Thirst - A Ravenloft PbP

Game Master Celestial Healer

Thanks for rolling initiative for Anuqa, Max! I just remembered. :/

Volidrain will drop his scimitar, draw his longbow and release an arrow at the Attic Whisperer
Attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11
Damage: 1d8 + 2d6 + 10 ⇒ (2) + (3, 1) + 10 = 16

Volidrian’s arrow passes wide of the attic whisperer.

Dr. Tovanarish and Tybalt are up.

I cast Spiritual weapon in the attic whisperer. Do I get another action?

I missed that, sorry. Looks like the first round attack roll missed.

Tybalt is up

"Little one, are you alright? Cointreau to popular belief; I-cure, you of the rum times - we don't want you wine-ing." He says softly to the little spirit.

Inspire Courage +2 to hit & damage

Knowledge(religion): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (18) + 10 = 28

Sorry for the silence. Thanks for rolling my initiative.

The foul childlike undead approaches the party with a series of unnatural, disjointed movements. Her sobbing intensifies and unnerves those nearby. Suddenly, she turns her hollow eyes to Dr. Tovanarish at lets out a piercing scream in his direction.

Dr. Tovanarish must make a DC 17 Fortitude save. On a failed save, he will take 3d6 ⇒ (5, 6, 1) = 12 Sonic damage and is dazed for 1 round. A successful save results in half damage and no daze effect.

The attic whisperer has a 10-foot aura, shown on the map. Within the aura, characters take a -1 on attack rolls, damage rolls, and Will saving throws. Additionally, all bardic performance effects are suppressed within the aura. Leandro and Volidrian are in the aura currently.

MAP

Current effects: Inspire Courage +2 to hit and damage (suppressed in aura).

Anuqa
Thing in the Dark
Res
Leandro
Dr. Tovanarish (needs a Fortitude save)
Volidrian
Tybalt
Attic Whisperer

Fort: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18

The doctor winces as the sonic sound washes over him.

"I hope we can finally put this thing to rest," Anuqa mutters just before casting [i]magic missile[i] at the attic whisperer.

pew pew pew pew: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (2, 2, 1, 2) + 4 = 11

Anuqa's magic missile strikes the undead waif.

The roiling black figure flies out of the darkness and launches itself at Leandro. One of its spectral hands reaches out to touch the paladin.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
On hit: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Wisdom damage

All are now within the aura of the black figure's babbling, and must make a DC 17 Will save or be Fascinated. Because it attacked Leandro, Leandro does not need to make that save - Fascination would be broken by that attack anyway.

Current effects: Inspire Courage +2 to hit and damage (suppressed in aura).

MAP

Res (Will save)
Leandro (Aura of sobs)
Dr. Tovanarish (Will save)
Volidrian (Will save and aura of sobs)
Tybalt (Will save)
Attic Whisperer
Anuqa
Allip

Do I know what these are?

Know(religion)ap: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24
Know(religion)aw: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8

Will: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (19) + 7 = 26

The babbling irritates the lean doctor, he begins intoning a prayer in a stentorian voice

“Mother of Souls,
Aid thy servant,
In his hour of need,
Help him have the faith,
To send these lost souls
To their proper destination!”

Just flavor text. Swift action sunstrike, 1d6 extra damage if creature is harmed by sunlight. Aiming for the shadow babbler

Ranged: +1 Undead Bane Repeating Crossbow: 1d10, 5 shots, 120 ft, 19-20 crit X2
Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 241d10 + 5 ⇒ (8) + 5 = 13Add +1 if within 30' Undead bane: 1d6 ⇒ 2
Sunstrike: 1d6 ⇒ 6

Rapid shot Ranged: +1 Undead Bane Repeating Crossbow: 1d10, 5 shots, 120 ft, 19-20 crit X2
Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 151d10 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9Add +1 if within 30' Undead bane: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Sunstrike: 1d6 ⇒ 4

The spectral mace continues its attack on the small skull-headed creature

spiritual weapon: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (10) + 3 = 131d8 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

Leandro: A Knowledge (Religion) check will tell a great deal. One check is sufficient, so you can read both spoilers. Copying from before with a few updates (although at the time the allip was in darkness so could not be seen by everyone):

Dr. Tovanarish's first bolt strikes the roiling black mass, although the damage seems somewhat diminished as the bolt passes through the incorporeal being. The second bold passes wide of the mark. You are dealing half damage, since you are attacking with a magic weapon. Undead bane applies, but sunstrike seems to have no additional effect. Also, I will add the +2/+2 for inspire courage.

Also, your attack bonus for spiritual weapon appears to be calculated incorrectly. It should normally be +7 (+4 BAB and +3 Wis bonus). And you get an additional +2 for the bardic performance. A 19 hits the attic whisperer.

The spiritual weapon strikes the undead child again as its aura of whispers and sobs intensifies.

Current effects: Inspire Courage +2 to hit and damage (suppressed in aura).

Res (Will save)
Leandro (Aura of sobs)
Dr. Tovanarish (posted)
Volidrian (Will save and aura of sobs)
Tybalt (Will save)
Attic Whisperer
Anuqa (Will save)
Allip

Will Save: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
Volidrian will continue attacking the Attic Whisperer with his longbow, using rapid shot this time.
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (13) + 7 = 20
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Attack: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13
Attack: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
Damage: 1d8 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

Can Leandro take a 5' step to J41, labeled 'closet.'

Let's just get that Will save out of the way now

Will Anuqa resist: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

"If I concentrate on it more, I think I can make out what it's saying," Anuqa mumbles as drool forms on the left side of his mouth.

Leandro - no that is a wall next to you. The only exit is the small doorway by Anuqa.

Anuqa is fascinated for 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 rounds.

Volidrian's arrows find their mark and strike down the attic whisperer, which crumples to a pile of rags, bones, and dust. Your first two attacks hit. It took both arrows to bring it down.

The aura of sobs no longer applies since the attic whisperer has been destroyed.

Note: it is a standard action to wake another character from fascination.

Current effects: Inspire Courage +2 to hit and damage.

MAP

Res (Will save)
Leandro
Dr. Tovanarish (posted)
Volidrian (posted)
Tybalt (Will save)
Anuqa (Fascinated)
Allip

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (5) + 6 = 11
If able Move to F40
Perception check: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (4) + 16 = 20 -20 for invisible undead

Tybalt tries to step around the room and draws his rapier, as the light plays from the mouldering dirty window across the littered attic, he tries to look for any signs or symbols of the cause of this undead.

Leandro drops his longsword and attempts to slip past the creature to a place where he can bring his glaive to bear.

Drop sword, move to H38, drawing Thorn.

Once he is in position, he attempts to smite the horrid thing.

Thorn SMITE (magical) + inspire courage: 1d20 + 8 + 4 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 8 + 4 + 2 = 16
damage if hits (reg,smite,courage): 1d10 + 10 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 10 + 6 + 2 = 27

Tybalt is fascinated for 2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 rounds. While fascinated, you cannot move.

I believe Tybalt’s inability act would prevent him from maintaining his bardic performance. Let me know if there is anything that ought to extend it.

Leandro’s movement triggers an attack of opportunity. A bony hand reaches out from roiling black mass and swipes at Leandro as he passes.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (10) + 6 = 16
On hit: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Wisdom damage
By my count, you are down to 3 Wis, correct?

Leandro’s swing fails to connect with the allip.

Res is up and must still make a Will save.

Yes, WIS counts at -3 per damage rules. Ugh. I actually had 1 more on the attack from Wep Focus if that would have mattered. I'm basically at the 'yes, I'd love to buy the extended warranty' level of judgment.

+1 would still not have gotten there. At least it’s just Wis damage - getting to 0 results in unconsciousness, not death.

Tybalt has lingering performance, which lasts 2 rounds after he stops performing

The soft echo's of laughter at Tybalts jokes, eerily echo around the attic, bolstering his comrades.

Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17
knowledge(religion): 1d2 + 10 ⇒ (1) + 10 = 11

Res focuses all of his attention on the black figure, desperately trying to figure out what it is but to no avail. "What is it? What is it? By Gorum I should be able to recognize this monster," he mumbles to himself. He continues to stare as the creature's identity eludes him.

Suddenly realizing the threat they face, he casts communal protection from evil for everyone.

WIS: 1d20 - 3 ⇒ (8) - 3 = 5

Leandro wonders why Res is muttering about this thing. Doesn't everyone know an allip when they see one? And what does it matter? Just kill it.

Tybalt's performance will continue for two rounds then. Good call!

Res casts his ward over everyone. Protection from Evil will grant a +2 deflection bonus to AC and +2 resistance bonus on saves. When applying this, make sure you are not stacking with any existing bonuses of these types.

Also, in this case, the fascinate ability is marked as a compulsion effect. Everyone currently fascinated should make a new saving throw with a +2 bonus due to the protection from evil spell. (Note - this is not a charm or fear effect, so there is no additional bonus from inspire courage.)

The writhing black mass reaches out at Leandro again. Closing the reach with a 5' step.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (6) + 6 = 12
On hit: 1d4 ⇒ 4 Wisdom damage

Current effects: Inspire Courage +2 to hit and damage. Protection from Evil +2 deflection bonus to AC and +2 resistance bonus on saves.

Res
Leandro (Unconscious, I believe)
Dr. Tovanarish (You may redirect your spiritual weapon as a move action)
Volidrian
Tybalt (Make a new DC 18 Will save with +2. On a failure, you are still fascinated)
Anuqa (Make a new DC 18 Will save with +2. On a failure, you are still fascinated)
Allip

MAP

As the shadowy figure swipes its hand through Leandro's armor, the glaive falls from the paladin's hand, and he drops to the floor with a clatter.

Volidrian will take a moment to study the new enemy before loosing an arrow at it.
Attack: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (9) + 14 = 23
Damage: 1d8 + 12 ⇒ (2) + 12 = 14

Volidrian’s arrow strikes the creature, although the damage seems somewhat mitigated by the allip’s incorporeal nature.

Current effects: Inspire Courage +2 to hit and damage. Protection from Evil +2 deflection bonus to AC and +2 resistance bonus on saves.

Res
Leandro (Unconscious, I believe)
Dr. Tovanarish (You may redirect your spiritual weapon as a move action)
Volidrian
Tybalt (Make a new DC 18 Will save with +2. On a failure, you are still fascinated)
Anuqa (Make a new DC 18 Will save with +2. On a failure, you are still fascinated)
Allip

May I assume someone has told us this is an Allip and that it is undead?

Enough people have made the check that I am assuming it is common knowledge. Also, you could easily intuit that this is an incorporeal undead.

Will save vs channel: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (4) + 10 = 14

Appears to be DC 19, based on your stat block.

The dark mass writhes in the holy light.

Current effects: Inspire Courage +2 to hit and damage. Protection from Evil +2 deflection bonus to AC and +2 resistance bonus on saves.

Dr. Tovanarish (You may redirect your spiritual weapon as a move action)
Volidrian (posted)
Tybalt (Make a new DC 18 Will save with +2. On a failure, you are still fascinated)
Anuqa (Make a new DC 18 Will save with +2. On a failure, you are still fascinated)
Allip
Res
Leandro (unconscious)

New and Improved Will Save: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (5) + 8 = 13

"Derrrrrrp."

Will Save: 1d20 + 6 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 6 + 2 = 11

Tybalt watches the lights play against the walls remembering the cold nights in the castle and how the moon light danced across the wall.

Spiritual weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

The spectral mace continues its attack on the small undead

[i]

Spiritual weapon: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 171d6 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The spectral mace continues its attack on the small undead

The thin inquisitor aims at the black cloud again

Ranged: +1 Undead Bane Repeating Crossbow: 1d10, 5 shots, 120 ft, 19-20 crit X2
Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (14) + 7 = 211d10 + 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + (2) + 5 = 12Add +1 if within 30'
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (9) + 7 = 161d10 + 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (6) + (3) + 5 = 14Add +1 if within 30'

Redirecting the spiritual weapon is a move action, so you can only shoot once. I will use your first roll. I also think you’re missing the +2 from inspire courage, which is going to help you here.

The spiritual weapon and crossbow bold both strike the allip. The crossbow bolt’s damage is diminished by the incorporeal nature of the creature.

The roiling black mass approaches the rest of the party and reaches out at Volidrian.

Touch attack: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
On hit: 1d4 ⇒ 1 Wisdom damage

MAP

1 more round of inspire courage: +2 to attack and damage.

Res
Leandro (Unconscious)
Dr. Tovanarish
Volidrian
Tybalt (fascinated)
Anuqa (fascinated)
Allip

Spiritual weapon: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 161d6 + 1 ⇒ (1) + 1 = 2

Dr Tovanarish sights grimly and prays

“Guide my bolts, Lady of Souls!”

Ranged: +1 Undead Bane Repeating Crossbow: 1d10, 5 shots, 120 ft, 19-20 crit X2
Attack 1: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 7 + 2 = 131d10 + 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (1) + (3) + 5 = 9Add +1 if within 30'
Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 7 + 2 = 281d10 + 1d6 + 5 ⇒ (5) + (3) + 5 = 13Add +1 if within 30'

Crit confirm

Attack 2: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 161d10 ⇒ 1Add +1 if within 30'

Res lets out a small smile as the Gorum's energy flows from his holy symbol into the undead creature and it inflicts its damage. "Gorum, this creature cowers before your might, lets finish it off with your powerful energy!" Res, chants again and another burst of positive energy spreads out through the room. Channel Positive Energy for damage (DC 17): 3d6 ⇒ (6, 3, 5) = 14 3/6 channels

The Allip's touch almost reaches Volidrian but is deflected at the last moment by protective magic.
Without a melee weapon capable of harming this foe Volidrian focuses on dodging the creatures attacks.
ie taking the total defence action.

Dr. Tovanarish's crossbow attack creates an opening for the allip to swipe at him.

Attack of Opportunity (Touch): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
On hit: 1d4 ⇒ 3 Wisdom damage

The spiritual weapon fails to strike the dark mass, but one of Dr. Tovanarish's crossbow bolts strikes it.

Dr. Tovanarish - by my count, you have fired 5 crossbow bolts and must use a full round action to reload it if you wish to fire any more.

Will save vs channel: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (11) + 10 = 21

Res's holy might damages the allip, but its resistances to such magic are strong.

Volidrian before I take the allip's turn, I'll give you an opportunity to reconsider full defense. Even if you cannot attack the allip, you may use a standard action to wake either Tybalt or Anuqa from their fascination. Otherwise, they are both fascinated for another 4 rounds. (You all could really use a few of Anuqa's magic missiles right now... just sayin'.) Since you are ahead of them in initiative, I would allow them to act if awoken.

Gooooood point

Volidrian will reach behind him and shake the Sorcerer.

That works. Anuqa is up, and can take his turn before the allip.

"Thank you for snapping me out of it, Volidrian! Now for this babbling thing..."

Magic Missiles!!!!: 4d4 + 4 ⇒ (4, 2, 1, 1) + 4 = 12

The barrage of magic missiles strikes the allip and the roiling black mass dissipates harmlessly.

Out of combat. Tybalt is no longer fascinated, but Leandro is still very much unconscious.

With the destruction of the undead menace, the darkness blanketing half the attic gives way and your lights illuminate the entire space. The light reveals a small child-sized coffin in the northwest corner of the room.

"Oh, that reminds me of the castle....." Tybalts says in a dreamy tone as he looks at the light coming through the attic.

He blinks and his eyes open in fear as he sees the comatose Paladin on the floor; "What happened??? Leandro...." His voice goes up in pitch in a frightened way, before he shakily has to control it so he can try to heal the fallen comrade.

Cure Light Wounds on Leandro: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (17) + 16 = 33

"Guys, he's not waking up? Can anyone help?"

Still rattled by the mind whammy, Anuqa starts the incantation for magic missile again. He stops when Tybalt's meaning registers.

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (15) + 9 = 24

"Oh, look at that," he says pointing to the wooden box.

Perception: 1d20 + 12 - 3 ⇒ (14) + 12 - 3 = 23

Dr Tovanarish groans and holds his head

“That evil thing. Its touch!”

He runs over to Leandro, taking out a series of instruments from a belt pouch

Heal: 1d20 + 12 - 3 ⇒ (11) + 12 - 3 = 20

Dr. Tovanarish can tell that the allip has drained Leandro of his very sanity to the point of catatonia. He will recover given enough time, but magic spells of the restoration variety would speed things up greatly.

Quick audit - I think the one touch attack attempt on Volidrian missed (the allip rolled a 14, and protection from evil was already up, so I think Volidrian’s touch AC was up to 16 at the time). But it looks like it’s last AoO on Dr. Tovanarish did 3 points of Wis damage (normal touch AC 13 was boosted to 15, which is what the allip rolled). Let me know if I am missing something there.

“Dr Tovanarish shakes off the blurry feeling in his brain[/i]

“Does anyone have the divine power of restoration? There’s not much I can do for Leandro, but he will recover in time, it will just take a long time unless we have access divine assistance “

Well, I'm here. I just wish, by my ancestors I knew where here was

So is this ok?

EDIT: And it would figure she shows nekkid for ToP. :P

I like what I see so far.

Moorluck, I was including you in the count.

A few thoughts: 2 arcane casters are useful for a larger party, but you two seem to have quite a bit of overlap - both very enchanterish. You might want to look at some subtle variations to cover more bases. (What will you do about those mindless undead, for one thing?) Someone with some evocation or conjuration tricks up their sleeve could be a life-saver.

Niel - do you have an email so I can discuss some ideas offline?

Mothman - sending you an idea via email.

I like what I see so far.

Moorluck, I was including you in the count.

A few thoughts: 2 arcane casters are useful for a larger party, but you two seem to have quite a bit of overlap - both very enchanterish. You might want to look at some subtle variations to cover more bases. (What will you do about those mindless undead, for one thing?) Someone with some evocation or conjuration tricks up their sleeve could be a life-saver.

Niel - do you have an email so I can discuss some ideas offline?

Mothman - sending you an idea via email.

But she no has enchantment, she plays with FIREFIREFIREFIRE. I know the dreamspun lends itself towards enchantment/divination, and I will probably pick some of the later while pretty much ignoring the former.

Ok then! Fire is handy.

Ok then! Fire is handy.

She's basically a redo of my current PC Tiffa from our RoTL game, so I have in mind where I want to go with her, as we're 7th level now. Kind of playtesting her beforehand if you will. lol.

Mothman - sending you an idea via email.

Got it, sounds like a plan.

Getting there, slowly. Should have something to put up by UK morning tomorrow. If anyone is around at that point and willing to nitpick my numbers, I'd be very grateful.

Not really a rogue at all, just a pragmatic tinkerer who doesn't really believe in the supernatural. "Don't be daft. They're doing it with mirrors."

C. H. The email I keep up with is through work. You can reach me at:

Hmph. The mapping software I've been trying to get isn't available. How annoying.

Our first few battles might wind up featuring hand-drawn maps. They're just an aid for movement abilities anyway...

Hmph. The mapping software I've been trying to get isn't available. How annoying.

Our first few battles might wind up featuring hand-drawn maps. They're just an aid for movement abilities anyway...

I find that setting up a Google Doc spreadsheet works quite well. It's already a grid with numbers/letters assigned like an Excel sheet!

Celestial Healer wrote:

Hmph. The mapping software I've been trying to get isn't available. How annoying.

Our first few battles might wind up featuring hand-drawn maps. They're just an aid for movement abilities anyway...

I find that setting up a Google Doc spreadsheet works quite well. It's already a grid with numbers/letters assigned like an Excel sheet!

Wow. It's not pretty, but it will get the job done. Great tip, thanks!

Also, when it comes to traits, feel free to take the geographic ones. The world may not be Golarion, per se, but if you want to say you came from an analogous culture or background, go ahead and take one. I'm not that worried about it.

Fatespinner wrote:

Celestial Healer wrote:

Hmph. The mapping software I've been trying to get isn't available. How annoying.

Our first few battles might wind up featuring hand-drawn maps. They're just an aid for movement abilities anyway...

I find that setting up a Google Doc spreadsheet works quite well. It's already a grid with numbers/letters assigned like an Excel sheet!

Wow. It's not pretty, but it will get the job done. Great tip, thanks!

Yeah, it seems quite a handy (if utilitarian) way to do things, Aubrey uses these sort of maps extensively in the pbps he runs.

I have finished up Nathaniel mechanically in my notebook (hand-written), I just need to transfer everything into his profile. Should be pretty much ready to start by week's end if everyone else is (and will hurry to get things finished sooner if needs be).

Unless someone sees something I missed with Res, he is ready to go. Although, I think he may prepare different spells than light and detect magic since I see that is on the two sorcerer's list.

I'm not going to be able to post much on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of this week, so I'm hoping to start on Sunday or Monday. That should give folks time to finish their characters.

Unless someone sees something I missed with Res, he is ready to go. Although, I think he may prepare different spells than light and detect magic since I see that is on the two sorcerer's list.

The save DC for your channel energy looks high, but I assume there is probably a +1 trait bonus in there to account for it being 15? (Not sure what sacred conduit does without checking rule books, but it sounds about right).

I assume your favoured class is cleric? If so, have you remembered to apply your favoured class bonus somewhere (I assume its probably factored into your skills, I haven’t checked the numbers there)?

It’s a very minor point, but wouldn’t your CR be 1 rather than ½? Assuming your gear is level appropriate for a PC rather than NPC.

Otherwise it all looks good to me.

Equipment updated on character sheet.

CH, I was thinking of taking an animal companion at 4th level (assuming we get there). On the chance that at the point we hit the appropriate level we are not at a point where it would be appropriate for a suitable animal to be hanging about to become a companion, or we are not in the sort of climate that would support the type of animal I want to take (probably wolf), would it be appropriate for my character to have the animal already tagging along with him (perhaps purchased as equipment at the start of the game, as a young, untrained version of the animal)? Or would you prefer to introduce a suitable animal to the game somewhere along the way?

Equipment updated on character sheet.

CH, I was thinking of taking an animal companion at 4th level (assuming we get there). On the chance that at the point we hit the appropriate level we are not at a point where it would be appropriate for a suitable animal to be hanging about to become a companion, or we are not in the sort of climate that would support the type of animal I want to take (probably wolf), would it be appropriate for my character to have the animal already tagging along with him (perhaps purchased as equipment at the start of the game, as a young, untrained version of the animal)? Or would you prefer to introduce a suitable animal to the game somewhere along the way?

You could find a suitable animal in Ravenloft. I think that would be easiest.

You could find a suitable animal in Ravenloft. I think that would be easiest.

Cool (and potentially creepy!)

Getting there, slowly. Should have something to put up by UK morning tomorrow. If anyone is around at that point and willing to nitpick my numbers, I'd be very grateful.

Not really a rogue at all, just a pragmatic tinkerer who doesn't really believe in the supernatural. "Don't be daft. They're doing it with mirrors."

Rev Rosey, one of the biggest (and possibly best) changes to rogues from 3.5 to PF is that you get rogue talents (previously known as ‘special abilities’) much sooner, more often and with far more to choose from. You don’t get any at first level, but you might want to check out what you can choose from at higher levels when planning the sort of rogue you want to play.

If you have access to the Advanced Players Guide, there are a whole bunch of extra rogue talents to choose from in there. There are also several rogue archetypes in that book that you may wish to check out, though I’m not really sure that any of them would fit your concept.

This is going to sound pathetic, but is there an easy to fill in form which does the numbers for me? I don't have any of the PF books, so I'm using the online stuff CH pointed me at - which is fine and dandy, but numbers baffle me. And I freely admit that the little talent I had in that direction has been wiped out by a couple of years using Character Builder.

I'm sure there are, but I don't use any of them so I can't point you in the right direction unfortunately.

I know some people use Hero Lab but as I understand it is not free. I'd be surprised if there's not some similar free programs floating around out there?

Not to worry. I'll just go ahead the old-fashioned way and let everyone help me sort it out :)

Re start time - end of week looks good to me. I should be functional by then.

This is going to sound pathetic, but is there an easy to fill in form which does the numbers for me? I don't have any of the PF books, so I'm using the online stuff CH pointed me at - which is fine and dandy, but numbers baffle me. And I freely admit that the little talent I had in that direction has been wiped out by a couple of years using Character Builder.

Here are two suggestions to help with the math, PCgen - Free or HeroLab - $30 for the basic version

I started with PCGen but later switched to Hero Lab which I found to be a little more user friendly and easier to customize. As you can see from Res, it also generates a bbcode text block that is easy to copy and paste into the character profile.

Finally, here is a link to some other character generation spreadsheets.

Tordek Rumnaheim wrote:

Unless someone sees something I missed with Res, he is ready to go. Although, I think he may prepare different spells than light and detect magic since I see that is on the two sorcerer's list.

The save DC for your channel energy looks high, but I assume there is probably a +1 trait bonus in there to account for it being 15? (Not sure what sacred conduit does without checking rule books, but it sounds about right).

I assume your favoured class is cleric? If so, have you remembered to apply your favoured class bonus somewhere (I assume its probably factored into your skills, I haven’t checked the numbers there)?

It’s a very minor point, but wouldn’t your CR be 1 rather than ½? Assuming your gear is level appropriate for a PC rather than NPC.

Otherwise it all looks good to me.

Thanks for looking him over.

The extra save DC comes from the Glory Domain that I chose. With it, the save DC to halve the damage against undead increases by 2.

You are correct, I chose my favored class bonus to be an extra skill point.

Hero lab calculates the CR. I'm not sure how.

Edited: Also, you are correct about Sacred Conduit. It adds +1 to my channel save DC.

I see:

Tiffa (Moorluck) Sorceress
? (Rev Rosey) Roguey
Eliva (Jes Door) Inquisitor
Res (Tordek) Cleric
Erfan (Fatespinner) Sorcerer
Nathaniel (Mothman) Ranger
? (Crimson Jester) fighter or cavelier

I was thinking Bard, Savage Skald variant. Some knowledges, some chanting, and bard/bard bonuses for everyone.

More importantly, where are we from, how do we know each other, and why are we working together?

Taffron is a mechanic mostly. Or she will be if I can get the blasted stats to do what I want them to do. I think she's probably tagged along out of curiosity and because she's convinced there's always room for a trap disabler. Maybe a friend of one of the sorcerous types?

"You mess about with time and space. I'll just unlock the door, OK?"

Rosey, are you OK with me sharing the skill bunny spot?
I was thinking mostly charisma stuff so we shouldn't overlap.
Not that some overlap isn't important.

Works for me. I'm dithering over taking Prof (Engineer). There's no mechanical benefit as such, but it just feels right for her.

Can someone very kindly cast an eye over this lass?

I'll be spending some money on a masterwork dagger I think as otherwise she looks more than a bit rubbish as a combatant.

Changed her name. Taffron and Tiffa were a bit close.

Can someone very kindly cast an eye over this lass?

I'll be spending some money on a masterwork dagger I think as otherwise she looks more than a bit rubbish as a combatant.

Changed her name. Taffron and Tiffa were a bit close.

Notes and ideas:

AC looks off: You have 18 dex (+4) and leather armor (+2), so you should at least have AC 16. It might be helpful to have your touch AC (no armor, shields, natural armor) 14 and your flat-footed AC (no dex or dodge, I believe) 12 listed as well.

Skills: Anything that uses Dexterity will be higher, I think. Acrobatics, Escape Artist, Fly and Ride should be at +4. Sleight of Hand will be at +10 (from deft hands) and Stealth will be at +8.

Why is Swim so low? At a 10 strength you won't have a bonus, but Leather Armor doesn't have an Armor Check penalty. Are you overburdened with items?

It looks like you may have forgotten your favored class bonus. You may choose either an extra hit point per level or an extra skill point per level if you decide that rogue is your favored class. You have your 8 skill points from the rogue level, the 2 from your intelligence, and the one from being human already here, but you may either have 9 Hit Points this level, or gain another Skill point.

If you're going to use Throw Anything, you might want to consider eventually investing in Craft (Alchemy) so you can make alchemist's fire or acid flasks and take advantage of that bonus attack from the feat. Another option you might consider instead is Catch Off Guard - you can use anything you're carrying as an improvised melee weapon, and if the enemy is unarmed they're flat-footed (and you get sneak attack damage). For example, someone walks up behind you in a tavern...smack! You hit him with your tankard and do sneak attack damage. I don't know if that's the feel you're looking for, but I thought I'd offer it as an option.

Also it appears you haven't yet chosen two traits. Traits can give you some neat stuff, such as additional class skills or small bonuses to attack.

One I would suggest is Mathematical Prodigy (from the Second Darkness player's guide) - this grants a +1 bonus on Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (engineering) checks, and you can pick one (I'd choose Knowledge (engineering) to be a class skill. That gives you a +3 bonus there if you want it. Another fun one that might make sense for you is Rough and Ready:

"When you use a tool of your trade (requiring at least 1 rank in the appropriate Craft or Profession skill) as a weapon, you do not take the improvised weapon penalty and instead receive a +1 trait bonus on your attack. This trait is commonly used with shovels, picks, blacksmith hammers, and other sturdy tools - lutes and brooms make terribly fragile weapons."

but there's many to choose from: http://www.d20pfsrd.com/traits

Let me know if I'm being annoying and I'll back off. ^_-

Jess, it's incredibly helpful :) Many thanks. Looking now.

I used the free programme Tordek suggested and as he said, it's not very intuitive - but much better than not using it at all.

If you have access to the Advanced Players Guide, there are a whole bunch of extra rogue talents to choose from in there. There are also several rogue archetypes in that book that you may wish to check out, though I’m not really sure that any of them would fit your concept.

Most of the APG stuff is also in the SRD, which is where I directed initially. But I know some of those lists can be intimidating.

Rosey, are you OK with me sharing the skill bunny spot?

I was thinking mostly charisma stuff so we shouldn't overlap.
Not that some overlap isn't important.

Honestly, with two sorcerers in the party I don't think we'll lack much for Charisma. The party seems a little weak in the "front line" department, so something with a d10/d12 hit die would probably be ideal, assuming you haven't already set your heart on something.

Paladins are always good for Ravenloft.... >.>

EDIT: Although, looking at the skills between Moorluck's sorc and mine... maybe a bard would be pretty handy. Diplomacy, etc. we are somewhat lacking.

If CJ's still in, his fighter or cavalier will probably boost our front line quite a lot.

Bare bones of profile, more to follow

Things are looking good so far. Crimson Jester is working on his fighter, so we will have that front line support.

On to in-role issues. Here is the scenario:

The village of Breden and the surrounding countryside has been terrorized by a series of disappearances. Most folk are afraid to go out alone, especially after dark. The superstitious townspeople have circulated all sorts of outlandish rumors about what may be plaguing their village, but until recently, no one knew for sure. Just yesterday, however, a trio of local hunters scouting the land for game stumbled upon a horrific stash of human corpses in the vicinity of Lord Gilbraith's tower.

Lord Gilbraith was already widely feared for his cruelty, with some speculating he is some sort of demon in disguise. More educated travelers know he is merely a man, but the rumors have only intensified due to the exsanguinated state in which the corpses were found.

Father Sanville, a highly educated village elder, had the opportunity to examine the bodies before they were interred. He found that they were killed through mundane means, probably an ordinary blade, consistent with the view that Gilbraith is as mortal as he seems. However, he also caught wind from one of his brethren abroad that Gilbraith has been inquiring into methods of extending his life. Lord Gilbraith believes that by enacting some sort of ritual in which he drinks an innocent victim's blood, he can transcend mortality as a vampire and spend eternity expanding his power. Father Sanville knows of no such ritual and suspects what he is trying is impossible, but that is no comfort to the families of those he has slain in his attempts.

The matter has gained fresh urgency as a young woman named Lenna was abducted while tending her garden at the edge of the village in broad daylight. It appears that Lord Gilbraith will be making another attempt at immortality tonight, and his reign of terror must be brought to an end.

***

I know Mothman's character has a built-in motive, as Nathaniel is Lenna's brother. I would like to encourage whatever tie-ins we can develop. That said, any characters that it would be tough to motivate in this fashion could have been hired by Father Sanville to assist in storming the tower, so that can be a last resort.

Post ideas for tie-ins, relationships between party members, and the like, so we can get backgrounds ironed out before we begin.

Erfan is a creature of the forest, a friend of the fae and of the local druids, though he is probably perceived by the locals in much the same light as a satyr or pixie... a mischievous nuisance but certainly nothing to be frightened of.

Any rangers/druids/woodsmen in the area have likely encountered Erfan before and those who were not immediately annoyed by him may have come to enjoy his somewhat alien sense of humor and fickle mannerisms.

Angalia has known Lenna and Nathaniel for years I think. There's no way she wouldn't want to help. In fact, she'd insist on going along. She's got a lot of respect for Father Sanville and is firmly in the "Gilbraith is as human as us, but madder than a box of snakes" camp.

DOtting............

Sounds good, Rosey.

Fatespinner, perhaps some of the wizened elders of your people sent you to support the mission. They consider Gilbraith to be a blight on the land and call him a demon. ("After all, many of the vilest demons are homegrown.") How they came to know what Fr Sanville was planning is a bit of a mystery.

Jess, Fr Sanville could be a cleric of Erastil if we want him to be - I left that open. Maybe he sent you?

Moorluck, is your dreamspun sorceress prone to prophetic dreams? Could she be? I see a lot of potential there.

It strikes me that CrimJ and Tordek's characters both have a crusaderish bent and need little motivation to bring down someone lik Gilbraith. And Niel, I don't know that much about your character's motivations.

Anyway, those are some initial thoughts. Feel free to modify - this is about collaboration.

We must stop him, before ... I have to get my sister back. Will you help me?

I don’t care if the man is a noble or a demon – I’ll tear him limb from limb if he so much as touches a hair on Lenna’s head!

Angalia has known Lenna and Nathaniel for years I think. There's no way she wouldn't want to help. In fact, she'd insist on going along. She's got a lot of respect for Father Sanville and is firmly in the "Gilbraith is as human as us, but madder than a box of snakes" camp.

I think so, Angalia is a good friend to the family, has a level head and is someone that Nathaniel might turn to (or that Father Sanville might suggest) in case Gilbraith has any nasty traps prepared for anyone who might try to stop him.

Erfan is a creature of the forest, a friend of the fae and of the local druids, though he is probably perceived by the locals in much the same light as a satyr or pixie... a mischievous nuisance but certainly nothing to be frightened of.

Any rangers/druids/woodsmen in the area have likely encountered Erfan before and those who were not immediately annoyed by him may have come to enjoy his somewhat alien sense of humor and fickle mannerisms.

Nathaniel has probably come across Erfan before, and been amused by the gnome. I don’t know if he would be the first person he would turn to for help, but we can probably work something out.

Eliva is an inquisitor of Erastil, and Nathaniel is a worshipper of the same god – perhaps there is a logical connection there?

If Father Sanville is a priest of Erastil, he may have called in Eliva for help if she is not a local, or she could be attached to the local church.

Sounds good, Rosey.

Fatespinner, perhaps some of the wizened elders of your people sent you to support the mission. They consider Gilbraith to be a blight on the land and call him a demon. ("After all, many of the vilest demons are homegrown.") How they came to know what Fr Sanville was planning is a bit of a mystery.

Jess, Fr Sanville could be a cleric of Erastil if we want him to be - I left that open. Maybe he sent you?

Moorluck, is your dreamspun sorceress prone to prophetic dreams? Could she be? I see a lot of potential there.

It strikes me that CrimJ and Tordek's characters both have a crusaderish bent and need little motivation to bring down someone lik Gilbraith. And Niel, I don't know that much about your character's motivations.

Anyway, those are some initial thoughts. Feel free to modify - this is about collaboration.

I do have strange dreams, often before I learned that I could hurl "spellfire", I had horrible dreams about being.... in fire...., sort of ON fire, but it was within me.... and sometimes things that happen are much like the dreams I had on recent nights past.

in other words, yup. ;)

I am in favor of the notion that the druids have declared Gilbraith to be a demon and a blight upon the land and that Erfan has been either tasked or inspired to do something about it.

Mothman: Maybe Erfan and Nathaniel have something of a long-term "friendship" established and, when Nathaniel mentions his sister's abduction, Erfan decides (in true Chaotic Neutral fashion) that he is going to join the ranger on his quest to be rid of a mutual enemy.

Work in progress.

Well, community is really what's important in life. Respect for each other and a love of family - and some lord has no right to put his wants over the needs of his people and community - that's just an awful abuse of his responsibility. We may not be "important" lordlings, but we're responsible people trying to make our way in the world - we can't allow such goings on to destroy what we've built!

Eliva is something of a crusader too. :)