Part of what helped reduce the sheer power of the spell (especially if they made upgrades) was that they reduced the area of effect from 40' to 20'.
I know it's not core, but I'm tempted to try the following compromise: if the entangle effect is in sight, you can make it ignore friendlies, but an unattended entangle effect just grabs at everybody.
Thoughts?
Sounds reasonable to me.
Burnsten, I just had a good look at the celestial war dog you summoned, and I think we have a problem, as it looks based on the riding dog from the Summon Monster I list which has been officially changed to the normal dog (but for some reason never made it into the errata). Your war dog also comes with barding increasing its AC, so we'll have to find some other means by which to bring it in line with SMI-appropriate powers, perhaps by reducing its speed to 30.
However, let's at least let it go for the rest of this encounter and revisit the issue when it's over.
Part of what helped reduce the sheer power of the spell (especially if they made upgrades) was that they reduced the area of effect from 40' to 20'.
I know it's not core, but I'm tempted to try the following compromise: if the entangle effect is in sight, you can make it ignore friendlies, but an unattended entangle effect just grabs at everybody.
Thoughts?
Works for me, also how would have it affect friendlies that enter the entangle zone after it has been cast?
Works for me, also how would have it affect friendlies that enter the entangle zone after it has been cast?Part of what helped reduce the sheer power of the spell (especially if they made upgrades) was that they reduced the area of effect from 40' to 20'.
I know it's not core, but I'm tempted to try the following compromise: if the entangle effect is in sight, you can make it ignore friendlies, but an unattended entangle effect just grabs at everybody.
Thoughts?
If the caster is still there, no problems, but if the caster loses line of sight, then I wouldn't recommend trying it.
Naz (sorry to bug you on this again, but I didnt' get a response the first time) did you make a decision about my request to change one of my traits from the Fearless one to the Country-born one from the RotR Player's guide? I asked this on the last page, and didn't get a response from you.
Let me know, as this change would give Biter some flexibility in combat that would be nice - as well as give him a trait that won't be rendered moot when i take the anti-fear rage power.
Like I said, the original (and fully explained) request is on the last page.
For ease of reference, here are the traits Ben is talking about:
You come from one of Varisia’s rural regions, where you were raised in an environment of rustic tradition, honest work, and common sense.
Prerequisite: 1st-level character, cannot have City Born or Lone Wolf.
Benefit: A childhood of farm work, apprenticeship, or similar toil has granted you reserves of endurance. Once per day, when an effect would normally leave you fatigued or exhausted, you may ignore the fatigue or exhaustion effect. This ability activates the first time you are affected by fatigue or exhaustion in a day—you cannot “save” it to apply it to a specific effect. Your traditional upbringing has sharpened your willpower as well, granting a +1 bonus on Will saves.
Your childhood was brutal, yet you persevered primarily through force of will and the hope that no matter how hard things might get, as long as you kept a level head you’d make it through.
Benefit: You gain a +2 trait bonus on Saving Throws against fear effects.
Sorry, Ben, I saw the request, but forgot to respond.
I have no problem swapping out feats/traits that you've never used with something more practical or appropriate or newly discovered. At character creation, there are often sources we are unaware of, or the character evolves organically in ways we hadn't anticipated. Why lock a player into some pre-conceived character idea when a better one has evolved naturally over the course of the adventures?
My issue comes with the feat retraining, which I don't care for. There's a difference between switching something that you've never used in any significant way with something that you have used often, but have now outgrown.
So yes, feel free to swap the trait out. If people really want to swap out feats, though, please don't ever use the old one and give me a good RP reason why the feat was a non-optimal choice in the first place.
Ok, cool. I thought they both worked thematically, but I'l get more mileage out of the new one mechanically.
Thanks, Naz.
Well I didn't know of that errata I'll go check them xD and change it or swap it for something else if needed.
Well I didn't know of that errata I'll go check them xD and change it or swap it for something else if needed.
Well then I'll rework it for normal dog or a celestial eagle might sound more intresting and useful also, for scouting reasons.
Well, I'm going to my tuesday night DM job xD for a while, I got 12 players so today it's practically a battle scene ^^ so I must take my leave =) for about 6 - 8 hrs... (last tuesday went for 10hrs)
I might actually DMPBP this campaign for you guys, just don't know how good I would be at it yet, since I suck at using map grid like Nazard just not my thinkg I suppose.
So, I'm that guy.
The guy with the bad dice luck. My dice, my friend's dice, new dice, old dice, the DM's dice… they all hate me. All my characters have to be min/maxed around the idea that I will have to be able to hit on a roll of 5 or better… because that's what the majority of my rolls are - somewhere between 5 and 13.
And you can see why I'm loving Biter… this little dude has dice rolls on the awesome side of crazy.
Just wanted to take a moment to reflect on my first awesome-rolling character.
It's good to be on this side of things for once.
And good luck, Deiros! Have fun at your game.
I might actually DMPBP this campaign for you guys, just don't know how good I would be at it yet, since I suck at using map grid like Nazard just not my thinkg I suppose.
While Nazard's maps are really cool looking, the basic concepts of what is available on a battle map can be done with a simple excel spreadsheet.
Or at least that's what I use on the PbP I run.
Well, I'm going to my tuesday night DM job xD for a while, I got 12 players so today it's practically a battle scene ^^ so I must take my leave =) for about 6 - 8 hrs... (last tuesday went for 10hrs)
I might actually DMPBP this campaign for you guys, just don't know how good I would be at it yet, since I suck at using map grid like Nazard just not my thinkg I suppose.
Without going too deep, what's the general idea of the campaign? And what setting?
I don't mind talking about it we are now at lvl 10 with players ^^
We basically have:
* Political Intrigues between factions (1 player is political captive)
* Assassinations alraedy 1 in the players side and 2 players dead
* Sort of "mass combat" 10 ve. 10 to biggest fight right now is 50 vs. 50 and a prison escape of 12 vs. 80 (1 player died)
* Adventuring for artifacts, defeat enemies of their faction like a random orc horde starting a string of assaults around the border towns.
Basically there is I think only 2 pure classes right now a Summoner and a Wizard. The rest of them are multiclass/prestige class.
I use custome npc classes (10 lvl only) and class variants to represnt diffrent "cultures".
I might actually DMPBP this campaign for you guys, just don't know how good I would be at it yet, since I suck at using map grid like Nazard just not my thinkg I suppose.While Nazard's maps are really cool looking, the basic concepts of what is available on a battle map can be done with a simple excel spreadsheet.
Or at least that's what I use on the PbP I run.
I did consider using excel on google docs. The main reason I stuck with the MapTool maps is because there was not going to be any way to accurately represent the angles of the ship hull (and because I already have the MapTool maps done). I know sometimes it's hard to make things out on my maps, although in my defense, close up maps with "normal" amounts of tokens are quite clear. This was supposed to be such a battle until some geniuses we won't mention decided on this idea of spreading the PCs out across half the continent!
Bass-ackwards is pretty much our M.O.
(or maybe I shouldn't speak for everyone else...)
^^ sure... let's not say names on that GENIUS idea...
Guess my players are going to be late today, they are probably metagaming to survive the encounter they got in hehehehe.
I did consider using excel on google docs. The main reason I stuck with the MapTool maps is because there was not going to be any way to accurately represent the angles of the ship hull (and because I already have the MapTool maps done). I know sometimes it's hard to make things out on my maps, although in my defense, close up maps with "normal" amounts of tokens are quite clear. This was supposed to be such a battle until some geniuses we won't mention decided on this idea of spreading the PCs out across half the continent!I might actually DMPBP this campaign for you guys, just don't know how good I would be at it yet, since I suck at using map grid like Nazard just not my thinkg I suppose.While Nazard's maps are really cool looking, the basic concepts of what is available on a battle map can be done with a simple excel spreadsheet.
Or at least that's what I use on the PbP I run.
Certainly worth sticking with, especially if you already have all the maps done. For what it's worth, the maps are cool and if I had access to MapTools I may have done that for Council of Thieves.
Certainly worth sticking with, especially if you already have all the maps done. For what it's worth, the maps are cool and if I had access to MapTools I may have done that for Council of Thieves.I did consider using excel on google docs. The main reason I stuck with the MapTool maps is because there was not going to be any way to accurately represent the angles of the ship hull (and because I already have the MapTool maps done). I know sometimes it's hard to make things out on my maps, although in my defense, close up maps with "normal" amounts of tokens are quite clear. This was supposed to be such a battle until some geniuses we won't mention decided on this idea of spreading the PCs out across half the continent!I might actually DMPBP this campaign for you guys, just don't know how good I would be at it yet, since I suck at using map grid like Nazard just not my thinkg I suppose.While Nazard's maps are really cool looking, the basic concepts of what is available on a battle map can be done with a simple excel spreadsheet.
Or at least that's what I use on the PbP I run.
MapTools is free and the video tutorials make it fairly easy to learn. Works best with Windows, but a friend of mine had little trouble making it work for Ubuntu.
If you're a Mac person, then you deserve what you get.
Hey, watch it, now!
Naah I'm windows 7 user and I edited my post everyone is quoting lol to mention the generals of the campaign as in things that happen.
The victims have arrived... er... players ^^ I get to kill the paladin's soon to be wife today so this will be intresting, c ya all tomorrow or later very later tonight
MapTools is free and the video tutorials make it fairly easy to learn. Works best with Windows, but a friend of mine had little trouble making it work for Ubuntu.If you're a Mac person, then you deserve what you get.
*laughs* I agree a Mac person deserves what they get...fortunately, I'm not one. I may have to look into MapTools. Thanks.
MapTools is pretty handy, it's what I'm using too. I have a lot of generic "utility" tokens that I've made (numbers, letters, symbols) along with a Photoshop template with the various layers setup to aid in the creation of new ones. Happy to share if anyone needs them.
Also, you don't need to create every map from scratch. There are lots of nice maps on various gaming forums and you can always export the images from PDF files (which is what I did for the game I'm running for Justin and Eric).
As for the party being spread out, sorry if some of us aren't built like tanks and actually have to use tactics to have any hope of victory. :P Besides, if the map doesn't fit, that means you just need a newer, bigger monitor. >;D
EDIT: W00T #777
hahahahaha yeah a BIG monitor.
Well after some hours of RP and watch a paladin fall from grace and cry in anguish (so did the players, since 1 died), we are taking a nice 30 min rest ^^. Well I might run this campaign here for ya guys if you want me too =) I'll just take a peek for now at MapTools, since I'm already tasting Campaign Cartographer 3 for my players ^^(ProFantasy)
But I'll try this MapTool for PBP and know how to put up a site or set an image some place so you can view it etc...
Yeah, I know it's simple for some of you but that's all new to me.
Yeah, I got one of the 27" 1920x1200 Dells before we discontinued that model. It is a thing of beauty, I love it!
As for joining another game, thanks for the offer, but I will pass. It takes me literally weeks to create a character I can be happy with and far too much mental energy for the ongoing roleplaying to devote myself to more than a small number at once. I wouldn't want to over-commit and then find myself performing in a mediocre fashion — I'd be far too annoyed with myself.
Not saying I'll doit soon lol it will be a while before I get the courage to DM a game on PBP.
Yeah, I got one of the 27" 1920x1200 Dells before we discontinued that model. It is a thing of beauty, I love it!
I've got a pair of 22's on a single adjustable stand as an extended desktop. Totally worth it. :)
I have a question to put you all.
Players are dropping like flies in my other version of this game and I'm down to three, a halfling Cavalier with a wolf mount, a halfling draconic sorcerer, and a half-elven ranger. One thought was that they might be able to join this game (I know, it would make it abominably huge) as passengers from the Cloud Climber, similar to how we introduced Bronsten.
Honest thoughts, folks?
If they are dedicated players who are able to contribute frequently and meaningfully then it would be a shame for you to lose them. I know that within our group, there is a pretty big difference in the frequency with which people are able to post and how much.
One thought would be to restructure both groups to match up players who post with similar regularity making two parties of a somewhat more manageable size. 8 seems like a BIG party to me, 11 insane. However, two groups of 5/6 would be more manageable I think.
IF you went with such a change (yes, a big if) then one method of restructuring might be based around whose backstories would mesh well. I know in our group more than a few characters specifically structured theirs to coincide with Alexis': Rath, Biter, Elorin, and Pete in particular.
Another thought would be to invite those players into this OOC thread and see who meshes with who. Justin, Ben, Eric and I play in a minimum of 2 games each and seem to be pretty compatible personality wise. I haven't read the other thread so I don't know the personalities involved, but if there's a chance that personality mismatches played a part in folks leaving then maybe a restructuring could help that too.
At any rate, those are the only ideas that spring to mind right now. Given that you've stated both groups are very nearly at the same point in the adventure, I can see why you'd be thinking about this.
FWIW, the characters I myself (i.e. Alexis) have 'bonded' the most with have been Biter, Elorin, Pete, and Rath. That's not a knock against Abbas, Burnsten, or Gregor, it's just that I haven't interacted quite as much with them and so haven't really developed the same depth of interpersonal relationships. Given that we have 2 priests and the other group has none, if you go with the 2-party restructure, then divine casting will be a point you'll have to consider...
Hope this is helpful.
—Michael
My other option of course, is to advertise for more players to join the other game. The players in the other game don't post as often as some people do here, and I am reluctant to slow this game down.
Splitting up the party isn't really an option though. Some people don't post as often as others (they must have lives or something), but they've still contributed and developed their characters, so it's not fair to anyone to make them jump tracks.
While I was driving home another idea came to me.
If you wanted to do a single mega-group, the other players could transfer from the Cloud Climber and we could field two task forces at-a-time. The only problem with that will be if the groups get too far out of sync in-between missions to ever change up task force members.
However, if some missions require large parties and others small ones, then the integrity of each group could more-or-less be maintained, we'd just all be based out of the same colony even if it is similar to two different games.
While I was driving home another idea came to me.
If you wanted to do a single mega-group, the other players could transfer from the Cloud Climber and we could field two task forces at-a-time. The only problem with that will be if the groups get too far out of sync in-between missions to ever change up task force members.
However, if some missions require large parties and others small ones, then the integrity of each group could more-or-less be maintained, we'd just all be based out of the same colony even if it is similar to two different games.
This option is not that but only 1 problem arises to my mind with it, when the group splits the posting can get confusing at some point. This could be solved if the tasks are for the same goal just taking diffrent approaches like our encounter today.
Group 1 socuting
Group 2 securing the beach
This way they are all still "together". Maybe it could be some guys give cover fire shooting theirs arrows and other group sneaks by, etc... This does give excellent strategical freedom but somewhat of a nightmare for nazard maybe.
The other solution could be that they arrive in the Cloud Climber, but have a diffrent set of mission, thus keeping the integrity of our parties and we could still aid each other without much problems, since they can still post in their thread like their normal campagin but interact in our thread when our parties meet each other and we could do the same also.
Oof! I think maintaining separate threads which crossover could be a logistical nightmare - for DM and players. There could be a lot of cross-chatter and people missing important events because they were viewing the wrong thread... and the inevitable "Wait! Which thread did he write XXXX in? Or was that in one of the OOC threads?"
Unfortunately, I don't have a good answer for how best to address the needs of the other campaign. Given that Biter and Rath may end up as Beargle Chow (with Iron supplements), this campaign may need some fresh front-line fighters momentarily. :)
I don't object to bringing more folks in... provided we can figure out a way that:
A) Doesn't hammer our pace too much (i.e - more than the typical slowdown caused by having more players)
B) Doesn't cause Naz to keel over from exhaustion
C) Allows us to maintain the RP level we've been doing. Clearly, we've got some very RP-oriented folks here even among the 'dumb bricks' (lookin' at you Rath) and stylistic clashes can be problematic. Ye olde "Is there anything to hit with my sword yet? How about now? How about NOW?" player is probably going to end up frustrated and cause some gear-grinding.
I pretty much agree with Rath on all accounts. I have some concerns about having that many players in one game.
Of course, if Nazard is wanting to do something like this, I'll entertain it, but I were king and had to make the decision, we wouldn't grow the party any more. (at least at this point) Also, if I were king, I wouldn't have to pay for the toll-way anymore (shakes fist.)
I agree the separate threads would be a nightmare. Also, I can't think of any way to integrate the characters without compromising them too much. I believe I will advertise for additional characters for the thread and keep them separate.
Thank you all though for your willingness to entertain the idea and offer suggestions.
Glad to help! even tho I probably didn't hahahaha
Well my playeres in the game have become realy crazy xD since the LG paladin has become LE seeking revenge on someone they still don't know since they are reviewing their black list (recurrent enemies).
My 2 cp on the new players issue.
-I am up for having new players, but I really like the pace this game is moving and really don't want to slow it down.
-I also like the group and RP, even if abbas is too quiet to take part too much lol, we've got going here so I would not want to split it up.
EDIT: oops didn't notice you already came to a decision.
No worries about you getting ninja'd, Abbas. Thanks for the giving the group, the pacing, and the RP a thumbs-up. I take it as a compliment.
After the bloody blow Burnsten delivered the great bird-bear, Biter is about to become very interested in obtaining an elven curved blade of his own (and of his size).
Basically, as I progress through levels, I'm gonna move to using that weapon instead of my cut down bastard sword.
"But what does that mean?" you might be asking...
well, i'm glad you asked. I would like to have one of the party members (or one of the colonists - if we have someone with the requisite skills) to make it for me custom. I will do whatever is necessary to pay back said someone (and I realize that may take some time).
ANYWHO.. just thought i'd toss that out there, as it's going to be something i'm gonna begin looking for. If one just happened to drop as loot (wink wink Naz), that'd be awesome, too.
But i want him to have a signature weapon... and that weapon's just got style.
Well I might be able togive ya a hand I was thinking on getting craft alchemy and weapon, to create silversheen weapons just need rank 5 in both
and ofcourse I could make you an elven style weapon like mine ^^
Well, i have to admit I was primarily thinking of Elorin (maybe as some payback for all the stealth training? :D ) or just to let Nazard know what kinds of loot drops would make this goblin smile.
If neither are willing, I might take you up on it, though, Burnie.
I mean, i'm guessing this continent doesn't have Ye Olde Weapon Shoppe on the Corner.
Nazard: Since I we leveled before really knowing much about Grey's book, I had initially thought Knowledge: Geography would be a good choice for knowing about customs, etc. However, it looks like that's just for knowing where people come from. It looks like Knowledge: Local is what I should have taken.
Given that Alexis has read not one but two sizable tomes about this place, I'd like to move a skill rank into Knowledge Local (Arcadia) from either Geography (which would leave that as Gregor and Elorin's shtick), or deduct one rank from Engineering.
Let me know if either of those options is acceptable.
Nazard: Since I we leveled before really knowing much about Grey's book, I had initially thought Knowledge: Geography would be a good choice for knowing about customs, etc. However, it looks like that's just for knowing where people come from. It looks like Knowledge: Local is what I should have taken.
Given that Alexis has read not one but two sizable tomes about this place, I'd like to move a skill rank into Knowledge Local (Arcadia) from either Geography (which would leave that as Gregor and Elorin's shtick), or deduct one rank from Engineering.
Let me know if either of those options is acceptable.
There are engineers and architects among the colonists, so your best bet would be to transfer from engineering, rather than Geography which could prove more useful in the long run.
I have zero problem with the transfer itself, of course, as I was supposed to present that resource to you before your level up (mainly so that players would be able to make an intelligent choice about their skill ranks).
Alright, I'll take your recommendation then and Engineering will simply be a token (at present) representing Alexis' academic interests that she hopes to pursue when time permits. Thanks Colin.
Sorry if I haven't posted much, I had a family emergency and it's all good now ^^ I'm back
Good to have you back. Never worry if RL takes over. I would have advanced things and posted for you, except I too had a busy day and didn't get to it.
Are any of you in contact with Mors? He posted in my other thread expressing interest in joining, I replied suggesting a divine caster, and he hasn't responded back, so I'm not sure if he's checking the thread. It would be great to have him in the game. I feel so bad for him after the semi-failed experiment of Limbo (although without Limbo, I would never have seen the wonderful characters of Rath, Biter, Pete, and Alexis, so I can't put down the TTMNBN too much).