okay.. here goes...
CMB(overrun)
Looking for Brana to post; I'd like to recap tonight...
ic: Brana's eyes danced with arcane energy as she called on her bloodline. The faint flicker of flames could be seen surrounding her body until she pointed at Crove with her right hand. A searing beam of flames closed the gap between Brana and Crove in an instant.
(Scorching Ray, Ranged Touch Attack and Damage)
ooc - you've got to be kidding me...
ic: Somehow, Brana fumbled the spell. The beam of fire ended up nowhere near Crove's position. Brana only hoped it didn't hit one of her companions instead.
ic: Brana's eyes danced with arcane energy as she called on her bloodline. The faint flicker of flames could be seen surrounding her body until she pointed at Crove with her right hand. A searing beam of flames closed the gap between Brana and Crove in an instant.
(Scorching Ray, Ranged Touch Attack and Damage) 1d20+5; 4d6
ooc - you've got to be kidding me...
ic: Somehow, Brana fumbled the spell. The beam of fire ended up nowhere near Crove's position. Brana only hoped it didn't hit one of her companions instead.
You owe me a fortitude saving throw... see OOC in recap or look at Nadia's post.
Turn 57 is posted.
Read the OOC.
Questions?
Game on!
ooc: do I have to make another saving throw since Nadia didn't get out of cloud?
ooc: do I have to make another saving throw since Nadia didn't get out of cloud?
No, but you are limited to move actions for rounds 3 and 4 so make sure you get out.
Apologies - forgot about the FORT Save when I was typing.
FORT =
Apologies - forgot about the FORT Save when I was typing.
FORT = 1d20+2
I did it for you and you also failed.
Guys, I hope you noticed that I rolled your saving throws against the channel energy.
If I didn't, it would have taken at least a day and I could not have updated the health status properly.
I am looking at the boards and the nine months it took us (some of us) to run the 1st book of Carrion Crown seems pretty hard to beat (I haven't found one faster) and with plenty of roleplaying to boot so I think the system I play has plenty of merit, even if it doesn't have lots dice rolling by the players. :)
So rolling is fine but when it comes time to choose 'let the players roll' or 'speed up gameplay', I will always choose 'speed up gameplay'.
You guys are Ok with this, right?
no issue on my end. a random number generated by me or someone else is still a random number.
Yeah, you're right about the speed of pbem. Not being able to roll and having you roll for me doesn't keep me up at night or anything. Like he said, it's still random either way.
OOC: Anybody here partial to allying with the keeper for the time being? I'm not sure Bastion would be comfortable with that, but the group's influence could sway him one way or the other.
ooc: I'm not sure we can take the risk of letting the monster get Crove and make itself stronger. Although if it means jointing forces with Crove or fighting 2 battles then we should probably join with Crove.
Of course Nadia is too busy puking at the moment to give you an opinion :)
ic: Nadia tried to coordinate her mind and body to get herself out of the cloud quickly but the stench was overpowering. She moved as fast as she could but the cramping in her stomach caused her to stop every few steps to retch. Her mind was screaming at her limbs to move but her body was too busy trying to expel her stomach contents.
ooc: Kiergard would stay his hand recognizing the greater threat even though he's ready to pummel the brains out of this guy
Kiergard was astounded that the man had stood up to his charge, but more so by his call for aid. Confused he stared at the keeper while his hand held his sword at the ready. In a barely controlled fury, Kiergard spat words out to Crove,
"YOU called it here! YOU and your keepers. Would you now kill it??"
"Speak fast or I shall cut you down like I cut your brethren."
actions: intimidate
"YOU called it here! YOU and your keepers. Would you now kill it??"
"Speak fast or I shall cut you down like I cut your brethren."
No! Not kill it; I can trap it! I have the room beyond this one with the lunatics chained to the wall set up as bait. Help me trap it!"
Brana is still puking...
No issues with you rolling anything for Brana.
Round 3:
Nadia and Brana: puking;
Linstrenn: listening
Kiergard and Crove: talking
Bastion: ???
Doug, let me know what Bastion is doing. If this turn is a short recap so be it but let's get it moving...
I recently watched Pirates of the Caribbean and this reminded of 'parley'. :)
Bastion paused his assault, unsure of how his group was going to handle this new turn of events. While most of them appeared incredibly ill at the moment from the Keeper's spell, he waited for Kiergard and Keeper's exchange to unfold.
(Readied action: Attack -- Condition: Keeper casts a spell at his allies.
Turn 58 is up!
Read the OOC.
Questions?
Game on!
ooc: Can Brana and Linstrenn hear Crove?
ooc: Can Brana and Linstrenn hear Crove?
You don't hear details but you hear that the fighting has stopped and people are talking. If you yell, you can make yourself heard.
"A spell will make it visible?" Bastion asked, trying to hide the fear and surprise in his voice.
Bastion didn't like the sound of fighting an invisible opponent. Especially an invisible spawn of an otherworldly being.
He decided to use this brief moment of preparation to retrieve his water skin and soothe his dry throat. He had no idea what to expect when the creature arrived.
Nadia didn't like the idea of joining forces with Crove but she knew they couldn't fight both the monster and Crove simultaneously, especially if the monster was invisible.
"What's your endgame, Crove? You make it visible, you trap it - then what? And what do you want us to do to help?"
Tag Crove
Nadia didn't like the idea of joining forces with Crove but she knew they couldn't fight both the monster and Crove simultaneously, especially if the monster was invisible.
"What's your endgame, Crove? You make it visible, you trap it - then what? And what do you want us to do to help?"
The Keeper, confidence on high, snickered, "Actually, I don't need your help. I have trapped similar creatures before. I just need you to stay out of my way."
He started casting a protection spell about him. In a few seconds, his body shimmered with a faint white light. "And what is my end game. My end game is knowledge. Knowledge from beyond the starts. Knowledge from eons ago. Knowledge and power."
ooc: Alright, let's get the show going. You all have 24 hours before I bring 'it' on the scene so you'd best tell me of any buffing and/or tactics soon. I can heard the thunderous steps close...
Bastion whispered to his allies, "We can't afford to let this thing kill Crove. We should take battle positions."
ooc: I'll have a post up this evening.
ic: Brana looked at Linstrenn. "If we hold our breath, we should be able to join the others and see what is happening." That said, she took several deep breaths before a large gulp of air, then covered her mouth and nose and ran through the awful cloud to join the others.
Kiergard glared at Crove. The Ulfen warrior had no intention of letting Crove trap the beast, but Kiergard was smart enough to use the evil wizard. He'd let Crove think he was playing along but as soon as the opportunity arose Kiergard would strike the abomination down.
"We'll try it your way Crove."
In his now familiar way, Kiergard slammed his sword and shield together and inaudibly whispered "Desna guide my blade".
ooc: assuming Kiergard could time the arrival of he will cast TRUE STRIKE just before the creature appears.
ooc: alas all my bolstering spells have been used already :(
ic: Nadia gritted her teeth and clenched her fists at Crove's arrogant reply. He had absolutely no idea what he was truly dealing with. Nadia was also worried that he wanted to trap the monster but not kill it yet there was no way that the creature would be able to live if Carrion Hill was to be safe.
Nadia watched Crove carefully to see what he was doing.
ooc: what check can I have here? Spellcraft, knowledge religion, and/or knowledge planes? Tag Fabian - once I know my check I can write up something more specific.
Joe: as soon as the beast appears, Crove will 'do his thing'. Do you mean to interrupt Crove by striking or wait until he's finished?
Shari: Crove cast 'protection from evil on himself'?
Brana: assume Crove dispels hos own stinking cloud allowing you and Linstrenn to get back with the group.
Anything else last minute? Stuff going down tomorrow...
ooc: hmmm...
Kiergard would assume Crove has to accmoplish this in 1 round or everyone's toast... and assume that he has to does something to make visible...
so: rnd 1 - beast arrives, crove does thing, kiergard casts true strike
ooc: is Crove doing anything else ritualistic or is he just waiting now? I find it interesting that someone using an unholy symbol of an evil god is casting protection from evil on himself...
Turn 59 is up!
Be careful!
Questions?
Game on!
OOC: Oh man this thing is freakin' terrifying. I'll have a post up tonight. After I finish writing up Bastion's will xD.
OOC: Oh man this thing is freakin' terrifying. I'll have a post up tonight. After I finish writing up Bastion's will xD.
Yeah, it's pretty tough but you never know...
@Shari: feel free to have Nadia waiting 'closer' if you want her to engage in melee this round.
It would be nice if we could all post within 24 hours so we can keep this ting moving at a lively pace... :)
Nadia had kept close to Crove in order to understand what he was trying to accomplish. She thought she recognized some of the words from the scroll but was unsure as to why it didn't work.
Spellcraft ooc: not sure if she learns anything helpful
The stench as the creature entered was extremely intense and Nadia worried that she would react similarly as she did to Crove's stench cloud.
fort save
Nadia almost shook off the effects of the smell but still hadn't fully recovered from previously being nauseated. As much as her spirit was strong, her body felt sickened and weak.
When Crove was grappled by the Spawn of Yog-Sothoth, Nadia reacted on instinct alone. Crove was not to be taken by the monster alive. Having weapon in hand, Nadia attacked the tentacle in an attempt to severe it and free Crove.
Attack:
Unfortunately in her sickened state, Nadia's scimitar glanced off the creature and Nadia's heart sank as Crove's body continued to be fed upon. Not knowing if she'd be strong enough to fight the creature, Nadia considered attacking Crove in order to remove him from the equation.
ooc: these DCs are crazy hard...so close to making the DC22 and yet so far away :(
Kiergard sprang into action the moment that Crove was gasped by the alien fiend, trying his best to ignore the putrescent stench of the beast.
ON SUCCESSFUL SAVE: The Ulfen warrior clenched his teeth and focused on the creature.
ON FAILED SAVE: The Ulfen warrior choked on his own vomit as his body rebelled against horrendous smell.
Kiergard vaulted into the air leading with his mighty shield and energized by Desna's divine power. His fingers strained to hold his enchanted blade as it vibrated in anticipation of tasting the abomination's blood. Holding the sword in a reverse grip, he pulled the blade downward, violently stabbing at the tentacled demon.
ON HIT: The blade slid deeply into the beast's hide and then ripped free, releasing a spray of black ichor across the room.
ON MISS: By some other-worldly magic the tentacled beast avoided Kiergard's attack. The warrior's eyes widened with fear.
In mid-swing, Kiergard deftly switched his grip and pulled the blade upward. This time however the sword sliced at Crove's struggling form.
ON HIT: The evil keeper screamed in shock as Kiergard's blade drew a crimson streak across his back.
ON MISS: The beast's tentacles pulled Crove out of the way of the warriors blade.
----
actions:
fort save:
note: i have assumed the prot.evil grants +2 on roll
standard action: GREAT CLEAVE with POWER ATTACK
FIRST ATTACK VS BEAST (true strike):
SECOND ATTACK VS CROVE
+4 DAMAGE from power attack on successful hits.
Guys, I hate cracking the whip but we agreed on one post per day so I'll move this forward tonight...
I'm still 'iffy' on the boards thing. Maybe it's the control freak in me but I see the dice rolling by the players taking away from the narrative.
I really like for me to totally set up the situation and let you act and not have you roll whether you make a saving throw or not.
To be honest, I have a campaign ready to go right after this is over (well maybe not right after because I'll have house guests in June but probably late June-early July) and I'm still not sure whether it will be a PBEM or a PBP here.
Anybody have any input either way?
Game on!
ooc: Personally, I prefer PBEM but that may also be because the on-line dice roller has hated me thus far :)
occ: i don't have a major preference either way. About the only difference I see is that when player's roll, they have some idea on what the outcome of their actions are immediately whereas th pbem methods enforces a wait for the summary dynamic. A minor difference IMO.
Right now, I'm leaning for a PBEM but since this campaign won;t start until a few weeks, that may change. BTW, below is the 'fluff' part so those of you that have the time and inclination can start thinking about characters.
Skull & Shackles ala Fabian – Player’s Guide
I am looking for a ‘goodish’ motley crew with an appreciation for the freedom of the water and the willingness to fight for it. In this game, you will be trying to take down Captain Harrigan so think of yourselves not as pirates but as privateers and smugglers. You will not prey on the defenseless and engage on senseless plunder, looting, and pillaging but rather prey on vicious pirates and other unscrupulous merchants. What I am not looking for is a bunch of rape-and-murder types trying to indulge their dark fantasies.
Please work the following into your background. At one point in your past, Dumont D’Argent (see below) saved your ‘butt big time’ (freed you from slavery, found you dying, saved you in a fight, etc.). The details of this event are left up to you but please include Pirate Captain Harrigan as the perpetrator of your woes. At that time, you pledged yourself to Dumont and wanted to join his crew whereas Dumont told you to lay low and that the time would come for you to sail with him. A month ago you received a message telling you that Dumont would be at Port Peril early in July 4713.
Revenge is a B~**#
Early in the campaign you are likely to make some enemies, some of these enemies will be big and all encompassing, and others will be petty and vindictive. The Shackles is a massive Sandbox, which means not every challenge is beatable at the level you first face it. What does this mean? Sometimes vengeance must wait for the opportune moment.
Captain Dumont D’Argent
Dumont is a living legend in the Shackles. Although, he never held a seat in the Pirate Council, Dumont is well-known by practically every pirate in the Shackles. Captain Dumont is fair to his crew and feared by his enemies and his enemies are sometimes pirates. Dumont preys on particularly vicious pirates, slavers, and unscrupulous merchants. He stands for freedom of the seas and has always walked a fine line between angering the stronger pirate lords and continuing to ply his trade. Slavers, in particular, dread to catch a glimpse of his colors with their bellies full. Although, many times in the past, small pirate fleets have tried to take him down, Dumont somehow found a way to escape and/or defeated them. The captain is well past his prime but tales of these exploits are still sung in every port of the Shackles.
Traits (pick any two)
The PCs will bond through their debt to Dumont D’Argent and may also bond through their hatred of Captain Harrigan. As such, modified traits from the Carrion Crown AP and the Curse of the Crimson Throne AP may be used, substituting Dumont for Professor Lorrimor and Harrigan for Lamm. Bear in mind that some minor modifications will have to be made to make these traits fit the pirate/sea theme of the campaign.
Skills
The campaign is heavy on roleplaying so some sort of social skill will be very useful. You also get 1 extra skill points per level to be used in profession-sailor, craft-ships, or craft-sails; other allocations will be made available for this extra skill point as the campaign advances.
General
This is a pirate-themed campaign so leave your heavily-armored knights in Lastwall and give me some appropriately themed characters (archetypes, bloodlines, domains, etc.). The campaign will entail adventures near, on, and under the sea and ships will be a recurring feature. Since we can’t have pirates without guns, this campaign will use the ‘emerging guns’ category.
I’m also a firm believer in tailoring the campaign to the PCs so make sure there are at least a couple of plot hooks in your background for me to incorporate into the game.
Sounds interesting. Who doesn't love pirates.. arrr..
I assume these should be 1st level characters?
ic: Kicking the chair in front of her, Brana slid forward (P13) and eyed the creature. It's stench was unbearable (FORT Save and despite her best effort, Brana gagged and tried not to empty the contents of her stomach.
Despite the overwhelming nausea, Brana chanted and moved her hands in practiced motions until her thumbs came together and all eight fingers pointed toward the creature and Keeper Crove. (Burning hands, using Magical Lineage and Elemntal Spell to make the damage Electrical instead of Fire). Spell Resistance Check (+3 instead of +5 to account for being sickened - not that it mattered) Electrical energy surrounded Crove and the creature. Electric energy criss-crossed Crove's body, burning his flesh and hair. The creature itself didn't seem to notice the attack at all.
Bastion nearly doubled over as his gut filled with wrenching spasms. He managed to keep his lunch (just barely) before dashing down the hallway. His mind was screaming at him to turn around and flee from the monstrosity. Bastion did his best to block out the fear, all the while focusing on the more important threat: Crove's imminent death at the hands of the Spawn. At the end of his charge he leapt into the air, attempting a vicious punch at crove's neck.
Critical confirmation:
Edit: forgot to subtract 2 from the damage roll. Should be 6 damage.
Sounds interesting. Who doesn't love pirates.. arrr..
I assume these should be 1st level characters?
Pirates are cool and yes, 1st level PCs.
Thanks for the posts, I'll have a round up later tonight.
Game on!
Turn 60 is up!
You guys did good...
Read the OOC.
Questions?
Game on!
Nadia took a small amount of pleasure seeing that Crove's life force was no longer feeding the abomination that the Keepers had called forth. However, this didn't stop her from flinching as the Spawn began beating Crove's body against the wall.
Nadia still felt weakened and looking around at the others she saw many wounds and a lot of blood. Feeling led to heal rather than attack, Nadia grasped her holy symbol and called on Sarenrae's healing power to flood through herself and everyone else.
Channel Energy
ooc: Pirates sound like a lot of fun! I'm interested...how and where would you like submissions? Are you posting recruitment?