DM Morvius's Chelish Heroes

Game Master Tourach

I'd rather not be impeded while I'm on watch, even I am bad at actual 'watching'.

The item crafting section of the SRD says this:

The caster can work for up to 8 hours each day. He cannot rush the process by working longer each day, but the days need not be consecutive, and the caster can use the rest of his time as he sees fit. If the caster is out adventuring, he can devote 4 hours each day to item creation, although he nets only 2 hours' worth of work. This time is not spent in one continuous period, but rather during lunch, morning preparation, and during watches at night. If time is dedicated to creation, it must be spent in uninterrupted 4-hour blocks.

Could I do my crafting in the morning, after the whole party is awake, but before we set off each morning?

Could I do my crafting in the morning, after the whole party is awake, but before we set off each morning?

The answer is yes, though you fundamentally have two options:

1) Spend four (or eight) straight hours after the party wakes doing nothing but crafting. I won't, as DM, artificially prevent you from doing that but the party would need to be okay with it and it may of course be interrupted if you are sleeping in dangerous territory.

2) Go with the "I spend four hours of hand waved time that counts as two" option in which case it is assumed that you are spending whatever free time you have on crafting without otherwise causing the rest of the party to wait. That isn't a specific time however, it's just during the entire day, whenever you have a free moment, you are assumed to be working on crafting.

Option two sounds like a winner.

I'm okay with things taking twice as long if it means the party doesn't have to wait for me.

Morvius do you have a private email I can contact you at? I'd like to be able to run my spells by you in the future to make sure there are no unforeseen side effects. I'm trying to avoid another confusing light-glare fiasco.

Morvius do you have a private email I can contact you at? I'd like to be able to run my spells by you in the future to make sure there are no unforeseen side effects. I'm trying to avoid another confusing light-glare fiasco.

It's probably best if you just post any questions here so that I have an easy record of the answers and other people have them as well should the issues end up affecting them (and so people can quote rules at me if I screw something up). That said, I'll run things as written though as is usual, should things interact with the environment, there is potential for circumstantial penalties and bonuses as normal. If you are concerned about a spell working a specific way in a specific situation, I'd suggest asking about that specific situation rather than about the spell in general.

Sounds good.

I only asked for a private email because I was worried about spamming this thread too much with random questions.

Heh, of course. I meant unforeseen by me, the player, in an OOC way. Like is my summon going to flip out because it's underground or something. I'm trying to avoid another Light debacle.

I'll note that the problem with the Light spell wasn't a function of the spell acting oddly. The light was placed in an inconvenient place and so caused problems. If reasonably foreseeable consequences of actions aren't foreseeable, then I'm not sure Morvius will possibly be able to predict what you find unforeseeable.

Well I'm not going to argue with you about the convenience of inconvenience of the location of the light spell.

I don't think Light on armor causing blinding or distraction is a reasonable foreseeable consequence. There's nothing in Light or the description for torches indicating anything like that. That said, I'm not debating Morvius's ruling. I'm cool with it, I just want to make sure there's no confusion like that in the future.

If Morvius doesn't want me asking questions I can stop and I'll just try to stick to things I know are safe.

Well I'm not going to argue with you about the convenience of inconvenience of the location of the light spell.

I don't think Light on armor causing blinding or distraction is a reasonable foreseeable consequence. There's nothing in Light or the description for torches indicating anything like that. That said, I'm not debating Morvius's ruling. I'm cool with it, I just want to make sure there's no confusion like that in the future.

If Morvius doesn't want me asking questions I can stop and I'll just try to stick to things I know are safe.

I've already explained why the light on the armor would be distracting and inconvenient. If you're unable to figure out why it would be, then it would be completely impossible for anyone to predict what else you would find unforeseen.

With that said, if you're not going to argue the ruling then I'd also suggest not posting condescending comments about it.

I'm sorry if you thought my comment was condescending. It was not intended that way. I was just explaining why I did not know that the Light spell was going to cause problems. I certainly didn't intend to blind Marc.

Well in all fairness, the light spell incident was surprising to me too. I didn't think that the light cast on someone's armor would be such a hindrance.

I'm sorry if you thought my comment was condescending. It was not intended that way. I was just explaining why I did not know that the Light spell was going to cause problems. I certainly didn't intend to blind Marc.

The condescending comments were about unforeseen consequences every time a spell is cast. (The insistence that Morvius could possibly predict what you find unforeseen as well as the insistence that it must be the spell that's acting oddly, specifically, if you're not sure.)

I'm not sure the rules really need to point out that putting a light source on an object that is difficult to direct, while also putting a large object between the light source and where you want to see, is a bad idea. If the rules had to point out all possible bad ideas it'd be quite a bit larger.

I think we're all pretty clear your character didn't mean to blind Marc. Though why she didn't just put the light in a convenient place when it was pointed out that the place she did put it was inconvenient is still a mystery to me (both in character and out).

Cool, now we're getting somewhere.

I think the root of the confusion is my understanding of what the light looks like/functions vs the way you guys seem to see it. As I understand it the Light spell emits light in all direction like a light bulb. A light bulb is no less bright or distracting hanging from around your neck than it is held at arm's length. I would think the light would emit from the back of the shield just as much as the front and thus holding it 2-3 feet (depending on arm length) away from you wouldn't make much of a difference.

You guys seem to be describing Light as a flashlight that can be directed and pointed as needed. This is cool, just not the way I imagined them.

I was RPing the snafu as the spell acting wonky because I needed an in-character way of explaining why an 18 INT character would make such a mistake. =P

I've been asking Morvius about unforeseen consequences because I don't want another flashlight vs light bulb misunderstanding.

Light creates a globe of light. The problem with casting it on a breastplate (when worn by someone using a shield) is that not only is the light coming from an odd place, but the shield is actively blocking the shining light. It isn't blinding in the way that a sun would be, but having an oddly placed light combined with physically needing to move the shield out of the way of whatever you needed to look at would create a hindrance to seeing that having light on your shield wouldn't.

Fair enough but like I said, that seems like an unforeseeable ruling to me.

Morvius, have my requests for clarification been bothersome?

Cool, now we're getting somewhere.

I think the root of the confusion is my understanding of what the light looks like/functions vs the way you guys seem to see it. As I understand it the Light spell emits light in all direction like a light bulb. A light bulb is no less bright or distracting hanging from around your neck than it is held at arm's length. I would think the light would emit from the back of the shield just as much as the front and thus holding it 2-3 feet (depending on arm length) away from you wouldn't make much of a difference.

You guys seem to be describing Light as a flashlight that can be directed and pointed as needed. This is cool, just not the way I imagined them.

I was RPing the snafu as the spell acting wonky because I needed an in-character way of explaining why an 18 INT character would make such a mistake. =P

I've been asking Morvius about unforeseen consequences because I don't want another flashlight vs light bulb misunderstanding.

It's not a flashlight. It's like a torch. You're right it is shining light all around. But I'm unclear how anyone could think that having a lightbulb around your neck (breastplate) is as effective as holding a lightbulb (or torch) in your hand. One allows you to move the light as needed. The other forces you to move your body and forces you to make sure there's nothing between your body and what you want to see.

There's a reason why miners put lights on their head (which are also annoying, but less annoying than not having both hands free) and not in the middle of their chests.

The reason a shield (or weapon) is a better place for Light is because the user can then treat it like a torch. You can raise or lower it, put it down, see under things without having to lay down, etc. Also, while I wouldn't object to a GM saying the whole shield shines (I think it's reasonable to interpret the rule that way), I'd expect that only the front of the shield would shine. (I'm guessing the inside of the breastplate doesn't shine, but who knows, maybe it does).

That was the thinking with lighting the breastplate vs a weapon or shield. The breastplate is hands-free and in the chance that Marc is somehow disarmed or needs to two-hand his sword or something he doesn't have to give up the light. Does Marc wear a helmet or headgear of any kind?

All the things you've mentioned are realistic and make sense, but not the way I would assume magic works in any sort of fantasy game. Thus my confusion and requests for clarifications going forward. I never meant to sound condescending.

That was the thinking with lighting the breastplate vs a weapon or shield. The breastplate is hands-free and in the chance that Marc is somehow disarmed or needs to two-hand his sword or something he doesn't have to give up the light. Does Marc wear a helmet or headgear of any kind?

All the things you've mentioned are realistic and make sense, but not the way I would assume magic works in any sort of fantasy game. Thus my confusion and requests for clarifications going forward. I never meant to sound condescending.

No, Marc doesn't wear a helmet, though I don't think he'd like his head lit up even if he did. He's going to have two things in his hand no matter what, so putting Light on them isn't going to be a problem (he never has his shield hand free). And if he gets disarmed then there's a light source lying on the ground, which is as good as in his hand during a fight. Also, if on the off-chance he's disarmed and the weapons/shield falls into lava or a chasm, we do have a backup light source for the fight (Lucrezia's shield) and you can cast Light on something else afterward.

For the most part we might want to see into places that I won't want to put important parts of my body within a direct line of. So don't light those up.

As to realism, I'm not a huge hyper-realism fan in my fantasy games (and especially not D&D games). But it seems to me that at least some reasonable sense needs to be used. Light doesn't pass through opaque objects (like shields) and having a torch attached to your chest is awkward when you're trying to see where you're going. As opposed to something you can move a little higher, lower, under, around the corner, etc.

Just nudging you guys to spur things along.

I've done my wizard thing. I'm waiting for the leader and our more daring party members to interact with the room.

So the latest xp bump puts us into 3rd level. Should we plan on leveling the next time we're resting for the night?

Sounds good to me.

3rd Level Hit Points: 1d10 ⇒ 10

I am apparently a viking at rolling hit points.

I'll just take the average again.

Yep, I will be taking average too.

Average!

level 3:

+1 Level of Oracle

+1d8 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7 hp

+1 BAB

+1 Fort, +1 Ref

+1 Feat: Power Attack

Revelation: (Weapon Mastery)

+1 1st level spell slot

+1 1st level spell known: Infernal Healing

Skills: +2 ranks (Perception); +1 rank (Heal, Knowledge(Religion), Sense Motive)

3rd level hit points: 1d8 ⇒ 5

I would like to take Blood Transcription as Zephyr's second level two spell but I'd like to get some clarifications from you first on how you're going to rule the spell works.

How it functions on a spontaneous casting class (like a bard or sorcerer) is clear enough but what about prepared casters?

If I use it on a wizard:

Can I learn an unused prepared spells?
Can I learn a used prepared spells?
Can I learn any spells in his spellbook? (This one is kind of a moot point)

If I use it on a cleric or a druid:

Can I learn an unused prepared spells?
Can I learn a used prepared spells?
Can I learn any spell the target is high enough level to cast? (say Dispel Magic)

So for Blood Transcription, I'll rule that for casters that prepare spells, you'd have access to any unexpended prepared spells. For spontaneous casters, you'd have access to any spell known. However, it wouldn't work on any divine spellcasters as divine spells aren't castable by a wizard. Similar to scrolls, even if the same spell is on both lists, an arcane caster can't use the divine version of a spell.

Overall I think that, as a second level spell, it provides decent utility and potential cost savings by giving access to a variety of spells "on the go" rather than needing to buy them (or access to spellbooks with them) but isn't overwhelming as a source of new spells.

Hmm. Thanks for the ruling. I'll have to think about it.

Sorry for dropping off the radar for a while; I lost my internet connection for a few days, and only just managed to re-instate it :-/ Everything should be normal from now on, though :-)

Welcome back!

***

Morvius, I'm going to bug you again for that email address. There's some stuff I'd like to discuss with you and it would be best to talk about it off-list.

You can email me at dmmorvius@yahoo.com

Thanks.

Email sent.

Just nudging people to keep the combat moving along.

I was waiting for everyone else to catch up with round 4 before I started round 5.

I was waiting for everyone else to catch up with round 4 before I started round 5.

I figured, which is certainly fine. I'm mostly waiting on the remaining r4 actions.

So, I'm posting this here to allow for a bit more discussion. You guys have finished the first "chapter" so to speak. I want to give you some time to RP in the interim, but being a PbP I don't want people to feel like things are dragging along too much. Travel will be safe and in Egorian you'll be able to buy/sell anything you want.

So, the jist of it? I'll take the lead from you the players about which conversations you want to hand wave and which you want to RP through and, in the meantime, feel free to start figuring out how you want to deal with the loot you have and what things you want to buy.

I know what I want to buy. A friggin' wand of cure disease!

Leveling up Hafdan and figuring out shopping etc and I've got a few questions.

- How should I handle the zombie rot stuff? Should I make a series of rolls simulating days of time till I either kick it or die? Can I pay to have it cured?
- Once we divide up the loot, now that I have the feat, I'd like to purchase Sawtooth Sabre's. Will I just be able to do this or will there be RP involved or something? Want to find out my options.

Rolling for HP
1d8 ⇒ 3

I was wondering about the disease as well. Also I would like to take my share of gold and buy a suitable composite longbow(masterwork is possible) for myself and a composite shortbow for Lucrezia. How hard would it be?

MW Fullplate is what I am looking for, personally.

Could our wonderful team accountant let us know what we have to work with? :-)

Zephyr is done leveling minus whatever stuff she ends up buying.

Hit Points (Level 4): 1d10 ⇒ 10

Wow. I am the king of hit point rolling.

I'm just going to roll for the days of zombie rot until Marc decides to go get some healing from an actual priest.

Zombie Rot:

Day 1
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (14) + 4 = 18

Day 2
Fortitude Save: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (17) + 4 = 21

As usual I'll take the average hp for Lucrezia.

Lucrezia passes out 167 gp to everyone from the gp we've collected so far.

Shall I go ahead and divide up the gp worth of the jewelry we have collected as well?

And we also have all the armor and weapons to still sell and split up.

We should get between 3.5k-4.5k for selling the loot (depending on whether someone takes the breastplate +1 that we picked up). Split evenly that'll be a little over 600g each.

If we want we can split a little differently (Lucrezia and Raven have gotten quite a bit less loot than the rest of us, and Zephyr is only ahead of them because of the Cloak of Resistance). Assuming Lucius grabs the breastplate, we could half share Lucius, Marc and Hafdan and full share the rest. It won't come close to evening people out, but it'll at least let the casters buy something nice. And hopefully the next chapter we find more stuff for them.

I'm fine either way, so I'll leave this to you all.

FYI, Hafdan has been using the +1 shortsword we found but I will be giving that back to the party loot pile for either sale or Redistribution. I'm hoping to buy 2 exotic weapons based on my build and while I will miss having a magic blade it fits more with the theme. So we'll have a +1 weapon to add to the calculations as well.