Welcome to the discussion thread! Please introduce your characters and tell us a little bit about your expected role in the party. In addition, I'd like to have a round table about if/how your characters know (or at least know of) one another. The Dalelands are a fairly rural/pastoral setting so active 10th level characters would be figures of note.
Hello everyone. Nicodemus should now be fully up to date. As far as party role goes he is a mix of skill monkey, support spellcaster and blaster. He has exception social skills, decent knowledge skills in combat and exceptiona knowledge skills out of combat (focused trance allows knowledge checks with a +20 insight bonus). He is also a great tracker and trap detector. He can spoof a lot of arcane spells with shadow conjuration and evocation, provides useful buffs like heroism and blessing of fervour and can do a little healing if needed. He is not a dedicated healer and would much prefer to remove an enemy over providing a relatively small amount of HP back to people.
He employs a number of long term buffs on himself, most of which are extended with a lesser rod. These include magic vestment, delay poison and ant haul. If you want anything similar or want a longer benefit from things like heroism I recommend picking up a lesser extend rod (cheap at 3000gp).
Nicodemus is a traveller, trader, guide, scholar and all round nosey parker so he could well have met almost anyone so far.
Hi there!
It doesn't look like the Recruitment thread is showing a connection to these threads from my PC. You might have to go back and post a link here for people to find it reliably. I went and looked at your campaigns to find it.
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Anyway:
Saoirse is half support caster (with spells like haste, fog cloud, glitterdust, and feather fall, the Battle Cry feat, and summon monster) and half brute-force bruiser (with 24 Strength and a two-handed vicious weapon combined with rage, Arcane Strike, and a whole lot of special defensive abilities). Because of her elven favored class bonus, she can assume her eidolon form as a full-round action, which means she can basically switch freely between her forms. In terms of skills, Saoirse really only excels at jumping, and she can also fly in her angel form. She has reasonable bonuses in Intimidate, Spellcraft, and Knowledge (planes).
She tends to stay in her half-elf form unless she knows that deadly combat is coming, because she relies on her angel form for the additional endurance it provides. However, due to her rod of giant summoning and her Summon Good Monster feat, she can summon either casters (vulpinals, unicorns, djinni, and pixies all have decent SLAs) or fighters (giant eagles, bralanis, and dire wolves are all good in battle). Her versatility from summon spells only improves as time goes by and her access to a greater variety of creatures increases.
I believe we discussed in the recruitment some connections:
Elestar and Saoirse make sense as school contacts, since Saoirse was educated with the elves and excelled at something that Elestar always had issues with.
Wintyr and Saoirse make sense as actual friends. I'd like it if they met outside of adventuring, such as doing hobbies. As an example, Saoirse has both Artistry and Perform in music, so she writes and performs her own songs.
I don't know enough about Jonuli to say anything, and Nicodemus I believe keeps his identity a secret and offers a service that Saoirse has yet to avail herself of.
Saoirse also possesses a commander's tent so that she and all allies have a lit shelter in which to plan and a flask of endless sake so that every night is party-night.
The Nicodemus identity is the one he is assung for this scenario.
Still -- his history is mostly in the Underdark, and Saoirse's is on the surface. I believe they would meet at the beginning of the scenario, or perhaps just before it, depending on the setup. Have we engaged in battle with drow raiding parties already? If we have, the pair could be new comrades-in-arms.
I think that would make sense, Saoirse could have come on him fighting off a drow raiding pary which pursued to him the surface. Nicodemus has a lot of options but not too much to help running away quickly when outmatched.
Jonuli is a caster and secondary melee character. He has a variety of spells, some blast, some support, some defense, some control and with his claws and bite has three attacks, but only a +5 BAB.
He is likely to know anyone that fought against the Zhenterim for the local lord as Jonuli is trying to locate his sister whom they had before selling her off to the drow.
I have a question, I've got dimension door and dimensional agility, is there going to be a problem using that spell? Jonuli was originally created to be a deep striker going after the squishies in the back, dim door in and take them out.
Dimensional Agility and its other feats are fine, there are more than one possible opponent in the adventure who have similar mobility!
I meant will the Dimension door work. The feats are useless if the spell doesn't work.
It will work as many times as you have 4th level spell slots, yes. Why wouldn't the spell work? Do you mean the part about it ending your turn?
I may be confused but I thought you had said teleportation may not work.
Perhaps there is some special rule that alters teleportation underground? Are you expecting to be employing this tactic very often? Because it makes Jonuli a very good alternate for Saoirse. Pin our enemies between two layers of monster-mage.
Helping to locate your enslaved sister nearby would certainly draw Saoirse, who is a local, a veteran campaigner against the Zhentarim, and also a battle-angel. She would say things like, "Individually, we are strong, but together we are unstoppable!" before suggesting daring raids on headquarters.
Jonuli and Nicodemus may well know each other given Nicodemus's interest in freeing slaves. Nicodemus could have been the person who brought him information about where his sister is now.
Wintyr is well... a Winter Witch! I ended up spending a bunch of my starting gold on learning new spells, because the prestige class doesn't give you spells known, just spell slots. She prefers to utilize the vast array of save or suck spells available to a witch, and she has a variety of battlefield control spells. Her emissary familiar Hugin helps her remove debuffs.
She's a good person, but blunt and no-nonsense, and both her and her powerset look kind of creepy. She does her best to offset the fact that she can freeze someone solid in an icy tomb by offering her services as a medicine woman.
I'd also like it if Wintyr and Saoirse met outside of adventuring! Wintyr isn't so much a performer, but she does wonderful calligraphy, and makes runic talismans (no actual magical effect) I think I mentioned that Wintyr would probably view Saoirse as a sister type figure; opposite in origin, but the same in purpose if that makes sense.
Jonuli: I'm sure that you can cast scrying yourself, but Wintyr would be happy to lend you her mirror, or cast the spell for you if you wanted (she's got locate creature as well) to help you find your sister, considering her reputation as a powerful witch you might have sought her out? Don't want to step on Nicodemus's toes though!
@Jonuli I understand now, thank you! In the Forgotten Realms setting the "Underdark" has a type of magical radiation called faezress which interferes with teleportation and scrying.
Essentially it requires a caster level check to utilize a teleportation spell or SLA that would take you further than 1,000ft. So tactical uses of Dimension Door shouldn't be affect much if at all, but Teleporting in and out would be difficult/dangerous.
Faezress also gives everyone in it a +6 circumstance bonus on saves against scrying. So while still possible especially against weaker enemies, it does make scrying significantly more difficult.
I think Jonuli would have probably met all of you at some point. He would have travelled to Daggerdale when hearing of their fight against Zhentil Keep. Would have then learned of the location of his sister, quite possibly from Wintyr and run into Saoirse and Nicodemus while trying to find out more information about local slavers and the Underdark.
Jonuli is also an accomplished Calligrapher and singer.
Hey! Works great with Saoirse and I then! We can make some nice masterpieces together when we have the time!
Multimedia art pioneers -- duet performances with hand-painted backgrounds. We just need to take some future ranks in Acting and maybe an instrument or two.
*frowns at copy of Extinction Curse sitting on shelf*
Sorry, hadn't been checking the right spot. Was still looking at the recruitment page.
Elestar is a fairly brash and young elf. Hes got a but of a chip on his shoulder that he never expressed any true spellcasting talen like his family, despite his extensive abilities to use magical darkness and several attack powers.
He is very excited to go out and adventure, and has little comprehension for what true dangers really await.
I'll have his profile finished up a bit later, just gotta copy/paste the details.
So! When do we start?
Sorry! Been a wild week for me, and the opening scene posts are usually a bit longer. I notice only one person has checked in to Roll20, if everyone would please do so there are some maps & handouts for reference (with more to come).
If you're all comfortable with your characters' connections I can get an introductory post up tomorrow.
Hi, can you either enable character import so I can import a sheet with a token or add a blank character sheet so I can add one please.
Character imports should be enabled now!
I've hacked into the mainframe, boss.
I'd love to hear some input from you about the starting situation and timeline, and your thoughts on our relationships.
Sure!
So the Dalelands' general history and culture is informed by a) growing up in the shadow of elven empires who once held enormous power but have been gone for centuries, and b) regional powers interested in making conquering or vassalizing the Dales.
The Cormanthor forest has elven ruins--most of which are still defended by wards & guardians left behind when the elves Retreated. In the last decade or so bands of drow have come to the forest and started causing trouble. They're fractious, but much more dangerous than the bands of orcs, gnolls, and incidental monsters that have inhabited the area for generations.
I need to get to bed but a character post can get done tomorrow before work
It sounds like the drow have been a problem on the surface for quite some time now. That's plenty of time for Nicodemus, Saoirse, Elestar, Wintyr and Jonuli to have already cooperated several times against this threat.
Here are some ideas I have:
1.) Elestar and Saoirse met first, a long time ago, back when Saoirse was in secondary school. Despite being a half-elf, she excelled at magic while Elestar fell behind, though Elestar was better than Saoirse at many other classic elven trades (archery, swordplay, languages, etc.)
2.) Wintyr and Saoirse met next. Doing something like attending the same arts festival, both as performers? They struck up a conversation that first time, hit it off, and have been friends ever since.
3.) Then, Jonuli came to the Dales. The trio adventured together against the Zhentarim in search of Jonuli's sister. Tips to the GM about whether or not she was taken by the drow or whether or not we have already succeeded at rescuing her.
4.) Afterwards, the trio learned of increasing drow raids. They became acquainted with Nicodemus for the first time, and he became their guide to the drow and their traditions. They also met up with Elestar, naively attacking drow raiders on his own.
For [some relevant amount of time], for as long as focus has been on the drow, we've been generally aware of each other and cooperating in our efforts in the Cormanthor Forest.
Sounds great to me, Saoirse.
We've worked together enough to know the tricks we commonly use, and have established ourselves as allies if not friends.
Daggerdale itself has generally not gotten the worst of drow raids, and Lord Morn thinks maybe a new group has come to the surface--not one of the established bands like Clan Auzkovyn or House Jaelre, but aggressive newcomers looking to carve out new turf. The tactic of using undead as expendable shock troops is new too, and these incidences have only just started in the last 2-3 weeks.
I do like the idea that the group has had on-again-off-again cooperation in the past, but it's unlikely that any of you have come to grips with this specific band just yet.
Nicodemus, with your Underdark contacts you would be aware that something big has happened recently. Drow from the city of Maerimydra have been attacking communities all around--mostly west and south--and lots of people in the caverns are spooked. Lots of rumors of war, that the Matron Mothers have declared a new unholy war, or that they've been united under a Matron Queen. Others insist that the drow are fleeing civil war in the city and that while bad, this too shall pass. No one really knows for sure though.
Trying not to nitpick, but I don't believe shadow conjuration can mimic sylvan hideaway, since it only mimics wizard spells and the hideaway is a druid spell.
Doh, I knew there was a reason it didnt work. Shadow evocation however can mimic Tiny Hut. Not as secure but still something.
Tiny Hut is not exactly a shelter. It's more like a bubble of privacy. Plus, it lets 80% of the rain through (since the illusory version is only 20% real).
It might be better for us to use Saoirse's commander's tent.
Fortunately not. Shadow conjured objects and substances have their full effect unless they are part of an attack which someone saves against. The commanders tent looks like a cool item, happy to make use of it. I can also duplicate web shelter with shadow conjuration if need be.
That's not precisely true. Shadow Conjuration also contains precise wording about the hit points of conjured creatures. There is also, "Shadow objects or substances have normal effects except against those who disbelieve them. Against disbelievers, they are 20% likely to work." and "Objects automatically succeed on their Will saves against this spell."
I feel it's a fair reading to look at that spell and think, "If I conjure a fake crowbar with this spell, it's only 20% likely to help me pry this door open. It's not like I can trick a door with my illusion magic."
Similarly, any shadow shelter you summon with that spell is only 20% real. A spell like tiny hut is likely to provide its full effect against enemies (provided they don't interact with it or fail their saves) but against the cold, which can't be fooled by it, it isn't likely to provide much protection.
Luckily, I'm not sure we will need shelter as much underground as we will safety and intelligence. For that, someone may need to learn magnificent mansion or the like, and I hope someone can cast divination.
I disagree with your reading of the spell but it isnt really worth arguing about. Magnificent Mansion is too high level for us to make use of however Secure Shelter is on the witch list if Wintyr wants to consider picking it up. She may not want to or have the cash to.
Secure shelter is a really cool spell that I missed! I'll shell out for a 4th level scroll, and I leave a slot of each level open for emergency preparation, so should be fine!
To clarify, Wintyr: what you're casting is Conjure Carriage and not Phantom Chariot, correct? I just want to makes sure because the latter has fancy movement types that would make the journey to the Dordrien Crypts significantly shorter.
Secure shelter is a really cool spell that I missed! I'll shell out for a 4th level scroll, and I leave a slot of each level open for emergency preparation, so should be fine!
You know that you can acquire new spells by learning them from other witches rather than burning through scrolls? The geneal rule is that you pay half of what the scribing cost would normally be (if you paid for scribing which you dont as a witch).
Yes, conjure carriage, unfortunately phantom chariot isn't a witch spell for some reason. And thank you Nicodemus! I was not aware of that general rule! Gives me a lot more funds to mess around with, pending GM approval!
I guess the only issue there is direct access to other witches.
Those spells would have been acquired over the course of character's career prior to the adventure starting so I'm fine with signing off on that. There are other witches in the Dalelands I'm sure :)
I should have gotten this out of the way before, but does anyone have any custom tokens they would like to use? Otherwise I just use the Paizo tokens for your profiles.
I have imported mine.
Nah I'm good with the Paizo.com image
Try the token again, Jonuli. I think it should be working now
It works now. Thanks.
Really quick, Nicodemus I do need to clarify your use of Spiritual Ally
1) The ally doesn't benefit from Heroism (it is not a creature, its attack rolls are stated to be the caster's BAB + spellcasting modifier)
2) I'm fine with the draconic form, that's cool and fluffy but it looks like you're using 19-20 threat range and natural attacks only threaten on a 20. If the claw is a fluffy substitute for a different weapon let me know but natural attacks have a baseline of 20/x2
3) All of your modifiers so far have been at +17, even the iteratives. It looks like you should be attacking at +14 (BAB +7 and Cha24) so +14/+9 should be the modifiers. With your excellent rolls so far that shouldn't matter much yet but I do want to make sure we're on the same page.
GM -- I made some edits to my post, and some copypasta. It looks like I got everything except the slam attack. The ill omen re-roll of 3 is the lower roll, so the slam attack's total should be 15.
Really quick, Nicodemus I do need to clarify your use of Spiritual Ally
Oops, sorry, I made some errors there. For some reason I though guardian worked based off caster level like telekiesis and pilfering hand. You are right, it should be BaB based. The second attack bonus was a copy paste error, they should be 5 lower.
Weapon like spells can benefit from buffs which affect attack and damage as per the FAQ
That makes his attack bonus +7 BaB +7 cha +2 heroism for +16/11.
Spiritual weapon/ally inherit the crit range of the relevant weapon. Oracles dont have a god and so use the weapon based on their alignment. Nicodemus is Lawful and so it uses the threat range of a longsword. The dragon shape is just a bit of flavour.
@Nicodemus: first, I said the vampire is on the right side and he's actually on the LEFT. Sorry, I was posting at work.
Second, thanks for clarifying the spiritually ally! I think we got it figured out between us :)
On a separate note, my posting rate is going to be very low from Thursday through Sunday. Should be back to normal starting on Monday though!