DM Doctor Evil Rise of the Runelords AP

Game Master DM DoctorEvil

Another level in Ranger for Tunder.

I think this time I'll go with half +1 for hit points. Favorite Class bonus will go to hit points again.
Hit Points 6+1+3=10

Stat Bump goes into Strength

Hunter's Bond with his companions. I'm just not a fan of animal companions.

Another level in Ranger for Tunder.

I think this time I'll go with half +1 for hit points. Favorite Class bonus will go to hit points again.
Hit Points 6+1+3=10

Stat Bump goes into Strength

Hunter's Bond with his companions. I'm just not a fan of animal companions.

Still need new favored terrain, and a 1st level spell. Also need distribution of 7 skill points.

Favored terrain is 3rd level and every 5 levels after (8th, 13th, etc.)

The spell is Gravity Bow for now.

I didn't record where I put the skill ranks. I know perception, stealth, heal, and survival. I think I put one in ride and 2 ranks in disable device.

Ok, here's Barek's level info:

Level 4: Fighter (Brawler)
HPs: 8+1+1(FC) = 10
+1 Ref Save
+1 Will save
+1 Dex
+1 BAB

Class Abilities:
Close Combatant: +1/+3 to hit/damage with weapons in the Close Group

Skills:
+1 Intimidate
+1 Swim

Sorry about the wait! I'd written up Seldons stats in a notepad file but didnt come home for a couple of days, and then had to rewrite the bastard anyway when I got here because I'd not saved it.

Level 4: Cleric (Cloistered Cleric)
HP: 4+2+1(FC)
+1 Fort
+1 Will
+1 Wis
+1 BAB

Class Abilities:
Scribe Scroll (bonus feat)
Breadth of Knowledge +1

Skills:
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +7
Diplomacy +5
Perform (sing) +4
Perform (string) +4 (Because everything you can do an elf can do better)

Spells Prepared:
2 - Protection from Evil (Communal)
1 - Bless

The shortsword is a small short sword so you would be taking the penalties to use it as an off sized weapon. -2 to hit I believe.

Actually, I don't think this would be the case with this sword. The penalty for two-weapon fighting is reduced to -2 for both main and offhand if the offhand weapon is light, and seeing that a swordsword is considered a light weapon, it should qualify. Furthermore, this is in fact a small Shortsword, so it's probably not much bigger than a normal sized dagger and functions exactly like one statistically.

It makes a good replacement for the throwing dagger since it still has the +1 enhancement, and is slightly more damaging (by 1 to be precise).

I wasn't thinking about the two weapon fighting penalty I was thinking about this...

Weapon Size: Every weapon has a size category. This designation indicates the size of the creature for which the weapon was designed.

A weapon's size category isn't the same as its size as an object. Instead, a weapon's size category is keyed to the size of the intended wielder. In general, a light weapon is an object two size categories smaller than the wielder, a one-handed weapon is an object one size category smaller than the wielder, and a two-handed weapon is an object of the same size category as the wielder.

Inappropriately Sized Weapons: A creature can't make optimum use of a weapon that isn't properly sized for it. A cumulative –2 penalty applies on attack rolls for each size category of difference between the size of its intended wielder and the size of its actual wielder. If the creature isn't proficient with the weapon, a –4 nonproficiency penalty also applies.

The measure of how much effort it takes to use a weapon (whether the weapon is designated as a light, one-handed, or two-handed weapon for a particular wielder) is altered by one step for each size category of difference between the wielder's size and the size of the creature for which the weapon was designed. For example, a Small creature would wield a Medium one-handed weapon as a two-handed weapon. If a weapon's designation would be changed to something other than light, one-handed, or two-handed by this alteration, the creature can't wield the weapon at all.

Since the shortsword is small and light, a medium creature moves it down on the scale past light, which by rule means you can't wield it at all. If it were a rapier (one hand) you could wield it as light weapon and take the damage.

Really, your best bet is to sell the thing (unless you find a small party member) and use the money to buy what you want.

Seldon, I show you as only +1 in sing and strings, what am I missing that adds you to +4? Perform aren't class skills for you are they?

Seldon's trait gives him +1 to a single perform and all performs as class skills from memory. If I'm wrong on that I'll budge all those ranks into dance to keep up with Mirela.

My bad, didn't realize that the weapon penalties applied for moving down in weapon size. If that is the case, neither the returning dagger nor this shortsword are worth keeping for Mirela, so let's hock them both; maybe we can get some masterwork gear with the proceeds from the shortsword once we raise Thorn.

Man, it really throws me for a loop when I'm playing a character that actually takes himself seriously. Usually I opt for comic relief characters or caricatures, it's a really nice change of pace to come here and be Mister Exposition. Thanks for the set up, Selena. :)

That said, let me know if the grim-faced zealot thing is starting to get old. Angst is dangerous in PbP. I didn't quite realize how many months of playing it would take to put Nualia in the dirt, so I haven't gotten a chance to play up his laid-back side in months.

Not a problem at all Seldon. Besides it seems natural for Selena to ask as this is really the first time she has haerd anything other than goblins. I believe there was one other mention but that was quelled as we were attacked by goblins at the time.

I guess I am not quite sure how to play this. You guys want to revive Thorn (I sent him a PM asking if he were still in play but have not recieved an answer yet). But you also want to explore Thistletop. I don't mind doing one or the other, but trying to "rush around" and short-cutting the idea of the adventure seems forced.

I suggest you either leave and work on the raise dead spell idea, or stay and let him wait until you are ready to revive him.

Sitting on the fence is painful.

I think the problem for me is I don't know if we have done enough to stem the assault on Sandpoint if we would leave now. I was hoping that there was only 1 level and that we would be done but a second level kind of screws that idea.

In the sake of getting Thorn back though I will leave and get him raised if the rest want to watch Thistletop and try to prevent anyone from coming across the bridge.

I hate asking ooc but is leaving really a valid option for what we would suspect IC?

The current plan I think is to sweep the entirety of this level before leaving. Right?

With the goblins mounting an organised resistance in the entry hall, us taking out the sentries and our dispatching of Ripnugget and his guards, I dont think its a stretch to assume that there aren't many goblins left on this floor, that reinforcements aren't on their way, and we could do a quick sweep of the complex. Definitely don't want to short-cut the adventure and miss anything, but at the same time a quick scouring of the (presumably empty) floor for clues, loot and additional encounters seems prudent just to be sure there's nothing we missed. We've been rushing through what so far have been mostly empty rooms after the battle, with the idea that we can launch into the next floor or raising Thorn once we do just that. If you want to take the pedal of the gas that's fine by me. The standpoint I've been looking at it from is jumping from Setpiece to Setpiece rather than preserving the mystery of each room individually. But most of my hastiness was just that I was under the impression that Thorn was biting at the bit to jump back in.

I'd be very happy to start exploring the lower levels if Thorn wanted to play a temporary NPC like you suggested, but he didn't seem to take to that idea and now it's been radio silence on his part... and from the sounds of things we can't even be sure he's coming back? It's a little frustrating. All of the action and suspense building up to Thistletop and now we have to leave again.

As for IC justifications for leaving, Selena, I'm kind of having a hard time with it as well. Sandpoint is safe from the immediate goblin threat, certainly, but probably not from the threat from Nualia if we don't interrupt her ritual. But OOC I'm afraid of being a douchebag and ruining anybody elses experience by pushing to stay. I concur. Sitting on the fence is frustrating. If its a verdict you want let's try and figure it out here.

Should we wait for a response from Thorn? Vote on staying/retreating? Or alternatively, how did you want to play it, Doc? I'm happy with whatever you suggest.

My own opinion is that you should play it out and Thorn can wait. If this happened IC, you would finish the job before you left the enemies base camp. You only feel OOC pressure because of the other player who may (or may not) be coming back.

Until we hear or see from Thorn again, you might as well immerse yourselves in the game. It won't be days or weeks in game time, and his corpse will still be fresh enough to resurrect after/if you clear the goblin lairs.

Yeah, I was trying to speed things along so Thorn wouldn't get bored and disappear. That may have happened anyway.

So until we hear more, let's go ahead and take our time and finish this level of Thistletop. Then we can make any decisions about Thorn.

Not bored, just stopped watching since Thorn was dead.

I am fine with whatever you guys decide. If you guys want me to play with you all I could play an NPC. I do it all the time with being a DM so playing a little Thron, a fey creature, would be fun, or an intelligent wolf, or something else. I have many ideas!

Perhaps you could be a goblin teenager...

Gotta love OOTS

I could see some priest from Sandpoint who would accompany us to Magnimar, or if you want something more fantastical, it seems there's some creature who has killed two goblins already that we're getting ready to unleash. Maybe we find a new friend?

My preference would be to narrate through the non-encounters areas of the first floor to help hurry the pace along to keep Thorn from waiting longer than necessary.

My preference would be to narrate through the non-encounters areas of the first floor to help hurry the pace along to keep Thorn from waiting longer than necessary.

I would tend to agree with this; if it's an empty room with not much in it, we can probably just move through it without much thought.

Barek is just talking about finishing off the 1st floor and not delving into the 2nd floor right now. Isn't that the plan? We just said, we would take the appropriate time with the floor rather than rushing. I thought we still were leaving after the floor is clear.

Noooooo, not the goblin teenager!!!! LOL

Barek is just talking about finishing off the 1st floor and not delving into the 2nd floor right now. Isn't that the plan? We just said, we would take the appropriate time with the floor rather than rushing. I thought we still were leaving after the floor is clear.

This is really your team's call. Leaving will have it's effects in game action. You can't wipe out the first floor of a fortress and not expect the second floor denizens not to notice, especially if you're gone for a while to Magnimar or other points.

On the other hand, I'm sure Thorn would enjoy a return to the game via resurrection.

The middle option is to have him return as an NPC-turned-PC. There is an option for that coming up on the lower level of the dungeon if you want to proceed.

I will stand back and let you guys decide how to approach it.

IC, Selena would be wanting to push on to eliminate the thraet as leaving sounds too dangerous and uncertain.

OOC, I want Thorn back so if the middle option is ok for him I vote to push on.

I agree. This is one of those times when in game and out of game are in contention. I'll let him make this choice.

Hey honestly I am all about the in game content. So I vote for you guys to push on.

DM, send me the info! :D

Thanks Thorn and I really do think you would have made a good goblin teenager.

No, no, no, no, noooooooooo! LOL

Let alone we are killing goblins, I would be a good one for a whoping few rounds!

Hey Doc, just checking in to say that I'm heading off camping tomorrow and its quite possible that there'll be a week of radio silence on my part. If I can post via mobile I quite likely will, but just a heads up if I'm uncharacteristically quiet. Please bot me if I'm uncharacteristically quiet and I'll check in whenever I can.

Thanks for checking out Twigs.

I think Thorn has agreed to play an NPC that you may run into soon. The need to leave and resurrect him is lessened for now.

You may continue your exploration of Thistletop and then discuss how/when to raise Thorn once back in civilization.

This solution makes the most sense... because in this case, I'm in 100% agreement with what Selena said earlier, as the characters would want to press the advantage while we're concerned with the player involved.

I'm guessing the second floor is pretty extensive then Doc? I get the feeling it won't be a walk in the park!

Guys

The chest is trapped, and it makes a difference if you turn the key to the left or right. One way springs a nasty trap, the other is safe. Since Seldon is perhaps out of service (see post above), do you think it's fair that I 50/50 roll for it, or wait?

I am fine with you rolling the 50/50 left or right to keep things going.

Don't give them away all my secrets yet, plus unless they say the right kind of things or do certain skills he may still fight til the bitter end! Ha!

Oh and by the way we are waiting on your actions, perception checks, and such...

Tomorrow I'm headed on a trip for about a week. I'll have connectivity but not much time. I'll try to post when I can.

I'm likely going to be quiet for a spell. My router has up and died on me at home, and I've been having to couch-surf to get my uni work done. This week I've two units of work to write, the next due 12 hours rom now, and one 4k word assignment before I go out on my first school placement for two weeks. I'm yet uncertain where I'm going and how busy I'll be but I'll imagine I'll be pretty flat out. Feel free to bot Seldon for the next few combats. I somewhat wasted bless (unless some of it's 4 minute duration remains), but I still have communal prot evil and will burn my two remove fear scrolls for a +4 to saves (for a collective +6 because screw fear effects) before we enter the Shrine proper. You guys can decide who can put it best to use.

I think Tunder wants to go to D13, then 14, to get to 15.

Orick would suggest to clear out the bed rooms first if you want to make sure no one is behind us. Lyrie's room is at the end of the hall of rooms.

Is everybody busy this week like we were this weekend?

Still here just not up in init

I am near the back and Miri still has my sword.

Quick question before I post... is Mirela able to strike at Bruzmathus, or is he standing at the doorway with Tunder? Might make sense for Tunder to take a step back to allow more people to hit at him if that is the case.

Diagonally across the door way is considered cover, and comes with a penalty. Right now, Tunder is still right in the doorway.

Unless Seldon switches spots with Mirela, it would appear that I still do not have a clear action, so I'll continue delaying until she can reach Bruzmathus.

I'm moving and won't have internet service at my new place for a week, so my posting will probably be erratic for that time. Please bot Tunder to keep the story moving as you need.

Good luck and thanks for the heads up.

Ok, I have internet again. It will take me a couple of days to get up to speed, but I'm back.

I was getting worried about you. Glad you're back!

Quick question for everyone...

If we are going to rest here shortly in game what spells do you want Selena to prepare if possible.