Hey guys!
We'll use this thread for out of character discussions and banter, as well as organizing our posting times and resolving more complex rule issues.
First post in gameplay has been made!
I shall aim to post at least once again, but ideally twice. Once in the morning, once in the evening. Please make it a habit to check the campaign, and try to post once a day yourselves. Please use this thread to talk about when you might not be able to post and keep everything in the loop.
Good luck guys!
Hell yeah. Thanks for organizing this friend. In case you or anyone else wants it, here's the log I've kept for the prelude to our PbP campaign.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Hi_R1IImAHbCV0Jm4EUwaluNWG5t_L6VcoaDm4 0yFc/edit
Important question before I can submit my next post:
Due to a combination of recent events, his nightmares, and his generally cautious personality, Vladimir is on edge. The lack of response from Drusk arouses Vladimir's caution, but I'm unsure of how easy it is to get Drusk to the door and am unsure whether Vladimir would act on his suspicions that something foul has happened.
In other words, I'm tempted to do a perception check to see if anything is amiss and suggest Irravin cast detect magic. But first I have to ask: does Drusk normally answer with a light knock?
Feel free to react in all the ways you see fit, such as listening to the door or window and detecting magic.
I would say typically you would knock and then enter as the door would be usually unlocked, but this early hour approaching dawn is a different matter.
Some other notes:
use the (url) commands to link things. Because spammers are tempted to place a lot of URLs to boost google searches, they modify all URLs not posted in that matter (there is a space added to Kevin's link before one of the 0s) causing them not to work. Using the command gets around this.
Please link your character sheets in your profiles so I can spy on them easily.
I also have some notes on posting strategies. These are aimed at making the story move as much as possible with as few posts as possible. At the end of your post try to think about what action you would like me to execute. Going to Colin's last post for example you could add:
(old)
"If he does not stir shortly, would it be improper of us to simply enter? Surely he would understand the urgency of us needing his counsel one last time before our journey."
(new)
Unless Vladimir objects, Irravin will knock more forcefully.
This allows us to resolve Irravin's knocking with one less post (maybe hehe). Little conditionals like this are no problem to resolve either.
In addition you can address everything that's happened since your last post, and use some formatting to make different events clear. So both of you could post about how your characters react to the attention in the streets as well as any interactions that are necessary at arriving at Drusks.
I'll probably be bringing this stuff up often, and I hope it doesn't come across as critical.
Sounds good! I've added my character sheet to my profile. Let me know if you can't see it.
You absolutely do not sound critical! Your advice and guidance are appreciated. While I feel pretty experienced with DnD, I am definitely a noob to PbP, so fire away with any suggestions!
So just to confirm, I'm going to roll perception and if it's 30 or higher I can show the spoiler you posted? Just wanna double check my understanding is correct :D
Yes. The title of the spoiler is the requirement to open it. They'll tend to be perceptions, sense motives, and knowledges. But they could also be specific characters, locations, etc.
Mkay. I rolled a 15. My perception bonus isn't enough to get me up to 30 from there, so do I just assume I don't see anything of note and post without opening the spoiler?
Yes. You listen at the door without hearing anything significant.
Hey guys,
Make your rolls in the game. Remember you can preview the roll too determine the outcome and then continue your post accordingly.
In addition I'm not sure what action you guys are taking besides looking through a window. Is someone pounding on the door or trying to enter?
AH! I didn't realize there was a dice command I can use on the messageboard. Thanks, I'll use it from now on!
I was taking my time and acting cautiously since Vladimir can be overly cautious. I'll move him along now.
If you hadn't seen this yet, I recommend you check it out. It has general guidelines on posting as well as the most useful commands.
Hi friend!
I'm feeling pretty content with my conversation with Drusk. I don't really have much to ask. I feel like Irravin and I (if Colin agrees) are ready to hit the road with Gvene, but I also feel like there might be someone else to talk to. It's been a while and I'm struggling to remember if there's anything pertinent that we shouldn't ignore before our departure. Any suggestions? Otherwise I'm ready to thank Drusk, wish him well, and write that we leave for Gvene's house.
I think you guys should hit the road. I had planned our transition between real life --> PbP to match the transition of leaving Mercia.
Yeah sounds good to me too. Let's bounce.
I'll post a big one in the morning.
Hey man. I'm unsure what Elion is referring to. Is he talking about the fact I have an animal companion?
Speaking of which, I haven't really written anything about/for Sai Sei yet. I'd like to keep her in our campaign if it'll work out logistically. Should I thread her into the narrative of my posts?
He's asking if you can cast it. Which you can! I think you get 2 spells per day, and you can cast speak with animals.
I had forgotten about Sai Sei, and we absolutely should include her. However, I don't think she can join you for this portion of the journey. You can rejoin with her when you return.
Ah! I see, I see! That all sounds great! Thanks for your patience brother :)
Currently your character sheet is under your primary account (The Whirling Dervish), it would be a bit easier to access and more logical to be under your Vladimir alias.
BTW, The Whirling Dervish is such an awesome name for you.
Ah, I didn't realize the distinction. Fix'd! Vladimir now has the character sheet under his profile.
And thanks man! I'm pretty happy with it! I'm glad it was available!
Your magic comes from your ranger levels, and, in game terms, simply requires you to revere nature to receive them. How you connect with it is a choice to make for Vladimir. How he prepares his spells each day can tie into that. I think you spend your time chronicling right? I think it could involve your previous lives and heritage.
For those interested in the magical physics of your transportation:
Let's give Elion 18str. When he wildshapes to a large creature he gains 4 more, giving him 22. This gives him a light encumbrance carrying capacity of 173, doubled to 346 for being large. The spell ant haul lasts a very long time, and triples his light load to 1040lbs. Theres actually no rules regarding flying and carrying capacity, but I figure a bird can carry a light load while flying. This gives us 200lbs for each passenger (+ their supplies) and 400lbs left over for the boat itself, which seems generous. Thus him flying should be comparable to backpacking with a moderate pack.
Gotchya. Thanks for clarifying about my magic. I think Vladimir’s meditation is through his chronicling. One thing that I wanted to bring up: I’d like to buy an item or two that will strengthen Vladimir’s connection to his past. If you’re down to include them in the world, I’d like to find a Samsaran Life Wheel and, when we have enough gold to spare, some Incense of Many Fates. Both can be found here.
Damn dude, your skill as a DM is no less apparent in PbP. I’m loving all the details and picture painting! The magical physics tracks. I’m glad you explained, cause I was curious.
Can you remind us of what we’ve done with/said to Zadan? I remember our collaboration at the University to solve the mystery of the Dark Seer, but I also remember we interacted with him at least once more after that. I wanna have my understanding straight before the trial. What information have we shared with Zadan?
You guys pooled knowledge about the Faedark and dark seer pretty thoroughly with Zadan. You did not share the details and contents of the sanctum with him, which he was very frustrated by. I believe the only direct cooperation you guys had with him was raziels slipping into the university and the blood biography spell.
I linked my character sheet in Irravin's "About" section under his profile...let me know if it should be elsewhere!
Question: how do you feel about me leaving Sai Sei with Raziel during our trip? Raziel could probably use her help!
So, a couple important points of order I'd like to clarify:
1) The HP value I got from my written character sheet was outdated. Looking at page 64 of the log I see that my max HP during the 4 demon fight for Dormin's sanctum was 59 HP. I've adjusted my character sheet accordingly.
2) I prepare two spells from this list at the beginning of each day. One of those spells was Speak with Animals, but I haven't specified what the other spell is. I think I should do that so that I'm not just choosing a spell on the spot that will fit my needs; that feels like cheating. I'm going to say that Vladimir prepared Gravity Bow. He's used that one a lot and it's definitely one of his favorites.
I didn't prepare any buffs or anything, because I read the next post before I decided to prepare and that would feel a little cheap with the foreknowledge of what would happen. I'll be more careful next time and when you say "make any preparations," I'll drop what I'm doing right there and make my prep as if we were at the table and pausing.
SICK SAVE, Kev. That was seriously badass!
Thanks man! I loved the way you set it up and played off it from Irravin’s perspective! Choice saves, by the way! I may need you to help me out; my will save didn’t make the cut haha
That was awesome guys! I love what you added to it. I'll try and be a bit louder when you should make decisions before reading. I won't be able to post tonight, but I should tomorrow morning.
Sounds good! I’m really loving the start of our PbP adventure!
Me too guys, this is really excellent. Let's keep it rolling!
Two 20s that don't really matter followed by two 1s that definitely did matter. What the duck.
HOLY S%!@ THOSE ROLLS THOUGH.
Fantastic explanation for your rolls dude! Loved reading your post!
Hehe nice guys. Some rules stuff:
1. Wild empathy is for animals, whereas these are something else (actually you should have your magical beast favored enemy in play in, my bad).
2.Wild empathy is just level + cha. You do not add your diplomacy modifiers. It otherwise functions like diplomacy (such as adjusting attitudes)
3. You forget your -2 for being shaken!!
4. If you are not trained in a knowledge (i.e. don't have any ranks in it), you cannot beat DCs past 10. We'll say your nat 20s pierced the veil in this context tho. In the future I will make the spoiler mentioned you must be trained.
Next post will be the morning.
Nyrus and I were hoping to have a post night, where we try to post every 20 minutes or so. Think you could manage that on Monday or Tuesday, Dervish?
Ah, thanks for the clarifications. I did forget about my -2 penalty. I do want to add: I can use wild empathy on magical beasts at the cost of a -4 penalty, provided their intelligence is 2 or lower. I’m guessing that’s not the case with these cats though :P
Yeah a post night would be super fun! I could do that on tuesday night. How late are you guys thinking of going? Could we start early enough to be down around 9 PM PST? My bedtime is usually midnight over here
During the week in general I can start 5 or 6 and go to 11. Nights Nyrus isn't working I know those times work.
Yeah that's good for me! I will be off work at 4 PM PST those days.
So the plan is Tuesday 5ish to 9ish, aiming to post every 20 minutes or so. We could probably Skype at some point during the evening for fun too.
Hell yeah! Super down. I've added it to my calendar
Perception DC to hear whispered conversation is 20+1 per 10ft away. Those are the DCs I gave the two of you to hear the creatures. Let's also add a +5 for the wind (which I should have included earlier). If you wish to cast comprehend languages and try to overhear its your call. You could sneak closer to lower the DC. I leave it to Vladimir to decide. I won't have you guys leave for the cave until you tell me whether or not you want to try and hear them.
Irravin you wanna try that sense motive as well?
Hmm I’ll just cast the spell from behind the cover of the cart. I don’t want to alert them. The spell lasts for 10 minutes so even if I can’t hear them now, it may come in handy later...
I’m with the group now, so I’m guessing my DC is going to be 29? (20+ 4 + 5)
Factoring in the -2 from dizziness, I’d basically have to get a nat 20. Still, I’m already going to cast the spell, might as well try, right?
To be clear, I’m imagining Vladimir does the following in this order:
1. Hides behind the cage.
2. Casts “Comprehend Lanuages”
3. Attempts to hear
4. Regardless of whether it works, head out with the others for the cave
Also, Irravin, I agree with Beopere: you should definitely give that as Sense Motive a shot before we go
Although Gvene can lead, I think it is more efficient for driving the story that Irravin does. It is suitable for his character as well I think.