SR's - Silent Gods (Inactive)

Game Master stormraven

Could be handy. >:)

I decided to go with Scholar of the Great Beyond. It may not be quite as practical as +1 point of damage for every attack on undead, but I think this will work better role-playing purposes. I have selected Knowledge, Planes as a class skill. This will at the very least, give us more insight into what we are dealing with.

Looking at traits, I'm trying to narrow down three that seems thematially appropriate.

Jaded - Tone down the death part (he's seen it, of course), and more of the jaded at life in general because of his life thus far. Though the bonus in that case doesn't make as much sense. Maybe take it as a bonus against fear since he doesn't care as much what happens to him.

Corpse Hunter - This one just felt right since he's a bonesetter, learns how to fight against bodies better.

Iron Liver - Hey, many a doctor has gotten into their own morphine before.

Any opinions either way?

They all look pretty good to me.

Gonna go with jaded, since it seemed the more obvious choice to me.

Or another possibility of a custom trait, if you like Stormraven.

Efficient Healer - Once per day make a heal check to Treat Deadly Wounds without using a healer's kit.

or you could call it, "Dammit, Jim! I'm a doctor...."

:D

I love it!

Damnit, Jim! I'm a doctor... Automatically stabilize one person, -5 to all profession checks.

that

is

genius!

... though Jaded is both character-appropriate for Zeke as well as crazy useful ina campaign like this one (I would think).

Jaded will definitely see a lot of use. "Dammit Jim" would be useful now but really wane as you guys level up a bit. But if you want to go with Efficient Healer, I'll say 'yes'.

I'm going to go with Jaded. I'll add it to my sheet shortly.

Question, guys, apropos of nothing. Are you happy with this group size and dispersal of roles? Or do you think having another player would be a benefit?

I'm the new guy, so I do not feel like I have the authority to say, but to me, this seems like a really good size. It's not too big nor too small. I still feel that I have a lot to develop with my relationships with everyone else.

This is a round table, my friend. I may have played with a couple of the guys longer but we're all equals in this discussion.

Thanks for the honest answer, I appreciate it.

I just think it depends on the 5th player, honestly. This group is running smoothly because we all post regularly and contribute, and SR tailors the encounters well to suit a 4-person party.

I have no doubt that SR would be fine ramping up the encounters to keep the current (fun and challenging) difficulty level if we moved to a 5-person party. If the 5th person posted regularly and got along with the rest of us, I'd be fine with it.

So, my view--I'm fine with the way things are. If the right person was added, it could be fun and I'd trust SR to make that decision. I certainly don't think we need a 5th, though.

Marcus, I know you and your bro are twins 'n all but you do count as two people. :D

First of all, sorry for being scarce yesterday. I forgot to mention that i and my fam are down at my folks' house for the weekend. If i need to be bottled to keep things moving forward, feel free. I'll try to get posts in, but i have no idea if ill be able.

About an additional player. My thoughts reflect those already expressed. I trust your ability to manage the expanded group size. I'm more concerned that it be someone capable of posting enough not to slow things down (says the guy who forgot to tell you he'd be unavailable for a few days). And someone whose personality fits with our group, and who can bring an interesting character to this style of game.

But i know you well enough, Stormraven, to know these are the things you're concerned with as well.

Marcus, I know you and your bro are twins 'n all but you do count as two people. :D

No! You found out my secret! Me, Aerik, and Zeke are my three aliases. Flee! Flee to the dark recesses of the internet!

Just because I'm a math teacher, I'm supposed to know how to count all the way to 5! That's tough!

(and now you see why I don't usually try to sneak in posts when watching the kiddies, haha)

I have since quit, but I used to play a game called Heroclix (super fun, btw) and would play online on a forum similar to this one (Aerik's still in the league). Anyway, some people play themed mafia games on that site (also very fun). If you're not familiar, it's an informed minority (the mafia, killing one person each 'night') trying to take out an uninformed majority (the town, voting people out during the 'day').

Anyway, this tool made like three accounts and would have all three sign up for the same mafia games.

I had no idea that you were a math teacher. That makes two of us. From what I understand, there are three types of math teachers. Those who can can count and those who cannot.

Lol. Former math teacher here. I tutor on the side still for extra dough. :)

Im good with the group dynamic right now, and I would also be cool with adding another. I trust SR's balance ability.

To those of you in the Carrion Crown game, I am still reading that to try to catch up. Yall are talkative in that game. ;)

You might as well stop reading. Cynarion put the game on hold because too much came up in his personal life to keep the game moving forward.

Also fine with either adding 1 or keeping at five, just to chip in quickly!

And wow, three math teachers. That's actually pretty cool. I don't think I could have the patience to do that. The first time I got fed up with a disinterested student, it would be bad. Not like violent bad but probably more than enough to get fired bad.

Also Heroclix were fun for the limited time I played. I think I still have some laying around in fact in a box.

Thanks, guys. It seems like no one is feeling we'd obviously benefit from another player at this point so we'll play on with our 5-pack of trouble.

Did you have someone in mind? Or just wondering what we thought of the idea of adding someone new?

I guess the answer is a "little bit of both". Someone from my 'shortlist' of players I thought might be good for this game/group when I was doing my early stealth recruitment effort dropped me a note a few days ago asking if I knew of any good games that were open. He didn't specifically ask about SG and I don't think he was trying to be coy about getting an invite. We had talked enough previously that I guess he wanted to pick my brain.

I figured I'd ask you guys about the idea "in general". And if you felt strongly enough that adding a 6th would be awesome, and could narrow down what type of classes you'd like included (someone with a bit of healing most likely) I'd see if he was interested in the game and what character he would possibly bring to the table.

In the meantime, I've been looking through the open recruitment threads and spotted a game that met his criteria. He has since applied for that game and is now waiting to see if he gets in. The irony here is he pitched a build for that game that, frankly, would have been friggin' awesome in SG.

IF you feel like he'd be a good fit for our group, and that it'd make the game better, I have no problem with you inviting him. Though I guess at this point, we coudl wait to see if he gets into the other game he applied to.

Either way works for me.

Adding a new player is always a crapshoot - personalities may not gel, etc. It's a risk and there is no denying that. That is my biggest concern because we have a good group here already and it is such a variable. Now, that risk is somewhat mitigated by the fact that most of you have played with him and I don't recall any of you having a complaint.

I'm not sure if it would make the game 'better' or just a bit different. It would be fair to say that IF he joined and was willing to play a version of the character he built for that other game, he would give you guys more breathing room in terms of healing. My concern there is that it may take away some of the grittiness. I can always compensate by upping the encounters obviously - but if you guys are really digging the act of scraping for HPs and the fear that accompanies it, then it might be too much of a change. With the addition of this character, SG would be closer to a 'normal' game where you've got a fair amount of renewable healing resources on tap. It wouldn't change the world, darkness, etc... just your perception of it's 'threat level', I guess.

Posting rate and time-wise, he should be fine. He's in the US and looking for a game with active daily posting rates - which I think is up our alley.

To Lyrica's earlier points, though, should we screw with the dynamic we have going? Is 6 too many?

EDIT: If we do decide to possibly bring this guy in - please don't track down his build, etc. I'd like it to be a surprise as it is ripe for RP.

EDIT: If we do decide to possibly bring this guy in - please don't track down his build, etc. I'd like it to be a surprise as it is ripe for RP.

That line alone makes me want to bring him in, lol. I like surprises.

My preferred group size is 5, I think it gives enough variety in abilities without stepping horribly on other people's roles too much. But I certainly don't mind 6 at all, especially if they mesh well. And healing does seem to be our biggest weakness at present. Though the count every HP style has been fun :)

I agree with Jak in the end, fine with either way.

5 is definitely a good size... flexible but strong enough to cover most bases AND it makes a tie vote on choices damn near impossible. :) As a DM, I gotta like that.

Couldn't bring myself to say it in character, but with all the other good lines flying, "This is getting hot, but let's turn up the heat a bit more!"

LOL.

"That chick is smokin'... or she will be in just one second."

1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Solid roll!

Do me a favor guys, after you do your level, please let me know the changes here. It makes it easier for me to update my DM cheat sheets for HP, saves, Perception, etc.

ANd just as a reminder. We get 2 extra skill ranks per level?

Lev 2 HP: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Lev 2 HP Reroll: 1d4 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

Whew!

Well done everyone!

ANd just as a reminder. We get 2 extra skill ranks per level?

Correctamundo, Coatimundi.

In answer to DB's question - yes, you each get a Hero Point for leveling.

At a relatively quick glance, I get + 11 HP (7 + 3 Con + 1 FC), +1 BAB, +1 Fort, +1 Ref, +1 hero point, a good number of skills, and Uncanny Dodge (which is pretty awesome at Level 2, IMO).

Short version:

Jak's taking 2nd Arcane Duelist level. +7 hp, +1 bab, +1 to reflex/will, 12 skills, 1 additional spell (and a spell slot, i believe), and the Combat Casting feat as a class bonus feat.

For skills, I'm thinking of keeping social skills maxed, bumping up stealth, picking up a few more knowledge skills as well as Spellcraft (some knowledge redundnacy should prove useful to mitigate bad rolls by any one player). And then filling in with what makes sense. Escape Artist seems like a good skill dip, as well.

Jak should be updated and ready to roll.

: The cheerleaders in the short skirts and the overstuffed blouses jump up and down enthusiastically:

Jak! JAK! JAK! JAK!

I think Lyrica is all set. Could you confirm that she gets 7 skill points each level. (2+Int(2) + 1 Human, +2 Bonus) At the moment I have listed her with 14 total ranks. She is using her favored class for hitpoints.

Aerik is ready to rumble. Woodland Stride, Totemic (Wolf) Transformation, and more spells per day. Not too shabby

Lyrica - I think your skill total is correct.

Aerik & Lyrica - if you'd post the changes to your saves and relevant skills (perception, sm, etc.) like Marcus did, that would be helpful.

Level UP Up up!!!

Hit points 10 -> 1d4 + 16 ⇒ (2) + 16 = 18
Base Attack Bonus 0 -> 1
Base Fortitude 2 -> 3
Base Reflex 2 -> 3

Skills
Appraise 1 -> 2
Craft (Alchemy) 1 -> 2
Disable Device 1 -> 2
Heal 1 -> 2
Knowledge (Arcana) 1 -> 2
Knowledge (Nature) 1 -> 2
Perception 1 -> 2
Profession (Bonesetter) 1 -> 2
Spellcraft 1 -> 2
Survival 1 -> 2
Use Magic Device 1 -> 2

Base Extracts per day
1st - 1 -> 2

New Formulae
True Strike

Class Abilities
Bombs per day 5 -> 6
Poison Use
Poison Resistance +2
Discovery! Infusion

Oh yea, new extract. True Strike.

Level: Paladin (1) +1 = 2
Hit Points: (15) +10 + 1 Toughness, +1 Constitution = 27
BAB: (1) +1 = 2

Saving Throws
Fort (3) +1 +4 (Divine Grace) = 8
Ref (1) +4 (Divine Grace) = 5
Will (5) +1 +4 (Divine Grace) = 10

Class Abilities:
+ Divine Grace
+ Lay on Hands

Skills: (14 Ranks Total)
+1* Acrobatics (Dex +1)
+2 Appraise (Int +2),
+4 Bluff (Cha +4)
+3* Climb (Str +3)
+10 Diplomacy (Cha +4, Ranks 1, Class +3, Trait +2)
+4 Disguise (Cha +4)
+4 Handle Animal (Cha +4)
+7 Heal (Wis +3, Ranks 1 Class Skill +3)
+4 Intimidate (Cha +4)
+4 Knowledge, History (Int +2, Ranks 1, Trait +1)
+6 Knowledge, Nobility (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+7 Knowledge, Planes (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3, Trait +1)
+6 Knowledge, Religion (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+3 Linguistics (Int +2, Ranks 1)
+5 Perception (Wis +3, Ranks 2)
+9 Perform, Dancing (Cha +4, Ranks 1. Class Skill +3, +1 Trait)
+7 Profession, Farming (Wis +3, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+5* Ride (Dex +1, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+7 Sense Motive (Wis +3, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+6 Spellcraft (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+1* Stealth (Dex +1)
+3 Survival (Wis +3)
+3* Swim (Str +3)

HP: 1d4 (rolled 3) + 4 + 3 (con) = +10 hp

Spells
+1 0th lev per day
+1 1st lev per day

Saves
Fort: 5 + 1 = +6
Ref: 3 + 0 = +3
Will: 5 + 1 = +6

Skills (took 1st lev and 2nd lev favored class bonus as skills, for 18 total ranks)

+3* Acrobatics (Dex +3)
+2 Appraise (Int +2)
+1 Bluff (Cha +1)
+6* Climb (Str +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+6 Craft, Leather (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+1 Diplomacy (Cha +1)
+1 Disguise (Cha +1)
+3* Escape Artist (Dex +3)
+3* Fly (Dex +3)
+5 Handle Animal (Cha +1, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+8 Heal (Wis +3, Ranks 2, Class Skill +3)
+1 Intimidate (Cha +1)
+7 Knowledge, Dungeoneering (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3, Trait +1)
+7 Knowledge, Geography (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3, Trait +1)
+8 Knowledge, Nature (Int +2, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3, Nature Sense +2)
+8 Perception (Wis +3, Ranks 2, Class Skill +3)
+1 Perform, Any (Cha +1)
+7* Ride (Dex +3, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3)
+8 Sense Motive (Wis +3, Ranks 1, Class Skill +3, Trait +1)
+7 Spellcraft (Int +2, Ranks 2, Class Skill +3)
+9* Stealth (Dex +3, Ranks 2, Class Skill +3, Trait +1)
+11 Survival (Wis +3, Ranks 2, Class Skill +3, Racial +1, Nature Sense +2)
+2* Swim (Str +2)

* indicates Armor Class Penalty -2(Leather Armor -0, Heavy Shield -2)
Skill Points/Level = 6+Int(2) = 8 points

Class Abilities

Woodland Stride (Ex)

Starting at 2nd level, a druid may move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at her normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. Thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically manipulated to impede motion, however, still affect her.

Totem Transformation (Su)

At 2nd level, a wolf shaman may adopt an aspect of the wolf while retaining her normal form. This ability functions as the bear shaman ability, but the druid may select from the following bonuses:

•movement (+20 enhancement bonus to land speed)
•senses (low-light vision, scent, +4 racial bonus to Survival when tracking by scent)
•natural weapons (bite [1d4 plus trip] for a Medium druid, +2 CMB to trip).

While using totem transformation, the wolf shaman may speak normally and can cast speak with animals (canines only) at will.

Minor Correction. Lyrica's hit points are now 27. This is true. However it was not toughness, but selecting hit points for favored class that made it that sum.

Hey guys, I was visiting my buddy in St Louis this weekend and tried to drive home yesterday, had to stop halfway at a hotel and just got home a half hour or so ago (I live in Chicago). Anyway, just wanted to give you a heads up. I should be able to post my final thoughts on our next move/final character update tonight, maybe in 7.5 hours or so.