JCServant's Council of Thieves (Inactive)

Game Master JCServant

:( Greed... gets everyone in the end.

Bad luck.

Hey guys I'm back and caught up.

By the way, go to Egypt. Just amazing. :)

Welcome back!

Envious...

Welcome back.

Welcome back, glad you made it back safe.

Yep, not the most comfortable flight back but given that's the only thing to complain about, I think that's pretty good :)

I'll probably miss the remaining posting periods tonight sorry guys.

Game will be on pause now through the holiday weekend. Have fun y'all. See ya Tuesday.

Oh snap! Time paradox! You divided by zero!

BEPPOOOOOOO!!!

Game Unpaused.

I'm anxious to see what happens. I have some ideas
I'll keep to myself.

We are now officially transitioning into Book 3. Technically, until the business with Devil is cleared, we're in between books :)

Party is now LEVEL 5! Please email all level up decisions to me by Friday to be officially leveled up for next week.

The following items are up for grabs.

+1 Keen Long Sword (Beppo?)
+1 Defending Long Sword
+1 Cold Iron Axe
Wand of Cat's Grace (15 charges)
Ring of Father Fall
Crown of Blasting
2930gp of Misc treasure/coin
Spell book (10/10/7/3 Random)
Wand of Fireballs - (9 charges)

Let me know what you want to do with the above.

Please note that any items not claimed by end of week are auto-sold for party gold.

Guys I just want to say I don't want any of the gear but I am desperate for cash! lol

I would definitely like to upgrade at least my rapier to +1 so that I can get at those resistance enemies. I think I might be interested in the ring of featherfall, just in case I'm climbing something or need to make some death defying jump.

What about BD's stuff - i'k take that backpack he had.

Keep in mind that a lot of foes have resistances like silver, cold, etc., as well as magic.

Folks: All things being equal, I would be inclined to take the weapons.

That said, it might be best for me to pick one of the longswords (partial to the keen one, though the defending would help me take a "tanking" role), because we could use the cash we would get from selling the other.

The rest of the stuff can go to anyone else, or we can sell it. If it made sense for me to have a spellbook, I would take it, but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

...can alchemists turn spellbook entries into formulae??

Yes but it depends on the spells and I don't really have a need for a huge repertoire as Brandon is much more mutagen focussed than formulae. We might get a good amount of money for it as well.

To help you decide, here's my estimate on the potential value of each item if you sold it. This is in GP.

+1 Keen Long Sword (Beppo?) - 4,200
+1 Defending Long Sword - 4,200
+1 Cold Iron Axe - 1,200
Wand of Cat's Grace (15 charges) - 1,125
Ring of Father Fall - 1,100
Crown of Blasting - 3,200
Spell book (10/10/7/3 Random) - 5,000
Wand of Fireballs - (9 charges) - 1,700

Current Party Loot Pile: 2,930gp

I want to really encourage everyone to post on a regular basis...even if it's just to contribute to the ongoing conversation and/or you opinion on a decision that's being rendered. Once a question, problem or choice has been presented in the gameplay section, I like to see it resolved within one posting period whenever possible to keep things moving along...otherwise, things stall. And, if you see that a question/choice/etc has been presented and a posting period has passed, I personally would be OK with someone declaring a decision for the party at that point. While we have to leave those who have not spoken out of said decisions, sometimes sacrifices are made to keep things moving along. The best way to insure your character's thoughts and opinions are taken into consideration is to post early and often, especially after a GM posting time (~10.30am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm EST).

My apologies for the sparse posting yesterday - After my initial post in the morning, I was caught up away from a computer and unable to provide any warning regarding my absence.

I don't want any of that but i would really like some money, to start upgrading everything.

Tessai are you switching to a wizard? If so, this spellbook is surely intended for you.

If not,

+1 Keen Long Sword (Beppo)
+1 Defending Long Sword (sold, 4200)
+1 Cold Iron Axe - (sold, 1200)
Wand of Cat's Grace (15 charges) - (sold, 1125)
Ring of Father Fall - 1,100 (Correllon)
Crown of Blasting -(sold, 3200)
Spell book (10/10/7/3 Random) - (Tessai or sold, 5000)
Wand of Fireballs - (9 charges) - (sold, 1700)

Thoughts?

In my opinion the division of money generated from this should be divvied up in the following priority order;

Brandon + Aemon + Tessai (I dont think any of us have any magical equipment of note), then Correllon (ring of feather fall and eagle cloak? Although I recognise you desperately need a +1 rapier), then Kyle (again, not much in the way of magic items but perhaps less immediate need of equipment), then Beppo (who gets the swanky sword and full plate)

Not railroading this at all, these are just my opinions on what we should do and GM-JCs auto-sell clock is ticking!

This is ok with me, again if anyone wants something just say.

then Kyle (again, not much in the way of magic items but perhaps less immediate need of equipment)

You are correct. I would remind you that I have indicated in the past that I would rather everyone use the money to invest in items to improve hitting and escaping harm.

Money from item sales is generally divided evenly unless the party directs me otherwise using percentages or something.

Thanks, Brandon - I'm down with that distribution and sale of items.

Money - ? I'm not sure how to do the percentages. Should we have a treasurer in addition to a quartermaster?

We'll try to avoid the quartermaster thing for now...let's just agree that all items must be claimed within the same week they are found, or they are auto sold. I'll do my best to remind ppl on here about such things, as I've done here. If for some reasons I don't, I would hope one of you would raise their hand in "discussion" and do the same....lest said item be lost for all eternity to the CR 50 monster known as "forgetfulness"

Apologies for bringing this one to Discussion guys, but I guess it is important - We OOC know that Devil the player is gone, so lets make a decision based on that?

Tessai would definitely vote for doing whatever is necessary to try and bring him back, but I am afraid that may sidetrack us just a tad too much so perhaps we should work around that and continue with the AP?

I have nothing against modifications to things as they are written, I actually welcome that, but maybe not for these reasons.

What do you all think?

Unless this is a narrative twist from the GM to get us on book, then I have no interest in messing with it.

This AP, more than most I have fun, begs for things to go off track and GM intervention. I feel that run as written, things go too fast and the PCs don't get nearly enough time to get to know the city or the other NPCs. For example, outside of a few things from Janiven, none of the other Shades you met before are event mentioned in book 2.

With that being said, this is one of those times where I welcome a little meta discussion and thought into this decision. In game, I have made sure to make each decision justifiable either way regardless of alignment so that if you meta a bit here, you won't feel pulled out of the experience. Also, since it's a blind vote now, you have even less reason to feel bad (in character).

With that being said, I am prepared to run it either way you all decide. There are some interesting things that happen, regardless of which direction you go.

Speaking of going off the beaten track, how did you all like the Mimic room? And look! Brandon has a new friend!! :D

Brandon needs another voice in his head like a kick in the nuts right now lol.

Only kidding, I'm enjoying the back and forth.

I tried to resolve the whole Devil thing in Gameplay but I was ninja'd by a call to vote. I thought it was keeping in character with both Brandon and Devil.

No, your post was timed just fine :) It works in the context of everything needing to make a really hard decision.

And admit it...you LIKE the voices!!

I'm not sure that any of you are addressing Arael's new question for the group...or if you are...it's roundabout enough to where its confusing me a bit. Re-real Arael's last post...specifically the last question he asks.

I know people are busy...but please take time to post regularly and read all the posts carefully. I know there's a lot sometimes, but this is what we've signed up for :P

+1 Keen Long Sword (Beppo)
+1 Defending Long Sword (sold, 4200)
+1 Cold Iron Axe - (sold, 1200)
Wand of Cat's Grace (15 charges) - (sold, 1125)
Ring of Father Fall - 1,100 (Correllon)
Crown of Blasting -(sold, 3200)
Spell book (10/10/7/3 Random) - (Tessai or sold, 5000)
Wand of Fireballs - (9 charges) - (sold, 1700)

This is where we are at unless anyone else wants something...Assuming the spell book is sold, you're looking at 19,355 divided up . You have six hours!

I'll send you an email about some items that can be sold on my person and split among the party.

In our table top game I personally like a percentage loot division. I find it keeps the wealth and power levels consistent across the team and helps make sure everyone can continually contribute as things get tougher. Some people have picked up some useful stuff, others not so much.

Based on that my suggestion on splitting the money would be;

Brandon, Tessai, Aemon each get 4354 (22.5% each)
Correllon gets 3000 (15.5%)
Kyle gets 1935 (10%)
Beppo gets 1354 (7%)

How does that sound? I think it evens out everyone's wealth quite well with the exception of Kyle who has already stated he doesn't have too much need for money at this point but both he and Beppo should have enough cash for consumables.

Just out of curiosity (and not because I ended up with the smallest percentage), how did you come up with the percentages? Did you add up the loot obtained during our last adventure and try to make the cash even that out?

I'm all for keeping our power levels consistent, but am wary of the added complexity.

I had pondered changing to wizard, but the conditions did not please me. So the book can be sold ;)

It is easy to keep everyones' cash level on par, but it also obliges everyone to some tough decisions every once in a while.

To keep everyone leveled, you just need a column for each character where, if he gets an item, you add in the correspondent amount it could be sold for and that's it. When there is cash to be split, you even out everyone. Of course other decisions can be made that obviate this at any point.

Honestly they were a bit arbitrary. If i was doing it properly (and what I do at the table) is to calculate the value of everyones gear and then attribute a proportion of any new loot based on who already has the highest value gear. Sounds complicated but it isnt really and I work with stats in rl anyway so its just like being in the office lol.

But taking me and you as an example and just based on the Knot.

You gained the sword and full plate for a value of 4825gp (resale) plus 1354 = 6879.

So far Brandon hasn't bought anything other than a masterwork silver morningstar. So 175 (resale), plus 2750 (savings) plus 4354 = 7279.

So yeah its a bit wonky but much closer than we would be if you picked up the sword and armour and get a sixth of the cash as well.

Only a suggestion and if you guys think its too complicated thats fine :)

I tend to agree with Brandons' approach - and I have nothing against being accurate, I actually endorse it. If we find it does not suit us, we can change it again.

It's worked in our home games, keeps everyone leveled out so there is no power creep is someone is lucky and loot drops that's for them.

Since we use herolabs, there's a helper here...HL calculates character total GP value . I'm not sure if I can get it to show on the sheets (or if it shows already), but I see it really clearly in the program.

I am spinning head over heels today. Will post Tessai actions as soon as I can spare a second.

I had totally forgotten about that Herolab functionality - would be quite useful for this purpose - does it use the 50% sell value for it or the total? Could you post the current details GM-JC? Just out of curiosity? Though my PDF shows a lot of stuff assigned to me that should be for sale I believe

Ok, feat choice time. I have three in mind.

1 - medium armour proficiency. Only really likely to give me +2 AC. That's meh.
2 - Weapon focus claw. A +1 to two of my main attacks and more and more use as my mutagen gains duration and I prestige eventually. Pretty good overall.
3 - Cleave. For those times when I can't full attack and also to increase the chances of enemies gaining the flanked condition.

Grateful for your opinions because I'm unsure at this point.

The retail value is used in to totals, since average gold value calculations are based on retail. Of course, once you sell an item you don't like, then you get half price and your character's value goes down.

Looking at it quickly, I don't see a way to print out on the PDF the values...but I can type them here.

I haven't made it to updating you all's sheets yet. I may get it done tonight, bit I'm not sure. If I don't, I may not get it done tomorrow (when I normally would) because I have to work. I will be off on Tuesday, so everything will be updated by then at the latest.

Huh.... Did we level up or something?

We did. But I wont be able to send my choices until tomorrow

We are now officially transitioning into Book 3. Technically, until the business with Devil is cleared, we're in between books :)

Party is now LEVEL 5! Please email all level up decisions to me by Friday to be officially leveled up for next week.