Heh, my rolls were perfect, except the roll to actually hit the target. Good thing I didn't attack with the mug of ale!
It seems to me the dice hate me. I'm destined to never hit this combat.
Or perhaps, I was meant to fight someone else...
You're a bard my man, a Duelist, you are suposed to fight the main badguys in epic bouts of justice, leave the chaff to the grunts, we'll clean 'em up for you.
You're probably right. To the leader I'll go next, and see about challenging him to one on one. Then we'll see who's who.
Haha sorry chum, but since Valen is already on that I guess you won't be doing any one-on-one epic thing this battle.
Haha, oops, sorry guys, I don't always check this thread before posting.
that said, don't let NPCs steal your thunder, Valen's fighting the man, but he isn't dominating him by any means.
Haha, seems like cutting down bandits is Ruhks thing, but taking them alive? Not so much.
My laptop is busted. Trying to get officer asap. If posting drops, this is why
Oh, Rennick :D You posted on wrong thread so was wondering for a while, but its ok :)
and Thanks! yah, I understand so its okey. Seems like spellcraft was little bit failure. and for future references: will be now adding (bonded item slot used)
Note: Also about hat mhm. It´s acceptable :) I like challanges and it also gives you some kind of ease target, since as we all know (well, everyone speak of Wizard in later levels crazy and hard nut to crack) so I just wanted to balance little bit and making it harder for me later, to not overpower others (its quite interesting challange to keep the hat in condition) and the head slot it takes is ok. Ring, Staff etc, they will all take special slot anyway although they have their own advantage
you've already seen this, :p but oh well...
Danate, RE: your arcane bond item
Valid point, so please don't take this as a DM-smackdown, its simply what I feel is fair. I'm not going to give a retcon and for future reference please specify when you are using your bonded item to do so.
On that note, according to the rules, a bonded item needs to be an Amulet, ring, staff, wand or weapon. You have yours listed as hat. Now I actually think that's kinda cool so I'm good to let you keep it, but it will be much easier to knock away from you, and would take your characters head slot.
The spellcraft check was taken into account when I wrote the description, short order is your character has no clue what this thing is.
I thought this was something I should put out in the open.
On combat and character death.
I am not one of those DMs who feels it is my job to make the player's life a living hell or that my campaign really isn't doing its job unless I have a TPK (unless its a Tomb of Horrors game). On the same note I'm not interested in throwing out freebies to players to help them along.
At any point though, it may look like I'm doing either of these things, I'm not. I try to build my worlds and stories as realistically (relatively speaking) as I can. This same philosophy applies to monsters and villains.
While I try to make sure that no one gets killed by a random encounter, combat can, and in my opinion should have the possibility to, be deadly.
This is a somewhat roundabout way of saying up front that while I will not endeavor to strike anyone down, I won't pull my punches in combat either. PC death is a possibility (A very real one at low levels) and I wanted everyone clear on that.
Ah dammit, you are correct. I have pretty good memory with feats and rules, but had then forgotten my own guy equipments... True, move action to get near and standard action to pick up. First opportunity arise, will be "heading to blacksmith in IC to buy extra pairs".
It's good that you are noting these things. Really common for players to "misplay" some of the parts
This is a somewhat roundabout way of saying up front that while I will not endeavor to strike anyone down, I won't pull my punches in combat either. PC death is a possibility (A very real one at low levels) and I wanted everyone clear on that.
I will put out there that I find any combat in which it is clear the GM will go out of their way to not kill a PC less exciting, not as engaging, and as a whole not very fun. Any fight should, usually, have the possibility of harm and/or death for a PC at low levels. The idea that I could die very easily is something my character should be thinking, and it should inform my actions in a situation with said character.
In sum: I wouldn't have it any other way, Rennick. Game on.
I agree easy fights suck.
I lost my internet for a few days sorry guys for the delay.
EDIT: Deleted my question, not important.
Loving how this is going, expect more. Combat seems solid, so far I greatly approve.
I'm glad everyone seems to be on the same page, its been awhile since I've run a PbP and then decided to run three, so I worry that I end up lacking for it, but overall I'm pretty happy with how this has been going.
I actually don't know what your question was Arikor, you edited before I could see it, but I want to say that anyone should feel free to ask anything that concerns them or they're curious about, be it lore related or rules related. I understand that I flub the rules sometimes, and am not afraid to admit mistakes. I would have totally stolen those 2 Hp from you guys if Glorgrim hadn't of asked about AoO's, which prompted me to check the rules on chanelling.
As I've stated many times, the narrative is my favorite part of D&D, and I'll very rarely retcon something once its been done (On my end, no rules abuse! :p ) but I will easily say "You're right, we'll do that different next time) or in a case like this, it's easy to retroactively fix the mistake.
Also if anyone has a question or discussion they would like to bring up privately, my email is open.
I'll hopefully have some campaign Lore up here for you guys soon.
I was going to point out the Will Save on channel energy - but then I recalled it's not my game, and it's not my call. If I take 5, no save, I take 5, no save.
I used to call people out on bad interpretations - I'm trying to not do that now, and just flow with it. Don't be surprised when I suddenly go 'Vital Strike can't be used with Spring Attack' or something like that.
Anyways. I enjoy the narrative combat - I might flavor my posts up myself if you don't have an issue with that. I do know the difference between autohitting and attempting - I used to do free-form text-based roleplaying, after all.
...Enough about me. I really like the game where it's going, and I look forward to the events to come.
asking a question and telling the rules are different and I find, in any group, go a long way to keep things running smoothly. "Hey I thought Orcs had problems seeing in daylight?" goes a lot farther then, "Orcs can't do that!" etc.
And by all means, write all the flavor text you want and I'll deal with the results, games would be pretty boring if all you ever got to write was "I attack it with my sword"
The first bit of Lore.
The Church of the Nine
The Church of the Nine is a relatively new faith, if it can be called that, that arose after the Spellplague as the deities involved banded together to aid the mortals of Toril. Since that time many have come to worship the Nine collectively, offering thanks or praise to a particular deity when in relation that that Deity’s place within the Nine. Churches still exist devoted solely to single gods that are within the Nine, though most will acknowledge their God’s allegiance with the other Gods of the Nine.
The Nine are:
01: Lathander – The Father, God of the Morning and the Sun, Lathander is the leader of the Nine and the most widely revered. Represented by the color Gold (Or)
02: Selune – The Maiden, Goddess of the Moon and paramour of Lathander. She is worshipped by the young, especially maidens, and travellers. Represented by the color Purple.
03: Chauntea – The Mother, Equal in strength and worship to Lathander, Chauntea is the Goddess of Life and the Earth. Represented by the color Green.
04:Torm – The Warrior, Patron of just warriors, paladin and martial strength in the defence of Good. Torm is represented by the color Silver (Argent)
05:Sune – The Lady, Goddess of love, represented by the color red.
06: Oghma – The Scribe, God of Knowledge and scribes. A patron of scholars and travellers alike, Represented by a color of light grey.
07: Gond – The Smith, God of creators, smiths and craftsmen, Gond is represented by the color Bronze.
08: ---- – The eighth seat of the Nine has always stood empty, but the Gods have made it clear that such a seat does exist and does stand empty.
09: Kelemvor – The Arbiter The God of Death and the underworld, Kelemvor is not an evil deity and shepards souls to their proper place in the underworld. Actual worship given to him is rare, but he is acknowledged as one of the Nine. He is represented by the color Black.
Clerics of the Nine each hold one of the Nine as their patron. Robes of the Priesthood are pure white with markings, at the most basic a single stripe across the shoulders and chest, of their deity’s color.
The symbol of the church of the Nine is a white, nine pointed star. each point is shaded a different color in representation of one of the gods, save one white point for the Lost seat.
It should be noted that the Nine are not the only religion that exists in the Realms. Far from it, many deities still claim power and worship, the Church of the Nine is merely a newer way with which the people of the Realms may pay their worship.
1) HP: taking avarage = 3 +1 fc = +4 hp [new one: 11hp]
2) +1 BAB [new one: +1 bab]
3) +1 0-level and +1 1-level spell [new one: 4 0th, 2 1st]
4) 2 new spell = Alter Winds, Hydraulic Push
5) Skills: +7 new skill points
- +1 kn:arcana, +1 kn:spellcraft, +1 kn:planes, +2 kn:local, +1 kn:history, +1 appraise
6) CM:B&D +1
7) +1 Will save
All this will happen in next morning and next changes to my prepared spells:
0th level: detect magic, acid splash, touch of fatigue, read magic
1st level: shield, hydraulic push, enlarge person,
So I take it if Lathander still exist then Aumanator (I think that's right) has not been reborn?
I'll post ye ole level up info later, but for now...
How are we doing loot? Imzel has three scrolls (Mage Armor, Identify, and Cat's Grace), and she can transfer one of them (Identify) to her familiar. I imagine Ruhk, Danate, and/or Oz might have an interest in the other two if not all three for spell/formulae book purposes.
Good question, in the past I've known two ways of handling loot in my own groups.
The buy system in where everything is appraised, everyone is allowed an equal share and then bid for items.
Or the fair cop system, where money and such is divided equally, and items goes to the person who can use those best or needs them the most.
How are we planning on handling it?
Well, I would see Danate willing to teach Ruhk, since its seems there is inevitable results on next day, like something happening with ruhk. Teaching magic should be natural from me or imzel, as you wish.
with the loot, well we can pretty much divide it and copy it to spellbooks.
That brought to my mind: how does our GM want to do with this? 4 arcane casters (or rather 1 familiar and 1 formula user) so we can all just copy those things without cost, since we are teaching each other. Some might see this as unfair thing.
Then also additionally, I guess Ruhk need to buy spellbook, since he doesn't own one originally
Uhm. Spontaneous here. I just know things. Trust me.
oh damn, forgot sorry :D so that makes us 5 people all together.
bard, wizard, alch, witch, war/wiz... quite big group to learn the scrolls
iPod post, so forgive any bad grammar.
I will let you decide how to handle loot (there is more you haven't gotten, btw) but I advocate fair cop.
A note, Ruhk getting that rush of knowledge was a special event, and he still needs to study to make sense of it. New skills and knowledge are gained through study, skill and practice. There is no final fantasy music here.
Damnit, and I was all set to demonstrate my "Victory pose" and all, afterall, we just defeated an "end of level monster".
Duh-dun-duh-duh-dun-duh!
We musn't forget the book Imzel found either, that, the dagger and the staff might be part of a set or something.
But yeah, study and practice, I got you.
Correct me if I'm wrong (I will go and check the rules in a moment, but can't a wizard copy from another's spellbook (and I'm assuming Alchemists and witches). So one of you should be able to copy the spell from the scrolls, and the others from that person's spellbook (once Ruhk gets a spellbook) :p
And yeah BoggBear, Lathander is still kickin and Aumanator has not been reborn. There are sects who claim Lathander IS Aumanator reborn, but he is still refferered to as Lathander, and if this true, well only the Gods know.
More lore coming soon, this time it'll be locations and a little bit on Shadowdale.
I'm drawing my influence from a lot of different places for this game, Tolkien is probably my biggest one right now (I know, shock) but I have been on a big kick of his. I'm downloading LotRO, watching the Peter Jackson movies (I really love the visual style from it) and just got the Silmarillion on audiobook. and I just saw a really good Fanfilm called "Born of Hope."
My Elves are, visually at least, very Tolkien inspired. The ornate but slim armor, the curved swords and just the look of em, very classic.
My humans are also at least as much taken from George R.R Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. So expect feudal lords, bannermen and political and Knightly intrigue. Especially when/if you ever make it to Cormyr.
Haven't put too much thought into Dwarves yet, it'll probably be fairly Tolkien-ish but a hint of Warcraft, and Dragon Age
and of course, Pathfinder stuff as well.
I used to play LOTRO - I was an Elven Guardian, and I roleplayed as one of the last Noldo in the realm of man.
Yeah. I had that kick for a while, but I just don't have pleasant people to play with like I used to. I can always start back up, though...
Actually, as I understand it..
Alchemists and Witches can copy from spellbooks into their formulae books/familiars respectively. However, it doesn't go the other way around: Wizards/spellbook users cannot copy from formulae books or familiars. Only alchemists and witches can do that, respectively.So with that in mind, Oz and Imzel can learn spells from Danate and Ruhk, but not from each other, and Danate and Ruhk can't learn spells from Oz and Imzel. All can, of course, take from scrolls.
As far as who 'teaches' Ruhk, I imagine Danate and Imzel could at least get him ground in general knowledge/theory/help him make sense of what he now knows.
On loot, I'd prefer a fair shares system with bids/buyouts myself.
This is not all the buildings and businesses in Shadowdale, but its a good sampling. You would learn most of this after the first couple days in Shadowdale.
On Shadowdale
The Old Skull Inn – One of Shadowdale’s most iconic building, this five story inn and tavern has existed for decades at least, and is currently under the propriety of Gareth Oakenvale, a former adventurer, his wife Meredith and their daughter Alice.
The Broken Shield – This squat stone building his distinguished by its sign, or lack thereof; instead a wood and banded metal round shield that bears a foaming mug as its crest with a massive crack in its right side hangs above the door. The smith is owned and run by a stout Dwarf named Thordan Battlehammer.
Eversong Arrows – Said to be the best Bowyer west of Cormanthyr Reborn. The Eversong is in fact owned and operated by Eladar Windsong, a retired half-elven ranger who once served the court of Ilsevele Miritar, the Lady of Myth Drannor.
Old Sage Stables – A horse stable and ranch on the edge of town. Here Lysa Tullen breeds and cares for a fine stock of throroughbreds, from Palfreys to Destriers. It’s rumoured that the now aging Madam Tullen once had a torrid affair with Elminster and chose to name her ranch after the Old Mage.
The Abbey at Shadow’s End – A small church and monastery run by Abbot Brynden Folswyth. The Abbey houses a small order of monks, and has conducted the tutelage of a number of Clerics over the years.
Sauldin’s Supplies – The town’s General Store.
Silver Sword Brewery – Run by a retired but pious Paladin of Torm named Darran Swann, the Brewery makes all of the local ales in Shadowdale and maintains a small export to the other Dales as well. The Wispy Bitter is a particularly popular stout.
The Abbey at Shadow’s End – A small church and monastery run by Abbot Brynden Folswyth. The Abbey houses a small order of monks, and has conducted the tutelage of a number of Clerics over the years..
Clerics of...?
Also! I noticed you're tracking XP/level for us. While I get this for purposes of coordination on a PbP, how will Item Creation play out? Oz and I are both going to be taking Brew Potion as I understand it.
Since item creation no longer cost xp in pathfinder I don't think it matters if we know our xp does it? Or am I missing something? I was probably going to take an item creation feat myself later on.
No, I totally forgot that changed. Pay no attention to the 3.5 mixup behind the curtain.
Just to nip a possible worry in the butt. For anyone who may worry that Ruhk is being lined up as "The Hero," He isn't. Well he is, but you all will be. Every character will have these kinds of Epic moments and storylines develop for them, Ruhk's just the first to get his. (Well actually Arikor is, but Ruhk's revealed itself first) but I wanted to say that up front so that no one felt like second fiddle.
I've got huge plans for this game and I hope they come to fruition. Some of them probably won't. I mean I just stated a possivle BBEG and he came to a CR of 36....
I'm the kind of DM that likes epic storylines, Fellowships and big battles and saving the world and all that. But with this game especially I want you guys to be able to do what you want.
So as it stands, in Shadowdale there will be leads to a fair ammount of quests. At least four of these quest lines will have a direct effect on the world around you. I'll also warn you that these won't stay stagnant as you work on other ones. What that means for you and Faerun, well we'll see.
I as a player, and as a character, have become very curious to how the drow are involved - and it might involve a trek downstairs, even so early!
Beyond that, we have complete freedom, now that our little intro is complete. We can see what Valen is up to, see what Lord Azalar has to say, and then we're able to go any direction.
My personal favorite, is to see how DMs react to "I want to walk from the Dalelands to Waterdeep," and see how the trip goes. I've done it ONCE before, but my party felt we should hire a mage to teleport. I was sad for about fifteen minutes.
Anyways! My vote is a long trek somewhere important.
We can visit Cormyr, and check on that kingdom for its current situation. Another is Cormanthor, Myth Drannor area. There's so many places to go...
Hahaha, And you are entitled to try that, and in fact there are storylines being set up for both for Cormyr and the Cormanthor forest.
Keep in mind that complete freedom doesn't mean no consequence.
As an example. let's say there's an adventure group in Waterdeep who hear a rumor that the Zhentarim are making advances on the city, the party says "Hey, lets go for a trip to Damara, see what's up there." Its very likely they would return to find Waterdeep in Zhentarim control.
a Head's up, I have my RL game tonight, and Martial arts practice after that. This weekend is my birthday and my black belt exam so its most likely I won't be able to update for a couple of days.
a Head's up, I have my RL game tonight, and Martial arts practice after that. This weekend is my birthday and my black belt exam so its most likely I won't be able to update for a couple of days.
Good luck with your exam and happy birthday!
Ditto, best birthday wishes chum.
Hey gang
Wanted to apologize that you didn't get an update today, but some personal stuff hit the fan, and your next one won't be a short one, so I need a bit of time. Will have it up by my tomorrow.
My test went great, I'm now a black belt in Korean Special Forces Martial arts, and the birthday weekend rocked.
Congratulations! Also, happy belated birthday! I sort of lost track of this thread somehow, but now it's all good. Haha - at least you'll be able to defend people, as long as they're not from Korea...
Wanted to give everyone a head's up.
This week I'm racing to get my grad school applications sent in and my report cards marked and commented, and to get ready to leave for Thailand on Christmas.
So I will not be maintaining regular posting schedule this week. I'm sorry but it's unavoidable. I will try to get a couple more updates this week, but no promises.
Because of the aforementioned vacation, on December 24th the game will be going on Hiatus until around January 06th.
I have no intention of the game dying out, and hope everyone can have the patience to stick around and start back up at full speed in a few weeks. thanks guys!
Actually, that's perfect. I'm going to be pretty busy once I get to Dallas through New Years. Good luck with the grad school apps, those can be tedious.
We back yet?
Check the PbP thread, we are.
Is there still interest for this game? I'm hoping so but you never know after these hiatuses