GM Jiggy's Adventures in Avonali [5E] (Inactive)

Game Master Jiggy

Discussion thread created.

So...I have a question for everyone: does anybody mind if I homebrew my character a little? Everything in the homebrew version is somewhat negotiable.

Pasted from my profile page for reference:

Alias complete.

Dotting. I'm going to see if I can find a better alias pic....well one I like more...

@Gwenifer - nice choice - one of my favorite avatar pictures!

@Wraith - personally I have no problem with you changing things up. It's not up to me tho'. ;)

@DM Jiggy/Wraith: is Wraith also a Water Elf? The race trait says High Elf in the "orignal version" and high Drow/High Elf in the "homebrew" version. Just trying to work out how to align the elves here. :)

Wraith, that's quite a wall of info there. Could you boil it down to "I'd like to change X to Y"? Might be easier to digest that way. :)

Thanks for the selection, DM. Can't wait to give this a try. I'll update my header correctly this evening.

@Jiggy sure. As soon as I get back on my computer. Basics: no one class has enough features to fully support my concept (super-smart soldier who gained "superpowers" due to a traumatic event), so I borrowed a few features from ranger and bard to better fit. I will give more details after work.

Oh, and I just remembered that you changed the Drow race, so I will go fix that part as well, unless...that does sort of fit my theme, actually. I'll fix the Darkvision if you all want me to, but that is kind of one of the "superpowers" she gained. But it's negotiable.

Thanks Naia, I like the picture too.

Wraith, I like your character concept and your changes don't bother me, as look as Jiggy is okay with it.

He said I had to get you all on board too.

Hey everyone

I'm a veteran player from the days of the red box and Pbp for the past several years. This is my first 5th ed game so please be gentle.

cheers

PS Jiggy, thanks for the selection

Don't worry, 5E's not too hard to pick up; the most common type of error is to accidentally carry Pathfinder/3.X-based assumptions into it. If you're able to "read with fresh eyes", so to speak, then it's actually pretty smooth and intuitive. :)

Hey Fin, I'm a veteran red-boxer too (from '82 or thereabouts) though I have been playing PF most recently - my problem will be un-Pathfindering as Jiggy says...but I bring the old skool with me.

The only other 5th edition game I've played in, I'm still level 1. So I'm not that experienced either. But I've been playing D&D for about 15 years since 3rd edition came out. I completely skipped 4th edition.

OK, Revised Question: Would people mind if I used a custom class? I would make the following changes to my current build:

Level 1
Darkvision 120' becomes a class feature overriding the racial Darkvision 60' (mechanically, no real change)
Drop Thieves' Cant and Sneak Attack class features (including improvements)

Level 2
Replace Cunning Action with Jack of All Trades (Bard feature)

Level 3
Drop Mage Hand Legerdemain
Alter Spellcasting: Use the standard Arcane Trickster spells known, but something closer to the Full Caster's spell progression delayed by 2 levels (caps out at 9th level rather than 4th level spells at 19, but starting each spell level at 1 slot rather than most at 2).

Level 4
Gain Assassinate (Rogue Assassin lvl 3 feature)

Level 8
Gain Land's Stride (Ranger feature)

Level 11
Gain Volley (Ranger Hunter feature)

Level 13
Drop Versatile Trickster

Level 14
Gain Battle Magic (Valor Bard feature) and Vanish (Ranger feature)

Level 17
Drop Spell Thief

Level 18
Gain Feral Senses (Ranger feature)

Level 20
Drop Stroke of Luck

I don't think this is unbalanced compared to the existing classes. Yes, it's more powerful than the Arcane Trickster, and in terms of spellcasting is still more powerful than the Paladin and Ranger - but it's still significantly less powerful than any full caster, and has less abusable combat utility than a Circle of the Moon Druid. I'm still planning on keeping the restriction of Illusion-only spells, as that part actually fits my concept perfectly (I'd kind of like Guiding Bolt, but that's not even on the Wizard list for me to choose).

What do you think?

Edit: Just for reference, here's the spell progression I'm planning on using:

Lvl > 1st > 2nd > 3rd > 4th > 5th > 6th > 7th > 8th > 9th
3 --> 1
4 --> 1
5 --> 1 --> 1
6 --> 2 --> 1
7 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1
8 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1
9 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1
10 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1
11 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1
12 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1
13 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1
14 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1
15 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1
16 --> 4 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1
17 --> 4 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1 --> 1
18 --> 4 --> 3 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1 --> 1
19 --> 4 --> 3 --> 3 --> 3 --> 2 --> 1 --> 1 --> 1 --> 1
20 --> 4 --> 3 --> 3 --> 3 --> 3 --> 1 --> 1 --> 1 --> 1

@Alyksandrei - I'm trying to learn 5th edition as is, so I'm not a big fan customization at the moment. However, I believe that the GM has the ultimate authority on house rules.

@Naia Tam - Yes, the summer of 1982 sounds about right. My memory is a bit sketchy. I bought the red box but started playing AD&D with the older brother of my friend across the street. The brother was 3-4 years older than me and starting high school, I think. I hated 4th ed and reverted back to Pathfinder.

cheers

I also don't know enough about 5th edition progression to comment on homebrewing a class at this time. I'm not necessarily opposed. But could I say if it was balanced or not? No. As long as everyone is having fun, I'm very easy going.

...Well that got complicated. Might be a little while before I can get back to you on that. Off the top of my head, though, I think I'd prefer for spellcasting progression to always follow one of the three standard rates: wizard/cleric, ranger/paladin, or EK/AT.

Ok...for this character concept, I'd prefer full-caster, if only because it gets me a 9th level slot. But I don't need it at 1st level. Honestly, I'll have fun with the character no matter which version I end up running.

5E virgin here. I don't know what would be acceptable and what wouldn't as a trade off. Like Finlogan, I'd prefer to keep things relatively simple in my first game, but that's the DM's call.

I'm a huge fan of customization, so I'm all for you tinkering - I don't mind if your'e overpowered or underbalanced or your inner quiet is messed with.

Then again, I'm no caster fan, and my 5e-fu is weak.

It's Jiggy's call as far as I'm concerned.

Jiggy I wasn't sure if you wanted me to post entering Tokor's Office or if you were going to post us entering and describe it first.

Jiggy I wasn't sure if you wanted me to post entering Tokor's Office or if you were going to post us entering and describe it first.

I was trying not to get into doing two major dialogues at once, lest I make people's heads explode. ;)

Now, regarding that class customization thing... Honestly, it looks like a bard would have been closer to your vision than a rogue. Same HD and similar proficiencies, but a full-caster (with an affinity for illusion, even) without Sneak Attack. Maybe that should be your starting point?

The fewer things we have to change, the less opportunity there is for a major "oops" moment. So here's my suggestion:

What if for now, you switched over to a bard, and dropped the Bardic Inspiration and Song of Rest (since they don't seem like what you want) in exchange for that 120ft Darkvision you're wanting? Then, as you progress in level, we can deal with unwanted abilities and their replacements as they come up (after all, it'd be a shame to plan out a 20-level class and then have you die a level in or something).

How would that sound (both to Wraith, and to everyone else)?

I need the extra skill proficiencies as well, which is why I went with the rogue base. Other than that, I think your suggestion would be acceptable to me, if everyone else is ok with it. I'll work on that new build tonight or tomorrow. As long as I don't need to make too many rolls or use special abilities, it won't matter which charsheet is posted while I switch over.

Hopefully Gwenifer is not being too disruptive. I'm a cohesive player but am enjoying giving her a rockstar personality. I could tone it down if need be.

Well I learned Mr. Tokor isn't a fan of violence. Wizards... They're not fighters for a reason.

I'm okay with flamboyant personalities, but NPCs won't see a flashing green "PC" indicator floating over your heads either. They will respond as a person might reasonably be expected to respond to a person doing what you do. Had you been in the office of a combat-magic instructor and tried that...

*cracks knuckles*

As a goddess (in her mind at least) everyone should respond with a mix of awe and fear. She would expect no less. ;)

I actually have no problem with how you're running your character. Wraith may end up having issues with Gwen, but so far I think it's fun what you're doing with your character.

Gwenifer is certainly making a first impression with everyone.

I replaced Finlogan's Alarm spell with Animal Friendship. Finally reading through the PHB. The spell is not in the SRD and only in the PHB. Hope it's alright.

Totes fine with dramatic dramatis personae.

DM Jiggy - I'm only just cottoning on to my shapechange ability. I'd like to redkin the wolf as a stream-dog type thing, like a Chesapeake Bay dog with slightly webbed feet. No actual game stats change.

@Jiggy - Updated profile with new class etc. Let me know if you need me to change anything.

Wraith, shouldn't the longbow and longsword be doing 1d8 damage not 1d4?

You're right. Copy-paste error from a different character. I'll fix it.

FYI: I may or may not have a lot of time to post this weekend - my sister and her family are coming to town, and I will be spending a lot of time with my nephew (he's two and a half and tons of fun). But I will be checking things.

It is Easter weekend. I expect most people with be spending time with bunnies and eggs.

It occurs to me, Wraith, that switching your chassis from rogue to bard has moved your casting stat and one of your saving throw proficiencies from INT to CHA. Since in 5E (unlike Pathfinder) those two stats are fairly equal, you can switch back to INT if you would prefer.

That would be awesome. Thanks.

Re: that "help die" I rolled, normally if someone helps somebody else with a task, the person getting helped gets advantage. But since this is PbP and the recipient of the help had already rolled one die, I just went ahead and rolled a second d20.

Re: two-handing your weapons, there's no bonus damage for it. Two-handed (and versatile) weapons have better damage dice, but that's it. Rest assured, though, that in 5E your weapon damage dice are a lot more significant than in Pathfinder.

Ok, thanks for the answers Jiggy!

In regards to dying characters:

First, in 5E it takes a truly spectacular damage event to just insta-gib you, and I can't imagine that ever actually happening. If somehow it did happen, I would tell you. So by default, assume anyone who goes down is merely unconscious.

Additionally, no need to hide (or avert your eyes from) people's death saves. I don't feel like the tension level is really altered that much from concealing that (it's already rather high, considering a natural 1 is a double-fail). It just doesn't make enough of a difference to worry about. You can all tell when the blood stops spraying or whatever, no checks required.

Got it. Also, I know it's just the dice rolls, but these things are kicking our butts. =P We're definitely going to need a short rest after this.

Pffft, they've lost three to your one, you're fiiiiiiiine! ;)

Trust me, we're doing great. My face to face group rarely gets through a combat without at least 2 characters dropping at least once each - usually more than once. (Ok, we've got a hugely squishy target and 3+ healers, not counting my sniper. Man, does our fire mage tick people off! Not to mention a certain impetuous paladin of Kelemvor, god of death...). So only having downed one character while halving the number of viable threats means we're doing better than I'm used to.

"Kch-kcoff....blpspstt....."

Round 5

Death Save 1: 1d20 ⇒ 11

Phew!

Uh, this is the Discussion thread, but you can keep that roll.

Ah. Just posted again in the Gameplay, not realising. That can be my second roll. ;)

I've got a terrible bout of food poisoning. It might be a couple of days before I am back posting full speed.

1d8 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8 Good enough. Almost full.

Using one dice for now.
1d10 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

I'll get a post done in a little while. I got a lot of work this morning.

I don't understand the Short Rest rules but will read them when I get home tonight.

Finlogan has Cure Wounds but with Short Rest healing, they seem more appropriate for combat. I don't know.

cheers