DM Salsa Presents: The Jade Regent (Inactive)

Game Master AdamWarnock

Sorry to hear about your loss - hoping you stick around here and in the Shackled City.

Yeah, I'm also sorry to hear of your loss. I lost my grandfather just a couple years ago and I remember how hard it was on my family. Feel free to PM me if you need to vent at all or anything.

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. It wasn't easy to see her go but I believe she's much better off now so I couldn't really find it in my heart to be too terribly sad. It also helped that she'd already taken care of the majority of the arrangements herself some years back so there was much less for my dad and my two aunts to have to manage. And the service was simple but dignified, which she would've approved of :)

Oh and no worries on me dropping Shackled City either - that one has quickly become one of my favorites!

My condolences Soli. I'm glad to hear it hasn't been very difficult for you.

Well, I'm happy to hear that things went well, all things considered. Like Nate, you can always PM me if you need to talk.

Sorry for my sudden silence- I had not one but two crises come up at work. I should, hopefully, be able to post today. If not, I'll definitely get something up tomorrow. Bot me if you need to.

Don't worry about it. Emi turned into a dragon and toasted the Lich Lord you were fighting so it's all good now. ;)

*kicks rock* Emi always gets to be the dragon! Stoopid game... :D

Sorry for the sparse posting. I'm helping a friend get ready for a move out of state at the end of the week.

No worries Vigny! Hope all goes well for your friend :)

Hey guys,

How do you prefer to divvy up loot? Something loose like tossing stuff to whoever can best use it with some negotiation for debatable items? Something more structured - like figuring out 'shares' of the total GP value and then folks have to 'buy' items using their share money? Something else?

I usually prefer just giving stuff to whoever can get the most use out of it but I'm happy to go with whatever the majority of the group wants :)

I'm also flexible on the approach and willing to go with the majority preference.

IMO, I find that accounting for everything down to the last copper isn't much fun but I think it is fair to compensate folks who didn't get any useful goodies in Adventure [x] (or got a less cool item) with a greater share of the money from the pot as an equalizer. Rinse and repeat that for the next adventure... and eventually things mostly balance out, particularly if you have a DM who wants to keep folks evenly equipped.

In a party with as many meleers as we have, that might actually make more sense in the long run since most of us will be needing armor and weapons on top of other sorts of magical gear like rings and such. It's a little different when you're a wizard or something and not that concerned about magical weapons or cool armor :)

Good point!

I gotta say I'm dying to see the deets on all the goodies in the chests. When the DM 'casually' runs through a list like that: "armor, ring, scrolls, wand, potions..." I get a warm-fuzzy. :D

Loot's been updated with the entire haul form Brinestump, so check out the campaign tab. The stuff from Megus's shack is up top.

Woot! Although I think the gobbo ears and Gutwad's head have been replaced with 450GP, if I recall correctly. Also, do we have any stats on the Whispering Katana or do we need to use an Identify zap for that?

I'm waiting on an appropriate moment for revealing that. Don't worry, you'll find out soon enough.

Cool. No hurry then!

Of course, if I find out this is is the female version of Stormbringer by having my soul sucked out... that will be a bit of a downer. :)

Nah, I'm not that mean. :)

On the loot front I'm happy to go with whatever. Makes sense to divvy up what's functional and then sell trade the rest.

Making sure everyone gets a loosely equal share and agree that typically it balances out :)

I don't have any particular preferences on how loot gets done. In most all the games I've played it's worked well enough to let everyone claim what they want from the magic, and then divide the gold after selling the unclaimed stuff so that shares are more or less equal. Over time it balances well enough.

Are we doing automatic bonus progression or am I thinking of one of my other games? Either way, I tend to approach loot however makes the most sense in character... Emi's pretty laid back and doesn't have any particular gear in mind that she desires, so any kind of system should be fine (she might get a bit jealous from time to time though if someone else seems to be getting a lot more than her, or gets something really pretty).

No, we aren't in this game. I'll try to be mindful of the gear situation, so hopefully we won't have any issues of someone getting the good stuff since they can make the most of it, or someone getting stiffed because they can't use any of it.

Also, I'd just like to note that we've gotten about halfway through book 1 in six months. I'll be moving us along soon enough, so we should, hopefully, make it through Book 1 in about a year, assuming the pace holds up.

You're probably thinking of Shattered Star or another of Zed's games on the ABP, hehe.

Also cool to know roughly where we're at in the book and I'm definitely looking forward to the rest as this is the farthest I've gotten in a JR game yet!

Finally, I'm going to declare myself 'not it' if possible regarding managing the treasure since I've got enough irons in the fire across other games >.>

Don't wait on me, Salsa. I'm just having fun shining lights on other characters. We could always wrap up the convo in spoilers. I thought you'd take longer to get your notes organized so I set my RP oven at 'Leisure'. :)

I'm not a great Loot Manager but I'm willing to take a whack at it. I guess the first three questions are, O' Salsa:
1. For gear we decide to sell - what price can we get? 50%? 75% if Emi shakes her maracas at the merchant?
2. For jewels and jewelry to sell - is 100% of the value OK or should I use the gear sale price %?
3. May I convert all the coins to GP without a transaction fee?

EDIT: You have a couple Small items (armor and longbow) listed as 'expertly crafted'... does that mean Masterwork?

To my fellow players, any thoughts on items you'd like to have, sell, or that you think should reside with someone in particular?

In terms of gear 'balance'... what kind of value do we want to assign to items that is really for team use despite whoever may be holding them? I'm thinking of things like healing potions or that Wand of Identification. Personally, I don't think team items should count as treasure since they benefits everyone - but I'll go with a team vote.

1. 50% is the sell value if you don't want to haggle. If you do, I can make it a skill roll or we can act it out,
2. And the exceptions to the above are jewelry, gems, magic items, and trade goods.
3. Yep.
4. Yep.

OK, cool. On #2, how does the exception work? Do you mean we have to haggle/roll or it is an auto 100% on jewelry, gems, magic items, and trade goods? O.O That would be crazy generous.

Guys, related to #1 - would you prefer to go with the flat 50%, roll, or RP?

RP would be pretty cool, and would keep that "organic" feel of the game we've got, but appreciate that's not everyone's bag.

Another one I like to see in-game (that Soli can attest to) is characters keeping treasure items that appeal to them etc...

The half elf who claims that elven crafted armlet, the merchant who keeps the cloak chain etc. Think it makes sense, but I do appreciate that players may have some very specific "want items" for their characters etc, but I always think items found feel more "right" than items "bought".

My 2 tinctures worth :)

It's automatically 100%. Sorry I meant to make that clear, but I didn't. You can try to haggle a higher price, just like the with the other items, but if you do it too much, the merchant might get just a bit miffed. :)

And while I'm here, be thinking about what you would want to call a caravan.

Stuff on stuff:

1. I like the ideas as presented so far, they've usually been the way I've played as well. Most of the time in campaigns nobody has been particularly interested in wealth or magical item "farming" or assuming sufficient gold will make it possible to buy just any magical item. For example, the famous "at given level fighters just WILL have Gloves of Dueling" type of thing.

2. I'm fine with the idea of haggling some on prices, but that would mostly depending on having a character who has the skills (Vigny isn't a good candidate) and is willing to RP it.

3. I also like the more organic approach, including the keeping of mementos or non-magical favorite items. I've known very few people in real life who didn't keep souvenirs and keepsakes, and it seems to me characters would be no different.

4. As for specific magical items, there isn't much that really stands out for Vigny. She's the only one I believe with Water Walk on her spell list so that's an obvious take. It's a good spell to have on a scroll since it's a very situational one that would hardly ever be on a memorized list. Probably better to keep than sell. Good to have the spell when you need it.

Also, unless we specifically need the money it might be better to keep magical items they might find a use later, and if not can still be sold off as required.

By the way, Vigny, the lad you're flirting with, is he the same one that you shared a bed with the night after you escorted Gkirkhan and Iona back to town? I'm just asking for continuity's sake.

You know, it hadn't occurred to me. But yes, he is the same one. He seemed a nice enough boy.

Excellent. :3

Hey! What happens in Sandpoint, stays in Sandpoint...

'Fraid that's Riddleport.

There too! :P

Oh come on, it's not like I have some plan to throw a likeable character at one of you, have your character get attached, then cause drama by killing him! It would be cruel of me to do such a thing! ;)

I'm good with the ideas presented as well...except the killing of innocent bystanders by the GM ;P

Sheesh! Half the fun of DMing is imperiling innocents and watching the characters/players spit fire.

>:D <--- Evil DM Smile

Is it? Huh...guess I'd better take notes then!

(I see the Evil Smile from my F2F DM when we've done or are about to do something stupid, usually :P)

Oh come on, it's not like I have some plan to throw a likeable character at one of you, have your character get attached, then cause drama by killing him! It would be cruel of me to do such a thing! ;)

What? Does he have a heart condition?

Maaaaybe.

;D

In the skype game I run, all of the players groan when I say "Just a sec." Mainly because they know I'm looking up something that's going to smack in about a minute. :)

Although, they haven't done anything to bring out the evil laugh yet.

Loot List thoughts...

I'm fine with RPing/rolling to sell standard items with the following caveat. To keep my task of loot management quicker, it would be great if folks only haggled on items they think would present a fun RP opportunity while the more mundane stuff is auto-sold at 50% or 100%. Our current loot list stands at 14 mundane items (excluding duplicates). RP/rolling for that whole group would be time consuming. So, my suggestion would be that anyone who sees a fun opportunity for haggling, tell me/Salsa something like: "I'd like to haggle over the 4 Skyrockets". I'll leave those items alone and sell off the stuff that no one sees as having RP potential. Sound reasonable?

Here is the list of common items:

MW Dagger in steel scabbard
Scroll Tube
Brinestump Map
4 Skyrockets
MW Chain Shirt (small)
MW Longbow (small)
Red Chest - Cranes & Frogs
Jewelry (560 GP)
6 MW Shurikens
Hairpin w/ Red Pearl
Gold & Ivory Fan w/ strolling gecko and map on back
Jade & Cherry Wood Chest
MW chain Shirt (medium)
MW Cold Iron Wakizashi
11 Desnan Candles

If anyone wants one of these items included in your share or want to haggle with a merchant... name it or hold your peace.

I'm also a fan of keeping mementos from the adventure - such as the Hairpin with the Red Pearl on the end. So, if any of you guys want to lay claim to those as part of your 'cut', please let me know. I'm building a xcel sheet to track items and values so I can easily figure out our individual shares in gold and goods. Just so you know, without including the value of the Whispering Sword yet... we are looking at splitting about 11,200 GPs worth of goodies. So it isn't a trivial sum.

Both mechanically and RP-wise I'm probably the best candidate for haggling, I think? I also don't really want to slow down the game doing much of that though... I may just jump in and do it once in a while anyways, and people can feel free to ask/suggest pieces that they'd like to see haggled over.

In terms of the current loot... the thing Emi would most like is the fancy hairpin, but it makes a lot more sense for that to go to Vigny (and I'll just be a bit jealous, or maybe spend some of my cut on a fancier one...)

Magical Goods - claim yours now! :)
2 Scrolls of CLW (CL7)
3 Scrolls of False Life (CL7)
1 Scroll of Water Walk (CL7) - Vigny (holding for team use?)
7 Potions of CLW
2 Potions of CMW
3 Potions of Lesser Restoration
5 Arrows - Animal Bane
Ring of Climbing
Wand of Identify (19 charges)
Whispering Katana

re:Haggling - Emi would probably be best at it but if the goal is some fun RP then pretty much anyone could haggle... they just likely wouldn't end up with the best deal. :) Personally, I'm fine with that. I'm looking forward to watching Jerukh try to haggle with an irritating gnome merchant on a deal to trade rare golden mushrooms for 18 ounces of Liquid Aether. :)

For flavour I'd like Jerukh to carry the Potions of Lesser Restoration but tactically I know that isn't the soundest (all eggs in one basket etcetera, etcetera...)

Think we all take a potion of CLW

Front liners take a potion of CMW

Split the remaining CLW betwixt the others or Jerukh carries?

Jerukh has no interest in the fireworks and none of the treasure appeals. If unclaimed he'd likely take the MW Chainshirt, but reckon its better suited to Vigny.

RP haggling is a fun option... Jerukh's epically high CHA means he'll ace every negotiation! So probably best to allow Emi to have a moment to shine and all that lol ;)

the only mundane items I have any interest in are the hairpin (as mentioned above) and some of the jewelry. for magic items, I agree with Jerukh's opinion on cure potions, mostly: I think everyone should have a CLW potion; Reiko and I should probably take the CMW ones (since we can't self-heal), and the extra CLWs should probably go to Jerukh to distribute as needed. I think I'm the only one who can use the false life scrolls, so I can carry those to use as needed. Am I the only who can use the identify wand too? I might need to put a rank in spellcraft...

I'll second Emi's idea on how to distribute the healing potions; Soli and Vigny can self-heal if need be so it'd make more sense for Emi and Reiko to carry the CMW potions. Jerukh carrying the Lesser Restoration potions and the extra CLW potions also sounds good, as does Emi hanging on to the False Life scrolls and the Identify wand.

There's not really much else in the pile she'd want; Soli already has MW Scale Mail so she doesn't need the MW Chain Shirt. She might take the Animal-Bane arrows or split them with Reiko since we're the only two using bows for our ranged weapons. That leaves uh...the Ring of Climbing? She'd take it if no one else really wants it, if only so she won't have a penalty to the skill any longer :P

Yeah, Emi's potion distribution sounds good to me.

Can Jerukh use a scroll of False Life to get it into his extracts?

Jerukh should go ahead and take the MWK Chain Shirt. Vigny will be bumping up to medium armor very soon, if not immediately so she won't get much use from it.

Maybe Soli could take an extra Animal Bane Arrow or two? They make excellent gifts I hear ;)

Oh that hairpin... Vigny will let Emi and Reiko duke it out for it on the condition she can borrow it for a strategic use or two down the line. Instead Vigny has taken a liking to a decorative tortoiseshell comb with a handle carved to show three koi swimming among waves, and a pair of lacquered wooden hairpins with an inlayed mother of pearl dragonfly and flower design on them. Call the value as equivalent to the pearl hairpin.

Keep the wand of Identify as group loot?

Vigny can keep the 2 scrolls of CLW if nobody else wants them, and she'll keep the scroll of Water Walk. If nobody else is going to she'll also keep the MWK Dagger/Scabbard.