Jimbles' Dead Suns

Game Master Jimbles the Mediocre

Envoy 4

HP +6
SP +6

Ref +1
Will +1

Phrenic Defense

Skills 9 points
Acrobatics +1, Bluff +1, Computers +1, Culture +1, Diplomacy +1, Intimidate +1, Perception +1, Profession (musician) +1, Sense Motive +1

Language: Drow

Soldier 4
+9 stamina points
+7 hit points
+1 resolve point
+1 BAB
+1 Fortitude
+1 Will
New combat feat: Blind-fight
Skill ranks: Acrobatics, Athletics, Engineering, Survival

I got a start on Miraj v4.0.

SP: +7, now 28
HP: +6, now 28
RP: +1, now 4
BAB: +1, now +3
Fort: no change, now +2
Ref: +1, now +6
Will: +1, now +5

New Class features
Debilitating Trick: When you hit an enemy with a trick attack, you can make the creature flat-footed or off-target until the beginning of your next turn.

New Exploit:
Innoculation (Ex)
You’ve trained to resist various chemical and biological weapons, toxins, and pathogens you come across in the course of your missions. You add your operative’s edge bonus to Fortitude saves against poison and disease. [This was a no-brainer. His immune system is kicking into high gear.]

11 skill points yet to spend. Will do that soon.

I've finished allocating Miraj's skill points (11 total). He's mostly just better at the skills he uses the most, but over his time spent with Entiren, he's been trying to learn what he can about mysticism, so he now has a rank in that. He is trained in all skills now, although many are just 1 rank.

He gets a free rank point each level in Culture and Sense Motive. The culture point gives him a new language each level. Last level, I forgot to designate a new language, but since he's working so closely with Lauren, he has learned the basics of Scyphozoan.

Once learning the assignment was related to Elven lore and legend, he has been picking up the Elven language, practicing with Diedre and Johnny. He's been trying to learn Formian from Irhok'xath, but that won't be accomplished for another level.

I noticed something in rereading Miraj's other features, that his outlaw theme gives him reduced DC for knowledge rolls about the criminal underworld. It appears this would include this cult, since the cult is generally considered a terrorist and criminal organization by most places. So if there is a culture check for knowledge related to the cult, I think he should get the reduced DC.

It will probably be a day or two before I have time to update Miraj's profile, but I have all the key data recorded and so he can proceed when we resume, even if his profile still lists his level 3 stats.

New Exploit:

Innoculation (Ex)
You’ve trained to resist various chemical and biological weapons, toxins, and pathogens you come across in the course of your missions. You add your operative’s edge bonus to Fortitude saves against poison and disease. [This was a no-brainer. His immune system is kicking into high gear.]

I have a tendency to try and plot out my character builds in advance, but there's some real value in selecting abilities in reaction to the environment of the character at the time they gain them. Gives the character more of a lived-in feeling.

I noticed something in rereading Miraj's other features, that his outlaw theme gives him reduced DC for knowledge rolls about the criminal underworld. It appears this would include this cult, since the cult is generally considered a terrorist and criminal organization by most places. So if there is a culture check for knowledge related to the cult, I think he should get the reduced DC.

Actually, I would say that the "criminal underworld" refers more to smugglers, gangs - anyone performing illegal activities as an enterprise to make a buck. Although some cults (including this one) certainly commit many crimes, there are themes that exclusively deal with knowledge of cults, so I would hesitate to lump all that potential knowledge base into the outlaw theme.

Mystic 4:

HP: +6 now 30
SP: +6 now 24
RP: +1 now 5

BAB: +1 now +3
Fort: +0 now +2
Reflex: +0 now +2
Will: +1 now +7

Skills: 7 ranks
Culture: +2 ranks now +8
Medicine: +1 ranks now +7
Mysticism: +1 ranks now +10
Perception: +1 ranks now +11
Survival: +2 ranks now +12

Languages: Formian, Scyphozoan

Class Features: Connection Spell (Darkvision)

Spells Known:
Still figuring this out.

Oh, Right, Level Up time....

Technomancer 4: +5 HP (24), +6 SP (24), +1 RP (5), +1 BAB (+3), +1 Will (4), Access to 2nd Level spells, +3 2nd Level Spells/Day (3), +2 2nd Level Spells Known (Summon Creature 2, Command Undead), +1 1st Level Spell Known (Comprehend Languages), +7 Skill Ranks (+1 each in- Computers, Engineering, Life Science, Mysticism, Physical Science, Piloting, and Sleight of Hand).

I'm working on updating my profile, my character sheet for autotracking I keep here

@Jimbles/GM Also, question for you. I can't remember if it ever got FAQ'd but there was a longstanding confusion/argument about how the Encumbered condition affected NPCs. I was debating taking Directed Denial of Strength instead of Command Undead, but DDoS's utility depends entirely on how encumbered for NPC's get interpreted and I don't care to start any arguments about it. I'm going to leave it with command undead, but I would like to know how you interpret the condition as applied to NPC's because depending on that I may take the spell when I get my next 2nd level spell. Assuming I survive the current disease coursing through my veins that is.

I think I have everything updated.

@Jimbles/GM Also, question for you. I can't remember if it ever got FAQ'd but there was a longstanding confusion/argument about how the Encumbered condition affected NPCs. I was debating taking Directed Denial of Strength instead of Command Undead, but DDoS's utility depends entirely on how encumbered for NPC's get interpreted and I don't care to start any arguments about it. I'm going to leave it with command undead, but I would like to know how you interpret the condition as applied to NPC's because depending on that I may take the spell when I get my next 2nd level spell.

Ooh, okay, interesting. There's no official FAQ for this spell, but I can see where the controversy lies. The encumbered condition

Would it be possible for Entiren to Take 10 on the Medicine check to treat Miraj?

Would it be possible for Entiren to Take 10 on the Medicine check to treat Miraj?

Since (1) you've been treating this disease in this person for a couple of days, and (2) you have ample time and supplies, I'm gonna say yes.

Alright. I was wanting to check on that before making any rolls for the Medicine check, as I wouldn't want to potentially fail it and have Miraj be diseased for that much longer.

Also, for Entiren's spells:
2nd-Level: Hold Person, Hurl Forcedisk

I'll get his profile updated by sometime tomorrow.

Miraj has an updated profile, so he's good to go.

Ooh, okay, interesting. There's no official FAQ for this spell, but I can see where the controversy lies. The encumbered condition

reduces all speeds by 10 feet,

reduces max Dex bonus to AC to +2, and

imposes a –5 penalty to Str- and Dex-based skill and ability checks.

It's that second point that's sticky, since by RAW an NPC's armor does not actually impact their AC, so there ain't no max Dex to AC at all. That isn't fun, IMO, so I'm gonna say that an NPC with the encumbered condition reduces their AC by (Dex mod – 2) if their Dex mod > +2. That way, the spell should affect PCs and NPCs equally.

Personally, I think the encumbered condition could have been designed in a less-convoluted fashion, but that's beside the point.

There's also contention on the third bullet point. Or at least there was unless you have a new source and it's actually different now that what's on AoN or in the hardcover of the book.

This is what the condition says in the book I have: "All of your speeds are reduced by 10 feet, your maximum Dexterity bonus to your Armor Class is reduced to +2, and you take a –5 penalty to Strength- and Dexterity-based checks (or you take your armor’s armor check penalty, whichever is worse)."

If they've updated it somewhere to say 'skill and ability checks' then you've answered my question. If they haven't, and it still says 'checks', there is still a question. According to the d20 core rule, a check is any d20 roll. Any time you roll a d20 to see if you succeed at something you're making a check.

That would be a really really powerful condition to be able to put on an enemy, as that means it's -5 to init, reflex saves, and almost all attacks. If you're going to interpret that (or if they changed it in the newer PDF) as skill and ability checks, specifically, I'm fine with that. I probably won't take the spell, but TM has very few 'good' 2nd level spells so it might still be worth it.

There's a biohacker ability that also applies encumbered and I started a thread about it at some point. I should probably go check the thread to see if a dev responded to that and I didn't see it/forgot.

Not there... I still don't see anything in the FAQ about it either.

Sorry for the delay, all. We ran into an unpleasant family emergency this week, and I've been largely dealing with the fallout from that. Everyone's okay, but my posting rate will be a bit sluggish for the foreseeable future (especially in this game).

Hopefully I will have enough time to move you guys to the Plague Warden by the end of the holiday weekend!

I hope everything comes out ok. We'll be here.

Glad everyone's okay. Do what you gotta do.

Yup. Real life comes first. Hope all is well or gets there quickly.

Thanks, everyone. I've got my head above water now, so I should be able to get my notes together in the next couple days. Really looking forward to getting back to this game.

I hope everything came out ok.

Fire when ready.

I hope everything came out ok.

Eh, we'll see. Two weeks ago, my wife was laid off due to "current market conditions". Now, we're privileged enough that we were able to prepare for such a scenario, but being financially secure and being emotionally ready to lose the job you expected to do for the rest of your career are two entirely separate things. We're okay. We'll be okay for quite a while. Still, it will be a challenge for her to a find a new position in her highly-specialized field, and it may involve moving across state lines. Things will be a little hectic until this is resolved, and I don't think it'll be resolved any time soon.

On a related note, I have really been missing the joy of running this game, so I'm very glad to get my notes together and get back into it! Thanks so much for your patience and your participation.

Are you going to bot Johnny or is he gone on a pilgrimage in the jungle/MIA? I have my formian eyes on that lashunta ringwear II armor that we got at Turhalu Point...

Are you going to bot Johnny or is he gone on a pilgrimage in the jungle/MIA? I have my formian eyes on that lashunta ringwear II armor that we got at Turhalu Point...

I'm hoping that Johnny will return, one way or another. If not, I'll bot him (which means I'll need to figure out how the heck his solarian/vanguard multiclass is supposed to work).

Sorry for disappearing. My wife and I both had birthdays over the weekend and decided last minute to make a staycation out of it. I'll catch back up in a bit.

Happy belated birthday!

Thanks. :)

If the hand is about 60 ft. tall, what's the height of the head? Because I'm definitely considering climbing up there (though we technically don't know about the sniper yet).

I imagine it's "An uneven surface with narrow handholds, like a stone or brick wall: DC 20"

If the hand is about 60 ft. tall, what's the height of the head? Because I'm definitely considering climbing up there (though we technically don't know about the sniper yet).

I imagine it's "An uneven surface with narrow handholds, like a stone or brick wall: DC 20"

I've been thinking about this, and I wanna say it's 30 feet above the ground. Let's go with that.

Sorry I've not posted since the last revival of the game. Yesterday was my anniversary. I'll try to get caught up this afternoon, but 'bot Miraj if needed to keep things moving.

Happy anniversary! Take the opportunity to celebrate those when you can. :)

Thanks. Our options were limited by the pandemic, but we got some good carry out food and desert, enjoyed the meal in beautiful weather in an outdoor area near a museum, got some Prosecco, returned home, enjoyed the wine and desert, and eventually watched the first hour of Camelot.

Sorry for the delay - my IRL group decided to move this month's session up a day and move it online, but no one thought to inform me, the GM, until the day before, so it's been a little hectic. I'll move us forward over the weekend.

Hey guys, I gotta apologize for the sudden vanishing act. Life has been rather hectic the past couple weeks. I promise that I'm still here! Hoping to get back into the swing of things this week.

I'm really slammed with work at the moment, getting material ready for a new term that I just got this afternoon, very late.

If you would 'bot Miraj, he will move to see what kind of medical aid he can give to Lauren and Entiren. Thanks.

Anyone heading toward Lauren is going to get waived off. She's not on death's door, and her plan is to crawl to cover and attempt to summon another creature while the one she has up flies at top speed to the sniper's nest.

Aren't you poisoned though? I believe Fisher Poison is deadly - you might croak in a couple more rounds

Yes, but my character doesn't know that and would wave you off even if she did. Anyone trying to save her is making themselves a target for the sniper (which she also doesn't know the status of). From her perspective, she's just winded and still feeling the effects of the disease/injuries. She wouldn't want anyone getting shot standing over her.

Besides, without a remove affliction spell, all anyone can do is give her a boost to the save. Either way, we're trusting the dice gods.

Diedre's the caring sort, though, so she's not going to just leave her there by herself.

I've got two questions before I figure out what to do for my upcoming turn.
1) How close together would Entiren be to Lauren?
and
2) Would it be possible to remove our entangled conditions by burning/cutting away the lasso's still?

How close together would Entiren be to Lauren?

About 15 feet.

2Would it be possible to remove our entangled conditions by burning/cutting away the lasso's still?

Yup. Without the sky fisher on the other end, the filaments have an AC of 5. Entiren's filament has 4 HP; Lauren's has 6 HP. Alternatively, you can slip out with a DC 23 Acrobatics check (as a move action).

Just to be clear, the area in the dot-dash rectangle on the map is difficult terrain. Does that mean the area outside was not difficult? Seems odd. Is it just tangled underbrush?

Just to be clear, the area in the dot-dash rectangle on the map is difficult terrain. Does that mean the area outside was not difficult? Seems odd. Is it just tangled underbrush?

That's correct. The area inside the rectangle - around the statue dubbed "the Plague Warden" - is a former stone plaza, reduced to crooked slabs and ankle-spraining pits by the ravages of time.

I meant to mention this last week, but honestly forgot. I'm now on vacation from work until January 5th. I'm not going anywhere, but I have a bunch of housework and the like planned and have stuff to do with the wife and kids. I expect my posting to be sparse and sporadic until the new year.

I hope everyone has (or has had) a happy holidays. I wish you all the best. And I really hope next year is better for everyone.

I would ask, 'How could it get worse?', but I know better than that.

Never tempt 'Worse', it doesn't end well.

I try to be optimistic while retaining a reasonable degree of realism. The following verse always inspires me this time of year and particularly this year:

Awake, awake! The world is young,
For all its weary years of thought:
The starkest fights must still be fought,
The most surprising songs be sung.

For the author and full text, see here

I hope everyone has found a way to enjoy their holidays, even if it's not your standard traditions.

So, news! You may recall that my wife was laid off several months ago. Well, we have both found new jobs (good ones!), but they require us to move across state lines 600 miles north to the absolute middle of nowhere. January will be a challenge for us (and sporadic posting from me) as I tie up my old job, we sell our house, we buy a new house, and we move all our earthly belongings to within spitting distance of the Canadian border in the depths of winter, all while juggling a toddler. Oh, and we're expecting another kid in April.

Still, there are a bunch of upsides. Obviously, financial stability is a great thing, but I'm mostly excited that I'll be spending 90 fewer minutes every day commuting. Also, our new home may not have a WalMart, Target, McDonalds, or Subway within an hour's drive, but it does somehow have gigabit fiber internet, so I'll be able to post that much quicker.

So, January will be a sporadic month for my posting (much like the last three have been), but once we get settled I will have almost eight additional hours of free time every week. Until the baby comes, of course. But hey, I love this game, so as long as you're all still here I'll still keep postin'!

N... no ... no McDonalds?

O.o

shudder
...

More seriously, congratulations on the change of scenery, job, and home! Hope it'll improve lots of things in your life. :)

Sounds like Minnesota to me. Been there in the summer, which was nice, but as a long-time listener to Prairie Home Companion, I have a good idea of what winter is like. I grew up in Indiana, which is not so cold in winter, but certainly not as mild as states to the south experience.

Good luck with it all. Give us a bone once in a while, but we'll hang in here while you get resettled.

Northern California born and raised. Lived pretty much my not-few years in the same town. It's snowed here maybe a dozen or so times in my entire memory. And I can count on one hand how many times the snow has stuck.

In the middle of winter we're about thirty minutes from all the snow we might ever want, but we don't get it here.

Thank God.