Like I’ve said, way too complicated. I don’t mind the games general approach being granular, but the rules? Seems like a slow way to make the game not fun. Except for you guys. ;)
And I had no idea Rab even had an archetype from level 1.
As far as I’m concerned, the story should wrap around what and where folks want to take their character.
From my end it feels like we are grabbing a strong combat style, which already has a strong improvement from the EitR rules, and boosting it even further by cherry picking some nice Feats to add them as options to be selected by the Ranger.
Granted, there was a lot of information to read, and I admit I may be missing something.
Looks like it to me Grond. The combat classes are getting a boost here, which makes sense considering the flavor of this campaign. Dark and gritty. As a spell-caster here who gets penalized the more power she gains I feel this is a nice counterbalance. We of course have a LONG ways to go to get to that point but we shall see how these changes work out :)
Bear in mind they work on both ends of an encounter. So there is no overpowering because encounters gain these benefits as well. In regards to monster encounters it is not hard to adjust the level of the encounter up by means of additional numbers, templates, or a mix of the two along the use of the environment.
The goblin ambush encounter was a good example of this.
Jack
Understood ALLENDM, but we are not all archers ;)
Understood ALLENDM, but we are not all archers ;)
No you are not but there some things I am working on that will benefit all martials and we can work through other aspects of the FEAT TAX changes as we come to them.
For one I am reading through all the 3pp combat feats to see if there are gems that actually improve or fill in holes for this campaign. I have found a few but I am taking my time going through them. I like using 3pp stuff but I like to read them a few time to make sure I understand the implications of adding them. I use a lot of 3pp stuff for encounters (monster templates, 3pp monsters, hazards, haunts and such and I don't mind using 3pp for the group as long as I have had time to review it).
I am also looking at some additional general feats and metamagic feats to boost the spell casting since there some real limitation on casting at the higher levels.
Archer is on the spot light because Hustonj brought it up but at one point I was working with Thout on shields and other feats to work through the feat tax. Which is why Endurance is a really good feat to have in this campaign as it helps offset the Wound Thresholds a bit.
As we make these adjustments I have to go back and review the NPC encounters to make sure they get those benefits as well.
Jack
Gotcha. Well, I said my piece and will leave it at that - please don't think me confrontational ;)
Gotcha. Well, I said my piece and will leave it at that - please don't think me confrontational ;)
These conversations only make the campaign better... It allows me to understand how each of you want to see the campaign progress so I don't see any of this as confrontational. We have already had many of them...
Jack
And I tried to be as clear as I could.
I started the discussion because I saw 4 viable options for 5 slots were all that existed, AND I had taken one of them outside of those slots, dropping it to 3 viable options for 5 slots!
AFTER I engaged, I discovered that was wrong, and there are, instead, 6 viable options for 5 slots, and that by taking one early, I had dropped myself to having order be the only option remaining.
Like I said, "This doesn't really need to happen" is a very justified position, and I'm not too sure I can argue against it from a completely logical position. Like anyone else, I would prefer more options than slots to fill, but I don't NEED them.
I think it is important that we make sure the options are still diverse (or - as diverse) prior to the implementation of the FEAT TAX Reduction. I don't want to restrict how anyone develops a character because I cut out options.
Something to point out...any feat that has an improved or greater is part of the FEAT when you take it. The requirements simply have to be met for each enhancement. That applies to GENERAL, METAMAGIC, or any other type of feat. That is a small note in the FEATS rules inside the House Rules but I thought I would point it out for everyone.
Just a reminder. If you want to use a specific skill or make a check please do so. You are free to make several checks (use the spoiler) to cover a few times you would like to use it. For instances who ever is checking doors and items for traps can simply put a spoiler with a bunch of perception/trap checks with a note to use when I need them.
I will make passive checks or do a check to keep the story moving along as needed.
Also, if you add a good RP description of what you are doing...I will often add a DESCRIPTION BONUS to your roll. +1 to +2 for good RP post in describing your action or intent. This goes for any skill check. So instead of just making a roll and a comment you doing so and so you describe your action in some detail I will give you a bonus :)
Anna Meyers updated her Greyhawk Map online and I really like the new updates. They match the Ghost of Saltmarsh changes. The map is for CY 576 so this is only 6 years forward so I would really like to use this map for our campaign.
Some quick notes. You know about towns and cities but other sites are not known to you unless there is a reason for it.
Obviously the Makaster House is the Haunted House...you don't know of it has the Makaster house but Soros and D'ogryn know that the title lists a man by the surname Makaster.
You don't know about the Lizard/Saughgin sites our the keeps... So as of right now you know of the Towns and Cities and the House and nothing more on the map.
Wow, the map looks amazing.
You can still make them. Right now I have only used the first two.
Jack
I have updated the TIME/LOCATION/CONDITIONS at the top.
Posting this to all games I am in and directed to the GMs:
I want to thank you for all of your diligence, dedication and most of all, passion for running this game for us. It takes a lot of effort to make the game and an inordinate amount of work to keep it going - to engage us, keep us corraled, on point, focused, dont forget you’re here on the map’d, that’s ok thanks for letting me know’d and all around inspired and fulfilled.
You are a true devotee, unpaid unless it be in shared enjoyment, unsung unless we speak up and undeterred unless I ask to play a half-froghemoth dhampir-scion mechagolem suit commander gestalted with a dire sorcerard. Thank you, thank you and thank you again. And no, it wasn’t me who sent you that weird PM. It was that other guy. Gal. Thing.
Anyway, thanks. Keep ‘em coming.
Very well 'spoken' Naia.
!!!! I was worried at the beginning of your post. That is frequently how a "I'm too busy now and have to drop this game" post starts! SO HAPPY that wasn't it!
Ditto Grond. Very well spoken Naia! I'm loving this game and hoping that we all continue for years to come!
I will have a post up Monday for us. I plan to post every day for our group this week.
LOL! With that Perception roll I think I'm tapping my nose to verify that it is still in front of my eyes!
Can somebody roll a 2 digit number for a Perception check? LOL!!!
How about this for a marching order:
Rabalar/Antas
Narciso/Peran
Ferona/Soros
Grond/Naia
We can alter this order as the need arises.
How about this for a marching order:
Rabalar/Antas
Narciso/Peran
Ferona/Soros
Grond/NaiaWe can alter this order as the need arises.
What is the front two doing as far as scouting? Active use of skills and such?
Marching order to go around the house?
Hey guys, apologies for the delays on my end - over the last two days got hit pretty hard by high fever and some other messed up symptoms.
In current times... It causes some apprehension on top of the sickness itself. Trying to get back at it, if I can.
Just work on getting better! Can't be too careful with our current situation.
Hope you feel better soon!
Sorry was away for the last 2 days and just got back...thought I would have time/access to post, but this was not the case...sorry again..will catch up and post now.
My weekend got crazy with a very long "Honey Do List". I will have posts up all through the week.
I am going to wait on Hustonj to post as I am sure he will want to move Rabalar up to scout.
Expecting the ranger to play rogue? Last time I was standing at intersections providing overwatch services . . .. We don't really have a rogue now, do we?
Drat.
Lol...
Finally got to my computer so I could move my icon.
I figure the "first" door is, barely, the one toward the front of the house.
I also REALLY think the safe travel roll is funny after complaining about the lack of a rogue. "This is the safest door you've ever seen." has always been one of my favorite straight lines. I got so consistent using it that people would MISS when I said "This is the safest trapped door you ever seen."
Been a long time since I've been able to do that, though. Maybe 8 years, now.
Just so I know...
Marching Order - outdoors
Rabalar
Grond, Narciso
Soros, Ferona,
Antas, Peran
Naia
Is this correct? I am basing this off the movement around the house and just filling Ferona, Antas, and Peran in at the rear. However Antas might be better situated at the front with Grond and Narciso to support the scouting.
In doors I would imagine there would be two different cases...one with Rabalar scouting ahead and one with Rabalar holding back to support with range weapons.
If Rabalar does stay back who would be your scout? Narciso?
Let me know as I want to record this so I don't have pester the group when we run into these situations.
I think there are lot of options so I just want to make sure the group has it covered as we progress. Of course this all changes if the party gets split up by a sliding wall or falling trap door or a massive teleport spell that puts half the group in Hades... I am going on a little tangent but you get my point :)
Jack
I think the marching order (and your suggestions) is fine for right now Jack.
Now that you mention it we do need to select a party leader at some point in the near future here, so as to hopefully speed up the posting here. Not sure who to select at this point...maybe see what shakes out during/after the exploration of this haunted house :)
I nominate NAIA, because the character doesn't want anything approaching that much responsibility!
<evil grin>
lol... You are stirring the pot :)
The way Grond sees it, if there is a chance to scout and gather info he will usually default to it - if Rabalar (or anyone else for that matter) tries to use Stealth, he will give them room, otherwise him stomping after them will most likely defeat the purpose :P
Otherwise, and for him, in such close quarters inside a house, and with a group this big, Stealth might not actually be very easy to put into practice. And that is why he was/is ready to take point.
Bottom line, logic tells him when Stealth is too hard to accomplish, it may become too risky to send a scout ahead to be attacked at a disadvantage and alone. Thus he is willing to take point without scouting, as it seems the better choice here.
(Similar logic as when the rogue removes traps and unlocks a door, but the meat shield opens it :D)
Sometimes a pot needs stirring!?!
Yes, if/when Rabalar needs a break from scouting I'll do it. My perception isn't as great as his, but it's OK....
I’m not sure what the leader is - a player who makes decisions or a character the other characters follow? I’m not sure Naia is leader material - she’d be good at making spot decisions, but not perhaps for any reason based on...reason. Though she does have 14 Wisdom...
To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve actually played a game with a tacit, chosen leader. Most games have a character with a forceful personality, whose player drives that character to lead, and the rest follow along. I have sometimes been this player, though mostly where no-one else has stepped into this vacuum...
I’m happy for Naia to be the leader, if that is what you guys want.
From where I sit, Rab has been the defacto leader in terms of alerting us to danger. Telling us the lay of the land. Naia defers to his experience, both in woodslore and as a caravan guard.
Vacation time is upon us!
So I wanted to let you know I will be off on holidays from the 21st June until the 7th of July. I do check my games when possible, but it will obviously be hit and miss.
Feel free to bot me as needed.
I will have posts up tonight. Got a little to busy yesterday.
I'm fine with anybody but Narciso being the leader. He's built too much as an overly curious dilettante....
Been very busy, getting to my games later today. Apologies for being MIA...
OSW-
No problems at all. I did a quick bot for you that moves you into the house at the door after checking the front outside one more time.
Got it. The location on the map was throwing me off.
I put Naia where I think you want her on the map. You might check to make sure I placed her correctly.
I might have misunderstood and you are in a different spot; I am not 100% sure.