Then two posts come along within minutes of each other!
Pellius - Signior seems to know the 'Come' trick. Not sure how and Pel doesn't have the Handle Animal trick, so I'm not sure he can be summoned with a whistle yet. Sorry to be pedantic, and please correct me if I'm missing something.
Then two posts come along within minutes of each other!
Pellius - Signior seems to know the 'Come' trick. Not sure how and Pel doesn't have the Handle Animal trick, so I'm not sure he can be summoned with a whistle yet. Sorry to be pedantic, and please correct me if I'm missing something.
This is where RPGs and real life diverge (not the only place). I figured if Pellius jumped with the horse off a cliff and has ridden him for a while, he could have taught him the 'come trick'.
For example, Pellius doesn't have any ranks in profession-cook but he lives by himself so I expect he knows how to cook.
On my games I always err on the side of 'cool story' as long as no one is taking advantage of the situation. So it's a case-by-case call and whatever was attempted had to be something plausible.
However, this is your game and if you want Pellius to run over and get a rope from Signior's saddle, he will do so. I just thought that it made for a 'cool story' if Pellius whistled and Signior came over.
Just let me know and I'll amend the post.
All fair points Pel, but I'm uncomfortable with assigning Signior prelearnt tricks, especially when Pel doesn't have the Handle Animal skill (I guess he used a hero point for the cliff jump!). While harmless in the current situation, there are no doubt circumstances when having your horse come to your whistle could be life-saving, hence my caution with establishing the precedent here. Furthermore, none of the other PCs have mounts with prelearnt tricks.
Sorry about this one.
P.S. I'm sure Pellius can cook, but imagine he's no Gordon Ramsay! :-)
P.S. I'm sure Pellius can cook, but imagine he's no Gordon Ramsay! :-)
Meaning that he's no gourmet? Or that he doesn't know how to mercilessly curse and berate people! =)
Cooking really shouldn't be compared to handle animal. Handle animal is a complex task that requires some experience and training to yield any success. Thus, according to the rules, it should not be rolled untrained (unless you are a bard). However, ride and cook are great to compare!
If the horse knows 'come,' it would indeed just take the command for the horse to come. The command being a whistle if trained that way. If Pellius' horse is combat trained, then it would know how to come:
Combat Training (DC 20) An animal trained to bear a rider into combat knows the tricks attack, come, defend, down, guard, and heel.
I don't want to argue... OK, I do like arguing but only to learn so don't take this the wrong way.
Seriously Tadpole: if you think I'm being disruptive to the game just say so and I'll keep quiet.
With that out of the way...
I'm an engineer by training but have managed to teach my dogs plenty of tricks (including come and heel). Would that give me some skill ranks in handle animal?
@Dunagan: Good catch! It makes perfect sense for someone who depends on a horse to go into battle to teach it to 'come' when called.
DM: Signior is definitely combat-trained but if you think that is an unfair advantage over the 'other horses', then maybe I could give up one of its feats.
In the end, it's a GM call but thanks all for the input.
Beat me to it, master dwarf. 'Twas about to point out that combat trained mounts come equipped with the listed tricks. I also just realized Pellius' physical appearance is Geralt of Rivia, hah! Great game series. Patiently awaiting the third one (or news thereof).
I'm an engineer by training but have managed to teach my dogs plenty of tricks (including come and heel). Would that give me some skill ranks in handle animal?
You clearly have a Character Trait that allows you to use Handle Animal unskilled on dogs :P
Or maybe dogs have an animal trait that allows humans to use Handle Animal unskilled on them?
I think the Handle Animal skill primarily covers complex tricks that 'will' happen pretty much no matter what.... I don't know how many times I have to call my dog before she comes, but I would say she knows how to come. Also, could you coax your dogs through a burning house or keep them heeled at your feet when a rabbit runs by? It's the tricky stuff like this that Handle Animal covers, but it is just a game and it can't possibly cover the many nuances of real life. All the game is saying is that its hard as f&@$ to train animals to be disciplined machines of war, hunting, etc. It is why people get paid to raise guide dogs or drug sniffing dogs, because it is a skill that not everyone can do.
EDIT: By the way, I think in today's world we all have a bit of bardic knowledge, thanks to the internet. I have 0 skill in mechanics, but just a few months ago I replaced my window regulator on my Jeep by watching a youtube video.
BTW, I don't want to confuse anyone. You can still handle an animal untrained. You just can't teach it with an untrained check:
Untrained
If you have no ranks in Handle Animal, you can use a Charisma check to handle and push domestic animals, but you can’t teach, rear, or train animals. A druid or ranger with no ranks in Handle Animal can use a Charisma check to handle and push her animal companion, but she can’t teach, rear, or train other nondomestic animals.
So using a known trick (handle animal) is always an automatic success (with take 10) if you aren't an ugly Dwarf (aka negative charisma bonus). This changes if the animal is hurt, thus increasing the DC by 2 (still doable if you are sexy like Delk).
please correct me if I'm missing something.
Combat Training (DC 20) An animal trained to bear a rider into combat knows the tricks attack, come, defend, down, guard, and heel.
Duly corrected I am. Pellius, next time you whistle Signior will come happily to your side with alacrity :-)
Good post, Pyotr!
Thanks! I'm glad you guys enjoyed it!
Sleep deprivation must really get my creative juices flowing! =D
Seriously Tadpole: if you think I'm being disruptive to the game just say so and I'll keep quiet.
Please be vocal everyone about anything you disagree with. I can't promise we'll always see eye to eye on rulings, be I can promise to hear your opinion, and those of your fellow players. I appreciate you guys pointing out when I'm in error (as above), as I want to make a happy game for all involved. I, for one, and enjoying myself immensely playing with such interesting characters and the people behind them!
It's also worth noting that tone is very difficult to interpret over message boards. Please assume kindly old Gandalf as a rule 0 when reading any of my posts, and hear said voice in your heads as you read. I won't even do "fool of a Took" Gandalf, and never venture into James Earl Jones levels of menace (be it in a Star Wars or Conan guise).
Plus a few thoughts on your first combat encounter; well guys, you pretty much blew them away! Dunagan's rope trick was a clever tactic.
I wanted to treat you gently with the first combat encounter. Especially at first level, a few lucky rolls in the wrong direction can leave a PC in serious straits. Still, I'm confident I can raise the challenge somewhat in future without leaving you all as mangled messes. Plus orcs probably won't flee and surrender so readily!
One other thing. Is Chelish or Chelaxian the correct terminology? I think I've seen both in canon. Perhaps either can be used, like Spanish and Spaniard. Or maybe Chelish refers to cultural things and Chelaxian signifies the ethnic race?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I think Chelish is the adjective.
"This is a Chelish rose."
Pellius and Delkaneth are Chelaxian.
Seriously Tadpole: if you think I'm being disruptive to the game just say so and I'll keep quiet.Please be vocal everyone about anything you disagree with. I can't promise we'll always see eye to eye on rulings, be I can promise to hear your opinion, and those of your fellow players. I appreciate you guys pointing out when I'm in error (as above), as I want to make a happy game for all involved. I, for one, and enjoying myself immensely playing with such interesting characters and the people behind them!
It's also worth noting that tone is very difficult to interpret over message boards. Please assume kindly old Gandalf as a rule 0 when reading any of my posts, and hear said voice in your heads as you read. I won't even do "fool of a Took" Gandalf, and never venture into James Earl Jones levels of menace (be it in a Star Wars or Conan guise).
Same here; I'm glad that it seems that we can respectfully express our opinions and no one will 'get upset'.
@combat: Bring them orcs on; we're ready! :)
A messenger bird has visited the mailbox of Master Dunagan!
The map is good so don't berate yourself! :)
I echo Del's question: the 40 mile trip: is it from our current position or from Fallenford, because if we understand the map correctly the caravan HAS to go to Fallenford anyways.
I know you said the scale was not reliable but the distance from Fallenford to Castle Firrine seems to be approximately 10 miles (one way).
I'm sure we'll encounter a patrol of some sort from the Castle between here and the fork; we can turn over the dead to be disposes of properly/honorably in that case.
Haha! Your aspirations differ from mine, guys! I'm hoping Firrine is under seige!
Map looks great! I couldn't seem to load it at work. Not sure what the problem was, though.
Are we (meaning the caravan) following the trail all the way to the border before turning east for Freedom Town? That was sort of what I had imagined when I suggested returning them to Firrine.
Also, on leaving Freedom Town, is the plan to return southwest to the Flood Road, or take the the path straight to Urgir?
I want to add a little more depth to the individuals who share the road with your PCs. Every now and again I intend to post a short profile of one of the caravan NPCs. Hopefully this information will help inform your Gameplay posts when interacting with them. All the information presented here is easily obtainable, learnt through casual conversation or simple observation. Of course, the DM’s file has several secrets regarding different NPCs that can only be uncovered through your actions in campaign.
NPC Profile:
Although termed Second Master in the hierarchy of Dierik Ironcoffer’s caravan, Santrian Kintrasee is very much in the forefront of the operation’s daily affairs. He organises and recruits its personnel, acts as spokesperson when faced with potential trading partners or required to mollify meddling officials, and sees to all the trivial details that Dierik has little patience for. On top of all his, he proudly serves Dierik as his special aide.
Theirs is a long and intimate friendship. Though Santrian is always happy to allow Dierik the final word, Santrian has no fear of voicing his opinions and pointing out flaws in his master’s thinking. At times, Santrian’s mollycoddling of Dierik verges on the suffocatingly maternal, though Dierik does not seem to mind this fussing. Although Santrian often finds himself on the short end of Dierik’s sharp tongue, he never takes these angry words to heart. In fact, he often acts as apologist when his mercurial friend rousts some unfortunate wagonhand for an honest mistake.
Amongst everyone else, Santrian is unfailingly good-humoured, and much loved by all his men for that quality. He carries none of the elitism so typical of a Taldan such as himself, greeting all comers as equals, and in some cases, an imprudent level of good faith.
Santrian appearance is a touch flashy for the rather earthy rigours of a travelling caravan. Despite this, his fine clothes rarely stay soiled for long. Those who work for him sagely maintain he knows some minor magic that he uses to keep himself spick and span, although nobody can reliably report on ever having witnessed him cast an actual spell. A locked wooden chest carried on ‘Old Stubborness’ carries his extensive wardrobe; most commonly embroidered waistcoats in shades of purple or crimson, and usually a halfcloak of a bold primary colour such as red or azure blue if the weather is even slightly chilly. He usually goes unarmed, but habitually carries a slender length of grey ash on his belt which might well be a wand.
His large, aristocratic features have become a bit fleshy since he past his fortieth year, most apparent of these features is a patrician nose, a wide, thin-lipped mouth and thick black eyebrows often arched in surprise or amusement at some overheard jest. Well domesticated, oft treated with perfumed oil, and jet black without a hint of grey, his hair falls to his shoulders in a straight, well-organised curtain. His eyes are blue, and he is never without a gold-rimmed monocle which he obsessively polishes with a satin handkerchief. He sometimes wears a knife-thin beard extending for an inch below his lower lip, and sometimes goes clean shaven.
Santrian sets up his own private tent with a speedy, well-practiced hand whenever the caravan makes camp; only he, Dierik and Zriorinta (and of late, Dunagan!) enjoy such a level of privacy. He hums whilst he works; in fact, he hums whenever not engaged in conversation – tuneless fragments of whatever melody happens to be running through his head. He enjoys a spot of red wine (life on the road has taught him not to be discerning regarding its pedigree and provenance), and develops a ruddy flush after just a few sips.
Santrian has worked with Dierik since the beginning of the latter’s mercantile career. The youngest of the Kintrasees of Oppara, his entrepreneurial father rose from being a petty loanshark to become the master of minor business empire. With interests stretching as far away as Molthune and Absalom, Santrian’s older brothers destroyed all the old rogue had wrought in their scramble to gain their patriarch’s inheritance. Santrian wanted no part in the family intrigues, and wandered the Inner Sea lands, his first meeting with Dierik neatly coinciding with the exhaustion of his travelling funds.
Feel free to make other suggestions as to which caravan NPCs you’d like to see profiled next.
No need to make any further decisions, right now. If we meet a patrol, we can turn responsibility over to them. (DM seems to indicate that a likely event.) If not, there will be a new decision to be made when the caravan makes the turn at the ford.
Good info on Santrian. I had not pictured him quite so polished. I think I would like a little more info on our two big mysteries Deramil and Zriorinta.
Good info on Santrian; I'd like to know more about Kelya Fylessi.
May I suggest putting the info at the beginning on the discussion thread on the Campaign Info Tab. I don't know how time-consuming of a task that is but it would be nice.
May I suggest putting the info at the beginning on the discussion thread on the Campaign Info Tab. I don't know how time-consuming of a task that is but it would be nice.
Probably not too time consuming, but I'm not sure how much info that single Campaign page can take before it collapses, or how much we can put there before the information overload spoils its effectiveness!
I've got some extra stuff I'm idly planning to add, such as a time line and list of dramatis personae, but I'll also begin adding the more pertinent info from the Discussion thread as and when I have the time.
The map was much appreciated and looks great!
That profile was awesome. I wish I could write detailed character descriptions like that. I swear, it seems like every time I read a post of yours, DM Tadpole, that is over 2 paragraphs, I have to pull up the dictionary. I'd like a profile on Callan, but Kelya Fylessi would be just as great =).
@DM:
What's your take on someone pointing out something that we missed in our own perception checks? Do we now 'perceive' it?
That profile was awesome. I wish I could write detailed character descriptions like that. I swear, it seems like every time I read a post of yours, DM Tadpole, that is over 2 paragraphs, I have to pull up the dictionary.
Thanks Dunagan! Perhaps I overdo it at times, but I am very fond of playing around with old and obscure words.
@ Pellius; in general, when someone points something out you can then perceive it. I could see there being occasional exceptions, but having had the funeral bell pointed out, you should now be able to hear and react to it.
Dunagan; Dierik’s back in more comfortable clothes now, his armour in his wagon. Dunagan had plenty of time to observe and assess the damage on the way back from Cabilar’s Monument; the damage is minor (just the spaulder bent and broken loose from its proper placing). Fallenford is a river crossing rather than a settlement, the caravan will probably stop there (giving time for Dunagan to work on the armour), but there won’t be a smithy or workshop.
That being said, his armourer’s kit is sufficient for these repairs. I’d say we’re looking at a Craft DC 16; Dunagan could take 10 for an auto-succeed. No cost, and probably less than an hour’s work.
Dunagan; Dierik’s back in more comfortable clothes now, his armour in his wagon. Dunagan had plenty of time to observe and assess the damage on the way back from Cabilar’s Monument; the damage is minor (just the spaulder bent and broken loose from its proper placing). Fallenford is a river crossing rather than a settlement, the caravan will probably stop there (giving time for Dunagan to work on the armour), but there won’t be a smithy or workshop.
That being said, his armourer’s kit is sufficient for these repairs. I’d say we’re looking at a Craft DC 16; Dunagan could take 10 for an auto-succeed. No cost, and probably less than an hour’s work.
Sorry about that, I had quite a bit to catch up on after a crazy weekend. Maybe I looked at the map wrong, but I thought I saw some sort of keep nearby the Fallenford. Ah yes, now that I look at it again, it is Castle Firrine. Sounds good for the check. I'll roleplay that out when/if we get there =)
Well guys, I'm afraid to say my laptop is once again, thoroughly f~@~ed. It's a depressingly predictable testament to Vietnamese workmanship. Many dollars were spent, much unwanted and uneccessary software was installed, and the actual problem I was trying to get fixed was completely ignored. DM Tadpole is not a happy bunny.
My wife has a deadline, so I can only get on long enough to say no update today. More tomorrow when I get the chance. My apologies.
Well guys, I'm afraid to say my laptop is once again, thoroughly f$#~ed. It's a depressingly predictable testament to Vietnamese workmanship. Many dollars were spent, much unwanted and uneccessary software was installed, and the actual problem I was trying to get fixed was completely ignored. DM Tadpole is not a happy bunny.
My wife has a deadline, so I can only get on long enough to say no update today. More tomorrow when I get the chance. My apologies.
That's not good. :)
Take care of things; we'll be here waiting.
Don't sweat it.
Ugh... Sorry to hear that.
Sigh... Now, I have to learn patience. =)
Busy, busy, busy.... I'll have a post up late tonight.
The story of the soldier and his captain was quite touching. Just put Pyotr on standard watch.
Guys, do you think me you could give me a default marching order for when you're travelling on horseback away from the caravan?
And whilst we're on the subject, perhaps the same for travelling on foot on open ground and travelling on foot in a dungeon.
Remember, these defaults are by no means binding, but they provide a good reference for me if you haven't specified anything different in your Gameplay post.
Well, owing to his stated purpose in the caravan, I figger Bonegrit would be up front picking a path in any given situation. Maybe Pyotr would like to take lead if we find ourselves in a dungeon crawl.
On another note, I have a niece's birthday party and a friend's bachelor party to attend throughout the course of today, so I'll be a day off on gameplay contribution.
Yeah, I would say Pyotr's default marching position would be second from the front. On occasions when we are not scouting ahead, he would be in the vanguard.
I think that Bonegrit up front in a wilderness situation is a given (both on horse and on foot) and Pyotr either up front or second is also a no brainer.
However, we need to know a little bit more about each other (especially our fighting styles) before we commit any further. Once we have this info, we'll be better prepared to make a decision for the three situations asked for (horseback wilderness, on foot wilderness, and on foot underground).
I'll start with Pellius:
- OK perception (+1);
- OK stealth (+2);
- good ride(+5);
- not good finding/disabling traps; and
- prefers up front fighting.
Pyotr's pretty much pure melee. May have decent AC once I get heavy armor, but it won't be super high. He's got decent Perception atm, thanks to racial traits, but it won't be going up significantly. Survival is good, too, but will pretty quickly get left behind by Bonegrit's. Still, it'll be good for aid another to his check.
Skill-wise, the best he's going to do is diplomacy.
Word of Healing will be coming down the feat line soon, I'm sure. So, all the healing won't be on Dunagan's shoulders.