Agreed. The babysitting aspect of this AP is getting old. Paizo's NPCs aren't usually such complete dead weight. Even Ameiko, the Pretty Pretty Princess herself, had combat stats.
In a warzone, civilians are likely to be busted up. Adds a different hero element.
It's fairly ham-fisted at the start I agree, and the AP could do a little better in parlaying it into connectivity to the next few AP chapters.
I think the main problem is going to the old chestnut of a miserly aggressive nobleman trying to order people around. Gwerm as written into the AP is actually worse than I've been playing him... which is saying something. It's a bit of a pity as he actually has a few little bits of nice info hidden away in his backstory - but the AP doesn't give much chance for that to be rolled out for the party.
Aravashnial and Anevia both have combat stats - though somewhat limited by their respective injuries.
As far as Nessa goes - I know that F. Castor was an interested party in case a spot did open up... but I'll leave it up to you guys whether you think that you need a 5th or whether you're happy with four.As for F.Castor--we have a good group dynamic right now. As long as his character comes in and adds to that instead of detracts, I'm good with it. The more the merrier. And a bladebound/hexcrafter magus definitely helps our frontline problem.If I may be so bold, since I have been mentioned, I would like to say that I am still an interested party. Not only because of the campaign itself, but also because of the DM running it.
As for the potential character, it would actually be this guy: Joneth Revane. Seeing as how you seem to be pretty much covered as far as spellcasting goes, but since I have wanted to play a magus in such a campaign (I am so very fond of warrior/mages), I thought a bladebound kensai magus would be more useful, what with his focus more on martial combat rather than magic. Plus, I like the unarmored thing, which would be quite viable with the Enduring Armor mythic ability (he would go Champion and Archmage via the Dual Path feat).
To clarify things, I have not been invited to join. That is entirely up to you, the players and the DM. I just thought to say a couple of things since the possibility reared its head, so to speak. Besides, you know what they say... nothing ventured, nothing gained. If I do not get to play with you folks, I will still follow your adventures. :-)
Intrepid adventurers - could I have a yay or nay (either here or via PM) as to whether you're open to having Joneth join?
Yay! The more meatshields, ahem, I mean stalwart crusaders, the better!
D'oh! I totally forgot in the midst of my practicum. Sorry! I had a response typed up after reading your backstory and never did post it.
So far there hasn't been any resounding no to adding Joneth - so we'll provisionally move forward to have him added when you hypothetically reach the safe house in Kenabres.
However - one item that was pointed out was the personality balance with respect to the original premise of the campaign... which was the four humors.
We're missing a Sanguine personality: Extroverted and people-oriented. Generally likes socialization, fun crowds, and showcases of people's talents; highly opposed to dwelling on the past. Exhibits optimism, compassion, good cheer, a love of fun, enthusiasm. On the flip side, they may be impulsive, gullible, self-indulgent, lustful, Drama Queens, easily distracted, or even an uber-slob or space case.
So if possible, could Joneth revisit your intent and try and work a bit more of the positive and negative from that description into it?
Ah, right. I had forgotten about the Four-Temperament Ensemble basis of the recruitment. Let me see then: Eudocia is Leukine, Gregori is Sanguine and Choleric (Artisan), Harrol is Phlegmatic and Theodric is Choleric and Melancholic (Rational).
Well, the Sanguine's positive traits seem to fit Joneth well enough, as I do picture him as friendly, kind and compassionate, liking the company of others and especially his friends and quick to joke and smile (what can I say, I rather prefer easy-going characters... :-P). And it does link to the Blood Knight and Spirited Competitor tropes, which, alongside with the Challenge Seeker trope, can be used to describe his love of adventure and the challenges it involves, especially the martial ones. He does remain a Combat Pragmatist during a fight, however, as he does tend to use his brain and the magic he has at his disposal and does not just lose himself in the fun of it.
As for the negative side of it, I could make him somewhat more impulsive and easily bored than originally envisioned, would that work? And although he is a nice guy and does enjoy a good fight even if only for the challenge it provides, where demons and/or demon cultists are involved, whether in combat or out of it, he does become a bit more prejudiced and easily distracted and shows a "tendency to anger-burst" (this tendency also appears when the innocent or the defenseless are threatened, regardless of demonic presence), even if he does not go fully berserk. In combat against demons and their servants though, he gravitates more towards the Tranquil Fury trope, a sort of combination of the Berserk Button and the Nerves of Steel tropes, courtesy of his own background and experiences, his change due to the ritual and the black blade's influence and desire to kick some demon butt (that influence would be a factor during any interaction between himself and demons or their minions).
So... suggestions? Feedback?
And on a somewhat related note, TVTropes is a trap. A time-consuming, yet undeniably delicious, trap...
Of course there is...
Oh, and a couple of questions:
1) How do the campaign traits work? I see that some have picked one (and, as far as I can tell, in addition to the normal number of traits allowed), while others have not.
I am asking because not only are we usually supposed to pick a campaign trait when creating a character for an adventure path (although I seem to remember that we were not required to choose one when we submitted characters in your recruitment thread), but in this particular campaign they seem to be tied to the various mythic paths.
2) What amount of cash do I have at my disposal to spend on Joneth's gear?
There's a trope for that...
"It's like Rickrolling..but you're trapped all day" perfect description.
On another note Gregori has become the characater with the most appropriately timed 20's I've ever rolled.
As I recall, we got the mechanics of the campaign trait tied to our mythic path as a free trait without having to incorporate the fluff; how that works out when it gets to the point of the campaign where the supposed issues from our childhoods are resolved is Mark's headache. What mythic path is Joneth going for, btw?
Discussion of the campaign trait here
Essentially it was a convert of the original channel divinity special ability I put into the recruitment to gain the mechanical effects of a trait of your choice. So take the crunch without the fluff in addition to two normal traits.
Joneth should be built to a level 4 character with... and with appropriate wealth for a level 3 character to start with. Given the haphazard start to the campaign and rapid levelling I think the main group is a bit behind where they should be?
As I recall, we got the mechanics of the campaign trait tied to our mythic path as a free trait without having to incorporate the fluff; how that works out when it gets to the point of the campaign where the supposed issues from our childhoods are resolved is Mark's headache. What mythic path is Joneth going for, btw?
Funnily enough, because I made Joneth to apply in another WotR recruitment thread, I have actually incorporated the fluff as well in his story. The relevant trait can actually be found in his character sheet as the second name of his black blade, i.e. Stolen Fury (sort of an honorary mention thing). Joneth will be going for the Champion and Archmage mythic paths, the latter courtesy of the Dual Path mythic feat.
A question: The combination of the arcane mark cantrip and the magus' Spellstrike ability seems to be a rather popular tactic in order to effectively give the magus an extra melee attack, albeit if he passes the concentration check first and with a -2 penalty to all attacks during that turn. Do you allow this?
It does seem a bit cheesy to me frankly, although a player in a game I am in fluffs it up by having the black blade's sentience sort of guide its wielder's hand. Here is one post, and here is another, so as to show what I mean a little better.
Regardless, I do not care all that much either way. I am mostly asking so I know what options I have available and I can finalize Joneth's memorized spells. :-)
I'm ok with it as long as the arcane mark is described in character and actually does something.
Was going to update tonight... then my kids decided to not go to sleep until tomorrow...
Is he within charging disctance from Gregori? And anyone speak orc?
Yeah you're all within the glob of narrative distance.
I know it's a hamfisted approach, but it will pay out by shortening this part of the AP by about 3-4 weeks real time.
And anyone speak orc?
Not unless Anevia or Lann do.
I'm actually not at all opposed to it for as long as necessary. The pace is quite refreshing.
A short note - I will be entertaining a school friend coming through Malaysia over the next couple of days so shall be scarce on the forums.
Still in recovery mode from visitors and a fairly draining weekend. Posts shall come hopefully tomorrow. Just letting you know.
Busy morning. Will update the loot list later today with ... oh look! another weapon no one can use. Give it to Lann, I suppose. :P
Loot list updated in this profile. We have two undistributed potions of invisibility and one of cmw.
Dealing with hopefully a 48 hour bug and 40 degree spiking fevers... good fun :)
Geez that sucks. Get better all of you.
After a few days of parenting fun... I should hopefully get some sleep tonight and be back to it tomorrow.
I appreciate the patience with my sorry underachieving self.
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Gregori chuckles as Eudocia's caustic retort. It was clear that stress made her tongue even more acidic than usual.
Seriously, can you believe her family had trouble marrying her off? I ask you!
lol
The last week hasn't been great for me in terms of RPG headspace (note primarily due to in game fraction in another PbP that's now resolved) - and that's obviously been reflected in a lack of in game posting.
While I get back up and on my mental feet - I'm going to officially take a 1 week sabbatical from my DM'd games. This will give me the comfort to recharge my batteries and hopefully get back on the job on roughly 13th July.
I appreciate your consideration, and hopefully this doesn't put too many of you out.
Best laid plans for the last two nights swiftly harpooned by a 2 year old with a snotty nose. My chest does a very good impression of a bed.
Aww
No worries, we'll still be here when you get on top of things! Hope it all clears up soon.
Wow, Eudocia's got herself some issues huh? lol
Nah, those issues are entirely mine. She's yet another Paizo NPC who's written to be Practically Perfect in Every Way, which makes me hate her on principle. I had to fish for a reason for Eudocia to dislike her.
Aye she's a bit that way (both written and consciously on my part)... but I also wanted a non-Gwermish character as well.
Plus I generally ain't fantastic at NPCs as well :P
I'm happy with anti-Gwerm
Through foul magicks he forced himself into one of your kinsmen's mind and you were forced to slay your fellow crusader before striking down the witch. A shrine to Baphomet was discovered in the building A brazen minotaur head hangs from one wall above an altar covered with wavy-bladed knives and curved bulls’ horns, while star-shaped symbols in red decorate other walls. and the Tiefling bore a note on his person that read:
Faxon,
You did well to report your superior’s mishandling of funds, and I trust that you will continue to serve as loyally in the weeks to come. You need not command the Kenabres Templars for long, for the city is about to die—I only wish I could be there to take part in its murder, for I have fond memories of my Red Morning Massacre. No matter, I suppose, for your mortal kin will all fall soon enough—as I said, Kenabres’s days are short.
Vorlesh has already left to meet with our Lord’s daughter in the Abyss to secure a Nahyndrian crystal of the proper purity, and once she has what she needs, she’ll arrive in Kenabres to finish the job and turn the wardstones fully to our use. You will know when she succeeds, I suspect! Praise Lord Baphomet!
Minagho
Joneth - this is your cue.
Day 01 of 11? :P
Aye - the other days I just suck at being a good DM :P
No, I was just wondering if we'd be on hiatus for ten more days. ;)
Hah - no hopefully not. I should be able to get something down at work today.
Faxon: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Minagho: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Red Morning Massacre: 1d20 ⇒ 2
Vorlesh: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Nahyndrian Crystal: 1d20 ⇒ 9
That's a pretty abysmal run of d20 rolls: 5 in a row and none in double digits.
Wow, the streak continues.
Just making the bard look good. ;)
Demonstrating yet again the insane level drive that exists in this AP - you are all 4th level now.
Also - I realise that there hasn't been too much useful wealth being tossed your way just yet.
Eudocia has a loot list at the bottom of her profile. Please review and claim what you want to claim, then advise what you might be looking to offload. The Crusaders are limited in terms of what they have... but in true AP fashion they might just happen to have exactly what you're looking for :P
I still think I haven't cast a non-cantrip spell in this game. :P
My last two hit-point rolls have been 2 and 3. It almost has to get better, right? Yay!
A reminder to everyone else: You don't have to roll if you don't want to. It's - what? half plus one or something if you don't roll?
Half plus one, I think, yes. I believe it is the PFS average.