Mr Clint's Sunless Citadel

Game Master Mr Clint

Hey everyone! Welcome to the game and congrats. Not sure if any of you know each other but feel free to say hello!

Some tidbits of into about me. I started playing in 3.5 and the first game I played in hooked me. We were +10 & 2 odds for stats and gestalt when it came to class. 3 person party. Wizard/Druid, Monk/Rogue, Fighter/Paladin. We played from 1st level to 15 or 16... I don't exactly remember. We saved the world against a demon invasion. All of us had equipment that leveled up with us as we went. Remember how I said I was hooked? Well it also destroyed my expectations moving forward.

Nowadays I am married with 2 kids, I am an avid hockey fan, and serve as a director of student ministries.

I look forward to getting to know you all more as we go.

Hello! Thanks for choosing me for this game. I'm looking forward to the adventure.

I am a long-time, old school gamer, having cut my tabletop teeth on the D&D Basic Set featuring the Erol Otus Sorceress and Dragon Turtle cover. That was circa 1982. Since then, I have played AD&D, 2e, 3e, 3,5e, and Pathfinder 1e. I have also played and GM'd other more obscure systems.

I am currently DM/GM for my face-to-face gaming group, which has met more or less weekly (excluding Holidays, vacations, illnesses and pandemics) since 2000. We have just recently begun a Starfinder campaign.

I have been involved in PbPs here on the Paizo boards since around 2005-06. I always do my best to be an active and engaged participant in any game I am a part of. I have every intention of maintaining that consistency in this game.

Yes, thanks for the invitation!

I got my start playing AD&D in the early 2000s with one group, and then 4e with a second until we switched to Pathfinder 1e when we decided that we had enough of 4e. A cross-country move meant leaving live gaming, and I never could really get started again with a live group after getting a job, getting married, having a kid. So I used PBP to scratch my RPG itch, and still do to this day.

So yeah, although I hear it's pretty similar to PF1e, I've never actually played D&D 3.5. It's why I hesitated in playing a wizard when the dice suggested it--I wasn't feeling ready to figure out spells. So when I inevitably mess something up about the rules, please let me know!

I'm going to create a real background now, hope to update the alias by tomorrow.

Agreed, thanks for the invitation!

I got my start with TTRPGs playing the old West End Games d6 Star Wars system, which I played and ran for about a decade before I ever tried D&D. I played a few games of AD&D and 3.5 in college, but I didn't really catch the bug for fantasy games until one of the first people I met when I moved for grad school introduced me to Pathfinder. More recently, my students have introduced me to Warhammer Fantasy and 5e.

It's been a long time, and several gaming systems, since I played 3.5, and I have never played a 3.5 cleric, so I second Boros in letting me know if I miss something.

Hi and thank you as well for picking me to play in this adventure!

So let's see...I have been playing since 1978 when my older brother brought the game back from university. Since that time I have played all the different flavours of D&D over the years. I also have played most other TTRPG's and still try to keep abreast of what is going on in the TTRPG world.

Looking forward to diving back into a 3.5 game!

This is Daniel...here is the avatar for Emma!

Love the history you all have with the game. And Syrain & Boros, I also will say let me know if I make a mistake. We are all human and will make mistakes. BUT that shouldn't hinder the fun. Take a look over your character sheets and see if there are any final tweaks that you might need to make.

I will have a posting up tomorrow morning and we will get the ball rolling!

Thanks. I've been playing since around 1982 and I know 3.5e very well.

Married no kids.

I'm a half ELF not a halfLING LOL

That one is my bad. I don't know why I thought Halfling.

I am going to wait til Boro makes his appearance in the Ol Boar Inn. If he hasn't posted by tomorrow morning I will continue with the game.

Sorry! I'll drop a post, will probably make some minor skill changes after I finish a real background.

Emma I want to toss out an option. This is a dungeon crawl, and unfortunately how it starts would leave you without your animal companion. If you would like to switch the companion out for something easy to get down, or even a flying one I would totally be okay with you doing that.

Though it might be less optimal than the wolf, having a wolf would leave you without it the entire time. Your call 100% either way

Also, if everyone could shoot me their email I can add you to the Google Slides to move your pawns on the map. Feel free to just PM me your address.

Can we create some sort of basket to transport our wolf up and down? We have strong characters (besides me) and rope. Boros has a bedroll and I imagine others do too. It would take some time to rig, of course.

I won't say no, but that is going to be an interesting endeavor to do based upon the supplies you have combined with the skills you have.

I would be concerned with the potential falling damage the wolf would take.
Fall: 5d6 ⇒ (1, 4, 4, 4, 3) = 16
With that completely average roll, the wolf would be down and bleeding out with no one to really be able to lend aid because you were all working to get the wolf down.

Again, I will not say no. But low rolls happen.

A rat or a eagle?

I am going for a dire rat, if that is OK....sorry for the delay, but work reared its ugly head this week!!!

Ooh, dire rat, I'm amused by the idea of a dire rat that's treated like a dog.

Yikes, does 3.5 have a minimum damage rule?

I would have to double check, but the answer regardless is yes. minimum of 1.

I swear Boros can be slightly more effective if he can get in a sneak attack!

You could make a tumble check to move past the rat creature and then be flanking with Alden.

Since you haven't moved this round I would say you could attempt that if you'd like. Then add +2 for flanking and roll the 1d6 for sneak attack. If you fail it does provoke... Your call.

Question for DM or anyone familiar with the Rule:

Does a shield bash incur an off-hand attack penalty? I can't seem to find a passage in the rules that specifically mentions it either way. I tried Googling the answer, and the various discussion threads I have read represent differing opinions. Some see it as exactly the same as wielding an off-hand weapon, and others see it as more of a special combat maneuver , and technically not an off-hand attack.

I have been reluctant to use my Improved Shield Bash feat in this fight, because the rolls have been so crappy, that if there is an additional penalty to hit to attack, I'll have a better chance of hitting with just a single standard attack.

You follow the Two-Weapon Fighting Penalties progress. Your current penalties would be -6 weapon -10 heavy shield. If you picked up Two-Weapon fighting it would reduce that penalty to -4 weapon -4 heavy shield.

Now, if you had a light shield the penalties wold be -4 weapon -8 light shield without the feat, and -2 weapon -2 light shield with the feat.

I always offer slight tweaks to peoples characters after "session 1." Since we are online there isn't really any sessions, I am going to offer people to make those tweaks once we arrive at the bottom of these stairs.

I don't have near the Dex score to qualify for the Two Weapon Fighting feat, so Shield Bashing looks like a bad choice all around.

Thanks for allowing the post-fight tweak. I need to replace Improved Shield Bash with something more practical to my stats.

Regarding the tumble, I think Boros would risk 2 or 3 AOOs if he attempts the tumble, which is a little too much.

@Boros Yeah it would have been 2, so DC 15 for the first enemy and DC 17 for the second. It's all good, just tossed out the potential option. Something to maybe keep in mind for needing to get into flanking position for that sneak attack damage.

@Alden Once the party makes their way down the stairs I will gladly allow you to swap out that feat. It is a fun build option, but I totally understand wanting to switch it out.

That goes for everyone else also. If you want to change out a feat or a few skills repositioned I am cool with that.

@Boros The crit roll might not have been that much, but every little bit helps when it comes to these level 1 tier creatures. Not all of them have a whole lot of HP.

Given my poor combat effectiveness to date, I'm really tempted to accept my fate and take future levels in Wizard--put that Int 16 to some use. If so, I'll probably just take my Pathfinder-favorite spells assuming they're similar to the 3.5 version!

You could always do a hybrid of the two and go with the Arcane Trickster prestige class. 3 levels of Rogue & 5 levels of Wizard before going into it. Could be fun!

@Boros, I believe that you don't get that -1 on sneak attack damage.

Hey all! You made it to the bottom of the stairs and wanted to allow for minor tweaking with a feat or skill or maybe an item or two. Let me know what you are removing and adding.

Also, I want to include a house rule that my IRL gaming group has come to know and love, and it involves the Heal skill.

Heal Skill: If you make a DC 15 Heal Check with a Healer’s Kit you can treat a wound over 10 minutes and heal 1d4 + Ranks in Heal. Anyone can perform this action as long as you are using a Healer’s Kit. No ranks required.

Woohoo! I have 44 gold to spare, can chip in some or all of it to a Healing Kit i that's of interest to the party.

I would like to replace Improved Shield Bash with Power Attack. It makes sense to start working towards Cleave and Great Cleave.

I will go first as default marching order, unless stated otherwise, such as for stealth/reconnaissance.

It looks like Emma and Boros have light covered.

Emma has a healer's kit already!

Yay Emma!

Boros is stealthy but doesn't have darkvision, so can't plausibly creep forward unless the party reaches a somewhat lighted area and he can put away the torch.

Sounds good Alden!

Boros (and everyone) from what you can see so far through what little you can see, your light sources are the only light sources down here. Beyond that it is pitch black.

Hey all!

Sorry for my MIA, I have had a crazy week, family stuff came up that I needed to take care of. I am going to try to catch up today/tomorrow on my postings.

Still here! Ready to go whenever you are.

Is it possible to give my thoughts to Pooka and have him 'speak' to the dire rat in the pit? I just want to tell it that we will not harm it and will help it escape if it agrees not to attack us

I believe that this would fall under a Wild Empathy check. You are totally able to attempt one if you'd like. I honestly think it is a druid class skill that is not used enough.

I think usually druids don't have the points to put into Charisma, so wild empathy turns out to be pretty hard to use effectively. But it's a bit easier in a world of rolled stats.

Any chance Emma gets a circumstance bonus for having her own dire rat?

I took into account Emma's dire rat. I didn't give a bonus to the roll, but it helped sway what way I went depending on her roll. Which... I suppose would equate to an unknown bonus to her roll.

I really do like Wild Empathy, it is a free part of the class and something that should be taken advantage of especially for those times when you come across an animal that doesn't need to start with a battle.

Side note: I have reached out to Syrain and haven't heard anything. Looking at his other aliases it seems that he has gone MIA there also. I will give it a little time, but having that 5th player (cleric) would be a significant loss. I hope all is well with him and that he will appear and keep going, that is the ultimate goal.

Side note: I have reached out to Syrain and haven't heard anything. Looking at his other aliases it seems that he has gone MIA there also. I will give it a little time, but having that 5th player (cleric) would be a significant loss. I hope all is well with him and that he will appear and keep going, that is the ultimate goal.

Do we want to "bot" him or reach out for another player?

Our "tank" won't get lay on hands till 2nd level.

I am going to bot him for a little bit. If we don't receive word in a couple days I will put out an ISO for someone willing to take over his character.

Both of those doors opening spoilers are if you are looking in from the doorway, not moving in.

Alright, Syrain D'Blowblossom at your service

Well hello there, new Syrian!

Welcome aboard!

Give me a bit to read up on it al and get my profile set up correctly

Alright, I started playing with Dave Arneson at the Source in MN some years ago and played chainmail's white books at Gencon with Gary and got them signed so that's how old I am. I played in a public library with a gaming group called the Explorers of Time and Space in the 70's when it was edgy to play and you were a "bad nerd" for doing it. I really hit my stride in 2nd edition and then joined a college gaming group and found other games for a while like Cyberpunk and Call of Cthulhu, Vampire the Masquerade, and then my friends starting hanging in their basements at 3.5 and we played Ravenloft like mofos.

Hey welcome! I am glad you responded to my PM. We aren't too far long as you can see, just getting into the Citadel.

Also, if you could PM me your email address I will give you access to the Google Slides to move your token.

These horrible rolls are going to kill us.

I forgot to drop my sword and draw my morning star. I'm definitely doing that next round!

Thank goodness Syrian's rebuke doesn't require a d20 roll. :P