Merry Christmas! Everybody take a hero point (if you're not maxed out).
Thank you very much! Now I can avoid death by crazy idea one more time :)
Once you get in please post in the gameplay thread. Hope you are enjoying your time off!
Sorry for being so quiet, the holiday break is normally a relaxing time for me. Not this year as family from all over New Zealand have shown up and wanted me to be social. :)
Oh, no worries. It's the time of the year you're supposed to do that. Notice it's at the end of the calendar year, it's got built-in procrastination going on :)
Welcome again to Maran. I know I just kind of tossed you in the deep end so please let me know if you have any questions. Info on the party's ship and crew is in my GM alias.
I'll trust the PCs to clue Maran in on what's going on and where they are going.
Also trust us to be fun-loving and silly. Or moody. Grim. Complicated when we plan. You know, the usual :-)
Figured we should discuss the loot over here.
First, just to make sure my reading comprehension hasn't left me, the main pile of loot containing items such as the masterwork heavy crossbow, elixir of swimming, and 231 gp: that's just one lump sum from the marines, correct? Not each?
Regardless, Thren's interested in the alchemist's fire from the other loot pile. Seeing as how Lee's going to fade into the background soon, having a means to occasionally hit a group of enemies or a swarm would be a good idea. If there are any outfits in the captain's quarters that fit her and suit her tastes, she'll look into them. She still has the sleeves after all.
"Complicated when we plan" is my new favorite description of our group.
Yet so true!
I blame Lee :-)
No, it was each for the mariners' treasure.
Here is all the treasure again this time broken down with some quantities:
Ship supplies (about 3 weeks' worth) + 48 ballista bolts (I can break this down, but it's rum, preserved food, carpentry and sailmaking supplies, etc. There's probably more bolts for their crossbows as well, let's say about 100 (which would be good for your armory to have) and some extra throwing axes, let's say about 20 (also good for your armor).
Chest + tapestry = 1 point of plunder plus probably enough to give the crew some treasure pay. Call it about 1500 total (I didn't break down the contents of the chest.)
Marines' stuff:
elixir of swimming x9
potion of bull's strength x10
potions of cure light wounds x17 (I forgot someone else also drank one)
studded leather x10
masterwork heavy crossbow x10 + @40 bolts total
masterwork scimitar x10
throwing axe x10
potions of jump x2
alchemist's fire x4
2310 gp
(capturing ships generally yields decent loot!)
On thought, some probably drank their potions of bulls strength during the fight but I didn't say that earlier so I'll leave as is.
Thanks, I wasn't sure.
I suggest we put those masterwork weapons into the hands of some of our crew to make them a bit more effective in background combat. The potions, not so sure about that. Doesn't change what Thren wants though, and the cure light wounds potions we should keep even if we'll just guzzle them down at some point :)
It's been a busy weekend, but I hope to update our loot doc shortly and work out the crew shares of the loot.
Lathiira, the items you want for Thren sound good to me. Lark can always use some health potions as well.
Looking at the gameplay thread - I wonder if we should actually sail past Lark's questions for Maran. Rather than get into RP storytelling and such would we prefer for GMDQ to move us along?
As Maran is the new party member, I would really prefer you to take some time to RP with one another, even if it's just a short discussion (for the next realtime day or so)--it's a welcoming thing to do both in and out of character, and helps me get a handle on the new party dynamic. We're also waiting for the Norv/Emberar to get out from under his grad school apps so I don't mind moving slowly. Lee/KeefX will be moving on soon as well (waiting for his check in).
You also have new crew members--as well as folks you have recruited a long time ago but not spent much time with--and perhaps I never made this clear enough, but the importance of influencing the crew you are with has always been present. It affects morale and how far they are willing to go to follow your orders or protect you/the ship (and may even desert if they don't feel strongly loyal to you). When I offer time to do stuff on the ship and/or with the crew, it isn't for my benefit.
By all means if you wish to move on--and you may have good reason to feel now is not the time--I will do so.
If you are finding crew interaction and the like unsatisfying, let me know and we can talk about other ways to take care of some of that.
Thren is as always happy to interact with most anyone. I just wanted her to go meet up with the new arrivals because of your PM, lay down some groundwork so to speak (deckwork?) before finding more time to chat with our newfound longlost compatriot :-)
That's fine, and I know you and I had that conversation about follower recruitment for your leadership feat. I was speaking generally as to why I was not feeling ready to push on yet.
Indeed. Always ready to RP. Maran's going to fit in just fine I think based on her commentary already, Thren might have to move over for the role of 'crazy PC' and 'foot in mouth' LOL
BTW new arrivals are in their berths shaking off smoke inhalation. Feel free to approach any time.
Hi all. Apologies for the delay, more extended than I intended. I am trying to catch up on things, but am trying to read through and evaluate where I can jump back in.
Thanks for your patience!
Welcome back! I think we're less than a day after encountering the Vorsfang and the Famished Mane. Both those ships were sunk and all the Chells were killed/executed. We've just been chatting with the few survivors of the Vorsfang, especially Maran.
Thanks for the round-up! Very helpful. :)
Amongst the loot we just won was about 2800gp in cash. I was going to earmark 1400 for crew pay right now. If I counted right that's 100gp each for the NPC crew currently aboard (including our 'new hires'). Is that too much? Too little?
Also, the loot sheet is updated, including a deduction for crew pay. I'll change that value as needed.
GMDQ - I'm going to have Lark give a little congratulatory speech at dinner and then hand out the pay. Can I count that as 'entertain' or 'influence' as a daily action?
You're the captain, they get paid however much you like. Well-paid minions, regardless of profession, tend to be have higher morale, higher productivity, and are less likely to mutiny. Just sayin' :-)
I'd call that an "entertain" and then that gives you a +2 bonus to influence individual crew members for the next 24 hours. A good payment also certainly is going to be a positive influence over time, especially if it's consistent. As a reminder, since it's both been a really long time since we last discussed it, and we have new(ish) party members: influence checks can be made with any social interaction skill; you need three successes over the course of a few days to boost their disposition (from neutral to friendly to helpful, etc.). Alternately you can find something the crew member wants and provide it for them, and the amount of influence gained depends on the quality of the favor. Examples: Rescuing Cog boosted his loyalty rapidly. Finding Rosie's fiddle moved her from neutral to the next step up.
I mark the crew by disposition--if they are encased in yellow they are neutral, if they are encased in red (which no one is right now) they are below neutral (unfriendly or hostile), and if they are encased in blue they are friendly or helpful. Helpful crew members can give you a +2 on some Profession Sailor and other checks when appropriate (which I bear in mind when you make certain actions on the ship).
You and the quartermaster (KeefX said he was going to post a goodbye, but I think he's otherwise gone now, so Lee is being botted) determine fair shares for the crew. Looking at real pirate codes, amount of share varies, but it's usually along the lines of crew each get 1 share, officers get 1.5x or 2x share, captain gets 3x or 4x, and quartermaster gets 3x or 4x (quarter master gets paid the most sometimes so he isn't tempted to skim off the top, since he controls the inventory). You may want to just pay yourselves evenly as it may be easier to calculate and fairer for the party. I haven't done the math, but your calculation probably more or less works out to something along those lines.
Will move us forward soon, things have been busy getting back to work.
Maran, you still with us?
A general reminder to all-- if you have nothing to say and are ready to move on and it's been a day or two since you last posted, please post in the discussion that you are ready to move on, so I am not waiting for you to post.
If you are waiting for ME to post and I have not posted, please likewise give me a nudge. Sometimes I think I'm waiting for something and then realize it's already happened.
I'm ready to see the results of my terrible rolling. :P
Sorry for going so quiet, my health is bad at the moment. Heading for the doctor today to see what can be done. Please bot me if needed.
Very sorry to hear that! Best wishes for the results, and hope you feel better soon.
Indeed. Not a good time of the year for poor health (not that there is one, mind). Hope you feel better soon as well.
I am feeling poorly myself right now--nothing too serious, but I've been battling colds off and on for a couple weeks now. Hope you get better!
I've got bad news folks, DBH has had to pull out due to the unexpected way 2019 started for him. So we're back to square one on a new player.
I need some processing time, but I think I will post in other games I'm in to see if anyone wants to submit an application. I'd like to issue some personal invites but frankly the way work has been lately I don't have the time for that.
Ugh! Not the way to start a new year. I wish DBH the best. I already liked Maran, guess Thren's gonna still reign as the craziest person on the ship :)
Anything else you want to do before we move to dock?
It's like 4 a.m. in game time.
Sorry for my sporadic rate--I am checking in frequently, but I'm also trying to field recruitment.
No worries & thanks for all your efforts!
Lark just wants to get in as safely as possible.
I'm with the captain. Time to get into port.
Agreed!
What's the situation with recruitment since you mentioned it GMDQ?
We've got two submissions in and two more hopefully incoming within the next few days. I'd like to give us a few options to choose from. Looks like a couple warriors and a sorcerer so far, not sure what the fourth will be.
On a completely different and unrelated to the game subject ---
what is the name for the sort of warrior/scout/skirmisher who does things like sets traps and mines and reinforces fortifications to either bolster his/her team's position or harry and hinder the enemy? There's a specific tactical word for it, and I can't find it anywhere.
Engineer? Saboteur? Sapper?
Sapper sounds right to me. I usually think of them digging under walls, but Wikipedia says they also did things like building bridges and laying mine fields.
Sapper! That is it! Thank you.
Here is Lark's Plumetown to-do. Did I forget anything?
1. Infamy (storytime).
2. Visit Oracle to remove curse from Thren's shofar.
3. Supplies for our stronghold and for us.
4. Take on more crew for stronghold and/or the ship.
GMDQ, et al. I've been picturing our next scene being in one of the taverns telling our tale and asking about the oracle. Does it make sense to move directly there? Lark would ask the harbormaster about the local bars using diplomacy and/or sense motive to pick the best one for getting the kind of attention they want. Let me know if you'd like a roll for that.
I think that list covers things fine.
I agree; can’t think of anything else!
thermopyle/Lark -- I was going to post this in the main thread, but the storm will come in earnest, and you can bunker down on the ship (where you will get tossed and turned but will be safe) and then go exploring the city and determine the place you want to start, or go off the ship and run through the rain to the nearest tavern (a place called the Black Keg).
In OTHER NEWS: we have some applications for new membership!
Kahuranga - sylph witch (player: Tumbler)
!Kutlwisi - human corsair fighter (player: joerice)
Davina Kurakami, aasimar sorceress (player: Drogeney)
Corwin Corke, human two-handed fighter (player:RobL8675309)
I am inclined to accept two, one of the spellcasters and one of the fighters, so if we lose anyone else we will still have a full party. I will email all of you, and the submissions should be discussed via email.
One update to the applications -- !Kutlwisi has updated his profile to include his background.
Just heard one more person may be submitting something. Giving him till tomorrow night. Check your email and weigh in on the others in the meantime.
Everything ok, thermopyle?
There will be no fifth submission.
If all are agreed on just waiting till the storm passes, I'll move forward (but I'd like to hear from Lark first if possible, especially to get the Diplomacy/Sense Motive roll mentioned. If not we'll keep going. :\)
(And always, always, if you think a roll would be helpful, don't ask, just roll it, please. Thank you.)