The Emerald Spire

Game Master Stormstrider

The SWEU game is . . . crawling. The major difference is that most of it has already been written: I can interpolate needed story elements based upon player choices and such, and crafting engaging combats has never been too difficult a thing for me. I think I primarily need to take a step back to refill my "tank", as it were. I'm hoping that this . . . *funk* (or whatever you want to call it) . . . doesn't spill over there, too -- though the challenges in that particular arena are REAL, if you know what I mean.

About the only gripe I have about that game? -- I don't understand the "need" for glitz-glam quirky anime/manga characterizations in the Star Wars Universe. I reckon that's just my entrenched grognardist showing . . . . I LOVE

. . . Star Wars, as is. There's enough EU content out there to build real characters in the mythos' own idiom -- top-hat-and-cane captains and semi-post-Victorian-dress-wearing intel operatives need not apply . . . . But they showed up, that's for sure!! XD

I'm such a story snob . . . . lol

Sorry folks. I had to work a closing shift last night & by the time I got home my eyes could not deal with more computer screens. And today I have my regular work shift, followed by my regular tabletop Pathfinder (Just reached 14th level!!! Woohoo!!! :-) ... ). I will answer everybody ASAP, but it may be Thursday.

Sorry to see ya go Kairon/Syrus, but I certainly understand. The Funk hits us all at times. Your always welcome back if you want! Looks like we may be here for a few years yet! ;-)

Sorry it isn't working out for you, Kairon. But I understand, and this is way better than just ghosting on us. Appreciate that you let us know.

Sorry to see you drop out so soon after dropping in, but I totally understand. Life can be a drag, in multiple ways. Take care of yourself, and stay in touch.

Sorry folks, I spent literally the entire morning (8:15 - 12:45) at the Human resources office trying to get my medical insurance straightened out, and still don't have a definite answer, and then I got called in to work on my day off. zzzzzz ... zzzzzz .... ZZZZZZ ... G'night.

That sounds like something that definitely has to be done. Best of luck dealing with the bureaucracy.

Just a heads up to all, starting at noon today my ability to post will be sporadic at best. I might not even get a chance to check the boards for over a week. Obviously bot me as needed. Since we'll be heading back to fort craptacular, I mean inevitable, most of what Aldhranhald would do is look to get paid for the quests they've accomplished so far, and probably buy a couple of nice books from that book shop he visited before.

Thanks for the notice Aldhranhald/Mended. Fort Craptacular! Hahaha! Thanks! :-D

And sorry folks, I just got off a closing shift tonight & have to open at 7:30am tomorrow. The usual bi-lingual closer has been sick all week so it's been a rough one. Please bear with me. I'll try to get some responses tomorrow night? maybe? (Which would be Saturday). G'night.

Question for you Stormstrider...How are we doing on XP? I figure we aren’t too close to 4th level, but knowing how far away we are would be good.

What ho, travelers?! Just wanted to pop in and say that I am back. I came back to quite a bit of work to do, and, obviously, a number of posts to read through, but I should have something posted for Aldhranhald (if it's warranted) before the afternoon is over. Glad to read you all again after a week without a computer. :)

Good to have you back, Aldhranhald...Stop by for a bite of lunch and pick up your share of loot. Sounds like the smart people are planning to trade some spells and maybe try to find a few new ones—I wonder if your bookshop has anything like that?

Good to hear from you again Aldhranhald.

I kind of have the opposite problem. I have just come down with a vile cold, so sitting in front of my computer is one of the few things I am capable of. Even lying down trying to sleep, not very successfully, makes me feel worse. It is 5.20 am here and I am online. And feeling rather sorry for myself. :( It won't kill me I guess.

Sorry to hear that Boudacia. Take care of yourself.

... It is 5.20 am here and I am online. And feeling rather sorry for myself. :( It won't kill me I guess.

That which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger right? ;-)

Sorry to hear your not well Boudacia. Hope you get better quickly!

And glad to have you back Aldhranhald! Missed ya! Hope all is well?

And BG, I am rather behind on updating the XP chart, but I am fairly certain that you are not very near to 4th lev. Ideally at the beginning of the Spire you should be gettina about 1 level pre each floor and due to me increasing the quantity of hostiles (due to a larger than average party) you all have leveled up faster than your supposed to, so I may need to try to adjust there as well. I will try to update the XP chart ... soon? Maybe tonight? Tonight? ... Doubtful honestly ... Already 8:22 pm and no supper yet & other things to do as well. On Skype with my Mom and who knows how long that will be ... Not that I mind, but, takes up time.

And Tamlara? Haven't heard from you in quite a while. I hope everything is ok?

Sorry for not posting sooner. I have been checking in and reading everyday.

As far as I can tell, all the stuff about spells onto scrolls and such, your posts seem to be correct. When you do it I will ask that you be very specific with all the info; Spell name (in the {url=whatevertheurlis}Name of the spell{/url} format of a link to the spell description please, at what level the spell is being cast (even if it the only level available please), and break it down just like the description of crafting a scroll please.

TLDR: Link to spell description, level being cast, time & cost involved.

SHOPPING Availability: Anything you can currently afford is available at normal prices.

Moving this to Discussion:

As regards your spells Gansu, maybe we should invest as a group in a wand of CLW or maybe better, Infernal Healing, which is more efficient at healing HPs. That will heal all the HPs we need and you can use your spell slots for other purposes.

GM: is the spell infernal healing allowed in this game?

I ask because it gets banned by some GMs, on the grounds that it can make sorcerers better out-of-combat healers than clerics.

Gansu would probably not be willing to use infernal healing for alignment reasons but he has enough self-healing that he won't really need it.

It's worth mentioning that a charge from a level 1 wand costs 15 gp. But a scroll of a level 1 spell that we scribe ourselves costs 12.5 gp. It is my understanding that a scroll can have multiple copies of the same spell (i.e. have several "scrolls" on one long piece of parchment).

Then again, if some of the spire is flooded, it may have injured, friendly, small cetaceans. In which case you could use you spell slots for other porpoises.

For issues with keeping gear dry, the Waterproof Bag is an item from Ultimate Equipment and it doesn't cost very much. Certainly worth keeping a spellbook in one.

GM: could a similar technique be used to make a waterproof scroll case? How much would those cost?

Also, now that Kairon has gone:

I changed my mystery to the Metal mystery to allow Kairon's character more "space" ability-wise. But now he has left and the demand for that ability is back.

So I'm wondering if I can switch my character back to its original concept.

I had taken the Dance of Blades revelation which gives me +10 to my movement rate, but I can't recall any combats we've had since I got it where movement was a factor (everything seemed to be down a pit). So if allowed I would switch that back to Channel Energy.

This may also mean that we want to re-think what we spend on healing items.

Gansu, I have no issue with your proposed changes. And I do allow Infernal healing.

Scroll cases: I am going to rule that you can get watertight scroll cases, made out of bone or horns. The opening is sealed with wax so it would be a full round to break open the wax seal & get a scroll out & then you would have to have your own wax and take a full minute to re-seal the case. 12 Gp 1.5 lbs. (seems reasonable to me - thoughts?)

As to the Waterproof Bag, keep in mind that the description specifies that it is actually NOT Waterproofed!!! It is only water resistant & after 10 rounds anything inside will have been ruined by water.

The level w/the water is the 5th level, so you have plenty of time yet, but just think of how long it takes you all to traverse a normal level. Now, a level that is completely submerged and has some very strong currents (which of course are designed to work AGAINST you!) ... I am fairly certain you are going to be underwater for more than 10 rounds. Just saying ... ;-)

I love it how even in Pathfinder you have misleading product names and you have to read the fine print to find that out.

And I have update the XP chart for anyone that is interested.

NO, you have not leveled up to 4. Not even close really.

I will need to spend cash to scribe two scrolls.

Aggressive Thundercloud
Spell level 2, caster level 3
25 * 2 * 3 = 150 gp
Creation cost = 1/2 value = 75 gp

Summon Monster II
Spell level 2, caster level 3
25 * 2 * 3 = 150 gp
Creation cost = 1/2 value = 75 gp

Per creation rules: Scribing a scroll takes 2 hours if its base price is 250 gp or less, otherwise scribing a scroll takes 1 day for each 1,000 gp in its base price.

Since the base price for each is 150 gp, that means each scroll takes 2 hours to scribe.

Total costs: 150 gp, 4 hours for me to make both scrolls. I went ahead and knocked the money off my sheet, but if Boudacia is just going to feed them to her familiar then maybe she should pay me for them. ;)

FYI I'm going out to the country for the weekend and probably won't have net access. I should be back on track Monday.

For those of you following along at home, here is what BG has acquired/done for the afternoon shopping...

- Refilled cask with Dwarven Stout
- Knotted "stout" rope that we found in the spire attached to that 3-prong grappling hook (call it 40' long after the knotting)
- Bought 10 more days worth of Dwarven Trail Rations
- Bought 3 flasks of Alchemist Fire
- Let his armor and underpadding "air out" and oiled/polished everything so it looks practically new when he puts it on the next morning.

Sama- I always intended to pay for the scrolls made to benefit my character. So those two will cost me 150 GPs not you.

You don't want to make copies of any of my spells just now? I recommend Glitterdust particularly.

Stormstrider- I will go through the process of burning those and feeding them to my familiar, making those spells available to my character.

You said a wand of CLW was available at normal price? So all I need do is cross off the GPs and give the wand to Aldhranhald?

You said a wand of CLW was available at normal price? So all I need do is cross off the GPs and give the wand to Aldhranhald?

Yes, but didn't you want infernal healing? So as to heal Tamlara as well?

Yes, right you are.

A wand of infernal healing is also more efficient healing HPs. 10 HPs/use as opposed to 5.5/use with CLW.

Folks, let's try to to wrap up the shopping maybe please? get back to the actual game ya know? DM not having any fun ... :-( = chances of random encounters & CR's of such encounters increasing exponentially ;-)

If it is ok w/everybody, maybe on Monday 6/25 we can start heading back to the tower & people can still finish their shopping lists afterwards. I would say however that all shopping lists have to be completed before we enter the Spire.

EDIT: I have also added a sheet for Magic Item Body Slots that you may want to start getting familiar with/using. You will need to make a copy of the file & then save it as your own. Eventually, once players start having more magical gear, I will request that you keep a record of this attached somehow to your character. If you need help I can certainly make the copy for you & send it to you so that you just have to fill it in. Suggestions for improvements always welcome.

And Sama, THANK YOU!!! EXCELLENT JOB on your info on the 2 scrolls you scribed!

BG is done shopping.

Yes BG, we all know how simple you dwarven warriors are. ;-)

By the way BG, I was still editing my post when you posted, so you may want to go back and look at my previous post.

Stormstrider- The body magic item slots diagram looks good.

Of course it will see far more use if we were to acquire more magic items.

Thanks, Stormstrider. The only "slotted" item currently taking up space on BG is his armor (which he hopes to have enchanted someday). I have made a copy of the body magic item slot diagram, renamed it for Brother Guiness, and saved it with the same permissions, so hopefully everyone can see it.

I also uploaded a new version of BG's character sheet (with updated cash and equipment), assuming we all agreed for the 125 gp per person contribution to get the healing wand.

From Stormstrider's post, it seems that nothing new is happening in town, so I'm good with having BG eat a good meal, get a good night's sleep, and getting on the road in the morning back to the Spire!

By the way, has it been decided who has the feather fall ring? Or we could assign numbers & roll a d6.

By the way, has it been decided who has the feather fall ring? Or we could assign numbers & roll a d6.

I have asked multiple times, but no one has claimed it yet. As I recall, Gansu got the closest to saying he would take it if no one else wanted it, but no one has actually claimed it.

It is, of course, redundant for me.

I don't think I am the best person to get a ring of feather falling.

As far as shopping goes for Aldy, I really only wanted to go book shopping as a way of staying true to my character's motivations, and maybe picking up a book that would give some narrative reason for taking different skill ranks at level up, which I'm sure he will. That Sama needed papers and inks for scribing scrolls seemed a convenient reason for those two to get to know each other a bit better, but that's all flavor stuff anyway. Since the DM is getting frustrated by such things, we can easily just hand wave it and say "it happened" here's what was purchased...

As to the ring of feather falling, since we've gone around about this so many times and still never come to any good conclusion, I'll take it!!!! Just to shut you people up. :P :P ;)

I'll be adjusting my profile and character sheet today to reflect new monies, magic items, and goods. To that end, how many charges are left on the wand of CLW? Also, who is going to be taking the wand of infernal healing?

On with the show!

Thanks, Aldhranhald, for stepping up and claiming the ring. I know we used the CLW wand after a battle, but it was only one time and I think for 3-5 charges. Anyone else remember?

Also, a PBP question from me. As far as moving the narrative forward, no one of us has the authority to speak for the party as a whole. Something as simple as, “Are we done shopping and ready to leave town?” would be solved in seconds at a RL table, but on PBP can take a week or more for everyone to chime in. How is this handled in PBP to keep things moving, but still give people a chance to have their say?

Thanks, Aldhranhald, for stepping up and claiming the ring. I know we used the CLW wand after a battle, but it was only one time and I think for 3-5 charges. Anyone else remember?

Also, a PBP question from me. As far as moving the narrative forward, no one of us has the authority to speak for the party as a whole. Something as simple as, “Are we done shopping and ready to leave town?” would be solved in seconds at a RL table, but on PBP can take a week or more for everyone to chime in. How is this handled in PBP to keep things moving, but still give people a chance to have their say?

In my limited experience BG, what usually happens is the players agree on the course of movement/action in the discussion thread, and then the DM narrates things in the Gameplay, sometimes, quite simply saying, "After a day of shopping and a night of rest the party heads out..." Since it is well within the purview of the DM to move things along and put the characters wherever they need to be. :)

I believe the plan was for the wand of infernal healing to be carried by Aldhranhald. For the same reason as the wand of CLW, he is most likely to be able to use it in combat. On the wands, infernal healing is a very good alternative to CLW. It heals 10 HP/use as opposed to 5.5 for CLW, nearly double. Why am I the only person who seems to know this?

I think we are all ready to go back to the spire for more carnage.

One caveat to those numbers Boudacia, CLW heals all the hit points at once, immediately upon being touched. Whereas infernal healing actually provides the ability fast healing 1. This means that when in combat, and having been touched by the infernal healing spell, a creature will regain one hit point each round (either at the end or beginning according to DM choice). So, in combat the CLW wand will be much more effective. Outside of combat the infernal healing wand will be the better option. :)

A very good point Aldhranhald. I actually knew that but didn't mention it. It is to be borne in mind. Absolutely best is to have one of each.

Sorry folks. BAD migraine going on 3 days now. Computer screen w/white background VERY disagreeable to my eyes.

Also, just a thought, Infernal healing (Thanks for the links Aldhranhald!!!) works like natural healing, so it does not re-attach or re-grow limbs, nor avoid scarring on major wounds & things like that. It also does not heal damage from weapons or spells with a 'good' descriptor ... though I don't think that will be an issue in the Spire. :-)

Has your migraine abated by now Stormstrider? I know they suck.

Yes, thank you!

And all that coughing in the in game thread sets me thinking you have influenza as well. Rather I am getting over it.

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(FINALLY!!!) Heard back from my dear friend aka, Tamlara! She hopes to be able to post on the morning of Tuesday 7/3!

She had not replied to my facebook message in several days & had not sent a text either. It is not like her. She is normally very good at staying in touch with me, and she had me a little concerned! But she said she is ok! YAY! :-D

She is one of my dearest friends ever and I would be absolutely devastated if anything ever happened to her! Luv ya bunches my friend!

Sorry, I got a little emotional there. Got some heavy things happening in RL right now. Have a meeting tomorrow (Tuesday 7/3) & if I don't control myself I may lose my job. I really need to find a new one anyways as the place is going to hell in a handbasket on the express elevator! But I would rather do it on my own terms, or at least in a manner where I would still qualify for unemployment!

I'll try to take some time here soon & catch you all up for those who care or are just curious. ;-)

Best of luck with the employment situation Stormstrider. It seems to me your plan is sound, try to keep your current job for now and find another one with more of a future asap.

Good luck on the meeting today, Stormstrider. Try to avoid doing any CLM’s (aka Career Limiting Maneuvers).

Thanks for the well wishes folks!

Here's how much they care to talk to me. This is the head of of our Human Resources dept. She is the one that yesterday said she would set up an appointment for 10:30 am today. Today one of her 'lackeys' told my Sup that she got 'caught up in something else & would let us know when she is available to talk to me'. I'm done w/my shift, back home & still didn't happen & none of the people involved had the decency to contact me directly. Even though I sent them an email & all they had to do was click reply & say 'something' to me.

Thank you all for bearing with me!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

Boudacia, you're welcome to enjoy as well, though I know it does not have the same meaning for you.