Although he was not a modern player, I was a huge fan of the 19th century American chess player, Paul Morphy. In his prime he use to play over 20 games blindfolded and he would win them all. Nobody stood a chance, against him. I remember we went over to Europe to challenge the rest and Howard Staunton reluctantly agreed to play him, but did not want to lose, so he would never finish his games. He would adjourn and wait and days without moving. I think this is what prompted the chess clock. Well anyway, I love his play. I also liked Emmanuel Lasker and of course Bobby Fisher. But the GM who improved my play the most was Yasser Sierawan and his Winning Chess Series of books. I use to read and study all the time. Eventually I began coaching kids and I became a tournament director for nearly ten years. I ran nationally rated scholastic events through the United States Chess Federation and students from across Vermont would come and compete at my school. However, my life as a harpist and a teacher became way too much and needed to cut back on some things. So I don't play competitively any more. Well anyway, I never considered my chess playing skills to be anywhere near those giants of the game. Although I was only an E rated player (around an 1180 national rating) I was extremely competitive and could always hold my own against most casual players. I attended some chess camps and studied with GM Arthur Bisguier, but mostly had a good time with the game.
Unfortunately Morphy's later life was a bit of a shambles, sadly. But he's one of the best (in my opinion) for games that even novices can fully appreciate. His sacrifices for gain are epic. That man knew how to empty a board in a bloody and pitched way. He pretty much defined Romantic play.
Lasker is another keeper. I think the more recent analyses which posit he wasn't playing psychological Chess and instead was 'ahead of his time' do him a disservice. Yeah, he didn't intentionally do dumb moves to throw people off (even he said that wasn't so) but he definitely played the man across the board - not just the pieces on the board itself.
Stormy,
It sounds like you were a chess player yourself. Did you ever compete in tournaments?
You'd be very kind to call me a player. I've dabbled with Chess but I'm not good and I've never played a tournament. Mostly, I'm a student of Chess from a tactical and strategic standpoint because I think it has a great many parallels to real life. At least, I've found it applicable in my own life. And a good many of those lessons influence my DMing. If you wanna see a battle where I went Karpov & Lasker on the characters, let me know and I'll send you the link. :)
I learned the game and got an appreciation for its 'underpinnings' from a former friend of mine many years ago. When he burned out on the tournament circuit and game he was a candidate for Master... 1900 rating, if I recall correctly.
That's great! I always liked chess for the reason that it held a little more respect at school than a game like Dungeons and Dragons. I was not sure how to explain to the parents what I was doing leading their kids through dungeons with trolls and undead and such. I suppose Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter helped give fantasy a little more credit, but as a teacher, I always took the safe way out and mostly avoided the topic all together. I guess I just remember all the bad wrap this game took when it was in its infancy.
I'm curious to see where this conversation goes.
What conversation? About what I brought up?
Yeah, I'm assuming you mentioned it as a point of discussion.
It was an observation and a reaction. Jak is (at least form a baseline standpoint) less tough and less combat savvy than your average Drear ten year old... kind of a sucky thing to realize.
It was an observation and a reaction. Jak is (at least form a baseline standpoint) less tough and less combat savvy than your average Drear ten year old... kind of a sucky thing to realize.
not as sucky as realizing that i have less strength and also don't have arcane strike, so i'm considerably worse than jak at straight up fighting. hehe
True. Just musing on the realization. Wanted to hear some other opinions on it. Not really looking for anything to change or anything.
It's better than finding out a 10 year old girl in real life can kick your butt.
Lol. True. I'm envisioning my nephew beating me in a wrestling match or fist-fight, now.
Oof
Having toughness and a 16 strength seems to help Lyrica fit right in! I thought they would react much more adversely to the armor, but as I am learning, it does not seem to be big deal.
Though I guess that's more an issue of stats than class.
Where to begin...
The differences between 1st levels PCs and 'the common folk' are pretty small if you look at the builds without considering class abilities. The only difference between a Commoner and a Wizard is a +2 to Will saves... and an 'Expert' is actually better in that he gets a d8 for HP to the Wizard's d6 and enjoys the +2 Will save to boot. The point being, in a purely physical sense, the NPC and PC classes (at 1st) are pretty close... when you toss out pesky things like spells, etc. :)
And I think the system works well with that in mind because a 1st level character isn't really a hero yet. He has the potential and the skillset, but he hasn't garnered the experience to be a serious force. And I think this plays into the whole E6 idea, in that even the lowliest monster (or commoner) when taken in a large enough group can be a threat to most characters at most levels.
But I think looking at it narrowly leaves out some very real factors that effect things dramatically. So let me lay out some factors for consideration.
Yes, Dies Drear has some hardy and dangerous folks. Most do not have the equipment of the characters - particularly the armor. Most do not have optimal or even a range weapons. And most will never improve - their 'potential' is reached whereas yours has just begun. And while you guys are working from a 40 point build, nearly everyone in town (to make it simple on me) has 10 in every score with a +2 for being Human somewhere and possibly one to several -2's for RP or age reasons. So nearly everyone is a '0 point build'. A few of the NPCs will get the 'Basic NPC Stat' array. And just a couple that I fancy might make serious appearances or are very important to the plots get 'Heroic NPC Stat' arrays - those would be Ritti and Merl currently. In part, I did that so they could interact with you guys as equals for a longer period of time and garner a little more respect. How often do players dismiss the common NPCs because they can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag and only appear when they need to be rescued? That kind of commoner draws player scorn... whereas the periodically competent NPC is easier to respect and like. And I really do want you guys liking the NPCs. Another reason I buffed some of them out, in part selfishly, is because I don't want those NPCs to die the first time the town gets raided.
Aside from that - there are other significant differences. You get max HP at 1st and then 1/2 or more every level thereafter. They don't; their rolls are their rolls. You guys will spend your feats, traits, and skills wisely and with an eye towards optimization. Nearly all of the NPCs will not (with the exception of the few truly important ones). Most feats for the common NPCs (if I need to draw them up) will be picked for RP, not tactical reasons.
So Why Not Make Them All Commoners of Varying Levels?
Part of this choice was realism, part was player respect, and part was character freedom. Given the E6 nature of the game, I didn't see how any common NPC - save in the capital - could be higher than 3rd level. The difference between a 1st and 3rd level Commoner is laughable - +1 BAB/Fort/Ref/Will saves. Basically, the are still total victims who only manage to die more slowly due to higher HPs. If you go down to Muuscarta, nearly everyone will be a 1st Commoner. It's easy to live in a big city. But Dies Drear is in a forbidding location surrounded by a multitude of dangers... and they go well beyond CR:1. To my mind, a town of commoners would be easy prey for the wilds of the mountains. One Rock Troll would finish off the town. Given how dangerous the mountains are, I couldn't realistically justify throwing Commoners up it and saying they somehow managed to survive. So I figured they had to have an edge and that edge was being hardy as hell and having the discipline to train their kids to defend themselves from a very young age. I think I made a point of mentioning (in the OOC maybe?) that every kid in town learns weapons at a young age... or maybe I was talking to myself. :) The point being I wanted them tough to (a) survive the environment, (b) emphasize the difference between those on the ragged edge of the wilderness vs the average townie, and most importantly (c) make it so the characters wouldn't constantly have to be sticking close to the Drear to rescue it for the upteenth time or worry about it getting wiped out when they are gone for a few days.
Whew! OK, those are my reasons for making a lot of the Dies Drear folks tougher than your average commoner.
I apologize if anyone feels marginalized by my decisions regarding the Drearians. It certainly wasn't my intention.
Having toughness and a 16 strength seems to help Lyrica fit right in! I thought they would react much more adversely to the armor, but as I am learning, it does not seem to be big deal.
It would have been a big deal had you walked into town with it on, on any other night. Oh, the scandal! But Dies Drear just got nuked. People are worried about themselves, their families, grieving over the people lost, etc... Your fashion sense is pretty low on the totem pole. :D
I think your reasoning makes sense. And when all factors are weighed, I'm not concerned with Jak being the awesome man of awesome-sauce that I want him to be – cuase he's gonna be that either way. :) Like you said, our heroes have amazing stats and cool pc-only class abilities which make them much cooler and more useful than our average Drearian. And – like you also said – our characters' role in the story (assuming they survive) will guarantee they progress far past what their fellow Drearians can hope for.
I guess my immediate, negative reaction was at a higher, conceptual level. The people of the Drear are rough, tough, and trained to wield weapons… except any of our heroes that didn't choose an appropriate class. Just gave me a knee-jerk reaction. It made them see less "authentically Drear".
Like I said, it wasn't meant to be a complaint or an attempt to change anything. Just putting my thoughts up after I read that blurb about the townsfolk.
So.. anyway… back to stuff that's really important.
[/tangent]
That isn't quite true... there are several Commoners (most are now dead but there are a few left), along with a selection of 'Experts' in town... two in the Howell family alone. :) Not everyone is a weapon wielding badass. But the Lumbering/Forestry/Trapping folks mostly are. The folks with diverse skillsets aren't.
I'd like either a shortbow or, if Aerik and Jak want those, I'll take the Heavy Crossbow. I don't mind either way.
SR, if I get time before we leave I want to use my whetstone. It's 15 minutes per blade, so depending on how much time we have I'll use the whetstone in this order--Throwing Axe (one I'm leaving behind for Heather), Lumberjack axe, Beula, Throwing Axe, Throwing Axe
Gonna hand wave the sharpening. You get it done.
Nice! Then I'm ready to go, but did we for sure decide where we're going first? Zarzanna, or Angarak?
Z first was the general plan, but you can argue it in-thread if you like.
CURRENT LIST
- Beula - Marcus
- Sickle(s) - Aerik
- Scythe(s) - ?
- (3) compound short bows - Lyrica, ?, ?
- (90) arrows in 3 quivers - Lyrica (30), ?, ?
- (1) Light Crossbow - ?
- (1) Heavy Crossbow - Marcus
- (60) bolts in 2 quivers - Marcus (30), ?
- (5) backpacks - ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
- (6) large sacks - Lyrica (3), ?
- (12) torches - Lyrica (5), ?
- (1) Hooded Lantern - ?
- (1) Bullseye Lantern - ?
- (8) pints of lantern oil - Lyrica (3), Marcus (2), ?
- 50' rope - ?
- (15) days of rations - Lyrica (3), Marcus (4), ?
- (1) suit of Leather Armor pieces - ?
UPDATED
- Beula - Marcus
- Sickle(s) - Aerik
- Scythe(s) - ?
- (3) compound short bows - Lyrica, Jak, ?
- (90) arrows in 3 quivers - Lyrica (30), Jak (30), ?
- (1) Light Crossbow - ?
- (1) Heavy Crossbow - Marcus
- (60) bolts in 2 quivers - Marcus (30), ?
- (5) backpacks - ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
- (6) large sacks - Lyrica (3), Jak (2), Aerik (1), ?
- (12) torches - Lyrica (5), Jak (3), ?
- (1) Hooded Lantern - ?
- (1) Bullseye Lantern - Possibly Jak
- (8) pints of lantern oil - Lyrica (3), Marcus (2), ?
- 50' rope - Possibly Jak
- (15) days of rations - Lyrica (3), Marcus (4), Jak (3), Aerik (3), ?
- (1) suit of Leather Armor pieces - ?
FYI - the compound bows are STR:10 but you can get them upgraded when you have cash.
Adding rope and bullseye lantern to Jak's list. As well as the remaining 3 pints of oil.
Great. It looks like you guys are mostly kitted out except for Ez. If no one wants the third bow, I'll assume Jak and Lyrica will split the remaining arrows.
So let Jak and Lyrica take 45 arrows each, and let's make sure we grab the rest of the rations. Lyrica will also take the extra hooded lantern just in case. Was there a bludgeoning weapon like a mace to be found by any chance?
i didn't see anything, but snapping off a chair-leg from the house of someone who died should work, right?
And I'll add another 15 arrows to Jak's quiver. :)
This is true, a club should be easy enough to find, but I thought I would try for a mace first.
Forgive me if I am not as astute as Lyrica, but I must have missed the girls who went to Zarazna. Who were they and when did they go there?
You didn't miss it. That was information Jak received privately and didn't disclose earlier. :)
No maces, sorry.
Let me know if I"ve misrepresented Zarzana's services in that post, SR.
No, that is roughly accurate. Zarzanna handles a variety of ailments that someone from town might be embarrassed to speak with either Aerik or Ez about. So prophylactics, women's issues, VD, handling an unwanted pregnancy... or the more common love potions, etc.
About to leave work, but have to spend some time doing things I'd rather not do, but I'll try to get a post up in the next few hours. Sorry for the delays.
UPDATED
- Beula - Marcus
- Sickle(s) - Aerik
- Scythe(s) - ?
- (3) compound short bows - Lyrica, Jak, ?
- (90) arrows in 3 quivers - Lyrica (30), Jak (30), ?
- (1) Light Crossbow - ?
- (1) Heavy Crossbow - Marcus
- (60) bolts in 2 quivers - Marcus (30), ?
- (5) backpacks - ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
- (6) large sacks - Lyrica (3), Jak (2), Aerik (1), ?
- (12) torches - Lyrica (5), Jak (3), ?
- (1) Hooded Lantern - ?
- (1) Bullseye Lantern - Possibly Jak
- (8) pints of lantern oil - Lyrica (3), Marcus (2), ?
- 50' rope - Possibly Jak
- (15) days of rations - Lyrica (3), Marcus (4), Jak (3), Aerik (3), ?
- (1) suit of Leather Armor pieces - ?
FYI - the compound bows are STR:10 but you can get them upgraded when you have cash.
Working on my post now, but figured I'd post this quick. Ezekiel takes the lt crossbow, 30 bolts, 2 pints of oil, hooded lantern (unless Jak would rather I carry the bullseye, not sure if he has a source of light), 2 rations.
On that note, I'm currently trying to sell several nieces/nephews, a couple siblings, a parent and a friend who has made bad life choices. I figure if I get rid of them, the only major obstacle to my posting will be work (which I can sometimes do, if wasn't busy there as well).
- Beula - Marcus
- Sickle(s) - Aerik
- Scythe(s) - ?
- (3) compound short bows - Lyrica, Jak
- (90) arrows in 3 quivers - Lyrica (45), Jak (45)
- (1) Light Crossbow - Ez
- (1) Heavy Crossbow - Marcus
- (60) bolts in 2 quivers - Marcus (30), Ez (30)
- (5) backpacks - ?, ?, ?, ?, ?
- (6) large sacks - Lyrica (3), Jak (2), Aerik (1)
- (12) torches - Lyrica (5), Jak (3), ?
- (1) Hooded Lantern - Ez
- (1) Bullseye Lantern - Jak
- (8) pints of lantern oil - Lyrica (3), Marcus (2), Ez (2)
- 50' rope - Jak
- (15) days of rations - Lyrica (3), Marcus (4), Jak (3), Aerik (3), Ez (2)
- (1) suit of Leather Armor pieces - ?
Sorry, can't help you with the sale of family members, Ez. I try to avoid that kind of headache. :)
In regards to marching order and order of the watch, I am very flexible, so if you prefer something different, please don't hesitate to suggest something different. Lyrica is eager to go first, but she should really follow Marcus who would be best for tracking footprints and/or spotting traps. Let's keep Zeke protected in the middle and Jak and Aerik can bring up the rear. So, a proposed marching order would be:
1. Marcus
2. Lyrica
3. Zeke
4. Jak
5. Aerik
The order of watch could be similar. Do you all think one person on watch at a time is sufficient?
I'm happy to be the rearguard, but I just wanted to point out that in regards to tracking, I have +10 survival skill. ;)
+10? Underachiever! BAD Druid, no! :)
Does a ranger have any additional benefits to tracking than a druid or are they both dependent completely on the Survival skill?
A ranger receives their Level as a bonus on their Survival roll. The only differences other than that are if one person were an 'untrained' tracker vs a 'trained' tracker. An untrained tracker isn't able to track in any situation where the DC rises above 10.
I'm happy to be the rearguard, but I just wanted to point out that in regards to tracking, I have +10 survival skill. ;)
Fair enough, but can you find traps?
As my students say, TREATED!
;-)
Oh he can FIND the traps alright.
Aerik wanders down the path... "Hey guys, I... AAAIIEHHHEHEHHHHAAAAAA!"
That's the only sure way to tell if there are traps, really. Ok, I concede, Aerik can go in front.
Hehe.
Lol. That's why I said I'd be happy to be the rearguard. ;)
I can track men or beasts, but I may very well blunder into a snare or pit.
Hehe
Right, so should I start working up a post for the recruitment thread to replace a dead Druid? :)