Okay, so we have a bit of a conundrum with this campaign. Having hit the start of the new Season, it seems that the freeform DCA for Season 10 are no longer available unless it is on the DMs Guild.
So, we have a couple of options.
1) We continue to play DDAL modules of Historic category, possibly taking us out of Icewind Dale, or continue using the Book Module (Rime of the Frostmaiden). We can still rotate DMs, and it will give us a little freedom for story, but will also allow us to keep our characters AL legal.
2) We migrate this campaign to a home game. This will make anything we do after this last section not AL, but we can 'snapshot' the characters to keep the AL characters usable at this latest level, and play non-AL versions through the rest of the way.
What do we think about this?
I'm fine with either of these options, partly because I don't have any alternatives for AL play (the only AL games I've played have been with either Greycastle or Turq/Aeshuura).
I like AL especially as it gives us equal footing at the start - I don't really have the time or finances (or desire, really) to keep up with all the various books, so the PHB+1 rule has been helpful for me in the past. Presumably, it keeps things manageable for the DMs as well.
Anyway, I realize "whatever you want to do" isn't a very good answer, since you and Greycastle are shouldering the weight, I'm happy either way. (Also happy to actually vote for something, if that's easier for you :P )
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I mostly wanted people to be aware that we are entering a gray area that could end up jeopardizing AL legality of the characters. I am fine with either, as Turq was created specifically for Icewind Dale, and I have no plans to play him anywhere but...
Anyway, I am having a blast playing with you all, so I am just happy to continue with you all in whatever you all decide. The AL thing is less important to me nowadays, but I do like the various character creation guidelines as well.
What exactly is the latest ruling?
Unlisted Playable Adventures. There are many other adventures available for play in the community-created program. These typically bear a designation of AO (administrator only), CCC (convention-created content; older), DC (Dungeoncraft, newer), or PO (premier organizer, newer). All of these are unlisted here, as the scope of the community’s creations would render the size of this document unwieldly. If they’re available in the DMsGuild, they are currently playable.
I am here for the gaming with y'all, and have no real intention in playing this character elsewhere. I'm okay for pressing on as we were, even if it means we're no longer AL legal. But totally flexible on that if y'all want to keep to AL.
Would it be acceptable, if people have, the modules. Those are AL legal I believe.
I don't care if we do AL, in fact, not really a fan of it due to some bad experiences here at my LGS, but I have fun with you guys.
It would be perfectly acceptable, except that I really do not like the season 10 DDAL modules. They are terribly written, and if run properly, would be a tpk every time out from tier 2 and beyond.
Is there a reason that it could not be like the hardcover and not the little itty bitties?
Because the guidance says that we can run specific chapters, but cannot do individual encounters. For the DDAL modules, we have to run it whole cloth. The story presented in the modules is not interesting to me at all to me.
Then I say tell AL to sit on a jalapeño.
They are making some nice moves, just the stories that they want to tell, do not seem to be the ones I want to...
I have fun playing with you guys and my former group but I am not a fan of 5E, much prefer PF (any iteration) but if we go no AL what would we do?
Just continue as is, just know that the character is no longer AL legal. We are already in 5e (which I actually prefer), might as well stick it out so we have no conversion to do. This might also allow Greycastle to let some other options that might not normally be allowed for the FR campaign.
I was not advocating to switch systems, simply stating my preferred system.
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I much prefer GM fiat and the allowance for player going off track then scripted play formated to straight out kill players. The game is meant to be a collaboration of minds allowing the ancient form of Greek storytelling to bring catharsis from our struggles in reality and for the most important value of all: fun. I grew very tired of being A gm in Pathfinder society a few years back for the above reasons after season four and five of play and I just became curious about fifth Ed. Most of all I like a good group of good folk playing a good game. This is that. So tally ho home game.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that the point of DM Grey telling us the passive Perception was that if your passive was high enough, then you do not need to roll, but you can always try to roll to get that high.
Just to let you all know... Grey, am I mistaken as to your intent?
Nah, the intent was that no one was actively looking for someone so I relied on your passive perceptions to notice. It’s fine, in PBP I tend to just go with it rather than try to retro anything. It’s hard enough to keep pacing to have to be going back and auditing actions.
Just continue as is, just know that the character is no longer AL legal. We are already in 5e (which I actually prefer), might as well stick it out so we have no conversion to do. This might also allow Greycastle to let some other options that might not normally be allowed for the FR campaign.
To be perfectly honest, I’ve never been character audited at any AL event that I have been to. So I’d wouldn’t be too concerned. I think before you go to a AL event, it is good to familiarize yourself with the newest rules and adjust what you play accordingly. To me, the intent is to have fun and as long as that doesn’t come at the expense of the other at the table… shrug. That might not be the best philosophy, but it’s what I’ve found has worked for me.
I’ve been blending in Frostmaiden into both the last adventure and the upcoming one already. Either the changing guidance every year and the ongoing nature of this thread, I think it’s hard to change the rules midgame.
As to character building, if you’d like, I do t currently have a DMs sub to D&D beyond but I could activate one and we could just share content for the adventure. That way those of you without the books could more easily access the info.
Yeah, I have all the sourcebooks and several adventures on D&D Beyond, so I could also Cut and Paste for anyone that needs it.
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As for the Passive, no worries, I am fine not knowing...
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Either way, My only avenue for AL is here on the Paizo Boards. The AL in my area has dried up, and I do not have the desire to kickstart it back up. Season 1 was my favorite and it slowly lost my interest. Boosted back up at the Waterdeep season, and then again around the Chult season. But again, I have little interest in their story...
Anyway, either way, I want to play Turq!
It doesn't matter to me. About the only gaming I get to do is here on the boards.
Before this group I have only ever done AL from their modules, like Tyranny of Dragons, etc. The main DM and his wife, who we called Lolth because she was just that terrible of an individual, thought they ran the store that I went to and it was very cliquey. They tried to do their poor impression of Critical Role.
Sadly, it happens. Happened to the LGS here and one of the customers, afraid that we would lose the community, opened a game store of his own. The original store eventually closed down, but more to personal problems of the owner than any competition. I feel that the new place is a friendlier atmosphere...
We began calling AL the Demonweb Pit because of Lolth. :)
Fizban not in grey robes?????????
As mentioned earlier. Resting in Easthaven triggers the end of an adventure summary. You may level if you wish.
Module Name: Dungeon Craft 1-04: We’d like to make a return, please.
Date: 10/27/2021
DM: Brad Mason DCI
Level gained? Yes
Gold: 80 go
DT: 10
Notes: Can claim one of the following permanent magic items. For the two items that weren’t presented in the adventure already, we’ll say Khitt presented them to you as additional spoils from the battle field he’d been able to recover.
Walloping Arrow (ammunition)
Masquerade Tattoo
Grey Bag of Tricks
Aesh, feel free to correct any guidance that I may have missed or gotten incorrect.
I thought that we were not levelling until next adventure?
Rodalas, this is for the ones that need to level. You may choose to forego the level to stay in-tier.
EDIT: I believe that the Common Magic Items are a single instance, but the Uncommon (Grey Bag o' Tricks) anyone may take...
What is masquerade tattoo?
Produced by a special needle, this magic tattoo appears on your body as whatever you desire.
Tattoo Attunement. To attune to this item, you hold the needle to your skin where you want the tattoo to appear, pressing the needle there throughout the attunement process. When the attunement is complete, the needle turns into the ink that becomes the tattoo, which appears on the skin.
If your attunement to the tattoo ends, the tattoo vanishes, and the needle reappears in your space.
Fluid Ink. As a bonus action, you can shape the tattoo into any color or pattern and move it to any area of your skin. Whatever form it takes, it is always obviously a tattoo. It can range in size from no smaller than a copper piece to an intricate work of art that covers all your skin.
Disguise Self. As an action, you can use the tattoo to cast the disguise self spell (DC 13 to discern the disguise). Once the spell is cast from the tattoo, it can’t be cast from the tattoo again until the next dawn.
Weapon (any ammunition), common
This ammunition packs a wallop. A creature hit by the ammunition must succeed on a DC 10 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Notes: Ammunition, Loading, Range
Wondrous Item, uncommon
This ordinary bag, made from gray, rust, or tan cloth, appears empty. Reaching inside the bag, however, reveals the presence of a small, fuzzy object. The bag weighs 1/2 pound.
You can use an action to pull the fuzzy object from the bag and throw it up to 20 feet. When the object lands, it transforms into a creature you determine by rolling a d8 and consulting the table that corresponds to the bag's color. See the Monsters Listing for the creature's statistics. The creature vanishes at the next dawn or when it is reduced to 0 hit points.
The creature is friendly to you and your companions, and it acts on your turn. You can use a bonus action to command how the creature moves and what action it takes on its next turn, or to give it general orders, such as to attack your enemies. In the absence of such orders, the creature acts in a fashion appropriate to its nature.
Once three fuzzy objects have been pulled from the bag, the bag can't be used again until the next dawn.
Gray Bag of Tricks
d8 Creature
1 Weasel
2 Giant rat
3 Badger
4 Boar
5 Panther
6 Giant badger
7 Dire wolf
8 Giant elk
As much as I like the idea of a magic tattoo, it's got too much of Loki's magic for my taste... might be amazing for Baldrick... ;)
What is the plan for the next adventure?
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I built this character for this game, so I am good playing AL or not.
What is the plan for the next adventure?
Going to move right into the next one when everyone is ready.
As much as I like the idea of a magic tattoo, it's got too much of Loki's magic for my taste... might be amazing for Baldrick... ;)
As much as this player loves Wondrous Items, Baldrick's probably not currently in the right frame of mind for them. He'll take the Walloping Arrow, though -- that's just good craftsmanship! (DC 10 kinda sucks though).
I think Baldrick is staying at 4th until people catch up (that's what we talked about, right?)
How many levels need to be caught up?
I'm staying at 4th, and will pass on the magic items. Player thinks the bag of tricks would be wicked fun, but character not so much.
How many levels need to be caught up?
I believe we talked about this being the last of the catch up adventures. After this one those that are 3rd will reach 4th and can use down time to bump to 5th (next tier of content) while those are 4th can move to 5th without spending downtime.
But if we are not doing AL is that still the case?
What, Roddy, itching to leave everyone behind? XD
No, I am just confused if we are still doing AL or not. If we are then the use of downtime makes sense, it we are not, then not so much.
There are things to like about AL, and the catching up DT scene presents a great opportunity for the characters to bond. Imagine Netzer working with Umikh, Turq, and Baldy training in traditional dwarvish combat, working to drill the Battlerager (or Hearth Guardian / Ancestral Guardian, or whatever path he chooses) on routines and shield walls, etc.
Imagine Lumen spending time at the Anaumator's Temple in Bryn Shander and learning scripture from Mithann, the priest there, learning the difference between Amaunator and Lathander!
Personally, I hate just arbitrarily gaining levels. I feel like I miss out on a large chunk of character development when that happens. Just my opinion, I feel like the story is richer for it!
Given those items, I'll take the bag also. I think I'm levelled up.
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I need some group help with going up level.
Player wise passing up the 19 int item I just couldn't do it. This then brought about character development I did not expect due to the nature of the device whispering in his ear.
Mechanics wise I want to do a good fit in with the group and stay dwarf.
My question is truly what do we need I have played about everything since chainmail the white books. I tend to do casters and rogues. I like my stats but I want to honor the 19 int device and need suggestions and helpful thoughts and I really don't understand 5e as a system
Next level I was planning on going wizard to go bladesinger but there are other wizard sub-classes that might fit your character. I would go 4th barbarian to get either your stat or your feat
Personally, I don't think there's a problem with just having an intelligent (and evil) barbarian - I'm sure you remember the old days of rolling 3d6 in order and then trying to play a fighter with 16 WIS and 9 CON :D
Not that there's anything wrong with multiclassing either - do you think the earring is influencing Netzer in a particular direction? Maybe the item is beholden to a higher power and wants Netzer to make a pact with them (i.e., Warlock). Lots of other ways you could go with it too, depending on what the earring is saying to Netz and how stubborn/resistant or susceptible he is to the suggestions.
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There is some lore stuff that goes with the chardalyn, if you are interested, but I don't want to spoil any of it for anyone. If you have read the Crystal Shard novel, you may know what I mean. Anyway, 5e is pretty forgiving in terms of party composition. Adding the Short Rest mechanic makes the healer less important, though having someone to spot and, possibly disarm, traps is still handy to have (see Rodalas).
I am more focused on what you want to see as part of the story. If you want your character to be constantly fighting the dark whispers and urges, and possibly succumb, that is a great story, but is there some payoff for you? Do you hope to be redeemed? Do you hope to eventually turn on the party? Are you okay with eventually having to be put down by the party?
I try to ask myself all of these questions when deciding what arcs I want to take my character. Usually, I try not to force the other players to make hard choices about my character unless I have talked to them first and they are okay with it.
I personally love the idea of your character becoming a Battlerager (from Sword Coast Adventurers Guide), but I have heard from many folks that it is sub-optimal. I do not feel so, but each person is entitled to their opinion. ;) Path of the Ancestral Guardian is a nice tanky build, and will likely give fits to the DM when combo'ed with my Cavalier build, but it has a neat concept, especially with dwarvish Hearth themes and ancestry and stuff.
There are a few others that could be fun as well, but stray a bit from things as a dwarf character... I feel like I could almost play alongside anything... (obviously, playing alongside a muderhobo-ey character will be challenging though...)