This is a non-Campaign to Test Stuff

Game Master Tacticslion

Hey! I'm a casty! You can ask me for help! Hey!

*waves paws in the air*

Lilis are fine.

Titis just sounds wrong...:(

They are pronounced Lie-lie, and Thai-thai, if that helps...?

Yes. It helps a LOT. Oh. Clothing mishap settled. I think I gained the compression ability...

Aaaaaaand now we have FaWtL rules here? Yeah, sure; done!

(Just wait for that to bite me, later.)

I've been having what appears to be a poor reaction to new medication, all - sorry!

I never nap and have had to do so several times. Ugh.

Here's hoping things are settled down! Hoping I'll be able to do this later tonight, if I don't collapse. Hah! I literally have everything Incould want except maps ready to go and haven't found the energy (or Intenet) to create the Gameplay.

(I'm trying to set things up to start the game and the Intenet cuts out and eats my posts when I try to submit, or I'm stuck on the phone, like now. I may give up trying to fancy format or links, soon, and just start the thread with nothing there.)

EDIT: ugh. Five tries to submit this post. One to submit the edit, but I'm rather frustrated...

Well, there are browser apps like 'Lazarus' that you can use to recover lost posts...

You can also try typing long posts up in a word document beforehand, as well...

Just trying to be helpful :-)

OK, I think Usawoti's spirit animal, gear and spell list is done, a little vanilla, but done, I still need to have a wandering spirit and a wandering hex, going to look at Shaman more.

He thinks he's a melee frontliner, so with that in mind, Mort and Luke, take a look and tell me if there is anything glaring ;)

Well, something to consider as an alternative, is rather than having an Amulet of Natural Armor +2, grab a Metamagic Rod of Extend (Lesser) for 3000gp, and then chain-cast Barkskin - three extended castings will give you 11 hours of cover, and have the added benefit of giving you a +4 to AC, rather than a +2.

With the 5000gp that you have left, you could give yourself five Pendants of the Blood Scarab, each of which will allow you to auto-confirm a crit 1/day - a handy ability when your primary weapon is an Earthbreaker ;-)

Spirit magic spells cannot be prepared in regular slots unless you're using fluid magic hex from waves spirit....grrrs!

You took Cinderdance, which means your wandering spirit is fire.

And feel free to poach cleric spells with your human FCB since you qualify(scion of humanity). Divine favour is a good spell for beatsticks! You can use your FCB to pick up communal resist energy because for some darned reason, communal resist energy is not on shaman spell list.

If you need more castings of divine favour, get pearls of power.

For spontaneous spirit magic spells I think its runestones of power, Luke? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Tomorrow and day after, I'm at my friend's wesding. Activity dip.

thanks for the input Luke and Mort, I will definitely get rid of the amulet and get another rod, I'm not sure if I can convince myself to get five scarabs, but I will certainly get one!

Thanks for the heads up Mort, I was so confused when some of those spells were already on the spell list. I am changing the spell selection today.

How do you "poach" spells, I remember you mention it since he is SoH, I guess if I remembered what FCB was that it would help,

looking into pearls of power and runestones of power. with the extra 4,000 Luke is saving me...

Have a good time at the wedding in your too tight blue dress...

Oof. So... a lot of the exhaustion and other problems seems to be some new medication I've been on. That fixed, only my internet seems still iffy.

@Usawoti: What Mort means, is that if you take the Shaman 'Favored Class Bonus' (instead of getting bonus hit points, or skill points), you can add spells from the Cleric spell list to your list of spells.

BAM

Gameplay! At long last!

EDIT: edited the post several times in hopes of making it look better, and easier to read.

That's all I've time for tonight. We're headed out of town tomorrow and the next couple of days - Christmas! - but I'll see what I can do!

Merry Christmas and God bless you all!

@Usawoti: What Mort means, is that if you take the Shaman 'Favored Class Bonus' (instead of getting bonus hit points, or skill points), you can add spells from the Cleric spell list to your list of spells.

hhhmmm that might be worth looking into. I've been up a little to long, need to rest, I will be posting in seven or eight hours.

By the way: is the scene clear in Gameplay? Anyone need anything clarified?

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE and MERRY CHRISTMAS~!

God bless you guys, and I hope your holidays are awesome!

Happy Holidays!

Sorry TL, I came back after my friends wedding, Hearthstoned a little, then felt tired, thought I'd take a nap for a while, and lost track of 4h... :(

Hey, we're cool! I just wanted to make sure it's clear! :)

By the way: is the scene clear in Gameplay? Anyone need anything clarified?

The scene is very clear, I like the elf, he will be fun to RP with. I intend to attempt to channel "The Sphinx" from "Mystery men" so it will be fun to use Erevel as a foil.

Ok, meant to post yesterday, (and finish shopping) instead I took my 80 year old mother who has been under the weather all week to the emergency room. She's fine, she has a kidney infection that exacerbated the cardio myopathy she has. So I need to finish shopping and do the family thing, so I'm not ignoring the game, I'm just frazzled, "Like butter spread too thin on toast"

When I get back I will post.

Thank's for your patience! though it's not like you can come to my house and make me roll the dice, right. Everyone have a Merry Christmas!

Be back soon...

GM Tacticslion wrote:

By the way: is the scene clear in Gameplay? Anyone need anything clarified?

The scene is very clear, I like the elf, he will be fun to RP with. I intend to attempt to channel "The Sphinx" from "Mystery men" so it will be fun to use Erevel as a foil.

Ok, meant to post yesterday, (and finish shopping) instead I took my 80 year old mother who has been under the weather all week to the emergency room. She's fine, she has a kidney infection that exacerbated the cardio myopathy she has. So I need to finish shopping and do the family thing, so I'm not ignoring the game, I'm just frazzled, "Like butter spread too thin on toast"

When I get back I will post.

Thank's for your patience! though it's not like you can come to my house and make me roll the dice, right. Everyone have a Merry Christmas!

Be back soon...

Hey, my friend, you're cool!

"Everything is more important than D&D - even D&D!" as the saying goes!

Technically, I think that's supposed to be a way around rules arguments, but it fits okay here, too.

God bless your mother, and I empathize thoroughly! I'll keep her in prayer.

If you're the praying kind, please pray for my niece - she begins chemo therapy next Tuesday.

So, I'm not saying that this is the official song for the campaign, or anything...

>.>

Well, maybe that one and this. No reason. *whistles, innocently*

(Spoiler alert on the second. Heheheheheheh...)

EDIT: to be clear, the second link has exactly one swear word (though not in the rap section, humorously enough), which I apologize for in advance. Not normally my kind of thing, but I didn't think it was a thing, until I knew most of the song.

For a kitty with low internet: 30 Seconds to Mars, From Yesterday; and I Fight Dragons, Money. Spoiler alert you other two... >.>

I am sorry to hear about your niece. How old is she?

She's 18, thanks for asking. She is strong, brave, and kind, and I am proud of her!

Golan: feel free to make a "before attack" and "after attack" side-note in your first post. At this time, we cannot progress without him adding some input. I am not rushing you, it is merely when anyone leaves the menhirs, this is what will occur.

Don't feel bad, Usawoti - had no one left the menhirs, another event (rather regular around these parts) would have occurred anyway. Heheheheheheh.

Oh: Merry Chriiiiistmas~!

>:}

hey, Usawoti is still hanging out with his animal friends and seeing the sights, so it's all good.

and a happy new year ;)

Happy New Year!

Also: hah! You guys are a riot! I never even thought of Moria, though I'm glad that it at least vaguely alludes to such a superior work (and who knows; maybe I was inspired by it). Though the rules are very different, I, myself, thought I was being loosely inspired by something altogether more kitschy...

(Starring Tim Curry~!)

EDIT: Tim Curry, sadly, does not make an appearance in this adventure. So far as you know...

Go ahead and discuss how you, as a group, would like automatic checks and such handled, here. I'm fine one way or the other. As I didn't know what you considered stuff like a save, I didn't roll your CMB, Golan. We will wait to see if you or Usawoti save him first - if anyone does! \O.O/

You can roll all automatic checks, including saves, for me. Mind you saving finale is one of my spells taken, so I may choose to reroll my own save, assuming my bardic performance has already been activated.

I have liberating command, so there may be some retconning when it comes to grapples. I'm not above interfering with monster grabs...=)

"We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas and
A Happy New Year!"

Though its been Christmas for more then 18 hours now... =) But sorry! I was busy!

I prefer From yesterday over I fight Dragons.

"We wish you a merry Christmas

We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas and
A Happy New Year!"

Though its been Christmas for more then 18 hours now... =) But sorry! I was busy!

Awesome!

Merry Christmas, all!

I prefer From yesterday over I fight Dragons.

That's fair: for me, it just depends on the song, moment, and what's going on.

IFD has a deeply satirical sense of humor (as portrayed in Money, and No One Likes Superman Anymore (both of which are performed while the band is dressed in superhero shorts or costumes, the lead singer explicitly with a Superman t-shirt); it can certainly rub people the wrong way. Further, IFD utilizes chip tunes I. Their songs, and it makes their style more... I dunno what the word is... upbeat? Maybe? Whatever, their tone is brighter, over-all, even when singing sad or ironic songs. Weirdly, IV heard them have exactly a single swear word I their almbums - in Money. I'd prefer a complete lack, myself, but this particular song is... useful to me as GM. (Just not for when my kids are around - and it wouldn't be even without such a word).

I find 30StM to be excessively dramatic and kitschy - but really good and compelling, nonetheless. They are bards who actually sell the rediculous pointing fingers, sudden spins, too-much-eyeliner, and dressing up as masked Chinese Warriors forced in an eight-way-battle to the death. Their music tends to have a sadder tone; less enthusiastic, or less rejoicing; than IFD, and contains dark and heavy themes (such as the guy in From Yesterday clearly grappling with his own evil and trying to deny the "writing on the wall" as it were, though never explicitly mentioned, implied). I llllllooooooove This is War by them. So gooooood. From Yesterday does have the "problem" in that it doesn't exactly "end" - it just cuts off at the last note. It's likely a stylistic choice, but repeated hearings can make it frustrating, at times.

Another really good band (if you like Megaman, depression, and hard rock/multiple genres) is The Protomen. YouTube them. And have a very Merry Christmas!
(Especially if you find Act II: Father of Death!)

hee hee hee, the GM said Kitschy...

Ok, so after the weekend is over and I go back to work (I go back Tuesday and work ten straight, so I will have time) I will need to listen to some new bands.

This is the problem with living in a cave and only coming out at night, I only hear new stuff when I ride around with one of my daughters ;)

That's not entirely true, Mort has posted some really cool stuff.

I find that From Yesterday - the lyrics are quite apt.

It could be used to imply either a Runelord/a BBEG, or even the GM if you want to read into the lyrics. And since we're in a journey back in time 500 years back....(maybe discovering about the Runelords?)

"On his face is the map of the world" - Could be a BBEG/a Runelord looking for world domination. Or literally the GM who makes the world.

"For a fortune he'd quit"
But it's hard to admit" - Who said that BBEGs/Runelords/GMs didn't have their own motivation?

"Through the blood he can look, see the lives that he took
From council of one"
He'll decide when he's done with the innocent" - BBEGs/ Runelords and GMs do that.

"From yesterday, it's coming!
From yesterday, the fear!" - BBEG/Runelords motivation? They were driven by something?

"But he doesn't want to read the message
But he doesn't want to read the message here" - Don't want to admit they were being driven? Or why they did what they had to do?

I do read into lyrics. Because sometimes when you sing the entire song (for its catchy tune) - if anyone catches the lyrics they really aren't appropriate in public. I.e - Poker face by Lady Gaga(Making an assumption everyone is above 21...should be true since I'm probably youngest here)...

Whereas, in comparison, I fight Dragons is quite flat. Yes we all know money makes the world go round...and yes, though my characters may work for money, it doesn't mean they can't acquire other motivations along the way.

This is war - I find a little bit of lyrics + the song tune is desynced - the music is too cheerful for the lyrics.

"To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
From the last to the first"

The music sounds like they are going to a party...I'd probably favour something darker.

No one like superman anymore - I approve.

I always preferred batman to superman. How hard is it to be a hero, if you're essentially invulnerable? I prefer characters that have to work to be a hero. It adds character development, and makes the character more three dimensional.

Really enjoying the discussion about music and hate to interrupt. However, other than "Enlarge Person" is there any cleric spells that are going to really help a melee-centric shaman?

Also I assume that if I use Favored Class bonus one or two times for cleric spells I can use the rest for HP.

Ummm yeah, Batman is way cooler than Superman, course I always bought marvel, except for "the Warlord" Seriously

Edit: Added communal resist energy too

Frightful presence, Divine presence

I mean on one hand I like Disney cartoons and movies, yet on the other hand, my taste in music can be quite dark(and can include quite a lot of expletives), just ask Robert...

I was only introduced to Marvel recently. I don't think I can read their comics because keeping track of the timelines and alternate timelines just...messes up my head =)

Frightful presence, Divine presence

Human: Add one spell from the cleric spell list that isn’t on the shaman spell list to the list of spells the shaman knows. This spell must be at least 1 level below the highest spell level the shaman can cast.

Usawoti's highest spell is sixth, but if we play long enough he could get to nine ;)

Sadly (maybe?) we will not.

Re: music, comics; I like both Batman and Superman in different ways and for different reasons. I find Superman to be an icon that exists and is there for people to look toward and strive toward: not because he has powers, but showing how, even absolute power doesn't have to corrupt, not even absolutely. The point of the song is that such a concept is now ignored by modern sensibilities - it is a satirical look at the heavy-handed grimdarkness (especially, though not exclusively, in comics and related media; especially when the song was written) that is used in excess and in needless harshness... however, the satire enters in that, in the end, that perception (the perception of, "No one likes Superman anymore.") is wrong. In fact, many people do - including the band singing the song called "No One Likes Superman Anmymord."

I fundamentally disagree on the tone of, "This is War" - it does not sound like a party. Instead, it sounds like a rousing war march/war call in a rock tempo. I can recognize the desire for a darker tone, but there are plenty of those, many quite good (though I've not heard many for some time).

I believe you are missing something fundamental about the ironic tone of Money, but I'll allow for other interpretations.

Re: Marvel v. DC: they are both stupidly complicated, but in different ways. They are rediculous - I love them.

If you don't think Disney can be dark... heh.

But there's never an unhappy ending in sight with Disney movies! Cruella de vil got her just deserts, Mulan saved her kingdom, Elsa learnt how to control her powers and how much her sister meant to her...

I mean yes, some parts can be dark, like Elsa having to hide her powers so she wouldn't destroy the world, Shan Yu picking up the little girl's doll and saying that the little girl must be missing her doll, lets go and find her and return the doll...but it all works out in the end!

Youre right about absolute power corrupting. I didn't think of it from that angle. PowerCheese corrupts, absolute powercheese corrupts absolutely. Yeah, strange coming from me, right? Heheh. But I've said before, down the road of unrestrained cheese lies madness...

Frankly if I want to march to war, I prefer something like this
I could re-listen and see if I can pick up the darker undertones...

Mind you, I can be as thick as two short planks and bloody literal minded at times :o

LOL at the too tight blue dress =)

I'd say Disney vague out the the darkness, not that there isn't any. A happy ending for our local hero(ine) doesn't negate that: the little girl and her village are all still dead at the end of the film; Bambi's mother is still dead; Copper and Todd can never be together (ruined as they were by spiteful, hateful society); and so on. Disney movies can be silly-happy, sure, but there are plenty of dark moments and solid displays of bad people doing bad things (usually just off camera so adults get it, but kids do not) that it's not as simple as saying Disney isn't (or can't be) truly dark.

Then again, it may depend on what you think of as dark, sooooo... :)

But no worries about thickness. I'm great at coming up withy witty retorts and snappy one-liners... two years after a conversation has ended! XD

Busy today; update likely tomorrow, but I'll see if I can squirrel away enough time to do it properly.

EDIT: autocorrect...

If you're talking about dark, I'd like to introduce you to the Witcher series...many of the main questlines completion - there is no happy ending.

So whichever way you choose, someone blameless gets the short end of the stick.

Yeah, but that's a tad beyond "dark" all the way into "grimdark" - certainly a solid storytelling thing, but not what I'm interested in consuming to the exclusion of other things.

To me, I prefer a diet that includes a bit of that, but other things that add hope, cheer, and the like. Wit her is great, but if you only get Witcher, it's not as appealing as everything fades to, "Life sucks, then you die."

I mean, I really want to get Darkest Dungeon, but I also appreciate Aladdin; I'll enjoy Dragon Age, but then unironically enjoy My Little Ponies: Friendship is Magic*. I enjoy Death Road to Canada, but... I enjoy Death Road to Canada Shawn of the Dead. Mystery Men. Clue. Lamentations**. Song of Solomon**. The Coldfire Trilogy. Tolkien. Megamind. The Kung Fu Panda series.

My point is that I like dark stuff, even grimdark stuff, but I also like lighter or happier fair. It varies - subsisting on just the one too much is bland or boring.

But! That doesn't make people who disagree wilting or boring - it's iust my flavors and preferences for consumption. But if you want dark, again, The Protomen: doooooo iiiiitttt. You will thank me later, I think. :)

* I don't think I'm a brony? But I don't know. It's not really important either way. It's a cute show that I can watch with my kids.
** the books, not movies.

Witcher 3 is my definition of dark. And there are worse, like Bloodborne, Dark Souls, Silent Hill (mostly the bad endings. They usually involve the protagonist dying in some horrific fashion, and an eldritch abomination entering the world).

Witcher 3 has some bright spots, if you don't let your prejudices get away with you...

Generally my diet of hope and cheer comes from Disney and all those animated movies by Dreamworks and Pixar.

And I listen to a lot of Evanescence, would like to wear black(but not allowed to because black is an inauspicious colour). All my cardigans are black(its such a convenient colour, it matches with everything and doesn't show dirt that easily).

But black makes you look slimmer! And I look good in black! And wearing full black leather like Trinity from Matrix is so le cool!

No, I do not fiddle with mascara and eyeliner ;)

Evanescence is good music! The first Matrix is a good movie... that ends with hope! XD

Enjoying the conversation, just got back from "Rogue One" speaking of a little darker...

I like several genre's of movies, books I'm a little more particular. There are several genre's I don't really care for, less In movies, more in books. For instance I've never read a romance novel...

But what I find is that the things that make a book or a movie (even music) good:in art they use the term "composition" If the things that make a movie good are there: plot, characters, cinematography, actors, editing; theses things can make a movie or a book in a genre that I wouldn't necessarily pick still very entertaining.