Hello, and welcome to the discussion thread. I hope you all enjoy playing this game.
I'm going to try something that a GM in another game did for combat. It's worked well in the other game and keeps things moving.
Combat will work as follows:
-Roll for initiatives. I'll handle any roll-offs that need to be done.
-Post your actions for that round. I'll put them in order and handle any conflicts.
-I post what happened that round and then we move on to the next round.
If you want to try something else let me know and we'll give it a whirl. I know that I am the GM, but some of you have been playing and GMing for far longer than I have, and any advice on keeping this running as smoothly as possible is very much appreciated. Game thread will be up tommorrow, or as soon as everybody checks in, which ever comes later.
First of all, thank you for selecting me. This looks like a good group, and I look forward to adventuring in your world.
Having seen Player Init rolls versus the DM rolling all the inits, I think that having the DM do in once at the beginning of the combat is easier. That way we are not waiting on one player to post. Once the DM rolls, if someone does not post, we just post his action and keep going. Personally, I find in the pbp that I am in combat goes much smoother and faster with the DM doing all the init rolls at the beginning.
Also, I assume the we can post contingencies --> If Player X does . . . then I attack the orc, if the orc is dead then I attack the ogre, etc.
One other note, I do not know what your plan is for starting the actual campaign, but if you could start the Gameplay tab, then we can all dot that so that it will show up under our campaigns. This makes it much easier to keep an eye on posts.
Once again, thanks for choosing Durnak.
Fearghus, checking in! Thank you, DM-Salsa, for giving Fearghus the nod. I'm excited to be able to participate and I look forward to seeing what's in store for us!
As this is my first PBP, I don't have any previous experience with which to comment on how to proceed... but is there anything you'd like for us to post in our "name title bar" such as AC, saves, etc? I'm also assuming that for in-combat posts we'll be posting our current hp, ac, and any applicable conditions.
Thanks Salsa! I look forward to playing!
Hi all. I've been playing D&D sporadically since the late 80s. I've usually GMed, and so I haven't had a lot of time to be a player. I got back into the hobby in 3.5, and had a subscription to dungeon & dragon magazines when they got canceled. That led to pathfinder. Gmpathfinder was my email BEFORE pathfinder, which I find to be pretty funny.
I'm a professor in the midwest.
Thanks for bringing me on the team.
I tried to let all players roll for init, and agree it is better to do it in a spoiler with the bad guys and then edit it and put it in order. Saves a round of interaction with the players. Another thought is to have players have a 'canned initiative' in their name block. After it is used they roll a new one and replace it by editing their character profile.
Aaron suggested letting summoner and eidolon go together. Another option is to let them share the same init roll. It is slightly more realistic and that way eidolon can take improved init for a bonus. They will go about the same time that way.
I am up for anything, as long as it does not bog things down. Having the players roll init and then wait on other's to post their actions can really slow the system down.
As far as my background, I have mostly been a player. Started in 1979 or 1980 playing AD&D. Played with one friend for about 10 years before we just got too separated. I have the 2nd Edition books. Never played though. Played 3rd edition one day as I recall while home on vacation. The friend who got me started over 30 years ago reintroduced/introduced me to Pathfinder last summer and I have been playing pbp ever since. I have never really DMed, although I have recently started with my 5 yr old and 7 yr old. Not really role playing for them, but fun nonetheless.
I am considering converting the Temple of Elemental Evil, and later the Scourge of the Slavelords, to PF from the AD&D versions. That will take a little work, but should make for a good first attempt at DMing. No clue when I will decide to start it, but should be in a month or two.
Durnak, good to meet you.
We are going through Wareagle's Temple of Elemental Evil now under the Osric rules (basically 2nd Edition without copyright problems) in PbP now. Follow my alias Gnobby the Gnome to the threads. We just lost our paladin to the attrition of Real Life.
If things work out after the slavelords you can do the giants G1-G3 the drow D1-D3 and Q1 - Queen of Demonweb pits for a retro adventure path!
Oh boy, this ought to be interesting. I think I'm the least experienced player here. I just got started about a year ago.
Back on topic. Rolling everybody's initiative sounds like the way to go. I'll let the summoner and the eidolon share the same roll to smooth out actions. Posting alternate actions is fine, and will actually make my job easier.
I need to get a couple of things together, but I have to do some things for classes first. That said, game should start tomorrow night, unless we're still missing some folks. If that happens I'll send them PM's and give them another day.
Anyway, I need to get to sleep. I have class in the morning.
I own G1-3 as well - the original Black Cover. Don't have the D1-3 or Q1 though. Would have to get those from a friend if I can. If I were to get that far, I would have plenty of time to prepare as that would be 2-3 years of pbp I am guessing.
DM Aron and his Summoner should check in in the early morning. He is in England, but is a regular poster from about 3am EST until 6-8pm EST.
As far as player background goes, my first experience was just a couple sessions' worth of 2E in the late 90s. I played in a 3.5 game for a while but didn't "click" with that group so I moved on to GM-ing Pathfinder. I'm currently trying to maintain a monthly group currently working through Haunting of Harrowstone before starting Skull & Shackles sometime later this year.
Sorry for the wait everyone. Had ot go to bed about 30 mins before the decision was made and I had my voluntry work day today so I've been out all day :p. Here now though.
Ya gotta dotta da Gameplay tab. Iff'n ya dotta da Discussin' tab, den all ya done issa ta dot da tab. Iffn ya wants ta have dis game in yer Campaign tab, yas gotta ter dot da Gameplay.
And, iffn I keep type'n like dis. Someone shoot me.
And, iffn I keep type'n like dis. Someone shoot me.
AC? ;)
Anyways...
I feel your pain! I look forward to Fearghus' "worldly exposure" so he won't talk like such a backwoods hick anymore, though it might take a level or two.
Still waiting on Shady_Motives. I just sent him a PM, if he hasn't posted by tomorrow night, I'll assume that he just went AWOL and start.
If our wizard is AWOL, I vote on the two handed rogue. I'd like to see how many vicious sneak attacks we set up for him.
I'll see if he's still interested, but I'm hoping that he shows up. I was looking forward to seeing how these characters developed.
Definitely hope the wizard shows. Maybe he is like Gandalf and showing up in the nick of time :-)
Yeh - if the wizard does not show up, who are we supposed to feed to the hounds?
Greetings.
Er might help if I put the right hair color.
Er might help if I put the right hair color.
While we all can use our imagination as to how you look, any chance you could grab an avatar for your alias? Makes it harder to miss posts.
And welcome to the crew.
Welcome, Anna! And now that everyone's checked in, what needs to happen before getting started?
DM-Salsa, would you have any of us adjust our character backgrounds so the party comes together more smoothly? I don't know if you want to audit character sheets but it looks like Anna's built with 25 points instead of 20 (I'm sure it's just an accident/oversight). If there's a problem with mine or more experienced players have any suggestions with how to present my info, I'd appreciate people letting me know!
That bit out of the way, I'm excited to play!
Alrighty, the gangs all here. Don't worry about editing your backgrounds, I'm using an old stand-by of fantasy games. Everyone's going to be meeting in a Inn with a tavern.
@ Anna: You're 5 points over. If you could fix that that'd be awesome.
As far as I can tell everyone else is good. I'll try an dhave the first post up later.
Welcome, Anna! And now that everyone's checked in, what needs to happen before getting started?
DM-Salsa, would you have any of us adjust our character backgrounds so the party comes together more smoothly? I don't know if you want to audit character sheets but it looks like Anna's built with 25 points instead of 20 (I'm sure it's just an accident/oversight). If there's a problem with mine or more experienced players have any suggestions with how to present my info, I'd appreciate people letting me know!
That bit out of the way, I'm excited to play!
Feargus - yeh, I am bias and like the way I do things, but look at my skills list. I like doing it this way. All the skills are alphabetical and easy to find, but more importantly for you and the DM, you know exactly how each skill is calculated so that if you lose something due to a curse or poison or whatever, then it is easy to adjust on the fly without having to figure where that +14 Perception came from (+3 Wis, Ranks 3, +2 Race, +3 Class Skill, +3 Skill Focus). Also, but listing every skill (even without any ranks), you never miss one when you are adding skill points when you level.
Other than that your character sheet is pretty easy to read. You have done it all by hand which takes more time, but is a heck of a lot easier to read than the ones imported from some programs. The only thing I might do is to take the offense/defense/stats out of spoiler so that they appear easy to read when someone clicks on your character. This would just be my preference, but the easier things are for you, the easier they are from the DM.
@ Anna: Can you pick an avatar picture so I can have an image for your token in Maptool? I would draw one, but I am horribly out of practice.
Edit: And we are underway. Head to the Gameplay thread. Things'll start happening soon enough. >:)
Whoops, sorry about the build points. I can choose an image when I get home, work internet is too slow and the pictures never load.
PS: Salsa would you mind if I changed the arcane bond? I haven't posted anything in the story yet and it makes much more sense for my characters personality to have a familiar.
Not at all. Technically you haven't started the game yet so...
As soon as you post, things are going to get interesting. >:)
Yes she really looks like <<<<<<<<<<< with the tattoos and gem. No earings though.
Barfight bonding, the best way to form a tight party -- I love it!!!
Dolgana is going to have so much fun!
Barfight bonding, the best way to form a tight party -- I love it!!!
honestly, same here. I was half expecting the sterotypical weird guy in a cloak coming in saying "I have a task for you." or something of that shtickt, but this is quite interesting plus your characters will get to see Ava as when she moves in combat, her hood will come down, but she won't do the whole thing that Goris does and rips off her robe, but you'll see things that make her look very non-human. Scales at where the neck meets the shoulders and fangs as well as the summoner mark on her forehead.
I just noticed she has Multiattack as her feat... bite+2 claws = badass!
I just noticed she has Multiattack as her feat... bite+2 claws = badass!
Yeah, problem is Eidolons get multiattack at 9th level which means I have taken a feat for an ability I get at a later date, but without multiattack her claws when used would be -1/-1 and not +2/+2. So I took multiattack as I want her to actually hit her opponents and not flail infront of them.
Was tempted with Toughness for her first since multiattack comes at 9th level, but that's so far away I thought I might as well take it now.
Suddenly, I almost feel bad for making them only level 1.
...almost.
Suddenly, I almost feel bad for making them only level 1.
...almost.
Lol it's only 1 feat I could've used for something else, nothing major. Now, if I was making her somekind of multiarmed sword creature I wouldn't need the feat at all and instead take twf and go down that tree.
I like the emphisis on "almost" there. Should've added a grin. *Grins*
I just noticed she has Multiattack as her feat... bite+2 claws = badass!Yeah, problem is Eidolons get multiattack at 9th level which means I have taken a feat for an ability I get at a later date, but without multiattack her claws when used would be -1/-1 and not +2/+2. So I took multiattack as I want her to actually hit her opponents and not flail infront of them.
Was tempted with Toughness for her first since multiattack comes at 9th level, but that's so far away I thought I might as well take it now.
Yeah, that makes sense. Just too bad you can't take something else at 9. I suppose it also sets you up for adding any number of options like Rend or adding Tail Slap, or Sting/Poison... not sure, I guess, since I think you said you were going to set her up as an azata? It's fun to speculate, anyways!
Yeah, that makes sense. Just too bad you can't take something else at 9. I suppose it also sets you up for adding any number of options like Rend or adding Tail Slap, or Sting/Poison... not sure, I guess, since I think you said you were going to set her up as an azata? It's fun to speculate, anyways!I just noticed she has Multiattack as her feat... bite+2 claws = badass!Yeah, problem is Eidolons get multiattack at 9th level which means I have taken a feat for an ability I get at a later date, but without multiattack her claws when used would be -1/-1 and not +2/+2. So I took multiattack as I want her to actually hit her opponents and not flail infront of them.
Was tempted with Toughness for her first since multiattack comes at 9th level, but that's so far away I thought I might as well take it now.
I'm sure if I ask nicely the DM might let me switch out the feat when I reach 9th level :)
I have done the math before. If you take weapons focus, claws instead of multiattack, you have a 81% chance each round the +2 difference between the feats doesn't hurt you. Given you need a full attack to use all three natural weapons, I am more inclined to hold out if I know the campaign goes the distance.
As more an more of the PbPs I am in orphan is gettting harder to make a build for the long term. But I believe in this one, I am showing my faith by having an odd primary stat. Faith that we make it to at least level 4!
Ok - is something screwed up? I see six OOC posts, but nothing on the IC. Has anything happened since Olgana made post 66 (Init roll) yesterday?
Has anything happened since Olgana made post 66 (Init roll) yesterday?
Doesn't look like it.
Sounds like a good idea to have taken weapon focus claws, though still no idea what the end result will be of this eidolon as there are so many options, inclding doing stuff like improved bite or improved claws.
no idea, will have to wait for the DM to post and sort out the iniative.
Yeah I agree. 24 hour rule and all that. Hopefullly the mage has their iniative on their character sheet and then the DM can post it and have us all arranged.
I had accidently posted my character throwing a flask of acid at the group before Ava moves in and takes a bite out of one.
Apologies, I was out until after 4 AM, and well, sleep was needed. That's why you guys had to wait. That and I needed to get on my computer that has all of the stats for the NPCs. That said, here's my thoughts about the wizard:
It's not really fair to you guys to have to wait, and this is going to be going slow enough as is. That said, is there anyone you guys would like if it comes down to that?
Apologies, I was out until after 4 AM, and well, sleep was needed. That's why you guys had to wait. That and I needed to get on my computer that has all of the stats for the NPCs. That said, here's my thoughts about the wizard:
It's not really fair to you guys to have to wait, and this is going to be going slow enough as is. That said, is there anyone you guys would like if it comes down to that?
Out til after 4am? You young'ns! That warrants a fist-shaking!
As far as potential replacements go, interest was earlier expressed in the greatsword-wielding rogue. I know that poster is regular, but OTOH I'd prefer another primary arcane caster.
Heh, I just kept talking to somebody I met at the game shop I play at. I'm working on the NPC actions right now, I'll have those and an updated map up in an hour and a half, I hope. This is going to get interesting quick.
The rogue looks like a great player, but then we are very weak on the arcane side of things. Our summoner has some arcane powers, but nowhere near the wizard/witch or even sorcerer powers.
The rogue looks like a great player, but then we are very weak on the arcane side of things. Our summoner has some arcane powers, but nowhere near the wizard/witch or even sorcerer powers.
I agree, reason why I stocked up on mundane items