DaWay's Ruby Phoenix Tournament (Inactive)

Game Master DaWay

I realize I have not made my selection yet but I thought I would start giving you guys some food for thought. You are arriving at this tournament as a team. And have already qualified past the preliminaries. I am leaving this largely up to you as to how you got together as a team and who you beat to get there. Also how did you get to the mainland of Goka. Past the Crown of the World? Caravan? Hoof? Foot? Ship? Airship? Magic? Lastly I would like to know why. Why are you competing if you haven't said in your background. Why with these people. Is it self motivation, or for a larger agency.

This is all very OOC...my character wouldn't be disclosing her employers to anyone in Goka.

The organization I work for teleported me and a couple of support personnel directly to Goka, to a safehouse that the Chelish intelligence agency had set up. I am competing because I've been told that my superiors require the prize.

I suppose I was told to seek out these other folks as teammates, because the agency had already researched who was competing and figured these would be useful to team with, either because they increase my chances of winning, or because it would be easy for the agency to get the prize away from them at the end, either with money or some other sort of payment, or by subterfuge.

First things first, thank you for selecting me Daway. I'm looking forward to seeing how this module turns out, it seems like a fun one. I'll try to make up for my flavorless info block of a back story in answering your questions.

Treiden's short fall from grace, about 2 years prior to the tournament, landed him a stowaway in bowels of an airship floating from Riddleport to a Tien port "city" with a name hardly worth the trouble of remembering. In the between time he managed to shy away from the hustle of many of the metropolis-type cities and keep himself tucked away from the public eye. Upon hearing of the Ruby Phoenix Tournament the enterprising half-elf found himself pressing on towards Goka and the promise of wealth and glory.

Keeping gold in the right pockets ensured his entry and a theatrical bravado of swordplay ushered him through the preliminaries. His contextual allies were chosen as a mutual necessity. For each honorable applicant there were at least 3 men who would just as soon stab you in your sleep than risk the chance of losing to you in the arena so surrounding oneself with the choicest contestants to protect you until the final stages is not only practical but responsible. Rest assured that the half-orc barbarian swinging a man-sized sword hasn't paid for a single beer since before the preliminaries.

I was planning on being from the area. Qualifying past the preliminaries in a local tournament I wasn't able to get into a team or get a sponsorship because of my families history in the area, so if I were to be approached by Nemeia I would accept the invitation happily, just as long as I got to compete in the tournament. I would probably be a person of interest to Nemeia's organization because of my very straight forward decree that i'm not doing the tournament for monetary rewards, so other than being very skilled I would also be free muscle to boot.

I see Nalita as having been reincarnated numerous times at this point, and has a slight obsession with her past lives. She leaves clues to these past lives, and as she is reincarnated attempts to find these clues to who she was previously (kind of like a game). She is a wandering soul and has traveled numerous lands. This is my basis on History and Geography as the class skills (what has happened, where she has gone, many of these events she having born witness to, maybe even been a part of, albeit in a minor role). I was thinking that the Blackblade could possibly follow a similar reincarnation aspect. The sword passes when she does but is reborn as she is. She doesn't always have the sword in a reincarnation, but if she does it's the same concept. So the two have been together for many lifetimes.

Her reason for participating is that she believes one of the items being offered as a reward once belonged to her in a past life and she wants to try for it, for sentimental reasons and because it may offer another clue to who she was in a past life.

Arriving in Goka could have been many means, as she would try to experience any form of travel available. Probably by foot.

The teammates is a tougher issue. I don't see Nalita as being too strongly opposed with who she would work with, as long as not outrightly evil. There's a good chance she's made a name for herself at this point (11th level and all), though she doesn't use this to her advantage. It's quite possible she was recognized for her skills and asked to be on someone's team for that reason.

How's that sound?

Sounds fine to me. I just want you all to be grouped together and understand before you post on the gameplay thread. I have already posted a background of the tournament and where you guys are. I hope you dont get sea sick.

Li Fu'chao is (I know it's a bit cliche but its a classic nonetheless) searching for the man that killed his druid mentor among the participants. He found out that the man would be entering the tournament and entered as well to get his revenge upon him.

As for how he got there, he has been searching for this man for several years now and has been traveling all over.

Sidryn is here, because her mother is not.

It helps that the Winter Witches of Irrisen wanted to know more about this area of the world, and were curious about this Ruby Phoenix Tournament.

It's all the same to Sidryn. She gets to beat things up, take a few licks of her own, and may just have a good time.

As for who she's with? If they are willing to loosen up and have a few drinks, and won't stab Sidryn in the back? Ehn, all good to her. She's not from this part of the world, after all. What more could you ask for as a stranger in a strange land?

here is the campaign thread

http://paizo.com/campaigns/DaWaysRubyPhoenixTournament/gameplay&page=la st

Reading through the background, another hook to throw out is that it's possible Nalita knew the Ruby Phoenix in a previous life. That would give a possible reason for Nemeia to seek me out, as it might give an advantage due to past life knowledge (not actually expecting any benefits, but never know). Probably a situation where I was being duped, but wisdom isn't my high score. Just throwing it out there.

i'm fine with whatever you guys decide. just work it out before you post your actions on the "ferry"

Ok. I'm 100% finished fiddling with my character sheet. I think the cutpurse archetype would be really messy on a PbP board so I hope you don't mind that I went with acrobat instead.

I tried to give you an idea of the character type I'm going for in my IC post. Basically a slimy self promoting rogue. Classic. I probably won't last long in a PvP match with anyone here but I'll do my best to have an interesting PC.

1) Can I brew potions with starting gold?
2) I still need to finalize my extracts and a couple of pieces of equipment, I'll try to get that done and in my profile tonight

1) yes

I hope that means you are getting all your 20's out of the way now

The only 3 rolls I made today were the 2 20's here and a 19 on another PBP, I think I won't make any more actions til tomorrow. :)

1) yes

Cool, thanks.

Given the circumstances, I feel compelled to link this

Is Sidryn even active. I haven't seen her post once since this began. If it's okay with you guys I will give her to the first day of the tournament to het posting if not she was never there. Does that work for yall?

Works for me, I'd say that's a fair chance

Yeah that's fine. Wasn't the recruitment aimed of a total of 5 people anyway?

Kerumi - This is just a suggestion, I'm not trying to critique or assert anything on you. During combat I use a pre-written block for my stats for the benefit of myself and the DM. You can see it at the bottom of my character sheet (just click on my name). You can paste a block like this at the beginning of your turn so that all the info is on one page and everyone can see what condition you're in.

Also, posting attack and damage at the same time really speeds things along. You'll find that combat can take forever in a pbp so any way you can compress your posts will be really helpful.

Your Full-Attack for example:
1st Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (7) + 12 = 19
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 6 = 7

2nd Attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (18) + 12 = 30
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (7) + 6 = 13

3rd Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
Damage: 1d10 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11

I'm only trying to be helpful so I apologize if any of this comes off as rude. It certainly isn't my intent.

No, it doesn't come across as rude at all, thanks much for the input. Like I said, I'm new to PBP, do any advise is more than welcome

ok cool. Yeah it's no problem. A lot of people have their own posting styles and formats so keep an eye out for others that are more in tune to your needs. You'll find that the bigger the encounter, the longer it takes. I'm playing a Kingmaker AP on this site and we've been fighting a single encounter for well over a month. This is an extreme case but it's worth knowing that it can happen. Sad thing is: It would only have been one solid tabletop session to cover what has taken 6 weeks to relay.

O well. Beggars can't be choosers, right? Haha

guys, this is my first attempt running it on the boards with strangers so if you have a suggestion please feel free.

Also, I'm more in the post often camp than the post a lot camp.

Good to know. So feel free to ignore everything I just posted. haha

my online dice don't seem to like me much

The top things I've seen that speed things up a lot:

In every post when you're in combat, at the end, include a spoiler with your HP, AC, saves, and affects as of the end of your action.

So, [spoiler=stats]
HP 50/60
AC 28/22/23
Fort: +18; Ref: +22; Will: +10
Affects: fatigued, dazzled, haste, barkskin, mage armor
[/spoiler

That makes things much easier. Your stats block should be as of the END of your action, so that it reflects your status between this turn and the next turn.

If you think the GM will ask for a skill roll, just include the skill roll or ask the GM to roll whatever they think is appropriate.

As Treiden said, for every attack always roll attack and damage. If it's a crit threat, then roll your confirmation and extra damage afterwards (preview or re-edit).

The top things I've seen that speed things up a lot:

In every post when you're in combat, at the end, include a spoiler with your HP, AC, saves, and affects as of the end of your action.

So, [spoiler=stats]
HP 50/60
AC 28/22/23
Fort: +18; Ref: +22; Will: +10
Affects: fatigued, dazzled, haste, barkskin, mage armor
[/spoiler

That makes things much easier. Your stats block should be as of the END of your action, so that it reflects your status between this turn and the next turn.

If you think the GM will ask for a skill roll, just include the skill roll or ask the GM to roll whatever they think is appropriate.

As Treiden said, for every attack always roll attack and damage. If it's a crit threat, then roll your confirmation and extra damage afterwards (preview or re-edit).

yoink!

I'm incredibly aware of how asinine this question is going to be so if I get meteor-ed in the first trial I'll accept it as justified. Would you mind if I changed classes to bard? I just found out this afternoon that THEY got the dervish archetype!? I've been waiting for a dervish rogue since I switched over from 3.5. I can have a sheet up by Monday morning and it wouldn't change anything I've established for Treiden in the slightest.

I know this is a silly request and I don't mind your decision either way. Thanks DaWay!

Since you haven't gotten into any combat, or anything, I don't mind. However I want the character as close skill/feat wise as you can to this character.

That's perfect. The planned on boosting perform at the expense of disable device and keeping the majority of my feats with the single exception of imp feint. I wasted 2 rogue talents on feats so I wouldn't be able to keep them all anyway. Thanks a bunch. I'm a sucker for nolstagia. It's pathetic.

All done with the conversion. Let me know if there is anything you need me to touch up.

I just want to be sure I did this right since this is the first time I've used performance combat. I used the rules provided here. According to the charts, my modifier would be: 3 Char, +2 (BAB 6-10), +3 (11 Perform ranks) total: +8.

yes, everything looks ok and you did it right

Just adding a shameless plug. I am recruiting for my homebrew campaign if any of you are interested in it. It's called the redemption of dou-bral.

I'm really sorry I have not been posting these last few days everyone, I came down with a bad case of strep throat and have been mostly unconscious the better part if the past week

I hope your feeling better. Don't worry your comrades seem to have it well under control.

Get better soon (if not already)!!

Strep throat is no fun but I guess it's better to just sleep through the bulk of the sickness than go about your daily routine. My hopes that you feel better.

DaWay - Your homebrew looks pretty neat. I would occasionally take a peek at it every now and again while updating my boards and I really like your rule set. I've found that homebrews with creative/adaptable DM's are the most rewarding for players cuz you get a chance to have special tailored NPC's and quests for each character. I would have submitted an application but I'm already affiliated with too many games on these boards. 4 is more than enough to keep me busy.

Based on your play style you are more than welcome to join. Sorry this one is Falling behind but the home brew is my baby. That plus 70 hour work weeks and a 7 month pregnant fiancee and trying to get a better job doing what I can

It is (very) tempting but I'm about maxed out on time I can devote to the boards. I may only work a 60hr week but my 2-year old is a pretty demanding little guy. I'm able to post easily enough from my PC at work but I get a 2hr window for nap time and a few breaks here and there for lunch & dinner to do my board updates and with summer around the bend I'll probably have less time near the computer during the day.

I just joined another game last week but it's moving really slowly. If it doesn't pick up in a week I'd love to submit a character when it's convenient to write one in.

Just PM when you get the time. I think they will level slowly because they all took the gestalt option I presented.

I'm involved in 7 online campaigns and 2 live, and my time commitment to work has changed such that I don't have much time for good exposition, mostly just strategy and mechanics, so I don't think I'd be able to devote the time needed to real good roleplaying (if I'm short on time, I tend to focus on mechanics).

Sounds like we are all in the same boat more or less. I apologize that I've slowed down and am not devoting the time needed to make this game really great.

I find it amazing that the only figt you've lost was a wrestling match. Nothing else has gone past the second round. I've been boosting these people up some too. Oh well here's hoping these minions do something this round.

And that was the one fight we weren't working as a team. Curious...

Two quick things:

1. What have we been doing with our prizes? Who wants what? Can we sell anything to buy more useful equipment?

2. Are we close or will we be leveling up at any time in this adventure module?

As far as prizes keeping them. You can't leave the island to sell without forfeiting the tourney.

Honestly I haven't been keeping track because it is just a module that I am running.

fair enough. It's pretty cruel they put us at 11. Lvl 12 is such a milestone!

From what I understand, Maptools is a really good/easy/free way to do maps for PbP's. Two of my other DM's just post .jpegs and draw grids over them. The other DM I have uses google docs' excel to draw and manage maps.

I love love love google docs. Some GM's use the spreadsheet, some use draw. I use draw (I edit the base map in photoshop and then insert the image as an object into the drawing, then just make icons for all the players and let them move themselves).

So you use Draw to move the icons in google docs? I just took screenshots of maptools for the ones I use. Gonn have to try that.