GM Rednal's Northlands Saga Complete (Inactive)

Game Master Rednal

I would like to humbly thank you for accepting me into this game. Seems like people were turning ugly toward the end of the recruitment, I was happy to see you not letting the trolls get to you. I thought all the links were very organized, and the "power chart" I am thinking about bringing into my IRL games for adjudicating power levels.

To your points:

1 & 2 - I will update my profile to match the requested formatting, and to update any references in my history to the correct spelling.

3 - No worries, I through that in to simply ascribe that he had faced multiple threats, both human and beyond.

4 - Bring me in however is most fitting, I will fall in accordingly.

Eh, it seemed like one person getting annoyed and posting as such in multiple aliases. Props creating a character that fits in the setting! That snow leopard is gonna freak some folks out, but it is definitely a small enough animal to fit in a longboat.

Yeah, the chart's pretty handy - although it helps to read the blog post it links to at its top, and to understand that it's about viability rather than optimization. Broadly speaking, if you're below orange then you're probably too weak in an area (unless it's something your character simply doesn't do, like how many support characters don't care about dealing damage or getting close enough to be attacked), and if you're above blue, you're hitting diminishing returns and have probably invested too many of your resources into one thing. Green is the sweet spot, math-wise, for a character to be appropriately viable against a same-CR foe.

(It also helps to look at the party as a whole. If one member is at blue for damage, but another doesn't attack at all, then that's essentially two green characters and the group as a whole is still where it should be even if someone looks like they're stronger than necessary. Careful interpretation is an important part of using that chart effectively. XD)

Quick question before I dive in: how is was the Jarl? Just trying to figure out if that was the Jarl my father served some 20 years ago, or if that would have been his father.

Jarl Olaf was getting along in years, although he probably wasn't the Jarl your character's father served. (...Although, honestly, no Jarl would be able to simply 'give' lordship over an area anyway... Northlanders are a particularly independent lot, and would laugh in the face of anyone who tried to claim that kind of rule over them. They follow individual leaders like Jarls because of respect and tradition more than anything else.)

I will adjust that part of the story in turn.

Looking over the initial discussion thread, it seems like traps are not going to be much of the campaign. Given that I invested a class ability and 7 skill points into 'traps' as an aspect of this character, would it make more sense for me to change this a bit to something more beneficial for the group?

Traps are... not totally absent from this game, but in all honesty, they're pretty rare. This isn't Rappan Athuk. I'd probably keep at least one point in there for the rare time it's relevant, but it would be more beneficial to invest most of that elsewhere, yeah.

Slayers get gobs of skill points, though. I wouldn't worry about it too much either way.

Heya Aelfred, welcome to the club. Hope you enjoy things.

...and things got dodgy in the re-recruitment? I've been too de-brained to keep an eye on it.

...and it's a good thing, since shouting at people on the internet rarely works.

It was nothing worth getting upset over. One person simply seemed to have a different interpretation of a few things than I did - and that's fine. ^^

Looking over the rest of the group, as Eydis also has the healing sphere, would it be better for me to take something different? I would still have the lay on hands ability from my hedgewitch ability, so I can still be a secondary healer. Is there anything that the group would benefit from magicwise?

*Looks at Eindrid and Eydis* Anything in particular you'd like to have on the team?

That said, it probably wouldn't be a terrible idea for someone to pick up Protection and improve the group's defenses. I'd avoid Weather, though. That requires a fairly high Caster Level to be useful, and as a Mid-Caster, your CL growth is lower to begin with.

It'll depend on what's gonna fit the character, but the newly updated Dark sphere has a lot of cool toys Eydis won't be touching for thematic reasons.

Ugh got distracted by steam sale + conference travel for a few days, bad combination. Sorry! Jumping back into games now.

Protection is... okay, but it doesn't stack great with armor/shield.

War is always good (and stacks well with itself, if you just pick up 1-2 momentum talents or maybe some rallies). Light is pretty cool, IMO, if you want to avoid dark.

Also I get soooome weather things eventually when I get to be a high-level bard, because masterpieces are weird like that.

I want to assure you, I think the scene, though unexpected, has been awesome thus far and did not assume it was any kind of 'being tough' on the new player. It is definitely helping me get into the vibe of the game, so if anything, thank you!

As I've mentioned, the Northlands are pretty distinct, culturally-speaking. XD Fewer peasants cowering in fear of the dire rat munching their crops, more warriors of all ages and genders solving their own problems.

(You're also free to ask me how people are likely to react to something you're considering saying - that's usually something your character would know, after all, and I never mind answering questions. ^^ Post it here in Discussion or PM me for a faster response. There's also the info over in the Campaign tab, which is another good reference.)

Oh, right. How much mead/ale can I get for 100 hs or so? As the ship's skald (and weakest rower), I should probably carry my weight by providing other sorts of aid...

Prices are pretty standard for that sort of thing.

Also haha as usual, Eindrid is the weakest link at being a viking. Yay!

Sorry guys, at conference, am distract

*Pokes the GM* I wanna know if that twenty made this super awesome.

Would really love to see this game cruising, seems like you've had a good run up to this point. Has anyone heard from Eindrid?

He's been having some IRL issues, as I recall - and I, too, would like to see this group continue to cruise along. There's plenty of story yet to tell, after all. ^^

Hi, guys. To all my games: sorry I've been such a butt lately.

Basically, I was away from the internet for a while, but before and after that, I've been writing so much for work that PbP just felt like a chore. And I've come to realize that while I love my job, right now it's just not leaving me the time and creative energy I need forPbP, so, while I've sort of been sliding down that slope for a while, I figured I should actually tell all my games that I've gotta drop out.

Sorry to disappoint and potentially leave a bunch of people hanging at the end there, and I hope I was generally fun.

-Thunderbeard

So... since this is definitely meant to be a three-player game, what sort of teammate would the two of you like to see for re-recruitment?

Well, we've got combat reasonably covered - skills would be good. I'd say magic, but given the setting issues with it...

Given that our average Charisma is 9 (Eydis 10, Aelfred 8), I would say a charismatic leader with a focus on social skills would be great. It goes without saying that in a small party having everyone at least capable in combat would be beneficial. Eydis and I both have healing pretty well under control, so someone that can bolster our abilities, or hinder our foes would also be good.

I agree, that sounds like a magic-using character. But given Gestalt and Spheres of Power, I think it could still present as a social/martial character with some extra abilities. Of course, if the character were an outsider, that would allow for a little more access to magic. Perhaps circumstances force us to work together against a common foe...

And on a similar note... is there anybody you know that you think would be a good player for this game, given its rather... ah... specific flavor?

No idea if she is interested or not, but I would throw KatGrey in for consideration. I have been in two Carrion Crown games with her that had both died because of GM abandonment, and she both makes dynamic characters and is a strong writer / role player.

I see, I see... well, feel free to ask her to take a look at the setting material and build rules. ^^ I have someone else who's also expressed interest (they're in a couple of my other games and have been pretty consistent), so I can't guarantee KatGrey will get the spot... but I'm absolutely willing to give fair consideration to a submission if this game interests them.

Yeah, I wouldn't mind seeing Mordred join us.

She appreciated the offer, but is not very familiar with Norse culture, sagas, and such, and so does not think she would add well into the game as it stands.

Right-o. We'll be waiting on the other interested person for a submission, then - which will take a few days, since I'm about to be offline for a little bit. (Fear not. Much like a bad penny, I will return. ^^)

...I have four kids, so I never have any pennies to try this with. Or any other money, for that matter.

Of course, that's only partially the kids fault - my overwhelming addiction to roleplaying, video games and Warhammer also sucks a lot of funds from the bank.

@Rednal: Hope you will be enjoying your four days away.

@Eydis: Four! You have an adventuring party ready to go at all times!

Yea, i just did some house cleaning and looked at the cases of Warhammer figures, wondered just how many thousands of dollars I have spent on them to have them collecting dust in the closet.

Lots! I'm only just getting back into Warhammer - Games Workshop's evil overlord approach to business, combined with the awful horrors of Matt Ward's writing, drove me off. A friend of mine wants to do Necromunda, so I started looking into doing that, and found Games Workshop are a little less evil and Ward's powers have been reduced.

Plus 8th Edition 40k looks...fun to actually play.

Hi! (GM told me to say Hi)
As it's around 3am around here, I'm just popping in for a quick visit :)
But since we're supposed to be a team, there's not just this most basic introduction to take care of - nope, this post involves you two as well, on the topics of how I might fit in going forward, and wether my background&co are fine by you as well.
As far as an in-game inclusion is concerned, I might probably already be on the Long Serpent, part of Hallbjorns crew, and simply get grouped up with you lot for tasks.
Regarding the other aspects mentioned before, thats for you to speak up about.

Mechanical Disclaimer: Rednal stated he would prefer a non-magical character, and I traded away Sneak Attack because that would stack in a nasty way later on flanks - on the plus side, I get to play around with plentiful skill unlocks and empowered skills and should still do decent damage.

Looks like a solid addition to the group. I think Sigurd being one of the Northmen already on the ship makes perfect sense. You are trying to live up to the heroic legacy of your lineage, and this is a trip to seek vengeance for a lost Jarl, so a perfect opportunity for you.

As for build, I think Sigurd fits in well with Eydis and Aelfred. All are capable combatants, so no one needs to be the rockstar. Both of us can heal, Aelfred capable hunter and tracker, and Eydis has access to cold-based magic.

Glad to read that(I did on Saturday but waited to see if Eydis had something to add)

I agree, we're all capable enough - when magic seemed unlikely, I focused on the other aspects the two of you requested in discussion, skills and social competence, as you got the rest covered pretty well - the effect is not very pronounced yet, but I am actually rather curious about how Phantom Thief works out later on. Pity about Debilitating Injury, though.

Regarding cold-based shenanigans, I'll actually pick up a few cold-based tricks myself(via Rogue Talents and Eldritch Heritage) - (and yeah, GM, I'll be very careful not to flaunt those in public)

Either way, I'm looking forward to adventuring and raiding with you, possibly with a side of arson, murdering and enslavement(because you can't properly avenge a lost Jarl without burning a village to the ground to draw the gods attention)

Rather than flaunting cold-based tricks, I'd just like to note as a general bit of advice that they may not be very effective. I mean, y'know, Viking game. Lands of icy and snow, frosty monsters, that sort of thing. XD I, uh, wouldn't rely too heavily on those sorts of talents if I were you.

Hum. I was referring to the Rogue Talents: Favored Terrain(Cold), Terrain Mastery(Cold), Hide in Plain Sight(Cold),
and 2(or 3) out of 3 from Boreal Bloodline(I don't expect the Cold Weapons to be very relevant, rather they are just a necessary stepping stone):
1.:(Cold Resistance/Ice Spider Climb/Trackless Cold)
2.:(No perception penalty or concealment in natural ice/snow/fog/similar - chill shield that gives 20% miss chance to attackers)
3.:(Control Winds with Sleet Storm and extreme Cold added in)

Those seem both useful and thematic in a Viking setting with all things icy, snowy, frosty. I meant that I won't go walking around with a cloak of swirling snow or disappear in front of a crowd, or go scampering up vertical surfaces made of ice while there's people other than the party nearby - that is, restrain myself from using anything that could be seen as fishy. But it's mostly tame stuff that should work passively and can be passed of as skill(I can move freely on cold terrain because I am used to it, not because magic), especially considering they'll come online pretty late-.

Well, those may be more effective. XD And once you're established heroes, things are a little easier to explain. "He's a great person, so he can do great things" is totally something they feel in the North.

Aye, my thoughts exactly. I can do that because I'm AWESOME! is totally a great explanation, especially with an unspoken yet implied (and you are not) attached to it.
Now we just need to poke Eydis into action again :)

Ready when folks are. Might be a little slow, as I'm catching up on sleep.

So, it would seem we are once again three. @GM Rednal, if you are ready, shall we?

Apologies, I had just arrived in Ireland before my last post, and internet became far more spotty after we departed Dublin. Back in the States now and into my regular routine. Excited to see the game moving!

Welcome back! Just glad that you didn't go missing in Ireland(if you mentioned your vacation, I must have missed it) :)

I posted to the rest of my campaigns, but it would appear my post to this campaign regarding it did not appear.

Paizo sometimes enjoys nomming on posts.

They, and the tears of broken posters, are delicious.