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Guys, as I said in gameplay I am skipping the remaining two combats in the factory.
So that being the case I'm assuming you will just take 20 on every room, thus spending about 4 hours searching the whole place.
Would you prefer to go room to room to allow RP reaction to the things you find there, or shall I just do a massive post with everything to be found in every room?
I'll leave it up to you.
I'm happy to skip, if there really isnt much left just give us an idea of what we're seeing so we can use it later on if need be in the trial and such.
I say massive post and we role play it all out in the inn after
J. I have been using ki more recently but am beginning to understand some of the frustration with how limited it is. There is a great deal of debate on pathfinder about why the amount of ki points availavailable to a monk is so low; and how the additional powers they grant (for a standard monk) seem fairly light when compared to say bardic performance or barbarian rage. I won't repeat all the arguments because, to be honest, I don't agree with all of them. A lot centre on the monk's role as a front line combatant. I see a monk more as a secondary combat function: a support for others by being able to get in quick, help out with some fast attacks the use mobility and acrobatics to get somewhere else in battle where needed.
But...
And this is a big but, there is little scope to increase your ki pool without burning feats. They increase by 1 point every 2 levels basically. Quinggong archetype seems restricted because you have a small ki pool to use, the powers granted burn a lot of ki in relation to that pool and it only increases every other level (by 1). This is further compounded by the fact that the archetype does not give any boost to ki when taken.
One suggestion on forums is to allow ki to increase by 1 point per level. I'm not lobbying for a power buff or anything that would unbalance my character but just wanted your view on this issue.
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I'm not 100% convinced the monk doesn't get enough ki, especially archetypes like quinggong who can cast spells through it rather than a standard monk who jumps high.
I think it is more akin to a magus arcane pool than a rounds per day mechanic but having said that the magus can plainly do better stuff with their pool than the monk.
So I guess what I'm saying is I'm somewhere in between the arguments. Yes, I think the monk needs a boost generally. No, I don't think it's necessarily ki related.
So what about adding this to the power point shopping list? 3 power points per additional ki point.
In my estimation you are getting about 6 power points per 3 levels which could work out as about an extra ki point per two levels (ish). What do you think?
I'm torn too to be honest. If you take quingong out of the equation it works out like this:
Monk lvl 6 with 16 wis would have 6 ki points. He has to keep one in reserve to enable ki strike for his unarmed attacks to be treated as magic for the purpose of DR. That leaves 5 useable basically.
The uses are limited though:
For example: Ki used for a single additional attack, increase speed for 1 round, or +4 AC boost for a single round (which is pretty rubbish because it is so short in duration.) So in a single fight, the monk could quickly deplete all his useable ki.
So considering that, ki powers are not really that strong for a standard monk when compared to the effects that a Magus can generate using their arcane pool. It is only when going archetype that you get some more powerful use of ki - but they cost 2 points generally so it is a trade-off because you get more power but even less use.
I don't agree with some of the forum posts that ki should be a monk's primary focus. I think the character is balanced by the strength of their (non AC) defensive abilities and bonus feats - and at higher levels (6 or above) the additional attacks and speed.
Bit of a circular argument here really. I think there should be a facility to use power points if you choose to. There are other ways to boost ki like vows but the trade-offs for a single ki points are severe. Eg: if I took a vow of celibacy there are a lot of penalties like not touching anyone or allowing anyone to touch me - scratch any lay on hands type healing then or any touch spell to buff the character and just for a single ki point!
I could ki leech, but that is most evil, so is out too.
All in all, pretty limiting. What about a one-off boost for going quingong archetype? Something like 2 points. Then I still have optional boosts like use of power points, extra ki feat and vows.
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Sebstian
I've looked into this ki issue a bit more and I'm inclined to agree with you that although the quinggong monk is tooled as being a more ki focussed character, it seems odd that they don't get any more ki than any other monk. Having said that, ki isn't your only option so I think just a flat bonus of 2 when you take the archetype (as you suggested) is fine. In discussion with others, 4 power points for 1 extra ki seems more balanced.
Initiative
I think I'm going to change the way I do initiative. I like having all of the heroes go at once and then the enemy (or vice versa). I think so far it has kept things running fairly quickly and smoothly during combat which is the slowest part of a play by post campaign.
However, on reflection, my system of initiative + perception vs a static DC just seems needlessly complicated and causes me more work than I would like.
So, from now on I am just going to roll everyone's initiative and take an average of both groups and we'll see how that goes.
If anyone put skill ranks in perception just to boost their initiative under the old system, feel free to reallocate.
Markus
Under this system it effectively makes improved initiative worthless so I'm happy to reroll that random feat you had through powerpoints.
Can I re allocate my perception then jam?
Shame about the Initiative, but if this new system helps you out then all the better.
I reallocated my skill points into acrobatics jam, by the way some of my skill have gone up because when I was on herolab I had noticed I had done some of them wrong because armour training reduces the armour check penalty for my armour
Hello! i will be sorting out all loot today and giving new totals. Can you all have a look at your loot and let me know if it looks right.
Id also like to roll for a random ability please J
Levelled my guy up, took vital strike as a feat
OK j. Haven't updated my character on here yet but here's my level up.
Av HP(+7)
+1bab
+1 all saves
Flurry is now +4/+4/-1 (still d8 dam)
Move increased to 50
Slow fall 30'
Bonus feat: Improved trip
Feat: extra ki (so ki total is 11)
+2 diplomacy
+2 escape artist
I think that's about it!
HP-(+11)
+1 bab
+1 all saves (Bravery grants an addition +1 on will saves against fear)
+1 feat vital strike
skills
+1 acrobatics
+1 knowledge(Eng)
Guys, I have to apologize again - it is really hard for me to keep up with the action during the weekend. I try to make the best of that time to be with family and such. You guys just nailed it hard though, I'm just sorry I didn't play much part of it - at least the game never stops moving and that is great ;)
And another level - wohoooo!!
I am sitting on a huge pile of Power Points - really gotta start using them :D
Think I am going for some extra hit points, maybe some extra skills and pondering... Jam, if I raise my Constitution (currently base is 10), it costs me 8 Hero Points, right?
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Cara - no problem, I know you're often busy on the weekends. I just hope you don't feel left out if I do dmpc you to keep things moving.
As far as I can see, this is breakneck speed for a pbp game in comparison to others but the quality of posting is right up there so kudos to you guys.
How many power points do you have? You could increase your con to 11 (6 points) amd buy 2 hp (3 points).
Hey Cara. Just wanted to echo dm sentiments. Dont worry about the weekends. Totslly understamd the importance of family time. The continuity of the game doesnt sufder and thebquality of your posys during the week add depth and colour to the narrative of the game. I would rather you be in the game than out of it. The game would mot be the same without you so keep going as you are.
Thanks for understanding and for the words guys - I definitely want to stay in the game, so I'm sticking to it ;)
Jam, according to my math, I have 11PPs as below:
Power Points gained:
1 -> Jam's Incentive :D
1 -> Defeating the Piper of Ilmarsh
3 -> Hero points from leveling up (levels 2, 3 and 4)
1 -> Defeating Father Charlatan
1 -> Defeating the Splatterman
1 -> Leveling up (to 5)
1 -> Leveling up (to 6)
2 -> We just won these by taking the mobs down
I think those are correct, though not 100% sure if I missed any PP from the first part we played - I'm trying to shore up some of Caradwen's weaknesses, and hit points are definitely one of those. I'm just torn between investing hard in CON (would 12 points get me to 12 Con?), and automatically gain the 6hp from the levels, or go with the more inexpensive direct hp buy.
Feats and stats are great, but I don't feel like Caradwen is starving for feats at the moments (of course, the more the merrier), and a point in a random stat, if it doesn't ends up in Dex, at the moment won't be much use.
Now... Spells known, and cast per day... That could really turn out very useful...
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Cara, you should have 10 powerpoints. You got one for level 6 and one for defeating the mobs (not 1 for level 6 and 2 for the mobs), apologies if that was misleading.
As for attributes, you are correct, 12 points would get you 2 points of con since you don't have any current attribute bonus to up the cost.
Spells known for a spontaneous caster is huge in my opinion.
Ahh ok, it was my misinterpretation there with the last two PPs. Apologies for that.
Yeah, I agree completely with you - both spells known and cast are great for a spontaneous caster, though obviously the 'known' ones are more important as their list is more reduced.
I am leaning hard towards that option, though Caradwen is just so fragile, sitting pretty on 28hp at level 6...
Though if I go for Mirror Image as an additional spell at level 2 for 6pp, it may solve, or at least alleviate, the lessened hit points - it's a great defensive spell.
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Channel Force
Your channel is bolstered by your faith, allowing you to move and damage your foes.
Prerequisites: Aasimar, channel energy 2d6.
Benefit: When you channel energy to deal damage, you may choose to affect only a single target within 30 feet. In addition to dealing damage, if that single target fails its saving throw, you may pull or push the target up to 5 feet for every 2d6 points of channel energy damage you are capable of dealing.
Wait, these feats don't look random :D
Jam, are they being selected from something the character can actually use?
Hmmmmm.... Don't tempt me - I love those things. Toughness would be perfect for Caradwen :D
Let's see... Since I am using the human favoured class bonus for Bards, I will get another level 2 spell known next level, and I can always use a Hero Point to recall cast spells, so I think I'm gonna skimp on spending powerpoints there...
I'm good on feats, so I think I'm gonna skimp there also...
Think it makes sense to invest on increasing Caradwen's Constitution, so I am going for that one -> 6pp to increase her CON to 11. That one is settled.
I get 4 remaining PP -> I REALLY want to spend them for skill points. 6 extra would nicely round out Caradwen's skills.
On the other hand, if I save them, with two more I can get Caradwen's CON to 12, which will also give me 6 extra hit points, correct Jam?
But no... I'm gonna risk it - hit me with a random feat!!!! AAAARGH!!
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Well..... very lucky (in my opinion)
Skill focus
Choose a skill. You are particularly adept at that skill.
Benefit: You get a +3 bonus on all checks involving the chosen skill. If you have 10 or more ranks in that skill, this bonus increases to +6.
Special: You can gain this feat multiple times. Its effects do not stack. Each time you take the feat, it applies to a new skill.
Can't say I'm unhappy, since I wanted to improve on skills - though with two PP I could get the same bonus (or not, since they transform into 6 if I have 10 ranks in the skill). But hey, that's the nature of the gamble ;)
And it opens the way to Eldritch Heritage. Hmmmmmm.....
Now what am I gonna focus on...? Decisions, always decisions :D
can I have a random feat as well please j .
Ok guys. So what's the evidence to present?
1 the witness to the fire was disoriented when he saw the beast may be in dount. Did he say he was blinded in the fire? If so then how did he see a beast?
2 the tools we found in Hergstag near the disturbed graves pointed to Volkstag and Grimes.
3 there were invoices etc in the ruins of the sanctuary again pointing to V &G.
4 when we went to speak to them we were attacked. Oncebwe had dwfeated them we found one was a skinstealer with a beast sized skin suit. (Does anyone know how a skin stealer works so we can describe it to the court?)
5 the skin stealer had a jagged scar on his shoulder consistent with a Cayman bite.
6 V&G were harvesting corpses.(do we know why?)
7 They took the bodies from Hergstag. They were responsible for the Sanctuary fire (but I'm not sure about their motive. Did we pick up a hint of an argument between the doctor and someone else? May have been either V or G?).
Am I missing anything? Can any of you guys answer the questions linked to some of the above evidence?
I won't say anything in court im going just to see the last day of it
That's all good Sebastian. Im trying to look through see if there is anything else.
1. Not sure if we attack his sight he lost if when he went back in to save the doctor but he only saw a "Beast shape" just like everyone else. Maybe get him to describe in more detail?
2.Tools are good we have a few things that link to V&G now.
3.Same as 2
4. I know how they work, and he was an alchemist so the extracts we found fit and same for 5 the bite and the fact he can change in to things.
6. They had a lot of messed up stuff there we can point to all illegal im sure.
7. I agree with everything you said here they seem to be involved in all this, i assumed something bad happened that ended their arrangement.
The skinstealer i would think would be a good one to show.
Wanted to see Jam, if we can point to evidence we gave over the others day? or is this just for the fire?
Jam is it possible to retrain levels into a fighter archetype using power point, hero points or money some how? I noticed the two handed fighter archetype and it's fitting with my guy and I've missed the 2nd and 3rd level of it so I was wondering if it is possible to retrain.
Not sure what else to say here, we have the paper work... may as well throw that in feel like we're just grasping at straws here.
Morbar i think he was still letting us use Retraining rules.
Retraining takes all your attention for 8 hours per day for a number of days based on what you're retraining. You can't perform any other strenuous activities while retraining, such as marching, adventuring, or crafting magic items. You can retrain only one thing at a time; you must complete or abandon a particular training goal before starting another one. Abandoning unfinished training means you lose all progress toward that training's goal and all costs associated with that training.
Unless stated otherwise, retraining costs gp equal to 10 × your level × the number of days required to retrain. This is normally paid in full at the start of the retraining period, but the GM might allow you to divide these payments over multiple days. At the GM's discretion, this training cost could be up to 50% higher or lower, depending on situational factors within the settlement—availability of trainers, local economy, cost of materials, and so on.
You can use the retraining rules to acquire an archetype for your class or abandon an archetype you have.
To gain an archetype that replaces standard class abilities you already have, you must spend 5 days for every alternate class feature you would add, subtract, or replace by taking that archetype. At the end of the training period, you lose the standard class features and replace them with the archetype's alternate class features (if any).
To abandon an archetype, you must spend 5 days for every alternate class feature you already have from that archetype. At the end of the retraining, you lose the archetype's class features and gain the standard class features for the class.
Swapping one archetype for another requires two retraining sessions: one to abandon the archetype, and then one to gain the new one.
Note that you don't have to use the retraining rules to take an archetype if your class level is low enough that the archetype doesn't modify any of your current class abilities. For example, if you're a 1st-level fighter who wants the archer archetype, that archetype doesn't replace any class abilities until fighter level 2, so you don't need to use the retraining rules at all—once you reach 2nd level, you can just decide to take the archer archetype.
Example: Logan's 4th-level fighter has the archer archetype. Because he is 4th level, he has two alternative class features from his archetype (hawkeye at 2nd level and trick shot at 3rd level), so he must spend 10 days and 400 gp retraining to abandon this archetype. If he were 5th level, he would also have the expert archer alternative class feature, which would increase his retraining to 15 days and 750 gp.
600gp and 10 days then jam? 2 things to retrain so 10 days so 10x6x10? Thanks markus
No I took weapon training hammers already to include all hammers but under this archetype weapon training only works with two handed weapons so I don't have to retrain that
OK j. So given the parallels with Frankenstein, I reckon V&G were grave robbers and murderers who were harvesting and supplying bodies or parts to a few different people. In Morast V was disguised as a poacher perhaps to case the joint and look for victims. Then he disguised himself as the beast to take them.
. I think the doctor at Sanctuary was a customer - perhaps he needed parts for his research into cures for deformity or for cosmetic surgery. Anyway an argument over payment or such may have led to the fire (after V had murdered the doc perhaps). They may have also supplier Hugo's maker with the parts for hhim to be made from.
Again, as it is Frankenstein-likem there's probably a castle somewhere and an evil genius doctor. Perhaps this Vrood character or some noble or other.
Totally guessing now but maybe Hugo was intended to be a tool for the Whispering Way. His maker being a WW member. Hugo breaks his controls because for some reason he is sentient, escapes and hides near Hetgstag where he befriends the girl. Unhappy coincidence that she and others are killed by a wraith and Hugo gets blamed.
Don't know why the theft of the statue unless it is something the WW need and in Hugo's grief stricken state they managed to gain control of him to steal it, leaving him there to be captured and face the music.
How's that for a slice of deep fried gold?
Sorry Sebastian, close but it was the butler all along ;) I'll take my hero point and power point now thanks j
Dammit! The butler! I missed that one!!!
J. If I remember correctly we were promised a reward for investigating. I think it was judge Daramind promised us 1,500gold each. Is that right?
If so then I'm only about 800 short of buying the first magic item in my shopping list.
Markus, if we sell the loot we don't want to keep then how much gold would that mean if shared equally between us?
Seb if you need money Jon would be happy to lend you some, just ask in game.
I'll post my level up over the weekend now j, haven't had a chance yet.
Yah sorry being a bit slow on selling (since we haven't had the time i didn't do it but it will be sorted tonight) Again Loot Link
12 flasks of alchemist's fire
12 vials of liquid ice
12 smoke pellets
12 smoke sticks
8 bottles of bleach (same labels as the one you found in the Sanctuary - 5gp each)
A fine bottle of port (150gp)
15 vials of acid
12 vials of mushadir
5 tanglefoot bags
5 thunderstones
Collection of anatomy and surgery books (750gp)
4 packets of flash powder
5 pots of alchemical grease
750gp in assorted coins
Silver drinking cup inlaid with obsidian (600gp)
An ebony tribal mask from the Mwangi expanse (250gp)
A silver torc from the lands of the Linnorm Kings (300gp)
A mammoth tusk scrimshaw inscribed with spells (works as a single scroll containing the spells bulls strength, ice storm and phantom steed)
7 pots of bladeguard
15 doses of blood block
5 applications of silver weapon blanche
5 applications of cold iron weapon blanche
1 application of adamantine weapon blanch
A wand of gentle repose (32 charges)
Here is the loot if anyone wants something say now as it's all going tonight.
I'm also sure Markus would be happy to lend anyone money if they needed it.
I'd say keep the blade blanches but everything else can go.