Alright! I'm planning to do three gameplay posts today if possible, as well as adding a little more campaign info.
The first thing I'd like to know is why Matthias is interested in helping the Order. Does he do it for reward? To gain knowledge or skill? As a means of repentance? What motivates him to continue working with them?
I would imagine his primary motivation is locking away dangerous things to keep innocents from harm. He also is always eager to see more of the world to try and find a new homeland for the Khazadorn. As long as these two things keep happening as he works with them, he would be glad to assist.
Is the order well accepted most places? Is it a Good organization? If I were to tell people I was on their business how would I expect them to react?
I've been looking at shift earth and I can see lots of cool ways to use that, especially underground. It mentions you can create short pillars... how short?
I was thinking as long as he keeps taking actions to re-secure the base (as he is consuming earth matter by pushing it upward) he could make the pillar... 15t? With maybe a 3 foot depression in the ground around it as that is the earth matter he used? such a pillar would take 4 or 5 turns to create.
What do you think?
The Order is generally regarded as neutral or helpful, if a bit weird/eccentric. People's reactions would not be hostile. If a particularly conservative sort inferred that you were a member of the Order, they might be wary, but more in a "Oh, weird guy. You're welcome as long as you don't start chanting or whatever" way, not a "SUMMON THE GUARDS" way.
Hmm. Shift earth is super cool :).
I agree that the pillar could become progressively taller. It seems like you can't move earth into the air, so you'd have to do something like ...
KEY:
O -- five-foot block of earth
Initial State:
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After One Shift:
O
OOOO O
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After Three:
O
OO OOO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After Four:
OO
OO OO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After Five:
O
O
OO OO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
Obviously, this would be in three dimensions, but I imagine that you're gathering surface earth from the surrounding area and gathering it, leaving a kind of indentation. Once there's a large enough gradient, you can move pieces of the pillar itself upward by shifting earth along the lower portions. This creates a larger base; as the larger base travels upward, its mass can be used to create another pillar at the top. After the first ten or so feet, your pillar would actually be more conical or terraced, since you'd have to have had a platform to shift the earth from. I'm also assuming you can't just move a five-foot block with a bunch of earth on top of it (i.e., you can't just keep growing the pillar from the bottom).
Destroyed my formatting.
Initial State:
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After One Shift:
_____O
OOOO_O
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After Three:
_____O
OO_OOO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After Four:
____OO
OO__OO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
After Five:
_____O
_____O
_OO_OO
OOOOOO
OOOOOO
You interpreting the movement of earth by the rules quite literally. I was getting a bit carried away in the concept (and taking greatly from fullmetal alchemist!).
So I guess you're ok with building arbitrary pillar/moat shapes given sufficient time?
Hahahahaha, I am being super literal. Just trying to get a handle on the rules.
However, I prefer getting carried away by the concept! I think it's kind of immaterial here--like, you could totally raise a pillar up given enough time, even by the strictest reading of the rules; and that process should, flavor-wise, look more like Full-Metal Alchemist than what I'm describing. So yes, arbitrary pillars and moats are go :).
If you were to try to make them in combat, I think the most fair and elegant way to play would be simply to say you add or remove a block of earth in the desired place as long as there's sufficient earth around to support that process, so a fifteen-foot-high pillar could be made in three rounds of combat.
These are some ideas about expediting posting. The idea is to minimize back and forth so that each post covers significant ground. I adopted this from GM ankheg, but if you have other ideas let me know.
1st is the title of the spoiler is the requirement to open it. I was confused momentarily about Solefil's social spoilers. In this case just say DM or DM only.
The other is about my sense motive. I think you should either roll it for me and give me the results, rather than asking me to roll it. Or roll his bluff (real or otherwise) and give me a spoiler with the DC. On my post I'll roll and read accordingly. Thus cutting out a post or two in the process.
Also, currently Bathos does have a saddle, but they haven't really tried any mounted stuff yet. Bathos is still getting comfortable wearing it. Although if a dangerous situation demands it I'm sure they could work it out. But for now they walk together.
Also even though all I've done is talk to an NPC I'm already F$^@ing loving this.
Good ideas! I was wondering about how to do this. That's a good idea. So, if you have a branching choice, I should spoiler like
?
Good to know on the saddle front. I'll assume you are walking from now on.
I'm glad you're loving it! I'm also having a really good time so far. I really like how I can take time crafting the NPCs' personalities. It's a mild change, but I find it easier to channel voices in written conventions than spoken.
Perfect spoilering!
I enjoy the written format as well. I feel skyping vs being in person is strictly inferior, however PBP has some unique advantages that make it worthwhile.
Absolutely!
For one, I think it will make preparation more granular. Like, if you go way off course, I can take a night to prepare what I would normally end up improvising. Improvisation has its own charms, but I feel I have much more room to make better decisions when I need to make something happen. I mean, we've just started, so that hasn't happened yet, but once we get through the stuff that's prepared, I could write one or two encounters in advance every night instead of needing a week to prepare for one long session.
Also, dunno about you, but I feel the immersion is different. Not better or worse, though: when we're in person, the immersion is like being at a play or really engaging film. Here, it's like reading a good book. I love seeing Matthias think and respond, and the little touches are really adding to his character.
Yeah. As I said it it has distinct advantages. I'd want to PbP and in person both. I could go without ever skyping.
For clarification: Is the man being borne downstream by water or by hippo?
And how many are there? Will there be a map? It is hard to determine my course of action.
Downstream by water!
Hmm. Maps will be difficult. What do you think is the best way to do tactical stuff via PbP?
Hmm. I think I can just do our normal Google Sheets things. One moment.
That or you need to tell me how many targets.. how hard they are to attack, and what they are currently engaged in. And relative position. Which is doable by text.
Fantastic map! Much appreciated. Your effort always greatly surpasses mine.
It occurs to me that, because of the nature of burn, Matthias has almost certainly fallen unconscious without being near death with Bathos many times. Is there any creative magic item they could use to do minor healing to Matthias so, once the battle is resolved, Bathos could revive him? A healing "potion" that could be broken?
It occurs to me we didn't roll initiative. In general that is all you. Roll for everyone and let it go. I totally didn't post my status I apologize.
I just looked around at what other people do for PbP, and this kind of thing seemed the best option. I'm hoping I'll be able to manage combat reasonably!
As for initiative, I'm going to say you kind of busted in in medias res, so position yourself, Bathos, and the four guards with you on the hill as though you had just run up to the top to survey the scene (so somewhere on the dark green area), and we'll roll initiative from there.
Looking at other PbPs, a lot of times, the players have their pertinent stats in a signature or something (example). Eventually, a link to a sheet would be good, but I think a spoiler with your reactive skills (initiative, perception, sense motive, etc.) and the same for Bathos would be good. Maybe also a list of ongoing effects (buffs, debuffs, conditions)? Is that reasonable, or too much to maintain?
I don't like the signature as it changes previous posts when you alter it. If we're currently happy and healthy in town, when you look back at old posts where I was critically wounded by the lich my stats are... happy and heathly. I like the status one so we can always re-read and enjoy. If that's arlight.
If you click on the characters and look at their profiles they both have links to a google doc with their stats, which I will keep up to date.
Ah my mistake. I guess we should ignore my lasts few posts then?
And what about Bathos healing Matthias?
That makes sense; I forgot that the sig updates. So I should consult Status on Matthias's sheet if I need to do rolls in secret, but you'll include Status in a spoiler during combat?
I'm thinking about the healing situation. Elusa hounds are so cool and magical! I think that a character of your caliber and experience would have encountered potion masters who could create touch-range splash potions of cure X wounds, no? Maybe price such potions as though they were one spell level higher, since this is kind of the equivalent of a metamagic effect? So Bathos crunches a potion over your body.
Alternatively, Bathos is certainly intelligent and dexterous enough--if you have canine-friendly potion vessels--to drag you to an amenable position, take a potion in his mouth, and pour it down your throat. This method involves lots of dog slobber and might seem undignified, though.
I'll get into the habit of spoilering status every time.. it's just a copy paste away. I think nearly every relevant roll you could make is in the status (saves, senses, I'll add Init), but of course look at their sheet if you need more.
LOL I like the crush idea. 1 spell level higher seems good. Dog slobber works too if you think that is preferable.
I've been thinking about detect magic. I kinda don't like how critically necessary it is (hence the Elusa hound), nor do I like detecting magic constantly with a caster and catching every dang illusion that isn't super special.
I think I'd like to houserule a really weak version of detect magic into spellcraft, so anyone could use. It would be presence/absence in 30ft (you can ignore your own gear easily) or in an object/person. It would take a minute of fiddling though. Maybe do school of magic with high skill check. This way you can't just radar everything. I also got this idea from the last witch hunter movie which had super cool little divination rituals.
Then the current detect magic would be a level 1 spell within a 1 minute max duration. Identify would be the same but limited to one target.
Your thoughts?
I like it a lot! One thing I'm wondering is whether this will require some kind of special ritual or implement (e.g., even mundane adventurers take a rank in Spellcraft and carry a dowsing rod) or it's just in the nature of magic (e.g., if you pause a moment and pay attention, you can feel the subtle pulses of magic, like the nigh-ultrasonic whine of a silent television or the hum of quiescent machinery). I ask because the latter ruling slightly alters magical metaphysics. The former is cool, though :).
As for healing, dog slobber away if that seems within character :).
I'll go with the snapping heals, though Bathos could do slobber method depending on circumstance. I'll alter my equipment to reflect that.
I imagine small implements, included in a component pouch. Eschew materials would allow you to bypass the need.
Maybe holding a candle, sprinkling some dust on it. It lights itself in the presence of magic. That kind of thing.
Do the hippos have reach? A large long creature typically does not.
Let me know if I shouldn't nitpick these things. I'm trying to be helpful, but I can read my own words in a pretty awful whiny voice.
No, I appreciate the attention :). I don't think of you as whiny and you're the more experienced GM, so keep on me if I seem to be slipping. In this case, I actually checked very carefully because I was suspicious, but hippos have five-foot reach. They're Large (fat), not Large (long) ;).
Wait. Reach 5 ft. is not reach at all! Sorry about that; my reading comprehension was poo. Hippos are long, after all.
We'll just say that those were my flavor descriptions for their upcoming turn. Sorry!
Well I'm sure the hippo that ate the guy had readied an action or something.
Also sorry I keep posting out of turn!! Though, in theory, if we had more people I could post like that (but probably should include some if/thens for what might happen before his turn actually occurred)
No, it's all good thus far :). Fortunately, the hippo Bathos hit missed anyway, so time doesn't have to change, hahaha.
Heh, I deleted the post of Matthias shouting (as it was out of turn) but I can see that people reacted to his words. Whoops.
Our first combat is allowed a few hiccups hehe.
I don't think individual attacks need to be spoilered unless they are part of an if/then kind of thing. Or is there a benefit I'm not thinking of? I guess you might not want me to see their values, I hadn't considered that.
I was thinking mostly of you seeing their modifiers. I guess it's not that important, though.
I'm already liking how Matthias handles himself and prioritizes. I knew you were gonna do some awesome kineticist stuff, but I wasn't sure whether it would be an awesome utility thing to save the drowning guy or an awesome combat thing to save the guards. He's taking charge, he's delegating. I dig it :).
Hehe, hard call. To be honest I think 1 or 2 less rounds of combat would save more lives. But it's hard for Matthias to not help the disabled one. Especially if it's a non combatant.
Feel free to spoiler then! Just give me more of those juicy descriptions to guide me in damage dealt and how weak the targets are. And you know, awesomeness.
Doing my best! I knew reading all that Homer would pay off. I'm definitely more comfortable with good descriptions in this medium. When I DM in person, I have a hard time trying to do it while simultaneously managing combat. That's definitely something that makes your in-person sessions awesome: you usually act out or describe our characters beautifully.
I don't think I can visit Chelsea until Nov 15th, if you want to try and coincide. If you can't you should definitely just visit her on your own!
That's actually perfect!! I'm moving this weekend and such. Moving in with Elizabeth and another friend, actually! You should come party sometime.
I would love to. Note that is not next weekend, but the one after.
Oh man... How I wanted to blast the hippo. But methinks this is better. (if it works)
Lol you jerk... making me read that success text.
I bring that up because I'll be super busy the next two weekends with that stuff but should be free the one you mentioned.
Hey! Just wanted you to know I'll be away from the computer most of the day. I'll try to post a few times in the afternoon. I think this encounter is almost over, so I'll try to make a big post with branching possibilities when it's over.
Cool! Thanks for the heads up on how much you'll be own, that is useful.
Gozrehtime! Will the man live or perish?
Sorry, the site was down earlier and I haven't been able to post. I'll be on for a bit now :).