Am I supposed to understand what happened to Zove?
(I'm a bit sick right now. Sorry if I'm a bit dense.)
Anyways, here comes the new Raging Song!
I'm not exactly sure when the spirits attack during the turn, I'm assuming at the end? I haven't been able to find any discussion on whether or not the Skald get's to roll a spirit slam attack during the first turn he starts the song.
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From what I have read of the skald bardic ablities, a raging song does not grant rage powers to allies.
Inspired rage does not allow an ally to activate abilities dependent on other rage class abilities, such as rage powers, blood casting, or bloodrager bloodlines; the ally must activate her own rage class ability in order to use these features.
I don't see why the slam attack does not work for you though, so when you start you inspired rage, the spirits come forth to aid you, will read more later.
They're not able to activate "other" rage class abilities. I'm pretty sure the benefit of the Skald's rage powers translate to the allies that accept the raging song bonus. I'm seeing a lot of 'yes' out of the forums, but I'll look for an official nod.
For clarification, Maurie won't be taking the bonuses this round. Next round she might, haven't made up my mind. Quick question on it though: does it negate DEX dependent feats as well (like Dodge or Mobility) or is it just prohibiting skills?
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The totem spirit (lesser) is a rage power and thus does not translate to allies. I am going by what is written on the page in the PRD, which to me is pretty definitive.
Spirit Totem, Lesser (Su): While raging, the barbarian is surrounded by spirit wisps that harass her foes. These spirits make one slam attack each round against a living foe that is adjacent to the barbarian. This slam attack is made using the barbarian's full base attack bonus, plus the barbarian's Charisma modifier. The slam deals 1d4 points of negative energy damage, plus the barbarian's Charisma modifier.
This is specific to the barbarian/skald who has the rage power. It does not say to allies.
Not to get all rules lawyerish, but wouldn't this pretty much answer this:
Rage Powers (Ex): At 3rd level and every 3 levels thereafter, a skald learns a rage power that affects the skald and any allies under the influence of his inspired rage. This cannot be a rage power that requires the creature to spend a standard action or rounds of rage to activate it. For example, the skald cannot choose terrifying howl (which requires a standard action to activate), but can choose knockback (which is made in place of a melee attack).Unless otherwise noted, a skald cannot select an individual rage power more than once.
When starting an inspired rage, the skald chooses which rage powers (if any) to add to the song, and all affected allies gain the benefit of these rage powers, using the skald's level as their effective barbarian level. The skald uses his skald level as his barbarian level for the purpose of selecting rage powers that require a minimum barbarian level. If the rage power's effects depend on the skald's ability modifier (such as lesser spirit totem), affected allies use the skald's ability modifier instead of their own for the purpose of this effect.
If a rage power requires another rage power (such as disruptive, which requires superstition), the skald cannot grant that rage power to allies unless he can also grant that power's prerequisite. He may add multiple rage powers to an inspired rage at the same time by means of this ability (such as granting the superstition and disruptive rage powers simultaneously).
If a rage power can be used only a certain number of times per day or per rage (such as renewed vigor), each ally affected by the inspired rage is subject to that limit (with abilities usable once per rage limited to once per inspired rage).
If the skald has rage powers from another source, he (but not his allies) can use those rage powers during an inspired rage. He cannot select a duplicate rage power, unless that rage power can be taken multiple times.
If the skald has the ability to rage from another source, he can use his skald rage powers during that rage as well.
I bolded the sections that I think apply, but the whole block is from the Skald PRD linked there.
I realized just after the edit period ended that I didn't state what I thought all this text said.... so TL:DR time!
Unlike normal barbarians, skalds can only take rage powers that don't cost rounds of their rage or require a standard action to use. That is the downside. The upside is that whatever rage powers are left as options can be transferred to whomever accepts the rage song benefits, using the Skald's level and ability modifier in place of their own.
If a power has a prerequisite power needed to activate it both have to be activated in order for allies to gain the benefit.
So if Lesser Spirit Totem qualifies as a rage power that a skald can take (given it is used as an example in the description I would think it does) then it should be transferable upon Brin choosing to activate it within his song to anyone that accepts the song's normal benefits. If it doesn't qualify, than I would argue that not only can he not pass the ability along but that he can't even take it himself unless he can get it from another class that would grant it. Obviously it ultimately rests with our DM to rule though.
Yeah, it's real strong for level 3, but the totem path is not going to keep up with our levels, especially into the teens. I thought I'd get Brin a big boost in power and a fun ability to RP, at the expense of some more powerful totem progressions down the line.
I'm interested in hard fights, I'm also interested in tougher characters, are we leveling soon?
Re: Zove, phantasmal killer?
Heh, should be entertaining at the very least. Will someone be able to help Davian or will we have to get him to the (hopefully not overrun) aid station?
Brin will be able to take his wand and heal him up.
Grok can also heal him, and has another wand of his own, which is nearly empty.
Power supply crapped out last night, sorry about the delay.
Seems Davian went down as expected- oh poor armorless Davian. Gotta fix you up right you weary traveler.
Assuming he lives to that point :P
Gotcha, hope all is well!
dot.
Cool death, thanks for that. Have mechanics for a caster druid with rogue skills worked out, just getting personality/story together in spare moments. Not sure when complete but will let you know.
Hah, would normally say to take your time but given your Iron Gods game wrapped up with me incommunicado and Zove died off before we could really interact again once Maurie was back... well, here is to hoping your schedule allows you enough creative time to get your rogue-esc druid ready to join the fray soon! Love the fact that you changed your picture to a skull btw, really sells the permanency of death.
Glad to see I wasn't holding up the game. I had a cold since last week that just would not quit.
Thanks for the heads up.
You're totally right about keeping track of the raging song in my posts. I'll make sure going forward I'm more clear on how many rounds I've got left, plus when I start and end it. That way everyone can plan their fight better. I don't want Crom missing a swing because Brin was clearing his throat at the time.
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Welcome Norrick, our new mage ... I'm really happy to have you along.
Norrick got the nod over another couple of characters, it was a really difficult recruitment to choose from (some really good submissions), but I'm sure Norrick fits well with our campaign so far and will do in the future.
It's why its was a bit slow last week, to get everything set-up ... now he's here we have 6 in the party again.
Norrick is an addition, not a replacement for Zove. I have already told Zove she can come back when she's ready with a new character. I know it can get a bit much sometimes and posting becomes a chore rather than a joy, so can let Zove come back in her own time. When she does, she does not have any restraints on what she wants to do ... well within reason ... :-)
Anyway please welcome Norrick to our merry band.
Welcome! I tried making a post responding yesterday evening but the forum ate it it seems.
Hello all!
Norrik is a native of Trunau, so anybody who's been there for a long time would probably at least recognize him by sight, and likely know him. (It's a town of only 780, after all.)
Welcome Norrik.
If you look all the way back at the beginning of the discussion page, you'll see that the first thing we did after recruitment was look over the other characters and write up brief summaries of our likely reactions to and opinions of them. Here's how Grok feels:
Grok recognized Norrik as an apprentice of Agrit and the son of a half orc guardsman and human woman, but does not know much more than his name and face. In general, Grok is a little bit unsure of how to handle himself in social situations, and does not really understand quite what other people mean all the time, having grown up in a dramatically different society. As Grok gets to know him, Norrik's superior intellect will probably soon be recognized, and in matters of spellcraft Grok will trust Norrik. Norrik's interest in artifacts will be seen in this light, that is, not so much as a foolhardy side interest, but a worthwhile pursuit which is to be accepted and not understood. Norrik's rough childhood is something Grok can empathise with, but he has learned that everyone is different, and those with hard lives are often the least trustworthy, and so will probably not immediately feel a strong connection based on somewhat similar experiences.
Maurie is not from around here, and your first introduction on any scale likely was seeing her at the Hopeknife Ceremony. She is from much further south and just happened to be passing through when all of these events began.
Her initial thoughts of you have pseudo been expressed, but to put bluntly she doesn't fully trust you yet, despite the condition she found you. The fact that a group of local half-orcs were essentially preparing the way for this invasion, and murdered someone she knew, makes her a bit untrusting. Granted, finding you shackled and tortured helps add to the narrative that you aren't currently with the invasion force, but she hasn't ruled out the idea that you might be a betrayed betrayer, so to speak.
That said and set aside, she is willing to give you enough opportunity to prove your loyalties. She is big on law and on order, and on the notion that civilization is meant to improve the civilized. She will probably warm up to you eventually.
Brin's a bit of a whirlwind right now. He just summoned spirits with his voice and that's nuts!
I believe he recognized you with that Know. Local check, but if Norrik wasn't coming and going near the places Brin would sing and tell stories then he probably doesn't know much.
Brin wants to be a warrior poet, but his initial foray in the battle has rattled him. Now that he's in the thick of things he's trying to prove himself, to himself, more so now than to anyone else.
Welcome Norrik!
Got to posting a bit later than usual today, but I'll take a look and see what Cromwin's reaction to you might be tomorrow. We may know each other to some extent; Cromwin is also a Trunau native, although he is usually on his family's farm outside the walls unless there is a raid, so he might just not have interacted with you much before now.
Have fun!
Hope it's a blast! I recently found a Friday night game at my local coffee shop/game store. This game's pace and the frequency of my IRL game are a great balance.
Good luck and have fun, DM.
I really want to post something interacting with the raven, because that'd be cool and Grok likes animals and all that, but I'd feel weird if all of a sudden Grok calmed down. I'll see what I can figure out.
I will also be away until Monday, on a skiing trip.
Know the feeling! Last weekend, it was TPKon for me.
Next Con I'm planning to go to is a small local con in mid-march.
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Had a great Con, managed to die heroically in the first game ...
rolled a critical failure, followed by a double critical failure ... ot! whoot! Fortunately it was in a fight to get a gods attention ... we got its attention ... and it all ended happily ever-after ... justy minus a few characters... (When Worlds Collide)
Then died as a gladiator in the next game, as we took on a bunch of druids, playing a Roman/Steampunk adventure .... (7th Empire) .. we were playtesting for the games two authors ... it was great fun and even went back for some more ... we have driven a steam-engine driven by a magical liquid at great speeds ... really really funny, the game is great, fun, great ideas and very deadly ... second time I played was a beastmaster who also used magic...
The rest of the Con I got roped into running some PFS games, so had to prepare The Seegang Expedition, an excellent scenario, and the equally good scenario Reaping What We Sow.... So it was played 4, GM'd 5 not a bad score for a Con....
It was called Contingency ....
I should get time to write the next bit tonight.
Sounds pretty awesome all told. I should have my post up a bit later in the evening, though I won't be able to alter the map (google docs hasn't been working properly on work pcs for a while now, grumble grumble) until I get home in the morning. If my token needs to be accessed or moved in between now and then I hope that my crunch descriptions will be enough for someone to move me for me.
Awesome! Glad you had fun!
My elven investigator in my local game got hit by a bad will save, followed by a bad fort save. Now, if he doesn't get help within 12 or so hours his head rips off and becomes a flying head that does the same damn thing to others.
Or maybe we save him and he remains scarred and with ugly wings for ears.
I'll find out on Friday. The investigator has been really fun though, a lot different support class than what I'm used to playing. Part of me wants to bring Krah back if he dies.
Yeah, investigator is a blast... actually submitting a sleuth variant as an applicant to a CotCT game on the forums. (I liked Zael, but the alchemy could be a bit wonky at times... replacing that with a luck pool kinda sounds like a fun idea.)
Glad you had fun GM.
I've not posted a turn yet because it looks like the orc's got a move between Cromwin/Maurie and me. If in the future you'd like for us to post rounds in advance (hidden within spoilers, of course) in such circumstances where we can reasonably predict what will happen, please say so.
Is the orc adjacent to Maurie on the next floor up?
Ouch! Just wanted to check, did you include the +3 to Cromwin's CMD from the dodge bonus from fighting defensively/combat expertise? I didn't mention the CMD change since I wasn't expecting to get combat maneuvered, and just wanted to check and make sure it was taken into account.
Also, where are the current light sources? Is Brin's light on Brin, and I'm too far so it is dim light, or is it down in the lower floor somewhere?
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@Grok - Yes, but she stands in the trapdoor, so you only shoot through that square with Maurie in the way... Looking at it, both Orcs are behind cover (the floor), ranged is very difficult, you would have to move up the stairs a bit to get a shot.
@Cromwin - If you had light on the shield the AoO hits, but I'm not sure of that. Even with the +3 you get pushed down...their charge gives +2 on bullrush.... so heroically you tumble backwards through the trapdoor... :-)
Another question is where is difficult terrain. I'm assuming that all the squares we're on are difficult, meaning I can't move that far.
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Another question is where is difficult terrain. I'm assuming that all the squares we're on are difficult, meaning I can't move that far.
Stairs are dificult, but the floors aren't. Don't want to make it too easy for you, your characters are pretty tough, so its gotta be hard to make real heroes of you all.
And all of you are good players too ... you make harder characters than I do .. ..