Back from my larp, had a lot of fun. But I do have a very persistent headache today that might turn into a migraine. Hence the short post.
Updates between tomorrow and Friday crazy few days.
Seriously, me too not just in real life but on the boards as well.
I'm off to Seattle from the 22nd of may to the 2nd of june for PaizoCON and being a tourist.
I'll probably check in the evenings, but if you need Alice to do something, feel free to bot her.
Seems like a lot of people have been busier than usual lately.
Seems like a lot of people have been busier than usual lately.
This was a particularly busy week with something to do whether work or personal every night.
Then I finally got into an Eberron campaign here on the boards (run by Aubrey the Malformed no less!) not realizing it was Mythic Tier which I've never dealt with before and between learning Mythic and trying to get up to speed with the game I killed hours of time where I would normally be posting as a DM.
That on top of the new Recruitment I have going on for a Kingmaker/Iron Gods hybrid. Moving the game into the future of Golarion by 50 years made me feel like I needed to create new content which chewed up hours of time last night. This has been the most intense Recruitment I've had on the bards in terms of builds proposed and questions. Which I think is saying something as I run 23 games...
All that said, update now!
Seems like a lot of people have been busier than usual lately.
Ah, I C what you mean now! Only one new post since my last update.
I know Soren lost time this weekend submitting a Vampire to my Vampire game and an Eidolon to my All Gunslingers Kingmaker/Iron Gods game so there's that. :-)
Yeah, on top of that I've been updating all my games that haven't gotten any love lately... which is all of them, really. I'm all caught up so I'm good now, I just had a lot of stuff to do with getting them going as two of them are pretty new so I've still got a lot of ~~exposition~~ to get through. One of them is stalling out too, so I may need to find some new blood soon. If anyone likes the XCOM games, hit me up.
Regardless, I'll throw up a post now.
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Fun things to do with Mythic-
1) Use Mythic Feather Fall and a handfull of pocket change to carpet bomb enemies.
2) Build a grappler with Uncanny Grapple and Unlimited Range. Throw people into orbit.
3) Build a strong character with Ant Haul and Display of Strength. See how many problems you can solve by being able to lift fifty tons.
4) Take Beyond Morality. Play an Antipaladin vmc Paladin.
5) Take Mythic Power Attack, Mythic Vital Strike and Legendary weapon. One-shot absolutely everything with melee touch attacks.
I love Mythic! No game on the boards that uses it that I have manged to get into lasts.
And yes I have been rather busy this week. It makes me sad. But I think I am getting back on track and I get to start my live game back up! Yay!
I like Mythic also, but it needs some serious prior discussion and outright banning of a few options (like Mythic Vital Strike)
Mythic power attack is also ridiculous as written.
Mythic power attack is also ridiculous as written.
Oh yeah. Definitely. I still think M. Vital Strike is worse, and in combination they are triple digit damage every time crazy.
My general rule is that anything that grants static bonus damage is not allowed. Martial characters don't need damage boosts. They need combat options.
Because I'm bored and thinking about this now, here's my Mythic house rules-
1) Mythic Power regenerates like Ability Damage. 1 point per day, or 2 with full rest. Long Term Care can increase this also, but adds 10 to the usual DC. When a Mythic character kills another mythic character or monster, Mythic Power equal to the creature's Hit Dice is immediately divided between the mythic characters and creatures present, with any leftover indivisible amount going to the creature that struck the killing blow (yes, this can revitalize characters mid combat, and also revitalize mythic enemies that are still left).
2) Antimagic fields are also Antimythic fields. All abilities that cost Mythic power to activate are suppressed. Passive abilities work normally.
3) Casting Mythic spells costs Mythic power equal to the level of the spell.
4) Mythic Power can substitute for any per day class resource (such as Smite, Fervor, Panache, Ki, or Inspiration).
5) Legendary weapons are fueled by Mythic power and do not get their own trackable resource.
6) No abilities that grant static bonuses to damage are allowed.
A friend of mine is playing in a Wrath of the Righteous game that changed mythic around a lot, and I stole most of their changes for when I run it myself. Most of my games get at least a little splash of mythic (maybe only a few tiers instead of going for the full 10) as I think the options it gives are nice. I have yet to run a game that was full mythic though.
Mythic definitely needs to be modified. The game that I am running is the first game that I have ever GM'ed. My friends all think I am insane for the plan to reach level 20, using mythic, and it being a homebrewed story. But I like challenges. Balancing for some of the abilities are rather difficult and yes the vital strike feat is banned. Not that I have to worry about that since they all are casters, rangers technically is a caster and she is ranged.
Going all the way to tier 10 is more than I want to deal with though. I think I am stopping at tier 6. The 9th tier immortal ability is a bit much and just no to the getting all your mythic powers back at an hourly rate.
I ran a D&D Epic Campaign to level 37 or 38 that ended about 8 years ago.
THOSE PCs were really powerful and it was a LOT of work to create appropriate challenges for them. I think 5 Mythic Tiers plus a level 15 Pathfinder PC would smoke them today, that's how powerful Mythic appears to be...
Remember that this is the same day the play is scheduled to debut in the Tower.
Does anyone wish to attend the play or will you all just head to the town and lay low for the day? Nate, you might have to go back to the Tower for duty this day unless you arranged for your shift to be covered considering it's sort of a pseudo festive day.
The next day, is the day that the chili will be delivered by Morana and Mama.
----
I would love to have Grumble go see the show, but I'm worried there will be someone there with some kind of Alignment detection ability. Us folks with Evil Auras have to stay low key.
So, as hilarious as it might be for grumble to go to the threatre, I think I'm going to have him stay behind.
As Soren can keep her aura hidden via her Infiltrator archetype abilities, she'll be at the play to keep up appearances for the group. I've been broadcasting as Lawful Good while we were in 'disguise'. Also, wouldn't your Balin identity have a LN alignment since it can be a step away from your own?
No. I thought that too, but it turns out that if you are a vigilante who multiclassed with Paladin or Antipaladin and go into a social identity that breaks the alignment code, you fall.
I think it's kinda b~$&**&~, but them's the rules.
Edit: It seems like abetter way of doing it would be that if you are in a social identity with a different alignment, you don't get to access any of the anti/paladin abilities. Or something like that.
That's... really stupid. Perhaps the GM would give you some leeway on that? I'm gonna throw something about that up in my house rule document because that just seems like another way to punish paladins for doing something interesting.
Hmm, it appears that I miss read that then. Ok so I would love to go to the show and Grumble should get to go. But the whole alignment thing is a probable threat so I guess I twiddle my thumbs?
No. I thought that too, but it turns out that if you are a vigilante who multiclassed with Paladin or Antipaladin and go into a social identity that breaks the alignment code, you fall.
I think it's kinda b&*&%!~+, but them's the rules.
Edit: It seems like abetter way of doing it would be that if you are in a social identity with a different alignment, you don't get to access any of the anti/paladin abilities. Or something like that.
I can't abide by stupid rules such as this, give me a fix for this Grumble perhaps your edit above and let's roll with that. Especially an anti paladin.
Just prepare undetectable alignment. It's on your spell list and lasts 24 hours.
True, but it seems silly you'd need to cast a spell when he took levels in a class that grants a similar ability by default. If other effects can mimic an alignment change, then why not this one? It seems pretty arbitrary to me.
Sounds good to me. Jack Balin is now Lawful Neutral and can't access antipaladin abilities.
Looks like I'm going to a show!
The alignment thing is going to be a problem for all of us now that we are 5th level. That's when non-aura'd folks start being detectable. So Nate's suggestion is probably the best solution.
Who can cast Undetectable Alignment? Just Soren?
Actually, not only I but you and Lothryin can cast it. It's a second level spell for all of us. So, you can't cast it quite yet but both Lothryin and I can pick it up at next level.
Also Shadow, I've got a question for you. Would I be able to get an evil version of the spell Litany of Righteousness? None of the other Litany spells are effectively alignment-locked, and it seems silly that I can't access what can be one of the best buffs in the game for damage-dealing. Also, if so, could Inquisitors have an aura? By the books we do not which seems silly as all other divine casters do, and it makes that spell borderline useless unless others in the party have an aura to exploit it with. We happen to have one with Grumble, but I'd appreciate being able to use my own spell.
As soon as we have a chance, I think we should all invest in Angelskin.
Armor Kilts and Silken Ceremonial Armor can both be worn with other armor or by themselves, and would add the angelskin effect to whatever they were worn with. Silken Ceremonial Armor is also Caster-friendly.
The only real difference between the two is that an Armored Kilt adds +1 to the AC of Light or Medium armor that it is worn with, and makes the armor count as one category heavier. Ceremonial Armor is just a fancy tabbard or cross-wrap that goes over regular gear.
I should not have forgotten about Angelskin, not sure how we would find that in game though. But it would be cool! There is a Ring of Mind Shielding. Gracious Shadow would it be possible to make a cheaper version that just uses the undetectable alignment spells.
Actually, not only I but you and Lothryin can cast it. It's a second level spell for all of us. So, you can't cast it quite yet but both Lothryin and I can pick it up at next level.
Also Shadow, I've got a question for you. Would I be able to get an evil version of the spell Litany of Righteousness? None of the other Litany spells are effectively alignment-locked, and it seems silly that I can't access what can be one of the best buffs in the game for damage-dealing. Also, if so, could Inquisitors have an aura? By the books we do not which seems silly as all other divine casters do, and it makes that spell borderline useless unless others in the party have an aura to exploit it with. We happen to have one with Grumble, but I'd appreciate being able to use my own spell.
Yes and Yes.
As soon as we have a chance, I think we should all invest in Angelskin.
Armor Kilts and Silken Ceremonial Armor can both be worn with other armor or by themselves, and would add the angelskin effect to whatever they were worn with. Silken Ceremonial Armor is also Caster-friendly.
The only real difference between the two is that an Armored Kilt adds +1 to the AC of Light or Medium armor that it is worn with, and makes the armor count as one category heavier. Ceremonial Armor is just a fancy tabbard or cross-wrap that goes over regular gear.
Not familiar I'd have to look at that.
I should not have forgotten about Angelskin, not sure how we would find that in game though. But it would be cool! There is a Ring of Mind Shielding. Gracious Shadow would it be possible to make a cheaper version that just uses the undetectable alignment spells.
Send me a write-up and I'll review it.
Actually, not only I but you and Lothryin can cast it. It's a second level spell for all of us. So, you can't cast it quite yet but both Lothryin and I can pick it up at next level.
Yeah, Antipaladins don't get 2nd level spells until 7th level. I can use my Social Identity, but the rest of you are going to have to figure out spell logistics.
When it comes to finding Angelskin, maybe we'll find some now! There's supposedly a good-aligned outsider guarding the gatehouse. If not, I'm sure there's a black market somewhere that we can take advantage of. Since we're putting Talingarde off the west coast of Avistan we're probably close enough to engage in some illegal trade with Cheliax to obtain it. I definitely believe they've got it for their incognito operatives in other countries. I would think Cardinal Thorn could muster some up if we paid the price for it. We'll have to see.
We might want to buy a wand of Undetectable Alignment at some point. Soren doesn't need it either as I can just choose an alignment to broadcast every day, but the rest of the party could use it and blowing spell slots every day doesn't sound like a fun proposition if we can help it. We've got... 4 people to cover daily? That quickly becomes expensive.
The DM for one appreciates the efforts made to eat up important spell slots when the time for combat comes!
;-)
Hopefully, this AP with the slight tweaks I have prepared continues to be just different enough to keep those of you who have played in it interested :-)
Updates to Gameplay either tonight or tomorrow night.
No worries on that on my front, as I've never touched it before. I'm familiar with a handful of the Paizo APs but nothing else, really. I obviously know Kingmaker and I've got a decent grasp of Skulls and Shackles as well as Jade Regent, and I had a Council of Thieves game running for a bit. I know maybe... the first bit of the first book of Iron Gods. Beyond that, I'm clueless. Even with Runelords I know very little; I know a little about the Skinsaw Murders part and I know there's an evil wizard for a final boss. Also, I think there's some unspeakable horror you can accidentally wake up that lives under a mountain?
Still, I'm having a blast with this!
I have only ever failed to get into this campagin in the past, so many failures. All I know is the little bit of info that is listed on the page to buy the modules, something I had considered doing. Sadly my group veto'd that one. Something about fear of the game getting nasty. We had a few bad eggs in the past.
And just so you know I am having a lot of fun with this game. Everyone is so much fun to read :)
I will try to work up something and send it to you. Assuming I can figure out what I want.
This is my favorite adventure path ever. I find that evil parties tend to be way more cohesive than regular parties, mostly because the players understand the danger and have in-depth conversations about the kind of social contract they want. What is acceptable and not acceptable is spelled out plainly, so there tends not to be a lot of inner-party conflict. It boggles my mind how many people play chaotic-stupid disruptive characters just because they know they can. In a game like this, a character like that would get an axe in the face and no one would think it was out of character or undeserved.
On top of that, this AP is masterfully put together. The scenarios are sandbox-y, but not to the point of option-paralysis.
I have played the first book of this AP about 10 times now. It is always fun, and always extremely different.
I'm really looking forward to the next section of the story. It makes me squee with nerd-joy.
Heh, wow 10 times that's wild Grumble.
The next part will have to wait till tomorrow as I am losing it over here and that is going to be a BIG post...
It should also be a bit different than what you have ever experienced before Grumble! Hopefully this version of different stands out among the best you have experienced. :-)
Then again, Grumble learning to read from Alice has to be one of the best character interactions I've ever seen in a PbP and I've seen a LOT (I run 23 currently play in 17 and have probably played in 40+ others that either went defunct or I just had to bow out of for one reason or another over the years) so for that alone it has to be top 3...
One major gripe I have with this AP is that when writing it nobody seemed to understand that when outsiders die on the material plane they're actually dead. The authors seem to think that any outsider on the material plane for any reason simply goes back to its home plane when it dies, which is only true for creatures summoned via one of the "summon" spells.
Honestly, this game has some of the best character interactions I've seen. Not to throw people in any of my games under the bus, but I just think this party has really good synergy with each other and we've got a great grasp of who we're all playing. I think it's great that we have such good rapport, honestly.
I was intending for that to be longer but want to pace myself as this will be an explosive night I/C!
It appears that Vaundour's PC will NOT be returning. Shall we Recruit a Replacement?
Do we need one? The party is pretty well rounded and our group dynamic is fantastic.
I'd be open to adding another player, I was just wanting to bring up whether or not it was necessary.
That said, I really enjoyed the personality type that Vaun added to the group. If we could find someone who wanted to take over the character (with whatever mechanical adjustments they wanted to make), that would be pretty cool.
I have an idea, but it is slightly outside normal mechanics (mass poisoning is too, so I'm crossing my fingers).
So, what if we added a few potions of Delay Poison to the stew?
Everyone who ate it would be immune to poison for a few hours, and then it would all hit them at once.
Our allies are priests of Lamashtu. I'm completely sure they have a stockpile of thier special holy water. We could brew the whole stew with nothing but Waters of Lamashtu. Three hours later, everyone starts getting violently ill or fleshwarping into deformed psychos.
One dose is 2 ounces. How many ounces are in a bowl or two of stew?
That idea sounds great.
In other news, I'm sure this talk with Lord Havelyn will be perfectly fine. If anyone wants to tag along unseen I could cast Invisibility to let you come with us, although he could potentially sense your aura.
That idea sounds great.
In other news, I'm sure this talk with Lord Havelyn will be perfectly fine. If anyone wants to tag along unseen I could cast Invisibility to let you come with us, although he could potentially sense your aura.
It'd be tough to cast invisibility with thus guard escorting you...
We can keep it to 6 if you prefer.
Would be tough to have someone come in and emulate Vaun's personality I think.