Hey folks!
I'm back from the woods. Feel like I got into Siulor's skin a bit more and came back ready to continue the journey with you all.
Seems like a lot of cool stuff has been going down in my absence. I'll go ahead and pick up Siulor again. Thanks to Rennai for botting him so wonderfully!
Finally we get a morale bonus, and I can't use my bloodline power to boost it because I'm flat-footed. Ugh. :S
At least I still have a spell I can use to do something similar.
Sorry, came down with food poisoning yesterday. Left work early, slept for eighteen hours, woke up again just in time to come back to work and play catch-up. I'll get posted by late morning.
Bleh, I feel your pain. Hydrate!
I'll be away from my PC all week-end, so I won't be able to post. If needs be, don't hesitate to bot Torg...
Yesterday it was a fire knocking out the Internet, today it's a thunderstorm threatening to knock out the power. XD Ah, this place in summertime. Post'll be up soon assuming the power holds out; if not now, it'll be a few hours from now when I was going to be skipping town anyway. ;)
By the way, I'm leaving this morning to visit family - I will have Internet and should still be able to post once a day, but if I go quiet at any point over the next few days, that's why.
Sorry, things are very busy here. I'll post within 18 hours, though.
Renato has no real opinion on picking the route. He goes along with whatever Siulor says when it comes to tracking and wilderness survival.
Whew - that trip suddenly took off on me! Back now, though, and I'll get caught up. A good time was had. :)
Actual earplugs give a bonus against all "effects that require hearing", not just sonic effects. This sure sounds like it does.
Sure is an effect that requires hearing - I'll let earplugs (and improvised versions of earplugs) give their bonus.
And to answer your other question, Renato, they're of animal-level intelligence.
Renato also taps himself with his wand of mage armor before following after Siulor. Not worth a post, really. :P
@GM: Would you mind if I switched "Confess" for another spell? I took it because it was fitting Torg's theme well (like "Hold Person"), but we have so many socially-skilled characters in the party that I feel he's never going to have any use for it... And, besides, Torg has +12 in Sense Motive; chances are he can catch a lie anyhow!
@Torg: Would you mind waiting until the beginning of initiative until you cast bless? I can always cast moment of greatness, but that is trumped by this bloodline ability:
Heroic Echo (Su): At 3rd level, when you receive a morale bonus from any spell, spell-like ability, or magic item, including those you cast on yourself, that bonus increases by +1. At 9th level, this ability also applies to competence bonuses. If you receive a morale effect (or a competence effect at 9th level) that affects an area or multiple targets, as an immediate action you can share your increased bonus with all other recipients. This increase to other participants lasts a number of rounds equal to your Charisma bonus. You can use this ability once per day, plus one time per three levels after 3rd.
That would be five rounds in total, which is kind of a waste unless combat begins immediately after casting. Hmm, now that we're on the subject...
@GM Rennai: Do you think that moment of greatness and Heroic Echo (as described above) would stack? As in, could I give everyone the five-round boost and then re-double it for one roll? Both the spell and the supernatural ability come from the same bloodline, in case it matters. I'm not sure if they are meant to synergise...
@Torg: Would you mind waiting until the beginning of initiative until you cast bless? I can always cast moment of greatness, but that is trumped by this bloodline ability:
Heroic Echo (Su): At 3rd level, when you receive a morale bonus from any spell, spell-like ability, or magic item, including those you cast on yourself, that bonus increases by +1. At 9th level, this ability also applies to competence bonuses. If you receive a morale effect (or a competence effect at 9th level) that affects an area or multiple targets, as an immediate action you can share your increased bonus with all other recipients. This increase to other participants lasts a number of rounds equal to your Charisma bonus. You can use this ability once per day, plus one time per three levels after 3rd.That would be five rounds in total, which is kind of a waste unless combat begins immediately after casting. Hmm, now that we're on the subject...
I guess Torg could.
I planned to use his (potential) surprise round to cast Touch of Good on one of his melee fellows to boost their saves, but I guess I could delay that to the first round.
Of course you are free to do whatever you want to do. I just wanted to make you aware the option, seeing as you are the only one in the team who can grant morale bonuses. The ability needs good timing and some out-of-character coordination. For example, I was unable to use the ability previously because Torg cast bless while Renato was still flat-footed (making him unable to use immediate actions).
I'm good with you guys coordinating the effort between bless and Heroic Echo - you could even do it in the last prep round before approaching closely and have Torg still able to use Touch of Good during a possible surprise round. Renato's got a good enough CHA modifier that it'll still likely last the entire fight.
As for moment of greatness and Heroic Echo, I don't see any reason they wouldn't synergize - as you said, they both come from the same bloodline, and Heroic Echo specifically increases the morale bonus, which means that extra +1 would be part of the doubling.
With all that information, I'll wait another couple of hours before moving us along, so people can react appropriately. I'll have a gameplay post up by the end of the morning.
Migraine. Can't think straight. Post tonight.
I'm good with you guys coordinating the effort between bless and Heroic Echo - you could even do it in the last prep round before approaching closely and have Torg still able to use Touch of Good during a possible surprise round. Renato's got a good enough CHA modifier that it'll still likely last the entire fight.
That works. So, if Torg is amenable, we'll have him cast bless just before we initiate combat, and Renato will serve as a signal booster on that 'round' before battle. Then both of us can do our own thing when the moth shows up. I'll throw in some description on Heroic Echo once we've rolled initiative, since I'll probably be using moment of greatness on the first round anyway.
As for moment of greatness and Heroic Echo, I don't see any reason they wouldn't synergize - as you said, they both come from the same bloodline, and Heroic Echo specifically increases the morale bonus, which means that extra +1 would be part of the doubling.
Okay, cool! My most powerful offensive spells are enchantments (which are of no use against mindless creatures like the spider we face before), and all of them are limited to either a) weaker opponents, or b) intelligent enemies. With these buffs, at least I have something to do when I can't use those. :)
Migraine. Can't think straight. Post tonight.
*doubles morale bonus on saves against migraine*
That works. So, if Torg is amenable, we'll have him cast bless just before we initiate combat, and Renato will serve as a signal booster on that 'round' before battle. Then both of us can do our own thing when the moth shows up. I'll throw in some description on Heroic Echo once we've rolled initiative, since I'll probably be using moment of greatness on the first round anyway.
I have no issues with that.
You're right, that's the sort of thing we need to discuss OOC so that we can synergize well. It's just that I hadn't expected Torg to be the party's main "buffer" when I built him...@GM Rennai: No worries. Get better soon. ;)
Doesn't Torg get to attack the moth now that he's been hit?
"Any confused creature who is attacked automatically attacks its attackers on its next turn, as long as it is still confused when its turn comes."
Doesn't Torg get to attack the moth now that he's been hit?
"Any confused creature who is attacked automatically attacks its attackers on its next turn, as long as it is still confused when its turn comes."
You're right, my mistake. So much for dwarven jokes then. I'll make a new post.
I'm not too sure what to make of the rule though. It's certain that I get to attack the moth, but what about other actions? I'll use the assumption that, since I rolled a 30, I get to attack but that I cannot do anything else such a 5-stepping or using "moment of greatness".
How you responded is fine, Torg. And I swear, I erred toward picking on you because you were supposed to be the most survivable of the options, Mr. Banded-Mail-Strong-Fort-Save. :P
The last shreds of the ghostly figures clinging to him fade away, taking their echoing shouts with them back to the mists of time.
Spooookyyyy!!! ;D
I should probably save some of that purple prose for Renato's actual dialogue, huh? :P
Hey there, folks. Just so you know, my in-laws are gonna be in town with us for the next week so I may not post as regularly. If it goes too long, feel free to bot me. I'll try to get in at least one post/weekday as usual if I can. If I'm not able to check in, hope any of you fellow Americans have a good 4th and that the rest of you enjoy your weekend!
Sounds good to me.
How many rolls do we have to make, in total?
Sorry, Renato - I meant to answer your question yesterday, but nodded off before I could. I think I said a check for every round (double move) of crossing, so that'd be ten checks for the dwarves, seven for the big folk assuming you get to go straight across. Unless anyone thinks that's too many?
And, once combat starts, Torg becomes unlucky again! Even when it's the GM rolling for him... I guess I'll just wait until my turn, after the pikes have ripped Torg to bits with criticals! :p
@GM Rennai: I think you missed my question a few pages back, but could I switch out Confess for another spell ?
- I've never used it yet.
- Given the average Diplomacy/Sense Motive/Bluff/Intimidate skill levels of the party, I'm probably never going to need it.
- It wouldn't hurt to improve Torg's combat ability with some better buffs.
Don't worry, Torg - I'm not on my usual GM dice-rolling hot streak. :P
I must have missed your question - I don't remember it at all. My bad! Yes, switching out confess for another spell is ok.
Then I only strengthened the curse upon you...because I totally had the same thought. Goddamn spiteful dice gods...this is what you get when the gambling god of the setting is a gnome...:P
*shakes fist at you!!!*
I must have missed your question - I don't remember it at all. My bad! Yes, switching out confess for another spell is ok.
Thanks, I'll figure out something soon.
No, you're right. It was Round 3 for you. However, Torg rolled a lower Initiative than the pikes so he's one round behind you (since I wait for GM Rennai's posts to... post).
Basically:
- R1: Renato
- R1: Pikes/GM
- R1: Torg
- R2: Renato
Huh. Well, that's confusing. :P
@GM: Has Torg done anything to justify your repeated attempts to murder him ? :D
I may be unable to post this week-end, until late sunday, as I'm spending it with my family and away from Internet. Don't hesitate to bot Torg.
Been both ready to charge into the fray and heinously unlucky, from what I can tell. ;) Have fun with family!
@Torg: I wish I could help, but the best I can do at that range are first level magic missiles. My best spell is useless against non-sentient critters, unfortunately... :/
Fish are sentient, though! They're subject to mind-affecting spells just fine, unless your spell specifically calls out Int 3 or higher, or something. It'd be vermin like the darn spider that you'd really have to worry about.
...unless your spell specifically calls out Int 3 or higher, or something.
Bingo.
Heard you on that one - I managed to break a tooth in half yesterday, and the resulting flurry of arrangement-making and dealing is leaving my brain clear out of the loop, too. X-rays and temporary fix yesterday afternoon, cleaning and another assessment Monday, crown Tuesday after next...
Things blew up (fortunately not literally). Post tonight.
Busy night last night, dentist's for a mouthful of fillings this morning. Post tonight.
No info on any of those checks, then?
Oh, sorry - my bad!
They don't seem to have done much with the stonework itself - they're simply using it as a way to gain higher ground on the rest of the gorge. The stones look as if they haven't been disturbed for centuries, and what remains of the working of them looks to be ancient dwarven techniques.
All right, folks - here's what's going on. I started this game at the beginning of April, with a boatload of free posting time at work and energy to spare. Soon after I started the game several things escalated at work with no warning, and soon after that our schedule shifted around, leaving me with less slow time available and more to get done during it. On top of that, a host of personal issues have crashed into each other to create basically the perfect storm of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion - and to crown all, I've now ended up with an IRL campaign to GM, six months or more earlier than I'd anticipated.
With all that, it is with a heavy heart that I have to go ahead and conclude this game. I simply don't have the time and energy I need to make it great for you guys, and I don't want to waste your time with a half-hearted effort from me. It's been a great time playing with you all, and it kills me to have to set this game aside, but there's only so much I can do, and I find myself in the unfortunate position where cutting back is not an option, but a necessity. (I'll leave the campaign active for a few more days for good-byes, then put it into inactive status to clear up queues.)
I won't be leaving PbP or the Paizo forums entirely, and if at some point in the future I find myself with spare time and mojo again (some far-off, rosy future of my dreams...) I'm definitely open to resuming the game and picking up where we've left off. If that comes about, I'll shoot everyone a PM - until that hoped-for day, it's my sincerest wish that life is good to each of you, both in and out of game. Best to all, and happy gaming!
Aw, I'm sorry to hear this; I enjoyed the game and our characters, and you know I like your GMing. Hope the lifestyle comes together, Earthman.