They didn't kick me out and we made it to 20th level in Age of Worms. But I also stayed open to coaching/prodding from the other players. Might as well be humble and work within the boundaries provided, I think. They knew what they were doing far better than I.
20th level! Unbelievable! I'm guessing y'all finished the game?! Because that would be an absolute miracle. I've never finished a game on here. And when I say "game", I mean an entirety of an AP-type game. Man, that is cool.
I've completed some of those one-shot type games. Two or three of them were those "We Be Goblin" type ones. I forget what the term is that describes that type of adventure. I can't get "module" out of my mind, and I know that's not what they were called. At least I don't think so. *shrugs*
Anyway, I finished Book 2 of Second Darkness because that's all the DM wanted to run.
Got to Book 6 in Runelords but then the GM just up and vanished. Never heard from him again. I joined up in that one around the beginning of Book 3. That was a great game. Was really hoping we could finish it. So close. Got to 16th level in that one. That's the highest I've ever leveled up to in a long-running campaign. I've ran higher level pc's but that was what the recruitment called for.
So that just blows me away, you being able to go from early low levels to 20th. That's pretty amazing.
And I've never played Age of Worms. Heard about it over the years, though. I know it is an epic adventure.
My third or fourth swing at that adventure path recently went on what may be a permanent hiatus as the GM and several players deal with real life challenges. I believe we are barely into the second segment. That was one of the original adventure paths, printed in Dungeon magazine in 12 parts.
For the AP we finished, I came in at 11th level, played the character until the completion of the AP and he was 20th level. You've caused me to go read my epilogue (from six years ago!). I think it was pretty good, if I do say so myself!
I played from start to finish in a Second Darkness AP, but that was more a credit to the tag-team GMs than yours truly.
I have played in more aborted APs than I can count. I am generally participating in several games here on the boards. I rarely get to play in real-time.
Wow. The big "E" from six years ago. That's cool. That'd be fun to go back and read some old stuff. Especially something like that. A post with finality to it. Pretty cool.
Every once in a while I'll do that. That's kind of fun to go back and reminisce. It's been a while though.
Hey! But at least the SD campaign finished! That is still an amazing feat no matter how it finished.
And you ain't kidding about aborted games. That's pretty much the norm. I used to play in RL, but it was with family. And due to various circumstances with them all, those days are pretty much over. So this is the only way I play now. Whenever this ends for me, that will be that, unfortunately.
My favorite pc was Javell. ;D Man, he was so much fun.
It was me and my sister-in-law's brother. (I always call him my brother-in-law even though he's technically not). It was a 2-man adventure, and we were both paladins. Man, that was such a blast. We were cracking up the whole time. Tons of fun with 2 paladins who were pretty much off-the-wall and so very different. Such great chemistry. Best adventure we ever had as players around a table. I do miss those days.
I haven't played anything other than PbP/play-by-Discord games in almost a decade. Then again, I'm not really in many of those any more either. I think this is actually the only active game that I have.
Really?! You've also been on these boards for quite some time, Ansha. I just figured you were in several games. That's wild. That surprises me. I know I've seen "Ansha" a lot over the years.
I believe I was in a game with you back in the day, which is what led me to ask you to be in this one, but I'm just not sure.
I know I was in a game with Tilnar back in the day. And it was with Arigoder. I wanna say Carrion Crown.
Anyway, gotta say again, I am surprised you're not in more games. I just figured you would be. But, I guess, you are probably select in which games you want to be in. Which, if that's the case, I don't blame you. I don't just want to play in any ol' game. I want it to be one I like, or interested in I guess.
I have only been turned off enough to want out of two games. I'm pretty chill, I like to think, and go with the flow. Those games were high-tension with one person dictating all of the others' actions. I saw them through and they were epic, but for a while, they weren't fun.
When I was in a bad spot at work, I was supplementing with games. Every time a game would slow down, I would add another. When they all got busy, I was buried, but I loved it. Right now I have three or four games here that I think would be considered active and probably that many again that are intermittent or on hiatus, announced or not.
If I actually go count, I might feel guilty about all the time I'm spending on them...
I've finally got some real-time (but remote) games going again, but neither is currently Pathfinder. A friend has smashed together a sci-fi game with Delta Green undertones and it's starting to get weird. We just landed on a nearly-abandoned space station and the first inhabitant we met wasn't human anymore. The other game, just finished session zero, is a trial of Dragonbane. I've been wanting to try it for a while and I have willing guinea pigs, so I'm going for it.
I have an EXTREMELY hard time playing in a game when there's another player playing "dictator". That is a major pet peeve of mine. I will never give orders to another pc and I do not expect to be ordered around. I'm a fairly laid-back kind of guy myself, but man, I just CANNOT deal with that. That just irks me. There was a game or two I've dealt with that. For the life of me, I can't recall how it turned out, though.
I can say out of somewhere around 60 games, I've probably backed out of 4 or 5. I hate backing out of games. As long as I can get along with the players and the DM, I will stay. Even if it's not, like, the most fun game, I'll still stay. I have only left when it's "worse comes to worst". Which means there was an issue between me and another player or me and the DM that just couldn't get resolved.
It happens.
And kudos to you for being able to withstand being buried by games! That is tough to do, as far as I'm concerned. I found out the hard way what happens when I get buried in too many games.
There was a time I was playing in, oh, about 10 or 12 games all at once. I found out it was too much. I will never do that again. I burned out. It was so difficult to post because I just didn't feel like it. Felt like a chore more than fun, and I just dreaded all the time it was going to eat up. I was posting sporadically. No continuity whatsoever. It was tough. But I eventually got through it and found writing fun again.
Those were some rough times.
So this "Trial of Dragonbane", are you the DM of that one? It sounds like you are.
Really?! You've also been on these boards for quite some time, Ansha. I just figured you were in several games. That's wild. That surprises me. I know I've seen "Ansha" a lot over the years.
I believe I was in a game with you back in the day, which is what led me to ask you to be in this one, but I'm just not sure.
I know I was in a game with Tilnar back in the day. And it was with Arigoder. I wanna say Carrion Crown.
Anyway, gotta say again, I am surprised you're not in more games. I just figured you would be. But, I guess, you are probably select in which games you want to be in. Which, if that's the case, I don't blame you. I don't just want to play in any ol' game. I want it to be one I like, or interested in I guess.
I used to be in more, and started playing Pathfinder Society pbp games, but I’ve mostly just let everything taper down. Seems like I don’t have as much interest in pbp games as I used to.
And it was Joana’s Ballad of Bloodmarch Hill Giantslayer game that we were in together. She was the other active game I had but she quietly dropped it a while back. I think she had lost the notes she had taken to modify the game like she wanted to or something.
I used to be in more, and started playing Pathfinder Society pbp games, but I’ve mostly just let everything taper down. Seems like I don’t have as much interest in pbp games as I used to.
I can totally understand that. Absolutely.
And it was Joana’s Ballad of Bloodmarch Hill Giantslayer game that we were in together. She was the other active game I had but she quietly dropped it a while back. I think she had lost the notes she had taken to modify the game like she wanted to or something.
That's right! Giantslayer. You know, now that you mention it, for the life of me, I can't remember why that game died. Hm. For some reason I wanna say because there were too many players either quitting or just not posting. But, unfortunately, that is most Paizo games, so they all kind of run together in that regard. :P
That was a pretty good game. I would've liked to have kept going on that one.
Ah well. I guess we could say that about most games we've been in.
Edit: Well, I was way wrong. Looks like you might have been right, Ansha. The game just died. Looks like Joana just vanished and that was that.
Another DM vanishes into the night. Well, I guess if it's not the players that vanish it's the DM. It always seems to be somebody.
Yes, I'm running the Dragonbane game. I've spent a fair bit of time putting the rules into a Foundry ... channel? world? I forget ... so the players, who don't have the rulebook, can look things up and create their characters.
I have a sketch of a session and a Tuesday deadline, but we are pretty chill. I have kept them entertained on a night when I had no time to prepare anything. I always strive to have something ready, though. Anything less feels like disrespect for their time.
I remember seeing Joana on the boards often, but don't think I've ever been in one of her? their? games. I don't get into the conversation side of the boards much anymore. It's pbp boards, then move on.
Yeah, she used to be a pretty big mainstay on the boards. She was a heck of a writer and solid all around.
Looks like she just up and vanished. I was in a few of her games. All as replacements(which was pretty much my MO, as I mentioned).
Sad too. She was a good one. It was a lot like losing AK(I'm sure you remember him) and Mark Sweetman(Voice of the Voiceless, I believe was one of his avatars). Some really solid players who moved on several years ago. Set was an amazing player too, but he decided he didn't want to do pbp anymore. Hated to see that. I was in a Kingmaker game with him. I think he was big on the "talky" side of Paizo. He may still be, I don't know. I never go there. Stinks to lose such really good players. Was in a Way of the Wicked with Joana, Mark, and AK. That was such a fantastic game. So great. But, the DM called it quits on us. Just made it to the beginning of Book 2. *sigh*
When I first started, I checked out the conversation side of the boards for a few months. I found I didn't like that AT ALL. So, the only thing I've ever left open is the Recruitment tab. I'm like you, it's pbp and that's it. Don't care about the rest.
One of my first long term-ish games was a homebrew AK ran- Mark and Joana were both players in that game with me. It was a great game, but AK had/has some health problems, so it went on hiatus. He tried to restart it a few years after and all of the original players were on board, but the health issues plagued him enough he finally just called it.
I’ve never liked the conversation side of the boards, but I also kinda hate the Recruitment side as well. So that’s probably why I have let my number of active games dwindle so much. I tried PFS for a few years and found that I liked that format, but I really wanted a more consistent group. I was in a rotating GM group Nowruz started doing PFS scenarios for a year or two, but that died out a couple of years ago also.
It probably doesn’t help that I’m not interested in trying pf2e, but oh well.
I think I remember that one. I checked out some of his games at the time. I bet that was a great game. And I remember AK having some health issues. Poor kid. And he was a kid too. At the time, I believe he was around 25ish. I remember him giving his age out. I'm like, "Dang that dude is young". Good dude, though. Real good dude.
You know, I tried PFS once. I never could get into it. Just wasn't for me. Felt more like a Baldur's Gate type quest. "Go fetch me my sword and I'll give you this." and what not. And I think I prefer the more consistent group myself, ultimately.
I don't know. Just wasn't my cup of tea.
I've played PF2E in a few games. I like it okay. I don't know. I'm sort of on the fence. I can play it, but I think I like PF1 better. In PF2, nobody is really better than anybody else at anything(when it comes to skills, anyway). Nobody stands out. Not like PF1 anyway. You're not getting +12 to perception(or whatever skill) at first level, no matter what you do.
Which, I guess, makes nobody a superdude skill guy while everyone else stinks at it. It's all very even(ish). And you are DEFINITELY not going to do the damage you do in PF1. Not even close. The damage in PF1 is far more massive. Damage is more dice-rolling and far less static bonuses.
Example: I had this 6th-level barbarian that did 2d10+4 damage(normally it's 1d10 but I had an item that made it 2d10). 18 strength. When he raged, it was 2d10+10. At 6th level. You could easily make that happen at 4th level in PF1. There's no Strength and a half for wielding a 2H weapon. No Power Attack type bonuses. If I were to crit, it would simply add another d10. No doubling or tripling the "+10". That doesn't change. Again, the game is just built on rolling damage more than going with static damage.
But I don't know. It is what it is, I guess. It's not bad. But I'm not gonna sit here and say it's great either.
I actually like PF2e more, but I have few chances to play it. I think all of the games I’m in here are actually older than the PF2e ruleset.
The comment that resonated with me most was someone complaining about people trying to win the game at character creation with uber-super-hero builds. I don’t have time, and now, inclination, to participate in that arms race.
That said, there are plenty of PF1e games that don’t reward that sort of play overmuch and I am reminded why I have been playing PF1e since it was playtested.
So I won’t try to defend PF2e vs. PF1e. It still comes down to the table, not the rule system.
PF1 is notorious for folks wanting Superman at 1st level(or whatever level, really). There's a recruit thread going on now that's: Gestalt/20 level/Your main class HAS to be 3rd party/this/that/and everything else in between. It's insane. I can't do that. To me, that's just no fun.
Yeah, Superhero builds don't exist at character creation in PF2. Which is something I do like about it. I guess I'm torn a little. I like the damage output of PF1(at my core, I'm a power gamer at heart) for the most part, but I also do find it a bit ridiculous that at high levels. You're doing 85 points of damage BEFORE you even roll your dice. And that's just a d8. Which is really pointless. "A 1. So, 86 damage." Really pointless. And if you crit, well, "Okay, 9000 points of damage and on 3d8 I roll a... 7.
Yeah, ridiculously pointless.
So, that's why Paizo went with an emphasis on dice-rolling for damage. It makes the damage dice of the weapon far more important. Which is cool. I do like that. The randomness of it all. Makes it a challenge. And PF2 is tough. Creatures are far tougher than PF1, for sure.
It really does come down to the table. You have to have a solid group or it's just not worth it. The ruleset is kinda key, but that's just based on the issue of whether or not you know the rules. Definitely helps to know them. ;P (I only know Pathfinder. Don't have time, nor do I really care, to learn any others).
I am back now and really want to strangle someone as I couldn't get onto PAIZO for it seems like forever. Not sure if it was on my end or theirs but finally have everything sorted out and reading through posts. I will try to get caught up and going this Sunday.
Sorry for delay. Also I am hoping that I am able to pick up the pace of things to make it better for all of us.
Whoa!!! Variel, you're back!!! That is awesome! *thumbs up*
Man, it's good to hear from you, bud. I was concerned something might've gone sideways in your life. I hate it when long-standing DM's just vanish. Makes we worry that something horrible may have happened to them. I get the 1 or 2-year guy who does it. That's par for the Paizo course. But not someone with your record.
And no worries for the delay AT ALL. It's all good. Just glad to see things are okay on your end. :)
Oh, wow! So good to hear from you again! Hope all is well in your world.
Seconding the comment about the delay - no worries, just glad you are all right and checking in.
Yes, welcome back! And I also agree- glad you’re alright and checking in.
I sure hope Tilnar is still with us. Sure would hate to have lost him.
I guess we're ready.
But it's concerning that we may have lost Tilnar. I sure hope not. But he hasn't posted anywhere since, like, early March. Man, I hope everything is alright with him.
I pm'd him but I've got nothing. Which makes sense, I guess, seeing how he hasn't posted in a couple of months.
I can pull a "Pixie Rogue" ;) and run Arigoder until further notice, if y'all want.
But it'll probably be the weekend until I can get him into herolabs and built up. That's gonna take some major time.
Thoughts?
Trying to get somebody new just feels like a tiring ordeal at this point, so that's why I offer.
I've become a verb! Which I'm sure is different from being verbalized...
Lol!
You got me. Heck, I hadn't really thought about it. I wouldn't know what to ask.
I’d say we give Tilnar until we’re actually in-combat before we worry about someone else running him. I’m not opposed to recruiting one or two more people, either.
Works for me.
@Everyone: What do y'all think about me asking around if someone wants to take over Damiel? And possibly Arigoder? I know the jury is still out on Arigoder, but just in case. But, he hasn't posted in nearly 3 months. *shrugs* Stinks too. Sure hate to lose him.
Anyway, I figure I'd ask about them both if y'all think we should go that route. I know folks don't typically like to take over someone else's pc, but I could still give it a shot if y'all think we should go that route.
I am good with whatever. Was trying to give some time as well before moving on but will get you guys into the maze here tonight!
Cool.
Okay, Ansha and Pixie: I can ask around for folks to jump in and take over Ari and Damiel or just bring in their own PC.
Instead of going through the whole recruit business, I'm fairly confident I can find a couple of people who would join this thing. Then let them decide which way they want to roll and go from there.
And then I'll send you a PM, Variel, to make sure it's cool with you if I do happen to get somebody who's willing.
I've got several folks in mind, so hopefully, someone is willing. And won't quit on us. Heck, we've only got 5 levels left. There are only a couple of APs that make it to 20th level. We are nearly there.
Thoughts?
Edit: I've got just the 2 people in mind. So if this is cool with y'all, I'll hit them up. And hopefully, they'll be willing because I think they would be perfect. And I also think they would stay until the end. Mainly because they've both been around a long time on the boards.
I am fine with it to add a spark and extra players. Good luck
You got it. Here's goes nothing. :)
Yep. All those cats are in charge. As long as Ndombe is Variel. :P
What's needed is a ranged type and possibly another melee type. Possibly. We need a hero. We're holding out for a hero till the end of the night. ;P
Don't know how Variel wants to handle Radiance.
Right now, it's only Morgrym as the frontline guy. But he could probably handle it himself. :)
We don't have a rogue either. Morgrym usually just busts through the traps. Wow. How have we made it this far with traps? I'll never know. Although, I don't really recall a lot of traps. *shrugs*
We have a melee, arcane, and divine. We do have ranged, but like I mentioned to you in the PM, that's Pixie playing ranged as well as divine.
It's time for the great Pixie Rogue to take a break from that. That's just way too much work. :)
So, ranged, rogue(ish), or melee. That pretty much sums it up. And don't forget, the ranged pc is the ONLY ranged character we have. Outside of long-range missile spells. ;)
Our ranged threat is our trap specialist.
The melee threat is the biggest lack. Damiel doesn’t require a lot of cognitive load. Melee as in protecting the squishy mage and cleric. Morgrym will stand toe-to-toe with anything and make a mark.
I will defer to others regarding whether you step into existing shoes or create a new character. If you are new to mythic, it might be more comfortable to step into one of the existing PCs (I can probably get Damiel's HeroLab to you if that character interests you, but he's not really the best build, I just worked with what I was given when I inherited him). If you do that, maybe Variel will give you a level for any "lemon law" issues for things that don't work as you like.
This is Radiance. Artifact-level weapon carried by one of our missing - and lamented - PCs.
We haven't encountered mass combat in the main lens that I remember. IIRC, there have been instances where the success of an off-stage military campaign was determined by the success of the party. But I haven't been here from day one of the campaign, either.
Radiance is the "Super Sword" in this game. It was built for a Paladin. It's a longsword that grows as you level. But I believe it's reached its max potential at this point. It ultimately becomes a Holy Avenger, I believe. I'm not 100% positive but I believe that's correct.
Variel will know more about it than me.
So do you need me to take on the persona of some existing (N)PC, or to make someone new to fill a niche? If it's the former, do I just take their PCs wholesale, or design a new one with that name?
Man, you can do whichever you prefer, bud. Whatever you feel like doing.
Pixie makes a good point, though. With you being new to Mythic, maybe it would be easier to just snag one of the current PC's that have left us. *shrugs*But if you have an idea, a pc you've always wanted to play in this AP, I think that'd be fine too.
I think Variel can help you there as well. He may or may not have a preference.
I've taken over a few pc's in my day. It's definitely quicker. But it always took a minute to figure out what the heck I can do mechanics-wise. :P
Honestly I can work with any of the stated options. If you want to create a character go ahead. If you want me to level up an npc for you I can help with that. If you want to ‘sub’ and use Damiel or Arigoder go ahead. If Arigoder comes back we would gladly keep you and you could make a character then once you get use to mythic.
As for Radiance it is a Holy Avenger with the bonus of having 2 surges attached to it. These Surges are 1 time d8 bonus to your roll that you can use after you see the roll.
Mass combat is a mechanic used in book 2 and 3 but not a part of book 5 (which you are in now) nor book 6
Ooooooo, Beyond Morality is a good one. Morgrym has that. Has come in quite the handy a couple of times or 3. When one of those Unholy Smite type spells engulf the party that only affect "good" alignments... well, let's just say that ability has definitely worked in my favor. :)
And Radiance as a Greatsword? Oh man, that would be so freaking awesome. :)
Morgrym can handle some melee. He can take a hit or two. :)
Plus, there is a potential other player out there. I haven't heard from him yet, but if he decides not to, there are a couple of others I can give a shout out to. If you don't go melee, we could probably get one of the others to.
So it's all good.
Go with whatever you want, bud. Ranged, Ranged/Rogue, Paladin.
And yes, this AP absolutely does scream Paladin. I'm a big fan of Paladins. I just joined this game 2 years too late for that, though. But, it all worked out. I love me some Barbarians, too. :)
And Tempered Champion is a freaking amazing Archetype. I had a pc that I built with that. Can't remember if I ever got to play him, though.
Our ranged threat is our trap specialist.
HA! Oh man, shows how much I pay attention. And here I thought he was a Ranger all this time.
A Ranger(Trapper) would've been cool. That way, he'd get Favored Enemies galore.