If you could make sure that your characters are finished up, complete with an alias, we'll probably get started on Sunday. Feel free to Dot in. I'll do an interlude for each of you individually to get us started.
WOHOOOOO! Grymwold reporting for duty :)
I've only purchased weapons and armor. Just need to purchase some misc items and he'll be ready
Hi all! I am thrilled by the opportunity to play side by side with you all :)
I like the chance to play both along with old and new faces.
Gronilda is completed, but I am considering to buy a guard dog, a dog she has recently adopted from the "streets" in Phaendar.
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Who would have thought our two dwarves would have beat everyone else to the boards! Welcome.
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Slow and Steady wins the race ;)
Thanks! Ghost and I are happy to be aboard!
Lol Token Human.
Slow and Steady wins the race ;)
So said uncle Harrison Barefoot as well.
Thanks for the opportunity, and hello to you tall folk.
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Slow and Steady wins the race ;)So said uncle Harrison Barefoot as well.
Thanks for the opportunity, and hello to you tall folk.
I think you know what's about to happen here... Could you give me the number of family members you have in town. Give me as much information on them as you want in this game, and I'll be sure to include them.
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Thanks! Ghost and I are happy to be aboard!
Lol Token Human.
There were so many dwarves! That +1 vs goblinoids was too much to go human.
To be honest I went dwarf because I wanted an against the archetype bowman and dwarves do good clerics. Also saw the Kraggodan thing and thought it will play a role in the adventure. It was only after noticing the unusual amount of dwarven candidates that it came the aha! moment of realization about hatred.
I have added the guard dog, Pawnies, to her statsblock. Let's see how many encounters the poor canine survives :D
@Gronilda Erastil worshiping Dwarves can make great archers with the Erastil's Blessing feat ;)
@GM Grym has only been in town for the past decade and it took a bit of time for him to integrate into the town. But over time people began to respect his work and get past his gruff exterior. He has no family here. But three years ago he took on Vane Oreld's son as an apprentice smith. Tymlin Oreld was a troubled mischievous teenager, but he has blossomed under Grym's stern tutelage the past couple of years. Grym views Tymlin as an adopted nephew and loves the boy dearly and the kid(now 15) knows it lol.
That is a good bit, Grym. I actually meant to ask Lizzie about her family, though.
Lizzie, help me out here.
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Hi everybody, excited to be here!
Sorry for being late, most of the day today was taken up with archery so I didn't have the chance to check the boards.
I think Skalla is all done and the alias up to date, but do let me know if I missed anything or you spot something weird.
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That is a good bit, Grym. I actually meant to ask Lizzie about her family, though.
Lizzie, help me out here.
Father: Roland Barefoot-Tamar. A brown haired, slightly face scruffed mild mannered halfling man. At marrying Meryl, he took on her family's name, on a lost bet with his wife to be. He has no prior adventuring experience, and has been a resident of the town all his life, taken over the shop Meryl's parents started. He has a decent sense of trade, and does wood carving in his spare time. Lizzie has the smooth hair from her dad.
Grandma Tabby: A midwife even in her older years. A lovely old lady who loves to cook and bring the joys of children to the town's people.
Grandpa Curtis: A hobbyist woodcarver and former owner of the shop Lizzie's parents currently run. His carvings are still of sufficient quality that they sell to travelers, but he knows his hands will eventually fail him in that.
Uncle Harrison Barefoot: Roland's older brother. Think Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of Bill the Butcher from Gangs of New York, but kind. Still a rough around the edges man who's worked a lot of manual labor, making him the sturdy and stronger member of the family. He likes a drink and to have a good time.
Aunty Emily Hale-Barefoot: Daughter of a baker in town, she married Harrison Barefoot. Where Roland is the calm one to Meryl, Emily is the calm to Harrison. A cheerful woman with braided blonde hair. She has the tendency to humm tunes while working.
Cousin Hilary Barefoot: The same age as Lizzie, the two are close as sisters. Lizzie may be a mischievous sneak, Hilary is a more direct sort. She has the title of 'Shin kicker', on account of kicking the shins of rowdy boys who don't stop pestering girls. Lizzie thinks she'd be quite a martial artist, if she'd focus on more than just shins to kick. But for the time being, she's an acolyte at a humble temple to Desna. Appearance would be Ashly Burch with wavey auburn hair.
Cousin Bradey Barefoot: The annoying guy cousin, and Hilary's twin brother. He thinks he knows it all (and certainly doesn't if calling his bluff), which has gotten him into trouble sometimes. (Which often turns humorous to his sister and cousin). Distract a dog? Its teeth ended up in his backside. Get a cat out of a tree? He ends up with scratches. He works part time as a stable hand, and is part time apprenticed to a local brewer. Something he actually -does- know the right approach to.
All gear purchases complete. Good to go
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Excellent. Go ahead and dot into the game play. I'll get some prequel flavor going this weekend and then probably start the action on Monday.
Also, all of you are veteran pbpers. If you see or feel anything that you believe could be improved, please let me know. It will not hurt my feelings.
@Gronilda Erastil worshiping Dwarves can make great archers with the Erastil's Blessing feat ;)
And strike the enemy with dwarven sapience. Just great! It will take a bit of time though, as Weapon Focus requires BAB +1.
Also, all of you are veteran pbpers. If you see or feel anything that you believe could be improved, please let me know. It will not hurt my feelings.
Will try to be helpful. Also, if there is any tone or themes coming from Gronilda not landing good, just let me know to adjust.
I am not English native speaker, so please be lenient if you spot weird sentence structuring or too formal wording. If you spot some error coming repeatedly, please let me know.
Doting
If you delete your Gameplay post after doting, the campaign tracking starts without leaving behind a not fully fledged post.
Doting
If you delete your Gameplay post after doting, the campaign tracking starts without leaving behind a not fully fledged post.
What does this mean? I remember something about accidentally ruining a gameplay thread if you do something wrong. I hope I haven't done that yet.
Everything is fine, I was just referring to the process of posting first time each character on Gameplay. You do not appear in Players or Characters tabs until you do, and I said in case Grymwold was on time to delete his post there :D
Ah, yes. Dot and then delete and everything is as it should be.
Too late now. Can't delete it. The hour has passed. Lol my pbp skills are rusty
Saélihn's mother (Andura) is still alive and working as an herbalist in Phaendar. Saélihn sometimes brings her back hard-to-find herbs/plants she comes across while on hunt, or exploring the woods.
She's sort of a protege of Aubrin as a Chesanardo Hopeful.
GM, may i alter two minor details?
1 point from Con to Cha.
Swap the feat PBS to skill focus stealth, as one who put effort into being stealthy enough to get accepted into the scouts, over combat orientation up to that point, it would suit her better.
GM, may i alter two minor details?
1 point from Con to Cha.
Swap the feat PBS to skill focus stealth, as one who put effort into being stealthy enough to get accepted into the scouts, over combat orientation up to that point, it would suit her better.
Yeah, that's fine.
Sorry was offline yesterday. Getting caught up now.
Okay, see if you can access the combat map and place your tokens according to your description.
I love adventures that start with a bang, and beginning in a tavern is a total classic. Check and check. Could have we started better? :D
Okay, see if you can access the combat map and place your tokens according to your description.
I can access it, but I cannot edit it. I guess I am missing write permissions.
Got it, thanks. I'll fix that.
--EDIT
Everyone should be able to edit now. Get yourselves placed, then I'll get the action started.
Gronilda and Pawnies are on the map! :D
In other order of things, I have thought of giving Gronilda a new found interest in falconry. I do not know if there is any appropriate NPC or location with whom/where she might have been training.
Also, she is into gardening and her house has beautiful plants and a small field for edible ones. There is a corner for tobacco plants too, a small vice of her.
As per small modifications, I have added a drawback that fits with the scar a particularly terrible hobgoblin left in her cheek during the Goblinblood Wars: Scarred
The same events have left her always looking for danger: Seeker
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Gronilda and Pawnies are on the map! :D
In other order of things, I have thought of giving Gronilda a new found interest in falconry. I do not know if there is any appropriate NPC or location with whom/where she might have been training.
Also, she is into gardening and her house has beautiful plants and a small field for edible ones. There is a corner for tobacco plants too, a small vice of her.
As per small modifications, I have added a drawback that fits with the scar a particularly terrible hobgoblin left in her cheek during the Goblinblood Wars: Scarred
The same events have left her always looking for danger: Seeker
Nice additions. The town really sounds idyllic for our adventurers. So pretty and cozy. I'm sure it will remain that way.
I'm sure someone in the area was into falconry. Maybe not someone in town permanently, but a regular visitor at least.
Also, the map provided sure seems smaller than the description. Maybe it was packed full with over a dozen people.
Can't figure out how to add my icon to the combat map from my phone. I'll have access to my computer later tonight
I just need Lizzie in the Root, and then the blood can be spilled. I can place her next to Grym if you need me to.
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She is sitting next to Grym at the bar. In between Grym and Skalla.
Let the MAYHEM commence!
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Bringing this over to discussion to avoid clogging up the Gameplay thread
I'd like that. My favorite character Wabbit became that mainly because of his close relationship with his cousin Cleo.
Grymwold has a protective nature, particularly with those younger or whom he views as Kids. He's been on the front lines and has had friends die. He grew world-weary and turned to the forge and this peaceful, up til now community.
He is friends with Lizzie's parents and even though up til now, Lizzie and he haven't had much interaction over the years, it will be natural for him to want to protect his friends' kid. Particularly if this AP goes the way I think it does.
Let's roll with it and see how things develop. Mechanically I always have a plan for my characters. But other than a rough idea, mostly their personalities develop haphazardly over time.
or any ability that requires patience and concentration.
That includes spellcasting I guess. What about spell-like abilities? Or channel energy or other supernatural domain powers?
or any ability that requires patience and concentration.That includes spellcasting I guess. What about spell-like abilities? Or channel energy or other supernatural domain powers?
Channel would work. Spells are definitely out. Domain powers would be fine as long as they do not require concentration, or Cha checks.
Eyes of the hawk would probably not work.
Enlarge (su) I would say will work.
If we resolving in initiative order, ghost attack won't benefit from raging song this round, If we're doing it in posting order then add one to both attack and damage
That's a good thing to discuss. I would say that when I do a block initiative, I resolve things in the order of initiative, but still let you post in any order, for convenience. Does that work for everyone?
Also, Saelihn, do you need a 10 handle animal check as a free action? I think you will need to run a 2 or above for each handle animal check of first level unless I miss reading it. It looks like Gronilda Will need a nine.
That's a good thing to discuss. I would say that when I do a block initiative, I resolve things in the order of initiative, but still let you post in any order, for convenience. Does that work for everyone?
agreed..that's the best way to do it. If we wait to post in exact init order it will slow the game down tremendously
If we resolving in initiative order, ghost attack won't benefit from raging song this round, If we're doing it in posting order then add one to both attack and damageThat's a good thing to discuss. I would say that when I do a block initiative, I resolve things in the order of initiative, but still let you post in any order, for convenience. Does that work for everyone?
Also, Saelihn, do you need a 10 handle animal check as a free action? I think you will need to run a 2 or above for each handle animal check of first level unless I miss reading it. It looks like Gronilda Will need a nine.
Yeah, reading through it. It looks like that's the case.
Yeah, reading through it. It looks like that's the case.If we resolving in initiative order, ghost attack won't benefit from raging song this round, If we're doing it in posting order then add one to both attack and damageThat's a good thing to discuss. I would say that when I do a block initiative, I resolve things in the order of initiative, but still let you post in any order, for convenience. Does that work for everyone?
Also, Saelihn, do you need a 10 handle animal check as a free action? I think you will need to run a 2 or above for each handle animal check of first level unless I miss reading it. It looks like Gronilda Will need a nine.
I have been thinking long and hard about Ghost jumping back out of combat, allowing you a clear shot. I like that teamwork a lot, but Ghost doesn't have the intelligence to know to do that. You could take one of his commands: down, fetch, heel, seek, and track and change one of them to attack/back away and leave the other command of attack the same. There will be times when you want him to stay in combat, to provide flanking with someone, I'm sure. Or...if you want him to back away each time, that 's fine too. Companions and animal handling are tricky. We'll go with it this time, but it would have hit anyway.
That makes sense. I guess I'll leave it as it is and shoot with the penalty for now. Next level I pick up precise shot as a class feature anyway, So basically practice makes it no longer an issue.
Since my primary form of attack is going to be archery, Now make a huge difference to hitting my targets between level 1 and 2 anyway, in a party with quite a few melee people.
I feel your pain regarding feat taxes like PBS for precise shot. That's why I get excited whenever I can play a game with Elephant in the Room
I would say that when I do a block initiative, I resolve things in the order of initiative, but still let you post in any order, for convenience. Does that work for everyone?
I appreciate your effort to make the gameplay smoother and more convenient for everyone. While the block initiative approach certainly has its merits, my personal preference is post order, because I find it to be more straightforward and less time consuming.
One particular concern I've encountered with resolving events in different order than posting order, is the potential for uncertainty regarding positioning and tactical decisions. For instance, if I have to post before a character with a higher initiative, I might unintentionally place myself in a situation where cover or line of sight becomes ambiguous. This uncertainty also extends to spellcasting decisions, as what appears advantageous during posting may not align with the resolved initiative order. This sometimes even ends in action invalidation and back and forth between GM and players to correct their now invalid actions.
Resolving in post order is well supported by the rules as it just agreeing people who does not post in order of initiative are basically delaying for the people who could post earlier.
Of course, everyone might have their own preferences, I have had great campaigns that resolved in initiative order, but post order resolution has worked for me the best when GMing or playing casters.
Thanks for asking us about these topics and considering our different perspectives :D
Resolving in initiative order makes sense and it doesn't invalidate players that have class features or feats that give them advantages to initiative. Posting in any order and block initiative and then resolving afterwards though is definitely a good move as waiting for one person to post can drag a around out substantially if people get busy just when their time to post comes around.
I've seen waiting for people to post an initiative order drag rounds of combat out to well over a week. The way you're doing it now seems like the most balanced compromise of the two.
I see your point, but let me just note, regarding the issue of class features or feats that grant advantages to initiative, that resolving in post order does not invalidate these benefits, as they still allow those characters to go before the enemy, which is the real thing for initiative.
Chiming in again. The main benefit of class features or feats is going ahead of the enemy. But, Yes it is nice for casters (Haste), Skalds (RS) to lead in the init order.
I like the post-order option as you do not have to retcon actions for spells, positioning, etc and the player has the ability to metagame (delay) it if they care to.
Sometimes I might know it's beneficial to wait for Skalla's Raging Song, but IRL I'm going to be busy and unable to post for hours. In that case, I'll post Gryms actions without the benefit of RS as I don't want to potentially slow the game down by not posting for hours.
If I'm not concerned about posting ability, and I know Skalla's usual actions will be to start Raging Song in round 1 I can metagame and delay posting til Skalla has.
A better example would be Flanking where the second character to move into flanking position would get the +2 flanking bonus. Yes, it can be resolved retroactively by init order. But it is simpler to resolve a Flanking bonus in post order. Because the 2nd character can add flanking into their attack post rather than having to examine the init order.
Post-order minimizes retconning which makes for fewer sidebar discussions and smoother gameplay.
My 2cents. Truly happy to go with whatever way you want to handle it
Just wanted to say I'm HAPPY TO BE HERE. It's been MONTHS since I've had an active campaign
Chiming in again. The main benefit of class features or feats is going ahead of the enemy. But, Yes it is nice for casters (Haste), Skalds (RS) to lead in the init order.
I like the post-order option as you do not have to retcon actions for spells, positioning, etc and the player has the ability to metagame (delay) it if they care to.
Sometimes I might know it's beneficial to wait for Skalla's Raging Song, but IRL I'm going to be busy and unable to post for hours. In that case, I'll post Gryms actions without the benefit of RS as I don't want to potentially slow the game down by not posting for hours.
If I'm not concerned about posting ability, and I know Skalla's usual actions will be to start Raging Song in round 1 I can metagame and delay posting til Skalla has.
A better example would be Flanking where the second character to move into flanking position would get the +2 flanking bonus. Yes, it can be resolved retroactively by init order. But it is simpler to resolve a Flanking bonus in post order. Because the 2nd character can add flanking into their attack post rather than having to examine the init order.
Post-order minimizes retconning which makes for fewer sidebar discussions and smoother gameplay.
My 2cents. Truly happy to go with whatever way you want to handle it
Just wanted to say I'm HAPPY TO BE HERE. It's been MONTHS since I've had an active campaign
Months? Recruitments must've been tricky getting through, then.
I don't have a preference for post-order or initiative-order. Skalla's initiative bonus is very low anyway, and I find that with timezone differences I might be the one who either posts first or last in a round.
I would not assume that Skalla will start Raging Song at the beginning of every combat, as that is a limited resource, especially at low levels. She did it now because the attack was so unexpected, but once it becomes clear that fighting is on the table more often than not she will ration it more - at least until she gets Lingering Performance.
You all have very good points. I suggested post in any order and then I put it together in order as Saelihn suggested so that those who invest in their initiative bonuses get to reap the benefits. As Gronilda points out, though, as long as that character gets to go before the bad guys, it shouldn't matter which of the heroes goes first. My only remaining concern for going full post order Would be that certain characters may get to go first, or last, every time depending on their availability following my post.
Final thoughts?
Would be that certain characters may get to go first, or last, every time depending on their availability following my post.---GM
This does not concern me at all. If Grym goes last every time it will not bother me.
For me, aside from improving game-flow the largest benefit to full post-order is minimizing GM workload. We ALL know how many games die off due to GM burnout. Minimizing retcons and GM workload helps to avoid this.
edit: I can certainly see where our ranged characters would prefer to go first at times to avoid firing into melee now while they lack Precise Shot. I'm happy to metagame and try to avoid posting b4 them as those situations arise.
Later on, your characters will gain Precise Shot and Grym will also become a switch-hitter throwing his Shield for ranged attacks to lead off combat and so the ranged characters' concern with going first will lessen over time. Or at least that's what I think will happen ;)