Mivon Watch Guard

Game Master GM_Solspiral

This is out discussion thread please check in here

Hello everyone. Profile will be fixed by tomorrow and I’ll be ready to go.

Hoch here and ready to go!!

Checking in! Will finagle up an alias, and fill up the profile today.

For career track, Alan fits Officer and SWAT fairly well. While I'm leaning towards SWAT, if party balance would rather have an oblivious Officer in their midst, I'm happy to do that too, if nothing else, for the comedic effect.

Any opinions?

Hello! Can't wait to start, this is going to be great!

Fluffball is also open- he's got Twinklefoot and Officer as possible tracks- if you don't mind a singing Officer, that is! I do think we already have a Twinklefoot (Milo) and a SWAT (Sven), so maybe Fluffball and Alan can split the Officer track, perhaps?

Rechecking in, with updated Alias!

Singing officers? The HORRORS! [checks Perform (Song) skill].
Perform Song: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

I think I can get behind that... I mean, if you can 'Hear the People Sing', and ignore the 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables'....

On a related note, this upcoming weekend I'm going to see Les Mis live, locally. As I'm a big fan... <stares at the fancy, hard copy of the book, translated into English, on my desk, begging to be read>

Ohhh..CopRock!!! Such an under-rated show!!!

Hoch is your typical "beat cop", but once she gains her new "partner"(animal companion), she could be moved to something more specialized. Otherwise, she knows the city very well and is able to get street-level info as needed.

I intend to start Wed which gives the few of you with incomplete sheets time to tidy them up.

Your first assignment will likely involve the "Rough and Tumble" Gang. A gang of rogue/brawlers that have been on a parkour crime spree in the city and have evaded the "dandyforms" (which is a derogatory name for the guard recruited from the fencing academies.)

Well, if I've got everything right, this should be me.

Parkour crime spree? Sounds right up my rooftop :)

Sounds like a job for a 20ft movement block of steel with a beard.

Sounds a bit rough to me, perhaps a fracas in a teashop would be better to start with?

Milo is firmly set on the Twinklefoot path, a lifetime of study and practicing magic has left him sadly under prepared for the streets.

Checks spell list. Burning disarm against Brawlers?

Looking at my compatriots into madness, I realize... I forgot FCB. Fixing that with Fire Res 3. Faith will carry me through!

Singing officers? The HORRORS! [checks Perform (Song) skill].

Perform Song: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (8) + 12 = 20

I think I can get behind that... I mean, if you can 'Hear the People Sing', and ignore the 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables'....

This- this is a man after my own heart. This is going to work out great haha!

I've seen Les Mis live twice, it's a blast! Enjoy it.

Your first assignment will likely involve the "Rough and Tumble" Gang. A gang of rogue/brawlers that have been on a parkour crime spree in the city and have evaded the "dandyforms" (which is a derogatory name for the guard recruited from the fencing academies.)

Rough and Tumble gang? Ooh, very cool. Fluffball probably knows them all personally haha

Crunch is done, I think. Just needs a once over...

----

Note. Sven is slow. And his only ranged option is 1/day command. But he has this:

"Blessings
* 3 + 1/2 his warpriest level
* Inspiring Word (minor): At 1st level, you can speak a few words to a creature within 30 feet that fill them with inspiration. You can grant that creature a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, ability checks, skill checks, or saving throws (your choice). This effect lasts for 1 minute.
* Glorious Presence (minor): At 1st level, you can touch an ally and grant it a glorious blessing. For 1 minute, the ally becomes mesmerizing to her foes. This functions as sanctuary, except if the ally attacks an opponent, this effect ends with respect to only that opponent. This is a mind-affecting effect."

If anyone ever wants either of those, feel free to tell me. Inspiring Word should be useful for ranged situations where Sven is not going to be of much use, or for when a diplomacy check is going to be needed. And Glorious Presence for when stealth or subterfuge is happening, and a stubby ball of steel won't be of much use.

Fluffball always wants Glorious Presence. Always. He's got a few spells, Bardic Perfomance, and some Bombs he doesn't know what to do with- but that's about it. He's much more of a buffer in- combat; he's really not planning on doing any damage himself, unless something horrible happens.

Hmmm, Ranged... Does Intimidate count? <shrug>. Alan is also a 20' tin can, with a 10 dex. So, here's hoping that Aid's and Intimidates are useful to our ranged squadmates. I do have a small amount of gold left...

I might rearrange things a touch to pick up a ranged option, or a shield, I'd been leaning towards not taking a shield , simply to avoid the "We can't hit/hurt this guy, so let's beat on the Twinklefoots" issue.

(for anyone not familiar) With Greater Mercy, I'm self Laying on Handsing (LoH) for 2d6+4 as a swift action. Less useful if I'm NOT in the thick of things, but still decent as a standard on an ally for either 2d6 or 2d6+4, I saw another Fey Foundling user out there.

IF, the party doesn't need the extra healing from Channel's, AND the story fits WELL, I may ask to take an Oath of Vengence. (it's a special type of archetype, changes a L4 ability and a L8, and does not conflict with Enforcer, and well, Javert strikes me as someone who'd take an Oath.) We'll see how the cookie crumbles?

____

On the Les Mis front, this will be far from my first live show, as I've been a big fan for .... close to two decades. That makes me feel old, but still super excited for this weekend.

Trying to figure out where Hoch would fit in this "New" guard unit. She is not a twinkletoes, not a SWAT. She is most definitely not an Officer, either. I see her as just a regular "Beat" cop, who is being picked by her commander for this particular group. As she is still awaiting her "partner" (Animal Companion) to join her, she is a little bit awkward as it stands. I am assuming she has started training with Tucker, and is in the final stages of bonding with him. SO for the first adventure or two, she will be flying solo, as it were.
_______

I went and saw the premiere showing of Les Mis in Toronto in 1989 and again in 1991. I so love the Royal Alex!

Two tin cans who can’t lie. We’ll make a good team. :)

If you want a shield and to go two handed, take Shield Brace.

Feats:
Human: Shield Focus
Lvl 1: Power Attack
Lvl 3: Shield Brace (You can use a two-handed weapon sized appropriately for you from the polearm or spears weapon group while also using a light, heavy, or tower shield with which you are proficient. The shield’s armor check penalty (if any) applies to attacks made with the weapon.)

So grab a Halberd and a darkwood heavy shield. You now can attack two-handed with the halberd and still get shield bonuses. The damage and the tankiness.

I’d do the same...but Sven only two hands with the shield.

————————

GM...had an idea before we start. Wanted to run it by you. Could I change legalistic curse to this:

“Unchained [3PP]

Source Oracle’s Curse, copyright 2014 by RJ Grady, published by Tripod Machine.

Some force has severed you from the normal realms of morality and ethics. Freedom can be a burden, and angels and devils alike mistrust you.

EFFECT

You have no aura for spells that detect alignment, such as detect evil. You suffer a -2 circumstance penalty with Charisma-based skills against outsiders with an alignment subtype. Casting a spell on you that gives you an illusory alignment aura requires a Concentration check with a DC of 10 +double the spells level or the spell fails.”

Then I’d add Umbral Unmasking Drawback:

“You cast no shadow whatsoever, or the shadow you do have is monstrous. Under normal lighted conditions, this is not hard to observe—but uncommon to notice. Creatures that succeed at a DC 15 Wisdom check notice it plainly (an additional Perception check may be required based on environmental conditions). This telltale sign of wickedness cannot be concealed by misdirection, nondetection, or illusions, except those that also affect shadows (such as invisibility).”

This would go along with his Foul Brand and Holy Symbol Tattoo. Because right no Sven has the Brand of Dranngvit (the ‘necessary evil’ dwarven Goddess of vengeance) on his right hand, and the Holy Symbol of Kols (the Dwarven god of Duty) on his left hand.

That curse and second Drawback would make him into someone completely cut off from morality. Nothing but duty and vengeance. His shadow would always make the holy symbols of Kols and Dranngvit, rather than his own. Truly showing who his soul belongs to and that he is a tool of justice.

This would also serve to give Sven and Alan different curses.

@Sven I'm okay with that

@all

I'll start our opening post tonight. Technically you're not fully graduated from the Academy yet you're essentially the guard equivalent of residency where they send you ion larger group patrols with an experienced CO (move it, move it, move it!)

You're assignment as a group is to try and capture one or more members of the rough and tumble gang who is rumored to be attacking a high society party debut party this evening.

As we go I'll add more roles for folk like Hoch and I'm working on a "spoils" system for treasure.

A few clarification questions I had on bonuses and interactions, and odds and ends like Teamwork feats. Goal: To find out what page everyone is on, and update accordingly.

Speaking of Morale, does Aura of Courage meet the morale bonus requirement for Officer? I'd guess no, but, wording could go either way.

Further questions on Officer/ and for Fluffball
How much does a Backpack/Banner Rig cost?

Teamwork questions in general for everyone.
Is there a specific Teamwork feat everyone's interested in? I was thinking Bonded Mind, as it's a fairly broad/useful item, and is a pre-req for several others, but Alan will likely have two, and if there's one that's more useful...

Bonded Mind:

You and your partner are so close that you can almost read each other’s minds.

Benefit(s): As long as you can see each other, you and an ally who also has this feat can trade nonverbal messages. These function as the message spell, except that you don’t need to whisper or point, and you cannot be overheard.

Thank you. :)

Profile is now complete. Also my apologies for this...really. But switched class from warpriest to inquisitor. Why?

Because this is a game about being watchmen. And 1 skill point per level is just...not conductive to that. It means that Sven will only ever be good at being a tank for the party. He'd kick arse in combat, I have no doubt about that. But that's all he'll ever do.

----

Lost Weapon Focus, lost swift action self-buffing, lost blessings

Gained +4 skill points per level, wisdom for bluff/intimidate/diplomacy, at-will detect alignment, +4 initiative, Studied Target (move action for +1 hit/+1 damage)

Still Awesome Still beats people with his shield (though now that it is slashing damage, it makes sense why it is lethal) or can headbutt enemies into submission (bludgeoning merciful helmet)

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I think that this is a fair trade. When buffed, Sven still does +10 Hit with 2d6+13 damage, with AC23. That is quite respectable at lvl3.

Being able to actually help with investigations seems to me to be of much more value to the party than just being better at killing things.

A few clarification questions I had on bonuses and interactions, and odds and ends like Teamwork feats. Goal: To find out what page everyone is on, and update accordingly.

** spoiler omitted **

Speaking of Morale, does Aura of Courage meet the morale bonus requirement for Officer? I'd guess no, but, wording could go either way.

Further questions on Officer/ and for Fluffball
How much does a Backpack/Banner Rig cost?

Teamwork questions in general for everyone.
Is there a specific Teamwork feat everyone's interested in? I was thinking Bonded Mind, as it's a fairly broad/useful item, and is a pre-req for several others, but Alan will likely have two, and if there's one that's more useful...

Bonded Mind:

You and your partner are so close that you can almost read each other’s minds.

Benefit(s): As long as you can see each other, you...

Next level I'll get a free teamwork feat and solo tactics. More than happy to pick teamwork feats with you. Perhaps by lvl4, Alan and Sven can work closely enough together for that feat to make sense.

We should also build ourselves up to be able to take coordinated charge. Having two heavily armored beatsticks charging together. Given that Sven will have +5 initiative and Alan +0, this will let you get into the fighter earlier.

My current plan was to just take Lookout at lvl4. That way if anyone in the party can act in a surprise round, so can Sven. Seems useful if the party gets ambushed.

I am ... intimately familiar with Coordinated Charge. From the other side of the table. I ran a game with a bunch of new players, and one of the took the feat as a Cavalier. I ran things a little too loose, to help promote fun, and better sink the hook into the new players... and it got a bit redonculous. REALLY redonculous. <shudders>

I don't think you'll need to worry about the face parts of the investigation- Fluff's got a 13 to Diplomacy, 19 to Gather information, and insane Knowledge checks- but Perception and Sense Motive will be really helpful.

As bonus feats, Stealth Synergy and Tribe Mentality look like they could be really useful, as well. I'm not certain how Bonded Mind works with my curse- the feat either allows me to bypass my curse with certain allies, or my curse completely negates the feat. Would be interesting.

That being said, my 5th lvl feat is spoken for- couldn't quite fit in all of the background feats I wanted at character creation (and yes, I'm horrible at feat selection and always want more). 7th level, anyone?

Hmm, Bonded Mind would be useful if I'm on a roof and the tin cans are down in the street.
Most of the teamwork feats that include ranged attacks would be great if the focus was on killing enemies; I'm not sure they work so well for making arrests (well, there's always Merciful weaponry)

As a total aside, are the standard issue Ioun Torches blue?

Hmm, Bonded Mind would be useful if I'm on a roof and the tin cans are down in the street.

Most of the teamwork feats that include ranged attacks would be great if the focus was on killing enemies; I'm not sure they work so well for making arrests (well, there's always Merciful weaponry)

As a total aside, are the standard issue Ioun Torches blue?

That's brilliant! We should all get 2 ioun torches. One red, one blue. So when making arrests we put the ioun stones on. It tells all citizenry that they are legally obliged to get out of our way/stop.

Fluffball,

Don't forget the Officer track info!

Officer
Requirements Any teamwork feat PR OR the ability to confer a +1 morale bonus to a group, Charisma pf 13 or better, prof with any martial weapon, 1 rank in Diplomacy
Trainees are issued Kight’s Pennon (battle)
Full members
-Knight’s pennon gains honor ability as well and issued circlet of persuasion
-Flagbearer feat and free teamwork feat
-Aid another actions get an additional +2 benefit to their normal effects as long as it is another Guard watch member

@Alan yes that moral bonus to fear save that you can confer to a group would qualify for officer.

Regarding Coordinated charge my live table calls that the gangf**k feat and quickly bored of it as it reduced combat to not fun once the novelty wore off.

@Sven solid call as I both appreciate the want more sk pts end of things and the I need to maintain my ability to headbutt people to sleep element.

@Fluffball just so you know you were selected because I imagined a alleycat caterwauling their vocal performance in an alleyway to make everyone better. I laughed my a$$ off at the thought. Then there was the thought when Hoch gets her Dog!

@All first post is gonna be kind fo long as I'm using it to set up setting but once we get rolling along it will move fair pace on weekdays.

I am perfectly ok with NOT going for Coord Charge... I'm may have understated the level of PTSD I have over that feat. I allowed the table of 6 players, with 1~4 minions, to use it as a free action for a couple levels.

While I let the enormous stupidity of that sink in... I'll re-ask a question that got lost/still being decided.

Further questions on Officer/ and for Fluffball
How much does a Backpack/Banner Rig cost?

@Fluffball just so you know you were selected because I imagined a alleycat caterwauling their vocal performance in an alleyway to make everyone better. I laughed my a$$ off at the thought. Then there was the thought when Hoch gets her Dog!

Then you've got the basic idea I was going for, though he's much more of a housecat than an alleycat. He knows everyone (because let's be honest- you let a cat outside, it goes next door to beg the neighbors for food); he knows everything (because all cats know everything. If you don't believe me, go ask a cat); can't fight a lick (he's a fraidy cat); and is constantly singing to announce his presence (because that's exactly what my cat does the second I get home, till the second I leave). It's perfect!

As for when Hoch gains Tucker- well, all creatures must have a nemesis, right haha?

How much does a Backpack/Banner Rig cost?

A common backpack is a whopping 2gp, though a Masterwork backpack increases to 50gp. Nothing on a Banner Rig, but it wouldn't be much more, I'd imagine.

Indeed it most likely won't be much in the scheme of things, but I know I'd want one, and I suspect you might one too?

Already splurged on the Masterwork Backpack, yep!

Is it too late to requisition a potion of fly or two?

First gameplay post is up.

If you have leftover funds you can requisition one yes.

I'll point out capturing one gang member is much easier than all. You can also plan for a trap if you whish as there's ample prep time for a "sting."

I do not have a map yet sorry about that.

Going to think on trading cloak of resistance +1 for a potion of fly overnight. (They're pricey!) And maybe switching from a hammer to a 2hander. Merciful Earthbreaker? Enough of an Oxymoron to mesh with where we're going?

random OOC sleep induced idea: Fluffball and I (anyone else?) 'pose' as vocalists and serenade the debutante all evening. Maybe Ace and Ellana?

Regardless, I feel ... like I'm a fish out of water at tonight's debut. A Dragoon in training, maybe, but a tin can with fanatical aspirations?

Bravo in setting up a incipient disaster!

Ironically, I was already thinking that- but that post took me forever to write, and I missed that discussion! Apologies, but yes, we should definetly "pose" as vocalists!

On a side note, my idea to use only song lyrics to write what Fluff speaks may be much, much harder than I previously thought.

Disclosure: DID swap weapons, did NOT swap a cloak for a potion of Fly.

Other than random gang members, I think if we have to prioritize just ONE of the leaders, that Wheeler might be the one we really want to take off the streets. Yes, he's just the muscle, but he's also the one most likely to do something stupid, and injure bystanders.

As for maps, I'd appreciate a link to whatever platform you intend to use, JUST to see if I can look at it while at work, even if it's just a stock image for now. Some things are blocked, others are wide open.

As a heads up I've invited a few "NPC" players to come in for specific characters and purposes from time to time. One might be showing up at the party soon. Shes a Criminal Defense Attorney from First and Basil a lawfirm of some influence.

I think we do need to pick an Officer to take charge of the group. At the moment we're all wandering around the party and no one knows who is where?

A map of the Grande so we can set positions would be helpful as well.

Despite how it may look Milo is covering the Heiress for professional reasons. :)

Were it I planning this attack, I'd have Wheeler come in via a balcony from below, and Pyre from above, either through a skylight, or a different balcony.

Spindleshank and Jade either as drops from Pyre to the roof, on multiple trips, or more likely up via the stairs, OR already mingling as a guest. Depending on how large their gang is, I'd have several mixed in as staff, a couple as guests, and the rest via the stairs, with several tasked on securing an exit.

Tangent 1:

Would Spellcraft be appropriate in this instance to know to ask if Spindleshank has been known to use Darkness and/or Levitate more than once each in an escape? My Kn Local is untrained, and I presume that they're (along with the other fun races from the Crew chiefs) ... less than common.

Tangent 2:

As for an Officer to try and organize our troupe, we have Callahan, but she's busy fielding public inquiries. We haven't been told about the other cadets, and out of Fluff and I, Alan is super 1 track minded, and as oblivious as anticipated, and I'm getting the impression that Fluff is a bit more all over the place, and hampered by his talking via Song Lyrics. (Which I'm impressed with by the by, that's NOT easy.)

Tangent 3:

I'd love to see a map of the place, and get some rough numbers (guests, staff, etc), and I expect that will come in time.

Related: JUST In case it was lost in the shuffle,

Between the briefing and the party start, Alan spends a few hours making discrete inquires about the host, likely guests, the company providing security, the company providing waitstaff, and hotel personnel.

Map is coming it's gonna be generic as hell, it is just not my strong suit people (killed me in Round 2 of superstar that and I was sick as hell.)

I'll answer this soon and spot on for being almost exactly the plan. Like really, really close. kudos.

I can understand that. Generic is still Really Useful! Most of the time I sit on the other side of the table, and I appreciate a: the opportunity to PLAY more than once every 6 months, and b: the Kudos.

Work has been very... slow for a couple hours at a clip, the last couple days, so I've been able to keep VERY on top of things, but... that isn't always the case.

Testing Testing..1...2

Defense Attorney for the accused checking in :)

We have not yet made any accusations. Though, perhaps soon we'll catch someone in the act, and then the accusations shall fly!

Fluff will be a better organizer once I start figuring how to communicate via song lyrics. Definetly an adjustment period.

Even a generic map is still a helpful map!

Tangent 1:

Would Spellcraft be appropriate in this instance to know to ask if Spindleshank has been known to use Darkness and/or Levitate more than once each in an escape?

Tangent 2:

As for an Officer to try and organize our troupe, we have Callahan, but she's busy fielding public inquiries. We haven't been told about the other cadets, and out of Fluff and I, Alan is super 1 track minded...

Tangent 3:

I'd love to see a map of the place, and get some rough numbers (guests, staff, etc), and I expect that will come in time.

Related: JUST In case it was lost in the shuffle,

Quote:

Between the briefing and the party start, Alan spends a few hours making discrete inquires about the host, likely guests, the company providing security, the company providing waitstaff, and hotel personnel.

Tan 1- Sorry no. Those are SLAs not actual spells and knowledge skill is the correct skill for that.

Tan 2- I covered NPC locations. IF you want more specific then that some will require rolls.

Tan 3- I now added a map and covered this with my most recent post.

Proposal to the group: Announce: "Could we have everyone's attention please! The Grand has announced that they would like everyone to come to the Ball Room for dancing."

That would remove MOST of the potential hostages, and leave the field clear to protect the few remaining/gifts/etc.

I think that a nat20 and 31 total should be enough to quickly move the noncombatants out of the way.

Excellent. Further suggestion, that we send at least a couple guard cadets with either an Officer Track Cadet, or Commander Callahan with the noncombatants, just in case there's someone with the group that causes trouble/gang member infiltrator.

"full of the confidence only possessed by a dwarf in full plate. "

Nice phrasing!