No problems, I can read in on my mobile or from home, but Dropbox is blocked at work so if I had to look anything up I had to pull a leg with the phone and stuff, so drive would make things easier for me.
Thanks :-)
A thought--an easy excuse for Drekisal to make contacts with some of the other camps would be barter. It's pretty common for military outfits to have too much of one thing and too little of another, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's a bit of trading back and forth between the different camps. As quartermaster it would make sense for Drekisal to look for opportunities to do this, which would give him reason to contact the other camps.
In plain text - what if we laced something appropriately Merry in antivenom and presented on some Merry ritual, similar to cristian communion?
"Oh look at our mighty God that can save you from mantid poison!"
Or something. We'll have to ensure an ample supply of antivenom if we are going this way though.
Maybe make it so she appreciates trophies from her faithful? With just some of the favoured bits being what we need!
Of course divine deception always have the chance to backfire spectacularly. Thoughts :-)?
Personally, I like that plan, but it may be hard to make Gork understand and accept to play along with such a fraud.
Plus, ... I fear what might happen if it is uncovered eventually...
Maybe plant some rumours about Marry-blessinhs that increase the effect of the antidote?
That is something rather obscure and subjective but may still be enough to swing around some hunters who want to reduce risk as much as possible...?
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I do worry if the deception will be uncovered; plus, we'll be coming into contact with several people who will be much too clever to believe it is some sort of God's power. I mean, let's be real; if we do this, we do this for the rest of the game, and if another Priest of Merry comes along and can't replicate our feat, what do we do? I can't see guys like Dax Jerria or Lorri Longstalking being convinced by this, even though I do admit it would probably be effective against everyone here (Iri the possible exception).
I'm going to vote against it, just because I don't think it's a good enough deception to go for the long haul.
P.S. If Kulwa Stonebreaker is really a blowhard trying to muster everyone under his rule, do we really want Kulwa trying to ride our coattails as High Prist of MErry? Oh, no
Drekisal is not a fan of using religion for deception. It's too hard to fool gods.
I was thinking of Gork as the high priest. And maybe Merry would be onboard, depending on how we frame it. It's helping after all :-)
But yeah it would be a long con. Risky of course but the immediate pay-off could be worth it.
But let's go with the group consensus :-)
There's now a document called 'Go Forth Tracking' in the dropbox folder, it will contain our calendar, loots lists, list of people you know, and other info.
Also Gork, we may have a problem with using Google Docs - THAT may be blocked at MY work. I'll verify that, but if we end up using both just know that the docs one is more likely to be out of date than the Dropbox one at any given time.
For the sake of convenience, I'm currently treating Eldreon as having a year of exactly 360 days, 24-hour days. We'll be using a calendar of 12 30-day months. Month names are in the calendar (just basic descriptors based on the time of year). You can treat these as a placeholder for proper cultural month names if you want.
I will also be trying to keep certain important quick-reference details about the time of the year (and day) under the Campaign Info Tab.
Could everyone post the stats of their mount, or at least what kind of animal it was? I'm going to stick a quick-reference for their saves and AC and such into the campaign info for myself.
A Yak!
Still not sure what stats it have though :P
We never finalized what the stats for a yak were, just that the cost was the same as a heavy horse. Is there a stat block you'd like to use for Yaks? There seem like a couple options. The simplest might be to just treat them as re-flavored horses unless someone starts to want to do something special with one.
Ah, yes. The Yak Question. I'll do something on that and have an answer for you yakriders tonight.
I actually have the dog's stats in Drekisal's profile! He's even named him, even though Drekisal doesn't really like the dog.
Fljotur, riding dog
N Medium animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 13 (2d8+4)
Fort +5, Ref +5, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d6+3 plus trip)
STATISTICS
Str 15, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +3; CMD 15 (19 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +6 (+14 jumping), Perception +8, Survival +1 (+5 scent tracking); Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics when jumping, +4 Survival when tracking by scent
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Light Riding Horse CR 1
XP 400
N Large animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
DEFENSE
AC 11, touch 11, flat-footed 9 (+2 Dex, –1 size)
hp 15 (2d8+6)
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft.
Melee 2 hooves –2 (1d4+1)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 16, Dex 14, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 7
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 17 (21 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Run
Skills Perception +6
SQ docile
There's a link in his description, as well. I paid for the combat training, just couldnt find a seperate sheet. Basically, no docile, and it's all the same!
Also, sorry for not getting a post up! My roommate caught sick, so I spent the night making certain he didnt die
Ham's crunch is in my profile as well.
@Yak - using the same stats might be easiest yeah. Maybe swap the hooves for a gore just to be a bit more yak-y.
@Divination - Jhaelwyn has Sense Prey which is basically Detect Undead but faster and against things her implements are currently made of. That's Animals, Abberations & Humanoid (Human).
While the spell like is free to use it's only a 60' cone that lasts 1 round (but gives full info). So unless we find some other clues using it always means we would go very slowly!
But if we get to the point where "there's probably Mantids around" Jhaelwyn can check :-)
Yes, Jhaelwyn has struck upon basically where my mind is. We'll use the heavy horse stat block almost entirely, but switch out the bite attack for a gore attack (+5, 1d6+5 damage).
Also, the Yak will not have the Run feat. So, it's slower but just a tad more dangerous.
Also, look at this fluffy riding yak.
Cute!
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Anyone seen Cuneo lately?
Indeed not, but that was half-expected as a newcomer to the forums. I picked a larger group so that we can keep going comfortably even if we have a couple of drops.
If he comes back relatively soon we can fold him back in without a hitch, but if it takes too long we'll simply treat it as if he were never here - easier than trying to retcon a character death or departure.
As far as riding order, Surtur in the lead, but who comes after that? I imagine the NPC warriors are bringing up the rear?
Surtur's character sheet is linked to by the Homepage URL section of his profile. His Knowledge: Geography is +4 (I've also got a rank in it, but my modifier is just +3, should that matter.)
I think that the riding order was Surtur up top, Gork in the back, Drekisal and Histrok in the middle, Jhalewyn, Cuneo and his cat to the sides. I don't know how Surtur planned on mixing the warriors in with that, I imagine in the middle, but the rear (behind Sir Gork) would make sense as well. He can clarify what he had in mind.
Histrok will also cast Guidance to give a +1 bonus to skills for anyone making knowledge (or any other) checks if there's a chance for Histrok to know when to do it. Perception for surprise clearly is something that won't help with.
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Sorry DM! Like Histrok said, there is a link to my character sheet in the Homepage URL section- I just added a link to the About Surtur section, to stave off any further confusion.
As for formation, here's the quote
I'd like a staggered box formation,
Basically, 5- man groups, ours a 6 group. For our square (the lead box), you have Surtur in front, Sir Gork four paces behind. Two paces behind Surtur and in front of Sir Gork, two paces to the left, you have Jhaelwyn. Two paces down and to the right of Surtur, you've Cuneo. Two squares behind, one to the left, we'll place Histrok; right next to him, Drekisal.
The staggered box means that there will be another box of guys, in the same formation (but with one less number, so directly behind the lead man). The lead man for this box will be two paces back and four paces to the right of Sir Gork. The next box will be directly behind our box, so four paces to the left of the follow man and two paces behind, until you've got every person. Does that make sense?
Ah hah, thanks! I knew some people were doing that but I was in a hurry to get SOME kind of post up yesterday. Gotta start building some momentum here!
And yes, I have a fairly clear picture of the formation now, thanks.
I'm gonna be trying to push our pace along to make up for the rocky start, so I'll DMPC Surtur when necessary. Other people's absences will largely be skated over without notice, but the leader kinda calls the shots.
Surtur, when you do post again it might be good to appoint a second-in-command (player and character) who can make decisions for the party when you can't post. Histrok seems an obvious choice.
Been a busy day at work, I'll make sure to post this evening.
Urim as a potential militia/army commander should we get a kingdom going continues to strike me as a good move. That was an encounter with a reasonable, ambitious person without apparent specific plans beyond a major trophy.
Drekisal is suspicious of everyone. :D
Including, and especially, Drekisal :P
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So he's either a trophy hunter or a cunning mastermind disguising himself as a trophy hunter. And seeing as the later is sorta our trick ...
It'll be interesting to see how things turn out : )
Seeing as their is the possibility for combat soon-ish, I should get a standing watch order from you guys (looked back a ways and didn't find one). The soldiers are of course available to help stand watch. I'll have their exact stats and behaviors for you soon (see below).
It's also up to Surtur to decide exactly what kind of watch schedule you guys will have. Note that I'll be fairly strict on the 'spellcasters need 8+1 hours to refresh spells' rules in this campaign!
Furthermore, I've been nailing down how your soldier escort will work in combat. I've decided that keeping them as a single ten-person unit is too clumsy for anything but true mass combat, so I'm going to split them up into a pair of five-man units for these early battles where they're present and to have a framework in place for when that sort of resolution is necessary. I'll have the details of how they'll behave in combat written up hopefully before the weekend.
Surtur, remind me what 'style' you chose for them? Was it the 'melee and ranged' combined?
Drekisal will sleep the whole night through unless someone has a compelling reason for him not to, given he's a spellcaster. Also not really into camping.
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Furthermore, I've been nailing down how your soldier escort will work in combat. I've decided that keeping them as a single ten-person unit is too clumsy for anything but true mass combat, so I'm going to split them up into a pair of five-man units for these early battles where they're present and to have a framework in place for when that sort of resolution is necessary. I'll have the details of how they'll behave in combat written up hopefully before the weekend.
That's actually perfect, since I had detailed having them move in 5- man cohorts anyways.
Also, I did pick the "mixed" option. Give them some versatility!
It's also up to Surtur to decide exactly what kind of watch schedule you guys will have. Note that I'll be fairly strict on the 'spellcasters need 8+1 hours to refresh spells' rules in this campaign!
Drekisal IS the watch. The only watch. He has darkvision, he'll be fine haha!
Ok, in all seriousness, Drekisal, Histrok, Jhaelwyn, and surprisingly Sir Gork (surprising to me, because I forgot) all have spells and thus need their beauty rest, so they're off the list.
Guess that leaves:
1st Watch: Surtur+2 men
2nd Watch: 3 Random men
3rd Watch: 3 Random men
4th Watch: 3 Random men
5th Watch: Surtur+2 men
Yes, that means that Surtur + 3 of our guys are only getting 6 hours of rest- but I think I'd rather a 3- person watch than a 2- person watch (yall can debate that). That sound good to you, GM?
If we assume 10h rest/camping we can put the casters at the first or last watch.
Divine Casters typically don't need to rest (see spoiler). And Psychic Casters haven't been graced with actual regain-spell rules from what I can see so I guess Jhaelwyn is screwed ...^^
A divine spellcaster chooses and prepares spells ahead of time, but unlike a wizard, does not require a period of rest to prepare spells. Instead, the character chooses a particular time of day to pray and receive spells. The time is usually associated with some daily event. If some event prevents a character from praying at the proper time, she must do so as soon as possible. If the character does not stop to pray for spells at the first opportunity, she must wait until the next day to prepare spells.
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I thought GM Mercy had said to treat Jhaelwym as if she were an arcane caster? Either way, with updated schedules
1st Watch: Drekisal+Sir Gork+ 1 man
2nd Watch: 3 Random men
3rd Watch: 3 random men
4th Watch: 3 random men
5th Watch: Surtur+Histrok
Thank you Jhaelwyn for pointing out the rules about divine casters!
So I actually have the hour before Dawn listed as the time I spend an hour in contemplation to get my spells back. I'd be less useful on watch then, but could do another time easily enough.
We could swap around 1&5 if you like.
I had imagined Gork doing his praying at sunset.
Yes that's what mercy said. And I hope we are not actually going to go with "lol no spells for you!"^^
Treat as arcane was the suggested fix I found while googling as well.
I thought we would just switch histrok and myself.
So we have a castery and fightery one in each couple.
Yes, treat as arcane for Jhaelwyn. Also, had completely forgotten that divine casters don't technically need to rest to regain their spells!
Ah, I'd thought that was only clerics and paladins. Didn't know it applied to oracles, too.
So if each watch is a 2h block, Jhaelwyn could take either the first or last shift. Works well with low-light vision too : )
Wouldn't mind the first shift really so she can wander around a bit ...
Do you want me to cast fly on you so you can do some areal scouting early in the camping process? It only lasts 5 minutes, but you could take a look around.
Anyone have any questions they'd like to ask the spirits before our first likely battle tomorrow? It doesn't need to be about the battle itself. If Jhaelwyn has any questions about her encounter with Urim's hunter that might help us that might be an option (assume she's interested in sharing the information with Histrok.)
Hmm. I did try to spark that conversation a bit earlier, but it might have been premature. So yeah let's assume that she shared whatever she found out : )
Edit: Feel free to take a look at the elvish-spoilers if you haven't; Jhaelwyn would share that I think. Especially since she can't really make heads or tails about this person by herself.
As for actual questions. Hmm.
"Was that his real appearance?" (or an human-shape illusion/disguise for some reason?)
"Would he be hostile towards the dragons influence?" (probably yes; but asking doesn't hurt. If the dragon is paranoid enough he could be a test of sort ...)
"Does he hold sway over Urim?" (to determine if he is important or not; or if he is more then he seems!)
So the divination can provide a useful piece of advice in reply to a question concerning a specific goal, event, or activity that is to occur within 1 week. I could ask about how our interactions with the elven-heritage hunter might go (or lack thereof,) but I need to frame the question in terms of how we're acting, and they're short term-ish, so I might work some of them into the future questions (I get one each day.) Asking if ignoring the interaction that Jhaelwyn had will harm the party is probably legitimate. Asking if Urim is likely to change his opinions if we lobby the hunter might work. The world is sort of our oyster here, but it's got a one week expiration date, so trying to figure out long term plans is trickier for now, and we have to ask about how we're going to eat the oyster and how that will go (to torture a metaphor.)
Let's try to sort out how to ask those in the coming days I guess (unless we think that it will effect how tomorrow goes.) And I should have been using detect magic for most of the time we were in the camp to answer some of those (like the disguise ones,) but apparently didn't think about it. Seems I'm not quite so suspicious as Histrok would have been, my bad.
For tomorrow, I can ask if heading directly towards the nest is a good idea (the answer will be no.) I could ask if waiting until the middle of the day would be helpful (I don't know what the answer would be, but I don't expect it to be an obvious yes.) If there's something more specific we don't know about the fight that could matter I'm happy to ask about it. I could maybe try to ask if attempting more than one mantid battle tomorrow is wise, though that depends so much on how the first goes that I don't expect a useful answer.
So far, based on the times I've used the ability till now, I know that mounts might or might not get in the way (which makes sense,) that we're better served by Sir Gork holding ceremonies to honor Merry and letting those who come come, rather than proselytizing, that how we talk to Urim's party will determine how that interaction goes (unsurprising,) and that going after the half giant should be done after we've done something of note (hunting the mantids now should be that.) Or I've read the answers incorrectly.
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The question I think I'm wondering is if it would be a good idea to use the mantid poison cure tomorrow after the fight. On the one hand, I think it might be a great idea to never have been affected by mantid poison, which will increase of legendary status. However, there are probably some unforeseen consequences I'm overlooking here, so I'd like to try and ferret those out beforehand. Does that make sense?