"Houston we have a problem" ??
Wow - keep yourself safe, man! It sounds like you need to escape to madness of real life by going into nice, quiet, hardly-any-action fantasy world like DnD ;)
Wow. Thats hectic, makes me feel bad for being under pressure when college gets hard, theres not much chance of my physics equations getting voilent.
Be safe.
...theres not much chance of my physics equations getting violent.
I so badly want to make an entropy joke here but I just don't have the chops. So just imagine I did, and that it was really funny. :-p
...theres not much chance of my physics equations getting violent.I so badly want to make an entropy joke here but I just don't have the chops. So just imagine I did, and that it was really funny. :-p
The best line I can think of is something like: "Just hope things don't get physical." but that isn't quite working.
Oh, another thing, I've caught myself a couple of times lately while writing things not in any way related to PbP attempting to put [b] tags when I wanted to use a quotation.
Theorems don't break physicists heads - superpositions do!
For those of you who like keeping track, I have experience totals as of the morning.
Aydan: 857
Azuk'ai: 851
Duron: 865
Melk: 909
Runyon: 935
Wesh: 887
517 of that is combat XP and knowledge rewards.
You're halfway to level 2 already!
Let's up the pace, though. Other threads have more posts than ours, and that will not stand. (Of course, they are all not nearly this quality, but I like winning on all counts.)
We are indeed getting off to a slower pace of this one than in our Kingmaker game, but we've all had weird stuff going on it seems like so I'm thinking we'll overtake the others before long. I think this group also has much better staying power than others likely do so some of the threads that are going strong now may burn themselves out and fall apart while we keep on rolling with high quality posting action.
'Struth. I've already seen two other CC PbP's die.
Re: Run's atheism.
I actually stole this idea from Paizo, so we'll see if my RP justification passes muster. See, when I read the first book of the Serpent's Skull AP I noticed that one of the pre-gen characters, the wizard Ezren, was listed as being an Atheist, and I had the exact same reaction you did -- "how the heck is that possible?" But I did a little more reading on atheism and found a few ways it could be done in a world where the gods regularly come down and get all up in peoples' business. I readily concede it's at least partially a semantic dodge, but I believe there's sufficient difference between "deity=none" and "atheist" to make it work. Hence Run's IC reply. :-)
I think the posting will pick-up as we start getting more direction and purpose. Right now we're still in limbo of sorts :)
I think Run would have to explain what a "god" is, by her definition, for the conversation to make sense.
I think the posting will pick-up as we start getting more direction and purpose. Right now we're still in limbo of sorts :)
I think Run would have to explain what a "god" is, by her definition, for the conversation to make sense.
I thought she did?
Yeah that's pretty much in line with Duron's thinking. He cares less about it though so he's comfortable acknowledging that the level of power the gods have sets them apart enough from regular beings to be called "divine," but still doesn't feel like anything is really worth his worship.
Her take on what the beings are that "we" call "gods" is clear. But, Runyon would have to explain what it would take for someone to qualify as a god in her mind for the picture to be complete.
I'd also like to know more about what would qualify as a ham sandwich because I'm getting hungry.
Mmm...ham sandwiches.
Had an unexpected internet downtime the last 3 days - will catch-up tomorrow. Hopefully at work if it isn't too busy...
Hey guys, pardon the copied-n-pasted message, but I wanted to let y'all know that I'm now in a new contract for my day job and won't be able to post much, if at all, during 9-5 for a little bit, maybe a few weeks. I will continue to update nightly, though, so I'm not going anyplace. :-)
Ultimate Magic is out! I am reading it right now, but you guys can make any modifications you'd like to your characters with what's in the book. I'll drop some suggestions once I've finished reading it.
Well, it's almost time to consider what to do about our missing players. In three days, it will have been a month since Wesh's last post. In two days, Duron's. Now, considering how great of players they are, I really don't want to drop them from the game. Neither of them have responded to emails (and Facebook in Duron's case.)
We have a few options.
A) Have them leave, for whatever reason I can come up with.
--> A1) Replace them with two new players.
--> A2) Do not replace them.
B) Simply have them become DMPCs until their players come back.
C) Have them become background NPCs until their players come back.
--> C1) Replace them.
--> C2) Do not replace them.
What do you guys want to do?
I have a lot of really great storylines planned, so we might want to consider replacing them with new players for the same characters. As long as someone is committed to it, this can work. (This is what DRA and I did in one of his games.)
Just DMPC them into the background here.
That way we won't be waiting on them, and they can come back if they want. Maybe have the Sherriff incarcerate them so the rest of us won't flee town or something.
We hadn't built up enough of a dynamic here to miss them half as much. So we can go on without, as much as I'd rather not.
Speaking of dynamic.
This game has seemed a little more subdued so far, though the argument with Run over religion was interesting.
Is there anything we'd like to do/see here? And how do the characters feel about the others?
Run
Aydan quite likes Run, he appreciates her intelligence and skill. He does think that she's a bit silly however, and feel slightly protective of her. Not least of all because she's a girl and Aydan has some old fashioned ideas from his father that he can't quite shake, despite his mother being an adventurer.
Melk
Aydan really likes Melk, and would likely remain fast friends with monk, or try to convince him to join the Pathfinders after the months stay in Ravengro (as if we won't be called off to some other disaster! :p). He finds the queit-mannered monk solid and appraochable, and would happily spend time with him.
Akuz'ai
Aydan appreciates Akuz'ai's competence, and is more than likely to surrender all trapfinding duties once he sees that Akuz'ai is that much better at it. However, he is somewhat wary of the half-orc, and has yet to become comfortable with him.
We need a bonding session. I say we break out the booze when we get back to the manor!!
Some more interaction time will be good - though at the same time Carrion Crown has a different feel and direction; it's not as freeform as Kingmaker. The investigative nature of what we're trying to do (while mostly tapsing around in the dark (figuratively and in reality)) makes for a different experience. I think it is compelling in its own right and shouldn't be made unnecessarily close to the game experience we have in Kingmaker.
That said:
Aydan
Melk naturally follows hierarchies and his unusual childhood makes him overlay the familial experiences he should have had onto his everyday life even now where he's 30. Aydan's the natural lead, warden, father figure for Melk, and he feels more at ease with Aydan around.
Azuk'ai
The half-orc doesn't bother Melk, and the uppity antics aren't a problem for him either. Melk's used to that, to some extent it's what he considers common-place; even though he models himself after the wardens he doesn't actually see a distinction between sides. A bit of naivety clouds Melk in this regard.
Run
Run is fun, in Melk's opinion. He doesn't really understand the strange things she says and does - but she's entertaining in an odd-but-funny-looking insect kind of way. He doesn't understand the point or her insights into the arcane/alchemical; but this is largely due to his lack of common every day experiences of life and its superstitions.
Post is up! If you guys want to weigh in, feel free.
Been thinking about this...
Aydan: Run finds Aydan's Pharasman...superstitions? Rituals? A bit dubious, but is grateful that he's willing to put himself out there as the face of the party, regardless of how well he does or does not do in that role. She also appreciates his basic decency and respect for life. Perhaps paradoxically, she also respects what she perceives as his respect -- or at least acknowledgment of the possibilities inherent in -- unlife and similar types of extranormal existence, even if his understanding comes from religious texts and traditions and not a lab or academy.
Azuk'ai: As a self-styled scientist Runyon obviously appreciates Azuk'ai's physique, even if it is just as a thing for study, and recognizes that while his personality might be abrasive, he has the right goals in mind, and will see things through to the end no matter the cost. At some point she's determined to get his whole background story out of him, but figures that can wait a while.
Melk: Run is fascinated by Melk's sunny attitude and wishes she could adopt such a demeanor herself with greater frequency. She wonders about Melk's appearance and his linguistic tics, and has notes to herself to ask about them and work on figuring both things out. She is quite impressed with the way he goes around just being himself even in the face of withering attitudes from the townsfolk, and she of course appreciates his concern for the care of Petros' soul, and his sincerity.
Run also feels grateful to be surrounded by people that she feels are willing to do whatever it takes to complete this investigation. Everyone's teamwork in the tomb was an inspiration to her.
Relations;
I wrote out a post on this yesterday but lost it through a click of the mouse (Copy/Paste can get you if your not carefull;) so I got frustrated and couldn't get back to it. So, take 2, action.
Ayden, beeing raised by his mother with no man in his life Azuk'ai is unconciosly looking for a father figure. I'm afraid Ayden's it. He's strong, sure of himself and learned. A perfect figure to put on the pedestal if I've ever seen one.
Melk is strange to Azuk'ai. His permanent smile/grin and quiet maner make Azuk'ai want to rile him for some reason. Maybee his quiet too strongly reflects Azuk'ai's inner conflict with his own violent nature?
Run can admire Azuk'ai's physique all she want's for all he's concerned. He actually enjoys the attention. Her manner and dress, her lingo and constant need to have her nose pressed into a book is compleatly alien to Azuk'ai who would rather do somthing than sit around or stare at things for hours.
Anyone have thoughts about who we want for this game? I'm between Delia and Tanner right now. The only real worry I have about Tanner is that he won't mechanically be too far from Taisper, or have a personality that's too similar to Aydan or Berrin. But Meowzebub is a proven quality from DRA's Mists of War game. Delia might add an interesting POV.
I obviously quite like Tanner's little tie in!
Delia looks interesting too, we also should look at how people will deal with the horror.
Aydan for example is somewhat educated about the way things work, as a literal professional adventurer. But he will be terrified when he encounters undead for the first time, and repeated encounters will really get to him and destablise him a little bit, he'll have to struggle to find a way to deal. Run of course will be rocked and shocked by the supernatural madness, etc. Delia could be fun if she is a bit scared.
But I really like Tanner, he seems good, and its a really fun tie in. And as a group we're all going to plan to let the fear hit us hard, to get the best out of a horror AP anyway.
Everybody welcome Tanner!
Now let's work on how to distinguish him from Aydan.
Hello All! And thanks Barcas for the invite. Long post coming-brace yourself.
I am so looking forward to this. I have jealously followed you guys in your Kingmaker campaign, but I had avoided following this one because I had hoped to play CC at some point and wanted to avoid spoilers. So I got a quick crash course in the adventure this week. I will read through it again now that I am in, so as to pick up a little more of the details and personalities.
As to Tanner, a lot of his background I originally built for a cleric of Cayden Cailean for a PbP that lasted about two weeks before the DM quit. It was just a matter of inserting the Professor during his schooling. I had him losing his inheritance, but tying that into Ayden's background just seemed the fun thing to do.
As to differentiating from Ayden. From what I read Ayden is ambitious and wants to grow within the Pathfinders through diligence and hard work. This is not Tanner. He is what I used to be..a 'dig bum'. I used to be an archaeologist, traveling project to project. Loving the travel, working outdoors, partying with different people from all over the country, and with enough knowledge that you knew what you were talking about, but not enough to be offered a permanent job by a university or museum.
Tanner wants to find the Golden Mask of Insert-Dead-Ruler-Here, but he doesn't want to spend years measuring it and writing about it. His knowledge is more from being bright and having a great memory rather that reading books. That day some of you spent in the church library would have been torture for him, resulting in him picking up random facts from any books that looked more interesting than the one he should be reading. And his brother died a Pathfinder, so he is not eager to have a bunch of rules piled on you just to go out and die.
Aydan background mentions holding on to his friend's symbol of Iomedae. I could make it that the clerical training Tanner tried was with the Iomedaens but it didn't take.
And of this can be tweaked as needed.
Mechanic-wise I am very open to change. I really struggled with how to build this character. First I looked at the group composition. Three martials and a hybrid arcane. And you lost a full arcane and divine casters. So some form of caster seemed necessary, but did not want to step on any toes if these characters came back. And healing seemed to be a need as Run was the only possibility currently. And you lost some skills, but not sure how important that is other than I like skill points.
So that left me Cleric, Inquisitor, and Bard. I am currently playing an archivist bard in another game (really like the class) so wanted something different. The Cayden Cleric I had built previously was a traveling bartender who invented unusual drinks to drum up business at taverns he visited and fomented rebellions against Chelliax over those drinks, but that seemed a little to light-hearted for this campaign. But I could still go as a cloistered cleric (the mechanics not the concept) as a slightly weaker caster with some knowledge skills. Run has fairly good knowledge skills, so not sure how important that is. So I guess full cleric is still an option too.
It would bring in the possibility of channeling, which in an undead heavy game is a powerful option. I had purposefully avoided it in the other tries I made to get into a CC game. It felt a bit meta to me. And this group had avoided it up to this point, that I didn't want to jump right in and disrupt that balance. Plus I like the idea of Tanner being ambivalent to his being chosen as a Champion. Being a full on cleric makes that a little harder, but I can RP how that would go about and grow into the concept.
So that is how I came to Inquisitor. It seemed that most of the initial connection to Cayden could be internalized. He does not have healing at first level because it hadn't occurred to him yet that he could heal people. And instead of channeling, it is a struggle against fear that he excels at.
And while he is sort of a charming guy, he is not a leader type, that sounds like work and responsibility. I think of Young Indiana Jones (if you ever caught that series with Sean Patrick Flanery), or even better a younger version of Bill Murray in Ghostbusters. Smart but not dedicated, bounce between ideas and jobs, and when people follow you it is because they admire you, not because you are the best person for the job.
OK, that is enough behind the scenes. The iron is hot so feel free to pound on the concept and get it to something that can best help the group and contribute to some good RP.
Thanks again for the chance to play in your guys' sandbox.
Welcome!!!
I have to ask, why knowledge (engineering) instead of knowledge history for teacher's pet?
Glad to have you, a person who can use a wand of cure light wounds in the party! I love the tie in with Aydan. Can't wait until you read his sword. OR he figures out who you are.
As an aside - I love skewed parties. Meaning those where there's an overabundance of one role-type and lack or at least derv of others. So a non-caster Tanner would be right up my alley (maybe a cavalier of Cayden, for example). I just like not having "traditional" solutions to problems. :)
Welcome aboard!
The diferance between Ayden and Tanner feels pretty distinct to me. One a busines-like hulk of a man and the other somone who'd be more at home in a tavern with a mug in one hand a wench in the other (or running away from said wenches husband). Even though both have ties to the pathfinders I feel their personalities differ greatly despite sharing an alignment (note Azuk'ai's CG as well, our personalities are still worlds apart).
Me, I like scewed parties as well but still feel that everyone should have their nich. That said I think it's great to have a divine caster onboard, combat is pretty much covered by Ayden, Melk and myself. Run takes care of the Arcane/Knowledge department so I think inquisitor is brilliant for the mix.
Can't wait to see what you'll bring to the table.
As to the History question: I see Tanner as more of a visual/spatial person. His skill in engineering is not knowing how to build a pyramid, but how and why shafts were built where they were, where false tombs would typically be built, and how secret doors would lead off to real tombs for example. He is good at reverse engineering tombs and structures, recognizing changes in construction techniques and finishes or weakened masonry. The limit to his construction engineering might be how to temporarily stabilize a tunnel or ruin. The math aspect of Engineering would not be there.
It is similar to his linguistics skill. He is good at recognizing patterns and cyphers and remembering a few mnemonic tricks. That comes easy to him. Becoming fluent in languages through study would not appeal to him, immersion would, hence the Professor always trying to converse with him in ancient languages in camp.
As to being a limited caster: Tanner never learned magic or studied prayers (successfully). I can't see him having any Know(Arcana) ever and little to no spellcraft for a while. I see it more that Cayden helps him tap some internal reserves for his Inquisitor abilities. And his casting is going to be beverage-based at least initially. His buffs and next level his healing will come from his silver hip flask. I would like to see how long I can keep that concept going RP-wise.
Its an interesting idea. If a little odd.
Inquisitors are typically trained in their magic, and Wisdom based spellcasting is spellcasting through understanding your God/patron power. I think though that Cayden is a good God for what you want to do, he is the Accidental God after all.
Is it like Tanner has a link with Cayden which he doesn't initially realise, but he tends to say a quick prayer and take a swig for luck. At first when not understanding his powers, the drink is a crutch to help him connect with his god, acting as a holy symbol, and letting him subconciously do divine magic.
Would that be an accurate rationilisation?
Exactly! He carries the silver hip flask (which will be his holy symbol) that he got from his week of missing time. I see it as Cayden sort of saved his life by making him miss his appointment with the Professor, saving him for bigger work. It's just Cayden didn't explain it too him, or he did but it is kind of lost in the week of carousing with Cayden.
I love it when you go big or crash hard on a first impression skill check for a character. Really helps define the character. Is Tanner a player or a poser?
I have an archivist bard who rolled a 1 on his introductory perform check. I play him a guy who seems to remember his university drama plays being much better than they really were. His 'inspiration' is now bad quotes from bit parts he had had in college that might apply to the current situation.
Haha. It is beautiful and almost too rare in this game to have a character who can fail from a story perspective.
Aydan, if you come back while you're still possessed, write it as being there mentally but having no control and a mental roommate.
Tanner - I haven't forgotten about you. Just hang on and enjoy the fact that your character's having a good time with the waitress.
Apologies if this is a dumb question, but are Alchemists' bombs considered magical? Would they damage incorporeal creatures? I know an Alchemist's infusions, etc. are powered by some of her own arcane energy, but I'm having a hard time finding anything conclusive as to whether or not that arcane energy would allow her to overcome certain types of DR and/or damage ghosts and such.
Bomb (Su): In addition to magical extracts, alchemists are adept at swiftly mixing various volatile chemicals and infusing them with their magical reserves to create powerful bombs that they can hurl at their enemies. An alchemist can use a number of bombs each day equal to his class level + his Intelligence modifier. Bombs are unstable, and if not used in the round they are created, they degrade and become inert—their method of creation prevents large volumes of explosive material from being created and stored. In order to create a bomb, the alchemist must use a small vial containing an ounce of liquid catalyst—the alchemist can create this liquid catalyst from small amounts of chemicals from an alchemy lab, and these supplies can be readily refilled in the same manner as a spellcaster's component pouch. Most alchemists create a number of catalyst vials at the start of the day equal to the total number of bombs they can create in that day—once created, a catalyst vial remains usable by the alchemist for years.
Drawing the components of, creating, and throwing a bomb requires a standard action that provokes an attack of opportunity. Thrown bombs have a range of 20 feet and use the Throw Splash Weapon special attack. Bombs are considered weapons and can be selected using feats such as Point-Blank Shot and Weapon Focus. On a direct hit, an alchemist's bomb inflicts 1d6 points of fire damage + additional damage equal to the alchemist's Intelligence modifier. The damage of an alchemist's bomb increases by 1d6 points at every odd-numbered alchemist level (this bonus damage is not multiplied on a critical hit or by using feats such as Vital Strike). Splash damage from an alchemist bomb is always equal to the bomb's minimum damage (so if the bomb would deal 2d6+4 points of fire damage on a direct hit, its splash damage would be 6 points of fire damage). Those caught in the splash damage can attempt a Reflex save for half damage. The DC of this save is equal to 10 + 1/2 the alchemist's level + the alchemist's Intelligence modifier.
Alchemists can learn new types of bombs as discoveries (see the Discovery ability) as they level up. An alchemist's bomb, like an extract, becomes inert if used or carried by anyone else.
Emphasis mine.
Although bombs are a Supernatural Ability alchemists infuse them with their magical reserves. That, and what they can do with their bombs with discoveries (specificly force or elemental damage and giving them the dispel magic effect) makes them sound pretty much magical to me (although alcemists might argue the fact). So I'd say yes, their concidered magical.
That's what I thought, too, but I just wasn't 100% on it. Thanks!
Okay, I finally got around to updating the experience charts. This is more or less what you'll be at come the end of the second night, which is only a few posts away.
Aydan: +675 (1390 total)
Azuk'ai: +689 (1402 total)
Duron: +549 (1272 total)
Melk: +697 (1470 total)
Runyon: +693 (1484 total)
Tanner: +350 (1094 total)
Wesh: +537 (1286 total)
Tanner, don't worry. I'll get you caught up.
We are running a little ahead of schedule (78.3% to level 2, while only 558 posts in), but that's okay.
What's your email address, by the way? I'll add you to the map.
Here you go.
Leveling up-wise, Tanner is pretty happy to keep gaining experience this way, ghosts be damned.
Nice :) - given how unsettling the campaign is, I'm worried about every encounter here. Level 1 is just oh so fragile. But we haven't had something to roll our dice at in a while, so I wouldn't be surprised if something will pop-up soon.
Oh shit! Tanner's just had a rude awakening!
Can't say I didn't see that coming...but well played. As a player, I wouldn't have it any other way....Tanner on the other hand...
Slammed at work today, and wife's birthday tonight, so may be till weekend to do this post justice.
OK I found I couldn't concentrate with that hanging out there.
The conversation in Tanner's head is his rational conscious mind (italics) and his irrational subconscious mind (bold italics). Perhaps having such a strong irrational subconscious is what attracted Cayden Cailean to him. Part of what might let him become more fearless over time, if his subconscious starts dealing with the bizarre events better and the banter between his minds likely helps. everyone talks to themselves, but if a slightly different voice answers with a slightly different perspective...
I can tone that down if need be. It just sort of worked for this scene
Was that mean of me? (If you think that's bad, wait until you see what I have planned for Zander over in Kingmaker.)
I like the bizarre internal dialogue. This isn't a situation that calls for an abundance of sanity.
Zander? Noooooo!!
I'm back in the biz, giant post to come.
2x Silver Arrow
6x Sun Rod
6x Flask of Holy Water
10x +1 Arrows
5x +1 Ghost Touch Arrows
2x +1 Undead Bane Arrows
5x Potion of Cure Light Wounds
2x Potion of Lesser Restoration
1x Scroll of Detect Undead
2x Scroll of Hide from Undead
1x Scroll of Protection from Evil
1x Darkwood Case
Thats the stuff we got from the crypt. Melk took what?
My thoughts;
Run gets the scrolls and some holy water.
Melk gets sunrods and holy water.
Ayden and Axuk'ai divide the arrows as their the only ones who can actuallt use a bow.
Thoughts?