Ooooh, I thought he'd told me he was a priest or something. My apologies.
I'll edit immediately.
Edit: I think I assumed I knew he was a cleric because I had Kavken's Boon, which mentions that he can scribe cleric scrolls. Should I wait until later before assuming I know he's actually a cleric?
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OK everyone, we’re finally level two and I thought I’d comment a bit on how I think we’re doing. I hope I don’t sound all pompous and stuff, but this campaign is going really well, and I think we can do even better. I’m just excited. It’s clear everyone’s following Doomed Hero’s guide to PbP (link). We’ve got the mechanics down solidly I think.
But I think we’re failing a bit with Painlords guide (link) which I helped edit and in one or two areas, write. We’ve got what Painlord craves - a good DM. Guiseppe is consistent, fair in his rulings (though I don’t always agree with them, they’re level on both sides of the DM screen), and creative. In my last Kingmaker campaign, we didn’t spend much time at Oleg’s ‘cause it wasn’t that interesting as I recall. Guiseppe has breathed life into the NPCs.
Anyway, now we need to up our collective game and breathe more life in our PCs. Please re-read Painlords guide. Think about how you can improve your own posts. Add more ‘humanity’ (or ‘orcanity for Rok) to your posts. Sneak in a little of your background when you can. Expand your background now that you know your character better. Make s%&& up. I think we can all be more creative. We’ve mastered the basics, now let’s soar.
I think thought bubbles help. Sure the other PCs don't necessarily know what you're thinking, but it can help add depth to an otherwise flat post. Might also spur you into new directions you hadn't thought of before. At least they do me.
Oh, and if you're really stuck, ping Giuseppe in chat. He gave me some common quotes a man like Serolt might know and I've tried to use them here and there. Sometimes just reading them over gives me ideas on how I might develop Serolt further.
And my humblest apologies if I sound like I’m on some soapbox. I’m not. I just think this could develop into my favorite campaign, so I’m pushing - Painlords rule number one. :)
Hey, ain't no love like finding a game you love. I'm having a fantastic time in this group. Many thanks for Giuseppe for running it!
My usual tactic with thought bubbles is to make it a description, but I can see actual italicized thoughts working as well. I'll have to give that a try.
Roksana, you had the impression that the boggard does not fear you at all, and he seems very confident to be able to drive you away.
Will give some time for Jacobus to catch up before I post again. I'll updating the Gameplay Thread tomorrow morning ;)
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"Listen, Jacobus, I know you've only been gone for a day, but Serolt got eaten by a frog person, and we all drowned trying to escape back across the river..."
Will give some time for Jacobus to catch up before I post again. I'll updating the Gameplay Thread tomorrow morning ;)
I just got back home. I'm reading and posting now.
Jacobus, I fear you've taken too many actions in your last turn. You have activated your judgement as a swift action and drawn you crossbow as a move action. Then, you would need to load your crossbow, which is another move action. Fire the crossbow would be a standard action, but you would have already made 2 move actions.
Additionally, you're commading your horse to stand still. Even if your horse was war trained, that would have been a move action to handle an animal, forcing you to attempt a DC 10 Handle Animal check. But since your horse is not war-trained, you should begin your turn by attempting a DC 20 Ride check to control your mount.
Mounts in Combat: Horses, ponies, and riding dogs can serve readily as combat steeds. Mounts that do not possess combat training (see the Handle Animal skill) are frightened by combat. If you don't dismount, you must make a DC 20 Ride check each round as a move action to control such a mount. If you succeed, you can perform a standard action after the move action. If you fail, the move action becomes a full-round action, and you can't do anything else until your next turn.
Then, if you succeed at the check, you can order the mount to stay still with a DC 25 Charisma check.
Push an Animal (DC 25)To push an animal means to get it to perform a task or trick that it doesn’t know but is physically capable of performing. This category also covers making an animal perform a forced march or forcing it to hustle for more than 1 hour between sleep cycles. If the animal is wounded or has taken any nonlethal damage or ability score damage, the DC increases by 2. If your check succeeds, the animal performs the task or trick on its next action.
But that would cause you to lose all of your actions for the turn.
That being said, I know that mounts are a pain in the ass, but if you want to use their advantages I believe you also have to deal with their contraindications :D
I'm sorry if I'm a bit strict with mounted combat rules, but especially now that we have a mounted-focused character I need to make you respect all of the mounted combat rules.
Also, please consider this sentence drawn from your last post.
He smiled as the shaft penetrated deep on the animal's side.
Now, there's nothing wrong with it. You've scored a critical hit, and you assume to have hit the boar. That's ok. Fact is I don't like it very much as a style preference. I think you could easily wait to write your character's reaction to his attack until the following turn, and then begin your next post with your PC's reaction to his last attack. This way, if something happened preventing you from hitting the creature, you previous post would still make perfect sense ;)
And since we're discussing some posting issues, I think it's the right time to start asking you to adapt your posts' formatting to the style I prefer for my games.
I like when the Gameplay Thread can be read almost as a novel, without any OOC comments, dice rolls, questions to the GM, and so on.
I would like you to use a line like this
____________________________________
to separate the IC description to your OOC stuff such as dice rolls and comments. If you have any questions, you can just ask them here in the Discussion Thread.
This helps us having a nice to look at and well formatted Gameplay Thread, makes my work as a GM easier and makes your posts far more tidy and pleasant to read.
I thought that my mount was not in combat. I thought you were in combat if a) your attacked or b) were attacked, neither of which occurred.
I take it you think differently.
I also thought that I could load the light crossbow as part of a move action (draw my crossbow) and the use my standard action to actually shoot.
But heck, I've been wrong before and probably will be again so let me know and I'll adjust.
--------------
Also, is the formatting post directed at me in particular?
If I assume something and it's not true, then no big deal. You go ahead and correct it like you are doing now with my actions.
Remember that we are not in the same room and probably not even online at the same time so you must be a little flexible to run/play these PBP games.
Just trying to have fun and follow your rules, Giuseppe...
I just want to have the best game possible Fabian and I'll have it :D
Coming to your questions:
1. As a general rule, in my game I assume that the entire is in combat when one of its members is attacked or attacks.
2. According to the rules, you can only draw your weapon as a free action when you perform a regular move, not just a move action.
If you have a base attack bonus of +1 or higher, you may draw a weapon as a free action combined with a regular move.
I don't know of any rule allowing a character to load a weapon as a part of the move action to draw it. If there's such a rule somewhere, please point it to my and I will allow everyone to use it of course.
3. My note on how I want you to format your posts was addressed to everyone. I know that many of you play in several games, each one with its own GM and its preferencies. I'm just explaining you what my preferencies are: I prefer when the OOC part is separated from the description and the actual gameplay contents.
4. As far as assuming the consequences of your actions, that was directed at you. I would rather have posts that make perfect sense without the need to be edited by me in my next post. Not assuming consequences is free, so I thought it was easy to do :)
We're just in Book 1, and we still need to play together for a long time before getting used to each others' posting habits. If I'm asking you to take note of something it's only because I want you to know what kind of game I would like to run. It's perfectly ok if you disagree though. It's all about managing expectations: I cannot offer what I'm not willing to provide, and the same goes for you. I'm just trying to let you to what I'm willing to provide, and at the same time asking if you can provide what I want, and that is precisely because we are not in the same room (that would have made everything a lot easier for everyone of course).
Good job with your combat posts Kryolani and Roksana. That was just what I wanted!
Here's Regin's profile (link). I don't plan to post as Regin in game, unless you really, really want me to.
It's much easier to post Regin's actions with my own, on my initiative. But if you insist, I'll post under this alias.
I don't suggest you give Regin his own initiative roll though. He's just going to delay until he gets commands from me almost all the time, and it's more for you to track if you do separate inits.
Let me know.
Giuseppe: Just curious, did you ever hear back from the fifth player that started with us?
Here's Regin's profile (link). I don't plan to post as Regin in game, unless you really, really want me to.
It's much easier to post Regin's actions with my own, on my initiative. But if you insist, I'll post under this alias.
I don't suggest you give Regin his own initiative roll though. He's just going to delay until he gets commands from me almost all the time, and it's more for you to track if you do separate inits.
Let me know.
I just need you to use his profile to allow me to keep track of his status more easily. Also, you can use his profile to roll the appropriate dice when Regin is attacking.
Giuseppe: Just curious, did you ever hear back from the fifth player that started with us?
Yes I did Jacobus, but I had already made up my mind when that happened :)
Oh damn, ferocity...I'm always forgetting it. Guys please assume that Serolt's arrow was needed to put down Tuskgutter!
Hehehehe. No worries. Arrows are cheap! :)
The bridge is 300 feet in lenght and appears to be in a poor state of repair, although it seems to be walkable.
Do we think our horses can cross without collapse? Just double checking.
300 feet long is HUGE! Serolt is worried... :)
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Your PCs think that the only way to find out if your horses can cross the bridge without causing it to collapse is to try...
Anything preventing us from getting down to the water's edge and 'swim' across?
Yes, I know Jacobus and Kryo are not the best of swimmers but an option is an option. :)
No, anything, apart from not being able to tell whether the bridge is still walkable (thus not fulfilling your duty) or not. Additionally, if you don't know if the bridge is safe or not, you cannot consider this hex explored.
Roksana, are you crossing the bridge with your horse or alone?
Alone, I have edited my post to reflect that.
@ Roksana - If you could give your horse a name it would allow me to write better post, without too many repetitions XD
@ Kryolani - I wasn't able to fully understand your intention. Are you going to cross the bridge alone, leaving your horse behind?
Nope, my plan is to try to getmy horse, Benji, and Roksana's horse, to cross in front of me. I'm thinking of the classic apple-on-the-end-of-a-stick routine.
Ok, so if I'm understanding it correctly, currently there are 3 creatures on the bridge: you and two horses. Is that correct?
Officially the horse will be named Kasper, but Roksana is only now learning that she cares enough to even consider naming it. He will be IC named shortly, I promise.
Also Kryo I was going to just whistle for him but I like your apple trick much better.
Additionally, Kryolani, I would like you to roll a Handle Animal untrained check (thus a Charisma check) to push an animal. You're effectively trying to get the horses to perform a task that they don't know but are physically capable of performing (Heel: The animal follows you closely, even to places where it normally wouldn’t go).
Heck no. There is Kasper, by himself, chasing an apple on a stick. I'm only sending Benji across if Kasper makes it to the other side safely.
Ok I'm failing completely to understand then. Who's holding the stick? If Kryolani is holding it and he's not on the bridge himself, he would be 300 feet away from the horse.
So, I'm confused. Is the bridge still 'crossable'?
Didn't it break down when Serolt tried crossing it and he had to jump off?
If not, then Jacobus will swim across.
If swimming, how many swim checks, DC, etc.?
I had affixed the apple-on-a-stick to the mount so I would not have to actually hold it.
At this point though, I'm happy to assume that it's not working, and I'll just try to walk Kasper across myself, and then come back for Benji.
So, I'm confused. 1. Is the bridge still 'crossable'?
2. Didn't it break down when Serolt tried crossing it and he had to jump off?
3. If not, then Jacobus will swim across.
4. If swimming, how many swim checks, DC, etc.?
1. The bridge is still crossable. You can just jump over the gaps.
2. No
3. I've not undestood you point here If the bridge didn't break down when Serolt tried crossing it, Jacobus will swim across it?
4. Can't tell you until you declare that Jacobus will swim.
Now, there are only Jacobus, his horse, Regin and Kryolani's horse on the other side of the bridge.
Actually, I sent Regin ahead of me (link) when I crossed. So Regin should be safe as well. I suspect, but could be wrong, that he'd be too light to trigger a collapse on the bridge. If not, please let me know what rolls I need to make, or make 'em for me. Thanks!
- - -
As far as swim checks though, you should be able to give us a clue. Easy/hard/etc. We can see the water and can make some educated guesses surely.
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2 things I wanted to mention.
1. I have a glorious mental image of Kryolani and Kasper slow-motion-diving for safety as another few planks fall into the river. I'm having a seriously hard time not giggling at work.
2. Those were really great pictures of the terrain Giuseppe. We've inherited some awesome looking countryside!
Oh, also, could I try to call the horse to me from the other side of the bridge with Handle Animal? Or is it just too far across for that to work? I know I'd be 'pushing', but I can still make it eventually I think.
Now, there are only Jacobus, his horse, Regin and Kryolani's horse on the other side of the bridge.Actually, I sent Regin ahead of me (link) when I crossed. So Regin should be safe as well. I suspect, but could be wrong, that he'd be too light to trigger a collapse on the bridge. If not, please let me know what rolls I need to make, or make 'em for me. Thanks!
- - -
As far as swim checks though, you should be able to give us a clue. Easy/hard/etc. We can see the water and can make some educated guesses surely.
Yes, Regin is safe, my bad.
As far as Swim checks goes, in a PbP format I prefer not to reveal too many information. They just invite players to metagame. Of course, I can tell you that the swim is medium in terms of difficulty, and will probably be somehow dangerous for a character who can't swim good.
Oh, also, could I try to call the horse to me from the other side of the bridge with Handle Animal? Or is it just too far across for that to work? I know I'd be 'pushing', but I can still make it eventually I think.
I'd rule that the distance is too much for Serolt to call the horse to him. 300 feet are quite a distance, especially when you carefully need to gesticulate to calm down the animal.
Oh, also, could I try to call the horse to me from the other side of the bridge with Handle Animal? Or is it just too far across for that to work? I know I'd be 'pushing', but I can still make it eventually I think.I'd rule that the distance is too much for Serolt to call the horse to him. 300 feet are quite a distance, especially when you carefully need to gesticulate to calm down the animal.
Yeah, it was a longshot. Thanks!
Ok, so now I only need to know how Jacobus intends to cross the bridge and how do you plan to make the two remaining come to you. As far as I can see, you only have three options:
1. Jacobus takes both of them with him.
2. Jacobus takes one of the horses with him and someone else goes back to bring back the remaining horse.
3. Jacobus swims across the river and you somehow manage to bring back the two remaining horses.
BTW, you have now understood that the bridge in a poor state of repair and would need several adjustments to work properly. As a result, when you will have solved the problem of how to reach the other side with all of your mounts, I will consider this hex explored, regardless of how Jacobus decides to reach the other side of the river.
Anyway, since it seems to me that I can't update the post anytime in the next few minutes and I'm off to bed, I'll write my post tomorrow morning. Hopefully, you've found a solution to this problem (yes, sometimes mounts suck). I would really appreciate if tomorrow morning, when I get up and get ready to post, I could find a clear party decision on how to solve this situation.
And brace yourselves, because you're soon gonna face your first dungeon...muhahahaha :D
So guys, I know that it's not my job, but I would like to suggest you some available options to solve the "crossing rivers" problems. After all, if things stay this way, those rivers will act as "doors" and slow down the game significantly: it's funny to roleplay a situation where you experience some hard times trying to cross a bridge, but it can easily become boring and frustratin for both the players and GM if the problem arises several times in a few days.
As you may have noticed, exploring a hex containing a river is kinda hard: all of the PCs and their mounts must succeed at a DC 15 Swim check to swim past the river, if a bridge is not present. Of course, it will come a day when you will be allowed to build bridges on every single course of water in your kingdom, but this is not the case yet, thus we must try to find a solution to this problem.
I can think about several option myself, but please keep in mind that these are only suggestions. You can easily come up with better solutions. This post is mainly designed to encourage you to discuss the matter in detail in this thread.
① Put a rank in Swim the next time you level up. After all, is reasonable that a member of a group of adventurers tasked with exploring and mapping an area containing several rivers and lakes invests part of his time in order to learn to swim properly.
② Carefully plan your route through the Greenbelt, in order to avoid those hexes containing rivers or lakes. Maybe, you could then condense them into a single journey thought explicitly to explore those hexes containing water courses; you could easily give up your mounts and animal companions during this journey, in order to facilitate your crossing.
③ Find a way to teach your mounts and animal companions some trick as “heel”. As you may have noticed, in the past encounter I deliberately chose to ignore to ask Jacobus to attempt a DC 25 Handle Animal check to push the horses to navigate the river. I’ve done it to speed up the game, but I can’t continue ignoring that rule. A animal handler in the party would be very useful, IMO. Also, Roksana will gain the expert trainer class feature at level 4, thus enabling her to train all of your mounts in a reduced amount of time. Of course, she can begin investing in this skill starting from the next level up, or you could wait until she reaches level 4, and, in the meantime, pay someone to teach your mounts the appropriate tricks. Johd is pretty good at teaching animals new tricks, and maybe if asked gently he could help you out. Alternatively, you can choose to purchase new horses, maybe already war trained and with a few tricks already known apart from those regarding combat. You could even try to purchase some region-specific horses possessing one rank in Swim and one in Perception, instead of the usual 2 ranks in Perception a horse normally possesses. Sure, they would cost you, but you would have a reliable and trusty mount to lean on in your future explorations and adventures.
1) A rank in swim will help, but if it's not a class skill or you don't have a decent strength score it isn't going to help all that much.
2)Don't have anything to add there.
3)Kasper does have heel, I thought, as Serolt did, that I might be able to call him from the other side. I had misjudged the distance. Roksana is currently trained in Handle Animal, so when we get back to Olegs she can help train mounts or assist Johd.
I, for one, will absolutely be taking a rank of swim next level, much as I took a rank of ride THIS level.
I think rivers are just hard. One or two ranks in skills aren't going to help our horses swim any better.
I think we plan our route, and do all the water hexes in a single run. WITH a raft and no horses.
I'd like to see a conversation in character though. Not just an OOC metagame. I'll bring it up after the tunnels maybe. :)