I have a busy couple of days coming up, will level up as soon as I can. I'll throw up an HP roll though:
Yahoo!
One thing I'll have to ponder as I level up: Hunter's Bond. I could probably come up with an interesting animal companion for Gyllan (something like an alley cat or a rat seems fitting, though I don't really like the dire rat). I'm wondering if anyone has ever played the other version of Hunter's Bond, where you bond with your companions. For the cost of a move action, I could give everyone in the party half my favored enemy bonus (which would be +1 vs humans at this stage) for 2 rounds.
It doesn't seem a very good alternative, but we don't have a ton of buffs, and I'm curious if others have seen it used effectively. I'm also open to any fun ideas as to other forms of Hunter's Bond that might make sense for an urban ranger (DMDE - any ideas?)
A dog is always a reasonable alternative and would be fitting in an urban environment. I'm not a big fan of the other kind of hunter's bond, personally, but I've not actually used it. We're getting some nice buffs from Corso (and to some degree Iozif now that I can pass around extracts). There's also some fun story to be had with recruiting a 'sickly' stray dog (druid level - 4) who becomes more healthy and well trained after you've had him in your care for a time (boon companion next level).
Yeah, I was chatting about this with my son, who also plays PF, and he suggested the stray dog. It's a pretty good idea. I do lean more toward cats, but the cat animal companion is a lot bigger than you'd typically find in an alley.
And Boon Companion will definitely be the mandatory 5th-level ranger feat, as always - and I like your story suggestion for how the mechanics of it would work.
There are always urban legends about big cats living in the city. There is a story about a pair of ocelots living in a park here in Metro Nashville that just won't die out.
Perhaps, Gyllan could run into an example like that and take a puma or firepelt cougar on as his companion after finding him lost in the city? Could do that with about any large mammal, I suppose. (Maybe not a 50 ft purple gorilllillla.)
A bird companion fits well with urban ranger also, in my opinion. A falcon that scouts, sends messages, or is just terror from the skies...
I would also give serious consideration to just sharing the buff, rather than bringing a pet into the game. Simpler, and easier to manage for all parties, but less flavorful perhaps.
Ability Point +1 Int
HP - Society style 4 + 1 Con = 5
Saves: +1 to Will
+1 BAB
Skills (2 + 3 Int + 1 Favored Class): +1 Rank to Knowledge (Arcane, Nature, Planes), Spellcraft, UMD, and Heal
Hex: Cackle
Spells: Locate Object (Patron), Blindness/Deafness, Touch of Idiocy
+1 1st, +1 2nd level castable per day
Ulgrim/Jelani:
What attribute did you bump up? Get one at level 4.
Iozif: You are good to go with upgrades. ONly question: do you just get 1 new level 2 extract and do you use Bull' Strenght in both spell slots?
Corso: Tell me what spells you have? You can have 8 first level spells, but I only show you with 5.
Will check the rest of you tomorrow!
Iozif: You are good to go with upgrades. ONly question: do you just get 1 new level 2 extract and do you use Bull' Strenght in both spell slots?
I only learn one new extract (one per level but I can learn more from scrolls/wizard's spellbooks) of any level I can cast. I chose to learn a level 2 extract (Bull's Strength, obviously). I will indeed prepare it in both 'slots' since I don't have anything else to cast at level 2.
Wisdom I suppose.
Eight? A level four bard knows four first-level spells, with one more from my favoured class bonus.
The charisma bonus only applies to spells per day, I think.
I show you have been taking the favored class bonus for extra spell learned at each of the first 4 levels, meaning you have your normal 4, but then 4 more.
Where did I go wrong?
EDIT: I audited your skills, and found the three missing FC bonuses there. You can stand down now. This was only a drill.
Gyllan have you posted your level up ideas yet? I have the HP only so far.
I believe everyone else is good to go on their level-ups.
Sorry, haven't yet, just got my leveling done tonight. Here are the changes, will post the updated alias tomorrow.
HP: rolled a 10 +2 Con = +12
+1 BAB
+1 Reflex and Fort saves
+1 Strength
+7 skill ranks (6 class +1 FC bonus): Perception, Stealth, Survival, Knowledge (planes), Knowledge (religion), Diplomacy, Swim
Can now cast level 1 spells.
Animal Companion is a raven named Kraai.
Would you like a separate alias for the raven? I find it can be useful for combat situations, and having it on the map helps me remember to play it...
Separate alias makes sense to me, if he/she is going to be a major player in the game. If it will be more like a familiar, then not necessary.
Gyllan's alias is updated, will get one up for Kraai soonish.
"Kraai! Kraai!"
As an FYI: I'm going away on vacation starting next Wednesday (2/4). I'll be around until 2/4 AM (~11 AM PST e.g. GMT-8) and then I'll be travelling until 2/6 AM (GMT + 7). I'll be able to post (with possible gaps) until 2/22 (GMT+8). I'm going to Thailand for the first time. :)
Wow, have a great trip! It's a place I've always wanted to visit - and eat lots of good food. One day I'll get there.
I went to Chiangmai a couple years ago with my wife and had a blast. Hope you enjoy it, man. :)
Hey - I just noticed that Arianna is now listed under "Previous Characters" for this game? Did I miss an announcement of her departure, or are reports of her demise premature?
I'm still here. I think that is still from my temporary departure from the game a few months ago.
Fixed. Welcome back.
You can discuss your IC purchases here, if any. Remember you have some items on the Loot Tracker as well, if you choose to sell them.
In order to quit memorizing the spell, Arianna would like to purchase a wand of mage armor, assuming that is alright with you, DM DoctorEvil.
Fine with me. Fully charged lvl 1 wand is 750 gp. Noted on loot tracker.
Looks like you still have 2 scrolls of Mage Armor, unless I missed their use somewhere.
Having some computer issues and about to head to a weekend con, will be quiet for the next few days.
I agree that you deserve congratulations on finishing a book of an adventure path. Many threads never get out of the first combat...
I now have one RotRL in book 2, a Second Darkness that is about to finish Book 1, another RotRl that is stretching out book 1 (but should be done with it, they are completionists, apparently), and the other CotCT group, which is just battling Carrion Golem in the Grey Wardens.
Soon I will have 5 games in their second book! Also have a Reign of Winter game which is limping along about 1/4 through the first book.
Been considering starting another AP game, but not sure which one to dip into (I have all the Paizo AP's except Carrion Crown and Kingmaker, damn out of print books...) Have an opinion? Want to play another game? Let me know and I'll take it into consideration.
Well done, DMDE. A thoroughly enjoyable game thus far. As to the possibilities of another game, I'd be up for another one.
That being said, I know how much work running a PbP game is, and cannot imagine trying to run 6 games and considering starting a 7th. All of your efforts are greatly appreciated.
Well done, indeed. I'm enjoying this game - players and DM - a lot!
I'm afraid I don't have time to pick up another PbP game. In fact, I'm trying to ease out of games, not take on new ones. But I will say I'm having a great time in my Reign of Winter game, which is now in book three - it's a very flavorful AP, I find.
And I've wanted to try Giantslayer since it was announced, mostly because it reminds me of being 13 and fighting hill giants while my big brother DM'ed, back in First Edition days.
RE: Another AP?
I suppose the most important question is, if you (DMDE) decide to run another path, which one would you like to run?
Now with that out of the way, here's my 2 cp (in no particular order):
Rise of the Runelords - Tried to get into a lasting game for a while with little success.
Mummy's Mask - I've always kinda had a thing for ancient Egypt.
Wrath of the Righteous - Just because...
Shattered Star - If not RotRL, why not its sequal?
Giantslayer - For similar reasons to Gyllan's.
Another AP would be a stretch at this point for me as a DM, but I think I could do one as a player at the pace we go.
Problem is I'm either playing now, or have played most of the APs at this point. At a minimum the beginning of them. The only ones I can think of off the top of my head that I've never touched are Second Darkness and Skull & Shackles.
Mummy's Mask and Reign of Winter I've only started. Reign of Winter got through book 1 I think. Mummy's Mask got through like the first two encounters.
I'm not sure if I actually have the bandwidth to start a new game right now. That said, if I was going to do something, Way of the Wicked has always been kind of interesting to me (though I recognize you didn't actually list it. :P). Alternatively, I'm a fan of urban games, so Council of Thieves as DW suggested would be fun. Given how awesome of a GM you are, I'd at least consider one of your games. :)
@DW: No teasing like that, as I might cause something to burst from the excitement of the idea. :P Joking aside, I totally get the 'too much work' angle to that.
I've been considering running a Savage Worlds game on these boards in a post-apocalyptic psuedo-medieval setting for a while. Probably set it during the actual apocalypse and pull in some horror/survival elements. Still hashing out how it might work and gathering some rough idea of the plot, but if I decide to run it I'll be sure to let you all know. Would something like that interest any of you?
What teasing are you talking about?
About your question: I don't know Savage Worlds. I'd have a hard time learning another system...
Sometimes, I wish to pick those games back and continue the adventure, but I can't see how it would work with RL right now...
Just joking around ("I might cause something to burst from the excitement of the idea.") as I was in two of your games. :)
About your question: I don't know Savage Worlds. I'd have a hard time learning another system...
I've not actually played Savage Worlds with anyone yet, but I've thoroughly read the rulebook (and done a few mock scenarios) and it's pretty straightforward. Basic concept is to roll a dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, etc for an attribute or skill) and a 4+ is a success and you can get "raises" if you roll 4 higher than that which improve your success depending on the situation. PCs and special NPCs get a 'wild dice' that they roll alongside their trait/skill dice (a d6), taking the better result. Basic concept is that it should be FFF (Fast, furious and fun). The system is widely adaptable to different settings from cavemen to sci-fi.
Edit: This thread has a good synopsis of the system, if you're curious.
Is it just me, or are we pretty far off the typical wealth-by-level scale in this game? I was thinking of using this downtime to buy some stuff for Gyllan, and it struck me that gear+gold = ~2000 gp, rather than 6000, which is the projected amount for level 4. I recognize that we just made level 4, and the WBL rules are not gospel - I was just struck that at 4th level I don't have any magic items and I can't really afford any but the most basic.
That said - I like a gritty, tough game, and I'm okay with our progression.
Thanks! Interesting system. What makes you want to play it instead of Pathfinder?
I think it might be a better fit for the setting. There's no magic and tech level would be pseudo-medieval so it's not super appropriate for pathfinder. There are also a few apocalypse type settings that have been fleshed out for it that I could draw from. The other big issue with pathfinder is that magic items (needed for balance) aren't really appropriate. The fantasy flavor is also potentially a problem. I could probably make it work (E6 and remove magic items?) but I think I'll get more variety and accuracy from Savage Worlds.
The idea of Harrow Points and their usage may have gone by the wayside a bit in our last adventure, mainly because I took over the thread after the introductory reading, and failed to play it up.
Since we changed volumes of the AP, there is an opportunity to earn more Harrow Points and their usage changed. For Edge of Anarchy (book 1) the key stat for Harrow points was Dexterity (the knivesies fight, the shingles chase, are examples). For the new book, Seven Days to the Grave, the key stat is Constitution. As such you will receive a Harrow Point for each CON based card that shows in the spread Arianna is dealing.
These points can be used anytime in the adventure for one of the following benefits:
1) Constitution Rerolls - Spend a Harrow point to reroll one Fort save, CON check, or CON-based d20 roll. You must abide by the new result.
2) Fast HP recovery - Spend a Harrow Point after resting a minute to catch your breath and recover from recent ordeals -- you heal a number of HP equal to your class level and 1 pt of ability dmg.
3) Damage Reduction - Spend a Harrow Point to gain DR 3/-. This DR lasts for the duration of the encounter on which you spent the point.
Additionally, each card taken during The Choosing grants each PC a bonus of +2 on any CON based rolls, and temp HP equal to twice his level during the associated encounters. I will try to remember which PC had which card for those encounters, but prompt questions may help that.