With this much discussion on who gets what I think we should consider keeping track of PC gear value to help make decisions on who is behind on receiving items.
I believe the spreadsheet can do that, if we keep it 100% up-to-date (always a problem).
Are we agreed on Cithembi taking the cloak?
Freyja is good with Cithembi getting the cloak.
I am thinking when I get home, I may create a new tab called "Loot", separate from the party stash, where we can track who is taking what and what we are selling.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Added a loot tab to the spreadsheet.
You guys are the best - thanks for taking on loot management. It's my Achilles heel.
To let you guys know, work is going madder than I even thought humanly possible. Suffice it to say, I'm doing four four-to-nine hour chunks of work in the next forty-eight hours, and oddly enough, that means that PbP posts are falling by the wayside for the next couple of days. I hate that it's happening when it is, because this is a big moment, but it's because it's a big moment that I want to give it the time and attention it deserves.
A couple of points of order:
1) Congratulations on level 4. :) Go ahead and do that leveling while I'm on brief hiatus; it'll be a good use of the time.
2) Closing the winter portal is (perhaps unsurprisingly) the end of The Snows of Summer. I've been having a great time, and I hope you are too. However, being at a good stopping/transition point, I wanted to open the floor. If anyone/everyone has had enough of the game/the story/the GM and wants to move on to greener pastures, I understand completely.
3) If anyone wants to see the game through but is dissatisfied with their character, post-portal-closing will be a good point to bring old characters out and new ones in. Just shout out to me so we can work on creating a character that will make sense to bring into the story.
I'm doing this for you folks, and I'm absolutely game to keep this thing going as long as anyone wants to stick with me. I want what you want when it comes to making this game the best it can be. If there's anything at all you need, don't hesitate to let me know. Sorry life is conspiring to keep things stalled, but coming soon: the drama-filled conclusion of The Snows of Summer!
I definitely want to stick around. :) Sorry to hear work's got you down!
I'm having a good time so I'd like to keep going.
You're one of the few GMs out there who is a consistent poster or at least lets us know when you are not available. I've been playing for a few years and that is something that should be valued. Too many GMs just disappear. :(
I think I'll slowly morph Martok into a flame blaster so I should have picked his stats to reflect that (more WIS, less STR). I wouldn't mind changing some of that if you're open to this but no big deal if you're not.
One 'constructive criticism'...
Be careful with the challenges. There's six of us (and all mythic) so make sure you challenge us. I did not feel at risk of losing anyone throughout this adventure. Did anyone even get critically injured? Maybe it's just me but the game is more enjoyable if there's a certain risk to it. [quickly ducks the thrown tomatoes from the other players]. :)
It's true things have been a bit easy, though part of that this time was being clever with our approach. We do have 50% more actions than the 'planned' party, which makes a big difference.
I am here for the duration. My only issue is that I miss Astrid. :)
On the challenge note, I agree that combats could be more challenging BUT the overall plot challenges still seem near impossible and out of reach, which is GREAT. I mean, so what that we took over a poorly guarded ice tower that we do not really need. Innocents are dead and we could do noting about it. Witches rule and will likely retaliate against our allies in the town for what we have done. And even if we manage to close this portal we know little about, we know there are a lot more of them. We are alone, and after the portal closes cut off from home. We have few resources and fewer allies in an unknown land facing powerful and plentiful foes.
I believe I'm done leveling up. Cithembi can now make some pretty lights (hypnotic pattern) or just tell everyone and everything to be quiet so they understand what his life is like (silence).
Leveling:
Freyja puts her 4th level ability point increase into strength.
She gains +1 BAB and +1 Reflex Saves
She adds two second level spells and chooses: Heroism and Mirror Image
She gains 6 skill points and 2 background skill points.
+2 to Acrobatics
+2 to Diplomacy
+2 to Perception
+1 to Perform Sing
+1 to Perform Dance
level 4 shaman
+ 12 hp,
+1 bab,
+1 will save,
+1 to WIS,
+1 hex (slumber),
+ wandering spirit (normally life),
+1 1st level spell/day,
+1 2nd level spell/day,
+4 skill ranks (diplomacy, heal, perception, spellcraft)
+2 background skills (handle animal, profession herder)
+ update familiar
Thanks to Matt and Evelina for all the work you did on the loot spreadsheet. You both rock!
Thanks to GM Rennai for running a fun game. I totally understand the craziness of work so take whatever time you need.
I'm still interested in continuing playing.
Cool. I'll try to get to leveling some time tomorrow. I would definitely like to continue, this is by far the longest PbP I've been a part of and I definitely enjoy the game.
Regarding difficulty, I think part of that was probably caused by how we approached the tower. We bluffed our way out of fighting the ogre, we talked Mierul out of fighting us and we charmed Hestrig. Also, we got lucky that Madison heard Radosek casting and we interrupting the summoning. If we'd actually fought all those encounters, I'm sure it would have been a lot tougher. I'm sure there will be plenty of encounters ahead that we won't be able to weasel our way out of so easily.
Also @Cithembi: I'm thinking of having Evelina ask Cithembi to teach her sign language and dropping a background skill in Linguistics. But, before I do that I figured I should check and see if you would be interested? Also @GM: That Sign Language would be a legimate language to learn from Linguistics.
Oh, that would be cool! :) It'd be fun if we could make most of our party able to 'run silent'. :D
That would be cool! I'd be up for having Matt pick up sign language.
I think part of the problem with encounters is that so far almost all of them have been 1 against 6. No matter how tough the bbg is, that's a heck of outnumbering. Hopefully some upcoming encounters will be more gritty.
I'll look at levelling Matt up in the next day or two.
Level 4 - Yay!
<--
+9 HP (7+1Con+1fav class)
+1 BAB
+1 Fort
Rage Power: Powerful Stance
+1 CON (ability increase)
+5 skill ranks:
acrobatics
intimidate
perception
survival
knowledge,nature
Background skills:
handle animal
profession, shepherd
Leveling up.
HP +5 (+1CON, +Fav class)
BAB +1
Will +1
Ability score increase = INT
spells per day
1st +1
2nd +1
+2 spells in spellbook TBA
extra wood spells (looks like I missed this last time - entangle)
skillz 7 +2 background
*knowledge arcana
*knowledge dungeoneering
*knowledge planes
*knowledge nature
*spellcraft
*sense motive
*perception
b*linguistics -sign language
b*alchemy
+9 HP
+1 BAB
+1 Reflex
+1 Dex
Bonus Feat : Weapon Specialization (Rapier)
Skills:
+5 Skills (5 class, 1 favored): Acrobatics (1), Bluff(1), Climb(1), Diplomacy(1), Disable Device (1), Perception (1)
+2 Background Skills: Linguistics (1), Sleight of Hand (1)
I'll be back in game play tomorrow - I had another insane day today, but hopefully after this things will be back to relatively normal. (I don't know if my poor boss will be able to take much more of this, haha.)
Answering questions:
Yes, Martok, I'm okay with you shifting your stats around slightly to prioritize Wisdom if you want. I don't think it would make any impact on what has transpired already.
As far as challenge is concerned, yes, this has so far been very reliant on single creature encounters, which as Matthew pointed out can lead to overwhelming action economy. Evelina is also correct in that you guys avoided a lot of challenge by thinking your way through things, which I love but can make the fights much more simplistic. I will keep the constructive criticism in mind, though, of course.
Concerning learning sign language from Cithembi, I'm perfectly fine with anybody spending a point of linguistics to do so. It sounds like a great idea, and something that would totally make sense in character.
Any other questions I can answer?
Hmm...If the door is open to switcheroos, would you mind terribly if I swapped out Extra Panache for Dodge (and this level I would probably take Mobility instead of Weapon Specialization). I've been having a bit of buyers remorse with Extra Panache, since its pretty hard to run out of both my Panache and Mythic pool. Also, ever since I took the speed increase from my mythic power I've been kind of wanting to portray her as a mobile fighter, running and rolling around her enemies. So I have been looking down that Spring Attack tree rather longingly...
Spring attack would be sweet for you Evelina.
I would like to move a skill point I just leveled with linguistics to pick up sign language as well.
Answering questions:
Yes, Martok, I'm okay with you shifting your stats around slightly to prioritize Wisdom if you want. I don't think it would make any impact on what has transpired already.
Thank you. I'll probably move some points from STR and place them in WIS and/or DEX ('cause somebody said that my AC sucked! :)).
With Freyja going the melee route, that makes three upfront fighters so I'll take Martok the blaster/debuffer from a distance approach.
And I will NOT learn sign language. I am going to look dumb/annoyed and ask every to :)
Don't worry Martok, Maddy isn't taking sign language either because I don't think she's smart enough to realize it'll help or to pick it up that quickly - maybe next time after she sees others doing it.
Madison's CON increased this level giving her an extra bonus. Does that increase her HPs by 1 this level or does the extra bonus only kick in for subsequent levels? I guess the same question applies to her Fort save.
Answering questions:
Yes, Martok, I'm okay with you shifting your stats around slightly to prioritize Wisdom if you want. I don't think it would make any impact on what has transpired already.Thank you. I'll probably move some points from STR and place them in WIS and/or DEX ('cause somebody said that my AC sucked! :)).
With Freyja going the melee route, that makes three upfront fighters so I'll take Martok the blaster/debuffer from a distance approach.
And I will NOT learn sign language. I am going to look dumb/annoyed and ask every to :)
Arcane Duelist was sorta the original Magus and really was meant to be melee.
Sorry Cithembi hasn't had much to say here, I just haven't been able to think of how he'd try to help at present.
[And I will NOT learn sign language. I am going to look dumb/annoyed and ask every to :)
Fair enough, lol. I honestly wasn't expecting it to become a thing. I just figured I would take it to be a translator. Cithembi is gonna have a big class of students know, :p
I didn't think work could possibly get any worse. I was wrong.
Evelina, going down the spring attack tree is fine. You didn't know you were getting Mythic before you built, so it makes sense that your priorities would change slightly.
Freyja, moving a skill point is fine.
Sounds like a plan, Martok.
Madison, you get an extra hit point for every hit die you have when your Constitution increases, so it would increase retroactively. Your fortitude save would go up this level as well.
Cithembi, you're good. Sometimes a particular character just doesn't have anything to say in a particular situation. Part of it's my fault for the delay, sorry!
I understand at least a little. Had to cancel the home game I run for next week due to work issues. Its gonna be a busy month but after that things should begin to return for normal for me.
Sounds like a plan, Martok.
Done, a slightly wiser and nimbler but less strong Martok.
We are doing 15 point buy, right?
Thanks. I have made the updates.
Yes, Martok, 15-point buy.
Ok, I've finally made it to my weekend! I'll be working on a post over the next little while, and it should be up by the end of the evening (or what's evening for me here on the US West Coast). Sorry for the delay, but from here I ought to be good to go.
Glad you made it through!
Martok, from looking at the spreadsheet it looks like we have 1849.91 in coin and 3775 gp in gems/trade goods to split among the party, as well as a scroll of threefold aspect and a masterwork sword that seem to be slated for sale. There's also three oils of mask dweomer, a scroll of animate objects, a robe of useful items, and a tree feather token that haven't been claimed by anyone in particular yet, so if those are sold it will adjust everyone's shares as well.
Let's see... of what we found, these are the things it seems like we might want to keep:
Two flasks of acid, three flasks of alchemist’s fire, two pinches of flash powder, three flasks of liquid ice, three smokesticks (each a different color), a sunrod, two tanglefoot bags, three thunderstones, 15 tindertwigs in a silver canister (worth 50 gp), and three applications of cold iron weapon blanch.
500 gp
the spriggan's waffle iron, which turns out to be mithril! (I always th ought it was funny they bothered to stat mithril waffle irons in Ultimate Equipment)
three quivers of cold iron arrows.
Freyja could cast the scroll of Animate Objects as its on the Bard list, but it might be better to sell it. She will carry it for now. She would like the tree feather token if no one is going to claim it as well. All sorts of potential uses with it. She would be glad to pay for the token out of her share.
For anyone who might be interested, another PbP pal of mine is starting up a run of Dragon's Demand, and we find ourselves in need of one more adventurer. The group is actually mostly composed of players from the very first module I ran (and completed!) here on the boards, and they're good people and great roleplayers. (Fabian knows them well!) If you'd like to join in, check out the discussion thread here.
Hey. Just an fyi, I'll be on vacation starting Tuesday, til next Tuesday (Aug 8-15). I'll probably have some opportunities to post, but feel free to skip or bot me as necessary.
I thought I'd point out that Cithembi has the Guiding Star revelation:
Guiding Star (Su): Whenever you can see the open sky at night, you can determine your precise location. When the night sky is visible to you, you may also add your Charisma modifier to your Wisdom modifier on all Wisdom-based checks. In addition, once per night while outdoors, you can cast one spell as if it were modified by the Empower Spell, Extend Spell, Silent Spell, or Still spell feat without increasing the spell's casting time or level.
It doesn't really matter right now, but the 'determine your precise location' thing may come up in the future, so I thought I'd make sure you knew he could do it. :D
@Matt: Haven't had a lot of time to post and not great cell service here. Definitely want to respond to the RP you put out, might jus be a bit delay.
@GM: As before, feel free to bot or skip me if we land in combat.
Of course. I've just had (another) weird work night that kept me from posting - I'm not waiting specifically on you, Evelina, although if it works out that it gives you a chance to respond it's a happy accident. ;)
I'm trying to write a post, but the site's having weird latency issues. (Apparently the morning's maintenance is well-timed.) If I don't get a post in tonight, that's why.
I believe color spray works on swarms, as long as the base creature isn't immune to mind affecting. Not so sure about Burning Arc though, because it targets specific enemies.
Right, good point, I forgot about that. I'll switch to burning hands instead.
Evelina is correct - color spray works because it affects an area and not specific enemies. Burning arc would not work, since it specifies a number of targets - since you're using mythic power, might I suggest flaming sphere? Same level, you can conjure it where you are and step back to get around blindness, and you can step back to avoid taking damage. Fire breath would work, too.
Well this is weird. Being in a different time zone means I am actually awake when you two are posting... ;)
I'm also posting remarkably early for me. ;)
Ooh, I'd forgotten about fire breath. I gotta say, I LOVE having these mythic points as a spellcaster. So many spells to chose from!