boom
Thank you Chillblame!
No problem. I got a little muddled when setting up the first page, and it got confused. This sorts it.
Please send your email if you haven't already, and please include your characters name, please
Please send your email if you haven't already, and please include your characters name, please
I pm'd you.
Huzzah!
I'll sort out roll20 soonish. Have to go to work, after that
Naji bin Caedmon has withdrawn, I am replacing him with Viranna, a inquisitor.
Ok, so we have our own discussion thread. YAY!
Q's for the party to chew on.
1) Are we running a "party" fund for treasure, as opposed to simple splits? I say yes; I think that there are things the whole party should be contributing too.
1a) What should the party fund be paying for? I say
I) raise dead and other major healing (restorations or stone to flesh for example)
II) Major party buffs.
For example, Vakmu currently has a set of pre-made symbols, they are :
"5 planchettes with pre-cast symbols of mirroring on them, programmed to only affect those displaying the same 3 symbol combination. – 500 gp
1 planchette with a pre-cast Symbol of Laughter on it, programme not to effect anyone/anything displaying all 3 of the following symbols:. – 1000 gp
Planchettes are kept individually wrapped in sheets of paper, which are labelled.
Spirit gum to stick planchettes to surfaces, for example, a breastplate.
A set of 12 necklaces (fits up to large creatures, can be multiply looped to fit smaller creatures), that display the aforementioned 3 symbol combination (Arcane Mark, symbol of Boccob, symbol of Farlaghan)"
Thus, he can pull out symbol of mirroring that won't affect anyone not wearing a necklace (or symbol of slowing that will affect anyone not wearing a necklace), and attach it to a helmet, breastplate or a shield (inside or outside...). The symbol will stay active for 70 minutes, giving a either a mirror image or a slow effect to those who are within 60ft and meet the programmed criteria. This is, of course, a huge combat effect, that can last for most of a raid. But a symbol of slowing costs 1000 gp a pop. ( I'll eat the first one, it's already paid for, but I'm not sure I should be eating all the costs in the future...).
III) Other party expenses? Eg buying a ship...2) Roles
Vakmu, as mentioned in his appplication for this PBP, is intended as a battlefield control and save or suck caster. He can be very flexible - for example, he can select life as a wandering spirit, get channel energy and be an effective party healer - but I would like to know what everyone's general combat plan is. Who's the front-line melee types, who's going for flanks and sneak attacks, is there a primary healer, etc.
2a Do we need to establish a marching order?
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1) This is covered by rule #33. I vote for that!
1. Doing ANYTHING in a dungeon can get you killed. This includes doing nothing. Therefore, act. Tis better to die daring awesomely.
2. Never share a hiding spot with someone more foolish than thyself.
3. The easy way is trapped. The hard way is an ambush. The right way is hidden.
4. Levers are placed to be pulled.
5. Evil henchmen are often more potent combatants than their bosses. Be ready.
6. If the wizard dies with an uncast Fireball, he deserved it.
7. There is NEVER enough curative power.
8. Doors without traps lead to doors with them.
9. A fountain in a dungeon is a crapshoot.
10. Never trust a dead end.
11. Kill it first. That's what Raise Dead is for
12. When in a dungeon, NEVER let the DM think you're bored.
13. Whenever possible, do not have the slowest movement rate.
14. Posting a strong rear guard can deter the DM from attacking from the rear. This is not a waste. This is proper. If you don’t get attacked from behind, it was 100% worth it.
15. Always know which skill no one has, and be ready to depend on that skill.
16. When turned to stone, don’t panic. Monsters with petrification abilities come with Stone to Flesh items nine times out of ten.
17. Try to look unimportant, it might be low on ammo. If you’re the paladin, don’t b%@~!, you signed up for this.
18. Murphy was a fighter.
19. You’re playing D&D, not Marvel.
20. If it’s stupid and it works, it isn’t stupid.
21. The first time you drop your guard, the DM will teach you a lesson.
22. So what if you met in a bar 10 minutes ago, and now you’re already hired. Learn about your comrades’ strengths and weaknesses ASAP.
23. A comrade that stutters, hems, or haws trying to pinpoint their weaknesses can add “Doesn’t know when they’re screwed” to the list.
24. A character with no weaknesses isn’t really good at anything either.
25. The thief doesn’t complain when the fighter doesn’t help pick the lock, the fighter shouldn’t complain when the thief doesn’t enter melee.
26. HP and damage potential are independent attributes. Four giants at 3/4 HP do WAY more damage than 3 fully healthy giants. Gang up on bad guys, do not make it a fight from Big Trouble In Little China.
27. Trust your experts. Don’t get mad at the thief if he misses a trap, and he won’t get mad when the demon saves against your spell or the fighter gets mowed down.
28. You don’t need a body for resurrection, so don’t worry about leaving it behind.
29. Someone who ditches a group plan has signed up for whatever happens to them. Pay to have them raised, but don’t risk your neck for them.
30. When someone is getting themselves killed for something you screwed up on, suck it up and risk yours to get them out of it.
31. Never EVER EVER spend an action saying, “Go Team.” Watching for the impending second wave of baddies is a perfectly reasonable way to spend your time.
32. When the cleric says it’s time to stop, it’s time to stop. If the fighter says it’s time to stop, look at the healer for confirmation.
33. Communism and democracy gets a party killed. Situational Meritocracy gets you fortune and glory.
34. What the paladin doesn’t know can’t hurt him.
35. What the thief doesn’t know CAN hurt you.
36. Fighters get first dibs on tactical placement.
37. Never lie during triage.
38. If you decide to rest after you’ve run out of spells, you’re too late.
39. When the fighter yells for you to cast the fireball, listen. When the wizard tells you you’re going to get yourself killed, you listen. When the cleric flees you follow. When the thief gets killed by a trap, go get another thief before continuing.
40. Fighters are a wizard’s second best armor. Clerics are the best.
41. Spells should neither be whored nor hoarded.
42. What good is the reward if you aren’t around to use it?
43. Just because your cover is blown, charging isn’t plan B.
44. You’ll only ruin the game by turning in the thief for contacting the guild.
45. Listen when you’re not in charge, and lead when you are.
46. Portable Hole plus ballista equals success. See #20.
47. Always know which side the hinges are on.
48. ALWAYS listen after tampering with the door.
49. People can miss obvious sights, or shrug off noise, but scent is never missed.
50. The Atreides had a battle language, so should you.
51. Treasure can be used right away.
52. It costs five copper pieces to shoot an exploratory arrow into the darkness, and five hundred thousand copper pieces to get your Troubleshooter raised from the dead.
53. Know who your DM’s favorite D&D writer is and plan accordingly.
54. Female NPCs with names are suspect. Never score on a named NPC.
55. It’s always an inside job. When it’s not, the BBEG is a higher level than you.
56. Nine times out of ten when the DM wants to know your HP total, he’ll pull his punches. When he never asks, he doesn’t care if your character dies, act accordingly.
57. “Rush In and Act Accordingly” only works when you trust your teammates.
58. Dicing for mutually desired items leads to semi-content parties with less than optimal power. Voting to place the items leads to optimally powered, temporarily less than happy members (minus one). Pick one.
59. Always have enough to get your sorry butt raised, and make sure your party-mates know where that stash is.
60. Always know how many charges are left in the wand of curing, even if you’re not the cleric.
61. If the thief introduces himself with an alias, go along with it!
62. Unless you’re a paladin, when the thief introduces YOU with an alias, go along with it.
63. It’s okay to get screwed for not knowing the game setting, but keep your complaints to yourself starting with the second offense.
64. When stocking up, assume every dungeon has a rust monster, a troll, a doppelganger, an incorporeal creature, and SWARMS.
65. It doesn’t matter what edition you’re playing, going down stairs ups the ante.
66. Double doors guard things with more HP than single doors. As a corollary, the square footage of a door is directly proportional to the XP value of the thing behind the door.
67. The player who can name the campaign specific names for various coins gets first dibs on being the bard.
68. Two bards is a waste. I don’t care how different their feat selection is.
69. Two fighters are never a waste, but always use different primary weapons.
70. All other things being equal, enhance your character’s strengths before plugging up your weaknesses.
71. Just because rogues no longer get bonus XP for liberating treasure, and fighters per HD, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to stop playing that way.
72. Assuming people are basically good is asking for it. People by default are neutral.
73. Read the description for Diplomacy. Nowhere does it describe the powers of Bluff, Charm Person, Suggestion, Savoir-Faire, or Fast-talking. Don’t complain when the DM doesn’t let you get away with it.
74. Dragons are dangerous from the day they hatch.
75. A wizard who resorts to melee does so because that’s how they want people to remember how they died.
76. Assuming that every monster in the dungeon was meant for you to kill it is suicide. Sometimes you’re supposed to run away.
77. The party’s strategist may not be the party’s tactician. Any class can handle these jobs, don’t be cliché about this.
78. Even the A-Team accepted the reward. Take it.
79. Don’t make a pacifist character. It’s D&D. Fighting happens. Pacifism is for NPCs.
80. The time to fall back for healing is never lower than 1/3 power. Don’t wait until you’re almost dead, as it’ll become a cycle; heal, get hit, heal, get hit.
81. It’s only worth missing a round to get healed if you’re going to get healed for more damage than you take in 1 round.
82. If the wizard needs to fall back, it’s because everyone else is dead, or the wizard is executing #75.
83. No matter your class, always have a light slashing weapon ready for use.
84. Captain Kirk used red shirts, so should you.
85. If you can’t sum up your character in a single paragraph, he’s too complicated.
86. Everyone in the party should have a common language beyond simply Common.
87. Know your DM. Learn to tell when he’s throwing you a bone, and run with it.
88. “The natural cavern leads off into darkness” is typically DM-speak for, “This cavern isn’t part of the adventure, but is there in case I want to build on it later. Please don’t go down there, because I’ll have to wing it.”
89. Your cohort is never more valuable than another PC. Your followers are never more important than a comrade’s cohort.
90. It is, in fact, possible to “win” at D&D. A character who is the subject of nostalgic gaming stories long after a campaign has ended has “won” D&D.
91. If your DM uses plastic minis, but slaps down a hand-painted metal mini, treat it with suspicion and caution.
92. If you tell the party to “trust you”, then don’t let them down. If you do let them down, don’t be surprised if they don’t go with it next time you ask.
93. The DM’s love of the campaign world is directly proportionate to the level of motivation he has for a campaign with in it, and inversely proportional to the patience he has for people being ignorant of it.
94. The more proper nouns that appear in your character’s back-story, the more permission you’re giving the DM to mess with it during the campaign.
95. There’s nothing childish about a character whose motivations include power, riches, and fame. In fact, be honest with yourself, at some level isn’t that your own motivation with your character?
96. Multiple wizards in a party are like a sports team (or the X-Men arcade game). You need to “call the ball”. Don’t both of you waste your best spells at the same time. Alternate so as to maintain your level of firepower (See #41).
97. You might think it’s cool to keep your prepared spells a secret until the party sees you cast them, but it’s even cooler if they can plan around your selection. If there are two casters in the party, talk to each other when planning the day’s spells so as to not create a surplus or scarcity of certain effects.
98. If your DM wants to know which party member is carrying the map, the answer is always plural. (And it’s a good bet he’s the kind of dungeon master that will keep track of food, so be ready.)
99. The player that still uses the level titles (e.g. Veteran, Cutpurse, Deacon, etc.) gets first dibs on playing the thief (and trust me, they’ll call it thief not rogue.) They’re by far the most paranoid player in a dungeon, and likely the one most highly trained at recognizing highly probable places for traps.
100. It’s okay to let the DM know you’re bored when in town (See #4). But before you do, make sure you’re armed and ready.
101. If the DM asks you if you say or read something out loud, the answer is always no.
102. If you meet an NPC in a session with a proper name, be courteous and learn it.
103. If the same NPC appears in another adventure, be smart and learn as much as you can about them.
104. If the same NPC appears in another story arc, be wise and prepare to fight him to the death.
105. Don’t name your character after a famous person/character within the game, it’s distracting and will lead to jokes that break the suspension of disbelieve, which in turn will garner you less sympathy from the DM when you mess up.
106. Never cite The Lord of the Rings as justification for an argument for why something should work, and maybe, just maybe, the DM won’t cite Alien for the same reason.
107. Female NPCs exhibit a parabolic relationship with their comeliness score and their importance. If comeliness is 3 or 18, then pay attention to what she says.
108. If there’s a psionic party member, you can be sure there will be psionic baddies.
109. Assume every dungeon has an underground lake and a river of lava. Trust me, it’s better that way.
110. Unless you’re pressed for time, look for its lair, even if it’s a wandering monster.
111. Sometimes treasure is hidden in the stomach, the tauntaun treasure chest must not be overlooked.
112. You know what psych majors learn in college? Stereotypes are usually true.
113. There’s no such thing as an underground lake without a carnivorous creature in it. See #109
114. No it’s not good role-playing to run an evil character in a group with a paladin. It’s asking for angst that D&D is designed to provide escape from.
115. Never argue physics with the DM. It’s not worth the retribution, and you can never win an argument when the rebuttal can justifiably be “Magic!”
116. Plan C should never be “Every man for himself.”
117. Don’t freak out if the party rogue is neutral. Remember #72.
118. Never assume the BBEG is like a James Bond BBEG. Assume you’ll be killed quickly, efficiently and without warning.
119. Before play begins, find out what skill the DM says is relevant to determining success in the Indiana Jones, “gold idol – bag of sand” switch.
120. Never ever complain your way out of character death. It’s unmanly and you’ll embarrass yourself. If you’ve got a solid logical reason, give it. Once.
121. It’s D&D, “Because he’s evil” is always acceptable.
122. Before you draw from that Deck of Many Things, decide your drawing limit and stick to it.
123. If you’re playing 3rd edition, and you find a lone kobold, it’s obviously a high level sorcerer. If someone laughs at you for making that assumption, let them make theirs next time. If you’re playing older editions, that kobold is bait.
124. If you can’t solve the puzzle in 5 minutes of real game time, break it.
125. If attacked by ninjas, remember the power of a ninja is inversely proportionate to the number of ninjas involved in the fight. Ten ninjas are fodder, but a lone ninja will kick your butt. This goes for psionic characters too.
126. Playing a character of the exact opposite of the stereotype is also a stereotype.
127. Unless the DM forbids it, during character creation talk to the other players, otherwise don’t complain when the characters are hopelessly incompatible or everyone’s a fighter.
128. Default template for single file marching order is, in order of front to back, Troubleshooter, fighter, wizard, cleric. Always leave 5' of space between
129. There’s nothing wrong with making requests of the spell-casters for what spells to prepare for the day. Just like there’s nothing wrong with saying “no” to those requests.
130. Always carry a missile weapon. Unless your class prohibits you from using it, use it.
131. Before you do something REALLY stupid, make sure you know the DM’s policy on Atonement.
132. Burned out Ioun Stone + Continual Flame = best torch ever.
133. If you’re a middle level fighting class (cleric, druid, etc.) don’t rush in on round 1. Doing so will annoy the fighters trying to execute #36, and you’ll end up needing to use more curative magic. Round 1 is a buffing and assessment round for you.
134. Monk + Silence = premier anti-caster tactic.
135. Know when to retreat, and know which characters in the party would rather die than do so.
136. Once fireballs are added to the mix, the city watch doesn’t care who started it.
137. Behold the power of the Cantrip: Ghost Sound can save your butt against dumb giants, and Mending can redo the seal on the royal letter you stole.
138. If the reward seems too good to be true, be prepared for a double cross. This doesn’t mean don’t take the contract, it just means be ready to fight the person who gave it to you.
139. Whenever possible, use cover and concealment.
140. Flanking is key. Do it, and don’t let it happen to you. When moving to flank, the melee-tank-anchor should arrive before the sneak-attacker.
141. Decide to be aggressive enough, quickly enough. Better to have overkill than be killed.
142. Unless the details of your class require you to honor last requests, don’t.
143. After having finally slain the BBEG, take the precautions necessary, using whatever books the DM allows, to ensure that he cannot be True Resurrected.
144. When entering combat with a truly dangerous foe, don’t save your most powerful spells for “just in case”. Use them first.
145. Unless you have some kind of trump card, resist any and all urges to do melee battle with anyone on a ledge.
146. If you wipe the floor with the first wave of baddies, assume the next wave is going to be the toughest. The instant you have determined the level of toughness, first hand, of the next wave, be ready with #144.
147. It’s D&D, the moral implications concerning bribery are relevant to the mark, not the PC. Bribery is as valid a tactic as intimidation.
148. Magic items in which the word “of” appears two or more times will invariably become either a plot device or a homing beacon for trouble. Be prepared.
149. Monks will never be as good at melee as fighters or as sneaky as rogues. Monks are a “variable support class” They make excellent wing man melee fighters, and wing man rogues.
150. If you have a familiar, keep it in mind at all times. Otherwise you’ll have no recourse when it’s time to rely on it and the DM says Fido’s still back in town.
151. If you suspect a character has been replaced by a doppelganger, ask them to let you cast sleep on them. If it doesn’t work, they’re either an elf-blooded PC or a doppelganger.
152. If the DM asks if you’re setting watch, the answer is always yes.
153. Whenever reasonable, make the baddies come to you as you rain missile fire on them.
154. If you prepare spells, it’s worth it to have a “default non-adventuring day” list of prepared spells, so when the DM springs the adventure hook on you, you’re not caught with your pants down.
155. You should always know how each person in the party would answer the question, “You’re lost in the desert and the water supply is dwindling, how should you split it?”
156. If the DM forgets to include a penalty you’re suffering from, point it out. If he doesn’t return the favor, then stop. Immediately.
157. Take notes at the table. If you recall the name, race, and nationality of an NPC, it shows the DM that you care about the hours he put in on making the adventure. It may come up in rewarding you later. It’s also good gaming.
158. If your character can’t swim because of encumbrance, then you need a solution that will protect you from drowning. You need this before you approach anything wet.
159. If the DM takes the time to describe a new pattern of floor tiling, do not advance until the troubleshooter gives the go ahead.
160. Everyone in the party should know who the fastest talker is, the best diplomat, and the most intimating member. Don’t use numbers at the table, but know who each is.
161. The order of operations is always Diplomacy, Bluff, then intimidate. Never reverse these.
162. There should never be any excess space in an extra-dimensional storage container. If you’re successful enough to have one, you’re wealthy enough to fill remaining space with food and water (and ammo). As space is needed, ditch the ammo, food, and water.
163. Scouts should always return to the group for planning, never should the group advance to the scout.
164. The place to plan is never close enough that a double move will bring the enemy within their striking distance.
165. If the DM ever needs to vividly describe the specific actions of a trap, you must assume that they are using something more than the DMG for their traps. This brings a requirement of checking for traps immediately after disabling the obvious trap. If you see a "Grimtooth" trap book, GET A THIEF.
166. Choose your attacks wisely. It might seem like a good idea to hit a melee monster with a physically devastating spell, but it likely won’t work. Blast the slow tanks, manipulate the weak willed, and debilitate the weak bodied.
167. The fact that Undectable Alignment is still a Paladin spell should give a clue as to what a Paladin is actually allowed to do. Nowhere does it say that the Code requires you to wear a neon sign that says, “I’m a paladin and I will judge you!”
168. Defense will only protect you, for a time, from defeat. It takes offense to actually conquer a foe.
169. The cheapest item in the PHB is a mundane item with the following abilities: potential circumstance bonus when used for nose plugs or earplugs, works as a timer for anything up to an hour, can check for air currents, can be a minor decoy, can make subtle markings on a wall to indicate exploration progress, and sheds a weak light. It weighs virtually nothing, so even the wizard can carry some. It’s called a “candle.”
170. Just because it’s gone from the game, doesn’t mean there’s no longer a need for bending bars and lifting gates. Make sure you have this covered. It’ll make your DM happy if you know what the best result a party can muster is on taking 20 for a STR check.
171. Always know how you’re going to spend a turn before your name is called to act. It keeps the game smooth, and encourages others to do the same. Your DM will thank you, and you’ll come off as having a more confident character.
172. Never split the party. Just don't do it.
173. If you are paired up. Never leave your wingman. Do Not Leave Your Wingman.
174. Know they escape route.
175. Every party should have a policy on when it's time to make a last stand.
176. If you can pull off an ambush, hold the line until the enemy is within melee range. Shooting a target from far way isn't an ambush.
177. Never ford a river at the ford.
178. When the plan goes wrong, go back to the beginning (or some other clearly designated point.
179. Never return from the dungeon the way you went in. Foolish is the bandit who attacks the party prepped to kill them all and let Heironeous sort them out. Wise is the bandit who attacks the resource depleted, treasure laden party.
180. Attack HVTs first. These are the blasters and characters with Save or Die abilities. (piles of easily fireballed minions not withstanding.)
181. If your character has a schtick, know they rules. Expect to be called upon to show the sourcebook. Have page numbers ready.
182. Thou shall not sunder treasure. If you're playing in an organized game, this does not apply.
183. Do not look down upon mundane equipment. Keep pitons, flour, and empty sacks on hand.
184. It is okay to tease someone at the table. It is not okay to tease them such that their fun is lessened.
185. Read the fluff first, and the crunch second. It's poor gaming to take a class, especially a prestige class based solely on crunch.
186. Pay attention even to trifles. This includes casting times, numbers of targets you can affect.
187. Even if the DM doesn't do it, pay attention to ammo.
188. Roll all your dice at once. Miss chances, attack and damage. This is more efficient. If you miss due to concealment, you can save time on the math.
189. Do NOT roll all of your attacks on a full attack at once. Your 5' step could be life and death. Use it appropriately, redirect your attacks as the situation demands.
190. Know which rules are often misapplied. You don't need to memorize them (though you should) but you do need to know where to find them.
191. Remember, in a no holds barred contest Batman bested Superman.
192. It is okay to think in terms of aggro, DPS, Uber. It is not okay to use these at the table. Ever.
193. Never keep a side mission a secret from your party unless ordered to do so.
194. Know thyself. Inside and out. Be familiar with your abilities, equipment, and spells. Prepare. Use note cards. The player with an entirely different sheet for their raging barbarian knows what's up.
195. Embrace the abstraction. An unexpected plan can surprise the DM forcing him to wing it. You have the advantage. Here is where you reap the rewards from #87 and most definitely #93.
196. Immerse yourself ahead of time. Playing a primitive fighter? Read some Robert Howard. Thief? Read Gord the Rogue. This will give you the language, attitude and aura of the character you're playing. Your newfound adjectives will increase everyone's enjoyment.
197. Beware of symmetrical dungeon levels. These contain Very Bad Things.
198. Beware of almost symmetrical dungeon levels. There's a secret door.
199. When expecting trouble it is not a waste to buff ahead of time. A 10 Round Bless cast 4 rounds too early is still 7 rounds of benefit. Six with the spell, and one where you didn't have to cast it.
200. Knowledge is power. Invest and use knowledge skills. If you have a regular party, spread the wealth. Ignorance is a choice. Don't make it.
2) I want flanks, but I can sometimes create my own magic. Invisibility is also helpful. My PC is intended to scout and look for traps, as needed. I’m neither the tank, nor the healer!
Ok, so we have our own discussion thread. YAY!
Q's for the party to chew on.
1) Are we running a "party" fund for treasure, as opposed to simple splits? I say yes; I think that there are things the whole party should be contributing too.
1a) What should the party fund be paying for? I say
I) raise dead and other major healing (restorations or stone to flesh for example)
II) Major party buffs.
For example, Vakmu currently has a set of pre-made symbols, they are :
"5 planchettes with pre-cast symbols of mirroring on them, programmed to only affect those displaying the same 3 symbol combination. – 500 gp
1 planchette with a pre-cast Symbol of Laughter on it, programme not to effect anyone/anything displaying all 3 of the following symbols:. – 1000 gp
Planchettes are kept individually wrapped in sheets of paper, which are labelled.
Spirit gum to stick planchettes to surfaces, for example, a breastplate.
A set of 12 necklaces (fits up to large creatures, can be multiply looped to fit smaller creatures), that display the aforementioned 3 symbol combination (Arcane Mark, symbol of Boccob, symbol of Farlaghan)"
Thus, he can pull out symbol of mirroring that won't affect anyone not wearing a necklace (or symbol of slowing that will affect anyone not wearing a necklace), and attach it to a helmet, breastplate or a shield (inside or outside...). The symbol will stay active for 70 minutes, giving a either a mirror image or a slow effect to those who are within 60ft and meet the programmed criteria. This is, of course, a huge combat effect, that can last for most of a raid. But a symbol of slowing costs 1000 gp a pop. ( I'll eat the first one, it's already paid for, but I'm not sure I should be eating all the costs in the future...).
III) Other party expenses? Eg buying a ship...2) Roles
Vakmu, as mentioned in his appplication for this PBP, is intended as a battlefield control and save or suck caster. He can be very flexible - for example, he can select...
When you say party funds...you mean everything goes into a party pool? I am not for that.
If you mean placing shares of treasure into a party fund I am for that. That would include party funded disposable magic items (healing/whatnot). I don't think casters should bear the burden of eating the cost in casting to support the party.
My suggestion would be since we have six people in the party one way to this is take all monetary funds and split them twelve ways. One share to each party member and 6 shares to the party fund. That fund covers company travel/healing/support costs. Magic items (non-disposable) we divvy up into equal lots. In the same manner above but anything left over/not wanted by a party member goes into the party fund to be sold/traded for what we need. Any disposable items we place into party support and divvy them out amongst the group.
Fergus can be a front line martial but he can also do healing support and buffing when needed. I can also act as the face of the party in diplomatic affairs if that is needed. Whatever the party needs him to do.
He has the ability to give party members around him +1 bonus to AC/CMD/SAving throws as well if needed. That will bump up to +2 at 9th level for four rounds.
Jack
Rule #58 also applies
Brother Hawthorne, is "Situational Meritocracy" = "How hard can you twist my arm"? If you really push, I can twist pretty hard...
Fergus, we agree that casters shouldn't have to fund the costs of supporting the party. IMO, you're overdoing the party fund a bit much there (6 shares of 12 = 50% of everything). My personal preference for shape of the party fund, is 6 pc's = 6 shares + 2 share to the party fund (so 25% of the gross to the party fund). All loot is to be considered in the shares.
With regards to magic items and other "stuff", they are considered part of the total loot at their selling price (ie. 50% of the cost to buy it), and the claimed magic item counts as part of your share of the total lot. If 2 (or more) players want a given magic item, I agree with Hawthorne's rule #58.
Finally, as another item of interest, skill inventory time.
Vakmu's strong skills : Diplomacy ( +13), Spellcraft ( +12), Perception (+15+2 Familiar), Use Magic Device (+13), K(Arcana) (+13), K(History) (+13), he also has a # of lesser Knowledge skills, linguistics and ride.
Languages : Common, Orc, Draconic, Giant, Sueloise, Ancient Balklunish, Old Oeridian, Flan, Terran, Celestial, Aklo, Undercommon
Hello again everyone! Didn't think there'd be a spot opening up so quick, will get caught up on everything.
There will be little time for item creation (scrolls perhaps, maybe potions/alchemical items), and stores will be far and few between. On balance, items collected will be higher, the same with gold.
From time to time there will be opportunity to sell and buy, especially once teleport is an option.
Hello again everyone! Didn't think there'd be a spot opening up so quick, will get caught up on everything.
Welcome! Not too much to catch up on yet, hahaha. Always nice to have another wearer of the cloth in the group!
Skills:
Well, I've got the Rogue skills covered (disable device, stealth, sleight of hand, perception, disguise)
I'm moderately ok at dungeoneering, local, nobility, and religion. You can't run around acting like a clergyhalfling without a decent amount of religious knowledge! Oh, and Oratory, I mean, the clergy needs to be preachy!
Languages: Common, Draconic, Giant, Gnome, Goblin, Halfling
But my diplomacy is nothing to write home about, so let's not count on my tongue being too glib!
Ok, so we swapped a Cleric for an Inquisitor. We're missing our Arcanist so far, right?
GM: Once everyone has checked in here, can you set that other Table 2 Campaign to Inactive please?
Half to a party fund feels like a lot. Maybe one or shares instead of six? And we can kick in more if we need it for something special (like raising a couple of characters at once)?
That is extreme example and I was just illustrating my thought. A reasonable amount in my opinion would be two shares to cover cost. So essentially treasure is divided into 8 shares.
Ok, so we swapped a Cleric for an Inquisitor. We're missing our Arcanist so far, right?
Yep, the only PC not checked in is:
Fenla Welci, female gnome NG Arcanist (Brown Fur Transmuter) 7
Fergus skills are spread out as I decided to lay out his skills based on the background (Keep on the Borderland/A series (Slavelords)).
Diplomacy is a 11 and I will continue to expand it. Perception and Sense Motive are high and I will continue to expand on those. He is a solid skilled HEALER due to his Devoted Healer Trait and Lay Hands ability but that is not his primary role. Know (Nobility), (Religion), (Dungeoneering), (Geography) and Linguistics will be other areas I expand on for him as well as Survival.
Added two healer's kits to my inventory.
Deducted 100gp for those.
Also I wouldn't have taken the horse that was offered in the village as I have a mount. However if the group opted to have an extra horse to carry gear we can do that in lieu of not taking it.
Right, caught up. Solid group so far.
So to break Vrianna down a bit, in combat she works more like a hit-and-run flanker or perhaps a glass cannon - she has a good damage output between weapon choice and sneak attackbut she is not a front-line fighter and she can not tank. She can also provide decent ranged support in a pinch. Her combat style is supported by the majority of her class features.
Perception +15, Stealth +13, Survival +12, Sense Motive +11 and a +9 on Arcana, Dungeoneering, Nature, Planes and Religion. No face skills I'm afraid, CHA was the dump stat. I know, I know, what kind of build is this?
Do have divine spells but they're more situational and self buffing, but I do have Keep Watch which means there shouldn't be issues for sleeping and recharging. Most others are situational and combat focused, but can have some use outside of a fight.
Rambled on a bit there but I hope that gives a good idea of what Vri can do and how she works.
If Vrianna is our one true divine caster (apologies to the Paladin and Ranger), she might want a couple of the Cure spells in her list.
If I'm our one true divine caster we might be in a little trouble. The Inquisitor has spellcasting similar to the bard - capped at level 6 and limited slots per day, and to top it off I don't think I get that many cure spells to begin with.
With GM permission I can attempt a little rejiggering to get my UMD up and carry cure wands, but thats about the extent of what I can pull off for dedicated healing.
Well, you don't need UMB to be using those wands. For that matter, the Ranger and Paladin can use the wands as well.
No more levels of Ranger needed. You could use Wands of your spells the moment you took your first level in the class. Oh, right! We have a Shaman!
Am I the only non-caster in the group?
pretty much. But you could probably convince people you can cast.
:)
Rogues are fun
If I had some UMD, I might give that a try, hahaha.
BTW, little house rule for knowledge skills, so as to stop crazy rolls, maximum buff on a skill roll is +10. This is in addition to skill ranks, and stat/class bonus
Thanks
Maximum buff from what sources is limited at 10 then?
BTW, little house rule for knowledge skills, so as to stop crazy rolls, maximum buff on a skill roll is +10. This is in addition to skill ranks, and stat/class bonus
Thanks
If anyone is wondering where this house rule sprang from, consider the following message to Chillblame
Ok, if Vakmu has some time, he can generate stupid high knowledge checks:He could, for example, prepare and cast Akashic communion (+10 insight), page bound epiphany (+10 Circumstance), Heightened Awareness (+2 competence), Tears to Wine (+2 enhancement), on top his +13 own to K(arcana) + aid another from his familiar... = +39 to K(arcana).
He can also cast Legend Lore and Contact other Plane.
Given I want to play your campaign, not break your campaign, is this a problem, or should I avoid serious investigation of the black dome in downtown Istivin? Or at least keep the bonus to a total of +10?
I suspect this also stands as undeniable proof Lord Lashton is full of it...
BTW, little house rule for knowledge skills, so as to stop crazy rolls, maximum buff on a skill roll is +10. This is in addition to skill ranks, and stat/class bonus
Thanks
If anyone is wondering where this house rule sprang from, consider the following message to Chillblame
Ok, if Vakmu has some time, he can generate stupid high knowledge checks:He could, for example, prepare and cast Akashic communion (+10 insight), page bound epiphany (+10 Circumstance), Heightened Awareness (+2 competence), Tears to Wine (+2 enhancement), on top his +13 own to K(arcana) + aid another from his familiar... = +39 to K(arcana).
He can also cast Legend Lore and Contact other Plane.
Given I want to play your campaign, not break your campaign, is this a problem, or should I avoid serious investigation of the black dome in downtown Istivin? Or at least keep the bonus to a total of +10?
I suspect this also stands as undeniable proof Lord Lashton is full of it...
This is just a personal opinion about knowledge checks. But a good example is this specific case. I would imagine the know check to even remotely understand the basics of what you are looking at it is in the high 40's, 50's, even 60's due to how alien it is. In other words the knowledge is beyond yours or any aid you can mention due to its very nature.
If they have no frame of reference or point of knowledge to start from then it really doesn't matter how high a check is if the starting point is beyond any point of knowledge the character has. I get the house rule but the simplest way to handle something like this is to say..."You don't have any real knowledge of what lies before you. It is completely foreign to you and any assistance provided is also at a loss. A high check might allow you to conceptualize some theories to get you started... Which might mean you a life long pursuit of research...
It has never bothered me if a character has a high bonus ability. At the end of the day as the DM you make a choice of what the PC is capable of understanding based on his knowledge and background in your world.
Just my two cents...I will abide by the rule :)
Also, it does appear that I am the only 9/9 Divine caster in the group. I am however, hesitant to carry a heavy load of condition removal spells...I generally believe that damage prevented (by battlefield control and de-buff) is a more effective tactical route than fixing it afterwards.
We have many potential wand wielders (Me, Fergus, Vrianna, Rommin), although only myself and Rommin have them (I would encourage Fergus and Vrianna to get and carrry wands of CLW; I think they should come out of the party fund...). So I think we are covered for HP recovery outside of combat.
Condition removal is going to be iffier. Fergus, what, if any, mercies do you have? I can do a variety of condition removal spells, if given the day to re-choose my spells. I can already reincarnate the dead, for example. I am however, limited by the shaman spell list, which, for example, means reincarnate is as good as it gets for "raise dead" magic...
Play him how you would play him and we can adapt as we go :)
He is a Divine Defender...no mercies. If we need to I can take levels in Cleric of Bahamut as we advance. I would prefer not to but if the party needs that I will because it is not out of character for him to do so. He is deeply invested in his beliefs.
Depending on the condition, waiting until “tomorrow” to remove them is often fine.
As for Reincarnate, how fun is that! Although the Pathfinder list isn’t near as fun as the D&D one was!
Anyone remember the old Rogues Gallery, which included a number of the PCs from the TSR home games? It included two reincarnated characters, into a lizardman and centaur.
We’ll need to start a diamond dust and expensive oils collection for such contingencies!
Coming back as an ogre would rock! That’s at least a giant type!
We have many potential wand wielders (Me, Fergus, Vrianna, Rommin), although only myself and Rommin have them (I would encourage Fergus and Vrianna to get and carrry wands of CLW; I think they should come out of the party fund...). So I think we are covered for HP recovery outside of combat.
I might have enough GP left over from character creation to buy at least one wand of CLW for myself, possibly two - I'll check. Either way I'll carry what load I can divine wise, the inquisitor's spell list goes all over the place.
We’ll need to start a diamond dust and expensive oils collection for such contingencies!
Coming back as an ogre would rock! That’s at least a giant type!
Coming back as an ogre in a land where the King is sending adventurers to kill giants and orges might be problematic for us :) We can always post a sign on his back "GOOD GUY!"
We have many potential wand wielders (Me, Fergus, Vrianna, Rommin), although only myself and Rommin have them (I would encourage Fergus and Vrianna to get and carrry wands of CLW; I think they should come out of the party fund...). So I think we are covered for HP recovery outside of combat.I might have enough GP left over from character creation to buy at least one wand of CLW for myself, possibly two - I'll check. Either way I'll carry what load I can divine wise, the inquisitor's spell list goes all over the place.
I have 1800 gp left. I would be willing to put that toward a CLW Wand but we might be better served to see if the DM would allow us to combine funds to purchase a CMW wand. I believe that is 4500 gp for that wand.
I have 300gp for the cause if that can help.
As for being a hill giant, I can disguise as anything I want, really, but size is the real problem for passing as a giant.
I have 1800 gp left. I would be willing to put that toward a CLW Wand but we might be better served to see if the DM would allow us to combine funds to purchase a CMW wand. I believe that is 4500 gp for that wand.We have many potential wand wielders (Me, Fergus, Vrianna, Rommin), although only myself and Rommin have them (I would encourage Fergus and Vrianna to get and carrry wands of CLW; I think they should come out of the party fund...). So I think we are covered for HP recovery outside of combat.I might have enough GP left over from character creation to buy at least one wand of CLW for myself, possibly two - I'll check. Either way I'll carry what load I can divine wise, the inquisitor's spell list goes all over the place.
I'd be really hesitant to get a CMW wand. Healing wands scale inefficiently (the most healing per gp is CLW). If you are out of combat CLW is the way to go. In combat healing, if you need to spend an action healing, it's because someone is about to die, and thus, you want power. I would suggest that rather than buy a wand of CMW, I would get 2 X wand of CLW = 1500 gp, and some scrolls: breath of life (1125 gp /scroll) or heal (1650 gp/scroll) (both are on the Shaman list)...
But it is also proposed that we leave Istivin within the hour, and I don't think we will be able to buy anything after that. Maybe we could get Prefect Randos to kick in some healing magic (or at least sell us another wand or two of CLW)?
PS. I think Brother Hawthorne's disguise is about to bite us on the butt - the prefect will say let Hawthorne handle it...
I have 1800 gp left. I would be willing to put that toward a CLW Wand but we might be better served to see if the DM would allow us to combine funds to purchase a CMW wand. I believe that is 4500 gp for that wand.We have many potential wand wielders (Me, Fergus, Vrianna, Rommin), although only myself and Rommin have them (I would encourage Fergus and Vrianna to get and carrry wands of CLW; I think they should come out of the party fund...). So I think we are covered for HP recovery outside of combat.I might have enough GP left over from character creation to buy at least one wand of CLW for myself, possibly two - I'll check. Either way I'll carry what load I can divine wise, the inquisitor's spell list goes all over the place.I'd be really hesitant to get a CMW wand. Healing wands scale inefficiently (the most healing per gp is CLW). If you are out of combat CLW is the way to go. In combat healing, if you need to spend an action healing, it's because someone is about to die, and thus, you want power. I would suggest that rather than buy a wand of CMW, I would get 2 X wand of CLW = 1500 gp, and some scrolls: breath of life (1125 gp /scroll) or heal (1650 gp/scroll) (both are on the Shaman list)...
But it is also proposed that we leave Istivin within the hour, and I don't think we will be able to buy anything after that. Maybe we could get Prefect Randos to kick in some healing magic (or at least sell us another wand or two of CLW)?
PS. I think Brother Hawthorne's disguise is about to bite us on the butt - the prefect will say let Hawthorne handle it...
I agree they don't scale but it is not always about scale/cost. I have found that the ability to cast one spell that can get you 20 hp/avg in one casting can be a big help if we are in a situation where recovering quickly is important. My two cents in this is that Wand of CMW could be a booster for us in a pinch. Since we don't have a natural healer that CMW wand can be used in a pinch. On the run/fleeing or chasing/pursuing and we need to recover.
We have many potential wand wielders (Me, Fergus, Vrianna, Rommin), although only myself and Rommin have them (I would encourage Fergus and Vrianna to get and carrry wands of CLW; I think they should come out of the party fund...). So I think we are covered for HP recovery outside of combat.I might have enough GP left over from character creation to buy at least one wand of CLW for myself, possibly two - I'll check. Either way I'll carry what load I can divine wise, the inquisitor's spell list goes all over the place.
The Inquisitor's spell list is a pretty good one for pumping up a martial character, and providing some support stuff.