Destiny's Call (Inactive)

Game Master Nightfiend

Destiny’s Call

First, I would like to welcome everyone to Destiny’s Call and congratulate you on being selected for the upcoming game. I have personally taken the time to look over each of your characters and their backgrounds. I have chosen each of you based on what I believe will make an interesting group, both in dynamic of character as well as player. Each of you have demonstrated the ability to create a well-articulated history for your characters, which will hopefully come to life shortly. Before continuing, there are a few things I would like to address.

I would like to take the time to address character death. In the event that a character dies and is unable to be brought back to life, the player will have the option to remake a new character with an equivalent starting level. The character’s XP will begin at the minimum for that level. The character’s starting gold will be set by me at the time of death. At the start of the campaign, only basic races will be available for remakes. As the campaign progresses, other, more unique races will become available. These races can be unlocked by encountering them within the game world. A tracker for unlocked races, and personal XP, will be kept on google slide displayed at the top of the thread.

I would ask that everyone check their PM’s on a regular bases. I will be relaying a character’s personal knowledge, observations, and private information through PM’s.

I would also like to ask that OOC questions and comments, that are more than a line or two, be posted here, in the discussion tab. This will hopefully reduce a long OOC conversations from the game thread and help to maintain immersion.

GM style vs player preference. I realize when it comes down to a table’s gaming dynamic, not every player has the same expectation. People enjoy a variety of different aspects of RPGs. If for some reason my gaming style doesn’t fit with your idea of fun, please say so. I will not take offence if someone decides to quit because the game isn’t fun for them. That being said, I thought I should describe my play style a bit before starting. Although I am not the most proficient writer, I try to add as much description and detail as I can. Sometimes this delays things a bit, but in all, I believe it adds a lot to the game. In addition, if the campaign heads a direction that I haven’t anticipated, which is common in RPG’s, I might need a (small) break for preparation.

Someone once asked me what level I intend to continue the game to. I intend to see the game through to whatever conclusion it takes, up to Level 20. That’s assuming the group is successful. That being said, Destiny’s Call will be the only campaign I am running. Simply put, it will be my primary focus. I will be using Google slides for maps and will unlock the map so everyone can move their icons. If for some reason you FUBAR the map by accident, don’t panic. I will correct it. If you are using a phone and can’t move the icon, say so in a short OOC comment and describe where you would like your character to go. I will do my best to move the icon as directed. On subjects of concern, I am open to correction if someone feels that I am making a mistake. Please voice our concern here in the discussion thread and allow me a little time for research. If you have added material to support your concern, please post a link to the information, or copy the information into a spoiler. I would like to close this topic by saying I hope everyone enjoys the game.

The Crunch

I have taken the time to plug each of your characters into Hero Labs. This has allowed me to complete audits quickly and effectively. That being said, there are few things that Hero Labs has flagged as being incorrect. In addition, some characters are missing information on their profile that will need to be updated. I will list what things need to be addressed here in the discussion thread. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Tiasar Soseshtian
1. Tiasar needs to choose x2 opposition schools.
2. Traits: Elven reflexes requires half elf.
3. Traits: (Balancer’s Banishing and Diabolical Dabbler) are both magic traits. Only one magic trait is allowed.

Berta Lighthammer
1. Craft Woodcarving: I’m curious if you intended for this to be a craft listed under craft all, or is it something that I am missing in Hero Labs. Simply put, I don’t see it. More insight required here.
2. You have 20 arrows listed but no bow. Is this intended or an error?

Sustos the Guardian
1. Nothing listed for traits. He can select (2).
2. Missing 2 Background skills. He can select (2).
3. Needs to select a level 0 and a level 1 spell.
4. I am assuming the tower shield proficiency was selected as the bonus feat available to crusader. This means Sustos can still select a normal feat.
5. Needs to list out all gear, encumbrance, and remaining currency.

Haddek Balmont
1. Human is displayed on the character profile. I believe this should be half elf based on many of the traits and race features in the crunch.
2. Needs to select a second favored class.
3. Needs to finish selecting formulas. Only 3/6 currently selected.
4. Needs to choose memorized Extracts. 1/2 selected.
5. Traits: (Clever Wordplay and Student of philosophy) both are considered social traits. Only one social trait is allowed.
6. Skills need to reflect current skill levels. This is a little more complicated correction. I believe your current skill numbers possibly reflect the Ceaseless Observation skill of the Empiricist. This ability doesn’t come into play until level (2), and (or) Unfailing Logic at level (4). Keen Recollection at level (3), which allows knowledge skills to be used untrained.
7. I would also like to have the Inspiration point availability in the class/level command line.
8. Needs to list all equipment, weapons, armor, and encumbrance on profile.
9. Can select 4 more starting languages. Please consider background and availability when selecting languages.

After looking over Haddek, it looks almost as if you are putting him together without the aid of Hero Labs. I could be wrong about this, but in the event that I am not, I am willing to help.

Caro Martisova
1. Can select 3 more languages. Please consider background and availability when selecting languages.
2. Background skill: Profession Mortician? Is this under Profession all? I can’t find the specific listing of Mortician, although it sounds like it makes sense.
3. I’m seeing a significant difference in left over currency. You have 22 GP listed. I’m showing 50 GP left over. Not sure what I’m missing. Was there something bought and not listed in the profile?
4. Needs to memorize 2 Extracts.

This is going to be fun! Thank you for selecting me.

I took your questions and went back into Caro with some real thought. In addition to answering your questions I've made some additional changes. Here is the rundown of everything. (Sorry about the huge wall of text, just wanted to make sure everything was covered and explained since you've already started making trackers and such)

1. Languages: I was waiting to decide on the languages. I think I'll go with Varisian, Skald, and Necril. Varisian and Skald are the two main languages for Ustalav (besides Common) and after spending my time wandering around Ustalav specifically looking for and researching into unusual creatures I think Necril might be appropriate even though it's not a normal starting language, as long as that's ok with you.

2. Profession / Craft skill choice:None of the "standard list" craft or profession skills really fit Caro's background, but as far as I understand you can create ones that aren't on the normal list. I couldn't decide (and honestly still would consider switching) between Craft (Taxidermy), Profession (Mortician), or Profession (Researcher). None are on the standard list but actually fit the character, so in Hero Lab I chose Profession (Other) and then wrote in mortician when I built her. I welcome any thoughts on choosing between these three, or if you have a better suggestion. A lot depends on if we will be able to make use of profession skills during the campaign, such as if I could assist on an autopsy lol. If not, I might go with Craft (Taxidermy) instead for flavor since that is in her background as a long-practiced hobby.

3. Currency: The gold was incorrect. I kept buying/selling items and changing the list throughout the month and in Hero Lab it's easy to accidentally end up with a bad result when you do that repeatedly (especially when dealing with items that normally have a cost but are sometimes free like the starting formula book). I just now ditched everything, started over with the 200g, and bought everything again (and changed 1 dagger to cold iron). Now I show 48g 8s 9c which should match your result (if you subtract the additional 2g for the cold iron). I still might modify the list if I think of anything else I'd like to buy.

4a. Formula Book: I was only tentative on what extracts I knew. I've now changed my formula book to be Cure Light Wounds, Heightened Awareness, Long Arm, Scarify, and Shield as my starting formulae.

4b. Extracts: Alchemists don't actually memorize extracts each day, they can make any 2 extracts per day they want from their formula book, taking 1 in-game minute to make one, somewhat similarly to spontaneous casting. By RAW they don't even need to rest or anything to get the slots, they just refill every 24 hours at the same time per day. I normally run my alchemists and investigators by just letting it reset to 2 unused extract slots at the beginning of the day and then wait to see what might be needed as things come up before I decide what to make. That's what's nice about it only taking a minute to make one.
(side note, I will also be preparing a +STR/-INT mutagen as we start, since that takes an hour to make so I really have to choose in the morning as it's not as flexible)

Additional Info: All in all, some of my choices were intended more for character than optimization. For example, the Scarify extract is purely for flavor. I think Caro would want to sometimes purposely leave blatant scars on things she heals so that she can later on track where the damage was done in order to progress her research, whereas mechanically it is redundant when compared to CLW. (It could also be used as a punishment or for interrogation since it's a very painful form of healing)

Last Minute Changes: I also have just changed my favored class bonus from +1 HP to +1 SP for lvl 1, dropped Disable Device, and picked up Knowledge(Arcana) and Knowledge(Religion). Makes more sense for her to have knowledge of undead, constructs, and magical beasts than to be able to pick locks or have 1 more HP. (I noticed you already have a character tracker built. Caro's HP will need to be changed from 13 to 12 on the tracker now that I made that change).

Let me know if that answers everything, or if you would like any further clarification :)

First, I would like to welcome everyone to Destiny’s Call...

Awesome, thanks! I'm very excited as well. I have high hopes for such a character-driven game!

I would like to take the time to address character death...

Understood. As the fragile caster, I will do my best to survive the early levels :P

I would ask that everyone check their PM’s...

Will do!

I would also like to ask that OOC questions and comments...

Understood, and agreed. I run my own games that way.

GM style vs player preference...

This is always a complicated matter because style is infinitely complex. But everything I've seen from you thus far really lines up with what I'm looking for in a game. I tend to "GM audit" before applying to a game, so if I thought we weren't good fits for each other as GM/player I wouldn't have even bothered to apply.

I prefer quality over quantity as well. Some more time to do things right is not only acceptable, but preferred. I also like to focus on one game at a time when it comes to GMing. As for maps, everything sounds good to me.

When it comes to addressing mistakes, I tend not to worry too much. If something is small or goes with the "rule of cool", I don't mind. I will usually only voice my objections if I think there has been a serious mistake (likely ending in character death), and I will make a clear and concise argument, once. See this post for how I handle things like that.

1. Tiasar needs to choose x2 opposition schools.

2. Traits: Elven reflexes requires half elf.
3. Traits: (Balancer’s Banishing and Diabolical Dabbler) are both magic traits. Only one magic trait is allowed.

1. Ah, my apologies. I have the opposition schools but I failed to record them. His opposition schools are enchantment and necromancy. I will update my alias accordingly.

2. I...am actually baffled that I missed that. I'll look for an alternative and let you know when I find something.

3. Bah, that's actually one trait rule that I tend to overlook. As above, I'll look for an alternative and let you know.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm excited for this game, and thanks for giving me the opportunity to play in it!

Alright I have my traits figured out. Balancer's Banishing is staying because even though mechanically it's terrible the flavor is too perfect for Tiasar to pass up. I've dropped the other two traits and picked up Tireless Logic (social) and Warrior of Old (racial). Tireless Logic works really well with Tiasar, and although Warrior of Old isn't the perfect flavor I want to ensure he has something to represent the influence his wild elven mother had on him.

On a side note, would you mind opening the gameplay thread? Not to actually start play but so we can dot and delete. That way it's easier to track any new activity straight from our profile pages.

Have no fear, your barbarian is here! Berta Lighthammer, nee' Far-Spear, checking in!

1. Craft Woodcarving: I’m curious if you intended for this to be a craft listed under craft all, or is it something that I am missing in Hero Labs. Simply put, I don’t see it. More insight required here.

It's there. I accidentally posted it as woodcarving instead of woodworking, which is what it's listed under in Hero Labs. I'll fix that on my sheet.

2. You have 20 arrows listed but no bow. Is this intended or an error?

This might be dated information. I have since updated her character sheet to have no arrows, but between her original PFS build and the build for this game, I at some point re-entered her in HL, and I will check her HL version to make sure I have all her gear properly updated on her online character sheet. I will repost as soon as this is complete.

EDIT: Went back through her character sheet as it's posted on the Paizo forums, and the current gear listed should be correct. I think. Fingers crossed. :P

Fantastic! My character will be updated in the next hour or so.

Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Thank you for picking me. :)

You're correct that I didn't use hero labs to create Haddek but the real reason that he isn't finished is that I looked at the competition and thought there was no way I was getting in. I figured it was worth a shot, though, so I did enough for the submission then forgot about him :). I'll finish up the details right now.

Welcome everyone. I have reviewed your responses and updated what I could.

@Caro, I have Caro grayed out on Hero Labs. Open spell slots (Extracts) is fine as long as you are OK with the time needed to prepare the extract. I agree this works well with utilitarian spells when you have a large selection to choose from and aren’t sure which to use.

@Tiasar, I have everything grayed out in Hero Labs for Tiasar. He should be good to go. It is good to see that we have similar perspectives on game play.

@Berta, I have most everything situated with Berta. I am both smashing my face into the keyboard and laughing at the same time over the craft skill. Woodcarving[/v] vs. Wood[i]working, I’m not sure which I find more irritating. The fact that I still can’t find the skill in Hero Labs or on google, or the fact that It should be there and isn’t. Iron working, bone working, and other similar things (working) are there, but I don’t see wood, which doesn’t make sense (P). Carpentry? Hmmm……or maybe craft other (wood)? Grrrrr.

Game play thread is now open to dot in if you wish. Introduction will be posted when we are finished with audits.

Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Thank you for picking me. :)

You're correct that I didn't use hero labs to create Haddek but the real reason that he isn't finished is that I looked at the competition and thought there was no way I was getting in. I figured it was worth a shot, though, so I did enough for the submission then forgot about him :). I'll finish up the details right now.

I selected Haddek for two reasons. First, your character concept, although robustly complicated with skill adjustments in both the characters base class and archetype, is solid. His background reads well and appears to be thought out. Second, I read some of your other blogs, which I seen one that stated you have tried on more than one occasion to play in a PBP game only to have the game fizzle, which caused you to leave PBP for a little bit and then come back. I applaud the fact that you haven’t quit. I believe you will find this game a bit different than what you are used to. Although I don’t believe the game will fizzle, it could slow a bit to allow time for flavorful responses or preparation. Of course, that’s not including any unforeseen circumstances. Let me know if you need anything on my end. I have Haddek, for the most part, plugged into Hero Labs and have a good idea where his skills should be.

I'm not sure what's going on there, it's super confusing. It's right there on my Hero Labs sheet, so I don't know how it doesn't show up for you. I double-checked on a fresh HL character to make sure it wasn't like a write-in skill and I'd forgotten about it, but there it was on the list. Super weird. I wonder if one of the data packages expanded my skill list without my being aware of it?

Also, I accidentally dotted into the Gameplay tab as "Apoc Golem" before correctly dotting in as Berta. My bad!

I'm not sure what's going on there, it's super confusing. It's right there on my Hero Labs sheet, so I don't know how it doesn't show up for you. I double-checked on a fresh HL character to make sure it wasn't like a write-in skill and I'd forgotten about it, but there it was on the list. Super weird. I wonder if one of the data packages expanded my skill list without my being aware of it?

Also, I accidentally dotted into the Gameplay tab as "Apoc Golem" before correctly dotting in as Berta. My bad!

All is well. The skill is probably bugged on my HL. It sounds correct and doesn't make any seance that it wouldn't be listed. For now i'm going to flag it as craft other and that should gray out Berta. Let me know if craft woodworking allows the manufacturing of anything beyond basic things.

I believe I have Haddek finished, but I don't have hero labs so there may still be errors. Please let me know if anything needs fixing.

Just curious, did you stick with the Profession(Mortician) or swap it to Craft(Taxidermy)? I know either way it's really just fluff, but I pretty much left it up to you in case you wanted either one to take a role in the campaign. I'd just like to make sure your HL, my HL, and my Paizo alias all match.

I'm OCD about stuff like that :P

I believe I have Haddek finished, but I don't have hero labs so there may still be errors. Please let me know if anything needs fixing.

@Caro: Yes I currently have you with Mortician. I can switch it if you like.

Alrighty, I think I've done all you've asked.

Alrighty, I think I've done all you've asked.

Most everything looks good on Sustos. I have two questions left.

1. I know I listed that he could select 1 zero level spell but i was wrong. He is able to have two zero level spells, so you can select another one.

2. I see you have tower shield listed as a feat. The crusader class grants you an added feat above the normal one, which I had assumed that you selected tower shield as the bonus feat. If that is the case, you can select a normal feat. If you chose tower shield as a normal feat, you can then select a bonus feat.

First I would like to thank everyone for your patients while I complete the audits. As we only have a couple small items to iron out, I am going to go ahead and post the game's introduction. I realize that most games begin with a small introduction followed by placing the PC’s in the designated starting point. Either the PC’s know one another or are placed in a position to immediately run into one another. I.E. in a tavern or answering a summons etc. Ultimately, I have chosen to begin the scenario a little different. Simply put, I have generated a custom introductions for each PC from your submitted backgrounds that I am hoping will create a little history and purpose for the character. Ultimately, I am hoping that everyone enjoys the freedom of the none scripted format.

Edit: Well looks like the introduction will need to be delayed. Turns out that deleting the opening post in the game play thread bugs it out. I was unaware of this and have requested some help from paizo to iron this out. Sory for the delay. I will post the intro as soon as I have a resolution to the BUG.

@Sustos: Yes the holy symbol on the shield is fine.

Ah, that explains it. I dotted with the intention of deleting about five times trying to figure out why it wasn't showing up.

Ah, that explains it. I dotted with the intention of deleting about five times trying to figure out why it wasn't showing up.

I guess it is a known issue. If I don't get a reply to my request for help, then I will open a new game thread and retry without deleting the opening thread.

Thanks for looking it over. I think it's all fixed now, but let me know if there's anything else.

First I would like to thank everyone for your patients while I complete the audits. As we only have a couple small items to iron out, I am going to go ahead and post the game's introduction. I realize that most games begin with a small introduction followed by placing the PC’s in the designated starting point. Either the PC’s know one another or are placed in a position to immediately run into one another. I.E. in a tavern or answering a summons etc. Ultimately, I have chosen to begin the scenario a little different. Simply put, I have generated a custom introductions for each PC from your submitted backgrounds that I am hoping will create a little history and purpose for the character. Ultimately, I am hoping that everyone enjoys the freedom of the none scripted format.

No worries, I like to do hard audits myself before games start. Although I don't use Hero Labs, I don't like the rigidity of a pre-generated sheet when it comes to complex systems.

Ah, I knew our play styles would go well together. I actually am not very fond of the standard trope of "You all meet in a tavern!" or "You all answer the same summons!" to begin a game. I think immersion starts at ground zero.

Edit: Well looks like the introduction will need to be delayed. Turns out that deleting the opening post in the game play thread bugs it out. I was unaware of this and have requested some help from paizo to iron this out. Sorry for the delay. I will post the intro as soon as I have a resolution to the BUG.

Haha no worries, the Paizo boards can be a fickle beast.

Thanks for looking it over. I think it's all fixed now, but let me know if there's anything else.

OK Haddek is now grayed out. Everything looks good. BTW if you bought the traveling formula book for 50 GP I believe you over paid. I believe they are 10 gp.

You're right, I misread and saw the price for compact instead of traveling. I'll change it, thanks.

@Caro I was also confused by that! Sometimes when I hit Submit Post it doesn't show my post until I refresh the page, so I did that for a minute straight, absolutely confused as to what was going on.

Ah sorry, I selected Extra Channel as my other feat and forgot to put that in my post.

I will take detect magic as my other 0lvl spell.

Thanks!

Because I haven’t received a response from Paizo I have decided to move the game to a new link. When you have the time, please post into the new thread. When everyone has converted over, I will close this game thread. The play thread, with the introduction, has been opened on the new thread.

New Thread

@Sustos: I seen the feat on your profile and added it. I will add the level 0 spell and that should make us gray across the board.