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If it's just for background flavor, one possibility is to do Profession (Storyteller), since Profession is much more free to mess around with.
I suppose it is an option, but the point is to entertain, so perform makes more sense. Anyway, we've started so no more changes.
I'm looking forward to a mission of exploration in a party where nobody put any ranks into Knowledge: Geography!
That's why we draw a map. Everyone will have to adhere to geography as we declare it!
There's always Know Direction too, if our resident bard bothers to take it... ;P
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There's always Know Direction too, if our resident bard bothers to take it... ;P
Yeah that's a decent one. He doesn't have it yet though.
Eh, knowing north only requires a single point in Survival and you have it covered automatically. Don't worry about it.
Trying a new avatar. Thoughts? It's not Vaeleus, but...
Sorry for the block of text. I'm guess the ooc tag skips new lines?
It apparently does when you hit return for a new line, anyway.
My main concern is that my blessings only really last a minute, so if the conversation goes on for too long we may lose the buffs.
Ansha's plan involves using Charm Person and/or Diplomacy/Bluff. If Diplomacy gets involved, it's a minimum of a minute--I'd think the short-duration buffs are better cast in the first round of combat rather than before it.
GM PM, does using the 'opposed CHA check' option to convince a charmed person to do something take a shorter amount of time than Diplomacy?
I figure that we will be listening and will be able to tell from the flow of conversation if we need to start buffing. Maybe Ansha should have a code word that she can work into the conversation with the bandit guy if she wants us to get ready.
How about we make 'watermelon' the safe--I mean code--word? ;P Though really someone should bring these things up in-character.
The cart won't completely block the entrance, so we will still have to watch for people slipping by. Another way to go would be to have the cart already blocking most of the entrance, as if Oleg had been careless about where he left it. It sounds like these guys have horses so they will need a 10' gap to get in; it becomes easy to block the way out at that point.
Since the bandits have horses, the cart doesn't need to completely block the entrance--just to make it impossible for them to flee on horseback. If the bandits want to flee on foot, those of us with horses can easily run them down.
Pungeon: what are the things at A5? They look like cages of some sort. Also, will grease cause a quadruped like a horse to fall down as well?
I believe they're pits with grates over them, IIRC.
Maybe she's not donning her armor and shield at the moment?
That was my assumption.
Updated, thanks.
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Okay, I don't want to drag things out here as I think we are basically ready. But I wanted to go over my understanding of the plan quickly.
1. Ansha will be on the roof at A4 and will attempt to use charm person on the bandit leader. Thereafter she may negotiate with the bandits or not depending on her judgement. When she gives the signal "Watermelon" then the rest of us spring into action.
2. Cal will be on the roof of the bunkhouse at A2. When the signal is given, Cal will cast grease on the bandits. After that he can start a bardic performance and snipe from the roof with his crossbow. If any of the bandits escape it is an easy jump for him to get to the wall walk south of the building and shoot at them as they run.
3. Karsh, Linora, and I will be south of the stable (A3) hidden beneath a tarp and among some boxes, hay bales, or whatever. When the signal comes, I will cast enlarge person on Karsh, who will then push the cart to block the gate. Then Karsh draws his longhammer. Linora can attack the closest person (Linora could start in the barn or the storage shed if she prefers). Karsh will have a 15' reach AND combat reflexes so he can just advance and get as many AOO's as possible. From within this radius Numalar can also cast burning hands.
4. After combat starts Ansha can use spells to attack at range or incapacitate enemies. Avery will be on the roof with Ansha to protect her. If we can get Avery some ranged weapons she can also attack from the roof.
Does that cover everything?
I'm gonna be on the ground instead of roof, and will wait inside the stables which should be a good vantage point to listen in. I will go into melee rather than ranged. Otherwise looks good.
Well, as Karsh said it IC, Cal was going to be on the roof of the storehouse as well. Other than that, sounds about right.
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I'm gonna be on the ground instead of roof, and will wait inside the stables which should be a good vantage point to listen in. I will go into melee rather than ranged. Otherwise looks good.
Okay; if Ansha is on the roof then she probably doesn't need as much protection. Why don't you stick with Linora then? You could both start in the barn.
For the record, her chance to hit is way better than yours (or anyone else's for that matter), so perhaps you should use your buffs on her or take the Aid Another action to help her rather than attacking yourself. Up to you of course.
I'm sure we won't need to optimize everything to survive the very first encounter of an AP. :)
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You're probably right... but we know they are coming and have time to prepare. Might as well take advantage of that. Generally if you are given a tactical advantage like this the encounter will be more difficult to compensate.
I am keen to get on with the encounter at this point. I understand from the other table though that PM has some issues with a veterinarian that is keeping him occupied at the moment so we may have to wait a bit to hear from him.
He commented about that two days ago. Not sure what the hold up is now.
He could be there but if so he wouldn't be able to do anything about bandits trying to escape. Up to him I suppose.
Well, he does have a crossbow... if they try to escape, I can always try to pick at least one of them off.
You alive, GMPM?
Has anyone tried to PM GM PM?
Not yet. Was going to shortly, though.
PM GM PM?
Heh. <- easily amused
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It's been five days since PM has posted. A PM might be good, but it might do nothing until he logs back in depending on his settings are. I will probably try it in the evening if nobody hears anything.
But I'm a little restless so I felt like making a game post.
It occurs to me that we could make some plans for after the encounter. We can't be sure how things will go but we probably will have some downtime. I also assume that while we may not get any cash reward for helping Oleg and Svetlana (though we might), we will be able to lay claim to the horses and gear of the bandits. Hopefully this can be sold to Oleg or somebody for cash.
The reason I bring this up is that I think we should have Ansha make some scrolls for us once we have time. A 1st level scroll only costs 12.5 gp to make.
The first priority would be scrolls of cure light wounds. If Ansha works with Avery, Cal, or Karsh, she can make them and the spellcraft DC will be 11 so she can take 10 and never fail. We should have a few of these as backup healing. Avery, Cal, and Karsh can all use these and I can use them with a UMD check (I have a +8 to UMD).
Secondly, Numalar would very much like her to make him a couple scrolls of mage armor. These actually would also be of value for Cal and Linora until they get better armor. Numalar would be happy to use such a scroll on them though he can't cast the spell himself.
Numalar could work with her to make scrolls of enlarge person if people think they want those. Cal could work with her to make scrolls of grease, though those aren't as good as Cal casting it himself.
Magic missile isn't usually worth casting at 1st level but Ansha could make some scrolls of it for herself as a backup attack.
Most of her other spells have saves and aren't worth putting on scrolls.
Thoughts?
I PMed him immediately after I said that I hadn't yet, yesterday. Still no reply.
Since the game started, he's had more days where he has not posted than days where he has (2 posted, 3 not). At what point do you guys think we should consider looking for a different GM? If he hasn't posted by Monday or Tuesday?
As for scrolls: I like the idea, but...it wouldn't work exactly how you wanted it to. Scribe Scroll only works with spells "you" (i.e. the person with the feat) know. I couldn't do cure spells, nor enlarge person until I have that spell in my spellbook--but I could do mage armor scrolls.
For what it's worth, I would say we wait until Tuesday before we start looking for a new GM.
That being said, since GMs are much more rare than players, I would be willing to GM the game if it came down to it. I'm new to PbP but I've been GMing for 13+ years over a variety of different systems. I applied to the game to get a feel for PbP with the intent of GMing eventually. I really like the idea behind Kingmaker and it's one of the AP's that I've always been interesting in DMing. I've read the first AP a bit and could brush up on it more if it came down to it.
It's an option but if anyone feels uncomfortable with it, we could always look for someone else, assuming PM doesn't show back up.
Since the game started, he's had more days where he has not posted than days where he has (2 posted, 3 not). At what point do you guys think we should consider looking for a different GM? If he hasn't posted by Monday or Tuesday?
There could be very real and legitimate reasons why a player or GM might be away... I think it maybe premature to be thinking about that yet.
I think it maybe premature to be thinking about that yet.
There very well may be. That's why I asked, "At what point do you guys think we should consider looking for a different GM??" Momentum is pretty important in a PbP, and we've not really had a chance to build any since the game started, so we probably shouldn't wait terribly long.
Fair enough... and in that case, I might suggest by early next week? In reality, given the interest from players (there is yet another thread up, filling up fast with applicants), I have a feeling any potential GM will probably want to take a look at starting their own recruitment thread.
Wonder what the feeling is over at PM's 2nd Kingmaker game he started last week; gonna wonder over there and take a look.
We're mostly worried about him. We've had a few conversations that have kept us somewhat occupied, but I get the feeling my party mates are getting good antsy, as well...
Karsh, if you were to take over, would you be up for taking over both tables? Or would we be left high and dry?
Honestly, Arawn, I was thinking about offering to take over table 2 myself, even before Karsh spoke up about table 1. But hopefully PM comes back and we don't have to worry about any of that.
Well, that works, then! Hopefully PM comes back, but it's good to know options are there.
Actually, Karsh, if you're unsure about running a PbP, I might be willing to run table 1. GM swapping ftw.
Yeah, that was one of my concerns about offering to DM table 1. I was worried about being new to the format and bitting off more than I could chew. It's good to hear that we have options.
Arawn, if you are comfortable with dming table 1, that would work best. Either Ansha or I could DM table 2. I think that makes the most sense in all honesty. That way people are still allowed to PLAY the AP while DMing it assuming everyone is comfortable with that :)
However, I think the best idea is to have PM show back up but knowing we have options should help us maintain momentum.
I'm fine with waiting however long. I can wait six months and still hop back on without missing a beat. Not that I expect you to wait that long, but my point is don't worry about me.
My group seems to be of a consensus that Thursday is a good deadline for when to change GM's, assuming PM has not returned (here's to hoping he does).
Please keep me informed on when your deadline is, in case of the worst case scenario...
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As for scrolls: I like the idea, but...it wouldn't work exactly how you wanted it to. Scribe Scroll only works with spells "you" (i.e. the person with the feat) know. I couldn't do cure spells, nor enlarge person until I have that spell in my spellbook--but I could do mage armor scrolls.
I'm not sure if that's right...
Under the overall rules for magic items it says:
Note that all items have prerequisites in their descriptions. These prerequisites must be met for the item to be created. Most of the time, they take the form of spells that must be known by the item's creator (although access through another magic item or spellcaster is allowed).
(second paragraph, emphasis mine)
That seems to say to me that if two spellcasters collaborate then one could write a scroll the other knows. Unless Scribe Scroll is an exception, though I am not sure why it would be. It uses the phrase "spell that you know" which seems to mirror the wording of the rule above, which made me think that it applies.
We can see what GMPM says when (or if) he gets back.
Well, SKR seems to agree with you, anyway.
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I think you guys have done this more than I have but I just stumbled across these threads and they were very helpful.
DH's Guide to Play By Post gaming
Building a Better Doomed Hero: Painlord's Advanced Play-by-Post Play
Just in case anyone might find it useful.
Karsh, do you have your profile set to accept Private Messages? I can't PM you for some reason.
Apparently not. I didn't know you had to turn something like that on but makes sense.
I should have fixed it. Let me know if not.
It's now been nine days since PM disappeared--I think it's obvious by now that he isn't coming back. Arawn from table 2 has graciously offered to GM for us; I say we take him up on that.
We're having a similar discussion on our own thread as of now (the Thursday deadline we were talking about expiring... well... today). We're still waiting for everyone to show up and cast his ballot, but for now, it looks like we're headed towards putting the GM-swap plan in motion - if you're still alright with it, that is.
Yeah I was waiting for enough of a majority on Table #2 to say go ahead before posting there but I will in a few hours relatively shortly.