Okay. Message sent. We'll see how she feels about it.
@Eldon: I think we were going into the kitchen and not the hallway.
Also, check your PMs. I think Mordesel's friend may have PMed you about the game.
As an aside, if you are losing interest in this game, please let us know. I know we haven't been the most diligent of players and we seem to lose players without warning (an artefact of all PbPs it seems), but I would hope we'd like to see it through as long as we can.
If you have a prefernce for posting rate (like once a day excluding weekends works for me), we could attempt to apply such a rule. On the other hand, I wouldn't want you to continue something you're not interested in.
I've been in communication with her.
How did you expect to get to 10 without passing through 8?
Once a day is fine.
I think it was more of a, "unless something stops us, we're continuing to 10 and so far it doesn't seem anything is stopping us."
My apologies. I, admittedly, haven't been looking at the map (as I wasn't really sure where it was, although I see it now in Mordesel's profile {thanks!}).
No problem. I kept having a hard time finding it, so I just threw it in there.
Hmm. Haven't posted yet as I'm at a loss. Stuck in an area with no real exits. Unless the serving quarters is in 11 or 12 with a bunch of bodies to hide in, I think we're SOL. I kind of wish we had the big melee guy with us now.
Thoughts? Ideas?
There seems to be an exit with a road to Aldencross back out in the hall which we might get to if we hoof it and the guards & Mott are at the other end...
I have exactly three ideas. None of them really good:
1. It looks like there is an exit through the ceiling into the keep. I could hold them off for as long as I can, then use my monk speed and stealth to disappear. Problem: I only have 19 hp with a 4 Con. 1 good hit could kill me.
2. We intimidate the servants into leaving. Two of us stay and redisguise ourselves as those servants, try to convince Mott that they never came to the kitchen. With the two abandoning post in 8, it's possible he might think we already hoofed it to Aldencross. Problem: the two most likely to succeed in that endeaver are Anton and I. If we fail, we are not suited for battle.
3. We ask for an intervention from the DM in the form of a DMPC for Sion and Dane, where they try to hold them off while we escape, and end up dying for it. This gets us out and gives us a good reason to recruit a fourth. Problem: we have to ask for DM intervention, which means we pretty much failed. It also may or may not be granted.
The only other thing is maybe charge, fight, try to disrupt them as much as possible so we can escape.
Edit: I know Mordesel could probably get away on his own, if there's anyway you two could as well. . . . Maybe split up?
I just had an idea, but I've got two hours before I can post. So I'll have it up in a little while.
If there are no other ideas, I say we go with a version of number two, and see if the servants head out like I requested in my last post. If so, then we can take their places and might survive long enough to get out of this place.
But, I'm anxious to hear Mordesel's new idea!
Sorry about the wait, work was busier than I expected. Anyway, I think I've got a good plan:
It's kind of a combo between plan number 1 and number 4 (the one I threw out as a kind of last dutch effort). I got looking at Mordesel and remembered some of his class abilities. Using ki and flowing dodge, I will have an AC of somewhere between 26 and 30. I can use 5 foot steps, redirection and improved trip to keep a path clear behind me as well as reduce their ability to hit. If I can get one dmpc for Sion and have him cast darkness on my staff, I have blind fight and Darkvision. So even if it's magical darkness I've got a good advantage and it reduces their chance of hitting me (this plan works even if he doesn't). I can give you about 3 to 4 rounds and then book it out the front gate to Aldencross. I'm not invincible this way, but I think it's about as good a chance as option 2, but only endangers one of us. Thoughts?
How about we try number two and see how at evolves, and if it fails, we can take your new plan?
The problem with #2 is that there isn't really any place for them to leave except out into the hall (since 10 and 11 don't seem to have any doors. Once there, they could point the guards at us inside and then we'd be stuck in a dead end. This would have been an excellent idea if there were a full complement of servants in here where we could cause a panic and get lost in the crowd.
If the servants were killed I could toss a silent image to make them look like us while we look like them and then direct them further inwards, but there are only two, so that's out.
I see an exit at 8a to Aldencross. Presumably we should be able to lose any pursuit out there (they're slower with armor and since this looks like the back door, they wouldn't have horses available).
RE: ceiling exit. Is the box with a C a trap door? And it leads to F in 31? Is that on a ledge or something? Looks weird. Even so, to get all the way to the roof, we'd have to run from 31 up to 34, to 36 and up to 39, up to 44 and through that trap door to 48... Even if there was noone through those areas, how do we exit the roof?
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Actually, your mention of darkness. I have that spell. We can all head out to the hall (with the other two servants) as I cast darkness on your staff. It'll bring the light down to shadowy illumination or even darkness, depending on the light sources, meaning they may not be able to recognize friend from foe (sewing some confusion). Durova and I can shift to look like those two servants (enhancing confusion should they see features), while Mordesel does his thing to slow them down as we retreat.
So a combination of 1b (back exit rather than roof), 2 and 4.
Rendez-vous at Grumblejack.
That makes sense, Anton.
Done. Let's do it.
I will be away all next week so may not ultimately be able to post until the 20th.
DMPC Anton as necessary. After the darkness, if there are a good number of guards within 30' he might cast Blistering Invective before heading out.
Assuming our actions go off without too much issue, I think we plan to meet up at Grumblejack where we can meet the new PC. Anton can fade into the background for the week if you like too, since he could just as easily spend time with Yalana, further preparing her to become a blood doll for when he turns (which, I think, happens next level).
Cool. Excited to see if we can get away with this.
Will that other player, Mord's friend, be joining us? If not, we may want to look around for another.
If we can't find a 4th, we could always slap a level or two on the ogre and try that for a bit.
I vote for recruit.
I believe that it's 1d10+7 and not +8 for abilities. Rolled in order (outside the Focus/Foible)
If DM Aaron submits a completed application, I'd vote for him. He has a really good posting history which is the first thing I go looking at. And I'd like to se a martial artist monk in action, to be honest. I've thougt about playing one, but haven't had the opportunity yet.
I also noted in the thread we could use a ranged or arcane character as well. While we are recruiting we might as well grab two players total, to get us up to a full five again, IMHO.
First let me say, I love monks. I've played several different types before and have an extreme respect for their abilities. That being said, I don't think that a monk is what we need. I think we need a full bab class.
I'm not completely opposed to the monk, but I'd say wait and see what else we get first.
I do agree about the ranged or arcane though.
In addition I would like to put in a vote against Zekk. I looked at his old game and the reason he didn't go past 3rd is because he stopped posting in March. The game is still going on today.
Edit: Looking again I do see he went with strength build which is definitely better. But I still intend to wait and see his character before giving a vote.
I'm less convinced about that one due to the relation to Lamashtu rather than being a monk (although that is a factor). I love the flavor of Lamashtu and all (one of my favorite gods), but it's a CE god in an LE Asmodean campaign. We want to take Talingarde down and rebuild it for our cattle, rather than relegating it to the monsters.
I expect we may have a few more submissions next week from the ones who didn't make it into DM Spooky's WotW campaign. I'm still surprised there wasn't much uptake yet, considering the number of times people have likely played through the prison escape before the game died, I figure it would have been refreshing to start some time later.
DM, there are a few questions for you in the recruitment thread, so you might want to pop in....
Alright, so far I am seeing 5 finished submissions:
Katlan, elf wizard
Morthos, Human antipaladin
Zerik, half-Orc urban ranger
Elorn, Elf Steelblood Aberrant Bloodrager
Cedric, aasimar angel blooded antipaladin
Anybody seeing any others?
Of these, only Katlan seems to have followed what Eldon said about preferring vampire. Though I don't think I'm as concerned about that myself. It could help to have someone else be able to guard is through the day.
I am not a fan of Zerik for the reason stated above.
I like the build for Elorn, I think it might bea good addition to our group. Though the background seems really bare bones.
Katlan seems to have done to a lot of work for this, which I like. Though I think wizard is a secondary need right now. If we take two, I suggest her as the second. But definitely not the first.
Morthos and Cedric both have good concepts, builds, posting history etc. I think I like one of them for our first pick. Between the two of them, I have a slight preference for Morthos, but would not be sad to see Cedric join the team either.
Obviously, this is before recruitment has closed, but this is where I stand now. We may still see more submissions, and I will add my thoughts on them as we do.
On the prospects:
I don't mind the swapping around of the Focus Foible to better fit a concept, but they shouldn't be moving the order of the other stats around (e.g. Zerik & Elorn).
With Morthos, I'm not sure a knight of the sepulcher is all that great for a vampire since they have similar or better protections, unless the plan was for him to stay human. His former build has some odd choices but nothing too untowards.
I'm not sure what Cedric is talking about with rituals to become a devil, there is one for demons but I haven't heard of anything for devils.
Katlan, frankly, is the application that I like the most and has my vote. I'd insist on adding two, just to bring her in (and we are hurting for full-bore arcane).
I'd still like to see more applications before I can decide on the meat shield. If this is all we get by EoD tomorrow, then, assuming Morthos is staying human, he'd be my choice.
@Durova: I think you're missing 8 skill points. The campaign gives two extra per level.
Hmm, I didn't catch that, Anton. I'll add my skill points directly.
I'd definitely vote for Katlan. That character seems very well ought out.
I'd like to see all the meat shields before picking just one. I have played with Javell Deleon, who submitted Morthos though, and he's a good poster. I'd gladly vouch for him in any party.
I like Mothos's player. He'd be my vote as a meat shield. If others prefer someone else, im fine with whoever they choose.
At this point, I'd say Morthos. Though I'm fine with anyone except Zerrik.
Thanks for having me. I'm really excited to be joining this group. I'm checking in now and will be waiting for GM instruction as to how and when I'll be starting. In the meantime, I will read the last bit of Gameplay to get myself acquainted with things.
Welcome Katlan. Good to have you aboard.
The difference from the regular AP is that Cardinal Thorne is our Sire/Patron and stuff is all vampire related with Asmodeus more on the back burner. Durova (another who had not escaped Branderscar) was brought in by him, too, so there is some precedent. It's likely you'll either show up at the ogre's camp (more likely since everyone would be recognizable as allies, more-or-less, or in town (which may be more difficult if we're all in disguises).
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Seeing as how we don't seem to have newer meat shield entries, then Morthos it is. He'll have to rebuild the character with the new stats and I'm curious to know whether or not he plans to vamp out. Sepulcher may be one of the few archetypes where it might not matter (since it basically turns him undead over time) and, if he doesn't, it would give him some freedom with his feats to choose things meat-shieldy/damage-dealery. If he is vamping out, I'd advise a different archetype.
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I just found out there is a Book 7 for WotW. Came out in July or something. Apparently it has a bunch of information that didn't make it into the main AP (like a map of Aldencross, more information on the Empire of Night path, extra Grumblejack goodness, stuff about minions that I assume is for later, etc.)
Just for clarification on the meat shield, has Morthos officially been selected, or were you intending to wait a couple days first? It seems he at least is under the impression that we're waiting, but I wasn't sure, so I thought I'd clarify.
Awesome!
Hello! And thanks for the selection, I appreciate it.
What's up, Gerald?! Didn't realize that was you initially.
I gotta million things I wanna cover so bear with me.
Now, if it's cool, I'd like to go ahead and switch some of his mechanics up.
Now when it comes to being a vampire, I gotta admit, it's tempting. Like REAL tempting. Because I think being a vampire would be freaking cool. They can do so many cool things. And the mechanics behind them is just greatness.
BUT, on the other hand, I would also really like to continue with the archetype. I think it's a cool one, and this is the only time I'll ever be able to play one. I know I'd be WAAAAAAY behind mechanics wise from the others, seeing how they get some awesome stat bumps and other cool perks, but I also feel like the archetype is quite fitting for Morthos.
It's a rock and a hard place to be sure. :P
Also, should I go with wealth by level at 4th? Or should I tone it down? Obviously the armor/shield I have is what I attained in the last game. But I also had a crappy dex, so I'm not too keen on the plate mail anymore.
Now the AP offered up - was it two feats? Or was it just one by 4th level?
Because I do wanna change out some feats. And I know about most of the damage type feats, but I can guarantee I don't know them all. So any opinions are welcome. Y'all may know some that are quite handy that I've never heard of.
I'm also tempted to take this Alt race trait: Dual talent
Any of you have a take on if this is worth taking or not? I'd be taking the extra +2 in Str which would kick it up to 20. So do y'all think it's worth the cost in skill points and the extra feat?
Also, are you doing the 2 extra skill points per level?
And are you doing the hit point rolls as per the book? 1d3+3 for d6, 1d4+4 for d8, etc. If so, do I need to re-roll those, or can I keep what I rolled(my rolls are on his character sheet) and adjust according to his new Con score? Which he would actually now be at 45 hp's instead of 53. Unless of course you're doing something totally different then I guess I would be re-rolling.
I know there's something else I wanna ask but I'm drawing a blank right now. Will get to it eventually. So that's it for now.
Also, will try and get something up tonight in the gameplay. It's been a busy night. A busy week to be honest.
Or - as far as gear goes - should I just keep what I got and adjust in game as normal? Because I can do that too. It's no big deal to me either way. That would do away with having to redo gear. But like I said, either way is fine with me.
You folks don't have to give another rundown if you don't want; I've read your responses to Katlan. I was just needing to get something out there so I could have the game show up in my campaigns.