The Ironfang Invasion: Fangs of War

Game Master vayelan

Sounds fine to me.

Me too!

I'm good with that!

For the sake of brevity I'll assume Cedric & Thorek have no problem seeing Bree's signal, GM let me know if that's not right

We will assume that the signal is passed along without trouble.

I knew it would go bad eventually just not in this way. :o

heads up: I'm travelling over the next few days. I SHOULD still have some access, but will have limited opportunities to post. Please BOT me if needed.

Anyone heard from Cedric and/or Cyrioul recently?

Anyone heard from Cedric and/or Cyrioul recently?

I was just wondering the same thing. I'll shoot them a message.

Unfortunately, still no response from Cedric or Cyrioul.

Hello, everyone,

I'm very sorry for my extended and unexplained absence. Starting near the end of May my family and I were traveling every weekend, and most of a week at one point. With my wife's academic year of teaching wrapped up and the summer open, my kiddo and I are actually getting to spend more time with her, and we're enjoying life in our small midwest town as much as we can before our move later this summer to NYC.

Its no excuse for leaving you in the lurch, and I'm sorry for that. I will catch up now as best I can.

- Jason

As always it's more concern out of ensuring your well-being.

@Boudra- why can he not advance if I move? What am I missing?

Shadow trap is a cool spell. It anchors you in the square if the person fails their save.

oh yeah! Can I retroactively 5' step GM?

oh yeah! Can I retroactively 5' step GM?

Yes, you may.

Yes, that. Sorry.

Is this a bad time to bring up the subject of replacement players? GM is botting half the party at this point.

Is this a bad time to bring up the subject of replacement players? GM is botting half the party at this point.

I was planning on suggesting this after we finished the current fight, but it's probably better to begin discussing it now.

Before we post a recruitment call, does anyone have any friends or acquaintances that might want to join?

Bree can attest since they're in both campaigns with me, but the RotRL campaign I'm in has some very good posters.

Bree is also Rig, my understanding is there's some IRL issues going on for them and Colvyn right now. I'm Kargas Stormscar, Floredana and Guiness are reliable, frequent posters, and Kellek isn't quite as prolific but he's also GMing one or two games.

Kargas, Flo and Guiness are good posters, no question.

I've just been a bit busy lately. I haven't abandoned the thread or anything.

Having slain the bounty hunter tasked with tracking down the refugees of Phaendar and broken the strength of the Ironfang's forward camp, you have bought a moment of respite for the people under your protection.

Welcome to Level 4!

.....

As for replacement players, should I message the recommended players from the RotRL game or would you guys like to, since they already know you?

I don't know how many players we're planning on recruiting over so I leave that to your discretion, GM

I don't know how many players we're planning on recruiting over so I leave that to your discretion, GM

Maybe it would be best to discuss that, then. What do you guys think we need for party composition?

Well we're losing a cleric and wizard, it seems. Thorek can use his magic to go toe to toe with most enemies in combat but is a mediocre healer.

Yeah I'm not saying that they strictly need to be full healer or spell caster because we kind of have that redundancy. Boudra's mystery favors being a fun wizard/cleric amalgamation and Lily has some spellcasting backing her.

anyone object to me grabbing one of those +1 st swords?

Not I!

Regarding other players, I agree with Lily; I can do some wizard stuff and some cleric stuff, but I'm not as good at either. So having either a full caster/healer or someone else who can support those roles would be helpful.

Level up! Oracle 4
4th-level ability score increase: +1 to DEX

BAB +1, Will +1
New Mystery Spell: invisibility!
New Spells Known:
Orison: Stabilize
2nd-Level (New Spell Level!): Silence

I didn't think of silence before I was skimming the list, but it actually makes a ton of sense for Boudra! It will help me be a good scout (a little bit, anyway, since it only lasts rounds/level), I can use it to prevent alarms and screw up enemy casters, and it will have no effect on me at all! :D

...I didn't actually finish leveling up there. XD

+7 hp (includes 1 Favored Class Bonus)

5 skill ranks: +1 Stealth, +1 Heal, +1 Survival, +1 Linguistics (learned Celestial), +1 Knowledge (Religion)

Warpriest 4
+8hp, +1 BAB, +1 Fort, +1 Will
4th Level Ability Increase: +1Str
Fervor now 4/day; Channel 1d6 (30ft, Will14 half, takes 2 uses of Fervor)
Sacred Weapon +1
I get 2nd level spells now! Yay
+1 skill point FCB

I also got 2nd lvl spells, invis and alter self.
+1 to Dex, a bunch of skills, and trap spotter rogue talent.

Coming back around to the subject of replacement characters, I didn't mention GM Cellion for the Runelords campaign, but I should have. That campaign has had four GMs at this point, and Cellion is very good.

I have sent messages to the players of Floredana and Guiness to see if they would like to join the game. GM Cellion is playing in a War for the Crown campaign I am running (they also lost their original GM, similar to this game), and I agree - they are very good. Depending on how Floredana and Guiness' players respond, I may also reach out to Cellion.

Furthermore, I've also been in contact with Cyrioul. He is busy with family matters, so for now we will be semi-retiring Cyrioul to NPC status, looking after the Hidden Hope refugees alongside Caladra, Cedric, and Aubrin. However, we are leaving the door open for a potential future return.

Thanks for the updates!

Hello! I am the player running Floredana mentioned above. Thanks for the invitation and I'd love to play with y'all (I am flattered btw)! :D

I am currently playing a couple of clerics, so I'd like to pursue the arcane route. Some of you have mentioned that you have some of the typical arcane bases covered. I'll look over the characters, but what areas would you like me to shy away from so that I don't step on any toes? Are there any unusual SOP's I should be aware of (example: we all took blind-fight and abuse obscuring mist every fight)?

GM: Should I assume level 4 wealth? I will use the parameters set by your first recruitment post in drafting my character and consult the player's guide. Are there any convenient story points I should consider (whether it be for inserting me into the game, connection to the area, etc.) beyond what is outlined in the player's guide?

EDIT:
Random Notes:
Noticed the current GM is different than the original GM. Haven't seen any different character creation rules, but I also haven't combed through the discussion thread yet (assuming the same as TechnoDM unless I fid/am told otherwise).

Boudra: Don't you get all cure spells for free at every spell level as an oracle? You appear to be missing CMW in your second level spells.

As far as what to bring to the table, a vanilla arcanist seems useful. One focused on utility/knowledge/buffs with a dabble of stealth. I'm out of time for now, but I'll whip something up today and see what I come up with.

Hi there! Guiness here...I’d like to join your group too. Based on some preliminary discussion, I had been working up a dedicated healer (assuming Floredana would want to play something different). It looks like you may need an additional front-liner though. I am okay playing either—I’ll see what the character creation guidelines are. Let me know what you would prefer to support the party...dedicated frontline warrior, dedicated healer, or a mixture.

I don't want to cramp anyone's style, whatever you're wanting to roll is okay by me! Cyrioul was focusing on mostly utility/control and crafting I think, but no reason a different emphasis couldn't work.

@Guiness, we lost our fighter/barbarian Caladra so Thorek has stepped in as the main frontline fighter. Between Fervor and self-buffing I think I've been doing well and Thorek can Channel now so he'd be able to do a little bit of support healing. I for one would welcome a build that heals better than Thorek but can also mix it up in melee!

This is what I've come up with, but everything can be changed if needed! It might not make much sense chronologically, but I put a point in linguistics as well to learn sign language. If anyone would rather I learn it from y'all (and take it next level), that's fine with me too. Once it is approved, I'll get an alias and proper sheet up.

You'll fit in with us or at least Lily. We befriend and let loose a Crismal because of their hungry appetite. Sad thing was that at the time the little elemental was the friendliest thing we met. And a depressed wolf whose owner tragically died.
Edit:
No particular tactics on our end besides subterfuge and disguise.

Pila is friendly to me! I was thinking I might take a level/feat to make her a companion, but I wanted to get some fluff in first.

Welcome both!

Gummy Bear, you're totally right. It's been a while since we leveled up - I forgot to add CMW!

As Lily mentioned, we tend to be very guerrilla. Tactics are mostly about hiding, sneaking, hitting hard and getting out fast.

happy to have y'all join us!

Thanks Bree!

Okay, a build who can heal, mix it up in melee, and not be too detrimental with stealth...

I have a few ideas, but I need to know the character creation rules. I notice our current DM is not the original DM from the recruitment thread, so I don't want to make any assumptions...

I'll see what I can come up with.

It'll be fun to play with such a change of pace! Guerrilla tactics are quite different from pretty much every other AP/scenario I've played, I'm excited :) Looking at my current spells, there should be plenty there to meaningfully contribute to some hit and run (mostly on the set up and escape end of things). Once the GM approves my budget, I'll get some scrolls that might help too!

As far as adding the new players in, if we go raid the Ironfang camp now that we've depleted their forces we could rescue our newcomers!

Cyrioul and Cedric could head back to Hidden Hope to deliver the news of our victory here...

GM: Should I assume level 4 wealth? I will use the parameters set by your first recruitment post in drafting my character and consult the player's guide. Are there any convenient story points I should consider (whether it be for inserting me into the game, connection to the area, etc.) beyond what is outlined in the player's guide?

EDIT:
Random Notes:
Noticed the current GM is different than the original GM. Haven't seen any different character creation rules, but I also haven't combed through the discussion thread yet (assuming the same as TechnoDM unless I fid/am told otherwise).

Sorry for the delay in response.

Yes, use level 4 wealth since you guys will be coming in at level 4.

I took the reins of the campaign when the previous GM had to drop out. (And it was neither the first nor last time I had the pleasure of rescuing a campaign). In such cases, I adhere to the previous GM's character creation guidelines to maintain consistency.

Here are the pertinent details from the character creation guidelines:

House rule death by damage doesn't occur until the beginning of the damaged PC's turn. This allows healing to occur to prevent insta-death.

Alignment: No evil.

Ability Scores: 15 Point Buy. No score lower than 8 before racial modifier.

HP: Max at 1st level; average rounded up thereafter.

Traits: Two traits. One from player's guide. No drawbacks.

Classes: Core, Base and Hybrid classes permitted. Summoners must use the Unchained version.

General Build Stuff: No third-party products

As for plot hooks to introduce the new characters, the obvious option is to free them from the newly emptied Ironfang camp. Other possibilities include travelers getting chased off the Tamran Highway and into the forest by Ironfang patrols, residents of the Fangwood Forest who get involved in the conflict as the hobgoblins spread northward, Nirmathi citizens-turned-militia joining the guerilla fight against the Ironfangs, ambitious crusaders from Lastwall traveling south in search of glory, or simply being locals uprooted and displaced by the invasion.

I think "residents of the Fangwood Forest who get involved in the conflict as the hobgoblins spread northward" would be the most appropriate for Gaius! He could have just settled down to begin his research when the fleeing mass of refugees prompt him to join the rally against the hobgoblins.

quick heads up: I will be travelling for the next few days (Thurs-Sun). I may or may not have internet access. Apologies in advance

I think "residents of the Fangwood Forest who get involved in the conflict as the hobgoblins spread northward" would be the most appropriate for Gaius! He could have just settled down to begin his research when the fleeing mass of refugees prompt him to join the rally against the hobgoblins.

That works for the character I am building as well -- Undari the Healer. He would have been trying to help those injured by the conflict. Of course, he could also have been captured and be imprisoned at the Ironfang camp, being forced to heal those who attack his own people...