| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
House Rules
Tracking discovered loot, purchases, and sell-backs is always a challange in tabletop RPGs, so, I am houseruling to “abstract” it in a similar way to how PFS handles character wealth.
Instead of tracking individual coins and treasure, each time there is Character Advancement (Level 12, 13, 14…), characters will be instructed to “soft rebuild” their Wealth according to Table 10-10 with the following Guidelines:
Best Fit
This is not a free rebuild, instead, try to rollover an 80%-90% threshold of continuity between levels. This means to keep the majority of your most expensive items narratively consistent, upgrading or obtaining new items, perhaps “discovered” items along the way, with that last 20%-10% representing things you sell back, consumables you use or trade out, etc. This will be an Honor System enforcement, as I have zero intention of auditing individual characters’ treasure lists with a fine-toothed comb each and every level.
Downtime Wealth
If you created wealth for yourself using the Downtime subsystem (for example by using Earn Income or Craft), this “track” of wealth is seperate from but additive to that which is bestowed by Table 10-10. You are expected to keep a record of this independently, as your character’s base wealth (from the table) will change each time they gain a level, while any created wealth will, in effect, “rollover”.
Discovered Loot
Also seperate from Table 10-10, again similar to how PFS functions, any discovered loot (including consumables) may be used normally by the party through the course of adventuring. Then, when it comes time for Character Advancement, that loot will “disappear”, assumed to either be sold back through the “abstraction” that is this houserule, or, alternatively, Incorporated into your characters new Wealth.
Loot that is Incorporated in this way will recieve a 10% discount from it’s market value, to openly incentivize PCs to use what they find during the Adventure for the Adventure.
Using the Rarity system, I do want to restrict some of the Options characters can use to the following:
-Common character options only.
-Each character gains two (2) Rarity Boons they can use to Access options that are Uncommon or Rare.
-Uncommon options use 1 Rarity Boon - Rare options use 2 Rarity Boons.
-Options (Items) discovered in the AP itself do not require Rarity Boons to use.
-As we progress through the AP, I will likely assign additional Rarity Boons, useable during Character Advancement, while upgrading Wealth, or utilizing the Retraining subsystem.
Having played this action by the book to the best of my ability, I am unsatisfied with what I percieve to be it’s risk-reward ratio, feeling that it is slightly too punitive to be an action that PCs are willing to take going in “blind” to a new situation. My houserule here is an attempt to loosen that up a little.
This (LINK) is my change.
In a word, I have removed the “disinformation” result from Initial attempts to identify an unknown creature / combatant, only re-introducing that type of result on Retries, as well as explicitly allowing Retries after “failure” results.
This means that Initial checks to Recall Knowledge can be rolled by you, the player, openly, and that I will only activate the Secret trait on Retry attempts to Recall Knowledge against the same subject!
One Caveat: Retries will be allowed whereupon a creature / combatant exhibits a new ability or behavior (action, reaction, spell, strategy, etc), and a character wanting to attempt a Retry must explicitly name the new ability or behavior as a signal to the GM to conduct the Secret check.
I have narrowed this skill feat to be paired with specific skills, instead of a blanket effect for any RK check. Read the old and new version below (we will use the new version - changes in italics).
Dubious Knowledge (Old)
[General] [Skill]
Prerequisites: trained in a skill with the Recall Knowledge action
You're a treasure trove of information, but not all of it comes from reputable sources. When you fail (but don't critically fail) a Recall Knowledge check using any skill, you learn a bit of true knowledge and a bit of erroneous knowledge, but you don't have any way to differentiate which is which.
Dubious Knowledge (New)
[General] [Skill]
Prerequisites: trained in a skill with the Recall Knowledge action
You're a treasure trove of information, but not all of it comes from reputable sources. Choose a skill. When you fail (but don't critically fail) a Recall Knowledge check using any that skill, you learn a bit of true knowledge and a bit of erroneous knowledge, but you don't have any way to differentiate which is which.
Special: You can select this skill feat multiple times, each instance selecting a different skill.
➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
PbP Player / GM Expectations
0) Have Fun
1) Post Daily
2) Do the Math
3) Check the Tracker
4) Share Ability Links / Text
5) Utilize Action Symbols (◆◇↺)
6) Organize your Dice Expressions
7) Manage your Token on the Map
8) Use Discussion for Discussion
9) Participate in the Bot Tree
Have Fun
This is Play by Post!
Seize the medium: Write descriptive posts with fun language, read your fellow players' posts and respond to them, juxtapose "Outer Words" vs "Inner Thoughts", indulge the Writer inside yourself. If it's not Fun, it's not worth doing!
Post Daily
Be committed for the long haul to post on a daily basis, which includes weekends, to keep the pace of the game fun and progressing. Obviously life happens, so off-days here or there are not a big deal. But checking in once or twice a week will not cut it. If you will be absent for an extended period, give the party advance notice and arrange someone to Bot for you.
Do the Math
Complete posts - especially during Encounter Mode - help the game flow smoother and make it easier for the GM to keep things organized for you in the Tracker. Please do not just throw dice at the post. Analyze the results of your dice to determine the Final Outcome, and communicate it back using Game Terms (X Damage, Y Healing, etc).
Check the Tracker
I try to keep a summary of all the moving bits through different Modes of Play (ex. Encounter Mode) in Trackers under spoilers. Take the time to use these Trackers to update yourself on relevant game information before making your posts - they are meant to keep you informed as towards making better strategic decisions as well as more descriptive posts. Notice that something like a monster's AC may be unknown during round one, but suddenly be detailed during round three, to represent your character's ongoing analysis of the situation.
If you see I missed something in the Tracker, raise the correction immediately in Discussion, and I will tend to it during my next pass!
Share Ability Links / Text
Include Links and/or Direct Text in your posts - especially for unusual abilities or one that do not come up that often. Basic Actions like Step, Stride and Strike, or reactions like Attack of Opportunity and Shield Block are excluded from this request - these are so common that they needn't really be actively adjudicated. As character abilities become more familiar to the GM and party, this requirement can be relaxed, as we will have "learned" the necessary interactions. But when in doubt, or if you anticipate a questionable interaction, post it! And allow the GM to make an informed adjudication.
Utilize Action Symbols (◆◇↺)
Clearly Communicate Game Terms during Encounter Mode using these symbols. I will keep them posted in my GM Alias as well as in the Campaign Tabs for you to copy/paste. Doing so helps the GM to adjudicate the Encounter by anchoring visual cues within the post, helping to summarize your Turn supported by the descriptive text of the narrative.
For reactions (↺), be sure to include some conditional language for it's trigger - especially if you have more than one. If your reaction involves a die roll (ex. Attack of Opportunity), please spoiler the roll, so on GM's turn, if he "trips" your trigger, he can open that spoiler and resolve it.
Organize your Dice Expressions
Sometimes we lose track of the little "+1"s that come and go, which at critical junctures can be the difference between success and failure. So, it is important to track them.
Specifically, for Circumstance or Status bonuses and other miscellaneous modifiers, please include clear indication in your dice expressions ex. "{dice=Attack with Inspire Courage (+1/+1) vs Monster}1d20+15+1; 2d8+4+1{/dice}" instead of "{dice=Attack}1d20+16; 2d8+5{/dice}"
If a DC you are rolling against is known, consider putting it directly into the expression ex. “{dice=Recall Knowledge w/ Arcana vs DC 15}1d20+7{/dice}”. This helps me to adjudicate it immediately without having to scroll.
Relatedly, to minimize confusion and shenanigans, Roll Dice in the correct Order of Operations. For example, if on a monster's turn you are prompted to make a Saving Throw, resolve it first thing in your next post, then post your 3 Actions + 1 Reaction, then conduct any End of Turn effects, etc.
Manage your Token on the Map
You are responsible for moving your Token around on the Map or Maps, and will need to develop a reliable way to interface with Google Slides consistently. Sometimes, but not all the time, the exact path taken by your character may matter (Hazards, Monster Reactions, etc), and if you anticipate so, please indicate your square-by-square trajectory with clarity.
Use Discussion for Discussion
Let's keep Gameplay in Gameplay, and Discussion in Discussion, and I will respond to queries accordingly. A note here about Gameplay to Discussion ratio. I've had to ask players who have disruptively used Discussion to question everything that happens in Gameplay to step down before. It's worth mentioning as this can be a pattern with some folks. While I encourage asking questions in Discussion - especially new players! - please be mindful of utilizing the shared space; it is a place to seek common understanding, not to be needlessly combative.
Participate in the Bot Tree
Pledge to Bot the characters immediately preceding and following (and wrapping around) your character's alphabetical name in the event of a 24-hour space elapsing when they have been "up" - As a GM I will not Bot characters, so it is up to the party as a team to support eachother in this regard.
➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
➤ ➤ ➤ ➤ ➤
@ Auntie Wu / Sigurd
You two both directly or indirectly describe ties to Elizeth Candora @ Lady of Souls (W10).
I'm in the process of "assigning" one NPC to each character to start with a Friendly relationship with - I'd ideally like to spread this out a bit - who would like to "claim" this NPC, and who would like to "claim" someone else?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Thanks for posting these guidelines, GM.
- I'm terrible with loot in general, unable to figure out what is "balanced" and I hate loot drama so I usually wind up short changed. Thank goodness for Automatic Bonus Progression so I have benchmarks to follow.
- I do try to provide >Links< to my spells and abilities. I've GMed enough games where I have to stop the action and look up an ability to see how it works. Luckily "Archives of Nethys 2e ____" gives me the link I need so I can make a URL tag out of it.
I'll fill out the rest of my stat profile over the next few days.
Sounds good you two. So far I got:
Auntie Wu
➤ Luda Bama (friendly) @ The Mushroom House (W24)
➤ ??? (unfriendly) @ ???
Sigurd Kolphan
➤ Elizeth Candora (friendly) @ Lady of Souls (W10)
➤ ??? (unfriendly) @ ???
In addition to starting with a single Friendly relationship, when you get a chance, see if you can choose a single Unfriendly relationship with one of the NPCs in town. Bonus points if you have a reason "why" this person and you are on Unfriendly terms - I will come up with something if you get writer's block. Otherwise, assume you begin the adventure on Indifferent terms with everyone else.
Cheers!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Mother Otis, owner of the Thrice-Blessed Inn, still annoys Sigurd. His sister Sheela loved every minute of its existence as the Thrice-Blessed Brothel, especially when she worked as a waitress. Sigurd is certain there was more to that, but she's always joking and teasing him about it.
So, he visited Mother Otis directly to get more information, but they were preoccupied with saving the brothel and then reopening it by skirting the law. The more Sigurd questioned, the more he was brushed off. Good riddance when it finally shut down- it was skirting the boundary between law and anarchy. Rumors of Lung Wa's collapse meant more chaos was bound to come.
And then the Thrice-Blessed Inn had its grand opening thanks to some law Sigurd read over five times without it making sense. His sister ran off to get her old job back. Even his brother visited from time to time, to "observe the public works project." Hmpf!
Mother Otis and Sigurd are on unfriendly terms, as he poked his nose in their affairs too many times and questioned their moral fiber. His family thinks he is too serious about it, but it's the principle!
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Auntie Wu dislikes the governor, Heh Shan-Bao. Mostly because he represents the establishment, but also because he has all sorts of bad/wrong ideas about what's best for Willowshore. On the few occasions they've interacted, he's been dismissive and/or contemptuous of her and her concerns.
As folks get organized here, I'd like to poll you.
Q) Would you prefer a 4-man, 5-man, or 6-man party?
Q) Would you like a say in who will be recruited as our 4th/5th/6th?
(Noting that the size of the party would be accounted for using XP budgeting to deliver on the AP's intended difficulty of encounters - similar to how PFS uses Challenge Points for those that know this side of the screen in that context)
Strong opinions anyone? Or prefer "hands off" and let GM decide these things?
No strong preference either way. 4-6 is a fine size as a player. As a GM I tend to peak at 5, and then 6 becomes lots of juggling.
No preference on the role of our additional characters. I tend to find it too limiting, anyway. Pathfinder is flexible enough we don't need the holy trinity- er, quadrilogy of Cleric, Rogue, Fighter, Wizard.
One of these days I'm going to recruit a 6 bard party...
That’s a soft vote for 5.
But my other question is more:
Q) Are you interested in having a say which player we recruit from among the applicants? Or rather leave that to GM?
I'll let the GM choose my teammates.
PS. Updated my Pathbuilder profile to level 12.
|
|
I'm flexible on party size. Choose the number that you'll be able to work with the easiest. Running an AP is a lot of work, after all.
I'm also fine with you choosing the party. As the GM, you have a better understanding than we do of what assets we'll need and how badly we'll need them, as well as knowing who you enjoy playing with in general.
Checking in.
1. Question regarding the rarity boons: I plan to take the Alter Ego Dedication at level 2 (Uncommon). If I take other Alter Ego feats, do they also count against the rarity boon limit, or do they fall under the umbrella of Alter Ego?
2. For Bot Tree purposes, similar to Auntie Wu, Ho Lan will fall under H. This makes it easier to determine who is next on the tree using the Characters tab. Per Tien traditions, my character's given name is Lan, and his family name is Ho. I'll put this in his header.
3. This game is beginning a little earlier than anticipated, so I still have Gameday games going on. I will do my best to keep up until they start winding down (I think one game I'm playing and one game I'm GMing are in the final combats, so they should finish soon).
4. I will repost the Level 1 version of my character soon. I don't usually use the web-based Pathbuilder, but if I can figure it out, I'll post a link.
Ho Lan,
1) Alter Ego counts as one Uncommon pick, no matter how many feats from it you select.
2) Cool.
3) We still begin November 1st, but will have a Session #0 of sorts before then.
4) I do not use Pathbuilder, so this is not something I am requesting. But if it helps you, then great.
Questions back:
Q) Who is one NPC from the player's guide with whom Ho Lan is on Friendly terms?
Q) Who is one NPC from the player's guide with whom Ho Lan is on Unfriendly terms?
=)
I'm going to reply with my main alias until the game start - Ho Lan's name is not set in stone, and regarding the questions, I'm open to either suggestions or to waiting to see if any important NPC needs filling.
I think my only criteria would be that the alter ego thing kind of needs someone his size to work, so since he's medium, the target would have to be medium.
If there's really no other guidance, I'll pick
Friendly: Huo Tian-Zhe (male human inventor) @ Second Best (W18) as an enviable target, and
Unfriendly: Zheng Peng (male human watch officer) @ Downtown Willowshore (W15) as someone who's suspicious of Lan.
As friendly or unfriendly? I'm happy to switch it around if needed.
No no, I think your choice is a good one.
He is an NPC whose art I really like is all.
In other news, my first volume nearly accidentally shipped to my old address, but I think they caught it in time. But. That does set me back a bit. Just getting excited!
Okay, just so you know, I build my character around an NPC, but not a specific NPC. So I'd even be amenable to altering Lan's ancestry to elf or halfling if the NPC were different. Liking the art is just as good a reason as any to choose, from my perspective.
"Third Best"?
@Auntie Wu
Thank you for filling in the macros sheet - it will help me to recruit our 4th, 5th, and maybe 6th (probably not), ensuring a well-balanced party in terms of skills.
@Sigurd
@Ho Lan
When you guys get the chance, would you kindly fill out the macros sheet?
Sorry about that. Reminded me that I forgot to write my saves onto my Paizo Profile.
Players,
I got my Slides installed - please place your Token Marching Order when you get a moment (Slide #2)
=)
I added my token- it looks like >THIS<.
|
|
Auntie Wu's token is added.
@Sigurd: There is a way to make your profile pic match any image if you want to. On your character's profile page, hover over the thumbnail pic. There should be a watermark icon in the lower right. If you click that, you can upload any image you like. No big deal either way.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
On my >Profile Page<? I don't see a watermark. Tried in Chrome, Safari and Firefox.
|
|
Auntie Wu's token is added.
@Sigurd: There is a way to make your profile pic match any image if you want to. On your character's profile page, hover over the thumbnail pic. There should be a watermark icon in the lower right. If you click that, you can upload any image you like. No big deal either way.
If this is true why am i just now learning this!?
I tried the same thing as chadius, when I "hovered" nothing happened...
I think I heard about a plug in, long ago, that let you do this. But it only works locally (aka on your machine.)
I do hope the new forums allow custom avatars, but that has its own moderation pitfalls.
|
|
Weird. I haven't installed any plugins, but I see it on both of yours. I'm on Chrome.
So, testing if it really works:
Does this character's profile pic show up as this image on your screens?
I see Paizo's image of a female orc. >this one.<
I confirm what chadius sees.
How is Itka's back (or was it knees) doing!?
Hello! Thank you for having me! It's nice to see a bunch of familiar names here.
I've been part of a long term, rotating GM group for over 2 years and am very excited to join this campaign! I look forward to seeing our PCs evolve together and build friendships.
(Any special rules if a PC, gods forbid, dies?)
I fully acknowledge the House Rules & Expectations. However, I may need a bit of help understanding the Wealth by Level & Rarity Boon stuff when the time comes.
I'm considering changing to half-elf to open up access to more ancestry feats & stuff, unless the GM wants me to stick with human. I'll work on a background story over the next few days as well. Kazuki is, most likely, native to Willowshore, btw, and his role is as a protector of the town (I originally wanted to choose Sheriff, Deputy, or Guard for his Background).
@Rainzax: Do you want each of us to choose a NPC to be Friendly & Unfriendly with?
Regarding 4, 5, or 6 players, I'll leave it up to the GM. (I prefer 4-5 as a GM, especially with long-term adventures). GM's choice on other PCs, however, I like to check their posting history if I'm GMing. There are those players that post only a couple times a week and with only a sentence or two in their posts. I enjoy players that are engaged with the game.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
(Any special rules if a PC, gods forbid, dies?)
Good question. This is a adventure path. I am not a "softie" GM. I think Dead is Dead. Unless there are strong objections, I'd like to move forward with that expectation for now. Feel free to push back and discuss however?
I fully acknowledge the House Rules & Expectations. However, I may need a bit of help understanding the Wealth by Level & Rarity Boon stuff when the time comes.
Fair enough. Rarity Boons should be pretty easy - you get two Uncommon options, or one Rare option. If it's Common in Shenmen, whether you find out in the Player's Guide, or we hash out in Discussion here as it comes up, then it's Common and does not require expenditure of one of your precious Boons. If everything you like is Common, you can "save" them for later, as you like.
As for Wealth, whenever we Level Up, instead of tracking loot with spreadsheets or nominating a treasurer, you just get what's on Table 10-10. What I ask is that you don't use that privilege to do compete and total rebuilds, but instead to keep continuity. I think it'll make sense when you cross that road what to do. Again, questions now or later is all fine and good.
I'm considering changing to half-elf to open up access to more ancestry feats & stuff, unless the GM wants me to stick with human. I'll work on a background story over the next few days as well. Kazuki is, most likely, native to Willowshore, btw, and his role is as a protector of the town (I originally wanted to choose Sheriff, Deputy, or Guard for his Background).
Now that we have four solid recruits, you guys basically have the freedom to rebuild your PCs if you want, keep them, or make different small / large decisions, as you like. I want you to start this game happy with your PC. So yeah, definitely get any "big" changes in before your Alias's 10th post!
If you want to choose a different (non-AP) Background, I'll ask that you "tailor" it to the AP as described in the Player's Guide.
@Rainzax: Do you want each of us to choose a NPC to be Friendly & Unfriendly with?
Yes please!
=)
Regarding 4, 5, or 6 players, I'll leave it up to the GM. (I prefer 4-5 as a GM, especially with long-term adventures). GM's choice on other PCs, however, I like to check their posting history. There are those players that post only a couple times a week and with only a sentence or two in their posts. I enjoy players that are engaged with the game.
I completely share your opinion. That said, I do realize onus is on the GM to make the game worth posting for. Going to try my best!
Well, if Sigurd dies I have Darius & Sheela as my backups, haha. Sheela was my PF1 sorceress, and I played Darius during the PF2 playtest.
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
If one of our characters dies, does the player get to build a new PC to join the party at that level? Or are we permanently eliminated, like in a reality show?
As we wait for the GM's reply, let's all hear in our heads the music they play during elimination rounds in "Survivor" or whatever.
As far as modifications go, I think I'll keep Auntie Wu the same unless someone has some good suggestions. Between Sigurd and her, we should have healing covered, especially once we hit level 2 and Auntie Wu takes her Blessed One archetype feat.
That archetype is rather perfect for her. I like the idea that she was comfortable being a constantly-mildly-high-and/or-drunk minor druid, and then all this crazy stuff starts happening that causes Pharasma to take a special interest in her. She'll feel pulled in two directions and have to make some tough decisions about what her priorities are going to be. She can't just sit around eating magic mushrooms and whatnot every day anymore, at least not without consequences.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
If one of our characters dies, does the player get to build a new PC to join the party at that level?
That is what I think is the best solution that services both character equity as well as the AP's horror themes, yes. Replacement characters would be built at the same Level as the Party, inclusive of starting with the same Wealth benchmark as the party (Table 10-10 in CRB, as explained in houserules in the first post), and with fresh Rarity Boons, then entered back into the action quickly. You may have to sit out the rest of a fatal encounter (for example), but we'll sneak you back in as soon as the story could accommodate the arrival of fresh blood. And so, the consequence of Death will be purely narrative, minus the "cost" to the player irl of "time" to whip up another character (which, depending on your persuasion, may or may not be a punishment per se).
Now, I will be starting you all off with 5 (□□□□□) Hero Points each to stretch until the end of book one (six months? one year?...) - so your chances of averting said Death are slimmer for it. And tracking them in my DM alias using the "☘️" symbol for your convenience. If we get to Replacement characters, I'll start them off with the party average to stretch to the end of the book.
All said, I would like to generate a table consensus around how I'd like to handle PC Death, so please chime in with your opinion in either support or against, including an explanation if you like, especially if you are of the latter viewpoint?!
=)
I like the "build new PC at current party level" idea if a PC dies.
I will probably get the Crafting skill, but I'll have to figure out which skills to drop.
sigh, I always want to be Trained at everything...
|
|
I like the "build new PC at current party level" idea if a PC dies.
Ditto.
I will probably get the Crafting skill, but I'll have to figure out which skills to drop.
sigh, I always want to be Trained at everything...
Me too! BTW, should we compare trained skills to see if we have any debilitating gaps in coverage? Or is that too metagamey? To be fair, I would only switch skills if it would make sense for my character.
Me too! BTW, should we compare trained skills to see if we have any debilitating gaps in coverage?
If you click in the "GM" tab in the macros link, you will be able to see party skills, including gaps and overlaps.
I'll quickly repost the "Strongly" and "Recommended" skills from the PG:
Strongly
Athletics, Diplomacy, Nature, Religion, Society, Willowshore Lore
Recommended
Arcana, Crafting, Deception, Intimidation, Occultism, Survival, Thievery
=)
Diplomacy and Survival can be swapped. I'd like to keep Athletics. I may be able to change my Ancestry Feat for more skills, but I do like the Escape bonuses.
With Auntie Wu, Kazuki Sato, and Sigurd having already filled out the Macro Sheet, I can see the following gaps in "Strongly" and "Recommended" skills:
Arcana
Intimidation
Occultism
With the following "Strongly" and "Recommended" skills only covered by a single PC:
Crafting
Deception
Thievery
Willowshore Lore
Awaiting Ho Lan to fill out those Macro Sheet, and we'll see where that puts us.
=)
|
|
It looks like Ho Lan has us covered on Arcana, Intimidation, and Occultism, as well as being an additional Deception.
We're well covered in Religion. Honestly, I chose that one because it made sense for a WIS-based character to be trained in all the WIS based skills, so I could switch that one for another. I imagine that Auntie Wu has some experience with sleight of hand (quickly hiding her "special ingredients" whenever law enforcement comes along), so I could switch her Religion to Thievery so we have a backup. Thoughts?
As the Cleric, I'll definitely do Religion. Someone else should do Medicine though- Sigurd isn't the kind to do long term care. I do plan to pick up Occultism by level 3 as Sigurd gets a +2 bonus to identify occult phenomena.
Wu, Thievery is fine- just make sure Sigurd doesn't see it happen.
Trained in medicine here. Might take battle medicine for one of my first feats.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
TBH, I was kind of dragging my feet on the macros to make sure we had everything covered. (EDIT: Macros up, even if they're temporary.) Lan can have 12 INT / 10 WIS with better Arcana/Occultism or 10 INT / 12 WIS with better Nature/Religion. I'll stick with Arcana/Occultism since we seem to be thin in that area. I can switch something out for Thievery if the party needs.
Willowshore Lore only comes with certain backgrounds, no? Can we lobby for all of us to be trained in Willowshore Lore as a free feat, since we're all from the area? Or can I switch my Tea Lore out for Willowshore Lore?
Lan's Rejuventating Flames should be adequate out-of-combat healing (Rank x 1d4 focus healing to everyone in a cone), and I can choose offensive or healing spells (yay, primal!).
EDIT: One other thing I'm throwing out to the table. I'm open to name suggestions, if anyone is interested in coordinating. Otherwise, I'm going to stick with Ho Lan.
Ho Lan means very lazy, and Lan is simply lazy. He's very envious of the inventor, and wishes to be like them, but he has neither the smarts nor the work ethic to be successful. So, he's going to try to steal their life.