
Adu Hilnack |

Looks like Adu Hilnack will be joining you on this adventure, (once it's the appropriate time for her to do so). I'm looking forward to playing with all of you!

Goggeck Ghack |

Welcome on board Adu!

GM_Armok |

Thanks for joining us Adu. I’ll try to bring you into the story once this combat is over. It might be a little forced, but i’d not have you wait too long.

Adu Hilnack |

If you're going with the follow-up expedition idea, she would totally join in with that. Or she could follow after the group by herself, (sneakily avoiding combat, if anything's still alive to avoid). Since she's specifically trying to find Toulbe just about any explanation makes in-character sense.
Regardless I'm not in any rush, so have her join whenever it's convenient plotwise.

Goggeck Ghack |

At least she's not a bloody noble! :D

Adu Hilnack |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |

Like I said, feel free to write Adu in whenever it's convenient. I've spent the time catching up on your past exploits (which unfortunately Adu will not know about). It's been an exciting trip so far!

Toulbe Hilnack |

Apologies that I am most likely not going towards the current objective. I feel it's in character and I'm like 90% certain the rest of the party will do the correct thing as wise and noble dwarves.
^_^

Goggeck Ghack |

Aye - pull the gnome's head out of the fire! ;)

GM_Armok |

FYI i had major oral surgery done today. I'm in a lot of pain, but I'll update later this weekend.

Goggeck Ghack |

I hope you're feeling better soon.

Goggeck Ghack |

@All: My free time is going to be quite limited over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I might be able to post later on over the three days, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to.

GM_Armok |

Have fun whatever it is.
Its been an exhausting week, but I'll try for an update for y'all after work today.

Goggeck Ghack |

A pair of parties actually, so quite fun.
Been getting back into the forums!

Goggeck Ghack |

Unfortunately, I won't get a post in tonight.

Glor Stonebeard |

So here is an argument for players to make their own saves. I posted in this game on June the 1st in a pre-combat post, just before we were jumped by spiders. Today is June the 12th and I have not had a chance to act yet in the ongoing fight. Well I did get to move out of the spiders but that's it. And it looks like it will be a few days more before I do get a turn.
It sucks when you fail a save and don't get to act. It for me it sucks even more when you do not even get to make the saves and simply have to sit on the sidelines this long. I really do not care for it. Makes me feel not part of the game.

GM_Armok |

Noted. I roll saves in an effort to expedite things, rather than wait for multiple players to roll their own. It seems to be common practice in PbPs. If others are against it, we can change our practices.
I think the moment Glor can make an attack (which is next round) he'll have a real impact in this fight.
I believe Goggeck is up and I can move things along.

Goggeck Ghack |

I'll post shortly.
I don't think the problem lies in who rolls the save. It won't make any difference to the result.
What does make a difference is in how long it takes for a player to get a turn. That can be a slow process because all too often it hinges on one person, who could be unexpectedly delayed.
It might be worth splitting the initiative block into just two: PCs and NPCs. Or some other solution.
And just so you all know, I won't be available much at all on Friday, and a limited amount on Saturday and Sunday.

GM_Armok |

I’m always open to advice and feedback. Just to explain this style I’ve adopted, I like to block the npc’s by type. Usually that means a block of minions and a block for the bigger bad guy. Helps me break up my combat posts into more manageable sizes. And I really do try to be timely with my posts.
Regardless, you’re down to just the big baddy right now.
Perhaps what I can do is forgo the summary at the end of each round and rotate directly to the top of the Initiative list for more fluidity. We can try that out starting this round.

Urist McFatson |

For what it's worth, I'm a fan of separate enemy initiatives. If only to prevent the issue of one PC rushing in and then getting absolutely rag-dolled by a coordinated mob.

Goggeck Ghack |

The summary isn't a problem imho. But delays accumulate so that players might not get a turn for days or longer. I don't mind that so much myself, but I could easily see it frustrating people.

Toulbe Hilnack |

Apologies, I am out and about and cant access the map to move me. I did see that I can get to him safely and heal so I shall do that with my move cast with my standard, and keep the performance up with my free.

Goggeck Ghack |

I've a brutal headache. I'll get back to posting when I replace that with free time.

Urist McFatson |

Between the need for healing and the usefulness of Mage Armoe, I am highly tempted to pick up Craft Wand next level.
GM, if you don't mind me asking, would the pace and itemization of the campaign support the occasional time off for a Fey Mood art project?

GM_Armok |

Once we get into hexploration mode, which should be soonish, you can opt to spend your time, say, tinkering in the wagon while others explore. And definitely when we get into kingdom rules there should be plenty of downtime.

GM_Armok |

Just a heads up: I will be going camping this weekend friday-sunday. Won't be able to post at that time.

Glor Stonebeard |

FYI - I'll be traveling from July 4 though the 17th. I will have internet much of the time but not every day. So please bot me if I am holding up anything.

GM_Armok |

Congrats and welcome to Level 3!
Please post your character sheet updates here in Discussion.
Friendly GM reminder. We are playing with Feat Tax Rules and Automatic Bonus Progression.
Adu, I’m going to work on your Campaign Ability based on your Profession (Record Keeper) Skill in the mean time.
Feel free to RP in the campsite while we update our PCs. Once I see everyone post their updates, we can continue the final and actually optional chapter of The Theocrats’ Vault!

Urist McFatson |

I've got a question about ABP. How does it apply to pets? It isn't the end of the world of the commander doesn't get anything for it (Hell, my spells will cover most of that in due time) but I'd like to know my options.
Also, since Feat Tax removes Power Attack as a feat you have to actually take, does that modify the commander at all? Her phantom emotional focus gives her Power Attack as a bonus feat so that's kind of a dead feature now.

GM_Armok |

I don't think ABP applies to phantoms. That's a class feature, not a PC. Despite what Helga thinks, Urist is the hero.
As for the bonus feat, Helga can take a feat of which Power Attack is a prerequisite.

Adu Hilnack |

Character sheet updates:
BAB + 1, Fort + 1, Reflex + 1
ABP: Resistance +1
Feat: Spell Focus (Enchantment)
1 extra 1st level spell per day
New level 1 spell learned: Command
Mystery Revelation: Assumed Form
FCB: +1 skill
Skills ranks added: Linguistics, Profession (Record-Keeper), Bluff, Diplomacy, K. Religion, Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth, Use Magic Device.
Please let me know if anything looks off!

Goggeck Ghack |

Good stuff! And cheers for the reminder.
I'll be tight for time until Wednesday evening so I'll level up then most likely.

Toulbe Hilnack |

BAB +1, Fort +1
ABP: Resistance +1
Feat: Extra Channel
1 extra 1st level spell per day (4/day)
New lvl 1 spell: Chord of Shards
New Lvl 0 spell: Prestidigitation
FCB: +1 skill
Skill Rank additions: Diplomacy, Know (Arcana), Know (Local), Knowledge (Nature), Perception, Spellcraft, Stealth, Survival, Handle Animal, Profession (Cook)
New Bardic Performance: Word Strike

Urist McFatson |

Urist
Max HP +8
BAB +1
Reflex +1
New ability: Bonded Manifestation
Spells learned: Detect Magic, Touch of Gracelessness
Feat: Craft Wondrous Item
Skill Ranks: +3 Spellcraft, +1 Knowledge (Religion), +1 Heal
Commander Silverbrew
Max HP +6
BAB +1
Reflex +1
New ability: Share touch spells (30 ft)
Skill Ranks: +1 Craft (Stonemasonry), +1 Intimidate, +1 Perception, +1 Survival
Feats: Cornugon Smash retroactively added as bonus feat due to GM ruling (see above.) Improved Sunder taken at level 3.
(Dunno how often crafting will come up, especially with ABP income, but I figure Urist would make a good dedicated craftsdwarf.)

Hezekh Ironfist |

How are we doing HP? I've forgotten.
Also, something I noticed while looking at feats: Brawlers usually get Improved Unamred Strike as a bonus feat. The Feat Taxes change combines IUS with Improved Grapple into a new feat called Unarmed Combatant. Style feats by and large require IUS. Should I have gotten Unarmed Combatant as a bonus feat instead, or could I just wave IUS as a prereq? Because right now, HeroLab is telling me I'm not eligible for various style feats because I don't have IUS. Which I don't have (and can't get) only because it's been removed by the Feat Taxes mod. Annoying.
(Note that I'm never actually going to use IUS, since I've got my arm. I just need it as a prereq.)

GM_Armok |

HP is max at 1st, average thereafter.
I havent used herolab, but is there a way to add extra feats? Like, instead of the Unarmed Combatant feat, just take IUS and Improved Grapple?
I like to use a phone app called Pathbuilder to build my PCs and that's how I would handle it there.

Hezekh Ironfist |

When you check the box to add the Feat Taxes mod, it eliminates all the feats the modification does, like IUS and Point Blank Shot. HeroLab will still allow me to select feats it doesn't register me as qualifying for, so it would be easy enough to just pretend I have it. I just want to make sure we're on the same page.
That leads to another question, though. For my archetype, it says to treat the arm as an unarmed strike:
Constructed Limb (Ex): A constructed pugilist begins play with a special prosthetic limb built for fighting and typically made of iron, steel, stone, or wood, with the corresponding hardness and hit points (see Table 7-13). She treats attacks with this limb as unarmed strikes that gain all the benefits of the brawler’s unarmed strike class feature. She treats the limb as a light weapon and is proficient with it. Removing or reattaching the constructed limb takes 10 minutes.
That seems to conflict with some of the style feats, such as Pummeling Style (which is probably the most attractive for my purposes):
Pummeling StyleYour unarmed strikes weave together in an effortless combo, focusing on the spots you’ve weakened with the last hit.
Prerequisites: Improved Unarmed Strike; base attack bonus +6, brawler’s flurry class feature, or flurry of blows class feature.
Benefit: Whenever you use a full-attack action or flurry of blows to make multiple attacks against a single opponent with unarmed strikes, total the damage from all hits before applying damage reduction. This ability works only with unarmed strikes, no matter what other abilities you might possess.
(Note the bolded prereq) The last sentence is probably meant to stop people from using abilities that allow weapon attacks to be considered unarmed strikes....but that's more or less what my arm is; a weapon that says in its description to treat it as an unarmed strike. Would I be able to use the style?

GM_Armok |

That seems like a bug in the herolab software. I don’t think the creators of the Feat Tax rules meant them to be interpreted that way. They basically just award the kind of feats most people are going to take anyways for free.
I’d say since Pummeling Style seems to be specifically meant for brawlers and monks, that you should be able to take it... at BAB +6. A steel fist is still a fist. And wow, that’s a pretty awesome feat now that I read it. DR can be super frustrating with iterative attacks, just ask my TWF Slayer.