Variel's WotR

Game Master Neltji

Do any of the other characters still suffer from negative levels?

OK, vibe check. What do you think about Nasira leaning into the ability to summon aid? With Sacred Summons, she can summon creatures with alignments that match her aura as a standard action rather than a full round action. With Mighty Summons, they would have DR 5/Epic and with a MP spent, they gain a template if I limit it to a single summoned creature. Is this a waste of resources? Would we use it? I'm thinking some fodder might have been nice a time or two, even if all they did was shield the healer.

I guess I should check with the GM, too. How do you feel about me controlling another creature in combat? It would have the potential to slow us down if I'm unavailable, but it's PbP, so that's always a concern even with a single character for a player.

I am all good with it as we don't move that fast that you have a chance to get all of your guys moved and posted for. Meat shields are always great as mythic power attack with a x4 crit weapon could almost autokill one of you. That attack going somewhere else can be huge.

Don't worry about negative levels at this point as assume they are healed by you over the next 2 weeks.

OK - if we have that kind of time, I would be able to top everyone off for levels and hit points. She's updated.

Arigoder can help with the healing, using his LoH.

Nasira has the Forge Ring feat, which has been a complete waste thus far. And she’s very adept at weapon forging. Would someone more familiar with crafting rules be able to tell me if she might accomplish anything with two weeks of downtime?

Really?! If you can forge weapons, does that you mean you can add magical abilities to them as well?

I guess I should be asking: When you say 'forge weapons', does that also mean Craft Magical Arms and Armor?

Because I got some crap that I'd really like to have built. Actually, added on to a current weapon. (I also have some armor ideas but that's a whole 'nother ordeal):)

And forge ring, huh? I did not know that. Well, I'm going to go check out some rings then and see what's out there. There is bound to be something I need that could come in handy.

I'm not even sure if Morgrym actually has any rings. Gonna have to see what I got.

Okay, I don't really see anything that stands out ring wise. Maybe a ring of (insert element here) resistance? *shrugs*

There's bound to be one of the other pc's who could use a cool ring or two.

I don’t have Craft Magical Arms and Armor. It’s been many RL years since I made that decision and I’ve generally regretted not taking something more commonly useful.

Weren’t we doing a free crafting skill in this game? I thought we were - though I forgot to increase it this level - and mundane weapon crafting was were I put those points, so I have a lot of ranks in that skill now.

Though religious research would be a better AP choice, I’m not good at knowledge checks in general.

I don’t have Craft Magical Arms and Armor. It’s been many RL years since I made that decision and I’ve generally regretted not taking something more commonly useful.

Weren’t we doing a free crafting skill in this game? I thought we were - though I forgot to increase it this level - and mundane weapon crafting was were I put those points, so I have a lot of ranks in that skill now.

Though religious research would be a better AP choice, I’m not good at knowledge checks in general.

Confirmed in my notes that we were gifted a free skill point each level to be used for a single skill. I'm not sure what the parameters for that skill were, but I chose Craft (weapons) and my bonus is high enough that I should be creating masterwork things for people now.

With Forge Ring, I could create one up to 14000 gp in value or upgrade something of like difference in price or start that process. I could take a Ring of Protection +3 to +4, for example, if I had 7000 gp to spend on the effort. A ring of minor <select energy type> resistance for that type of energy resistance 10 costs 10000 gp and requires 5000 gp to craft.

All moot as I have no cash to speak of.

Nasira will spend her time for two weeks crafting weapons for the army and studying her religious texts at night.

I don't think I've been giving Ari extra skill points in a Craft or Knowledge skill. Oops.

I think the issue with crafting is we don't have any actual funds to craft with -- unless I missed something (I mean, we're level 15, and Arigoder's still rocking a +2 belt of dexterity. ;) ).

Ultimately, having someone craft magic in the party basically lets us get things we'd want of the same value as the things we find (for example, with Arms/Armour, we find an Agile Elven Curve Blade +2 -- nobody wants that, and if we sold the +3 weapon, we'd get half value.... which is how much it costs to craft another +3 weapon, say, a +2 Furious Frying Pan) -- and that it lets us upgrade stuff when we don't find better or are worried about slots (i.e. - bump the +2 belt to a +4, or +4 and +2 to another stat).

Anyhow, Arigoder has very little of that, so if there's 2 weeks to fill, he'd probably generally be everywhere -- expending LoH to heal people who need it, listening to what's happening in terms of events, going to the tavern to be seen and try to keep up (or restore) morale -- and encouraging the others to do the same. He's annoying that way.

Yeah there are areas of this campaign that is light on wealth. They did that to try and balance out the mythic aspect as the focus is on the character itself being able to do all these cool things rather than relying on wealth and magic items. That being said please make sure you are wbl for a 13th level character.

The other hard part is trying g to figure out the cost of mythic items as those just break wealth guidelines.

For the record, I did throw out there in a discussion post(previous page) to remind y'all about all that cash we took from the dragon lair.

That's at least some cash that might be used. Plus, we got stuff we can sell. If there's actually a place to sell it, that is.

Yeah, mythic stuff does tend to be destroy the WBL business.

I can't even start looking at WBL when Ari's carrying Radiance. ;)

Well, the number is 140000.

According to HeroLab, Nasira's gear value is just shy of that amount.

Damiel is actually above that, but well below WBL for our actual level.

Actually, WBL is 240,000.

Well, Morgrym has some items that need selling.

He's got Blancher(63K); A +3 ghost touch weapon(32K); +3 full plate(10K)

Blancher pretty much does the same damage as my earthbreaker. But the attack mod is less.

I don't need the ghost touch weapon. I have a rage power that lets me hit incorporeal creatures with regular weapons.

Herolabs says I've got 335k value. Take away those 3 and I'm just under the 240K mark.

I also carry an Instant Fortress which is 55K. That's more of a team item than an item for Morgrym. He's just carrying it. So now I'm 60k under WBL.

Plus, he carries a Bag of Holding II/IV. That's 15k more combined. He has to carry them because they weigh a freaking ton. 25lbs for the II and 60lbs for the IV. My gosh, that's nuts. I didn't realize these stupid bags weighed so much. Handy though.

Also, I'm 15th level with a +1 Cloak of protection. HA! That's wild. I just looked and saw that.

Anyway, we really should consider selling some stuff. Namely, those three items I mentioned above. I just don't know if we can do that here. That's a TON of cash.

So, Morgrym is roughly 75K below WBL.

Variel said 13th level. That's 140000. I thought he might be trying to adjust for mythic.

I didn't look at the items I might sell. If we are supposed to be at 15th level WBL, I'm 80K to 100K below WBL before I look at selling items.

We are capable of travel anywhere, so selling items isn't the barrier it once was. I just forget that because I rarely play at this level.

Seeking items is not an issue at all. Also don’t forget to include the dragon hoard value as well.

Has the dragon hoard been documented somewhere? I have done that in some games - did I do it here?

If we have this much downtime, I would also like to recharge the staff, please.

Variel said 13th level. That's 140000. I thought he might be trying to adjust for mythic.

My bad. I totally missed that.

Nasira Yusra Abujamal wrote:

Variel said 13th level. That's 140000. I thought he might be trying to adjust for mythic.

My bad. I totally missed that.

You might be right, though. Variel, were you intentionally holding us to 13th in the WBL or should we be looking at our current 15th level?

If I discount Radiance, Arigoder's got less than 62K worth of gear.

But then there's the small matter of the (priceless) artefact. Even if it were a normal Holy Avenger, it'd cost 120k.

(That said, DM, I don't think we've been having the SR from Radiance affecting Ari's adjacent allies - It's only SR19, but it *could* help... Sometimes... Maybe...)

I don't believe Radiance should count. I don't know. Anything listed as "Legendary" just seems like it'd cost so much that you couldn't really have anything else.

Heck, it could almost count for your entire WBL. You'd have to wear your pj's as armor, a cloak that looks like Charlie Brown's Halloween costume, and a cubic zirconia ring just to stay under WBL. :P

Also, here's that list again of what we found in the dragon's lair.

76,846 silver pieces
11,150 gold pieces
1430 platinum pieces
8 diamonds worth 600gp each
4 rubies worth 1500gp each
1 diamond worth 5000gp
art worth 1250gpgp
furniture worth 2275
a chest worth 600gp and finally in the chest... a golden scepter studded with emeralds that you don't know what it is worth

Not sure if it was entered in the loot sheet. Heck, for the life of me, I can't understand that sheet at all.

Several names on there that left the party LONG ago. I wish we could delete those and figure it out from there. But that seems like it would REALLY jack up the loot sheet beyond insanity.

I don't think the loot sheet has been updated for so long, I would be inclined to delete the contents and just use the design - I can see most of the flow, but I don't think I designed it. Replacing the names would not break anything.

Did we try to identify the scepter? Seems to me that it's more than monetary value. Is it magical? I assume we checked?

Without the unknown value of the scepter, a five-way split of that hoard would be 10,611gp and change per person. If we take the three items Javell suggested selling, that value increases to 31611 and change per person.

Nasira could easily sell the cold iron longsword she is carrying in place of something she is proficient with if she is going to carry a weapon at all.

Still waiting for confirmation regarding whether we are looking at 13th-level or 15th-level for our WBL.

What the heck it almost Christmas. Everyone make sure you are at 13.5 wbl. If you have a mythic item go with what the base cost of the item would normally be so radiance would be 120k. This is suppose to be a fun campaign that allows characters to do things they never can do again

What do you mean by 13.5 wbl? Is that, 13 and 1/2 level? I don't get it. I'm fairly certain I'm probably missing something.

Halfway between 13 and 14 would be 162,500gp - maybe that's what he has in mind?

That could very well be it. It just seems odd. I've never seen it done that way so that's why I figured I'd better ask.

Yes that is it. Giving you another 22k go in wealth if you are not there already. Should have been more clear sorry.

I need to find time to update Ansha, and now apparently to audit her WBL too xD

Yeah, I gotta do that this weekend myself. I was going with current level as well.

If all of you are above the wealth guidelines that is fine. I just want to make sure that those that are below others are able to keep up.

So this next part doesn’t need items or gear at all so will post an update tomorrow

I hope you all have had an opportunity to spend time with loved ones and know you are loved. If not, know that you are still loved. Here’s to a fantastic New Year for each of you.

Thanks, Nasira.

Let me add my own warm wishes to everyone (and to your loved ones as well).

Though, speaking of the New Year - I'll be away the first 2 weeks of the year and not able to particpate in the game during that time.

Well, I went and took Craft Magic Arms & Armor, mainly because I couldn't think of anything else to take.

I think Ansha is updated now.

Yeah, Arushelea would have happened before Arigoder was part of the gang. ;)

Yeah, Arushelea would have happened before Arigoder was part of the gang. ;)

For some reason, I had thought Arigoder joined before Ansha did, but apparently not!

Really? I would have had that wrong, too!

Heck, I've no idea if I was here during that time or not. No way I'm gonna remember that. Whenever that happened, it was WAY too long ago for me to remember. :P

I had to check - I've been posting as Nasira since 2014 and Morgrym will hit his ten-year anniversary this year.

I presume I was here for the redeemed succubus, but I don't recall the encounter, either.

No freaking way! Are you serious?! Dang, has it really been that long? Dang. That's nuts. No way I would've thought that. Man, that's just wild.

Sounds like Nasira has been here the longest of us. I think I joined the group in 2020 or 2021. The only person who’s been here the entire time, since it started in 2013, has been GM Variel, though.

Looks like it was 2020 for me.

It continues to be a pleasure to share a virtual table with you.

Didn’t realize I was the senior member of the party. Damiel came in with someone else, but the player left almost immediately. I think he’s the newest character or tied for the title.

Where did the conversation end regarding gear levels?

Just a heads up, folks. I sent Variel a PM. Hopefully, everything is alright with him.

And I was looking at this game and it's beginning. He's been running this thing since 2013! My gosh, that is amazing.

And the original crew? All gone. Just like Ansha mentioned above. Man, that's nuts. What are the odds that NOBODY from the original crew decided to stay put? That's unbelievable. You'd think there would be at least one.

I'm still blown away that I've been here for 10 years. My gosh, where does the time freaking go? Too fast, that's where.

This has got to be one of the longest running games I've known about. Outside of Aubrey the Demented. Do any of you remember him? Heck, he may very well still be on here, I don't know. But he had a game that I think started in... 2004, I believe it was? I haven't seen his name in several years, though.

Pixie Rogue: I don't see how you can run 2 pc's at this level. You've been doing it for a LONG TIME now. Kudows to you.

And yeah, it was PapaDRB that ran Damiel(I'm pretty sure anyway. I could check, but I'm lazy). :P He dropped out in a heartbeat, too. That actually did not surprise me. Too many times, I would see him DM a game, and it wasn't long before he'd call it quits. He was an old-timer, so maybe that had something to do with it, I don't know.

Anyway, he came in with Tilnar. And I'm actually surprised he showed up after Ansha, too. I thought he was before her. Wild.

Anyway again, it's been nearly 3 months since Variel posted. So, here's hoping and praying that he's okay. It's concerning. Like I told him in the PM, I'm truly impressed with that kind of run. That's just simply amazing. A real solid DM through and through.

I don't do much with poor Damiel, something I feel a bit guilty about on occasion. He was indeed originally PapaDRB's character.

I'm in another game with Variel that has been quiet. I haven't reached out to him for a while. He has indeed been a great gamemaster. I hope he is doing well.

I was in one or two of Aubrey's games. One of my favorite moments was from his Eberron game, riding a disabled flyer into the ground so I could give the rest of the party time to escape and also to steer it into a vacant lot to avoid collateral damage of innocents. (Spoiler: I fully expected my character to die after seeing my rolls, but the damage dice were kind to me.)

Heck, don't feel guilty. I think you're doing an amazing job. Man, that would just be SO tough to run 2 pc's this high level in the same game. Especially when it comes to leveling up. Heck, just the thought of it wears me out. :P

And that's just freaking cool. Didn't know you were in Aubrey's game. So cool. He ran a Runelords game for many, many years on here.

And what a cool scene that sounds like, too. That sounds like some exciting fun. :)

Man, so you've been on these boards for a VERY long time, haven't you, Pixie? Has it been 20 years? Close to it, maybe? Just curious. :)

Not quite 20 years. I was lurking a long time before participating, not sure how long. It’s been almost 17 years since Black Tom put out a call for new players and took in a wee halfling sorceress. Shisumo was in that game, if you know them.

Oddly, I rarely get selected as an original player for campaigns starting out, but I’ve been a fill-in in a few games for over a decade. I literally took over a character at high level when the player went quiet and the DM didn’t want to retcon in a random character at such a high level. THAT was awkward, trying to inhabit someone else’s character until I could start to make build choices as he got more powerful.

Yep. I remember Black Tom and Shisumo. I think Black Tom is still around but I'm not entirely sure about that.

And that's funny you mention about being a "fill-in". Because that's how I got into the majority of my games. Somewhere around 80 to 85% of the games I've been in were as a replacement.

And wow. That would be utterly intimidating. For me, anyway. Just starting out and having to take over a high-level character? Ugh. That would just be overwhelming. BUT, also challenging. Which, in that regard, probably would've made it fun. SCARY... but fun. :)