Congrats on completing (well, almost completing, you haven't left the Old Dwarf Road yet) my introductory adventure!
I'm done with school now so I will be online and posting more, and we'll soon get the introduction to the actual town of Saltmarsh and the various adventures to be found there. After all, you don't yet know what the "Sinister Secret" of Saltmarsh actually is!
The Old Dwarf Road will remain an "encounter area" for our campaign, which means that you can come back here at any time to explore more.
Also remember that you harvested the purple mushrooms that are supposed to be good for brewing healing elixirs. None of you know what to do with them at the moment, but maybe someone in Saltmarsh does.
Just a quick reminder that your Hindrances are not just for flavor and extra Skill points or Edges. During games I will be handing out Bennies for good RP, clever play, and especially for acting out your Hindrances. I had forgotten about this until now (sorry, newb SW GM here), so let's do this now. In the future I'll be handing these out more freely as we play:
- *One Benny to Bizzle the Gargantuan for his Spectacular RP on the Critical Failure on his Stealth check.
- *One Benny to Isagoras the Light for his nonsensical ramblings throughout. What is he talking about?
- *One Benny to Lord Belros Sunwalker for identifying the Healer's Blessing mushrooms.
- *One Benny to Allysen for using her Shadow Climber magic to solve the issue of harvesting the same mushrooms.
- *One Benny to MWG for her spectacular take down of the giant.
- *One Benny for Quresha for selflessly defending her friends in combat.
I know these are not the best, but hopefully with experience I'll get better at this.
Finally, you have all learned an important lesson on your travels along the Old Dwarf Road. You'll have to determine what you have learned for yourself, but it's enough to grant you the SWADE version of experience: an Advance.
An Advance lets a character do one of the following. Remember that no Trait may be raised above its racial maximum (usually d12).
• Gain a new Edge.
• Increase a skill that is equal to or greater than its linked attribute one die type.
• Increase two skills that are lower than their linked attributes by one die type each (including new skills the character didn’t have before at d4).
• Increase one attribute by a die type. This option may only be taken once per Rank. Legendary characters may raise an attribute every other Advance, up to the racial maximum.
• Permanently remove a Minor Hindrance, or reduce a Major Hindrance to a Minor (if possible). With my permission, and if it makes sense, two Advances may be saved up and spent to remove a Major Hindrance. You and I should work out how and when this happens. Perhaps the shocking death of an ally triggers a change in attitude, the hero puts real effort into improving harmful behavior, or might even seek professional help during downtime between missions.
Thanks, GM BrOp, for the extra Benny! I'm increasing my Strength to d8 with this Advancement.
That all sounds pretty good. :)
Lord Belros has learned valuable lessons about being swifter. His Agility die goes up to D8.
With everyone wanting in increase an ability, remember that you can do this only once per Rank. You won't be hitting the "Seasoned" rank until you get 3 more Advances.
I'm thinking on it. With work I haven't really had time to ponder what I want to do with Allysen...
For those of you new to SW, I found this rule-of-thumb for advancements some time ago :
Advancements per Rank : think "EASE"
1st advance: Take an Edge
2nd advance: Raise an Attribute
3rd advance: Raise/add some Skills
4th advance: Take another Edge
You don't have to do it in this order, but it's a handy way to remember to cover all the bases, and emphasizes SW's "Edge-based" philosophy.
Problem is at Novice, you only get 3 advancements before you hit Seasoned (becoming a WC is your "first advancement"), so one of those has to go. Which one is up to you, but I would suggest it NOT be raising an Attribute. Probably drop getting one Edge, you got at least one at creation.
Me personally, I wanted to raise her Strength right away so that all the Fighting *damage* she does (whether by hand or with sword) is increased.
Okay, decided to raise Allysen's Spirit. The reason being that I need to up her chances of recovering from shaken especially when she's going to be mixing it up in melee a lot.
The optimisation in me screams Trademark weapon, and everything else shouts skills.
So I'll raise my Vigour! instead.
GM BrOp, I recall reading somewhere that AB Power Points recharge faster in SWADE, but I can't remember the exact value? Thanks!
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Anyone have any suggestions for my Advance?
I was thinking to boost Smarts, but I'm only going to do that to increase Sorcery, so I may as well -just- boost Sorcery, and then I can raise a different Attribute (like Agility or Vigor) later.
I think that's what I 'll do...but I never really love using an advance to only boost a skill above it's attribute.
Honestly, Isagoras uses smarts a lot, if not necessarily for rolls. He is clearly incredibly well read.
I think this is a good time for me to withdraw from the game. While I had a lot of fun playing with you all, my life is increasingly hectic and I just don't have the mindspace for a sandbox game with unfamiliar rule system.
Thanks for having me, and happy playing!
That's unfortunate, Quresha, but understandable. Good luck in your future gaming!
Same here. Hope things calm down for you at some point.
Sorry to see you go, Quresha. There goes the last of the Baklunish ...
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GM BrOp, I recall reading somewhere that AB Power Points recharge faster in SWADE, but I can't remember the exact value? Thanks!
Here is the quote from the rulebook:
A character recovers 5 Power Points per hour spent resting, meditating, etc. What constitutes “rest” is up to the GM, but they do not recharge while powers are maintained, or during anything more than mild physical exertion, emotional stress, or mental distraction. A hero can rest while riding a horse, for example, unless the animal is restless, the road is terribly bumpy, traffic requires frequent concentration, etc.
Heroes can also regain Power Points while walking if the conditions are generally favorable and the pace is leisurely.
Thanks! So is walking in a mule train "favorable and leisurely"? :)
Thanks! So is walking in a mule train "favorable and leisurely"? :)
Yes, unless the ground (or the mules) are particularly difficult.
I've added a few maps and pictures to the top of the page. Take a look!
Noice.
Good to have those!
@All: My free time is going to be quite limited over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I might be able to post later on over the three days, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to.
Now that you're about to be paid, how do you want to handle money. Would you like to use the traditional AD&D system of everyone keeping track of your wealth (i.e. the coins), or do you want to use SWADE's more abstract Wealth system?
For those of you unfamiliar with the latter, here is the quote from the book:
The Basics: Characters have a new statistic called Wealth they can use to buy things. It increases when they’re rewarded and decreases after significant purchases.
BUYING THINGS
Each character has a d6 in Wealth, which represents average, middle class resources for the setting. This isn’t a Trait, but acts like one—players may spend Bennies when checking it, get their Wild Die, and benefit from allies’ Support.
When a hero wants to buy something mundane, she does so — no roll is required. If the item is more than about $10 × her Wealth die, or she’s made numerous recent trivial purchases, she must make a Wealth roll. The GM should add bonuses for savings or deals, subtract penalties for expensive purchases, or rule out all-together purchases beyond the character’s means.
Critical Failure means the buyer can’t scrape up the needed funds at the moment but may try again the next week, or after he obtains one or more Rewards (see below). With a regular failure, the buyer can either forgo the expense or she can buy it but goes broke regardless of her Wealth die (see below).
Success means she purchases the item but her Wealth is reduced a die type until the GM feels her finances are restored by time or Rewards. A raise means she buys the item without reducing her Wealth.GOING BROKE
If a hero’s Wealth would be reduced below d4, she’s dead broke. She has basic food, water, and shelter (unless the GM and the situation dictate otherwise), but otherwise can’t buy luxury foods, transportation, or even ammo.POOR AND RICH CHARACTERS
Wealth is only permanently increased by Rewards or the Rich Edge. It’s decreased through use and the Poverty Hindrance. Those with the Poverty Hindrance have a d4 Wealth. Rich characters have a d8, and Very Rich heroes have a d10.
Heroes with the Fame Edge add +1 to their Wealth rolls or +2 if they’re Famous. Not only do they tend to have more money, but people love to give discounts to celebrities.SUPPORT ROLLS
Other characters may Support a hero’s Wealth roll, but assume the same risks as the buyer (losing a die type in Wealth with success, for example).
I've always wanted to experiment with an abstract Wealth system (see HERE), but this is highly dependent on your calls (especially for penalties to the die roll, and when to increase the wealth die), BrOp. If you're up for it, I am!
As an aside, this system doesn't seem to address people on a salary (which we aren't, so no big deal). But I would suggest that if a salaried person's current Wealth die is lower than their "standard" die (d6, d8, d10) at the end of the month, it goes back to their standard die at the first of the month.
Can my current Wealth die ever go above my "standard" die value? Like, if we found a massive amount of treasure, and I was currently at d6, could my Wealth die go up to d8, effectively making me temporarily Wealthy (until I spend it)?
Actually, depending on the penalties on the Wealth roll due to the actual price of the object, it might be *very* hard to even buy a long sword or chainmail (how much penalty would you give for a $300 purchase, compared to the $60 that is ten times my die?). With a -2 or more, my chances of just a success are only 1 in 3 or less. Even tho $300 is 5 times my upper limit, it seems like the penalty should be pretty low (0 or -1).
And if I forego the purchase on a Failure, how long before I can try again? Immediately, if there's several merchants in town to try, or a week like with critical failure?
I think I've just talked myself out of it. Give me the cold, hard cash! :)
Also, have the prices for items in SWD changed significantly (or at all) in SWADE?
I'm fine with using either or, though I'd like to give SWADE's abstract wealth a shot.
As an aside, this system doesn't seem to address people on a salary (which we aren't, so no big deal). But I would suggest that if a salaried person's current Wealth die is lower than their "standard" die (d6, d8, d10) at the end of the month, it goes back to their standard die at the first of the month.
That would make sense, although for this campaign, I don't think any of you will ever be on a salary unless you sign up for a job somewhere.
Can my current Wealth die ever go above my "standard" die value? Like, if we found a massive amount of treasure, and I was currently at d6, could my Wealth die go up to d8, effectively making me temporarily Wealthy (until I spend it)?
Yes, you can, through Rewards (i.e. treasure). Basically the way it works is that you go on an adventure and acquire a bunch of loot. I look at how much stuff you haul back to town and say: "Wow, you each hauled back the equivalent of 2,000 gp. Your Weath stat goes from a d6 to a d8. It stays at a d8 until I have determined that you would have spent most of the treasure, and then I bring you back down to a d6. On the other hand, if you haul back A LOT of gold, I might bump you up to a d10 or even a d12.
Actually, depending on the penalties on the Wealth roll due to the actual price of the object, it might be *very* hard to even buy a long sword or chainmail (how much penalty would you give for a $300 purchase, compared to the $60 that is ten times my die?). With a -2 or more, my chances of just a success are only 1 in 3 or less. Even tho $300 is 5 times my upper limit, it seems like the penalty should be pretty low (0 or -1).
Remember that according to the Wealth rules, you may purchase the item even if you fail the roll, but you temporarily "go broke". Going broke means you can't buy anything but survival necessities until you get more "Rewards".
And if I forego the purchase on a Failure, how long before I can try again? Immediately, if there's several merchants in town to try, or a week like with critical failure?
According to the rules, you seem to stay Broke until you come into some money again. A great reason for getting a job or going on another adventure!
I think I've just talked myself out of it. Give me the cold, hard cash! :)
Okay, so that's one vote for living in the cash economy.
Also, have the prices for items in SWD changed significantly (or at all) in SWADE?
No, they haven't.
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I'm willing to try the Wealth system up until I think that I see that it's worse.
i.e. If the dice are creating unrealistic scenarios (General Martel rolls well, and so buys three suits of armor, seven battleaxes, and a luxury yacht, while Isagoras starts with the same money and fails a roll buying a pair of fuzzy dice).
Either that or someone not buying anything and saving is likely to be either OP or just outright screwed.
Which is better:
"I haven't bought anything this whole time, so now my Wealth die is...d12+17."
or
"I haven't bought anything this whole time so now my Wealth die is...still d8. =(("
It stays at a d8 until I have determined that you would have spent most of the treasure, and then I bring you back down to a d6.
Doesn't it stay at d8 until I roll a success to buy a thing? Come to think of it, going down a die level to buy *one* significant thing seems a bit harsh...
And, the possible penalties to the roll still concern me. What penalty would you give for a $300 purchase (an average weapon or armor), compared to the $60 that is ten times my die? How about for $2000 (the lowest priced magic item other than potions and scrolls)?
According to the rules, you seem to stay Broke until you come into some money again. A great reason for getting a job or going on another adventure!And if I forego the purchase on a Failure, how long before I can try again? Immediately, if there's several merchants in town to try, or a week like with critical failure?
What I meant was, if I roll a Failure, and decide *not* to buy the item, how long before I can roll again to try and buy it?
MWG had brought up enough problems with the Wealth stat that I am tempted to just stick with keeping track of gold. Since AD&D was about amassing massive amounts of loot in any case, I think this would be more in the spirit of the original game.
Sorry, I didn't mean to be such a buzz-kill. I posted these same issues on the SW message boards, and it turns out that someone has created some additional guidelines addressing these exact same issues.
The document is available HERE for $2.00. And, if you Google
"Expanded Wealth" Donavon Bailey
(including the quotes), and go to Images, you can get a readable image of the first page to decide whether it's worth it or not. It seems pretty reasonable to me.
A Wealth system or stat is supposed to make it easier on the players and GMs because they don't have to keep track of every copper that's collected or spent, but I finally feel like that's part of what AD&D is about. AD&D is about amassing huge amounts of loot and spending it on crazy magic items, etc. Not that we really have to stick to that since we're playing SWADE, but as this is supposed to be an homage of sorts, so it does make sense.
I'm personally fine with trying the Wealth stat, but I'll play with any.
Just so you know, I'm still here. Allysen's not saying or doing much at the moment besides trying to imitate a wallflower.
AD&D is about amassing huge amounts of loot and spending it on crazy magic items, ... but as this is supposed to be an homage of sorts, so it does make sense.
I'm all for tons o' gold! Bring it on! :)
BTW, do you have the (very old by now, but still compatible) Fantasy Companion? It lists all kinds of magic items and their prices.
Hey guys!
Sorry to bring this out on you, but it's been coming for a while. I've recently moved for work, and while it's been pretty good on the RL department, it's left me quite stretched out when it comes to spare time, and quite soon I'll most likely be starting to travel internationally for weeks at a time, so I won't be able to continue in the game with the capacity that I'd want to.
So I'll be taking a leave from this game, for which I'm really sorry, and I hope that it won't be taken as any sort of criticism! You're amazing, and it looks like just the sort of old fashioned, open-ended, wholesome adventure I'd be all over, but I just don't have the time for it, and I'd hate to slow the pace down.
Lots of love, and all the best! I hope everyone in the game has heaps and heaps of fun, and GM BrOp - thanks for running games for me, you're amazing!
Sorry to see you go, Bizzle, but feel free to rejoin us should your schedule open up again. We'll just say you're in Saltmarsh enjoying yourself.
@DMBrOP, I may know a new-to-SW player to take his place, if you want.
Have the player submit a PC to the Recruitment thread and I'll take a look.
DM BrOp, we've lost 3 PC's now, if you want more than one replacement, I could post a notice in a SW game that I'm GM'ing, I think there's several players in that game that aren't in this one.
DM BrOp, we've lost 3 PC's now, if you want more than one replacement, I could post a notice in a SW game that I'm GM'ing, I think there's several players in that game that aren't in this one.
You're welcome to invite them to come over. If they are interested, they should post a character idea in the Recruitment thread. They can be folks in Saltmarsh that you meet.
Have him submit the character in the recruitment thread before he leaves. That way he's in the running in case others submit as well. If he can't start until late June, that's fine.
Cool! I think we can fill a couple of weeks if we have to.
Take care Bizzle, and see you around hopefully.
I'm fine with new recruits. Let them present themselves!
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FYI, Pinnacle Entertainment Group recently posted a CONVERSION GUIDE from Savage Worlds: Explorer Edition to SWADE, and it's free!
Just so you all know, I won't be available much at all on Friday, and a limited amount on Saturday and Sunday.
Sorry for the delay these last few days but my laptop broke and I am now using a borrowed computer until I replace my old one.
A quick comment. Although we will soon be getting into the "Haunted House" storyline that is the first part of the actual published adventure, I would like to encourage all of you to bring in your own character backgrounds more, and also to play up your individual interactions with each other. We've already done that a bit with Allysen, but you each have your own histories, and it would add a lot to the game if you could try to incorporate these more.
In a more sandbox-type game (which this is), having your own motivations and your own relationships with the other PCs and NPCs is very important, as I will build future encounters and even entire adventures off of them. This is not be a railroady, GM-leads-you-around-to-encounter-areas kind of adventure. It's important to try to figure out what your character wants, and how s/he can achieve that.
Developing stronger intra-party relationships (both positive or negative) will help the RP of the entire group as well. The stronger you establish your PC's personality and how it fits into the group as a whole, the more fun (IMO) you'll have playing that PC.
Just my $0.02.
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IF anyone is going to get into a non-trivial pedantic argument, it's Isagoras. ^_^
I actually have had the same position, but then I realized a real-world equivalent that completely blew that notion out the water.
Have you ever had a roll of dimes? Sure you have. We've all worked retail. =)
A roll of dimes fits into a closed fist, and is $10...and is 100 dimes.
Even half again that makes for a small bundle, and will easily fit in a small belt-looped coin-purse. [Also, I know this because I made my own metal coinage for various board games I run (Talisman, Prophecy, etc.) and I carry them in a leather dice bag.]
Isagoras is fine with 150 gp. =)
I'm fine either way. My main gripe about the coins is more the economics of DnD/Pathfinder than anything else. Most things are way overpriced.