Real life things going on. Will post PC update ASAP.
No hurries at all, just wondering where we stand with the transition, or if there's anything we can do to help?
Will be returning to work after a month of parental leave next week, and I expect it to be quite stressful - so mostly just want to speak up now :)
Yeah…Im still working on updating my character! I have Spreadsheet set up with like 9 tabs to make sure I have everything set up correctly.
I should have the time this weekend to finish up and get Keldor/Gauntlet up and running again.
Everything fine on your end, Polyfrequencies?
My week is stressful, as expected, so as said, no hurries here. But it's been a few weeks since we last heared from you and the campaign transfer seems stalled, still listing NeoEvax as Gamemaster. A short status update would be much appreciated.
(Plus, as said, if you want anything changed or altered.)
Greetings and such!
Yes, all is well. I am partially waiting for character finalizing updates and otherwise just planning. (Thank you, Basil, for the updated sheet. How is Thawm doing on the update? I know Keldor/Gauntlet is hoping to have some time this weekend.)
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I have a proposition as a brief bridge between Books 2 and 3 that might be a nice way to bring Nex's PC Harg back in (and possibly send him off). Not far from Scrapwall there is another site of great interest in Sulfur Gulch--about 60 miles away. There is also a 7th-level PFS scenario called Wardens of Sulfur Gulch that I could use to:
1) Gauge the party's power level and determine what (if any) adjustments we might need to make;
2) Foreshadow a few plot points for later books;
3) Direct you a bit more towards the events of Book 3.
If we wanted to have Harg involved, this may even be the quest that his sword gave him before he left. Whether it's a swan song or a way back in, the invitation is open to Nex. (And PFS Scenarios are designed to be brief, so the commitment would not be extensive.)
I still think that the party is decently well-balanced and would remain so with a magus/slayer. Basil has the right idea--the action economy is a great balancer.
I also don't want to get into a massive game of rocket tag, but I have some ways to adjust creatures. As it is, I might gestalt key NPCs. Templates are a wonderful (and often quick) way to adjust creatures and NPCs as needed. I can also maximize enemy hit points as a quick balancer.
All in all, I don't think that there will need to be adjustments on your end. I would rather make adjustments on my end than depower you all.
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The last thing I would like, ideally, is an in-character summary of the events of the story so far from each PC. This could be in the form of a letter to a loved one, a drunken braggart's tale in a tavern, or whatever else might be in character for you.
That sounds lovely xD
I think I only have to pick spells and type a few new numbers in my spreadsheet xD
Been unreasonably busy this past week, though...
Another thing to consider: hit points! I've been chatting with Nex a bit and they asked about rolling hp. I figured I would gain some consensus before we get into all that.
It sounds like you were rolling hp for each level up. Do you want to:
1) Stick with that? (Your d8s and d10s respectively, as they fell)
2) Have the average rounded up (d8 = 5, d10 = 6) each level (with max at first level)
3) Have half HD as the minimum (d8 = 1d4+4, d10 = 1d5+4) (with max at first level)
4) Max HP across all levels
Or something else I haven't laid out?
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So I had a nice chat with Poly. His idea of a seneareo or module to get a feel for all the characters does sound fun. This way I can test out the format again, see how I feel. Worst case I say my good'byes and move on from then. Otherwise I join up if it fits with my life and I fit with the group.
So I am tempted to join up. I am going to finish up my character and move on from there.
As for HP. I honestly forgot how we did it. I assumed it was just #1. Roll the HP and thats what you get. Maybe we did "reroll 1s" or something. Since I am building Harg from scratch again I am happy to do whatever everyone else says.
My plan is to be a melee build. A few spells, but in the frey. Squishier than Gauntlet, but with some burst damage.
Everyone ok with this? Just to see how I fit in?
A short scenario for Nex to gauge things sounds lovely and wise.
As for the HP - I would actually tend towards 3 - or even 4.
Reason being that if we are "less squishy" you have more leeway with scaling encounters/enemies.
Most "on the fly"-modifications would also increase their expected damage output - via stronger abilities, better to-hit and flat out higher damage values.
But Gestalt by itself does little to add survivability beyond a certain treeshold(like, picking a d10 class to bolster your D6 class will add some HP, and you'll likely have another good save...but that save won't be better than the good save of a non-gestalt martial, and the HP won't be more, either - there may be other shenanigans to bolster your defenses/survivability, but overall, ensuring that there's a decent "spongyness" would give some relaxed error margin for upping the opposition.)
I also don't want to get into a massive game of rocket tag, but I have some ways to adjust creatures. As it is, I might gestalt key NPCs. Templates are a wonderful (and often quick) way to adjust creatures and NPCs as needed. I can also maximize enemy hit points as a quick balancer. .
This is how I do it too. Quick balance on the fly often works wonders.
Im good with this all. HPs are important for me since it affects both Keldor and Gauntlet. I remember I have been required to roll straight up for Gauntlet since he is distinctly a different creature, even if we are joined at the hip. What he gets, he gets. That’s it.
I know we were doing something with the PCs hps, but I don’t remember what it was.
2 or 4 seems easiest to roll for xD
3 is also alright
Let's plan for max hit points then and see how things go. If it means that battles are taking too long or that you're burning through too many resources, we can figure that out after Sulfur Gulch.
I'll finish getting caught up on my reading and preparation, give you all a bit longer to update your character sheets, and then we'll start back up!
Do you mean max hit points from here on out, or redo all our HPs for max from the start?
I mean max from the start. That should be an easy enough switch.
Awesome all. I will finish up Harg and update him here. Just got a few things to buy, skills to set, etc. will have something by the weekend.
I think a trial run will be good. Don’t want to sign up for something long term if it’s not a great fit. But even joining you all for something small will be great.
And if it feels good. We can continue it!
I do have one more question:
How do you want to handle ammunition?
For the special adamantine, I did keep track semi-accurately because that was very relevant against the Hardness.
But alchemical cartridges, I would like to "handwaive". I need those for free reloads, but can only craft them at "half off", rather than the 1/10th Gunsmithing normally allows.
(So normally the "default load" would always be the cheap stuff, but for in-combat reloads I need cartridges to get it as free actions.)
I'd prefer to set aside a portion of character wealth(we should be around/beyond 20k wealth by Level 7) and assume I'm restocking or re-crafting when given the opportunity or rest times.
But there's table variance on that. Usually I suggest 100*value of ammunition as a basis, so that'd be 600 gold then. Throw in 20 gold or so for the normal ammo I get to make dirt cheap.
I understand there can be weight issues or attrition in situations where restocking is difficult, and such developments would need to be looked at separately, but I do prefer not having to tick off boxes/count exact ammo usage in pbp at a level where affordability should no longer be an issue.
Could we work out some flat-rate deal there?
A core bit of my play philosophy is that we should be doing things that we enjoy. While some people enjoy strict accounting, others definitely don't. This is supposed to be escapism from our daily lives, not more work. Someone better at coding than me couple probably figure out a way to track it based on your posts, but again that's more work. And this isn't like a survival horror game where ammo caches are a core part of the mechanic.
I like the idea of setting aside a bit of your wealth for this sort of thing and assuming that it's part of what you're doing during downtime. Presumably there are times that you're firing your weapon when you're not in active combat, off-screen, etc.
Might we reach a compromise about that 100 ammo in approximate time increments? So that rather than tracking each shot, we can just say when X number of days pass, it's costing that much gp as you replenish your stock?
And then if you all are in a situation where attrition is a concern, then it can be addressed at that time.
I can even, during the trip to Sulfur Gulch, track how many shots you fire during an average combat and then use that to set a timing rate.
Ok. Harg has been updated! Let me know if anything doesn't look right. I used hero lab and exported the bbtext so it should be all set up.
The only thing Hero Lab didn't do right, is Racial Bonus per level with Gestalt. Since I am half orc I am taking the 1/4 Arcana point per level. So I just didn't take max hp each level, and added it. The math should all work out great.
Thanks again.
Ha, just took a look at Harg, and we should definitely try and get some cash for the rest of us before heading on, selling off whatever loot we don't need. :D
Regarding the ammo: Glad you are willing to consider it. I am not sure I quite follow with the time suggestion, though? What I mean is, when we do overland travel, even if she does shoot the gun now and then, it's vastly different from heading through a dungeon with a single rest and attempting to blast all the baddies?
To elaborate: What I was suggesting was to set that amount of cash aside and "block" that part of wealth. Much like consumables would(which are not supposed to permanently lower a characters wealth for being used, but rather "trickle back" into the game via regular treasure so PC's hover around WBL.)
So the idea was to avoid tracking expenditure(ok, I'm spending a day gunsmithing creating 100 cartridges and paying 600 gold - then keeping track of the cartridges while GM has to re-feed me those 600 gold over time, only for me to repeat the process when I'm at below 30 cartridges left.)
Instead I would take those 600 gold, permanently set them aside, and assume that I'm permanently replenishing ammo when the opportunity presents itself or there is some downtime - I don't need to track the exact number of shots, you don't have to worry about adding additional treasures to replenish consumable aspects like ammo.
To be clear, I am fine with any kind of streamlining, but if we're coming to the conclusion that e.g. every 14 days Basil spends 600 worth of ammunition, in game terms that should still not mean she's going bankrupt if we have 3 months of downtime - basically I'm trying to eliminate the whole loop of consumables and feeding them back into WBL, at least in terms of regular ammo, where book-keeping is a hassle.
Yeah, starting a new character with that starting wealth is nice. Plus I don't have to pay for a weapon at all, which adds to my wealth quite a bit.
I still need a bit to look over Harg, but he looks great at first glance!
We can definitely ensure that you all have some time to figure out buying and selling. Since Scrapwall most likely lacks any merchants, the closest place for you to offload goods will be the city of Chesed, a couple of days north of Scrapwall on or along the Sellen River. It's deep in Technic League territory and is well-known for crushing sales taxes (per Numeria, Land of Fallen Stars). So while it's a metropolis where there is a 75% chance of finding any item worth 25,600 gp or less, you'll have to pay 150% of the sticker price on it. The Technic League will not extend the same courtesy back to you of allowing a merchant to purchase items from you for more than the usual 50%, however, especially because none of you are registered with the local merchant's guild.
Wouldn't that be nice? The Technic League is nice, right? ...right?
Your next story destination (if you have a sense of it; I found it mentioned in the Discord record that Nex sent me) is much smaller than Chesed, and so opportunities for buying and selling are likely to be more limited (i.e., Base Value 2,000 gp and Purchase Limit 10,000 gp). But they won't stiff you on the price, as far as you know.
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Re: ammo, that sounds good to me. Resource tracking is a pain. Penalizing ranged characters, especially gunslingers, by 1) making them track their ammunition and 2) making that ammunition expensive by default is tiring. Having a piece of your WBL set aside for it seems lke enough to me.
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One last thing: if anyone is interested in any kind of prestige classes, I thought of a way to handle it. If you intend to go into a prestige class, it must be done on one side of the gestalt. For instance, Thawm is set up as a cleric/wizard, with both sides progressing equally. If they wanted to instead go for mystic theurge, they'd need to be:
Cleric 3 / Wizard 3 / Mystic Theurge 1 // 7
Does that make sense? In other words, taking a gestalt will not allow early access to a prestige class. One side has to qualify.
I'll be doing the same thing for any important NPCs that get gestalted, if that is an adjustment that makes sense going forward.
All righty, an audit is upon us!
Once Kelldor and Thawm have their character sheets updated and ready to go, I'll try to pick up where you all left off in February! Or if you all would rather, we can have a little bit of roleplay while you're still getting your numbers in the right place.
- - Yeah my CMB is lower, since my Power attack is on. I do have Furious Focus, so I basically will always have my Power attack on. With it off my CMB is 12. I just figured I would leave it the way it is. I can try to show the condition better if you think that would be better.
- Gifted Adept is Shocking Grasp. I know.. Magus with Shocking grasp focus. SHOCKING
- You are right. I had it right in the top spoiler section, but not the main list. I will fix that.
- Yeah I have it built in. I basically sleep in my armor because of Endurance. So its always there.
- Very true about the Bite. It will mostly be that final bite attack, but if it comes up I will tweak it to the 12. Going to leave it as is for now though.
- You got it right!
That all make sense and sound ok?
Looks great!
Here is what I have managed to put together for Keldor/Gauntlet so far.
7th Level Upgrades:
Gauntlet Improvements:
+2 Natural Armor; +1 Str/Dex; +1d10+1 HP (+1HD)
+1 Evolution Points
New Evolutions: (2 Points spent) (+1 banked)
Flight (Ex or Su): The eidolon grows large wings, like those of a bat, bird, insect, or dragon, gaining the ability to fly. The eidolon gains a fly speed equal to its base speed. The eidolon’s maneuverability depends on its size. Medium or smaller eidolons have good maneuverability. Large eidolons have average maneuverability, while Huge eidolons have poor maneuverability. For 2 additional evolution points, the eidolon flies by means of magic. It loses its wings, but its maneuverability increases to perfect. If the eidolon f lies by magic, this is a supernatural ability. The eidolon can increase its fly speed by spending additional evolution points, gaining a 20-foot increase to its fly speed for each additional point spent. Requirements: Summoner level 5th.
Keldor Improvements:
+1 BAB. +11 HPs
7th Level Feat: Exotic Weapon Prof. Chainsaw (Can I switch my Divine Bond to this? If not...I may want to switch my feat to Extra Evolution and take Wing Buffet instead?)
*+4 Skill points
+3pts in Fly Skill
+1pt in Diplomacy
*+2 Background Points
+1pt Engineering
+1pt Linguistics (+Giant)
+1 Smite Evil/day
New Spells (Summoner): Jury-Rig (1st), Pellet Blast (3rd), + Summon Monster IV (3rd)
New Spells (Paladin): NONE
Natural Summon Monster ability is now equivalent to Summon Monster IV.
Half Elf Favored Class (Summoner) Bonus (+1/4 Evolution point): 7/4 (only +1 Evolution Point gained @4th so far!)
Keldor is now up to date.
Still working on Gauntlet.
As far as I know, the paladin's divine bond weapon (as opposed to the mount) is active rather than passive. That is...
The first type of bond allows the paladin to enhance her weapon as a standard action by calling upon the aid of a celestial spirit for 1 minute per paladin level. When called, the spirit causes the weapon to shed light as a torch...
So you have a divine bond with the celestial spirit, not the specific weapon.
One flavor question for you: is Gauntlet a manifestation of this celestial spirit? Or is that celestial spirit something else? Erastil has many servants.
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One flavor question for you: is Gauntlet a manifestation of this celestial spirit? Or is that celestial spirit something else? Erastil has many servants.
Very good question! The best way I can answer is explain how Keldor started as a Summoner and eventually became a Paladin too.
1. Gauntlet is a 'family' eidolon, and many previous Wisthawks have ended up with the creature in the past. Each has manifested him a little differently. Usually with with heavy elven influence (Mithral-Platemail style armor) or just straight up general angelic traits.
2. It was a complete surprise both to Keldor and his family this time that the creature showed up like it did as a steam-punkish 'Inevitable' style eidolon for Keldor that didn't move unless he 'joined' with it. He had been training basically as a warrior (which he was only OK at) which is what most of his family does anyway. His new abilities changed the course of his training dramatically.
3. He tried training with his family, but they were distressed by the nature of this particular manifestation of Gauntlet, (both his strange look and his nature to bond with Keldor directly) and sent him off to train with a famous Gnome summoner who helped Keldor immensely to understand better the nature of eidolons themselves. He also got Keldor hooked on technology in general.
4. Later on (while adventuring) we saved Torch and we found ourselves suddenly in a much different situation than before. I took that to mean that our 'rescue' of Torch got the attention of Erastil (my family's patron god) and 'enlightened' me into being a Paladin. I had much of the warrior training already, and the god simply provided the rest.
So...what is Gauntlet's true nature? I am uncertain truthfully, but I have always gone with the assumption that eidolons often physically represent the true or even repressed nature of the individual summoner. Keldor is fascinated with all things mechanical and technological, almost to a dangerous level. This has therefore manifested his eidolon as one of the things he is attracted to. Keldor was already Lawful Good when he started the game, when it came time to gestalt, Paladin just seemed the best way to go for me, since he was already religious and leaned in that way anyway.
I will leave the rest to you to decide GM. The gods may have a plan for me, or just using the best tool they had handy to accomplish something (Getting rid of the upstart god-machine creature in Scrapwall). I know I can't wait to see what happens next.
=)
Gauntlet is now complete I think as well.
I am cleaning up the discord and wanted to paste this info in here. These are all the tracked unclaimed items
+1 Chainsaw
Composite Longbow (+7 str)
+1 Breastplate
Green access Card
Inferno Grenade
Zero Grenade
10x Silverdisks (destroyed but worth 100gp)
2x Veemod Goggles with Brown Veemods
From Draigs:
2x Cure mod potions
1x Cure Serious Potion
2x Masterwork Spiked chain
390 Silverdisks
11x Batteries
Timeworn Magboots
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Not requested, but still wanted to drop a two-liner...
I’ll take the chainsaw. And a few batteries.
After reading the official first two books, I started my reading of the party's exploits with the Discord chat that Nex sent me (to figure out most recent stuff). Then I found the approximate start of Book Two. Most recently I started reading from the beginning of the story and was just amused by this little gem.
"Technically we agreed to kill, or forcibly remove, an entire nest of gremlins that has never done anything to us personally. The only real plus in this is that we may learn what happened to those who are missing. Erastil forgive me, but I'm glad I'm not a Paladin!"
Yet.
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I am taking note of everyone's backgrounds, especially the newer information that was not in your profiles and will most certainly be taking them into account for the narrative going forward.
Just waiting to hear from Thawm. I think that you all have a Xill wanting a curse removed, so we'll pick up there before narrating a trip to your next destination. Torch? Chesed? Sulfur Gulch? Iadenveigh?
Wherever you go next, you'll find Harg, who has been spending some time not too terribly far from Scrapwall.
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I think it would make sense to say goodbye to the pretty priestess who gave us shelter in Scrapwall (its the polite thing to do!) and then head back to Torch to report our success. Khonnir must be waiting for our return/report otherwise.
That would be Dinvaya, yes? I shall make preparations for her!
Back in Torch, you'll be able to find most items with a base value of 2,400 gp or less and will be able to sell things up to 5,000 gp in value. I will also roll for the town's additional available magic items and (once you're there) reveal anything that the populace has for sail.
And yes, Khonnir would most certainly like to hear about how things are going!
One more thing: We initially made contact with the steel falcons before meeting with the Rat Queen and Keldors mating unit.
We left our converted Alchemist there, to help out and maybe, if supplies allow, build something for us.
AFAIK we did not confiscate her gear when she attacked, just took it until she had shown herself to be sufficiently clean and reliable.
Mostly mentioning that as considering Hellion+Gang and the Smilers were a menace to all others in Scrapwall, I think there may be an incentive for both the furries and the alchemist-empowered falcons to "scrap" together whatever additional reward they could scrounge from what passes for vaults around here.
In other words, an opportunity to "up" our networth to something that at least approaches where we should be - I am not quite certain how much our current loot goes for but unless we have some significant treasures in there...
I will also transfer Basil to use the Equipment list I use on newer profiles, but I think my only magical item may be my +1 weapon.
(I know the armor is non-magical, no attribute-bonus-items, no cloak of resistance...I do have a Grenade Launcher and I think I may have claimed one tech item I can't remember, but otherwise...)
Great. I'll just review some of those posts as well.
I checked in with Thawm a couple of days ago, and they're working on updating their character sheet and have been very busy.
But I'm happy to get moving with the cursed xill and then follow your lead as you check in with the Steel Faclons, the ratfolk, Keldor's folks, that poor alchemist, Dinvaya, and then...probably back to Torch.
Any objections? I'm excited to get this running!
I will keep an eye on the threads and when its time for me to jump in I can. No rush. Will let everyone conclude their story threads without a new variable.
Having had a remarkable series of adventures, Keldor writes his father back in Kyonin.
'TO: Sir Rolitor Whisthawk, located in the town of Erages in Kyonin, Castle Whisthawk, Whisthawk County Lane.
I am writing to inform you Father, as is family protocol, that I have finally left the good gnomes you sent me to and whom have taught me much. I have now moved on to find some challenging experiences on my own and try to grow my connection to Gauntlet.
Much I have seen in the last few months, and I am currently moving around in the 'country' known as Numeria. If you really want to call this place such a thing? I know how you feel about itinerant 'adventurers' and I assure you that is not what I am doing. I...We are doing good! I feel that...literally...I am showing this almost lawless land the true meaning of Erastil and civilization! NO! I must swallow my sins of Pride and try to merely acknowledge my accomplishments.
This now leads me to the next thing I need to tell you. Since being...gifted?...with Gauntlet, I have been working hard to live up to the Whisthawk name and bringing our family's lawful light to the rest of the world. I'm not really sure how to explain...? I'm a chosen Paladin of Erastil now too! I can see the surprise on your face in my mind's eye father! I too can scarcely believe it! But Erastil has chosen me! ME!
All I can think of is, in his wisdom, he has seen these good works my friends and I have accomplished and saw fit to guide me into his service! I can HEAL! I can hear our god's 'voice' in my heart as elder-Uncle Tassage always described it! Now...Gauntlet has grown wings! He's more angelic than ever in my keeping. He's still a metallic Inevitable, but his nature won't change completely as I understand. However, I think I understand now WHY he is the way he is! I will try and explain to my best understanding.
Many things go on here in Numeria that are savage and unkind. Evil in it's basest forms roam almost everywhere here. But we encountered a being of both savage and technological nature! It claimed to be a new technological 'god' and it intended great harm to all the people of Numeria we believe. We stopped it! Defeated it in it's infancy before it could harm the people or the land. I do not believe we would have defeated this monstrous demi-godling, or his unfeeling technological soldiers, without Gauntlet's support! He seemed almost unfazed by the creature's spells and technological enhancements! I swear by Erastil longbow! I feel I might have a 'purpose' here in Numeria good Sir!
My friends and I have some minor errands to complete here in this gods-forsaken country, although I have a feeling Erastil is not quite yet done with me and Gauntlet. We are a true team, individually not much really, but together we are almost unstoppable. Our symbiosis really is something to experience...but I just don't have the words! I will try and keep you apprised of my direction from here, but postage in this land is horrendous, and I fear my personal funds will not hold up to the pressure for long. Also, I know you are not one for direct communication with me, but if you or Mother wish to try and reach me, then please send your correspondence care of Councilor Khonnir Bane of Torch in Numeria. We plan to touch base with the Councilor regularly while we remain here.
Thank you for your time and attention on this letter Father. Please give Mother, if you see her again before I do, as well as the rest of the family my love if you can.
May the light and wisdom of Erastil guide you in your endeavors.
-With respect,
Paladin Keldor Whisthawk of Erastil, Summoner of Gauntlet, currently located in the 'city' of Scrapwall, Numeria.'
finally found some time to sit down and skim through the discussion here xD
Also, hi from Japan xD
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Greetings!
As of a few hours ago, after much delay, I am officially the GM of this here campaign!
So if it's okay with Thawm before they've had a chance to get their character sheet sorted, I'll pick things up with Zagmaander the xill, most likely tomorrow for me.
Oh no worries. I finally changed all those ** to [ b] and [ /b] xD
Except for going from paizo boards to discord and back I just have to increment a few numbers and pick spells these days :D
Been busy getting ready for this trip to Japan, among other things xD
Do enjoy, Thawm. Do enjoy.
And read the slight envy in the words I write :)
Been there for my honeymoon, been an awesome time.
How long will you be staying?
@GM: Re-Greetings, and glad to read it :)
about a month, starting last week xD
I love the next year for you three is going to be setting up a democracy... that fails as soon as you leave :P
That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try!
Oh 100%. I would assume no less from Keldor :).
Just wanted to post and say I am reading and still here. Excited to see how you sort through Scrapwall.
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Oh, I'm totally fine with them running a Meritocracy.
If they wanted something more civilized, they would not have hung out in Scrapwall in the first place.
As long as the candidate in question is somewhat sane and smart enough to remember that we toppled the last guy with expansionist tendencies, they can do fine even with a benevolent dictator. Or a council with alternating rulership between the two remaining groups.
Worst case, we come back and have to make sure they really understand the lesson to be learned here the next time.
Best case, they develop into some functional Thunderdome-Society that may even be able to assist us sometime down the AP.
Been a hectic few days. Will update tomorrow!
A Thunderdome society is a distinct possibility. You'll have to find out!