Welcome aboard everyone.
Feel free to say your hellos and make any last minute changes to your characters, now that you know the content of the rest of the party.
GM Notes:
- Reminder, no giant exposition heavy posts, or inner monologue please.
- Diamond Lake is small (pop. ~1000), so all your characters should be aware of each other, at the very least, and some of them could even be friends, though I'll leave that to you.
- For combat, I'll do individual initiative and I'll roll and post the action order. I'll also recap each round before beginning the next.
- Unless someone has an issue with me doing so, I'll just roll save/skill checks for people when it makes to do. Basically, just to eliminate cases of you wanting to do something, me asking for a roll, you posting the roll, then me explaining the outcome. If I just make the roll, it speeds things up.
- I'm not a fun > everything else GM. I want everyone to have fun, but I generally don't bend rules and never fudge dice rolls to make it so. I'm not a fan of TPKs, but wont stop one from happening. Also, while none of the encounters in this AP are designed to be unbeatable, a number are quite unforgiving. Especially at low levels, you'll never be more that couple of big hits or a confirmed crit away from oblivion.
Anyways, I think that is enough for now. Gameplay thread is open for dotting, and let's see if this party will be able to stop the end of the world.
Gulp...
Thanks for the invite. I am looking forward to gaming with you all.
Looking forward to it too folks
Did you all want to start tying our backgrounds together? Those from diamond lake would probably know of each other if not be friends. Pavo has worked at the Emporium since he was 10 and considers the Emporium employees to be his friends and family. Any one who has visited the Emporium would probably have seen Pavo's acrobatics act and know that he is an alright escape artist.
Thanks for the invite, ready to go.
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Lucid here. Halfing conjurer and general wizard. His family has worked the mines for many generations where small stature has value. But Lucid, while proficient, is an unhappy miner at best and wants more out of life. He has never set foot out of the area but is ready for more out of life.
He likely knows Pavo even though he does not frequent the Emporium often, but likely does not Ramos. If Sverrir works as a local smith then Lucid would know him for sure. And Lucid and Markus likely are neighbors and friends. They might have even grown up together, and worked shifts at the mine together.
When he was younger, Markus may have done a stint of "bouncing/security" at the Emporium. He doesn't turn his nose up to the Emporium, he's not a snob.
He's much more sensible now, enjoying reading about historical battles, far off places, languages and exotic weaponry (he uses a fauchard). He lets his mind wander.
He can be found spending a lot of time with Allustan, attending to his library or couriering some tome, scrolls, etc... back and forth. In the company of Lucid the Wizard, too. Perhaps as mentioned, in the mines with Lucid as youths.
He probably reads to children on some street (or at a church), at some designated time... educating the masses as it were.
He's quite the even keel and bring fellow, until you see him in action... in a scuffle.
Knowledges would bring him into most people's spheres... Know (arcana), Know (geography), Know (local), Know (religion), Linguistics, Survival. He's not a recluse.
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Hmm. If Markus and Lucid did grow up together they would have shared a love of books and learning which would have set them apart from many of their piers. And being small Lucid would have been picked on and ended up at the end of many jokes. Maybe Markus took up for his smaller, bookish friend now and again.
Hmm. If Markus and Lucid did grow up together they would have shared a love of books and learning which would have set them apart from many of their piers. And being small Lucid would have been picked on and ended up at the end of many jokes. Maybe Markus took up for his smaller, bookish friend now and again.
Perfect. Also edited my previous post to reflect your original.
Here's a little on Sverrïr Koltǫnn:
Sverrïr is a wayward son; the last blood member of the forlorn mining clan of Koltǫnn. The once prosperous mining outfit have been beset by blighted luck and misfortune... misfortune that took their good name and standing and the lives of both Sverrïr's father and older brother.
Nicknamed "Koltǫnn the Lesser" and "Kegbane" by patronising locals of Diamond Lake, he is both short (and stocky) for a dwur and carries the scars, tattoos and tools of a life wasted. The young dwarf who was once a promising son of a mining magnate has lost his veneer of culture and proud history. Sverrïr veers between melacholy pity and anger at himself, his dead brother and the gods themselves for his ill fortune.
His mother died giving birth to him and thus he has no family to speak of left. The last of the Koltǫnn sees himself ill fated from birth; accursed and forsaken by the gods. So he hides in cups and the numbing haze of alchohol... but knows he can be more, as he once was... and perhaps a chance at redemption; for himself and his name, will be found...
Anyone who was involved in mining would have, at the least known the tragic story of Clan Koltǫnn and the whispered rumours that they are accursed, victims of the mining cartel or ruined by the drunken younger son.
Sverrïr is a familiar figure haunting the local taphouses, but is also know to be a brawler and bitter dwur... However before his fall from grace he was a promising miner and businessman; as such he may well have came across both Markus and Lucid as peers to consult for knowledge? If so the difference between the Sverrïr of old and this one is a marked one...
Pavo and Markus, if you both worked at The Emporium then I am sure you would have seen Ramos there frequently.
Hey folks
Glad to see you tying your PC's together.
Just to clarify, the Emporium might be a tavern/freak show/whorehouse/opium den, but it's a nice tavern/freak show/whorehouse/opium den, cover charge to get in, dress code and all that. It's attended by the upper crust, such that there is, of Diamond Lake. It's not snooty, but the average miner won't be going there.
Had a thought, PC's from mining families might have had family members that worked the Koltǫnn mine before it shut down. Maybe Sverrïr has some guilt about all those people losing their jobs?
Also, we are six for this campaign, we're waiting on another cleric.
Though he doesn't feel too close to his true parents, Pavo's real father was a destitute miner and could have been a former employee of the Koltonn mine before it closed down.
With Markus, I can see a few connections forming. With the age difference, Pavo might have looked up to Marcus as a role model and, when he left, might have inspired Pavo to start looking for a different life.
Hi all, just checking in - I'll have my alias and relevant info updated and ready to go in a few hours.
My alias for Khyrn Lossen has been created. I still need to upload his full background, and finish his equipment purchases. I will have all of that updated later tonight or tomorrow.
Welcome!
Sorry I'm slacking... need to finish up gear.
@Pavo - being looked up to is cool, hope Markus can keep earning the admiration!
Cool - like the idea of some of the miners being employees of the Koltǫnn Clan... Adds an huge slice of pathos to Sverrir and gives him a shot at redemption if he can somehow turn his/their fortunes.
Toying with the idea of giving a percentage of Sverrir's treasure cut to miners and former employees of the mine... Thoughts?
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Back pay? LOL
I have added the Background section for Khyrn, but have not yet finished his equipment. Half my team was sick at home today, and I had no free time to buy candles, chalk, or 50' of silk rope! :)
Let me know if any of Khyrn's ties to Diamond Lake cause problems. His father and brothers work at the smithy, and his mother is a chef at the Rusty Bucket. Khyrn has spent most of his life in the chapel, but has been feeling restless lately, a sign from Heironeous, or so the High Justice of the chapel says. Khyrn is not sure that he is receiving instructions from Heironeous, but he is feeling uneasy for reasons he can't identify...
Ok folks, unlike later APs, age of worms literally starts in a dungeon, with no preamble. So to explain why you're all there, I'm going to suggest the following:
- A little while ago, a trio of adventurers from Greyhawk blew into town, boasting of the perils they bested on the road to reach your little backwater. They've come to Diamond lake to explore an old cairn that the locals know to be thoroughly looted. Still, they've managed to find a few oddments of value here and there and have been throwing their profits around town. Logic holds that if they can find treasure in an 'empty' cairn, imagine what could be found in an unexplored one.
- One such cairn would be up near the old Koltonn mine and over some drinks with some former employees, Sverrir decides to investigate it. He isn't successful in enticing any of his drinking companions into joining his endeavour ("Are you crazy? Do you know what lives in holes in the ground?), but a couple suggest their more adventurous younger relations (Lucid and Markus)
- Lucid and Markus in turn bring in Ramos and Pavo, through their Emporium connection.
- As for Khyrn, for fun, let's say that he's been having strange dreams about worms falling like rain from the sky and other such oddities. Pretty much the only thing that he does recognize is the old abandoned Koltonn mine and what looks to be an entrance to a cairn. When Khyrn shows up out of nowhere to talk to Sverrir about cairns and old mines, he gets invited along. Whether it is a sign from the gods or not, better safe than sorry.
Sounds good?
Sounds great... finishing up gear.
Sounds good to me. Just doing a few minor changes bur ready to go besides that.
Quick question... Does Improved Unarmed Strike give the ability to "kick"?
First gameplay post is up, let get this thing started.
@Markus: I believe so. Though if you are looking for an attack to use if someone gets inside your reach, might I suggest a spiked gauntlet. It would save you a feat, unless you want to kick for some other reason that is.
Inside reach, yes. I was trying to ping the boards but there's some nonsense about "repositioning your grip" (on a weapon) is a free action. But, actions can only be taken on your turn.
It's not an urgent concern, but wanted to make sure I had an AoO at all times. Technically speaking, some guy could run circles around me (literally) and not be open to an AoO from me (without a 5 foot step, I guess).
You said the damn AP was deadly, I'm paranoid now!
I typically don't take a "fighter". I even added weapon focus (first time ever)... I usually go for variety. Don't want to let anyone down.
Combat Magic!
Go for a gauntlet, spiked gauntlet, or brass knuckles(APG). Whether or not it's RAW, I'm fine with the idea of letting go of your polearm with one hand to punch someone in the face.
Human Lore Warden 1/ AC 17/ HP 13/ F+4 R+3 W+1/ Init +3/ Perc +1Or does the Knowledge skill cover librarian...unless there is some additional benefit?
Cartographer, scribe... Something studious. Or cook?
Human Lore Warden 1/ AC 17/ HP 13/ F+4 R+3 W+1/ Init +3/ Perc +1Or does the Knowledge skill cover librarian...unless there is some additional benefit?
Cartographer, scribe... Something studious. Or cook?
It doesn't matter what profession you take, it's more for background info, i.e. how you made a living before you became an adventurer, than anything else. While you can make money using the skill, it would almost always be more profitable to go adventuring.
If you ever ended up using it, scribe or cartographer would probably be in higher demand than librarian.
Cartographer, maybe he mapped the mines and shafts for the different companies. Justifies us having a map as we go.
Equipment has been finalized and a link can be found in my profile.
I'm good with the dream Khryn has, on to the adventure!
Updated. Let's fight.
If you could please indicate the round and your initiative at the start of your post during combat, it would be appreciated. Thanks.
Also feel free to post out of order if you know what you're going to do, or to give more than potential action, eg. If wolf A is alive then I will do X, if it is dead then I will do Z, but please don't post your 2nd round actions until the first has ended.
Hey guys, I'm going out of town for the weekend with my wife, I should have Internet on my phone, and be able to post but in case I lose it, I wanted you to know about my absence.
Did you just volunteer to hold the second torch? Safe trip!
Thanks, I should be able to post. Don't we have a wizard that can cantrip dancing lights?
Thanks for the heads up.
You say meta-gamer, I say role-playing... :)
I think a character knows a "terrible" skill result, when it happens... like they know a terrible swing and a miss. We don't say oh, it almost hit or dang, you just missed it... You rolled a 2!
Anywho, it's akin to you allowing us to look at the wolf-stats to "role-play". No?
Oh I don't really care. I was mostly just poking fun.
I think it depends on the skill really. You fail a climb check you're going to know. Things like Appraise are less forgiving. You botch an appraise check and it's up to the DM to let them know what they think its worth and you actually think its worth that much, whatever it's actual value is.
I feel perception falls more in the latter category, your PC shouldn't know when they have a bad roll. Especially for something like perception vs stealth.
Anywho, the whole argument is moot, since all the other players already know you rolled terribly.
Got my Internet back. Will post shortly.
Who grabbed the silver bracelet we found? And how do we want to track that stuff?
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I recommend we split everything we are selling evenly and assign things we are keeping based on who can make the best use of it. Most of the time that will be an easy call, but if more than one person wants/needs an item we can roll off for it. I would rather not track as I am tracking loot in two games already. :)
I'm fine with an even distribution treasure system, pretty easy-going about that stuff.
Sounds good to me
That sounds good to me as well.
Aye - am good with that too. Happy to track the loot too if everyone's good with that - will fire up something tonight through GoogleDocs.
So just to be clear, you are all going down the yellow elevator to the chamber with the block? Or were you going to follow Lucid's suggestion to try an different one?