On Distant Shores (Inactive)

Game Master Mowque

For Discussion for the upcoming Arcadia settlement game.

Amara is basically a more aggressive bard. Usually, Skalds focus more on teamwork and boosting the party, but this is more of a solo campaign so I didn't go for a support route (ie Dirty Tricks etc). I can still give out rage powers to any NPC that accepts my song (although they don't get anything yet) but Amara is a little more selfishly focused, opting to Wild Shape into a Bull while still allowing her to use her Rage Powers while Wild Shaped (as they are supernatural abilities).

I like that avatar!

So, you are thinking a naval background that has been hampered by 'political' mis-steps?

Would you like to have some say in your 'side-kick'?

Yep, I like the naval background angle. One of the reasons I was struggling a little bit was why would X get picked to go to Arcadia, and I guess I kinda fell back to NZ History where ships captains and naval commanders set up colonies.

The political mis-step angle adds a reason as to why shes going to Arcadia - its a beautiful place, and there are strong reasons to build a colony, but due to it being isolated you don't want to send someone super valuable, but you do want someone that has some sort of authority and can handle themselves. She doesn't have to have been in the Absalom Navy or military - civilian ships sometimes get letters of marque when hunting pirates. Regardless the history, she probably has naval experience although being level 5, shes probably is (or was) a newly minted captain at best.

RE Side Kick, I don't mind who it is. It might be nice if they could use a Raging Song if they wanted so that at least one NPM gets fair value out of it, but I don't mind if they don't. Amara's big weakness is a lack of ability against flying enemies (Skalds in general are bad at that), and while I can eventually fly at like...level 12...its something shes not going to be good at. So maybe something that can help with that =]

NZ has a fascinating history. I'll have to do some research so we can have some good parallels in this game! Is she actually 'black'? Not that it really matters much since Absalom is a total hodgepodge, but it might matter of Cheliax or whatever becomes involved.

So you are ok with playing a super bard in a solo game?

The game will open with you sailing a ship load of colonists to Arcadia, so we'll get some sea adventures in!

To be honest, I didn't think a whole lot about how she looked, was more thinking about personality etc. Visualising things though, she's probably a middle ground, so maybe has that classical olive / Mediterranean tone, certainly not white, but more a lighter brown - especially in the time she would spend out in the sun.

I'm perfectly happy playing my raging bard, I'm going to try and use natural attacks more often so BAB doesn't matter, and I really like the flavour of the character atm as someone that can transform until s bull if they get angry.

I like the idea of a NPC who is actually the calming, level headed guy (instead of the hulk side kick or sneaky thief counter part). I'll come up with some stuff tonight, maybe get the thread up.

Do you want to spend some of that 4,100 GP? Not many stores where you are going.

I don't know what to spend it on :(
It's fine though I'll see if I can think of something on my flight,but I don't much mind either way.

Magical items! Get something cool with that kind of cash. Just go through Wondrous items and pick something neat. Also, some kind of survival kit will be good because I do plan on sending you out into the bush at various times.

Updated Statblock + Gear

Ready when you are Cap!

Very cool. Still thinking on a sidekick race/class and how to map the town in Excel. Will get thread up tomorrow.

As usual, any requests, desires or dislikes and unwanted concepts? Also, any race you like but don't see much? I have some felxiablty since Arcadia is mostly non-canon.

Wow, some tough questions.

I don't have a ton of requests, mostly I'm happy to just go with it and have a ton of fun, that, and the fact that I love your creativity!

I think I would appreciate an initial brief for Amara in regards to the colony. I think she would love building it up, creating diplomatic ties and overcoming any hurdles it might face, but having a strong focus point for why she was picked to build the colony and what Absalom is looking to get out of it, would be useful.

I don't know of any dislikes but if I do, I'll let you know =]

Lastly, there are a few races that I like, but don't see much. Like, some races are exciting, but uncommon for a reason (like Drow), so don't feel the need to go out of your way or anything. I wouldn't mind running into a Vishkanya though, since they are fairly forgotten and I never see them anywhere.

How about any requests for me GM? Do you reckon in typical skald fashion, that I should have a band name? Something like

Shelyn's Saints
Nocticula's Virgins
Efreetwood Mac

=]

Efreetwood Mac made me spit cereal through my nose.

HERE is a simple list of colonists. Once we start building a town, it'll be changed to 'town population'. Once we get HUGE, we won't have a list of names, but I do want to keep some demographic information for you to consult. 100 colonists (same as the Mayflower).

Names chosen at random. Mostly humans, with one family of half-elves. the diversity will come later. I'd start the map but you'll get a choice of landing spots.

Any requests for the name of your ship? (I know it isn't actually Amara's ship but I'll take input).

I'll put together a tight briefing on the colony, I just don't want to weigh you down with exposition. Unless you want me to do it in OOC?

RE briefing - I don't mind if its IC or OOC - just something so I can better formulate mid tier goals or standards for her.

Boat Name: Miss Behavin =]

(I actually cannot really claim sole credit for this, got the idea from Mortal Engines which is the next movie of the NZ director who did LotR).

I don't really mind too much though what the boats called, and the actual name is heavily dependent on whether its an official navy ship or private vessel with letters of marque.

That's an impressively big list, might make some sheets / notes once we get into it about the significant NPC's that gradually pop up so I can refer back to it.

Actually I wonder if it is better to just say "100 Colonists, 90 Human, 10 half-elf" and then only name the ones that come up/have personalities? Might be easier to handle?

I think that's probably better unless I'm forming individual links with all 100 colonists. If it's just a few significant ones, I'm probably taking notice of them anyway.

I think I'll change it. Makes more sense. Also, you'll have a crew of ten sailors! Of course.

Awesome, I expect I'll be relying on them at least initially assuming I have spent prior time with them (which I might not have).

Post up. Any questions, just ask. Hope you like it!

This is very exciting, I haven't played in any sort of game with a summoner in like, forever lol. Very hyped!!

I tried to find the most 'metal' archetype I could have, to match your Skald theme. I figured you could buff his ediolon, if you want to go that route?

Yep, any allies I have can openly accept my Raging Song (which includes an Eidolon) and use its abilities. Reminds me of the last time I played with a summoner that took a lance and rode his Eidolon into battle with a charge lane.

Also just wanted to actually check a rules clarification with you just in case, before we get too far into it.

Per the Totemic Skald ability, I can only wildshape into my totem animal. Unfortunately, my current totem is the "bull" and there is no bull entry in the bestiary.

This means that either:
I should change my animal into Tiger (since there are options for this)
OR
Allow the ability to work for all Herd Animals.

I really don't mind either way, I'm still wildshaping, and being a really cool natural attacker, but I kinda wanted to hash this out early and I keep forgetting to bring it up until now :x.

Any ideas or preferences since Wild Shape will probably be a big part of what Amara does for combat.

Why not use this Aurochs ?

Its why I asked about Herd Animals =]

That said, the goal was finding a bull form with Gore, if I don't have access to that, then I might as well pick up a rage power with Gore and then go into Tiger form.

Also, unfortunately I don't have access to the Auroch form now though, since its Medium form that I have and I don't have access to Large yet.

I'd say yeah, you can use it on all Herd animals. That is more interesting then yet another tiger wild shape. Or if you want to nerf the Aurochs to be a bull, we can do that too.

Excellent, just wanted to check if the form was ok =]

Is that Queshem that's waving me over :)

As fun as a crossover would be, I have never quite worked out the logistics of such a thing yet.

NVM Timely Inspiration only gives +1

I re-read it last night and I thought so. You'll get +2 next level, right?

nop, level 10

Hope you are enjoying the fight. I wanted to see what Amara can do!

This was a pretty epic fight to start off! In melee Amara's ok, but she struggles a little against flying opponents. Thank god Brekarv is carrying us :)

I thought the scene was pretty cool. Huge wrecked ship, gravel beach, tossing waves, dust being kicked up by a roaring drake, cowering sailors, swooping ediolon...seems neat!

As one of my friends would say - "Pretty metal"

That ediolon is only Medium like you, so I don't think it can carry you.

Yeah, fair point about that. Sadly Amara doesn't get to cheat flying by hanging underneath by the birds talons :(

Should have played a gnome or a halfling. They would be small enough.

Lol I had a dream I rolled sense motive and found out Brekarv was going to shove a huge sword into my back. I think my subconscious is trying to tell me something.

That is crazy!

Summoners don't even have swords...

Included a Google Doc that has some of my thoughts and prep. Consider it a peak into her head.

Don't know how reliably I'll update it, but I had some time today and chucked some material into it.

Having fun?

Oh absolutely!

I'm having to go overdrive on thinking things ahead and sorting potential problems before they become issues.

Anyway RE boat security, I'm kinda thinking that there is no way treetop city (or anything basic) happens overnight, so for at least a week or two or however long it takes to build suitable shelter, the main ship is going to be our sleepout for now (being safe and easily defended). Eventually when everything is settled, we give Brekarv command over the whaleboats (ie either permission from him or me for someone to be authorised to use) which makes hijacking hard - and everyone takes a turn guarding the main ship (groups of - I don't know 4 maybe).

Makes sense to me, entirely. Scouting will be job number one for a while, even before settling.

Sorry about the slowdown.

Been playing lots of Cities:Skylines to inspire me for this game. we need to get out of this combat and back to the bigger issue. Founding a colony!

Haven't noticed much of a slowdown, been trying to take my time thinking about options than speed posting the first thing that comes into my head xD.

Amara will get back to building her colony ASAP though~

I will be out of town from Friday to Monday for a 5th Anniversary trip. I will be unable to post. In addition I fell ill today so am not up to posting.

Sorry!

Hey no worries

Have a great anniversary!!!

Was an OK trip except I was sick the whole time.

I'm going to be traveling for holidays until Tuesday. So hiatus until then!