Here's the discussion thread for my homebrew PbP, The Academae.
You guys should check the campaign info; I've changed the gold amounts in the scheduling section, and also added a bit to the "Changes to the Academae" that you should all be aware of.
Dotting.
Dottity.
Just to show how new I am to these forums, is there a link to some sort of tutorial on how you format die rolls?
:o
Just a dot for now - thanks for the selection.
Will update my profile and picture to be correct later on today.
look underneath where you put the posts in at the bottom where it says "How to format your text" and click "Show"
look underneath where you put the posts in at the bottom where it says "How to format your text" and click "Show"
Thanks. Testing it out
Okay, a few things before we start this.
With the relationships system being in use for this campaign, I'd like to put it down right now where I stand on the whole "comfort zone" issue. Basically, we'll just fade to black when intimate relations are being had. I don't think this'll be an issue, but if you guys are uncomfortable, just let me know and we can fade it out.
A second thing I'd like to put out there is formatting. I don't really care which tense or perspective you type up your post in, as long as it's understandable. I know some GM's on the forums are picky about this, but I'm letting you guys know I won't be a stickler there.
Topic three: if anyone spots someone (be it me or another player) doing something mechanically wrong, just leave them a polite spoiler telling them what the issue is. If you could link the SRD when you spot an error, it would really help. If someone calls you out on an error, just know that they aren't trying to be rude, they're just helping you out.
Fourth, combat. when combat starts, I'll roll initiative for everyone. You can post your actions whenever you like, and if you wish to change them because of another person's actions, just tell me you're "retconning" your action. If we are waiting on one person to post, and it takes them more than 24 hours to post, I'll decide their action for the turn to the best of my ability. Also related to combat, I don't believe in pulling punches when I'm throwing bad guys at you, and thus I'll roll my attacks and damages for all of you to see. I'll also roll hidden rolls, such as Stealth or Bluff, in spoilers; I'll trust you guys not to act in character on the stuff in the spoilers.
When speaking of not pulling punches, I'd also like to talk about character deaths. You can bet that my bad guys will use everything in their power to kill you, and if a death occurs, there will be consequences. Most likely, especially at low levels, the consequence will be to roll up a new character; in this case, the new character starts at the same level as all the other PC's, and is assumed to be one of their classmates. If you want to, with my permission, you might even play one of the NPC's. At higher levels, you might be resurrected, especially if you frequently have good relations with powerful good-aligned outsiders who have these abilities.
The last topic I'm going to talk about now is some of the non-core stuff I'll be using. Ultimate Magic has many cool topics in it, including spellblights, spell duels, outsider-binding rules, advanced construct creation, and designing your own spells. I hope to make use of all these things over the course of the campaign.
Sounds like I better make a spare in case poor Pakak bites it early. :) As for the last topic, like I said, really all I have are the corebook and Hero lab so I may need a quick nudge/clue if my character is supposed to know something from one of those books that the player hasn't read. I hope that won't be any trouble
Ridge - explore the PRD on the left hand menu. It has content from the Core Rulebook, APG, Ultimate Magic and Ultimate Combat. Also take a look at PFSRD which has alot of the other content as well :)
I've started the process of formatting and changing Hathin's profile - but probably won't have it nutted out for another day (have some work to do tonight).
However will jump into the lead in RP anyway - it usually takes a while before anything needs to be used in anger :)
Simply Dotting for now.
Question on the mechanics of the game we have free time to do one of the 7 specified things correct? I figure this works in a similar fashion to Japanese visual novel games or something similar....
....anyways what are the limits of things we can do? one free time event per week or per two weeks? or what? Pick between two things per week? Do some things take less time/effort?
Just curious on how that stuff works.
As for tuition our first semester is pretty much G101-G104 (Possibly G100 as well), correct? Is it our first 2 semesters already paid for or is it simply the first semester that's been taken care of?
@Ridge, there won't be a whole lot of combat, and when it does happen, it'll be easy fights. Because the group is only wizards and witches, I'm not going to be sending out things that are unreasonably tough, but if you conjure a tough demon which breaks free or otherwise put yourself in danger, that's when you have to start worrying about your life.
As for the Ultimate Magic stuff, I'll just link you to the SRD when that stuff comes up. Most of that stuff is going to be optional, though I'd like everyone to make their own spells. Maybe do that once every year.
@Silyph All those options I posted are one week long, with the exception of doing a sidequest, which may take longer. Another thing you can do which I forgot about is crafting, either mundane or magical items. Most of this stuff is assumed to be about the same amount of effort, but if you study a scroll it'll give you a small penalty to your stress rolls because of the divided attention and lack of free time. None of the other activities I posted give you any sort of penalty, and everything is just assumed to take most (but not all) of your free time over the week.
You can do other things, so long as they don't take too much time. Things like just dropping in and talking to someone for a few minutes, or heading to a specific shop to buy a specific item, would be reasonable things for you to do. I haven't really decided concrete rules, but I'll try to be lenient here, so long as you aren't doing a dozen more things in a week.
For your paid tuition, that pays for the first semester, which is G101-G104 and maybe G100 if you want. The second semester's tuition is on you, and that's when you get free reign to pick which classes you want.
Thanks for the tips, guys.
Those who haven't finished putting all their stuff down on their profiles, whenever you can get that done would be great. It shouldn't be a pressing issue, just like to have it done before it becomes an issue, y'know?
Sorry about all the questions.....
Question about classes & spells:
What spells are available to be learned in class? Will there be a list for each class or are we allowed to choose depending on the school of magic and appropriate class? Will our first semester classes provide for opportunities to learn spells? If we're taking multiple classes at once can we only learn one level 1 spell each week or 1 level 1 spell each week for each class? How do cantrips qualify for spell learning considering they're level 0, so how does this interact with the time limit?
Here's the relevant quote:
Spells are learned through classes, which break every part of the spell down and make it much easier to learn the spell. While taking a class, after a number of weeks equal to the level of the spell being learned, the student should make a Spellcraft check, DC 15; +2 for each spell level, -2 for each previously failed check spent learning this spell. Success means the character learns the spell. Failure means the student must continue studying the spell, and can retry the check after 2 weeks of study.
Question on scribing spells:
I don't suppose we can simply learn spells from borrowing other students spellbooks as per the common rules for learning & scribing new spells?Question about stress will saves:
I don't suppose casting a spell like resistance every night before going to bed will impart a +1 bonus to stress saves? Or simply casting resistance all day on the day of our stress roll? ;)
Question on spell selection:
Silyph has divination as a barred school simply for reference will the cantrip read magic or detect magic be a requirement or exceptionally important during class?
Question on Familiars: Since Silyphs familiar can communicate in common and has her skill ranks for knowledge/spellcraft it can make those checks, I figure I'll use him primarily as a second roll on knowledge checks and to perform the aid another task to help with spellcraft checks for class. This is kosher correct?
Anyways all I really need to do is pick up an extra cantrip. Do some minor editing for class features, and look over my equipment.
On a side not would you mind me trading out one of my traits for Indomitable-Faith as I figure will saves will be exponentially more important than a +4 to bluff checks due to the stress mechanics and the trait works with her character fluff wise just as well.
Okay, answers for all your questions:
1. Each class has specific spells it can teach you. Most have 3 spells, though some higher level classes only have 2. The level of the spells are 1-2 for a 100 class, 3-4 for a 200 class, and 5-6 for a 300 class, though there are a few exceptions to this rule. I have hidden which spells correlate to which class on purpose, as I didn't want characters to pick classes just to min/max. Also, your character won't know which spells correspond to which classes either.
The first semester classes don't have spells to learn per se, though you do learn cantrips on your own in this time (more on this as we get to that point in game). Cantrips are treated as 1st level spells for the time requirement (1 week per cantrip). You can learn spells from every class simultaneously (meaning 1 level 1 spell each week for each class). Note that for the easier classes, this means a lot of free time after you've learned every spell for that class.
2. You can, although my huge rules changes for scribing scrolls makes this impractical if the other character is using their spellbook (you'd have to constantly be taking it away from them).
3. Casting resistance constantly seems both extremely cheesy and extremely metagamey. After all, how does your character know when they're rolling for stress? This being said, permanent effects which raise saves will affect your stress rolls. (magic items, feats, etc.)
4. Neither of those is required for class, though they will be very useful cantrips in this campaign.
5. I'll say yes to both uses for the familiar.
I don't mind you swapping your trait at all.
A note to others with familiars who can't speak Common: they can still aid another with your classes, because they can give you empathic "nudges" to help you figure out what's needed to succeed. However, they can't communicate their knowledge effectively to you, and so can't help with Knowledge checks unless you can find a way for them to communicate.
@Robe Colors:
.....Hahahahaaha Necromancer get purple robes.....hahahaha
I apologize my mind quickly went to a more neon fabulous shade of purple rather than the darker alternatives.
Still kudos for breaking the mold of the conventional black necromancer. However, I would have found it much more awesome if the necromancers wore pink robes. Although that might be a little demeaning.....
@Robe Colors:
.....Hahahahaaha Necromancer get purple robes.....hahahahaI apologize my mind quickly went to a more neon fabulous shade of purple rather than the darker alternatives.
Still kudos for breaking the mold of the conventional black necromancer. However, I would have found it much more awesome if the necromancers wore pink robes. Although that might be a little demeaning.....
The poor Abjurers get brown. Then again, I suppose given the unassuming nature of the Hall of Wards, that fits the theme the school has going.
On the robe colours - I'm assuming we all need to pick a specialty then? - or is there a robe colour for universalists?
On the robe colours - I'm assuming we all need to pick a specialty then? - or is there a robe colour for universalists?
Alternatively universalists simply run around in the nude.
....you may laugh, but when a rainbow robed universalist with no pants starts applying free meta-magic to his spells past level 8 we'll see who's laughing*
*The illusionist, the answer is the illusionists. Primarily due the the fact that they really aren't wearing any robes and are in fact nude themselves.
In the Academae, everyone has to pick a specialty. That's one thing I did carry over from the books.
I think I'm going to have to make some rainbow robes for Reem, and glamer them to glitter as he runs around.
Arcane bombers don't get specialties from a mechanical perspective but Thimble probably wouldn't have a hard time with picking one from a rp bent like evocation. Explosions are fun.
Thimble goes in the corner and pouts as he has no familiar to play with :-(
Witches similarly, though Hathin's going to have a Transmutation bent anyway. So as with you it's a fairly easy pick.
I was just wondering is all.
You guys hit the nail on the head as to what I was thinking. Even though you lack an actual "specialty school", you still pick one.
I'm posting this up in most my games and I hate do so. When this one is so active and fresh, but I'll be going out of town to deal with a family related thing this weekend.
Depending on how fidgety I get as I'll spend most of my time in a waiting room I may or may not be on the internet depending on my mood and other things. Sorry for any inconvenience.
It's alright Waltz, it shouldn't be a problem.
I promise Hathin won't be a wet fish forever... he'll just need a bit of impetus to come out of his shell.
I promise Hathin won't be a wet fish forever... he'll just need a bit of impetus to come out of his shell.
No worries, Half orcs can be a distrustful lot ;)
Especially half orcs who go to the Academae by stealing people's identities.
Shhh - don't tell everyone :P
Hathin will be waiting for evening time before striking out into the city and looking for work at places where not many questions get asked...
Back from absence will post in the morn.
Silyph: Your familiar moans at the threat of cutting its (his or her?) food supply tighter, saying, "But it reaaally hard!" You know that the familiar isn't incredibly bright, and has a hard time with complicated tasks (with only a 6 INT). However, it innately knows magic, and can guide you in classes.
It's a 'his' I'll actually be tossing up a background in his profile if you don't mind me using it for RP purposes every now and then. You're free to do stuff w/ him as well.
Also I know he's got a 6 intelligence, it's IC for Silyph to make unreasonable or complicated request of Vhiloe and threaten punishment for his incompetence. Lawful Evil and all and it should be running theme. :)
I'm hoping to RP him up as endearing as it'll have much more impact dynamic wise when Silyph eventually sacrifices him in an unholy ritual to pick up an imp companion at 7th level or work her way into Diabolist PrC.
On that note when she does try and qualify for Diabolist PrC a prerequisite is summoning and binding a devil. Earliest she can qualify is level 6 with the common work around of finding some way to procure a scroll of lesser planar binding (purchase cost/2250gp). I'd love it if she stumbled upon a quest to fulfill that requirement otherwise she'll likely have to wait till level 9 and get lucky enough to learn the spell.
Either way whenever she does qualify the binding will most likely be an Imp. The binding rules provide a bonus in the binding process for "offering a heart cut from the breast of a still-living dove".So here's the question I was getting at if she can accomplish the ritual before 7th when Vhiloe poofs away due to her getting an imp familiar from her specialty (Infernal Binder) could Vhiloe qualify as the "dove" since it's probably close enough and would be fun flavor?
Sorry if that was a little hard to follow... o.o
I loved what you did with the shiny rocks, though. Quite funny and fits the little bird brained twerp.
Shane - I'm assuming that 2 days per week is manageable without getting into issues with time management? - but working the full week means other things get put to the wayside?
Shane - also after thinking about it and finally getting to the point of updating my character profile; I would like for Hathin to start with the absolute bare minimum provided by the Academy and work for everything.
Would be in-keeping with background and help him really struggle the first semester to keep on top of things (which is good).
Hmm... If you like, you could get rid of the 1st level spells. During this first semester, you guys can learn additional cantrips, so you might drop the cantrips if you really wanted to. Certainly, I'm not going to tell you you can't, and if you want to, go for it. More power to ya.
I was originally just thinking of just the 20 gold... but you've convinced me. I'll start with just the two cantrips - bleed (as I used it in my backstory) and read magic (as I think it might be a step too far without that).
So I start with two cantrips, school uniform, spell component pouch, and one set of normal clothes (servant's clothes).
Cool. Hathin "the Underdog" De'Lark, comin' to rock this school! :p
Updated a few things like you asked: (Let me know if anything's missing or you don't approve of any changes)
-Updated traits for indomitable faith and adjusted skills accordingly.
-Calculated wealth in equipment (added a whetstone for 2cp).
-Added Relationship section to profile with pertinent info recorded.
-Added Academic History section to profile with pertinent info recorded for reference purposes.
-Linked to Vhiloe the familiar's profile at the top of her sheet.
-Wrote up fluffy stuff for Vhiloe.
Cheesy question : Where do you stand on armor that provides 0% ASF and has no ACP?
The only armors that would qualify to fit both the 0 ACP & 0% ASF are the Armored Kilt, Haramaki, and Silken ceremonial armor. (The latter two being eastern armors that are more widely and commonly subject DM fiat on availability). So I was curious as if any of those options would be available in game or if they'd be unobtainable.
Hmmm, you might be able to obtain eastern armor, but it won't be easy. It would come from Tian Xia, and be hard to find and very expensive. The kilt would be easier to track down, and cheaper.
I'm going to approve all 3 armors. It's not like it's gonna break anything to get a +1 armor bonus to AC. That being said, in your characters' current position, they don't really need armor (well, Hathin might...), so I'll expect an in-character reason if you're going out to search for them.
What is this....Private Messaging?!?!
....where'd my campaign tracker go. *sob*
Oh it shows up on each of my individual aliases, but is lacking on my standard account. It shows up for Silyph but not Waltz, which is the one I check since it's easier than switching between aliases constantly for each different game.
I think a dot might be in order..... Edit: Well that doesn't work... Edit2: Success! Just needed to manually type in the url and bookmark it.
Still it's real spiffy. *Gets wide eyes*
Oh it shows up on each of my individual aliases, but is lacking on my standard account. It shows up for Silyph but not Waltz, which is the one I check since it's easier than switching between aliases constantly for each different game.
I think a dot might be in order..... Edit: Well that doesn't work... Edit2: Success! Just needed to manually type in the url and bookmark it.
Still it's real spiffy. *Gets wide eyes*
If you bookmark the URL that ends with &page=last you can come straight to the very last page of each thread. Discussion, gameplay, what have you.
That's what I do, at least.
Thanks for the tip I got it working.
I prefer the current campaigns section as it tells me if there are any new posts in any games that I'm in and which section of the thread they're in all on one simple page.
Plus if I click on the new post link it brings me directly to the post that is new so I don't have to skim down each page and find the most recent post. It's convenient and I don't have to litter my bookmarks with more than one thing or fiddle with RSS.
Campaign's section FTW - I had favorites set for the first while on the two or three campaigns I was in... but now that the number of campaigns is more like sixteen or so - the tracker is a godsend :)
Yeah, I'm with you there, Hathin. I've got 14, and I used to use google reader. When the campaign tracker came out, I switched over immediately. I just cleared out my Reader a few weeks ago, and there were probably between 2-3k posts.
Yeah I didn't have the url bookmarked and instead had Paizo's homepaged bookmarked. Any time I wanted to see my campaigns I simply went:
My Account->Profile->Current Campaigns.
The update fiddled with things to where you can't access campaigns section on your own standard profile you're logged into, but can still do so from other peoples profile. So I stumbled for a bit till I remembered I could simply type in the URL for it and bookmark that even if I can't browse my way to it.
My reaction went from:
Hooray private messaging! to Oh gods how do I find my games in about 2 seconds. I was afraid I'd have to fiddle with RSS, favorite threads, or bookmark every game.
It's still a little unfortunate if they don't fix that, since new users might not know they can access the campaign tracker since if they can't simply stumble upon it by browsing anymore. Which is sort of poor design.
That's strange, as I can still access my Current Campaigns tab just fine, using the method you described.