Here's the discussion thread, as promised. Go nuts, guys. Hopefully we can be happy with our character choices by Friday. :)
Now, while we iron out our characters I thought I might get your two cents on how we should run this game.
How do you feel about using maps in combat? I currently play in a game where the GM posts screenshots of a maptools file over twitter. I'm a huge fan of all the vision and light options avaliable in maptools (though I find it's a little buggy in actual gameplay.)
Alternatively, we can do away with the grid entirely. I've played in a few games like this, and all in all it works, but can make combat a little less exciting.
What would your preferences be?
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No problems there, godsDMit. I'll be heading out tonight, and heading up to Bathurst in a day or two for New Years. I'll probably try and kick things off once I get back, so any time before then is fine.
Lohrgan checking in. Everything ought to be in order.
As far as posting goes, I don't think I can view Twitter from China. I often run mapless combats in my RL games, but in PbPs, I usually find that too many questions come up about placement, and unlike in a face to face game, they can't always be answered right away.
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Im pretty sure I cant access Twitter from my work PC, and I dont have a personal account, nor do I really want one. However, if that is the way you decide to go, I'll set one up for myself, though someone will probably have to explain it to me.
Also, I have a smartphone (Samsung Stratosphere), so I can check from my phone if nothing else.
Derp, I meant to say Flikr there. I actually corrected it too, I must have changed it back.
You make a good point there, Martin. I think I'll run with the maps. I'd ask that everybody sign up to Flikr, unless anybody knows a good alternative image hosting site? I believe Flikr can be private, which saves me from any copywrite trouble... but with a PbP the images need only stay up for a few days at a time, so somewhere else should work just as well.
I'm not too familiar with Flikr myself, only having used it for a few weeks of Second Darkness. I should be able to decipher it easily enough.
I should be able to post from my smartphone while I'm away if anybody has any questions.
Looks like my Wizard will be heading for Loremaster instead of Cyphermage, then. Cool beans.
I'm thinking of switching races to Half-Elf. I haven't played one in ages, and I like the outcast element. Since we're sticking to Core, I'm guessing the Alternate Racial Traits are out of the question?
I'd rather stick with core + traits for now. Fluffy feats such as Breadth of Experience, Cosmopoliton and Cypher Script are all free game, though.
It seems any nay-saying I do needs to be followed up with more nay-saying to put everybody on the same page. I'm caught in a vicious cycle, it seems. Now I know how my GM must feel. :/
I'll check into the Flkr thing...might actually have an account and just not know it. Glad we decided to do maps. I'm in (dropping) one game with no maps and it's terribly frustrating. If the privacy/copywrite thing works out, that's awesome. Exactly what I been looking for to get my own PbP game back up and running.
I'm thinking "rich parents" as my non campaign trait. I know some people have issue with it, so I just wanted to check before I assumed. Not sure what all I'll spend it on, beyond a master work club (read ornate walking cane), but it just seemed to fit.
With your backstory, its more than appropriate. Go nuts, Qualin.
Have you considered when you want to take up magic? I'm thinking a fellow PC could tutor you, if you and Psionic Fox are interested?
I've set up a private group. Drop me your usernames and I should be able to give you an invite. If theres any problems accessing Flikr I'll find an alternative.
Edit:Flikr! Not twitter! Confound it why must everything sound the same? (This is getting embarassing. :P)
Thanks for clearing up my confusion. I will make a flickr account in a little bit. What do you think of the changes Twig?
I have a Flickr account (PsionicFox), and I turned my Wizard into a woman.
She is now a Female Half-Elf Transmuter by the name of Valeria Corlas.
I am also the proud owner of a flickr account. Name is Rohan Drake.
Checking in, thanks for picking me!
I don't have a flickr account (or twitter for that matter), I'll look into creating one later today. In the PbPs I've been to date people tended to use Google Docs spreadsheets for tactical maps, seemed to work OK.
As for the character, I'll think about remaking him into a core cleric, but then I probably wouldn't want a prestige class. Although I have to get to level 8 first :) So in the end, did we end up with the elite arrays or 15 point buys?
I'll take your Traveler campaign trait.
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Another question for ya, Twigs. Are we allowed to buy any of the equipment of Varisia as listed in the Player's Guide? I was looking through it, and the Klar would fit Zavac's style a bit more than a shortsword and buckler. It's essentially the same thing but combined. I'm also interested in a reinforced scarf. Lemme know whatcha think.
15 point buy was the go. I believe Drake and martin's characters are built on it.
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The Elite array is just a method of building with the 15-point buy.
I have to ask, do we have a dedicated blaster? One of the main reasons I took Greed (Transmutation), is that it grants me access to Conjuration, Transmutation, and Evocation. I plan on her being a buffer and controller, with the odd blasting trick up her sleeve (which could be handled with UMD, to be honest).
So I'm looking for suggestions on what School to take.
At the moment it's a toss up between Greed (Transmutation)-Current, Sloth (Conjuration), or Envy (Abjuration). I like Enchantment, but losing both Conjuration and Transmutation isn't cool with me.
Thoughts?
Alright, I should have a working Flicker page now, under the moniker of "Lorebane24"
As far as having a blaster goes, I don't think we'll miss one overmuch in a party with 6 PCs. It's nice to have the odd fireball available, but I've always been of the opinion that battlefield control is more valuble.
My forum nickname was taken on Flickr, so I've set up a page as Vadim Hesin.
Flikr handle is GMFraust
Were I to apprentice under Psionic Fox/Valeria would I need to also be a Thassilon specialist, and if so would I need to specialize in the same school? Not an issue either way, just curious. Regardless, I think learning from another party member (rather than just sprouting magical abilities at random) is a very cool idea. I'm thinking of going three levels of rogue before picking up wizard, so 4th level is the loose plan.
As for dedicated blaster, I'm with martinaj. Especially with six people I think we'll be alright. As we go up I would look into (and plan on doing likewise) getting some scrolls and maybe wands to cover area damage.
Yea, I think we'll be fine. If we really need some AOE damage, like for swarms or something, I'll have something for it. I like Conjuration actually. Its just so versatile.
godsDMit reporting for duty.
I wasnt sure when you said 'campaign trait' if you meant one of the ones you made or one of the ones listed on the page you linked to, so I went with one you made.
Also I went with avg starting gold, since I didnt see where you had said otherwise. Please let me know if you need me to change anything or want to know my reasoning behind any choices.
Edit: So I need to make a Flickr account AND a Twitter account, or just one of the two?
@Akrem: Just a Flickr account. And then tell Twigs your screen name.
And it looks like I'll go a-conjuring then. Which is fun. My UMD will cover any blasting I need to do.
EDIT: @Qualin: She teaches you how magic works. And while it would be interesting if Qualin was also a Thassilonian Specialist (who are totally badass), I don't think it would be a requirement. Let alone needing to possess the same speciality.
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All these Humans...my Elf is gunna find this interesting. Heh.
Anyway, I updated my character. Added his background, personality, and appearance. Was thinking of going for the Eldritch Knight, but it looks like we have enough casters, especially if Qualin's picking it up, too. What does everyone think? I'd like to give it a try, but I don't wanna be stepping on anyone's toes, or depriving us of a full-melee character.
Also, in case ya missed it earlier, Twigs, Flickr account is Zavac.
EDIT: @ Valeria: What's your character's background? Zavac has developed a harsh view of the Elven race, so he'll either really like you for denying that aspect of your heritage, or really dislike you for embracing it. Just curious; trying to figure out group dynamics.
EDIT 2: On second thought, Eldritch Knight wouldn't fit my character's TWF very well, unless I spend a feat on Quick Draw. Think I'll just stick with Fighter.
Valeria is a Half-Elf. So they can talk privately, should you so desire.
I don't think Eldritch Knight would be a problem. Since we have a Barbarian and a Ranger, we'll have full BAB's out the wazoo. The good part is that with lots of magical power floating around, I won't need to spend much effort buffing the group (once people start seriously casting spells).
It looks like we have the following (listed in order of posting here):
Zavac - Fighter (TWF)
Akrem - Ranger (Ranged style?)
Lohrgan - Barbarian (TWF)
Valeria - Conjuror/(Eventual) Loremaster (Battlefield Control)
Qualin - Rogue/Wizard/Arcane Trickster (Unknown combat style)
Rohan - Sorcerer (Blaster Role)
Boiko - Cleric (Party Buff Role?)
With seven players, we have enough variety for an additional (partial) spellcaster to really not be a problem. Except for when it comes to competing on items. But we can sort that out when the time comes.
EDIT: @Zavac: Since most elves don't accept her, she doesn't accept them in return. She's spent much more time focused on her human side, and human history (Thassilon in particular).
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Hmm...well, if I do, it'll probably be Wizard, as my Cha is crap. And defiantly going Gish-style, magic concentrating on self-buffs, maybe with a couple blast thrown in for fun. And if I do, then I guess I could go Sorc. It's not like I'll need the DC saves. The only problem with EKnight is dedicating the next 5lvls to *enter caster here*...then again, I think it'll be fun. (I'm so indecisive when creating characters...)
EDIT: @ Valeria: alrighty. sounds like there'll be some interesting dialogue between the two characters.
Nothing says you have to lock it in stone right now.
See how the game pans out, and then make a judgement call.
Yes, I'm doing ranged.
Flickr account username is TheDisturbed1.
Do we have anyone who is going to be capable of handling social skills? I'm usually eager to take on the role myself, but it's not really this character's forte.
If anyone were going to multiclass at this point, I think the best option in a party of this size would be something capable of taking the burden off of our healer.
To our GM, and I understand if you'd rather not answer this, but I was wondering how the adventure would be adapted to fit a party of this size? Will there be mostly be more enemies, or will the existing enemies just be made tougher?
Also, will the swim skill really come into play much? I know it's unusual for a barbarian, but I was thinking of dropping it in favor of Knowledge (The Planes) to reflect his prior encounters with demons.
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That's a good point, Lohrgan. I could multiclass into Bard for the EKnight, bumping up my Cha and taking cure spells along the way for emergencies, and simultaneously becoming the "face". I could go Sing rather than an instrument, just to make use of my TWF. (as ya'll can see, I'm willing to change my character around for the betterment of the group if need be) Thoughts?
Well, I originally proposed a bard, and went rogue as I was one of three. Last I checked, none of us actually ended up as a bard, so I'd be down for switching back to the original idea, which would give us a face, and someone who can throw out a few cure spells here and there.
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For me, I think it would make for interesting character development on my part. A cast-out Elf, who's cold to the world, slowly becoming immersed in open-mindedness and acceptance. I might switch to Half-Elf, too, just to make the cast-out feel even more so (and to get multiclass). But if you, Qualin, would rather roll a bard, that's fine by me. We WOULD lose our Rogue, though. I'm not over opposed to losing a Rogue in favor of getting more heals, but traps may be a bit of a problem.
My only issue about changing my character concept is that I would feel that I jipped Lohrgan of his original character design. Aside from that, I'm down for a change.
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Qualin, if you want to play a bard, Im all for it. Bard's can have some trap fixing skills, so we ought to be good, as long as we have at least a few people with a decent Perception score.
Im sitting at 10 Wisdom right now, but when the option presents itself, I am going to try to get an item to boost that, and roleplay the newfound magical abilties (assuming Im level 4+ by then) as the item in question feels as if it allows him to focus better during prayer or something like that.
I'd be all for including a bard in the group. Uplifting songs, tricksy enchantments, and social pwnage? Yes please.
My one reservation would be that rogues are the sole class in the game that are capable of disarming magical traps. I guess there are a few work around (bypassing magic traps when we find them, or just nuking them with dispel magic), but I'm not knowledgeable enough about trapfinding to know what would or would not be viable.
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Not having a rogue in a party this size would not be a good move on our part, at least if we're wanting to max out what the party can do, simply for the traps. I ran a 5-man group with no rogue, and they got pwnd by just about every trap, magical or not, so I'd say stick with the rogue. If we're really wanting a bard, I'll go ahead and set it up to crossclass next level as a battle-bard. I'm not sure how trap-heavy this campaign is going to be, though, so we might be fine without a rogue. I'll leave the call up to Qualin, and do whatever needs to be done on my side. Akrem will gain access to heal spells, but not until 7th lvl.
Zavac - Fighter (TWF)
Akrem - Ranger (Ranged style?)
Lohrgan - Barbarian (TWF)
Valeria - Conjuror/(Eventual) Loremaster (Battlefield Control)
Qualin - Rogue/Wizard/Arcane Trickster (Unknown combat style)
Rohan - Sorcerer (Blaster Role)
Boiko - Cleric (Party Buff Role?)
Hate to break it to you, but blasting is only my secondary thing. I'm a melee sorceror who will eventually be a dragon disciple. Most of my spells will be self/party buffs, but I will have a few blasting spells for when we need it(like for swarms). I also think having a bard in the party would be awesome.
Having as many casters as we do, I doubt I'll be to primary source of information in this venue, but I'm going to go ahead and swap out my ranks in Swim for ranks in Knowledge (The Planes). I don't think there are any large bodies of water in Mendev.
Hey guys, glad to see so much work done while I was away. This poor GM was dragged mercilesly through our enormous IKEA (the main slog is something like 3km).
The current plan is to increase the size (rather than the strength) of most of the encounters. This not only throws more loot your way, but makes the battles more dynamic. I also plan to run things a bit more mercilessly. I'll be making an effort to have my monsters move around the dungeons, making the encounters reactive rather than room-by-room affairs. I'm also hoping to make some changes to the treasure distribution, mostly on the fly.
As for the Swim skill, I can think of a single instance in the first adventure that the skill is used (and in an optional encounter). You'll have more than enough chances to drop a rank in it for the class skill bonus down the track.
As it stands I think the current group composition is fantastic. I see an overabundance of arcane casters, so I dont think adding more would fill any gaps. Inspire courage, sneak attack and trap spotter would all be a great boon, so its really your call. As for Zavac, I always find the more frontliners a group has the more successful it is. I'd say a straight fighter would get the most bang for your buck.
I'll get to making that Flikr group right away! (Or at least once I manage to fight my Arkham City addiction)
As for the "party face", if each group member could invest a few ranks in a social skill over the coming levels, I think you'll find aid another goes a long way. (And indeed, most of the more diplomatic people are of low level and low charisma.) Its your call though, folks.
Given I have the night off I'll be making notes of all of your backstories tonight. I'll stick around to help with any questions.
Flikr invites sent! I'll be using the group as a way to share maps, chiefly. Much of the art I could upload is already scattered throughout the net, so I'll probably just link directly to the images.
As for when we start... I'll be going away for the weekend so as soon as I get back I'll boot the game up. We COULD concievably start now, but I'd end up leaving you guys hanging before we could get anywhere. ^^