Damn, Balthus! Nice rolls. :D
Yeah, sometimes I get them. I have another game where I can't roll above a '10'. :)
Yeah, sometimes I get them. I have another game where I can't roll above a '10'. :)Damn, Balthus! Nice rolls. :D
Kaede. That's all I'm sayin'. ;)
I suppose everyone just feels really jittery for a while, like if they'd had too much caffeine. :P
Ahhh caffeine! I love caffeine. I have a dream that one day I can replace my blood with coffee.
At work, I've threatened a few times to just set up an IV drip of coffee straight into my bloodstream. :P
It is a dream of mine. I have trouble sleeping always have and this would solve that problem.
I keep a stash of caffeine pills in all my backpacks/bags. Can't get caught without it.
I prefer tea.
I have a deep love of both tea and coffee. The coffee I like tends to be expensive so tea is far more common.
I'll be out and about this whole day and may not be able to post until this evening. Please bot me as necessary.
So, we sould probably set up at the mouth of the cave so that Mairen and Slasher (or Balthus, whichever is actually better in melee) are in the front, and Amund and Jetta are behind them with their polearms. Bottlenecking them seems like the best choice, so we don't have to face multiple owlbears at the same time.
Any objections?
By the way, the map is up, which I forgot to include in my previous post - set yourselves up as you see appropriate.
I moved Amund on the other side of the cave opening.
I shuffled people around a bit to reflect the suggested plan. Feel free to adjust.
Which dog is which token, by the way?
I shuffled people around a bit to reflect the suggested plan. Feel free to adjust.
Which dog is which token, by the way?
Slasher is the yellow one.
opps I guess I moved the wrong one.
Positioning works for me.
Actually Amund I am a little jealous! As someone who almost always plays a magic user, I have been stretching my melee muscles on the boards, playing a melee-centric warpriest in one game, and a bloodrager in another. Hitting things turns out to be pretty fun!
Actually Amund I am a little jealous! As someone who almost always plays a magic user, I have been stretching my melee muscles on the boards, playing a melee-centric warpriest in one game, and a bloodrager in another. Hitting things turns out to be pretty fun!
I caught the bug with the paladin I play in my IRL game, too. Hitting things is fun. :)
Ok now that that is out of my system.
I understand hitting things is fun. I have a Goblin Barbarian I am having a blast with. Though magic has its place and can be a lot of fun I think I am learning I prefer melee to casting. Though I love the Magus for the blending of the two.
Currently playing: ranger, rogue, swashbuckler/bard, inquisitor, and shaman.
Having 'issues' adapting to shaman. :)
Played magus and loved them as well.
Never played 'soft casters'...
Just to let everyone know, I'm heading out on a whirlwind big city adventure with the husband in the morning - my posting will be spotty through Wednesday night.
Hey guys, with the GM's permission I'd like to post some news and an offer:
I've just finished writing Book 1 in The Chronicles of the Black Gate, a new epic fantasy series that I'm publishing on Amazon. It's currently with my editor, but I'm hoping to publish it mid-April and have already begun outlining and plotting Book 2.
The reason I'm bringing this up is because I'm looking for sharp, creative, fantasy-oriented folk who might enjoy reading an ARC enough to write an honest review come launch day. If you're between books or curious enough to read the first chapter, you can grab a copy in either PDF or EPUB format here in my Dropbox folder.
Here's the very rough blurb:
Long ago, in a time forgotten, great teleportation gates were opened connecting disparate cities across the world into a single unified empire. Yet when one city destroys its gates and launches an invasion of the others, it creates an opportunity for long-standing grudges and ancient evils to flourish. For the first time in centuries sin casters are seen fighting alongside the rebels, and their presence threatens everybody from the Perfecti in their floating ivory city of Aletheia to the pale slaves laboring in the chthonic realm of Bythos.
The war sunders Lady Kyferin's family and realm, and when she's banished with her retinue to an abandoned and demon-haunted fortress in the wilds, her fate seems certain. Yet even in the darkest moment there can be a dream of light, and as war rages across the realm she must lead her knights and advisers along a desperate course if they're to survive their exile and hope for a vengeful return.
Many thanks!
Ok, back from vacation and ready to roll! Sorry for the disruption. If it's any consolation, the vacation was quite nice, if not quite long enough, as with most vacations. :)
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*Rubs hands*
It can't be worse than most Pathfinder novels, can it?
Environment:
Got a strong feeling of Warcraft (especially Tides of Darkness) and Game of Thrones (the 'Ser' seems sufficient these days).
Generally speaking, starting a story in a combat or intense seen favors a 1st-person POV. The the change back would be jarring, of course, so feel free to disregard this comment.
Descriptions:
I do see some instances of calling a rabbit a smeerp (kraghs are clearly orcs), and the use of several proper nouns without background (Ennoia, Bylthian, Ageratians) makes several comments difficult to understand. At first, I thought Bylthians are halflings--but it is not clear if Bylthia is a region in the empire, a vassal country, or the Shire. Suggestion: use more general terms (like the Empire, or the Heartland, or the backwaters) until you reach a point where their proper names can be used frequently.
There is good auditory and olfactory description, but little touch and visual. How does the hill look like? What is the color of the sky? When Asho falls to the ground, does the sweat mingle with fresh dirt? Does he see banners strewn across the field?
When he moves forward to aid his lord, is he struggling to climb (since the combat is uphill?), is he descending quickly (battle downhill?) or is he balancing to reach the place (combat is at the same level)?
TL;DR: Needs more grit.
Story:
Apparently, the Ageratian heretics have been evading combat for a while--and now their hand has been forced to go into combat. They chose to make their last stand on a hill, though it is not clear if they had fortifications as well (think palisades, rocks tumbled down the hill), though archers are mentioned. I can wait for a few chapters to see why Ageratians are heretics (though I suspect it is because they would not embrace the empire's 'our god-king demands worship' claim.
The assault on the Ageratian's hilly position passed through several stages: orcs sent up, orcs coming back down (I suspect charmed or dazzled), and the knights (including black wolves) riding down to the valley to confront the orcs, and then up the enemy hill to promptly die against the Ageratian magic.
I had to read the chapter twice to make sure the enemy didn't have orcs with them in the first place, and then presumed the orcs died instantaneously after turning tail. It didn't help that Asho's vision made the description of the first half of the battle practically non-existent. Which brings us to the next point.
Character:
One chapter is too short to show a lot of character, but I got a little. Asho is not liked (seemingly because of his heritage). And he had a sweetheart that killed herself--I think.
Methinks that the first chapter should be done with a one-off character instead of Asho. Ser Eckel--filling the persona of the experienced and difficult-to-impress second-in-command allows for a good foil. Perhaps he feels pity for the witless n00b that wants to prove himself.
A narrative character's death (in the first chapter no less) cements the theme that 'everyone might die'. It also provides a chance for the reader to get significant information about the hero, good foreshadowing, and expectations about the rest of the book. From the vantage of a knight, descriptions of combat would also be clearer and a tad more heroic.
With Eckle's dying breath, the narrative will transfer to Asho's hands, which gives a good 'what remains of the battlefield but empty glory and foul deeds' feel.
So chapter 1 ends with his death, and chapter 2 starts with Asho carrying the reader forward, with expected heroics.
Those are my first impressions and initial suggestions.
*Rubs hands*
It can't be worse than most Pathfinder novels, can it?
** spoiler omitted **...
That's some awesome and very detailed feedback. Much appreciated, with some really great points in there and plenty to mull over. Now I'm going to reread that again slowly - thank you!
Everyone is yelling at me.
I know. I spaced it. Ah well maybe next time.
Also that was almost half my hit points! These Owlbears a heavy hitters. I want a baby Owlbear. It would be awesome!
Maybe not the best tactical move, but it did make the fight more exciting ;)
I don't know, Jetta made a smart tactical decision at the beginning, and that lessened the threat of the fight. Otherwise things could have gotten pretty nasty. If the fight is "boring" it's b/c we gained the advantage! Go us!
Tell me about it.
The fight is pretty boring.
Unless the cave begins collapsing as a dragon lands on the top and begins vomiting magma into our skalps.
Hey, I've got an idea. ;)
Nah, Anthuria has the right of it - it's easier (and therefore more boring) because you guys are fighting smart. If you'd taken on all five at once things would have been much more "interesting" (in the Firefly "oh god, oh god, we're all gonna die" sense).
I think this is more of an issue in PbP, where even the quickest skirmish takes days at minimum. In an IRL game, this fight would have been over pretty fast. Assuming good tactics, of course.
Hey, I'll pick good tactics over exciting almost any day of the week.
I prefer safer to exciting but I always seem to be in the exciting spot. Riding a dragon out to the ocean. carrying explosives to the enemy ship, soloing big undead monsters, or trying to cuddle the Owlbear. I thought if they saw that I was friendly I could get an egg. Those things haven't killed me though so I am thinking I am not learning. Though I was three points from total death with the solo action. I only die from things that need a will or fort save.
Perry Clerics make respectable frontliners. The good armor selection and 3/4 bab puts them as having a good chance to do damage. As your guard I do not advise it but as a player you can grab that mace and join in the swinging! Alternatively pick some other spells. The cleric list is awesome. Murderous Command is fun stuff. Please keep the liberating command! Ohhh! You need hold person. This is a brilliant spell. Spear of Purity is a fun option. For the third level spells Bestow curse is a fun one if you are willing to touch baddies. Stone shape has saves my butt many times. Searing light is fun. And if you just have to protect that face then summon critters. Then you are everywhere.
Clerics are fun. Evil zombie raising clerics are a blast but not for this game. You got a crummy weapon though Abadar but I would have done the same. Crossbows just suck unless enchanted.
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I did invest already in cleric buffs (divine favor for one) to help me in melee should I deign to enter it.
Hold person and Searing Light are interesting. I'm getting a reach weapon at town anyway, and I'll see what clicks.
As a side note, I do like this guy's character. His class is still somewhat new to me.
And those seem like fun stories. Whst's up with the dragon?
Clerics are fun but I do know they take a bit of work. Hold Person is a sacred spell at the table I play at. As is Stone Shape. Both spells have been a deciding factor in many fights that were made so much easier than they should have been. One of my players cast Stone Shape, trapping my baddies, and he yelled You have been Cockblocked. Later I got to do it back to him in his game during a jail break.
The dragon was in the first campaign I was in. I was still on my first of three characters, a magus. Not the class to learn on but I never pick the easy option. So we were defending a coastal town from I think some sort Giant, I think Hill Giants but I don't remember. One of the PC;s was treated as a club. Well part way though the fight a Red Dragon shows up. My Magus, the Alchemist, and I think the Cleric went after the Dragon. I We were beating on it pretty good and I managed to Limp Lash it.
Well the Dragon decided to retreat with me on its back. It was still taking damage each round I was convinced I could get it to drop. A one in strength, dexterity, and constitution would stop its flight and we could kill it. And I was riding a Dragon. I was having a blast. The rest of the party kept telling me to let go. The guy who played the Alchmist kept chanting XP, XP. I eventually agreed to when the DM took the Dragon over the water and was heading out to sea. The DM looked too happy and the group out voted me. That was my first legit Dragon encounter.
Also concerning the Owlbear babies that would turn into mounts.
Look at me. Now look at you. Back to me. Your wearing armor but not as well as me. Look at you. Now back to me. I'm on an Owlbear
Eh, don't take my comment seriously. Perry's character sheet is a snoozefest.
I wonder if there is a Wis-to-damage-with-crossbows or at least with god's-favored-weapon feat for clerics.
I can get you Wisdom to attacks with your deity's favored weapon, but I don't know of any that get you Wisdom to damage, unfortunately. (And Channel Smite seems like a slightly strange prerequisite for it, although I do understand a feat tax on it - it's a pretty good feat.)
We were beating on it pretty good and I managed to Limp Lash it.
Man, Limp Lash is another sweet spell. I hadn't seen it until the witch in the other forum game I'm running pulled it out - he got a really lucky crit, rolled super high on the Dex damage for both rolls, and paralyzed the thing in one round.
Limp lash is fun. And the witch is a super fun class. So much bad touch! And did you give us an owlbear baby? I am exited!
Well, you're just going to have to go look, now, aren't you? ;)
Bah sleep happened and then Balthus happened. I can always rely on you to start a fight ;) But I was part of the vote that saved a bunch of Goblin Babies. We gave them to a church. Torags Church.
Bah sleep happened and then Balthus happened. I can always rely on you to start a fight ;) But I was part of the vote that saved a bunch of Goblin Babies. We gave them to a church. Torags Church.
You aren't too late to stop him, you know. :)
I posted. And gave my opinion. Also this is making me think of a song. This song. I feel it fits well with the scene and the artist is one of my favorites.
Why is everyone fighting the getting the owlbear baby? It is an animal, magical beast yes, but an animal and their for capable of being domesticated. They can be trained, easier if they are young, to be mounts and or guardians of an area. Though I understand the other side of the argument. I am curious if anyone else is potentially interested in the idea?
I like the challenge of it. That is the appeal but I do not want to disrupt the game if I keep it.
I am enjoying the argument though.
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Out-of-character?
The Bestiary states "Owlbears are notoriously bloodthirsty killers...tend to attack without provocation...many researchers believe that they have a pathological need to fight and kill...and it is considered 'impossible' to truly domesticate an owlbear due to their feral natures."
You can use them as guardians, but mounts? They'll eat your face and hump your corpse while hooting at the moon.
In-character:
Perry is largely neutral here, though he trusts Balthus's judgement.
He will serve to carry the votes and mete out the result. He is a fair judge if Amund agrees to allow him to mete out the group's decision.
But we're not even sure there are owlbear babies yet. Maybe they're goblin babies, and things will become even more gray!
Edit: Disregard the last part. GM's confirmation that they are owlbear babies. Cute owlbear babies. Cute bloodthirsty monsters. Damn it, I love owls...
Give a hoot guys. Vote for Group Resolution.
I know the can be trained. Doungeon denizens revisited went over them. Normally by orc but anyone determined enough could. Rules wise as a mount they obey commands with a successful check. On a failed one they revert to their base instinct, witch is violence. The imprint one one person and are very loyal to that person.
I have always hated the idea that any creature is violent and bloodthirsty for the sake of violence. Ruins the immersion for me. Even notoriously violent creatures can be peaceful. In animals diligence is situational.