This is the discussion and OOC thread for this PFE1 Shattered Star AP Campaign 2019.
If you have been selected please feel free to post.
I will want to discuss several items before we get started.
1) Aligning skills since your group is a PFS group being brought together for a mission. So you can align up to 4 skill points each to maximize your team's skills and abilities.
2) Discuss the Elephant in the Room (Feat Tax) Document.
3) Need to tweak the fighter variant - minor tweak but wanted to discuss it with the group and with ToxicStar.
4) Discuss the Simple Magic Item Creation doc. Including Create Arms and Armor and anything else the group might have in regards to magic item creation.
Jack
Reporting in.
Skills 5 + Int (4)
Craft alchemy +8/9,
Knowledge (Arcana) +8,
Knowledge local +5 (extra),
Knowledge (Nature) +8,
Knowledge (Planes) +5,
Knowledge (Religion) +5,
Perception +4,
Spellcraft +8,
Use Magic Device +3
BG:
+8 Lore (Thassilonian),
+8 Engineering,
+8 Knowledge (anatomy),
+8 Knowledge (military)
Here is the starting point of Alistar's skills.
Ah, here we are.
Assuming I take Pathfinder Delver as intended, Estel will gain Bardic Lore and all knowledge skills will become class skills. That, of course, won't be until 6th level, so . . ..
Trained Skills (one or two):
+ 8-Acrobatics 4+1+3-AP
+ 7 Appraise 3+1+3
+ 7 Artistry (Literature) (BG) 3+1+3
+ 7 Diplomacy 3+1+3
+ 8~Disable Device 4+1+3-AP(+Trapfinding+1)(+MW Tools+2)
+10-Escape Artist 4+1+3+Slender+2-AP
+ 4 Knowledge (Geography) (BG) 3+1+0
+ 4 Knowledge (History) (BG) 3+1+0
+ 7 Knowledge (Local) 3+1+3
+ 4 Knowledge (Nobility) (BG) 3+1+0
+ 8 Linguistics 3+1+3+Exchange Agent+1
+11+Perception 2+1+3+Keen Senses+2+Skill Focus+3(+Trapfinding+1)
+ 6 Sense Motive 2+1+3
+ 8-Sleight of Hand 4+1+3-AP
+ 8-Stealth 4+1+3-AP
Yes, he's a trained writer. I'm not sure which BG skill I will keep bumping. Artistry (Literature) seems like a fun choice to keep bumping, but I could roll that point around the various BG Knowledge skills, though Knowledge skills seem to be Alistair's specialization.
I should note that Jack's alternate rules make a mundane skilled healer FAR more important than you might think without having tried them. Heal is not (and will not) be a class skill for Estel.
Only direct overlap for Estel and Alistar at this point are Knowledge (Local) and Perception. Can't say that overlapping on Perception bothers me AT ALL. Given 28 ranks in skills between them, that little overlap is actually kind of surprising!
I was going to grab heal as a skill but I imagin the wis based clerics may be more successful at it and I can provide the new alchemical item to help.
All,
for the Fighter variant, I am going to amend the Combat Expert to better align to the Defensive Stance & Risky Strike.
Here is the proposed change:
Combat Expert (EitR): Fighters at third level receive the Combat Reflexes feat and receive an additional +1 to damage rolls when using Risky Strike or an additional +1 to Dodge bonus when using Defensive Stance. If a player is using both Risky Strike and Defensive Stance at the same time they may only apply the +1 bonus to one of the options. This benefit is gained from special training and experience the fighter receives in his martial and tactical training.
Jack
Hi guys.
Relevant skills:
Craft (Carpentry) +6
Heal +7
Knowledge (Religion) +9
Profession (Merchant) +7
I plan to be a healer, summoner, and support cleric. I don't plan to do much offensively on my own.
Perfect, it looks like they only key skill we are missing is dungeoneering, which I believe Arrtur has.
Just a heads up I have sent out a confirmation invite to our last party member. I am just waiting on a response back.
Nice to see you all!
1. By "align", do you mean re-allocate points as needed to cover bases? Presently, I think we're covered in general. Use Magic Device seems a touch weak, but Tiarsus has it as a class skill and will have lore reasons to develop it as we progress.
Skills: (6/level + 3 ; 4 Cleric + 1 background + 1 INT) ; 3 bonus background skill points at first level.
- Appraise (0) +1
- Diplomacy (0) +2
- Heal (1) +8
- Knowledge(Arcana) (0) +1
- Knowledge(History) (1) +5
- Knowledge(Nobility) (1) +5
- Knowledge(Planes) (0) +1
- Knowledge(Religion) (1) +5
- Linguistics (1) +5
- Perception (1) +14
- Profession(Cook) (1) +8
- Sense Motive (1) +8
- Spellcraft (0) +1
- Survival (1) +9
2. As I understand them, Elephant in the Room makes combat feat taxes much reduced from what they were. This, I believe, is a big step in the right direction. I've recently tried spheres of power/might and like the closer parity they provide, and this document seems to forge a path toward a similar goal.
3. Regarding fighters, are you using stamina with them? I'm not sure how much leverage that provides them with, but I figured a few extra features for the class would be some much-appreciated love.
4. There's a substantial chance Tiarsus will be involved in some magic crafting. The goal would be not to double-up. Normally, I wouldn't suggest scrolls, but having another cleric makes the option more viable. I tend to have a penchant for wands, though with the alternate rules, I'm not sure where they fall in the table.
I considered UMD, but the DCs are high enough that it'll be a couple of levels before I could Take 10 for basically anything and expect any success.
Sleight of Hand is the lowest priority non-Background Skill on the character, as the others all tie back into his story pretty directly.
So, I can swap out for it if the group wants. Not like there's normally much call for Sleight of Hand unless you are trying to steal from somebody . . ..
I am considering brew potion or craft wand. I don't mind scroll on cleric as the have so many situational spells that are lifesavers.
Yeah, he has a +3 UMD. I would start with a +4.
Hello all! Looking forward to running with you all, and have some grand adventures!
I'll jump in on the skills discussion in more depth once I'm off work, as most of the pertinent information is on my home computer, but here's a starting point, for now.
Keezheekoni currently doesn't have Kn (Dungeoneering), as it didn't seem to make sense for his background, but we could look at working around that, if needed.
Most of his skills are fairly Ranger-y, such as:
Handle Animal +5
Heal +6
Intimidate +5
Knowledge (geography) +5
Knowledge (nature) +5
Perception +6
Survival +6
Unfortunately, with his focus on two-weapon fighting, his stats a little more split than desired to capitalize much on skill min-maxing. :p
I haven't really considered crafting for him, but I could examine it a bit closer, if that is something that we need.
I don't have a lot of experience with the Elephant in the Room ruleset, but anything that opens up options as a fighter-type is alright in my books. :)
All,
Here is the final party makeup:
ToxicStar: Arrtur,Male half-orc fighter 1 Martial Slot 1
hustonj: Estel Cestdelo, Male Elf Unchained Rogue (Relic Raider) 1 Skill Slot
Grandlounge: Alistar Revin Male human (varisian) alchemist (grenadier) 1. Arcane Slot
Ellion Hesoni: Tiarsus Kelquinal, Male Half-Elf Cleric of Abadar 1 Divine Slot
ScorchedOne - Edril Male half-elf cleric (herald caller) of Findeladlara 1 DM Flex Slot
Blaydsong's : Keezheekoni; Human (Shoanti) ranger (flamewarden) 1 (Ultimate Wilderness 66)
Looks like ToxicStar is the only one that has not checked in yet.
As I stated before since the six of you are being formed via a Pathfinder mission you can align/adjust/move 4 skill points around to augment an existing skill or add a missing skill. If you make an adjustment to your character please post it here and adjust your character sheet.
1) Aligning skills since your group is a PFS group being brought together for a mission. You can align up to 4 skill points each to maximize your team's skills and abilities. This means you can shift skill points around to augment a skill or add a skill.
Nice to see you all!
1. By "align", do you mean re-allocate points as needed to cover bases? Presently, I think we're covered in general. Use Magic Device seems a touch weak, but Tiarsus has it as a class skill and will have lore reasons to develop it as we progress.
2. As I understand them, Elephant in the Room makes combat feat taxes much reduced from what they were. This, I believe, is a big step in the right direction. I've recently tried spheres of power/might and like the closer parity they provide, and this document seems to forge a path toward a similar goal.
3. Regarding fighters, are you using stamina with them? I'm not sure how much leverage that provides them with, but I figured a few extra features for the class would be some much-appreciated love.
4. There's a substantial chance Tiarsus will be involved in some magic crafting. The goal would be not to double-up. Normally, I wouldn't suggest scrolls, but having another cleric makes the option more viable. I tend to have a penchant for wands, though with the alternate rules, I'm not sure where they fall in the table.
1) Yes. You can move up to 4 skill points around to augment/add to your skills to assist the party make up.
(Grandlounge offered this up since it is a Pathfinder party and it made perfect sense.)
2) I am in the same ball park. I hate the large feat tax for a character development. I especially hate it for Fighters and martial classes in general.
3) No stamina. The benefits I added are in both the Team Feat and Critical Feats as well as enhancing saving throws and CMB/CMD. I felt these are areas that a fighter would need and would to be good at.
4) I made a big mistake and put in a partial doc for the Simple Magic Item Creation doc. I will get that corrected...not sure how that doc was in the folder I pulled it from but it was. I will find the completed version and get it swapped out for us. Essentially it does away with specific item creation feats (Craft Wand, Craft Staves, Brew Potion for example). It ties it to the activation/use type. It uses Scribe Scroll but after that it uses the Single Use, Charged Item, Daily Use Item, and Constant Use Item. The only two core Craft Magic Item feats that are being kept is Scribe Scroll and Craft Arms and Armor. Pricing changes but the recipes don't; it just allows you some more options and frees up what I consider silly restrictions. If you want a wand that gives you daily use or daily use and charge features it does. I will get that update out ASAP for us.
A good example is instead of Brew Potion you now get Craft Minor Magic Item which allows you to create not only potions but single-use magic items based on single-use (use activated - potion for example), single-use (command word - a wand with one spell in it), single-use (spell-trigger). This now gives a wizard or anyone that takes it a broader range of crafting choices.
I will make sure I get this doc updated and out to everyone. Will not have a big impact right now but it will make alter some of your decisions on character development going forward.
I am shooting for us to start the AP on Sunday/Monday. This will give you time to align your skills and for me to get a solid post ready to get this kicked off.
Any questions please feel free to ask. Any suggestions, complaints or anything don't hesitate to fire away. I am not thin-skinned and this is our game not mine. Hopefully this will be a long-term adventure that we all can have some fun with.
Jack
dot Thanks for the pick. Looking forward to it.
Acrobatics -1 (-5 to jump),
Climb +5,
Intimidate +1,
(BG)Knowledge (Anatomy) +2,
Knowledge (dungeoneering) +5,
Knowledge (engineering) +5,
(BG)Knowledge (Military) +2,
Perception +6,
Ride +3,
(BG)Survival +5,
(BG)Swim +5;
Racial Modifiers +2 Intimidate
Languages Common, Giant, Orc
The fighter change seems fine.
I'm pretty happy with the skill distribution. I think we have a couple people for the most important skills. Basically, everything required is covered.
Cool. I'll leave things where they are.
I just realized now that that discussion about Favored Enemy should have gone in here. Not sure how that happened. <Face Palm>
Also, the day kind of got away from me yesterday, so I'll be sure to do a more thorough check on skills when I get home this afternoon. :p
Generally, though, I'd agree with Alistar. We seem to have most bases covered.
Well, it wasn't overwhelming, but there was enough recommendation about going Favored Enemy (Human) that I made the change. :)
Also, finally got my sheet added to the profile.
AllenDM, do you have any preference for content of taglines?
Game play thread is rolling!
Just so players are aware who didn't read the rather verbose backstory for Tiarsus, Dakgorim is his half-orc companion who almost killed him a while ago in an ambush. Arturr will likely evoke some comparisons from Tiarsus to Dakgorim, and depending on how the adventure proceeds, he may be a point of dynamic character reflection for him.
Mostly for Edril, one of the people traveling West to Varisia with Tiarsus was an elf named Ariawyn, whose family is from the Mierani Forest, some of whom are now in Riddleport. There may be a tangential connection there as well!
Man so many intelligent scholars, this character is gonna be super fun to play. Trying to come off more uneducated then purely stupid. He does have a 12 INT lol.
I love playing a naive or unschooled character capable of learning.
Not wanting to hog all the limelight, as it were, the two words I can think of that anagram that are Ulcer and Lucre, the latter being definitely more fitting due to the nature of the box. In case anyone wants to contribute but has mindfog.
I recognize your logic, but, I have to say, lucre is a pretty uncommon word in American vocabulary. Would they have set up an introductory puzzle that would absolutely baffle the majority?
Edit:
And don't be afraid to hog the spotlight for a single scene. Just try not to hog the spotlight several scenes in a row.
At the end of the day, if the puzzles are going to be lucre-worthy arcane, I think most of us will be happy to have the insight provided.
I agree wholeheartedly with Estel, Edril: You've got the idea here, go with it!
Lucre came to mind to me instead of ulcer, though I'd expect the former to be most common. I'm not sure if lucre is considered an actual word in some lexicons either; for as frequently as my fiance and I do crosswords, I've yet to see it come up!
And Alistar, I must say the act of RPing a character doing basic learning can be quite enjoyable. The IRL campaign I was in recently had me playing a lizardfolk who was learning languages each level up, the eldest languages leaned having the most advanced vocabulary and the newest being barely functional. It was neat to see him become a master of prose in common near the end because of grammar guidance from party members!
I think you're right, Ulcer and Lucre are the only words besides cruel.
And Lucre is an old word, generally in the bible.
"Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous . . . Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;"
1 Timothy 3:3, 8, KJV
"For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre . . . Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake."
Titus 1:7, 11, KJV
"Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;"
1 Peter 5:2, KJV
Note: According to Thayer's Greek English Lexicon, the phrase "filthy lucre" is derived from the Koine Greek word "aischrokerdes", the definition of which is "eager for base gain, greedy for money".
SPIT THAT SHIZZ EDRIL
Always splendid to have more conversation. And I merely thought it more appropriate perhaps for our rogue to suggest. Edril is innocent after all. La, here goes something.
Don't worry about hogging scenes. It is much harder to do in pbp. Everybody can take equally space to express themselves and you can't talk over someone. It is one of the benifits of the format.
Maybe have someone spring the trap, Estel has to roll a 17 to hit that super hard DC and no one else will be even close.
Arturr can volunteer if we want to try that way or we could as the more experienced patherfinder when she returns.
I do have touch of good for +1 if we want that.
I was thinking about guidance, but touch of good helps too.
Alistar is still willing to open in it. He is not quite as tough as Arturr or Keezheekoni but is fine taking some damage.
Hey, that risk is explicitly part of my role. My problem.
Alright, roll away!
Hey, I'm not foolish enough to refuse any assistance like Guidance people want to offer! I'll give a little time for that, yet.
I just double checked no one has guidance preped today unfortunately.
But some time has to be able to cast the spell. Also I don't think any of us can't aid him.
"trying to open a lock using Disable Device, you can't Aid Another to grant a bonus to a task that your character couldn't achieve alone."
Oh, well! Guess I'll go roll, then.
Still a way better chance than Alistar I just blindly opening it.
Yeah, I just have amazingly bad luck with rogues and the forum dicebot. Seems like I can never make the rolls when we need them, but I can make unbelievable rolls to look for things that aren't there to be found.
I feel you. On my one successful trap finder I had to crank skill so I alway succeed taking ten because I could never hit important rolls.
My bad luck is on heal checks. Cure rolls not so much. Don't look to me for mundane wound repair!
I will have posts up for us tonight.
"What's in the box? What's in the BOX!"
Sorry for the delay. Busy holiday!