Either way works. You might check to see if Windsight wants to come back? He checked in a few weeks ago out of nowhere...
Not sure if that would go well.
Windsight's player and I had a fall-out in a different game.
I am clearly biased in the matter, but the current state of affairs is that I have blocked him after his final (insulting) PM towards me, as I had neither the time nor the motivation to continue dealing with someone treating me the way he did.
I've had my share of discussions on the boards, and would like to believe I took care to remain civil and respectful to the participants, trying not to overstep boundaries and apologizing if I accidentaly did.
I only do have one person on the boards blocked. Him. If he is re-invited AND decides to return as a player, I would do my best to not have that affect the game, but I would heavily prefer a different option to be honest.
I did speak with Windsight's player and he did explain that he had a falling out with Lia's player and that he would like to return but politely declined as Lia has been in the game uninterrupted and it would be best if that was how it remained.
I will Recruit.
Wow.
Ok...sorry for baring old wounds there. I'm fine. Promise.
Hey guys. I'm chiming in myself.
If you're willing, I wouldn't mind joining back in.
@Storyteller: The handling of the situation is appreciated.
@Karmid: No worries. I have too little spare time these days to dwell on such things. I am simply aware that I am, as a person, probably not capable of a sufficient level of disassociation to avoid fun-sucking friction in such a situation.
@Matrim: Now there's a name I haven't heared in a long time. (a bit over 2 years, to be exact) - not opposed to a rejoin - albeit some slight reflavoring might be helpful since we covered some niches since then - (or not, *shrugs*)
I think you just disappeared back then? But you also came back now. *blinks* c'est la vie.
I was going through a divorce then. Somewhat hit me hard and had to get my life back together.
I would have to look at his past posts to bring him back to life.
Heya Matrim, it's been a long time! It'd be good to have you back in.
Lia's probably referring to me above. Ro switched over from vanilla bard to archaeologist to cover some roguish things like disable device. There's not really much overlap since Matrim traded out the trap stuff for the Knifemaster archetype. So it's up to you if you want to make any changes.
One thing that might be worth considering is switching deities to keep the Sandpoint pantheon intact? Gwydd was our Shelyn rep. I could see how the luck domain would be very good for a rogue.
Welcome back.
I'm the new dwarf.........
Partially so, yes Ro.
Gozreh has been covered by Karmid, you took over rogue-ish skills, all that kind of stuff.
I did not check in detail, I simply suggested that if Matrim rejoins, he could do a once-over during the Level-Up and re-do some aspects to cover aspects we are lacking in.
As you pointed out, Shelyn currently lacks a devotee.
(that said, Lia's Imagination is a Luck subdomain. Me and Gwydd had doubled up on Luck before, so no biggie there but if Matrim thinks Charm or Protection could also be a good fit, it's worth considering(don't forget we also get - slowly - the SLA...not just the domain powers - for full casters like Lia that may be less of a draw, but for a Rogue it could make certain picks more interesting than others.))
I was going through a divorce then. Somewhat hit me hard and had to get my life back together.
I would have to look at his past posts to bring him back to life.
Understood, I am having the same problem currently and took an extended hiatus as a result. I'll let you know about the return of Matrim as I want to see who else may have been interested in the game as I set up open Recruitment. He will certainly be in the mix though.
Just an FYI existing PCs I will allow all of you to chime in on the new PCs at the close of Recruitment.
Oh, I thought Matrim posted in because he was recruited by you Shadow.
I'd like to take 2, please let me know your thoughts on the submissions via PM.
Thank you!
Updates now.
My plan is to introduce the new PCs prior to the assault on Thistletop so I'd like to have the selections done in the next few days.
I PM'd my choices.
=)
This old dwarf has Pmed
I did, as well, since we're turning this into a role-call? *smiles*
Plus, what do you mean "prior to the assault"...you mean they are not in the prison cell right next to the entrance? *cocks head questioningly*
Two cents deposited.
Thanks folks.
Negative Lia, I dd not want to introduce new PCs as rescuees.
I'll make the announcements tomorrow night after I complete my review of the PC submissions likely I will go with the consensus of the group but I still want to take a deeper look myself.
I/C update tomorrow as well.
Hehe, perfectly fine with however they are introduced, it just a convenient cliche :)
Curious to learn who we will meet.
Dun Dun Dun.
Announcements made Uldar and Matrim are the selected PCs.
I will have a comprehensive update tomorrow night where we will move things along.
Thanks for having me back everyone.
I am going to be updating Matrim tonight or tomorrow. What are the areas that I should look into covering?
The area where you walk out in front and disable traps, so you die instead of me. Those things are dangerous! :p
EDIT: Well darn, Knife Master gives up trapfinding. We could still use a good sneak scout though. I'm okay at it but archery doesn't mix well with the job.
Maybe some way to expand the circumstances in which you can use sneak attack?
I could pick up trap spotter and put some points into disable device... This should make up for the Knife Master substitution.
I was just joking, no need to if you don't want to. My archaeologist level bonus for disable device will put me out in front of you in a few levels anyway.
Of course if you do, the party will still have me around as a backup when a trap kills you.
Hello, and thanks for having me :)
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@Matrim: You do have fine Constitution. If you further aid your survivability/AC you will make for a very efficient frontliner depending on flanks for DPS - with Karmid and Edgar that should be quite possible.
The first Feat of Two-Weapon Fighting Line or, alternatively, a Shield may also be useful considerations for that.(I am assuming with a Knife Master you want to be up close and personal, and simply have the crossbow as backup - and nonproficiency with shield would be a non-issue if you use a light Masterwork one).
@Uldar/Rojava: With Uldar being a dedicated Archery Bard, Rojava may want to re-consider her Feats again - not like you can't still use a bow without precise shot ;) - but maybe Lingering Performance or Extra Performance(for more Archeologists Luck, which unfortunately does not increase rounds/day like regular bardic performance) are attractive options, or Weapon Finesse for when you do use the Rapier.
Don't misunderstand, it's perfectly fine if you double up on the archery, we can certainly use it. Just saying it may be worth taking a look.
Heya Uldar, welcome!
@Flutter: Yeah, I should give it a rethink, especially considering Jiliana is also an archer. Drasven is also at least a part-time crossbow user.
On the other hand, we're not exactly short on close melee characters, and extra there can cause bottlenecks as they all vie for space by the enemy.
I can think of several options off the top of my head. I'll list them below. I think I'll keep things the same right now and use Thistletop as a playtest to see if we're having any problems. I'll make changes accordingly at the next level up (roughly after Thistletop I'm guessing) based on what we see if Storyteller doesn't mind.
Actually I have a deal worked out with Storyteller to give Ro more rounds of performance at a slower rate than a regular bard. The archetype's developer has commented that not giving more ranks with level progression was an oversight, and recommended just such a thing.
Ro could:
1. Stay the same. (I have Lingering Performance penciled in for 5th level. Rapid Shot at 4th level via Combat Trick.)
2. Switch hit in a limited way, choosing which one based on terrain, enemy, etc. Fewer archery feats, a couple more melee like Weapon Finesse.
3. Pick up a longspear and build for AoO / Bodyguard.
4. Melee support / striker mostly pairing with Matrim to help him set up sneak attacks.
And if you want to go melee, I could transition to reach fighter. My only real "need" is to be melee. I'm strength based, so my weapon choice doesn't particularly impact me. I mean outside of the need I would have to change my weapon focus feat.
Thanks Edgar, but I'm not looking to displace anyone from what they're doing. I'm just feeling things out for where Ro could be most helpful.
She couldn't really replace you anyway, squishy with lower HP and light armor, less reliable hitter and much lower damage, and splitting time between attacking and casting.
I listed the options I thought of above so people could keep in mind those times when they think "oh, if only someone was...", or "it would be nice if __________ was getting done..." over the next little while. Comments of that kind will be helpful.
Oh, Ro is very versatile. Both Luck and Pool-Boni can apply flexible to anything she decides to use. You could be a terror with a frying pan if you'd so decide.
That said, as a fellow Desna-Follower, I wanted to throw one more option into the ring: Using Starknifes.
Since I am opting for a PRC requiring it, I asked for Birthmark to effectively grant the boon of Varisian Tattoo.(+1 instead of +2 to the same saves, but adds starknife proficiency) - maybe that would be possible for Ro as well.
The second hurdle is that the archetype replaces Versatile Performance, which means you'd need to pick up the Divine Fighting Technique with a Feat...but you could use Starknives flexibly for Melee or for Close-Range Throwing, and use Cha for attack and damage in both cases...(so no weapon finesse, no extra dex-to-damage stuff needed...)
With Startoss Style or Advanced Divine Fighting being options for later.
As said, just a thought to consider while we're busy in Thistletop. ;)
Ps: I will carry a Starknife, but it won't see much use(except for cutting up snack fruits)
My 2 cents Ro:
We have combat covered pretty well in the end and with the new people involved. Do what YOU want to do.
As an archeologist especially, you might want to focus on skills instead.
Skill Focus feats with your knowledge bonuses and similar...knowing WHAT you are fighting (and how to kill it) is often just as important...or even more so, than being an uber-killer/specialist.
Just my 2 cents of course...
True that, Karmid, but it's FUN contributing on a more direct level ;)
Plus Rojava seems more like a Hands-On Gal(just ask a certain shopkeep in Sandpoint...*wink*) than a dusty old scholar.
But I concur that Rojava should do Rojava - I didn't mean to imply anything other than that she has more options in realising herself with most angles covered with our current lineup.
Disclaimer: I did have an advisory role in Rojava's current build...which is why I spoke up, not because I wanted to meddle.
Fair enough.
The downside of the bard is the same as the upside I'm afraid. They do a lot of different things, but master none of them in a huge/great way.
Hey...if you really want to have some fun, as a bard you could take the 'Eldritch Heritage' feat and get really funky! I could easily see Ro with the Arcane, Celestial, or the Destined Bloodline...the last one as VERY appropriate to the game involved.
=)
I'm actively encouraging meddling so nothing to worry about there.
@Lia: Yes, the starknife divine fighting technique is really nice. That line of feats to so good I sort of felt bad asking for them. But, I did some quick, back of the envelope planning and realized just how long a process it would be to get them, and how few I'd be able to get (probably just the two divine ones, and none of the Startoss Style ones) and realized it's still really good and for fewer feats than most any other option.
@Karmid: Skill Focus feats seem harsh, not much return, if there's no class bonus feats. But there's something interesting there when it's paired with Eldritch Heritage and the Imperious bloodline. First, Focused Study gives 3 Skill Focus feats rather then just one for Skill Focus, there's that. Then Imperious gives Charisma insight bonus on several good skills. Works out to the equivalent of 3 skill feats plus another 5 mega skill feats (since Cha bonus is greater). There are some limits on their use, but not terrible ones for this campaign I think. For Improved EH Imperious is awesome. I'm also looking at Arcane and Fey.
So right now I'm look at ways to put Divine Fighting with Starknife, EH, and VMC Magus together into something that works well.
Thanks guys!
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By the way Lia, Ro is a terror with a frying pan exactly because of her lack of ability in that area.
I like Eldritch Heritage myself, but 2 things to keep in mind:
* Improved Eldritch Heritage is only available at Level 11+ - so with a campaign running to Level 16, for more than 2 thirds you'll be stuck with the Level 1 Power. (For campaigns going to 20, I love them, though.)
* The imperious Level 1 power, being the "Human" Bloodline variant, only provides that "mega skill" bonus if you learn/study/gather info ABOUT humans. If it's about an half-elf? Bad luck. Another humanoid? Sorry. Fey, Outsiders, Undead or Planetouched? Nope.
So, you're looking at a very narrow selection of targets you'd get that huge boost against, and that will be all you get out of it at least until Level 11(or more accurately, Level 13 since Level 11 is eaten by VMC) out of the 16 we'll see in the campaign.
Don't get me wrong, several of the Bloodlines are awesome and flavorful - but with VMC you are very Feat-starved, so make sure your expectations align with what you'll likely get out of it :)
@Frying pan: Amusing, but as long as it's technically edible, Lia will probably not even notice :)
I decided to go with
Two Weapon Fighting
Piranha Strike as a rogue talent combat trick.
Sounds good Matrim. It won't be happening until 4th level, but if I do rework things one of the goals will be to give Matrim some help getting in sneak attacks.
So, we're going to have to cross that bridge sooner or later.
Do we need a rest period beforehand to regain spells and take care of some healing?
I'm expecting things to be ugly, so if you need some recovery or think you will soon speak up. It could be a long stretch before the chance comes again.
Well, I am low on spells and Arcane Power...Rojava designated Tsuto as primary target earlier, and Lia stuck to that...since Ro is the leader and she is supposed to follow what she says - so she didn't hold back in trying to bring him down.
BUT: It will be 1 or 3 more levels before spells become more relevant, anyway. For now, I still can grant luck to others, or use some projectile or reach weapon. With the party size we have, my impact will be neglectable - so technically Lia could use a rest, but she doesn't care and mechanically, there's no big reason either to rest for her sake.
She is also wounded. She just didn't notice the arrow yet.
I think pretty much everybody ended up wounded in the last battle...with the possible exception of the bot-ted Bard.
I can attempt healing if it's what is needed
Jili is at 23/25 on Hero Lab. She has two spells left for the day. I'm good to push forward, but I may be ineffective quickly. I do have a bow, and some arrows.
Let's do a YEA or NAY vote on resting here while the RP is sorted out in the Gameplay thread :-)
NAY for resting, IC. A bit reckless rather than sensible. Just meant to make clear that most resources were spent on Tsuto and will not be available.