The Avalon Chronicles

Game Master lynora

Sush you, think of that in a positive way.... Comic books they come in issues that.... Is almost certainly not what he ment but its possible

won't be able to post much today as i will be a GM IRL today.

I will be able to make the occasional post but I will be attending that game, so posting may be spotty.

I will too but y'all take so long to decide anything that ill be posting as much as usual.

we do not take that long... do we really?

Usually yes it takes at the very least 5 minutes a round on a good day on a bad day its five minutes a turn for 5 turns plus or minus adversaries.

I just thought of something, has the empire reached Toril?

Nope. Different universes, normaly. Toril would not be an easy acquisition, anyways.

EDIT: Krays comes from Toril, and I've always played it like it was another dimension or the like. If the powers that be (DB3, Lynora, Dalesman) decide it is in fact in the same universe, Krays could have just as easily been mistaken. His knowledge of such things has expanded greatly over the last year :)

'Alternate reality' would be the most accurate explanation - this is what allows for characters from 'canon' worlds to still be viable and not contradict each other. It helps to think of Avalon in terms of the World Serpent Inn from older editions of D&D - a place that has access to everywhere.

Though I will say that there are three extremely talented wizards (each hailing from a different world) who have ties to the Resistance...particularly its leader, who is kind of an odd mix of apprentice and associate to them.

And Kryzbyn - bonus points if you figure out who they are and don't crap your pants ;)

Dalesman, in case I was being subtle, Ardiente has just knocked on the door outside the training room that Fei is in.

does anyone know if lyn's online?

Weekends are usually pretty full for Lyn, schedule wise, so she probably isn't. Weekends are also when the game typically slows down too.

Another player, who shall remain nameless, has raised the concern that Ace's ability to 'do anything' may make him too powerful, even for this game. Especially when he mentioned he'd be able to copy the abilities of elemental benders. One phrase used was "trying to be all the gods at once".

This of course reminds me of Michael, my telepathic copycat. There are certainly some similiarities between two. What I did to both limit Michael's ability and make it flavorful was simply. 1) He can only have three abilities copied at any one time, and 2) some of the personaility of the power's original user "bleeds" over. Like Sadie's tactical genius. Without that he never would have thought of driving a spike into the Infernal Engine.

Thoughts?

ah, I was wondering cause I have a character I'd like to introduce

I think it's fine as he can only have3rd lvl techniques this coming from the guy he(barely) beet. In one way he is weaker than every one of us as he only has 3rd lvl powers

The limit of not being able to currently copy any class feature beyond those gained at level three isn't enough of a limit??

Granted, he can use Cunning Brilliance to to mimic any class feature up to level 15, but that is limited to only extraordinary class features. I'm willing to bet bending is Su. If its not, it should be.

Also, I'm using three different classes that all do similar things. If you were to limit me to three copied abilities at once, that pretty much nerfs the holy hell out of me.

Chameleon lets me adopt two Focuses at the same time, while Cunning Brilliance allow me to use three different class features at once, if I so desire and spend the Moments of Inspiration.

Further, many of the abilities are limited in and of themselves. Some can only be used a certain number of times per day. Others last only one round. So sure, if I can ever increase my limit from Taskshaper, I could possibly duplicate high level bending, which would last all of one round and each time I did so, I'd need to spend a MoI. Yes, they refresh every encounter as per the Factotum class(Nothing changed there for this game), and I have a fair amount of them, but I need to be careful how I spend them and they power the vast majority of what I can do. They also need to be used a LOT. If I wanted to add my Int mod to a roll, I need to spend one for each roll. Hello, four attacks a round, that's four MoI right there. What's that? My enemy casts a really powerful save or suck spell? That's another one gone. OH and his friend is going to cleave me in three if I don't increase my AC, that's a 5th point, and those are only the abilities that take 1 point per use. Say I increase my AC, and the guy rolls a Nat 20 and deals enough damage to kill me. I can spend 4 points to negate the damage. That's a total of ten MoI in one round, not counting any other duplication type abilities I might have used.

With the limit to 3rd level even mimicing the bender abilities si not very powerful. the Chakra level would be low enough so to make actually using those abilities almost useless.

at least as far as combat goes.

now non-combat usefulness is a different story. he may be do all sorts of cool stuff that will only enhance role play.

I personally do not really see a situation where Ace is a problem for me since I don't ever really plan on engageing him in combat.

now if he gains the bending abilities at near the level everyone is actually at then there may be an issue.

Exactly, and besides lyn approved it she's the dm that should be enough

The bending is tricky, since in the show, it's something that is inherent to the person, so I can imagine that you can't really copy. That's my only concern, and is restricted to the bending. Being able to bend more than 1 element is a very big deal.

Hmm that is a good point but a similar argument could be made for things like bloodline powers

The only way I could possibly gain bending at near the level of everyone else is for me to somehow reach very epic levels.

That particular power, Imprint Class Ability, is limited to half my level. So if I wanted to use it to learn and mimic a Monk's Wholeness of Body, I would need to somehow be a 14th level Taskshaper. Since we don't actually level, there would clearly need to be some other way for me to increase that limit(I have no idea how). Which means, in order to bend at Lang's level, I would be to be 32nd level Taskshaper, or have my limit increased to that level.

Oh and its also further limited by needing to be a single action aka lasts one round and it might be limited as well to only standard actions, not sure.

In other words,

Before you cry foul, you should really take a long, hard look at somebody's character sheet. I have everything perfectly copied and laid out it in easy to find and read sections.

Further, instead of running behind my back and crying to a GM, try asking me how something I do works. I obviously have no problem explaining any and everything.

The only way I could possibly gain bending at near the level of everyone else is for me to somehow reach very epic levels.

That particular power, Imprint Class Ability, is limited to half my level. So if I wanted to use it to learn and mimic a Monk's Wholeness of Body, I would need to somehow be a 14th level Taskshaper. Since we don't actually level, there would clearly need to be some other way for me to increase that limit(I have no idea how). Which means, in order to bend at Lang's level, I would be to be 32nd level Taskshaper, or have my limit increased to that level.

Oh and its also further limited by needing to be a single action aka lasts one round and it might be limited as well to only standard actions, not sure.

Which is actualy my point I am not seeing any real issue with the mimicing at the moment.

The only issue i could ever have with Ace might be attitude but that is a role play thing that mechanics does not define.

I am quite sure that given the proper situations Lang will easily outshine Ace. and the reverse will also be true.

Right when I had problems with the charActer I brought it to here in the discussion thread where both the DMs and ace could both see and respond to it, from a mechanics view most characters would outlast him in any drawn out fight like the numerous invasions this place takes or the sim where you take on an army his build requires quick decisive fights or he runs out of juice

been busy with chores and volunteer work at the local food locker with Grandma. but i don't really have too much of a problem with Ace Mimicking powers the way he does. though i do admit there are some highly synergistic combinations from 3.5 and 3rd party to be exploited.

i accept that the particular per encounter resource runs out quickly, and that Ace's build, though highly versatile, is limited in both a per encounter resource, and in the level of things he can mimic.

any novaing leads to rounds of progressively less awesomeness until the next encounter. and adaptability doesn't matter as much in a game that rewards specialization.

i imagine Ace as a swiss army knife. lots of gadgets, but all the gadgets are readily and easily available tools such as boxcutters, can openers, cigarette lighters and scissors.

I was thinking the same thing,

Jess, I'm planning to send you a PM a little later. I'm in the middle of a mountain of homework right now that's all due tomorrow. Sorry for the delays. Beginning of February is always crazy for me what with too many birthdays too close together. And this time I also had the first round of tests of the semester crammed in there too. Should ease up a bit after tomorrow. I hope.

'Alternate reality' would be the most accurate explanation - this is what allows for characters from 'canon' worlds to still be viable and not contradict each other. It helps to think of Avalon in terms of the World Serpent Inn from older editions of D&D - a place that has access to everywhere.

Though I will say that there are three extremely talented wizards (each hailing from a different world) who have ties to the Resistance...particularly its leader, who is kind of an odd mix of apprentice and associate to them.

And Kryzbyn - bonus points if you figure out who they are and don't crap your pants ;)

LOL

Ruins the suprise :P

As far as Ace's copy ability, I was only concerned about possible story intereference for Lang. If Lang doesn't care, then neither do I.

Its fine lyn, if she needs to be kept in the wings, I'll keep her there

As far as the Ace thing goes, I spent a lot of time working with him on his particular build. It looks more cool on paper than it is, as has already been pointed out.

Now the bending concern is legit. I can understand why that might bother someone if he can bend more than one element, based on the lore of the show that stuff comes from. But I will say, as the person who sets the DCs for him to learn abilities, that it is not likely to be much of a problem. He might learn two, but the DC to learn a type of bending increases with each element learned. And it starts out at a fairly high DC since element bending is considered a rare technique. (At least based on Ace's background, which is what I'm factoring into account when determining what would be considered rare or common.)

Ace, I know it's a bit frustrating to you, but whoever it was did go through proper channels asking a GM about this. And I think DB3 made a good call putting this up in the discussion thread where everyone can see it since this gets everything out in the open so we don't have to keep having the same discussion. You are willing to be transparent with this stuff, and now the other players can see that.

Obviously, if there are any other concerns, now is the time to ask about them since we're already on the subject. Or suggestions. Or comments. Or whatever. :)

I have never played a taskshaper so i cant comment on that, but i have played the other two classes together on one character who was a master spy and assassin (not those two classes, but the role in the game).

The abilities aren't powerful in and of themselves, but they are BROAD. A lot of versatility to be had, but he isnt going to be dropping high level spells or copying capstone abilities indefinitely.

bending is Su as far as i can tell.

TL; DR: i dont see any issues with it. but i don't plan on engaging in pvp.

(also Lyn, sent you a PM earlier today with questions regarding the info you gave me on my new character's background. no big rush, it hasn't been a whole day yet.)

I don't mind the questioning, but I would have rather who ever it was asked me here, on the discussion thread.

Thank you, Ace, for explaining. Since I didn't entirely understand what you were doing, getting the explanation was nice. I, personally, have no issue with your character.

Just trying to help out a fellow player who had reservations about asking outright.

I really think Ace applies to a phrase I like to use a lot "Ok at everything but not terribly good at anything."

Edit does EVERYTHING happen at 3 am here? Also what month is it in game?

I looked it over the classes myself, a while back, and I like them. Very versatile but not really over powering. It's all about using the right tool for the job. The learning DCs I thought would have been a little low, but that has already been taken care of. Is his character over powering? Only if the opponent lets it feel over powering.

I have run plenty of characters that people have said where way to powerful. In the end it comes down to they had just scared them self to feel he was to powerful, not that he was too powerful. Versatile characters end up causing those feelings because of the wow factor in "I'm going to use that guys class ability."

So I say one thing to Ace on this.
"Kudos for having an APP for that."

I really think Ace applies to a phrase I like to use a lot "Ok at everything but not terribly good at anything."

Edit does EVERYTHING happen at 3 am here? Also what month is it in game?

It's the end of summer break in game. So the equivalent of September.

And there are many different time zones in play here...it's always 3 am somewhere right? ;P

11:34pm here

9 am, roughly

Good point everything happens here at around 3am EST and I wanted to know the time because there are some festivals that happen on solstices etc Desnan stuff mostly

The school itself holds no festivals, though generic celebrations(like concerts or dances) might be held so people of different faiths can enjoy themselves at the same time.

Now, you could start a club of Desnian worshippers and have little mini-festivals if you wanted, or go to Kuros, which celebrates all the non-evil god holidays.

if I flew up with intent to explore, would I see the town?

Yes, it's about 2 miles away. There's even a path to it from the school.

hmm, decisions decisions, out of character I know that raelle is there and know I should give her space, in character I don't know the first part and am even more concerned with the second part, hmm would I explore... would I think I have time to do so... hmm..

On the Ace mimic thing, I did question it but ince it was explained, I had a better understanding and it really isn't to much of a concern.

I dicussed it with my son (an avid 3.5 gamer) they we came up with mimicing bending, though the effects are nearly the same (or very similar) the techique is different than true bending.

many of the bending effects can be mimiced with spells. and when the bending ability is mimiced it will contain a touch of arcane or divine magic. so even though it will appear Ace is bending he is only mimicing the ability and not truely bending.

(think two different paths to the same destination)

case in point for me. I made a gestalted fighter(brawler) with an oracle of stone and I am almost a duplicate of Toph from the Avatar show. and I am not a "bender" I am a divine caster.

now if Ace goes around calling himself The Avatar then there might be issues.

hmm, decisions decisions, out of character I know that raelle is there and know I should give her space, in character I don't know the first part and am even more concerned with the second part, hmm would I explore... would I think I have time to do so... hmm..

Well, technically Raelle is at the factories which are between Kuros and Avalon, though set a bit off of the road. So there's no risk of running into her in Kuros....not that you'd have any way of knowing that either. :)

ACE just makes me think of this IMAGE hehe

either way, Dave is exploring, I didn't post anything further because I don't really know what he would find, if he sees a rode he follows one otherwise he goes as the linnorm flies (obviously much faster than a crow), if you think it would be funny for him to see it then by all means say he sees it, if he does he will check it out, at least briefly but if told to leave he will without any fuss.

Dalesman, in case I was being subtle, Ardiente has just knocked on the door outside the training room that Fei is in.

Whoops! Sorry man - I just made that post before heading out to a birthday dinner for the evening.

I'll try to check the thread in a wee bit and post something. (=^-^=)

Ahem. Apologies for not posting all day. I... began to re-read some of the backlog... 50 pages chewed up a good 5 hours of my time XD.

Happy Birthday Dalesman? Or someone else?