OK, cool. Was there additional funds for purchases after Rohara's headband? Before we start fighting, it would be good to upgrade some equipment
Gladiator stuff looks like fun. I still have 3k gold, but am unsure whether we got any from what we found in the last adventure, fighting the dopplegangers and mind flayer. I upgraded my headband as discussed, but didn't buy anything else.
I know that we bought Rohara a new phylactery, but have not seen any other use for the money we got, or how it was distributed if we got any.
With the gladiator style fights, it might be good to invest in some one-shot scrolls or potions that could put us over the edge. Rohara may want to look to re-optimize her spell selection for offensive spells as well. Specifically defending against archer and spell-caster types as we stack up fairly well in melee...
GM: Some questions on rules:
Does invisibility count for disallowing the crowd to see what is happening? If it is a valid tactic we should prepare to use it and have it used against us.
With the 40' up rule, I worry a bit about flying archers and spell-casters.
Is there any history of surrendering gladiators re-engaging illegally to put their team over the edge?
GM: One other question... Would it be possible to swap out Dispel Magic for Slow in my leveling up or are we locked into what we chose?
Invisibility is forbidden and is cause for forfeiture.
If you chose dispel magic this level then it is ok to swap. If it was a previous level then that is what you have.
Having someone surrender then attack isn't common, though it could have happened in its history though. Most likely it would cause their team ti forfeit.
Dispel magic is what I took at this level. Any thoughts on slow vs. dispel from my compatriots?
Then that is fine since we haven't started this level yet!
I'm confused about the betting... it seems our odds got much worse as our rank changed. Am I reading it wrong?
Nope. Blood shifted us the wrong way. Should be 10-1 level 1 folks.
So, next question, do we have 2500gp? And do we want to have her triple it, rather then go for the 10-1 of we have now?
Yeh, need to figure out what the betting is. We started at Rank 3 for 3-1 odds. We should have improved to Rank 2, or even Rank 1 for 5-1 or 10-1 odds.
Also, I think that when (if?) we win the first battle, we should start spreading rumors that the win was because of cheating and that the judges are likely to disqualify us in the next round if we are caught. This should again knock our ranks down. Also, depending on how the fight goes, we might want to have a few people get knocked out so that it appears we barely managed to win to further drop our ranking.
Yep I just did it the wrong way
the answer to the first question is Rohara currently has 4000gp worth of gems (left over re-starting funds) on her person at present (in her harversack).
I am not sure on the betting side of things. Something to consider, while we would all like to make it to the end and win this event, keep an eye on the real prize, finding information on Raknian and his undead making thing.
So with that, consider your spells and gear in that we may fight a match and then end up having to deal with undead/thugs as we investigate.
I'm thinking getting Rohara the phylactery before we start is essential...
But might recommend holding off on other purchases. Let's take advantage of the x10 gold multiplier as much as we can and start shopping after that. (I'd also recommend e figure out a few ace-in-the-sleeve items we may want to invest in for later fights especially.. [A few scrolls of insant enemy, for instance, could be very useful.]
Also, the offer before us to triple 2500 is useful, but we needn't toss in money in to agree to the proposal (I don't know if we can agree and get the funds after out first fight) ... I bring it up only because right now, 2500 becomes 25k, and were in a city where items are actually available.
Fyi, there is a 250 gp bet limit or 500 if I roll the gather information well for you
Is that limit for the whole party or per individual? I thought it was an individual limit, hence my 2500 becomes 25k statement (there are 5 of us since I doubt they'd let Jagdbach bet, even if he counts in the arena).
I have over 3k in gold at this point. Was considering spending it on a +2 cloak, but will hold off and using it to parlay our winnings seems like a wise choice.
I figured we'd use party money to make the wagers and then split afterwards.
Of course, that's because I'm a lawful dwarf-type.
And I literally have about 17 gp, all told (well, not counting my share of whatever we just got)
I still have no clue whether we got more money from the last series of fights against the mind flayer. I do not think that I received anything. My upgrades were mostly from selling the ring of spell storing. I just happened to have a little more than 3k left over after upgrading my headband.
After buying the phylactery for Rohara we have 8000 gold.
We are saving it for betting and possibly other party items.
If the max bet is 2500 (5x500), plus the "investment opportunity", I'd suggest we might spend the rest on things that would help us win in the arena..
I'd say first priority would be buffs (Scrolls or potions we can use but we don't normally our can't cast) -- and maybe upgrade Fuzzsaw's armour so he's not part the max Dex (Darkleaf lamellar or mithtil chain shirt would do).
Assuming we win, we'll have 25,000 after the first fight, with 7500 coming if we win it all from the investment. Plus, whatever we can manage with oddsmakers for the mid-range fight.
Works for me.
I paid for chain barding from my share.
Let us hope we can lay large bets. Looks like 3K is available.
I have at least 3k. It is my money, but I will happily lend it around if it means the party greatly increasing our wealth and equipment.
Blood said a 250/500 limit, though didn't say it that was an individual or group limit. So other than the 2500 getting 7500 opportunity in the IC thread, we've got limits.
As such, I think having the part use funds we can't bet anyway to help buff and make us more likely to win is a good investment..
And, that being said, I'd be more than happy to buy armour for Jagdbach out of my share, but I've not gotten anything since before the doppelgangers and mind flayer. As far as I know, we sold everything, bought the Phylactery for Rohara and are sitting on the remaining coin... And every time I've asked what our share was, I've not gotten a response... Hence, Kilthan's got like 20gp in funds.
(Heck, I've got ranks in craft armour, I could probably stitch together two of the +1 chain shirts from the drow into badger-barding if I pay for some forge time)
I suppose I could sell the ring of feather falling (especially since we all forgot I have it and I took faking damage into a pit trap), but there's poor return on investment generally.
Sorry been out of it... Thanksgiving complete with in-law strife, kid with strep, and even an explosion! I hope to get to things today, if not definitely tomorrow.
No worries, been the same here too
OK, to clear up on betting. You can each place your own bet, but then have to buy a booking license (100 gp for each person wanting one).
Also you will be starting out as Rank 2 (1gp pays 5gp) for the first fight. When I checked the DC's I went the wrong way and the DC to get to Rank 1 is super high and you did not make it.
Things found from the mind flayer is On Page 128
Let me get this right:
So we could each spend 100 gp to be able to bet. Then we need to gather information to find a bet (which was done by Rohara). Then we can bet up to 500 GP at 5-1 odds.
That means for each of us it is 600 gp (500 for wager, 100 for license) for an opportunity to win 2500 gp. (slightly better than 4-1 odds for full amount).
Future bets won't require the additional 100 gp for the license.
Additionally - the party can make the one group bet of 2,500 for a chance to win 7.500 (3-1 odds).
So the total the group can bet if all five of us bet:
(Sum of individual bets, including licenses: 3,000 for 12,500) + (2,500 for 7,500) = 5,500 to win 20,000 gp.
Is this correct?
Mostly yes. The license is a one time fee. First bet will be up to 500 with a payout of 2500. Future bets will be at different odds.
The group bet with Tirra is for the final bout. The money would be returned to you if you don't make it to the final match.
Well 5-to-1 is a little less exciting.. As is the 500gp limit.
Having said that, the 100 gp license opens up how much betting? (Will we need 5 successful diplo rolls to wager 500 each?)
Also, GM, would Kilthan have thought himself capable of turning two of the fries chain shirts into (medium) barding for Jagdbach with his Crafting skill? In thinking chain shirt isn't a super-fitted armour type.
100gp is a one time cost to place your own wagers. I am only requiring one success of DC 25 for everyone to be able to place a 500gp bet.
I propose that we max out bets and license from the party funds for this round as well as the 3-1 bet for the eventual championship. The 3-1 is probably fine as we may have worse odds than that if/when we reach the final game.
Party funds cover 500gp in licenses
2500gp in bets on us round
2500gp to bet 3/1 odds for finals
5500gp total spent
+2 cloak of resistance and necklace type 3 fballs to Rohara
lesser empower spell rod to Aarakess
Justin would like ring of counterspells with dispel in it.
I'm all for the licenses and betting.
Does that leave us anything for consumables that might be useful? (Potions of Enlarge, I'm thinking, would be tres snazzy).
Aara -- can Kilthan borrow 870gp?
Since you seem to have some cash on hand, that would let me get a set of Darkleaf Lamellar barding for Jagdbach -- removing his ACPs and letting his 18 dex actually matter. (Either that or 1150 to get MWork transformation and +1 enchantment to his current set).
Also @GMBlood -- how much prep time do we have prior to stepping into the arena? Can we, for instance, start casting minute/level or 10 min/level buffs before we step in (or hour/level ones, for that matter).
Aarakess has 3137 gold. I have no problem throwing it into the pot for bets or equipment. Just let me know how it is being spent since we need 5500 for the bets. If there is enough for the betting, then I can lend it to Kilthan for Jagdbach's armor.
I added the mind flayer loot leaving us with some cash after the betting and licenses. Feel buy the armor for the badger.
Two cases that I expected to be pleas of guilty over the next two weeks are now apparently going to be trials. I will try and sneak a post in every now and then but am likely to be very unavailable for the next couple weeks.
Sorry.
I'd say we should gather information about the other teams so we can strategize. (what are the mounts, which groups hate each other or like each other [ie - who might team up, who will hurl themselves at an opposing team with a vengeance] , and past tactics [magic specialization for planning resists, shapes we can expect the druid to assume, etc])
I'm imagining the mounted team will want to charge the heck out of everything, so making difficult terrain (entangle, stone call, sleet storm, etc are all good), while the archers will want to hide behind difficult terrain or fly.
Sadly Jagdbach is not allowed to burrow, per the rules, and the inability to block line of sight cuts down on the easy ways to protect from archers and spellcasters. (Windwall, I guess, but I don't think any of us can cast it)
Starting hasted seems almost necessary... Mass feather step would also be very useful. Kilthan will certainly lead blades himself... An enlarge or two might also help a lot ... If we have a full minute to lay down spells, I think we're best use it.
Depends on how many 4th level slots we want to use. I can cast Freedom of Movement, 4th level spell, 3 times. Rohara can also cast it 3 times I believe, more if it is a domain spell. I can use a flight hex and my hexes don't really care if I am stuck. However, you martial types need to be able to move.
Also, I'm stupid -- Wind Wall is ranger 2.
So, really, I'm thinking my spells would likely be:
1: Lead Blades, <one of Resist Energy, Entangle or Feather Step>
2: Wind Wall, <one of Barskin, Stone Call or Spike Growth>
Do we know if Skorhald knows Mass Feather Step?
It is more spells, but several Freedom of Movement has the same effect as Feather Step, but also eliminates anyone trying to grapple one of you or use almost any other type of battlefield control (Black Tentacles, Web, grab, etc).
Also, I was thinking of casting Returning Weapon on Kilthan, Justin and Skorhald. It might be useless, but being able to toss axes and chains at flying archers could be most useful.
I don't mind that in the slightest -- I was just worried about the heavy use of powerful magic (it' a lot of 4th level spells) for the effect -- certainly because of how useful some spells like ennervation and black tentacles are.
You have to remember, we are planning for a single fight. I do not have to conserve spells to face unknown enemies (at least I hope I don't). We also know that we just have one fight. Thus, my thought would be to stay behind your Wind Wall about 15' in the air, and then hex whoever you are fighting.
A few Enlarge Person spells will also be useful. In addition, Skorhald can use the metamagic rod of extend to make Haste extend to 18 rounds, which will hopefully get us though a good portion of the fight. The other spells (Enlarge Person, Freedom of Movement, etc.) have durations of 1 min or 10 min per level.
Also, I can memorize a Dimension Door spell or two to give us an escape from any dangers. I do not think this is illegal as long as we remain in the arena.
Don't forget. I can also use Aura of Purity to negate any gas or other disabling spells, at least in at 10' radius around me.
We could get a blessing of fervor while buffing... Won't stack with haste, but it lets us extend our level 1-2 spells (the +100% duration is pretty useful, especially since Justin and I have lower CLs )
I still have to look at some of Rohara's spells. I will have more time in the morning. I have been a little busy. I was asked to fill in at work for a sick co-working. I have the next two days off though. I will update and see how Rohara can best help gather some information.
GM -- am I correct in my assumptions about the arena floor being void of vegetation (and thus, no entangles or spike growths)?
And is the plan to load down on Freedom of Movements? (At least 2, anyway, for the Paladin and Ranger?) Could we have scribed a scroll for that the day before?
Assuming I don't need a Feather Step, I'm thinking:
1: Delay Poison and Lead Blades (I don't know of any rules banning poison, and basically being immune for 5 hours sounds like a good way to handle that, and lead blades is just really useful).
and
2: Barkskin (more AC is never bad) and Wind Wall (to mess with the archers).
Barkskin will last almost an hour, so extending it via BoF isn't necessary, Delay Poison even longer (same deal) -- Lead Blades is only 5 minutes -- the worst one is Wind Wall -- only 5 rounds -- it's the one that an Extend would be most useful for.
Of course, if we go with a Communal Delay Poison, I'll repurpose my level 1 spell.
Would anyone object to a Communal Resist Energy (20 points reduced) duration of 90 minutes.
Any other spells that someone might suggest?