Woot! Now that I have mockery I can be a proper court bard. I'll get something up tonight.
Guys, the only issue I have is with the idea that we can circumvent the standard action. That's it. The whole basis of my comment was the statement "don't waste an action" on the ability. I don't want to underpower anything. Here is how I see this working:
ROUND ONE: Magna draws axe, raising it high the air. She calls out to her allies in a commanding voice: "Move up! Don't give them time to react!"
After that, its all swift actions to shift feats until a point where it doesn't make sense to continue the BP, whereupon another standard action would have to be spent: next day, next combat, whatever.
As far as Lookout or Stealth, sure you could start that early...within reason. Let's use the cairn you just cleared as an example:
Magna could have spoken a few words of warning as you descended the steps to activate Lookout or Stealth, switching (with a swift action) to DCharge when the skeletons came out.
Keep the Breakfast Training, its good RP, AND you will be running a kingdom soonish, so there will be soldiers to work on.
I understand, just want to define the limits of the ability - the archetype leaves it open-ended. If Magna uses Battlefield Presence when the group enters a dungeon, will it still be in effect a few minutes later when we are attacked by hidden skeletons, allowing Lookout to make us react quicker? I ask because the specifics will certainly affect what teamwork feats Magna should choose - if Lookout won't help us in most instances, it'll be better to take an in-combat teamwork feat in its place, for example.
Regardless of how the ability works, I fully support Magna's Breakfast Training sessions, even if Naralesh might miss his beauty sleep. :P
EDIT: Ninja'd! You answered it before I finished typing. :)
Speaking of soldiers, that's when a Holy Tactician REALLY shines. Sharing a teamwork feat with four allies is one thing. Sharing it with an entire platoon - now that wins entire battles.
I'm sneaky like that. To be clear: I'm all about heroes being heroic, just somethings need limits, however small those limits are. I am always open to discussion. The idea is we all have fun.
Ok... I am thinking it like this.
a) In the morning she does her "Magna's Breakfast Teamwork Training" activities for RP's sake.
b) When the need arises (so it is not an "Always On" ability) she signals the others (commando-style, hand weaving an everything) to be on the Lookup for problems. It stays active while they are "in action" or she changes it.
c) When combat actually starts she switch it out for Distracting Charge as a swift action.
d) Or if they are surprised, and don't have Lookup up, she can start Distracting Charge as a standard action.
Am I correct?
If so, she would then take Distracting Charge and Lookup as her feats.
Yes to all
Thanks
Magna's Breakfast Teamwork Training? I love it, but Talia's going to dread mornings. She'll play along though :)
As for this level, HP is half +2, so Talia picks up 6 + 1 (con bonus) for a total of 23 hp.
+1 BAB
+1 Fort save
+10 skills (6 class + 1 human + 1 favored class +2 int)
-Diplomacy
-Perform (Act)
-Perform (Dance)
-Intimidate
-Craft (Writing)
-Kno (Local)
-Linguistics
-Use Magic Device (3) (to cover the cleric role better)
However, if you all think that those ranks in UMD would be better spent elsewhere, I could put them in Perception, Spellcraft, and a Knowledge skill (or Appraise). What would the group prefer?
Language from Linguistics will be Draconic, because we know that there are kobolds and Tatzlwyrms out there from our quests at Oleg's bulletin board.
I get the class ability Mockery:
Mockery (Su): A court bard of 3rd level or higher can subtly ridicule and defame a specific individual. The bard selects one target who can hear his performance. That individual takes a –2 penalty on Charisma checks and Charisma-related skill checks as long as the bard continues performing. This penalty increases by –1 every four levels after 3rd. Mockery is a language-dependent, mind-affecting ability that relies on audible components.
This performance replaces inspire competence.
New first level spell will be Dazzling Blade (the better to disarm with).
New 0 level spell will be Read Magic.
I'm not sure on the feat yet, and I have a couple of questions:
I was leaning towards Improved Dirty Trick, but by RAW I can't use my whip to pull that maneuver off. I envisioned Talia using it to entangle one's legs (entangle), turn a hat or helmet around or cover an opponent's eyes (blinded), crack the whip by one's ears (deafened), or hit someone in a delicate spot (sickened). Don't know about shaken or dazzled. The bonus to the maneuver would be the same, but I suppose the problem with fluffing it this way would be that I could use this maneuver at reach, which by RAW I don't think can be done. Would it be OK to take this feat and use my whip for it, OGGM?
If not, I was also considering the combat stamina feat, from Unchained. Are you considering any of the rules from that book, OGGM?
Also considering Spell Focus (Enchantment), Persuasive, Improved Trip, Weapon Focus.
Thanks for the input!
Level 3!
HP: Half + CON = 5 + 0 = 5
+1 BAB
+1 Reflex Save
+1 Fortitude Save
+1 Will Save
Swashbuckler Ability:
Nimble (Ex): At 3rd level, a swashbuckler gains a +1 dodge bonus to AC while wearing light or no armor. Anything that causes the swashbuckler to lose her Dexterity bonus to AC also causes her to lose this dodge bonus. This bonus increases by 1 for every 4 levels beyond 3rd (to a maximum of +5 at 19th level).
New Deeds
Kip-Up (Ex): At 3rd level, while the swashbuckler has at least 1 panache point, she can kip-up from prone as a move action without provoking an attack of opportunity. She can kip-up as a swift action instead by spending 1 panache point.
Menacing Swordplay (Ex): At 3rd level, while she has at least 1 panache point, when a swashbuckler hits an opponent with a light or one-handed piercing melee weapon, she can choose to use Intimidate to demoralize that opponent as a swift action instead of a standard action.
Precise Strike (Ex): At 3rd level, while she has at least 1 panache point, a swashbuckler gains the ability to strike precisely with a light or one-handed piercing melee weapon (though not natural weapon attacks), adding her swashbuckler level to the damage dealt. To use this deed, a swashbuckler cannot attack with a weapon in her other hand or use a shield other than a buckler. She can even use this ability with thrown light or one-handed piercing melee weapons, so long as the target is within 30 feet of her. Any creature that is immune to sneak attacks is immune to the additional damage granted by precise strike, and any item or ability that protects a creature from critical hits also protects a creature from the additional damage of a precise strike. This additional damage is precision damage, and isn't multiplied on a critical hit.
As a swift action, a swashbuckler can spend 1 panache point to double her precise strike's damage bonus on the next attack. This benefit must be used before the end of her turn, or it is lost. This deed's cost cannot be reduced by any ability or effect that reduces the amount of panache points a deed costs (such as the Signature Deed feat).
Swashbuckler Initiative (Ex): At 3rd level, while the swashbuckler has at least 1 panache point, she gains a +2 bonus on initiative checks. In addition, if she has the Quick Draw feat, her hands are free and unrestrained, and she has any single light or one-handed piercing melee weapon that isn't hidden, she can draw that weapon as part of the initiative check.
FYI everyone, OGGM gives hps at half +2 + Con!
Per this post.
Naralesh will be taking Spell Focus (Conjuration) to increase the saving throws for his specialty spells, planning to take Augment Summoning at level five. He will also be getting a few stat boosts:
+1 BAB
+1 Fortitude
+1 Reflex
+8 hit points (+9 if you count me realizing I had one hit point too few last level!)
+6 Skill points (2x Linguistics, 1x Knowledge (Geography), 1x Knowledge (History), 1x Knowledge (Arcana), 1x Spellcraft)
Wizards are a rather straightforward class so he's not gaining any new class features - but he does gain access to second-level spells. In his spare time, he's been working on a few improvements to his summoning incantation that should allow him to conjure larger and more powerful beasts, or even multiple creatures at once. He's also experimenting with the conjuration of inanimate objects - unfortunately his first attempt ended up exploding, covering a tree near the campsite with silvery metallic fragments. Luckily for the others, Naralesh is considerate enough to move a safe distance away from camp when performing his magical experiments on their travels!
He's also dusted off some old tomes from his schooling days more than a century ago, brushing up on a few more of the languages that come in handy when performing conjuration magic. He'd never really enjoyed the tongues of the lower planes, but with practice he's remembering what he was taught so many years ago in his study of infernal and abyssal grammar.
Nora, on the other hand, gets a +1 to her natural armor and to her intelligence score, and can now deliver touch spells for Naralesh.
FYI everyone, OGGM gives hps at half +2 + Con! Per this post.
I was asking myself why I got an extra HP last level!
Thanks
Quickly leveled
Hp: 7 + 1 for a total of 27.
+1 BAB
+1 Will save
+7 skills (6 class + 1 human + 1 favored class -1 int)
boasted all my skills up a rank
Feat: Deadly Aim
And the important one: Favoured Terrain.
Why I say it is important is because from next level I can give the whole party lots of bonuses in any of my favoured terrains. I haven't decided on the type of terrain.
If anyone wants to give advice into type of terrain I'm happy to take suggestions. Dregan grew up locally so any of the local terrains would make sense (Plains, forest, or others (hills and mountains?)). I'm leaning towards forest just because the bonus to perception is more likely to be needed in the forest.
Ok... Skills Handle Animal and Ride.
I think she is leveled up already.
FYI everyone, OGGM gives hps at half +2 + Con! Per this post.I was asking myself why I got an extra HP last level!
Me too.
Naralesh did you get a feat?
Magna I like the stealth team work feat too, maybe not for this party right now. But makes it possible for a whole party to sneak.
Talia I think the skill levels in UMD are a good idea. We have a couple of people with good perception and spellcraft. Next level you can spread the extra skill levels anyway.
Gavriil Are you sure you get all saves up at third? and did you get a feat?
However, if you all think that those ranks in UMD would be better spent elsewhere, I could put them in Perception, Spellcraft, and a Knowledge skill (or Appraise). What would the group prefer?
With Lookout to be able to act in the surprise round becomes much more important. So perception can be VERY useful for us a group.
So I think Perception can be great.
If anyone wants to give advice into type of terrain I'm happy to take suggestions. Dregan grew up locally so any of the local terrains would make sense (Plains, forest, or others (hills and mountains?)). I'm leaning towards forest just because the bonus to perception is more likely to be needed in the forest.
There are a lot of Forests and Hills in the Stolen Lands...
Forest sounds like a safe choice.About Stealth Synergy what I didn't like is that we all use our own modifiers, so the roll is the biggest, but Magna's -4 modifier keeps adding to it. But yes, we should keep it in mind when the next feat comes.
For Talia: I am ok with using your whip for Dirty Trick BUT as I mentioned to Magna regarding small limits, let's say its a -2 to use Dirty Trick in that way.
Let me read about combat stamina. Generally I am ok with Unchained, but there are some system-changing things in there I don't fully understand yet.
For Talia: I am ok with using your whip for Dirty Trick BUT as I mentioned to Magna regarding small limits, let's say its a -2 to use Dirty Trick in that way.
Let me read about combat stamina. Generally I am ok with Unchained, but there are some system-changing things in there I don't fully understand yet.
No worries on the Unchained, OGGM. That route may commit me more than I'd like to combat feats, and with a limited number of them, I'd have to forgo upping my enchantment DCs and spell penetration, which the more I think about, the more I don't like.
I'll most likely go with improved dirty trick - the penalty for using the whip seems to be a good compromise.
So I think Perception can be great.
I'll certainly be sinking more points into Perception as we go. Next level I'll be putting two points into it to get it back to max. Then, I've got a core group of skills of Diplomacy, Intimidate, Perform (Act; Bluff, Disguise), Perform (Dance; Acrobatics, Fly), UMD, Perception, Knowledge (Local), with 3 points to spread around Sense Motive, Spellcraft, other Knowledges, Stealth, Craft (Writing) and Linguistics. Hmmm, I think I need more skill points!
Which begs another question, OGGM. Can I change my ranks in Craft (Writing) to ranks in Artistry, from Unchained? It fits the character concept better and doesn't change the modifier at all, though the mechanics for creation may be a little different, iirc.
Forest sounds like a safe choice.
I think it is a great choice as well.
So... who wants the ring? Talia loves jewelry, and especially jewelry that a king of old may have worn, but even in her greedy little heart, she feels that it would be better served going to someone who may make more use of it.
Dregan's suggestion that it go to someone that can't swim real good makes me think maybe Magna should have it? That armor check penalty has got to be brutal.
But, if no one else wants it, Talia will certainly take it.
I think it should go to the weakest swimmer by default - we can always hand it to the strongest if we need someone to just be awesome at swimming.
Naralesh has a +0 modifier to Swim, for comparison.
Dregan, I chose Spell Focus (Conjuration) for my feat.
And Improved Dirty Trick is great. Dirty Trick is super useful. Just make sure if you take it that your CMB is high enough to hit most opponents.
Magna has -1, but I think the difference would be between sinking without the ring and sinking while wearing it.
I vote for selling...
My vote is for selling too. In the meantime, Magna can wear it - she's the most at risk if there's a sudden flash flood, given all her armor!
So I think Perception can be great.I'll certainly be sinking more points into Perception as we go. Next level I'll be putting two points into it to get it back to max. Then, I've got a core group of skills of Diplomacy, Intimidate, Perform (Act; Bluff, Disguise), Perform (Dance; Acrobatics, Fly), UMD, Perception, Knowledge (Local), with 3 points to spread around Sense Motive, Spellcraft, other Knowledges, Stealth, Craft (Writing) and Linguistics. Hmmm, I think I need more skill points!
Which begs another question, OGGM. Can I change my ranks in Craft (Writing) to ranks in Artistry, from Unchained? It fits the character concept better and doesn't change the modifier at all, though the mechanics for creation may be a little different, iirc.
Is ok by me.
My vote is for selling too. In the meantime, Magna can wear it - she's the most at risk if there's a sudden flash flood, given all her armor!
I'd like to know what the wave motif means (if anything). Maybe Naralesh could kno (history) the ring for me? I'd feel better selling it if we knew the ring's background.
Aren't SAD classes grand?
Is ok by me.
Thank you, OGGM!
Aren't SAD classes grand?
That they are. That they most certainly are.
Whoops, you're right Dregan. Only a boost to will and fort.
Forgot about the +2 health as well
And I forgot the feat too hahah
So, health up to 25
and I'll take Dodge for my feat
Whoops, you're right Dregan. Only a boost to will and fort.
Forgot about the +2 health as well
And I forgot the feat too hahah
So, health up to 25
and I'll take Dodge for my feat
Curses! We're tied in hit points.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
But they got to work a little more to hit me :)
Edit: Also, sorry I've been slow. The past few days have been kinda hectic. I'm reading over the posts to get caught up right now and I'll post in a bit.
I need to do a couple announcements.
---
I will be out this weekend at a great place so I won't be able to post much (or at all). I will be back on Sunday night. Please bot me if needed.
---
I participate in a "Gaming Community" I learned of on the Paizo Forums, and they are recruiting. So if you are interested, I recommend them fully. Here is their Recruitment post:
Greetings Gamers!
Woldiangames.com is excited to announce that we are starting a new ongoing game in our campaign world/gaming community! It is called Lakeview Passage. This game will take place in The Floating City, a 6 level city that floats in Turtle Lake. Surrounded by one of the seven magical forests, The Crying Woods, it is the epitome civilization surrounded by its polar opposite: a forest that hates all animal life and signs of civilization. The Big Float has been suffering lately with various difficulties in importing all the necessities of life for 70,000 citizens. Can an adventuring group from Lakeview Passage of the Fence Level make a difference for their neighborhood and even the city at large? Only time and adventure will tell.
To see the campaign material for The Floating City go to: HERE.
To see information on the Crying Woods go to: HERE.
To see the main website entrance go to: HERE
The Wold is here to stay! We are not one of those games or sites that will disappear just as you are getting interested in the game and your character. So if you’ve been looking for that quality game that does not go away, we’re your site!
The Wold is a Fantasy Campaign World [using the Pathfinder gamesystem], that originated in the early 1980's. It went online in 1997 and it has evolved into a very large website with several hundred pages of campaign information.
We currently offer 8 permanent ongoing games and many other pickup games for those members who want more. Play by post occurs on our self-made java programmed message boards with their own dice mechanisms, and auto-archiving features. We offer a Message Board called The Giggling Ghost where our gamers can chat "in character" and head out for various “pick-up” adventurers. There is also a private board that allows the players to talk and discuss just about anything in an "out of character format." These boards helps us create that all important sense of community and friendship which is a part of any good group of gamers. Also added is a board called The Catacombs where all character shopping occurs and The Black Genie Center where all Woldians may go to help develop new original material for our campaign world.
To visit the Games Page to check out the ongoing games, go to: HERE
Hope to see you there!
I will be out this weekend at a great place so I won't be able to post much (or at all). I will be back on Sunday night. Please bot me if needed.
Looks like a lovely place, Magna. If I understand the website correctly, it is near Oaxaca? That city is high on my list of places to visit.
I kind of love the background skills rules for this reason. As much as I want to continue pumping up Talia's writing skills for backstory reasons, it probably won't ever have much mechanical effect on the game.
I've got an application in for another game that is an Inspired Blade Swashbuckler, so I'm pretty interested to see how Gavriil performs this level - it seems like the class really comes into its own at level 3.
Between Puebla and Oaxaca.
I kind of love the background skills rules for this reason. As much as I want to continue pumping up Talia's writing skills for backstory reasons, it probably won't ever have much mechanical effect on the game.
Don't be so sure about that. You WILL be running a kingdom at some point. There are roles to play as leaders in that kingdom. Not only that, but, but those RP opportunities can lead to benefits for the kingdom!
Between Puebla and Oaxaca.
Very cool - I hear Puebla is nice too. I always pictured the area around Oaxaca as being more forest than cactus - it actually looks a lot like the US Southwest!
Don't be so sure about that. You WILL be running a kingdom at some point. There are roles to play as leaders in that kingdom. Not only that, but, but those RP opportunities can lead to benefits for the kingdom!
Good to hear! I had planned on pumping that artistry skill at least every other level, more if I can swing the skill points - every kingdom needs its eloquent writer on all things governmental, right? Glad to hear that it will have in-game benefits.
Exploration map updated.
As for exploring, where do you all want to head next?
We haven't yet sold the MW handaxe from the dead trapper yet. Other than that, the only loot we got this last time around is your mystery battleaxe and the ring of improved swimming.
I've started an encounter tab on the spreadsheet to track what we get from each encounter. For total group loot, you can check the Group Loot Sheet on the speadsheet.
If we sell the handaxe and the ring (selling the ring seems to be the majority consensus, yes?) - we get 1035 gp ea.
Yes it is... as Magna is taking the magic battleaxe for herself, we can seel her Greataxe too (20 gp full price, 10 gp selling it) and you can divide the money without taking Magna into account, as she has taken more than her share already...
Thanks, guys for all of the kind words! Its always nice to hear that people in your game are enjoying themselves.
For exploring, how about we head down to G3 and finish up that row?
Sell the ax and ring (if we can) and did we ever sell the traps we recovered?
Also, I want to add my thanks to the chorus, OGGM. I'm glad this pbp lasted longer than a week like all my other ones.
I say it is Stag Lord time...
Or we can sate Magna's urge for battle by christening her new ax in the blood of bandit like she suggests.... That could work too.
Do we know where the bandit king is? I can't recall that we do.
We have a general idea... Follow a river until a lake, and it's "bandit-riddance" time.
Yeah, we have a general idea at least. Even if we don't gun for him straight away we could at least find where he is and scout the camp out.
Works for me! Since we've had Magna's breakfast training today, should we take the rest of the day off and head out tomorrow?
I do recall now the suggestion to follow the one river in the woods. We could do E3 -> D4 follow the river from there.
Sounds good.
About the battle axe... What do we need to finally figure out which enchantment it has?