Aubrey's 'On Skull Beach' - Table 1

Game Master Aubrey the Malformed

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

There's nothing wrong with the character concept and I like the character build. There are reasons why maybe having a ton of camping equipment might not be the way to go, but I don't want to reveal too much at this stage.

I still don't know what camping equipment concerns you so, but as an established group (and in a city), my kit doesn't need to be as self-sufficient as I was making it, for sure.

Last family gathering of the season, then I can give this some more thought. The build is getting some tweaking because I realized I was overlooking some mechanical overlaps.

Honestly, don't worry about it too much, I'm probably interfering too much in your character's creation as I don't have much to do at this stage.

Character dot.

[dice=HP]3d10

He looks fine so far. Very minor comments: as he's a follower of the Old Gods we can assume he's minor nobility rather than a career soldier. Also, the Tinker might be a better choice of god for a wandering adventurer warrior, the Night Maiden is more a mage's goddess.

OK, going for two tables:

Table 1
SS's orc bloodrager (complete)
Mittean's human monk/kensai (complete)
Nevynxxx's human alchemist (complete)
natloz's gnome arcanist (complete)
therealthom's human fighter/bard
Vatnisse's human fighter

Table 2
Tenro's human alchemist
mellowgoth's human warpriest (complete)
FS's elf mutagen fighter (complete)
PR's elf shifter (mostly complete)
Aadvark's arcanist

I figured, if the parties seem too big, I can just take the gloves off and whittle them down a little bit...

To be fair, even when you have like here invited group of people, pbp tend to have fairly decent fall out rate. 11 people, so how likely is it that at least one doesn't at some point have some IRL issue that gets in the way.

Exactly, some sort of attrition is quite possible, although you guys are generally pretty reliable over a long period.

That said... Ahem, Aadvark and Tenro.

Looks like there are plenty of people to keep between me and the enemy while I lob bombs. Perfect....

I figured, if the parties seem too big, I can just take the gloves off and whittle them down a little bit...

Perhaps I should invest in more defensive spells...

Nevynxxx, as the tables are fairly settled, feel free to raid my spell book for extracts you may not have already. All it'll cost is the ink to copy it.

Pixie Rogue wrote:

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

There's nothing wrong with the character concept and I like the character build. There are reasons why maybe having a ton of camping equipment might not be the way to go, but I don't want to reveal too much at this stage.

I still don't know what camping equipment concerns you so, but as an established group (and in a city), my kit doesn't need to be as self-sufficient as I was making it, for sure.

Last family gathering of the season, then I can give this some more thought. The build is getting some tweaking because I realized I was overlooking some mechanical overlaps.

Honestly, don't worry about it too much, I'm probably interfering too much in your character's creation as I don't have much to do at this stage.

I value your input and it's your world I'm trying to fit into. He's basically done - it's his story that I'm working on now.

Ogay. I think I'm mostly done.

It looks like you are giving yourself the class skill bonus for skills in which you don't have skill points - you need to take a rank in order to benefit from the class skill bonus. But other than that, looks fine.

I'm planning on sticking up the opening posts for the two tables on the 1st. Even if the characters are not fully realised by this point, it would be good if twe could know class and race by then.

hp: 6 + 3d6 + 4 ⇒ 6 + (6, 3, 2) + 4 = 21

+1 bump on that 2 to make it half value.

It looks like you are giving yourself the class skill bonus for skills in which you don't have skill points - you need to take a rank in order to benefit from the class skill bonus. But other than that, looks fine.

Taken care of. I think I'm good to go then.

@PR: Seems ok to me. My character did go around for training after the war so not that likely that a shifter and weapon based fighter might have been at the same place. Same settlement wouldn't be an issue either. If you wanna hammer out details, shoot me PM or if you prefer IM I am on discord.

@Fumbles: Hey, as you might have noticed, I've been working on the build. Finally got back to the backstory. I was thinking that our characters served together and know/trust each other rather than being childhood friends or bosom buddies or anything like that. Our steady work together would likely have been recently during our merc careers. I've added a new tentative backstory to the character sheet and tie in with Daenen toward the end. I can excise that if it feels wrong - maybe it's just unnecessary.

Hopefully that works for everyone. I'm tired of tweaking the character.

Sorry, guys, I had imagined the week between Christmas and New Years as an idle, pleasurable time during which I could indulge this hobby. My wife's imagination was quite different.

Anyway, I'm pleased that Aubrey had no adverse comments on my build. I'll confess that a friend turned me on to PCgen. The interface is a little clunky, but who knows how many stupid errors it's saved me from.

ANd are we really using traits? I'd better pick some....

Table 1! Aubrey postulates that we're a pre-existing group. Given my character's nautical background, it's possible we met when you were traveling for an adventure ?

what languages should i pick/would i have access to? I have 4 bonus.

My character's underlying motivation is getting out to see and try new magics. He would have had to travel a lot in order to do so and traveling by sea would have come up now and again. He's a fairly dramatic gnome so he may be able to persuade someone to leave a ship for excitement and adventure.

Alrighty here is Tenro's submission.

I am still working on equipment and backstory. As far as backstory goes, I figure him to be a relatively normal human adventurer, Lawful Neutral, does jobs for the nation/authority that sends us on missions and is known to be pragmatic and generally trustworthy/dependable and non-evil. His alchemical exploits are largely known to be for healing purposes and explosive purposes. His experiments do not venture into mutations or anything crazy like that. He is an decent archer, a better bomb-lobber. Knowledge-focused and uses that to assist the party. His main flaw is that he loves to drink; however, this has not lost him his medical license yet.

Fumbles_suck wrote:

@PR: Seems ok to me. My character did go around for training after the war so not that likely that a shifter and weapon based fighter might have been at the same place. Same settlement wouldn't be an issue either. If you wanna hammer out details, shoot me PM or if you prefer IM I am on discord.

@Fumbles: Hey, as you might have noticed, I've been working on the build. Finally got back to the backstory. I was thinking that our characters served together and know/trust each other rather than being childhood friends or bosom buddies or anything like that. Our steady work together would likely have been recently during our merc careers. I've added a new tentative backstory to the character sheet and tie in with Daenen toward the end. I can excise that if it feels wrong - maybe it's just unnecessary.

Hopefully that works for everyone. I'm tired of tweaking the character.

I am leaving for work, so quick post before going. Yeah having met during the war works fine for me.

Table 1! Aubrey postulates that we're a pre-existing group. Given my character's nautical background, it's possible we met when you were traveling for an adventure ?

Man, both tables are fielding a lot of beef, with the kensai and the elven shifter making me particularly nervous. Also making me nervous - no healing...

Lheorvine is a well-established sword for hire, known for both his skill with his weird blade and for being tough as nails. As such, it would make sense that the squishier party member(s) have sought him out to act as muscle. He's also been basically everywhere and could know any other party member from a campaign, contract or some off-the-books tomb-robbing side quest.

Alrighty here is Tenro's submission.

I am still working on equipment and backstory. As far as backstory goes, I figure him to be a relatively normal human adventurer, Lawful Neutral, does jobs for the nation/authority that sends us on missions and is known to be pragmatic and generally trustworthy/dependable and non-evil. His alchemical exploits are largely known to be for healing purposes and explosive purposes. His experiments do not venture into mutations or anything crazy like that. He is an decent archer, a better bomb-lobber. Knowledge-focused and uses that to assist the party. His main flaw is that he loves to drink; however, this has not lost him his medical license yet.

OK, I've got no idea about this character and am slightly wondering what's wrong with the basic alchemist from Paizo, since you seem to be reinventing the wheel. However, since you insisted, we'll go with it. If you are Lawful Neutral you are unlikely to be a follower of the Tinker, who is Chaotic Neutral and therefore diametrically opposed. I suggest you stick to the Diktats, since they fit with your alignment and it is actually the dominant religion on the continent (i.e. it is unusual not to follow the Diktats). On the languages front, I'd consider Elvish as you are a scholar, and after that Dwarvish, Orcish, and/or Halfling.

Sorry, guys, I had imagined the week between Christmas and New Years as an idle, pleasurable time during which I could indulge this hobby. My wife's imagination was quite different.

Anyway, I'm pleased that Aubrey had no adverse comments on my build. I'll confess that a friend turned me on to PCgen. The interface is a little clunky, but who knows how many stupid errors it's saved me from.

** spoiler omitted **

ANd are we really using traits? I'd better pick some....

Happy with that. How does he do his bardic music? Does he sing or use and instrument?

OK, recap:

Table 1
SS's orc bloodrager (complete)
Mittean's human monk/kensai (complete)
natloz's gnome arcanist (complete)
therealthom's human fighter/bard (more-or-less complete)
Vatnisse's human fighter (complete)
Nevynxxx's human alchemist (complete)

Table 2
mellowgoth's human warpriest (complete)
FS's elf mutagen fighter (complete)
PR's elf shifter (complete)
Aadvark's arcanist
Tenro's human alchemist (more-or-less complete)

Just need Aadvark to finalise his concept.

Fumbles_suck wrote:

@PR: Seems ok to me. My character did go around for training after the war so not that likely that a shifter and weapon based fighter might have been at the same place. Same settlement wouldn't be an issue either. If you wanna hammer out details, shoot me PM or if you prefer IM I am on discord.

@Fumbles: Hey, as you might have noticed, I've been working on the build. Finally got back to the backstory. I was thinking that our characters served together and know/trust each other rather than being childhood friends or bosom buddies or anything like that. Our steady work together would likely have been recently during our merc careers. I've added a new tentative backstory to the character sheet and tie in with Daenen toward the end. I can excise that if it feels wrong - maybe it's just unnecessary.

Hopefully that works for everyone. I'm tired of tweaking the character.

That's fine with me.

Ujarak Berrycloth wrote:

Table 1! Aubrey postulates that we're a pre-existing group. Given my character's nautical background, it's possible we met when you were traveling for an adventure ?

Man, both tables are fielding a lot of beef, with the kensai and the elven shifter making me particularly nervous. Also making me nervous - no healing...

Lheorvine is a well-established sword for hire, known for both his skill with his weird blade and for being tough as nails. As such, it would make sense that the squishier party member(s) have sought him out to act as muscle. He's also been basically everywhere and could know any other party member from a campaign, contract or some off-the-books tomb-robbing side quest.

You have healing, just not... lots.

Ok, the last thing I need to think about is spending some cash...

As I have the infusion that lets me gain the effect of potions without actually using them, I'm planing to invest there quite a bit.... Anyone have any suggestions?

Table 2, any thoughts on how we've met? As an established group, it might be logical to discuss common tactics that we would have seen each other use.

My contribution to our meeting would be that Rish had become a mercenary, likely traveling with/working with Daenen on occasion. So Daenen or Rish might have been hired by the group and brought an old ally on board at some point. However, I don't know that either of us the personality that would have been recruiting/building a mercenary squad - anyone at Table 2 so inclined might take the lead in that discussion. Or perhaps a client found us and assembled a group that we decided to keep working together.

For tactics, Rish was trained as a hit-and-run guerilla fighter, primarily using his bow. His hand-to-hand (claws or dagger) was never his preference in battle, but the recent development of his wildshape has led him to enter melee more readily. Becoming a sabertooth tiger with pounce might lead him to take chances that he wouldn't have previously...

Regarding healing, I ended up with enough coin on hand to afford a CLW wand if we want to have that insurance policy at hand - however, I have no ability to use such an item, so I'm carrying a few potions for self-sufficiency's sake.

It's not massively important how you met, just that you did. If you want to come up with a story that's fine, but it doesn't have much bearing on the game as such.

Hiya, Aubrey;
Care to have a look and make sure I am not treading carelessly on the setting?

I think that's fine.

@table 2: Continuing from PR's post above.
Well I got enough spare money to put my share in for a CLW wand, and I am strongly in favor of getting one. It is just solid investment, but more importantly I don't want our casters feeling undue pressure in preparing a healing spells instead of something they would find more interesting.

Regarding the how the group got together, I think the someone hired us and we decided the group worked is the easiest. Perhaps not too long ago, that explaining people not being too familiar with each other.

Tactics and what people would know. Daenan works as a roadblock more or less. Can dish out some damage but not exceptional at it. He consideres his job to be to protect the back line. Very much married to the reach weapon, with all the pros and cons of that. Might have seen him gulp a potion of enlarge person when things started looking bad. He has a rather wide knowledge base and tends to know at least something on just about any topic, with few he could be considered something of a expert.

Ujarak Berrycloth wrote:

Sorry, guys, I had imagined the week between Christmas and New Years as an idle, pleasurable time during which I could indulge this hobby. My wife's imagination was quite different.

Anyway, I'm pleased that Aubrey had no adverse comments on my build. I'll confess that a friend turned me on to PCgen. The interface is a little clunky, but who knows how many stupid errors it's saved me from.

** spoiler omitted **

ANd are we really using traits? I'd better pick some....

Happy with that. How does he do his bardic music? Does he sing or use and instrument?

Aubrey, his performance skill is oratory. Seemed to fit well with native American chant and freed massive skill points to spread around like candy. Speaking of skill points, I dumped a point in survival and picked one up in profession(sailor). Maybe he'll pick up a drum.

Also, picked up 2 traits acrobat (+1 on acrobatics checks and situational climbing bonus) and sea-souled. (+1 on swim checks and can always take 10 on swimming.

Also went shopping for his combat gear. I have 761 of 6000 gp left. I'll spend it when we know a little more about the mission.

natloz, I noticed upthread you changed your PC because you felt the party needed better social skills. I hope Ujarak fills the bill on diplomacy. You could probably shift the PC back to your original build if desired.

Vatnisse, Ujarak is packing a wand of cure light wounds. That should help us with hit point damage anyway.

@Aubrey: I like the free form character creation and less overtly magical feel compared to paizo's alchemist. Are we doing traits?

@table 2: I can heal 2d8(+4-+9) 6 times per person per day by administering a salve to you. In combat I can't do a whole lot since I can only have 4 active at a time, and some of my active things might be acid for offensive purposes. I'll probably keep 2 heals and 2 acids for combat and heal the rest after combat and balance from there. I can also heal a few HP with the heal skill as part of a class ability. DC 15 and I heal 1+1 per point I beat the DC. I have an 11 heal modifier (+2 for the kit I forgot), avg d20 roll is 10.5, so that's 7.5 avg hp healed. That's as good as cure light wounds. It costs me a use of a heal kit which is cheaper than a wand (250 gp for 50 heal kit uses).

So we should stock up on those, though wands are good for others who can use magic device and it is best not to have all healing depend on one person.

As for how we knew each other, if you've come back from an adventure in need of healing you probably know Walker.

@Aubrey: I like the free form character creation and less overtly magical feel compared to paizo's alchemist. Are we doing traits?

Hmm, but I can't really tell if you've done it right, and there may be balance issues. That said, he has areas where he's stronger than a normal alchemist and others where he seems weaker, so I think it balances out. You've had some good experiences with the ruleset so we'll go with it.

And yes, we are doing traits.

I have 761 of 6000 gp left. I'll spend it when we know a little more about the mission.

I'd recommend wearables for general bonuses.

natloz, I noticed upthread you changed your PC because you felt the party needed better social skills. I hope Ujarak fills the bill on diplomacy. You could probably shift the PC back to your original build if desired.

I was thinking something similar. It would free up a feat slot so I could pick up improved initiative again to give me a +8. It's usually good for the caster to go first right?

For traits, I am thinking Rice Runner (as acrobatics is currently cross-class for me) and Resilient (since fort is my lowest save).

@Aubrey: I like the free form character creation and less overtly magical feel compared to paizo's alchemist. Are we doing traits?

@table 2: I can heal 2d8(+4-+9) 6 times per person per day by administering a salve to you. In combat I can't do a whole lot since I can only have 4 active at a time, and some of my active things might be acid for offensive purposes. I'll probably keep 2 heals and 2 acids for combat and heal the rest after combat and balance from there. I can also heal a few HP with the heal skill as part of a class ability. DC 15 and I heal 1+1 per point I beat the DC. I have an 11 heal modifier (+2 for the kit I forgot), avg d20 roll is 10.5, so that's 7.5 avg hp healed. That's as good as cure light wounds. It costs me a use of a heal kit which is cheaper than a wand (250 gp for 50 heal kit uses).

So we should stock up on those, though wands are good for others who can use magic device and it is best not to have all healing depend on one person.

As for how we knew each other, if you've come back from an adventure in need of healing you probably know Walker.

I forgot to mention earlier that I invested in Heal and healing kits (2) and a set of surgeon’s tools, so I can contribute to post-combat healing, as well.

Aadvark is currently lagging behind in the character-creation stakes. I'll be starting tomorrow (the opening post is drafted and sitting on a Google Doc) and if he doesn't have a character by then we will start with what we've got. That will mean we will need to rejig the tables, so don't make any final decisions yet until you know the make-up of your table.

Aubrey the Malformed wrote:

Ujarak Berrycloth wrote:

Sorry, guys, I had imagined the week between Christmas and New Years as an idle, pleasurable time during which I could indulge this hobby. My wife's imagination was quite different.

Anyway, I'm pleased that Aubrey had no adverse comments on my build. I'll confess that a friend turned me on to PCgen. The interface is a little clunky, but who knows how many stupid errors it's saved me from.

** spoiler omitted **

ANd are we really using traits? I'd better pick some....

Happy with that. How does he do his bardic music? Does he sing or use and instrument?

Aubrey, his performance skill is oratory. Seemed to fit well with native American chant and freed massive skill points to spread around like candy. Speaking of skill points, I dumped a point in survival and picked one up in profession(sailor). Maybe he'll pick up a drum.

Also, picked up 2 traits acrobat (+1 on acrobatics checks and situational climbing bonus) and sea-souled. (+1 on swim checks and can always take 10 on swimming.

Also went shopping for his combat gear. I have 761 of 6000 gp left. I'll spend it when we know a little more about the mission.

You might want to consider a second performance mode as you will probably reach 6th level and need something else for your second Versatile Performance.

I am back from vacation just an FYI.

OK, unfortunately it looks like Aadvark won't be joining us. Please find the finalised tables below:

Table 1
SS's orc bloodrager (complete)
Mittean's human monk/kensai (complete)
natloz's gnome arcanist (complete)
Vatnisse's human fighter (complete)
Nevynxxx's human alchemist (complete)

Table 2
mellowgoth's human warpriest (complete)
FS's elf mutagen fighter (complete)
PR's elf shifter (complete)
therealthom's human fighter/bard (more-or-less complete)
Tenro's human alchemist (complete)

Those in table 1, please stay with this thread here.

Those in table 2, please decamp to this discussion thread HERE.

The gameplay thread for table 1 is HERE.

Mittean, it slipped past me earlier that your character is a magus. That means you can raid my spellbook as well. Also, let me know if there are any scrolls you want so i can make them during downtime.

Awesome, thank you. Vice versa.

It would appear that Delmar's Charisma and Wisdom scores are coming out in a rude bluntness and an inability to work out when he should shut up.....

Grulorg turns to Ishmex and grunts food scattering across the table, "You always know lots Ish. Tell me another story, gettin' bored waiting for Lord Eleven".

I propose that Grulorg refer to poor Cedric as Lord Twelve from now on. Or should it be Ten? Math is hard...