Spent a little time crunching some numbers and adding story awards etc.
I wound up pooling everything and determined each PC receives 5,250 XP.
That gets everyone up to 40,250 XP by my count, which is about a third of the way to level 8. (I redistributed Thalia's XP but left Jason's - sorting him out is on my TTD list.)
Coincidentally, I just realized that's sort of the mathematical equivalent of getting 1 XP in a Pathfinder Society Adventure - that kinda feels about right.
Thanks to you for keeping us all on our toes (or claws) with a masterful stroke of the unexpected. Now that is Iron GM worthy. I just hope we survive to actually get to see the insides of this supposed pyramid.
I couldn't help but catch the Iron GM reference. Are you a past competitor or perhaps checking it out at Gen Con this year?
I couldn't help but catch the Iron GM reference. Are you a past competitor or perhaps checking it out at Gen Con this year?
No, though I certainly wouldn't mind participating as a player. I have followed some of the competition's exploits and sure wish I could catch it at GenCon. I do love to GM, but not sure I could be Iron enough, having never run tournaments. Someday I'll make it to GenCon and check it out in person. Right now, I'm focused on finding a job (laid off 5 months ago).
Thanks to you for keeping us all on our toes (or claws) with a masterful stroke of the unexpected. Now that is Iron GM worthy. I just hope we survive to actually get to see the insides of this supposed pyramid.With the cliffhanger of Moonpate and Hurgah dim dooring to an unknown location in the Master Camp, while the rest of the Dune Squad escapes through the Gate of Cascades, I feel like we just reached the cliffhanger endpoint for Season 1.
Clearly this chapter unfolded precisely as the module intended. Thanks for keeping this Beetle guessing throughout.
Yes, thanks indeed for a most excellent adventure so far! I'm very glad that we have been keeping things on such an orderly and predictable track for you, so as not to make you stretch your story-telling muscles.
Let Season 2: Dune Sliders in the Damp commence!
No, though I certainly wouldn't mind participating as a player. I have followed some of the competition's exploits and sure wish I could catch it at GenCon. I do love to GM, but not sure I could be Iron enough, having never run tournaments. Someday I'll make it to GenCon and check it out in person. Right now, I'm focused on finding a job (laid off 5 months ago).I couldn't help but catch the Iron GM reference. Are you a past competitor or perhaps checking it out at Gen Con this year?
Sorry to hear it Phrip - I hope the economy will turn around sooner rather than later and make things a bit easier.
I just thought I might have an opportunity for a plug there - the organizers are friends of mine.
Some day you will all have to check it out, even if just as a player. You may be more iron than you know, I wouldn't doubt it with this group.
Tough luck, Phrip - I hope you find something soon.
Alas, the mystic realm of Gen Con. I have heard the fabulous tales since I was a wee lad, scarce strong enough to roll a d20. But as a Euro-gamer, making the pilgrimage just hasn't been an option. Same goes for Paizo-con and all the other fancy conventions you guys have.
Hey Phrip,
You could join the Army. I'm reminded everyday that I "get" to work for them for 1 more year with no chance of being let go, being able to quit for that matter, lol. Just kidding by the way. Hope you could crack a smile on that one. Hope all turns in your favor very soon. What state are you from. Hell, where is everyone playing from?
I'm back in Okinawa, Japan for the next 11 months before I complete my service and then back to Columbia, Missouri, USA.
I work in the oil patch in a small business, and spent a couple of years trying very hard to avoid laying anyone off when the oil prices were "low", to the point where I was lending the company money. Things have really started turning around in Alberta now, and people are hiring like fiends. If popping north of the border is an option for you, this is a good place to be looking for work right now.
Hey Phrip,
You could join the Army. I'm reminded everyday that I "get" to work for them for 1 more year with no chance of being let go, being able to quit for that matter, lol. Just kidding by the way. Hope you could crack a smile on that one. Hope all turns in your favor very soon. What state are you from. Hell, where is everyone playing from?
I did crack a smile, though I am well past the age for entering military service. I do have several family members who have served, most recently my youngest sister as a marine stationed in northern Japan doing weather related stuff. She finished up a few months ago.
Unfortunately, I am in a highly specialized field: doctor of audiology who specializes in cochlear implants. So, I am either over-qualified for perfectly good positions or don't have the right qualifications (on paper at least) to get to the interview stage. Very frustrating.So, I am job hunting here in Denver, taking online classes and going for a Regulatory Affairs certification to bolster my chances, and enjoying the time with my kids.
Just FYI,
I added a picture of A'Viss to the miscellaneous folder in the picture collection.
(I'd love to be able to add pictures of the PCs to the collection by the way - still hoping you guys might send me some via email to post or by posting a link. Who doesn't like a pic of their studly PC?)
-MiKe
Sorr that I have not been on in the last couple days, fellas. I am in the middle of a very frustrating internet outage a my house and haven't been able to get the time to post here at work. Hope all is corrected by tomorrow.
Got that freakin' connection fixed, woot! Sorry to hear you got reamed on the job front,Phrip.
Hey There, Beetle. I am looking for a pic that captures Breach as we speak. Also, I did not even think about ending up on the plane of water when I stepped off into the desert on this little adventure,lol. This is shaping up to be quite epic!
Got that freakin' connection fixed, woot! Sorry to hear you got reamed on the job front,Phrip.
Hey There, Beetle. I am looking for a pic that captures Breach as we speak. Also, I did not even think about ending up on the plane of water when I stepped off into the desert on this little adventure,lol. This is shaping up to be quite epic!
Awesome - I'll look forward to the pic!
I really like this one. He is pretty close, but I prefer a single bit axe and the shield is missing spikes, otherwise he is good.
I really like this one. He is pretty close, but I prefer a single bit axe and the shield is missing spikes, otherwise he is good.
Nice!
So Breach really does have an eye patch, eh? We'll have to see what we can do with that - maybe he needs a magic one.
Just thought I'd take a vote on whether I should simply burn another hero point to get back to the desert. In an rl session, I'd not prefer to do that, but it would get the adventure back on track here. GM vote is worth 10. :)
I really like this one. He is pretty close, but I prefer a single bit axe and the shield is missing spikes, otherwise he is good.
Nice!
So Breach really does have an eye patch, eh? We'll have to see what we can do with that - maybe he needs a magic one.
I'll have to think up little backstory on the problem that led to an eye loss, haha.
Just thought I'd take a vote on whether I should simply burn another hero point to get back to the desert. In an rl session, I'd not prefer to do that, but it would get the adventure back on track here. GM vote is worth 10. :)
I don't need to vote - you guys can do what you choose. Sand box, as the gamers say. Though it's a really wet one right now.
(Though I suppose since I manipulate the outcomes every now and then, in a way I stuff the ballot box.)
I'll have to think up little backstory on the problem that led to an eye loss, haha.
A really bad fumble with that axe? : )
A really bad fumble with that axe? : )
I'll have to think up little backstory on the problem that led to an eye loss, haha.
Haha, something a little more epic I think. He has already had a run in with a devil and a aboleth, I will have to research something tough enough to force the loss of an eye on such a brute. Probably a trap of some sort.
Just thought I'd take a vote on whether I should simply burn another hero point to get back to the desert. In an rl session, I'd not prefer to do that, but it would get the adventure back on track here. GM vote is worth 10. :)I don't need to vote - you guys can do what you choose. Sand box, as the gamers say. Though it's a really wet one right now.
(Though I suppose since I manipulate the outcomes every now and then, in a way I stuff the ballot box.)
If we were all together, it wouldn't be a question. But if poor Moonpate and Hurgah end up spending the next 2 real-world months hidden under a rock while we traipse around the plane of water, that would just suck. We've already lost - it seems - 3 of the original 9 players, and I don't want to lose 2 more because we're separated!
No worries...more tasty monks with soft, chewy filling for Hurgah...nom, nom.
I am for linking back up as soon as the story supports it. If we are all doing okay with the speed and such, that is. I have never been involved in such a broad range of locales, ever. I am loving this game. I'd say that there could be the opportunity to link up if said cave had a mysterious sound of rushing water coming from somewhere....?
I am loving the looting freedom. Thank you for running this game, Beetle, and thank you for being such an accomodating, fun DM. And if we have to put up with NPC Thalia and DeccaJaws, well, that just makes the game all the greater. Thanks again.
Touch of the Sea is a 1st level spell that grants a swim speed for a minute/level. It may be too much to ask for a dozen potions of that. :)
Touch of the Sea is a 1st level spell that grants a swim speed for a minute/level. It may be too much to ask for a dozen potions of that. :)
I had also decided on Touch of the Sea potions. If we end up fighting Deca-Jaws in the water, they could make a big difference. I can probably get by without a weapon, so utility items are probably what I'll go with if you would rather get something more fighty.
Any advice on other items from you veterans would be welcome, if allowable by the green beetle.
Touch of the Sea is a 1st level spell that grants a swim speed for a minute/level. It may be too much to ask for a dozen potions of that. :)I had also decided on Touch of the Sea potions. If we end up fighting Deca-Jaws in the water, they could make a big difference. I can probably get by without a weapon, so utility items are probably what I'll go with if you would rather get something more fighty.
Any advice on other items from you veterans would be welcome, if allowable by the green beetle.
Coordinate away! Perhaps you guys can even work out how to spend for Jason and Gandel.
I'm going to be away for most of the day, so I will probably fall a bit behind on the posting until tomorrow but feel free to discuss and plan in the meantime. I owe a few of you posts already.
I haven't costed it to see if it would actually work, but if you are going hog wild on touch of the sea potions you might look into scrolls or even a wand. Potions are more advantageous as you don't need to rely on a caster for activation, but if money's an issue, there's savings to be had.
Also, it sounds like you are ahead of me on this, but in case not, note that potions have a minimum caster level, which in this example is caster level 1. That might be sufficient for your plans though.
Can I just say though, as I leave I will remain in suspense as to what Bilbo has planned for Breach's bag of endless dung. My current theory is he plans to pick up a hero point and then sacrifice the bag as a material component as he plane shifts the party to the material plane of $&#^. But it's possible he has another idea.
Heya Denis,
You have that blessing. I think both elixirs are plausible and can be found. They are not quite common enough to qualify for the 25% discount on the price, but you can definitely pick them up at normal list price. I haven't checked the price but you can probably get both and even have some "money" left over.
I am loving the looting freedom. Thank you for running this game, Beetle, and thank you for being such an accomodating, fun DM. And if we have to put up with NPC Thalia and DeccaJaws, well, that just makes the game all the greater. Thanks again.
I appreciate that Flamethrower, but I don't think I will be thanked for Deca-Jaws. Yikes!
Can I just say though, as I leave I will remain in suspense as to what Bilbo has planned for Breach's bag of endless dung. My current theory is he plans to pick up a hero point and then sacrifice the bag as a material component as he plane shifts the party to the material plane of $&#^. But it's possible he has another idea.
roflmao.
So what do you all think? Wand or potions if we go with this? Any other ideas as to what to take? I assume the fighter-types will mostly be trying to get themselves weapons?
I can only imagine what kind of helpful figure we find in that one, Beetle. Perhaps a peanut spirit, lol. I figured such a strange choice would be met with intrigue, haha. Can't wait to use it. This one of those items I have always wondered how it could be of use, but I think it may finally be something more than a, dare I say, sh!++y item. Oooooooh! (To channel Andrew "Dice" Clay)
Karek will be finding a weapon and armor, though I still need to know if a Longspear qualifies for the discount. I'm not sure what else he may find. Maybe a swan boat or something. :)
I think a wand will be superior to a bunch of potions. We get 50 castings with a wand, for one minute each casting. Who knows, it may be of use once we get back to the adventure. Potions of hiding and elixers of swimming will not go unused, either.
EDIT: The, er, problem with a wand of Touch of the Sea is that Jason or Gandel would have to use it, unless one of us is packing a good UMD score.
Karek will be finding a weapon and armor, though I still need to know if a Longspear qualifies for the discount. . .
Yeah - a spear or long spear is like a classic 'merman' weapon. It qualifies.
I'm regretting the discount concept, it's too subjective - but now I am stuck with it, so bear with me.
I can only imagine what kind of helpful figure we find in that one, Beetle. Perhaps a peanut spirit, lol. I figured such a strange choice would be met with intrigue, haha. Can't wait to use it. This one of those items I have always wondered how it could be of use, but I think it may finally be something more than a, dare I say, sh!++y item. Oooooooh! (To channel Andrew "Dice" Clay)
Bilbo, I think you and I will have to make it our collective mission so that at some point during the adventure your newest toy becomes a major plot point, possibly saving the Dune Squad from total destruction or otherwise influencing events.
I know I am devoted to the cause.
Hey Beetle, I will be able to post later today about Hal's find.
Awesome. We got two really great looting posts so far. I am getting into these.
EDIT: The, er, problem with a wand of Touch of the Sea is that Jason or Gandel would have to use it, unless one of us is packing a good UMD score.
Yeah, it would take 6 rounds for one person to cast it on all six of you, at which point, for the first recipient, there would only be 6 rounds left. That's probably enough for your typical fight, but maybe not.
There's something to be said for a potion everyone can just swallow themselves. It's a tough call. I like buying my magic cheap, but maybe there's something to be said for packing your own potion.
Hal picked up 4 Elixirs of Swimming. :-)
Going with one potion of Water Walk, and 5 Touch of the Sea.
I can only imagine what kind of helpful figure we find in that one, Beetle. Perhaps a peanut spirit, lol. I figured such a strange choice would be met with intrigue, haha. Can't wait to use it. This one of those items I have always wondered how it could be of use, but I think it may finally be something more than a, dare I say, sh!++y item. Oooooooh! (To channel Andrew "Dice" Clay)Bilbo, I think you and I will have to make it our collective mission so that at some point during the adventure your newest toy becomes a major plot point, possibly saving the Dune Squad from total destruction or otherwise influencing events.
I know I am devoted to the cause.
I can't wait to see how we manage to make this item worth something. I have an idea, but we may find a way to really amp it up.
If anyone wants to make purchases for Jason or Gandel, feel free to go ahead. You are free to distribute their findings amongst the group as you wish, i.e. they are extra cash waiting to be spent, but they have the same pesky limit.
My sincerest apologies for my prolonged absence. I'm back if you'll have me, and have posted in the IC thread...
Welcome back, Gandel! Of course we'll have you back.
Welcome back Gandel.
His return is fortuitous, as I have a business trip to Mexico coming up on Monday. I'll be gone for probably 6 days. I think I will be in a nice hotel with internet access, but I'm not sure. More details to come.
My sincerest apologies for my prolonged absence. I'm back if you'll have me, and have posted in the IC thread...
As Hurgah says, all the more for nom, nom!
Welcome back Gandel.
His return is fortuitous, as I have a business trip to Mexico coming up on Monday. I'll be gone for probably 6 days. I think I will be in a nice hotel with internet access, but I'm not sure. More details to come.
Or you might even enjoy Mexico you lucky skunk.
I too am on holidays next week. Since I will be somewhere a tad* less sexy, I will probably be checking the boards in my usual crack addict fashion. However, I probably won't be able to post anything longer than attempted one-line quips or short answers to questions.
I propose that next week be devoted to:
1. Finishing off any looting selections;
2. Resolve any remaining Schmoosh related communication; and
3. Let the Dune Squad do their en route planning in regards to the assault on Deca-Jaws.
That way we can swiftly bust into the action and see how many times we can fulfill Donkor's recent divination prophesy. Maybe we'll even have a surprise for the Behind Enemy Lines crew.
*read "a lot"
Or you might even enjoy Mexico you lucky skunk.
I'm going into it with fond hopes, but I start to get cranky when the temperature goes above 20 degrees. Sounds like I'll be dealing with 35-40 degrees there at this time of year. It will be almost as bad as being in Toronto!