I'm going with Magic Missile as my new spell for those hard to hit targets :)
Skills being boosted include training in intimidate (1 point spent, total of +7 since it's a class skill), Ditto for Use Magic Device. Added one each to Diplomacy, Perception, and Profession Cooking
For his feat, I'm going with Merciful Spell. It just makes sense to me that Ollivor might be subconsciously feeling bad about killing folks.
And, thanks to his bloodline:Dragon Resistances (Ex): At 3rd level, you gain resist 5 against your energy type and a +1 natural armor bonus.
Cool! Now to decide - do my level of bard now (for flavor, some spells and bardic abilities), or pick up one more level of rogue (for the extra d8 of sneak attack).
Thoughts?
Also, how do we determine HP again?
Ollivor, I like the touch of Merciful Spell.
Doran - well, I would say you've been fighting and being sneaky more than being bardy, so from that standpoint rogue might make more sense. OTOH, I know he has started looking at his more creative side as well, and is entering a position of leadership where he is going to have to "inspire" people. Either way could work.
Average, rounded up, for hit points.
Cool! Now to decide - do my level of bard now (for flavor, some spells and bardic abilities), or pick up one more level of rogue (for the extra d8 of sneak attack).
Thoughts?
Well, like you said earlier, Ollivor could certainly train him at least a little on the arcane side of things (And it would only be fair as Ollie owes Doran for the sailing lessons) if you wanted to go bard. You could even argue the acting he's had to do might unleash his hidden skills a thespian.
On the other hand, regular roguish things have served you well and that extra backstab damage is mighty sweet.
So I guess I'm no help because mostly I think you should play what you would enjoy most and you feel fits your concept :)
Anyone doing RPG Superstar this year? I am submitting an item once I finish polishing it. Steve Helt - from my Kingmaker campaign - won it last year, so I think I'm a good luck charm.
So I guess I'm no help because mostly I think you should play what you would enjoy most and you feel fits your concept :)
No help at all! I want you guys to tell me what I should pick, and you just give me useful things to think about. Hmmph.
I guess what makes it hard is that Doran has already used the roguish stuff to good effect - and that extra d8 would be mighty nice. But it would be fun to add in the music, some spells (CLW and Vanish!) and a parrot familiar at Bard 2. But I think I'm going to go with another level of rogue for now...though I'll ponder it a bit more, I'm sure.
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John Rawkins
Level 3: Ranger
Gained Abilities:
+8 HP (+5 class, +2 con, +1 favored class bonus)
+1 Will
+1 BAB
Gained Skills: +7 skill points (+6 class, +1 human)
(1) Profession (Sailor)
(1) Diplomacy
(1) Sense Motive
(1) Swim
(1) Survival
(1) Knowledge (geography)
(1) Perception
Gained Class Abilities:
Favored Terrain (Ex) (Water (above and below surface): +2 bonus on initiative checks and Knowledge (geography), Perception, Stealth, and Survival skill checks when he is in this terrain. A ranger traveling through his favored terrain normally leaves no trail and cannot be tracked (though he may leave a trail if he so chooses).
Gained Feats:
Endurance (Bonus Ranger Feat): You gain a +4 bonus on the following checks and saves: Swim checks made to resist nonlethal damage from exhaustion; Constitution checks made to continue running; Constitution checks made to avoid nonlethal damage from a forced march; Constitution checks made to hold your breath; Constitution checks made to avoid nonlethal damage from starvation or thirst; Fortitude saves made to avoid nonlethal damage from hot or cold environments; and Fortitude saves made to resist damage from suffocation.
You may sleep in light or medium armor without becoming fatigued.
Catch Off-Guard (Combat) (3rd level feat): You do not suffer any penalties for using an improvised melee weapon. Unarmed opponents are flat-footed against any attacks you make with an improvised melee weapon.
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"And maybe Doran will catch up to us and let us know the wind has changed THIS time."
I'm not sure what you mean by this, Ollivor, and I'd like to be able to follow up on it in play. Do you mean Doran will tell you guys the outcome of the conversation with Plugg? If so, I'll definitely do that. If not, let me know what you mean and I'll do that.
Do you mean Doran will tell you guys the outcome of the conversation with Plugg?
That's pretty much it. Things are moving fast now, and while Ollivor is sometimes moody and mercurial himself, he's really nervous right now that he could end up on a different ship from his fellow want to be escapees :) It wasn't a knock on Doran at all (If it came across like that at all, I apologize), but just a mix of stress and knowledge that there's nothing Ollivor can do about it but wait at this point.
Looks cool, John! I play a lot of rangers, and I had never noticed that the Water favored terrain covered above and below the surface. That will be seriously useful, especially as it scales up. I might take a page from another of Wyn's characters and pick up Terrain Mastery as a rogue talent, just to get the init and skill bonuses.
I'm pondering my 3rd level feat, and it comes down to Dodge or Weapon Focus. Doran's AC isn't great, but you guys all seem to take the hits for him - can I continue to rely on you for that? It would be nice increase my attack bonus, now that I'll be doing 2d8 sneak attack damage.
So - Dodge or Weapon Focus?
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Doran, best defense is a good offence. I'll keep taking the hits as long as you keep putting out the damage. Also, at level four, all allies affected by my aura will gain +4 to hit when flanking with another ally in the auras radius. I'm really liking the group support build here, it's nit as good as inspire courage, but very effective.
On the subject of feats, anyone with a 13 Dex (or higher) interested in taking Precise Strike? A teamwork feat. +1d6 bonus damage per person if both flanking.
If not, I’ll probably go with Ironhide or Fight On, two dwarven racial feats. Though maybe Weapon Focus too under the idea of better offense. So many choices...argh.
I’m thinking of learning the formula True Strike which would be very useful in the fight against Plugg and his cohorts or Endure Elements which would be useful in other less combat oriented scenarios.
Vrunyar - I'm a sucker for teamwork feats, and I especially like that one. Since we'll both be looking to flank a lot, it would make sense for us to be buddies in that department. And Doran will do 1d3+2d8+1d6+1 when he's flanking, which is pretty sweet for a little fella.
And I can pick up Weapon Focus as a rogue talent at Rogue 4 - which will of course make the choice of when to pick up a couple of levels in Bard that much harder...
I agree, so many choices. But I'd go Precise Strike with you. One question it raises is being able to regularly get into flanks together, which is a little trickier since we don't play with maps in this game. But with the tight quarters of shipboard combat, it's generally been pretty easy to get into flank.
Barcas - do you see any issues with this?
Sounds good to me.