The mother of all dungeons

Game Master DEWN MOU'TAIN

This is a out of game discussion board. You can use this to discuss anything out of game, ie real life info, or for in game planning (ie planning out actions in combat).

I'm just wanting to let the rest of the group know that in combat I'm going to be playing Chromie as primarily a control caster while using my bard buffs, and I'll be fighting at range as much as I can. Until I manage to get my Str up, don't expect me to be any kind of damage dealer in combat at all, but expect to see me doing stuff like throwing Grease on the ground to trip up enemies, casting illusions to try and confuse things, etc. I'll also be trying to get my hands on a wand of Cure Light Wounds as soon as I can so that I can help take care of out of combat heals, as well as critical in-combat heals if they're needed.

Outside of combat I plan on trying to play a bit of the party face, while also being a petty thief/trickster/gambler. Basically, if you want someone to work the underworld contacts, I want to make Chromie that guy. Want someone to cheat at cards and cause a distraction? That's me. Pull a fast one on a shopkeeper by over-selling a worthless(or even temporarily conjured) bauble? You got it.

I just figured that earlier is a good time to give a general overview of what my character is going to be played like.

Lol...underworld. Great word choice.

Calas is just going to focus almost completely on offense, just drop them before they drop me sort of thing, I played a Sorceror like that and it worked out better than I expected, until the campaign stopped.

I am also going to get some Abjuration and Summoning spells, lessons learned from said character, where I can, when I can.

Other than that, he is basically a rolled Half-elven Battlemage (level 1) from GMG.

@DM; is it okay if Calas and Shalder trade spells, I just wanted your permission before I asked Manzcar in character...

ill say that you can only trade one spell per day, as that time reflects learning the spell. The spell trade can occur when you are prepping your daily spells.

When is your nephew joining us?

Sorry for not posting yesterday; but it looks like the spotlights sort-of- on Pwent at the moment...

im not sure. i am contacting my nephew later today/tomorrow and going to inquire with him.

Hello all.
Looks to be a good group, though a tad arcane heavy. Hopefully the nephew does not have his heart set on playing a wizard/sorcerer/bard.

In that line. Dewn, should the nepos care to play a fighter and Hywel seem to be stepping on his toes I will be happy to rebuild as something else.

Just finishing up equipment posting soon.

From what was said in the recruitment thread, Dewn's nephew is trying for an archery-focused fighter. Which means that right now our only melee character that can take a bit of a beating is the cleric. I could step in once in a while if absolutely necessary, but it's less than optimal for me. So if you're going fighter and planning on melee, then that's great. We really do need more meat up front.

Yeah meat shield

Hmm remind me to let a couple through to teach the Elf to respect the metal clad contingent. :7)

Btw Shaldar you might want to buy gear before things progress too far. Or are you going hard-core and just keeping the gold? Mind you coin can be useful.....

Perhaps alchemist's fire, lamp oil, tindertwigs, and smokesticks would appeal to your igneous idiom.

Lamp oil and a torch/spark spell is a nice and above all cheap alternative to Alchemist's fire esp at low levels when coin is scarce.

Sorry if I overstep.
~Hywel

From what was said in the recruitment thread, Dewn's nephew is trying for an archery-focused fighter. Which means that right now our only melee character that can take a bit of a beating is the cleric. I could step in once in a while if absolutely necessary, but it's less than optimal for me. So if you're going fighter and planning on melee, then that's great. We really do need more meat up front.

I am looking at sword and board or maybe 2-h depending on how things go. If I do go sword and shield then two weapon fighting and shield mastery are in my future.

Hmmm looks like Chromie Blackwater has no gear....

2 is a trend...Did I miss something about our not having gear?
Make that 3..... oh dear.

Should I erase my gear/armor/weapons? There seems to be an even split.....

Rank materialists
Calas
Hywel
Lyle

Concerned only with higher matters
Chromie, no spells known?

Pwent, who is playing truly hard-core by apparently forgoing gear, spells, and domains? Iori grants Improved unarmed attack so that solves the weapon issue at least

Shaldar, lover of coin.

Ok, I must be missing something. Are we not keeping characters under our aliases or are folks just not quite finished with their writeups? Glad to help if any is needed. If you like the way Hwyel is done I can send/post the skeleton for you to use should any desire it.

Here to help
~Hywel

No think it just an oversight on my part. will update when I get home. LOL didn't even notice.

Ohh gawd I am naked and unarmed how horrible

No need to dress on my account. >Waggles eyebrows<

Pity one gets to say that so rarely....

;7)
~H

So Shaldar. I was taking a look at your character sheet and I could not help but notice that you have Empower spell. You realize you will not be able to use that feat until 3rd level right?

It is a cool feat esp. for the more vigorous casters but carrying it for two levels before you can use it on cantrips is a heavy load.

Forgive me if this is stepping over a line. Your character and all but it seemed unusual.

Hopefully not annoying
~H

Nope I saw that and changed in hero but haven't loaded my new sheet lol so i.to the role play haven't worried about the roll play aspect.

Cool.

I have never played/seen played a fire mage. Looks to be fun. There are some nice spells in the school. Have you played one before?

~H

Nope tend to play rogues and clerics so thought id branch out. we will see.

all clothed now. I feel much better. even have a long bow to shoot you with Hywel is you look at me again like that.

smile

Hywel, I think you're mistaking my lack of knowledge about Play by Post as my not having anything. I've got my equipment, spells, etc outlined in the recruitment thread for when I posted my character. Is there anywhere in particular that I'm supposed to put that stuff? I just kind of figured that as things changed it would be updated and thrown into this discussion thread or something.

all clothed now. I feel much better. even have a long bow to shoot you with Hywel is you look at me again like that.

smile

Hmmm remind me to put deflect arrow on the feat list.

:7)

~H

Hywel, I think you're mistaking my lack of knowledge about Play by Post as my not having anything. I've got my equipment, spells, etc outlined in the recruitment thread for when I posted my character. Is there anywhere in particular that I'm supposed to put that stuff? I just kind of figured that as things changed it would be updated and thrown into this discussion thread or something.

Aha! I was hoping that was the issue. The discussion thread is a viable place for such things but it is pretty easy to loose things there. At least I tend to.

Under the alias generally works better, at least for me, as there is no need to search through pages of discussion thread to see if you purchased that sewing thread that suddenly became vital six months into the game. Under the alias is also a great place to keep things like feats and spells known that do not change all that often. I have even seen spontaneous casters, like bards, keep notes about the spells there as well. Thinks like range, area of effect, damage, DC and save type, etc. That way they do not need to look up say, grease, to know that as a 2nd level caster the range is now 30' and it lasts for 2 minutes.

From a GM standpoint having everything under the alias also makes it MUCH easier to keep track of party resources. Things like "Do I really want to toss something with DR5/magic at them? Does anyone even have a magic weapon?"

Mind you this is all just friendly advice. If keeping info in the discussion thread works for you then more power to you.

~Hywel

DEWN: Re. those torches in the bag. Can they be dried out and used or are they firewood at this point?

Yeah, I kinda spent all my money on scrolls and items for making scrolls... and some extremely basic nessecities, That reminds me; how hardcore are we going into the item thing, Dewn? Like, can we occasionly say we have really cheap things like a pouch or a vial or should we keep track of every purchase?

I am kind of worried on this issue myself. Mind you I am also intrigued by the idea of a long crawl where every torch and ration is valuable.

Btw Calas Hywel has a spare sack if you need to keep stuff in. He even has a scroll case he could be talked out of.

I thank you for your offer Master Hywel...

I thank you for your offer Master Hywel...

Welcome..

Course taking the scroll case means you are mapping, that is why I am carrying the case, ink, and paper after all. Pity the mapmakers kit and compass are in the APG and out of reach.

As soon as Hywel notices the problem he will offer, mind you there is the sack under the bodies so the problem may have just been solved.

Yeah, you're right, I can use that sack if need be.

Loot from the big bag and some housekeeping

Loot by theme

Housekeeping.
Proposed loot division rules:
(1)Take what you use, use what you take. Take what you think you will need or find useful.

(2)Don't hoard. Take only what you need. Someone else might need it too.

(3)Let the god's decide. If 2 or more folks want the same gear and cannot decide IC then all concerned roll d100 and the gear monkey or appointed unconcerned party rolls the die of their choice. If the Gear die is even high roll among the d100's takes the prize. If odd then low roll wins. Gear monkey die rolls after the d100 rolls have been posted.

(4)Cards on the table. Our individual equipment/loot lists are open to public inspection at all times.

(5)Report trouble immediately. If you feel something is inequitable either post or PM the gear monkey and it will be resolved ASAP.

I volunteer to be gear-monkey. I can keep a google doc or spreadsheet for loot & supply tracking.

Good idea?

I think it is a very good idea.

I think we get this because well we are going to need. AKA worlds largest dungeon type of thing. So I have no problem There is enough for everyone in my opinion. I hope we are able to identify all the magical stuff... I mean if there is any.

Well the potions and scrolls look likely. I don't expect much other magic. I do wounder about the silversmith gear though...

Right Skeleton gear Google spreadsheet under my alias. You should all be able to access and edit. Please let me know if there is a problem.

~Gear Monkey Hywel

PS: Dewn, Are the weapons and armor from the bag all medium sized?

I'll work on identifying the scrolls and stuff; may I take a dagger?

Also; I apologize for not posting the last couple of days, I've been quite busy.

GM how do you want us to handle identifying all the possible magical items?

Here's what I propose for when we get to town -

Wizards learn all the spells they can from the filled spellbook and scrolls. They re-scribe the scrolls after they've learned the spells from them(since scrolls get wiped by that, but spellbooks don't) so that we've still got them. We reimburse them for the costs incurred from learning/rescribing the scrolls by selling the unneeded excess from the bag. We could also have the wizards fill a couple of the blank spellbooks and sell them, because that should give a decent amount of cash. Any money left over gets split between the group, with a bit more going to the wizards for their effort.

When I say sell the unneeded excess, I mean we sell the majority of the unused weapons, sell all the unused armor, sell the majority of the wineskins(not the waterskins), sell some of the potions/poisons(specifically those 100 dull yellows) depending on what they are, that kind of stuff. Basically, anything that we've either got a ton of and is worth something, or something that we're very unlikely to use.

I'd also include those silver bars and the smithing equipment as excess if no one in this group is a smith. Otherwise, we can make silvered weapons from them.

But that's just my suggestion on what to do with the loot so far, and I'll explain why. I figure giving the wizards the biggest spell selection they can have right now is a top priority, and having them re-scribe the scrolls means we get the extra spells when we need them and can prepare other things for maximum utility. I don't think we'll ever need 50 dagggers, and everyone that wears armor probably has what they're wanting to wear so the armor can go if no one is going to use it immediately. The wineskins are pretty much only good for cash, so if we sell most of them we can keep a few for bribery/diplomatic gifts. Alchemical items and adventuring gear like rope, poles, tents, etc are always good to have, so we keep them.

You are assuming we ever reach a town.

We have more than a month of food & water in the sack. I do not see our fearless leader feeling any pressure to get us to civilization any time soon.

Mind you I hope I am wrong. But those blank spell books make me very suspicious that we will be here for some time.

But again I hope I am wrong.

To all
Is anyone skilled at Appraise? Some of the weapons/armor may be masterwork. It can be used untrained but DC is nasty.

So can everyone see the spreadsheet? Stuff is slowly going up but you should all have the permissions to edit so lend a hand if you like.

Dewn Are the weapons and armor from the bag all medium sized or are we keeping this undefined for the shortness enabled?

I am trained in the art of appraisal.

@DM: my mod is +7 do you want me to roll or do you want to keep iSucess/failure t secret?

I now have a priority spell list; a list of spells that I should learn ASAP. They are...
Level 1- Summon Monster I; Protection from Chaos

Level 2- Scorching Ray; Darkvision, Darkness, Summon Monster II

Level 3- Fireball, Summon Monster III

Well, that's all I have for right now, anyone have any suggestions?.

I would skip summon monster 1. The duration is too short to make it that useful but you may have other ideas.

I suggest a look at Glitterdust, a very nasty save or die at low-levels, and Flaming sphere, 1d6 less damage than scorching ray but you do not need to hit and it can serve as the fire source for pyrotechnics another very nasty low level control spell. Then there are the workhorse spells like Mage armor, Grease, and my personal favorite Unseen Servant. US is not the biggest combat spell but at 1 hour per level and the ability to drag 100lb it has 1001 household uses. Do not overlook the illusion school either. Simple image can block line of sight even if they make the save. It is an effective anti archer shield.

If you want to summon before Summon Monster III take a good look at Summon Swarm. This spell kills fighters dead. At the levels it will be useful fighter types rarely have effective area effect attacks. Most swarms are immune or highly resistant to weapon damage. With a duration of concentration +2 rounds this can easily be the only spell you cast in a major fight and if you can talk Dews into allowing the various pit spells from the APG the synergy is rather amazing. Imagine trying to climb out of a pit through a cloud of attacking bats.

And of course the humble Enlarge Person. As a fighter I cannot recommend this spell highly enough. It is also surprisingly effective at stopping pursuit, cast this on the Orc chasing you and then squeeze through a 5' passage. By the time the spell wears off you are in the next county.

As an Evoker you will be raising the DC of your Evocation spells as a priority. Do not overlook Shatter the single non-magical object of less than 10# per level easily includes all non giant weapons and armor. Fighters hate this spell.

Well this is going on too long.
If you found this useful I would be happy to offer more advice.
~H

Glitterdust isn't actually a save or die, but being blinded is close enough until at least a few levels in. The penalties for fighitng blind are terrible and pretty much take you out of the fight entirely. It's definitely on my list of spells to get becuase of that and the fact that it's a Will save rather than a Fort save like Blindness. The only thing you really have to look out for is if there are friendlies in the area of effect. That could end up as a really deadly situation if the friendly fails the save but the enemy doesn't.

As for Grease, I've got that already. I also gain spells per day slightly faster than Wizards do and don't need to prepare spells as a trade for gaining spells a lot slower and having a greatly limited list. This makes me a lot more adaptable in casting my limited spells as needed. That said, having a wizard or two being able to scribe scrolls for utility spells like that will be an amazing addition. Especially since I can also use those scrolls without issue if the spell is on the Bard list.

For my planned spell progression, the only ones I've got as "for sure" spells are Silent Image for my next level 1 spell, and then Glitterdust and Invisibility as my first level 2 spells when I hit level 4. But that's a good ways off. Beyond that, it's going to depend on how the campaign is going.

I've also thought about crossing into Arcane Archer for a little bit, taking at least 3 levels if I do. I'd lose at least one level worth of spellcasting, but I'd shore up my BAB and Fort saves a little bit, while also increasing my abilities in combat by giving myself free magic ammunition that can change type every day.

EDIT: Does anyone know if there are different carrying capacities for being small/large or is it solely strength based? When I did up my character sheet originally, I put my encumberance as me carrying a medium load, but when I just went to look at it(to figure out how much I needed to drop to hit a light load) I saw that a Str of 8 has a medium load of 27+ lbs, while I'm only carrying 23. I thought I remembered seeing something about small carrying capacities being different, but now I can't find it.

hmmm...apparently my rss feed hasnt been working properly these last 3 weeks, so i am just now reading through all the above posts. apologies all around for not replying in a timely manner.

Chromie, I apologize to ruin your dream of a Gnome Arcane Archer; but unless Dewn allows otherwise, AA requires that you must be an Elf or Half-Elf... Sorry.

Hywel, I think I likeflaming sphere because I after casting I can mov 30ft as a move action, and it automatically forces the save if it enters your square, I could cast it and and spend the rest of the encounter casting force missile, also that list represents he spells I gain from level up. I would like to hear more suggestions, as I've only played a Sorcerer in the past.

all weapons are medium sized.

ill post in game what the ID results are.

Arcane Archer -

Requirements

To qualify to become an arcane archer, a character must fulfill all the following criteria.

Base Attack Bonus: +6.

Feats: Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Weapon Focus (longbow or shortbow).

Spells: Ability to cast 1st-level arcane spells.

It required Elf/Half-Elf in 3.x, but not in Pathfinder. Also, in Pathfinder it gets slower save progression in return for upping the HD to d10, letting you turn regular arrows into elemental/aligned arrows at no cost, and giving spell progression for 7 out of 10 levels. So the AA got a massive buff, IMO. I used to think it was pretty much worthless when I played vanilla 3E, but now I really like the look of it.

The only sad thing is that I have to wait until level 9 to take my first level of it. Curse you, 2/3 BAB progression! CURSE YOU! Oh well, at least I'll have more spells than a Ranger would when I get my first level of AA.

Hey have we lost Shortcloak?

Ah, I see it now, the flavor text kept on making refernces to Elves and Half-Elves that I kinda just assumed they were a prequisite of the class. I like the steady increase to the bow as you level, all you really need is to make it a +5 spellstoringbow and you're set as far as magic weapon goes.

Also they really improved the Arrow of Death class feature, by the time you got the feature in 3.x most d NPC's could make that flat save.

Edit,- I am thinking, if I did prestige class, it would probably be as a Eldritch Knight, as it is the closest to the Battlemage persona I want to be.