DM Bigrin's Shattered Star (Group B) (Inactive)

Game Master bigrin42

Shabbezz prepares to move from her position in expectation of the injured wererat's ire, readying the words for another cantrip as she does so.

I'll also wait for the others to post their actions before moving ahead.

Harbug let out a fierce howl and charged the ratkin, silver dagger flashing out at the creature, who dropped her bow and ducked away from the blow. Cloth flashed as the decorative wrap around her neck whipped off and wrapped itself around Harbug's neck. He felt the bite of the metal blades embedded in the cloth as a burning sensation coursed through his body. Coughing on both the blood and the poison, Harbug bared his tusks at the wererat.

Krass hears sounds of combat coming from the other room and moves into position.

Move to AT-40, provoking an Attack of Opportunity.

Okay, if I'm wrong please correct me, but is Harbug at -3? If he's down, Krass, you can move into his space, and I can try to acrobatics around the rat to avoid any AoO's by the party.

Orc ferocity

Seeing the Orc take a vicious strike, Tialara moved in to at least stabilize him. Move to AS - 37.

Wand of CLW: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

With Krass moving in place to take full advantage of having the rat-woman outnumbered, Angelica tries to have at her with both blades. She thrusts and stabs with a renewed fervor, seeing the destruction this rat-woman has caused so far.

Attack 1 with rapier 1d20 + 2 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 + 2 = 18 (with flank), if it hits 1d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2 (plus 1d6 ⇒ 1 with Sneak attack)
Attack 2 with silver dagger 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (20) + 3 + 2 = 25 (with flank), 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (3) - 1 = 2 (plus 1d6 ⇒ 6 with Sneak attack)
Crit confirm 1d20 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 3 + 2 = 8, no crit

Taking a few steps forward as the others enter the fray against the wererat, Shabbezz attempts with no small amount of difficulty to thread an acid dart past a gap in the press of bodies.

5-foot-step to AQ36.

Casting acid splash (CL2, V, S, casting time 1 standard action, range 30 feet, ranged touch attack [You can score critical hits with the attack as long as the spell deals damage. Your opponent's AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.]) on the wererat fighting Harbug, Angelica, and Krass at AS38.

The wererat gets a +4 AC bonus due to Angelica's body providing soft cover, and there is a -4 penalty at the attack roll for shooting into melee.

Ranged touch attack (with -4 penalty): 1d20 ⇒ 9

Damage if it hits: 1d3 ⇒ 2 acid damage.

Fort save: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
Harbug, shaken by the bite and the arrow stuck into him tries his hardest to shake off the poison, and steps back around the corner. "Tia, toss me that wand and I'll take care of myself, you're more use here than I am now."
Withdraw to AP-38. If Tia drops the wand within Harbug's reach, his next action will be pick it up and use it.

As Krass charged past, the wererat flicked her scarf out at him. The small blades in the cloth skittered off the hobgoblin's armor as he closed the distance. While she was focused on Krass, Angelica lunged in with rapier and dagger. The silver dagger bit deeply into the wererat's left hand, opening a vein there and causing the rat-woman to flinch back. She swung her scarf at Angelica, which wrapped around her unprotected right arm and left deep furrows welling up blood.

Shabbezz had to abort her attack as Angelica and Krass attacked, and Harbug backed off for much needed healing.

Krass hammers away at the werebeast, trying to regain control by focusing her attention on him instead of Angelica.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 16
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (4) + 3 = 7

Seeing that the woman they face is a rat girl, Angelica acknowledges that her rapier is only so effective. She drops the blade behind her as she slashes again with the silver dagger. With her injuries, her swing is weak. She hops back and draws a potion from her belt pouch, preparing to use it as soon as she can.

Free, drop Rapier
Standard, attack with silver dagger 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 5 + 2 = 13 (with flank), doubt it hits but 1d4 ⇒ 2 plus 1d6 ⇒ 2 sneak attack
Free, 5' step back to AQ37
Move, draw potion of CLW

If Tia tosses the wand his way:
Harbug picks up the wand and waves it around a bit, then taps it on his chest near the arrow wound.
CLW Wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

If Tia doesn't toss the wand to Harbug
Taking advantage of the chance to cast a spell in safety, Harbug begins to chant in orcish. His hand glows a cold, pale blue-grey and he steps around the corner to where Angelica has made an opening by stepping back. He squints as he reaches for the were-rat.
Casting Chill Touch, if the touch attack hits, DC 13 Fort save or take 1 STR damage in addition to 1d6 negative energy damage (rolled below). Can touch 1 time/level (so 2). Attack roll for the spell can crit (on a 20).
Chill Touch, Flank, vs. Touch AC: 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 5 + 2 = 26; Damage if hits: 1d6 ⇒ 2

When Angelica steps away from the battle to attend to her wound, Shabbezz sees an opening for a clear shot at the rat-woman.

5-foot-step to AR36.

Casting acid splash (CL2, V, S, casting time 1 standard action, range 30 feet, ranged touch attack [You can score critical hits with the attack as long as the spell deals damage. Your opponent's AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.]) on the wererat fighting Krass at AS39.

There is a -4 penalty at the attack roll for shooting into melee.

Ranged touch attack (with -4 penalty): 1d20 ⇒ 19

Damage if it hits: 1d3 ⇒ 1 acid damage.

As Harbug passed her, Tialara dropped the wand in his hand and stepped forward to engage the over-sized rodent with both claws.

5ft step to AS-38 with a Full-Attack Action.

Claw 1: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (11) + 1 = 12

Claw 2: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18

If a hit, Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Tialara hands Harbug the wand as she walks past, then flicks out a pair of clawed swipes at the wererat. One connected on the woman's cheek, but did no visible damage. The wererat tangled Krass' blade in her wrap, then yanked the blow off target as she ducked aside from Angelica's stab. She cursed as another of Shabbezz's spells burnt hair and skin. She lashed out at Krass as she stepped further into the room, the blow more of a distraction than a serious attempt to harm.

Krass lashes out, but the woman's defenses were significantly better than those of her fellow Tower Girls.

Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
Damage: 1d6 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

FYI - your link leads to the last page of the gameplay thread, not the actual map :)

oops

Shabbezz makes a mental note not to stand anywhere in front of the druid when she goes all out. Those claws looked like they would hurt badly.

Instead, the grippli sneaks behind Tialara, using her body as cover to fire off another shot.

5-foot-step to AS37.

Casting acid splash (CL2, V, S, casting time 1 standard action, range 30 feet, ranged touch attack [You can score critical hits with the attack as long as the spell deals damage. Your opponent's AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.]) on the wererat fighting Krass at AS39.

The wererat gets a +4 AC bonus for using Tialara's body as soft cover. There is a -4 penalty at the attack roll for shooting into melee.

Ranged touch attack (with -4 penalty): 1d20 ⇒ 7

Damage if it hits: 1d3 ⇒ 2 acid damage.

The rage of the rivers began to flow within Tialara, but even so, she didn't lose focus. Reaching for her belt, she leaped at the wererat while drawing her silver dagger.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16

If that's a hit, Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (1) - 1 = 0

Angelica pops the stopper out, and chugs the potion she had just grabbed. Feeling the healing energies flow throughout her body, she moves back in to assist in harrying the rat, her silver dagger gripped angrily in hand.

Standard, drink the potion of CLW 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (8) + 1 = 9
Move, to AT39

Harbug waves the wand around a bit more, then pokes himself with it again. He sticks it in his belt and peeks around the corner.
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Put away wand, 5-foot step to AQ-37

The rat-woman's defenses were too solid to land a hit on her as she ducked and weaved, all the time flashing that scarf out with its deadly blades. it raked across Krass' armor again, with a sound like fingernails across a chalkboard, as she continued to reposition herself.

Harbug, upon seeing Krass's wounds, draws the wand as he rounds the corner. He waves the wand a third time, but this he taps Krass with the wand.
Draw wand as part of a move to AU-40, use wand on Krass.
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (5) + 1 = 6
"Third time's the charm, I hope." he mumbles.
Hopefully not a 2!

While the rest of the party engages the Tower Girl lycanthrope, Shabbezz is slightly miffed to to find herself caught inn a bottleneck at the entrance to the room. Unwilling to sneak around the others and risk putting herself in the wererat's attack range, she gives up and attempts once again to shoot around Tialara's frame.

5-foot-step to AS38.

Casting acid splash (CL2, V, S, casting time 1 standard action, range 30 feet, ranged touch attack [You can score critical hits with the attack as long as the spell deals damage. Your opponent's AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.]) on the wererat fighting the party at AS41.

The wererat gets a +4 AC bonus for using Tialara's body as soft cover. There is a -4 penalty at the attack roll for shooting into melee.

Ranged touch attack (with -4 penalty): 1d20 ⇒ 16

Damage if it hits: 1d3 ⇒ 3 acid damage.

Krass assumes a defensive fighting style as he stabs at the woman, side-stepping while thrusting. His goal is to block the woman's retreat and tag-team up on her with Angelica.

Move to AT-42, provoking an AoO. Fight defensively, combat expertise -> AC 24.
Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 2
.. never mind that attack.

Angelica likes where Krass' head is at, and moves past Tia to the space he setup that allows her to try and keep the pressure on. She slashes once more with the silver dagger, hoping to cut a grievous injury.

Move, to AR40
Standard, attack w/silver dagger 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 5 + 2 = 16 (adding flank), if it hits 1d4 ⇒ 1 plus sneak attack 1d6 ⇒ 5

As Krass moved past her, the wererat flicked out the scarf, and drew a deep bloody cut along his left leg, just below his armor. Still spinning, she continued to move tot he back of the room, dodging all attacks sent her way. Of course, that didn't stop Shabbezz's acid from burning fur, skin, and muscle.

Sorry I didn't post last round, things got hectic and I spaced it.

Tialara seemed to become more frustrated with the over-sized rat. She stepped forward and thrust with the dagger once more.

Attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10

No way that's a hit.

Holding the wand as though it were a sword and not a magical instrument, Harbug stalks around the rat and stops behind Krass, where he once again calls upon its power to heal the hobgoblin.
Move to AU-43, heal Krass
CLW wand: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2
Oy, these dice...

Krass kept up his defensive posture and hammered away the were-thing.

5f step to AT-43, flank with Angelica. Fight Defensively + Combat Expertise -> AC 24
Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 8 (or +2 = 10, if flanking works)
Tell me about it!

Shabbezz pressed onward with the party. Point, shoot, and stay the hell out of the way seemed to be the strategy of the day.

Move to AT40.

Casting acid splash (CL2, V, S, casting time 1 standard action, range 30 feet, ranged touch attack [You can score critical hits with the attack as long as the spell deals damage. Your opponent's AC against a touch attack does not include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. His size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) all apply normally.]) on the wererat fighting the party at AS42.

The wererat gets a +4 AC bonus for using Krass's body as soft cover. There is a -4 penalty at the attack roll for shooting into melee.

Ranged touch attack (with -4 penalty): 1d20 ⇒ 1 Natural 1; automatic miss.

Damage if it hits: 1d3 ⇒ 2 acid damage.

Angelica keeps moving with Krass, the two of them consistently trying to maintain harrying the rat-woman's flanks.

5' step to AR41
Standard, attack w/ silver dagger, 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (12) + 5 + 2 = 19 (adding flank), if it hits, 1d4 ⇒ 2 plus sneak attack 1d6 ⇒ 3

Angelica's blade found its mark, where none of the others had, laying open the rat-woman's right arm from shoulder to elbow.

Growing desperate, and fearful of the silver blades these adventurer's wielded, the wererat lashed out at Krass, catching him across the arm and ripping several deep lines through green flesh. Then, she turned and leaped for the open window.

Krass takes 8 damage

Seeing the Rat trying to flee, Tialara couldn't help but yell, "Oh no you don't!"

AoO: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

Seriously?

Exhilarated by the success of her previous swing, and the fact that the rat is trying to run away, Angelica swings again with greater success as the rat-woman tries to leave.

AoO 1d20 + 5 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 5 + 2 = 23, damage 1d4 ⇒ 2 plus sneak attack 1d6 ⇒ 6

AoO: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Never mind.

I'm not sure if Harbug is close enough or not after the last move...
"Oh no you don', rat" Harbug yelled as he grabbed at the wererat.
AoO, grapple: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
Yes, it provokes from her.

No, Harbug, that's why I only asked for AoOs from the other 3.

Angelica thrust her dagger up under the rat's armpit as she dove for the open window. The knife went in cleanly and the woman crashed to the floor, skidding on the floor and stopping short just shy of the window arch.

Breathing heavily, Tialara finally began to calm down. She closed her eyes, took in a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. Sheathing the dagger, the Druid walked over to Harbug and asked, "Can I have my wand back there, friend?"

In her excitement, Angelica gets a little carried away, "Yeah! What now, B$%*@?!" As she kicks the body once for good measure. Then she hoots, jumps up to wrap her legs around Krass' waist, hold his head in her hands and plant one on his forehead. She hops down, straightens her clothes and says "Now don't read too much into that sweetie. Just my way of saying, good job. I mean, you just kept moving right where I needed you to be, sugar."

I don't know if I missed adding XP or not somewhere, I think we all have different totals.

I have everyone at 2469 XP

Angelica's actions rekindle the fire that burned inside Krass during the fight. "Of course. It is said that the greatest of orcish and hobgoblin warlords were conceived in mating sessions shortly after combat."

Somehow I doubt she has the darn item on her, but a take 20 with the help of the group should bring us up to a nice 30 on perception at least.
-ninja edit-

The wererat shifted as it died, revealing a dark-haired woman with sharp cheekbones and a pox-scarred face. Krass flipped the body over and began rifling through the pockets looking for the next shard. He didn't find it. He did find quite a few valuable things. In addition to the woman's armor and bladed scarf, she had the typical Tower Girls climbing gear and thieve's tools. She also had dropped a very nice shortbow and quiver near the curtain.

In the outer room, you find several tables loaded with sections of wall mural, ancient coins, pieces of j ewelry, gems, bits and pieces of pottery, and more for eventual sale in the markets of Magnimar-all treasures the Tower Girls have scavenged from the Crow. In addition, several journals on the table, written in Varisian, provide details on Ayala's history with and plans for the Tower Girls, including her increasing frustration at Natalya's betrayal. A small chest under the bed holds 94g in mixed coins.

But what you didn't find was the next shard.

Shabbezz gets up from where she had been looking underneath the bed and dusted off her hands.

"The only thing that I can see is that the Tower Girls had a serious dust bunny problem. If they possessed another shard, it's either been hidden extremely well or, more likely, is somewhere else entirely. Your thoughts, fellows...?"

"Maybe they simply didn't find the one room where it is located?"

Angelica smirks at Krass' reply, considering it could have been worse, like a slap on the back of the head. "Well, now Krass sweetie, let's not get ahead of ourselves with talk of after combat mating sessions." She gives him a playful look of reproach. "It seems she had set aside some more valuables that we'll have to wrangle on our way out of here. It seems taking down gangs of thieves is more lucrative than being part of one ever was."

She searches the room they are in before she wanders out into the weird half-X shaped room they begun the fight in, and starts searching. After that she moves to where the runner had attacked them from. Before she goes, she offers to the others "Well, once we're done, there's still those big eerie doors of the first room we came down in here. Maybe they were afraid to open them themselves."

Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 in the rat's room
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22 in the half-x room
Perception 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (4) + 7 = 11 in the room the running tower girl was hiding in
+1 vs traps, and +4 vs stone like creatures

"I say we check out the rest of this building first before we go through those doors. I got this nagging suspicion that the shard will be behind the doors, but with all the gains to be gotten we should definitely secure those assets first before moving on. After all, this tower seems to be ours now."

Krass seems quite confident.

Assuming Harbug hands over the wand.

"Thank you." She says to the Orc, as he hands her the wand. "I believe Krass is right, and what we seek is behind that massive door."

If we got some, I could use some healing ;)

OK, ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard.

Please take this time to create your character profiles (if you haven't done so already) and make sure everything is accurate.

The next step is some ground rules.

1) I'd like to keep this campaign moving. I expect each of you to check the campaign at least once per day (as needed, excepting weekends). If you cannot post for more than 48 hours, please let me know in this thread so I can NPC your character or hold the story as necessary. On a related note, keep your sheets up to date at all times...especially immediately following a combat update. If I need to DMPC you for any reason, I want to make sure I have all available info.

2) Please stay in character. I know we have a variety of alignments in the mix. You don't have to play lawful stupid, but I do expect some confrontations. That's okay, but remember that your survival and success depends on each other and perhaps some compromise (however distasteful) may be in order.

4) Please Do not read spoilers directed at other people. They contain in-game knowledge that is specific to that person. If they choose to share that, it is up to them, but I'd rather not have to fire around 40 PMs every time someone notices something that the others have missed. I'll just let you RP out the info as you choose. Occasionally I may indeed PM you info that I do not want others to know unless your character specifically chooses to tell them.

5) I'll roll all initiatives and passive checks for you guys to keep things moving. We'll do combat as: group before monsters, monsters, group after monsters. After the first round, the after and before groups will post as one chunk. I'll merge everything together for combat update purposes. If you need to wait on another character's actions before you post, please say so in this thread so no one is waiting for you and wondering what's going on.

My ultimate rules:

1) Thou shalt not engage in PVP: The goal is for everyone to have a good time, and PvP only sours everyone’s experience.

2) Thou shalt not bully other players: Again, everyone is supoosed to be having a good time. Just because you CAN bully others in game doesn’t mean you SHOULD. Extreme forms of character harassment will not be tolerated. By their nature, Pathfinders take in characters with various backgrounds and alignments. You still have to cooperate with each other, regardless.

3) Thou shalt keep thy character sheet updated: All the time. Period. HP, conditions, AC, modifiers, gold, XP. If I need to DMPC your character for a fight because you haven’t posted and we need to move on, i need to know what your capabilities are. If your sheet says you have 3 hp left and you get nailed by a crossbow bolt, don’t come crying to me the next day that you really got healed to full before the combat. Keep it on your sheet. I'll keep loot on a Google doc so no one else has to keep track of what you've found.

4) Thou shalt post regularly: Taken from above, you should be posting (or at least checking to see if you need to post) at least once per day, minimum. I give leeway on weekends, since that is my family time, but still I don’t think that is too unreasonable. Short delays lead to longer delays which lead to dead threads. If you need to be gone for more than a day, let me know in advance so I can DMPC your character.

5) Thou shalt have fun: Isn't that the point?

I think that is everything from my end right now. I'll get the IC thread up in a bit.

everyone should already be pathfinders, and new ones at that. The initial event is one for ... expendable... pathfinders.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

Once we get everything settled, we can get started, hopefully today or tomorrow.

I checking in here as a memebr of the Misfit Pathfinders, (thanks for picking me).

We have an Orc, Changling (myself), Grippli, Hobgoblin, and Catfolk. At least we won't stand out in a crowd ;) Oh boy Angelica's going to have a blast with all the smartalec comments, and derogative nicknames for everyone. Yeah, she's a charmer.

I thought you might enjoy the mix ;-)

Glad to be on board the oddball group. The diplomacy challenges are going to be interesting, to say the least. :)

" 'ere froogy, froggy!"

Yeah, that would go over well.

"Sir, I'll have you know that is offensive. How would you like it if I called you an ape?" ಠ_ಠ

Hmmm? Yes, yes. Quite right

Looking over everyone, this will be an interesting game.

First, I'm the moral compass at CG, then we have a CN Orc, and 3 Neutrals (Druid, Enchanter, Fighter).

Second, as Shab said, socializing may not be our strong suit. I have Bluff, Krass and Harbug have Intimidate. The best Diplomacy we have is the Druid with the natural +2 just for having a decent Chr.

DM Bigrin, we get to touch up a little before we start right? If so, do you mind if I move my favored class bonus from HP to the skill point in Diplomacy?

Checking in.

Looking forward to running with this group. This will give me a chance to play something I don't normally. Got to love Randomization!

Touching up is fine, including gear (3 grappling hooks might be a bit much, for example). Make sure your sheets are complete (with gear) and ready to go. I wasn't kidding about keeping the sheets current. In my last game, I nearly "killed" a PC because they forgot to update their sheet after a combat. He took 9 points of damage, and his sheet said he only had 2 HP left, so down he went. He's lucky he didn't bleed out before the cleric got to him.

The left over money I have will have to be updated when I get home (in about 4 hours). Everything else should be good though, as long as I'm not spending money.

Added Diplomacy, dropped fav class HP.

Considering her background, a grappling hook is a large part of her shtick. Even if the group had more than enough, she would be unlikely to be caught without hers. She will gladly take the cost/weight penalty.

She is complete.

As a wizard I gain two spells per level, but as a specialist one of those two spells has to be from my chosen school, so I'm swapping an enchantment spell out now to make room for another spell later. I took summon monster I in place of bungle.

I've also swapped out Knowlege (planes) for Knowledge (history) and bought a traveling spellbook for emergencies. Ready to go otherwise.

Checking in, and looking at Angelica's & Shabbezz' character sheets to update mine--theirs are very easy to read with the spoilers, and with the AC/Saves/HP/etc. in their name.
Harbug checking in for duty. Your scribe appears to have made an error on the orders, but I think I made it here on time!

Just waiting on the hobgoblin to check in while everyone tends to their sheets.

FYI - I intend to start as soon as everyone has their characters ready, but I'll probably be quiet this weekend. My RL group is pulling another noon-to-midnight session on Saturday.

NP. I have Fri night TT, Sat 6 hrs of class, and Sat night family time. So my Fri nights-Sat nights tend to be busy.

Updated Money. By the way, what XP Advancement are we using, fast, medium, slow?

Fast track

Sorry, I had friends over all day for a game of D&D :)

I'll update my gear ASAP. I'll add such simple things as a tent, sleeping gear, basic survival gear and if appropriate, a mule/sturdy goat. My character is not the 'I don't care' kind of neutral, but he is able to let the end justify the means.

He's a trained soldier of the Society so he'll be your shield until he can't stand no more. If anything, he's neutral with good tendencies. It is up to the other players to show him the light :)

Okay, I updated my gear. I went with a yak as a pack animal, but I can't find stats for such a beast. Hopefully that ain't a problem, he's nothing more than a beast of burden.

Character sheet revamped; only 1 actual change outside of organizing information: I bought a Haramaki (from Ultimate Equipment: 3 gp, +1 AC, Max Dex: —, Check Penalty: 0, Arcane Spell Failure: 0%, 1 lb.)
Harbug mumbles This belly warmer Harburg sold me is pretty comfy, but what fool wears orange.

IC thread is posted and...we're off!

Bigrin: Quick question: What are your feelings regarding taking 10 (generally, and after a failure like my spellcraft roll)?

As per the SRD.

Most skill checks have a Try Again section telling you if and when another try can be made. For Knowledge checks, the answer is No.

Here's a link to the Loot and XP list

Now that it has begun, there is something we should cover, loot distribution.

There is the N+1, N, or One Big Happy

I like the 1 big happy, despite it being unrealistic, it is the easiest to maintain the bookkeeping on. We all have one big pool, the gear goes to who needs it, we sell what we don't want, and we use the money to get gear for who hasn't gotten anything yet. Like a family we share everything, and make sure everyone gets what they need. Like I said, unrealistic, but easier.

The others tend to lead to the math for who has what value, rejecting useful items because they don't want them counted against their totals. People having to borrow anyways for that little extra item they want but can't afford from their share, etc.

This is just my take on it.

I know I'm the Dm (and not a player), but I've found that One Big Happy plus N+1 tends to work well.

My 2c.

That's fine by me. I don't need anything specific from this particular haul, but cash as needed is always welcome.

Not sure I get One Big Happy working with N+1. So we cut a 6th share to set aside, and then pool all the rest to get what we need when we need it?

If we pool all of it together, why the 6th share? I can see maybe since we will be using the pool to have all the stuff we need at the time, and keeping the 6th gives us an emergency fund just in case? (raise dead, or buying strongholds type of emergency funds)

I'm fine with One Big Happy, or the One Big Happy with N+1. The N+1 can be used for (as you suggested) raise dead/emergency funds/strongholds, but further can be used for group expenses like (and this may come up soon in game) bribes to NPCs that the whole group wants to deal with.

I don't particularly have on opinion on loot distribution. If there is anything specifically I want, I'll speak up.

OBH and N+1 works like this: If you need it and will use it, take it. Everything else gets sold and the coinage gets split N+!. That way you have a party fund to buy things, but people still have the chance to save up for that special item.

I'm down with both. Keeping some money on the side is always a good thing (you never know when you need to pay someone a royal fee to cast a spell/hand out some information).

Nothing too groundbreaking, but when you press 'preview post' you actually see the result of your roll. I then posted and kept that result - is that normal, that you keep it? Or did I get a freak accident where I got the same result twice.

If so I'll keep myself from pressing preview .. but I've been botching up so many damned tags that I had to check it out, and thus, found out about that dice thingie.

No, It assigns a unique id to your rolls. You will get that same roll even if you exit your browser and come back. Preview away. It will help your RP if you know ahead of time what your roll is.

Technically, you can game the system, but I know none of my players would try and do that.

Okay, check. I'll simply avoid using the preview! :)

The preview is not cheating. He said to go ahead and preview. I use it to edit text mistakes, or if I forgot a tag bracket on the end of something, or forgot to bold my IC text. Also to get a look at how the post comes across. You can see whether it looks like wall of text, or too many short sentences.

I also use it to story my rolls. When I GM, I can add specific flavor text, like if they hit and for how much, I can describe the where and give detail to the hit.

For skills, if on my Diplomacy roll I just made, I rolled a 1, I could describe it to include the social faux pas she made. Preview is fine, and you can't change the roll at all, it helps add spice to your results.

I know what he's talking about on the gaming the system, but you have to work it just right, it doesn't come accidently. Knowing how it works, I as a GM know how to spot it.

Okay, check. I'll simply avoid using the preview! :)

Apparently, either my idiom was unclear or it is opposite day and I wasn't paying attention. "Preview away" means "please use the preview, as it will help you RP your posts better. ALWAYS preview. It also helps you spot errors

@Angelica - ;)

Another benefit to the preview is when you are typing something, then hit preview. Only to find that someone has posted something before you that makes yours useless. Its happened to me several times.

Check. I've always enjoyed the idea that whatever you do the results remain unknown till you do it ;) I'll simply adapt and move along with the program.

I got a wedding tomorrow so I won't be able to post till very late CET (which means 6-7pm+ New York time). Just in case.

I was VERY tempted to do a sense motive roll when Angelica bluffed with the gem, and (depending on the result in preview) say something like "Harbug's eyes go wide outside the tent for a moment before he remembers that she is bluffing). I can beat her 21 if I roll a 20... =p (but then I went and read her trait ability and decided it wouldn't make sense).

I was VERY tempted to do a sense motive roll when Angelica bluffed with the gem, and (depending on the result in preview) say something like "Harbug's eyes go wide outside the tent for a moment before he remembers that she is bluffing). I can beat her 21 if I roll a 20... =p (but then I went and read her trait ability and decided it wouldn't make sense).

The above was me posting with the wrong alias. That's what I get for NOT using preview. =p

Congratulations! You successfully managed to get all the information out of him without pissing him off enough to lie to you, or have him call in the carnie guards. That last would likely have gotten you all stripped of your possessions and dumped in the water to sink or swim as you could.

120 XP apiece for the challenge and for the great RP-in, both during and after the meeting!

I got a vicious cold so if spelling errors and other mistakes slip into my post you can be sure it is the cotton in my head that's the cause!

Question, as I have not dealt with familiars overmuch: do they die at 0 hp like undead and constructs, or at -CON like most living things? I ask because I assumed -CON and (in this battle at least) my familiar taking the missiles and being at -1 (or even with a max damage hit -4) is better than me at -1 since I can heal the familiar with my hex, but I can't heal anything if I'm bleeding out/unconscious (which I am).

If it dies at 0, I'll definitely play it differently than I was =)

The way I do battles, all PCs (and related) die at -CON, and all enemies at 0. Part of the reason for this is the first PbP I ever ran, I had a Paladin and LG Cleric who basically deadlocked the game by "saving" enemies that were dying, but no longer a threat. So, if you want to keep someone around for questioning, better do some nonlethal damage.

Familiars are a -CON kill, as are PCs and NPCs, so I can see your point. Just not used to having PCs make that kind of cold-hearted calculations with their furries.

Still, Tialara and Shabbezz can take him (or heal you to help)...maybe.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, this AP is rough.

Oh, I don't expect kid gloves =) And usually familiars are little glass figurines, but Harbug is a Beast-Bonded Witch (TM) so at least theoretically Fang is a little powerful =p (He's got Toughness!)

Honestly the enemy caster was better off ignoring the cat (who does, at most 1 nonlethal damage... for now) and taking me out--'cause that stabilization roll would have been an attack roll with my falchion if he had hit the cat instead, which means 1) I'd almost certainly have hit, 2) 2d4+6 damage TO HIS FACE, and 3) CRIT RANGE 18-20! POTENTIAL CRIT! =)

Yeah....healing. I don't have any prepared and since I'm not a Cleric, I can't Spontaneously Heal. Oops.

Oh, I know you were the bigger threat, and so did the baddie. at least until the familiar ries to deliver a touch spell. Then things might get crazy.