Eldritch: NetherWar (Inactive)

Game Master tumbler

So...

Some questions for you all - hoping you'll assist in some input for a "return to the fold" piece I'm writing covering where Æthelweard (and Eoten) have been, and his reflections on the last seven years et al.

Pulling back the curtain a little (don't want to reveal too much :) - would like some thoughts/input/feedback on the below. Kicking things off is a new complication for the good Professor:

I've also got some mention of how Æthelweard is more balanced with the transformation into Eoten. The meditative state he enters has also been an attempt for him to try and contact any consciousness of Mac's that may exist "outwith or within". Again am thinking of hooks to link him back into the group (past and present).

Also not sure of what connection (if any) there would/could be with Cesarina. Would presume for any research the Vatican would likely supply their own folk (and potentially claim the items in question) - possible he maybe consulted in some capacity, but equally she may have been aware of his supernatural "other" and continued to keep tabs on him lest "The Devourer" come forth again..?

Final closing epiphany gang: So I had always envisioned Æthelweard as the old scholar who became this ancient giant. As most of you know I'm a massive Hulk fan, and have landed with essentially this new version of Eoten being my Maestro Hulk (albeit one that is benign rather than tyrannical). I've also fleshed out the good Professor far more - which has made Eoten all the more interesting.

As the builds, nor the return piece are not completed yet - would massively appreciate any input and thoughts from our esteemed GM and once and future companions :)

Edit: As I'm taking some thoughts/notions with your characters (while also priming for a reintroduction that I'm very vague about circumstance wise) - feel absolutely free to veto or reframe any of the above!

Yes of course Æthelweard that sounds great. If you want, Max could develop a father-son relationship with him to replace Adrian Eldrich, too.

cheers

Cool - that's a good start :) gives me some ideas for us to develop as the series continues.

@ST: I've also added another complication for the good Professor...

Power Loss: Some of Æthelweard's boons come from artefacts he has "borrowed" from the Hunter Museum's secret collections. Should they be recalled or rendered inert he can longer utilise their properties.

This would primarily effect any arcane items he is conducting "field research" on and also the Longbow he's been practicing with from the Museum's Agincourt exhibit. (Came up with the notion that in his youth Æthelweard did archery and its something he's rediscovered as a practical pastime).

Anyone have thoughts about how you will spend your new power points?

Anyone have thoughts about how you will spend your new power points?

Eldritch has the next two Power Levels planned in the Advancement tab of his profile. Suggestions welcome.

For the immediate power points, I'm debating whether to take 3 immunities or wait for one more point to take next 5, because he would be upgrading his amulet. Either way, he would need a few hours of game time to "perform the ritual" and he's currently booked for the next 24 hours of game time.

cheers

@Max: Immunities make sense from an immediate point-of-view; almost like his Amulet is responding to the need to protect him further (sort of like a symbiotic sentience - old school intelligent magic item, type thing).

Couple of quick ones on Auld Eoten - am mulling giving some of his powers Flaws like Fades, Tiring or Unreliable in some way. Want to try and mechanically capture the feeling that the ancient giant is getting old and no longer an apex powerhouse. Any thoughts/input would be appreciated (and to the potential linkages I previously posted).

@Max: Immunities make sense from an immediate point-of-view; almost like his Amulet is responding to the need to protect him further (sort of like a symbiotic sentience - old school intelligent magic item, type thing).

You sold me. I updated Eldritch's profile.

cheers

Anyone have thoughts about how you will spend your new power points?

I completely forgot. I plead head injury. (Which is much better now.) I'll work on it.

So...

Some questions for you all - hoping you'll assist in some input for a "return to the fold" piece I'm writing covering where Æthelweard (and Eoten) have been, and his reflections on the last seven years et al.

Pulling back the curtain a little (don't want to reveal too much :) - would like some thoughts/input/feedback on the below. Kicking things off is a new complication for the good Professor:

** spoiler omitted **

** spoiler omitted **

I've also got some mention of how Æthelweard is more balanced with the transformation into Eoten. The meditative state he enters has also been an attempt for him to try and contact any consciousness of Mac's that may exist "outwith or within". Again am thinking of hooks to link him back into the group (past and present).

Also not sure of what connection (if any) there would/could be with Cesarina. Would presume for any research the Vatican would likely supply their own folk (and potentially claim the items in question) - possible he maybe consulted in some capacity, but equally she may have...

Any final thoughts on above gang? Max has interjected, but am keen to gauge any other thoughts before I commit Æthelweard's re-intro to canon :)

I would imagine, given the Church's interest in monitoring Eldritch (both the team and the man), they would definitely keep tabs on both past and present members.

As for PP, I'll probably just add some new options to Cesarina's array. Maybe some kind of "walk of peace" power that would help get civilians or the party out of harm's way when need be; an insubstantial/invisible power that works on others.

Maybe also a powerful Nullify power that only works on certain types of "dark magic" themed effects? Or maybe harmful ongoing effects on allies.

That would help act like a "dispel magic" type of deal for when situations like Gracie being mind controlled come up again.

Perfect chief - figured as much, but wasn't wanting to presume. Church could easily have someone in the Museum or access data relating to Æthelweard's role.

As such Cesarina would be aware that since the events of 7 years ago, the good Professor had taken on a specialist curator role within Hunter's Museum and that appearances by Eoten have been even dwindling.

@SD: An "Exorcism" style power would be cool - "casting out" any dark magicks or absorbing them to augment herself?

I have no opinion one way or another, as Oswald is practically a man-child with no knowledge of what's come before him. I am looking forward to having Eoten and the good Professor back on the team though!

As for PP, I'm still undecided. Right now, I'm not sure what role Oz plays on the team. I may restructure to better suit an actual role if that's ok.

I think Oz’ power set is pretty solid. You could always go with boosting his human side, start learning some skills or something. To represent transition into the super world.

Sorry Prof, I missed the part of your post that was pertinent to me. That sounds fine.

=========

Thinking about spending my three other points, I'm torn between boosting some skills/advantages and saving them for boosting her Sword's Nullify power to an area effect (but this would take awhile to save up for, and it might be not worth it). (Grace has a Dispel Magic ability; of course she was the one who got ensorcelled.)

Will confirm after I ponder further. Several weeks ago, I remember wishing I had attached some kind of advantage to my sword attack power that of course I can't remember what it was.

@Gracie

Do want Eldritch to go with you to meet Gwyn? He offered

In the repost of Tumbler, I read that you only agreed to bring Slake outside the Nerian Nexus NOT to give it to Gwyn. He fey and obliged to stick to the deal as struck.

Just trying to help

cheers

Eldritch, yes, please join Gracie.

The deal with Gwyn was that he'd have to try to take it from her. In other words, fight her for it. She was banking on his desire to do battle with her as a reason to risk losing the spear. He specified she'd have to meet him outside (rather than him come find her as she had proposed), but part of the offer was to give him the opportunity to take it--but no, not give it to him.

Would Gracie be able to accept a "pick me up" in lieu of active help? Thinking about picking up some kind of buff power as well.

Some background. Your characters have plenty of expertise skill and Gracie knows Gwyn well, so this should be accessible. We can tweak this if necessary/desirable.

The terms of the agreement are that Gracie has to return with the spear by an hour before dawn, and that Gwyn will have the chance to take the spear from Gracie.

Nothing in that agreement specifically precludes outside interference either by Gwyn's allies or Gracie's, whether that interference be direct or indirect. For example, you could go out 10 minutes early and beat him down if you wanted to, or Cesarina could extra effort a new power in her array to boost Gracie in some way.

You would also know that Gwyn is either a fey-turned mortal-turned fey or a mortal who became a powerful fey who is a frequent master of the Wild Hunt (not likely to be a problem tonight) and also a psychopomp, one who guides the dead to the underworld. Reminder that it is Halloween, so the borders between the mortal realm and the underworld are pretty thin.

Gwyn has what he considers a relationship with Gracie. They are, in his mind, at least friendly rivals. He will deal differently with Gracie 1-1 than he will deal with the team.

Personality wise, he is proud, an honorable warrior, and a hunter. Deep down, that hunter part isn't always controllable. Being fey, his nature is sometimes very assertive. Like a greyhound, he can be distracted by having something to chase.

All that said, to be meta, this is a story being told in a team comic, not in Good Knight Gracie's solo book, so the team being involved makes total sense.

1 PP towards Nexus
1 PP towards Athletics
1 PP towards Increasing his Strike (rank 8 to rank 9)

Swapped out the Faceripper Morph alternate power (alt: Nightmare Form) for a much more appropriate Illusion 9 (Independent). I couldn't really figure out why I went the morph route the first time around and not the Illusion route as I think Illusion is a no-brainer for someone who draws their powers from dreams.

Excellent - thanks all for the input and patience :)

The good Prof is done and dusted. Be a fun change of pace in circumstances more applicable to guile and knowledge o'er the giant's blunt force. Eoten next...

Down the line he'll be sure to contribute to the Nexus pointage.

Okay, did more noodling on Gracie's experience-gained power points, and I think this is what it will be:

1 pt: 5 ep toward the Nexus
2 pts: Boost Dispel Magic (Nullify) rank by 1 to rank 9 to boost the Saving Throw
1 pt: 2 skill points into Persuasion
1 pt: Move by Attack Advantage.

The last may seem lame, but I can see Grace moving and attacking an enemy while on the way to getting to someone who needs protection, and combined with Leaping this gives her some flexibility as she moves across the battlefield.

1 pt: Move by Attack Advantage.

The last may seem lame, but I can see Grace moving and attacking an enemy while on the way to getting to someone who needs protection, and combined with Leaping this gives her some flexibility as she moves across the battlefield.

Absolutely makes sense GKG - brings the cinematic depiction of Wonder Woman's fighting style very much to mind.

Good Knight Gracie wrote:

1 pt: Move by Attack Advantage.

The last may seem lame, but I can see Grace moving and attacking an enemy while on the way to getting to someone who needs protection, and combined with Leaping this gives her some flexibility as she moves across the battlefield.

Absolutely makes sense GKG - brings the cinematic depiction of Wonder Woman's fighting style very much to mind.

Only if it comes with the zhhzzzhhwwoooo sound made when Lynda-Carter-Wonder-Woman jumps. ;)

Putting forward this as my buff spell:

Divine Prayer (42p): Luck Control 1 (3/rank; Option #3; Luck Advantage 2), Persistent Regeneration 10 (2/rank), Immunity 17 (Critical Hits, Entrapment, Poison, Fatigue, Necromantic Effects, Divine Magic Sourced from Evil Gods), Affects Only Others on all

Allows me to giga-juice one person at the cost of all my other powers. Thoughts, suggestions? I leaned toward defensive benefits intentionally, but not sure if I've over-specialized there.

In particular I want Tumbler's input RE: Luck Control. Not sure if we've ever discussed it as a valid option before; I know it's a potentially problematic power. For posterity, Option #3 is this ability:

You can spend one of your victory point or uses of the Luck advantage to negate someone else’s use of a victory point, use of their Luck advantage, or a Gamemaster-imposed complication (at the GM’s discretion). The latter also eliminates the complication, however, so no victory points are awarded for it.

Professor Æthelweard Langfellow wrote:

Good Knight Gracie wrote:

1 pt: Move by Attack Advantage.

The last may seem lame, but I can see Grace moving and attacking an enemy while on the way to getting to someone who needs protection, and combined with Leaping this gives her some flexibility as she moves across the battlefield.

Absolutely makes sense GKG - brings the cinematic depiction of Wonder Woman's fighting style very much to mind.

Only if it comes with the zhhzzzhhwwoooo sound made when Lynda-Carter-Wonder-Woman jumps. ;)

Of course. Prerequisite :)

Returning to work this week has stymied my progress on Eoten, but I'm getting there.

So Eoten in his true form is potentially much more giantish (is that a word?) than ogreish... Thinking he'll be Growth 6-8 sitting at 20+ foot tall. However also realise this limits his ability to engage or be used in buildings etc that aren't grandiose citadels and the like.

Had mulled having his FEE FIE FOE FUM! mantra essentially tying into stages of Growth? FIE = Growth 2 etc... Mechanically might be more of a pain in the rear to track, and it doesn't sit as well in my mind's eye.

Another idea is him having a Shrink 4 effect from innate magic (bestowed by Druids and Merlin) which allows him to drop down to a more manageable size? Moot of course if ST doesn't think being a BIG'UN will be a problem!

Have also come up with another complication: As servants bound by the Druids of Albion & Merlin himself, the Eoten/Giants will also be compelled to heed the words of a Master Mage :)

Thoughts and musings would be appreciated.

I wonder if you can just add growth to 10 ft and then add super strength to round out power. Otherwise he can't fit in nearly any normal sized room.

I wonder if you can just add growth to 10 ft and then add super strength to round out power. Otherwise he can't fit in nearly any normal sized room.

That's how Jab built the Hulk

Putting forward this as my buff spell:

Divine Prayer (42p): Luck Control 1 (3/rank; Option #3; Luck Advantage 2), Persistent Regeneration 10 (2/rank), Immunity 17 (Critical Hits, Entrapment, Poison, Fatigue, Necromantic Effects, Divine Magic Sourced from Evil Gods), Affects Only Others on all

Allows me to giga-juice one person at the cost of all my other powers. Thoughts, suggestions? I leaned toward defensive benefits intentionally, but not sure if I've over-specialized there.

In particular I want Tumbler's input RE: Luck Control. Not sure if we've ever discussed it as a valid option before; I know it's a potentially problematic power. For posterity, Option #3 is this ability:

Luck Control wrote:

You can spend one of your victory point or uses of the Luck advantage to negate someone else’s use of a victory point, use of their Luck advantage, or a Gamemaster-imposed complication (at the GM’s discretion). The latter also eliminates the complication, however, so no victory points are awarded for it.

Most of the complaints I have seen about Luck Control are the ones that force the opponent to reroll.

As for Option 3, its fine with me. Luck vs Luck is fine, I'd not use someone's Complications against them if they didn't want me to, so that isn't too much of a thing.

If you think it is fun to put all of your power into boosting someone else, that's fine with me. Smart opponents will take that as an excuse to crush you!

It is also cool to think about using that power on a bystander or something.

Without spoilers, a giant giant won't be too much of a problem in the next adventure. It would be enough of a problem to make a complication about "not big enough to change size without mass destruction," so you have to stay the Prof for the encounter and get a hero point.

Another option would be to go with DQ's thought and just flavor him to be taller but able to sort of Cave Giant crouch, put his head through the floor above, that sort of thing.

Aye makes sense folks - his original form was (I think) Growth 4 w/Enhanced Strength and Stamina augmenting. Probably (Defo) overthinking it all lol.

Jab's builds have been a great source.

Right - going to crack on and shoot for being ready to rejoin sooner than later!

Sorry to disappear so abruptly. Through a complex series of events my elderly neighbor injured her hand while my new dog was meeting her dogs and so I'm taking care of a puppy and an octogenarian.

If you use a retractable leash (which I do not) I'd recommend that you throw it away. For lots of dog behavioral reasons but also to avoid injuring yourself or your dog.

Woof yeah i've heard of some bad accidents from retractable leashes.

Is the spear by itself right now?

From the Fey contest, would there be any negative consequences to Gracie if Eldritch scoops up the spear?

cheers

Grace is currently holding the spear. Although if you decided to take it from her...

Oh wait, so, there are two spears. Slake is the one Gracie is holding and Gwyn wants. Gwyn has his own hunting polearm, which apparently has been dropped. Someone might grab that one, although it won't stop the fight. One mechanical thing to note: in this system, you disarm someone and you are empty handed, you get a chance to take the opponent's weapon. So Gwyn might be being careless with his own weapon for a reason, though he needs to get close to Grace to do that.

If Grace gets paralyzed by the bow attack (I haven't rolled yet), then someone else grabbing Slake before he does should not negate the terms of their agreement. You snooze, you lose.

I wish we would've coordinated a bit. I really want to open up a portal and teleport Slake somewhere for safekeeping. It really doesn't need to be present, in terms of the agreed battle.

You weren't present for Grace and Gwyn's agreement; she told you about it but he doesn't know that. Anything you want to do is up to you!

I agree about coordination and admit I'd really not known what to expect here so didn't think well about planning. We're still newish as a party, hopefully that will improve, and I for my part will try to do better.

I wish we would've coordinated a bit. I really want to open up a portal and teleport Slake somewhere for safekeeping. It really doesn't need to be present, in terms of the agreed battle.

With Oz being so fresh and not having worked with the team, it makes sense that he isn't well integrated into tactics.

Since the rest of you have been working together for a while in world but not IRL, I'd be fine with you being somewhat meta and making some "plans" now. You could even flash back to a conversation before you came out, Oceans 11 style.

As for weapons, a casual observation of Gwyn will note that he has the spear that he tossed, a huge bow, a hunting knife almost as big as Calesvol, and his hands and antlers, so he has lots of options for weapons.

We could have at least discussed the possibility of moving away from the inhabited area before we start playing keep away....

Have we heard from Storm Dragon/Cesarina of late? I ask both out of concern and also out of selfishness as rereading through the thread, I was supposed to get a boon from Cesarina that was supposed to be "statted out later and I have no idea what that was supposed to be. While it may not impact outcomes directly, it'd be kind of nice to know since I'm grasping for options, and also had been acting with the presumption at least she was still keeping an eye on the fight.

ETA: Player seems to have been posting elsewhere but hasn't checked in here since April 21.

Sorry, been busy. Honestly didn't know anything I needed to check in on was going on. Pretty much all of my games went on hiatus or what I thought was a pseudo hiatus (like this one, where there wasn't anything relevant for me to do or even say) at the same time so I haven't really done anything on the boards all week.

Effect was described here in Discussion weeks ago, and is on my sheet. It's a few posts up...from April 21, coincidentally.

Saying I've been inactive since April 21 is a hell of an exaggeration though; I last posted on the 6th, though in an out of character post.

Sorry Storm Dragon, didn't mean to imply that you had bounced or anything. Sometimes #new posts don't show up for someone and they think a thread is dead when it isn't so don't post. As for your prior post I had scrolled up a ways but still missed your post earlier. Sorry about that, just failing a perception check on my part.

I had thought Cesarina had come outside with the rest of the group to oversee what was happening, so I was concerned when you'd offered no reaction to the fight. I really didn't want this to be a "just me" thing but also had no idea how to navigate the situation with the rest of you since Gwyn is my complication and Gracie had made the deal on her own. I should have communicated all of that more clearly weeks ago. Distractions from RL made it harder to focus my thoughts but that's no excuse.

I'm extremely sorry if you've felt entirely sidelined for the last three weeks. I will a) try not to do anything like this again and b) be sure I come into the OOC thread to plan with the group around these kind of situations in the future. I don't really play characters like Grace very much and I've never played with an enemy as a complication before and not quite sure how to navigate it.

As an aside, in games I GM, I always ask my players to check in OOC every few days and say something like "still here, I have nothing to say IC." I strongly recommend to all this practice as it helps assure players and GMs alike that a player hasn't suffered technical issues or other problems preventing them from posting. I do not want this to be taken as judgemental or a criticism; just a suggestion so we all know we're here.

The post you made on April 21 it looks like you'd asked for the GM's input so I am not sure what the final effect is supposed to be. If Grace has all of those things at the moment from Cesarina's spell, then she should be immune to the fatigue from doing Extra Effort and I'm not sure how the Crit Immunity affects Gwyn's recent roll of 20.

Or maybe we should forget it? I really don't want to monopolize this game so maybe it's better if Gwyn just grabs the spear and poofs away and the camera can turn on everyone else.

Nah, the sidelining wasn't an issue, really, sorry if I made it come off that way. Normally I might get a bit impatient with something like this taking up a bit more time than I figured it would, but I've had a lot on my plate (started a second job...they never gave me any assignments so I dropped them, hunted for another, and picked up a NEW second job) so being able to "coast" on some of these games for a bit has been welcome. I just hadn't noticed that a second crisis had come up that I COULD interact with, so I'll make a post on that tonight before I go to bed, though my contributions will be limited as none of Cesarina's powers work currently. I might be able to help evacuate civilians and whatnot which will be nice.

The power's final effect should be as listed; Tumbler approved it, or at least I think he did. He approved the Luck Control portion which I think is the only potentially contentious part of it.

I'm fine with you "monopolizing" the game for a bit; everybody deserves a chance at the spotlight, and this is a very thematic story beat for the two characters involved.

Re: Crit Immunity, I believe what happens is a roll of 20 still auto-hits, but it has no additional effects. I may be wrong.

I also think I approved the power, thought I'm not sure if I explicitly said as much.

Divine Prayer (42p): Luck Control 1 (3/rank; Option #3; Luck Advantage 2), Persistent Regeneration 10 (2/rank), Immunity 17 (Critical Hits, Entrapment, Poison, Fatigue, Necromantic Effects, Divine Magic Sourced from Evil Gods), Affects Only Others on all

I was trying to get everyone involved with the whole raising the spirits of dead warriors thing.

From a story perspective, I'm probably happier if Gwyn gets the sword. It gives me an ongoing thread to pull. But I understand it isn't super fun to fail a personal challenge like this.

I assume you mean the spear.

Honestly, I kind of expected some kind of plot shenanigans and Gwyn ending up with the spear no matter what. It kind of sucks that it's mainly happened because I rolled a 1 (shades of years ago when playing AD&D we're fighting the Tarrasque and I cast a spell where you could fail on 00s on percentage dice, so of course in the awesome epic battle, I died of rolling dice). But this is also the result of my bad planning so I'm willing to take that hit. EDIT: Storm Dragon says I have three rerolls. Ah, okay, I did not understand how this worked, I had read too quickly and thought that Luck Control gave you more flexibility with Hero/Victory points which Gracie doesn't have any of at the moment. I would definitely reroll the attack with the spear if I could but then we've got to retcon this whole thing.

How do others feel about this? I feel like we've been on this scene a long time, and while I would like to reroll and/or attempt a last save, it might be better to end with a dramatic moment of him getting the spear (I can't beat his Disarm check--Grace only has a Str of 2) and leave the consequences for a dramatic moment later. It's very comics for the hero to lose an initial challenge and then come back stronger later.

And if my waffling is just making this worse just say so.

I'm honestly enjoying this, as I see it as a good moment for Grace's development and growth. I was legitimately shocked when Grace failed the disarm, as I didn't really consider what may happen if she failed.

As long as Grace has a second chance at Slake, I'm cool with whatever outcome is decided upon.

Gracie and I have also been slow to post due to life issues. Those won't really get better for me until after next Wednesday, though I'm not completely crushed right now.

With Cesarina's boost Gracie is immune to crits, so the Disarm should only be a DC 26 on the Disarm check. Doesn't help, just being precise.

I'm alright for the scene. Glad Garcie gets her spotlight. I feel Eldritch an opportunity to hog a lot of that.

cheers