Ack, sorry for the delay. Between 3 jobs and working out assiduously I've been enjoying 12-hour days and 3 hours of driving each day. I'm ready to collapse.
S'OK, Treppa. Get some rest.
They're in there somewhere, I'm sure. And of course, next week is almost completely open. Ah, the pros and cons of freelancing.
Emerion and Heather could be on the far side of the rock. That way Dabbler or Wellard could rejoin later. A bit heavy handed, but best I could do in the middle of a crawl.
I've PMed with Dabbler. Real life has got him hopping and he's really tied up. I don't think he'd mind me telling you that he's starting a business with a friend. So it's good things keeping him busy. He's welcome back in the game, but I don't think he'll be coming back. Certainly not soon.
Dabbler was not able to contact Wellard. He had the same email address that I did and had misplaced any supplementary contact information he might have had.
FW, if perchance you hear anything at one of the UK cons, I'd be grateful if you passed it along.
So, three against the hostile unknown.
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Sorry to pop in on the thread here but I wanted to note that if you ever do hear about the whereabouts of Wellard I would appreciate it if you passed it along. I had been a long time player in one of his games and from the few snippets of personal stuff he shared over the years the abrupt absence seemed out of keeping. Anyway, just wanted to mention it in case you folks get any info, cheers!
Don't be sorry, Pirate Devon. Friendly visitors are welcome here. If we hear anything about Wellard, we'll let you know. I hope you'll reciprocate.
If we need more players, DSX and I have a friend (maybe two) who would be interested.
Oh, of course it would have to be at the right time. :) Just wanted to mention that we knew a couple of people who might fit in when that time arrives.
I had been thinking that we would finish out this crawl before recruiting, but actually the old "prisoners in the dungeon" ploy would work well here. New characters could be cell-mates with Seneschal Kalepopolis.
The new vict -- I mean players, would have to roll up their characters and then wait for you to find them, but I could roleplay their captivity in a separate thread until you do.
So if you like we could invite your friends now. Who are you proposing?
pinvendor is interested and not currently wrapped up in many pbps. There may be another, but he's not online right now, and I don't want to speak for him until he says for sure.
Let's see what everyone has to say before inviting them in.
Mahorfeus is the other.
Agreed, everyone should be copasetic with it.
Apologies for the lateness, I've been out playing a bit of Harn. But that sounds cool and *bwahahahaha* prisoners sound good.
Great idea Treppa. If TT is up for it then I'd bite their hands off. The more the merrier.
Mahorfeus, pinvendor,
Before you join, you should know what you're getting into.
This game has lasted a long time but we've now completely turned over the cast. It's not a perfect game. I houserule, don't know the rules exceptionally well, edit the plot for time and my personal esthetics, drag out minor scenes ridiculously and occasionally disappear for days at a time, although I usually give notice. I'll let WBL slip and occasionally miscalculate the challenge of an encounter when I try to adjust it for the party. PCs have died.
What else... I'm a bit of a control freak, but I recognize it and try to limit it. I prefer core material.(PHB) Everything else is case by case with nerfing and limitations possible if it doesn't seem to work out in play. I do fear munchkins. I admit it freely. I don't like gunslingers; summoners too.
I have been blessed with players who've handled my shortcomings with grace and forbearance.
Treppa, DSX, FW what did we do for character creation when you came on board?
Character creation rules here or shortly thereafter.
Given your prisoner status, don't bother shopping. Instead provide me with a short list of items you might like dropped in treasure in the near term. No promises ....
DSX and I followed the your creation rules and we both picked CRB classes that filled in gaps. We worked with you on a joint backstory so we could be introduced at the same time.
We've both kept our characters simple and enjoyed the game rather than getting all weird with complicated characters.
The party is in the middle of a dungeon crawl. The new PCs would be introduced via the old party stumbles on prisoners trope. It might take a day or two IRL for the party to find you guys. Or it could take months. If they take a wrong turn, I'll probably start you in a separate thread in which we can RP your captivity until they find you.
The party is currently 8th level.
How familiar are you guys with the AP?
A paragraph or two sketch of your character would be a good start. Since the AP is about saving Korvosa, it would be good if your PCs have a strong attachment to the city. We can discuss why the Arkona's would throw you in their dungeon.
Welcome aboard, if you choose to play.
Hello! Thank you for thinking enough of Treppa to accept me!
Any thoughts on party balance? I am ready and willing to get started on creation based on what gaps may be needed. Let me know if anyone has any suggestions.
And no worries from me about the way you handle things, therealthom, I am ready to roll with the punches.
Character creation question: Are you looking for Core material preferred? So anything else like APG, UM, UC, ARG, & ACG plus material from APs and Player Companions are more or less out-of-bounds unless discussed first.
I use HeroLab, and I just want to know which sources I should uncheck before building. :)
Hi therealthom! Thanks for giving me the opportunity to join. I've heard good things about the way you run things, so I am not worried.
I have zero familiarity with this AP. I might have flipped through the player's guide at some point, but that's about it. I'll definitely have to take another look through it.
I am currently thinking about going the rogue-wizard-arcane trickster route, if you do not have any objections. I've always wanted to play an arcane trickster, but I have always heard horror stories about the six levels needed to qualify for the prestige class. Luckily, level 8 is more than enough to start out as one.
Oh, and before I forget...
= 11
= 14
= 15
= 9
= 18
= 12
Randomness in action!
EDIT: subtracting the lowest
It's been around long enough that I'm ok with most of the APG.
I wouldn't worry about party balance. We've got a wizard, cleric, and ranger. Pretty much anything will work. Choose what you like, within the guidelines given.
Mahorfeus, arcane trickster, huh? I've wanted to play one myself for a long time. Have at it.
Can I get everyone to give me an equivalent point buy for their PC, please?
My PBE (removing racial and level gains, of course) is 26! Holy cow.
Here's TT's Introductory Recap for the noobs.
My rolls gave me a 21 point buy, but TT generously gave me 7 points to buy it up - and working it out efficiently Phillipé is 27 point buy. (But Phil also bought a +2 belt of dex with his cash).
The original players rolled well. One of them had a 42 point equivalent buy in the old DnD system. His scores were insanely high. I instituted the floor to keep things more fair, but it is not of course perfectly fair. I like a little variation.
Hmm. I must have miscalculated Treppa or DSX's scores. I would have intended them to have the same floor.
Thanks, FW.
Marhorfeus and pinvendor, a quick look through the players guide would indeed be useful just to get a little flavor for the city.
I'll put together a list of events since the AP began.
Hey there! Here's a link to the in construction PC. I have two versions statted up so far, a Fighter (Mobile AT) and a Fighter 1/Sorcerer (Draconic: Brass) 6/Eldritch Knight 1
Let me know what you think. And the HP is genericized by HeroLab since I haven't rolled it yet which I believe is required by the chargen rules. Depending on the final form of the PC will determine the dice, so I will do the rolling here once complete.
EDIT: Now with linkage! Trevorl Scarhand
Here's the crunch for my arcane trickster. Working off about a 31 point buy, unless I'm miscounting. Stats are more or less done; I might just adjust the content of his spellbook if there's too much overlap with DSX's (or pin's, if he goes that route).
Male human (Varisian) rogue 3/evoker (admixture) 3/arcane trickster 2
CG Medium humanoid (human)
Init +9; Senses Perception +10
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 13, flat-footed 10 (Dex +3)
hp (3d8+3d6+2d6+19)
Fort +5, Ref +8, Will +4
Defensive Abilities evasion, trap sense +1
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee unarmed strike +7 (1d3+2/x2)
Ranged N/A
Special Attacks sneak attack +3d6
Evoker Spells Prepared (CL 7th, concentration +12)
3rd (2/day)-dispel magic, twilight knife (2)
2nd (3/day)-scorching ray (3), spider climb
1st (5/day)-shocking grasp (3), shield, vanish (2)
0 (at will)-detect magic, flare (DC 16), ray of frost, read magic
Spellbook (Not currently on hand)
3rd-dispel magic, twilight knife
2nd-blur (DC 17), invisibility (DC 17), scorching ray, spider climb (DC 17)
1st-expeditious retreat, feather fall, floating disk, grease (DC 16), hold portal, magic missile, shield, shocking grasp, vanish (DC 16), ventriloquism (DC 16)
0-all except opposed
Opposed enchantment, necromancy
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 9, Cha 12;
Base Atk +4; CMB +6; CMD 19
Feats Toughness, Improved Initiative, Weapon Finesse, Great Fortitude, Scribe Scroll, Spell Focus (evocation), Arcane Armor Training
Skills Acrobatics +13, Bluff +12, Climb +9, Disable Device +15, Escape Artist +10, Knowledge (arcana) +16, Knowledge (dungeoneering) +9, Knowledge (engineering) +9, Knowledge (history) +9, Knowledge (local) +9, Knowledge (nobility) +9, Perception +10 (+11 to locate traps), Sense Motive +10, Sleight of Hand +14, Spellcraft +16, Swim +6
Languages Common, Varisian, Draconian, Dwarven, Elven, Goblin, Halfling
SQ rogue talent (finesse rogue), trapfinding +1
Traits Magical Knack (wizard), Reactionary
Gear bonded wand (not in hand)
Funds N/A
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Evasion (Ex) If a successful Reflex saving throw is made against an ability that normally deals half damage on a successful save, instead takes no damage.
Trap Sense (Ex) Gains a +1 bonus on Reflex saves to avoid traps and a +1 dodge bonus to AC against attacks made by traps.
Arcane Bond (Sp) Once per day, can use arcane bond to cast any spell in spellbook without preparation. In addition, can magically enhance bonded item without item creation feats, so long as the prerequisites for the appropriate feats are met.
Intense Spells (Su) When casting an evocation spell that inflicts hit point damage, add half of wizard level (+1) to the damage inflicted.
Versatile Evocation (Su) When casting an evocation spell that does acid, cold, electricity or fire damage, can change the damage dealt to one of the other four energy types. Can use this ability 8 times per day.
Ranged Legerdemain (Su) Can use Disable Device and Sleight of Hand at a range of up to 30 feet. Working at a distance increases the normal skill check DC by 5. Any object to be manipulated must weigh 5 pounds or less.
I have a background worked out, but I am still bouncing a few ideas around. I think pin and I might have a joint story, at least to explain how they ended up getting locked up together. Short story short though, he is a Sczarni thief with a few ethical concerns. If it doesn't contradict anything, I figure that they want to find a way to control the plague cure's distribution so that they can profit from it, so Garridan is playing double agent to make sure that doesn't happen. Maybe a family member died from it, or maybe he just had a heart of gold(!). I figure that road would land him in a prison cell somewhere down the line.
Guys, the holidays have arrived with my mother-in-law. Posting will be slower than usual for a few days. Then I may slow down again as we close on New Years, depending on whether my brother comes to visit.
I'll try to sneak in a peek at the new characters. I can't guarantee anything.
Merry Christmas!
Marhorfeus, you're right, that backstory would likely land you in Arkona's dungeon. It has many good points.
Arkona has links to the Cerulean Guild, a strong semi-official thieves guild in Korvosa. There are a few smaller gangs working the edges of that criminal empire. Life for Sczarni is going to be tough. They would constantly be in conflict with the Korvosan Guard, Cerulean Guild, and other small gangs.
Sczarni aren't likely to be attached to my Korvosa. Varisians were already second class citizens. Sczarni have it even worse.
During the plague, official sources of aid were channeled to the Chel citizenry. Varisians didn't get a whole lot of help from the establishment. (FW's dead PC, Kenan, did set up his own clinic in the Varisian/Shoanti district across the Jeggare River. DSX and Treppa's characters also ran a clinic in the poor precincts of Old Korvosa.)
So access and control of a plague cure is a great lead-in.
It does leave me questions about the PC's continuing motivation. Small spoiler alert -- after you are rescued, the party will be leaving town on a quest to save the city without prospects of a short-term payday. WHy would your PC's do it?
As far as the builds, I find myself leaning more towards the EK build unless you think that is just too much arcanery. I think I like the sorcerer build for the impulsiveness of magic casting for a mage knight, but would it make more sense cohesively to have wizard? Mahorfeus and I would be able to say we went to the magic school together and that's how we met, possibly recruited for the same clandestine dogooder group (even if manipulated by someone else).
Let me know, fellow players/GM!
Similarly busy at home and work, TT. Time to wish you all a very happy festive season and the best for 2015. Its looking good for this game.
Cheers friends
Trying to catch up on work after the holidays. Prob'ly posting late Tuesday.
Work didn't cooperate last night. I'd like to say I'll try again sometime today, but realistically, that's not going to happen. It will probably the fourth or the fifth of the New Year before I get some time. My brother is coming to visit and then I depart for work in Toronto.
Sorry for the delay. It will probably be Monday night before I am back to this.
Happy New Year! As always, I hope to be more consistent in the future.
No worries! Life interferes with fantasy sometimes. It sucks, but there it is.
Have a happy new year, everyone!
Marhorfeus, Pinvendor, We can talk privately here.
Work in Toronto is eating time. I'll be down to one a days or maybe less for a week or two.
Hope you have a bit of time for the sights & cuisine, that you aren't snowed in or anything like that.
Sorry for my absence. Long days at work the last two weeks. It's going to go on for a while.
Big crush at work til Friday. Will post as I am able.
Crush, not lightening. Had to make a lightning trip back to Toronto. At least my flight here was like lightning....