(probably after having both told him this is the beginnings of his proving he is willing to change and warned that treachery will be met with death)
I agree with everything but this part here. His warning was waking up still alive. If he can't figure out that betrayal equals death, he is too stupid to live & the River Kingdoms will be improved by his absence.
So we are in agreement (except for a bunch of fuzzy details which can be safely hammered down on the way to the bandits' camp, as Korinne pointed out). Let's put his PBP back in motion then. I'll wait for Alayi to communicate her willingness to stay behind and to suggest the departing group takes Happs with them, then I'll put up a post where we share our plans with Oleg.
Yep, I agree with the plan.
Yes
Alayi already told Castor she is willing to stay behind. Not sure that Alayi the character would come up with the idea that I did out of character though, which is the main reason I think someone else (like Castor, Rufus or Xel) should be the IC voice of it. Not trying to hold up the game, I just can't see Alayi having the same flash of inspiration, and I don't want her to break character to do it if we can avoid it. (I personally hate it in books where the character suddenly seems to become the direct voice of the author, even though the character has not been built up to think that way. Every so often Michael Crichton would do it and it frustrated me to no end, despite the fact I tended to like his works.)
If no one else pipes up before then, either IC or OOC, I will make a Gameplay post this evening.
I'm posting by phone while riding a bus at the moment or I would do it sooner.
Please do. I'm out for the weekend, so posting might be sporadic.
Hey everyone. Sorry for the radio silence. Been working and moving, and the Internet isn't hooked up in my new place yet. Should have it turned on today, and I might be able to squeeze a post in by tonight. Here's to hoping.
-Posted with Wayfinder
Looks like Castor is the only one with ranks in Survival and Korinne is the only one with Kn. Nature and Geography (for now).
-Posted with Wayfinder
For now, yes.
Castor, on this outbound trip particularly, speed is going to be more important than food. We have more than enough to get us there & back. Foraging is going to slow us down.
Good thinking. Ixnay on the oragefay, then.
Hey guys, just an update from me. I'm letting you guys do some RP on the road to the bandit camp and at Oleg's itself before moving forward. I will automatically move everything forward to the next "stage" sometime tomorrow.
Hey guys, just an update from me. I'm letting you guys do some RP on the road to the bandit camp and at Oleg's itself before moving forward. I will automatically move everything forward to the next "stage" sometime tomorrow.
Rufus was intending to ask Happs some questions in front of everyone before then.
I probably won't be able to post before tomorrow, but please don't move on to the bandit camp before I've had a chance to respond again.
That's fine. My original post was just to tell you guys my intention but if someone wants me to hold off, that's fine. I'm more than ok with holding off. Feel free to ask whenever I say such things.
On the subject of languages (because I realize I never responded, oops)...
@Arawn, I have actually seen Hebrew used for Draconic quite frequently, which even works well for your spellcasting as it is noted as being the preferred language of magic. Although that might be from previous editions...
I can see Hebrew as Draconic, though I was trying to avoid Draconic as a casting language, since Arawn doesn't have the Draconic Bloodline. Celestial also fits Hebrew, and I wouldn't mind it being used as suchif someone speaks Celestial, otherwise I'll just keep using it for casting as is.
I think I'm going to use Japanese (Kanji) for Draconic. Makes sense as a language that started out at least as something that could be inscribed with a claw. The spoken version doesn't have to be Japanese, though I guess it could be. Either way.
Now I need to go find the Japanese language pack for my computer. *mutters*
Unless someone else pipes up preferring a different course, Rufus is going to have Happs lead us to the point the Bandits come out of the Forest, which sounds as though it should only be an hour or so away from their camp. He will want to make camp out on the plains/hills/whatever it is, so that the watch will have a clear field of view during the night. Come morning, he will have Happs lead us in, cautiously.
Which brings up the next question; are we meaning to try & brazen our way in, pretending to be the returned bandits, or was there a different intent for approaching the bandit camp?
Rufus is going to be questioning Happs, a lot, before letting the bandit sleep. Rufus will also be taking the greater share of the watch during the night. He doesn't have to worry about 'replenishing spells' or whatever it is that casters do. This is also why he got sleep in while riding.
The non-lethal response worked last time because we had someplace to put them, afterwards. Also, there weren't enough of them that they could seriously consider overwhelming us with sheer numbers. One of the reasons Rufus is questioning Happs, is to get an idea what the numbers at the camp are and from that, whether non-lethal is likely to work considering we will then have to bring them back.
Given the option, he would like to capture Kressle alive for much the same reason we wanted Happs alive in particular, she will have greater intelligence regarding the Stag Lord & the other bandits.
Xelani isn't presently accompanying you so she shouldn't and wouldn't have any voice in that discussion, I'm writing this just to tell you I sort of second Rufus position, in particular
- trying to capture Kressle alive for further questioning - as you pointed out, she's quite likely to be a bigger shot than Happs and thus far more knowledgeable about their whole "organization";
- being as pragmatic as possible in combat - meaning for instance not taking attack maluses just to deal non-lethal damage (a possible exception being Kressle, but only once combat has swung heavily in your direction);
- sparing bandits only if they surrender or they're somehow still alive once combat has ended.
- You're somehow spotted and killing them all is your best way out? Go for it
- You've managed against all odds to infiltrate their camp and they're all standing there, conveniently clumped up? Well, the color spray trick worked so well the first time, so...
Other than that, what number would you consider the upper bound over which bringing them back with you would become unfeasible?
Alayi and Xelani, let me know if you are comfortable with me moving the plot for you guys to later in the day. I have an idea for something to give you guys to handle but don't want to cut any plans you guys have short :)
No qualms about carrying the game forward GunMetal GM ;) I was actually meaning to ask you: what do you think the best way to gradually shift our prisoners' attitude would be? I'm fully aware it would be a slow process (if at all feasible), but I'm nurturing the idea of making it a parallel pet project of Xelani's during the course of the whole first installment...
Personally, I was thinking of dropping by from time to time, roleplaying some interactions with them coupled with the occasional Diplomacy roll - do you think that has a chance to work? Or would you rather implement different mechanics - if at all?
I'm fine with you trying whatever you want. Diplomacy checks will help but it's very much more about your actions. It's really up to you how you want to go about it. I could provide some guidance but I'd prefer you to see what you can do :) Mostly because I do not know how Xelani would RP it all out. I think it has a chance to work at least ;)
Thank you for your feedback ;) - I was just asking as I didn't want to clutter up the gameplay with what might have been perceived as an inconsequential and/or futile effort.
I am good with a time advance... sorry about the delay.
Castor, feel free to bring up the lights whenever, it seems like the interrogation is over.
Hm... thinking she will take take eng knowledge at next level instead of advancing sleight of hand... heck I would probably do a one for one swap of the skills if I was remaking her, but I am sure that I will find a use for it eventually. That said, might be nice to have a source of the knowledge (even if it is just my tinkering with the engines long enough to finally get an idea of them) instead of my suddenly getting it from the matrix, so to speak.
Things are fine here. Sorry I've been delaying, I know I have to bring up the floating light.
I'm getting ready to head out to university this morning, I'll get that post out as soon as I have a chance.
On nights now, so expect late night (PST wise anyway) posts for a while. Other than that, doing well, both in games and out.
Yesterday was unexpectedly busy for me. Fortunately, my schedule looks lighter today, so I will definitely be posting.
Nicely enough, thank you! My only other PbP is a Serpent's Skull campaign which is progressing somewhat slowly - a pity as I'm finding this AP most enjoyable.
Other than that, just waiting for some GM feedback before posting ;)
@Alayi / the Emerald Duke: I wholeheartedly second that choice. Often overlooked skills such as Knowledge (engineering) might very well have a chance to shine in a Kingmaker AP (and it would suit your character nicely RP-wise, too). I mean, that triumphal arc celebrating our victories isn't going to design itself, is it?
I also considered to have Xelani dabble in some more knowledge skills, though I just couldn't make them fit in the meager amount of skill points she gets every level - even though with a grand total of 5/level I like to think she might as well be one of the most skilled paladins of all time!
Hm... thinking she will take take eng knowledge at next level instead of advancing sleight of hand... heck I would probably do a one for one swap of the skills if I was remaking her, but I am sure that I will find a use for it eventually. That said, might be nice to have a source of the knowledge (even if it is just my tinkering with the engines long enough to finally get an idea of them) instead of my suddenly getting it from the matrix, so to speak.
Question: Who would be awake in the early nightfall? Castor would point out the mysterious light to whoever else is awake, so I'd like to know who that is.
Rufus is specifically going to be awake for most of the night. That is why he slept in the saddle for much of the ride down.
Also, the interrogation scene isn't quite done just yet.
Oh hey - thank you Korinne!
Indeed, at least in my personal experience, it's one of the very rare cases when a character concept, an image AND a Paizo forum avatar have managed to somewhat align...
You should put that link in your Profile, Korinne.
Seconded. That eerie, just-outside-your-comfort-zone cute feeling it conveys suits your character just fine, Korinne.
Re: the matter of finding a credible female portrait - I feel your pain. It might seem a trivial, even vain effort at first, but I've found that the lack of visual and non-verbal clues can be, especially in PbPs, a great obstacle against perceiving the other characters as fully fledged, independent entities (as opposed to mere voices describing actions and speeches). I feel that being able to picture a particular character allows me to interact with her in deeper, more meaningful manner - as if I were talking to a real person, with her quirks, her mannerisms and so on.
Guys, sorry to chime in like this, but reading the discussion that emerged I'm getting the feeling that the plan is getting further and further carried away from how it originally took shape from Alayi's remark - which is not a bad thing, per se, if not for the fact that it actually stroke me as a pretty robust strategy, which came out anything but strengthened in the light of what you've discovered in the meantime.
- The bandits are expecting a group of 4 of them led by Happs to come back tomorrow morning; so seeing the lot of you coming shouldn't raise any alarms;
- Happs confirmed residency at that particular camp is somewhat fluid; any single bandit is unlikely to know who everyone else is, so you're not likely to trigger any sense motive checks until they're able to see your faces; which in the pre-dawn gloom is not something they'll manage to do from very far away;
- Castor's unwillingness to pose as a bandit is very justified (seeing how most of
youus lack any ranks in bluff and/or disguise), but I don't think you'd have to get that far: just managing to make it past the watch post would already be a significant tactical advantage; being able to actually surprise them even more so (but that'd be an added bonus); - even if you're afraid of having to deal with a dozen bandits (it's unlikely an AP would pit 4 1st level characters in such a fight, but let's stay IC for a moment), as round 1 showed, the more clumped up they are, the better: fighting them in the open might prove potentially even more dangerous, especially if they have bows with them and they start shooting at the squishier characters (murderous x3 multiplier and all that);
- as for Happs, keep him close and unarmed; should he try something funny, he'd be AoO'd to death and he knows it (i picture him as being a traitorous bastard, but not suicidal - on the other hand, putting his life on the line to try to alert his "friends" about our ruse would be the heroic thing to do, which Happs is anything but);
- lastly, if you're loath to use prismatic spray again because of the moral conundrum of what to do with still living prisoners, the AP has just courteously supplied us with a robust contingent of 5 potential jailers (well, not really as of yet, but I'm working on it - give me some trust ;) ), whose coming was announced IC.
Of course, that hinges heavily on the fact that Happs has been somewhat sincere in his claims, and that you don't fumble your sense motive check about it. On the other hand, grilling him even after he's told you everything he knows might very well backfire (since we've actually agreed not to use a map-based, tactical combat, being deliberately vague about the camp's general layout might have been a purposeful choice by the GM, perhaps).
Ok, so that's just my 2 coppers. Again, sorry for the intrusion, but since I feel we're all metaphorically sitting at the same digital table, I figured a little bit of chitchatting and planning in the background might be justified, after all ;)
I can feel your pain too... female ifrit art is rather limited... this is probably the closest I will find, and even it is wrong (Alayi doesn't have horns). I really hate my thumbnail too... it is the wrong color and even vibe, but again, closest I can find to what I am envisioning.
Indeed - Alayi's description hints at a bronze-skinned, elfin creature who could easily pass for human at a distracted glance; while your thumbnail looks almost devilish :shivers:
Exactly my problem. Sigh. I view her has having skin on the metalic side of bronze (but could pass for human bronze if you weren't paying attention), black hair that shimmers with heat (but again, outside could be mistaken for an optical illusion) and humanish features with the exceptions of the ridge from her brow (which frames her hair and almost could pass as a headband) and her very not human eyes (black where there should be white, molten orange and red where there would normally be color and black).