Thirst - A Ravenloft PbP

Game Master Celestial Healer

Celestial Healer wrote:

Those ghouls were too easy. I'm still feeling out what this party can do. I think I did fail to take into account the fact that you levelled and you have an extra fighter.

Yes, but being undead, you gained a fighter and lost a sorcerer. Currently, there's nothing Erfan can do to undead aside from poking them with a stick and using his laughing touch ability... which would require getting into melee.

It might behoove Erfan to pick up a few tricks that work on undead. After all, this is Ravenloft :)

Fatespinner wrote:

Celestial Healer wrote:

Those ghouls were too easy. I'm still feeling out what this party can do. I think I did fail to take into account the fact that you levelled and you have an extra fighter.

Yes, but being undead, you gained a fighter and lost a sorcerer. Currently, there's nothing Erfan can do to undead aside from poking them with a stick and using his laughing touch ability... which would require getting into melee.

It might behoove Erfan to pick up a few tricks that work on undead. After all, this is Ravenloft :)

Oh I was planning on it. My options are just rather limited at this level.

Does feint work against undead? He's got a good bluff and a long stick.
And the view is better for Belanos if Erfan is behind him, using that long spear. Heh, heh. Behind

Does feint work against undead? He's got a good bluff and a long stick.

And the view is better for Belanos if Erfan is behind him, using that long spear. Heh, heh. Behind

Sure, but in the long run, a SORCERER relying on MELEE WEAPONS is not going to be a practical solution. :)

Absolutely. But it may work until 3rd level when you get a new spell and a bloodline spell. And a feat.
Though I did have a really good time with an Enlightened Fist (?) in Ebberon. A prestige class for arcane caster / monk.

Here is my first pass at the treasure division. Please take this with a grain of salt – it is a suggestion only, based on what people have voiced so far and who I think might best use what. If anyone thinks otherwise or wants something else, it’s very much open for discussion! If anyone has other ideas on how to divide treasure (for eg, based on equal monetary value of items to each person rather than a usefulness basis) we should discuss that too.

Two masterwork alchemical silver daggers (one or both to Angalia?)
18 alchemical silver arrows (Eliva? May be worth giving a couple to others who use bow, eg Nate and maybe Belanos?
Masterwork crossbow (Tiff? Or perhaps Res?)
Masterwork longbow (If Eliva wants this bow, perhaps she can pass ‘Kani’s bow onto Nate, and if Belanos wants a ranged weapon he can use Nate’s longbow?)
Masterwork rapier (Angalia would probably get the most benefit from this, if she wants to use it.)
+1 longsword (Belanos)
Two suits of +1 leather armor (one to Angalia? The other might not be terribly useful to anyone else right now)
+1 studded leather (Eliva?)
+1 chain shirt (Nathaniel?)
Cloak of resistance +1 (Good for anyone, but should probably go to one of the sorcerers – maybe the one who doesn’t get the bracers of armour)
Two bags of holding (type 1) (One for Belanos. Other?)
Wand of cure light wounds (12 charges) (Eliva as per Res’ suggestion)
Wand of magic missile (8 charges) (one of the sorcerers)
2 potions of Cure Light Wounds (Angalia and Nathaniel?)
Scroll of lesser restoration (Res)
Scroll of remove fear Res)
Scroll of hold portal (one of the sorcerers)
Bracers of armor +1 (one of the sorcerers)

A pouch containing 40 gold pieces
200 more gold coins
A citrine worth 50 gp
A chunk of lapis lazuli worth 10 gp
A gold necklace set with small rose quartz stones, worth 300 gp
The box itself is worth 75 gp

With the monetary treasure, gems and jewellery, we may want to divide it equally, assign more to people who got less items, or some combination.

Edited.

division of loot

I like your suggested division. My preference is loot goes to who can use it the best first, loot that has flavor value second (for example, Res really, really wants spiky armor - Its a Gorum thing), and then equal shares of the rest. I think over time, the allotment of loot will even out over time.

I'm more than happy to pass Kani's bow over to someone else in the party. And the arrows should be split up among those who have bows, just so we can all hit something with silver DR if we run into trouble.

Of all the requests for armor, Eliva probably needs it the least of those who can use it, because she's ranged. If Angalia would like the +1 studded leather, she should have it over Eliva because it has no armor check penalty due to being masterwork, and she needs to be in melee combat more than Eliva. If Angalia will use it, then we can sell all the leather - eliva would rather enchant her current armor that get the magical leather.

Eliva can carry the bag if weight is an issue.

This all sounds very sensible.

As far as the gems and monetary stuff is concerned, we could just keep a group loot list and use it to buy in things for anyone who feels underpowered.

Like Tordek, I'm in favour of those who can use it best first with flavour picks a good second. I'm not particularly acquisitive and nor is Angalia. The studded leather sounds like a very good idea though. Hadn't thought about a rapier for her, but that also makes sense. Rapier and dagger works well.

This all sounds very sensible.

As far as the gems and monetary stuff is concerned, we could just keep a group loot list and use it to buy in things for anyone who feels underpowered.

Like Tordek, I'm in favour of those who can use it best first with flavour picks a good second. I'm not particularly acquisitive and nor is Angalia. The studded leather sounds like a very good idea though. Hadn't thought about a rapier for her, but that also makes sense. Rapier and dagger works well.

Just remember with the daggers/rapier, they get +1 to hit for being masterwork, but -1 to damage because they are silver. You might consider just saving them for when they are needed, rather than using them as your primary weapons.

Silver for party wear then.

Silver for party wear then.

Party wear = lycanthropes...

They wear the fur, we bring the jewellery. Seems fair.

Dahling, that sounds Fabulous!

So when we go up against lycanthropes, someone has to use the line 'Who wants to dance?'

Hey, I'm looking for thoughts on Belanos' 2nd level fighter feat. Weapon focus gives a sort of duelist feel to him. Furious Focus makes him more of a get'em type.
What do ya'll think?

He sounds and feel more like a duelist to me - given that he's a King's man rather than an out and out brawler.

While I do like Furious Focus (if for no other reason that it eventually lets you qualify for a feat called Dreadful Carnage, which just sounds awesome), you only get the benefit if you wield your weapon with two hands, in which case you won’t get the benefit of your buckler.

True.
Weapon Focus it is.

Alright, revised list:

Two masterwork alchemical silver daggers (Angalia)
18 alchemical silver arrows (Eliva takes 8. Nate and Belanos take 5 each.)
Masterwork crossbow (Res)
Masterwork longbow (Eliva, she can pass ‘Kani’s bow onto Nate, and if Belanos wants a ranged weapon he can use Nate’s longbow)
Masterwork rapier (Angalia)
+1 longsword (Belanos)
Two suits of +1 leather armor (these go in one of the bags as group treasure)
+1 studded leather (Angalia)
+1 chain shirt (Nathaniel)
Cloak of resistance +1 (Tiff)
Two bags of holding (type 1) (Belanos and Eliva)
Wand of cure light wounds (12 charges) (Eliva)
Wand of magic missile (8 charges) (Erfan)
2 potions of Cure Light Wounds (Angalia and Nathaniel)
Scroll of lesser restoration (Res)
Scroll of remove fear Res)
Scroll of hold portal (Tiff)
Bracers of armor +1 (Tiff)

A pouch containing 40 gold pieces
200 more gold coins
A citrine worth 50 gp
A chunk of lapis lazuli worth 10 gp
A gold necklace set with small rose quartz stones, worth 300 gp
The box itself is worth 75 gp
(all group treasure, goes into one of the bags of holding.

Is everyone ok with the above? I know Erfan said all he wants is the wand, but he comes out the most poorly out of this, should he take the cloak too? He can use it to hide his nakedness maybe ;-)

Who wants to note down the group treasure on their sheet? I am happy to do it, though it might make sense for someone who is actually carrying it (presumably in one of the bags of holding) to do so.

Sorry to keep harping on about treasure, but I have found in other games that if you don't clearly work out who is taking what, stuff gets forgotten.

(Edited a few times)

Who wants to note down the group treasure on their sheet? I am happy to do it, though it might make sense for someone who is actually carrying it (presumably in one of the bags of holding) to do so.

Looks good to me. Eliva can keep the bag of holding contents on her sheet, too. I'll do that later today.

Erfan has a reach weapon, ranged spells, and the ability to become invisible pretty much whenever it suits him. I'm not too concerned about getting defensive items on him just yet. :)

I'll just take the wand and bank the rest of my "karma" in order to dibs the next sweet item we come across!

I'll put the armor in my bag- the shineys can go in the other bag. Ya'll just met me and I'd rather not have your impression of me be that I'm grabbing all the cash.

That haunt wasn't necessarily "by the book", but it's an interesting system. I'll have to see what else I can do with it.

I enjoyed it.

But could we do the next one with Fort saves?

I enjoyed it.

But could we do the next one with Fort saves?

If you're a fan of Fort saves, there are plenty of things I could have bite you ;)

No need to rush into anything.

Just give one night to enjoy my new blankets.

Ref saves is what I'm after :)

The haunt was nicely done - I love this group's very homely and practical reactions.

Yes - more haunts. I loved running the haunts in Rise of the Runelords and that I am looking forward to someday playing Carrion Crown for the same reason.

I really enjoyed this episode with the child's ghost.

Yes - more haunts. I loved running the haunts in Rise of the Runelords and that I am looking forward to someday playing Carrion Crown for the same reason.

I really enjoyed this episode with the child's ghost.

Haunts are neat. You can introduce them anywhere, really. I've made some modifications suggested on these forums to some parts of kingmaker. :)

Tordek Rumnaheim wrote:

Yes - more haunts. I loved running the haunts in Rise of the Runelords and that I am looking forward to someday playing Carrion Crown for the same reason.

I really enjoyed this episode with the child's ghost.

Haunts are neat. You can introduce them anywhere, really. I've made some modifications suggested on these forums to some parts of kingmaker. :)

** spoiler omitted **

I think haunts are a great mechanic, very flavourful.

Such a charming little village...

Angalia wouldn't have been at all surprised to find a half built whicker man in a shed.

Jess Door wrote:

Tordek Rumnaheim wrote:

Yes - more haunts. I loved running the haunts in Rise of the Runelords and that I am looking forward to someday playing Carrion Crown for the same reason.

I really enjoyed this episode with the child's ghost.

Haunts are neat. You can introduce them anywhere, really. I've made some modifications suggested on these forums to some parts of kingmaker. :)

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

Since I am a big believer in the collaborative aspects of the game, I wanted to gauge your feelings a bit more on style and pacing.

I've been trying not to move most things too quickly, because I want to make sure everyone has a chance to chime in, ask questions to NPCs if they have any, etc. At the same time, I've been moving things along here and there so we don't get too stuck in various mundane exchanges. How do you feel about the pacing? Too fast? Too slow?

We've also been in a relatively long stretch of NPC interaction and exploration, without any combat. Do people like combat more regularly? Do you like the interaction focus?

I'm hoping to get a sense of the style you all prefer, and a bit of feedback. Any other suggestions or ideas are welcome. Thanks!

For me, it's a good balance. I'm enjoying the opportunity to find out a bit more about what Angalia and the rest of the group between rounds of combat. I think you're handling the pace well and I've never felt rushed. Can I also say I love the way you're building the atmosphere and strangeness of the demi-plane. It's extremely evocative and very eerie.

Since I am a big believer in the collaborative aspects of the game, I wanted to gauge your feelings a bit more on style and pacing.

I've never been awfully fond of the first three levels of D&D (I generally start my own games AT level 3) but so far things are definitely interesting. I have noticed that the pacing is a little slower than I am accustomed to, but again, that's a personal preference and not everyone has the same habits.

So far so good! Erfan is currently a little leery about getting into combat at the moment. He's still very vulnerable and has little to defend himself with! He's content to follow along and play innocent, even if people are giving him some awfully mean looks. :D

I think you have the balance right. Since there was nothing more to be gained in the village, I'm glad we moved along to the windmill.

A few other thoughts...
Jess - Erastil's beliefs are really flowing through Eliva. I love how she was lamenting the lack of community while we were in the village.

Spoilers - I do like the use of spoilers for information that only one character knows about. I'm clueless about what transpired between Tiff and the old witch except for the fact that it made her boiling mad. Which is exactly as it should be. On the other hand, I appreciate the way Rev Rosey granted permission to read the spoiler for Angalia when it was appropriate for our characters to know that information.

Jess's inquisitor has inspired me to role play Gorum's teachings into Res a little more. Although, given the bloody nature of Gorum's beliefs that its a bit of a challenge given Res's good alignment. At this point, I'm not sure how Res will reconcile his beliefs with his actions. I guess it will be dictated by the events of the story. One thing that will help, is if anyone knows of any additional sources of information about Gorum beyond what is in Gods and Magic and the Campaign Setting.

Overall, great game! I am really enjoying it.

I’m happy with the pacing. There are probably times I would like things to move along a little more quickly (on days when I have a lot of time to post) and there are other times when I struggle to find time to catch up (days when I am busier) – on average its probably about right. Also happy with the balance between combat and NPC interaction at this point – I like both in a game.

A few other thoughts...

Jess - Erastil's beliefs are really flowing through Eliva. I love how she was lamenting the lack of community while we were in the village.

Seconded, I think you portray this well Jess.

Jess's inquisitor has inspired me to role play Gorum's teachings into Res a little more. Although, given the bloody nature of Gorum's beliefs that its a bit of a challenge given Res's good alignment. At this point, I'm not sure how Res will reconcile his beliefs with his actions.

Actually I thought you played it well in your recent post where Res mused that a land ruled by evil would mean lots of fighting to bring the evil down (or something to that effect) which would please Gorum.

One thing that will help, is if anyone knows of any additional sources of information about Gorum beyond what is in Gods and Magic and the Campaign Setting.

Has there been a Gorum article in one of the Adventure Path volumes to date? I can't recall one ...

For a good aligned priest of Gorum, I guess I would focus on a 'there is glory to be found in battle' type aspect. Or 'I must spill blood so that others can live in freedom' - things like that.

Pacing and game comfortable so far.
I'm good.

Actually I thought you played it well in your recent post where Res mused that a land ruled by evil would mean lots of fighting to bring the evil down (or something to that effect) which would please Gorum.

Thanks - that was my first real attempt to start exploring Res's thoughts about his god.

Tordek Rumnaheim wrote:

One thing that will help, is if anyone knows of any additional sources of information about Gorum beyond what is in Gods and Magic and the Campaign Setting.

Has there been a Gorum article in one of the Adventure Path volumes to date? I can't recall one ...

I did a search, and didn't find one. :(

For a good aligned priest of Gorum, I guess I would focus on a 'there is glory to be found in battle' type aspect. Or 'I must spill blood so that others can live in freedom' - things like that.

I was thinking along similar lines. Thanks for the help.

Wow! Thanks for the compliments, guys! One thing I really like about play by post is my ability to think more about my character and craft their internal lives a bit more openly than I have the ability to do in a live game - I don't always think that well on my feet! :D

I think the pacing is about right. We're still feeling out our characters, so some time for us to talk among ourselves and roleplay the strange situation we all find ourselves in as relative strangers is especially important now.

I usually pick abilities, race, class and powers for mechanical reasons, but a big part of the fun is making those choices fit into a sound and believable character. :)

Thank you James Jacobs - I just found an article on Gorum in AP #35. It appears that the pathfinder wikipedia has become out of date.

Now that you mention it I can picture the artwork in the article – it’s in one of the Kingmaker books right? Sorry about not remembering that ...

Now that you mention it I can picture the artwork in the article – it’s in one of the Kingmaker books right? Sorry about not remembering that ...

Yep - Kingmaker 5: War of the River Kings - just finished reading it.

So, I want to get you out of this Vistani camp and into something more dangerous and dynamic. Can some of your details be ironed out here?

Hey all, sorry if I’ve been a bit flakey or absent lately, had a very busy week last week, a very busy weekend, and now I am dealing with some stuff that is not putting me in a great head-space for gaming right now.

I’ll try to get back into it as soon as I can (very shortly if possible).

I’m sorry things are dragging CH, just want to let you know that I really enjoy this game, and if my posting has slowed down it is not because I’m not into the game, just life throwing stuff at me; I suspect some of the others have similar reasons for this current lull.

It seems like daggers, clubs, slings and other easily hidden or easily disguised weapons will be the order of the day in Falkovnia. I’m guessing that armour is a no-no too.

I suggest that everyone’s weapons and armour that are not easily concealable be hidden within one of the bags of holding (and all the treasure removed to the other); if needs be that bag can be turned inside out quickly to dump everyone’s gear on the ground for people to grab. We’ll have to be careful to sheath any sharp weapons before they go in, but we should be right apart from that.

If someone has a good Sleight of Hand skill check they could help everyone conceal weapons they want to carry with them (remember that daggers get a +2 bonus to be hidden in this way).