Shadow_Fox's God Squad - Gestalt WotR

Game Master Shadow_Fox

Wow, Trok. I really hope surgery goes well for your wife! I'll look forward to chasing my teenager.

I've been distracted because my Father had brain surgery last tuesday. We still don't know if it was cancerous or just a cyst. We've been spending a lot of time in the hospital and trying to figure out a car plan for when he comes home.

Damn. Best of luck to your father and your family!

Elliara: I'm really sorry to hear that. I hope it's no big deal.

There's a reason we all choose a fantasy escape hobby.

Actually kind of impressive to see a group this small with so many massive life events at about the same time.

As for loot? Meh. As a player, I'm big on assigning things where they do the most good for the group, doing hand-me-downs, and not really too worried about keeping things as close to even as possible.

The number and type of things that will be good.for Trok long term are far simpler than the things that will be good for Alessandro. They just are. That's not his fault.

Ah, the age-old question about loot. I'm fine with the spreadsheet idea. If we go with google docs (googlesheets?) we could all edit it as needed so it isn't entirely on you to maintain - unless you like that task.

I'm a fan of team-benefiting consumables not being counted against anyone's total. And, like Trok, I'm for useful items being routed to the teammates who can employ them best. Also, while I plan on using one of the MW glaives for the rest of this mission, I'm happy to surrender it at the end to be sold if it makes cash distribution more equitable. I can buy my own MW glaive. It just seems silly to not use it now when it provides an immediate combat benefit.

I'm curious to see if we are going to play by the typical rules (basically, 'finders-keepers') or because we are in a war, if all the gear we collect goes to Hulrun/Irabeth for distribution to the troops, etc. to help the war effort. That would make sense as part of the storyline. Or will we be tithing from anything we collect, like 50% goes to the war effort and we get to keep the rest. Fun possibilities there.

I prefer keeping track over time. I'm usually the spreadsheet guy at my games. The problem with just giving things out as can be useful is that over many levels it can get really uneven. This can be because somebody uses a less common weapon, or if a lot of people are competing for the headband of X, but only one person wants the belt of Y.

It's not always a problem. But when it does become one, it usually comes to light several levels later when there's a big discrepancy. I've seen games where one person got double the treasure. You can give that person no treasure for several levels, but it usually still ends up with some hard feelings.

When I do it, I list things by sale value, i.e. half for most items, but full for gems, etc. People buy them out of their share at the sale price. If there's a useful item that's bigger than their share, they can get a loan from the party because it still helps the group.

If multiple people want an item, we go by need or roll randomly.

We usually do a share or half-share for the party to buy healing wands and pay for raising the dead or other expenses.

Most consumables aren't counted, but things that Stat tomes are. We also expect to use stuff until the split.

I'm definitely fine with that system, Elliaria. Are you saying that you'll list out the item values for that math or would you prefer someone else volunteered?

I would prefer that somebody else do it, with my family issues.

So, generic posting of warning.

My wife reports for surgery in roughly 12 hours.

Her surgeon has asked me to take 2 weeks from work to be at home to provide assistance.

That will also mean corralling the two grandchildren, keeping them entertained and fed while their Mom works, and keeping them out of Grandma's hair.

Can't say that I'm positive what my posting habits will be like until I can return to my normal schedule.

Thank you for your understanding, and go kill something evil, will ya?

Oh, I understand. I'm sending out me best wishes for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.

Best wishes as well, Trok. Hope all goes well.

I will update thread tonight.

New baby is here now. He and his older sister have put us through the ringer for a bit. Will be in contact more some time later.

Congrats! I hope the whole family is doing well.

Just wait until you're talking about the grandkids instead . . ..

I am still around all, just traveling for business this week. I will update thread tomorrow.

New baby is here now. He and his older sister have put us through the ringer for a bit. Will be in contact more some time later.

Congrats!

Getting a 502 Bad Gateway when I try to see the combat map?

The imgbb site is down. I uploaded the map on another site.

<snicker> Needed to see it to see that I probably don't want to change anything myself . . ..

Ayaal, if you stroll south, you will draw AoO from the northern cultist.

DOH! My bad. I didn't realise that cultist had a reach weapon. Since you've already proceeded with their actions, let's amend mine to be a 5' step onto the YELLOW corpse which stays consistent with my post and doesn't require a retcon.

Thanks!

Baby is doing well and I'm trying to get back into play by post this week. Thanks for your patience!

Aw sorry for the double turn, GM. I did think it seemed odd that it was my turn again so fast! XD

Nice smite, Alessandro! That's delicious damage!

Aw sorry for the double turn, GM. I did think it seemed odd that it was my turn again so fast! XD

Nice smite, Alessandro! That's delicious damage!

Thanks, dice gods were with me with that crit!

The up side to playing a divine class!

GM: What are we doing for HP beyond first level? I couldn't remember so I checked the first recruitment post but it doesn't say there. I can make a google doc of rules specific to our game, like HP stuff, and link it in my profile (if helpful).

1/2HD+1 for hit points.

Should be updated. Ranger combat style feat: Power attack.

Think I'm done. Didn't add any ranks for the Army Training, just the Adventuring and Background skills.

Get half my Wisdom to AC now and that first DR1/-.

Took the Accuracy Rage Power, but everything recommends Reckless? Which appears to have the same advantage but at greater cost? Am I missing something?

Edit: Just realized I got my languages wrong at creation. Fixing it means I need another language now. Any preferences? I get 2 languages per rank in Linguistics, BTW. I see Draconic, Dwarven, and Elven (x2) in the group.

And I am SO SORRY I forgot we had a character down. I could claim Trok was being cold-hearted, but, honestly, I literally forgot we had one down.

Double Edit: Okay . . ..

+1 BAB, Fort, Ref
+9 HP (7 from HD +2 Con)

Shifter: Defensive Instinct, Rage Power (Accurate Stance)
Barbarian: Invulnerability, Track

+1 Acrobatics, Climb, Knowledge (history), Linguisitcs, Perception, Stealth, Survival, Swim, Wild Empathy

Languages: Common & Celestial by race, Sylvan by Int, Abyssal, Hallit, Infernal, +1 by Linguistics ranks

And if I remember the rules right, since Trok now has flat DR, his claws can bypass flat DR . . .. There may well be a minimum DR value required for that to work. Seems like there should be. Hmmm . . .. Not finding that. Might have been a 3.x rule Paizo dropped. <shrug>

+6 HP
Monk 2: Evasion, Dodge
Cleric 2: +1 - 0 lv spell; +1 – 1st lv spell
Spells: Stabilize , Murderous Command

+1 Fort Save
+1 Reflex Save
+1 Will Save
+1 BAB

+1 Acrobatics
+1 Stealth
+1 PER
+1 Escape Artist
+1 Sense Motive
+1 Linguistics (Abyssal) (bg)
+1 Perform: Sing (bg)

Trok: They're both pretty good rage powers! Surprise accuracy definitely doesn't have the AC drawback and it does serve as a pre-req for some stuff. But reckless abandon is a bit better, imo, for three reasons:

1. It doesn't take your swift action every round you want to use it.

2. It's a typeless bonus to attack so it will stack with everything (including surprise accuracy!), which is good in case you start getting morale bonuses to hit from somewhere, like the good hope spell.

3. The AC penalty usually isn't that important for a barbarian, for whom AC usually isn't the main defense anyway.

But it'll depend your play style! If you really don't like getting hit, then surprise accuracy may be better.

GM: Thanks on the HP! I've added a google doc link in my Severa profile where I can track campaign-specific rules. So far, it's 90% just copied from the first recruitment post. I asked before and I'm sorry if I missed it, but do you allow wizards to swap out scribe scroll for spell focus? That's the Pathfinder Society norm but I didn't want to assume you were ok with that without asking.

NOT Surprise Accuracy, Accurate Stance. Takes a Move to initiate, and then is in place until explicitly cancelled.

Not available to Barbarians, only available to Unchained Barbarians.

And that may be the kicker as to the stated preferences. Reckless Abandon may have won the competitions until Unchained made the Stance Rage Powers available?

Long term, Trok's Shifter abilities are going to let him keep a better AC than a barbarian usually gets. And they will get him Pounce and multiple attacks . . ..

Both take a move action to activate, so it's either a typed accuracy bonus or an AC penalty. But competence bonuses are less common than morale. I'd go with accurate stance for now and maybe retrain if you get a good source of competence later.

Ah the stances bc you're unchained! Yes quite different. If Elliaria is going to be using her inspire courage, that grants competence bonuses to hit. So there would be no point in accurate stance while she's inspiring.

Severa's level-up report/celebration:

Chassis stuff:
HP: +8
Skills:+8+2 background
Saves: +1 to all

Alchemist class features: +1 discovery (infusion so I can give you all my extracts), +2 bombs/day, +1 to bomb DCs, +1 extract known and extract/day

Wizard class features: +1 arcane reservoir point/day, +2 spells in spellbook, +1 spell slot per day, +1 cantrip prepared per day,

Trok: They're both pretty good rage powers! Surprise accuracy definitely doesn't have the AC drawback and it does serve as a pre-req for some stuff. But reckless abandon is a bit better, imo, for three reasons:

1. It doesn't take your swift action every round you want to use it.

2. It's a typeless bonus to attack so it will stack with everything (including surprise accuracy!), which is good in case you start getting morale bonuses to hit from somewhere, like the good hope spell.

3. The AC penalty usually isn't that important for a barbarian, for whom AC usually isn't the main defense anyway.

But it'll depend your play style! If you really don't like getting hit, then surprise accuracy may be better.

GM: Thanks on the HP! I've added a google doc link in my Severa profile where I can track campaign-specific rules. So far, it's 90% just copied from the first recruitment post. I asked before and I'm sorry if I missed it, but do you allow wizards to swap out scribe scroll for spell focus? That's the Pathfinder Society norm but I didn't want to assume you were ok with that without asking.

I normally do let wizards swap it out, but the SRD entry on the exploiter wizard states an exploiter wizard forgoes the tried and true methods of arcane focus and arcane schools. So to give them free spell focus would not make sense, so no, unfortunately. :)

Treasure (asterisk = magical):
Wenduag: *potions (2), *wand; mwk chain shirt, club, +1 longbow with 10 arrows, obsidian unholy symbol of Baphomet, 34 gp.
Hosilla: *potion, *potion, *wand, alchemist’s fire (2), tanglefoot bag; chain shirt, +1 glaive, antitoxin, bejeweled book of prayers devoted to Baphomet, lockbox key, 32 gp.
Uziel: MW shortsword, studded leather armor.
Cultists: *potions (2), scrolls (2) of cause fear, comprehend languages; 2 vials of unholy water; MW glaives (2), mwk chain shirts (2), daggers (2), spell component pouches (2), unholy symbols (2), 20 gp.

I normally do let wizards swap it out, but the SRD entry on the exploiter wizard states an exploiter wizard forgoes the tried and true methods of arcane focus and arcane schools. So to give them free spell focus would not make sense, so no, unfortunately. :)

Interesting! I always thought that was referring to trading away arcane bond and arcane school, which is all the archetype explicitly trades away. Is your take that exploiters can't take spell focus in general or that it doesn't make as much flavor sense for them to trade scribe scroll for spell focus as it would for other wizards?

Total loot so far (I'm trying to make sure I have it right then will divide up the GP total):

Nothing from the first fight with the mongrelmen and the lizard when Wenduag ran away (correct me if I missed it).

The three cultists who channeled negative at us a bunch:
3 MW glaives
3 MW chain shirts
3 potions that detect as magical
3 scrolls of cause fear
3 scrolls of comprehend languages
3 vials of unholy water
3 unholy symbols

Wenduag:
*potions (2)
*wand
mwk chain shirt
club
+1 longbow with 10 arrows
obsidian unholy symbol of Baphomet
34 gp

Hosilla:
*potion
*potion
*wand
alchemist’s fire (2)
tanglefoot bag
chain shirt
+1 glaive
antitoxin
bejeweled book of prayers devoted to Baphomet
lockbox key
32 gp

Uziel:
MW shortsword
studded leather armor

Cultists:
*potions (2)
scrolls (2) of cause fear
comprehend languages
2 vials of unholy water
MW glaives (2)
mwk chain shirts (2)
daggers (2)
spell component pouches (2)
unholy symbols (2)
20 gp.

Quote:

I normally do let wizards swap it out, but the SRD entry on the exploiter wizard states an exploiter wizard forgoes the tried and true methods of arcane focus and arcane schools. So to give them free spell focus would not make sense, so no, unfortunately. :)

Interesting! I always thought that was referring to trading away arcane bond and arcane school, which is all the archetype explicitly trades away. Is your take that exploiters can't take spell focus in general or that it doesn't make as much flavor sense for them to trade scribe scroll for spell focus as it would for other wizards?

The second one. You can take spell focus as a feat if you wish.

Can someone ID the potions and wands? May be helpful.

Severa is our resident pro at that.

Ah the stances bc you're unchained! Yes quite different. If Elliaria is going to be using her inspire courage, that grants competence bonuses to hit. So there would be no point in accurate stance while she's inspiring.

Ah, but I am a dawnflower dervish. I do battle dance and get double the bonuses for myself and none for anybody else.

Ah gotcha! I just saw the inspire courage bonus listed in your profile and didn't realize it was self only.

I am out of town until Sunday night on work assignment. I will update then.

Adding to the loot list:

From Hosilla's treasure chest:
three chips of lapis lazuli worth 10 gp each, two bloodstones worth 50 gp each, a citrine worth 50 gp, and a white pearl worth 100 gp) as well as a scroll of bear’s endurance and a scroll of remove disease. The chest also contains a breathtaking greatsword

I propose that we count the sword as a MW cold iron greatsword, for purposes of loot shares, bc that's what we would be able to sell it for. This sort of "undercharges" Alessandro's loot share for it but I don't think the rest of us lose anything from him getting that extra goodness.

I propose that we count the sword as a MW cold iron greatsword, for purposes of loot shares, bc that's what we would be able to sell it for. This sort of "undercharges" Alessandro's loot share for it but I don't think the rest of us lose anything from him getting that extra goodness.

I second the motion.

I'm fine with this as well.

Meh. I think he should have it for story reasons and am far less concerned about the accounting.

I've also put the permanent link to the google slides map in my status line.