I'm really,really sorry to do this (especially after stormraven's similar disappearance), but my work has wrecked my ability to have any kind of decent presence on the boards. And it doesn't look like anything will be changing any time soon.
I can't contribute to this game, especially not at the pace it deserves. I'm going to withdraw.
DM Stalwart, I'm especially sorry to do this to you. When I signed on, I didn't anticipate this shift in my work schedule. Please don't be discouraged by my inability to stick with the game. You're running an interesting game with a good premise, and your writing and DM'ing so far have been engaging and fun.
So kill off Kiddrik, have him walk away ... whatever works for this team and the story.
My apologies to everyone.
That's a shame. I was looking forward to integrating the black blade more into the storyline, too. Thanks for the kind words. I'll see if I can give Kiddrik a decent send-off, or a cool death scene, whichever is warranted. Good luck with your new work schedule!
As for the rest of us, once this current mission (which is hopefully going to wrap up soon) is over, I'll open it up to discussion about whether we should add another, or keep it at five for a while.
Busy week this week--and the next couple--for me...and much of the busyness is writing deadlines so I don't expect to have many long posts. If I fall behind feel free to DMPC. I'll be trying to keep up but expect to be slower and briefer than normal.
Thanks for understanding!
Not sure what bonus I get an a roll to aid a grapple. Grapple says:
"Multiple creatures can also assist another creature in breaking free from a grapple, with each creature that assists (using the Aid Another action)"
and Aid Another (combat) says: "You make an attack roll against AC 10. If you succeed..."
while Aid Another (skill) says: "You can help someone achieve success on a skill check by making the same kind of skill check in a cooperative effort."
Do I make these attempts to help Kage escape as a standard attack (as I would if I were aiding his to hit or AC)? Or do I use my CMB? In my gameplay post I used CMB to be conservative. If I actually get my attack roll, both attempts to aid Kage would have succeeded for a +8 to his chance to escape.
BTW (for anyone curious) I'm aiding both as a move and a stnd because of the investigator swift aid ability.
I'm going on a short Easter "break" with the family. I currently expect to have 3G internet, but it's always possible reception will be bad... If for some reason I can't post, please bot me. I'll be back on monday.
A little family-related delay myself. Be back soon. Happy Easter!
Hey gang. I'm off on vacation through Sunday. Likely very limited internet. Maybe a post at some point but feel free to DMPC me.
Just imagining what Durzo Blint would make of this mission. He wouldn't like it but he's do it of course. Still I'm expecting some kind of double cross here. Killing a Dryad sounds deceptivly easy.
THanks for bot-ing, Stalwart. I'm back now, as of late last night. Won't have time to post until tonight (I hope) or else sometime tomorrow.
Looking forward to a very different sort of mission.
Sooo, what's the next step?
I was kinda hoping somebody would post something. Anyway Kage is going to need some cold iron weapons, this might be a pain since he needs sawtooth sabers to TWF. There are alchemical washes that add the cold iron property but only for one hit.
If cold iron saw tooth sabers are available then great. If not I wonder if there is a cold iron equivalent to silversheen?
Ugh, could have sworn I posted giving everyone a heads up that my net for the past week was going to be non existent due to my new internet provider screwing up and sending my new router a week late. I'm back to full activity
Sorry--been a busy week with guests--I've posted in some games this week but this game (at least at moments like this) requires some real strategic thinking I just didn't have. I kept thinking I'd get a post in...which is why I didn't let yall know to expect me to be scarce.
I love Eris' idea of breaking the enchantments. We can buy scrolls of dispel magic. Is that our best option? A standard dryad has a CL of 6 so the DC to dispel is 17 and a dispel scroll would normally have a CL of 5...so would succeed on a roll of 12+ against *one* target. That's not great odds but could be a big help if it works. Each scroll would cost 375 GP.
A CL10 scroll of Break Enchantment made by a Bard would cost 1000 GP and could target up to nine people if they're within 30' of each other. It would beat the DC on a 7+.
As far as cold iron blanches, I can make them for 6.67GP per application...but as Sa'Kage says, they will wear off after a single successful hit.
Alternately, cold iron ammo is very cheap (just 2x the cost of regular ammo) for anyone who has a ranged weapon.
Another tactic to consider: chopping down her tree, if we can locate it. Wood has a 5 hardness and 10hp/inch. Perhaps we want to consider spending 3000GP on an adamantine axe? Pricey...but we could sell it back for half of that after the mission.
What else?
My inclination is to:
- get a bit more info about the first party from our sponsor
- get one of break enchantment scroll & one or two backup scrolls of dispel magic
- get as much cold iron ammo as folks might want
- have Mama make one or two cold iron blanches per weapon folks are interested in treating.
...and then follow the map and start to scout!
I'd like a cold iron blanche. The scrolls also sound good. Then I say we just go check it out. We have several stealth options, and we need more info for an actionable plan.
Yep, in the interests of moving this along (to avoid stagnation), its clear that we want 3 things.
1. Our fighters really want cold iron weapons, so that is definitely a priority.
2. Our spellcasters really want magical defence against Charm Person and the like. Its going to be a pretty poor assassination if all our fighters get magically compelled and we end up relying on a 7 STR Sorcerer to finish off our target.
3. We want to get any information that would give us an advantage against the adventuring party. Whether it be breaking the parties own compulsion via magical means or simply forcing the Dryad to utilize commands that grant them a save, ie harmful commands, anything that works is good here. Learning if they have any significant others could also be useful, as its possible we merely need to threaten the lives of loved ones to get them to do something as basic as leave the area.
After we get these things, I'm happy heading straight into the forest, since I think those 3 items are our best countermeasures. This is the time for our super stealthy members to shine, while someone like Eris attempts some misdirection or diversions, drawing attention onto her and away from our assassins.
Yes. I think it would be helpful to get a quick post from everyone to answer:
- Are you buying anything (e.g. cold iron ammo)?
- Do you want 1 or more weapon blanches made by Mama?
- Will you chip in for the scrolls? (1375/5 = 275 each, and Mama can spot anyone who needs it)
- Anything else you want to do?
Then lets get going!
Are you buying anything (e.g. cold iron ammo)? no
- Do you want 1 or more weapon blanches made by Mama? no
- Will you chip in for the scrolls? I don't think Ghiv has any cash...
- Anything else you want to do? Ready to proceed
Yamyra will buy a Cold Iron rapier if she can find one - 40 GP
-Do I want weapon blanches? Only if I can't find the rapier.
-Scrolls? Yes, 275 deducted.
-We should go to the forest, set an ambush and then start a forest fire as bait. The dryad will sent servants to stop us, or come herself. Either way, we pick the battle ground and start with the advantage.
I'm not buying anything cold iron, mostly because I don't really use weapons. I don't mind paying however, a large proportion of the Scroll cost since $$$ on scrolls is more my thing that spending $$$ on weapons.
Also Yamyra, its a good idea, and something I thought of, but I'm not really certain if that ends up being a positive outcome to our employer. I don't think he can harvest the wood if we burn it all down. I don't particularly care either way since our brief was to kill our target above all else but its still something to consider. I'm happy with this plan if we decide to go with it, provided of course, that we still find something to hold over the Dryad's security team.
I shall be travelling from Saturday for 1 week, I'm not expecting Internet while I'm away. The following two weeks I have jury duty and will not be able to post during the day.
Botting details. Kage is pretty simple in combat, he'll try to stealth and study a likely target before combat if possible.
He will typically try to flank with Ghiv and power attack. He's aiming for the sneak attacks (if he can sneak attack, he can study the target as an immediate action). The attack routines are worked out in the profile.
Once per day he'll use the quick runner's shirt to try and get a full attack.
I should be back by next weekend.
Real busy for me the next couple days. I'm thinking about putting a map together for this encounter, so bear with me.
Traveling internationally for the next nine days, so my posting might be spotty at times. Please bear with me.
I'm back, will get a post up later.
Okay. I'm piecing the map together, but it's slower than I expected.
Stalwart - My original intent with Yamyra was to be a vicious small-sized grappler. However, that was based on a misunderstanding of archetype abilities and the grapple rules. Now she just kinda feels like a failed experiment to me. The unchained version of the rogue is out now, and I feel like it would be a good fit for what she's become - essentially a dex based figher. Is there any chance I could convert into an unchained rogue after this mission is finished?
I understand failed experiments, but I wonder, at about what level would you have all the pieces to make Yamyra something that you want? I also really liked the idea you presented, so if there's a way to make it work, I'd like to try. Otherwise, I'll look at the unchained rogue (I haven't had time to peruse the unchained stuff at all) and see about doing that.
I don't even remember what I wanted. The time resolution of PBP is way too slow. I want to play a fun character now, not some time in the future when I achieve level X.
Even if I could make grappling work somehow, it won't work the way I wanted it to/thought it would. I was just grasping for straws once I figured out the rules didn't work.
Edit:Right now every single feat I have is useless basically. Getting off a successful grapple with sneak attack does 1 point more damage on average than a slash with my saber, which has a higher chance to hit and doesn't require as much set up. I'd rather stop playing than keep working with this mess.
Eris, looks like it's time to Dispel Magic or Break Enchantment!
Did we confirm that we actually bought those scrolls, if so, then I'll use them right away!
I see where at least some of you deducted the gold for the scrolls, so yes, disenchant away!
Myra, I didn't see your edit. Sorry that it's that bad. I'd hate to lose you. So you can go ahead and convert her to an unchained rogue if that's the direction you'd prefer.
Sorry to be so flippy floppy. She works well as a dex fighter, and that will be more effective as a Rogue. The power gamer in me cringes every time I open her character sheet right now. Thanks for being so understanding.
Her fluff won't change at all really, which is what matters most in the end I think. She'll maintain her current personality (or lack thereof) and combat role.
GM how does the compulsion interact with the Tiscali trait? I assume Kage is stuck between a rock and a hard place and will be rather distressed.
I thought about that. Per the trait, I'd say you'll be shaken for the 24 hours unless someone is able to disenchant that suggestion on you (I won't impose it if the dryad is killed here before you leave the battle, but you're free to roleplay it however you'd like, obviously).
Question DM, what actually DOES happen if the Mantis don't take a contract they already accepted. I was certain that once they accept a contract, they carry it out fully on pain of death, which puts Sa'Kage in an awkward circumstance.
Yeah, not sure I want to answer that except with an evil laugh.
Hehehehehe.
IF ITS AGAINST HIS NATURE / HARMFUL HE GETS ANOTHER SAVING THROW XDDDD
Hey gang (of murderous assassins), it seems the dryad is very very close to dead. Bess is build as 100% support (my best attack is my spiked shield which deals 1d4+0) but I recommend
- Eris--(you're probably already planning on it but) time for the next scroll
- Ghiv & Myra--disengage with your current foes and come finish off the dryad (after which we can try to run)
Buff Notes:
- The first person to attack the Dryad gets +4 to hit
- Anyone who comes adjacent to me gets +4 to AC (max 4 attacks/round)
I'll be away on business Sat - Fri. I will have internet (not sure about on the plane, but for sure at the hotel) and I'll hope to post as normal but I might be a little slower than usual.
Okay, Eris's hint did not go unnoticed. It is an appropriate time to level up, so let's go ahead and advance to Level 5!
Basic level-up rules:
Hit points are 1/2 hit die +1;
list your advancement choices here on this thread (skills, feat, other class features)
And... that's about it, I suppose.
Also: You are given 4,000 gp worth of treasure. I think the best way to handle this would be as a gift of some object or objects presented by Vespid, but I don't want to guess at what you really want. So list it here, and I'll have Vespid bequeath your item(s) in the roleplay thread.
Is that 4,000 gp each or in total =]
Also it genuinely wasn't a hint, I was just planning on how I would rp the boat trip =]
4,000 gp each.
Ideally I'd like to get +1 put on each weapon. I'm not sure how you want to handle that, new those are 2335g each but Kage already has masterwork weapons. If I'm going to be 670g short I'll just get a belt of str +2 (results in the same offensive stats).
HP: 6+2
FCB -> Skill
Feat: Dazzling Display (Sawtooth Saber) -- I'm going for shatter defences
Skills: +1 on everything he currently has
Class stuff: Studied target is now +2 and Kage can study two targets at the same time
HP: 4+1
FCB: Skill
Feat: Shadow Gambit (I'll get Metamagic shortly)
Skills: +1 on everything she currently has
Spells: Eris now knows Magic Missile and Web!
Item: I'll get a headband of alluring charisma +2 for 4,000
Character Notes: I should hopefully be able to enter the Veiled Illusionist PrC next level up. How exciting ^_^
Finishing up Yamyra now
Any chance I could get a 90gp loan from either the mantises, or another PC?
I sold my old armor and sword, and bought new ones. I want to get a ring of sustenance but I'm 90 GP short.
I guess I could sell one of my Sawtooth sabres to make 167gp ish but then again, I'm not sure who would actually buy them...
Sure Kage has 150g in cash. He'll lend you the 90g. Not sure how you want to RP that however.
Well since we're being given items instead of actual cash, I'm not sure there's much we need to RP. I'll just get you back next time we get paid. Thank you!