"Kirthfinder" Aviona PBP

Game Master Kirth Gersen

Caspian decides that now a gentle melody might keep the vampire spawn from waking and entertain the ghostly girl as well....

Perform 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (12) + 12 = 24

....
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I die before I wake
I pray the lord my soul to take

Hush little dracy, don't even stir
And never mind that noise you heard
It's just the Kelgan reloading,
soon be dead
In your casket, in your head

Exit, light
Enter, night
Grain of sand

Exit, light
Enter, night
Take my hand
We're off to never-never land

Inspiration from Metallica, Enter sandman..

"One down, two to go."

Kelgan methodically pries open the second coffin, loads, aims and fires.

CdG: 2d8 + 26 ⇒ (3, 1) + 26 = 30

Once, they are impaled on the bolt, Wyvurn will drag them coffin and all so the light coming in from the manhole is shining on them

"Let's make sure."

Capian continues his undead lullaby...

Cricket makes a strange sign with his left hand (\oo/) and helps the rest of the party arrange the draculas for stabbing.

The little girl seems pleased after all three of the former sewer workers have been dispensed with. However, what to do with her corpse/ghost remains to be determined.

Also, there's a potential problem. As Wyvurn is arranging the skeletons of the former vampire-spawn under the manhole to make sure they get a full blast of daylight, he happens to look up and out... and notices that the manhole is ringed with scarred hill dwarven faces -- probably ten of them, with their owners all pointing crossbows.

Cricket also happens to glance up.

Um, Kelgan? Jaegr? Friends of yours?

"Uh Jaegr, Kelgan you guys got a flask of Burl's left over? Because it looks like a whole pack of booze hounds just found us."

"Those Hill dwarves are no friends of mine. Let them stay up there for now and finish these things off first. Then deal with them. Maybe you can buy some time by distracting them Caspian. "

"Well if they are as hard headed as...."

Caspian plays his bag-pipes again this time adding
"It was a hill dwarf who crafted these fine pipes, I'd hate to see a hill dwarf ruin them!"

Caspian plays his pipes and attempts to hypnotize the hilldwarves above...

"Come an listen to my story about a hill dwarf named Jed, a poor hillfolk fella who barely kept his family fed....then one day he was hunting for food when....instead he found a Rube...Ruby that is...Shiny like and Red."

Second verse is coming

"Why hello gents. We...uhh ...were not expecting anyone to help out. I think we have this one under control..uhh..if you could just stand aside and let these fellas get some sun as it appears they have been down here too long.... We'll be up shortly to discuss any further business"

One of the dwarves grunts, "The only 'business' we have, melanzanas*, is the Egg. If you've got it down there, toss it up and you can bask in the sun all day if you want. You don't got it, then we have to collapse the pit you're in. You might suffocate, but we need to prove we already searched here."

* Dwarven word for eggplants; used as slang by hill dwarves to refer to goblins. Much like the mountain dwarf 'gobbo,' but rather more earthy and descriptive.

Cricket points to the ghost.

She ate it!

[Cricket's player, being half Italian, bristles at the racist insult.]

The little girl's ghost returns to her body and is no longer visible as a separate manifestation. Cricket hears a whisper, "Shhh! I'm hiding, stupid. Don't tell them I'm here."

[Cricket's player, being half Italian, bristles at the racist insult.]

Caspian continues to try and musically Hypnotize those pesky hill dwarves...with his song about Jed....

"Well the first thing you know ol' Jed's put on airs, His kinfolk said, 'Jed, move away from here!' They said, 'Californy is the place you oughtta be.' So, they loaded up the wagon and moved to tha Hills of Beberly."

Caspian hypnotism HD affected: 2d4 ⇒ (3, 1) = 4
Saving throws (DC 14): 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 13

Four of the ten hill dwarves are staring, slack-jawed, at Caspian; their crossbows are sort of vaguely pointed in no particular direction. The others seem alert.

Kelgan, having finished with the last vampire, moves back to the entrance and stares up at the other hill dwarves. He glances from face to face, trying to identify the one in charge, most likely the one that spoke up.

In Hill Dwarf

"Ye sad fecks Obmi's dogs, then? Or do ye work for that blackguard An'sovin? No matter, ye're messin' with me now, and I'll have me answers."

Kelgan swings his crossbow up and fires directly at the skull of the dwarf he thinks is leading this sorry band.

Crossbow, Fell Shot, Deadly Aim: 1d20 + 7 - 2 ⇒ (15) + 7 - 2 = 201d8 + 7 + 6 ⇒ (1) + 7 + 6 = 14 (Target denied armor, natural armor, and shield; also dex and dodge if flatfooted)

Inspired by the movie The Fifth Element scene "negotiations on the bridge."

Kelgan Bluff to avoid telegraphing intent: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (11) - 1 = 10
Dwarves Bluff to sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 2

Kelgan's move catches the bandits completely unprepared; his shot strikes the spokesdwarf dead-on, apparently incapacitating him. The bandits struggle to react to this unexpected turn of events:

Initiative 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13

Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

They picked the wrong dwarf to rob!

Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

"I wish I was in the middle of them. I fight better close up."

Any chance for bow shots back and forth? Not sure how big the opening is from return fire for both sides.

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22
+2 in urban terrain

"If you didnot like the song Kelgan you could have just said so!"

"Your song was fine, Cas. A bit cheerful for a dirge, though. These thugs came down here looking to die, and I aim to see they get their wish."

In Hill Dwarf

"Which one of you coglione has the stones to try to steal from me?"

Initiative 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (9) + 3 = 12

Initiative: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22

Since it is only 20' up, Wyvurn will use accelerated movement to scramble up the rungs and leap in the middle of the hill dwarves hoping to catch them off guard before they can react. He will then slip behind one of them and put it in a chokehold making sure the dwarf's body is between him and the rest of the crossbows.

Grapple: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (9) + 9 = 18

"I don't appreciate being insulted by the hired help. And while you all may take me in a rush, this sorry stump dies first."

If I spend a point of grit for an extra move, could I make it up to the top in time?

Wyvurn's grapple is a success, and his hapless victim, not having acted yet, is caught flat-footed and unable to make an attack of opportunity.

Jaegr obviously has something in mind, but unfortunately the bandits reacted to Kelgan's gambit sooner, and will be able to act first.

Miralda Initiative: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

Initiative Order:
22. Wyvurn (already acted - grappled one bandit)
22. Caspian (cast spell prior to combat, can also act now)
13. Bandits
12. Cricket
11. Jaegr
6. Kelgan
3. Miralda

Caspian changes his song to one of inspiration to help his compainions hit harder and do more damage...

He blows the first note and goes into the old standby knock knock goes the rock....

The bandit that Kelgan shot weakly tries to shoot back:
1d20 - 1 ⇒ (19) - 1 = 181d6 + 3 ⇒ (1) + 3 = 4

The others all fire as well, except of course the ones staring at Caspian, and the one grappled by Wyvurn:

1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 91d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 41d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 211d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 181d6 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

The one that Wyvurn has a hold of tries to break free in the commotion:
1d20 + 3 ⇒ (12) + 3 = 15

After that flurry of motion, the end result is that five crossbow bolts clatter harmlessly off of Kelgan's shield, and Wyvirn tightens his grip enough to discourage his squirming captive from escaping.

Not using shield at the moment, but AC is still 24 without it. I've modified character sheet to reflect not using shield unless specified, since I need both hands to reload at the moment. Also, posting now, when I have the time.

Kelgan tries to use his knowledge of the macho bandit culture to rile them up.

In Hill Dwarf
"Those shots were quite pitiful! I've had stronger sneezes. You must come from families that dally with the raccoons, to produce such black-eyed blusterers."

Kelgan reloads and shoots again at the leader.

Crossbow (FS, DA, Insp): 1d20 + 7 - 2 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 - 2 + 2 = 111d8 + 7 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 6 + 2 = 22

Kelgan, about to fire, realizes that the spokesdwarf has succombed to his wound and selects a different target, waiting until Cricket and Jaegr have acted.

Jaegr, you can shoot back up at them with a bow, or attempt to climb up during the commotion. Climbing will provoke an attack of opportunity from the nearest thug(s), but since they're busy trying to reload their crossbows, you're not overly concerned about that.

Ah, I was assuming he was still up when he fired back.

Ah, I was assuming he was still up when he fired back.

He was at exactly 0 hp! Firing the crossbow did him in.

Ha! So it was a good skullshot the first time. Excellent >:)

Jaegr will climb up and get in the middle of the fray. If I can double move it I will, if I need an extra move to get up there I will spend a point of grit

Jaegr, squinting up at the bandits, begins to climb.
Weather: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Unfortunately for Jaegr, he's squinting up into a clear sky; he'll suffer a 20% miss chance in a fight due to his light sensitivity. If it's any consolation, so does Miralda.

Cricket -- you're up!

Cricket hopes that the others will have properly distracted the hill dwarf bandits and climbs out of the hole using a double move.

When he gets to the top, he yells for Wolvie.

Two of the dwarves, shocked to see people straight climbing up past them, club at Cricket furiously with the butts of their crossbows :

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (13) + 3 = 161d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 101d6 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3

The Tuelvi, wise in the ways of the forest, always knows when a thorn tree branch is going to snap back in his face; similarly, he is able to anticipate the arc of a crossbow butt and pull his head back to avoid being struck.

Seeing what looks like you playing with the newcomers, Wolvie trots up and wags his tail expectantly.

Jaegr nears the top as well, and there are only 3 hill dwarves able to contest his arrival. Feeling uncertain about his ceramic armor, they try to push him back down the hole:

1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14
Aid another: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (15) + 3 = 181d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

Jaegr loses his Dex and Dodge bonuses to AC; his final CMD is 18.
14 + 2 + 2 = 18 -- the bandits barely succeed!

Jaegr tumbles backward into the hole, causing his companions below to scramble out of the way to avoid being crushed. He lands with a tremendous splash; luckily, the water converts 1d6 of the falling damage to nonlethal damage:

Nonlethal: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Lethal: 1d6 ⇒ 1

Jaegr's amazingly resilient ceramic armor completely absorbs the lethal damage and reduces the nonlethal damage to 3 points.

At this point, Kelgan gets his crossbow reloaded and discharges it again. Being forced to reselect a target, and scrambling back to avoid his companion's falling bulk, his shot goes wide.

Miralda finally breaks free of her grief. Incanting and waving her hands, she attempts to put the bandits to sleep:

2d4 ⇒ (1, 2) = 3
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (11) + 2 = 131d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 61d20 + 2 ⇒ (16) + 2 = 18 vs. DC 13

One of the ruffians slumps to the ground, snoring. That leaves 4 active bandits, one of whom is being restrained by Wyvurn -- and it's Wyvurn's turn again.

Duration of Caspian's hypnotism:

Good dog!

Caspian lets the hypnotism duration continue as he himself works at inspirings his companions....

All the while he stands in the water un-concerned about the fray happening above....

A new song begins forming in his mind...
....Dunk dunk dunk the dwarf......In a pond a stream or off a warf....Dunk dunk dunk the dwarf.....

But he actually continues the normal inspirational song.....

"Damnation!"

Kelgan thrusts a hand down into the murky water and helps haul the dverge to his feet.

Wvurn will apply some pressure and attempt to choke out the dwarf.

Nonlethal damage CMB: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 251d6 + 4 ⇒ (4) + 4 = 8

Wyvurn's victim stuggles in his grasp; another six seconds or so of that kind of pressure will certainly make him pass out.

Caspian, you can maintain your inspiration and still cast a spell, if you want.

Jaegr will pick himself back up and trudge up again.

I've resisted for years, but I'm thinking about DMing a play-by-post game, if sufficient interest exists. I have only two pre-existing conditions:

1. I'd like to use the house rules posted HERE, ones that I refer to as the Superior Hybrid Interactive Tabletop game (better known by its acronym), and which others have dubbed "Kirthfinder." These rules are similar to pure Pathfinder, but classes (especially marial ones) and feats have been rewritten, and combat rules are a bit different (half-move and full attack are compatible, for example, and spellcasting in melee is more difficult).

2. If you're going to lose interest and stop playing, that's OK, but have the decency to let me know in advance. Anyone who just randomly drops out of the game with no explanation will incur my lasting animosity. So please do not offhandedly say "Why not?" on a lark, unless you're genuinely intent on going through with it. I'd rather have 0 interested players (and know it in advance) and cancel up front, than to have a dozen people who never show up after their first post.

Other idiosyncrasies: I don't use battlemats. If you want to be in a certain place vis-a-vis others, and you can reasonably move there, you can do so. Also, play is open-ended in that players can assume that reasonable surroundings exist. If you're in a tavern and want to assume there's a wagon-wheel chandelier overhead (and I haven't said otherwise), then it is so. Likewise, if you want to flee an encounter and go back to town to look for reinforcements or oil or whatever (and the group agrees), then that's legitimate if a means of escape exist.

Heya Kirth, I can't believe this has no posts in it yet. However, you will get far more response if it goes into the Gamer Connection threads.

I would take you up on your offer myself, but I'm DMing 2 Pathfinder games already and that is my limit. So to be fair on my players, I will pass. I will however be watching with great interest as your game unfolds, since I've read your rules and we've had a few "discussions" about game balance on the boards (hehe).

Best of luck to you.

Cheers

Wrath is right, post in the Gamer Connection area and you will get plenty of attention from people who didn't make the cut on Barcas' recruitment thread.

OK, thanks, guys!

Ability score rolls
4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 3, 4) = 12
4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 4, 5) = 19
4d6 ⇒ (3, 6, 4, 4) = 17
4d6 ⇒ (6, 2, 4, 3) = 15
4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 2) = 9
4d6 ⇒ (3, 2, 6, 2) = 13

"fixed" scores
11
15
14
13
8
11

Okay then, picking up where I left off. So far I've got a Wood Elf druid build going here. Scores looking like this:
STR - 9
CON - 12
DEX - 12+2=14
WIS - 14+2=16
INT - 8
CHA - 8-2=6

Right now eyeballing Nature Warden or Ashvawg Tamer for my Initiation. I'll take a big animal companion to counterbalance my puny strength and help make people not want to talk to me. Probably a tiger or bear.

OK! For those participating:

1. Over the weekend, go ahead and create aliases for your (1st level) PCs and post their stats (show math as applicable) in the profiles.

2. Read the first couple of pages of the Campaign log I posted, to get a feel for the setting.

3. Cope up with a brief backstory to fit yourself into the setting.

When everyone is up to that point, we'll be ready to go!

Okay, these are my stats:

9
14
15
9
13
12

This doesn't feel like either paladin or ranger to me. I can see several other characters: an arrogant elven wizard, with low Charisma and Wisdom; beautiful sorceress or half-orc favored soul, perhaps. I'm gonna check out the classes you need playtested again, and then I'll created a profile.

Quick Question Kirth, to make sure I have it all right.

Looking at Heavy Pick, and as an exotic weapon it says

Exotic: One handed melee, 1d8/x4, feat (Crushing Strike).

What is Crushing Strike? And I assume if I use the Heavy Pick as one handed (say with a shield or two weapons) it no longer qualifies for two-handed abilities (Power attack 1.5 damage or furious focus, etc) but I could still use it two handed for those things.

1. What is Crushing Strike?

2. And I assume if I use the Heavy Pick as one handed (say with a shield or two weapons) it no longer qualifies for two-handed abilities (Power attack 1.5 damage or furious focus, etc) but I could still use it two handed for those things.

1. Oops... that should read "Crushing Blow" -- it's a combat feat (see Feats document). Those with the Exotic level of proficiency with the heavy pick automatically get the effects of that feat when using a heavy pick (see intro to Weapons document, and the blurb after "feat"). This supersedes the normal feat prerequisites.

2. Correct in all respects.

Sounds interesting, but I've yet to find time to read and digest the alternate rules. Maybe this will spur me on to get on with it.

I'll point Dazylar at this thread; he likes what your group's done with the ranger.

Ok, a couple more questions:

1. What does Dazing Strike do (say for Great Hammer) Don't see it in the feats list.

2. For 1st level fighter you can choose Fighter feat or Combat, is that true anytime you get a fighter feat or only first level is it either one?

3. And for character creation, average starting wealth?

4. Does the dwarven favored enemy/terrain go up with level like Rangers, or only if you have Ranger as a class?

4d6 ⇒ (5, 4, 3, 2) = 14
4d6 ⇒ (2, 4, 6, 2) = 14
4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 2, 3) = 9
4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 4, 4) = 15
4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 3, 6) = 11
4d6 ⇒ (1, 1, 4, 3) = 9

That is a 12, 12, 6, 12, 10, and 8

That is pretty pitiful. I'm not sure if it qualifies for going on to fail as an adventurer per your house rules, so let me know if this can be scrapped and re-rolled.

Ok, a couple more questions:

1. What does Dazing Strike do (say for Great Hammer) Don't see it in the feats list.

2. For 1st level fighter you can choose Fighter feat or Combat, is that true anytime you get a fighter feat or only first level is it either one?

3. And for character creation, average starting wealth?

4. Does the dwarven favored enemy/terrain go up with level like Rangers, or only if you have Ranger as a class?

1. Thanks! Another erratum -- that should read "Staggering Strike" (see Strike feats).

2. A 1st level fighter can choose either a bonus feat or a fighter talent. No bonus feats (2nd, 4th, etc.) can ever be exchanged for talents.

3. I don't track wealth all that carefully. I'll look at your equipment and see if it generally matches your background, and if it's more or less appropriate for a 1st level character.

4. They don't automatically scale unless so noted, so in the case of a mountain dwarf, the bonuses would stay at +2 (unless improved by taking ranger class levels, for example).

That is a 12, 12, 6, 12, 10, and 8

That is pretty pitiful. I'm not sure if it qualifies for going on to fail as an adventurer per your house rules, so let me know if this can be scrapped and re-rolled.

Total bonus is +1 +1 +1 -2 +1 -1 = +1, so you're right on the cusp. In the interest of saying "thanks" for being willing to playtest, go ahead and roll stats for that guy's brother or something, and see where that puts you!

Kenderkin here, this is my character I am working up.....

Had a question on bards, spells known says 4 0th, and 2 1st of players choice plus 1 common bard spell(SO WHAT WOULD THAT BE?)

4d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 2) = 12
4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 5) = 14
4d6 ⇒ (3, 1, 6, 3) = 13
4d6 ⇒ (2, 5, 2, 6) = 15
4d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 5, 4) = 14
4d6 ⇒ (4, 1, 4, 3) = 12

Chainsaw here. Thanks for the re-roll. This array gives me: 10, 13, 12, 13, 13, 11.

I'll get things worked up and all the info will be in the profile. Reading the campaign background now. I think it was already brought up in one of the threads, but are using traits?

I'll get things worked up and all the info will be in the profile. Reading the campaign background now. I think it was already brought up in one of the threads, but are using traits?

No, but I doubt if you'll need them. If you really want them, though, I'm willing to let you trade your 1st level feat for 2 traits.

Had a question on bards, spells known says 4 0th, and 2 1st of players choice plus 1 common bard spell(SO WHAT WOULD THAT BE?)

Page 4, near the bottom of the 1st column, under "bonus spells." No need to shout.

Caspian Barefoot wrote:

Had a question on bards, spells known says 4 0th, and 2 1st of players choice plus 1 common bard spell(SO WHAT WOULD THAT BE?)

Page 4, near the bottom of the 1st column, under "bonus spells." No need to shout.

P.S. Where did you get 10 hp? I calculate 8, or 9 if you put your favored class bonus into hp.

I have a long way to go to get this one finished, I will finish him eventually......

Yeah checking the crunch is my least favorite part....

I'm looking at ranger again. If I take ranger lore at 1st level and choose animal companion, would I have to wait till 3rd level to actually get it?

Here is my character, in progress.

I put my low of 9 on wis to balance out my stats. I originally was thinking of going for a higher wis as part of my background idea but then the cha would be 7 and reading through your write up of the campaign I didn't want to have that 7 hurt. I know they are "gruff" but would that be a little too gruff?

Here is my character, in progress.

Woah! "Appropriate for a 1st level character" doesn't mean "decked out in magic items." Quite the opposite! If people are going to totally abuse me not tracking wealth, with reluctance I'll have to start being a CPA about it. How about something within the bounds of a possible result for 1st level gold?

I'm looking at ranger again. If I take ranger lore at 1st level and choose animal companion, would I have to wait till 3rd level to actually get it?

Close: it would kick in at 4th (4 - 3 = 1).

reading through your write up of the campaign I didn't want to have that 7 hurt. I know they are "gruff" but would that be a little too gruff?

Smart thinking! And, yes, a 7 Cha would hurt a lot -- but that's not to say you should immediately reject it. You could play it up, instead, emphasizing that you're from a totally insular culture that has no interaction with outsiders and can't really function among them.

Yeah checking the crunch is my least favorite part....

That may be a snag, insofar as the purpose of a playtest for new rules is to make sure that the crunch works. For a guy with no interest in the crunch, that would seem like the last PBP in the world that you'd ever want to get involved in.

How about orc ranger with Charisma 7 or perhaps lower, with appropriate feat that would allow him to be intimidating? I was thinking ranger of mercenary variety.

How about orc ranger with Charisma 7 or perhaps lower, with appropriate feat that would allow him to be intimidating? I was thinking ranger of mercenary variety.

I certainly wouldn't ban it or anything, but this text from the orc race description should be kept in mind:

Orcs are “monsters” in all civilized lands, where they are killed on sight.

Let the buyer beware.

P.S. This thread is convincing me beyond the shadow of a doubt that all of my misgivings about Charisma being a B.S. stat (i.e., auto-dump for everyone in the world except bards and sorcerers) are entirely correct. I'm still not entirely sure what to do about it (tying Will saves to Cha modifier, and then having ranged attacks governed by Wis was a possibility). Suggestions are welcome.

Take a leaf from the dnd computer games Kirth. In a society where bartering over prices is the norm, make people with low charismas pay more gold for everything. Say, 5% per point below ten. I bet that stops stat dumping hehe.

I think world building goes a long way to preventing it as well, but that takes time in playing in a GM's game world to get players to realise that. The guys in my RoTRL PbP are discovering that they don't always have the "face" with them when they need to be diplomatic, and it may well hurt if their stats are too low.

Hope that helps, and hope you don't mind me chiming in.

Cheers

For one thing, in my games I am allowing trait to use negative Charisma modifier as positive for the purposes of Intimidate feat. The thing is - there are not enough skills that use Charisma. Also, Charisma can be tied to some kind of new mechanic, like Fate Points (click on my profile to see what's that about). FPs can be used to change the outcome of certain things, so Charisma can be used to determine a number of FPs or something like that.

Take a leaf from the dnd computer games Kirth. In a society where bartering over prices is the norm, make people with low charismas pay more gold for everything. Say, 5% per point below ten. I bet that stops stat dumping hehe. Hope that helps, and hope you don't mind me chiming in.

Not at all -- please feel free to chime in whenever you like -- I always appreciate your point of view.

In answer to your suggestion, I've thought about things like that, but deferred for two reasons: (1) it makes item crafters (predominantly casters) even more powerful, which I want to discourage; and (2) it means that I have to track gold carefully, which is something I hate doing. I'd rather people will end up with WBL-appropriate bonuses by default, and then they can spend their money on parties and castles and such.

Finally, haggling should be governed under skills ("negotiation" is a specific function of Diplomacy), rather than being a direct consequence of force of personality and nothing else.

Ok, I think I've got everything. Feedback is appreciated. I always liked the concept of the Hungry Ghost Monk so I'll be looking at those Sutra's later on. Kind of a different take with monk abilities coming from an 'outside' source, interested to know if it will work, Kirth.

Feedback is appreciated.

Mechanical first:

Jaeger "Knock Knock" wrote:

Here is my character, in progress.

Woah! "Appropriate for a 1st level character" doesn't mean "decked out in magic items." Quite the opposite! If people are going to totally abuse me not tracking wealth, with reluctance I'll have to start being a CPA about it. How about something within the bounds of a possible result for 1st level gold?

I cut and paste from another one, I hadn't gone through gear yet, sorry about that. I did say a work in progress.... :)

Wyvurn wrote:

Feedback is appreciated.

Mechanical first:

Weapon strike is +0 (standard rules in 3.0, 3.5, PF, etc.: ALWAYS round down fractions unless specifically stated otherwise). When you do get it, remember it won't stack with your Wis bonus to damage, as both of them are insight bonuses.

Related question for me then, I chose Personal Weapon as I could make my pick axe a +1. The wording had me question this fighter feat as supposed to be a minimum of 4th level. The first half makes it sound like it is at least always a +1

Choose a specific weapon (not a weapon category or type of weapon) you own, and with which you are proficient. When wielding that specific weapon, treat its enhancement bonus as 1 greater than is actually the case (a non-magical weapon is +1 in your hands, a +1 weapon is +2, etc.) for all purposes. If the weapon is already magical, you can instead add a +1 equivalent property (such as flaming). Once chosen, the property cannot be changed.

Then the second half is worded differently and why I quoted the above

The effective bonus of your personal weapon increases by +1 per 4 class levels you possess (maximum +5 at 20th level). The total bonus can be applied as an enhancement bonus, or in the form of weapon properties, or any combination of the two, as long as the total enhancement bonus is at least +1. These allocations can be changed using your Weapon

At first I thought at 4th level the bonus would be +2, but then realized it wouldn't be until 8th. Should there be a 4th level requirement, or is it +1 minimum?

Thanks and I'll have the equipment picked and cleaned up after the Packer game. I also decided to stick with the higher Charisma. As much as the idea I had for a higher Wis, I don't like having that low of a stat.

no problem with crunch,
I will get him right
Work in progress....

Personal Weapon wrote:

The effective bonus of your personal weapon increases by +1 per 4 class levels you possess (maximum +5 at 20th level). The total bonus can be applied as an enhancement bonus, or in the form of weapon properties, or any combination of the two, as long as the total enhancement bonus is at least +1. These allocations can be changed using your Weapon

At first I thought at 4th level the bonus would be +2...

Yes, that's correct. +1 when you get it, +2 at 4th, +3 at 8th, +4 at 12th, +5 at 16th... ah, I see the problem. Should be maximum +6 at 20th. I'm very embarrassed at the number of typos -- apologies all around.

I'm very embarrassed at the number of typos -- apologies all around.

No worries, that is part of why we are doing this, right?

My Equipment is updated, should be close to average wealth for 1st level (I was thinking of going for Chaimail, but that would have definately put me over.)

I have my background mostly done in my head, anything specific you looking for in that?

One more question, as I was updating the profile the wording on this seemed confusing. I think I understand where it is going, but it seems to contradict itself. (Or else I am up too late)

You can only choose to use this feat when you declare that you are making an attack or full-attack action with a melee weapon. You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your armor class for 1 round. For every 4 points of your base attack bonus, the bonus to AC increases by +1. You take a penalty on all attack rolls that round equal to the AC bonus gained.

That is pretty straight forward. To use this feat I need to make a melee attack.

If you choose to give up all of your normal attacks for the round, the attack penalty (for resolving attacks of opportunity) and bonus to AC are doubled (+2, +2 for every 4 points of BAB).

This seems to say to me that you can use the feat without attacking. Is it a case that you can activate the stance when attacking, and if you do not move or change stances the next round yet don't attack anything that round the second part applies? If that is the case should the first part I quoted say something like "You gain a +1 dodge bonus to your armor class for as long as you maintain this stance"

Hope that makes sense, it is late, I need to go to sleep.

Kirth, I have few questions about Battle Sorcerer of Human variety and Fiendish bloodline:

"Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Battle sorcerers have Simple proficiency with all weapons, and also gain Martial Weapon Proficiency with one weapon group of their choice.

Weapon Familiarity: Humans gain no automatic proficiencies. Those who possess Martial Weapon Proficiency (heavy blades) gain free Exotic proficiency with bastard swords."

Does that mean that I can take Martial Weapon Proficiency (heavy blades) as Battle Sorcerer and gain free Exotic proficiency with bastard swords?

Further, Fiendish Bloodline states that one of the bonus feats is Improved Familiar(Imp), but that bloodline does not have arcane bond as first level ability. Can I still take Improved Familiar at appropriate level?

One other thing: Shouldn't Intimidate be a class skill for Battle Sorcerer?

4d6 ⇒ (5, 5, 1, 6) = 17 = 16
4d6 ⇒ (3, 3, 1, 2) = 9 = 8
4d6 ⇒ (6, 4, 6, 4) = 20 = 16
4d6 ⇒ (6, 5, 2, 4) = 17 = 15
4d6 ⇒ (2, 2, 6, 6) = 16 = 14
4d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 5, 3) = 11 = 10

Okay, I was pretty much at a loss what character to create with those first rolls. I have rerolled and I'd like to use these new rolls, with your permission of course. I'd like to tray Battle Sorcerer of Northwind ancestry going into Prestige Paladin, perhaps, if you would allow it. I'd like to go with Fiendish Bloodline and ultimately create a conflicted type of character, who struggles against himself and his hellish masters. Or, perhaps, one who does evil in the service of greater good.

Wyvurn wrote:

Feedback is appreciated.

Mechanical first:

You should have 12 hp: d10 HD + 2 (Con) = 12.

Likewise, your BAB is +1, for CMB +4 (+1, +2 Dex, +1 insight) and CMD 15 (10 + 4 CMB + 1 Agile Dodge).

Looks like you put your favored class bonus into skills?

Athletics should be +4 max (1 rank + 3 class skill +0 Str).

Weapon strike is +0 (standard rules in 3.0, 3.5, PF, etc.: ALWAYS round down fractions unless specifically stated otherwise). When you do get it, remember it won't stack with your Wis bonus to damage, as both of them are insight bonuses.

Thanks. Too much playing around with attributes--and I ended up switching them around a little more. Didn't even see the bonuses for weapon strike and zen warrior were the same. I swapped it to keen senses. Will that increase my racial darkvision?

One more question, combat expertise

3.X/PF had "Fighting Defensively" and "Total Defense," which for some reason were a totally separate mechanic from Combat Expertise. I've combined the mechanics, so that Combat Expertise is now an "improved" version. It therefore has two "modes" of use: fighting defensively (you attack at a penalty and get the AC bonus), and total defense (forego attacks and get a better AC bonus). There's a summary table and description in the main Houserules document, under "Combat Rules."

Okay, I was pretty much at a loss what character to create with those first rolls. I have rerolled and I'd like to use these new rolls, with your permission of course. I'd like to tray Battle Sorcerer of Northwind ancestry going into Prestige Paladin, perhaps, if you would allow it. I'd like to go with Fiendish Bloodline and ultimately create a conflicted type of character, who struggles against himself and his hellish masters. Or, perhaps, one who does evil in the service of greater good.

Green light on all sides. I can't wait to see how that works out!

One other thing: Shouldn't Intimidate be a class skill for Battle Sorcerer?

Intimidate has been rolled into Bluff.

1. Does that mean that I can take Martial Weapon Proficiency (heavy blades) as Battle Sorcerer and gain free Exotic proficiency with bastard swords?

2. Further, Fiendish Bloodline states that one of the bonus feats is Improved Familiar(Imp), but that bloodline does not have arcane bond as first level ability. Can I still take Improved Familiar at appropriate level?

1. Only if you're human, but yes, you can.

I swapped it to keen senses. Will that increase my racial darkvision?

That's a VERY good question -- the fact that I hadn't thought of it shows how uncommon non-human/non-elves are in the campaign setting. How about this, as a clarification:

You gain darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision, and scent. If you already have darkvision, the range is increased by 30 ft. If you already have low-light vision, you can see three times as far as a normal human in dim light, rather than twice as far.

I think am done. Let me know if I missed anything or did anything wrong