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I've updated the player map. I found the prior map impossible to manage, so I've taken the player created map and just blotted out the labels for the different buildings you would be unaware of.
So, let me tell you about the stuff you would know so far:
18 - Slave dock. Everyone in the city knows this is where slaves are bought sold. No, you haven't been to the island section, but it's common knowledge that's where it takes place.
22 - Sunset Gate. It's the primary entrance/exit to the city.
27 - Orbigan Gate. The Orbigan family protects this gate for the city. It separates the "nice" part of town from the "bad" part of town. If you look scruffy or dangerous, you will be stopped. What they do when they stop you varies depending on your racial background, if you have weapons, how you answer questions, etc.
30 - Stables (one of the NPCs you'll talk to works here, just put it there for now). Comes up soon enough in the game.
32 - Pegasi Bridge. Bridge built by the Pegasi family long, long ago. It connects Rego Crua to Rego Spera.
34 - Vizio's Tavern. Where you initially gathered. Owned by Janiven and Ariel.
35 - Limehouse Theater. Has recently been rebuilt after a fire. Previously owned by Moshley's and Jimmy's parents.
37 - Rolan the Tickerer. He runs the crafting shop.
38 - Delvehaven. This is the locked down Pathfinder Society lodge. Only fools go anywhere near it. Even dumber fools try to get inside it.
40 - Vaneo Arvanxi. This is the current residence of the Lord Mayor Aberian Arvanxi.
44 - Qatada Nessudida. Largest temple to Asmodeus. Hard to miss it.
46 - Shrine to Aroden (your safehouse)
I did, yesterday :)
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Dear god, you did. Sorry, been crazy trying to catch up after yesterday.
So, just wondering why I've had such a hard time keeping track lately: I'm teaching my kid the japaneese alphabet Hiragana. I don't know japanese, my wife does. However, I get stuck with teaching him most stuff, so I've had to spend a lot of time learning it and then teaching it the past few days.
There are 46 basic "letters", and then another 30 or so non-basic "letters" that are based off the original 46. My brain has been scrambled and I'm missing lots of basic stuff lately.
Dear Ezren:
Your character is almost correct, but your HP math is incorrect. Toughness grants a +3 bonus at the start, but doesn't give another bonus until after level 3. In the long run, it averages 1hp per level, but you get the +3 at the start.
So, your HP total is 22, not 23.
@ Ezren -- See PM
Thanks CC I missed that. I guess I was not paying attention to my Hero lab print out closely enough. I swear I should know that feat by now I take it on almost every character. Thanks for the help. ...... Really, I was trying to get away with one and if it wasn't for those meddling kids I would have.
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Thanks CC I missed that. I guess I was not paying attention to my Hero lab print out closely enough. I swear I should know that feat by now I take it on almost every character. Thanks for the help. ...... Really, I was trying to get away with one and if it wasn't for those meddling kids I would have.
As I mentioned to someone else, everyone has had some kind of issue. Don't take it personally. Some of you have done stuff I've never seen before, so I spend a lot of time looking stuff up.
Ezren is still wanting to talk to another NPC.
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Thanks, lost track. FUDDDGEE, KEEPS EATING MY POSTS.....ARG!
You get to chose between the following:
Fiosa == female halfling. All halflings are slaves, or escaped slaves who are to be recaptured. As you may recall, slaves aren't valued well.
Larko -- human male. He's awfully quiet.
Tavari -- human female that wears some nice jewelry.
Vitti -- human male with green hair. Looks a bit odd (besides the hair)
This will be the last NPC you get to interact with, so you need to know that ahead of time.
Dear god, you did. Sorry, been crazy trying to catch up after yesterday.
So, just wondering why I've had such a hard time keeping track lately: I'm teaching my kid the japaneese alphabet Hiragana. I don't know japanese, my wife does. However, I get stuck with teaching him most stuff, so I've had to spend a lot of time learning it and then teaching it the past few days.
There are 46 basic "letters", and then another 30 or so non-basic "letters" that are based off the original 46. My brain has been scrambled and I'm missing lots of basic stuff lately.
I have it next to me on my desk, together with the katakana alphabet :o
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I have it next to me on my desk, together with the katakana alphabet :oDear god, you did. Sorry, been crazy trying to catch up after yesterday.
So, just wondering why I've had such a hard time keeping track lately: I'm teaching my kid the japaneese alphabet Hiragana. I don't know japanese, my wife does. However, I get stuck with teaching him most stuff, so I've had to spend a lot of time learning it and then teaching it the past few days.
There are 46 basic "letters", and then another 30 or so non-basic "letters" that are based off the original 46. My brain has been scrambled and I'm missing lots of basic stuff lately.
Wow. I send my kid to Japan with his mom for about 1.5 months a year. He comes back speaking it just fine, but he's never learned to read it. We have to get him ready because when he gets out of US school, he's going to Japan and going to be put in school there, so reading Hiragana is important. I can read it now, but I have no idea what I'm reading.
I've been to the Netherlands a lot. Most people speak like 4-5 languages. Is it common to learn Japanese or some non-European language as well?
4-5 languages is a bit exaggerated for the average person I know, but we do get a lot of languages in highschool. Every highschool teaches English, and most also teach German. French is also taught at many highschools.
I had German for 3 years, but the 2nd year our teacher was barely teaching: stressed and at home a lot. So we didn't learn as much as we were supposed to, and the next year we were waaay behind. My German isn't that great, but as it's very similar to Dutch I can understand it mostly. I also want to learn to speak/write it properly some time.
My highschool also taught French, but I dropped that after 2 years. I didn't like it much back then. I now think it's okay, but it's not on my want-to-learn-it list. I'm able to say very basic things in French, but don't ask me to write it. Also, what I say limits itself to sentences like "I'm searching a toilet", "I don't speak French", and "I am a bread."
I had Latin and Ancient Greek for 2 years, but did regret that fairly quick. So I dropped those again. I like languages, but the primary purpose for a language is communication. And that's a bit hard with dead languages. Sometimes I'm able to understand basic Latin or Greek sentences though, which was quite fun when I was at a monastary and was able to read what was written above the door.
It's not common for schools in the Netherlands to teach non-European languages. I decided to pick up Japanese 'cause I love the country. Never yet been there, because it's quite expensive to fly to Japan from this location, but would love to go there. Though I don't have anyone to practice Japanese with, meaning I often get demotivated 'cause... well again, a language's primary purpose is communication. With no options for communication, learning words/characters can get a bit tedious.
I currently aim to learn the following languages: Japanese, German and possibly Spanish. Mostly in that order.
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Tomorrow we will move the game along from this scene.
Each of you should think about the NPCs you have met at the safehouse (not outside the safehouse). Clearly, none of them (except Janiven) have been trained in anything, but they all show potential in different areas. These NPCs can be trained, but given time constraints, each of you can only train one NPC.
By tomorrow, you'll each need to decide which one you would like to help train. You don't have to be the same class. Think of the NPC like a "pet" that will level with you. You can use these pets to assist you, but be warned: they will never be powerful enough or heroic enough to save the day. They are also not going to just carry your supplies around either. They can do basic tasks like guarding an entrance, or creating a distraction. Asking them to go kill a bunch of bad guys will not work, your "pets" will die and you'll be, well, screwed. You can't re-summon this pet...it would require an expensive resurrection. So, my recommendation is to not think of them as someone who will do a lot of fighting. They might fight if they have a huge advantage, but they will probably lose if the fight is even. This is to prevent the NPCs from being heros.
Use them wisely. Choose wisely. You may think strategically and try to build a "b-team", or pick someone you don't mind having to deal with from a social perspective. The personalities and actions they have will be done with any of you. So, if Moshley picks Rizzardo, you can expect him to use lots of foul language and wonder why you're not big and strong like him. However, you can teach him to fight, even though you're a sorcerer.
If you have questions, please ask.
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Oh, I should add, that the NPC path is pre-determined. So, you can't say "one level in Wizard for this guy." Each NPC has a pre-determined path and leveling characteristic, so you you don't really need to do anything other than perhaps gear, time and roleplay. You should have enough information to figure it out, but you never know.
Each of you should think about the NPCs you have met at the safehouse (not outside the safehouse). Clearly, none of them (except Janiven) have been trained in anything, but they all show potential in different areas. These NPCs can be trained, but given time constraints, each of you can only train one NPC.
Does we need to pick someone that we have met in character? Or can we choose from among the others others have met?
Cuz it looks like I'm choosing from reality TV's greatest rejects.
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You can pick from anyone that anyone has met. That's why I'm having you post without spoilers. There was a method to my madness. Yeah, you picked some unusual ones. They were fun for me to roleplay.
They all have their strange personality quirks, like anyone. Still, I don't want people to read spoilers unless they are directed at them. As far as you know, one person can speak a funny language, but so can Moshley.
Moshley's actions outside the safehouse are for him to report if he chooses, since nobody else is with him.
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I'm off to bed. I'll post again around 13:00 GMT.
@ Moshley -- Decide on what you do with the "item" you received. When you are ready, you can go back to the safehouse. Given that it's nearly sunset, you don't have time to do much else in the city. Feel free to tell anyone whatever you wish in gameplay thread when you go back to the safehouse.
@ Everyone - Look over the NPCs that people had interactions with, pick whomever you wish. Remember, the way they act will be the way they act with you, not just with that particular PC who had the interaction. Put your pick in this discussion thread.
Lastly, the NPCs in the safehouse will want a name for their group. Throw your suggestions around here. When you guys come to a semi-agreement, when the time comes (I'll prompt it via NPC dialogue), you can have something to say. If you guys don't come up with a group name, Janiven will suggest a name. One hint - don't make a scary name. The name is meant to inspire the folks of Westcrown. So, Diablo Death Dealers is probably not a good name for the group.
I expect the game to move forward tomorrow. Nice roleplaying everyone.
Tristain is going to want to impress Tarvi. It's going to be hard, next to impossible, but that's his #1. Second choice is Emerlos. He seems significantly less annoying than Rizzardo.
As for the name, I will ponder.
Larko intrigues me but that is only because I know nothing about him. Scalvo I believe would be a good fit but we have a lot of melee capable people already in the group.
I think I would go with Gorvio. I think another caster might be good and I like him xD I want to hear more about his grandfather!
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Just to summarize, so we can move forward faster:
Larko doesn't like to talk. He is described as the strong, silent type in the book. As such, talking to him via roleplay is like pulling teeth.
Tarvi is unlikely to be impressed by anyone. As she said, she has had a dozen engagements to different nobles within the city. They were arranged by her family, and she ended/destroyed all those engagements fairly quickly.
@ Moshly -- You need to decide if you are going to tell them about the item. I probably should have put it in a spoiler late last night before I went to bed. I didn't think about it.
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Larko intrigues me but that is only because I know nothing about him. Scalvo I believe would be a good fit but we have a lot of melee capable people already in the group.
Okay, my apologies for not making this crystal clear. It's not entirely clear in the book either, so let me rephrase based upon my readings and different comments.
I called them "Pets", that's probably not a good description. You will have a b-team group of 4 that can do some very basic tasks for you while you guys deal with the important stuff. I suspect most of the time, while you might be in the same general area "the castle" or whatever, you won't be close enough to help each other directly.
I suppose you could, but you'll find their skills/abilities far below yours (the heroes) and the challenge rating, resulting in an easy death. So, think about them as little brothers and sisters that you feel comfortable sending them to do basic stuff.
As long as you send them to do stuff that shouldn't be difficult, they can probably succeed (depending upon whom you pick and their skills to the challenge). If you send them to do something that is a somewhat iffy situation, they'll be killed, period. I will not allow the NPCs to become heroes in this game. Anything that might be iffy for the NPCs, should be handled by the PCs. The NPCs are solely for doing the things in the encounters that you would like to do but don't have enough manpower to do some basic stuff that involves limited risk.
Hence, you can think about skills and what they might bring, but probably more importantly, who would you like to roleplay with? In the end, you could theoretically skip the whole b-team and do everything on your own. However, having a b-team offers you a strategic alternatives you can't possibly accomplish with just 4 PCs. It thus can make encounters much easier. However, if I felt that the 4 PCs in this game would always just charge in without thought on every encounter, then the B-team idea wouldn't work. I expect the people playing in this game to have enough experience that you can think about things ahead of time. The sewers were more of the exception to the rule, just to work out the combat kinks.
Finally, there will be encounters where the B-team aren't expected to join. Such is the nature of the game. If you can think of a way to get them to the encounter, that will only benefit you. The game assumes only a few encounters use the b-team. I have decided to modify it and allow you to find ways to use them throughout the campaign, and I have all the NPCs stats/abilities as they level already pre-generated (from someone else's hard work).
Still going with Tarvi. She totally wants me.
Also, we're going to need her brains. I'm sure of it.
I'm going with Amaya: I want to know which other songs she'll come up with. And if she likes singing I expect her to takes levels as a bard, which means we could get some extra support :)
I am going with Scalvo for my NPC to train.
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I've added Scalvo and Gorvio to the campaign information list.
As you can see, none of them are "trained". The are on a predefined path, since I don't feel like re-creating the wheel.
Once they become fully trained, the B-team will be a Bard, a Sorcerer, a Wizard, and a Paladin. But as of right now, they are not trained and usually become "trained" around level 3. They will remain 1 level behind you, so that's why they are level 1, while you are level 2.
Furthermore, to train them, you will have to involve them in 2 missions per level OR spend some downtime training them. If they sit at the safehouse while you're leveling, well, that's not going to advance them. There may be times when you simply cannot advance them, and will just have to spend 1 week of down time with them to train them. Thus, it's far easier (and usually smarter) to have them accompany you on missions. Try not to get them killed.
The Council Chairman doesn't want the NPCs to die, so they will try to inform you if what you're asking them to do sounds too dangerous. However, sometimes things just happen that weren't expected, and it could result in the loss of life in the B-team as well. The Council Chairman will try to get the b-team to run if they can to save their lives. Only if the situation changes and they have no chance of escape are they going to lose their lives. Still, running away will likely result in whatever objective you had them trying to achieve to fall into enemy control.
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Lastly, the NPCs in the safehouse will want a name for their group. Throw your suggestions around here. When you guys come to a semi-agreement, when the time comes (I'll prompt it via NPC dialogue), you can have something to say. If you guys don't come up with a group name, Janiven will suggest a name. One hint - don't make a scary name. The name is meant to inspire the folks of Westcrown. So, Diablo Death Dealers is probably not a good name for the group.
I know everyone is focused on a strategy and having picked your leveling buddy. Still, the group will want a name. Multi-tasking.
I know everyone is focused on a strategy and having picked your leveling buddy. Still, the group will want a name. Multi-tasking.
On second thought, while the name might be important, is there any harm in delaying the naming until we actually get our leader back?
Or it's possible that our actions during the upcoming rescue will lend to a more organic name. Like something will happen that inspires us to a name. I dunno, like the TristainVomitinCombatiers! Or the EzrenGlassjaws or something.
Are we in a rush for the name?
"That is the essence of an ambush, is it not? How are you planning on getting out of the city in the morning, all the way there, for an ambush?"
Not sure I've seen anything about getting in and out of Westcrown. The brainy Tarvi seems to be indicating that we will have some trouble getting out? We can't leave before sun up, because night=death. So we need to leave right now? So we're outside the walls (where it's strangely safer?) when the sun goes down.
What time is it?
Am I reading this correctly?
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I'm glad you're asking questions. But, let me address your comment.
1) "We can leave before sun up" - No, you can't. You can't operate at night without, well, dying. So, you'll have to leave at sunrise.
2) "So we need to leave right now?" No, it's nearly sunset. You'd never make it. I put this in a spoiler to Moshley, but not to the general group. So, I'm glad you asked. Would you be safer at night outside the walls? Well, depends. If you're comparing being outside inside the city, or being outside outside the city, then yes, you would be safer outside the city. If you're comparing being inside while inside the city, versus being outside the city, then being outside the city would be more dangerous. Hope that makes sense.
What Tavri is trying to indicate that if you leave in the morning, you're going to need to arrive well before the Hellknights to set up an ambush. You'll never make it on foot. Maybe you'll have to think about getting there more quickly....
How do regular people back in the day get to places faster? Hmmm.
Are you guys stuck or it's just a bit slower? If you're truly stuck, let me know. Feel free to PM me as well if you wish.
Uh. Tristain is here but there are some obstacles right now that we'll need to work out.
In game...
1) Tristain isn't a leader. (yet)
2) Tristain isn't going to plan an assault/ambush.
3) Tristain doesn't know Ariel and so motivation to save him is...uh...forced?
4) If Janiven doesn't know about horses, why would the rest of the party, much less Tristain, think they are acquirable?
5) Tristain is unsure who is actually willing to go to save Ariel.
Out of game...
1) We are still learning our roles.
2) More of us need to learn how to push the action.
More later. TBD.
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Are you guys stuck or it's just a bit slower? If you're truly stuck, let me know. Feel free to PM me as well if you wish.Uh. Tristain is here but there are some obstacles right now that we'll need to work out.
In game...
1) Tristain isn't a leader. (yet)
2) Tristain isn't going to plan an assault/ambush.
3) Tristain doesn't know Ariel and so motivation to save him is...uh...forced?
4) If Janiven doesn't know about horses, why would the rest of the party, much less Tristain, think they are acquirable?
5) Tristain is unsure who is actually willing to go to save Ariel.Out of game...
1) We are still learning our roles.
2) More of us need to learn how to push the action.More later. TBD.
Well, as for #3:
A) Without him, the group will fall apart.
B) They will torture him, and give up all the names (and Janiven says he's aware of you as well)
C) After Hellknights get that information, they will come to get you, maybe your families, close associates, and do, oh, I don't know...I'd have to let my evil imagination run wild.
D) You cannot break him out of the Citadel (you guys aren't that powerful).
E) You could choose to kill Ariel, but you'd have to kill the Hellknights as well, since he's their prisoner and need the information he has. Ariel must have misplaced his cyanide pills upon capture.
@DM CC
Would Ezren know any info on the transfer of prisoners since he was once a Dottari?
Like: What kind of formation the Kinghts might be in to guard the prisoner cart?
@Other players
We need to come up with a plan that will take away the Hellknights advantage of horses and better gear. I am not sure how we can do that.
Horses will be useless if we can fight them in the forest giving them no room to charge.
Ok I have taken Obscuring Mist and Summmon Monster I to help with the rescue. I plan on casting the Summon Monster I to summon an earth elemental to help stop the cart on the bridge with the hope that the Hellknights will have half their force in front of the cart and the other half in back. Next we can have our B-Team attack to decoy the lead group of knights away so we can overrun the remaining group of knights and save Ariel. I will use Obscuring Mist to cover our retreat.
How does this sound?
That's a great plan...except I'm curious how you can summon an EE with a SM I. Maybe a horse to block the way for a bit.
Yeah, let's do this!
I'm sure nothing can possibly go wrong. ;)
The summon monster I list for second level monsters has Small elemental on it. A horse would work too...maybe even better to block the bridge. I'll take a look at both.
edit: I read the spell wrong.... I will be using a horse to block the bridge and hopefully I can time it right so that we can split the knights up.
Only thing that can go wrong is that we get trampled by a group of knights....lol
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Please put your character and your b-team buddy on the MAP
Please make sure you link the updated map in this thread. Once everyone is set, I will assume the safehouse scene is over and we will move on.
The ONLY 2 icons you can place are your icon and your b-team buddy you selected. Do not move horse icons. Those are not for you. Let me know if your icon is on a horse, or not.
Lastly, you can hide behind the rocks show on the top left of the map, or you can hide in the trees. The caravan will be coming from the west side (left side), going to the East (right side) of the map.
If I can hide in the trees where I am at on a horse I will. If not I will be on foot. Scalvo will be on a horse.
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Before I tell you, let me quote a post from gameplay since it has my rational for what I'm about to post:
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Gorvio says, "Horses? Well, I work at my uncle's stable up in the Rego Crua. His name is Javoco, we can probably use his horses. Just don't get them killed, since we don't own them, we'll have to make sure they all come back in one piece. I'm sure we could take all ten horses if needed. I even think one is a pony, which would be about right for you Moshley."
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Since Gorvio doesn't want the horses hurt in any way, if you're going to be "attacking" or "in-danger", then you can't ride a horse. Scalvo is apparently going to be the diversion to pull away the Hellknights, so he can remain on the horse.
That was a neat trick I did in gameplay to make it this way, huh?
I'm hiding in the tree next to Ezren. Amaya is on a horse, and is to flee at the first sign of danger.
Placed Tristain and Tarvi.
Okay, I repositioned Amaya so she's next to Tarvi.
How are we to split the Hellknights up if we are all on the same side of the bridge?
I was thinking that B-team would be on the opposite side of us to get the hellknight to chase them.
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@ Jimmy -- Amaya will tell you she's scared that she won't be able to cross the stream (4' deep) on her horse and avoid danger. Thus, she feels more comfortable being on the other side of the stream.
LOL. My mistake, I got Tavri and Amaya mixed up. Not used to their icons.
I'll move the b-team to the other side. I've also placed a horse next to the people who are riding them. Note that horses are large (2-squares), so they go right next to the NPC's icon and move together.
We just need Moshley's update.