Think of it as a sort of family vacation.
As far as partial rebuilds go, I'm thinking about swapping out my ranger levels for more rogue levels, and swapping from Assassin to Inquisitive, since the later Assassin levels are less stellar for murder, and the Inquisitive abilities would fix something I've noticed with Rogue: namely that they will usually not get sneak attack consistently.
The only other thing I would have to do is swap my feat from dual wielder (Which I just kinda….took, tbh) to Prodigy (from XGE).
I’m a government attorney, and I work on production. I have x number of decisions to write per week. That number doesn’t change. I just need to do it now with a 2, 7 and 9 year old. Wife is here too, but her job has an even bigger workload. Right now we are taking shifts between working and caring for baby/making sure the older kids have school work.
It’s working. But it is the opposite of a vacation.
As far as reviewing builds, my only concern is that Deimus is the only arcane caster, apart from Hrungnir, though Eldritch Knight is quite limited with regards to spellcasting.
So I could choose Lore instead of Glamour for my college. That would give us some more spells to draw from, albeit not that many.
What do you guys think?
Deimus, totally up to you. I feel like we're holding up pretty well, though I wasn't sure we were going to survive that last fight!
No changes planned for Kjeta...though I feel more excited by my L3 spells than my L4 spells, so I wonder if I'm missing good opportunities (either to pick different spells, or to use the ones I've already picked but am neglecting). Maybe it's just that Hypnotic Pattern is an *AMAZING* L3 domain spell? (at least in the right circumstances, when foes who aren't resistant to Charm are close together).
Lexi, I don't know...I've never seen/had a problem getting sneak with rogues. Getting surprise round Assassinate seems more difficult...but in this game its just been sort of bad luck. Your call though.
I was never a fan of dual wielding as rogue in this edition since it eats your bonus, which is rogue's bread and butter. Handy when you miss an attack and still want sneak for the turn though.
Skulker is probably the hands down number one feat for rogues though, imo. Having the ability to stealth in any light obscurement (ex dim light instead of darkness) is crazy good. Removing the -5 passive penalty to perception in dim light is gravy.
WHOOPS! I had an important typo in my Blessed Brew post (which might affect Hrungnir's choice)
Hey. I'm happy with Carnadine. He's fairly limited dimensionally, especially when the spells start slinging, but I like where he's going. Plus, he's evil, and it's working so far.
I probably should retool his Mounted Combat feat, but hey, he can't be all optimal.
cheers
Okay, I've thought about it some and I think I'll keep my levels the same; I forgot that I got darkvision from my ranger levels...kinda important imo.
I'll just swap out my feat for Prodigy. I'm gonna take Investigation, Land Vehicles, and Northern language, and expertise in Intimidation.
Sounds good Lexi, always a bummer when you really want intimidate for RP and roll low.
Oy! Still quite busy, but finally got a post in.
In the meantime, do we know where we are? The armor-thing referred to this as "the shadow courts". My impression is the fey have a winter court and a summer court...and that perhaps the King and Queen are at different ones? Do I have that right, as far as we know?
Team, Carnadine saying "After discussions with His Excellency Glaninin Thelamandrine, Hidden Ambassador-In-Extraordinary of the Winter Court to the Fey City of Zobeck, we are an embassy from the City of Zobeck to its liege lords of the shadow courts." was what got us past the guard. I wonder if we need to address whoever rules here in some way--to state our business to the ones in charge?
Maybe, but Raseri isn't that comfortable talking to nobles and the like. Carnadine and Deimus have the best shot of pulling that off.
Raseri's probably going to be considered a buffoon after this, but it's what she'd do.
A duck? As in paddling like mad under the water and looking calm above the water?
Or was it his harsh comments about Raseri? Well, at Lawful Evil, I thought it was a big step forward to associate "better" for Raseri with not getting herself killed. At least he didn't vocalize his comments to her (only because he believes that they are being closely watched, and he doesn't want to verbalize a perceived weakness of hers to be exploited by their enemies).
I'm trying to plumb the depths of Carnadine as much as everyone else is mining their own characters. Here are some excerpts from his Background:
• He is as comfortable on a battlefield as in a noble's court. Both can be a deadly game
• His Lawfulness comes from his code of conduct within the Order of Knights Incorporeal and noble court
• His Evilness is a lack of concern for other’s well-being
Likewise I don't understand the duck reference. Ducks don't give children nightmares or suck blood AFAIK.
Unless they have anatidaephobia.
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Hey Deimus
Since you are our resident performer, can you think of a way to humiliate the Master of Roads and his death. Something big, bright and loud, as per the linked advice?
Hey GM
Looking for a game mechanic option to the current encounter, I discovered that I forgot Carnadine's second fighting style at 7th level fighter. I took Defense, so his AC bumped to 21.
cheers
Nice, will update on tracker...need to do Lexi's skills too before I forget!
Er, wait...sorry what is giving you the extra fighting style?
Er, wait...sorry what is giving you the extra fighting style?
Crap. I hate thinking that I was wrong and then was wrong that I was wrong.
I hopefully misread the 7th level Martial Archetype as another Fighting Style
sigh
Ah damn, no worries...been there.
Can you post the Status rules. I cannot find them.
Sure, some meta knowledge is probably overdue.
Specific Status rules are just in the DM guide for this module, not player knowledge. But I don't mind sharing a few things. (Status is actually in the MHH as well, but its not as refined as the version in CotSF module booklet) Your status starts off based on charisma modifier, then has pluses or minuses from race and social status (for example being a knight got you a plus). As mentioned, I'm updating your current status next to passive perception on my tracker (sheet 2 with stats and skills).
From there, there are huge charts (again not player knowledge) that explain consequences of actions you take in the game world that can further raise or lower status. Some are also hard scripted into the adventure at certain points. Certain things might raise it as much as +9, or lower it by -8 in one shot...but those are exceptions. Most are just a few points either direction.
You are basically constantly being judged. I will tell you immediately when status changes and what caused it, but dont want to tell you before hand how status will change based on a certain thing. Although if you are about to do something extremely foolish (resulting in -5 status, say) I might have you do an insight check to avoid it.
You're on the right track with the humiliation of Haylcaster. Think about what you might do to impress a haughty noble/elite for pluses. Think about what might make them harumph and turn their nose up at you for negatives.
Right now the highest PC status is 3 (Deimus). That is why he can see creatures you can not. You guys all together though need much higher status to progress onto Act III. This second Act is all about building status through RP. Explore and take risks, the courts will reveal themselves slowly as it increases. There is no quick DC 20 roll or any spell that can instantly solve things.
Status can hopefully get up at least in the mid teens for most everyone by the end of Act II. I should mention, high status PCs can point out invisible creatures (like the goblin currently or whatever is in the stables) to lower status PCs if the lower status PC makes a DC 20 investigation check. There is yet another long list with exactly what animals and NPCs become visible as status rises.
Currently, Carnadine can see ravens, owls, foxes, and mice/rats with his Status 1. There are many other important things based on status in the adventure.
Any further questions/concerns?
Nope, this actually helps a lot. I was having a little trouble figuring out what to do since I could see Raseri getting paralyzed by fear of doing the wrong thing. This will certainly help me pick something to do besides standing like a statue, although I think if she learns what Carnadine just found out, it's going to be bad for someone, not sure who yet.
Good to know that we're not going to get through this with a single roll, though. Other than beating the pulp out of someone that insults, I'm not sure how she's going to be increasing her status in the court.
Although there's a part of me that would love for her to beat the snot out of some over-puffed noble. That would probably help her status out. :)
This is great, thanks!
I was trying to avoid saying a naughty word, since our overlords in Washington do not like naughty words; it's like saying fork instead of f#$k.
Putting this here as to not make my post in the gameplay thread more rambly.
I'm not saying that Raseri doesn't need to hear that, Deimus, and honestly I would love for her to help with the project (I don't think we'll be able to make a stage, but I think we could make a piece of art that mocks the late Master of Roads in a more creative manner than just a play, anyway.) I try to keep track of who is where and what's going on and Raseri wasn't in the courtyard when Carnadine was calling everyone, and I don't even know if she heard him from wherever she would up in her search of a spot to hide and be alone with her thoughts.
So yeah, I want Deimus to tell her that, but I don't think he's had the chance yet.
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As mentioned in gameplay, everyone was kind of doing there own thing there...similar to sandboxing back in Zobeck we can be a bit loose with time if it helps narrative. I was trying to keep track of where everyone was just because it effects what happens, but there isnt any real time constraint here other than when you all camp later today.
I get it. I do. It's one of those things that I tend to get caught up on. I like for things to make narrative sense, and I tend to have my writer hat on when posting, so it makes me go "Wait, Raseri's not there, she's up on the battlements having an emotional and mental breakdown. How would Deimus have heard that? He's in the smithy while that was going on."
Unfortunately, this also means that I'm kinda at a loss as to what Raseri would do in this situation since I'm not sure how she'd be feeling at this point. I don't know if Raseri is moping on the battlements still, following Lexi like a lost puppy, or helping Deimus with his project. I hope you can forgive me this foible of mine that's causing me to go ""WAHHHH! I don't know what's going on with my character right now!"
Its a bit of a double edged sword, yes. But...that's also sort of the point, not railroading you but giving you play choices (to suffer over selecting ;) ).
Carn did indeed mention gathering everyone to share the book rumors and fight plans, so you have that as an anchor at least.
Point, though he did say he wouldn't have gone looking for the mopey little raincloud that Raseri is at the moment.
Sorry if I'm being too maudlin with Ras. There's a certain moment I'm working towards that both Lexi and the GM know about. I'm hoping that it'll be a cool one and a good payoff for the internal conflict with Raseri. I know that I can get caught up with my own thing, and while I try not to let it get irritating, I don't think I always succeed. If I am getting on your nerves, please let me know and I'll tone it down as much as I need to.
My goal here is to have fun, but not at the expense of others' fun. I would rather you tell me that I'm starting to cause an issue than to let it fester.
And if I need to, I can always see about bowing Raseri out and bringing in a character that would be more helpful to the party.
Haha, not at all man! Not sure that was directed at me, but seriously no worries. I think we all like your style and Raseri is most welcome in the game.
Nah, it was to everyone. I have a few issues of my own, social anxiety being a big one for me. I sometimes have trouble reading the room, so to speak, so I try to make it clear that if I'm getting on your nerves, please tell me. I probably don't realize that I am.
I feel ya, social anxiety is a huge struggle for me as well.
I enjoy good role-playing, so I'm enjoying the Raseri drama from a player point of view.
Since we have time, do your drama, just on a different timeline. The only reason that Raseri would not be down in the courtyard when Carn discusses the library is if Raseri won't come down after several hours. Even if Raseri refuses to hear Carnadine's call to assemble, Lexi certainly would know about it. So, Raseri would have to not want to assemble when she's been asked to, and Lexi would have to choose between Raseri and the rest of the party.
Fair points, but seeing as I did swing, and miss of course, I think we can assume Ras made her way back at some point over those hours. Maybe she was helping Deimus with his/their project?
Not sure if I mentioned it. But I take no credit on the poems. They are from the Poetic Edda, modified to be Dwarven
Carn was careful in his wording of his name drop. Do we still have the letter from the ambassador to the zobeck council? Could be used for our bona fides.
Carn, sorry, not sure which letter you mean.
Carn, sorry, not sure which letter you mean.
I was thinking of the letter for the embassy. It's still signed by the Ambassador, right?
Yes, signed by Ambassador indeed.
I have some online meetings today but will post within a few hours from now.
Speaking of Goblin Kings, this is a favorite book of my daughter's and mine: Nobody Likes a Goblin
It's wonderful and sweet, and has a great Goblin King.
Ben Hatke, the author, also has a very different Goblin King in his Mighty Jack books, for older kids (or any human of any age who enjoys great graphic novels).
Any of yall familiar with them?
I'm pretty frazzled right now, too.
I'm good to support the art with Carnadine playing a heroic part with Persuasion or Performance roll. Need someone to take the lead.
Then, after the status bump, we should go see the Goblin King.
cheers
Kjeta, looks like a good one...will have to check it out.
All, I know we're all probably adjusting to having our normal routine taken out back and shot. If you need a pause/break its understandable.
My region just announced another 4 week lockdown...
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Actually, the escape of this game is keeping me going.
My routine really hasn't suffered, other than a few hectic days a couple of weeks ago. Then again, I'm practically a hermit, so....
@Kjeta: Will definitely check out those titles.
@all: Okay, I hope this will make sense since this is something that's hard to describe without visuals. The main piece is a Möbius strip made of steel, iron, whatever we have access to that's plentiful. On the strip is a frieze that shows Haylcaster's deeds in a way that seems heroic at first, but on further consideration is actually mocking him for a fool, subtle hints and motifs in the background that foretell his folly as they happen. The scene of him recruiting the dragon could have crystal-like rock formations that when looked at from the right angle show trapped and entombed giants, for example.
The base would turn and rotate the strip so that when viewed from the front, the scene always shows right-side up. It tells a story worth seeing several times, so it tells it by always moving to a new scene, a new folly to show the audience. It's also a subtle jibe at House Roren that Haylcaster Montlygrue will always be a stain upon their heritage, always known as a fool, and they will always have to bear the fact that it was they that appointed him. I think stone masonry and metal craft would definitely be of use building the base.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to fix myself some supper and figure out how Raseri's going to react to Lexi's pinch. Any thoughts on what would be most dramatic, humorous, or in character are appreciated.
It needs a catchy title like
Moebius grue or
ash face or
master of road rash or
Haylasster or
The Infinite Tragedies of Haylcaster Montylgrue?
Needs a punchline
Can't make it too punchy. Subtle, remember. ;)
You could always name it something to do with circles or reflections, since a moebius strip can represent either or both.
Read the spoilers that Carn shared. We need a one word-ish punchline that can be repeated according to an NPC
Master of Ashes?
Failcaster?