Rise of the Runelords - New Player edition

Game Master ciretose

This is a follow-up to my previous message.

I believe the traits/bonuses listed below are missing from the character sheets. How should I account for them?

Belor Goodwin:
1. Human Racial Trait - an additional skill rank at first level
Ranger Class Features.
2. Favored Enemy (Ex) bonuses - +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks against creatures of his selected type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon attack and damage rolls against them.
3. Track (Ex) bonuses - A ranger adds half his level (minimum 1) to Survival skill checks made to follow or identify tracks.
4. Wild Empathy (Ex) bonuses - The ranger rolls 1d20 and adds his ranger level and his Charisma bonus to determine the wild empathy check result. The ranger can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but he takes a –4 penalty on the check.

Trin Sunwell:
1. Gnome Racial Traits:
(a) + 4 size bonus on Stealth checks
(b) Low-Light Vision
(c) +4 dodge bonus to AC against monsters of the giant type
(d) +1 to DC of any saving throws against illusion spells that they cast
(e) DC for spell-like abilities
(f) +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the reptilian and goblinoid subtypes
(g) +2 racial saving throw bonus against illusion spells or effects
(h) +2 racial bonus on Perception skill checks
(i) +2 racial bonus on Craft or Profession skills of their choice
2. Sorcerer Class Features - Laughing Touch (# of uses per day (3 + Cha bonus))

This is why i don't like character sheets made by people other than myself :P

I can't speak to the technical aspect of the particular sheet, but in response to some of your other questions

Belor is strong and agile. He'll do lots of damage, be accurate, and hard to hit. intelligence of 10 means he's about average intelligence. Not stupid, but not particularly bright either. A charisma of 8 means he's probably a bit gruff, or doesn't much get along with people, isn't used to their company, etc.

As for trin, 10 and 9 are not low scores. 10 is average, so being at 9 is so little below average I wouldnt think it's noticeable. I wouldnt do anything particularly different to roleplay it :)

Trin should not have 2 hit points. At first level you get your full hit dice. That means that Trin should have 6+CON modifier. 2 hitpoints would be trouble!

You're not limited to class skills, however when you place a rank into a class skill, you get an extra +3 in that skill, so generally it's a good idea to give the class skills a rank. Also, you're not limited to using skills you have ranks in! If you didn't put ranks in stealth that doesn't mean you're incapable of trying to be quiet, you just use your dexterity modifier. :)

This is a follow-up to my previous message.

I believe the traits/bonuses listed below are missing from the character sheets. How should I account for them?

Belor Goodwin:
1. Human Racial Trait - an additional skill rank at first level
Ranger Class Features.
2. Favored Enemy (Ex) bonuses - +2 bonus on Bluff, Knowledge, Perception, Sense Motive, and Survival checks against creatures of his selected type. Likewise, he gets a +2 bonus on weapon attack and damage rolls against them.
3. Track (Ex) bonuses - A ranger adds half his level (minimum 1) to Survival skill checks made to follow or identify tracks.
4. Wild Empathy (Ex) bonuses - The ranger rolls 1d20 and adds his ranger level and his Charisma bonus to determine the wild empathy check result. The ranger can also use this ability to influence a magical beast with an Intelligence score of 1 or 2, but he takes a –4 penalty on the check.

Trin Sunwell:
1. Gnome Racial Traits:
(a) + 4 size bonus on Stealth checks
(b) Low-Light Vision
(c) +4 dodge bonus to AC against monsters of the giant type
(d) +1 to DC of any saving throws against illusion spells that they cast
(e) DC for spell-like abilities
(f) +1 bonus on attack rolls against humanoid creatures of the reptilian and goblinoid subtypes
(g) +2 racial saving throw bonus against illusion spells or effects
(h) +2 racial bonus on Perception skill checks
(i) +2 racial bonus on Craft or Profession skills of their choice
2. Sorcerer Class Features - Laughing Touch (# of uses per day (3 + Cha bonus))

You write them in. :)

Let's not overcomplicate this.

When I am looking at your sheet, if you get a bonus you want to make sure I know about it. This is Play by Post, there will be plenty of time to look stuff up between posts.

1. Add another skill point (you are 1st level)
2. Pick one
3. It is an active skill use, so if and when it comes up, you will be doing it so you will need to (no pun intended) keep track of it.
4. See above

a) Add it into the stat
b) Write it in as an ability
c) Remind me when giants are in play
d) Write it in for your illusion spells
e) DC is same as spell of that level (in this case, they are 0 level)
f) Remind me when it comes up.
g) Write it in
h) Add it
i) Pick one, add it.

Merry Christmas! =)

Belor is strong and agile. He'll do lots of damage, be accurate, and hard to hit. intelligence of 10 means he's about average intelligence. Not stupid, but not particularly bright either. A charisma of 8 means he's probably a bit gruff, or doesn't much get along with people, isn't used to their company, etc.

As for trin, 10 and 9 are not low scores. 10 is average, so being at 9 is so little below average I wouldnt think it's noticeable. I wouldnt do anything particularly different to roleplay it :)

Trin should not have 2 hit points. At first level you get your full hit dice. That means that Trin should have 6+CON modifier. 2 hitpoints would be trouble!

You're not limited to class skills, however when you place a rank into a class skill, you get an extra +3 in that skill, so generally it's a good idea to give the class skills a rank. Also, you're not limited to using skills you have ranks in! If you didn't put ranks in stealth that doesn't mean you're incapable of trying to be quiet, you just use your dexterity modifier. :)

Merry Christmas / Happy Hannukah!

Stjohn, I'm glad to hear that 9 and 10 are considered average rather than subpar scores. I am not so worried now. I'm also glad to know that Belor and Trin can use other skills besides their class skills. With Trin's high CHA bonus, she will have to try using Intimidate sometime.

I miscalculated BOTH Trin's and Belor's starting HP scores. Yikes! I re-read the rules and it does say that a "creature gains maximum hit points if its first Hit Die roll is for a character class level." However, I didn't see where the rules say to add the CON modifier to the HP score. Do you know where that's buried?

Belor's and Trin's character sheets are updated, and I believe they are complete to the best of my knowledge. I will fill in the rest as we go along. Thanks again for all your advice, Ciretose and Stjohn.

Looks good. Let's begin (we'll fix any little things we need to as we go)

Yes it would work on the non-adjacent squares. But I would rule it is an either or thing, not both. Either you are using the glaive or the armor spikes, not both.

Thought I should move this here so as not to muddle up gameplay. Just to be clear, I'm just lookin to understand how my guy will work, i'm not pushing for anything!

So does this mean that he does have to take a move action to "draw" his armor spikes (obviously flavor wise this'd just be taking some time to prepare for their use?)
Or did you mean that the stand still feat would only work with one? or i can only make attacks of opportunity with one?

sorry, i know there's a lot going on. I actually decided to slap on some armor spikes so that I would threaten a lot of squares, but if I dont that's fine too :) Just tryin to figger it out.

ciretose wrote:

Yes it would work on the non-adjacent squares. But I would rule it is an either or thing, not both. Either you are using the glaive or the armor spikes, not both.

Thought I should move this here so as not to muddle up gameplay. Just to be clear, I'm just lookin to understand how my guy will work, i'm not pushing for anything!

So does this mean that he does have to take a move action to "draw" his armor spikes (obviously flavor wise this'd just be taking some time to prepare for their use?)
Or did you mean that the stand still feat would only work with one? or i can only make attacks of opportunity with one?

sorry, i know there's a lot going on. I actually decided to slap on some armor spikes so that I would threaten a lot of squares, but if I dont that's fine too :) Just tryin to figger it out.

If you have the glaive out, you can only use the glaive for AoO. If you don't have the glaive out, you can use the armor spikes for AoO.

If the glaive is out, you cannot threaten adjacent. If it is not, you do threaten adjacent. Either one can be used for stand still, which is basically an attempted combat maneuver to stop them from being able to get past you.

Basically you are trading your AoO for a combat maneuver (no damage for a chance to stop movement) but you can only have one weapon "ready" for AoO at a time.

Got it :) thank you!
last thing, during my turn for an attack (no reason why i would do this, but just would like to know) do I need to take a move action to ready my armor spikes? can i attack with them while i'm holding my glaive? Can I alert you at the start of a turn if I'd like to use my armor spikes for AoO instead of my glaive? (like if i needed to stop someone moving past me through a doorway to screen an injured ally or something? or should I just drop my glaive if I wanted to do that (free action, not worried about it, just wondering how that would work)

Armor spikes are active as long as you are wearing armor, whichever weapon you are "actively" using will be the goto on AoO.

For simplicity, if your glaive is out, you need to hold it so you are using it. If it isn't and you are wearing the spiked armor, that is your active weapon.

I didnt wanna be a jerk about the 24 hour rule...is that against Play by post etiquette? i'm not really sure if that's polite or not?

Ciretose and Stjohn: I apologize for the long delay in posts over the last couple of weeks. I have been distracted with real life issues (relatives are staying with me for at least a month and work is much busier). Sadly I have not been able to devote as much time to studying the rules and responding appropriately. To be fair to both of you, I would like to graciously bow out of the Rise of the Runelords - New Player Edition PbP. I really enjoyed building two (!) characters and the beginning of the game, and it upsets me to have to leave. I encourage you to find another newbie who could benefit from your guidance like I did. You gave me a wonderful introduction to Pathfinder, which made me want to continue learning the rules.

Thank you again for your patience and guidance. I look forward to running into you online in the future!

Respectfully,
Kendros

P.S. Until you are able to find one or more players, please use Belor and Trin as backup characters. Their stats should all be available in their profiles.

Stjohn I defer to you. If you want to keep going, and recruit a replacement we can.

We just started so bringing someone in at this point wouldn't be hard (Trin and Balor would run away, some of the faces in the crowd would become PC's).

My suggestion would be to only bring in one or two other people to keep the PBP delay in check.

Well i actually don't mind playing a slower paced game than once a day, I'm really not too picky, though I do like my characters. I'd be open to taking it slow and allowing Kendros to go at his own pace, or to looking for new players. Whatever you feel like. I dunno if this means Kendros is fully done, or is ok with being done if we're frustrated. because I'm not frustrated

Well i actually don't mind playing a slower paced game than once a day, I'm really not too picky, though I do like my characters. I'd be open to taking it slow and allowing Kendros to go at his own pace, or to looking for new players. Whatever you feel like. I dunno if this means Kendros is fully done, or is ok with being done if we're frustrated. because I'm not frustrated

I am reading this as Kendros is done.

Alright then. Well I'd love to keep playing just because i love this game and I appreciate your guidance, but I certainly won't be put out if you decided that you'd rather stop DMing this game.

No, I am enjoying running it. I just want to check to see if you want to recruit or not. You are going to need help for this battle, so if we are recruiting we should do so before we continue. And since you've been gracious I was going to let you decide if you wanted to add another person playing two people or two people playing one.

Also, you can pick them if you like.

Either way, you will need the players before we continue. This isn't something two PC's can handle.

sure thing, i mean to me, the more the merrier! I think we can pick new players together :) I'd also be fine with starting again. I like my characters but i could certainly flip a coin for one to give up. I'm really easy. whatever works for you mate.

I dunno if this means Kendros is fully done, or is ok with being done if we're frustrated. because I'm not frustrated.

I was definitely not frustrated with the game. Unfortunately, I do have to quit because I cannot devote the time like I had wanted. =(

By all means, don't let my departure stop you from continuing. Good luck...and have fun!

I threw up a recruitment thread. Feel free to add your input on who looks interesting. I figure bring in 3 players and you can either keep playing two or pick who you want to keep.

ahh it'd be silly for me to play two, and everyone else play one, and even sillier to have 8 pcs. I'll have to think about it though. I do like both. Hmmmmmm...Definitely something to think about. I'll read through the recruitment thread now :)
I suppose I'll keep the cleric just because I haven't played a cleric before...then again i havent played a pathfinder wizard either. I think i like the cleric a little better though...maybe :P
yeah.

Hey guys! I'm really excited we have new players :D So essentially we were playing a two player game with two pcs each, so one of my characters is going to part ways with the group after the battle, and the other two are probably just going to scarper?
Anyway, nice to meet you all :)
My characters are Ken, the glaive wielding cleric, and Jies the half orc transmuter :)

Nice to meet you, and thanks for having us!

Thanks again for the chance to play. I wasn't certain of the starting stand off distance if the 15 feet from the goblins counted their square so I reset my PC so that he was well over that just in case. Look forward to gaming with you all.

Welcome to everyone.

Thanks! Looking forward to playing... my first PbP was cut short by the holiday too... our GM seems to have disappeared... so glad to join another one! :)

I'm lost .. am I up?

I think so but to tell you the truth I am not certain anymore.

Yup - Ken (via ciretose) and I went so Tug's up.

Tug is up.

Next combat I'm want to set up some kind of initiative board. Any ideas?

One thing I've seen that looks effective is to have a status header thing at the beginning of every combat post (like Tug does) that includes the round and initiative...

So for this combat, mine would be like...
Round 12; Initiative 6
hp 9/9; AC 14 (touch 12)
Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +5
Conditions None

That doesn't sound like a bad idea. I mentioned the initiative board before just update at the beginning of every round as soon as everyone sees it we know the next round has begun.
Round 12
22 Jonas- +1 Arcane pool on rapier, shield spell
10 Goblins
6 Etohya
6 Ken- Enlarge Person
4 Tug- Virtue, Hast Healing 1

I favor this idea mainly because it is something that can be seen pretty much at a glance when scanning through the posts you can then just look and see who has posted and who hasn't since the last rounds update. They aren't mutually exclusive however we could certainly do both. I would be happy to do the initiative board using my DM alias to make it really stand out.

I am half waiting for Ken to come back to move to the next part. If I don't hear anything by this evening, we will proceed to the next day.

Feel free to continue to engage each other and/or the rest of the people in town at the bar.

Hope you enjoy them

I would prefer at this point to stick with paizo book spells only. I don't think either seem broken, but I would rather keep that door closed for now.

If we are staying at 3 players, I'm going to generally be more flexible to err on the side of the player. But I'm not comfortable with custom spell, again at this point.