The Conquest of Ambervale

Game Master Nicos

"Speak...for yourself." The elf spits a bit of blood.

Vendrick makes a hand sign and disappears. "Vanya."

Invisibility.

What is it you want?"

Unseen Female goblin: Your Heads!!...

A second volley of arrow is launched (I'll assume you went for some cover, that's seems natural). Most of them miss but one scratch Sven forearm (2 dmg)

Unseen Female goblin: Spinegougers Don't disappoint the toothless, is now or never!

- You have the feeling you have heard those two names in the past somewhere-

A little more than a dozen of goblin start screaming and running chaotically to your position. So chaotically that some of them slip and fall, another crash against a three and another one step over a comrade foot and the two of them start fighting.

They are lead by a better equipped female riding a big white wolf.

"Why does it always have to be goblins?"

Desmond sets his sword aside, and returns fire with his crossbow.

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

"Bah...haven't used this in a while."

I could have sworn I posted a post of me tackling the wolf rider. I remember THINKING about it.

Sven sighs. "Wanton destruction it is."

He roars and charges at the leader.

I wish there was an easy way to chokeslam people in this game, because that's what I really want to do.

Apparently you need a feat that requires a lance to snatch somebody off a mount and slam them to the ground. =/

Will my Bite-Grapple-Trip combo work for that Nicos?

I'm not fan of the "you need this specific feat to try to do what you should be able to try to do anyways". Having said that, not sure what is the best mechanic this case. Can you even trip mounted people?,I'm leaning to allow a ride check vs your CMB to see if you can unmount her.

I don't know that you can, though I could trip the mount I guess. Bull Rush seems to be the closest thing.

Unseat: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (19) + 15 = 34

So that was a bull rush or a trip?

Whichever works to snatch her off the saddle and slam her to the ground. If you'll only allow one of the other, that's cool, my primary focus is separating her from her mount. Bull Rush would be the cooler and more rules legal-ish option there, since even without knocking her Prone I can fling her REALLY far. If I can palm slap her and toss her 15+ feet that'd be cool too.

There is an AoO involved right?

If she has Reach, then yes.

Sven succeed in unmounting the female goblin who is now 15 feat away from her mount. It's vendrick's.

Vendrick cannibalizes his Locate Object spell for arcane power and begins to conjure a Celestial Elk.

Summon Nature's Ally II spontaneously by consuming Locate Object.

Sorry, I've been having problms witht he internet in my house. I will try to post when I get home, if the internet allows it

Sven toss the female goblin 15 ft apart, she lands...
Acrobatic: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19
... on foot.

The white big wolf open his mouth and a cold wind strike at Sven

Cold damage, DC 17: 6d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 4, 6, 4, 3) = 28

Some goblin shoot arrows to Sven and desmond, and luckily for them some of them hit (3 dmg for Sven, 12 for desmond). But most goblins are just surprised that their leader have been dismounted and stops for a second to consider what to do.

Desmond picks up his sword and walks toward the leader goblin.

The boarman or the elf turn

Ref: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16

Sven stays where he is and does his best to eat the wolf thing before it can kill him with coldness.

Healz pls if anyone has

Gore: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (18) + 11 = 29
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12

Bite: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (16) + 11 = 27
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (1) + 11 = 12
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (8) + 11 = 19

Claw: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (19) + 11 = 30
Damage: 1d8 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Hoof: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (11) + 6 = 17
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + 5 = 10

Hoof: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10
Damage: 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + 5 = 6

A Celestial Elk forms into a flanking position with Sven and lays into the wolf. It's hooves and antlers glow with holy power.

Gore: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12
Damage: 1d6 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6

Hooves: 1d20 ⇒ 20
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Crit?: 1d20 ⇒ 9

Hooves 2: 1d20 ⇒ 16
Damage: 1d3 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Add 2 damage to all of those if the wolf is technically evil

Vendrick himself considers throwing a fireball but decides to wait and see how things play out.

ah, uh, my fault. Sven actually kills the Winter wolvlf. you can attack any other goblin if you like, or just put the Elk to give sven cover. And you still have your turn if you want to use it.

Ah. Then yes, using the Elk to give Sven cover sounds useful. I will still delay however.

Sven brutally tear apart the white wolf spilling blood and guts everywhere. The goblin see the show and get scared. Most of the ones in melee range run around chaotically while a couple of them stand there trembling. Their leader gets more angry than scared but decide to run away leaving the others to their own. She shouts to the archers to finish the big boarman, they obey in launching ne final round before escaping themselves

The arrow fly but Sven remain safe from them behind the Celestial Elk.

Sven pants and shrinks down to better hide behind the elk. He also bleeds. A lot.

I could have sworn we had a CLW wand and it was in my possession, and that I had taken it as a spell known. It seems neither of these was the case.

I told you to buy things ¬_¬ ...but I think Desmond have one

No...because I thought Sven had bought one.

I thought Desmond bought one?

I can afford it, so let's just pretend I did the smart thing.

"C'mere, Sven, before you pass out."

Desmond patches Sven up with the wand he was totally carrying the whole time.

CLW x9: 9d8 + 9 ⇒ (2, 8, 2, 1, 1, 7, 4, 8, 8) + 9 = 50

Unless you pursue them or track them the goblin leave you alone. With more calm Sven and Vendrick recall that it's they have been attacked by the spinegougers in the past.

Desmond also heals himself and Vendrick.

Des: 3d8 + 3 ⇒ (2, 6, 2) + 3 = 13

Ven: 2d8 + 2 ⇒ (7, 6) + 2 = 15

14 charges used.

Then he takes a shot of whiskey, and passes the bottle to Sven.

"To calm your nerves," he explains, "I'd offer you some, Vendrick, but I get the feeling you don't appreciate this method of healing."

"Hmf. Do you think me so uptight?" Vendrick snatches the bottle and drinks a bit more than a man of his constitution should. He ends up coughing heavily before clearing his throat.

"Invigorating...truly we are a raucous band of warriors."

Desmond laughs.

"That's the spirit! No pun intended."

"So now that we're all brimming with liquid courage, shall we be off?"

Sven wipes his lips and hands the bottle back.

"Yeah. If the Spinegougers come back I want to be further down the trail when they find us."

Just after Sven finish talking you hear some brush moving and a chilly voice say

No arrows, Gomhok is coming in peace! Gomhok want to talk! - An unusually tall and skinny blue skinned goblin stand some feet away from you, ready to run if you act with hostility.

by the way at the beginning of the campaign I had the idea of magic item crafting that was more relating to collecting the ingredients than to just spent gold. For example the fur of the winter wolf to make a cloak of prot of cold or whatever you came up. I don't remember what was the answer to that idea.

I thought it was cool. I actually wouldn't mind having a NON magical pelt like that, now I think of it.

Non-magical it's a start. It certainly can't be worse than the typical cold-weather outfit

"Speak!" Sven yells over to it.

The goblin hides a little more

We Spinegouger not want to be here, we not want to fight you, we waited here for you too long and we want to go home in the cold. But the toothless commanded our leader, and our leader commanded us, and we afraid and obey. Next time, if you kill her we just go away.

Going to ask for clarity, since if so this is something Sven would know: Is "toothless" their name for the elders of the clan? Or is it something I should ask about?

It's not something you have heard used for the forest goblin clans. But It's something you have heard in the past (here). In that occasion, as in now, the name seems to be used to refer a single individual.

"Who is the 'toothless'? This is the second time I've heard of her."

Gomhok seems somewhat confused by the question, but replies -The toothless, she is the oldest goblin, she... - He seems to be struggling at pinpointing the concepts, you remember the spinegougers to not be the smartest goblin around. All clans make silence and hear when she want to speak

"What does she want?"

Gomhok only know she ordered Khulta to attack you

"Well! We can infer that we're doing something she'd rather us die for from that."

"The question remains how she knew we were coming here though. If she is the priestess masterminding some diabolical plot then she may have divined it through her patron....or she has spies."

We have deal, longshanks?

"We kill her, you leave? Sounds fair to me. Though the gods know why you'd want to return to that blasted monster infested tundra."

"Just make sure your buddies know to stay out of the way."

Gomhok grins happily and Evilly and leave. I'll do the mistpines post later

"At what point did killing tyrannical goblin leaders become a thing of ours? Maybe we should get business cards."

You move and Nothing else interrupts you in the night.

...Hours later...

After walking for a while you notice The change in the vegetation as all the trees are some variety of pines. A faint blue mist start to surround you and the air become slightly more cold. The air feel charged, and you can feel in your skin a tingling and all the normal sounds of a forest are missing.

When you start thinking about it, you are not sure how much time have you been inside that mist, or since when the pines surrounded you.

So, survival if you try the mundane means of navigation and spellcraft + knowledge (arcana) for a more magical one

Take 10 on Knowledge Arcana for a 24 and Spellcraft for a solid 20.

Vendrick sticks a finger in his mouth then holds it in the air.

"This must be the place."

Just so we have our bases covered, since you haven't responded yet:

Survival: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (20) + 10 = 30

¬¬

Sorry. I'm an indecisive character builder.

Thinking of building a Hunter-like character, sort of a feral shapeshifter kind of guy. That could be fun. Good at tracking, uses natural attacks.

Ooh, good opportunity to play a Skinwalker.

Full BAB + wildshape could work.

Arcanist, Bloodrager, Brawler, and Hunter updated on the document, though I haven't run the usual tests (can the normal class be built 1-20? And especially at 1st?), but they feel about right so far. All class' Defining abilities have been up for a while, but those 4 classes now have Secondary/Tertiary filled in. Don't have Exploits on the list yet, but same as ever: 2 points per.

Proposed class:

Feral Warrior

1st level:

Full BaB: 6
2 Good saves (Fort and Ref): 3
d10 HD: 3
4+Int skills: 1
No weapons: 0
Medium Armor: 2
Mutagen (reflavored as a potent mixture of medicinal plants): 3

Hunter casting, Wis based: 6

24/25

2nd level:

Monster Lore: 1

25/30

3rd level:

Nothing?

25/35

4th level:

2nd level casting: 4
Studied Combat: 5

34/35

5th level:

Bonus Feat: Extra Investigator Talent: Quick Study

36/40

Essentially he's a "one with nature" sort of guy, but he's still cunning and focused, able to take advantage of his enemy's distraction to pounce.

Thinking of being either a Ragebred or Fanglord Skinwalker, maybe go for a bit of an Intimidate build.

Okay, wait, I may take the Savage Technologist's Rage instead of Studied Combat and Mutagen, and pick up some Rage Powers. There's some neat ones for the Ragebred Skinwalker.

Proposed class:

Feral Warrior v2

1st level:

Full BaB: 6
2 Good saves (Fort and Ref): 3
d10 HD: 3
4+Int skills: 1
No weapons: 0
No Armor: 0
Rage (as the Savage Barbarian): 5
Monk Physical Package (replace Flurry with Graceful Grappler and Stunning Fist with Panache)

Hunter casting, Wis based: 6

23/25

2nd level:

Animal Fury Rage Power : 2
Invulnerable Rager DR: 3

28/30

3rd level:

Naked Courage: 1

29/35

4th level:

2nd level casting: 4
Savage Jaw Rage Power: 2

35/35

5th level:

Bonus Feat: Raging Grappler Rage Power

37/40

Feats:

1.) Extra Feature
3.) Power Attack
5.) Improved Grapple

The idea is, basically "Jump on a dude, drag him down, and maul the f$#@ out of him" like, well, a wild animal. I'll be poisonous at later levels (Hive Totem).

With your approval at later levels I might snag the "3 level dip" of Horizon Walker abilities at 8th so I can start Dimension Dooring around, and pick up the Dimensional Agility line, but not sure.

I...have no idea what that is.

It gives Str/Dex instead of Str/Con.

Can I ask for a teensy houserule to make Skinwalkers less of a headache to use?

Can the stat bonuses they get always be active? As-is, as a Skinwalker, you get +2 to one stat, -2 to another stat, and +2 t a 3rd stat, but only while transformed. It's a pain in the neck and makes no real difference since the transformation lasts forever.

Well... I think I'll make a shield-bashing witch with spell strike. With Scarred Witch I can use Con, so I only need 3 attributes.

Lead Blades works on Natural Attacks, right?

That is strong jaw, I think.

Strong Jaw jumps up two categories, not 1, so I wasn't sure. Lead Blades just says "melee weapons", so I guess technically it works, but it makes a lot of references to dropping weapons and such, so RAI is probably manufactured only.

If you people considerer that you need another +1 to another stat just have it, there is no point in force you play stuff you do not want

THat of course mans one more minion in every fight :)

I'm fine with my stats as-is. All a higher PB would mean to me is I don't have to dump Cha so hard.

My problem with the current attribute progression is that MAD classes really suffer. I know because playing Korak and not being able to raise Wis is painful... Because I need Str/Dex/Con and Wis.

So, is it just me and Lemmy, or are you recruiting for 2 more?

I thought scavion would join but it seems taht was not the case (or he is just to busy at the moment). What would you prefer?

I also thought about doing a kingmaker-like campaing, but you both seems to not be interested in being leaders of any sort. normally with only two Pcs I would create a pool of NPCs so you can choose from them and use them as back up.

Hm. If it's just me and Lemmy, we could either do a sort of Gestalt (twice the build points, or scrap FFCS entirely and do normal Gestalt), or run two PCs each to make up for it.

Of the two, I'd prefer the first option, since running two characters often feels like I'm talking to myself.

As for Recruitment, I've never had very good luck with it myself. Every time I've done a random Recruitment I end up with a ton of garbage applicants, and when I find one I like he leaves after a few posts.

I also thought about doing a kingmaker-like campaing, but you both seems to not be interested in being leaders of any sort. normally with only two Pcs I would create a pool of NPCs so you can choose from them and use them as back up.

I thought that's what we WERE doing?

The pool of NPCs can patch our little dilemma, you can use then in your quest.

Dirty DMPCS! I can hear you, but it woudl not be, it woudl be more like cohorts.

=================

About the kingmaker-like stuff. What role woudl you want?, as I said you can start from a simple soldier, militia captain, temple leader or the temporal ruler of the town, etc, your choise.

The problem I have with Cohorts is I'm not in control of them. =p

Plus it puts a lot more work on you. Essentially you're controlling two other PCs, in addition to all the other NPCs. Most of your posts will be twice as long (or you'll have to post twice as frequently) as a result.

As for role...I have no clue. I guess the problem with my chosen character is he doesn't fit well into a normal leadership role. He's good as a Ranger, of sorts, or part of a group of Irregulars, but not as a regular soldier, and certainly none of the other 3 examples.

I suppose this would be a good time to learn more about the area?

The way I was thinking is to NPC them out of combat but the players control them in combat. I just prefer to avoid recruitment :/

The area is basically, a big town, a small town that is under the control of the big one, another small town that is basically independent, and the rest is forests, moutains, caves.

I was talking more detail, sorta. Like, what organizations are active in the area, that sort of thing.

As for recruitment, I could ask around with some people I play with. Cube might be interested.

I have to go out at the moment but there would be a town guard, a church of some good deity, a troop of guys patroling the forest, there are witches living here and there in the wilderness, there is a keep populated by goblins (somewhat allied with the PC's town).

stuff are not set in stone though, if you have a good idea it can be incorporated.

It would also be great if you can think of a couple of NPCS your PCs already know. Like a friend, family, master, apprentice, lover, enemy, whatever, it would help to flesh out your PCs and to give me ideas for future plots.

Human seems to post quite often. We could call him... I don't really like having cohorts, GM-controlled cohorts even less so.

Cube is on board if you'll have him, he wants to make a Swashbuckler type of guy.

Gark/Human said he didn't want to join another game already.

Bring cube here then.

He's working on his guy, dunno when he'll want to pop in the thread but he's close to done-ish.

Heyo. I'll have my alias ready in a moment.

Ta-da!

I'll travel to visit my father tomorrow... Well, today, actually... It's already past midnight.

I don't know when I'll be able to post. Start the game without me, I'll join you later when I have a character.

I was forgeting to tell that weapon specific feat now work for the entire weapon group. FOr example WF (longsword) becomes WF(heavy blades)

Ta-da!

Hi.

It would be great a level by level progresion of youar abilities to see how many class points are still unspent and and what level are you taking the calss abilities. As a first glance, as you are cha focused you probably want divine grace.

Here's a spreadsheet I'm using to keep track of points. (Warning: Kind of ugly)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bwLjShlyirB5awblQwDo1QAW6a25zh12dci JoSpaPYY/edit#gid=0

I guess I could give up Studied Combat and Quick Study, but I want some way to boost my attack rolls if possible.

It seems all alright, as soon as you have the background/motivation we can start with the story for your PC, you have a lot of freedom in that regard.

While there will be multiple plots for you guys to choose from, it will be great if your PC have some sort of long term motivationS/goals

I'll try to finish that later tonight

As long as being a ranger or something doesn't throw anything off, that would be the role my guy has in town. Lives in the woods for the most part, keeps to himself, patrols the woods and such for threats and takes care of them where able.

Not sure on long term goals, really.

Will he be a loner or operate in a group?

Will he be a loner or operate in a group?

And, as a independent or working for the city?

And it does not have to be a ong term goal, just keeping the forest safe for the others, just for example, would be Ok.

Desmond was born into a family of blacksmiths. He despised the dull monotony of the family trade and, against his father's wishes, began practicing swordfighting.

One night, he stole the most valuable weapon in his father's armory and ran away to become a mercenary. He spent the next few years sharpening his skills, developing his own unique fighting style that revolved around using taunts and quips to distract his opponents.

His only goal is to be heralded as the world's greatest, and most charming, hero.

Cool. A final question, Would he be a newcomer to the town or have already made some connections?

He's new in town.

EDIT: He's looking for work and a chance to build his fame. He's ok with working with other people, as long as they don't make him look bad.

Nicos wrote:

Will he be a loner or operate in a group?

And, as a independent or working for the city?

And it does not have to be a ong term goal, just keeping the forest safe for the others, just for example, would be Ok.

He's mostly a loner, but not averse to working with other people. He just figures that usually he moves faster and quieter alone, and enjoys his solitude in nature regardless.

But he does do it for the city, for practicality if nothing else. If he was going to do it anyway, may as well get paid for it, eh?

I think this will be the final version.

Not sure what the savage barbarian rage does. Also, consider aspect of the beast feat from the ranger natural combat style.

I added a map, the only diferenceis that our town have a defensive wall.

Savage Barbarian Rage is Str/Dex instead of Str/Con.

And I completely forgot about Aspect of the Beast, I had meant to take that. Though, I have Claws from the Abyssal thing already. Hrm.

I think I'll take that at 6th or 7th. I already have a Gore and 2 Hooves all the time, plus 2 Claws and a Bite in Rage.