Lunar Sloth's Second Darkness

Game Master Slothsy

GM checking in anytime soon?

Gm has just started a new semester of grad school. She's working on the next post.

Yes, sorry, I'm working on it. As Nel pointed out, I'm just starting a new semester as a 2nd year for my master's program and I work in academic advising, so it's a crunch period when we're putting out fires before the add/drop deadline. After that, everything has to go through appeals...

Anyway! I'm working on the post now and hope to have it up before 7 PM EST today.

Sounds good. I'm at a trade show today with a long drive home after that, then office summer party tomorrow. If I don't get a post in tonight, I should by tomorrow night.

Post is up. If people can respond today, that's awesome and I'll put up another post tonight. If not, that's cool too.

But, hey, you all aren't blinded anymore.

Also, if anyone has feedback or ideas on how to make things run better, I'll be happy to hear it. This is my first time running a PbP, so I'm still learning and discovering new options.

Cool, no worries, I'm at the beach all week with spotty wifi so I'll be in and out as well.

Full disclosure I changed Vark's spear to a longspear. That was a mistake on my part when I built him in HeroLab.

Life has a tendency to get in the way. Congrats on getting to the second year of a Masters program. That can be a challenge.

By the way, you are doing great LS. You are actually inspiring me with the idea of running a PBP campaign too.

I am still working on the best way to handle maps though. I have some ideas; but I feel like I am reinventing the wheel.

Best map solution I've seen seems to be Google docs (drawing). You can allow the players to move their pawns around the map which cuts down on some of the GM tasks.

Thanks for the suggestion Pluck. I am currently experimenting with Gimp 2. It works, but is maddening in its lack of intuitive functionality. I will have to give Google docs drawing a try.

Yeah, the google drawing is what I've got up currently. Next encounter, I'll let you all move it around and see how that works.

This is just a curiosity more than anything else that the Varisian language and the Romanian language appear to be similar? ;)

I guess it makes sense, Romanian is the language of Gypsies.

I just chose Romanian as the language to translate my character's words into. I figured that because the similarities of the Roma people and the Varisians that it would be a good choice. :)

I also find it curious that the Romanian word for "attack" is "atac." It makes me wonder why some Englishman felt the need to add another "T" and a "K" on the end. Just mad wonderings. This site really could use emoticons.

Funnily enough, it's not that it at all. Rather, attack comes from a Latin root (via Italian/French for English), and Romani is also a romance language. It's really cool!

Romani is indeed a beautiful language that goes well with a beautiful people. I like role playing a Varisian because of the warm and exotic Gypsy qualities. So Nel's use of Romani is really spot on.

Does that mean the Cheliaxian language would be German? ;)

Thought it was closer to Italian, but I'm no expert on languages.

Male first names: Aerodus, Alexite, Gellius, Grachius, Gruckalus, Lurconarr, Manius, Marcellano, Morvius, Pavo, Pellius, Petronicus, Rutilus, Solangus, Ursion

Female first names: Asmodia, Aspexia, Aula, Boudra, Chammady, Drulia, Imperia, Ileosa, Korva, Noravia, Novennia, Pavanna, Pontia, Quinta, Rulla, Valeria, Vibia

Family names: Alazario, Albus, Ambusta, Arvanxi, Atenaar, Aulamaxa, Baradin, Cemaine, Chard, Charthagnion, Chillarth, Ciucci, Crispin, Dioso, Drovenge*, Etrovain,Fullonna, Galonnica, Ghival, Grulios, Ici, Imvius, Jeggare, Jhaltero, Julistarc*, Khollarix, Krupt, Leroung, Lorialn, Mezinas*, Mhartis, Mironeth, Missepe, Nolmon, Nymmis, Oberigo, Phandros, Rasdovain, Ratarion, Rosala*, Rufano, Rugatonn, Rustachas, Salisfer, Seidraith, Starnon, Tauranor, Thrune, Tilernos*, Ucarlaar, Ulvauno, Vitaron, Voralius, Wardroxan, Wintrish, Xerysis

*Some of those are Taldan names because of the Taldan influence on Cheliax before they broke off.

Sorry, I just don't think of a lawful evil State with a Romance language. But what do I know? Maybe more Mussolini's fascist or Rome's imperialism than Felinni's romanticism. ;)

I think you need to think Rome. Cheliax was a pretty widespread empire before Aroden's death. The diabolists have picked up the biggest piece after the fall.

Interesting discussion. By the names, you are correct to think Italian. But I see Cheliax as more akin to Hitler's Germany than the Rome of the Caesars. Rome attempted to spread their more advanced culture to create the Pax Romana, or Peace of Rome, during a time of incredible barbarism that existed outside of the Empire. Hitler on the other hand was bent on conquest. One actually often warred to create peace, while the other warred to take peace away. I see Cheliax working to take peace away.

Sorry for the side bar. I find fantasy civilizations interesting as they relate to our real world.

Ah, but I have to disagree with respect to Cheliax. They are more akin to a decaying empire than an expansionist one. During the civil war, they lost Nidal, Galt, Andoran, and Sargava (and much of their influence in Korvosa). They let all of them go except Sargava and their attempt to retake it was a complete failure. While they still have a powerful military, it is turned mostly inward, not toward war or expansion.

Pluck I yield to your superior knowledge of Cheliax. Then the history of Cheliax is more like the decaying Roman Empire. It is just when I think of diabolic earthly empires, Hitler's Germany comes to mind more than Rome.

I see Cheliax more akin to the Roman Empire under the leadership of the mad emperor's, namely Nero above all else. The Empress of Cheliax is completely mad.

Okay, thread updated! You all are out of combat, so you may resolve any healing you need, though I don't think anyone took any damage.

And I always thought of Cheliax as to what would happen if the Holy Roman Empire lost the whole "holy" part and had to find a different way to cope.

Also, as a note, I don't know if this will happen over on this board, but my username may be changing in the title. (I don't think it'll have any effect outside the PFS boards, but I wanted to give you a head's up)

Also, sorry, I'm so scatter brained - a lot of stuff kept interrupting me this morning. Everyone can also cash out their chips at 110% value.

Your name is only changed in the PFS specific boards.

I'm a bit confused as to the cashing out process as I don't recall the dull red chips being given a monetary value. The entrance fee was 25 gold(?) and we were given 100 chips to start. My final sum was 85 chips, which at 110% exchange would be 93. So would that be 93 copper? If so, he can keep it, haha.

According to the player's guide, the entry fee was 1 gp. so, each bronze chip equals a copper, because we got 100 chips.

Entry fee was 1 GP. Values were outlined in a spoiler, so:

Copper Heart - Dull red - 1 cp
Silver Tooth - Dull grey - 1 sp
Gold Eye - Dull gold - 1 gp

So 93 copper, yep!

Your name is only changed in the PFS specific boards.

Thanks for clarifying that. I wasn't sure if it also changed my main username.

Ah, okay. I must've misread it. Yeah, that makes sense. I'll update my profile.

Waiting on Vara and Pluck to post :)

Calling Vara and Pluck. Vara and Pluck to the Golden Goblin please...

:P

Sorry folks. I'm back and will post tonight.

FYI, if you already cashed out chips, you can use the 150% cash out instead for calculating how much golds you have.

Rewards are also given as a group. Please divide loot among yourselves :)

Vark doesn't need anything and votes for liquidating all unwanted gear and splitting up the monies.

Tamiro needs nothing but money.

Yet another nutty weekend coming up, so I'm not sure I'll be able to post. I'll try to get something up if absolutely necessary.

At this point, it's getting you guys acquainted with your new home. I'm editing maps, so expect a post sometime today :)

Hey, so I'm definitely better settled into my schedule now. My goal is to do a post a day during the week and one over the weekend. Expect them either during the morning (between 8-12 EST) or after 7 or so. Sorry that it's been patchy recently, but I really want to pick this up. You guys have a casino to run!

Glad to hear it!

I'll be honest, I definitely didn't expect to be running a casino at the start of this AP. Very interesting.

I'm curious to see where this takes us and how Saul (if at all) is involved in the meta plot.

Tamiro claims whatever bed he lands in during his blackout drunk period. Time for a "I got a job party of one!"

Glad to hear it!

I'll be honest, I definitely didn't expect to be running a casino at the start of this AP. Very interesting.

I'm curious to see where this takes us and how Saul (if at all) is involved in the meta plot.

Oh, just wait!

Now, one of the criticisms is that the AP is a bit disconnected between the books - in particular, that book one feels like a different AP than books 2-6. However, I was careful in choosing a party that (I hope!) is interested both in this running-a-casino portion and the later plot. However, if you guys find you're really hating the casino stuff (and I'll be posting the mechanics in about an hour or so), let me know and I can dial it back some and get on to book two a little faster. I would like to say that you won't continue (as the plot moves on) to manage the casino like this when you head out, so this first part is pretty much your only opportunity to do that unless you want to start going off on more a homebrew adventure.

Also, if you guys sell everything except the spellbook (which I can price for you, but I think that Nel wants it?), the party would receive 749 gp, or 125 gp person. In addition, there was 30 gp (7.5 each) and 50 gp in house chips, redeemable for 75 gp (12.5 per person). In total, each person would be 145 gp. If someone wants something from the loot pile, I think it's a "speak" now-type deal.

I can start a loot-tracking spreadsheet as well, if people would like that.

Also, something I want to bring up for discussion:

As I rebuild characters, I'm always looking to see if they're a multiclass concept that would work better rebuilt a single class from newer books (ie, expert/rogue multiclass characters that truly want to be alchemists). How would you feel if I rebuilt some characters using the ACG? I know it I did not initially allow it, and I want to make sure that no one would consider it an unfair move in the regard. This isn't a yes/no-type vote, more a "tell me how you feel and I'll season to flavor".

As far as NPC classes go, I am okay for them to utilize the ACG. As for the loot options, I think Pluck should get the bracers of Armor +1, because it will help if he ever gets caught flat footed.

Vark's build works best as a straight bard I reckon.

Gold is good. I agree with Pluck getting the bracers.

I think I know what direction I want to take Vark's character within the casino. He came here looking for a job to start a new chapter in his life and if he can get Saul out of the picture and take over with his newfound friends' support, all the better.

Although, I will say that I won't pursue this angle if some of the party sides with Saul. I'm a not a fan of intra-party conflict. Plus, Vark is a pretty carefree individual, so I don't think it would be in his character to do so.

I meant doing NPC rebuilds, of course, not PC. (Though if you really want to change, talk to me!)

Giving Pluck the bracers will reduce per-person gold to 95 gp each.

Running a Casino is a perfect cover for the spiritually wounded Aviara / "Vara" for the moment. It shall be a very novel learning experience for her! Not sure what role in the casino would play. In looking for work, I chose diplomacy- though she has no ranks in it yet. The casino is where she will likely learn how to interact with people better, as she has been a little awkward so far. ¬_¬

Been considering her being a greeter, or one of the ladies wearing one of the outrageous outfits. She wouldn't take to it initially, but it could be entertaining! This could double as role of floor security, and eventually as a healer or house herbalist. (^_^)

I've been playing with the idea of some other professional skills being learned along the way... she could do a lot of different things given time, which is actually a really exciting prospect. Really, the whole casino thing is a great way to establish the PCs as a party, and for character development!

I think it would be fun to see some of the ACG hybrid classes in action! It keep us guessing at things, that's for sure.

About loot: I agree with selling most of the stuff for gold, and with Pluck getting the bracers. That being so, there are two items that would be good for Vara: mwk leather- can be enchanted later on! ;) And the sickle is a good finessable weapon she can use for back up!

Also, better late than never, I wanted to give my compliments to Vark for all of the bard songs thus far! You play the bard well! :)