Group 15.83
Bad guys 8.88(Shrug) What do you guys think.
We'll usually win initiative, and if we don't why wouldn't at least some of us take Improved Initiate in order to better all of us in combat?
I mean if we were losing this initiative we'd be looking at standing there taking about 9 incoming attacks as 1st level characters. That's not good.
Of course you could up the initiative of our enemies to compensate. Then more of us could take Improved Initiative because it's the most important thing in combat now, so of course. And back and forth.
It makes Initiative too important for the sake of some time saved.
I started to type a response, and then got distracted and edited my previous to try to be less confusing on the timing of things. <sigh> Distractions.
I've seen what Bry is proposing used often. It avoids the "You're all last, sucks to be you!" problem (which can kill a party faster than you might think).
I see an error in her grouping, though. Bry should be part of Group 1, because her +3 wins the tie with the straight roll, right? In this case, because of the disparity between the rolls, it still comes very close to all of us before them. But that's happenstance.
The worst case, which is a flat distribution alternating between the players and the GM, is possible, but very rare. As groups are eliminated, the back and forth becomes less prominent.
If these opponents are competent combatants, then the odds are, in the distribution Bry provided, that Ceru won't get an action, but will be out of the combat before we get to her. That's why the all or nothing method sucks so bad. When we do face truly competent combatants and lose init as a group, we'll almost assuredly lose the fight because of it.
I almost moved Bry up ("Bry", is this going to be her fate? I've seen it twice now. :)), and yeah, sorting ties by bonus size makes more sense.
Yeah, it's not too likely for a flat distribution to occur, but sorting ties by bonus might help. This is also an extreme number of initiatives to have in a combat. Against a single powerful opponent tere wouldn't be more than 3 groups possible.
The biggest danger with group initiative (aside from very lethal enemies) is losing with exposed casters. Nobody can shift to protect them because nobody can move except at the same time.
If Bryndis could play Sarge here: We'd be crazy to go forward with so many enemies out in front, flanking opportunities for them would abound. We need to reposition backward the way we came about 15' to bottleneck our front, and shift one high AC character to the rear. We can do that if a win, but if we lose initiative we get trapped in place.
It's an interesting quandy to say the least. I see where Bryndis is going with the groups. By separating the PCs into groups, it doesn't matter when the posts for that group come in. When it's the bad guys turn, they get a small group attack, but not all nine at once. Initiative is still a paramount thing, as it plays a large roll in being flat footed but doesn't become and end all with a few bad rolls.
All bad rolls suck no matter how we do initiative. All high rolls will always be a huge advantage.
The way Bryan is suggesting is how most the games I’ve played in have done initiative. I think it works pretty well for pbp and if that is on the table it gets my vote.
I think I'm going to run with Bryndis's suggestion. It looks like the best option up to this point. That said, I'm always open for suggestions.
Sounds good. Thanks.
For Cayden's Sake, Flagon Slayers!! Use the bless bonus when attacking!!
True, I should have realized that my readied action would go off after your bless. I mistakenly just looked at initiative order when running the numbers. Apologies.
Same. I think I still have time to edit, though.
Sorry for the delay in posting.
GM, I forgot to ask this earlier, but how are we handling Alina's gear? Does she start with any? Does it come out of Talienda's funds? Do you want to give her a basic load out?
Sorry for the delay in posting.
GM, I forgot to ask this earlier, but how are we handling Alina's gear? Does she start with any? Does it come out of Talienda's funds? Do you want to give her a basic load out?
Aside from what little she can afford on her wage, food, basic clothing, etc; I'm thinking you will need to provide her with what you think she requires. I wouldn't put too much into it. Her involvement in an encounter is most likely going to be rare.
True, I should have realized that my readied action would go off after your bless. I mistakenly just looked at initiative order when running the numbers. Apologies.
You can take a 5-foot step as part of your readied action, but only if you don’t otherwise move any distance during the round.
Just to be clear on ready action. My understanding of this action is it's a post initiative (in combat) option. On your initiative, you may ready an action which triggers when a designated event occurs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe it was meant to be used out of combat. Meaning you can't ready an action before your round 1 initiative. I'm open to discussion on this if someone understands this differently. I bring this up because I had players trying to ready out of combat in a prior game I ran, so I wanted to bring it up now in case it becomes an issue down the road.
Okay. I'll work on that.
RAW you can only ready an action in initiative.
But, as an example, if you know someone is behind a door, readying to attack whoever comes through the door is a simple concept that clearly exists outside of the mechanics. Misguided unless you are absolutely certain they deserve to be attacked, but simple.
If the "opposition" can see you, they can tell you're getting ready to do something, and if that something is violent, you probably started combat by trying to prepare for it. Kind of a self-selecting prediction.
Just to be clear on ready action. My understanding of this action is it's a post initiative (in combat) option. On your initiative, you may ready an action which triggers when a designated event occurs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe it was meant to be used out of combat. Meaning you can't ready an action before your round 1 initiative. I'm open to discussion on this if someone...
That is my understanding too.
Oh boy. I guess Alina and Talienda both stepped in it with Io.
Hey, it is all MEANT to be fun.
I was going to downplay the whole noble family background bit, but Nightfiend slapped me in the face with it several times so far, and it just so absolutely drove a response to the early morning scene . . ..
Already the game is taking the character in a slightly different direction than I had in mind. It is all good, though.
RAW you can only ready an action in initiative.
But, as an example, if you know someone is behind a door, readying to attack whoever comes through the door is a simple concept that clearly exists outside of the mechanics. Misguided unless you are absolutely certain they deserve to be attacked, but simple.
If the "opposition" can see you, they can tell you're getting ready to do something, and if that something is violent, you probably started combat by trying to prepare for it. Kind of a self-selecting prediction.
It would make sense to move things into combat rounds as soon as both combatants are aware of each other. It, more or less, sets the order of events. If both combatants are aware of each other, there is nothing saying that the bad guy is simply quicker and decides to attack or step out before the player can ready the action. In the event the bad guy is unaware of the PC, it becomes an ambush / surprise round. In that case, the bad guy steps out and a surprise round begins. The player implements his attack, which is for the most part, the same as his ready action. Then round one begins in the appropriate initiative order.
A bit more on your point. Heated discussions take place. One of the PC's believes that things are getting heated and decides to quietly prepare for an anticipated fight by quietly drawing a dagger. The player tells me that they are getting ready to strike if a fight takes place. In essence, he is ready to strike, but is not using the ready mechanic. The fight begins. Assuming none of the bad guys figure out he has the dagger ready; he is awarded a surprise round. I could see something like this taking place.
I am currently working on a GM post for the combat. I should have it up shortly.
Oh, I am having fun. I just need to figure out how Alina and Talienda are going to respond. You kinda got them cornered. ;)
Ack, y'all have been busy! Sorry Sundays are often busy for me, and had some other business to take care of, and today was a looong day at work.
Sorry, we can't help ourselves apparently. On the plus side, I think you helped defuse the situation from breakfast. :)
I like the narrative recaps in between rounds. Excellent work!
Agreed, the narrative keeps it easier to follow the events, and just makes it feel more like a story.
I'm not sure I'm identifying the bad guys right based on the color rings, but, you know what? I doubt it will REALLY matter.
And I think you just saw how important the breakfast narrative really is(n't) to Ionatan!
Aloof and arrogant are we? If that's the case, I think he and Talienda are going to get along like hot oil and water.
I'm not sure I'm identifying the bad guys right based on the color rings, but, you know what? I doubt it will REALLY matter.
Ya, seen that coming. More bad guys + limited colors = running out of color. LoL, I will try and work it out. numbers or something more identifiable will work. (Sigh).
Any why, something has come up that I would like to touch on. First, I would like to say the role-play has been very enjoyable. You guys have been great. That said, there has been a few things along the way that has raised a concern, which I want to mention. Our table is diversified. Meaning both men and ladies are seated and enjoying the game together. Out of respect for everyone, I would ask that we keep things at PG-13. I would also ask that any objectification of someone else be minimized. If there are any questions on this subject, please PM me.
Re: colors and bad guys: For what it's worth, what's worked for me when I've GMed PBP is I've outlined all PCs blue, cohorts/familiars/companions light blue, all enemies red, and any innocents or neutrals in the area ochre yellow. Then I number any enemies not obviously distinguishable in any other way. For the numbering I usually just create a number in a text box and group it with the picture token.
As an aside, at most PBP tables have indeed made enemies red, so making the party red is really confusing to me, but I can get over it.
Re: PG-13: I'm not so concerned with being in "mixed company," per se (don't think I've ever been in a group that wasn't women and men), but I appreciate that you posted this as these expectations aren't always clear in PBP. We don't know each other well, so being careful with assumptions is a good idea. Hope we can keep things comfortable and fun for all.
Ya, the number thing sounds like the best option. If you had a preference, on the group color, what would it be? Question is for the entire group. It's easy to change this for future encounters.
That little question should buy a full week of discussion. That's almost as shiny of an object as selecting a group name. I wonder how many different colors I get in response.
Wow, that was a whole bunch of posts to find after just one missed evening of checking in. Considering how far along it's gone now, I think Bryndis will juts sit that one out.
No! Bryndis, get in their and kick some a$$!
Another option is to change the line styles. There's solid, dotted, dashed, and a few others if I remember correctly.
New game flush. The posts will slow.
Re: PG-13
Nearly forgot to put forth my opinion on this subject. Nobody wants to make anyone else uncomfortable during a game.
That being said. Wayilant is a handsome cleric of a god of drinking and bravery, with the Charm Domain. Caydenites are gonna caydenite.
In other campaigns, when it came time for adult activities, posts where spoilered and clearly marked like this.
That way those who wish to read saucy posts can, and those who don't are warning of it's content.
I doubt adult themes will permeate throughout the campaign, but should they arise, this could be an option.
No! Bryndis, get in their and kick some a$$!
Oh, I was referring to the breakfast conversation thread. I don't think Bryndís barging in with her sightly mean and superior comments would add anything of quality at this late time.
I don't think future opportunities will be in short supply.
Eh, all the games I've ever played in have followed a "network TV" policy on such things. If things are getting physically intimate, past the realm of PDA stuff, the scene fades to black.
I'm unlikely to take things to PG-13. I don't assume the characters are reverent monks. I'm just not comfortable trying to role-play aong those lines. Doesn't bother me if other people do, to PG-13, but I just don't.
No preference on group color.
If enemies are going to be red then something that is easily distinguished from red. The medium blue would work, but I don't care about the particular color.
Go Old School! Black and White!
No?
Yeah, not really important to me, either.
What you've done here is fine. The key being using colors that are visually similar in disparate areas of the map.
Blue it will be then..)
At home, now, so I put Ionatan where I meant for him to go. 5' diagonal to the viewer's left, putting him NEXT to Dario.
Ok, sounds good. I was unsure, so I took a shot and moved him.
Just a heads up, I will be traveling today and I will probably not have time to post. Apologies. Please bot me as needed.
Shall we go ahead and divvy up the coinage at least right now? I think that's 4 gold, 3 silver, and 3 copper apiece, more or less.
Do we want to take and sell the other gear or leave anything so as to not worry about the burden of it? We can use the mule as long as we have it but I also don't know how far we want to go in dragging a bunch of suits of armor around, etc.
Unless somebody on the boats wants them, I think we pretty much carry them with for now. Or just drop 'em.
You can sell the weapons and armor at 1/2 book value to the ship's crew.
Wayliant is fine minding the armor and weapons until sold.
I'd like to grab a set of armor and one of the better maintained swords for Alina.
I'd like to grab a set of armor and one of the better maintained swords for Alina.
After being cleaned up, the weapons are not in that bad of shape. Consider them standard for the purpus of selling and using.
So surface rust instead of the deep, pitting kind of stuff you get on really corroded parts.
Yes, more or less, from the salty air that a sailor would be exposed to.